The relation between linguistic and manual asymmetries in bilinguals and monolinguals

Humans are unique in their ability for language and a strong population-wide right-hand preference for object manipulation. A number of researchers (e.g., Arbib, 2005; Crow, 2002) suggest that an association between language asymmetry and handedness was crucial for human evolution and development. However, developmental studies on language and handedness association demonstrate mixed results. Importantly, only a small number of developmental studies addressed handedness-language relations in adults. Moreover, the majority of studies on handedness and language relations rely on homogeneous samples of right-handed monolingual English speakers. To this day it is not known whether the results of such studies can be extrapolated to bilingual people, and whether results obtained from studies with children can be extrapolated to adults. The current study is the first of its kind systematically examining handedness and language in a sample of over 1,800 participants with diverse language background (over 50 different languages). The study examined handedness and language asymmetry in monolinguals, early bilinguals (acquiring a second language before age 6) and late bilinguals (acquiring a second language after age 6). Additional parameters such as motor asymmetry (a preference for right footedness) and gender were also examined for potential effects on asymmetry formation in all participants. Finally, a subsample of monolingual and bilingual participants was examined on asymmetry of a gesture and object manipulation. Study results suggest that contrary to previous claims of language asymmetry and handedness association, they are not strongly related in adults. Language asymmetry and the age of the second language acquisition predicted only a small portion of handedness score. Footedness and gender were stronger predictors of handedness. Females exhibited stronger asymmetry than males; more right-footed participants tended to be more right-handed. Contrary to studies with children, current study adult participants were more strongly lateralised for object manipulation than for gesture. In conclusion, the current study suggests that handedness and language relations are dynamic in development; that their relations are not as robust as was previously suggested; and finally, that the research field of handedness-language relations would benefit from diversifying study samples

HOST SOCIETY: PROBLEMS OF INTEGRATION

Статья посвящена проблеме интеграции мигрантов, однако фокус исследования перенесен с мигрантов, на принимающее сообщество. Мы не рассматриваем фактор культуры, как единственный препятствующий интеграции мигрантов в так называемое принимающее сообщество, в связи с чем целью исследования стало выявление характеристик самого принимающего сообщества, которые оказывают влияние на интегративные возможности. В статье опубликованы результаты пилотного опроса населения Якутии, проведенного с помощью формализованного интервью, которое позволило сосредоточиться не столько на культурных феноменах взаимодействия между мигрантами и принимающим сообществом, а на социальных проблемах, которые характерны для принимающего сообщества. Рассматриваются социальные факторы, препятствующие интеграции внутри общества и в этом контексте отношение местного населения к мигрантам. Определены проблемные зоны интеграции – наличие индикаторов социальной напряженности, низкого уровня правового сознания, а также факторы, препятствующие формированию нации, проявляющиеся на уровне социального капитала общества.The article deals with the integration of migrants, however, the research emphases shifted from migrants to a host society. We do not consider the cultural factor as the only obstacle to the integration of migrants, and therefore the purpose of the study was to identify the characteristics of the host society, which have an impact on the integrative capabilities. The paper published the results of a pilot survey of the population of Yakutia, using the method of the formalized interview, which allowed to focus not so much on the cultural phenomena of interaction between migrants and the host society, and detected social issues that are specific to the host community. We considered social factors hindering integration within society and in this context the attitude of the local population towards migrants. In result we identified the problem areas of integration – the presence of indicators of social tension, low level of legal awareness, as well as barriers to the formation of the nation, manifested at the level of social capital

How Did Language Evolve? Biological, Psychological, and Linguistic Perspectives

The topic of language origin and evolution has been consideredfor a long time as a difficult question to address scientifically because of poverty of empirical data and limitations in methodology (Müller, 1861). These considerations have led to the well-known edicts by the Société de Linguistique de Paris in 1866 and the Philological Society of Londonin 1872 that forbade all members from presenting speeches on the topic

Quantum-chemical study of electronically excited states of protolytic forms of vanillic acid

The paper describes an analysis of possible ways of deactivation of electronically excited states of 4-hydroxy- 3-methoxy-benzoic acid (vanillic acid) and its protolytic forms with the use of quantum-chemical methods INDO/S (intermediate neglect of differential overlap with a spectroscopic parameterization) and MEP (molecular electrostatic potential). The ratio of radiative and non-radiative deactivation channels of the electronic excitation energy is established. The rate constants of photophysical processes (internal and intercombination conversions) occurring after the absorption of light in these forms are evaluated. © (2015) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only

