Fundamental Frequency Parameters Research Articles

Voice quality after treatment for T1a glottic carcinomaRadiotherapy Versus Laser Cordectomy

The purpose of this study was to assess the anatomic and functional outcomes and compare the voice quality in patients affected by T1a glottic carcinoma treated with curative intent with radiotherapy or laser cordectomy. Fifty-seven cases were analysed: 27 after curative radiotherapy and 30 after laser cordectomy. All patients were studied with videolaryngostroboscopy, voice analysis by narrow spectrogram, and vocal parameters (Jitter, Shimmer, noise/harmonic ratio, and diplophonia). Videolaryngostroboscopy showed severe glottic inadequacy in 25% of cases treated with radiation and insufficient compensation ‘ventricular band’ or ‘with arytenoid hyperadduction’ in 65% of cases after surgery. Severe dysphonia on the electro-acoustic analysis of voice was observed in 25% of cases after radiation and 70% after laser (p<0.001). Fundamental frequency and vocal parameters showed more favourable results in the radiation group (p<0.001). Voice assessment showed better results after radiotherapy compared with laser cordectomy. Voice outcome should be carefully considered in the treatment decision for T1 glottic carcinoma.

Functional analysis after supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy.

To assess prospectively speech and swallowing function in a series of 17 patients after supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy. Retrospective study. From 1983 to 1996, 69 patients at Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, CHUV (Lausanne, Switzerland) underwent a supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy. Seventeen of them (25%) could be contacted and accepted participation in a functional evaluation that included a questionnaire to document their present nutritional status and diet. A formal voice evaluation was also performed, which included psychoacoustic evaluation of vocal qualities, fundamental frequency parameters, phonation intensity range, phonatory quotient (vital capacity divided by maximum phonation time), and a laryngeal video laryngoscopy performed with a rigid endoscope. Median postoperative follow-up was 66 months (range, 12-152 mo). Nine of 17 patients (53%) recovered a normal diet with no increased incidence of aspirations. Seven of 17 had minor limitations such as no peanuts, dry bread, or rice. Two of 17 patients were restricted to pureed food. Assessment of voice showed a clearly decreased mean fundamental frequency at 70.1 Hz (normal range, 121-211 Hz) and a narrowed frequency range of phonation with a mean value of 8.8 semitones (normal value, 27). Forty-two percent of the patients went back to their normal professional life after the operation. Among the 10 who did not, 3 (16%) retired and 7 actually had to give up their profession, because of the modification of their voice or general asthenia and age close to retirement. Restoration of laryngeal function after supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy is satisfactory. Although most of the patients seem to recover normal swallowing function, severe voice alterations appear to be inevitable.

Methodology to Evaluate First Transition Foundation Stiffness for Columns on Winkler Foundation

A methodology is developed in this paper to evaluate the first transition foundation stiffness for columns subjected to end concentrated loads, on a Winkler foundation, where the buckling mode shape changes. The method is based on earlier work of Naidu and Rao to predict the fundamental frequency of beam columns, wherein it was assumed that the mode shapes of vibration, initially loaded vibration, and buckling are the same. Very good predictions for the fundamental frequency of beam columns were obtained when the assumption of the same mode shapes is satisfied. In the case of the buckling of columns on Winkler foundations, at a certain value of the foundation stiffness the buckling mode shape totally changes while the mode shapes of vibration and initially loaded vibration remain the same. This led to a very large error in the predicted fundamental frequency parameter of the beam columns. This aspect is used in the present paper to evaluate the first transition foundation modulus of columns of Winkler fou...

A Simple Formula for Evaluating the Fundamental Frequency Parameter of Initially Stressed Uniform Beams on Elastic Foundation

A simple design formula is derived here to evaluate the fundamental frequency parameter of initially stressed (subjected to axial concentrated load at the ends) uniform beams resting on elastic foundation. Even though the basis for derivation of the formula is based on the finite element method, the applicability of the formula is general and can be used effectively, once the buckling load parameter, stress free frequency parameter and the applied concentrated load parameter are known, to obtain the fundamental frequency parameter of the stressed beam. The assumption involved in deriving the formula is that the mode shapes of buckling, stress free vibration and stressed vibration are the same. The effectiveness of the formula is demonstrated through numerical examples.

