Evidence Of Self-organization Research Articles

Further evidence for self-organization in English spelling

Further evidence for self-organization in English spelling Kristian Berg and Mark Aronoff Geoffrey Sampson (2018) makes two claims in his response to our article about self-organization in spelling (Berg & Aronoff 2017): our explanation is redundant, and the phenomena we address can be better captured in more traditional terms. In our article, we showed first that the relation between graphemic form and morphological function is isomorphic for some suffixes, for example, the adjectival suffix -ous: in today’s English, all and only adjectives with this morpheme are spelled with final <ous>, even though phonographically, more words could be spelled that way in American varieties (cf. nervous/service). We also demonstrated that this system evolved gradually in an unsupervised process of self-organization. Sampson does not contest our synchronic statement, but brings forth a variety of distinct accounts for our diachronic findings. Overall, he suggests that phonology and etymology are sufficient to explain why the spellings are the way they are: in British English, nervous and service have (and more importantly, had) distinct reduced vowels. The distinct spelling is thus explicable from phonology here. Other spellings, Sampson argues, follow a widespread convention preferring etymological spellings: service has an <i> in Latin, and <ous> stems from Latin -os-; that is why *<servous> is not the accepted form. No need for a distinct principle of self-organization, says Sampson, because all the data are accounted for already. There are three misunderstandings in Sampson’s response. We take responsibility for the first, though not for the second and third. Let us start with the first. Synchronically, we showed that graphemic form and morphological function are isomorphic. We then ask how this situation arose historically, but the fact is that we looked at only half of the historical story. To show this, we need to step back a little and look at the relation between form and function. It is fine to talk about isomorphism as above—but it can be helpful to take the relation apart: we can distinguish between uniformity and uniqueness. Uniformity denotes the degree of consistency with which a function is represented in its form: is there more than one spelling for the suffix? Today, -ous is spelled (almost) uniformly <ous>,1 but in earlier stages of English, there were variants (e.g. <us>, <ouse>), so we can say that the spelling of this adjective suffix has become more uniform over the centuries. Uniqueness flips the perspective; it denotes the degree of consistency with which a form represents a function. Is there more than one interpretation for this string of graphemes? While <ous> is unique in representing this one adjective suffix, other suffix spellings are not; <er> represents (among others) the agentive nominal suffix in <singer> and the comparative suffix in <longer>, but also a nonmorphological word ending in <hammer>. Both uniformity and uniqueness are independent of phonology: they deal with the relation between spelling and morphology. When we take phonology into account, it is as circumstantial evidence: the fact that a number of words in today’s American English could potentially be spelled with <ous> (e.g. service) is a further argument for the uniqueness. [End Page e48] Synchronically, we showed that -ous/<ous> is both unique and uniform—but diachronically, we investigated only the uniformity of the suffix. We asked whether Latinate loans like status were responsible for the decline of the <us>-variant of -ous like <humerus> (short answer: probably not)—that is a question of uniqueness. But we did not investigate the uniqueness of each spelling variant in each time period, simply because the investigation was extensive enough already. That does not mean the question is uninteresting. A superficial search in the Helsinki corpus (a selection of English texts produced before 1710) indeed shows a number of words whose endings are like variant spellings of the suffix -ous (<ous>, <ouse>), but that did not contain the suffix, for example, <almous dedes> ‘alms’, <felouse> ‘fellows’, <alehous> ‘alehouse’, or <sparous> ‘sparrows’. It remains an open question how unique the respective spellings were at any given time. We now have data that show a striking case of the emergence of uniqueness over time in the spelling of the nominal...

