scholarly journals The use of the Vocal Profile Analysis for speaker characterization: Methodological proposals

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenia San Segundo ◽  
Paul Foulkes ◽  
Peter French ◽  
Philip Harrison ◽  
Vincent Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Speech Communication ◽  
British English ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Perceptual Assessment ◽  
Forensic Phonetics

Among phoneticians, the Vocal Profile Analysis (VPA) is one of the most widely used methods for the componential assessment of voice quality. Whether the ultimate goal of the VPA evaluation is the comparative description of languages or the characterization of an individual speaker, the VPA protocol shows great potential for different research areas of speech communication. However, its use is not without practical difficulties. Despite these, methodological studies aimed at explaining where, when and why issues arise during the perceptual assessment process are rare. In this paper we describe the methodological stages through which three analysts evaluated the voices of 99 Standard Southern British English male speakers, rated their voices using the VPA scheme, discussed inter-rater disagreements, and eventually produced an agreed version of VPA scores. These scores were then used to assess correlations between settings. We show that it is possible to reach a good degree of inter-rater agreement, provided that several calibration and training sessions are conducted. We further conclude that the perceptual assessment of voice quality using the VPA scheme is an essential tool in fields such as forensic phonetics but, foremost, that it can be adapted and modified to a range of research areas, and not necessarily limited to the evaluation of pathological voices in clinical settings.

Applications of SIMS to electronic materials and devices

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 1682-1683
Author(s):  
S.F. Corcoran
Keyword(s):  
Depth Distribution ◽  
Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Semiconductor Device ◽  
Electronic Materials ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Semiconductor Industry ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Depth Resolution ◽  
Detection Sensitivity

Over the past decade secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) has played an increasingly important role in the characterization of electronic materials and devices. The ability of SIMS to provide part per million detection sensitivity for most elements while maintaining excellent depth resolution has made this technique indispensable in the semiconductor industry. Today SIMS is used extensively in the characterization of dopant profiles, thin film analysis, and trace analysis in bulk materials. The SIMS technique also lends itself to 2-D and 3-D imaging via either the use of stigmatic ion optics or small diameter primary beams.By far the most common application of SIMS is the determination of the depth distribution of dopants (B, As, P) intentionally introduced into semiconductor materials via ion implantation or epitaxial growth. Such measurements are critical since the dopant concentration and depth distribution can seriously affect the performance of a semiconductor device. In a typical depth profile analysis, keV ion sputtering is used to remove successive layers the sample.

Microstructure Characterization of Metal Mixed Oxides

MRS Advances ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (64) ◽  
pp. 4025-4030 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Kryshtab ◽  
H. A. Calderon ◽  
A. Kryvko
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Oxides ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Atomic Resolution ◽  
Precipitation Method ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Reconstruction Procedure ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Xrd Patterns ◽  
Co Precipitation

ABSTRACTThe microstructure of Ni-Mg-Al mixed oxides obtained by thermal decomposition of hydrotalcite-like compounds synthesized by a co-precipitation method has been studied by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD patterns revealed the formation of NixMg1-xO (x=0÷1), α-Al2O3 and traces of MgAl2O4 and NiAl2O4 phases. The peaks profile analysis indicated a small grain size, microdeformations and partial overlapping of peaks due to phases with different, but similar interplanar spacings. The microdeformations point out the presence of dislocations and the peaks shift associated with the presence of excess vacancies. The use of atomic resolution TEM made it possible to identify the phases, directly observe dislocations and demonstrate the vacancies excess. Atomic resolution TEM is achieved by applying an Exit Wave Reconstruction procedure with 40 low dose images taken at different defocus. The current results suggest that vacancies of metals are predominant in MgO (NiO) crystals and that vacancies of Oxygen are predominant in Al2O3 crystals.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of mcr-1-Positive Salmonella Strains Recovered from Clinical Specimens in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingquan Cui ◽  
Jinfei Zhang ◽  
Zhen Gu ◽  
Ruichao Li ◽  
Edward Wai-chi Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transmission Potential ◽  
Conjugative Plasmids ◽  
Plasmid Analysis ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽  
Pfge Profiles

