Cohesive Features Research Articles

A Corpus-based Investigation on the English Majors’ Use of Cohesive Devices in Argumentative Writing

Many factors affect the quality of English writing. Among them, the cohesion of discourse has been an important topic in writing research. This study aims to investigate the use of local, global, and text cohesion features in Chinese English majors’ argumentative writing and how EFL learners of higher proficiency (Grade 4) develop their written discourse competence as compared with the lower proficiency (Grade 1). The Written English Corpus of Chinese Learners (WECCL 2.0) was adopted as the main corpus. The research finds that connectives and lexical overlaps are more frequently used in English writing, and a tiny minority of cohesive devices showed growth across the two grade levels. The findings provide important insights for researchers and teachers on second language acquisition, English writing development and English writing teaching.

Dual network configurations and invention renewals within the pharmaceutical industry

PurposeAlthough research on how the downstream calculations of a patent’s profit potential influence invention renewal decisions is extensive, the impact of the upstream knowledge creation stages is overlooked. The purpose of this study is to address this theoretical vacuum by examining the intra-organizational configuration of knowledge networks and collaboration networks.Design/methodology/approachThe data consist of 491 global pharmaceutical firms that patent in the USA. Drawing on patent records, the authors simultaneously construct intra-organizational knowledge networks and collaboration networks and identify network cohesion features (i.e. local and global). The authors employ panel fixed-effects models to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that local knowledge cohesion and local social cohesion decrease invention renewals, while global knowledge cohesion and global social cohesion increase renewals. Moreover, the marginal effects of local and global social cohesion are stronger than those of local and global knowledge cohesion, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsThe hypotheses are tested using the pharmaceutical industry as a research setting, which limits the generalizability of our findings. In addition, potential formal and informal contingencies are not considered.Practical implicationsDespite its limitations, this study provides valuable implications. First, managers are cautioned against the adverse effects of local cohesion structures on invention renewal. Second, firms can dynamically adjust their local and global network configuration strategies to harmonize the generation of valuable inventions and the retention of good ideas.Originality/valueComplementary to previous research that focused on inventions’ performance feedback, this study delves into upstream knowledge creation stages to understand invention renewals.

Development of a method for computer processing of fractographic images to assess the cohesion of inclusions to the matrix in the weld metal after its operational degradation and hydrogenation

In this paper, the method for automated processing of digital fractographic SEM images based on the modified local Otsu approach was developed. The effectiveness of the developed method was demonstrated. The method is used to identify inclusions or their traces at the bottom of dimples in weld metal fractures with subsequent assessment of their quantity. It is assumed that a decrease in the cohesion of inclusions to the matrix is one of the signs of damage to the weld metal at the microstructural level. Consequently, the more inclusions were found at the bottom of ductile fracture dimples, the stronger their connection with the matrix and, accordingly, the less damage in the weld metal. The effect of operational degradation of the weld metal on a circumferential weld on thick pipes of thermal power plant steam pipelines is analyzed. For this purpose, the features of cohesion of inclusions with the matrix in the weld metal in the initial state and after operation on the main steam pipeline for 23 years were compared. The influence of hydrogen (absorbed by the weld metal during long-term operation, as well as during its additional electrolytic charging) on the cohesion of inclusions in its structure with the surrounding matrix is also considered. A decrease in cohesion between these two components of the weld metal structure under the influence of all analized factors is shown. Thus, a method for quantitative assessment of fractographic features caused by the decohesion of inclusions from the matrix developed on the basis of analysis and computer processing of scanning electron microscope images, can be used to assess the operational damage of the weld metal at the microscopic level.

Using automated indices of cohesion to explore the growth of cohesive features in L2 writing

Abstract While the use of cohesive devices has received considerable attention in L2 writing research, scant attention has been devoted to exploring local, global, and textual cohesive features across two genres at different time points using indices generated by the computational tool for automatic analysis of cohesion (TAACO). Inspired by this gap, this study attempted to: (a) identify TAACO indices that are predictive of human ratings of essay organization, (b) investigate which of the identified TAACO indices differ between narrative and argumentative genres, and (c) explore which of the identified TAACO indices might change over time. To achieve these purposes, 270 narrative and argumentative essays were collected from 45 L2 writers in counterbalanced order at six different time points. The results of mixed-effects modeling revealed textual cohesive devices to be significant predictors of human ratings of essay organization regardless of genre and indicated sustained development in the use of textual cohesive devices over time. This study has important implications for L2 writing assessment including the potential to enhance assessment practices by incorporating computational tools like TAACO. The findings emphasize the importance of considering textual cohesive devices as significant predictors of essay organization, regardless of genre.

