Speed Quotient Research Articles

Executive Functions Rehabilitation in Premature Children Using an Adaptive Motion-Interaction Videogame Platform: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Premature children are at increased risk of executive functions (EF) deficits and these difficulties persist into adolescence and adulthood, potentially undermining their development and academic achievements. The aim of the present randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the efficacy of the Intendu trainer, an adaptive virtual reality platform, at ameliorating EF in preterm children. Methods: A single-center, RCT was conducted. The intervention group was exposed to game session with the Intendu software in addition to the standard of care in use in our center. The main outcome was the proportion of children with a 10-point increase in the processing speed quotient as measured by WPPSI-III after 4 weeks from the baseline assessment. Results: Forty-seven children born before 36 + 5 weeks were randomized to the experimental (n = 24) or control arm (n = 23). Five children were lost to follow-up. Thirteen of 23 children (56%) reached the main outcome in the experimental group and 5 of 19 (26%) in the control group (P = 0.049, per-protocol analysis) with an absolute benefit increase (ABI) of 30% reconfirmed by the intention-to-treat analysis (P = 0.022, ABI of 32%). Conclusion: Intendu brain-trainer showed promising short-term results on EF in pre-term children, however, larger studies with longer periods of follow-up are warranted to better investigate the role of this or similar technology in promoting better EF in preterm children.

Glottal Features in Vocal Assessment Following Thyroidectomy

ObjectivesVocal dysfunction is a frequent complication following thyroidectomy that can be associated with a negative impact on patient’ quality of life. Although the effect of thyroidectomy on acoustic features has been widely used, the examination of glottal flow characteristics to assess vocal outcomes following thyroid gland surgery has not been included in empirical research, to date. The goal of our study was to evaluate early and short-term vocal outcomes following thyroidectomy based on the analysis of glottal acoustic features during speech production. Study designProspective analytical study Materials and methodsWe evaluated vocal outcomes in patients who underwent thyroidectomy between September 2021 and March 2022. We extracted glottal flow features from their vocal recordings preceding surgery and post-operatively at Day1 and Month1 post-operatively. The extraction of glottal features was performed using a signal processing based approach. We extracted the following features: Open quotients (OQ1 and OQ2), Quasi-open quotient (QoQ), Closing quotient (ClQ), Amplitude quotient (AQ), Normalized Amplitude quotient (NAQ) and Speed quotients (SQ1 and SQ2).We included 39 patients. OQ2 and QoQ decreased significantly at Day1 and Month1. OQ1 and NAQ decreased significantly at Month1. ClQ remained stable at both post-operative assessments. AQ decrease was not significant at both dates. SQ1 increased at Day1 and Month1 but the change was not significant. SQ2 decreased significantly at both Day1 and Month1. OQ, QoQ AQ, NAQ and SQ2 did not recover at Month1. We noted that the decrease of SQ1 and SQ2 correlated significantly with the increase of the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) at Month1. ConclusionGlottal acoustic features can be a reliable modality to detect vocal changes following thyroidectomy. Thyroidectomy was associated with a vocal dysfunction that was manifested by the decrease of open, amplitude, and speed quotients. Glottal features can present a potential tool to objectively assess the effect of thyroidectomy on vocal folds movements.

무후두 음성에 대한 성문 역 여과 분석의 유용성

The purpose of this study was to present basic data for voice rehabilitation by acoustically analyzing the voices of subjects who lost their voice due to laryngeal excision and used esophageal vocalization as an alternative method. We aimed to investigate the usefulness of esophageal speech analysis using open source software that can automatically run glottic inverse filtration (GIF) analysis and analyze various parameter values. GIF analysis was performed on 20 normal adults and 20 people with negative esophageal vocalization. Analysis variables included open quotient, speed quotient, closure quotient, amplitude quotient, normalized amplitude quotient, and semi-open quotient. As a result of glottal inverse filtration analysis of normal voice and esophageal vocalization, the values of esophageal vocalization were lower in all variables compared to normal vocalization, and the average score of esophageal vocalization was found to be 1/4 of that of normal vocalization. In this study, objective values for the glottal waveform of normal adults were obtained, and these parameter values were applied to esophageal voice to determine the extent to which they differ from normal voice, and the GIF value was used to determine the degree of voice progress in esophageal voice rehabilitation. It is believed that it can be used for prediction.

