bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an 128 element array for demonstrating Artificial Intelligence techniques in an Acoustic Sensor System
Authors: Prather Wayne E. , Frazier William G. , Gilliland Charles
Published: November 2023

An 128 element acoustic array utilizing digital MEMS microphones was developed for demonstrating Artificial Intelligence techniques in an Acoustic Sensor System. The data from all 128 elements are collected and transmitted to the host computer through USB at a bit depth of 24 bit and sample rate of 48 kHz. Under the assumption of a condition of limited processing power, Artificial Intelligence techniques are used to determine the optimum choice of which set of 24 of the available 128 elements to process for determining the direction of a detected source of sound. The design and construction of the array will be discussed. A companion presentation will discuss the signal processing techniques developed and employed on the system.
Creaky voice prevalence across Sydney
Authors: White Hannah , Penney Joshua , Gibson Andy , Szakay Anita , Cox Felicity
Published: November 2023

Creaky voice is a voice quality that has been associated with various social categories such as gender, age, and socioeconomic status in previous literature. However, few studies have investigated creaky voice in relation to linguistic or ethnic heritage. Using a corpus of conversational speech from 131 Australian English-speaking teenagers who live in various areas across Sydney characterized by differences in linguistic and ethnic diversity, we explore how creaky voice use is influenced by gender and ethnic heritage. Creaky voice is automatically detected using the optimized Union method (White et al., 2022, JASA), which employs a combination of acoustic cues to identify the various phonetic realizations of creaky voice. Findings show that creaky voice use is highly variable across Sydney indicating that a complex relationship exists between creaky voice prevalence, speaker gender and ethnic heritage. This study shows that while variability may correlate with social groupings, other factors, such as a speaker’s orientation towards their community, may contribute to levels of creaky voice prevalence.
Machine learning based ship localization in shallow water using ship noise recorded by two vertical line arrays
Authors: Jo Moon Ju , Han Dong-Gyun , Son Su-Uk , Choi Jee Woong
Published: November 2023

For the application of machine learning to sound source localization, much train data distinguished from test data is needed to build the machine learning model. In Shallow-water Acoustic Variability Experiment (SAVEX-15) conducted in shallow water (water depth ∼100 m) in Northern East China Sea (ECS), ship noise of the R/V Onnuri was recorded by two vertical line arrays. Acoustic data of ∼80% was applied to the training dataset and the others having different trajectories were used for the test data. The recorded data is preprocessed by a sample covariance matrix and it is used as the input data of the machine learning model: Feedforward neural network (FNN) and support vector machine (SVM). The results by FNN and SVM will be discussed with conventional localization method using ray-based blind deconvolution (RBD) and array invariant (AI). [Work supported by the Agency for Defense Development, Korea (UD210004DD).]
Frequency analysis of passive sonar signals using multiple-measurement physics-informed neural network
Authors: Ko Sunyoung , Kang Mingu , Bae Junho , Seong Woojae , Shin Myoungin , Choo Youngmin
Published: November 2023

We propose a deep learning based frequency analysis for passive sonar signals by considering a linear system based on a relation between time and frequency domain signal representations. An adaptive learned iterative shrinkage thresholding algorithm (Ada-LISTA) is utilized as the deep learning architecture to solve the linear system effectively and to ensure generalization performance. To obtain more reliable solutions, we involve the linear system in loss function during training. Futhermore, in order to reduce noise effectively, we employ multiple measurements from time and space domains, which have common frequency components of passive sonar signals. Thus, the loss function is modified for solutions from the multiple measurements to have shared frequency components. We conduct experiments using synthetic and underwater in-situ data to examine performance of frequency analysis considering the linear system in designing the architecture and finding the optimal weights. The frequency analysis demonstrates superior performance in detecting frequency components and reducing noise, compared to fast Fourier transform and sparse Bayesian learning with low computational burden during its application to the test measurements.
Deep learning based effective feature extraction for active sonar target detection
Authors: Hwang YoungSang , Kim Geunhwan , Shin Sungjin , Hong Wooyoung , Choo Youngmin
Published: November 2023

We propose a deep learning (DL) model suitable for classifying target and non-target using a small amount of active sonar data. The proposed model uses two hand-crafted features (STFT and CQT) extracted from the same raw active sonar data, to complement each other and enhance the generalization of DL under insufficient data. The attention-based complementary learning module in proposed model reinforces one feature by referring to the other feature. The comprehensive feature from the complementary learning module pass through a shallow layer CNN and classify targets and non-targets. To verify the performance of the proposed model, we compared it with prevalent deep learning models including ResNet and ViT in terms of generalization performance and learning stability using two real-ocean datasets. The generalization performance of the proposed model having much smaller number of parameters was similar to or superior to the existing deep learning models depending on the training dataset, while the proposed model had the best learning stability for the two datasets.
Moonlight driven biological choruses in coral reefs
Authors: Duane Daniel , Freeman Simon , Freeman Lauren A.
Published: November 2023

