bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An instrument for the acquisition and analysis of the nonlinear dielectric spectra of biological samples
Authors: Jones A. , Rowland J.J. , Woodward A.M. , Kell D.B.
Published: November 2007

Nonlinear dielectric spectroscopy is, potentially, a powerful non-invasive method of monitoring biological cell activity, with possible applications in biotechnology and in medicine. This paper describes the design and implementation of an integrated instrument for obtaining and analysing the nonlinear dielectric spectra of biological cell suspensions. The instrument is based on an IBMcompatible personal computer equiped with an AT&T digital signal processor and 16-bit analogue I/O. It allows collection of resultant power spectra in real time during optimal time sweeps over a wide range of excitation voltages and frequencies. Further analysis of the sets of spectra is undertaken by means of mutivariate calibration. Examples are included of results obtained and it concludes with a brief discussion of the present limitations of the method.
Multivariate statistical methods in bioprocess fault detection and performance forecasting
Authors: Ignova M. , Glassey J. , Ward A.C. , Montague G.A.
Published: November 2007

This paper demonstrates how multivariante statistical data analysis procedures used as feature extraction methods can assist in the operation of an industrial fermentation process. The quality of the production fermenter seed and the subsequent forecasting of productivity are the two examples considered, with results presented from industrial plant. The feature extraction methodologies utilised are based around principal component analysis (PCA) and the extension to batch systems through the use of multi-way PCA.
Evolving a hybrid model of a fed-batch fermentation process
Authors: McKay Ben , Sanderson Charles S. , Willis Mark J. , Barford John P. , Barton Geoffrey W.
Published: November 2007

This paper presents a novel method for the system identification of the fed-batch fermentation process defined in the problem statement of the Biotechnological Control Forum Modelling and Control Competition. The identification methodology involves a hybrid of mechanistic modelling and Genetic Programming tech niques. It provides an accurate model of the system which should be extremely useful in both the optimisation and control of this process.
Stability of nonlinear systems and the effects of time delay control
Authors: Lewis C.P. , Ucar A. , Bishop S.R.
Published: November 2007

The study of dynamical systems is of significant practical importance. We investigate here the concept of the safe basin and the use of the amplitude/frequency of forcing parameters plane which can be applied to a wide range of dynamical systems including control applications. A computer aided study of the performance of such systems using Matlab/Simulink with a Watcom C/C++ compiler is illustrated.

The technique is easy to use and is only limited by the properties of the Matlab/Simulink programme in which the system is simulated. The behaviour of a pressure transducer is used as a simple example; as a further example the stab ility and robustness of a practical control strategy, designed to control chaotic behaviour, has also been investigated.
Application of laser ultrasound for surface acoustic wave microscopy
Authors: Somekh M.G. , Linnane F. , Clark M. , See C.W.
Published: November 2007

This paper discusses the approach we have taken to developing laser ultrasonics so that it can fufil many of the functions normaly associated with the scanning acoustic microscope. In particular, we discuss applications involving accurate measurement of surface acoustic wave velocity and imaging applications involving the scattering of surface acoustic waves (SAWs). We present some novel techniques for detection ofSAWs and show how computer-generated holography should be a valuable solution to improve the laser generation efficiency of SAWs.
Developments and improvements in the solution of the forward problem in capacitance and impedance tomography
Authors: Spink D.M. , Noras J.M.
Published: November 2007

An improved computationally efficient means of determin ing the capacitance matrix from the finite element repre sentation of a capacitance tomography system is shown. This direct method is also applied to the analysis of impedance tomography for systems in which there exists either an insulating boundary or a conducting boundary. The paper discusses aspects of the direct solution method which can influence the solution time and accuracy, and the application of multi-frontal solution techniques, to enhance solution times on scalable parallel computing hardware.
A differential fibre- optic sensor for the monitoring of ultrasound
Authors: Williams B.A. , Dewhurst R.J.
Published: November 2007

Knife-edge and differential optical beam deflection (OBD) techniques are capable of non-contact broadband measurement of laser-generated ultrasound. We describe a fibre-optic sensor based on both knife-edge and differential schemes, which has an angular deflection sensitivity of ~ 1 μrad. This sensitivity was sufficient to detect a Rayleigh wave propagating along various metal surfaces and Rayleigh waves reflected from artificial slot and fatigue crack defects. Further studies with the sensor have shown that it is capable of detecting defects in thin aluminium samples using mode converted laser-generated Lamb waves.
Open versus minimally invasive surgery: a man-machine system approach
Authors: Stassen H.G. , Dankelman J. , Grimbergen C.A.
Published: November 2007

Minimally invasive surgery is one of the important developments in surgery. In this type of surgery, the actual operation is performed through a number of small incisions in the skin. Special instruments are inserted via trocars, i.e. tubes that allow the surgeon to bring instruments or sensors into the body. The view at the operating field comes from a camera presenting a two-dimensional image on a monitor. The minimally invasive surgical technique has many potential benefits for the patients. However, compared to open surgery there are severe disadvantages for the surgeon, such as the loss of three-dimensional visual feedback, the disturbed eye-hand co-ordination and the poor ergonomic design of the surgical instrumentation. At this moment the differences between open and minimally invasive surgery can mainly be ascribed to differences in the manual control task. In this paper, the man-machine aspects of the traditional open operation process will be compared with those of the minimally invasive surgery process. In particular, the consequences of the restricted perception in minimally invasive surgery will be discussed. This paper focuses on minimally invasive surgery in the abdomen (laparoscopic surgery); however, most of the findings also apply to other forms of minimally invasive surgery (e.g. heart or orthopaedic surgery). Some future developments will be discussed.
Laboratory studies of trust between humans and machines in automated systems
Authors: Moray Neville , Inagaki T.
Published: November 2007

In supervisory control, operators are expected to monitor automation and to intervene if there is an opportunity to improve system productivity or if faults develop which cannot be managed by the automation. Central to how humans interact with automation is the degree to which they trust the system to perform well and handle unforeseen events. This paper summarises recent laboratory experiments and theoretical models, both quantitative and qualitative, of the dynamics of trust between humans and machines and discusses the calibration of trust and the problem of allocating responsibility for control between human and machine.
The Impact of China on the Middle East
Authors: Abdel-Khalek Gouda , Korayem Karima
Published: November 2007

This article assesses the impact of the fast economic growth and expansion of China on the Middle East. It examines the evolution of the profile of the Middle East during 1995–2004 in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, energy resources and potential, commodity structure of the foreign trade of the Middle East, its main trade partners and China's role in the international trade of the region. The importance of the Middle East for China's economy from 1995 to 2004 is discussed, including trade in goods and services, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and supplies of energy and raw materials. Trade competition and/or collaboration between the Middle East and China, especially since the accession of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO), are also considered. Finally, China's impact on the Middle East is analysed by looking into trade, capital flows, labour flows, energy and raw materials and competition in the domestic and international markets with respect to goods and services. Indirect effects of China as a global player on the Middle East may also play a role, mainly through the big player in the Middle East: the United States.
China's Hunger for Oil
Authors: Mommen André
Published: November 2007

China's raidly growing demand for hydrocarbons and its wish to diminish its dependency on imports from the Middle East have stimulated cooperation between China and Russia. Since the 1990s China is looking for a new strategic relationship with Russia for its oil and natural gas provision from Siberia. This article provides an overview of the changes in China's energy sector, including oil, coal, natural gas and electric power, and considers the development of the Russian hydrocarbon industry. It then analyses the main areas of energy negotiations in which Russia and China are involved: oil and gas pipelines in Siberia, hydrocarbons from Sakhalin and oil from Kazakhstan. While these negotiations have been troublesome, recently Russia and China have informally developed a strategic partnership and bilateral relations are now at their best in history.
Grammatical theory and L2 acquisition: a brief overview
Authors: Rutherford William
Published: November 2007

This paper reviews studies reported in the literature over the last few years having to do with grammatical acquisition and particular theoretical approaches aimed at explaining this aspect of second language research. Various attempts to involve the parameter-setting model of Universal Grammar are contrasted with other approaches invoking the Greenbergian tradition of research on universals. The issues discussed include, amongst other things, the need to explain fossilization and the nature of the relationship between second and first language acquisition.
A functional approach to the attainability of typological targets in L2 acquisition
Authors: Zobl Helmut
Published: November 2007

This paper proposes a functional, parsing-based approach to the attainability of typological targets in L1 and L2 acquisition.

Ideally, there should be a functional synchronization between the order in which principles constituting typological values emerge in learner grammars and the computational demands imposed by the simplest data instantiating a typological value. In L2 acquisition this functional synchronization is jeopardized by the possibility of L1-inspired misparses which may impute more structure to an input string than is consistent with a minimal parse. As a result, the more marked typological setting or the implicans of two grammatical principles in a relationship of logical entailment can appear first in interlanguage grammars. In L1 acquisition, on the other hand, misparses appear to be the result of assuming too little structure. Because of these differences, recovery from an inappropriate value follows different courses in L1 and L2 acquisition. It is proposed that this difference has important implications for the learn-ability of first and second languages.
Foreign television and language maintenance
Authors: De Bot Kees , Jagt John , Janssen Henk , Kessels Erik , Schils Erik
Published: November 2007

In this article a description is given of an experiment that aimed at bringing to light in what way subtitled foreign television programmes are processed by non-balanced bilingual viewers. It is shown that at least some processing of the spoken language takes place. This suggests that viewers 'use' the foreign language, even though they may not be aware of it. Thus, foreign television programmes may be helpful in the maintenance of foreign language skills.
Markedness and the acquisition of the English dative alternation by L2 speakers
Authors: Hawkins Roger
Published: November 2007

