Search Results (3,337)

Stuttering, a complex and multifactorial speech disorder, has long presented an enigma regarding its etiology. While earlier approaches often emphasized psychosocial influences, historical clinical and speech-language strategies have considered multiple contributing factors. By integrating genomic, transcriptomic and phenomic evidence, the ongoing research illustrates how functional genomics can unravel the biological architecture of complex speech disorders. In particular, advances in omic technologies have unequivocally positioned genetics and underlying biological pathways at the forefront of stuttering research. I have experienced stuttering and lived with it since my early childhood. This perspective article presents findings from omic studies, highlighting relevant aspects such as gene discoveries, implicated cellular mechanisms, and the intricate genetic architecture of developmental stuttering. As a person who stutters, I offer an intimate perspective on how these scientific insights are not merely academic but profoundly impactful for the affected community. A multi-omic integration strategy, combining large-scale genetic discovery with deep phenotyping and functional validation, is advocated to accelerate understanding in this field. Additionally, a bibliometric analysis using an international database was conducted to map trends and identify directions in stuttering research within the omic context. Ultimately, these scientific endeavors hold the potential to inform not only personalized interventions but also critical policy and regulatory changes, enhancing accessibility, support, and the recognized rights of people who stutter. Full article

As Taiwan’s population ages, traditional filial piety expectations face modernization challenges, yet few studies examine how emergent adults linguistically negotiate these cultural tensions digitally. This study addresses this gap by analyzing how emerging adults in Taiwan express and reinterpret filial obligations toward aging parents through online discourse. Emerging adults represent a particularly meaningful demographic because they straddle traditional filial norms and modern independence, making their language use a valuable indicator of cultural transition. We analyzed 1976 Dcard posts from 30 discussion threads (2017–2023) using computational linguistics. LIWC-22 assessed emotional expression patterns, while Sketch Engine conducted keyness analysis and collocation mapping around filial care keywords. Posts were compared against Chinese web corpus norms. Quantitative emotion analysis revealed dominant positive emotions (M = 3.93) alongside significant negative emotions (M = 3.30), with anger and sadness exceeding broader Chinese online communication norms. Keyness analysis identified economic concerns as central themes. Collocation analysis around “filial piety” showed associations with “limits”, “willingness”, and “define”, indicating conditional rather than absolute conceptualization. Findings indicate that emerging adults in Taiwan reinterpret filial piety through reciprocal emotional bonds rather than strict hierarchical duty, negotiating traditional expectations with contemporary economic realities and personal autonomy. The implications of these findings highlight how cultural values adapt in response to modernization and digital communication, offering insight into evolving intergenerational relationships and informing future cross-cultural aging and caregiving research. Full article

Background: African American (AA)/Black and Latinx communities have limited access to evidence-based fall prevention programs such as Tai Chi Prime (TCP). Community-led interventions that incorporate peer support are cost-effective and sustainable. Using the Treatment Fidelity Framework (TFF) and a mixed-methods research approach, we evaluated the training and support given to trainees during the TCP leader training pathway process and their subsequent fidelity in delivering six culturally tailored community courses. Methods: Trainees completed feedback forms after each TCP leader training pathway course. Using a fidelity checklist, a TCP master trainer rated six community TCP classes led by race- and language-concordant leaders. Trainees were invited to participate in virtual one-on-one semi-structured interviews to share their perspectives on the appropriateness and relevance of the TCP leader training pathway and their experience leading community TCP classes. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics on Microsoft Excel. Three study team members coded qualitative data using directed content analysis approach. Results: Twenty-five candidates enrolled in the TCP leader training. Forty-eight percent identified as AA/Black while 52% identified as Latinx. Eleven trainees (six AA/Black and five Latinx) completed the entire TCP leader training pathway to become certified TCP leaders. Trainees rated the training process as highly satisfactory and appropriate. Leaders from both communities received high fidelity scores for community course delivery. Conclusions: Findings contribute to the existing literature, particularly regarding how to effectively disseminate and evaluate a culturally tailored TCP leader training and certification process for culturally diverse communities while maintaining fidelity to the curriculum. Full article

