Model for Human, Artificial & Collective Consciousness (Part I)

Borrowing the functional modeling approach common in systems and software engineering, an implementable model of the functions of human consciousness proposed to have the capacity for general problem solving ability transferable to any domain, or true self-aware intelligence, is presented. Being a functional model that is independent of implementation, this model is proposed to also be applicable to artificial consciousness, and to platforms that organize individuals into what is defined here as a first order collective consciousness, or at higher orders into what is defined here as Nth order collective consciousness. Part I of this two-part article includes: Summary; Introduction; Set of Postulates One; Set of Postulates Two; Overview of the Model; Model of Homeostasis; Model of the Functional Units; Model of the Body System; Model of the Other Basic Life Processes; Model of the Other Functional Systems; Model of Perceptions in the Perceptual Fields; Model of Body Processes as Paths in the Perceptual Field; & Model of Conscious Awarenes

Model for Human, Artificial & Collective Consciousness (Part I)

Borrowing the functional modeling approach common in systems and software engineering, an implementable model of the functions of human consciousness proposed to have the capacity for general problem solving ability transferable to any domain, or true self-aware intelligence, is presented. Being a functional model that is independent of implementation, this model is proposed to also be applicable to artificial consciousness, and to platforms that organize individuals into what is defined here as a first order collective consciousness, or at higher orders into what is defined here as Nth order collective consciousness. Part I of this two-part article includes: Summary; Introduction; Set of Postulates One; Set of Postulates Two; Overview of the Model; Model of Homeostasis; Model of the Functional Units; Model of the Body System; Model of the Other Basic Life Processes; Model of the Other Functional Systems; Model of Perceptions in the Perceptual Fields; Model of Body Processes as Paths in the Perceptual Field; & Model of Conscious Awarenes

On the Observability of Optically Thin Coronal Hyperfine Structure Lines

We present Cloudy calculations for the intensity of coronal hyperfine lines in various environments. We model indirect collisional and radiative transitions, and quantify the collisionally-excited line emissivity in the density-temperature phase-space. As an observational aid, we also express the emissivity in units of the continuum in the 0.4--0.7 keV band. For most hyperfine lines, knowledge of the X-ray surface brightness and the plasma temperature is sufficient for rough estimates. We find that the radiation fields of both Perseus A and Virgo A can enhance the populations of highly ionized species within 1 kpc. They can also enhance line emissivity within the cluster core. This could have implications for the interpretation of spectra around bright AGN. We find the intensity of the $^{57}$Fe XXIV {\lambda}3.068 mm to be about two orders of magnitude fainter than previously thought, at about 20 {\mu}K. Comparably bright lines may be found in the infrared. Finally, we find the intensity of hyperfine lines in the Extended Orion Nebula to be low, due to the shallow sightline. Observations of coronal hyperfine lines will likely be feasible with the next generation of radio and sub-mm telescopes.Comment: 48 pages; 13 figures; 9 tables; additional images available at the online journa

Philip P. Upton, 1919-1984

... In 1960, [Phil Upton] ... was invited to join the Arctic Institute's Icefield Ranges Research Project as a pilot. It was an inspired choice, for Phil's contributions and loyalty to the Arctic Institute and the Kluane Research Station were immeasurable. He made the Saint Elias Mountains his "parish", and became the finest mountain and glacier pilot in North America. He explored countless landing sites throughout the range in support of Arctic Institute research projects and private mountaineering expeditions. ... Skill he had in abundance. Of greater importance, his judgment was superb, his intuition uncanny. For 24 years he operated without serious mishap, tempering courage with caution, understanding fully the limits of himself and his machine. In 1968 he made the first landing on Mount Logan, at an altitude of 5300 m asl. This and subsequent landings that season inaugurated and developed the Institute's capability to run the High Altitude Physiology Study. It was an astonishing feat, and we who followed had the enormous psychological advantage of knowing that it could be done, and the benefit of his advice and leadership. ... To the eternal credit of Philip and the Institute, the safety record of the HAPS project was without parallel. After 12 years of operations, and after passing a considerable number of research and support personnel through one of Earth's more inhospitable sites, not one serious injury was sustained. Crises there were, of course, and although I took a larger share of the flying in later years, it was always Phil who chose to plough the aircraft into deep powder snow after a storm, who made the quite dreadful approach over the Northwest Col when the wind demanded, who picked his way over the undercast to a sick climber. ..