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The vocal folds are an essential component of human speech production and communication. Advancements in voice research allow for improved voice disorder treatments. Since in vivo analysis of vocal fold function is limited, models have been developed to simulate vocal fold motion. In this research, synthetic and computational vocal fold models were used to investigate various aspects of vocal fold vibratory characteristics. A series of tests were performed to quantify the effect of varying material and geometric parameters on the models' flow-induced responses. First, the influence of asymmetric vocal fold stiffness on voice production was evaluated using life-sized, self-oscillating vocal fold models with idealized vocal fold geometry. Asymmetry significantly influenced glottal jet flow, glottal area, and vibration frequency. Second, flow-induced responses of simplified and MRI-based synthetic models were compared. The MRI-based models showed remarkable improvements, including less vertical motion, alternating convergent-divergent glottal profile patterns, and mucosal wave-like movement. Third, a simplified model was parametrically investigated via computational modeling techniques to determine which geometric features influenced model motion. This parametric study led to identification and ranking of key geometric parameters based on their effects on various measures of vocal fold motion (e.g., mucosal wavelike movement). Incorporation of the results of these studies into the definition of future models could lead to models with more life-like motion.

The voice is the primary mode of communication for humans. Because the voice is so important, voice disorders tend to severely diminish quality of life. A better understanding of the physics of voice production can help to improve treatment of voice disorders. For this thesis research a self-oscillating synthetic vocal fold model was developed, compared with previous synthetic vocal fold models, and used to explore the physical effects of augmentation injections on vibration dynamics. The research was conducted in two stages. First, four vocal fold models were evaluated by quantifying onset pressure, frequency, maximum glottal gap, flow rate, and medial surface motion. The newly developed model, differentiated from the other models by the inclusion of more layers, adjusted geometry, and an extremely soft superficial lamina propria layer, was included in this study. One of the models, created using MRI-derived geometry, had the most defined mucosal wave. The newly-developed model had the lowest onset pressure, flow rate, and smallest maximum glottal width, and the model motion compared very well with published excised human larynx data. Second, the new model was altered to simulate bowing by decreasing the volume of the body layer relative to that of a normal, unbowed model. Two models with varying degrees of bowing were created and tested while paired with normal models. Pre- and post-injection data (onset pressure, vibration frequency, glottal flow rate, open quotient, and high-speed image sequences) were recorded and compared. General pre- to post-injection trends included decreased onset pressure, glottal flow rate, and open quotient, and increased vibration frequency. Additionally, there was a decrease in mucosal wave velocity and an increase in phase angle. The thesis results are anticipated to aid in better understanding the physical effects of augmentation injections, with the ultimate goal of obtaining more consistent surgical outcomes, and also to contribute to the advancement of voice research through the development of the new synthetic model.