A Corpus-Based Approach to Investigate the Cohesive Features Across Different Levels of CEFR

Despite plenty of previous studies pointing out the importance of validating the CEFR scale, scant attention has been given to the validation of the CEFR cohesion scale based on learners’ corpus. This study aims to examine the cohesive features of written texts at different levels of the CEFR using a corpus-based approach. Employing the TAACO and Coh-Metrix tools, this study identified identifies seven categories of key cohesive features, namely connectives, lexical overlap (sentence), Type-token ratio (TTR) and Density, givenness, semantic overlap, hypernymy and deep cohesion of the CEFR. The results showed that hypernymy and deep cohesion were the strongest predictors to distinguish CEFR levels and these categories generally kept a nonlinear relationship with CEFR levels. This study provides empirical evidence to further validate and refine the CEFR cohesion scale and casts light on the development of cohesive competence across different levels of the CEFR from the perspective of second language acquisition. More importantly, this study can provide pedagogical implications for learning and assessing cohesive competence.

Cohesion and Errors in Essay Writing by Libyan EFL Students: A Study in the English Department, Omar Al-Mukhtar University

This study examines the misuse of the cohesion features in persuasive essays written by second-year students in the Department of English Language at Omar Al-Mukhtar University for the academic year 2022-2023. The study is guided by Halliday and Hasan’s (1976) cohesion theory. It utilized a qualitative descriptive method to study the cohesion and errors in essay writing by Libyan EFL students. The data is obtained from the participants by writing a persuasive essay that discusses one of the two topics provided. The findings of this study are three types of errors in the use of cohesion features, namely: reference features, lexical cohesion and conjunctions. The analysis also found several errors related to the structure and content of the essay, namely: the absence of thesis statement, the use of inappropriate punctuation marks, the absence of appropriate transition signals, the inconsistency of ideas, errors using parts of speech and diction that are inappropriate.

Automated analysis of cohesive features in L2 writing: Examining effects of task complexity and task repetition

Informed by task-based approaches to language teaching, recent L2 writing research has sought to determine the effect of task complexity features on the complexity, accuracy, and fluency of written L2 production (Johnson, 2017). However, two areas of task-informed research have received scant attention: a) the effect of task complexity features on L2 writers’ use of cohesive devices and b) the effect of task repetition as a form of implicit planning. Furthermore, interaction effects of task complexity and task repetition on different types of cohesive devices in L2 writing have not been explored. To bridge these gaps, this study examines the effects of resource-directing task complexity features (Robinson, 2005), task repetition (Lambert et al., 2017), and their interaction on L2 writers’ use of cohesive devices. Ninety-six participants composed two argumentative essays in counterbalanced order: a) a simple task and b) a complex task and then completed a task difficulty questionnaire. After an interval of one week, the participants repeated each task. Essays were then analyzed using the Tool for Automatic Analysis of Cohesion—or TAACO (Crossley et al., 2018)—for indices found to be predictors of human ratings of essay organization (Abdi Tabari & Johnson, 2023). A factorial repeated-measures MANOVA revealed limited effects of task repetition on the participants’ use of cohesive devices. Rather, task complexity features had a more robust effect on their use of textual and local cohesive devices.

The leadership of the Oaxacan municipalities against COVID-19: The case of Santa Catarina Cuixtla, México, an analysis from the crisis management approach

In the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, two regimes of social and political organization coexist, political parties and indigenous regulatory systems (SNI), the latter present in 73 per cent of Oaxacan municipalities, a context where the main characteristic elements are the community assembly, the cargo system and tequio. During the Covid-19 pandemic, some municipal governments of the SNI regime have stood out for their leadership in managing the health crisis, innovation and implementation of actions to contain and minimize effects in their territories, and prioritizing the protection of public health. In this sense, the objective of this communication is to analyze the strategies that the Oaxacan SNI municipal governments have implemented to face the Covid-19 pandemic, through the crisis management approach. The case of Santa Catarina Cuixtla, Oaxaca, whose socio-political organization system preserves its uses and customs, highlighting features of social cohesion, is presented. The management of the pandemic is characterized and analyzed from ten executive tasks for effective crisis management (early recognition, creation of meaning, decision making, coordination, accountability, learning, resilience, among others) identifying innovation actions, participation, and social cohesion.

