Belief Revision in Science: Informational Economy and Paraconsistency

In the present paper, our objective is to examine the application of belief revision models to scientific rationality. We begin by considering the standard model AGM, and along the way a number of problems surface that make it seem inadequate for this specific application. After considering three different heuristics of informational economy that seem fit for science, we consider some possible adaptations for it and argue informally that, overall, some paraconsistent models seem to better satisfy these principles, following Testa (2015). These models have been worked out in formal detail by Testa, Cogniglio, & Ribeiro (2015, 2017)

Metaphysical Explanation and the Inference to the Best Explanation (BA thesis)

Inference to the Best Explanation, roughly put, appeals to the explanatory power of a theory or hypothesis (relative to some data set) as constituting epistemic justification for it. Inference to the Best Explanation (henceforth IBE) is a tool widely employed among all reasoners alike, from the empirical sciences to ordinary life. Philosophical discussions do not differ in the usualness of explanatory appeals of this kind during serious argument. Often enough, the appeal is dialectically blocked, as many of our epistemic peers in philosophy offer reasons to be skeptical of IBE. Our aim with this monograph is to assess one worry that have been raised about this mode of inference: That explanatory power is not truth-conducive. We begin by discussing general features of inferences and then formulating IBE in detail. Afterward, we explicate and apply a canonical understanding of what an explanation is. This will lead to a certain understanding of explanatory power. We undergo a case study to defend the thesis that this kind of explanatory power is indeed epistemically irrelevant – unless, perhaps, when combined with other theoretical virtues. Our conclusion is that the measure what explanations are best requires taking other theoretical virtues into account, such as simplicity and unification. In this case, a complete assessment of IBE requires examining if, when, and how these alleged theoretical virtues are indeed truth-conducive

Generalised Geometry and type II Supergravity

Ten-dimensional type II supergravity can be reformulated as a generalised geometrical analogue of Einstein gravity, defined by an $O(9,1)\times O(1,9)\subset O(10,10)\times\mathbb{R}^+$ structure on the generalised tangent space. To leading order in the fermion fields, this allow one to rewrite the action, equations of motion and supersymmetry variations in a simple, manifestly $Spin(9,1)\times Spin(1,9)$-covariant form.Comment: 5 pages, contribution to the proceedings of the XVII European Workshop on String Theory 2011, Padua, Italy, to appear in Fortschritte der Physi

Understanding Factors Underlying Fatigue among Collegiate Aviation Pilots in the United States

An increase in evidence-based studies into the deleterious effects of fatigue on flight operations has been reported by key aviation groups globally. The collegiate aviation flight training environment has not been researched at the same level when compared to military and airline operations. College aged students are unique in the sense that they are tasked with classwork, studying, participation in student organizations, social activities, and often have part time jobs within and outside of the academic environment. These conditions may cause errors, incidents, accidents, poor academic performance, and undesirable health metrics. The purpose of this study was to understand fatigue as a multi-factorial dimension and to assess potential relationships among these factors using hypothesized measurement models. The research team distributed the Collegiate Aviation Fatigue Inventory II (CAFI-II) to eight small, medium, and large collegiate aviation programs in the United States. The CAFI-II primarily focuses on fatigue awareness, causes and symptoms of fatigue, and lifestyle choices. Four hundred and twenty-two (n = 422) valid responses were obtained. Results suggested a direct predictive relationship between fatigue in collegiate flight training and the perceptions of respondents of conditions that are known to cause fatigue. Findings also suggested that respondents who had a favorable perception of fatigue risk and management programs had a better understanding of the causes of fatigue

Natureza da ligação Ru-NO em novos nitrosilo complexos de rutênio com ligantes quelantes CCC e CNC contendo carbenos

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências Físicas e Matemáticas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Química, Florianópolis, 2015.Compostos capazes de liberar ou sequestrar óxido nítrico são promissores agentes terapêuticos como antimicrobianos, reguladores da pressão sanguínea, no combate ao câncer, dentre outros. Neste trabalho foram investigados novos nitrosilo complexos de rutênio, potencialmente liberadores de óxido nítrico, contendo ligantes pinça quelantes tridentados em que dois sítios coordenantes são carbenos N heterociclos ligados por uma ponte fenila ou piridil que também coordena-se ao centro metálico. Derivados destes complexos são obtidos pela substituição de grupos alquila no átomo de nitrogênio dos grupos imidazolilideno. A estrutura geométrica e eletrônica destes complexos organometálicos e de seus produtos de redução monoeletrônica foram investigadas por métodos computacionais empregando-se a Teoria do Funcional da Densidade (DFT). A natureza da ligação química Ru NO foi estudada utilizando-se as técnicas de Análise de Decomposição de Energia de Su-Li (Su-Li EDA) e Orbitais Naturais de Ligação (NBO). Neste trabalho também foi avaliada uma metodologia para a predição de potenciais de redução dos nitrosilo complexos de rutênio estudados.Abstract : Compounds capable of releasing or scavenging nitric oxide are promising therapeutic agents as antimicrobials, blood pressure regulators, in cancer treatment and many others. In this work were investigated new ruthenium nitrosyl complexes, potentially capable of releasing nitric oxide, containing chelating tridentade pincer ligands in which two coordinating sites are N-heterocyclic carbenes united by a bridging coordinating phenyl or pyridyl unit. Derivatives of these complexes are obtained by substitution of alkyl groups at the imidazolylidene nitrogen. The geometric and electronic structure of these organometallic complexes and their one-electron reduction products were investigated by computational methods employing Density Functional Theory. The nature of the Ru NO chemical bond was investigated using the Energy Decomposition Analysis of Su-Li and Natural Bond Orbitals. In this work it was also evaluated a methodology for the prediction of reduction potentials of the ruthenium nitrosyl complexes under investigation