Bilingualism effects at the syntax-semantic interface: Evidence from the Spanish present tense

The current study examines the acquisition of the semantic values of the Spanish present tense among English-speaking second language learners and Spanish heritage speakers. With a few exceptions (Cuza, 2008, 2010; Klein, 1980; Pérez-Cortés, 2012; Sánchez-Muñoz, 2004), an area of research still underexplored. The predictions for this study is that bilingualism effects will be evidenced in lower patterns of use, acceptance and preference of the simple present with an ongoing meaning in bilingual speakers, as well as preference for the progressive in ongoing contexts, as this is the pattern available in English. In addition, it is predicted that the heritage speakers will outperform the L2 learners by showing more native-like patterns, confirming previous research (Cuza & Frank, 2015; Montrul, Foote & Perpiñan, 2008). In contrast to what was predicted, the two experimental groups, crucially the group of second language learners, overextended the simple present to all ongoing situations and contexts, where the present progressive is sometimes preferred. On the other hand, the heritage speakers shower a more native-like pattern, which suggests age-related effects in their language development. I argue for morphosemantic convergence toward a less marked and less aspectually restrictive form, which is the Spanish simple present

Effect of graphene substrate on the SERS Spectra of Aromatic bifunctional molecules on metal nanoparticles

The design of molecular sensors plays a very important role within nanotechnology and especially in the development of different devices for biomedical applications. Biosensors can be classified according to various criteria such as the type of interaction established between the recognition element and the analyte or the type of signal detection from the analyte (transduction). When Raman spectroscopy is used as an optical transduction technique the variations in the Raman signal due to the physical or chemical interaction between the analyte and the recognition element has to be detected. Therefore any significant improvement in the amplification of the optical sensor signal represents a breakthrough in the design of molecular sensors. In this sense, Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) involves an enormous enhancement of the Raman signal from a molecule in the vicinity of a metal surface. The main objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of a monolayer of graphene oxide (GO) on the distribution of metal nanoparticles (NPs) and on the global SERS enhancement of paminothiophenol (pATP) and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4MBA) adsorbed on this substrate. These aromatic bifunctional molecules are able to interact to metal NPs and also they offer the possibility to link with biomolecules. Additionally by decorating Au or Ag NPs on graphene sheets, a coupled EM effect caused by the aggregation of the NPs and strong electronic interactions between Au or Ag NPs and the graphene sheets are considered to be responsible for the significantly enhanced Raman signal of the analytes [1-2]. Since there are increasing needs for methods to conduct reproducible and sensitive Raman measurements, Grapheneenhanced Raman Scattering (GERS) is emerging as an important method [3].Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Role of critical spin fluctuations in ultrafast demagnetization of transition-metal rare-earth alloys

Ultrafast magnetization dynamics induced by femtosecond laser pulses have been measured in ferrimagnetic Co0.8Gd0.2, Co.74Tb.26 and Co.86Tb.14 alloys. Using element sensitivity of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism at the Co L3, Tb M5 and Gd M5 edges we evidence that the demagnetization dynamics is element dependent. We show that a thermalization time as fast as 280 fs is observed for the rare-earth in the alloy, when the laser excited state temperature is below the compensation temperature. It is limited to 500 fs when the laser excited state temperature is below the Curie temperature (Tc). We propose critical spin fluctuations in the vicinity of TC as the mechanism which reduces the demagnetization rates of the 4f electrons in transition-metal rare-earth alloys whereas at any different temperature the limited demagnetization rates could be avoided.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure

Informative treatment about Muslim Women

Los medios digitales viven una gran expansión debido, en parte, a su rápida difusión en las redes sociales, por lo que entre los usuarios y las usuarias se generan controvertidas y diversas opiniones. Por ello, es importante la labor de los y las periodistas en documentarse correctamente, porque de lo contrario pueden provocar el rechazo o las malas interpretaciones de lectores y lectoras hacia el tema abordado en la noticia. El objetivo de la presente investigación consiste en analizar publicaciones de medios digitales en los que una mala información, puede desencadenar fenómenos sociales indeseables, como el odio y el rechazo hacia grupos minoritarios (xenofobia, homofobia, etc.). Específicamente, nos referiremos al colectivo de mujeres musulmanas en España, cuya realidad es presentada por los medios de manera distorsionada, simplificada o sin haber realizado una investigación previa. Buscaremos establecer la influencia que ejercen los medios de comunicación en la sociedad, respecto a la percepción y opinión que se genera sobre las mujeres musulmanas en nuestro país. Para abordar este tema, se reconstruirá un marco teórico sobre el fenómeno del Islam en el mundo occidental y las experiencias culturales en las que las mujeres musulmanas se han visto afectadas. Para esto, se empleará una metodología de carácter cualitativa basada en el registro de testimonios (entrevista) de mujeres musulmanas que nos permitan comprender la situación social y religiosa de este grupo.Digital media are experiencing a great expansion, due in part to its rapid diffusion in social networks so, among users, controversial and diverse opinions are generated. Therefore, that is why the work of journalists is important to be documented correctly, because otherwise they can cause rejection or misinterpretations of readers towards the topic addressed in the news. The objective of the present investigation consists of analyzing digital media publications in which a bad information can trigger undesirable social phenomena such as hate and rejection towards minority groups (xenophobia, homophobia). Specifically we refer to the group of Muslim women in Spain, whose reality is presented by the media in a distorted manner, simplified or without having carried out a previous investigation. We will seek to establish the influence exerted by the media on society, about the perception and opinion that is generated about Muslim women in our country. To address this issue, theoretical framework on the phenomenon of Islam in the Occidental world and the cultural experiences in which Muslim women have been affected. For this, we will be used one methodology of qualitative character based on register of testimonies (interview) of muslims women that allow us to understand the social and religious situation for this group, in addition, a bibliography of experts on the subject will be used

Toxic Glacier: Confronting Our Society\u27s Consumerism Culture

This thesis is situated in the scenario of a dysfunctional society in which States refuse to cooperate with one another, and every State refuses to import NYC’s waste. I’m proposing the implementation of a waste treatment plant that processes waste into a “Toxic Glacier” in Central Park, which was originally developed as a place to escape from the overcrowding and polluting streets. Because of the tremendous size this would conquer, there is nowhere in NYC to execute the project but the park. This project uncovers the City’s hidden motives for concealing waste from its inhabitants. It questions the City’s intentions in keeping waste away from its residents. How much does the process of waste management devastate the water that surrounds us? Why are landfills systematically situated near oppressed neighborhoods? To what extent is the waste disposal process at isolated sites monitored, given the potential dangers to public health and the environment? What kind of financial benefits do those in charge of the waste disposal monopoly reap? The proposed system is an appeal to shake us out of our indifference. It screams at us that waste disposal is not a minor issue, but a pressing danger that poses a threat to our environment

Experimentación y modelado a escala de laboratorio y banco de los fenómenos cinéticos, de adsorción y partición en un sistema roca-fluido-aceite en una prueba de trazadores de pozo único

