Artificial speech bandwidth extension improves telephone speech intelligibility and quality in cochlear implant users.

Hearing impaired persons, and particularly hearing-aid and cochlear implant (CI) users, often have difficulties communicating over the telephone. The intelligibility of classical so-called narrowband telephone speech is considerably lower than the intelligibility of face-to-face speech. This is partly because of the lack of visual cues, limited telephone bandwidth, and background noise. This work proposes to artificially extend the standard bandwidth of telephone speech to improve its intelligibility for CI users. Artificial speech bandwidth extension (ABE) is obtained through a front-end signal processing algorithm that estimates missing speech components in the high-frequency spectrum from learned data. A state-of-the-art ABE approach, which already led to superior speech quality for people with normal hearing, is used for processing telephone speech for CI users. Two different parameterizations are evaluated, one being more aggressive than the other. Nine CI users were tested with and without the proposed ABE algorithm. The experimental evaluation shows a significant improvement in speech intelligibility and speech quality over the phone for both versions of the ABE algorithm. These promising results support the potential of ABE, which could be incorporated into a commercial speech processor or a smartphone-based pre-processor that streams the telephone speech to the CI.

Sublay repair results in superior mesh incorporation and histological fibrogenesis in comparison to onlay and primary suture in an experimental rat model.

PURPOSE: To compare adhesion scores, repair strength and histological findings among sublay, onlay and primary repair incisional hernioplasty techniques. Surgical repairs were employed directly on healthy animals, without previous hernia induction, to avoid confounding factors related to hernia development. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups, control, simulation, onlay and sublay. After 42 days, adhesion intensity, tensile strength of the abdominal wall and anatomopathological histological substrate were compared. RESULTS: SL group presented greater adhesion scores (p < 0.0001), higher tensiometric (p < 0.0001), and was characterized by more histiocytes, mononuclear cells, macrovacuolar granulomas and type I collagen on histological analysis. Pearson correlation between adhesions and tensiometry, and between tensiometry and neocollagenization showed a strong positive association (r = 0.8905 and 0.6757, respectively in SL group, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Mesh positioning in sublay compartment was followed by increased adhesion development and provides a stronger mesh-tissue attachment, in addition, resulted in a different histological profile of the inflammation/repair substrate. The intensity of these findings was directly correlated, suggesting they could be the result of a common biological phenomenon. Our findings indicate that mesh placement following the retromuscular technique generates a superior repair response, and give clues to a better understanding of the superiority of sublay repair in achieving lower recurrence rates. Characterization of the cellular and molecular elements responsible for the superiority of this technique is in our view an essential prerequisite aiming for improvements in the therapeutic options for the treatment of this disease.

Performance and carbon turnover in fast- and slow-growing broilers submitted to cyclic heat stress and fed on high-protein diets.

Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that when using similar protein/amino acid diets and environment temperature conditions, the performance and carbon turnover in muscle and liver tissues, as measured by the incorporation of stable isotopes ((13)C/(12)C), must be different between fast-growing Cobb 500® and slow-growing Label Rouge broilers. For both experiments (Cobb and Label Rouge), 21-d-old birds were distributed in a completely randomised, 3 × 3 factorial design; three environmental temperatures (cyclic heat stress ad libitum, 22°C ad libitum, and 22°C restricted) and three crude protein concentrations (189.1, 210 and 220 g/kg CP) were used. The Cobb 500® had better performance with higher concentrations of crude protein. Cyclic heat stress (a temperature factor), negatively affected this genetic strain's performance. For the Label Rouge birds, the crude protein concentrations in the diet presented inconsistent results and cyclic heat stress did not affect the performance. The carbon turnover rate was affected in the Cobb 500® strain, with a high protein content reducing carbon turnover in the evaluated tissues (liver and muscles). Feed intake had a greater impact on carbon turnover rates than cyclic heat stress. The Label Rouge birds were not affected by the evaluated factors, suggesting that genetic improvement has a leading role on tissue carbon turnover. There is a genetic influence on carbon turnover in the liver and muscle tissues of broiler chickens. In addition, genetically fast-growing broilers are more susceptible to variations in diet composition and environmental temperature than less rapidly growing animals.

