The issue of human nature is a perennial question ‐ as obstinate as it is old. Human reflection on the human condition is a defining feature of the experience of being human. In our time, the idea of ...post-biological evolution, the design paradigm of NBIC-convergence and transhumanism
‐ as a philosophy and a cultural movement ‐ all confront and confound our traditional notions of human nature. Unlike previous challenges to established images of the human being, this re-assessment of human nature has a practical aspect ‐ for technology now seems
poised to finally achieve the age-old aspiration of human control over human nature. At its core, the idea of post-biological evolution assumes the human condition as the object of engineering. The problem of the human being thus becomes an engineering problem, approached from an engineering
perspective, which ‐ in an essential way ‐ is design orientated. Hence, the idea of the human being that underlies the apprehension of ourselves as such an object of engineering, is of vital significance. As such, this paper argues for the relevance of philosophical anthropology
within the post-biological discourse.
This study was carried out to assess the prognostic power of low CD49d expression (≥10%) in newly diagnosed CLL patients using a previously described cohort. Eighty‐five patients were included. ...Median age at diagnosis; 70 years (43–88); CD49d was expressed in 33/85 (38.8%); 23/33 (69.7%) at ≥30% referred to as ‘HiCD49d’ and 10/33 (30.3%) between 10 and 30% with a bimodal pattern on scatterplot analysis referred to as ‘LoCD49d’. Eleven patients (12.9%) presented as Binet stage B, of whom 8 (72.7%) were CD49d+ (HiCD49d 7/8; LoCD49d 1/8). Seven of 81 patients (8.6%) were NOTCH1 mutated and all were CD49d+ (p ≤ .01). IgVH analysis was performed on 29 (87.8%) of the CD49d+ cases, of whom 21 (72.4%) were unmutated and 8 (27.6%) were mutated. CD38+/CD49d+ accounted for 11/20 (55%) (CD38+/HiCD49D: 9/11; CD38+/LoCD49D: 2/11). At 42 months, treatment had been initiated in 18/85 (21%) patients, of these 10/33 (30.3%) were CD49d+ versus 8/52 (15.4%) of the CD49d− group. The median treatment free interval for the CD49d+ group was 11 months (HiCD49d; 14.5 months, LoCD49d; 11 months) compared to 21.5 months for the CD49d− group. These findings suggest that the predictive value of CD49d expression is retained at expression levels down to 10%.
Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) are distinct clinicopathological B cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (B-CLPD). Both diseases have characteristic ...immunophenotypic and molecular features. The co-existence of two B-CLPD is perhaps more common than previously thought but a composite HCL and CLL has been rarely documented. A case is reported in which the morphology, integrated with an extensive immunophenotyping panel, and incorporation of the recently described HCL-associated
BRAF
V600E mutation, enabled the prompt diagnosis of composite HCL and CLL thus allowing appropriate treatment selection. This case serves to highlight the benefit of a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis of bi-clonal B-CLPD.
Vesta has a complex cratering history, with ancient terrains as well as recent large impacts that have led to regional resurfacing. Crater counts can help constrain the relative ages of different ...units on Vesta׳s surface, but converting those crater counts to absolute ages requires a chronology function. We present a cratering chronology based on the best current models for the dynamical evolution of asteroid belt, and calibrate it to Vesta using the record of large craters on its surface. While uncertainties remain, our chronology function is broadly consistent with an ancient surface of Vesta as well as other constraints such as the bombardment history of the rest of the inner Solar System and the Ar–Ar age distribution of howardite, eucrite and diogenite (HED) meteorites from Vesta.
•We develop a crater chronology for Vesta based on models of asteroid belt evolution.•Our chronology is consistent with numerous constraints from Vesta.•Application to other large asteroids like Ceres will allow for testing and refinement.
