bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Room-aware portable Auditory Augmented Reality: Real-time spatial audio generation with geometric data analysis
Authors: Sato Rai , Izumi Yuto , Kim Sungyoung
Published: November 2023

This study proposes an innovative and practical approach to spatial acoustic rendering for Auditory Augmented Reality (AAR) in small room usage. AAR aims to enhance user experiences by overlaying spatially appropriate sounds in the real environment, creating the illusion that virtual sounds coexist in the physical world. However, current technological constraints in hardware and AAR rendering present challenges in creating a truly immersive sensation of “being there.” To address these challenges, we present a dynamic processing framework for a typical mobile AAR setting. This framework combines a game-audio engine with 3-D visual computation both specialized for real-time processing, providing a plausible spatial impression with lightweight computation. The process involves capturing room information by the Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) sensor mounted on the device, followed by estimating its dominant acoustic materials. The generated data will be used to compute dynamic early reflections and late reverberation. Early reflections are calculated up to the fourth reflection using the image source method, considering the acoustic materials. Late reverberation is generated using the Feedback Delay Network (FDN), with room frequency characteristics and spatial directivity varying relative to the listener's position. All components will be represented in fifth-order Ambisonics and binauralized with head-tracking. Notably, this dynamic rendering method could be light enough to handle all processing on a single mobile device.
Acoustic probe for temperature measurement suitable for operation with audio interfaces having random input/output delays
Authors: Fujita Yuki , Ebihara Tadashi , Wakatsuki Naoto , Maeda Yuka , Mizutani Koichi
Published: November 2023

Measuring temperature distribution is an important technique in the fields of meteorology, agriculture, and architecture. The acoustic probe emits sound waves from a speaker and measures the time it takes for the waves to reach a microphone, enabling the measurement of the average temperature between the speaker and the microphone. Additionally, by placing multiple acoustic probes around the measurement area, it becomes possible to measure the temperature distribution using fewer sensors compared to point-type sensors. However, acoustic probes can have higher costs due to the requirement for externally controllable setups or interfaces with minimal audio input/output (I/O) delays. To address this issue, we propose an acoustic probe that achieves accurate measurements even with a low-cost audio interface featuring random I/O delays. The proposed acoustic probe measures the delay time from the recording start to the playback start. This design cancels the error of sound wave propagation time caused by random delays in the audio interface. Through temperature measurement experiments using the proposed acoustic probe, it was revealed that precise measurements (the error of the proposed probe was 0.34°C, while the error of the existing probe was 4.88°C) could be achieved by canceling the random delays in the audio interface.
Application of heat transfer at the combustor wall to attenuate self-excited thermoacoustic oscillations
Authors: Evans Molly , Zhao Dan
Published: November 2023

Self-sustained thermoacoustic oscillations (also known as combustion instability) arise in combustors when pressure and heat release fluctuations couple to produce high-energy sound waves. The need for diverse strategies to control these oscillations will increase as future design moves towards highly efficient, lean combustors. In this work, the impact of heat transfer at the combustor wall on the generation of thermoacoustic oscillations is examined through computational fluid dynamics. Characteristics of the thermoacoustic oscillations generated across cases with a range of thermal boundary conditions are compared to an adiabatic reference case. The amplitude of limit cycle oscillations in a Rijke tube is seen to decrease as wall temperatures increase. A stable combustor with a negative growth rate is observed when the full outer wall is heated to 900 K, and a sound pressure level reduction of 75 dB is achieved. The most efficient stable configuration is achieved when only the inlet duct wall is heated to 1000 K, requiring a minimum of 430 W of input power. The present work introduces an alternative stable combustor design and demonstrates that optimizing the temperature distribution of the combustor wall can effectively dampen thermoacoustic oscillations.
Jet oscillation model for flute-like instruments allowing overall deflection
Authors: Adachi Seiji
Published: November 2023

A new jet oscillation model for flute-like instruments is proposed. This is based on a conventional semi-empirical model for a jet in half space disturbed by an acoustic cross flow. The proposed model, however, allows a jet to deflect and to oscillate as a whole with no phase delay in response to the volume flow through the instrument's window (embouchure hole or mouth). The overall jet deflection is essential to match the volume flow swept by the lateral motion of the jet to that through the window. The complete jet oscillation is the sum of the overall oscillation and that caused by fluid dynamical sinuous instability. The latter grows exponentially with a phase delay as the jet travels. The amplitude of acoustic volume velocity triggering this oscillation is much smaller than that through the window because most of it has already contributed to the overall deflection. The proposed model reasonably reproduces the recorder's head reflection coefficient measured in [Price et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 138(5), 3282–3292 (2015)]. Synthesis of recorder sounds using this model is underway.
Understanding the coherence properties of musical vibrato signals
Authors: Smith Sarah R. , Driscoll Erin , Bocko Mark
Published: November 2023

