Search

Research suggests that bilingual children experience an extension or delay in the closing of the sensitive/critical period of language development due to multiple language exposure. Moreover, bilingual experience may impact the development of subcortical regions, although these conclusions are drawn from research with adults, as there is a scarcity of research during late childhood and early adolescence. The current study included 1215 bilingual and 5894 monolingual children from the ABCD Study to examine the relationship between subcortical volume and English vocabulary in heritage Spanish bilingual and English monolingual children, as well as volumetric differences between the language groups. We also examined the unique effects of language usage in bilingual children's subcortical volumes. In general, bilingual children had less cerebellar volume and greater volume in the putamen, thalamus, and globus pallidus than monolingual children. English vocabulary was positively related to volume in the cerebellum, thalamus, caudate, putamen, nucleus accumbens, and right pallidum in all children. Moreover, the positive relationship between vocabulary and volume in the nucleus accumbens was stronger for monolingual adolescents than bilingual adolescents. The results are somewhat in line with existing literature on the dynamic volume adaptation of subcortical brain regions due to bilingual development and experience. Future research is needed to further explore these regions longitudinally across development to examine structural changes in bilingual brains. [Display omitted] • Heritage bilinguals had less volume in the cerebellum than monolinguals. • Heritage bilinguals had greater volume in other subcortical regions than monolinguals. • English vocabulary was positively related to volume in most subcortical regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variants related to dopamine functioning (e.g., the ANKK1/TaqIa polymorphism within the DRD2 gene and the Val158Met polymorphism within the COMT gene) have previously been shown to predict cognitive flexibility and learning (e.g., Colzato et al., 2010; Stelzel et al., 2010). Additionally, researchers have found that these genetic variants may also predict second language learning (Mamiya et al., 2016), although this relationship may change across the lifespan (Sugiura et al., 2011). The current study examined the role of the ANKK1/TaqIa and Val158Met polymorphisms along with age of second language acquisition (AoA) in order to predict levels of bilingual proficiency in Spanish-English bilinguals. Results indicated a three-way interaction such that the relationship between the genetic variants and bilingual proficiency depended on AoA. At earlier AoAs, having the genetic variant associated with higher levels of subcortical dopamine (A1+) predicted the highest levels of bilingual proficiency. At later AoAs, individuals with the genetic variant associated with cortical dopamine levels that are balanced between stability and flexibility (Val/Met) predicted the highest levels of bilingual proficiency. These results fit with theories about the development of language as a subcortical process early in life and as a cortical process later in life (Hernandez & Li, 2007), as well as the importance of both stability and flexibility in bilingual language development (Green & Abutalebi, 2013). Finally, this study raises questions about the direction of causality between bilingualism and cognitive control, which is central to the debate over the "bilingual advantage." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this piece, we honor the work of Albert Costa. His work focused on how bilinguals manage two languages, the brain mechanisms involved, and the ways in which language and emotion are related. We end by discussing ways in which his work will frame research in the field going forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years there has been considerable debate about the presence or absence of a bilingual advantage in tasks that involve cognitive control. Our previous work has established evidence of differences in brain activity between monolinguals and bilinguals in both word learning and in the avoidance of interference during a picture selection task. Recent models of cognitive control have highlighted the importance of a set of neural structures that may show differential tuning due to exposure to two languages. There is also evidence that genetic factors play a role in the availability of dopamine in neural structures involved in cognitive control. Thus, it is important to investigate whether there are interactions effects generating variability in language acquisition when attributed to genetic (e.g., characteristics of dopamine turnover) and environmental (e.g., exposure to two languages) factors. Here preliminary results from genotyping of a sample of bilingual and monolingual individuals are reported. They reveal different distributions in allele frequencies of the DRD2/ANKK1 taq1A polymorphism. These results bring up the possibility that bilinguals may exhibit additional flexibility due to differences in genetic characteristics relative to monolinguals. Future studies should consider genotype as a possible contributing factor to the development of cognitive control across individuals with different language learning histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Neonatal survival in mammals is crucially dependent upon maintenance of body temperature. Neonatal body temperature is largely maintained by thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT). BAT develops perinatally in mice requiring integration of adipogenic and thermoregulatory gene pathways. We describe a regulatory mutation in the imprinted gene cluster on mouse chromosome 12 resulting in early postnatal lethality. Maternal inheritance of this mutation impairs the ability of young mice to maintain body temperature. While mechanisms of perinatal BAT development are well understood, our work highlights a second phase of BAT recruitment necessary to support small animals newly independent of the nest. We show that the imprinted delta-like homolog 1/preadipocyte factor (Dlk1/Pref1) and iodothyronine deiodinase type 3 (Dio3) functions converge on the development of brown fat at the transition to independent life. This shows that appropriate dosage control at imprinted loci can act as a critical determinant in postnatal survival during phases of physiological adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A 2D TCAD based device architecture exploration of SiGe:C NPN HBTs is presented. Two novel and one conventional self-aligned architectures are explored by process and device simulation. All these three architectures show their capability of achieving maximum oscillation frequency (f max) of 500GHz for scaled layout rules. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Several in vitro studies show that in animals and isolated cells, 17β-estradiol induces cardiovascular protective effects and it has also been observed that it reduces coronary heart disease risk. However, the use of estrogens to improve or protect cardiovascular function in humans has been controversial, this might be explained by the wide variety of effects, because estrogen receptors (ER) are expressed ubiquitously. Therefore, a cell-specific targeting therapeutic approach might be necessary. 17β-Estradiol was coupled to a large modified dextran through an aminocaproic spacer. For this study we used intact and gonadectomized male Wistar rats, 15 days after surgical procedure. Intravascular administration of 17β-estradiol-macromolecular conjugate, prior to coronary reperfusion diminishes the area of damage induced by coronary ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury on an in vivo model. This effect was observed at 17β-estradiol sub-physiological concentrations [0.01nmol/L], it is mediated by luminal endothelial ERα activation. 17β-Estradiol-macromolecular conjugate decreases phosphorylation level of PKCα and Akt, as part of the process to induce myocardial protection against coronary I/R. We proved that the hormone-macromolecular conjugate labeled with [3H]estradiol remained confined in the intravascular space the conjugate was not internalized into organs like heart, lung or liver. It is noteworthy that the 17β-estradiol-macromolecular conjugate has a slow renal elimination, which might increase its pharmacological advantage. We concluded that the stimulus of endothelial estrogen receptors is enough to decrease the myocardial damage induced by coronary reperfusion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

How does the brain manage to store and process multiple languages without encountering massive interference and transfer? Unless we believe that bilinguals live in two totally unconnected cognitive worlds, we would expect far more transfer than actually occurs. However, imaging and lesion studies have not provided consistent evidence for the strict neuronal separation predicted by the theory of modularity. We suggest that emergentist theory offers a promising alternative. It emphasizes the competitive interplay between multiple languages during childhood and by focusing on the dual action of competition and entrenchment, avoids the need to invoke a critical period to account for age of acquisition effects in second-language learning. This view instantiates the motto formulated by Elizabeth Bates that `modules are made, not born.¿ [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reflects on practical aspects of a TCAD chain for SiGe:C HBTs, that has been successfully used for the development of a 0.18μm low-power and 0.13μm high-speed BiCMOS technology. The availability of a predictive TCAD chain from process to circuit simulations is important for the timely delivery of a new technology fulfilling circuit-level requirements. The boron and carbon diffusion in the SiGeC HBT process simulations under equilibrium and transient enhanced diffusion condition, supporting simulation tools for device optimization and the importance of two-dimensional effects will be addressed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Boron diffusion in SiGeC layers is studied under different actual process conditions, with RTA temperatures in the range 1020–1100°C. Model parameters for the process simulator TSUPREM-4 (Tsuprem-4 computer code from Avant! Corporation) have been derived for equilibrium and transient enhanced diffusion conditions. The model and model parameters have been validated for a 0.13μm BiCMOS process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Dio3 is an imprinted gene that codes for the type 3 deiodinase (D3), a conserved