Logical Realism and the Riddle of Redundancy

According to an influential view, when it comes to representing reality, some words are better suited for the job than others. This is elitism. There is reason to believe that the set of the best, or elite, words should not be redundant or arbitrary. However, we are often forced to choose between these two theoretical vices, especially in cases involving theories that seem to be mere notational variants. This is the riddle of redundancy: both redundancy and arbitrariness are vicious, but there are cases in which one must be picked. Logical realists admit that there are some logical constants among the elite words. This leads to awkward questions, such as which among conjunction and disjunction is elite. In this paper, I show how the riddle of redundancy arises for logical realists, and offer a solution. This approach requires us to change how we represent negation. Instead of using some particular symbol, we represent negation by flipping formulae over the horizontal axis

Cómo afilar tu navaja nueva: un principio de parsimonia ideológica para argumentar en metafísica

En metafísica contemporánea, es común trabajar bajo una metodología basada en virtudes teóricas. En caso de disputa, esta metodología nos aconseja elegir la teoría que mejor satisfaga las virtudes teóricas estándar: precisión empírica, fecundidad, poder unificador, consistencia y simplicidad. Sin embargo, no hay consenso sobre cómo deben frasearse tales virtudes, ni sobre cómo ponderarlas. Aquí me concentraré en ofrecer razones a favor de una manera de frasear el principio de parsimonia ideológica, una especie de simplicidad. Defiendo que dicho principio debería decir que, dadas dos teorías T1 y T2, ceteris paribus, si T1 postula menos tipos de expresiones primitvas que T2, entonces es más probable que T1 sea una teoría fiel a que T2 lo sea. Se elabora en qué consiste la cláusula ceteris paribus, qué quiere decir "postular menos tipos de expresiones primitivas" (parsimonia ideológica cualitativa) y en qué consiste la fidelidad teórica

Gabor frames for classification of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation episodes

[EN] In this study, we propose a new classification method for early differentiation of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation episodes, i.e. those which spontaneously or with external intervention will return to sinus rhythm within 7 days of onset from the ones where the arrhythmia is sustained for more than 7 days. Today, clinicians provide patients classification once the course of the arrhythmia has been disclosed. This classification problem is dealt with in this study. We study a sparse representation of surface electrocardiogram signals by means of Gabor frames and afterwards we apply a linear discriminant analysis. Thus, we provide an early discrimination, obtaining promising performances on a heterogeneous cohort of patients in terms of pharmacological treatment and state of progression of the arrhythmia: 95% sensitivity, 82% specificity, 89% accuracy. In this manner, the proposed method can help clinicians to choose the most appropriate treatment using the electrocardiogram, which is a widely available and non-invasive technique. This early differentiation is clinically highly significant in order to choose optimal patients who may undergo catheter ablation with higher success rates. (C) 2016 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This work was supported by Generalitat Valenciana under Grant PrometeoII/2013/013, and by MINECO under Grants MTM2013-43540-P and MTM2016-76647-P.Ortigosa, N.; Galbis Verdu, A.; Fernández, C.; Cano-Pérez, Ó. (2017). Gabor frames for classification of paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation episodes. Medical Engineering & Physics. 39:31-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medengphy.2016.10.013S31373

Bernoulli–Dunkl and Apostol–Euler–Dunkl polynomials with applications to series involving zeros of Bessel functions

We introduce Bernoulli–Dunkl and Apostol–Euler–Dunkl polynomials as generalizations of Bernoulli and Apostol–Euler polynomials, where the role of the derivative is now played by the Dunkl operator on the real line. We use them to find the sum of many different series involving the zeros of Bessel functions

Modelling the fate and serogroup variability of persistent Listeria monocytogenes strains on grated cheese at different storage temperatures

Processed cheese from cow's milk is one of the most consumed dairy products worldwide. Since this product is defined as ready-to-eat, foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes can represent a health concern for susceptible populations. In this study, the individual and combined kinetic behaviour of four L. monocytogenes serogroups (namely, 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c and 4b) persistently isolated from a Spanish cheesemaking factory was modelled on grated cheese at different isothermal conditions (4 and 12 °C) during a 120-days period. The serogroup variability was characterized over the storage time by the isolation and identification of the different serogroups in the cocktail containing the four strains. This processed cheese did not support the growth of L. monocytogenes during storage. Survival patterns described by the log-linear type model indicated a high variability of L. monocytogenes serotypes at the tested temperatures: L. monocytogenes serogroup 4b showed a more rapid decrease rate at 4 °C than at 12 °C, while the opposite trend was found for the rest of serogroups and the L. monocytogenes cocktail containing all the strains. Survival rate of L. monocytogenes serogroup 1/2c at 4 °C was 0.007 log CFU/d being the most resistant serotype while at 12 °C, serogroup 1/2a showed the lowest survival rate (0.011 log CFU/d), thus showing a prolonged survival at this temperature. This study highlights the potential implications of L. monocytogenes contamination in processed cheese and shows that serogroup variability should be considered when evaluating survival patterns in contaminated products. Finally, the predictive models developed here could be useful to assist food operators to set specific storage conditions and formulations to avoid L. monocytogenes growth and survival in grated cheeses.European Union (EU) funded Integrated Project PROMISE (project number 265877; 7th Framework Programme

