Some scholars say that Russian syntax has free word order. However, other researchers claim that the basic word order of Russian is Subject, Verb, Object (SVO). Some researchers also assert that the use of different word orders may be influenced by various factors, including positions of discourse topic and focus, and register (spoken, fiction, academic, non-academic). In addition, corpora have been shown to be useful tools in gathering empirical linguistic data, and modern advances in computing have made corpora freely available and their use widespread. The Russian National Corpus is a large corpus of Russian that is widely used and well suited to syntactic research. This thesis aims to answer three research questions: 1) If all six word orders in Russian are possible, what frequencies of each order will I find in a data sample from the Russian National Corpus? 2) Do the positions of discourse topic and focus influence word order variations? 3) Does register (spoken, fiction, academic, non-academic) influence word order variations? A sample of 500 transitive sentences was gathered from the Russian National Corpus and each one was analyzed for its word order, discourse pattern, and register. Results found that a majority of the sentences were SVO. Additionally, a majority of the sample contained the topic before the focus, and most of the sample were from the non-academic register. A chi-square analysis for each research question showed statistically significant results. This indicates that the results were not a product of chance, and that discourse patterns and register influence word order variations. These findings provide evidence that there is a predominant word order in Russian.

Recent research on Japanese mimetics examines which part of speech the mimetic occurs as. An individual mimetic can appear as a noun, an adjective, an adverb, or a verb (Tsujimura & Deguchi 2007, 340). It is assumed by many scholars that mimetic words essentially function as adverbs (Inose 2007, 98). Few data-based studies exist that quantify the relative frequency of mimetic words in different word categories. Akita (2009) and Caldwell (2009a) have performed small scale or preliminary studies of this aspect of Japanese mimetics. The use of mimetics in other grammatical function categories has been attributed to the polysemous nature of Japanese mimetics (Key 1997). The common explanation is that the flexibility of mimetics is probably due to their iconicity (Sugiyama 2005, 307; Akita 2009; among others). Yet the definition of "iconicity" is often incomplete or cursory in nature. Newmeyer, Nuckolls, Kohn, and Key all accept or suggest the philosophies of C.S. Peirce as a possible explanation or source for understanding the iconicity of mimetic words. The purpose of this thesis is twofold: first, examine the prominent semantic theories regarding Japanese mimetics and show how the philosophies of Peirce can add clarity; second, examine overall occurrence of 1700+ mimetics per parts of speech using the data from the Kotonoha (http://www.kotonoha.gr.jp) and JpWaC (http://corpus.leeds.ac.uk/) Corpora. Peirce identified three distinct icon types: icons of abstract quality (1-1-1), icons of physical instantiation (1-1-2), and icons of abstract relation (1-1-3). These three types correspond to three distinct types of mimetic word: phonomimes (abstract sound qualities), typically predicate modifiers, phenomimes (physical actions), more often nouns or noun modifiers, and psychomimes, (relational), more often verbs or parts of verbs. Corpus data validates the observation that mimetics are usually functioning as predicate modifiers, but also supports Akita's hypothesis that psychomimes are incorporated into verbs more readily than other mimetics, which in turn is explained by the Peircean analysis.

Temperament is thought to be the foundation for normative personality and subsequent behaviors later in life. To assess the relationship of early temperament with variation in structural brain development, this study examined rhesus macaque mother-infant behavior, and then three years later, used MRI to assess neurostructural differences. Individual differences in mother-infant interactions and emotionality were then linked to brain differences. Extensive behavioral data obtained over the first year of life under both resting and stressful conditions was used to assess the quality of mother-infant interactions and emotionality. The MRI focused on brain volume in areas thought to be related to emotional regulation and such as the cingulate gyrus and corpus callosum structures. These structures are often mentioned as areas that modulate emotions, temperament and general social behavior. The methods involved in this research include behavior coded from group-housed infant rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). The subjects were 15 mother-reared subjects, each housed in a social group of 12-20 subjects, living in social settings with their mothers, other adult females, two adult males, and other same-aged subjects; conditions that approximate the social composition of the natural setting. Behaviors related to temperament and mother-infant interactions were assessed using an objective behavioral scoring system. Behavior was coded under three conditions, and each behavioral coding session was 5-minute long. Homecage: Two behavioral coding sessions were recorded weekly for each subject as it interacted naturally with its mother and peers over the first six-months of life. Preseparation (month 6): Two weeks before four, sequential, 4-day social separations, behavioral data were collected once each day. Reunion with mother: Following each of the social separations, data were collected twice immediately following return to mother and again on the morning before the separation. Subjects underwent MRIs 1-2 years later when they were 2-3 years of age. The result of this research was that during pre-separation interactions, anterior cingulate size to brain ratio showed a positive correlation with mutual ventral contact (being cradled and held closely), a measure of the use of mother as a secure base to calm anxiety and fear.