selenocysteine-containing enzyme that degrades thyroid hormones (TH) into inactive metabolites. D3 is partially responsible for the very low TH levels that are found in utero as it is highly expressed in mammalian uterus, placenta, and fetal tissues. For this reason, it is presumed that D3 protects the developing fetus from high, adult-like levels of TH. To further understand the regulation of D3 expression, we analyzed the promoter activity of 6 kb of 5′-flanking regions of the human and mouse Dio3, by transient transfection studies. Both mouse and human Dio3 promoters are markedly responsive to serum and, to a lesser extent, to phorbol esters and fibroblast growth factor, but only in a cell line in which the endogenous Dio3 mRNA is also responsive to those factors. In addition, we identified a conserved enhancer located 3′ of the gene containing putative AP-1 and serum response elements, and that further increases the serum responsiveness of the Dio3 promoter in a cell-specific manner. The cell-specific serum response of the Dio3 promoter and the identified enhancer may play critical roles in the regulation of gene expression at this imprinted locus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Drying is a widely used food preservation process in which water removal minimizes much of the moisture that causes deterioration reactions that impact the bioproduct quality. The objects of studying are high oleic sunflower seeds which are recognized as a worldwide source of edible oil; consequently, they have significant importance on health and food security. This work presents part of the results of a systematic study to compare the affectations on the several physical parameters of sunflower seeds and kernels with the Thermo-Solar Dehydration method (TSD) compared to Dehydration with Electromagnetic Induction at Low Pressures (DEMI-LP), finding that the in the last one the time to reach the 8% of the total moisture content was 2.5 times shorter, interesting physical effects and an increment of 5% in the volumetric expansion coefficient, reflected in a reduction of the cut resistance (Dehull) of 0.5 KgF significant advantages for the food drying industry. • The dryer systems proposed (DEMI-LP) was 2.5 times shorter and the spores of Aspergillus spp. disappear. • Drying sunflower seeds reduces cut resistance from 2.46 Kgf to 1.51 Kgf. • The porosity increases from 34.3 to 43.3% and from 45.4 to 50.2% (seeds and kernels). • Finding an increment of 5% volumetric expansion coefficient [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experience with multiple languages has unique effects on cortical structure and information processing. Differences in gray matter density and patterns of cortical activation are observed in lifelong bilinguals compared to monolinguals as a result of their experience managing interference across languages. Monolinguals who acquire a second language later in life begin to encounter the same type of linguistic interference as bilinguals, but with a different pre-existing language architecture. The current study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore the beginning stages of second language acquisition and cross-linguistic interference in monolingual adults. We found that after English monolinguals learned novel Spanish vocabulary, English and Spanish auditory words led to distinct patterns of cortical activation, with greater recruitment of posterior parietal regions in response to English words and of left hippocampus in response to Spanish words. In addition, cross-linguistic interference from English influenced processing of newly-learned Spanish words, decreasing hippocampus activity. Results suggest that monolinguals may rely on different memory systems to process a newly-learned second language, and that the second language system is sensitive to native language interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important requisites in environmental impact assessments (EIAs) is that the evaluation and communication of impacts must be done with objectivity and transparency. Traditional methods as checklists, matrices, geographic information systems (GISs), and cause/effect diagrams fail to reach this objective because, in general, it is difficult to follow the assumptions and rationale behind the evaluation process. In this paper, we show how the use of visual programming languages (VPLs) is a useful tool that can enhances the quality of these studies. The pros and cons of this approach are evaluated basedon a study case of a thermoelectric generation plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypo- and hyperthyroid states, as well as functional abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis have been associated with psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression. However, the nature of this relationship is poorly understood since it is difficult to ascertain the thyroid status of the brain in humans. Data from animal models indicate that the brain exhibits efficient homeostatic mechanisms that maintain local levels of the active thyroid hormone, triiodothyronine (T3) within a narrow range. To better understand the consequences of peripheral and central thyroid status for mood-related behaviors, we used a mouse model of type 3 deiodinase (DIO3) deficiency ( Dio3 -/- mouse). This enzyme inactivates thyroid hormone and