Morphological aspects of the euphonic voice

The high quality of a euphonic voice is the result of complex interactions between many organs and systems. Vibrating vocal folds play a crucial role in this process. Their physiological motion is conditioned by the presence of the layered structure of laryngeal mucosa. In this study, we assessed the degree of dysphonia according to the Union of European Phoniatrics (UEP) scale. Videoendoscopy (VLS) and videostroboscopic (VLSS) examination of the larynx was used to visualize the vibration of the vocal folds. Morphological assessment of the inter-membranous part of the vocal fold mucosa was carried out using material collected after surgical treatment (60%) or obtained from autopsy (40%). The samples were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In euphonic voices, 1° of dysphonia (UEP) and the physiological endoscopic (VLS) and stroboscopic (VLSS) findings of vocal folds were registered. No morphological or ultramorphological changes were observed in the cells of the multilayered flat epithelium, basal membrane or in the stroma. Unchanged epithelial cells were situated on the basal membrane with folds. Moreover, numerous pericytes, vessels with multiplication of basal membranes, scanty collagenous fibers, plasmatic cells and lymphocytes were seen. Morphological changes with signs of atrophy and polypoid degeneration of the vocal fold mucosa were found in only 3 (15%) patients. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 72–79

Detecting Iron Oxidation States in Liquids with the VOXES Bragg Spectrometer

Determining the oxidation states of metals assumes great importance in various applications because a variation in the oxidation number can drastically influence the material properties. As an example, this becomes evident in edible liquids like wine and oil, where a change in the oxidation states of the contained metals can significantly modify both the overall quality and taste. To this end, here we present the MITIQO project, which aims to identify oxidation states of metals in edible liquids utilizing X-ray emission with Bragg spectroscopy. This is achieved using the VOXES crystal spectrometer, developed at INFN National Laboratories of Frascati (LNF), employing mosaic crystal (HAPG) in the Von Hamos configuration. This combination allow us to work with effective source sizes of up to a few millimeters and improves the typical low efficiency of Bragg spectroscopy, a crucial aspect when studying liquids with low metal concentration. Here we showcase the concept behind MITIQO, for a liquid solution containing oxidized iron. We performed several high-resolution emission spectra measurements, for the liquid and for different powdered samples containing oxidized and pure iron. By looking at the spectral features of the iron's K$\beta$ emission lineshape, we were able to obtain, for a liquid, a result consistent with the oxidized iron powders and successfully quantifying the effect of oxidation

Kaonic atoms measurements at the DAΦNE collider : the SIDDHARTA-2 experiment

The X-ray spectroscopy measurements of light kaonic atoms’ deexcitation towards the fundamental level provide unique information on the low-energy Quantum ChromoDynamics (QCD) in the strangeness sector, being a direct probe of the kaon/nucleon interaction at threshold, unobtainable through the scattering experiments. In this framework, the SIDDHARTA-2 collaboration is going to perform the first kaonic deuterium 2p $\to$ 1s transition measurement at the DAΦNE collider of Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare – Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati. Combining this measurement with the kaonic hydrogen one performed by SIDDHARTA in 2009 it will be possible to obtain, in a model-independent way, the isospin-dependent antikaon-nucleon scattering lengths. The paper introduces the SIDDHARTA-2 setup, an upgraded version with respect to the one used for the kaonic hydrogen measurement, dedicated to the ambitious kaonic deuterium measurement, together with the preliminary results obtained during the kaonic helium run, preparatory for the SIDDHARTA-2 data taking campaign

High precision kaonic deuterium measurement at the DAΦNE collider : the SIDDHARTA-2 experiment and the SIDDHARTINO run

The kaonic deuterium 2p → 1s transition X-ray measurement, a fundamental information needed for a deeper understanding of the Quantum ChromoDynamics (QCD) in the strangeness sector, is still missing. The SIDDHARTA-2 collaboration is now ready to achieve this unprecedented result thanks to the dedicated experimental apparatus that will allow to obtain the values of the kaonic deuterium K-transitions with a precision comparable to the most precise kaonic hydrogen measurement to-date performed by SIDDHARTA in 2009. Both the kaonic hydrogen and kaonic deuterium X-ray spectroscopy measurements of the de-excitation towards the fundamental level are a direct probe on KN interaction at threshold, as opposed to the scattering experiments which need an extrapolation to zero energy. Combining these results through the Deser-Truemann like formula, the isospin-dependent kaon-nucleon scattering lengths can be obtained in a model-independent way. The SIDDHARTA-2 setup is presently installed at the DAΦNE (Double Annular Φ Factory for Nice Experiments) collider of Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare – Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati and it is ready to perform the challening kaonic deuterium measurement. This paper provides an overview on the SIDDHARTA-2 experimental apparatus and a preliminary result of the kaonic helium run, preparatory for the SIDDHARTA-2 data taking campaign, is also presented

kaonic atoms experiment at the daφne collider by siddharta siddharta 2

The excellent quality kaon beam provided by the DA\PhiΦNE collider of LNF-INFN (Italy) together with SIDDHARTA/SIDDHARTA-2 new experimental techniques, as very precise and fast-response X-ray detectors, allow to perform unprecedented measurements on light kaonic atoms crucial for a deeper understanding of the low-energy quantum chromodynamics (QCD) in the strangeness sector. In this paper an overview of the main results obtained by the SIDDHARTA collaboration, as well as the future plans related to the SIDDHARTA-2 experiment, are discussed

probing strong interaction with siddharta 2

n/

Visual assessment of voice disorders in patients with occupational dysphonia

[b]introduction[/b]. In a group of persons using the voice occupationally, the frequent symptoms are hoarseness, voice fatigability and aphonia. Pathological changes in the larynx may have organic or functional character which require different methods of treatment and rehabilitation. Visualization of vibrations of the vocal folds is an essential condition for an appropriate assessment of the causes of dysphonia. [b]objective[/b]. The purpose of the study is assessment of the usefulness of a high-speed imaging (HSI) system in the diagnosis of functional and organic dysphonia of occupational character, compared with digital kymography (DKG) and digital stroboscopy (DS) with a high resolution module. [b]material and methods[/b]. The study group consisted of 64 patients with voice quality disorders with features of occupational dysphonia. The control group consisted of 15 patients with euphonic voice. Analysis of the voice quality parameters during phonation of the ‘e’ vowel was performed using HSI, DKG and stroboscopy of high resolution, by means of a digital HS camera (HRES Endocam, Richard Wolf GmbH, Knittlingen, Germany). Vocal folds vibrations were registered at the rate of 4,000 frames per second. [b]results[/b]. HSI is the most reliable diagnostic tool giving the possibility of an analysis of the true vibrations of the vocal folds. It also enables an observation of the aperiodicity of vibrations of the vocal folds, while DS with high resolution allows diagnosis of the periodicity of the vibrations. [b]conclusions[/b]. HSI is particularly useful in the diagnosis of neurologically-based pathology of the voice (paralytic dysphonia) and organic dysphonia. The quickest method of diagnosing the phonatory paresis of the glottis is DKG. The advantage of both HSI and DKG is the non-invasiveness of examinations; however, their limitations are time-consuming and the high cost of equipment