English compound and non-compound processing in bilingual and multilingual speakers: effects of dominance and sequential multilingualism

This article reports on a study investigating the relative influence of the first and dominant language on L2 and L3 morpho-lexical processing. A lexical decision task compared the responses to English NV-er compounds (e.g., taxi driver) and non-compounds provided by a group of native speakers and three groups of learners at various levels of English proficiency: L1 Spanish-L2 English sequential bilinguals and two groups of early Spanish-Basque bilinguals with English as their L3. Crucially, the two trilingual groups differed in their first and dominant language (i.e., L1 Spanish-L2 Basque vs. L1 Basque-L2 Spanish). Our materials exploit an (a)symmetry between these languages: while Basque and English pattern together in the basic structure of (productive) NV-er compounds, Spanish presents a construction that differs in directionality as well as inflection of the verbal element (V[3SG] + N). Results show between and within group differences in accuracy and response times that may be ascribable to two factors besides proficiency: the number of languages spoken by a given participant and their dominant language. An examination of response bias reveals an influence of the participants' first and dominant language on the processing of NV-er compounds. Our data suggest that morphological information in the nonnative lexicon may extend beyond morphemic structure and that, similarly to bilingualism, there are costs to sequential multilingualism in lexical retrieval

Cloud Based N-Dimensional Weather Forecast Visualization Tool with Image Analysis Capabilities

We have designed and implemented a framework that permits remote access to weather forecasts

Visual analytics for built-up area understanding from metric resolution Earth observation data

Large scale archives can benefit the application of visual analytics methodologies aimed at characterizing their contents by the effective inclusion of the human analyst in the interpretation loop. Exploiting the knowledge of users that are not remote sensing experts requires the design of easy to use applications. Applied analytical reasoning by visual representations involves methodological aspects dealing with both the design of multiple interactive visualizations as well as data representation and transformation considerations. We present examples of such methodological aspects aiming at the understanding and characterization of metric resolution datasets acquired on urban environments

New surgical option in correction of scoliotic deformity - LSZ system

An ideal system for the correction of scoliosis has to meet the following criterias: multisegmentary fixation on the entire lengths of the curvature; stabile and robust construction; easy and safe technique of implantation; 3D correcting potential and the capacity of maintaining the correction after the surgery; universal instruments both for adults and children. The purpose of the paper is to describe the LSZ implant for correction of scoliotic deformity, and the good clinical results obtained using this implant. The clinical case that will be presented belongs to the patients group to which the deformation practically reached it's final form. The surgical technique is described step by step and the final result was a good tridimensional correction. Postoperatory X-Ray demonstrates 50% correction, with Cobb angle of 45° and 15% torsion correction. The good result obtained in the case described, as well as in the other studies, demonstrate that this technique is efficient for correction of scoliotic deformities both in frontal and sagittal plane, easy to perform and associated with a minimal risk for complications and encourage us to recommend this technique to other spine surgery departments. © (2015) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland

New surgical option in correction of scoliotic deformity - LSZ system

An ideal system for the correction of scoliosis has to meet the following criterias: multisegmentary fixation on the entire lengths of the curvature; stabile and robust construction; easy and safe technique of implantation; 3D correcting potential and the capacity of maintaining the correction after the surgery; universal instruments both for adults and children. The purpose of the paper is to describe the LSZ implant for correction of scoliotic deformity, and the good clinical results obtained using this implant. The clinical case that will be presented belongs to the patients group to which the deformation practically reached it's final form. The surgical technique is described step by step and the final result was a good tridimensional correction. Postoperatory X-Ray demonstrates 50% correction, with Cobb angle of 45° and 15% torsion correction. The good result obtained in the case described, as well as in the other studies, demonstrate that this technique is efficient for correction of scoliotic deformities both in frontal and sagittal plane, easy to perform and associated with a minimal risk for complications and encourage us to recommend this technique to other spine surgery departments. © (2015) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland

Microcrystalline cellulose fillers for use in hybrid composites with polyethylene and lignin

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) fillers were obtained for hybrid composites with high-density polyethylene and lignin. The fillers were obtained from bleached kraft pulp and cotton fibres. The raw materials were treated by the thermocatalytic destruction method and then ground in a ball mill. Treatment conditions were developed for each raw material. MCC powder samples were obtained, which contained microparticles of different shape and size. Composite samples, which contained polyethylene, 50% of lignin, 20% of MCC and a coupling agent, were produced. It was established that the mechanical properties of composites were improved to a greater extent by the MCC filler obtained from cotton fibres. This can be related to the fact that it contained longer fibre fragments in comparison with wood pulp MCC. The higher degree of crystallinity of cotton cellulose also played a part