Can we predict when “dying” will be difficult?: Progressive achievements in L2 English

A large body of research has focused on the observation that second language (L2) learners are limited in their production of temporal and aspectual forms. For example, in L2 English, it has been shown learners use progressive marking with activity verbs and only rarely extend the form to telic verb phrases such as accomplishments or achievements (Bardovi-Harlig and Reynolds, 1995; Bardovi-Harlig, 2000; Robison, 1995). Shirai and Andersen (1995) proposed that activities represent the prototype for the category of progressive aspect and learners generally acquire the prototype first. However, very little research has focused explicitly on advanced learners to see if they eventually extend beyond the prototype. In addition, properties of the native language have not systematically been taken into account. Achievements such as "die" are especially interesting in that they interact differently with markers of progressive aspect across languages. The present study investigated the acquisition of progressive achievements in English by native speakers of Chinese and Korean in order to examine whether there is evidence of universal difficulty, as would be predicted by the prototype account, or whether similarity between the L1 and L2 (as in the case of English and Korean) can facilitate acquisition, as would be predicted by transfer. Our results suggest that the properties of the native language play an important role, supporting the transfer account. However, neither L1 group performs at the level of native speakers. We argue that the acquisition of aspect is influenced by both the properties of the native language and the semantic and pragmatic complexity of the target computation.

DIFFUSION OF MAGNETIC FIELD AND REMOVAL OF MAGNETIC FLUX FROM CLOUDS VIA TURBULENT RECONNECTION

The diffusion of astrophysical magnetic fields in conducting fluids in the presence of turbulence depends on whether magnetic fields can change their topology via reconnection in highly conducting media. Recent progress in understanding fast magnetic reconnection in the presence of turbulence reassures that the magnetic field behavior in computer simulations and turbulent astrophysical environments is similar, as far as magnetic reconnection is concerned. This makes it meaningful to perform MHD simulations of turbulent flows in order to understand the diffusion of magnetic field in astrophysical environments. Our studies of magnetic field diffusion in turbulent medium reveal interesting new phenomena. First of all, our three-dimensional MHD simulations initiated with anti-correlating magnetic field and gaseous density exhibit at later times a de-correlation of the magnetic field and density, which corresponds well to the observations of the interstellar media. While earlier studies stressed the role of either ambipolar diffusion or time-dependent turbulent fluctuations for de-correlating magnetic field and density, we get the effect of permanent de-correlation with one fluid code, i.e., without invoking ambipolar diffusion. In addition, in the presence of gravity and turbulence, our three-dimensional simulations show the decrease of the magnetic flux-to-mass ratio as the gaseous density at the center of the gravitational potential increases. We observe this effect both in the situations when we start with equilibrium distributions of gas and magnetic field and when we follow the evolution of collapsing dynamically unstable configurations. Thus, the process of turbulent magnetic field removal should be applicable both to quasi-static subcritical molecular clouds and cores and violently collapsing supercritical entities. The increase of the gravitational potential as well as the magnetization of the gas increases the segregation of the mass and magnetic flux in the saturated final state of the simulations, supporting the notion that the reconnection-enabled diffusivity relaxes the magnetic field + gas system in the gravitational field to its minimal energy state. This effect is expected to play an important role in star formation, from its initial stages of concentrating interstellar gas to the final stages of the accretion to the forming protostar. In addition, we benchmark our codes by studying the heat transfer in magnetized compressible fluids and confirm the high rates of turbulent advection of heat obtained in an earlier study.

Characterization of the Phenol Monooxygenase Gene from Chromobacterium violaceum: Potential Use for Phenol Biodegradation

