bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emulation of multistage interconnection networks by fibre memory
Authors: Li Shuo‐Yen Robert , Tan Xuesong Jonathan , Chen Peng , Ho Siuting
Published: September 2014

A ‘fibre‐switch block’ is a switch with delay lines that feedback from some outputs to inputs. In every unit time, it receives and transmits a packet concurrently. A ‘fibre memory’ means a multi‐block serial connection. Its performance of time‐multiplexed operation is often said to ‘emulate’ a multistage interconnection network. This study formulates this concept of emulation. The formalised concept is useful in the design and validation of various switching functionalities, including timeslot interchanging, sorting, merging and concentration. For illustration, ‘banyan‐type networks’, ‘Clos network’ and several familiar multi‐stage sorting networks are all efficiently emulated.
Fuzzy‐based Monte Carlo simulation for harmonic load flow in distribution networks
Authors: Šošić Darko , Žarković Mileta , Dobrić Goran
Published: September 2014

The power flow calculation considering uncertainty is common way of determining harmonic analysis of the system under uncertain conditions. Distributed generation and load are characterised by randomness. Hence, this study introduces uncertainty to the distribution network analysis. Three similar methodologies are proposed for distribution power flow, which calculate active power losses, voltage drops and voltage total harmonic distortion. The first methodology uses fuzzy logic in order to address uncertainties. Generation, active power loss variation and elasticity of power quality constraints are presented in a form of fuzzy numbers (FNs). The second methodology uses Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) to vary the values of the same variables, which are FN. The third methodology combines MCS and FN. The proposed methodologies are verified using case studies based on IEEE 33‐bus system. The results of all three methodologies are compared graphically and numerically. Analysing the distribution harmonic load‐flow results, one can find out the weak links of the network, which can provide references for making electrical accident premeditation and power quality problems.
Approach for the modelling of hybrid photovoltaic–thermal solar collector
Authors: Khelifa Abdelkrim , Touafek Khaled , Moussa Hocine Ben
Published: September 2014

In this paper, a theoretical and experimental study of a photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) hybrid solar collector is presented. The studied system is constituted by a sheet and tube placed below the surface on which the solar cells are assembled to extract heat from the photovoltaic module. The mathematical model is based on the equations of the energy balances written for the various nodes of the system, and the coupled differential equations obtained are solved by using the finite differences method. The temperatures of the various layers of solar PV/T collector and the coolant temperature are predicted. With the hybrid solar collector presented in this article, the temperature at the maximum photovoltaic cell is reached 53 °C; we see that the integration of the heat exchanger at the photovoltaic collector reduces the temperature of the PV cell that which increases its efficiency, in the other hand, the gain of these calories is used for heating the fluid. We obtained an overall efficiency which is the sum of the electrical efficiency and thermal efficiency for irradiation conditions chosen equal to 64%. The results of experimental study were compared with theoretical data and the model was validated.
Diffusional motion of redox centers in carbonate electrolytes
Authors: Han Kee Sung , Rajput Nav Nidhi , Wei Xiaoliang , Wang Wei , Hu Jian Zhi , Persson Kristin A. , Mueller Karl T.
Published: September 2014

Ferrocene (Fc) and N-(ferrocenylmethyl)-N,N-dimethyl-N-ethylammonium bistrifluoromethyl-sulfonimide (Fc1N112-TFSI) were dissolved in carbonate solvents and self-diffusion coefficients (D) of solutes and solvents were measured by 1H and 19F pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The organic solvents were propylene carbonate (PC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), and a ternary mixture that also includes ethylene carbonate (EC). Results from NMR studies over the temperature range of 0–50 °C and for various concentrations (0.25–1.7 M) of Fc1N112-TFSI are compared to values of D simulated with classical molecular dynamics (MD). The measured self-diffusion coefficients gradually decreased as the Fc1N112-TFSI concentration increased in all solvents. Since TFSI− has fluoromethyl groups (CF3), DTFSI could be measured separately and the values found are larger than those for DFc1N112 in all samples measured. The EC, PC, and EMC have the same D in the neat solvent mixture and when Fc is dissolved in EC/PC/EMC at a concentration of 0.2 M, probably due to the interactions between common carbonyl structures within EC, PC, and EMC. A difference in D (DPC < DEC < DEMC), and both a higher Ea for translational motion and higher effective viscosity for PC in the mixture containing Fc1N112-TFSI reflect the interaction between PC and Fc1N112+, which is a relatively stronger interaction than that between Fc1N112+ and other solvent species. In the EC/PC/EMC solution that is saturated with Fc1N112-TFSI, we find that DPC = DEC = DEMC and Fc1N112+ and all components of the EC/PC/EMC solution have the same Ea for translational motion, while the ratio DEC/PC/EMC/DFc1N112 is approximately 3. These results reflect the lack of available free volume for independent diffusion in the saturated solution. The Fc1N112+ transference numbers lie around 0.4 and increase slightly as the temperature is increased in the PC and EMC solvents. The trends observed for D from simulations are in good agreement with experimental results and provide molecular level understanding of the solvation structure of Fc1N112-TFSI dissolved in EC/PC/EMC.
Linear and second-order nonlinear optical properties of ionic organic crystals
Authors: Seidler Tomasz , Stadnicka Katarzyna , Champagne Benoît
Published: September 2014

