A revised attack on computational ontology

There has been an ongoing conflict regarding whether reality is fundamentally digital or analogue. Recently, Floridi has argued that this dichotomy is misapplied. For any attempt to analyse noumenal reality independently of any level of abstraction at which the analysis is conducted is mistaken. In the pars destruens of this paper, we argue that Floridi does not establish that it is only levels of abstraction that are analogue or digital, rather than noumenal reality. In the pars construens of this paper, we reject a classification of noumenal reality as a deterministic discrete computational system. We show, based on considerations from classical physics, why a deterministic computational view of the universe faces problems (e.g., a reversible computational universe cannot be strictly deterministic)

Low optical polarisation at the core of the optically-thin jet of M87

We study the optical linear and circular polarisation in the optically-thin regime of the core and jet of M87. Observations were acquired two days before the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) campaign in early April 2017. A high degree ($\sim 20$ per cent) of linear polarisation (P$_{\rm lin}$) is detected in the bright jet knots resolved at $\sim 10\, \rm{arcsec}$ to $23\, \rm{arcsec}$ ($0.8$-$1.8\, \rm{kpc}$) from the centre, whereas the nucleus and inner jet show P$_{\rm lin} \lesssim 5$ per cent. The position angle of the linear polarisation shifts by $\sim 90$ degrees from each knot to the adjacent ones, with the core angle perpendicular to the first knot. The nucleus was in a low level of activity (P$_{\rm lin} \sim 2$-$3$ per cent), and no emission was detected from HST-1. No circular polarisation was detected either in the nucleus or the jet above a $3\sigma$ level of P$_{\rm circ} \leq 1.5$ per cent, discarding the conversion of P$_{\rm lin}$ into P$_{\rm circ}$. A disordered magnetic field configuration or a mix of unresolved knots polarised along axes with different orientations could explain the low P$_{\rm lin}$. The latter implies a smaller size of the core knots, in line with current interferometric observations. Polarimetry with EHT can probe this scenario in the future. A steep increase of both P$_{\rm lin}$ and P$_{\rm circ}$ with increasing frequency is expected for the optically-thin domain, above the turnover point. This work describes the methodology to recover the four Stokes parameters using a $\lambda/4$ wave-plate polarimeter.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 10 pages, 8 figure

Vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring and population pharmacokinetic models in special patient subpopulations

Vancomycin is a fundamental antibiotic in the management of severe Gram-positive infections. Inappropriate vancomycin dosing is associated with therapeutic failure, bacterial resistance and toxicity. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is acknowledged as an important part of the vancomycin therapy management, at least in specific patient subpopulations, but implementation in clinical practice has been difficult because there are no consensus and agglutinator documents. The aims of the present work are to present an overview of the current knowledge on vancomycin TDM and population pharmacokinetic (PPK) models relevant to specific patient subpopulations. Based on three published international guidelines (American, Japanese and Chinese) on vancomycin TDM and a bibliographic review on available PPK models for vancomycin in distinct subpopulations, an analysis of evidence was carried out and the current knowledge on this topic was summarized. The results of this work can be useful to redirect research efforts to address the detected knowledge gaps. Currently, TDM of vancomycin presents a moderate level of evidence and practical recommendations with great robustness in neonates, pediatric and patients with renal impairment. However, it is important to investigate in other subpopulations known to present altered vancomycin pharmacokinetics (eg neurosurgical, oncological and cystic fibrosis patients), where evidence is still unsufficient

The Madness of March: A Quantitative Look at Cinderella Stories in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament

This study looked to determine if being classified as a Cinderella Story team in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, led to a statistically significant change in NCAA Division I men’s basketball spending for that team’s respective institution one, two, and three years after being labeled. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of men’s basketball spending on teams that are Cinderella Stories in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. It aims to understand how spending differs between athletic programs whose characteristics mirror those of Cinderella Stories and how expenses change before and after being labeled a Cinderella Story. The sample for this dissertation is composed of teams who were seeded between 9th and 15th and were not ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 poll. The treatment for this dissertation is composed of the following teams: those that were not ranked in the preseason Associate Press Top 25, those that won 2 games or advanced to the Sweet 16 and were seeded between 9th and 15th. The comparison for this dissertation is composed of the following teams: those that were not ranked in the preseason Associated Press Top 25, those that won 1 or 0 games in The Tournament, and those that were seeded between 9th and 15th. This study determined that there was no statistical significance on whether a team was a Cinderella Story and men’s basketball spending for that team’s institution

Comissionamento da Área Anticorrupção e Manual de Procedimentos da Universidade Nacional de La Plata