Exploring new insights into the role of cohesive devices in written academic genres

This study examined the use of cohesive features in 270 narrative and argumentative essays produced by 45 s language (L2) students over a semester-long writing course. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine the ability of the computational indices of cohesion (TAACO) variables to predict human ratings of essay quality, recognize any differences in the use of cohesive devices between narrative and argumentative genres, and ascertain which of the cohesive devices varied for each of the genres over time. The results indicated clear differences in how cohesion was signaled between the two genres. Narrative texts relied on the use of connective devices to signal cohesion, whereas argumentative texts relied on the use of global-level repetition. With regard to development, the results were less conclusive but do suggest expansion in the participants’ use of cohesive devices. These results provide important implications for L2 writing pedagogy and assessment.

Coupling CFD-DEM with cohesive force and chemical reaction sub-models for biomass combustion in a fluidized bed

The present study employs the CFD-DEM method coupled with cohesive force and chemical reaction sub-models to investigate the hydrodynamic and thermal behaviors in a biomass-fired fluidized bed combustor containing bed particles with cohesive features resulting from the high levels of inorganic alkalis in the biomass. The CFD-DEM simulations effectively reproduce the characteristic phenomena in a cohesive fluidized bed, such as particle agglomeration, gas bubbles with irregular boundaries, rat-holes, and gas channels. The results indicate that the particle kinetic energy continuously decreases with increasing particle cohesion, and the pressure-drop profile flattens suddenly at the onset of complete de-fluidization. Additionally, larger cohesive forces occur at coarse bed-particle conditions, while the particle-averaged cohesive force at the onset of de-fluidization weakens as the bed-particle size increases at the same superficial gas velocity. The regions near the bed bottom and sidewall are more sensitive to the hydrodynamic and thermal alterations resulting from increasing particle cohesion, making them more favorable for early detection. The convection heat and reaction heat dominate the heat transfer of bed particles and biomass particles, respectively. As the particle cohesion becomes more pronounced, the biomass-particle reaction heat flux decreases because biomass trapped in agglomerates experiences oxygen-deficient conditions due to the hindering effects of large agglomerates on the gas and the occurrence of gas channels. Overall, the present study indicates that the particle mixing and inter-phase heat transfer capacity, along with reaction intensity in the biomass-fired fluidized bed, deteriorates as particle cohesion increases. The extended model provides a particle-scale approach to analyze complex cohesive gas–solid reaction flow systems.

Automated Discourse Analysis Techniques and Implications for Writing Assessment

Analysing writing development as a function of foreign language competence is important in secondary school children because the developmental patterns are strongest at a young age when successful interventions are needed. Although a number of researchers have explored the degree to which specific textual characteristics in EFL students’ essays are associated with high and low ratings by teachers, the extent to which such characteristics are associated with rater-mediated assessment under standard exam conditions remains relatively unexplored. Motivated by the above void in pertinent literature, the overall aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between specific discourse features present in the writing scripts of EFL learners sitting for the British Council’s APTIS for TEENS exam and the assigned scores during operational scoring by specially trained raters. A total of 800 international EFL students aged 13 to 15 years old took part in the study, and 800 scored written essays on the same task prompt of the pertinent test produced under standard exam conditions were analysed. The results showed statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between the linguistic features identified in the essays produced by young EFL learners at different levels of language competence. The main text features that were repeatedly found to make a significant contribution to distinguishing scores assigned to texts both within and across levels were word frequency, word abstractness, lexical diversity, lexical and semantic overlap, all of which could be used to obtain a numerical cut-off point between proficiency levels. These findings support the notion that progress in L2 writing is primarily associated with producing more elaborate texts with more sophisticated words, more complex sentence structure and fewer cohesive features as a function of increased language competence. The findings of the study could provide practical guidance to EFL teachers, material developers and test designers as to the kind of linguistic strategies young EFL learners develop as a function of their level of language competence and suggestions to consider when designing EFL classroom curricula, writing skills textbooks and exam papers on written production.

How do cohesion features inform science instruction for English learners?: A comparison study of digital and printed science texts

ABSTRACT Cohesion plays an important role in science texts as their comprehension depends much on structural and textual signalling, which demonstrates the organisation of the text, the logical links of ideas, and the intended purpose of the writer. Particularly, research has shown that English learners (ELs) rely more on cohesive markers than their English-speaking peers during the reading process. To promote students’ reading comprehension in science, understanding how cohesion features are used to construct texts and providing pertinent instructions are important for practitioners. This study investigated a series of cohesion features commonly adopted in middle school science texts in the U.S. – in digital and printed texts respectively, through Coh-Metrix – and compared their frequency using Hotelling’s T-Squared test. This study is one of the pioneer studies that incorporated digital texts for cohesion analysis. Inclusion of the digital texts is meaningful as the pandemic facilitated technology uses in the U.S public school and elsewhere. Results showed that (1) commonly used cohesion features included additive connectives, 2nd person pronouns, and local referential cohesion, and (2) compared with the printed version of science texts, the digital version presented higher cohesion as indicated by index scores. The instructional implications for practitioners are discussed.

