Victor M. Ustinov, Alexey E. Zhukov, Anton Yu. Egorov, and Nikolai A. Maleev
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198526797
- eISBN:
- 9780191712081
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198526797.001.0001
- Subject:
- Physics, Atomic, Laser, and Optical Physics
This book is devoted to the physics and technology of diode lasers based on self-organized quantum dots (QD). It addresses the fundamental and technology aspects of QD edge-emitting and ...
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This book is devoted to the physics and technology of diode lasers based on self-organized quantum dots (QD). It addresses the fundamental and technology aspects of QD edge-emitting and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, reviewing their current status and future prospects. The theoretically predicted advantages of an ideal QD array for laser applications are discussed and the basic principles of QD formation using self-organization phenomena are reviewed. Structural and optical properties of self-organized QDs are considered with a number of examples in different material systems. The book includes recent achievements in controlling the QD properties such as the effect of vertical stacking, changing the matrix bandgap and the surface density of QDs. The book is also focused on the use of self-organized quantum dots in laser structures, fabrication and characterization of edge- and surface-emitting diode lasers, their properties and optimization. Special attention is paid to the relationship between structural and electronic properties of QDs and laser characteristics. The threshold and power characteristics of the state-of-the-art QD lasers are also demonstrated. Issues related to the long-wavelength (1.3-um) lasers on a GaAs substrate are also addressed and recent results on InGaAsN-based diode lasers presented for the purpose of comparison.Less
This book is devoted to the physics and technology of diode lasers based on self-organized quantum dots (QD). It addresses the fundamental and technology aspects of QD edge-emitting and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, reviewing their current status and future prospects. The theoretically predicted advantages of an ideal QD array for laser applications are discussed and the basic principles of QD formation using self-organization phenomena are reviewed. Structural and optical properties of self-organized QDs are considered with a number of examples in different material systems. The book includes recent achievements in controlling the QD properties such as the effect of vertical stacking, changing the matrix bandgap and the surface density of QDs. The book is also focused on the use of self-organized quantum dots in laser structures, fabrication and characterization of edge- and surface-emitting diode lasers, their properties and optimization. Special attention is paid to the relationship between structural and electronic properties of QDs and laser characteristics. The threshold and power characteristics of the state-of-the-art QD lasers are also demonstrated. Issues related to the long-wavelength (1.3-um) lasers on a GaAs substrate are also addressed and recent results on InGaAsN-based diode lasers presented for the purpose of comparison.
Vinod K. Wadhawan
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199229178
- eISBN:
- 9780191711282
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199229178.003.0005
- Subject:
- Physics, Condensed Matter Physics / Materials
This chapter is about the self-assembly and self-organization of soft matter, and explains how systems can evolve from elementary particles to thinking organisms. Such evolution, like everything ...
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This chapter is about the self-assembly and self-organization of soft matter, and explains how systems can evolve from elementary particles to thinking organisms. Such evolution, like everything else, is governed by the minimization of the global free energy. Its course is determined by the information content of the shapes of the interacting units, and the nature and strength of their mutual interactions. Basics of supramolecular chemistry and molecular-recognition phenomena are introduced. This is followed by a description of the various types of self-assembly: capillary-interaction-controlled; fluidic; templated; and constrained. Self-organization is taken up next, which has been defined by Lehn as the ‘spontaneous but information-directed generation of organized functional structures in equilibrium conditions’. The various types of ‘coding’ responsible for self-organization are described. There is also a section on the widely pervasive phenomenon of self-organized criticality, first identified and investigated by Bak. Other topics discussed are: chemical adaptation and evolution, systems at the edge of order and chaos, and the origin of life.Less
This chapter is about the self-assembly and self-organization of soft matter, and explains how systems can evolve from elementary particles to thinking organisms. Such evolution, like everything else, is governed by the minimization of the global free energy. Its course is determined by the information content of the shapes of the interacting units, and the nature and strength of their mutual interactions. Basics of supramolecular chemistry and molecular-recognition phenomena are introduced. This is followed by a description of the various types of self-assembly: capillary-interaction-controlled; fluidic; templated; and constrained. Self-organization is taken up next, which has been defined by Lehn as the ‘spontaneous but information-directed generation of organized functional structures in equilibrium conditions’. The various types of ‘coding’ responsible for self-organization are described. There is also a section on the widely pervasive phenomenon of self-organized criticality, first identified and investigated by Bak. Other topics discussed are: chemical adaptation and evolution, systems at the edge of order and chaos, and the origin of life.
