scholarly journals GRAMMAR AS COMMUNICATION: A DISCOURSE GRAMMAR OF DEIXIS

Author(s):  
Drissia Chouit

<p>This research article examines the micro-system THIS/THAT in contemporary English within the theoretical framework of Metaoperational Grammar. It proposes a new approach to bring into light how this pair functions, giving due account to the importance of the context and the communication goals that determine the selection of one of these operators in a given communication act. It aims, therefore, to bridge the gap between "grammar" and "communication" and to show that grammatical operators are at the heart of communication strategies and semantic interpretation. These insights into the functioning of THIS and THAT present, in fact, one of my main contributions to modern linguistics. Metaoperational Grammar has provided me with theoretical tools to (1) show the limitations of descriptive approaches which base their explanation of this pair on the proximal/non-proximal distinction; (2) bring into light the abstract mechanisms underlying the processing of these operators; and (3) show the role played by grammatical operators in building semantic interpretation and revealing the communication strategies of the speaker. Based on authentic examples, this article shows that the spatial-temporal parameters of proximity to the speaker (THIS) and distance from the speaker (THAT) are not endowed with explanatory power to account for the emergence of these operators in discourse, and hence the need for a discourse grammar of deixis.<strong></strong></p>

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Shan Cheng ◽  
Eric Zhi Feng Liu ◽  
Ruey S. Shieh

In this study we explored the indicators that attract users to engage in online question and answer (Q&A) discussion forums. Our strategy of recruiting users as a source of information to generate user-centered indicators was a new approach. We conducted in-depth interviews with 41 users to gain a perspective on 2 popular online Q&A discussion forums. To establish a theoretical framework, we employed the personal, environmental, and behavioral components proposed by Bandura (1986). Our findings revealed that 15 indicators are associated with the popularity of online Q&A discussion forums. The indicators identified in this study could be used in future research to guide users in the selection of appropriate online Q&A forums.


2021 ◽  
pp. ebmental-2020-300219
Author(s):  
Winfried Rief

Current education and training in psychological interventions is mostly based on different ‘schools’ (traditions such as cognitive–behavioural or psychodynamic therapy), and strong identification with these specific traditions continuously hinders a scientifically based development of psychotherapy. This review is selective rather than systematic and comprehensive. In addition to the consideration of other influential publications, we relied on a literature search in Web of Science using the following terms (update: 24 December 2020): (psychotherapy AND meta-analy* AND competence*). After summarising current problems, a pathway for solving these problems is presented. First, we have to recategorise psychological interventions according to the mechanisms and subgoals that are addressed. The interventions can be classified according to the foci: (1) skills acquisition (eg, communication, emotion regulation, mentalisation); (2) working with relationship patterns and using the therapeutic relationship to modify them; and (3) clarification of motives and goals. Afterwards, the training of psychotherapists can switch from focusing on one theoretical framework to learning the different competences for modification according to these new categories. The selection of topics to be addressed should follow best evidence-based mechanisms and processes of mental disorders and interventions. Psychology offers knowledge about these mechanisms that can be understood as a basic science for psychological treatments in general. This requires better connection with basic science, new research efforts that focus on treatment subgoals, theory-overarching optimisation of the selection and personalisation of treatments, and new types of training for psychotherapists that are designed to optimise therapists’ competences accordingly, instead of limiting training programmes to one single theoretical framework.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1749
Author(s):  
Elzbieta Szychta ◽  
Leszek Szychta

Energy efficiency of systems of water pumping is a complex problem since efficiency of two distinct interacting systems needs to be combined: water and power supply. This paper introduces a non-intrusive method of calculating the so-called “collective losses” of a cage induction motor. The term “collective losses”, which the authors define, allows for accurate estimation of motor efficiency. Control system of a pump determines operating point of a pumping station, and thus its efficiency. General estimated performance characteristics of a motor, components of a control system, are assumed to serve selection of a range of pumping speed variations. Rotational speed has a direct effect on motor load torque, pump power and head, and thus on motor performance. Hellwig’s statistical method was used to specify characteristics of estimated collective losses on the basis of experimental studies of 21 motors rated at up to 2.2 kW. The results of simulations and experiments are used to verify validity and efficiency of the suggested method. The method is non-intrusive, simple to use, and requires minimum data.


