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Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) diagnosis and speech surgery outcomes are currently based solely on subjective evaluation criteria consisting of perceptual speech assessment and functional imaging. This study describes an objective and comparable method in VPD assessment and investigates the concurrence between the objective and subjective evaluations. The present study included 20 paediatric patients presenting with VPD after primary repair (intravelar veloplasty) of cleft palate. Our protocol was based on computerized analysis of voice parameters by means of an objective tool, spectrography integrated with Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP). The protocol also included perceptual evaluation by speech therapist and phoniatrician (consensus listening), and parents. This is a single surgeon, single centre experience and all patients underwent a secondary Furlow's palatoplasty. Assessments were performed pre- and postoperatively and upon completion of speech therapy. Results were compared using the two-tailed t student test for paired data. Statistical significance was set for p -values <0.05. Data analysis confirmed an improvement in velopharyngeal closure after surgery and speech therapy consistently with the results of perceptual evaluations. The results of the study confirmed the availability and reliability of an objective method for VPD evaluation based on the analysis of voice parameters with investigations that are simple and easily available in a hospital setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a clear trend in the aircraft industry to use more electrical systems in propulsion and electromechanical and electrohydraulic actuators to comply with environmental sustainability and to improve reliability and maintenance processes. The increase of electrical consumption requires an increase of the rated voltages to supply power to these so called more electrical aircraft (MEA). Unfortunately, this voltage rise, currently up to 540 V$_{dc}$, can lead to ionization processes within the electric wiring due to the lower air density at high altitudes. As a consequence, a degraded insulation can create extremely hazardous events in flight such as arcs between wires (serial) or between wires and fuselage (parallel). Serial arcs in dc bus circuits are specially dangerous for the aircraft operation, so its detection within fractions of seconds is required to ensure a reliable operation. However, during a sustained serial arc the rated current can be passing through air deceiving the protections and avoiding their tripping. In this article, it has been found that arcing introduces high frequency current pulses superimposed to the dc component that can be identified to detect the occurrence of an arc. The frequency components of these pulses depend on the line characteristics and can be detected with inductive sensors. This manuscript also designs and tests a light and inexpensive sensor for arc detection in aircraft applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop and seek evidence of content validity of a spectrographic vocal assessment protocol. Methodological study for development and validation of an assessment instrument. A broad literature search was conducted to develop and substantiate a spectrographic vocal assessment protocol. The protocol items were sent to five expert judges, speech therapists, nonauthors of the research, doctors, and clinicians, with experience in the field of voice and spectrographic acoustic analysis, who individually analyzed the protocol items. For data analysis, the Gwet analysis and the Content Validity Ratio formula were used. The Spectrographic Vocal Assessment Protocol was developed, subdivided into Broadband and Narrowband. Twenty-four protocol items had Content Validity Ratio 1.0 and 25 items had 0.6. Gwet analysis indicated substantial agreement (0.656) for broadband and almost perfect (0.848) for narrowband items. Evidence of satisfactory content validity was obtained in the development of the protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From uncovering the structure of the atom to the nature of the universe, spectral measurements have helped some of science's greatest discoveries. While pointwise spectral measurements date back to Newton, it is commonly thought that hyperspectral images originated in the 1970s. However, the first hyperspectral images are over a century old and are locked in the safes of a handful of museums. These hidden treasures are examples of the first color photographs and earned their inventor, Gabriel Lippmann, the 1908 Nobel Prize in Physics. Since the original work of Lippmann, the process has been predominately understood from the monochromatic perspective, with analogies drawn to Bragg gratings, and the polychromatic case treated as a simple extension. As a consequence, there are misconceptions about the invertibility of the Lippmann process. We show that the multispectral image reflected from a Lippmann plate contains distortions that are not explained by current models. We describe these distortions by directly modeling the process for general spectra and devise an algorithm to recover the original spectra. This results in a complete analysis of the Lippmann process. Finally, we demonstrate the accuracy of our recovery algorithm on self-made Lippmann plates, for which the acquisition setup is fully understood. However, we show that, in the case of historical plates, there are too many unknowns to reliably recover 19th century spectra of natural scenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The appearance of new thoughts in urbanism and their entry in to the urban management has caused the cities to acquire different experiences. Decline of life and vitality in urban areas can be considered as one of the consequences of following modernism approach, which always advocate the quantity oriented and the quality issues. has been neglected. This study aims to measure Spectrography and dimensions of vitality in different neighborhoods and textures of Marvdasht city .The study method was analytical – surveying one and on the basis of documental resources and questionnaire. Electre model was used for data analysis. The research process involves assessing (through 44 measures in six main dimensions), evaluation and selecting the top neighborhood (selected among five different textures of the city). Based on the research findings, texture No.4 and its neighborhoods had the most vitality and texture No.3 and its neighborhoods had the lowest vitality from the view of the residents. In continue, with respect to the dispersion manner of effective factors on vitality including distribution of attractive usages, location of public areas, situation of the neighborhood centers, usage of the city lands, . . . the vitality spectrography is made in textures of Marvdasht city and its neighborhoods. The result of spectrography has been reviewed as vitality maps in the main axes, vitality in the main centers, vitality in bottlenecks, vitality at the outer edge and surrounding areas. As the result of spectrography test of vitality, texture No.4 and its neighborhoods for having more vitality covers all the spectrography alternatives comparing with texture No.3 and its neighborhoods with having the least rate of vitality which cover none of spectrography alternatives. Finally, with respect to the vitality dimension and the resulting Spectrography, the guidelines for creation, promotion and improvement of the vitality situation of the neighborhoods has been presented.

