scholarly journals Is Artificial Man Still Far Away: Anthropomimetic Robots Versus Robomimetic Humans

Robotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Veljko Potkonjak
Keyword(s):  
Drop Out ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Biologically Inspired ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Reality Check ◽  
Current Article ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Present Text

The article presents a viewpoint on the current status and limitations of humanoid robotics and possible future progress. It may be seen as a continuation of the article “How far away is artificial man?” published in 2001 by a group of authors, among them the author of the present text, in IEEE Robotics &Automation Magazine (IEEE RAM). The previous article defined three key aspects of advanced humanoids, namely human-like shape and motion, intelligence, and communication. The current article discusses the situation 18 years later and takes note of the trend towards biologically inspired solutions to technical problems. It might appear to put forward controversial ideas, but the author believes they are realistic observations and constitute a frank presentation of apparent tendencies. The author argues that the crucial breakthrough towards an “artificial man” has not yet been made, as formidable challenges remain and cannot be overcome easily in the near future. On the other hand, the question arises: After unsuccessful attempts to solve robotic problems by designing technical systems that increasingly imitate humans, can we finally drop out of engineering and completely turn to biology and look for solutions there? This controversial idea means artificial creation and mass production of human beings that behave like robots, i.e., robomimetic humans. The article is a brief reality check of this concept.

scholarly journals Discussion: Producer Bargaining: Its Current Status and Distribution of Benefits

1973 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-46
Author(s):  
H. M. Harris
Keyword(s):  
Present Status ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Complete Analysis ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Near Future

We should be indebted to Dr. Berry for his cogent observations on some key aspects of the producer bargaining issue. At the same time, however, I would be remiss in my role as discussant if I failed to point out two major shortcomings of his paper. First, the current status of producer bargaining is treated incompletely. Second, and more glaring, is the complete omission of any discussion of the distribution of benefits of agricultural bargaining.It should be mentioned that both these shortcomings could be remedied simply by changing the title of the paper. For example, if the address was entitled, “Producer Bargaining: Its Present Status in the Dairy Industry,” these two criticisms would be largely unwarranted. I must also confess that if the assigned roles of Professor Berry and myself were reversed, he would very likely be levying the same comments about my presentation. For a complete analysis of the assigned topic involves a Herculean task – but a task with which we must come to grips in the near future.

An Approach for Determining the Geopotential Difference between The Atomic Clocks Ensemble in Space (ACES) and a ground station

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Ashry ◽  
Wenbin Shen ◽  
Xiao Sun
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Experiment ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Atomic Clocks ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
General Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Ground Station ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Height System ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Near Future

<p>According to the general theory of relativity, two clocks placed at two different positions with different geopotential run at different rates. Thus one can determine the geopotential difference between these two points by comparing the running rates of the two clocks. In this paper, we propose, design and describe in detail an approach for determining the geopotential difference between The Atomic Clocks Ensemble in Space (ACES/PHARAO mission) and a ground station based upon a simulation experiment. The correction due to Ionosphere, troposphere and Sagnac effect will be taken into account. Our team is working on a wide range of problems that need to be solved in order to achieve high accuracy in (almost) real-time. In this paper, we will present some key aspects of the measurement, as well as the current status of the software's development. the proposed approach may have prospective applications in geoscience, and especially, based on this approach a unified world height system could be realized with one-centimetre level accuracy in the near future.</p>

Starkholz und Laubholz in der Schweiz: gestern, heute, morgen | Large diameter wood and hardwood in Switzerland yesterday, today and tomorrow

2006 ◽  
Vol 157 (12) ◽  
pp. 556-560
Author(s):  
Werner Schärer ◽  
David Walker ◽  
Michael Gautschi
Keyword(s):  
Forest Inventory ◽  
Large Diameter ◽  
National Forest Inventory ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Northern Europe ◽  
National Forest ◽  
Deciduous Wood ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Short Presentation

The publication of the findings of the second Swiss National Forest Inventory triggered wide fundamental debate on the issue of large-diameter wood in Switzerland. On the initiative of the then Swiss Forest Agency at the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape, a «large-diameter wood»workshop was held in Lyss in December 1999. The issue was overshadowed by the occurrence of hurricane Lothar, which swept across northern Europe at the end of December 1999. Nevertheless, in recent years various actors have been actively engaged in this area. Following a short presentation of the key aspects of the forestry and timber sector in Switzerland, which are of significance to this issue, this paper provides a detailed account of the «large-diameter wood» workshop in Lyss. This is followed by an exploration of some elements of the package of measures formulated at the time – with particular emphasis on the projects supported by the federal authorities – and an outline of the current status of their implementation. The next question that arises concerns the future: one topic which has not been explored in detail up to now is that of deciduous wood and its processing and use. Finally, conclusions are drawn from the debate that has taken place up to now and an attempt made to predict the outlook for the near future.

