Search

ABSTRACT Purpose: To review the literature regarding prosodic acoustic features found in communicative attitudes related to confidence, certainty, and persuasion. Method: A systematic review was carried out in the databases VHL, Web of Science, Science Direct, SciELO, and SCOPUS with no temporal restriction. Data Extraction: The data from each article was extracted based on the STROBE Statement checklist. To analyze the prosodic variables, the data were subdivided according to Couper-Kuhlen’s (1986) theoretical assumptions, and the variables were grouped into “temporal organization of speech,” “intensity,” and “pitch”. Conclusion: The data suggested that there are relevant but not consensual variables to characterize a persuasive speech and some variables can be considered as positive, negative, or neutral in different language contexts. The variables that stand out as relevant and are characteristic of the persuasive or confidant speech were faster speech speed and higher intensity. The only negative variable that stood out regarding persuasion was the increase in pitch.

Le murature portanti realizzate con materiali lapidei naturali possono costituire una risorsa per la ricostruzione di aree devastate da eventi sismici nella misura in cui si chieda di recuperare,oltre ad una maggiore sicurezza antisismica, anche un’identità storico-tipologica e tecnologica del tessuto urbano, unitamente alla possibilità di rilanciare le attività edilizie artigianali delle economie locali, altrimenti tagliate fuori dal processo di ricostruzione spesso basato sull’importazione di tecniche costruttive avulse dal contesto in cui si affermano.Se da un lato l’emergenza impone l’uso di sistemi costruttivi a secco solitamente basati su legno e acciaio, che consentono in tempi rapidi di dare ricovero a persone e cose, appare tuttavia evidente chequeste, unitamente al cemento armato,non possono essere imposte come la soluzione valida ovunque e comunque per la ricostruzione di antichi borghi completamente distrutti,dei quali deve essere tramandata la memoria storica anche in base alle recenti direttive ministeriali. Nella memoria si indagano sinteticamente le tecnologie costruttive in muratura ammesse dalle normative antisismiche, alla luce del fatto chele stesse offrono interessanti prestazioni acustiche ed energetiche, grazie all’elevata massa ed inerzia termica, aspetti anch’essi oggetto di specifiche normative cogenti. --- Natural stone masonry is a fundamental resource for buildings reconstruction or renovation in areas devastated by seismic events, in order to recover the historical-typological identity of Central Italy urban landscape. As a matter of facts, this kind of building material,united with the new seismic safety technologies, allows to relaunch local handcrafts, otherwise cut off from the reconstruction process based on foreign constructive techniques. Whereas, on the one hand, emergency requires the use of wood and steel building systems or reinforced concrete, allowing rapid provision of shelter to people and things, it is evident, however, that it is not the ideal solution for a new concept of reconstruction of completely destroyed ancient villages and cultural heritages, also according to recent ministerial directives. In this paper, the building technology based on natural stone masonry, allowed by the seismic prevention regulations, are synthetically investigated in terms of both structural and technological properties, such as seismic safety, acoustic and energy performances, according to the recent building standards and regulations.

A sound in a real space (e.g. a street or a room) is studied by acousticians as the relationship between an anechoic signal and the reverberant sound field. We define ‘anechoic signal’ a signal representing the pressure variation emitted by the sound source, while the ‘reverberant field’ is a field representing the sum of all the sound reflections of the environment in which the sound exists, delayed in time due to the positions of the sound source and the listener. The auditory ability of detecting a sound and assigning it to a source depends both on the anechoic signal and the reverberant sound field. This relationship has been analysed in acoustic literature using the autocorrelation properties of the anechoic signals and objective metrics of the sound field, the last ones being the ‘room criteria’ described in ISO 3382. In this context, the ‘effective duration’ of the autocorrelation function (τe) has been proposed as key factor to ‘preferred’ values of several room criteria in relation to different kind of music signals. Relying on some similarities between the definition of ‘auditory objects’ and the sound detection in a reverberant space, this paper proposes the use of τe as a potential tool to study and catalogue auditory objects.

