Abstract Body, Abstract Machine: Alan Turing's Drama of Difference

In order to prove that mathematics cannot be exhausted by a finite set of procedures, Alan Turing conceives, in 1936, of an abstract machine 1. The machine makes its debut in “On Computable Numbers with an application to the Entscheidungsproblem,” his first major mathematical paper 2. A close reading of this machine’s dynamic will show that Turing’s thought in the field of mathematics is a consciously embodied thought that contemplates its own incompleteness. By examining Turing’s machine through the lens of incompleteness, this project will reveal how, through his extension into abstraction, Turing engages in a paradoxically intensive movement that reveals his body as inextricably enfolded in thought. To understand this radical act of contemplation, Turing must be situated within a history of thinkers working against totality, because in thinking his own incompleteness, he refutes the idea that systems are defined by completeness, or that the unfolding of something is circumscribed by that something as goal. This constellation of thinkers includes Kurt Gödel, before Turing, with his Incompleteness Theorem 3; it also includes Gilles Deleuze, with his explanation of how meaning gets made in The Logic of Sense ,4 and Michel Foucault, with his formulation of meaning’s dissolution in “The Thought of the Outside.”5 Brian Massumi then ushers this tradition into the present by defining the limit of a human being as immanent to that being in Parables for the Virtual.6 Massumi grounds his theory in Deleuzeian and Foucauldian concepts, themselves built from Turing’s legacy of lived thought, which in turn is grounded in Gödel’s theorem. Explaining these writers’ relation to Turing’s work on incompleteness will reveal the way in which systems of meaning are always torn between their own constitution and dissolution; this state of being torn will clarify, in turn, the movement of Turing’s mathematical body

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Insulin Resistance: An Evaluation of Treatment Modalities and Complication Prevention

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive and endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age. This disorder includes multiple clinical manifestations, namely insulin resistance (IR) and infertility related to hormonal imbalances and anovulation. Despite being a common condition, its etiology and treatment modalities remain poorly defined. Without proper understanding and management of the condition, women may suffer numerous complications besides infertility such as diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), endometrial cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, further research is critical. This integrative review will create a comprehensive understanding of PCOS\u27 pathophysiology, potential complications, treatment methods, and nursing considerations to promote the health and well-being of women affected by this condition

More Than Just A Diet: An Inquiry Into Veganism

BACKGROUND: The vegan diet has gained momentum in recent years, with more people transitioning to the diet, whether for health or more ethically based reasons. The vegan diet, often characterized as very restrictive, is associated with health benefits but raises concerns. Controversy regarding the diet exists within the public sphere, with those actively supporting and advocating for it, and others questioning its purpose and proposed benefits, even disparaging its existence, perhaps because of a lack of knowledge about the diet. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide a fuller picture of the vegan diet, encompassing both the nutrition and health of the vegan diet as well as related ethical beliefs by studying scientific and popular literature in tandem. Furthermore, the study aimed to provide an insider’s perspective of the vegan diet as a means of combating stereotypes and making the diet more relatable/understandable to those who are not vegan. By combining all three sources, the project aims to educate the public regarding a diet and lifestyle that is often perceived, at least partially, in a negative manner. METHODS: The research was conducted in two parts – literature review and interview study. A literature review of both the scientific and the popular literature was conducted and reviewed from August to November. Pubmed database was used to research the scientific findings while food blogs, vegan websites, and newspaper articles comprised the popular literature. The interview study involved semi-structured, one-time, in-person private interviews conducted during February and March. Twenty vegans (10 students from the University of Pennsylvania and 10 Philadelphia residents) were interviewed and questions targeted personal history of veganism, related health beliefs, factors influencing the decision to become vegan, and diet composition. Once all data was obtained, it was analyzed in tandem. RESULTS: Findings suggest that a well-rounded vegan diet is healthy and such is evidenced by the variety of whole foods and increased vegetable and fruit intake. Health benefits include a decrease in cholesterol, lipid levels, blood pressure, weight, and a reduced risk for a variety of diseases including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Despite the benefits, health concerns do exist, especially in regard nutrient deficiencies, without a well-planned and varied diet. Nutrient concerns include calcium, vitamin D, iron, and particularly vitamin B-12 for which supplements should be taken. The nature of the interviews conducted for this paper was such that a comprehensive but diverse collection of information was obtained, precisely because the interviewees have chosen the vegan diet for a multitude of reasons, and approach their diet and lifestyle in varied ways. However, there are some commonalities that were revealed. Results of the interview studies demonstrate that about half of the vegans are potentially at risk for vitamin D deficiency because most are taking neither vitamin D supplements nor a multivitamin. Comparing the scientific literature with the interview results reveal that most of the vegans include working out within their daily routines, such that they place emphasis upon physical fitness, suggesting that the vegan lifestyle has benefits beyond merely nutritional. Finally, comparing popular literature to the information gleaned through the interviews conducted establishes that many of the stereotypes regarding the vegan diet are unfounded. CONCLUSIONS: The vegan diet is one that is chosen by individuals for various reasons, including health and/or ethical reasons. While many health benefits exist, it is essential for those who are vegan or are planning to become vegan to be educated about potential nutrient deficiencies to prevent adverse outcomes. In addition, it is evident that the vegan diet is much more than a diet itself, but has developed into a lifestyle, often associated with animal rights and environmental advocacy as well as a greater concern for physical activity and mindfulness. Further research begs the question of whether the health benefits associated with the diet are solely attributable to the diet or in conjunction with a greater physical activity level and mindful living. With regard to providing an accurate picture of veganism in the popular literature, it is essential to combat negative unsubstantiated stereotypes and myths by providing vegans with unbiased voice with which to share their own stories and beliefs. Lastly, the popularity of the vegan diet and the question of whether it is nutritionally sound, raise issues of anthropologic significance. Specifically, it prompts consideration of whether our ancestral diet was vegetarian in nature, or depended upon meat for evolutionary progress. Moreover, this study demonstrates that the human diet has changed over time, such that our dietary needs, choices and preferences are inherently reflective of cultural and nutritional anthropology

Effects of Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis) Invasion on Tallgrass Prairie.

