Models and empirical data for the production of referring expressions

Article Accepted Date: 29 May 2014 Acknowledgements The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Cognitive Science Society for the organisation of the Workshop on Production of Referring Expressions: Bridging the Gap between Cognitive and Computational Approaches to Reference, from which this special issue originated. Funding Emiel Krahmer and Albert Gatt thank The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) for VICI grant Bridging the Gap between Computational Linguistics and Psycholinguistics: The Case of Referring Expressions (grant number 277-70-007).

Solid-state synthesis of embedded single-crystal metal oxide and phosphate nanoparticles and in situ crystallization

A new solid state organometallic route to embedded nanoparticle-containing inorganic materials is shown, through pyrolysis of metal-containing derivatives of cyclotriphosphazenes. Pyrolysis in air and at 800 °C of new molecular precursors gives individual single-crystal nanoparticles of SiP2O7, TiO2, P4O7, WP2O7 and SiO2, depending on the precursor used. High resolution transmission electron microscopy investigations reveal, in most cases, perfect single crystals of metal oxides and the first nanostructures of negative thermal expansion metal phosphates with diameters in the range 2–6 nm for all products. While all nanoparticles are new by this method, WP2O7 and SiP2O7 nanoparticles are reported for the first time. In situ recrystallization formation of nanocrystals of SiP2O7 was also observed due to electron beam induced reactions during measurements of the nanoparticulate pyrolytic products SiO2 and P4O7. The possible mechanism for the formation of the nanoparticles at much lower temperatures than their bulk counterparts in both cases is discussed. Degrees of stabilization from the formation of P4O7 affects the nanocrystalline products: nanoparticles are observed for WP2O7, with coalescing crystallization occurring for the amorphous host in which SiP2O7 crystals form as a solid within a solid. The approach allows the simple formation of multimetallic, monometallic, metal-oxide and metal phosphate nanocrystals embedded in an amorphous dielectric. The method and can be extended to nearly any metal capable of successful coordination as an organometallic to allow embedded nanoparticle layers and features to be deposited or written on surfaces for application as high mobility pyrophosphate lithium–ion cathode materials, catalysis and nanocrystal embedded dielectric layers.

Nodulation, gas exchanges and production of peanut cultivated with Bradyrhizobium in soils with different textures.

Nitrogen fertilization from biological source is an uncommon practice for peanut growers due to the limited results, mainly in environments with water restriction. In this study, the response of a commercial Bradyrhizobium was evaluated on the nodulation and production of peanuts grown in sandy and medium textured soils. Two experiments using different soils were carried out in the field during the dry season, in Campina Grande, Paraíba State, Brazil. Three peanut genotypes were submitted to the following treatments: 1-no nitrogen fertilization (control), 2- chemical fertilization (ammonium sulfate) and 3- inoculation with Bradyrhizobium [commercial strain BR 1405 (SEMIA 6144)]. A completely randomized 3x3 factorial design was adopted with five repetitions for both experiments. The evaluates variables were: height of the main stem, number of nodes/plant, root length, root dry weight, weight of pods/plant and number of pods/plant. In addition, gas exchanges were estimated using IRGA apparatus. Both genotypes (BRS Havana and L7 Bege) were benefited in relation to production due to an inoculation with SEMIA 6144. No physiological response was verified in genotypes or N-treatments to gas exchange, excepting for the Ci/Ca ratio in the medium textured soil experiment. BRS Havana showed low Ci/Ca ratio in Bradyrhizobium treatment, indicating that SEMIA 6144 improved the plants photosynthetic efficiency.

