210,703 research outputs found
A Physiologically Based System Theory of Consciousness
A system which uses large numbers of devices to perform a complex functionality is forced to adopt a simple functional architecture by the needs to construct copies of, repair, and modify the system. A simple functional architecture means that functionality is partitioned into relatively equal sized components on many levels of detail down to device level, a mapping exists between the different levels, and exchange of information between components is minimized. In the instruction architecture functionality is partitioned on every level into instructions, which exchange unambiguous system information and therefore output system commands. The von Neumann architecture is a special case of the instruction architecture in which instructions are coded as unambiguous system information. In the recommendation (or pattern extraction) architecture functionality is partitioned on every level into repetition elements, which can freely exchange ambiguous information and therefore output only system action recommendations which must compete for control of system behavior. Partitioning is optimized to the best tradeoff between even partitioning and minimum cost of distributing data. Natural pressures deriving from the need to construct copies under DNA control, recover from errors, failures and damage, and add new functionality derived from random mutations has resulted in biological brains being constrained to adopt the recommendation architecture. The resultant hierarchy of functional separations can be the basis for understanding psychological phenomena in terms of physiology. A theory of consciousness is described based on the recommendation architecture model for biological brains. Consciousness is defined at a high level in terms of sensory independent image sequences including self images with the role of extending the search of records of individual experience for behavioral guidance in complex social situations. Functional components of this definition of consciousness are developed, and it is demonstrated that these components can be translated through subcomponents to descriptions in terms of known and postulated physiological mechanisms
Post processing of differential images for direct extrasolar planet detection from the ground
The direct imaging from the ground of extrasolar planets has become today a
major astronomical and biological focus. This kind of imaging requires
simultaneously the use of a dedicated high performance Adaptive Optics [AO]
system and a differential imaging camera in order to cancel out the flux coming
from the star. In addition, the use of sophisticated post-processing techniques
is mandatory to achieve the ultimate detection performance required. In the
framework of the SPHERE project, we present here the development of a new
technique, based on Maximum A Posteriori [MAP] approach, able to estimate
parameters of a faint companion in the vicinity of a bright star, using the
multi-wavelength images, the AO closed-loop data as well as some knowledge on
non-common path and differential aberrations. Simulation results show a 10^-5
detectivity at 5sigma for angular separation around 15lambda/D with only two
images.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, This paper will be published in the proceedings
of the conference Advances in Adaptive Optics (SPIE 6272), part of SPIE's
Astronomical Telescopes & Instrumentation, 24-31 May 2006, Orlando, F
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