Within linguistics, the dominant truth-conditional approach to semantics belongs to the Tarskian, model-theoretic tradition. Theories in this tradition offer an abstract, mathematical description of the truth conditions of natural language expressions in terms of their correspondence with the world. This thesis takes issue with existing modeltheoretic accounts of quantification on the basis that the specific abstract relations that they describe could not plausibly be models of natural language-to-world relations. Recent decades have seenmuch philosophical interest in naturalistic theories of reference and mental content. In one sense, these theories address the above concern by trying to identify something naturalistic for semantic correspondence to consist in, such as causalhistorical chains or ceteris paribus laws. In another sense, they fail to address the problem, since no account is given of either the semantic structure or the truth conditions of even the tiniest fragment of a natural language. Crucially, it is far from clear that modeltheoretic semantics, in anything like its present form, can accommodate the solutions proposed by naturalistic theories of content. If correspondence truth and naturalism are both to be retained, a new theory is needed. I begin by arguing that the class nominalism underlying model-theoretic semantics is unsuited to this naturalistic project, and propose that a variant of Armstrong’s realist metaphysic, incorporating Donald Baxter’s theory of aspects, provides the ideal ontology. I revise and extend Baxter’s theory for a more complete and precise account of the instantiation of properties and relations, and show that the theory of aspects allows for an appealing treatment of both numbers and general facts. Against the background of this realist metaphysic, and drawing on insights from naturalistic theories of mental content, I propose an original theory of mentally represented semantic structures and their truth-conditional analysis. Within this framework, I treat the core semantic phenomena of predication, negation, conjunction, and disjunction, and devote considerable attention to relations. I also develop a detailed theory of quantification, which includes a fully naturalistic account of both universal quantification and numerals.

The quantification of human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogene transcripts, E6 and E7, may be predictive of viral oncogenesis and cancer progression. The main objectives of this study were to determine the HPV genotype prevalence and distribution in Edmonton, Alberta, and characterize a quantifiable association of HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression with the presence of cervical disease. Successful clinical trial design and patient enrolment lead to the first controlled characterization of HPV genotype epidemiology in Alberta. HPV-16 was identified as the most prevalent genotype, followed by several non-vaccine genotypes (HPV-31, -52). Despite rigorous experimentation and a significant correlation between high-risk HPV infection and cervical lesions (p<0.05), absolute quantification of viral oncogenesis was unsuccessful. The ability to quantify oncogene transcriptional activity may, in time, revolutionize cervical cancer screening programmes, akin to the Pap smear several decades ago. However, as experienced in this study and in others, great challenges and even greater questions remain unanswered.

