Vocal Behavior Research Articles

Aktuelni hirurški modaliteti lečenja polipa glasnica - mini-pregled

Vocal fold polyps represent one of the most common benign organic disorders affecting the larynx in the general population, and a relatively frequent cause of long-standing hoarseness. The exact etiology is unclear, but poor vocal behavior has been suggested as the principal etiologic factor. Histopathologically they are characterized by various structural alterations in the vocal fold superficial lamina propria, and typical clinical finding is of a solitary, unilateral and well-defined vocal fold lesion. Vocal fold polyps usually require surgical removal using microlaryngoscopy with cold steel excision in general anesthesia, which has been the practice standard for the last 60 years. Microlaryngoscopy offers the surgeon an unparalleled magnified view of the vocal folds and very precise work on a still operative field without a specific time limit. The introduction and technological development of ambulatory endoscopy and various laser systems provided the surgeon with ample therapeutic opportunities, including operating some of the patients in the office setting in local anesthesia. These outpatient procedures are technically simple and cost-effective, require fewer medical personnel, exclude general anesthesia-related risks, and are less time-consuming both for the patient and the physician. Nevertheless, the contemporary laryngologist should be able to perform both conventional microlaryngoscopy and office-based surgery for vocal fold polyps, depending on the clinical situation.

Padrão pré-verbal e verbal como preditores para implementação do Picture Exchange Communication System - PECS em crianças autistas

ABSTRACT Purpose: to investigate the preverbal and verbal patterns in autism spectrum disorder, to more easily predict the need for implementation of the Picture Exchange Communication System in autistic children who are about to start speech language therapy. Methods: a cross-sectional study with a sample consisted of 62 children aged 2 to 10 years, presented with autism spectrum disorder. The Vocal Behavior Assessment which analyzes the preverbal and verbal patterns through three parameters, that is, Mean Extension (mean verbal emission), Speech Characterization (number of atypical emissions) and Language Range (typical emissions of child development), was used. Sociodemographic data, intellectual quotient and non-adaptive behaviors were also analyzed, by using the logistic regression model. Results: there was a high sensitivity (0.915) and specificity (0.867) for the variables Speech Characterization (p=0,000) and Mean Extension (p=0,001). The other numerical variables, such as age, time of schooling, non-adaptive behaviors and intellectual quotient of children were tested but were not identified as potential predictors for the outcome of interest of the study. Conclusion: the indices of Speech Characterization and Mean Extension were identified as predictors for the indication of the Picture Exchange Communication System in children who are about to start speech language therapy.

Speech and language therapy for children with phonotrauma

Introduction. Proper voice production requires coordinated, synchronous and efficient functioning of the larynx, respiratory, resonance and articulation mechanisms. Phonotrauma is trauma to the laryngeal mechanism and includes any behavior that results in injury to the vocal folds. The aim of this research was to identify and describe the characteristics of voice disorders in children that occur as a result of phonotrauma, approach?es and techniques in speech and language therapy of these speech disorders, and the effects of their application. The characteristics of phonotrauma in children reflect the characteristics of hyperfunctional voice disorders, as they usually arise as a result of voice abuse. Speech and language therapy of children with phonotrauma includes identification and reduction, i.e. elimination of the vocal behavior that had caused the voice disorder. In addition, treatment focuses on a vocal hygiene program and the use of various direct treatment techniques to achieve appropriate voice production. Effects of applying direct and indirect treatment techniques is demonstrated by the reduction of the size of the lesion, the degree of dysphonia and voice disorders, hoarseness, breathiness in the voice, the absence of recurrence, and the achievement of optimal values of the acoustic parameters of the voice. Conclusion. In most cases, children can master the correct way of producing speech after a short period of speech and language therapy. However, in order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to actively involve children, their parents, and other people from the immediate and wider social environment.

Bayesian semiparametric Markov renewal mixed models for vocalization syntax.

