Dual-processing altruism

Altruism refers to an other-benefiting behavior that is costly but bears no direct profit to oneself. At least three different forms can be distinguished: help giving, altruistic punishment, and moral courage. We investigated the differential impact of two thinking modes, intuitive (System 1) and rational (System 2), on these three altruistic behaviors. Situational (state-related) thinking style was manipulated via experimental instructions and generally preferred thinking style (trait-related) was assessed via questionnaires. We found that of the subjectively preferred thinking styles (trait), faith in intuition (System 1) promoted sharing and altruistic punishment, whereas need for cognition (System 2) promoted volunteering in a situation that required moral courage. By contrast, we did not find a significant effect of situational thinking style (state) on any of the altruistic behaviors, although manipulation checks were positive. Results elucidate the affective-motivational underpinnings of different types of altruistic behaviors

No Time to Lose? Time Shrinking Effects enhance the Impression of Rhythmic "Isochrony" and Fast Speech Rate

Wagner P, Windmann A. No Time to Lose? Time Shrinking Effects enhance the Impression of Rhythmic "Isochrony" and Fast Speech Rate. In: Proceedings of Interspeech 2009. 2009: 1523-1526.Time Shrinking denotes the psychoacoustic shrinking effect of a short interval on one or several subsequent longer intervals. Its effectiveness in the domain of speech perception has so far not been examined. Two perception experiments clearly suggest the influence of relative duration patterns triggering time shrinking on the perception of tempo and rhythmical isochrony or rather ”evenness”. A comparison between the experimental data and duration patterns across various languages suggest a strong influence of time shrinking on the impression of isochrony in speech and perceptual speech rate. Our results thus emphasize the necessity of taking into account relative timing within rhythmical domains such as feet, phrases or narrow rhythm units as a complementary perspective to popular global rhythm variability metrics. Index Terms: prosody, perception, rhythm, timing, temp

Robustness and Generalization Performance of Deep Learning Models on Cyber-Physical Systems: A Comparative Study

Deep learning (DL) models have seen increased attention for time series forecasting, yet the application on cyber-physical systems (CPS) is hindered by the lacking robustness of these methods. Thus, this study evaluates the robustness and generalization performance of DL architectures on multivariate time series data from CPS. Our investigation focuses on the models' ability to handle a range of perturbations, such as sensor faults and noise, and assesses their impact on overall performance. Furthermore, we test the generalization and transfer learning capabilities of these models by exposing them to out-of-distribution (OOD) samples. These include deviations from standard system operations, while the core dynamics of the underlying physical system are preserved. Additionally, we test how well the models respond to several data augmentation techniques, including added noise and time warping. Our experimental framework utilizes a simulated three-tank system, proposed as a novel benchmark for evaluating the robustness and generalization performance of DL algorithms in CPS data contexts. The findings reveal that certain DL model architectures and training techniques exhibit superior effectiveness in handling OOD samples and various perturbations. These insights have significant implications for the development of DL models that deliver reliable and robust performance in real-world CPS applications.Comment: Accepted at the IJCAI 2023 Workshop of Artificial Intelligence for Time Series Analysis (AI4TS

Optimization-based modeling of suprasegmental speech timing

Windmann A. Optimization-based modeling of suprasegmental speech timing. Bielefeld: Universität Bielefeld; 2016

A contribution to the risk assessment of uranium contamination in the food chain through phosphate containing fertilizers, feed and food additives