Sounds from fish and invertebrates in coral reefs can create persistent cacophonies that can be recorded for ecosystem monitoring, including during nighttime hours where visual surveys are typically not feasible. Here, we use soundscape measurements in Hawaii and Bermuda to demonstrate that multiple coral reef communities are rapidly responsive to shifts in nighttime ambient light, with sustained changes in biological sound between moonrise and moonset. Feeding sounds from parrotfish become more prominent as moonlight increases nighttime visibility, and fish vocalizations become less prominent with moonlight, likely to minimize detection during times with increased predation. The response of invertebrate sounds to moonlight varies by location, increasing in Hawaii reefs and decreasing in Bermuda reefs. These discoveries suggest that the rising and setting of the moon triggers regular shifts in coral reef ecosystem interactions. Future acoustic monitoring of reef health may be improved by comparing soundscapes during moonlight and non-moonlight hours, which may provide early indicators of shifts in the relative abundance of separate reef communities.
Biological chorusing and fish calls in Bermuda
Authors: Freeman Lauren A. , Duane Daniel , Freeman Simon
Published: November 2023

A series of sea tests and long term passive acoustics monitoring studies have been conducted in Bermuda from 2020–2023. Observations of biological choruses and individual fish call events from sensors in deep water off the flank of the Bermuda Atoll, and alongside shallow sub-tropical reefs, will be discussed. We find striking similarities between sub-tropical Atlantic reefs in Bermuda with documented trends in tropical coral reef soundscapes studies in Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. This observation suggests that evening chorusing and patterns in reef sound and fish calls are potentially pervasive across large portions of the world’s oceans. Deep water calls that appear to be associated with large fish such as groupers were observed on the atoll flank. Evening chorusing at change of light is commonly observed on tropical reefs and also persistent on Bermuda’s sub-tropical reefs. Evening biological chorusing is also evident at deep water sights, indicating that this may not be a strictly littoral biological soundscape feature.
An automated approach for detection and classification of toothed whales in Hawai'i marine protected areas
Authors: Madrigal Brijonnay , McCullough Jennifer , Lammers Marc , Oleson Erin , Bejder Lars , Pacini Aude
Published: November 2023

Passive acoustic monitoring is an effective technique for studying cetacean presence within marine protected areas (MPAs). The Hawaiian archipelago is home to 18 species of resident toothed whales, but little is known regarding the spatio-temporal variability of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens—FKW) and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) across Hawai‘i MPAs. Bottom-moored recorders were deployed inside and outside the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument through SanctSound and Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. High Frequency Acoustic Recording Packages (HARPs) and SoundTraps (200 kHz/48 kHz SR, respectively) deployed between 2018 and 2022, allowed leveraging of long-term datasets. Data used in this study include 27 deployments across 11 sites, encompassing >187 months of data. Here, we describe an automated approach for species classification which is challenging given the high spectral overlap in whistle features and acoustic masking during humpback whale season. PAMGuard detectors were used to detect whistles, clicks, and burst pulses. Features were extracted using PAMpal and species classified using BANTER models and confirmed from a Hawaiian Islands Ecosystem Assessment Survey annotated dataset. Acoustic monitoring provides vital information about the value of MPAs and a better understanding of endangered insular FKW habitat use.
Unsupervised beluga whistle end-point detection under burst pulse interferences
Authors: Zhao Yibo , Liu Songzuo , Qiao Gang , Qing Xin
Published: November 2023

Passive acoustic monitoring is an increasingly important tool for whale research. Accurately detecting the end-point of whale whistle is an essential task in the study of marine mammal calls. However, the detection accuracy of the beluga whistle is reduced due to the non-stationary burst pulse interference in the marine environment. In this paper, an unsupervised two-stage beluga whistle end-point detection method is proposed to solve the above problem. Based on the high Q-factor wavelet decomposition, a rough whistle detection method is proposed to remove the silent time and the low intensity pulse. On this basis, local density adaptive spectral clustering is designed to further distinguish whistle and strong pulse interference based on the sparsity difference in time-frequency domain. The performance of the detector is tested with real signals of beluga whales, and its F 1-score is calculated. The result shows that the detector is obviously better than the traditional whistle detectors under the background of burst pulse interferences, and has higher robustness. In the future, the presented method is supposed to be applied for detecting whistles of some other whale species.
Lip-valve interactions with the resonant bore of a trombone
Authors: Boutin Henri , Smith John , Wolfe Joseph
Published: November 2023

