Vocal fold hydration is important for efficient oscillation during voice production. Dehydration of the vocal fold surface is believed to produce adverse effects on the voice. Specifically, low environmental humidity, mouth breathing, and certain medical conditions may contribute to laryngeal and vocal fold dehydration. This dehydration effect may be quantified using the observed pressure and flow at the onset of phonation, operationally defined as phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and phonation threshold flow (PTF), respectively. Previous research has documented that nebulized isotonic saline (0.9% Na+Cl-) can reduce PTP. Additionally, the topical application of liquid saline increases vocal fold hydration in excised larynx studies. However, no studies have examined the prevention of vocal fold dehydration using aerosolized saline in an excised larynx mechanical model. The purpose of the current investigation was to determine the preventive effects of aerosolized isotonic saline in a physiologically realistic excised larynx model. Using a prospective, mixed experimental design with a control group, five bench-mounted, excised porcine larynges received 4-min doses of aerosolized saline delivered supraglottally for a total of 24 min. Subsequently, larynges received 1-min doses of desiccated air (<1% relative humidity) delivered supraglottally. A control group of five porcine larynges received only desiccated air. Phonation was attempted following each dose of aerosolized saline or desiccated air. The desiccation doses were repeated for both groups until the larynges were no longer able to phonate. The PTP and PTF were measured at baseline and following each dose of aerosolized saline or desiccated air. Analysis of the results indicated that aerosolized saline significantly delayed the adverse effects of vocal fold dehydration based on the total number of desiccation doses required to cease phonation for experimental versus control groups (p = .002). Trends demonstrated that PTP decreased after aerosolized saline and increased during desiccation trials. The PTF trends were similar during desiccation. The results from this study indicate that aerosolized saline may be used prophylactically to prevent vocal fold dehydration. These findings offer important advances in vocal fold hydration theory and dehydration prevention in a physiologically realistic excised mechanical model.

Fault and top seal effectiveness has proved to be a significant risk in exploration success, and creates a large uncertainty in predicting reservoir performance. This is particularly true in the Australian context, but equally applies to exploration provinces worldwide. Seals can be broadly classified into fault, intraformational, and top seal. For geological time-scale processes, intraformational and top seals are typically characterised by their membrane seal capacity and fracture threshold pressure. Fault seals are typically characterised by fault geometry, juxtaposition, membrane seal capacity, and reactivation potential. At the production time scale, subtle variations in the permeability distribution within a reservoir can lead to compartmentalization. These are typically characterised by dynamic reservoir models which assume hydrostatic conditions prior to commencement of production. There are few references in the seals literature concerning the integration of hydrodynamic techniques with the various aspects of seal evaluation. The research for this PhD thesis by published papers includes: Methodology for characterising formation water flow systems in faulted strata at exploration and production time scales; a new theory of hydrodynamics and membrane (capillary) seal capacity; and case study evaluations demonstrating integrated multidisciplinary techniques for the evaluation of seal capacity (fault, intraformational and top seal) that demonstrate the new theory in practice. By incorporating hydrodynamic processes in the evaluation of total seal capacity, the evidence shows that existing shale gouge ratio – across fault pressure difference (SGR-AFPD) calibration plots need adjustment resulting in the calibration envelopes shifting to the centre of the plot. / This adjustment sharpens the predictive capacity for membrane seal analysis in the pre-drill scenario. This PhD thesis presents the background and rationale for the thesis topic, presents each published paper to be included as part of the thesis and its contribution to the body of work addressing the thesis topic, and presents related published papers that are not included in the thesis but which support the body of published work on the thesis topic. The result of the thesis is a new theory and approach to characterising membrane seal capacity for the total seal thickness, and has implications for an adjusted SGR-AFPD calibration to be applied in pre-drill evaluations of seal capacity. A large portion of the resources and data required to conduct the research were made available by CSIRO and its associated project sponsors including the CO2CRC.

No description available.

