title: Patterns of Continuous & Discontinuous Quantification in the Oceanic languages: A study of the languages of Malekula

authors: Barbour, Julie Renee

subjects: Malekula

abstract: In this presentation, Paperno and Keenan's (2017) study on universal quantifiers in a sample of world languages is discussed. The research reveals that all the languages examined have at least one universal quantifier meaning 'all,' functioning as nominal modifiers primarily positioned continuously within the noun phrase. However, some languages, such as Neverver and Tepërav, display discontinuous quantification where the quantifiers occur in the predicate rather than within the noun phrase.

The focus of the presentation is on the forms and functions of universal quantification in the languages of Malekula. Specifically, the study investigates the distinct forms of continuous and discontinuous quantifiers in Neverver and Tepërav, indicating no evidence of a common ancestor for their morphology. The presentation also emphasizes the functional aspect of discontinuous quantification, which is strictly assigned to absolutive S/O noun phrases, while A-function nominals or non-core arguments do not show this phenomenon.

Throughout the presentation, a comparative analysis is made with related languages as part of a larger study of continuous and discontinuous quantification in Oceanic. Particularly, the researchers look at Polynesian languages where *katoa is reconstructed as the Proto-Polynesian quantifier for 'all, whole' (Greenhill & Clark 2011).

In conclusion, this presentation sheds light on the intricate forms and functional aspects of universal quantification in the languages of Malekula, contributing to the broader understanding of quantifiers in linguistic research.

text: Patterns of Continuous & Discontinuous Quantification in the Oceanic languages: A study of the languages of Malekula In this presentation, Paperno and Keenan's (2017) study on universal quantifiers in a sample of world languages is discussed. The research reveals that all the languages examined have at least one universal quantifier meaning 'all,' functioning as nominal modifiers primarily positioned continuously within the noun phrase. However, some languages, such as Neverver and Tepërav, display discontinuous quantification where the quantifiers occur in the predicate rather than within the noun phrase.

The focus of the presentation is on the forms and functions of universal quantification in the languages of Malekula. Specifically, the study investigates the distinct forms of continuous and discontinuous quantifiers in Neverver and Tepërav, indicating no evidence of a common ancestor for their morphology. The presentation also emphasizes the functional aspect of discontinuous quantification, which is strictly assigned to absolutive S/O noun phrases, while A-function nominals or non-core arguments do not show this phenomenon.

Throughout the presentation, a comparative analysis is made with related languages as part of a larger study of continuous and discontinuous quantification in Oceanic. Particularly, the researchers look at Polynesian languages where *katoa is reconstructed as the Proto-Polynesian quantifier for 'all, whole' (Greenhill & Clark 2011).

In conclusion, this presentation sheds light on the intricate forms and functional aspects of universal quantification in the languages of Malekula, contributing to the broader understanding of quantifiers in linguistic research.

year: 2023

title: Phylogenetic analysis of actinobacterial populations associated with Antarctic Dry Valley mineral soils

authors: Babalola, Olubukola

subjects: phylogenetic analysis

abstract: Despite the apparent severity of the environmental conditions in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Eastern Antarctica, recent phylogenetic studies conducted on mineral soil samples have revealed the presence of a wide diversity of microorganisms, with actinobacteria representing one of the largest phylotypic groups. Previous metagenomic studies have shown that the majority of Antarctic actinobacterial populations are classified as 'uncultured'. In this study, we assessed the diversity of actinobacteria in Antarctic cold desert soils by complementing traditional culture-based techniques with a metagenomic study. Phylogenetic analysis of clones generated with actinobacterium- and streptomycete-specific PCR primers revealed that the majority of the phylotypes were most closely related to uncultured Pseudonocardia and Nocardioides species. Phylotypes most closely related to a number of rarer actinobacteria genera, including Geodermatophilus, Modestobacter and Sporichthya, were also identified. While complementary culture-dependent studies isolated a number of Nocardia and Pseudonocardia species, the majority of the cultured isolates (> 80%) were Streptomyces species – although phylotypes affiliated to the genus Streptomyces were detected at a low frequency in the metagenomic study. This study confirms that Antarctic Dry Valley desert soil harbours highly diverse actinobacterial communities and suggests that many of the phylotypes identified may represent novel, uncultured species.

text: Phylogenetic analysis of actinobacterial populations associated with Antarctic Dry Valley mineral soils Despite the apparent severity of the environmental conditions in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Eastern Antarctica, recent phylogenetic studies conducted on mineral soil samples have revealed the presence of a wide diversity of microorganisms, with actinobacteria representing one of the largest phylotypic groups. Previous metagenomic studies have shown that the majority of Antarctic actinobacterial populations are classified as 'uncultured'. In this study, we assessed the diversity of actinobacteria in Antarctic cold desert soils by complementing traditional culture-based techniques with a metagenomic study. Phylogenetic analysis of clones generated with actinobacterium- and streptomycete-specific PCR primers revealed that the majority of the phylotypes were most closely related to uncultured Pseudonocardia and Nocardioides species. Phylotypes most closely related to a number of rarer actinobacteria genera, including Geodermatophilus, Modestobacter and Sporichthya, were also identified. While complementary culture-dependent studies isolated a number of Nocardia and Pseudonocardia species, the majority of the cultured isolates (> 80%) were Streptomyces species – although phylotypes affiliated to the genus Streptomyces were detected at a low frequency in the metagenomic study. This study confirms that Antarctic Dry Valley desert soil harbours highly diverse actinobacterial communities and suggests that many of the phylotypes identified may represent novel, uncultured species.

year: 2009

title: From the rākau to the ngākau

authors: Derby, Melissa

subjects: research

abstract: The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in Aotearoa New Zealand has funded 11 National Science Challenges (NSC), which aim to tackle a series of big questions affecting wellbeing in society. One Challenge, A Better Start: E Tipu E Rea, is investigating four key focus areas that children encounter in their early development and is seeking to identify the factors that contribute to forming a solid foundation for fostering wellbeing and lifelong success. Central to the principles of this Challenge is the Treaty of Waitangi in that the Treaty provides a framework to guide whānau engagement, policy change, and praxis. This article describes how a ‘ngākau’ rather than a ‘rākau’ approach to shaping research inquiry within this Challenge facilitates more authentic and mana-enhancing whānau engagement in research interactions (Macfarlane, 2019). The development of a whānau questionnaire is drawn on to illustrate the ngākau approach in practice.

text: From the rākau to the ngākau The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in Aotearoa New Zealand has funded 11 National Science Challenges (NSC), which aim to tackle a series of big questions affecting wellbeing in society. One Challenge, A Better Start: E Tipu E Rea, is investigating four key focus areas that children encounter in their early development and is seeking to identify the factors that contribute to forming a solid foundation for fostering wellbeing and lifelong success. Central to the principles of this Challenge is the Treaty of Waitangi in that the Treaty provides a framework to guide whānau engagement, policy change, and praxis. This article describes how a ‘ngākau’ rather than a ‘rākau’ approach to shaping research inquiry within this Challenge facilitates more authentic and mana-enhancing whānau engagement in research interactions (Macfarlane, 2019). The development of a whānau questionnaire is drawn on to illustrate the ngākau approach in practice.

year: 2021