How Age and Linguistic Competence Affect Memory for Heard Information

The short-term memory performance of a group of younger adults, for whom English was a second language (young EL2 listeners), was compared to that of younger and older adults for whom English was their first language (EL1 listeners). To-be-remembered words were presented in noise and in quiet. When presented in noise, the listening situation was adjusted to ensure that the likelihood of recognizing the individual words was comparable for all groups. Previous studies which used the same paradigm found memory performance of older EL1 adults on this paired-associate task to be poorer than that of their younger EL1 counterparts both in quiet and in a background of babble. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the less well-established semantic and linguistic skills of EL2 listeners would also lead to memory deficits even after equating for word recognition as was done for the younger and older EL1 listeners. No significant differences in memory performance were found between young EL1 and EL2 listeners after equating for word recognition, indicating that the EL2 listeners' poorer semantic and linguistic skills had little effect on their ability to memorize and recall paired associates. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that age-related declines in memory are primarily due to age-related declines in higher-order processes supporting stream segregation and episodic memory. Such declines are likely to increase the load on higher-order (possibly limited) cognitive processes supporting memory. The problems that these results pose for the comprehension of spoken language in these three groups are discussed.

Moraxella catarrhalis induces CEACAM3-Syk-CARD9-dependent activation of human granulocytes

The human restricted pathogen Moraxella catarrhalis is an important causal agent for exacerbations in chronic obstructive lung disease in adults. In such patients, increased numbers of granulocytes are present in the airways, which correlate with bacteria-induced exacerbations and severity of the disease. Our study investigated whether the interaction of M. catarrhalis with the human granulocyte-specific carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM)-3 is linked to NF-κB activation, resulting in chemokine production. Granulocytes from healthy donors and NB4 cells were infected with M. catarrhalis in the presence of different inhibitors, blocking antibodies and siRNA. The supernatants were analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for chemokines. NF-κB activation was determined using a luciferase reporter gene assay and chromatin-immunoprecipitation. We found evidence that the specific engagement of CEACAM3 by M. catarrhalis ubiquitous surface protein A1 (UspA1) results in the activation of pro-inflammatory events, such as degranulation of neutrophils, ROS production and chemokine secretion. The interaction of UspA1 with CEACAM3 induced the activation of the NF-κB pathway via Syk and the CARD9 pathway and was dependent on the phosphorylation of the CEACAM3 ITAM-like motif. These findings suggest that the CEACAM3 signalling in neutrophils is able to specifically modulate airway inflammation caused by infection with M. catarrhalis.

ATP-Evoked Intracellular Ca²⁺ Signaling of Different Supporting Cells in the Hearing Mouse Hemicochlea

Hearing and its protection is regulated by ATP-evoked Ca(2+) signaling in the supporting cells of the organ of Corti, however, the unique anatomy of the cochlea hampers observing these mechanisms. For the first time, we have performed functional ratiometric Ca(2+) imaging (fura-2) in three different supporting cell types in the hemicochlea preparation of hearing mice to measure purinergic receptor-mediated Ca(2+) signaling in pillar, Deiters' and Hensen's cells. Their resting [Ca(2+)]i was determined and compared in the same type of preparation. ATP evoked reversible, repeatable and dose-dependent Ca(2+) transients in all three cell types, showing desensitization. Inhibiting the Ca(2+) signaling of the ionotropic P2X (omission of extracellular Ca(2+)) and metabotropic P2Y purinergic receptors (depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores) revealed the involvement of both receptor types. Detection of P2X2,3,4,6,7 and P2Y1,2,6,12,14 receptor mRNAs by RT-PCR supported this finding and antagonism by PPADS suggested different functional purinergic receptor population in pillar versus Deiters' and Hensen's cells. The sum of the extra- and intracellular Ca(2+)-dependent components of the response was about equal with the control ATP response (linear additivity) in pillar cells, and showed supralinearity in Deiters' and Hensen's cells. Calcium-induced calcium release might explain this synergistic interaction. The more pronounced Ca(2+) leak from the endoplasmic reticulum in Deiters' and Hensen's cells, unmasked by cyclopiazonic acid, may also suggests the higher activity of the internal stores in Ca(2+) signaling in these cells. Differences in Ca(2+) homeostasis and ATP-induced Ca(2+) signaling might reflect the distinct roles these cells play in cochlear function and pathophysiology.

