Humans have great locomotor adaptability to environmental demands, which has been investigated using a split-belt treadmill with belts on both the left and right sides. Thus far, neuromuscular control in split-belt locomotor adaptation has been evaluated by analyzing muscle activities at the individual muscle level. Meanwhile, in the motor control field, the muscle synergy concept has been proposed. Muscle synergies are considered the fundamental building blocks of movement and are groups of coactive muscles and time-varying activation patterns, thereby, reflecting the (...) neurophysiological characteristics of movement. To date, it remains unclear how such muscle synergies change during the adaptation and de-adaptation processes on the split-belt treadmill. Hence, we chronologically extracted muscle synergies while walking on the split-belt treadmill and examined changes in the number, muscle weightings, and temporal activation patterns of muscle synergies. Twelve healthy young males participated, and surface electromyography signals were recorded bilaterally from 13 lower-limb muscles. Muscle synergies were extracted by applying non-negative matrix factorization to the EMG data of each leg. We found that during split-belt walking, the number of synergies in the slow leg increased while an extra synergy appeared and disappeared in the fast leg. Additionally, the areas under the temporal activation patterns in several synergies in both legs decreased. When both belts returned to the same speed, a decrease in the number of synergies and an increase in the areas under the temporal activation patterns of several synergies were temporally shown in each leg. Subsequently, the number of synergies and the areas under the temporal activation patterns returned to those of normal walking before split-belt walking. Thus, changes in the number, muscle weightings, and temporal activation patterns of synergies were noted in the split-belt locomotor adaptation, suggesting that the adaptation and de-adaptation occurred at the muscle synergy level. (shrink)

Der Lehrstuhl für Christentumswissenschaft (Kirisutokyōgaku) an der Kaiserlichen Universität Kyoto wurde 1922 als Stiftungslehrstuhl gegründet. Die Gründung der Christentumswissenschaft in Kyoto erfolgte in einer spezifischen bildungspolitischen Konstellation: Es ging um die spannungsreichen Beziehung zwischen staatlichen Hochschulen und den Religionsgemeinschaften sowie um die Ansprüche einer dezidiert nationalen Politik. Der erste Inhaber des Lehrstuhls war einer der prominentesten japanischen Ideenhistoriker und Philosophen, Seiichi Hatano (1877–1950). Für Hatano gab es keinen Unterschied zwischen Theologie und Christentumswissenschaft. Er wandte die historische Methode auf die Forschung (...) zum frühen Christentum an, die er von deutschen Theologen gelernt hatte. Besonders stark hatte ihn die Religionsgeschichtliche Schule beeinflusst. Als Philosoph entwickelte Hatano eine Religionsphilosophie, die auf der Idee der Persönlichkeit basierte. Das starke Interesse am Thema “Persönlichkeit” hatte er auch mit den deutschen Theologen gemeinsam. Andererseits kritisierte Hatano den liberalen Protestantismus in Deutschland scharf. Dennoch wurde seine Haltung, mit der er die Vorgänger und Zeitgenossen “voraussetzungslos” kritisiert hatte, von führenden Vertretern des liberalen Protestantismus in Deutschland angenommen. (shrink)

Der Lehrstuhl für Christentumswissenschaft (Kirisutokyōgaku) an der Kaiserlichen Universität Kyoto wurde 1922 als Stiftungslehrstuhl gegründet. Die Gründung der Christentumswissenschaft in Kyoto erfolgte in einer spezifischen bildungspolitischen Konstellation: Es ging um die spannungsreichen Beziehung zwischen staatlichen Hochschulen und den Religionsgemeinschaften sowie um die Ansprüche einer dezidiert nationalen Politik. Der erste Inhaber des Lehrstuhls war einer der prominentesten japanischen Ideenhistoriker und Philosophen, Seiichi Hatano (1877–1950). Für Hatano gab es keinen Unterschied zwischen Theologie und Christentumswissenschaft. Er wandte die historische Methode auf die Forschung (...) zum frühen Christentum an, die er von deutschen Theologen gelernt hatte. Besonders stark hatte ihn die Religionsgeschichtliche Schule beeinflusst. Als Philosoph entwickelte Hatano eine Religionsphilosophie, die auf der Idee der Persönlichkeit basierte. Das starke Interesse am Thema “Persönlichkeit” hatte er auch mit den deutschen Theologen gemeinsam. Andererseits kritisierte Hatano den liberalen Protestantismus in Deutschland scharf. Dennoch wurde seine Haltung, mit der er die Vorgänger und Zeitgenossen “voraussetzungslos” kritisiert hatte, von führenden Vertretern des liberalen Protestantismus in Deutschland angenommen. (shrink)

This article offers a new interpretation of Plato’s method of collection and division as formulated in the Phaedrus, in light of a detailed examination of the surrounding context. It argues that Socrates carefully distinguishes the characteristic operations of the method from its applications. It shows that collection and division are to be construed independently of one another, and that the collection of F-ness is equivalent to the procedure for the definition of F-ness; and it clarifies three kinds of application that (...) are mentioned in the Phaedrus: simple definition, definition supplemented with division, and scientific analysis. (shrink)

Why are diagrams sometimes so useful, while other times unhelpful and even misguiding? There are systematic reasons for this. Drawing on modern research in logic, Artificial Intelligence, cognitive psychology, and graphic design, "Semantic Properties of Diagrams and their Cognitive Potentials" shows that diagrams' cognitive functions are rooted in the characteristic ways they carry information about their targets. The analysis leads to an answer for the deeper question of What makes a diagram a diagram?, which is of crucial importance to the (...) foundation of a collective science of diagrams. ". (shrink)

Background A baby hatch called the “Stork’s Cradle” has been in place at Jikei Hospital in Kumamoto City, Japan, since May 10, 2007. Babyklappes were first established in Germany in 2000, and there are currently more than 90 locations. Attitudes regarding baby hatches are divided in Japan and neither opinions for nor against baby hatches have thus far been overwhelming. To consider the appropriateness of baby hatches, we present and examine the validity of each major objection to establishing baby hatches. (...) Discussion There are various objections to baby hatches as follows: It violates a child’s right to know the identity of his or her biological parents by allowing anonymous birth; it neglects fulfillment of the biological parents’ basic obligation to raise their child and its very availability induces abandonment of infants; some people abuse it for very selfish reasons; it cannot save babies’ lives; the rights of one parent can be ignored if the other surrenders a child without his or her consent; it puts a baby in medical jeopardy; and it has no clear legal basis. The authors would argue that there are many plausible refutations for each objection mainly based on priority of child’s right to life, pregnant women’s vulnerability and necessity of anonymity, social responsibility to protect and raise children, differences between dropping a child off at a baby hatch and child neglect, limited function of social childcare center, inevitability of abuse by a minority of people, necessary distinction between outcomes that occur only because baby hatches exist and those that occur regardless of their existence, important local direct and upmost measures for women in trouble, and difference between ambiguous legality and illegality. Summary We argue that a certain number of baby hatches should continue to be established as a last resort, in a form that can maintain anonymity if the parent dropping the child off so desires. It should be supported if it is initiated with good intentions; if the maximum possible effort is made at said facility to protect the interests, rights, and safety of the child; and if no clear evidence of harm exists. (shrink)

Der Aufsatz behandelt das Konzept der „Christentumswissenschaft“ (Kirisutokyo gaku) Tetsutarō Arigas, der der erste Dekan der Theologischen Fakultät an Doshisha Universität gewesen war und nach dem zweiten Weltkrieg auf den Lehrstuhl für Christentumswissenschaft an der Kyoto Universität berufen wurde. Ariga stammte aus einer „monotheistischen“ Familie mit einem muslimischen Vater und einer christlichen Mutter. Nachdem er an der Doshisha Universität graduierte, studierte er am Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. Es ist zu vermuten, dass Ariga aufgrund seiner liberalen (...) demokratischen Gesinnung auf den Lehrstuhl an der Kyoto Universität berufen wurde. In der Einleitung in die Christentumswissenschaft unterschied Ariga zwischen der Christentumswissenschaft an der nationalen Universität und der Theologie an den privaten Universitäten. Ariga als Christentumswissenschaftler hat ohne die kirchlichen Autoritäten historisch-kritisch das Christentum erforscht, während er als Theologe sich mit pragmatischen Aufgaben, z. B. Ökumenismus, beschäftigt hat. Aus der Spannung zwischen der Christentumswissenschaft und der Theologie erzeugte er seine reichen wissenschaftlichen Leistungen. (shrink)

Semantic studies on diagrammatic notations (Barwise & Etchemendy, ; Shimojima, ; Stenning & Lemon, ) have revealed that the “non-deductive,” “emergent,” or “perceptual” effects of diagrams (Chandrasekaran, Kurup, Banerjee, Josephson, & Winkler, ; Kulpa, ; Larkin & Simon, ; Lindsay, ) are all rooted in the exploitation of spatial constraints on graphical structures. Thus, theoretically, this process is a key factor in inference with diagrams, explaining the frequently observed reduction of inferential load. The purpose of this study was to examine (...) the empirical basis for this theoretical suggestion, focusing on the reality of the constraint-exploitation strategy in actual practices of diagrammatic reasoning. Eye movements were recorded while participants used simple position diagrams to solve three- or four-term transitive inference problems. Our experiments revealed that the participants could exploit spatial constraints on graphical structures even when (a) they were not in the position of actually manipulating diagrams, (b) the semantic rule for the provided diagrams did not match their preferences, and (c) the constraint-exploitation strategy invited a partly adverse effect. These findings indicate that the hypothesized process is in fact robust, with the potential to broadly account for the inferential advantage of diagrams. (shrink)

朝鮮史上最も偉大な思想家とされる李退渓(イテゲェ)(1501-70)の知られざる素顔と数々の「謎」を解明する画期的研究。.

Novel functions, which emerge by reusing existing resources formerly adapted to other original usages, cannot be anticipated before the need eventually arises. Simple reuse must be accidental. However, to survive the evolutionary race, one cannot merely keep hoping for a string of good fortune. So, successful species might be gifted with and biological mechanisms to prepare for future reuse. Neural reuse must be extrapolated from such mechanisms.

Eye contact plays a critical role in many aspects of face processing, including the processing of smiles. We propose that this is achieved by a subcortical route, which is activated by eye contact and modulates the cortical areas involve in social cognition, including the processing of facial expression. This mechanism could be impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Researchers have claimed that the absence of a biological father accelerates the daughter’s menarche. This claim was assessed by employing a large and nationally representative sample of Indonesian women. We analyzed 11,138 ever-married women aged 15+ in the Indonesian Family Life Survey 2015. We regressed age at menarche on the interaction of father absence and mother absence at age 12 with or without childhood covariates. For robustness checks, we performed a power analysis, re-ran the same specification for various subgroups, and (...) varied the independent variable of interest. All results produced a null relation between father absence and age at menarche. The power analysis suggests that a false negative was unlikely. Our review of the literature indicates that the claim of the relation between father absence and earlier menarche was based on weak statistical foundations. Other studies with higher-quality datasets tended to find no relation, and our results replicated this tendency. Therefore, the influence of father absence does not appear to be universal. (shrink)

Profit Sharing is one of the reinforcement learning methods. An agent, as a learner, selects an action with a state-action value and receives rewards when it reaches a goal state. Then it distributes receiving rewards to state-action values. This paper discusses how to set the initial value of a state-action value. A distribution function ƒ( x ) is called as the reinforcement function. On Profit Sharing, an agent learns a policy by distributing rewards with the reinforcement function. On Markov Decision (...) Processes (MDPs), the reinforcement function ƒ( x ) = 1/ L x is useful, and on Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs), ƒ( x ) = 1/ L w is useful, where L is the sufficient number of rules at each state, and W is the length of an episode. If episodes are always long, the value of the reinforcement function is little. So the differences of rule values become little, and the agent learns little by using the roulette selection as an action selection. This problem is called as Learning Speed Problem. If the value of the reinforcement function for an action is very higher than its state-action value, an agent will not select other action. There is a problem when its action is not a optimal action. This problem is called as Past Experiences Problem. This paper shows that both Learning Speed Problem and Past Experiences Problem are caused by the bad setting between the initial values of a state-action values and the function values of a reinforcement function. We propose how to set the initial values of a state-action values at each state. The experiment shows that an agent can learn correctly even if the length of episode is large. And shows the effectiveness on both MDPs and POMDPs. Our proposed method focuses on the initialization of state-action values and does not limit reinforcement functions. So it can apply to any reinforcement function. (shrink)

The topic of this article is the convergence of the fundamental theoretical intuitions of two independent currents of Christian philosophy at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Italian Catholic spiritualism and the internally diversified current of the Russian religious philosophical Renaissance proved to be convergent in their ontological realism based on the metaphysics of cognition. This consonance undermines the stereotype about the total difference between the Russian Orthodox and the Western Catholic mentality. The article tries to show that (...) these two denominations both drew inspiration from the Patristic heritage and that, contrary to all appearances, Russian religious philosophy owes much to the Augustinian tradition. The paper reminds the discovery of this convergence made by Vladimir Ern, and discusses certain elements of the teachings of Vladimir Solovyev and Evgenii Troubetzkoy in comparison with the basic philosophical intuitions of the Italian philosopher Antonio Rosmini. (shrink)