Synthesis of a female voice, a preliminary study

The ultimate aim of my work is to synthesize a female voice with the help of our OVEIII synthesizer. I have started this work by surveying the existing literature where only three articles describing experiments in this area could be found, none of which claimed to have been successful. We copied one of those experiments and also tried to copy one utterance made by a female speaker. None of these synthesized samples were acceptable as a female voice. To gain more knowledge about the perceptual load of different parameters we ran a test where the fundamental frequency, the bandwidths, and the higher formants were varied. The listeners seemed to be aware of differences in average fundamental frequency that were greater than 10 Hz and were more sensitive to changes in the first formant than in the higher formants

User Evaluation of the SYNFACE Talking Head Telephone

Abstract. The talking-head telephone, Synface, is a lip-reading support for people with hearing-impairment. It has been tested by 49 users with varying degrees of hearing-impaired in UK and Sweden in lab and home environments. Synface was found to give support to the users, especially in perceiving numbers and addresses and an enjoyable way to communicate. A majority deemed Synface to be a useful product.

Down-regulation of progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) in peripheral nucleated blood cells associated with premature ovarian failure (POF) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) is a member of a progesterone-binding complex implicated in female reproduction. We aimed i) to determine the natural expression of PGRMC1 in peripheral nucleated blood cells throughout the menstrual cycle and ii) to investigate any association between PGRMC1 levels in leukocytes and conditions characterized by reduced fertility.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed PGRMC1 expression in peripheral leukocytes from 15 healthy cycling women over four weeks. Additionally, we determined PGRMC1 levels in samples from patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as well as in healthy postmenopausal women and male controls. The levels of PGRMC1 protein in nucleated peripheral blood cells were quantified by Western blot analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>PGRMC1 levels did not vary significantly throughout the menstrual cycle. We observed a significant down-regulation of PGRMC1 in postmenopausal women and in patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) when compared to early follicular phase of healthy women.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study suggests that reduced levels of PGRMC1 in peripheral leukocytes are associated with perturbed ovulatory function.</p

Bioaccessibility, bioavailability and toxicity of commercially relevant iron- and chromium-based particles: in vitro studies with an inhalation perspective

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Production of ferrochromium alloys (FeCr), master alloys for stainless steel manufacture, involves casting and crushing processes where particles inevitably become airborne and potentially inhaled. The aim of this study was to assess potential health hazards induced by inhalation of different well-characterized iron- and chromium-based particles, i.e. ferrochromium (FeCr), ferrosiliconchromium (FeSiCr), stainless steel (316L), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), and chromium(III)oxide (Cr₂O₃), in different size fractions using in vitro methods. This was done by assessing the extent and speciation of released metals in synthetic biological medium and by analyzing particle reactivity and toxicity towards cultured human lung cells (A549).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The amount of released metals normalized to the particle surface area increased with decreasing particle size for all alloy particles, whereas the opposite situation was valid for particles of the pure metals. These effects were evident in artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF) of pH 4.5 containing complexing agents, but not in neutral or weakly alkaline biological media. Chromium, iron and nickel were released to very low extent from all alloy particles, and from particles of Cr due to the presence of a Cr(III)-rich protective surface oxide. Released elements were neither proportional to the bulk nor to the surface composition after the investigated 168 hours of exposure. Due to a surface oxide with less protective properties, significantly more iron was released from pure iron particles compared with the alloys. Cr was predominantly released as Cr(III) from all particles investigated and was strongly complexed by organic species of ALF. Cr₂O₃particles showed hemolytic activity, but none of the alloy particles did. Fine-sized particles of stainless steel caused however DNA damage, measured with the comet assay after 4 h exposure. None of the particles revealed any significant cytotoxicity in terms of cell death after 24 h exposure.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It is evident that particle and alloy characteristics such as particle size and surface composition are important aspects to consider when assessing particle toxicity and metal release from alloy particles compared to pure metal particles. Generated results clearly elucidate that neither the low released concentrations of metals primarily as a result of protective and poorly soluble surface oxides, nor non-bioavailable chromium complexes, nor the particles themselves of occupational relevance induced significant acute toxic response, with exception of DNA damage from stainless steel.</p

Utprøving av nytt reinvarslingssystem på E6 over Saltfjellet. Vintrene 2018 og 2019.