Objective: To verify the convergent and concurrent validity of the Spectrographic Voice Analysis Protocol (SAP) and its accuracy to discriminate dysphonic from nondysphonic patients., Method: The study used 82 vowel /Ɛ/ samples and their respective narrowband spectrograms, analyzed with SAP. Cepstral peak prominence (CPP) and cepstral peak prominence smoothed (CPPS) verified the convergent validity of the SAP total score, while the general grade of vocal deviation (GG) verified the concurrent validity of the SAP total score. The ROC (receive operator curve) curve and its accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity values, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) verified the accuracy of the SAP score to discriminate dysphonic from nondysphonic individuals., Results: Dysphonic and nondysphonic had different SAP total scores. In the convergent validity, the SAP score had a weak and moderate negative correlation, respectively, with CPP and CPPS, as well as a moderate positive correlation with GG. SAP performed well in discriminating dysphonic from nondysphonic individuals (area under the curve = 82.0%; sensitivity = 91.7%; specificity = 51.7%; PPV = 93.7%; NPV = 44.0%; LR+ = 6.21; LR- = 0.53) based on the 8-point cutoff score., Conclusion: SAP has convergent validity with CPP and CPPS and concurrent validity with GG. The SAP total score performed well in discriminating dysphonic from nondysphonic individuals. However, the specificity, NPV, and LR- values justify cautiously using SAP, always in combination with other information in clinical voice assessment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships, which may be considered as potential competing interests: Leonardo Wanderley Lopes reports administrative support and article publishing charges were provided by Paraiba Federal University Health Sciences Center., (Copyright © 2023 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Verify the results from intensive short-term vocal therapy using the Finger Kazoo technique about the spectrographic vocal measurements of teachers., Methods: Controlled and randomized trial. Spectrographic vocal assessment was performed by judges before and after intensive short-term vocal therapy with Finger Kazoo. Sample was composed of 41 female teachers. There were two study groups (with vocal nodules and without structural affection of the vocal folds) and the respective control groups. For the statistical analysis of the data, nonparametric tests were used (Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon test)., Results: After intensive short-term vocal therapy with Finger Kazoo, improvement in voice spectral parameters, such as improvement in tracing (color intensity and regularity), greater definition of formants and harmonics, increased replacement of harmonics by noise, and a greater number of harmonics, mainly in the group without structural affection of the vocal folds., Conclusion: There was an improvement in the spectrographic vocal parameters, showing greater stability, quality, and projection of the emission, especially in female teachers without structural affection of the vocal folds., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2023 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The intensity and duration of speech difficulty inherently associated with lingual therapy is a significant issue of concern in orthodontics. This study was designed to evaluate and to compare the duration of changes in speech between labial and lingual orthodontics. Materials and Methods: A prospective longitudinal clinical study was designed to assess speech of 24 patients undergoing labial or lingual orthodontic treatment. An objective spectrographic evaluation of/s/sound was done using software PRAAT version 5.0.47, a semiobjective auditive evaluation of articulation was done by four speech pathologists and a subjective assessment of speech was done by four laypersons. The tests were performed before (T1), within 24 h (T2), after 1 week (T3) and after 1 month (T4) of the start of therapy. The Mann-Whitney U-test for independent samples was used to assess the significance difference between the labial and lingual appliances. A speech alteration with P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The objective method showed a significant difference to be present between the two groups for the/s/sound in the middle position (P < 0.001) at T3. The semiobjective assessment showed worst speech performance in the lingual group to be present at T3 for vowels and blends (P < 0.01) and at T3 and T4 for alveolar and palatal consonants (P < 0.01). The subjective assessment also showed a significant difference between the two groups at T3 (P < 0.01) and T4 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both appliance systems caused a comparable speech difficulty immediately after bonding (T2). Although the speech recovered within a week in the labial group (T3), the lingual group continued to experience discomfort even after a month (T4).

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between pharyngoesophageal segment (PES) configuration and narrow-band spectrogram of tracheoesophageal voices. METHODS: This study included 30 total laryngectomees tracheoesophageal speakers. Patients were assessed by videofluoroscopy (VF), during deglutition and voicing, and the vowel /a/ was recorded for spectrographic analysis. The evaluation of VF recording consisted of visual perceptual rating of degree of contact between the prominence of PES and its anterior wall, defined as absent/mild (hypo contact), moderate (normo contact) and intense (hyper contact); and quantitative measures of PES: anteroposterior distance (APD) and length of the PES (lenPES); PES surface area in swallowing (areaSw), and phonation (areaPh), and the area of the air reservoir (areaAir). Visual inspection of a narrow-band spectrogram was made and four different acoustic signal typing were defined as Type I, II, III or IV. RESULTS: Type I-II is correlated with moderate contact; Type III, with intense and Type IV, with absent/mild contact. Type I-II has bigger APD and PES with lower length than Type IV. There is a correlation between bigger APD and shorter PES. CONCLUSION: The group with I-II signal typing has PES with normo contact; Type III with hyper contact and Type IV has PES with hypo contact. The best tracheoesophageal voices are achieved by PES with moderate contact of the prominence and with shorter and larger anteroposterior PES distances. What differentiates the PES with hyper contact from PES with normal one is only the degree of contact between the prominence of the PES and its anterior wall.

