Final aspiration as a phrase boundary cue in Swedish: the case of att 'that'

The Swedish word att /at/ is associated with two grammatical functions: a) (part of) a subordinate conjunction and b) an infinitive marker. This pilot study, with 5 short spontaneous discourses from 3 male speakers shows a correlation between pauses after att, and aspiration of /t/ in att, where aspiration can be interpreted as a kind of final lengthening involving the release phase of the stop consonant. We also show a tendency for att with aspiration to be associated with the grammatical function of subordinate conjunction. Further, we are able to show a tendency for the infinitive marker to be unaspirated in the normal case, while the subordinate conjunctions are characterized by final aspiration in 40 % of the cases

Word final aspiration as a phrase boundary cue: Data from spontaneous Swedish discourse

The Swedish sound string /at/ (graphically: att) is associated with two grammatical functions: a) (part of) a subordinate conjunction and b) as an infinitive marker. Previous studies connect final lengthening and pauses with prosodic and syntactic boundaries in spoken discourse. Following these findings, this pilot study, with 5 short spontaneous discourses from 3 male speakers shows a correlation between pauses after att, and aspiration of /t/ in att. We also show a tendency for att with aspiration to be associated with the grammatical function of subordinate conjunction. Further, looking at the distribution of aspiration in the subordinate conjunction att, and in the infinitive marker att, we are able to show a tendency for the infinitive marker to be unaspirated in the normal case, while the subordinate conjunctions are characterized by final aspiration in 40 % of the cases

Genre repertoire in Online Discussion Forum: A case from Thailand

An online discussion forum becomes more significant in facilitating people to share opinions. Companies must understand how consumers use the online forum. We study an influential online discussion forum in Thailand, Pantip.com, in order to classify user behaviours in the cosmetic discussion forum. We adopt the concept of genre and genre repertoire to assist our content analysis. We analyse 77 discussion threads, which contain a “cosmetic” keyword during a 6-week period in late 2014. Our preliminary analysis shows that the genre repertoire found on Pantip.com consists of three genres: (1) Information sharing, (2) Opinion discussion, and (3) Question asking. A theoretical contribution from this study is that we show how genre theory can be used to describe an online discussion forum, and a practical contribution is that business companies could adopt the insights generated to form their communication practices to customers, which are inline with existing genres

Towards sustainable green infrastructure in Xi’an, China

One of the greatest challenges of today’s society is to achieve sustainable urban development. China is a big country with the largest population in the world, which is growing even more, and so do the already large cities. Pollution is a big problem in the cities in China, hence, it is very important that plans for green infrastructures in the cities are encouraged. Green areas can help to mitigate the pollution, they have a whole range of ecosystem services and they play an important role in creating a healthy urban environment. This master thesis concerns the green infrastructure in the city of Xi’an, the former ancient capital of China. The aim is to study the green infrastructure in three different scales; from the overall city plan via intermediate neighborhood to the fine solution for a green area of a specific site. The results are based on sustainability from an ecological and social perspective. The results could be used as a tool for suggesting a strategy for the development of sustainable green infrastructure in Xi’an and other Chinese cities. The work with this master thesis consisted of four phases; preparation and research, a field study, compilation of the gathered material and final proposal and presentation. Methods that were used during the inventory were literature study, studies of maps and plans, case study of a neighborhood, site visits, field trips, interviews, observational studies and photography. SWOT-analysis and Lynch-analysis were methods used to analyze the sites. The methods were used to get as wide perspective of the city as possible. Green infrastructure is a network of the green areas in a city and its surroundings. It provides several benefits to people and wildlife with its ecosystem services, health aspects and social values, whether it is large scale or small scale. To protect and restore the green infrastructure in the growing cities is thus essential. Western influences, such as lawns and flowerbeds, are commonly seen in the green infrastructure of Xi’an. Especially in green areas inside neighborhoods and in front of historical monuments, campuses and governmental institutions, such elements are common. The western influences are not adjusted to the Chinese culture or local conditions though, resulting in very high maintenance and bad impact on the environment. Even modern green areas have classical Chinese elements; they have lost their initial spiritual meaningfulness and have mostly functional purpose. This phenomena need to be evaluated and discussed further on. This master thesis could be a small step towards a beginning of improving green areas and the living conditions in bigger cities in China