James R. Hurford
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199216840
- eISBN:
- 9780191712043
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199216840.003.0014
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Human languages are far more complex than any animal communication system. Furthermore, they are learned, rather than innate, a fact which partially accounts for their great diversity. Human ...
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Human languages are far more complex than any animal communication system. Furthermore, they are learned, rather than innate, a fact which partially accounts for their great diversity. Human languages are semantically compositional, generating new meaningful combinations as functions of the meanings of their elementary parts (words). This is unlike any known animal communication system (except the limited waggle dance of honeybees). Humans can use language to describe and refer to objects and events in the far distant past and the far distant future, another feature which distinguishes language from animal communication systems. The complexity of languages arises partly from self-organization through cultural transmission over many generations of users. The human willingness altruistically to impart information is also unique.Less
Human languages are far more complex than any animal communication system. Furthermore, they are learned, rather than innate, a fact which partially accounts for their great diversity. Human languages are semantically compositional, generating new meaningful combinations as functions of the meanings of their elementary parts (words). This is unlike any known animal communication system (except the limited waggle dance of honeybees). Humans can use language to describe and refer to objects and events in the far distant past and the far distant future, another feature which distinguishes language from animal communication systems. The complexity of languages arises partly from self-organization through cultural transmission over many generations of users. The human willingness altruistically to impart information is also unique.
Grahame F. Thompson
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198775270
- eISBN:
- 9780191710513
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198775270.003.0005
- Subject:
- Business and Management, Organization Studies
This chapter looks at the industrial organisation as networks, focusing on interorganisational networks. Some theoretical issues raised by interorganisational networks are discussed, including ...
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This chapter looks at the industrial organisation as networks, focusing on interorganisational networks. Some theoretical issues raised by interorganisational networks are discussed, including questions of the limits of an institutional analysis, knowledge with respect to these kinds of networks, the role of complementary and self-organisation, evolutionary approaches to networks, and problems associated with embeddedness and variety production that they pose. The chapter also explores how the network model has been deployed in the specification and analysis of the relationships between firms and other agents that occupy the microeconomic field of economic organisation. The strengths of networks as opposed to other mechanisms of socio-economic coordination, like markets and hierarchies, in organising inter-firm relationships are also considered, along with cooperation and trust between main firms and their subcontractors and suppliers, knowledge and innovation in networks, whether knowledge networks are effective as institutions, neural networks, venture capital and networking, and the evolution, biology, complexity, and self-organisation of networks.Less
This chapter looks at the industrial organisation as networks, focusing on interorganisational networks. Some theoretical issues raised by interorganisational networks are discussed, including questions of the limits of an institutional analysis, knowledge with respect to these kinds of networks, the role of complementary and self-organisation, evolutionary approaches to networks, and problems associated with embeddedness and variety production that they pose. The chapter also explores how the network model has been deployed in the specification and analysis of the relationships between firms and other agents that occupy the microeconomic field of economic organisation. The strengths of networks as opposed to other mechanisms of socio-economic coordination, like markets and hierarchies, in organising inter-firm relationships are also considered, along with cooperation and trust between main firms and their subcontractors and suppliers, knowledge and innovation in networks, whether knowledge networks are effective as institutions, neural networks, venture capital and networking, and the evolution, biology, complexity, and self-organisation of networks.
Pierre-Yves Oudeyer
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199289158
- eISBN:
- 9780191711091
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199289158.003.0010
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
This chapter shows that the artificial system constructed in this study demonstrates how speech codes, sharing important properties with those of humans, could be created in a population of agents in ...
