Motor functions in trumpet playing-a real-time MRI analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The function of the orofacial and pharyngeal musculature for sound generation in brass instruments is insufficiently investigated. The contribution of muscles defying direct observation remains poorly understood. Time-resolved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows visualization of muscle function as well as changes of the oropharyngeal cavities during muscle activation. METHODS: We used fast 3-T MRI imaging to analyze motor activation during sound generation in brass instruments. Twelve professional trumpeters were analyzed at different pitch, loudness and dynamic. MR images were analyzed for position of the mouthpiece to lips and teeth, pivoting, nasopharyngeal closure and changes in the area of oral and pharyngeal cavity. RESULTS: Of the 12 subjects, eight positioned the mouthpiece mainly to the upper lip, three in equal parts to upper and lower lip, and only one mostly to the lower lip. The last turned out to be the only subject with upward pivoting. All subjects had a complete velopharyngeal closure. Measurements of the oral and pharyngeal cavities showed an increase when subjects were playing higher pitches. The increase in areas of oral and pharyngeal cavity was present also when switching from lower to higher loudness and when performing crescendo to decrescendo. Enlargement of the oral and pharyngeal cavity was less pronounced with increasing loudness. But no general difference in change of oral and pharyngeal cavity could be observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that it is possible to measure motor function and its implications on oral as well as pharyngeal cavities during sound generation in brass instruments. These changes seem to follow a reproducible pattern.

Morphology controlled NH4V3O8 microcrystals by hydrothermal synthesis.

Single crystalline ammonium trivanadate NH4V3O8 with variable morphologies, including shuttles, flowers, belts, and plates, was synthesized by the hydrothermal treatment of NH4VO3 with acetic acid. The crystals optimally grow under gentle conditions of 140 °C for 48 h. The resulting NH4V3O8 microcrystals were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, static magnetization studies, and thermal analysis. The key factors to control the size and morphology of the crystals are the pH value and the vanadium concentration. A tentative microscopic growth mechanism is proposed and it is demonstrated how shape and morphology of the resulting microcrystalline material can be tuned by appropriate synthesis parameters.

Structure and electronic properties of Li-doped vanadium oxide nanotubes.

The influence of Li-doping on the mixed-valent vanadium oxide nanotubes has been investigated using electron energy loss spectroscopy. In particular, the electron diffraction profiles and the vanadium L excitation edges have been studied. We observe that the structure of the vanadium oxide nanotubes is stable against electron transfer upon Li-doping. Excitations at the vanadium L edges show features which are associated with a reduction of the vanadium valency.