Theoretical Evolution of Metaphor

This article brings together and discusses long-persisting theoretical perspectives that differ in their approaches to the nature and functions of metaphor—starting from Aristotle and his traditional view on metaphor and continuing up to contemporary metaphor theorists, such as Lakoff and Johnson. The aim is to offer insight into how metaphor has evolved from a mere figure of speech residing in literary works alone to a pervasive conceptual phenomenon permeating a wide spectrum of discourse domains

Researching Conceptual Metaphor in a Parallel Corpus

This article will explore the translational treatment of conceptual metaphors in a parallel corpus of American self-help texts on marriage relationships and their Arabic translations. The focus here on conceptual metaphors is primarily motivated by the need for a definitive account of the challenges posed by such metaphors in translation, the sorts of procedures used to handle them, and the actual factors contributing to the ease or difficulty of their translation. These issues have not been adequately addressed in previous analyses, which have concentrated largely on individual metaphorical expressions rather than on concepts that give rise to them. Little information was therefore available on the translation of different kinds of conceptual metaphors that characterize a particular discourse. This study introduces a detailed and replicable methodology for researching conceptual metaphor within the context of a parallel corpus from a descriptive perspective.&nbsp

Characterizing toxicity and chemical profile of acidic,basic and neutral fractions of oil sands process affected water

There is concern about toxicity of Oil Sands-Affected Process Water (OSPW). Results of previous studies have shown that toxicity is caused primarily by organic chemicals in the aqueous phase. Most research has focused on acute and chronic toxicity of the acid-extractable organic fraction to aquatic organisms. It has been shown that acute toxicity is caused by organic acids commonly known as naphthenic acids (NAs) as well as other sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds. Also, chemical analyses of OSPW have been focused only on the acid extractable fraction, however, little is known about sub-lethal effects and chemical profiles of species of chemicals other than NAs or the “acid-extractable organics (AEOs)” extracted from OSPW. The aim of this research was to evaluate effects of acidic and non-acidic compounds in OSPW. First, a comprehensive chemical extraction method was developed to simultaneously isolate acidic, basic and neutral fractions from an end-pit lake known as Base Mine Lake (BML-OSPW; fresh OSPW) and an experimental reclamation pond known as Pond 9 or Tailings Pond Water (P9-OSPW or aged OSPW). Second, these fractions were analysed using ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry (Orbitrap), which possess high resolution and superior selectivity and covered an extensive range of chemical components. Third, these fractions, which contain structurally different chemicals, were assessed for acute and sub-lethal toxicity of aquatic species with respect to functions and expression of genes for ABC transporter proteins as well as modulation of toxic potencies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The acidic fraction of BML but not P9-OSPW was acutely toxic to larvae of Japanese medaka. However, there is a lack of information about the reasons for lesser toxic potency of P9-OSPW. Profiles of relative proportions of organic chemicals in the acidic fractions of BML and P9-OSPW were investigated in detail, by use of ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry (Chapter 2). In both ionization modes, mass spectra were similar between the acidic fractions of BML and P9 extracts. However, relative abundances of chemicals between the two fractions were different. The profile of homologs containing heteroatoms in each fraction revealed that the profile of nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen (NSO) containing chemicals was not very different. Acidic fractions were dominated by Ox chemicals. Sulfur and nitrogen-containing chemicals were detected in the acid fraction with high abundances in ESI+. The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily of transporter proteins are essential for detoxification of xenobiotic. Effects of acidic, basic and neutral compounds from BML-OSPW and P9-OSPW on activities of ABC transporters in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) at the fry stage of development were investigated (Chapter 3). The neutral and basic fractions, but not the acidic fraction, of BML-OSPW, and neither fraction of P9-OSPW, caused inhibition of ABC proteins in fry of Japanese medaka. Neutral and basic fractions of BML-OSPW contained relatively greater amounts of several oxygen-, sulfur, and nitrogen-containing chemical species. Naphthenic acids (O2−), which were dominant in the acidic fraction, did not appear to be the cause of inhibition. Solubility, bioavailability, and toxicity of PAHs might be modulated in the presence of surfactants. Effects of organic compounds extracted from BML-OSPW or P9-OSPW on toxicity of the model alkyl-PAH, retene, to early life-stages of Japanese medaka was determined (Chapter 4). Effects of retene were greater when larvae were co-exposed to OSPW compared to retene alone. However, those effects would not be expected to occur at current concentrations of OSPW and is attenuated by aging of OSPW. Detailed studies on effects of OSPW on functions of ABC transporters (specifically P-gp) were performed in vitro by use of Caco-2 cells, and in vivo with larvae of Japanese medaka (Chapter 5). Neutral and basic fractions of BML-OSPW inhibited activity of ATP binding cassette protein ABCB1 (permeability-glycoprotein, P-gp) in Caco-2 cells, while the acidic fraction had the least effect. Co-exposure to chlorpyrifos (a substrate of P-gp), but not malathion (not a substrate of P-gp) and an extract of OSPW containing basic and neutral compounds reduced survival of larvae, increased the internal concentration, bioconcentration and terminal elimination half-life compared to survival of larvae exposed only to chlorpyrifos. Effects of acidic, basic and neutral compounds from BML-OSPW on expression of genes encoding biotransformation enzymes and proteins were quantified (Chapter 6). Abundances of transcripts of phase I, II and III genes were significantly different in larvae of medaka exposed to basic and neutral compounds compared to acidic compounds. Changes in abundance of transcripts in response to the pooled sample and the acidic fraction were correlated, whereas changes in abundance of transcripts in larvae exposed to the basic fraction and the neutral fraction were correlated. From results presented in this thesis, it can be concluded that besides acute toxicities of acidic compounds (i.e. NAs) in OSPW, other compounds in basic and neutral fractions from OSPW can have adverse effects at sub-lethal levels, and may interact with the different molecular target in fish that can cause specific endpoints of toxicity. These results provide new insights into the sub lethal effects of non-acidic compounds regarding the detoxification mechanisms such as ABC transporters, which can decrease the effective protection mechanism against xenobiotic in aquatic species. Also, the toxicity of PAHs is expected to increase in the presence of OSPW, however, aging of OSPW was shown to be effective in attenuating the adverse effects of not only the acutely toxic acidic fraction but also the effects of non-acutely toxic basic and neutral fractions. This thesis explores new concepts, methods and approaches that contribute to the risk assessment of OSPW