Speech and language play an important role in human vocal communication. Studies have shown that vocal disorders can result from genetic factors. In the absence of high-quality data on humans, mouse vocalization experiments in laboratory settings have been proven useful in providing valuable insights into mammalian vocal development, including especially the impact of certain genetic mutations. Such data sets usually consist of categorical syllable sequences along with continuous intersyllable interval (ISI) times for mice of different genotypes vocalizing under different contexts. ISIs are of particular importance as increased ISIs can be an indication of possible vocal impairment. Statistical methods for properly analyzing ISIs along with the transition probabilities have however been lacking. In this article, we propose a class of novel Markov renewal mixed models that capture the stochastic dynamics of both state transitions and ISI lengths. Specifically, we model the transition dynamics and the ISIs using Dirichlet and gamma mixtures, respectively, allowing the mixture probabilities in both cases to vary flexibly with fixed covariate effects as well as random individual-specific effects. We apply our model to analyze the impact of a mutation in the Foxp2 gene on mouse vocal behavior. We find that genotypes and social contexts significantly affect the length of ISIs but, compared to previous analyses, the influences of genotype and social context on the syllable transition dynamics are weaker.

BDNF enhances electrophysiological activity and excitatory synaptic transmission of RA projection neurons in adult male zebra finches

The singing of songbirds is a complex vocal behavior. It was reported that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a key neurotrophic factor involved in neuronal survival and activity, plays an important role in regulation of songbirds' song behavior. In all song-related nuclei, the electrophysiological activity of robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA) in the forebrain of songbirds is directly related to birdsong output. Whether BDNF regulates the electrophysiological activity and synaptic transmission of RA causing the change of song behavior need be further explored. In this study, the effects of BDNF on the electrophysiological activity and excitatory synaptic transmission of RA projection neurons (PNs) in adult male zebra finches were investigated using whole-cell patch clamp recordings in vitro. Our results showed that BDNF increased the firing of evoked action potentials in RA PNs and decreased the membrane input resistance and membrane time constant of RA PNs, indicating that BDNF can promote RA PNs excitability by reducing membrane input resistance and membrane time constant. Meanwhile, BDNF increased the frequency rather than amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in RA PNs. Moreover, the effects of BDNF on the excitability, intrinsic membrane properties and mEPSCs of RA PNs were blocked by its receptor TrkB antagonist K252a. These results indicate that BDNF via TrkB enhances the excitability and excitatory synaptic transmission of RA PNs in adult male songbirds through presynaptic mechanisms, suggesting a possible cellular mechanism by which BDNF regulates song behavior.

Vocal Behaviour of Killer Whales in the Eastern Canadian Arctic and the Role of Calls in Predator-prey Interactions

Vocal Behaviour of Killer Whales in the Eastern Canadian Arctic and the Role of Calls in Predator-prey Interactions

Vocal complexity in Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus)

Abstract Vocal complexity can be expressed through variations in repertoire size, structure, and individual manatee repertoires. Here we aimed to assess the complexity of the vocal behaviour of Antillean manatees living in captivity (i.e., artificial pools) and in reintroduction enclosures (i.e., natural enclosures placed in an estuarine area). Specifically, we evaluated: (i) the structure of vocalisations to assess whether they had variants; (ii) the variation in call production (rate and pattern) between groups with different configurations; (iii) whether individuality occurred in vocalisation structure. We found four categories of vocalisations, of which two had different variants. Not all study groups produced all call categories and variants. Older and younger males in the reintroduction enclosures had the highest call rates compared to captive females and captive males. The vocal and behavioural patterns differed between groups. Squeak call structure differed between individuals. Such vocal complexity may aid manatees in adapting to their dynamic social and structural environment, facilitating communication.

