Comparing lexical bundles across the introduction, method and results sections of the research article

Corpora ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hesamoddin Shahriari

Despite the prolific amount of research into the discourse structure of the research article (RA), comparisons between the different sections of this important register have been extremely rare. This study is an attempt to analyse the structure and form of three main sections of the RA (i.e., Introduction, Method and Results) through examining the frequency, structure and function of lexical bundles found within each. By comparing the three sections, a better understanding of in-text linguistic variation (i.e., differences in the use of lexical bundles across the three sections) can be achieved. For this purpose, a corpus of 200 research articles in applied linguistics, segmented into the three sections noted above, was compiled. A list of four-word lexical bundles occurring at least thirty times per million words in the overall, one million-word corpus was made. Subsequently, each of the three sub-corpora was searched for any of the bundles on the list. The findings reveal the Results to be the most densely formulaic part of the RA, both in terms of the type/token frequency of bundles and the number of unique bundles that were not seen in any of the other sections. This section of the RA also included longer sequences of bundles than any other part. Structural and functional differences were also discovered among the three sections; some of these differences, especially in the distribution of various functional categories, indicated the existence of a close relationship between the discourse aims of a given section and the lexical bundles that are most characteristic of that part of the RA.

Author(s):  
Purificacion Sánchez Hernández

ABSTRACTMuch has been published about abstracts as a written genre and less attention has been paid to lexical bundles and “moves” in the abstracts of different disciplines.  The purpose of this paper is to select the most common lexical bundles of abstracts in four different fields of knowledge, analyse their structure and function and classify them according to the “moves” they perform. 210 abstracts of 4 different disciplines were collected and the lexical bundles extracted were analysed. The results reveal important differences associated to disciplinary variation in the types of bundles, their structure and function and in the structure of the moves. These finding suggest that disciplinary variation should be considered in academic writing courses. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-293
Author(s):  
Isaac Nuokyaa-Ire Mwinlaaru

Abstract This study explores the benefits of a synergy between ESP research on genre and theoretical dimensions of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL). It models genre on SFL dimensions and employs this model to analyse 200 biodata written by Applied Linguistics scholars, 100 each from research articles and seminar posters. Data were analysed from contextual, logico-semantic and lexicogrammatical perspectives. The findings reveal five generic stages in biodata. The frequency distribution of these stages and the phases that realise them shows variation between research article bios and seminar bios. The most frequent logico-semantic (or rhetorical) relations identified among stages and phases are of the expansion type, namely addition and elaboration, Further, collocational frameworks are used in organising some generic phases into waves of meaning and in construing different identities. Finally, evaluative resources, in the form of lexical bundles, modification and circumstantial elements in the clause, are employed by writers to boost their professional achievements and promote themselves. These findings contribute to theoretical discussions on genre and the scholarship on the interface between identity construction and academic writing, and also motivate further research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aslı Yenenler ◽  
Umut Gerlevik ◽  
Ugur Sezerman

AbstractObjectiveWe identify the impacts of structural differences on functionality of EG3_S2 endoglucanase enzyme with MD studies. The results of previous experimental studies have been explained in details with computational approach. The objective of this study is to explain the functional differences between shuffled enzyme (EG3_S2) and its native counterpart (EG3_nat) from Trichoderma reseei, via Molecular Dynamics approach.Materials and methodsFor this purpose, we performed MD simulations along 30 ns at three different reaction temperatures collected as NpT ensemble, and then monitored the backbone motion, flexibilities of residues, and intramolecular interactions of EG3_S2 and EG3_nat enzymes.ResultsAccording to MD results, we conclude that EG3_S2 and EG3_nat enzymes have unique RMSD patterns, e.g. RMSD pattern of EG3_S2 is more dynamic than that of EG3_nat at all temperatures. In addition to this dynamicity, EG3_S2 establishes more salt bridge interactions than EG3_nat.ConclusionBy taking these results into an account with the preservation of catalytic Glu residues in a proper manner, we explain the structural basis of differences between shuffled and native enzyme via molecular dynamic studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huaidong Zhang ◽  
Ximing Xu