104 páginas. Doctorado en Ingeniería de Procesos.Esta investigación tiene como objetivo esclarecer algunos fenómenos que se involucran en una prueba de trazadores de pozo único: cinética química, adsorción y partición del acetato de etilo. Se utilizaron agua de formación sintética, aceite residual y roca de yacimiento (dolomita) de un campo situado en el sureste de México para los experimentos llevados a cabo en los sistemas a escala de laboratorio y banco. Se realizaron un conjunto de experimentos independientes diseñados para calcular el coeficiente de partición entre el acetato de etilo en agua de formación y el aceite residual, así como el desarrollo de un modelo cinético para la hidrólisis del acetato de etilo, la isoterma de adsorción del acetato de etilo y los modelos cinéticos para la adsorción del acetato de etilo en roca de yacimiento. Los experimentos fueron evaluados en un intervalo de concentraciones de 100-300 mmol L-1, condiciones similares a las utilizadas en el método de trazadores de pozo único. Todos los parámetros determinados a partir de estos experimentos fueron validados con los experimentos en el sistema trifásico, donde los fenómenos cinéticos químicos, de partición y adsorción se llevan a cabo al mismo tiempo; tanque agitado y lecho empacado. Se desarrolló un modelo pseudo-heterogéneo que considera tres fases constituidas por el agua de formación, la roca y el aceite residual que describe la interacción de los diferentes fenómenos involucrados. Los resultados pueden resumirse de la siguiente manera: (i) los coeficientes de reparto (KEA) obtenidos son aparentes variando en un intervalo entre 5 a 8, esto debido a limitaciones termodinámicas;(ii) el modelo cinético para la hidrólisis del acetato de etilo se desarrolló en condiciones básicas y ácidas, ya que en condiciones neutras la conversión de reacción es despreciable; (iii) el modelo de isoterma de Langmuir-Freundlich combinado y la cinética de Langmuir son los modelos que más se adecuan a los datos experimentales obtenidos al equilibrio y la velocidad de adsorción, respectivamente; (iv) la roca dolomita adsorbe cantidades significativas de acetato de etilo, obteniéndose una capacidad de adsorción máxima (qEAm) de 7 mmol.g-1 en las condiciones de estudio; (v)los fenómenos de adsorción del acetato de etilo sobre la roca dolomita se describen de forma más adecuada con un modelo cinético de adsorción que con el modelo de isoterma simplificado; (vi) los parámetros de partición, hidrólisis y adsorción evaluados en los experimentos independientes nos permiten describir los datos experimentales obtenidos en el sistema trifásico y el lecho empacado. Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la importancia de considerar los mecanismos de partición, hidrólisis y adsorción en una prueba de trazadores de pozo único cuando se utiliza como trazador el acetato de etilo.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (México)

Theoretical and experimental SERS study of thiocarbonyl compounds adsorbed on metal nanoparticles

Thiocarbonyl compounds have been reported to exhibit interesting biological and pharmacological properties but they are many often characterized by their toxicological effects. However the chemistry of thiobenzoic acid (TBA) and thiobenzamide (TB) has not been fully studied yet. Some of the biological studies of TBA are related to the tautomerism of thiocarboxylic acids and the important role that the -C(=O)-S and -C(=S)-O functional groups play in the catalytic activities of enzymes such as cysteine or serine proteases.1 From a chemical point of view, thiocarboxylates are an interesting type of molecules having two different donor atoms, a soft sulfur donor atom and a hard oxygen donor one. The presence of these unlike groups can lead to the bonding with metal surfaces. Likewise the interaction of thiobenzamide and their derivatives with metals is of great interest because both the sulfur and nitrogen atoms are also able to coordinate with the surface. Therefore the high affinity of these molecules for metal surfaces makes them suitable SERS target adsorbates. Taking advantage of the fact that SERS spectroscopy is both surface selective and highly sensitive we have attempted to determine the molecular structure of TBA and TB once they are adsorbed on the metal. The main objective of this work is focussed on discussing the observed vibrational wavenumber shifts of TBA and TB upon adsorption on silver nanoparticles. In this work the SERS substrates have been prepared by using different colloidal silver solutions according to the method described by Creighton et al.2 and Leopold and Lendl.3 The analysis of the vibrational wavenumbers shifts of the Raman and SERS spectra allow us to know the adsorption process (Figure 1). In the case of TBA, the wavenumber of the SERS band assigned to (C=O) vibrational mode shows an important blue shift up to 40 cm-1 with respect to the Raman whereas the (C-S) band undergoes a red shift up to 40 cm-1. These results suggest a unidentate coordination of TBA to the silver surface through the sulfur atom. On the other hand, the SERS band assigned in the case of TB to Amide III (mainly (CN)) exhibits a significant blueshift up to 41 cm-1, and the SERS band assigned to Amide I (mainly (CS)) shows a red shift up to 11 cm-1. These wavenumber shifts indicate that TB interacts to the silver surface through the sulfur atom. Interestingly, in previous SERS studies of pyridinecarboxamides and benzamide we have observed that some SERS bands assigned to 1;ring, Amide I (mainly (C=O)) and Amide III (mainly C-N)) show wavenumber shifts of +50, -50 and +10 cm-1, respectively, which were attributed to the deprotonation of carboxamide group.4,5 Finally, in order to verify experimental results DFT calculations have been carried out for different silver complexes of TBA and TB concluding that the unidentate coordination is the most likely interaction of both of them.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Factores de crecimiento económico en los países en desarrollo: el papel de las TICs

