Finite-time stabilization of discontinuous fuzzy inertial Cohen–Grossberg neural networks with mixed time-varying delays

This article aims to study a class of discontinuous fuzzy inertial Cohen–Grossberg neural networks (DFICGNNs) with discrete and distributed time-delays. First of all, in order to deal with the discontinuities by the differential inclusion theory, based on a generalized variable transformation including two tunable variables, the mixed time-varying delayed DFICGNN is transformed into a first-order differential system. Then, by constructing a modified Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional concerning with the mixed time-varying delays and designing a delayed feedback control law, delay-dependent criteria formulated by algebraic inequalities are derived for guaranteeing the finite-time stabilization (FTS) for the addressed system. Moreover, the settling time is estimated. Some related stability results on inertial neural networks is extended. Finally, two numerical examples are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the established results.

Externalism, Memory, and Self-Knowledge

Externalism holds that the individuation of mental content depends on factors external to the subject. This doctrine appears to undermine both the claim that there is a priori self-knowledge, and the view that individuals have privileged access to their thoughts. Tyler Burge’s influential inclusion theory of self-knowledge purports to reconcile externalism with authoritative self-knowledge. I first consider Paul Boghossian’s claim that the inclusion theory is internally inconsistent. I reject one line of response to this charge, but I endorse another. I next suggest, however, that the inclusion theory has little explanatory value.

Externalism, Memory, and Self-Knowledge

Externalism holds that the individuation of mental content depends on factors external to the subject. This doctrine appears to undermine both the claim that there is a priori self-knowledge, and the view that individuals have privileged access to their thoughts. Tyler Burge’s influential inclusion theory of self-knowledge purports to reconcile externalism with authoritative self-knowledge. I first consider Paul Boghossian’s claim that the inclusion theory is internally inconsistent. I reject one line of response to this charge, but I endorse another. I next suggest, however, that the inclusion theory has little explanatory value.

Fixed-Time Synchronization of Delayed Memristive Neural Networks with Discontinuous Activations

In this paper, the fixed-time synchronization problem for a class of memristive neural networks with discontinuous neuron activation functions and mixed time-varying delays is investigated. With the help of the fixed-time stability theory, under the framework of Filippov solution and differential inclusion theory, several new and useful sufficient criteria for fixed-time synchronization are obtained by designing two types of energy-saving and simple controllers for the considered systems. Compared with the traditional fixed-time synchronization controller, the controllers used in this paper only have one power exponent term, which is a function of the system state error rather than a constant. Moreover, some previous relevant works are especially improved. Finally, two numerical examples are given to show the correctness and the effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results.

Access to Employment or Access to Employers: a Descriptive Study of Employers' Attitudes and Practices in Hiring Newcomer Job Seekers

This paper provides a detailed description of employers' attitudes and practices in hiring newcomer job seekers in an attempt to examine the access to employment issue through the lens of employers. It applies social inclusion theory and expands the existing conceptualization in order to answer four key questions: Who are these employers? Who do these employers hire and why? What are current recruiting practices? And how do such practices disadvantage newcomer job seekers, deliberately or inadvertently? Some key findings in this paper include: the disconnect between immigration and skill shortages in the perception of employers leads to their maintaining the status quo in hiring practices; employers' preferred hiring strategies and technologies are constructed on the existing social networks and therefore largely exclude newcomer job seekers; and employers interpret personal attributes based on mainstream social and corporate cultural norms and it disproportionately disadvantages newcomer job seekers.

Access to Employment or Access to Employers: a Descriptive Study of Employers' Attitudes and Practices in Hiring Newcomer Job Seekers

This paper provides a detailed description of employers' attitudes and practices in hiring newcomer job seekers in an attempt to examine the access to employment issue through the lens of employers. It applies social inclusion theory and expands the existing conceptualization in order to answer four key questions: Who are these employers? Who do these employers hire and why? What are current recruiting practices? And how do such practices disadvantage newcomer job seekers, deliberately or inadvertently? Some key findings in this paper include: the disconnect between immigration and skill shortages in the perception of employers leads to their maintaining the status quo in hiring practices; employers' preferred hiring strategies and technologies are constructed on the existing social networks and therefore largely exclude newcomer job seekers; and employers interpret personal attributes based on mainstream social and corporate cultural norms and it disproportionately disadvantages newcomer job seekers.

Global exponential stability of periodic solution of delayed discontinuous Cohen–Grossberg neural networks and its applications

This paper is concerned with the existence and global exponential stability of the periodic solution of delayed Cohen–Grossberg neural networks (CGNNs) with discontinuous activation functions. The activations considered herein are non-decreasing but not required to be Lipschitz or continuous. Based on differential inclusion theory, Lyapunov functional theory and Leary–Schauder alternative theorem, some sufficient criteria are derived to ensure the existence and global exponential stability of the periodic solution. In order to show the superiority of the obtained results, an application and some detailed comparisons between some existing related results and our results are presented. Finally, some numerical examples are also illustrated.

Overview of Employment Programs Available to Newcomers in Toronto and Their Role in Breaking Down Barriers to Employment

This research examines the systemic barriers faced by newly arrived immigrants to Canada in their job acquisition. A thematic content analysis of the government funded Job Search Workshop (JSW) and Employment Ontario Programs from twenty Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) was undertaken to respond to the following questions: How do these programs assist newcomers to overcome the barriers to labour market entry? What do these services offer that address the needs of newly arrived immigrants for access to employment? What are some of the factors that lead to their unsuccess? Social Inclusion theory was applied. Results indicate that the focus of both programs is on pre-employment preparation and making participants more ‘employable’. The systemic barriers of the accreditation process and racial/employment discrimination are still major areas that need to be given more attention.