bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Perception and Technological Development at a Societal Level
Authors: Lima Maria Luisa , Barnett Julie , Vala Jorge
Published: October 2005

This article tests the hypothesis that the exposure to the threat to societies posed by the introduction of new technologies is associated with a normalization of risk perception. Data collected in 2000 by the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) on environmental issues were used to explore this hypothesis. Representative samples from 25 countries were employed to assess the national levels of perceived threat to the environment associated with a series of technologies and activities. These values were correlated with economic indicators (mainly from the World Bank) of the diffusion of each of the technologies or activities in each country. Results indicate a negative association of risk perception with the level of technological prevalence (societal normalization effect) and a positive association with the rate of growth of the technology (societal sensitivity effect). These results indicate that the most acute levels of perceived environmental risk are found in those countries where the level of technological prevalence is low but where there has recently been substantial technological development. Environmental awareness is a mediator of the relationship between risk perception and the indices of technological diffusion. This result means that: (1) societal normalization of risk is not a direct consequence of prevalence of the technology, but is driven by awareness of technological development and that (2) societal sensitivity to risk is associated with lower levels of environmental awareness.
The Low Pressure Stent Observational Trial on the Procedural and Mid‐Term Outcome of a Trapezoid‐Shaped Coronary Stent (LOPSTER)
Authors: UNVERDORBEN MARTIN , DEGENHARDT RALF , WAGNER EBERHARD , KOEHLER HENNING , SCHOLZ MANFRED , UNVERDORBEN SUSANNE , BERTHOLD HEINER K. , VALLBRACHT CHRISTIAN
Published: October 2005

Background: Stent design influences the procedural and mid‐term results of coronary interventions. The trapezoid‐shaped struts of the low pressure stent (LP™‐Stent) might improve the outcome by reducing the vascular trauma at deployment.

Methods: A total of 133 patients (64.5 ± 8.6 years) with significant de novo coronary lesions (reference diameter ≥2.8 mm, length <15 mm, and stenosis ≥70% and <100%) were enrolled for single stent deployment and a 6‐month clinical and angiographic follow‐up.

Results: Stents were successfully deployed to 131/133 (98.5%) lesions. In one failed procedure (0.8%), the stenosis could be crossed with another device whereas in the second alternative stents also failed. Following edge dissection after LP™‐Stent implantation, in 9/133 (6.8%) patients additional stents were deployed. Follow‐up was performed as scheduled after 5.9 ± 0.9 months in 98/122 (80.3%) patients, prematurely for in‐stent restenosis in 8/122 (6.6%), and clinically only in 8/122 (6.6%). Deaths, one of cardiac origin (0.9%), occurred in 2/114 (1.8%), and myocardial infarctions in 1/114 (0.9%). The culprit stenoses were dilated from 78.4 ± 9.7% to 23.3 ± 11.0% recurring to 43.1 ± 24.3% at scheduled follow‐up. The late loss of 0.6 ± 0.8 mm and late loss index of 0.3 ± 0.5 translated into a binary restenosis rate of 24/98 (24.5%) requiring reintervention in 19/98 (19.4%).

Conclusions: In summary, the LP™‐Stent is associated with reduced intimal proliferation as reflected by the low late loss index when being compared with either noncoated or passively coated devices and higher in comparison to active coated stents. The considerable dissection rate seems to be related to higher deployment pressures and warrants design modification at the stent's distal edges.
Association of Single Coronary Artery and Congenital Bicuspid Aortic Valve with Review of Literature
Authors: RASHID ABDUL , SAUCEDO JORGE F. , HENNEBRY THOMAS A.
Published: October 2005

A 59‐year‐old white male presents to our hospital with shortness of breath, bilateral lower extremities swelling, an ejection systolic murmur, and S4 gallop. Echocardiography revealed a congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). Subsequent coronary angiogram revealed a single coronary artery arising as a main trunk from the left coronary sinus. We report the second case of a single coronary artery and congenital BAV.
Long‐Term Outcome After Coronary Angioplasty in Renal Transplant and Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: BORENTAIN MARIA , LE FEUVRE CLAUDE , HELFT GÉRARD , BEYGUI FARZIN , BATISSE JEAN PAUL , DROBINSKI GÉRARD , METZGER JEAN PHILIPPE
Published: October 2005