Fresnel wave surfaces, or isofrequency light shells, provide a powerful framework for describing electromagnetic wave propagation in anisotropic media, yet their applicability is restricted to reciprocal, lossless materials and far-field radiation. This paper extends the concept by incorporating near-field effects and non-Hermitian responses arising in media with loss, gain, or non-reciprocity. Using the Om-potential approach to macroscopic electromagnetism, we reinterpret near fields as off-shell electromagnetic modes, in analogy with off-shell states in quantum field theory. Formally, both QFT off-shell states and electromagnetic near-field modes lie away from the dispersion shell; physically, however, wavefunctions of fundamental particles admit no external sources (virtual contributions live only inside propagators), whereas macroscopic electromagnetic near-fields are intrinsically source-generated by charges, currents, and boundaries and are therefore directly measurable—for example via near-field probes and momentum-resolved imaging—making “off-shell” language more natural and operational in our setting. We show that photonic density of states (PDOS) distributions near Fresnel surfaces acquire Lorentzian broadening in non-reciprocal media, directly linking this effect to the Beer–Bouguer–Lambert law of exponential attenuation or amplification. Furthermore, we demonstrate how Abraham and Minkowski momenta, locked to light shells in the far field, naturally shift to characterize source structures in the near-field regime. This unified treatment bridges the gap between sources and radiation, on-shell and off-shell modes, and reciprocal and non-reciprocal responses. The framework provides both fundamental insight into structured light and practical tools for the design of emitters and metamaterial platforms relevant to emerging technologies such as 6G communications, photonic density-of-states engineering, and non-Hermitian photonics. Full article

Some large language models (LLMs) are open source and are therefore fully open for scientific study. However, many LLMs are proprietary, and their internals are hidden, which hinders the ability of the research community to study their behavior under controlled conditions. For instance, the token input embedding specifies an internal vector representation of each token used by the model. If the token input embedding is hidden, latent semantic information about the set of tokens is unavailable to researchers. This article presents a general and flexible method for prompting an LLM to reveal its token input embedding, even if this information is not published with the model. Moreover, this article provides strong theoretical justification—a mathematical proof for generic LLMs—for why this method should be expected to work. If the LLM can be prompted systematically and certain benign conditions about the quantity of data collected from the responses are met, the topology of the token embedding is recovered. With this method in hand, we demonstrate its effectiveness by recovering the token subspace of the Llemma-7BLLM. We demonstrate the flexibility of this method by performing the recovery at three different times, each using the same algorithm applied to different information collected from the responses. While the prompting can be a performance bottleneck depending on the size and complexity of the LLM, the recovery runs within a few hours on a typical workstation. The results of this paper apply not only to LLMs but also to general nonlinear autoregressive processes. Full article

Although prosody plays a critical role in early language acquisition, the effects of prosodic training on language outcomes during infancy remain unexplored. This study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a prosodic training program. Thirty-three children aged 6 to 36 months attended 23 weekly group sessions in their educational setting. Language development was assessed pre- and post-training using the Griffiths III Language and Communication subscale. Results showed a significant shift in the discrepancy between developmental and chronological age, with mean scores increasing from below-age to above-age expected levels. Educators and caregivers reported high satisfaction, language gains, and strong engagement. Full article

Part of the relics of colonialism on the African continent is the loss of social identity caused by the adoption of colonial languages, leading to the endangered status of indigenous African languages. This qualitative study examines the potential and challenges of podcasting in indigenous African languages, with a focus on Yoruba. We conducted a sentiment analysis of the podcast “I Speak Yoruba Too” and “learn Yoruba online” to assess the range of audience feedback on the podcast. 735 data points were gathered and preprocessed, Hugging face transformers were used to analyse the sentiments on audience feedback. The result of the analysis shows that the negative reviews were 183, the neutral reviews 226, and the positive reviews 326. The visualisation of the word cloud of the labels shows the words frequently used in the reviews, revealing the challenges and the appreciation of the commenter. An in-depth interview was conducted with the host of the “I Speak Yoruba Too” podcast and the “learn Yoruba online Podcast”. The findings reveal that part of the challenges of podcasting include the absence of a standard Yoruba curriculum for foreign learners and time constraints. This paper argues that the deterministic nature of podcast technology offers opportunities to content creators and listeners, based on the medium’s flexibility and ease of access in facilitating language acquisition. Audience reviews and interview results also confirm the potential of the podcast to generate community building and social identity formation among learners. However, the monetisation of such digital products is often underexplored by both emerging and established podcasters. Full article

Background: Older adults are highly vulnerable to infectious diseases due to immunosenescence, multimorbidity, and atypical presentations. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising opportunities to improve diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and continuity of care in this population. This review summarizes current applications of AI in the management of infections in older adults across diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic, and preventive domains. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of peer-reviewed studies retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on AI-based tools for infection diagnosis, risk prediction, antimicrobial stewardship, prevention of healthcare-associated infections, and post-discharge care in individuals aged ≥65 years. Results: AI models, including machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing techniques, have demonstrated high performance in detecting infections such as sepsis, pneumonia, and healthcare-associated infections (Area Under the Curve AUC up to 0.98). Prognostic algorithms integrating frailty and functional status enhance the prediction of mortality, complications, and readmission. AI-driven clinical decision support systems contribute to optimized antimicrobial therapy and timely interventions, while remote monitoring and telemedicine applications support safer hospital-to-home transitions and reduced 30-day readmissions. However, the implementation of these technologies is limited by the underrepresentation of frail older adults in training datasets, lack of real-world validation in geriatric settings, and the insufficient explainability of many models. Additional barriers include system interoperability issues and variable digital infrastructure, particularly in long-term care and community settings. Conclusions: AI has strong potential to support predictive and personalized infection management in older adults. Future research should focus on developing geriatric-specific, interpretable models, improving system integration, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure safe and equitable implementation. Full article

