Vocal Frequency Research Articles

Hybrid Autoregressive Resonance Estimation and Density Mixture Formant Tracking Model

A novel formant tracker is proposed using the mixture models oft densities (tMMs) for vocal tract resonance frequencies estimated with a hybrid linear prediction (HLP) method. The hybrid integercycle pitch-synchronous linear prediction (LP) analysis improves the frequency resolution over voiced segments, leading to closer formant estimates than those provided by other LP methods. In conjunction with HLP, formant trajectories are shown to be more nearly tracked by tMMs than by Gaussian density models. Tests with synthetic voiced and whispered speech as well as with an annotated database confirm better performance than either tMM clustering after formant estimation based on different time-frequency representations or tracking after different LP methods.

Effect of Using Two Music Types on Non-Pregnant Non-Lactating Arabi Ewes Behaviour As a Tool for Welfare Improvement

The present study was designed to determine whether playing two music types will improve the behaviour of non-pregnant, non-lactating Arabi sheep. Thirty Arabi ewes, aged 2 – 3 years, were included in the study. Ewes were divided into three groups, 10 ewes each. The groups were: Control (with no music exposure); Classic music exposure and Fast music exposure. The sound level for classic and fast music groups was 80 dB with the frequency of 1 KHz. The behavioural data were collected using direct observations for six respective days. Results revealed that using music, both classic and fast, significantly decreased the frequency of aggressive behaviours (P < 0.001), vocalization (P < 0.01), defecation (P < 0.05) and walking behaviour (P < 0.05). In addition, there were significant effects of music on the average time spent standing (P < 0.01), lying and feeding (P < 0.001). Whereas no significant difference was found in the average time spent drinking. It was shown that there were significant differences in time spent lying (P < 0.01) and time spent feeding (P < 0.01) over time. Finally, there was a significant difference in the proportion of time spent lying (P < 0.001) as well as in the proportion of time spent feeding between control and music groups (P < 0.01). From this study, it can be concluded that exposing non-pregnant, non-lactating ewes to classical music is beneficial for ewes’ welfare, due to the reduction of aggressive behaviour.

Variation among vocalizations of Taraba major (Aves: Thamnophilidae) subspecies

ABSTRACTGeographical variation of bird vocalizations may be related to factors influencing sound production and sound propagation. If birds, e.g. the Great Antshrike (Taraba major), produce vocalizations that develop normally in the absence of learning, these variations may reflect evolutionary divergence within species. In this case, vocal variation could be influenced by habitat structure, since abiotic features and vegetal cover affect sound propagation through environment. Selective pressures may be acting on populations in different ways, which could culminate in a process of speciation. Thus, we searched for structural variation of Great Antshrike vocalizations between subspecies and sought for relationships between these vocal variation and environmental structure. We found variations in frequency and time features of vocalizations among subspecies, which are correlated to latitude, elevation and climate. We also observed an increase in vocal differences along with an increase in distances between individuals, which could reflect isolation of subspecies and the vocal adaptation to different environments.

Relationship between Activity Noise, Voice Parameters, and Voice Symptoms among Female Teachers

Objective: Our interest was in how teachers’ voices behave during the delivery of lessons in core subjects (e.g., mathematics, science, etc.). We sought to evaluate the relationship between voice sound pressure level (SPL), vocal fundamental frequency (F₀), voice symptoms, activity noise, and differences therein during the first and the last lessons in core subjects of the day. Patients and Methods: The participants were 24 female elementary school teachers. Voice symptoms were evaluated by questionnaire. The data were recorded on 2 portable voice accumulators (VoxLog) from the first and last lessons of the day. The versions of accumulators differed by frequency weighting; therefore, the analysis and the results of noise and voice SPL were treated separately: unweighted (group 1) and A-weighted (group 2). Results: Difference in voice SPL followed difference in activity noise. F₀ increased between the first and last lessons. Correlations were found between differences in the noise and the voice symptoms of tiredness and dryness. Irritating mucus was associated with high F₀ during the first lesson. Conclusion: An apparent increase in voice loading due to the activity noise was observed during lessons in core subjects. Collaboration between specialists in voice and acoustics and teachers and pupils is needed to reduce this voice loading.

Sex-dependent modulation of ultrasonic vocalizations in house mice (Mus musculus musculus).