Påkjørsel av tamrein og andre beitedyr er et stadig økende problem både i nordiske land og i Europa for øvrig. I Norge har mer enn 3000 tamrein blitt påkjørt av tog de siste 10 år og dette medfører store dyrelidelser og samfunnsøkonomiske kostnader. Formålet med vårt prosjekt var å teste driftssikkerhet og virkning av et nytt elektronisk reinvarslingssystem langs vei vinterstid. Et viktig delmål i prosjektet var å redusere antall kollisjoner mellom kjøretøyer og tamrein. Varslingssystemet er basert på radiobølger (805.15.4 866MHz). Reinsenderen er på størrelse med en tjuekroning og har en estimert batterikapasitet på 5 år. Støpt inn i en halsklave sender den radiosignaler med rekkevidde på ca. 100 meter. Det ble satt opp 41 mottakere i 2018 og 39 mottakere i 2019 på stikker langs en 4,5 km teststrekning på E6 over Saltfjellet. Disse mottakerne er utstyrt med røde lysdioder som begynner å blinke når reinen nærmer seg. Over 500 voksne reinsimler ble instrumentert med halsklaver og radiosendere i løpet av de to årene som utprøvingen foregikk. Funksjonaliteten av varslingssystemet ble kontrollert og loggført fire ganger i 2018 og ukentlig i 2019 (18 ganger) i løpet av testperiodene. Det ble samtidig lagret datalogg over sendere som hadde aktivert mottakere med SIM kort. En fartsmåler ble i tillegg satt opp i nærheten av teststrekningen i 2019......publishedVersio

Mer av det samme? En studie av tildelings­praksiser i Program for psykisk helse, Norges forsknings­råd i perioden 1995–2015

More of the same? A study of the funding practices of The Research Council of Norway’s Programs for Mental Health in the period 1995 to 2015 The objective of this paper is to examine the funding practices of The Research Council of Norway’s Programs for Mental Health during the time period from 1995 to 2015. The paper’s foci are on funded research groups and professions, main topics, and research questions. The empirical data consists of 138 project abstracts. The findings reveal a discrepancy between the national policies and funding practices during the program periods, where narrow knowledge development like biological, genetic, and neurological is given priority. Research focusing on community mental health and living conditions is rarely funded. The paper discusses decision-making practices, revealing that new research groups and projects that attend to more comprehensive mental health issues are rarely funded. This is a paradox in our modern days with innovation, originality, and service user involvement on the agenda

Genotoxicity and inflammatory potential of stainless steel welding fume particles: an in vitro study on standard vs Cr(VI)-reduced flux-cored wires and the role of released metals.

Welders are daily exposed to various levels of welding fumes containing several metals. This exposure can lead to an increased risk for different health effects which serves as a driving force to develop new methods that generate less toxic fumes. The aim of this study was to explore the role of released metals for welding particle-induced toxicity and to test the hypothesis that a reduction of Cr(VI) in welding fumes results in less toxicity by comparing the welding fume particles of optimized Cr(VI)-reduced flux-cored wires (FCWs) to standard FCWs. The welding particles were thoroughly characterized, and toxicity (cell viability, DNA damage and inflammation) was assessed following exposure to welding particles as well as their released metal fraction using cultured human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC-3kt, 5-100 µg/mL) and human monocyte-derived macrophages (THP-1, 10-50 µg/mL). The results showed that all Cr was released as Cr(VI) for welding particles generated using standard FCWs whereas only minor levels (\u3c 3% of total Cr) were released from the newly developed FCWs. Furthermore, the new FCWs were considerably less cytotoxic and did not cause any DNA damage in the doses tested. For the standard FCWs, the Cr(VI) released in cell media seemed to explain a large part of the cytotoxicity and DNA damage. In contrast, all particles caused rather similar inflammatory effects suggesting different underlying mechanisms. Taken together, this study suggests a potential benefit of substituting standard FCWs with Cr(VI)-reduced wires to achieve less toxic welding fumes and thus reduced risks for welders

Clinical and biochemical changes in 53 Swedish dogs bitten by the European adder - Vipera berus

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Every year many dogs in Sweden are bitten by <it>Vipera berus</it>, the only venomous viper in Sweden. This prospective study investigated clinical signs, some biochemical parameters, treatment, and progress of disease after snakebite in 53 dogs. Effects of treatment with and without glucocorticoids were evaluated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All fifty-three dogs bitten by <it>Vipera berus </it>were examined the same day the dog was bitten and the next day. Two more examinations during 23 days post snake bite were included. Creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bile acid results were followed through 3 to 4 samplings from 34 of the dogs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All dogs had variable severity of local swelling in the bite area and 73 per cent had affected mental status. Initial cardiac auscultation examination was normal in all dogs, but six dogs had cardiac abnormalities at their second examination, including cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac murmurs. All dogs received fluid therapy, 36 dogs were given analgesics, 22 dogs were treated with glucocorticoids, and ten dogs were treated with antibiotics. Evidence of transient muscle damage (increased CK) was seen one day after the snake bite in 15 (54%) of 28 sampled dogs. Moderate changes in hepatic test results occurred in 1 dog and several dogs (22 of 34) had transient, minor increases in one or more hepatic test result. No dog died during the observation period as a consequence of the snake bite.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Snake bite caused local swelling in all dogs and mental depression of short duration in most dogs. Some dogs had transient clinical signs that could be indicative of cardiac injury and some other had transient biochemical signs of liver injury. Treatment with glucocorticoids did not have any clear positive or negative effect on clinical signs and mortality.</p