Effect of Snow Conditions on Speech Intelligibility ~Introduction of Wind Velocity, Temperature and Humidity~

Author(s):  
Tsubasa Maruyama ◽  
Kazuhiro Kondo
1980 ◽  
Vol 26 (94) ◽  
pp. 481-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masao Takeuchi

AbstractThere are a number of published empirical formulae for drift-snow transport as a function of wind velocity. Comparing these formulae at the same wind velocity, however, results in considerable disagreement. It is hypothesized that the disparity arises from snow conditions and the various stages of development of drifting snow.The horizontal distribution of drift flux was measured with snow traps along a transect parallel with the wind, beginning at an up-wind boundary that served as the starting point of drifting snow. Results indicate that drift-snow transport cannot be defined uniquely unless the drifting snow attains equilibrium (i.e. the snow profile is saturated).Saltation of snow particles is thought to prevail near the snow surface. However, the vertical flux profile of saltating snow has never been measured. Vertical profiles of drift flux from the snow surface to a height of 30 cm were measured at nine levels, using snow traps composed of nine streamers (compartments). It appears that the saltation flux prevails up to a height of 7-9 cm above the surface, and the suspension flux gradually takes over as the drifting snow develops.


1980 ◽  
Vol 26 (94) ◽  
pp. 481-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masao Takeuchi

Abstract There are a number of published empirical formulae for drift-snow transport as a function of wind velocity. Comparing these formulae at the same wind velocity, however, results in considerable disagreement. It is hypothesized that the disparity arises from snow conditions and the various stages of development of drifting snow. The horizontal distribution of drift flux was measured with snow traps along a transect parallel with the wind, beginning at an up-wind boundary that served as the starting point of drifting snow. Results indicate that drift-snow transport cannot be defined uniquely unless the drifting snow attains equilibrium (i.e. the snow profile is saturated). Saltation of snow particles is thought to prevail near the snow surface. However, the vertical flux profile of saltating snow has never been measured. Vertical profiles of drift flux from the snow surface to a height of 30 cm were measured at nine levels, using snow traps composed of nine streamers (compartments). It appears that the saltation flux prevails up to a height of 7-9 cm above the surface, and the suspension flux gradually takes over as the drifting snow develops.


Author(s):  
Yeshayahu Talmon

To achieve complete microstructural characterization of self-aggregating systems, one needs direct images in addition to quantitative information from non-imaging, e.g., scattering or Theological measurements, techniques. Cryo-TEM enables us to image fluid microstructures at better than one nanometer resolution, with minimal specimen preparation artifacts. Direct images are used to determine the “building blocks” of the fluid microstructure; these are used to build reliable physical models with which quantitative information from techniques such as small-angle x-ray or neutron scattering can be analyzed.To prepare vitrified specimens of microstructured fluids, we have developed the Controlled Environment Vitrification System (CEVS), that enables us to prepare samples under controlled temperature and humidity conditions, thus minimizing microstructural rearrangement due to volatile evaporation or temperature changes. The CEVS may be used to trigger on-the-grid processes to induce formation of new phases, or to study intermediate, transient structures during change of phase (“time-resolved cryo-TEM”). Recently we have developed a new CEVS, where temperature and humidity are controlled by continuous flow of a mixture of humidified and dry air streams.


1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Halpin ◽  
Barbara Herrmann ◽  
Margaret Whearty

The family described in this article provides an unusual opportunity to relate findings from genetic, histological, electrophysiological, psychophysical, and rehabilitative investigation. Although the total number evaluated is large (49), the known, living affected population is smaller (14), and these are spread from age 20 to age 59. As a result, the findings described above are those of a large-scale case study. Clearly, more data will be available through longitudinal study of the individuals documented in the course of this investigation but, given the slow nature of the progression in this disease, such studies will be undertaken after an interval of several years. The general picture presented to the audiologist who must rehabilitate these cases is that of a progressive cochlear degeneration that affects only thresholds at first, and then rapidly diminishes speech intelligibility. The expected result is that, after normal language development, the patient may accept hearing aids well, encouraged by the support of the family. Performance and satisfaction with the hearing aids is good, until the onset of the speech intelligibility loss, at which time the patient will encounter serious difficulties and may reject hearing aids as unhelpful. As the histological and electrophysiological results indicate, however, the eighth nerve remains viable, especially in the younger affected members, and success with cochlear implantation may be expected. Audiologic counseling efforts are aided by the presence of role models and support from the other affected members of the family. Speech-language pathology services were not considered important by the members of this family since their speech production developed normally and has remained very good. Self-correction of speech was supported by hearing aids and cochlear implants (Case 5’s speech production was documented in Perkell, Lane, Svirsky, & Webster, 1992). These patients received genetic counseling and, due to the high penetrance of the disease, exhibited serious concerns regarding future generations and the hope of a cure.


1986 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M. Risberg ◽  
Robyn M. Cox

A custom in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid fitting was compared to two over-the-ear (OTE) hearing aid fittings for each of 9 subjects with mild to moderately severe hearing losses. Speech intelligibility via the three instruments was compared using the Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) test. The relationship between functional gain and coupler gain was compared for the ITE and the higher rated OTE instruments. The difference in input received at the microphone locations of the two types of hearing aids was measured for 10 different subjects and compared to the functional gain data. It was concluded that (a) for persons with mild to moderately severe hearing losses, appropriately adjusted custom ITE fittings typically yield speech intelligibility that is equal to the better OTE fitting identified in a comparative evaluation; and (b) gain prescriptions for ITE hearing aids should be adjusted to account for the high-frequency emphasis associated with in-the-concha microphone placement.


1998 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1282-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Mertz Garcia ◽  
Paul A. Dagenais

This study examined changes in the sentence intelligibility scores of speakers with dysarthria in association with different signal-independent factors (contextual influences). This investigation focused on the presence or absence of iconic gestures while speaking sentences with low or high semantic predictiveness. The speakers were 4 individuals with dysarthria, who varied from one another in terms of their level of speech intelligibility impairment, gestural abilities, and overall level of motor functioning. Ninety-six inexperienced listeners (24 assigned to each speaker) orthographically transcribed 16 test sentences presented in an audio + video or audio-only format. The sentences had either low or high semantic predictiveness and were spoken by each speaker with and without the corresponding gestures. The effects of signal-independent factors (presence or absence of iconic gestures, low or high semantic predictiveness, and audio + video or audio-only presentation formats) were analyzed for individual speakers. Not all signal-independent information benefited speakers similarly. Results indicated that use of gestures and high semantic predictiveness improved sentence intelligibility for 2 speakers. The other 2 speakers benefited from high predictive messages. The audio + video presentation mode enhanced listener understanding for all speakers, although there were interactions related to specific speaking situations. Overall, the contributions of relevant signal-independent information were greater for the speakers with more severely impaired intelligibility. The results are discussed in terms of understanding the contribution of signal-independent factors to the communicative process.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document