Inference and argument in informal logic

We can provisionally distinguish inference as logically drawing some new result out of given information from argument as advancing reasons in support of a challenged claim. Blair and Johnson place inference beyond the scope of informal logic, and Tou lmin considers inference to be the connection of premises with conclusion in a strong argument. Both approaches are inadequate to inference as distinguished here, and partly as a consequence argument analysts tend unwittingly to mark the distinction as t hat between linked and convergent arguments. Here I urge that there are advantages to treating inference as inference

Design factors for the communication architecture of distributed discrete event simulation systems

The purpose of the thesis was to investigate the influence communication architecture decisions have on the performance of a simulation system with distributed components. In particular, the objective was to assess the relative importance of factors affecting reliability and variability of an external data interface to the performance of the simulation, as compared to factor within the simulation itself

Lessons learned: Notes on the natural history of the Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus) in Minnesota

The Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus) has been the focus of many studies due, in part, to this species' interesting morphological characteristics and death-feigning behavior. However, significant gaps exist in our understanding  of this species' natural history. Often perceived to be a semi-fossorial species in the literature, our data suggests that this species spends the majority of its time during the active season above ground. In addition, we provide some of the first data on communal hibernation for this species. Also discussed are observations on nocturnality, oophagy, and reproduction. Given that the plain Hognose Snake is imperiled in many of the states and provinces in which it occurs, additional research is needed to better inform in-situ conservation efforts.&nbsp

NEW AND UPDATED RECORDS FOR AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN MINNESOTA, USA

Following the publication of the revised edition of “Amphibians and Reptiles in Minnesota” by Moriarty and Hall (2014), we accessioned several new or updated records at the Bell Museum of Natural History (JFBM). Records include digital photographs (accession number preceded by “P”) and audio recordings (accession number preceded by “AUD”). In addition, a subset of these observations were accessioned in www.HerpMapper.org. HerpMapper accession numbers are preceded by “HM” and can be viewed online. Benjamin Lowe verified species determinations. Latitude and longitude coordinates are based on datum WGS 84

A continuum of persistence: low-income and first-generation college students' Perceptions of critical factors for postsecondary success

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. March 2014. Major: Educational Psychology. Advisor: Sandra Christenson. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 203 pages.The purpose of this study was to explore similarities and differences among low-income and first-generation (LIFG) students' perceptions of influential academic, psychosocial, and contextual factors that shaped their persistence at different stages at the postsecondary level. This study consisted of 29 LIFG students from a large, urban research university in the Midwest who had not declared a major, had declared a major, and had graduated. Student academic data were analyzed quantitatively to supplement information regarding the postsecondary experience and indicated significant group differences in high school performance, high school ability, and college performance. A qualitative interview approach explored influential psychosocial and contextual factors through data gathered from semi-structured interviews. Several themes emerged: high academic expectations held by students, commitment to college to attain career/degree goals, belief that ability could change with effort, problem-solving skills, and high postsecondary expectations held by both their high school staff and parents. Common factors between groups and factors that were unique to each group also emerged and are discussed. In addition, the importance of understanding students' background, perceptions of low academic self-efficacy and lack of college knowledge permeated throughout the student responses. Nevertheless, LIFG students expressed a willingness to work hard, and often, a need to invest more time and effort than their higher socioeconomic status peers. Merits and limitations, implications for research, practice, and policy and directions for future research are discussed.Ganuza Hoaglund, Zoila M.. (2014). A continuum of persistence: low-income and first-generation college students' Perceptions of critical factors for postsecondary success. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/162961

The relationship of dietary intake to blood vitamin B₆ in oral contraceptive users

