Avoiding the reaper: Notions of death in Sri Lankan obituaries

This paper presents findings from a study of the language of death in Sri Lankan obituaries. Obituaries were collected over two periods, from the Sri Lankan broadsheet The Sunday Observer spanning January to December 2003 and 2012 respectively, to answer the following research questions: (1) Does the language used in Sri Lankan obituaries attempt to evade the notion of death through features such as euphemisms and conceptual metaphors?; (2) What cultural/religious elements do the obituaries display through the language used? (3) How does the language that is used reflect the social and personal identity of the deceased and their families? (4) Does the language used to portray the identity of the deceased and their families reflect social values? The two sets of data were also used to compare whether there were any significant changes from 2003 to 2012 in the way that death was announced. Results indicated that the only change that appears to have taken place is in the formality of style in Sri Lankan obituaries, which seems to be decreasing

Ninth Circuit v. Board of Immigration Appeals: Defining Sexual Abuse of a Minor after \u3ci\u3eEstrada-Espinoza v. Mukasey\u3c/i\u3e

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), lawful permanent residents are rendered removable if they commit an “aggravated felony” at any time after they are admitted into the United States. Significant interpretive issues arise in determining whether a non-citizen’s state-based criminal conviction meets the INA’s definition of an aggravated felony. One aggravated felony enumerated in the INA is “sexual abuse of a minor.” The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has interpreted the phrase using a broad federal definition as a guide. In Estrada-Espinoza v. Mukasey, however, the Ninth Circuit declined to defer to the BIA’s interpretation because the BIA’s decision was not a precedential opinion warranting deference. In reviewing whether a California statutory rape conviction constituted sexual abuse of a minor, the Estrada-Espinoza court applied a different federal definition and concluded there was no violation, and thus, Mr. Estrada-Espinoza was not deportable. The question of how to define “sexual abuse of a minor” will likely come before the Ninth Circuit on substantive grounds once the BIA issues a deference-warranting definition of the provision. This Comment argues that when the Ninth Circuit revisits the issue, it should not defer to the BIA, regardless of the definition it promulgates. Rather, the court should rule that the phrase “sexual abuse of a minor” is unambiguous based on its plain meaning, the Ninth Circuit’s precedent, holdings from sister circuits, and policy considerations. This holding would be consistent with the best interpretation of the statute, and Chevron U.S.A. v. Natural Resources Defense Council and its progeny

Modulation of microRNA Activity by Semi-microRNAs

The ribonuclease Dicer plays a central role in the microRNA pathway by catalyzing the formation of 19–24-nucleotide (nt) long microRNAs. Subsequently incorporated into Argonaute 2 (Ago2) effector complexes, microRNAs are known to regulate messenger RNA (mRNA) translation. Whether shorter RNA species derived from microRNAs exist and play a role in mRNA regulation remains unknown. Here, we report the serendipitous discovery of a 12-nt long RNA species corresponding to the 5′ region of the microRNA let-7, and tentatively termed semi-microRNA, or smiRNA. Using a smiRNA derived from the precursor of miR-223 as a model, we show that 12-nt long smiRNA species are devoid of any direct mRNA regulatory activity, as assessed in a reporter gene activity assay in transfected cultured human cells. However, smiR-223 was found to modulate the ability of the microRNA from which it derives to mediate translational repression or cleavage of reporter mRNAs. Our findings suggest that the 12-nt RNA species, generated along the microRNA pathway, may participate to the control of gene expression by regulating the activity of the related full-length mature microRNA in vivo

Položaj angleščine v primerjavi z drugimi jeziki na primeru budističnih ritualov Šri Lanke

