Testing TDM Modifications with Mail Surveys During a Southern Farm Study: A Research Note

Based on data collected during a mail survey of crime and vandalism on farms in a southern state, this study involves a modification of two procedures in the Total Design Method: 1) individually signed cover letters; and 2) replacement questionnaires for the second mailing. While the first procedure was found to have no significant effect on the return rate, the inclusion of replacement questionnaires with the second mailing improved the response rate by a wide margin (more than double the letter-only mailing). The implications of audience type (in this case a farm audience) and other survey design features on response rates are discussed

Versuch einer exemplarischen Teilanalyse eines Wortfeldes

Der vorliegende Aufsatz unternimmt den Versuch, einen Ausschnitt des Wortfeldes mit dem eponymen Verb schlafen ausführlicher darzustellen. Die semantische Beschreibung des Eponyms selbst wird hier noch nicht geleistet; sie wird vielmehr als wohldefiniert unterstellt in einer solchen Weise, daß damit und unter Benutzung des Begriffs der stärkeren oder schwächeren Realisierung propositionaler Gehalte die Zustandsverben des Feldes untersucht werden können. Die Analyse der Verben, die Übergänge zwischen den Zuständen darstellen, erfolgt anschließend unter Verwendung des CHANGE-Operators, der allmähliche, nicht notwendig regelmäßige Übergänge zwischen Zuständen in zeitlicher Abfolge darstellt. Die Darstellung wird hier weitgehend informell durch Graphiken vorgenommen

Fragment einer generativen Grammatik mit λ-kategorialer Basis

Der vorliegende Aufsatz skizziert zunächst Syntax und Semantik einer kategorialen Sprache L. Diese wird dann durch Einführung des Funktionenabstraktors X zu einer reicheren und elastischeren Sprache erweitert. Abschließend soll die Überführung der Strukturen dieser Basissprache in eine einzelsprachliche Seichte Syntax angedeutet werden

Präsensperfekt vs. Präteritum im Deutschen

Ein entscheidender Prüfstein jeder Beschreibung der Bedeutungen der deutschen Tempora ist es offensichtlich, daß diese Beschreibung das Verhältnis von Präsensperfekt und Präteritum in befriedigender Weise in den Griff bekommt. Ich werde in dem folgenden Beitrag einen Ansatz skizzieren, der die in diesem Problemkreis auftretenden Fragen m.E. zufriedenstellend lösen kann. Ich werde dabei skizzenhaft und informell einen Ausschnitt aus einer Rekonstruktion des deutschen Tempussystems im Rahmen einer erweiterten Aussagenlogik vorstellen

A study of inter-department mobility of workers in a meat packing plant: Volitional versus non-volitional

In general, this study investigates inter-department mobility with respect to a representative group of blue collar workers in a mean packing plant. More specifically, the distinction is being made between what might be called volitional and non-volitional mobility. An effort will be made to ascertain to what degree volitional mobility exists in the plant. In addition, various correlates of respondents will be explored and an attempt will be made to determine the relationship which prevails between the correlates and the source of inter-plant mobility

Ways of Guided Listening: Embodied approaches to the design of interactive sonifications

This thesis presents three use cases for interactive feedback. In each case users interact with a system and receive feedback: the primary source of feedback is visual, while a second source of feedback is offered as sonification. The first use case comprised an interactive sonification system for use by pathologists in the triage stage of cancer diagnostics. Image features derived from computational homology are mapped to a soundscape with integrated auditory glance indicating potential regions of interests. The resulting prototype did not meet the requirements of a domain expert. In the second case this thesis presents an interactive sonification plug-in developed for a software package for interactive visualisation of macromolecular complexes. A framework for building different sonification methods in Python and an OSC-controlled sound producing software was established along with sonification methods and a general sonification plugin. It received generally positive feedback, but the mapping was deemed not very transparent. From these cases and ideas in sonification design literature, the Subject-Position-Based Sonification Design Framework (SPBDF) was developed. It explores an alternative conception of design: that working from a frame of reference encompassing a non-expert audience will lead towards sonifications that are more easily understood. A method for the analysis of sonifications according to its criteria is outlined and put into practice to evaluate a range of sonifications. This framework was evaluated in the third use case, a system for sonified feedback for an exercise device designed for back pain rehabilitation. Two different sonifications, one using SPBDF as basis of their design, were evaluated, indicating that interactive sonification can provide valuable feedback and improve task performance (decrease the mean speed) when the soundscape employed invokes an appropriate emotional response in the user

Employment Migration Among Graduates of Southern Land-Grant Universities

This research addresses the geographic mobility of 2,028 graduates of 15 Southern land-grant universities. Concern was directed toward those who accepted positions outside the state where they graduated compared with those who remained within the state. The study uses panel data involving a 1976-77 survey while students were enrolled in an agriculture curriculum at land-grant schools and a follow-up survey a decade later. Migration patterns were identified and both demographic characteristics and employment history were examined. Migrant graduates were compared with non-migrant graduates according to what they considered important in accepting a first job as well as actual job earnings. Although migrant graduates attributed more importance on work characteristics than economic reasons for accepting out-of-state jobs, higher starting salary and better benefits were found to be important factors associated with the move to another state. Differences were also detected for male and female graduates. Theoretical interpretation and policy implications are discussed