ABSTRACT The recently discovered colistin resistance element, mcr-1, adds to the list of antimicrobial resistance genes that rapidly erode the antimicrobial efficacy of not only the commonly used antibiotics but also the last-line agents of carbapenems and colistin. This study investigated the prevalence of the mobile colistin resistance determinant mcr-1 in Salmonella strains recovered from clinical settings in China and the transmission potential of mcr-1-bearing mobile elements harbored by such isolates. The mcr-1 gene was recoverable in 1.4% of clinical isolates tested, with the majority of them belonging to Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium. These isolates exhibited diverse pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles and high resistance to antibiotics other than colistin and particularly to cephalosporins. Plasmid analysis showed that mcr-1 was carried on a variety of plasmids with sizes ranging from ∼30 to ∼250 kb, among which there were conjugative plasmids of ∼30 kb, ∼60 kb, and ∼250 kb and nonconjugative plasmids of ∼140 kb, ∼180 kb, and ∼240 kb. Sequencing of representative mcr-1-carrying plasmids revealed that all conjugative plasmids belonged to the IncX4, IncI2, and IncHI2 types and were highly similar to the corresponding types of plasmids reported previously. Nonconjugative plasmids all belonged to the IncHI2 type, and the nontransferability of these plasmids was attributed to the loss of a region carrying partial or complete tra genes. Our data revealed that, similar to the situation in Escherichia coli, mcr-1 transmission in Salmonella was accelerated by various plasmids, suggesting that transmission of mcr-1-carrying plasmids between different species of Enterobacteriaceae may be a common event.

scholarly journals Síntese, caracterização e estabilidade de nanopartículas de magnetita

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 2738-2749
Author(s):  
Monise Cristina Ribeiro Casanova Coltro ◽  
Warde Antonieta da Fonseca-Zang ◽  
Joachim Werner Zang ◽  
Danilo César Silva e Sousa
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Synthesis Of Nanoparticles ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Magnetite Fe3o4 ◽  
Mineral Substance ◽  
Abundant Element ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Average Size

Nanopartículas de ferro são muito utilizadas em diversas áreas de pesquisa. O elemento químico ferro (Fe), sendo o quarto elemento mais abundante na crosta terrestre, e a substância mineral magnetita, com propriedade magnética, apresentam aplicações nas áreas industrial, ambiental, biomédica e de novas tecnologias. Este trabalho apresenta processo de síntese de nanopartículas partindo-se de sais precursores, bem como a caracterização dos produtos e as rotas para estabilizá-los. Os sais químicos precursores utilizados foram o cloreto férrico (FeCl3) e o sulfato ferroso (FeSO4) na proporção de 2:1, sob agitação por ultrassom e pH ácido. Para formação do precipitado de nanopartículas usou-se solução aquosa de hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) de pH 12. A difratometria de raio-X, mostra a presença de magnetita (Fe3O4) indicada pelos picos característicos de difração em graus 2Ө = 18° (largo), 31° (fino), 36° (bem definido), 43,4°, 45°, 53,6°, 57,7°, 63,3°. A microscopia eletrônica de transmissão mostra a morfologia dos produtos da síntese. Fatores que influenciam a estabilidade das partículas são agitação, o ajuste de pH, condições de secagem. O tamanho médio das nanopartículas de magnetitas é de aproximadamente 15 nm.   Iron nanoparticles are widely used in several research areas. The chemical element iron (Fe), being the fourth most abundant element in the earth's crust, and the mineral substance magnetite, with magnetic properties, have applications in industrial, environmental, biomedical, and new technology areas. This work presents the process of synthesis of nanoparticles starting from precursor salts, as well as the characterization of the products and the routes to stabilize them. The precursor chemical salts were ferric chloride (FeCl3) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) in a 2:1 ratio, under ultrasound agitation and acidic pH. For the nanoparticles growth was applied aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at pH 12. X-ray diffraction shows the presence of magnetite (Fe3O4) indicated by characteristic diffraction peaks in degrees 2Ө = 18° (wide), 31° (fine), 36° (well defined), 43.4°, 45°, 53.6°, 57.7°, 63.3°. Scanning electron microscopy shows the morphology of the synthesis products. Factors that influence the stability of the particles are agitation, the pH adjustment, and the conditions of drying. The average size of the magnetite nanoparticles is approximately 15 nm.

scholarly journals The Transcriptional Regulator Hap1p (Cyp1p) Is Essential for Anaerobic or Heme-Deficient Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Genetic and Molecular Characterization of an Extragenic Suppressor that Encodes a WD Repeat Protein

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 148 (2) ◽  
pp. 559-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yann Chantrel ◽  
Mauricette Gaisne ◽  
Claire Lions ◽  
Jacqueline Verdière
Keyword(s):  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Signal Transduction Pathway ◽  
Cysteine Residue ◽  
Sequence Comparisons ◽  
Dependent Signal ◽  
Polysome Profile ◽  
Essential Function ◽  
Wd Repeat ◽  
Extragenic Suppressors

