Seminar on Master’s Thesis Writing, Class 4
1) Find four mistakes among the underlined words/phrases.
A greenhouse is a glass building used to grow plants. A greenhouse has transparent glass that allows
the sunlight to pass through, but does not allow the heat inside to escape. The same affect occurs on
the earth. The suns radiation passes through the atmosphere to heat the earth's surface. When
heated, the earth's surface produces infrared radiation, which has a longer wavelength than that of
sunlight. This infrared radiation rises into the atmosphere where gases, such as carbon dioxide,
prevents the infrared radiation from escaping into space. The concentrations of these gases which
are called greenhouse gases, control how much infrared radiation escapes. The retained radiation
heats the earth's atmosphere, thus keeping the planet warm.
2) For each excerpt, identify the source of the ambiguity: (1) improper syntax (word order),
(2) missing comma, (3) unclear pronoun reference, or (4) grouping of conflicting words.
- The Lunar Module was only designed to hold two astronauts and to have a life time of fortyfive
hours.
- The beams are positioned with respect to the chopper blade so that while one beam passes
the output of the opposite beam is completely blocked.
- The Hindenburg was filled with hydrogen because it is lighter than air...The report claimed
that a hull wire could have ruptured a gas cell if it fractured.
- Avoiding complicated multi-ordered calculations, the equations come from fundamental
definitions of mass flow, work, and efficiency.
- To provide spill protection, all tanks were equipped with basins and automatic shutoff
devices or overfill alarms or ball float valves.
- Being the first step in introducing CFD, Jones had to set up conservative assumptions.
- As with any system errors occur in localization.
- Having a model would help designers predict the effects of engine operation over all speeds.
CZENGLISH
Look at some of the sentences and try to identify the problems common to Czech learners of English.
(For more see Don Sparling: English or Czenglish)
A) The town has three theatres and two concert halls. Besides there are more than twenty cinemas.
(34)
B) This invention enabled to do twice as much work a day. (74)
C) I think he won’t come./* I want him not to go there./* John seems not to be very bright./ *
D) Everybody doesn’t agree with me./* Some teachers can’t understand that everyone isn’t
interested in their subjects. (154)
Seminar on Master’s Thesis Writing, Class 4
Working with text: Read the following abstract of an essay titled “An integrated network
visualization framework towards metabolic engineering applications” and then do the exercises
below. (source: Noronha A, Vilaça P, Rocha M. An integrated network visualization framework
towards metabolic engineering applications. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25547011).
Abstract
Background
Over the last years, several methods for the phenotype simulation of microorganisms, under
specified genetic and environmental conditions have been proposed, in the context of
Metabolic Engineering (ME). [A] On the other hand, in the context of Systems Biology
research, biological network visualization has reinforced its role as a core tool in
understanding biological processes. However, it has been scarcely used to foster ME related
methods, in spite of the acknowledged potential.
Results
In this work, an open-source software that aims to fill the gap between ME and metabolic
network visualization is proposed, in the form of a plugin to the OptFlux ME platform. The
framework is based on an abstract layer, where the network is represented as a bipartite
graph containing minimal information about the underlying entities and their desired
relative placement. [B] A user-interface makes it possible to edit, manipulate and query
nodes in the network, providing tools to visualize diverse effects, including visual filters and
aspect changing (e.g. colors, shapes and sizes). [C]
Conclusions
[D]
1) These tools are particularly interesting for ME, since they allow overlaying phenotype
simulation results or elementary flux modes over the networks.
2) The framework and its source code are freely available, together with documentation
and other resources, being illustrated with well documented case studies.
3) The framework provides input/output support for networks specified in standard
formats, such as XGMML, SBGN or SBML, providing a connection to genome-scale
metabolic models.
4) These methods provided insight on the functioning of microbial metabolism and
played a key role in the design of genetic modifications that can lead to strains of
industrial interest.
1) Four sentences are missing in the text. Put them into the correct place in the text.
2) Rewrite the introduction using your own words. Make sure you do not change the meaning of
the text.
Seminar on Master’s Thesis Writing, Class 4
LINKING PARAGRAPHS
The following is an excerpt from an essay. Notice how the essay creates links between paragraphs
by using repetition and restatement (circled), transitional expressions (boxed) and transitional
sentences (annotated). Adapted from Fowler, Henrey Ramsey; Aaron, Jane E., and Janice Okoomian. The Little, Brown Handbook.
10th ed. New York: Longman. 2007.
SEMICOLON
Main clause + main clause (no coordinating conjunction)
The side effects are not minor; some leave the patient quite ill.
The semicolon separates equal sentence elements (often working around expectations).
The airline campaign had highlighted only half the story; the other half was buried in the copy.
The campaign should not have stressed the pilots’ insecurity; instead, the campaign should have
stressed the improved performance resulting from that insecurity.
We often use semicolons between main clauses related by however, for example, etc.
Seminar on Master’s Thesis Writing, Class 4
Exercise: rewrite the sentences so that they include a semicolon and the expression in parenthesis.
1) Most music computers are too expensive for the average consumer. Digital keyboard
instruments can be inexpensive. They are widely available. (however)
2) Inside the keyboard is a small computer. The computer controls a sound synthesizer. The
instrument can both process and produce music. (consequently)
3) The person playing the keyboard presses keys or manipulates other controls. The computer
and synthesizer convert these signals. The signals are converted into vibrations and sounds.
(immediately)
4) The inexpensive keyboards can perform only a few functions. To the novice computer
musician, the range is exciting. The range includes drum rhythms and simulated instruments.
(still)
5) Would-be musicians can orchestrate whole songs. They start from just the melody lines. They
need never again play “Chopsticks.” (thus)