bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creep-induced nonlinear ultrasonic change in an austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Ohtani Toshihiro , Ishii Yutaka , Tabuchi Masaaki , Sawada Kota , Hongo Hiromichi
Published: November 2016

We investigated the evolutions of two nonlinear acoustic characterizations: resonant frequency shift and three-wave mixing, with electromagnetic acoustic resonance (EMAR) throughout the creep life in an austenitic stainless steel, JIS-SUS 304. EMAR was a combination of the resonant acoustic technique with a non-contact electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT). We used bulk- shear-wave EMAT, which transmits and receives shear wave propagating in thickness direction of a plate specimen. Creep tests with plate specimens were carried out at 973 K, and 100 MPa and interrupted at several time steps. Two nonlinear acoustic parameters showed peas at 40% of creep life. After that they deceased, they increased from 60% of creep life to rupture. We interpreted these phenomena in terms of dislocation recovery, recrystallization, and restructuring and the initiation and growth of creep void, with support from the SEM and TEM observation.
Second harmonic ultrasonic waves detection using a double-layered piezoelectric transducer
Authors: Fukuda Makoto , Imano Kazuhiko
Published: November 2016

A real-time detection system for second harmonic ultrasonic pulse waves using a double-layered piezoelectric transducer (DLPT) has been constructed. We also analyzed the effective detection of the second-harmonic ultrasonic pulse waves generated by closed-cracks and/or contact surfaces of solids (CAN: contact acoustic nonlinearity) using DLPT and the pulse inversion averaging (PIA) method. Lamb waves were also detected in a double-layered piezoelectric transducer (DLPT). The second harmonic components generated from a closed crack in the glass plate were detected in the pulse-echo method. The second harmonic components in the received waveform in the closed crack area were approximately 6 dB higher than that in the crack-free area. To confirm the origin of the second harmonic components, vibration velocities were detected by using laser Doppler vibrometry. As a result, the threshold amplitude for the generation of the second harmonic components of the Lamb wave was confirmed. This result indicates the existence of the closed cracks in the glass plate.
The effects of visual and production components in training the perception and production of English consonant contrasts by Mandarin speakers
Authors: Wong Janice Wing Sze
Published: November 2016

Studies have shown the effectiveness of auditory-only training in improving the perception and/or production of non-native contrasts. This study investigated whether providing additional visual and production components are more useful than auditory-only training. The contrasts /ð/-/z/ and /θ/-/s/ were chosen since studies reported these common confusions among Mandarin EFL learners. Forty-five participants were divided into five groups receiving 10 training sessions: auditory-only (A), audio-visual (AV), auditory and explicit production (AP), visual-only (V) or explicit production-only (P). All auditory and visual stimuli were produced by six native General American speakers while the production training involved a native GA speaker giving immediate feedback. Word-level identification and reading pre/post-tests were used to measure their perception and production performance. Robust perceptual improvement of the two consonant pairs was found in A, AV, AP, and P although they did not differ significantly. Their production only improved significantly when they were trained under A, AV, AP, and P, whereas AP and P groups performed significantly better than other groups. These results showed auditory-only training could already improve the perception and production of difficult contrasts, while visual and production components did not make a significant difference in perception improvement. Only direct production training was more beneficial in training participants’ production.
Transducer influence on magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction based on 3D equivalent source analysis for tissues
Authors: Ma Qingyu , Feng Shaotong , Guo Gepu , Tu Juan , Zhang Dong
Published: November 2016

As a noninvasive imaging modality based on the coupling of magnetic and acoustic fields, magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI) has been demonstrated to have the capability of imaging the variation of conductivity distribution inside the object. However, the image resolution is still limited by the parameters of the receiver. Based on the theory of acoustic dipole, 3D equivalent source analysis was used to simulate transducer detected pressures and waveforms for MAT-MI. The influence of transducer was studied both theoretically and experimentally for a cylindrical model. It is demonstrated that large-radius transducer with strong reception pattern can detect the acoustic signals transmitted along its normal direction with sharp pressure peaks, reflecting the divergence of the induced Lorentz force. By considering the effect of acoustic attenuation and the accuracy of image reconstruction, the acoustic pressure with acceptable peak pressure ratio and improved SNR can be detected when the scanning distance is 5-10 times the radius of the object. Wide bandwidth transducer should also be selected to reduce the boundary width of borderline stripes and improve the spatial resolution of reconstructed images. The favorable results confirm the influence of transducer on MAT-MI and also provide the fundamentals for transducer selection in further study to improve the accuracy of electrical impedance reconstruction.
Suppression of wolf-tone based on equivalent circuit model
Authors: Ogura Kei , Mizutani Koichi , Wakatsuki Naoto
Published: November 2016

