Language as a Lacework of Layers, Including Visual Ones

Contains fulltext : 129748.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)The so-called McGurk effect shows that synchronous information from visual and acoustic layers of information contributes to the perception of discrete categories, even where the actual physical auditory input is monotonous or gradual. Accepting a parallel architecture of language systems as proposed in Jackendoff (2002, 2007), the question arises how spelling relates to it. We propose that alphabetic writing systems, although they aren’t designed nor need to operate in synchrony with other parts of language systems, also function as just one more layer of information. Thus, through exaptation, orthographic information may influence perception too. Evidence supporting this position is presented from psycholinguistics, and from a peculiarity of Dutch orthography which causes every learner of the language considerable difficulties

Language as a Lacework of Layers, Including Visual Ones

The so-called McGurk effect shows that synchronous information from visual and acoustic layers of information contributes to the perception of discrete categories, even where the actual physical auditory input is monotonous or gradual. Accepting a parallel architecture of language systems as proposed in Jackendoff (2002, 2007), the question arises how spelling relates to it. We propose that alphabetic writing systems, although they aren’t designed nor need to operate in synchrony with other parts of language systems, also function as just one more layer of information. Thus, through exaptation, orthographic information may influence perception too. Evidence supporting this position is presented from psycholinguistics, and from a peculiarity of Dutch orthography which causes every learner of the language considerable difficulties

[PEricapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block after a hip fracture]

Annually an estimated amount of 17.500 patients are admitted at the hospital with a fractured hip in the Netherlands. This often fragile population experiences many unwanted side effects with the use of strong painkillers. Currently used locoregional anesthetic techniques do not fully block pain in most hip fractures. In 2018 a novel technique was published, based on the innervation of the anterior hip capsule: 'The PEricapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block'. Based on current evidence, the PENG block seems a promising pain reducing technique in acute pain in pericapsular hip fractures and surgery. Due to the possibility of chemical denervation of the hip capsule, current literature and our own data show that long-term pain reduction is possible as well, without motor loss. This can lead to an increase of quality of life, and reduction of morbidity and mortality in the most fragile patients, who are not eligible for surgery

De novo and inherited loss-of-function variants of ATP2B2 are associated with rapidly progressive hearing impairment

ATP2B2 encodes the PMCA2 Ca2+ pump that plays an important role in maintaining ion homeostasis in hair cells among others by extrusion of Ca2+ from the stereocilia to the endolymph. Several mouse models have been described for this gene; mice heterozygous for loss-of-function defects display a rapidly progressive high-frequency hearing impairment. Up to now ATP2B2 has only been reported as a modifier, or in a digenic mechanism with CDH23 for hearing impairment in humans. Whole exome sequencing in hearing impaired index cases of Dutch and Polish origins revealed five novel heterozygous (predicted to be) loss-of-function variants of ATP2B2. Two variants, c.1963G>T (p.Glu655*) and c.955delG (p.Ala319fs), occurred de novo. Three variants c.397+1G>A (p.?), c.1998C>A (p.Cys666*), and c.2329C>T (p.Arg777*), were identified in families with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern of hearing impairment. After normal newborn hearing screening, a rapidly progressive high-frequency hearing impairment was diagnosed at the age of about 3–6 years. Subjects had no balance complaints and vestibular testing did not yield abnormalities. There was no evidence for retrocochlear pathology or structural inner ear abnormalities. Although a digenic inheritance pattern of hearing impairment has been reported for heterozygous missense variants of ATP2B2 and CDH23, our findings indicate a monogenic cause of hearing impairment in cases with loss-of-function variants of ATP2B2