“Compensatory falsetto”: Effects on vocal quality

The term “compensatory falsetto”, for the purpose of this investigation, refers to the development of an abnormally high-pitched voice in the presence of laryngeal pathology where more socially acceptable lower pitched voice production is possible. The purpose of this investigation was to compare laryngeal compensations and their effects on objective measures of vocal function during production of compensatory falsetto voice. Eighteen patients with abnormally high-pitched voice in the presence of underlying laryngeal pathology were evaluated in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Miami School of Medicine from January 1988 through December 1992 and were diagnosed with “compensatory falsetto”. Vocal fold paralysis (n = 11) was the most common laryngeal pathology. Vibratory characteristics were evaluated through videostrobolaryngoscopic examination. Acoustic and aerodynamic parameters assessed included fundamental frequency, jitter rate, harmonic-to-noise ratio, glottal air flow, and maximum phonation time. Production of a higher-pitched voice appeared to improve glottic closure and decrease the amount of air loss during phonation. A corresponding increase in maximum phonation time and improvement in acoustic characteristics of jitter and harmonic-to-noise ratio was also observed.     

Light beats the spread: “non‐diffracting” beams

“Non‐diffracting” beams do not spread as they propagate. This property is useful in many areas. Here, the theory, generation, properties, and applications of various “non‐diffracting” beams, including the Bessel beam, Mathieu beam, and Airy beam is reviewed. Applications include imaging, micromanipulation, nonlinear optics, and optical transfection.     

“Hot Potato Voice” in Peritonsillitis: A Misnomer

The "hot potato voice" is widely recognized as a symptom of peritonsillar cellulitis or abscess; yet there have been no studies assessing the resonance characteristics of the vocal tract in peritonsillitis. Analysis was undertaken of formant frequencies in the articulation of the vowels /i:/. /a:/ and /u:/ in six subjects with peritonsillitis and compared with articulation once the peritonsillitis had settled. Significant variation was found in F1 when articulating /i:/ and in F2 when articulating /a:/, which are explainable by dyskinesis of the peritonsillar musculature. These findings were compared with six subjects articulating the same vowels with and without a hot potato in their mouth. Variation was found in both F1 and F2 when articulating /i:/, which can be related to interference of the potato with movement of the anterior tongue. The changes in the vocal tract differ in these two cases and the title "hot potato voice" in peritonsillitis is a misnomer.     

Zuckerwasser statt Öl: süßes “Frittieren”

Frittiert wird meist in Öl, aber muss das sein? Frittierfette haben of einen schlechten Ruf, und die Suche nach Alternativen nimmt kein Ende. Wie schön wäre es, mit schlichtem Wasser zu frittieren. Das hätte keine Kalorien, und viele Vorbehalte träten erst gar nicht auf. Aber Wasser siedet unter Normaldruck bei 100 °C – zu niedrig zum Frittieren. Durch Zuckerzugabe lässt sich der Siedepunkt deutlich erhöhen. Aber reicht dies zum Frittieren?     

“Loop the loop”

The applicability of the collective coordinate method (saddle-point approximation) for large-N planar models is discussed. Some unstated assumptions are clarified. Statements that Wilson loops form a complete set of gauge invariant operators are also examined and a set of generalized algebraic Mandelstam relations among Wilson loops is presented. The inclusion of loops that wind around themselves and cross many times, as independent variables, is stressed.     

“Almost direct” photons

Quantum chromodynamics has intensified the interest and enhanced the importance of measuring the production of direct photons in hadron collisions. We point out that lepton pairs of low invariant mass (m² < m²_ψ) provide an equally good probe for testing Q.C.D. Their experimental observation is not only easier, the relevant data may already exist.     

Das „Isotopenthermometer”︁ im ewigen Eis: Mechanismen globaler Klimaschwankungen

Die Analysen von zwei Bohrkernen im grönländischen Eis haben unser Wissen über Klimaschwankungen und deren mögliche Ursachen stark erweitert. Die δ¹⁸ O‐Messreihe zeigt, dass der Übergang von der letzten Eiszeit zur Nacheiszeit in drastischen Sprüngen erfolgte und dass es auch während der Eiszeit schnelle, drastische Klimaänderungen, so genannte Dansgaard‐Oeschger ‐Ereignisse gab. Basierend auf der heute gültigen Beziehung zwischen mittlerer Jahrestemperatur und δ¹⁸ O‐Wert nahm man an, dass der Temperaturanstieg zwischen Eiszeitmaximum und Nacheiszeit rund 12°C und zu Beginn eines Dansgaard‐Oeschge‐Ereignisses rund 8°C betrugen. Neue Kalibrationsmethoden haben gezeigt, dass die Temperatursprünge praktisch doppelt so groß waren, wie die mit der Dansgaard‐Beziehung ermittelten. Erstaunlich sind vor allem die schnellen Temperaturanstiege. Ein Temperaturanstieg von mehr als 10°C e folgte oft in wenigen Jahrzehnten. Die Methanmessreihe ergab, dass die Dansgaard‐Oeschger ‐Ereignisse kein auf Grönland beschränktes Phänomen sind. Es sind Klimaschwankungen von globaler Bedeutung. Die zeitliche Synchronisation von Messreihen auf Grönland und der Antarktis mithilfe von Methanvariationen ergab, dass einer abrupten Erwärmung in Grönland oft eine Erwärmung in der Antarktis vorausging. Von zwei Kernbohrungen im Rahmen des „European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica”︁ erwartet man vor allem neue Erkenntnisse über Klimawechselwirkungen zwischen den beiden Hemisphären und über die Ursachen der Variationen von Treibhausgaskonzentrationen parallel zu globalen Klimaschwankungen.     

On “diagonal” Bianchi cosmologies

A list of the possible “diagonal” Bianchi cosmologies is given, with a proof that it is complete.