A quantitative study was conducted to determine if the amount of formulaic language influenced ESL teachers' perceptions (n=102) of non-native writing skill, as evidenced by composite and sub-scale scores on the ESL Composition Profile (Jacobs et al., 1981). Formulaic language was operationalized as 25 three-word strings sampled from the writing sub-list of the Academic Formulas List (Simpson-Vlach & Ellis, 2010) and further validated as frequent in the Michigan Corpus of Upper Level Student Papers. The target formulaic sequences were divided into three experimental groups representing a low, mid, and high amount of formulaic language. Four advanced non-native writers generated argumentative, timed writing samples that incorporated the target sequences. The writing samples were then assembled into data collection packets and distributed at eight Intensive English Programs across the southeastern United States. A repeated measures ANOVA indicated that there was a significant difference in composite score (p < .05) between the control and three experimental conditions; however, the essays that incorporated 16 and 25 formulaic sequences scored significantly lower than those with zero or eight target sequences. When the amount of syntactical and semantic errors were strictly controlled for, the composite scores also fell between the control and experimental conditions, but the decrease in score was not significant (p > .05). The content, organization, vocabulary, language, and mechanics sub-scales were also compared using a repeated measures MANOVA. In content, organization, and language, the control and low essays outscored the mid and high conditions (p < .05). For the vocabulary sub-scale, the control and low condition were not significantly different, but the control essays only outperformed the mid level essays. The low essays outperformed both the mid and high essays. In terms of mechanics, there was only a significant difference between the low and mid level essays. The results of the MANOVA were consistent when the amount of syntactic and semantic errors were controlled. Implications for teaching suggest that the Academic Formulas List would not benefit academically-oriented L2 learners preparing to enter a university. While corpus tools are valuable in helping teachers, material writers, and publishers improve vocabulary instruction in the English classroom, not all statistically salient lexical combinations are important for non-native writers to master and incorporate in their academic discourse.

Scholastic texts on theater move from the Greeks and Romans to the theater of Shakespeare's time with little or no acknowledgment of the Middle Ages. From the late thirteenth century until the reformation an active community theater known as the mystery plays existed throughout much of Europe. The York Corpus Christi Cycle was part of that movement. The play was produced by the guilds of York under the supervision of the chamber of commerce with the Church monitoring the theology and morals. Performed yearly on the Feast Day of Corpus Christi, the subject of the play was the salvation of man from the creation through the last judgment. This thesis examines in depth the language and characters of four pageants of the forty-eight pageants of the York Cycle Play and draws connections to the writings and teachings of Bishop Thoresby. While many scholars understand the Cycle Play as a municipal production, this thesis argues that the plays were in fact created by the Church as a means to bring their teachings to the Medieval masses.

