Speech perception and production as constructs of action: Implications for models of L2 development

Speech production involves an intricate set of actions. Its underlying cognitive mechanisms are thus historically seen as distant from those of speech perception, usually assumed to be a passive process. However, dynamic perspectives on language congregate grammar and language use, approximate phonetics and phonology, and value the role of speech perception in language development. Recent studies argue that speech production and perception are overlaying or at least highly interacting. Some scholars claim that the link between these two processes surpasses the acoustics, as studies have revealed that action also has a role in language comprehension. Phonic gestures are not just mechanisms by means of which one experiences speech production, but are supporting to perception. In this perspective, models interested in L2 development face a twofold challenge: to amalgamate speech perception and production, and to consider that speech transcends the acoustics, since - in a dynamic frame of reference - phonetic-phonological representations are auditory, gestural and general. This paper aims at presenting evidence for a gesture-driven perspective to L2 speech development in which the gesture is a phonological primitive that pervades and connects speech perception and production. By emphasizing a gesture-driven point of view, this work presents congruent and incongruent tenets among some hegemonic models for L2 speech development and an ecological/dynamic account

Assessing Cybersecurity Readiness within SMEs: Proposal of a Socio-Technical based Model

Like most companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have become reliant on digital technology for their day-to-day business operations. However, while valuable, this comes with challenges; one of which is the increase in cybercrime. In terms of their cybersecurity resilience and risk, SMEs are among the most vulnerable and least mature. This article addresses a gap in the literature that has neglected cybersecurity readiness in SMEs. The study proposes a CyberSecurity Readiness Model (CSRM) based on a Socio-Technical view of organizations. The model was used in a multiple case study on three Italian SMEs to evaluate SMEs cybersecurity readiness and further understand the environment and strategies that could be adopted to prevent and manage cyber-attacks

Room temperature spin relaxation in GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum wells

We have explored the dependence of electron spin relaxation in undoped GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells on well width (confinement energy) at 300 K. For wide wells, the relaxation rate tends to the intrinsic bulk value due to the D'yakonov-Perel (DP) mechanism with momentum scattering by phonons. In narrower wells, there is a strong dependence of relaxation rate on well width, as expected for the DP mechanism, but also considerable variation between samples from different sources, which we attribute to differences in sample interface morphology. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(98)02541-8].</p

An exciton-polariton laser based on biologically produced fluorescent protein

Under adequate conditions, cavity-polaritons form a macroscopic coherent quantum state, known as Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). Compared to Wannier-Mott excitons in inorganic semiconductors, the localized Frenkel excitons in organic emitter materials show weaker interaction but stronger coupling, which recently enabled the first realization of BEC at room temperature. However, this required ultrafast optical pumping which limits the applications of organic BECs. Here, we demonstrate room-temperature BEC of cavity-polaritons in simple laminated microcavities filled with the biologically produced enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). The unique molecular structure of eGFP prevents exciton annihilation even at high excitation densities, thus facilitating BEC under conventional nanosecond pumping. BEC is clearly evidenced by a distinct threshold, an interaction-induced blueshift of the condensate, long-range coherence and the presence of a second threshold at higher excitation density which is associated with the onset of photon lasing and results from thermalization of the exciton reservoir.Comment: 13(+8) pages, 4(+7) figure

Perturbations du sommeil, du fonctionnement diurne et de la qualité de vie associées à l'insomnie comorbide à un trouble psychiatrique ou médical