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This chapter shows that the artificial system constructed in this study demonstrates how speech codes, sharing important properties with those of humans, could be created in a population of agents in which the codes and their properties had not been pre-programmed. It also proves that in the artificial system, speech is self-organized. It demonstrates that this artificial system can possibly explain the origin of each component independently of any linguistic communicative function. It discusses that the premises of the artificial system shown in this study are obviously speculative and are also plausible. The chapter concludes by explaining that the construction of the system filled out the existing functionalist theories and also, opened up new spaces for research and thinking by outlining an exaptationist theory.Less
This chapter shows that the artificial system constructed in this study demonstrates how speech codes, sharing important properties with those of humans, could be created in a population of agents in which the codes and their properties had not been pre-programmed. It also proves that in the artificial system, speech is self-organized. It demonstrates that this artificial system can possibly explain the origin of each component independently of any linguistic communicative function. It discusses that the premises of the artificial system shown in this study are obviously speculative and are also plausible. The chapter concludes by explaining that the construction of the system filled out the existing functionalist theories and also, opened up new spaces for research and thinking by outlining an exaptationist theory.
Patrizia d'Ettorre and David P. Hughes (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199216840
- eISBN:
- 9780191712043
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199216840.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Communication is the cornerstone of socially interacting groups. This is self-evident for human societies but not for bacterial biofilms, and super-colonies that span whole continents and ...
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Communication is the cornerstone of socially interacting groups. This is self-evident for human societies but not for bacterial biofilms, and super-colonies that span whole continents and transoceanic communication among whales. Since the early beginnings of communication studies, it has always been a stated goal to identify common features of diverse forms of communication (recently also including the internet), but syntheses have been few and historical barriers between sub-disciplines of molecular, evolutionary, chemical, and behavioural biology have been prohibitive stumbling blocks. This book brings together a highly-respected group of authors from a diverse range of fields in biology and beyond, in an attempt to synthesize current understanding of the evolutionary principles of communication, and to identify and explore key directions that will likely be pursued in the coming years. Contributions range from molecular microbiologists untangling the genetic basis of bacterial communication, to behavioural ecologists determining the scope of communication networks among colonial vertebrates. In addition, there are important contributions from theoretical biology (genomic conflict and self organisation), the humanities (linguistics and philosophy), and evolutionary psychology (human mate choice and the evolution of human societies). The book asks — and tentatively answers with some degree of confidence — what the general principles of social communication are.Less
Communication is the cornerstone of socially interacting groups. This is self-evident for human societies but not for bacterial biofilms, and super-colonies that span whole continents and transoceanic communication among whales. Since the early beginnings of communication studies, it has always been a stated goal to identify common features of diverse forms of communication (recently also including the internet), but syntheses have been few and historical barriers between sub-disciplines of molecular, evolutionary, chemical, and behavioural biology have been prohibitive stumbling blocks. This book brings together a highly-respected group of authors from a diverse range of fields in biology and beyond, in an attempt to synthesize current understanding of the evolutionary principles of communication, and to identify and explore key directions that will likely be pursued in the coming years. Contributions range from molecular microbiologists untangling the genetic basis of bacterial communication, to behavioural ecologists determining the scope of communication networks among colonial vertebrates. In addition, there are important contributions from theoretical biology (genomic conflict and self organisation), the humanities (linguistics and philosophy), and evolutionary psychology (human mate choice and the evolution of human societies). The book asks — and tentatively answers with some degree of confidence — what the general principles of social communication are.
Nasr M. Ghoniem and Daniel D. Walgraef
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199298686
- eISBN:
- 9780191720222
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298686.003.0013
- Subject:
- Physics, Condensed Matter Physics / Materials
The irradiation of materials with energetic particles may induce drastic changes in their microstructure, and hence may induce important variations in their physicochemical properties. This chapter ...
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The irradiation of materials with energetic particles may induce drastic changes in their microstructure, and hence may induce important variations in their physicochemical properties. This chapter discusses the phase stability of metals and alloys under irradiation, self-organization of defect microstructure, the rate theory of microstructure self-organization, nonlinear evolution dynamics, dislocation and void dynamics, and spatial instability.Less
The irradiation of materials with energetic particles may induce drastic changes in their microstructure, and hence may induce important variations in their physicochemical properties. This chapter discusses the phase stability of metals and alloys under irradiation, self-organization of defect microstructure, the rate theory of microstructure self-organization, nonlinear evolution dynamics, dislocation and void dynamics, and spatial instability.
Nasr M. Ghoniem and Daniel D. Walgraef
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199298686
- eISBN:
- 9780191720222
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298686.003.0011
- Subject:
- Physics, Condensed Matter Physics / Materials
The chapter focuses on material instabilities. Topics discussed include the making and breaking of materials, thermo-chemical fabrication of new materials, thermo-mechanical fabrication of new ...