Feminist Perspective in Shashi Deshpande's “That Long Silence”

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ahashan ◽  
Dr. Sapna Tiwari
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equity ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Feminist Movement ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Simone De Beauvoir ◽  
Equal Rights ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Key Aspects

Man has always tried  to determine  and tamper the image of woman and especially her identity is manipulated and orchestrated. Whenever a woman is spoken of, it is always in the relation to man; she is presented as a wife , mother, daughter and even as a lover but never as a woman  a human being- a separate entity. Her entire life is idealized and her fundamental rights and especially her behaviour is engineered by the adherents of patriarchal society. Commenting  on the Man-woman relationship in a marital bond Simone de Beauvoir wrote in her epoch-making book entitled The Second Sex(1949): "It has been said that marriage diminishes man,  which is often true , but almost always it annihilates women". Feminist movement advocates the equal rights and equal opportunities for women. The true spirit of feminism is into look at women and men as human beings. There should not be gender bias or discrimination in familial and social life. To secure gender justice and gender equity is the key aspects of feminist movement. In India, women writers have come forward to voice their feminist approach to life and the patriarchal family set up. They believe that the very notion of gender is not only biotic and biologic episode but it has a social construction.

The crucial roles of the artificial information systems web in intelligent human organizations

2003 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-124
Author(s):  
Liang Thow Yick
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Collective Intelligence ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Intelligent Structure ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Human Thinking

Human organizations with human beings as interacting agents are complex adaptive systems. Such organizations continuously consume information, make decisions, and evolve with the changing environment. In this respect, all human organizations including businesses must enhance their collective intelligence in order to learn faster and compete more effectively. Thus, adopting an intelligent structure is vital to all businesses as the world moves deeper into the knowledge economy. The paradigmatic shift in thinking, structure, management and operation requires all intelligent human organizations to be designed around intelligence. An intelligent structure encompasses an orgmind, an intangible deep component, as well as a physical component. At the physical structure perspective, being able to identify, design and develop an artificial information systems network that synchronizes well with the orgmind is critical. The connectivity of the organization, and the manner in which it behaves, communicates and collaborates, depend on the effectiveness of its information systems network and its orgmind. The orgmind which is at least the collection of all the interacting human thinking systems must be fully aware of both the internal and external environments. Inevitably, in the new economy, intelligent human organizations must be equipped with a well-integrated intelligent information network which functions similarly to the nervous system in biological beings. This study examines the current status of artificial information systems and their networks in businesses with respect to the above concepts.

Vulnerability and Importance of Arctic Wetlands as large-scale nature-based solutions for Sustainability in a Changing Climate

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisie Kåresdotter ◽  
Zahra Kalantari
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Arctic Wetlands

<p>Wetlands as large-scale nature-based solutions (NBS) provide multiple ecosystem services of local, regional, and global importance. Knowledge concerning location and vulnerability of wetlands, specifically in the Arctic, is vital to understand and assess the current status and future potential changes in the Arctic. Using available high-resolution wetland databases together with datasets on soil wetness and soil types, we created the first high-resolution map with full coverage of Arctic wetlands. Arctic wetlands' vulnerability is assessed for the years 2050, 2075, and 2100 by utilizing datasets of permafrost extent and projected mean annual average temperature from HadGEM2-ES climate model outputs for three change scenarios (RCP2.6, 4.5, and 8.5). With approximately 25% of Arctic landmass covered with wetlands and 99% being in permafrost areas, Arctic wetlands are highly vulnerable to changes in all scenarios, apart from RCP2.6 where wetlands remain largely stable. Climate change threatens Arctic wetlands and can impact wetland functions and services. These changes can adversely affect the multiple services this sort of NBS can provide in terms of great social, economic, and environmental benefits to human beings. Consequently, negative changes in Arctic wetland ecosystems can escalate land-use conflicts resulting from natural capital exploitation when new areas become more accessible for use. Limiting changes to Arctic wetlands can help maintain their ecosystem services and limit societal challenges arising from thawing permafrost wetlands, especially for indigenous populations dependent on their ecosystem services. This study highlights areas subject to changes and provides useful information to better plan for a sustainable and social-ecological resilient Arctic.</p><p>Keywords: Arctic wetlands, permafrost thaw, regime shift vulnerability, climate projection</p>

Investigating when, which and why users stop using an e- and m-health intervention to promote an active lifestyle: A focus on HAPA-based psychosocial determinants. (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helene Schroé ◽  
Geert Crombez ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽  
Delfien Van Dyck
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Health Intervention ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Psychosocial Determinants ◽  
In The Beginning

