Seismo-acoustic analysis of debris-flow events at Illgraben (Switzerland): relating signal features to flow measurements and infrasonic source mechanisms

The present study aimed at identifying the acoustic pattern of vocalizations, produced by 7- to 11-month-old infants, that were interpreted by their mothers as expressing emotions or communicative functions. Participants were 6 healthy, first-born English infants, 3 boys and 3 girls, and their mothers. The acoustic analysis of the vocalizations was performed using a pattern recognition (PR) software system. A PR system not only calculates signal features, it also automatically detects patterns in the arrangement of such features. The following results were obtained: (a) the PR system distinguished vocalizations interpreted as emotions from vocalizations interpreted as communicative functions with an overall accuracy of 87.34%; (b) the classification accuracy of the PR system for vocalizations that convey emotions was 85.4% and for vocalizations that convey communicative functions was 89.5%; and (c) compared to vocalizations that express emotions, vocalizations that express communicative functions were shorter, displayed lower fundamental frequency values, and had greater overall intensity. These findings suggest that in the second half of the first year, infants possess a vocal repertoire that contributes to regulating cooperative interaction with their mothers, which is considered one of the major prerequisites for language acquisition.

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A Dilatant, Two-Phase Debris Flow Model for Hazard Mitigation

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-10815 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Guillaume Meyrat

Keyword(s):

Debris Flow ◽

Practical Problem ◽

Flow Model ◽

Flow Behavior ◽

Test Site ◽

Recent Analysis ◽

Water Type ◽

Two Phase ◽

Flow Measurements ◽

Multi Phase

Guillaume Meyrat, Brian McArdell, Ksenyia Ivanova, Perry BarteltWSL Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, 8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland&#160;Keywords: Debris flows, multi-phase models, dilatancy, shear stress, density distribution&#160;To implement an accurate numerical tool to simulate debris flow hazard is a longstanding goal of natural hazard research and engineering. In Switzerland the application of numerical debris flow models has, however, been hampered by many practical and theoretical difficulties. One practical problem is to define realistic initial conditions for hazard scenarios that involve both the rocky (granular solid) and muddy (fluid) material. Still another practical problem is to model debris flow growth by entrainment [1]. These problems are compounded by theoretical uncertainties regarding the rheological behavior of multi-phase flows. Recent analysis of debris flow measurements at the Swiss Illgraben test-site [2] (shear and normal stresses, debris flow height) show that the shear force, and therefore the entire debris flow behavior, is largely influenced by the debris flow composition, i.e. the amount of solid particle and muddy fluid at any specific location within the debris flow body (front, tail, etc.). The debris flow composition is, in turn, determined by the initial and entrainment conditions for a specific event. As a consequence, we have concluded that the very first step to construct a robust numerical model is to accurately predict the space and time evolution of the solid/fluid flow composition for any set of initial and boundary conditions. To this aim, we have developed a two-phase dilatant debris flow model [3, 4, 5] that is based on the idea that the dispersion of solid material in fluid phase can change over time. The model is thus able to predict different flow compositions (rocky fronts, watery tails), using shallow-water type mass, momentum and energy conservation equations. This helps to predict when the solid phase deposits, and when muddy fluid washes and channel outbreaks in the runout zone can occur. The parameters controlling the evolution of debris flow density and saturation have been derived by direct comparison to the full-scale measurements performed at the Illgraben test site.&#160;References&#160;&#160;

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Multiple debris flow surges monitored directly by DFLP system at Kamikamihori Creek

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-10499 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Takahiro Itoh ◽

Takahiko Nagayama ◽

Satoru Matsuda ◽

Takahisa Mizuyama

Keyword(s):

