Modal View Research Articles

A priori intuition and transcendental necessity in Kant's idealism

AbstractI examine how Kant argues for the transcendental ideality of space. I defend a reading on which Kant accepts the ideality of space because it explains our (actual) knowledge that mathematical judgments are necessarily true. I argue that this reading is preferable over the alternative suggestion that Kant can infer the ideality of space directly from the fact that we have an a priori intuition of space. Moreover, I argue that the reading I propose does not commit Kant to incoherent modal views. If we carefully distinguish between different senses of modality, the fact that our spatial form of intuition is (in some sense) contingent does not undermine the claim that this form can explain how our mathematical judgments are (in some sense) necessary.

A unified view of modalities in type systems

We propose to unify the treatment of a broad range of modalities in typed lambda calculi. We do so by defining a generic structure of modalities, and show that this structure arises naturally from the structure of intuitionistic logic, and as such finds instances in a wide range of type systems previously described in literature. Despite this generality, this structure has a rich metatheory, which we expose.

Application of Clustering Algorithms to TRMM Precipitation over the Tropical and South Pacific Ocean

AbstractUnderstanding multiscale rainfall variability in the South Pacific convergence zone (SPCZ), a southeastward-oriented band of precipitating deep convection in the South Pacific, is critical for both the human and natural systems dependent on its rainfall, and for interpreting similar off-equatorial diagonal convection zones around the globe. A k-means clustering method is applied to daily austral summer (December–February) Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite rainfall to extract representative spatial patterns of rainfall over the SPCZ region for the period 1998–2013. For a k = 4 clustering, pairs of clusters differ predominantly via spatial translation of the SPCZ diagonal, reflecting either warm or cool phases of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Within each of these ENSO phase pairs, one cluster exhibits intense precipitation along the SPCZ while the other features weakened rainfall. Cluster temporal behavior is analyzed to investigate higher-frequency forcings (e.g., the Madden–Julian oscillation and synoptic-scale disturbances) that trigger deep convection where SSTs are sufficiently warm. Pressure-level winds and specific humidity from the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis are composited with respect to daily cluster assignment to investigate differences between active and quiescent SPCZ conditions to reveal the conditions supporting enhanced or suppressed SPCZ precipitation, such as low-level poleward moisture transport from the equator. Empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of TRMM precipitation are computed to relate the “modal view” of SPCZ variability associated with the EOFs to the “state view” associated with the clusters. Finally, the cluster number is increased to illustrate the change in TRMM rainfall patterns as additional degrees of freedom are permitted.

Modal interpretation of tense in subjunctive conditionals

The paper gives an account of the meaning of subjunctive conditionals according to which the past tense receives a modal interpretation. The view allows the worlds of the antecedent to include the world of the context of utterance, and thus it avoids a problem pointed out by Mackay (2015) for previous modal views of the past tense in subjunctive conditionals. I argue that it also explains a variety of facts about the relationship among subjunctive morphology, counterfactuality, and presupposition. EARLY ACCESS

What the Future ‘Might’ Brings

AbstractThis paper concerns a puzzle about the interaction of epistemic modals and future tense. In cases of predictable forgetfulness, speakers cannot describe their future states of mind with epistemic modals under future tense, but promising theories of epistemic modals do not predict this. In §1, I outline the puzzle. In §2, I argue that it undermines a very general approach to epistemic modals that draws a tight connection between epistemic modality and evidence. In §3, I defend the assumption that tense can indeed scope over epistemic modals. In §4, I outline a new way of determining the domain of quantification of epistemic modals: epistemic modals quantify over the worlds compatible with the information accumulated within a certain interval. Information loss can change which interval is relevant for determining the domain. In §5, I defend the view from some objections. In §6, I explore the connections between my view of epistemic modality and circumstantial modality.

Decision-Centered Design of Patient Information Visualizations to Support Chronic Pain Care.