Changes in humpback whale song structure and complexity reveal a rapid evolution on a feeding ground in Northern Norway

Singing behaviour by male humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) has traditionally been associated with low-latitude breeding grounds. However, in recent years, this vocal behaviour has been increasingly reported outside these areas. All singers in a given population sing the same version of a song and this song is continually evolving over time with modifications on different levels within the song structure. Tracing changes in whale song will help to undercover the drivers underlying this vocal display and contribute to the understanding of animal culture and its evolution. To determine the progressive changes in songs found on a subarctic feeding ground and migratory stopover, a detailed analysis of humpback whale song recordings from Northern Norway was conducted. Passive acoustic data from the Lofoten-Vesterålen Ocean Observatory (LoVe), collected using a bottom-moored underwater hydrophone, were used from January - April 2018 and January 2019. Two measures of the song structure were examined: (1) sequence similarities using the Levenshtein distance and (2) song complexity using a principal component analysis (PCA). In total, 21 distinct themes were identified which presented highly directional, structural changes over time. Two themes from 2018 reoccurred in 2019, whereas all other themes in 2019 appeared to be evolved versions of 2018 themes. All songs grouped into three general clusters, reflecting the rapid evolution over the study period. With all sampled animals singing the same version of the song, this might indicate that the singers are either from the same breeding population or that song learning occurred before the study period. Song complexity appeared to follow the trend of song progression; songs became more complex as they evolved over the months in 2018 and decreased in complexity between the years, returning to a more simplified song in 2019. The results confirm that humpback whale song exhibits a rapid progression on a shared subarctic feeding ground, with strong potential for song exchange and opportunities for cultural transmission between populations in the North Atlantic.

Changes in ultrasonic vocalizations after unilateral cerebral ischemia in a rat stroke model

Stroke frequently results in communication impairments that negatively impact quality of life and overall recovery, yet the biological mechanisms underlying these changes are not well understood. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in rodent models of disease and aging have been used to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms that underlie vocal deficits and their response to interventions. Changes in USVs after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice have been reported, yet rat models have significant anatomical and behavioral advantages over mice, including the ability to vocally train rats with an established paradigm. We sought to determine whether a unilateral MCAO rat stroke model provides a biologically and behaviorally relevant way to study post stroke vocalization deficits. We hypothesized that left MCAO would be associated with changes in USVs. Six weeks after MCAO or sham-control surgery, USVs were recorded in rats using an established mating paradigm. Stroke was associated with differences in USV acoustics including more frequent use of simple calls characterized by shorter durations and restricted bandwidths. These parameters were also found to correlate with post stroke lingual weakness. This is the first study to describe changes to rat USVs using a stroke model. These results suggest the unilateral MCAO rat stroke model is a biologically and behaviorally relevant model to understand how stroke affects vocal behaviors.

Leading voices: dialogue semantics, cognitive science and the polyphonic structure of multimodal interaction

AbstractThe neurocognition of multimodal interaction – the embedded, embodied, predictive processing of vocal and non-vocal communicative behaviour – has developed into an important subfield of cognitive science. It leaves a glaring lacuna, however, namely the dearth of a precise investigation of the meanings of the verbal and non-verbal communication signals that constitute multimodal interaction. Cognitively construable dialogue semantics provides a detailed and context-aware notion of meaning, and thereby contributes content-based identity conditions needed for distinguishing syntactically or form-based defined multimodal constituents. We exemplify this by means of two novel empirical examples: dissociated uses of negative polarity utterances and head shaking, and attentional clarification requests addressing speaker/hearer roles. On this view, interlocutors are described as co-active agents, thereby motivating a replacement of sequential turn organisation as a basic organising principle with notions of leading and accompanying voices. The Multimodal Serialisation Hypothesis is formulated: multimodal natural language processing is driven in part by a notion of vertical relevance – relevance of utterances occurring simultaneously – which we suggest supervenes on sequential (‘horizontal’) relevance – relevance of utterances succeeding each other temporally.

