Linguistic interfaces and language acquisition in childhood: introduction to the special issue

Much contemporary L1 acquisition theory and empirical research are guided by the hypothesis that acquisition delays in children are often related to the integration of information across grammatical and other cognitive modules, such as syntax and discourse-pragmatics (see e.g., Grinstead, 2010). This special issue brings together cutting edge research from all relevant paradigms addressing interface issues in child language acquisition and provides a platform for the study of the interaction between different levels of linguistic knowledge. In this introduction, we present the reader with the tools needed to best understand the contributions of the individual studies and what they bring to bear on larger theoretical questions as a collective.

Mechanistic study of the addition reaction of TeCl(4) to alkynes: Participation of TeCl(3) centered-radical

The mechanism of the addition reaction of TeCl(4) to alkynes was indirectly established by the detection of TeCl(3) centered radicals using EPR spin trapping, ESI-MS and ESI-MS/MS characterization. Crown Copyright (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

A Linguistic Analysis of the Written Production of Second Language Learners : The Variation of Article Usage by Adult Chinese Learners of English

This study aims to test Robertson’s lexical transfer principle, which posits that Chinese learners use demonstratives (particularly this) and the numeral one as markers of definiteness and indefiniteness. This is tested by analysing Chinese learners’ written production collected from the Spoken and Written English Corpus of Chinese Learners 2.0 (SWECCL 2.0). The purpose is to understand the variation of article usage by adult Chinese learners of English. More specifically, the study examines to what extent articles, possessive and demonstrative pronouns are used in Chinese learners’ English and how definite and indefinite articles are used by the Chinese learners. Findings suggest that Robertson’s lexical transfer principle was corroborated by the present study. In addition, Chinese learners prefer to use demonstrative determiners, the possessive determiner our, and the numeral one to perform the function of marking definiteness and indefiniteness. In particular, the learners try to use the demonstrative determiners that and this in the anaphoric function instead of the definite article, and the demonstrative determiner those is frequently used in the cataphoric function. What is more, the learners use the numeral one as a marker of indefiniteness, and it is also used as a marker of definiteness in the anaphoric function. Further, the possessive determiner our is used as a marker of definiteness in larger situation uses referring to something unique. To this end, the study is able to show that the definite article is used to perform the function of marking indefiniteness, and in some particular contexts the definite article functions as a Chinese specifier in Chinese learners’ English. Also, the indefinite article is frequently used in quantifier phrases but is rarely used in other functions. There are three main reasons that may explain why Chinese learners use determiners variously. Firstly, the choice of determiners by Chinese learners is influenced by linguistic contexts. Secondly, because of learning strategies, Chinese learners try to ignore the anaphoric function and cataphoric function that they are not yet ready to process in article usage. Thirdly, interlanguage grammar influences the optionality in the use of articles. 

Thermoanalytical study of the complexes of 4-dimetilaminocinnamylidenepiruvate with manganese (II), cobalt (II), nickel (II), cupper (II), zinc (II) and lead (II), in the solid state

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Thermal study of cyclopalladated complexes of the type [Pd-2(dmba)(2)X-2(bpe)] - (X=NO3-, Cl-, N-3(-), NCO-, NCS-; bpe=trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene)

The synthesis, characterization and thermal analysis of the novel cyclometallated compounds [Pd-2(dmba)(2)Cl-2(mu-bpe)] (1), [Pd-2(dmba)(2)(N-3)(2)(mu-bpe)] (2), [Pd-2(dmba)(2)(NCO)(2)(mu-bpe)] (3), [Pd-2(dmba)(2)(SCN)(2)(mu-bpe)] (4), [Pd-2(dmba)(2)(NO3)(2)(mu-bpe)] (5) (bpe=trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene; dmba=N,N-dimethylbenzylamine) are described. The thermal stability of [Pd-2(dmba)(2)X-2(mu-bpe)] complexes varies in the sequence 1 > 4 > 3 > 2 > 5. The final residues of the thermal decompositions were characterized as metallic palladium by X-ray powder diffraction.

Thermoanalytical study of the complexes of 4-dimethylaminocynnamylidenepyruvate with manganese (II), cobalt (II), nickel (II), cupper (II), zinc (II) and lead (II), in the solid state

Solid state compounds M-4-DMCP, where 4-DMCP is 4-dimethylaminocynnamylidenepyruvate and M represents Mn (II), Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), Zn (II) and Pb (II) were prepared. These compounds were studied by thermoanalytical techniques: thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction powder patterns and complexometric titration with EDTA. From the results obtained by the complexometric titration with EDTA, TG, DTG and DSC curves, was possible to establish the hydration degree, stoichiometry and thermal stability of the prepared compounds.

