Some acoustic and articulatory correlates of phrasal stress in Spanish

All spoken languages show rhythmic patterns. Recent work with a number of different languages (English, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and French) suggests that metrically (hierarchically) assigned stress levels of the utterance show strong correlations with the amount of jaw displacement, and corresponding F1 values. This paper examines some articulatory and acoustic correlates of Spanish rhythm; specifically, we ask if there is a correlation between phrasal stress values metrically assigned to each syllable and acoustic/articulatory values. We used video recordings of three Salvadoran Spanish speakers to measure maximum jaw displacement, mean F0, mean intensity, mean duration, and mid-vowel F1 for each vowel in two Spanish sentences. The results show strong correlations between stress and duration, and between stress and F1, but weak correlations between stress and both mean vowel intensity and maximum jaw displacement. We also found weak correlations between jaw displacement and both mean vowel intensity and F1

Integrated responses to domestic violence: legally mandated intervention programmes for male perpetrators

International surveys have suggested that around one-third of all adult women will, at some point in their lifetime, experience abuse perpetrated by an intimate male partner. Domestic violence is considered to be one of the major risk factors affecting women’s health in Australia and there is a need for the community to respond in ways that reduce the likelihood of further violence occurring. One way of doing this is to deliver programs that aim to reduce the risk of known perpetrators committing further offences. This paper describes the outcomes of a Gold Coast program delivered to men who perpetrate domestic violence and who are legally obliged to participate. The data show that this type of program can produce positive changes in participants. However, the extent to which such changes lead to direct behavioural change is less clear and further research and evaluation is required to develop the evidence base that is needed to ensure that programs for perpetrators produce significant and enduring improvements to community safety.<br/

Shared task proposal: Instruction giving in virtual worlds

This paper reports on the results of the working group “Virtual Environ-ments ” at the Workshop on Shared Tasks and Comparative Evaluation for NLG. This working group discussed the use of virtual environments as a platform for NLG evaluation, and more specifically of the generation of in

New reproductive and genetic technologies in Canada : towards a policy that manages technology and reproductive rights

New reproductive and genetic technologies in Canada, the void of regulation and policy, and the federal government's policy making attempts, to date, are the focus of this paper. The unencumbered growth of new reproductive and genetic technologies (NRGTs) are influenced by a technological imperative and our society's increasing reliance on the notion of reproductive rights. The unfettered use of the NRGTs may proffer a dystopian and eugenic future to society and to those affected, personally and financially, by the use of the technologies. Various stakeholders, including feminist organizations, the medical and scientific communities, and social policy advocates have been concerned with the lack of policy in the field, for well over ten years. To address the issue of NRGTs, the Canadian government established a Royal Commission (which reported in 1993), and has begun to institute a three part policy process that includes a voluntary moratorium on some of the morally and ethically controversial practices, the proposed prohibitive measures of Bill C-47, and a proposed regulatory framework. Throughout the policy development process the Canadian public and stakeholders, including those who have an interest in the future use of these technologies, have been consulted. Ten years into process, a synthesis of common views amongst previously divergent stakeholder groups now seems to be emerging. This paper reviews, analyses and examines the major issues of technological determinism and reproductive rights pertinent to the issue, in an effort to determine their effect on the development of the federal policy regarding new reproductive and genetic technologies

MAASTO Regional Truck Parking Information Management System (TPIMS)

TPIMS uses technology to collect and broadcast real-time parking availability in an eight-state region with dynamic signs for high-freight corridors. Join us to learn about this information management system