Cognitive performance in preschoolers with non-syndromic craniosynostosis undergoing surgery: A comparison with typically developing children

This study aimed to determine the cognitive profile of preschool children undergoing surgery to correct non-syndromic craniosynostosis, compare them with typically developing children, and analyze possible cognitive deficits in the most prevalent subtypes: sagittal and unicoronal. Thirty-one children aged 3 years to 5 years and 11 months with non-syndromic craniosynostosis (11 sagittal, 9 unicoronal, 4 metopic, 3 lambdoid, 4 multisutural) who underwent surgery were compared with thirty-one typically developing children. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Third Edition (WPPSI-III) was used to assess cognitive function. Children with non-syndromic craniosynostosis scored below the typically developing children in the Verbal Intelligence Quotient (VIQ) and Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FISQ). When specific subtypes were compared, children with sagittal synostosis scored similarly to the typically developing children; in contrast, children with unicoronal synostosis had lower performance in the Processing Speed Quotient and FISQ. The proportion of participants scoring below one standard deviation on the VIQ, General Language Composite, and FISQ was greater in the non-syndromic craniosynostosis group. This study supports the finding that children with non-syndromic craniosynostosis, particularly those with unicoronal synostosis, have more cognitive difficulties than those with normal development. Assessing cognition at preschool age in children with non-syndromic craniosynostosis is important in order to detect difficulties before they become more apparent at school age.

Various measures and the distinction of tense and lax contrasts: The case of Zhoucheng Bai

The acoustic characteristics of the tense and lax contrasts have been studied extensively, and different measures were attested to be related, but few of these studies discussed different measures together and explored their relationships. Three of the eight tones in Zhoucheng Bai (i.e., T2, T6, and T7) are marked as tense tones, while the rest are lax tones. Based on Electroglottographic (EGG) and acoustic signals, this paper examined eight measures, namely fundamental frequency (F0), open quotient (OQ), speed quotient (SQ), H1*-H2*, H2*-H4*, H1*-A1*, H1*-A2*, and H1*-A3*, in the data obtained from 10 Zhoucheng Bai speakers. It shows that different measures perform variously in the distinction of tense and lax contrasts. F0 well distinguishes between T6 and T1, and both EGG measures and spectral measures can differentiate between T2 and T8, but none of measures reflects the contrast of T7 and T3 for all speakers. The case of T7 and T3 suggests that the relationship between production and perception is not as straightforward as commonly assumed and needs further research. Although different measures don't always participate in the distinction of tense and lax contrasts together and have equal contributions, they are significantly correlated with each other, which are supported by the correlation analysis.

Gait performance and dual-task costs in school-aged children with Down syndrome

ObjectiveThis cross-sectional observational study aimed to assess gait performance, its correlation with physical functions, and its dual-task costs in children with Down syndrome (DS), to investigate their gait adaptations. MethodsGait performance with or without movie-watching tasks was evaluated in 17 children with DS (age, 6–12 years) and 51 age- and sex-matched controls, using three-dimensional gait analysis. We compared participants’ demographics, physical functions, and gait performance without tasks between the two groups. In the DS group, correlations between physical functions, the intelligence quotient, and gait variables were assessed. Dual-task costs for gait variables were also compared between the two groups. ResultsChildren with DS showed poorer balance function and muscle strength and lower gait quality than the control group. In the DS group, there was a significant positive correlation between gait speed, step length, and intelligence quotient. There were no correlations between the balance function, muscle strength, intelligence quotient, and gait quality. Dual-task costs for gait speed, step length, and cadence were greater in the DS group; however, there was no significant difference in dual-task costs for gait quality between the two groups. ConclusionThese findings highlight the importance of providing appropriate interventions for motor functions in school-aged children with DS based on their gait performance in single- and dual-task conditions, as well as on their intelligence quotient.

