Neutrino induced charged-current coherent ρ\rho production

We present the latest results of coherent $\rho$ (Coh$\rho$) production using the large data set collected by the NOMAD detector in which the momenta, charges, and photons are precisely measured. We discuss the application of using Coh$\rho$ process to constrain the neutrino flux with the proposed Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment Near Detector, the high resolution Straw Tube Tracker.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, NuFact 2013 proceeding which will be appeared in the Open Access Journal of Physics: Conference Series (JPCS

L2 Speech Learning: perception, production & training

Adult L2 learners have difficulties in perceiving and producing L2 speech sounds. In analyzing learners’ L2 speech learning problems, this study provides research data from a series of studies on L2 speech perception, production, and training. Section 1 investigates how the L1 sound system influences L2 speech perception. A recent study shows that phonetic differences and distances between English and Mandarin consonants predicted the perceptual problems of Mandarin consonants by native English learners of Chinese. Section 2 explores the relationship between L2 speech perception and production and reports a subsequent study on Mandarin consonants that shows English learners of Chinese performed better in perception than production on Mandarin retroflex sounds but vice versa on palatal sounds. The lack of alignment between perception and production suggests the relationship between L2 speech perception and production is not straightforward. In Section 3, two training experiments are reported and compared to explore the effects of phonetic training on the learning of English vowel and Mandarin tone contrasts

Simple solutions to the fabrication of textured and porous coatings

Functional coatings can change the surface properties of the substrate, add entirely new surface functionalities, or preserve the substrate. They provide solutions to many key engineering problems where different functionalities between the surface and the bulk are required. Among them, textured coatings are characterized by their surface roughness, film porosity, and surface chemistry. They are useful for applications ranging from superhydrophobic surfaces to artificial implants to thermal barrier coatings. However, the use and deployment of new coating methods are hampered in real applications due to the lack of a comprehensive consideration of the associated issues. In this thesis, two deposition methods were studied to solve two critical problems in coating fabrication, respectively. Their preparation procedures were designed according to the criteria of simple solutions which are inexpensive, reliable, predictable, highly performing, “stackable” (i.e., they can be combined and compounded with little increase in complexity), and “hackable” (i.e., they can be easily modified and optimized). The first method is to solve the demanding problem of the outdoor use of superhydrophobic coatings that must satisfy multiple demands (scalability, adhesion to curved surfaces, thermal expansion compatibility, UV radiation, wear tolerance, etc.). Most of the methods reported in literature and commercial solutions do not meet all the requirements. Our solution is to use silicones (a common type polymer) and their thermal decomposition (a self-structuring process) by flames (a high throughput tool). The second method is to simplify the fabrication of nanocrystalline mesoporous thin film coatings with controlled porosity and surface chemistry, good mechanical properties for device integration. Mesoporous thin films built directly from nanocrystals are desirable for many applications, but the use of ligand-capped colloidal nanocrystals has been so far prevented by the presence of ligands, and the low porosity of the assembly. Our solution is to combine two concepts: (i) the increase of porosity in disordered assemblies of anisotropic building blocks with their aspect ratios, and (ii) the complete removal of ligands and the surface chemistry tuning provided by plasma processing. The performances and mechanisms of the two type of coatings were studied. The simplicity of the two solutions was then discussed

New entry proposal in a dictionary: A case study for the entry lotus

New entry proposal in a dictionary: A case study for the entry lotusThe object of this study is the word lotus. In the Comprehensive Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), the lotus entry has only one meaning within the botanical domain. However, the word lotus is also present and used in the context of Buddhism in Indonesia. Based on this fact, it is suggested to add a new meaning to the entry. The problem is to decide whether the new meaning is a polysemy or a homonym, and the criteria used to determine this.  The purpose of this research is to provide input to the Language Development and Fostering Agency to add new word entries to the KBBI using a case study of the word 'lotus' entry. Our research results on the word 'lotus' can expand the knowledge of the Indonesian people from the domain of botany to the domain of religion. In order to determine whether the entry is a polysemy or a homonym is carried out through Peirce's semiotic theory developed by Ogden and Richards to examine the relationship between three components that make up the word lotus as a sign. The research method involves analyzing the difference between the basic meaning and the new meaning, whether there is a development of a new meaning or a completely different meaning from the basic meaning. Unlike the previous studies, this research views meaning as a sign component. The lotus entry is a sign consisting of symbol, thought or reference, and reference components.Proposal entri baru dalam kamus: Studi kasus untuk entri terataiObjek penelitian ini adalah kata teratai. Dalam Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (KBBI), entri teratai hanya memiliki satu arti dalam domain botani. Namun, kata teratai juga hadir dan digunakan dalam konteks agama Buddha di Indonesia. Berdasarkan fakta ini, disarankan untuk menambahkan arti baru. Persoalannya adalah apakah makna baru tersebut merupa­kan polisemi atau homonim, dan kriteria apa yang digunakan untuk menentukan entri seba­gai polisemi atau homonim. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk memberikan masukan kepada Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa untuk menambahkan entri kata baru untuk KBBI dengan menggunakan studi kasus dari entri kata teratai. Hasil penelitian dari kata teratai dalam studi ini dapat memperluas pengetahuan masyarakat Indonesia dari ranah botani ke ranah religi. Penentuan bahwa kata ini merupakan sebuah polisemi atau homonim dilakukan melalui teori semiotika Peirce yang dikembangkan oleh Ogden dan Richards untuk mengkaji hubungan antara tiga komponen yang membentuk kata teratai sebagai tanda. Metode penelitian ini melibatkan analisis perbedaan antara makna dasar dan makna baru, apakah ada pengembangan makna baru atau makna yang sama sekali berbeda dari makna dasar. Berbeda dengan penelitian sebelumnya, penelitian ini memandang makna sebagai komponen tanda. Entri teratai adalah tanda yang terdiri dari simbol, pemikiran atau referensi, dan komponen referensi