title: Learning to describe data in actions

authors: Maulsby, David

subjects: computer science

abstract: Traditional machine learning algorithms have failed to serve the needs of systems for Programming by Demonstration (PBD), which require interaction with a user (a teacher) and a task environment. We argue that traditional learning algorithms fail for two reasons: they do not cope with the ambiguous instructions that users provide in addition to examples; and their learning criterion requires only that concepts classify examples to some degree of accuracy, ignoring the other ways in which an active agent might use concepts. We show how a classic concept learning algorithm can be adapted for use in PBD by replacing the learning criterion with a set of instructional and utility criteria, and by replacing a statistical preference bias with a set of heuristics that exploit user hints and background knowledge to focus attention.

text: Learning to describe data in actions Traditional machine learning algorithms have failed to serve the needs of systems for Programming by Demonstration (PBD), which require interaction with a user (a teacher) and a task environment. We argue that traditional learning algorithms fail for two reasons: they do not cope with the ambiguous instructions that users provide in addition to examples; and their learning criterion requires only that concepts classify examples to some degree of accuracy, ignoring the other ways in which an active agent might use concepts. We show how a classic concept learning algorithm can be adapted for use in PBD by replacing the learning criterion with a set of instructional and utility criteria, and by replacing a statistical preference bias with a set of heuristics that exploit user hints and background knowledge to focus attention.

year: 1995

title: Executive Functions and Risk Propensity in Adolescent and Adult Male Drivers: A Comparison

authors: Moleni, James

subjects: Executive Functions and Risk Propensity

abstract: Young drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 are over-represented in motor-vehicle accident statistics worldwide. Several studies suggest that age could be a major crash risk factor in young drivers because their frontal lobes are not yet fully developed. The frontal lobes help inhibit impulsive behaviour and control executive functions which could otherwise result in higher risk taking propensity, impulsivity and reduced cognitive function which may lead to risky driving behaviours resulting in traffic accidents. This study examined the differences between 45 young (ages 16-18 years) and 32 adult (ages 25 years and over) male drivers in relation to cognitive ability, executive functioning, driving and risk attitudes, and impulsivity using cognitive tests and self-report questionnaires. The results showed that young drivers displayed attitudes significantly more approving of risk taking and risky driving, had significantly higher impulsivity, and were much more inclined to committing future driving violations. The adult drivers generally demonstrated higher cognitive ability and better executive functioning. A strong link was found between high risk propensity and riskier driving attitudes, which were both associated with better cognitive ability especially for young drivers. For the young drivers specifically, higher impulsivity and higher risk taking attitudes were linked with higher intentions to commit future driving violations. Also, for young drivers, poor fluency and switching were linked with a riskier driving attitude, and a safer attitude was linked to better inhibition. For the adult drivers, poor complex information processing was linked to higher risk taking attitudes. Further studies are needed to provide a better understanding of the young driver problem, particularly related to actual on road driving behaviour rather than self reported intentions.

text: Executive Functions and Risk Propensity in Adolescent and Adult Male Drivers: A Comparison Young drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 are over-represented in motor-vehicle accident statistics worldwide. Several studies suggest that age could be a major crash risk factor in young drivers because their frontal lobes are not yet fully developed. The frontal lobes help inhibit impulsive behaviour and control executive functions which could otherwise result in higher risk taking propensity, impulsivity and reduced cognitive function which may lead to risky driving behaviours resulting in traffic accidents. This study examined the differences between 45 young (ages 16-18 years) and 32 adult (ages 25 years and over) male drivers in relation to cognitive ability, executive functioning, driving and risk attitudes, and impulsivity using cognitive tests and self-report questionnaires. The results showed that young drivers displayed attitudes significantly more approving of risk taking and risky driving, had significantly higher impulsivity, and were much more inclined to committing future driving violations. The adult drivers generally demonstrated higher cognitive ability and better executive functioning. A strong link was found between high risk propensity and riskier driving attitudes, which were both associated with better cognitive ability especially for young drivers. For the young drivers specifically, higher impulsivity and higher risk taking attitudes were linked with higher intentions to commit future driving violations. Also, for young drivers, poor fluency and switching were linked with a riskier driving attitude, and a safer attitude was linked to better inhibition. For the adult drivers, poor complex information processing was linked to higher risk taking attitudes. Further studies are needed to provide a better understanding of the young driver problem, particularly related to actual on road driving behaviour rather than self reported intentions.

year: 2010

title: The presence of the past: Maori history in contemporary reflection

authors: Mahuika, Nepia

abstract: This is the opening line of a famous saying in my tribe. For our people - Ngāti Porou - these words have become embedded in our tribal identity as important directives that we are encouraged to aspire to. In the “days destined to you”, Ngata reminds us that each generation has its own mana (or authority), our own responsibilities and challenges, our own dreams and destinies to fulfil, and our own histories to tell about Ngāti Porou: who we are, our past, present, and future. If we consider this expectant, and I think hopeful, affirmation as a gift and responsibility, then taking real ownership of the “days destined to us” requires us to know what our forebears have entrusted us with. What are those historical gifts that we might use to “centre” and assert ourselves as Māori, as Ngāti Porou? We might look at this directly, i mua: the past before us because it is our history that is so crucial to us as we walk consciously, and with determination, into the future. Our past before us helps us to know where we are going, it helps us correc our course when we stray, keeps us mindful of the “kaupapa”: whatever that might be in our generation and corner of the Maori universe. We’ve heard already today from both Enoka and Arini how Māori, in our own ways, are engaging with our past, drawing on our korero tuku iho (our oral histories passed down across the generations), on our whakairo (our carving), to illuminate the many ways Māori do, and think about, the past.

text: The presence of the past: Maori history in contemporary reflection This is the opening line of a famous saying in my tribe. For our people - Ngāti Porou - these words have become embedded in our tribal identity as important directives that we are encouraged to aspire to. In the “days destined to you”, Ngata reminds us that each generation has its own mana (or authority), our own responsibilities and challenges, our own dreams and destinies to fulfil, and our own histories to tell about Ngāti Porou: who we are, our past, present, and future. If we consider this expectant, and I think hopeful, affirmation as a gift and responsibility, then taking real ownership of the “days destined to us” requires us to know what our forebears have entrusted us with. What are those historical gifts that we might use to “centre” and assert ourselves as Māori, as Ngāti Porou? We might look at this directly, i mua: the past before us because it is our history that is so crucial to us as we walk consciously, and with determination, into the future. Our past before us helps us to know where we are going, it helps us correc our course when we stray, keeps us mindful of the “kaupapa”: whatever that might be in our generation and corner of the Maori universe. We’ve heard already today from both Enoka and Arini how Māori, in our own ways, are engaging with our past, drawing on our korero tuku iho (our oral histories passed down across the generations), on our whakairo (our carving), to illuminate the many ways Māori do, and think about, the past.

year: 2016