House mice (Mus musculus) emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), which are surprisingly complex and have features of bird song, but their functions are not well understood. Previous studies have reported mixed evidence on whether there are sex differences in USV emission, though vocalization rate or other features may depend upon whether potential receivers are of the same or opposite sex. We recorded the USVs of wild-derived adult house mice (F1 of wild-caught Mus musculus musculus), and we compared the vocalizations of males and females in response to a stimulus mouse of the same- or opposite-sex. To detect and quantify vocalizations, we used an algorithm that automatically detects USVs (Automatic Mouse Ultrasound Detector or A-MUD). We found high individual variation in USV emission rates (4 to 2083 elements/10 min trial) and a skewed distribution, with most mice (60%) emitting few (≤50) elements. We found no differences in the rates of calling between the sexes overall, but mice of both sexes emitted vocalizations at a higher rate and higher frequencies during opposite- compared to same-sex interactions. We also observed a trend toward higher amplitudes by males when presented with a male compared to a female stimulus. Our results suggest that mice modulate the rate and frequency of vocalizations depending upon the sex of potential receivers.

Nonverbal Vocal Adaptation and Audience Perceptions of Dominance and Prestige

Fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis of speech is a useful tool for measuring the social organization of micro interactions. Past research suggests that “adaptation” in the lower nonverbal vocal frequencies may be associated with bystander perceptions of dominance and prestige, but these factors have not been compared in a single study. Furthermore, it is unclear whether nonverbal vocal adaptation has an independent effect on bystander perceptions of dominance or prestige in naturalistic settings. To explore these questions, we aired manipulated versions of interviews from Piers Morgan Live to panels of undergraduates who then rated the dominance and prestige of the host and his guest. We find that nonverbal vocal adaptation is uniquely associated with dominance perceptions. We also find that nonverbal vocal adaptation does not have an effect on dominance perceptions that is independent of other cues. A step-by-step guide to help others use FFT voice analysis is provided.

Language profiles in young children with autism spectrum disorder: A community sample using multiple assessment instruments.

This study investigated language profiles in a community-based sample of 104 children aged 1-3 years who had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) diagnostic criteria. Language was assessed with the Mullen scales, Preschool Language Scale, fifth edition, and Vineland-II parent-report. The study aimed to determine whether the receptive-to-expressive language profile is independent from the assessment instrument used, and whether nonverbal cognition, early communicative behaviors, and autism spectrum disorder symptoms predict language scores. Receptive-to-expressive language profiles differed between assessment instruments and reporters, and Preschool Language Scale, fifth edition profiles were also dependent on developmental level. Nonverbal cognition and joint attention significantly predicted receptive language scores, and nonverbal cognition and frequency of vocalizations predicted expressive language scores. These findings support the administration of multiple direct assessment and parent-report instruments when evaluating language in young children with autism spectrum disorder, for both research and in clinical settings. Results also support that joint attention is a useful intervention target for improving receptive language skills in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Future research comparing language profiles of young children with autism spectrum disorder to children with non-autism spectrum disorder developmental delays and typical development will add to our knowledge of early language development in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Sound analysis to model weight of broiler chickens

The pattern of body weight gain during the commercial growing of broiler chickens is important to understand growth and feed conversion ratio of each flock.The application of sound analysis techniques has been widely studied to measure and analyze the amplitude and frequency of animal sounds. Previous studies have shown a significant correlation (P ≤ 0.001) between the frequency of vocalization and the age and weight of broilers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and validate a model that describes the growth rate of broiler chickens based on the peak frequency of their vocalizations and to explore the possibility to develop a tool capable of automatically detecting the growth of the chickens based on the frequency of their vocalizations during the production cycle. It is part of an overall goal to develop a Precision Livestock Farming tool that assists farmers in monitoring the growth of broiler chickens during the production cycle. In the present study, sounds and body weight were continuously recorded in an intensive broiler farm during 5 production cycles. For each cycle the peak frequencies of the chicken vocalizations were used to estimate the weight and then they were compared with the observed weight of the birds automatically measured using on farm automated weighing devices. No significant difference is shown between expected and observed weights along the entire production cycles; this trend was confirmed by the correlation coefficient between expected and observed weights (r = 96%, P value ≤ 0.001).The identified model used to predict the weight as a function of the peak frequency confirmed that bird weight might be predicted by the frequency analysis of the sounds emitted at farm level. Even if the precision of the weighing method based on sounds investigated in this study has to be improved, it gives a reasonable indication regarding the growth of broilers opening a new scenario in monitoring systems in broiler houses.

