Just noticeable differences of open quotient and asymmetry coefficient in singing voice

This study aims to explore the perceptual relevance of the variations of glottal flow parameters and to what extent a small variation can be detected. Just Noticeable Differences (JNDs) have been measured for three values of open quotient (0.4, 0.6, and 0.8) and two values of asymmetry coefficient (2/3 and 0.8), and the effect of changes of vowel, pitch, vibrato, and amplitude parameters has been tested. Two main groups of subjects have been analyzed: a group of 20 untrained subjects and a group of 10 trained subjects. The results show that the JND for open quotient is highly dependent on the target value: an increase of the JND is noticed when the open quotient target value is increased. The relative JND is constant: ΔO_q/O_q = 14% for the untrained and 10% for the trained. In the same way, the JND for asymmetry coefficient is also slightly dependent on the target value–an increase of the asymmetry coefficient value leads to a decrease of the JND. The results show that there is no effect from the selected vowel or frequency (two values have been tested), but that the addition of a vibrato has a small effect on the JND of open quotient. The choice of an amplitude parameter also has a great effect on the JND of open quotient.     

Development and study of novel non-contact ultrasonic motor based on principle of structural asymmetry

The article presents novel design of non-contact rotary ultrasonic motor consisting of ring-shaped stator vibrating in in-plane flexural mode and rotor provided with blades. In contrast to other motors with similar design proposed motor relies on the use of standing ultrasonic waves. This simplifies design and electronic control of motor and becomes possible due to introduction of artificial asymmetry, for example by tilting one or several blades of the rotor relative to the surface normal. Operating principle of the proposed motor is based on acoustic radiation torque exerted on rotor by ultrasonic waves propagating in air or fluid gap between rotor and stator. This torque is calculated using finite element method by means of COMSOL Multiphysics software. Dynamics of rotor is studied using MathCad software and general theory of nonlinear conservative oscillators. Role of asymmetry is explained on the basis of comparative analysis of potential functions and phase trajectories for symmetric and asymmetric cases. It is shown that direction of rotation is determined by structural parameters of motor, particularly tilting direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) of the blades. Conceptual design of motor with bidirectional rotation is described. Direction and velocity of rotation in the proposed conceptual design can be potentially controlled by changing excitation frequency of stator.     

(2R，3R)-和(2S，3S)-2-(4-羟基-3-甲氧基)-3-羟甲基-1，4-苯并二氧六环-6-醛的对映选择性合成

1,4-苯并二氧六环木脂素类天然产物多数具有增加胆碱乙酰化酶和抗肝毒等活性 ,其活性主要源于 1 ,4-苯并二氧六环官能团 [1] . 1 ,4-苯并二氧六环木脂素的消旋全合成已有报道 [2 ] ,但其不对称合成还是空白[3] .我们发展了一条对映选择性合成 1 ,4-苯并二氧六环木脂素的简捷有效的路线 .基于前面的工作 [4 ] ,我们发现 1 ,4-苯并二氧六环醛类衍生物是合成此类天然产物的关键中间体 ,选择 2 - (4-羟基- 3-甲氧基 ) - 3-羟甲基 - 1 ,4-苯并二氧六环 - 6-醛 (1 )作为目标分子 ,其合成路线如下 :Reagents and conditions:( ) Me OH,H2 SO4,9…     

Lateral Phase Mucosal Wave Asymmetries in the Clinical Voice Laboratory

Anecdotally, in some persons it has been observed by the Senior Author (K.K.) that asymmetries of the mucosal wave exist when examined videostroboscopically. In the vast majority of these people, no pathology is ever discovered. Mucosal wave asymmetries could cause concern for the otolaryngologist, who may consider them to be a forewarning of subclinical pathology and subject the patient to unnecessary, expensive, and anxiety-provoking investigations or interventions. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of mucosal wave asymmetries in an asymptomatic population lacking laryngeal pathology. Acoustic spectral analysis is also utilized to determine if the presence of subharmonics might be associated. A hospital-based, cross-sectional study design was used. The subjects had no known vocal or medical pathologies, and were nonsmoking. The study group was composed of 30 males aged 35-50 years and 30 women between 22-55 years. Each of the males underwent acoustic spectral analysis; and all subjects completed a medical questionnaire, subjective talkativeness rating, and videostroboscopic laryngeal examination. 10.5% of the subjects (exact 95% CI = 4.0-21.5%) exhibited mucosal wave variations at stroboscopy, characterized as periodic lateral phase asymmetries found consistently in both the modal and upper registers. There was no association with the chosen acoustic spectral parameters, talkativeness scales, or questionnaire-based variables. Mucosal wave asymmetries may be a variance of normal, and are likely to be far more common in the general population than previously believed. The prevalence detected here is expected to be important in the clinical laryngology practice, where these asymmetries may be frequently encountered and influencing management decisions. There has been little normative data published for variations of the mucosal wave specifically for epidemiological purposes. Clinically, in the absence of such data, otolaryngologists may over interpret videostroboscopic findings, leading to unnecessary investigations or interventions.     

