Auditory Filters Measured at Neighboring Center Frequencies

Auditory filters were derived in 20 normal-hearing human listeners at center frequencies (CFs) of 913, 1095, 3651, and 4382 Hz using the roex (p,r) method. Comparisons were made between slopes of the filters\u27 skirts at the neighboring CFs with filter output levels of 45 and 70 dB. The same comparisons were made with regard to filter equivalent rectangular bandwidth (ERB). In the 1000-Hz region, the low-frequency slopes (Pl) of filters centered at 913 and 1095 Hz were significantly correlated at both stimulus levels, while the high-frequency slopes (Pu) were similar only at the high test level. In the 4000-Hz region, for sinusoids of 3651 and 4382 Hz, the level effect was clearer as both Pu and Pl values diverged at the low level but were related at high levels. The ERBs centered at the same CFs displayed a similar level dependence. At the stimulus level most likely to be affected by an active feedback mechanism, auditory filters centered at nearly the same frequency displayed quite distinct frequency selectivity, and this trend was stronger in the 4000-Hz region than the 1000-Hz region. The findings suggest that a saturating, active cochlear mechanism may not be distributed evenly, or contribute to peripheral tuning with equal effectiveness throughout the length of the partition

Characterization of Ultrasonic Precursor Solution Spraying for Battery Material Synthesis

The effects of various conditions on the operation of an ultrasonic atomizer for battery material precursor solution spraying were investigated. The diameter of the droplets formed from this device was expected to roughly match that of the orifices from which they originated; however, two distinct modes of operation were observed for ejection from arrays of 17 μm and 55 μm orifices: 1) orifice-size dependent jetting and 2) generation of a mist of small droplets (\u3c 10 μm), the size of which was frequency independent. Experiments were conducted at the first and second half-wave resonances of a 1.2 mm high chamber (0.63 and 1.05 MHz respectively), though extensive characterization was limited to the second resonance. In most cases, the flow rate was proportional to applied voltage on the piezoelectric drive, after a threshold amplitude was exceeded. The ability to generate sub-10 μm droplets from larger orifices was not expected, but this capability should prove advantageous for the production of atypical battery materials by spray pyrolysis

Relationship between susceptivity to triclosan sensitization by outer membrane permeabilization and cell surface hydrophobicity properties in opportunistically pathogenic Serratia species

BACKGROUND: The nosocomial opportunists Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens are atypically resistant to the hydrophobic biocide triclosan due largely to outer membrane impermeability properties for hydrophobic substances. However, we have recently shown that the degree of cell envelope impermeability for triclosan differs dramatically among other opportunistically pathogenic Serratia species. Moreover, susceptivity to sensitization to triclosan by outer membrane premeabilization also differs among other intrinsically resistant species. The purpose of the present study was to determine if cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) properties underlie susceptivity to triclosan sensitization by outer membrane premeabilization in selected species as we further characterize their cell surface properties in anticipation of investigating their propensities to form in vitro biofilms.METHODS: Three Serratia species (marcescens, fonticola, and odorifera) exhibiting disparate degrees of susceptivity to triclosan sensitization by outer membrane premeabilization were examined to determine their susceptibility levels to mechanistically-disparate hydrophobic molecules and their CSH properties. Intrinsic resistance to hydrophobic antibacterial agents was assessed using a standardized disk agar diffusion bioassay. CSH was determined using conventional crystal violet binding, hydrocarbon adherence, and 1-N-phenylnapthylamine uptake assays routinely employed in this laboratory.RESULTS: S. marcescens and S. fonticola were intrinsically resistant to all mechanistically-disparate hydrophobic antibacterial agents examined to include triclosan, while S. odorifera was susceptible. The CSH properties of all these differed only slightly, despite the disparate susceptivities of the two triclosan-resistant species to triclosan sensitization.CONCLUSION: These data suggest that phenotypic differences seen in three opportunistic Serratia species with regard to intrinsic resistance to hydrophobic antibacterial agents in general, and triclosan specifically are at least due in part to disparate abilities of their outer membranes to exclude hydrophobic substances. Moreover, susceptivity to triclosan sensitization by outer membrane premeabilization in the triclosan-resistant species S. marcescens and S. fonticola appears not to be influenced by differences in cell surface hydrophobicity properties

