Norton's material theory of analogy

In his book, The Material Theory of Induction, Norton argues that the quest for a universal formal theory or ‘schema’ for analogical inference should be abandoned. In its place, he offers the “material theory of analogy”: each analogical inference is “powered” by a local fact of analogy rather than by any formal schema. His minimalist model promises a straightforward, fact-based approach to the evaluation and justification of analogical inferences. This paper argues that although the rejection of universal schemas is justified, Norton’s positive theory is limited in scope: it works well only for a restricted class of analogical inferences. Both facts and quasi-formal criteria have roles to play in a theory of analogical reasoning

Prospects for Analogue Confirmation

In analogical reasoning, observations about one or more source domains provide support for a conjecture about a target domain. Analogical support can range from plausibility to strong confirmation. In modeling this type of reasoning, two recent discussions are relevant. The first is Norton’s challenge to formal models of analogical inference (Norton 2021). The second, a debate about whether analogue experiments can confirm theories about an inaccessible target domain, provides impetus to develop just such formal models (Dardashti et al. 2019). This paper argues that we can navigate these discussions with quasi-formal models of analogical reasoning. Such models are broadly compatible with Norton’s position. They help to clarify the structure and strength of different forms of analogical inference, and to identify basic requirements for a good analogical inference, even when the target domain is inaccessible

No One Knows the Date or the Hour: An Unorthodox Application of Rev. Bayes's Theorem

Carter and Leslie (1996) have argued, using Bayes's theorem, that our being alive now supports the hypothesis of an early 'Doomsday'. Unlike some critics (Eckhardt 1997), we accept their argument in part: given that we exist, our existence now indeed favors 'Doom sooner' over 'Doom later'. The very fact of our existence, however, favors 'Doom later'. In simple cases, a hypothetical approach to the problem of 'old evidence' shows that these two effects cancel out: our existence now yields no information about the coming of Doom. More complex cases suggest a move from countably additive to non-standard probability measures

Development of Backscatter X-Ray Imaging Techniques for Space Vehicle Applications

This slide presentation reviews the development of backscatter x ray (BSX) imaging techniques to perform inspection of spacecraft components. The techniques are currently being enhanced to advance Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) methods for future space vehicle applications. The presentation includes an overview of x ray techniques, a description of current BSX applications used on the space shuttle, the development for Constellation applications, and the use of the system for foam applications

Korszerű, önkenő műszaki műanyag kompozitok tribológiai kutatása dinamikus mozgás és terhelési rendszerekben, dinamikus tribométer modulrendszerű továbbfejlesztése = Tribological research of up-to-date self-lubricating engineering polymer composites in dynamic sliding and loading system, further modular development of the dynamic tribometer

A kutatási programot két fő vonalon keresztül valósítottuk meg. I. A legújabb műszaki műanyagok és kompozitjaik súrlódási és kopási viselkedését kutattuk acél és DLC felületeken, a tribológiai eredményeket összehasonlítottuk a már ismert polimer anyagok jellemzőivel. Ennek kapcsán: - Több mérési modellrendszerben, kis és nagyméretű mintavizsgálatokat végeztünk abrazív és adhezív feltételek esetén. - Dinamikus modellezéssel egy új mérnöki, tribológiai adatbázist hoztunk létre. - Korrelációkeresést végeztünk az egyes vizsgálati rendszerek között. - Valós gépészeti rendszermodellezéshez, dinamikus hatások életszerű tribológiai vizsgálatához fogaskerekes mérőrendszert terveztünk. - Kidolgoztuk a polimer és kompozit fogprofilikon a kapcsolóvonal mentén ébredő súrlódás mérésének elvét. II. Moduláris rendszerben továbbfejlesztettük és építettük a dinamikus tribológiai anyagvizsgáló berendezésünket. - A "pin-on-cylinder" és a "pin-on-plate" modult fejlesztettük ki egyedi funkciókkal. - Az alapgépre megterveztük és elkészítettük a polimer fogaskerék fogsúrlódásmérő modult. Az eredményeket és téziseket folyamatosan publikáltuk és átültettük a mérnöki gyakorlatba és oktatásba, segítve az aktív mérnököket egyetemi hallgatókat. A kutatási program részeredményeiből 4 sikeres PhD (ebből 2 Magyarországon) fokozatszerzés történt. A program végső szakaszában született egy bejelentett szabadalom. | The research program was carried out via two main ways. I. The up-to-date engineering polymers and composite materials were tested in different tribological systems and compared to the conventional engineering plastics. The friction, wear and deformation of the selected materials against steel and DLC surface layer were measured as it follows: - Small-scale and large-scale test specimens under adhesive and abrasive - New tribological data base built on dynamic modeling - Correlation between the different tribo systems was investigated - For better correlation to a working dynamic tribo-systems we developed a tests system for gearmesh measurements - We worked out the theoretical background of the friction measurements of gear teeth profile along the action line. II. In modular system we developed the dynamic tribotester with new units: - A 'pin-on-cylinder' and 'pin-on-plate' moduls with unique functions - New unit for gearmesh measurements The results of the project and thesis were published and disseminated in many ways to the industry and education sphere, too. The research program was carried out in an international co-operation with belgian and romanian partners. During the program internationally 4 PhD degree were succesfully defended. In the final step of the project a patent were submitted, regarding the wear resistance of modified polymer surfaces and tribotesting

Estimating the Respective Contributions of Human and Viral Genetic Variation to HIV Control

We evaluated the fraction of variation in HIV-1 set point viral load attributable to viral or human genetic factors by using joint host/pathogen genetic data from 541 HIV infected individuals. We show that viral genetic diversity explains 29% of the variation in viral load while host factors explain 8.4%. Using a joint model including both host and viral effects, we estimate a total of 30% heritability, indicating that most of the host effects are reflected in viral sequence variation

Genome-to-genome analysis highlights the effect of the human innate and adaptive immune systems on the hepatitis C virus

Outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and treatment depend on viral and host genetic factors. Here we use human genome-wide genotyping arrays and new whole-genome HCV viral sequencing technologies to perform a systematic genome-to-genome study of 542 individuals who were chronically infected with HCV, predominantly genotype 3. We show that both alleles of genes encoding human leukocyte antigen molecules and genes encoding components of the interferon lambda innate immune system drive viral polymorphism. Additionally, we show that IFNL4 genotypes determine HCV viral load through a mechanism dependent on a specific amino acid residue in the HCV NS5A protein. These findings highlight the interplay between the innate immune system and the viral genome in HCV control