Leonardo da Vinci was an eclectic genius, skilled as a scientist and treatise, engineer and architect, painter and sculptor, designer and set designer, anatomist and botanist. He left traces confirming his interest in music, from sketches and projects of musical instruments to the declared qualities as an improviser, from the reasoning in the acoustic field to the aesthetic reflections asserted in the Treatise on Painting. In his manuscripts there is a rich correspondence dedicated to organology; the studies contained in the Madrid Code and in the Atlantic Code, are found alongside different materials and testify to Leonardo's passion and attention to the sound universe. The drawings that refer to organology have an enormous value and allow us to indicate Leonardo's immense skills in mechanics, and his great ability to use them for the design of musical instruments of all kinds. Certainly acoustics provided Leonardo with theoretical paradigms to understand the laws of nature and musical instruments gave him the opportunity to approach acoustic, technical and aesthetic problems. The vastness of his interests meant that the personification of genius was seen in him; Leonardo, artist-scientist, lived and trained in a given historical period, in contact in the Italian courts with various currents of thought, cannot be separated from the self-taught Leonardo, initiator of modern science and technology, who continues to fascinate and surprise a vast and heterogeneous public, academic and otherwise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O presente estudo fundamenta-se na necessidade de compreensão de mecanismos compensatórios usados por indivíduos portadores de alterações da qualidade vocal (disfonias). O objetivo foi investigar amostras de vozes com alterações da qualidade vocal por procedimentos perceptivo-auditivos (qualidade vocal e reconhecimento de fala), acústicos (análise de curto e de longo termo) e fisiológicos (eletroglotografia-EGG, videolaringoestroboscopia e videoquimografia). Do ponto de vista perceptivo-auditivo, foi destacada a validade do uso de roteiro com embasamento fonético e de teste de reconhecimento de fala. Algumas dimensões perceptivas mostraram correlações, as quais encontram respaldo nas descrições acústicas e fisiológicas. Os resultados acústicos indicaram a relevância dos eventos de longo termo e sua correspondência àqueles de curto termo. Dados de EGG revelaram correspondência aos resultados do exame otorrinolaringológico. Os resultados evidenciam a multiplicidade de manifestações clínicas descritas sob a terminologia "disfonia", de forma a revelar as correlações entre os planos perceptivo, acústico e fisiológico da qualidade vocal.This study departs from the necessity of understanding compensatory mechanisms used by dysphonic individuals. The objective was to investigate dysphonic voices by taking into account acoustic analysis (long and short term analysis), physiological examination (electroglottography - EGG, laryngeal endoscopy, videostroboscopy and videokymography) and perceptual evaluation (voice quality and speech recognition) procedures. From the perceptual point of view, both the usefulness of the phonetically oriented vocal profile and the speech recognition task have been validated. Some perceptual dimensions correlated to each other, with correspondences to acoustical and physiological descriptions. From the acoustic point of view results indicated the relevance of long - term events and their correspondence to those of short term. Data from EGG showed correspondence to the results of otolarygologic examination. The results favors focus on the multiple clinical manifestations related to dysphonia so as to instruct rehabilitation practices in clinical settings, based on acoustic-to articulatory and perceptual correlates.

The author of the following publication, aware of the shortage of specific literature concerning links between acoustics, architecture and building’s design, sets himself an aim: to depict general problems relevant to architect design of sacred interior reflecting acoustic qualities of each room and to convey useful and basic knowledge to architects, acousticians and clerics referring to the church’s building stage. In the following thesis the most important factors of church’s interior acoustic design are shown because through centuries the discipline caused numerous problems, being difficult to research, recount and neglected. Additional ideas of using natural acoustics of different sacred objects or electro acoustic equipment cause that the following subject area can be adapted in houses of prayer built throughout the years. Therefore the subject of the following article seems to be vitally important and up-to-date because it refers to a specialized field of knowledge of which thorough cognoscence broadens versatility and workshops of the architects, acousticians and clerics, not without influence upon high quality results.

The process of medical-healthcare technological revolution represents an advantage for the patient and for the care provider, in terms of costs and distances reduction. The telehomecare approach could be useful for monitoring the swallowing disorder in neurodegenerative diseases, preventing complications. In this study the applicability of telemedicine techniques for the monitoring of swallowing function, in patients affected by Huntington's disease (HD), was evaluated through the acquisition and analysis of the sound of swallowing. Two patients with HD were outpatient screened for dysphagia through the Bedside Swallowing Assessment Scale (BSAS) sensitized with pulse oximetry and cervical auscultation. Subsequently, the swallowing functionality was telemonitored for three months with Skype. The swallowing sounds were acquired with a detection microphone attached to the lateral edge of the trachea during fluid intake. The sounds were instantly processed and graphically represented through the Praat software. The analysis of the acoustic signal acquired remotely has made it possible to identify the situations that required immediate speech therapy intervention, suggesting to the patients further modifications of food consistencies, and saving frequent moving to the hospital even in the absence of critical situations. Remote assistance applied to speech therapy could represent a benefit for patients and their carers and a more efficient use of medical and health resources.