Players of brass instruments usually play at a pitch close to one of the strong resonances of the instrument bore, but can easily play either above or below a resonance. Simple one-degree-of freedom models having aperture in phase with longitudinal lip displacement do not readily explain auto-oscillationwith realistic values of lip losses and cannot explain oscillation at frequencies below resonance. Experimental measurements of lip motion, pressures and flows show that the lips’ longitudinal motion leads the transverse: the lips move downstream closed, then open, then retract while open. Because of the forward sweeping motion, flow starts before the lips open. The sweeping motion has two important effects: first, it allows a range of phases between pressure and flow. Second, it means that the DC pressure acts on a larger area in the forward motion than during retraction. Both have consequences for oscillation energetics. A simple calculation of the PdV work done on the longitudinal component of motion, using measured quantities, indicates that it could provide a substantial fraction of the energy necessary for auto-oscillation with lossy lips. These mechanisms might have implications for other auto-oscillatory systems such as the vocal folds.
Voice matching in sung duos: Is it related to spectrum envelopes?
Authors: Kittimathaveenan Kajornsak , Ternström Sten , D'Amario Sara
Published: November 2023

Choir singers report anecdotally that two voices can be perceived as a good match for each other, or not. Could “matching voices” be explained by the spectrum envelopes? Thirteen singers sang a duo in unison or canon with an adjacent prerecorded reference singer, in a moderately reverberant room. Singers controlled the stimulus timbre, using variable filters in medium and high frequency bands. They were asked to adjust the filters, while singing, for “best” and “worst” perceived matching. The singers then performed the song again, but with the filters automatically set to their chosen (dis-)preferences. The Self-to-Other ratio as a function of frequency [SOR(f)] at the ipsilateral ear of the participant was estimated from multiple microphone signals to predict separately the long-time average spectra of Self and Other. Most participants rated the sound with extreme filter settings at ±15 dB as the “worst” match, while “best” matches were fairly evenly distributed. Some but not all participants preferred the spectra to be complementary. However, at low frequencies, SOR(f) was about +10 dB, and very irregular but rarely negative at medium and high frequencies; so how an adjacent singer can be heard at all will require further investigation.
Ongoing analysis of far-field acoustical measurements during the Artemis-I launch
Authors: Kellison Makayle S. , Gee Kent L. , Cunningham Carson F. , Anderson Mark C. , Hart Grant W. , Coyle Whitney L.
Published: November 2023

As the global space industry expands, impacts from super heavy-lift launch vehicle noise on payloads, communities, and natural habitats are better understood with improved source models. To support model development, this paper discusses ongoing analyses of far-field acoustical measurements made during the NASA Space Launch System (SLS) Artemis-I mission. Fifteen acoustical measurement stations were deployed prior to the launch, including ten autonomous stations within Kennedy Space Center and five manned stations off-Center, up to 50 km from the pad. This paper presents a brief summary of data analyzed from all 15 stations, including A-weighted and unweighted sound pressure levels and spectra. Additionally, the skewness of the pressure time derivative is shown as a quantifier of the noise’s crackling component. Finally, source directivity and sound power analyses are presented. [Work supported in part by the NSF REU Program and the Utah Space Grant Consortium.]
A look into far-field rocket noise modeling: Approaches and potential sources of error
Authors: Rasband Reese , Wall Alan T.
Published: November 2023

In recent years, rocket launches have elevated from novelty to being seen as means of transportation, exploration, and delivery. Defense, commercial, and public sectors are looking to increase their cadence in missions and ability to perform them. Like airports before them, spaceports are being developed and regulated. Much research has been done in rockets as a noise source, and how they may affect communities, structures, and wildlife. The most common approach for modeling the far-field rocket noise relies heavily on NASA SP-8072 and work done by Dr. Sally McInerny, a NASA researcher. The approach takes known mechanical properties of the rocket, such as rocket nozzle diameter, exit flow velocity, and number of engines to calculate the sound power of the system, and then propagate the noise to the receiver with an applied directivity factor. The level decay is based on spherical spreading, and additional attenuation factors such as atmospheric conditions and ground impedance. This paper attempts to show an overview of these different components and their effects on model predictions. Their relevance and limitations are also discussed.
Directivity and sound power of rockets: A comparative analysis of source characteristics and their implementation into a predictive model
Authors: Mathews Logan T. , Pratt Hunter J. , Anderson Mark C. , Gee Kent L.
Published: November 2023

Fundamental jet and rocket noise modeling includes quantifying the acoustic power and directivity characteristics of the source. While many attempts have been made to define a model for the sound power and directivity of jets and rockets, many of these models have been based on flawed measurements or methodologies. This paper presents the directivity and sound power characteristics as obtained from launched rockets. The results are compared with those in the literature. The directivity and sound power properties are used in a standard source model for rocket noise, and the resulting predictions are evaluated.
Frequency-dependent directivity and sound power measurements of two launched United Launch Alliance Atlas V rockets
Authors: Anderson Mark C. , Mathews Logan , Rasband Reese , Gee Kent L.
Published: November 2023

