Formal Reconstruction Research Articles

Culinary Topography of the Castle in Sieradz (Central Poland) in the Early Modern Period (16th Century - 1st Half of the 17th Century)

The article discusses the broadly understood issue of food in the castle in Sieradz in the 16th century - 1st half of the 17th century, which was the capital seat of the county – starosty (Polish: starostwo) and also land, and later of the Sieradz voivodeship, an administrative and economic centre headed by startoste (Polish: starosta) – an official appointed for life by the king. Although the castle was destroyed about 200 years ago, its form and many aspects of everyday life are perfectly legible in the light of numerous archival written sources and, to a lesser extent, archaeological evidence, which allows for its analysis in the historical context of ‘food studies.’ They enable us to determine the location and formal reconstruction of places where food products were processed and stored (larder, kitchen, bakery, brewery, breeding and cultivation areas), make an attempt to recreate the inventory of the objects collected in these places, and capture the dynamics of the accompanying changes. An attempt was also made to hypothetically reconstruct the dishes and places where they were served, and the groups of people who consumed them. This enabled us to notice social stratification manifested in the standards of food and the conditions of its consumption.

Investigations into Proof Structures

We introduce and elaborate a novel formalism for the manipulation and analysis of proofs as objects in a global manner. In this first approach the formalism is restricted to first-order problems characterized by condensed detachment. It is applied in an exemplary manner to a coherent and comprehensive formal reconstruction and analysis of historical proofs of a widely-studied problem due to Łukasiewicz. The underlying approach opens the door towards new systematic ways of generating lemmas in the course of proof search to the effects of reducing the search effort and finding shorter proofs. Among the numerous reported experiments along this line, a proof of Łukasiewicz ’s problem was automatically discovered that is much shorter than any proof found before by man or machine.

Aristotle’s Sea Battle, Excluded Middle and Bivalence

In this paper, I present a formal reconstruction of the classical argument for fatalism set forth by Aristotle in On Interpretation 9. From there, I expose two different formal solutions for avoiding the unwanted conclusion based on the traditional interpretation of Aristotle’s rejection of the Principle of Bivalence: On the one hand, Łukasiewicz's three-valued logic and, on the other hand, supervaluation semantics. I also address some criticisms made against these two proposals. To finish, I remark on some alternative interpretations of Aristotle’s intentions maintaining that the Stagirite philosopher rejected fatalism without abandoning the Principle of Bivalence.

Free hemi-hamate arthroplasty: A review of donor site outcomes

IntroductionThe use of the dorsal hamate as a free osteochondral bone graft or vascularized bone flap has become the mainstay for large, comminuted middle phalanx volar lip fractures. To date, few studies have been conducted in the assessment of donor site morbidity for the hemi-hamate graft or flap, and none have discussed modes of repair or reconstruction of this donor site. MethodsA retrospective analysis of 14 hemi-hamate arthroplasty (HHA) procedures, including 6 vascularized and 8 non-vascularized grafts, from two surgeons was performed. Four hamate defect reconstruction techniques were utilized: no formal reconstruction, autologous bone grafting, gel foam, or synthetic bone substitute. The dorsal capsule was repaired with either extensor retinaculum grafting or by direct closure. Wrist range of motion, pain scores, and radiographic alignment were assessed. ResultsAt 6 months follow-up, all patients achieved full, pain-free wrist motion compared to the uninjured side, with visual analog scale pain scores of 0. Serial radiographs showed maintained carpal alignment without instability or subluxation. No differences based on the hamate defect reconstruction method or capsular repair technique was demonstrated. ConclusionSafe return to pain free, unrestricted wrist function is achievable after HHA, regardless of hamate donor site management. Adequate dorsal capsular repair appears critical to prevent instability. Further study is needed to compare techniques, but choice may be guided by surgeon preference in the absence of clear evidence.

Berkeley's Master Argument

AbstractOne of Berkeley's best-known arguments for the view that there are no material objects is the so-called Master Argument. There are several good critical discussions of it. That invites the question: is there anything new to say? Well, it will be argued, there are a few things to say. First, although refutations by logical analogy have been advanced against the Master Argument, the strongest such refutation, one which demonstrates its incoherence, has not been. It is here. Second, there are few formal reconstructions of the Master Argument – the great majority of discussions treat it discursively – but a formal reconstruction, and one not found elsewhere, is offered here. Third, the formal reconstruction makes possible identification of the essential mistake of the argument. That mistake is equivocation. The common complaint that Berkeley illicitly introduces the act of conceiving into the content of the concept conceived is not quite correct; but to the extent that it is correct, it's explicable in terms of an underlying equivocation. Fourth, the article presupposes no acquaintance with Berkeley's work and is written in a conversational, easy-to-read style. Given that Berkeley himself wrote in a similar style, he could at least agree that the fourth point is a merit of the article.