Development of the vocal fundamental frequency of spontaneous cries during the first 3 months

Studies in the field of cry diagnosis have concentrated on the fundamental frequency ( F 0) and related parameters as suitable predictors for an at-risk status of the infant for a CNS dysfunction, mostly reflected in an increased F 0. The high variability of F 0 in infant cries is a limiting factor to develop cry analysis as a non-invasive tool for early diagnosis. As only a few longitudinal studies were carried out, our case study wants to contribute to provide developmental data on fundamental frequency of infant cries with a considerable higher time resolution (shorter recording interval). The fundamental frequency of spontaneous cries of one male infant was analyzed using KAY-CSL 4300 for its daily characteristics during the first 3 months of life. This dense sampling interval (daily recordings) enabled the description of the range of temporary changes of the fundamental frequency during the observation period. The mean fundamental frequency values of cries uttered at single days and of the cries of successive days were relatively variable. In contrast to former studies, no significant decreasing or increasing trend of the mean fundamental frequency of all analyzed cries was found through the first 3 months of life. Only cries shorter than 0.8 s showed an increasing developmental trend of the mean F 0.

Influence of emotion and focus location on prosody in matched statements and questions.

Preliminary data were collected on how emotional qualities of the voice (sad, happy, angry) influence the acoustic underpinnings of neutral sentences varying in location of intra-sentential focus (initial, final, no) and utterance "modality" (statement, question). Short (six syllable) and long (ten syllable) utterances exhibiting varying combinations of emotion, focus, and modality characteristics were analyzed for eight elderly speakers following administration of a controlled elicitation paradigm (story completion) and a speaker evaluation procedure. Duration and fundamental frequency (f0) parameters of recordings were scrutinized for "keyword" vowels within each token and for whole utterances. Results generally re-affirmed past accounts of how duration and f0 are encoded on key content words to mark linguistic focus in affectively neutral statements and questions for English. Acoustic data on three "global" parameters of the stimuli (speech rate, mean f0, f0 range) were also largely supportive of previous descriptions of how happy, sad, angry, and neutral utterances are differentiated in the speech signal. Important interactions between emotional and linguistic properties of the utterances emerged which were predominantly (although not exclusively) tied to the modulation of f0; speakers were notably constrained in conditions which required them to manipulate f0 parameters to express emotional and nonemotional intentions conjointly. Sentence length also had a meaningful impact on some of the measures gathered.

The effect of levodopa on vocal function in Parkinson's disease.

Phonatory and articulatory dysfunctions are frequent observations in Parkinson's disease. We have investigated, using acoustic measures, the effects of levodopa treatment on vocal function in 20 patients with Parkinson's disease before and after levodopa. These patients were also compared with a matched control group. The mean age was 63.5 +/- 9.66 years, Hoehn-Yahr stage was 2.38 +/- 0.45, and onset mean age was 56.5 +/- 10.36 years. Paired Wilcoxon tests were performed to compare measurements before and after levodopa. The acoustic analysis using Computerized Speech Lab and MultiDimensional Voice Program software programs (Kay Elemetrics, Lincoln Park, NJ, USA) showed that measurements of fundamental frequency (p < 0.017) were significantly increased after medication, whereas short-term frequency perturbation jitter (p < 0.033), soft phonation index (noise parameter) (p < 0.015 ), and frequency tremor intensity index (p < 0.018) were significantly decreased after medication. The objective measurements of acoustic analysis are useful in evaluating the dopaminergic pharmacologic response in Parkinson's disease. The improvement in fundamental frequency and other vocal parameters may be a result of decrease in laryngeal hypokinesia and rigidity.