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Muitas pesquisas tem sido feitas em processamento digital de sinais (PDS) na tentativa de se avaliar o sinal de fala para diagnosticar doenças da laringe. Medidas acústicas têm sido propostas de forma a avaliar indiretamente o trato glotal por meio do sinal de voz coletado através de microfone convencional. Para isso, o modelo paramétrico Liljencrants-Fant (LF) foi desenvolvido para representar o sinal glotal em condições normais e patológicas. Tais parâmetros apresentam vantagens sobre medidas acústicas por possuírem características fisiológicas reais das pregas vocais. Assim, podendo ser empregados para identificação de doenças da laringe. Além da estimação dos parâmetros LF, no domínio do tempo (parâmetros T), a forma de onda da derivativa glotal também pôde ser quantificada através dos parâmetros identificados na literatura por parâmetros R (Rd, Ra, Rk e Rg), parâmetros quocientes Q (SQ, OQ, CQ, AQ e NAQ), parâmetros B1 e B2 que são as extensões de bandas do pulso derivativo LF, e o parâmetro ece, que relaciona os parâmetros &#946 e Ta. Os parâmetros B1 e B2 e ece apesar de serem propostos na literatura, não são encontrados resultados diferentes a essas duas medidas. Os resultados mostraram que os parâmetros B não foram confiáveis na discriminação entre as vozes, por outro lado, o parâmetro ece mostrou-se ser opção na discriminação entre as vozes normais, nódulo e Reinke. O objetivo deste trabalho é direcionar a atenção sobre o sinal glotal, estimando-o automaticamente mediante técnicas de PDS aplicadas ao sinal de fala, visando extrair parâmetros que identifiquem as condições normais e patológicas da laringe. Por fim foram propostos os parâmetros TRp e TRs, visando dissociar os efeitos de primeira ordem dos de ordem superior na fase de retorno do pulso glotal com a finalidade de estimar a real não-linearidade do sub-sistema glotal, retratando as condições normais e patológicas da laringe. Por fim foram propostos os parâmetros TRp e TRs, visando dissociar os efeitos de primeira ordem dos de ordem superior na fase de retorno do pulso glotal com a finalidade de estimar a real não-linearidade do sub-sistema glotal, retratando as condições fisiológicas do movimento das pregas vocais. Com um nível de confiança de 95%, o parâmetro de primeira ordem (TRp) é efetivo na discriminação do Edema de Reinke, porém mostrou-se ineficaz na detecção do nódulo. Em relação ao parâmetro de ordem superior, conclui-se que o TRs é um excelente detetor de vozes patológicas (nódulo e Edema de Reinke), porém não é capaz de discriminar as patologias. / Many researches has been conducted in digital signal processing (DSP) atempting to evaluate the physiological conditions of larynx. Acoustical parameters have been proposed to evaluate the glotal tract from voice signal. One technique proposed is the Liljencrants-Fant model (LF) developed to represent normal and pathologic conditions of the larynx. Those parameters compare favourably as far as real physiologic characteristic of vocal folds is concerned. So, a primary use of the model is the larynx pathologic identification. Beyond LF parameters estimation, (T parameters in the time domain), the waveform of glotal pulse derivative also can be quantified through, R parameters (Rd, Ra, Rk and Rg), quocient parameters (SQ, OQ, CQ, AQ and NAQ), B parameters (B1 and B2) that are band extension of the LF glotal pulse derivative and the ece parameter that in fact, is a relationship between &#946 and Ta. Although proposed in the literature, no results are found, related to B and ece parameters. Our founds show that B parameters do not present good results in voice discrimination, however, ece parameter seems to be good option to discriminate normal voice, nodulo and Reinke edema. The main purpose of this work is to estimate the glotal signal from the voice signal using DSP techniques in order to obtain parameters that identifies the physiological larynx condition. In order to estimate the shape of return phase of glotal pulse, twoparameters have been proposed in this work. The first one evaluates the pulse (TRp, in other words, the first order component of the return phase. The second is responsible to evaluate superior orders components of the return phase (TRs), i.e, the non-linear component of the glotal pulse. With 95% of confidence level, TRp is effective in Reinke edema discrimination however it is inefficient for nodule e dection. By the other hand, the TRs parameter works well to detect pathologic voice however is unable to discriminated them.

Muitas pesquisas tem sido feitas em processamento digital de sinais (PDS) na tentativa de se avaliar o sinal de fala para diagnosticar doenças da laringe. Medidas acústicas têm sido propostas de forma a avaliar indiretamente o trato glotal por meio do sinal de voz coletado através de microfone convencional. Para isso, o modelo paramétrico Liljencrants-Fant (LF) foi desenvolvido para representar o sinal glotal em condições normais e patológicas. Tais parâmetros apresentam vantagens sobre medidas acústicas por possuírem características fisiológicas reais das pregas vocais. Assim, podendo ser empregados para identificação de doenças da laringe. Além da estimação dos parâmetros LF, no domínio do tempo (parâmetros T), a forma de onda da derivativa glotal também pôde ser quantificada através dos parâmetros identificados na literatura por parâmetros R (Rd, Ra, Rk e Rg), parâmetros quocientes Q (SQ, OQ, CQ, AQ e NAQ), parâmetros B1 e B2 que são as extensões de bandas do pulso derivativo LF, e o parâmetro ece, que relaciona os parâmetros &#946 e Ta. Os parâmetros B1 e B2 e ece apesar de serem propostos na literatura, não são encontrados resultados diferentes a essas duas medidas. Os resultados mostraram que os parâmetros B não foram confiáveis na discriminação entre as vozes, por outro lado, o parâmetro ece mostrou-se ser opção na discriminação entre as vozes normais, nódulo e Reinke. O objetivo deste trabalho é direcionar a atenção sobre o sinal glotal, estimando-o automaticamente mediante técnicas de PDS aplicadas ao sinal de fala, visando extrair parâmetros que identifiquem as condições normais e patológicas da laringe. Por fim foram propostos os parâmetros TRp e TRs, visando dissociar os efeitos de primeira ordem dos de ordem superior na fase de retorno do pulso glotal com a finalidade de estimar a real não-linearidade do sub-sistema glotal, retratando as condições normais e patológicas da laringe. Por fim foram propostos os parâmetros TRp e TRs, visando dissociar os efeitos de primeira ordem dos de ordem superior na fase de retorno do pulso glotal com a finalidade de estimar a real não-linearidade do sub-sistema glotal, retratando as condições fisiológicas do movimento das pregas vocais. Com um nível de confiança de 95%, o parâmetro de primeira ordem (TRp) é efetivo na discriminação do Edema de Reinke, porém mostrou-se ineficaz na detecção do nódulo. Em relação ao parâmetro de ordem superior, conclui-se que o TRs é um excelente detetor de vozes patológicas (nódulo e Edema de Reinke), porém não é capaz de discriminar as patologias. / Many researches has been conducted in digital signal processing (DSP) atempting to evaluate the physiological conditions of larynx. Acoustical parameters have been proposed to evaluate the glotal tract from voice signal. One technique proposed is the Liljencrants-Fant model (LF) developed to represent normal and pathologic conditions of the larynx. Those parameters compare favourably as far as real physiologic characteristic of vocal folds is concerned. So, a primary use of the model is the larynx pathologic identification. Beyond LF parameters estimation, (T parameters in the time domain), the waveform of glotal pulse derivative also can be quantified through, R parameters (Rd, Ra, Rk and Rg), quocient parameters (SQ, OQ, CQ, AQ and NAQ), B parameters (B1 and B2) that are band extension of the LF glotal pulse derivative and the ece parameter that in fact, is a relationship between &#946 and Ta. Although proposed in the literature, no results are found, related to B and ece parameters. Our founds show that B parameters do not present good results in voice discrimination, however, ece parameter seems to be good option to discriminate normal voice, nodulo and Reinke edema. The main purpose of this work is to estimate the glotal signal from the voice signal using DSP techniques in order to obtain parameters that identifies the physiological larynx condition. In order to estimate the shape of return phase of glotal pulse, twoparameters have been proposed in this work. The first one evaluates the pulse (TRp, in other words, the first order component of the return phase. The second is responsible to evaluate superior orders components of the return phase (TRs), i.e, the non-linear component of the glotal pulse. With 95% of confidence level, TRp is effective in Reinke edema discrimination however it is inefficient for nodule e dection. By the other hand, the TRs parameter works well to detect pathologic voice however is unable to discriminated them.

