Acoustic-phonetic characteristics of speech produced with communicative intent to counter adverse listening conditions

This study investigated whether speech produced in spontaneous interactions when addressing a talker experiencing actual challenging conditions differs in acoustic-phonetic characteristics from speech produced: (a) with communicative intent under more ideal conditions, and (b) without communicative intent under imaginary challenging conditions (read, clear speech). It also investigated whether acoustic-phonetic modifications made to counteract the effects of a challenging listening condition are tailored to the condition under which communication occurs. 40 talkers were recorded in pairs while engaged in ‘spot the difference’ picture tasks in good and challenging conditions. In the challenging conditions, one talker heard the other: (1) via a three-channel noise vocoder (VOC); (2) with simultaneous babble noise (BABBLE). Read, clear speech showed more extreme changes in median F0, F0 range and speaking rate than speech produced to counter the effects of a challenging listening condition. In the VOC condition, where F0 and intensity enhancements are unlikely to aid intelligibility, talkers did not change their F0 median and range; mean energy and vowel F1 increased less than in the BABBLE condition. This suggests that speech production is listener-focused, and that talkers modulate their speech according to their interlocutors’ needs, even when not directly experiencing the challenging listening condition

In Vitro Fertilization and Risk for Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: Associations With Treatment Parameters

With an increasing proportion of pregnancies being conceived using assisted-reproductive technology, important changes to in vitro fertilization (IVF) such as the use of cryopreserved oocytes or embryos have been made. It is now established that adverse maternal and infant perinatal outcomes are associated with both assisted reproductive technologies and subfertility

A Fluorescent Probe Identifies Active Site Ligands of Inositol Pentakisphosphate 2-Kinase

Inositol pentakisphosphate 2-kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of the axial 2-OH of myo-inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate for de novo synthesis of myo-inositol hexakisphosphate. Disruption of inositol pentakisphosphate 2-kinase profoundly influences cellular processes; from nuclear mRNA export and phosphate homeostasis in yeast and plants, to establishment of left-right asymmetry in zebra fish. We elaborate an active site fluorescent probe that allows high throughput screening of Arabidopsis inositol pentakisphosphate 2-kinase. We show that the probe has a binding constant comparable to the Km values of inositol phosphate substrates of this enzyme, and can be used to prospect for novel substrates and inhibitors of inositol phosphate kinases. We identify several micromolar Ki inhibitors and validate this approach by solving the crystal structure of protein in complex with purpurogallin. We additionally solve structures of protein in complexes with epimeric higher inositol phosphates. This probe may find utility in characterization of a wide family of inositol phosphate kinases

Defining critical factors in multi-country studies of assisted reproductive technologies (ART): data from the US and UK health systems

As the worldwide use of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) continues to grow, there is a critical need to assess the safety of these treatment parameters and the potential adverse health effects of their use in adults and their offspring. While key elements remain similar across nations, geographic variations both in treatments and populations make generalizability challenging. We describe and compare the demographic factors between the USA and the UK related to ART use and discuss implications for research. The USA and the UK share some common elements of ART practice and in how data are collected regarding long-term outcomes. However, the monitoring of ART in these two countries each brings strengths that complement each other’s limitations

Evaluation of an interactive, case-based review session in teaching medical microbiology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oklahoma State University-Center for Health Sciences (OSU-CHS) has replaced its microbiology wet laboratory with a variety of tutorials including a case-based interactive session called Microbial Jeopardy!. The question remains whether the time spent by students and faculty in the interactive case-based tutorial is worthwhile? This study was designed to address this question by analyzing both student performance data and assessing students' perceptions regarding the tutorial.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Both quantitative and qualitative data were used in the current study. Part One of the study involved assessing student performance using archival records of seven case-based exam questions used in the 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 OSU-CHS Medical Microbiology course. Two sample t-tests for proportions were used to test for significant differences related to tutorial usage. Part Two used both quantitative and qualitative means to assess student's perceptions of the Microbial Jeopardy! session. First, a retrospective survey was administered to students who were enrolled in Medical Microbiology in 2006 or 2007. Second, responses to open-ended items from the 2008 course evaluations were reviewed for comments regarding the Microbial Jeopardy! session.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both student performance and student perception data support continued use of the tutorials. Quantitative and qualitative data converge to suggest that students like and learn from the interactive, case-based session.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The case-based tutorial appears to improve student performance on case-based exam questions. Additionally, students perceived the tutorial as helpful in preparing for exam questions and reviewing the course material. The time commitment for use of the case-based tutorial appears to be justified.</p