Debris Flow ◽

Volcanic Activity ◽

Debris Flows ◽

Sediment Concentration ◽

Relative Mass ◽

Geophysical Research ◽

Monitoring Method ◽

Flow Measurements ◽

Flow Monitoring ◽

Sediment Particles

The monitoring method for direct debris flow measurements using loadcells and so on, that were preliminary developed by WSL in Switzerland (McArdell et al., 2007), was firstly installed in Sakura-jima Island in Japan, where volcanic activity was severe, and many debris flows took place due to deposition of falling ash after eruptions. Debris Flow measurements with Loadcells and Pressure sensors (DFLP) system was installed referring to the method by WSL, and debris flow characteristics such as specific weight and volumetric sediment concentration have been obtained (e.g., Osaka et al., 2014).&#160;In Japan, as well as in Sakura-jima island, attempts for debris flow monitoring were also carried out at KamiKamihori Creek since 1970s (e.g., Okuda et al., 1980), and there were a lot of debris flow events due to heavy rainfall. KamiKamihori Creek is at western side of Mt. Yake, where volcanic activity was severe at those time. The DFLP system was modified and installed there in November in 2014, because there were a lot of sediment deposition and debris flows took place though volcanic activity has been inactive. Present research could report the following results. &#160;(1) Multiple debris floe over five surges were monitored using DFLP system installed in 2014 during 15 minutes in debris flow events on August 29th, 2019. Rainfall intensity for 10 minutes was 12 mm and accumulated depth was 56 mm just before those events. Antecedent time before those events was 4.5 hours.(2) The DFLP system measured multiple debris flow surges in events on August 29th, 2019, and sediment concentration was calculated temporary and continuously. Time-averaged sediment concentration and relative mass density are calculated as 0.470 and 1.73, respectively, under flow discharge obtained by images analysis of CCTV video camera. Equilibrium sediment concentration of coarse sediment particles is estimated 0.160 for bed slope of 0.141 (8 degrees) and calculated value using the DFLP system is over than the equilibrium value because of mud phase due to fine sediment particles.&#160;ReferencesMcArdell B.W., Bartelt P., Kowalski J. (2007). Field observations of basal forces and fluid pore pressure in a debris flow, Geophysical Research Letters, Vo. 34, L07406.Okuda, S., Suwa, H., Okunishi, K., Yokoyama, K., and Nakano, M. (1980). Observation of the motion of debris flow and its geomorphological effects, Zeitschrift fur Geomorphology, Suppl.-Bd.35, pp. 142&#8211;163.Osaka T., Utsunomiya R., Tagata S., Itoh T., Mizuyama T. (2014). Debris Flow Monitoring using Load Cells in Sakurajima Island, Proceedings of the Interpraevent 2014 in the Pacific Rim (edited by Fujita, M. et al.), Nov. 25-28, Nara, Japan, 2014, O-14.pdf in DVD.

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Direct Debris Flow Measurements using DFLP system at Kamikamihorizawa Creek

International Journal of Erosion Control Engineering ◽

10.13101/ijece.14.12 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 12-19

Author(s):

Takahiro ITOH ◽

Takahiko NAGAYAMA ◽

Satoru MATSUDA ◽

Takahisa MIZUYAMA

Keyword(s):

Debris Flow ◽

Flow Measurements

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A debris-flow monitoring devices and methods bibliography

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-5-971-2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 971-977 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Y. Itakura ◽

H. Inaba ◽

T. Sawada

Keyword(s):

Debris Flow ◽

Integrated System ◽

Hazard Map ◽

Flow Measurements ◽

Control Structures ◽

Flow Monitoring ◽

Future Developments ◽

Discharge Estimation ◽

Monitoring Devices ◽

Proximity Sensing

Abstract. Debris-flow monitoring has two functions, warning and modeling. The warning function includes the following parameters: occurrence prediction and detection, proximity sensing, and discharge-estimation. The parameters obtained from debris-flow measurements can deduce a numerical model for creating a hazard map and designing various types of control structures to mitigate the hazards. Many devices and methods of monitoring are tabulated here for comparative study. Some of them are in operation. Advanced comparative studies lead to an improvement in debris-flow monitoring, an integrated system that can be applied to any torrent, and a breakthrough in future developments.

