Activiteit

Several speech models have been formed in the past aiming to predict the abilities of nonnative listeners or learners in perceiving and producing speech sounds. The present paper proposes a new model for speech perception, the Universal Perceptual Model of Second Language (henceforth, UPM). UPM assumes that second language phone acquisition is strongly affected by the speakers’ native language but still the window of phone learning is open due to the universality of speech sounds. Also, it supports that second language phones are initially activated as disoriented phonetic units. In this paper, we provide some initial insights into the predictability of the model. UPM uses degrees of overlap and chance criteria to form its predictions. We recruited Cypriot Greek novice learners of Italian who participated in two psychoacoustic tasks in which they classified and discriminated Italian vowels, respectively. The findings demonstrated that the degree of overlap between two nonnative phones may be a good predictor of the speakers’ discrimination accuracy over these phones. UPM might be a useful model which aims to better explain speech perception mechanisms and patterns of speech acquisition.This study investigated whether a short training (8 weeks) in the second-language (English) has any facilitative effect on components of executive functions in young adults. Bovine Serum Albumin order A pre-post design was used with two groups of participants one group (experimental group) of students received English language training for eight weeks, and another group (control group) matched on age and background did not. Executive function tasks (Flanker, Stroop, and color-shape switching task) along with the object naming and working memory tasks were administered before and after the training. We observed that the experimental group demonstrated significant improvement in task switching, working memory capacity, and language skills. Findings from the study provide evidence that short training in second-language can enhance some components of executive functions besides improving language skills in young adult students. This finding contributes to a better understanding of language training and executive function among young adult bilinguals.The presence of melanin pigment and melanocytic markers expression have been rarely reported in salivary gland tumors. Herein, two cases of carcinoma arising in pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland and showing diffuse expression of myoepithelial and melanocytic markers are described. The clinical-pathological clues useful in the differential diagnosis with melanoma are discussed. In addition, a review of the pertinent literature is also proposed, discussing the pathologic mechanisms potentially involved in this phenomenon.

To evaluate patient outcomes in a contemporary cohort of patients undergoing partial nephrectomy (PN) or radical nephrectomy (RN).

The NSQIP database was used to identify patients undergoing PN or RN for renal neoplasms between 2010 and 2018. The SEER database was also queried to assess changes in tumor staging during the study period. Logistic regression was used to assess the independent relationship between surgery year and approach on postoperative complications.

Between 2010 and 2018, NSQIP captured 58,020 cases, including 26,745 (46%) PN and 31,275 (54%) RN. The proportion of PN increased annually, from 39.8% in 2010 to 48.7% in 2018. This rise in PN coincided with a decrease in the proportion of patients experiencing complications, irrespective of surgical approach (20.4% of total cases to 14.2% of total cases). While limited by a lack of information on tumor characteristics, multivariable analysis controlling for patient characteristics demonstrated that RN was associated with an increased risk . Furthermore, the relative burden of complications has shifted from patients undergoing PN to those undergoing RN. Therefore PN, when technically feasible, should be increasingly considered.

The goal of this review is to highlight the need for new biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, especially osteoporosis and sarcopenia. These conditions are characterized by loss of bone and muscle mass, respectively, leading to functional deterioration and the development of disabilities. Advances in high-resolution lipidomics platforms are being used to help identify new lipid biomarkers for these diseases.

It is now well established that bone and muscle have important endocrine functions, including the release of bioactive factors in response to mechanical and biochemical stimuli. Bioactive lipids are a prominent set of these factors and some of these lipids are directly related to the mass and function of bone and muscle. Recent lipidomics studies have shown significant dysregulation of lipids in aged muscle and bone, including alterations in diacylglycerols and ceramides. Studies have shown that alterations in some types of plasma lipids are associated with aging incing reduced bone mineral density and the occurrence of osteoporosis. Musculoskeletal disorders are a major burden in our society, especially for older adults. The development and application of new lipidomics methods is making significant advances in identifying new biomarkers for these diseases. These studies will not only lead to improved detection, but new mechanistic insights that could lead to new therapeutic targets and interventions.The quantification and trends in concentrations for naturally occurring rotaviruses (RV) and enteroviruses (EV) in untreated sewage in various wastewater systems have not often been compared. There is now greater interest in monitoring the infections in the community including live vaccine efficacy by evaluating untreated sewage. The goals of this study were to 1) survey the concentrations of naturally occurring RV and EV in untreated sewage using a reverse transcription-droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (RT-ddPCR) and 2) investigate the use of a new adsorption elution (bag-mediated filtration system (BMFS) using ViroCap filters) against more traditional polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation for virus concentration. Sewage samples were collected from lagoons in Kenya and Michigan (MI), the United States (USA) and from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the USA. RVs were detected at geometric mean concentrations in various locations, California (CA) 1.31 × 105 genome copies/L (gc/L), Kenya (KE) 2.