Mechanisms for producing complex sounds

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究旨在全面了解复杂声音产生的运动机制。特别强调的是使用最广泛的动物模型系统来学习发声行为，斑胸草雀，其歌声具有广泛的声学特征，从音调声音到复杂的频谱内容。理论和实验方法的结合和相互作用被用来解开产生这一范围的声音特征的外围机制。互动方法包括记录生理数据（肌电图和气囊压力）来驱动模型和注射器肌肉刺激实验来测试建模工作的预测。基于这些计算方法的改进，一个电子鸣器的原型，实现模型的微分方程，将被修改以复制斑胸草雀的歌声。这种电子鸣管将由唱歌的神经指令（肌肉激活模式和呼吸压力）控制，这可以在唱歌的鸟身上监测到，并用于在线产生声音。这种主体控制的声乐假体随后被用于产生静音鸟类的声音输出，具有实验操纵鸣声特征的潜力，以测试哪些声学特征是维持鸣声所需的听觉反馈信息。

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.