This study investigates the differences in pragmatic competence between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland university students.Participants included 19 native speakers of English,115 Chinese mainland students,divided into...This study investigates the differences in pragmatic competence between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland university students.Participants included 19 native speakers of English,115 Chinese mainland students,divided into those who had spent time abroad in an English-speaking country(CM A)and those who had not(CM NA),and 97 Hong Kong students,divided into those from an English-medium secondary school(Hong Kong EMI)and those from a Chinese-medium school(Hong Kong CMI).Linguistic proficiency was measured by a C-test,and pragmatic competence by a Metapragmatic Knowledge Test,an Irony Test and a Monologic Role Play.Group scores were compared using ANCOVAs to control for differences in proficiency.The results point to a continuum of pragmatic competence—EMI>CMI>CM A>CM NA—reflecting the groups’access to English in real-life contexts.The differences between the Hong Kong groups and the Chinese mainland groups were clearest in those tests measuring processing capacity(i.e.,Irony Response Time and the Monologic Role Play).CM A,but not CM NA,performed as well as the Hong Kong groups on measures of metapragmatic awareness.The results are discussed in terms of Bialystok’s(1993)distinction between analyzed representation and control of processing.展开更多
A concept-based approach is expected to resolve the word sense ambiguities in information retrieval and apply the semantic importance of the concepts, instead of the term frequency, to representing the contents of a d...A concept-based approach is expected to resolve the word sense ambiguities in information retrieval and apply the semantic importance of the concepts, instead of the term frequency, to representing the contents of a document. Consequently, a formalized document framework is proposed. The document framework is used to express the meaning of a document with the concepts which are expressed by high semantic importance. The framework consists of two parts: the "domain" information and the "situation & background" information of a document. A document-extracting algorithm and a two-stage smoothing method are also proposed. The quantification of the similarity between the query and the document framework depends on the smoothing method. The experiments on the TREC6 collection demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach in information retrieval tasks. The average recall level precision of the model using the proposed approach is about 10% higher than that of traditional ones.展开更多
In practice, airborne gravimetry is a sub-Nyquist sampling method because of the restrictions imposed by national boundaries, financial cost, and database size. In this study, we analyze the sparsity of airborne gravi...In practice, airborne gravimetry is a sub-Nyquist sampling method because of the restrictions imposed by national boundaries, financial cost, and database size. In this study, we analyze the sparsity of airborne gravimetry data by using the discrete Fourier transform and propose a reconstruction method based on the theory of compressed sensing for large- scale gravity anomaly data. Consequently, the reconstruction of the gravity anomaly data is transformed to a Ll-norm convex quadratic programming problem. We combine the preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm (PCG) and the improved interior-point method (IPM) to solve the convex quadratic programming problem. Furthermore, a flight test was carried out with the homegrown strapdown airborne gravimeter SGA-WZ. Subsequently, we reconstructed the gravity anomaly data of the flight test, and then, we compared the proposed method with the linear interpolation method, which is commonly used in airborne gravimetry. The test results show that the PCG-IPM algorithm can be used to reconstruct large-scale gravity anomaly data with higher accuracy and more effectiveness than the linear interpolation method.展开更多
Objective: To assess functional relationship by calculating inter- and intra-hemispheric electroencephalography (EEG) coherence at rest and during a working memory task of patients with mild cognitive impairment (...Objective: To assess functional relationship by calculating inter- and intra-hemispheric electroencephalography (EEG) coherence at rest and during a working memory task of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: The sample consisted of 69 subjects: 35 patients (n = 17 males, n = 18 females; 52-71 years old) and 34 normal controls (n = 17 males, n = 17 females; 51 -63 years old). Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) of two groups revealed that the scores of MCI patients did not differ significantly from those of normal controls (P〉0.05). In EEG recording, subjects were performed at rest and during working memory task. EEG signals from F3-F4, C3-C4, P3-P4, T5-T6 and O1-O2 electrode pairs are resulted from the inter-hemispheric action, and EEG signals from F3-C3, F4-C4, C3-P3, C4-P4, P3-O1, P4-O2, T5-C3, T6-C4, T5-P3 and T6-P4 electrode pairs are resulted from the intra-hemispheric action for delta (1.0-3.5 Hz), theta (4.0-7.5 Hz), alpha-1 (8.0-10.0 Hz), alpha-2 (10.5-13.0 Hz), beta-1 (13.5-18.0 Hz) and beta-2 (18.5-30.0 Hz) frequency bands. The influence of inter- and intra-hemispheric coherence on EEG activity with eyes closed was examined using fast Fourier transformation from the 16 sampled channels. Results: During working memory tasks, the inter- and intra-hemispheric EEG coherences in all bands were significantly higher in the MCI group in comparison with those in the control group (P〈0.05). However, there was no significant difference in inter- and intra-hemispheric EEG coherences between two groups at rest. Conclusion: Experimental results comprise evidence that MCI patients have higher degree of functional connectivity between hemispheres and in hemispheres during working condition, It suggests that MCI may be associated with compensatory processes during working memory tasks between hemispheres and in hemispheres. Moreover, failure of normal cortical connections may exist in MCI patients.展开更多