A recent series of articles by Mazurkewich (1984a; 1984b; 1985) has suggested that the English dative alternation is acquired by L2 speakers in the sequence: [_ NP PP] → [_ NP NP]. This order of difficulty, it is argued in those papers, reflects an aspect of Universal grammar (UG): [_ NP PP] construc tions are part of core grammar and are therefore unmarked in UG, while [_ NP NP] constructions are peripheral and are therefore marked in UG. According to Mazurkewich, 'markedness' as defined by UG directly explains order of difficulty: constructions that are deemed marked in UG are more diffi cult for L2 speakers to acquire than unmarked constructions. The present study reexamines the acquisition of the English dative alternation across a wider range of dative verbs than was considered by Mazurkewich. A group of French L 1 subjects were given two different tasks: a grammaticality judgment task and a sentence construction task. It was found that although the results confirm an order of difficulty: [_ NP PP] → [_ NP NP], this developmental sequence conceals a more complex set of stages in the acquisition of the dative alternation involving features like the syntactic distributional subclass of the verb in ques tion, whether the dative object involved is a lexical NP or a pronoun, and the syllabic structure of the base form of the verb. These features, it turns out, interact to produce a multistaged developmental sequence. This finding calls into question the usefulness of a UG definition of markedness in explaining the L2 acquisition of the English dative alternation. An alternative account is pro posed in terms of the familiar psycholinguistic notion of 'learning complexity' which seems to offer a better account of the acquisition process.
Categorial distribution and the problem of overgeneration
Authors: Zobl Helmut
Published: November 2007

Overgeneration raises in acute form the problem of how learners succeed in fixing the proper bounds of grammars on the basis of limited evidence. In this paper we look at an overgeneration found in the English production data of Japanese-speaking learners in which finite S (not introduced by Wh) occurs as a complement of P. An analysis is proposed whereby the acquisition of configurationality in the VP is the necessary antecedent knowledge to an eventual correction. It initiates an altered perception of complement category distribution, one which now includes a movement rule to a nonargument position. The inability of this rule to execute with PP expunges the overgeneration. The paper concludes with the suggestion that overgeneration is not as intractable a learnability problem if grammatical development consists of qualitative jumps in the perception of the input data rather than continuity with local modifications.
Evidence for parameter-sensitive acquisition : a contribution to the domain-specific versus central processes debate
Authors: Zobl Helmut
Published: November 2007

Much current work on L2 acquisition is defined by the hypothesis that adult learners embark on the acquisition task with a language faculty whose structure is significantly less modular that than of the L1 learner. The domain-specific system, which has available to it the principles and conditions of Universal Grammar, has been replaced by content-neutral, central processes and the learner's L1 as the principal means by which an L2 can be internalized. An important corollary of this hypothesis is that acquisition will be piecemeal and will not evidence the effects associated with parameter setting.

In this paper we attempt to demonstrate that adult L2 acquisition is module - and parameter-sensitive. The focus of the inquiry falls on the acquisition of the principle of structural government and the English language value of the agreement parameter by Japanese-speaking learners. Although the data supporting the claim come primarily from production, their analyses furnish compelling evidence that central processing, as it is currently understood, cannot account for the way attributes of these parametric choices cohere together.
A study of the L2 acquisition of English reflexives
Authors: Hirakawa Makiko
Published: November 2007

This paper reports on an experimental study which was conducted to examine how native speakers of Japanese acquire syntactic properties of English reflexive pronouns. In particular, the effects of two parameters of Universal Grammar, the Governing Category Parameter and the Proper Antecedent Parameter (Wexler and Manzini, 1987), were studied. The Governing Category Parameter has five values, of which Manzini and Wexler suggest that English represents the most unmarked value while Japanese and Korean represent the most marked one. In a learning situation where the L 1 is marked and the L2 is unmarked, we may ask whether learners observe the Subset Principle and successfully acquire the correct L2 value or whether they wrongly transfer their L1 value to the L2 grammar, or assume a value in between, as found by Finer and Broselow (1986). An experimental study was conducted to examine how Japanese learners of English set values of the above parameters. Results suggest that the L2 learners transferred their L1 parameter setting, leading to transfer errors; i.e., non-operation of the Subset Principle. However, I suggest that parameter resetting is possible, at least for some learners.
Examining attitude in teachers and students: the need to validate questionnaire data
Authors: Luppescu Stuart , Day Richard R.
Published: November 2007

The focus of this article is on the importance of validating research data from questionnaires. This was impressed on us while we were attempting to investigate attitudes and beliefs of students and teachers toward various aspects of learning English in Japan. Our goal was to determine what teachers and students believe are critical factors or variables in achieving success in the teaching and learning of English. However, this goal could not be achieved: when we attempted to validate the questionnaire data, we found that the data from teachers fit the expected pattern, but the student data did not. We present speculations on why the student data could not be validated, but we feel that the more important conclusion is the view that questionnaire data should not blindly be accepted or considered meaningful unless they have been properly validated.
The second language lexicon: some evidence from university-level learners of French and German
Authors: Singleton David , Little David
Published: November 2007

A widely held view among psycholinguists is that the L2 mental lexicon is qualitatively different from the L, mental lexicon - more 'phonological' and more 'loosely organized'. In this paper we present some C-test-elicited data from the pilot phase of the Trinity College Dublin Modern Languages Project which call the above view into question. Our data suggest that the way in which words are processed depends not on the status (L1 or L2) of the language of which they are tokens, but rather on the degree of difficulty of the lexical task concerned. Our data further suggest that there is some measure of interaction between L, and L2 lexical processing.
Universal Grammar in the classroom: the effects of formal instruction on second language acquisition
Authors: Felix Sascha W. , Weigl Wilfried
Published: November 2007

One of the dominating issues in recent second language acquisition research has been the question of whether or not L2 learners have access to principles of Universal Grammar. It seems that currently there is fairly strong evidence both for and against UG-access by L2 learners. Consequently, the question arises what kinds of factors may potentially further or block UG-access and whether such factors can be related to certain properties of the learning environment. In this paper we wish to approach this question by looking at a somewhat extreme learning situation, namely the acquisition (or maybe non-acquisition) of English as a second language by 77 German high school students who learned and were exposed to English exclusively during classroom hours. These students were tested for their ability to correctly judge grammaticality contrasts in English that are standardly attributed to UG principles. The results suggest that - even under a most liberal interpretation - these students did not show any evidence of having UG-access. Rather, they utilized a number of strategies that (a) tied them very tightly to properties of German and (b) prevented them from making any generalizations that went beyond what had been explicitly taught in the classroom.
Accounting for interlanguage subject pronouns
Authors: Gass Susan M. , Lakshmanan Usha
Published: November 2007

In this paper we reopen the controversy surrounding subject pronoun usage in the English of non-native speakers. Much recent research has attempted to account for non-native pronoun usage through Universal Grammar-based explanations. In this paper, we argue that in considering the issue of subject pronouns, one must take into account the input to the learner. Specifically, we examine transcripts of the English of two native speakers of Spanish (one adult and one child) and show that the pattern of learner-language subject pronoun use closely parallels native speaker use. We closely examine the input provided to these learners and show how learners can be led to believe that their incorrect learner-language forms are correct. Our data suggest that considering princi ples of Universal Grammar devoid of context is insufficient and often mis leading in accounting for how L2 grammars develop.
Learnability and grammar reorganization in L2A: against negative evidence causing the unlearning of verb movement
Authors: Schwartz Bonnie D. , Gubala-Ryzak Magda
Published: November 2007

This paper reassesses the role of Negative Evidence (NE) in nonnative language acquisition. We argue that the grammar-building process cannot make use of NE to restructure (Interlanguage) grammars - irrespective of logical need. The empirical basis comes from White's (1991a; 1991b) study of French speakers acquiring English, where the 'Verb Movement' parameter and the particular learnability problem of 'unlearning' thematic Verb- movement were the focus. The L2ers start off assuming the L1 value of [+] Verb-movement, thus incorrectly allowing the order S V Adv O in English, and the issue is whether NE can force a switch to the [-] value, whereby S V Adv O should be excluded. While it is indisputable that the L2ers changed their linguistic behaviour as a direct consequence of their exposure to NE, the conclusion we draw is quite distinct from that of White.

Based on both the postinstruction data and an argument grounded in formal learnability theory, we show that an inherent contradiction must be imputed to the Interlanguage 'grammar' to account for the results: in addition to no longer permitting S V Adv O, the L2ers also (incorrectly) disallow S V Adv PP; to exclude the latter, the grammar must have 'un learned' base-generating Adverbs to the right of VP but other data dispute this, i.e., S V O/PP Adv is still allowed. Since natural language grammars cannot contain such inherent contradictions, we conclude that a natural language grammar could not be the source of this L2 behaviour. Our explanation is that the L2ers simply extended the *S V Adv O pattern that they were taught. In sum, there is no evidence that NE caused the L2ers to unlearn Verb-movement and hence NE did not restructure the Interlanguage grammar. Implications of this conclusion are discussed in relation to the issues of learnability and 'UG-accessibility' in L2A.
COALA-A computational system for interlanguage analysis
Authors: Pienemann Manfred
Published: November 2007

This article describes a computational system for the linguistic analysis of language acquisition data (COALA). The system is a combined AI and database tool which allows the user to form highly complex queries about morphosyntactic and semantic structures contained in large sets of data. COALA identifies those sentences that meet the linguistic criteria defined by the user. It allows the user to freely define such linguistic contexts and to step through the sentences identified by the system. COALA then rapidly displays those sentences in their original discourse context. Additionally, COALA can perform statistical analyses in response to structural linguistic queries.

