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Vowel normalization is a computation that is meant to account for the differences in the absolute direct (physical or psychophysical) representations of qualitatively equivalent vowel productions that arise due to differences in speaker properties such as body size types, age, gender, and other socially interpreted categories that are based on natural variation in vocal tract size and shape. In this dissertation, we address the metaphysical and epistemological aspects of vowel normalization pertaining to spoken language acquisition during early infancy. We begin by reviewing approaches to conceptualizing and modeling the phonetic components of early spoken language acquisition, forming a catalog of phenomena that serves as the basis for our discourse. We then establish the existence of a vowel normalization computation carried out by infants early in their spoken language acquisition, and put forward a conceptual and technical framework for its investigation which focuses attention on the generative nature of the computation. We then situate the acquisition of vowel normalization within a broader developmental framework encompassing a suite of vocal learning phenomena, including language-specific caretaker vocal exchanges

Noncontacting device to indicate deflection of turbopump internal rotating parts

Phase 2 (development) which was concluded for the ultrasonic Doppler device and the light-pipe-reflectance device is reported. An ultrasonic Doppler breadboard system was assembled which accurately measured runout in the J-2 LOX pump impeller during operation. The transducer was mounted on the outside of the pump volute using a C-clamp. Vibration was measured by conducting the ultrasonic wave through the volute housing and through the fluid in the volute to the impeller surface. The impeller vibration was also measured accurately using the light-pipe probe mounted in an elastomeric-gland fitting in the pump case. A special epoxy resin developed for cryogenic applications was forced into the end of the fiber-optic probe to retain the fibers. Subsequently, the probe suffered no damage after simultaneous exposure to 2150 psi and 77 F. Preliminary flash X-radiographs were taken of the turbine wheel and the shaft-bearing-seal assembly, using a 2-megavolt X-ray unit. Reasonable resolution and contrast was obtained. A fast-neutron detector was fabricated and sensitivity was measured. The results demonstrated that the technique is feasible for integrated-time measurements requiring, perhaps, 240 revolutions to obtain sufficient exposure at 35,000 rpm. The experimental verification plans are included

Noncontacting devices to indicate deflection and vibration of turbopump internal rotating parts

Published report discusses feasibility of ultrasonic techniques; neutron techniques; X-radiography; optical devices; gamma ray devices; and conventional displacement sensors. Use of signal transmitters in place of slip rings indicated possible improvement and will be subject of futher study

Evidence for Strong Itinerant Spin Fluctuations in the Normal State of CeFeAsO(0.89)F(0.11) Iron-Oxypnictides

The electronic structure in the normal state of CeFeAsO0.89F0.11 oxypnictide superconductors has been investigated with x-ray absorption and photoemission spectroscopy. All the data exhibit signatures of Fe d-electron itinerancy. Exchange multiplets appearing in the Fe 3s core level indicate the presence of itinerant spin fluctuations. These findings suggest that the underlying physics and the origin of superconductivity in these materials are likely to be quite different from those of the cuprate high-temperature superconductors. These materials provide opportunities for elucidating the role of magnetic fluctuations in high-temperature superconductivity.Comment: Shorter version. Accepted in Phys. Rev. Let

Surface and Bulk Structural Properties of Single Crystalline Sr3Ru2O7

We report temperature and thermal-cycling dependence of surface and bulk structures of double-layered perovskite Sr3Ru2O7 single crystals. The surface and bulk structures were investigated using low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, respectively. Single-crystal XRD data is in good agreement with previous reports for the bulk structure with RuO6 octahedral rotation, which increases with decreasing temperature (~ 6.7(6)degrees at 300 K and ~ 8.1(2) degrees at 90 K). LEED results reveal that the octahedra at the surface are much more distorted with a higher rotation angle (~ 12 degrees between 300 and 80 K) and a slight tilt ((4.5\pm2.5) degrees at 300 K and (2.5\pm1.7) degrees at 80 K). While XRD data confirms temperature dependence of the unit cell height/width ratio (i.e. lattice parameter c divided by the average of parameters a and b) found in a prior neutron powder diffraction investigation, both bulk and surface structures display little change with thermal cycles between 300 and 80 K.Comment: 25 pages, 5 figures, 5 tables, to appear in Physical Review

Cs-Induced Surface State on GaAs(110)

Cesium adsorption on GaAs(110) has been studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy at room temperature in the submonolayer-coverage regime. We report the observation of a Cs-induced surface state in the vicinity of the surface-Brillouin-zone edge. The possible origin of the state is discussed in relation to recent structural observations. The onset of the Cs-induced surface state can be correlated with the appearance of a second Cs 5p core-level emission feature at ∼0.2 monolayer Cs coverage

Surface Structural Analysis of the Layered Perovskite Ca1.9Sr0.1RuO4 by Low Energy Electron Diffraction I-V

– The atomic structure at surface of the layered perovskite Ca1.9Sr0.1RuO4 has been studied by Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED) I-V. The perovskite Ca1.9Sr0.1RuO4 of single crystal was cleaved in ultra high vacuum chamber (the pressure in the chamber was about 1x10-10 Torr). The experiments were conducted at room temperature (T=300 K). The sharp LEED pattern was observed which indicates that the surface of Ca1.9Sr0.1RuO4 is flat and it is a well ordered crystal. LEED I-V data, nine equivalent beams of the layered perovskite Ca1.9Sr0.1RuO4 were recorded at room temperature. LEED I-V calculation was performed to fit experimental data to obtain the surface atomic structure. The LEED I-V analysis reveals that in the surface of the layered perovskite Ca1.9Sr0.1RuO4 the RuO6 octahedra are rotated (in-plane rotation) alternating clockwise and counterclockwise. The in-plane rotation at the surface is 11 degree which is smaller than that in the bulk (13 degree). The Ru – O(1) bond-length at the surface is found to be 1.936 Å which is about the same as in the bulk (1.939 Å). The Ru – O(2) bond length at the surface is 1.863 Å which is much shorter than that in the bulk (2.040 Å). The volume of octahedral Ru-O6 at the surface is reduced by 9% with respect to the bulk. This finding shows that the atomic structure at surface of the layered perovskite Ca1.9Sr0.1RuO4is significantly different than that in the bulk. These lattice distortions strongly influence its electronic properties