Perspectives on the Neuroscience of Cognition and Consciousness

The origin and current use of the concepts of computation, representation and information in Neuroscience are examined and conceptual flaws are identified which vitiate their usefulness for addressing problems of the neural basis of Cognition and Consciousness. In contrast, a convergence of views is presented to support the characterization of the Nervous System as a complex dynamical system operating in the metastable regime, and capable of evolving to configurations and transitions in phase space with potential relevance for Cognition and Consciousness

Automatic synthesis of analog layout : a survey

A review of recent research in the automatic synthesis of physical geometry for analog integrated circuits is presented. On introduction, an explanation of the difficulties involved in analog layout as opposed to digital layout is covered. Review of the literature then follows. Emphasis is placed on the exposition of general methods for addressing problems specific to analog layout, with the details of specific systems only being given when they surve to illustrate these methods well. The conclusion discusses problems remaining and offers a prediction as to how technology will evolve to solve them. It is argued that although progress has been and will continue to be made in the automation of analog IC layout, due to fundamental differences in the nature of analog IC design as opposed to digital design, it should not be expected that the level of automation of the former will reach that of the latter any time soon

EEG-Based Functional Brain Networks: Does the Network Size Matter?

Functional connectivity in human brain can be represented as a network using electroencephalography (EEG) signals. These networks – whose nodes can vary from tens to hundreds – are characterized by neurobiologically meaningful graph theory metrics. This study investigates the degree to which various graph metrics depend upon the network size. To this end, EEGs from 32 normal subjects were recorded and functional networks of three different sizes were extracted. A state-space based method was used to calculate cross-correlation matrices between different brain regions. These correlation matrices were used to construct binary adjacency connectomes, which were assessed with regards to a number of graph metrics such as clustering coefficient, modularity, efficiency, economic efficiency, and assortativity. We showed that the estimates of these metrics significantly differ depending on the network size. Larger networks had higher efficiency, higher assortativity and lower modularity compared to those with smaller size and the same density. These findings indicate that the network size should be considered in any comparison of networks across studies

Implementing graph representation model for parallel and distributed systems using Erlang

This paper describes a new model of graph representation using the Erlang actor model. Benefits of using lightweight processes instead of traditional passive data structures are given. Examples of using this model are shown. The experimental part gives two examples of using early implementations of the offered model. As a conclusion, an analysis of applicability for tasks from different branches of science is given

Skylab extravehicular mobility unit thermal simulator

The analytical methods, thermal model, and user's instructions for the Skylab Extravehicular Mobility Unit (SEMU) routine are presented. This digital computer program was developed for detailed thermal performance predictions of the SEMU on the NASA-JSC Univac 1108 computer system. It accounts for conductive, convective, and radiant heat transfer as well as fluid flow and special component characterization. The program provides thermal performance predictions for a 967 node thermal model in one thirty-sixth (1/36) of mission time when operated at a calculating interval of three minutes (mission time). The program has the operational flexibility to: (1) accept card or magnetic tape data input for the thermal model describing the SEMU structure, fluid systems, crewman and component performance, (2) accept card and/or magnetic tape input of internally generated heat and heat influx from the space environment, and (3) output tabular or plotted histories of temperature, flow rates, and other parameters describing system operating modes

"Lundy's hard work": branding, biodiversity and a "unique island experience"

Over the last 15 years, the island of Lundy has become increasingly associated with important conservation projects, particularly in regards to its biodiversity. At the same time, the island’s appeal continues to be channeled through a well-worn discourse of ‘untouched’, ‘unspoiled’ islandness – or a generic charm that is popularly attributed to small islands (Grydehoj, 2008). This article shows that this perception is highly misplaced, and fails to take stock of the considerable effort that goes into managing Lundy. If anything, Lundy’s growing profile constitutes effective place branding (Anholt, 2008), whereby various stakeholders strive towards a cohesive and coherent strategy. This article considers the history of Lundy as well as decisions made by seminal individuals and organisations, particularly the Landmark Trust, and shows that Lundy’s management carefully acknowledges tourism opportunities and environmentalist objectives. The Lundy brand is thus an ideal example of small-island branding in the 21st Century as its marketing both acknowledges and incorporates principles of sustainable development

F@ust vers. 3.0: A (Hi)story of Theatre and Media

The article illuminates Goethe’s Faust (1 and 2) by tracing the theoretical conceptualization of an intermedial approach to theatre and performance, and argues for a historical dimension to the medial constitution of perception. While Goethe used the Faust-legend in his play to highlight two competitive orders of knowledge and media by presenting, on the one hand, the romantic, electric, and Mephistotelian ways of seeing and, on the other hand, the classic, literal and scientific order of knowledge; the Catalan theatre group Fura dels Baus transfer this conflict to the digital age in their remediation of the Faustlegend on the contemporary stage.Este artículo propone una relectura del Fausto (1 y 2) de Goethe a través de una conceptualización teórica intermedial del teatro y la representación que defiende la dimensión histórica de la constitución intermediada de la percepción. Mientras que Goethe utiliza la leyenda fáustica para subrayar dos órdenes de conocimiento en competencia, por un lado, las maneras románticas, eléctricas y mefistofélicas de observar, y por otro, el orden clásico, literal y científico del conocimiento, el grupo catalán de teatro La Fura dels Baus traslada el conflicto a la era digital en su transducción de la leyenda fáustica a la escena contemporánea

The Phenomenon of Indirect Learning: Brain Mechanisms and Models

AbstractWe studied an artificially constructed isomorphism between denotative (color) and lexical (geometric shapes) spaces and revealed the dynamics of formation of color-semantic representations in the process of indirect learning. We have detected the component of evoked potential (EP), which describes its changes from trial to trial in the process of learning; it significantly correlates with the value and direction of the errors. The results confirm the role of the brain structures that control movement (globus pallidus, caudate nucleus) in problems reconfiguring the system of relations between the sensory attributes of the reception of sign (visual cortex), and attributes of denotatum stored in memory (frontal cortex and parahippocampal gyrus) that occur during the formation of concepts

Educational Policies Committee Agenda, April 2, 2015

Subcommittee Reports Curriculum Subcommittee Course Approvals Program Proposals Academic Standards Subcommittee General Education Subcommitte

Educational Policies Committee Minutes, April 2, 2015

Subcommittee Reports Curriculum Subcommittee Course Approvals Program Proposals Academic Standards Subcommittee General Education Subcommitte