The noise generated during rocket launches is both intense and directional. Historically, rocket noise directivity has been studied using static firing data. Although such tests result in greater averaging times at all angles, it is also possible to estimate directivity curves and sound power for a launched rocket so long as the trajectory data and microphone locations are known. Acoustical measurements were made during two United Launch Alliance Atlas V launches out of Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA. Multiple microphones were placed around the base ranging from 300–7000 m from the launch pad at different azimuthal angles around the pad. Frequency-dependent directivity curve estimates and sound power spectra are calculated and compared between measurement sites and launches. Directivity indices are compared with those found in the literature. The overall sound power levels agree well between the two launches, though a general trend persists where the sound power estimate decreases as a function of measurement distance. The sound power spectra are also nondimensionalized using Strouhal number scaling and compared with historical literature. [Work supported in part by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education and the Air Force Research Laboratory.]
Protecting beyond the bone-conduction limit: Lessons learned developing and fielding a passive Hearing Protection Helmet
Authors: Wilbur Jed C. , Allen Lindsay , Audette William , Passow Christian , VanMalden Jacob , Arsenault James , Hamilton Jonathan , Gould Kimberly , Lei Tiffany , Farnese John , Pollock Sienna , Kline Schoder Robert
Published: November 2023

Traditional hearing protection devices focus on attenuating air-conducted sound and are limited by the bone conduction threshold (Berger, 1983). In extreme noise fields, such as aircraft maintainers operating near jet engines on aircraft carriers, the bone conducted pathway carries sufficient energy to damage the cochlea. Here, we describe the development, qualification, and field-testing of a passive Hearing Protection Helmet (HPH) designed to surpass the bone conduction limit. The HPH features a noise-isolating shell sealed to the head via a compliant edge seal. When worn with foam earplugs and tested to ANSI S12.6-2016 (Experimenter Fit), the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of the HPH is 38 dB and the Noise Reduction Statistic (NRSA) (ANSI S12.68) (80% to 20% of users) is 45 to 52 dB. We also describe challenges associated with user acceptance of the HPH. User feedback led to the integration of an electronic hear-through system to restore auditory situational awareness. Users also rejected wired communication-enabled ear plugs, resulting in the integration of ear cup speakers and adding challenges associated with setting the hear-through sound pressure level limits. We conclude with anecdotes from trial deployments aboard U.S. Navy Aircraft Carriers in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
Custom hearing protection devices: Are they better?
Authors: Stefanson JR , Noetzel Jennifer , Jones Heath
Published: November 2023

When hazardous noise is unavoidable, hearing protection devices (HPDs) are used to reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing injuries. The question of which HPD is appropriate or “the best” is often a subject of debate. Appropriateness may be dictated by environmental factors, such as noise exposure type and level, mission requirements such as communication needs, compatibility with other personal protective equipment, or even personal preference. Regardless of the type used, properly fitting hearing protection is paramount to prevent or reduce hazardous noise entering the auditory system. Custom HPDs are designed to fit the specific anatomy of an individual and, when made and fit properly, may be appropriate for many applications and missions (e.g., band members, certain aviators). In addition to being tailor-made to each individual, custom HPDs may be designed to couple with communication devices, frequency or level-specific filters, and/or may incorporate electronics to provide capabilities such as amplification or reduction of ambient noise. Attenuation performance of custom HPDs coupled to a communication earplug (CEP) was measured and compared to traditional foam HPDs coupled to the CEP. This discussion will include custom HPD fabrication options, performance characteristics, benefits, drawbacks, and finally their potential real-world application.
The impact of phase on auditory situational awareness
Authors: Fowler Brian
Published: November 2023

A person’s situational awareness is the ability to understand and correctly interpret the world as it exists around them. One component of auditory situational awareness is sound localization, or the ability to identify where a sound is in space relative to the listener. Different aural cues contribute to a listener’s sound localization: the difference in the time it takes for a sound to reach one ear compared to the other (interaural time difference, or ITD) and the difference in the level of the sound at each ear (interaural intensity difference, or IID). The relative contribution of these interaural differences changes with frequency regime, with ITD/IPD being more dominant at low frequencies and IID being more dominant at high frequencies. These cues, as well as a spectral coloration dependent upon the shape of the listener’s pinna and concha bowl, contribute to what is called the head-related transfer function (HRTF). This study examines the impact of a phase inversion in one ear on a person’s auditory situational awareness. Testing was conducted in accordance with ASA/ANSI S3.71-2019, Method 3 to measure the impact on response time, using full spectrum stimuli as well as band-limited stimuli to focus testing on each aural cue.
Measuring the effect of electronic hearing protection devices on behavioral detection thresholds
Authors: Thompson Eric R. , Gallagher Hilary , Pryor Nina
Published: November 2023

