Phonetic Convergence, Language Talent, Personality and Attention

Studies into phonetic adaptation rarely consider individual differences (IDs) on a cognitive and personality level between speakers as a direct source of adaptation variation. In order to investigate the degree to which the individual phonetic talent and further psycho-cognitive IDs of speakers affect phonetic convergence in a second language setting, 20 German native speakers were involved in two dialog tasks with two native speakers of English, a male speaker of American English and a female speaker of Standard Southern British English. The dialogs were quasi-spontaneous task-oriented interactions elicited with the Diapix picture-matching game. The English L2 learners were divided into a phonetically talented and less talented group based on their test results and evaluation in a preceding extensive language talent test battery. The acoustic analyses using amplitude envelopes revealed that talented speakers converged significantly more toward their English native speaking partners in the Diapix study. An additional analysis relates their degree of convergence to a range of personality and cognitive measures. The factors openness, neuroticism, Behavior Inhibition score and the switch costs in a Simon Test significantly impacted the degree of phonetic convergence in the dialog study

Modulation of transmembrane domain interactions in neu receptor tyrosine kinase by membrane fluidity and cholesterol

The activation mechanism of the ErbB family of receptors is of considerable medical interest as they are linked to a number of human cancers, including an aggressive form of breast cancer. In the rat analogue of the human ErbB2 receptor, referred to as Neu, a point mutation in the transmembrane domain (V664E) has been shown to trigger oncogenic transformation. While the structural impact of this mutation has been widely studied in the past to yield models for the active state of the Neu receptor, little is known about the impact of cholesterol on its structure. Given previous reports of the influence of cholesterol on other receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), as well as the modulation of lipid composition in cancer cells, we wished to investigate how cholesterol content impacts the structure of the Neu transmembrane domain. We utilized high-resolution magic angle spinning solid-state NMR to measure 13C–13C coupling of selectively labelled probe residues in the Neu transmembrane domain in lipid bilayers containing cholesterol. We observe inter-helical coupling between residues that support helix–helix interactions on both dimerization motifs reported in the literature (A661-XXX-G665 and I659-XXX-V663). We further explore how changes in cholesterol concentration alter transmembrane domain interactions and the properties and mechanics of the bilayer. We interpret our results in light of previous studies relating RTK activity to cholesterol enrichment and/or depletion, and propose a novel model to explain our data that includes the recognition and binding of cholesterol by the Neu transmembrane domain through a putative cholesterol-recognition/interaction amino acid consensus sequence

Population change of invasive Dreissena polymorpha in Douglas Lake from 2003 to 2009.

General EcologyField observations led us to believe that populations of Dreissena polymorpha in Douglas Lake were decreasing. We hypothesized that this change was caused by environmental changes such as a change in water level, population dynamics including an approach to carrying capacity, or the reduction of resources such as suitable substrate and phytoplankton supply. Our study followed many of the methods of the Galligan (2005) survey for the best comparison between years. Sampling gave a greatly reduced number from the past survey; we found a total of 358 D. polymorpha in which 213 were living. While in 2005, Galligan found a total of 3437 D. polymorpha. Biomass was calculated from this sampling and was compared with phytoplankton densities; however there were no significant results. The survey for D. polymorpha veligers was also inconclusive as it produced only one veliger. The decrease in population may be a result of biotic environmental changes or an approach to carrying capacity but further specific research would have to be done to pinpoint a specific mechanism for this decrease. Our research provides valuable knowledge of an invasive species that could contribute to the eventual control of Dreissena polymorpha by natural means.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64582/1/Duffy_Kittikul_Lewandowski_Sliger_2009.pd

APOBEC3 deaminase editing in mpox virus as evidence for sustained human transmission since at least 2016

Historically, mpox has been characterized as an endemic zoonotic disease that transmits through contact with the reservoir rodent host in West and Central Africa. However, in May 2022, human cases of mpox were detected spreading internationally beyond countries with known endemic reservoirs. When the first cases from 2022 were sequenced, they shared 42 nucleotide differences from the closest mpox virus (MPXV) previously sampled. Nearly all these mutations are characteristic of the action of APOBEC3 deaminases, host enzymes with antiviral function. Assuming APOBEC3 editing is characteristic of human MPXV infection, we developed a dual-process phylogenetic molecular clock that-inferring a rate of ~6 APOBEC3 mutations per year-estimates that MPXV has been circulating in humans since 2016. These observations of sustained MPXV transmission present a fundamental shift to the perceived paradigm of MPXV epidemiology as a zoonosis and highlight the need for revising public health messaging around MPXV as well as outbreak management and control.Editor’s summary: In March 2022, an international epidemic of human Mpox was detected, showing that it was not solely a zoonotic infection. A hallmark of the approximately 88,000 cases that have been reported were TC>TT and GA>AA mutations in Mpox viruses, which were acquired at a surprisingly high evolutionary rate for a pox virus. Knowing that these types of mutation are a sign of activity by a host antiviral enzyme called APOBEC3, O’Toole et al. investigated whether the mutations reflected human-to-human transmission rather than repeated zoonotic spillover. Bayesian evolutionary analysis showed that Mpox virus recently diversified into several lineages in humans that display elevated numbers of mutations, signaling APOBEC exposure and sustained human-to-human transmission rather than zoonosis as the source of new cases. —Caroline AshWellcome Trust ARTIC (Collaborators Award 206298/Z/17/Z, ARTIC network) (Á.O.T., P.L., M.A.S., A.R.); European Research Council (grant agreement no. 725422 – ReservoirDOCS) (P.L., M.A.S., A.R.); National Institutes of Health (R01 AI153044) (P.L., M.A.S., A.R.); David and Lucile Packard Foundation (M.W.); Research Foundation, Flanders– Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek–Vlaanderen, G066215N, G0D5117N and G0B9317N (P.L.); HORIZON 2020 EU grant 874850 MOOD (P.L.); HERA project (grant/2021/PHF/23776) supported by the European Commission through the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (V.B. and J.P.G.). The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention receives core funding from the Nigerian government.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Significant benefits of AIP testing and clinical screening in familial isolated and young-onset pituitary tumors

Context Germline mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein (AIP) gene are responsible for a subset of familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) cases and sporadic pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs). Objective To compare prospectively diagnosed AIP mutation-positive (AIPmut) PitNET patients with clinically presenting patients and to compare the clinical characteristics of AIPmut and AIPneg PitNET patients. Design 12-year prospective, observational study. Participants & Setting We studied probands and family members of FIPA kindreds and sporadic patients with disease onset ≤18 years or macroadenomas with onset ≤30 years (n = 1477). This was a collaborative study conducted at referral centers for pituitary diseases. Interventions & Outcome AIP testing and clinical screening for pituitary disease. Comparison of characteristics of prospectively diagnosed (n = 22) vs clinically presenting AIPmut PitNET patients (n = 145), and AIPmut (n = 167) vs AIPneg PitNET patients (n = 1310). Results Prospectively diagnosed AIPmut PitNET patients had smaller lesions with less suprasellar extension or cavernous sinus invasion and required fewer treatments with fewer operations and no radiotherapy compared with clinically presenting cases; there were fewer cases with active disease and hypopituitarism at last follow-up. When comparing AIPmut and AIPneg cases, AIPmut patients were more often males, younger, more often had GH excess, pituitary apoplexy, suprasellar extension, and more patients required multimodal therapy, including radiotherapy. AIPmut patients (n = 136) with GH excess were taller than AIPneg counterparts (n = 650). Conclusions Prospectively diagnosed AIPmut patients show better outcomes than clinically presenting cases, demonstrating the benefits of genetic and clinical screening. AIP-related pituitary disease has a wide spectrum ranging from aggressively growing lesions to stable or indolent disease course

Decoding Somersault : using Australian film as a platform for popular music

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Talent in fremdsprachlicher phonetischer Konvergenz

The presented study analyzes the influence of the factor "talent" on phonetic convergence in nonnative interactions. Phonetic convergence occurs when two speakers become more similar in their segemental and suprasegmental pronunciation. Summarizing the findings about the influence of talent on nonnative convergence leads to the assumption that convergence is the default tendency for natural communicative interaction, with talent probably influencing its core mechanisms, causing significant differences to arise between phonetically talented and less talented speakers. Apart from talent, convergence is also very likely influenced by other individual factors, such as personality and psychological features, the need for social approval and other social and contextual factors determining the communicative situation. Gender, on the other hand, was not shown to have any influence on the level of convergence displayed in the dialog task, nor did it modulate the behavior in the read speech tasks. The occurrence of convergence has proved to be strongly tied to the existence of a direct communicative interaction, since its effects could neither be confirmed for the summary part of the main experimental task, nor for the read speech pre- and post-test. Thus, no carry-over to speech styles other than dialog could be found. This implies that studies investigating spontaneous speech phenomena should also take place in spontaneous or at least quasi-spontaneous dialog environments rather than in carefully constructed (and therefore rather unnatural (i.e., unsuitable for capturing "naturally" occurring convergence) word repetition or reading tasks. It seems equally important to draw a strict terminological line between "imitation" and "convergence", the former of which is a fully conscious and controlled process, while the latter is only a partially consciously or largely subconscious process. It has been proposed that convergence at its core is a biologically founded drive for more synchrony, which, however, is delimited by many endo- and exogenous factors inherent to every dialogic interaction. The outcome is a dynamic interplay of factors enhancing and limiting it, thereby introducing divergence. Both automatic and controlled mechanisms play a role and this presupposes a "hybrid model" of convergence. Although divergence is more likely to be based on conscious decisions, the speaker might also become aware of the outcome of the rather subconscious convergence processes and deliberately decide to influence them. Social factors and, for instance, the ratings of attractiveness and friendliness probably also exert their influence subconsciously.Die präsentierte Studie analysiert den Einfluss des Faktors "Talent" auf phonetische Konvergenz in nicht-muttersprachlichen Dialogen. Phonetische Konvergenz tritt auf, wenn zwei Sprecher sich einander in ihrer segmentalen und suprasegmentalen Aussprache annähern. Die Zusammenfassung der Ergebnisse verleitet zur Annahme, dass Konvergenz die Grundtendenz für natürliche kommunikative Interaktion ist. Talent beeinflusst wahrscheinlich ihren Basismechanismus und verursacht dabei signifikante Unterschiede im Verhalten talentierter und weniger talentierter Sprecher. Abgesehen von Talent, wird Konvergenz höchstwahrscheinlich auch durch weitere Faktoren, wie Persönlichkeit, psychologische Variablen, das Bedürfnis sozialer Anerkennung und weitere soziale und kontextuelle Faktoren beeinflusst, die die Kommunikationssituation prägen. Das Geschlecht der Probanden hat sich jedoch weder in den Dialogen noch im gelesenen Aufgabenteil signifikant auf das Verhalten ausgewirkt. Das Auftreten von Konvergenz war zudem an das Vorhandensein einer direkten kommunikativen Interaktion gebunden, da weder im Zusammenfassungsteil am Ende der Dialogaufgabe (Monolog) noch in den auf gelesener Sprache basierenden Vor- und Nachtests Konvergenz festgestellt werden konnte. Daher konnten keine Übergangseffekte von Konvergenz zu anderen Sprachstilen als dem direkten Dialog gefunden werden. Dies lässt schlussfolgern, dass Studien im Bereich spontansprachlicher Phänomene in eben solchen spontanen oder quasi-spontanen Szenarios getestet werden sollten und nicht, wie oft der Fall, in vorsichtig konstruierten Wortwiederholungs- oder Leseaufgaben. Diese scheinen eine eher unnatürliche Umgebung für das Aufzeichnen "natürlich" auftretender Konvergenz. Es erscheint ebenfalls sehr wichtig, eine strikte terminologische Trennung zwischen "Imitation" und "Konvergenz" zu vollziehen. Das erste Phänomen ist ein vollständig bewusster und kontrollierter Prozess, während der zweite nur teilweise bewusst oder sogar größtenteils unterbewusst ablaufender Prozess ist. Es wurde vorgeschlagen, dass Konvergenz in ihrem Kern ein biologisch fundiertes Streben zu mehr Synchronität darstellt, welches allerdings von vielfältigen inneren und äußeren Faktoren begrenzt wird, die jede dialogische Interaktion begleiten. Das Ergebnis ist ein dynamisches Zusammenspiel von Faktoren, die Konvergenz entweder begünstigen oder auch bremsen und somit Divergenz herbeiführen. Hierbei spielen sowohl automatische wie auch kontrollierte Mechanismen eine Rolle und dem muss ein "Hybridmodell" von Konvergenz zugrunde liegen. Obwohl wahrscheinlich eher Divergenz auf bewussten Entscheidungen basiert, so kann der Sprecher sich auch der Ergebnisse der eher unterbewussten Konvergenzprozesse bewusst werden und sich absichtlich entscheiden, in diese einzugreifen. Soziale Faktoren, wie beispielweise die Bewertung der Attraktivität oder Freundlchkeit des Gesprächspartners wirken sich wahrscheinlich ebenfalls unterbewusst auf das Verhalten im Dialog aus

Sounding out an education : different pathways, one industry?

