Biosemiotics, politics and Th.A. Sebeok’s move from linguistics to semiotics

This paper will focus on the political implications for the language sciences of Sebeok’s move from linguistics to a global semiotic perspective, a move that ultimately resulted in biosemiotics. The paper will seek to make more explicit the political bearing of a biosemiotic perspective in the language sciences and the human sciences in general. In particular, it will discuss the definition of language inherent in Sebeok’s project and the fundamental re-drawing of the grounds of linguistic debate heralded by Sebeok’s embrace of the concept of modelling. Thus far, the political co-ordinates of the biosemiotic project have not really been made explicit. This paper will therefore seek to outline 1. how biosemiotics enables us to reconfigure our understanding of the role of language in culture; 2. how exaptation is central to the evolution of language and communication, rather than adaptation; 3. how communication is the key issue in biosphere, rather than language, not just because communication includes language but because the language sciences often refer to language as if it were mere “chatter”, “tropes” and “figures of speech”; 4. how biosemiotics, despite its seeming “neutrality” arising from its transdisciplinarity, is thoroughly political; 5. how the failure to see the implications of the move from linguistics to semiotics arises from the fact that biosemiotics is devoid of old style politics, which is based on representation (devoid of experience) and “construction of [everything] in discourse” (which is grounded in linguistics, not communication study). In contrast to the post-“linguistic turn” idea that the world is “constructed in discourse”, we will argue that biosemiotics entails a reconfiguration of the polis and, in particular, offers the chance to completely reconceptualise ideology

A dialogue between distributed language and reading disciplines

Introduction to the Special Issue: This special issue grows out of the Reading Symposium: Skilled Embodiment: Learning from Symbolizations held in Odense, Denmark on 27–28 August, 2018. The core idea pursued here was the possibility of moving forward the traditional paradigm of reading and writing, in which both are taken to be technologies and implementations of technologies by an autonomous cogito. The movement forward involved, instead, taking a distributed language perspective (Cowley, 2011). In contrast to the argument in which reading is often theorised as processes used to interpret ‘text’, a distributed perspective replaces this view's tendency to deploy the concept of code with due attention to the embodied and multi-scalar nature of the activity. Rather than posit reading in a rather abstract way, as if all reading were more or less the same – that is, an individual, silent and inward act of mental interpretation – reading is traced in terms of the repertoire of bodily attributes and capacities that are required to actualize it, as well as the interplay of internal (the aforementioned capacities) and external (contexts, situations, technologies, cultural practice). Habitual linguistic action allows for construing symbolizations as neurophysiological processes which (re-)evoke parts of an individual's life experience of encultured social activity. While symbolizations are often treated as words or verbal patterns (forms and lexicogrammar), a distributed view puts emphasis on how the material and spatio-temporal features involved in action–perception cycles – from the bodily or haptic actions required, to the physical spaces of action – constitute reading and impact understanding and imagination. [...

The prevalence, influential factors and mechanisms of relative age effects in UK Rugby League.

Relative age effects (RAEs), reflecting observed inequalities in participation and attainment as a result of annual age-grouping policies in youth sport, are common in most team sports. The aims of this study were to determine if and when RAEs become apparent in Rugby League, determine how influential variables (e.g., gender) lead and clarify whether player retention at junior representative levels can explain persistent RAEs. Player data were collected for the male and female community games ranging from Under 7s to Senior (N=15,060) levels, junior representative selections (i.e., Regional) and professional players (N=298). Chi-square analyses found significant (P<0.05) uneven birth date distributions beginning at the earliest stages of the game and throughout into senior professionals. In junior representative selections, 47.0% of Regional and 55.7% of National representative players were born in Quartile 1, with RAE risk increasing with performance level. Gender and nationality were also found to moderate RAE risk. When tracking representative juniors, over 50% were retained for similar competition the following season. Findings clearly demonstrate that RAEs exist throughout Rugby League with early selection, performance level and retention processes, appearing to be key contributing factors responsible for RAE persistence

Psychological consequences of childhood obesity: psychiatric comorbidity and prevention

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century with far-reaching and enduring adverse consequences for health outcomes. Over 42 million children &lt;5 years worldwide are estimated to be overweight (OW) or obese (OB), and if current trends continue, then an estimated 70 million children will be OW or OB by 2025. The purpose of this review was to focus on psychiatric, psychological, and psychosocial consequences of childhood obesity (OBy) to include a broad range of international studies. The aim was to establish what has recently changed in relation to the common psychological consequences associated with childhood OBy. A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for articles presenting information on the identification or prevention of psychiatric morbidity in childhood obesity. Relevant data were extracted and narratively reviewed. Findings established childhood OW/OBy was negatively associated with psychological comorbidities, such as depression, poorer perceived lower scores on health-related quality of life, emotional and behavioral disorders, and self-esteem during childhood. Evidence related to the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and OBy remains unconvincing because of various findings from studies. OW children were more likely to experience multiple associated psychosocial problems than their healthy-weight peers, which may be adversely influenced by OBy stigma, teasing, and bullying. OBy stigma, teasing, and bullying are pervasive and can have serious consequences for emotional and physical health and performance. It remains unclear as to whether psychiatric disorders and psychological problems are a cause or a consequence of childhood obesity or whether common factors promote both obesity and psychiatric disturbances in susceptible children and adolescents. A cohesive and strategic approach to tackle this current obesity epidemic is necessary to combat this increasing trend which is compromising the health and well-being of the young generation and seriously impinging on resources and economic costs

