Locating Variation in Person Restrictions

Person based restrictions on combination of two internal argument clitics known as the Person Case Constraint (PCC) show two types of variation: (i) Different languages and different groups of speakers within one language allow differ combinations of person on the two internal argument clitics, and (ii) languages differ on which of the two arguments is realized differently when cliticization of both is blocked by the PCC. Two types of proposals exist within the larger literature on person based restrictions for how the first type of variation arises. Multiple Agree analyses locate the variation in the parametrization of the operation Agree. Cyclic Agree analyses on the other hand locate the variation in the properties of the functional lexicon, specifically the feature content of the probe and its syntactic position. Case studies of Central Catalan and Classical Arabic demonstrate here that a Cyclic Agree analysis using different feature specifications on the probe can account for variation of the first type between the Strong PCC and the Ultrastrong PCC within each of the the two languages. Cyclic Agree thus offers a unified analysis of such variation in the PCC and in person restrictions between subjects and objects where it was originally proposed (Bejar & Rezac 2009). The second type of variation is shown to arise from the different underlying structures that cause PCC in Central Catalan and Classical Arabic. A Cyclic Agree analysis offers a way of understanding this variation in terms of the different positions of the probes, different locality patterns of Agree as a function thereof and the presence of other processes of movement and Agree. The alternative strategies used when the PCC blocks cliticization are argued to follow from independent derivational processes, rather than a Last Resort mechanism. The analysis of the PCC is also shown to extend to restrictions on combinations of third person pronouns that are not typically analyzed in the PCC literature. Cyclic Agree thus accounts for some of the variation of the first type, plus the second type and restrictions on combinations of third person pronouns

Infrastructure in Crisis: A Values-Driven Framework for Transparent Contextual Decision-Making in Emergency Situations

Crises that lean on techno-solutionism often conflict with user privacy concerns. The technology industry frequently applies user expectations in an ad hoc manner, such as after a scandal or legal repercussions. Users have technology and tools thrust upon them with little or no choice as they attend school, go to work, and participate in society. This is compounded with a sense of urgency where privacy is an after-thought in the design of technology solutions. This paper proposes a values-driven framework to guide implementors to identify core values that connect to the technical functionality. It also prompts decision-makers and implementors to transparently define the lifecycle of data as it traverses their technology by describing the stages that users will encounter. This framework aims to bring higher level ideas and values directly into the decision-making process as it situates and connects human values within the data lifecycle to functionality within the technology

Hat sich die Soziologie in einem double bind verfangen?

Der Beitrag geht von der These aus, dass sich die Soziologie aufgrund ihres Anspruchs die Gesellschaft analysieren und verändern zu wollen, in einen double bind manövriert hat. Diese These wird auf der Grundlage von Gregory Batesons Doppelbindungstheorie, der Theorie funktionaler Differenzierung von Niklas Luhmann und Erving Goffmans Theorie der Imagepflege entfaltet. Demnach verbreitet die Soziologie eine widersprüchliche Selbstbeschreibung. Mit dieser widersprüchlichen Selbstbeschreibung kann der aktuelle öffentliche Relevanzverlust der Soziologie erklärt werden.

Understanding the role of expectations on human responses to an automated system

As automation becomes increasing ubiquitous, it is important to know how differences in introducing automated systems will affect human-automation interactions. There are two main ways of introducing expected reliability of an automated system to users: explicitly telling operators what to expect or giving operators experience using the system. This study systematically investigated the effect of expectation format initially and over time on: 1) perceptions of reliability and system usage, and 2) human responses to automation (e.g., compliance, reliance, and overall dependence). Initially, there was an effect of expected level for explicit statement groups, whereas there was no effect of expected level for initial exposure groups. Over time, explicit statement groups had more stable perceptions of system reliability than the initial exposure groups. In general, perceived reliability did not converge to actual system reliability (75%) by the end of the study. Additionally, perceived reliability had a weak, but positive relationship with actual system use, whereas perceptions of system use (e.g., perceived dependence) had a strong, but negative relationship with actual system use. Outside of initial effects seen with perceived reliability, there were few initial differences between expectation formats. Almost all groups tended to initially comply more than rely, with the exception of the initial exposure – lower-than group. Over time, level of expectation for initial exposure groups influenced reliance. There were no differences between expectation groups on compliance and dependence over time. In general, dependence and compliance increased or stayed the same as time using the system increased. This pattern was also seen with reliance, with the exception of the initial exposure - higher-than group decreasing reliance over time. Results from this study have implications for both theory and practice. The research findings both support and augment the existing conceptual model of automation. A better understanding of the differential effects of expectation format and introduced level of expectations can lead to introductions of automated systems that are best suited to the system’s goals, ultimately improving system performance.M.S

