The Invisible Thin Red Line

The aim of this paper is to argue that the adoption of an unrestricted principle of bivalence is compatible with a metaphysics that (i) denies that the future is real, (ii) adopts nomological indeterminism, and (iii) exploits a branching structure to provide a semantics for future contingent claims. To this end, we elaborate what we call Flow Fragmentalism, a view inspired by Kit Fine (2005)’s non-standard tense realism, according to which reality is divided up into maximally coherent collections of tensed facts. In this way, we show how to reconcile a genuinely A-theoretic branching-time model with the idea that there is a branch corresponding to the thin red line, that is, the branch that will turn out to be the actual future history of the world

Effects of hydrogen addition on high-pressure nonpremixed natural gas combustion

The effects of hydrogen addition on the ignition and combustion of a high-pressure methane jet in a quiescent charge of high-temperature, medium-pressure air were investigated numerically and experimentally. Subsequently, the results of these two fundamental studies were applied to the interpretation of combustion and emissions measurements from a pilot-ignited natural gas engine fueled with similar fuels. Whereas, under quiescent conditions, the influence of hydrogen addition on the autoignition delay time of the gaseous jet was small, a markedly greater effect was observed in the more complex environment of the research engine. Similarly, in the two fundamental studies, the addition of hydrogen to the methane fuel resulted in a reduction of NOx emissions, whereas increased levels of NOx emissions were observed from the engine, highlighting the difference between the autoignition and pilot-ignition process

Improving model quality through foundational ontologies: Two contrasting approaches to the representation of roles

Several foundational ontologies have been developed recently. We examine two of these from the point of view of their quality in representing temporal changes, focusing on the example of roles. We discuss how these are modelled in two foundational ontologies: the Unified Foundational Ontology and the BORO foundational ontology. These exhibit two different approaches, endurantist and perdurantist respectively. We illustrate the differences using a running example in the university student domain, wherein one individual is not only a registered student but also, for part of this period, was elected the President of the Student Union. The metaphysical choices made by UFO and BORO lead to different representations of roles. Two key differences which affect the way roles are modelled are exemplified in this paper: (1) different criteria of identity and (2) differences in the way individual objects extend over time and possible worlds. These differences impact upon the quality of the models produced in terms of their respective explanatory power. The UFO model concentrates on the notion of validity in “all possible worlds” and is unable to accurately represent the way particulars are extended in time. The perdurantist approach is best able to describe temporal changes wherein roles are spatio-temporal extents of individuals

Astrophysics and Technical Study of a Solar Neutrino Spacecraft

We report on our study of the design of a neutrino detector, shielding and veto array needed to operate a neutrino detector in space close to the Sun. This study also took into account the expected rates of Galactic gamma and cosmic rays in addition to the particles from the Sun.These preliminary studies show that we can devise a detector such that a small signal of neutrino interactions can be extracted from a large random number of events from the background sources using a double timing method from the conversion electron produced in the neutrino interaction and a secondary delayed signal from the nuclear excited state produced from the initial neutrino interaction; in our case the conversion of Ga 69 or 71 into Ge 69 or 71, but this method could apply to other nuclei with large neutrino cross sections such as Ir 115. Although these types of events need to be above 0.405 megaelectronvolt (MeV) neutrino energy and are only 66 percent of all conversion neutrino interactions on Gallium, this is a small price to pay for an increase of 10,000 by going close to the Sun to enhance the neutrino rate over the background combatorical fake-signal events. The conclusion of this Phase-1 study is very positive in that we can get the backgrounds less than 20 percent fake signals, and in addition to this we have devised another shielding method that makes the Galactic gamma-ray rate a hundred fold less which will make further improvements over these initial estimates. Although these studies are very encouraging it suggests that the next step is a NIAC Phase-II to actually build a test device,measuring basic principles such as light attention within the scintillator with high dopants and to take data in the lab with a cosmic-ray test stand and triggered X-ray source for comparison with simulated expected performance of the detector. This would be the perfect lead into a future proposal beyond a NIAC (NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts) Phase-II for a test flight of a small one-pint detector in orbit of the detector concept beyond Earth outside of the radiation belts

Alterations in PTEN and PIK3CA in colorectal cancers in the EPIC Norfolk study: associations with clinicopathological and dietary factors.

BACKGROUND: The PTEN tumour suppressor gene and PIK3CA proto-oncogene encode proteins which contribute to regulation and propagation of signal transduction through the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. This study investigates the prevalence of loss of PTEN expression and mutations in both PTEN and PIK3CA in colorectal cancers (CRC) and their associations with tumour clinicopathological features, lifestyle factors and dietary consumptions. METHODS: 186 adenocarcinomas and 16 adenomas from the EPIC Norfolk study were tested for PTEN and PIK3CA mutations by DNA sequencing and PTEN expression changes by immunohistochemistry. Dietary and lifestyle data were collected prospectively using seven day food diaries and lifestyle questionnaires. RESULTS: Mutations in exons 7 and 8 of PTEN were observed in 2.2% of CRC and PTEN loss of expression was identified in 34.9% CRC. Negative PTEN expression was associated with lower blood low-density lipoprotein concentrations (p = 0.05). PIK3CA mutations were observed in 7% of cancers and were more frequent in CRCs in females (p = 0.04). Analysis of dietary intakes demonstrated no link between PTEN expression status and any specific dietary factor. PTEN expression negative, proximal CRC were of more advanced Dukes' stage (p = 0.02) and poor differentiation (p < 0.01). Testing of the prevalence of PIK3CA mutations and loss of PTEN expression demonstrated that these two events were independent (p = 0.55). CONCLUSION: These data demonstrated the frequent occurrence (34.9%) of PTEN loss of expression in colorectal cancers, for which gene mutations do not appear to be the main cause. Furthermore, dietary factors are not associated with loss of PTEN expression. PTEN expression negative CRC were not homogenous, as proximal cancers were associated with a more advanced Dukes' stage and poor differentiation, whereas distal cancers were associated with earlier Dukes' stage.RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are