Abstract We report here that Hap1p (originally named Cyp1p) has an essential function in anaerobic or heme-deficient growth. Analysis of intragenic revertants shows that this function depends on the amino acid preceding the first cysteine residue of the DNA-binding domain of Hap1p. Selection of recessive extragenic suppressors of a hap1−hem1− strain allowed the identification, cloning, and molecular analysis of ASC1 (Cyp1 Absence of growth Supressor). The sequence of ASC1 reveals that its ORF is interrupted by an intron that shelters the U24 snoRNA. Deletion of the intron, inactivation of the ORF, and molecular localization of the mutations show unambiguously that it is the protein and not the snoRNA that is involved in the suppressor phenotype. ASC1, which is constitutively transcribed, encodes an abundant, cytoplasmically localized 35-kD protein that belongs to the WD repeat family, which is found in a large variety of eucaryotic organisms. Polysome profile analysis supports the involvement of this protein in translation. We propose that the absence of functional Asc1p allows the growth of hap1−hem1− cells by reducing the efficiency of translation. Based on sequence comparisons, we discuss the possibility that the protein intervenes in a kinase-dependent signal transduction pathway involved in this last function.

Vocal fold injury following endotracheal intubation

2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (10) ◽  
pp. 825-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Kitahara ◽  
Yukihiro Masuda ◽  
Yoko Kitagawa
Keyword(s):  
Endotracheal Intubation ◽  
Fibrin Glue ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Fibrous Tissue ◽  
Normal Result ◽  
Perceptual Evaluation ◽  
Vibratory Pattern

Vocal fold scarring results in the formation of fibrous tissue which disturbs the vibratory pattern of the fold during phonation. However, vocal fold scarring in humans is poorly understood because of the lack of clear case reports focusing on voice quality. The authors present a case of vocal fold scarring with changes in voice quality. At the time of injury the pedicle mucosa was cemented with fibrin glue. Phonation was inhibited for two weeks and tranilast (300 mg/day) was given for 3 months. Sixty-nine days later, perceptual evaluation showed a normal result and the phonation time became better, but the mucosal vibration was still lacking. Ninety-seven days later, mucosal vibration was finally restored. We suggest that characterization of vocal fold scarring in humans may be different from that in animals, and recommend that surgical management should be avoided for at least three months after injury.

Ultrasonography applied to the description of voice quality settings in adult speakers of Brazilian Portuguese

Revista CEFAC ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamar Vieira de Jesus ◽  
Aline Neves Pessoa Almeida ◽  
Zuleica Camargo
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Instructional Material ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Brazilian Portuguese ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Perceptual Judgments ◽  
Analysis Scheme ◽  
Vocal Quality

ABSTRACT Purpose: to relate ultrasound images with auditory-perceptual data on vocal quality settings in adult speakers of Brazilian Portuguese. Methods: the corpus consisted of speech samples (sentences contained in the instructional material of the Vocal Profile Analysis Scheme - VPAS-PB) from seven adult subjects of both genders, recorded simultaneously by acoustic and ultrasonographic means. Data analysis was based on auditory-perceptual judgments of vocal quality and ultrasound images generated by the AAA software. Results: vocal quality settings related to the position of the tongue body and the extension of the tongue and jaw found correspondences to the contours of ultrasound images of the tongue in selected key segments (oral vowels), especially those with greater degrees of manifestation. Conclusion: there were correspondences between vocal quality settings detected in the perceptual sphere and their respective tongue body and jaw ultrasound images.

Classification and characterization of US consumers based on their perceptions of risk of tablet use in international hotels

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristian Morosan ◽  
Agnes DeFranco
Keyword(s):  
Cyber Security ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Cyber Attacks ◽  
Security Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Using Data

Purpose Cyber-attacks on hotel information systems could threaten the privacy of consumers and the integrity of the data they exchange upon connecting their mobile devices to hotel networks. As the perceived cyber-security risk may be reflected heterogeneously within the US consumer population traveling internationally, the purpose of this study is to examine such heterogeneity to uncover classes of US consumers based on their perceptions of risk of using tablets for various tasks when staying in hotels abroad. Design/methodology/approach Using data collected from 1,016 US consumers who stayed in hotels abroad, this study used latent profile analysis (LPA) to classify the consumers based on their perceptions of risk associated with several tablet use behaviors in hotels. Findings The analysis uncovered four latent classes and produced a characterization of these classes according to several common behavioral (frequency of travel, the continent of the destination, duration of stay and purpose of travel) and demographic (gender, age, income and education) consumer characteristics. Originality/value Being the first study that classifies consumers based on the risk of using tablets in hotels while traveling internationally, this study brings the following contributions: offers a methodology of classifying (segmenting) consumer markets based on their cyber-security risk perceptions, uses LPA, which provides opportunities for an accurate and generalizable characterization of multivariate data that comprehensively illustrate consumer behavior and broadens the perspective offered by the current literature by focusing on consumers who travel from their US residence location to international destinations.

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