Use of intonation contours for speech recognition in noise by cochlear implant recipients

The corruption of intonation contours has detrimental effects on sentence-based speech recognition in normal-hearing listeners Binns and Culling [(2007). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 122, 1765-1776]. This paper examines whether this finding also applies to cochlear implant (CI) recipients. The subjects' F0-discrimination and speech perception in the presence of noise were measured, using sentences with regular and inverted F0-contours. The results revealed that speech recognition for regular contours was significantly better than for inverted contours. This difference was related to the subjects' F0-discrimination providing further evidence that the perception of intonation patterns is important for the CI-mediated speech recognition in noise.     

Surface state charge dynamics of a high-mobility three-dimensional topological insulator

We present a magneto-optical study of the three-dimensional topological insulator, strained HgTe, using a technique which capitalizes on advantages of time-domain spectroscopy to amplify the signal from the surface states. This measurement delivers valuable and precise information regarding the surface-state dispersion within <1 meV of the Fermi level. The technique is highly suitable for the pursuit of the topological magnetoelectric effect and axion electrodynamics.     

Synthesis of tailored WO3 and WOx (2.9 < x < 3) nanoparticles by adjusting the combustion conditions in a H2/O2/Ar premixed flame reactor

Flame synthesis of WO₃ and WO_x (2.9 < x < 3) nanoparticles is carried out by adding a dilute concentration of WF₆ as precursor in a low-pressure H₂/O₂/Ar premixed flame reactor. The reactor is equipped with molecular-beam sampling and particle mass spectroscopy (PMS) to determine particle composition and sizes as a function of height above burner. Varying the H₂/O₂ ratio allowed us to tune the stoichiometry of the product. With a H₂/O₂ ratio of 0.67 white colored stoichiometric WO₃ is formed, whereas the H₂/O₂ ratio >0.8 yields blue colored non-stoichiometric WO_x (2.9 < x < 3) nanoparticles. The size of nanoparticles can be controlled by varying the residence time in the high-temperature zone of the reactor as observed by molecular-beam sampling with subsequent analysis using PMS. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of as-synthesized nanoparticles show that particles are non-agglomerated and have an almost spherical morphology. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the as-synthesized material indicates that the powders exhibit poor crystallinity, however, subsequent thermal annealing of the sample in air changes its structure from amorphous to crystalline phase. It is observed that particles with sub-stoichiometric composition (WO_x) show higher conductivity compared to the stoichiometric WO₃ sample.     

2-Hydroxyphenylphosphinic Acid: P-Analogue of Salicylic Acid?

Abstract

Substitution of the carboxyl group -C(O)OH by -P(O)(OH)₂ and -P(O)R(OH) leads to compounds of interest to agriculture, technics and pharmacology. Under these aspects the P-analogon 1 of salicylic acid was prepared, because the monobasic -P(O)H(OH) group resembles more the carboxyl function than the dibasic moiety -P(O)(OH)₂.     

SYNTHESE UND STEREOCHEMIE DER 1-AMINO- UND 1-PHENYLAMINO-1,3-AZAPHOSPHOLAN-5-ONE

Abstract

Die Titelverbindungen werden durch Kondensation von Carboxymethyl- und 1-Carboxyethylphenylphosphin mit dem Hydrazon oder Phenylhydrazon des Benzaldehyds dargestellt. Die 1-Benzoylamino- und 1-Benzylidenamino-derivate des 1,3-Azaphospholan-5-ons sind auf unterschiedlichem Wege zugänglich, indem einmal das 1-Amino-1,3-azaphospholan-5-on mit Benzoylchlorid oder Benzaldehyd umgesetzt oder die Carboxyalkylphosphine mit N-Benzoyl-benzaldehydhydrazon bzw. Benzalazin zur Reaktion gebracht werden. Die Reaktionen verlaufen unter stark bevorzugter Bildung sterisch einheitlicher Diastereomere deren relative Konfiguration ¹H-NMR-spektroskopisch bestimmt wird. Vorstellungen über die Ursachen des stereospezifischen Reaktionsablaufs werden entwickelt.

The title compounds are prepared by condensation of carboxymethylphenylphosphine or 1-carboxyethylphenyl-phosphine with the hydrazone or phenylhydrazone of benzaldehyde. The 1-benzoylamino- and 1-benzylidenamino-derivatives of the basic compounds are made by two routes, by reaction of 1-amino-1,3-azaphospholan-5-ones with benzoylchloride or benzaldehyde or by interaction of the carboxyalkylphosphines with N-benzoyl-benzaldehyde-hydrazone or benzalazine, respectively. All the reactions proceed under stereospecific formation of certain diastereomers, the relative configuration of which is elucidated by investigating their ¹H-nmr-spectra. Suggestions concerning the stereospecifity of the reactions are discussed.     

Ni(II)‐NTA Modified Poly(ethylene imine) Glycopolymers: Physicochemical Properties and First In Vitro Study of Polyplexes Formed with HIV‐Derived Peptides

Alternative delivery entities are desirable in immunotherapies in which polyplexes are widely formed by electrostatic interactions to induce cellular uptake processes for bioactive molecules. In our study, biocompatible Ni(II)‐nitrilo(triacetic acid)‐modified poly(ethylene imine)‐maltose ( Ni‐NTA‐DG ) is realized and evaluated as complexation agent against His‐tagged peptides using fluorescence polarization and dynamic light scattering. The polyplexes are stable until a pH of 6.5–6.0, and also up to 50 mM of imidazole. A first uptake approach shows that polyplexes lead to an increase in peptide uptake in monocyte‐derived immature dendritic cells. In summary, Ni‐NTA‐DG represents a promising (delivery) platform for forthcoming in vitro applications.

     

Adhesion experiments using an AFM—Parameters of influence

Adhesion measurements were performed by AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy). It was shown that many parameters need to be controlled in order to provide reproducible and quantitative results. Adhesion forces were shown to depend on combination of materials characteristics and testing geometry as well as experimental protocol (contact time, contact force and contact area). This contact area was modified by means of FIB (Focused Ion Beam) milling and deliberate abrasion. As a result, a drastic change in adhesion could be observed. Still, those are problems connected to adjustment of interacting surfaces.     

On Penicillin‐Binding Protein 1b Affinity‐Labeling Reagents

The synthesis of some 3‐aryl‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)3H‐diazirine and benzophenone‐based photoaffinity labels is reported. The photolabile group is bound to a scaffold that also accommodates functional groups to which an indicator unit (biotin) and the bioactive ligand can be attached orthogonally. To three of the labels, moenomycin was conjugated with the aim to provide tools for the identification of the moenomycin binding site within the transglycosylase domain of the enzyme PBP 1b. Some preliminary photoaffinity‐labeling experiments were carried out.