Evaluating automatic annotation: automatically detecting and enriching instances of the dative alternation

In this article, we automatically create two large and richly annotated data sets for studying the English dative alternation. With an intrinsic and an extrinsic evaluation, we address the question of whether such data sets that are obtained and enriched automatically are suitable for linguistic research, even if they contain errors. The extrinsic evaluation consists of building logistic regression models with these data sets. We conclude that the automatic approach for detecting instances of the dative alternation still needs human intervention, but that it is indeed possible to annotate the instances with features that are syntactic, semantic and discourse-related in nature. Only the automatic classification of the concreteness of nouns is problematic.     

An innovative mobile electronic tourist guide application

“Mobile tourism” represents a relatively new trend in the field of tourism and involves the use of mobile devices as electronic tourist guides. While much of the underlying technology is already available, there are still open challenges with respect to design, usability, portability, functionality and implementation aspects. Most existing “mobile tourism” solutions either represent of-the-shelf applications with rigidly defined content or involve portable devices with networking capabilities that access tourist content with the requirement of constant airtime, i.e., continuous wireless network coverage. This paper presents the design and implementation issues of a “mobile tourism” research prototype, which brings together the main assets of the two aforementioned approaches. Namely, it enables the creation of portable tourist applications with rich content that matches user preferences. The users may download these personalized applications (optimized for their specific device’s model) either directly to their mobile device or first to a PC and then to a mobile terminal (through infrared or bluetooth). Thereafter, network coverage is not further required as the applications execute in standalone mode and may be updated when the user returns online. The dynamically created tourist applications also incorporate a “push model”, wherein new tourist content is forwarded to the mobile terminal with minimal user intervention as soon as it is added or updated by the administrator. Our prototype has been developed on the top of Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME) which offers an ideal platform for the development of full-fledged, interactive and portable applications tailored for resource-constrained mobile devices. The paper presents our development experiences with J2ME and highlights its main advantages and shortcomings in relation to the implementation of such kind of applications. Finally, an empirical evaluation of user experience with the mobile application prototype is presented.

Predictors of paternal involvement for resident and nonresident low-income fathers.

In a sample of low-income families (N = 239), structural equation models assessed predictors of fathers' involvement with preschool-aged children in instrumental, behavioral, and emotional realms. Results suggest that parental conflict has a strong negative relation with father involvement. Fathers' human capital characteristics, healthy psychosocial functioning, and past stability in family relationships all predicted greater father involvement directly and/or indirectly through parental conflict. Numerous differences emerged in the predictive models between resident and nonresident fathers, although few differences were statistically significant. Results suggest that policy efforts aimed at enhancing fathers' responsible parenting should focus both on increasing fathers' human and social capital and on supporting positive family processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Probing the physiology of ASH neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans using electric current stimulation

Electrical stimulation has been widely used to modulate and study the in vitro and in vivo functionality of the nervous system. Here, we characterized the effect of electrical stimulation on ASH neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans and employed it to probe the neuron's age dependent properties. We utilized an automated microfluidic-based platform and characterized the ASH neuronal activity in response to an electric current applied to the worm's body. The electrically induced ASH neuronal response was observed to be dependent on the magnitude, polarity, and spatial location of the electrical stimulus as well as on the age of the worm.     

Homogeneous metathesis for the production of propene from butene

The cross-metathesis of 1-butene and 2-butene is described for the production of propene and 2-pentene using Phobcat, a homogeneous Grubbs first generation-type catalyst bearing 9-cyclohexyl-9-phosphabicyclo-[3.3.1]-nonane as ligand. In a closed system at 20 bar and 50 °C, the reaction mixture composition at different 1-butene:2-butene feed ratios is in fair agreement with the calculated composition at equilibrium based on thermodynamic data. Compared to heterogeneous metathesis over a WO₃/SiO₂ catalyst, the homogeneous reaction exhibits better reaction control and selectivity to the desired products.     

Symptom perception in children with asthma: Cognitive and psychological factors.

Objective: This study tested the differential effects of several cognitive and psychological variables on children's perception of asthma symptoms by use of an Asthma Risk Grid. Children's subjective and objective assessments of PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate) were characterized as representing perceptual accuracy, symptom magnification, and/or underestimation of asthma symptoms. Design: The study included 270 children with asthma (ages 7–17) and their primary caregivers who completed measures assessing cognitive and psychological factors and a 5 to 6 week symptom perception assessment. Main Outcome Measures: Children's symptom perception scores by use of the Asthma Risk Grid. Results: Children's attentional abilities had more of a bearing on their symptom monitoring abilities than their IQ estimates and psychological symptoms. The more time children took on Trails and Cancellation Tasks and the fewer errors they made on these tasks, the more likely they were to perceive their asthma symptoms accurately. More time on these tasks was associated with more symptom magnification scores, and fewer errors were related to fewer symptom magnification scores. More errors and higher total scores on the Continuous Performance Task were associated with a greater proportion of scores in the danger zone. Conclusion: Statistical support was provided for the utility of attentional-based instruments for identifying children who may have problems with perceptual accuracy, and who are at risk for asthma morbidity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Material properties of nanoclay PVC composites

Nanocomposites of poly(vinyl chloride) have been prepared using both hectorite- and bentonite-based organically-modified clays. The organic modification used is tallow-triethanol-ammonium ion. The morphology of the systems was investigated using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy and these systems show that true nanocomposites, both intercalated and exfoliated systems, are produced. The mechanical properties have been evaluated and the modulus increases upon nanocomposite formation without a significant decrease in tensile strength or elongation at break. Thermal analysis studies using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis were conducted. Thermal stability of the PVC systems was assessed using a standard thermal process evaluating the evolution of hydrogen chloride and by color development through the yellowness index. Cone calorimetry was used to measure the fire properties and especially to evaluate smoke evolution. The addition of an appropriately-modified bentonite or hectorite nanoclay leads to both a reduction in the total smoke that is evolved, and an increase in the length of time over which smoke is evolved. Along with this, a reduction in the peak heat release rate is seen. It is likely that the presence of the clay in some way interferes with the cyclization of the conjugated system formed upon HCl loss.     

Competition between friends: The joint influence of the perceived power of self, friends, and parents.

Prior research has shown that parents who have low perceived social power make exaggerated use of power-oriented interaction strategies with children. In this study, the authors made predictions regarding (a) the presence of equivalent effects with children and (b) the intergenerational transmission of perceived power. The interactions of children (ages 6–10) and their friends were observed following a potentially competitive task. Children's interactions were assessed for the competitiveness of their style of interaction. High levels of verbal competitiveness were shown by children with powerless mothers—in particular if fathers also had low perceived power. In addition, high levels of dyadic competitiveness were shown when both children and their friends had low perceived power. Parental powerlessness most clearly predicted children's self-praise, and child powerlessness most clearly predicted friend derogation. Intergenerational transmission of perceived power (and mediating effects of child power on verbal competitiveness) reached significance for only mothers and sons. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Australian Housing Policy,Misrecognition and Indigenous Population Mobility

Policy initiatives in remote Indigenous Australia aim to improve Indigenous health and well-being, and reduce homelessness. But they have raised controversy because they impinge on Indigenous aspirations to remain on homeland communities, require mainstreaming of Indigenous housing and transfer Indigenous land to the state. This paper uses recognition theory to argue that if policies of normalization are imposed on remote living Indigenous people in ways that take insufficient account of their cultural realities they may be experienced as a form of misrecognition and have detrimental policy effects. The paper examines the responses of remote living Indigenous people to the National Partnerships at the time of their introduction in 2009–2010. Drawing on interview and administrative data from a national study on Indigenous population mobility, the paper argues although the policies have been welcomed, they have also been a source of anxiety and anger. These feelings are associated with a sense of violated justice arising from experiences of misrecognition. The paper argues this can lead tenants to depart their homes as a culturally sanctioned form of resistance to state control. This population mobility is associated with homelessness because it takes place in the context of housing exclusion. Policy implications include developing new models of intercultural professional practice and employing a capacity-building approach to local Indigenous organisations.