Comparison of Two Inverse Filtering Methods in Parameterization of the Glottal Closing Phase Characteristics in Different Phonation Types

SUMMARY: Inverse filtering (IF) is a common method used to estimate the source of voiced speech, the glottal flow. This investigation aims to compare two IF methods: one manual and the other semiautomatic. Glottal flows were estimated from speech pressure waveforms of six female and seven male subjects producing sustained vole /a/ in breathy, normal, and pressed phonation. The closing phase characteristics of the glottal pulse were parameterized using two time-based parameters: the closing quotient (C1Q) and the normalized amplitude quotient (NAQ). The information given by these two parameters indicates a strong correlation between the two IF methods. The results are encouraging in showing that the parameterization of the voice source in different speech sounds can be performed independently of the technique used for inverse filtering.     

Location of Novel Benzanthrone Dyes in Model Membranes as Revealed by Resonance Energy Transfer

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between anthrylvinyl-labeled phosphatidylcholine (AV-PC) as a donor and newly synthesized benzanthrones (referred to here as A8, A6, AM12, AM15 and AM18) as acceptors has been examined to gain insight into molecular level details of the interactions between benzanthrone dyes and model lipid membranes composed of zwitterionic lipid phosphatidylcholine and its mixtures with anionic lipids cardiolipin (CL) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG). FRET data were quantitatively analyzed in terms of the model of energy transfer in two-dimensional systems taking into account the distance dependence of orientation factor. Evidence for A8 location in phospholipid headgroup region has been obtained. Inclusion of CL and PG into PC bilayer has been found to induce substantial relocation of A6, AM12, AM15 and AM18 from hydrophobic membrane core to lipid-water interface.     

Fluorescence Investigation of Interactions Between Novel Benzanthrone Dyes and Lysozyme Amyloid Fibrils

A series of novel fluorescent benzanthrone dyes have been tested for their ability to identify and characterize fibrillar aggregates of lysozyme prepared by protein denaturation in concentrated ethanol solution (F_eth) or acidic buffer (F_ac). Quantitative parameters of the dye association with native and fibrillar protein have been derived from the results of fluorimetric titration. The binding characteristics proved to be different for F_eth- and F_ac-bound benzanthrones, highlighting the dye sensitivity to the distinctions in fibril morphology. By comparing the dye preference to fibrillar protein aggregates, AM2, A8 and A6 were selected as the most prospective amyloid tracers. Based on the analysis of red edge excitation shifts and fluorescence lifetimes of the amyloid-bound dyes it was assumed that surface grooves or dry “steric zipper” interface are potential fibril binding sites for the novel fluorophores.     

Evaluation and Optimization of the Oxidation efficiency of a UV-Persulphate-Oxidation Toc-Analyzer for the Determination of Oil Contamination from Forestry in Ground Water

Different chain oils (tall, rape seed and mineral oils) have been used as model compounds to evaluate and optimize the applicability of UV-persulphate TOC-analyzer for quantitative determination of forestry oils and to follow the progress of their biodegradability. It was shown, that K 2 S 2 O 8 -UV-oxidation method is not sufficient to oxidize chain oils completely. There were differences in oxidation efficiency between different oils, changing from about 46% measured for tall oil to about 25% observed for rape seed chain oil. The addition of Triton X-100 surfactant up to 2% (w/w) was observed to increase the oxidation efficiency, e.g. to 75% for tall oil. The observations can be explained by assuming that in the presence of surfactant the emulsions are more homogeneous and stable. Optimization using two-level full factorial design (temperature of the oxidation chamber and the amount of persulphate) was studied. The results show that the UV-persulphate-oxidation TOC-analyzer is not suitable method to monitor biodegradability of chain oils.     

Heavy Metal Accumulation in Woodland Moss (Pleurozium Schreberi) in the Area Around a Chromium Opencast Mine at Kemi,and in the Area Around the Ferrochrome and Stainless Steel Works at Tornio,Northern Finland

Abstract

Woodland moss (Pleurozium schreberi) samples were collected at 52 sampling sites around a chromium opencast mine and around a ferrochrome and stainless steels works. The samples were dried, homogenized and digested with a mixture of concentrated nitric and perchloric acids. The Cr, Ni and Zn concentrations in the moss samples were determined by FAAS in order to clarify the aerial distribution of heavy metals from both the opencast chromium mine and the ferrochrome and stainless steel works. This study, carried out in 2000, compares the heavy metal (Cr, Ni, Zn) concentrations in mosses to the results of previous studies in 1995 and in 1990. According to the results, the average Ni concentrations (mean) in mosses have increased since 1990 along with increased Ni emissions from point sources, but the average Cr concentrations (mean) in mosses have increased despite the decrease in Cr emissions from point sources have decreased. The results have been discussed from various point of view, as well as depicted out the low deposition of Zn on mosses.