Application of UPFC to improve the low-voltage-ride-through capability of DFIG

In this paper, a new controller approach for unified power flow controller (UPFC) is proposed to improve the low-voltage-ride-through (LVRT) capability of a DFIG-based WECS during voltage sag. The shunt and series converters of the UPFC are controlled using a hysteresis current controller (HCC) and proportional integral controllers (PI), respectively. Detailed simulation is carried out using MATLAB/SIMULINK software to highlight the impact of UPFC in improving the overall system performance during grid fault

Measuring Services Quality: Tabuk Municipal

This study evaluates service quality in Tabuk Municipality and tries to identify employee constraints of providing better service. The study used SERVPERF presented by Cronin and Taylor [2] (1992) to explore client perceptions of the service quality provided by municipal Tabuk. Interviews with Tabuk Municipality employees were then conducted, which focused on issues raised in the questionnaire analysis. Statistical analyses revealed a positive relationship between the tangible dimension and quality of service. Interviewees indicated that municipal employees require additional training to improve their skills in working with the public. Moreover, employees viewed incentives as an important avenue for improving the quality of services provided

Understanding the Characteristics of IT Capability in Delivering a Customer-Focused Strategy: The case of Saudi Bank

The rationale is to address the perceived gap in the existing literature by exploring the relationship between information technology capabilities (ITC) and customer-focused strategies (CFS). It is essential to explore how technologies enable organizations to implement strategies through a more interactive approach to their customers. Thus, the research objective seeks to improve the understanding of the relationship between ITC and the organizational goal of achieving a customer-focused strategy. Identifying the characteristics of ITC makes the organization focus on developing these characteristics, which may help to achieve an appropriate level of customer-focused strategies. The analysis of the data collected indicates five major characteristics of ITC.: 1) The fulfilment of business requirements on time, 2) the automation of business processes, 3) supporting business continuity, 4) the integration of multiple business systems and applications, and 5) the availability of timely and correct information. The conclusion summarizes these characteristics in the context of how they might affect a customer-focused strategy

Long-Term Follow-up for Immature Teeth Treated with Regenerative Endodontic Procedures That Underwent Orthodontic Treatment

Although regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) have become one of the widely accepted treatment modalities for necrotic immature teeth with apical periodontitis, little is known about the long-term outcomes and the effect of orthodontic tooth movement on this procedure. This report presents a case that underwent two REPs and orthodontic treatment over a period of seven years. A 9-year-old male was referred for evaluation of traumatized maxillary central incisors. Based on clinical and radiographic examinations, a diagnosis of pulp necrosis with acute apical abscess was established. REP was performed for both teeth, and the patient was brought in for follow-up annually. Orthodontic treatment was performed during the followup period. Annual follow-up visits demonstrated complete resolution of signs and symptoms of disease with the thickening of the roots. At the six-year follow-up visit, the patient presented with a sinus tract and periapical radiolucency. A second REP was performed for both teeth. The one-year recall visit after the second REP revealed complete resolution of clinical symptoms and radiographic signs of healing of apical pathology with further development of the roots. In conclusion, the effect of orthodontic treatment on teeth undergoing REP should be investigated and yearly follow-up visits should be recommended for patients undergoing REP as this case showed signs of deterioration six years after the treatment. © 2021 Kare Publishing. All rights reserved