scholarly journals The small and efficient language network of polyglots and hyper-polyglots

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olessia Jouravlev ◽  
Zachary Mineroff ◽  
Idan A. Blank ◽  
Evelina Fedorenko
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Default Mode Network ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Neural Architecture ◽  
Initial Characterization ◽  
The One ◽  
Multiple Languages ◽  
Language Network

AbstractAcquiring a foreign language is challenging for many adults. Yet certain individuals choose to acquire sometimes dozens of languages, and often just for fun. Is there something special about the minds and brains of such polyglots? Using robust individual-level markers of language activity, measured with fMRI, we compared native language processing in polyglots versus matched controls. Polyglots (n=17, including 9 “hyper-polyglots” with proficiency in 10-55 languages) used fewer neural resources to process language: their activations were smaller in both magnitude and extent. This difference was spatially and functionally selective: the groups were similar in their activation of two other brain networks – the multiple demand network and the default mode network. We hypothesize that the activation reduction in the language network is experientially driven, such that the acquisition and use of multiple languages makes language processing generally more efficient. However, genetic and longitudinal studies will be critical to distinguish this hypothesis from the one whereby polyglots’ brains already differ at birth or early in development. This initial characterization of polyglots’ language network opens the door to future investigations of the cognitive and neural architecture of individuals who gain mastery of multiple languages, including changes in this architecture with linguistic experiences.

scholarly journals The Small and Efficient Language Network of Polyglots and Hyper-polyglots

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-76
Author(s):  
Olessia Jouravlev ◽  
Zachary Mineroff ◽  
Idan A Blank ◽  
Evelina Fedorenko
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Default Mode Network ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Neural Architecture ◽  
Initial Characterization ◽  
The One ◽  
Multiple Languages ◽  
Language Network

Abstract Acquiring a foreign language is challenging for many adults. Yet certain individuals choose to acquire sometimes dozens of languages and often just for fun. Is there something special about the minds and brains of such polyglots? Using robust individual-level markers of language activity, measured with fMRI, we compared native language processing in polyglots versus matched controls. Polyglots (n = 17, including nine “hyper-polyglots” with proficiency in 10–55 languages) used fewer neural resources to process language: Their activations were smaller in both magnitude and extent. This difference was spatially and functionally selective: The groups were similar in their activation of two other brain networks—the multiple demand network and the default mode network. We hypothesize that the activation reduction in the language network is experientially driven, such that the acquisition and use of multiple languages makes language processing generally more efficient. However, genetic and longitudinal studies will be critical to distinguish this hypothesis from the one whereby polyglots’ brains already differ at birth or early in development. This initial characterization of polyglots’ language network opens the door to future investigations of the cognitive and neural architecture of individuals who gain mastery of multiple languages, including changes in this architecture with linguistic experiences.

LA INTEGRACIÓN DE LA MATEMÁTICA Y EL INGLÉS EN EL CONTEXTO UNIVERSITARIO: COMPONENTES DE UNA DIDÁCTICA

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-30
Author(s):  
Orlando Alberteris Galbán ◽  
Pablo Estrada Aguilera ◽  
Viviana Cañizares Hinojosa
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Integrated Learning ◽  
Initial Characterization ◽  
Discourse Interactions

El presente trabajo aporta algunos componentes para una didáctica de procesos e indicadores para la integración de la matemática y el inglés en el ámbito universitario camagüeyano, a partir de las interacciones discursivas necesarias para la inserción paulatina en la actividad de aprendizaje matemático y lengua extranjera. La implementación de esta secuencia arrojó como primer resultado una caracterización inicial de la actividad de aprendizaje integrado con tendencia a la progresiva enculturación matemática con y desde la lengua extranjera.PALABRAS CLAVE: didáctica; procesos e indicadores; integración matemática y la lengua extranjera; interacciones discursivas; enculturación matemática THE INTEGRATION OF MATHEMATICS AND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: COMPONENTS FOR A DIDACTICSABSTRACTThe present paper offers some components for some didactics, involving processes and indicators to integrate mathematics and the English language in Camaguey University, considering discourse interactions needed for the gradually insertion to learning activity of mathematics and foreign language. The implementation of the didactic sequence produced an initial characterization of the integrated learning activity with tendency to a mathematical enculturation, using the foreign language.KEYWORDS: didactics; processes and indicators; mathematical and foreign language integration; discursive interactions; mathematical enculturation

scholarly journals Remediation of Soil Polluted by Organic Compounds Through Chemical Oxidation and Phytoremediation Combined with DCT

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (17) ◽  
pp. 3179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Cristina Rada ◽  
Gianni Andreottola ◽  
Irina Aura Istrate ◽  
Paolo Viotti ◽  
Fabio Conti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
Industrial Area ◽  
Electrochemical Treatment ◽  
Chemical Oxidation ◽  
Oil Refining ◽  
Contaminated Sites ◽  
Initial Characterization ◽  
Industrial Use ◽  
The One