Phosphate gehören zu den essentiellen Ausgangsstoffen für die Produktion von Lebensmitteln. Gleichzeitig sind sie aber auch in Qualität und Menge signifikantester Vektor für Belastungen der Nahrungskette mit unerwünschten Elementen, insbesondere U. Die vorliegende Arbeit berichtet im ersten Teil über die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung von 45 Elementen in 712 phosphathaltigen Düngemitteln, Nahrungs- und Futtermittelzusatzproben, stellt im zweiten Teil eine neue Methodik zum Studium des Transfers von U im System Boden/Pflanze mittels reiner U-Isotope vor und fasst drittens das derzeitige Wissen um kombinatorische Effekte von P und U auf die menschliche Gesundheit zusammen. Die Untersuchungen erbrachten folgende Ergebnisse: - sedimentäre Rohphosphate wiesen bei fast allen Elementen 2- bis > 5-fach höhere Gehalte auf als solche aus magmatischen Lagerstätten. - Elementkonzentrationen waren in Mineraldüngerphosphaten stets höher als in Wirtschaftsdüngern, bei den Elementen U, Cd, As und B im Mittel um den Faktor 10. Nur S, Se, Cu und Zn kamen in Wirtschaftsdüngern in höheren Konzentrationen vor. - Die mittleren Konzentrationen an U in Mineraldüngern lagen um den Faktor 6-9 höher als die von Cd. Die Regression der Gehalte von Cd auf die U-Gehalte in phosphathaltigen Mineraldüngern zeigt, dass selbst in einem (theoretisch) Cd-freien P-Dünger noch 13-76 mg/kg U zu erwarten waren. - Seltene Erden, als Beitrag zur Valorisierung von Rohphosphaten, waren in solchen magmatischen Ursprungs in höheren Konzentrationen zu finden als in denen sedimentären Ursprungs. - Phosphate für die Herstellung von Futter- und Nahrungsmittelzusätzen haben deutlich geringere Gehalte an unerwünschten Elementen als Düngemittelphosphate; Grenzwertüberschreitungen waren in allen drei Verwendungsgruppen nur bei As und U festzustellen. - Auch noch in Mengen unterhalb der Freigrenze ist reines 235U ein geeigneter Tracer zur Verfolgung des Transports von, mit der Düngung zugeführtem, U im System Boden/Pflanze. - Die Bioakkumulationskoeffizienten für 238U und 235U waren statistisch nicht verschieden, sanken mit dem Ausgangsgehalt des Substrates an U und lagen in Größenordnungen zwischen 0,01 und 1,59; hierbei waren die Werte für Speicherwurzeln höher als für Blätter. - Binnen 49 Tagen wurden zwischen 0,3 und 0,6% des mit Düngung zugeführten U von Radieschen, Karotten, Senf aufgenommen. Bei Sonnenblumen lag der Wert bei unter 0,1%. - Die Auswaschung an U überstieg im Gefäßversuch die Aufnahme durch Pflanzen. - Die chemische Humantoxizität von U ist deutlich höher als die Gefährdung durch Strahlung. - Negative Gesundheitseffekte einer erhöhten U-Aufnahme scheinen durch eine gleichzeitig erhöhte P- Zufuhr systematisch verstärkt zu werden. Aus Sicht einer vorausschauenden Vorsorge beim Schutz der Funktionalität von Böden als Filter und Standort für Nahrungsmittelpflanzen ist eine Begrenzung der Schwermetalleinträge, hier insbesondere des Eintrags von U, mit mineralischen P-Düngern zwingend erforderlich. Zur Eigenvorsorge empfiehlt sich eine ausgewogene Mineralstoffzufuhr, insbesondere von P, Ca und Fe sowie eine reduzierte U-Zufuhr über die gezielte Auswahl des verzehrten Trinkwassers.Phosphates are essential for the production of food and feed. At the same time they are the most significant source for the contamination of the food chain with undesired elements, especially U. This work reports in its first part the results of the analysis of 45 elements in 712 phosphate containing fertilizers, feed and food additives; in its second part a new methodology for the investigation of U transport in the soil/plant system based on individual U isotopes is presented and finally the most recent knowledge on combinatory effects of P and U on human health is summarized. The research work yielded the following main results: - Almost all elements in rock phosphates of sedimentary origin show 2- to > 5-fold higher concentrations than those from igneous deposits. - Element concentrations in mineral fertilizer phosphates are always higher than in farmyard manures: on an average 10 times for the elements U, Cd, As und B. The average concentration of S, Se, Cu and Zn is higher in farmyard manures than in mineral phosphate fertilizers. - The mean concentration for U in mineral phosphate fertilizers is 6-9 times higher than that for Cd. The regression between both elements reveals that even in a (hypothetical) Cd-free fertilizer still U concentrations between 13-76 mg/kg U may occur. - Rare earth elements as contributor to the valorization of rock phosphates were found in higher concentrations in those of igneous origin than in sedimentary ones. - Phosphates for intended use as additives for feed and food have significantly lower concentrations of undesired elements than fertilizer phosphates. Concentrations exceeding actual limit values in all three functional groups were found only for As and U. - Even at rates below the free limit, pure 235U revealed to be a suitable tracer for transport studies of fertilizer-derived U in the soil/plant system. - The bioaccumulation coefficients found for 238U and 235U were statistically not different, decreased with the initial U concentration in the substrate and were found to be in the range between 0.01 and 1.59 with values for storage roots being higher than for leaves. - Within 49 days 0.3 to 0.6% of the applied U were taken up by radish, carrots and mustard. The corresponding value for sunflower was under 0,1%. - Leaching of U from soil exceeded the plant uptake in a pot trial. - The chemical toxicity of U is distinctly higher than its radiological toxicity. - Negative health effects of an increased U intake seem to be systematically amplified by an increased P intake. From view of a provident prevention of soil filter functions and fertility, it is absolutely necessary to limit, better balance heavy metal inputs through mineral P fertilizers and here especially with U. In this context personal measures for individual health care should target on a balanced intake of minerals, especially with P, Ca and Fe and an efficient limitation of the U intake through a conscious selection of drinking water