Emotional Adjustment in Children with Vocal Fold Nodules

Vocal fold nodules (VNs) in children are benign, bilateral, callous-like lesions at the junction of the anterior third and posterior two-thirds of the true vocal folds. Chronic, repetitive, and intense vocal behavior is often cited as the primary etiology; however, difficulties with emotional adjustment may predispose some children towards extreme and possibly phonotraumatic vocal activity, thereby contributing secondarily to the development of VNs. This case-control study examined the association between features of emotional adjustment and VNs in children. Parents of children with VNs (N=40, Mage=7.5, SDage=2.03) and two medical control groups [ie, voice disordered, but not VNs (VDCs; N=40, Mage= 7.09, SDage=2.01) and vocally normal controls (VNCs; N=40, Mage=7.6, SDage=1.54)] participated in the study. Features of emotional adjustment were assessed using two inventories: the Parent Rating scale for Reactive and Proactive Aggression and the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale - Parent version. As compared with the VNCs, children with VNs were significantly more aggressive (P=0.042, Cohen's d=0.47) whereas the VDCs were more depressed (P=0.013, Cohen's d=0.60). Furthermore, VDCs experienced more separation anxiety than VNs (P=0.038, Cohen's d=0.45) and VNCs (P=0.021, Cohen's d=0.55). No other significant between-group differences were identified between the VNs and VDCs. When present, elevated aggression may represent a risk factor for VNs formation in children, and possibly influence treatment outcomes. Therefore, the current results highlight the importance of understanding the role of emotional adjustment in the evaluation and treatment of dysphonia in children.

Temporal Acoustic Patterns of the Oriental Turtle Dove in a Subtropical Forest in China

There is an abundance of bird species in subtropical areas, but studies on the vocal behavior of non-passerines in subtropical regions are limited. In this study, passive acoustic monitoring was used to investigate the temporal acoustic patterns of the vocal activities of the Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis) in Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve (YNNR) in eastern China. The results show that the vocal production of the Oriental Turtle Dove exhibited a seasonal variation, peaking in the period April–August. Additionally, its diurnal vocal activity displayed a bimodal pattern in late spring and summer, with the first peak in the morning and a secondary peak at dusk. Among weather factors, temperature significantly affected the temporal sound pattern of the Oriental Turtle Dove, instead of humidity and precipitation. This study, which was focused on sound monitoring technology, provides knowledge for further research on bird behavior and ecology. In the future, long-term sound monitoring could be used for managing and conserving bird biodiversity.

ORTAOKUL ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN SES HİJYENİ DAVRANIŞLARININ VOKAL SAĞLIK TESTİ İLE KARŞILAŞTIRILMASI

Ses değişim dönemini geçirmekte olan ortaokul öğrencilerinin müzik eğitimi sürecinde seslerini korumak için gerekli olan ses hijyeni davranışlarının çeşitli değişkenlere göre karşılaştırılmasının amaçlandığı bu araştırma, boylamsal tarama araştırmasıdır. Veriler uygun örnekleme ile belirlenen bir devlet ortaokulunun 2016- 2017 eğitim-öğretim yılında 178 öğrenciden ve 2017- 2018 eğitim-öğretim yılında 119 öğrenciden toplanmıştır. Ses hijyenlerinin karşılaştırılmasında veri toplama aracı olarak Vokal Sağlık Testi kullanılmış, elde edilen veriler t testi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Çalışmaya katılan öğrencilerin vokal sağlık testi puanları arasındaki farklılıkların analizi 7. sınıf öğrencilerinin 2017 yılı sonuçlarıyla 8. sınıf öğrencisi olduklarında elde ettikleri 2018 yılı sonuçlarının; 2017 yılı 8. sınıf öğrencilerinin sonuçlarıyla ve 2018 yılı 8. sınıf öğrencilerinin sonuçlarının karşılaştırılmasıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonucunda öğrencilerin yıllara ve cinsiyetlerine göre 2017 ve 2018 yıllarına ait vokal sağlık testi puanlarının ortalamaları arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır (p>0.05). Ancak 2017 yılı 8. sınıf ile 2018 yılı 8. sınıf öğrencileri için vokal sağlık testi puanlarının ortalamaları arasında anlamlı farklılık saptanmıştır (p