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The chapter focuses on material instabilities. Topics discussed include the making and breaking of materials, thermo-chemical fabrication of new materials, thermo-mechanical fabrication of new materials, benefits of self-organization, and perils of material instabilities.Less
The chapter focuses on material instabilities. Topics discussed include the making and breaking of materials, thermo-chemical fabrication of new materials, thermo-mechanical fabrication of new materials, benefits of self-organization, and perils of material instabilities.
Pierre-Yves Oudeyer
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199289158
- eISBN:
- 9780191711091
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199289158.003.0003
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
This chapter determines the problems of the origin of speech in the general framework of the origins of form in biology. It explains the phenomenon of self-organization along with that of natural ...
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This chapter determines the problems of the origin of speech in the general framework of the origins of form in biology. It explains the phenomenon of self-organization along with that of natural selection, both features of the mechanisms of creation of forms in the living world. Particularly, it presents a connection between the concepts of self-organization and natural selection, which will lead to a discussion of how one should construct the arguments clarifying the origin of living forms.Less
This chapter determines the problems of the origin of speech in the general framework of the origins of form in biology. It explains the phenomenon of self-organization along with that of natural selection, both features of the mechanisms of creation of forms in the living world. Particularly, it presents a connection between the concepts of self-organization and natural selection, which will lead to a discussion of how one should construct the arguments clarifying the origin of living forms.
Thomas Pradeu and Elizabeth Vitanza
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199775286
- eISBN:
- 9780199932818
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199775286.003.0006
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, Metaphysics/Epistemology
This chapter compares the continuity theory that I propose with the other theories available in today’s immunology, including the self-nonself theory, the systemic theory of the immune “network” ...
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This chapter compares the continuity theory that I propose with the other theories available in today’s immunology, including the self-nonself theory, the systemic theory of the immune “network” (Jerne), the autopoiesis framework (Maturana, Varela, Coutinho), the self-organization theory (Cohen and Atlan), and the danger theory (Matzinger). I emphasize the aspects that the continuity theory borrowed or inherited from these theories, as well as the many aspects on which it differs from them. I show that some frameworks elaborated to understand the immune system are not genuine scientific theories, but rather mere “viewpoints” on immunity. I insist that no framework has, up to now, succeeded in taking into account the importance of both innate immunity and immune tolerance – two aspects that are at the center of the continuity theory.Less
This chapter compares the continuity theory that I propose with the other theories available in today’s immunology, including the self-nonself theory, the systemic theory of the immune “network” (Jerne), the autopoiesis framework (Maturana, Varela, Coutinho), the self-organization theory (Cohen and Atlan), and the danger theory (Matzinger). I emphasize the aspects that the continuity theory borrowed or inherited from these theories, as well as the many aspects on which it differs from them. I show that some frameworks elaborated to understand the immune system are not genuine scientific theories, but rather mere “viewpoints” on immunity. I insist that no framework has, up to now, succeeded in taking into account the importance of both innate immunity and immune tolerance – two aspects that are at the center of the continuity theory.
Nasr M. Ghoniem and Daniel D. Walgraef
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199298686
- eISBN:
- 9780191720222
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298686.003.0015
- Subject:
- Physics, Condensed Matter Physics / Materials
This chapter presents a method for quantitatively studying the evolution (i.e., nucleation and growth) of the solid phase from the vapour phase. The technical applications of the methods developed is ...
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This chapter presents a method for quantitatively studying the evolution (i.e., nucleation and growth) of the solid phase from the vapour phase. The technical applications of the methods developed is mainly in chemical vapour deposition (CVD), physical vapour deposition (PVD), chemical vapour infiltration (CVI), epitaxial growth of semiconductors, plasma and laser processing, etc. The definition of vapour is broadened to include all energetic processes, such as plasma, electron, ion, or laser, in which low-density material (vapour) is employed. The latter part of the chapter examines heat and mass transport during CVD processes.Less
This chapter presents a method for quantitatively studying the evolution (i.e., nucleation and growth) of the solid phase from the vapour phase. The technical applications of the methods developed is mainly in chemical vapour deposition (CVD), physical vapour deposition (PVD), chemical vapour infiltration (CVI), epitaxial growth of semiconductors, plasma and laser processing, etc. The definition of vapour is broadened to include all energetic processes, such as plasma, electron, ion, or laser, in which low-density material (vapour) is employed. The latter part of the chapter examines heat and mass transport during CVD processes.
