On Automating the Doctrine of Double Effect

The doctrine of double effect ($\mathcal{DDE}$) is a long-studied ethical principle that governs when actions that have both positive and negative effects are to be allowed. The goal in this paper is to automate $\mathcal{DDE}$. We briefly present $\mathcal{DDE}$, and use a first-order modal logic, the deontic cognitive event calculus, as our framework to formalize the doctrine. We present formalizations of increasingly stronger versions of the principle, including what is known as the doctrine of triple effect. We then use our framework to simulate successfully scenarios that have been used to test for the presence of the principle in human subjects. Our framework can be used in two different modes: One can use it to build $\mathcal{DDE}$-compliant autonomous systems from scratch, or one can use it to verify that a given AI system is $\mathcal{DDE}$-compliant, by applying a $\mathcal{DDE}$ layer on an existing system or model. For the latter mode, the underlying AI system can be built using any architecture (planners, deep neural networks, bayesian networks, knowledge-representation systems, or a hybrid); as long as the system exposes a few parameters in its model, such verification is possible. The role of the $\mathcal{DDE}$ layer here is akin to a (dynamic or static) software verifier that examines existing software modules. Finally, we end by presenting initial work on how one can apply our $\mathcal{DDE}$ layer to the STRIPS-style planning model, and to a modified POMDP model.This is preliminary work to illustrate the feasibility of the second mode, and we hope that our initial sketches can be useful for other researchers in incorporating DDE in their own frameworks.Comment: 26th International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence 2017; Special Track on AI & Autonom

Adaptive variation in extent and timing of growth of Scottish Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris Linn)

Local adaptation is a key consideration for forestry related activities, particularly when seed is transferred from one seed zone to another for afforestation. Locally adapted trees may show differences in growth when planted in sites other than their origin. Scots pine is one of the most valuable commercial timber trees with higher rate of growth. Although growth differences have been noted in the past, the extent to which Scottish Scots pines are locally adapted at the population level has remained unclear. In this dissertation, some aspects of local adaptation in pine are discussed and previous work is reviewed (essay review) and then (research paper) an experimental trial is presented in which genetic differences among populations and families from the Scottish Scots pine distribution are tested using growth as a measure of performance. Differences are related to climatic variables from the sites of origin of the seed. Finally, the role of provenance/progeny trials or common garden tests in researching local adaptation is also discussed

Fluid Rotating in the Presence of a Magnetic Field

The problem of rotating fluid recently considered by Thornley has been extended to electrically conducting fluids. It is found that the resonance effect encountered in the non magnetic case is eliminated by the presence of a magnetic field

Free Convection Flow along an Infinite Vertical Plate with Time-Varying Suction

Free convection flow up a vertical infinite plate subjected to a periodic suction is discussed when the plate temperature oscillates with respect to time over a constant mean. In particular, the response of the mean velocity and temperature profiles to the fluctuating components of the suction velocity and the plate temperature is analysed. For small amplitudes, the mean skin friction increases with the frequency while the mean heat transfer at the plate is independent of it but varies linearly as the product of the amplitudes. For Prandtl number P=1, solutions are also presented when the suction velocity in any arbitrary function of time provided it changes slowly

Improving the Assessment (Assurance of Learning) Processes

Strategically located in downtown Denver, this state university is a popular destination for working adults and traditional students alike to get a quality education. The university’s College of Business was first accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) in spring 2016. Five undergraduate programs and one graduate program in Accounting were accredited; an undergraduate program in Economics was excluded from AACSB review. Since the initial accreditation, the college added three undergraduate degree programs and a second graduate program (MBA). AACSB standards stipulate assessing general knowledge & skills and subject-specific knowledge & skills for each program. University also requires each program to conduct program assessment every year. Given this huge challenge of assessment for 11 programs that includes data collection, analysis, and planning & implementing intervention to improve student learning, the faculty team was looking for ways to improve the processes to avoid duplication and data storage for easy retrieval. This paper, the first in a two- part series, explains how this challenge is being addressed by the college. Because of six sigma approaches, a technology solution is developed

Gandharvan in Tamil Works

In Tamil literature, various authors have given the world the experience of the phenomenon they witnessed before the Sangam period. A great contribution to understanding the life of the people of the Sangam period is the Sangam literary texts, the Eighth and the Tenth. It can be seen that in the lives of the people of the Sangam period, there was a life of love both internally and externally, and an external life of bravery and generosity. It can be seen that most of these literatures are based on the life of the upper caste people. After that, about eighteen books, copies, devotional literature, short stories, novels, short stories, simple works such as today's Aikkoo, Kandiyu, Limairkoo appeared and today many literatures have come to be popular among the people. Over time, people have lost their lives by prioritizing the economy for a life of pleasure. Earlier stories, satsangs and dramas were held in every village. But today, no one is ready to even listen to advice stories from others. Therefore, poems and stories have become readable in a few minutes. In today's times, poets are doing a bit of a dismay to give ideas to people through literature. Thus, in the Gandharvan era, various literatures were created with many theories in mind, but Gandharvan presented his work to the world by putting forward many theories

Comparative Regression and Neural Network Modeling of Roughness and Kerf Width in CO2 Laser Cutting of Aluminium

Laser cutting is the most promising thermal-based unconventional manufacturing process which can cut complex shapes on different materials. Surface roughness and kerf width are the important characteristics that determine the product quality and rely on the rational selection of the input parameters. The present work focuses on comparing surface roughness and the kerf width predicted using regression and artificial neural network model intended for cutting aluminium by CO2 laser. The independent parameters like laser power, assist gas pressure and cutting speed are varied up to three levels and the proposed Box-Behnken design constitutes 17 experiment runs for data acquisition and further modeling. The coefficient of correlation and the absolute mean error percentage are used for the study and comparison of regression and artificial network models. The artificial neural network has a lower mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) than the regression models. In addition, the R-value of the artificial neural network is greater than those of the regression models. The regression modeling methodology has been shown to be inadequate in predicting desired parameters while more reliable results have been obtained with the use of artificial neural network