Large size bowed stringed instruments, such as cello can pose undesired phenomenon called “wolf-tone” when you play at the specific pitch. When it occurs, a body strongly vibrates and a bow leaps on a string continuously. So, we are trying to figure out the cause of the wolf-tone and control it effectively. Thus, we devised “body-string coupled model” where body and string are coupled at bridge, and “bowed-string model” which expresses the relation between frictional force and relative speed, as it is called “stick and slip motion.” We simulated using finite-difference time-domain method and figured out the result that reproduces particular string motion called “Helmholz motion.” In addition, we set two parameters, speed of bow and pressure of bow, and calculated sound wave, oscillation mode, and the number of stick and slip. Then, we got the result of some existence ranges for wolf-tone. On this simulation, we added a small resonator in order to suppress the specific resonance mode which provides wolf-tone and observed wave forms. Based on these simulation results, we verified its effect experimentally on a real instrument.
Observations of vibration velocity on wind turbine with propagated sound to surroundings
Authors: Iwase Teruo , Uchida Hideo , Kurono Hiroyasu , Okada Yasuaki , Yoshihisa Koichi
Published: November 2016

The authors newly tried measurements of the excited vibration on many parts of wind turbine such as outside surface of nacelle storing power generation system and tall tower by using a laser Doppler vibration meter. Observation and analysis of the natural vibration frequencies of blade in the stopping were done. Observations on sound in surroundings of wind turbine were also done. FFT analyses on them with high resolution to obtain detailed frequency characteristics and to know the relations between vibration velocity and propagated sound to surroundings were done in addition to ordinal spectral analyses. Sharp spectra at near 1 Hz as slightly lower or higher were appeared in the analysed results on blade and tower. In both the analyzed results of vibration velocity on wind turbine and propagated sound, a lot of sharp spectral peaks were recognized in wide frequency range from very low frequency to several hundreds of hertz with high coherencies between vibration velocity and propagated sound at their peak spectral frequencies. Certain values of coherency were remained even for the case of sound received in about 200 m distant from a wind turbine. These observed results would be effective for understanding key parts to make sound radiation lower.
High-sound-insulation double floor structure with Helmholtz resonators: Experimental study on effect of resonator specifications
Authors: Yasuda Yosuke , Hirose Syunpei , Sekine Hidehisa , Yabushita Mitsuru
Published: November 2016

We have developed a high-sound-insulation double ﬂoor structure using Helmholtz resonators. The main targets of this structure are a lot of old apartment buildings that should be renovated, which have thin slabs and cannot sufficiently insulate floor impact sound. The proposed double floor structure greatly improved the insulation performance for heavy-weight floor impact sound in a real old apartment building with 110-mm slab: about 10 dB for 63-Hz and 125-Hz octave bands. In this presentation, experimental results are shown using a small unit structure partially taken out from the whole double ﬂoor structure to thoroughly grasp the actual vibration phenomenon. The results are compared to calculation results obtained from a two-particle system theory. Main conclusions are summarized as follows: (i) A sufficiently large rigidity of the resonator walls and a large number of resonator necks are required for obtaining a clear dip in the vibration transmissibility as calculated from the two-particle system theory. (ii) The horizontal and vertical displacement of the resonator necks hardly affects the vibration transmissibility. (iii) The effects of other factors such as the neck length and neck number are qualitatively predictable by the two-particle system theory.
Transmission and irradiation of high-intensity aerial focused ultrasonic waves using pipe
Authors: Suzuki Norifumi , Osumi Ayumu , Ito Youichi
Published: November 2016

In this study, we have developed a method that high-intensity aerial ultrasonic waves (sound pressure level: 180 dB) is transmitted to a far place and irradiate on optional and specified place without attenuation. To irradiate on the place that is optional and specified with high-intensity aerial ultrasonic waves, it is necessary to move the sound source. If any obstacle is placed between the specified place and the sound source, however, it will be difficult to irradiate to that place. In addition, there will also be a problem that ultrasonic waves attenuate during propagation in air. If these problems can be solved, it will be expected that more effective irradiation with ultrasonic waves may be realized and the range of applications may be widened. To solve the problem above, we proposed to use a rigid wall pipe whose inner diameter is similar to a wavelength to transmit the sound waves and attempted to simulate and experiment on the problem. In this report, we confirmed that the high-intensity aerial focused ultrasonic waves (frequency: 20 kHz) can be transmitted by using the pipe.
A novel high-volume separation technology base on acoustophoresis for treatment of produced water in the oil and gas industry
Authors: Dionne Jason P. , Lipkens Bart
Published: November 2016

