Objective evaluation of grapheme to phoneme conversion for text-to-speech synthesis in French

This paper reports on a cooperative international evaluation of grapheme-to-phoneme (GP) conversion for text-to-speech synthesis in French. Test methodology and test corpora are described. The results for eight systems are provided and analysed in some detail. The contribution of this paper is twofold: on the one hand, it gives an accurate picture of the state-of-the-art in the domain of GP conversion for French, and points out the problems still to be solved. On the other hand, much room is devoted to a discussion of methodological issues for this task. We hope this could help future evaluations of similar systems in other languages.     

Theory and practice in using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to detect hydrocarbons in emissions from gas turbine engines

This paper describes the procedures used to detect hydrocarbons in emissions from gas turbine engines using non-intrusive Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The basic theory of FTIR is described together with the spectroscopic concepts necessary to be able to perform observations of hydrocarbons (HC). The processes of identification and quantification of the compounds present in combustion gases from infrared spectra are described and these techniques are applied to laboratory experiments using kerosene fuel burners. The results of field trials where exhausts from commercial aircraft were studied and unburnt hydrocarbons features in the C-H stretch region were measured are discussed. Quantitative measurements of HC were performed using the hexane equivalent concentration technique.     

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition, AT1 receptor inhibition, and combination therapy with pacing induced heart failure: effects on left ventricular performance and regional blood flow patterns

BACKGROUND: AT1 receptor activation has been demonstrated to cause increased vascular resistance properties which may be of particular importance in the setting of congestive heart failure (CHF). The overall goal of this study was to examine the effects of ACE inhibition (ACEI) alone, AT1 receptor blockade alone and combined ACEI and AT1 receptor blockade on LV pump function, systemic hemodynamics and regional blood flow patterns in the normal state and with the development of pacing induced CHF, both at rest and with treadmill induced exercise. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pigs (25 kg) were instrumented in order to measure cardiac output (CO), systemic (SVR) and pulmonary vascular (PVR) resistance, neurohormonal system activity, and myocardial blood flow distribution in the conscious state and assigned to one of 4 groups: (1) rapid atrial pacing (240 bpm) for 3 weeks (n = 7); (2) ACEI (benazeprilat, 3.75 mg/day) and pacing (n = 7); (3) AT1 receptor blockade (valsartan, 60 mg/day) and rapid pacing (n = 7); and (4) ACEI and AT1 receptor blockade (benazeprilat/valsartan, 1/60 mg/day, respectively) and pacing (n = 7). Measurements were obtained at rest and with treadmill exercise (15 degrees, 3 miles/h; 10 min) in the normal control state and after the completion of the treatment protocols. With rapid pacing, CO was reduced at rest and with exercise compared to controls. ACEI or AT1 blockade normalized CO at rest, but remained lower than control values with exercise. Combination therapy normalized CO both at rest and with exercise. Resting SVR in the CHF group was higher than controls and SVR fell to a similar degree with exercise; all treatment groups reduced resting SVR. With exercise, SVR was reduced from rapid pacing values in the ACEI and combination therapy groups. PVR increased by over 4-fold in the rapid pacing group both at rest and with exercise, and was reduced in all treatment groups. In the combination therapy group, PVR was similar to control values with exercise. Plasma catecholamines and endothelin levels were increased by over 3-fold with chronic rapid pacing, and were reduced in all treatment groups. In the combination therapy group, the relative increase in catecholamines and endothelin with exercise were significantly blunted when compared to rapid pacing only values. LV myocardial blood flow at rest was reduced in the rapid pacing only and monotherapy groups, but was normalized with combination therapy. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that with developing CHF, combined ACE inhibition and AT1 receptor blockade improved vascular resistive properties and regional blood flow distribution to a greater degree than that of either treatment alone. Thus, combined ACEI and AT1 receptor blockade may provide unique benefits in the setting of CHF.     

Treatment preferences affect the therapeutic alliance: Implications for randomized controlled trials.

