The Lambek Calculus Extended with Intuitionistic Propositional Logic

We present sound and complete semantics and a sequent calculus for the Lambek calculus extended with intuitionistic propositional logic.     

The Temple Mount of Fredrika—Translocality and Fractured Transnationalism of a Visionary Thai Buddhist Retreat Centre

On a mountain hill outside Fredrika, a small village in the rural north of Sweden, a standing Buddha statue and the seated statue of Luang Pho Thuat invoke reverence from visiting Buddhists. The plans of a large-scale temple and meditation centre have also invoked hope of religious tourism and economic growth in an area highly affected by depopulation. The Temple Mount, as it is referred to locally, has, on the one hand, become a source of religious power, not only for Thai Buddhist pilgrims, but also for other religious networks that has established themselves in the area. On the other hand, Fredrika has also become a contested religious space. The article discusses the background of the Temple Mount as well as contrasting examples of usual establishment patterns of Thai Buddhist temples in Sweden, highlighting translocal religious activity at Fredrika, showing how diaspora Thai Buddhism becomes intertwined with other religious networks.     

Differential effects of makeup on perceived age

Makeup accentuates three youth‐related visual features – skin homogeneity, facial contrast, and facial feature size. By manipulating these visual features, makeup should make faces appear younger. We tested this hypothesis in an experiment in which participants estimated the age of carefully controlled photographs of faces with and without makeup. We found that 40‐ and especially 50‐year‐old women did appear significantly younger when wearing makeup. Contrary to our hypothesis, 30‐year‐old women looked no different in age with or without makeup, while 20‐year‐old women looked older with makeup. Two further studies replicated these results, finding that makeup made middle‐aged women look younger, but made young women look older. Seeking to better understand why makeup makes young women look older, we ran a final study and found evidence that people associate makeup use with adulthood. By activating associations with adulthood, makeup may provide an upward bias on age estimations of women who are not clearly adult. We propose that makeup affects social perceptions through bottom‐up routes, by modifying visual cues such as facial contrast, facial feature size, and skin homogeneity, and also through top‐down routes, by activating social representations and norms associated with makeup use.     

An Examination of Alcohol Use Disorder Symptoms and Neighborhood Disorganization from Age 21 to 39

Living in disorganized neighborhoods characterized by high levels of poverty, crime, violence, and deteriorating buildings has been associated with increased alcohol consumption and mental health problems. Data drawn from the Seattle Social Development Project (N = 790), a theory‐driven longitudinal study originating in Seattle, WA, were used to estimate trajectories of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) symptoms from age 21 to 39. Time‐varying measures of neighborhood disorganization, psychological distress, and sociodemographic factors were associated with deviations from average AUD symptoms at each wave. Results indicated that, on average, AUD symptoms decreased as individuals got older. Living in more disorganized neighborhoods and experiencing psychological distress was associated with increased AUD symptoms after accounting for average reductions from AUD symptoms over time and time‐varying measures of relevant sociodemographic factors. Results of mediation analysis suggested that psychological distress is a mechanism by which disorganized neighborhoods increased risk of AUD from age 21 to 39.     

Is it a he or a she? Behavioral and computational approaches to sex categorization

Can people categorize the sex of neonate faces? Our experiment tested the sex categorization of neonate faces by adult participants. We used a set of 120 Caucasian faces (adults and 4-day-old neonates) that were presented just once to a large sample of participants. A computational model of low-level visual processing, based on Gabor filters, was used to explore the relation between spatial-frequency information and sex categorization. The results showed that participants were able to categorize the sex of the faces, but were less accurate with neonate (d' = 0.36, β = –.97) than with adult (d' = 3.02, β = –.93) faces. Moreover, faces were more frequently categorized as boys’ than girls’ faces. The computational model suggests that specific spatial-frequency channels carry most of the useful information for the categorization task. Overall, the findings reveal that subtle differences in neonate facial structure were enough to allow the sex categorization of neonate faces, although accuracy was low in both adults and the computational model of low-level visual processing.     

