Cognition Without Neural Representation: Dynamics of a Complex System

This paper proposes an account of neurocognitive activity without leveraging the notion of neural representation. Neural representation is a concept that results from assuming that the properties of the models used in computational cognitive neuroscience (e.g., information, representation, etc.) must literally exist the system being modelled (e.g., the brain). Computational models are important tools to test a theory about how the collected data (e.g., behavioural or neuroimaging) has been generated. While the usefulness of computational models is unquestionable, it does not follow that neurocognitive activity should literally entail the properties construed in the model (e.g., information, representation). While this is an assumption present in computationalist accounts, it is not held across the board in neuroscience. In the last section, the paper offers a dynamical account of neurocognitive activity with Dynamical Causal Modelling (DCM) that combines dynamical systems theory (DST) mathematical formalisms with the theoretical contextualisation provided by Embodied and Enactive Cognitive Science (EECS).

Organization and Representation of Musical Information (ORMI) in Portugal

This article presents the results of a documentary research regarding the current state of Organization and Representation of Musical Information (ORMI) in Portugal. Many authors describe the national scene of ORMI as very shortcoming, due to the usual difficulties: time vs. detail in the description and lack of knowledge of musical language by the technicians Information professionals. A survey of the monographs and articles as of 2011 that make a critical revision to the works of ORMI of several institutions was made, aiming to: 1) perceive their current state and 2) understand its strengths and weaknesses. We identified in these studies the analytic categories to create afterwards a classification structure by disciplinary areas, which shows semantic, structural and quality heterogeneity. The majority of Finding Aids are being produced by musicology projects with structures that respond to their information representation needs.

Designing Ray-Pointing using Real hand and Touch-based in Handheld Augmented Reality for Object Selection

Augmented Reality (AR) have been widely explored worldwide for their potential as a technology that enhances information representation. As technology progresses, smartphones (handheld devices) now have sophisticated processors and cameras for capturing static photographs and video, as well as a variety of sensors for tracking the user's position, orientation, and motion. Hence, this paper would discuss a finger-ray pointing technique in real-time for interaction in handheld AR and comparing the technique with the conventional technique in handheld, touch-screen interaction. The aim of this paper is to explore the ray pointing interaction in handheld AR for 3D object selection. Previous works in handheld AR and also covers Mixed Reality (MR) have been recapped.

Information Representation and Knowledge Organization in Cultural Heritage Institutions in Arabian Gulf: A Comparative Case Study

This paper presents the exploratory study conducted with the goal of developing an understanding of the current state of information representation and knowledge organisation in cultural heritage collections in Arabian Gulf countries and perspectives for future developments. This comparative case study focused on three institutions (an archive, an academic library, and a museum), including early adopters and leaders in digital archiving in the region. The mixed-methods research combined semi-structured interviews with in-depth comparative content analysis of metadata records that represent items in institutions’ collections. Despite the limitations of the small-sample analysis, this exploratory case study makes a substantial contribution to research and practice. It is the first study to evaluate information representation and knowledge organisation practices in cultural heritage collections of Arabian Gulf countries. This study also can inform planning and implementation of the large-scale study of the state and perspectives of information representation and knowledge organisation across digital and physical collections of libraries, museums, and archives in the region. Suggestions for future research are included. Practical implications of the study include empirical support for the need for metadata training, developing and documenting metadata creation guidelines and crosswalks, collection and use of feedback from users and knowledge management professionals to improve information representation and knowledge organisation. Results also provide insights into interoperability potential of metadata for future regional, national and international aggregations of cultural heritage digital collections across the Arabian Gulf region.