Previous studies have found vocal fold hydration to be crucial for healthy function of the vocal mechanism. Surface tissue hydration facilitates efficient vocal fold oscillation. The composition of vocal fold surface fluid includes protective water and mucus layers, similar to the fluid that covers the mucosa and epithelia of the upper airway. Laryngeal dehydration has been linked to several factors such as mouth breathing, obstructive sleep apnea, dry air exposure, upper airway hypersensitivity, and certain diseases or behavioral voice use factors. Laryngeal dehydration affects phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and phonation threshold flow (PTF), defined as the pressure and flow observed at the onset of phonation, respectively. The application of topical nebulized isotonic saline (0.9% Na+Cl-) has been shown in previous work to decrease PTP. However, there are no studies examining the effects of aerosolized saline, administered supraglottally, on dehydrated excised porcine larynges. Examining the effects of aerosolized saline in an excised model is essential to determine any independent effects of this treatment in the absence of other physiologic mechanisms such as mucus secretion. This study sought to investigate the effects of aerosolized saline on dehydrated animal vocal folds to determine if the administration of supraglottic aerosolized saline, via a nebulizer, could reverse the adverse effects of laryngeal dehydration. The study included a prospective, mixed experimental design with two groups, one desiccation/aerosolization (A/B) group and a control (A) group, each comprised of five bench-mounted porcine larynges. Larynges in both groups received desiccated air (<1% relative humidity) supraglottally via custom tubing for 1-min doses until the vocal folds ceased audible phonation. Following the desiccation challenge, the A/B group received 2-min doses of aerosolized isotonic saline until phonation began again. The PTP and PTF were measured during phonation trials following each dose of the desiccation or aerosolization treatment. Significant changes in PTP and PTF were observed following both the dehydration and aerosolization treatment. The PTP increased significantly following the dehydration challenge and returned near baseline following the aerosolization treatment. The results of this investigation supported the hypothesis that the administration of aerosolized saline may reverse the adverse effects of vocal fold dehydration. Moreover, in a more physiologically realistic excised model, applying the mechanics of respiration, this study advanced the development of innovative theories related to the reversal of the adverse effects of dehydration, which may prevent the development of voice disorders.

Although combination inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) are known to cause voice disorders in otherwise vocally healthy individuals, it is unknown whether those adverse effects can be reversed by the cessation of treatment. Quantitative aerodynamic measures such as phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and phonation threshold flow (PTF) can be used to identify the development of, and recovery from, vocal pathologies. We examined the effects and reversibility of ICs on laryngeal aerodynamics. This study was a mid-project investigation as part of a larger ongoing project. The 18 larynges were from rabbits that received ICs, a control condition, or no treatment. Experimental group rabbits received ICs twice per day until inflammatory changes (e.g., erythema, edema) became visible through endoscopic observation. One experimental group (i.e., the induction group) received treatment until symptoms were observed and then larynges were harvested. The other experimental group (i.e., the reversibility group) had ICs withdrawn once visible changes were detected via endoscopy; larynges were harvested only after these changes no longer differed from baseline. Both experimental groups had corresponding control rabbits that received twice-daily nebulized saline and followed the same withdrawal and larynx harvest schedule. A final group received no treatment. During benchtop phonation trials, PTP and PTF values were determined. All data were analyzed using descriptive and parametric statistics. No significant between-group differences were observed. Descriptively, however, average PTP and PTF values for the reversibility group were lower than the induction group. Additionally, average PTP and PTF values for the reversibility group were slightly lower than the induction group. Both experimental groups had higher PTP and PTF values than the control larynges. The results of this study indicate a trend in recovery for larynges afforded a recovery period from ICs. Further testing is needed to substantiate these preliminary findings.

No description available.