Background: The authors studied exposure to the noise generated by digital music listening devices (MP3) as used by young people., Objectives: to study the level of sound emission of some of these devices at 100%, 75% and 50% volume., Methods: Using a mannequin, the LeqA, LmaxA, LeqC and the peak in C of nine of the most commonly used devices was measured at levels of sound emission of 100%, 75% and 50%., Results: It was found that all the devices exceeded 100 dBA of Leq at 100% of the listening volume. We therefore estimated the Lex8, as recommended in Italian Law 195/06, to which these young people are exposed using the devices for 15, 30, and 60 minutes/day., Conclusions: Young people undergoing daily exposures for only 15 minutes at maximal listening volume exceed the limit value of daily occupational exposure for workers, which Law 195/06 fixes at 87 dBA.

Background: The problem of the assessment of noise annoyance in the workplace has long been a topic of discussion. Several studies led to the definition of a set of descriptors suitable to describe noise in the workplace and its effects in terms of annoyance of the subjects exposed., Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyse the performance of different indices in terms of correlation with subjective sensation, taking into account those indices which combine both the intensity and the spectral quality of noise., Method: A noise survey was carried out in ten ofice buildings, covering 85 rooms. Objective measurements of environmental noise were made together with subjective evaluations collected through questionnaires. Subjective ratings were then averaged and correlated with objective parameters. Linear regression analyses were performed in order to assess the reliability of objective noise indices., Results: The most important sources of noise were face-to-face and telephone conversations. All spectra had excess high frequency content. Regression analysis showed that under these conditions most noise indics provide a reliable prediction of subjective annoyance. However, the best performing parameter was the A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level followed by the Combined Noise Index which combines noise intensity and its spectral quality.

Purpose: We report our experience with the use of US and CT in postoperative complications of inguinal hernioplasty using a prosthetic polypropylene mesh., Materials and Methods: This study was divided into two parts. In the first we evaluated the in-vitro sonographic and CT appearance of a fragment of prosthetic mesh. In the second, we retrospectively reviewed the imaging findings in 31 patients (aged 42 to 75 years) examined after inguinal hernia repair between December 2000 and December 2002. Seventeen hernias had been repaired with a laparoscopic approach, and the others with the anterior tension-free technique proposed by Lichtenstein (12 cases) and Trabucco (2 cases). Sonography was performed to assess suspected complications between the second and the fourth postoperative day. Both high-resolution 7.5-10 MHz linear transducers and a 3.5 MHz convex probe were employed to ensure complete evaluation of superficial and deep structures. Eight obese patients also underwent CT for confirmation of the US results., Results: At sonography the prosthetic mesh appeared as a linear hyperechoic image measuring about 2 mm in thickness, with posterior acoustic shadow and a finely irregular surface. Only one of the 17 patients examined after laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty had a seroma; in the other 14 repaired with the anterior tension-free technique we identified 2 abscesses, 3 seromas, 2 "foldings" of the prosthetic mesh, and 2 mesh displacements with associated recurrence of hernia. CT confirmed the US results as to the presence of fluid collections, and visualised the prosthetic mesh in only 2/8 cases., Conclusions: Sonography is a useful means of assessing postoperative changes in laparoscopic and in anterior tension-free hernia repair. It can differentiate these complications from recurrences of hernia. Colour-Doppler US can also correctly detect normal blood flow of the testes. Sonography is the only technique that can easily demonstrate the prosthetic mesh in the abdominal wall.

