JFLEG: A Fluency Corpus and Benchmark for Grammatical Error Correction

We present a new parallel corpus, JHU FLuency-Extended GUG corpus (JFLEG) for developing and evaluating grammatical error correction (GEC). Unlike other corpora, it represents a broad range of language proficiency levels and uses holistic fluency edits to not only correct grammatical errors but also make the original text more native sounding. We describe the types of corrections made and benchmark four leading GEC systems on this corpus, identifying specific areas in which they do well and how they can improve. JFLEG fulfills the need for a new gold standard to properly assess the current state of GEC.Comment: To appear in EACL 2017 (short papers

Psychosoziale und subjektive Bedeutung von Kinderarbeit. Praxeologische Reflektionen zum Programm zur Abschaffung von Kinderarbeit (PETI) in Brasilien

Im Rahmen eines Aufenthaltes als Gastwissenschaftlerin am Institut für Kinder- und Jugendforschung (ICA) der Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC-MG), Brasilien, hat die Autorin an einer staatlich finanzierten Evaluationsstudie des Programms zur Abschaffung der Kinderarbeit (PETI) im Bundesstaat Minas Gerais mitgearbeitet. Sowohl ihr theoretischer Hintergrund als auch ihre Beobachtungen bei der Datenerhebung lenkten ihre Aufmerksamkeit auf die eher vernachlässigte Frage nach der subjektiven Bedeutung des Programms für die Kinder und Jugendlichen und dessen möglichen Einfluss auf deren Identitätsentwicklung. Thema dieses Artikels sind Reflektionen hinsichtlich dieser Fragen basierend auf der Theorie des psychosozialen Entwicklung Erik H. Eriksons (1902–1994). (DIPF/Orig.)Within her stay as a visiting scholar at the Institute for Child and Youth Research (ICA) of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC-MG)/Brazil, the author participated in a government-funded evaluation survey of the Child Labour Eradication Program (PETI) in the State of Minas Gerais. Both her theoretical preunderstanding, as well as her observations in the field research and data collection drew her attention to the rather neglected issue of the subjective meaning the program may have for children and adolescents. Further interest gained the question for its possible impacts on identity development. Subject of this article are reflections on these issues based on the theory of psychosocial development of Erik H. Erikson (1902-1994). (DIPF/Orig.

On the boundedness of some nonlinear differential equation of second order

In this paper we study the boundedness of the solutions of some nonlinear dofferential equation using as a key tool the Second Lyapunov method, i.e. find sufficient conditions under which the solutions of this equation are bounded. Variuos particular cases and methodological remarks are included at the end of paper.Fil: Guzmán, Paulo Matias. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Matemática; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Napoles Valdes, Juan Eduardo. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Matemática; ArgentinaFil: Lugo, Luciano Miguel. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Matemática; Argentin

A note on the continuability of solutions of a perturbed second order nonlinear differential equation of lienard type

In this note we study the continuability of the solutions of a Liénard type equation with forcing term under suitable assumptions.Fil: Napoles Valdes, Juan Eduardo. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Matemática; ArgentinaFil: Lugo, Luciano Miguel. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Matemática; ArgentinaFil: Guzmán, Paulo Matias. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales y Agrimensura. Departamento de Matemática; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Factors associated with engagement levels among entering and returning Hispanic college students

textThe purpose of this study was to explore the engagement levels among entering and returning Hispanic community college students. This study provides needed data focused specifically on Hispanic student engagement. Limited data exist on the persistence of community college students in general, and Hispanic students in particular. The data were collected using the Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE). SENSE was administered as a pilot test to students at volunteer community colleges during the fourth and fifth weeks of the fall 2007 semester. These 22 colleges are located in eight states. This study consisted of two research questions: Are there significant differences in the engagement levels of entering and returning Hispanic community college students? Are there significant differences in engagement levels of entering Hispanic students when analyzed in terms of the following breakout variables: enrollment status (full-time and part-time); age (traditional and nontraditional; 18-19 years old and 20 years old and older); first-generation and non-first-generation status; developmental education status (enrollment in developmental writing course; developmental reading course; developmental math course); sex (male and female); academic goal aspiration (degree seeking and non-degree seeking). The results show that when there are significant differences in levels of engagement between entering and returning Hispanic students, returning students are consistently more engaged. This study also identifies the importance of collaborative learning in Hispanic student engagement. Full-time students reported higher engagement levels than part-time students. Nontraditional age students reported higher engagement levels than traditional age students. Students 20 years and older reported higher engagement levels than students 18-19 years old. First-generation students reported higher engagement levels than non-first-generation. Students enrolled in developmental reading reported higher engagement levels than students not enrolled in developmental reading. Students enrolled in developmental writing reported higher engagement levels than students not enrolled in developmental writing. Students enrolled in developmental math reported higher engagement levels than students not enrolled in developmental math in regards to use of skill labs. Females were more likely to report that they would prepare at least one draft of an assignment before turning it in. Degree-seeking students reported higher engagement levels than non-degree seeking students.Educational Administratio

Seed beetles (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) associated with Acacia cornigera (L.) Willd., with description of a new species of Acanthoscelides Schilsky

Presented herein is a key to identify species of Bruchidae associated with Acacia cornigera (L.). For each species, host records, distributions and bionomics are given. A new species of Acanthoscelides Schilsky is described and figured; Acanthoscelides sauli Romero, Cruz, and Kingsolver

PRECISE FORMULA FOR VOLUME COMPUTATIONS USING CONTOURS METHOD

Except some special cases, commonly used volume computation methods are grids method, contours method and volume computations by utilizing TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network). In this study, to investigate the precisions of these techniques, a grid system is established in an undulating area and volume of the mound is determined by using these three volume computation methods. It is found out that contour method results were not as price as the other two methods. Thus, a precise formula for volume computations using contours method is proposed.Except some special cases, commonly used volume computation methods are grids method, contours method and volume computations by utilizing TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network). In this study, to investigate the precisions of these techniques, a grid system is established in an undulating area and volume of the mound is determined by using these three volume computation methods. It is found out that contour method results were not as price as the other two methods. Thus, a precise formula for volume computations using contours method is proposed

Asymptotic Properties of a Supposedly Regular (Dirac-Born-Infeld) Modification of General Relativity

We apply the dynamical systems tools to study the asymptotic properties of a cosmological model based on a non-linear modification of General Relativity in which the standard Einstein-Hilbert action is replaced by one of Dirac-Born-Infeld type. It is shown that the dynamics of this model is extremely rich: there are found equilibrium points in the phase space that can be associated with matter-dominated, matter-curvature scaling, de Sitter, and even phantom-like solutions. Depending on the value of the overall parameters the dynamics in phase space can show multi-attractor structure into the future (multiple future attractors may co-exist). This is a consequence of bifurcations in control parameter space, showing strong dependence of the model's dynamical properties on the free parameters. Contrary to what is expected from non-linear modifications of general relativity of this kind, removal of the initial spacetime singularity is not a generic feature of the corresponding cosmological model. Instead, the starting point of the cosmic dynamics -- the past attractor in the phase space -- is a state of infinitely large value of the Hubble rate squared, usually associated with the big bang singularity.Comment: 12 pages, Revtex, 12 eps figures. Several new references added. Minor changes in the main text. Discussion improve