Early, late or very late? Timing acquisition and bilingualism

Research on child bilingualism accounts for differences in the course and the outcomes of monolingual and different types of bilingual language acquisition primarily from two perspectives: age of onset of exposure to the language(s) and the role of the input (Genesee, Paradis, & Crago, 2004; Meisel, 2009; Unsworth et al., 2014). Some findings suggest that early successive bilingual children may pattern similarly to simultaneous bilingual children, passing through different trajectories from child L2 learners due to a later age of onset in the latter group. Studies on bilingual development have also shown that input quantity in bilingual acquisition is considerably reduced, i.e., in each of their two languages, bilingual children are likely exposed to much less input than their monolingual peers (Paradis & Genesee, 1996; Unsworth, 2013b). At the same time, simultaneous bilingual children develop and attain competence in the two languages, sometimes without even an attested age delay compared to monolingual children (Paradis, Genesee & Crago, 2011). The implication is that even half of the input suffices for early language development, at least with respect to ‘core’ aspects of language, in whatever way ‘core’ is defined.My aim in this article is to consider how an additional, linguistic variable interacts with age of onset and input in bilingual development, namely, the timing in L1 development of the phenomena examined in bilingual children’s performance. Specifically, I will consider timing differences attested in the monolingual development of features and structures, distinguishing between early, late or ‘very late’ acquired phenomena. I will then argue that this three-way distinction reflects differences in the role of narrow syntax: early phenomena are core, parametric and narrowly syntactic, in contrast to late and very late phenomena, which involve syntax-external or even language-external resources too. I explore the consequences of these timing differences in monolingual development for bilingual development. I will review some findings from early (V2 in Germanic, grammatical gender in Greek), late (passives) and very late (grammatical gender in Dutch) phenomena in the bilingual literature and argue that early phenomena can differentiate between simultaneous and (early) successive bilingualism with an advantage for the former group, while the other two reveal similarly (high or low) performance across bilingual groups, differentiating them from monolinguals. The paper proposes that questions about the role of age of onset and language input in early bilingual development can only be meaningfully addressed when the properties and timing of the phenomena under investigation are taken into account.

ERA-Interim/Land: a global land surface reanalysis data set

ERA-Interim/Land is a global land surface reanalysis data set covering the period 1979–2010. It describes the evolution of soil moisture, soil temperature and snowpack. ERA-Interim/Land is the result of a single 32-year simulation with the latest ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) land surface model driven by meteorological forcing from the ERA-Interim atmospheric reanalysis and precipitation adjustments based on monthly GPCP v2.1 (Global Precipitation Climatology Project). The horizontal resolution is about 80 km and the time frequency is 3-hourly. ERA-Interim/Land includes a number of parameterization improvements in the land surface scheme with respect to the original ERA-Interim data set, which makes it more suitable for climate studies involving land water resources. The quality of ERA-Interim/Land is assessed by comparing with ground-based and remote sensing observations. In particular, estimates of soil moisture, snow depth, surface albedo, turbulent latent and sensible fluxes, and river discharges are verified against a large number of site measurements. ERA-Interim/Land provides a global integrated and coherent estimate of soil moisture and snow water equivalent, which can also be used for the initialization of numerical weather prediction and climate models.

Intensified impact of tropical Atlantic SST on the western North Pacific summer climate under a weakened Atlantic thermohaline circulation

The tropical North Atlantic (TNA) sea surface temperature (SST) has been identified as one of regulators on the boreal summer climate over the western North Pacific (WNP), in addition to SSTs in the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans. The major physical process proposed is that the TNA warming induces a pair of cyclonic circulation anomaly over the eastern Pacific and negative precipitation anomalies over the eastern to central tropical Pacific, which in turn lead to an anticyclonic circulation anomaly over the western to central North Pacific. This study further demonstrates that the modulation of the TNA warming to the WNP summer climate anomaly tends to be intensified under background of the weakened Atlantic thermohaline circulation (THC) by using a water-hosing experiment. The results suggest that the weakened THC induces a decrease in thermocline depth over the TNA region, resulting in the enhanced sensitivity of SST variability to wind anomalies and thus intensification of the interannual variation of TNA SST. Under the weakened THC, the atmospheric responses to the TNA warming are westward shifted, enhancing the anticyclonic circulation and negative precipitation anomaly over the WNP. This study supports the recent finding that the negative phase of the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation after the late 1960s has been favourable for the strengthening of the connection between TNA SST variability and WNP summer climate and has important implications for seasonal prediction and future projection of the WNP summer climate.

