scholarly journals Why is combinatorial communication rare in the natural world, and why is language an exception to this trend?

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (88) ◽  
pp. 20130520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C. Scott-Phillips ◽  
Richard A. Blythe
Keyword(s):  
Simple Form ◽  
Communication System ◽  
General Trend ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Cognitive Capacity ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Nonlinear Dynamical ◽  
Communicative Function ◽  
Cognitive Difficulties ◽  
Ostensive Communication

In a combinatorial communication system, some signals consist of the combinations of other signals. Such systems are more efficient than equivalent, non-combinatorial systems, yet despite this they are rare in nature. Why? Previous explanations have focused on the adaptive limits of combinatorial communication, or on its purported cognitive difficulties, but neither of these explains the full distribution of combinatorial communication in the natural world. Here, we present a nonlinear dynamical model of the emergence of combinatorial communication that, unlike previous models, considers how initially non-communicative behaviour evolves to take on a communicative function. We derive three basic principles about the emergence of combinatorial communication. We hence show that the interdependence of signals and responses places significant constraints on the historical pathways by which combinatorial signals might emerge, to the extent that anything other than the most simple form of combinatorial communication is extremely unlikely. We also argue that these constraints can be bypassed if individuals have the socio-cognitive capacity to engage in ostensive communication. Humans, but probably no other species, have this ability. This may explain why language, which is massively combinatorial, is such an extreme exception to nature's general trend for non-combinatorial communication.

The Law of the Jungle: Moral Alternatives and Principles of Evolution

Philosophy ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 53 (206) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Mackie
Keyword(s):  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Rudyard Kipling ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Elementary System ◽  
The Social ◽  
Individualism And Collectivism ◽  
Moral Instruction ◽  
The Law

When people speak of ‘the law of the jungle’, they usually mean unions restrained and ruthless competition, with everyone out solely for his own advantage. But the phrase was coined by Rudyard Kipling, in The Second Jungle Book, and he meant something very different. His law of the jungle is a law that wolves in a pack are supposed to obey. His poem says that ‘the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack’, and it states the basic principles of social co-operation. Its provisions are a judicious mixture of individualism and collectivism, prescribing graduated and qualified rights for fathers of families, mothers with cubs, and young wolves, which constitute an elementary system of welfare services. Of course, Kipling meant his poem to give moral instruction to human children, but he probably thought it was at least roughly correct as a description of the social behaviour of wolves and other wild animals. Was he right, or is the natural world the scene of unrestrained competition, of an individualistic struggle for existence?

Proclus’ prolegomena on the ontological status of time

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 27-47
Author(s):  
Christos Terezis ◽  
Elias Tempelis
Keyword(s):  
Natural World ◽  
Ontological Status ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Platonic Dialogue ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Basic Position

This paper attempts at showing the basic principles according to which the Neoplatonist philosopher Proclus (412–485) formulated his theory on time. The argumentation basically focuses on his methodology, since whatever is included in this analysis is used by the Neoplatonist philosopher in almost all his references to the notion of time. His basic position is that time is not simply a cosmological factor, but possesses properties which connect it closely with the metaphysical world. Also, that it is essential to examine its relation with the Soul, as an ontological factor which connects the metaphysical with the natural world, and that this examination is necessary, so that the production of the natural world can be clarified with due exactness. The topics dealt with are included in Proclus’ treatise In Platonis Timaeum, i.e. his extensive commentary on the Platonic dialogue Timaeus, on the basis of the new scientific and philosophical finds, which had became available since the time of Plato.

scholarly journals Wheel Model: an exposition of competition and cooperation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinwei Lin
Keyword(s):  
Energy Level ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Competition And Cooperation ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Wheel Model ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Universe

Competition and cooperation are not opposite, but competition and cooperation are closely related. Competition and cooperation are two very important driving forces for the evolution of natural organisms and the development of human civilization. Since the birth of humans, competition and cooperation have always been accompanied by human existence. This paper starts from the introduction of the earth, the universe, human civilization, and the formation of the natural world. This paper expounds that competition and cooperation are the basic principles of nature, and competition and cooperation are not opposite. Then the paper focuses on the relationship between competition and cooperation in human society. Then the wheel model is established. The wheel model is an inductive model. It can be used to vividly describe the relationship between competition and cooperation. In order to better explain the philosophical principle of the wheel model, the basic principle of the wheel model is explained by introducing the circular motion in physics, the collision of the matter principle and the atomic energy level. Then two common examples are given to illustrate the application of the wheel model. Finally, the conclusion and analysis are given.

