Glottal closure, transglottal airflow, and voice quality in healthy middle-aged women

Seventeen healthy women, 45 to 61 years old, were examined using videofiberstroboscopy during phonation at three loudness levels. Two phoniatricians evaluated glottal closure using category and ratio scales. Transglottal airflow was studied by inverse filtering of the oral airflow signal recorded in a flow mask (Glottal Enterprises System) during the spoken phrase /ba:pa:pa:pa:p/ at three loudness levels. Subglottal pressure was estimated from the intraoral pressure during p occlusion. Running speech and the repeated /pa:/ syllables were perceptually evaluated by three speech pathologists regarding breathiness, hypo-, and hyperfunction, using continuous scales. Incomplete glottal closure was found in 35 of 46 phonations (76%). The degree of glottal closure increased significantly with raised loudness. Half of the women closed the glottis completely during loud phonation. Posterior glottal chink (PGC) was the most common gap configuration and was found in 28 of 46 phonations (61%). One third of the PGCs were in the cartilaginous glottis (PGCc) only. Two thirds extended into the membranous portion (PGCm); most of these occurred during soft phonation. Peak flow, peak-to-peak (AC) flow, and the maximum rate of change for the flow in the closing phase increased significantly with raised loudness. Minimum flow decreased significantly from normal to loud voice. Breathiness decreased with increased loudness. The results suggest that the incomplete closure patterns PGCc and PGCm during soft phonation ought primarily to be regarded as normal for Swedish women in this age group.     

The frequency of hard glottal attacks in patients with muscle tension dysphonia, unilateral benign masses and bilateral benign masses

Hard or abrupt glottal attack (HGA) is one of the vocal behaviors often associated with benign lesion of the vocal folds. This study was designed to determine whether the frequency of HGA was different in hyperfunctional voice patients with and without vocal fold masses. One hundred and forty-seven subjects were studied. All subjects received a complete otolaryngological evaluation including strobovideolaryngoscopy, objective voice measures, and evaluation by a speech-language pathologist. Thirty-two patients were diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia (19 male, 13 female) without vocal fold masses. Fifty-seven patients were diagnosed with unilateral vocal fold masses (29 male, 28 female), most of which were cysts. Fifty-eight patients were diagnosed with bilateral vocal fold masses (13 male, 45 female). Of the 45 females with bilateral vocal fold masses. 26 had a vocal cyst and reactive nodule and 19 had bilateral vocal fold nodules. The control group was balanced and matched based on sex and on percentage of singers and nonsingers. It consisted of 49 subjects with no vocal fold pathology (20 male, 29 female). The group was composed of professional speakers, singers, and nonprofessional speakers. All voice disordered groups demonstrated higher frequencies of HGA than the control group. Differences were found between the male and female subjects in this study. No differences were found between the various disorders. Differences were also found between the subgroups of bilateral masses, where the bilateral nodules group presented a higher frequency of HGA than the cyst and contralateral reactive nodule.     

Etiology, pathophysiology, treatment choices, and voice results for unilateral adductor vocal fold paralysis: A 3-year retrospective

Unilateral vocal fold paralysis is now considered a common disorder seen in the practice of otolaryngology and voice pathology. Concern first is for the accurate diagnosis of the associated etiology in an efficient and thorough fashion. When etiology has been determined the focus of treatment becomes the management of the presenting symptoms, which typically include dysphonia and dysphagia. A retrospective study was conducted reviewing the records of 117 patients with unilateral adductor vocal fold paralysis who presented to a large otolaryngology practice and clinical voice lab from 1995 to 1998. Demographic data reveal most patients to range in age from 16 to 91 with a dominant clustering for ages 50 to 70. Gender distribution reveals males slightly exceed females in this sample. Data regarding etiology type are collected in great detail, revealing that disease and surgery involving the chest contribute the greatest to the overall number in this study and that anterior approach to cervical spine surgery contributes as much as thyroid surgery. General outcomes of the patients are reviewed. A small group (n = 25) of patients who had pretreatment and posttreatment data available revealed statistically significant differences between voice outcomes for patients who were treated with medialization and for those treated with therapy. Patients receiving therapy had less severe symptoms pretreatment, while greater gains pretreatment to posttreatment were shown for those who had surgical medialization.     

Diffusion abnormality in the posterior cingulum and hippocampal volume: correlation with disease progression in Alzheimer's disease

The purpose of this study was to determine correlations among disease progression, diffusion abnormalities in the posterior cingulum and hippocampal volume in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We studied 25 AD patients by neuropsychological testing, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and by magnetic resonance imaging, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and high-resolution three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging. The MMSE score was used as an indicator of disease progression. Diffusion tensor tractography of the posterior cingulum was generated from the DTI; mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured in co-registered voxels along the posterior cingulum. Hippocampal volume was measured using automated voxel-based morphometry. The relationships among MMSE score, hippocampal volume and MD and FA of the posterior cingulum were evaluated by bivariate correlation analysis. MD in the posterior cingulum correlated significantly with the MMSE score. No significant correlation was seen between FA and MMSE score and between hippocampal volume and MMSE score, FA or MD. Our results suggest that MD in the posterior cingulum is a more sensitive indicator of progression of AD than FA of the posterior cingulum and hippocampal volume.     

Voice problems in a small swedish town: A retrospective study of the prevalence and a follow-up

The prevalence of voice problems among patients consulting the primary health care unit of a small Swedish town during 1984 was investigated. A study of the records of 11,606 patients indicated that 102 of them consulted their doctor mainly because of voice problems. The period prevalence of voice problems in the population of 20,049 people was 0.5%. A follow-up examination 1 year later indicated that 44% of these patients still had voice problems. Among the patients with a voice disorder diagnosis made by means of indirect laryngoscopy in 1984, 72% still had a voice disorder diagnosis at the follow-up. It is pointed out that the doctor who is seeing a patient with voice problems should make a thorough examination including indirect laryngoscopy. It is also important to discuss the patient's smoking habits and professional vocal strain to prevent recurrence.     

Effects of Massage Therapy and Occlusal Splint Usage on Quality of Life and Pain in Individuals with Sleep Bruxism: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of massage therapy on the masticatory muscles and occlusal splint usage on quality of life and pain in individuals with sleep bruxism. Method: A randomized, controlled, blinded, clinical trial was conducted involving 78 volunteers aged 18 to 40 years with sleep bruxism. Quality of life and pain assessments were performed. Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found on the physical functioning, general health state, vitality, role emotional and mental health subscales. A large effect size was found for all treatment protocols with regard to pain. The largest effect was found in the combined treatment group. Conclusions: The findings of the present study reveal that the occlusal splint usage alone led to improvements in components of quality of life among individuals with sleep bruxism. Moreover, both treatments (occlusal splint usage and massage therapy on the masticatory muscles) led to a reduction in pain.     

Work ability of teachers associated with voice disorders,stress, and the indoor environment: A questionnaire study in Finland

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine whether self-reported work ability is associated with voice disorders, stress at work, and the quality of the perceived indoor environment.Study designA cross-sectional study.MethodsWe conducted a questionnaire study of 1 198 Finnish teachers utilizing the Work Ability Score.ResultsThe Work Ability Score median was 8 (Q₁: 7, Q₃: 9), and 71% (CI 95% 69%–74%) of the subjects reported that they had good work ability. Female teachers had a significantly lower Work Ability Score than male teachers. The median number of days absent due to sickness during the previous year was 4 (Q₁: 2, Q₃: 10). Voice disorders (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.44; CI95% 1.73–3.44), stress at work (rather or very much vs. not at all or little; aOR 6.53; CI95% 4.31–9.90), and poor perceived indoor environment quality (aOR 2.63; CI95% 1.86–3.71) were all clear risk factors for the Work Ability Score.ConclusionWe determined that decreased work ability in teachers is connected to voice disorders, stress at work, and poor perceived indoor environment quality. Thus, in order to better maintain teachers’ work ability, we recommend that special attention should be paid to occupational health care when there are problems in the indoor environment of teachers, and they suffer from voice disorders and stress.     

Optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional GaN adsorbed with H,N and O: A first-principle study

In this paper, we have investigated optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional GaN adsorbed with non-metal atoms: H, N and O based on first-principle. We find that adsorption of H, N and O atom on 2D GaN is achieved by chemisorption, and the most stable adsorption site is at the top of N atom. Band structure of 2D GaN after adsorbing H atom moves to low energy region and two-dimensional GaN is transformed into an n-type semiconductor. After adsorption of N atom, a new impurity energy appears at the Fermi level, and N adatom could induce magnetism into 2D GaN. Static dielectric constants of 2D GaN increase and adsorption spectrums have extend to infrared band when adsorbing H and N. Strong reflection peaks and strong adsorption peaks after adsorption are located at deep ultraviolet range, which is beneficial for optoelectronic application in the deep ultraviolet. Specifically, two-dimensional GaN adsorbed with H atom is more conducive to manufacture of nano-optoelectronic devices.     

Role of sugar in controlling reaction pathways: A study with thymine and thymidine

Magnetic field effect in conjunction with laser flash photolysis have been used for studying interactions of 9,10-anthraquinone and 2-methyl 1,4-naphthoquinone (menadione) with a DNA base, thymine (Thy) and its nucleoside, thymidine (dThd). Irrespective of medium Thy has been found to support both electron transfer (ET) and hydrogen abstraction with the quinones while dThd has exhibited a complete reluctance towards ET. This unique behavior of dThd has been attributed to a failure in attaining aromaticity by virtue of keto-enol tautomerism upon addition of a sugar moiety. Electron withdrawing effect of sugar unit is also considered responsible for reduction of ET from dThd. Again both Thy and dThd have exhibited hydrogen abstraction in homogeneous medium, which is normally unexpected. The above behaviors of the bases have been explained on the basis of their chemical structures.     

Scintillation timing characteristics of (La,Gd)2Si2O7:Ce and Gd2SiO5:Ce single crystal scintillators: A comparative study

The scintillation timing characteristics of (La,Gd)₂Si₂O₇:Ce (GPSLa23.5%:Ce) single crystal were studied and compared with Gd₂SiO₅:Ce (GSO:Ce) single crystal. The photoelectron yield, scintillation decay times and coincidence time resolution were measured. At 511 keV γ-rays, the photoelectron yield of 10,770 ± 500 phe MeV⁻¹ and energy resolution of 5.4 ± 0.2% obtained for GPSLa23.5%:Ce are much better than those of 3350 ± 160 phe MeV⁻¹ and 7.8 ± 0.3% obtained for GSO:Ce. The scintillation decay time profile was measured by the time-correlated single photon counting technique using a fast-slow coincidence setup. In both materials the comparable rise times of several nanoseconds are present. The fast component decay time of 56 ns with relative intensity of 49% obtained for GPSLa23.5%:Ce is inferior to that of 32 ns(88%) obtained for GSO:Ce. Consequently, the coincidence time resolution of GPSLa23.5%:Ce is slightly worse than that of GSO:Ce. The normalized time resolution was also discussed in terms of a number of photoelectrons and decay time of the scintillation pulse.     