In the field of optics, coherence theory is used to characterize the relative correlation of optical fields at different points in space and time. While this framework has found fewer applications in acoustics outside of an imaging context, recent work has explored the possibility of characterizing rooms and other acoustical systems based on the coherence properties of naturally occurring reverberant sounds. Additionally, the cross-correlation functions used in coherence theory also underly many auditory perceptual models which leverage interaural correlations to estimate interaural time differences (ITD) used in sound localization. In these contexts, musical vibrato constitutes an important type of partially coherent signal. The quasiperiodic frequency, and often amplitude, modulation inherent to natural vibrato serves to reduce the coherence time of the sound, while being defined by a small set of relatively constant control parameters. This presentation will describe the relative impact of vibrato performance parameters, including vibrato rate and depth, on the coherence properties of the signal for various instruments. Analysis of recorded instrument samples will be compared predictions from a sinusoidal synthesis model for both the dry and reverberant cases. Finally, the potential for characterizing other musical systems, such as instruments, using coherence theory will be explored.
Exploring Gen in MaxMSP: Approaches to virtual analog and wavetable synthesis
Authors: Hossain Shaikat
Published: November 2023

The proposed poster presentation will explore using the Gen environment in MaxMSP to develop software that implements virtual analog and wavetable synthesis. Gen is a powerful tool that enables one to approach sound synthesis on an elemental level by implementing signal processing on the sample level instead of dealing with audio frames. The talk will explore both graphical patching and using the embedded text-based language GenExpr using the codebox operator. Focus will be placed on developing design patterns for developing efficient sound synthesis routines and learning to experiment in realtime with Gen.
Sound visualization of impact noise using parallel phase-shifting interferometry and development of noise reduction attachment
Authors: Yamazaki Takumi , Sakanoue Daiki , Oikawa Yasuhiro , Kiya Shoichi
Published: November 2023

Impact wrenches are one of the most commonly used tools in factories, and the noise generated by their use is loud. In order to improve the environment for workers, it is desirable to reduce the generation of such noise. In this study, we characterize the sound generated during the use of impact wrenches, one of the noise sources in factories, and propose a method to reduce the generated sound. Specifically, we first made visualization measurements of sound generated by the impact wrench using a high-speed polarization interferometer. As a result, a loud noise was generated from the part where the socket at the tip of the impact wrench contacts the fastening part at the same time as it rotates, and the vibration was transmitted to the fastening part, causing the noise. Next, we developed a sound deadening attachment to be attached to the impact wrench. We designed a sound-absorbing mechanism that matches the frequency band to which humans are most sensitive and the characteristic frequency generated when tightening the impact wrench, and also designed a vibration-absorbing mechanism using anti-vibration rubber and vibration-damping sheets. As a result, the characteristic metallic sound was reduced and the noise level was also reduced.
Ducted fan noise control by turbulence grids for drones
Authors: Wang Ruichen , Qin Denghui , Huang Xun
Published: November 2023

A small ducted fan with a rotor-stator assembly is being tested in an anechoic chamber at Peking University. To attenuate fan noise, turbulence grids have been inserted before the rotor to eliminate large-scale ingested flow structures and, therefore, to minimize the flow interactions between the rotors and stators. Several different grids with various geometry and solidity configurations have been considered in the tests. To demonstrate the proposed noise control method, both near-field in-duct on-surface microphones and far-field microphones are used to measure acoustic performance. In addition, a microphone array is deployed to acoustic images at several working conditions. The corresponding thrust performance, with and without the grids in between the rotors and stators, is being measured simultaneously. The possible fluid mechanics is presumably caused by the reduced strength of ingested turbulence structures. More results help to reveal this physical understanding will be given in the final manuscript. Through this work, we hope to investigate a new strategy that could possibly reduce UAV fan noise at several representative working conditions.
Transport theory and the founding of condensed matter physics
Authors: Gan Woon S.
Published: November 2023

In 1966, Woon Siong Gan coined and invented the name transport theory in condensed matter physics. Today, transport theory is the backbone theory of condensed matter physics and the whole condensed matter physics can be represented by transport theory. His PhD thesis pioneered the application of statistical mechanics to ultrasound propagation in semiconductor in the presence of high magnetic fields and low temperatures with the phase transition from the spherical energy surface of metal to the warped energy surface of semiconductor. The usual treatment is using the many-body theory of quantum field theory. Phase transition is an important topic in condensed matter physics. Thus, his PhD thesis also played a role in the founding of condensed matter physics. In this paper, transport theory is applied to phase transition, an important topic in condensed matter physics. The advantages of using transport theory is its broad coverage of both particles interaction and description of the singularity characteristics of phase transition. An example for illustration is that of magnetization which has Ising model describing spins interaction and the Lee Yang theory describing the singularity behavior of the partition function at the critical point of phase transition.
Higher-order scattering of high-frequency ultrasound in strongly heterogeneous microstructures
Authors: Roy Anubhav , Kube Christopher
Published: November 2023

Ultrasonic waves get scattered from grain boundaries while propagating through polycrystals, thereby experiencing attenuation and a change in wavespeed. These grain boundaries act as the sole scattering sites for untextured aggregates of randomly oriented crystallites. In addition, porosity, texture, defects, precipitates, or inclusions also serve as scatterers when present in a microstructure. Existing analytical models rely on the first-order smoothing approximation (FOSA)-based homogenization to the mass operator series in the governing Dyson equation. They can accurately predict ultrasonic dispersion in some weakly inhomogeneous metals like Aluminum. However, while comparing against more realistic Finite Element (FE) predictions, serious discrepancies, as high as 70%, are found in the attenuation estimates for metals, like Lithium, that possess strong elastic fluctuations in their microstructures. Thus, the current model analytically investigates higher-order scattering effects corresponding to the third-order smoothing approximation (TOSA) for the first time. Current results reveal no higher-order scattering effects for Aluminum at any frequencies. However, the longitudinal attenuation estimates for Lithium are found to improve by 1.27% and 0.37% in the “stochastic” (high-frequency) and “Rayleigh” (low-frequency) regimes, respectively. The presentation will highlight the effects of including TOSA on analytical estimates of high-frequencyultrasonic dispersion in different strongly heterogeneous microstructures.
Quantitative inversion of the elastic parameters outside the borehole based on exact Zoeppritz equations
Authors: Li Chao , Chen Hao , He Xiao , Dai Yuyu
Published: November 2023

The acoustic remote detecting method in the borehole has developed rapidly in the past few decades. It uses the reflected waves recorded by array receivers based on monopole or dipole sources in the fluid filled borehole to image geological structures outside the well. The result can provide guidance on the exploration and evaluation of oil and gas reservoirs and mineral resources. However, the present structure imaging results lack of the elastic information, which limit the quantitative evaluation of the resources. The AVO (amplitude variation with offset) inversion theory is introduced into the analysis of borehole waves. The interested interfaces (fractures or minor faults) with a generally larger wave impedance difference makes the widely used approximate equation in the surface exploration no longer applicable. Therefore, the exact Zoeppritz equations are used as the forward equations in the inversion. To reduce the nonlinearity of inversion, the initial model combining structure tensor and mode wave velocity analysis is constructed. The simultaneous inversion of the wave velocity and density of the reflector provides a theoretical basis for quantitatively evaluating the elastic parameters of the reservoir outside the borehole. [Work supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42004117 and 42127807).]
Birds: A unique animal model for studying hearing loss and recovery
Authors: Dooling Robert , Dent Micheal L. , Lauer Amanda
Published: November 2023

The 40-year-old discovery that birds regenerate hair cells in the inner ear after damage has yet to lead to treatments for hearing loss in humans, but there are other unique ways in which birds contribute to understanding the mechanisms and consequences of hearing loss. Like humans, many birds learn their vocalizations by reference to auditory information. Deafened as adults, birds experience a degradation in vocal output. Budgerigars trained to match a specific call lose precision in call production with temporary hair cell loss but regain that vocal precision with even a partial return of hearing. Canaries bred for low-pitched songs over hundreds of years inherit hair cell abnormalities, deficits in complex sound perception, and genetic mutations corresponding to mutations underlying human hair cell abnormalities. Treatment with aminoglycosides in these birds, which causes hair cell loss followed by regeneration and recovery of hearing, leads to improved hearing in birds with these hair cell abnormalities but not in those with normal hair cells suggesting that inducing supporting cell division leads to hearing recovery. Taken together, these and other findings suggest that birds should continue to be a fertile animal model for investigating hearing loss and recovery well into the future. [Work supported by NIH.]
The biology of hearing and hearing loss: New insights from naked mole-rats into mechanisms and adaptive responses
Authors: Pyott Sonja , Jagersma Joëlle , van Tuinen Marcel , Koch Ursula , Lauer Amanda , Park Thomas , Lysakowski Anna , Santos-Sacchi Joseph , Kumar Sudhir , Ryugo David
Published: November 2023

Understanding the biology of hearing and hearing loss requires not only examination of the existing structure and function of the auditory system but also consideration of its evolutionary legacy. In this context, research in my group, in collaboration with others, utilizes a comparative approach to investigate hearing and hearing loss in various rodent models, including Naked mole-rats—a highly vocal, eusocial, subterranean species exhibiting surprisingly poor hearing for reasons that long remained elusive. Our findings reveal that the comparatively poor hearing in Naked mole-rats results from a combination of factors, including the absence of cochlear amplification, disrupted hair bundles, and hair bundle proteins bearing deafness-associated amino acid substitutions. Intriguingly, evidence of positive selection in some bundle proteins suggests that altered hearing in Naked mole-rats may be an adaptive response to their subterranean and eusocial lifestyles. More recent work investigates the comparative organization of central auditory structures in Naked mole-rats to identify the mechanisms of central compensation that support auditory-vocal communication in this species despite their poor peripheral hearing. Ultimately, the Naked mole-rats serve as a naturally occurring disease model to investigate hearing loss and gain valuable insights into mechanistic approaches to treat hearing loss.
Prediction of low frequency vibration propagation from operating rail tunnels
Authors: Brown Graham , Timms David , Larner David
Published: November 2023

