289 research outputs found
2019 Liffman Lecture - Ethical Philanthropy - How do we do better at doing good?
No full textThe second annual Liffman Lecture was held at Melbourne Town Hall on 7 May 2019. Swinburne and the Swinburne Philanthropy and Social Impact Alumni (SPSIA) were thrilled to host renowned ethicist Peter Singer AC for his return to Swinburne. Peter was joined in conversation by Peter Mares (senior moderator with the Cranlana Programme, former ABC journalist and broadcaster, author and Adjunct Fellow at the Swinburne Centre for Urban Transitions) and Leigh Mathews (Victorian Young Australian of the Year 2009 and founder of ALTO Global Consulting) for a robust and uncompromising discussion
Images from the 2019 Liffman Lecture
No full textComplete set of images from the 2019 Liffman Lecture, featuring Peter Singer AC, Peter Mares and Leigh Mathews. Taken on the 7th May 2019 at the Melbourne Town Hall
Deletion of BDNF in Pax2 Lineage-Derived Interneuron Precursors in the Hindbrain Hampers the Proportion of Excitation/Inhibition, Learning, and Behavior
No full text© 2021 Eckert, Marchetta, Manthey, Walter, Jovanovic, Savitska, Singer, Jacob, Rüttiger, Schimmang, Milenkovic, Pilz and Knipper.Numerous studies indicate that deficits in the proper integration or migration of specific GABAergic precursor cells from the subpallium to the cortex can lead to severe cognitive dysfunctions and neurodevelopmental pathogenesis linked to intellectual disabilities. A different set of GABAergic precursors cells that express Pax2 migrate to hindbrain regions, targeting, for example auditory or somatosensory brainstem regions. We demonstrate that the absence of BDNF in Pax2-lineage descendants of BdnfPax2KOs causes severe cognitive disabilities. In BdnfPax2KOs, a normal number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons (PV-INs) was found in the auditory cortex (AC) and hippocampal regions, which went hand in hand with reduced PV-labeling in neuropil domains and elevated activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc/Arg3.1; here: Arc) levels in pyramidal neurons in these same regions. This immaturity in the inhibitory/excitatory balance of the AC and hippocampus was accompanied by elevated LTP, reduced (sound-induced) LTP/LTD adjustment, impaired learning, elevated anxiety, and deficits in social behavior, overall representing an autistic-like phenotype. Reduced tonic inhibitory strength and elevated spontaneous firing rates in dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) brainstem neurons in otherwise nearly normal hearing BdnfPax2KOs suggests that diminished fine-grained auditory-specific brainstem activity has hampered activity-driven integration of inhibitory networks of the AC in functional (hippocampal) circuits. This leads to an inability to scale hippocampal post-synapses during LTP/LTD plasticity. BDNF in Pax2-lineage descendants in lower brain regions should thus be considered as a novel candidate for contributing to the development of brain disorders, including autism.We acknowledge grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeins-chaft FOR 2060 project RU 713/3-2 (WS and LR), GRK 2381 (PM), SPP 1608 RU 316/12-1 (PE and LR), MI 954/3-1 (IM and SJ), KN 316/12-1 (MM and MK), BFU2016-76580-P (TS), and NIH NIMH 1R01MH106623 (MJ)
A critical analysis of the implied obligation against unjustified deviation: Is the rule still relevant to the modern law on carriage of goods by sea?
No full textThe general area of this research is shipping law, more specifically the law governing the carriage of goods by sea. The research has been narrowed down to the implications of terms into contracts of affreightment, and then further narrowed down to the concept of deviation. The specific research question is whether or not the concept of deviation is still relevant to the law governing the carriage of goods by sea in the modern era. While this question has been posed before in the academic literature, it has never been discussed in sufficient depth. The researcher was therefore able to identify gaps in the literature through the literature review which the research has attempted to fill.
The thesis on which the research is based is that the principle of deviation is a long standing and very important rule of law which form an integral part of the law and practice governing the carriage of goods by sea. However, a multi-jurisdictional review of both primary sources (i.e. conventions, statutes and cases) and secondary sources (academic literature) in relation to deviation indicates that there are many conceptual, legal and practical problems associated with the principle.