Scrutinization of Slip Due to Lateral Velocity on the Dynamics of Engine Oil Conveying Cupric and Alumina Nanoparticles Subject to Coriolis Force

This study is an attempt to investigate the three-dimensional flow of engine oil-based nanofluid under the impact of rotation and partial slip phenomenon over a stretchable surface. Partial slip condition is incorporated into the system at boundaries and the arising quotient of angular speed to stretching constant is regarded as rotation impression on freely moving three-dimensional flow of copper oxide-engine oil and aluminum oxide-engine oil nanofluid. The designed problem has been tackled numerically with the boundary value problem technique, this numerical mechanism requires one to transform the flow governing highly nonlinear PDEs into first-order differential equations along with associated boundary conditions. This procedure is carried out by employing a suitable similarity transformation. The investigation determines the impact of slip and rotation on primary and secondary velocity profiles, shear stress rates, and heat transfer coefficient. Minimum skin friction and Maximum Nusselt number has been observed for CuO − Engine Oil nanofluid under partial slip parameter as compared to Al 2 O 3 − Engine Oil nanofluid. Reduced skin coefficients were achieved for both nanofluids. Moreover, the outcomes of the study have been related with already available literature and were found in good agreement.

Air pollution exposure during pregnancy and childhood, cognitive function, and emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents

BackgroundExposure to air pollution may impact neurodevelopment during childhood, but current evidence on the association with cognitive function and mental health is inconclusive and primarily focusses on young children. Therefore, we aim to study the association of exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and childhood, with cognitive function and emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents. MethodsWe used data from 5170 participants of a birth cohort in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Concentrations of fourteen air pollutants at participant's home addresses were estimated during pregnancy and childhood, using land use regression models. We included four cognitive domains (processing speed, working memory, fluid reasoning and verbal intelligence quotient (IQ)) and an estimated full-scale IQ. Internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems were self- and parent-reported. We used linear regression models to assess the association of each air pollutant, with cognitive function and emotional and behavioral problems, adjusting for socioeconomic status and lifestyle characteristics. Then, we performed multipollutant analyses using the Deletion/Substitution/Addition (DSA) algorithm. ResultsAir pollution exposure was not associated with full-scale IQ, working memory, or processing speed. Higher exposure to few air pollutants was associated with higher fluid reasoning and verbal IQ scores (e.g. 0.22 points of fluid reasoning (95%CI 0.00; 0.44) per 1 μg/m3 increase in organic carbon during pregnancy). Higher exposure to some air pollutants was also associated with less internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems (e.g. −0.27 internalizing problems (95% CI -0.52; −0.02) per each 5 ng/m3 increase in copper during pregnancy). ConclusionsHigher exposure to air pollution during pregnancy and childhood was not associated with lower cognitive function or more emotional and behavioral problems in adolescents. Based on previous literature and biological plausibility, the observed protective associations are probably explained by negative residual confounding, selection bias, or chance and do not represent a causal relationship.

Analysis of vocal fold vibration characteristics of spasmodic dysphonia by laryngeal high speed photography combined with glottis area wave

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of vocal fold vibration of normal people and patients with spasmodic dysphonia (SD) using laryngeal high speed videoendoscopy combined with glottal area wave analysis. Methods: This prospective study examined twenty healthy subjects (10 males and 10 females), 12 patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia(AdSD) (2 males,10 females)as AdSD group and 2 patients with abductor spasmodic dysphonia(AbSD) (2 males) as AbSD group. Twelve of healthy subjects (2 males,10 females) were selected as control group according to AdSD group gender match. All the subjects were recruited from the Department of Voice, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University from October 2019 to December 2020. All subjects underwent laryngeal high speed videoendoscopy and 10 vibration periods were selected from each recording and were used to quantitatively analyze the change of glottal area and vocal fold vibration parameters (Speed Quotient (SQ), Open Quotient (OQ) and Close Quotient (CQ)). Results: 1. There were statistically significant differences in SQ, CQ and OQ between males and females in the healthy subjects (t=12.28, 5.59, 5.59, P<0.05). The change of the glottal area during each vibration period in healthy subjects was relatively stable(0.19-0.42). 2. The change of the glottal area during each vibration period in AdSD subjects had larger fluctuations, with the glottal area change index fluctuating in the range of 0.31 to 0.62. The SQ value of the AdSD group was significantly lower than that of control group (t=4.246, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in OQ and CQ between AdSD group and normal group (t=1.064, 1.332, P>0.05); The SQ value of the AbSD group tended to increase compared to normal group. Conclusions: Laryngeal high speed videoendoscopy combined with glottal area wave analysis has a certain reference value in the studying the vibration characteristics of SD patients. SQ has good specificity.

