Perfecting the Theory of Meaning: The Story of Pragmatics and Discourse Analysis

The common sense view of what language is for is that language is used for communication. However, some of the most prominent linguists in the field reject this view. In other words, the majority of professional linguists used to adopt a view of language which is at odds with the view held by non-linguists. The phenomenon of communication has often been thought of as peripheral in linguistic research. This view is a result of the strong hold the abstract objectivist language conception has had on modern linguistic thought. Communication has been reduced to a subordinate place amongst the possible functions of language. This low status attributed to communication is challenged by different pragmatic approaches to language. On the other hand, the content and use of the term “communication” is even by humanistic standards extremely ambiguous, and it has, therefore, often been difficult to use in practical, empirical work. This study is primarily a deep survey of the major contributions of both “discourse analysis” and “pragmatics” in an attempt to clarify the problem of understanding meaning in language use. In addition, it attempts to show how language is used, as a persuasive tool, in political discourse.The present study demonstrates that it would be a mistake to adopt an approach to pragmatics and discourse analysis which focuses on linguistic factors alone, or social factors alone, to the exclusion of cognitive factors. Also, it would be a mistake to adopt an approach which is exclusively speaker-oriented or exclusively hearer-oriented. The process of making meaning is a joint accomplishment between speaker and hearer; between writer and reader. In addition, the present study shows that both disciplines “pragmatics” and “discourse analysis” are hybrid fields of inquiry; and their common themes are “language”, “language users”, “communication”, and “meaning in interaction”. Both disciplines have borrowed their theoretical and methodological orientations from almost the same social and human disciplines. Accordingly, the terms “pragmatics” and “discourse analysis” can be used interchangeably. Finally, the present study shows that political speech is one of the main persuasive tools used by politicians to present their political persons and to further their political agendas

The Language of Consumer Advertising: Linguistic and Psychological Perspectives

This study examines the consumer advertising which is directed towards the promotion of some product or service to the public. The study, however, is not meant to exhaust all the aspects of this particular discourse, or present an answer to all the problems it poses. Rather, it aims at uncovering the basic elements of the most pervasive, influential and inescapable discourse of the 21st century; the advertising text. It focuses on the interaction of language, image and layout, and examines advertising persuasive strategies. In doing so, it draws on various linguistic (particularly pragmatic, psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic) theories. In addition, this study provides analyses of some ads, using different ways of interpretations; and ends with a discussion on the interrelationship between culture (schemes) and advertising discourse. In this connection, instances from the Egyptian media, and their analyses are provided, with a view to clarifying some rhetorical categories in Arabic Advertising, and showing that texts construct meaning through interaction with other types of discourse, and inseparable from the culture of the advertising text

Protuupalno i analgetsko djelovanje novih derivata piridindikarbonitrila i benzopiranopiridina

In continuation of our search for new substituted pyridine based anti-inflammatories, reaction of 1-(2-thienyl or furanyl)-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-ones (1) with malononitrile in alcoholic KOH solution afforded a mixture of 4-alkoxy-2-(2-thienyl or furanyl)-5H-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyridine-5-ones (2) and 2-alkoxy-4-amino-6-(2-thienyl or furanyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarbonitriles (3). Some of the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities compared to diclofenac potassium as positive control. Detailed synthesis, spectroscopic and toxicity data are reported.U nastavku istraživanja derivata piridina s potencijalnim protuupalnim djelovanjem sintetizirani su 4-alkoksi-2-(2-tienil ili furanil)-5H-[1]benzopirano[3,4-c]piridin-5-oni (2) i 2-alkoksi-4-amino-6-(2-tienil ili furanil)-3,5-piridindikarbonitrili (3). Smjesa spojeva 2 i 3 dobivena je reakcijom 1-(2-tienil ili furanil)-3-(2-hidroksifenil)-2-propen-1-ona (1) s malononitrilom u alkoholnoj otopini KOH. Neki od sintetiziranih spojeva testirani su na protuupalno i analgetsko djelovanje, uz diklofenak kalij kao pozitivnu kontrolu. U radu su dani detaljni sintetski, spektroskopski i toksikološki podaci

Investigation of the influence of a step change in surface roughness on turbulent heat transfer

The use is studied of smooth heat flux gages on the otherwise very rough SSME fuel pump turbine blades. To gain insights into behavior of such installations, fluid mechanics and heat transfer data were collected and are reported for a turbulent boundary layer over a surface with a step change from a rough surface to a smooth surface. The first 0.9 m length of the flat plate test surface was roughened with 1.27 mm hemispheres in a staggered, uniform array spaced 2 base diameters apart. The remaining 1.5 m length was smooth. The effect of the alignment of the smooth surface with respect to the rough surface was also studied by conducting experiments with the smooth surface aligned with the bases or alternatively with the crests of the roughness elements. Stanton number distributions, skin friction distributions, and boundary layer profiles of temperature and velocity are reported and are compared to previous data for both all rough and all smooth wall cases. The experiments show that the step change from rough to smooth has a dramatic effect on the convective heat transfer. It is concluded that use of smooth heat flux gages on otherwise rough surfaces could cause large errors

Relationship between spot and futures prices: The case of global food commodities