A novel emulsion splitting separation technology has been developed using acoustic radiation forces to recover the dispersed oil phase from an oil water emulsion. Current separation technologies suffer from high energy costs, use of consumables, fouling, and limited efficiency in separation of micron-sized particles. Multi-dimensional ultrasonic standing waves are used to trap a dispersed phase in a fluid. The action of the acoustic forces results in clustering and coalescence of droplets. Upon reaching a critical size, they are continuously separated through enhanced buoyancy. A second mode of operation uses acoustic radiation forces to increase the average droplet size and reduce the sub-20 micron droplet concentration. Earlier work was presented at ICA 2013(Dionne [1]). New results are shown for prototypes with a 1x2, 3x4 and 6x6 inch flow chamber driven by 2 & 3 MHz PZT transducers operating at flowrates of 1L/h, 30L/h, and 227-1136 L/h, tested with produced water samples from four US locations. Measured separation efficiencies of over 90% have been documented as well as particle size shifts of >100 micron. The particle size shift is particularly appealing as it acts as a complimentary technology to existing oil & gas separation technology. [1] J. Dionne, B. McCarthy, B. Ross-Johnsrud, L. Masi, and B. Lipkens, “Large volume flow rate acoustophoretic phase separator for oil water emulsion splitting,” J. Acoust. Soc. Am., Vol. 133, No. 5, Pt. 2, May 2013, pp. 3237. [Work supported by NSF SBIR IIP- 1330287.]
The effect of pitch change direction on melodic interval ranking
Authors: Luo Xin
Published: November 2016

Our previous study showed that listeners had significantly lower ascending interval ranking thresholds than descending ones. Experiment 1 tested whether the effect on interval ranking of local pitch change direction within intervals relies on the global pitch change direction between intervals. Both ascending and descending intervals were ranked in both the 2nd-interval-higher and lower conditions. Ascending interval ranking thresholds were significantly lower than descending ones in the 2nd-interval-higher conditions, but similar to or higher than descending ones in the 2nd-interval-lower conditions. Interval ranking was distracted when the global pitch change between intervals and local pitch change within intervals were in the opposite direction. To better simulate music listening, Experiment 2 measured ascending and descending interval ranking in the 3-tone conditions, where the three tones forming two intervals were played back to back in time. The 4-tone conditions with a 1-sec temporal gap between intervals were also tested. Similar ascending and descending interval ranking thresholds were observed when the global pitch change between intervals and local pitch change within intervals had the same direction. Interval ranking thresholds were significantly lower in the 4-tone conditions than in the 3-tone conditions, indicating that interval ranking was enhanced by the temporal gap between intervals.
The relationship between perceived pleasantness and memory for environmental sounds
Authors: Dickerson Kelly , Sherry Laura , Gaston Jeremy
Published: November 2016

The everyday auditory environment contains many sounds that can be influenced by semantic information and listener experiences. Some sounds are more memorable than others and there is limited work examining the role of specific semantic or subjective attributes on retrieval success for environmental sounds. The present study examines the relationship between pleasantness ratings and memory performance on a cued-recall task. A group of listeners were presented with 36 environmental sounds and asked to rate each for perceived pleasantness to provide baseline evaluations for each sound. Based on the ratings, stimuli were sorted into two pleasantness-balanced groups. A second group of listeners evaluated half of the stimuli for pleasantness during the “study” phase, which was followed by a cued recall test. At test, half of the items were “old” (from the study phase), and half were “new” (from the set of 36 sounds). The results demonstrate that listener’s recalled more pleasant sounds more accurately than unpleasant sounds. Further, listeners produced more false alarms for the more pleasant sounds. These results suggest that listeners are biased to report recalling more pleasant sound regardless if they had been heard previously.
On the color of voices: Does good perception of vocal differences relate to better speech intelligibility in cocktail-party settings?
Authors: El Boghdady Nawal , Başkent Deniz , Gaudrain Etienne
Published: November 2016