Aerodynamic shape optimization of a vertical-axis wind turbine with effect number of blades

Our research consists of the experimental study of the vertical wind turbine of form H. The study represents the effect of the number of blades in the variation of the number of rotations of the vertical wind turbine, the speed ratio, torque, the power of the wind turbine, and the torque force. The Hshaped vertical axis wind turbine was carried out in the hall of the University of Biskra, where the research was manifested in the study of the dimensions imposed in the experiment from the length of the propeller and the extent of its curvature in the width of the propeller; we also recorded each of the numbers of rotations of vertical axis wind turbines. Evidently, It has been proven that the wind energy coefficient increases with the increase in the number of blades. It is further noted that a higher number of blades- equal to 20- gave a high wind speed of 15.2 m / s, the number of rotations equal to 239.2 rpm. The various parameters such as the power coefficient, the speed quotient, and the quotient of the area of the fluid passage section for each were established by a model with low errors and with a perfect approximation.

Various Measures and the Distinction Of Tense and Lax Contrasts: The Case of Zhoucheng Bai

The acoustic characteristics of the tense and lax contrasts have been studied extensively, and different measures were attested to be related, but few of these studies discussed different measures together and explored their relationships. Three of the eight tones in Zhoucheng Bai (i.e., T2, T6, and T7) are marked as tense tones, while the rest are lax tones. Based on Electroglottographic (EGG) and acoustic signals, this paper examined eight measures, namely fundamental frequency (F0), open quotient (OQ), speed quotient (SQ), H1*-H2*, H2*-H4*, H1*-A1*, H1*-A2*, and H1*- A3*, in the data obtained from 10 Zhoucheng Bai speakers. It shows that different measures perform variously in the distinction of tense and lax contrasts. F0 well distinguishes between T6 and T1, and both EGG measures and spectral measures can differentiate between T2 and T8, but none of measures reflects the contrast of T7 and T3 for all speakers. The case of T7 and T3 suggests that the relationship between production and perception is not as straightforward as commonly assumed and needs further research. Although different measures don’t always participate in the distinction of tense and lax contrasts together and have equal contributions, they are significantly correlated with each other, which are supported by the correlation analysis.

Vocal Fold Vibration Characteristics during SOVTE using a Vibration Simulator and Digital Kymography

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of vocal fold vibration during sustained vowel /a/ phonation and various semi-occluded vocal tract exercise (SOVTEs) using a vibration simulator and digital kymography (DKG).Methods: A total of 12 normal young speakers (6 males, 6 females) aged 20-30 years participated in the study. They phonated a sustained /a/ vowel and performed SOVTE. The vocal fold vibration characteristics were measured according to the number of vibration sources (single vs. double), and vocal tract occlusion degree using a vibration simulator and DKG. Glottal gap quotient (GQ, %), speed quotient (SQ, %) and amplitude (pixel) were estimated quantitatively from the DKG image.Results: The results showed that significantly higher GQ (p = .000) and SQ (p = .000) were observed in the humming and bilabial fricative /β/ compared to open vowels. The amplitude was significantly higher in the open vowel /a/ than in humming (p = .018) and bilabial fricative /β/ (p = .003). Also, when comparing the vocal fold vibration parameters according to vibration type (single source: straw phonation vs. double source: straw phonation with water), the double source presented a significantly higher GQ (p = .000) as well as SQ (p = .008) in comparison with a single source.Conclusion: SOVTE showed a glottal gap that is different from the opened vowel /a/. It also had a longer opening of the vocal fold and a smaller amplitude than the vowel. This suggests that SOVTE may be helpful for facilitating vocal fold vibration and good voice quality in clinical practice. The current study can be meaningful in providing theoretical and clinical evidence for SOVTE.