Cette thèse visait à comparer les perturbations du sommeil, du fonctionnement diurne et de la qualité de vie associées à l’insomnie comorbide à un trouble psychiatrique ou médical à celles de l’insomnie seule. En premier lieu, une revue de littérature sur les perturbations du sommeil et du fonctionnement diurne caractérisant l’insomnie comorbide, comparativement à l’insomnie seule, a été effectuée. Celle-ci incluait 38 études et a révélé que l’insomnie comorbide à un trouble psychiatrique n’était pas associée à des perturbations du sommeil subjectives plus sévères que l’insomnie seule, mais qu’elle était liée à une variabilité internuits du sommeil plus importante. L’insomnie comorbide à un trouble dépressif comportait une proportion plus élevée de sommeil paradoxal et moins d’activité électroencéphalographique à hautes fréquences au cours de la nuit que l’insomnie seule. L’insomnie comorbide à un trouble psychiatrique (principalement dépressif) était liée à une utilisation accrue des soins de santé et à des perturbations plus sévères de l’humeur, de la cognition et des tâches quotidiennes. Peu de différences sur le plan du sommeil ont été observées entre l’insomnie avec et l’insomnie sans douleur chronique comorbide. La fréquence et la sévérité des perturbations de l’humeur ainsi que les risques d’absentéisme et d’invalidité au travail étaient plus élevés lorsque l’insomnie était accompagnée de douleur. Parmi les recherches recensées, la plupart portaient sur l’insomnie comorbide à un trouble dépressif ou à une condition douloureuse. Un nombre limité d’études a exploré la comorbidité médicale et celles qui ont évalué les perturbations objectives du sommeil dans l’insomnie avec et sans comorbidité psychiatrique ont obtenu des résultats mitigés. Plusieurs études comportaient des limites méthodologiques majeures, telles que l’utilisation de critères distincts afin de définir l’insomnie dans différents groupes au sein d’une même étude et le manque de contrôle des effets confondants d’autres troubles comorbides et de médicaments prescrits. Tenant compte de ces limites, une étude empirique visant à comparer les perturbations du sommeil, du fonctionnement diurne et de la qualité de vie qui caractérisent l’insomnie comorbide à un trouble psychiatrique et l’insomnie comorbide à un trouble médical à celles de l’insomnie seule a été réalisée. L’échantillon était composé de 84 adultes, répartis en cinq groupes : insomnie seule (INS; n = 22), insomnie comorbide à un trouble psychiatrique (INS+PSY; n = 16), insomnie comorbide à un trouble médical (INS+MED; n = 14), bons dormeurs avec un trouble médical (BD+MED; n = 17) et bons dormeurs en santé (n = 15). Des analyses multivariées suivies de corrélations canoniques pour des contrastes planifiés ont révélé que le groupe INS+PSY rapportait un sommeil non réparateur un plus grand nombre de nuits par semaine et des atteintes diurnes plus sévères (motivation, fatigue physique, fonctionnement physique et occupationnel, impacts de l’insomnie) que le groupe INS. Selon des agendas du sommeil, les participants du groupe INS+MED dormaient moins longtemps et se réveillaient plus souvent la nuit que ceux du groupe INS. Ces premiers étaient aussi moins productifs au travail. Comparativement aux BD+MED, le groupe INS+MED était plus déprimé et fatigué et avait un fonctionnement occupationnel plus perturbé, alors que le groupe INS avait un meilleur fonctionnement physique, mais plus de symptômes dépressifs, un niveau de fatigue plus élevé et moins de vitalité. Les résultats de la thèse suggèrent que la nature des difficultés de sommeil dans l’insomnie comorbide à un trouble dépressif et l’insomnie seule pourrait différer et que l’insomnie comorbide à un trouble psychiatrique est caractérisée par des perturbations du fonctionnement diurne plus sévères, comparativement à l’insomnie seule. L’insomnie comorbide à un trouble médical est liée à un sommeil plus fragmenté et de courte durée et à plus de difficultés sur les plans de l’humeur et du fonctionnement occupationnel que l’insomnie seule. Ces observations soulèvent les possibilités que l’insomnie comorbide à un trouble psychiatrique soit un sous-type d’insomnie distinct de l’insomnie seule et que la comorbidité d’un trouble psychiatrique favorise le maintien de l’insomnie par le biais de processus cognitifs et comportementaux transdiagnostiques (p. ex., mode de pensée répétitif). Les résultats appuient la pertinence d’adapter les interventions pour l’insomnie chez les personnes qui ont un autre trouble, notamment psychiatrique, afin de les aider à surmonter le fardeau d’un double diagnostic et de leur assurer un meilleur sommeil et bien-être.This thesis aimed to compare the disturbances in sleep, daytime functioning, and quality of life associated with insomnia with a comorbid psychiatric or medical disorder to those of insomnia alone. First, a review of the literature on the sleep disturbances and daytime impairments characterizing comorbid insomnia as compared to insomnia alone was conducted. The review included 38 studies and revealed that insomnia with a comorbid psychiatric disorder was not associated with more severe subjective sleep disturbances than insomnia alone, but that it was related to increased night-to-night sleep variability. Insomnia comorbid with a depressive disorder involved a higher proportion of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and less high frequency electroencephalographic activity during the night than insomnia alone. Insomnia with a comorbid psychiatric (mainly depressive) disorder was linked to higher health care use and more severe daytime impairments in mood, cognition, and ability to complete daily activities. Few differences in sleep were observed between insomnia with and insomnia without comorbid chronic pain. The rate and severity of mood disturbances and risks of sick leave and disability were higher when insomnia was accompanied by pain. Among reviewed studies, most investigated insomnia with a comorbid depressive disorder or painful condition. A limited number explored medical comorbidity and those that compared objective sleep disturbances in insomnia with and without a comorbid psychiatric disorder yielded inconclusive results. Many studies had major methodological limitations, including the use of different criteria to define insomnia for subgroups within a same study and the lack of control for the confounding effects of other comorbid disorders and prescribed medications. Considering these limitations, an empirical study comparing the sleep disturbances and daytime impairments characterizing insomnia with a comorbid psychiatric disorder and insomnia with a comorbid medical disorder to those of insomnia alone was conducted. The sample included 84 adults, divided into five groups: insomnia alone (INS; n = 22), insomnia comorbid with a psychiatric disorder (INS+PSY; n = 16), insomnia comorbid with a medical disorder (INS+MED; n = 14), good sleepers with a medical disorder (GS+MED; n = 17), and healthy good sleepers (n = 15). Multivariate analyses followed by canonical correlations for a priori contrasts revealed the INS+PSY group reported more nights of nonrestorative sleep and more severe daytime impairments (motivation, physical fatigue, physical and occupational functioning, insomnia-related consequences) than the INS group. According to sleep diaries, participants in the INS+MED group had shorter nights of sleep and more nighttime awakenings than those in the INS group. The former were also less productive at work. Compared to GS+MED, the INS+MED group was more depressed and fatigued, and had poorer occupational functioning, while the INS group had better physical functioning, but more severe depressive symptoms, higher levels of fatigue, and less vitality. Results of the thesis suggest that the nature of sleep complaints differs in insomnia with and without a comorbid depressive disorder and that insomnia with a comorbid psychiatric disorder is characterized by more severe daytime deficits compared to insomnia alone. Insomnia with a comorbid medical disorder was associated with a shorter and more fragmented sleep, and with more impairments in mood and role functioning than insomnia alone. Findings raise the possibilities that insomnia with a comorbid psychiatric disorder is distinct from insomnia alone and that psychiatric comorbidity contributes to the maintenance of insomnia via transdiagnostic cognitive and behavioral processes (e.g., repetitive thinking). Results support the relevance of adapting interventions for insomnia among persons with another disorder, notably a psychiatric disorder, to help them overcome the burden of a dual diagnosis and insure improved sleep and well-being