Dans la rééducation selon la Méthode de la paille, on utilise des constrictions du tractus vocal, en particulier une paille (2 à 5mm de diamètre). Le débit de sortie doit être soutenu et indépendant de la fréquence. Chez un sujet expert :- PSG, PIO et débit de sortie dépendent du diamètre de la paille- PSG augmente avec la fréquence- débit et PIO sont peu sensibles à la fréquence- la différence [PSG - PIO] (ΔP) est indépendante du diamètre de la paille- le ΔP est identique au seuil de pression phonatoire (SPP) - sur les constrictives (/z/, /ʁ/ et /ʒ/), le ΔP est au-dessus du SPP- dans les enchaînements [constrictive - voyelle], le débit reste constant et la pression sousglottique baisse modérémentSur une population de 36 adultes sains, la valeur la plus basse du SPP se trouve au fondamental usuel de la voix.Sur une population de 22 sujets, les SPP s'abaissent avec la pratique des exercices. Les examens en fibro- et radiovidéoscopie, pendant et après les exercices montrent que :- les cavités sus-glottiques sont dilatées pendant et après l'exercice- la constriction glottique augmente avec la résistance à la sortie- le plan glottique s'élève légèrement avec la fréquenceDix instrumentistes à vent ont été examinés en fibrovidéoscopie : il y a une adduction des plis vocaux pendant le jeu et une importante activité synergique de la glotte sur le jeu en détaché. Les perspectives dégagées par ce travail intéressent :- la clinique, dans l'exploration des troubles de la voix.- la rééducation et la pédagogie- la phonétique (étude des interactions pavillon - source) / The reeducation according to the Methode of the straw using constrictions of the vocal tract, in particular a straw (2 in 5mm of diameter). The release flow must be steady and independent from the frequency. At a subject expert in the method: - PSG, PIO and release flow) depend on the diameter of the straw- PSG increases with the frequency- flow and PIO seem little perceptible to the variations of frequency- the difference [PSG - PIO] (ΔP) is independent from the diameter of the straw- the ΔP value is identical to the SPP - on the constrictive (/z/, /ʁ/ et /ʒ/) the ΔP is over the SPP- in the sequences [constrictive - vowel], the flow remains constant and the subglottal pressure falls moderatelyOn a population of 36 healthy adults, the lowest value of the SPP being in fundamental usual of the voice. On a population of 22 subjects, the SPP fall with the practice of the exercises. The examines with fibro- and radiovideoscopia during and after the execution of the exercises show that: - the supraglottal cavities are dilated during and after the exercise- the glottal constriction increases with the release resistance- the glottal plan rise slightly with the frequencyTen wind instrumentalists were examined with fibrovideoscopia: there is a adduction of the vocal folds during the play and an important synergic activity of the glottis during the staccato play.The perspectives cleared by this work could interest:- the clinical exploration of the voice disorders- the voice rehabilitation and pedagogy- the phonetic (study of the interactions [ tract - glottal source])