In this work, the biodegradation mechanism of phenol and sub products (such as catechol and hydroquinone) in Chromobacterium violaceum was investigated by cloning and molecular characterization of a phenol monooxygenase gene in Escherichia coli. This gene (Cvmp) is very similar (74 and 59% of similarity and identity, respectively) to the ortholog from Ralstonia eutropha, bacteria capable of utilizing phenol as the sole carbon source. The phenol biodegradation ability of E. coli recombinant strains was tested by cell-growth in a minimal medium containing phenol as the sole source of carbon and release of intermediary metabolites (catechol and hydroquinone). Interestingly, during the growth of these strains on phenol, catechol, and hydroquinone accumulated transiently in the medium. These metabolites were further analyzed by HPLC. These results indicated that phenol can be initially orto or para hydroxylated to produce cathecol or hydroquinone, respectively, followed by meta-cleavage of aromatic rings. To verify this information, the metabolites obtained from HPLC were submitted to LC/MS to confirm their chemical structure, thereby indicating that the recombinant strains utilize two different routes simultaneously, leading to different ring-fission substrates for the metabolism of phenol. (C) KSBB

Robust inference in an heteroscedastic measurement error model

In this paper we deal with robust inference in heteroscedastic measurement error models Rather than the normal distribution we postulate a Student t distribution for the observed variables Maximum likelihood estimates are computed numerically Consistent estimation of the asymptotic covariance matrices of the maximum likelihood and generalized least squares estimators is also discussed Three test statistics are proposed for testing hypotheses of interest with the asymptotic chi-square distribution which guarantees correct asymptotic significance levels Results of simulations and an application to a real data set are also reported (C) 2009 The Korean Statistical Society Published by Elsevier B V All rights reserved

The competing roles of extensional viscosity and normal stress differences in complex flows of elastic liquids

In various attempts to relate the behaviour of highly-elastic liquids in complex flows to their rheometrical behaviour, obvious candidates for study have been the variation of shear viscosity with shear rate, the two normal stress differences N(1) and N(2) especially N(1), and the extensional viscosity eta(E). In this paper, we shall be mainly interested in `constant-viscosity` Boger fluids, and, accordingly, we shall limit attention to N(1) and eta(E). We shall concentrate on two important flows - axisymmetric contraction flow and ""splashing"" (particularly that which arises when a liquid drop falls onto the free Surface of the same liquid). Modem numerical techniques are employed to provide the theoretical predictions. It is shown that the two obvious manifestations of viscoelastic rheometrical behaviour can sometimes be opposing influences in determining flow characteristics. Specifically, in an axisymmetric contraction flow, high eta(E) , can retard the flow, whereas high N(1) can have the opposite effect. In the splashing experiment, high eta(E) can certainly reduce the height of the so-called Worthington jet, thus confirming some early suggestions, but, again, other rheometrical influences can also have a role to play and the overall picture may not be as clear as it was once envisaged.

D(s)D* Molecule as an Axial Meson

We use QCD sum rules to study the possible existence of a D(s)(D) over bar* - D(s)*(D) over bar molecule with the quantum number J(PC) = 1(++). We consider the contributions of condensates up to dimension eight and work at leading order in alpha(s). We obtain m(DsD*) = (3.96 +/- 0.10) GeVaround 100 MeV above the mass of the meson X(3872). The proposed state is a natural generalized state to the strangeness sector of the X(3872), which was also found to be consistent with a multiquark state from a previous QCD sum rule analysis.

Purification, and Biochemical and Biophysical Characterization of Cellobiohydrolase I from Trichoderma harzianum IOC 3844

Because of its elevated cellulolytic activity, the filamentous fungus Trichoderma harzianum has a considerable potential in biomass hydrolysis applications. Trichoderma harzianum cellobiohydrolase I (ThCBHI), an exoglucanase, is an important enzyme in the process of cellulose degradation. Here, we report an easy single-step ion-exchange chromatographic method for purification of ThCBHI and its initial biophysical and biochemical characterization. The ThCBHI produced by induction with microcrystalline cellulose under submerged fermentation was purified on DEAE-Sephadex A-50 media and its identity was confirmed by mass spectrometry. The ThCBHI biochemical characterization showed that the protein has a molecular mass of 66 kDa and pi of 5.23. As confirmed by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), both full-length ThCBHI and its catalytic core domain (CCD) obtained by digestion with papain are monomeric in solution. Secondary structure analysis of ThCBHI by circular dichroism revealed alpha-helices and beta-strands contents in the 28% and 38% range, respectively. The intrinsic fluorescence emission maximum of 337 nm was accounted for as different degrees of exposure of ThCBHI tryptophan residues to water. Moreover, ThCBHI displayed maximum activity at pH 5.0 and temperature of 50 degrees C with specific activities against Avicel and p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-cellobioside of 1.25 U/mg and 1.53 U/mg, respectively.