Literature continues to generate controversies as to what it is and what it is for. That is one of the reasons for the proliferation of "literary theories." The notion is here placed between quotation marks because ...Literature continues to generate controversies as to what it is and what it is for. That is one of the reasons for the proliferation of "literary theories." The notion is here placed between quotation marks because it does not mean the same thing to all the scholars in the field. Some regard it in the same way that theory functions in the sciences, where it focuses on the object it is associated with. For example, the atomic theory of matter is concerned with the internal constitution or the characterizing properties of matter. Others, however, are looking beyond the object towards the reader and the extra-textual environment. The approaches to literary studies which look beyond the individual work to outside phenomena are many and increasing all the time as new issues and concerns arrive on the social scene. Issues of climate change are fairly topical now; and criticism is already responding with such ideas as eco-criticism. The question of the identity of the literary object has to be kept in the front burner, so that it is not swamped by the many different interests which attach to literature from time to time. Bringing attention back to the literary work is the central concern of this paper; and we are doing this by way of the metaphors of perception often used with respect to the literary work as these suggest that the work is something to focus on, rather than to see through to something else. Finally, I elaborate the concept of integrity as an appurtenance of the literary text that attracts and holds the gaze.展开更多
AIM: To characterize the gastric myoelectric activity (GMA) and intra-abdominal pressure changes induced by emetic stimuli (apomorphine and cisplatin) in the ferret. METHODS: GMA and intra-abdominal pressure wer...AIM: To characterize the gastric myoelectric activity (GMA) and intra-abdominal pressure changes induced by emetic stimuli (apomorphine and cisplatin) in the ferret. METHODS: GMA and intra-abdominal pressure were recorded in conscious, unrestrained ferrets surgically implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters. Animals were challenged with apomorphine (0.25 mg/kg sc) and cisplatin (10 mg/kg ip), and the emetic response was quantified via direct observation and intra-abdominal pressure recording for 1 and 4 h, respectively. The GMA was analyzed by spectral analysis; the parameters used to characterize the GMA were the dominant frequency (DF) and the repartition of spectral power in the bradygastric, normogastric and tachygastric frequency ranges. RESULTS: Retches were identified on the intraabdominal pressure trace as peaks 0.30 ± 1.01 s in duration and 59.57 ± 2.74 mmHg in amplitude, vomit peaks were longer (0.82 ± 0.06 s, P 〈 0.01) and reached a higher pressure (87.73 ± 8.12 mmHg, P 〈 0.001). The number of retches and vomits quantified via direct observation [apomorphine: 65.5 ± 11.8 retches ± vomits (R+V), cisplatin: 202.6 ± 64.1 R+V] and intra-abdominal pressure (apomorphine: 68.3± 13.7 R+V, n = 8; cisplatin: 219.0 ± 69.2 R+V, n = 8) were correlated (r = 0.97, P 〈 0.0001) and the timing of emesis was consistent between the 2 methods. Apomorphine induced a decrease in normogastria from 45.48% ± 4.35% to 36.70 ± 4.34% (n = 8, P 〈 0.05) but the DF of the slow waves was not changed [8.95 ± 0.25 counts/rain (cpm) vs 8.68 ± 0.35 cpm, n = 8, P 〉 0.05]. Cisplatin induced a decrease in normogastria from 55.83% ± 4.30% to 29.22% ± 5.16% and an increase in bradygastria from 14.28% ± 2.32% to 31.19% ± 8.33% (n = 8, P 〈 0.001) but the DF (9.14 ± 0.13 cpm) remained unchanged (P 〉 0.05). The GMA changes induced by cisplatin preceded the emetic response as normogastria was reduced for 1 h before the onset of emesis (57.61% ± 5.66% to 39.91% ± 5.74%, n = 6, P 〈 0.05). Peri-emesis analysis revealed that the GMA was significantly disturbed during and immediately after, but not immediately before, the emetic episodes. CONCLUSION: The induction of emesis is reliably associated with a disrupted GMA, but changes may also occur prior to and following the emetic response.展开更多
MedTrad+ is an expert system for African Traditional Medicine where actors are often illiterate. Its originality lies in the use of icons instead of textual content of facts. It has been created by GExpert+ which is...MedTrad+ is an expert system for African Traditional Medicine where actors are often illiterate. Its originality lies in the use of icons instead of textual content of facts. It has been created by GExpert+ which is An Expert system Generator based on the use of icons in a Web environment. With its iconic interface GExpert+ allows any user to overcome any intermediary for the management and the use of its knowledge base. Traditional healers from Yamoussoukro region are working toward its validation.展开更多