Electronic hearing protection devices can provide amplification for quiet ambient sounds, while still providing protection against loud sounds. These can be important in environments with sporadic and unpredictable hazardous noise, but also with a need for maintaining awareness of ambient sounds, or for conducting face-to-face communication. This study’s aim was to understand what impact electronic hearing protection devices have on auditory detection thresholds. Human subjects were used to measure thresholds for narrowband noise bursts without hearing protection, with electronic hearing protectors powered off, and with electronic hearing protectors powered on with several gain settings. In addition, electroacoustic measurements were made of the input/output functions and electronic noise floors of the hearing protectors at the same gain settings. The data showed that thresholds in quiet with electronic hearing protectors were higher than without, regardless of the device amplification. This could be attributed to the hearing protector electronic noise limiting performance. Thresholds measured with ambient masking noise were similar across open ear and device conditions, reflecting that the signal-to-noise ratio for ambient sounds does not change with amplification. Listeners with a simulated conductive hearing loss had lower thresholds with an electronic hearing protector than without, suggesting a benefit of the device amplification.
The effect of vocal tract semi-occlusion on the voice source and implications for voice therapy
Authors: Zhang Zhaoyan
Published: November 2023

Semi-occluded vocal tract exercises are often used in voice therapy to improve voice production. It is generally assumed that by enhancing source-filter interaction, such vocal exercises improve vocal efficiency while minimizing vocal fold collision. The goal of this computational study is to quantify such effects of source–filter interaction on the voice source. Voice simulations were performed with vocal tract constriction at various locations (false vocal folds, aryepiglottic folds, pharynx, oral cavity, and lips). The results showed that effects of vocal tract constriction on the voice source were generally small except for conditions of extreme constriction, at which constrictions at any location along the vocal tract decreased the mean and peak-to-peak amplitude of the glottal flow waveform. In general, source-filter interaction that reduced vocal fold contact pressure also decreased sound pressure level, thus making it impractical when targeting a desired output vocal intensity. While source–filter interaction is often assumed to improve vocal efficiency and economy, our results indicate that such improvements are mainly due to improvement in the filter rather than the voice source at the glottis. It is possible that speakers make additional laryngeal adjustments during vocal exercises, which may also contribute to the therapeutic benefits of such exercises.
Method of acoustic separation on the surface of cylindrical baffle
Authors: Zhang Lihong
Published: November 2023

This paper suggests a statistically optimal near-field acoustic holography method based on the combination of plane waves and cylindrical waves, which is used for underwater cylindrical baffles. The method addresses the issue that the extraction of scattered acoustic waves from the surface of underwater cylindrical baffles requires too many measurement points in practical applications: separation of incident and dispersed sound fields and near-field measurements of sound fields at baffle surfaces.The underwater detection sound source is situated in the scatterer's far-field region, so in the actual application scenario for the surface acoustic scattering separation of the cylindrical baffle, the plane wave expansion is used to represent the surface incident acoustic wave and the cylindrical wave expansion is used to describe the scattered acoustic wave on the baffle surface. As a result, fewer expansion orders are required to describe the entire sound field on the baffle's surface. It is verified by simulation that the method is valid and efficient for near-field total sound field measurement and dispersed sound field separation of roughly cylindrical targets under underwater far-field incidence situations because the measurement holographic surface of the surface permits unlimited geometries.
Enhancement of Green's functions based on striation pattern
Authors: Kim Daehwan , Kim Donghyeon , Byun Gihoon , Kim J. S. , Song Heechun
Published: November 2023

Enhancement of Green's function is accomplished from the striation pattern obtained from data. The waveguide invariant theory allows a Green's function observed at one location to be extrapolated into adjacent ranges [Song and Byun, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 147, 2150–2158 (2020)]. Conversely, Green's functions observed at adjacent ranges can converge towards a central location for coherent combination to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This can be accomplished from the frequency shift in the striation pattern without prior range information of each Green's functions. We demonstrate a significant improvement of SNR in the broadband Green's function from a moving ship in shallow water.
Having a Goal Up Your Sleeve: Promoting a Mastery Climate in a Youth Football Academy Team
Authors: Rossing Niels N. , Lykkeskov Michael , Martin Luc J. , Rasmussen Ludvig Johan Torp
Published: November 2023

In sport, there is extensive evidence that supports the benefits associated with a mastery climate. However, limited studies have explored how physical tools could be used to promote mastery climates in youth sport contexts. Using an action research approach, we sought to understand the benefits and drawbacks of applying tools grounded in goal setting to promote a mastery environment: (a) an “arm sleeve” to be worn by athletes during training and matches and (b) a “reflection sheet” for use pre- and posttraining/-matches. These tools were implemented for a 3-week period with a U13 academy team (18 players and two coaches). Based on observation notes, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews, the analysis showed that the arm sleeves were helpful reminders for process goals, whereas the coaches had abandoned the use of reflection sheets due to lack of time. The benefits and drawbacks of the tools are discussed while pedagogical and practical implications are considered.
Supplemental Material: Successive accretions of future allochthonous terranes and multiple subduction zone jumps: Implications for Tethyan evolution
Authors: Yan Zhiyong , Chen Lin , et al.
Published: November 2023

