Effective strategy groups used by readers of Chinese as a foreign language

Second language (L2) reading research suggests that successful reading comprehension usually involves a repertoire of strategies. Although Chinese is considered to be a challenging language for foreign language readers, thus far, few studies have investigated how strategies are orchestrated by readers of Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) to enhance comprehension. This study investigated how L2 Chinese readers grouped multiple strategies to comprehend a Chinese text. Through think-aloud and recall protocols, observations, and interviews, it identified several strategy clusters and pairs that helped adult CFL readers to infer words, monitor comprehension, and segment words successfully. It also revealed interrelations between and among strategies within each cluster and pair. The results showed that successful use of strategies in CFL reading usually involves context and multiple linguistic cues. In addition, vocabulary and grammar knowledge play important roles in CFL readers’ use of reading strategies

Remarks on Solving Methods of Nonlinear Equations

Abstract: In the field of mechanical engineering, many practical problems can be converted into nonlinear problems, such as the meshing problem of mechanical transmission. So the solution of nonlinear equations has important theoretical research and practical application significance. Whether the traditional Newton iteration method or the intelligent optimization algorithm after the popularization of computers, both them have been greatly enriched and developed through the continuous in-depth research of scholars at home and abroad, and a series of improved algorithms have emerged. This paper mainly reviews the research status of solving nonlinear equations from two aspects of traditional iterative method and intelligent optimization algorithm, systematically reviews the research achievements of domestic and foreign scholars, and puts forward prospects for future research directions

The Nature of IT Firms: A Systemic Literature Review and Analysis

IT firms have grown in economic importance in the last few decades. It is the interest of both practitioners and researchers across a range of business management and information system disciplines. Having conducted a systemic literature review, we proposed a new conceptual definition and conceptual frameworks which together provides a deeper understanding of the essence of “IT firms”. The definition we proposed of IT firm offers a way forward for identification of IT firms with increased understanding and a clear boundary. The conceptual framework synthesized the characteristic dimensions of IT firms. It not only improves current understanding of IT firms but also provides a solid foundation for further studies of IT firms. The types of IT firms developed in this paper offers a means of classifying different IT firms. The IT firm development framework in relation to innovation focus and improvisational capabilities not only advances understanding about IT firms, but also provides further research opportunities towards empirical testing and knowledge building. The insights discovered in the paper are also useful for business practitioners in strategy and consulting. The frameworks provide useful knowledge and advice for IT firms within the industry

Authentic Texts as Reading Materials in a Chinese as a Foreign Language Classroom: Learners’ Perceptions and Pedagogical Implications

Authentic texts refer to spoken or written language produced in the process of real-life communication (Nunan, 1999). This classroom-based case study inquiry focuses on a university Chinese class where authentic texts were used as supplementary reading materials. Using a survey and interviews, it investigates learners’ perceptions about the impact of the authentic texts on their learning, their evaluations of different types of authentic texts, and how class instruction affected their perception of reading authentic Chinese texts. Results have revealed positive student feedback toward reading authentic texts. Students believed authentic texts supported their learning of Chinese language and culture, and made the class more interesting, fun, and engaging. Some learners thought using authentic Chinese texts boosted their motivation to read after class, though text topics and learners’ schedules also affected their motivation to read outside the class. With appropriate instructional strategies, reading authentic materials in class increased student awareness of the benefits of authentic materials and their confidence in reading this type of texts

Maxwell-Hydrodynamic Model for Simulating Nonlinear Terahertz Generation from Plasmonic Metasurfaces

The interaction between the electromagnetic field and plasmonic nanostructures leads to both the strong linear response and inherent nonlinear behavior. In this paper, a time-domain hydrodynamic model for describing the motion of electrons in plasmonic nanostructures is presented, in which both surface and bulk contributions of nonlinearity are considered. A coupled Maxwell-hydrodynamic system capturing full-wave physics and free electron dynamics is numerically solved with the parallel finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The validation of the proposed method is presented to simulate linear and nonlinear responses from a plasmonic metasurface. The linear response is compared with the Drude dispersion model and the nonlinear terahertz emission from a difference-frequency generation process is validated with theoretical analyses. The proposed scheme is fundamentally important to design nonlinear plasmonic nanodevices, especially for efficient and broadband THz emitters.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, IEEE Journal on Multiscale and Multiphysics Computational Techniques, 201

A Novel Eigenvalue Algorithm for the Complex Band Structure and Eigenmodes of Plasmonic Crystals

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