ABSTRACTS BSc – Basic Science | M – Medical | SLP – Speech-Language Pathology | W – Workshop BSc1 Changes in Vibrato Rate, Vibrato Extent, and Vibrato Jitter in Soprano Voices in Response to Changes in Mouth Opening: A Pilot Study Objective: To determine the relationship between vibrato rate, vibrato extent, and vibrato jitter of the [a] and [o] vowels and the degree of mouth opening in soprano voices. Methods: Using the vocal fry method described by Miller, formant frequencies of the [a] and [o] vowels were obtained from 13 collegiate sopranos. Subjects were then recorded as they sang 3 trials of sustaining the [a] vowel for 5 seconds “with their best classical production and habitual mouth opening” on A440. A sound level meter was used to track SPL during all recordings. This process was repeated using the [a] vowel with a narrow (1.5 cm) mouth opening at the mid-point of the mouth, and with a large (4 cm) mouth opening. The entire procedure was repeated using the [o] vowel. Formant frequencies, vibrato rate, vibrato extent, and vibrato jitter for each vowel and each singer were determined using VoceVista 3.4.3b. Results: Paired sample t-tests indicate that in the majority of cases there was a minimal influence of mouth opening on vibrato extent, rate, and jitter. However, there was a significant difference in vibrato extent between the habitual and wider mouth openings for the [a] vowel. Testing of changes in intensity vibrato as a result of mouth opening variation is ongoing. Conclusion: The effect that mouth opening has on the vibrato extent, rate, and jitter on these vowels in the soprano voice may be minimal, but further exploration of other voice types and vowels is warranted. This pilot study tested a protocol which can be applied to other voice types and vowels in the future. Key words: vibrato, mouth opening, jitter, rate, amplitude, extent Paul M. Patinka MM, Adjunct Faculty, Lone Star College-Montgomery, Graduate Student, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA, (607) 431-3077, [email protected] John Nix MM, MME, Professor of Voice and Voice Pedagogy, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA, (210) 458-5678; [email protected] BSc2 Assessment of Vocal Fold Elongation by Diffusion Tensor Imaging Objective：To analyze the diffusion direction and the fractional anisotropy (FA) of water molecules under different degrees of vocal fold elongation and discuss the value of the diffusion tensor imaging method in evaluating the effects of varying vocal fold tension. Methods: Vocal folds were elongated to 0%, 10%, and 20% in each excised canine larynx. Images of all vocal fold samples under the different elongation degrees were collected using a Bruker BioSpec 9.4T animal MRI system, and the Diffusion Trace and FA were calculated for each sample. The results were compared using a one-way ANOVA to test for significance. Results: In the lamina propria of the vocal folds, there was a significant difference in Diffusion Trace between the 0% and 20% elongation degrees (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Diffusion Trace between the 0% and 10%, and 10% and 20% elongation degrees (P>0.05). There were significant differences in FA between all three elongation levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: The diffusion tensor imaging MR parameters are effective parameters to measure the structural changes of the vocal folds under different degrees of elongation. Peiyun Zhuang, MD, MS, Professor, Dept. of Otolaryngology, Xiamen University, Zhongshan Hospital, No 201, Hubin South Road, Fujian, P.R. China, +861300398989, [email protected] Jie Cai, MD, MS, student, [email protected] Liu Ting, PhD, Professor BSc3 Effect of Ventricular Folds on Vocalization Fundamental Frequency in Domestic Pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) This study investigates the effect of the ventricular folds on fundamental frequency (fo) in the voice production of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus). The larynges of six subadult pigs were phonated ex vivo in two preparation stages, with the ventricular folds present (PS1) and removed (PS2). Vocal fold resonances were tested with a laser vibrometer, and a four-mass computational model was created. Highly significant fo differences were found between PS1 and PS2 (means at 93.7 Hz and 409.3 Hz, respectively). Two tissue resonances were found at 115 Hz and 250–290 Hz. The computational model had unique solutions for abducted and adducted ventricular folds at about 150 Hz and 400 Hz, roughly matching the fo measured ex vivo for PS1 and PS2. The differing fo encountered across preparation stages PS1 and PS2 is explained by distinct activation of either a high or a low eigenfrequency mode, depending on the engagement of the ventricular folds. The inability of the investigated larynges to vibrate at frequencies below 250 Hz in PS2 suggests that in vivo low-frequency calls of domestic pigs (pre-eminently grunts) are likely produced with