In order to determine how renal transplantation modifies in hospital and long‐term outcome after coronary angioplasty, we compared dialysis and renal transplant patients with control patients without renal failure. Seventy‐five consecutive dialysis patients (group D) and 37 renal transplant patients (group T) undergoing coronary angioplasty, were compared with two control groups (groups control D and control T, respectively) matched 1:1 with groups D and T for clinical and angiographic characteristics. The mean follow‐up was 50 months. The rate of angiographic success was high and comparable in the four groups (P = 0.7). Renal transplant patients were younger than dialysis nontransplant patients (P = 0.004). The risk of 4‐year cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction was higher in dialysis compared to control dialysis patients (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.35–5.01, P = 0.004), in transplant patients compared to control transplant patients (OR 9.93, 95% CI 1.17–84.04, P = 0.03), and there was a trend toward a higher risk in dialysis than in renal transplant patients (OR 1.6, 95% CI 0.8–3.19, P = 0.08). The risk of 4‐year mortality was higher in dialysis patients than in the other three groups (31% in group D versus 19% in group T, 13% in group control D, and 0% in group control T, P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, diabetes, and multivessel disease, long‐term mortality risk was similar in dialysis and renal transplant patients. On multivariate analysis, renal function (P = 0.002), age (P = 0.005), and tobacco consumption (P = 0.005) were independently associated with 4‐year cardiac death. In patients with end‐stage renal disease who undergo coronary angioplasty, renal transplantation was not independently associated with a lower long‐term mortality compared to dialysis treatment. Both dialysis and renal transplant patients show lower survival rates compared to matched control patients.
Acute Decompensation of Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy Secondary to A‐V Disassociation: Successful Treatment with a Combination of Alcohol Septal Ablation and Permanent Pacemaker
Authors: ROHATGI SAMEER , WIEGERS SUSAN E. , HSIA HENRY , HERLING IRVING , HERRMANN HOWARD C.
Published: October 2005

Alcohol septal ablation is increasingly being offered as a therapy for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. The procedure is most often performed in stable patients with a history of increasing symptoms. We describe a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with an acute decompensation secondary to the development of complete heart block. The patient's hemodynamics demonstrates the importance of atrial‐ventricular (A‐V) synchrony in this disease process. This case report is also a unique description of alcohol septal ablation being performed emergently to improve hemodynamics and the urgent implantation of a permanent pacemaker to return A‐V synchrony.
Application, Feasibility, and Efficacy of a Combined Intravascular Ultrasound and Stent Delivery System: Results from a Prospective Multicenter Trial
Authors: RIEBER JOHANNES , GOCKEL KATHARINA , KOSCHYK DIETMAR , ERHARD ISABELLE , KOENIG ANDREAS , SCHIELE THOMAS M. , THEISEN KARL , SIEBERT UWE , KLAUSS VOLKER
Published: October 2005

Background: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is the reference method for in vivo assessment of vessel dimensions and coronary plaque composition, which can influence device selection as well as stent sizing.

Objectives: The objective of this prospective multicenter‐study was to test the application, safety, and feasibility of a new combined IVUS and stent delivery system.

Methods: A total of 32 patients with planned direct stent implantation under IVUS guidance were included in the study. Procedural as well as angiographical and IVUS characteristics of the stent implantation with the combined IVUS and stent delivery system were assessed and compared to a historical control cohort where IVUS‐guided stenting was performed with a separate IVUS catheter.

Results: Direct stent placement was successfully performed in all patients and no malfunctions of the system were noted. A postinterventional IVUS assessment was possible in 27 (87%) of the 31 patients. The IVUS information led to a change in therapeutic strategy in 16 (50%) of the 32 patients. In the study group, both the procedural time and the amount of contrast dye were significantly lower than in the historical IVUS‐guided stenting control group. A clinical 12‐month follow‐up revealed a 89% event‐free survival and a target vessel revascularization rate of 7%.

Conclusion: The use of a combined IVUS and stent delivery device is safe, easy to handle, and can provide helpful additional information to guide a percutaneous coronary interventions procedure. Beyond angiography, these informations had significant impact on the interventional strategy in these patients, which resulted in a low rate of major adverse cardiac events. The concept of combining IVUS information and a stent delivery system may be increasingly attractive with evolving imaging modalities like virtual histology or a combination with drug‐eluting stents.
Angiographic Observations 10 Years Following Coronary Laser Balloon Angioplasty
Authors: GLAZIER JAMES J. , SPEARS J. RICHARD
Published: October 2005

A patient underwent laser balloon angioplasty (LBA) combined with local intracoronary heparin therapy for treatment of a high grade stenosis of the mid‐portion of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Sustained patency of the LBA‐treated lesion and no new coronary stenoses were found in a 10‐year angiographic follow‐up study.
Myocardial Ischemia: Atypical Presentation of an Atrial Septal Defect in Childhood
Authors: MULLER LARS , DILLON TERRENCE , BEEKMAN ROBERT H.
Published: October 2005

We describe a 17‐year‐old male with a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD), who presented with acute myocardial ischemia. The presumptive diagnosis of a paradoxical coronary embolism was based on the demonstration of a large ASD in conjunction with normal coronary arteries, a negative endomyocardial biopsy, and a negative drug screen. After percutaneous closure with an Amplatzer device, there has been no recurrence for 2 years.
Effect of Decomposition Kinetics and Failure Criteria on Binder‐Removal Cycles From Three‐Dimensional Porous Green Bodies
Authors: Yun Jeong Woo , Lombardo Stephen J. , Krueger Daniel S. , Scheuer Peter
Published: October 2005

A previously developed algorithm can be used to predict the minimum time for the thermal removal of binder from porous green ceramic bodies. The algorithm combines a variational statement on internal pressure, which is generated by binder decomposition, with a transport model that treats the convective flow of binder decomposition products in a porous medium. The minimum time heating cycles depend on a number of coupled transport, kinetic, and dimensional parameters. The predicted minimum time heating cycles depend on the decomposition kinetics (activation energy, preexponential factor, and decomposition mechanism) and on the temperature and pressure at which failure occurs in the green body.
The Influence of ZnNb2O6 on the Microwave Dielectric Properties of ZrTi2O6 Ceramics
Authors: RiaziKhoei Parinaz , Azough Feridoon , Freer Robert
Published: October 2005

