Reconstructed Intentions in Collaborative Problem Solving Dialogues

We provide evidence that speech act recognition, is 1) difficult for humans to do and 2) likely to misidentify proposals involving reconstructed intentions. We examine the reliability of coding for speech acts in collaborative dialogues and we present an approach for recognizing reconstructed proposals using domain context and other more easily recognized features. 1 Introduction Speech act recognition plays a prominent role in dialogue understanding, in traditional approaches that infer a plan using plan construction operators [PA80], [LA90], [LC91, LC92], and in more recent techniques relying on statistical correlations or finite state machines [RM95, QDL + 97]. Both approaches recognize surface speech acts, using surface form and information provided by the discourse context and the discourse operators, or by a finite state approximation of the planning information. These approaches assume that it is (relatively) simple to recognize speech acts, and that speech acts are a requi..

The world-sheet description of A and B branes revisited

We give a manifest supersymmetric description of A and B branes on Kahler manifolds using a completely local N=2 superspace formulation of the world-sheet nonlinear sigma-model in the presence of a boundary. In particular, we show that an N=2 superspace description of type A boundaries is possible, at least when the background is Kahler. This leads to an elegant and concrete setting for studying coisotropic A branes. Here, apgesan important role is played by the boundary potential, whose precise physical meaning remains to be fully understood. Duality transformations relating A and B branes in the presence of isometries are studied as well.Comment: LaTeX, 32 page

Predicting Empathy From Resting State Brain Connectivity: A Multivariate Approach.

Recent task fMRI studies suggest that individual differences in trait empathy and empathic concern are mediated by patterns of connectivity between self-other resonance and top-down control networks that are stable across task demands. An untested implication of this hypothesis is that these stable patterns of connectivity should be visible even in the absence of empathy tasks. Using machine learning, we demonstrate that patterns of resting state fMRI connectivity (i.e. the degree of synchronous BOLD activity across multiple cortical areas in the absence of explicit task demands) of resonance and control networks predict trait empathic concern (n = 58). Empathic concern was also predicted by connectivity patterns within the somatomotor network. These findings further support the role of resonance-control network interactions and of somatomotor function in our vicariously driven concern for others. Furthermore, a practical implication of these results is that it is possible to assess empathic predispositions in individuals without needing to perform conventional empathy assessments

Archaeogenetic evidence of ancient Nubian barley evolution from six to two-row indicates local adaptation

Background Archaeobotanical samples of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) found at Qasr Ibrim display a two-row phenotype that is unique to the region of archaeological sites upriver of the first cataract of the Nile, characterised by the development of distinctive lateral bracts. The phenotype occurs throughout all strata at Qasr Ibrim, which range in age from 3000 to a few hundred years. Methodology and Findings We extracted ancient DNA from barley samples from the entire range of occupancy of the site, and studied the Vrs1 gene responsible for row number in extant barley. Surprisingly, we found a discord between the genotype and phenotype in all samples; all the barley had a genotype consistent with the six-row condition. These results indicate a six-row ancestry for the Qasr Ibrim barley, followed by a reassertion of the two-row condition. Modelling demonstrates that this sequence of evolutionary events requires a strong selection pressure. Conclusions The two-row phenotype at Qasr Ibrim is caused by a different mechanism to that in extant barley. The strength of selection required for this mechanism to prevail indicates that the barley became locally adapted in the region in response to a local selection pressure. The consistency of the genotype/phenotype discord over time supports a scenario of adoption of this barley type by successive cultures, rather than the importation of new barley varieties associated with individual cultures

Dimensions of Temperament: Affect Intensity and Consumer Lifestyles

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142080/1/jcpy231.pd

A synopsis of the Joint Environment and Human Health Programme in the UK

The Joint Environment and Human Health (E&HH) Programme has explored how both man-made and natural changes to the environment can influence human health. Scientists have tackled the complicated mix of environmental, social and economic factors that influence health, particularly focusing on naturally occurring toxins, man-made pollutants, nanoparticles and pathogens to see

Inclusion: A Sense of Belonging

The purpose of this professional development module is to improve knowledge and skills in order to facilitate individual, school-wide, and district-wide improvements for the purpose of increasing academic and social achievement of students with disabilities in the inclusive setting. View professional learning module.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/improve/1021/thumbnail.jp

Implementing a Pressure Ulcer Bundle

Background: A quality improvement DNP project in a rural southern hospital was implemented to improve hospital-acquired pressure ulcers by implementing an evidence-based pressure ulcer prevention policy and education. Framework: The Evidence-Based Practice framework utilized in the project\u27s development, implementation, and evaluation was the John Hopkins Evidence-based Practice Model. Local Problem: The hospital had no pressure ulcer bundle in place. Design: Quality improvement project utilizing the plan-do-study-act cycle. Methods: An educational presentation on pressure ulcers and the steps to implement a bundle. A pre-and post-test using Pieper\u27s Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Test, modified from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) website. Data Analysis: A pre-and post-test analysis, percentage of nurses on the medical surgical floor that attended the training, the number of Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers (HAPU) pre-and post-implementation, and the number of times the bundle was implemented post-educational sessions. Results: There was a 100% completion of the educational sessions by the wound care nurse before implementing the HAPU bundle. Participants scored higher during the post-test (M=87.524, SD= 6.534), a statistically significant mean increase of 4.891, 95% CI [1.621, 8.160], t(17) = 3.156, p= .006. The wound care nurse observed every chart. Information gathered from the review demonstrated 77.05% compliance with the implementation of the HAPU bundle. Conclusion: There was high compliance with the nurses attending the educational sessions and implementing the HAPU bundle. Implementation of preventative measures included in this bundle is considered best practice in the fight against HAPUs. The HAPU bundle have become part of hospital policy

Differences in Mathematics and Science Achievement by Grade 5 and Grade 8 Student Economic Status: A Multiyear, Statewide Study

Differences present in average raw scores of Grade 5 and Grade 8 students on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness STAAR Mathematics and Science exams were analyzed with regard to student economic status Test results were examined for four school years i e 2011- 2012 through 2014-2015 Statistically significant results were present for all STAAR Mathematics and Science exams for each year and each grade analyzed Represented in the analysis were moderate effect sizes Cohen s d each year of the study for the Grade 5 STAAR Mathematics scores Grade 5 STAAR Science scores Grade 8 STAAR Science scores and the 2014-2015 Grade 8 exams STAAR Mathematics scores However the differences in the Grade 8 STAAR Mathematics scores represented a small effect size for the 2011-2012 through the 2013-2014 year