Understanding speech in cocktail-party settings poses a challenge for cochlear implant (CI) users. Distortions of vocal cues as they are perceived through the implant have been hypothesized to partially contribute to this difficulty. Vocal cues can be defined along two orthogonal dimensions: the fundamental frequency, F0, related to the pitch, and the vocal tract length (VTL), correlated with speaker size. While deficiency in F0 perception in CI users has been long known, recent research has shown a large deficit in VTL perception. How this contributes to speech intelligibility in the presence of a competing talker (speech-on-speech; SOS) remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the relationship between SOS intelligibility and the sensitivity to F0 and VTL differences (JNDs) in 18 CI listeners using two separate speech tasks. Results indicate a strong correlation between voice cue sensitivity and SOS intelligibility: participants who are more sensitive to small differences in F0 and VTL tend to perform better on the two SOS tasks compared to those who are less sensitive. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that degraded voice cue sensitivity contributes to SOS perception deficits, but other potential explanations, like differences in cognitive processing and attention, cannot yet be ruled out. [Funding: The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Advanced Bionics, Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).]
Comparing preferred spectral balances of listeners from four countries
Authors: Kim Sungyoung , Bakker Ron , Ikeda Masahiro
Published: November 2016

An influence of cultural background in timbre perception was investigated. The authors have conducted a listening test in the United States, Japan, Korea, and the Netherlands. In the test, each participant was asked to adjust gains of a three-bands equalizer and generate spectral balances of five musical excerpts (four popular songs, one each from four countries and one orchestral music) according to one’s preference. All listeners used a same type headphone and audio interface, and repeated the entire process twice. The authors analyzed the consistency of each participant by measuring a total spectral difference (TSD) value between the two trials. Subsequently the data of listeners with less than 45 dB TSD were analyzed through a mixed-design ANOVA. The results showed that the MUSIC factor was not significantly differentiated the reported data (F(4,86.1) = 2.087, p = 0.086), while a significant interaction existed between GROUP and MUSIC (F(12,319.3) = 2.58, p = 0.004). In addition, the frequency BAND factor (F(2,1472) = 28.154, p = 0) and its interaction with GROUP were significant (F(6, 404.3) = 2.578, p = 0.026). The results implicate that when asked to actively render a preferred timbre balance, the cultural background starts to significantly interact with other variables.
Effects of perception and vocabulary training of Mandarin tones for native speakers of Japanese: Pre-, post-, and retention test comparison
Authors: Yang Shuyi , Akahane-Yamada Reiko
Published: November 2016

Native speakers of Japanese were trained to perceive four Mandarin tones, and to semantically and phonetically distinguish Chinese monosyllabic word contrasting in tones. Various tests were administered not only before and after the training period but also forty days after the completion of training. Participants were divided into three groups. First group received perception training first and vocabulary training later. Second group received vocabulary training first and perception training later. The last group, which was the control group, received no training and participated only in testing sessions. The result showed that the accuracy in perception-related-tests improved by perception training, and the accuracy in vocabulary-related-tests improved by vocabulary training. In addition, the effect of training had retained even 40 days after the completion of training. More importantly, the group which received perception training first showed significantly larger improvement from pre-test to post-test than in the group which received vocabulary training first. Note that two groups received the same amount of equivalent trainings in total. Preset results demonstrated the existence of the order effect in foreign language learning. [Work supported by JSPS KAKENHI 23242032.]
Psychoacoustic roughness as creaky voice predictor
Authors: Villegas Julián , Perkins Jeremy , Lee Seunghun J.
Published: November 2016

The use of psychoacoustic roughness as a predictor of creaky voice is reported. Roughness, a prothetic sensation elicited by rapid changes in the temporal envelop of a sound (15-300 Hz), shares qualitative similarities with a kind of phonation known as vocal fry or creakiness. When a creakiness classification made by trained linguists was used as a reference, a classifier based on an objective temporal roughness model yielded results similar to an artificial neural network-based predictor of creakiness, but the former classifier tended to produce more type I errors. We also compare the results of the roughness-based prediction with those predicted by samples of three populations who use creakiness contrastively in different degrees: Japanese (where creakiness is not systematically used for phonetic contrast), Mandarin (where creakiness is used as a secondary cue), and Vietnamese (where creakiness is used as a phonetic contrast between tones). The roughness-based classification seems to better agree with classifications made by the untrained listeners. Our findings suggest that extreme roughness values (>4 asper) in combination with local prominences on the roughness temporal profile of vocalic segments could be used for classification of creaky intervals in running speech.
A study on the intonation of Japanese modal particles “ne” and “yo”
Authors: Zhang Haixia , Shirose Ayako
Published: November 2016

