The acoustic bases of human voice identity processing in dogs

Speech carries identity-diagnostic acoustic cues that help individuals recognize each other during vocal–social interactions. In humans, fundamental frequency, formant dispersion and harmonics-to-noise ratio serve as characteristics along which speakers can be reliably separated. The ability to infer a speaker’s identity is also adaptive for members of other species (like companion animals) for whom humans (as owners) are relevant. The acoustic bases of speaker recognition in non-humans are unknown. Here, we tested whether dogs can recognize their owner’s voice and whether they rely on the same acoustic parameters for such recognition as humans use to discriminate speakers. Stimuli were pre-recorded sentences spoken by the owner and control persons, played through loudspeakers placed behind two non-transparent screens (with each screen hiding a person). We investigated the association between acoustic distance of speakers (examined along several dimensions relevant in intraspecific voice identification) and dogs’ behavior. Dogs chose their owner’s voice more often than that of control persons’, suggesting that they can identify it. Choosing success and time spent looking in the direction of the owner’s voice were positively associated, showing that looking time is an index of the ease of choice. Acoustic distance of speakers in mean fundamental frequency and jitter were positively associated with looking time, indicating that the shorter the acoustic distance between speakers with regard to these parameters, the harder the decision. So, dogs use these cues to discriminate their owner’s voice from unfamiliar voices. These findings reveal that dogs use some but probably not all acoustic parameters that humans use to identify speakers. Although dogs can detect fine changes in speech, their perceptual system may not be fully attuned to identity-diagnostic cues in the human voice

The acoustic bases of human voice identity processing in dogs

Speech carries identity-diagnostic acoustic cues that help individuals recognize each other during vocal–social interactions. In humans, fundamental frequency, formant dispersion and harmonics-to-noise ratio serve as characteristics along which speakers can be reliably separated. The ability to infer a speaker’s identity is also adaptive for members of other species (like companion animals) for whom humans (as owners) are relevant. The acoustic bases of speaker recognition in non-humans are unknown. Here, we tested whether dogs can recognize their owner’s voice and whether they rely on the same acoustic parameters for such recognition as humans use to discriminate speakers. Stimuli were pre-recorded sentences spoken by the owner and control persons, played through loudspeakers placed behind two non-transparent screens (with each screen hiding a person). We investigated the association between acoustic distance of speakers (examined along several dimensions relevant in intraspecific voice identification) and dogs’ behavior. Dogs chose their owner’s voice more often than that of control persons’, suggesting that they can identify it. Choosing success and time spent looking in the direction of the owner’s voice were positively associated, showing that looking time is an index of the ease of choice. Acoustic distance of speakers in mean fundamental frequency and jitter were positively associated with looking time, indicating that the shorter the acoustic distance between speakers with regard to these parameters, the harder the decision. So, dogs use these cues to discriminate their owner’s voice from unfamiliar voices. These findings reveal that dogs use some but probably not all acoustic parameters that humans use to identify speakers. Although dogs can detect fine changes in speech, their perceptual system may not be fully attuned to identity-diagnostic cues in the human voice

Wegener-granulomatosis talaján kialakult krónikus gennyes középfülgyulladás komplex kezelése = Modern management of otologic consequences of Wegener’s granulomatosis – a case report and review of the literature

Absztrakt: A Wegener-granulomatosis – újabb nevén polyangitis granulomatosis – súlyos, antineutrofil citoplazmatikus antitest asszociálta, kis ereket érintő vasculitis, melyet a légúti traktus és a renalis rendszer nekrotizáló, granulomatosus gyulladása jellemez. A fülészeti manifesztációk a kórkép korai fázisában fordulhatnak elő, melyek közül a leggyakrabban savós középfülgyulladás, maszkolt otomastoiditis, esetenként sensorineuralis halláscsökkenés jelentkezhet. A diagnózis felállítása a klinikai képen, az immunszerológiai, valamint a hisztopatológiai vizsgálatokon alapszik. A kombinált immunszuppresszív terápia mellett a lokális manifesztációk szanálása szükséges. A terápiarezisztens, Wegener-granulomatosis talaján kialakult elhúzódó középfülgyulladás gyakran komoly kihívás elé állítja a fül-orr-gégészt. Ilyen esetekben a felkészült fülsebész kezében stabil megoldást jelent a subtotalis petrosectomia, amellyel zárt, reakciómentes középfül kerül kialakításra, s abban szimultán vagy halasztottan végezhető hallásrehabilitáció modern, implantálható hallásjavító készülékekkel. A jelen közleményben a szerzők áttekintik a vonatkozó irodalmat és egy esetbemutatáson keresztül ismertetik a Wegener-granulomatosis fülészeti megjelenésének komplex ellátását a modern szakmai szemlélet jegyében. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(4): 151–157. | Abstract: Wegener’s granulomatosis – or, in other words, granulomatosis with polyangiitis – is an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated granuloma forming vasculitis, mainly affecting the respiratory tract and the renal system. Otologic manifestations of Wegener’s disease can be otitis media with effusion or chronic silent mastoiditis with conductive hearing loss, but sensorineural hearing loss can also evolve. The diagnosis is based on the clinical appearance as well as the immunoserological and histopathological results. It is of paramount importance to begin a combined immunosuppressive treatment immediately, besides eradicating the otologic manifestations. The intractable cases of chronic otitis media due to Wegener’s granulomatosis are challenging any ear surgeons. Subtotal petrosectomy has proved to be an effective solution in such cases to create a dry ear and to provide a safe surgical field for hearing restoration. The authors reviewed the literature and report a case history to present the modern management of Wegener’s granulomatosis with otologic manifestation. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(4): 151–157

Continuous Manufacturing of Homogeneous Ultralow-Dose Granules by Twin-Screw Wet Granulation

Homogeneous ultralow-dose (30 mg) tablets were prepared from perfectly free-flowing granules manufactured by continuous Twin-Screw Wet Granulation. The gravimetrically fed mixture of lactose and potato starch of low particle size was successfully agglomerated and the size enlargement technology proved to be very robust. Since the incorporated drug was dissolved in ethanol-based granulation liquid, the resulting homogeneity largely depended on the dosing of the applied liquid administering units.A peristaltic pump generated higher deviation of the drug content in tablets (Relative Standard Deviation (RSD): 7.7 %) compared to a syringe pump (RSD: 2.3 %) or a piston pump (RSD: 4.6 %). This is due to the pulsation of the liquid flow generated by the peristaltic pump according to the real-time measured mass of the fed liquid. A good correlation was found between the RSD of the liquid mass flow (calculated from the recorded masses) and the RSD of the drug content. Based on the results, the goodness of Content Uniformity, as the most relevant critical quality attribute of low-dose products, was determined by the characteristics of the applied dosing units. The feeding characteristic of the different pumps could be easily measured by the introduced balance-based method and therefore, the applicability of the pumps could be evaluated

Recurrent landsliding of a high bank at Dunaszekcső, Hungary : Geodetic deformation monitoring and finite element modeling

Five years of geodetic monitoring data are processed to evaluate recurrent sliding at Dunaszekcső, which are characteristic geomorphological processes affecting the high banks of the Middle Danube valley in Hungary. The integrated geodetic observations provide accurate three dimensional coordinate time series, and these data are used to calculate the kinematic features of point movements and rigid body behavior of point blocks. Additional datasets are borehole tiltmeter and hydrological recordings of the Danube and soil water wells. These data, together with two dimensional final element analyses, are utilized to gain a better understanding of the physical, soil mechanical background and stability features of the high bank. Here we show that the main trigger of movements appears to be the changing groundwater levels, which have an effect an order of magnitude higher than that of river water level changes. Varying displacement rates of the sliding blocks are interpreted as having been caused by basal pore water pressure changes originating from shear zone volume changes, floods of the River Danube through later seepage and rain infiltration. Both data and modeling point to the complex nature of bank sliding at Dunaszekcső. Some features imply that the movements are rotational, some reveal slumping. By contrast, all available observational and modeling data point to the retrogressive development of the high bank at Dunaszekcső. Regarding mitigation, the detailed analysis of three basic parameters (the direction of displacement vectors, tilting, and the acceleration component of the kinematic function) is suggested because these parameters indicate the zone where the largest lateral displacements can be expected and indicate the advent of the rapid movement phase of sliding that affect high banks along the River Danube

Interspecific Voice Discrimination in Dogs

Background and aims: Conspecific individual recognition using vocal cues has been shown in a wide range of species but there is no published evidence that dogs are able to recognize their owner based on his/her voice alone (interspecific individual recognition). Methods: In our test, dogs had to rely on vocal cues to find their hidden owner in a two-way choice task. From behind an opaque screen, both the owner and a control person uttered neutral speech (reading sentences from a receipt) before the dogs were allowed to make their choice. Correct choices were reinforced by food and by verbal praise. Results: During the six-choice trials, dogs chose their owner’s voice significantly more often than the control person’s voice. There was no effect of learning throughout the trials, and dogs did not show side preference. Discussion: Thus, dogs are able to discriminate interspecific voices, suggesting that they are able to identify their owner based on vocal cues alone. This experimental design allows exploration of the role of individual acoustic parameters (such as fundamental frequency) in voice discrimination

Surface Modification of Silica Nanoparticles with Ethyl Oleate for the Purpose of Stabilizing Nanolubricants Used for Tribological Tests

Long-term sustainability and decreasing amount of fossil oil reserves require a partial or complete transformation of traditional lubricating oils. The use of silica nanoparticles as a lubricant additive has a huge tribological potential, which has already been discussed in numerous articles. Nanosized silica shows excellent results in reducing friction and preventing wear, but they quickly aggregate and settle after homogenization in oils. For long-term stable dispersion of lubricating oils containing nanoceramics, the surface of the particles was modified with ethyl oleate. The surface modification, the ethyl oleate applied to the surface of the nanosilica, was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Group III based lubricating oil was prepared using the surface-modified nanosilica. The particle size of the nanoparticles in the lubricating oil dispersion was examined by dynamic light scattering. Oscillating tribometer measurements were performed with different concentrations (0.1; 0.2; 0.3 wt%) of nanolubricants. Based on the tribological results, the friction coefficient of the surface-modified nanosilica is more stable, its wear is 15% lower compared to the reference. There is no significant change in the magnitude of the friction coefficient. It can be concluded that the ethyl oleate surface modification method may be suitable for tribological investigations of the acting mechanisms of nanoparticles