Zehn Bewusstseinsmodelle, die keine sind

Ten models of consciousness are discussed. The models are proposed by individuals who do not seem to understand “the hard problem of phenomenal consciousness”, presumably because they have no qualia themselves. As the Zombie’s proposals are dismissed, the quality of their comments and contributions rises. It is concluded that no premature solution to the hard problem should be proposed at this point; instead it is suggested that the problem must first be appreciated to full extent by scientists and students of all faculties dealing with information processing in the human brain. Ultimately, the question is why the brain, when in a particular state, experiences its own activity qualitatively. The answer to that question will probably expand the current ontology of physics.Dix modèles de conscience sont discutés. Les modèles en question sont proposés par des individus ne semblant pas comprendre « le problème difficile de la conscience phénoménale », vraisemblablement parce qu’ils n’ont pas de qualia eux-mêmes. Alors que les demandes des Zombies sont rejetées, la qualité de leurs commentaires et de leurs contributions augmente. La conclusion est qu’aucune solution précoce ne devrait être proposée à ce stade. Plutôt, il est suggéré que le problème devrait d’abord être pleinement examiné par les scientifiques et les étudiants de toutes les universités concernées par le traitement de l’information dans le cerveau humain. Enfin, reste la question pourquoi le cerveau, lorsqu’il est dans un état particulier, vit sa propre activité de façon qualitative. La réponse à cette question contribuera probablement au développement de l’actuelle ontologie de la physique.In diesem Beitrag werden zehn Bewusstseinsmodelle diskutiert. Vorgeschlagen werden sie von Individuen, die offensichtlich das „schwierige Problem des phänomenalen Bewusstseins” nicht verstehen, vielleicht aus Ermangelung an eigener Qualia. Die Vorschläge werden einer nach dem anderen verworfen; unterdessen steigt die Qualität der Kommentare. Die Schlussfolgerung aus der Diskussion ist, dass momentan keine endgültige Lösung für das Problem in Sicht ist. Stattdessen wird angeregt, das Problem zunächst im vollen Umfang Wissenschaftlern und Studenten aller Fakultäten näher zu bringen, die sich mit Informationsverarbeitung im menschlichen Gehirn befassen. Die entscheidende Frage ist letztlich, warum das in einem bestimmten physikalischen Zustand befindliche Gehirn seine eigene Aktivität qualitativ erlebt. Die erfolgreiche Beantwortung dieser Frage erfordert vermutlich die Erweiterung der Ontologie der Physik