Diphenyl sulphoxide complexes of some divalent metal ions*1

Diphenyl sulphoxide (DPSO) complexes of some divalent metal perchlorates and chlorides are prepared The perchlorates of Mn, Co, Ni, Zn and Cd have the general formula [M(DPSO)6](CIO4)2. The Cu(II) complex is found to have the composition [Cu(DPSO)4] (CIO42. The chloro complex having the formula ZnCl2. 2DPSO, CdCl2.DPSO, HgCl2. DPSO and PdCl2. 2 DPSO have also been obtained. Infrared spectra indicate that the DPSO complexes of Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn are oxygen-bonded while those of Cd, Hg and Pd are sulphur-bonded. The magnetic susceptibility and the optical spectral data reveal octahedral coordination for Mn, Co and Ni complexes. From the electronic spectra of Co and NI complexes, the ligand field parameters, Dq and β, are calculated.

Small scale commercial production of tilapia fingerlings in floating bamboo net-hapas

The inadequate supply of tilapia seed is considered as one of the major present constraints to the development of the culture industry in Nigeria. The floating bamboo net-hapa hatchery/nursery system was observed to be very efficient in the mass production of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry and fingerlings at Kainji Lake Research Institute. This system was therefore, recommended for small-scale (artisanal) commercial operators consisting of fishermen families in order to increase their productivity and hasten development of rural communities. The economic analysis of this system showed that loan obtained for the recommended scale of operation can be amortized within 2 years of the project. It was emphasized that the operational and managerial skills of the fish farm operators account largely to the production cost and profitability of the enterprise

Reaction of glucose catalyzed by framework and extraframework tin sites in zeolite beta

The isomerization of glucose into fructose is a large-scale reaction for the production of high-fructose corn syrup, and is now being considered as an intermediate step in the possible route of biomass conversion into fuels and chemicals. Recently, it has been shown that a hydrophobic, large pore, silica molecular sieve having the zeolite beta structure and containing framework Sn⁴⁺ (Sn-Beta) is able to isomerize glucose into fructose in aqueous media. Here, I have investigated how this catalyst converts glucose to fructose and show that it is analogous to that achieved with metalloenzymes. Specifically, glucose partitions into the molecular sieve in the pyranose form, ring opens to the acyclic form in the presence of the Lewis acid center (framework Sn⁴⁺), isomerizes into the acyclic form of fructose and finally ring closes to yield the furanose product. Akin to the metalloenzyme, the isomerization step proceeds by intramolecular hydride transfer from C2 to C1. Extraframework tin oxides located within hydrophobic channels of the molecular sieve that exclude liquid water can also isomerize glucose to fructose in aqueous media, but do so through a base-catalyzed proton abstraction mechanism. Extraframework tin oxide particles located at the external surface of the molecular sieve crystals or on amorphous silica supports are not active in aqueous media but are able to perform the isomerization in methanol by a base-catalyzed proton abstraction mechanism. Post-synthetic exchange of Na⁺ with Sn-Beta alters the glucose reaction pathway from the 1,2 intramolecular hydrogen shift (isomerization) to produce fructose towards the 1,2 intramolecular carbon shift (epimerization) that forms mannose. Na⁺ remains exchanged onto silanol groups during reaction in methanol solvent, leading to a near complete shift in selectivity towards glucose epimerization to mannose. In contrast, decationation occurs during reaction in aqueous solutions and gradually increases the reaction selectivity to isomerization at the expense of epimerization. Decationation and concomitant changes in selectivity can be eliminated by addition of NaCl to the aqueous reaction solution. Thus, framework tin sites with a proximal silanol group are the active sites for the 1, 2 intramolecular hydride shift in the isomerization of glucose to fructose, while these sites with Na-exchanged silanol group are the active sites for the 1, 2 intramolecular carbon shift in epimerization of glucose to mannose.

