Vocal tract length perturbation and its application to male-female vocal tract shape conversion

An alternative and complete derivation of the vocal tract length sensitivity function, which is an equation for finding a change in formant frequency due to perturbation of the vocal tract length [Fant, Quarterly Progress and Status Rep. No. 4, Speech Transmission Laboratory, Kungliga Teknisha Hogskolan, Stockholm, 1975, pp. 1-14] is presented. It is based on the adiabatic invariance of the vocal tract as an acoustic resonator and on the radiation pressure on the wall and at the exit of the vocal tract. An algorithm for tuning the vocal tract shape to match the formant frequencies to target values, such as those of a recorded speech signal, which was proposed in Story [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119, 715-718 (2006)], is extended so that the vocal tract length can also be changed. Numerical simulation of this extended algorithm shows that it can successfully convert between the vocal tract shapes of a male and a female for each of five Japanese vowels.     

Altering the activity of syringomycin E via the membrane dipole potential

The membrane dipole potential is responsible for the modulation of numerous biological processes. It was previously shown (Ostroumova, O. S.; Kaulin, Y. A.; Gurnev, P. A.; Schagina, L. V. Langmuir 2007, 23, 6889-6892) that variations in the dipole potential lead to changes in the channel properties of the antifungal lipodepsipeptide syringomycin E (SRE). Here, data are presented demonstrating the effect of the membrane dipole potential on the channel-forming activity of SRE. A rise in the dipole potential is accompanied by both an increase in the minimum SRE concentration required for the detection of single channels at fixed voltage and a decrease in the steady-state number of open SRE channels at a given SRE concentration and voltage. These alterations are determined by several factors: gating charge, connected with translocations of lipid and SRE dipoles during channel formation, the bilayer-water solution partitioning of SRE, and the chemical work related to conformational changes during channel formation.     

Theoretical and experimental analysis of leakage current in InGaAsPBH lasers with p-n-p-n current blocking layers

The dependence of the leakage current in 1.3-μm InGaAsP buried heterostructure (BH) lasers with p-n-p-n current blocking layers on well number, mesa width, and carrier density has been analyzed using a two-dimensional device simulator and compared with the electroluminescence (EL) emitted from InP layers. The analysis of the minority carrier flow reveals that the electron current flowing through the p-n-p-n current blocking layers is the dominant component of the leakage current. The measured EL intensity has two peaks at both sides of the n-blocking layer apart from the active layer. The EL intensity decreases with increasing well number and carrier density of the p-blocking layer, and increases with increasing mesa width. These results are consistent with the simulations     

Prostanoids and related compounds. VII. Synthesis and inhibitory activity of 1-isoindolinone derivatives possessing inhibitory activity against thromboxane A2 analog (U-46619)-induced vasoconstriction.

We have synthesized a series of novel 1-isoindolinone derivatives, which inhibited the contraction of pig coronary artery induced by U-46619, a thromboxane A2 analog.     

Stress-Relieving Effects of Sesame Oil Aroma and Identification of the Active Components

(1) Sesame oil aroma has stress-relieving properties, but there is little information on its effective use and active ingredients. (2) Methods: ICR male mice were housed under water-immersion stress for 24 h. Then, the scent of sesame oil or a typical ingredient was inhaled to the stress groups for 30, 60, or 90 min. We investigated the effects of sesame oil aroma on mice behavior and the expression of the dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) gene, a candidate stress marker gene in the brain. (3) Results: In an elevated plus-maze test, the rate of entering into the open arm of a maze and the staying time were increased to a maximum after 60 min of inhalation, but these effects decreased 90 min after inhalation. As for the single component, anxiolytic effects were observed in the 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-methoxy phenol group, but the effect was weakened in the furfuryl mercaptan group. The expression levels of DUSP1 in the hippocampus and striatum were significantly decreased in 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-methoxy phenol groups. (4) Conclusions: We clarified the active ingredients and optimal concentrations of sesame oil for its sedative effect. In particular, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-methoxy phenol significantly suppressed the stress-induced changes in the expression of DUSP1, which are strong anti-stress agents. Our results suggest that these molecules may be powerful anti-stress agents.