The Japanese sentence-final particles “ne” and “yo” represent modality. These particles are assumed to have several meanings, but the definition of the meanings of them has been an open question. In particular, the relationship between the meaning of these particles and their intonation contours remains unresolved. Therefore, to clarify this, we investigated the meaning of the particles “ne” and “yo” in actual utterances using a questionnaire and analyzed the pitch contours of the utterances acoustically. A Standard Japanese speaker was asked to produce 36 utterances with “ne” or “yo” particles controlling three types of pitch contours, falling, rising and flat. First, we asked 44 Japanese university students (aged 18-24) to judge the “naturalness” of the obtained utterances and to describe their meaning. The results revealed that the particle “ne” tended to have a negative connotation in the case of the falling intonation. Second, the pitch contours of final two syllables of the utterances were analyzed acoustically. The results indicated that the intonation contours differed between the two particles; the rising range was wider in “ne” than “yo”. This was assumed to reflect the different meaning between the two particles. Speech corpus data will be examined to verify above results.
Where is the beat?
Authors: Zipse Lauryn , Murton Olivia , Dunn Katie , Shattuck-Hufnagel Stefanie
Published: November 2016

The ability to find the beat in a sequence of auditory events may be linked to the ability to learn vocal communication, raising the question of how beat structure in speech events relates to that in other event sequences. We conducted a series of entrainment experiments designed to compare spoken syllable repetition with tapping. Producing taps to a periodic string of auditorily-presented spoken /pa/ syllables resulted in the tap falling between the release burst for the /p/ and the onset of voicing for the vowel. This is consistent with participants intending to align their taps with the vowel onsets but exhibiting the well-documented Negative Mean Asynchrony (NMA) effect, such that the taps precede their “target.” The finding of alignment with the voicing onset is reminiscent of a large body of work on the P-center in repeated spoken syllables. In contrast, producing repeated utterances of the syllable /pa/ to an auditorily-presented click train resulted in coincident occurrence of the release burst with the click, putting the voicing onset after the stimulus (inconsistent with a voicing-onset target with associated NMA). These findings indicate that the location of the beat may differ across tasks involving speech perception and various types of speech production.
Acoustic properties of stress in Kubeo
Authors: Gordon Matthew K. , Chacon Thiago C. , Varjoy Kaveh , Ferreira Jullie A.
Published: November 2016

This paper explores the realization of stress in Kubeo, a Tukanoan language from the Northwest Amazonia with both stress and tone (H vs. HL). The first H tone of a word docks on the primary stressed syllable, which by default is the second syllable except in words with lexical initial stress. Secondary stress occurs every two syllables to the right of the primary stress. F0, duration, intensity and the first two formants were measured for vowels in a corpus of 150 words ranging from one to six syllables. Results from two speakers indicate that primary stress is associated with the greatest duration and most peripheral vowel qualities. Unstressed pre-tonic syllables are phonetically more prominent than their post-tonic counterparts along all dimensions except F0, which depends on lexical tone. In post-tonic unstressed syllables, duration, intensity, and vowel quality are all dependent on lexical tone. Secondary stress is less salient due to interference from lexical tones but appears to be associated with longer duration and more peripheral vowels relative to unstressed syllables. Our results enrich typological knowledge of both the acoustic realization of stress in tone languages and the interplay of tonal and metrical phonology in languages with complex word level prosody.
Acoustic correlates of prominence in Besemah (Malayic, Indonesia)
Authors: McDonnell Bradley
Published: November 2016