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Spatio-temporal patterns of debris-flow erosion and deposition in the Illgraben torrent

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-1614 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tjalling de Haas ◽

Wiebe Nijland ◽

Brian McArdell

Keyword(s):

Debris Flow ◽

Debris Flows ◽

Temporal Patterns ◽

Volume Estimation ◽

Swiss Alps ◽

Flow Volume ◽

Flow Measurements ◽

Erosion And Deposition ◽

Deposition Patterns ◽

Spatio Temporal

Debris flows can grow greatly in size and hazardous potential by eroding bed material, but effective hazard assessment and mitigation is currently hampered by limited understanding of erosion and deposition dynamics. We have collected high-resolution pre- and post-flow topography with drone-based photogrammetry in the Illgraben channel in the Swiss Alps. We present erosion and deposition patterns as a result of six debris flows and intensive subcatchment activity over a 3.3 km long unconsolidated reach with check dams, and interpret these erosion and deposition patterns with in-situ flow measurements. We show that the spatio-temporal patterns of erosion and deposition in natural debris-flow torrents are highly variable and dynamic. We identify a memory effect where erosion is strong at locations of strong deposition during previous flows and vice versa. Large sediment inputs from subcatchments initially result in new channel erosion through the subcatchments deposits and at the same time upstream deposition as a result of backwater effects. It is generally believed that erosion increases with debris-flow magnitude, but we show that there is a limit to debris-flow bulking set by channel geometry. Large flows that overtop their channel deposit large amount of sediment in levees and on overbanks, leading to net deposition despite strong thalweg erosion, and thus a decrease in flow volume. These findings provide key guidelines for flow volume forecasting, emphasizing the importance of memory effects and the need to resolve both erosion and deposition for accurate flow volume estimation.

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Effects of a 6-Week Straw Phonation in Water Exercise Program on the Aging Voice

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2020_jslhr-19-00124 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (4) ◽

pp. 1018-1032

Author(s):

Chia-Hsin Wu ◽

Roger W. Chan

Keyword(s):

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Vocal Tract ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Elderly Subjects ◽

Control Group ◽

Perceptual Evaluation ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Aging Voice ◽

Before And After

Purpose Semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises with tubes or straws have been widely used for a variety of voice disorders. Yet, the effects of longer periods of SOVT exercises (lasting for weeks) on the aging voice are not well understood. This study investigated the effects of a 6-week straw phonation in water (SPW) exercise program. Method Thirty-seven elderly subjects with self-perceived voice problems were assigned into two groups: (a) SPW exercises with six weekly sessions and home practice (experimental group) and (b) vocal hygiene education (control group). Before and after intervention (2 weeks after the completion of the exercise program), acoustic analysis, auditory–perceptual evaluation, and self-assessment of vocal impairment were conducted. Results Analysis of covariance revealed significant differences between the two groups in smoothed cepstral peak prominence measures, harmonics-to-noise ratio, the auditory–perceptual parameter of breathiness, and Voice Handicap Index-10 scores postintervention. No significant differences between the two groups were found for other measures. Conclusions Our results supported the positive effects of SOVT exercises for the aging voice, with a 6-week SPW exercise program being a clinical option. Future studies should involve long-term follow-up and additional outcome measures to better understand the efficacy of SOVT exercises, particularly SPW exercises, for the aging voice.

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Automated Acoustic Analysis of Oral Diadochokinesis to Assess Bulbar Motor Involvement in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2019_jslhr-19-00178 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 59-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Panying Rong

Keyword(s):

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ◽

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Speaking Rate ◽

Disease Stage ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Tongue Movement ◽

