[The application of aerodynamic method for the evaluation of the efficiency of the vocal, articulation and respiratory organs during singing and playing wind instruments]. / Zastosowanie metody aerodynamicznej do oceny wydolnosci narzadu glosowego, artykulacyjnego i oddechowego w czasie spiewu oraz gry na instrumentach detych.

This paper discusses the application of the aerodynamic method for the estimation of the efficiency of the vocal articulation and respiratory organ during singing and playing wind instruments. An evaluation of the vocal and respiratory organ was carried out on the basis of an analysis and correlation between the following parameters: PV--phonation volume, MPT--maximum phonation/playing time, SP--subglottal/blowing pressure, MFR--mean flow rate, GR--glottal resistance, EP--expiratory power, W--work. Volume and airflow was measured by a pneumotachometr with an electronic spirometer. The application of a plethysmographic booth made it possible to carry out non-invasive, indirect measurements of the subglottal and blowing pressure. Changes of pressure during singing and playing were recorded in the form of an aerodynamogram curve. This curve was used to determine the maximum duration of sound. Other quantities were derived from a mathematical analysis.

[A study of the phenomenon of voice intonation: analysis, usage and diagnosis]. / Badanie zjawiska intonacji glosu--analiza, zastosowanie w diagnostyce.

The aim of this work was to study the average rise time (RT) and average flow rate (MRT) in utterance. Data were collected from 48 singers and 44 patients. The group of patients included cases of modulus vocale, polypus laryngis, paresis bilateralis, hemiparesis, and CA laryngis. Various characteristics of utterance were recorded synchronously: the frequency and intensity of the fundamental laryngeal tone were measured with a laryngophone, a microphone was used to monitor acoustic radiation from the mouth, and a pneumotrachometer was applied for the measurement of flow rate. The data were stored and analysed with the use of a computer. Results show that the analysis carried out in the study describes the distinctive characteristics of normal and pathologic utterance. The main findings are as follows: a) rise time (RT) decreases with increasing loudness and pitch of the sound and is also shorter in staccato than inlegato sounds; b) during the initial transient of staccato sounds, the average flow rate in the glottis increases with intensity and pitch of the sound; c) pre-fonation time (TPP) and air volume do not differentiate normal and pathologic utterance; d) in cases of voice pathology, the analysis of utterance described in this study can be used for the evaluation of therapy and rehabilitation.

Self-organizing algorithms for generalized eigen-decomposition.

We discuss a new approach to self-organization that leads to novel adaptive algorithms for generalized eigen-decomposition and its variance for a single-layer linear feedforward neural network. First, we derive two novel iterative algorithms for linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and generalized eigen-decomposition by utilizing a constrained least-mean-squared classification error cost function, and the framework of a two-layer linear heteroassociative network performing a one-of-m classification. By using the concept of deflation, we are able to find sequential versions of these algorithms which extract the LDA components and generalized eigenvectors in a decreasing order of significance. Next, two new adaptive algorithms are described to compute the principal generalized eigenvectors of two matrices (as well as LDA) from two sequences of random matrices. We give a rigorous convergence analysis of our adaptive algorithms by using stochastic approximation theory, and prove that our algorithms converge with probability one.

[Aeroacoustic and pneumotachometric studies in the evaluation of vicarious voice in laryngectomy patients]. / Badania aeroakustyczne i pneumotachometryczne w ocenie mowy zastepczej u chorych po laryngektomii.

The aim the study was showed some spirometric and aerodynamic parameters of the respiratory system and of vicarious voice at laryngectomized patients, which were performed in plethysmographic cabin and by using of pneumotachometer. Clinical material stated 20 laryngectomized men, aged 45-77 years, who were divided into two groups (by Pruszewicz): A-well or very well speaking and B-bad speaking. The obtained results showed that laryngectomized well or very well speaking made bigger work of the respiratory system during vicarious voice than bad speaking ones. The well and very well speaking patients used twice (in case of consonants) and three times (in case of vowels) the volume of oesophageal-throat's air greater than bad speaking patients. Aerodynamic examinations in plethysmographic cabin allows for monitoring of vicarious voice at laryngectomized after operation and qualification some of ones for voice prosthetization in the aim of voice amplification.

[Scribner's shunt as a first step in creation of a Brescia type fistula]. / Przetoka Scribnera jako pierwszy krok w dwuetapowym wytworzeniu zespolenia typu Brescia.

The aim of this paper is to present the advantages of performing a vascular access in two steps in uremic patients requiring urgent hemodialysis. In 15 patients age 28-68 yrs. (mean 50 yrs.) with end stage renal disease the Quinton-Scribner shunt linking radial artery with cephalic vein was placed on a forearm, and dialysis was started on the same day. After 18-35 days (mean 26 day) in 12 patients depending on efferent vein arterialization the second step operation of creating Cimino-Brescia fistula was performed on the same vessels. The fistula was immediately good for punction with standard needles. In 3 patients, due to low arterial output the vein condition did not allow for the second step operation. The results of our observations show an efficiency of the proposed method in establishing an acute and chronic vascular access which was as effective as routinely constructed shunts. Our patients avoided complications of central vein cannulation and the hospitalization period was shortened.

Increased sensitivity of the arterial chemoreceptor drive in young men with mild hypertension.

Ventilatory, airway occlusion pressure, arterial blood pressure and heart rate responses to isocapnic progressive hypoxia and to hypercapnia in high oxygen, both induced by a rebreathing method, were measured in 20 hypertensive male subjects aged 20 to 21 years with a diastolic blood pressure of 13.1 KPa +/- 0.34 SD (98 mmHg +/- 2.6 SD) and in 20 age-matched normotensive male subjects. Ventilatory, airway occlusion pressure and blood pressure response to hypoxia was significantly greater in the hypertensive subjects. Hypoxic ventilatory drive measured as the parameter A denoting the shape of the V1-O2 curve was 28.8 +/- 2.7 SEM (range 7.0 to 44.2) in the normotensive group and 116.1 +/- 10.5 SEM (range: 71.6 to 234.77) in the hypertensive group, the difference being highly significant (P less than 0.001). The magnitude of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) recorded during progressive hypoxia and plotted against either PA. O2 or VI values was significantly greater in the hypertensive group. The difference in ventilatory and circulatory responses to hyperoxic hypercapnia between the two groups of subjects was not significant. There was a significant correlation between the responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia in the normotensive subjects (r = 0.56, t = 2.861, P less than 0.01) but no correlation in the hypertensive subjects (r = 0.07). It is concluded that dissociation of the responsiveness of the peripheral and central chemosensitivity, the former being significantly increased and predominant, occurs in early, mild hypertension.