For complex patients with chronic conditions, electronic health records (EHRs) contain large amounts of relevant historical patient data. To use this information effectively, clinicians may benefit from visual information displays that organize and help them make sense of information on past and current treatments, outcomes, and new treatment options. Unfortunately, few clinical decision support tools are designed to support clinical sensemaking. The objective of this study was to describe a decision-centered design process, and resultant interactive patient information displays, to support key clinical decision requirements in chronic noncancer pain care. To identify key clinical decision requirements, we conducted critical decision method interviews with 10 adult primary care clinicians. Next, to identify key information needs and decision support design seeds, we conducted a half-day multidisciplinary design workshop. Finally, we designed an interactive prototype to support the key clinical decision requirements and information needs uncovered during the previous research activities. The resulting Chronic Pain Treatment Tracker prototype summarizes the current treatment plan, past treatment history, potential future treatments, and treatment options to be cautious about. Clinicians can access additional details about each treatment, current or past, through modal views. Additional decision support for potential future treatments and treatments to be cautious about is also provided through modal views. This study designed the Chronic Pain Treatment Tracker, a novel approach to decision support that presents clinicians with the information they need in a structure that promotes quick uptake, understanding, and action.

Real-Time Dense Reconstruction of Tissue Surface From Stereo Optical Video.

We propose an approach to reconstruct dense three-dimensional (3D) model of tissue surface from stereo optical videos in real-time, the basic idea of which is to first extract 3D information from video frames by using stereo matching, and then to mosaic the reconstructed 3D models. To handle the common low-texture regions on tissue surfaces, we propose effective post-processing steps for the local stereo matching method to enlarge the radius of constraint, which include outliers removal, hole filling, and smoothing. Since the tissue models obtained by stereo matching are limited to the field of view of the imaging modality, we propose a model mosaicking method by using a novel feature-based simultaneously localization and mapping (SLAM) method to align the models. Low-texture regions and the varying illumination condition may lead to a large percentage of feature matching outliers. To solve this problem, we propose several algorithms to improve the robustness of the SLAM, which mainly include 1) a histogram voting-based method to roughly select possible inliers from the feature matching results; 2) a novel 1-point RANSAC-based [Formula: see text] algorithm called as DynamicR1PP [Formula: see text] to track the camera motion; and 3) a GPU-based iterative closest points (ICP) and bundle adjustment (BA) method to refine the camera motion estimation results. Experimental results on ex- and in vivo data showed that the reconstructed 3D models have high-resolution texture with an accuracy error of less than 2 mm. Most algorithms are highly parallelized for GPU computation, and the average runtime for processing one key frame is 76.3 ms on stereo images with 960×540 resolution.

Contingent composition as identity

When the necessity of identity (NI) is combined with composition as identity (CAI), the contingency of composition (CC) is at risk. In the extant literature, either NI is seen as the basis for a refutation of CAI or CAI is associated with a theory of modality, such that: either NI is renounced (if counterpart theory is adopted); or CC is renounced (if the theory of modal parts is adopted). In this paper, we investigate the prospects of a new variety of CAI, which aims to preserve both NI and CC. This new variety of CAI (CCAI, contingent composition as identity) is the quite natural product of the attempt to make sense of CAI on the background of a broadly Kripkean view of modality, such that one and the same entity is allowed to exist at more than one possible world. CCAI introduces a world-relative kind of identity, which is different from standard identity, and claims that composition is this kind of world-relative identity. CCAI manages to preserve NI and CC. We compare CCAI with Gibbard’s and Gallois’ doctrines of contingent identity and we show that CCAI can be sensibly interpreted as a form of Weak CAI, that is of the thesis that composition is not standard identity, yet is significantly similar to it.

Essence and logical properties

Since Kit Fine presented his counter-examples to the standard versions of the modal view, many have been convinced that the standard versions of the modal view are not adequate. However, the scope of Fine’s argument has not been fully appreciated. In this paper, I aim to carry Fine’s argument to its logical conclusion and argue that once we embrace the intuition underlying his counter-examples, we have to hold that properties obtained, totally or partially, by application of logical operations are not essential to non-logical entities. I also demonstrate that most of the post-Finean versions of the modal view, which were developed to accommodate Fine’s counter-examples, entail that such properties are essential to the entities, and so fail to capture the notion of essence at issue in Fine’s counter-examples. Additionally, I explore the consequence of my argument for Fine’s proposed logic of essence. The logic turns out to be inadequate in its present shape as it represents such properties to be essential to the entities. I conclude by developing a modification to the logic to overcome the shortcoming.

