Usage and efficacy of electronic dictionaries for a language without word boundaries

[EN] There is cumulative evidence suggesting that hyper-glossing facilitates lower-level processing and enhances reading comprehension. There are plentiful studies on electronic dictionaries for English. However, research on e-dictionaries for languages with no boundaries between words is still scarce. The main aim for the current study is to investigate the usage and efficacy of e-dictionaries for Japanese language learners. This article reports the results of two studies concerning e-dictionaries: a survey study investigating the use of e-dictionaries (with a particular focus on e-glossaries that change a digital text into a hypertext) by L2 learners of Japanese, and a comparative study examining existing e-glossaries to evaluate whether they provide the optimal level of support for reading Japanese e-texts. The results of the survey showed that learners have their preferred e-dictionaries (in most cases, e-word dictionaries in which the user can look up individual words), and that few learners are aware of the existence of e-glossaries. The results of further study revealed that existing e-glossaries have various functions, but lack some requisite information crucial to the target language. This study suggests that technical issues revolving around the lack of spaces between words may be a reason for the lag in usage and efficacy of e-glossaries for languages without word boundaries.Toyoda, E. (2016). Usage and efficacy of electronic dictionaries for a language without word boundaries. The EuroCALL Review. 24(2):13-23. doi:10.4995/eurocall.2016.5662.SWORD1323242AbuSeileek, A. F. (2011). Hypermedia annotation presentation: The effect of location and type on the EFL learners’ achievement in reading comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. Computers & Education, 57(1), 1281-1291. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2011.01.011Alderson, J. C. (2000). Assessing Reading. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511732935Caleb. R. & Matsumoto, Y. (2011). The effect of lexical coverage and dictionary use on L2 reading comprehension, Reading Matrix, 11(3): 207-225.Chen, I.-J., & Yen, J.-C. (2013). Hypertext annotation: Effects of presentation formats and learner proficiency on reading comprehension and vocabulary learning in foreign languages. Computers & Education, 63, 416-423. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2013.01.005Chun, D. M. (2001). L2 Reading on the Web: Strategies for Accessing Information in Hypermedia. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 14(5), 367-403. doi:10.1076/call.14.5.367.5775Gettys, S., Imhof, L. A., & Kautz, J. O. (2001). Computer-Assisted Reading: The Effect of Glossing Format on Comprehension and Vocabulary Retention. Foreign Language Annals, 34(2), 91-99. doi:10.1111/j.1944-9720.2001.tb02815.xGrabe, W. (2009). Reading in a Second Language: Moving from Theory to Practice. New York: Cambridge University Press.Jeon, E. H., & Yamashita, J. (2014). L2 Reading Comprehension and Its Correlates: A Meta-Analysis. Language Learning, 64(1), 160-212. doi:10.1111/lang.12034Jin L. & Deifell, E. (2013). Foreign language learners' use and perception of online dictionaries: A survey study. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 9(4): 515-533.Kato, S. [加藤重弘] (2006). Handbook of Japanese Grammar [日本語文法入門ハンドブック], Tokyo: Kenkyusha [研究社].Koda, K. (1994). Second language reading research: Problems and possibilities. Applied Psycholinguistics, 15(1), 1-28. doi:10.1017/s0142716400006950Liou, H.-C. (2000). The Electronic Bilingual Dictionary as a Reading Aid to EFL Learners: Research Findings and Implications. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 13(4-5), 467-476. doi:10.1076/0958-8221(200012)13:4-5;1-e;ft467Lomicka, L. L. (1998). "To gloss or not to gloss": An investigation of reading comprehension online. Language Learning & Technology, 1(2): 41-50.Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. doi:10.1017/cbo9781139524759Pasfield-Neofitou, S. (2009). Paper, electronic or online?: Different dictionaries for different activities. Babel, 43(2): 12-18.Şevik, M. (2014). University Prep-school EFL Learners’ Dictionary Ownership and Preferences. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 158, 226-232. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.12.080Steel, C. H., & Levy, M. (2013). Language students and their technologies: Charting the evolution 2006–2011. ReCALL, 25(3), 306-320. doi:10.1017/s0958344013000128Shiotsu, T., & Weir, C. J. (2007). The relative significance of syntactic knowledge and vocabulary breadth in the prediction of reading comprehension test performance. Language Testing, 24(1), 99-128. doi:10.1177/0265532207071513Yamauchi, H. [ 山内博之 ] (2008), Suggestions for Morphological Analysis: From the Perspective of Teaching Japanese [ 形態素解析に関する提案 — 日本語教育の視点から — ], Jissen Japanese Literature [實踐國文學 ], 73 : 152-141

