Psycholinguistic Correlates of Symbol Grounding in Dictionaries

A dictionary can be represented as a directed graph with links from defining to defined words. The minimal feedback vertex sets (MinSets, Ms) of a dictionary graph are the smallest sets of words from which all the rest can be defined. We computed Ms for four English dictionaries. The words in the dictionary components revealed by our graph-theoretic analysis differ in their psycholinguistic correlates. Every MinSet has a C-part that is younger and more frequent and an S-part, that is more concrete. To understand the functional role of these components will require a close study of the words themselves, and how they are combined into definitions. We can already conclude that the closer a word is to the MinSets that can define all other words, the more concrete and frequent the word is likely to be, and the earlier it is likely to have been learned. This is what one would expect if the words in the MinSets were the ones that had been acquired through direct sensorimotor grounding

Analyse méthodologique de la modélisation numérique des équations de la physique des milieux continus à l’aide de la méthode des éléments finis – FLUX-EXPERT : un système d’aide à la construction de logiciels

A general methodology for the numerical modeling of partial differential equations using the finite element method is proposed. Its application to physics equations of continuous media is exposed. EXPERT, a computer system implementing these results, has been built, tested, and applied to several characteristics studies.Une méthodologie générale de la modélisation numérique des équations aux dérivées partielles à l'aide de la méthode des éléments finis est proposée. Son application aux équations de la physique des milieux continus est exposée. Un système informatique EXPERT mettant en œuvre ces résultats a été construit, testé, et appliqué à plusieurs études caractéristiques

The Latent Structure of Dictionaries

How many words (and which ones) are sufficient to define all other words? When dictionaries are analyzed as directed graphs with links from defining words to defined words, they reveal a latent structure. Recursively removing all words that are reachable by definition but that do not define any further words reduces the dictionary to a Kernel of about 10%. This is still not the smallest number of words that can define all the rest. About 75% of the Kernel turns out to be its Core, a Strongly Connected Subset of words with a definitional path to and from any pair of its words and no word’s definition depending on a word outside the set. But the Core cannot define all the rest of the dictionary. The 25% of the Kernel surrounding the Core consists of small strongly connected subsets of words: the Satellites. The size of the smallest set of words that can define all the rest (the graph’s Minimum Feedback Vertex Set or MinSet) is about 1% of the dictionary, 15% of the Kernel, and half-Core, half-Satellite. But every dictionary has a huge number of MinSets. The Core words are learned earlier, more frequent, and less concrete than the Satellites, which in turn are learned earlier and more frequent but more concrete than the rest of the Dictionary. In principle, only one MinSet’s words would need to be grounded through the sensorimotor capacity to recognize and categorize their referents. In a dual-code sensorimotor-symbolic model of the mental lexicon, the symbolic code could do all the rest via re-combinatory definition

3D INTERFACE ELEMENTS FOR MODELING COMPLEX POTENTIAL DROPS - COMPARISON WITH A BOUNDARY ELEMENTS METHOD

International audienceVoltage drops due to complex surface impedance and/or surface current sources are modelled by a 3D Finite Elements Method. Two specific formulations are given with these special 3D curvilinear second order elements: conduction in a low frequency marine electrometer and thermoelectric Seebeck effect on a solidification front. Simultaneous normal and tangential interfacial discontinuities can be computed. The method is validated by comparison with a Boundary Elements Method and experimental values

Exploration de nouvelles frontières pour l'accès à l'éducation supérieure : les MOOC