In order to preserve the high standards that make our university one of the most prestigious in the country, it is highly relevant to think about defining margins of transparency and the fight against corruption, where we will find already established standards and some fields to work on. The main goal of this integrative work is to create parameters and procedures of topics that are currently on the rise in the university environment and our institution treats them but in an isolated manner and without a uniform procedure for the entire university. However, prior to establishing procedures and creating a complete manual on the subject to be dealt with, it will be necessary to carry out a study of the general concepts in the matter that emanate from international conventions and national laws; also having to analyze the existing regulations in our university so that we can work on the relevant points on their basis.Con el objeto de preservar los altos estándares que hacen de nuestra universidad una de las más prestigiosas del país, es que resulta de gran relevancia pensar en delimitar márgenes de transparencia y lucha contra la corrupción, en donde encontraremos normas ya establecidas y algunos campos por trabajar. La meta principal de este trabajo integrador es crear en el ámbito universitario parámetros y procedimientos de temas que hoy se encuentran en auge y nuestra institución le da tratamiento pero de manera aislada y sin un procedimiento uniforme para toda la universidad. Sin embargo, previo a establecer procedimientos y a crear un manual completo del tema a tratar, será necesario realizar un estudio de los conceptos generales en la materia que emanan de convenciones internacionales y leyes nacionales; debiendo también analizar la normativa existente en nuestra universidad a fin de que podamos sobre su base trabajar los puntos que sean de relevancia.Para preservar os elevados padrões que fazem da nossa universidade uma das mais prestigiadas do país, é muito relevante pensar em definir margens de transparência e de combate à corrupção, onde encontraremos padrões já estabelecidos e alguns campos de atuação. O objetivo principal deste trabalho integrativo é criar parâmetros e procedimentos de temas que atualmente estão em alta no ambiente universitário e nossa instituição os trata, mas de forma isolada e sem um procedimento uniforme para toda a universidade. Porém, antes de estabelecer procedimentos e elaborar um manual completo sobre o assunto a ser tratado, será necessário realizar um estudo dos conceitos gerais na matéria que emanam de convenções internacionais e legislações nacionais; também tendo que analisar os regulamentos existentes em nossa universidade para que possamos trabalhar nos pontos relevantes em sua base

Amino acids in the development of Prodrugs

Although drugs currently used for the various types of diseases (e.g., antiparasitic, antiviral, antibacterial, etc.) are effective, they present several undesirable pharmacological and pharmaceutical properties. Most of the drugs have low bioavailability, lack of sensitivity, and do not target only the damaged cells, thus also affecting normal cells. Moreover, there is the risk of developing resistance against drugs upon chronic treatment. Consequently, their potential clinical applications might be limited and therefore, it is mandatory to find strategies that improve those properties of therapeutic agents. The development of prodrugs using amino acids as moieties has resulted in improvements in several properties, namely increased bioavailability, decreased toxicity of the parent drug, accurate delivery to target tissues or organs, and prevention of fast metabolism. Herein, we provide an overview of models currently in use of prodrug design with amino acids. Furthermore, we review the challenges related to the permeability of poorly absorbed drugs and transport and deliver on target organs.NV acknowledges support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Lisbon, Portugal) and FEDER (European Union), award number IF/00092/2014/CP1255/CT0004. NV also thanks FCT for the IF position and Fundação Manuel António da Mota (FMAM, Porto, Portugal) and Pfizer (Portugal) for support for the Nuno Vale Research Group. The contents of this report are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the FCT, FMAM and Pfizer

Infrared Absorption Spectra of Nitric Acid and Its Solutions

Infrared spectra of reactive liquids such as anhydrous nitric and sulfuric acids were determined using silver chloride windows and, in some cases, Teflon spacers. The absorption frequencies of nitric acid agree well with those found from Raman spectra. A nitronium ion frequency was observed at 2360 cm^(-1). The intensity of this band is enhanced by the addition of nitronium fluoborate, sulfuric acid, phosphorous pentoxide, or small amounts of acetic anhydride. It is reduced by addition of sodium nitrate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, water, or larger amounts of acetic anhydride. Its behavior in these media provides information about pertinent equilibria. A nitronium ion combination band was observed near 3745 cm^(-1) when the concentration of this ion was particularly large. Bands arising from unionized nitric acid are completely absent when a small amount of nitric acid is added to 100% H_2SO_4. Various bands found in aqueous nitric acid solutions are attributed to hydrogen‐bonded structures, both because of their behavior in different media and by analogy with effects observed in Raman studies

A critical review on the numerical simulation related to Physical Vapour Deposition

Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) is a process usually used for the production of advanced coatings regarding its application in several industrial and current products, such as optical lens, moulds and dies, decorative parts or tools. This process has several variants due to its strong evolution along the last decades. The process is commonly assisted by plasma, creating a particular low pressure and medium temperature atmosphere, which is responsible for the transition of atomic particles between the target and the parts to be coated into a vacuum reactor. Several parameters are directly affecting the deposition, namely the substrate temperature, pressure inside the reactor, assisting gases used, type of current, power supply, bias, substrate and target materials, samples holder and corresponding rotation, deposition time, among others. Many mathematical models have been developed in order to allow the generation of numerical simulation applications, trying to combine parameters and expect the corresponding results. Numerical simulation applications were created around the mathematical models previously developed, which can play an important role in the prediction of the coating properties and structure. This paper intends to describe the numerical simulation evolution in the last years, namely the use of Finite Elements Method (FEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).LAETA/CETRIB/INEGI Research Center- FLAD – Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento | Ref. 116/2018Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UID/EMS/0615/201

The Indeterminacy of Computation

Do the dynamics of a physical system determine what function the system computes? Except in special cases, the answer is no: it is often indeterminate what function a given physical system computes. Accordingly, care should be taken when the question ‘What does a particular neural system do?’ is answered by hypothesising that the system computes a particular function. The phenomenon of the indeterminacy of computation has important implications for the development of computational explanations of biological systems. Additionally, the phenomenon lends some support to the idea that a single neural structure may perform multiple cognitive functions, each subserved by a different computation. We provide an overarching conceptual framework in order to further the philosophical debate on the nature of computational indeterminacy and computational explanation