Reconstruction following oncological iliosacral resection.

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is the only mechanical connection between the axial skeleton and lower limbs. Following iliosacral resection, there is debate on whether reconstruction of the joint is necessary. There is a paucity of data comparing the outcomes of patients undergoing reconstruction and those who are not formally reconstructed. A total of 60 patients (25 females, 35 males; mean age 39 years (SD 18)) undergoing iliosacral resection were reviewed. Most resections were performed for primary malignant tumours (n = 54; 90%). The mean follow-up for surviving patients was nine years (2 to 19). Overall, 27 patients (45%) were reconstructed, while 33 (55%) had no formal reconstruction. There was no difference in the use of chemotherapy (p = 1.000) or radiotherapy (p = 0.292) between the groups. Patients with no reconstruction had a mean larger tumour (11 cm (SD 5) vs 8 cm (SD 4); p = 0.014), mean shorter operating times (664 mins (SD 195) vs 1,324 mins (SD 381); p = 0.012), and required fewer blood units (8 (SD 7) vs 14 (SD 11); p = 0.012). Patients undergoing a reconstruction were more likely to have a deep infection (48% vs 12%; p = 0.003). Nine reconstructed patients had a hardware failure, with five requiring revision. Postoperatively 55 (92%) patients were ambulatory, with no difference in the proportion of ambulatory patients (89% vs 94%; p = 0.649) or mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (59% vs 65%; p = 0.349) score between patients who did or did not have a reconstruction. The ten-year disease-specific survival was 69%, with no difference between patients who were reconstructed and those who were not (78% vs 45%; p = 0.316). There was no difference in the rate of metastasis between the two groups (hazard ratio (HR) 2.78; p = 0.102). Our results demonstrate that SIJ reconstruction is associated with longer operating times, greater need for blood transfusion, and more postoperative infections, without any improvement in functional outcomes when compared to patients who did not have formal SIJ reconstruction.

Providing Stability to Our World. Identity and Transference

The problem of identity is central to epistemic transference. However, relative identity appears to be the only way to work out an epistemic useful notion of identity. Relative identity, on its part, is either parasitic on strict identity or not identity at all. If, on the contrary, we ought for a strict concept of identity capable of satisfying its requirements, we end up with a tautologic and epistemic worthless category. The paper provides an answer to this problem, which, while working with a strict notion, shows how it might still serve epistemic purposes. In doing so, it shows how a formal reconstruction of our objectual world and the identities we refer to poses a workable model upon which our messy epistemic one acquires stability. The paper focuses primarily on the Geach-Quine discussion on identity.

Toward A Logical Theory Of Fairness and Bias

AbstractFairness in machine learning is of considerable interest in recent years owing to the propensity of algorithms trained on historical data to amplify and perpetuate historical biases. In this paper, we argue for a formal reconstruction of fairness definitions, not so much to replace existing definitions but to ground their application in an epistemic setting and allow for rich environmental modeling. Consequently we look into three notions: fairness through unawareness, demographic parity and counterfactual fairness, and formalize these in the epistemic situation calculus.

AB097. SOH23ABS_156. An observational study looking at speech and swallow outcomes following formal free flap reconstruction versus no formal reconstruction in oral cavity cancer

AB097. SOH23ABS_156. An observational study looking at speech and swallow outcomes following formal free flap reconstruction versus no formal reconstruction in oral cavity cancer

Advanced mandibular reconstruction with fibular free flap and alloplastic TMJ prosthesis with digital planning