Natural Products from Photorhabdus and Other Entomopathogenic Bacteria

Although the first natural products (NP) from Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus bacteria have been known now for almost 30 years, a huge variety of new compounds have been identified in the last 5-10 years, mainly due to the application of modern mass spectrometry. Additionally, application of molecular methods that allow the activation of NP production in several different strains as well as efficient heterologous expression methods have led to the production and validation of many new compounds. In this chapter we discuss the benefit of using Photorhabdus as a model system for microbial chemical ecology. We also examine non-ribosomal peptide synthetases as the most important pathway for NP production. Finally, we discuss the origin and function of all currently known NPs and the development of the molecular and chemical tools used to identify these NPs faster.

Influences of word predictability and type of masker noise on intelligibility of sung text in live concerts

Vocal music is often intended to convey meaning, but how effectively this is achieved is poorly understood. This study systematically assessed the influence of three non-phonetic factors on the intelligibility of sung words in six public concerts in different venues: word predictability from sentence context, type of masker noise (spoken babble, sung vowels, [∫(w)]), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Stimuli were sung live by a professional a cappella ensemble with one male singing target sentences and five others (two female) producing the masker sounds. The concert audiences (N = 319) reported the final word of each sentence using a handheld voting device, from four phonetically- and semantically-controlled written alternatives projected onto a screen after the sentence was sung. Although overall accuracy differed between performances, intelligibility patterns were robust across concerts. They included predicted main effects of masker noise type ([∫(w)] masking least disruptive, babble most), SNR (high > low), semantic predictability (high > low), listener age (young > old), and listener language status (native > non-native), and some strong interactions. These results suggest that, despite acoustic differences between sung and spoken words and the unusual and varied experimental venues, key findings from traditional speech research apply to sung words, given appropriate musical composition.

The relationship of speech intelligibility with hearing sensitivity, cognition, and perceived hearing difficulties varies for different speech perception tests

Listeners vary in their ability to understand speech in noisy environments. Hearing sensitivity, as measured by pure-tone audiometry, can only partly explain these results, and cognition has emerged as another key concept. Although cognition relates to speech perception, the exact nature of the relationship remains to be fully understood. This study investigates how different aspects of cognition, particularly working memory and attention, relate to speech intelligibility for various tests. Perceptual accuracy of speech perception represents just one aspect of functioning in a listening environment. Activity and participation limits imposed by hearing loss, in addition to the demands of a listening environment, are also important and may be better captured by self-report questionnaires. Understanding how speech perception relates to self-reported aspects of listening forms the second focus of the study. Forty-four listeners aged between 50 and 74 years with mild sensorineural hearing loss were tested on speech perception tests differing in complexity from low (phoneme discrimination in quiet), to medium (digit triplet perception in speech-shaped noise) to high (sentence perception in modulated noise); cognitive tests of attention, memory, and non-verbal intelligence quotient; and self-report questionnaires of general health-related and hearing-specific quality of life. Hearing sensitivity and cognition related to intelligibility differently depending on the speech test: neither was important for phoneme discrimination, hearing sensitivity alone was important for digit triplet perception, and hearing and cognition together played a role in sentence perception. Self-reported aspects of auditory functioning were correlated with speech intelligibility to different degrees, with digit triplets in noise showing the richest pattern. The results suggest that intelligibility tests can vary in their auditory and cognitive demands and their sensitivity to the challenges that auditory environments pose on functioning.

Predictors of changes in daily alcohol consumption in the aftermath of military deployment

BACKGROUND

Several studies have documented factors related to increase in alcohol consumption in the context of stressful experiences. However, little is known about predictors of different courses of alcohol use in this context. This study aims to investigate diverse predictors and correlates of increase and decrease of average daily alcohol consumption (aDAC) in the aftermath of military deployment taking into account a variety of potentially relevant factors.