Induction and growth pattern of callus from Piper permucronatum leaves / Indução e padrão de crescimento de calos de folhas de Piper permucronatum

ABSTRACT Piper permucronatum is a perennial shrub, a medicinal plant native to the Amazon Rainforest. Traditionally, the tea of its leaves is used to combat menstrual and intestinal cramps, stomach pain, digestive problems, diarrhea, hemorrhage, and nausea. Its leaf’s essential oil is effective against Aedes aegypti larvae; its flavones and flavanones have a fungicidal effect against Clamidosporium cladosporioides and C. sphaerospermum; its hexanic extract is effective against Leishmania amazonensis. The objective of this study was to provide a protocol for callus induction from P. permucronatum leaves and an identification of the callus growth pattern, focusing on the deceleration phase, when the callus cells must be subcultured into liquid medium in order to produce a cell suspension cultures. Leaf explants were inoculated in a solid MS medium supplemented with factorial combinations of 2,4-D, BA, NAA and GA3. Callus formation was evaluated weekly until the 49th day. Subsequently, new explants were inoculated at the hormonal combination that resulted in the highest callus cell proliferation and, every seven days during a period of 70 days, samples were dried and weighed to determine the callus growth pattern. NAA and GA3 were not effective for callus induction. Combinations of 2,4-D and BA resulted in callus induction and proliferation. The highest percentage of callus induction was observed with the combination of 4.52 µM 2,4-D and 4.44 µM BA. The calluses thereby produced were friable and whitish. The callus growth pattern followed a sigmoid shape. The deceleration phase started on the 56th day of culture.

RESUMO Indução e padrão de crescimento de calos de folhas de Piper permucronatum. Piper permucronatum é um arbusto perene, uma planta medicinal native da Floresta Amazônica. Tradicionalmente, o chá de suas folhas é usado em casos de cólicas menstruais e intestinais, dores de estômago, problemas digestivos, diarreia, hemorragia e náusea. O óleo essencial das folhas é efetivo contra a larva de Aedes aegypti; suas flavonas e flavanonas têm efeito fungicida contra Clamidosporium cladosporioides e C. sphaerospermum; seu extrato hexânico é efetivo contra Leishmania amazonensis. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar um protocolo para indução de calos em folhas de P. permucronatum e identificar o padrão de crescimento dos calos, com foco na fase de desaceleração, quando as células de calo devem ser subcultivadas em meio líquido para produzir culturas de células em suspensão. Explantes foliares foram inoculados em meio MS sólido suplementado com combinações fatoriais de 2,4-D, BAP, ANA e GA3. A formação de calos foi avaliada semanalmente até o 49º dia. Posteriormente, novos explantes foram inoculados na combinação hormonal que resultou na maior proliferação de células de calo e, a cada sete dias durante 70 dias, amostras foram secas e pesadas para determinar o padrão de crescimento dos calos. ANA e GA3 não foram efetivas para a indução de calos. Combinações de 2,4-D e BAP resultaram em indução e proliferação de calos. A maior porcentagem de indução de calos foi observada com a combinação de 4,52 µM de 2,4-D e 4,44 µM de BAP. Os calos produzidos eram friáveis e esbranquiçados. O crescimento dos calos seguiu um padrão sigmoide. A fase de desaceleração iniciou no 56º dia de cultivo.

Long-distance distribution of genuine energy-time entanglement.

Any practical realization of entanglement-based quantum communication must be intrinsically secure and able to span long distances avoiding the need of a straight line between the communicating parties. The violation of Bell's inequality offers a method for the certification of quantum links without knowing the inner workings of the devices. Energy-time entanglement quantum communication satisfies all these requirements. However, currently there is a fundamental obstacle with the standard configuration adopted: an intrinsic geometrical loophole that can be exploited to break the security of the communication, in addition to other loopholes. Here we show the first experimental Bell violation with energy-time entanglement distributed over 1 km of optical fibres that is free of this geometrical loophole. This is achieved by adopting a new experimental design, and by using an actively stabilized fibre-based long interferometer. Our results represent an important step towards long-distance secure quantum communication in optical fibres.