This paper examines the acoustic realization of word-level stress and phrase-level prominence (i.e., pitch-accents, boundary tones) in Besemah, a little-described Malayic language of southwest Sumatra, Indonesia. There has been much disagreement over the status of word-level stress in the languages of western Indonesia, particularly with regards to well-known varieties of Malay (i.e., Standard Malay-Indonesian). Utilizing acoustic cues, word-level stress has been claimed to be present by some (e.g., Adisasmito-Smith & Cohn 1996), though studies involving perception experiments have questioned this position (e.g., van Zanten & van Heuven 2004). All of these studies, however, are complicated by significant influence from substrate languages like Javanese, which apparently lack word-level stress (Goedemans & van Zanten 2007). As a follow up to McDonnell (forthcoming), which found that word-level stress in Besemah falls on the final syllable of the word and is cued by increased intensity, the present study reports the results of a more complex sentence completion task where six speakers of Besemah (3 male, 3 female) uttered target words in different frames that vary along two dimensions: [±focus] and [±final position in utterance]. The study aims to show the acoustic correlates of prominence in Besemah, teasing apart word-level stress, pitch-accent, and boundary tones.
Effects of discrepancy between vocal emotion and the emotional meaning of speech on identifying the speaker’s emotions
Authors: Shigeno Sumi
Published: November 2016

This study investigates the effects of a discrepancy between vocal emotion and emotion contained in the literal meaning of speech on the identification of speaker’s emotions. Except measuring response time, few studies have examined this discrepancy between the emotional meaning of speech and vocal emotion. In the current study, two stimulus conditions were prepared: the “congruent condition,” where the emotional meaning of speech was compatible with the tone of voice and the “incongruent condition,” where the emotional meaning of speech was discrepant to the vocal emotions. Four native Japanese actors (two males and two females) spoke short sentences emotionally. We used a repeated-measures design with the emotional meaning of speech (happiness/sadness) and the tone of voice (neutral/happy/sad) as two factors. Using a 5-point scale, 31 participants were required to identify the speaker’s emotions in a forced-choice task with seven alternatives and report the degree of their confidence for every response. Results indicated that identification of speaker’s emotion was successful even in the incongruent condition and that the degree of confidence differed little except the identification of sad voices. The results suggest that Japanese participants infer the speaker’s intended emotion even if it is incongruent to the emotional meaning of speech.
MATLAB visualization program for analysis of C3D motion capture data of speech and language
Authors: Barnes Andrew , Mental Rebecca , Macnamara Brooke , Vick Jennell
Published: November 2016

Investigation of the underlying physiology of speech and language motor control often includes analyses of kinematic parameters derived from fleshpoint tracking. A MATLAB program has been developed to visualize, boundary mark, and analyze aspects of motion capture data in a C3D file format. C3D is the biomechanics data standard for binary 3D data that is widely used in many industries and motion research. Included in the format is marker names, arrays of position data, and analog inputs. While this format is highly versatile, it is difficult to assess the comparison of the markers positions without a visualization program. The developed program allows for flexible comparison of any fleshpoint markers, in any set of repetitions. It also allows for easy visualization of the differences between varying data conditions. Data analysis is done on-the-fly for information such as joint angles through three markers, distance between any two markers, and variability analyses of any selected data. Data are output in a format suitable for additional statistical analyses. Recent analyses using this program were completed on highly complex data streams with over 30 fleshpoint markers. The program provides an incredibly useful tool for exploration of these data and quick analyses of coordination and variability.
Development of an ultrasound tomography system: Preliminary results
Authors: Mojabi Pedram , LoVetri Joe
Published: November 2016

We are currently developing an ultrasound tomography system at the University of Manitoba. This system consists of eight circular rings of transducers so as to provide the potential to create two- and three-dimensional images. Thirty-two individual piezo-electric transducers are mounted in each ring, and each transducer can both transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. We utilize a frequency-domain inverse scattering framework to invert the measured ultrasound data so as to create quantitative images of the ultrasonic properties of the object being imaged. To this end, the measured data obtained from this system are calibrated before being inverted. For the calibration step, we discuss methods to accurately find the transducers’ positions, properly convert the measured time-domain data into the frequency domain, and then minimize the discrepancy between the actual system and the simulated one through the use of calibration coefficients. Once this process is done, the calibrated frequency-domain data is processed by a frequency-domain inverse scattering algorithm. We utilize the Born iterative method (BIM) to invert this calibrated measured data to create two-dimensional images corresponding to ultrasonic properties of the object of interest [Mojabi & LoVetri, JASA, 2015]. Preliminary results of this BIM inversion are then presented and discussed.
Optical displacement detection using multi-level diffraction gratings having no zeroth-order reflection
Authors: Williams Randall P. , Hord Samuel K. , Hall Neal A.
Published: November 2016