Analysis of the rear leg rotation movement during the fencing lunge

The most relevant aulhois of fencing agree on the extension of the rear leg's knee from the on guard position, which is the ona thai provides ihe real speed to the lunge, and the extension of the arm only serves to drive the points towards the target. All the authors coincide thai it is important to keep the whole sole of the rear Foot supported on the Boor, keeping the same direction and without sliding it during the movernent, being the only one support that assures a really fast and balanced lunge, allowing the return to the on guard position or to continue towards ahead. Nevertheless, in a competition it may be observed that there are just a few fencers that keep the position of the feet in 90° angle during the lunge, as proposed in the fencing books. From this situation, we try to know if the rotation movement of the rear leg improve the speed of the Mass Centre and the weapon

Late Pleistocene–Holocene palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Añamaza River valley (Iberian Range, NE Spain): Multidisciplinary approach on the study of carbonate fluvial systems

The uppermost Pleistocene and Holocene palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Añamaza river valley (Iberian Range, NE Spain) is deduced using multidisciplinary approach including stratigraphical, mineralogical, palynological, geochemical, geophysical methods and drilling. Main changes were registered in distinct subenvironments of a carbonate fluvial system, including the channelled zone and wetlands in the floodplain. Tufa barrages dominated although pools also existed. Geophysical survey and coring reveal tufa build-ups and pool facies also in the subsoil. Lower water temperature and scarce evaporation are deduced for the Pleistocene fluvial system that progressively changed through the Holocene, with more hydrologically closed areas and higher evaporation influence. A general aggrading evolution during warm stages related with increasing base level and damming due to fast carbonate precipitation, characterised the Holocene. Detrital tufa indicates erosive high-energy floods or colder stages when water level would decrease favouring erosion. 14C and 230Th/234U dating reveal high sedimentation rates and three main discontinuities related with cold episodes: Younger Dryas, middle part of the Holocene Climate Optimum and Iron Age Epoch. During the uppermost Pleistocene tufa growth would be enhanced during warmer episodes as the Bølling/Allerød. In the Younger Dryas scarce vegetation favoured erosion of both, slopes and tufa constructions. Subsequent warmer temperatures during the first part of the Holocene favoured vegetated slopes, enhanced tufa growing (although interrupted in the middle part of the Holocene Climate Optimum), and development of wetlands with riparian vegetation in the floodplain, where either siliciclastics or detrital tufa incoming alternated with low-energy waters stages and mud settling. Progressive decline in tufa is deduced for the upper Holocene but it is not possible to determine whether this, and other palaeoenvironmental changes were related either to climate or increasing human activities. During the Roman and Medieval Warm Periods more oxidizing conditions in the wetlands and increasing erosion prevailed, probably conditioned by human activities. The pollen record shows for the Early Holocene development of Pinus forest with Betula, and expansion of deciduous Quercus, xerophilous and heliophilous grassland. Subsequent increasing moisture supported open forests with deciduous (Quercus, Ulmus, Corylus) and evergreen (Quercus ilex, Pistacia) species. From ca.4000 yrBP, a dominant deciduous Quercus forest with groves of Corylus, Ulmus, Acer, Fagus and Taxus expanded and human activities (grazing) occurred. From 1200 yrBP dry grassland expanded due to intensive land use (agropastoral activities). Almost completely deforested plateaus surround the site today with slopes covered by patchy grass with junipers groves and screeds with little soil

