A cross-linguistic comparison of address pronoun use in four European languages: Intralingual and interlingual dimensions

As part of a major ongoing project, we consider and compare contemporary patterns of address pronoun use in four major European languages- French, German, Italian and Swedish. We are specifically interested in two major aspects: intralingual behaviour, that is, within the same language community, and interlingual dimensions of address pronoun use. With respect to the former, we summarize our key findings to date. We then give consideration in a more preliminary fashion to issues and evidence relevant to the latter.

Algebraic Bethe ansatz method for the exact calculation of energy spectra and form factors: applications to models of Bose-Einstein condensates and metallic nanograins

In this review we demonstrate how the algebraic Bethe ansatz is used for the calculation of the-energy spectra and form factors (operator matrix elements in the basis of Hamiltonian eigenstates) in exactly solvable quantum systems. As examples we apply the theory to several models of current interest in the study of Bose-Einstein condensates, which have been successfully created using ultracold dilute atomic gases. The first model we introduce describes Josephson tunnelling between two coupled Bose-Einstein condensates. It can be used not only for the study of tunnelling between condensates of atomic gases, but for solid state Josephson junctions and coupled Cooper pair boxes. The theory is also applicable to models of atomic-molecular Bose-Einstein condensates, with two examples given and analysed. Additionally, these same two models are relevant to studies in quantum optics; Finally, we discuss the model of Bardeen, Cooper and Schrieffer in this framework, which is appropriate for systems of ultracold fermionic atomic gases, as well as being applicable for the description of superconducting correlations in metallic grains with nanoscale dimensions.; In applying all the above models to. physical situations, the need for an exact analysis of small-scale systems is established due to large quantum fluctuations which render mean-field approaches inaccurate.

Clustering Process Analysis in a Large-Size Dropshaft and in a Hydraulic Jump

Recent efforts in the characterization of air-water flows properties have included some clustering process analysis. A cluster of bubbles is defined as a group of two or more bubbles, with a distinct separation from other bubbles before and after the cluster. The present paper compares the results of clustering processes two hydraulic structures. That is, a large-size dropshaft and a hydraulic jump in a rectangular horizontal channel. The comparison highlighted some significant differences in clustering production and structures. Both dropshaft and hydraulic jump flows are complex turbulent shear flows, and some clustering index may provide some measure of the bubble-turbulence interactions and associated energy dissipation.

Employee adjustment to large-scale organisational change

The present study was designed to test the utility of a stress-coping model of employee adjustment to organisational change. Specifically, it was proposed that employee adjustment to this type of work stress would be influenced by the characteristics of the change situation, employees' appraisals of the situation, their coping strategies, and the extent of their personal resources. Data were collected from 140 middle managers and supervisors involved in a large-scale public sector integration. The results of the research provided some support for the proposed model: high levels of psychological distress were related to a reliance on informal sources of information, high appraised stress, low appraised certainty, and the use of avoidant rather than problem-focused strategies, whereas poor social functioning was associated with low self-esteem, high levels or disruption across the period of change, a reliance on informal sources of information, and the use of avoidant coping strategies. There was no evidence that coping strategies mediated the effects of the event characteristics, situational appraisals, and personal resources on adjustment; however, there was some evidence linking these variables to coping strategies, in particular, problem-focused coping. There was also some evidence to indicate that the experience of organisational change was different for managers and supervisors: levels of threat were higher for the managers than the supervisors, but there was no difference between the groups of employees in terms of adjustment.

Experimentally tracking unstable steady states by large periodic modulation

Experimental suppression of chaos has been achieved in an optically pumped far-infrared (NH3)-N-15 laser which displays Lorenz-like chaos. The method of control involves the application of a large amplitude slow (i.e., nonresonant) modulation of the pump power. This may be related to a delayed bifurcation to chaos observed when the pump power is ramped at a constant late.

Electrical impedance particle size method (Coulter Counter) detects the large fat globules in poorly homogenised UHT processed milk

The large fat globules that can be present in UHT milk due to inadequate homogenisation cause a cream layer to form that limits the shelf life of UHT milk. Four different particle size measurement techniques were used to measure the size of fat globules in poorly homogenised UHT milk processed in a UHT pilot plant. The thickness of the cream layer that formed during storage was negatively correlated with homogenisation pressure. It was positively correlated with the mass mean diameter and the percentage volume of particles between 1.5 and 2 mu m diameter, as determined by laser light scattering using the Malvern Mastersizer. Also, the thickness of the cream layer was positively correlated with the volume mode diameter and the percentage volume of particles between 1.5 and 2 mu m diameter, as determined by electrical impedance using the Coulter Counter. The cream layer thickness did not correlate significantly with the Coulter Counter measurements of volume mean diameter, or volume percentages of particles between 2 and 5 mu m or 5 and 10 mu m diameter. Spectroturbidimetry (Emulsion Quality Analyser) and light microscopy analyses were found to be unsuitable for assessing the size of the fat particles. This study suggests that the fat globule size distribution as determined by the electrical impedance method (Coulter Counter) is the most useful for determining the efficiency of homogenisation and therefore for predicting the stability of the fat emulsion in UHT milk during storage.

