Monday, 19 May 2014
Abstract for "When zombies attack"
The eradication of human civilasation due to a zombie apocalypse is a popular theme among modern movies, video games etc. As the science behind zombie outbreaks has hardly been examined, this paper presents the first mathematical analysis of different zombie outbreak scenarios. The type of zombie this investigation is modeled on, is comparable to those in movies such as Night of the Living Dead. It typically shows features such as slow movements or cannibalism. Smarter and faster-moving zombies from movies such as Dawn of the Dead are excluded from investigations. The intention is to show whether or not, in theory rather than in practice, human-zombie coexistence is possible. In order to calculate this possibilities Euler’s method is applied within five models: the basic model, model with latent infection, model with quarantine, model with treatment, and impulsive eradication. The results show that in all, except the model with treatment, coexistence is not possible. The paper suggests, in case of a zombie apocalypse, to act as fast as possible. The scenarios illustrated in this paper are obviously unrealistic, however, the models can be applied to real life, such as observations of allegiance to political parties or diseases with dormant infection.
Saturday, 10 May 2014
Evaluate Instructions
Link to our instructions evaluation text:
http://alexandrah3.blogspot.co.at/2014/05/photography-project-evaluate.html
http://alexandrah3.blogspot.co.at/2014/05/photography-project-evaluate.html
Saturday, 3 May 2014
CAJ: Tango and Neuroscience
Tango and neuroscience: you might wonder how these two things go together.
Suzanne Dikker, a neuroscientists, conducted a project which took place last March in New York, where she connected two pairs of tango dancers to EEG headsets (Electroencephalography) that measured the dancers' brainwaves. When the dancers' brainwaves were in sync it was visualized on the walls behind them. First the partners danced together just as they always do. After that, they changed partners and finally they got back together with their own partners and just imagined the movements.
Imagining movements:
While actually dancing with their own partners:
Researchers have been trying to understand how two brains work during social interaction. This project was limited technically, because EEGs are not the most reliable recording device as they are too sensitive. However, it surely was fascinating to observe which parts of the brain, depending on whether you are a leader or a follower, are activated during this special kind of social interaction.
LINK to the event NeuroTango: http://comebebrainy.com/brainy/neurotango/
Source article: http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/39584/title/Ballroom-Brainwaves/
Suzanne Dikker, a neuroscientists, conducted a project which took place last March in New York, where she connected two pairs of tango dancers to EEG headsets (Electroencephalography) that measured the dancers' brainwaves. When the dancers' brainwaves were in sync it was visualized on the walls behind them. First the partners danced together just as they always do. After that, they changed partners and finally they got back together with their own partners and just imagined the movements.
Imagining movements:
While actually dancing with their own partners:
Researchers have been trying to understand how two brains work during social interaction. This project was limited technically, because EEGs are not the most reliable recording device as they are too sensitive. However, it surely was fascinating to observe which parts of the brain, depending on whether you are a leader or a follower, are activated during this special kind of social interaction.
LINK to the event NeuroTango: http://comebebrainy.com/brainy/neurotango/
Source article: http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/39584/title/Ballroom-Brainwaves/
Monday, 28 April 2014
CAJ: Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a hormone that is usually associated with empathy, bonding, trust etc. While researching for my CAJ, I often stumbled upon articles that mentioned it, or nicknaming it a "love drug", "cuddle chemical", "moral molecule" and "bonding hormone". Oxytocin sounds like a very beneficial hormone we humans (and other mammals) posses. But what is oxytocin actually responsible for?
In a nutshell:
During childbirth it is responsible for uterine contraction which facilitates giving birth
After childbirth: During lactation oxytocin is released for a smooth muscle contraction. It also is responsible for the maternal bonding process between mother and child.
Bonding: It is not only relevant for maternal bond but for bonding between living creatures in general. Oxytocin evokes the desire to connect physically and is released during contact with a person or fluffy animal. In addition, it is known for its release during sexual orgasm.
Lying: When in contact with other people in a group, the hormone makes one's focus shift from oneself as an individual to the benefits of the entire group. In a double-bling study, where one group inhaled oxytocin and the other one a placebo, the results showed that the hormone boosts dishonest behavior if it is advantageous for the group.
Autism: Scientists hope that in the future oxytocin will be a possible treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). As these children have difficulties with upholding eye-contact, and therefore with cooperation and interaction with other human beings the hormone, when inhaled, could be the key for establishing the ability for social behavior in autistic children.
Sources:
In a nutshell:
During childbirth it is responsible for uterine contraction which facilitates giving birth
After childbirth: During lactation oxytocin is released for a smooth muscle contraction. It also is responsible for the maternal bonding process between mother and child.
Bonding: It is not only relevant for maternal bond but for bonding between living creatures in general. Oxytocin evokes the desire to connect physically and is released during contact with a person or fluffy animal. In addition, it is known for its release during sexual orgasm.
Lying: When in contact with other people in a group, the hormone makes one's focus shift from oneself as an individual to the benefits of the entire group. In a double-bling study, where one group inhaled oxytocin and the other one a placebo, the results showed that the hormone boosts dishonest behavior if it is advantageous for the group.
Autism: Scientists hope that in the future oxytocin will be a possible treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). As these children have difficulties with upholding eye-contact, and therefore with cooperation and interaction with other human beings the hormone, when inhaled, could be the key for establishing the ability for social behavior in autistic children.
Sources:
Thursday, 10 April 2014
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