This article provides a preliminary study of educational pathways available to film sound personnel working in Australia and New Zealand through semi-structured interviews and analysis of institutional materials on educational opportunities. A production cultures approach (Caldwell 2008) reveals that although there are a variety of paths available for future personnel, those within the industry have firm views on which paths should be undertaken. Within this paper, formal education will encompass tertiary coursework and private tuition, while practical education will refer to apprenticeships, workshops, learning on the job and self-training. The discussion of education and training brings to light the stance of the industry towards education. It is important to take these perspectives into account if we are to provide education programmes that encourage pathways to employment among other outcomes. Industry trends, such as the closure of production facilities or changes in task allocation, influence education and training. Through an analysis of interviewee responses and their perspectives, as well as preliminary examination of what educational courses are offered within Australia and New Zealand through online analysis, the article presents ideas on current and future education pathways for film sound personnel.12 page(s

You've been thunderstruck! : the marketing of film to an established popular music audience of AC/DC fans

Popular music can be used as a powerful marketing force when linked in conjunction with feature film. This paper examines the roles of scored and popular music in the context of film through the analysis of Australian film Thunderstruck (Ashton 2004). AC/DC very rarely grant permission for their music and brand to be used in any commercial ventures, including film (Tucak 2004: 1) - they did however agree to be associated with Thunderstruck. This association was extensively used throughout the film's script and marketing, as well as on the soundtrack album release. The film's affiliation with a high profile band resulted in an already established audience of music fans. This paper questions whether the association of such popular music groups in plot and sound design can positively affect the film's positioning to audiences. Enquiries are made about the decision making process in film soundtrack creation with regards to scored music and the selection of pre-recorded music tracks. The paper also examines the use of music as a comedic device within Thunderstruck and highlights the transferral of this humour onto the soundtrack CD. The paper investigates the role of music in contributing to the box office success of a film in which music is a major component. Furthermore, the paper questions whether Thunderstruck would have received similar box office results had AC/DC chosen not to affiliate themselves with the film. The paper bases its findings in both secondary interviews released at the time of the film and primary interviews with those involved in the film's music production, in particular the perspectives of composers Francois Tetaz and David Thrussell and their reflections on the infusion of AC/DC into an orchestral score.8 page(s

Understanding creative roles in entertainment : the music supervisor as case study

As a commercial entertainment sector, the film industry in Australia presents an economically viable commodity, with AU$1087.5 million worth of box office revenue being made in 2009 (Screen Australia, http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/gtp/wcboadmission.html, 2010). With such a significant audience to entertain, it is unsurprising that film provides an ideal avenue for the communication of music. Music is an important element in the feature film, being used to set a scene, emphasize a plot development or incite a given emotion from the viewer. Feature film music ranges from specifically composed score to pre-recorded popular music licensed into the film. Increasingly, the latter is being used in feature films – impacting on the budgets, marketing and sound personnel of a film in a myriad of ways (see Smith, The Sounds of Commerce, New York: Columbia University Press, 1998). Of these sound personnel, the music supervisor is arguably impacted upon the most, and this can be attributed to the music supervisor's role to ensure all music within the film soundtrack is cleared and used in accordance within the legal rights of the licensor. However, the music supervisor in the Australian film context extends far beyond such clearances, with such personnel deciding which tracks are selected for the film and even suggesting certain pieces to the director – thus playing a creative collaborative role in the production. This area of communication in the Australian feature film industry is largely overlooked or marginalized in academic research (see Coyle, Reel Tracks, Eastleigh: John Libbey, 2005, for some tentative research). This interdisciplinary paper contributes findings from interviews conducted by the author with Australian music supervisors throughout the period 2007–2009. It charts both formal and informal networks and communication modes between film and music industry personnel working within the Australian entertainment industry to show the complexity of industrial practices in the contemporary period.11 page(s