The linear and second-order nonlinear optical susceptibilities of three ionic organic crystals, 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-methyl-stilbazolium tosylate (DAST), 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-methyl-stilbazolium 2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulfonate (DSTMS), and 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-phenyl-stilbazolium hexafluorophosphate (DAPSH), have been calculated by adopting a two-step multi-scale procedure, which consists in calculating: (i) the ion properties using ab initio or density functional theory methods and then (ii) in accounting for the crystal environment effects using classical electrostatic models. Provided that the ionic properties are evaluated at the second-order Møller-Plesset level and that the dressing field effects using point charges are accounted for, the agreement with experiment is excellent and enables to explain the origin of the larger χ(2) response of DAPSH with respect to DAST and DSTMS. The study has also demonstrated that including the dressing field leads to a decrease of the χ(2) response of ionic crystals whereas its effect is opposite for molecular crystals. Moreover, the results have also demonstrated that this multi-scale approach can be used to interpret the impact of the nature and position of the counterion on the linear and nonlinear optical susceptibilities of ionic crystals. Finally, it has been shown that the use of a conventional exchange-correlation functional like B3LYP leads to severe overestimations of χ(1) but large underestimations of χ(2) whereas the use of homogeneous dipole field is not recommended because it usually leads to overestimations of the linear and nonlinear optical susceptibilities.
Collision dynamics of polyatomic molecules containing carbon rings at low temperatures
Authors: Li Zhiying , Krems Roman V. , Heller Eric J.
Published: September 2014

We explore the collision dynamics of complex hydrocarbon molecules (benzene, coronene, adamantane, and anthracene) containing carbon rings in a cold buffer gas of 3He. For benzene, we present a comparative analysis of the fully classical and fully quantum calculations of elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections at collision energies between 1 and 10 cm−1. The quantum calculations are performed using the time-independent coupled channel approach and the coupled-states approximation. We show that the coupled-states approximation is accurate at collision energies between 1 and 20 cm−1. For the classical dynamics calculations, we develop an approach exploiting the rigidity of the carbon rings and including low-energy vibrational modes without holonomic constraints. Our results illustrate the effect of the molecular shape and the vibrational degrees of freedom on the formation of long-lived resonance states that lead to low-temperature clustering.
Graphene field emission devices
Authors: Kumar S. , Duesberg G. S. , Pratap R. , Raghavan S.
Published: September 2014

Graphene field emission devices are fabricated using a scalable process. The field enhancement factors, determined from the Fowler-Nordheim plots, are within few hundreds and match the theoretical predictions. The devices show high emission current density of ∼10 nA μm−1 at modest voltages of tens of volts. The emission is stable with time and repeatable over long term, whereas the noise in the emission current is comparable to that from individual carbon nanotubes emitting under similar conditions. We demonstrate a power law dependence of emission current on pressure which can be utilized for sensing. The excellent characteristics and relative ease of making the devices promise their great potential for sensing and electronic applications.
Comparative analysis of quantum cascade laser modeling based on density matrices and non-equilibrium Green's functions
Authors: Lindskog M. , Wolf J. M. , Trinite V. , Liverini V. , Faist J. , Maisons G. , Carras M. , Aidam R. , Ostendorf R. , Wacker A.
Published: September 2014

We study the operation of an 8.5 μm quantum cascade laser based on GaInAs/AlInAs lattice matched to InP using three different simulation models based on density matrix (DM) and non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) formulations. The latter advanced scheme serves as a validation for the simpler DM schemes and, at the same time, provides additional insight, such as the temperatures of the sub-band carrier distributions. We find that for the particular quantum cascade laser studied here, the behavior is well described by simple quantum mechanical estimates based on Fermi's golden rule. As a consequence, the DM model, which includes second order currents, agrees well with the NEGF results. Both these simulations are in accordance with previously reported data and a second regrown device.
Laser assisted high entropy alloy coating on aluminum: Microstructural evolution
Authors: Katakam Shravana , Joshi Sameehan S. , Mridha Sanghita , Mukherjee Sundeep , Dahotre Narendra B.
Published: September 2014

High entropy alloy (Al-Fe-Co-Cr-Ni) coatings were synthesized using laser surface engineering on aluminum substrate. Electron diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of solid solution of body centered cubic high entropy alloy phase along with phases with long range periodic structures within the coating. Evolution of such type of microstructure was a result of kinetics associated with laser process, which generates higher temperatures and rapid cooling resulting in retention of high entropy alloy phase followed by reheating and/or annealing in subsequent passes of the laser track giving rise to partial decomposition. The partial decomposition resulted in formation of precipitates having layered morphology with a mixture of high entropy alloy rich phases, compounds, and long range ordered phases.
Fine control of plastic and elastic relaxation in Ge/Si vertical heterostructures
Authors: Salvalaglio Marco , Montalenti Francesco
Published: September 2014