Impact of thinning on leaf economics, plant hydraulics, and growth dynamics

Integrating climate change concerns into forest management strategies remains challenging. Among management strategies, thinning has been proven to alter major components underlying the carbon and water cycles over the short term. However, the functional adaptability of managed forests to cope with long-term drought remains unclear. This study aims to quantify the influence of thinning on key plant functional traits for two pine species, and their impacts on the fundamental processes of tree growth and transpiration. We conducted an experimental silvicultural trial with varying thinning intensities in two Pinus sylvestris and Pinus nigra plantations with the following specific objectives: i) to assess the impact of thinning on major traits involved in the leaf economic spectrum (LES), and hydraulic relations, and ii) to understand which of these traits reflect fundamental aspects of plant growth and transpiration, and their relations with environment. We used a combination of dendrochronological (basal area increment, BAI), sapflow (Fd), and tree ring isotope (δ13C) data, along with key functional and physiological traits including photosynthesis (A), leaf mass area (LMA), Huber value (Hv), sapwood density (Wd), and predawn to midday water potential (Ψpd, Ψmd). Our results revealed species-specific responses, with P. nigra exhibiting a conservative growth strategy, whereas P. sylvestris displayed increased growth after thinning. Despite thinning influenced both BAI and wood δ13C with notable species-dependent variations, we evidenced a general convergence in the relationships between LES traits and Hv across species, treatments and seasons (p < 0.01). BAI responses to thinning translated into predictable changes in key hydraulic traits and adaptive changes in physiological performance. For instance, BAI was inversely related to LMA and Hv. Consistent with LES, variations in LMA influenced A. In turn, seasonal variations in LMA scaled negatively with Ψpd, and Ψmd (p < 0.01). Such a functional adaptation suggests that thinning promotes growth while favouring forest resilience in the long term. This study provides practical implications for the implementation of a trait-based approach into silvicultural frameworks and anticipating the consequences of climate change for managed forest ecosystems

Effects of differential diffusion on nonpremixed-flame temperature

This numerical and analytical study investigates effects of differential diffusion on nonpremixed-flame temperatures. To focus more directly on transport effects the work considers a single irreversible reaction with an infinitely fast rate, with Schab-Zel'dovich coupling functions introduced to write the conservation equations of energy and reactants in a chemistry-free form accounting for non-unity values of the fuel Lewis number L-F. Different flow configurations of increasing complexity are analyzed, beginning with canonical flamelet models that are reducible to ordinary differential equations, for which the variation of the flame temperature with fuel-feed dilution and L-F is quantified, revealing larger departures from adiabatic values in dilute configurations with oxidizer-to-fuel stoichiometric ratios S of order unity. Marble&#39;s problem of an unsteady flame wrapped by a line vortex is considered next, with specific attention given to large-Peclet-number solutions. Unexpected effects of differential diffusion are encountered for S < 1 near the vortex core, including superadiabatic/subadibatic flame temperatures occurring for values of L-F larger/smaller than unity as well as temperature profiles peaking on the oxidizer side of the flame. Direct numerical simulations of diffusion flames in a temporal turbulent mixing layer are used to further investigate these unexpected differential- diffusion effects. The results, confirming and extending previous findings, underscore the nontrivial role of differential diffusion in nonpremixed-combustion systems

Planted or Natural Pine Forests, Which One Will Better Recover after Drought? Insights from Tree Growth and Stable C and H Isotopes

Increasing intensity and frequency of droughts are leading to forest dieback, growth decline and tree mortality worldwide. Reducing tree-to-tree competition for water resources is a primary goal for adaptive climate silviculture strategies, particularly in reforested areas with high planting density. Yet, we need better insights into the role of stand type (i.e., natural forests versus plantations) on the resilience of pine forests to droughts across varying time scales. In this study, we combined dendrochronological data and stable C (δ13C) and H (δ2H) isotopes measured in tree-ring wood as well as in specific wood chromatographically isolated compounds to investigate contrasting responses to drought of natural versus planted stands of two representative pine species, i.e., Pinus pinaster and Pinus nigra in southeastern Europe. Natural stands exhibited about two-fold increase in tree-ring growth in average (basal area at 20 years-BAI20) as compared to planted stands. A response function analysis showed contrasting seasonal growth patterns for both species, which were related to monthly mean temperature and precipitation. Both stand type and species variables influenced growth resilience indices. Both pine species revealed contrasting resilience patterns among forest types; whereas planted stands seemed to be less sensitive to yearly droughts as determined by a higher recovery index (CRc) for P. pinaster, the contrary was found in the case of P. nigra. On the other hand, while resistance CRT and resilience CRS indices were higher for planted than natural forests in the case of P. pinaster, little differences were found for P. nigra. Beyond comparisons, carbon stable isotopes shed lights on the role of forest types in dry sites, being δ13C consistently lower in natural than in planted forests for both pine species (p < 0.05). We concluded that planted forest assimilated more carbon as per unit of water used than natural stands in response to droughts. Both δ13C and δ2H isotopic signals were positively correlated for both species for planted forests. However, a lack of correlation was evidenced for natural stands. Consistent with δ13C observations, δ2H concentrations in woody phenolic compounds (guaiacol and oleic acid) revealed contrasting patterns among forest types. This puts forward that δ2H concentrations in woody phenolic compounds (rather than in woody tree ring) accounts for other confounding factors in tree ring formation that can be associated with forest type. Our results highlight the value of stable isotope approaches versus conventional dendrochronological tools in drought studies and call for the consideration of forest type as an endogenous aspect defining the vulnerability of pine forests to climate