scholarly journals The rhetorical organization of research article discussion sections: An investigation into genre evolution in applied linguistics

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Alireza Jalilifar ◽  
Mitra Baninajar ◽  
Soheil Saidian

The present study aimed to investigate the evolution of the rhetorical structure of research article discussions in three prestigious journals covering the two chronological periods of 1980-1989 (group A) and 2005-2010 (group B). It also studied changes in the application of the two most frequently used verb tenses − the simple present tense and the simple past tense − over the two time periods. Overall, 115 published articles were selected from the aforementioned journals. Move analysis was accomplished through application of Dudley-Evans' (1994) model on the datasets. Findings indicated that despite the overall consistency in utilizing the nine-move organization, there emerged rather considerable differences in the frequency of (Un) expected outcome and Explanation moves. A reduction in the frequency of (Un) expected outcome in group B indicated that present-day writers announce results with more caution to win the acquiescence of reviewers and readers. On the other hand, a rise in explanations revealed a growing concern for including more arguments in order to follow the analytical nature of the discussion section. The results also demonstrated a shift from the simple present tense toward the simple past tense, which marks a shift from generalization to specificity. Keywords: research article, move, discussion section, genre evolution

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-124
Author(s):  
Thao Quoc Tran ◽  
Thiep Ba Tang

Hedging in academic writing in general and in research article (RA) in specific has a vital role in enabling writers to minimize their opposing claims and negotiate the meaning. Nevertheless, hedging can be different from one discipline to another and from culture to another. This study, therefore, aims at examining the deployment of hedges in the Results and Discussion (R-D) section of English Applied Linguistics (AL) RAs by Vietnamese writers and their foreign counterparts. Two corpora consisting of 30 RAs written by Vietnamese writers and the other 30 ones by foreign writers were collected. The results revealed that both Vietnamese and foreign writers deployed hedges in the R-D section of English AL RAs at a similar frequency. Moreover, they shared common senses of utilizing the hedges’ types and functions in the R-D section of English AL RAs. This study has confirmed that the norms and practices of the AL, a soft science, were common among non-native English writers regardless of their culture-bound.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 593
Author(s):  
Tiago Carmagnani Prada ◽  
Anderson Coutinho da Silva ◽  
Bruno Watanabe Minto

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCrLR) is a common condition found in the small animal routine, being correlated to traumas, obesity, genetic factors, and primary osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs. Affected animals show articular instability that, if not corrected surgically, may cause secondary OA and loss of limb function. The aim of this study was to compare short-term results of the intra-articular technique for knee stabilization after CCrLR using a surgical button associated with polyester yarn (Group A), the surgical button associated with nylon yarn (Group B), and surgical toggle associated with polyester yarn (Group C). Eighteen dogs presenting CCrLR, weight varying from 5 to 35 kg, and different sex and breed were divided into three groups of six individuals. OA radiographic grade, pre- and post-operative lameness, surgical time, and the macroscopic aspect of cartilage were assessed. The intra-articular technique was performed by passing a suture through two tunnels, drilled in the femoral condyle and tibial crest to stabilize the knee joint. Twelve animals presented a decreased lameness and normal limb function after 15 days. On the other hand, four dogs from Group B presented complications: two dogs had suture rupture after 30 days and other two showed muscular contracture with decreased range of motion, followed by loss of limb function. In Group A, one dog showed suture rupture after 15 days and other had suture infection after 30 days. In Group C, dogs recovered normal limb function without complications. Therefore, surgical toggle associated with polyester yarn was better than the other studied materials.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43
Author(s):  
Farshad Nouri ◽  
Seyed Ahmad Raeissadat ◽  
Dariush Eliaspour ◽  
Seyed Mansoor Rayegani ◽  
Maryam Sadat Rahimi ◽  
...  

Introduction: In this study, a single-blind and randomized controlled trial (RCT) for assessing the effectiveness of high-power (up to 12 W) laser therapy (HPLT) on patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) was carried out. Methods: Forty-four patients were randomly assigned to two treatment groups by generating random numbers with MATLAB 2014b software, where odd and even numbers were attributed to sham laser group (group A) and actual laser group (group B), respectively. Group B patients underwent HPLT with total dose of 300 J/session for 5 consecutive sessions separated by a 2-day interval. On the other hand, sham laser was applied to group A patients. Both groups had the same exercise therapy programs during the study period (3 months). The exercise therapy program included isometric knee exercise for 3 sets per day and 10 times in each set, with duration of 10 seconds per time and straight leg raise for 15 seconds 10 times a day. The group codes of patients were not revealed to subjects and data analyzer until completion of the study. Kujala, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires were chosen as outcome measures. These questionnaires were completed at three points during the study; at the beginning of the study to obtain the pre-therapy conditions and one month and three months after the start of the study to evaluate post-therapy conditions. Results: Two main analyses were conducted: within-group and between-group analyses. Withingroup analyses indicated significant improvements in respect to all measurements where pretherapy and post-therapy comparisons were conducted in both groups (P < 0.05). On the other hand, between-group comparisons did not reveal any statistically significant functional difference between group A and group B regarding the evaluative criteria (P > 0.05) except for pain VAS (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that short-term HPLT accompanied by appropriate exercise regimen significantly decreased pain in patients with PFPS. But it was not recommended as an efficient modality in functional improvement. Also, it was observed that, in the short-term period of study, HPLT was a safe modality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 01-05
Author(s):  
Elham Atabati

