Consciousness and information integration

Integration information theories posit that the integration of information is necessary and/or sufficient for consciousness. In this paper, we focus on three of the most prominent information integration theories: Information Integration Theory, Global Workspace Theory, and Attended Intermediate-Level Theory. We begin by explicating each theory and key concepts they utilize. We then argue that the current evidence indicates that the integration of information is neither necessary nor sufficient for consciousness. Unlike GWT and AIR, IIT maintains that conscious experience is both necessary and sufficient for consciousness. We present empirical evidence indicating that simple features are experienced in the absence of feature integration and argue that it challenges IIT’s necessity claim. In addition, we challenge IIT’s sufficiency claim by presenting evidence from hemineglect cases and amodal completion indicating that contents may be integrated and yet fail to give rise to subjective experience. Moreover, we present empirical evidence from subjects with frontal lesions who are unable to carry out simple instructions and argue that they are irreconcilable with GWT. Lastly, we argue that empirical evidence indicating that patients with visual agnosia fail to identify objects they report being conscious of present a challenge to AIR’s necessity claim

SOCIOECONOMIC INTEGRATION OF ALBANIAN IMMIGRANTS IN THE TRANS- BORDERS AREAS

In the last two decades in Europe and Greece an influx of economic immigrants from various parts of the world (India, Pakistan, Nigeria, the Philippines, Southeast Europe, the former Soviet Union, etc.) has taken place. In remote and disadvantaged border areas entrance and settlement of immigrants differs regarding not only their countries of origin but also the degree of integration into local society. The questions posed to the economy and host society preoccupied academic researchers and institutions to such extent that extensive research and studies have been developed. The present paper is a case study on the identity and role of economic immigrants in the border prefecture of Florina. Even before the Second World War the prefecture of Florina, whose welfare indicators are lower than the national average, had relations of cooperation with neighboring Albania and F.Y.R.O.M. During the Cold War it paid dearly for the "frontier" and then, since 1990, welcomed immigrants mainly from neighboring Albania. This trans-border immigration flow towards Florina went through three stages: initial settlement, the period of "prosperity" and the period of contraction due to the economic crisis. The object of this research is to map the professional identity, financial assistance and social burden to the system and the difficulties that the Albanian immigrants are facing due to the crisis in the prefecture of Florina. Contributions made to employment, financial contributions to social security services and services issuing permits, as well as participation in education are being recorded for the decade 2001 - 2011 by collecting data from local services. Additionally, an empirical sampling research with questionnaires took place, supplemented by personal interviews with Albanian immigrants, for a two month period between November and December 2012. The analysis of responses revealed the degree of socioeconomic integration, their attitude towards the host society, the intensity with which they experience the financial crisis and their expectations for their future

Sustainability of the development in the mountain - disadvantaged areas: the case of Vlasti in Greece

The current challenges make the constant search and adoption of sustainable touristic development necessary. This kind of development has both the human and the environment in the centre of interest. The touristic development should aim to both increase the level of the offered services? quality and to incorporate activities that would upgrade the environment. Economic globalisation is constantly testing the ability of regional economies to adapt and exploit or, at least maintain, their comparative advantages. In this difficult and volatile environment, mountain ? disadvantaged areas are faced with multiple developmental difficulties. In Greece, the mountain communities were devastated in the period of mass migration abroad and urbanization, during the decades of 1950?s, 1960?s and 1970?s. Each village proudly carries its own history of resistance and its toll in human lives and property damage from the ravages of war and civil division. Gradually the agricultural policy has been changed and the diversification of rural economies has been promoted in order stop depending solely on farm income. However, the mountainous areas are still underdeveloped, without adequate infrastructure in roads, hospitals, water supply, sanitation and communication systems and therefore the government policy is that money should be invested to change the profile of these areas. Through strategic options, certain local communities are successful in achieving exemplary local and, more generally, regional development. In 2012 an empirical research was conducted regarding the case of ?Vlasti? in the prefecture of Kozani. Vlasti is a small community in the mountains of northern Greece, with interesting past, important local products and investments in agri-tourism sector. During the last decade has formulated a development strategy based on the principles of mild and sustainable development. The purpose of the research, which is based upon a primary measurement, is to detect and evaluate the main factors that determine the viability of the development in mountainous regions. The survey was carried out by questionnaires to the local authorities and businesses that took part in investment projects. The questionnaire is divided into four sections with the corresponding questions. The research examines the economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts came after the touristic development in the area. The conclusions of the study are mapping and managing sustainability of the mountain ? disadvantaged areas, whether tourism development in mountain areas and whether this growth is sustainable