Understanding pup affective state through ethologically significant ultrasonic vocalization frequency

Throughout life, rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) when confronted with an aversive situation. However, the conditions classically used to elicit USV vary greatly with the animal’s age (isolation from the dam in infancy, versus nociceptive stimulation in adults). The present study is the first to characterize USV responses to the same aversive event throughout development. Specifically, infant, juvenile and adult rats were presented with mild foot-shocks and their USV frequency, duration, and relationship with respiration and behavior were compared. In juvenile and adult rats, a single class of USV is observed with an age-dependent main frequency and duration (30 kHz/400 ms in juveniles, 22 kHz/900 ms in adults). In contrast, infant rat USV were split into two classes with specific relationships with respiration and behavior: 40 kHz/300 ms and 66 kHz/21 ms. Next, we questioned if these infant USV were also emitted in a more naturalistic context by exposing pups to interactions with the mother treating them roughly. This treatment enhanced 40-kHz USV while leaving 66-kHz USV unchanged suggesting that the use of USV goes far beyond a signal studied in terms of amount of emission, and can inform us about some aspects of the infant’s affective state.

Особенности системы управления движением поездов на высокоскоростной магистрали «Москва–Казань–Екатеринбург»

Objective: To consider the requirements for the train control system (SUDP) at “Moscow-Kazan-Yekaterinburg” high-speed network (VSM). To develop system-wide requirements for SUDP, including the selection of the structure and composition of subsystems. Methods: Computer-based interlocking with contactless control of vehicles should be applied at the stations as the main means for train traffic control. Vocal frequency track circuits were determined as the major means for free and busy status control of track at stations and blocks, an information channel giving an update of a track ahead, and the means for a rail integrity test. Stationary equipment for train collision avoidance via radio channel is to provide train traffic with speeds up to 400 km/h, multiple-aspect ALS-YEN (integrated continuous automatic cab signaling system), depending on control technology with speeds up to 250 km/h and ALS (automatic locomotive signaling system) – up to 160 km/h. Results: The issues of providing reliable and safe functioning of SUDP were considered, as well as liveness and interoperability. Practical importance: Control system realization in the suggested configuration with combined data communication via radio channel and conventional ALS and ALS-YEN facilities will make it possible to provide train traffic collision avoidance backup, as well as interoperability with high-speed transport lines. Keywords: High-speed network, train control system, centralized traffic control, computer- based interlocking, train traffic collision avoidance, radio-block center.

Contemporary Commercial Music Singing Students—Voice Quality and Vocal Function at the Beginning of Singing Training

The purpose of this study was to assess the voice quality and the vocal tract function in popular singing students at the beginning of their singing training at the High School of Music. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. The study consisted of 45 popular singing students (35 females and 10 males, mean age: 19.9 ± 2.8 years). They were assessed in the first 2 months of their 4-year singing training at the High School of Music, between 2013 and 2016. Voice quality and vocal tract function were evaluated using videolaryngostroboscopy, palpation of the vocal tract structures, the perceptual speaking and singing voice assessment, acoustic analysis, maximal phonation time, the Voice Handicap Index, and the Singing Voice Handicap Index (SVHI). Twenty-two percent of Contemporary Commercial Music singing students began their education in the High School, with vocal nodules. Palpation of the vocal tract structure showed in 50% correct motions and tension in speaking and in 39.3% in singing. Perceptual voice assessment showed in 80% proper speaking voice quality and in 82.4% proper singing voice quality. The mean vocal fundamental frequency while speaking in females was 214 Hz and in males was 116 Hz. Dysphonia Severity Index was at the level of 2, and maximum phonation time was 17.7 seconds. The Voice Handicap Index and the SVHI remained within the normal range: 7.5 and 19, respectively. Perceptual singing voice assessment correlated with the SVHI (P = 0.006). Twenty-two percent of the Contemporary Commercial Music singing students began their education in the High School, with organic vocal fold lesions.

Delayed auditory feedback induces slow oscillations in vocal fundamental frequency and intensity

A system with negative feedback tends toward oscillation or instability when delay is introduced into the feedback loop. Given current evidence for feedback control of pitch and loudness, we hypothesized that delaying auditory feedback during sustained phonation would result in oscillations in fundamental frequency and vocal intensity. Subject produced a sustained vowel across seven auditory feedback conditions: 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 ms delay. Increasingly large oscillations in fundamental frequency and intensity were observed as delay increased. The frequency of oscillations as a function of delay appear to be subject-specific, with a range between 0.3 and 0.8 Hz. These oscillations carried over into the prosodic contour of subjects' connected speech produced under the same delay conditions. These results suggest that disfluencies induced by delayed feedback (e.g., sound prolongations) may be the result of compensation for shifts in pitch and loudness, rather than discrepancies in articulatory or segmental timing.