This is a commentary on the research article by Lu et al. recently published in Bioscience Reports. The GCN5-like acetyltransferases with amino acid-binding (ACT)-GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) domain organization have been identified in actinobacteria by Lu et al. (2017). The ACT domain is fused to the GNAT domain, conferring amino acid-induced allosteric regulation to these protein acetyltransferases (Pat) (amino acid sensing acetyltransferase (AAPatA)). Members of the AAPatA family share similar secondary structure and are divided into two groups based on the allosteric ligands of the ACT domain: the asparagine (Asn)-activated PatA and the cysteine (Cys)-activated PatA. The former are mainly found in Streptomyces; the latter are distributed in other actinobacteria. The authors investigated the effect of Asn and Cys on the acetylation activity of Sven_0867 (SvePatA, from Streptomyces venezuelae DSM 40230) and Amir_5672 (AmiPatA, from Actinosynnema mirum strain DSM 43827), respectively, as well as the relationship between the structure and function of these enzymes. Research history and progress on acetyltransferases and lysine acetylation of proteins were discussed. The activity of PatA and acetylation level of proteins may be closely correlated with intracellular concentrations of Asn and Cys in actinobacteria.


Author(s):  
Alec M. Avey ◽  
Keith Baar

In organisms from flies to mammals, the initial formation of a functional tendon is completely dependent on chemical signals from muscle (myokines). However, how myokines affect the maturation, maintenance, and regeneration of tendons as a function of age is completely unstudied. Here we discuss the role of four myokines - fibroblast growth factors (FGF), myostatin, the secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), and miR-29 - in tendon development and hypothesize a role for these factors in the progressive changes in tendon structure and function as a result of muscle wasting (disuse, aging and disease). Because of the close relationship between mechanical loading and muscle and tendon regulation, disentangling muscle-tendon crosstalk from simple mechanical loading is experimentally quite difficult. Therefore, we propose an experimental framework that hopefully will be useful in demonstrating muscle-tendon crosstalk in vivo. Though understudied, the promise of a better understanding of muscle-tendon crosstalk is the development of new interventions that will improve tendon development, regeneration, and function throughout the lifespan.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 8882
Author(s):  
Rebeca Juárez-Contreras ◽  
Karina Angélica Méndez-Reséndiz ◽  
Tamara Rosenbaum ◽  
Ricardo González-Ramírez ◽  
Sara Luz Morales-Lázaro

The Transient Receptor Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) or capsaicin receptor is a nonselective cation channel, which is abundantly expressed in nociceptors. This channel is an important transducer of several noxious stimuli, having a pivotal role in pain development. Several TRPV1 studies have focused on understanding its structure and function, as well as on the identification of compounds that regulate its activity. The intracellular roles of these channels have also been explored, highlighting TRPV1′s actions in the homeostasis of Ca2+ in organelles such as the mitochondria. These studies have evidenced how the activation of TRPV1 affects mitochondrial functions and how this organelle can regulate TRPV1-mediated nociception. The close relationship between this channel and mitochondria has been determined in neuronal and non-neuronal cells, demonstrating that TRPV1 activation strongly impacts on cell physiology. This review focuses on describing experimental evidence showing that TRPV1 influences mitochondrial function.


2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy B. Mulnix

Undergraduate biology curricula are being modified to model and teach the activities of scientists better. The assignment described here, one that investigates protein structure and function, was designed for use in a sophomore-level cell physiology course at Earlham College. Students work in small groups to read and present in poster format on the content of a single research article reporting on the structure and/or function of a protein. Goals of the assignment include highlighting the interdependence of protein structure and function; asking students to review, integrate, and apply previously acquired knowledge; and helping students see protein structure/function in a context larger than cell physiology. The assignment also is designed to build skills in reading scientific literature, oral and written communication, and collaboration among peers. Assessment of student perceptions of the assignment in two separate offerings indicates that the project successfully achieves these goals. Data specifically show that students relied heavily on their peers to understand their article. The assignment was also shown to require students to read articles more carefully than previously. In addition, the data suggest that the assignment could be modified and used successfully in other courses and at other institutions.


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