Data on subglottal pressure and SPL at varied vocalloudness and pitch in 8- to 11-year-old children

Phonation threshold pressure has been defined as the minimum subglottalpressure to generate phonation. Previous research has indicated that children may habitually employ higher subglottal pressures than adults. In the present investigation sound pressure level (SPL) and subglottal pressures at different pitch levels were measured at and above phonation threshold in nine children. Phonation threshold values were scattered in reasonable agreement with Titzes' prediction, although a discrepancy was noted regarding the frequency dependence in some voices. At normal conversational loudness and loudest level of phonation the children's PS values were between two to four and four to eight times the predicted threshold values, respectively. At normal conversational loudness and habitual pitch subglottal pressures were lower than those previously observed for children, but similar to those found for female adults. The SPL in softest and loudest phonation were somewhat lower as compared to previous phonetogram data for children and for female adults. At normal loudness and habitual pitch the SPL values were similar to those of female adults. For a doubling of P_s mean SPL increased by 10.5 dB on the average.     

Perceived phonatory effort and phonation threshold pressure across a prolonged voice loading task: a study of vocal fatigue

Although the problem of vocal fatigue is not uncommon in people with voice disorders, research on objective quantifiable indicators of vocal fatigue is limited. It has been suggested that a speaker's perception of increased phonatory effort associated with periods of prolonged voice use is related to increased lung pressure required to initiate and sustain phonation. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among perceived phonatory effort (PPE), which was used as a subjective index of vocal fatigue, and phonation threshold pressure (PTP), a quantifiable measure defined as the minimal lung pressure required to initiate and sustain vocal fold oscillation. PTP and PPE were recorded before, during, and after five adult male and five adult female speakers engaged in a prolonged oral reading task designed to induce vocal fatigue. The results supported a direct, moderately strong relationship between PTP and PPE, particularly when PTP was measured during speech produced at comfortable and low-speaking pitch levels. No gender effects were found. PTP returned to baseline levels within 1 hour after the fatiguing task. PPE returned to baseline within 1 day. The data support the use of PTP as an objective index of vocal fatigue.     

Vocal loudness and frequency capabilities of the voice

A phonetogram is a graph showing the sound pressure level (SPL) of softest and loudest phonation over the entire fundamental frequency range of a voice. A physiological interpretation of a phonetogram is facilitated if the SPL is measured with a flat frequency curve and if the vowel /a/ is used. It was found that in soft phonation, the SPL is mainly dependent on the amplitude of the fundamental, while in loud phonation, the SPL is mainly determined by overtones. The short-term SPL variation, i.e., the level variation within a tone, was about 5 dB in soft phonation and close to 2 dB in loud phonation. For two normal voices the long-term SPL variation, calculated as the mean standard deviation of SPL for day-to-day variation, was found to be between 2.4 and 3.4 dB in soft and loud phonation. Speakers who raise their loudness of phonation also tend to raise their mean voice fundamental frequency. Measures obtained from speaking at various voice levels were combined so that typical pathways could be introduced into the phonetogram. The average slope of these pathways was 0.3–0.5 st/dB for healthy subjects. Averaged phonetograms for male singers and male nonsingers did not differ significantly, but averaged phonetograms for female singers and female nonsingers did, in that the upper contour was higher for the female singers. Averaged phonetograms for female patients with non-organic dysphonia showed significantly lower SPL values in loudest phonation as compared to healthy female subjects, while no corresponding difference was seen for males in this regard. With respect to the SPL values for softest phonation, male dysphonic patients showed significantly higher SPL values than healthy male subjects, while no corresponding difference was seen in female subjects. The subglottal pressure mirrored these phonetogram differences between healthy and pathological voices. The averaged phonetograms of female patients after voice therapy showed an increased similarity with those of normal voices. For the male patients the averaged phonetogram did not change significantly after therapy.     

The interrelationship of subglottic air pressure, fundamental frequency, and vocal intensity during speech

In this study we have simultaneously measured subglottic air pressure, airflow, and vocal intensity during speech in nine healthy subjects. Subglottic air pressure was measured directly by puncture of the cricothyroid membrane. The results show that the interaction between these aerodynamic properties is much more complex that previously believed. Certain trends were seen in most individuals, such as an increase in vocal intensity with increased subglottic air pressure. However, there was considerable variability in the overall aerodynamic properties between subjects and at different frequency and intensity ranges. At certain frequencies several subjects were able to generate significantly louder voices without a comparable increase in subglottic air pressure. We hypothesize that these increases in vocal efficiency are due to changes in vocal fold vibration properties. The relationship between fundamental frequency and subglottic pressure was also noted to vary depending on vocal intensity. Possible mechanisms for these behaviors are discussed.     