Displacement detection using optical interferometric techniques allows for low minimum detectable displacements which are unmatched by other displacement measurement methods. However, diffraction gratings commonly used in such applications can generate zeroth-order reflected beams which result in reduced sensor performance, packaging limitations, and laser instability. A new grating concept has been fabricated and tested which has the effect of eliminating the zeroth-order component by imparting a half-wavelength phase shift to a portion of the reflected light. The design criteria for zeroth-order beam elimination is illustrated using a simple model based on phasor arithmetic. Fabrication methods for producing these optical gratings, as well as comparisons between experimental test results and models, will be reported.
Drum sound onset detection based on class separation using deep neural network
Authors: Kuriwaki Takahiro , Nishino Takanori , Naruse Hiroshi
Published: November 2016

This study reports an onset detection method for the snare drum sounds for music signals constructed with plural instruments. We propose a method which detects an onset with a class separation using a deep neural network (DNN). To train the network, frames which include the waveform of the snare drum were extracted from music signal, and the log mel-filter bank channel outputs were calculated for each frame. The DNN was trained by using these feature parameters. The inputs were the calculated filter bank outputs, and the teaching signals were binary information whether to include the waveform of a snare drum or not. To detect onsets, candidate frames of the onset time were found based on changing in the power of the target music signal, and feature values were extracted from the candidate frames. Obtained values were used as the input data for the trained DNN, and detection of whether or not to include a waveform of a snare drum can be achieved. Experiments were conducted for 52 popular songs included in the music database, and an average F-measure was 0.73.
The move toward quiet vehicles—A paradigm shift
Authors: Schulte-Fortkamp Brigitte
Published: November 2016

The introduction of so-called quiet vehicles is not simply a matter of acoustics. It also presents a major paradigm shift in both the car industry and daily life as a whole. A remaining consideration is how adequate public communication can support the acceptance of quiet vehicles. Soundscape is a construct of human perception, influenced by one’s socio-cultural background as well as the acoustic environment in context. Among many concerns, the meanings of sound, the composition of diverse sound sources, the listener’s attitude, and expectations towards the acoustic environment are particularly important in one’s perception of a soundscape. Previous experiences with internal-combustion engines in vehicles significantly inform people’s different perceptions and assessments of the environment, and likewise are important factors when considering the introduction of quiet cars in society. The discussion in this paper will show how the soundscape approach can be used to involve people in assessing the needs and uses of these “new cars.”
Results From Belgium’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Authors: Wijtzes Anne I. , Verloigne Maïté , Mouton Alexandre , Cloes Marc , De Ridder Karin A.A. , Cardon Greet , Seghers Jan
Published: November 2016

Background:

This 2016 Belgium Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth is the first systematic evaluation of physical activity (PA) behaviors, related health behaviors, health outcomes, and influences thereon, using the Active Healthy Kids Canada grading framework.

Methods:

A research working group consisting of PA experts from both Flanders and Wallonia collaborated to determine the indicators to be graded, data sources to be used, and factors to be taken into account during the grading process. Grades were finalized after consensus was reached among the research working group and 2 stakeholder groups consisting of academic and policy experts in the fields of PA, sedentary behavior, and dietary behavior.

Results:

Eleven indicators were selected and assigned the following grades: Overall PA (F+), Organized Sport Participation (C-), Active Play (C+), Active Transportation (C-), Sedentary Behaviors (D-), School (B-), Government Strategies and Investment (C+), and Weight Status (D). Incomplete grades were assigned to Family and Peers, Community and the Built Environment, and Dietary Behaviors due to a lack of nationally representative data.

Conclusions:

Despite moderately positive social and environmental influences, PA levels of Belgian children and youth are low while levels of sedentary behaviors are high.
Results From Ireland North and South’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Authors: Harrington Deirdre M. , Murphy Marie , Carlin Angela , Coppinger Tara , Donnelly Alan , Dowd Kieran P. , Keating Teresa , Murphy Niamh , Murtagh Elaine , O’Brien Wesley , Woods Catherine , Belton Sarahjane
Published: November 2016

Background:

Physical activity (PA) is a key performance indicator for policy documents in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Building on baseline grades set in 2014, Ireland’s second Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth allows for continued surveillance of indicators related to PA in children and youth.

Methods:

Data and information were extracted and collated for 10 indicators and graded using an international standardized grading system.

Results:

Overall, 7 grades stayed the same, 2 increased, and 1 decreased. Grades were assigned as follows: Overall PA, D (an increase); Sedentary Behavior (TV), C-; Physical Education, D-; Active Play, Incomplete/Inconclusive (INC); Active Transportation, D; School, D (a decrease); Home (Family), INC; Community and the Built Environment, B+ (an increase); and Government, INC. Unlike 2014’s report card, different grades for the Republic (C-) and Northern Ireland (C+) were assigned for Organized Sport Participation.