is highly expressed in the adult central nervous system. Adult Dio3 -/- mice exhibit elevated levels of T3-dependent gene expression in the brain, despite peripheral hypothyroidism as indicated by low circulating levels of thyroxine and T3. Dio3 -/- mice of both sexes exhibit hyperactivity and significantly decreased anxiety-like behavior, as measured by longer time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and in the light area of the light/dark box. During the tail suspension, they stayed immobile for a significantly shorter time than their wild-type littermates, suggesting decreased depression-like behavior. These results indicate that increased thyroid hormone in the brain, not necessarily in peripheral tissues, correlates with hyperactivity and with decreases in anxiety and depression-like behaviors. Our results also underscore the importance of DIO3 as a determinant of behavior by locally regulating the brain levels of thyroid hormone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A SiGe spike in the monoemitter of a SiGe:C HBT locally increases the recombination rate. The narrower energy bandgap of SiGe compared to Si increases the minority charge storage, resulting in higher recombination rate. The SiGe spike acts as a virtual contact and increases the base current. This results in lower current gain, and hence higher BV CEO . This paper studies the physical mechanism for this higher recombination rate in the SiGe spike, and it calculates the minority carrier lifetime in the SiGe spike. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

High enantioselectivities are obtained using a tartaric acid-derived boronate ester in combination with lithium borohydride for asymmetric reduction of aryl ketones. The chiral Lewis acid, TarB-X, is easily prepared in 1 h, and the resulting alcohols are obtained in enantiomeric excesses of 88–99%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract We examined the Spanish productions of four syllable-level timing parameters by bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking children with normal hearing (NH group, henceforth) and bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking children with cochlear implants (CI group, henceforth) during the stages of phonological development. The four temporal variables related to syllable structure include: (1) lateral duration in simplex and complex onsets, (2) vowel duration following simplex and complex onsets, (3) voice onset time (VOT, henceforth) for stops in simplex and complex onsets, and (4) interplateau intervals (IPI, henceforth), or the latency between the release of articulatory constriction of the first consonant (C1, henceforth) in a C1C2 sequence and the onset of articulatory constriction of the second consonant (C2, henceforth). Our motivation for the study is to address (1) how, and at what age, children acquire and produce the temporal patterns related to syllable structure of their native language(s), (2) the effects of language interference in the acquisition of timing parameters by bilingual children, and (3) whether hearing impairment impedes correct acquisition and categorization of temporal cues related to syllables. Results of the Spanish production tasks show that the NH groups' productions were in general commensurate with data for monolingual productions, and the results of the CI group's productions show general concurrence with the NH group. However, some differences with monolingual timing patterns, and effects based on group, were found which will be discussed in the context of existing studies dealing with the acquisition of timing parameters related to syllables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilingualism represents an interesting model of possible experience-dependent alterations in brain structure. The current study examines whether interhemispheric adaptations in brain structure are associated with bilingualism. Corpus callosum volume and cortical thickness asymmetry across 13 regions of interest (selected to include critical language and bilingual cognitive control areas) were measured in a sample of Spanish-English bilinguals and age- and gender-matched monolingual individuals (N = 39 per group). Cortical thickness asymmetry of the anterior cingulate region differed across groups, with thicker right than left cortex for bilinguals and the reverse for monolinguals. In addition, two adjacent regions of the corpus callosum (mid-anterior and central) had greater volume in bilinguals. The findings suggest that structural indices of interhemispheric organization in a critical cognitive control region are sensitive to variations in language experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilingual language control may involve cognitive control, including inhibition and switching. These types of control have been previously associated with neural activity in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In previous studies, the DRD2 gene, related to dopamine availability in the striatum, has been found to play a role in neural activity during cognitive control tasks, with carriers of the gene’s A1 allele showing different patterns of activity in inferior frontal regions during cognitive control tasks than non-carriers. The current study sought to extend these findings to the domain of bilingual language control. Forty-nine Spanish-English bilinguals participated in this study by providing DNA samples through saliva, completing background questionnaires, and performing a language production task (picture-naming), a non-verbal inhibition task (Simon task), and a non-verbal switching task (shape-color task) in the fMRI scanner. The fMRI data were analyzed to determine whether variation in the genetic background or bilingual language background predicts neural activity in the IFG and ACC during these three tasks. Results indicate that genetic and language background variables predicted neural activity in the IFG during English picture naming. Variation in only the genetic background predicted neural activity in the ACC during the shape-color switching task; variation in only the language background predicted neural activity in the ACC and IFG during the Simon task. These results suggest that variation in the DRD2 gene should not be ignored when drawing conclusions about bilingual verbal and non-verbal cognitive control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Synuclein is a small 140 amino acid polypeptide encoded by the Snca gene that is highly expressed in neural tissue, but it is also found in osteoblasts, erythroblasts, macrophages, and adipose tissue. Previously, using co-expression network analysis we found that Snca was a key regulator of skeletal homeostasis, and its deletion partially prevented bone loss after ovariectomy (OVX). Here we tested the hypothesis that Snca deletion in mesenchymal progenitors using the Prrx1Cre (Prrx1, Paired-related homeobox 1) limb enhancer would protect bone mass after OVX. Prrx1Cre;Sncafl/fl and littermate controls (Sncafl/fl) were sham operated or ovariectomized (OVX) at 8 weeks of age and sacrificed at 20 weeks. Independently, eight-week female and male Prrx1Cre;Sncafl/fl mice and littermate controls were administered a high fat (60% fat) or low fat (10% fat) diet for 15 weeks. Bone loss was not prevented in either genotype after ovariectomy, but the Prrx1Cre;Sncafl/fl. mice were partially protected from weight gain after OVX and high fat diet (HFD). Serum catecholamine levels were lower in the Prrx1Cre;Sncafl/fl both on a low fat diet (LFD) and HFD versus fl/fl controls. Importantly, mutant mice exhibited a number of physical and behavioral phenotypes that were associated with conditional deletion of Snca in several brain regions. Cells labeled with Prrx1 were noted throughout the central nervous system (CNS). These data support earlier preliminary reports of Prrx1 expression in neural progenitors, and raise a cautionary note about the evaluation of skeletal and body composition phenotypes when using this Cre driver to study osteoprogenitor development. • Snca deletion in Prrx1Cre(+) cells does not protect from OVX-induced bone loss. • Snca deletion in Prrx1Cre(+) cells partially protects from OVX-induced weight gain. • Prrx1 transcripts and protein are expressed in key regions of the mouse brain. • Decreased Snca in brain Prrx1Cre(+) cells leads to activity/behavioral impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Adult-onset deficiency in the type 3 deiodinase (DIO3) leads to increased locomotor activity in females. • Adult loss of DIO3 causes increases in thyroid hormone-dependent brain gene expression and to an increased brain sensitivity to thyroid hormones. • Thyroid hormone-responsive genes exhibit different responses between sexes and across brain regions at baseline and upon thyroid hormone treatment. • The anxiety- and depression-related phenotypes associated with constitutive DIO3 deficiency largely have a developmental origin. Constitutive loss of the type 3 deiodinase (DIO3) causes abnormally increased levels of thyroid hormone action in the developing and adult brain, leading to an array of behavioral abnormalities. To determine to what extent those phenotypes derive from a lack of DIO3 in the adult brain, versus developmental consequences, we created a mouse model of conditional DIO3 inactivation. Mice carrying "floxed" Dio3 alleles and a tamoxifen-inducible cre transgene were injected with tamoxifen at two months of age. Compared to oil-injected controls, the brain tissue of these mice showed a 75–80% decrease in DIO3 activity and 85–95% Dio3 mRNA was expressed from recombinant alleles. Mice with adult DIO3 deficiency did not show significant differences in growth, serum thyroid hormone parameters or behaviors related to anxiety and depression. However, female mice exhibited elevated locomotor activity and increased marble-burying behavior. They also manifested relatively modest alterations in the expression of T3-dependent genes and genes related to hyperactivity in a sex- and region-specific manner. Upon thyroid hormone treatment, the expression response of T3-regulated genes was generally more pronounced in DIO3-deficient female mice than in female controls, while the opposite effect of altered genotype was noticed in males. The extent of the molecular and behavioral phenotypes of adult-onset DIO3 deficiency suggests that a substantial proportion of the neurological abnormalities caused by constitutive DIO3 deficiency has a developmental origin. However, our results show that DIO3 in the adult brain also influences behavior and sensitivity to thyroid hormone action in a sexually dimorphic fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]