Singleton consonant onset acquisition in monolingual Granada Spanish-speaking preschoolers with typical versus protracted phonological development: Impacts of word structure and feature constraints.

While consonant acquisition clearly requires mastery of different articulatory configurations (segments), sub-segmental features and suprasegmental contexts influence both order of acquisition and mismatch (error) patterns (Bérubé, Bernhardt, Stemberger & Ciocca, 2020). Constraints-based nonlinear phonology provides a comprehensive framework for investigating the impact of sub- and suprasegmental impacts on acquisition (Bernhardt & Stemberger, 1998). The current study adopted such a framework in order to investigate these questions for Granada Spanish. Single-word samples of monolingual preschoolers in Granada (29 typically developing; 30 with protracted phonological development) were transcribed by native Spanish speakers in consultation with an international team. Beta regression analyses showed significant effects of age, developmental group, and word structure variables (word length, stress, position of consonants and syllables within the word); salience, markedness and/or frequency across the phonological hierarchy accounted for many patterns. The study further demonstrates the impacts of sub- and suprasegmental constraints of the phonological system on consonant acquisition.

New Drug Design Avenues Targeting Alzheimer's Disease by Pharmacoinformatics-Aided Tools.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) have been of great interest to scientists for a long time due to their multifactorial character. Among these pathologies, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is of special relevance, and despite the existence of approved drugs for its treatment, there is still no efficient pharmacological therapy to stop, slow, or repair neurodegeneration. Existing drugs have certain disadvantages, such as lack of efficacy and side effects. Therefore, there is a real need to discover new drugs that can deal with this problem. However, as AD is multifactorial in nature with so many physiological pathways involved, the most effective approach to modulate more than one of them in a relevant manner and without undesirable consequences is through polypharmacology. In this field, there has been significant progress in recent years in terms of pharmacoinformatics tools that allow the discovery of bioactive molecules with polypharmacological profiles without the need to spend a long time and excessive resources on complex experimental designs, making the drug design and development pipeline more efficient. In this review, we present from different perspectives how pharmacoinformatics tools can be useful when drug design programs are designed to tackle complex diseases such as AD, highlighting essential concepts, showing the relevance of artificial intelligence and new trends, as well as different databases and software with their main results, emphasizing the importance of coupling wet and dry approaches in drug design and development processes.

La resonancia del cante flamenco: un estudio acústico y comparativo con el canto clásico / The resonance in flamenco singing: An acoustic and comparative study with classical singing

En la evaluación vocal del cantante no basta con diagnosticar si existe resonancia, sino qué cualidad tiene. Una voz resonada tiene un amplio contenido armónico y puede lograrse con técnicas diversas. Objetivo: Validar la hipótesis del tenor Alfredo Krauss, que plantea que el cantaor flamenco utiliza los senos paranasales con objeto de naturalizar el sonido, denominándola «técnica de la i», pues se logra igualando los sonidos al de esta vocal. Tradujimos esta hipótesis a parámetros acústicos utilizando la singing power ratio (SPR) como medida de resonancia de diferentes vocales. Método: La muestra se dividió en: a)grupo experimental flamenco (GEF), compuesto por 23 cantaores reclutados en la Fundación Cristina Heeren de arte flamenco, en la escuela de flamenco El Garrotín y en la escuela Reina Sofía de Granada, y b)grupo control clásico (GCC), compuesto por 21 cantantes clásicos de los conservatorios superiores de música Cristóbal de Morales de Sevilla y Victoria Eugenia de Granada. Todos los participantes contaban con más de dos años de práctica. Se calculó el SPR en fonación sostenida cantada con el algoritmo de la transformada rápida de Fourier para las vocales /a/, /i/, /u/ y se realizó una comparativa entre grupos mediante un ANOVA. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas exclusivamente en la vocal /i/, donde el GEF obtuvo mayores valores de resonancia que el GCC (con una diferencia de hasta 7dB). Conclusiones: El apoyo del sonido en la vocal /i/ indica cómo colocan el tracto vocal los cantaores para amplificar su sonido, tal y como postula Krauss. Por tanto, la técnica de colocación en el flamenco difiere de la del clásico