Adhesion as a tool for in-built nanotechnology design in cementitious materials

Confined water, such as those molecules in nanolayers of 2-3 nm in length, plays an important role in the adhesion of hydrophilic materials, mainly in cementitious ones. In this study, the effects of water containing kosmotropic substances on adhesion, known for their ability of enhancing the hydrogen bond (H-bond) network of confined water, were evaluated using mechanical strength tests. Indeed, to link adhesion provided by water confined in nanolayers to a macro-response of the cementitious samples, such as the bending strength, requires the evaluation of local water H-bond network configuration in the presence of kosmotropes, considering their influences on the extent and the strength of H-bonds. Among the kosmotropes, trimethylamine and sucrose provided a 50% increase in bending strength compared to the reference samples, the latter just using water as an adhesive, whereas trehalose was responsible for reducing the bending strength to a value close to the samples without any adhesive. The results attained opened up perspectives regarding exploring the confined water behavior which naturally occurs throughout the hydration process in cement-based materials.

Racial Conflict in the United States of America : A Deconstructive Perspective on Native Speaker by Changrae Lee

Written about the time of the Golden Venture incident, Chang-rae Lee’s Native Speaker makes a particular reference to that incident, whereby implying that particular immigrants, on the grounds of their racial identities, are mistreated and considered as aliens by some Americas. While some whites discriminate against immigrants, there is widespread ethnic tension between Korean Americans and African Americans. Significantly, racial conflict between Koreans and blacks and the racist attitude of some whites toward immigrants are mirrored in the relationship between the Korean-American protagonist Henry and his American wife Lelia. That is, due to their different racial identities they do not understand each other and they always argue. However, toward the end of the novel, Henry and Lelia come to understand each other. While ethnic conflict between Koreans and blacks and certain whites’ discriminatory attitudes toward immigrants is serious one, the novel suggests the unimportance of racial identity. In other words, the novel concludes that there is no discriminatory treatment of immigrants and, in fact, every one is a native Speaker in America. In the novel there is no message of how racial conflict could be resolved. However, this essay suggests that by investigating how the tension between Henry and Lelia is resolved, one could suggest a solution for the ethnicity problem in America and in real life.

A Study On The Flow Characteristics Influenced By Hydraulic Structure At A Channel Junction

Natural riversare consisting of various networks as junction andstreams. And sediment and erosion are occurred by specific stream condition. When flood season,large discharge flew in the river and river bed changed by high flow velocity. Especially junction area’s flow characteristics are very complex. The purpose of this study is to analyze the flow characteristics in channel junction, which are most influenced by large discharge like flooding and input water from tributary. We investigate the flow characteristics by using hydrodynamics and transport module in MIKE 3 FM. MIKE 3 FM model was helpful tool to analysis 3D hydrodynamics, erosion and sediment effect from channel bed. We analyze flow characteristics at channel junction. Also we consider hydraulic structures like a bridge pier which is influencing flow characteristics like a flow velocity, water level, erosion and scour depth in channel bed. In the model, we controlled discharge condition according to Froude Number and reflect various grain diameter size and flow ratio change in main stream and tributary. In the result, flow velocity, water level, erosion and sediment depth are analyzed. Additionally, we suggest a these result relationship with equations. This study will help the understand flow characteristics and influence of hydraulic structure in channel junction. Acknowledgments This research was supported by a grant (12-TI-C01) from Advanced Water Management Research Program funded by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Korean government.

Interview with Jai Lee

In her January 14, 2014 interview with Cody Willis, Jai Lee shares her experience as an economic major from Korea. Lee discusses the differences between Korean colleges and Winthrop. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

A utilização do cartão de crédito como instrumento de dívida da população: um estudo do tema, causas e consequências com base na experiência da Coreia do Sul.

