Most sounds can be described in terms of a standard set of phonological features, or in terms of values of well-known phonetic parameters. But some languages, particularly the smaller endangered languages of the world, also contain many unusual sounds that test our traditional descriptive theories. An example is the dental plosive followed by a bilabial trill, found in the Chapakuran languages. We suggest that there is a set (with fuzzy boundaries) of more common sounds that participate in a wide range of general linguistic processes and another set of rarer sounds that have been observed in only one or two languages.

This study investigated effects of fermented feed from broccoli stems and leaves (FBSL) on the growth performance, gut microbiota and carcass quality of Jinhua pigs. A total of 36 Jinhua pigs (54.50 ± 1.76 kg) were divided into two groups: control group fed basal diet, FBSL group fed basal diet containing 10% FBSL. The results showed that compared with the CON group, the average daily weight gain, lean meat percentage, loin eye area, pork redness, myoglobin content and inosine monophosphate content in FBSL group were increased by 7.31%, 5.69%, 11.03%, 18.88%, 26.50% and 30.32%, respectively (P < 0.05). Compared to the CON groups, the three-point backfat thickness, and the drip loss were decreased in FBSL group by 14.37% and 18.84%, respectively (P < 0.05). In the dorsal subcutaneous fat, the mRNA expression levels of DGAT1, DGAT2, FADS1 and PPARG were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while INSIG1, CPT1A and CPT2 were significantly increased (P < 0.05); the contents of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid in colon were significantly increased (P < 0.05). High-throughput sequencing results indicated that at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes in the FBSL group was significantly increased, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria was decreased significantly (P < 0.05); at the genus level, the relative abundances of Lactobacillus, Prevotella-9 and Treponema were significantly increased, while Escherichia was decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that the relative abundances of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were significantly increased, while Escherichia coli was decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Results suggest FBSL improves the growth performance and carcass quality of Jinhua pigs by optimizing gut microbiota structure, increasing the content of gut short-chain fatty acids, and affecting the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes.

The introductory linguistics course is the primary antidote that academic linguists can offer to commonly held, yet basically wrong-headed, views about language. It is essential, therefore, that this course be meaningful to the nonmajor student. Through a series of five vignettes, each by a different author and representing a variety of institutional types, we explore options other than ‘baby’ theoretical linguistics to the introductory linguistics course. A fundamental conclusion to these vignettes is that success in reaching the nonmajor turns on taking account of the institutional context and the student population and tailoring courses to be sensitive to these variables. This conclusion is driven home with an administrative view as to why every academic linguist and linguistics program should find the search for a successful introductory course compelling.

Clark's 1987 Principle of Contrast (‘Every two forms contrast in meaning’) seems inconsistent with the widespread synonymy exhibited by inflectional affixes in languages with inflection classes. But if inflection class membership is counted as part of the ‘meaning’ of an inflectional affix under tight conditions—namely if it unambiguously identifies the inflection class of the lexemes to which it attaches—then inflectional affixation is found to comply with the Principle of Contrast after all. A version of the principle extends to covert gender systems too, although apparently not to overt gender systems. Far- reaching implications for morphological theory and grammatical change are suggested. Evidence is drawn in particular from English, German, Icelandic, Latin, Rumanian, Amo, Archi, Andi, Zulu, Georgian, and Afrikaans.