Voice Conversion Using Sequence-to-Sequence Learning of Context Posterior Probabilities

Voice conversion (VC) using sequence-to-sequence learning of context posterior probabilities is proposed. Conventional VC using shared context posterior probabilities predicts target speech parameters from the context posterior probabilities estimated from the source speech parameters. Although conventional VC can be built from non-parallel data, it is difficult to convert speaker individuality such as phonetic property and speaking rate contained in the posterior probabilities because the source posterior probabilities are directly used for predicting target speech parameters. In this work, we assume that the training data partly include parallel speech data and propose sequence-to-sequence learning between the source and target posterior probabilities. The conversion models perform non-linear and variable-length transformation from the source probability sequence to the target one. Further, we propose a joint training algorithm for the modules. In contrast to conventional VC, which separately trains the speech recognition that estimates posterior probabilities and the speech synthesis that predicts target speech parameters, our proposed method jointly trains these modules along with the proposed probability conversion modules. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach outperforms the conventional VC.Comment: Accepted to INTERSPEECH 201

Priming and implicit recognition depend on similar temporal changes in perceptual representations.

Previous studies have reported that longer stimulus presentation decreases the magnitude of priming. In the present study, we used meaningless kaleidoscope images, which were reported to minimize conceptual processing, to investigate the mechanism of the phenomenon. We assessed the impact of stimulus duration on perceptual priming (Experiment 1) and implicit recognition memory (Experiment 2). Both the magnitude of priming and the accuracy of implicit recognition were lower with the longer stimulus presentation (350ms) compared with the shorter presentation (250ms). This coincidence of temporal dynamics between priming and implicit recognition suggests similar underlying memory mechanisms. In both cases, the decrease of performance with longer presentation can be explained by either changes in perceptual processes or interference from explicit memory retrieval

Brachet Test (Urine Hydrolysis Test) as an Aid to Differentiation of Leukemic Cells

Our experience with Brachet test on twenty-four leukemic patients has shown a high degree of reliability of the test for differentiating acute leukemias. A standard method has been described which is simple enough to be carried out routinely. The test, however, is not without pitfalls and need be interpreted with some caution. From the fact that urine hydrolysis can be closely simulated by the enzymatic action of pure DNase solution, it is suggested that the urine factor responsible for the nuclear lysis is DNase excreted in the human urine. The possible mechanism and implication of the test have been discussed in relation to the results obtained.</p

Thermally Controllable Decolorization of Reusable Radiochromic Complex of Polyvinyl Alcohol, Iodine and Silica Nanoparticles (PAISiN) Irradiated with γ-rays

Some medical and industry workers using ionizing radiation sources have potential risks of accidental high-dose exposure of their extremities, particularly their hands. While practical dosimeters suitable for on-site real-time monitoring of hand exposure are not yet available, they are desirable to be developed. Thus, the authors focused on the application of a reusable radiochromic complex composed of polyvinyl alcohol, iodide and silica nanoparticles, named “PAISiN”, and examined their dose responses and thermal stabilities of radiochromic reactions. Three PAISiN samples each were irradiated with 5, 10 and 20 Gy of 137Cs γ-rays, and time changes of the radiation-induced colors were observed at different temperatures: 20 °C (in a laboratory), 40 °C (in an oven) and 5.5 °C (in a refrigerator). It was confirmed that the PAISiN samples presented a red color that was easily detectable by the naked eyesight immediately after irradiation. The coloration was cleared within 24 h for 5 Gy irradiation at room temperature. The decolorization process was remarkably accelerated at 40 °C; it was erased in just 2 h. In contrast, storing in the refrigerator (5.5 °C) kept the color persistently for at least 4 days. These findings indicate that we could flexibly control the decolorization process of PAISiN in accordance with the objective of radiation monitoring

シンカク サイボウ ノ ホンヤク カイシ インシ ニカンスル ケンキュウ

学習院大学Gakushuin Universit

Enhancement of Terrestrial Diffuse X-ray Emission Associated With Coronal Mass Ejection and Geomagnetic Storm

We present an analysis of a Suzaku observation taken during the geomagnetic storm of 2005 August 23-24. We found time variation of diffuse soft X-ray emission when a coronal mass ejection hit Earth and caused a geomagnetic storm. The diffuse emission consists of fluorescent scattering of solar X-rays and exospheric solarwind charge exchange. The former is characterized by a neutral oxygen emission line due to strong heating of the upper atmosphere during the storm time, while the latter is dominated by a sum of C V, C VI, N VI, N VII, O VII, and O VIII emission lines due to the enhanced solar wind flux in the vicinity of the exosphere. Using the solar wind data taken with the ACE and WIND satellites,a time correlation between the solar wind and the strong O VII line flux were investigated. We estimated necessary column densities for the solar X-ray scattering and exospheric SWCX. From these results, we argue that a part of the solar wind ions enter inside the magnetosphere and cause the SWCX reaction.Comment: 33 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

Characterization of xenoantiserum produced against B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line

Antiserum was produced in white rabbit by intravenously injecting living cells of a B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) line (BALL-1). The reactivity of the antiserum against various lymphoid cell lines was examined by membrane immunofluorescence after appropriate absorption. Serum absorbed with non-T, non-B (NALL-1) and T-ALL (TALL-1) cells recognized B cell antigens distinct from Ia-like antigens on both normal and neoplastic B cells. After further absorption with tonsillar cells or normal B cell line (KO-HL-3), it reacted only with BALL-1 cells and did not react with other leukemia/lymphoma and normal B cell lines. The serum absorbed with tonsillar cells reacted only with BALL-1 and some B cell lines. Thus we were able to obtain antisera with specificity to B cell antigen, B-ALL antigen, and B cell line antigen.</p

Inhibition of Pokeweed Antiviral Protein (PAP) by turnip mosaic virus genome-linked protein (VPg)

Pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) from Phytolacca americana is a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) and an RNA N-glycosidase that removes specific purine residues from the sarcin/ricin loop of large rRNA, arresting protein synthesis at the translocation step. PAP is also a cap-binding protein and is a potent antiviral agent against many plant, animal, and human viruses. To elucidate the mechanism of RNA depurination, and to understand how PAP recognizes and targets various RNAs, the interactions between PAP and turnip mosaic virus genomelinked protein (VPg) were investigated. VPg can function as a cap analog in cap-independent translation and potentially target PAP to uncapped IRES-containing RNA. In this work, fluorescence spectroscopy andHPLCtechniques were used to quantitatively describe PAP depurination activity and PAP-VPg interactions. PAP binds to VPg with high affinity (29.5 nM); the reaction is enthalpically driven and entropically favored. Further, VPg is a potent inhibitor of PAP depurination of RNA in wheat germ lysate and competes with structured RNA derived from tobacco etch virus for PAP binding. VPg may confer an evolutionary advantage by suppressing one of the plant defense mechanisms and also suggests the possible use of this protein against the cytotoxic activity of ribosome-inactivating proteins. Background: PAP is a ribosome-inactivating protein that depurinates RNA and inhibits protein synthesis. Results: Turnip mosaic VPg inhibits enzymatic activity of PAP in wheat germ extract. Conclusion: VPg may play a role in overcoming viral resistance by suppressing the plant defense mechanism. Significance: Depurination inhibition by VPg suggests a novel viral strategy to evade host cell defense and possible anticytotoxic activity against RIPs