Nasr M. Ghoniem and Daniel D. Walgraef
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199298686
- eISBN:
- 9780191720222
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199298686.003.0019
- Subject:
- Physics, Condensed Matter Physics / Materials
This concluding chapter begins with a discussion of universality of self-organization. It then considers the connections between patterns, defects and instabilities; and the dilemma of modeling and ...
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This concluding chapter begins with a discussion of universality of self-organization. It then considers the connections between patterns, defects and instabilities; and the dilemma of modeling and the multi-scale approach. It addresses the question of whether self-organization will ever be practical.Less
This concluding chapter begins with a discussion of universality of self-organization. It then considers the connections between patterns, defects and instabilities; and the dilemma of modeling and the multi-scale approach. It addresses the question of whether self-organization will ever be practical.
John A. Hall
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691153261
- eISBN:
- 9781400847495
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691153261.003.0002
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
This chapter presents an account of the social origins of civility in the course of an argument distinguishing civility from civil society—or, rather, insisting that civility must be included in the ...
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This chapter presents an account of the social origins of civility in the course of an argument distinguishing civility from civil society—or, rather, insisting that civility must be included in the definition of civil society if that concept is to carry the weight placed upon it. Civil society is a form of societal self-organization that allows for cooperation with the state while permitting individuation. The chapter argues that civil society only “makes sense” when it contains a heavy dose of civility. The initial breakthrough to civilized acceptance of difference in Europe obviously predated the emergence of capitalism. However, capitalism did have something to do with the establishment of a culture of political civility in England, for soft political rule was not always present there; on the contrary, it was a historical achievement.Less
This chapter presents an account of the social origins of civility in the course of an argument distinguishing civility from civil society—or, rather, insisting that civility must be included in the definition of civil society if that concept is to carry the weight placed upon it. Civil society is a form of societal self-organization that allows for cooperation with the state while permitting individuation. The chapter argues that civil society only “makes sense” when it contains a heavy dose of civility. The initial breakthrough to civilized acceptance of difference in Europe obviously predated the emergence of capitalism. However, capitalism did have something to do with the establishment of a culture of political civility in England, for soft political rule was not always present there; on the contrary, it was a historical achievement.
Niall Shanks
- Published in print:
- 2004
- Published Online:
- January 2005
- ISBN:
- 9780195161991
- eISBN:
- 9780199835058
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0195161998.003.0004
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Science
The creationist claim that evolution is inconsistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that entropy in the universe increases, is discussed and refuted: local reductions in entropy ...
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The creationist claim that evolution is inconsistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that entropy in the universe increases, is discussed and refuted: local reductions in entropy can be offset against increases in entropy elsewhere, so that the net increase in entropy required by the Law is consistent with local decreases in entropy. It is explained how recent developments in nonequilibrium thermodynamics have shown how physical systems can organize themselves into highly ordered states under the influence of natural laws alone.Less
The creationist claim that evolution is inconsistent with the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that entropy in the universe increases, is discussed and refuted: local reductions in entropy can be offset against increases in entropy elsewhere, so that the net increase in entropy required by the Law is consistent with local decreases in entropy. It is explained how recent developments in nonequilibrium thermodynamics have shown how physical systems can organize themselves into highly ordered states under the influence of natural laws alone.
Georg Northoff
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- April 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199826995
- eISBN:
- 9780199979776
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199826995.003.0012
- Subject:
- Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience
Now the question arises of how the resting state activity’s self-specific organization impacts subsequent stimulus-induced activity and its manifestation on the phenomenal level of consciousness. The ...
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Now the question arises of how the resting state activity’s self-specific organization impacts subsequent stimulus-induced activity and its manifestation on the phenomenal level of consciousness. The book discusses various findings from studies of emotion, reward, and decision making to show how they are impacted by self-specificity and the midline region’s activity. These findings suggest that self-specificity is indeed central in predisposing the neural activity in the various functions.Less
Now the question arises of how the resting state activity’s self-specific organization impacts subsequent stimulus-induced activity and its manifestation on the phenomenal level of consciousness. The book discusses various findings from studies of emotion, reward, and decision making to show how they are impacted by self-specificity and the midline region’s activity. These findings suggest that self-specificity is indeed central in predisposing the neural activity in the various functions.