Word Length and Vowel Duration in Apraxia of Speech: The Use of Relative Measures

Previous research has established that the duration of stressed word stem vowels is shorter in polysyllabic words than in monosyllabic words for normal speakers and for speakers with aphasia and apraxia of speech (AOS). However, the results are inconsistent across studies with regard to the magnitude and pattern of the duration reduction for apraxic speakers. We hypothesized that this inconsistency may be explained based on different relative measures of duration reduction. A speech sample was obtained from 10 aphasic speakers with AOS, 10 aphasic speakers without AOS, and 10 normal controls. As predicted, the use of two different relative measures resulted in different vowel reduction patterns, both of which were consistent with previous reports. The results further indicate that the production of polysyllabic words is particularly taxing in AOS and is associated with a substantial reduction of speaking rate compared to other aphasic and normal speakers.     

Joint control strategies and hand trajectories in multijoint pointing movements

The role of timing in the control of multijoint pointing movements was evaluated. Eight subjects performed rapid pointing movements to a variety of target locations. The subject's right arm was strapped to a 2 degrees of freedom manupilandum that permitted shoulder and elbow motion in the horizontal plane. Initial and final position of the hand and magnitude of displacement was varied to determine effects on timing characteristics. Kinematics and kinetics of the shoulder, elbow, and hand were analyzed. The hand paths and velocity profiles observed were consistent with prior reports. Multiple regression analysis of kinematic variables disclosed that timing of joint movement onset was independent of initial and final positions of the hand, but was linearly related to joint displacement: the joint that moved farther started moving first. Using computer simulations to create joint movement onset, times that were different from the observed ones always resulted in hand paths with increased curvatures and loss of the smooth velocity profiles. Secondly, a very stable, linear relationship was observed between peak velocity and displacement at both the elbow and shoulder joints. This relationship was not affected by variations in movement space. We suggest that space-time transformation based on difference in joint displacement is used to regulated timing of joint movement onset. The simulations indicate that this transformation is set to produce smooth velocity profiles. The relationships between timing of movement onset and displacement and between peak velocity and displacement complement each other: by maintaining a linear relationship between velocity and displacement, a linear space time transformation can be used to control timing. Furthermore, these relationships are probably used to simplify coordination between the moving joints.     

Validation of a Self-Concept Scale for Lynch Syndrome in Different Nationalities

Learning about hereditary cancer may influence an individual’s self-concept, which otherwise represents a complex but stable cognitive structure. Recently, a 20-statement self-concept scale, with subscales related to stigma-vulnerability and bowel symptom-related anxiety, was developed for Lynch syndrome. We compared the performance of this scale in 591 mutation carriers from Denmark, Sweden and Canada. Principal component analysis identified two sets of linked statements—the first related to feeling different, isolated and labeled, and the second to concern and worry about bowel changes. The scale performed consistently in the three countries. Minor differences were identified, with guilt about passing on a defective gene and feelings of losing one’s privacy being more pronounced among Canadians, whereas Danes more often expressed worries about cancer. Validation of the Lynch syndrome self-concept scale supports its basic structure, identifies dependence between the statements in the subscales and demonstrates its applicability in different Western populations.     

The Import of the Original Bradley’s Regress(es)

Much of the recent metaphysical literature on the problem of the relational unity of complexes leaves the impression that Bradley (or some Bradleyan argument) has uncovered a serious problem to be addressed. The problem is thought to be particularly challenging for trope theorists and realists about universals. In truth, there has been little clarity about the nature and import of the original Bradley’s regress arguments. In this paper, I offer a careful analysis and reconstruction of the arguments in Bradley’s Appearance and Reality (1893). The analysis reveals that no less than three regress arguments against relations can be found. I show that none of them are compelling. I argue that, as a result, it is a serious misstep for philosophers today to offer metaphysical theses based on the unchallenged assumption that Bradley has established his regress result. I further analyze the underpinnings of the Bradley problem as it is frequently cast in contemporary literature and show that they rely on certain confusions and biases, which once brought to light, make current Bradley-inspired arguments against relations unconvincing.