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In this article, we propose an initial formal model of computationalism based on mathematical relations between cognition and computation. More specifically, based on a set of cognitive constituents as a domain, and a set of computational implementations as a range, we define two relations of transformation over these sets. Moreover, we define the principles of implementability, describability, and phenomena correspondence, and we conjecture that full computationalism does not hold since these principles are not fulfilled. Particularly, many cognitively-tied phenomena fail to respect the describability principle which is necessary for representing a cognitive state by a computational state.

Introduction and aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) are chronic, inflammatory diseases with intra and extra articular manifestations. They affect 1% of the population. The auditory system can be affected in the course of these diseases. However, the pathogenesis of hearing impairment in these diseases is not clearly understood. The current work aimed to determine frequency and type of hearing impairment (HI) in patients with RA and SLE and possible correlation with different disease parameters. Methodology: Fifty RA and Fifty SLE patients, and 50 healthy, age and sex matched controls, were included. Their age ranged from 35 to 50 years. They were selected from the outpatient clinic of Al-Azhar university hospital (Damietta). HI was evaluated by pure tone audiometry and tympanometry including acoustic reflex threshold test and auditory brain stem response (ABR). Complete medical history and general & local examination were done along with full laboratory and immunological investigation. Results: Hearing loss was found in 41(82%) in RA patients and in 19 (38%) in control group. Hearing loss in SLE patients was found in 27(54%) and 15(30%) in control group. In AR patients, the level of hearing loss varied from mild to moderate in 28(56%) and 13(26%) respectively, and in control group was 17(34%) and 2(4%) respectively. In SLE group, level of hearing loss varied from mild to moderate in 19(38%) and 8(16%) respectively, and in control group was 13(26%) and 2(4%). Conclusion: There was a high frequency of sensorineural hearing loss in both RA (82%) and SLE (54%) patients compared to normal controls. Careful surveillance of hearing profile in early stages of both diseases is important and follow up testing of hearing status should be part of patient care.

The developments of an algebraic logical language of thoughts by G. Boole are considered using historical and theoretical perspectives. The technical implementations of Boolean logic in combinational circuits and in modern cryptography show strong influences of a 19th century logic on the latest technologies of computing.

Meaning is the heart of language and it is its ultimate purpose; without the capacity to express meaning language is rendered as sequences of sounds or letters, and only when those sounds are judged capable of having a meaning do they qualify as language. Perceiving meaning does not solely depend on scrutinizing the literal sense of words, but it also comprises recognizing the meaning beyond language. From here, it can be inferred that when tackling meaning of utterances, two perspectives must be rendered: conceptual meaning, the literal or the core sense of a word also referred to as the denotative meaning and the associative meaning, which refers to aspects of the meaning that do not contribute to the denotation or concept of an expression and that do not change the range of possible referents (Murphy & Koskela, 2010). As a matter of fact, though English as foreign language learners, at the Lebanese University, do relish a wide vocabulary bank, and do know many of the words’ meanings they encounter throughout their studies, they are, unfortunately, incapable of transferring their linguistic competence into semantic perception of comprehending the stylistic connotations of what they read. This can be traced to Lebanese University students’ unawareness of the stylistic features of discourse which, in turn, is rendered as an impediment obstructing language processing. In this respect, via a comprehensive questionnaire, the study is meant to reflect a practical investigation on the perception of post graduates preparing for their master’s degree in English at the Lebanese University, fifth branch, of stylistic features of words. The results depicted that stylistic features are not well perceived by EFL learners. Implications and recommendations for teachers, students, and curriculum designers were offered in the light of the study’s findings.

To determine the diagnostic performances of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) type IgM, IgA and IgG and rheumatoid factor (RF) in Syrian patients with rheumatoid arthritis.64 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in our study. Anti-CCP IgM, IgA and IgG and rheumatoid factor (RF) were detected using ELISA. Blood samples were collected from patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis according to (ACR) criteria in Al Mwasaa University Hospital and Al Assad University Hospital, Damascus, Syria, from December 2007 to December 2008.The sensitivity of anti-CCP IgG was 71.9% and specificity was 100%, Whereas the sensitivity of anti-CCP IgM was 70.3% and specificity was 64%, the sensitivity of anti-CCP IgA was 43.75% and specificity was 100%, RF IgM showed a sensitivity of 70.3% and a specificity of 96%, and anti-CCP IgG prevalence in patients with negative RF was 31.6%. All tests showed no correlation with gender in RA patients.This study demonstrates that anti-CCP IgG is a highly specific marker for RA and has diagnostic value especially in RF negative patients.