The more similar the better? : factors in learning cognates, false cognates and non-cognate words

In this study we explored factors that determine the knowledge of L2 words with orthographic neighbours in L1 (cognates and false cognates). We asked 150 Polish learners of English to translate 105 English non-cognate words, cognates, and false-cognates into Polish, and to assess the confidence of each translation. Confidence ratings allows us to employ a novel analytic procedure which disentangles knowing cognates and false cognates from strategic guessing. Mixed-effects logistic regression models revealed that cognates were known better, whereas false cognates were known worse, relative to non-cognate controls. The advantage of knowing cognates, but not false cognates, was modulated by the degree of similarity to their L1 equivalents. The knowledge of cognates and false cognates was not affected by the frequency of their formal equivalent in L1. Based on these findings we conclude how cross-linguistic formal similarity affects L2 word learnability, proposing a mechanism by which cognates and false cognates are acquired

The relative balance between languages predicts the degree of engagement of global language control

After naming pictures in their second language (L2), bilinguals experience difficulty in naming pictures in their native language (L1). This phenomenon, the "L2 after-effect", is a lingering consequence of language control mechanisms regulating the activation of L1 and L2 to facilitate L2 production. Building on the Inhibitory Control model proposed by Green (1998), we propose that how much language control is applied depends on the relative balance between the current activation of L1 and L2. In two experiments, Polish-English bilinguals immersed in their L1 performed a blocked picture-naming task. This paradigm provided a continuous measure of the relative balance between the two languages and made it possible to index engagement of control by measuring the L2 after-effect. The results indicate that the higher the activation level of L1 and the lower the activation level of L2, the bigger the L2 after-effect. The results also revealed an enduring down-regulation of L1 activation level in more language-balanced speakers

Patterns of bilingual language use and response inhibition : a test of the adaptive control hypothesis

Given prior studies that provided inconsistent results, there is an ongoing debate on the issue of whether bilingualism benefits cognitive control. We tested the Adaptive Control Hypothesis, according to which only the intense use of different languages in the same situation without mixing them in single utterances (called dual-language context) confers a bilingual advantage in response inhibition. In a large-scale correlational study, we attempted to circumvent several pitfalls of previous research on the bilingual advantage by testing a relatively large sample of participants and employing a more reliable and valid measurement of constructs (i.e., latent variable approach accompanied by Bayesian estimation). Our results do not support the Adaptive Control Hypothesis' prediction: the intensity of the dual-language context experience was unrelated to the efficiency of response inhibition in bilinguals. The results suggest that the Adaptive Control Hypothesis is not likely to account for the inconsistent results regarding the bilingual advantage hypothesis, at least in the case of the response-inhibition mechanism. At the same time, the study points to the problem of measuring the response-inhibition construct at the behavioral level. No evidence for a robust response-inhibition construct adds to the growing skepticism on this issue in the literature

Orthographic priming in Braille reading as evidence for task-specific reorganization in the ventral visual cortex of the congenitally blind

The task-specific principle asserts that, following deafness or blindness, the deprived cortex is reorganized in a manner such that the task of a given area is preserved even though its input modality has been switched. Accordingly, tactile reading engages the ventral occipitotemporal cortex (vOT) in the blind in a similar way to regular reading in the sighted. Others, however, show that the vOT of the blind processes spoken sentence structure, which suggests that the task-specific principle might not apply to vOT. The strongest evidence for the vOT's engagement in sighted reading comes from orthographic repetition-suppression studies. Here, congenitally blind adults were tested in an fMRI repetition-suppression paradigm. Results reveal a double dissociation, with tactile orthographic priming in the vOT and auditory priming in general language areas. Reconciling our finding with other evidence, we propose that the vOT in the blind serves multiple functions, one of which, orthographic processing, overlaps with its function in the sighted

Therapeutic Role of Animals: A Comprehensive Literature Review on the Prevalent Forms and Species in Animal-Assisted Interventions