Oral contraceptive (OC) users frequently have lower vitamin B₆ status than non-oral contraceptive (NOC) users. However, normal dietary intake, a possible factor, has not been adequately studied. Therefore, 26 OC users and 25 NOC users, of college age, were compared with respect to dietary intake of vitamin B₆ and blood vitamin B₆ levels. OC users had been taking "the pill" for at least five months and NOC users had not taken any estrogen-progestin hormones for at least five months. A 72-hour continuous dietary intake record, kept by each subject, was used to calculate intakes of vitamin B₆ and nine other nutrients. Subjects consumed self-selected diets and none had used vitamin B₆ supplements within two weeks of this study. Intakes of all nutrients studied were comparable between the two groups. The mean intakes exceeded the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for all nutrients except iron, calories and vitamin B₆. The mean intake of vitamin B₆ (1.4 [plus or minus] 0.5 mg/day for OC and 1.6 [plus or minus] 0.5 mg/day for NOC) did not differ significantly between the two groups. The RDA for this age group is 2.0 mg/day of vitamin B₆. The mean protein intakes were not significantly different for OC versus NOC users (72.6 [plus or minus] 19.4 g/day for OC and 66.9 [plus or minus] 13.6 g/day for NOC). The ratio of vitamin B₆ to protein was calculated for each subject. Mean ratios were 0.020 [plus or minus] 0.004 for OC and 0.025 [plus or minus] 0.01 for NOC users. This difference was significant at p<0.05. The mean ratio for both groups exceeded 0.019, which is considered to be adequate. Fasting blood samples were collected during the luteal phase (NOC) or after seven days of the pill cycle for 0C users. These samples were analyzed for whole blood and plasma (by Lind, 1980) vitamin B₆, using a microbiological assay (S.uvarum). These values were used to calculate vitamin B₆ levels in the red blood cell (RBC). A significant difference (p [less than or equal to] 0.05) was found between the mean level of RBC vitamin B₆ in the 0C users versus the NOC (12.4 [plus or minus] 5.4 ng/ml for 0C and 16.8 [plus or minus] 8.5 ng/ml for NOC). Plasma vitamin B₆ concentrations were also significantly different between the two groups. The mean ratio of plasma vitamin B₆ to RBC vitamin B₆ was not statistically different between 0C and NOC users. A questionnaire was used to compare the subject groups with respect to exercise, alcohol intake, general health, general vitamin B₆ intake and other indices. With the exception of alcohol intake, the mean scores for both groups, from this questionnaire, were similar. 0C users had a significantly higher intake of alcohol than NOC users, as measured by the questionnaire. However, the actual alcohol intake from the dietary record did not differ statistically between the two groups. The lack of a significant difference in vitamin B₆ intake, coupled with significantly different blood vitamin B₆ levels for 0C versus NOC users, tends to indicate that the 0C may be altering vitamin B₆ metabolism. Estrogens may cause a redistribution of vitamin B₆ in various body pools, with the vitamin leaving the blood and entering other tissues. Blood levels are generally used to determine vitamin status. By this assessment, 0C users have a lower vitamin B₆ status than controls. It is recommended that 0C users be encouraged to consume at least 2.0 mg/day of vitamin B₆ in their normal diets

Determining Distribution and Size of Larval Pacific Geoduck Clams (Panopea Generosa Gould 1850) in Quartermaster Harbor (Washington, USA) Using a Novel Sampling Approach

Realistic species-specific information about larval life history is necessary for effective management of shellfish and parameterization of larval connectivity models. The patchiness of dispersing larvae, and the resources needed for sorting and identifying them, has limited many studies of larval distribution in the field, especially for species that are less common. In particular, little is known about in situ larval distribution of Pacific geoduck clams (Panopea generosa Gould 1850), a commercially important species found in Puget Sound, WA. A novel approach-time-integrating larval tube traps paired with molecular identification and sorting (FISH-CS)-was used to determine the distribution of geoduck larvae over 4 moat 3 stations in Quartermaster Harbor. Larvae were found consistently at the surface and thermocline rather than at the bottom. More and larger larvae were captured in the inside and middle of the harbor than the outer harbor, indicating at least some larval retention. Two pulses of larvae were captured, in March and late May to early June. Size frequency distributions of larvae indicate that these were 2 separate cohorts of larvae, with the possibility of a pulse of larvae from elsewhere toward the end of the season. The only physical parameter associated with relative larval abundance was degree of stratification, although the association was weak. These data represent the first reported study of geoduck larval distribution in the field and the first use of the FISH-CS technique for field collections. In the future, this approach can be used to answer many relevant management questions locally and more broadly, including quantifying larval export from shellfish farms, placement of restoration sites and marine protected areas, and spread of invasive species