Effects of Linguistic Distance on Second Language Brain Activations in Bilinguals: An Exploratory Coordinate-Based Meta-Analysis

In this quantitative meta-analysis, we used the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) approach to address the effects of linguistic distance between first (L1) and second (L2) languages on language-related brain activations. In particular, we investigated how L2-related networks may change in response to linguistic distance from L1. Thus, we examined L2 brain activations in two groups of participants with English as L2 and either (i) a European language (European group, n = 13 studies) or (ii) Chinese (Chinese group, n = 18 studies) as L1. We further explored the modulatory effect of age of appropriation (AoA) and proficiency of L2. We found that, irrespective of L1-L2 distance—and to an extent—irrespective of L2 proficiency, L2 recruits brain areas supporting higher-order cognitive functions (e.g., cognitive control), although with group-specific differences (e.g., the insula region in the European group and the frontal cortex in the Chinese group). The Chinese group also selectively activated the parietal lobe, but this did not occur in the subgroup with high L2 proficiency. These preliminary results highlight the relevance of linguistic distance and call for future research to generalize findings to other language pairs and shed further light on the interaction between linguistic distance, AoA, and proficiency of L2.

Molecular Genetic Analysis with Microsatellite-like Loci Reveals Specific Dairy-Associated and Environmental Populations of the Yeast Geotrichum candidum

Geotrichum candidum is an environmental yeast, also found as part of the cheese surface microbiota, where it is important in the ripening of many traditional cheeses, such as Camembert. We have previously developed a Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) scheme, which differentiated five clades, of which one contained only environmental isolates, two were composed almost entirely of dairy isolates, and two others contained a mixture of dairy, environmental, and miscellaneous food isolates. In order to provide a simple method to uniquely type G. candidum strains, and in addition to permit investigation of the population structure at a fine level, we describe here a molecular analysis using a set of twelve highly discriminating microsatellite-like markers. The present study consolidates the previously suggested division between dairy and environmental strains, and in addition distinguishes a specifically European group of environmental strains. This analysis permitted the discrimination of 72 genotypes from the collection of 80 isolates, while retaining the underlying meaningful phylogenetic relation between groups of strains.

Health-Related Functional Fitness within the Elderly Communities of Five European Countries: The in Common Sports Study

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to analyse the functional fitness and the anthropometric values of older adults participating in the “IN COMMON SPORTS” project. (2) Methods: A total of 418 participants (eastern European Group (GEE, n = 124) and southern European Groups (GES, n = 294) have been evaluated for anthropometric characteristics and fitness. (3) Results: The GES participants presented significant differences in anthropometric values and fitness, with the best values for upper and lower limb strength and aerobic resistance, while those from the GEE presented significantly better values for lower limb flexibility. (4) Conclusion: Older adults present differences in fitness in accordance with their country of residence, with the GES having the best functional fitness.

The Challenge of Human Dignity in the Era of Autonomous Systems

Autonomous systems make decisions independently or on behalf of the user. This will happen more and more in the future, with the widespread use of AI technologies in the fabric of the society that impacts on the social, economic, and political sphere. Automating services and processes inevitably impacts on the users’ prerogatives and puts at danger their autonomy and privacy. From a societal point of view, it is crucial to understand which is the space of autonomy that a system can exercise without compromising laws and human rights. Following the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies 2018 recommendation, the chapter addresses the problem of preserving the value of human dignity in the context of the digital society, understood as the recognition that a person is worthy of respect in her interaction with autonomous technologies. A person must be able to exercise control on information about herself and on the decisions that autonomous systems make on her behalf.

Some Aspects of Maori Urban Migration: a Psychological Study

<p>Following a discussion of some of the implications of urban migration and culture change, predictions were made about the comparative levels of the adjustment of Maori and European, urban and rural, migrant and non-migrant fourteen year old boys. Data for the study were gathered from 306 subjects in a survey of the Wellington and East Coast areas of New Zealand. Four objective measures were developed for the survey and these, together with a structured interview and data from school records were used to assess interpersonal adjustment, competence, and intrapersonal adjustment. Some additional measures related to Maoriness, migration contact and orientation, and educational attitudes. It was observed during detailed analysis of the data, that contact with migrants and an orientation towards migration are significantly more frequently reported by Maori and rural than by European and urban groups, that there were no significant differences in the adjustment of rural and urban samples (though it was noted that on every measure the scores favoured the urban Maori over the rural Maori group), and that on all the measures of adjustment the European group scored higher than the Maori group. A factor analysis provided some insights into the source and significance of "Maoriness" , and aided the interpretation of scores obtained by the Maori sample on a number of variables. Three major conclusions were drawn from the study. First that although differences between the separate groups were often small, there is a significant trend for urban Europeans to show the best adjustment, followed in order by the rural Europeans, urban Maoris and rural Maoris. Second, that the rural Maori group as potential migrants, obtained significantly lower scores than did the potential recipients, the urban European group, on all the measures of adjustment. Finally that rural-urban and inter-city migration appear to have no effect on the adjustment levels at fourteen years of age, of either Maori or European boys, a finding which raises questions about the specific effects of migration on the adjustment of individuals.</p>

Some Aspects of Maori Urban Migration: a Psychological Study

<p>Following a discussion of some of the implications of urban migration and culture change, predictions were made about the comparative levels of the adjustment of Maori and European, urban and rural, migrant and non-migrant fourteen year old boys. Data for the study were gathered from 306 subjects in a survey of the Wellington and East Coast areas of New Zealand. Four objective measures were developed for the survey and these, together with a structured interview and data from school records were used to assess interpersonal adjustment, competence, and intrapersonal adjustment. Some additional measures related to Maoriness, migration contact and orientation, and educational attitudes. It was observed during detailed analysis of the data, that contact with migrants and an orientation towards migration are significantly more frequently reported by Maori and rural than by European and urban groups, that there were no significant differences in the adjustment of rural and urban samples (though it was noted that on every measure the scores favoured the urban Maori over the rural Maori group), and that on all the measures of adjustment the European group scored higher than the Maori group. A factor analysis provided some insights into the source and significance of "Maoriness" , and aided the interpretation of scores obtained by the Maori sample on a number of variables. Three major conclusions were drawn from the study. First that although differences between the separate groups were often small, there is a significant trend for urban Europeans to show the best adjustment, followed in order by the rural Europeans, urban Maoris and rural Maoris. Second, that the rural Maori group as potential migrants, obtained significantly lower scores than did the potential recipients, the urban European group, on all the measures of adjustment. Finally that rural-urban and inter-city migration appear to have no effect on the adjustment levels at fourteen years of age, of either Maori or European boys, a finding which raises questions about the specific effects of migration on the adjustment of individuals.</p>