In a singer's vocal assessment it is not sufficient to diagnose the existence of resonance without also specifying its quality. A resonated voice has a broad harmonic content and can be achieved in many ways. Objective: To analyze and validate Alfredo Krauss's hypothesis on the use of paranasal sinuses by flamenco singers, in order to naturalize voice sound, also called "/i/ technique", equalizing all sounds based on this vowel. We translated this hypothesis into acoustic parameters using Singing Power Ratio (SPR) as a resonance measure of different vowels. Method: Participants were divided into: a)Flamenco Experimental Group (FEG), 23 flamenco singers recruited from the Cristina Heeren Foundation in Seville, Garrotín Flamenco School and Reina Sofía Flamenco School in Granada, and b)Classical Control Group (CCG), 21 classical singers from the Cristobal de Morales conservatory in Seville and Victoria Eugenia conservatory in Granada. All the participants had over 2 years of experience. The SPR was calculated in sustained phonation tasks using Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) algorithm for the vowels /a/, /i/, /u/. A comparative assessment between the groups was made using ANOVA. Results: Significant differences were found only in /i/, where the FEG obtained higher resonance values than CCG (up to 7bB difference). Conclusions: Sound support in the vowel /i/ indicates how flamenco singers place vocal tract to amplify voice sound during singing, as Krauss suggests. Therefore, flamenco singers' resonance technique differs from the classical

Word-initial rhotic clusters in Spanish-speaking preschoolers in Chile and Granada, Spain.

The current paper describes Spanish acquisition of rhotic onset clusters. Data are also provided on related singleton taps/trills and /l/ as a singleton and in clusters. Participants included 9 typically developing (TD) toddlers and 30 TD preschoolers in Chile, and 30 TD preschoolers and 29 with protracted phonological development (PPD) in Granada, Spain. Results showed age and developmental group effects. Preservation of cluster timing units preceded segmental accuracy, especially in stressed syllables. Tap clusters versus singleton trills were variable in order of mastery, some children mastering clusters first, and others, the trill. Rhotics were acquired later than /l/. In early development, mismatches (errors) involved primarily deletion of taps; where substitutions occurred, [j] frequently replaced tap. In later development, [l] more frequently replaced tap; where taps did occur, vowel epenthesis sometimes occurred. The data serve as a criterion reference database for onset cluster acquisition in Chilean and Granada Spanish.

Assessment of full-scale biological nutrient removal systems upgraded with physico-chemical processes for the removal of emerging pollutants present in wastewaters from Mexico.

Two full-scale biological nutrient removal systems upgraded with three physico-chemical processes (coagulation, chemical precipitation, and neutral Fenton) were evaluated in order to determine the removal of emerging pollutants (EPs) present in municipal wastewater from Mexico. Between 41 and 55 EPs were detected in the influents of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), including personal care products (PPCPs), antibiotics, analgesics, antiepileptics, antilipidemics, antihypertensives, antiseptics, stimulants, and hormones. Emerging pollutants were detected at concentrations ranging from 0.69ng/L to 94,600ng/L. High concentrations of emerging pollutants were found during dry season. WWTP 1, integrated by oxidation ditches and UV light lamps, showed removal efficiencies of EPs between 20% and 22%. On the other hand, WWTP 2 consisted of anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic tanks coupled with two disinfection processes; chlorine dioxide and UV light lamps, for which the removal of EPs was significant (up to 80%). The concentrations of emerging pollutants in WWTP 1 effluent was found within a range

Grammatical comprehension in Spanish-speaking children with specific language impairment (SLI)

The Grammatical Structures Comprehension Test (CEG) was used to analyze grammatical comprehension problems in native Spanish-speaking children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI). The test is divided into 20 blocks containing the most common grammatical structures in Spanish. Our objective was to establish whether the CEG was sensitive in detecting these problems and whether there were differential patterns in grammatical comprehension between children with SLI (14 participants) and two control groups: a chronological control group (CC) with 14 participants and a linguistic control group (LC) also with 14 participants. We found significant differences between the SLI group and the chronological control participants (Box’s M = 63.080, F = 1, 159, p = .238), with a correct classification rate of 85.7 % in the discriminant function analysis. These differences did not occur in all the blocks, in which we identified a range of different performance patterns that varied according to the structures being analyzed. This work helps to clarify certain questions about grammatical comprehension in children with SLI and contributes to the debate on delay vs. «delay within the delay» (AU)

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Grammatical Comprehension in Spanish-speaking children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI).

The Grammatical Structures Comprehension Test (CEG) was used to analyze grammatical comprehension problems in native Spanish-speaking children with Specific Language Impairment (SLI). The test is divided into 20 blocks containing the most common grammatical structures in Spanish. Our objective was to establish whether the CEG was sensitive in detecting these problems and whether there were differential patterns in grammatical comprehension between children with SLI (14 participants) and two control groups: a chronological control group (CC) with 14 participants and a linguistic control group (LC) also with 14 participants. We found significant differences between the SLI group and the chronological control participants (Box's M = 63.080, F = 1, 159, p = .238), with a correct classification rate of 85.7 % in the discriminant function analysis. These differences did not occur in all the blocks, in which we identified a range of different performance patterns that varied according to the structures being analyzed. This work helps to clarify certain questions about grammatical comprehension in children with SLI and contributes to the debate on delay vs. "delay within the delay".

