Generalization of the Truth-relevant Semantics to the Predicate Calculus

In 1952 P. F. Strawson proposed a logic of presuppositions. It is an interpretation of Aristotelian logic, i.e. of the logic of the traditional syllogism. In 1981 Richard Diaz published a monograph in which he presented truth-relevant logic. This paper shows that truth-relevant logic is but a propositional version of the logic of presuppositions. A semantics of the logic of presuppositions is developed using truth-relevant logic. The semantics is then further extended to polyadic logic and some consequences discussed

Meaning, Presuppositions, Truth-relevance, Gödel's Sentence and the Liar Paradox

Section 1 reviews Strawson’s logic of presuppositions. Strawson’s justification is critiqued and a new justification proposed. Section 2 extends the logic of presuppositions to cases when the subject class is necessarily empty, such as (x)((Px & ~Px) → Qx) . The strong similarity of the resulting logic with Richard Diaz’s truth-relevant logic is pointed out. Section 3 further extends the logic of presuppositions to sentences with many variables, and a certain valuation is proposed. It is noted that, given this valuation, Gödel’s sentence becomes neither true nor false. The similarity of this outcome with Goldstein and Gaifman’s solution of the Liar paradox, which is discussed in section 4, is emphasized. Section 5 returns to the definition of meaningfulness; the meaninglessness of certain sentences with empty subjects and of the Liar sentence is discussed. The objective of this paper is to show how all of the above-mentioned concepts are interrelated

Intestinal macromolecular transport supporting adaptive immunity

The gastrointestinal tract performs opposing functions of nutrient absorption, barrier maintenance, and the delivery of luminal substances for the appropriate induction of tolerogenic or protective adaptive immunity. The single-layer epithelium lining the gastrointestinal tract is central to each of these functions by facilitating the uptake and processing of nutrients, providing a physical and chemical barrier to potential pathogens, and delivering macromolecular substances to the immune system to initiate adaptive immune responses. Specific transport mechanisms allow nutrient uptake and the delivery of macromolecules to the immune system while maintaining the epithelial barrier. This review examines historical observations supporting macromolecular transport by the intestinal epithelium, recent insights into the transport of luminal macromolecules to promote adaptive immunity, and how this process is regulated to promote appropriate immune responses. Understanding how luminal macromolecules are delivered to the immune system and how this is regulated may provide insight into the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and potential preventative or therapeutic strategies. Keywords: Antigen Transport, Mucosal Tolerance, Goblet Cell

Testing Foundations of Biological Scaling Theory Using Automated Measurements of Vascular Networks

Scientists have long sought to understand how vascular networks supply blood and oxygen to cells throughout the body. Recent work focuses on principles that constrain how vessel size changes through branching generations from the aorta to capillaries and uses scaling exponents to quantify these changes. Prominent scaling theories predict that combinations of these exponents explain how metabolic, growth, and other biological rates vary with body size. Nevertheless, direct measurements of individual vessel segments have been limited because existing techniques for measuring vasculature are invasive, time consuming, and technically difficult. We developed software that extracts the length, radius, and connectivity of in vivo vessels from contrast-enhanced 3D Magnetic Resonance Angiography. Using data from 20 human subjects, we calculated scaling exponents by four methods--two derived from local properties of branching junctions and two from whole-network properties. Although these methods are often used interchangeably in the literature, we do not find general agreement between these methods, particularly for vessel lengths. Measurements for length of vessels also diverge from theoretical values, but those for radius show stronger agreement. Our results demonstrate that vascular network models cannot ignore certain complexities of real vascular systems and indicate the need to discover new principles regarding vessel lengths

Use of anti-mullerian hormone to select for fertility in beef heifers

ABSTRACT A study was conducted to determine whether concentration of serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) at weaning and/or breeding could predict subsequent fertility in beef heifers. Frequency distribution was used to assign serum AMH concentration measured at weaning, breeding, and the change from weaning to breeding, into quartiles. Comparison of heifers based on serum AMH quartiles at weaning failed (P ³ 0.35) to detect any effect of AMH on subsequent heifer cyclicity at breeding, estrous response after synchronization, artificial insemination (AI) pregnancy rate, overall breeding season pregnancy rate, or estimated estrous cycle of the breeding season when conception occurred. Based on AMH concentration at breeding, heifers in the lowest quartile (Q1) had a lower (P = 0.02) AI pregnancy rate than heifers in other quartiles, and conceived at a later estrous cycle (P = 0.03) in the breeding season. Comparison of heifers based on the difference between AMH concentrations at breeding versus weaning revealed that none of the heifers in the lowest quartile (Q1) became pregnant after AI, compared with 80% in the highest quartile (Q4; P \u3c 0.001). Heifers in the lowest quartile also conceived at a later estrous cycle in the breeding season than heifers in the other quartiles (P = 0.01). Results indicate that either AMH concentration at breeding or the change in AMH from weaning to breeding can identify beef heifers more likely to conceive to AI and to conceive early in the breeding season

Pets in danger : exploring the link between domestic violence and animal abuse

Previous research has found that domestic violence (DV) victims who seek refuge in DV shelters often report the abuse of companion animals as a form of psychological control. However, these studies have mainly involved the use of interviews and questionnaires which restrict the quality and depth of data collected (e.g. these methods increase the probability that victims will withhold information due to embarrassment or ethical constraints). The current study utilized a novel method previously overlooked in the literature on companion animal abuse in an attempt to overcome these problems; domestic violence victims’ stories of companion animal abuse were obtained from online forums where victims voluntarily shared their experiences. Seventy-four stories were analyzed using thematic analysis and four key themes were identified: The Victim-Companion Animal Bond; Companion Animals Used to Control Victims; Victims' Perceptions of Abusers' Behavior; and Support for Victims and Companion Animals. A number of DV victims reported that companion animals were one of their main sources of support, and many chose to stay in an abusive relationship because DV shelters did not have the facilities to house their pets. Findings have policy implications for police, DV shelters, child protection organizations, and animal welfare organizations

Drips

Artist Statement My work is intuitive and process oriented. It begins by layering images on top of small stacks of patterned paper or cloth. These images consist of drawings or photographs of organic, natural objects that I have drawn or photographed and then printed. With a sewing machine, I sew through all the layers in stacks using the lines that I find interesting on the top image. Then I cut into the layered stacks to reveal the new images from all of the new juxtapositions and associations as they reveal themselves during the cutting process. I intuitively search for the beauty within these layered stacks knowing that I cannot make mistakes or make repairs, and knowing each piece has an infinite number of permutations and combinations