Analyzing and identifying multiword expressions in spoken language

The present paper investigates multiword expressions (MWEs) in spoken language and possible ways of identifying MWEs automatically in speech corpora. Two MWEs that emerged from previous studies and that occur frequently in Dutch are analyzed to study their pronunciation characteristics and compare them to those of other utterances in a large speech corpus. The analyses reveal that these MWEs display extreme pronunciation variation and reduction, i.e., many phonemes and even syllables are deleted. Several measures of pronunciation reduction are calculated for these two MWEs and for all other utterances in the corpus. Five of these measures are more than twice as high for the MWEs, thus indicating considerable reduction. One overall measure of pronunciation deviation is then calculated and used to automatically identify MWEs in a large speech corpus. The results show that neither this overall measure, nor frequency of co-occurrence alone are suitable for identifying MWEs. The best results are obtained by using a metric that combines overall pronunciation reduction with weighted frequency. In this way, recurring “islands of pronunciation reduction” that contain (potential) MWEs can be identified in a large speech corpus.     

Supercooling of polydimethylsiloxane

This study was undertaken to determine the quenching rates necessary to supercool polydimethylsiloxane. A technique was developed that allowed controlled quenching rates up to 52°C/see and a modified DTA apparatus was used to obtain thermograms during the warm-up cycle. No supercooling was observed for a cooling rate of 1.6°C/sec; 56% supercooling was found for a 9.6°C/sec cooling rate; 65% for 10.6°C/sec and 85% for a 52°C/sec cooling rate. Evidence was also presented showing that the crystals in polydimethylsiloxane consist of two forms.     

Mechanistic considerations of particle size effects on film properties of hard/soft latex blends

Blends of hard (T_g ∼ 60°C) and soft (T_g ∼ 0°C) latexes were studied as a function of particle size ratio (R_soft/R_hard) and blend ratio (mass soft phase/mass hard phase). Addition of hard phase latex to the soft film forming latex significantly improved block resistance, even at blend ratios as low as 70/30. Film properties were not sacrificed, except at high concentrations of the hard phase (50/50). For a given blend ratio, the particle size ratio had a dramatic effect on the block resistance. For a 70/30 blend ratio, the block resistance of a blend with R_soft/R_hard=4.0 was equivalent to that of a control latex having the same overall composition, but with a minimum film temperature 20°C higher than the blend. The phenomenon can be explained in terms of the bulk and surface contributions to adhesion. The hard phase increases the elastic modulus (G’) of the film. The magnitude of G’ was found to increase with increasing R_soft/R_hard, an effect that is consistent with percolation theory. The effect of particle size ratio on the surface contribution to adhesion can be explained by particle packing. Visual models indicate that a high apparent surface concentration of hard particles would be expected for a large value of R_soft/R_hard, given ideal packing conditions. This effect was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Presented at the 74th Annual Meeting of the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, on October 25, 1996, in Chicago, IL. Emulsion Polymers Research, 1604 Building, Midland, MI 48674.     

Longitudinal compressive strength of masonry – Simplified calculation approach / Längsdruckfestigkeit von Mauerwerk – Vereinfachter Berechnungsansatz

For the structural analysis of the bending compression zone of masonry building elements, which are loaded under bending compression parallel to the bed joints, the longitudinal compressive strength of the masonry is required. According to the code, this value has until now been determined in laborious tests on masonry building elements or calculated analogously to the approach for the determination of the compressive strength perpendicular to the bed joints. In such a way, the actual failure mechanisms of masonry under compression loading parallel to the bed joints and relevant influential parameters for the longitudinal compressive strength however remain unconsidered. The article presents a proposal for the determination of minimum values of the longitudinal compressive strength of masonry in a simplified form for structural design purposes, which include consideration of both the relevant failure cases and also the significant influential parameters.     

Bond behaviour between textile reinforcement and mortar under tensile loading / Verbundverhalten zwischen textiler Bewehrung und Mörtel unter Zugbeanspruchung

Extensive experimental investigations are currently being carried out on various selected materials covering a wide range of properties to achieve a deeper knowledge about the bond performance of textile reinforced mortar (TRM) for masonry strengthening. The objective of the tests includes investigations of the bonding behaviour between alkali‐resistant glass textile reinforcement and mortar under tensile loading to determine the required anchorage and overlapping lengths of the reinforcement in the mortar‐based material. This article describes the test methods used as well as the results obtained so far. This research will also examine debonding of the mortar‐based reinforcement system and the masonry surface under shear load. The definition of these bond parameters is necessary for the design of textile‐reinforced masonry components, which will be developed in the near future. The research is also intended to contribute to the finding or even designing of matching alkali‐resistant glass textiles specifically for use in masonry.     

Price versus privacy: an experiment into the competitive advantage of collecting less personal information

In previous privacy studies, consumers have reported their unease with online retailers that collect a lot of personal data. Consumers claim they will switch to alternative providers or cancel transactions if data collection is deemed excessive. Therefore, privacy appears to be a competitive factor in electronic commerce. This paper describes a study which quantifies the degree to which privacy is a competitive advantage for online retailers. In an experiment, we offered 225 participants the option to purchase one DVD from one of two online stores. Throughout the study, one online shop asked for more invasive personal data—as confirmed by an exit-questionnaire. In the test treatment, the privacy-invasive store sold DVDs for one Euro less than the other, and in the control treatment, both stores sold DVDs for the same price. Across both treatments, 74 participants made a purchase and had the DVD they bought delivered. In our study we found that, when the price of DVDs was the same between both stores, the shop asking for less personal data did not amass the entire market. When consumers were offered a trade-off between price and privacy, the vast majority of customers chose to buy from the cheaper, more privacy-invasive, firm; this firm got both a larger market share and higher revenue. The cheaper shop generated strong dissatisfaction with their privacy practises; in contrast, consumers of the more expensive store displayed only weak dissatisfaction with price. We established the validity of our analysis by checking users made informed choices, and did not select one firm over the other due to hasty decision-making or ordering effects. We found no support for either a materialistic lifestyle nor the quest for immediate gratification as to why customers chose the cheaper but privacy-unfriendly store.     

PCB, PCDD and PCDF residues in fin and non-fin fish products from the Canadian retail market 2002

Fish products (n=129) available on the Canadian retail market were collected and analyzed for levels of PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs during the spring of 2002. The collection included samples from eight fish groups (Arctic char, crab, mussels, oysters, salmon, shrimp, tilapia, trout) from the wild and those raised on fish farms, as available. Sample collection included both domestic and imported fish products, however, no significant difference in residue levels was observed between these groups of fish products. Salmon samples were found to contain the highest concentration of sigmaPCBs (geometric mean 12.9 ng/g wet weight), while crab samples had greatest sigmaPCDD/F levels (geometric mean 0.002 ng/g wet weight). The geometric mean of the total toxic equivalents (WHO-TEQ) ranged from 0.06 pg WHO-TEQ/g whole weight in farmed shrimp to 1.1 pg WHO-TEQ/g whole weight in farmed salmon samples. PCB 153, 138, 118 and 101 were the dominant congeners observed in fish product samples studied, while 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzodioxin and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran contributed the most to total PCDD and PCDF loadings. Lipid content was positively correlated to sigmaPCB levels; however, no relationship between lipid content and sigmaPCDD/F concentrations was established. SigmaPCB levels were below the Canadian guideline value for PCBs in fish and fish products (2000 ng/g). Similarly, 2,3,7,8-TCDD levels in all fish products were below the Canadian guideline value (0.020 ng/g).