Librationist cum classical set theories

A librationist set theoretic system \Pfund, which is inter alia geared to deal with set theoretic paradoxes in new ways, is developed. It descends from work in a semantic setting, for truth, initiated by by Kripke, Herzberger and Gupta. \Pfund \ extends the author's contribution in Librationist closures of the paradoxes in Logic and Logical Philosophy 21(4), 323-361, 2012. It is shown that \Pfund \ provides an interpretation of a set theory published by D. Scott in More on the axiom of extensionality, in Bar-Hillel et alia, Essays on the foundations of mathematics, North-Holland Publishing Company, 1961, 115-131. Given this, \Pfund \ also obtains an interpretation of ZFC vi results of von Neumann on regularity in 1929, and G\"odel on the Axiom og Choice in 1938. However, \Pfund \ offers alternative ways to include choice and regularity by means of principles which are informative, and natural. \Pfund \ retains the idea, of Bj{\o}rdal 2012, that the set theoretic universe is countable. But the set within which ZF is interpreted "believes" that there are sets which are not countable. The situation can be resolved much as by Skolem, though one need not suggest that the notion of 'set' is imprecice: for the bijection from the set of finite von Neumann ordinals to the full universe is itself not a member of a classical set theory

All Properties are Divine or God Exists - The Sacred Thesis and its Ontological Argument

A metaphysical system engendered by a third order quantified modal logic S5 plus impredicative comprehension principles is used to isolate a third order predicate D, and by being able to impredicatively take a second order predicate G to hold of an individual just if the individual necessarily has all second order properties which are D we in Section 2 derive the thesis (40) that all properties are D or some individual is G. In Section 3 theorems 1 to 3 suggest a sufficient kinship to Gödelian ontological arguments so as to think of thesis (40) in terms of divine property and Godly being; divine replaces positive with Gödel and others. Thesis (40), the sacred thesis, supports the ontological argument that God exists because some property is not divine. In Section 4 a fixed point analysis is used as diagnosis so that atheists may settle for the minimal fixed point. Theorem 3 shows it consistent to postulate theistic fixed points, and a monotheistic result follows if one assumes theism and that it is divine to be identical with a deity. Theorem 4 (the Monotheorem) states that if Gg and it is divine to be identical with g, then necessarily all objects which are G are identical with g. The impredicative origin of D suggests weakened Gaunilo-like objections that offer related theses for other second order properties and their associated diverse presumptive individual bearers. Nevertheless, in the last section we finesse these Gaunilo-like objections by adopting what we call an apathiatheistic opinion which suggest that the best concepts `God’ allow thorough indifference as to whether God exists or not

Supporting Learning and Thinking with Multiple Representations in Upper Division Physics Courses

Physicists solve problems and communicate their work using many external representations, such as equations, words, diagrams, graphs, sketches, pictures, and more. To learn physics, then, students must learn to use external representations. In this dissertation, I present three manuscripts. Each manuscript discusses how upper-division Paradigms in Physics students use multiple representations during in-class activities specifically designed to develop deeper physics understanding and build connections between representations. In the first two manuscripts, I looked at an activity where students generate equipotential curves for two different collections of point charges. I show how the representations were used together in one group’s science practices, particularly developing and using models, using mathematics and computational thinking, constructing explanations, and engaging in argument from evidence. I conclude in my analysis of the equipotentials activity that some representations are more useful for students to represent their own understanding to each other and the instructor, preparing them to discuss representations that serve as evidence. Furthermore, having multiple representations allowed the students to make very direct comparisons and identify essential underlying elements of all the representations. In the third manuscript, I looked at a thermodynamics activity and discuss how several different groups of students selected a representation and how the students reasoned about covariation. I conclude that the students effectively chose a graph where the variable they were told to change was on an axis, but that the students tended to assume that the other axis variable must then be held constant. This dissertation builds on current ideas about the use of external representations in physics by showing how specific representations support student learning, and how students use multiple representations to learn. Relevant extensions of this work are investigations of how student-generated representations connect to student reasoning, and how students select external representations when exploring physical systems

Recursionist Theories of Knowledge

A recursive definition of knowledge is proposed, to deal with Gettier style difficulties, and provide a framework for a variety of epistemologies

Active Ebola Virus Replication and Heterogeneous Evolutionary Rates in EVD Survivors

Summary: Following cessation of continuous Ebola virus (EBOV) transmission within Western Africa, sporadic EBOV disease (EVD) cases continued to re-emerge beyond the viral incubation period. Epidemiological and genomic evidence strongly suggests that this represented transmission from EVD survivors. To investigate whether persistent infections are characterized by ongoing viral replication, we sequenced EBOV from the semen of nine EVD survivors and a subset of corresponding acute specimens. EBOV evolutionary rates during persistence were either similar to or reduced relative to acute infection rates. Active EBOV replication/transcription continued during convalescence, but decreased over time, consistent with viral persistence rather than viral latency. Patterns of genetic divergence suggest a moderate relaxation of selective constraints within the sGP carboxy-terminal tail during persistent infections, but do not support widespread diversifying selection. Altogether, our data illustrate that EBOV persistence in semen, urine, and aqueous humor is not a quiescent or latent infection. : Whitmer et al. find that Ebola virus continues replication/transcription within the eye and male genital tract of Ebola virus disease survivors. They describe viral replication, evolutionary rates, and selective pressures experienced during acute and persistent infection. Keywords: Ebola virus, EVD survivors, persistent viral infection, evolutionary pressure, evolutionary rates, RNA hyper-editin

The monoclonal antibody combination REGEN-COV protects against SARS-CoV-2 mutational escape in preclinical and human studies.

Monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are a clinically validated therapeutic option against COVID-19. Because rapidly emerging virus mutants are becoming the next major concern in the fight against the global pandemic, it is imperative that these therapeutic treatments provide coverage against circulating variants and do not contribute to development of treatment-induced emergent resistance. To this end, we investigated the sequence diversity of the spike protein and monitored emergence of virus variants in SARS-COV-2 isolates found in COVID-19 patients treated with the two-antibody combination REGEN-COV, as well as in preclinical in vitro studies using single, dual, or triple antibody combinations, and in hamster in vivo studies using REGEN-COV or single monoclonal antibody treatments. Our study demonstrates that the combination of non-competing antibodies in REGEN-COV provides protection against all current SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern/interest and also protects against emergence of new variants and their potential seeding into the population in a clinical setting

[Photograph 2012.201.B1126.0499]

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "Boo who? "Not me," says Steveanne Rice, all dressed up Friday night for an annual night of Halloween fun and spooks.

[Photograph 2012.201.B1227.0532]

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "Record setting baby, Tonya Michelle Sappington, it shown Saturday with his mother, Mrs. Jerry Sappington, Choctaw, at Midwest City Memorial Hospital.

Scouting Skills

Photograph used for a story in the Daily Oklahoman newspaper. Caption: "SCOUTING SKILLS are on display Saturday when Boy Scouts of the Thunderbird District of the Last Frontier Council gather at Trosper Park to exhibit their skills.