A series of polyester, cotton, and polyester/cotton blend fabrics were evaluated in a subjective wear. Subjective trial data were correlated with the results of in-house laboratory tests with the regression methods. E...A series of polyester, cotton, and polyester/cotton blend fabrics were evaluated in a subjective wear. Subjective trial data were correlated with the results of in-house laboratory tests with the regression methods. Experimental results indicate that clothing-comfort assessment by human perception provides a sound basis for comparison of apparel garments under combined microclimates and human-activity levels of展开更多
This work investigates the relationship between intellectual capital and value creation in the sector of production and assembly of vehicles and auto-parts in Brazil. Through the access of the database from the annual...This work investigates the relationship between intellectual capital and value creation in the sector of production and assembly of vehicles and auto-parts in Brazil. Through the access of the database from the annual industrial research conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, we gathered 865 observations, from 2000 to 2006, of public and private Brazilian companies with more than 100 employees. The database allows the estimate of relevant aggregated variables such as national accounts, gross domestic product, intermediate consumption, as well as propitiates a sectorial study of business strategies and performance, including value added by individual companies. In particular, in this study we use data on variables associated to intellectual capital. To achieve the goal of the study, we consider intellectual capital as defined by Pulic (2000, 2002), including human capital and structural capital. For the analysis of business performance, we used Pulic's VAIC (Value Added Intellectual Cofficient) index as a measure of efficiency of the employed financial and intellectual capital. Regression models were run to verify the relationship among the efficiency in the use of intellectual capital and the profitability of Brazilian companies. The gross income, calculated as before selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation expenses, amortization and interest expenses, was used as measure of the flows of value creation and the profitability was measured by the gross income to the total assets of the companies. Considering the constructs defined by Pulic (2000, 2002), we tested, for the Brazilian sector of Production and Assembly of Vehicles and Auto-parts, the following hypotheses: (l) there is a positive relationship between value creation and intellectual capital, (2) there is a positive relationship between value creation and stock of intellectual capital, (3) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the employed capital, (4) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the human capital, (5) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the structural capital. The results of the study, obtained through panel data analysis and through the use static and dynamic models, support the hypotheses that the intellectual capital of the companies, in its flow and stock dimensions, is positively and significantly related to value creation.展开更多
This paper explores three College English teachers' perceived difficulties in teaching content-based courses in the Chinese context and opportunities for their change in the knowledge base. Interviews and classroom o...This paper explores three College English teachers' perceived difficulties in teaching content-based courses in the Chinese context and opportunities for their change in the knowledge base. Interviews and classroom observation were used to collect data. After coding and recoding of the audio data, the researcher found that College English teachers face the following difficulties: positioning of themselves, commitment to the course, students' expectation, the balance between language and content, and administrative support. Meanwhile, the experience of teaching content-based courses offered them an opportunity to increase their knowledge of the content, the learners, and educational values. Some implications for CBI (content-based instruction) in curriculum reform were put forward at the end of the paper.展开更多
To enhance user perceived performance,Akamai' s content distribution network(CDN) utilizes the domain name system(DNS) effectively to redirect users to close-by content replicas over short time scale.The use of DN...To enhance user perceived performance,Akamai' s content distribution network(CDN) utilizes the domain name system(DNS) effectively to redirect users to close-by content replicas over short time scale.The use of DNS redirection has brought a significant advantage to Akamai' s CDN.However,the reliance on DNS also poses a fundamental threat to Akamai' s content distribution model.In particular,systematic evaluation and quantification illustrates the impact of recent emerging public DNS resolving services on Akamai' s CDN,including the degradation of corresponding user perceived performance and the benefit damnification of collaborating internet services providers(ISPs) that host Akamai's edge servers.The measurement demonstrates that a considerable penetration of public DNS resolving services(e.g.,OpenDNS and GoogleDNS) effectively corrupts the Akamai' s serving model,namely the large-scale server distribution and quick DNS redirection.展开更多