The effect of complexation with platinum in polyfluorene derivatives: A photo- and electro-luminescence study

The synthesis and characterization of a polymeric structure containing fluorene units statistically linked to 3-cyclohexyl-thiophene and bipyridine PFOTBipy-poly[(4-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)(9,9-dihexyl-fluoren-2,7-diyl)-co-(bipyridine-5.5′-diyl)(9,9-dihexyl-fluoren-2,7-diyl)], is reported. The complexation with platinum was possible through the bipyridil units present in 10%, 50% and 100% content. The structure has a fluorenyl moiety between each bipyridine and thiophene groups resulting in a stable and efficient light-emitting polymeric material combining the well known emissive properties of fluorene, the charge mobility generated by thiophene and the electron-transfer properties of a metal complex as well. All the polymers were photo and electroluminescent materials, and showed phosphorescence at low temperatures. Photoluminescence properties were studied by steady state and time resolved spectroscopy and showed changes of both emission peak and relative intensity of the emission bands depending on the relative amount of the platinum complex. The electroluminescence followed the trends found for photoluminescence. The blue emission of the copolymer without platinum is due to the fluorenyl segments and for higher complex contents the emission is characteristic of the aggregates involving the bipyridinyl moieties. Therefore, emission color can be tuned by the complex content. The turn-on voltage was strongly reduced from 22 to 8 V for the 100% complexed copolymer, as compared to the device made with the non complexed one, but the luminance decreased, due to quenching or trapping effects.     

Exploring the effect of dopant (Si,P, S,Ge, Se,and Sb) in arsenene: A DFT study

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of arsenene were investigated using DFT (density functional theory). The charge transfer, large biding energies, and short bond lengths indicate that the doped structures are robust. Si, S, Ge and Se doping induce magnetic state in arsenene. The principal contribution to the magnetic moment is originated in the p-orbital of dopants and adjacent As atoms, as is suggested by the results of the application of PDOS (Projected Density of States). More importantly, the low effective mass of electrons in arsenene doped by Si, P and Sb implies high carrier mobility, which indicates the three types of structures are high efficiency n-type semiconductors.     

城市社区公园声景分布与景观特征关联性研究——以沈阳鲁迅公园为例*

城市社区公园为附近居民提供休憩与交往的公共空间,使用者是公园声景的创造者也是体验者。在公园设计中,将建成后的声景纳入考虑因素,在支持居民休闲活动的同时,创造良好的听觉环境体验,具有提升人居健康福祉和空间公平的现实意义。该研究以城市社区公园——沈阳鲁迅公园为研究对象,通过现场声景调查和使用者问卷,探究声景时空分布特征及居民体验;建构公园景观特征指数,探讨声景时空分布与景观特征的关联性。数据表明：自然声、居民活动声和周围道路交通声构成公园丰富的声景要素,园区内声压级、各类声事件感知显著性呈现不同的时空分布特征;受访者对典型声事件的愉悦性和干扰性评价呈现聚类性特征;以此为基础构建的表征公园景观特征的自然指数、人群聚集指数和交通影响指数,其分别与对应声事件的感知显著性显著相关。基于景观特征与声景分布的关联性,结合公园使用者的声景体验,提出与公园景观设计相结合的社区公园声景优化策略。     

Lattice dynamics of RbC60, RbC70 and phase transitions in A1C60: A neutron scattering study

1 C₆₀ (A = Rb, Cs, K) and RbC₇₀ have been investigated by neutron scattering. The studies include measurements in the high temperature rotator-, the polymer-, the dimer- and the low temperature isolator-phase and include investigations of the particular phase transitions. It is found that each of the phases can be characterized by specific features of its lattice dynamics which can be used for detailed studies of the dynamics of the rotator-polymer and the dimer-polymer transitions. Particular insight in the lattice dynamics is obtained from model calculations for the RbC₆₀ polymer and dimer phase. Received: 13 September 1996/Accepted: 11 November 1996     

Half-metallic ferromagnetism in rocksalt and zinc-blende MS (M=Li, Na and K): A first-principles study