Understanding quantum phenomena and quantum theories

In this paper I examine the extent to which recent work in information-theoretic foundations of quantum mechanics can be thought to facilitate understanding, either of quantum phenomena or quantum theory. To do so I utilize the modal view of understanding phenomena. I extend this view to develop an analysis of understanding of theories. The extended modal view of understanding provides a unified view of recent work in information-theoretic foundations of quantum mechanics and explains how it facilitates understanding.

A flexible graphical model for multi-modal parcellation of the cortex

Advances in neuroimaging have provided a tremendous amount of in-vivo information on the brain's organisation. Its anatomy and cortical organisation can be investigated from the point of view of several imaging modalities, many of which have been studied for mapping functionally specialised cortical areas. There is strong evidence that a single modality is not sufficient to fully identify the brain's cortical organisation. Combining multiple modalities in the same parcellation task has the potential to provide more accurate and robust subdivisions of the cortex. Nonetheless, existing brain parcellation methods are typically developed and tested on single modalities using a specific type of information. In this paper, we propose Graph-based Multi-modal Parcellation (GraMPa), an iterative framework designed to handle the large variety of available input modalities to tackle the multi-modal parcellation task. At each iteration, we compute a set of parcellations from different modalities and fuse them based on their local reliabilities. The fused parcellation is used to initialise the next iteration, forcing the parcellations to converge towards a set of mutually informed modality specific parcellations, where correspondences are established. We explore two different multi-modal configurations for group-wise parcellation using resting-state fMRI, diffusion MRI tractography, myelin maps and task fMRI. Quantitative and qualitative results on the Human Connectome Project database show that integrating multi-modal information yields a stronger agreement with well established atlases and more robust connectivity networks that provide a better representation of the population.

Medical Image Fusion: A Literature Review Present Solutions and Future Directions

In the current era of technological development, medical imaging plays an important role in many applications of medical diagnosis and therapy. This requires more accurate images with much more details and information for correct medical diagnosis and therapy. Medical image fusion is one of the solutions for obtaining both high spatial and high spectral information in a single image. Multimodal medical image fusion provides a remarkable improvement in the fused image quality. This review paper covers the following items, the basic definition of the image fusion process, applications, advantages, and disadvantages of fusion procedures, A short summery of radiological imaging modalities, usage, applications, and observed advantages and disadvantages of each modality is introduced to provide a comprehensive view of medical imaging modalities. Through this, a hybrid imaging combinations are suggested for better Image visualization for different human organs. The paper ends with some novel trends in the medical image fusion topic.

Optimization of the dynamic behavior of vehicle structures by means of passive interface controls

As a form of passive control, padding rubber layers onto the most heavily deformed zones of a system can improve the dynamic behavior and the acoustic comfort of a vehicle system. This paper proposes an extensive hybrid modal synthesis method in order to study coupled fluid-structure systems, in retaining a few degrees of freedom. Modal criteria, corresponding to noise transmission paths between substructures in the system, have been derived to characterize the dynamic phenomenon from a modal view. These criteria were then substituted by Kriging interpolation models to avoid prohibitive simulation steps during optimization of the complex system. Once the mathematical models of the investigated modal criteria were established and the multi-objective functions for rubber characteristics defined, an approximate optimal solution leading to superior dynamic performance could be obtained based on a genetic algorithm. The analytical results and numerical experiments conducted have also justified the efficiency of our proposed strategy.