Pierre-Yves Oudeyer
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199289158
- eISBN:
- 9780191711091
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199289158.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
Speech is the principal supporting medium of language. This book considers how spoken language first emerged. It gives an original and integrated view of the interactions between self-organization ...
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Speech is the principal supporting medium of language. This book considers how spoken language first emerged. It gives an original and integrated view of the interactions between self-organization and natural selection, reformulates questions about the origins of speech, and puts forward what at first sight appears to be a startling proposal — that speech can be spontaneously generated by the coupling of evolutionarily simple neural structures connecting perception and production. It explores this hypothesis by constructing a computational system to model the effects of linking auditory and vocal motor neural nets. It demonstrates that a population of agents which used holistic and unarticulated vocalizations at the outset is inexorably led to a state in which their vocalizations have become discrete, combinatorial, and categorized in the same way by all group members. Furthermore, the simple syntactic rules that have emerged to regulate the combinations of sounds exhibit the fundamental properties of modern human speech systems.Less
Speech is the principal supporting medium of language. This book considers how spoken language first emerged. It gives an original and integrated view of the interactions between self-organization and natural selection, reformulates questions about the origins of speech, and puts forward what at first sight appears to be a startling proposal — that speech can be spontaneously generated by the coupling of evolutionarily simple neural structures connecting perception and production. It explores this hypothesis by constructing a computational system to model the effects of linking auditory and vocal motor neural nets. It demonstrates that a population of agents which used holistic and unarticulated vocalizations at the outset is inexorably led to a state in which their vocalizations have become discrete, combinatorial, and categorized in the same way by all group members. Furthermore, the simple syntactic rules that have emerged to regulate the combinations of sounds exhibit the fundamental properties of modern human speech systems.
David J. T. Sumpter and Åke Brännström
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780199216840
- eISBN:
- 9780191712043
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199216840.003.0011
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Synergy is where the interactions of a group of individuals becomes more than the sum of their parts. This chapter reviews how, through the use of social communication, foraging animals can increase ...
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Synergy is where the interactions of a group of individuals becomes more than the sum of their parts. This chapter reviews how, through the use of social communication, foraging animals can increase their rate of finding food. This chapter discusses how mechanisms such as pheromone trails, dancing, and other signals act to increase group, and thus individual success. It also discusses how social dilemmas can arise where costly signalling can be exploited by non-signallers. It shows that under a range of conditions, specifically when group success increases more than linearly with group size, co-operative signalling can evolve without kin selection or recipricocity. This study serves to emphasise the importance in linking mechanism with function when studying collective behaviour of animals.Less
Synergy is where the interactions of a group of individuals becomes more than the sum of their parts. This chapter reviews how, through the use of social communication, foraging animals can increase their rate of finding food. This chapter discusses how mechanisms such as pheromone trails, dancing, and other signals act to increase group, and thus individual success. It also discusses how social dilemmas can arise where costly signalling can be exploited by non-signallers. It shows that under a range of conditions, specifically when group success increases more than linearly with group size, co-operative signalling can evolve without kin selection or recipricocity. This study serves to emphasise the importance in linking mechanism with function when studying collective behaviour of animals.
Pierre-Yves Oudeyer
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199289158
- eISBN:
- 9780191711091
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199289158.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
This chapter begins by describing nature as full of fascinatingly organized forms and patterns. It then characterizes nature as composed of complex systems with many interacting subsystems. These ...
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This chapter begins by describing nature as full of fascinatingly organized forms and patterns. It then characterizes nature as composed of complex systems with many interacting subsystems. These complex systems have a very strong tendency to self-organize. The chapter also focuses on the origin, evolution, and the formation of speech.Less
This chapter begins by describing nature as full of fascinatingly organized forms and patterns. It then characterizes nature as composed of complex systems with many interacting subsystems. These complex systems have a very strong tendency to self-organize. The chapter also focuses on the origin, evolution, and the formation of speech.
Jonathan Wistow, Tim Blackman, David Byrne, and Gerald Wistow
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9781447305286
- eISBN:
- 9781447312031
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781447305286.003.0002
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health
The chapter begins by considering what we mean by ‘health’ and by ‘inequalities’. When taken together health inequalities are often considered to be wicked problems – issues that are complex in terms ...