Indigenous Peoples have developed and stewarded complex knowledge systems that have contributed to thriving societies. With continued threats to Indigenous lifeways, there is increasing need to further protect traditional ecological knowledges (TEK). We carried out a qualitative study to explore Indigenous community perspectives on stewarding and protecting TEK while identifying gaps in community-level protections of TEK. We conducted ten semi-structured interviews in December 2024 and one focus group in January 2025 with Indigenous Peoples in the southwestern United States. Reflexive thematic analysis through open coding was carried out using qualitative software. Six overarching themes were characterized in the interviews, which overlapped with findings from the focus group, including the following: (1) Historical and current barriers impact the sharing of TEK; (2) Preserving our language is necessary for intergenerational transmission of our TEK; (3) Our TEK reveals changes to our Lands; (4) Protecting our Lands and medicines is vital to our health; (5) We must take the time to learn our TEK for future generations; and (6) We need to protect our TEK. Our research highlights the importance of supporting Indigenous communities’ capacities to protect their TEK for personal, community, and environmental well-being. Full article

The study of dialects leads very naturally to the study of their geographic distribution and the nature of the distribution, e.g., by examining whether the distribution is based simply on geographic distance or on relatively distinct dialect regions. Dialectal dynamics poses the further question of why the distribution takes the form it does. Does variation arise through migration, i.e., due to the relative lack of communication among people who live far from one another? Sociolinguists have shown convincingly that variation is often employed to indicate identification with others, leading to the adoption of speech habits and changes in the distribution of variation. Purely linguistic processes may push some varieties toward change while others are more resistant, and contact with other languages and dialects, including particularly standard languages, almost inevitably results in changes. This volume examines studies in the area of dialectal dynamics, including studies focused on methods that promise to illuminate this complex field. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study examines the impact of long-term institutionalization on the linguistic and communicative abilities of people diagnosed with schizophrenia, focusing on the influence of educational background. Schizophrenia is characterized by cognitive and social deficits, including disruptions to language use and communicative engagement. Prolonged institutionalization can exacerbate these impairments by depriving individuals of essential social interactions and cognitive stimulation. Methods: A case series approach was employed with 18 participants, and validated assessment tools such as the Montreal Evaluation of Communication and the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Test were used to measure communicative performance. Results: Participants with higher educational attainment (nine or more years of schooling) who had been institutionalized for ten years or more exhibited significantly better performance than their less-educated counterparts across various communication domains, including comprehension of linguistic prosody, lexical fluency, and auditory comprehension. This implies that completing a higher degree may mitigate the cognitive decline impact of prolonged stays in an institution. However, the study design does not allow us to ascertain whether education functions as a mitigating factor. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of incorporating educational considerations into therapeutic strategies for individuals with schizophrenia, especially those experiencing long-term institutionalization. Providing enhanced educational opportunities within institutional settings could mitigate the adverse effects of prolonged confinement and foster improved communication and social skills. These findings are consistent with research on cognitive reserve, which suggests that education fosters adaptive strategies and the utilization of alternative neural pathways. This enables individuals to maintain communication skills despite the cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. Full article

Grounded in a sociocultural theory, this study investigates how distinct interaction scenarios influence Chinese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ technology acceptance: perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU), and their willingness to communicate with AI (AI-WTC). A total of 367 university students completed a scenario-based questionnaire measuring PU, PEU, and AI-WTC across four empirically derived scenarios: advisory interaction, language skills support, academic knowledge inquiry, and factual information retrieval. Repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni tests revealed significant scenario effects on all three constructs, though effect sizes were small to moderate. Factual Information Retrieval Scenario consistently received the highest ratings, whereas Academic Knowledge Inquiry and Language Skills Support Scenario scored lowest. A salient divergence emerged in complex scenarios: Advisory Interaction Scenario was rated more useful than Language Skills Support Scenario, yet both elicited equally low willingness to communicate, indicating that perceived usefulness alone may not sustain engagement under high interactional demands. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of AI as a communicative scaffold is not inherent but co-constructed through scenario-specific affordances and constraints. The study contributes a scenario-sensitive framework to TAM and WTC research, providing pedagogical guidance for designing differentiated AI-mediated language tasks. Full article