Understanding older adults’ perceptions of and attitudes towards exergames

Purpose Maintaining physical activity is a key component of successful aging and has benefits for both physical and cognitive functioning in the older adult population. One promising method for engaging in physical activity is through exergames, which are video games designed to promote exercise. Exergames have the potential to be used by a wide range of people, including older adults, in a variety of settings, such as at home, in community living environments, or senior centers. However, exergames have not been designed for older adults (e.g., with respect to their attitudes, needs). Thus, older adults may not adopt these systems if they perceive them as not useful or relevant to them. Method Twenty older adults (aged 60-79) interacted with two exergames, and were then interviewed about their perceptions of the system’s ease of use and usefulness, as well as their general attitudes towards the system. Results Participants identified the potential for exergames’ usefulness for various goals, such as to increase their physical activity. However, they also reported negative attitudes concerning the system, including perceiving barriers to system use. Overall, participants said they would use the system in the future and recommend it to other people at their age for improving health, despite these use challenges. Conclusion The older adults were open to adopting exergames, which could provide opportunities to increase physical activity. Given the participants’ overall positive perceptions of the usefulness of exergames, designers must address the perceived challenges of using these systems. Understanding barriers and facilitators for older adults’ use of exergames can guide design, training, and adoption of these systems

Airport business ecosystem

Purpose: The aim of the research, the results of which are presented in this article, is to demonstrate the usefulness of the ecosystem theory for the description and analysis of airports. Methodology: The study used a critical literature review, desk research analysis, and the deduction method. Findings: The result of the research is a model of an airport as an ecosystem. Practical implications: Contribution to the development of management sciences is expanding knowledge on the use of the ecosystem theory to describe, research, and learn about airport organizations. Originality: In the article it was formulated model of sources of the effectiveness of organization’s ecosystem and model of sources of the effectiveness airport Business ecosystempeer-reviewe

Multifocal versus monofocal intraocular lenses after cataract extraction.

BACKGROUND: Good unaided distance visual acuity is now a realistic expectation following cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Near vision, however, still requires additional refractive power, usually in the form of reading glasses. Multiple optic (multifocal) IOLs are available which claim to allow good vision at a range of distances. It is unclear whether this benefit outweighs the optical compromises inherent in multifocal IOLs. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of multifocal IOLs, including effects on visual acuity, subjective visual satisfaction, spectacle dependence, glare and contrast sensitivity, compared to standard monofocal lenses in people undergoing cataract surgery. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group Trials Register) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 2), MEDLINE (January 1946 to March 2012), EMBASE (January 1980 to March 2012), the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (www.controlled-trials.com), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. The electronic databases were last searched on 6 March 2012. We searched the reference lists of relevant articles and contacted investigators of included studies and manufacturers of multifocal IOLs for information about additional published and unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials comparing a multifocal IOL of any type with a monofocal IOL as control were included. Both unilateral and bilateral implantation trials were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors collected data and assessed trial quality. Where possible, we pooled data from the individual studies using a random-effects model, otherwise we tabulated data. MAIN RESULTS: Sixteen completed trials (1608 participants) and two ongoing trials were identified. All included trials compared multifocal and monofocal lenses but there was considerable variety in the make and model of lenses implanted. Overall we considered the trials at risk of performance and detection bias because it was difficult to mask patients and outcome assessors. It was also difficult to assess the role of reporting bias. There was moderate quality evidence that similar distance acuity is achieved with both types of lenses (pooled risk ratio (RR) for unaided visual acuity worse than 6/6: 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.91 to 1.05). There was also evidence that people with multifocal lenses had better near vision but methodological and statistical heterogeneity meant that we did not calculate a pooled estimate for effect on near vision. Total freedom from use of glasses was achieved more frequently with multifocal than monofocal IOLs. Adverse subjective visual phenomena, particularly haloes, or rings around lights, were more prevalent and more troublesome in participants with the multifocal IOL and there was evidence of reduced contrast sensitivity with the multifocal lenses. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Multifocal IOLs are effective at improving near vision relative to monofocal IOLs. Whether that improvement outweighs the adverse effects of multifocal IOLs will vary between patients. Motivation to achieve spectacle independence is likely to be the deciding factor

Global Times Call for Global Measures: Investigating Automated Essay Scoring in Linguistically-Diverse MOOCs

This paper utilizes a case-study design to discuss global aspects of massive open online course (MOOC) assessment. Drawing from the literature on open-course models and linguistic gatekeeping in education, we position freeform assessment in MOOCs as both challenging and valuable, with an emphasis on current practices and student resources. We report on the findings from a linguistically-diverse pharmacy MOOC, taught by a native English speaker, which utilized an automated essay scoring (AES) assignment to engage students in the application of course content. Native English speakers performed better on the assignment overall, across both automated- and human-graders. Additionally, our results suggest that the use of an AES system may disadvantage non-native English speakers, with agreement between instructor and AES scoring being significantly lower for non-native English speakers. Survey responses also revealed that students often utilized online translators, though analyses showed that this did not detrimentally affect essay grades. Pedagogical and future assignment suggestions are then outlined, utilizing a multicultural-lens and acknowledging the possibility of certain assessments disadvantaging non-native English speakers within an English-based MOOC system