Background: periodontal disease with alveoli bone degeneration and losing teeth is seen in many people, including those with arthritis rheumatoid. Objective This study aims to evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatments on the severity of arthritis rheumatoid. Methods: this randomized control clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients who concurrently had arthritis and mild to moderate periodontitis. Patients divided into three groups of 20 subjects (group C had tooth cleaning and antibiotic therapy, group B had only tooth cleaning and group A was control). DAS28 questionnaire was filled out for all three groups at the beginning of the study. After ending the treatment and improvement, patients were examined in days 45 and 90 in terms of improvement indicators for arthritis rheumatoid. Data were finally analyzed by SPSS18. Results: the highest reduction rate of ESR, DAS28, CRP and RF was in different time periods in tooth cleaning intervention +antibiotic group and then, teeth cleaning group. The lowest reduction was seen in control group. RF, CRP and DAS28 indices showed significant differences in different time periods in tooth cleaning group and tooth cleaning+ antibiotic group (P<0.05). Conclusion: non-surgery periodontal treatment and RA indices, without considering the medicines used for treatment, had positive effect on the treatment of this disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (8) ◽  
pp. 1901-1908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jieun Kwon ◽  
Yun Hee Kim ◽  
Sung-Min Rhee ◽  
Tae In Kim ◽  
Jimin Lee ◽  
...  

Background: The failure of rotator cuffs to heal after repair is an unresolved surgical issue. There have been substantial efforts, including the use of biological supplements, to enhance tendon healing. Dermal fibroblasts are a good candidate for tendon tissue engineering because they are similar to the tenocytes used for collagen synthesis. In addition, they are easily accessible because autologous dermal fibroblasts can be obtained from individual skin without major skin defects and allogenic dermal fibroblasts (ADFs) have already been commercialized in the field of skin engineering. Purpose: To determine the effects of dermal fibroblasts on tendon-to-bone healing in a rabbit model of a chronic rotator cuff tear. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 33 rabbits were randomly allocated into 3 groups (n = 11 each). Supraspinatus tendons were detached and left for 6 weeks to establish a chronic rotator tear model. Torn tendons were repaired in a transosseous manner with the injection of 5 × 106 ADFs with fibrin in group A, fibrin only in group B, and saline only in group C. At 12 weeks after repair, the mechanical test and histological evaluation were performed. Results: Seven rabbits died before the evaluation (1 in group A, 2 in group B, 4 in group C). In the final evaluation, the mean ± SD load to failure was 48.1 ± 13.3 N/kg for group A, 34.5 ± 8.9 N/kg for group B, and 31.1 ± 8.3 N/kg for group C, and group A showed significantly higher load-to-failure values than the other groups ( P = .011). The midsubstance tear rate, which presented stronger tendon-to-bone healing than insertional tear, was 50.0% in group A, 22.2% in group B, 28.6% in group C, but the differences were not statistically significant ( P = .413). In the histological evaluation, group A showed greater collagen fiber continuity and better orientation than the other groups. Conclusion: This controlled laboratory study verified, on the basis of biomechanics and histology, the potential for the use of ADFs in rotator cuff healing. The current results suggest a new biological supplement to increase the rate of rotator cuff healing. Clinical Relevance: The most important finding of this study was the potential for a new biological supplement to enhance rotator cuff healing—a continuing challenge.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 9-25
Author(s):  
Yasir Bdaiwi Al-Shujairi

      The discussion section forms an integral part in the writing process of a research article (RA). Research authors find it difficult to write and produce a well-structured discussion for their findings. The reason could be due to the unawareness of the main components (rhetorical moves) that shape this section. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a review of the studies that have been done to analyze the discussion section of RAs over the last 36 years. Also, this review seeks to examine the discussion section of RAs across various scientific disciplines and different types of journals. The review showed that the rhetorical structure of RAs discussion section witnessed some changes over the course of time. New moves such as Research Implications and Research Limitations started to be parts of the discussion section of RAs. In addition, it was revealed that differences in writing the discussion section can be varied broadly across disciplines such as soft sciences (e.g., applied linguistics, sociology, psychology) and hard sciences (e.g., engineering, chemistry, biology) and slightly across types of journals such as ISI and local journals. In conclusion, this paper offered several suggestions for further research to be conducted in the area.  


1989 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Fernández Giachella ◽  
Carlos Gálvez ◽  
Carlos Rufino ◽  
Adelina Rufino ◽  
Federico Morera ◽  
...  