Dietary, lifestyle and clinicopathological factors associated with BRAF and K-ras mutations arising in distinct subsets of colorectal cancers in the EPIC Norfolk study.

BACKGROUND: BRAF and K-ras proto-oncogenes encode components of the ERK signalling pathway and are frequently mutated in colorectal cancer. This study investigates the associations between BRAF and K-ras mutations and clinicopathological, lifestyle and dietary factors in colorectal cancers. METHODS: 186 adenocarcinomas and 16 adenomas from the EPIC Norfolk study were tested for BRAF and K-ras mutations. Diet and lifestyle data were collected prospectively using seven day food diaries. RESULTS: BRAF V600E mutation was found in 15.6% of colorectal cancers but at higher frequencies in cancers with proximal location, poor differentiation and microsatellite instability (MSI) (all p < 0.001). K-ras mutation (mostly in codons 12 and 13) was found in 22.0% of colorectal cancers but at higher frequencies in cancers of more advanced Dukes' stage (p = 0.001), microsatellite stable (MSS) status (p = 0.002) and in individuals with lower blood high-density lipoprotein concentrations (p = 0.04). Analysis of dietary factors demonstrated no link between BRAF mutation and any specific dietary constituent, however, K-ras mutation was found at higher frequencies in individuals with higher white meat consumption (p < 0.001). Further analysis of specific mutation type demonstrated that G to A transitions in K-ras were observed at higher frequencies in individuals consuming lower amounts of fruit (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: These data support the model of BRAF and K-ras mutations arising in distinct colorectal cancer subsets associated with different clinicopathological and dietary factors, acting as mutually exclusive mechanisms of activation of the same signalling pathway.RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are

Effects of fuel composition on high-pressure non-premixed natural gas combustion

The effects of adding ethane or nitrogen on the ignition and combustion of a non-premixed high-pressure methane-air jet have been investigated using fundamental studies in a shock tube and advanced computational modelling. The results are then used to interpret the performance of a pilot-ignited natural gas engine fuelled with similar fuels. The results show that the influence of the additives on the gaseous jet auto-ignition process is relatively small, but that they have a greater effect on the research engine, where both fuels have similar influences on the spatial relationship between the gaseous jet and the pilot flame

Factors influencing haemodialysis arteriovenous fistula patency after balloon angioplasty: a systematic review

Aim: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is an established treatment for haemodialysis fistula stenosis. This study aimed to systematically review evidence for factors associated with patency after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Background: The effects of patient comorbidity, demographic, biochemical and anatomical characteristics, with initial PTA success and post-intervention patency have not previously been summarised. Methods: We searched databases to identify studies assessing patency after PTA in haemodialysis fistulae. Studies of immature or thrombosed fistulae or other dialysis access were excluded. Quality of studies was assessed using a modified validated checklist. Outcomes assessed were post-intervention primary and secondary patency, restenosis at 6 months, technical and clinical success, assisted primary patency and mean interval or frequency of endovascular interventions during follow up. Findings were summarized descriptively. Results: We included 12 single-centre studies of 1 120 participants with 1281 fistulae. Follow-up ranged from 3 days-10years. Shorter primary patency was seen with more recent fistulae (4 studies), longer stenosis length, upper arm fistulae (2 studies), small inflow artery diameter, arteriovenous anastomotic site and history of previous endovascular interventions (1 study each). Shorter secondary patency was seen with increased patient age (2 studies), and more recent fistulae (1 study). Early restenosis was associated with diabetes (3 studies), HbA1c, low-density lipoprotein, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (1 study each). Technical success was reduced for upper arm fistulae and high-grade stenoses (1 study), while clinical success of PTA was more likely in stenotic compared to thrombosed fistulae (1 study). Conclusion: Fistula characteristics and diabetes may be associated with poor PTA outcomes, however evidence is inconclusive, and the role of metabolic and inflammatory markers is unclear

Sexual reproduction is the null hypothesis for life cycles of rust fungi

Sexual reproduction, mutation, and reassortment of nuclei increase genotypic diversity in rust fungi. Sexual reproduction is inherent to rust fungi, coupled with their coevolved plant hosts in native pathosystems. Rust fungi are hypothesised to exchange nuclei by somatic hybridisation with an outcome of increased genotypic diversity, independent of sexual reproduction. We provide criteria to demonstrate whether somatic exchange has occurred, including knowledge of parental haplotypes and rejection of fertilisation in normal rust life cycles