METHODS

N=358 soldiers were examined before (T1) and 12 months after return from deployment (T2) using standardized interviews. Change in aDAC was categorized into decreased (n=72), stable (n=215) and increased (n=71) aDAC.

RESULTS

Overall, aDAC did not change significantly between T1 and T2 (median change=0.0 g, inter quartile range=11.3g). Compared to stable aDAC, increase was characterized by a lower proportion of high-educated individuals (OR: 0.3 (0.1-0.7), p=0.008), lower rank (marginally significant: OR: 2.0 (1.0-4.1), p=0.050), and less acceptance (trend: MR: 0.97 (0.93-1.00), p=0.053). Correlates of increased aDAC were less social support (MR: 0.84 (0.71-0.99), p=0.043), more sleeping problems (MR: 1.15 (1.00-1.31), p=0.045) and more negative post-event cognitions following deployment (MR: 2.32 (1.28-4.21), p=0.006). Decrease in aDAC was predicted by lower PTSD symptom severity before deployment (MR: 0.34 (0.16-0.72), p=0.005) and less childhood emotional neglect (marginally significant: MR: 0.78 (0.60-1.00), p=0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

Increase and decrease in alcohol use after stressful experiences might have differential risk factors and correlates. Findings might stimulate future research that could result in improved measures to prevent increases as well as in interventions that could foster decreases in alcohol consumption in the context of stressful experiences.

The role of stimulus complexity, spectral overlap, and pitch for gap-detection thresholds in young and old listeners

Thresholds for detecting a gap between two complex tones were determined for young listeners with normal hearing and old listeners with mild age-related hearing loss. The leading tonal marker was always a 20-ms, 250-Hz complex tone with energy at 250, 500, 750, and 1000 Hz. The lagging marker, also tonal, could differ from the leading marker with respect to fundamental frequency (f0), the presence versus absence of energy at f0, and the degree to which it overlapped spectrally with the leading marker. All stimuli were presented with steeper (1 ms) and less steep (4 ms) envelope rise and fall times. F0 differences, decreases in the degree of spectral overlap between the markers, and shallower envelope shape all contributed to increases in gap-detection thresholds. Age differences for gap detection of complex sounds were generally small and constant when gap-detection thresholds were measured on a log scale. When comparing the results for complex sounds to thresholds obtained for pure-tones in a previous study by Heinrich and Schneider [(2006). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119, 2316-2326], thresholds increased in an orderly fashion from markers with identical (within-channel) pure tones to different (between-channel) pure tones to complex sounds. This pattern of results was true for listeners of both ages although younger listeners had smaller thresholds overall.

Darstellung und Schwingungsspektren von Alkyl-und Rhodanohydrohexaboraten / Preparation and Vibrational Spectra of Alkyl and Rhodano Hydrohexaborates

Treatment of B6H6 2- with iodoalkanes and (SCN)2 in organic solvents affords the monosubstituted protonated hexaborates RB6H6 -, R = CH3, C2H5< C3H7, C4H9, C8H17 and SCN, respectively. The acidity constants of these weak Brönsted acids range for the alkylated species from 8.8 to 9.6, and for R = SCN the pka value is ~5. From basic solutions the salts Cs2RB6H5 can be precipitated, which show band patterns in the IR and Raman spectra typical for monosubstituted hydrohexaborates. The protonated compounds RB6H6 - are distinguished from the corresponding Brönsted bases RB6H5 2- by a high frequency shift of the BH stretching vibrations in the order of 100 cm-1. For Cs2(SCN)B6H5, S coordination of SCN- is supposed because of the high frequency of νCN: 2144 cm-1.