We present a theoretical investigation of plasticity onset and strain relaxation in Ge on Si pillar-like, vertical heterostructures (VHEs). By means of linear elasticity theory solved by Finite Element Methods, we determine the critical thickness hc for the insertion of a 60° dislocation in Si1–xGex/Si VHEs as a function of their lateral extension. Then, we quantify the effect of inserting one or more buffer layers in further delaying plasticity when growing a Ge-pure layer on top of the VHEs. The presence of intermediate layers of suitable Ge content allows for the formation of fully coherent structures up to the micron scale. The optimal thickness of one or multiple buffers to avoid dislocations is also discussed.
Multilayer-split-tube resonators with low-frequency band gaps in phononic crystals
Authors: Jing Li , Wu Jiu Hui , Guan Dong , Gao Nansha
Published: September 2014

In this paper, low-frequency band gaps in two-dimensional Helmholtz resonant phononic crystals (PCs) composed of multilayer-split-tube resonators are investigated. The band structures, transmission spectra, and pressure field of the acoustic modes of these PCs are calculated by using a finite element method (FEM). The numerical results show that the first band gap of the structure is from 88 to 140 Hz. The transmission spectra are in accordance with those of the dispersion relation calculations. The acoustic modes of the bands are analyzed to reveal the nature of this phenomenon. It is found that the interaction between the local resonance and the traveling wave modes in proposed structure is responsible for the formation of the first band gap. The influences of the structural parameters on the band gaps are investigated by using FEM and the electrical circuit analogy. Numerical results show that the band gaps can be modulated in an even wider frequency range by changing the structural parameters, such as the rotation angle, the number of tubes, and the radius of the outer tube. The structural design results provide an effective way for phononic crystals to obtain the low-frequency band gaps, which have potential application in the low-frequency noise reduction.
Measuring disorder in irreversible decay processes
Authors: Flynn Shane W. , Zhao Helen C. , Green Jason R.
Published: September 2014

Rate coefficients can fluctuate in statically and dynamically disordered kinetics. Here, we relate the rate coefficient for an irreversibly decaying population to the Fisher information. From this relationship we define kinetic versions of statistical-length squared and divergence that measure cumulative fluctuations in the rate coefficient. We show the difference between these kinetic quantities measures the amount of disorder, and is zero when the rate coefficient is temporally and spatially unique.
Miniature polarization analyzer based on surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Xie Yu-Bo , Liu Zheng-Yang , Wang Qian-Jin , Zhu Yong-Yuan , Zhang Xue-Jin
Published: September 2014

We investigated a miniature plasmonic polarization analyzer measuring Stokes parameters of a light. The optical component consists of a 2 × 2 polarizer array, three linear polarizers, and one right-handed circular polarizer. These polarizers are formed with bull's eye structures on a metal surface. The measurements of Stokes parameters in a unit radius Poincaré sphere were demonstrated. Compact polarization-dependent optical sensing and imaging can be envisioned based on the miniature polarization analyzer.
Hydrophobic hydration driven self-assembly of curcumin in water: Similarities to nucleation and growth under large metastability, and an analysis of water dynamics at heterogeneous surfaces
Authors: Hazra Milan Kumar , Roy Susmita , Bagchi Biman
Published: September 2014

As the beneficial effects of curcumin have often been reported to be limited to its small concentrations, we have undertaken a study to find the aggregation properties of curcumin in water by varying the number of monomers. Our molecular dynamics simulation results show that the equilibrated structure is always an aggregated state with remarkable structural rearrangements as we vary the number of curcumin monomers from 4 to 16 monomers. We find that the curcumin monomers form clusters in a very definite pattern where they tend to aggregate both in parallel and anti-parallel orientation of the phenyl rings, often seen in the formation of β-sheet in proteins. A considerable enhancement in the population of parallel alignments is observed with increasing the system size from 12 to 16 curcumin monomers. Due to the prevalence of such parallel alignment for large system size, a more closely packed cluster is formed with maximum number of hydrophobic contacts. We also follow the pathway of cluster growth, in particular the transition from the initial segregated to the final aggregated state. We find the existence of a metastable structural intermediate involving a number of intermediate-sized clusters dispersed in the solution. We have constructed a free energy landscape of aggregation where the metatsable state has been identified. The course of aggregation bears similarity to nucleation and growth in highly metastable state. The final aggregated form remains stable with the total exclusion of water from its sequestered hydrophobic core. We also investigate water structure near the cluster surface along with their orientation. We find that water molecules form a distorted tetrahedral geometry in the 1st solvation layer of the cluster, interacting rather strongly with the hydrophilic groups at the surface of the curcumin. The dynamics of such quasi-bound water molecules near the surface of curcumin cluster is considerably slower than the bulk signifying a restricted motion as often found in protein hydration layer.
A direct evidence of vibrationally delocalized response at ice surface
Authors: Ishiyama Tatsuya , Morita Akihiro
Published: September 2014

Surface-specific vibrational spectroscopic responses at isotope diluted ice and amorphous ice are investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations combined with quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations. The intense response specific to the ordinary crystal ice surface is predicted to be significantly suppressed in the isotopically diluted and amorphous ices, demonstrating the vibrational delocalization at the ordinary ice surface. The collective vibration at the ice surface is also analyzed with varying temperature by the MD simulation.
On-chip microelectrode impedance analysis of mammalian cell viability during biomanufacturing
Authors: Sharma Rachita , Blackburn Tobias , Hu Weiwei , Wiltberger Kelly , Velev Orlin D.
Published: September 2014

The characterization of cell viability is a challenging task in applied biotechnology, as no clear definition of cell death exists. Cell death is accompanied with a change in the electrical properties of the membrane as well as the cell interior. Therefore, changes in the physiology of cells can be characterized by monitoring of their dielectric properties. We correlated the dielectric properties of industrially used mammalian cells, sedimented over interdigitated microelectrodes, to the AC signal response across the chip. The voltage waveforms across the electrodes were processed to obtain the circuit impedance, which was used to quantify the changes in cell viability. We observed an initial decrease in impedance, after which it remained nearly constant. The results were compared with data from the dye exclusion viability test, the cell specific oxygen uptake rate, and the online viable cell density data from capacitance probes. The microelectrode technique was found to be sensitive to physiological changes taking place inside the cells before their membrane integrity is compromised. Such accurate determination of the metabolic status during this initial period, which turned out to be less well captured in the dye exclusion tests, may be essential for several biotechnology operations.
Effect of thermal cycling on the martensitic transformation in Ni-Mn-In alloys
Authors: Kokorin V. V. , Koledov V. V. , Shavrov V. G. , Konoplyuk S. M. , Thürer S. , Troyanovsky D. A. , Maier H. J. , Khovaylo V. V.
Published: September 2014

The influence of thermal cycling on the characteristics of the martensitic transformation in Ni45.4Mn40.9In13.7 alloy was investigated. It was shown that after 1000 repeated thermal cycles trough temperature interval of the martensitic transformation, application of magnetic field of 1.1 T resulted in higher transformation temperatures shift of 10 K/T compared to 7 K/T before cycling. On the other hand, the measurements display a steady increase of electric resistivity with the number of cycles that along with decrease of the transformation latent heat indicate the phase hardening. The means to prevent functional degradation of magnetocaloric materials due to phase hardening are suggested.
Design and demonstration of broadband thin planar diffractive acoustic lenses
Authors: Wang Wenqi , Xie Yangbo , Konneker Adam , Popa Bogdan-Ioan , Cummer Steven A.
Published: September 2014

We present here two diffractive acoustic lenses with subwavelength thickness, planar profile, and broad operation bandwidth. Tapered labyrinthine unit cells with their inherently broadband effective material properties are exploited in our design. Both the measured and the simulated results are showcased to demonstrate the lensing effect over more than 40% of the central frequency. The focusing of a propagating Gaussian modulated sinusoidal pulse is also demonstrated. This work paves the way for designing diffractive acoustic lenses and more generalized phase engineering diffractive elements with labyrinthine acoustic metamaterials.
Magneto-mechanical coupling effect in amorphous Co40Fe40B20 films grown on flexible substrates
Authors: Tang Zhenhua , Wang Baomin , Yang Huali , Xu Xinyu , Liu Yiwei , Sun Dandan , Xia Lixiang , Zhan Qingfeng , Chen Bin , Tang Minghua , Zhou Yichun , Wang Junling , Li Run-Wei
Published: September 2014

The magneto-mechanical coupling effect of amorphous Co40Fe40B20 (CoFeB) films (10-200 nm) on flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrates were investigated in detail. The normalized remanent magnetization (Mr/Ms) of CoFeB films changes significantly (up to 62%) under small tensile or compressive strain. Moreover, the thickness dependence of the magneto-mechanical coupling effect for the flexible CoFeB films was demonstrated. These results provide important information for the development of CoFeB-based magnetic tunnel junction used in flexible spintronic devices.
Organic passivation layer on flexible Surlyn substrate for encapsulating organic photovoltaics
Authors: Seethamraju Sindhu , Ramamurthy Praveen C. , Madras Giridhar
Published: September 2014

Barrier materials are required for encapsulating organic devices. A simple methodology based on organic passivation layer on a flexible substrate has been developed in this work. Stearyl stearate (SS) was directly coated over the flexible Surlyn film. The barrier films with SS passivation layer exhibited much lower water vapor transmission rates compared to the neat Surlyn films. Moreover, the effect of the process of deposition of organic passivation layer on the resultant water vapor properties of the barrier films was evaluated. The accelerated lifetime studies conducted on encapsulated organic photovoltaics showed that the passivation layer improved the device performance by several fold compared to the non-passivated barrier films.
Synergistic antibacterial effects of treatments with low temperature plasma jet and pulsed electric fields
Authors: Zhang Qian , Zhuang Jie , von Woedtke Thomas , Kolb Juergen F. , Zhang Jue , Fang Jing , Weltmann Klaus-Dieter
Published: September 2014

Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus by a non-thermal argon operated plasma jet and by microsecond pulsed electric fields (PEF) was investigated. The different methods were either applied by themselves or in combination with each other. Treatments with plasma alone or pulsed electric fields alone were found to result in significant but not complete inactivation. A 2-log reduction was observed for the longest plasma exposure time of 3 min or for the application of 300 consecutive electric field pulses with 100-μs duration and 15-kV/cm amplitude. For the combined treatment with non-thermal plasma and pulsed electric fields, significant synergistic antibacterial effects were observed when samples were treated with plasma first. However, only an additive or at most a slight synergistic effect was observed when samples were first treated with pulsed electric fields instead. The acidification of the bacteria suspension after plasma treatment is likely responsible for the support of subsequent reaction mechanisms that are induced by exposures to pulsed electric fields and is hence the reason for the observed synergy.
An approach to crop yield improvement through diagnostic systems research in a winter-dominant rainfall environment
Authors: Anderson W. K. , McTaggart R. M. , McQuade N. C. , Carter D. , Overheu T. , Bakker D. , Peltzer S.
Published: September 2014

Crop production in the high-rainfall zone of Western Australia (>450 mm average annual rainfall) is an increasing proportion of the state’s total farming system since the 1990s, when the profitability of animal production based on improved pastures was threatened. However, the yields of the dominant crops barley, canola and oats have often been insufficient to maintain whole-farm productivity in the changed system.
The aim of this study was to test the diagnostic approach to agronomic research as a means of increasing crop yields. Experiments were conducted at two farm sites over 5 years with treatments applied according to an initial diagnosis of the factors that may have been limiting production. The diagnosis of limiting factors was based on soil physical and chemical tests, plant tissue analyses and the observations of the farmers. The diagnostic tests were assessed against agreed standards. The highest yields in each year were compared with an estimate of the rainfall-limited potential yields. In both experiments, more than one factor was considered likely to be limiting crop and pasture production; therefore, factorial combinations of treatments were used, including deep-placed lime, deep-placed potassium and claying at one site, and deep ripping, raised beds and gypsum at the other. Split doses of nitrogen were applied to half of the plots after waterlogging events in some years.
The yield responses to the treatments changed each year but the highest yields were close to the calculated potential yield after taking account of estimated losses of water. Interactions between the factors were not often significant. That is, the responses were additive and independent, so they can be applied sequentially. No single factor could be identified as the most limiting at either site over the 5 years. However, the results suggested a hierarchy of measures that could be taken according to the least cost or the most profit principle, or according to farmer preference and convenience.
Decreased melatonin levels and increased levels of advanced oxidation protein products in the seminal plasma are related to male infertility
Authors: Kratz Ewa Maria , Piwowar Agnieszka , Zeman Michal , Stebelová Katarína , Thalhammer Theresia
Published: September 2014

Melatonin, an indolamine secreted by the pineal gland, is known as a powerful free-radical scavenger and wide-spectrum antioxidant. Therefore, the aim of this study was to correlate markers of oxidative protein damage (advanced oxidation protein products, AOPPs) and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) with melatonin levels in the seminal plasma of men with azoospermia (n = 37), theratozoospermia (n = 29) and fertile controls (normozoospermia, n = 37). Melatonin concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. The levels of AOPP as well as TAC efficiency (determined by the ferric reducing antioxidant power, FRAP) were estimated by spectrophotometric methods. The concentration of melatonin and AOPP significantly differed in azoospermic (P < 0.0001) and theratozoospermic (P < 0.0001) patients versus fertile men, and correlated negatively (r = –0.33, P = 0.0016). The TAC levels were significantly higher in azoospermia than in theratozoospermia (P = 0.0022) and the control group (P = 0.00016). In azoospermia, the AOPP concentration was also significantly higher than that observed in theratozoospermia (P = 0.00029). Decreased levels of melatonin together with elevated AOPP altered the oxidative–antioxidative balance in the ejaculate, thereby reducing fertility. Therefore, melatonin and AOPP levels may serve as additional diagnostic markers of semen quality and male reproductive potential.
The rise of a high transitivity marker 到 dao in contemporary Chinese
Authors: Chen Kan , Tao Hongyin
Published: September 2014

Transitivity has been approached from various discourse functional points of view. In this paper, we describe the emergence in standard Chinese of a marker of high transitivity, 到dao‘reach’, in syntactic contexts where it has not been attested before (e.g., 帮助到你bangzhudaoni‘help you’). We argue that this emergence is associated with a number of factors: the semantic properties of the main verb, dialectal influences, and recent social trends towards consumerism and an emergent “yuppie” identity in contemporary Chinese urban life. We take the innovative uses ofdaoto be an instance of linguistic structure co-evolving with societal change.
Program design and two-way immersion programs
Authors: de Jong Ester J.
Published: September 2014