Major Barrier ◽

Syllable Repetition ◽

Oral Diadochokinesis ◽

Lateral Sclerosis

Purpose The purpose of this article was to validate a novel acoustic analysis of oral diadochokinesis (DDK) in assessing bulbar motor involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Method An automated acoustic DDK analysis was developed, which filtered out the voice features and extracted the envelope of the acoustic waveform reflecting the temporal pattern of syllable repetitions during an oral DDK task (i.e., repetitions of /tɑ/ at the maximum rate on 1 breath). Cycle-to-cycle temporal variability (cTV) of envelope fluctuations and syllable repetition rate (sylRate) were derived from the envelope and validated against 2 kinematic measures, which are tongue movement jitter (movJitter) and alternating tongue movement rate (AMR) during the DDK task, in 16 individuals with bulbar ALS and 18 healthy controls. After the validation, cTV, sylRate, movJitter, and AMR, along with an established clinical speech measure, that is, speaking rate (SR), were compared in their ability to (a) differentiate individuals with ALS from healthy controls and (b) detect early-stage bulbar declines in ALS. Results cTV and sylRate were significantly correlated with movJitter and AMR, respectively, across individuals with ALS and healthy controls, confirming the validity of the acoustic DDK analysis in extracting the temporal DDK pattern. Among all the acoustic and kinematic DDK measures, cTV showed the highest diagnostic accuracy (i.e., 0.87) with 80% sensitivity and 94% specificity in differentiating individuals with ALS from healthy controls, which outperformed the SR measure. Moreover, cTV showed a large increase during the early disease stage, which preceded the decline of SR. Conclusions This study provided preliminary validation of a novel automated acoustic DDK analysis in extracting a useful measure, namely, cTV, for early detection of bulbar ALS. This analysis overcame a major barrier in the existing acoustic DDK analysis, which is continuous voicing between syllables that interferes with syllable structures. This approach has potential clinical applications as a novel bulbar assessment.

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Supporting the Use of Rudimentary Vocalizations

Perspectives on Augmentative and Alternative Communication ◽

10.1044/aac23.3.132 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 132-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lauren Zubow ◽

Richard Hurtig

Keyword(s):

Rett Syndrome ◽

Visual Cues ◽

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Eye Gaze ◽

Research Question ◽

Primary Research ◽

Multiple Modalities ◽

Face To Face ◽

Perceptual Judgments ◽

The Face

Children with Rett Syndrome (RS) are reported to use multiple modalities to communicate although their intentionality is often questioned (Bartolotta, Zipp, Simpkins, & Glazewski, 2011; Hetzroni & Rubin, 2006; Sigafoos et al., 2000; Sigafoos, Woodyatt, Tuckeer, Roberts-Pennell, & Pittendreigh, 2000). This paper will present results of a study analyzing the unconventional vocalizations of a child with RS. The primary research question addresses the ability of familiar and unfamiliar listeners to interpret unconventional vocalizations as “yes” or “no” responses. This paper will also address the acoustic analysis and perceptual judgments of these vocalizations. Pre-recorded isolated vocalizations of “yes” and “no” were presented to 5 listeners (mother, father, 1 unfamiliar, and 2 familiar clinicians) and the listeners were asked to rate the vocalizations as either “yes” or “no.” The ratings were compared to the original identification made by the child's mother during the face-to-face interaction from which the samples were drawn. Findings of this study suggest, in this case, the child's vocalizations were intentional and could be interpreted by familiar and unfamiliar listeners as either “yes” or “no” without contextual or visual cues. The results suggest that communication partners should be trained to attend to eye-gaze and vocalizations to ensure the child's intended choice is accurately understood.

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“I Can See What You’re Saying”: Clinical Utility of Spectral Moment Analysis

Perspectives on Speech Science and Orofacial Disorders ◽

10.1044/ssod21.2.44 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 44-54

Author(s):

Kerry Callahan Mandulak

Keyword(s):

Speech Production ◽

Speech Signal ◽

Clinical Utility ◽

Acoustic Analysis ◽

Moment Analysis ◽

Analysis Tool ◽

Spectral Moment ◽

Clinical Measure ◽

Perceptual Analysis ◽

Disordered Speech

Spectral moment analysis (SMA) is an acoustic analysis tool that shows promise for enhancing our understanding of normal and disordered speech production. It can augment auditory-perceptual analysis used to investigate differences across speakers and groups and can provide unique information regarding specific aspects of the speech signal. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the utility of SMA as a clinical measure for both clinical speech production assessment and research applications documenting speech outcome measurements. Although acoustic analysis has become more readily available and accessible, clinicians need training with, and exposure to, acoustic analysis methods in order to integrate them into traditional methods used to assess speech production.

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