A preliminary study on nasalization and phonation

Abstract Although it is widely acknowledged that different speech processes may interact with each other, the way that nasalization affects phonation remains poorly understood. This paper explores the relationship between nasalization and phonation, by analyzing the phonetic cues of the tense/lax distinction both in nasalization and non-nasalization in the Bai language. The data for discussion is from two Bai dialects, Chengbei and Jinhua, which have a tense/lax distinction in both nasalized and non-nasalized syllables. Three phonation parameters – fundamental frequency (F0), open quotient (OQ), and speed quotient (SQ) – are extracted from EGG signals for analysis. It is found that the influence of nasalization on phonation varies with the tone contours. As for the level tones, the role of phonation manner in tone distinction is not evident in nasalization in that tense tones can be distinguished from lax tones only by pitch. However, in non-nasalization, phonation manner plays an indispensable role in tone distinction, in that the contrast between tense and lax tones are reflected not only on F0 but also on OQ and SQ. Moreover, non-nasalized tense tones are more likely to be accompanied by non-modal phonation that is characterized by a significantly higher SQ. In terms of articulatory explanation, high SQ in non-modal phonation is the result of the vibration of tightened vocal folds, and the tension of vocal folds is caused by raising the soft palate in non-nasalization. As for the falling tones, the role of phonation manner in tone distinction is more salient in nasalization than in non-nasalization in Chengbei Bai, but it is not attested in Jinhua Bai. This study shows that the interaction between nasalization and phonation in Bai can be revealed in the analysis of phonation parameters, i.e. F0, OQ, and SQ.

Quantitative and Qualitative Electroglottographic Wave Shape Differences in Children and Adults Using Voice Map-Based Analysis.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the extent to which various measurements of contacting parameters differ between children and adults during habitual range and overlap vocal frequency/intensity, using voice map-based assessment of noninvasive electroglottography (EGG). Method EGG voice maps were analyzed from 26 adults (22-45years) and 22 children (4-8years) during connected speech and vowel /a/ over the habitual range and the overlap vocal frequency/intensity from the voice range profile task on the vowel /a/. Mean and standard deviations of contact quotient by integration, normalized contacting speed, quotient of speed by integration, and cycle-rate sample entropy were obtained. Group differences were evaluated using the linear mixed model analysis for the habitual range connected speech and the vowel, whereas analysis of covariance was conducted for the overlap vocal frequency/intensity from the voice range profile task. Presence of a "knee" on the EGG wave shape was determined by visual inspection of the presence of convexity along the decontacting slope of the EGG pulse and the presence of the second derivative zero-crossing. Results The contact quotient by integration, normalized contacting speed, quotient of speed by integration, and cycle-rate sample entropy were significantly different in children compared to (a) adult males for habitual range and (b) adult males and adult females for the overlap vocal frequency/intensity. None of the children had a "knee" on the decontacting slope of the EGG slope. Conclusion EGG parameters of contact quotient by integration, normalized contacting speed, quotient of speed by integration, cycle-rate sample entropy, and absence of a "knee" on the decontacting slope characterize the wave shape differences between children and adults, whereas the normalized contacting speed, quotient of speed by integration, cycle-rate sample entropy, and presence of a "knee" on the downward pulse slope characterize the wave shape differences between adult males and adult females. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15057345.

Electroglottographic Analysis of the Voice in Young Male Role of Kunqu Opera

The phonation types used in the young male role in Kunqu Opera were investigated. Two national young male role singers volunteered as the subjects. Each singer performed three voice conditions: singing, stage speech, and reading lyrics. Three electroglottogram parameters, the fundamental frequency, contact quotient, and speed quotient, were analyzed. Electroglottogram parameters were different between voice conditions. Five phonation types were found by clustering analysis in singing and stage speech: (1) breathy voice, (2) high adduction modal voice, (3) modal voice, (4) untrained falsetto, and (5) high adduction falsetto. The proportion of each phonation type was not identical in singing and stage speech. The relationship between phonation type and pitch was multiple to one in the low pitch range, and one to one in the high pitch range. The sound pressure levels were related to the phonation types. Five phonation types, instead of only the two phonation types (modal voice and falsetto) that are identified in traditional Kunqu Opera singing theory, were concomitantly used in the young male role’s artistic voices. These phonation types were more similar to those of the young female roles than to those of the other male roles in the Kunqu Opera.