With the object of proving whether seqeuntial or alternate forms of chemotherapy would be advantageous one over the other in treating advanced breast cancer and with the purpose of evaluating two different anthracyclines at equimolecular doses in the above-mentioned alternating regimens, 250 patients who had received no prior chemo- or hormonotherapy were entered in a prospective randomized trial. Group A was administered 4-epiadriamycin and cyclophosphamide for 8 courses, followed by 6 cycles of CMF, and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) from the beginning of therapy until progression. In group B, adriamycin + cyclophosphamide were alternated with CMF every two courses until 14 cycles were completed. Group C received 4'-epiadriamycin + cyclophosphamide alternated with CMF for 14 courses. In groups B and C, MPA was administered as in group A. Two hundred and twenty-four patients were evaluated. CR+PR were observed in 55.8 % of group A, 43.4 % of group B, and 46.4 % of group C. Median duration of responses was 16 months (m) in group A, 13 m in group B and 20 m in group C., and median survival (CR + PR) was 16.5 m in group A, 16 m in group B and 24 m in group C. There were no statsitically significant differences among the three groups in terms of response rate, duration of response and survival; furthermore, toxicity was moderate in all groups. At equimolecular doses there were no differences between adriamycin and epirubicin in the alternating schedules.


2008 ◽  
Vol 41 (02) ◽  
pp. 138-140
Author(s):  
Rasoul Gheisari ◽  
Mehdi Ghoreishian ◽  
Movahedian Bijan ◽  
Roozbehi Amrolah

ABSTRACT Background: Blood group is a genetic characteristic which is associated with some diseases and deformities. Multifactorial characteristics of facial development make it difficult to predict a genetic pattern in a specific maxillofacial deformity, but epidemiological evaluations can reveal relationships between such deformities and some genetic characteristics or accompanied diseases, and this will help to recognise and treat them. The aim of this study is evaluation of the relationship between blood groups and maxillofacial deformities. Materials and Methods: In this study, blood groups of 190 patients with maxillofacial deformities who had had orthognathic surgery in Alzahra hospital, Isfahan, were compared with the general Iranian population. Results: Among 190 patients, 93 cases (49%) were men and 97 cases (51%) were women. Fifteen cases (8%) were < 20 years old, 130 cases (68%) were 20-30 years old, and the others (45 cases, 24%) were > 30 years old. The blood group distribution in our samples was as follows: blood group O = 76 cases (40%), blood group A = 58 cases (30%), blood group B = 41 cases (22%), and blood group AB = 15 cases (8%). Among these patients, 31 cases (16%) had maxillary deformities and 27 cases (14%) suffered from mandibular deformities while the other 132 cases (70%) had bimaxillary problems. The Chi-square test showed statistically significant differences between the blood group distribution of the patients of this study and the normal Iranian population ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: It was shown that among different blood groups; those with blood group B have a greater likelihood of association with maxillofacial deformities. On the other hand, the probability of the association of such deformities was the least with blood group A.


1973 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Z. Foot ◽  
A. J. F. Russel

SUMMARYIn the first experiment two groups of 11 Scottish Blackface ewes were given either 6·10 kg dried grass pellets plus 1·63 kg chopped dried grass daily (Group A) or 8·17 kg hay plus 1·32 kg oat pellets (Group B). During a 10-day experimental period individual dry-matter intakes ranged from 484 to 939 g/day (CV 22·3%) in Group A and from 613 to 883 g/day (CV 13·3%) in Group B. In Group B dry-matter intakes from oats were much more variable (10 to 149 g/day; CV 35·8%) than those from hay (530 to 762 g/day; CV 12·9%). Plasma protein-bound iodine (PBI) concentrations were significantly higher in the Group A sheep.In the second experiment the treatments were: group-penned, group-fed (GG); group-penned, individually fed (GI); and individually penned, individually fed (II). Within each treatment there were two groups of 12 ewes; one group was given a high level of feeding (H) and the other a low level (L) for a 7-week experimental period. Allowances of pelleted concentrates ranged from 7 to 15 g/kg in the L groups and from 18 to 26 g/kg in the H groups. The same mean quantities per kg were given to GG sheep, and food intakes ranged from 5·7 to 17·7 g/kg (CV 25·3%) in GGL and from 12·5 to 30·8 g/kg (CV 24·8%) in GGH. Plasma PBI concentrations were significantly higher in L sheep than in H sheep, and higher in GG than in II. Plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations were significantly higher in L sheep than in H sheep and higher in GG than in GI and II.The principal factors determining variations in food intakes between individual animals fed in groups and some of the nutritional implications of group-feeding sheep are discussed.


Probus ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Saab

AbstractIn this paper, I present a new case of overgeneration for the semantic view on identity in ellipsis. Concretely, I show that a radical version of the semantic approach to the identity condition on ellipsis, in particular, one with the notion of mutual entailment at its heart, wrongly predicts as grammatical cases of TP-ellipsis in Spanish where a (formal) present tense feature on T in the antecedent entails a (formal) past tense feature in the elliptical constituent and vice versa. However, this is not attested: present tense cannot serve as a suitable antecedent for formal past tense in TP-ellipsis contexts, regardless of pragmatic entailment. On the basis of this and other new observations in the realm of tense and ellipsis, several consequences for the theory of identity in ellipsis, on the one hand, and the proper representation of tense in natural languages, on the other, are also discussed.


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