Two-way immersion (TWI) programs have provided an effective bilingual alternative to monolingual approaches to educating language minority students. This article reviews the research related to two program design questions: are TWI programs effective for different groups of students within the program and what role does school context play in the program’s effectiveness?
Attending to the third goal
Authors: Feinauer Erika , Howard Elizabeth R.
Published: September 2014

In two-way immersion (TWI) programs in the United States, the development of student cross-cultural competence is one of three primary goals, along with academic achievement and bilingualism and biliteracy. However, as “the third goal,” cross-cultural outcomes have received less scholarly attention. In this article, we briefly review the literature on cross-cultural outcomes for students in TWI programs, and highlight a consistent focus on the self in these studies, particularly as it relates to student identity. As cross-cultural competence begins with awareness of the self within the socially and culturally diverse classrooms that TWI provides, we assert that scholarly attention should be paid to the ways that TWI programs support identity development as an aspect of achieving the third goal of cross-cultural competence. We offer brief descriptions of three theoretical frameworks that hold promise for scholars considering student identity development within TWI, and close with suggestions for further research.
Revitalizing indigenous languages through indigenous immersion education
Authors: Hermes Mary , Kawai'ae'a Keiki
Published: September 2014

This article provides a context for understanding indigenous immersion education and the issues surrounding the model as a critical strategy for revitalization of indigenous languages. Through articulating narratives and drawing on literatures internationally, an image of indigenous language education models emerges. Inspired by strong heritage language learner identities, program models are shaped around building family and community relationships, revitalizing cultural traditions and practices, and re-establishing indigenous language identity in its homeland. Indigenous language immersion models vary as they are developed in vastly different contexts. Three distinct contexts — Ojibwe, Māori, and Hawaiian — are described to illustrate the diversity and range of models. The article closes with some reflections from practice that will provide a context for building a research agenda to advance the revitalization of indigenous languages through immersion.
The dependency distance hypothesis for bilingual code-switching
Authors: Eppler Eva Duran
Published: September 2014

This paper addresses the questions why and where, i.e. in which dependency relations, multilingual speakers are likely to code-switch. Code-switching (CS) is the linguistic behaviour of producing or comprehending language which is composed of lexical items and grammatical structures from two (or more) languages. This paper proposes that long dependency distances between syntactically related units facilitate code-switching (Distance Hypothesis DH). Dependency distance is defined as the number of words intervening between a head and a dependent. The DH is tested on two data sets from typologically different language pairs: a 93,235 word corpus of German/English monolingual and code-switched conversations analyzed in Word Grammar (WG), and a 19,766 word Treebank of Chinese/English mono- and bilingual speech. The data sets support the DH in general and on specific syntactic functions. In ongoing work the DH is being tested further on Welsh/English and Spanish/English corpora and experimentally.
On the word order of Actor and Patient in Czech
Authors: Rysová Kateřina
Published: September 2014

The paper deals with the word order of inner participants (Actor and Patient) in the focus-part of Czech sentences. The analysis of the sequence of Actor and Patient reveals the criteria that may influence the arrangement of sentence participants as such. The paper describes the word order on the tectogrammatical language layer (i.e. on the underlying layer of language meaning and syntax).
Type 2 Rising
Authors: Osborne Timothy
Published: September 2014

This contribution examines discontinuities in DG. These discontinuities are addressed in terms of catenae and rising. Any tree or any subtree of a tree as a catena. Rising occurs when a governor fails to dominate one (or more) of its governees. Two sorts of rising are distinguished: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 rising obtains when the risen catena is a constituent, whereas type 2 rising obtains when the risen catena is a nonconstituent. The Rising Principle expresses the main trait of instances of rising. Discontinuity sorts (e.g. fronting, scrambling, extraposition, NP-internal displacement) are classified in terms of type 1 and type 2 rising.
Wh-copying in German as replacement
Authors: Pankau Andreas
Published: September 2014

This paper offers an argument for the superiority of a view on sentence structure based on grammatical relations compared to one based on phrase structure (PS) representation. The argument is based on the phenomenon of wh-copying in German. Wh-copying in German poses a problem for approaches based on PS representations because the construction is governed by two generalizations which a PS approach fails to capture. As soon as a relational perspective on syntactic structures is adopted, however, the generalizations can be captured. I will present an analysis for wh-copying in German within the Arc Pair Grammar framework, which does adopt such a relational view. It will be shown that the operation Replace in interaction with other principles of that framework successfully captures the two generalizations of wh-copying in German, and that it eventually even allows one to reduce the two generalizations to a single one.
Representation of zero and dummy subject pronouns within multi-strata dependency framework
Authors: El Kassas Dina
Published: September 2014

The objective of this paper is to discuss a formal representation of subject pronoun within a multi-strata dependency model. We propose criteria to describe consistently subject pronoun variations, naming subject pronouns that have no meaning and/or no morpho-phonological expression. We will present particular syntactic structures raised from a change of voice category; and will emphasize the problematic representation of Pro-Drop impersonal construction within the multi-strata framework.
Language policies in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i
Authors: Fernández Asensio Rubén
Published: September 2014