Predicting the propagation of vibrations from rail tunnels is important for quantifying and mitigating the environmental impacts of operating railways. In the general case, vibrations propagating from rail tunnels are attenuated by material damping and geometric effects. Often these effects are aggregated in empirical or numerical models which offer little insight into the physical behaviors that are involved and may be limited in terms of their applicability according to frequency range and tunnel-receiver geometry. This paper examines the aspects of low frequency vibration propagation from rail tunnels that are of relevance to predicting tactile vibration impacts and the influence of operating railway vibrations on sensitive imaging equipment. Fundamental geometric considerations and numerical models are used to determine the influence of pseudo-static effects, source-receiver geometry, layered ground and material damping effects, and the relationship between average and maximum vibration levels that are dependent upon source-receiver distance.
Design and development of SiteHive MEMS based system for real-time vibration monitoring
Authors: Darroch Michael M. , Cooper-Woolley Ben , Halkon Benjamin J.
Published: November 2023

Construction projects need to proactively manage their works that may cause vibration impacts to nearby structures and stakeholders. Risks of vibration include cosmetic and structural damage to buildings and threats to human comfort. The advent of MEMS accelerometers offers significant opportunities to improve on traditional vibration monitoring practices based on geophones. Geophones measure velocity which preclude acceleration based measurements and calculations like vibration dose value (the measure for human comfort), groundborne noise, and auto-levelling. The inability to capture these results means additional monitoring devices are required to capture all key measurements. MEMS-based vibration monitoring systems can be much cheaper, smaller, and more power efficient than traditional vibration monitoring systems. This enables easier installation, greater mobility, and more monitoring to be conducted. SiteHive has worked extensively with the National Measurement Institute (NMI) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to test and validate the efficacy of the MEMS-based accelerometers and develop a calibration system for MEMS-based devices. This paper will outline the design research and findings that have gone into this development, results from field testing, and details on the value offered by this innovation.
Platform motion estimation in multiple-input multiple-output synthetic aperture sonar with coupled variational autoencoders
Authors: Xenaki Angeliki , Pailhas Yan , Monti Alessandro
Published: November 2023

Synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) utilizes the motion of the platform carrying the sonar system to synthesize an aperture that is much longer than thephysical antenna by coherently combining data from several pings. Coherent processing in SAS requires platform motion estimation and compensation with sub-wavelength accuracy for high-resolution imaging. Micronavigation, i.e., through-the-sensor platform motion estimation from spatio-temporal coherence measurements of diffuse backscatter on overlapping recordings between successive pings, is essential when positioning information from navigational instruments is absent or inadequately accurate. Representation learning with a variational autoencoder (VAE) offers an unsupervised data-driven micronavigation solution. In this study, we introduce a hierarchical variational model implemented with coupled VAEs to relate the common latent features between datasets of coherence measurements in broadband multiple-input multiple-output SAS systems. We show that self-supervising the training process of independently parameterized but coupled VAEs improves significantly the accuracy of the micronavigation estimates.
Bayesian source localization in an urban environment using scattered signal distributions
Authors: Wilson D. Keith , Meyer Aaron C. , Kamrath Matthew J. , Romond Rachel A. , Best Cody M. , Pettit Chris L. , Ostashev Vladimir E.
Published: November 2023

Acoustic signals propagating in urban environments are influenced by rough-surface scattering, multipath reflections, and diffraction. Conventional source localization algorithms often perform poorly when these effects are present. Bayesian approaches, however, are particularly well suited to incorporating physics-based statistical models for the signal propagation. Previously, we found that the complex Wishart distribution, which describes fully saturated scattered signals across a network of receivers, can be readily employed in a Bayesian framework. This approach is very general, as it includes source triangulation and trilateration as special cases. Feasibility was initially demonstrated using simulations. In the present work, we describe an experimental demonstration of Bayesian source localization using data recorded in an urban-like environment. The experimental data were collected as part of a NATO urban acoustics-seismics experiment in Walenstadt, Switzerland, in May 2023. A network of four acoustic nodes, each with 12 microphones, was deployed and recorded emissions from a variety of sources. Initial results from the data processing and localization are described.
Mobile AUV localization using multiple static transceivers equipped with linear arrays
Authors: Chen Yonghua , Yu Hua , Li Jie , Ji Fei , Chen Fangjiong
Published: November 2023