Evidence for self-organization in determining spatial patterns of stream nutrients, despite primacy of the geomorphic template

Nutrients in freshwater ecosystems are highly variable in space and time. Nevertheless, the variety of processes contributing to nutrient patchiness, and the wide range of spatial and temporal scales at which these processes operate, obfuscate how this spatial heterogeneity is generated. Here, we describe the spatial structure of stream nutrient concentration, quantify the relative importance of the physical template and biological processes, and detect and evaluate the role of self-organization in driving such patterns. We examined nutrient spatial patterns in Sycamore Creek, an intermittent desert stream in Arizona that experienced an ecosystem regime shift [from a gravel/algae-dominated to a vascular plant-dominated (hereafter, "wetland") system] in 2000 when cattle grazing ceased. We conducted high-resolution nutrient surveys in surface water along a 10-km stream reach over four visits spanning 18 y (1995-2013) that represent different successional stages and prewetland stage vs. postwetland state. As expected, groundwater upwelling had a major influence on nutrient spatial patterns. However, self-organization realized by the mechanism of spatial feedbacks also was significant and intensified over ecosystem succession, as a resource (nitrogen) became increasingly limiting. By late succession, the effects of internal spatial feedbacks and groundwater upwelling were approximately equal in magnitude. Wetland establishment influenced nutrient spatial patterns only indirectly, by modifying the extent of surface water/groundwater exchange. This study illustrates that multiple mechanisms interact in a dynamic way to create spatial heterogeneity in riverine ecosystems, and provides a means to detect spatial self-organization against physical template heterogeneity as a dominant driver of spatial patterns.

The neutral emergence of error minimized genetic codes superior to the standard genetic code

The standard genetic code (SGC) assigns amino acids to codons in such a way that the impact of point mutations is reduced, this is termed ‘error minimization’ (EM). The occurrence of EM has been attributed to the direct action of selection, however it is difficult to explain how the searching of alternative codes for an error minimized code can occur via codon reassignments, given that these are likely to be disruptive to the proteome. An alternative scenario is that EM has arisen via the process of genetic code expansion, facilitated by the duplication of genes encoding charging enzymes and adaptor molecules. This is likely to have led to similar amino acids being assigned to similar codons. Strikingly, we show that if during code expansion the most similar amino acid to the parent amino acid, out of the set of unassigned amino acids, is assigned to codons related to those of the parent amino acid, then genetic codes with EM superior to the SGC easily arise. This scheme mimics code expansion via the gene duplication of charging enzymes and adaptors. The result is obtained for a variety of different schemes of genetic code expansion and provides a mechanistically realistic manner in which EM has arisen in the SGC. These observations might be taken as evidence for self-organization in the earliest stages of life.

Evidence of self-organization in a gregarious land-dwelling crustacean (Isopoda: Oniscidea).

How individuals modulate their behavior according to social context is a major issue in the understanding of group initiation, group stability and the distribution of individuals. Herein, we investigated the mechanisms of aggregation behavior in Porcellio scaber, a terrestrial isopod member of the Oniscidea, a unique and common group of terrestrial crustaceans. We performed binary choice tests using shelters with a wide range of population densities (from 10 to 150 individuals). First, the observed collective choices of shelters strengthen the demonstration of a social inter-attraction in terrestrial isopods; especially, in less than 10min, the aggregation reaches its maximal value, and in less than 100s, the collective choice is made, i.e., one shelter is selected. In addition, the distribution of individuals shows the existence of (1) quorum rules, by which an aggregate cannot emerge under a threshold value of individuals, and (2) a maximum population size, which leads to a splitting of the populations. These collective results are in agreement with the individual's probability of joining and leaving an aggregate attesting to a greater attractiveness of the group to migrants and greater retention of conspecifics with group size. In this respect, we show that the emergence of aggregation in terrestrial isopods is based on amplification mechanisms. And lastly, our results indicate how local cues about the spatial organization of individuals may favor this emergence and how individuals spatiotemporally reorganize toward a compact form reducing the exchange with the environment. This study provides the first evidence of self-organization in a gregarious crustacean, similar as has been widely emphasized in gregarious insects and eusocial insects.