Light-emitting greenhouses affect daily vocalization behavior in birds

To date, studies of the effects of artificial light on wildlife have mostly focused on street lighting. However, less attention has been paid to light from greenhouses, which can be sources of substantial light pollution from autumn to early spring. We investigated how daily 4–8 h of nocturnal illumination from a greenhouse influences the time of daily vocalization of forest birds in a non-urban area. Our study revealed that birds exposed to greenhouse lightning start dawn singing and calling earlier and stop dusk vocalization later, especially before the breeding season in the second half of February. The most affected species were the European Robin (entire study period) and Blackbird (early period only), but other species also revealed a significant impact on vocal activity (calls). Our study shows that even short-duration light pollution from greenhouses in a non-urban area in the breeding season can affect bird vocalization behavior.

Mid-frequency song and low-frequency calls of sei whales in the Falkland Islands.

Although sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) are distributed throughout the globe, their behaviour and vocal repertoire are poorly described. We used passive acoustic monitoring to describe the vocal behaviour of sei whales in the Falkland Islands, between December 2018 and April 2019. We isolated more than 2000 low-frequency calls for manual classification, of which 510 calls with high signal-to-noise ratio were quantitatively measured. Five categories of stereotyped call types in the 15-230 Hz range were described, some with multiple subcategories. These included some similar to previously described calls (e.g. downsweeps), but others that were novel in acoustic structure and frequency band. In the mid-frequency range, we documented a highly stereotyped, hierarchically structured and rhythmically repetitive song display. Songs were arranged in phrases with a structure composed of repetitive sub-phrases, and a diverse variety of sounds in the 1-5 kHz range. Singing commenced in late February, despite the presence of whales and calls since early December, and continued through April. These acoustic properties and behavioural characteristics indicate that this is likely a male breeding display similar to songs and singing of other balaenopterids. This is the first detailed description of a song display for sei whales, highlighting the importance of the Falkland Islands.

Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Soundscape Ecology in Urban Forest Areas and Its Landscape Spatial Influencing Factors

We explored the spatial and temporal characteristics of the urban forest area soundscape by setting up monitoring points (70 × 70 m grid) covering the study area, recorded a total of 52 sound sources, and the results showed that: (1) The soundscape composition of the park is dominated by natural sounds and recreational sounds. (2) The diurnal variation of sound sources is opposite to that of temperature, 6:00–9:00 is the best time for the public to perceive birdsong, and after 18:00, the park is dominated by insect chirps. (3) The PSD (power spectral density) and the SDI (soundscape diversity index) of the park are greatly affected by public recreation behaviors, and some recreation behaviors may affect the vocal behavior of organisms such as birds. (4) Spaces with high canopy density can attract more birdsong and recreational sounds in summer, and the combination of “tree + lake” can attract more birdsong. Vegetation has a significant dampening effect on traffic sound. (5) Landscape spatial elements, such as the proportion of hard ground, sky, trees, and shrubs, have a significant impact on changes in the PSD, the SDI and different kinds of sound sources. The research results provide effective data support for improving the soundscape of urban forests.

Behavioral characteristics and parenting styles in chronic habitual hyperfunctional childhood dysphonia

BackgroundThis study aimed to understand the association of child behavior and parenting practices with chronic habitual hyperfunctional childhood dysphonia (CHCD) for a better understanding of the nature of the psychological background of the problem. The study involved 52 Egyptian children aged 4 to 14 years old of both genders; the case group included 26 children diagnosed with (CHCD) based on auditory perceptual assessment using the modified GRBAS scale and laryngeal examination using an indirect laryngoscope, and the control group included 26 healthy children of the same age and gender. All of the children in the study had their histories were taken (demographic data, child vocal behavior history, and family vocal behavior history), the social class determined, SDQ for child behavior, and APQ for parenting practices. ResultsThe findings revealed that children with CHCD were more likely to engage in unhealthy vocal behavior and engage in street/sports activities. At the SDQ, children with CHCD had significantly higher emotional, conduct, and total difficulty scores. The degree of dysphonia was associated with prosocial behavior and emotional symptoms. The two groups’ parenting practices did not significantly differ from one another.ConclusionAccording to our research, CHCD is associated with several behavior problems, such as emotional symptom and conduct issues, but not with parenting practices.