<p>Uvod: Radikulopatija je obično praćena bolovima i drugim senzornim i motornim poremećajima, uz smanjenje kvaliteta života u različitom obimu. Algometrija kao visokosenzitivna metoda pruža objektivan uvid u stepen bola, dok se upotrebom upitnika na jednostavan način mogu proceniti karakteristike bola i biopsihosocijalni status pacijenta. Cilj: Istraživanje je sprovedeno kako bi se izmerili prag bola i prag tolerancije na bol kod pacijenata sa cervikalnom i lumbalnom radikulopatijom i utvrdila moguća povezanost bola sa biopsihosocijalnim faktorima. Materijal i metode: Studijom je pre započinjanja i posle zavr&scaron;avanja terapijskog ciklusa ispitano 60 pacijenata sa dijagnostikovanom cervikalnom radikulopatijom (30 mu&scaron;karaca i 30 žena) i 60 pacijenata sa dijagnostikovanom lumbalnom radikulopatijom (30 mu&scaron;karaca i 30 žena). Svi pacijenti su bili hospitalno lečeni u okviru Klinike za medicinsku rehabilitaciju, Kliničkog centra Vojvodine u Novom Sadu, a terapijski ciklus je u proseku trajao 14-21 dan. U istraživanju su kori&scaron;ćenitest za detekciju bola (Pain Detect Test), kratki upitnik o bolu (Brief Pain Inventory), indeks onesposobljenosti zbog bolova u vratu (Neck Disability Index), Kvebekova skala onesposobljenosti kod lumbalnog sindroma (Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale), bolnička skala za anksioznost i depresiju (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), upitnik za procenu prisustva straha od fizičke aktivnosti/posla i njihovog izbegavanja (The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire)&nbsp; i skala katastrofizma bola (Pain Catastrophizing Scale). Rezultati: Nije uočena statistički značajna razlika algometrijskih vrednosti između pacijenata sa cervikalnom radikulopatijom i pacijenata sa lumbalnom radikulopatijom. Ustanovljeno je da osobe ženskog pola imaju niži prag bola i nižu toleranciju na bol od osoba mu&scaron;kog pola. Poređenjem algometrijskih vrednosti pre započinjanja i posle zavr&scaron;avanja terapijskog ciklusa zapaža se da je program rehabilitacije povoljno uticao na pacijente sa lumbalnom radikulopatijom, dok je kod pacijenata sa cervikalnom radikulopatijom do&scaron;lo do pogor&scaron;anja tegoba. Prisutna je negativna korelacija između vrednosti izmerenih algometrom i skorova za anksioznost, depresiju i strah od fizičke aktivnost i posla, &scaron;to znači da biopsihosocijalni faktori u velikoj meri utiču na bolnost. Zaključci: Kvantifikovanje i mapiranje bola uz pomoć algometra i utvrđivanje biopsihosocijalnog statusa putem upitnika će omogućiti primenu adekvatne terapije kod pacijenata, koja je zasnovana na individualnom pristupu. Istovremeno bi primenjenom metodologijom bila postignuta bolja verifikacija rezultata rehabilitacionog programa.</p> / <p>Introduction: Radiculopathy is usually accompained by pain and other sensory and motor disorders, with reducing the quality of life in different extent. Algometry as a highly sensitive method provides objective insight into the degree of pain, while the use of questionnaires in a simple way can estimate the characteristics of pain and the patient&#39;s biopsychosocial status. Objective: The study was conducted in order to measure the pressure pain threshold and pressure pain tolerance threshold in patients with cervical and lumbar radiculopathy and found a possible association of pain with the biopsychosocial factors. Materials and methods: The study examined 60 patients with cervical radiculopathy (30 men and 30 women) and 60 patients with lumbar radiculopathy (30 men and 30 women) before starting and after finishing treatment cycle. All patients were hospitalized in the Clinic for Medical Rehabilitation, Clinical Center of Vojvodina in Novi Sad, and a treatment cycle lasted an average of 14-21 days. Research was conducted using Pain Detect Test, Brief Pain Inventory, Neck Disability Index, Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Results: There was no statisticallly significant difference in algometric values between patients with cervical radiculopathy and patients with lumbar radiculopathy. It was found that females have a lower pressure pain threshold and lower tolerance to pain than males. Comparing algometric values before starting and after finishing treatment cycle can be noted that the program of rehabilitation favorable influence on patients with lumbar radiculopathy, while in patients with cervical radiculopathy occured deterioration in subjective symptoms. There is a negative correlation between values measured by algometer and scores for anxiety, depression and fear of physical activity and work, which means that biopsychosocial factors greatly affect the pain. Conclusions: Quantification and mapping the pain by algometer and determination of biopsychosocial status through questionnaires will provide the implementation of appropriate therapy for patients, which is based on individual approach. At the same time, the applied methodology would be achieved better verification of the results in rehabilitation program.</p>

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Earth Science) / The syn-rift succession encompasses the primary exploration target in the southern Pletmos Basin. Several fault-bounded structural traps that contain gas accumulations have been discovered within this succession. Likewise, ubiquitous residual gas shows have been encountered in most drilled wells. Yet, the impact of faults on fluid flow is poorly understood. Therefore, this study aspires to predict, and where possible, quantify fault seal integrity and sealing capacities of some of the major prospect-bounding faults. A multi-disciplinary research strategy was employed in order to fulfil the study objectives. Fault mapping and geo-cellular modelling using geostatistical algorithms were undertaken to provide the basic geometric and structural input for more advanced fault seal analysis applications. Juxtaposition analysis was carried out to identify zones with a high probability to seal (or leak) and as the first-order tool for predicting fault seal potential. Threshold pressures, hydrocarbon column heights, cross-fault permeability and transmissibility were used to estimate the sealing capacities of the faults. In addition to juxtaposition and customary fault-rock properties, the study also analysed parameters that can be deemed to be representative of cross-fault fluid flow (i.e. effective cross-fault permeability and transmissibility; ECFP and ECFT). Finally, modelling of the geo-history facilitated the validation of the properties that underpinned fault seal analysis studies. The Ga-Q and proposed Ga-K prospects along with their main bounding faults formed the foci of the fault seal analysis results. The analysed faults showed excellent initial sealing potential due to either favourable juxtaposition or shale gouge development. Nonetheless, predicted hydrocarbon column heights and threshold pressures were low suggesting that the seal integrity of the analysed faults is predisposed to failure. In addition, high predicted fault permeability and transmissibility values signify the presence of open and permeable fracture networks within the fault zones. Thus, it is proposed that the faults are very likely to have leaked during hydrocarbon migration and filling of traps resulting in empty or under-filled hydrocarbon reservoirs.