Ceramics in the system (1−x)ZrTi2O6–xZnNb2O6 (for 0.1≤x≤0.85) have been prepared by the mixed oxide route; specimens fired in oxygen at 1260°–1300°C achieved 97% theoretical density for most compositions. X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed the co‐existence of a disordered α‐PbO2‐type structured phase and a rutile‐structured second phase for 0.1≤x≤0.25, a single phase having a disordered α‐PbO2‐type structure for 0.3≤x≤0.7, and a columbite‐type structured phase for x≥0.85. Wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) revealed that the TiO2‐rich second phase contained significant amounts of ZrO2, Nb2O5, and ZnO. In the two‐phase region relative permittivities (ɛr) are predominantly in the range 39–47 (with a peak at x=0.24), quality factor (Q×f) values peak at 34 000 GHz, and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) decreases with increase in ZnNb2O6 content and tune through zero at x=0.24. In the single‐phase α‐PbO2 region ɛr decreases, Q×f increases to 49 000 GHz and τf decreases to −58 ppm/°C with increasing ZnNb2O6. In the ordered columbite structure region (x≥0.85) the ɛr falls to 28, Q×f increases to 59 000 GHz and τf is more positive (−20 ppm/°C). Ceramics with x=0.24 exhibited an excellent combination of properties: ɛr=47, Q×f=34 000 GHz, and τf∼0 ppm/°C.
Adhesive‐Bonded Ca(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3/Ba(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 Layered Dielectric Resonators with Tunable Temperature Coefficient of Resonant Frequency
Authors: Li Lei , Chen Xiang Ming
Published: October 2005

Ca(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 and Ba(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramic cylinders with the same diameter were bonded by adhesive with low dielectric loss to yield the layered dielectric resonators, and the microwave dielectric characteristics were evaluated with TE01δ mode. With increasing the Ba(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 thickness fraction, the resonant frequency (f0) decreased, while the effective dielectric constant (ɛr,eff) and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) increased. Good microwave dielectric characteristics were attained for the samples with the Ba(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 thickness fraction of 0.5: ɛr,eff=34.33, Q×f=57 930 GHz and τf=2.6 ppm/°C. Finite‐element method was used to predict the microwave dielectric characteristics of the layered resonators and good agreements were attained between the experimental results and predicted ones. Also, both experiment and finite‐element analysis indicated that the effects of the adhesive on f0, ɛr,eff, and τf were slight, while that on Q×f value was significant.
Incidence rates of oral cancer and oral pre‐cancercous lesions in a 6‐year follow‐up study of a Taiwanese aboriginal community
Authors: Yang Y.‐H. , Chen C.‐H. , Chang J. S. F. , Lin C.‐C. , Cheng T.‐C. , Shieh T.‐Y.
Published: October 2005

Background:  In a previous article, we reported the prevalence rates of oral mucosal lesions in an aboriginal community from an epidemiological survey of oral pre‐cancerous lesions.

Methods:  Since 1997, the authors have started regular follow‐up of the study population originally investigated. Thus, it has been possible to obtain incidence rates for the various oral pre‐cancerous lesions and conditions.

Results:  There were 194 persons without any oral lesion in the 1997 screening. During the clinical follow‐up investigation and during the analysis of biopsies from pre‐cancerous lesions, we discovered six new lesions (including cancer and pre‐cancerous lesions) from five participants. All of the five persons were areca/betel quid chewers, and only one mixed areca/betel quid chewing with cigarette smoking habit. The age‐standardized incidence rates for quid lesion, oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were 267.0, 374.1 and 146.2 per 100 000 person‐years, respectively, for areca/betel quid chewers.

Conclusions:  As compared with the rates from India and the general Taiwanese population, the study community encountered a serious problem of oral lesions.
Jaw bone necrosis without previous dental extractions associated with the use of bisphosphonates (pamidronate and zoledronate): a four‐case report
Authors: Merigo E. , Manfredi M. , Meleti M. , Corradi D. , Vescovi P.
Published: October 2005

Jaw bone necrosis is a clinical condition associated with defects in vascularization of the maxilla or the mandibular bone, usually present following head and neck radiotherapy and/or oral surgical interventions. Bisphosphonates are synthetic analogues of pyrophosphate used in the treatment of patients with hypercalcemia as a result of malignancy, bone metastasis and for the treatment of other disorders such as metabolic bone diseases, Paget's disease and osteoporosis. Over last 10 years, cases of jaw bone necrosis have been associated with the use of bisphosphonate therapy. In particular, Ruggiero et al. (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2004; 62: 527–534) in 2004 described a large group of patients (63) with jaw bone necrosis probably related to the use of these drugs. It should be noted that all the patients in the group described either underwent head and neck radiotherapy or had a dental extraction while taking bisphosphonates. In the present study, we reported four cases of jawbone necrosis in patients taking pamidronate (Aredia) and zoledronate (Zometa) without having undergone any kind of radiotherapy or dental surgery. All the patients were females between the ages of 56 and 71 years; three were treated with bisphosphonates for bone metastasis and one for multiple myeloma. All the patients received surgical treatment with bone curettage, with partial and/or temporary improvement of the lesions. Although a treatment for bisphosphonate‐induced bone lesions has not yet been established, we suggest careful evaluation of the patients’ oral health before prescribing bisphosphonate treatment.
Intra‐oral findings and general health conditions among institutionalized and non‐institutionalized elderly in Greece
Authors: Triantos Dimitris
Published: October 2005

Background:  The aim of the study was to record the findings from intra‐oral examination and the general health conditions encountered in a group of Greek individuals 65 years of age or older.