This article contains (1) a discussion of the computational approach taken in the design of COALA, (2) a description of the functionality of the system, and (3) a reflection on the validity of the analytical categories contained therein.
On cognates
Authors: Carroll Susanne E.
Published: November 2007

In this article I examine cognates, lexical items from different languages which are identified by bilinguals as somehow being 'the same thing'. Cognates have at least 4 essential properties: 1) they are always structural units; 2) they are words; 3) words paired may be but need not be semantically identical; 4) there is always some kind of formal resemblance between cognates. I argue that these properties can be explained in terms of a particular model of lexical activation and word recognition, namely the Cohort Model. I also take up the question of defining cognates for psycho linguistic purposes, and argue against using traditional extensional definitions based on etymology and genetic relatedness. I argue for defining cognates in terms of their structural representations and the processes which activate and select them.
Transferability and linguistic substrates
Authors: Odlin Terence
Published: November 2007

This article considers the issue of transferability, a well-known concept in the SLA literature but not one so frequently investigated in language contact research. Three principles can help to identify effects of transferability in language contact: similar distributional range in L1 and L2; multiple geographic occurrences; and high likelihood in certain geographic areas. The article shows the applicability of the principles to language contact in the British Isles (especially Ireland) with a detailed discussion of absolute constructions, structures which show interesting relations between syntax and discourse, and which also seem susceptible to crosslinguistic influence. Although counterarguments are possible to make, they do not account for the known facts. Moreover, the evidence for the transferability of absolutes in Hiberno-English strengthens the case for crosslinguistic influence in a totally different language contact situation, the Indian subcontinent. The most general conclusion to be drawn from the discussion is that SLA research and language contact studies can be mutually enriching. The former can provide principles to establish the likelihood of transfer of particular structures, while the latter can expand the range of data that will contribute to a sound theory of transferability.
A cognitive view of the role of L1 in the L2 acquisition process
Authors: Giacobbe Jorge
Published: November 2007

In the first part of this article, I reflect on the role that the learner's hypothesis-forming activity may assign to the L1 during the course of the acquisition process. These remarks are illustrated in the second part of the article by observations from a longitudinal case study of the acquisition of movement verbs.
Lexical processing in bilinguals
Authors: de Bot Kees , Cox Albert , Ralston Steven , Schaufeli Anneli , Weltens Bert
Published: November 2007

In this article data from an auditory lexical decision experiment with English-Dutch bilinguals are compared with data from a similar experiment using visual lexical decision. The aim of the experiments was to investigate three factors that may play a role in lexical processing: level of proficiency in the second language, mode of presentation (visual vs. auditory) and cognate- ness of lexical items.

The structure of this article is as follows. In the first part a description is given of current theoretical models of the bilingual lexicon. In the second part we present a summary of an experiment on visual lexical decision (Kerkman, 1984; Kerkman and De Bot, 1989), and in the third part we report on the auditory lexical decision experiment. In the last part these two sets of data are discussed in the light of recent theorizing on the bilingual lexicon.
Vocabulary skill: single-case assessment of automaticity of word recognition in a timed lexical decision task
Authors: Segalowitz Norman , Watson Vivien , Segalowitz Sidney
Published: November 2007

This study illustrates, in the context of vocabulary assessment research, a procedure for analysing a single subject's variability of response times (RTs) in a simple, timed lexical decision task. Following the interpretation developed in Segalowitz and Segalowitz (1993) for RT variability as reflection of the automatic/controlled nature of underlying processing mechanisms, it was possible to draw conclusions about the extent to which second language English word recognition in this subject was subserved by automatic as opposed to controlled processes. The study also examined the development of automaticity in word recognition skill for a small, selected vocabulary as a function of reading experience during a three-week testing period. The general implications of this methodology for assessing vocabulary skill in a single case are discussed.
Strategic L2 lexical innovation: case study of a university-level ab initio learner of German
Authors: Ridley Jennifer , Singleton David
Published: November 2007

The article is a case study of one learner's use of lexical innovation. She is a university-level ab initio learner of German, and a subject in the Trinity College, Dublin, Modern Languages Research Project. In the target language production tasks performed over a two-year period, she exhibits a particular tendency towards lexical innovation as a strategy to cope with lack of TL lexical knowledge. From her introspective reports there is evidence to suggest that this type of strategic behaviour is related to her conscious approach towards vocabulary learning.
Task-based interaction and incidental vocabulary learning: a case study
Authors: Newton Jonathan
Published: November 2007