Introduction: Spectrographic analysis of the voice allows a descriptive acoustic evaluation of deviated vocal signals. Therefore, the judge's training has become important to correctly identify acoustic parameters. Objective: To verify the effectiveness of visual-auditoryperceptual training of speech-language pathology students in the analysis of spectrographic parameters of dysphonic voices. Method: Approved under the number 5.118.140. A total of 6 meetings were performed via Zoomâ. Nineteen students, 18-40 years, participated. First meeting: information about the spectrogram and on three anchors spectrographs; next they analyzed 13 spectrogramsvowel/é/. Second to fifth: training sessions of 15 spectrographic parameters, 7 of distribution of energy, 4 of the instability of system, and 4 of asynchrony of the glottis cycles. The voice related to each spectrogram was presented after the spectrographic analysis. Sixth meeting: they analyzed the same 13 spectrograms of session-1. The evaluation of three voice specialists was used as a reference to verify the accuracy of the students answers. McNemar Test was used to compare the proportion of correct and incorrect answer pre and post-training. Results: Inter-rater reliability was 0.267 pre-training and 0.330 post-training. Intra-rater reliability from 0.313 to 0.739 pre-training and from 0.423 to 0.866 post-training. The proportion of correct answer post-training was significantly higher in 5 parameters: frequency breaks, phonatory breaks, close harmonics, presence of noise between harmonics below 4,000Hz, and gradual loss of tracing definition. Conclusion: Visual-auditory perceptual training improved the intra and inter-rater reliability and increased the proportion of correct answers for parameters related to energy distribution and system instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review, the synthesis of the achievements in the field of fluorescence of the skin exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

A fissura de palato, em associação à Sequência de Pierre Robin, pode favorecer o desenvolvimento de produções atípicas (compensatórias), na fala da criança, como é o caso da oclusiva glotal (golpe de glote) comumente observada em substituição aos sons oclusivos (vozeados ou não). No presente estudo, foi realizada a análise dos parâmetros fonético-acústicos da oclusiva glotal produzidas em /k/ e /g/ por uma criança do gênero feminino, com 5 anos, que apresentava fissura de palato reparada, associada à Sequência de Pierre Robin. Para isso, foram selecionadas seis palavras em que a oclusiva velar encontrava-se na posição inicial da palavra e combinada com as vogais /a/, /i/ e /u/ na posição acentuada. Foi ainda realizado julgamento perceptivo-auditivo por três fonoaudiólogos, que apresentou concordância quanto à presença da oclusiva glotal de 100% para ambas as relações (intra e inter-juízes). Na inspeção dos dados via espectrograma foi observada variabilidade dos parâmetros espectrais (burst e transição formântica) e essas variações também puderam ser computadas considerando as vogais separadamente. A análise estatística revelou diferença estatisticamente significante entre as duas consoantes velares (/k/ e /g/) nos parâmetros espectral (burst), temporal (VOT e duração relativa da oclusiva na palavra) e os relativos às características acústicas das vogais adjacentes às oclusivas (período estacionário de F3). Por fim, as características acústicas da oclusiva glotal sugeriram que a criança pode ter utilizado de estratégias para marcar contrastes fônicos na língua, ainda que os mesmos não tenham magnitude suficiente para serem resgatados auditivamente pelo ouvinte.The cleft palate, in association with Pierre Robin Sequence, may foster the development of atypical (compensatory) productions on the child’s speech such as the use of glottal stop as a substitution for occlusive sounds (voiced or voiceless). Acoustic parameters of glottal stop for /k/ and /g/ produced by a 5 year-old girl with cleft palate repaired in association with Pierre Robin Sequence were analyzed. For this study, we used six words consisting of velar stops in the initial word position combining the vowels /a/, /i/ e /u/ in the stressed position were selected. There was total agreement (100%) as for the presence of the glottal stop for both intra and inter-judges. Inspection of the data via spectrogram showed variability of spectral parameters (burst and formant transition), and variations could also be computed, separately considering the vowels. Statistical analysis revealed a statistical difference between the two velar consonants (/k/ and /g/) in spectral (burst), temporal (VOT and duration of occlusion on the word) parameters and those relating to the acoustic features of vowels adjacent to stops (stationary period of F3. The acoustic features of glottal stop suggest that the child may have used strategies to set out phonic contrasts in the language, but these strategies did not have enough magnitude to be perceived by the listener.

OBJETIVO: caracterizar as espectrografias vocais de um grupo de homens adultos jovens. MÉTODO : 25 homens adultos jovens, sem queixas vocais, com diagnóstico otorrinolaringológico de laringe sem afecção, realizaram a emissão sustentada da vogal [a] em pé e com frequência e intensidade habituais. As emissões foram analisadas pelo programa Real Time Spectrogram da Kay Pentax®, que originou um espectrograma de banda larga e outro de banda estreita para cada sujeito. Estes foram duplicados, para aumentar a fidedignidade do estudo, e enviados a três fonoaudiólogas juízas que realizaram o julgamento dos mesmos seguindo um protocolo. Os resultados foram analisados estatisticamente pelo Teste para Diferenças de Proporções com nível de significância de 5 %. RESULTADOS: na Espectrografia de Banda Larga, houve significância estatística para ruído muito presente nas frequências em torno de 3,2KHz, pouca definição do terceiro formante, pouca regularidade do traçado e anti-ressonância mediana. Na Espectrografia de Banda Estreita, houve fraca intensidade das frequências em torno de 3,2KHz e em todo espectro, ruído muito presente em todo espectro e nas frequências em torno de 3,2KHz, ruído mediano nas baixas frequências, pouca regularidade do traçado e anti-ressonância mediana. CONCLUSÃO: a análise espectrográfica dos homens adultos jovens, com laringe sem afecções e sem queixas vocais, revelou grande quantidade de ruído em todo o espectro e nas frequências em torno de 3,2KHz, terceiro formante pouco definido, ruído mediano nas baixas frequências, traçado pouco regular, anti-ressonância mediana, fraca intensidade em todo espectro e, em especial, nas frequências em torno de 3,2KHz.PURPOSE: to characterize voice spectrography of a group of young adult men. METHOD: 25 young adult men, without vocal complaints, with otorhinolaryngological larynx diagnosis without disease, have done the supported emission of the vowel [a] standing and with the usual frequency and intensity. The emission was carried thought to analyze Real Time Spectrogram of Kay Pentax®, giving a spectrogram of wide band and another of narrow band for each subject. These were doubled in order to increase the reliability of the study and were sent to three judge's language pathologists that have to do the judgment of the same following a protocol. The results were analyzed statically by a test to different from proportion with significant level of 5%. RESULTS: in the wide band spectrograph there was a statistical significance to noise present in the frequencies around 3,2KHz, a little definition of the third formants, a little regularity of the line and anti-resonance average. In the narrow band spectrograph there was weak acutely of the frequencies around 3,2KHz and in all spectrum, noise is very present throughout the spectrum and in the frequencies around 3,2KHz, noise at low frequencies median, low regularity of the tracing and anti-resonance medium. CONCLUSION: the spectrographic analyze have been developed in large portion of the noise in all spectrum and in the frequencies around 3,2KHz, little defined third formant, average noise in the low frequencies, the line being a little regular and average anti-resonance, weak acutely in all spectrum and in special, in the frequencies around 3,2KHz.