Most existing research on multi-base sonar AUV positioning systems typically assumes that the AUVs are stationary and only observe the Time of Arrival (TOA) for positioning. If the AUV is assumed to be moving at medium to high speed and its motion during measurement is not considered, this will decrease positioning accuracy. Meanwhile, combining multiple positioning parameters, such as Angle of Arrival (AOA) and TOA, can improve target positioning accuracy. However, using planar arrays to observe two-dimensional AOA (2-D AOA) will consume more computational resources. To alleviate these issues, this study uses multiple static transceivers equipped with linear arrays to observe one-dimensional AOA (1-D AOA) and TOA to achieve moving AUV positioning. Firstly, the 1-D AOA and TOA parameter models under motion effects are pseudo-linearized, transforming the positioning problem into a constrained least squares problem. Then, a semi-definite programming (SDP) solution algorithm with noise tolerance is proposed. In addition, the Cramér–Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) under different observation models with motion effects is derived, and bias analysis under different observation models is conducted. Simulations validate the effectiveness of the proposed positioning method.
Electrophysiological and behavioral assessment of binaural processing: Effects of age
Authors: Grose John , Buss Emily , Kane Stacey G. , Folkerts Monica
Published: November 2023

Spatial hearing deteriorates with age, but the basis(es) of this age-dependency is not clear and could reflect both bottom-up and top-down factors. Since binaural processing depends in part on interaural time difference cues, this study assessed binaural temporal acuity using both objective and behavioral measures. Three tasks incorporating interaural time/phase differences were tested: (1) in-phase and out-of-phase frequency modulation (FM) detection as a function of FM rate; (2) upper frequency limit of in-phase versus out-of-phase tone discrimination; and (3) minimum audible angle for low frequency tones. Each task incorporated parallel behavioral and electrophysiological measures: For behavior, forced-choice adaptive methods were employed; for electrophysiology, the acoustic change complex (ACC) was recorded. Additional measures of peripheral auditory function, as well as cognitive status, were also collected. Young and middle-aged adults (n = 20 per age group) with normal audiometric hearing were tested. Differences in behavioral measures of binaural performance were noted between the two age groups and these were reflected to some extent in the ACC results. However, group differences were also noted in terms of cochlear function and in terms of cognitive abilities. This pattern of results suggests that age-related deterioration in spatial perception is likely to be multi-faceted.
Olivocochlear efferent system degeneration and plasticity with aging and noise exposure
Authors: Lauer Amanda
Published: November 2023

Contributions of the ascending peripheral and central auditory pathways to age-related and noise-induced hearing deficits have been well-characterized, but we know comparatively little about how the descending projections from the brain to the cochlea contribute to hearing deficits. Studies have shown dynamic structural and neurochemical changes in the olivocochlear system associated with acoustic experience and age, indicating that olivocochlear efferents cannot be considered a static system when attempting to reveal effects on hearing. I will summarize our efforts to understand how these pathways are involved in hearing dysfunction measured using physiological, behavioral, and anatomical assays in mouse models. Our work suggests that loss of olivocochlear efferent neurons is most detrimental to hearing in aged and aged, noise-exposed auditory systems which are already working with reduced afferent input to the brain. Furthermore, noise-induced changes in the lateral olivocochlear efferents appear to compensate for diminished medial olivocochlear activity—an effect that may explain the variable behavioral outcomes in hearing in noise studies involving the medial olivocochlear reflex in humans and animal models.
Effects of age-related cochlear deafferentation and central gain on auditory scene analysis
Authors: Bharadwaj Hari , Mysore Athreya Varsha
Published: November 2023

Animal models show that cochlear afferent nerve endings are more vulnerable than sensory hair cells to age-related damage. Because such cochlear deafferentation is not apparent in standard audiometry, the extent to which it contributes to deficits in human hearing is debated, and the intervening neural processes are poorly characterized. This presentation will describe our efforts to address these gaps through co-ordinated experiments in at-risk humans and a chinchilla model. Our results suggest that cochlear deafferentation is widespread in middle age despite clinically normal audiometric sensitivity. Furthermore, the resulting reduction in peripheral input appears to trigger compensatory central “gain” at the cortical level, likely through altered local balance of excitation and inhibition. Consistent with the important role of inhibition in parsing temporal regularities across different frequency components of sound, central gain is also associated with reduced ability to perceptually segregate acoustic scenes with multiple sources into individual perceptual streams. Taken together, our results suggest that age-related cochlear deafferentation may affect hearing not only by reducing the fidelity of input encoding but also by interfering with the central auditory system’s ability to extract targets in noisy environments.
Dissociated neural tracking as an index of speech understanding in background noise
Authors: Meng David , Wong Angela , Clemesha Jennifer , Mejia Jorge
Published: November 2023