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The chapter begins by considering what we mean by ‘health’ and by ‘inequalities’. When taken together health inequalities are often considered to be wicked problems – issues that are complex in terms of causal pathways, difficult to define and with no immediate solutions. They can pose challenges to traditional approaches to policy making and programme implementation. Furthermore, methodological approaches need to fit with the nature of the ‘problem’ i.e., responding to causal relationships in complex settings. Complexity theory provides one such approach. The chapter applies complexity theory to health inequalities by unpacking these concepts across the following dimensions: scales and boundaries; non-linear dynamics; self-organisation; and co-evolution. In so doing it is argued that we must avoid the temptation to control, isolate and reduce components of dynamic social systems to discrete elements and consider the interactions between histories, contexts and agency so as to be able to fully understand and respond to health inequalities.Less
The chapter begins by considering what we mean by ‘health’ and by ‘inequalities’. When taken together health inequalities are often considered to be wicked problems – issues that are complex in terms of causal pathways, difficult to define and with no immediate solutions. They can pose challenges to traditional approaches to policy making and programme implementation. Furthermore, methodological approaches need to fit with the nature of the ‘problem’ i.e., responding to causal relationships in complex settings. Complexity theory provides one such approach. The chapter applies complexity theory to health inequalities by unpacking these concepts across the following dimensions: scales and boundaries; non-linear dynamics; self-organisation; and co-evolution. In so doing it is argued that we must avoid the temptation to control, isolate and reduce components of dynamic social systems to discrete elements and consider the interactions between histories, contexts and agency so as to be able to fully understand and respond to health inequalities.
Roger White, Guy Engelen, and Inge Uljee
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- May 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780262029568
- eISBN:
- 9780262331371
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262029568.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, Environmental Politics
Cities and regions are highly complex but ordered systems. They are thus best understood by modelling within the framework of the theory of complex, self-organizing systems. This theory suggests that ...
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Cities and regions are highly complex but ordered systems. They are thus best understood by modelling within the framework of the theory of complex, self-organizing systems. This theory suggests that fractal structure is a signature of self-organized systems, and that systems that are far from thermodynamic equilibrium have open futures. These two phenomena have important consequences for the calibration and validation of realistic models, with the open futures phenomenon raising fundamental methodological issues that are addressed in the book. The models themselves are cellular automata (CA) based, because CA are inherently spatial, high resolution, and dynamic. The basic model focuses on land use change, using multiple urban land use classes, with the dynamics driven by linked demographic, economic, and natural system models. Subsequently, a zone-based model of the spatial dynamics of population and economic activity is inserted to constrain the CA model regionally. Ultimately, the dynamics of population and economic activity are modelled together with land use in an activity based variable grid CA which captures spatial interaction effects at all scales, not just local, and permits multiple activities on a single cell. These models show how the complex but ordered urban and regional structure emerges; thus they constitute an advance in urban theory. They also provide a platform that planners can use to investigate the likely effectiveness of proposed plans and policies. Applications to a number of cities and regions are discussed, and applications to Flanders, implemented as part of the official planning process, are described in detail.Less
Cities and regions are highly complex but ordered systems. They are thus best understood by modelling within the framework of the theory of complex, self-organizing systems. This theory suggests that fractal structure is a signature of self-organized systems, and that systems that are far from thermodynamic equilibrium have open futures. These two phenomena have important consequences for the calibration and validation of realistic models, with the open futures phenomenon raising fundamental methodological issues that are addressed in the book. The models themselves are cellular automata (CA) based, because CA are inherently spatial, high resolution, and dynamic. The basic model focuses on land use change, using multiple urban land use classes, with the dynamics driven by linked demographic, economic, and natural system models. Subsequently, a zone-based model of the spatial dynamics of population and economic activity is inserted to constrain the CA model regionally. Ultimately, the dynamics of population and economic activity are modelled together with land use in an activity based variable grid CA which captures spatial interaction effects at all scales, not just local, and permits multiple activities on a single cell. These models show how the complex but ordered urban and regional structure emerges; thus they constitute an advance in urban theory. They also provide a platform that planners can use to investigate the likely effectiveness of proposed plans and policies. Applications to a number of cities and regions are discussed, and applications to Flanders, implemented as part of the official planning process, are described in detail.