This paper focuses on the functions of English versus other languages in Sri Lankan Buddhist rituals. The framework for this paper is based on a previous work on the language of Hindu rituals by Pandharipande (2012). This study aims to examine the following research questions: what languages are used for practicing Buddhism? Is English used in Buddhist rituals? What mechanisms are used to sanction change? and (4) Will English replace Sinhala and Pali in the UK? In order to answer these research questions, I collected data by attending Sri Lankan Buddhist festivals and event in the UK and recording sermons and speeches used during these festivals to gather information regarding language use and language change. The study proved to be a worthy investigation, as unlike in Sri Lanka where only either Sinhala or Pali is sanctioned in Buddhist practice, in the UK, Sinhala is undergoing language shift and is being replaced by English during Buddhist sermons and other activities. Although prayers and ritual chantings are still in Pali, most of these are explained to the congregation using English. In addition, the use of English is also sanctioned by the Buddhist clergy, through the use of the internet and other media for purposes of promoting Buddhism and reaching young Sri Lankans born in the UK.Članek se osredotoča na položaj angleščine v primerjavi z drugimi jeziki na primeru budističnih ritualov Šri Lanke. Članek privzema metodološki okvir, ki ga je v svoji raziskavi o jeziku v hindujskih ritualih zasnoval Pandharipande (2012), in poskuša odgovoriti na naslednja vprašanja: 1. V katerih jezikih so izvajani budistični obredi?, 2. Ali so budistični obredi tudi v angleščini?, 3. Kateri mehanizmi se vključijo pri spremembah jezika?, 4. Ali angleščina izpodriva jezika sinhala in pali v Veliki Britaniji.  Odgovore na vprašanja je avtor poiskal s snemanjem pridig in govorov na budističnih festivalih in drugih dogodkih po Veliki Britaniji.  Rezultati so zelo zanimivi: medtem ko sta na Šri Lanki v uporabi samo jezika sinhala in pali, pa v Veliki Britaniji predvsem sinhalo močno izriva angleščina. V primeru jezika pali pa rituali in molitve ohranjajo prvotni jezik, medtem ko so razlage v angleščini. Angleščino spodbujajo tudi budistični duhovniki predvsem s promocijo budizma preko interneta in drugih medijev

Functions of English vs other languages in Sri Lankan Buddhist Rituals

This paper focuses on the functions of English versus other languages in Sri Lankan Buddhist rituals. The framework for this paper is based on a previous work on the language of Hindu rituals by Pandharipande (2012). This study aims to examine the following research questions: (1) What languages are used for practicing Buddhism? (2) Is English used in Buddhist rituals? (3) What methods are used to sanction change? and (4) Will English replace Sinhala and Pali in the UK? In order to answer these research questions, I collected data by attending Sri Lankan Buddhist festivals and event in the UK and recording sermons and speeches used during these festivals to gather information regarding language use and language change. The study proved to be a worthy investigation, as unlike in Sri Lanka where only either Sinhala or Pali is sanctioned in Buddhist practice, in the UK, Sinhala is undergoing language shift and is being replaced by English during Buddhist sermons and other activities. Although prayers and ritual chantings are still in Pali, most of these are explained to the congregation using English. In addition, the use of English is also sanctioned by the Buddhist clergy, through the use of the internet and other media for purposes of promoting Buddhism and reaching young Sri Lankans born in the UK. The investigation draws on Fishman’s (1972) theory on domains of language use; Smolicz’s (1981) core value theory and Bourdieu’s translated work on linguistic markets (1991)

Short-interval intracortical inhibition to the triceps brachii during arm cycling

Non-human animal work shows the existence of a network of spinal cells called central pattern generators (CPGs) that partially control locomotion. Indirect evidence shows that CPGs also contribute to human locomotion. However, humans require the integration of descending input from cortical motor-related areas for the generation and control of locomotive outputs. Unfortunately, the cortical circuits that modulate the excitability of the motor cortex during locomotor outputs are not well understood. Short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) is one circuit thought to help inhibit the motor cortex. The majority of work done to understand SICI has utilized isometric contractions, but evidence suggests that cortical circuits are modulated differently during locomotor outputs. Our lab has shown the presence of SICI to the biceps brachii during arm cycling, but did not investigate SICI to the triceps brachii, another vital muscle required for arm cycling. Examining SICI to the triceps may improve knowledge translation to neurological rehabilitation programs that utilize arm cycling

You could so easily od like: Clause final and other pragmatic functions of like in Liverpool English speech