Human brain activity has been shown to track hierarchical linguistic units embedded in connected speech and these responses can be directly modulated by changes in speech intelligibility caused by spectral degradation or prior knowledge. In this study, we introduce a background noise and manipulate its level relative to the target speech to test the hypothesis that the tracking responses are modulated differently by the variations in Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) and changes in speech intelligibility. Electroencephalography (EEG) responses to speech in quiet and in noise (multi-talker babble) at three different levels were measured from 19 normal hearing participants. Driven by the reduction in intelligibility, cortical coherence to “abstract” linguistic units with no accompanying acoustic cues was reduced relative to the “speech only” condition, and lateralized to single cerebral hemispheres. In contrast, brain responses coherent to words, aligned with acoustic onsets, were bilateral and reduced systematically as noise level increased. Strength of the tracking response correlated with subjective ratings from each participant on how much they can understand the speech sentences at all different linguistic levels. These results provide an objective and sensitive neural marker of speech intelligibility which can be further developed into clinical applications for objective assessment of speech-in-noise understanding.
Formant change and individual variation in male-to-female transgender speakers during voice therapy
Authors: Szalay Tuende , Nguyen Duy D. , Chacon Antonia , Madill Catherine
Published: November 2023

Increased fundamental frequency (F0), resonance frequency (F2), and vowel formant frequency (F1, F2, F3) are linked to be perceived as feminine, making them desired outcomes of successful gender-affirmative voice therapy for male-to-female transwomen (MTF). However, treatment often only targets pitch, reporting F0 as an acoustic outcome measure. Vowel formants are measured less often and show inconsistent results. We retrospectively explored the effect of voice therapy on formants of Australian English /i:/. 44 MTF speakers were treated with Sob Voice Therapy using the Optimal Phonation Task, Sob Voice Quality, and Sob Variant therapy components in consecutive order. Speakers were recorded at baseline and after mastering each therapy component. F1, F2, and F3 were extracted at /i:/ target in maximally three words per component. Formant values were analyzed using linear mixed models with therapy component and therapy length as fixed effects and patient as random effect. We found no statistically significant effect of therapy component nor session on formant values at p = 0.05. Graphic inspection of the data suggests between-speaker variation, indicating that some patients may respond to treatment despite the lack of group effect. Future research may explore other acoustic outcome measures for the efficacy of gender-affirmative voice therapy.
Optimal sampling strategies for seabed classification and source localization with Gaussian processes and machine learning
Authors: Michalopoulou Zoi-Heleni , Frederick Christina
Published: November 2023

Workshop ’97 data are employed for seabed classification and source range estimation. The data are acoustic fields computed at vertically separated receivers for various ranges and three different environments. Gaussian Processes are applied for denoising the data and predicting the field at virtual receivers, sampling the water column densely within the array aperture. The enhanced fields are then used in combination with machine learning in order to map the signals to one of 15 sediment-range classes (corresponding to three environments and five ranges). In prior work, the classification results after using Gaussian Processes for denoising were demonstrated to be superior to those when noisy workshop data are employed. Here, we explore optimal sampling strategies (e.g., nonuniform sampling, subsampling) for inducing sparsity in the correlation matrices that are based on hydrophone locations, and compare these with uniform sampling that was used in our prior work.
Comparing acoustical measurements from Falcon 9 launches
Authors: Kellison Makayle S. , Pulsipher Noah L. , Moats Levi T. , Anderson Mark C. , Mathews Logan T. , Cunningham Carson F. , Gee Kent L. , McCullah-Boozer Megan R. , Hall Lucas K. , Hart Grant W.
Published: November 2023

The Falcon 9 rocket has successfully launched nearly 300 orbital missions, providing the opportunity to study noise radiation and propagation variability. Acoustical measurements of several Falcon 9 launches have been made on and near Vandenberg Space Force Base, ranging 0.5 to 14 km from the launch pad. This paper’s purpose is to compare collocated measurements from different Falcon 9 launches to begin to understand data variability as a function of launch and environmental conditions. One far-field location, at a distance of 8.4 km, has been measured across all launches, whereas several other locations spanned subsets of launches. This comparative analysis includes time-varying levels, spectra, and waveform statistics such as the pressure derivative skewness. Time periods of particular interest are liftoff, peak noise, and late into the launch when the vehicle is significantly downrange. [Work supported in part by the NSF REU program and by USACE.]
Enhancing hearing protection in complex noise environments with extended-wear hearing aids
Authors: Brungart Douglas S. , Sherlock LaGuinn , Spencer Nathaniel J. , Gallagher Hilary
Published: November 2023

Conventional hearing protection devices (HPDs) work well in predictable noise environments where it is practical to put them on prior to exposure and remove them after. However, some noise environments are characterized by long periods of relative quiet that are unpredictably interrupted by brief periods of hazardous noise. These environments make it difficult to ensure that HPDs are worn when exposure to hazardous levels occurs. One possible solution is the extended-wear hearing aid (EWHA), a hearing aid that completely blocks the ear canal and can remain in the ear for months at a time. Previous research has shown that the EWHA can provide protection from impulse noise without significantly interfering with detection and localization of environmental sounds. At that time, the major drawback of the EWHA was that once it was removed it could only be re-inserted by an audiologist. This limitation has been addressed by the development of a self-insertion tool that allows users to remove and re-insert the EWHA as desired. We will discuss the potential advantages of using the EWHA as an HPD, with an emphasis on situations where the EWHA could be used to reduce noise exposure without modifying the current commercially available device.
A new method for measurement of impulsive peak level attenuation of hearing protectors
Authors: Fackler Cameron , Gauger Dan , Schmitt Jeff G. , Murphy William , Berger Elliott
Published: November 2023