The influence of treatment preferences on the development of the therapeutic alliance was investigated. Seventy-five patients were followed while participating in a randomized controlled trial comparing supportive-expressive psychotherapy with sertraline or pill placebo in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Therapeutic alliance was assessed before treatment and at the 3rd, 5th, and 9th weeks of treatment. Among patients initially preferring psychotherapy, those receiving psychotherapy experienced increases in their alliance over time, whereas those receiving active medication or placebo experienced decreases. Among patients preferring pharmacotherapy, there were no differences in alliance development whether they received psychotherapy, active medication, or placebo. These relations were observed even when controlling for symptom severity. Thus, the congruence of patients' treatment preference and the treatment that they ultimately received influenced the development of the therapeutic alliance. Because alliance is a robust predictor of outcome, treatment preferences may need to be carefully considered in randomized controlled trial settings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Do executive and reactive disinhibition mediate the effects of familial substance use disorders on adolescent externalizing outcomes?

The present study examined the potential mediating roles of executive and reactive disinhibition in predicting conduct problems, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and substance use among adolescents with and without a family history of substance use disorders. Using data from 247 high-risk adolescents, parents, and grandparents, structural equation modeling indicated that reactive disinhibition, as measured by sensation seeking, mediated the effect of familial drug use disorders on all facets of the adolescent externalizing spectrum. Executive disinhibition, as measured by response disinhibition, spatial short term memory, and “trait” impulsivity, was associated with ADHD symptoms. Moreover, although executive functioning weakness were unrelated to familial substance use disorders, adolescents with familial alcohol use disorders were at risk for “trait” impulsivity marked by a lack of planning. These results illustrate the importance of “unpacking” the broad temperament style of disinhibition and of studying the processes that underlie the commonality among facets of the externalizing spectrum and processes that predict specific externalizing outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Epigenetic regulation in male germ cells

In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that epigenetic regulation of gene expression is critical during spermatogenesis. In this review, the epigenetic regulation and the consequences of its aberrant regulation during mitosis, meiosis and spermiogenesis are described. The current knowledge on epigenetic modifications that occur during male meiosis is discussed, with special attention on events that define meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Finally, the recent studies focused on transgenerational and paternal effects in mice and humans are discussed. In many cases, these epigenetic effects resulted in impaired fertility and potentially long-ranging affects underlining the importance of research in this area.     

A SAS macro for sample size re-estimation

The assessment of sample size in clinical trials comparing means requires a variance estimate of the main efficacy variable. If no reliable information about the variance of the key response is available at the beginning of a clinical trial, the use of data from the first 'few' patients entered in the trial ('internal pilot') may be appropriate to estimate the variance and thus to recalculate the required sample size. A SAS macro that implements the EM algorithm for carrying out and simulating such interim power evaluations without unblinding the treatment status is presented.     

Comorbidity, case complexity, and effects of evidence-based treatment for children referred for disruptive behavior.

Comorbidity and complexity of cases seen in clinical work form a basis for discounting the applicability and generality of evidence-based treatments (EBTs). The authors evaluated treatment outcomes in 2 samples of clinically referred children who met criteria for oppositional defiant disorder (n = 183; 42 girls, 141 boys; ages 3-14) or conduct disorder (n = 132; 35 girls, 97 boys; ages 7-14) but varied in comorbidity (up to 5 additional disorders). In addition to comorbidity, 4 domains of case complexity were evaluated: scope and severity of child dysfunction, socioeconomic disadvantage, parent and family functioning, and barriers that emerged during treatment. Comorbidity was associated with greater therapeutic change. Children who varied in comorbidity did not differ on outcome measures at the end of treatment. Complexity was either unrelated or positively related to therapeutic change. As an exception, perceived barriers were associated with less child improvement, but, even with high barriers, effect sizes for these children were large. The findings suggest that comorbidity or complexity of cases does not necessarily influence outcome or limit the applicability of EBTs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Internet-based health information consumer skills intervention for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Medical information can improve health, and there is an enormous amount of health information available on the Internet. A randomized clinical trial tested the effectiveness of an intervention based on social- cognitive theory to improve information use among people living with HIV/AIDS. Men and women (N = 448) were placed in either (a) an 8-session intervention that focused on Internet information consumer skills or (b) a time-matched support group and were followed to 9 months postintervention. The Internet skills group demonstrated greater Internet use for health, information coping, and social support compared with the control group. The authors conclude that people with HIV infection may benefit from increased access to health information on the Internet and that vulnerability to misinformation and fraud can be reduced through behavioral interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)