Patients and methods:  The study subjects were derived from the elderly attending 12 randomly selected community centres located in Athens and neighbouring municipalities, consisting the non‐institutionalized study group and from the elderly living in three ecclesiastical nursing homes, consisting the institutionalized study group. The research data comprised information from the subjects’ interviews, self‐defined health status, medical records and intra‐oral examination on the following variables: sex, age, general health condition, dentate or not, use of dentures and oral conditions. Fisher's exact two‐sided test was used for statistical analysis.

Results:  Overall, 316 patients were examined; 120 male (38%), 196 female (62%), mean age 78 years (range: 65–99). Of those, 150 were non‐institutionalized (59 male, 91 female) and 166 institutionalized (61 male and 105 female). The vast majority (90%) of the patients had at least one general health problem, for which they were taking daily medication. Twenty‐three different medical conditions were recorded. The most frequent medical problems were hypertension (56%), cardiovascular problems (41%), depression/anxiety (39%), arthritis (18.5%) and visual problems (16%). The vast majority of the study patients (79%) were edentulous, while 33% were not wearing or using their dentures. Almost half of them (47%) had at least one oral condition. Twenty‐seven different oral conditions were recorded. The most frequent oral findings were denture‐induced stomatitis (17.2%), dry mouth (14.6%), atrophy of tongue papillae (10.5%), fissured tongue (9.8%) and haemangioma (6.8%). No cases of malignant lesions were observed.

Conclusions:  The present study confirms that in this particular age group, general health problems are frequent, variable, coexistent, necessitating the daily administration of multiple medications, while oral examination by a specialist is an essential part of the multidisciplinary medical care in this group of individuals.
Odontogenic tumors: a study of 340 cases in a Brazilian population
Authors: Fernandes Anacélia Mendes , Duarte Eliza Carla Barroso , Pimenta Flávio Juliano Garcia Santos , Souza Leandro Napier , Santos Vagner Rodrigues , Mesquita Ricardo Alves , de Aguiar Maria Cássia Ferreira
Published: October 2005

Background:  The aim of this study was to determinate the relative frequency of odontogenic tumors (OTs) in a Brazilian population and to compare this data with previous reports.

Methods:  We reviewed the achieves of 19 123 specimens from oral pathology laboratory of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, from 1954 to 2004. Using the criteria of histologic typification published by the World Health Organization in 1992, we classified the OTs.

Results:  A total of 340 OTs were found. The frequency of OTs comprises 1.78% of all pathologic specimens in our laboratory. The most frequent tumor was ameloblastoma (45.2%), followed by odontomas (24.91%), and myxomas (9.1%).

Conclusions:  Odontogenic tumors are uncommon lesions in this Brazilian population and malignant OTs are very rare. The relative frequency of various types of OTs, age, and gender distribution are similar to those reported in African, Asian but not to Chilean and North American series.
The relationship of the histologic grade at the deep invasive front and the expression of Ki‐67 antigen and p53 protein in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kurokawa Hideo , Zhang Min , Matsumoto Shinobu , Yamashita Yoshihiro , Tanaka Toshiko , Tomoyose Taiki , Takano Hirofumi , Funaki Katsuyuki , Fukuyama Hiroshi , Takahashi Tetsu , Sakoda Sumio
Published: October 2005

Background:  Although many histopathologic characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (O‐SCC) have been identified as prognostic factors, accurate, and unequivocal factors have not been clearly identified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a potential association between the histologic grade of malignancy at the deep invasive front and the expression of Ki‐67 antigen and p53 protein in O‐SCC.

Methods:  The expression of Ki‐67 antigen and p53 at the invasive tumor front area of O‐SCC was examined by immunohistochemistry of archived tissue from 62 cases. The mean age of patients was 60.7 years (range: 37–89) and the male–female ratio was 1.6:1 (38 men, 24 women). There were 20, 17, 14, and 11 cases classified as stage I to stage IV, respectively. The correlation between the intensity of immunostaining for Ki‐67 antigen and p53 and the histologic grade of malignancy at the deep invasive front (invasive front grade, IFG) was analyzed. The expression of Ki‐67 antigen and p53 in normal oral epithelia (10 cases) was also investigated.

Results:  The mean Ki‐67 labeling index (LI) in the O‐SCC samples was 32.8 ± 12.0% (n = 62). The mean total score of IFG (IFG score) was 9.1 ± 2.7 points (n = 62). There was a significant linear correlation between the IFG score and the Ki‐67 antigen (γ = 0.651, R2 = 0.596, P < 0.0001). Of 50 tumors examined, 27 (54.0%) exhibited p53‐positive nuclear immunostaining. The staining patterns for Ki‐67 antigen and p53 were similar. Both Ki‐67‐LI and p53‐positive status were significantly correlated with the IFG scores.