The second harmonic signals received from organs are due to the non linear properties of tissue which cause distortion of the transmitted signal and are not primarily caused by the transmission of a harmonic frequency. The velocity of ultrasound propagation depends on the density of the insonified material. During the compression phase, the tissue becomes denser, and the ultrasound waves travel faster through the tissue than during the rarefaction phase; the compression phase tends to overtake the rarefaction phase. The ultrasound waveform thus, undergoes a distortion that becomes greater as the distance from the transducer increases. Due to these effects, the tissue tends to generate harmonics and hence shifts energy from the fundamental to the harmonic bands. There are several reasons why harmonic tissue imaging increases the signal-to-noise ratio and facilitates interpretation. In technically difficult patients, there is often a diffuse haze due to distortion of the transmitted beam by shallow surface layers or to reverberations between the skin and ribs. These distortions and reverberations consist almost entirely of ultrasound energy at the fundamental frequency. When the returned signal is filtered at the harmonic so as to reject the fundamental frequency, the clutter and haze are removed and the image becomes more clear and defined. A further reason for the decrease in artifacts and clutter is the side-lobe level reduction in the second harmonic beam. Thus, harmonic beams are narrower and have lower side-lobe levels than fundamental ones. There are several clinical applications of harmonic tissue imaging. These include the correct definition of endocardial borders resulting in an improved assessment of left ventricular function at rest as well as during stress testing, the delineation of the left atrial appendage, the detection of atrial right to left shunting, and left atrial spontaneous echo contrast. Moreover, improved endocardial visualization leads to better endocardial tracking with acoustic quantification and to more segments being interpretable with the anatomic M-mode.

Acoustic Rhinometry is a rhinological test essential to evaluate nasal fossae geometry. The test requires that the patient be positioned so that a 120 degrees angle is formed between the nasal adapter and the floor of the nasal fossa. The use of a craniostat ensures that the patient is actually in this condition and that the position remains unvaried throughout subsequent tests. The purpose of the present study has been to evaluate the reproducibility and reliability of craniostat-aided acoustic rhinometry in routine clinical practice. A total of 33 patients with hypertrophy of the lower turbinates were enrolled in the study. Rhinometry was performed in the basal conditions and after decongestion with a vasoconstrictor spray. Statistical analysis was performed on the sampling and showed that acoustic rhinometry performed with the craniostat was more reproducible and more reliable than those readings taken without the aid of the craniostat.

The authors report a study of 60 subjects with mono or bilateral nasal obstruction of different etiologies (30 vasomotor rhinopathy, 30 septum deviations) evaluating the decongestion action of a vasoconstrictor. This substance for topic use was administered in pill form both in association with and without different balsamic substances. The patients underwent subjective evaluation using a visual analogy scale (VAS) and an objective test such as active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR) and acustic rhinometry (AR). All evaluations were performed under basal conditions and after the nasal decongestion test (NDT). The results were processed in order to evaluate: a) relationships between the subjective results (VAS) and the objective instrumental tests (AAR and AR); b) the mechanism by which the balsamic substances affect the symptoms. The purpose was to evaluate exactly how important balsamic substances are in topic vasoconstrictor preparations. Finally, an attempt was made to confirm the importance of the nasal decongestion test to provide a concise diagnostic picture and a suitable medical or surgical approach to "nasal obstruction" symptoms. Among other things, the results underline the importance of objective methods; thanks to their reliability they now provide an essential support in the surgical indications and in following-up every nasal obstruction treatment, even as regards forensic medicine. From a strictly pharmacological point of view, whether associated with balsamic substances or not, vasoconstrictors give similar results with all evaluation methods. On the other hand, the balsamic action is limited to a subjective sensation of increased nasal air flow stemming from the stimulation of cutaneous thermoreceptors in the vestibule. Although this sensation does not correspond to an objective reduction in nasal resistance, it cannot be neglected in the treatment of obstructive symptoms where the psychological component can play an important role.

The evolution of an idiolect and the acquisition of speech patterns are discussed. The need to examine speech disturbances with a view to the adoption of more suitable rehabilitation techniques is emphasised.

A brief historical and critical analysis of psycholinguistics is followed by the assertion that the claim of relevance, which has divided psychologists and linguists for so many years, and the conflicts between the different approaches to research evident in the anthropopsycholinguistic sciences reveal the lack of a single, interdisciplinary approach on the part of psycholinguistic research. Attention is also directed to certain fundamental aspects of psycholinguistics, such as: the psychological problems of translation, linguistic apprenticeship, and the psychological analysis of style.