This paper focuses on the role of human cognition in the design of large complex systems. It contrasts the physical system that is the product of the design with the cognitive model that is used by the designer to “understand” the system. The complexity of the system relevant to the designer is a function not only of the physical system, but also of the cognitive model that the designer holds i...

The nonlinear properties of spontaneous fluctuations in blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signals remain unexplored. We test the hypothesis that complexity of BOLD activity is reduced with aging and is correlated with cognitive performance in the elderly. A total of 99 normal older and 56 younger male subjects were included. Cognitive function was assessed using Cognitive Abilities Screening ...

The arbitrariness of a signal has long been seen as theoretically important but difficult to pin down notion. In this article, we suggest there are at least two different notions play in philosophical and scientific debates concerning the use arbitrary signals, work towards improved analyses both. We then consider how these types can co-occur come apart. Finally, examine connections between cog...

The favorable gains gleaned from the provision of pre-task planning time (PTP) have struck a chord with SLA researchers as they try to manipulate task features to promote language production and development. In a similar vein, the present study is a two-fold attempt to first compare the effect of the length of pre-task planning time on discourse-analytic measures in narrative written production...

Software plays a central role in our life nowadays. We use it almost anywhere, at any time, and for everything: to browse the Internet, check emails, even access critical services such as health monitoring banking. Hence, its reliability general quality is critical. As software increases complexity, developers spend more time fixing bugs or making code work rather than designing writing new cod...

This study investigated students’ oral performance ability accounting for various oral analytical factors including fluency, lexical and structural complexity and accuracy with each subcategory. Accordingly, 20 raters scored the oral performances produced by 200 students and a quantitative design using a MANOVA test was used to investigate students’ score differences of various levels of langua...