OBJETIVO: investigar, com auxílio de análise acústica, o estabelecimento do contraste fonológico de produções de um sujeito com transtorno fonológico que apresenta neutralização (pela análise de oitiva) do contraste entre as oclusivas alveolar e velar. MÉTODOS: foram analisadas as produções das oclusivas /t/ e /k/ combinadas com as vogais /a/ e /u/ na posição acentuada em dois sujeitos - com e sem transtorno fonológico - ambos do sexo masculino, com faixa etária entre 5 e 6 anos. Os parâmetros fonético-acústicos analisados incluíram a inspeção acústica da forma de onda, os parâmetros relativos às características espectrais do burst; os parâmetros acústicos relativos às características acústicas das vogais adjacentes às oclusivas e os parâmetros acústicos relativos ao padrão temporal. RESULTADOS: nas produções da criança com transtorno fonológico observou-se a presença de contrastes encobertos entre as oclusivas investigadas, marcadas tanto pelo uso inadequado quanto pelo correto das pistas fonéticas, mas com valores insuficientes. Nas produções da criança sem transtorno fonológico observou-se o uso de pelo menos uma pista fonética relativa às principais características de um segmento oclusivo que, com magnitude suficiente, propicia o resgate do contraste entre /t/ e /k/ pelos ouvintes. Nas produções de ambos os sujeitos as pistas fonéticas foram dependentes do contexto vocálico. CONCLUSÃO: um determinado contraste fônico pode ser entendido como uma constelação de pistas fonéticas que variam em sua interdependência e significância perceptual.PURPOSE: to investigate, using an acoustic analysis, the establishment of phonological contrast between alveolar and velar stop sounds in a child with phonological disorders that neutralizes this contrast. METHODS: productions of stop /t/ and /k/ sounds combined with the vowels /a/ and /u/ in the stressed position were investigated in two male children between 5 and 6-year old, one with phonological disorders and the other with no disorder. The analyzed acoustic parameters included acoustic waveform inspection, acoustic parameters related to spectral burst characteristics, acoustic parameters related to the characteristics of vowels adjacent to occlusive sounds and acoustic parameters related to temporal patterns of the productions. RESULTS: findings from this study indicated presence of covert contrast in the two stop sounds produced by the child with phonological disorders, marked by both inadequate phonetic cues and adequate phonetic cues, but with insufficient values. Productions of the child without phonological contrast evidenced the use of at least one phonetic cue related to the primary acoustic characteristics of stop segments, which allows for auditory perception of the contrast between /t/ and /k/ sounds. The productions of both children - with and without phonological disorders - were vocalic context dependent. CONCLUSION: a determined phonetic contrast can be understood as a constellation of phonetic cues that vary in terms of their interdependency and/or perceptual significance.

The research goal is to use computer programs of sound analyzers to check phonetic adaptation of patients to fixed constructions of dentures. Research material included spectrograms and sonograms received from patients before orthopedic treatment. The further analysis was spent on the computer by means of specialized programs of sound analyzers Steinberg Wavelab V5.01b and Algorithmix renovator 2.1. Acoustic analysis of spectrograms and sonograms spent by means of computer technologies helps stomatologists and orthopedists with planning and carrying out of orthopedic treatment, and to avoid occurrence of possible complications. It considerably improves orthopedic treatment of defects of the upper tooth row in the front department

TEMA: características vocais acústicas da emissão em registro basal de pacientes adultos masculinos, portadores de fissura palatina pós-forame reparada cirurgicamente. PROCEDIMENTOS: estudo de casos envolvendo quatro sujeitos do sexo masculino portadores de fissura palatina pós-forame reparada cirurgicamente. Foi realizada análise acústica da emissão sustentada da vogal [a] em registro modal e basal, através dos programas Multi Dimensional Voice Program (análise da fonte glótica) e Real-Time Spectrogram (análise espectrográfica), ambos da Kay Elemetrics Corp. RESULTADOS: por meio da análise espectrográfica do basal, observou-se: diminuição de definição, intensidade e de largura de banda de alguns formantes, diminuição da intensidade de todo o espectro, e discreta diminuição do ruído nas altas frequências; o efeito damping apresentou discreto aumento. Pela análise da fonte glótica no basal através do MDVPA, observou-se: frequência fundamental dentro da faixa do registro modal de fala e aumentada quando comparada à emissão para comparação em registro modal; grande aumento das medidas que evidenciam variação de frequência e de amplitude; maioria das medidas de jitter e de shimmer significativamente aumentadas; medidas de ruído, de quebras de voz, de segmentos não sonorizados e de tremor aumentadas; e índice de fonação suave (SPI) significativamente diminuído. CONCLUSÃO: os resultados evidenciam a alta instabilidade e ruído da emissão em registro basal, bem como sua fraca intensidade e diminuição do fluxo aéreo transglótico.PURPOSE: to describe the vocal acoustic characteristics of emission in vocal fry of male adult patients, with surgically repaired post-foramen cleft. METHODS: study of cases involving four male subjects with surgically repaired post-foramen cleft. Acoustic analysis concerning sustained emission of vowel [a] was accomplished in modal register and vocal fry, through the programs Multi Dimensional Voice Program (glottic source analysis) and Real-Time Spectrogram (spectrographic analysis), both by Kay Elemetrics Corp. RESULTS: through the vocal fry spectrography analysis we perceived: decrease of definition, intensity and definition band spectrography in some formants, decrease of intensity as for the entire spectrum, and a slight decrease of noise in high frequencies; damping effect showed slight increase. Through the glottic source analysis in vocal fry, we perceived: fundamental frequency in the modal speech register zone and it was higher when compared to the emission for comparison in the modal register; large increase in the measures that show variation of frequency and amplitude; most of the jitter and shimmer measures were significantly increased; increased measures of noise, voice break, unvoiced segment and vocal tremor; and soft phonation index (SPI) significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: the findings evidence the high instability and the emission noise in fry register, as well as its weak intensity and diminished transglottic air flow.