In this paper, we simulate numerically the catastrophic disruption of a large asteroid as a result of a collision with a smaller projectile and the subsequent reaccumulation of fragments as a result ...of their mutual gravitational attractions. We then investigate the original location within the parent body of the small pieces that eventually reaccumulate to form the largest offspring of the disruption as a function of the internal structure of the parent body. We consider four cases that may represent the internal structure of such a body (whose diameter is fixed at 250km) in various early stages of the Solar System evolution: fully molten, half molten (i.e., a 26km-deep outer layer of melt containing half of the mass), solid except a thin molten layer (8km thick) centered at 10km depth, and fully solid. The solid material has properties of basalt. We then focus on the three largest offspring that have enough reaccumulated pieces to consider. Our results indicate that the particles that eventually reaccumulate to form the largest reaccumulated bodies retain a memory of their original locations in the parent body. Most particles in each reaccumulated body are clustered from the same original region, even if their reaccumulations take place far away. The extent of the original region varies considerably depending on the internal structure of the parent. It seems to shrink with the solidity of the body. The fraction of particles coming from a given depth is computed for the four cases, which can give constraints on the internal structure of parent bodies of some meteorites. As one example, we consider the ureilites, which in some petrogenetic models are inferred to have formed at particular depths within their parent body.
•We simulate the disruption of molten, partially molten or fully solid asteroids.•The original location of particles forming the largest reaccumulated offspring is investigated.•Particles forming the largest bodies retain a memory of their original locations.•The extent of the original region varies considerably depending on the internal structure of the parent.•We consider the ureilites, which in some petrogenetic models are inferred to have formed at particular depths within their parent body.
Judges on Judging O′Brien, David M
2016, 2017, 2016-12-31, 2016-05-20, 2016-06-06
eBook
Thoroughly revised and updated for this Fifth Edition, Judges on Judging offers insights into the judicial philosophies and political views of those on the bench.
Abstract
Microbial ecology provides insights into the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of microbial communities underpinning every ecosystem on Earth. Microbial communities can now be ...investigated in unprecedented detail, although there is still a wealth of open questions to be tackled. Here we identify 50 research questions of fundamental importance to the science or application of microbial ecology, with the intention of summarising the field and bringing focus to new research avenues. Questions are categorised into seven themes: host–microbiome interactions; health and infectious diseases; human health and food security; microbial ecology in a changing world; environmental processes; functional diversity; and evolutionary processes. Many questions recognise that microbes provide an extraordinary array of functional diversity that can be harnessed to solve real-world problems. Our limited knowledge of spatial and temporal variation in microbial diversity and function is also reflected, as is the need to integrate micro- and macro-ecological concepts, and knowledge derived from studies with humans and other diverse organisms. Although not exhaustive, the questions presented are intended to stimulate discussion and provide focus for researchers, funders and policy makers, informing the future research agenda in microbial ecology.
We identify research questions in the field of microbial ecology, with emerging themes that recognise vast microbial functions that could benefit humanity, and the need to integrate knowledge across organisms.
Patients are inquiring about mini-incision primary total hip arthroplasty with increasing frequency. There are no published randomized controlled trials to substantiate claims that the mini-incision ...direct lateral approach is better than a standard approach. The purpose of our study was to review our initial experience with the mini-incision technique through the direct lateral approach, with the intent of implementing a randomized controlled trial if the approach could be shown as safe and effective. Of importance was determining if there is any difference in component positioning and if there is any difference in intraoperative or postoperative complications between the two groups. We retrospectively compared a consecutive series of 87 primary total hip arthroplasties. Thirty-four total hip arthroplasties were done using a mini-incision direct lateral approach. The mean abduction angle was 45 degrees for both groups. The femoral stem alignment was within five degrees of neutral in 97% of the mini group and 94% of the standard group. There were no dislocations, infections, neurologic or wound complications. There were no differences in medical complications or blood transfusions. A significant decrease was found regarding body mass index, which reflects the bias in patient selection and lack of randomization. We conclude that it is safe to continue further study with this approach because as there was no increase in complications or component malpositioning.
Therapeutic study, Level III (retrospective comparative study). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A Theory of If Braine, Martin D. S; O'Brien, David P
Psychological review,
04/1991, Letnik:
98, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The theory has 3 parts: (a) A lexical entry defines the information about
if
in semantic memory; its core comprises 2 inference schemas, Modus Ponens and a schema for Conditional Proof; the latter ...operates under a constraint that explains differences between
if
and the material conditional of standard logic. (b) A propositional-logic reasoning program specifies a routine for reasoning from information as interpreted to a conclusion. (c) A set of pragmatic principles governs how an
if
sentence is likely to be interpreted in context. The reasoning program and the pragmatic principles are independently motivated. The theory accounts well for relevant research data-explaining inferences, fallacies, truth judgments, and comprehension errors-and both schemas appear to be available early to children. Other psychological theories are incomplete. Stalnaker's philosophical theory is more complex and begs questions about how possible worlds are apprehended.
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