Logical Pluralism: Where the Conflict Really Lies

Recent years have seen a surge of attention to the problem of logical pluralism; most of which has been a reaction to Beall and Restall’s account of logical pluralism as the existence of more than one equally correct semantic relation of logical consequence. The underlying thesis is that the indeterminacy of the notion of validity goes beyond what the inductive-deductive distinction can precisify. The notion of deductive validity itself is indeterminate as well and this indeterminacy has its roots in the indeterminacy of the more fundamental notion of case. Cases are what make the premisses and the conclusion of an argument true; the most notable example being Tarskian models for classical logic. Deductive validity is the preservation of truth across all cases. This paper argues that unless this account of logical pluralism is supplemented with an argument in favor of the equal legitimacy of the purported cases it becomes merely a semi-controversial exposition of how different logics can be generated

Higher-Order Skolem’s Paradoxes

Some analogous higher-order versions of Skolem’s paradox will be introduced. The generalizability of two solutions for Skolem’s paradox will be assessed: the course-book approach and Bays’ one. Bays’ solution to Skolem’s paradox, unlike the course-book solution, can be generalized to solve the higher-order paradoxes without any implication about the possibility or order of a language in which mathematical practice is to be formalized

Holographic Complexity in Gauge/String Superconductors

Following a methodology similar to \cite{Alishahiha:2015rta}, we derive a holographic complexity for two dimensional holographic superconductors (gauge/string superconductors) with backreactions. Applying a perturbation method proposed by Kanno in Ref. \cite{kanno}, we study behaviors of the complexity for a dual quantum system near critical points. We show that when a system moves from the normal phase ($T>T_c$) to the superconductor phase ($T<T_c$), the holographic complexity will be divergent.Comment: 6 page

The relation among achievement goals and academic achievement in statistics: the mediating role of statistics anxiety and statistics self-efficacy

AbstractIn order to predict student's academic achievement in statistics in terms of achievement goals, statistics anxiety and statistics selfefficacy, 323 participants from Fars Peyame Noor Universities were selected via multi- stage cluster sampling and then were asked to fill in a set of questionnaires, consisted of achievement goals, statistics anxiety and statistics self-efficacy scales. Results of path analysis generally showed that achievement goals indirectly and through statistics anxiety and statistics self-efficacy affect students’ achievement in statistics. Moreover, results showed that unlike avoidance-performance goals, the indirect effect of mastery goals on statistical achievement is positive

The Counterexample Method and Armchair Philosophy

According to a bedrock assumption in the current methodology of armchair philosophy, we may refute a theory aiming at analyzing a concept by providing a counterexample in which it intuitively seems that a hypothetical or real situation does not fit with what the theory implies. In this paper, we shall argue that this assumption is at most either untenable or otherwise useless in bringing about what is commonly expected from it

What we Know so far about Myxovirus Resistance Protein A (MxA) as a Biomarker of Interferon-Beta Therapy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: a Systematic Review

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disabling diseases in human societies with no complete cure. IFN-β has been proven to be an important advance in the MS treatment, but early identification of treatment failure is its major concern. Some researches revealed that MxA is an appropriate biomarker for predicting response to IFN-β, so we performed this study to evaluate the relationship between MxA level and response to INF- β treatment.Methods: International and internal databases were searched using “MxA”, “Myxovirus resistance protein A”, “IFN-β”, “interferon Beta”, “multiple sclerosis” and “MS keywords until October 2019. Inclusion criteria were original studies considering the MxA assays in MS patients under IFN-β therapy. Some reported cut-offs from partially the same settings (7 studies) were pooled using the weighted average. Finally, the overall statements of the included studies were compared and discussed to obtain a comprehensive conclusion about the clinical value of MxA assays in patient monitoring and designing their treatment plan. Results: A total of 456 articles were identified. The Screening was led to exclusion of 427 articles. Finally, 28 original studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. Almost all studies have concluded that the MxA is significantly correlated with response to IFN-β therapy and also MxA expression is under the direct effect of Neutralizing antibody (NAb) against IFN-β. Reported cut-offs for MxA ranged from 3.3 to 6.3 NR and the weighted average of them was estimated to be 4.1 NR. Conclusion: It could be suggested that in patients under IFN-β therapy with an active disease which doesn’t fulfill the criteria for the breakthrough disease, MxA level can help to determine whether to continue the drug and follow up a patient or change the treatment regimen

The Genetic Causes of Male Infertility in Iranian Population; A systematic Review