Acoustical evaluation of quiet time and its impact on patient outcomes

As healthcare evolves from focusing on survival to prioritizing patient care, more efforts have been devoted to exploring the characteristics of an optimal environment. Intensive care units (ICUs) often involve more urgent situations that require more medical equipment, in-unit procedures, and staff that all contribute to the noisy soundscape. Recently, administrative noise reduction strategies such as Quiet Time (QT) and behavioral modification and noise awareness programs have gained popularity. The literature typically demonstrates some positive effects from these interventions; however, there are inconsistencies in magnitude and sustainability. We conducted an 18-month, longitudinal study of QT aimed at (a) characterizing the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) soundscape more extensively and with newly developed metrics and (b) determining the impacts of sound on patient physiological responses. Results show some evidence of trends toward decreased noise levels after QT implementation. For example, QT generally resulted in lowered occurrence rates, indicating a decreased number of high-level noise events. Additionally, spectral data showed significant decreases in level across the vocal frequency range and improved speech intelligibility index scores with QT implementation. Ultimately, these results begin to provide a template for determining the optimal soundscape to aid more targeted administrative and architectural design strategies.

Evidence of auditory insensitivity to vocalization frequencies in two frogs

The emergence and maintenance of animal communication systems requires the co-evolution of signal and receiver. Frogs and toads rely heavily on acoustic communication for coordinating reproduction and typically have ears tuned to the dominant frequency of their vocalizations, allowing discrimination from background noise and heterospecific calls. However, we present here evidence that two anurans, Brachycephalus ephippium and B. pitanga, are insensitive to the sound of their own calls. Both species produce advertisement calls outside their hearing sensitivity range and their inner ears are partly undeveloped, which accounts for their lack of high-frequency sensitivity. If unheard by the intended receivers, calls are not beneficial to the emitter and should be selected against because of the costs associated with signal production. We suggest that protection against predators conferred by their high toxicity might help to explain why calling has not yet disappeared, and that visual communication may have replaced auditory in these colourful, diurnal frogs.

Effects of Aging on Vocal Fundamental Frequency and Vowel Formants in Men and Women

This study reports data on vocal fundamental frequency (fo) and the first four formant frequencies (F1, F2, F3, F4) for four vowels produced by speakers in three adult age cohorts, in a test of the null hypothesis that there are no age-related changes in these variables. Participants were 43 men and 53 women between the ages of 20 and 92 years. The most consistent age-related effect was a decrease in fo for women. Significant differences in F1, F2, and F3 were vowel-specific for both sexes. No significant differences were observed for the highest formant F4. Women experience a significant decrease in fo, which is likely related to menopause. Formant frequencies of the corner vowels change little across several decades of adult life, either because physiological aging has small effects on these variables or because individuals compensate for age-related changes in anatomy and physiology.

A pulsed-air model of blue whale B call vocalizations

Blue whale sound production has been thought to occur by Helmholtz resonance via air flowing from the lungs into the upper respiratory spaces. This implies that the frequency of blue whale vocalizations might be directly proportional to the size of their sound-producing organs. Here we present a sound production mechanism where the fundamental and overtone frequencies of blue whale B calls can be well modeled using a series of short-duration (<1 s) wavelets. We propose that the likely source of these wavelets are pneumatic pulses caused by opening and closing of respiratory valves during air recirculation between the lungs and laryngeal sac. This vocal production model is similar to those proposed for humpback whales, where valve open/closure and vocal fold oscillation is passively driven by airflow between the lungs and upper respiratory spaces, and implies call frequencies could be actively changed by the animal to center fundamental tones at different frequency bands during the call series.

Laryngeal reinnervation in unilateral vocal fold paralysis- case report and literature review

Laryngeal reinnervation is the method of treatment in unilateral vocal fold paralysis. During the surgery an anastomosis between the main branch of ansa cervicalis and recurrent laryngeal nerve is formed. Regeneration of the nerve’s functional abilities is a long process, lasting from 4 to 6 months, up to a year. A 35 year-old male was admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology at Warsaw Medical University in order to undergo surgical removal of reoccurrence of Schwannoma in left cerebellopontine angle by translabyrinthine approach. Post-operative period was complicated with vagal nerve paralysis. The patient reported hoarseness, dysphagia and choking. Physical examination revealed left vocal fold immobilization in abducted position, saliva in piriform fossa and left-sided soft palate paralysis yet the patient was discharged home. 4 weeks after the surgery, the patient was admitted to the hospital again due to developing aspiration pneumonia. Augmentation of the left vocal fold with calcium hydroxyapatite was performed 2 months later. After this intervention temporary vocal improvement and choking frequency reduction was observed. Finally, the patient underwent laryngeal reinnervation with formation of ansa cervicalis main branch to recurrent laryngeal nerve anastomosis. Left vocal fold regained its functional abilities and the quality of the voice improved. Laryngovideostroboscopy performed 6 months later revealed mobilization of left vocal fold sufficient for proper glottis closure. The voice measures normalized and the swallowing improved. Conclusions This case report and analyzed data confirm that laryngeal reinnervation surgery in unilateral vocal fold paralysis helps achieve satisfactory effects in voice function and life quality.