Conclusion:  The findings of this study demonstrate that overexpression of Ki‐67 antigen and p53 at the deep tumor invasive front of O‐SCC is associated with histologic grade of malignancy.
The Sensitivity of Event Logs, Self-Administered Questionnaires and Photoplethysmography to Detect Treatment-Induced Changes in Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD) Diagnosis
Authors: Rellini Alessandra , Meston Cindy
Published: October 2005

Introduction

The literature provides little evidence on what type of endpoints should be used to assess treatment-induced improvement in female sexual function.

Aim

The main goal of this study was to provide empiric evidence on the sensitivity of different types of measures for detecting treatment-induced changes in female sexual dysfunction diagnosis.

Methods

The measures investigated in this study included event logs, self-administered questionnaires (Female Sexual Functioning Index; FSFI), vaginal photoplethysmography, and continuous subjective sexual arousal measured during exposure to erotic videos. Participants were 24 women with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) who received sex therapy, placebo, or gingko biloba in a four-arm double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. FSAD was diagnosed utilizing a semistructured interview administered at pre- and post-treatment. Those women who did not meet FSAD criteria at post-treatment (N = 10) were labeled as “improved,” while women who still met FSAD criteria (N = 14) were categorized as “not improved” even if they showed signs of improvements.

Main Outcome Measure

Change scores from pre- to post-treatment on the FSFI, event logs, vaginal photoplethysmography, and continuous subjective levels of sexual arousal were used to predict whether women improved at post-treatment. Results were checked with exact logistic regression to control for the small sample size.

Results

The FSFI was the only measure to significantly predict whether women improved at post-treatment. The findings from this study lend support for the use of validated questionnaires as endpoint criteria in detecting treatment-induced changes in women's sexual dysfunction.
Equal temperament versus just intonation
Authors: Conviser Harry
Published: October 2005

A four-octave electronic organ has been extensively revised for comparing the equally tempered scale with just intonation. As in usual tempered tuning, this equal-ratio scale is generated from alternate fifths and fourths, but the error is only one part in ten million, or within 0.0001 cent. Any note from this scale may be selected as a reference for the just-intonation intervals, whose ratios are absolute, not approximations. Progressive modulation may be performed in all 15 tonalities, i.e., to signature keys in seven sharps and seven flats. The black keys of an added keyboard are split for separate sharps and flats, and adjacent key tabs are used for augmented thirds and sevenths, as well as for three syntonic commas, or mutable notes. Thus there are 22 notes to the octave in a keyboard that in appearance does not differ too much from the standard 12-note keyboard. Through the use of a “movable Do” for modulation, 330 “theoretical” notes are obtained within an octave, and 1335 such notes are available to the four-octave just-intonation keyboard. [A demonstration is planned.]
Musical tone origin identification by pattern matching
Authors: Lieberman Howard R. , Jackson Leland B.
Published: October 2005

A method of determining the origin of a musical tone by pattern matching has been developed. Multidimensional feature vectors characterizing tone types were generated from the fit of an auto-regressive (linear prediction) model of flute, guitar, marimba, and piano tones. Identification templates (or reference vectors) for each musical instrument type were constructed from these feature vectors. Ultimately, identification was performed by minimizing the least-mean-squares distance of an unknown signal's feature vector to the previously constructed identification templates.
Pressure-flow relationships within static models of the larynx
Authors: Scherer Ronald C. , Curtis James F. , Titze Ingo R.
Published: October 2005

Pressure-flow relationships using steady flow through polyester resin models of the larynx were investigated. Model geometry was based on x-ray data. Flow ranged from 20 to 1000 cc/s, resulting in translaryngeal pressure drops from 0.03 to 40 cm H2O. Translaryngeal pressure drop predictions from Ishizaka and Matsudaira [SCRL Monograph, No. 8 (1972)] and van den Berg, et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 29, 626–631 (1957)] fell within 37% and 50%, respectively, of the data. For an intermediate size glottis, the overall average percent difference between the measured and predicted pressure drops was less than 5% when compared with Ishizaka and Matsudaira's predictions, and less than 30% when compared with van den Berg's predictions. For a larger glottis, the corresponding percentages were 21% and 37%. We conclude that: (1) both theories underestimate the translaryngeal pressure drop, and (2) the data support the predictions of Ishizaka and Matsudaira more than the predictions of van den Berg et al.
Deletion of word-final /t,d/ in Black English (BE)
Authors: Fish Deborah M. , Zue Victor W.
Published: October 2005

The production of word-final alveolar stop consonants /t,d/ were examined for Black English (BE). Words belonging to six phonological environments—s_♯C, n_♯C, V́_♯C, V_♯C, V́_♯V́, and V_♯V for word-final /t,d/ were embedded in four short stories and recorded by ten male BE speakers, resulting in over 1000 utterances. The recording sessions also included 10 minutes of conversational speech in the form of interviews. In addition to critical listening, spectrograms were made of all items of interest and the acoustic properties of the /t,d/ were examined in detail. Preliminary results, obtained from the short stories, indicate that deletion of word-final /t,d/ in BE occurs more frequently in the s_♯C and n_♯C environments, as suggested previously by Labov et al. However, deletion does not account for the phonological realization of the other four environments. Instead, processes such as glottalization and unreleased stops must be considered for a more complete phonological description of the word-final /t,d/ in BE. [Work supported in part by NINCDS.]
Performatic pattern of french prosodic declarative sentences
Authors: Caelen Geneviée
Published: October 2005