Quantum key distribution session with 16-dimensional photonic states.

The secure transfer of information is an important problem in modern telecommunications. Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides a solution to this problem by using individual quantum systems to generate correlated bits between remote parties, that can be used to extract a secret key. QKD with D-dimensional quantum channels provides security advantages that grow with increasing D. However, the vast majority of QKD implementations has been restricted to two dimensions. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of using higher dimensions for real-world quantum cryptography by performing, for the first time, a fully automated QKD session based on the BB84 protocol with 16-dimensional quantum states. Information is encoded in the single-photon transverse momentum and the required states are dynamically generated with programmable spatial light modulators. Our setup paves the way for future developments in the field of experimental high-dimensional QKD.

Effects of corn replacement by sorghum in broiler diets on performance and intestinal mucosa integrity.

The effect of replacing corn with low-tannin sorghum on broiler performance, carcass yield, integrity of mucosa of small intestine segments, and activity of membrane enzymes of the jejunum is investigated. A total of 594 male Cobb-500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments: 100% corn (control), 50% corn replacement with low-tannin sorghum (low sorghum), and 100% corn replacement with low-tannin sorghum (high sorghum). Body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion, and carcass yield were determined at 7, 21, and 42 d, and segments of the small intestine were collected. Feed conversion and weight gain were impaired at d 42 in broilers fed the high-sorghum diet, but no differences were observed for carcass yield among the treatments (P > 0.05). Crypt cell mitotic index of the jejunum and ileum at d 21 and 42 was lower in broilers fed the control diet than in those fed low- and high-sorghum diets (P < 0.05). Aminopeptidase activity was higher in broilers fed the control diet than in those fed low- and high-sorghum diets irrespective of age (P < 0.05). Conversely, intestinal alkaline phosphatase activity in the small intestine did not differ among the dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Our results indicate that 50% corn replacement with low-tannin sorghum is suitable for broiler diets, whereas 100% corn replacement with low-tannin sorghum had negative effects on the intestinal mucosa and performance of broilers at 42 d.

Quantifying the non-Gaussianity of the state of spatially correlated down-converted photons.

The state of spatially correlated down-converted photons is usually treated as a two-mode Gaussian entangled state. While intuitively this seems to be reasonable, it is known that new structures in the spatial distributions of these photons can be observed when the phase-matching conditions are properly taken into account. Here, we study how the variances of the near- and far-field conditional probabilities are affected by the phase-matching functions, and we analyze the role of the EPR-criterion regarding the non-Gaussianity and entanglement detection of the spatial two-photon state of spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC). Then we introduce a statistical measure, based on the negentropy of the joint distributions at the near- and far-field planes, which allows for the quantification of the non-Gaussianity of this state. This measure of non-Gaussianity requires only the measurement of the diagonal covariance sub-matrices, and will be relevant for new applications of the spatial correlation of SPDC in CV quantum information processing.

Experimental quantum tomography of photonic qudits via mutually unbiased basis.

We present the experimental quantum tomography of 7- and 8-dimensional quantum systems based on projective measurements in the mutually unbiased basis (MUB-QT). One of the advantages of MUB-QT is that it requires projections from a minimal number of bases to be performed. In our scheme, the higher dimensional quantum systems are encoded using the propagation modes of single photons, and we take advantage of the capabilities of amplitude- and phase-modulation of programmable spatial light modulators to implement the MUB-QT.

Effects of power training on muscle thickness of older men.

The present study aimed at comparing the effects of traditional resistance training (TRT) and power training (PT) in inducing muscle hypertrophy in older men. Twenty older men (aged between 69 and 76 years) were divided in two groups: TRT training (n=9) and PT training (n=11). The volunteers trained twice a week, during 10 weeks. Both groups performed an equal work output and the same exercises with loads between 40% and 60% of 1 RM. Three sets of eight repetitions of each exercise were performed with rest intervals of 90 s between sets. Muscle thickness was measured by ultrasound at the biceps brachii (BIC) and rectus femoris (RF), using a 12 MHz high resolution scanning probe. An ANCOVA was used to compare post training muscle thickness values between TRT and PT, using baseline values as covariates. According to the results, RF muscle thickness increased only in PT, while BIC muscle thickness increased in both groups, but with larger increases in PT. In conclusion, ten weeks of PT induced muscle hypertrophy of the upper and lower limb muscles in older men. PT training may yield better results in muscle hypertrophy when compared with TRT.

