What neuroscience can tell us about free will: questioning its methodology and its possibility to solve the problem

The old problem of free will and determinism has been taken up today by the neurosciences from a naturalistic perspective. There are many methodological and conceptual problems that researchers face in trying to scientifically solve the question of the existence of free will. Our goal will be subject to review one of the budgets of these investigations, the possibility of quantifying free will as a fact. To do this we will discuss first the difficulties relating to this claim. After that we will establish what are the conditions of possibility of free will in order to criticize the psychological and neuroscientific perspectives, we suggest that both are unable to offer knowledge about the existence of these conditions. Also, we offer some methodological considerations attending the famous Libet’s experiment

Model-based passive and active diagnostics strategies for diesel oxidation catalyst

[EN] This article proposes a diesel oxidation catalyst diagnostics strategy based on the exothermic process generated by exhaust gas species oxidation in the catalyst. The diagnostics strategy is designed to be applied on-board and respecting real-time electronic control unit computational limitations. Diagnostics purposes are fulfilled by means of the comparison of the passive model temperature, which represents the outlet temperature of a non-impregnated diesel oxidation catalyst, and the measurement provided by the on-board catalyst-out temperature sensor. Thus, the presented diagnostics strategy uses only two production grade temperature sensors and the measurements of air and fuel mass flows from the electronic control unit. Passive diagnostics is based on the oxidation of engine-raw emissions, whilst active diagnostics is based on the oxidation of requested post injected fuel. Post-injection strategy is also discussed for active diagnosis. Then, the diagnostics strategy is able to discern whether the diesel oxidation catalyst is able to oxidise or not. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This research has been partially financed by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, through project TRA2013-40853-R 'Desarrollo de nuevas tecnicas de limitacion de la perdida de presion en DPFs para reducir las emisiones y el consumo de los motores diesel (PRELIMIT)'.Guardiola, C.; Plá Moreno, B.; Piqueras, P.; Mora-Pérez, J.; Lefebvre, D. (2017). Model-based passive and active diagnostics strategies for diesel oxidation catalyst. Applied Thermal Engineering. 110:962-971. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.08.207S96297111

Strength, jumping, and change of direction speed asymmetries are not associated with athletic performance in elite academy soccer players

The aims of the present study were twofold: 1) to measure inter-limb asymmetries from a battery of fitness tests in youth soccer players and, 2) determine the association between asymmetry and measures of athletic performance. Sixteen elite youth soccer players (14.7 ± 0.2 years) performed a single leg Abalakov test (ABK), change of direction (COD) test over 10 m (5 + 5) and 20 m (10 + 10), and an iso-inertial power test. Subjects also performed 10 m, 20 m and 30 m sprints and a bilateral countermovement jump (CMJ), which were correlated with all ABK, COD and iso-inertial asymmetry scores. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA showed significant differences between inter-limb asymmetry scores across multiple tests (p 0.05) between the different inter-limb asymmetry scores, and between asymmetry scores and athletic performance. These findings show the test-specific nature of asymmetries in youth soccer players, with the iso-inertial power test being the most sensitive in detecting asymmetry. Moreover, the results obtained suggest that inherent asymmetry in young soccer players did not negatively impact their performance

Study of pinholes and nanotubes in AlInGaN films by cathodoluminescence and atomic force microscopy

Cathodoluminescence (CL) in the scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to study the formation of pinholes in tensile and compressively strained AlInGaN films grown on Al2O3 substrates by plasma-induced molecular beam epitaxy. Nanotubes, pits, and V-shaped pinholes are observed in a tensile strained sample. CL images show an enhanced emission around the pits and a lower intensity at the V-shaped pinholes. Rounded pinholes appear in compressively strained samples in island-like regions with higher In concentration. The grain structure near the pinholes is resolved by AFM. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics

Correlative study of structural and optical properties of ZnSe under severe plastic deformation

The effect of plastic deformation on the optical and structural properties of ZnSe crystals has been investigated. The optical properties have been monitored by cathodoluminescence measurements as a function of the deformation degree. Remarkable differences in the defect-related emissions from the most severely deformed areas have been encountered. Deformation of the crystal lattice of ZnSe, associated with slip phenomena, has been studied by means of Electron Backscattered Diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The relation between the deformation and the optical properties of the ZnSe crystals has been described

The relationship between values and knowledge in visioning for landscape management : relevance for a collaborative approach

Respecting connections between the diversity of values and forms of knowledge is essential to support a decision-making that fosters relationships between ecosystems and people. However, little theory has been developed for clarifying interactions between values and knowledge, and their relevance for environmental policy. We surfaced the overlooked relationship between values and knowledge by studying individual cognitive and emotional processes during a guided visioning exercise in the context of the multifunctional landscapes of Ostergotland, Sweden. We investigated these cognitive processes using 30 semi-structured interviews and questionnaires organized around three types of relationships: vision. values, vision. knowledge, and especially values. knowledge. The analysis of the relationship between vision and values reveals that all types of values including core human values, relational, and intrinsic values are important in shaping the decision-making context in which landscape management visions arise. The relationship between vision and knowledge uncovers the mix of experiential and theoretical knowledge that informs the decisionmaking context. Interviews unfold three modalities in terms of how values and knowledge relate: i) linked and not necessarily connected (e.g. when individuals perceive a high conflict between their knowledge and their values leading to one construct silencing the other); ii) mutually reinforcing (e.g. when values and knowledge are seen as feeding into one another); and iii) intertwined (e.g. when individuals perceive that values and knowledge can co-exist). We discuss our findings in the context of their relevance for a collaborative decision-making process for balancing consensus and dissensus in multifunctional landscapes.Peer reviewe