Introduction: Infertility affects an estimated 15% of couples globally and in Iran, a quarter of couples experiences primary infertility. Males are found to be individually responsible for 20-30% of infertility cases and contribute to 50% of cases totally. When assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are used to acquire pregnancy, a sufficient (epi) genetic diagnosis of male infertility (MI) is of main matter to consider if a genetic abnormality will be transmit-ted to offspring. Infertility centers together with Infertility research centers had been founded since 1994 in Iran and many articles from research projects have been published.Materials and Methods: This literature investigated the possible genetic causes mechanisms underlying Iranian male infertility by extensive article searches.  First, we reviewed available data from the Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IranMedex, MEDLIB, IranDoc and Scientific Information Database were searched for articles published until 2018, using the MeSH terms for a variety of chromosome abnormalities, Y-chromosome microdeletions, gene mutations, expression and polymorphisms, Male infertility and/or Iranian, regional and international population, to provides the evidence- based and a comprehensive, up-to- date evaluation of the multifactorial factors involved in Iranian infertile men.  Results: According to the strategy adopted initially, 274 manuscripts were found. After reviewing the titles, abstracts and manuscripts entirely cited, the total of 139 articles were obtained and selected according to the eligibility criteria. The 139 studies were divided into four predetermined categories that mentioned above.  Studies have good methodological validity. The sample is quite heterogeneous, given the very different design of the studies.Conclusion: MI is a complex, multi-factorial disease and the underlying reasons frequently remain unknown. It seems that the first line of genetic diagnosis in Iranian male infertility is similar to Global One. In all investigations conducted in Iran, there are vacancies in studies such as epigenetic modification studies, RNA (lncRNA, miRNA and piRNA) abnormalities, mutation detection and polymorphism studies in other genes involved in the spermatogenesis process. At present, we have a little information for some polymorphisms (MTHFR, GST, ER, and DAZL) and mutations (mtDNA, CATSPER) which require more extensive studies. Such articles help to find a better insight into the causes of infertility in the Iranian men's community and will provide valuable visions into the development of targeted personalized treatments for patients and the ascertainment of the reasons of idiopathic infertility.

Primary preventive interventions on traffic accidents among males: A review on the literature during 2009-2019 in Iran

Introduction: The present study aimed to compare the national health indicators and the effectiveness of primary preventive interventions on traffic accidents in Iran during the last decade (2009-2019). Methods: All published original articles on the primary preventive intervention and health indicators of traffic accidents in Iran were extracted. The inclusion criteria included epidemiologic studies on Iranian male population during 2009-2019. Data were screened and extracted by two independent evaluators and the quality of studies was checked using the&nbsp;STROBE&nbsp;checklist. The exclusion criteria included those articles aimed at presenting results of second or third levels prevention (including injury management, pre-hospital emergency management, economic analyses, case reports, and traffic accidents&nbsp;from non-human perspectives).&nbsp; Accident-related mortality rates, proportionate mortality from traffic accidents per 1000 vehicles, and per 1000 accidents were estimated. &nbsp;Results: A total of 65 original articles were included of which 13 were presented health indicators. The crude mortality rate varied from 57.1 in Sistan-Balooshestan province to 73 (per 100,000 population ) in Fars province.&nbsp; The age-standardized mortality rate among male pedestrians (per 100,000 population) varied from 10.6-33.4 in Gilan and Mazandaran, 42 in Fars, 50.9 in Lorestan provinces. During the last 10 years, the mortality rate decreased from 38 to 12 cases per 1000 vehicles and increased from 51 to 56 cases per 100 accidents. Studies on the effectiveness of primary level prevention have addressed regulations on controlling blood alcohol level and international projection models. &nbsp;Conclusions: The type of health indicators related to traffic accidents seems to vary greatly among studies. Investigation on the effectiveness of primary preventive interventions on traffic caccidents are proposed frequently by WHO. Nevertheless, short-term and long-term effectiveness of many interventions including educational packages, regulations and specific laws have not been assessed in Iran

Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Personnel of Health Centers in Babol, Iran

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most important cause of lost workdays and inefficiencies, medical costs, and workforce injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the musculoskeletal disorders in employees of Babol health centers in 2017. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 210 employees of Babol health centers. A questionnaire including demographic information and the Standard Nordic Questionnaire were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test in SPSS 22 software. Results: The mean age of the personnel was 40.07 ± 8.46. The highest prevalence of disorders was reported in the waist (58.9%) and neck (54.1%) in the last year, and the lower back (46.9%) and neck (44.9%) in the last seven days. In the last year, 25.7% and 15.5% of the staff required the use of medical and physiotherapy services, respectively, due to disorders. There was a significant relation between behind-the-desk hours with neck (P= 0.002) and knee pain (P= 0.049). Conclusion: In order to prevent and control musculoskeletal disorders, regarding the high prevalence of them, it is necessary to program for educational workshops to increase personnel knowledge, as well as ergonomic interventions, redesigning the workplace, and using appropriate anthropometric equipment. Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Nordic Disease Questionnaire, Personnel of health center

Busulfan Treatment Effects on Testicular Tissue and Serum Levels of Anti- Mullerian Hormone and Testosterone in Adult Mice

BACKGROUND: Busulfan, a chemotherapeutic drug, is an alkylating antineoplastic agent that belongs to the class of alkyl sulfonates and has some side effects on fertility. This research was aimed to investigate the effects of busulfan on testicular tissue and serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and testosterone in adult mice.METHODS: Eighteen adult male Balb/C mice were collected randomly and were assigned in three groups including; control, azoospermia and spontaneous recovery. The groups, except for control group, received two injections of busulfan (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally with 21-days interval in order to induce azoospermia. Thirty-five and 140 days after the last injection, the effects of busulfan on testicular tissue were evaluated by histologic, histomorphometric and hormonal changes. AMH and testosterone were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) kits, respectively.RESULTS: Hormonal analyses showed no significant differences in AMH and testosterone serum levels. Histologic and histomorphometric evaluation showed disrupted spermatogenesis in azoospermia group, and restoration of spermatogenesis spontaneously in spontaneous recovery group.CONCLUSION: Busulfan at doses was used had no effect on AMH and testosterone serum levels. Busulfan can also induce azoospermia on a temporary basis however, in long term, spontaneous recovery can occur. The results indicated that some side effects are reversible and may depend on the dose applied.KEYWORDS: Busulfan, anti-Mullerian hormone, testosterone, mouse, testi