Using prosody to resolve temporary syntactic ambiguities in speech production: acoustic data on brain-damaged speakers

Left hemisphere brain lesions resulting in aphasia frequently produce impairments in speech production, including the ability to appropriately transmit linguistic distinctions through sentence prosody. The present investigation gathered preliminary data on how focal brain lesions influence one important aspect of prosody that has been largely ignored in the literature - the production of sentence-level syntactic distinctions that rely on prosodic alterations to disambiguate alternate meanings of a sentence. Utterances characterizing three distinct types of syntactic ambiguities (scope, prepositional phrase attachment, and noun phrase/sentential complement attachment) were elicited from individuals with unilateral left hemisphere damage (LHD), right hemisphere damage (RHD), and adults without brain pathology (NC). A written vignette preceding each ambiguous sentence target biased how the utterance was interpreted and produced. Recorded productions were analysed acoustically to examine parameters of duration (word length, pause) and fundamental frequency (F0) for key constituents specific to each of the ambiguity conditions. Results of the duration analyses demonstrated a preservation of many of the temporal cues to syntactic boundaries in both LHD and RHD patients. The two interpretations of sentences containing 'scope' and 'prepositional phrase attachment' ambiguities were differentiated by all speakers (including LHD and RHD patients) through the production of at least one critical temporal parameter that was consistent across the three groups. Temporal markers of sentences containing 'noun phrase/sentential complement attachment' ambiguities were not found to be encoded consistently within any speaker group and may be less amenable to experimental manipulation in this manner. Results of F0 analyses were far less revealing in characterizing different syntactic assignments of the stimuli, and coupled with other findings in the literature, may carry less weight than temporal parameters in this process. Together, results indicate that the ability to disambiguate sentences using prosodic variables is relatively spared subsequent to both LHD and RHD, although it is noteworthy that LHD patients did exhibit deficits regulating other temporal properties of the utterances, consistent with left hemisphere control of speech timing.

Intonation and emotion

Preliminary data were gathered on how simulated emotional characteristics of the voice influence the acoustic form of English utterances containing specific combinations of intonational and stress features [extending Eady and Cooper, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 80, 402–415 (1986)]. Utterances varying in intrasentential focus position (initial, final, none) were elicited as both statements and questions in each of four emotional ‘‘modes’’ (neutral, sad, happy, angry) employing a structured elicitation procedure. Parameters of duration and fundamental frequency (f0) were then determined for the productions elicited from eight elderly speakers to specify important acoustic dimensions associated with specific combinations of stress, ‘‘modality,’’ and emotional features of the stimuli. Results of the acoustic analyses largely reaffirmed past accounts of how contrastive focus is encoded in (affectively neutral) statements and questions for English, and cohered well with the acoustic literature on how basic emotions are expressed vocally for three key acoustic parameters (mean f0, f0 range, speech rate). The impact of emotion on linguistic attributes of prosodic structure was most evident in the speakers’ modulation of f0, which was notably constrained in prosodic conditions where speakers were required to signal ‘‘marked’’ emotional and nonemotional intentions conjointly within the intonation contour. [Work funded by FCAR.]

Recognition of prosody following unilateral brain lesion: influence of functional and structural attributes of prosodic contours

The perception of prosodic distinctions by adults with unilateral right- (RHD) and left-hemisphere (LHD) damage and subjects without brain injury was assessed through six tasks that varied both functional (i.e. linguistic\\emotional) and structural (i.e. acoustic) attributes of a common set of base stimuli. Three tasks explored the subjects’ ability to perceive local prosodic markers associated with emphatic stress (Focus Perception condition) and three tasks examined the comprehension of emotional-prosodic meanings by the same listeners (Emotion Perception condition). Within each condition, an initial task measured the subjects’ ability to recognize each ‘‘type’’ of prosody when all potential acoustic features (but no semantic features) signalled the target response ( Baseline). Two additional tasks investigated the extent to which each group’s performance on the Baseline task was influenced by duration ( D-Neutral) or fundamental frequency ( F-Neutral) parameters of the stimuli within each condition. Results revealed that both RHD and LHD patients were impaired, relative to healthy control subjects, in interpreting the emotional meaning of prosodic contours, but that only LHD patients displayed subnormal capacity to perceive linguistic (emphatic) specifications via prosodic cues. The performance of the RHD and LHD patients was also selectively disturbed when certain acoustic properties of the stimuli were manipulated, suggesting that both functional and structural attributes of prosodic patterns may be determinants of prosody lateralization.