The duration and the F0 frequency and amplitude curves of each vowel in 84 declarative french sentences read by two speakers have been studied using a. numerical analysis detection. These sentences gather the main structures and all the syntactic classes of french. A model is proposed to describe the results of the pluriparametric analysis. This model includes two recursive rules for groups (especially duration) or sentences (especially F0). This study shows that there are no immediate relations between prosody and syntactic unities, as these relations are not necessary biunivocal: in fact, a few number of simple rules can describe adequately without referring syntactic nature of words or groups, performantic oral sentences. In our interpretation of facts, prosody, by articulating its inflexions around lexical unities, expands, beside another type of word systematic organisation which is sentence syntax, a specific relations network.
Acoustic emission source characterization
Authors: Wadley H. N. G. , Scruby C. B. , Sinclair J. E.
Published: October 2005

The source function for glissile dislocation loops and microcracks have been modeled in terms of time dependent force dipoles and the acoustic emission waveforms, at the epicentre, evaluated for an isotropic elastic half-space. A specimen geometry has been designed that allows microcracking to occur under the influence of an applied stress but which also approximates to a half-space for a short period of time after operation of an event. The epicentre waveforms of such a specimen have been measured, quantitatively, with a broad band capacitance transducer and the waveforms recorded by Biomation transient recorders and stored on computer disk. The inverse transfer function for the experimental configuration has been calculated and used to determine the source function of carefully characterized brittle cleavage and intergranular microcracking in mild steel and electrolytic iron at 77K. The microcrack lengths deduced from acoustic emission measurements were consistent with fractographic observations. The velocity of microcrack growth, also deduced from acoustic emission measurements, indicated the existence of a limiting microcrack speed of about half the shear wave speed in both materials. [This work has been jointly funded by A.M.T.E., Holton Heath and RAE Farnborough through MOD (Procurement Executive) and by AERE, Harwell.]
Effect of a semi-annular thermal acoustic shield on jet exhaust noise
Authors: Goodykoontz Jack H.
Published: October 2005

Previous experimental studies have shown that reductions in jet exhaust noise were obtained by the use of an annular thermal acoustic shield consisting of a high temperature, low velocity gas stream surrounding the high velocity central jet exhaust. The reduction is believed to be caused partly by reflection of the central jet exhaust noise by the shield. However, with an annular shield, multiple reflections are possible which help contribute to the total noise level of the nozzle. The present work consisted of an exploratory study to investigate the effect of a semi-annular shield on jet exhaust noise with the rationale that such a configuration would eliminate or reduce the multiple reflection mechanism. Noise measurements for a 10-cm conical nozzle with a semi-annular acoustic shield are presented in terms of lossless free field spectral data at various angular locations with respect to the nozzle. Measurements were made on both the shielded and unshielded sides of the nozzle. The results are presented parametrically, showing the effects of various shield and central stream velocities and temperatures.
Prediction of flyover jet noise spectra from static tests
Authors: Michel Ulf , Michalke Alfons
Published: October 2005

A scaling law for predicting the overall flyover noise of a single stream circular jet from static experiments [A. Michalke and U. Michel, J. Sound Vibration 67, 341–367 (1979)] is extended to the prediction of spectra. The theory is based on the Lighthill approach to jet noise. The density terms are retained to include the effects of jet heating. The turbulent flow quantities are assumed to scale with relative velocity. nozzle diameter, and jet density. The jet flow field is assumed to be linearily stretched in flight leading to an increase of both the axial source and coherence length scales in flight. The four cases regarding the flyover or wind tunnel measurement of narrow band or third octave spectra are treated separately. The resulting equations are derived for low flight Mach numbers and for emission angles not too close to the jet axis. The scaling law shows a good agreement with experimental results obtained with the J85 jet engine mounted on the Aérotrain. [Work was completed while the first author held an NRC Senior Research Associateship.]
Features of the wall pressure field associated with turbulent spots in a laminar boundary layer
Authors: DeMetz Fred C.
Published: October 2005

Measured features of the mean and fluctuating components of the wall pressure field associated with individual turbulent spots in a laminar boundary layer passing a fixed observation station are compared with those calculated from structural models proposed in the literature. The temporal variation of the nonsteady mean pressure field during spot passage over a fixed, flush-mounted, point pressure transducer tends to support the model of a turbulent spot in a laminar boundary layer as a large horseshoe vortex. The spectral features of the fluctuating spot wall pressure field remain constant in amplitude and distribution during spot growth and convection downstream.
The linear dynamic range of a simple optical nearfield diffraction technique for studying ultrasonic waves
Authors: Riley Ward A.
Published: October 2005