Dimensions of Social Cohesion in a Transitional Society: The Case of Ukraine

Focusing on the local community level, this study draws on representative survey data to examine how Ukrainians perceive social cohesion on the basis of objective and subjective criteria. Building on Chan et al.'s operationalisation of social cohesion, we use factor analysis to identify four dimensions of social cohesion: social engagement, connectedness, civic participation and intergroup concordance. Although we find no differences in assessments between the various regions of the country, social cohesion appears stronger in voluntarily formed amalgamated territorial communities compared to other territorial units. We discuss how and why Ukraine differs from other societies as to social cohesion features.

Synthesis, crystal structure and catalytic activity of the new hybrid phosphate (C4H12N2)[Co(H2O)6](HPO4)2

A new hybrid phosphate (C4H12N2)[Co(H2O)6](HPO4)2 has been synthesized using wet chemistry. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, the cell parameters (Å, °): [a = 6.2959(2), b = 9.5613(3), c = 12.7942(4), β = 92.718(3), V = 769.31(4) Å3 and Z = 2]. Its crystal packing is made of isolated [Co(H2O)6] octahedra, regular [PO3(OH)] tetrahedra and diprotonated piperazine [C4H12N2]2+, which interact through hydrogen bonds. The Hirshfeld surface and 2D fingerprint plots have been performed to explore the features of the crystal cohesion. The main contributions are provided by O···H/H···O contacts. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy shows the expected bands of piperazine and phosphate groups. The catalytic efficiency was tested with the reduction reaction of the three nitrophenol isomers (paranitrophenol 4-NP, metanitrophenol 3-NP and orthonitrophenol 2-NP), and was applied as an oxidant for the degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solutions.

Effects of Content Support and Planning Instruction on Discourse Connection in EFL Argumentative Writing.

Discourse connection is a challenging aspect of writing in a second language. This study seeks to investigate the effects of two classroom instructions on discourse connection in writing for EFL college students, focusing on their argumentative writing. Three classes were exposed to different pre-task conditions: receiving reading materials that provide content support for the writing, receiving planning instructions on effective outlining, and receiving no resources. The results showed that the instructions helped students attain better overall coherence in writing. However, noticeable differences between the two experimental groups emerged in terms of cohesion features. The reading group was found to employ more lexical cohesion devices in writing than the outline group, which indicated a heightened genre awareness. This inquiry helped us identify the reading group’s alignment with content support materials, particularly the change in stance as a factor that contributes to a higher level of lexical cohesion in writing.

The Role of Typha angustifilia Fiber-Matrix Bonding Parameters on Interfacial Shear Strength Analysis.

The microbond test of natural fibers tends to produce scattered interfacial shear stress (IFSS) values. The sources of this scattering are known, but the roles they play in producing high IFSS scattering remain to be investigated. In this study, a numerical method was used to simulate microbond testing and to examine the experimental parameters in a microbond test of Typha angustifolia fiber/epoxy. Three parameters were considered: fiber diameter, fiber length embedded in the epoxy, and the distance between the vise and the specimen. The geometries were modeled and analyzed by ABAQUS software using its cohesive zone model features. There were two types of contact used in this analysis: tie constraint and surface-to-surface. The results showcased the roles of the following experimental parameters: a larger fiber diameter from a sample increased the IFSS value, a longer embedded length reduced the IFSS value, and a shorter vise–specimen distance increased the IFSS value. The IFSS scattering in the microbond test could have originated from the interaction between these parameters. Of the three parameters, only the vise–specimen distance was found to be able to be reasonably controlled. When the IFSS value was atypically large, fiber diameter and/or embedded length potentially drove the scattering. This study advises further compilation and classification of the role of each experimental parameter in modulating the IFSS value.

Estimation of bed shear stress and analysis of sediment resuspension in Lake Chaohu, China.