Global debates about determining the direction of relationship between commodity futures and spot prices reflect the importance of this issue. Resolving the debate will guide different economic agents to make correct decisions. The aim of this paper is to empirically investigate the direction of relationship between food spot and futures prices using different methodologies so as to resolve the debate. In addition, it is important to know which market could cause price volatilities to the other market, and thus, addressing price volatilities in a correct way. The paper conducts linear and non-linear ranger causality tests along with cointegration and error correction model and concludes with mixed findings. Specifically, linear and nonlinear Granger causality tests found evidence that food futures prices cause food spot prices. This suggests that food futures markets lead the price discovery process, and hence, the direction of information flows goes from food futures markets to food spot markets, and accordingly, any price volatilities in futures markets lead to price volatilities in spot markets. In contrast, the cointegration and error correction model found evidence that food spot prices cause food futures prices. This suggests that food spot markets lead the price discovery process, and hence, the direction of information flows goes from food spot markets to food futures markets, and accordingly any price volatilities in food spot markets lead to price volatilities in futures markets. Based on these differences in the obtained results, the current paper suggests the cointegration and error correction  model is preferable since it provides a more formal framework for examining the short-run dynamics and testing for the equilibrium relationship among economic variables. Special attention to alternative instruments, such as the implementation of a global virtual reserve, should be  highlighted so as to minimize speculative attacks and avoid excessive spikes of prices in spot and futures markets. This implies the importance of adopting the possible protectionist measures by developing countries in order to hedge against the negative reflections of global food price volatility. Key words: Food markets, futures prices, spot prices, causality tests, cointegration analysi

miRNA-36 inhibits KSHV, EBV, HSV-2 infection of cells via stifling expression of interferon induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1)

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is etiologically associated with all forms of Kaposi’s sarcoma worldwide. Little is currently known about the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in KSHV entry. We recently demonstrated that KSHV induces a plethora of host cell miRNAs during the early stages of infection. In this study, we show the ability of host cell novel miR-36 to specifically inhibit KSHV-induced expression of interferon induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) to limit virus infection of cells. Transfecting cells with miR-36 mimic specifically lowered IFITM1 expression and thereby significantly dampening KSHV infection. In contrast, inhibition of miR-36 using miR-36 inhibitor had the direct opposite effect on KSHV infection of cells, allowing enhanced viral infection of cells. The effect of miR- 36 on KSHV infection of cells was at a post-binding stage of virus entry. The highlight of this work was in deciphering a common theme in the ability of miR-36 to regulate infection of closely related DNA viruses: KSHV, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and herpes simplexvirus-2 (HSV-2). Taken together, we report for the first time the ability of host cell miRNA to regulate internalization of KSHV, EBV, and HSV-2 in hematopoietic and endothelial cells

Biomimetic strategies for fracture repair: engineering the cell microenvironment for directed tissue formation

Complications resulting from impaired fracture healing have major clinical implications on fracture management strategies. Novel concepts taken from developmental biology have driven research strategies towards the elaboration of regenerative approaches that can truly harness the complex cellular events involved in tissue formation and repair. Advances in polymer technology and a better understanding of naturally derived scaffolds have given rise to novel biomaterials with an increasing ability to recapitulate native tissue environments. This coupled with advances in the understanding of stem cell biology and technology has opened new avenues for regenerative strategies with true clinical translatability. These advances have provided the impetus to develop alternative approaches to enhance the fracture repair process. We provide an update on these advances, with a focus on the development of novel biomimetic approaches for bone regeneration and their translational potential

Role of Inflammatory Markers in the Differential Diagnosis of Bleeding in Early Pregnancy

Background: Defective placentation as a cause of many pregnancy-related conditions including abortion and ectopic pregnancy will involve abnormal inflammatory response. Assessment of different inflammatory markers as neutrophillymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) may aid in the differentiation of causes of bleeding in early pregnancy. Objective: To verify the ability of NLR, PLR, and LMR to differentiate cases of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy from normal pregnancy in patients presenting with bleeding in the first trimester. Patients and Method: A prospective observational study of 150 patients presenting with bleeding in the first trimester were enrolled in the study. After history taking, clinical examination, ultrasound, quantitative beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (B-hCG), or laparoscopy, patients were allocated into three groups: miscarriage group (60 patients), ectopic pregnancy group (30 patients), and control group (60 patients) who continued their pregnancy beyond 20 weeks. For all patients NLR, PLR, and LMR were calculated. Results: NLR was significantly higher and LMR was significantly lower in ectopic pregnancy group when compared to the miscarriage group or the normal pregnancy group. A cutoff level of > 2.7 for NLR and < 3.7 for LMR has a sensitivity of 80% and 70%, and a specificity of 60 % and 80 %, respectively. Conclusion: Utilization of both NLR and LMR will aid in the differentiation of cases of ectopic pregnancy from normal pregnancy or miscarriage with an acceptable sensitivity and specificity

THE EFFECT OF SECURITY PROCEDURES ON EMPLOYEE MORALE

Purpose The objective of the study is to critically analyze the main issues on the scrutiny of personal belongings and the effect of it on the employee morale and to understand the due impact so as to find out a simplified work atmosphere in order to increase taskforce retention. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted with 260 employees working in the Oil fields of Sohar industrial port, Oman. The employees were selected on a simple random sampling basis and were contacted through a well-defined questionnaire which was made available online for this purpose.  The sample included both the managers and the workers from the task force. Findings Our empirical results reveal that the employees understand the logic behind the measures, are not reluctant and hence no negative impact on the employee’s morale. However, the study demonstrates that there is a strong association between the privacy of the employees, their trust, tolerance and the morale of the employees. The main factors which might impede the security procedures are the trust and the privacy. Practical Implications The study reveals that the security practices may violate the individual privacy and leads to ethical conflict and thus the employees may become untrusted and tend to leave the organization due to daily physical inspection which is not a very good sign. Social Implications There is a need to educate all the employees on the logic behind such inspection measures and seek the opinion on the ways to improve such measures. A national campaign can be initiated. Originality/value Very few studies have examined the effect of security procedures on the employee morale in the oil fields of Oman and it is a first-hand study of its kind