Temporal Segmentation for Laryngeal High-Speed Videoendoscopy in Connected Speech

This study proposes a gradient-based method for temporal segmentation of laryngeal high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) data obtained during connected speech. A custom-developed HSV system coupled with a flexible fiberoptic nasolaryngoscope was used to record one vocally normal female participant during reading of the "Rainbow Passage." A gradient-based algorithm was developed to generate a motion window. When applied to the HSV data, the motion window acted as a filter tracking the location of the vibrating vocal folds. The glottal area waveform was estimated using a statistical-based image-processing approach. The vocal fold vibratory frequency was computed by an autocorrelation-based extraction of the fundamental frequency (f0) from the glottal area waveform. Temporal segmentation was then performed based on the f0 contour and automatic detection of the epiglottic obstructions. Additionally, visual temporal segmentation was performed by viewing the HSV images frame by frame to determine the time points of the vocalization onsets and offsets, and the epiglottic obstructions of the glottis. The time points resulting from the automatic and visual temporal segmentation methods were cross-validated. The f0-contour patterns of rise and fall resulting from the automatic algorithm were found to be in agreement with the visual inspection of the vibratory frequency change in the HSV data. This study demonstrated the feasibility of automatic temporal segmentation of HSV imaging of connected speech, which allows for mapping the video content into onsets, offsets, and epiglottic obstructions for each vocalization. Automated analysis of HSV imaging of connected speech has significant clinical potential for advancing instrumental voice assessment protocols.

Three-month-old human infants use vocal cues of body size.

Differences in vocal fundamental (F0) and average formant (Fn) frequencies covary with body size in most terrestrial mammals, such that larger organisms tend to produce lower frequency sounds than smaller organisms, both between species and also across different sex and life-stage morphs within species. Here we examined whether three-month-old human infants are sensitive to the relationship between body size and sound frequencies. Using a violation-of-expectation paradigm, we found that infants looked longer at stimuli inconsistent with the relationship-that is, a smaller organism producing lower frequency sounds, and a larger organism producing higher frequency sounds-than at stimuli that were consistent with it. This effect was stronger for fundamental frequency than it was for average formant frequency. These results suggest that by three months of age, human infants are already sensitive to the biologically relevant covariation between vocalization frequencies and visual cues to body size. This ability may be a consequence of developmental adaptations for building a phenotype capable of identifying and representing an organism's size, sex and life-stage.

Emotional Arousal (Voice Stress) and Posttraumatic Growth as well as Relationship Satisfaction of Partners of Women with Breast Cancer in the Context of Social Support

Introduction Breast cancer is associated with significant psychosocial strains for both patients and partners. Constructive social support and positive communication behavior have been shown to be protective against the burdens associated with breast cancer. Individual levels of emotional arousal during social support interactions with one's spouse are an important aspect of couples' support behaviors and can be assessed via vocal fundamental frequency (f0). Methods N=44 couples had standardized seven-minute long interactions asking the male partner to describe his thoughts and feelings with regard to their wives' breast cancer. Using actor-partner interdependence models (APIM), f0's associations with individual posttraumatic growth (PTG) and perceived marital quality were differentially investigated. Results Significant actor effects for f0 and PTG were found for both husbands as well as tendencies for partner effects and wives. Perceived marital quality was not significantly associated with one's own levels of emotional arousal. No significant partner effects emerged for any of the variables of interest. Discussion Contrary to findings in couples' conflict discussions, higher levels of emotional arousal in social support interactions are associated with positive aspects of psychological functioning. F0 during social support could be associated with higher levels of self-efficacy, which might be beneficial for PTG and constructive ways of emotional expression. Constructive expression of emotional arousal could lead to heightened involvement in support interactions and may be voiced via higher levels of f0. Further analyses to replicate these findings are necessary.