The Many Functions of Discourse Particles: A Computational Model of Pragmatic Interpretation

We present a connectionist model for the interpretation of discourse\ud particles in real dialogues that is based on neuronal\ud principles of categorization (categorical perception, prototype\ud formation, contextual interpretation). It can be shown that\ud discourse particles operate just like other morphological and\ud lexical items with respect to interpretation processes. The description\ud proposed locates discourse particles in an elaborate\ud model of communication which incorporates many different\ud aspects of the communicative situation. We therefore also\ud attempt to explore the content of the category discourse particle.\ud We present a detailed analysis of the meaning assignment\ud problem and show that 80%– 90% correctness for unseen discourse\ud particles can be reached with the feature analysis provided.\ud Furthermore, we show that ‘analogical transfer’ from\ud one discourse particle to another is facilitated if prototypes\ud are computed and used as the basis for generalization. We\ud conclude that the interpretation processes which are a part of\ud the human cognitive system are very similar with respect to\ud different linguistic items. However, the analysis of discourse\ud particles shows clearly that any explanatory theory of language\ud needs to incorporate a theory of communication processes

Ultrastructure and localization of Neorickettsia in adult digenean trematodes provides novel insights into helminth-endobacteria interaction

Abstract Background Neorickettsia are a group of intracellular α proteobacteria transmitted by digeneans (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda). These endobacteria can also infect vertebrate hosts of the helminths and cause serious diseases in animals and humans. Neorickettsia have been isolated from infected animals and maintained in cell cultures, and their morphology in mammalian cells has been described. However, limited information is available on the morphology and localization of Neorickettsia in the trematode host. Methods We used a Neorickettsia-infected strain of the model trematode Plagiorchis elegans to infect Syrian Golden hamsters to produce adult worms. Ultrastructure of Neorickettsia was assessed by transmission electron microscopy of high pressure freezing/freeze substitution fixed specimens. A Neorickettsia surface protein from P. elegans (PeNsp-3) was cloned and antibodies against the recombinant protein were used to localize Neorickettsia by immunohistochemistry. Results Ultrastructural analysis revealed moderate numbers of pleomorphic endobacteria with a median size of 600 × 400 nm and characteristic double membranes in various tissue types. Endobacteria showed tubular membrane invaginations and secretion of polymorphic vesicles. Endobacteria were unevenly localized as single cells, or less frequently as small morula-like clusters in the ovary, Mehlis’ gland, vitelline follicles, uterus, intrauterine eggs, testis, cirrus-sac, tegument, intestine and the oral and ventral sucker. Examination of hamster small intestine infected with P. elegans showed many endobacteria at the host-parasite interface such as the oral and ventral sucker, the tegument and the excretory pore. Conclusions We conclude that adult P. elegans trematodes carry Neorickettsia endobacteria in varying numbers in many tissue types that support vertical transmission, trematode to trematode transmission via seminal fluid, and possibly horizontal transmission from trematodes to vertebrate hosts. These means appear to be novel mechanisms of pathogen transmission by endoparasitic worms

Communication Design

In this article, we present our approach to communication design, which focuses on the organization of information for a particular audience and communicative purpose, drawing on knowledge from a range of disciplines including linguistics and communication. We argue that communication design can help companies save enormous costs and attract, as well as keep, customers. We present an example for a redesign by one of the students from our study programs at SDU Sonderborg that illustrates the kind of work communication designers can do

‘I really enjoy it’ : emotional engagement of university peer mentors

Peer mentoring programs are commonly used to facilitate the transition of new students into higher education settings. Peer mentors’ experiences and emotions during mentoring are important but under-researched. We report exploratory work to address this gap in a two-phase study using a grounded theory approach. In Phase 1 mentors in an Australian university responded to online (n=35) or face-to-face (n=10) questions about their emotions during a peer mentor program. Emotions were found to be primarily positive, mentors varied in the extent to which they express emotions, and emotions relating to different time points were evident. In Phase 2, we examined temporal dimensions of emotions in more depth with peer mentors in a German university and added anticipated future emotions to existing categories. Connections between mentors’ emotions and their own early experiences at university were explored, with another category of recalled prior emotions being added. Our findings are consistent with previous research regarding the positive and negative emotional aspects of being a peer mentor and further contribute to the understanding of the complexity of emotions in mentoring, specifically peer mentoring in higher education settings.peer-reviewe

