A thermal infrared grating spectrometer was developed for field studies in the earth sciences. The design is based on a reflection grating and a 60-element HgCdTe detector array. The useful spectral range of the instrument covers 7.9-11.3 pm with a Nyquist limited resolution of 0.16 pm. The instrument averages over a 12" field of view and compares the exitance of the target to that of an intern...

We explore the use of machine learning techniques (notably SVM classifiers and Conditional Random Fields) to automate the prosodic labelling of French speech, based on modelling and simulating the perception of prosodic events by naı̈ve and expert listeners. The models are based on previous work on the perception of syllabic prominence and hesitation-related disfluencies, and on an experiment on...

Many people are learning English as a second or foreign language, and there are estimated 375 million English as a Second Language (ESL) and 750 million English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners around the world according to Graddol (2006). Evidently, automatic grammar checkers are much needed to help learners improve their writing. However, typical English proofreading tools do not target s...

The present paper introduces and evaluates a readability measurement method designed for learners of EFL (English as a foreign language). The proposed readability measurement method (a regression model) estimates the text readability based on linguistic features, such as lexical, syntactic and discourse features. Text readability refers to the comprehension rate of a text (0.0-1.0). The experim...

We present research towards developing a pronunciation dictionary that features sensitivity to learners’ native phonology, specifically designed for Korean learners of English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL). We envision a future system that can record and process learners’ imitation of the dictionary pronunciation and instantly provide segmental and prosodic feedback on accent. Towards this goal, ...

Since the advent of new technology for learning, innovative language instructors have been constantly seeking new pedagogy to match the potential of technology-enhanced instruction. While previous studies have supported the adoption of technologies to facilitate language teaching and learning, research into enhancing English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ oral proficiency by creating an ...

This study focuses on the shape optimization of concrete gravity dams considering dam–water–foundation interaction and nonlinear effects subject to earthquake. The concrete gravity dam is considered as a two–dimensional structure involving the geometry and material nonlinearity effects. For the description of the nonlinear behavior of concrete material under earthquake loads, the Drucker–Prager...