Video: Board Certification: Reaching the Pinnacle of Practice

Course Outline & Timeline Registration & Continental Breakfast: 7:30 to 7:55 am Atrium & Lecture Room Welcome & Introduction: 7:55 to 8:00 am Elena Rose Minicucci, J.D., Director of Alumni Relations, NSU Shepard Broad Law Center Welcome Introduce Professor Donna Carol Litman, and attorneys Sheryl Moore, Steven Farbman, Todd Weicholz, and William Snyder, LL.M. Seminar Presentation 8:00 am to 9:15 am Professor Donna Carol Litman - Moderator Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center Fort Lauderdale, FL Florida Bar Board Certified in Tax Law Professor Litman will lead the discussion among the other Board Certified attorneys listed above. The Discussion will cover the following: Overview of Board Certification – Requirements Rules Regulating Board Certification – in general Handout: Rule 6-3.5 “Standards for Certification” (general) Handout: Rule 6-3.6 “Recertification” (general) Revocation of Certification – Once Certified, lawyer may lose Certification for certain reasons such as: if the area of practice ceases to be certified; if disciplinary action is taken against the lawyer pursuant to Rules Regulating The Florida Bar; if the lawyer commits a crime; misrepresentation by the lawyer; failure to abide by the rules and regulations governing the program; other lawyer misconduct. Handout: Rule 6-3.8 “Revocation of Certification” 6 Ethics – Rules Regulating The Florida Bar Rule 6-3.9 “Manner of Certification” attorney and law firm must comply with this rule for all advertising, website, business cards, office sign; limitation on use of terms: “Specialist” or “Board Certified” or “Expert” or “B.C.S.” Handout: Rule 6-3.9 “Manner of Certification” & 4-7.14(a)(4) “Potentially Misleading Advertisements” Practice Areas – Board Certification in Florida offers twenty-four practice areas in which to become Board Certified Handout: “Florida’s 24 Legal Specialty Areas” from The Florida Bar Five Specific Board Certification Practice areas discussed below by speakers who are Board Certified in their practice areas: Tax Law Certification: Donna Carol Litman, Esq. Requirements as set forth in Rule 6-5 “Standards for Certification of a Board Certified Tax Lawyer” Handout: Rule 6-5 (including 6-5.1 through 6-5.4) Discussion of Article: Board Certification: The View From the Bench…and Beyond” by George W. Maxwell, III, 77 APR Fla. B.J. 34 (April 2003) – how Judges view Board Certified attorneys Marital & Family Law Certification: Sheryl Moore, Esq. Requirements as set forth in Rule 6-6 “Standards for Board Certification in Marital & Family Law” Handout: Rule 6-6 (including 6-6.1 through 6-6.5) – lawyers and judicial officers included Case Law and/or Ethical Considerations – The Florida Bar v. Morse 784 So. 2d 414 (Fla. 2001) dealing with revocation of Board Certification in Marital & Family Law for failure to provide diligent and competent representation to client Civil Trial Certification: Steven S. Farbman, Esq. Requirements as set forth in Rule 6-4 “Standards for Certification of a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer” Handout: Rule 6-4 (including 6-4.1 through 6-4.4) Case Law and/or Ethical Considerations – Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Chapter 4 – 1.5 Fees and Costs for Legal Services (including Contingency Fee Agreements) and Art. 1 Sec. 26 The Florida Constitution, “Claimant’s Right to Fair Compensation” Criminal Trial Certification: Todd Weicholz, Esq. Requirements as set forth in Rule 6-8 “Standards for Certification of a Board Certified Criminal Lawyer” Handout: Rule 6-8 (including 6-8.1 through 6-8.4) Case Law and/or Ethical Considerations – 4-7.18 “Direct Contact with Prospective Clients” especially relevant to criminal defense matters Wills, Trusts & Estates Certification: William Snyder, LL.M, Esq. Requirements as set forth in Rule 6-7 “Standards For Certification of a Board Certified Wills, Trusts, and Estates Lawyer” 7 Handout: Rule 6-7 (including 6-7.1 through 6-7.4) Case Law & Ethical Considerations - Rules Regulating the Florida Bar – Chapter 4 – 7.13 “Deceptive and Inherently Misleading Advertisements” especially regarding experience and special expertise Professor Donna Carol Litman, Esq. 9:15 to 9:30 am General Question & Answer Session with Seminar Attendees & Board Certified Speakers: Sheryl Moore, Esq., Steven S. Farbman, Esq., Todd Weicholz, Esq., and William Snyder, LL.M., Esq. Seminar ends at 9:30 a

Citizens’ voices, people's news: making the media work for Wales

New research from the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) and The Open University (OU) in Wales shows that people in Wales would support funding for more and better hyperlocal news, more and better education about democracy, and more and better regulation of the media in Wales