PONTES, André Nascimento. A forma lógica de sentenças de existência: uma avaliação da abordagem quantificacional. 2010. 101f. – Dissertação (Mestrado) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-graduação em Filosofia, Fortaleza (CE), 2010. / Submitted by Gustavo Daher (gdaherufc@hotmail.com) on 2017-09-20T15:19:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2010_dis_anpontes.pdf: 596782 bytes, checksum: cdf303737f283864797e797d93cae2fb (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Márcia Araújo (marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-09-23T14:25:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2010_dis_anpontes.pdf: 596782 bytes, checksum: cdf303737f283864797e797d93cae2fb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-23T14:25:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2010_dis_anpontes.pdf: 596782 bytes, checksum: cdf303737f283864797e797d93cae2fb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / The objective of this work is to present an evaluation of the quantificational approach of the problem of existence in the versions defended by Frege, Russell and Quine. This approach is presented having as a background its reaction to the classic model of sentence analysis used by inflationed ontologies derived from Plato’s nonbeing argument, as well as from the Meinong’s Theory of Objects. The basic idea is to show that the inflationed ontology claimed by Plato and Meinong - which, in the most part, is derived from a deficient model of sentence analysis -, can be eliminated through an efficient logical treatment of existence utterances based on the logic of predicates. In spite of internal divergences, the central thesis of proponents of the quantificational approach is that the existence predicate is, from a logical point of view, represented by the existential quantifier (E) of the logic of predicates. I also try to show that, although the quantificational approach represents an advance without precedents in the philosophy concerning to the logical status analysis of the term “exist”, it has some relevant limitations which its proponents have not overcome yet. / O objetivo desse trabalho é apresentar uma avaliação da abordagem quantificacional do problema da existência nas versões defendidas por Frege, Russell e Quine. Tal abordagem é apresentada tendo como pano de fundo sua reação ao modelo clássico de análise de sentenças utilizado pelas ontologias inflacionadas derivadas do argumento do não-ser de Platão e da Teoria dos Objetos de Meinong. A ideia básica é mostrar que a ontologia inflacionada sustentada por Platão e Meinong que, em grande parte, é derivada de um modelo deficiente de análise de sentenças, pode ser eliminada através de um tratamento lógico eficiente de enunciados de existência com base na lógica de predicados. A despeito das divergências internas, a tese central dos proponentes da abordagem quantificacional é que o predicado de existência é, do ponto de vista lógico, representado pelo quantificador existencial (E) da lógica de predicados. Tento mostrar também que, embora a abordagem quantificacional represente um avanço sem precedentes em filosofia no que diz respeito à análise do estatuto lógico do termo “existe”, ela possui algumas limitações relevantes que seus proponentes até então não conseguiram superar.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / O objetivo desse trabalho à apresentar uma avaliaÃÃo da abordagem quantificacional do problema da existÃncia nas versÃes defendidas por Frege, Russell e Quine. Tal abordagem à apresentada tendo como pano de fundo sua reaÃÃo ao modelo clÃssico de anÃlise de sentenÃas utilizado pelas ontologias inflacionadas derivadas do argumento do nÃo-ser de PlatÃo e da Teoria dos Objetos de Meinong. A ideia bÃsica à mostrar que a ontologia inflacionada sustentada por PlatÃo e Meinong que, em grande parte, à derivada de um modelo deficiente de anÃlise de sentenÃas, pode ser eliminada atravÃs de um tratamento lÃgico eficiente de enunciados de existÃncia com base na lÃgica de predicados. A despeito das divergÃncias internas, a tese central dos proponentes da abordagem quantificacional à que o predicado de existÃncia Ã, do ponto de vista lÃgico, representado pelo quantificador existencial (E) da lÃgica de predicados. Tento mostrar tambÃm que, embora a abordagem quantificacional represente um avanÃo sem precedentes em filosofia no que diz respeito à anÃlise do estatuto lÃgico do termo âexisteâ, ela possui algumas limitaÃÃes relevantes que seus proponentes atà entÃo nÃo conseguiram superar. / The objective of this work is to present an evaluation of the quantificational approach of the problem of existence in the versions defended by Frege, Russell and Quine. This approach is presented having as a background its reaction to the classic model of sentence analysis used by inflationed ontologies derived from Platoâs nonbeing argument, as well as from the Meinongâs Theory of Objects. The basic idea is to show that the inflationed ontology claimed by Plato and Meinong - which, in the most part, is derived from a deficient model of sentence analysis -, can be eliminated through an efficient logical treatment of existence utterances based on the logic of predicates. In spite of internal divergences, the central thesis of proponents of the quantificational approach is that the existence predicate is, from a logical point of view, represented by the existential quantifier (E) of the logic of predicates. I also try to show that, although the quantificational approach represents an advance without precedents in the philosophy concerning to the logical status analysis of the term âexistâ, it has some relevant limitations which its proponents have not overcome yet.

Permanent deformation in the form of creep is added to a one-dimensional model of a radio-frequency micro-electro-mechanical system (RF-MEMS). Due to uncertainty in the material property values, calibration under uncertainty is carried out through comparison to experiments in order to determine appropriate boundary conditions and material property values. Further uncertainty in the input parameters, in the form of probability distribution functions of geometric device properties, is included in simulations and propagated to the device performance as a function of time. The effect of realistic power-law grain size distributions on the creep response of thin RF-MEMS films is examined through the use of a finite volume software suite designed for the computational modelling of MEMS. It is seen that the use of a realistic height-dependent power-law distribution of grain sizes in the film in place of a uniform grain size has the effect of increasing the simulated creep rate and the uncertainty in its value. The effect is seen to be the result of the difference between the model with a homogeneous grain size and the model with a non-homogeneous grain size. Realistic variations in the grain size distribution for a given film are seen to have a smaller effect. Finally, in order to incorporate variations in thickness in manufactured devices, variation in the thickness of the membrane across the length and width is considered in a 3D finite element model, and variation of thickness along the length is added to the earlier one-dimensional RF-MEMS model. Estimated uncertainty in the film profile is propagated to selected device performance metrics. The effect of film thickness variation along the length of the film is seen to be greater than the effect of variation across the width.

