Subformula and separation properties in natural deduction via small Kripke models

Various natural deduction formulations of classical, minimal, intuitionist, and intermediate propositional and first-order logics are presented and investigated with respect to satisfaction of the separation and subformula properties. The technique employed is, for the most part, semantic, based on general versions of the Lindenbaum and Lindenbaum–Henkin constructions. Careful attention is paid (i) to which properties of theories result in the presence of which rules of inference, and (ii) to restrictions on the sets of formulas to which the rules may be employed, restrictions determined by the formulas occurring as premises and conclusion of the invalid inference for which a counterexample is to be constructed. We obtain an elegant formulation of classical propositional logic with the subformula property and a singularly inelegant formulation of classical first-order logic with the subformula property, the latter, unfortunately, not a product of the strategy otherwise used throughout the article. Along the way, we arrive at an optimal strengthening of the subformula results for classical first-order logic obtained as consequences of normalization theorems by Dag Prawitz and Gunnar Stalmarck

An improvement of the Berry--Esseen inequality with applications to Poisson and mixed Poisson random sums

By a modification of the method that was applied in (Korolev and Shevtsova, 2009), here the inequalities $$\rho(F_n,\Phi)\le\frac{0.335789(\beta^3+0.425)}{\sqrt{n}}$$ and $$\rho(F_n,\Phi)\le \frac{0.3051(\beta^3+1)}{\sqrt{n}}$$ are proved for the uniform distance $\rho(F_n,\Phi)$ between the standard normal distribution function $\Phi$ and the distribution function $F_n$ of the normalized sum of an arbitrary number $n\ge1$ of independent identically distributed random variables with zero mean, unit variance and finite third absolute moment $\beta^3$. The first of these inequalities sharpens the best known version of the classical Berry--Esseen inequality since $0.335789(\beta^3+0.425)\le0.335789(1+0.425)\beta^3<0.4785\beta^3$ by virtue of the condition $\beta^3\ge1$, and 0.4785 is the best known upper estimate of the absolute constant in the classical Berry--Esseen inequality. The second inequality is applied to lowering the upper estimate of the absolute constant in the analog of the Berry--Esseen inequality for Poisson random sums to 0.3051 which is strictly less than the least possible value of the absolute constant in the classical Berry--Esseen inequality. As a corollary, the estimates of the rate of convergence in limit theorems for compound mixed Poisson distributions are refined.Comment: 33 page

Protein Timing and its Effects on Muscular Hypertrophy and Strength in Individuals Engaged in Weight-Training

The purpose of this review was to determine whether past research provides conclusive evidence about the effects of type and timing of ingestion of specific sources of protein by those engaged in resistance weight training. Two essential, nutrition-related, tenets need to be followed by weightlifters to maximize muscle hypertrophy: the consumption of 1.2-2.0 g protein.kg -1 of body weight, and ≥44-50 kcal.kg-1 of body weight. Researchers have tested the effects of timing of protein supplement ingestion on various physical changes in weightlifters. In general, protein supplementation pre- and post-workout increases physical performance, training session recovery, lean body mass, muscle hypertrophy, and strength. Specific gains, differ however based on protein type and amounts. Studies on timing of consumption of milk have indicated that fat-free milk post-workout was effective in promoting increases in lean body mass, strength, muscle hypertrophy and decreases in body fat. The leucine content of a protein source has an impact on protein synthesis, and affects muscle hypertrophy. Consumption of 3–4 g of leucine is needed to promote maximum protein synthesis. An ideal supplement following resistance exercise should contain whey protein that provides at least 3 g of leucine per serving. A combination of a fast-acting carbohydrate source such as maltodextrin or glucose should be consumed with the protein source, as leucine cannot modulate protein synthesis as effectively without the presence of insulin. Such a supplement post-workout would be most effective in increasing muscle protein synthesis, resulting in greater muscle hypertrophy and strength. In contrast, the consumption of essential amino acids and dextrose appears to be most effective at evoking protein synthesis prior to rather than following resistance exercise. To further enhance muscle hypertrophy and strength, a resistance weight- training program of at least 10–12 weeks with compound movements for both upper and lower body exercises should be followed

Sobre a verdade das proposições morais e das proposições da lógica

O texto apresenta uma crítica à tentativa de extensão à lógica de uma posição niilista análoga à posição niilista com respeito a valores. AbstractThis article presents a critic to the attempt of extending to logic a nihilistic perspective analogous to the nihilistic perspective concerning values

Home, Sweet Home: Returns to Returning in the Age of Mass Migration

Studying migrants from Sweden to the United States, we provide new evidence on return migration during the Age of Mass Migration. Focusing on a sample of migrants and stayers observed in childhood, we document limited effects on income and occupational upgrading, but large effects on wealth. Male returnees held about twice as much wealth as stayers and about 40 percent more than staying brothers. These effects were likely driven by accumulated savings overseas, rather than inheritance or an income premium back home. For female returnees, wealth effects are of similar magnitude, but appear to be realized primarily through marriage

Effects of R-Alpha Lipoic Acid on HbA1c, Lipids and Blood Pressure in Type-2 Diabetics: A Preliminary Study

