Expert consensus in solo voice performance evaluation

Experts were interviewed to identify criteria for evaluation of vocal performance. A scale was then constructed and inter- and intrajudge reliability assessed. Experts listened to 19 different performances, plus 6 presented a second time. Interjudge reliability for one judge was modest, but increased dramatically as the size of the judge panel increased. The most reliable items were overall score and intonation accuracy. Diction was less reliable than other items. Intrajudge reliability was higher for overall score than for any other item. A factor analysis on the test items yielded factors labelled intrinsic quality, execution, and diction. Another factor analysis, using the experts as variables, revealed two underlying evaluative dimensions. It was found that 13 experts were primarily influenced by execution, and that 8 were mainly affected by intrinsic quality. Interjudge and intrajudge reliabilities of these two groups differed.     

Integration of quantitative DCE-MRI and ADC mapping to monitor treatment response in human breast cancer: initial results

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess changes in the water apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and in pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from the fast-exchange regime (FXR) modeling of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with locally advanced breast cancer underwent MRI examination prior to and after chemotherapy but prior to surgery. A 1.5-T scanner was used to obtain T1, ADC and DCE-MRI data. DCE-MRI data were analyzed by the FXR model returning estimates of K(trans) (volume transfer constant), v(e) (extravascular extracellular volume fraction) and tau(i) (average intracellular water lifetime). Histogram and correlation analyses assessed parameter changes post-treatment. RESULTS: Significant (P < .05) changes or trends towards significance (P < .10) were seen in all parameters except tau(i), although there was qualitative reduction in tau(i) values post-treatment. In particular, there was reduction (P < .035) in voxels with K(trans) values in the range 0.2-0.5 min(-1) and a decrease (P < .05) in voxels with ADC values in the range 0.99 x 10(-3) to 1.35 x 10(-3) mm2/s. ADC and v(e) were negatively correlated (r = -.60, P < .02). Parameters sensitive to water distribution and geometry (T(1), v(e), tau(i) and ADC) correlated with a multivariable linear regression model. CONCLUSION: The analysis presented here is sensitive to longitudinal changes in breast tumor status; K(trans) and ADC are most sensitive to these changes. Relationships between parameters provide information on water distribution and geometry in the tumor environment.     

Synthesis of bombesin-functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles and their specific uptake in prostate cancer cells

The imaging of molecular markers associated with disease offers the possibility for earlier detection and improved treatment monitoring. Receptors for gastrin-releasing peptide are overexpressed on prostate cancer cells offering a promising imaging target, and analogs of bombesin, an amphibian tetradecapeptide have been previously demonstrated to target these receptors. Therefore, the pan-bombesin analog [β-Ala11, Phe13, Nle14]bombesin-(7–14) was conjugated through a linker to dye-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for the development of a new potential magnetic resonance imaging probe. The peptide was conjugated via click chemistry, demonstrating a complementary alternative methodology to conventional peptide-nanoparticle conjugation strategies. The peptide-functionalized nanoparticles were then demonstrated to be selectively taken up by PC-3 prostate cancer cells relative to unfunctionalized nanoparticles and this uptake was inhibited by the presence of free peptide, confirming the specificity of the interaction. This study suggests that these nanoparticles have the potential to serve as magnetic resonance imaging probes for the detection of prostate cancer.     

The Franssen effect illusion in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata)

The properties of the Franssen effect (FE) were measured in budgerigars and zebra finches. To elicit the FE, listeners are presented with a signal which has been split into a transient component, carrying an abrupt onset and ramped offset and separated in space from the sustained component which has a slowly rising onset and longer duration. When these two signals are played under certain conditions, the perception is that of a long-duration steady state tone being played at the location of the transient. The birds were trained using operant conditioning methods on a categorization task to peck a left key when presented with a stimulus from a left speaker and to peck a right key when presented with a stimulus from a right speaker. Once training was completed, FE stimuli were presented during a small proportion of trials. The FE was measured at speaker separations of 60 degrees and 180 degrees in both echoic and echoic-reduced conditions. Both species of birds exhibited the FE, although to varying degrees, across conditions. These results show that nonmammals also experience the FE illusion in confusing listening situations in a manner similar to mammals, suggestive of similar auditory processing mechanisms.     

A method for C(alpha) direct-detection in protonless NMR

Attempts are made to efficiently decouple (13)C nuclei without significant loss of coherence during the application of the decoupling package. Such attempts are based on the S(3)E spin-state selection method. A newly developed double S(3)E (DS(3)E) is particularly efficient for C(alpha) detection for proteins as large as 480 kDa.     

Panel The integration of voice science, voice pathology, medicine, public speaking, acting, and singing

The integration of voice science, voice pathology, medicine, public speaking, acting, and singing has been central to evolution in all fields. The Voice Foundation Symposia have played a seminal and central role in fostering integration among disciplines. The result has been an improvement in the knowledge and practice in each field. And the future promises to be even more informative and exciting.