Adding to this problem is the concept of quasi deviation in some jurisdictions such as the United States where there continues to be conflicting approaches to the concept even within the various federal circuits. Therefore the hypothesis of this study is based on the need for legal reform. Chapters 1 and 2 provide the background to the study as well as the conceptual framework for the research, including the literature review. The main research aims, objectives and research questions are addressed in Chapters 3, 4 and 5. Chapter 6 concludes the research by presenting the findings and recommendations together with an outline of the research contribution
The safety and effectiveness of different methods of ear wax removal: a systematic review and economic evaluation
No full textEar wax (cerumen) is a natural secretion produced to protect the inner ear from dirt and other fragments by moving these particles towards the outer ear. If this process does not happen properly, wax may build up causing blockage in the ear canal and the possibility of impaction. People with a build up of ear wax may suffer from hearing loss, discomfort and, on occasions, infection. It may present problems in assessing hearing, blocking the view of the ear drum during medical examination and interfering with the fitting or function of hearing aids. Although it is thought to affect between 2% and 6% of the population in the England and Wales, some groups may be at a higher risk, such as those using hearing aids or with small ear canals and/or skin conditions. Recurrence is thought to be high among some of these groups. The consequences of the build up of ear wax in the ear canal are thought to be a common reason for consultation and cost in general practice with over 2 million consultations per year in the NHS.Methods of removal of ear wax include drops, flushing with water in general practice, and removal with suction or probes in specialist clinics. The relative safety and benefits of these different methods of removal remains uncertain. This research will systematically review published and unpublished evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of different methods for the removal of ear wax. Where appropriate, it will develop an economic model using data from this systematic review and other relevant sources to estimate the relative costs and benefits of different methods. In addition, the project will provide recommendations for future research to try to help answer any remaining areas of uncertainty
<研究論文(原著論文)>効果的利他主義は道徳的義務なのか? --帰結主義とカント的観点からの正当化
No full text本研究は応用哲学会第15 回年次研究大会での発表に基づいている．The world faces various problems, such as starvation and infectious diseases. One approach to solving these problems is Effective Altruism (EA), which seeks to make the world as good as possible based on objective evidence and careful reasoning. EA has been supported by utilitarians such as Peter Singer. In fact, many people who support EA are utilitarian. However, in recent years, some previous studies have defended EA in non-utilitarian approaches. This paper argues that EA is justified not only from utilitarianism but also from other forms of consequentialism and a Kantian perspective, which existing studies have not yet examined. This paper also discusses the difference between consequentialism and the Kantian perspective in supporting EA. First, this paper introduces and briefly explains William MacAskill’s definition of EA. According to that definition, an EA act maximizes the good based on careful reasoning and objective evidence. Next, this paper shows that the practice of EA is justified by some form of consequentialism, which takes the consequence of an action as the basis for moral evaluation. Second, a Kantian perspective requires altruistic acts to promote the happiness of others as a duty. This paper focuses on two points to suggest that altruistic acts from Kantian duty can meet the definition of EA acts. 1. non-intuitive and non-emotional reasoning about the happiness of others; and 2. taking an impartial standpoint. From these points, this paper shows that from a Kantian perspective, it is argued that we must aim to help others and act in a way that promotes the well-being pursued by others as far as possible. The last part of this paper explores the differences in approach when justifying EA acts from a consequentialist or Kantian perspective. Specifically, this section compares the selection of donation recipients and the level of self-sacrifice under each viewpoint
Meeting Report: Risk Assessment of Tamiflu® use under Pandemic Conditions
No full textOn 3 October 2007, 40 participants with diverse expertise attended the workshop Tamiflu and the Environment: Implications of Use under Pandemic Conditions to assess the potential human health impact and environmental hazards associated with use of Tamiflu during an influenza pandemic. Based on the identification and risk-ranking of knowledge gaps, the consensus was that oseltamivir ethylester-phosphate (OE-P) and oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) were unlikely to pose an ecotoxicologic hazard to freshwater organisms. OC in river water might hasten the generation of OC-resistance in wildfowl, but this possibility seems less likely than the potential disruption that could be posed by OC and other pharmaceuticals to the operation of sewage treatment plants. The workgroup members agreed on the following research priorities: a) available data on the ecotoxicology of OE-P and OC should be published ; b) risk should be assessed for OC-contaminated river water generating OC-resistant viruses in wildfowl ; c) sewage treatment plant functioning due to microbial inhibition by neuraminidase inhibitors and other antimicrobials used during a pandemic should be investigated ; and d) realistic worst-case exposure scenarios should be developed. Additional modeling would be useful to identify localized areas within river catchments that might be prone to high pharmaceutical concentrations in sewage treatment plant effluent. Ongoing seasonal use of Tamiflu in Japan offers opportunities for researchers to assess how much OC enters and persists in the aquatic environment
Alternatives to prohibition illicit drugs: how we can stop killing and criminalising young Australians
No full textThis report follows from a Roundtable discussion held in July 2012 to consider new approaches to public policy about illicit drugs in Australia. An earlier Australia21 report launched in April 2012 had concluded that attempts to control drug use through the criminal justice system have clearly failed. They have also caused the needless and damaging criminalisation of too many young people, often with adverse life-changing consequences, including premature death from overdose
Statistical error compensation for robust digital signal processing and machine learning
No full textMachine learning (ML) based inference has recently gained importance as a key kernel in processing massive data in digital signal processing (DSP) systems. Due to the ever increasing complexity of DSP systems, energy-efficient ML accelerators are critical. Traditionally, energy efficiency was obtained through technology scaling. However, modern nanoscale complementary metal–oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process technologies suffer in reliability caused by process, temperature, and voltage variations. As ML applications are inherently probabilistic and robust to errors, statistical error compensation (SEC) techniques can play a significant role in achieving robust and energy-efficient implementation of these important kernels. SEC embraces the statistical nature of errors and utilizes statistical and probabilistic techniques to build robust systems. Energy efficiency is obtained by trading off the enhanced robustness with energy. This dissertation focuses on utilizing statistical approaches via SEC in implementing energy-efficient digital signal processing (DSP) systems with an emphasis on machine learning kernels.
