From computer assisted language learning (CALL) to mobile assisted language use

This article begins by critiquing the long-established acronym CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning). We then go on to report on a small-scale study which examines how student non-native speakers of English use a range of digital devices beyond the classroom in both their first (L1) and second (L2) languages. We look also at the extent to which they believe that their L2-based activity helps consciously and/or unconsciously with their language learning, practice, and acquisition. We argue that these data, combined with other recent trends in the field, suggest a need to move from CALL towards a more accurate acronym: mobile assisted language use (MALU). We conclude with a definition of MALU together with a brief discussion of a potential alignment of MALU with the notion of the digital resident and a newly emerging educational theory of connectivism

Lower bounds for on-line graph colorings

We propose two strategies for Presenter in on-line graph coloring games. The first one constructs bipartite graphs and forces any on-line coloring algorithm to use $2\log_2 n - 10$ colors, where $n$ is the number of vertices in the constructed graph. This is best possible up to an additive constant. The second strategy constructs graphs that contain neither $C_3$ nor $C_5$ as a subgraph and forces $\Omega(\frac{n}{\log n}^\frac{1}{3})$ colors. The best known on-line coloring algorithm for these graphs uses $O(n^{\frac{1}{2}})$ colors

Origin of 21+2_1^+ Excitation Energy Dependence on Valence Nucleon Numbers

It has been shown recently that a simple formula in terms of the valence nucleon numbers and the mass number can describe the essential trends of excitation energies of the first $2^+$ states in even-even nuclei. By evaluating the first order energy shift due to the zero-range residual interaction, we find that the factor which reflects the effective particle number participating in the interaction from the Fermi orbit governs the main dependence of the first $2^+$ excitation energy on the valence nucleon numbers.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

An Underlying Theory for Gravity

A new direction to understand gravity has recently been explored by considering classical gravity to be a derived interaction from an underlying theory. This underlying theory would involve new degrees of freedom at a deeper level and it would be structurally different from classical gravitation. It may conceivably be a quantum theory or a non-quantum theory. The relation between this underlying theory and Einstein's gravity is similar to the connection between statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. We discuss the apparent lack of evidence of any quantum nature of gravity in this context.Comment: Contributed paper to VIIth International Conference on Gravitation and Cosmology, 14 - 19 December, 2011 GOA, INDIA. 4 page

Comment on "Critical and slow dynamics in a bulk metallic glass exhibiting strong random magnetic anisotropy" [Appl. Phys. Lett. 92, 011923 (2008)]

In this comment, by using Monte Carlo simulation, we show that the perpendicular shift of hysteresis loops reported in the commented work is nothing special but simply due to the fact that the range of field does not surpass the reversible field beyond which the two branches of the loop merge. If the reversible field is exceeded, the shift is no longer observed. Moreover, we point out that even using a small range of field, the shift will not be observed if the observation time is long enough for the reversible field to drop within the range.Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Applied Physics Letters Volume 94, Issue 15, Issue date 13 April 200

Mangetic phase transition for three-dimensional Heisenberg weak random anisotropy model: Monte Carlo study

Magnetic phase transition (MPT) to magnetic quasi-long-range order (QLRO) phase in a three-dimensional Heisenberg weak (D/J=4) random anisotropy (RA) model is investigated by Monte Carlo simulation. The isotropic and cubic distributions of RA axes are considered for simple-cubic-lattice systems. Finite-size scaling analysis shows that the critical couplings for the former and latter are K_c= 0.70435(2) and K_c=0.70998(4), respectively. While the critical exponent 1/\nu =1.40824(0) is the same for both cases. A second-order MPT to the QLRO phase is therefore evidenced to be possible in favor with the existence of the QLRO predicted by recent functional renormalization group theories.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures. to be appeared in Journal of Applied Physics Volume 105 Issue 7 on April 1, 200