R-alpha lipoic acid (R-ALA) supplementation improves blood glucose in diabetic animals, but there have been no long-term clinical trials in humans testing its use for glucose control (HbA1c). This double-blind study pre-/post-test control group (PL) design sought to determine the effect of R-ALA on HbA1c. Twenty type-2 diabetics were randomly assigned to 200 mg capsules of R-ALA (n=13; 8M 5F) or PL (n=7; 2M 5F) 3 times daily, 30 minutes before meals (600 mg total) for 91 days. Samples were obtained for HbA1c at baseline and day 91. No significant differences between R-ALA and PL groups were found at baseline or day 91. However, three distinct reactions to the supplement were noted. The first group (n=3) responded to R-ALA with a >25% drop in HbA1c range from 6.1-12.5 to 6.2- 9.0 mg/dL and/or halved their anti-diabetic medication. The second group (n=5) had no change in HbA1c. The third group (n=5) had changes in medication or concurrent chronic adverse events that should have raised HbA1c, but did not beyond that of the placebo. Conclusions: Three months of R-ALA supplementation may lower HbA1c in a small number of individuals. However, to further confirm these findings, larger studies of longer duration are needed

The Dimensionality of Factors Underlying Satisfaction With Continuing Care Retirement Communities.

The purpose was to develop and test a model to predict satisfaction with consumer selection of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). The family resource management conceptual framework of Deacon and Firebaugh (1988) provided the theoretical base for development of the proposed model. Another area of study, consumer behavior, was drawn upon to find pertinent indicators for the decision-making component of the model. Constructs of the Engel, Blackwell and Miniard (1990) consumer behavior model were incorporated to represent the managerial aspect of the family resource management model. The model was tested by applying it to the CCRC selection process of consumers. A random sample of 75 CCRCs, stratified by regions of the country, was drawn. Administrators of 22 of the CCRCs drawn agreed to participate by providing names and addresses of residents who had joined the CCRC within one year of the start of the study. A questionnaire designed by the researcher and based on Dillman\u27s (1978) total design method was mailed to 650 subjects. A follow-up mailing sequence was implemented, and 374 usable questionnaires were returned, for a response rate of 58%. Factor analyses were performed, and factor scores were used to represent groups of variables in the model. Four hypotheses were tested using multivariate multiple regression analysis, and univariate tests were performed to assist in interpretation of the multivariate tests. The hypotheses included: (a) the managerial process of consumers selecting a CCRC will be predicted by resources and demands; (b) knowing the resources and demands of consumers selecting a CCRC will help predict satisfaction with the CCRC and its characteristics; and (c) knowing the managerial process used by CCRC consumers will help predict satisfaction. The primary hypothesis was that given input, the addition of the throughput component (the managerial process of CCRC consumers) to the proposed model would increase the ability to predict satisfaction. Each of the four hypotheses was supported. A major finding was the positive relationship between use of search strategies and satisfaction, indicating that consumers using an effective search process were more satisfied with the CCRC and its characteristics. Implications for use of the findings and recommendations for future research are offered

Net clinical benefit of antiplatelet therapy was affected by patient preferences:A personalized benefit-risk assessment

Objectives: To assess the effect of patient preferences on the net clinical benefit (NCB) of an antiplatelet therapy for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular complications. Study Design and Setting: Risk equations were developed to estimate the individual predicted risk of key outcomes of antiplatelet treatment in patients with a prior myocardial infarction using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to the Hospital Episode Statistics and UK Office of National Statistics databases. Patient preferences for outcomes of antiplatelet therapies were elicited in a separate discrete choice experiment survey. Trial hazard ratios, relative to placebo, were used to calculate the per-patient NCB using equal or preference weighting of outcomes. Results: Risk equations were estimated using 31,941 adults in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink population, of which 22,125 were included in the benefit-risk assessment. The mean NCB was lower in the preference-weighted than in the equal-weighted analysis (0.040 vs. 0.057; P < 0.0001), but the direction of effect was unchanged by the weighting. In analyses stratified by the presence of bleeding risk factors, including preference weighting altered the ranking of subgroups by NCB. Conclusion: Patient preference weighting may have a significant effect on NCB and should be included in personalized benefit-risk assessments

On the copernican turn in semantics

A. Coffa called «the Copernican turn in semantics» a transformation of philosophical views about the connection between meanings and the acceptability of arguments. According to the new conception, «the Copernican view», rules of use are constitutive of the meanings of words. This view has been linked with two doctrines: (A) instances of meaning-constitutive rules are analytically and a priori true or valid; (B) to grasp a meaning is to accept its rules. The pros and cons of different versions of the Copernican view, ascribable to Wittgenstein, Carnap, Gentzen, Dummett, Prawitz, Boghossian and others, will be weighed. A new version will be proposed, which implies neither (A) nor (B). A. Coffa chiama «svolta copernicana in semantica» una trasformazione nel modo di intendere filosoficamente il rapporto fra significati e accettabilità degli argomenti. Secondo la concezione risultante, «la concezione copernicana», le regole d’uso sono costitutive dei significati delle parole. Questa concezione è stata connessa con due dottrine: (A) gli esempi di regole costitutive sono validi o veri analiticamente e a priori; (B) afferrare un significato è accettare le sue regole. Dopo aver discusso i pro e i contro di versioni diverse della concezione copernicana, attribuibili a Carnap, Gentzen, Dummett, Prawitz, Boghossian e altri, si propone una nuova versione, che non implica né (A), né (B)