11B-NMR-Spektren von Alkyl-, Halogeno- und Rhodanohydrohexaboraten / 11B NMR Spectra of Alkyl-, Halogeno- and Rhodanohydrohexaborates

The temperature dependence of the 11B NMR spectra of the monosubstituted and protonated c/oso-hexaborates RB6H6 -, R=CH3, C2H5, C3H7, C4H9 C8H17, (SCN)B6H6 - and XB6H6 X = Cl. Br. I, has been determined in the range 180-300 K. The extra proton migrates at higher temperatures intramolecularly, probably across the edges of the B6 core. The extra proton is fixed to a facet of the octahedron below the coalescence temperatures 240 K (RB6H6 -) and 210 K (XB6H6 -) as recognized by the splitting of the signal of the equatorial B atoms due to the lowering of the symmetry from C4v to Cs . From the spin-spin coupling it can be deduced that the proton prefers with the softer Brönsted acids RB6H6 - facets adjacent to the substituent, while with the stronger Brönsted acids XB6H6 - facets including the antipodal B atom are occupied.

Oxidationsreaktionen an ΧnB6Η6-n 2-, Χ = Cl, Br, I; n = 1-6 und Kristallstrukturen von [(n-C4H9)4N]B6I6 und [(n-C4H9)4N]2B6I6 / Oxidation Reactions on XnB6H6-n 2-, X = Cl, Br, I; n = 1-6, and Crystal Structures of [(n-C4H9)4N]B6I6 and [(n-C4H9)4N],B6I6

By cyclic voltammetry investigations in acetonitrile solution it has been shown, that the halogenohydrohexaborates X„B6H6-n 2-, X = Cl, Br, I; n = 1-6, undergo a one-electron oxidation to form the corresponding radical anions. The reactions are completely reversible only for the perhalogenated ions B6X6 2- and for trans-Br4Β6Η2 2-. The oxidation by Ce(IV) in CH3CN yields deep blue B6I6, orange B6Br6- and yellow green B6Cl6-, characterized by their UV-VIS, IR/Raman spectra and by magnetic measurements. The crystal structures of the paramagnetic, air-stable, blue-black [(n-C4H9)4N]B6I6 (I) and the diamagnetic, colourless [(n-C4H9)4N]2B6I6 (II) were determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. I is monoclinic, space group P21/c, with a = 14.398(7), b = 14.638(3), c = 16.511(6) Å, β = 109.24(1)° (at —50°C), containing two crystallographically independent centrosymmetric B6 entities, which are strongly distorted with B— B bond lengths between 1.63 and 1.91 and I— I between 2.02 and 2.22 A. II is monoclinic, space group P21, with a = 11.246(3), b = 15.576(4), c = 14.900(4) Å, β = 92.10(1)° (at 23 °C) and contains nearly regular octahedral anions with bond lengths B—B 1.64-1.68 and B—I 2.17-2.21 A.

Higher precision level at individual laying performance tests in noncage housing systems

With the Weihenstephan funnel nest box, 12 laying hen flocks were tested for their individual laying performance, egg quality, and nesting behavior in a noncage environment. During the whole observation period of 8 yr, a transponder-based data recording system was continuously improved and resulted in a recording accuracy of 97%. At peak production, heritabilities for the number of eggs laid are in some flocks higher than expected. With improved data accuracy, heritability estimates on individual egg weights are more stable. Heritabilities for nesting behavior traits range between a low to moderate level, providing very useful information for laying hen selection to help improve traits that cannot be recorded in cages. Over the years, the benefits of the Weihenstephan funnel nest box for laying hen breeders have grown. This is due to higher data recording accuracies and extended testing capacities, which result in more reliable genetic parameters.

Event-related potentials indicating impaired emotional attention in cerebellar stroke--a case study

The cerebellum has been implicated in affective and attentional processes, but little is known about corresponding neural signatures. We investigated early and late components of event-related potentials (ERPs) to emotionally arousing pictures, with and without competing attentional tasks, in a patient with an ischemic right posterior cerebellar infarction, at two months post infarct and two year follow-up. The early posterior negativity (EPN) response to highly arousing emotional cues in the competing visual attention condition revealed that the augmentation over occipital areas, as typically seen in normals, was absent post-infarct but was restored after two years. The late positive potentials (LPP) response to highly arousing emotional cues showed augmentation over frontal areas post-infarct, and over centro-parietal regions after two years. These ERP findings suggest a specific pattern of disruption of neural function associated with emotional-behavioral disturbances following cerebellar lesions, which can revert to normal with long term recovery.