Experiments on vibration control of a piezoelectric laminated paraboloidal shell

A paraboloidal shell plays a key role in aerospace and optical structural systems applied to large optical reflector, communications antenna, rocket fairing, missile radome, etc. Due to the complexity of analytical procedures, an experimental study of active vibration control of a piezoelectric laminated paraboloidal shell by positive position feedback is carried out. Sixteen PVDF patches are laminated inside and outside of the shell, in which eight of them are used as sensors and eight as actuators to control the vibration of the first two natural modes. Lower natural frequencies and vibration modes of the paraboloidal shell are obtained via the frequency response function analysis by Modal VIEW software. A mathematical model of the control system is formulated by means of parameter identification. The first shell mode is controlled as well as coupled the first and second modes based on the positive position feedback (PPF) algorithm. To minimize the control energy consumption in orbit, an adaptive modal control method is developed in this study by using the PPF in laboratory experiments. The control system collects vibration signals from the piezoelectric sensors to identify location(s) of the largest vibration amplitudes and then select the best two from eight PVDF actuators to apply control forces so that the modal vibration suppression could be accomplished adaptively and effectively.

How Brazilian learners express modality through verbs and adverbs in their writing: a corpus-based study on n-grams

Based on the view of modality in the theoretical framework of descriptive syntax, this study examined a corpus of learners compared with a corpus of native speakers of English, aiming to identify different patterns of expression of modal meanings, particularly, adverbs and modal verbs. Therefore, the study focused its analysis on n-grams containing modal verbs and adverbs that express modality. This analysis revealed the prevalence of epistemic values in both corpora, and the existence of distinct patterns in the expression of this type of modality. In the non-native corpus, the expression of modality is restricted when compared to the native speakers'. In the corpus of native speakers, there was a prevalence of adverbs with modalizing meanings. In addition, learners tend to use some modal verbs differently. This study may contribute to the emerging field of corpora linguistic studies as well as to the area of syntax, with possible implications for the teaching of academic writing in English.

A Use of New Questionnaire Based Tool for Evaluation of Medical Student’s Satisfaction Regarding Their Final Professorial Surgical Appointment at Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

Introduction: Faculty of Medicine University of Ruhuna, Located in southern coastal town of Galle is one of 10 state owned medical faculties in Sri Lanka. . Surgical curriculum consist of lectures, Tutorials, ward classes as well as clinical appointments scattered through last 3 years. The Final year two-month professorial surgical appointment is meant to ensure that Graduates have acquired rounded knowledge and key skills in surgery to pass out to become safe and competent intern house officers. No formal study has been conducted to assess the student perspectives regarding this appointment. Methodology: Purpose of this study is to evaluate the student component of the 360 degree assessment regarding the effectiveness of teaching programme of professorial surgical clinical appointment using a questionnaire consist of five components. Results: Vast majority of students answered the questionnaire (range 130-136 except concerning requirement to modify end appointment assessment method when responding number fell to 118). Components A is aimed to evaluate students view of professorial appointment and its usefulness for different components of final MBBS examination .Over 84% marked generally useful and above for all the components of final MBBS examination. Highest was for short cases at 96.1% while lowest figures were for long cases (84.4%). Component B is to assess view of different modalities of clinical teaching encounters during professorial appointment and its usefulness for improving surgical knowledge and a good pass at final mbbs. 97.8% thought elective ward rounds were generally useful or above while lowest was obtained by emergency theatre teaching (84%). Component C has six questions aimed to assess student satisfaction of quantity of particular sessions. 89.3% were satisfied about number of clinic teaching sessions which fell towards short case practice sessions (73.8%), theatre teaching sessions (59.2%) and endoscopy sessions (58.9%). D is a single question about their satisfaction of end appointment assessment method and any modifications required.46.5% thought continuous assessment method require modifications. Component E assesses the overall effectiveness of the surgery appointment in functioning as an intern medical officer effectively. 81.8% marked generally useful and above. Conclusions: Significant majority of students were satisfied in most of the components of final year professorial appointment while certain drawbacks became apparent such as insufficient number of endoscopic and Operating Theatre sessions. The designed Performa appears to be a satisfactory tool to assess student satisfaction about a final year professorial clinical appointment and more studies and further modifications may result in its validation even for other clinical appointments.

