Silent reading of direct versus indirect speech activates voice-selective areas in the auditory cortex

In human communication, direct speech (e.g., Mary said: “I'm hungry”) is perceived to be more vivid than indirect speech (e.g., Mary said [that] she was hungry). However, for silent reading, the representational consequences of this distinction are still unclear. Although many of us share the intuition of an “inner voice,” particularly during silent reading of direct speech statements in text, there has been little direct empirical confirmation of this experience so far. Combining fMRI with eye tracking in human volunteers, we show that silent reading of direct versus indirect speech engenders differential brain activation in voice-selective areas of the auditory cortex. This suggests that readers are indeed more likely to engage in perceptual simulations (or spontaneous imagery) of the reported speaker's voice when reading direct speech as opposed to meaning-equivalent indirect speech statements as part of a more vivid representation of the former. Our results may be interpreted in line with embodied cognition and form a starting point for more sophisticated interdisciplinary research on the nature of auditory mental simulation during reading

Anatomo-functional correspondence in the superior temporal sulcus

The superior temporal sulcus (STS) is an intriguing region both for its complex anatomy and for the multiple functions that it hosts. Unfortunately, most studies explored either the functional organization or the anatomy of the STS only. Here, we link these two aspects by investigating anatomo-functional correspondences between the voice-sensitive cortex (Temporal Voice Areas) and the STS depth. To do so, anatomical and functional scans of 116 subjects were processed such as to generate individual surface maps on which both depth and functional voice activity can be analyzed. Individual depth profiles of manually drawn STS and functional profiles from a voice localizer (voice > non-voice) maps were extracted and compared to assess anatomo-functional correspondences. Three major results were obtained: first, the STS exhibits a highly significant rightward depth asymmetry in its middle part. Second, there is an anatomo-functional correspondence between the location of the voice-sensitive peak and the deepest point inside this asymmetrical region bilaterally. Finally, we showed that this correspondence was independent of the gender and, using a machine learning approach, that it existed at the individual level. These findings offer new perspectives for the understanding of anatomo-functional correspondences in this complex cortical region

Comparative investigations on soluble proteins and malate dehydrogenase of four grape varieties by isoelectric focusinq

Soluble proteins and multiple forms of malate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.37) in both skin and juice of four grape varieties, have been compared with respect to heterogeneity and isoelectric point. The protein preparations resolved into 17 to 28 very distinct components. Seven (skins) and eight (juices) of these components were of common occurrence with all varieties, as judged by the same pI value. The presence of two to seven peculiar bands in both parts of berry was also observed. In the grape the NAD-malate dehydrogenase activity was associated with 9 to 13 isoelectric forms, apparently assembled into three sets of isoenzymes. Each of these showed a rather similar dislocation in the gels; but they contained a different number of isoenzymes of distinct pI value in the skin as well as in the juice of different varieties. A higher number of variant forms was found in the skins in comparison with juices. Between two and four isomalate dehydrogenases of the same net charge were found in both parts of berries of the same variety, whereas the remaining isoenzymes appeared to be non-identical and, thus, presumably the product of distinct genes.Vergleichende Untersuchung über die löslichen Proteine und die Malat-Dehydrogenasevon vier Rebsorten mittels isoelektrischer FokussierungDie löslichen Proteine und multiplen Formen der Malat-Dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.37) sowohl in der Schale als auch im Saft der Beeren von vier Rebsorten wurden in bezug auf Heterogenität und isoelektrischen Punkt verglichen. Die Proteinpräparate ließen sich in 17 bis 28 deutlich unterscheidbare Komponenten auftrennen. Aufgrund übereinstimmender pI-Werte besaßen alle Sorten in der Schale sieben und im Saft acht gleiche Komponenten. Auch wurden in den beiden Teilen der Beere zwei bis sieben charakteristische Proteinbanden beobachtet.Das Muster der NAD-Malat-Dehydrogenase in der Beere setzt sich aus 9 bis 13 isoelektrischen Formen zusammen, die offensichtlich in drei Gruppen von Isoenzymen angeordnet sind. Die einzelnen Gruppen waren in den Gelen ziemlich übereinstimmend lokalisiert; aber die einzelnen Sorten besaßen sowohl in der Schale als auch im Saft eine unterschiedliche Anzahl von Enzymen eines bestimmten pI-Wertes. In den Schalen wurde eine vergleichsweise größere Anzahl unterschiedlicher Isoenzyme gefunden als in den Säften. In den beiden Beerenteilen einer Sorte wurden zwei bis vier Isomalat-Dehydrogenasen mit übereinstimmendem pI-Wert ermittelt, während die restlichen Isoenzyme anscheinend nicht identisch und somit wohl auf ungleiche Gene zurückzuführen waren

Whitetail Deer Carrying Capacity at a Georgia Barrier Island

Whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations of several islands along the Georgia coast have appeared to be in declining health for the past 10 years. Several explanations for this phenomenon have been proposed; however, several researchers have alluded to the over-population of the species. We calculated the carrying capacity of the Skidaway Island State Park (SISP), a portion of Skidaway Island located near the coastal City of Savannah. By determining the amount of biomass produced by several habitats located within the park, and knowing the hectares of these habitats, the total amount of biomass was calculated. Using the caloric requirements of the whitetail deer found at various regions of the continental United States, we determined the sustainable carrying capacity of a healthy deer population within the park. We calculated that approximately 11.5 deer can be annually sustained on the vegetative biomass produced by the Skidaway Island State Park (SISP)

Substantial improvements not seen in health behaviors following corner store conversions in two Latino food swamps.

BackgroundThe effectiveness of food retail interventions is largely undetermined, yet substantial investments have been made to improve access to healthy foods in food deserts and swamps via grocery and corner store interventions. This study evaluated the effects of corner store conversions in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights, California on perceived accessibility of healthy foods, perceptions of corner stores, store patronage, food purchasing, and eating behaviors.MethodsHousehold data (n = 1686) were collected at baseline and 12- to 24-months post-intervention among residents surrounding eight stores, three of which implemented a multi-faceted intervention and five of which were comparisons. Bivariate analyses and logistic and linear regressions were employed to assess differences in time, treatment, and the interaction between time and treatment to determine the effectiveness of this intervention.ResultsImprovements were found in perceived healthy food accessibility and perceptions of corner stores. No changes were found, however, in store patronage, purchasing, or consumption of fruits and vegetables.ConclusionsResults suggest limited effectiveness of food retail interventions on improving health behaviors. Future research should focus on other strategies to reduce community-level obesity