Genome ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 1002-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.R. Cullis ◽  
A.B. Smith ◽  
C.P. Beeck ◽  
W.A. Cowling

Exploring and exploiting variety by environment (V × E) interaction is one of the major challenges facing plant breeders. In paper I of this series, we presented an approach to modelling V × E interaction in the analysis of complex multi-environment trials using factor analytic models. In this paper, we develop a range of statistical tools which explore V × E interaction in this context. These tools include graphical displays such as heat-maps of genetic correlation matrices as well as so-called E-scaled uniplots that are a more informative alternative to the classical biplot for large plant breeding multi-environment trials. We also present a new approach to prediction for multi-environment trials that include pedigree information. This approach allows meaningful selection indices to be formed either for potential new varieties or potential parents.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Britta Søgaard ◽  
Heather Dawn Skipworth ◽  
Michael Bourlakis ◽  
Carlos Mena ◽  
Richard Wilding

PurposeThis paper aims to explore how purchasing could respond to disruptive technologies by examining the assumptions underlying purchasing strategic alignment and purchasing maturity through a contingency lens.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a systematic review across purchasing maturity and purchasing strategic alignment literature. This is supplemented with exploratory case studies to include practitioners’ views.FindingsThis research demonstrates that neither purchasing maturity nor purchasing strategic alignment are suitable approaches to respond to disruptive technologies. Purchasing maturity does not allow purchasing managers to select relevant practices. It also shows no consideration of any contingencies, which practitioners highlight as important for the selection of practices. Purchasing strategic alignment includes the company strategy as a contingency but does not provide any practices to choose from. It does not include any other contextual contingencies considered important by practitioners. The findings indicate that linking the two research streams may provide a more suitable approach to responding to disruptive technologies.Research limitations/implicationsThis research demonstrates the requirement to develop a new approach to responding to disruptive technologies, by linking purchasing maturity and purchasing strategic alignment to contextual contingencies. This is a currently unexplored approach in academic literature, which refutes the generally accepted premise that higher maturity unilaterally supports a better positioning towards technological disruption. This research also highlights a requirement for practitioners to shift their approach to “best practices”.Originality/valueThis is the first research to systematically review the relationships between purchasing maturity and purchasing strategic alignment. It adds to contingency theory by suggesting that purchasing maturity models can support the achievement of strategic alignment. Also, future research directions are suggested to explore these relationships.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Lamon ◽  
Domenico Meloni ◽  
Simonetta Gianna Consolati ◽  
Anna Mureddu ◽  
Rina Mazzette

<em>Listeria monocytogenes</em> is an ubiquitous, intracellular pathogen which has been implicated within the past decade as the causative organism in several outbreaks of foodborne diseases. In this review, a new approach to molecular typing primarily designed for global epidemiology has been described: multi-<em>locus</em> sequencing typing (MLST). This approach is novel, in that it uses data that allow the unambiguous characterization of bacterial strains via the Internet. Our aim is to present the currently available selection of references on <em>L. monocytogenes</em> MLST detection methods and to discuss its use as <em>gold</em> <em>standard</em> to <em>L. monocytogenes</em> subtyping method.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255849
Author(s):  
Can Dai ◽  
Quan Chen ◽  
Tao Wan ◽  
Fan Liu ◽  
Yanbing Gong ◽  
...  

References are employed in most academic research papers to give credits and to reflect scholarliness. With the upsurge in academic publications in recent decades, we are curious to know how the number of references cited per research article has changed across different disciplines over that time. The results of our study showed significant linear growth in reference density in eight disciplinary categories between 1980 and 2019 indexed in Web of Science. It appears that reference saturation is not yet in sight. Overall, the general increase in the number of publications and the advanced accessibility of the Internet and digitized documents may have promoted the growth in references in certain fields. However, the seemingly runaway tendency should be well appreciated and objectively assessed. We suggest that authors focus on their research itself rather than on political considerations during the process of writing, especially the selection of important references to cite.


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