Background Fitting in the Low-Loss Region of Electron Energy Loss Spectra

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-57
Author(s):  
C P Scott ◽  
A J Craven ◽  
C J Gilmore ◽  
A W Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Energy Loss ◽  
Multiple Scattering ◽  
Simple Form ◽  
Single Scattering ◽  
Low Loss ◽  
Characteristic Energy ◽  
Normal Method ◽  
Fitting In ◽  
Electron Energy Loss ◽  
Electron Energy Loss Spectra

The normal method of background subtraction in quantitative EELS analysis involves fitting an expression of the form I=AE-r to an energy window preceding the edge of interest; E is energy loss, A and r are fitting parameters. The calculated fit is then extrapolated under the edge, allowing the required signal to be extracted. In the case where the characteristic energy loss is small (E < 100eV), the background does not approximate to this simple form. One cause of this is multiple scattering. Even if the effects of multiple scattering are removed by deconvolution, it is not clear that the background from the recovered single scattering distribution follows this simple form, and, in any case, deconvolution can introduce artefacts.The above difficulties are particularly severe in the case of Al-Li alloys, where the Li K edge at ~52eV overlaps the Al L2,3 edge at ~72eV, and sharp plasmon peaks occur at intervals of ~15eV in the low loss region. An alternative background fitting technique, based on the work of Zanchi et al, has been tested on spectra taken from pure Al films, with a view to extending the analysis to Al-Li alloys.

Current Issues: Evidence-Based Practice for the Real World: Thoughts on Clinical Education in Communication Disorders

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 100-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne K. Bothe
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Education ◽  
Real World ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
University Faculty ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Speech Language Pathology ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
The Real ◽  
Language Pathology

This article presents some streamlined and intentionally oversimplified ideas about educating future communication disorders professionals to use some of the most basic principles of evidence-based practice. Working from a popular five-step approach, modifications are suggested that may make the ideas more accessible, and therefore more useful, for university faculty, other supervisors, and future professionals in speech-language pathology, audiology, and related fields.

AAC Decision-Making and Mobile Technology: Points to Ponder

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Abbott ◽  
Debby McBride
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Communication System ◽  
Augmentative And Alternative Communication ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Alternative Communication ◽  
Ipod Touch ◽  
Feature Match

The purpose of this article is to outline a decision-making process and highlight which portions of the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) evaluation process deserve special attention when deciding which features are required for a communication system in order to provide optimal benefit for the user. The clinician then will be able to use a feature-match approach as part of the decision-making process to determine whether mobile technology or a dedicated device is the best choice for communication. The term mobile technology will be used to describe off-the-shelf, commercially available, tablet-style devices like an iPhone®, iPod Touch®, iPad®, and Android® or Windows® tablet.

A Community Based High Risk Register for Hearing Loss

1982 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Fitch ◽  
Thomas F. Williams ◽  
Josephine E. Etienne
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
System Identification ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Communication System ◽  
Auditory Signal ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss

The critical need to identify children with hearing loss and provide treatment at the earliest possible age has become increasingly apparent in recent years (Northern & Downs, 1978). Reduction of the auditory signal during the critical language-learning period can severely limit the child's potential for developing a complete, effective communication system. Identification and treatment of children having handicapping conditions at an early age has gained impetus through the Handicapped Children's Early Education Program (HCEEP) projects funded by the Bureau of Education for the Handicapped (BEH).

The Impact of Anglicizing Former German-Language Psychology Journals on Authorship and Citation Frequencies

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Günter Krampen ◽  
Thomas Huckert ◽  
Gabriel Schui
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
English Language ◽  
General Trend ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Impact Factors ◽  
German Language ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Number Of Citations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Number Of Authors

Exemplary for other than English-language psychology journals, the impact of recent Anglicization of five former German-language psychology journals on (1) authorship (nationality, i.e., native language, and number of authors, i.e., single or multiple authorships), (2) formal characteristics of the journal (number of articles per volume and length of articles), and (3) number of citations of the articles in other journal articles, the language of the citing publications, and the impact factors (IF) is analyzed. Scientometric data on these variables are gathered for all articles published in the four years before anglicizing and in the four years after anglicizing the same journal. Results reveal rather quick changes: Citations per year since original articles’ publication increase significantly, and the IF of the journals go up markedly. Frequencies of citing in German-language journals decrease, citing in English-language journals increase significantly after the Anglicization of former German-language psychology journals, and there is a general trend of increasing citations in other languages as well. Side effects of anglicizing former German-language psychology journals include the publication of shorter papers, their availability to a more international authorship, and a slight, but significant increase in multiple authorships.

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