THE USE OF AIRFLOW TESTS AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS IN ASSESSING THE VOICE RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL SINGERS

INTRODUCTION In the vocal arts, it is difficult to determine the exact type of human voice, and it is particularly challenging to identify the voice category of vocalist-beginners because the diapason of the voice has not fully developed. A vocalist often develops his or her voice in an unsuitable tessitura (sings in a wrong voice type) resulting in a loss of sound quality and damage to the voice. An objective metric-based system for the determination of the human voice is needed. The detection for the correlation between the airflow and vital capacity of the lungs, anthropometric data of the singers and the type of the human voice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty vocalists (ten sopranos, ten mezzo-sopranos, ten altos, ten tenors, ten baritones, and ten basses) were examined during this experimental research. All participants were professional singers who have been very successful singing in their voice category for more than five years. The Jaeger spirograph was used to investigate the volume of the peak expiratory flow of representatives of various voice categories, i.e. by measuring the speed of airflow in a time unit (per second). Measurements were made of height, body weight, vital lung capacity, and volume of the air flow per second in the big, middle and small bronchial tubes. To analyse the results, leading indicators of descriptive statistics were calculated, and one-factor disperses analysis (ANOVA) was used in equivalence testing calculations of the average values of morphological qualities. All statistical calculations were performed with the “Statistics” programme (7.0 edition). RESULTS The average height of the vocalists: sopranos – 165,8; mezzo-sopranos – 168,1; altos – 175,8; tenors – 180,5; baritones – 187,5; basses – 188,2. The average weight of the singers (kg): sopranos – 60,2; mezzo-sopranos – 70,5; altos – 74,1; tenors - 87,7; baritones – 91,4; basses – 92,6. The average vital lung capacity of the singers (L): sopranos – 3,79; mezzo-sopranos – 3,96; altos – 4,35; tenors 5,13; baritones – 6,06; basses – 6,12. The average peak expiratory flow of the singers per second (L/s): sopranos – 7,44; mezzo-sopranos – 7,43; altos – 8,19; tenors – 9,80; baritones - 11,49; basses – 11,2. The average volume of the air flow per second in the big bronchial tubes of the singers(L/s): sopranos – 6,49; mezzo-sopranos – 9,29; altos – 7,42; tenors – 7,91; baritones – 10,07; basses – 9,77. The average volume of the air flow per second in the middle bronchial tubes of the singers (L/s): sopranos – 4,60; mezzo-sopranos – 4,02; altos – 4,96; tenors 4,46; baritones – 5,79; basses – 5,73. The average volume of the air flow per second in the small bronchial tubes of the singers (L/s): sopranos – 1,98; mezzo-soprano – 1,49; altos – 1,99; tenors – 1,69; baritones – 2,24; basses – 2,17. There was a correlation between the airflow results e.a. Vital capacity, MEF 75 MEF 50 and PEF and the type of human voice, but there was no correlation between PEF 25 and the type of human voice. There was a positive correlation between anthropometric data like weight and height and the pitch of the voice. CONCLUSION There is a correlation between the type of human voice and a person's height, weight as well as their vital lung capacity and peak expiratory flow. According to our research data, an algorithm could be made for the determination of the type of human voice to avoid voice damage and health problems related to the forced use of the voice in a wrong pitch.

New Algorithm for Modeling of Bronchial Trees

The article presents new conception of 3D model of human bronchial tubes, which represents bronchial tubes extracted from CT images of the chest. The new algorithm which generates new model is an extension of the algorithm (basic algorithm) proposed by Hiroko Kitaoka, Ryuji Takaki and Bela Suki. The basic model has been extended by geometric deformations of branches and noise which occur in bronchial trees extracted from CT images. The article presents comparison of results obtained with the use of the new algorithm and the basic one. Moreover, the discussion of usefulness of generated new models for testing of algorithms for quantitative analysis of bronchial tubes based on CT images is also included.

Experimental basis of surgical treatment for expiratory collapse of the trachea and main bronchial tubes

Original surgical treatment for tracheobronchomalacia using external stabilization of movable segment with titanium nikelide implant has been developed. The experimental study was performed on 10 mongrels. Tracheomalacia was created by submucosal resection of tracheal cartilages. Efficacy of the method was tested using clinical, radiological, endoscopic and morphological examination. It is ascertained, that the technique permits to eliminate redundant mobility of tracheal segment simply and reliably.

The respiratory system

The aim of this chapter is to provide an outline of the underpinning theory and relevant information needed to deliver safe and effective, family centred, evidence based care to the child or young person who presents with breathing difficulties. In is anticipated that at the end of this chapter you will be able to: ● Understand the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system. ● Discuss the concept of visual assessment of breathing, including monitoring and recording of respiratory rate, oxygen saturation levels, and peak expiratory flow rates. ● Explain oxygen therapy and the use of airway adjuncts. ● Reflect upon methods and equipment used for suctioning. ● Discuss tracheostomy management, care of intrapleural drainage, and endotracheal tubes. ● Apply the concepts and principles outlined relevant to the hospital and community setting. This is the system through which oxygen is breathed in from the external environment, either by the nose or mouth, and a waste product (carbon dioxide) is excreted. The respiratory system consists of respiratory passages, which carry air via the nose to the lungs, and a network of blood capillaries in the lungs. The respiratory passages include the nose, pharynx, larynx (voice box), trachea, two bronchi (one bronchus to each lung), and copious bronchial tubes, which divide and lead to millions of alveoli (tiny air sacs). There are two lungs either side of the heart in the thoracic cavity. They are made up of bronchial tubes, alveoli, blood vessels, and nerves (McCance & Heuther, 2006). Air containing oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) is breathed into the lungs. This fills the alveoli. It is separated from the blood in capillaries by two semi-permeable membranes. These make up the walls of the alveoli and capillaries. Oxygen is at a higher concentration in the alveoli. It therefore passes from the alveoli into the blood. Carbon dioxide is higher in concentration in the blood, so it passes from the blood into the alveoli. Oxygen is carried in the blood in haemoglobin (red blood corpuscles). Breathing is the regular inflation and deflation of the lungs, maintaining a steady concentration of atmospheric gases in the alveoli (MacGregor, 2000).

Diagnosis and Management Update of Hemoptysis

Hemoptysis is defined as the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes as a result of pulmonary or ' bronchial hemorrhage1. Hemoptysis is classified as non-massive or massive based on the volume of blood loss; however, there are no uniform definitions for these categories. In this article, hemoptysis is considered non-massive if blood loss is less than 200 ml per day. The lungs receive blood from the pulmonary and bronchial arterial systems. The low-pressure pulmonary system tends to produce small-volume hemoptysis, whereas bleeding from the bronchial system, which is at systemic pressure, tends to be pro fuse.TAJ 2009; 22(1): 324-329