Animals have been valued and used to improve human physical and mental health since ancient times. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a complementary approach to traditional medicine, involving trained animals. AAT can enhance cognition, commitment, character growth, and the learning process. Commonly used species in animal-assisted therapy include cats, dogs, horses, dolphins, and others. Feline-assisted therapy alleviates loneliness and stress, whereas canine-assisted therapy positively impacts emotions and overall well-being. Equine-assisted interventions benefit individuals with cognitive and motor disabilities. Dolphin-assisted therapy shows promise for conditions like autism and cerebral palsy. However, ethical concerns have arisen, particularly in children with behavioral disorders. Safety measures, adult supervision, and proper screening and hygiene practices are crucial in AAT programs. In conclusion, AAIs have a significant potential to enhance well-being and mental health across various contexts, but more research is needed to fully understand their effectiveness and safety in different settings and age groups. The existing literature consists of subjective accounts and inadequate methodologies

Cardiovascular manifestations of Lyme disease - a literature review

Lyme disease is an infectious zoonosis transmitted by ticks infected with Borrelia spirochetes. Condition affects multiple organ systems and typically has a protracted course. Although Lyme carditis is a comparatively rare symptom of Lyme borreliosis, it can cause major cardiac conditions, including death, if left untreated. Atrioventricular block of various degrees is the hallmark of cardiac involvement, although other manifestations of the disease are increasingly describe such as ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, pericarditis, acute coronary syndrome, mild heart failure, cardiac tamponade or individual cases of cardiomyopathy, degenerative valvular lesions and vasculitis. Cardiovascular conduction disorders have a good prognosis despite their abrupt onset and completely resolve after a few days of antibiotic therapy. Therefore, a wait-and-see attitude should be maintained. However, a temporary or permanent pacemaker may be required if the patient's clinical condition necessitates prompt intervention. Nevertheless, current recommendations suggest avoiding temporary stimulation wherever possible and limiting its use to the shortest treatment time possible

Influence of sport activity on hypertension - literature review

One of the most widespread illnesses, hypertension can cause other cardiovascular conditions that shorten life expectancy and lower quality of life. Primary hypertension is the most typical type, and while there are some risk factors, we cannot determine what is the primary cause. We should first change our lifestyles before using medications. Sport activity is the strategy that has the most potential. Numerous researchers have attempted to evaluate its impact on hypertension control. They all concurred that engaging in almost any sport can aid in the management of hypertension. Other studies looked at the best sports to keep hypertension under control. They experimented with isometric exercises, tai chi, brisk walking, and aerobic exercise. Matching the appropriate sport to the level of hypertension can be important too.Athletes experience hypertension as well, despite the fact that exercise is beneficial for the condition. Because of anti-doping regulations, there are some restrictions on how they can be treated.In addition to exercise, other lifestyle changes are crucial in the treatment of hypertension. It involves changing one's diet, attempting to lose weight, and avoiding stressful situations

Advantages of visiting your home country:How brief reimmersion in their native country impacts migrants' native language access

The study explores how native language (L1) lexical access is affected by immersion in a second-language (L2) environment, and by short-term reimmersion in the L1 environment. We compared the L1 picture-naming performance of Polish–English bilinguals living in the UK (migrants) against that of bilinguals living in Poland (controls). Each group was tested twice: the migrants while in the UK (L2 immersion) and after visiting Poland (L1 reimmersion); the controls twice in their L1 environment. Contrary to our expectations, there was no main effect of group, thus suggesting that L2 immersion per se does not impact L1 lexical access. Nevertheless, migrants benefitted from L1 reimmersion by showing faster naming latencies for high-frequency words after a short visit to their home country, probably due to more opportunities to encounter these words. Overall, the study shows that the cognitive system is sensitive to the language environment by quickly adapting the activation level of lexical items

Bilingual children's phonology shows evidence of transfer, but not deceleration in their L1

Bilingual language development might be characterized by transfer, deceleration, and/or acceleration, the first two being relevant for the language impairment diagnosis. Studies on bilingual children’s productive phonology show evidence of transfer, but little is known about deceleration in this population. Here, we focused on phonological transfer and deceleration in L1 speech of typically developing Polish-English bilingual children of Polish migrants to the United Kingdom (aged 4.7-7). We analyzed L1 speech samples of 30 bilinguals and 2 groups of Polish monolinguals, matched to the bilinguals on age or vocabulary size. We found that bilingual children’ speech (both simultaneous and early sequential) was characterized by transfer, but not by deceleration, suggesting that while phonological deceleration phases out in children above the age of 4.7, transfer does not. We discuss our findings within the PRIMIR model of bilingual phonological acquisition (Curtin et al., 2011) and show their implications for SLT practices