High pressure synthesis of a new superconductor Sr2CuO2+xCl2-y induced by apical oxygen doping

Using the apical oxygen doping mechanism, i.e. a partial substitution of divalence O for the monovalence Cl, a p-type oxychloride cuprate superconductor, Sr2CuO2+xCl2-y, was synthesized at high pressure high temperature. The x-ray diffraction refinement suggests the superconductor crystallizes into a 0201 structure with space group I4/mmm and lattice parameters being a=3.92A, c=15.6 A. The magnetic susceptibility as well as resistance measurements indicated that the bulk superconductivity with transition temperature 30K was achieved in the sample.Comment: accepted by physica

Characterization of magnetic properties of Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6

In this work we examine the low-temperature magnetic properties of the two double-perovskite compounds Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6 using magnetic susceptibility, muon spin rotation and relaxation, and neutron powder diffraction measurements. Additionally, the most relevant spin exchange interaction constants are derived from ab initio electronic structure calculations, aided by x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The compounds exhibit quasi-two-dimensional magnetic properties, with broad maxima at Tmax = 83 and 95 K for Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6, respectively. However, three-dimensional long-range order takes place below TN = 24(1) and 28(2) K for Sr2CuWO6 and Sr2CuMoO6, respectively. Our results show that the low-dimensional magnetic correlations are mainly due to the significant next-nearest-neighbor interactions in the ab plane of the double-perovskite structure, whereas three-dimensional long-range magnetic order is caused by weaker next-nearest-neighbor interactions along the c axis. Next-nearest-neighbor interactions are also slightly frustrated by weaker nearest-neighbor interactions within the ab plane. Based on these results we predict the low-temperature magnetic structure in these compounds to be type-II antiferromagnetic order of the double-perovskite lattice.Peer reviewe

The Fundamental Planes of E+A galaxies and GALEX UV-excess early-type galaxies: Revealing their intimate connection

Strong Balmer absorption lines and the lack of Ha and [OII] emission lines signify that E+As are post-starburst systems. Recent studies suggest that E+As may undergo the transition from the `blue cloud' to the `red sequence' and eventually migrate to red sequence ETGs. An observational validation of this scenario is to identify the intervening galaxy population between E+As and the red-sequence. Motivated by recent findings with GALEX that a large fraction of ETGs exhibit UV-excess as a sign of RSF, we investigate the possible connection of the UV-excess galaxies to E+As. In particular, we examine the FP scaling relations of the largest sample of ~1,000 E+As selected from the SDSS and ~20,000 morphologically-selected SDSS ETGs with GALEX UV data. The FP parameters, combined with stellar population indicators, reveal a certain group of UV-excess ETGs that bridges between E+As and quiescent red galaxies. The newly identified galaxies are the post-starburst systems characterized by UV-excess but no Ha emission. This is a conceptual generalisation of "E+A", in that the Balmer absorption line in the "E+A" definition is replaced with UV-optical colours that are far more sensitive to RSF than the Balmer lines. We refer to these UV-excess galaxies as "E+a" galaxies, which stands for elliptical ("E") galaxies with a minority of A-type ("a") young stars. The species are either (1) galaxies that experienced starbursts weaker than those observed in E+As (1~10% of E+As, "mild E+As") or (2) the products of passively evolved E+As after quenching star formation quite a while ago (~1 Gyr, "old E+As"). We suggest that the latter type of E+a galaxies represents the most recent arrival to the red sequence in the final phase of the "E+A" to "red early-type" transition. (Abridged)Comment: 15 pages, 15 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRA

Catheter Ablation of Parahisian Premature Ventricular Complex

Catheter ablation is performed in selected patients with a symptomatic premature ventricular complex (PVC) or PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. Ablation of PVC from the His region has a high risk of inducing a complete atrioventricular block. Here we report successful catheter ablation of a parahisian PVC in a 63-year-old man

Response of the solar atmosphere to magnetic field evolution in a coronal hole region

