Modality-Independent Effects of Phonological Neighborhood Structure on Initial L2 Sign Language Learning

The goal of the present study was to characterize how neighborhood structure in sign language influences lexical sign acquisition in order to extend our understanding of how the lexicon influences lexical acquisition in both sign and spoken languages. A referent-matching lexical sign learning paradigm was administered to a group of 29 hearing sign language learners in order to create a sign lexicon. The lexicon was constructed based on exposures to signs that resided in either sparse or dense handshape and location neighborhoods. The results of the current study indicated that during the creation of the lexicon signs that resided in sparse neighborhoods were learned better than signs that resided in dense neighborhoods. This pattern of results is similar to what is seen in child first language acquisition of spoken language. Therefore, despite differences in child first language and adult second language acquisition, these results contribute to a growing body of literature that implicates the phonological features that structure of the lexicon is influential in initial stages of lexical acquisition for both spoken and sign languages. This is the first study that uses an innovated lexicon-construction methodology to explore interactions between phonology and the lexicon in L2 acquisition of sign language

Nasal necrosis following use of nasal cannula: A case report

Necrosis to cosmetically vital anatomical regions of the nose like the columella and the ala can occur after prolonged use of nasal cannula in neonatal patients. Nasal injuries following nasal cannula use occur when the nasal cannula providing oxygen to the neonate is placed too tightly. The mechanical stress leads to soft tissue deformation, causing cell death and tissue damage as well as compression of capillaries and ischemia. Here we present a case report of two preterm infants who have sustained columella necrosis, one more severe than the other. In a rare incidence, we see an infratip and supratip lobular and partial bilateral alar defects. Both patients are currently doing well, and reconstruction will take place in 2–3 years when the potential donor site tissue has fully matured