Selecting and Breeding Corn for Protein and Oil in South Dakota

Since the year 1910, the South Dakota Experiment Station, Agronomy Department, has been developing four separate strains of Minnesota 13 corn. These may be grouped into two pairs of strains, the first pair being high protein and low protein and the second pair high oil and low oil. The selection and breeding of these several strains has been carried out in pursuance of a project which was started previous to the organization of the present Agronomy Department, by the then Agronomists, Mr. 0. Willis and Mr. W. L. Burlison. The object of the project as originated, according to the records, was in large part to secure corn which should have, for instance a high amount of protein, or a high amount of oil, which apparently would increase the value of the corn for manufacturing oil. Since the present Agronomy Department began to conduct the project, it has been conducted with slight modifications, largely with a view to accomplishing, or at least of demonstrating the practicability of accomplishing, the production of the strains of corn involved. The writers believe that some information has been acquired, which points somewhat conclusively toward an apparent fact that it is easily possible in South Dakota to secure, by chemical and mechanical selection, strains of corn that are either high or low in protein, or either high or low in oil. Accordingly we are making the present report as a report of progress, and more especially in view of the fact that it is the plan somewhat to modify the manner of the investigation

Backward And Simultaneous Masking Measured In Children With Language-Learning Impairments Who Received Intervention With Fast Forword Or Laureate Learning Systems Software

The developers of a computer-assisted language intervention program called Fast ForWord (FFW) have claimed that their software changes temporal processing abilities as a result of specialized modifications to the acoustic and temporal properties of the speech signal within the program. This pilot study compared changes in auditory temporal processing in children who received FFW training and in children who received training with computer-assisted language intervention programs that were not designed to improve auditory perceptual skills. Four boys with Language-Learning Impairments (LLI) and 3 boys with typical language participated. Two of the boys with LLI received the FFW program, and the other 2 received a bundle of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) programs published by Laureate Language Systems (LLS). The FFW and LLS programs were presented on the same schedule. To assess temporal processing, signal thresholds in backward and simultaneous masking conditions were evaluated just before, during, and immediately after language training. The boys with typically developing language received no training. Children with typical language produced signal thresholds in the backward masking condition that were markedly lower than those in the simultaneous masking condition. This disparity is indicative of normal temporal processing. Conversely, 3 of 4 children with LLI failed to demonstrate a simultaneous-backward difference during baseline. The lack of a difference implies that temporal processing was not normal in these children. The fourth child with LLI had signal thresholds that paralleled those of the children with normal language development. This child also had the mildest form of LLI. Of the 3 children whose temporal processing was abnormal, 2 boys showed decreased signal thresholds in the backward masking condition. However, the improvement was sudden, occurring relatively early in the training sequence, and observed with both treatment programs. The third child with abnormal temporal processing failed to show a change in backward masking at any time during treatment. Over the course of the experiment, signal thresholds for all listeners decreased by similar amounts in both backward and simultaneous masking. Taken together, these results do not support the presence of a program-specific improvement in temporal processing. In addition to the temporal processing deficits revealed by backward masking, group differences in response patterns implicate auditory memory involvement or differences in maintaining attention.Communication Sciences and Disorder

Community-based intervention determines tele-audiology site candidacy

PURPOSE : Sections of the community face barriers to accessing audiology services. The aim of this study was to assess the barriers faced by people in typically underserved community settings and to provide audiology services in their natural environment. Information gathered by questionnaire was used to determine each site's candidacy as a potential tele-audiology site. METHOD : Sixty-three participants were recruited across 3 community sites that were identified as gathering places for individuals who experience barriers to accessing traditional clinical audiology services. Information about demographics and participant experience with barriers to access was gathered by a locally generated, self-administered questionnaire. Pure-tone air-conduction audiometric exams were performed on participants with an automated portable diagnostic audiometer. Afterward, the investigator provided counseling regarding hearing loss rehabilitation or hearing protection. Referrals were made when appropriate. RESULTS : Pure-tone averages were similar within sites but varied across sites. At least 30% of individuals at each site reported they wanted to visit the audiologist more often. Each site reported different principal barriers to access, among them transportation, motivation, and money. Eleven individuals were referred to the next level of care. Questionnaire results revealed special accommodations should be considered at each potential tele-audiology site. CONCLUSION : The present study provided audiology services to individuals in their natural environment, identified many of the obstacles preventing individuals from pursuing traditional audiology services and provided information for the foundation of a tele-audiology practice.Part of this work was presented at the Second International Meeting on Internet and Audiology, Helsingør, Denmark, September 24 25, 2015.The Oticon Foundation for the donation of the KUDUwave Audiometer.http://aja.pubs.asha.orgSpeech-Language Pathology and Audiolog

Long-term outcomes after haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT) for hematologic malignancies

View full abstracthttps://openworks.mdanderson.org/leading-edge/1007/thumbnail.jp

Post-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) Outcomes in Patients With AML Transplanted Prior to Achieving Platelet Recovery

n/