Differences Among Mixed, Chest, and Falsetto Registers: A Multiparametric Study

IntroductionTypical singing registers are the chest and falsetto; however, trained singers have an additional register, namely, the mixed register. The mixed register, which is also called “mixed voice” or “mix,” is an important technique for singers, as it can help bridge from the chest voice to falsetto without noticeable voice breaks. ObjectiveThe present study aims to reveal the nature of the voice-production mechanism of the different registers (chest, mix, and falsetto) using high-speed digital imaging (HSDI), electroglottography (EGG), and acoustic and aerodynamic measurements. Study DesignCross-sectional study. MethodsAerodynamic measurements were acquired for twelve healthy singers (six men and women) during the phonation of a variety of pitches using three registers. HSDI and EGG devices were simultaneously used on three healthy singers (two men and one woman) from which an open quotient (OQ) and speed quotient (SQ) were detected. Audio signals were recorded for five sustained vowels, and a spectral analysis was conducted to determine the amplitude of each harmonic component. Furthermore, the absolute (not relative) value of the glottal volume flow was estimated by integrating data obtained from the HSDI and aerodynamic studies. ResultsFor all singers, the subglottal pressure (PSub) was the highest for the chest in the three registers, and the mean flow rate (MFR) was the highest for the falsetto. Conversely, the PSub of the mix was as low as the falsetto, and the MFR of the mix was as low as the chest. The HSDI analysis showed that the OQ differed significantly among the registers, even when the fundamental frequency was the same; the OQ of the mix was higher than that of the chest but lower than that of the falsetto. The acoustic analysis showed that, for the mix, the harmonic structure was intermediate between the chest and falsetto. The results of the glottal volume-flow analysis revealed that the maximum volume velocity was the least for the mix register at every fundamental frequency. The first and second harmonic (H1-H2) difference of the voice source spectrum was the greatest for the falsetto, then the mix, and finally, the chest. ConclusionsWe found differences in the registers in terms of the aeromechanical mechanisms and vibration patterns of the vocal folds. The mixed register proved to have a distinct voice-production mechanism, which can be differentiated from those of the chest or falsetto registers.

Relating Cepstral Peak Prominence to Cyclical Parameters of Vocal Fold Vibration from High-Speed Videoendoscopy Using Machine Learning: A Pilot Study

Smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPs) has been shown to be an effective indicator of breathiness (Hillenbrand and Houde, 1996). High-speed videoendoscopy (HSV) is frequently being used as a complement to stroboscopy especially when asymmetric or aperiodic vocal fold vibration is present in dysphonic voices. In an HSV image data set obtained with normal (nondisordered) voice subjects, we have observed that some degree of asymmetry is present in many of the vocal fold displacement curves extracted from the HSV exam videos; therefore, we have used this data set for a pilot study to investigate the relationship of CPPs to cyclical vocal fold vibration parameters, including left-right vocal fold (LVRF) phase asymmetry, in subjects with normal (nondisordered) voices. Twenty subjects with normal (nondisordered) voices produced sustained vowel phonations while undergoing a transoral HSV examination of the vocal folds with synchronized recording of the voice signal. Glottal area waveform (GAW) and cyclical parameters open quotient (OQ), closed quotient (CQ), speed quotient (SQ), and LVRF skew were extracted from the HSV exam videos, and CPPs measures were obtained from acoustic analysis of the audio recordings. Correlations among the cyclical parameters and CPPs values were investigated using machine learning with the Regression Learner application in the MATLAB© Statistics and Machine Learning Toolbox (version 9.5.0.944444, R2018b, August 28, 2018, (c) 1984-2018, The MathWorks, Inc., Natick, MA). Because the sample size of the data set used for this study was small, and because there possibly was multicollinearity among the predictor variables used, the only meaningful result that was obtained with the data set of 20 normal subjects in the four predictor variables was the constant model (ie, the best prediction of CPPs was just the average value of the 20 observations), when the model validation feature of the app was turned on to protect against overfitting. In order to fully investigate the usefulness of the Regression Learner App, however, the validation feature was turned off and 48 more model types were investigated. While these were not necessarily indicative of the best regression model for the current data set, the results obtained in this manner nevertheless demonstrated the utility of the automated approach for finding a regression model for a larger data set to be collected in the future. Further work is warranted to collect a data set from a larger sample size of disordered voice patients with breathy and/or rough voice. It is speculated that a correlation between CPPs and cyclical parameters of vocal fold vibration may be more evident with disordered voices, because there will be more asymmetry in LRVF displacement with an effect on the acoustic voice signal.