ASA/ANSI S12.42-2010 contains the first standardized test method for measuring the performance of hearing protection devices (HPDs) with high-level impulsive noise. This standard defines the impulsive peak insertion loss (IPIL) as a time-domain metric that quantifies the reduction in peak sound pressure level provided by an HPD for impulsive noises. However, IPIL as defined in S12.42-2010 is dependent on the spectrum of the impulsive noise source used for measurements of HPDs. Recent studies of HPDs with impulsive noise have led to the investigation of frequency-domain metrics and calculation methods. Using frequency-domain calculations allows the impulsive peak level attenuation to be computed for a wide range of impulsive noises, not only those used for the measurement. Consequently, significant revisions to S12.42 are under consideration and a new standard, ISO 4869-7, is being developed in parallel with the ANSI revision. This presentation highlights key proposals and substantive changes including: measurement and calculation of the frequency-dependent impulsive insertion loss (IIL), incorporation of frequency-domain aspects such as real-ear attenuation at threshold (REAT) limits to attenuation, and a new impulsive peak level attenuation metric (IPLA) to be calculated from the REAT-bounded IIL.
Disordered voice recognition benchmark
Authors: Gupta Rijul , Gunjawate Dhanshree R. , Nguyen Duy D. , Madill Catherine , Jin Craig
Published: November 2023

Over the past decade, the application of machine learning to voice disorder recognition has shown promising results. However, several areas of the discipline that impact recognition accuracy remain understudied. These areas include the impact of different vocal tasks, patient demographics, and symptom details. Additionally, the hyperparameters associated with voice features cannot always be easily explored in terms of recognition accuracy. Furthermore, preliminary research from an ongoing scoping review reveals differences in diagnostic terms used within the field. To address the issues raised above, we introduce the Disordered Voice Recognition (DiVR) Benchmark that includes a variety of vocal tasks, some patient history data, and a hierarchical organization of diagnostic terms derived from a consensus of multiple clinical experts. The DiVR Benchmark includes detailed spreadsheets outlining the variety of datasets, features, and machine learning algorithms described in the literature. In this work, we present an ensemble of baseline models and compare recognition results with some of the most commonly employed algorithms. We also describe how the classification accuracy varies with data availability, the granularity of the disorder classification label, and the vocal task employed.
Shifting the Energy Toward Los Angeles: Comparing the Energetic Contribution and Pacing Approach Between 2000- and 1500-m Maximal Ergometer Rowing
Authors: Astridge Daniel J. , Peeling Peter , Goods Paul S.R. , Girard Olivier , Watts Sophie P. , Dennis Myles C. , Binnie Martyn J.
Published: November 2023

Purpose: To compare the energetic contribution and pacing in 2000- and 1500-m maximal rowing-ergometer performances. Methods: On separate visits (>48 h apart, random order), 18 trained junior (16.7 [0.4] y) male rowers completed 3 trials: a 7 × 4-minute graded exercise test, a 2000-m time trial (TT2000), and a 1500-m TT (TT1500). Respiratory gases were continuously measured throughout each trial. The submaximal power-to-oxygen-consumption relationship from the graded exercise test was used to determine the accumulated oxygen deficit for each TT. Differences in mean power output (MPO), relative anaerobic contribution, percentage of peak oxygen uptake, pacing index, maximum heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and blood lactate concentration were assessed using linear mixed modeling. Results: Compared to TT2000 (324 [24] W), MPO was 5.2% (3.3%) higher in TT1500 (341 [29 W]; P < .001, ). There was a 4.9% (3.3%) increase (P < .001, ) in anaerobic contribution from 17.3% (3.3%) (TT2000) to 22.2% (4.3%) (TT1500). Compared to TT1500, maximum heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and blood lactate concentration were all greater (P < .05) in TT2000. The pacing index was not different between trials. Percentage increase in MPO from TT2000 to TT1500 was negatively associated with pacing variance in TT1500 (R2 = .269, P = .027). Conclusions: Maximal ergometer performance over 1500 m requires a significantly greater anaerobic contribution compared with 2000 m. Junior male athletes adopt a consistent pacing strategy across both distances. However, those who experienced greater percentage increases in MPO over the shorter test adopted a more even pacing strategy. To prepare for 1500-m performance, greater emphasis should be placed on developing capacity for work in the severe domain and completing race simulations with a more even pacing strategy.
Effect of a Customized Physical Activity Promotion Program on Visceral Fat and Glycemic Parameters in Individuals With Prediabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jadhav Radhika A. , Maiya G. Arun , Umakanth Shashikiran , Shivashankara K.N.
Published: November 2023

Background: Physical activity of any amount results in substantial health benefits. However, public awareness of physical activity benefits in chronic diseases is inadequate in India. Prediabetes is a significant health issue on a global scale. Visceral fat (VF) is considered as an early predictor of prediabetes. Ethnicity and race have a substantial impact on VF. Hence, this study intended to evaluate the effect of a customized physical activity promotion program on VF and glycemic parameters in individuals with prediabetes. Methods: In the current, parallel group randomized controlled trial, a total of 158 participants were recruited: 79 in intervention and 79 in control group. The study included the prediabetes individuals based on American Diabetes Association criteria. Participants from the intervention group received the customized physical activity promotion program for 24 weeks. The primary outcome measures of the study were VF level and glycemic parameters that included fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin. Two-way mixed analysis of variance was used to study the mean difference of an outcome between 2 groups over time. Results: The study found a statistically significant interaction between the intervention and times on VF level, F1,136 = 23.564, fasting blood sugar levels, F1,136 = 8.762, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels, F1,136 = 64.582 at the end of 24 weeks (P < .05). Conclusions: This study concluded that a customized physical activity promotion program was effective in reducing VF in individuals with prediabetes as compared with controls. It improved glycemic control by reducing fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin levels.
Authenticity Negotiation: How Elite Athletes (Re)Present Themselves as Personal Brands
Authors: Bredikhina Nataliya , Kunkel Thilo , Kudesia Ravi
Published: November 2023

Projecting authenticity is crucial for athletes engaged in personal branding. Prior scholarship has emphasized the “frontstage” of authenticity: what tactics athletes use to present themselves and how audiences perceive such tactics. But it has not yet examined the “backstage”: why athletes pursue authenticity and the strategic considerations involved in such ongoing self-presentations. Using a constructivist grounded theory that draws on interviews with 30 elite athletes engaged in personal branding, we unpack these backstage processes, which are not straightforward but entail an ongoing cycle of authenticity negotiation. Our model of authenticity negotiation identifies conflicting authenticity demands and constraints imposed by various actors, which athletes attempt to resolve over time using a range of authenticity management tactics. By modeling the backstage processes in authenticity negotiation, our research integrates, contextualizes, and suggests extensions to the existing frontstage work on authenticity. It offers guidance to athletes and practitioners on managing athlete brands and stakeholder collaborations.
Introducing an environmental microbiome to axenic
Aedes aegypti
mosquitoes documents bacterial responses to a blood meal
Authors: LaReau Jacquelyn C. , Hyde Josephine , Brackney Doug E. , Steven Blaire
Published: November 2023

Axenic
Aedes aegypti
mosquitoes were colonized with bacteria from an environmental water source to compare the midgut microbiota acquired from the wild to the microbiome of insectary-reared mosquitoes, specifically over the course of blood meal digestion. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that diversity, composition, and community turnover of the midgut microbiomes were distinct between the insectary and environmental groups, with the environmental microbiomes having a greater diversity and larger temporal shifts over the course of the blood meal. Metagenomic prediction from the 16S rRNA gene sequence data pointed to metabolic processes such as vitamin biosynthesis, fatty acid recycling, and fermentation pathways differentiating the functional potential of the two different microbiomes. To further test if we could identify functional traits that distinguished the two microbiomes, we performed a culture-based assay. Culturable bacteria were more abundant in the insectary microbiomes and there was very little overlap in the taxonomy of bacteria recovered from the insectary or environmental groups. The ability of the isolates to lyse blood cells was determined on blood agar plates, and only isolates from the environmental microbiome harbored the ability to perform hemolysis in culture. These data support that the differences in taxonomy observed between the two different microbiomes also result in differences in the functional potential of the community. Thus, this study demonstrates the power of the axenic mosquito model to shed light on the community ecology of the mosquito microbiome, and the potential to better represent the microbiomes of wild mosquitoes in a laboratory setting.

IMPORTANCE

The blood meal of the female mosquito serves as a nutrition source to support egg development, so is an important aspect of its biology. Yet, the roles the microbiome may play in blood digestion are poorly characterized. We employed axenic mosquitoes to investigate how the microbiome differs between mosquitoes reared in the insectary versus mosquitoes that acquire their microbiome from the environment. Environmental microbiomes were more diverse and showed larger temporal shifts over the course of blood digestion. Importantly, only bacteria from the environmental microbiome performed hemolysis in culture, pointing to functional differences between bacterial populations. These data highlight that taxonomic differences between the microbiomes of insectary-reared and wild mosquitoes are potentially also related to their functional ecology. Thus, axenic mosquitoes colonized with environmental bacteria offer a way to investigate the role of bacteria from the wild in mosquito processes such as blood digestion, under controlled laboratory conditions.