The bilingual as an adaptive system

2002 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 206-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Green
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive System ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Identification System ◽  
Important Research ◽  
Decision System ◽  
System A ◽  
Critical Separation

Dijkstra and van Heuven lucidly summarize the important research generated by the BIA model and provide an excellent case for the BIA+ model with its critical separation of the identification system from the task/decision system. A keynote article necessarily offers a selective exposition of the authors' thinking and so my remarks are an invitation to expand. My first question concerns the scope of the BIA+ model. My remaining questions broadly address a key feature of the BIA+ model – its ability to explain performance changes as a function of task demands

Bilingual word recognition beyond orthography: On meaning, linguistic context and individual differences

2002 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet G. van Hell
Keyword(s):  
Word Recognition ◽  
Context Effects ◽  
Word Identification ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Recognition System ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Identification System ◽  
Linguistic Context ◽  
Decision System ◽  
Language Competition

Central questions in psycholinguistic studies on bilingualism are how bilinguals access words in their two languages, and how they control their language systems and solve the problem of cross-language competition. In their excellent paper “The architecture of the bilingual word recognition system: From identification to decision”, Dijkstra and Van Heuven expound their BIA+ model on bilingual word recognition. BIA+ builds on its predecessor BIA, one of the first connectionist models on bilingual word recognition. BIA+ preserves one of BIA's crucial assumptions, namely that the bilingual lexicon is integrated across languages and is accessed in a language non-selective way, an assumption that is supported in many empirical studies and that is now widely accepted in the bilingual literature. Compared to the original BIA model, the BIA+ architecture is further developed (in fact, much more so than the subtle ‘plus’ denotes). BIA+ now includes orthographic, as well as phonological and semantic representations in the word identification system, and a distinction is made between a word identification system and a task/decision system. This latter extension resembles the language task schemas in Green's (1998) Inhibitory Control model. Dijkstra and Van Heuven also distinguish between effects of linguistic and non-linguistic context on performance: linguistic context effects, that arise from lexical, syntactic and semantic sources, are assumed to affect the activity in the word identification system, whereas non-linguistic effects, that can arise from instruction, task demands or participant expectancies, are assumed to affect the task/decision system.

Development of the Meridian-Visualizing System that Superimposes a Bio-signal upon a Body Image

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (04) ◽  
pp. 631-640
Author(s):  
Dong-Myong Jeong ◽  
Yong-Heum Lee ◽  
Myeong Soo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Skin Resistance ◽  
The Body ◽  
Acupuncture Points ◽  
Identification System ◽  
Electrode Position ◽  
Excitation Current ◽  
System A ◽  
Dc Excitation ◽  
Single Power

The precise selection and the identification of acupuncture points are essential for the diagnosis and treatment of patients in Oriental medicine. In this study, we have developed a meridian identification system using Single-Power Alternating Current (SPAC), which discriminates between true acupoints and non-acupoints. The SPAC system is not affected by skin resistance or pressure and is more accurate than the existing meridian location system, which uses direct current (DC) excitation current. The accuracy of the meridian location is ensured with the SPAC system because it has the highest sensitivity and the lowest effect on the human body. A microprocessor is used to enhance reliability and increase the accuracy of the SPAC measurements. Current distribution is displayed using an image that overlays the measured skin current on the body image. The positions of the acupoints are then displayed on the body image. This method visualizes the meridian by measuring skin current with an improved electrode using the acupoint discrimination system. A computer display shows the transmitted current as a color related to the electrode position. We demonstrated that by changing the point of measurement on the skin and tracing the electrode on the screen, it is possible to visualize acupoints and meridian phenomena using the color display.

scholarly journals Health as a Complex Adaptive System: a new dimension of patient care in internal medicine and general practice

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 1672
Author(s):  
Johannes Bircher ◽  
Eckhart G. Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive System ◽  
Complex Adaptive System ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
The Past ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
System A ◽  
Current State ◽  
Concept Of Health ◽  
Environmental Determinants Of Health ◽  
Complex Adaptive

This paper explores the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of a new concept of health. Investigations into the nature of health have led to a new definition that explains health as a complex adaptive system (CAS) and is based on five components (a-e). Humans like all biological creatures must satisfactorily respond to (a) the demands of life. For this purpose they need (b) a biologically given potential (BGP) and (c) a personally acquired potential (PAP). These properties of individuals are embedded within (d) social and (e) environmental determinants of health. Between these five components of health there are 10 complex interactions that justify health to be viewed as a CAS. In each patient, the current state of his health as a CAS evolved from the past, will move forward to a new future, and has to be analyzed and treated as an autonomous whole. A diagnostic procedure is suggested as follows: together with the patient, the five components and 10 complex interactions are assessed. This may help the patient to better understand his situation and to recognize possible next steps that may be useful for him to evolve toward more health by himself. In this process mutual trust in the patient-physician interaction is critical. The described approach offers new possibilities to help patients to improve their health.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document