This case study examines the vocabulary gains made by an adult learner of English as a second language as a result of performing four communication tasks. Gains were measured on comparisons of pre- and post-tests of vocabulary from the worksheets from the four tasks. These gains are discussed in relation to the interactional processes involving unfamiliar vocabulary. Explicit negotiation of word meaning appeared less deterministic of post-test improvements than use of words in the process of completing the task. While this result may to some extent be an artifact of test design, it is also true that when the group actively used vocabulary which was unfamiliar to the subject of this study, the embedding of this vocabulary in the context of the task and its interactive use are likely to have provided not only important information about word meaning but also the conditions whereby that meaning could be acquired. The placement of a word on task worksheets and the nature of a task, whether a split information task or a shared information task, both had a strong effect on use and acquisition of new vocabulary.
Positive evidence in second language acquisition: some long-term effects
Authors: Trahey Martha
Published: November 2007

It has been proposed (Krashen, 1981; 1982; 1985; Schwartz and Gubala- Ryzak, 1992; Schwartz, 1986; 1988; 1993) that L2 acquisition proceeds in essentially the same manner as L1 acquisition (the L1 = L2 position). That is, learners acquire underlying unconscious knowledge of a language (called lin guistic competence) simply by being exposed to the linguistic input (called primary linguistic data) in the environment. Instruction and error correction play no role in the development of competence in the L2.

This article reports the long-term results of a study investigating the role of primary linguistic data in the acquisition of linguistic competence - in par ticular, the rules of adverb placement in English. This study examines the knowledge of adverb placement of 52 grade-6 francophone students (aver age age: 12 years, 2 months) learning English as a second language (ESL) in Québec schools. A year earlier, these subjects had been exposed over a two- week period to a flood of primary linguistic data on adverb placement in English. Immediately after the input flood, it was found that while the sub jects had learnt which adverb positions were grammatical in English, they still used positions which were ungrammatical in English but grammatical in the L1. The results of the follow-up test reported in this article reveal that one year after the input flood, the subjects' knowledge of adverb placement has not changed. They still use both the grammatical and the ungrammatical adverb positions, indicating that exposure to an abundance of primary lin guistic data on adverb placement did not lead to mastery of this structure. Possible explanations for these results and their implications for the L1 = L2 position are discussed.
How native is near-native? The issue of ultimate attainment in adult second language acquisition
Authors: White Lydia , Genesee Fred
Published: November 2007

A number of studies have reported that there is a negative correlation between age of L2 acquisition and performance on a variety of measures of L2 ability, and that individuals who begin learning an L2 after approximately 15 years of age fail to attain native-like levels of competence. These results have been interpreted as support both for the hypothesis that there is a critical period for L2 acquisition and for the hypothesis that there is a maturational decline in access to Universal Grammar (UG). We argue that extant results are not an adequate test of the critical periods hypothesis because they are based on the performance of learners who have not necessarily achieved native-like proficiency in the L2. In this study, we develop criteria to establish whether an L2 speaker has achieved native-like proficiency. We compare the performance of three groups (near-native speakers of English, non-native speakers and controls) on two tasks designed to tap aspects of UG which have been claimed to be subject to critical period effects. We found no significant differences between our near-native group and native speakers on either of the tasks. We conclude that native-like competence in an L2 is achievable, even by older L2 learners.
Language acquisition without Universal Grammar: a general nativist proposal for L2 learning
Authors: O'Grady William
Published: November 2007

This article explores the prospects for a 'general nativist' theory of first and second language acquisition. A modular acquisition device that does not include Universal Grammar (UG) is outlined and its role in the emergence of an L1 is considered. The relevance of this proposal for a theory of SLA is then explored, leading to the suggestion that the properties and outcome typical of postadolescent L2 learning can be traced to the fact that adults have only partial access to the L1 acquisition device.
Prostacyclin, cardiopulmonary bypass and the alveolar capillary membrane
Authors: Jones DK , Higenbottam TW , Wheeldon D. , Kneeshaw J. , Bethune D.
Published: November 2007

In a double blind controlled study of 24 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, 12 received an infusion of prostacyclin at 20 ng/kg/min during cardiopulmonary bypass in an attempt to reduce the previously reported increased alveolar capillary membrane permeability that occurs postoperatively. Prostacyclin significantly reduced platelet activation but had no effect in reducing complement activation or transpulmonary neutrophil sequestration. Alveolar epithelial permeability as assessed by measuring the clearance of inhaled 99mTc-DTPA from lung to blood did not change postoperatively in either group.

