Stabilising determinants in the transmission of phonotactic systems: Diachrony and acquisition of coda clusters in Dutch and Afrikaans

The phonotactic system of Afrikaans underwent multiple changes in its diachronic development. While some consonant clusters got lost, others still surface in contemporary Afrikaans. In this paper, we investigate to what extent articulatory difference between the segments of a cluster contribute to its successful transmission. We proceed in two steps. First, we analyse the respective effects of differences in manner of articulation, place of articulation and voicing on the age at which a cluster is acquired by analysing Dutch acquisition data. Second, we investigate the role that these articulatory differences play in the diachronic frequency development from Dutch to Afrikaans. We demonstrate that large differences in manner of articulation between segments contribute to a cluster’s success in acquisition and diachrony. In contrast, large differences in place of articulation have impeding effects, while voicing difference shows a more complicated behaviour.Keywords: Dutch/Afrikaans phonotactics, articulatory difference, first-language acquisition, diachronic chang

Assessing the effect of ambiguity in compositionality signaling on the processing of diphones

Consonantal diphones differ as to their ambiguity (whether or not they indicate morphological complexity reliably by occurring exclusively either within or across morphemes) and lexicality (how frequently they occur within morphemes rather than across morpheme boundaries). This study empirically investigates the influence of ambiguity and lexicality on the processing speed of consonantal diphones in speech perception. More specifically, its goal is to test the predictions of the Strong Morphonotactic Hypothesis, which asserts that phonotactic processing is influenced by morphological structure, and to clarify the two conceptions thereof present in extant research. In two discrimination task experiments, it is found that the processing speed of cross-morpheme diphones decreases with their ambiguity, but there is no processing difference between primarily crossmorphemic and morpheme-internal diphones. We conclude that the predictions of the Strong Morphonotactic Hypothesis are borne out only partially, and we discuss the discrepancies

Effect of high energy radiation on technical polymers

Fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) offer excellent fatigue resistance in combination with low specific weight. However, in contrast to metals, microscopic damage is usually present right from the beginning of cyclic loading and calls for insights on initiation and propagation. As with other properties, the overall performance of a composite is determined by its constituents namely fiber, matrix and fiber-matrix interface. Especially, the matrix polymer is supposedly responsible for damage initiation. To study this, different methods for altering the matrix properties can be used. The presented research makes use of Co-60 irradiation to modify the polymer on a molecular level. Six potential candidate materials for FRP are investigated, two thermoplastics and four thermosets. After irradiating the neat polymer samples with (30, 100, 200 and 500 kGy) the properties are investigated by quasi-static tensile tests and fatigue experiments. The resulting fractures are inspected visually. The results for thermoplastic materials show deteriorating tensile properties, whereas some of the thermosetting resins improve. Despite this, it could also be shown that deterioration in monotonic loading does not necessarily deteriorate the fatigue properties. The fracture surfaces indicate yielding as possible cause. Finally, it was shown that irradiation is a promising modification method for the investigation of composites and possible also a method to improve the fatigue performance

Volcano Trial Case on GEP: Systematically processing EO data

Volcanoes can be found all over the world; on land and below water surface. Even nowadays not all volcanoes are known. About 600 erupted in geologically recent times and about 50-70 volcanoes are currently active. Volcanoes can cause earthquakes; throw out blasts and tephras; release (toxic) gases; lava can flow relatively slow down the slopes; mass movements like debris avalanches, and landslides can cause tsunamis; and fast and hot pyroclastic surge, flows, and lahars can travel fast down the slopes. These are non-negligible hazards and should be monitored to avoid loss of life and reduce the economic impact. Exploited in the framework of the Volcano-2 Trial Case, the Geohazards Exploitation Platform is systematically processing EO data over more than twenty volcanoes in South-East Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Different systematic processing services have been implemented by DLR, NOVELTIS, and INGV. They allow to monitor the volcanoes and their environment for surface changes with amplitude and coherence images of the DLR High-Resolution InSAR Browse, based on Sentinel-1. surface motion with interferometric phase images of the DLR High-Resolution InSAR Browse, based on Sentinel-1. surface temperature estimation with INGV’s Surface Temperature Map, based on Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2. surface temperature anomalies with NOVELTIS VEGAN Hot Sports Detection, based on Sentinel-2. and NOVELTIS Vegetation Vigor Map, a prototype service looking at vegetation cover in the neighbourhood of a volcano and based on Sentinel-2. Product examples produced within the Trial Case can be seen in the document

Botulinum Toxin as Preventive Treatment for Migraine: A Randomized Double-Blind Study

Aim: To determine if botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. Methods: Patients (n = 127) were randomized to receive placebo or two doses of BoNT-A (Dysport (R)). The primary endpoint was reduction in number of migraine attacks up to week 8 and between weeks 8 and 12 after injection. Patient diaries were used to record secondary endpoints, including frequency, severity and duration of migraine attacks. Results: There was a mean reduction of 0.54 and 0.94 attacks/month with placebo and BoNT-A, respectively, and absolute attack count was less in the verum group (3.6 vs. 4.2 attacks/month), but this was not statistically significant. The patients' global assessment of efficacy was significantly better than placebo in the high-dose group (p = 0.02) but no effects were seen for the other secondary efficacy parameters. Conclusion: Our study showed a trend towards a reduced attack rate with verum but did not show any statistically significant efficacy of BoNT-A in the prophylactic treatment of migraine. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Base

IVIg dose increase in multifocal motor neuropathy: A prospective six month follow-up

In this prospective, non-randomized 6-month observational study we evaluated the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) dose increase in patients with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). Diagnosis according to AAEM criteria, repetitive IVIg treatment for at least one year, persistent paresis and conduction block, stable symptoms and findings for at least six months were inclusion criteria. Nine patients (7 men) were identified and approved to standardized increase of IVIg dose. Patients were monitored using clinical scores and electrophysiological studies. Dose was increased from a baseline of 0.5 g/kg per month [mean, range: 0.1-1.1], given at variable intervals [4-12 weeks] to 1.2 g/kg per month given over 3 consecutive days planned for 6 cycles. If the patients' motor function did not improve after two cycles they entered step two: Dose was increased to 2 g/kg per month given over 5 consecutive days. The increased dose was maintained for 6 months. Assessments were performed by the same investigator, not involved in the patient's management, at baseline, after 2 and after 6 months. Following dose increase, motor function significantly improved in 6 patients (p = 0.014), 2 patients entered step two, 1 patient withdrew due to absent efficacy. Higher doses of IVIg caused more side effects, however, transient and rarely severe (p = 0.014). IVIg dose increase may improve motor functions in patients with stable MMN on long-term IVIg therapy independent of baseline dose. Improvement of motor function was associated with shorter disease duration (p = 0.008), but not with degree of muscle atrophy (p = 0.483). The treatment strategy to try to find the lowest effective dose and the longest tolerated interval might lead to underdosing in the long-term in many patient