Influence of functional and acoustic parameters of intonation contours on prosody lateralization

The perception of prosody by adults with unilateral right- (RHD) and left-hemisphere (LHD) damage and subjects without brain injury was assessed through six tasks that varied functional (i.e., linguistic/emotional) and acoustic attributes of a common set of stimuli. Three tasks measured the ability to detect prominence cues in short utterances (focus perception) and three tasks examined the perception of emotional-prosodic features by the same listeners (emotion perception). Within each condition, an initial task tested recognition of each ‘‘type’’ of prosody when all naturally occurring acoustic features (but no semantic features) signalled the target response (baseline). Two additional tasks assessed how changes in (a) duration and (b) fundamental frequency parameters of the stimuli influenced performance on the baseline task within each condition. Results indicated that, irrespective of the availability of specific acoustic parameters, recognition of prosody by both RHD and LHD patients was highly influenced by functional attributes of the stimuli (i.e., LHD patients were selectively impaired in detecting linguistic prominence whereas both groups were impaired in deriving the emotional tone). Brain-damaged patients also displayed irregularities when individual acoustic properties of the stimuli were manipulated, indicating that both functional and acoustic attributes of prosody may be determinants of prosody lateralization.

An efficient approach for free vibration analysis of conical shells

In this paper, the global method of generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) is applied for the first time to study the free vibration of isotropic conical shells. The shell equations used are Love-type. The displacement fields are expressed as product of unknown functions along the axial direction and Fourier functions along the circumferential direction. The derivatives in both the governing equations and the boundary conditions are discretized by the GDQ method. Using the GDQ method, the natural frequencies can be easily and accurately obtained by using a considerably small number of grid points. The accuracy and efficiency of the GDQ method is examined by comparing the results with those in the literature and very good agreement is observed. The fundamental frequency parameters for four sets of boundary conditions and various semivertex angles are also shown in the paper.

FREE VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE LAMINATED CONICAL SHELLS BY GENERALIZED DIFFERENTIAL QUADRATURE

This paper presents the first endeavour to apply the global method of generalized differential quadrature (CDQ) to the free vibration analysis of composite laminated conical shells. The GDC method has been developed to improve the differential quadrature (DQ) technique for the computation of weighting coefficients. Love's first approximation thin shell theory is used to formulate the governing equations. The displacement fields are expressed as products of unknown functions along the axial direction and Fourier functions along the circumferential direction. By using the GDQ method, the natural frequencies can be easily and accurately obtained by using a considerably small number of grid points. The accuracy and efficiency of the GDQ method are examined by comparing the results with those in the literature and very good agreement is observed The fundamental frequency parameters for four sets of boundary conditions and various shell thickness and different numbers of layers are also shown in the paper.

Recording, processing, and analysis of digital high-speed sequences in glottography

A new high-speed system for recording, processing, and analyzing vocal fold vibrations has been developed. Results obtained with this system are discussed from the technical and the medical points of view. Laryngeal movement can be recorded with a digital high-speed camera, at a maximum speed of about 5 600 frames/s and the sequence can contain as many as 8 192 single frames. Application specific software for adaptive, semiautomatic, motion analysis is used to calculate and plot the glottograms for selected points on each vocal cord. From the data obtained, we can calculate speed, acceleration rates, the fundamental frequency, amplitudes, and perturbation parameters. This approach to laryngeal examination, based on the digital films, motion plots and characteristic statistics, is a practicable method that promotes the possibilities of quantitative and graphic analysis of the moving vocal folds and overcomes the disadvantages of the currently common examination methods.