This longitudinal study examines the acquisition of target-like patterns of phonological variation by 17 second language (L2) French learners during a semester or year of study abroad (SA) in France. In this study, speech data from sociolinguistic interviews conducted before, during, and after the SA period provide evidence for the emergent acquisition of a phonological variable showing sociostylistic variation in first language (L1) speech: the reduction of word-final obstruent-liquid clusters, as in: notre maison [no tʁ(ə) mɛ ʒɔ̃] ~ [not mɛ ʒɔ̃] ‘our house’; c’est incroyable [se tɛ̃ kʁɔ ja bl(ə)] ~ [se tɛ̃ kʁɔ jab] ‘it’s incredible’. Additionally, speech data are compared and correlated with the results of a social network strength scale designed by the researcher for the SA learning context. Results suggest that sociostylistic variation patterns among learners are constrained by linguistic factors similar to those operating on L1 speech, such as lexical effects, and that time in the target language (TL) environment is a significant predictor of variation. Results also demonstrate that although social network strength is not a significant predictor of variation at a group level, speaker gender is, and learner patterns reflect the gendered speech norms of the TL community. Full article

Background/Objectives: The voice is often perceived as a natural and spontaneous means of communication, but it involves complex interactions among physiological, psychological, and environmental factors. For teachers, whose profession relies heavily on vocal use, understanding and managing vocal strain is crucial. This study investigates the correlation between ambient noise levels in classrooms and teachers’ self-assessed voice-related quality of life, as measured by the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). The focus is on how classroom acoustics affect vocal health, considering the high incidence of vocal fatigue among educators. Methods: A pilot exploratory study was conducted from September 2022 to November 2022 involving four primary school teachers (two language and two science) from an Italian primary school. Classroom noise levels were recorded using the “Listen Responsibly” app at intervals during lessons. Following each lesson, teachers completed the VHI questionnaire to evaluate their voice-related quality of life. Statistical analyses included simple and multiple linear regressions, logistic regression, and Spearman’s correlation to assess the relationships between noise levels and VHI scores. Results: The study yielded 60 observations categorized into VHI Grade 1 (0–30) and Grade 2 (31–60). Significant differences were observed in average noise levels between these groups, with Grade 2 exhibiting higher noise levels (p < 0.0001). Simple and multiple linear regression analyses confirmed a positive correlation between average recorded noise and VHI scores, with each unit increase in noise associated with a 0.72 unit increase in VHI score (p < 0.0001). Logistic regression identified average recorded noise > 59.5 dB as a significant predictor of higher VHI grades (p < 0.0001). Spearman’s correlation confirmed a strong positive correlation (ρ = 0.77, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The study demonstrates a significant relationship between increased classroom noise levels and worse voice-related quality of life among teachers. These findings highlight the need for improved acoustic management in schools to reduce vocal strain. Implementing noise reduction strategies and enhancing classroom acoustics can help mitigate vocal health issues among educators, ultimately improving their professional and personal well-being. Full article

Candida krusei empyema is a rare but serious manifestation of invasive candidiasis, characterized by intrinsic resistance to fluconazole, biofilm formation, and high mortality, with limited case-level data to inform management. This review aims to systematically identify and synthesize all reported English-language cases of Candida krusei empyema from January 2005 to June 2025 using PubMed, ScienceDirect, OVID MEDLINE, and Gale OneFile and perform descriptive analysis on them. Screening, data extraction, and eligibility assessment were performed, and those articles not clearly meeting eligibility criteria were reviewed by additional reviewers with consensus resolution. Seven publications (six individual cases and two cohorts) were included. We additionally describe the clinical course, management, and outcome of a 70-year-old bilateral lung transplant patient who developed persistent C. krusei empyema despite optimized antifungal therapy. Patients ranged from 11 to 74 years of age (median 62.5 years). Predisposing factors included esophageal perforation (n = 4), post-transplant hemorrhage (n = 1), community-acquired empyema (n = 1), and thoracic surgery (n = 1). Empiric fluconazole was switched to caspofungin (3/4), with others receiving amphotericin B, voriconazole, or combination therapy. Source control varied: chest tube drainage (n = 3), percutaneous catheter (n = 3), and surgical decortication (n = 2). Mortality was 14.3% (1/7). In the absence of clear guidelines and robust literature, the management approach remains heterogeneous. Optimal care requires early recognition, aggressive multimodal antifungal therapy, and effective source control tailored to patient risk. Standardized antifungal protocols and larger case series are needed to guide clinicians in managing this challenging infection. Full article