The aim of this paper is to highlight the issue of resolving conflicts within multicultural teams in industrial enterprises. The authors build upon the concept of multiculturalism which seeks for possible ways to enab...The aim of this paper is to highlight the issue of resolving conflicts within multicultural teams in industrial enterprises. The authors build upon the concept of multiculturalism which seeks for possible ways to enable different cultures to coexist and the means of communication between them. The authors base the study on the assumption that extensively developed intercultural relationships lead to mutual understanding between people and consequently to less interpersonal conflicts. In the introduction part, the authors explain the importance of increased attention and interest in the area of multiculturalism. Industrial enterprises nowadays are increasingly aware of this issue as they become more open to different cultures and they are confronted with intensive international migration and previously isolated societies become more pluralistic. As a result of these processes, individuals are more frequently in contact with members of different cultures. "Think globally, act locally" has become a slogan for our society. This way of thinking and acting was transferred to almost all areas of life (economic, political, and educational) and it is applied in the context of schools, societies, and enterprises as well. The ability to understand and accept cultural diversity is becoming essential in the ordinary working environment. It helps to create connections between emotional perception and rational acceptance. In practice, the offer of training seminars about intercultural differences is widespread. Enterprises supporting the knowledge improvement of their own employees have understood that a friendly working environment leads to increased motivation, consequently reflected in their performance. The training focused on skills development in this area can help to reduce interpersonal misunderstandings, bring new ways of conflict resolution and harmony in the workplace and thereby also increase productivity. The authors focus on the "outdoor method" as an actual phenomenon, which is used in teaching the topic of tolerance towards cultural diversity. They describe the individual stages of this method and introduce a modified version of Tuson's model as an effective tool for conflict resolution in the workplace. The tools introduced in this paper, place particular emphasis on actions to prevent conflicts in the workplace. This paper builds upon the theory of knowledge processing and its role as a theoretical basis for knowledge development in the area of multiculturalism. Furthermore, it teaches us to be tolerant towards others, their habits, culture, and history "Strangers" can be a source of experience for us and they can enrich our personal lives. Discussion of the issues surrounding multiculturalism and also the identification of sustainable key performance parameters within multicultural work environments can contribute to more effective conflict resolution in the workplace and promote awareness towards the tolerant coexistence and social cohesion展开更多
With the continuous development of the times, cultivating students' cross-cultural consciousness is becoming increasingly urgent. The development of new situation requires that college English teachers should also st...With the continuous development of the times, cultivating students' cross-cultural consciousness is becoming increasingly urgent. The development of new situation requires that college English teachers should also strengthen students' cultural content education and cultivate students' cross-cultural consciousness, in order to stimulate students' learning interest, optimize students' knowledge structure and improve students' social cultural ability while introducing language knowledge and conducting listening, speaking, reading and writing training for students. Then, how to cultivate students' cross-cultural consciousness in college English teaching? This paper takes it as the theme for analysis, hoping to improve college English teaching quality.展开更多
Textbooks are an integral part of teaching and learning in Chinese College English classroom.However,they rarely provide adequate pragmatic information for students to successfully develop their pragmatic competence.T...Textbooks are an integral part of teaching and learning in Chinese College English classroom.However,they rarely provide adequate pragmatic information for students to successfully develop their pragmatic competence.This study will examine four College English(New) Listening and Speaking textbooks to find out the nature of pragmatic materials and tasks included in the textbooks.The findings indicate that there is a dearth of pragmatic information contained in the Listening and Speaking textbooks and the variety of pragmatic information is limited.Most of the metapragmatic explanations are simple.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To study the Chinese ancient five-element theory,one of the philosophical foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)theory construction,from the perspective of comtemporary cognitive science,and to rev...OBJECTIVE:To study the Chinese ancient five-element theory,one of the philosophical foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)theory construction,from the perspective of comtemporary cognitive science,and to reveal the important functions of five-element theory in the construction of TCM theory.METHODS:The basic effects of five-element theory in the construction of TCM theory are intensively expounded and proved from the following aspects:embodiment of five-element theory in cognizing the world,quasi axiom of five-element theory in essence,classification thery of family resemblance and deductive inference pattern of five-element theory,and the openness