Vibratory behaviour of shallow conical shells by a global Ritz formulation

The development of a new approach based on the energy principle is presented to study the free vibration of shallow conical shells. In the numerical procedure, a set of orthogonally generated and kinematically oriented shape functions, which satisfies the geometric boundary conditions at the outset, is proposed to overcome the mathematical complexity in expressing the geometry and variable surface curvature of these shells. To establish the accuracy of this method, convergence and comparison studies have been carried out. In this study, the effects of various shell parameters on the fundamental and higher mode frequencies are investigated. It is found that monotonic increases in the fundamental nondimensional frequency parameter occurs when the cone vertex angle or base subtended angle is increased independently for the cantilever conical shell. The fundamental frequency parameter also becomes higher for the fully clamped conical shell with higher panel-length to cone-length ( a/ s) ratio. A set of first published vibration mode shapes is also presented.

Changes in fundamental frequency and spectrum of the voice after surgical cricothyroid approximation

Speaking fundamental frequency (Fo) and spectral parameters were measured in five subjects before and after surgical cricothyroid approximation. We saw a variable increase of the Fo, especially of the mean speaking Fo and the highest speaking Fo. Spectral changes were not found, besides the tendency to a greater amplitude of the fundamental tone in comparison to the second and third partials.

Vibration of Triangular Mindlin Plates Subject to Isotropic In-Plane Stresses

The influence of isotropic in-plane stresses on the fundamental vibration frequencies of thick triangular plates is investigated. Some critical buckling factors are also presented in the paper. Due to the lack of results and importance of this topic, the Rayleigh-Ritz method is applied to solve the governing eigenvalue function based on the Mindlin plate theory. The fundamental frequency parameters for triangular Mindlin plates subject to uniform tensile and compressive stresses with different combinations of free, simply supported, and clamped boundary conditions are determined. The solutions are presented in the form of design charts where the fundamental frequency parameters can easily be read for particular thickness to width ratios (t/b) and in-plane stresses. Since no other vibration solution for thick triangular plate is available, the thin triangular plate solutions obtained by setting the thickness to width ratio to be very small (say t/b = 0.001), where possible, are verified with known solutions from the open literature.

CHORUS HOWLING BY WOLVES: ACOUSTIC STRUCTURE, PACK SIZE AND THE BEAU GESTE EFFECT

ABSTRACT A variety of structural parameters were measured from wolf choruses recorded in the Superior National Forest, Minnesota, USA. Mean duration of 60s did not vary with pack size or composition. Packs replied to simulated howling after an average of 40s, often interrupting the stimulus howls. Choruses began with simply-structured howls, which became increasingly modulated as the chorus progressed. Little difference in mean fundamental frequency or other howl parameters was found among the choruses from packs of various sizes and compositions. In particular, choruses produced by single adult pairs did not differ from those of larger packs accompanied by pups. The lack of relationship between chorus parameters and pack size or composition indicates there is little useful information concerning a pack's size to be found in its chorus howling. The observation that chorus howling by adult pairs is often perceived as that of larger groups with pups suggests that chorus structure has evolved to exaggerate t...

Transverse vibrations of a tapered beam embedded in a non-homogeneous winkler foundation

The present study deals with the determination of the fundamental frequency of transverse vibration of the structural elements described in the title. The fundamental mode shape is approximated by means of a polynomial coordinate function which contains an exponential optimization parameter ‘n’ which allows for minimization of the fundamental frequency parameter.

Free lateral vibrations of a beam under tension with a concentrated mass at the mid-point

An analytical procedure to determine the fundamental vibrational natural frequency of a uniform beam (flexible support) under axial tension is presented. The beam is built in at both ends, and has a concentrated mass (rigid body) attached at the mid-point. Based on this procedure, a graph is developed which gives a non-dimensionalized fundamental vibrational natural frequency parameter in terms of non-dimensionalized mass and tension parameters. This graph can be employed to determine changes in natural frequency which result from varying only the tensile force. The analytical solution of a particular geometry is verified through comparison with experimental results.