El objetivo del trabajo es identificar factores favorecedores del crecimiento del PIB/CÁPITA de los países en desarrollo mediante las variables más influyentes en el crecimiento de dichos países según la literatura científica. Se analizó si el impacto de las TIC en el crecimiento del PIB/CAPITA está condicionado por la interacción de las variables TIC con otros factores. Después, se ejecutó un análisis factorial sobre una muestra de 90 países y más tarde, se efectuó un análisis clúster para determinar los grupos de países que tenían un patrón específico, según los factores. Al final se realizó un análisis de regresión para estimar el impacto de cada uno de los factores sobre el PIB/CÁPITA de los países. En los resultados se constató la validez de la selección de las variables y de los factores, gracias al estudio empírico. La influencia del factor TIC se maximiza cuando éste tiene interacción con otros factores (financiación, tamaño del mercado extranjero de un país, formación de proveedores locales, etc.) La globalización contribuye menos al crecimiento debido a que los países en desarrollo generalmente se introducen en la fase de exportación pero no disponen de condiciones para acometer la etapa de creación de plantas/sucursales en países extranjeros

Comparison of ALBAYZIN query-by-example spoken term detection 2012 and 2014 evaluations

Query-by-example spoken term detection (QbE STD) aims at retrieving data from a speech repository given an acoustic query containing the term of interest as input. Nowadays, it is receiving much interest due to the large volume of multimedia information. This paper presents the systems submitted to the ALBAYZIN QbE STD 2014 evaluation held as a part of the ALBAYZIN 2014 Evaluation campaign within the context of the IberSPEECH 2014 conference. This is the second QbE STD evaluation in Spanish, which allows us to evaluate the progress in this technology for this language. The evaluation consists in retrieving the speech files that contain the input queries, indicating the start and end times where the input queries were found, along with a score value that reflects the confidence given to the detection of the query. Evaluation is conducted on a Spanish spontaneous speech database containing a set of talks from workshops, which amount to about 7 h of speech. We present the database, the evaluation metric, the systems submitted to the evaluation, the results, and compare this second evaluation with the first ALBAYZIN QbE STD evaluation held in 2012. Four different research groups took part in the evaluations held in 2012 and 2014. In 2014, new multi-word and foreign queries were added to the single-word and in-language queries used in 2012. Systems submitted to the second evaluation are hybrid systems which integrate letter transcription- and template matching-based systems. Despite the significant improvement obtained by the systems submitted to this second evaluation compared to those of the first evaluation, results still show the difficulty of this task and indicate that there is still room for improvement.This research was funded by the Spanish Government ('SpeechTech4All Project' TEC2012 38939 C03 01 and 'CMC-V2 Project' TEC2012 37585 C02 01), the Galician Government through the research contract GRC2014/024 (Modalidade: Grupos de Referencia Competitiva 2014) and 'AtlantTIC Project' CN2012/160, and also by the Spanish Government and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under project TACTICA