Physicochemical parameters involved in the lethal toxicity of N,N-[(dimethylamino)ethyl]-4-substituted benzoate hydrochlorides: A QSAR study

A set of sixteen para-substituted N,N-[(dimethylamino)ethyl] benzoate hydrochlorides structurally related to procaine was synthesized. The apparent partition coefficients were determined by either shake-flask or HPLC methods and were taken as hydrophobic parameters. The IR stretching frequencies of the carbonyl group were determined in chloroform and taken as one of the electronic parameters. Additional physicochemical parameters were either taken from the literature: pi, sigma, T and R, MR4, or calculated: log P. The lethal potency was determined in the mouse via the LD50. In order to verify the nature and the relative contributions of the physicochemical parameters to lethal toxicity, QSAR equations were derived using regression analysis. A major contribution of hydrophobicity to ether with a smaller but still significant contribution of electronic or polar properties was found to a describe the toxicity within this set of compounds.

The natural history of carpal tunnel syndrome: A study of 20 hands evaluated 4 to 9 years after initial diagnosis

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most frequent entrapment neuropathy. In the last decade several papers have been published on epidemiology, clinical aspects, diagnosis, and treatment, but little is known about its natural history. The objective of this work was to study the natural history of CTS syndrome. From 358 patients with clinical and conduction study diagnosis of CTS, 12 cases were identified that had refused surgical treatment, had not used anti-inflammatory medications, and had not undergone orthopaedic procedures, such as immobilization or anaesthetic infiltration. These 12 patients have 20 compromised hands which have been followed up for between 4 and 9 years. In all cases sensory and motor conduction studies were performed on the median nerve, at the beginning and end of follow-up period. Electrical improvement was marked in 5 hands and slight in 3; there was no significant change in 10, and deterioration in 2. As 8 hands (7 patients) showed improved clinical symptoms and conduction studies over several years, this brings the universally accepted procedure of surgical treatment into doubt.

Synthesis and thermal behavior study of complexes of the type [Pd(mu-X)(4-eb-p-phen)](2) (X = Cl, Br, I, N-3, NCO, SCN) and 4-eb-p-phen [bis(4-ethylbenzyl)p-phenylenediimine]

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Thermal and spectroscopic study of the 3,4-(methylenedioxy) cinnamate compounds of transition metals in the solid state

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Questionnaire for monitoring auditory and language development in the first year of life

Purpose: To validate a monitoring questionnaire about hearing and language development applied by community health agents in the first year of life. Methods: Seventy six community health agents, previously trained on infant hearing health, administered a questionnaire to the families of 304 children with ages from 0 to 1 year. The questionnaire contains questions regarding hearing and language development and, for all age groups, the question “Does your child hear well?” was presented. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed by analyzing false positive and false negative rates of the identified children. A double-blind study was conducted so that all children assessed by the questionnaire were submitted to hearing evaluation performed by audiologists. Results: Four children (1.32%) were diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss (two unilateral), and 69 (22.7%) with conductive hearing loss. The monitoring questionnaire showed specificity of 96% and sensitivity of 67%, with a false-negative rate of 33% for not identifying the unilateral hearing loss, and a false-positive rate of 4%. Conclusion: The questionnaire used has shown to be feasible and relevant to actions of the community health agents of the Family Health Strategy program, with high specificity and moderate sensitivity. The use of the validated instrument should be considered to complement Newborn Hearing Screening Programs, in order to identify late onset or acquired hearing loss.

CLIL materials in Secondary Education: focusing on the language of instruction in the subject area of Mathematics

[EN]Applying a CLIL methodological approach marks a shift in emphasis from language learning based on linguistic form and grammatical progression to a more ‘language acquisition’ one which takes account language functions. In this article we will study the elements of the “language of instruction” of the area of Maths in Secondary Education, by focusing on the analysis of the communicative functions, and the lexical and the cultural items present in the textbook in use. Our aim is to present the CLIL teacher with the linguistic and didactic implications that he or she should take into consideration when implementing the bilingual syllabuses with their students. In order to do that, we will present our conclusions emphasizing the need for coordination in different content areas, linguistic and communicative contents, between the foreign language teacher and the CLIL subject one.