An optical nearfield diffraction technique was recently described for studying ultrasonic waveforms in the low megahertz frequency range [W. A. Riley, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 67, 1386–1388 (1980)]. The theoretical optical amplitude response of this technique is linear with acoustical pressure under only a limited range of experimental conditions. Higher harmonics of the fundamental ultrasonic frequency are also generated in the optical signal above this range. Application of this method to the calibration of transducers used in a variety of medical and industrial applications requires that careful consideration be given to the linear dynamic range of this approach. The objective of this work was to experimentally determine the practical linear dynamic range of an optical probe assembled from inexpensive components and used in conjunction with a good laboratory oscilloscope. Measurements were made on narrowband pulses transmitted by circular unfocussed transducers having fundamental frequencies of 2.5 MHz, 5.0 MHz, and 7.5 MHz. A linear dynamic range of approximately 20 dB was determined from these results. This corresponds to acoustical powers between approximately 0.1 and 10 mW in distilled water. The existence of random intensity fluctuations in the megahertz frequency range in the output of the helium-neon laser source was the limiting factor at the lower end of this range. The nonlinearity of the optical nearfield diffraction pattern produced the upper limit. This 20-dB window may be lowered approximately 10 dB by selecting a more efficient acousto-optic medium than water. It may effectively be raised by at least 40 dB by examining normal reflections from the boundary of liquids having small acoustic impedance differences. Consequently, one can effectively observe acoustic pulses over a 70-dB range with this approach. [Work supported by grant GM27755.]
Acoustic stop-bands in solids with transverse property variations
Authors: Burton Thomas E.
Published: October 2005

An acoustic medium whose properties are periodic in the propagation direction is known to have stop bands, frequency bands in which pressure waves are not propagated. A periodic fluid or continuous solid can have an infinite number of stop bands. An analogy has been found in solids with transverse variation that couples pressure waves into rotational waves. A simple analytical approximation for the propagator and effective impedance of the solid is presented for the case where the solid is very stiff in compression (has Poisson's ratio near one-half), and where the pressure wavelength is much larger, the period of property variation. Results are presented for rubber-like solids with piece-wise constant stiffness and density. If the stiffnesses are complex (lossy), then the number of stop bands is finite, typically less than five.
Pulsed ultrasonic leaky waves on a titanium-aluminum boundary
Authors: Claus Richard O. , Kline Ronald A.
Published: October 2005

Pulsed 2.1-MHz leaky waves on an adhesively bonded titanium-aluminum interface have been generated and detected by aluminum Rayleigh wave mode conversion. Specimens were prepared by bonding 0.95-cm × 1.27-cm etched titanium alloy bars to large aluminum substrates and compressing so the thickness of the adhesive layer was much smaller than the acoustic wavelength. Total losses of less than 12 dB due to mode conversion and attenuation along the 1.27-cm interface have been observed. The adhesive bond geometry is modeled as a liquid layer of thickness H separating two isotropic solid half-spaces [A. R. Banghar, G. S. Murty, and I. V. V. Raghavacharyulu, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 60, 1071–1078 (1976)]. Measured leaky wave velocity is approximately predicted by the case where H approaches zero and the viscosity of the liquid becomes large [D. A. Lee and D. M. Corbly, IEEE Trans. Sunics Ultrason. SU-24, 206–212 (1977)]. Particle displacements near the boundary in both the titanium and the aluminum are derived for this case and changes in leaky wave attenuation due to small variations in H are predicted. [Work partially supported by NSF.]
Surface fields on sound hard and sound soft obstacles with sharp and smooth boundaries
Authors: Varadan V. V. , Varadan V. K. , Wall D. J. N.
Published: October 2005

The computation of the surface fields generated on a sound hard or sound soft obstacle when irradiated by a plane harmonic wave is a challenging problem when the obstacle is of arbitrary shape and has corners. Not only is this computation the first step in determining scattered field, but it has other important practical applications such as the dynamic stress concentrations. The integral equation for the field on the surface of the obstacle is solved numerically using null field (T-matrix approach). It will be shown that for scatterers with corners, a piecewise basis must be chosen to represent the surface fields. Results will be presented for cylindrical scatterers with square, elliptical, and intersecting circular cross sections.
Measurement of spatial variation in absolute velocity distributed along an inhomogeneous, anisotropic, solid waveguide
Authors: Frost Harold M. , Prout James H.
Published: October 2005

Man-made composites such as graphite-fiber reinforced epoxy or aluminum pose an apparent dilemma. The very structural complexity needed for useful traits, like high strength/weight ratio, hinders the structure-to-properties correlation process needed for rational material design and use. Also, traditional bulk-acoustic-wave non-destructive tests involving velocity and attenuation data are often not suited for characterizing inhomogeneous materials. Viz., spatial variations in properties within the “thicknesses” between accessible transducer mounting surfaces are masked and even property averages are distorted by multiple scattering. Combined use of guided acoustic waves and scannable ultrasound transducers, however, can sometimes overcome these problems. We illustrate this with measurements of absolute velocities in wire via the noncontacting, torsional wave transducers we described at the 99th AAA meeting (paper XII). With a three-transducer setup featuring two receivers of calibrated separation x ≪ L ≃ 30 cm (L: wire length), we revealed significant velocity inhomogeneities in graphite/aluminum metal matrix composite wire over section lengths Δ x < 1 cm. Data imprecision was less than ± 12%. Velocity could be correlated meaningfully with the percent volume fraction of graphite. [Supported by Naval Sea Systems Command.]
The effect of a leading tone on the pitch of a sine tone-intensity step experiment
Authors: Hartmann W. M.
Published: October 2005