OBJETIVO: conhecer os efeitos da técnica de fonação reversa, realizando análise da sua eficácia sobre vozes femininas normais, por meio da espectrografia acústica de banda larga e de banda estreita. MÉTODOS: 32 mulheres adultas jovens, que assinaram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido da pesquisa, submeteram-se à avaliação otorrinolaringológica e triagem fonoaudiológica a fim de eliminar possíveis alterações que pudessem interferir nos resultados da pesquisa. Tiveram amostras vocais coletadas antes e após realizar três séries de 15 repetições de fonação reversa em tempo máximo de fonação com tom e intensidade habituais, com 30 segundos de repouso passivo entre cada série. Utilizou-se o software Real Time Spectrogram (Kay Elemetrics Corp.) para gerar espectrogramas de banda larga e de banda estreita. Os dados obtidos foram analisados por meio de porcentagem simples e do teste do Qui-Quadrado, com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: houve tendência percentual ao aumento da definição de harmônicos, da regularidade do traçado, da intensidade e da definição dos Formantes 3 e 4, da intensidade das altas frequências e em todo o espectro; e aumento significante da definição do Formante 1. CONCLUSÃO: acredita-se que a técnica favoreça o alongamento e a vibração das pregas vocais com possível homogeneização e modificações ocorridas na mucosa, e conseqüente melhoria do sinal vocal, com maior regularidade de vibração e melhora de ressonância.PURPOSE: to improve knowledge on the effects of reverse phonation technique based on an analysis of its efficiency on normal female voice, using wideband and narrowband spectrograph. METHODS: 32 young adult women who signed the Informed Consent were submitted to otorhinolaryngologic evaluation and speech and hearing screening in order to avoid alterations that could interfere in the results of the study; voice samples were collected before and after three series containing 15 reverse phonation repetitions, at maximum phonation time with habitual tone and intensity, and 30-seconds interval of passive rest between the series. We used the Real Time Spectrogram software (Kay Elemetrics Corp.) to generate wideband and narrowband spectrograph. Data were analyzed by means of the simple percentage and the Qui-Square test, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: there was a trend to increase in the definition of harmonics; an increase in the regularity the spectrograph; in the intensity and definition of Formants 3 and 4 frequencies; in the intensity of high frequencies and in the entire spectrum; as well as a significant increase in the definition of Formant 1. CONCLUSION: finally, we believe that the technique enables the stretching and vibration of the vocal folds, with a possible homogenization and modifications in the mucous, consequently improving the vocal signal with a higher vibration regularity and an improvement in resonance.

OBJETIVO: apresentar as características fonético-acústicas de produção das consoantes plosivas vozeadas e não-vozeadas por crianças de três anos. MÉTODOS: análise qualitativa baseada na inspeção das características fonético-acústicas de eventos fônicos ocorridos no intervalo de obstrução, na liberação da plosão e na transição para a vogal e análise quantitativa das medidas do Voice Onset Time (VOT), de três repetições das seis consoantes plosivas do Português Brasileiro (PB), por quatro crianças, sendo três meninos e uma menina, falantes nativos do PB, por meio de análise fonético-acústica, em espectrograma de banda larga. Os achados foram comparados com estimativas de valores para a faixa adulta de falante nativo do PB. RESULTADOS: as crianças apresentaram produções semelhantes às que são encontradas na fala adulta, tanto para as plosivas vozeadas como para as não-vozeadas, bilabiais, alveolares e velares. Apresentaram também plosivas vozeadas com interrupção de barra de sonoridade e ocorrência de VOT positivo, e qualidade diferenciada de burst. Para as não-vozeadas, ocorreram a presença da breathy vowel no período de obstrução das plosivas e a presença de aspiração no segmento correspondente ao VOT positivo, para os três pontos de articulação pesquisados. CONCLUSÃO: as diferenças encontradas na produção das plosivas vozeadas, quanto às características da barra de sonoridade e qualidade do burst, a presença da breathy vowel nas plosivas não-vozeadas e aspiração, caracterizam a produção das plosivas nessa faixa etária. A diversidade das medidas acústicas, verificada pelos valores dos desvios-padrão sugerem que as crianças realizaram diversas tentativas, com diferentes ajustes para produzir tais sons.PURPOSE: to present the phonetic-acoustic features of the production of both voiced and voiceless plosives by three-year-old children. METHODS: qualitative analysis based on the inspection of phonetic-acoustic characteristics of phonic events occurring in the obstruction interval, in the burst, and in the transition to the vowel as well as quantitative analysis of the measures of the voice onset time (VOT), of three repetitions of the six plosive consonants of Brazilian Portuguese (BP) by four native-speaker children in the three-year-old age bracket, three boys and one girl, by means of an acoustic-phonetic analysis, in a wide-band spectrogram. The findings were compared to estimates of values for the adult group of native speakers of Brazilian Portuguese (BP). RESULTS: the children showed production of plosives with VOT similar to that of adult speech both for voiced and unvoiced plosives, bilabials, alveolars and velars. They also showed productions dissimilar to adults, such as voiced plosives with interruption of the voice bar and positive VOT, besides a particular quality of burst. As regards the unvoiced plosives, there were episodes of breathy vowel during obstruction as well as of aspiration in the segment corresponding to positive VOT, in the three articulation points under study. CONCLUSION: differences found in the production of voiced plosives as regards spectral features of the voice bar and burst quality as well as the occurrence of breathy vowel in unvoiced plosives along with aspiration, characterize the production of plosives in this age bracket. The diversity of acoustic measures, observed by the values of shunting line-standards, suggest that children made several attempts, with various degrees of adjustment, to produce such sounds.