Piophilidae Distribution in Consideration of Forensic Applications

Notes on Decomposition Decomposition as understood by our ancestors has mystical overtones with foggy roots; the reasons behind the beliefs are not readily understood from a twenty-first-century westerner’s perspective. Gases that built up inside the deceased and oozing fluids from the membranes were explained away as flesh-eating vampires after a night’s feasting (they were bloated and full). Freshly culled meat became a source to maggots and flies as it aged, transferring its “life force” from one being into another (Sachs 2001). A mere century or two ago, Louis Pasteur would be the first westerner to directly link “moulds, mucors and bacteria” to that responsible of decomposition (this was just as the germ theory, that is, organisms smaller than the eye can see exist, was gaining acceptance). Around the same time the acceptance of arthropods playing large roles in decomposition came into scholarly circles but was not accepted among the common person (Sachs 2001). Considering advancements in mathematics and technology are traced back millennia, why did it take us so long to gain further understanding in what was happening with the most basic and routine decompositions? Here, a very large player in flesh decomposition but little understood fly will be investigated to spark interest in those that study the role arthropods play in recycling of organisms, with special interest in recycling of the human body. . . . Concluding Remarks Proper identification of Piophilid species worldwide is an important component to accurate identification of arthropod succession and especially has relevance in medico-legal investigations. With the multiple synonyms employed in naming Piophlilidae members and unrecognized cases of polymorphism, skipper flies are being misidentified more times than necessary. Further research into this forensically important family of flies is needed and an extensive investigation (and revision where necessary) into the conventional naming of each genus, clarifying and removing synonymy where relevant

"Pilot developmental initiatives in mountainous - less favoured communities: The case of Establishment of an informal school for construction of traditional musical instruments in Akrita, Florina."

The European Community has designed and is implementing policies to support disadvantaged mountain areas in today's ever-changing world environment. Despite the initiatives, it appears that to reverse the devastation of mountain communities in disadvantaged areas is a difficult affair. Financial incentives for the development of accommodation, restaurants, e. t. c. in mountain communities alone are not always enough for the mild & sustainable development of these communities. The parallel exploitation of the cultural reserve and the creation of alternative education centres in these communities can significantly enhance the chances of revival. The present research explores the possibility of setting up and operating an informal school for construction of traditional instruments in the mountain community of Akritas, Florina, and the developmental prospects that it creates. The pilot establishment of the School based on the exploitation of 'rembetiko song' (old, traditional and special kind of songs), on the architectural heritage, on the unique natural environment, on mild development and on a quality of life for residents and visitors It is concluded that the above pilot action creates multifaceted positive perspective, helps to further rescue and diffuse the "rebetiko" songs, intercepts the devastation of the community, providing quality study conditions which is difficult to provide with the formal education system, creates the conditions of mild and sustainable community development and forces local authorities to cooperate

