Knowledge transfer in cognitive systems theory: models, computation, and explanation

Knowledge transfer in cognitive systems can be explicated in terms of structure mapping and control. The structure of an effective model enables adaptive control for the system's intended domain of application. Knowledge is transferred by a system when control of a new domain is enabled by mapping the structure of a previously effective model. I advocate for a model-based view of computation which recognizes effective structure mapping at a low level. Artificial neural network systems are furthermore viewed as model-based, where effective models are learned through feedback. Thus, many of the most popular artificial neural network systems are best understood in light of the cybernetic tradition as error-controlled regulators. Knowledge transfer with pre-trained networks (transfer learning) can, when automated like other machine learning methods, be seen as an advancement towards artificial general intelligence. I argue this is convincing because it is akin to automating a general systems methodology of knowledge transfer in scientific reasoning. Analogical reasoning is typical in such a methodology, and some accounts view analogical cognition as the core of cognition which provides adaptive benefits through efficient knowledge transfer. I then discuss one modern example of analogical reasoning in physics, and how an extended Bayesian view might model confirmation given a structural mapping between two systems. In light of my account of knowledge transfer, I finally assess the case of quantum-like models in cognition, and whether the transfer of quantum principles is appropriate. I conclude by throwing my support behind a general systems philosophy of science framework which emphasizes the importance of structure, and which rejects a controversial view of scientific explanation in favor of a view of explanation as enabling control

Sequent Calculus Representations for Quantum Circuits

When considering a sequent-style proof system for quantum programs, there are certain elements of quantum mechanics that we may wish to capture, such as phase, dynamics of unitary transformations, and measurement probabilities. Traditional quantum logics which focus primarily on the abstract orthomodular lattice theory and structures of Hilbert spaces have not satisfactorily captured some of these elements. We can start from 'scratch' in an attempt to conceptually characterize the types of proof rules which should be in a system that represents elements necessary for quantum algorithms. This present work attempts to do this from the perspective of the quantum circuit model of quantum computation. A sequent calculus based on single quantum circuits is suggested, and its ability to incorporate important conceptual and dynamic aspects of quantum computing is discussed. In particular, preserving the representation of phase helps illustrate the role of interference as a resource in quantum computation. Interference also provides an intuitive basis for a non-monotonic calculus

Bayesian Confirmation from Analog Models

Analog models can be used to investigate aspects of a target system we might not have easy empirical access to. Evidence from an analog model has, under certain strict conditions, been used to argue for the confirmation of a target theory (Unruh (2008), Dardashti et al. (2017)). We investigate what a Bayesian account of such confirmation might require, and illustrate the details by discussing a water-wave analog system of the quantum Casimir effect. We argue that the analogical reasoning involved in this case cannot be sufficiently expressed by traditional Bayesian networks, and therefore employ an extension of (causal) Bayes nets to more capably handle the case study. Our formalization of the concept of analogy provides a novel reconstruction of Bayesian confirmation from analog models, which crucially preserves the essential symmetry involved in analogies. Finally, we take our formal analysis of the Casimir effect case to shed new light onto theoretical pre-unification via analogical reasoning

Wound care in the geriatric client

With our aging population, chronic diseases that compromise skin integrity such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease (venous hypertension, arterial insufficiency) are becoming increasingly common. Skin breakdown with ulcer and chronic wound formation is a frequent consequence of these diseases. Types of ulcers include pressure ulcers, vascular ulcers (arterial and venous hypertension), and neuropathic ulcers. Treatment of these ulcers involves recognizing the four stages of healing: coagulation, inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. Chronic wounds are frequently stalled in the inflammatory stage. Moving past the inflammation stage requires considering the bacterial burden, necrotic tissue, and moisture balance of the wound being treated. Bacterial overgrowth or infection needs to be treated with topical or systemic agents. In most cases, necrotic tissue needs to be debrided and moisture balance needs to be addressed by wetting dry tissue and drying wet tissue. Special dressings have been developed to accomplish these tasks. They include films, hydrocolloids, hydrogel dressings, foams, hydrofibers, composite and alginate dressings

Regulation of hepatic glucose production and AMPK by AICAR but not by metformin depends on drug uptake through the equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1)