and expansibility of five-element theory.RESULTS:If five-element theory is considered acognitive pattern or cognitive system related to culture,then there should be features of cognitive embodiment in the cognitive system.If five-element theory is regarded as a symbolic system,however,then there should be a quasi-axiom for the system,and inferential deduction.If,however,five-element theory is taken as a theoretical constructive metaphor,then there should be features of opening and expansibility for the metaphor.CONCLUSION:Based on five-element theory,this study provides a cognitive frame for the construction of TCM(a medicine that originated in China,and is characterized by holism and treatment based on pattern identification differentiation)theory with the function of constructing a concept base,thereby implying further research strategies.Useful information may be produced from the creative inferences obtained from the incorporation of five-element theory.展开更多
The complex interplay between symbiotic bacteria and host immunity plays a key role in shaping intestinal homeostasis and maintaining host health. Paneth cells, as one of the major producers of antimicrobial peptides ...The complex interplay between symbiotic bacteria and host immunity plays a key role in shaping intestinal homeostasis and maintaining host health. Paneth cells, as one of the major producers of antimicrobial peptides in the intestine under steady-state conditions, play a vital role in regulating intestinal flora. Many studies on inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)-associated genes have put Paneth cells at the center of IBD pathogenesis. In this perspective, we focus on mechanistic studies of different cellular processes in Paneth cells that are regulated by various IBD-associated susceptibility genes, and we discuss the hypothesis that Paneth cells function as the central hub for sensing and regulating intestinal flora in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.展开更多
文摘This study investigates the differences in pragmatic competence between Hong Kong and Chinese mainland university students.Participants included 19 native speakers of English,115 Chinese mainland students,divided into those who had spent time abroad in an English-speaking country(CM A)and those who had not(CM NA),and 97 Hong Kong students,divided into those from an English-medium secondary school(Hong Kong EMI)and those from a Chinese-medium school(Hong Kong CMI).Linguistic proficiency was measured by a C-test,and pragmatic competence by a Metapragmatic Knowledge Test,an Irony Test and a Monologic Role Play.Group scores were compared using ANCOVAs to control for differences in proficiency.The results point to a continuum of pragmatic competence—EMI>CMI>CM A>CM NA—reflecting the groups’access to English in real-life contexts.The differences between the Hong Kong groups and the Chinese mainland groups were clearest in those tests measuring processing capacity(i.e.,Irony Response Time and the Monologic Role Play).CM A,but not CM NA,performed as well as the Hong Kong groups on measures of metapragmatic awareness.The results are discussed in terms of Bialystok’s(1993)distinction between analyzed representation and control of processing.
基金The National Basic Research Program of China(973Program)(No.2004CB318104),the Knowledge Innovation Pro-gram of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No.13CX04).
文摘A concept-based approach is expected to resolve the word sense ambiguities in information retrieval and apply the semantic importance of the concepts, instead of the term frequency, to representing the contents of a document. Consequently, a formalized document framework is proposed. The document framework is used to express the meaning of a document with the concepts which are expressed by high semantic importance. The framework consists of two parts: the "domain" information and the "situation & background" information of a document. A document-extracting algorithm and a two-stage smoothing method are also proposed. The quantification of the similarity between the query and the document framework depends on the smoothing method. The experiments on the TREC6 collection demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach in information retrieval tasks. The average recall level precision of the model using the proposed approach is about 10% higher than that of traditional ones.
基金supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China(No.SS2013AA060402)
文摘In practice, airborne gravimetry is a sub-Nyquist sampling method because of the restrictions imposed by national boundaries, financial cost, and database size. In this study, we analyze the sparsity of airborne gravimetry data by using the discrete Fourier transform and propose a reconstruction method based on the theory of compressed sensing for large- scale gravity anomaly data. Consequently, the reconstruction of the gravity anomaly data is transformed to a Ll-norm convex quadratic programming problem. We combine the preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm (PCG) and the improved interior-point method (IPM) to solve the convex quadratic programming problem. Furthermore, a flight test was carried out with the homegrown strapdown airborne gravimeter SGA-WZ. Subsequently, we reconstructed the gravity anomaly data of the flight test, and then, we compared the proposed method with the linear interpolation method, which is commonly used in airborne gravimetry. The test results show that the PCG-IPM algorithm can be used to reconstruct large-scale gravity anomaly data with higher accuracy and more effectiveness than the linear interpolation method.