Work changes are alterations to the original scope of a contract. Work changes are inevitable in a typical construction project due to the complex nature of the construction industry. It is not possible to foresee these changes at the pre-construction or bidding stages. The changes may affect originally planned means and methods and, thus, may impact the quantity and type of the originally allocated resources such as time, labor, and equipment. In other words, work changes may involve time, money or both. Proper quantification of the impacts solely introduced by changes is therefore vital to all parties and to the success of a project. Failing to quantify impacts due to changes may have adverse consequences that may sometimes result in litigation. Several techniques are currently employed by the construction industry to quantify the impacts of changes. There are also a few simulation case studies used for productivity-related impact analysis. Certain simulation techniques and capabilities, such as modeling flexibility, involvement of historical data, and capability to compare alternatives enable simulation to be a promising tool for quantifying impacts due to changes. Despite the fact that simulation is becoming popular in the construction industry, up to this point in time, there are no established guidelines for the use of simulation in quantifying impacts due to work changes. Simulation still needs exploration with further research and applications that are specific to the problems of the construction industry. There is a solid need to explore the opportunities for employing simulation in quantifying impacts. The objective of this work is to explore the use of simulation in quantifying work change impacts. The study consists of a literature review on the relevant topics. It also analyzes and quantifies a case study in depth. The lessons learned from the case study showcase the procedure and potential of the methodology. The output of the research is valuable for practitioners who wish to employ simulation in quantifying impacts due to work changes. / Master of Science

New techniques to measure the information contained within a network of interconnected nodes (such as links between computers in the Internet) have recently been developed. This work studies the relationship between the computer time needed to solve a common network problem and the information contained within the given network.

Using nuclei isolated from less than 0.2 g tissue or 107 cells, a method is presented for the quantitative determination of amounts of DNA per cell at the picogram level. This technique is based on the enhanced fluorescence of 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) when it binds to DNA. A rapid, one-step nuclear isolation and DNA staining procedure is used to prepare tissue samples for flow cytometric analysis. Frozen tissues give results comparable to those for fresh tissue. Both chicken and trout erythrocyte nuclei were used as reference standards in the determination of amounts of DNA per diploid cell for several mammals and Amazon molly fish. The consistent values obtained for different tissues from the same organism show the accuracy of this method for DNA measurement.

Autism is characterized by language dysfunction ranging from mild and peculiar language usage to a total lack of expressive language function. These language oddities are manifest in the form of phonological, morphological, syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic/behavioral dysfunction. Research suggests that the autistic language deficit is focal—dealing with a specific area of language processing; however, previous research has failed to identify this language enigma. This thesis demonstrates a novel approach to the problem, showing that the autistic language deficit is tied to a particular aspect of language processing—quantification. Quantification is defined and explained in the context of autistic language and behavior.

The detection and quantification of hormones are important to assess the reproductive and stress status of experimental models and for the diagnosis of diseases in human and veterinary clinics. The peptide secretoneurin (SN) has been proposed as a new sex hormone, but effective quantification methods are challenging. Traditional methods require the use of antibodies with either radioactive or non-radioactive tracers. There are difficulties with these methods in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and inter-laboratory repeatability. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) can circumvent many of these challenges. Another source of variation is the extraction of lipophilic steroidal compounds, which is incompatible with the extraction of hydrophilic peptide hormones. I have developed efficient extraction and sensitive detection methods of SN with numerous other peptide and steroid hormones in the same tissue sample in mice and zebrafish. The extraction efficiency for both peptide and steroid analytes is over 85%. The standard deviation for extraction and LC-MS/MS analysis for each compound varies between 5-10%. The steroid hormones can be quantified in the low to medium fmol/µL range. We quantified peptide hormones in the high fmol/µL to low pmol/µL range. Mouse SN levels were measured and compared against the levels of GnRH 1, oxytocin, vasopressin, E2, and P4 in multiple tissues at 3 important periods through the estrous cycle. In addition, SN levels were found to be moderately related to GnRH 1 levels in the hypothalamus in the estrous cycle. This is important because it is GnRH 1 that stimulates the luteinizing hormone surge in the pituitary that regulates ovulation in all vertebrate species. I also determined that SNa and SNb were both within the 2-8 pmol/µL range in the brain or pituitary harvested from a single female zebrafish. This makes it feasible for the first time to study the correlation between the SNs and other peptides and steroid hormones by quantifying them simultaneously in very small tissue samples. Untargeted peptidomics determined that the SN peptides in zebrafish can be further processed into smaller discrete fragments. This implies not only active synthesis and selective peptide processing but suggests that the are unknown functions of the SN peptide fragments that await discovery. This cost-effective package was used for the detailed assessment of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function in mice and zebrafish and may be adaptable to many other hormones across species.