First-principles full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave method is used to investigate the electronic structure and magnetic properties of hypothetical zinc-blende and rocksalt LiS, NaS and KS. We find that all the compounds except rocksalt LiS exhibit half-metallic ferromagnetism with an integer magnetic moment of 1.00 μ_B per formula unit. The ferromagnetism results from the spin-polarization of p states of anion S. Total energies calculations indicate the rocksalt phase is lower in energy than the zinc-blende one. The total energy differences are about 0.38, 0.36 and 0.32 eV per formula unit for LiS, NaS and KS, respectively. Meanwhile, it is shown that rocksalt NaS and KS have the half-metallic gaps of 0.22 and 0.41 eV, respectively, and the half-metallic gaps are 0.03, 0.46 and 0.65 eV for zinc-blende LiS, NaS and KS, respectively. We also find the half-metallicity is robust against the lattice contraction up to 7% and 13% for rocksalt NaS and KS, respectively. Although rocksalt LiS is nonmagnetic and metallic at the equilibrium lattice constant, it shows half-metallic ferromagnetism when the lattice constant is larger than 5.40 Å.     

Interaction of oxovanadium(IV) with carboxylic ligands in aqueous solution: A thermodynamic and visible spectrophotometric study

The hydrolysis of VO²⁺ and the complex with sulfate were studied potentiometrically, spectrophotometrically and calorimetrically, in NaCl aqueous solution (0 < I ≤ 1 mol L^− 1) and at t = 25 °C. The formation of two hydrolytic species VO(OH)⁺ and VO₂(OH)₂²⁺ and one complex with sulfate was found, with log β = − 5.65 for the reaction VO²⁺ + H₂O = VO(OH)⁺ + H⁺, log β = − 7.02 for the reaction 2VO²⁺ + 2H₂O = (VO)₂(OH)₂²⁺ + 2H⁺ and log K = 1.73 for VOSO₄⁰ species (at I = 0.1 mol L^− 1 and t = 25 °C). For these species, using calorimetric data, ΔH and TΔS values were also obtained. By using the above values, interactions of VO²⁺ with acetate (ac), malonate (mal), succinate (suc), 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate (tca) and 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate (btc) ligands were studied potentiometrically and spectrophotometrically. The formation of ML⁺, ML₂⁰ and MLOH⁰ for ac; ML⁰, MLH⁺, ML₂²⁻ and ML₂H⁻ for mal; ML⁰, MLH⁺ and MLOH⁻ for suc; ML⁻ and MLH⁰ for tca and ML²⁻, MLH⁻ and MLH₂⁰ for btc were found. Formation constants are reported at I = 0.1 mol L^− 1, together with SIT parameters for the dependence on ionic strength. By visible spectrophotometric measurements, λ_max and ε_max values for the relevant species in solution were determined.     

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging for assessing synovitis of wrist and hand in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A feasibility study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in detecting synovitis of wrist and hand in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and evaluate its sensitivity, specificity and accuracy as compared to T₂-weighted imaging (T2WI) with short tau inversion recovery (STIR) with the reference standard contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI). Twenty-five patients with RA underwent MR examinations including DWI, T2WI with STIR and CE-MRI. MR images were reviewed for the presence and location of synovitis of wrist and hand. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DWI and T2WI with STIR were calculated respectively and then compared. All patients included in this study completed MR examinations and yielded diagnostic image quality of DWI. For individual joint, there was good to excellent inter-observer agreement (k = 0.62–0.83) using DWI images, T2WI with STIR images and CE-MR images, respectively. There was a significance between DWI and T2WI with STIR in analyzing proximal interphalangeal joints II–V, respectively (P < 0.05). The k-values for the detection of synovitis indicated excellent overall inter-observer agreements using DWI images (k = 0.86), T2WI with STIR images (k = 0.85) and CE-MR images (k = 0.91), respectively. Overall, DWI demonstrated a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 75.6%, 89.3% and 84.6%, respectively, for detection of synovitis, while 43.0%, 95.7% and 77.6% for T2WI with STIR, respectively. DWI showed positive lesions much better and more than T2WI with STIR. Our results indicate that DWI presents a novel non-invasive approach to contrast-free imaging of synovitis. It may play a role as an addition to standard protocols.     