IntroductionResection of the mandible and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) without formal reconstruction is a devastating condition that negatively affects all aspects of the patient’s life. We have approached the reconstruction of mandibular defects that include the condyle with simultaneous reconstruction with a vascularized free fibular flap (FFF) using Surgical Design and Simulation (SDS) and alloplastic TMJ prosthesis. The objective of this study is to report the functional and quality of life (QOL) outcomes in a cohort of patients that had undergone our reconstructive protocol.MethodsThis was a prospective case series of adult patients that underwent mandibular reconstruction with FFF and alloplastic TMJ prosthesis at the our center. Pre-operative and post-operative maximum inter-incisal opening (MIO) measurements were collected, and patients completed a QOL questionnaire (EORTC QLQ—H&N35) during those perioperative visits.ResultsSix patients were included in the study. The median patient age was 53 years. Heat map analysis of the QOL questionnaire revealed that patients reported a positive clinically significant change in the domains of pain, teeth, mouth opening, dry mouth, sticky saliva, and senses (relative change of 2.0, 3.3, 3.3, 2.0, 2.0, and 1.0 respectively). There were no negative clinically significant changes. There was a median perioperative MIO increase of 15.0 mm, and this was statistically significant (p = 0.027).ConclusionsThis study highlights the complexities involved in mandibular reconstruction with involvement of the TMJ. Based on our findings, patients can obtain an acceptable QOL and good function following simultaneous reconstruction with FFF employing SDS and an alloplastic TMJ prosthesis.Graphical

Molecular Phylogeny Supports the Monophyly of the Mite Supercohort Eupodides (Acariformes: Trombidiformes) and Greatly Coincides with Traditional Morphological Definition of the Taxon

One of the most phylogenetically enigmatic taxa of Trombidiformes is the supercohort Eupodides (=Eupodina) consists of five superfamilies: Bdelloidea, Eriophyoidea, Eupodoidea, Halacaroidea, and Tydeoidea. However, this taxonomic system has not been supported by formal reconstruction of the phylogeny of these mite groups. In this paper, we present the results of the phylogenetic relationships of major lineages of Eupodides based on 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, and COI sequences. By critically analysing the key morphological features of the mite taxa indicated by molecular analysis as the main eupodine lineages, we reconstructed a cladogram showing the cladistic hypothesis of the internal phylogenetic structure of Eupodides. Subsequently, the result was compared to the character evolution course suggested by tracing the morphological characters of eupodine mites on the reconstructed molecular tree. According to our data, Eupodides should still be classified as a monophyletic taxon grouping representatives of Bdelloidea, Eupodoidea, Tydeoidea, and Eriophyoidea; however, the taxonomic status of some superfamilies was not confirmed. Particularly, only the bdelloid clade with Cunaxidae nested within Bdellidae may correspond to the superfamily in the current taxonomic view. Additionally, the superfamilies Eupodoidea and Tydeoidea were demonstrated to be paraphyletic. Moreover, morphological, as well as molecular, data recovered Eriophyoidea nested within Tydeoidea.

Calcanectomy in primary high-grade sarcomas: Foot salvage without the need for any reconstruction

The calcaneum is a rare site for primary bone sarcomas. Calcanectomy is not considered for high-grade malignancies due to anticipated issues with obtaining negative margins, providing adequate soft-tissue coverage, and preserving satisfactory function. A below-knee amputation overcomes these difficulties and is very functional and, thus, the preferred local control option. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of total calcanectomy, without any formal reconstruction, in high-grade calcaneal sarcomas. Over 14 years, three patients with high-grade calcaneal sarcomas underwent limb salvage surgery as opposed to amputation for their primary malignancy. Total calcanectomy was undertaken using a Cincinnati incision. No formal “calcaneal” reconstruction was undertaken after resection, essentially leaving the patient with an excision arthroplasty through the subtalar joint. The Achilles tendon was reattached to the posterior talus. Negative resection margins were achieved in all cases with the primary wound closure. Two patients are alive with no evidence of disease at 15 and 10 years. The third patient, at over 1 year postoperatively, has no evidence of local disease recurrence but has had metastasectomy for documented pulmonary metastases at the presentation. The average musculoskeletal tumor society score was 85.5%, and the average Toronto extremity salvage score was 88.5%. In our experience, even high-grade malignancies at this unusual site are potentially amenable to limb salvage. Our results show that perhaps ablative surgery should not be considered inevitable. Good functional outcomes can be achieved without reconstruction, thus minimizing potential “construct”-related morbidities.

Lop Ear to Conchal Microtia: An Algorithmic Surgical Approach.