This paper develops Tove Skutnabb-Kangas’ concept of linguicism by distinguishing an effectuative stage and a reproductive stage of linguistic inequality. The effectuative stage is described by inference and compared with Robert Phillipson’s theory of linguistic imperialism, and it is suggested that both frameworks are still missing empirical validation for the claim that language inequality may create other forms of inequality, and that such validation should come from historical data. To demonstrate this, language policies in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i during the 19th century are examined, with emphasis on the interpretation of bilingual statutory law, along with a number of judicial rulings. These are then related to changes in the economic sphere and the interaction is demonstrated in the curtailing of customary land use rights. The new concept of non-discriminatory linguicism is introduced to describe the presence of linguicist ideologies without concomitant discriminatory practices as a key feature of the effectuative stage of linguicism, and a new definition of linguicism is proposed.
La regimentación lingüística en un escenario transnacional
Authors: Valdez Juan R.
Published: September 2014

Este análisis se centra en los procesos de construcción de las fronteras etnolingüísticas de los dos estados-nación que comparten la isla de La Española. En el contexto del siglo XX, los políticos y los filólogos dominicanos unieron sus esfuerzos para crear una tupida red de escuelas que tenían el español como idioma de instrucción, prohibir el uso del creole, cambiar el nombre francés o creole de numerosos lugares por otro nombre en español, y producir un corpus de textos que describieran y representaran el adecuado panorama lingüístico dominicano. Las prácticas de alfabetización y las prácticas discursivas estaban empeñadas en el propósito de hispanizar las comunidades fronterizas. Mi acercamiento a la transformación sociopolítica de esta región cursa a través del análisis de las representaciones de las prácticas del discurso y las correspondientes políticas lingüísticas del Estado dominicano hacia las comunidades bilingües y multiculturales en los años treinta y cuarenta del pasado siglo. En el examen de estos problemas interrelacionados, aplico las herramientas analíticas provenientes de la investigación sobre el discurso lingüístico y las ideologías del lenguaje (Arnoux y Del Valle, 2010; Irvine y Gal, 2000; Woolard, 2008) y las perspectivas de los estudios de frontera (Wilson y Donnan, 2012; Houtum y Naerssen, 2002). Mi pregunta básica es si, en el caso de la frontera dominicano-haitiana en el siglo XX, la diferencia lingüística se representó en el discurso metalingüístico con el doble propósito de crear una identidad dominico-hispánica y avasallar las identidades dominico-haitianas que arraigaban en aquel entonces.
UNDO: a Bioconductor R package for unsupervised deconvolution of mixed gene expressions in tumor samples
Authors: Wang Niya , Gong Ting , Clarke Robert , Chen Lulu , Shih Ie-Ming , Zhang Zhen , Levine Douglas A. , Xuan Jianhua , Wang Yue
Published: September 2014

Summary: We develop a novel unsupervised deconvolution method, within a well-grounded mathematical framework, to dissect mixed gene expressions in heterogeneous tumor samples. We implement an R package, UNsupervised DecOnvolution (UNDO), that can be used to automatically detect cell-specific marker genes (MGs) located on the scatter radii of mixed gene expressions, estimate cellular proportions in each sample and deconvolute mixed expressions into cell-specific expression profiles. We demonstrate the performance of UNDO over a wide range of tumor–stroma mixing proportions, validate UNDO on various biologically mixed benchmark gene expression datasets and further estimate tumor purity in TCGA/CPTAC datasets. The highly accurate deconvolution results obtained suggest not only the existence of cell-specific MGs but also UNDO’s ability to detect them blindly and correctly. Although the principal application here involves microarray gene expressions, our methodology can be readily applied to other types of quantitative molecular profiling data.

Availability and implementation: UNDO is available at http://bioconductor.org/packages .

Contact:  yuewang@vt.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Crystal structure of 4-{[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]sulfanyl}phenol
Authors: Zhang Yong-Le , Zhang Chuang , Guo Wei , Wang Jing
Published: September 2014

In the title compound, C9H9N3OS, the plane of the benzene ring forms a dihedral angle of 33.40 (5)° with that of the triazole group. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H...N hydrogen bonds involving the phenol –OH group and one of the unsubstituted N atoms of the triazole ring, resulting in chains along [010]. These chains are further extended into a layer parallel to (001) by weak C—H...N hydrogen-bond interactions. Aromatic π–π stacking [centroid–centroid separation = 3.556 (1) Å] between the triazole rings links the layers into a three-dimensional network.
The impact of video modelling on improving social skills in children with autism
Authors: Alzyoudi Mohammed , Sartawi AbedAlziz , Almuhiri Osha
Published: September 2014