Summary Objectives This study was carried out to characterize the voice of the elderly women engaged in aerobics through spectrographic analysis. Methods The vocal emission /a:/ of 58 elderly women engaged in aerobics for the spectrographic analysis of broadband (BBS) and narrowband (NBS) was collected, through the Real-Time Spectrogram of KayPENTAX program, that provides information about the glottal source, the position of the vocal tract and the characteristics of vowels and consonants. ANOVA ( Análise de Variância ) test was used for associations and Pearson correlation test with a significance level of 5%. Results To the BBS, the elderly women had medium intensity of the tracing color of the formants ( Fs ), low presence of noise, and medium definition of F 1 and F 2. There was a medium defining F 3 and F 4 and regularity for age 60 years, medium definition F 4 and high regularity of the tracing for 70 years, and medium definition of F 3 and F 4 and regularity of the tracing for 80 years. For the NBS, the elderly women had medium intensity of tracing color, little presence of noise, harmonic substitutions by noise and subharmonic; 60 and 80 years had medium definition of harmonics and regularity of tracing and high definition; and regular for 70 years. For 70 and 80 years, there was a presence of harmonics and medium presence for 60 years. There was a negative correlation between F 2 and the group of 60 years and F 3 with the general age. Conclusions Even with myofunctional, structural, and functional changes of the larynx caused by advancing age, which may affect the vocal characteristics, the elderly women of this study showed few changes in tracing spectrogram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on simulated disorders of oral-nasal balance and application of linear discriminant analysis. Topics discussed include Long-term Averaged Spectra (LTAS), measurement of response given to speech stimulus, creation of medical formulas to check oral and nasal balance, and analysis of variance.

Spectroscopy is widely used in the food industry as a time-efficient alternative to chemical testing. Lightning-monitoring systems also employ spectroscopic measurements. The latter application is important as it can help predict the occurrence of severe storms, such as tornadoes. The shapelet based classification method is particularly well-suited for spectroscopic data sets. This technique for classifying time series extracts patterns unique to each class. A significant downside of this approach is the time required to build the classification tree. In addition, for high throughput applications the classification time of long time series is inhibitive. Although some progress has been made in terms of reducing the time complexity of building shapelet based models, the problem of reducing classification time has remained an open challenge. We address this challenge by introducing local-shapelets . This variant of the shapelet method restricts the search for a match between shapelets and time series to the vicinity of the location from which each shapelet was extracted. This significantly reduces the time required to examine each shapelet during both the learning and classification phases. Classification based on local-shapelets is well-suited for spectroscopic data sets as these are typically very tightly aligned. Our experimental results on such data sets demonstrate that the new approach reduces learning and classification time by two orders of magnitude while retaining the accuracy of regular (non-local) shapelets-based classification. In addition, we provide some theoretical justification for local-shapelets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of new technologies in the evaluation and speech therapy from a review of articles published over the past 5 years is the theme of this study which also has as a purpose to conduct a literature review of national and international studies that used the keywords: electroglottography, spectrography, ultrasonography and electromyography in the evaluation and therapy of speech disorders. There is a growing interest in the integration of these resources in studies of speech; however, the existing studies that correlate the assessment are still scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The intensity and duration of speech difficulty inherently associated with lingual therapy is a significant issue of concern in orthodontics. This study was designed to evaluate and to compare the duration of changes in speech between labial and lingual orthodontics. Materials and Methods: A prospective longitudinal clinical study was designed to assess speech of 24 patients undergoing labial or lingual orthodontic treatment. An objective spectrographic evaluation of/s/sound was done using software PRAAT version 5.0.47, a semiobjective auditive evaluation of articulation was done by four speech pathologists and a subjective assessment of speech was done by four laypersons. The tests were performed before (T1), within 24 h (T2), after 1 week (T3) and after 1 month (T4) of the start of therapy. The Mann-Whitney U-test for independent samples was used to assess the significance difference between the labial and lingual appliances. A speech alteration with P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The objective method showed a significant difference to be present between the two groups for the/s/sound in the middle position (P < 0.001) at T3. The semiobjective assessment showed worst speech performance in the lingual group to be present at T3 for vowels and blends (P < 0.01) and at T3 and T4 for alveolar and palatal consonants (P < 0.01). The subjective assessment also showed a significant difference between the two groups at T3 (P < 0.01) and T4 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both appliance systems caused a comparable speech difficulty immediately after bonding (T2). Although the speech recovered within a week in the labial group (T3), the lingual group continued to experience discomfort even after a month (T4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to investigate the characteristics of professional singers vibrato according to the style of gospel music, and check if the verbal command to perform the vibrato interferes with their characteristics. Methods: we analyzed the characteristics of vibrato spectrography of 20 professional gospel's singers, 06 men and 14 women, (mean age: 30 years), based on two gospel style – Pentecostal and adoration. Two situations were structured: with and without verbal commands to do the vibrato. All participants responded to the item of vocal signs and symptoms of CPV-P protocol and were submitted to videolaringoscopy. Result: in comparing the spectrographic analysis of the pentecostal style with the adoration style it was observed that in the pentecostal style 95% of participants had regular vibrato, with greater amplitude variation, higher energy spectrum with better definition and presence of harmonics; in the adoration style 100% had irregular vibrato, with a smaller amplitude variation, lower energy spectrum and 50% had presence of harmonics with lower resolution and 50% had not harmonics. In the comparison of spectrographic analysis of the pentecostal style with and without verbal commands it was observed that 75% of the participants had regular vibrato, greater amplitude variation (65%) more energy in the spectrum (55%), with greater definition and presence in harmonics(70%). There was no statistical significance between vocal training and speech therapy. Conclusion: The vibrato of singers trained change with the gospel style singing. The verbal command to do the vibrato increases the definition of regularity, amplitude, power spectrum and harmonic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: To compare the voice performance of children involved in street labor with regular children using perceptual-auditory and acoustic analyses. Methods: A controlled cross-sectional study was carried out on 7- to 10-year-old children of both genders. Children