Tuben: Re-introducing a computer program by Liljencrants and Fant (1975) for simulating vocal tract area transfer functions

Liljencrants and Fant (1975) designed a computer program for modelling vocal tract area transfer functions as sequences of rounded tubes. Here, we present Tuben, an updated version of the program, written in the Python programming language. We present a use case of the program, replicating vocal tract shapes for point vowels /a/, /i/, and /u/. The program has been made publicly available and presents researchers and students in speech-centric sciences with easily accessible vocal tract modelling and vowel synthesis

Effect of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Lipoprotein Metabolism and Markers of HDL Functionality in Morbid Obese Patients

Purpose: Morbid obesity represents the most severe form of obesity and surgical intervention would be its only successful treatment. Bariatric surgery could generate modifications in carbohydrate metabolism and in lipid profile plus lipoprotein-associated proteins and enzymes, such as lipoprotein-associated phoslipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), and paraoxonase (PON) 1. The aim of the present study was to analyze changes in inflammation markers, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid parameters in patients who underwent bariatric surgery. Methods: Thirty-seven patients with morbid obesity were recruited. Evaluations were performed before (T0) and 1 (T1) and 6 (T2) months after surgery. Glucose, insulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoproteins (apo) A-I, and B plus Interleukin 1β and 6 levels in addition to CETP, Lp-PLA2, and PON 1 activities were determined. Results: Body mass index decreased at T1 and T2 (p < 0.01). An improvement in all markers of insulin resistance (p < 0.05) was observed at T1. hsCRP levels diminished at T2 (p < 0.05). Triglyceride levels decreased at T1 and T2 (p < 0.05). HDL-C and apo A-I showed a decrease at T1 which was completely reversed at T2 (p < 0.05). Lp-PLA2 activity increased at T1, which was reversed at T2 (p < 0.05), and CETP activity was diminished at T2 (p < 0.05). PON and ARE activities decreased at T1 and partially recovered at T2 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results would be indicative of a favorable effect of bariatric surgery on markers of carbohydrate metabolism and cardiovascular disease lipid risk factors.Fil: Lozano Chiappe, Ezequiel Silvano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Martin, Maximiliano Emanuel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Iglesias Molli, Andrea Elena. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Millan, Andrea. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Tetzlaff, Walter Francisco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Botta, Eliana Elizabeth. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Ferraro, Maria Florencia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Sáez, Maria S.. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Lorenzon Gonzalez, Maria V.. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Laura Estela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Sorroche, Patricia. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Beskow, Axel. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Gutierrez, Mercedes. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Cerrone, Gloria Edith. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Gutt, Susana. Hospital Italiano; ArgentinaFil: Frechtel, Gustavo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Brites, Fernando Daniel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin