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Objectives: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the systematic reviews that focus on the prevalence of voice disorders (VDs), associated risk factors, and the demographic characteristics of patients with dysphonia. An umbrella review was conducted to identify general research themes in voice literature that might guide future research initiatives and contribute to the classification of VDs as a worldwide health concern., Study Design: Umbrella review of systematic reviews., Methods: Pubmed/Medline and Embase were searched for eligible systematic reviews by two authors independently. Extracted data items included the study publication details, study design, characteristics of the target population, sample size, region/country, and incidence and/or prevalence of the VD(s) of interest., Results: Forty systematic reviews were included. Sixteen reported a meta-analysis. Great heterogeneity in methods was found. A total of 277,035 patients across the included studies were included with a prevalence ranging from 0%-90%. The countries represented best were the United States and Brazil, with 13 studies each. Aging, occupational voice use, lifestyle choices, and specific comorbidities, such as obesity or hormonal disorders, seem to be associated with an increased prevalence of dysphonia., Conclusions: This review underscores the influence of VDs on distinct patient groups and the general population. A variety of modifiable or non-modifiable risk factors, having varied degrees of impact on voice qualities, have been identified. The overall effect of VDs is probably underestimated due to factors, such as sample size, patient selection, underreporting of symptoms, and asymptomatic cases. Employing systematic reviews with consistent methodologies and criteria for diagnosing VDs would enhance the ability to determine the prevalence of VDs and their impact., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The digital era has witnessed an escalating dependence on digital platforms for news and information, coupled with the advent of "deepfake" technology. Deepfakes, leveraging deep learning models on extensive data sets of voice recordings and images, pose substantial threats to media authenticity, potentially leading to unethical misuse such as impersonation and the dissemination of false information., Objective: To counteract this challenge, this study aims to introduce the concept of innate biological processes to discern between authentic human voices and cloned voices. We propose that the presence or absence of certain perceptual features, such as pauses in speech, can effectively distinguish between cloned and authentic audio., Methods: A total of 49 adult participants representing diverse ethnic backgrounds and accents were recruited. Each participant contributed voice samples for the training of up to 3 distinct voice cloning text-to-speech models and 3 control paragraphs. Subsequently, the cloning models generated synthetic versions of the control paragraphs, resulting in a data set consisting of up to 9 cloned audio samples and 3 control samples per participant. We analyzed the speech pauses caused by biological actions such as respiration, swallowing, and cognitive processes. Five audio features corresponding to speech pause profiles were calculated. Differences between authentic and cloned audio for these features were assessed, and 5 classical machine learning algorithms were implemented using these features to create a prediction model. The generalization capability of the optimal model was evaluated through testing on unseen data, incorporating a model-naive generator, a model-naive paragraph, and model-naive participants., Results: Cloned audio exhibited significantly increased time between pauses (P<.001), decreased variation in speech segment length (P=.003), increased overall proportion of time speaking (P=.04), and decreased rates of micro- and macropauses in speech (both P=.01). Five machine learning models were implemented using these features, with the AdaBoost model demonstrating the highest performance, achieving a 5-fold cross-validation balanced accuracy of 0.81 (SD 0.05). Other models included support vector machine (balanced accuracy 0.79, SD 0.03), random forest (balanced accuracy 0.78, SD 0.04), logistic regression, and decision tree (balanced accuracies 0.76, SD 0.10 and 0.72, SD 0.06). When evaluating the optimal AdaBoost model, it achieved an overall test accuracy of 0.79 when predicting unseen data., Conclusions: The incorporation of perceptual, biological features into machine learning models demonstrates promising results in distinguishing between authentic human voices and cloned audio., (©Nikhil Valsan Kulangareth, Jaycee Kaufman, Jessica Oreskovic, Yan Fossat. Originally published in JMIR Biomedical Engineering (http://biomsedeng.jmir.org), 21.03.2024.)

Background: The potential role of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) pathogenesis is still debated, although some evidences suggest that they could affect pregnancy outcome, leading to a higher miscarriage rate in these patients. A hypothesized mechanism is through changes in uterine flow in pre-conceptional stage, by modifying endometrial receptivity in RPL. However, scant data are available, in pregnancy, about their role in RPL placental perfusion, also in relation to its potential treatments, such as low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). The aim of this study is to retrospectively further investigate the correlation between two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) uterine and placental flow indexes and the presence or the absence of ANA in women with unexplained RPL (uRPL), treated or not treated with LMWH.Methods: 2D Doppler measurement of pulsatility index (PI) of the uterine arteries and 3D ultrasonography determination of vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) was carried out with the aid of the virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) technique in LMWH treated (n 24) and not treated-uRPL patients (n 20) and in the relative control group (n 27), each group divided in ANA+ and ANA- subgroups. Serum assay for the presence of ANA was performed in all women.Results: No differences were found in PI, VFI and VI values, by comparing the different groups. A difference in VI values was found for ANA- patients between RPL women not treated with LMWH and the treated ones (p = 0,01), which have lower VI values and similar to controls. By considering only ANA- treated and not treated RPL patients, the ROC curve shows an area of 0,80 and at the VI cut-off of 11,08 a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 67%.Conclusions: LMWH could exert a potential beneficial effect in restoring the physiological blood flow supply in terms of VI in uRPL ANA- status, suggesting to include ANA and VI investigations in the RPL diagnostic algorithm in a research context, since further studies are needed to clarify this challenging hypothesis in order to try to ameliorate ANA and abnormal placental vascularization negative influence on RPL pregnancy outcome . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Passive acoustic monitoring can aid conservation efforts and elucidate the behavior and ecology of nocturnal/crepuscular secretive species, like the maned wolf. Here we characterize the seasonal, lunar, and nightly patterns in the long-range vocalizations (roar-barks) of free ranging maned wolves at Serra da Canastra National Park (Brazil) throughout eight months of recordings over two years with a grid of 12/13 autonomous recorders. We found an increase in vocal activity coinciding with the mating and the circa-parturition period of the species. Those peaks indicate a role of roar-barks in partner attraction and mate guarding, and in intra-familiar-group communication. Vocal activity happened throughout all recorded periods and was much higher at some sites than at others, suggesting that roar-barks also function to announce territorial ownership and defense. Maned wolves vocalize more around the waxing gibbous lunar phase, and after dusk until mid-night. Moonlight likely reduces foraging time, resulting in more time available to communicate acoustically, while vocalizations early on the onset of activity suggest a territorial announcement function. Group vocalizations did not always follow the general vocal activity pattern, which suggests that social events may require: immediate response, as territorial contests; and/or simultaneous location of animals, as mate guarding, and joint territorial defense. Based on spatial patterns, we estimate between 6 and 11 individuals contributed to the recordings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of learning in early childhood education and kindergarten is never apart from musical activities, although it is mostly just singing and dancing. Singing is one of the learning activities that is carried out daily from beginning of class to the end of class. Integrated PAUD Satya Wacana Children Center Salatiga provides a form of extracurricular Bina Vokalia at school to support learning, improve and develop student talent in singing. Vocal teaching of children is definitely different than adults, the delivery of the song material should be interesting to learners and in teaching the child's vocal techniques is need patience and technique. In view of today's modern times, many parents are increasingly giving their children activities outside school, especially music. Integrated PAUD Satya Wacana Children Center provides a vocal building learning facility that might develop a child's talent for music. The problem considered in the study is "how the learning process of Bina Vokalia and how the obstacles and solutions to delivering vocal materials in integrated PAUD Satya Wacana Children Center " The study employs qualitative research methods with descriptive exposure. Research subjects are students and teachers of integrated PAUD Satya Wacana Children Center salatiga. Data collection results with observation techniques, interviews, documentation and data analysis. Data analysis techniques divide into three phases that are data reduction, data presentation, and conclusions. The results of the interviews and observations already collected include the documentation, pictures, photographs, field notes, personal notes, and other documents after studied and researched than reduced to an abstraction. As the results of research, researchers concluded that the Bina Vokalia PAUD activities could help students develop singing skills early on, not only good vocal techniques but training children to be bolder and more confident in the activities organized by the foundation. The advice is that music teachers should not be absent too often, requiring an additional event of school in order to make children more active and creative. It is necessary to increase the practice time and musical facilities so the children do not become bored prematurely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to recognize others' emotions based on vocal emotional prosody follows a protracted developmental trajectory during adolescence. However, little is known about the neural mechanisms supporting this maturation. The current study investigated age-related differences in neural activation during a vocal emotion recognition (ER) task. Listeners aged 8 to 19 years old completed the vocal ER task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. The task of categorizing vocal emotional prosody elicited activation primarily in temporal and frontal areas. Age was associated with a) greater activation in regions in the superior, middle, and inferior frontal gyri, b) greater functional connectivity between the left precentral and inferior frontal gyri and regions in the bilateral insula and temporo-parietal junction, and c) greater fractional anisotropy in the superior longitudinal fasciculus, which connects frontal areas to posterior temporo-parietal regions. Many of these age-related differences in brain activation and connectivity were associated with better performance on the ER task. Increased activation in, and connectivity between, areas typically involved in language processing and social cognition may facilitate the development of vocal ER skills in adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose : Cochlear implants (CIs) provide reasonable levels of speech recognition quietly, but voice pitch perception is severely impaired in CI users. The central question addressed here relates to how access to acoustic input pre-implantation influences vocal emotion production by individuals with CIs. The objective of this study was to compare acoustic characteristics of vocal emotions produced by prelingually deaf school-aged children with cochlear implants (CCIs) who were implanted at the age of 2 and had no usable hearing before implantation with those produced by children with normal hearing (CNH), adults with normal hearing (ANH), and postlingually deaf adults with cochlear implants (ACI) who developed with good access to acoustic information prior to losing their hearing and receiving a CI. Method : A set of 20 sentences without lexically based emotional information was recorded by 13 CCI, 9 CNH, 9 ANH, and 10 ACI, each with a happy emotion and a sad emotion, without training or guidance. The sentences were analyzed for primary acoustic characteristics of the productions. Results: Significant effects of Emotion were observed in all acoustic features analyzed (mean voice pitch, standard deviation of voice pitch, intensity, duration, and spectral centroid). ACI and ANH did not differ in any of the analyses. Of the four groups, CCI produced the smallest acoustic contrasts between the emotions in voice pitch and emotions in its standard deviation. Effects of developmental age (highly correlated with the duration of device experience) and age at implantation (moderately correlated with duration of device experience) were observed, and interactions with the children's sex were also observed. Conclusion: Although prelingually deaf CCI and postlingually deaf ACI are listening to similar degraded speech and show similar deficits in vocal emotion perception, these groups are distinct in their productions of contrastive vocal emotions. The results underscore the importance of access to acoustic hearing in early childhood for the production of speech prosody and also suggest the need for a greater role of speech therapy in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The definition of the opera, framing all its successful ways of expression, represents the incarnation of facts, feelings and characters in history and the human soul. The great musicians of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries perceived the value of this musical genre, frequently approaching it, but very few were those who managed to give emotion at the expense of fame, vibrating alongside the purity of creation. The unity of this genre has allowed the rise of an inner reverberation, a utopian glow, perhaps, populating an entire universe. Therefore, it is easy to understand the difficulty involved in addressing this genre, as well as the triumph of those blessed with the boldness needed for the solemnity of creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on captive and wild great apes has established that they employ large repertoires of intentional gestural signals to achieve desired goals. However, gestural research has focused on African great apes, with orang-utan data limited to a few captive studies. We address this gap by describing gesture use in wild Southwest Bornean orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) mother and offspring pairs. We conducted focal follows on 16 individuals in the Sabangau peat-swamp forest in Borneo, Indonesia. The resulting 681 h of video footage yielded 1299 communicative signals: 858 vocal signals and 441 gestural signals. Eleven vocal signal types and 21 gesture types met the criteria for inclusion in the repertoire; however, the gestural repertoire did not approach asymptote and further gesture types will likely be identified in the future. Signalers used gestures of any modality in higher frequency when the recipient was paying visual attention, and took the recipient's visual attention into account when selecting gesture modalities. Orang-utans employed hands and arms more than legs and feet in gesturing, but were more flexible in their choice of limb than chimpanzees using the same gestures. Orang-utans were highly responsive to gestural requests, using them to achieve eight goals and, where successful, responding either before gesturing ended or in <1 s in 90% of communications. Our findings on the range of gesture types and impact of visual attention support findings from captive orang-utans; and those on responsiveness and limb use highlight the importance of studying ape communication in the social and ecological context to which it is adapted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of vascular indices obtained using 3D power Doppler ultrasound (3D PDUS) in differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Materials and methods: Sixty-seven patients (56 female, 11 male, mean age 44.6) with 81 thyroid nodules exhibiting mixed (peripheral and central) vascularization patterns, with the largest diameter between 10 and 30 mm, were prospectively evaluated using 3D PDUS. Nodule volume, vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated using the Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis (VOCAL) software, and these indices were then compared with regard to the cytohistopathology-based diagnosis. The optimum cutoff values for the differentiation of benign and malignant nodules were identified, and diagnostic efficacy was calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Fifty-six of the 81 nodules included in this study were diagnosed as benign and 25 as malignant. Vascular indices in malignant nodules were significantly higher than those in benign nodules (P < 0.05). In benign nodules, the mean VI was 11.61 ± 6.88, mean FI was 39.75 ± 3.93, and mean VFI was 4.82 ± 2.94, compared to 18.64 ± 12.81, 41.82 ± 4.43, and 8.17 ± 6.37, respectively, in malignant nodules. The area under the curves (AUCs) was calculated as 0.68, 0.61, and 0.67 for VI, FI, and VFI, respectively. At optimal cutoff values of 10.2 for VI, 40.8 for FI, and 5.5 for VFI, the sensitivity and specificity were 72%/55.4%, 68%/57.1%, and 68%/67.9%, respectively. Conclusion: 3D PDUS can be useful in the characterization of thyroid nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate if transrectal three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound is a reliable technique to measure equine fetal volume (FV) during early gestation in mares. In total 149 warmblood mares were examined once transrectally on days 45 ± 1 of pregnancy with a portable 3D ultrasound device (Voluson® i, GE Healthcare, Zipf, Austria). The following measurements were performed: Two-dimensional (2D) and 3D crown-rump length (CRL), FV using Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL™) software with rotational angles of 6° and 30°. To analyze intra- and inter-observer reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)) and agreement (Bland-Altman's limits of agreement (LoA)) of FV measurements, images from 60 horse fetuses were selected and repeatedly analyzed by the same examiner (A) and by a second examiner (B). The time for each ultrasound examination (2D and 3D) and for the FV measurements was recorded. The 3D measured CRL was larger (P < 0.001) than the 2D CRL. Repeated measurements of 3D CRL showed a higher reliability (ICC = 0.91 (0.88–0.94), P < 0.001) and agreement (mean = 0.13%, 95% LoA: 7.45 to +7.19) compared to reliability (ICC = 0.50 (0.36–0.61), P < 0.001) and agreement (mean = −1.54%, 95% LoA: 23.29 to +20.21) of the CRL measurement in 2D mode. For intra-observer examinations, reliability was highest when using a rotational angle of 30° (ICC = 0.98 (0.97–0.99), P < 0.001). The inter-observer reliability of 3D measurements was good (ICC = 0.85 (0.67–0.92), P < 0.001). The extra time needed to perform the 3D scan ranged from 1 to 9 min and FV measurements lasted 03:30 ± 00:46 and 08:10 ± 01:05, for rotational angles of 30° and 6°, respectively. In conclusion, this study showed a high level of intra- and inter-observer reliability and agreement for FV measurements using VOCAL™. Furthermore, the 6° and 30° rotational angles can be used interchangeably, but test duration, reliability and agreement were better with the 30° rotational step method. The CRL measurements obtained with 3D mode probably reflects the true CRL, compared to the 2D measured CRL. Highlights • Equine fetal volumes can be measured by using 3D ultrasound. • Fetal volume calculation is a feasible technique for equine fetal size measurement. • 3D ultrasound CRL measurement is superior to the conventional 2D measurement. • High level of intra-observer reliability/agreement achieved for volume measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Respiratory distress is commonly encountered among premature babies immediately after birth resulting in significant neonatal morbidity or mortality. Objectives: To evaluate the possible correlation between three dimensional fetal lung volumes (FLVs) and neonatal respiratory outcomes. Study design: A cohort study included 100 pregnant women who participated in the study and were divided into two groups; group A (n: 50 - women pregnant ±34-37 weeks) and group B (n: 50 - women pregnant ±37+1 to 40 weeks). A three dimensional measurement of the right fetal lung was made using virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL) software then correlated to neonatal respiratory functions namely Apgar score at birth and the occurrence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Results: In group A, FLV was negatively correlated with Apgar score and the occurrence of RDS. In group B, FLV showed no statistical correlation with Apgar score and the occurrence of RDS. Conclusions: Three dimensional fetal lung volumes might be an accurate noninvasive predictor for the development of RDS among preterm fetuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to estimate optimal cut-off values for mean fetal lung volume (FLV) and pulmonary artery resistance index (PA-RI) as non-invasive measures to predict neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm fetuses. Methods: A prospective study conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, Egypt from May 2015 to July 2017: 80 eligible women diagnosed with preterm labor were recruited at 32-36 weeks' gestation. Before delivery, three-dimensional ultrasound was used to estimate FLV using virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL), while PA-RI was measured by Doppler ultrasonography. Results: A total of 80 women were examined. Thirty-seven (46%) of the newborns developed neonatal RDS. FLV was significantly lower in neonates who developed RDS (p = .04), whereas PARI was significantly higher in those who did not (p = .02). Cut-off values of FLV ≤27.2 cm3 and PARI ≥0.77 predicted the subsequent development of RDS. Combining both cut-offs generated a more sensitive and specific methodical approach for the prediction of RDS (sensitivity 100%, specificity 88.5%). Conclusion: Measurement of FLV or PA-RI can predict RDS in preterm fetuses. Combined use of both measures bolstered their predictive significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stereotypies are among the core symptoms of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can cause significant clinical impairment. At present, phonic stereotypies in ASD have been scarcely explored. This study investigates the frequency, variability, and typologies of phonic and motor stereotypies in children with ASD and their association with clinical neurological variables. We examined 35 patients by recording standardized video sessions and administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2). Phonic stereotypies were present in 83.0% of the patients. The most prevalent subtypes were noncommunicative vocalizations (60.0%), single syllables (37.1%), and echolalic stereotypies (22.9%). Noncommunicative vocalizations were more frequent in nonverbal patients (OR = 4.629, p = 0.008), while echolalic stereotypies were more represented in verbal patients (OR = 0.279, p = 0.028). Patients with intellectual disability (ID) showed a higher number (F(1,26) = 9.406, p = 0.005) and variability (F(1,25) = 7.174, p = 0.013) of motor stereotypies, with a higher number (F(1,26) = 13.268, p = 0.005) and variability (F(1,26) = 9.490, p = 0.005) of stereotypies involving the head/trunk/shoulders category. Patients with guttural stereotypies showed a higher variability of total motor stereotypies (OR = 1.487, p = 0.032) and self-directed motor stereotypies (OR = 4.389, p = 0.042). These results, combined with a standardized video-analysis, document the frequency and variability of phonic stereotypies among children with ASD. Correlations between specific phonic stereotypies and verbal abilities should be investigated further.

The scientific study of teamwork in the context of long-term spaceflight has uncovered a considerable amount of knowledge over the past 20 years. Although much is known about the underlying factors and processes of teamwork, much is left to be discovered for teams who operate in extreme isolation conditions during spaceflights. Thus, special considerations must be made to enhance teamwork and team well-being for long-term missions during which the team will live and work together. Being affected by both mental and physical stress during interactional context conversations might have a direct or indirect impact on team members’ speech acoustics, facial expressions, lexical choices and their physiological responses. The purpose of this article is (a) to illustrate the relationship between the modalities of vocal-acoustic, language and physiological cues during stressful teammate conversations, (b) to delineate promising research paths to help further our insights into understanding the underlying mechanisms of high team cohesion during spaceflights, (c) to build upon our preliminary experimental results that were recently published, using a dyadic team corpus during the demanding operational task of “diffusing a bomb” and (d) to outline a list of parameters that should be considered and examined that would be useful in spaceflights for team-effectiveness research in similarly stressful conditions. Under this view, it is expected to take us one step towards building an extremely non-intrusive and relatively inexpensive set of measures deployed in ground analogs to assess complex and dynamic behavior of individuals.

Listeners locate potential mates using species-specific vocal signals. As tetrapods transitioned from water to land, lungs replaced gills, allowing expiration to drive sound production. Some frogs then returned to water. Here we explore how air-driven sound production changed upon re-entry to preserve essential acoustic information on species identity in the secondarily aquatic frog genus Xenopus. We filmed movements of cartilage and muscles during evoked sound production in isolated larynges. Results refute the current theory for Xenopus vocalization, cavitation, and favor instead sound production by mechanical excitation of laryngeal resonance modes following rapid separation of laryngeal arytenoid discs. Resulting frequency resonance modes (dyads) are intrinsic to the larynx rather than due to neuromuscular control. Dyads are a distinctive acoustic signature. While their component frequencies overlap across species, their ratio is shared within each Xenopus clade providing information on species identity that could facilitate both conspecific localization and ancient species divergence.Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter).

Esta investigación estudia, en el español de Santiago de Chile, la duración de las cinco vocales aisladas y duplicadas contiguas, en distintos contextos fonológicos. Se utilizó un instrumento de lectura de frases que contenían las 5 vocales en las 6 condiciones posibles (tónica, átona, tónica + tónica, tónica + átona, átona + tónica, átona + átona) en la misma posición silábica de la frase. Se realizaron 40 grabaciones de sujetos hablantes de español de Chile. Los resultados muestran 5 grupos diferentes en los que la mayor duración se produce en la combinación tónica + tónica y la menor duración se da en la átona simple. Las combinaciones átona + tónica y tónica + átona se comportan como un mismo grupo. Se realiza también un análisis por vocal y se obtiene que la vocal /u/ tiene mayor duración en la condición átona y /a/, en el mismo contexto, tiene la duración menor; en la condición tónica, se da el caso inverso.

Background: Ultrasound examination is becoming a more and more important diagnostic tool in infertil- ity treatment. Development of ultrasound equipment offers a lot of information about the physiology and morphology of gynecological organs. Beside the 2D view on structures, the new 3D technology enables us to view the whole volume in all planes. 4D view enables us a 3D view in certain time, i.e. a 3D live scan. Content: Ultrasound is used in fertility management for infertility diagnostics and in following of treatment. Ultrasound in infertility diagnostics: Ultrasound is used for examination of uterus, tubes, ovaries and peritoneal cause of infertility. It can be used in different menstrual phases: proliferative, periovulatory and secretory phase. Examination of uterus: A 2D scan can measure the size of the uterus (length, width and depth) and a 2D flow (colour and power doppler). With 3D technology we can measure the whole volume with VOCAL (virtual organ computer-aided analysis) and 3D circulation with the index (VI – vascular index, FI – flow index and VFI – vascular flow index) in the uterus. A 2D scan can help us define uterine malformations, fibroids and adenomyosis to a certain extent. However, a 3D scan offers more accurate diagnosis of these malformations. Endometrium is examined separately. With 2D the width is measured and morphology and focal lesions (polyp, fibroids, adhesions) are examined. With 3D the real sagital plane for the width measurement can be defined . We can measure the volume of endometrium and subendometrium and 3D circulation in endometrium and subendometrium. The FIS (f luid instlation sonography) is very useful when examining the endometrium; saline or gel can be used for uterine instalation. We can measure and define the position of the structures in the endometrium more accurately when they are surrouned by saline or gel. We can view these structures with a surface view, similar to the one used for hysteroscopy. With this information we can explain the pathology to the patient and easily plan the surgical procedures. Examination of the tubes: With 2D US we can see the tubes in the pelvis only if there are dilatations, but sometimes it is difficult to distinguish them from the neighbouring forma- tions. With a 3D ultrasound we can define the shape and continuity of the tube and we can view the tube from different angles (inversion mode). Different contrast media are used for determining tubal patency. Tubal patency can be diagnosed with 2D HyCoSy (Hysterosal- pingo Contrast Sonografy) or 3D HyCoSy. Examination of the ovary: With the 2D ultrasound the size of ovaries is measured and the morphology of ovaries is examined. With the 3D ultrasound the volume of the ovaries, follicles, cysts and tumors can be measured. Furthermore, position of the ovaries with re- gard to their surrounding can be defined. With the 3D surface mode we can see the surface view of the inner layer of the follicle or the cyst. The volume of the liquid structures can be measured with VOCAL or sonoAVC (sono automated volume count). The number of the antral follicles strongly correlates with fertility potential markers such as FSH and AMH. Examination of peritoneum: The position of gynaecological organs and ascites are defined. Examination of vagina: Endometriotic nodules can be excluded with ultrasound. A 3D ultrasound can define the exact position of the nodule. Ultrasound in the following of infertility treatment: Before the ovarian stimulation it is mandatory to exclude pelvic pathology that can influence the stimulation. Ovarian stimulation: We follow the natural or stimulated cycles with an ultrasound in view of follicular and endometrial growth. SonoAVC offers us automatic volume count of all follicles. This information enables us to change the stimulation protocol and avoid OHSS more accurately comparing to the standard 2D technology. Oocyte puncture: US puncture is done with ultrasound-guided needle. Great vessels around the vagina and on the needle line can be avoided if colour doppler is used. With 3D surface mode good quality follicles can be identified. Embryotransfer (ET): The angle between cervical canal and corpus uteri can be mea- sured before the embryotransfer. The introduction of the ET catheter can be followed with the 2D transabdominal probe. More exact location of the catheter can be visualized with 4D US. With this method we can avoid touching the uterine fundus with the catether and avoid bleeding in the foetus surroundings. Conclusions: There is an increasing number of ultrasound machines offering us beside 2D, 3D and 4D technology. It is important to learn the applications and use them in our daily practice. The recorded volumes can be examined at any time in any plan. In any unclear pathology the recorded volume can be send for second opinion and discussed further.

The use of Arabic language, it is divided into two, namely Arabic fuṣhâ and ‘âmiyah. Arabic fuṣhâ used as a written language, and Arabic ‘âmiyah used as a spoken language. In daily activities, Arab people used Arabic ‘âmiyah more frequently. This is due to a fairly high level of formality that is owned by Arabic fuṣhâ, that should be in the spoken language is communicative, consultative, relaxed and intimate, both in term of morphological and syntactical. In the Egyptian Arabic occur in phonological and morphological differences were deemed difficult for students who only learn Arabic fuṣhâ. The difficulty that arises due to the ignorance of students to the differences that occur between Arabic fuṣhâ and Egyptian dialect. With an understanding of phonological and morphological of Arabic ‘âmiyah expected that the students of Arabic language or people who have learned fuṣhâ can understand-at least a few understanding-spoken language so that communication will run smoothly.DOI: 10.15408/a.v2i2.2184

Introduction: The study aims to evaluate the effect of obesity on the endometrium in women with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) through evaluation of endometrial and subendometrial vascularity by twodimensional (2D) ultrasound, Doppler and three dimensional power Doppler (3DPD). Methods: A prospective case-control study, conducted in a tertiary University hospital between February 2016 and December 2016. The study included 50 women with PCOD and 50 fertile regular menstruating women divided according to their body mass index (BMI) into normal weight and overweight/obese groups. Endometrial thickness and pattern combined with Doppler examination of the uterine vessels for measurement of Resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were assessed. Evaluation of endometrial and subendometrial blood flow was performed by 3DPD using Virtual organ computer-aided analysis program. Results: No significant difference in the endometrial pattern or thickness between all study groups. Endometrial volume was significantly lower in the overweight/obese PCOD women and overall in the PCOD women compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Uterine artery RI was significantly higher in the PCOD women compared to the control group (p = 0.004), but no difference in uterine PI. Vascular indices of endometrial and subendometrial blood flow were significantly lower in the overweight/obese PCOD women than the normal weight PCOD women. Conclusions: The endometrium is negatively affected by obesity in women with PCOD. Additionally, PCOD women had lower endometrial and subendometrial blood flow than non-PCOD women. Therefore, overweight/obese PCOD women should be encouraged to reduce their body weight in order to improve the endometrial receptivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on Sociolinguistica Variacionista, this work studies the rising of the vowel /E/ pretonic in the enlightened speech of Fortaleza-CE The objective of this work is to investigate the performance of linguistic and social factors on the phenomenon. For this, we selected a speech sample composed of 34 informants from the PORCUFORT database. The selected informants were stratified by sex, age group and type of survey. In all, we collected 1,821 data that were submitted to the analysis of the Goldvarb X program. The results revealed that the palatal antecedent phonological context and the age range of the elderly favor the rising of the vowel / E / pretonic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the tumor's volume and intratumoral vascularization with 3D vocal power Doppler ultrasound in patients with stage 1B1 cervical cancer.Methods: This was a prospective study on patients with cervical cancer and stage 1B1 disease, which took place between 2012 and 2015. All women had an initial 2D ultrasound examination for the estimation of the tumor volume. Following this, 3D volumes of the cervix were acquired and were further analyzed using the Virtual Organ Computer Aided Analysis (VOCAL) program. In the selected volume, the vascular pattern (linear or complex vascularization) was also examined. The ultrasonographic findings were compared to the histological ones following surgery.Results: Twenty-seven patients were included. The average cervical tumor volume measured by the 2D ultrasound and 3D VOCAL-PD were 3.14 and 3.08 cm3, respectively. Both 2D and 3D VOCAL-PD overestimated the tumor staging. Further analysis showed a statistically significant superiority of 2D ultrasound over 3D VOCAL-PD for tumors equal or smaller than 2.5 cm3 with linear vascularity (p < 0.001), while for tumors of larger volume with complex vascularization, a statistically significant superiority of 3D VOCAL-PD was confirmed (p < 0.001).Conclusions: 3-D VOCAL-PD is extremely accurate and superior to 2D ultrasound for the estimation of tumor volume and vascularization when it is more than 2.5 cm3 and has a complex vascularization in patients with stage 1B1 cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few published studies have systematically compared the efficacy of different prompt-fading methods in the training of complex response chains. The current study systematically compared a most-to- least physical prompt fading hierarchy with a most-to- least vocal prompt fading strategy in the training of four arbitrary Tinkertoy® construction tasks across two participants. The results of the current study suggest that both prompt strategies are effective. For one participant, there was no difference in training effectiveness, however for the other participant, vocal prompting was a more effective training technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objective The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effects of three warm-up procedures (vocal-only, physical-only, physical/vocal combination) on acoustic and perceptual measures of choir sound. Methods The researchers tested three videotaped, 5-minute, choral warm-up procedures on three university choirs. After participating in a warm-up procedure, each choir was recorded singing a folk song for long-term average spectra and pitch analysis. Singer participants responded to a questionnaire about preferences after each warm-up procedure. Warm-up procedures and recording sessions occurred during each choir's regular rehearsal time and in each choir's regular rehearsal space during three consecutive rehearsals. Results Long-term average spectra results demonstrated more resonant singing after the physical/vocal warm-up for two of the three choirs. Pitch analysis results indicate that all three choirs sang “in-tune” or with the least pitch deviation after participating in the physical/vocal warm-up. Singer questionnaire responses showed general preference for the physical/vocal combination warm-up, and singer ranking of the three procedures indicated the physical/vocal warm-up as the most favored for readiness to sing. Conclusions In the context of this study with these three university choir participants, it seems that a combination choral warm-up that includes physical and vocal aspects is preferred by singers, enables more resonant singing, and more in-tune singing. Findings from this study could provide teachers and choral directors with important information as they structure and experiment with their choral warm-up procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of information from face and voice plays a central role in social interactions. The present study investigated the modulation of emotional intensity on the integration of facial-vocal emotional cues by recording EEG for participants while they were performing emotion identification task on facial, vocal, and bimodal angry expressions varying in emotional intensity. Behavioral results showed the rates of anger and reaction speed increased as emotional intensity across modalities. Critically, the P2 amplitudes were larger for bimodal expressions than for the sum of facial and vocal expressions for low emotional intensity stimuli, but not for middle and high emotional intensity stimuli. These findings suggested that emotional intensity modulates the integration of facial-vocal angry expressions, following the principle of Inverse Effectiveness (IE) in multimodal sensory integration.