Spatial-distribution of recombination centers in gaaste - effects of the doping level

The distribution in liquid-encapsulated-Czochralski (LEC) GaAs:Te wafers of point and complex defects has been investigated together with their influence on the minority-carrier diffusion length L. Three wafers with different Te-doping concentration (2.2 X 10(17), 4.5 X 10(17), and 1.5 X 10(18) cm-3) have been studied by means of the electron-beam-induced-current (EBIC) mode of scanning electron microscopy and of the surface photovoltage (SPV) method. The morphology and electrical activity of the defects observed across each wafer have been correlated to the formation and distribution of deep electronic levels, which are significantly affected by the tellurium concentration. The diffusion length has been found to be mainly controlled by deep levels associated with dislocations. EBIC localized measurements of L and of the net ionized free-carrier concentration provide evidence for the influence of Te concentration on impurity segregation at complex defects

How stable are visions for protected area management? Stakeholder perspectives before and during a pandemic

Envisioning processes enable protected area managers to chart a course for future management to reach desired goals, but unexpected changes that could affect future visions are not usually considered. The global COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to explore changes in stakeholder visions, the values that underpin the visions, and their perceptions of landscape changes and the underlying drivers (e.g. climate change, mass tourism and demographic trends).Through a mixed-methods approach in this post-evaluation study, we gathered comparative data on these issues from stakeholders in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, Spain, between July 2019 (pre-pandemic) and October 2020 (mid-pandemic).Our qualitative analysis demonstrates that pre-pandemic, differences in visions for protected area management were largely spurred by different perceptions of drivers of change, rather than differences in values or perceived landscape changes, which were similar across different vision themes.One year later, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of stakeholders reported that their values, visions and perceptions of drivers did not change despite this large-scale disturbance. Of the 20%-30% of stakeholders that did report changes, visions generally shifted towards greater prioritization of biodiversity and nature conservation as a result of heightened perceptions of the impacts of drivers of change associated with an increase in the numbers of park visitors. These drivers included mass tourism, mountain recreation, lack of environmental awareness, and change in values and traditions.Our findings reinforce the importance of adaptive and inclusive management of protected areas, including enhancing transparency and communications regarding factors driving change in the landscape, and integration of local and traditional knowledge and stakeholder perceptions of changes and drivers. Furthermore, management plans integrating stakeholder values have the potential to stay relevant even in the face of wildcard events such as a pandemic.To enhance the relevancy of visions and scenarios in conservation and land-use planning, scenario planning methodologies should more strongly consider different potential disturbances and how drivers of change in the near and far future can be affected by wildcard events such as a pandemic. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article

Intimal smooth muscle cells are a source but not a sensor of anti-inflammatory CYP450 derived oxylipins

AbstractVascular pathologies are associated with changes in the presence and expression of morphologically distinct vascular smooth muscle cells. In particular, in complex human vascular lesions and models of disease in pigs and rodents, an intimal smooth muscle cell (iSMC) which exhibits a stable epithelioid or rhomboid phenotype in culture is often found to be present in high numbers, and may represent the reemergence of a distinct developmental vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype. The CYP450-oxylipin - soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) pathway is currently of great interest in targeting for cardiovascular disease. sEH inhibitors limit the development of hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis and aneurysm formation in animal models. We have investigated the expression of CYP450-oxylipin-sEH pathway enzymes and their metabolites in paired intimal (iSMC) and medial (mSMC) cells isolated from rat aorta. iSMC basally released significantly larger amounts of epoxy-oxylipin CYP450 products from eicosapentaenoic acid > docosahexaenoic acid > arachidonic acid > linoleic acid, and expressed higher levels of CYP2C12, CYP2B1, but not CYP2J mRNA compared to mSMC. When stimulated with the pro-inflammatory TLR4 ligand LPS, epoxy-oxylipin production did not change greatly in iSMC. In contrast, LPS induced epoxy-oxylipin products in mSMC and induced CYP2J4. iSMC and mSMC express sEH which metabolizes primary epoxy-oxylipins to their dihydroxy-counterparts. The sEH inhibitors TPPU or AUDA inhibited LPS-induced NFκB activation and iNOS induction in mSMC, but had no effect on NFκB nuclear localization or inducible nitric oxide synthase in iSMC; effects which were recapitulated in part by addition of authentic epoxy-oxylipins. iSMCs are a rich source but not a sensor of anti-inflammatory epoxy-oxylipins. Complex lesions that contain high levels of iSMCs may be more resistant to the protective effects of sEH inhibitors