Why we should not build autonomous robotic weapons

We discuss robotic weapons, their advantages and disadvantages, and their effect on the way humans wage war. We consider the factors favoring the development of lethal robotic weapons that can operate autonomously. We discuss the attempt to mitigate the dangers inherent in such weapons by means of an ethical controller implemented in software. We conclude that this is impossible to achieve and therefore that autonomous lethal robotic weapons should not be developed.Workshop: III Ethicomp latinoaméricaRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Behavior studies related to pesticides: Agricultural chemicals and Iowa agricultural-chemical dealers

The agricultural sector of the United States economy has long been recognized for its productive capacity and relative efficiency. This has resulted in abundant, high-quality, and relatively low-cost food and fiber. Many factors have made contributions to this phenomenon: adequate natural resources, research and resulting technology, the ready availability of this technology to farmers, available capital and labor, and the entrepreneurial ability of the American farmer to combine these resources efficiently. One type of research and technology that has made a major contribution to the productive capacity and efficiency is that which relates to agricultural chemicals — pesticides for the control of insects, weeds, and diseases. The positive contribution of agricultural chemicals is generally accepted and can be validated. However, there is an expressed concern regarding the possible consequences of improper use of agricultural chemicals that might result in danger to the user, crops, livestock, aquatic and wildlife, and to the ultimate consumer of food products. In its extreme form this concern is expressed in terms of strict control or the abolition of the use of agricultural chemicals. Other proposals call for much stricter control over the clearance, sale, and use of chemicals

A consideration of the lasting effects of a course introducing ethical issues in computing

We discuss the objectives of a course for computer science majors that introduces ethical issues in computing. In particular we are interested – as an exceptional matter – in the long term objectives. We pose and attempt to answer [or at least discuss] the following questions: What effects are we hoping such a course has on its participants five, ten, twenty years down the road? How can our contemplation of these issues inform our pedagogy? How can we design this course so that is has a lasting impact on the students?Eje: II ETHICOMP LatinoaméricaRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Advantages and trade-offs of introducing ethical issues in computing through a dedicated course or through modules in relevant content courses in the curriculum

We discuss two alternatives for introducing consideration of ethical questions in the computer science curriculum. These alternatives are 1) a selfcontained course on ethical issues in computing, and 2) introduction of modules devoted to ethical questions throughout the curriculum in content courses such as software engineering, databases, data mining, artificial intelligence, and systems. We discuss the advantages and the potential “hidden messages” involved in each of these approaches. By way of illustration, we list some of the pertinent points raised by two important case studies that are appropriate for inclusion in either a self-contained course or a course on software engineeringPresentado en el I ETHICOMP LatinoaméricaRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Behavior studies related to pesticides: Urban chemical pesticides and Iowa urban chemical-pesticide dealers

As reflected in sales reports, millions of people are using chemical pesticides to solve a number of problems. Estimated total cost of chemical pesticides to all United States users in 1965 was more than a billion dollars. Farmers used pesticides costing an estimated $590 million-58 percent of the total. Residential (home, lawn, and garden) purchases amounted to about$220 million or about 22 percent of the total. The remaining purchases were made by industrial, institutional, and governmental sources. The use of chemical pesticides is expected to increase in the following year. The use of chemical pesticides has not, however, been accepted by everyone. Concern has been voiced about possible consequences of improper use of these chemicals to the user as well as to wildlife, pets and agricultural commodities. This concern has been expressed in proposals to limit or abolish the use of chemical pesticides. The subject is controversial, but there have been few valid data on which to base rational discussion. Little research work has been done in determining attitudes, knowledge, and use and sales patterns of individuals in relation to chemical pesticides. Similarly, little is known about the people who sell chemicals to the ultimate consumer; i.e., what the dealers’ levels of knowledge and attitudes are; what their perceptions of possible harmful consequences are; what information they provide; and what they perceive their role to be

Una conversación con Matthew Sher sobre privacidad y la amistad

El siguiente trabajo indaga en la importancia de la privacidad para la dignidad humana desde dos miradas esenciales al tema: ética y psicológica, teniendo cuenta la privacidad en las redes sociales y el comportamiento de la generación del milenio según el artículo de Matthew Sher al respecto. Partiendo de la necesidad y la valoración de la de privacidad se va desarrollando su conceptualización a la luz de la Etica Nicomaquea, su lugar en la estructuración del psiquismo y su impronta en la actualidad, donde parece estar amenazada por las nuevas tecnologías y el uso de las redes sociales por los jóvenes de la hipermodernidad.Workshop: III Ethicomp latinoaméricaRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Characterization of Postoperative Changes in Nasal Airflow Using a Cadaveric Computational Fluid Dynamics Model: Supporting the Internal Nasal Valve

Collapse or compromise of the internal nasal valve (INV) results in symptomatic nasal obstruction; thus, various surgical maneuvers are designed to support the INV

Genome-wide association study of 23,500 individuals identifies 7 loci associated with brain ventricular volume

The volume of the lateral ventricles (LV) increases with age and their abnormal enlargement is a key feature of several neurological and psychiatric diseases. Although lateral ventricular volume is heritable, a comprehensive investigation of its genetic determinants is lacking. In this meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of 23,533 healthy middle-aged to elderly individuals from 26 population-based cohorts, we identify 7 genetic loci associated with LV volume. These loci map to chromosomes 3q28, 7p22.3, 10p12.31, 11q23.1, 12q23.3, 16q24.2, and 22q13.1 and implicate pathways related to tau pathology, S1P signaling, and cytoskeleton organization. We also report a significant genetic overlap between the thalamus and LV volumes (ρgenetic = -0.59, p-value = 3.14 × 10-6), suggesting that these brain structures may share a common biology. These genetic associations of LV volume provide insights into brain morphology

Genetic architecture of subcortical brain structures in 38,851 individuals

Subcortical brain structures are integral to motion, consciousness, emotions and learning. We identified common genetic variation related to the volumes of the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, brainstem, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen and thalamus, using genome-wide association analyses in almost 40,000 individuals from CHARGE, ENIGMA and UK Biobank. We show that variability in subcortical volumes is heritable, and identify 48 significantly associated loci (40 novel at the time of analysis). Annotation of these loci by utilizing gene expression, methylation and neuropathological data identified 199 genes putatively implicated in neurodevelopment, synaptic signaling, axonal transport, apoptosis, inflammation/infection and susceptibility to neurological disorders. This set of genes is significantly enriched for Drosophila orthologs associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes, suggesting evolutionarily conserved mechanisms. Our findings uncover novel biology and potential drug targets underlying brain development and disease

Genetic architecture of subcortical brain structures in 38,851 individuals

Subcortical brain structures are integral to motion, consciousness, emotions and learning. We identified common genetic variation related to the volumes of the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, brainstem, caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen and thalamus, using genome-wide association analyses in almost 40,000 individuals from CHARGE, ENIGMA and UK Biobank. We show that variability in subcortical volumes is heritable, and identify 48 significantly associated loci (40 novel at the time of analysis). Annotation of these loci by utilizing gene expression, methylation and neuropathological data identified 199 genes putatively implicated in neurodevelopment, synaptic signaling, axonal transport, apoptosis, inflammation/infection and susceptibility to neurological disorders. This set of genes is significantly enriched for Drosophila orthologs associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes, suggesting evolutionarily conserved mechanisms. Our findings uncover novel biology and potential drug targets underlying brain development and disease