Establishment and maintenance of pregnancy is a central concern to the cattle industry, as it strongly impacts efficiency and profitability of beef cow-calf operations. The objective of this study was to determine if nutrient restriction impacts ovulatory follicle size and corpus luteum (CL) development and function of Bos taurus cows enrolled in estrous synchronization. A total of 26 Angus cows were housed in a facility equipped with a Calan gate system for individual animal intake. Cows were stratified by body weight (BW), and randomly assigned one of two nutritional treatments: 1) 100% of nutrient requirements (MTN; n=13) or 2) 70% of nutrient requirements (REST; n=13). Individual daily intakes were measured and adjusted weekly based on BW. Cattle underwent an acclimation period of 14 days and were exposed to nutritional treatments for 30 days prior to estrous synchronization. Body weight was measured daily using an automated scale and a conventional livestock scale at the beginning and end of the experiment. Cows were synchronized using a 7-day CO-synch + CIDR protocol beginning on day -10. Ultrasonography of the ovaries was performed at each event of the estrous synchronization protocol on days -10, -3, 0, 5, and 7. Blood samples were taken on days -10, -3, and daily from day 0 through 7 to observe changes in progesterone (P4). Data were analyzed as repeated measures using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Initial BW tended to differ between treatments (P = 0.07; MTN 597 ± 32 kg, REST 604 ± 32 kg), but MTN had greater final BW (P < 0.001; 687 ± 24 and 556 ± 27 kg, respectively) and greater average daily gain (1.35 ± 0.18 and -0.72 ± 0.21 kg/d, respectively, P < 0.001) than REST. Diameter of the largest follicle was similar (P = 0.851) between treatments at CIDR insertion (12.6 ± 0.6 mm) and CIDR removal (12.9 ± 0.4 mm) but was greater (P < 0.05) for MTN than REST cows at 60 hrs after CIDR removal (14.01 ± 0.6 and 12.37 ± 0.5 mm, respectively). Volume of CL was similar (P > 0.1) at 5 (3211 ± 113 mm3) and 7 (5280.3 ± 212 mm3) days after ovulation. Concentration of P4 did not differ on days -10, -3, or 0-5. However, on days 6 and 7, P4 was greater (P < 0.05) for MTN than REST (2.07 ± 0.15 and 1.65 ± 0.15, and 2.27 ± 0.15 and 1.83 ± 0.15 ng/mL, respectively). In conclusion, nutrient restriction to 70% of maintenance during estrous synchronization negatively affects diameter of the ovulatory follicle and circulating P4, but it did not affect CL volume in multiparous Bos taurus beef cows. / Master of Science / Ensuring successful pregnancy in beef cow-calf operations is crucial for the efficiency and profitability of the cattle industry. This study investigates the effects of nutrient restriction on ovulatory follicle size and corpus luteum (CL) volume in Angus cows undergoing estrous synchronization. A total of 26 cows were subjected to either a maintenance diet meeting 100% of nutrient requirements (MTN) or a diet providing 70% of nutrient requirements (REST). Intakes were updated weekly using computer software. The cows underwent a 30-day nutritional treatment before synchronization of ovulation. Results revealed that cows on the maintenance diet exhibited greater final body weight and average daily gain compared to those on the restricted diet. While estrus expression showed a numerical increase in MTN cows, the impact was not statistically significant. Analysis of ovulatory follicle size demonstrated that MTN cows had larger follicles 60 hours after synchronization compared to REST cows. Surprisingly, corpus luteum volume did not differ between the two groups at 5 and 7 days after ovulation. Additionally, circulating progesterone (P4) levels were affected by nutrient restriction, with notable differences observed on days 6 and 7. In summary, nutrient restriction during ovulation synchronization negatively influenced ovulatory follicle size and P4 levels, but did not affect corpus luteum volume in mature Angus cows. These findings contribute valuable insights for the cattle industry, emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition for optimal reproductive health in beef cows.

This thesis contributes to the discussion of register variation within Egyptian Arabic by focusing on the usage of verbs in blogs and transcripts of movies and television. Register variation has been extensively researched for English as well as several other languages; yet, the lexical and grammatical features that distinguish registers of Egyptian Arabic have not been analyzed. Several challenges have prevented such an analysis, among them the perceived lack of an automatic annotator and the uncertainty of results. In order to overcome these challenges, two corpora were compiled: one containing texts from blogs and the other transcripts of movies and television shows. With each corpus representing a potential register of the dialect, the verbs in each corpus were lemmatized and semi-automatically annotated for either aspect or mood. The verbs were then counted according to lemma, aspect, and mood in order to determine the extent of variance between the two corpora. The effectiveness of the state-of-the-art automatic annotator was also evaluated by comparing the counts it provided to those produced from corrections of its output. This thesis found that verbs are in fact used differently in the two corpora suggesting register variation and identified potential verbal features characteristic of each register. It also found that the automatic tagger produced counts that lead to the same conclusions as the corrected annotation.

The goal of this dissertation is to examine the texts of the majuscules and papyri of the Pauline corpus from P46 to Ephraemi-Rescriptus plus Claromontanus. The dissertation asks different questions of familiar material to arrive at distinctive insights. While the orientation and methodology of textual criticism are typically diachronic and evaluative, this project is synchronic and non-evaluative. Previous methods of comparison are often hindered by an indelicate linguistic methodological approach. Therefore, two distinct methodological changes are created. First, by adopting Systemic Functional Linguistic, the approach differentiates discrete linguistic elements to enable both the comparison and weighing of textual differences among the manuscripts. Second, using a synchronic orientation permits comparing texts without the bias of a base text. Both methodological changes enable new avenues for the measurement of textual transmission with a more accurate means of textual calculations. The results indicate a textual rate of agreement for direct manuscript comparison ranging from ninety-four percent to over ninety-eight. When the textual variation is weighed rather than merely counted, over ninety-nine percent of the Pauline text is uniform among the early majuscules. The degree of textual uniformity and the lack of patterns in variation serve to challenge previous research regarding text types, scribal alterations, and historical sources. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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