The lop ear deformity is defined by a deficient helix and scapha, underdeveloped anthelix, and downfolding of the helix. The terminology used is still confusing, and the treatment is not entirely structured. The aim of this study was to provide a new systematic surgical approach of this deformity based on our center's experience. All patients undergoing surgical correction of lop ears between 2007 and 2019 at Great Ormond Street Hospital were included. Patients' data, surgical techniques, and postoperative complications were recorded. Based on our records, we identified 3 surgical techniques for the correction of lop ears, based on the degree of deformity encountered. In a mild lop ear, correction was achieved with a modified otoplasty technique by improving the definition of the antihelix and superior crus. In a moderate deformity, additional remodeling of the lidded helix was performed (extended otoplasty), whereas for the severe lop ear, the amount of cupping and the deficient cartilage required formal reconstruction using a carved rib cartilage framework. There were a total of 109 patients and 146 lop ears: 58 mild, 27 moderate, and 61 severe lop ears. We feel that there is a point in the spectrum of congenital ear deformity when a severe lop ear becomes a conchal microtia and recommend this approach to simplify the management of these cases. This is intended to bring greater clarity to how to deal with lop ears, based on the severity of the deformity and the surgical techniques used.

A case series of chronic elbow dislocations treated with open reduction without formal reconstruction or augmentation of ligaments using collateral approach

Elbow joint serves important functions for the purpose of carrying out routine activities. Chronic dislocations of this joint block the smooth functioning of the elbow joint, thus hampering patient’s self-care and making day to day tasks difficult to perform. Chronic elbow dislocation is defined as a dislocation that has remained unreduced for 2 weeks. The extensive soft-tissue fibrosis and contractures along with skeletal changes that develop during this time usually prevent successful closed reduction. A total of 3 patients with chronically dislocated elbow joints were enrolled in the case series and were managed with the similar technique of open reduction of delivering out the distal humerus out and reduction without any formal reconstruction or augmentation of any of the ligaments by the same surgeon in the same hospital set up followed by the same post operative rehabilitation protocol. All the patients achieved considerably good, stable and painless elbow joint with significant improvement in range of motion as compared to pre operative one. The outcomes were measured using mayo elbow score (MEPS). Conclusion: This technique of treating elbow joint dislocation is very effective and gives patient a clinically stable, painless and mobile elbow joint. The results were evaluated with the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) which showed a considerable improvement in post-surgery score as compared to pre surgery one.

On the Elusive Formalisation of the Risky Condition for Hypothesis Testing

ABSTRACT In this paper, we examine possible formalisations of the riskiness condition for hypothesis testing. First, we informally introduce derivability and riskiness as testing conditions together with the corresponding arguments for refutation and confirmation. Then, we distinguish two different senses of confirmation and focus our discussion on one of them with the aid of a historical example. In the remaining sections, we offer a brief overview of the main references to the risky condition in the literature and scrutinise different options for formally capturing riskiness; we show why none of them works. We conclude with some remarks about the relation between derivability and riskiness and claim that riskiness essentially involves a contextual, pragmatic component that eludes a complete formal reconstruction.

A Variational Approach to Scripts.

This paper proposes a formal reconstruction of the script construct by leveraging the active inference framework, a behavioral modeling framework that casts action, perception, emotions, and attention as processes of (Bayesian or variational) inference. We propose a first principles account of the script construct that integrates its different uses in the behavioral and social sciences. We begin by reviewing the recent literature that uses the script construct. We then examine the main mathematical and computational features of active inference. Finally, we leverage the resources of active inference to offer a formal model of scripts. Our integrative model accounts for the dual nature of scripts (as internal, psychological schema used by agents to make sense of event types and as constitutive behavioral categories that make up the social order) and also for the stronger and weaker conceptions of the construct (which do and do not relate to explicit action sequences, respectively).

On the Syllogistic of G. Boole

Introduction. This article focuses on the investigation of Boole’s theory of categorical syllogism, exposed in his book “The Mathematical analysis of Logic”. That part of Boolean legacy has been neglected in the prevailed investigations on the history of logic; the latter provides the novelty of the work presented.Methodology and sources. The formal reconstruction of the methods of algebraic presentation of categorical syllogism, as it is exposed in the original work of Boole, is conducted. The character of Boolean methods is investigated in the interconnections with the principles of symbolic algebra on the one hand, and with the principles of signification, taken from R. Whately, on the other hand. The approaches to signification, grounding the syllogistic theories of Boole and Brentano, are analyzed in comparison, wherefrom we explain the reasons why the results of those theories are different so much.Results and discussion. It is demonstrated here that Boole has borrowed the principles of signification from the Whately’s book “The Elements of Logic”. The interpreting the content of the terms as classes, being combined with methods of symbolic algebra, has determined the core features of Boolean syllogism theory and its unexpected results. In contrast to Whately, Boole conduct the approach to ultimate ends, overcoming the restrictions imposed by Aristotelean doctrine. In particular, he neglects the distinction of subject and predicate among the terms of proposition, the order of premises, and provide the possibility to draw conclusions with negative terms. At the same time Boole missed that the forms of inference, parallel to Bramantip and Fresison, are legitimate forms in his system. In spite of the apparent affinities between the Boolean and Brentanian theories of judgment, the syllogistics of Boole appeared to be more flexible. The drawing of particular conclusion from universal premises is allowable in Boolean theory, but not in Brentanian one; besides, in his theory is allowable the drawing of conclusion from two negative premises, which is prohibited in Aristotelian syllogistic.Conclusion. Boole consistently interpreted signification of terms as classes; being combine with methods symbolic algebra it led to very flexible syllogism theory with rich results.