Text S1, Tables S1 and S2, Figures S1 and S2, and Videos S1 to S5. The numerical methods and model setup, the material properties used in the numerical experiments, the composition and density field in Model 1 at 31.8 m.y., the evolution of the composition in Model 6, and animated evolutions of the main models are described.
Severe hypocalcaemia mimicking acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Allam Sahitya , Kotloff Ethan , Bhat Anusha , Wang Libin
Published: November 2023

Hypocalcaemia is a common electrolyte deficiency that can be found in up to 28% of hospitalised patients. It may affect cardiac and smooth muscle tone, leading to ECG abnormalities and, in rare cases, coronary spasms and heart failure. This is a case of a pregnant woman in preterm labour who developed vasospastic angina and corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation on ECG from severe hypocalcaemia, which likely occurred due to iatrogenic hypermagnesaemia. She had a negative diagnostic workup for acute coronary syndrome, and her chest pain and QTc prolongation ultimately resolved with intravenous electrolyte repletion. This case highlights the importance of considering hypocalcaemia on the differential of chest pain that is possibly cardiac in origin.
Interaction of genetic risk and lifestyle on the incidence of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Frederiksen Tanja Charlotte , Christiansen Morten Krogh , Benjamin Emelia J , Overvad Kim , Olsen Anja , Andersen Mette K , Hansen Torben , Grarup Niels , Jensen Henrik Kjaerulf , Dahm Christina C
Published: November 2023

Background

The relationship between combined genetic predisposition and lifestyle and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to assess a possible interaction between lifestyle and genetics on AF risk.

Methods

We included AF cases and a randomly drawn subcohort of 4040 participants from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort. Lifestyle risk factors were assessed, a score was calculated, and participants were categorised as having a poor, intermediate, or ideal lifestyle. We calculated a genetic risk score comprising 142 variants, and categorised participants into low (quintile 1), intermediate (quintiles 2–4) or high (quintile 5) genetic risk of AF.

Results

3094 AF cases occurred during a median follow-up of 12.9 years. Regardless of genetic risk, incidence rates per 1000 person-years were gradually higher with worse lifestyle. For participants with high genetic risk, the incidence rates of AF per 1000 person-years were 5.0 (95% CI 3.4 to 7.3) among individuals with ideal lifestyle, 6.6 (95% CI 5.4 to 8.1) among those with intermediate lifestyle and 10.4 (95% CI 9.2 to 11.8) among participants with poor lifestyle. On an additive scale, there was a positive statistically significant interaction between genetic risk and lifestyle (relative excess risk due to interaction=0.86, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.03, p<0.001).

Conclusions

The rates of AF increased gradually with worse lifestyle within each category of genetic risk. We found a positive interaction on an additive scale between genetic risk and lifestyle, suggesting that risk factor modification is especially important in individuals with a high genetic risk of AF.
High-dimensional single-cell proteomics analysis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma reveals dynamic alterations of the tumor immune microenvironment after neoadjuvant therapy
Authors: Han Dingpei , Han Yichao , Guo Wei , Wei Wei , Yang Su , Xiang Jie , Che Jiaming , Zhu Lianggang , Hang Junbiao , van den Ende Tom , van Laarhoven Hanneke W M , Li Bin , Ye Youqiong , Li Hecheng
Published: November 2023

Background

Dynamic alterations of the tumor immune microenvironment in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after different neoadjuvant therapies were understudied.

Methods

We used mass cytometry with a 42-antibody panel for 6 adjacent normal esophageal mucosa and 26 tumor samples (treatment-naïve, n=12; postneoadjuvant, n=14) from patients with ESCC. Single-cell RNA sequencing of previous studies and bulk RNA sequencing from The Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence analyses were performed.

Results

Poor tumor regression was observed in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group. Radiotherapy-based regimens enhanced CD8+T cells but diminished regulatory T cells and promoted the ratio of effector memory to central memory T cells. Immune checkpoint blockade augmented NK cell activation and cytotoxicity by increasing the frequency of CD16+NK cells. We discovered a novel CCR4+CCR6+macrophage subset that correlated with the enrichment of corresponding chemokines (CCL3/CCL5/CCL17/CCL20/CCL22). We established a CCR4/CCR6 chemokine-based model that stratified ESCC patients with differential overall survival and responsiveness to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immunotherapy, which was validated in two independent cohorts of esophageal cancer with neoadjuvant treatment.