Risks of nonchromosomal birth defects, small-for-gestational age birthweight, and prematurity with in vitro fertilization: effect of number of embryos transferred and plurality at conception versus at birth

PURPOSE: Excess embryos transferred (ET) (> plurality at birth) and fetal heartbeats (FHB) at 6 weeks' gestation are associated with reductions in birthweight and gestation, but prior studies have been limited by small sample sizes and limited IVF data. This analysis evaluated associations between excess ET, excess FHB, and adverse perinatal outcomes, including the risk of nonchromosomal birth defects. METHODS: Live births conceived via IVF from Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Texas included 138,435 children born 2004-2013 (Texas), 2004-2016 (Massachusetts and North Carolina), and 2004-2017 (New York) were classified by ET and FHB. Major birth defects were reported by statewide registries within the first year of life. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% CIs of the risks of a major nonchromosomal birth defect, small-for-gestational age birthweight (SGA), low birthweight (LBW), and preterm birth (≤36 weeks), by excess ET, and excess ET + excess FHB, by plurality at birth (singletons and twins). RESULTS: In singletons with [2 ET, FHB =1] and [≥3 ET, FHB=1], risks [AOR (95% CI)] were increased, respectively, for major nonchromosomal birth defects [1.13 (1.00-1.27) and 1.18 (1.00-1.38)], SGA [1.10 (1.03-1.17) and 1.15 (1.05-1.26)], LBW [1.09 (1.02-1.13) and 1.17 (1.07-1.27)], and preterm birth [1.06 (1.00-1.12) and 1.14 (1.06-1.23)]. With excess ET + excess FHB, risks of all adverse outcomes except major nonchromosomal birth defects increased further for both singletons and twins. CONCLUSION: Excess embryos transferred are associated with increased risks for nonchromosomal birth defects, reduced birthweight, and prematurity in IVF-conceived births

Ageing and Long-Term Care Planning Perceptions of Hispanics in the USA: Evidence from a Case Study in New London, Connecticut

This paper explores the ageing attitudes and long-term care planning behavior of adult Hispanics in New London, Connecticut, a town with 30 thousand inhabitants that is rapidly ageing. We conducted six focus groups and had 37 participants share their ageing perceptions and long-term care needs. Our main findings suggest that informal care arrangements are vulnerable and unsustainable especially since women have historically and disproportionately provided most family eldercare even at their own personal and financial expense. Though male participants expected their female relatives to care for them when they age and need personal assistance, female participants did not necessarily expect the same from their relatives including their daughters. Also, both formal and government long-term care systems lack cultural competence and can be prohibitively costly. Therefore, Hispanics plan for ageing within their circles of family care and their resilience in a context of cultural exclusion and socio-economic disadvantage epitomizes strong intergenerational values. These support networks may help explain why may outlive whites (the Hispanic paradox ) who, on average, have higher wealth and education levels. Long-term care planning is a complex process that cannot be relayed to families only. Adequate training for family members from other relatives, and from private and government entities to appropriately convey this type of planning is vital to ensure that Hispanic families understand their options

Imaging myocardial carcinoid with T2-STIR CMR

We used T2-STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery) cardiovascular magnetic resonance to demonstrate carcinoid tumor metastases to the heart and liver in a 64-year-old woman with a biopsy-proven ileal carcinoid tumor who was referred because of an abnormal echocardiogram