Surprise-induced enhancements in the associability of Pavlovian cues facilitate learning across behavior systems

Surprising violations of outcome expectancies have long been known to enhance the associability of Pavlovian cues; that is, the rate at which the cue enters into further associations. The adaptive value of such enhancements resides in promoting new learning in the face of uncertainty. However, it is unclear whether associability enhancements reflect increased associative plasticity within a particular behavior system, or whether they can facilitate learning between a cue and any arbitrary outcome, as suggested by attentional models of conditioning. Here, we show evidence consistent with the latter hypothesis. Violating the outcome expectancies generated by a cue in an appetitive setting (feeding behavior system) facilitated subsequent learning about the cue in an aversive setting (defense behavior system). In addition to shedding light on the nature of associability enhancements, our findings offer the neuroscientist a behavioral tool to dissociate their neural substrates from those of other, behavior system- or valence-specific changes. Moreover, our results present an opportunity to utilize associability enhancements to the advantage of counterconditioning procedures in therapeutic contexts.

Mental Categories and the Vertebrate Brain: the Neural Basis of Behavior

Mental terms—such as perception, cognition, action, emotion, as well as attention, memory, decision making—are epistemically sterile. We support our thesis based on extensive comparative neuroanatomy knowledge of the organization of the vertebrate brain. Evolutionary pressures have molded the central nervous system to promote survival. Careful characterization of the vertebrate brain shows that its architecture supports an enormous amount of communication and integration of signals, especially in birds and mammals. The general architecture supports a degree of “computational flexibility” that enables animals to cope successfully with complex and ever-changing environments. Here, we suggest that the vertebrate neuroarchitecture does not respect the boundaries of mental terms, and propose that situating research in terms of behavior systems provides a more promising approach.

A weighted power distribution mechanism under fuzzy behavior systems

In real situations, players might represent administrative areas of different scales; players might have different activity abilities. Thus, we propose an extension of the Banzhaf-Owen index in the framework of fuzzy transferable-utility games by considering supreme-utilities and weights simultaneously, which we name the weighted fuzzy Banzhaf-Owen index. Here we adopt three existing notions from traditional game theory and reinterpret them in the framework of fuzzy transferable-utility games. The first one is that this weighted index could be represented as an alternative formulation in terms of excess functions. The second is that, based on an reduced game and related consistency, we offer an axiomatic result to present the rationality of this weighted index. Finally, we introduce two dynamic processes to illustrate that this weighted index could be reached by players who start from an arbitrary efficient payoff vector and make successive adjustments.

Fuzzy remodeling and synchronization of nonlinear systems

Synchronization is one of the crucial control problems in coordinated behavior systems. A wide range of applications necessitates the development and improvement of approaches to solving the linearization problem for non-linear systems with complex behavior. Hence the paper offers an approach to solving the problem of chaotic system coordinate synchronization based on the use of fuzzy remodeling and superstability conditions. It is shown that transition from general (non-linear) synchronization problem statement to fuzzy description with fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno models allows transforming the initial task to a well understood problem of fuzzy T-S system stabilization that describes the dynamics synchronization error. As a candidate solution for the problem we offer a way of implementing superstability conditions that reduce the task of finding fuzzy regulator to solving a linear programming task. It is shown that implementation of superstability conditions not only presents a simple way of solving the problem, but also has practical value. Superstability provides the monotonesness of the transient process of synchronization without sharp spikes of solution norm. The efficiency of the offered approach is demonstrated by the example of synchronization of two hyperchaotic systems. To prove the efficiency of superstability conditions the solution of the robust synchronization problem with parametric uncertainty in system matrices is given. The presented results can be applied for synchronization of various nonlinear systems demonstrating chaotic dynamics.

Driver Response Times to Side Road Path Intrusions from SHRP-2 Naturalistic Database

In an age where all major manufacturers are trying to get a better understanding of when an emergency response should be triggered, it becomes imperative to learn how humans respond to emergency events. If one can understand driver behavior, systems can be designed around the user to either assist drivers where they fail to perform well or completely eliminate them from the accident avoidance maneuver. In this study, 169 crash and near crash events from the SHRP2 dataset were analyzed. The response behavior of drivers was measured in events where the through drivers’ path was intruded upon by another vehicle perpendicular to its path. Overall, drivers responded significantly faster when the other vehicle failed to stop, and at intersection locations.

Design of intrinsically disordered proteins that undergo phase transitions with lower critical solution temperatures

Many naturally occurring elastomers are intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) built up of repeating units and they can demonstrate two types of thermoresponsive phase behavior. Systems characterized by lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) undergo phase separation above the LCST whereas systems characterized by upper critical solution temperatures (UCST) undergo phase separation below the UCST. There is congruence between thermoresponsive coil-globule transitions and phase behavior whereby the theta temperatures above or below which the IDPs transition from coils to globules serve as useful proxies for the LCST / UCST values. This implies that one can design sequences with desired values for the theta temperature with either increasing or decreasing radii of gyration above the theta temperature. Here, we show that the Monte Carlo simulations performed in the so-called intrinsic solvation (IS) limit version of the temperature-dependent ABSINTH implicit solvation model, yields a useful heuristic for discriminating between sequences with known LCST versus UCST phase behavior. Accordingly, we use this heuristic in a supervised approach, integrate it with a genetic algorithm, combine this with IS limit simulations, and demonstrate that novel sequences can be designed with LCST phase behavior. These calculations are aided by direct estimates of temperature dependent free energies of solvation for model compounds that are derived using the polarizable AMOEBA forcefield. To demonstrate the validity of our designs, we calculate coil-globule transition profiles using the full ABSINTH model and combine these with Gaussian Cluster Theory calculations to establish the LCST phase behavior of designed IDPs.

Learning from the Titanic and Concordia sea disasters

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This research paper concentrates on how human behavior caused both the Titanic and the Concordia sea disasters. Insights from scuba divers and from the command of aircraft carriers are also drawn upon to reveal leadership lessons aimed at mitigating risk in less predictable environments. The need for rational decision-making by leaders, as well as having pre-arranged behavior systems to remove cognitive biases and avoid in-the-moment panic, are of paramount importance when implementing consistent safety strategies at sea. Remaining loyal to this approach minimizes the risk of preventable disasters occurring. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Application of Self-Healing in Wireless Sensor Network

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are gaining popularity in many monitoring and event detection areas. But the limitation of low power sensors needs to be further researched to combat the self-healing aspect of sensor networks. Therefore this paper aims to present a survey on application of self-healing routing protocols in wireless sensor networks that have been designed by analyzing their operation, advantages and disadvantages. This presents an outline of each application of the protocol and an idea of how these features could be adapted into future research area in self-healing wireless sensor networks in terms of energy aspect. The self-healing characteristics are mainly derived from biologically-inspired mechanisms for autonomic behavior. Autonomic behavior systems are characterized into four functional systems as self-configuration, self-healing, self-optimization and self-protection. This survey mainly focuses on self-healing characteristics from the biologically-inspired perspectives as well as non-bio-inspired perspectives.