Effects of nitrogen forms on the production of cyanobacterial toxin microcystin-LR by an isolated Microcystis aeruginosa

A cyanobacterial strain, which produced high content of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) but no rnicrocystin-RR (MC-RR), was isolated from the hypertrophic Dianchi Lake in China and identified as Microcystis aeruginosa DC-1. Effects of nitrogen containing chemicals and trace elements on the growth and the production of MC-LR by this strain were Studied. In the presence of bicine, compared with urea and ammonium, nitrate greatly promoted the growth and the production of MC-LR. However, leucine and arginine, which were the constitutional components in the molecular structure of MC-LR or RR, inhibited the production of MC-LR. Iron and silicon up to 10mg/L had little effects on the growth of M. aeruginosa DC-1, but the production of MC-LR was apparently enhanced. Under all conditions studied here, only MC-LR but no RR was detected within the cells of M. aeruginosa DC-1. Thus, chemical forms of nitrogen, rather than the usually concerned the total nitrogen, Lind trace elements played important roles in the production of MC toxins during cyanobacterial blooms.

Production of active oxygen species from Taxus cuspidata induced by far-UV radiation

In order to understand the role of active oxygen species in mediating plant injuries induced by far-UV radiation, seedlings of Taxus cuspidata Sieb. et Zucc. were irradiated by far-UV rays in laboratory for 4 weeks. The production of organic free-radicals in detached needles, and the production of O-2(radical anion) and O-1(2) in isolated chloroplasts were detected weekly by electron spin resonance (ESR) to evaluate their relative importance. The results show that the cumulative effect of far-UV irradiation, is best indicated by the production of organic free radicals in the needles, O-2(radical anion) production in chloroplasts is the next. The enhancement of O-1(2) production in chloroplasts by the cumulative far-UV irradiation seems to be not so important as O-2(radical anion) in mediating injuries induced by, far-UV radiation because of its high background value.

Mutational analysis of genes implicated in LPS and capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis in the opportunistic pathogen Bacteroides fragilis

The obligate anaerobe Bacteroides fragilis is a normal resident of the human gastrointestinal tract. The clinically derived B. fragilis strain NCTC 9343 produces an extensive array of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), including antigenically distinct large, small and micro- capsules. The genome of NCTC 9343 encodes multiple gene clusters potentially involved in the biosynthesis of EPS, eight of which are implicated in production of the antigenically variable micro-capsule. We have developed a rapid and robust method for generating marked and markerless deletions, together with efficient electroporation using unmodified plasmid DNA to enable complementation of mutations. We show that deletion of a putative wzz homologue prevents production of high-molecular-mass polysaccharides (HMMPS), which form the micro-capsule. This observation suggests that micro-capsule HMMPS constitute the distal component of LPS in B. fragilis. The long chain length of this polysaccharide is strikingly different from classical enteric O-antigen, which consists of short-chain polysaccharides. We also demonstrate that deletion of a putative wbaP homologue prevents expression of the phase-variable large capsule and that expression can be restored by complementation. This suggests that synthesis of the large capsule is mechanistically equivalent to production of Escherichia coli group 1 and 4 capsules.

High-solid-content hydroxyapatite slurry for the production of bone substitute scaffolds

Key to various bone substitute scaffold production techniques is the development of free-flowing ceramic slurry with optimum theological properties. The aim is to achieve a colloidal suspension with as high a solid content as possible while maintaining a low viscosity which easily penetrates the pores of relevant sacrificial templates. The following investigation describes the optimization of a hydroxyapatite slip and demonstrates its potential application in scaffold production. Using predominantly spherical particles of hydroxyapatite of between 0.82 mu m and 16.2 mu m, coupled with a 2 wt % addition of the anionic polyelectrolyte, ammonium polyacrylate, an 80 wt % (55.9 vol %) hydroxyapatite solid loaded slip with a viscosity of approximately 126 mPa s has been developed. Its ability to infiltrate and replicate porous preforms has been shown using polyurethane foam. The enhanced particle packing achieved has allowed for the production of scaffolds with highly dense and uniform grain structures. The results represent a significant improvement in current slurry production techniques and can be utilized to develop high-density ceramic bone substitute scaffolds.