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this record.Aim: Recently we have observed differences in the ability of metformin and AICAR to repress glucose production from hepatocytes using 8CPT-cAMP. Previous results indicate that besides activating protein kinase A, 8CPT-modified cAMP analogues suppress the Nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR)-sensitive equilibrative nucleoside transporter ENT1. We aimed to exploit 8CPT-cAMP, 8CPT-2-Methyl-O-cAMP and NBMPR, which is highly selective for a high-affinity binding-site on ENT1, to investigate the role of ENT1 in the liver specific glucose lowering properties of AICAR and metformin. Methods: Primary mouse hepatocytes were incubated with AICAR and metformin in combination with cAMP analogues, glucagon, forskolin and NBMPR. Hepatocyte glucose production (HGP), and AMPK signalling were measured and a uridine uptake assay with supporting LC-MS was used to investigate nucleoside depletion from medium by cells. Results: AICAR and metformin increased AMPK pathway phosphorylation and decreased HGP induced by dibutyryl cAMP and glucagon. HGP was also induced by 8CPT-cAMP, 8CPT-2-Methyl-O-cAMP and NBMPR; however, in each case this was resistant to suppression by AICAR but not metformin. Cross-validation of tracer and mass spectrometry studies indicates that 8CPT-cAMP, 8CPT-2-Methyl-O-cAMP and NBMPR inhibited the effects of AICAR at least in part by impeding its uptake into hepatocytes. Conclusions: We report for the first time that suppression of ENT1 induces HGP. ENT1 inhibition also impedes uptake and effects of AICAR but not metformin on HGP. Further investigation of nucleoside transport may illuminate a better understanding of how metformin and AICAR each regulate HGP.L.L. was supported by a Cunningham Trust PhD studentship awarded to G.R. and C.B. G.R. acknowledges additional support from the MRC (MR/K012924/1). This work was part-funded by a Tenovus Scotland grant to C.B, who is a recipient of a Diabetes UK RD Lawrence Fellowship (13/0004647)

Under-Oil Autonomously Regulated Oxygen Microenvironments: A Goldilocks Principle-Based Approach for Microscale Cell Culture

Oxygen levels in vivo are autonomously regulated by a supply–demand balance, which can be altered in disease states. However, the oxygen levels of in vitro cell culture systems, particularly microscale cell culture, are typically dominated by either supply or demand. Further, the oxygen microenvironment in these systems is rarely monitored or reported. Here, a method to establish and dynamically monitor autonomously regulated oxygen microenvironments (AROM) using an oil overlay in an open microscale cell culture system is presented. Using this method, the oxygen microenvironment is dynamically regulated via the supply–demand balance of the system. Numerical simulation and experimental validation of oxygen transport within multi-liquid-phase, microscale culture systems involving a variety of cell types, including mammalian, fungal, and bacterial cells are presented. Finally, AROM is applied to establish a coculture between cells with disparate oxygen demands—primary intestinal epithelial cells (oxygen consuming) and Bacteroides uniformis (an anaerobic species prevalent in the human gut)

Program design features that can improve participation in health education interventions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although there have been reported benefits of health education interventions across various health issues, the key to program effectiveness is participation and retention. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to participate in health interventions upon invitation. In fact, health education interventions are vulnerable to low participation rates. The objective of this study was to identify design features that may increase participation in health education interventions and evaluation surveys, and to maximize recruitment and retention efforts in a general ambulatory population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to 175 individuals in waiting rooms of two hospitals diagnostic centres in Toronto, Canada. Subjects were asked about their willingness to participate, in principle, and the extent of their participation (frequency and duration) in health education interventions under various settings and in intervention evaluation surveys using various survey methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The majority of respondents preferred to participate in one 30–60 minutes education intervention session a year, in hospital either with a group or one-on-one with an educator. Also, the majority of respondents preferred to spend 20–30 minutes each time, completing one to two evaluation surveys per year in hospital or by mail.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>When designing interventions and their evaluation surveys, it is important to consider the preferences for setting, length of participation and survey method of your target population, in order to maximize recruitment and retention efforts. Study respondents preferred short and convenient health education interventions and surveys. Therefore, brevity, convenience and choice appear to be important when designing education interventions and evaluation surveys from the perspective of our target population.</p

First Polarized Proton Collisions at RHIC.

We successfully injected polarized protons in both RHIC rings and maintained polarization during acceleration up to 100 GeV per ring using two Siberian snakes in each ring. Each snake consists of four helical superconducting dipoles which rotate the polarization by 180{sup o} about a horizontal axis. This is the first time that polarized protons have been accelerated to 100 GeV

Understanding venous leg ulcers

Venous leg ulcers are open lesions between the knee and the ankle joint, which occur in the presence of venous insufficiency. There are theories to explain the causes of venous insufficiency, which ultimately leads to venous hypertension and can result in leg ulceration. Although many patients present with evidence of venous hypertension, others do not, except for the manifestation of the ulcer. There are risk factors associated with venous insufficiency and a holistic approach must be taken in order to influence the management approach of venous leg ulceration. This article discusses venous insufficiency as a disease process, and explores the nursing assessment process, when assessing venous leg ulcers related to venous insufficiency