Soils contaminated with organic substances is an important issue across Europe: In some areas, these are the main causes of pollution, or the second after contamination from waste disposal. This paper included an experimental application that compared three methods of remediation of contaminated sites, based on electric fields: A single treatment (electroremediation); and two combined treatments, phyto-electrochemical and electrooxidation (a combination of chemical treatment and a DCT—direct current technology). The contaminated soil was taken from a former industrial area devoted to oil refining, located between two roads: The one national and the other one for industrial use. Nine soil samples were collected at two depths (0.2 and 0.4 m). The initial characterization of the soil showed a density of 1.5 g/cm³ and a moisture of about 20%; regarding grain size, 50% of the soil had particles with a diameter less than 0.08 mm. The electrochemical treatment and electrooxidation had an efficiency of 20% while the two combined methods had efficiencies of 42.5% for electrooxidation (with H2O2) and 20% for phyto-electroremediation (phyto-ER) with poinsettias.

‘STRUGGLING BUT FAILING TO MASK’: THE MUSIC OF MARK R. TAYLOR

Tempo ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (265) ◽  
pp. 2-15
Author(s):  
David Maw
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Musical Expression ◽  
Controlled Processes ◽  
Initial Characterization ◽  
The One

AbstractThe music of Mark R. Taylor (b. 1961) is as yet little known. In part, this derives from his unusual profile in the current musical scene. The initial characterization of his work given in this article takes his own remarks from a note inscribed at the end of a piano fragment from the mid-1990s as a framework. From his earliest compositions onwards, the handling of musical materials has depended on strictly controlled processes that are conveyed through a notable ‘simplicity of presentation’. This gives the work a semblance of postmodernism; but Taylor distances himself from the allusiveness, playfulness and irony of this movement, preferring to recognize a ‘personal expressivity’ characteristic of ‘the better kind of postmodernism’. These opposing tendencies to objectivity on the one hand and to expressivity on the other are components of a dialectical musical expression in which the music is ‘struggling but failing to mask profound inner turmoil’.

How much Artistic Freedom is permitted when it comes to Language? - Analysis of a Crime Novel

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-60
Author(s):  
Manuela Svoboda ◽  
Petra Zagar-Sostaric
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
German Language ◽  
Direct Speech ◽  
Small Talk ◽  
Language Analysis ◽  
Crime Novel ◽  
Blood Relative ◽  
German Origin ◽  
Artistic Freedom ◽  
The One

Abstract In this article a closer look will be taken at the issue of inaccurately using a foreign language, i.e. German in this particular case, in a crime novel or thriller. Of course, in fiction the author has complete artistic freedom to invent and present things as he/she intends and it doesn`t necessarily have to be realistic or legitimate. But what happens when it comes to an existing language being quoted in fiction? For this purpose David Thomas’ thriller “Blood Relative - How well do you know the one you love?” is analysed regarding parts in which German quotes are used. As the plot is located partly in England and partly in former East Germany (GDR) and the protagonist’s wife is of German origin, direct speech, titles and names are used in German. Subsequently, they are translated into English by the author in order to be understood by the English reader. However, there are many grammar, spelling and semantic mistakes in these German expressions and common small talk quotes. This begs the question, is it justified to disregard linguistic correctness with regards to artistic freedom given the fact that we are dealing with a fictional thriller, or is it nevertheless necessary to be precise concerning foreign language usage? How far may one “test” their artistic freedom in this particular case? In order to answer these questions a detailed analysis of the thriller is performed, concerning artistic freedom and modern literature/light fiction as well as the German language used in quotes and direct speech.

scholarly journals Identification and initial characterization of POLIII-driven transcripts by msRNA-sequencing.

RNA Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Zorn ◽  
Danny Misiak ◽  
Michael Gekle ◽  
Marcel Köhn
Keyword(s):  
Initial Characterization

scholarly journals Does higher education properly prepare graduates for the growing artificial intelligence market? Gaps identification using text mining

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Lamiae Benhayoun ◽  
Daniel Lang
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Natural Language Processing ◽  
Text Mining ◽  
Natural Language ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Academic Training ◽  
Market Requirements ◽  
Job Advertisements ◽  
The Individual

BACKGROUND: The renewed advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is inducing profound changes in the classic categories of technology professions and is creating the need for new specific skills. OBJECTIVE: Identify the gaps in terms of skills between academic training on AI in French engineering and Business Schools, and the requirements of the labour market. METHOD: Extraction of AI training contents from the schools’ websites and scraping of a job advertisements’ website. Then, analysis based on a text mining approach with a Python code for Natural Language Processing. RESULTS: Categorization of occupations related to AI. Characterization of three classes of skills for the AI market: Technical, Soft and Interdisciplinary. Skills’ gaps concern some professional certifications and the mastery of specific tools, research abilities, and awareness of ethical and regulatory dimensions of AI. CONCLUSIONS: A deep analysis using algorithms for Natural Language Processing. Results that provide a better understanding of the AI capability components at the individual and the organizational levels. A study that can help shape educational programs to respond to the AI market requirements.

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