Generation of a two-photon singlet beam.

Controlling the pump beam transverse profile in multimode Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, we generate a "localized" two-photon singlet state, in which both photons propagate in the same beam. This type of multiphoton singlet beam may be useful in quantum communication to avoid decoherence. We show that although the photons are part of the same beam, they are never in the same plane-wave mode, which is characterized by spatial antibunching behavior in the plane normal to the propagation direction.

Experimental observation of spatial antibunching of photons.

We report an interference experiment that shows transverse spatial antibunching of photons. Using collinear parametric down-conversion in a Young-type fourth-order interference setup, we show interference patterns that violate classical Schwarz inequality and should not exist at all in a classical description.

An investigation on the ecology of Triatoma vitticeps (Stal, 1859) and its possible role in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, in the locality of Triunfo, Santa Maria Madalena municipal district, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

From January 1989 to April 1995, 465 specimens of Triatoma vitticeps were collected in the locality of Triunfo, 2nd District of Santa Maria Madalena municipal district, State of Rio de Janeiro. The bugs were found indoors by local residents with predominance of adults. The flight activity was high in hot months when the incidence in the domicile also increased. Two hundred and two bugs (111 alive and 91 dead) were examined for Trypanosoma cruzi infection. This was detected in 31 of the dead bugs (34%) and 88 (79%) of the live bugs examined. With a view to investigate the possible vertebrate hosts of the T. cruzi isolates, the blood of 122 mammals was examined through Giemsa-stained smears, hemocultures and xenodiagnosis. T. cruzi was detected in three specimens of Didelphis marsupialis and T. (M.) theileri was detected in one specimen of Bos taurus. The parasites were isolated from triatomine feces, xenoculture and hemoculture. No evidence of human infection was detected in 58 inhabitants examined, as evaluated by indirect imunofluorescence technique using T. cruzi epimastigotes as antigens. These results show that T. vitticeps is still a sylvatic species although nymphs have been found inside the domicile. Thus, an epidemiological vigilance is necessary to know the behaviour of this species following the continuous modifications promoted by the presence of man.

Results of a surveillance system for adverse effects in leprosy's WHO/MDT.

The implementation of the World Health Organization's multidrug therapy (WHO/MDT) in Brazil began slowly and gradually in 1986, and in 1991 it was adopted officially by the Brazilian Ministry for Health. After 1991, during the intensive phase of WHO/MDT implementation, there was some concern about the number of cases of renal failure observed in several Brazilian states, including some fatalities. This was the motive behind the state of São Paulo's Health Department's decision to carry out a study that would evaluate not only the incidence rate of adverse effects of rifampin in relation to kidney function but also in relation to the use of WHO/MDT in general. Due to the existence in the state of São Paulo of health services with a program for the control of Hansen's disease and an organized and stratified system of epidemiological surveillance, it was possible to elaborate a subsystem for data collecting. During the period from July 1991 to December 1993, 20,667 patients were treated with WHO/MDT. Among this group there were 127 notifications considered as adverse effects, mainly: "flu"-like syndrome (54), acute renal failure (20), cutaneous reactions (15), toxic hepatitis (15), gastrointestinal complaints (8), hemolytic anemia (6), methemoglobinemia (4), thrombocytopenic purpura (2), hypotension (2) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (1). There was a predominance of adverse effects among multibacillary (MB) patients and the majority of the reactions occurred before the 6th dose; 82.7% of MB patients had had previous treatment with dapsone and rifampin and, due the fact that most severe reactions were related to rifampin, a booster mechanism could be an explanation for this occurrence. So far, there are seven published reports on renal failure in the world, and in Brazil only in the state of Søao Paulo there were 20 cases reported among 20,667 patients under WHO/MDT treatment, This striking difference deserves a better explanation, but in no way do these reports undermine the positive aspects of WHO/MDT. However, the authors believe that a world alert about its possible serious side effects is not only necessary but ethically required.