Analogy, Mind, and Life

I'll show that the kind of analogy between life and information [argue for by authors such as Davies (2000), Walker and Davies (2013), Dyson (1979), Gleick (2011), Kurzweil (2012), Ward (2009)] – that seems to be central to the effect that artificial mind may represents an expected advance in the life evolution in Universe – is like the design argument and that if the design argument is unfounded and invalid, the argument to the effect that artificial mind may represents an expected advance in the life evolution in Universe is also unfounded and invalid. However, if we are prepared to admit (though we should not do) this method of reasoning as valid, I'll show that the analogy between life and information to the effect that artificial mind may represents an expected advance in the life evolution in Universe seems suggest some type of reductionism of life to information, but biology respectively chemistry or physics are not reductionist, contrary to what seems to be suggested by the analogy between life and information

Occipital and left temporal instantaneous amplitude and frequency oscillations correlated with access and phenomenal consciousness

Given the hard problem of consciousness (Chalmers, 1995) there are no brain electrophysiological correlates of the subjective experience (the felt quality of redness or the redness of red, the experience of dark and light, the quality of depth in a visual field, the sound of a clarinet, the smell of mothball, bodily sensations from pains to orgasms, mental images that are conjured up internally, the felt quality of emotion, the experience of a stream of conscious thought or the phenomenology of thought). However, there are brain occipital and left temporal electrophysiological correlates of the subjective experience (Pereira, 2015). Notwithstanding, as evoked signal, the change in event-related brain potentials phase (frequency is the change in phase over time) is instantaneous, that is, the frequency will transiently be infinite: a transient peak in frequency (positive or negative), if any, is instantaneous in electroencephalogram averaging or filtering that the event-related brain potentials required and the underlying structure of the event-related brain potentials in the frequency domain cannot be accounted, for example, by the Wavelet Transform (WT) or the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis, because they require that frequency is derived by convolution rather than by differentiation. However, as I show in the current original research report, one suitable method for analyse the instantaneous change in event-related brain potentials phase and accounted for a transient peak in frequency (positive or negative), if any, in the underlying structure of the event-related brain potentials is the Empirical Mode Decomposition with post processing (Xie et al., 2014) Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (postEEMD) and Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT)

Sistema de apoio à orçamentação de ferramentas de estampagem e ao projecto da peça

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia MecânicaNa dissertação foi desenvolvido um sistema de orçamentação de ferramentas de estampagem e de apoio à decisão no projecto da peça. O sistema baseou-se em dados de orçamentos relativos realizados por uma empresa num período de 8 anos. Esta opção pelos orçamentos em detrimento de valores de controlo de produção baseou-se na falta de fiabilidade destes e na consistência dos orçamentos realizados de forma convencional. O sistema construído foi orientado por dois tipos de ferramentas: as simples e as progressivas. Para cada um dos tipos e para cada critério de orçamentação foram construídas linhas de tendência que relacionavam as características geométricas da peça com custos orçamentados. Para aumentar a correlação entre estas foram definidos os factores de cálculo que traduziam especificidades e dificuldades do fabrico da ferramenta para produzir determinadas geometrias. No caso das ferramentas progressivas foi determinante a implementação de um algoritmo da determinação do número de passos. O sistema foi implementado em folha de cálculo, foi testado para análise de possíveis variações das características da peça no custo da ferramenta, tendo apresentado resultados que se manifestaram do maior interesse para o projecto da peça. Por fim, o sistema de apoio à orçamentação foi testado em comparação com orçamentos realizados e com alterações efectuadas à peça a estampar, tendo dado resultados muito aceitáveis. Estas análises foram validadas em reuniões de trabalho envolvendo pessoas do projecto, do fabrico, da orçamentação e comerciais

Bealer to Kripke, On Mental Properties

Bealer’s argument against Kripke is presented. We then show how Kripke could counteract it. Our idea that the identity materialist may have the possibility of explaining why type psychophysical identities only appear to be contingent (but are necessary), because we confuse the exemplified properties (one property) with the concepts that subsume them (two distinct concepts), is supported by McGinn’s and Nagel’s materialistic intuitions. It remains to be seen whether a critique of Kripke like that of Bealer runs counter to the exemplified properties and the concepts that subsume them. We argue that Bealer’s criticism of Kripke does not contradict it. McGinn’s and Nagel’s intuitions support our idea. What we want to show is that, even if, from the anti-materialist side of the debate about the mind–body identity thesis, Bealer and Kripke agree on the general anti-materialist strategy but not on the strategies of phenomenological explanation (which for Bealer, Kripke neglects) and descriptivist explanation (which for Bealer is wrong), the disagreement between Bealer and Kripke still leaves open the materialist explanation of one property and two concepts. If there is an explanation for the illusion of contingency, it is quite possible that these type psychophysical identities are indeed necessary