Evidence of self-organization in Sumatra earthquakes: recurrence time and its geodynamical implications

Inter-event time series of seismic activities of Sumatra region with magnitude (m b ≥ 4.8) and period spanning over 1973–2012 has been analyzed using the techniques of nonlinear dynamics. The earthquake data were collected from the USGS Web catalog. The rank order statistics of inter-event time series reveal mixed response with distinct breaks in slope suggesting that earthquake dynamics in this region are unstable, but “self-organized.” Comparison of return maps of the data with random, stochastic, and chaotic time records shows quasi-deterministic behavior. We assessed the dimensionality of earthquake-generating mechanism using a nonlinear predictor technique on two-dimensional phase portrait constructed by recurrence time series. The nonlinear forecasting analysis suggests that the earthquake processes in the Sumatra region evolve on a non-random low-dimensional chaotic plane. Further, second-order Kolmogorov entropy “K2” analysis revealed a coherent time structure, indicating quasi-deterministic dynamical pattern. Our result is consistent with “self-organized” processes determined by the internal dynamics, where impulsively derived interdependencies cascade through the tectonic stress generated by plate movement. However, we do not preclude the triggering role of other external processes on the coupled underlying system.

Stock Market Bubble Build-Up Process Analysis with Complex Network Topology &amp; Synchronization Dynamics

The objective of this research is to find empirical evidence of self-organization and bubble build up in the stock market preceding crashes. Nonlinear methods will be used to detect interdependent trading behavior and propose regulatory mechanism that will break the synchronization of trading and bring the market back to efficiency. We will propose mechanisms and regulatory measure to increase resilience against market crashes.

Mixing enthalpies of oxides in the PbO-Y2O3 and PbO-MoO3 systems

The enthalpies of mixing of oxides in the binary systems PbO-Y2O3 and PbO-MoO3 have been determined for near-eutectic compositions by solution calorimetry. The results, combined with earlier solution calorimetry data for these systems, provide clear evidence for self-organization of the interacting substructures in the melt (formation of nonautonomous phases similar to supramolecular ensembles).

Morphology and cure kinetics of unsaturated polyester resin/block copolymer blends

Thermoset blends based on unsaturated polyester and triblock copolymers containing poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) blocks were investigated. No evidence of self-organization was found. Under our experimental conditions, the block copolymers behaved like classical thermoplastic additives used for shrinkage compensation. According to the type and content of the copolymer, initial systems with one phase or two phases were generated. During curing, except in one case in which thermally induced phase separation was found, reaction-induced phase separation was observed, leading to various types of cured morphologies (cocontinuous or dispersed). For a cocontinuous, two-phase morphology, experimental observations revealed phase separation proceeding via spinodal decomposition frozen in the early stage by gelation. These triblock copolymers appear to be interesting new additives that could be used as good shrinkage compensator additives for industrial applications because it is known that a cocontinuous morphology is needed for this purpose. As for the final morphologies containing dispersed phases, the interpretation of the phenomena occurring upon polymerization requires further investigation. No clear discrimination between spinodal decomposition and nucleation and growth was achieved; in some cases, various successive phase separations were observed. The curing kinetics were examined: an increase in the molar weight and/or copolymer content led to a lower reaction rate. Kinetics curves were modeled by the semiempirical autocatalytic reaction model of Kamal and Sourour with a diffusion-control function. The gelation and vitrification of the system played major roles in the reaction kinetics. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 149–165, 2006

Thermal diffusivities and molar volumes of ternary Al 20 As xTe 80− x alloy glasses: evidence of self-organization

Thermal diffusivities ( α) and molar volumes ( V m) of bulk Al 20As x Te 80− x alloy glasses in the composition range 0≤ x≤35 are examined. The results reveal a broad maximum in alpha and a broad minimum in V m in the 15< x<25 range. Earlier temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetric measurements on these glasses have revealed the non-reversing heat flow to show a global minimum (reversibility window) in the same composition range. Taken together these results suggest that present glasses in the 15< x<25 range are self-organized. The thermal diffusivity maximum observed near x=20 is consistent with a minimal scattering of thermal waves in the homogeneous and stress-free glass composition residing in the center of the self-organized phase.

