A Rather Good T-Shirt
Title
A Rather Good T-Shirt
Subject
Awarded third place in the Graduate Image of Research Contest 2015
Semi-finalist in the Graduate Image of Research Contest 2015
Description
What is complexity? A complex shape or complex data might be organized across many scales, perhaps
with larger structures repeated at smaller scales, as in fractals. Or it may have order hidden within apparent
randomness - a chaotic system. A system producing complex data may be more flexible or adaptable than
one that can only produce simple data.
Many physiological systems show complex behavior, whose complexity can change with aging or
disease. For muscles, the ability to adapt complexity of output to meet changing goals might predict how
well a new task is learned. I study how complexity of initial performance predicts learning of new tasks
with lip and tongue muscles in healthy younger and older adults. Eventually, this work may lead to better
therapies for people with difficulties swallowing or speaking. The patterns overlain on the tongue and lips in the image are magnified sections of the Mandelbrot set, a
well-known fractal. The overall shape references the famous "butterfly effect" from the earliest studies of
chaos in weather, while the title alludes to Sir Terry Pratchett’s explanation of why scientists really study
chaos (Witches Abroad).
with larger structures repeated at smaller scales, as in fractals. Or it may have order hidden within apparent
randomness - a chaotic system. A system producing complex data may be more flexible or adaptable than
one that can only produce simple data.
Many physiological systems show complex behavior, whose complexity can change with aging or
disease. For muscles, the ability to adapt complexity of output to meet changing goals might predict how
well a new task is learned. I study how complexity of initial performance predicts learning of new tasks
with lip and tongue muscles in healthy younger and older adults. Eventually, this work may lead to better
therapies for people with difficulties swallowing or speaking. The patterns overlain on the tongue and lips in the image are magnified sections of the Mandelbrot set, a
well-known fractal. The overall shape references the famous "butterfly effect" from the earliest studies of
chaos in weather, while the title alludes to Sir Terry Pratchett’s explanation of why scientists really study
chaos (Witches Abroad).
Creator
Christina Bronson-Lowe
Date
2015
Contributor
Dr. Daniel Bronson-Lowe
Rights
Copyright 2015 Christina Bronson-Lowe
Relation
Speech and Hearing Science
Original Format
tiff
Files
Collection
Citation
Christina Bronson-Lowe, “A Rather Good T-Shirt,” Image of Research: Celebrating Student Research at Illinois, accessed April 25, 2018, http://imageofresearch.omeka.net/items/show/96.