(Re)Introducing Vygotsky’s Thought: From Historical Overview to Contemporary Psychology

Theories formulated by Russian psychologist and educator Lev Vygotsky currently range from being applied and celebrated across multiple contexts to be considered outdated. In this paper, we maintain that such inconsistency in application stems from the overreliance on translated or reformulated Vygotskian theories, the attempts to understand these ideas in isolation from the scientific historical context of their development, and the impact of Vygotsky’s personal life circumstances on the development of his scholarship. It is known that Vygotsky’s untimely death prevented him from elaborating on his theoretical views and expanding his early empirical work. We suggest that Vygotsky’s scholarship could be better understood in light of the core principles that transcend all aspects of his work. In this paper, we elaborate on two such core principles: theories of language development and their relation to the integrated systemic approach to psychological development. We argue that although linguistic and historical boundaries have shaped the common perception of Vygotskian theories in anglophone research in a specific way, there is a potential for a renewed application of these theories to modern psychology that might be especially relevant in light of the increasingly interdisciplinary character of the modern science. To support our argument, we provide a brief overview and examples of potential connections between Vygotsky’s scholarship with contemporary landscape in psychological science. The paper presents a brief introduction to the topic of Vygotskian work and its application to modern psychology, rather than an addition to the field of Vygotskian scholarship. It is geared toward non-Vygotskian scholars and invites researchers working in interdisciplinary areas of psychology

"Умные машины" : взов для этики и юриспруденции

The article deals with the legal aspects of the use of artificial intelligence technology. The authors emphasise a low level of normative regulations which concern the use of artificial intelligence in Russia, taking into account the active and widespread application of this technology in various spheres of life. Developments in the field of artificial intelligence raise very serious ethical and legal issues. Among legal issues, such as the nature of artificial intelligence, the existence of a legal personality, the problem of liability for damage caused by artificial intelligence, the impact on the legal profession, etc., need to be considered. Particular attention is paid to the need to develop a legal concept of artificial intelligence in order to build an effective model of legal regulation. The article analyzes the attempts to define artificial intelligence in specialist and legal literature. The use of such concepts as neural networks, machine learning, super intelligence, supercomputers is underlined. Single attempts to develop legal definitions in South Korea and the European Union are also mentioned. Following the results of the research, the authors proposed the following features of artificial intelligence: the existence of a technical device or cyberphysical system; ability to receive, process and transfer information; ability to work autonomously; self-learning based on the analysis of information and experience; self-awareness; thinking and the ability to make independent decisions.В статье рассматриваются юридические аспекты использования технологии искусственного интеллекта. Авторами отмечается слабое нормативное регулирование применения искусственного интеллекта в России с учетом активного и повсеместного внедрения данной технологии в различных сферах жизни. Разработки в сфере искусственного интеллекта поднимают очень серьезные вопросы этического и правового порядка. Среди юридических вопросов требуют решения такие как природа искусственного интеллекта, наличие правосубъектности, проблема ответственности за вред, причиненный искусственным интеллектом, влияние на юридическую профессию и т.п. Особое внимание в работе уделено необходимости выработки юридического понятия искусственного интеллекта в целях построения эффективной модели правового регулирования. В статье анализируются подходы к определению искусственного интеллекта в специальной и юридической литературе. Отмечается использование таких понятий как нейронные сети, машинное обучение, сверхразум, суперкомпьютеры. Отдельно упоминаются попытки легальных определений в Южной Корее и Европейском союзе. По итогам исследования авторами предложены следующие признаки искусственного интеллекта: наличие технического устройства или киберфизической системы; способность к принятию, обработке и передаче информации; способность к автономной работе; самобучение на основе анализа информации и приобретенного опыта; самосознание; мышление и способность к принятию самостоятельных решений

Fullerene-modified polyamide 6 by in situ anionic polymerization in the presence of PCBM