Conclusions

This work reveals that neoadjuvant therapy significantly regulates the cellular composition of the tumor immune microenvironment in ESCC and proposes a potential model of CCR4/CCR6 system to predict the benefits from neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with immunotherapy.
Harnessing the power of clinical decision support systems: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Chen Zhao , Liang Ning , Zhang Haili , Li Huizhen , Yang Yijiu , Zong Xingyu , Chen Yaxin , Wang Yanping , Shi Nannan
Published: November 2023

Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) are increasingly integrated into healthcare settings to improve patient outcomes, reduce medical errors and enhance clinical efficiency by providing clinicians with evidence-based recommendations at the point of care. However, the adoption and optimisation of these systems remain a challenge. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of CDSS, discussing their development, implementation, benefits, limitations and future directions. We also explore the potential for enhancing their effectiveness and provide an outlook for future developments in this field. There are several challenges in CDSS implementation, including data privacy concerns, system integration and clinician acceptance. While CDSS have demonstrated significant potential, their adoption and optimisation remain a challenge.
Estimated causal effects of common respiratory infections on cardiovascular risk: a meta-analysis
Authors: la Roi-Teeuw Hannah M , van Smeden Maarten , Bos Maureen , de Wilde Sophie M , Yang Bada , Rutten Frans H , Geersing Geert-Jan
Published: November 2023

Objective

Literature supports associations between common respiratory tract infections (RTIs) and risk of cardiovascular diseases, yet the importance of RTIs for cardiovascular risk management remains less understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the causal effects of RTIs on occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in the general population.

Methods

MEDLINE and EMBASE were systematically searched up to 4 November 2022. Eligible were all aetiological studies evaluating risk of cardiovascular outcomes after exposure to common RTIs within any follow-up duration. Evidence was pooled using random-effects models if data allowed. The ROBINS-E and GRADE approaches were used to rate risk of bias and certainty of evidence, respectively. All assessments were performed in duplicate.

Results

We included 34 studies (65 678 650 individuals). Most studies had a high risk of bias. COVID-19 likely increases relative risk (RR (95% CI)) of myocardial infarction (3.3 (1.0 to 11.0)), stroke (3.5 (1.2 to 10)), pulmonary embolism (24.6 (13.5 to 44.9)) and deep venous thrombosis (7.8 (4.3 to 14.4)) within 30 days after infection (GRADE: moderate) and about twofold within 1 year (GRADE: low to moderate). Other RTIs also likely increase the RR of myocardial infarction (2.9 (95% CI 1.8 to 4.9)) and stroke (2.6 (95% CI 1.1 to 6.4)) within 30 days (GRADE: moderate), and to a lesser extent with longer follow-up.

Conclusions

RTIs likely increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases about 1.5–5 fold within 1 month after infection. RTIs may, therefore, have clinical relevance as target for cardiovascular risk management, especially in high-risk populations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023416277.
Analytical solutions to the isentropic Euler system with the logarithmic equation of state
Authors: Lou Guangpu , Dong Jianwei
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we study the analytical solutions to the isentropic Euler system with the logarithmic equation of state, which has been introduced for the dark energy fluid to investigate the dynamical evolution of a late-time universe. By using some ansatz, we construct some analytical solutions for one-dimensional case, [Formula: see text]-dimensional radially symmetric case and three-dimensional cylindrically symmetric case, respectively. The concentration and cavitation phenomena are investigated and some global analytical solutions are obtained under some conditions.
Bending and twisting behavior of multilayer graphene
Authors: Subramanian K. R. V.
Published: November 2023

In this work, multilayer graphene was chosen and modeled in ANSYS software. In the software, it was subjected to bending forces through various bend angles. In order to test for bending, the model is subjected to rigid support on the base side. Then a force is applied on the side on which the angle is provided to simulate Bending. Stress–strain plots were analyzed for various bending angles. The graphene sheet was also subjected to twist forces within the software. In order to test for torsion, the model is subjected to rigid support on both sides. Then a couple is applied on the opposite sides to simulate torsion. Torsional stress and strain measurements were analyzed. The trends were studied and correlations with the material properties of graphene were established. The quest is to identify a magic angle for bend and twist.
Temporal and Semantic Fusion for Multi-Label Crime Classification via a TCN-BERT-Coupled Approach
Authors: Wang Pei , Chen Teng , Wang Yuewei
Published: November 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques leverage the justice system in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. AI-empowered multi-label crime classification can facilitate the precise and expedient categorization of various legal documents. Multi-label classification within the justice system has an indispensable role in achieving accurate legal categorization that invigorates case analysis, optimizes resource distribution and refines the contours of legal processes. To support this critical function, this paper proposes a temporal convolutional network (TCN)-bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT)-coupled model for multi-label crime classification. The proposed method fuses the temporal formation and semantic information in the model to obtain a high-quality result. The experimental results show that the proposed method achieved the best accuracy in comparison to existing methods on a public dataset.
MBIST Implementation and Evaluation in FPGA Based on Low-Complexity March Algorithms
Authors: Jidin Aiman Zakwan , Hussin Razaidi , Lee Weng Fook , Mispan Mohd Syafiq
Published: November 2023