Phonation variation and strategy of tone distinction: The case of Meiba Bai

The tonal system in Bai has attracted much attention for its complex combination of pitch and phonation features. What makes it more complicated is that the phonation varies across Bai dialects. In this paper, we examine the tonal quality of Meiba Bai by analyzing F0 (fundamental frequency), OQ (open quotient), and SQ (speed quotient), which are extracted from electroglottographic signals of 28 speakers. Results indicate that the contrast between tones is not only confirmed in F0 (corresponding to pitch), but also manifested in OQ and SQ that reflect phonation manner. Moreover, this paper introduces the concept of "strategy of tone distinction", which can be applied in investigating the phonation variation. It shows that the phonation variation is neither arbitrary nor motiveless in Meiba Bai. Variation is always within three primary strategies, and the non-primary strategies are adopted only when the individuals' physical condition of phonation degenerated.

Tahrir Patterns and Acoustical Analysis of Tekyeh in a Professional Iranian Classical Singer

"Iranian classical singing," called "avaz" in Persian, contains the ornament called a tahrir which is composed of a chain of tekyehs. A tekyeh is a fundamental frequency gesture that quickly increases and then decreases. Performing artists produce different patterns of tahrir during their singing. The primary aim of the study was to determine and describe different tahrir patterns based on fundamental frequency and temporal measurements of tekyeh produced by a professional avaz singer. A live unaccompanied recording was made of a professional avaz singer singing the popular song "Morghe Sahar" (Dawn Bird) with free meter. Tahrir patterns were determined through auditory and spectrographic examination of the recording. Quantitative measurements were determined to distinguish among the resulting patterns. Four primary tahrir patterns were identified. These patterns were categorized based on (1) the number of tekyehs, (2) fundamental frequency extent from the baseline to the tekyeh peak, (3) inter tekyeh interval duration, (4) tekyeh rate, and (5) tekyeh speed quotient. Pattern 1 consists of one tekyeh and is called a "zinat." Pattern 2 is a multiple tekyeh gesture with relatively long plateau intervals. Pattern 3 is a multiple tekyeh gesture with relatively short plateau intervals. Vibrato-like Pattern 4 is also a multiple tekyeh pattern with short plateau intervals like Pattern 3 but with relatively small frequency extents. Four uniquely distinguished tahrir patterns, defined via acoustical analysis and the number of tekyehs, were identified using visual and auditory inspection of the various tahrirs produced by the participant. For the singer, Patterns 1, 3, and 4 constituted 96% of all the tokens. None of the tekyehs produced by the participant studied here appeared to switch between vocal registers between the lower and upper notes. The results have ethnomusicological, physiological, acoustic, and pedagogical importance for Iranian classical singing.

Assessing Cognitive Abilities in High-Performing Cochlear Implant Users

Despite being considered one of the most successful neural prostheses, cochlear implants (CIs) provide recipients with a wide range of speech perception performance. While some CI users can understand speech in the absence of visual cues, other recipients exhibit more limited speech perception. Cognitive skills have been documented as a contributor to complex auditory processing, such as language understanding; however, there are no normative data for existing standardized clinical tests assessing cognitive abilities in CI users. Here, we assess the impact of modality of presentation (i.e., auditory-visual versus visual) for the administration of working memory tests in high-performing CI users in addition to measuring processing speed, cognitive efficiency and intelligence quotient (IQ). Second, we relate performance on these cognitive measures to clinical CI speech perception outcomes.Methods: Twenty one post-lingually deafened, high-performing, adult CI users [age range: 52–88 years; 3 unilateral CI, 13 bimodal (i.e., CI with contralateral hearing aid), 5 bilateral CI] with clinical speech perception scores (i.e., AzBio sentences in quiet for the first-ear CI) of ≥60% were recruited. A cognitive test battery assessing auditory-visual working memory (AVWM), visual working memory (VWM), processing speed, cognitive efficiency and IQ was administered, in addition to clinical measures of speech perception in quiet (i.e., AzBio sentences in quiet). AzBio sentences were assessed in two conditions: first-ear CI only, and best-aided everyday wearing condition. Subjects also provided self-reported measures of performance and benefit from their CI using standardized materials, including the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) and the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant questionnaire (NCIQ).Results: High-performing CI users demonstrated greater VWM than AVWM recall. VWM was positively related to AzBio scores when measured in the first-ear CI only. AVWM, processing speed, cognitive efficiency, and IQ did not relate to either measure of speech perception (i.e., first-ear CI or best-aided conditions). Subjects’ self-reported benefit as measured by the GBI predicted best-aided CI speech perception performance.Conclusion: In high-performing CI recipients, visual presentation of working memory tests may improve our assessment of cognitive function.