Neural talk: Text-to-speech synthesizer using neural networks

Neural Talk is a system developed to convert written text into audible speech. This PC-based system employs the use of a neural networks in converting the words to phonemes. Synthesized speech is produced using the Sound Blaster medium. The neural networks implemented is the back-propagation as its training algorithm. The project uses its own set of phonemes for compatibility with the networks\u27 input parameters. The system achieves a high accuracy rate through a network that has been developed to learn the correct assignment of phonemes to a word. The input and output coding of the 1,000 word data contains an innate knowledge for the neural network to learn. The training emphasizes primarily on the networks\u27 capability to learn word intonations through the phonemes. The output phonetic word interpretations are used to synthesize the speech. The system uses a 7-letter window based on NETtalk technology in the learning process. The networks gain better performance in generalizing new data through the process of learning more words. The training speed increases when network size is reduced . It learns consonants faster than vowels. The system\u27s characteristics are similar to those of phoneme structure. Basically, the main advantage of this system is its capability to convert the text into speech without the need for a word library as a reference, unlike in other applications that make use of the artificial intelligence technique

The chemical-in-plug bacterial chemotaxis assay is prone to false positive responses. BMC Research Notes 2010, 3:77

Chemical-in-plug assays are commonly used to study bacterial chemotaxis, sometimes in the absence of stringent controls. We report that non-chemotactic and non-motile mutants in two distinct bacterial species (Shewanella oneidensis and Helicobacter pylori) show apparent zones of accumulation or clearing around test plugs containing potential attractants or repellents, respectively. Our results suggest that the chemical-in-plug assay should be used with caution, that non-motile or non-chemotactic mutants should be employed as controls, and that results should be confirmed with other types of assays

Disclosure and closeness: Effect of disclosing certain kinds of information about other individuals

Quality of friendship is contingent upon individuals in a certain group. Their relationship is built with past experiences, constant communication, and meaningful conversations. The act of disclosing or sharing information about something or someone can trigger the growth in these relationships. In this paper, two significant variables, namely: the valence and the type of information, served as determinants for causing the change in the perceptions of closeness and intimacy felt by the listeners. A total of 150 participants were divided into different clusters. The discloser manipulated and disclosed different mixtures of valence and type of information pertaining to the target-person after the presentation of the video clip. The effect of disclosing these mixtures on the closeness and intimacy levels of the listeners were measured using the Interpersonal Solidarity Scale. The results of the study revealed that both valence and the type of information had an effect on the perceptions of closeness and likeability felt by the listeners to the target-person. However, when it comes to perceptions of closeness and likeability to the discloser, only the valence of information had a significant effect

Identification of polyketide inhibitors targeting 3-dehydroquinate dehydratase in the shikimate pathway of Enterococcus faecalis.

Due to the emergence of resistance toward current antibiotics, there is a pressing need to develop the next generation of antibiotics as therapeutics against infectious and opportunistic diseases of microbial origins. The shikimate pathway is exclusive to microbes, plants and fungi, and hence is an attractive and logical target for development of antimicrobial therapeutics. The Gram-positive commensal microbe, Enterococcus faecalis, is a major human pathogen associated with nosocomial infections and resistance to vancomycin, the "drug of last resort". Here, we report the identification of several polyketide-based inhibitors against the E. faecalis shikimate pathway enzyme, 3-dehydroquinate dehydratase (DHQase). In particular, marein, a flavonoid polyketide, both inhibited DHQase and retarded the growth of Enterococcus faecalis. The purification, crystallization and structural resolution of recombinant DHQase from E. faecalis (at 2.2 Å resolution) are also reported. This study provides a route in the development of polyketide-based antimicrobial inhibitors targeting the shikimate pathway of the human pathogen E. faecalis

List of flavonoids inhibiting <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>.

<p>List of flavonoids inhibiting <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>.</p

Data Collection, Refinement and Structure Validation Statistics.

<p>Data Collection, Refinement and Structure Validation Statistics.</p