Cross-language differences in fundamental frequency range: a comparison of English and German

This paper presents a systematic comparison of various measures of f0 range in female speakers of English and German. F0 range was analysed along two dimensions, level (i.e. overall f0 height) and span (extent of f0 modulation within a given speech sample). These were examined using two types of measures, one based on 'long-term distributional' (LTD) methods, and the other based on specific landmarks in speech that are linguistic in nature ('linguistic' measures). The various methods were used to identify whether and on what basis or bases speakers of these two languages differ in f0 range. Findings yielded significant cross-language differences in both dimensions of f0 range, but effect sizes were found to be larger for span than for level, and for linguistic than for LTD measures. The linguistic measures also uncovered some differences between the two languages in how f0 range varies through an intonation contour. 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Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Habitat Selection in Female-Calf Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Pairs on the Hawaiian Breeding Grounds

The Au'au Channel between the islands of Maui and Lanai, Hawaii comprises critical breeding habitat for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) of the Central North Pacific stock. However, like many regions where marine mega-fauna gather, these waters are also the focus of a flourishing local eco-tourism and whale watching industry. Our aim was to establish current trends in habitat preference in female-calf humpback whale pairs within this region, focusing specifically on the busy, eastern portions of the channel. We used an equally-spaced zigzag transect survey design, compiled our results in a GIS model to identify spatial trends and calculated Neu's Indices to quantify levels of habitat use. Our study revealed that while mysticete female-calf pairs on breeding grounds typically favor shallow, inshore waters, female-calf pairs in the Au'au Channel avoided shallow waters (<20 m) and regions within 2 km of the shoreline. Preferred regions for female-calf pairs comprised water depths between 40–60 m, regions of rugged bottom topography and regions that lay between 4 and 6 km from a small boat harbor (Lahaina Harbor) that fell within the study area. In contrast to other humpback whale breeding grounds, there was only minimal evidence of typical patterns of stratification or segregation according to group composition. A review of habitat use by maternal females across Hawaiian waters indicates that maternal habitat choice varies between localities within the Hawaiian Islands, suggesting that maternal females alter their use of habitat according to locally varying pressures. This ability to respond to varying environments may be the key that allows wildlife species to persist in regions where human activity and critical habitat overlap

Fine needle aspiration in COVID-19 vaccine-associated lymphadenopathy

AIMS With ongoing intensive vaccination programme against COVID-19, numerous cases of adverse reactions occur, some of which represent rare events. Enlargement of the injection site&rsquo;s draining lymph nodes is increasingly reported, but is not yet widely recognised as being possibly associated with recent vaccination. As patients at risk of a severe course of COVID-19, indicated by their medical history such as a previous diagnosis of malignancy, receive priority vaccination, newly palpable lymph nodes raise concerns of disease progression. In this case series, we report on five patients who presented with enlarged lymph nodes after COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS Sonography guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed in five patients presenting with PET-positive and/or enlarged lymph nodes after COVID-19 vaccination with either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. RESULTS COVID-19 vaccination had been carried out in all cases, with an interval of between 3 and 33 days prior to FNA. Three of five patients had a history of neoplasms. The vaccine was administered into the deltoid muscle, with subsequent enlargement of either the cervical, supra-, infra- or retroclavicular, or axillary lymph nodes, in four out of five cases ipsilaterally. In all cases, cytology and additional analyses showed a reactive lymphadenopathy without any sign of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS Evidence of newly enlarged lymph nodes after recent COVID-19 vaccination should be considered reactive in the first instance, occurring owing to stimulation of the immune system. A clinical follow-up according to the patient&rsquo;s risk profile without further diagnostic measures is justified. In the case of preexisting unilateral cancer, vaccination should be given contralaterally whenever possible. Persistently enlarged lymph nodes should be re-evaluated (2 to) 6 weeks after the second dose, with additional diagnostic tests tailored to the clinical context. Fine needle aspiration is a well established, safe, rapid and cost-effective method to investigate an underlying malignancy, especially metastasis. Recording vaccination history, including date of injection, site and vaccine type, as well as communicating this information to treating physicians of different specialties is paramount for properly handling COVID-19 vaccine-associated lymphadenopathy

Microsatellite DNA variation indicates low levels of genetic differentiation among cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis L.) populations in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay

Population substructure of the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (Mollusca: Cephalopoda), as investigated by genetic variation of microsatellite loci, has been reported to be significantly extensive around the Iberian Peninsula with FST = 0.061 (Pérez-Losada et al. 2002) and panmictic in the semi-enclosed Adriatic Sea with FST = 0.011 (Garoia et al. 2004). Yet, no verified genetic information on population substructure existed for the northern distribution range of this species in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay.So far, reproductive and migration behaviour and in-vitro oxygen binding properties of haemocyanin have suggested existence of separate populations in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay. Examination of genetic variation at seven microsatellite loci within samples from the Bay of Biscay, the English Channel and the southern North Sea indicated low levels of genetic differentiation in this area but also a breakdown of free gene flow at highly significant average FST = 0.018. Although there is a considerable genetic exchange between populations of S. officinalis in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay, they cannot be regarded as a single, freely interbreeding population. Earlier reported biological differences might thus be due to genetic variability between the populations

Increasing the sustainability of LCD recycling

The present paper reports on selected findings made within the Swedish joint R&D project \u27Sustainable Recycling of Flat Panel Displays\u27. The results presented are specifically related to i) Process for indium recovery from LCD glass; ii) Recovery and re-use of optical components; and iii) Sustainability rating of different recycling scenarios involving mainly large-scale shredding and manual dismantling. Process parameters for high yield recovery of indium from LCD glass were investigated and results indicate that the process can be employed for large-scale sustainable recovery. Re-use of optical components from discarded LCD screens in high-end applications, particularly in LED fittings, was evaluated and found to improve energy efficiency of the fitting as well as economical and ecological sustainability of the recycling scenario. Life cycle impact was evaluated for different recycling scenarios developed for LCD screens

Increasing the sustainability of LCD recycling

The present paper reports on selected findings made within the Swedish joint R&D project \u27Sustainable Recycling of Flat Panel Displays\u27. The results presented are specifically related to i) Process for indium recovery from LCD glass; ii) Recovery and re-use of optical components; and iii) Sustainability rating of different recycling scenarios involving mainly large-scale shredding and manual dismantling. Process parameters for high yield recovery of indium from LCD glass were investigated and results indicate that the process can be employed for large-scale sustainable recovery. Re-use of optical components from discarded LCD screens in high-end applications, particularly in LED fittings, was evaluated and found to improve energy efficiency of the fitting as well as economical and ecological sustainability of the recycling scenario. Life cycle impact was evaluated for different recycling scenarios developed for LCD screens

Surface Noble Metal Concentration on Ceria as a Key Descriptor for Efficient Catalytic CO Oxidation

During the CO oxidation over metallic Pt clusters and Pt nanoparticles in Pt/CeO$_2$ catalysts, we found that the Pt surface concentration is a key descriptor for the reaction rate. By increasing the surface noble metal concentration (SNMC) of a Pt/CeO$_2$ catalyst by a factor of ∼4, while keeping the weight hourly space velocity constant, the ignition temperature of CO oxidation was decreased by ∼200 °C in the as-prepared state. Moreover, the stability was enhanced at higher SNMC. Complementary characterization and theoretical calculations unraveled that the origin of this improved reaction rate at higher Pt surface concentrations can be traced back to the formation of larger oxidized Pt-clusters and the SNMC-dependent aggregation rate of highly dispersed Pt species. The Pt diffusion barriers for cluster formation were found to decrease with increasing SNMC, promoting more facile agglomeration of active, metallic Pt particles. In contrast, when Pt particle formation was forced with a reductive pretreatment, the influence of the SNMC was temporarily diminished, and all catalysts showed a similar CO oxidation activity. The work shows the general relevance of the proximity influence in the formation and stabilization of active centers in heterogeneous catalysis

Surface Noble Metal Concentration on Ceria as a Key Descriptor for Efficient Catalytic CO Oxidation

During the CO oxidation over metallic Pt clusters and Pt nanoparticles in Pt/CeO$_2$ catalysts, we found that the Pt surface concentration is a key descriptor for the reaction rate. By increasing the surface noble metal concentration (SNMC) of a Pt/CeO$_2$ catalyst by a factor of ∼4, while keeping the weight hourly space velocity constant, the ignition temperature of CO oxidation was decreased by ∼200 °C in the as-prepared state. Moreover, the stability was enhanced at higher SNMC. Complementary characterization and theoretical calculations unraveled that the origin of this improved reaction rate at higher Pt surface concentrations can be traced back to the formation of larger oxidized Pt-clusters and the SNMC-dependent aggregation rate of highly dispersed Pt species. The Pt diffusion barriers for cluster formation were found to decrease with increasing SNMC, promoting more facile agglomeration of active, metallic Pt particles. In contrast, when Pt particle formation was forced with a reductive pretreatment, the influence of the SNMC was temporarily diminished, and all catalysts showed a similar CO oxidation activity. The work shows the general relevance of the proximity influence in the formation and stabilization of active centers in heterogeneous catalysis