基金Project (No. 2003B070) supported by the Science and TechnologyProgram of Zhejiang Province, China
文摘Objective: To assess functional relationship by calculating inter- and intra-hemispheric electroencephalography (EEG) coherence at rest and during a working memory task of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: The sample consisted of 69 subjects: 35 patients (n = 17 males, n = 18 females; 52-71 years old) and 34 normal controls (n = 17 males, n = 17 females; 51 -63 years old). Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) of two groups revealed that the scores of MCI patients did not differ significantly from those of normal controls (P〉0.05). In EEG recording, subjects were performed at rest and during working memory task. EEG signals from F3-F4, C3-C4, P3-P4, T5-T6 and O1-O2 electrode pairs are resulted from the inter-hemispheric action, and EEG signals from F3-C3, F4-C4, C3-P3, C4-P4, P3-O1, P4-O2, T5-C3, T6-C4, T5-P3 and T6-P4 electrode pairs are resulted from the intra-hemispheric action for delta (1.0-3.5 Hz), theta (4.0-7.5 Hz), alpha-1 (8.0-10.0 Hz), alpha-2 (10.5-13.0 Hz), beta-1 (13.5-18.0 Hz) and beta-2 (18.5-30.0 Hz) frequency bands. The influence of inter- and intra-hemispheric coherence on EEG activity with eyes closed was examined using fast Fourier transformation from the 16 sampled channels. Results: During working memory tasks, the inter- and intra-hemispheric EEG coherences in all bands were significantly higher in the MCI group in comparison with those in the control group (P〈0.05). However, there was no significant difference in inter- and intra-hemispheric EEG coherences between two groups at rest. Conclusion: Experimental results comprise evidence that MCI patients have higher degree of functional connectivity between hemispheres and in hemispheres during working condition, It suggests that MCI may be associated with compensatory processes during working memory tasks between hemispheres and in hemispheres. Moreover, failure of normal cortical connections may exist in MCI patients.
文摘Literature continues to generate controversies as to what it is and what it is for. That is one of the reasons for the proliferation of "literary theories." The notion is here placed between quotation marks because it does not mean the same thing to all the scholars in the field. Some regard it in the same way that theory functions in the sciences, where it focuses on the object it is associated with. For example, the atomic theory of matter is concerned with the internal constitution or the characterizing properties of matter. Others, however, are looking beyond the object towards the reader and the extra-textual environment. The approaches to literary studies which look beyond the individual work to outside phenomena are many and increasing all the time as new issues and concerns arrive on the social scene. Issues of climate change are fairly topical now; and criticism is already responding with such ideas as eco-criticism. The question of the identity of the literary object has to be kept in the front burner, so that it is not swamped by the many different interests which attach to literature from time to time. Bringing attention back to the literary work is the central concern of this paper; and we are doing this by way of the metaphors of perception often used with respect to the literary work as these suggest that the work is something to focus on, rather than to see through to something else. Finally, I elaborate the concept of integrity as an appurtenance of the literary text that attracts and holds the gaze.
基金Supported by A PhD studentship from Merck Research Laboratories (to Percie du Sert N)
文摘AIM: To characterize the gastric myoelectric activity (GMA) and intra-abdominal pressure changes induced by emetic stimuli (apomorphine and cisplatin) in the ferret. METHODS: GMA and intra-abdominal pressure were recorded in conscious, unrestrained ferrets surgically implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters. Animals were challenged with apomorphine (0.25 mg/kg sc) and cisplatin (10 mg/kg ip), and the emetic response was quantified via direct observation and intra-abdominal pressure recording for 1 and 4 h, respectively. The GMA was analyzed by spectral analysis; the parameters used to characterize the GMA were the dominant frequency (DF) and the repartition of spectral power in the bradygastric, normogastric and tachygastric frequency ranges. RESULTS: Retches were identified on the intraabdominal pressure trace as peaks 0.30 ± 1.01 s in duration and 59.57 ± 2.74 mmHg in amplitude, vomit peaks were longer (0.82 ± 0.06 s, P 〈 0.01) and reached a higher pressure (87.73 ± 8.12 mmHg, P 〈 0.001). The number of retches and vomits quantified via direct observation [apomorphine: 65.5 ± 11.8 retches ± vomits (R+V), cisplatin: 202.6 ± 64.1 R+V] and intra-abdominal pressure (apomorphine: 68.3± 13.7 R+V, n = 8; cisplatin: 219.0 ± 69.2 R+V, n = 8) were correlated (r = 0.97, P 〈 0.0001) and the timing of emesis was consistent between the 2 methods. Apomorphine induced a decrease in normogastria from 45.48% ± 4.35% to 36.70 ± 4.34% (n = 8, P 〈 0.05) but the DF of the slow waves was not changed [8.95 ± 0.25 counts/rain (cpm) vs 8.68 ± 0.35 cpm, n = 8, P 〉 0.05]. Cisplatin induced a decrease in normogastria from 55.83% ± 4.30% to 29.22% ± 5.16% and an increase in bradygastria from 14.28% ± 2.32% to 31.19% ± 8.33% (n = 8, P 〈 0.001) but the DF (9.14 ± 0.13 cpm) remained unchanged (P 〉 0.05). The GMA changes induced by cisplatin preceded the emetic response as normogastria was reduced for 1 h before the onset of emesis (57.61% ± 5.66% to 39.91% ± 5.74%, n = 6, P 〈 0.05). Peri-emesis analysis revealed that the GMA was significantly disturbed during and immediately after, but not immediately before, the emetic episodes. CONCLUSION: The induction of emesis is reliably associated with a disrupted GMA, but changes may also occur prior to and following the emetic response.
文摘MedTrad+ is an expert system for African Traditional Medicine where actors are often illiterate. Its originality lies in the use of icons instead of textual content of facts. It has been created by GExpert+ which is An Expert system Generator based on the use of icons in a Web environment. With its iconic interface GExpert+ allows any user to overcome any intermediary for the management and the use of its knowledge base. Traditional healers from Yamoussoukro region are working toward its validation.
文摘A series of polyester, cotton, and polyester/cotton blend fabrics were evaluated in a subjective wear. Subjective trial data were correlated with the results of in-house laboratory tests with the regression methods. Experimental results indicate that clothing-comfort assessment by human perception provides a sound basis for comparison of apparel garments under combined microclimates and human-activity levels of
文摘This work investigates the relationship between intellectual capital and value creation in the sector of production and assembly of vehicles and auto-parts in Brazil. Through the access of the database from the annual industrial research conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, we gathered 865 observations, from 2000 to 2006, of public and private Brazilian companies with more than 100 employees. The database allows the estimate of relevant aggregated variables such as national accounts, gross domestic product, intermediate consumption, as well as propitiates a sectorial study of business strategies and performance, including value added by individual companies. In particular, in this study we use data on variables associated to intellectual capital. To achieve the goal of the study, we consider intellectual capital as defined by Pulic (2000, 2002), including human capital and structural capital. For the analysis of business performance, we used Pulic's VAIC (Value Added Intellectual Cofficient) index as a measure of efficiency of the employed financial and intellectual capital. Regression models were run to verify the relationship among the efficiency in the use of intellectual capital and the profitability of Brazilian companies. The gross income, calculated as before selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation expenses, amortization and interest expenses, was used as measure of the flows of value creation and the profitability was measured by the gross income to the total assets of the companies. Considering the constructs defined by Pulic (2000, 2002), we tested, for the Brazilian sector of Production and Assembly of Vehicles and Auto-parts, the following hypotheses: (l) there is a positive relationship between value creation and intellectual capital, (2) there is a positive relationship between value creation and stock of intellectual capital, (3) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the employed capital, (4) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the human capital, (5) there is a positive relationship between value creation and efficiency of the structural capital. The results of the study, obtained through panel data analysis and through the use static and dynamic models, support the hypotheses that the intellectual capital of the companies, in its flow and stock dimensions, is positively and significantly related to value creation.
文摘This paper explores three College English teachers' perceived difficulties in teaching content-based courses in the Chinese context and opportunities for their change in the knowledge base. Interviews and classroom observation were used to collect data. After coding and recoding of the audio data, the researcher found that College English teachers face the following difficulties: positioning of themselves, commitment to the course, students' expectation, the balance between language and content, and administrative support. Meanwhile, the experience of teaching content-based courses offered them an opportunity to increase their knowledge of the content, the learners, and educational values. Some implications for CBI (content-based instruction) in curriculum reform were put forward at the end of the paper.
基金Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2013CB329103)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.61133016,61300191)+1 种基金the National High Technology Joint Research Program of China(No.2011AA010706)the Program of SichuanProvince Applied and Basic Research(No.2013JY0116)
文摘To enhance user perceived performance,Akamai' s content distribution network(CDN) utilizes the domain name system(DNS) effectively to redirect users to close-by content replicas over short time scale.The use of DNS redirection has brought a significant advantage to Akamai' s CDN.However,the reliance on DNS also poses a fundamental threat to Akamai' s content distribution model.In particular,systematic evaluation and quantification illustrates the impact of recent emerging public DNS resolving services on Akamai' s CDN,including the degradation of corresponding user perceived performance and the benefit damnification of collaborating internet services providers(ISPs) that host Akamai's edge servers.The measurement demonstrates that a considerable penetration of public DNS resolving services(e.g.,OpenDNS and GoogleDNS) effectively corrupts the Akamai' s serving model,namely the large-scale server distribution and quick DNS redirection.
