Definiteness Morphology in Swedish Determiner Phrases

In Swedish determiner phrases definiteness can be realised both pre-nominally with a definite article and post-nominally with a definite suffix on the head noun. This paper discusses the distribution of definiteness morphology in a number of morphosyntactic contexts. Separate patterns of definiteness marking emerge when considering the following morphosyntactic contexts: DPs modified with a prepositional phrase, DPs followed by a restrictive relative clause, and DPs with adjectival pre-nominal modification. This paper synthesizes various proposals in the literature to develop the working analysis: in particular, LaCara\u27s (2011) analysis which includes two component features of definiteness and insights about DEN-omission from Simonenko (2014: Chapter 2). This working analysis demonstrates that the distribution under discussion can be unified using while maintaining a straightforward mapping between the semantics and the morphosyntax. The following avenues are identified as promising areas for future work: the distribution of definiteness morphology in additional morphosyntactic or semantic contexts and between varieties of Swedish; the semantic features adopted here and their alternatives; typological work concerning the semantic and morphosyntax definiteness cross-linguistically, including the properties of adjectival modification in definite DPs

Morphological Representations In Lexical Processing

This dissertation integrates insights from theoretical linguistics and the psycholinguistic literature through an investigation of the morphological representations involved in auditory lexical processing. Previous work in theoretical morphology, spoken word recognition, and morphological processing are considered together in generating hypotheses. Chapter 2 provides theoretical and methodological background. Theoretical linguistics is considered a subset of psycholinguistic inquiry. I argue that this perspective is beneficial to both subfields. Modality is a crucial theme: most work investigating morphological processing involves visual presentation, whereas this dissertation exclusively examines the auditory modality. Experimental work in this dissertation uses primed auditory lexical decision. Important considerations for this methodology are discussed in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 explores the role of morpho-phonological representations through a novel experimental design which examines the sensitivity of phonological rhyme priming to morphological structure, specifically, the extent to which stems of complex words are available for rhyme priming. Results suggest that phonological rhyme priming can facilitate phonological representations without facilitating syntactic representations, consistent with an architecture in which phonological and syntactic representations are separated. Furthermore, there is a directional asymmetry for the effect: stems in complex words are available for rhyme priming in targets but not primes. This asymmetry invites attention to the time-course of auditory morphological processing and a theoretical perspective in which syntactic and phonological recombination are considered separately. Chapter 4 concerns the processing of inflectional affixation. A distance manipulation is incorporated into two studies which compare word repetition priming to morphological stem priming. The results are informative about the time-course of the effects of representations involved with inflectional affixation. Furthermore, the results are consistent with abstract and episodic components of morphological priming which can be attributed to stem and recombination representations respectively. Finally, a morphological affix priming study focuses on the representation of the inflectional affix. Results are consistent with an account in which affixes are isolable representations in memory and therefore can be facilitated through identity priming. To summarise, by combining insights from theoretical linguistics and the psycholinguistic literature, this dissertation advances our understanding of the cognitive architecture of morphological representations and generates hypotheses for future research

Solutions to Burnout and Retention as Perceived by County Extension Agents of the Colorado State University Extension System

This study explored solutions to the issue of burnout and retention of Extension agents. Extension agents experience burnout for reasons such as long hours, stress, and organizational factors. As Extension administration addresses job satisfaction and performance of Extension employees, burnout and retention issues identified in this study can facilitate efforts to enhance the effectiveness of a statewide Extension program. Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory was the theoretical framework for this study. Researchers used the constant-comparative method of analysis to identify recurring themes from the open-ended items of an online-administered survey. Twelve primary themes emerged, including (a) compensation, (b) hiring practices, (c) promotion and advancement within Extension, (d) organizational support regarding agent development, (e) organizational support regarding administration, (f) organizational support regarding colleagues, (g) reporting, (h) recognition, (i) resources, (j) personnel and staffing, (k) evaluation of administration and specialists, and (l) workload. Results suggest that Extension administration should focus on the maintenance factors of compensation, workload, and internal promotion and advancement, as well as motivating factors, to improve retention of Extension agents

Why Work for Extension? An Examination of Job Satisfaction and Motivation in a Statewide Employee Retention Study

Understanding motivation and job satisfaction is important for increasing rates of employee retention within Extension. The purpose of the study reported here was to explore factors positively affecting the motivation of Extension professionals in their careers. An online survey of Extension professionals in Colorado was conducted. Factors such as the opportunity to make a difference in people\u27s lives, variety in daily activities, leave policies, and flexible scheduling were identified as positive motivators, but perceptions of motivators were significantly different between satisfied and dissatisfied employees. Recommendations for improving retention based on what motivates Extension professionals are discussed

Exploring Organizational Factors Related to Extension Employee Burnout

Employee burnout is a costly organizational issue with multiple negative impacts. The purpose of the descriptive study reported here was to explore organizational factors related to agent burnout within Colorado State University Extension. An online survey of county/area Extension professionals was conducted to measure perceptions of various organizational factors that may contribute to burnout. Several factors were identified as areas in need of attention, including systems, work unit climate, individual needs and values, and the external environment. Colorado State University Extension has already begun the process of using the results to make organizational improvements, which may ultimately reduce burnout

The Archive as an Illustrated Space for Disputed, ‘Dubious’ and Hidden Narratives: Employing an Original Concept of the Illustrative Turn in order to Re-establish Identities for Fairground Females within the Established Historical Record