Data partitioning for parallel spatial join processing

The cost of spatial join processing can be very high because of the large sizes of spatial objects and the computation-intensive spatial operations. While parallel processing seems a natural solution to this problem, it is not clear how spatial data can be partitioned for this purpose. Various spatial data partitioning methods are examined in this paper. A framework combining the data-partitioning techniques used by most parallel join algorithms in relational databases and the filter-and-refine strategy for spatial operation processing is proposed for parallel spatial join processing. Object duplication caused by multi-assignment in spatial data partitioning can result in extra CPU cost as well as extra communication cost. We find that the key to overcome this problem is to preserve spatial locality in task decomposition. We show in this paper that a near-optimal speedup can be achieved for parallel spatial join processing using our new algorithms.

Disability, religion and health: a literature review in search of the spiritual dimensions of disability

Religious belief and practice plays an important role in the lives of millions of people worldwide, and yet little is Known of the spiritual lives of people with a disability. This review explores the realm of disability, religion and health, and draws together literature from a variety of sources to illustrate the diversity of the sparse research in the field. An historical, cross-cultural and religious textual overview of attitudes toward disability throughout the centuries is presented. Studies in religious orientation, health and well-being are reviewed, highlighting the potential of religion to effect the lives of people with a disability, their families and caregivers. Finally, the spiritual dimensions of disability are explored to gain some understanding of the spiritual lives and existential challenges of people with a disability, and a discussion ensues on the importance of further research into this new field of endeavour.

Familial hyperaldosteronism type II: Description of a large kindred and exclusion of the aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene

Familial hyperaldosteronism type II (FH-II) is characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance and hypersecretion of aldosterone due to adrenocortical hyperplasia or an aldosterone-producing adenoma; unlike FH type I (FH-I), hyperaldosteronism in FH-II is not suppressible by dexamethasone. Of a total of 17 FH-II families with 44 affected members, we studied a large kindred with 7 affected members that was informative for linkage analysis. Family members were screened with the aldosterone/PRA ratio test; patients with aldosterone/PRA ratio greater than 25 underwent fludrocortisone/salt suppression testing for confirmation of autonomous aldosterone secretion. Postural testing, adrenal gland imaging, and adrenal venous sampling were also performed. Individuals affected by FH-II demonstrated lack of suppression of plasma A levels after 4 days of dexamethasone treatment (0.5 mg every 6 h). All patients had neg ative genetic testing for the defect associated with FH-I, the CYP11B1/CYP11B2 hybrid gene. Genetic linkage was then examined between FH-II and aldosterone synthase (the CYP11B2 gene) on chromosome 8q. A polyadenylase repeat within the 5'-region of the CYP11B2 gene and 9 other markers covering an approximately 80-centimorgan area on chromosome 8q21-8qtel were genotyped and analyzed for linkage. Two-point logarithm of odds scores were negative and ranged from -12.6 for the CYP11B2 polymorphic marker to -0.98 for the D8S527 marker at a recombination distance (theta) of 0. Multipoint logarithm of odds score analysis confirmed the exclusion of the chromosome 8q21-8qtel area as a region harboring the candidate gene for FH-II in this family. We conclude that FH-II shares autosomal dominant inheritance and hyperaldosteronism with FH-I, but, as demonstrated by the large kindred investigated in this report, it is clinically and genetically distinct. Linkage analysis demonstrated that the CYP11B2 gene is not responsible for FH-II in this family; furthermore, chromosome 8q21-8qtel most likely does not harbor the genetic defect in this kindred.

Theory of multidimensional parametric band-gap simultons

Multidimensional spatiotemporal parametric simultons (simultaneous solitary waves) are possible in a nonlinear chi((2)) medium with a Bragg grating structure, where large effective dispersion occurs near two resonant band gaps for the carrier and second-harmonic field, respectively. The enhanced dispersion allows much reduced interaction lengths, as compared to bulk medium parametric simultons. The nonlinear parametric band-gap medium permits higher-dimensional stationary waves to form. In addition, solitons can occur with lower input powers than conventional nonlinear Schrodinger equation gap solitons. In this paper, the equations for electromagnetic propagation in a grating structure with a parametric nonlinearity are derived from Maxwell's equation using a coupled mode Hamiltonian analysis in one, two, and three spatial dimensions. Simultaneous solitary wave solutions are proved to exist by reducing the equations to the coupled equations describing a nonlinear parametric waveguide, using the effective-mass approximation (EMA). Exact one-dimensional numerical solutions in agreement with the EMA solutions are also given. Direct numerical simulations show that the solutions have similar types of stability properties to the bulk case, providing the carrier waves are tuned to the two Bragg resonances, and the pulses have a width in frequency space less than the band gap. In summary, these equations describe a physically accessible localized nonlinear wave that is stable in up to 3 + 1 dimensions. Possible applications include photonic logic and switching devices. [S1063-651X(98)06109-1].