Análise de custos da produção de uva no Centro-Oeste : um estudo de caso na região de Formosa - GO

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade UnB Planaltina, 2016.Com a crescente importância do setor da viticultura no Goiás, propôs-se um estudo de caso sobre custos de produção em uma propriedade de agricultura familiar localizada em Formosa-GO. Especifica-se todos os dados de custos de produção, alguns índices de rentabilidade, margem bruta e margem líquida e alguns aspectos da comercialização, com sistema de cultivo de uva do tipo latada. Apesar de alguns problemas enfrentados a produção se mostrou economicamente viável, com índices de lucratividade maiores que os do Rio Grande do Sul

Il notomista delle anime: sociologia e geografia del romanzo nell'Italia di fine Ottocento(1870 - 1899)

Between 1870 and 1899 in Italy 1051 writers published 2545 new novels in Italian. This research is focused on a database that collects data about those books and their authors. In this way we delineate a comprehensive overview of the Italian fiction literature of the late nineteenth century, bypassing the canonization of literary history. The aim of this research is to study how a specific kind of intellectual worker (the novelist) takes shape and how he fits into the deep changes that were taking place in Italian literary system of the time. The first part of this thesis focuses on the database: at first it emerges a sort of geography of the Italian novel, providing an accurate quantitative picture of the editorial production. We gathered different kinds of information about novels, in order to cover also aspects normally neglected as price, number of pages, number of reissues. Secondly, we focus on the figure of the novelist and its characteristics. Following data have been collected regarding each novelist: date of birth, country of birth, education, social background (through father's profession), any other work that is combined to the literary practice (teaching, journalism). Moreover, there is an attempt to account for the complete literary production of each author (other genres, the total number of novels). Database has been reworked through charts. In the second part of the research we analyzed the production of Italian novels through two different points of view: interactions with foreign novels and especially French novels (whose importation was very considerable) and the introduction of "Realism" (or "Verismo" or "Naturalism") in Italian literary system. Canonical studies of novel normally neglect both analysis of foreign fiction production (that was the common choice for an average Italian reader) and "non-artistic" topics within the artistic discourse (such as the contradiction between ethics of society and realist novel). The theoretical basis that inspired this work is the concept of "literary field" developed by Pierre Bourdieu, whose purpose is such a construction of an authentic sociology of artistic production. The model proposed by Bourdieu allows us to think the fields of cultural production as a relatively autonomous relational system, though it was designed on the French literary field of the late nineteenth century. In the same period, the conditions of fiction production in Italy were extremely different. Nevertheless Bourdieu's theory (and, in the same way, Franco Moretti's considerations on “distant reading”) allows to reclaim the study of art practices as an entirely legitimate research topic for a historian

Le changement de l'identité sociale : une question de discrimination ou de privation relative?

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

A felicidade epicurista. Ruptura ou reformulação?

Resumo: Nesta comunicação, discutiremos se a proposta de vida feliz segundo a escola epicurista significa um rompimento com a cultura filosófica grega de sua época. Afinal, a felicidade (eudaimonia) que preconiza o recolhimento numa geografia mais apta a respeitar os limites da autarquia e da ataraxia, deve ser compreendido como um modo de vida totalmente novo no horizonte grego?Palavras-chave: felicidade; natureza; virtude; amizade; epicurismo.Abstract: In this communication, we will argue if the proposal of happy life according to the epicurist School means a disruption with the Greek Philosophical Culture of his Time. After all, the happiness (eudaimonia) that praises the retirement in a geography more able to respect the limits of the autarchy and the ataraxia, must be understood as a total new way of life in the Greek Horizon?Key words: happiness; nature; virtue; friendship; epicurism