Mechanisms for producing complex sounds

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议的研究旨在全面了解复杂声音产生中涉及的运动机制。特别强调的是最广泛使用的动物模型系统学习声乐行为，斑胸草雀，其歌曲的特点是广泛的声学特征，从音调的声音复杂的频谱内容。理论和实验方法的结合和相互作用被用来解开这一范围的声音特性的产生的外围机制。交互式方法包括记录生理数据（肌电图和气囊压力）以驱动模型和腕关节肌肉刺激实验以测试建模工作的预测。基于这些改进的计算方法，一个原型的电子syrinx，实现模型的微分方程，将被修改，重现斑胸草雀的歌曲。这种电子鸣管将由用于歌曲产生的神经指令（肌肉激活模式和呼吸压力）控制，其可以在唱歌的鸟中被监测并用于在线生成声音。这个受试者控制的发声假体，然后用于产生声音输出在静音的鸟类，与潜在的实验操纵歌曲的特性，测试所需的声音特征作为信息，从听觉反馈维护的歌曲。 公共卫生相关性：这项研究将有助于我们了解神经控制，外周系统和声学行为之间的相互作用，这将增强我们对人类言语产生的理解。“电子喉鸣管”将为开发类似的人类喉部系统提供一个极好的测试装置。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed research aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the motor mechanisms involved in the generation of complex sounds. Particular emphasis is placed on the most widely used animal model system for learned vocal behavior, the zebra finch, whose song is characterized by a broad range of acoustic features from tonal sounds to complex spectral content. A combination and interaction of theoretical and experimental approaches is used to unravel the peripheral mechanisms of generation of this range of sound characteristics. The interactive approach involves recording of physiological data (electromyograms and air sac pressure) to drive the models and syringeal muscle stimulation experiments to test predictions of the modeling work. Based on these refinements of the computational approach, a prototype of an electronic syrinx, implementing the differential equations of the models, will be modified to reproduce zebra finch song. This electronic syrinx will be controlled by the neural instructions for song production (muscle activation patterns and respiratory pressure), which can be monitored in the singing bird and used for on-line generation of sound. This subject-controlled vocal prosthesis is then used to generate acoustic output in muted birds, with the potential for experimentally manipulating song characteristics, to test which acoustic features are required as information from auditory feedback for maintenance of song. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This research will contribute to our knowledge of the interplay between neural control, peripheral systems and acoustic behavior, which will enhance our understanding of speech production in humans. The "electronic syrinx" will provide an excellent test device for developing a similar system for the human larynx.