A dynamic model of interactions between conscious and unconscious

This paper advocates that some limits of the rational agent hypothesis result from the improper assumption that one individual should be modeled as a single rational agent. We model an individual composed of two autonomous and interacting structures, conscious and unconscious. Each agent utility form depends both on external signals and other structures' actions. The perception of the signal depends on its recipient and its grid of interpretation. We study both the static and dynamic version of this interaction mechanism. We show that the dynamics may display instability, depending on the structures interactions'strength. However, if unconscious has a strategic advantage, greater stability is reached. By manipulating other structures�goals, the strategic agent can lead the whole system to an equilibrium closer to its own optimum. This result shows that some switch in the conscious�objective can appear. Behaviors that can't be explained with a single utility can thus be rational if we add a rational unconscious agent. Our results justify our hypothesis of a rational interacting unconscious. It supports the widening of the notion of rationality to multi-rationnality in interaction.dual agent; conscious and unconscious; rationality; multi-rationality; emotions; choices and preferences; multi-agent model; consistency;

Robustness of circadian clocks to daylight fluctuations: hints from the picoeucaryote Ostreococcus tauri

The development of systemic approaches in biology has put emphasis on identifying genetic modules whose behavior can be modeled accurately so as to gain insight into their structure and function. However most gene circuits in a cell are under control of external signals and thus quantitative agreement between experimental data and a mathematical model is difficult. Circadian biology has been one notable exception: quantitative models of the internal clock that orchestrates biological processes over the 24-hour diurnal cycle have been constructed for a few organisms, from cyanobacteria to plants and mammals. In most cases, a complex architecture with interlocked feedback loops has been evidenced. Here we present first modeling results for the circadian clock of the green unicellular alga Ostreococcus tauri. Two plant-like clock genes have been shown to play a central role in Ostreococcus clock. We find that their expression time profiles can be accurately reproduced by a minimal model of a two-gene transcriptional feedback loop. Remarkably, best adjustment of data recorded under light/dark alternation is obtained when assuming that the oscillator is not coupled to the diurnal cycle. This suggests that coupling to light is confined to specific time intervals and has no dynamical effect when the oscillator is entrained by the diurnal cycle. This intringuing property may reflect a strategy to minimize the impact of fluctuations in daylight intensity on the core circadian oscillator, a type of perturbation that has been rarely considered when assessing the robustness of circadian clocks

Field dependence-independence and brain organization: the confluence of two different ways of describing general forms of cognitive functioning? A theoretical review

We reviewed a total of 67 studies of the relationship between the cognitive style dimension of field dependence-independence and brain organization. To date, such studies have followed three basic lines of approach: (1) cerebral localization of processes involved in field dependence-independence; (2) evaluation of the relationship between field dependence-independence and hemisphericity; (3) evaluation of the relationship between field dependence-independence and hemispheric differentiation. The results of all three types of study are largely coherent with the differentiation theory formulated by Witkin and his coworkers. In addition, findings to date are of interest in that they suggest new directions for more detailed investigation of the relation­ship between field dependence-independence and brain organization. These directions appear very promising for improving our understanding of both the nature of cognitive styles and the functioning of the brain in generalS

Social prescribing in Greater Manchester

This report presents key findings from a mapping and research exercise undertaken by the University of Salford and Salford CVS from February to May of 2018. The research was designed to fill an important gap in our knowledge about what social prescribing activities already exist in Greater Manchester (GM), whether there exists any kind of emerging consensus around models or best practices within this GM context, and how this relates to best practices existing across the UK

(On) Reading Louise Bennett, Proverbially

In this thesis I approach the works of Louise Bennett through the concept of proverbial thinking, which allows me to open a proverbial ‘conversation’ across all the genres she works in. As each chapter moves through an examination of Bennett’s poetry, monologues, Anancy stories and performances, I explore the impact of the proverbs in each one. I use Bennett’s own collection of proverbs, which I entitle the Proverb Manuscript, as a means of expanding the interpretations of the proverbs from within each genre. I argue that the moral and thematic headings under which Bennett places each proverb in the Proverb Manuscript become integral to my reading of the malleability of the proverb form. The openness of the concept of proverbial thinking also allows me to discuss many of the central topics which surround Bennett, whose career crucially straddles the shifting cultural moment when Jamaica gained independence. Throughout the thesis, I debate the interweaving of Creole and Standard English as a form of translation which in itself affords a greater degree of accessibility and of communication. Bennett’s diverse modes of communication prompted her to embrace the different media channels that were becoming more prevalent in the Caribbean and I look at the issues involved in presenting the oral form in printed text, recognising that this is often a complicated and circular process. Bennett was both a collector and a creative and in this thesis I identify that her process as a folklorist is to collect, preserve and recreate the various forms of folklore in her own art. This approach is what sets her apart from other collectors of Jamaican proverbs. I further argue that Bennett is grounded in the ‘local’ where the inclusion of the proverbs adds to this notion of localisation. Therefore, my observations of the multiplicity of proverbial thinking reflects the layers of complexity of Bennett herself as a commentator, an artist, and a storyteller of folklore, for she is never straightforward

Defect cluster recognition system for fabricated semiconductor wafers

The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) identifies production test data as an essential element in improving design and technology in the manufacturing process feedback loop. One of the observations made from the high-volume production test data is that dies that fail due to a systematic failure have a tendency to form certain unique patterns that manifest as defect clusters at the wafer level. Identifying and categorising such clusters is a crucial step towards manufacturing yield improvement and implementation of real-time statistical process control. Addressing the semiconductor industry's needs, this research proposes an automatic defect cluster recognition system for semiconductor wafers that achieves up to 95% accuracy (depending on the product type)