A domain-general monitoring account of language switching in recognition tasks : evidence for adaptive control

Language switching experience is assumed to have an effect on domain-general control abilities in bilinguals, but previous studies on the relationship between these two variables have generated mixed results. The present study investigated the effects of bilingual experiences on the interaction between language switching and domain-general control. Thirty-two Dutch-French bilingual young adults executed a bilingual categorisation task to assess their language switching abilities and a Simon task to assess domain-general control. The results show that global response times on the Simon task were correlated to the forward switch cost (from L1 to L2); moreover, interestingly, the forward switch cost was found to be related to recent language exposure but not to the age of second language acquisition. We suggest a monitoring account of language switching to integrate the first finding with previous studies and we interpret the second finding as support for the adaptive control hypothesis

The neurobiology of individual differences in grammar learning

This thesis aims at providing insights in the neural mechanisms and brain structures underlying individual differences in second language acquisition. It reports on a series of experiments investigating neural correlates of novel grammar learning and of the analytical component of language aptitude, using a variety of neuroimaging methods: functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging and electroencephalography. This thesis aims at providing insights in the neural mechanisms and brain structures underlying individual differences in second language acquisition. It reports on a series of experiments investigating neural correlates of novel grammar learning and of the analytical component of language aptitude, using a variety of neuroimaging methods: functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging and electroencephalography.Theoretical and Experimental Linguistic

Conjugated metallothionein-carbon-doxorubicin nanotransporter for targeted breast cancer therapy.

Metalothionein (MT) is a polypeptide of molecular weight in the range of 6-10 kDa. MT typically contains 60 to 68 amino acid residues. MT is characterized by its unique content of metal ions as well as its sulfur content. Higher MT levels were observed in proliferating cells. This fact demonstrates the importance of MT in the process of cellular regulation (relationship to cancer). The most widely used drug for patients with breast cancer metastases is an anthracycline antitumor antibiotic doxorubicin (DOX). However, the clinical use of DOX is limited by dose-related heart muscle damage (cardiomyopathy), more prevalent with increasing cumulative doses. For this reason, creation of novel pharmaceutical formulations based on using alternative methods as nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery to tumour cells is a crucial task in modern pharmacology. The aim of this work was to design a nanotechnological construct. The construct is designed as two separate nanotransporters. The nanotransporter (A) is formed by an antibody-modified AgNPs particle and a carbon nanotube with encapsulated DOX (AgNPs/Ab1/MWCNT/DOX/ODN1). The nanotransporter (B) is engineered with SPION particle modified with antibody and with bound MT (SPION/Ab2/MT/ODN2). Construct AgNPs/Ab1/MWCNT/DOX/ODN1-SPION/Ab2/MT/ODN2 is formed using an oligonucleotide anchor. Individual parts of the nanotransporter were studied using appropriate methods. The presence of MT was monitored electrochemically by Brdicka method in connection with the transfer technique (AdTSV). Characteristic MT signals RS2CO (-1.15 V), Cat1 (-1.25 V), Cat2 (-1.45 V), Cat3 (-1.75 V) were observed at accumulation time of 120s. SDS PAGE confirmed the presence of MT on SPION nanoparticles at sizes 7 to 15 kDa. The DOX signal was fluorometrically monitored (Em 590 nm, Ex 490 nm). AgNPs sizes ranged from 15-20 nm, and the SPION nanoparticles ranged from 20-50 nm. Additionally, used AgNPs nanoparticles exhibited significant antiproliferative activity (growth inhibition by 20-40%) on a model culture S. Cerevisiae. Created nanoconstruct A showed growth inhibition for S. Cerevisiae by more than 50%. The nanoconstruct after these various analysis shows a high potential as an anticancer drug and may be an innovative way how to deal with the breast cancer in a targeted therapy

Droughts in Poland, 1951-90

One of the negative features of Poland’s climate is the periodic occurrence of atmospheric droughts. The most frequent source of this phenomenon is the occurrence of long-term (sometimes lasting several weeks) rainless periods. The occurrence of these periods is connected with the persistence of a stationary east European high that joins with the Azores anticyclone via central Europe. In such situations, with the accompanying lack or insufficiency of atmospheric precipitation, a drought begins to develop gradually. First, a soil drought appears, followed by hydrologic drought. During a hydrologic drought, a decrease in the ground water flow into surface waters is observed, among other phenomena. This results in the reduction of water flow in rivers. During such periods, a significant drop in the level of underground waters, as well as drying of some springs and small water courses, is observed. In its initial phase of development, a drought exerts its first negative effects on crops. Intensification of this phenomenon also causes disturbances in other sectors of the national economy. Droughts and their negative results do not pose the same threat to all areas of Poland, although in general the influence of droughts is stronger here than in the majority of central European countries. This situation is the result of a combination of natural and historic factors. One of the areas of interest of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) is continuous monitoring and assessment of the course of meteorological and hydrological phenomena occurring in all areas of Poland. When preparing an analysis of the course of successive periods of drought spells, specialists from the IMGW branch in Poznan noticed the absence of similar studies of this phenomenon in Polish literature. In an attempt to fill this gap, they catalogued all droughts that occurred in Poland from 1951 to 1990. The research methods adopted in this study, and also the general characteristics of droughts in Poland, are summarized in this article

Possible neural oscillatory mechanisms underlying learning

In response to Voelker et al. (this issue), we argue for a wide array of neural oscillatory mechanisms underlying learning and practice. While the authors propose frontal theta power as the basis for learning-induced neuro- plasticity, we believe that the temporal dynamics of other frequency bands, together with their synchroni- zation properties can offer a fuller account of the neu- rophysiological changes occurring in the brain during cognitive tasks.Theoretical and Experimental Linguistic

The influence of word-level prosodic structure of the mother tongue on production of word stress in Dutch as a second language

Theoretical and Experimental Linguistic

The Evolution and Sustainability of Seasonal Migration from Poland to Germany: From the Dusk of the 19th Century to the Dawn of the 21st Century

We document and suggest a rationale for the durability of seasonal migration from Poland to Germany, a phenomenon persisting for more than a century. We refer to the role of the tradition of engaging in seasonal migration as a force that helped invigorate the process and contribute to its sustainability even when, to different degrees and at different times, the process was interrupted by a shifting political, regulatory, and legal environment. Evidence in support of the role of tradition is provided, among other things, by the continuation of the seasonal flow of migrants from once border regions - which became internal regions following WWII, despite the fact that since the redrawing of the German-Polish border, proximity is no longer a factor encouraging repeated, short-term seasonal moves