Resuspended sediment is an important carrier of underwater material circulation, and bed shear stress is usually considered to be closely related to sediment resuspension. To analyze the resuspension dynamics in severely eutrophic Lake Chaohu, China, three fixed stations were set up to collect wave, current, and suspended sediment concentrate (SSC) data under windy weather, and two significant sediment resuspension events were recorded. Based on the Gaussian-shaped spectrum characteristics of waves in Lake Chaohu, the wave orbital velocity was estimated by using the wave parameter method. The selection of the general wave spectrum is important for the accurate estimation of wave orbital velocity. The results of the simple linear wave method were very similar to those of the wave parameter method with a Gaussian-shaped spectrum in Lake Chaohu. The total bed shear stress combining waves and currents during the observation period was calculated, and most of it was contributed by wind-driven waves. The bed material of Lake Chaohu has silt-enriched and weak cohesive features, and an examination of critical shear stress showed that the modified Shields curve method was still applicable to Lake Chaohu. When a sediment resuspension event occurred, the vertical gradient of SSC increased significantly, and the peak SSC value depended on the peak value of bed shear stress. As a predictor, bed shear stress only showed a good linear relationship during sediment resuspension events. At other times, the prediction of SSC using bed shear stress may be biased, especially at the time after a significant sediment resuspension event.

Development and Validation of the Mood Instability Questionnaire-Trait (MIQ-T).

Background and objectives: Mood instability (MI) is a stable trait associated with psychiatric disorders, yet there is a lack of tools to measure MI. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the Mood Instability Questionnaire-Trait (MIQ-T) to evaluate MI in mood disorder patients. Material and methods: Items were taken from various established questionnaires to create an initial list of MIQ-T questions. Data from 309 psychiatric patients (n = 309; 62 major depressive disorder, 58 bipolar I disorder, and 189 bipolar II disorder) were gathered from their medical records and were utilized in an exploratory factor analysis to clarify the underlying components of MI. Then, anonymous survey data from 288 individuals from the general population were included in the analysis as a comparison group. Associations between MIQ-T and other previously validated clinical instruments for mood disorders were examined to test external validity. Results: The exploratory factor analysis demonstrated that the five-factor structure (Lability, Upward Tendency, Downward Tendency, Childhood Instability, and Seasonality) of 59 items was the most appropriate with clear, cohesive features. MIQ-T exhibited high internal consistency (α = 0.96) and moderate to strong correlations with other previously validated clinical instruments, which were consistent with theoretical predictions, providing evidence of criterion validity. Short forms were also created to address the high internal consistency value, which can indicate redundancy, and to increase the approachability of the measure. We found that the patients with bipolar II disorder had higher MIQ-T scores than the patients with bipolar I disorder or major depressive disorder and the comparison group. Conclusion: Together, these findings validate the newly developed MIQ-T as an instrument of mood instability. MIQ-T can be a potential research tool for mood disorder.

The Impact of Intra-Organizational Knowledge configuration on the Termination of Patented Inventions

This paper examines how intra-organizational knowledge configuration, and specifically cohesion among knowledge components, influences an organization’s decision to terminate patented inventions. We differentiate cohesion among knowledge components at local and global levels and argue that local and global knowledge cohesion have differing effects on invention termination. We matched two datasets to test our hypotheses. Using a longitudinal dataset consisting of the patenting activities of 417 U.S. pharmaceutical firms, we constructed organizational knowledge networks and identified local and global cohesion features. We then used patent maintenance data to specify invention termination by tracking non-payment of patent renewal fees. We found that local knowledge cohesion facilitates the retention of patented inventions, while global knowledge cohesion is positively associated with the termination of patented inventions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Automatic analysis of cognitive presence in online discussions: An approach using deep learning and explainable artificial intelligence

This paper proposes the adoption of a deep learning method to automate the categorisation of online discussion messages according to the phases of cognitive presence, a fundamental construct from the widely used Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework of online learning. We investigated not only the performance of a deep learning classifier but also its generalisability and interpretability, using explainable artificial intelligence algorithms. In the study, we compared a Convolution Neural Network (CNN) model with the previous approaches reported on the literature based on random forest classifiers and linguistics features of psychological processes and cohesion. The CNN classifier trained and tested on the individual data set reached results up to Cohen's κ of 0.528, demonstrating a similar performance to those of the random forest classifiers. Also, the generalisability outcomes of the CNN classifiers across two disciplinary courses were similar to the results of the random forest approach. Finally, the visualisations of explainable artificial intelligence provide novel insights into identifying the phases of cognitive presence by word-level relevant indicators, as a complement to the feature importance analysis from the random forest. Thus, we envisage combining the deep learning method and the conventional machine learning algorithms (e.g. random forest) as complementary approaches to classify the phases of cognitive presence.