文摘The aim of this paper is to highlight the issue of resolving conflicts within multicultural teams in industrial enterprises. The authors build upon the concept of multiculturalism which seeks for possible ways to enable different cultures to coexist and the means of communication between them. The authors base the study on the assumption that extensively developed intercultural relationships lead to mutual understanding between people and consequently to less interpersonal conflicts. In the introduction part, the authors explain the importance of increased attention and interest in the area of multiculturalism. Industrial enterprises nowadays are increasingly aware of this issue as they become more open to different cultures and they are confronted with intensive international migration and previously isolated societies become more pluralistic. As a result of these processes, individuals are more frequently in contact with members of different cultures. "Think globally, act locally" has become a slogan for our society. This way of thinking and acting was transferred to almost all areas of life (economic, political, and educational) and it is applied in the context of schools, societies, and enterprises as well. The ability to understand and accept cultural diversity is becoming essential in the ordinary working environment. It helps to create connections between emotional perception and rational acceptance. In practice, the offer of training seminars about intercultural differences is widespread. Enterprises supporting the knowledge improvement of their own employees have understood that a friendly working environment leads to increased motivation, consequently reflected in their performance. The training focused on skills development in this area can help to reduce interpersonal misunderstandings, bring new ways of conflict resolution and harmony in the workplace and thereby also increase productivity. The authors focus on the "outdoor method" as an actual phenomenon, which is used in teaching the topic of tolerance towards cultural diversity. They describe the individual stages of this method and introduce a modified version of Tuson's model as an effective tool for conflict resolution in the workplace. The tools introduced in this paper, place particular emphasis on actions to prevent conflicts in the workplace. This paper builds upon the theory of knowledge processing and its role as a theoretical basis for knowledge development in the area of multiculturalism. Furthermore, it teaches us to be tolerant towards others, their habits, culture, and history "Strangers" can be a source of experience for us and they can enrich our personal lives. Discussion of the issues surrounding multiculturalism and also the identification of sustainable key performance parameters within multicultural work environments can contribute to more effective conflict resolution in the workplace and promote awareness towards the tolerant coexistence and social cohesion
文摘With the continuous development of the times, cultivating students' cross-cultural consciousness is becoming increasingly urgent. The development of new situation requires that college English teachers should also strengthen students' cultural content education and cultivate students' cross-cultural consciousness, in order to stimulate students' learning interest, optimize students' knowledge structure and improve students' social cultural ability while introducing language knowledge and conducting listening, speaking, reading and writing training for students. Then, how to cultivate students' cross-cultural consciousness in college English teaching? This paper takes it as the theme for analysis, hoping to improve college English teaching quality.
文摘Textbooks are an integral part of teaching and learning in Chinese College English classroom.However,they rarely provide adequate pragmatic information for students to successfully develop their pragmatic competence.This study will examine four College English(New) Listening and Speaking textbooks to find out the nature of pragmatic materials and tasks included in the textbooks.The findings indicate that there is a dearth of pragmatic information contained in the Listening and Speaking textbooks and the variety of pragmatic information is limited.Most of the metapragmatic explanations are simple.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(No.30973971,No.81173464)Doctoral Fund of the Ministry of Education of China(No.20090013110012)
文摘OBJECTIVE:To study the Chinese ancient five-element theory,one of the philosophical foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)theory construction,from the perspective of comtemporary cognitive science,and to reveal the important functions of five-element theory in the construction of TCM theory.METHODS:The basic effects of five-element theory in the construction of TCM theory are intensively expounded and proved from the following aspects:embodiment of five-element theory in cognizing the world,quasi axiom of five-element theory in essence,classification thery of family resemblance and deductive inference pattern of five-element theory,and the openness and expansibility of five-element theory.RESULTS:If five-element theory is considered acognitive pattern or cognitive system related to culture,then there should be features of cognitive embodiment in the cognitive system.If five-element theory is regarded as a symbolic system,however,then there should be a quasi-axiom for the system,and inferential deduction.If,however,five-element theory is taken as a theoretical constructive metaphor,then there should be features of opening and expansibility for the metaphor.CONCLUSION:Based on five-element theory,this study provides a cognitive frame for the construction of TCM(a medicine that originated in China,and is characterized by holism and treatment based on pattern identification differentiation)theory with the function of constructing a concept base,thereby implying further research strategies.Useful information may be produced from the creative inferences obtained from the incorporation of five-element theory.
文摘The complex interplay between symbiotic bacteria and host immunity plays a key role in shaping intestinal homeostasis and maintaining host health. Paneth cells, as one of the major producers of antimicrobial peptides in the intestine under steady-state conditions, play a vital role in regulating intestinal flora. Many studies on inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)-associated genes have put Paneth cells at the center of IBD pathogenesis. In this perspective, we focus on mechanistic studies of different cellular processes in Paneth cells that are regulated by various IBD-associated susceptibility genes, and we discuss the hypothesis that Paneth cells function as the central hub for sensing and regulating intestinal flora in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.