Dependence of phonation threshold pressure on vocal tract acoustics and vocal fold tissue mechanics

Analytical and computer simulation studies have shown that the acoustic impedance of the vocal tract as well as the viscoelastic properties of vocal fold tissues are critical for determining the dynamics and the energy transfer mechanism of vocal fold oscillation. In the present study, a linear, small-amplitude oscillation theory was revised by taking into account the propagation of a mucosal wave and the inertive reactance (inertance) of the supraglottal vocal tract as the major energy transfer mechanisms for flow-induced self-oscillation of the vocal fold. Specifically, analytical results predicted that phonation threshold pressure (Pth) increases with the viscous shear properties of the vocal fold, but decreases with vocal tract inertance. This theory was empirically tested using a physical model of the larynx, where biological materials (fat, hyaluronic acid, and fibronectin) were implanted into the vocal fold cover to investigate the effect of vocal fold tissue viscoelasticity on Pth. A uniform-tube supraglottal vocal tract was also introduced to examine the effect of vocal tract inertance on Pth. Results showed that Pth decreased with the inertive impedance of the vocal tract and increased with the viscous shear modulus (G") or dynamic viscosity (eta') of the vocal fold cover, consistent with theoretical predictions. These findings supported the potential biomechanical benefits of hyaluronic acid as a surgical bioimplant for repairing voice disorders involving the superficial layer of the lamina propria, such as scarring, sulcus vocalis, atrophy, and Reinke's edema.     

Hearing loss from interrupted, intermittent, and time varying non-Gaussian noise exposure: The applicability of the equal energy hypothesis

Sixteen groups of chinchillas (N=140) were exposed to various equivalent energy noise paradigms at 100 dB(A) or 103 dB(A) SPL. Eleven groups received an interrupted, intermittent, and time varying (IITV) non-Gaussian exposure quantified by the kurtosis statistic. The IITV exposures, which lasted for 8 hday, 5 daysweek for 3 weeks, were designed to model some of the essential features of an industrial workweek. Five equivalent energy reference groups were exposed to either a Gaussian or non-Gaussian 5 days, 24 hday continuous noise. Evoked potentials were used to estimate hearing thresholds and surface preparations of the organ of Corti quantified the sensory cell population. For IITV exposures at an equivalent energy and kurtosis, the temporal variations in level did not alter trauma and in some cases the IITV exposures produced results similar to those found for the 5 day continuous exposures. Any increase in kurtosis at a fixed energy was accompanied by an increase in noise-induced trauma. These results suggest that the equal energy hypothesis is an acceptable approach to evaluating noise exposures for hearing conservation purposes provided that the kurtosis of the amplitude distribution is taken into consideration. Temporal variations in noise levels seem to have little effect on trauma.     

Examining the didactic contract when handheld technology is permitted in the mathematics classroom

The use of mathematics analysis software (MAS) including handheld scientific and graphics calculators offers a range of pedagogical opportunities. Its use can support change in the didactic contract. MAS may become an alternative source of authority in the classroom empowering students to explore variation and regularity, manipulate simulations and link representations. Strategic use may support students to direct their own learning and explore mathematics, equipping them to share their findings with the teacher and the class with more confidence. This paper offers a framework for examining the impact of the use of MAS on the didactic contract. Lessons were observed in 12 grade 10 classes, with 12 different teachers new to MAS. MAS technology was used with a variety of didactic contracts, mostly traditional. The framework drew attention to many ways in which the teaching differed. Analysis of the didactic contract must consider both the teaching of mathematics and of technology skills, because these have different characteristics. In all classes, both teachers and students saw the teacher as having a responsibility to teach technology skills. Students saw technology skills as the main point of the lesson, but the teachers saw the lesson as primarily teaching mathematics—one of the mismatches which may need negotiation to adapt didactic contracts to teaching with MAS.     