A framework for selecting appropriate remotely sensed data dimensions for environmental monitoring and management

Two major factors are likely to impact the utilisation of remotely sensed data in the near future: (1)an increase in the number and availability of commercial and non-commercial image data sets with a range of spatial, spectral and temporal dimensions, and (2) increased access to image display and analysis software through GIS. A framework was developed to provide an objective approach to selecting remotely sensed data sets for specific environmental monitoring problems. Preliminary applications of the framework have provided successful approaches for monitoring disturbed and restored wetlands in southern California.

A numerical study of large sparse matrix exponentials arising in Markov chains

Krylov subspace techniques have been shown to yield robust methods for the numerical computation of large sparse matrix exponentials and especially the transient solutions of Markov Chains. The attractiveness of these methods results from the fact that they allow us to compute the action of a matrix exponential operator on an operand vector without having to compute, explicitly, the matrix exponential in isolation. In this paper we compare a Krylov-based method with some of the current approaches used for computing transient solutions of Markov chains. After a brief synthesis of the features of the methods used, wide-ranging numerical comparisons are performed on a power challenge array supercomputer on three different models. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.AMS Classification: 65F99; 65L05; 65U05.

Architecture and morphogenesis of grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Plant architecture has been neglected in most studies of biomass allocation in crops. To help redress this situation for grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), we used a 3D digitiser to measure the dimensions and orientations of vegetative and reproductive structures and derived thermal time-based functions for architectural changes during morphogenesis. Our plants, which were grown in a greenhouse, controlled environment cabinets and the field, covered a large, three-fold, size range when mature. This allowed us to detect some general architectural relationships and to fit morphogenetic functions common across the size range we observed. For example, the relationship between the lengths of successive fully-expanded leaves within a plant was nearly constant for all plants. The lengths of existing leaf blades were accurate predictors of the lengths of up to six subsequently-formed blades in our plants. Similar constant relationships were detected for internode lengths in the panicle and for heights above ground of the collars of successive leaves, even though these traits varied a lot between growth conditions. We suggest that such architectural relationships may be used to link the effect of previous growth conditions to future growth potential, and in that way to predict future partitioning. Our results provide the basis for a preliminary model of sorghum morphogenesis which could eventually become useful in conjunction with crop models by allowing resource acquisition to be related to changes in plant architecture during development. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Modelling the large deformations in stratified media - the Cosserat continuum approach

Methods employing continuum approximation in describing the deformation of layered materials possess a clear advantage over explicit models, However, the conventional implicit models based on the theory of anisotropic continua suffers from certain difficulties associated with interface slip and internal instabilities. These difficulties can be remedied by considering the bending stiffness of the layers. This implies the introduction of moment (couple) stresses and internal rotations, which leads to a Cosserat-type theory. In the present model, the behaviour of the layered material is assumed to be linearly elastic; the interfaces are assumed to be elastic perfectly plastic. Conditions of slip or no slip at the interfaces are detected by a Coulomb criterion with tension cut off at zero normal stress. The theory is valid for large deformation analysis. The model is incorporated into the finite element program AFENA and validated against analytical solutions of elementary buckling problems in layered medium. A problem associated with buckling of the roof and the floor of a rectangular excavation in jointed rock mass under high horizontal in situ stresses is considered as the main application of the theory. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Phase diagram for a class of spin-1/2 Heisenberg models interpolating between the square-lattice, the triangular-lattice, and the linear-chain limits

We study the spin-1/2 Heisenberg models on an anisotropic two-dimensional lattice which interpolates between the square lattice at one end, a set of decoupled spin chains on the other end, and the triangular-lattice Heisenberg model in between. By series expansions around two different dimer ground states and around various commensurate and incommensurate magnetically ordered states, we establish the phase diagram for this model of a frustrated antiferromagnet. We find a particularly rich phase diagram due to the interplay of magnetic frustration, quantum fluctuations, and varying dimensionality. There is a large region of the usual two-sublattice Neel phase, a three-sublattice phase for the triangular-lattice model, a region of incommensurate magnetic order around the triangular-lattice model, and regions in parameter space where there is no magnetic order. We find that the incommensurate ordering wave vector is in general altered from its classical value by quantum fluctuations. The regime of weakly coupled chains is particularly interesting and appears to be nearly critical. [S0163-1829(99)10421-1].