Piophilidae Distribution in Consideration of Forensic Applications

Notes on Decomposition Decomposition as understood by our ancestors has mystical overtones with foggy roots; the reasons behind the beliefs are not readily understood from a twenty-first-century westerner’s perspective. Gases that built up inside the deceased and oozing fluids from the membranes were explained away as flesh-eating vampires after a night’s feasting (they were bloated and full). Freshly culled meat became a source to maggots and flies as it aged, transferring its “life force” from one being into another (Sachs 2001). A mere century or two ago, Louis Pasteur would be the first westerner to directly link “moulds, mucors and bacteria” to that responsible of decomposition (this was just as the germ theory, that is, organisms smaller than the eye can see exist, was gaining acceptance). Around the same time the acceptance of arthropods playing large roles in decomposition came into scholarly circles but was not accepted among the common person (Sachs 2001). Considering advancements in mathematics and technology are traced back millennia, why did it take us so long to gain further understanding in what was happening with the most basic and routine decompositions? Here, a very large player in flesh decomposition but little understood fly will be investigated to spark interest in those that study the role arthropods play in recycling of organisms, with special interest in recycling of the human body. . . . Concluding Remarks Proper identification of Piophilid species worldwide is an important component to accurate identification of arthropod succession and especially has relevance in medico-legal investigations. With the multiple synonyms employed in naming Piophlilidae members and unrecognized cases of polymorphism, skipper flies are being misidentified more times than necessary. Further research into this forensically important family of flies is needed and an extensive investigation (and revision where necessary) into the conventional naming of each genus, clarifying and removing synonymy where relevant

Quality systems and practices in agro-ecotourism enterprises in rural trans-border regions

Tourism comprises a self- contained phenomenon synonymous to consumption and spare time and its growth, due to the development of technology and the improvement of the standards of living, has taken global dimensions. As a result tourism has developed to a pure industry, leading the economy and society in local, regional, national and global level to important changes. Based to the quality and the value of the natural and cultural heritage, as well as to the growth of the level of the given services, tourism is directed to the boom of alternative types of tourism and especially agro-ecotourism, which went through an enormous rise and demand. The change of the consumer's behavior and the tourist's consideration of the environment has led organizations taking actions in the sector, to the adoption of high level of standards in all aspects of the generative procedure. The main reason for this continual improvement of the service level and the quality of the given services, as well as the clamp-down for the protection of the environment, was the reason that sustainable tourist growth became a stratigical aim. The quality and the practices that ensure sustainability are a continuous procedure which is accomplished with the implementation of quality systems, aiming to achieve the Total Quality. Companies with comply with the specific standards receive quality marks, which conform to this kind of favour that will remain to the consumer's consciousness. In that perspective, the aim of the research was to examine whether agro-ecotourist enterprises are certified for the given services, for the protection for the consumers/ tourists, as well as for the protection of the environment. The research was carried out in the last four months of 2011 in three regions which are to three deferent countries. The regions are in the Trans- border area in Northern Greece, South Albania and South F.Y.R.O. Macedonia. Through the use of questionnaires and personal interviews, data was gathered and analyzed with the use of SPSS. Through statistical analysis, we detect that the majority of the organizations do not apply any certification system for the services that offer. However, most of the entrepreneurs were disposed to learn them and apply them to their companies

Fictional Colors

In this paper, I propose a fictionalist approach to the problem of color. On my view, which I call prescriptive color fictionalism, we can continue to employ our color discourse as we have thus far even if it turns out that there are no colored objects. My proposal is a species of error theory. As such, it does not describe our current practices. It is rather proposed as a prescription to a problem, namely that the color theory we accept (according to which there are colored objects) is false. By formulating a fictionalist account of color and showing that we can preserve ordinary color discourse in the absence of colored objects, I provide a solution to the problem of color

Martian Colours

Developmental synesthesia typically involves either the stimulation of one sensory modality which gives rise to an experience in a different modality (when a sound, for example, evokes a colour) or the stimulation of a single sensory modality giving rise to different qualitative aspects of experience (when the sight of a number, for example, evokes a colour). These occurrences seem to support Grice’s (1989) argument that sense modalities cannot be individuated without reference to the introspective-character of experience. This, however, threatens intentionalism which maintains that the qualitative character of experience is exhausted, or fully determined by, its intentional content. Ross (2001) attempts to defuse Grice’s argument by proposing an account that does not appeal to the qualitative character of experience to individuate sense modalities. I argue that his account is unsuccessful