Data collected in 1984 and 2000 along a 65-m-long roadside-to-prairie gradient were compared to quantify brome (Bromus inermis) invasion into a native, tallgrass prairie in eastern Nebraska and to assess the effect of this expansion on prairie composition and diversity: Smooth brome expanded 15 meters further into tallgrass prairie during the 16 years of the study while also increasing cover an average of 8%. Overall, species diversity (H’) decreased from 1.04 to 0.95 along the entire toad-prairie gradient during this time although the decrease was significant (P ≤ 0.10) at only three of the five distances from the road that were sampled. Thirteen species declined significantly, including porcupine grass (Stipa spartea) (-23%), Indian grass (Soghastrum nutans) (-12%), and prairie phlox (Phlox pilosa) (-8%); sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), averaging 2% in 1984, was absent in 2000. Despite these decreases, there was a subset of species that increased, some native and some non-native, of which many were strongly rhizomatous. Four native species that increased significantly were stiff sunflower (Helianthus rigidus) (+25%; from 0% in 1984), prairie goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) (+8%), false sunflower (Heliopsis helanthoides) (+7%) and clammy ground cherry (Physalus heterophylla) (+5%). Field bindweed (Convolculus arvensis), a non-native species also increased significantly (+5%). Canopy cover of New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus) (4% cover), a woody, prairie species, and gray-green wood sorrel (Oxalis dillenii) (\u3c0.5% cover), a non-native herb, were unchanged over time. In combination, these results suggest an overall decline in species diversity between 1984 and 2000, either in response to increases in smooth brome or coincident with conditions that favor its increase. The rate of decline varies among species. The net effect of these responses extended over time would be a tallgrass prairie characterized by a lower diversity than can be accounted for by fragmentation effects alone and one that supports a greater proportion of non-native species. While these results do not prove conclusive cause-effect relationships between smooth brome encroachment and tallgrass prairie diversity, they do provide sufficient cause for concern when considering both threats to native tallgrass prairie ecosystems and means by which to address these concerns

Spatial determinants of local government action on climate change: an analysis of local authorities in England

The engagement of UK local authorities is vital if national government is to meet its climate change commitments. However, with no mandatory targets at local government level, other drivers must explain engagement. Using a Geographic Information System, this study compares the spatial distribution of action on climate change based on past actions and stated intentions to a suite of relevant independent variables. The Action Index created is among the first to quantify climate change engagement beyond a simple binary measure and provides a useful comparative study to recent work in the US. The Index enables investigation of both mitigation and adaptation, which show different trends in relation to some variables. The study shows that action is strongest where the voting habits of the local population suggest environmental concern and where neighbouring local authorities are also engaging in action on climate change. Physical vulnerability to the effects of climate change is a motivator for action only where the dangers are obvious. Action is less likely where other resource intensive issues such as crime and housing exist within a local authority area

The Properties of Brightest Cluster Galaxies in X-Ray Selected Clusters

We present the K-band Hubble diagram for 162 brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) in X-ray selected clusters, 0.01<z<0.83. The sample incorporates that of Burke, Collins, & Mann (2000) and includes additional infrared data from the 2MASS extended source catalogue. We show that below z=0.1 the BCGs show no correlation with their environment, however, above z=0.1 BCGs in more X-ray luminous clusters are more uniform in their photometric properties. This suggests that there may be two populations of BCGs which have different evolutionary histories.Comment: 2 pages, to appear in the proceedings of the Sesto 2001 conference on tracing cosmic evolution with galaxy cluster

Synthesis and Validation of Substrates for PRMT1 using Plate-Based Screening Assay

PRMT (Protein Arginine Methyltransferase) is a mammalian enzyme that catalyzes methylation of arginine residues in a polypeptide chain. PRMT is categorized as 3 different types. The methylation can occur as asymmetric dimethylation (ADMA, PRMT 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8), symmetric dimethylation (SDMA, PRMT 7, 5 and 9) or monomethylation (MMA, PRMT 7), Type I, II and III respectively. PRMT1 generates ADMA on arginine residues of the Histone H4 N-terminal tail, which can lead to transcription of cancer-related genes. Alternatively, PRMT5 can modify the same arginine residue to produce SDMA, which represses the development of those same cancer-related genes. A better understanding of the substrate specificity of these enzymes can assist in the development of novel isozyme-specific pharmaceuticals.1 To identify these differences, we synthesized a 96-well plate of peptides based on the Histone H4 N-terminal tail, screened them against PRMT1 using a screening method previously developed in the Knuckley lab.2 This medium-throughput screen identified 7 “hit” peptide sequences and consensus sequences based on the “hit” peptides were synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis. Each of these consensus sequences varied at the N-terminus, while retaining the more distal positive charges of H4-16 peptide. The peptides were validated using a MTase-GloTM Methyltransferase Assay to determine if they were indeed substrates for PRMT1. The kinetic values indicate their efficiency as PRMT1 substrates and further investigations are being conducted to identify the differences in the substrate specificity regarding PRMT4 and PRMT5. These continued efforts will help us gain a better understanding of the role PRMT isozymes play in the onset of cancer, while assisting in the design of novel pharmaceuticals to battle this disease