An ASIFT-based local registration method for satellite imagery

Imagery registration is a fundamental step, which greatly affects later processes in image mosaic, multi-spectral image fusion, digital surface modelling, etc., where the final solution needs blending of pixel information from more than one images. It is highly desired to find a way to identify registration regions among input stereo image pairs with high accuracy, particularly in remote sensing applications in which ground control points (GCPs) are not always available, such as in selecting a landing zone on an outer space planet. In this paper, a framework for localization in image registration is developed. It strengthened the local registration accuracy from two aspects: less reprojection error and better feature point distribution. Affine scale-invariant feature transform (ASIFT) was used for acquiring feature points and correspondences on the input images. Then, a homography matrix was estimated as the transformation model by an improved random sample consensus (IM-RANSAC) algorithm. In order to identify a registration region with a better spatial distribution of feature points, the Euclidean distance between the feature points is applied (named the S criterion). Finally, the parameters of the homography matrix were optimized by the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) algorithm with selective feature points from the chosen registration region. In the experiment section, the Chang’E-2 satellite remote sensing imagery was used for evaluating the performance of the proposed method. The experiment result demonstrates that the proposed method can automatically locate a specific region with high registration accuracy between input images by achieving lower root mean square error (RMSE) and better distribution of feature points.

Computing the Cassels–Tate pairing on the 3-Selmer group of an elliptic curve

We extend the method of Cassels for computing the Cassels-Tate pairing on the 2-Selmer group of an elliptic curve, to the case of 3-Selmer groups. This requires significant modifications to both the local and global parts of the calculation. Our method is practical in sufficiently small examples, and can be used to improve the upper bound for the rank of an elliptic curve obtained by 3-descent.

The teleconnection of the tropical Atlantic to Indo-Pacific sea surface temperatures on inter-annual to centennial time scales: a review of recent findings

In this paper, the teleconnections from the tropical Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific region from inter-annual to centennial time scales will be reviewed. Identified teleconnections and hypotheses on mechanisms at work are reviewed and further explored in a century-long pacemaker coupled ocean-atmosphere simulation ensemble. There is a substantial impact of the tropical Atlantic on the Pacific region at inter-annual time scales. An Atlantic Niño (Niña) event leads to rising (sinking) motion in the Atlantic region, which is compensated by sinking (rising) motion in the central-western Pacific. The sinking (rising) motion in the central-western Pacific induces easterly (westerly) surface wind anomalies just to the west, which alter the thermocline. These perturbations propagate eastward as upwelling (downwelling) Kelvin-waves, where they increase the probability for a La Niña (El Niño) event. Moreover, tropical North Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies are also able to lead La Niña/El Niño development. At multidecadal time scales, a positive (negative) Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation leads to a cooling (warming) of the eastern Pacific and a warming (cooling) of the western Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. The physical mechanism for this impact is similar to that at inter-annual time scales. At centennial time scales, the Atlantic warming induces a substantial reduction of the eastern Pacific warming even under CO2 increase and to a strong subsurface cooling.

Design and analysis of a haptic device design for large and fast movements

Haptic devices tend to be kept small as it is easier to achieve a large change of stiffness with a low associated apparent mass. If large movements are required there is a usually a reduction in the quality of the haptic sensations which can be displayed. The typical measure of haptic device performance is impedance-width (z-width) but this does not account for actuator saturation, usable workspace or the ability to do rapid movements. This paper presents the analysis and evaluation of a haptic device design, utilizing a variant of redundant kinematics, sometimes referred to as a macro-micro configuration, intended to allow large and fast movements without loss of impedance-width. A brief mathematical analysis of the design constraints is given and a prototype system is described where the effects of different elements of the control scheme can be examined to better understand the potential benefits and trade-offs in the design. Finally, the performance of the system is evaluated using a Fitts’ Law test and found to compare favourably with similar evaluations of smaller workspace devices.

Objective Assessment of Internal Nasal Dimensions and Speech Resonance in Individuals With Repaired Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate After Rhinoseptoplasty

The objective of the current study was to analyze the effects of rhinoseptoplasty on internal nasal dimensions and speech resonance of individuals with unilateral cleft lip and palate, estimated by acoustic rhinometry and nasometry, respectively. Twenty-one individuals (aged 15-46 years) with previously repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate were analyzed before (PRE), and 6 to 9 (POST1) and 12 to 18 months (POST2) after surgery. Acoustic rhinometry was used to measure the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of segments corresponding to the nasal valve (CSA1), anterior portion (CSA2), and posterior portion (CSA3) of the lower turbinate, and the volumes at the nasal valve (V1) and turbinate (V2) regions at cleft and noncleft sides, before and after nasal decongestion with a topical vasoconstrictor. Nasometry was used to evaluate speech nasalance during the reading of a set of sentences containing nasal sounds and other devoid of nasal sounds. At the cleft side, before nasal decongestion, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in mean CSA1 and V1 values at POST1 and POST2 compared with PRE. After decongestion, increased values were also observed for CSA2 and V2 at POST2. No significant changes were observed at the noncleft side. Mean nasalance values at PRE, POST1, an POST2 were not different from each other in both oral and nasal sentences. The measurement of CSAs and volumes by acoustic rhinometry revealed that rhinoseptoplasty provided, in most cases analyzed, a significant increase in nasal patency, without concomitant changes in speech resonance, as estimated by nasalance assessment.