engaged ventricular folds. Allometric comparison suggests that the special “double oscillator” has evolved to prevent signaling disadvantages. Acknowledgements: This work has been supported by an APART grant from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (to CTH). Partial support was given by a “Research Units for Exploring Future Horizons” grant, awarded to CTH by Kyoto University. MG was supported by a post-doctoral study grant from the Fyssen Foundation. Further support came from “Grant-in-Aid for Scientifc Research” No. 16H04848 (to TN and IT) and No. JP17H06380 (to TN), both from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). Christian T. Herbst, Mag. art., Ph.D., Affiliated post-doctoral researcher, Bioacoustics Laboratory, Department of Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria, +43 660 6675792, [email protected] Takeshi Nishimura, PhD, Associate Professor, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi 484-8506, Japan, +81-568-63-0534, [email protected] Maxime Garcia, PhD, Post-doctoral researcher, Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland, +33 782 251 290, [email protected] Kishin Migimatsu, Student. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan, +81-77-561-2832, [email protected] Isao Tokuda, PhD, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan, +81-77-561-2832, [email protected] BSc4 Comparing Manufacturers and Measured Response Curves for Studio Microphones Voice quality is regarded as a prime factor in commercial recordings, but it is obviously influenced by the response curve of the recording microphone. Here we explored the agreement between the response curves provided by the manufacturers with those measured. A female singer, professionally performing in the pop music style, sang an 87 sec long excerpt of a song fifteen times in a professional recording studio. The song was simultaneously picked up by six studio microphones typically used for recording singing plus a measurement microphone as reference (Earthworks SR30). The microphones were placed in two arrangements. One of the microphone arrangements was used in two distances from the singer. The 105 recordings (7 microphones, 5 takes, 2 arrangements, one of which was used in two distances) thus obtained were analyzed in terms of long-term-average spectra (LTAS) with a 1024 point FFT, frequency range 150 Hz – 20 000 Hz. The standard deviation for the mean of the 15 LTAS recorded with the reference microphone was 1.3 dB. This shows that the singer accurately replicated her performance of the song. For each microphone, all 15 LTAS curves were averaged and subtracted from the corresponding average of the reference microphone. The difference thus obtained showed the true frequency curves of the tested studio microphones. In some cases and at some frequencies these curves deviated between +5 and -7dB from the manufacturer’s response curves. The results indicate that microphone response curves provided by manufacturers may have a limited accuracy, confirming that careful listening to the voice quality obtained with a given microphone should be decisive. Katri A Keskinen, Master of Music, Voice teacher, Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts, Helsinki, Finland, +358503263326, [email protected] Olli Erik Keskinen, Bachelor of Music, Audio DSP Engineer, Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts, Helsinki, Finland, +358505371177, [email protected] Johan Sundberg, PhD, Department of Speech Music Hearing, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, KTH, Stockholm and University College of Music Education Stockholm, +4687907873, [email protected] Johan Stark, researcher, Department of Linguistics, Stockholm University, +468162330, [email protected] Peter Branderud, researcher, Department of Linguistics, Stockholm University, +468161248, [email protected] BSc5 Cricoid – Thyroid – Approximation in Gender-Dysphoria (Transwomen) with Type A Cricothyroid Joint: An Outcome Study Objective: Cricoid-Thyroid-Approximation (CTA) is a well-known surgical technique to elevate the pitch in Transwomen. The type of the Cricothyroid Joint (CTJ) directly influences the outcome of the pitch elevation which type A having the best outcome. Aim of this study was to analyse the stability of the pitch level of type A CTJ over a long period. Methods/design: Between 2009 and 2018, 22 patients were treated with a CTA. In order to evaluate the CTJ type (type A vs type B/C) a pre- and postoperative HRCT scan was performed in all patients. Preoperatively, all patients underwent speech therapy. Middle speaking level (MSL) was measured before and after speech therapy, and, in addition, pre- and postoperatively (2 days, 30 days, 6 months and annually post-op). Results: The mean of the MSLs before speech therapy was 117Hz (100-130Hz, SD 8Hz), 134Hz (110-160Hz, SD 13Hz) preoperatively, 206Hz (160-360Hz, SD 40Hz) postoperatively (2d, 30d, 6 month, 1 year), after 2years and 5 years in mean 210Hz (190-240Hz).