Type IV culture or,is it possible to define a framework for universal creativity?

ABSTRACT

The radical limit of post-anthropocentric creativity is a mode of completely nonhuman creative endeavour. Yet, the anthropocentrism prevails and conceptions of radically different civilisations and cultures are defined by current human thought that shapes and limits the understanding of what a genuinely alternative cultural production might entail. This article uses the Kardashev scale of civilisations, classified according to energy consumption at the planetary, stellar and galactic scales to consider culture beyond the current limits of an inherently anthropocentric perspective. In considering microdimensional, informational and universal extensions of Kardashev's scale, critical reflections on the anthropocentric limits of cultural epistemology create an opportunity to posit a universal framework of creativity.     

Paternal and Maternal Information and Communication Technology Usage as Their Very Low Birth Weight Infants Transition Home From the NICU

Little is known about how differently mothers and fathers of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants use information and communication technology (ICT), especially during the vulnerable transition from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to home. This study aims to qualitatively compare and contrast the two groups’ usage of technology. In-depth, semistructured phone interviews were conducted with 25 parents of 16 VLBW infants who had been hospitalized in the NICU. Grounded theory facilitated the understanding of interview data. This article discusses the patterns that emerged around the use of ICT between the two groups and discusses the implications for health information seeking, privacy and misinformation, online social networking, learning technology, choosing a health care provider, and health care communication.     

Alterations in gap junction connexin43/connexin45 ratio mediate a transition from quiescence to excitation in a mathematical model of the myometrium

The smooth muscle cells of the uterus contract in unison during delivery. These cells achieve coordinated activity via electrical connections called gap junctions which consist of aggregated connexin proteins such as connexin43 and connexin45. The density of gap junctions governs the excitability of the myometrium (among other factors). An increase in gap junction density occurs immediately prior to parturition. We extend a mathematical model of the myometrium by incorporating the voltage-dependence of gap junctions that has been demonstrated in the experimental literature. Two functional subtypes exist, corresponding to systems with predominantly connexin43 and predominantly connexin45, respectively. Our simulation results indicate that the gap junction protein connexin45 acts as a negative modulator of uterine excitability, and hence, activity. A network with a higher proportion of connexin45 relative to connexin43 is unable to excite every cell. Connexin45 has much more rapid gating kinetics than connexin43 which we show limits the maximum duration of a local burst of activity. We propose that this effect regulates the degree of synchronous excitation attained during a contraction. Our results support the hypothesis that as labour approaches, connexin45 is downregulated to allow action potentials to spread more readily through the myometrium.     

Rank normalization of impact factors will resolve Vanclay’s dilemma with TRIF

The ThomsonReuters impact factor is a viable, widely used and informative measure of journal visibility and frequency of use. It is accurate, transparent and easy to use. It is a live and evolving system, that can broaden its scope and implement new features and methods. Some of Vanclay’s suggestions, like wider use of order statistics, or our suggestion of rank normalization might be implemented by JCR in the future.     

Call classification using recurrent neural networks, support vector machines and finite state automata

Our objective is spoken-language classification for helpdesk call routing using a scanning understanding and intelligent-system techniques. In particular, we examine simple recurrent networks, support-vector machines and finite-state transducers for their potential in this spoken-language-classification task and we describe an approach to classification of recorded operator-assistance telephone utterances. The main contribution of the paper is a comparison of a variety of techniques in the domain of call routing. Support-vector machines and transducers are shown to have some potential for spoken-language classification, but the performance of the neural networks indicates that a simple recurrent network performs best for helpdesk call routing. Sheila Garfield received a BSc (Hons) in computing from the University of Sunderland in 2000 where, as part of her programme of study, she completed a project associated with aphasic language processing. She received her PhD from the same university, in 2004, for a programme of work connected with hybrid intelligent systems and spoken-language processing. In her PhD thesis, she collaborated with British Telecom and suggested a novel hybrid system for call routing. Her research interests are natural language processing, hybrid systems, intelligent systems. Stefan Wermter holds the Chair in Intelligent Systems and is leading the Intelligent Systems Division at the University of Sunderland, UK. His research interests are intelligent systems, neural networks, cognitive neuroscience, hybrid systems, language processing and learning robots. He has a diploma from the University of Dortmund, Germany, an MSc from the University of Massachusetts, USA, and a PhD in habilitation from the University of Hamburg, Germany, all in Computer Science. He was a Research Scientist at Berkeley, CA, before joining the University of Sunderland. Professor Wermter has written edited, or contributed to 8 books and published about 80 articles on this research area.     

Determining subsea permafrost characteristics with a cone penetrometer — Prudhoe Bay,Alaska

Sediments beneath the Beaufort Sea near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, were probed at 27 sites using a static cone penetrometer to determine engineering properties and distribution of material types, including ice-bonded sediments. The probe, designed and constructed at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, provided both point and casing resistance data and thermal profiles. At five sites these data were correlated with information from adjacent drilled and sampled holes. These control data and the quality of the probe information permitted profiles of sediment type and occurrence of ice-bonded material to be developed along three lines that included various geological features and depositional environments.Material properties were quite variable in the upper 14 m of sediments probed. In general, softer, finer-grained sediments occurred in the upper layers, while penetration refusal was met in stiff gravels 10 to 12 m below the seabed.Seabed temperatures during the study were all below 0°C. However, because of uncertainties in freezing point values caused by brines, evaluation of the penetration resistance data was required to identify the occurrence of ice-bonded sediments. The coupling of thermal and penetration resistance data revealed that seasonally ice-bonded sediments occurred where the sea ice froze back to or near the seabed. Deeper, perennially frozen sediments also appeared to be present at several probe sites.     

Effectiveness of psychotherapy: The perennial controversy.

Reviews a number of important reviews of research on outcome in psychotherapy and evaluates the various critiques of these reviews and the issues involved. Although a number of important limitations in both existing research and the reviews of research are indicated, it is claimed that the different evaluations of the effectiveness of psychotherapy are influenced in part by the personal views of the individuals involved. It is argued that what is needed to help resolve past and current controversies is research that leads to a better understanding of the variables that produce change. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mental health services in Louisiana school-based health centers post-Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Louisiana school-based health centers (SBHCs) were called on to respond to a sharp increase in mental health needs, especially for displaced students coping with grief, loss, trauma, and uncertainty. To assess the impact of the hurricanes on the students and the needs of SBHC mental health providers (MHPs), we surveyed MHPs in each of the SBHCs under the auspices of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health. SBHC practitioners from around the state reported that mental health service utilization rose during the 2005-2006 school year, but utilization of services increased most significantly in schools receiving the majority of displaced students. Anxiety and adjustment problems were noted as increasing the most following the hurricanes. A multitude of other conditions was also reported. By the time of this survey in April 2006, the reported prevalence of most symptoms had declined, but all remained above their pre-hurricane levels. Self-reported needs of SBHC MHPs are also discussed in light of the major natural disasters. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Issues in preparing an edited volume in psychology.

Discusses the factors that should be considered when preparing to edit a high-quality, scholarly psychology book. The issues discussed include the book editor–publisher relationship, the book editor–chapter contributor relationship, and what makes a good final product. Three laws of editing are offered: (1) conceptualize clearly; (2) edit fiercely; and (3) edit for the reader, not the writer. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)