Sentence context induces lexical bias in audiovisual speech perception

The present study investigated whether semantic context enhances accuracy of word perception or merely induces a bias to perceive any speech input as a contextually appropriate word. Audiovisual speech tokens that were typically perceived as coherent words were com-pared with dubbed comparison stimuli that were not perceived as coherent words, either be-cause they did not allow for the fusion of the auditory and visual speech inputs (Experiment 1), or because successful fusion resulted in a lexically inappropriate phoneme (Experiment 2). These dubbed speech tokens were presented as endings of semantically congruent versus in-congruent sentences as subjects were asked to rate their lexical status (i.e., the word-likeness of the tokens). Results showed that subjects rendered enhanced lexicality ratings in semanti-cally congruent conditions relative to incongruent conditions, whether or not the evaluated token was perceived as a word, and whether or not it allowed for audiovisual fusion. This reflects an effect of sentence context on lexical bias, not sensitivity (i.e., accuracy). Results speak against a clear distinction between lexical and semantic levels of analysis and are there-fore inconsistent with models locating word recognition prior to semantic activation

Risk Factors of Intraoperative Dysglycemia in Elderly Surgical Patients

BACKGROUNDː Dysglycemia is associated with adverse outcome including increased morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. Acute insulin resistance due to the surgical stress response is seen as a major cause of so-called stress hyperglycemia. However, understanding of factors determining blood glucose (BG) during surgery is limited. Therefore, we investigated risk factors contributing to intraoperative dysglycemia. METHODSː In this subgroup investigation of the BIOCOG study, we analyzed 87 patients of ≥ 65 years with tight intraoperative BG measurement every 20 min during elective surgery. Dysglycemia was defined as at least one intraoperative BG measurement outside the recommended target range of 80-150 mg/dL. Additionally, all postoperative BG measurements in the ICU were obtained. Multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, diabetes, type and duration of surgery, minimum Hemoglobin (Hb) and mean intraoperative norepinephrine use was performed to identify risk factors of intraoperative dysglycemia. RESULTSː 46 (52.9%) out of 87 patients developed intraoperative dysglycemia. 31.8% of all intraoperative BG measurements were detected outside the target range. Diabetes [OR 9.263 (95% CI 2.492, 34.433); p=0.001] and duration of surgery [OR 1.005 (1.000, 1.010); p=0.036] were independently associated with the development of intraoperative dysglycemia. Patients who experienced intraoperative dysglycemia had significantly elevated postoperative mean (p<0.001) and maximum BG levels (p=0.001). Length of ICU (p=0.007) as well as hospital stay (p=0.012) were longer in patients with dysglycemia. CONCLUSIONSː Diabetes and duration of surgery were confirmed as independent risk factors for intraoperative dysglycemia, which was associated with adverse outcome. These patients, therefore, might require intensified glycemic control. Increased awareness and management of intraoperative dysglycemia is warranted

On a Uniform Causality Model for Industrial Automation

The increasing complexity of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) makes industrial automation challenging. Large amounts of data recorded by sensors need to be processed to adequately perform tasks such as diagnosis in case of fault. A promising approach to deal with this complexity is the concept of causality. However, most research on causality has focused on inferring causal relations between parts of an unknown system. Engineering uses causality in a fundamentally different way: complex systems are constructed by combining components with known, controllable behavior. As CPS are constructed by the second approach, most data-based causality models are not suited for industrial automation. To bridge this gap, a Uniform Causality Model for various application areas of industrial automation is proposed, which will allow better communication and better data usage across disciplines. The resulting model describes the behavior of CPS mathematically and, as the model is evaluated on the unique requirements of the application areas, it is shown that the Uniform Causality Model can work as a basis for the application of new approaches in industrial automation that focus on machine learning