Anatomical root variations in response to water deficit: wild and domesticated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L).

Root anatomical responses to water deficit are diverse and regulation of water uptake strongly depends on plant anatomy. The ancestors of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars are the wild common beans. Because wild beans adapt and survive well in the natural environment, it is hypothesized that wild common bean roots are less affected than those of domesticated beans at low substrate water potential (ψW). A wild common bean accession from Chihuahua Mexico and cv. Bayomex were studied. Seedlings with a mean root length between 3 and 4 cm were maintained for 24 h in vermiculite at ψW of -0.03 (well hydrated), -0.65, -1.48 and -2.35 MPa (partially dry). Ten anatomical characteristics of differentiation and cell division in root regions were evaluated. Thickness of epidermis and protoderm diminished similarly in wild and domesticated beans growing at low substrate ψW (between -0.65 and -2.35 MPa). At the same time, parenchymatic cell area diminished by 71 % in the domesticated variety, but by only 32 % in the wild bean at -2.35 MPa. The number of cells in the cortex and the thickness of the xylem wall increased in both wild and domesticated beans at low substrate ψW; nevertheless, the effect was significantly lower in the wild bean. The number of xylem vessels increased in the cultivar (up to 40 %) while in the wild bean it decreased (up to 33 %). The diameter of xylem vessels and transverse root area diminished (15 and 57 %, respectively) in the cultivar, but in the wild common bean were not affected. Anatomical root characteristics and their modifications in both differentiation and cell division in root regions demonstrated that the wild bean reacted quite differently to substrate ψW than the domesticated common bean.

Anatomical root variations in response to water deficit: wild and domesticated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L)

Root anatomical responses to water deficit are diverse and regulation of water uptake strongly depends on plant anatomy. The ancestors of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars are the wild common beans. Because wild beans adapt and survive well in theon atural environment, it is hypothesized that wild common bean roots are less affected than those of domesticated beans at low substrate water potential (ψW). A wild common bean accession from Chihuahua Mexico and cv. Bayomex were studied. Seedlings with a mean root length between 3 and 4 cm were maintained for 24 h in vermiculite at ψW of -0.03 (well hydrated), -0.65, -1.48 and -2.35 MPa (partially dry). Ten anatomical characteristics of differentiation and cell division in root regions were evaluated. Thickness of epidermis and protoderm diminished similarly in wild and domesticated beans growing at low substrate ψW (between -0.65 and -2.35 MPa). At the same time, parenchymatic cell area diminished by 71 percent in the domesticated variety, but by only 32 percent in the wild bean at -2.35 MPa. Theon umber of cells in the cortex and the thickness of the xylem wall increased in both wild and domesticated beans at low substrate ψW;on evertheless, the effect was significantly lower in the wild bean. Theon umber of xylem vessels increased in the cultivar (up to 40 percent) while in the wild bean it decreased (up to 33 percent). The diameter of xylem vessels and transverse root area diminished (15 and 57 percent, respectively) in the cultivar, but in the wild common bean wereon ot affected. Anatomical root characteristics and their modifications in both differentiation and cell division in root regions demonstrated that the wild bean reacted quite differently to substrate ψW than the domesticated common bean.

Morfología verbal: estudio de las irregularizaciones de pseudoverbos en niños españoles / Verbal morphology: study of the irregulatization of novel verbs in spanish children

El objetivo de esta investigación ha sido determinar algunos factores que pueden explicar las inconsistencias encontradas en los modelos y tipos de regularización e irregularización de verbos en español. Hemos generado una relación de pseudoverbos a partir de la manipulación fonológica de doce verbos que hacen irregular el presente de indicativo (seis de alta y seis de baja frecuencia) y se la hemos presentado a los sujetos experimentales (117 niños/as de los cursos escolares comprendidos entre 2º y 6º de educación primaria) para que, ante la presentación de cada pseudoverbo en infinitivo dijeran la primera persona del singular de dicho pseudoverbo (ej., de tember - tembo o tiembo). En general, los resultados que hemos obtenido indican que: a) el número de irregularizaciones disminuye a medida que avanza el curso escolar, b) se emiten más veces como irregulares los verbos de alta que los de baja frecuencia de uso, c) el número de irregularizaciones depende de la proporción entre la frecuencia categorial (type) y la frecuencia de uso (token). Si esta proporción es alta se adopta con mayor probabilidad la forma irregular del pseudoverbo que la forma regular, lo contrario que sucede en el caso de que esta proporción sea baja y d) el número de irregularizaciones depende de la similitud fonológica entre el pseudoverbo y el verbo-origen. Se interpretan los resultados en términos de las demandas de procesamiento que requieren la adopción de las formas regulares e irregulares de pseudoverbos o de verbos desconocidos (AU)