Fixed-point models for paradoxical predicates

This paper introduces a new kind of fixed-point semantics, filling a gap within approaches to Liar-like paradoxes involving fixed-point models à la Kripke (1975). The four-valued models presented below, (i) unlike the three-valued, consistent fixed-point models defined in Kripke (1975), are able to differentiate between paradoxical and pathological-but-unparadoxical sentences, and (ii) unlike the four-valued, paraconsistent fixed-point models first studied in Visser (1984) and Woodruff (1984), preserve consistency and groundedness of truth. Keywords:  Semantic Paradoxes · Fixed-point semantics · Many-valued logic · Kripke’s theory oftrut

A New Model for the Liar

A new model for the language of arithmetic enhanced by the unary truth predicate T is presented, which extends Kripke’s minimal fixed point. The latter, it will be argued, does not adequately model the truth predicate, since no difference between Liars and Truth-tellers can be made. The new model, which contains an extension of Kripke’s in- terpretation of T along with a new 4-valued logic, overcomes this inadequacy. The gist of my proposal is that 'paradoxical' ought to be treated as a truth value: Liar sentences, unlike Truth-teller sentences, do not simply lack a truth value. They do posses one: they are paradoxical.

Fixed-point models for paradoxical predicates

This paper introduces a new kind of fixed-point semantics, filling a gap within approaches to Liar-like paradoxes involving fixed-point models à la Kripke (1975). The four-valued models presented below, (i) unlike the three-valued, consistent fixed-point models defined in Kripke (1975), are able to differentiate between paradoxical and pathological-but-unparadoxical sentences, and (ii) unlike the four-valued, paraconsistent fixed-point models first studied in Visser (1984) and Woodruff (1984), preserve consistency and groundedness of truth. Keywords:  Semantic Paradoxes · Fixed-point semantics · Many-valued logic · Kripke’s theory oftrut

In difesa del monismo anomalo

Questo articolo è fondamentalmente una difesa del Monismo Anomalo di Donald Davidson. Nella prima parte del saggio presento gli aspetti centrali del Monismo Anomalo, sostenendo la tesi che Davidson, grazie a tre assunti metafisici, riesce a risolvere l’apparente contraddizione che dovrebbe derivare da tre premesse. La seconda parte del lavoroè dedicata ad una discussione critica dell’Obiezione di Epifenomenismo, avanzata, tra gli altri, da Ted Honderich e Jagewon Kim. In questa discussione sosterò la tesi che tale obiezione non è valida, per ragioni di ordine metafisico

SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF BRIDGES EQUIPPED WITH FPS

The scope of the present study is focused on the evaluation of the seismic response of bridges iso-lated by single concave sliding pendulum isolators (FPS) for the different structural properties when the presence of the rigid abutment is considered or neglected (i.e., isolated viaducts). In this way, they have been defined two specific multi-degree-of-freedom (mdof) models to simulate the elastic behavior of the reinforced concrete pier in combination to the infinitely rigid presence of the deck and to the presence of the rigid abutment if considered. Both the numerical models also account for the non-linear velocity-dependent behavior of the FPS bearings. Considering the alea-tory uncertainty in the seismic input by means of several natural records with different character-istics, a parametric analysis is developed for several structural properties. The relevant results ex-pressed as the statistics in non-dimensional form with respect to the seismic intensity have permit-ted to study the differences between the two numerical models in relation to the effectiveness of the seismic isolation

Potassium bicarbonate and D-ribose effects on A72 canine and HTB-126 human cancer cell line proliferation in vitro

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The synergic action of KHCO₃and D-ribose is tested on A72 and HTB-126 cell lines proliferation using K:D-Rib solution. Altered Na⁺/K⁺ATPase expression and activity were shown in patients with cancer. Studies in human epithelial-derived malignancies indicate that K⁺depletion also occurs, contributing to the increased intracellular Na⁺/K⁺ratio <abbrgrp><abbr bid="B1">1</abbr></abbrgrp>. D-ribose transformed to piruvate, enters into the Krebs's cycle and has a key role on energetic metabolism. The up-regulation of glycolysis in tumor cells is already well known and it is the rationale of F¹⁸-FDG PET diagnostic technique. D-ribose is synthesized by the non-oxidative transketolase PPP reaction.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results with different K:D-Rib concentrations show that MTT salt interferes with K:D-Rib solution and therefore this method is not reliable. The UV/VIS measurements show that K:D-Rib solutions reduce MTT salt to formazan in absence of cells. Cell proliferation has then been evaluated analysing the digital photos of the Giemsa stained cells with MCID™ software. At 5 mM K:D-Rib concentration, the cell growth arrests between 48 h and 72 h; in fact the cell number after 48 h is around the same with respect to the control after 72 h. In case of HTB-126 human cancer cells, the growth rate was valuated counting the splitting times during 48 days: control cells were split sixteen times while 5 mM treated cells eleven times. Most relevant, the clonogenic assay shows that nine colonies are formed in the control cells while only one is formed in the 5 mM and none in 10 mM treated cells.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The K:D-Rib solution has an antioxidant behaviour also at low concentrations. Incubation with 5 mM K:D-Rib solution on A72 cells shows a cytostatic effect at 5 mM, but it needs more than 24 h of incubation time to evidence this effect on cell proliferation. At the same concentration on human HTB-126 cells, K:D-Rib solution shows a clear replication slowing but the cytostatic effect at 10 mM K:D-Rib solution only. Results on A72 cells indicate the K⁺uptake could be determinant either to arrest or to slow down cell growth.</p

SEISMIC PERFORMANCE OF BRIDGES ISOLATED BY DCFP DEVICES: A PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS

The present investigation examines how the properties of the double concave friction pendulum (DCFP) devices influence the seismic performance of isolated multi-span continuous deck bridges. The numerical simulations are carried out using an eight-degree-of-freedom model to reproduce the elastic behavior of the pier, associated to the assumption of both rigid abutment and rigid deck, and the non-linear velocity-dependent behavior of the two surfaces of the double concave friction pen-dulum isolators under a set of natural records with different characteristics. The results in terms of the statistics related to the relevant response parameters are computed in non-dimensional form with respect to the seismic intensity considering different properties of both DCFP isolators and bridge