Phonological influences on lexical (mis)selection

Abstract—Speakers produce words to convey meaning, but does meaning alone determine which words they say? We report three experiments that show independent semantic and phonological influences converging to determine word selection. Speakers named pictures (e.g., of a priest) following visually presented cloze sentences that primed either semantic competitors of the target object name (“The woman went to the convent to become a...”), homophones of the competitors (“I thought that there would still be some cookies left, but there were...”), or matched unrelated control object names. Primed semantic competitors (nun) were produced instead of picture names more often than primed unrelated control object names, showing the well-documented influence of semantic similarity on lexical selection. Surprisingly, primed homophone competitors (none) also substituted for picture names more often than control object names even though they only sounded like competitors. Thus, independent semantic and phonological influences can converge to affect word selection. People are remarkably successful at selecting words that express what they intend to say. Yet much evidence about how this process of lexical selection works comes from errors in which speakers produce unintended words instead of intended ones. At least two kinds of such word substitutions 1 have been observed. In semantic substitutions, the intended and intruding words are similar in meaning (e.g., “he got hot under the belt”; Fromkin, 1973); in phonological substitutions or malapropisms, the words are similar in sound (e.g., “White Anglo-Saxon prostitute”; Fromkin, 1973). These two kinds of word substitutions have been taken to reflect two distinct lexical processes (e.g., Dell, 1986; Levelt, Roelofs, &amp

Quasi-Topological Quantum Field Theories and Z2Z_2 Lattice Gauge Theories

We consider a two parameter family of $Z_2$ gauge theories on a lattice discretization $T(M)$ of a 3-manifold $M$ and its relation to topological field theories. Familiar models such as the spin-gauge model are curves on a parameter space $\Gamma$. We show that there is a region $\Gamma_0$ of $\Gamma$ where the partition function and the expectation value of the Wilson loop for a curve $\gamma$ can be exactly computed. Depending on the point of $\Gamma_0$, the model behaves as topological or quasi-topological. The partition function is, up to a scaling factor, a topological number of $M$. The Wilson loop on the other hand, does not depend on the topology of $\gamma$. However, for a subset of $\Gamma_0$, depends on the size of $\gamma$ and follows a discrete version of an area law. At the zero temperature limit, the spin-gauge model approaches the topological and the quasi-topological regions depending on the sign of the coupling constant.Comment: 19 pages, 13 figure

Computational and experimental study of time-averaged characteristics of positive and negative DC corona discharges in point-plane gaps in atmospheric air

The use of stationary solvers instead of approximate solution methods or time-dependent solvers, which are standard tools in gas discharge modeling, allows one to develop a very fast and robust numerical model for studying the time-averaged characteristics of dc corona discharges. Such an approach is applied to dc corona discharges in point-plane gaps in ambi ent air. A wide range of currents of both voltage polarities and various gap lengths are investigated, and the simulation results are validated by comparing the computed current–voltage characteristics and spatial distributions of the radiation intensity with experimental results. Specific features of the numerical and experimental results at both polarities are discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

New possibilities for neuroprotection in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Around 0.75 million babies worldwide suffer from moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) each year resulting in around 400,000 babies with neurodevelopmental impairment. In 2010, neonatal HIE was associated with 2.4% of the total Global Burden of Disease. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH), a treatment that is now standard of care in high-income countries, provides proof of concept that strategies that aim to improve neurodevelopment are not only possible but can also be implemented to clinical practice. While TH is beneficial, neonates with moderate or severe HIE treated with TH still experience devastating complications: 48% (range: 44–53) combined death or moderate/severe disability. There is a concern that TH may not be effective in low- and middle-income countries. Therapies that further improve outcomes are desperately needed, and in high-income countries, they must be tested in conjunction with TH. We have in this review focussed on pharmacological treatment options (e.g. erythropoietin, allopurinol, melatonin, cannabidiol, exendin-4/exenatide). Erythropoietin and allopurinol show promise and are progressing towards the clinic with ongoing definitive phase 3 randomised placebo-controlled trials. However, there remain global challenges for the next decade. Conclusion: There is a need for more optimal animal models, greater industry support/sponsorship, increased use of juvenile toxicology, dose-ranging studies with pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling, and well-designed clinical trials to avoid exposure to harmful medications or abandoning putative treatments

Unit Commitment in a Competitive and Emission Constrained Environment

This paper is on the unit commitment problem, considering not only the economic perspective, but also the environmental perspective. We propose a bi-objective approach to handle the problem with conflicting profit and emission objectives. Numerical results based on the standard IEEE 30-bus test system illustrate the proficiency of the proposed approach

Nonlinear optimization method for short-term hydro scheduling considering head-dependency

This paper is on the problem of short-term hydro scheduling, particularly concerning head-dependent reservoirs under competitive environment. We propose a new nonlinear optimization method to consider hydroelectric power generation as a function of water discharge and also of the head. Head-dependency is considered on short-term hydro scheduling in order to obtain more realistic and feasible results. The proposed method has been applied successfully to solve a case study based on one of the main Portuguese cascaded hydro systems, providing a higher profit at a negligible additional computation time in comparison with a linear optimization method that ignores head-dependency

A practical approach for profit-based unit commitment with emission limitations

This paper proposes a practical approach for profit-based unit commitment (PBUC) with emission limitations. Under deregulation, unit commitment has evolved from a minimum-cost optimisation problem to a profit-based optimisation problem. However, as a consequence of growing environmental concern, the impact of fossil-fuelled power plants must be considered, giving rise to emission limitations. The simultaneous address of the profit with the emission is taken into account in our practical approach by a multiobjective optimisation (MO) problem. Hence, trade-off Curves between profit and emission are obtained for different energy price profiles, in a way to aid decision-makers concerning emission allowance trading. Moreover, a new parameter is presented, ratio of change, and the corresponding gradient angle, enabling the proper selection of a compromise commitment for the units. A case study based on the standard IEEE 30-bus system is presented to illustrate the proficiency Of Our practical approach for the new competitive and environmentally constrained electricity supply industry

Use of phase change materials microcapsules in aerial lime and gypsum mortars

Presently, the concerns related to the buildings energy consumption are greater, emerging in this way the need to incorporate materials in the construction products which aim the improvement of the energetic efficiency of buildings. Therefore, the application of phase change materials appears as a possible solution in an attempt to solve, or at least minimize, the massive energetic consumption related with buildings. This analysis aims the understanding of the influence of microcapsules of phase change materials (PCM) on lime and gypsum mortars, which should present a compromise between workability, mechanical resistance and aesthetical appearance.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Argamassas térmicas à base de cal

Actualmente, as preocupações com o consumo energético dos edifícios são cada vez maiores. Surgindo desta forma, a necessidade de incorporação de materiais em produtos de construção que visem a melhoria da eficiência energética dos edifícios. Portanto, a utilização de materiais de mudança de fase surge como uma possível solução para tentar solucionar, ou pelo menos minimizar, os enormes consumos energéticos associados aos edifícios. Este estudo visa o conhecimento da influência da incorporação de microcápsulas de materiais de mudança de fase (PCM) em argamassas à base de cal, devendo estas possuir um compromisso entre a trabalhabilidade, resistência mecânica e aparência estética