Ambulatory Monitoring of Subglottal Pressure Estimated from Neck-Surface Vibration in Individuals with and without Voice Disorders.

The aerodynamic voice assessment of subglottal air pressure can discriminate between speakers with typical voices from patients with voice disorders, with further evidence validating subglottal pressure as a clinical outcome measure. Although estimating subglottal pressure during phonation is an important component of a standard voice assessment, current methods for estimating subglottal pressure rely on non-natural speech tasks in a clinical or laboratory setting. This study reports on the validation of a method for subglottal pressure estimation in individuals with and without voice disorders that can be translated to connected speech to enable the monitoring of vocal function and behavior in real-world settings. During a laboratory calibration session, a participant-specific multiple regression model was derived to estimate subglottal pressure from a neck-surface vibration signal that can be recorded during natural speech production. The model was derived for vocally typical individuals and patients diagnosed with phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions, primary muscle tension dysphonia, and unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Estimates of subglottal pressure using the developed method exhibited significantly lower error than alternative methods in the literature, with average errors ranging from 1.13 to 2.08 cm H2O for the participant groups. The model was then applied during activities of daily living, thus yielding ambulatory estimates of subglottal pressure for the first time in these populations. Results point to the feasibility and potential of real-time monitoring of subglottal pressure during an individual's daily life for the prevention, assessment, and treatment of voice disorders.

Les lois linguistiques de la brièveté : conformité chez le lémurien chanteur Indri indri

Vocal and gestural sequences of many primate species conform to two principles of compression: the compensation between the length of a construct and that of its constituents (Menzerath-Altmann law) and an inverse relationship between signal length and occurrence (Zipf's law of abbreviation). Although Zipf's law is considered a universal in animal communicative systems, evidence for the adherence of non-human primate vocal behavior to linguistic laws is debated, and information on strepsirrhines is absent. We investigated the vocal behavior of the only singing lemur (Indri indri) to test whether the song of this species shows indication for compression. Because roars have a chaotic structure that prevents the recognition of each individual emission, and long notes are mainly emitted by males, we relied on the core part of the song (i.e., descending phrases, composed of two to six units). Our results indicate that songs conform to both laws. Indeed, shorter phrases are more likely included in the songs, in conformity to Zipf’s law, and unit length decreases with increasing phrase size, in line with Menzerath-Altmann law. Furthermore, despite a sexual dimorphism of both units and phrases duration, these laws characterize the vocal sequences of both sexes. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence for a compromise between signal duration and occurrence in the vocal system of a strepsirrhine species, suggesting that, in primates, selective pressures for compression are more ancestral than previously assumed.

Affective prosody in grunts of young chimpanzees

Humans acoustically encode affective information into their utterances. This ability, known as ‘affective prosody’, takes pre-linguistic roots and plays an important role in human communication throughout the lifespan by enabling listeners to disambiguate the meaning of speakers’ utterances. Adopting a comparative-developmental perspective, we ask whether such an ability may also be present in the vocalisations of young chimpanzees. We examine the acoustic characteristics of grunt vocalisations known to be related to affective expression in other non-human species and show that grunts produced during positive, neutral, and negative contexts can indeed be distinguished on this acoustic basis. Further, our data provide new and unexpected insights into ontogenetic constraints in chimpanzee vocal production, finding that almost all acoustic parameters in early chimpanzee grunts are strongly correlated. We conclude that affective prosody is likely a characteristic of young chimpanzee vocal behaviour and speculate that affect may be more flexibly expressed through call acoustics with increasing age as chimpanzees gain greater control over their vocal apparatus.