Comprend des références bibliographiques.Les massive online open courses (MOOC) sont des formations ouvertes, offertes en ligne, souvent gratuites, pouvant regrouper des milliers d’étudiants, et proposées, à ce jour, par les seules universités. Bien que théoriquement disponibles à tous, elles ne sont donc entièrement adaptées à chacun des niveaux de notre système d’éducation. Pourtant, elles permettent de fournir un enseignement répondant aux besoins les plus variés. Menant, en outre, à une reconnaissance dans certains établissements, elles ont le potentiel de devenir un important facteur d’accroissement de l’accès aux études supérieures et d’augmenter les chances de réussite des étudiants. Dispensés dans un contexte particulièrement souple, les MOOC démultiplient les avenues que peut prendre chacun pour se perfectionner ou pour parfaire son éducation. Ils induisent aussi une mondialisation de l’industrie du savoir - d’où, peut-être, leur popularité internationale. Les collèges se doivent aujourd’hui de prendre position par rapport aux nombreuses opportunités que présentent les MOOC. Voilà, notamment, ce que cet article, rédigé par plusieurs spécialistes de la question, nous enseigne

Exploring new fontiers in access to higher education : the case of MOOCs

Comprend des références bibliographique

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation alone and in combination with motor control exercise for the treatment of individuals with chronic non-s­pecific ­low­ back­ pain­ (ExTraStim­ trial): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction While multiple pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions treating chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP) are available, they have been shown to produce at best modest effects. Interventions such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, have exhibited promising results to alleviate chronic pain. However, evidence on the effectiveness of rTMS for CLBP is scarce due to limited rigorous clinical trials. Combining rTMS with motor control exercises (MCE) may help to address both central and nociceptive factors contributing to the persistence of LBP. The primary aim of this randomised controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness of a combination of rTMS and MCE to repeated rTMS sessions alone, sham rTMS and a combination of sham rTMS and MCE on pain intensity. Methods and analysis One hundred and forty participants (35/group) with CLBP will be randomised into four groups (active rTMS+MCE, sham rTMS+MCE, active rTMS and sham rTMS) to receive 10 sessions of their allocated intervention. The primary outcome will be the pain intensity, assessed at baseline, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include disability, fear of movement, quality of life and patient global rating of change. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval was obtained from the Comité d’éthique de la recherche sectoriel en réadaptation et intégration sociale, CIUSS de la Capitale Nationale in June 2019 (#2020–1844 – CER CIUSSS-CN). The results of the study will be submitted to a peer- reviewed journal and scientific meetings. Trial registration number NCT04555278

Impact of mash feeding versus pellets on propionic/butyric acid levels and on total Escherichia coli load in the gastrointestinal tract of growing pigs

Feed characteristics may influence the bacterial community composition and metabolic activities in the pig gastrointestinal tract, known to be associated with positive effects on the gut. Use of mash feed is associated with reduced Salmonella excretion, but little is known of its effect on the Escherichia coli population or of the mechanism of action. Our objectives were to assess the effect of feed texture combined with feed particle size on VFA profiles and levels, total E. coli count, and the presence of genes encoding virulence factors of pathogenic E. coli strains in the digestive tract along with their impact on pig performance of fattening pigs. Pigs (n = 840) on a commercial farm received mash or pellet diets of different particle sizes during the fattening period. Caecal and colon contents from 164 pigs were sampled at the slaughterhouse for enumeration of E. coli by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and for VFA quantification by capillary gas chromatography. The yccT gene was used to enumerate total E. coli. Improved pig performances associated with pellet texture and a 500-μm size were observed. Caecal (P = 0.02) and colon (P < 0.01) propionic acid concentrations were lower for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed. Similarly, caecal (P = 0.01) and colon (P < 0.001) butyric acid concentrations were also lower for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed, as determined by capillary gas chromatography. Moreover, caecal (P = 0.03) and colon (P < 0.001) butyric acid concentrations were higher for pigs receiving a feed with a 1,250-μm particle size rather than a 500-μm particle size. On the other hand, total caecal and colon E. coli levels were higher for pigs receiving pellet feed than for those receiving mash feed. For total E. coli enumeration, caecal (P < 0.01) and colon (P < 0.01) yccT gene copies were higher for pigs receiving pellet rather than mash feed. No effect of particle size on fatty acid concentrations or on E. coli numbers was observed. Virulence gene quantification revealed no trend. Taken together, results showed that mash feed is associated with lower growth performance but with favorable intestinal changes linked to VFA levels and E. coli reduction in the intestine