March algorithms are widely used in Memory Built-In Self-Test (MBIST) on-chip memory testing, providing linear test complexities that reduce the test time and cost. However, studies show that March algorithms with complexities lower than 18N have poor coverages of faults that have emerged with the advent of the nanometer process technologies and are more relevant to nowadays memories. New March AZ1 and March AZ2 algorithms, with 13N and 14N complexities, respectively, were introduced to provide optimum coverage of those faults and to produce a shorter test than an 18N-complexity test algorithm with a lesser area overhead, thus reducing chip manufacturing costs. This paper presents the implementation and validation of MBIST controllers that applied the March AZ1 and March AZ2 algorithms in a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) device. They were implemented in the Intel Max 10 DE10-Lite FPGA Development Board. A test generator was built in FPGA, as an alternative to the external tester, to provide test vectors required in initiating the test on the memory model using the implemented MBIST. The FPGA experimental tests demonstrated that they function correctly as the expected test sequences were observed. In addition, their fault detection abilities were also validated through tests on a fault-injected memory model, which shows that the implemented March AZ1 and March AZ2 provide 80.6% and 83.3% coverage of the intended faults, respectively, which outperform any other existing 14N-complexity March algorithms.
Electromagnetic transitions between two mesons containing different masses of heavy quarks using BS framework
Authors: Negash Hluf
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we calculate the electromagnetic (EM) transition decay widths between two mesons containing different heavy quarks (c and b) for the process; [Formula: see text], using the Bethe–Salpeter (BS) framework. The calculated results are found to be in a reasonable agreement with other theoretical models but the experimental data for this problem is not yet available.
Cohomology of Associative H -Pseudoalgebras
Authors: Liberati José I.
Published: November 2023

We define the cohomology of associative [Formula: see text]-pseudoalgebras, and we show that it describes module extensions, abelian pseudoalgebra extensions, and pseudoalgebra first-order deformations. The same results for the special case of associative conformal algebras are also described in details.
On Connected Graphs with Distance Eigenvalue −1 of Multiplicity at Least n−4
Authors: Yang Yuhong
Published: November 2023

Let [Formula: see text] denote the set of all connected graphs on [Formula: see text] vertices having distance eigenvalue [Formula: see text] of multiplicity [Formula: see text]. By using the distribution of the third largest distance eigenvalue and the second least distance eigenvalue of a connected graph, in this paper we completely characterize the graphs in [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text].
Product and Complex Structures on 3-Bihom-Lie Algebras
Authors: Li Juan , Hou Ying , Chen Liangyun
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we introduce the notion of a product structure on a 3-Bihom-Lie algebra, which is a Nijenhuis operator with some conditions. We prove that a 3-Bihom-Lie algebra has a product structure if and only if it is the direct sum of two vector spaces which are also Bihom-subalgebras. Then we give four special conditions under each of which a 3-Bihom-Lie algebra has a special decomposition. Similarly, we introduce a complex structure on a 3-Bihom-Lie algebra and there are also four types of special complex structures. Finally, we establish the relation between a complex structure and a product structure.
Diplomatic Partnership Building and Transformation of China-Middle East Health Cooperation
Authors: Tang Bei , Hu Heyang
Published: November 2023

China’s foreign health cooperation has evolved from health aid to health partnership with the advent of global health diplomacy. Particularly since the start of the new era, China has planned forward in the area of health cooperation, strengthening the connections with its entire diplomatic approach and taking a more active part in the world health community. This paper examines the distinctions between conventional aid and health partnerships using the cooperation between China and the Middle East as an illustration. It also traces the development of the health partnership network between China and the Middle East through sectorial collaboration, humanistic exchanges, institutional building, and mutual policy appreciation. Using the two sides’ cooperation in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak as an example, it evaluates the effects of cooperation on regional health governance and diplomatic relations. It is considered that there has been a favorable contact between China and Middle Eastern nations in terms of health cooperation.
About this title - The Impacts of Igneous Systems on Sedimentary Basins and their Energy Resources
Authors: Kilhams B. , Holford S. , Gardiner D. , Gozzard S. , Layfield L. , McLean C. , Thackrey S. , Watson D.
Published: November 2023

Igneous processes within sedimentary basins impact energy resource plays across a range of scales from regional tectonics to reservoir porosity. Understanding these interactions has a direct influence on hydrocarbon, carbon capture, geothermal, hydrogen and helium projects. This volume demonstrates state of the art thinking around these often complex systems.
The Modulation Instability Analysis and Analytical Solutions of the Nonlinear Gross−Pitaevskii Model with Conformable Operator and Riemann Wave Equations via Recently Developed Scheme
Authors: Gao Wei , Baskonus Haci Mehmet
Published: November 2023

In this manuscript, we focus on the application of recently developed analytical scheme, namely, the rational sine-Gordon expansion method (SGEM). Some new exact solutions of Riemann wave system and the nonlinear Gross−Pitaevskii equation (GPE) by using this method are extracted. This method is based on the general properties of the SGEM which uses the fundamental properties of trigonometric functions. Many novel analytical solutions such as dark, bright, mixed dark–bright, hyperbolic, and periodic wave solutions are successfully extracted. Physical meanings of solutions are simulated by the various figures in 2D and 3D along with the contour graphs. Strain conditions of the existence are also reported in detail. Finally, modulation instability analysis of the nonlinear GPE is studied in detail.