Children with autism often show a lack of the interactive social skills that would allow them to engage with others successfully. They therefore frequently need training to aid them in successful social interaction. Video modelling is a widely used instructional technique that has been applied to teach children with developmental disabilities such as autism, and has been shown to be effective in teaching a variety of skills. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of video modelling on social skills development in children with autism living in the United Arab Emirates. The research was carried out by Mohammed Alzyoudi, AbedAlziz Sartawi and Osha Almuhiri, all from the United Arab Emirates University. A sample of five boys with autism was chosen to participate in this study. The boys ranged in age between five and seven years. Each child was asked to watch a videotape which presented two individuals interacting in a role‐play setting. One person portrayed a therapist giving cues, while the second portrayed a child acting appropriately and demonstrating correct social behaviours. The boys were then asked to complete a social task and their performance was compared against baseline assessment measures. The results of this study indicate that this is an effective instruction method. Results are discussed and implications for further research and practice are provided.
Communicating with parents of children with special needs in Saudi Arabia: parents' and teachers' perceptions of using email for regular and ongoing communication
Authors: Dubis Snaa , Bernadowski Carianne
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this study, by Snaa Dubis from Salman Bin Abdu Aziz University, Saudi Arabia, and Robert Morris University, USA, and Carianne Bernadowski from Robert Morris University, was to investigate parents' and special education teachers' perceptions of using email as a component of parental involvement in the academic and/or behavioural performance at school of pupils with special needs. Survey research was utilised to measure parents' and teachers' perceptions of using email in Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia. The survey was distributed to 261 participants: 104 parents of preschool or primary school pupils with special needs and 157 special education teachers. The results indicated that in terms of attitudes and beliefs about using email, the majority of parents (78%, n = 81) and teachers (77%, n = 121) had a positive attitude toward using email to increase involvement and engagement between parents and teachers. Although email communication in the USA and Western Europe is quite widespread, the prospect of using technology for parental involvement is a new concept to many Saudi parents. Results indicate that both Saudi and non‐Saudi parents and teachers would be willing to use email as the primary tool for communication between home and school.
Declining maternal mortality in the face of persistently high HIV prevalence in a middle‐income country
Authors: Buchmann EJ , Mnyani CN , Frank KA , Chersich MF , McIntyre JA
Published: September 2014

Objective

To estimate maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and determine maternal death causes and trends in Greater Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Chris Hani Baragwanath Maternity Hospital (CHBMH) in Greater Soweto.

Population

Maternal deaths at CHBMH.

Methods

Record review of maternal deaths from 1997 to 2012, using hospital death records, with denominator data from the district health information system and the hospital.

Main outcome measures

Maternal mortality ratio per 100 000 live births, and causes of death classified as in the South African confidential enquiries.

Results

There were 479 deaths, with a peak MMR of 139 in 2004 and a decline to 86 in 2012. Of 332 women tested, 245 (74%) were HIV‐infected. Nonpregnancy‐related infection (40%) was the most frequent cause of death, followed by hypertension (16%) and obstetric haemorrhage (13%). HIV infection rates in these groups were 92%, 30% and 61%, respectively. Previous caesarean section was associated with obstetric haemorrhage death (odds ratio [OR] 3.2, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.7–6.0), maternal age ≥35 years with hypertension death (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–3.7) and antenatal anaemia with nonpregnancy‐related infection death (OR 4.0, 95% CI 2.3–6.9), compared with other causes of death.

Conclusion

There is evidence of a decline in MMR since HIV treatment for pregnant women was introduced in 2004. Previous caesarean section, advanced maternal age, and anaemia were associated with death from obstetric haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and nonpregnancy‐related infections, respectively. MMR may be further reduced with accelerated initiation of HIV treatment during pregnancy.
A Fluorescence‐Based Method for Cyanate Analysis in Ethanol/Water Media: Correlation between Cyanate Presence and Ethyl Carbamate Formation in Sugar Cane Spirit
Authors: Ohe Thiago Hideyuki Kobe , da Silva Alexandre Ataide , da Silva Rocha Thaís , de Godoy Flávio Schutzer , Franco Douglas Wagner
Published: September 2014

Based on the fluorescence properties of 2,4‐(1H,3H)‐quinazolinedione, a product of the reaction between cyanate and 2‐aminobenzoic acid, a simple, sensitive, selective, and reproducible method for the cyanate analysis in aqueous ethanolic media is proposed. In this method, λexc and λem are 310 and 410 nm, respectively, and the limits of detection and quantification are 2.2 × 10−7 and 6.7 × 10−7 mol/L, respectively. Under optimal conditions (pH = 4.5, 40% ethanol), a concentration of 5.0 × 10−6 mol/L cyanate can be determined in a single measurement, at a 95% level of confidence, with an uncertainty of ± 0.13 × 10−6 mol/L. Cyanide, thiocyanate, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate ions, as well as urea and urethane in concentrations 1 × 103 higher than that of cyanate do not interfere with the measurement. The methodology was applied to cyanate analyses in the different fractions of the sugarcane distillate and the data strongly suggest a correlation between the presence of urea in wine, and the cyanate and ethyl carbamate concentrations in the spirit.