Second Language Processing Shows Increased Native-Like Neural Responses after Months of No Exposure

Although learning a second language (L2) as an adult is notoriously difficult, research has shown that adults can indeed attain native language-like brain processing and high proficiency levels. However, it is important to then retain what has been attained, even in the absence of continued exposure to the L2—particularly since periods of minimal or no L2 exposure are common. This event-related potential (ERP) study of an artificial language tested performance and neural processing following a substantial period of no exposure. Adults learned to speak and comprehend the artificial language to high proficiency with either explicit, classroom-like, or implicit, immersion-like training, and then underwent several months of no exposure to the language. Surprisingly, proficiency did not decrease during this delay. Instead, it remained unchanged, and there was an increase in native-like neural processing of syntax, as evidenced by several ERP changes—including earlier, more reliable, and more left-lateralized anterior negativities, and more robust P600s, in response to word-order violations. Moreover, both the explicitly and implicitly trained groups showed increased native-like ERP patterns over the delay, indicating that such changes can hold independently of L2 training type. The results demonstrate that substantial periods with no L2 exposure are not necessarily detrimental. Rather, benefits may ensue from such periods of time even when there is no L2 exposure. Interestingly, both before and after the delay the implicitly trained group showed more native-like processing than the explicitly trained group, indicating that type of training also affects the attainment of native-like processing in the brain. Overall, the findings may be largely explained by a combination of forgetting and consolidation in declarative and procedural memory, on which L2 grammar learning appears to depend. The study has a range of implications, and suggests a research program with potentially important consequences for second language acquisition and related fields

Ocena wpływu czynników na wytrzymałość na rozciąganie taśm przenośnikowych tkaninowo – gumowych

The Design of experiment (DOE) method was used in this paper to rubber conveyor belt tension testing. Using DOE method were from experimentally obtained data established effects of factors and interactions that affect the value of the measured strength and also were determined regression models, which apply input and output variables to the relation. The regression model presents the complete multifactor experiment that contains main factors and interactions.Metoda planowania eksperymentu (DOE) w artykule użyta do testowania napięcia taśm przenośnikowych tkaninowo – gumowych. Korzystanie z metody DOE były ustalonych poszczególnych czynników oraz ich interakcji ze danych uzyskanych w sposób doświadczalny. Czynniki i interakcje wpływające na wartość zmierzonej wytrzymałośći, a także określono modele regresji, wykazającego związki pomiędzy zmiennymi wejściowymi i wyjściowymi. Model regresyjny przedstawia kompletny wieloczynnikowy eksperyment obejmujący podstawowe zmienne oraz ich interakcje

Flugzeuggestuetzte Fernerkundung von Spurenstoffen in der arktischen Stratosphaere Abschlussbericht

Further airborne measuring campaigns were conducted in the course of two winters in the time from 1993 to 1995 with the aim of clarifying the photochemical processes in the Arctic stratosphere responsible for ozone decomposition during this time of year. Remote measurements were performed to determine column densities of OClO, BrO, NO_2, and O_3. One of the more important tasks of the Transall flights was to measure the spatial distribution of these trace substances. NO_2 levels showed a northward decline during winter (Noxon Cliff). OClO, an indicator of chlorine activation, was only found within the vortex and at its fringes. Judging by OClO levels chlorine activation was maintained when the vortex drifted to southern latitudes, where it was exposed to far more intense insolation. (orig./KW)Im Zeitraum 1993 bis 1995 fanden waehrend der zwei Winter weitere Flugmesskampagnen mit dem Ziel statt, die zur winterlichen Ozonzerstoerung fuehrenden photochemischen Prozesse in der arktischen Stratosphaere aufzuklaeren. Mit Fernerkundungsmessungen wurden die Saeulendichten von OClO, BrO, NO_2 und O_3 bestimmt. Insbesondere wurde die raeumliche Verteilung dieser Spurenstoffe mit der Transall vermessen. Fuer NO_2 wurde die winterliche Abnahme (Noxon Cliff) in Richtung Norden beobachtet. OClO, ein Indikator fuer Chloraktivierung, wurde nur innerhalb der Vortex und in dessen Randbereichen beobachtet. Die Chloraktivierung blieb gemaess dem OClO auch erhalten, wenn der Vortex in suedliche Breiten driftete und dort der wesentlich intensiveren Sonnenbestrahlung ausgesetzt war. (orig./KW)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F96B1899+a / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman