The “Return” of Southern Italo-Romance Tonna: From Pseudocoordination to Adverb. A Case Study in Grammaticalization

The present work constitutes an initial look at the use of tonna, an invariable form of tornare ‘return’, used as a relatively uncommon V1 in southern Italo-Romance pseudocoordination structures. Along with losing its ability to inflect, grammaticalization of tornare, frequent across Italo-Romance, has consisted in its shift from lexical motion verb to a functional one with repetitive aspectual value, i.e. tonna mmanciu ‘I eat again’. This paper presents novel data from the variety of Eolian (Italo-Romance dialect of the Eolian Islands), which shows constructions previously unattested with invariable V1s, such as its embedding under functional verbs in non-finite clauses. A cartographic approach building on existing accounts of pseudocoordination V1s – centered on Cinque’s (1999, 2006) hierarchy of functional projections – leads us to consider two overarching explanations for tonna: that it is (a) a functional, aspectual head (in one of the two “repetitive” projections, viz. AspRepetitive(I), AspRepetitive(II)) or (b) an adverb, a specifier in these respective projections. Ultimately, the conclusion that it has (re)grammaticalized to the point of becoming a (deficient) adverb in the lower AspRepetitive(II) proves to be the most convincing from a theoretical perspective. A potential structural consequence is the syncretic status of the AspRepetitive(II) head

A polyphenol-rich extract from an oenological oak-derived tannin influences in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes

Tannins have been demonstrated to have antioxidant and various health benefit properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an ethanol extract (TRE) of a commercial oenological tannin (Quercus robur toasted oak wood, Tan'Activ R \uae ) on female gamete using an in vitro model of pig oocyte maturation (IVM) and examining nuclear maturation, cytoplasmic maturation, intracellular GSH and ROS levels and cumulus cell steroidogenesis. To this aim, during IVM performed in medium either supplemented (IVM A) or not supplemented (IVM B) with cysteine and \u3b2-mercaptoethanol, TRE was added at different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 20 \u3bcg/ml). The addition of TRE at all the concentration tested to either IVM A or IVM B, did not influence oocyte nuclear maturation. When IVM was performed in IVM A, no effect was induced on cytoplasmic maturation by TRE at the concentration of 1, 5 and 10 \u3bcg/ml, while TRE 20 \u3bcg/ml significantly reduced the penetration rate after IVF (p < 0.05) and the blastocyst rate after parthenogenetic activation (p < 0.01). Oocyte maturation in IVM B, compared to IVM A group, decreased GSH (p < 0.001) and increased ROS (p < 0.01) intracellular levels and in turn impaired oocyte cytoplasmic maturation reducing the ability to sustain male pronuclear formation after IVM (p < 0.001) and the developmental competence after parthenogenetic activation (p < 0.001). TRE supplementation to IVM B significantly reduced ROS production (5, 10, 20 \u3bcg/ml TRE) to levels similar to IVM A group, and increased GSH levels (10, 20 \u3bcg/ml TRE) compared to IVM B (p < 0.05) without reaching those of IVM A group. TRE supplementation to IVM B at the concentrations of 1, 5 and 10 \u3bcg/ml significantly improved (p < 0.001) oocyte cytoplasmic maturation enhancing the ability to sustain male pronuclear formation without reaching, however, IVM A group levels. TRE addition at all the concentration tested to both IVM A and IVM B, did not induce any effect on E2 and P4 secretion by cumulus cells suggesting that the biological effect of the ethanol extract is not exerted thought a modulation of cumulus cell steroidogenesis. In conclusion, TRE, thanks to its antioxidant activity, was partially able to reduce the negative effect of the absence of cysteine and \u3b2-mercaptoethanol in IVM B, while TRE at high concentration in IVM A was detrimental for oocyte cytoplasmic maturation underlying the importance of maintaining a balanced redox environment during oocyte maturation

Competitive selection, trade, and employment:The strategic use of subsidies

We thank Holger Görg, Philipp Schröder, Fredrik Sjöholm, participants at the Danish International Economics Workshop, seminar participants at Aberdeen, Sheffield and Loughborough, three anonymous referees and the Editor of the journal, for helpful comments and suggestions. Funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 290647 is gratefully acknowledged.Peer reviewedPostprin

Long-Term Outcome of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in a Large Cohort of Patients With Cocaine-Use Disorder: An Observational Study

Background: Cocaine is a psychostimulant drug used as performance enhancer throughout history. The prolonged use of cocaine is associated with addiction and a broad range of cognitive deficits. Currently, there are no medications proven to be effective for cocaine-use disorder (CocUD). Previous preliminary clinical work suggests some benefit from repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) stimulating the prefrontal cortex (PFC), involved in inhibitory cognitive control, decision-making and attention. All published studies to date have been limited by small sample sizes and short follow-up times. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of 284 outpatients (of whom 268 were men) meeting DSM-5 criteria for CocUD. At treatment entry, most were using cocaine every day or several times per week. All patients underwent 3 months of rTMS and were followed for up to 2 years, 8 months. Self-report, reports by family or significant others and regular urine screens were used to assess drug use. Results: Median time to the first lapse (resumption of cocaine use) since the beginning of treatment was 91 days. For most patients, TMS was re-administered weekly, then monthly, throughout follow-up. The decrease in frequency of rTMS sessions was not accompanied by an increase in lapses to cocaine use. Mean frequency of cocaine use was <1·0 day/month (median 0), while serious rTMS-related adverse events were infrequent, consistent with published reports from smaller studies. Conclusions: This is the first follow-up study to show that rTMS treatment is accompanied by long-lasting reductions in cocaine use in a large cohort