Purification and partial characterization of an aminopeptidase from the midgut tissue of Dysdercus peruvianus

The surface of midgut cells in Hemiptera is ensheathed by a lipoprotein membrane (the perimicrovillar membrane), which delimits a closed compartment with the microvillar membrane, the so-called perimicrovillar space. In Dysdercus peruvianus midgut perimicrovillar space a soluble aminopeptidase maybe involved in the digestion of oligopeptides and proteins ingested in the diet. This D. peruvianus aminopeptidase was purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography on an Econo-Q column, hydrophobic interaction chromatography on phenyl-agarose column and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results suggested that there is a single molecular species of aminopeptidase in D. peruvianus midgut. Molecular mass values for the aminopeptidase were estimated to be 106 kDa (gel filtration) and 55 kDa (SDS-PAGE), suggesting that the enzyme occurs as a dimer under native conditions. Kinetic data showed that D. peruvianus aminopeptidase hydrolyzes the synthetic substrates LpNA, RpNA, A beta NA and AsnMCA (K(m)s 0.65, 0.14, 0.68 and 0.74 mM, respectively). The aminopeptidase activity upon LpNA was inhibited by EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline, indicating the importance of metal ions in enzyme catalysis. One partial sequence of BLAST-identified aminopeptidase was found by random sequencing of the D. peruvianus midgut cDNA library. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the aminopeptidase genes were expressed throughout the midgut epithelium, in the epithelia of V1, V2 and V3. Malphigian tubules and fat body, but it was not expressed in the salivary glands. These results are important in furthering our understanding of the digestive process in this pest species. (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nurses’ and patients’ communication in smoking cessation at nurse-led COPD clinics in primary health care

Background: Smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have high nicotine dependence making it difficult to quit smoking. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a method that is used in stimulating motivation and behavioral changes. Objective: To describe smoking cessation communication between patients and registered nurses trained in MI in COPD nurse-led clinics in Swedish primary health care. Methods: A prospective observational study with structured quantitative content analyses of the communication between six nurses with basic education in MI and 13 patients in non-smoking consultations. Results: Only to a small extent did nurses’ evoke patients’ reasons for change, stimulate collaboration, and support patients’ autonomy. Nurses provided information, asked closed questions, and made simple reflections. Patients’ communicationwasmainly neutral and focusing on reasons for and against smoking. It was uncommon for patients to be committed and take steps toward smoking cessation. Conclusion: The nurses did not adhere to the principles of MI in smoking cessation, and the patients focused to a limited extent on how to quit smoking. Practice implications: To make patients more active, the nurses need more education and continuous training in motivational communication.

Mercosul:sistema de solução de controvérsias

O Mercosul não é a palavra significado desconhecido hoje para uma grande parte da população.Alguns entendem mais do assunto, outros pouco sabem sua essência e função, mais fato é que são poucos os que ainda se perguntam o que é Mercosul.Todos têm uma ideia já concebida, errônea ou não.O Mercosul possui hoje 5 países que o integram, reconhecida a sua personalidade jurídica como pessoa de direito internacional, busca a integração através do estabelecimento de um Mercado Comum, suas negociações procuram sempre ocorrer de forma diplomática e democrática.Aliás, a diplomacia é uma das características do modo de agir dos participantes deste bloco.Vontades e interesses muitas vezes podem ser conflitantes entre si, maior chance de isso ocorrer é quando se trata de países,latino americanos,subdesenvolvidos, buscando resolver constantes crises internas e querendo demostrar toda a sua soberania externamente.Surge então a controvérsia, a impossibilidade de se chegar à uma solução.Entra então em cena um sistema para a solução destes eventuais litígios que venham a surgir, sistema elaborado e aceito em forma de lei ou tratado por cada um dos entes que compõem a entidade. O tratado foi o primeiro que institui o Mercosul, de maneira provisória, e já estava regulado um esboço de um sistema que buscava solucionar eventuais conflitos, aliás, poucas alterações foram ocorrendo desde o Tratado de Assunção, passando pelos Protocolos de Brasília e Ouro Preto, até chegar-se no presente Protocolo de Olivos, que veio trazer algumas inovações importantes como a criação de um tribunal para a solução dos conflitos, com sede estabelecida, que pode funcionar como 1ª instância ou de maneira recursal.Mudanças aconteceram no Mercosul, e durante este processo de evolução cremos que muitas mais se farão necessárias.