In order to fully evaluate pulmonary damage following cardiopulmonary bypass a marker for pulmonary endothelial damage may need to be used.
Alopecia following cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Kirk Ajb , Nashef Sam
Published: November 2007

This paper discusses a case of alopecia after aortocoronary bypass grafting, presenting three weeks after surgery. A subsequent prospective study of 100 patients undergoing open-heart surgery with total cardiopulmonary bypass demonstrated that six patients (6%) developed alopecia in the parieto-occipital region of the scalp. Possible causes of this are described, i.e. relative scalp ischaemia due to hypotension and hypotermia during bypass, heparinization and local pressure. All patches of alopecia showed complete regrowth of hair by six months. As alopecia is a source of considerable anxiety to patients the self-limiting nature of the condition allows full and adequate reassurance to be given.
In vitro comparison of cavoatrial (dual stage) cannulae for use during cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Riley Jeffrey B , Hardin Scott B , Winn Brad A , Hurdle Michael B
Published: November 2007

An in vitro normothermic, human blood test circuit was constructed to test four cavoatrial (dual stage) cannulae, their right atrial baskets and IVC tips for venous return flow versus siphon drainage gradient. Simulated patient CVP and ECC oxygenator/venous reservoir inlet resistance were held constant at 10 mmHg and 15 mmHg respectively as siphon gradient was varied from 0 centimetres (cm) to -40 cm of blood.

At the same siphon gradients between -10 and -40 cm, the Research Medical, Inc. (RMI) VV 3651 L, its right atrial (RA) basket, and IVC tip yielded significantly greater flows than the Sarns Inc. 12340, CR Bard, Inc. 1969, and the RMI VV 3651 B cannula, except the RMI VV 3651 B RA basket was equivalent to the VV 3651 L basket. The 12340 and 1969 baskets were equivalent. The 1969 IVC tip was superior to the 12340 tip.

The mechanism for CPB venous collapse and flutter, its treatment, and the importance of monitoring myocardial temperature, as well as assuring great vein and cardiac decompression during cavoatrial cannulation and aortic cross clamping are outlined.
Heparin kinetics during paediatric open-heart operations
Authors: Cohen Jerry A , Bethea Henry L , Rush William J
Published: November 2007

Heparin levels before and during cardiopulmonary bypass were measured in two groups of children undergoing open heart operations. Patients in Group I weighed more than 10 kg (14 ± 3.5, SD) and those in Group II weighed less than 10 kg (6.5 ±.2.2, SD). The concentration of heparin in the pump prime was 2.40 ± 0.3 units/ml in Group I and 4.6 ± 1 .6 units/ml in Group II. (Smaller patients received relatively larger volumes of heparinized blood in the pump prime.) After a 300-units/kg loading dose of heparin, levels in Group I peaked at 5.4 ± 0.8 units/ml and declined to 4.04 ± 1.2 immediately before bypass. Group II levels peaked at 4.1 ± 1.1 and declined to 3.2 ± 0.9 units/ml. After bypass began, heparin levels in both groups approached those of the pump prime: levels in Group I fell to 2.7 ± 0.4 units/ml whereas those in Group I I rose to 4.0 ±1.1. The change in heparin level when bypass began could be predicted (r = 0.97), regardless of group, by using multiple linear regression analysis. We conclude that the concentration of heparin in pump prime is the primary determinant of heparin concentration in the paediatric patient when bypass begins because of the relatively large volume of pump prime compared with the plasma volume of the patient. This effect is most critical in patients weighing less than 10 kg.
Cardiopulmonary bypass on a Jehovah's Witness child
Authors: Grey PA , Crockett JR
Published: November 2007

A four-year-old boy was admitted for closure of a congenital ventricular septal defect. As the boy's parents were Jehovah's Witnesses, transfusion of blood was proscribed. Cardiopulmonary bypass was achieved using a Variable Prime Cobe Membrane Lung (VPCML). Extreme haemodilution was experienced, during bypass the haematocrit fell to a level of 8%. The haematocrit rose over the next two days to 22% and the patient made a full recovery.
Platelet damage and haemolysis during bubble oxygenator perfusion with and without arterial line filter, compared to membrane oxygenator perfusion
Authors: Boonstra PW , Vermeulen Fee , Leusink JA , de Nooy EH , van Zalk A. , Soons Jbj , Wildevuur Crh
Published: November 2007

We determined to what extent a 27 micron depth filter (Bentley Polyfilter bypass blood filter PF427, Bentley Lab., Irvine, California, USA) in the arterial line of a bubble oxygenator (BO) system is responsible for the difference in haemocompatibility between this BO system and a membrane oxygenator (MO) system in which no arterial line filter is used. We studied three groups of patients subjected to long perfusions of approximately three hours: BO perfusion with ( n = 8) and without ( n = 8) the arterial line filter and MO perfusion ( n = 10) without filter. Platelet and erythrocyte damage were evaluated at seven sampling points during perfusion. Also pre- and postoperative bleeding times and postoperative blood loss and blood transfusions up to 18 hours after perfusion were determined.