This research asserts that an archive is a powerful narrative space whose structure can be manipulated to unveil and illustrate ‘dubious’ and hidden stories. This hypothesis is tested through an enquiry that physically builds an archive as illustrated space which (re-) establishes the identities of five fairground females through the utilisation of traditional signwriting and illustrative storytelling. Embedded within fairground heritage, both the research and practice elements of the enquiry are informed by an insider’s appreciation of its rich history. The research develops a relationship between the practices and theories of illustration and the archive: something under-developed when compared to the long-standing relationship between fine art and the archive. The framework of an archive as illustrated space is constructed by dissecting theories from varying standpoints. The research introduces the concept of the illustrative turn which borrows from the structure of a magic trick – involving the direction, subsequent misdirection, then reveal to the reader. The intention is for the framework to serve as a tool for illustrative practitioners to apply to their own archival research, and consequently the framework contributes to the critical discourse of illustration. The National Fairground and Circus Archive (NFCA) is utilised to establish how the existing representations of the five females are not fully recorded, despite their pivotal roles within their respective communities. Applying this research within the theoretical framework demonstrates how illustration contributes to the expansion of the historical record – and broadens audience engagement with the material: narrative fragments of the fairground females are conveyed to re-establish their identities in illustrated spaces, and consequently in the NFCA context

Increasing Inpatient Autonomy Through Self-Administration of Medications (SAM)

Abstract The purpose of this poster is to highlight a Performance Improvement Project (PIP). The PIP addressed a recent increase in hospital readmissions for joint surgery patients related to medication mismanagement post-discharge. The objective was to propose a solution to reduce readmissions through increasing inpatient autonomy. Existing literature and current practice guidelines were reviewed. A standard survey was created and distributed to gather healthcare professionals’ opinions on areas of improvement. Additionally, the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model was selected to provide a framework for the project. Evidence indicated the self-administration of medication (SAM) could address the aim of increased autonomy, including increasing the patient’s knowledge of medications. Previous SAM research studies have shown an increase in medication adherence. Increased medication adherence has a positive impact on hospital readmission rates. A SAM program proposal was designed as a test of change to be implemented in the virtual acute care orthopedic setting. If proven effective, the SAM program would be implemented hospital-wide. To implement this intervention, the authors recommend a three-leveled system of SAM, supported by an interdisciplinary team during the course of the patient’s hospital stay. Limitations included are the current COVID-19 pandemic, obtaining staff buy-in, and liability concerns

A fine-scale, broadly applicable index of vocal performance: frequency excursion

Our understanding of the evolution and function of animal displays has been advanced through studies of vocal performance. A widely used metric of vocal performance, vocal deviation, is limited by being applicable only to vocal trills, and also overlooks certain fine-scale aspects of song structure that might reflect vocal performance. In light of these limitations we here introduce a new index of vocal performance, \u27frequency excursion\u27. Frequency excursion calculates, for any given song or song segment, the sum of frequency modulations both within and between notes on a per-time basis. We calculated and compared the two performance metrics in three species: chipping sparrows, Spizella passerina, swamp sparrows, Melospiza georgiana, and song sparrows, Melospiza melodia. The two metrics correlated as expected, yet frequency excursion accounted for subtle variations in performance overlooked by vocal deviation. In swamp sparrows, frequency excursion values varied significantly by song type but not by individual. Moreover, song type performance in swamp sparrows, according to both metrics, varied negatively with the extent to which song types were shared among neighbours. In song sparrows, frequency excursion values of trilled song segments exceeded those of nontrilled song segments, although not to a statistically significant degree. We suggest that application of frequency excursion in birds and other taxa will provide new insights into diverse open questions concerning vocal performance, function and evolution. (c) 2016 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Talent & Tenacity: Sparking an Incubator in Ramsey

Report completed by students enrolled in PA 5211: Land Use Planning, taught by Fernando Burga in fall 2017.This project was completed as part of the 2017-2018 Resilient Communities Project (rcp.umn.edu) partnership with the City of Ramsey. The City of Ramsey has a successful business retention and expansion (BRE) program that has been focused on small-business development and growth. To advance these efforts, the City would like to pursue new initiatives to attract, retain, and grow businesses, including developing a long-term vision and strategy for a business incubator. To assess the feasibility of a business incubator, students in Dr. Fernando Burga’s Land Use Planning class documented economic development assets in Ramsey, interviewed successful business owners in Ramsey to understand their needs and challenges in starting a business, outlined considerations for the City in launching an incubator, and investigated the potential benefits and challenges of several business incubator models for Ramsey. A final report is available.This project was supported by the Resilient Communities Project (RCP), a program at the University of Minnesota whose mission is to connect communities in Minnesota with U of MN faculty and students to advance community resilience through collaborative, course-based projects. RCP is a program of the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA). More information at http://www.rcp.umn.edu

Sequential incoherence in a multi-party synchronous computer mediated communication for an introductory Health Informatics course.

Online courses will play a key role in the high-volume Informatics education required to train the personnel that will be necessary to fulfill the health IT needs of the country. Online courses can cause feelings of isolation in students. A common way to address these feelings is to hold synchronous online chats for students. Conventional chats, however, can be confusing and impose a high extrinsic cognitive load on their participants that hinders the learning process. In this paper we present a qualitative analysis that shows the causes of this high cognitive load and our solution through the use of a moderated chat system