The role of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of behavioral addictions: Two case reports and review of the literature

none9noBackground Several behaviors, besides consumption of psychoactive substances, produce short-term reward that may lead to persistent aberrant behavior despite adverse consequences. Growing evidence suggests that these behaviors warrant consideration as nonsubstance or “behavioral” addictions, such as pathological gambling, internet gaming disorder and internet addiction. Case presentation Here, we report two cases of behavioral addictions (BA), compulsive sexual behavior disorder for online porn use and internet gaming disorder. A 57-years-old male referred a loss of control over his online pornography use, started 15 years before, while a 21-years-old male university student reported an excessive online gaming activity undermining his academic productivity and social life. Both patients underwent a high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocol over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (l-DLPFC) in a multidisciplinary therapeutic setting. A decrease of addictive symptoms and an improvement of executive control were observed in both cases. Discussion Starting from these clinical observations, we provide a systematic review of the literature suggesting that BAs share similar neurobiological mechanisms to those underlying substance use disorders (SUD). Moreover, we discuss whether neurocircuit-based interventions, such as rTMS, might represent a potential effective treatment for BAs.openCuppone, D; Gómez Pérez, L J; Cardullo, S; Cellini, N; Sarlo, M; Soldatesca, S; Chindamo, S; Madeo, G; Gallimberti, LCuppone, D; Gómez Pérez, L J; Cardullo, S; Cellini, N; Sarlo, M; Soldatesca, S; Chindamo, S; Madeo, G; Gallimberti,

How Students Comprehend Using E-readers and Traditional Text: Suggestions from the Classroom

Since Durkin&apos;s groundbreaking research on comprehension in 1978, the quality of comprehension instruction has been a core research topic in reading comprehension research circles. However, the majority of this research over the past 30-plus years has focused primarily on comprehension of print text. We know from research that skilled readers read with purpose, preview the text, activate their background knowledge, make connections between old and new information, ask questions, use strategies to fix meaning when it fails, and self-monitor their understandin

Sperm design and variation in the New World blackbirds (Icteridae)

Post-copulatory sexual selection (PCSS) is thought to be one of the evolutionary forces responsible for the rapid and divergent evolution of sperm design. However, whereas in some taxa particular sperm traits are positively associated with PCSS, in other taxa, these relationships are negative, and the causes of these different patterns across taxa are poorly understood. In a comparative study using New World blackbirds (Icteridae), we tested whether sperm design was influenced by the level of PCSS and found significant positive associations with the level of PCSS for all sperm components but head length. Additionally, whereas the absolute length of sperm components increased, their variation declined with the intensity of PCSS, indicating stabilizing selection around an optimal sperm design. Given the diversity of, and strong selection on, sperm design, it seems likely that sperm phenotype may influence sperm velocity within species. However, in contrast to other recent studies of passerine birds, but consistent with several other studies, we found no significant link between sperm design and velocity, using four different species that vary both in sperm design and PCSS. Potential reasons for this discrepancy between studies are discussed

Temporary techno-social gatherings? A (hacked) discussion about open practices

This paper is rooted in an experimental inquiry of issue-oriented temporary techno-social gatherings or TTGs, which are typically referred to as hackathons, workshops or pop-ups and employ rapid design and development practices to tackle technical challenges while engaging with social issues. Based on a collaboration between three digital practitioners (a producer, a researcher and a designer), qualitative and creative data was gathered across five different kinds of TTG events in London and in Tartu which were held in partnership with large institutions, including Art:Work at Tate Exchange within Tate Modern, the Mozilla Festival at Ravensbourne College and the 2017 Association of Internet Researchers conference hosted in Tartu. By analysing data using an open and discursive approach manifested in both text and visual formats, we reflect on the dynamic and generative characteristics of TTG gatherings while also arriving at our own conclusions as situated researchers and practitioners who are ourselves engaged in increasingly messy webs where new worlds of theory and practice are built

Developing a Citizen Social Science approach to understand urban stress and promote wellbeing in urban communities

This paper sets out the future potential and challenges for developing an interdisciplinary, mixed-method Citizen Social Science approach to researching urban emotions. It focuses on urban stress, which is increasingly noted as a global mental health challenge facing both urbanised and rapidly urbanising societies. The paper reviews the existing use of mobile psychophysiological or biosensing within urban environments—as means of ‘capturing’ the urban geographies of emotions. Methodological reflections are included on primary research using biosensing in a study of workplace and commuter stress for university employees in Birmingham (UK) and Salzburg (Austria) for illustrative purposes. In comparing perspectives on the conceptualisation and measurement of urban stress from psychology, neuroscience and urban planning, the difficulties of defining scientific constructs within Citizen Science are discussed to set out the groundwork for fostering interdisciplinary dialogue. The novel methods, geo-located sensor technologies and data-driven approaches to researching urban stress now available to researchers pose a number of ethical, political and conceptual challenges around defining and measuring emotions, stress, human behaviour and urban space. They also raise issues of rigour, participation and social scientific interpretation. Introducing methods informed by more critical Citizen Social Science perspectives can temper overly individualised forms of data collection to establish more effective ways of addressing urban stress and promoting wellbeing in urban communities