The influence of asymmetry in drop shape on an interfacial tension measurement

A requirement of the drop method for interfacial tension measurement is that the drop must have an axi-symmetry. The drop shape was measured as a function of the angle of the rod from which the drop was hanging. The deviation of the interfacial tension caused by asymmetry was calculated using the selected plane method in the pendant drop technique. A sharp maximum was seen in the interfacial tension vs angle curve when the rod was at the vertical point. The maximum value was concluded as being the true value of the interfacial tension. Both decreases in the pressure difference and in the curvature of the drop associated with an increase in the rod-angle are a counterpart with each other to satisfy the Bashforth and Adams equation. The underestimation of the interfacial tension seems to be caused by the apparent inconsistency between the decreases in the curvature and pressure difference terms. The rigorous mechanical setup demonstrated here is necessary to attain the true axi-symmetric condition, and thus obtain a reliable value for the interfacial tension.     

Asymmetric bipolar membrane: A tool to improve product purity

Bipolar membranes (BPMs) are catalytic membranes for electro-membrane processes splitting water into protons and hydroxyl ions. To improve selectivity and current efficiency of BPMs, we prepare new asymmetric BPMs with reduced salt leakages. The flux of salt ions across a BPM is determined by the co-ion transport across the respective layer of the membrane. BPM asymmetry can be used to decrease the co-ion fluxes through the membrane and shows that the change of the layer thickness and charge density of the corresponding ion exchange layer determines the co-ion flux. The modification of a commercial BP-1 with a thin additional cation exchange layer on the cationic side results in a 47% lower salt leakage. Thicker layers result in water diffusion limitations. In order to avoid water diffusion limitations we prepared tailor made BPMs with thin anion exchange layers, to increase the water flux into the membrane. Therefore a BPM could be prepared with a thick cation exchange layer showing a 62% decreased salt ion leakage through the cationic side of the membrane.     

ASYMMETRY PARAMETERS AND DIFFERENTIAL CROSSSECTIONS FOR PHOTOIONIZATION-EXCITATION OF HELIUM

Asymmetry parameterβ2 for photoionization of helium leaving the He+ ion in the n = 2 level and differential cross sections(DCSs) in the n = 2, 3, 4 levels with photon emission angle θ=90°are provided at photon energies 69－76.8 eV employing the R-matrix method with a 20-term target representation, in which five polarization orbitals 6l are included. The asymmetry parameter β2 and the DCS, in the n=2 level in the region of 69－73eV, are in good agreement with available experimental and theoretical results. Above the n = 3 threshold, we present new theoretical results along with measurements. No theoretical and experimental results can be used to compare with the present calculations of the DCSs for photoionization into the He+ ion in the n = 3, 4 levels.     

基于磁性颗粒微阵列与双色荧光杂交的单核苷酸多态性分型方法研究

基于磁性颗粒微阵列与双色荧光杂交,建立了单核苷酸多态性(Single nucleoitide polymorphism,SNP)分型方法。将利用不对称扩增得到的含有待检测位点生物素标记的单链PCR产物固定在链亲和素修饰的金磁纳米颗粒(Gold magnetic nanoparticles,GMNPs)表面;将ssDNA-GMNPs混合物点样在底部固定有磁铁的载玻片上构建磁性颗粒微阵列,然后在基因框中与双色荧光探针杂交;杂交完全后,充分洗涤,通过扫描获得分型结果。通过优化不对称PCR的扩增条件,直接扩增出产量较高的单链DNA作为靶序列用于分型。利用本方法对24个样本MTHFR基因的C677T位点多态性进行了检测。实验证明,本方法步骤简单,易实现自动化操作、非常适用于分子诊断与法医鉴定。     

Asymmetric angular dependence of Jc in coated conductors prior to and after fast neutron irradiation

Angular dependent measurements of J_c were performed on a commercial coated conductor (SuperPower) consisting of a 1 μm thick YBCO layer grown on a MgO IBAD buffer layer. An asymmetric behavior of the angular dependence of J_c (J_c(Ф)) was found with a changing distance between the two peaks at different temperatures and applied magnetic fields. One peak always occurs when the field is oriented parallel to the tape surface, the other smaller peak is located in the perpendicular orientation at high fields, but slightly shifted (by up to 10°) at 77 K and low magnetic fields. This peak shift, the overall J_c(Ф) asymmetry and the influence of fast neutron irradiation on J_c(Ф) are discussed. The spherical defects, introduced by collisions of fast neutrons with the lattice atoms, are randomly distributed, add to the as-grown defect structure and change the critical current anisotropy by altering both peaks.     

Self-Processing,Diffusion-Based Photopolymers for Holographic Applications

The new photopolymers for holographic applications described herein are based on a cross-linked matrix in which the holographic grating is formed by photo-polymerization of guest monomers in an interference pattern of the recording light. Diffusion of monomer, triggered by this photo-polymerization, from the dark to the bright fringes of the interference pattern is the key parameter for creating high modulation in refractive index Δn during hologram recording. This leads to bright visual volume holograms with high diffraction efficiency. The holographic photopolymers are self-processing. After recording the hologram only (incoherent) light exposure is necessary to bleach the final product and fix the hologram. Unlike earlier photopolymers used in holography, these new materials offer the advantages of no chemical or thermal processing combined with low shrinkage and detuning. Additionally, due to good light sensitivity the formation of the holograms is fast and the film obtained after curing is highly transparent, which makes the material suitable for both, reflection and transmission holography.