Effects of prolonged oral reading on F0, SPL, subglottal pressure and amplitude characteristics of glottal flow waveforms

The effects of prolonged (5x45 minute) reading (vocal loading) on fundamental frequency (F0), sound pressure level (SPL), subglottal (intraroral) pressure (p), and two glottal flow waveform parameters (AC amplitude of glottal flow, f, and negative peak amplitude of differentiated flow (d) of normal female and male subjects (N = 80) were studied. Two rest (morning and noon) and three loading (two in the morning and one in the afternoon) samples were recorded and analyzed. The glottal waveforms were obtained by inverse filtering of the acoustic pressure waveforms of speaking voice samples. The analyses were based on measurement and inverse filtering of the first stressed syllable of "paappa" words repeated 3x5 times for normal, as soft as possible, and as loud as possible phonation. In normal phonation the parameter values changed statistically significantly due to loading. In many cases the values obtained in the morning samples changed after the first loading session. This is interpreted as a vocal "warming-up effect." Especially in soft phonation p, d, and f were sensitive indicators of vocal loading. In both normal and soft phonation, the SPL, p, d, and f values tended to rise due to prolonged reading in the morning and afternoon samples, indicating increased effort (normal phonation) and a rise in the phonatory threshold (soft phonation). The lunch break vocal rest ("rest effect") considerably affected the parameter values in many cases.     

Standardized laryngeal videostroboscopic rating: Differences between untrained and trained male and female subjects, and effects of varying sound intensity, fundamental frequency, and age

To determine the influence of the factors gender, vocal training, sound intensity, pitch, and aging on vocal function, videolaryngostroboscopic images of 214 subjects, subdivided according to gender and status of vocal training, were evaluated by three judges with standardized rating scales, comprising aspects of laryngeal appearance (larynx/pharynx ratio; epiglottal shape; asymmetry arytenoid region; compensatory adjustments; thickness, width, length, and elasticity of vocal folds) and glottal functioning (amplitudes of excursion; duration, percentage, and type of vocal fold closure; phase differences; location of glottal chink). The video registrations were made while the subjects performed a set of phonatory tasks, comprising the utterance of the vowel /i/ at three levels of both fundamental frequency and sound intensity. Analysis of the rating scales showed generally sufficient agreement among judges. With the exception of more frequently observed complete closure and lateral phase differences of vocal fold excursions in trained subjects, no further differences were established between untrained and trained subjects. With an α level of p = 0.005, men differed from women with respect to laryngeal appearance (larynx/pharynx ratio, compensatory adjustments, and the presence of omega and deviant-shaped epiglottises), and their vocal folds were rated thicker in the vertical dimension, smaller in the lateral dimension, longer, and more tense, with smaller amplitudes of excursion during vibration. Glottal closure in male subjects was rated more complete, but briefer in duration. Significant effects of the factors pitch, sound intensity, and age on vocal fold appearance and glottal functioning were ascertained. Awareness of the influence of these factors, as well as the factor gender, on the rated scales is essential for an adequate evaluation of laryngostroboscopic images.     

Comparisons of pharynx, source, formant, and pressure characteristics in operatic and musical theatre singing

Belting, a vocal technique typically cultivated in musical theatre singing, differs timbrally from operatic singing in many interesting respects. The underlying phonatory differences have not been previously investigated in detail. Yet, belting is frequently associated with disturbances of voice function. Articulatory and phonatory characteristics are investigated in a female subject who is a professional singer (co-author JL) trained in both the operatic and belting styles and in an intermediate vocal technique (“mixed”). This article presents data obtained from this subject by video-fiberoptic observation of the pharynx, inverse filtering of airflow, and measurement of subglottal pressure. The results reveal that belting was characterized by very high subglottal pressures and sound levels, and apparently also by a comparatively high degree of glottal adduction. Comparisons with other investigations of related aspects of belting and operatic singing support the assumption that the data obtained from our subject are representative for these vocal techniques.     

The external frame function in the control of pitch, register, and singing mode: Radiographic observations of a female singer

This study investigates pitch control, register, and singing mode related movements of the laryngo-pharyngeal structures by radiographic methods. One trained female singer served as the subject. The results show that singing voice production involves complex movements in the laryngeal structures. Pitch related increase in the thyro-arytenoid distance (vocal fold length) is nonlinear, slowing down as pitch rises. Similar observations have been made earlier. At the highest pitches, a shortening of the distance can be seen, suggesting the use of alternative pitch control mechanisms. The various observations made support the existence of three registers in this trained female singing voice. Open and covered modes of singing seemed to be distinguishable on the basis of different amounts of inner and outer forces acting on the larynx. Therefore, caution must be exercised when generalizing from the results.     

