Congruence and Uniform Structure Principle: keys for problematic Code-Switching cases

The present paper tries to test the validity of the notion of congruence and the Uniform Structure Principle against an Algerian Arabic-French code-switching corpus. These two principles represent an important corner stone underlying the latest version of the Matrix Language Frame Model as it has been developed by Myers Scotton in 2002 and 2006. Data from naturally-occurring conversations is analysed within Myers-Scotton’s Matrix Language Frame model (1997, 2002, 2006 and 2015) and its supportive model -the 4-M model. Our investigation of bilingual language behaviour of Algerian speakers is conducted from a micro sociolinguistic perspective. The Matrix Language Frame Model’s descriptive paradigm succeeded to a large extent in analysing the different insertions in our corpus. To explain and interpret the observed instances of code switching we opted for Matrix Language Frame model’s explanatory principles (i.e. congruence and structural uniformity) particularly in the case of challenging code-switching instances. The results of our investigation highlight the fact that both congruence and the Uniform Structure Principle are flexible paradigms that can be adapted and interpreted to account for language-specific patterns and structures. Another important observation is the case of insufficient congruence between Algerian Arabic and French. Our corpus revealed two possibilities in this situation. The structural uniformity of both languages is preserved by using compromising strategies (Embedded Language islands or internal Embedded Language islands) which is in accordance with Myers-Scotton’s model. The other possibility that constitutes a challenge to the MLF model is the fact that Matrix Language structural uniformity is imposed across mixed constituents at the expense of Embedded Language structural uniformity

Investigation of top mass measurements with the ATLAS detector at LHC

Several methods for the determination of the mass of the top quark with the ATLAS detector at the LHC are presented. All dominant decay channels of the top quark can be explored. The measurements are in most cases dominated by systematic uncertainties. New methods have been developed to control those related to the detector. The results indicate that a total error on the top mass at the level of 1 GeV should be achievable.Comment: 47 pages, 40 figure

Tracing socio-economic impact of ferry provision in Zadar island archipelago

This paper explores a socio-economic impact of ferry provision in Zadar island archipelago in Croatia. Poor frequency, accessibility, and unaffordable ferry prices to smaller islands have had a detrimental impact on island communities’ sustainability. This prompts for asking what constitutes the socio-economic impact of ferry provision on remote and rural islands’ sustainability. The paper analyses on one hand, regional traces of demographics of population, migration, employment and education; and on the other local traces of emerging island communities’ activities. Adverse impact from the financial resource scarcity and centralisation remain unavoidable, e.g., litoralisation, social exclusion, lack of trade inflows and outflows, entrepreneurship, and lack of employment opportunities for young generations. Island communities are aware of the need for alternative sustainable ways of managing their local economies and this study captures this through communal entrepreneurial and cultural activities. Political actors also must align with their needs in order to provide a long-term sustainable but limited support. Heterogeneity of space and data provides an opportunity for adopting pluralistic and interpretivistic insight and align more closely academic research with evidence-based policy related to rural planning for island archipelagos