Activation of protease calpain by oxidized and glycated LDL increases the degradation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase

Oxidation and glycation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) promote vascular injury in diabetes; however, the mechanisms underlying this effect remain poorly defined. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of 'heavily oxidized' glycated LDL (HOG-LDL) on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) function. Exposure of bovine aortic endothelial cells with HOG-LDL reduced eNOS protein levels in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, without altering eNOS mRNA levels. Reduced eNOS protein levels were accompanied by an increase in intracellular Ca(2+), augmented production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induction of Ca(2+)-dependent calpain activity. Neither eNOS reduction nor any of these other effects were observed in cells exposed to native LDL. Reduction of intracellular Ca(2+) levels abolished eNOS reduction by HOG-LDL, as did pharmacological or genetic through calcium channel blockers or calcium chelator BAPTA or inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase (with apocynin) or inhibition of calpain (calpain 1-specific siRNA). Consistent with these results, HOG-LDL impaired acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of isolated mouse aortas, and pharmacological inhibition of calpain prevented this effect. HOG-LDL may impair endothelial function by inducing calpain-mediated eNOS degradation in a ROS- and Ca(2+)-dependent manner.

Continuous Production of Extracellular L-Glutaminase by Ca-Alginate-Immobilized Marine Beauveria bassiana BTMF S-10 in Packed-Bed Reactor

L-Glutamine amidohydrolase (L-glutaminase, EC 3.5.1.2) is a therapeutically and industrially important enzyme. Because it is a potent antileukemic agent and a flavor-enhancing agent used in the food industry, many researchers have focused their attention on L-glutaminase. In this article, we report the continuous production of extracellular L-glutaminase by the marine fungus Beauveria bassiana BTMF S-10 in a packed-bed reactor. Parameters influencing bead production and performance under batch mode were optimized in the order-support (Na-alginate) concentration, concentration of CaCl2 for bead preparation, curing time of beads, spore inoculum concentration, activation time, initial pH of enzyme production medium, temperature of incubation, and retention time. Parameters optimized under batch mode for L-glutaminase production were incorporated into the continuous production studies. Beads with 12 × 108 spores/g of beads were activated in a solution of 1% glutamine in seawater for 15 h, and the activated beads were packed into a packed-bed reactor. Enzyme production medium (pH 9.0) was pumped through the bed, and the effluent was collected from the top of the column. The effect of flow rate of the medium, substrate concentration, aeration, and bed height on continuous production of L-glutaminase was studied. Production was monitored for 5 h in each case, and the volumetric productivity was calculated. Under the optimized conditions for continuous production, the reactor gave a volumetric productivity of 4.048 U/(mL·h), which indicates that continuous production of the enzyme by Ca-alginate-immobilizedspores is well suited for B. bassiana and results in a higher yield of enzyme within a shorter time. The results indicate the scope of utilizing immobilized B. bassiana for continuous commercial production of L-glutaminase

Production of tense marking in successive bilingual children: when do they converge with their monolingual peers?

Children with English as a second language (L2) with exposure of 18 months or less exhibit similar difficulties to children with Specific Language Impairment in tense marking, a marker of language impairment for English. This paper examines whether L2 children with longer exposure converge with their monolingual peers in the production of tense marking. 38 Turkish-English L2 children with a mean age of 7;8 and 33 monolingual age-matched controls completed the screening test of the Test of Early Grammatical Impairment (TEGI). The L2 children as a group were as accurate as the controls in the production of -ed, but performed significantly lower than the controls in the production of third person –s. Age and YoE affected the children’s performance. The highest age-expected performance on the TEGI was attested in eight and nine year-old children who had 4-6 YoE. L1 and L2 children performed better in regular compared to irregular verbs, but L2 children overregularized more than L1 children and were less sensitive to the phonological properties of verbs. The results show that tense marking and the screening test of the TEGI may be promising for differential diagnosis in eight and nine year-old L2 children with at least four YoE.

Production of xylanolytic enzymes by Penicillium janczewskii

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