Are youth sport talent identification and development systems necessary and healthy?

Talent identification and development systems (TIDS) are commonly used in professional sport to convert youth athletes into sporting stars of the future. Acknowledging that only a few athletes can "make it," the necessity and healthiness of TIDS have recently been questioned based on their increased professionalism, high training, and competition volumes, but limited effectiveness. In this short communication, we suggest that the key issues associated with TIDS are not due to their overall concept, but with how they are designed and implemented. It is recommended that researchers and practitioners determine the worth and value of TIDS by also evaluating the positive health of the athlete rather than solely focusing on performance outcomes. To achieve this, TIDS staff should shape and develop their values, expectations, and day-to-day routines to achieve positive health outcomes focusing on personal development and an athlete-centered culture. In business, this has been termed the concept of "Deliberately Developmental Organisation." TIDS can deploy the factors (e.g., high-quality staff, expert support services, quality facilities, and learning routines) characteristic of such organizations, to concurrently ensure positive impacts and minimize predictable negative outcomes without losing focus on a drive for sporting performance

When does the influence of maturation on anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics increase and subside?

The relationships between maturation and anthropometric and physical performance characteristics are dynamic and often asynchronous; confounding the capability to accurately evaluate performance during adolescence. This study aimed to (i) examine the influence of chronological age (CA) and somatic maturation (YPHV) upon anthropometric and physical performance parameters, and (ii) identify the transition/change time points in these relationships using segmental regression. N = 969 soccer players (8-18 years of age) completed anthropometric and physical test assessments, including a countermovement jump (CMJ), agility T test, 10 and 20 m sprints, and multistage fitness test (MSFT). When modeled against CA and YPHV, results identified time point phases with increased rates of stature (CA-7.5, YPHV-8.6 cm/y at 10.7-15.2 years or -3.2 to +0.8 YPHV) and body mass gain (CA-7.1, YPHV-7.5 kg/y at 11.9-16.1 years or -1.6 to +4.0 YPHV), followed by gain reductions. Increased rates of sprint performance development (31%-43% gains) occurred at 11.8-15.8 CA or -1.8 to +1.2 YPHV, with gains subsiding thereafter. CMJ, T test, and MSFT gains appeared relatively linear with no change in developmental rate apparent. Developmental tempos did again, however, subside at circa (CMJ and T test) to post-PHV (MSFT). Based on our sample and analysis, periods of increased developmental rates (stature, mass, sprint) were apparent alongside progressive gains for other physical measures, before all subsided at particular age and maturation time points. Findings highlight dynamic asynchronous development of players, physical attributes, and the need to account for the influence of maturation on athletic performance until post-PHV

Piericiden A Sensitivity, Site 1 Phosphorylation, and Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Dehydrogenase during Iron-limited Growth of Candida utilis

It has been reported that cells of Candida utilis, grown in continuous culture under iron-limited conditions, develop site 1 phosphorylation, without the appearance of piericidin sensitivity and without changes in the iron-sulfur centers of NADH dehydrogenase, on aeration in the presence of cycloheximide, as well as on increasing the supply of iron during growth. These findings were reinvestigated in the present study. The parameters and properties followed during these transitions were sensitivity of NADH oxidation to piericidin, presence or absence of coupling site 1, EPR signals appearing on reduction with NADH or dithionite, the specific activities of NADH oxidase, NADH-ferricyanide reductase, and NADH-5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (juglone) reductase, and the kinetic behavior of NADH dehydrogenase in the ferricyanide assay. Monitoring the rates of oxidation of NADH in submitochondrial particles with artificial oxidants, observing the kinetics of the ferricyanide assay, and measuring the concentration of iron-sulfur centers elicited by EPR permitted ascertaining the type of NADH dehydrogenase present and its relative concentration in different experimental situations. It was found that on gradually increasing the concentration of iron during continuous culture (transition from ironlimited to iron- and substrate-limited growth), as well as on aeration of iron-limited cells, coupling site 1, piericidin sensitivity, NADH-ferricyanide activity, and iron-sulfur centers 1 and 2 increased concurrently, with concomitant decline of NADH-juglone reductase activity. Cycloheximide prevented all these changes. Iron-sulfur centers 3 plus 4 underwent relatively little increase during these transitions. It is concluded that in both of these experimental conditions a replacement of the type of NADH dehydrogenase present in exponential phase cells by that characteristic of stationary phase cells occurs and that the appearance of site 1 phosphorylation, piercidin sensitivity, and iron-sulfur centers 1 plus 2, all associated with the latter enzyme, is a consequence of this replacement. No evidence was found for the development of coupling site 1 without the appearance of piericidin sensir t

Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Dehydrogenase, Piericidin Sensitivity, and Site 1 Phosphorylation in Different Growth Phases of Candida utilis

Reports in the literature indicate that during the exponential phase of growth of Candida utilis NADH oxidation is insensitive to rotenone, that rotenone sensitivity is acquired during the transition to the late stationary phase and is again lost on catabolite repression. The acquisition and loss of rotenone sensitivity appears to be accompanied by similar changes in Site 1 phosphorylation but does not appear to be reflected in the rate of oxidation of NADH (by mitochondria) or of NAD-linked substrates (by mitochondria or whole cells). In the present paper evidence is presented that these fluctuations in sensitivity to inhibitors of NADH oxidation reflect the presence of different types of inner membrane-bound NADH dehydrogenases in different phases of growth. Thus inner membrane preparations from exponential phase cells contain an NADH dehydrogenase which reacts equally well with ferricyanide and juglone as electron acceptor, appears to be very labile, and lacks EPR signals corresponding to iron-sulfur Centers 1 and 2, whereas a new species, probably an iron-sulfur protein, with resonances at g|| = 2.01, and g⊥ = 1.92 in the reduced state, is present. This species is not significantly reduced by NADH. In corresponding preparations from late stationary phase cells NADH-ferricyanide activity is high, juglone reductase activity is low, and the enzyme is stable and exhibits the EPR signals of iron-sulfur Centers 1 and 2, whereas the EPR signals of iron-sulfur Centers 3 + 4 change very little on transition from exponential to stationary phase cells. There is also a decrease in cytochrome concentration. Most prominent among these is a b-type cytochrome (g = 2.54; 2.23; 1.87) which decreases 2- to 3-fold. The EPR detectable species with g|| = 2.01 and g⊥ = 1.92 in the reduced state is no longer detected. On catabolite repression of late stationary phase cells there is an 80 to 90% decline in NADH-ferricyanide activity, of iron-sulfur Centers 1 and 2, a 50 to 60% decrease of Centers 3 + 4, and an increase in a b cytochrome, but the specific activity in NADH-juglone reductase and NADH oxidase assays increases, the enzyme becomes once again labile, and the EPR detectable species with g|| = 2.01 and g⊥ = 1.92 appears on reduction with dithionite. All these changes are prevented by cycloheximide. The data suggest that sensitivity to piericidin A and coupling to energy conservation Site 1 are properties of the type of NADH dehydrogenase present in late stationary phase cells but not in exponential phase or of catabolite-repressed cells

Movement and Physiological Demands of Australasian National Rugby League Referees.

Purpose: To evaluate the movement and physiological demands of the Australasian National Rugby League (NRL) referees, officiating with a ‘two referee’ (i.e., ‘lead’ and ‘pocket’) system and to compare the demands of the lead referee and pocket referees. Methods: 10 Hz global positioning system devices were used to obtain 86 data sets (‘lead’, n=41; ‘pocket’, n=45) on 19 NRL referees. Total distance, relative distance covered and heart rate per half and across match-play was examined within and between referees using t-tests. Distance, time and number of movement 'efforts' were examined in six velocity classifications (i.e., standing 7.0 m.s-1) using ANOVA. Cohen's d effect sizes were reported. Results: There were no significant differences between the ‘lead’ and ‘pocket’ referee for any movement or physiological variable. There was an overall significant (large; very large) effect for distance (% distance) and time (% time) (P 5.51 m.s-1. Conclusions: Findings highlight the intermittent nature of rugby league refereeing, but show that there were no differences in the movement and physiological demands of the two refereeing roles. Findings are valuable for those responsible for the preparation, training and conditioning of NRL referees, and to ensure training prepares for and simulates match demands

Asymmetric Organocatalysis and Continuous Chemistry for an Efficient and Cost-Competitive Process to Pregabalin

Herein, we present the scale up development of an innovative synthetic process to pregabalin. The process is underpinned by two enabling technologies critical to its success; continuous chemistry allowed a safe and clean production of nitroalkene, and asymmetric organocatalysis gave access to the chiral intermediate in an enantioenriched form. Crucial to the success of the process was the careful development of a continuous process to nitroalkene and optimization of the organocatalyst and of the reaction conditions to attain remarkably high turn-over frequency in the catalytic asymmetric reaction. Successful recycle of the organocatalysts was also developed in order to achieve a cost-competitive process