We found that the 27 micron depth filter in the arterial line impairs the haemocompatibility of the BO only to a small extent; the MO remains haematologically superior over the BO even when the arterial line filter is absent from the BO circuit.
β2 microglobulin excretion as an index of renal function on pulsatile and nonpulsatile cardiopulmonary perfusion
Authors: Manche AR , Walesby RK , Goode AW , Kirk Cjc
Published: November 2007

The renal clearance of β2 microglobulin was measured in two groups of patients undergoing surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass. The first group of patients received pulsatile perfusion whilst group two were subjected to non pulsatile flow.

There was no difference between the two groups in the rate of β2 clearance throughout the study period. For both groups the clearance rate was signifi cantly elevated from four hours following surgery to the third postoperative day. These results suggest that during standard periods of cardiopulmonary bypass, pulsatile perfusion does not confer any significant advantage over conventional nonpulsatile flow with regard to renal blood flow and tubular function.
A double blind clinical trial of Iloprost during cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Blauth C. , Brady A. , Arnold J. , Brannan J. , Schulenburg WE , Frackowiak R. , Taylor KM
Published: November 2007

Twenty patients undergoing elective coronary surgery were randomized to receive either the prostacyclin analogue Iloprost (Zk 36374) 5 ng/kg/min for 30 minutes before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) increasing to 10 ng/kg/min during CPB, or placebo, to investigate any beneficial effect on platelet preservation, or protection of the central nervous system during clinical CPB. Originally 50 patients were to have entered the trial, but unacceptable hypotensive effects occu rred in five patients who received Iloprost, lead i ng to early data analysis. No significant improvement in platelet number, volume or function; bleeding time; arterial line filter δ dry weight; retinal microembolism; or neuropsychological function, attributable to Iloprost, could be identified. The role and optimal dose of Iloprost in clinical CPB remains to be established.
Changes in colloid oncotic pressure during and after cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Lindberg Harald , Øvrum Eivind , Am Holen Einfrid , Abdelnoor Michel , Sommerfelt Søren C
Published: November 2007

Thirty-one patients undergoing open-heart surgery for uncomplicated coronary artery disease were studied. All patients had dextran 70 (Macrodex, Pharmacia) in the priming solution. In Group I patients (n = 16) 3.5% dextran 40 (Rheomacrodex, Pharmacia) was added to the cardioplegic solution. Group II patients (n = 15) received our standard crystalloid cardioplegia. A higher colloid oncotic pressure (COP) was noticed in Group I during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and immediately postoperatively. The albumin levels were higher in Group II during and after bypass. No differences could be demonstrated in the concentrations of total serum protein. Preoperative levels of COP were reached two hours postoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively for albumin and total proteins. The addition of dextran 40 to the cardioplegic solution did not influence haemodynamic parameters. The clinical course was uneventful in both groups.
Effects of high dose ascorbic acid on haemostasis during and after cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: He D. , Hou L.
Published: November 2007

Observations were made on the changes in platelets, bleeding time and clot retraction and the protective effects of high dose ascorbic acid in 31 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Platelet counts in Group B (receiving ascorbic acid) were higher ( p<0.05) and platelet adhesion and aggregation were significantly lower than in Group A (no ascorbic acid) during perfusion. Platelet numbers and function rose much faster, bleeding time was significantly shorter and clot retraction better in Group B than in Group A postoperatively. These results suggest that ascorbic acid may reduce platelet destruction and depletion during CPB and promote the recovery of the haemostatic mechanism postoperatively.
Prevention of body temperature reduction (afterdrop) following hypothermic perfusion
Authors: Jani K. , Carli FM , Bidstrup BP , Royston D.
Published: November 2007

This study investigated the possibility of preventing the postoperative reduction in body temperature (afterdrop) which followed a period of hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass. In addition to warming all the infused fluids and inspired gases, the patients also had active warming by way of a system of hot water mattresses and limb jackets. In the eight male patients randomly allocated to the active treatment there were no significant changes on the central (aural) temperature in the five hours following the end of perfusion. The eight male control patients showed significant ( p<0.05) falls in central temperature from 36.5 (0.3)°C at the end of bypass to 35.3 (0.2)°C and 35.0 (0.2)°C at one and two hours postperfusion. In addition, the mean skin temperatures were always significantly higher in the active warming group during the study period. This maintenance of a stable body temperature was reflected in the carbon dioxide production, which showed no significant changes in the actively warmed group. In the control group the carbon dioxide production was reduced from the preoperative value of 189 (26)ml/min (mean (SEM)) to 155 (9.2)ml/min ( p<0.05) at two hours postperfusion. These data show that afterdrop following perfusion can be prevented by an aggressive rewarming policy and suggest that this may have beneficial effects in producing a metabolically and physiologically more stable patient.