Invisible Work Meets Visible Work: Infrastructuring from the Perspective of Patients and Healthcare Professionals

Increased patient engagement and the use of new types of data, such as patient-generated health data (PGHD) is shifting how work is performed in relation to healthcare. This change enables healthcare professionals to delegate parts of work previously conducted by them to patients. There is a consensus regarding the need for nurses and physicians to work seamlessly together to make healthcare flow, but the role and responsibility of patients are less researched. In this paper, we aim to fill that gap by focusing on the shift of work from healthcare professionals to patients from the perspective of i) patients and ii) healthcare professionals. We use infrastructuring as a lens to understand the design of everyday work and actions from both perspectives. The main contribution is an analysis of, and insights into, how the work of patients can support healthcare professionals along with a conceptualization of how infrastructuring processes within and outside of healthcare are interconnected

Roadmap for Societal Engagement for Higher Education Institutions

Publicación derivada del siguiente Proyecto Europeo: Higher Education Institution for Societal Engagement. HEISE. http://www.mapsi.eu/heise/Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a key role in educating young people to understand the underlying values in societies and cultures, which create crucial abilities to foster social integration. To succeed in this, the teachers and students of HEIs need novel ways to increase intercultural understanding and social inclusion. Hence, in the project we aim to create a comprehensive educational model grounded in experiential and challenge based learning to increase the higher education institutions’ societal engagement (HEISE).This study was co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union within the Strategic Partnership for Higher Education (grant no. 2016-1-EE01-KA203-017334; HEISE project)

Managing art projects with societal impact : study book for students, stakeholders and researchers

This publication is an outcome of a joint co-writing effort created together with several researchers: Riikka Anttonen, Victoria Ateca-Amestoy, Kaisa Holopainen, Tanja Johansson, Annukka Jyrämä, Anne Karkkunen, Kaari-Kiitsak Prikk, Kristina Kuznetsova-Bogdanovitš, Mervi Luonila, Juko-Mart Kõlar, Beatriz Plaza, Kätlin Pulk, Tiina Pusa, Anna Ranczakowska-Ljutjuk, Marge Sassi, Ira Stiller and Anne Äyväri. We have each contributed to the building and commenting on the chapters, not only within our fields of expertise but conjointly and collectively throughout the Study Book. The book is based on our joint activities within Managing Art Projects with Societal Impact (MAPSI) – project in EU Erasmus+ Lifelong learning –programme (201-32016). MAPSI joins five organizations that each bring into the project their special expertise; Estonian Academy of Theatre and Music, Estonian Business School, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki and Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea UPV/EHU (for more information about the project please see http://www.mapsi.eu/). During the project we have learnt to question each other, reflect together, and jointly create new knowledge across the different fields of experiences. The Study Book highlights this process way of working. The aims of MAPSI project were: • To create a specialization module in master programs in management of artistic projects with societal impact • To create an international network focusing on educating cultural managers and facilitators to manage and mediate artistic and cultural projects with societal impact. • Create an innovative field of specialization in the context of art/cultural management master’s programmes that train the future managers and mediators for artistic projects with societal impact • Develop new teaching materials and content of high quality that contribute to the European arts/cultural management education • Build up a conception of new integrated models for interactive study and internships This Study Book is one way to respond to these aims. The book is particularly called a ‘study book’, aiming not to give direct answers, but to open avenues for students and practitioners to reflect and learn to create their own way of managing art project with societal impact. The book provides analysis of the current practices, skills and the competences need for successful interaction between art and society. It contains multiple cases and examples as well as theoretical perspectives and tools for managers to build up their knowledge, competences and skills to manage art projects with societal impact. Yet, as we firmly believe that there is never only one right way to do 4 this, we do not provide only one way or a model to apply, but various perspectives to create one’s own model or models that could work in some specific contexts and circumstances. The key target group of the Study Book is students in arts management, social studies, arts, or economics interested in the field where art is used for societal engagement. We also believe that it contributes to the people already working or aiming to work in art projects or organizations with societal impact. We hope that our readers will not only acquire answers but also new questions; new knowledge and new perspectives building further the content of the book