BACKGROUND E- and m-health interventions have gained momentum to change health behaviours such as physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB). Although these interventions show promising results in terms of behaviour change, they still suffer from high attrition rates, resulting in a lower potential and reachability. In order to reduce attrition rates in the future, there is a need to investigate the reasons why individuals stop using e- and m-health interventions. Certain demographic variables have already been related to attrition in e- and m-health interventions, however the role of psychosocial determinants of behaviour change as predictors of attrition has not yet been fully explored. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine when, which and why users stop using an e- and m-health intervention. In particular, we aimed to investigate whether psychosocial determinants of behaviour change were predictors for attrition. METHODS The sample consisted of 473 healthy adults who participated in the e-and m-health intervention ‘MyPlan 2.0’ to promote PA or reduce SB. The intervention was developed using the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, which describes psychosocial determinants that guide individuals in changing their behaviour. If participants stopped with the intervention, a questionnaire with eight question concerning attrition was sent by email. To analyze when users stopped using the intervention, descriptive statistics were used per part of the intervention (including pre- and post-test measurements, and 5 website sessions). To analyze which users stopped using the intervention, demographic variables, behavioural status and HAPA-based psychosocial determinants at pre-test measurement were investigated as potential predictors of attrition using logistic regression models. To analyze why users stopped using the intervention, descriptive statistics of answers to the attrition related questionnaire were used. RESULTS The study demonstrated that 227 of the 473 (47,9%) participants stopped using the intervention, and drop out occurred mainly in the beginning of the intervention. The results seem to indicate that gender and participants’ scores on the psychosocial determinants action planning, coping planning and self-monitoring were predictors of first session, third session and/or whole intervention completion. The most endorsed reasons to stop with the intervention were the time-consuming nature of questionnaires, not having time, dissatisfaction with the content of the intervention, technical problems, already meeting the guidelines for PA/SB, and to a lesser extent the experience of medical/emotional problems. CONCLUSIONS This study provides some directions for future studies. To decrease attrition, it will be important to personalise interventions on different levels, questionnaires (either for research purposes or tailoring) should be kept to a minimum especially in the beginning of interventions by for example using objective monitoring devices, and technical aspects of e-and m-health interventions should be thoroughly tested in advance.

scholarly journals PLATÃO: AS PAIXÕES DA UNIDADE "CORPOALMA" SEGUNDO O TIMEU

Sapere Aude ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 31-42
Author(s):  
Maria Dulce Reis
Keyword(s):  
Human Body ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Human Actions ◽  
Doctoral Thesis ◽  
The Status ◽  
Present Text ◽  
Ethics And Politics

Uma das últimas obras escritas por Platão, o Timeu, nos parece um dos textos mais ricos para identificarmos o estatuto das paixões na filosofia de Platão: a origem dessas paixões/afecções, suas propriedades, seu papel no equilíbrio psíquico e na condução das ações humanas. Tal riqueza, profundidade e extensão teórica constituiu grande parte de nossa tese de doutoramento, que visou demonstrar a articulação entre Psicologia, Ética e Política nos diálogos República, Timeu e Leis. No presente texto, nos limitaremos a apresentar nossa interpretação a respeito de passagens da cosmologia do Timeu dedicadas a tratar da constituição da unidade corpoalma humana, o que inclui suas afecções. Nosso recorte limita-se a mostrar que as afecções – próprias ao que há de apetitivo, irascível e racional na unidade corpoalma humana – decorrem da encarnação, e o seu direcionamento psíquico é capaz de conduzir os seres humanos à saúde ou à doença, à virtude ou ao vício.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Platão. Filosofia Antiga. Psicologia. Páthos. ABSTRACT:One of the last works written by Plato, the Timaeus, seems to us one of the richest texts to identify the status of passions in Plato's philosophy: The origin of the passions/affections, their properties, their role in the psychic balance and the conduct of human actions. Such wealth, depth and theoretical extension constituted a large part of our doctoral thesis, that aimed to demonstrate the articulation between Psychology, Ethics, and Politics in the dialogues Republic, Timaeus, and Laws. In the present text, we shall confine ourselves to our interpretation of passages in the cosmology of the Timaeus devoted to the constitution of the human body-soul unity, which includes its affections. Our clipping is limited to showing that the affections - proper to that which is appetitive, irascible and rational in the human body-soul unity - elapsed from the incarnation and its psychic direction are capable of leading human beings to health or sickness, into virtue or vice.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Platão. Filosofia Antiga. Psicologia. Páthos.

CoA biosynthesis in archaea

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 427-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haruyuki Atomi ◽  
Hiroya Tomita ◽  
Takuya Ishibashi ◽  
Yuusuke Yokooji ◽  
Tadayuki Imanaka
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Domains Of Life ◽  
Near Future

CoA is a ubiquitous molecule in all three domains of life and is involved in various metabolic pathways. The enzymes and reactions involved in CoA biosynthesis in eukaryotes and bacteria have been identified. By contrast, the proteins/genes involved in CoA biosynthesis in archaea have not been fully clarified, and much has to be learned before we obtain a general understanding of how this molecule is synthesized. In the present paper, we review the current status of the research on CoA biosynthesis in the archaea, and discuss important questions that should be addressed in the near future.

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