Infrared detection and photon energy up-conversion in graphene layer infrared photodetectors integrated with LEDs based on van der Waals heterostructures: Concept,device model,and characteristics

We propose the concept of the infrared detection and photon energy up-conversion in the devices using the integration of the graphene layer infrared detectors (GLIPs) and the light emitting diodes (LEDs) based on van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures. Using the developed device model of the GLIP-LEDs, we calculate their characteristics. The GLIP-LED devices can operate as the detectors of far- and mid infrared radiation (FIR and MIR) with an electrical output or with near-infrared radiation (NIR) or visible radiation (VIR) output. In the latter case, GLIP-LED devices function as the photon energy up-converters of FIR and MIR to NIR or VIR. The operation of GLIP-LED devices is associated with the injection of the electron photocurrent produced due to the interband absorption of the FIR/MIR photons in the GLIP part into the LED emitting NIR/VIR photons. We calculate the GLIP-LED responsivity and up-conversion efficiency as functions the structure parameters and the energies of the incident FIR/MIR photons and the output NIR/VIR photons. The advantages of the GLs in the vdW heterostructures (relatively high photoexcitation rate from and low capture efficiency into GLs) combined with the reabsorption of a fraction of the NIR/FIR photon flux in the GLIP (which can enable an effective photonic feedback) result in the elevated GLIP-LED device responsivity and up-conversion efficiency. The positive optical feedback from the LED section of the device lead to increasing current injection enabling the appearance of the S-type current-voltage characteristic with a greatly enhanced responsivity near the switching point and current filamentation.     

The mechanical,thermodynamic and electronic properties of Al3Nb with DO22 structure: A first-principles study

The lattice constants, elastic properties, electronic structure and thermodynamic properties of Al₃Nb with DO₂₂ structure have been investigated by the first-principles calculation. The calculated lattice constants were consistent with the experimental values, and the structural stability was also studied from the energetic point of view. The single-crystal elastic constants (C_ij) as well as polycrystalline elastic parameters (bulk modulus B, shear modulus G, Young's modulus E, Poisson's ratio υ and anisotropy value A) were calculated, and brittleness of Al₃Nb was discussed in detail. Besides, the electronic structure of tetragonal Al₃Nb was studied, which indicates a mixture of metallic bond and covalent bond in Al₃Nb and reveals the underlying mechanism of the stability and elastic properties of Al₃Nb. Finally, the thermodynamic properties of Al₃Nb were calculated and the physical properties such as heat capacity and Debye temperature were predicted within the quasi-harmonic approximation.     

Association of objectively measured physical activity with combined bilateral knee and low-back pain in older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study

Objective: Knee pain (KP) and low-back pain (LBP) are common sites of pain and major public health issues among older adults. We investigated the combined association of bilateral KP and LBP with objectively measured physical activity (PA) among adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: We recruited 150 knee OA adults and measured steps and PA intensity, including sedentary behavior (SB), low PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA, using an accelerometer. KP and LBP were measured using a numerical rating scale. They were classified into 4 groups based on the presence of KP and LBP: with the only unilateral KP (UKP), with the combined UKP and LBP (UKP and LBP), with the bilateral KP (BKP), and with the combined bilateral KP and LBP (BKP and LBP). One-way analysis of covariance was performed to compare physical activity variables (intensity or steps) between the four groups. Results: Overall, 126 patients were enrolled. The prevalence of UKP, BKP, UKP and LBP, and BKP and LBP were 29.4%, 23.8%, 18.3%, and 28.6%. The proportion of SB was higher in the BKP and LBP group than in the other groups (F = 6.51, p < 0.01). The proportion of LPA was lower in the BKP and LBP group than in the other groups (F = 6.21, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The proportions of SB and LPA were significantly worse in knee OA adults with BKP and LBP than in those with UKP. Our findings may be a basis for considering knee OA adults for improving PA.