Pragmatic or discourse like is one of the most prominent features in everyday vernacular Englishes (D’Arcy, 2005, p. 2). Overtly stigmatised,the discourse marker like is considered by many to be a superfluous feature that is a sign of hesitancy and inarticulacy and has given rise to many criticisms of such usage with those using like being thought of as stupid. In this study, I investigate the use of like among younger (16-25)males and females and older (50-65) males from Liverpool. Conversations between the three age cohorts and genders were recorded for the purpose of analyses. To ensure that the frequency of scores are comparable across texts, I adopt Biber, Conrad and Reppen’s (1998) methodology of normalisation and give frequency scores per 1000 words of text. The study found that like is not a feature of inarticulacy, and that it’s not used to gain time in conversation. It is used more by female speakers for certain pragmatic functions such as focus,metaphoric usage and narration. Between the genders males were found to use clause final like the most, which could be seen as a regional dialect feature

KEANEKARAGAMAN DAN KELIMPAHAN MAKROZOOBENTHOS PADA EKOSISTEM MANGROVE DESA DARUBA PANTAI KABUPATEN PULAU MOROTAI

Ekosistem mangrove berperan sebagai habitat berbagai jenis satwa, salah satunya yaitu makrozoobenthos. Makrozoobenthos berperan sebagai konsumen primer dan ada pula yang berperan sebagai konsumen sekunder atau konsumen yang menempati tempat yang lebih tinggi. Pada umumnya, Makrozoobenthos merupakan makanan alami bagi berbagai satwa perairan yang berukuran besar. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis kelimpahan makrozoobenthos dan menganalisis struktur komunitas makrozoobenthos di kawasan ekosistem mangrove Daruba Pantai. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan November sampai Desember 2019 yang berlokasi di kawasan Mangrove Desa Daruba Pantai. Pengambilan data menggunakan metode sampel kuadrat (Quadrat Sampling) dengan ukuran plot 1x1 m2. Metode analisis data menggunakan analisis indeks ekologi seperti kelimpahan individu, kelimpahan relatif, keanekaragaman jenis, keseragaman dan dominasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukan kelimpahan individu makrozoobenthos tertinggi berada pada stasiun ke I yaitu 33,333 (Ind/m2) dan terendah berada di stasiun I dan II yaitu Polymesoda bengalensis 1,111 (Ind/m2). Sedangkan Kelimpahan Relatif tertinggi ada di stasiun II yaitu Episesarma (0,200 %) dan terendah ada di stasiun I dan II yaitu Polymesoda bengalensis (0,007 %). Hasil analisis indeks ekologi Keanekragaman (H’) stasiun I yaitu (2,146), stasiun II (2,158) dan stasiun III (2,131) termasuk dalam kategori sedang. Indeks Keseragaman (E) pada stasiun I berkisar (0,895), stasiun II (0,900), sedangkan pada stasiun III (0,925) termasuk dalam kategori tinggi. Indeks Dominasi pada stasiun I yaitu (0,132), stasiun II (0,132) dan pada stasiun III yaitu (0,130) termasuk dalam kategori rendah.THE DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF MACROZOOBENTHOS IN MANGROVE ECOSYSTEMS AT DARUBA VILLAGE COASTAL PULAU MOROTAI REGENCY. Mangrove ecosystems play a role as a habitat for various species of animals, one of which is macrozoobenthos. Macrozoobenthos acts as the primary consumer and some have a role as secondary consumers or consumers who occupy a higher place. In general, Macrozoobenthos is a natural food for a variety of large aquatic animals. This research aims to analyze the abundance of macrozoobenthos and analyze the structure of the macrozoos community in the area of the Daruba Coastal mangrove ecosystem. This research was conducted from November to December 2019 located in the Mangrove area of Daruba Pantai Village. Retrieval of data using the method of quadratic sampling (Quadrat Sampling) with a plot size of 1x1 m2. Data analysis methods use ecological index analysis such as individual abundance, relative abundance, species diversity, uniformity, and dominance. The results showed the highest abundance of macrozoobenthos individuals were at a station I which was 33,333 (Ind / m2) and the lowest was at stations I and II namely Polymesoda bengalensis 1.111 (Ind / m2). While the highest relative abundance in at station II, Episesarma (0.200%) and the lowest are at a station I and II, Polymesoda bengalensis (0.007%). The results of the analysis of the Ecological diversity index (H ') of Station I, namely (2,146), Station II (2,158) and Station III (2,131) are included in the medium category. The Uniformity Index (E) at a station I ranges (0.895), station II (0.900), while at station III (0.925) is included in the high category. The Domination Index at a station I (0.132), station II (0.132) and at station III (0.130) are in a low category