Information about group matrices

Each ordering for the elements of a finite group G of order n defines a corresponding class of group matrices for G. First, this paper proves that the number of distinct classes of group matrices for G equals (n ? 1)!/m, where m is the number of automorphisms of G. Then, a study is made of a block-diagonal reduction for the group matrices of any particular class.     

Scattering from a layer of discrete random medium over a random interface: application to microwave backscattering from forests

The distorted Born approximation is used to calculate the bistatic scattering coefficients from a layer of sparsely distributed discrete dielectric scatterers over a random interface. After specializing to the backscatter case, the scattering coefficient is determined as a sum of direct, direct reflected and interface scatter contributions. The direct reflected term contains contributions from the average interface and the interface fluctuations. These direct reflected terms include both incoherent and coherent or enhancement terms. The results are applied to backscattering from a mature hemlock forest over a roughened ground. The model results show that the direct reflected surface fluctuation terms give the dominant contribution to backscatter at P band and are equal in magnitude to the volume scatter at L band. Use of these new results brings the model predictions and experimental results into agreement.     

The role of the local environment in determining the sizes of the magnetic moments in Fe3Al

A local environment approach is used to calculate the sizes of the magnetic moments in ordered Fe₃Al. A simple model based on a LCAO model and Stoner theory gives results in good agreement with experiment. Calculations were performed self-consistently using the recursion method. The role of the aluminium is investigated and it is shown that it is essential to include the aluminium sp band but the results are insensitive to its details.     

Absolute measurement of an atomic cascade rate using a two photon coincidence technique. Application to the 4p21S0 -4s4p 1P1 -4s21S0 cascade of calcium excited by a two photon absorption

The two photon coincidence technique yields an absolute measurement of a cascade decay rate without knowing the detection efficiency of each detector. This method is applied to calcium atoms in an atomic beam excited to the 4p²¹S₀ state, and decaying via the resonant ¹P₁ state; it yields the excitation rate of the upper 4p²¹S₀ level. Since the excitation process (two photon absorption) is controlled, one can compute the excitation rate of the upper level as a function of the transition probabilities in the cascade. The lower transition is well known and we can therefore deduce the transition probability for the 4p²¹S₀ -4s4p ¹P₁, transition which previously had not been accurately determined. The preliminary measurements yield a line strength s = 0.98 ± 0.3 au in good agreement with a recent measurement of the lifetime of the 4p²¹S₀ state.     

Dual hologram interferometry

This report describes dual hologram interferometry, a new electro-optic technique used to calculate two-dimensional density distributions from measurable changes in index of refraction. Using this technique, two scenes recorded at different times are stored in separate holograms. One hologram contains reference data depicting the subject in an undisturbed state and the other hologram describes the same subject in a test or disturbed condition. Desired interference patterns are obtained by super-imposing the two separate scenes which are simultaneously reconstructed from each hologram. Specific interferograms, infinite fringe and various finite fringe patterns, are obtained by carefully regulating the optical attitude between the holograms and the reference beam during reconstruction of the scenes. In this project, dual hologram interferometry is used to describe quantitatively free convection from a uniformly heated right circular cylinder. Temperature distributions through the boundary layer and local heat transfer coefficients are determined at different azimuth positions. The results are compared both to experimental data obtained from another holographic technique and to a theoretical prediction of this specific test. This investigation shows that dual hologram interferometry accurately records changes in index of refraction which means the technique can be used to accurately measure experimental fluid flow data.     

Infinite-Dimensional Black-Scholes Equation with Hereditary Structure

This paper considers the option pricing problem for contingent claims of the European type in a (B,S)-market in which the stock price and the asset in the riskless bank account both have hereditary structures. The Black-Scholes equation for the classical option pricing problem is generalized to an infinite-dimensional equation to include the effects of time delay in the evolution of the financial market as well as a very general payoff function. A computational algorithm for the solution is also obtained via a double sequence of polynomials of a certain bounded linear functional on a Banach space and the time variable.