Do cabimento dos embargos declaratórios em face de decisão interlocutôria

O tema escolhido, é ainda controvertido na doutrina e jurisprudência,porém com a maioria à favor do cabimento.O problema discutido, tem natureza processual, acerca do objeto que seria a decisão interlocutória, sobre o cabimento dos embargos declaratórios.Onde quem opina à favor, argumenta que se o recurso supra citado, tem o condão de sanar omissão, contradição ou obscuridade de sentença, e acordão, porque não sanar esses vícios em um pronunciamento interlocutório?Até porque a Constituição Federal exige fundamentação expressa de todos os pronunciamentos judiciais.Portanto, o direito de acesso à justiça, não pode ser comprometido, por uma prestação jurisdicional , omissa, contraditória ou obscura.Inconcebível que as decisões fiquem sem esclarecimentos.Contudo, a maior argumentação, no meu ponto de vista, é a de que o agravo de instrumento,visa a modificação da decisão interlocutória, e os embargos viriam, de forma mais prática e célere sanar os defeitos do pronunciamento judicial, função esta, não presente no agravo.Para chegar a estas conclusões, foi feita uma pesquisa extensiva profunda.Utilizou-se diversas doutrinas, bem como jurisprudências,analisando-as ponto-aponto,formando assim, uma opinião conclusiva acerca do tema, de que é cabível os embargos declaratórios em face de decisão interlocutória.

Investigação de Paternidade

Através de um processo gradual e contínuo na elaboração das leis foi possível chegar a realidade legislativa atual com a relação á investigação de paternidade atingindo uma evolução considerável, pois a cada dia que passa altera-se o pensamento das pessoas na sociedade e, consequentemente, vem a modificação legislativa.A investigação de paternidade através de uma ação judicial é para o mundo jurídico muito importante e, principalmente, para a vida das pessoas, pois será através dessa legitimidade concedida ao filho que ele poderá ter a sua filiação reconhecida e a possibilidade de obter o apoio paterno na sua vida cotidiana.cotidiana.É relevante mencionar que a referida ação é imprescritível, conforme prevê o artigo 27 do Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente, podendo o filho exercer esse direito a qualquer momento.Há menção no presente trabalho dos exames hematológicos que eram utilizados antigamente e dos que são utilizados atualmente, que muito auxiliam na ação investigatória, podendo afirmar ou negar a paternidade, o que não era possível ser feito há alguns anos atrás, pois as técnicas existentes não atingiam um percentual de certeza elevado, dificultando o julgamento dos magistrados.Todas as pessoas buscam conviver em harmonia conviver em harmonia com o próximo, mas nem sempre sabemos que isso é possível, e para que sejam dirimidos esses litígios há direito de família que vem regular essas relações inter-pessoais

Jurisdição Constitucional

O presente trabalho tem por objeto a Jurisdição Constitucional, desde sua evolução histórica, passando pela Europa e principalmente pelos Estados Unidos da América, até chegar ao Brasil, que desenvolveu um sistema de controle constitucional misto e peculiar.Apresentando, os relevantes comentários ao Supremo Tribunal Federal, diante da Constituição Federal de 1988.

A tutela jurídica da reforma agrária

Objetivou o presente trabalho traçar algumas considerações sobre determinados aspectos da reforma agrária, visto tratar-se de tema atual e relevante sobre o qual sabe-se muito pouco do ponto de vista jurídico.Elaborou-se um breve estudo sobre a propriedade ao longo da história e das civilizações, até chegar em temas conhecidos atualmente, como a função social da propriedade.Foram levantadas questões acerca de desapropriação para fins sociais e de reforma agrária e traçada uma evolução do instituto nas Constituições brasileiras.Questinou-se, ainda, aplicabilidade desse recurso para fins de obter uma melhor, ou mais justa, distribuição de terras no cenário nacional.Por fim, pretendeu estabelecer um panorama sobre a reforma agrária no Brasil e no mundo, dando as origens históricas da questão fundiária e tomando exemplo de países que, embora não possuam quantidade e a qualidade de terras semelhantes as brasileiras, realizaram suas reformas agrárias com sucesso e há muito tempo.Analisou-se também a figura do Movimento dos trabalhadores Rurais Sem-Terra e qual seu papel no processo de reforma agrária vigente.Por fim, pretendeu-se dar algumas respostas e sugestões frente a pouca viabilidade da política agrária vigente, baseada na desapropriação e assentamento de fa mílias sem-terra, sempre com base em dados atualizados e pesquisas e pesquisas, que demostram que a solução talvez não esteja na posse da terra mas na geração de empregos.