Conhecimentos e atitudes dos jovens face à contracepção de emergência

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 753 students (10th and 12th graders) from the Douro Region (Northern Portugal) to identify the information that adolescents have about emergency contraception (postcoital contraception), as well as their attitudes. Data collection was performed using a three-part questionnaire, divided as follows: the 1st part consists of 10 questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics; the 2nd part consists of 22 questions about knowledge of sexuality/emergency contraception; and the 3rd part has eight questions about the adolescent's attitude regarding emergency contraception. Results indicate there is limited knowledge (10.5%). The youths' attitude is generally in favor of emergency contraception. Girls in the 12th grade are the students with the broadest effective knowledge.Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y transversal, en una muestra de 753 alumnos del 10º y 12º año de la región del Douro (Norte de Portugal), con el objetivo de conocer la información y la actitud de los jóvenes relativa a la contracepción de emergencia (anticonceptivo después del coito). Como instrumento de recolección de datos, se utilizó un cuestionario dividido en 3 partes, en que en la 1ª constan 10 preguntas de caracterización socio demográfica, en la 2ª, 22 preguntas acerca de la información y conocimientos sobre la sexualidad/contracepción de emergencia, y una 3ª parte, que engloba 8 preguntas acerca de la actitud frente a la contracepción de emergencia. Los resultados globales apuntan para un conocimiento efectivo pequeño (10,5%). La actitud, entre los jóvenes, es genéricamente favorable a la contracepción de emergencia. Los alumnos que presentan más conocimiento efectivo son los del 12º ano de escolaridad y los pertenecientes al sexo femenino.Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e transversal, numa amostra de 753 alunos do 10º e 12º ano da região do Douro (Norte de Portugal), com o objetivo de conhecer a informação e a atitude dos jovens relativamente à contracepção de emergência (anticoncepcional pós-coito). Como instrumento de coleta de dados, utilizou-se um questionário dividido em 3 partes, em que na 1ª constam 10 questões de caracterização sócio-demográfica, na 2ª, 22 questões acerca da informação e conhecimentos sobre a sexualidade/contracepção de emergência, e uma 3ª parte, que engloba 8 questões acerca da atitude face à contracepção de emergência. Os resultados globais apontam para um conhecimento efetivo diminuto (10,5%). A atitude, entre os jovens, é genericamente favorável à contracepção de emergência. Os alunos que apresentam mais conhecimento efetivo são os do 12º ano de escolaridade e os pertencentes ao sexo feminino

Evaluating an integrated cognitive competencies model to enhance teachers’ application of technology in large-scale educational contexts

Wiziack, J. C., & dos Santos, V. M. P. D. (2021). Evaluating an integrated cognitive competencies model to enhance teachers’ application of technology in large-scale educational contexts. Heliyon, 7(1), [e05928]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e05928There are cultural and educational barriers that hinder the adoption of technologies in educational practice. This is mainly owed to how the majority of teachers are still digital immigrants lacking adequate preparation to work in an environment of fast-paced innovation and without the corresponding updates of cognitive technology. In order to mitigate this problem, in this paper we present an alternative framework that intends to increase the effectiveness of technological application in broader educational contexts bringing together three constructs causally relating the domains of Cognitive and Motivational Competencies (CMC) – relating to people; Organisational Institutional Complexity (OIC) – educational systems and Behavioural Intentional Use of Technology (BIUT) relating to adoption of attitudes. Measurement indicators were applied to evaluate each construct in order to better predict teaching behaviour in a broader educational context. The framework evaluation was performed by two focus groups composed of experienced, highly specialised education consultants who assessed the pedagogical, technological, teacher's behaviour and overall institutional/organisational environment involving the proposed alternative solutions. The discussions and results show that participants agreed on the proposed framework's usefulness and its contributions to help teachers mediate the gaps between school and the outside world, all the while considering political and administrative barriers. The evaluators also highlight the structured motivational and self-efficacy aspects that must involve teachers and other stakeholders concerned with adopting a new social action profile for the benefit of collectives. The next work to follow this paper will be a dissemination proposal concerning the Brazilian National Educational Plan, a technological adoption that effectively meets Education's institutional principles in this country.publishersversionpublishe

Práticas de sustentabilidade na hotelaria de luxo : estudo de caso de uma unidade hoteleira

Mestrado em Gestão e Estratégia IndustrialO setor de serviços destaca-se por ser responsável pela maior parcela do PIB mundial e por criar empregos e riqueza que crescem a taxas mais altas do que noutros setores da economia. Nos últimos 25 anos, os serviços tornaram-se o motor principal da economia na Europa, representando cerca de 70% do PIB da Europa (Sanz-Lobera, Andrés-López, González-Requena, 2015). O setor do turismo atualmente é uma atividade económica estratégica para o desenvolvimento económico e social do país, designadamente para o emprego e para o crescimento das exportações. O turismo do futuro implica um destino sustentável, o que implica a adoção de práticas de sustentabilidade (Estratégia do Turismo ? 2027, liderar o Turismo do Futuro, setembro 2017). Os desafios abrangem a viabilidade económica, pois uma empresa necessita de ser lucrativa para ser sustentável e a Responsabilidade Social Corporativa quer a nível ambiental quer a nível social, em que os principais componentes são os colaboradores e a comunidade e a proteção ambiental, que tem como lógica reduzir, reutilizar, reciclar, reparar e recuperar.The service sector stands out for being responsible for the largest share of world GDP and for creating jobs and wealth that grow at higher rates than in other sectors of the economy. Over the past 25 years, services have become the main engine of the economy in Europe, accounting for about 70% of Europe's GDP (Sanz-Lobera, Andrés-López, González-Requena, 2015). The tourism sector is currently a strategic economic activity for the economic and social development of the country, namely for employment and export growth. Tourism of the future implies a sustainable destination, which implies the adoption of sustainability practices (Tourism Strategy - 2027, leading Tourism of the Future, September 2017). Challenges include economic viability, as a company needs to be profitable to be sustainable and the Corporate Social Responsibility at both the environmental and social levels where the main components are employees and the community and environmental protection, whose logic is to reduce, reuse, recycle, repair and recover.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio