L2 speech learning of European Portuguese /l/ and /ɾ/ by L1-Mandarin learners: Experimental evidence and theoretical modelling

This study reports the results of a perceptual assimilation task (PAT) used to assess the degree of perceived cross-language (dis)similarity between the vowel inventories of European Portuguese (L1) and American English (L2) and, thus, predict difficulty in the perception and production of non-native vowels. Thirty-four native European Portuguese speakers completed a PAT, in which they mapped both L2 English and L1 Portuguese vowels to native vowel categories and rated them for goodness-of-fit to L1 vowels. The results are discussed in terms of theoretical models of cross-language perception and L2 speech learning (SLM, Flege, 1995, & PAM-L2, Best & Tyler, 2007).-----------------------------------------------------------------------------CATEGORIZAÇÃO PERCEPTIVA DE VOGAIS INGLESAS POR FALANTES NATIVOS DE PORTUGUÊS EUROPEUEste estudo reporta os resultados de uma tarefa de assimilação percetiva, usada para avaliar o grau de semelhança inter-linguística entre os inventários vocálicos de português europeu (L1) e de inglês americano (L2), e, assim, prever dificuldades na perceção e produção de sons não nativos. Trinta e quatro falantes nativos de português europeu completaram uma tarefa de assimilação perceptiva, na qual identificaram vogais do inglês (L2) e do português (L1) de acordo com as categorias fonológicas da sua língua nativa, avaliando também a qualidade de representatividade categorial. Os resultados são discutidos partindo de dois modelos de perceção inter-linguística e aprendizagem de fala L2 (SLM, Flege, 1995, & PAM-L2, Best & Tyler, 2007).---Original em inglês.

Download Full-text

How do memory modules differentially contribute to familiarity and recollection?

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x19001833 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Author(s):

Olya Hakobyan ◽

Sen Cheng

Keyword(s):

Recognition Memory ◽

Experimental Evidence ◽

Subjective Experience ◽

Target Article ◽

Memory Modules ◽

Familiarity And Recollection ◽

Memory Contents

Abstract We fully support dissociating the subjective experience from the memory contents in recognition memory, as Bastin et al. posit in the target article. However, having two generic memory modules with qualitatively different functions is not mandatory and is in fact inconsistent with experimental evidence. We propose that quantitative differences in the properties of the memory modules can account for the apparent dissociation of recollection and familiarity along anatomical lines.

Download Full-text

Redox Reactions in Lipid Membranes as a Model for Primordial Energy-Conserving Systems

International Astronomical Union Colloquium ◽

10.1017/s0252921100014950 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 161 ◽

pp. 437-442

Author(s):

Salvatore Di Bernardo ◽

Romana Fato ◽

Giorgio Lenaz

Keyword(s):

Experimental Evidence ◽

Lipid Membranes ◽

Energy Supply ◽

Redox Reactions ◽

Living Systems ◽

Asymmetric Distribution ◽

Conservation Of Energy ◽

Asymmetrical Distribution ◽

Energy Conserving ◽

Living Organisms

AbstractOne of the peculiar aspects of living systems is the production and conservation of energy. This aspect is provided by specialized organelles, such as the mitochondria and chloroplasts, in developed living organisms. In primordial systems lacking specialized enzymatic complexes the energy supply was probably bound to the generation and maintenance of an asymmetric distribution of charged molecules in compartmentalized systems. On the basis of experimental evidence, we suggest that lipophilic quinones were involved in the generation of this asymmetrical distribution of charges through vectorial redox reactions across lipid membranes.

Download Full-text

Some Problems in Understanding the Solar Corona

International Astronomical Union Colloquium ◽

10.1017/s025292110002491x ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 144 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

A. H. Gabriel

Keyword(s):

Solar Corona ◽

Solar Atmosphere ◽

Theoretical Modelling ◽

Total System ◽

Major Advance ◽

X Ray ◽

Proper Perspective ◽

Space Observations

The development of the physics of the solar atmosphere during the last 50 years has been greatly influenced by the increasing capability of observations made from space. Access to images and spectra of the hotter plasma in the UV, XUV and X-ray regions provided a major advance over the few coronal forbidden lines seen in the visible and enabled the cooler chromospheric and photospheric plasma to be seen in its proper perspective, as part of a total system. In this way space observations have stimulated new and important advances, not only in space but also in ground-based observations and theoretical modelling, so that today we find a well-balanced harmony between the three techniques.

