Feminine after cricothyroid approximation?

A number of studies have evaluated the effectiveness of a cricothyroid approximation (CA) in creating a more female voice in male-to-female transsexuals (MFTs) from an acoustic perspective. An increase in pitch is of little value, however, unless it accurately indicates listeners' perceptions of gender. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the effectiveness of a CA in feminizing the voice from a perceptual perspective. Video recordings of nine MFTs, nine nontranssexual males (NTMs), and nine nontranssexual females (NTFs) were presented twice to the panel of judges in a randomized order: first auditory only (only hearing a subject's speech) and subsequently audiovisual (hearing and seeing a subject's speech). The panel of judges, 42 students (21 female, 21 male) from different disciplines, rated the participants' voices on a 100-mm visual analog scale with "very male" and "very female" as left and right extremes, respectively. The group of MFT obtained scores that were situated in between those of the NTM and the NTF, both for the auditory only and the audiovisual mode of presentation. Perception of femaleness significantly correlated with average fundamental frequency for both modes of presentation. It can be concluded that a CA approximation is a viable option to raise the voice pitch in MFTs but that this surgery alone may not be sufficient to create a voice that is perceived as a totally female.     

A relativistic coupled-cluster interaction potential and rovibrational constants for the xenon dimer

An accurate potential energy curve has been derived for the xenon dimer using state-of-the-art relativistic coupled-cluster theory up to quadruple excitations accounting for both basis set superposition and incompleteness errors. The data obtained is fitted to a computationally efficient extended Lennard-Jones potential form and to a modified Tang–Toennies potential function treating the short- and long-range part separately. The vibrational spectrum of Xe₂ obtained from a numerical solution of the rovibrational Schrödinger equation and subsequently derived spectroscopic constants are in excellent agreement with experimental values. We further present solid-state calculations for xenon using a static many-body expansion up to fourth-order in the xenon interaction potential including dynamic effects within the Einstein approximation. Again we find very good agreement with the experimental (face-centred cubic) lattice constant and cohesive energy.     

Acoustic correlates of individuality in the vocal repertoire of a nocturnal primate (Microcebus murinus)

In mammals individual distinctiveness in vocalizations provides the basis for individual recognition and thus plays an important role in social behavior. In this study, first evidence is provided for a nocturnal primate that variation in individual distinctiveness across the vocal repertoire is to some extent determined by the context and the acoustic structure of the call types. Individual distinctiveness was investigated across call types in the gray mouse lemur, a nocturnal primate, living in a dispersed multi-male multi-female social system. To explore to what degree context and acoustic structure predict variations in individual distinctiveness, four major call types were examined (grunts, tsaks, short whistles, and trills). Call types differed in context and acoustic structure and were recorded under controlled experimental conditions. A discriminant function analysis revealed that all call types are individually distinct, but not to the same degree. The findings suggest that variations in individual distinctiveness can to some extent be explained by the context and the acoustic structure of the call types.     

Electrospray as a tool for drug micro- and nanoparticle patterning

Carbamazepine (CBZ) microparticles of different sizes and shapes, including spheres, q-tips, elongated spheres, and tear-shaped particles, were formed by electrospraying solutions of different CBZ concentrations. The particle characteristics were determined by the interplay between jet formation, droplet breakup, solvent evaporation, and eventual particle solidification. The average particle size increased with increasing CBZ concentration, with particles of different shapes being observed for different CBZ concentrations. The cascade of sizes and shapes observed was interpreted in terms of Rayleigh instability theory as applied to charged jets and droplets, with the final sizes depending upon the time needed to evaporate the solvent sufficiently for CBZ to solidify; the lower the initial concentration of CBZ, the smaller the final droplets/particles that are formed.     

Ist Kaffeetrinken gesund?

Coffee is a frequently consumed food with preventive properties. Nowadays, more than 1000 compounds have been identified in coffee so far. Altogether, there is compelling evidence for positive health effects of moderate (3–4 cups per day) coffee consumption. Positive correlations were reported for risks of type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease. Cancer risk is in general not increased, yet for some cancers even reduced risks were reported. Despite the discussed occurrence of contaminants like acrylamide, furan or ochratoxin A, coffee consumption may be considered with an overall positive effect on human health.     

[(C7H13N2)2Al]BPh4 – ein spirozyklischer Vinamidin‐Komplex des Aluminiums

[(C₇H₁₃N₂)₂Al]BPh₄ – a Spirocyclic Vinamidine Complex of Aluminum (C₇H₁₃N₂)AlH₂ ( 3 ) reacts with the vinamidinium salts C₇H₁₄N₂ · HX [ 4 , X = BPh₄ ( a ), Cl ( b )] to give the spirocyclic vinamidine aluminum complexes [(C₇H₁₃N₂)₂Al]BPh₄ ( 5 a ) and (C₇H₁₃N₂)₂AlCl ( 5 b ); the crystal structure of 5 a is reported.     

Composition and analysis of liquid smoke flavouring primary products

Smoke flavourings are produced on a large scale and have been applied to a variety of food products for more than 30 years. The use of them has many advantages compared to traditional smoking techniques. Among others, the amount of (known) toxic compounds deriving from combustion processes can be more easily controlled in smoke flavourings. In order to ensure safe products, a new European Regulation requests data on the composition and lays down, in particular, the maximum permitted concentrations for selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This review compiles results published on the chemical composition of liquid smoke flavouring primary products, partly in relation to production process parameters, and the analytical methods involved. The methods cover chromatographic techniques for analysis of specific compounds including extraction methods and clean-up procedures. Analysis of sensorial and bulk parameters such as acidity and total phenolic compounds are described as well as they are used as standard methods for analysis of liquid smoke flavourings. A special section is devoted to discussing the analysis of PAHs.