Methods. We study an equatorial CH observed simultaneously by HINODE and STEREO on July 27, 2007. The HINODE/SP maps are adopted to derive the physical parameters of the photosphere and to research the magnetic field evolution and distribution. The G band and Ca II H images with high tempo-spatial resolution from HINODE/BFI and the multi-wavelength data from STEREO/EUVI are utilized to study the corresponding atmospheric response of different overlying layers. Results. We explore an emerging dipole locating at the CH boundary. Mini-scale arch filaments (AFs) accompanying the emerging dipole were observed with the Ca II H line. During the separation of the dipolar footpoints, three AFs appeared and expanded in turn. The first AF divided into two segments in its late stage, while the second and third AFs erupted in their late stages. The lifetimes of these three AFs are 4, 6, 10 minutes, and the two intervals between the three divisions or eruptions are 18 and 12 minutes, respectively. We display an example of mixed-polarity flux emergence of IN fields within the CH and present the corresponding chromospheric response. With the increase of the integrated magnetic flux, the brightness of the Ca II H images exhibits an increasing trend. We also study magnetic flux cancellations of NT fields locating at the CH boundary and present the obvious chromospheric and coronal response. We notice that the brighter regions seen in the 171 A images are relevant to the interacting magnetic elements. By examining the magnetic NT and IN elements and the response of different atmospheric layers, we obtain good positive linear correlations between the NT magnetic flux densities and the brightness of both G band (correlation coefficient 0.85) and Ca II H (correlation coefficient 0.58).Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures. A&A, in pres

Cdk5 Is Involved in BDNF-Stimulated Dendritic Growth in Hippocampal Neurons

Neurotrophins are key regulators of neuronal survival and differentiation during development. Activation of their cognate receptors, Trk receptors, a family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), is pivotal for mediating the downstream functions of neurotrophins. Recent studies reveal that cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), a serine/threonine kinase, may modulate RTK signaling through phosphorylation of the receptor. Given the abundant expression of both Cdk5 and Trk receptors in the nervous system, and their mutual involvement in the regulation of neuronal architecture and synaptic functions, it is of interest to investigate if Cdk5 may also modulate Trk signaling. In the current study, we report the identification of TrkB as a Cdk5 substrate. Cdk5 phosphorylates TrkB at Ser478 at the intracellular juxtamembrane region of TrkB. Interestingly, attenuation of Cdk5 activity or overexpression of a TrkB mutant lacking the Cdk5 phosphorylation site essentially abolishes brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)–triggered dendritic growth in primary hippocampal neurons. In addition, we found that Cdk5 is involved in BDNF-induced activation of Rho GTPase Cdc42, which is essential for BDNF-triggered dendritic growth. Our observations therefore reveal an unanticipated role of Cdk5 in TrkB-mediated regulation of dendritic growth through modulation of BDNF-induced Cdc42 activation

Isolated Biliary Granulocytic Sarcoma Followed by Acute Myelogeneous Leukemia with Multilineage Dysplasia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Granulocytic sarcoma is a rare extramedullary tumor composed of myeloid progenitor cells. Primary involvement of the biliary tract without evidence of leukemia is exceedingly rare. Here, we report an isolated biliary granulocytic sarcoma in a 30-yr-old man who presented with jaundice, fever, and chill without any evidence of leukemia. However, five months after the diagnosis, he developed acute myelogenous leukemia with multilineage dysplasia and chromosomal abnormality. A rare possibility of biliary granulocytic sarcoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with obstructive jaundice. A histologic evaluation by aggressive diagnostic intervention is important and may improve prognosis

Depletion of Mitochondrial DNA Stabilizes C1qTNF-Related Protein 6 mRNA in Muscle Cells

Mutation and reduction of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been suggested as factors in the pathogenesis of several metabolic diseases. Recently, we demonstrated that C1qTNF-related protein-6 (CTRP6) is involved in fatty acid metabolism in muscle cells. In this study, we showed that expression of CTRP6 was up-regulated in mtDNA-depleted C2C12 cells, which displayed a marked decrease in cellular mtDNA and ATP content. Replacement of mtDNA normalized the expression level of CTRP6 similar to that in normal C2C12 cells, indicating that CTRP6 expression was up-regulated by mtDNA depletion. However, CTRP6 promoter activity remained unchanged in mtDNA-depleted cells. We also found that mtDNA depletion inhibited decay of CTRP6 mRNA. Taken together, mtDNA depletion induces an increase in CTRP6 expression by increasing mRNA stability