Boolean difference-making: a modern regularity theory of causation

A regularity theory of causation analyses type-level causation in terms of Boolean difference-making. The essential ingredient that helps this theoretical framework overcome the well-known problems of Hume's and Mill's classical regularity theoretic proposals is a principle of non-redundancy: only redundancy-free Boolean dependency structures track causation. The first part of this paper argues that the recent regularity theoretic literature has not consistently implemented this principle, for it disregarded two important types of redundancies: componential and structural redundancies. The second part then develops a new variant of a regularity theory that does justice to all types of redundancies and, thereby, provides the first all-inclusive notion of Boolean difference-making

Boolean difference-making: a modern regularity theory of causation

A regularity theory of causation analyses type-level causation in terms of Boolean difference-making. The essential ingredient that helps this theoretical framework overcome the well-known problems of Hume's and Mill's classical accounts is a principle of non-redundancy: only Boolean dependency structures from which no elements can be eliminated track causation. The first part of this paper argues that the recent regularity theoretic literature has not consistently implemented this principle, for it disregarded an important type of redundancies: structural redundancies. Moreover, it is shown that a regularity theory needs to be underwritten by a hitherto neglected metaphysical background assumption stipulating that the world's causal makeup is not ambiguous. Against that background, the second part then develops a new regularity theory that does justice to all types of redundancies and, thereby, provides the first all-inclusive notion of Boolean difference-making

Boolean difference-making: a modern regularity theory of causation

A regularity theory of causation analyses type-level causation in terms of Boolean difference-making. The essential ingredient that helps this theoretical framework overcome the well-known problems of Hume's and Mill's classical regularity theoretic proposals is a principle of non-redundancy: only redundancy-free Boolean dependency structures track causation. The first part of this paper argues that the recent regularity theoretic literature has not consistently implemented this principle, for it disregarded two important types of redundancies: componential and structural redundancies. The second part then develops a new variant of a regularity theory that does justice to all types of redundancies and, thereby, provides the first all-inclusive notion of Boolean difference-making

Configurational Causal Modeling and Logic Regression

Configurational comparative methods (CCMs) and logic regression methods (LRMs) are two families of exploratory methods that employ very different techniques to analyze data generated by causal structures featuring conjunctural causation and equifinality. Aiming for the same by different means carries a substantive synergy potential, which, however, remains untapped so far because representatives of the two frameworks know little of each other. The purpose of this article is to change that. We first level the field for readers from both backgrounds by providing brief introductions to the basic ideas behind CCMs and LRMs. Then, we carve out the strengths and weaknesses of the two method families by benchmarking their performance when applied to binary data under a variety of different discovery contexts. It turns out that CCMs and LRMs have complementary strengths and weaknesses. This creates various promising avenues for cross-validation.publishedVersio

Major Chemical Elements in Soot and Particulate Matter Exhaust Emissions Generated from In-Use Diesel Engine Passenger Vehicles

In this research we apply a sensitive laser optical technique for the measurement of main chemical elements present in the exhaust emissions generated from different in-use Diesel engine passenger vehicles. We use the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique for diagnostics of miscellaneous Diesel particulate matter (DPM) formed from combustion Diesel engine exhaust emissions. Here we analysed particulate matter (PM) extracted from exhaust manifold part, from 67 different passenger vehicles of major brands from European car producers, that are used in daily life environment. The aim of this study is to develop LIBS technique for measurement of PM and to compare the emission matrix composition and major chemical elements within the Diesel particulate matter from exhaust manifold part. The presence of these elements in PM is linked with various processes inside the Diesel combustion engine

Identification of the Minor Chemical Elements in the Particulate Matter Exhaust Emissions From In-Use Diesel Engine Passenger Vehicles

In this research, we investigate the minor chemical elements contained in the particulate matter (PM) exhaust emissions, generated by in-use diesel engine passenger vehicles. For this purpose, we apply a high-resolution optical emission spectroscopy technique, for precise, spectrochemical analysis of diesel particulate matter (DPM). By means of the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analytical method, we analyse PM from different road diesel engine vehicles. DPM were obtained from miscellaneous in-use diesel engine passenger vehicles of diverse types and models from major brand car producers in Europe. We analysed particulate matter extracted from the exhaust manifold part, from 67 different passenger vehicles, which are used in daily life environment

Formelle und informelle Exklusion im Kontext demokratischer und kulturell pluraler Gesellschaften

In demokratischen und weltanschaulich und kulturell pluralen Gesellschaften kann die vollwertige Partizipation an der deliberativen Öffentlichkeit durch verschiedene Hindernisse erschwert oder verhindert werden. Infolgedessen können die davon betroffenen Personen und Personengruppen nicht oder nur sehr schwer an wesentlichen politischen Prozessen teilnehmen. In diesem Beitrag werden verschiedene Formen formeller und informeller Exklusion untersucht und ethisch beurteilt. Die ethische Analyse erfolgt zunächst vor dem Hintergrund der explizit auf das Problem gesellschaftlicher Partizipation ausgerichteten dreidimensionalen Gerechtigkeitskonzeption von Nancy Fraser. Dabei ergibt sich bei der formellen Exklusion und bei bestimmten Formen informeller Exklusion ein klares Bild; derartige Exklusionsformen verletzen wesentliche Dimensionen von Gerechtigkeit und damit moralische (Rechts)Ansprüche. Für die ethische Analyse weniger massiver, aber dennoch signifikanter Formen informeller Exklusion greife ich auf moraltheoretische Unterscheidungen von Andreas Wildt zurück. Dies führt zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Erschwerung der vollwertigen Partizipation an deliberativer Öffentlichkeit infolge informeller Exklusionsmechanismen zwar keine moralischen Ansprüche verletzt, wohl aber ein Verstoß gegen moralische Verpflichtungen ist und/oder moralische Verpflichtungen konstituiert, die mit ‚bürgerlicher Rechtschaffenheit‘ verbunden sind

Selective Arterial Embolizations of Renal Angiomyolipomas Using 96% Ethanol: A Case Series of 5 Patients.

Angiomyolipomas are rare benign tumors of the kidneys, with a risk of spontaneous hemorrhage including severe retroperitoneal bleedings. In this study, we report clinical outcomes of 5 patients who underwent 8 embolization sessions using 96% ethanol, as there is scarce data using this embolic agent for this indication. The primary angiographic success could be achieved in all but 1 lesion, which was not accessible due to vasospasm of the supplying vessel. Therapeutic success could be demonstrated in all treated cases for which follow-up imaging was available (n = 3). In 1 complex patient, a mildly reduced renal function, as well as a new onset of arterial hypertension was detected after treatment. Nontarget embolization of vital kidney tissue was demonstrated in another patient; it remained asymptomatic. Embolization therapy using 96% ethanol is an optional method to treat renal angiomyolipomas