from both groups lived with their families and attended school regularly; however, child labor was evident in one group and not the other. A total of 200 potentially eligible street children, assisted by the Child Labor Elimination Programme (PETI), and 400 regular children were interviewed. Those with any vocal discomfort (106, 53% and 90, 22.5%) had their voices assessed for resonance, pitch, loudness, speech rate, maximum phonation time, and other acoustic measurements. Results: A total of 106 street children (study group [SG]) and 90 regular children (control group [CG]) were evaluated. The SG group demonstrated higher oral and nasal resonance, reduced loudness, a lower pitch, and a slower speech rate than the CG. The maximum phonation time, fundamental frequency, and upper harmonics were higher in the SG than the CG. Jitter and shimmer were higher in the CG than the SG. Conclusion: Using perceptual-auditory and acoustic analyses, we determined that there were differences in voice performance between the two groups, with street children having better quality perceptual and acoustic vocal parameters than regular children. We believe that this is due to the procedures and activities performed by the Child Labor Elimination Program (PETI), which helps children to cope with their living conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: To compare (1) speech performance based on an auditive analysis and sonagraphy and (2) levels of oral impairment between fixed lingual and labial orthodontic appliances. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four patients with Class I division 1 malocclusion and moderate crowding of upper teeth were distributed randomly into two groups. Seventeen patients in group A (mean age: 20.6 years; standard deviation [SD]: 2.9 years) were treated with fixed lingual appliances (Stealth®, AO, Sheboygan, Wise), whereas 17 patients in group B (mean age: 21.8 years; SD: 3.3 years) were treated with conventional fixed labial appliances. Speech performance was tested using spectrographic analysis of fricative /s/ sound before, immediately after (T1), 1 month after, and 3 months after bracket placement. The levels of oral impairment were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Results: A significant deterioration in articulation was recorded at all assessment times in group A but only at T1 in group B. Significant intergroup differences were recorded at all assessment times (P < .001). Speech difficulties were significantly higher in the lingual brackets group after 1 month of bracket placement (P < .001). Soft tissue irritation and chewing difficulty were significantly higher in the lingual appliance group after 24 hours of bracket placement (P < .001). Conclusions: The lingual appliance is more problematic than the labial one in terms of speech articulation. Although patients with both appliances suffered from different degrees of oral impairment, patients with lingual appliances had more untoward effects, particularly during the first month of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cleft palate, in association with Pierre Robin Sequence, may foster the development of atypical (compensatory) productions on the child's speech such as the use of glottal stop as a substitution for occlusive sounds (voiced or voiceless). Acoustic parameters of glottal stop for /k/ and /g/ produced by a 5 year-old girl with cleft palate repaired in association with Pierre Robin Sequence were analyzed. For this study, we used six words consisting of velar stops in the initial word position combining the vowels /a/, /i/ e /u/ in the stressed position were selected. There was total agreement (100%) as for the presence of the glottal stop for both intra and inter-judges. Inspection of the data via spectrogram showed variability of spectral parameters (burst and formant transition), and variations could also be computed, separately considering the vowels. Statistical analysis revealed a statistical difference between the two velar consonants (/k/ and /g/) in spectral (burst), temporal (VOT and duration of occlusion on the word) parameters and those relating to the acoustic features of vowels adjacent to stops (stationary period of F3. The acoustic features of glottal stop suggest that the child may have used strategies to set out phonic contrasts in the language, but these strategies did not have enough magnitude to be perceived by the listener. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the Extended Hipparcos Compilation (XHIP), a database of all stars in the New Reduction of the Hipparcos Catalog extensively cross-referenced with data from a broad survey of presently available sources. The resulting collection uniquely assigns 116 096 spectral classifications, 46 392 radial velocities, and 18 549 homogenized iron abundances [Fe/H] to Hipparcos stars. Stellar classifications from SIMBAD, indications of multiplicity from CCDM or WDS, stellar ages from the Geneva-Copenhagen Survey III, supplemental photometry from 2MASS and SIMBAD, and identifications of exoplanet host stars are also included. Parameters for solar encounters and Galactic orbits are calculated for a kinematically complete subset. Kinetic bias is found to be minimal. Our compilation is available through the Centre de Données astronomiques de Strasbourg as Catalog V/137A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to characterize voice spectrography of a group of young adult men. Method: 25 young adult men, without vocal complaints, with otorhinolaryngological larynx diagnosis without disease, have done the supported emission of the vowel [a] standing and with the usual frequency and intensity. The emission was carried thought to analyze Real Time Spectrogram of Kay Pentax®, giving a spectrogram of wide band and another of narrow band for each subject. These were doubled in order to increase the reliability of the study and were sent to three judge's language pathologists that have to do the judgment of the same following a protocol. The results were analyzed statically by a test to different from proportion with significant level of 5%. Results: in the wide band spectrograph there was a statistical significance to noise present in the frequencies around 3,2KHz, a little definition of the third formants, a little regularity of the line and anti-resonance average. In the narrow band spectrograph there was weak acutely of the frequencies around 3,2KHz and in all spectrum, noise is very present throughout the spectrum and in the frequencies around 3,2KHz, noise at low frequencies median, low regularity of the tracing and anti-resonance medium. Conclusion: the spectrographic analyze have been developed in large portion of the noise in all spectrum and in the frequencies around 3,2KHz, little defined third formant, average noise in the low frequencies, the line being a little regular and average anti-resonance, weak acutely in all spectrum and in special, in the frequencies around 3,2KHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to investigate, using an acoustic analysis, the establishment of phonological contrast between alveolar and velar stop sounds in a child with phonological disorders that neutralizes this contrast. Method: productions of stop /t/ and /k/ sounds combined with the vowels /a/ and /u/ in the stressed position were investigated in two male children between 5 and 6-year old, one with phonological disorders and the other with no disorder. The analyzed acoustic parameters included acoustic waveform inspection, acoustic parameters related to spectral burst characteristics, acoustic parameters related to the characteristics of vowels adjacent to occlusive sounds and acoustic parameters related to temporal patterns of the productions. Results: findings from this study indicated presence of covert contrast in the two stop sounds produced by the child with phonological disorders, marked by both inadequate phonetic cues and adequate phonetic cues, but with insufficient values. Productions of the child without phonological contrast evidenced the