Activated anionic ring-opening polymerization of e-caprolactam (ECL) was carried out for the first time in the presence of [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) to prepare polyamide 6 (PA6)-based composites comprising up to 3 wt% of this fullerene derivative. This in situ polymerization process produced high molecular weight composites containing 52–80 % of gel fraction at PCBM concentration C0.5 wt%. Spectral, thermomechanical, synchrotron X-ray, and scanning electron microscopy data were used to elucidate the structure and morphology of the PA6/PCBM composites. A mechanism of the chemical structure evolution was proposed starting with incipient complexation between ECL and PCBM, via subsequent chemical linking of ECL moieties on the C60 spheroid and final formation of star-burst and cross-linked morphologies. PCBM amounts of 0.1 wt% and more decreased the volume resistivity from 10E12 Ω.cm (neat PA6) to 10E9–10E7 Ω.cm, thus opening the way for new applications of anionic PA6.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Ensuring the rational temperature conditions for concrete hardening

One of the important aspects of the production technology of monolithic reinforced concrete is to ensure the rational temperature hardening of concrete that can provide high-quality concrete with a minimum duration of heat treatment and minimize energy costs. The article contains ways to solve the problem of ensuring a rational temperature setting of hardening. The task requires the development of a general method for calculating the temperature field of concrete in a hardening reinforced concrete structure. The proposed method of calculating considers a mathematical model of the temperature field in a hardening concrete structure of any shape with different conditions on the heat exchange surfaces and can be applied in various ways of heat treatment of concrete. For solving the equations of thermal conductivity and kinetics of heat release of concrete, the initial and boundary conditions must be specified. Moreover, the influence of reinforcing and simulation of heat distribution in the frozen basis is studied

РЕПРЕЗЕНТАЦИЯ ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОЙ МЕДИЦИНСКОЙ КОММУНИКАЦИИ В ХУДОЖЕСТВЕННОМ ТЕКСТЕ (НА МАТЕРИАЛЕ ВЕРБАТИМ «DOC.TOP. ЗАПИСКИ ПРОВИНЦИАЛЬНОГО ВРАЧА» ЕЛЕНЫ ИСАЕВОЙ)

The article describes the uniqueness of professional medical communication and the features of its representation in a literary text.The purpose of the study is to identify the substantive, functional and structural features of professional communication in medicine. The subject of study is the emotional-communicative and verbal aspects of professional communication within verbatim Doc.Top. Zapiski provintsial’nogo vracha by E. Isaeva.Research methods are determined by the research objectives and include general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, a combination of linguistic (descriptive and statistical methods) and literary (problem-thematic) methods. The novelty of the study is due to its interdisciplinary nature. This paper makes an attempt to integrate the knowledge of the theory of communication, linguistics and literary criticism.The most significant results of the study are the conclusions that professional medical communication is distinguished by the syncretism of pragmatic, professionally-labeled and personal communicative strategies, expressed emotional and psychological speech behavior of communicants. The specifics of the information and communication interaction in the medical discourse is determined by the status-role relations between the participants, the sociocultural and institutional context of communication, as well as the special professional motivation of the doctor as a representative of a significant sphere of human life.Practical implications. The results can be used in the study of such disciplines as the theory of communication, the style of the text, as well as in the analysis of artistic speech and verbatim.В статье описывается своеобразие профессиональной медицинской коммуникации и особенности ее репрезентации в художественном тексте.Цель исследования – выявить содержательные, функциональные и структурные особенности профессиональной коммуникации в медицинской сфере. Предмет изучения – эмоционально-коммуникативный и речевой аспекты профессиональной коммуникации вербатим Е. Исаевой «Doc.Top. Записки провинциального врача».Методы исследования определяются задачами исследования и включают общенаучные методы анализа и синтеза, сочетание методов лингвистических (описательный и статистический методы) и литературоведческих (проблемно-тематический метод). Новизна исследования обусловлена его междисциплинарным характером. В настоящей работе предпринята попытка интеграции знаний теории коммуникации, лингвистики и литературоведения.Наиболее значимыми результатами исследования представляются выводы о том, что профессиональную медицинскую коммуникацию отличает синкретизм прагматических, профессионально-маркированных и личностных коммуникативных стратегий, выраженное эмоционально-психологическое речевое поведение коммуникантов. Специфика информационно-коммуникационного взаимодействия участников медицинского дискурса определяется статусно-ролевыми отношениями его участников, социокультурным и институциональным контекстом общения, а также особой профессиональной мотивацией врача как представителя значимой сферы человеческой жизнедеятельности.Область применения результатов. Результаты данной работы могут быть использованы при изучении таких дисциплин, как теория коммуникации, стилистика текста, а также при анализе художественной речи и вербатим.