632 research outputs found
Examining individual differences in language learning: A neurocognitive model of language aptitude
A common practice in the cognitive neurosciences is to investigate population-typical phenomena, treating individuals as equal except for a few outliers that are usually discarded from analyses or that disappear on group-level patterns. Only a few studies to date have captured the heterogeneity of language processing across individuals as so-called âindividual differencesâ; fewer have explicitly researched language aptitude, which designates an individualâs ability for acquiring foreign languages. Existing studies show that, relative to average learners, very gifted language learners display different task-related patterns of functional activation and connectivity during linguistic tasks, and structural differences in white and grey matter morphology, and in white matter connectivity. Despite growing interest in language aptitude, there is no recent comprehensive review, nor a theoretical model to date that includes the neural level. To fill this gap, we review neuroscientific research on individual differences in language learning and language aptitude and present a first, preliminary neurocognitive model of language aptitude. We suggest that language aptitude could arise from an advantageous neurocognitive profile, which leads to high intrinsic motivation and proactive engagement in language learning activities. On the neural level, interindividual differences in the morphology of the bilateral auditory cortex constrain individual neural plasticity, as is evident in the speed and efficiency of language learning. We suggest that language learning success is further dependent upon highly efficient auditory-motor connections (speech-motor networks) and the structural characteristics of dorsal and ventral fibre tracts during language learning
Hole-LO phonon interaction in InAs/GaAs quantum dots
We investigate the valence intraband transitions in p-doped self-assembled
InAs quantum dots using far-infrared magneto-optical technique with polarized
radiation. We show that a purely electronic model is unable to account for the
experimental data. We calculate the coupling between the mixed hole LO-phonon
states using the Fr\"ohlich Hamiltonian, from which we determine the polaron
states as well as the energies and oscillator strengths of the valence
intraband transitions. The good agreement between the experiments and
calculations provides strong evidence for the existence of hole-polarons and
demonstrates that the intraband magneto-optical transitions occur between
polaron states
The human 'pitch center' responds differently to iterated noise and Huggins pitch
A magnetoencephalographic marker for pitch analysis (the pitch onset response) has been reported for different types of pitch-evoking stimuli, irrespective of whether the acoustic cues for pitch are monaurally or binaurally produced. It is claimed that the pitch onset response reflects a common cortical representation for pitch, putatively in lateral Heschl's gyrus. The result of this functional MRI study sheds doubt on this assertion. We report a direct comparison between iterated ripple noise and Huggins pitch in which we reveal a different pattern of auditory cortical activation associated with each pitch stimulus, even when individual variability in structure-function relations is accounted for. Our results suggest it may be premature to assume that lateral Heschl's gyrus is a universal pitch center
Short-term plasticity of neuro-auditory processing induced by musical active listening training
Although there is strong evidence for the positive effects of musical training on auditory perception, processing, and training-induced neuroplasticity, there is still little knowledge on the auditory and neurophysiological short-term plasticity through listening training. In a sample of 37 adolescents (20 musicians and 17 nonmusicians) that was compared to a control group matched for age, gender, and musical experience, we conducted a 2-week active listening training (AULOS: Active IndividUalized Listening OptimizationS). Using magnetoencephalography and psychoacoustic tests, the short-term plasticity of auditory evoked fields and auditory skills were examined in a pre-post design, adapted to the individual neuro-auditory profiles. We found bilateral, but more pronounced plastic changes in the right auditory cortex. Moreover, we observed synchronization of the auditory evoked P1, N1, and P2 responses and threefold larger amplitudes of the late P2 response, similar to the reported effects of musical long-term training. Auditory skills and thresholds benefited largely from the AULOS training. Remarkably, after training, the mean thresholds improved by 12 dB for bone conduction and by 3â4 dB for air conduction. Thus, our findings indicate a strong positive influence of active listening training on neural auditory processing and perception in adolescence, when the auditory system is still developing
Design Rules for Self-Assembly of 2D Nanocrystal/Metal-Organic Framework Superstructures.
We demonstrate the guiding principles behind simple two dimensional self-assembly of MOF nanoparticles (NPs) and oleic acid capped iron oxide (Fe3 O4 ) NCs into a uniform two-dimensional bi-layered superstructure. This self-assembly process can be controlled by the energy of ligand-ligand interactions between surface ligands on Fe3 O4 NCs and Zr6 O4 (OH)4 (fumarate)6 MOF NPs. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (TEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and TEM tomography confirm the hierarchical co-assembly of Fe3 O4 NCs with MOF NPs as ligand energies are manipulated to promote facile diffusion of the smaller NCs. First-principles calculations and event-driven molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the observed patterns are dictated by combination of ligand-surface and ligand-ligand interactions. This study opens a new avenue for design and self-assembly of MOFs and NCs into high surface area assemblies, mimicking the structure of supported catalyst architectures, and provides a thorough fundamental understanding of the self-assembly process, which could be a guide for designing functional materials with desired structure
Bivariate stochastic modeling of functional response with natural mortality
A correction due to Abbott (1925) is the standard method of dealing with control mortality in insect bioassay to estimate the mortality of an insect conditional on control mortality not having occurred. In this article a bivariate stochastic process for overall mortality is developed in which natural mortality and predation are jointly modeled to take account of the competing-risks associated with prey loss. The total mortality estimate from this model is essentially identical with that from more classical modeling. However, when predation loss is estimated in the absence of control mortality the results are somewhat different, with the estimate from the bivariate model being lower than that from using Abbottâs formula in conjunction with the classical model. It is argued that overdispersion in observed mortality data corresponds to correlated outcomes (death or survival) for the prey initially present, while Abbottâs correction relies implicitly on independence
Shielding efficiency and E(J) characteristics measured on large melt cast Bi-2212 hollow cylinders in axial magnetic fields
We show that tubes of melt cast Bi-2212 used as current leads for LTS magnets
can also act as efficient magnetic shields. The magnetic screening properties
under an axial DC magnetic field are characterized at several temperatures
below the liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K). Two main shielding properties are
studied and compared with those of Bi-2223, a material that has been considered
in the past for bulk magnetic shields. The first property is related to the
maximum magnetic flux density that can be screened, Blim; it is defined as the
applied magnetic flux density below which the field attenuation measured at the
centre of the shield exceeds 1000. For a cylinder of Bi-2212 with a wall
thickness of 5 mm and a large ratio of length over radius, Blim is evaluated to
1 T at T = 10 K. This value largely exceeds the Blim value measured at the same
temperature on similar tubes of Bi-2223. The second shielding property that is
characterized is the dependence of Blim with respect to variations of the sweep
rate of the applied field, dBapp/dt. This dependence is interpreted in terms of
the power law E = Ec(J/Jc)^n and allows us to determine the exponent n of this
E(J) characteristics for Bi-2212. The characterization of the magnetic field
relaxation involves very small values of the electric field. This gives us the
opportunity to experimentally determine the E(J) law in an unexplored region of
small electric fields. Combining these results with transport and AC shielding
measurements, we construct a piecewise E(J) law that spans over 8 orders of
magnitude of the electric field.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure
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