use of at least one phonetic cue related to the primary acoustic characteristics of stop segments, which allows for auditory perception of the contrast between /t/ and /k/ sounds. The productions of both children - with and without phonological disorders - were vocalic context dependent. Conclusion: a determined phonetic contrast can be understood as a constellation of phonetic cues that vary in terms of their interdependency and/or perceptual significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to describe the vocal acoustic characteristics of emission in vocal fry of male adult patients, with surgically repaired post-foramen cleft. Methods: study of cases involving four male subjects with surgically repaired post-foramen cleft. Acoustic analysis concerning sustained emission of vowel [a] was accomplished in modal register and vocal fry, through the programs Multi Dimensional Voice Program (glottic source analysis) and Real-Time Spectrogram (spectrographic analysis), both by Kay Elemetrics Corp. Results: through the vocal fry spectrography analysis we perceived: decrease of definition, intensity and definition band spectrography in some formants, decrease of intensity as for the entire spectrum, and a slight decrease of noise in high frequencies; damping effect showed slight increase. Through the glottic source analysis in vocal fry, we perceived: fundamental frequency in the modal speech register zone and it was higher when compared to the emission for comparison in the modal register; large increase in the measures that show variation of frequency and amplitude; most of the jitter and shimmer measures were significantly increased; increased measures of noise, voice break, unvoiced segment and vocal tremor; and soft phonation index (SPI) significantly decreased. Conclusions: the findings evidence the high instability and the emission noise in fry register, as well as its weak intensity and diminished transglottic air flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to improve knowledge on the effects of reverse phonation technique based on an analysis of its efficiency on normal female voice, using wideband and narrowband spectrograph. Methods: 32 young adult women who signed the Informed Consent were submitted to otorhinolaryngologic evaluation and speech and hearing screening in order to avoid alterations that could interfere in the results of the study; voice samples were collected before and after three series containing 15 reverse phonation repetitions, at maximum phonation time with habitual tone and intensity, and 30-seconds interval of passive rest between the series. We used the Real Time Spectrogram software (Kay Elemetrics Corp.) to generate wideband and narrowband spectrograph. Data were analyzed by means of the simple percentage and the Qui-Square test, with a significance level of 5%. Results: there was a trend to increase in the definition of harmonics; an increase in the regularity the spectrograph; in the intensity and definition of Formants 3 and 4 frequencies; in the intensity of high frequencies and in the entire spectrum; as well as a significant increase in the definition of Formant 1. Conclusion: finally, we believe that the technique enables the stretching and vibration of the vocal folds, with a possible homogenization and modifications in the mucous, consequently improving the vocal signal with a higher vibration regularity and an improvement in resonance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

high level of diversity has already been observed among the planets of our own Solar System. As such, one expects extrasolar planets to present a wide range of distinctive features, therefore the characterisation of Earth- and super Earth-like planets is becoming of key importance in scientific research. The S earch ( Spectropolarimetric Exoplanet Atmosphe Re CHaracerisation) mission proposal of this paper represents one possible approach to realising these objectives. The mission goals of S earch include the detailed characterisation of a wide variety of exoplanets, ranging from terrestrial planets to gas giants. More specifically, S earch will determine atmospheric properties such as cloud coverage, surface pressure and atmospheric composition, and may also be capable of identifying basic surface features. To resolve a planet with a semi major axis of down to 1.4 AU and 30 pc distant S earch will have a mirror system consisting of two segments, with elliptical rim, cut out of a parabolic mirror. This will yield an effective diameter of 9 m along one axis. A phase mask coronagraph along with an integral spectrograph will be used to overcome the contrast ratio of star to planet light. Such a mission would provide invaluable data on the diversity present in extrasolar planetary systems and much more could be learned from the similarities and differences compared to our own Solar System. This would allow our theories of planetary formation, atmospheric accretion and evolution to be tested, and our understanding of regions such as the outer limit of the Habitable Zone to be further improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To present evidence of the reliability and validity in the Spectrographic Vocal Assessment Protocol. The sample consisted of 50 female participants, aged 25–62 years old, 24 with a otorhinolaryngological diagnosis of the normal larynx or posterior glottal gap, and 26 diagnosed with vocal fold disturbances. The emission of the vowel /a:/ was analyzed by the Real Time Spectrogram software. The spectrographs were analyzed with a protocol by two speech therapist judges. For reliability analysis, inter- and intrajudge analysis were performed using the Kendall coefficient. For criterion validity, the t test for matched samples with Bonferroni correction was used to compare the average performance of the protocol between the two groups of subjects. Protocol reliability: for broadband items, the agreement between judges ranged from moderate (0.462) to almost perfect (0.888), and it is significant for all items, and an intrajudge agreement was almost perfect and significant (0.865–1.000) for all items. For narrowband items, the agreement between judges ranged from moderate (0.469) to almost perfect (0.922), and it is significant for all items except for the presence of "subharmonics in high frequencies" where agreement was moderate (0.504), but not significant, and the intrajudge agreement was almost perfect (0.874–1.000) and significant for all items. Criterion validity: for most broadband and narrowband items, the groups with normal or altered diagnosis differed statistically. The Spectrographic Vocal Assessment Protocol presented adequate evidence in reliability and validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaporation as a part of the spectrochemical excitation process is a complicated procedure during which different thermo-chemical reactions connected mainly to the formation of carbides are overshot. This one is accelerated namely at the 4000 K on the top of the carrier electrode. The carbide creation markedly affects the evaporation process of single elements of the given matrix and modifies this process. In spite of this it is evident that the intensity of the DC arc has a significant impact on the evaporation of all elements. The evaporation capability of two optical methods, the classical non-controlled direct current (DC) arc spectrography and the PC controlled DC arc optical emission spectrometry, have been compared for the determination of some environmental important elements (Al, Cr, Ni, and V). The experiments were carried out using grating spectrograph PGS-2 and simultaneous multi-channel LECO 750 spectrometer which is connected to a separated evaporation cell and adjusted to the Marinković plasma source. Standardized evaporation curves were designed and the half-time (t50%) values and the total (t100%) evaporation time values were calculated. The basic statistical evaluation was done and the main figures of the merit were calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]