New Thematic Series

HomeCirculationVol. 130, No. 20New Thematic Series Free AccessResearch ArticlePDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toFree AccessResearch ArticlePDF/EPUBNew Thematic SeriesRecent Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension Jane A. Leopold, MD and Bradley A. Maron, MD Jane A. LeopoldJane A. Leopold Co-Series Editors Search for more papers by this author and Bradley A. MaronBradley A. Maron Co-Series Editors Search for more papers by this author Originally published11 Nov 2014https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.013548Circulation. 2014;130:1771Pulmonary hypertension is associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality in patients with World Health Organization Group 1 pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery hypertension) as well as Groups 2 to 5 pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary hypertension attributable to left heart disease, lung disease, thromboembolic disease, and miscellaneous causes, respectively). Historically, the underlying cause of pulmonary hypertension coupled with a defining hemodynamic profile has been used for the clinical classification of patients into different groups, in part, to facilitate management. Over the past several years, advances in the field have increased our understanding of the pathobiology, clinical course, and treatment outcomes for patients with pulmonary hypertension. Along these lines, recent findings from randomized, clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy of novel therapeutics and expanded treatment options for this important cardiopulmonary disease.In this thematic series in Circulation on Recent Advances in Pulmonary Hypertension, a group of experts will discuss progress in the field and remaining controversies that are likely to have broad applicability to patients with different forms of pulmonary hypertension. The topics reviewed will cover practical considerations in the care of patients with pulmonary hypertension, such as clinical diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, use of noninvasive imaging to evaluate pulmonary vascular-right ventricular function, and the role of mechanical support for the failing right ventricle. Next, select populations of patients with pulmonary hypertension who clinicians may encounter in practice will be discussed, including patients with congenital heart disease, human immunodeficiency virus, or those who develop pulmonary hypertension as a consequence of exposure to high altitude. The series will also provide a focused review of current end points used in clinical trials and their attendant limitations as a consideration for how to interpret findings from previous studies as well as design future trials in this field. Finally, recent translational advances with clinical implications for patients with pulmonary hypertension in the areas of cellular metabolism, neurohumoral signaling, and sex hormones will be reviewed. Together, the reviews in this series aim to provide the reader with a state-of-the art view of diagnostic modalities and therapeutic interventions as well as an introduction to new frontiers in the care of patients afflicted with this heterogeneous and complex disease. Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails November 11, 2014Vol 130, Issue 20 Advertisement Article InformationMetrics © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.013548 Originally publishedNovember 11, 2014 PDF download Advertisement SubjectsHeart Failure

The modal view of essence

According to the modal view, essence admits of reductive analysis in exclusively modal terms. Fine (1994) argues that modal view delivers an inadequate analysis of essence. This paper defends the modal view from Fine's challenge. This defense proceeds by examining the disagreement between Finean primitivists and Quinean eliminativists about essence. In order to model this disagreement, a distinction between essence and a separable concept, nature, is required. This distinction is then used to show that Fine's challenge is misdirected and therefore unsuccessful.

Inherently Ambiguous: Facial Expressions of Emotions, in Context

With a few yet increasing number of exceptions, the cognitive sciences enthusiastically endorsed the idea that there are basic facial expressions of emotions that are created by specific configurations of facial muscles. We review evidence that suggests an inherent role for context in emotion perception. Context does not merely change emotion perception at the edges; it leads to radical categorical changes. The reviewed findings suggest that configurations of facial muscles are inherently ambiguous, and they call for a different approach towards the understanding of facial expressions of emotions. Prices of sticking with the modal view, and advantages of an expanded view, are succinctly reviewed.

Reading and doing arithmetic nonconsciously.

The modal view in the cognitive and neural sciences holds that consciousness is necessary for abstract, symbolic, and rule-following computations. Hence, semantic processing of multiple-word expressions, and performing of abstract mathematical computations, are widely believed to require consciousness. We report a series of experiments in which we show that multiple-word verbal expressions can be processed outside conscious awareness and that multistep, effortful arithmetic equations can be solved unconsciously. All experiments used Continuous Flash Suppression to render stimuli invisible for relatively long durations (up to 2,000 ms). Where appropriate, unawareness was verified using both objective and subjective measures. The results show that novel word combinations, in the form of expressions that contain semantic violations, become conscious before expressions that do not contain semantic violations, that the more negative a verbal expression is, the more quickly it becomes conscious, and that subliminal arithmetic equations prime their results. These findings call for a significant update of our view of conscious and unconscious processes.