We first demonstrate the potential of SEC techniques to a detection based application. A 180nm CMOS pseudonoise (PN) code acquisition integrated circuit (IC) has been implemented and measured. Measurements show that while maintaining a detection probability Pdet >= 90%, an error rate p_eta >= 85.83% with energy savings of 2.52X could be achieved.
SEC is then applied to a communication centric machine learning kernel, a low-density parity check (LDPC) decoder. As iterative message-passing based architectures are inherently robust to small-magnitude errors, the SEC based LDPC decoder shows significant improvement in robustness and energy efficiency. Three different size LDPC codes, (50, 25), (800, 400), and (1800, 900), were implemented with five iterations per block. Circuit simulations in a commercial 45nm process show that the SEC based LDPC decoder can operate at a supply voltage up to 38% less than the nominal voltage and tolerate up to 30X more errors over an SNR range of 3 dB to 8 dB, while maintaining less than 3X degradation in bit error rate (BER). This is equivalent to energy savings of 45.7% compared to conventional LDPC decoders, and 33.2% compared to a sign bit protected LDPC decoder.
Motivated by the success of SEC based LDPC decoders, SEC has been applied to a more complex message-passing application: Markov random field (MRF) based stereo image matching. Analysis and simulations show that for a 20-bit architecture, small errors (eta = 4096) degrade the performance significantly. By applying algorithmic noise tolerance (ANT), experimental results show that the proposed ANT based hardware can tolerate an error rate of 20%, with performance degradation of only 3.5% at an overhead of 97.4%, compared to an error-free full precision hardware with an energy savings of 39.6%. To reduce the compensation complexity, higher level error compensation is explored as well.
Recent studies on approximate computing (AC) follow a principle similar to SEC, but with one critical exception. AC based design still carries the requirement of creating a deterministic design, and thus the improvement in energy efficiency is marginal. We successfully apply SEC to AC based designs and show that by embracing the statistical nature of the underlying process, an additional 44.9% energy savings can be obtained.
Finally, SEC techniques are analyzed to provide insight into the trade-offs in the design of SEC based systems. Algorithmic noise tolerance is analyzed under a unifying framework based on detection and estimation theory. ANT is shown to approximate the Bayes optimal detector and estimator.Item withdrawn by Mark Zulauf ([email protected]) on 2014-08-26T18:42:19Z
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Predicting the dispersal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from the wastewater treatment plant to the coast
No full textViral pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 RNA have been detected in wastewater treatment effluent, and untreated sewage overflows, that pose an exposure hazard to humans. We assessed whether SARS-CoV-2 RNA was likely to have been present in detectable quantities in UK rivers and estuaries during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. We simulated realistic viral concentrations parameterised on the Camel and Conwy catchments (UK) and their populations, showing detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations for untreated but not for treated loading, but also being contingent on viral decay, hydrology, catchment type/shape, and location. Under mean or low river flow conditions, viral RNA concentrated within the estuaries allowing for viral build-up and caused a lag by up to several weeks between the peak in community infections and the viral peak in the environment. There was an increased hazard posed by SARS-CoV-2 RNA with a T 90 decay rate >24 h, as the estuarine build-up effect increased. High discharge events transported the viral RNA downstream and offshore, increasing the exposure risk to coastal bathing waters and shellfisheries - although dilution in this case reduced viral concentrations well below detectable levels. Our results highlight the sensitivity of exposure to viral pathogens downstream of wastewater treatment, across a range of viral loadings and catchment characteristics - with implications to environmental surveillance. </p
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