The pitch of a brief sine tone is increased if the tone is preceded by a sine tone of the same frequency and higher intensity. This effect was observed in a pitch matching experiment with the following sequence: 500-ms leading tone of 60 dB SPL and frequency f1 around 1000 Hz, silent gap of variable duration, 50-ms target tone with intensity I2 and frequency f1 500-ms silent interval, 50-ms matching tone with intensity I2 and frequency adjusted by the subject. This experiment measures the pitch shift caused by the leading tone; the results are unaffected by pitch changes with intensity. For I2 > 60 dB no significant pitch shift was observed. As I2 decreased from 60 to 35 dB, increasing positive pitch shifts were found. For a silent gap duration of 5 ms, maximum shift was 2%–4% of f1. For a 25-ms gap, the shift was about 1%. For a 50-ms gap, the shift was almost insignificant. When the leading tone was replaced by octave band noise (76 dB SPL, 57 dB maximum spectral level) much smaller shifts, with quite a different form, were observed. The experimental data together with the results of neurophysiological experiments on pure tone adaptation can be used to constrain the form of allowable place theories of pitch perception. [Supported by NSF Grant BNS 79-14155.]
Comparison of monotic and dichotic two-tone discrimination
Authors: Buus Søren
Published: October 2005

The just noticeable increase in bandwidth of a two-tone complex was measured as a function of bandwidth at a geometric center frequency of 2000 Hz. The 600-ms tones were presented at 57 dB SPL/tone either monotically in the right ear or dichotically with the lower frequency in the right ear and the higher frequency in the left ear. Results obtained for six bandwidths between 80 and 1280 Hz show that discrimination thresholds for dichotic two-tone complexes are 2.4 to 18 times those for monotic two-tone complexes at bandwidths less than one critical band, but approximately equal at bandwidths greater than the critical band. The difference between monotic and dichotic two-tone complexes is not due to aural combination tones. Measurements of monotic two-tone discrimination at 40 dB SPL with and without masking of the aural combination tones showed results similar to those obtained for monotic two-tone discrimination at 60 dB SPL. These experiments indicate that monaural summation of two tones separated by less than a critical band, gives rise to a highly discriminable subjective cue. [Supported by NIH.]
Rate of acoustic formant transition change on categorical perception
Authors: Schwartz Joyce , Tallal Paula
Published: October 2005

A comparison was made of the effect of rate of acoustic formant transition change on the categorical perception functions for stop-consonant-vowel (CV) syllables with 40- and 80-ms formant transitions. Two place of articulation continua representing the phonemic categories /ba/ and /da/ containing transitions of 40 and 80 ms were presented to subjects in both identification and discrimination tasks. In the 80-ms signals, the entire formant transition spectrum was extended. Individual identification functions were fit using probit analysis. Extending the duration of formant transitions while keeping the manner of articulation constant significantly effected the identification function. Discrimination for within-category stimulus comparison was enhanced for the extended formant transitions.
Normalization of /w-r/ category boundary variations due to vowel, formant and talker variations
Authors: Benson Peter J. , Sharf Donald J.
Published: October 2005

Different synthetic speech continua representing different talkers will not necessarily have the same category boundary (CB) even if the continua vary along similar acoustic dimensions. The scales of the continua can be normalized so that the CB's are the same by finding an appropriate normalization function. Since there are an infinite set of such functions, any particular normalization is interesting only if it has a basis in perception and predicts variations in the CB in other continua. Two synthetic /w-r/ continua were synthesized by varying the separation of F2 and F3. Synthesis parameters were chosen to mimic an adult and a child voice. A third child-like continuum was created by scaling the adult parameters up by the factor 1.5. The CBs were equilibrated by replotting labeling results against parameter values scaled by (mel F3 – mel F2)/mel F1. This function employs the primary acoustic difference and an indirect measure of vocal tract length (F1), transformed by an approximation to the psychophysical function for pitch perception. Results will be presented that evaluate this and related functions for their value in equating CB for different vowels and talkers and for variations in F1.
Effects of stimulus intensity on perception of a place cue for stop consonants
Authors: Van Tasell Dianne J. , Anderson Elizabeth S. , Ericksen Todd D. , Hagen Lawrence T.
Published: October 2005

Synthetic syllables from a /da/-/ga/ continuum varying in onset frequency of the third formant transition were presented to normal-hearing listeners at 60 dB SPL and at 100 dB SPL. The listeners' identification responses showed that syllables were classified as members of a phonetic category less consistently at 100 dB than they were at 60 dB. Discrimination performance then was measured at two different locations on the synthetic syllable continuum, using a same-different paradigm with correct-answer feedback. When the standard stimulus was at a location on the stimulus continuum corresponding to maximum differences in identification performance between 60 and 100 dB presentation levels, the measured jnd for third formant onset frequency was substantially larger at 100 dB than it was at 60 dB. Discrimination performance at the two levels was more similar when the standard stimulus was a syllable that had been identified consistently at both 60 and 100 dB. [Work supported by PHS Grant NS-12125.]