Der Einfluss von Haustieren auf die Entwicklung einer Tierhaarallergie

Ziel: In dieser Arbeit werden 2 Gruppen von Allergiker gegen inhalative Allergene (Tierhaarallergiker und Allergiker gegen Gräser, Pollen und Hausstaub) miteinander verglichen. Das Hauptziel dieser Studie ist, die Risikofaktoren zu identifizieren, die zu einer Allergie gegen Tierhaare führen. Es wurde untersucht, welche Rolle der Kontakt und der Besitz von Tieren mit Pelz in den ersten drei Lebensjahren spielen. Der Einfluss der Stilldauer als Säugling und die Allergiehäufigkeit unter den Geschwistern der Probanden wurden ebenfalls untersucht. Methode: 69 Allergiker, die zur Allergieabklärung die Allergieambulanz der Abteilung für Haut- und Geschlechtskrankheiten des Landesklinikums St. Pölten aufsuchten, beantworteten einen Fragebogen zu ihrer Kindheit, ihrer aktuellen Lebenssituation und zu sozioökonomischen Parametern. Anhand von Laborparametern und klinischen Hauttests wurden die Probanden den Vergleichsgruppen (Tierhaarallergiker und Allergiker gegen andere inhalative Allergene) zugeordnet. Ergebnisse: 54% der Probanden waren Tierhaarallergiker und 46% der Probanden waren Allergiker gegen andere inhalative Allergene. Die beiden Vergleichsgruppen unterschieden sich nicht im Kontakt und Kon-taktintensität und hatten Kontakt zu der gleichen Art von Tieren. Tierhaarallergiker haben in der Kindheit mehr (2-3) Haustiere besessen und hatten mehr (4 – 5) Haustiere gleichzeitig als die Vergleichsgruppe. Jüngere Geschwister leiden öfter an einer Allergie gegen inhalative Allergene als ältere Geschwister. Sowohl ältere als auch jüngere Geschwister von Tierhaarallergikern haben öfter eine Tierhaarallergie als die Geschwister der Vergleichsgruppe. Im Vergleich zur Gruppe gegen andere inhalative Allergene (38,5%) wurden mehr Tierhaarallergiker (71,4%) länger als 6 Monate gestillt. Schlussfolgerung: In den ersten 3 Lebensjahren spielt der Zeitpunkt der Exposition gegenüber Tierhaarallergenen keine Rolle bei der Entwicklung einer Tierhaarallergie. Das Ausmaß der Tierhaarallergenexposition hat Einfluss auf die Entwicklung einer Tierhaarallergie. Eine Stilldauer über 6 Monate prädisponiert für eine Tierhaarallergie.Goal: Two groups of persons allergic to inhalation allergens (subjects allergic to ani-mal hair, grass, pollen and house-dust) shall be compared in this thesis. The main objective of this study is to identify the risk factors that lead to an allergy to animal hair. The role of contact and possession of animals with fur in the first three years of life was investigated. Influence of the duration of breastfeeding as an infant and the frequency of allergies among the siblings of the subjects were studied too. Method: 69 allergy sufferers, who visited the allergy health care centre of the De-partment of Skin and Venereal Diseases of the Landesklinikum St. Pölten for allergy investigation replied to a questionnaire on their childhood, their current living conditions and other socio-economic parameters. Based on laboratory parameters and clinical skin tests, the subjects were assigned to the comparison groups (animalhair allergies and allergic to other inhaled allergens). Results: 54% of the subjects were patients suffering of animal hair allergies and 46% of the subjects were allergic to other inhaled allergens. The two comparison groups did not differ in contact and contact intensity and had contact with the same kind of animals. Persons allergic to animal hair owned more (2-3) pets in their childhood and had more (4-5) pets at the same time than the comparison group. Younger siblings suffer from an allergy to inhaled allergens more often than older brothers and sisters. Both older and younger brothers and sisters of animal hair allergic patients tend to have a pet hair allergy than the siblings of the comparison group. Compared to the group allergic to other inhaled allergens (38.5%), more ani-mal hair allergic patients (71.4%) were breast-fed longer than 6 months. Conclusion: In the first three years of life the timing of allergen exposure has no effect on the kind of allergy. The extent of animal hair allergen exposure has an influence on the development of animal hair allergy. A breastfeeding duration of more than 6 months predisposes to animal hair allergy

High pressure freezing/freeze substitution fixation improves the ultrastructural assessment of Wolbachia endosymbiont – filarial nematode host interaction

Wolbachia α-proteobacteria are essential for growth, reproduction and survival for many filarial nematode parasites of medical and veterinary importance. Endobacteria were discovered in filarial parasites by transmission electron microscopy in the 1970's using chemically fixed specimens. Despite improvements of fixation and electron microscopy techniques during the last decades, methods to study the Wolbachia/filaria interaction on the ultrastructural level remained unchanged and the mechanisms for exchange of materials and for motility of endobacteria are not known.We used high pressure freezing/freeze substitution to improve fixation of Brugia malayi and its endosymbiont, and this led to improved visualization of different morphological forms of Wolbachia. The three concentric, bilayer membranes that surround the endobacterial cytoplasm were well preserved. Vesicles with identical membrane structures were identified close to the endobacteria, and multiple bacteria were sometimes enclosed within a single outer membrane. Immunogold electron microscopy using a monoclonal antibody directed against Wolbachia surface protein-1 labeled the membranes that enclose Wolbachia and Wolbachia-associated vesicles. High densities of Wolbachia were observed in the lateral chords of L4 larvae, immature, and mature adult worms. Extracellular Wolbachia were sometimes present in the pseudocoelomic cavity near the developing female reproductive organs. Wolbachia-associated actin tails were not observed. Wolbachia motility may be explained by their residence within vacuoles, as they may co-opt the host cell's secretory pathway to move within and between cells.High pressure freezing/freeze substitution significantly improved the preservation of filarial tissues for electron microscopy to reveal membranes and sub cellular structures that could be crucial for exchange of materials between Wolbachia and its host