Reconstrucción postsísmica en el suelo de conservación ecológica de la Ciudad de México: experiencias de un asentamiento irregular

El objetivo de este texto es analizar el proceso de reconstrucción tras el sismo del 19S en el barrio La Conchita del pueblo San Gregorio Atlapulco, alcaldía de Xochimilco, Ciudad de México, donde al menos 40 familias perdieron su casa. Dicho barrio es un asentamiento irregular ubicado en suelo de conservación ecológica, en particular en un área de patrimonio cultural, histórico y agrícola, condición que le impidió el acceso a la política formal de reconstrucción, por lo que ésta se dio a partir de diversas iniciativas particulares y de la sociedad civil. Mediante una investigación cualitativa basada en la recolección de testimonios de familias damnificadas y actores clave en el proceso local de reconstrucción, se observó que las condiciones de vulnerabilidad y la limitada capacidad de recuperación de la población de La Conchita son producto de una historia de marginación social, la cual es común en los asentamientos irregulares, en donde se asienta población excluida de las políticas de desarrollo. El estudio permitió comprender y visibilizar cómo se ha vivido el desastre en un área periférica e irregular inmersa en un área de conservación y qué problemas enfrenta este tipo de asentamientos excluidos de la política oficial de reconstrucción postsísmica.

The retouching on archaeological metal artifacts: reflections and proposals, between theory and practice

When the restoration of archaeological metal artifacts is considered, the reconstruction and chromatic treatment of the gaps often determine the correct reading of the object, by suggesting its original morphology and external coloring as linked to the degraded surfaces.However, for such a kind of artifact, it is particularly frequent to deal with a remarkable diversity of reconstructions and integrations related to conceptions usually based on opposing principles ranging from mimetic integrations up to a strict rigorism. The purpose of the present work is to contribute to the definition of a conservative intervention protocol based on the reversibility to get a correct and widely perceptive presentation of the restoration work for this kind of artifacts, aimed at their formal reconstruction and aesthetic retouching.

Flexible comparative genomics of prokaryotic transcriptional regulatory networks

BackgroundComparative genomics methods enable the reconstruction of bacterial regulatory networks using available experimental data. In spite of their potential for accelerating research into the composition and evolution of bacterial regulons, few comparative genomics suites have been developed for the automated analysis of these regulatory systems. Available solutions typically rely on precomputed databases for operon and ortholog predictions, limiting the scope of analyses to processed complete genomes, and several key issues such as the transfer of experimental information or the integration of regulatory information in a probabilistic setting remain largely unaddressed.ResultsHere we introduce CGB, a flexible platform for comparative genomics of prokaryotic regulons. CGB has few external dependencies and enables fully customized analyses of newly available genome data. The platform automates the merging of experimental information and uses a gene-centered, Bayesian framework to generate and integrate easily interpretable results. We demonstrate its flexibility and power by analyzing the evolution of type III secretion system regulation in pathogenic Proteobacteria and by characterizing the SOS regulon of a new bacterial phylum, the Balneolaeota.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate the applicability of the CGB pipeline in multiple settings. CGB’s ability to automatically integrate experimental information from multiple sources and use complete and draft genomic data, coupled with its non-reliance on precomputed databases and its easily interpretable display of gene-centered posterior probabilities of regulation provide users with an unprecedented level of flexibility in launching comparative genomics analyses of prokaryotic transcriptional regulatory networks. The analyses of type III secretion and SOS response regulatory networks illustrate instances of convergent and divergent evolution of these regulatory systems, showcasing the power of formal ancestral state reconstruction at inferring the evolutionary history of regulatory networks.