A crise bancária que atingiu a Coreia do Sul em 2002 está relacionada, em grande parte, com a grande velocidade de crescimento e penetração da população no segmento de cartões de crédito, fazendo com que o país recebesse a denominação de “República dos Cartões de Plástico” pela mídia internacional. Em 2003, como resultado deste crescimento, o sistema financeiro do país precisou ser socorrido pelo governo sul coreano, pois o endividamento do consumidor havia saído do controle. Atualmente, alguns estudos indicam que o Brasil pode estar caminhando para uma situação semelhante, compensando o alto nível de endividamento da população sul-coreana, com as altas taxas de juros cobradas neste segmento pelos bancos brasileiros. Com base na experiência da Coreia do Sul, este trabalho explora as principais causas deste fenômeno, a motivação da população em buscar este tipo específico de financiamento, a dicotomia dos agentes ao tratar deste crescimento e quais medidas podem ser tomadas para evitar um possível colapso no sistema financeiro.

Transmission electron microscopy for characterization of acrosomal damage after Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa

The objective of this study was to characterize acrosomal ultrastructure following discontinuous Percoll gradient centrifugation of cryopreserved bovine sperm. Semen was collected from six bulls of different breeds and three ejaculates per bull were evaluated. Frozen semen samples were thawed and the acrosomal region of sperm cells was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) before (n = 18) and after (n = 18) Percoll centrifugation. The evaluation of 20 sperm heads from each of the 36 samples analyzed ensured that a large number of cells were investigated. The data were subjected to analysis of variance at a level of significance of 5%. Percoll centrifugation reduced the percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes (from 61.77 to 30.24%), reduced the percentage of sperm presenting atypical acrosome reactions (from 28.38 to 4.84%) and increased the percentage of sperm exhibiting damage in the acrosome (from 6.14 to 64.26%). The percentage of sperm with typical acrosome reactions was not significantly different before (3.70%) and after (0.67%) centrifugation. TEM distinguished four different types of acrosomal status and enabled ultrastructural characterization of acrosomal injuries. The percentage of sperm exhibiting normal acrosomes decreased and damage in the acrosome was the most frequent acrosomal injury with the Percoll gradient centrifugation protocol utilized.

Efeito do trinexapac-ethyl na anatomia foliar de quatro espécies de grama

Os reguladores de crescimento podem retardar o desenvolvimento vegetativo das plantas de gramas e, assim, reduzir a frequência de cortes; contudo, existem poucas informações referentes aos efeitos desses produtos sobre as estruturas da anatomia foliar. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar os efeitos da aplicação sequencial de duas doses de trinexapac-ethyl sobre a anatomia foliar das espécies de gramas São Carlos (Axonopus compressus), Batatais (Paspalum notatum), Santo Agostinho (Stenotaphrum secundatum) e Esmeralda (Zoysia japonica). Os tratamentos utilizados foram constituídos de duas aplicações sequenciais de trinexapac-ethyl nas doses de 56,5+56,5 e 113,0+113,0 g ha-1; além de uma testemunha sem aplicação, para cada espécie avaliada. Os gramados foram cortados à altura de 3 cm, com auxílio de um aparador de grama motorizado, e, em seguida, foram realizadas as aplicações dos tratamentos. Após 20 dias da primeira aplicação de trinexapac-ethyl, as parcelas foram novamente aparadas à altura de 3 cm e foi realizada a segunda aplicação dos tratamentos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Aos 70 dias após a segunda aplicação dos tratamentos, foram realizadas as amostragens do material foliar, para as quatro espécies estudadas. Os dados das variáveis quantitativas foram submetidos ao teste estatístico multivariado de análise de componentes principais. Os resultados evidenciaram a formação de três e dois grupos principais, para os caracteres da região da quilha (nervura mediana) e da região da asa (situada entre a nervura mediana e a margem do limbo foliar), respectivamente. de modo geral, em cada formação dos agrupamentos, os tratamentos com trinexapac-ethyl apresentaram maior similaridade entre si, em relação às respectivas testemunhas. Conclui-se que a aplicação sequencial de trinexapac-ethyl alterou algumas estruturas anatômicas da região da quilha e da asa do limbo foliar das espécies de gramas estudadas.