Vocabulary size influences spontaneous speech in native language users: Validating the use of automatic speech recognition in individual differences research

Previous research has shown that vocabulary size affects performance on laboratory word production tasks. Individuals who know many words show faster lexical access and retrieve more words belonging to pre-specified categories than individuals who know fewer words. The present study examined the relationship between receptive vocabulary size and speaking skills as assessed in a natural sentence production task. We asked whether measures derived from spontaneous responses to every-day questions correlate with the size of participants’ vocabulary. Moreover, we assessed the suitability of automatic speech recognition for the analysis of participants’ responses in complex language production data. We found that vocabulary size predicted indices of spontaneous speech: Individuals with a larger vocabulary produced more words and had a higher speech-silence ratio compared to individuals with a smaller vocabulary. Importantly, these relationships were reliably identified using manual and automated transcription methods. Taken together, our results suggest that spontaneous speech elicitation is a useful method to investigate natural language production and that automatic speech recognition can alleviate the burden of labor-intensive speech transcription

Modeling cross-language structural priming in sentence production

A central question in the psycholinguistic study of multilingualism is how syntax is shared across languages. We implement a model to investigate whether error-based implicit learning can provide an account of cross-language structural priming. The model is based on the Dual-path model of sentence-production (Chang, 2002). We implement our model using the Bilingual version of Dual-path (Tsoukala, Frank, & Broersma, 2017). We answer two main questions: (1) Can structural priming of active and passive constructions occur between English and Spanish in a bilingual version of the Dual- path model? (2) Does cross-language priming differ quantitatively from within-language priming in this model? Our results show that cross-language priming does occur in the model. This finding adds to the viability of implicit learning as an account of structural priming in general and cross-language structural priming specifically. Furthermore, we find that the within-language priming effect is somewhat stronger than the cross-language effect. In the context of mixed results from behavioral studies, we interpret the latter finding as an indication that the difference between cross-language and within- language priming is small and difficult to detect statistically

Study on the limits of all-optical time domain demultiplexing using cross absorption modulation in an electroabsorption modulator

A theoretical and experimental assessment of the performance of an all-ticaldemultiplexer based on cross-absorption modulation in an electroabsorption modulator is presented. Simulations are described for demultiplexing from 160 Gbit/s to a 40 or 10 Gbit/s base rate. Experimental results are presented for demultiplexing to a base rate of 10 Gbit/s from an optical time-domain multiplexing rate of 80 with a bit error rate (BER) ,1029 and 160 Gbit/s with a BER ’1027

Bragg grating assisted all-optical header pre-processor

A Bragg grating assisted all-optical header pre-processor based on self-phase modulation in a semiconductor optical amplifier is presented. The operation principle is discussed and demonstrated on packets with an NRZ header at a data rate of 2.5 Gbit/s and a Manchester encoded payload at a data rate of 10 Gbit/s. It is also demonstrated that the header pre-processor improves the performance of an all-optical header processor based on two-pulse correlation in a SLALOM configuration

All-optical header processor for packet switched networks

A serial all-optical header processing technique is presented that is based on the two-pulse correlation principle in a SLALOM configuration. The operation is demonstrated using optical data packets with a packet header at 2.5 Gbit/s and Manchester encoded packet payload at 10 Gbit/s. Experimental evidence is provided in the case of two different output ports. A Bragg grating assisted all-optical header pre-processor based on self-phase modulation in a semiconductor optical amplifier is also presented. It is shown that the header pre-processor improves the performance of the SLALOM-based header processor and that the packet structure can be simplified

Optical flip-flop memory based on ring lasers sharing one active element with feedback through an extended cavity

We present a novel optical flip-flop configuration that consists of two unidirectional ring lasers with separate cavities but sharing the same active element unidirectionally. We show that in such a configuration light in the lasing cavity can suppress lasing in the other cavity so that this system forms an optical bistable element. Essential for obtaining the bistability is the presence of an additional feedback circuit that is shared by both lasers. We show experimentally that the flip-flop can be optically set and reset, has a contrast ratio of 40 dB and allows low optical power operation. We also present a model based on roundtrip equations. Good agreement between theory and experiments is obtained

1x2 optical packet switch using all-optical header processing

A 1×2 all-optical packet switch is presented. The header processing is implemented by using a SLALOM structure and an optical flip-flop memory is used to store the processed header bits. The packets are switched in wavelength by using cross-gain modulation. Experimental results are presente

Analysis of filter-assisted 160 Gb/s wavelength converter using a single semiconductor optical amplifier

We present for the first time a systematic analysis of the Q-factor and eye opening for wavelength conversion based on a single semiconductor optical amplifier and a detuned filter at 160 Gb/s