Download Full-text

A Method for Setting the Clearance Angle

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100095200 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 388-389

Author(s):

Michael T. Bucek ◽

Howard J. Arnott

Keyword(s):

Experimental Evidence ◽

Light Source ◽

Black Spot ◽

Critical Factor ◽

Clearance Angle ◽

Crude Approximation ◽

Ultrathin Sections

It is believed by the authors, with supporting experimental evidence, that as little as 0.5°, or less, knife clearance angle may be a critical factor in obtaining optimum quality ultrathin sections. The degree increments located on the knife holder provides the investigator with only a crude approximation of the angle at which the holder is set. With the increments displayed on the holder one cannot set the clearance angle precisely and reproducibly. The ability to routinely set this angle precisely and without difficulty would obviously be of great assistance to the operator. A device has been contrived to aid the investigator in precisely setting the clearance angle. This device is relatively simple and is easily constructed. It consists of a light source and an optically flat, front surfaced mirror with a minute black spot in the center. The mirror is affixed to the knife by placing it permanently on top of the knife holder.

Download Full-text

Introductory Remarks

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s1431927600002646 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 598-599

Author(s):

H. Mohri

Keyword(s):

Muscle Contraction ◽

Experimental Evidence ◽

Sea Urchin ◽

Constant Length ◽

Thin Filaments ◽

Bridge Formation ◽

Thick Filaments ◽

Sliding Mechanism ◽

Radial Spokes ◽

Cilia And Flagella

In 1959, Afzelius observed the presence of two rows of arms projecting from each outer doublet microtubule of the so-called 9 + 2 pattern of cilia and flagella, and suggested a possibility that the outer doublet microtubules slide with respect to each other with the aid of these arms during ciliary and flagellar movement. The identification of the arms as an ATPase, dynein, by Gibbons (1963)strengthened this hypothesis, since the ATPase-bearing heads of myosin molecules projecting from the thick filaments pull the thin filaments by cross-bridge formation during muscle contraction. The first experimental evidence for the sliding mechanism in cilia and flagella was obtained by examining the tip patterns of molluscan gill cilia by Satir (1965) who observed constant length of the microtubules during ciliary bending. Further evidence for the sliding-tubule mechanism was given by Summers and Gibbons (1971), using trypsin-treated axonemal fragments of sea urchin spermatozoa. Upon the addition of ATP, the outer doublets telescoped out from these fragments and the total length reached up to seven or more times that of the original fragment. Thus, the arms on a certain doublet microtubule can walk along the adjacent doublet when the doublet microtubules are disconnected by digestion of the interdoublet links which connect them with each other, or the radial spokes which connect them with the central pair-central sheath complex as illustrated in Fig. 1. On the basis of these pioneer works, the sliding-tubule mechanism has been established as one of the basic mechanisms for ciliary and flagellar movement.

Download Full-text

Parents' Perception of Diagnostic Reports and Conferences

Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools ◽

10.1044/0161-1461.1402.114 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 114-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Betty U. Watson ◽

Ronald W. Thompson

Keyword(s):

Medical Treatment ◽

Diagnostic Information ◽

Learning Language ◽

Speech Learning ◽

Hearing Problems

The purpose of this study was to evaluate parents' reactions and understanding of diagnostic information from written reports and conferences in a clinic which provides multidisciplinary evaluations for children with speech, learning, language, and hearing problems. Previous studies and anecdotal reports suggested that many parents do not receive appropriate diagnostic information about their children. In the present study questionnaires were mailed to parents who had received reports of evaluations and most of whom had attended hour-long conferences covering the findings. Questionnaires were also sent to professionals who had received reports. Fifty-seven percent of the parents, and 63% of the professionals returned the questionnaires. Ninety percent of the parents indicated that they had understood the results as they were presented in the conference. Ninety-three percent of the professionals and 89% of the parents stated they understood the conclusions of the written reports .Further, 83% of the parents and 80% of the professionals reported that the findings had made a change in the child's educational or medical treatment. The percentage of parents who reported understanding the findings was greater than expected. The specific informing techniques used in this study are discussed.

Download Full-text