Evidence of self-organization in brain electrical activity using wavelet-based informational tools

In the present work, we show that appropriate information-theory tools based on the wavelet transform (relative wavelet energy; normalized total wavelet entropy, H ; generalized wavelet complexity, C W ), when applied to tonic–clonic epileptic EEG data, provide one with valuable insights into the dynamics of neural activity. Twenty tonic–clonic secondary generalized epileptic records pertaining to eight patients have been analyzed. If the electromyographic activity is excluded the difference between the ictal and pre-ictal mean entropic values ( Δ H = 〈 H ( ictal ) 〉 - 〈 H ( pre - ictal ) 〉 ) is negative in 95% of the cases ( p < 0.0001 ) , and the mean complexity variation ( Δ C W = 〈 C W ( ictal ) 〉 - 〈 C W ( pre - ictal ) 〉 ) is positive in 85% of the cases ( p = 0.0002 ) . Thus during the seizure entropy diminishes while complexity grows. This is construed as evidence supporting the conjecture that an epileptic focus in this kind of seizures triggers a self-organized brain state characterized by both order and maximal complexity.

COMPLEX BEHAVIOR OF A PREDATOR-PREY MODEL WITH DISCRETE GENOTYPE

Inspired by the work of Ray et al., we study a model of predator-prey dynamics that incorporates the effects of a discrete genotype. We thoroughly analyze the many features of the model, and show that the system seems to reach a critical state in the genotype space, with some evidence of self-organization. Our results present the effects of natural selection at work in genotype space. The presence of the discrete genotype seems to make the model more robust to small variations of the main parameters, when compared to the bare Lotka–Volterra dynamics.

Evaluation of spacing of stylolites and its implications for self-organization of pressure dissolution

ABSTRACT The self-organization theory of stylolite development is one of the most prominent explanations of pressure-dissolution phenomena. Its proponents cite uniform spacing of stylolites as evidence of self-organization, and its original authors concluded that a natural consequence of the theory ... is the development of sets of stylolites with roughly regular spacing. Spacing of stylolites is the only observable physical criterion by which self-organized pressure dissolution can be differentiated from conventional pressure dissolution in ancient limestones. Quantitative analysis of spacing of stylolites in limestones shows, however, that spacing of stylolites is generally indistinguishable from random arrangement. Spacing of stylolites thus provides no support for the theory of self-organization of pressure dissolution.

Application of chaos theory to a model biological system: evidence of self-organization in the intrinsic cardiac nervous system.

The neutral organization that determines the specific beat-to-beat pattern of cardiac behavior is expected to be demonstrated in the independent regulation of the RR intervals (chronotropy) and the corresponding QT subintervals (inotropy), as the former defines the rate of contraction and the latter has a linear negative correlation with the peak pressure inside the contracting ventricular muscles. The neurons of the isolated cardiac nervous system, many of which are located in the fat-pads of the heart, exhibit the same types of mechanical and chemical receptors and the same types of cholinergic and noradrenergic effectors as those found in the neural superstructure. In the surgically isolated and perfused rabbit heart we studied the responses of the QT and RR intervals evoked by block of coronary blood flow. We found that if we separated each RR cycle into QT and RR-QT components, then the dynamics of variation for each subinterval series often had the same fractional number of degrees of freedom (i.e., chaotic dimensions), a finding which suggests they are both regulated by the same underlying system. The ischemia/anoxia evoked transient dimensional increases and separations between the two subinterval series that, after the temporary divergence, reconverged to having the same lower value. The dimensional fluctuations occurred repeatedly and preceded or coincided with alterations in the magnitude and sign of the slope of QT vs RR-QT. We interpret the dimensional fluctuations of the two subinterval series as correlates of adaptation-dependent self-organization and reorganization in the underlying intrinsic cardiac nervous system during accumulating ischemia/anoxia. Such attempts at functional reorganization in this simple neurocardiac system may explain the transient dimensional changes in the RR intervals that precedes by 24 hrs the occurrences of fatal ventricular fibrillation in high-risk cardiac patients.