A study on radial directional natural frequency and damping ratio in a vehicle tire

The measurement of radial directional natural frequency and damping ratio in a vehicle tire has been studied. Natural frequencies and damping ratios in the radial direction of various tires, from passenger car tires to truck bus tires, are reported. The radial direction modal parameters of tires subjected to different levels of inflation pressure, have been determined by using a frequency response function method. To obtain the theoretical natural frequency and mode shape, the plane vibration of a tire has been modeled as though it were that of a circular beam. By using the Tielking method that is based on Hamilton’s principle, theoretical results have been determined by considering the rotational velocity, tangential and radial stiffness, radial directional velocity and tension force which is due to tire inflation pressure. The results show that experimental conditions can be considered as the parameters that shift the natural frequency and damping ratio.     

The Effect of Cricothyroid Muscle Action on the Relation Between Subglottal Pressure and Fundamental Frequency in an In Vivo Canine Model

The relation between subglottal pressure (P_s) and fundamental frequency (F₀) in phonation was investigated with an in vivo canine model. Direct muscle stimulation was used in addition to brain stimulation. This allowed the P_s-F₀ slope to be quantified in terms of cricothyroid muscle activity. Results showed that, for ranges of 0–2 mA constant current stimulation of the cricothyroid muscle, the P_s-F₀ slope ranged from 10 Hz/kPa to 60 Hz/kPa. These results were compared to similar slopes obtained in a previous study on excised larynges in which the vocal fold length was varied instead of cricothyroid activation. A physical interpretation of the P_s-F₀ slope is that the amplitude-to-length ratio of the vocal folds decreases with CT activity, resulting in a smaller time-varying stiffness. In other words, there is less dependence of F₀ on amplitude of vibration when the vocal folds are long instead of short.     

Stimulus variability and the phonetic relevance hypothesis: effects of variability in speaking style, fundamental frequency, and speaking rate on spoken word identification

Three experiments were conducted to examine the effects of trial-to-trial variations in speaking style, fundamental frequency, and speaking rate on identification of spoken words. In addition, the experiments investigated whether any effects of stimulus variability would be modulated by phonetic confusability (i.e., lexical difficulty). In Experiment 1, trial-to-trial variations in speaking style reduced the overall identification performance compared with conditions containing no speaking-style variability. In addition, the effects of variability were greater for phonetically confusable words than for phonetically distinct words. In Experiment 2, variations in fundamental frequency were found to have no significant effects on spoken word identification and did not interact with lexical difficulty. In Experiment 3, two different methods for varying speaking rate were found to have equivalent negative effects on spoken word recognition and similar interactions with lexical difficulty. Overall, the findings are consistent with a phonetic-relevance hypothesis, in which accommodating sources of acoustic-phonetic variability that affect phonetically relevant properties of speech signals can impair spoken word identification. In contrast, variability in parameters of the speech signal that do not affect phonetically relevant properties are not expected to affect overall identification performance. Implications of these findings for the nature and development of lexical representations are discussed.     

Effect of pressure on electronic and thermoelectric properties of magnesium silicide: A density functional theory study

We study the effect of pressure on electronic and thermoelectric properties of Mg_2Si using the density functional theory and Boltzmann transport equations. The variation of lattice constant, band gap, bulk modulus with pressure is also analyzed. Further, the thermoelectric properties(Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, electronic thermal conductivity) have been studied as a function of temperature and pressure up to 1200 K. The results show that Mg_2Si is an n-type semiconductor with a band gap of 0.21 eV. The negative value of the Seebeck coefficient at all pressures indicates that the conduction is due to electrons. With the increase in pressure, the Seebeck coefficient decreases and electrical conductivity increases. It is also seen that, there is practically no effect of pressure on the electronic contribution of thermal conductivity.The paper describes the calculation of the lattice thermal conductivity and figure of merit of Mg_2Si at zero pressure. The maximum value of figure of merit is attained 1.83 × 10~(-3) at 1000 K. The obtained results are in good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical results.     

A computational simulation study on the acoustic pressure generated by a dental endosonic file: Effects of intensity,file shape and volume

One of the uses of ultrasound in dentistry is in the field of endodontics (i.e. root canal treatment) in order to enhance cleaning efficiency during the treatment. The acoustic pressures generated by the oscillation of files in narrow channels has been calculated using the COMSOL simulation package. Acoustic pressures in excess of the cavitation threshold can be generated and higher values were found in narrower channels. This parallels experimental observations of sonochemiluminescence. The effect of varying the channel width and length and the dimensions and shape of the file are reported. As well as explaining experimental observations, the work provides a basis for the further development and optimisation of the design of endosonic files.     

Simultaneous effects of hydrostatic pressure and temperature on the binding energy of hydrogenic impurity in cylindrical quantum well wires

The effect of hydrostatic pressure and temperature on the ground state binding energy of hydrogenic impurities is investigated in a GaAs/Ga_0.7Al_0.3As cylindrical quantum well wire as a function of the wire radius. The calculations are performed using a variational procedure within the effective mass approximation for a finite confinement potential for various values of the hydrostatic pressure and temperatures. The results are compared with the available data in literature and found to be in a good agreement with them.     

D2/H2 quantum sieving in microporous carbons: a theoretical study on the effects of pore size and pressure

The adsorption of hydrogen and deuterium in slit-shaped carbon pores is studied by grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations. All interactions are assumed to be of Lennard–Jones type, while the Feynman–Hibbs expression is used to account for quantum effects. The interaction energy of both isotopes inside the slit pore space is discussed thoroughly. Furthermore, pure component adsorption isotherms of both isotopes were simulated at 77?K for pressures up to 20?bar in slit pores having widths of up to 2.0?nm. According to our simulations, in equilibrium, slit pores reveal slight deuterium selectivity over hydrogen, and this quantum-based selectivity depends both on pressure and pore size.     

Pressure effects on structural,electronic, absorption,and thermodynamic properties of crystalline 2,4,6‐triamino‐3,5‐dinitropyridine‐1‐oxide: A DFT study

Density functional theory calculations have been performed to study the structural, electronic, absorption, and thermodynamic properties of crystalline 2,4,6‐triamino‐3,5‐dinitropyridine‐1‐oxide (TANPyo) in the pressure range of 0–50 GPa. The variation trends of the lattice constants, bond lengths, bond angles, intramolecular H‐bonds, and dihedral angles under compression show that there are two structural transformations at 17 and 38 GPa, respectively. The remarkable changes in the bond lengths indicate that there are two possible initiation decomposition mechanisms of TANPyo under compression. As the pressure increases, the intramolecular H‐bond strengthens. The obvious changes of the dihedral angles show that the planar structure of the TANPyo molecule is damaged under compression. Its absorption spectra show that as the pressure increases, the absorption coefficient of the N–H stretching decreases, while that of the O–H stretching increases. TANPyo has relatively high optical activity at high pressure. An analysis of thermodynamic properties indicates that both two structural transformations are endothermic and not spontaneous at room temperature. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of particle size, shape and crystal structure on the formation energy of Schottky vacancies in free-standing metal nanoparticles: A model study

A simplified model based on cohesive energy is proposed to estimate the formation energy of Schottky vacancies (VFE) in free-standing metal nanoparticles with BCC and FCC crystal structures. To study the effect of particle size and shape, the surface energy, elastic contraction and average coordination number of particles at the surface and core was considered. It is shown that the energy of vacancy formation in FCC nanoparticles increases with decreasing the size while the effect of particle shape (sphere, cubic and icosahedral) is marginal. In spite of this behavior, BCC nanoparticles exhibit a critical particle size at around 25 Å, at which a minimum VFE is attained. Additionally, the energy of vacancy formation is notably lower for BCC nanoparticles with cubic shape than spherical ones. The application of the developed model is shown for free-standing Fe and Cu nanoparticles.     

A computational study (DFT,MP2, and GIAO‐DFT) of substituent effects on protonation regioselectivity in β,β‐disubstituted vinyldiazonium cations: formation of highly delocalized carbenium/diazonium dications

Protonation reactions were studied by quantum‐chemical theoretical methods (DFT and MP2) for a series of β,β‐disubstituted vinyldiazonium cations ( 1 ⁺ – 14 ⁺ ), bearing stabilizing electron‐releasing groups (H₃CO? , (H₃C)₂N? , H₃C? , (H₃C)₃Si? , as well as halogens F, Cl). Taking into account the various mesomeric forms that these species can represent, protonations at C_α, at the β‐substituent, and at N_β were considered. The energetically most favored pathway in all cases was C_α protonation, which formally corresponds to trapping of the mesomeric diazonium ylid. Based on the computed properties (optimized geometries, NPA‐charge densities, and multinuclear GIAO‐NMR chemical shifts), the resulting dications can best be viewed as carbenium/diazonium dications, in which the carbocation is further delocalized into the β‐substituent. For the α‐nitro derivative 15 , protonation of the nitro group was predicted to be the most favored reaction, while C_α‐ and N_β‐protonation resulted in the loss of the nitronium ion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.