The following master thesis deals with creating a computational model for acoustic wave distribution by the human vocal tract and then the space around a human head. Detailed mapping of the sound field around the human head is important for more accurate measurement of the human voice. Part of this work is the creation of three-dimensional finite element model of the human head and the vocal tract during phonation of the vowel /:a/ based on the data from the computational tomography. Further the literature search of the function of the vocal tract, biomechanics of the making of the human voice, an overview of the computational models so far published in the literature and in literature reported measurements of the distribution of the human voice by the vocal tract and then in the space around the head . The following is the actual numerical solution of the acoustic waves distribution from the vocal cords through the vocal tract and then the space around the human head when thinking of acoustic absorption on the walls of the vocal tract and on the skin of the head for different types of waking of the model. The results are compared with previously published measurements of the distribution of the human voice and mainly the distortion of the frequency spectra at each specific node in the space around the head and in its vicinity of where the sensor microphones are typically placed are analyzed. Results of the computational modeling will eventually be used for frequency correction for various positions of the microphones scanning the voice distribution in its diagnosis, speech or singing.

Specific movements within the pelvic floor, abdomen, diaphragm, ribs, and spine are show to be associated with either inspiration or expiration when playing the alto saxophone. These movements support tone production during the performance of large intervallic leaps and altissimo register notes. During expiratory breath, specific vocal-tract formations and movements are show to be adaptive with either the higher and lower registers. Anatomical areas studied include the glottis, larynx, pharynx, velum and soft palate, tongue arch, and tongue proximity to the reed. Flouroscopy and endoscopic research by Watkins, Pattnoede, and Jordheim challenge common pedagogical advice for palm-key and altissimo register notes such as using a high tongue arch, fast air and the "ee" vowel. Literature by historical and even current pedagogues do not clarify their use of the terms "larynx" or "throat." In the context of their writing those terms could ambiguously mean oropharynx, laryngopharynx, glottis, neck muscles or vertical position of larynx. Mental tension, fear, and negative inner dialogue are shown to cause reflexive and tension-based movement. These issues negatively impact the formation and direction of adaptive vocal-tract movements for large ascending intervallic leaps and altissimo-register note production. Repeated failure by a student can provoke negative self-talk as well as maladaptive emotions and beliefs about the musical challenge, potentially creating a longstanding narrative that leads to less than positive expectations for saxophone technique. Knowledge and use of adaptive vocal-tract and breathing movements can erode negative dialogue by providing evidence that it is not true. The student may begin to use positive self-talk, creating better inner dialogue and beliefs. Over time, confidence from body and mind awareness supports the formation of positive expectations. The tenets of mindfulness and inclusive awareness put forward by authors such as Dunkel, Caplan, Hall, Leaf, and Westney were shown to be complementary to the body and vocal-tract movements needed for the musical challenges discussed. Practical exercises are given to help the student increase body and mind awareness. Intentionally gaining awareness of and mindfully practicing adaptive body mapping and vocal-tract movements can support the effective production of, and lead to a healthy mindset for achieving successful performances of large intervallic leaps and altissimo-register tones.