Conclusions:

Although the grade for Overall PA levels increased to a D, this may reflect the increased quality and quantity of data available. The double burden of low PA and high sedentary levels are concerning and underscore the need for advocacy toward, and surveillance of, progress in achieving targets set by the new National Physical Activity Plan in the Republic and obesity and sport plans in the North.
Comparisons of Academic Researchers’ and Physical Education Teachers’ Perspectives on the Utilization of the Tactical Games Model
Authors: Harvey Stephen , Pill Shane
Published: November 2016

Research commentary suggests the utilization of Tactical Games Models (TGMs) only exists in isolated instances, particularly where teachers demonstrate true fidelity to these models. In contrast, many academics have adopted TGMs into their courses. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to investigate reasons for this disparity. Participants were 44 academics and 80 physical education teachers. Results showed that academics provided a myriad of reasons why teachers may not use TGMs, although all agreed on the need for increased teacher professional development in TGMs. Physical education teachers’ outlined that numerous competing versions of TGMs was confusing and they required more hands-on examples of TGMs. Results further highlighted disparities between academics and teachers’ conceptual understanding and pedagogical applications of TGMs. There is a critical need to create improved connections between academics and physical education teachers, which could be achieved through the extended examination of the micropedagogies of teachers practice in TGMs.
Social and Emotional Learning Through a Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Based After-School Program for Disengaged Middle-School Boys
Authors: Gordon Barrie , Jacobs Jenn M. , Wright Paul M.
Published: November 2016

This study examined a long-term afterschool leadership program situated in a Midwestern university town in the US. The activity-based program for boys considered to be disengaged with school and at risk for dropping out of education, was based on the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) model. The program curriculum was strongly aligned with the social and emotional learning (SEL) theoretical framework. The study sought to identify the learning(s) that occurred and the impact of participation for participants. The key findings were that 1) the pedagogical approach and strategies of TPSR when implemented with a high level of fidelity align strongly with the SEL framework; 2) the structure and design of this TPSR based program was an important ingredient in the school’s overall approach to supporting SEL among students, and 3) a number of SEL outcomes were identified as a result of participation in this program.
Fault activation by hydraulic fracturing in western Canada
Authors: Bao Xuewei , Eaton David W.
Published: November 2016

Triggered quakes get unconventional

The big earthquakes induced by human activity are mostly linked with disposal of wastewater. However, Bao and Eaton implicate hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) as the culprit in western Canada (see the Perspective by Elsworth). Fracking near Fox Creek, Alberta, reactivated faults, clustering earthquakes along the old fault traces. Fracking does not appear to cause large earthquakes in many other areas that are prone to induced seismicity. Understanding the underlying causes of seismicity in different localities is vital for developing sound regulation to limit damaging earthquakes.

Science
, this issue p.
1406
; see also p.
1380
Seasonal exposure of carbon dioxide ice on the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
Authors: Filacchione G. , Raponi A. , Capaccioni F. , Ciarniello M. , Tosi F. , Capria M. T. , De Sanctis M. C. , Migliorini A. , Piccioni G. , Cerroni P. , Barucci M. A. , Fornasier S. , Schmitt B. , Quirico E. , Erard S. , Bockelee-Morvan D. , Leyrat C. , Arnold G. , Mennella V. , Ammannito E. , Bellucci G. , Benkhoff J. , Bibring J. P. , Blanco A. , Blecka M. I. , Carlson R. , Carsenty U. , Colangeli L. , Combes M. , Combi M. , Crovisier J. , Drossart P. , Encrenaz T. , Federico C. , Fink U. , Fonti S. , Fulchignoni M. , Ip W.-H. , Irwin P. , Jaumann R. , Kuehrt E. , Langevin Y. , Magni G. , McCord T. , Moroz L. , Mottola S. , Palomba E. , Schade U. , Stephan K. , Taylor F. , Tiphene D. , Tozzi G. P. , Beck P. , Biver N. , Bonal L. , Combe J.-Ph. , Despan D. , Flamini E. , Formisano M. , Frigeri A. , Grassi D. , Gudipati M. S. , Kappel D. , Longobardo A. , Mancarella F. , Markus K. , Merlin F. , Orosei R. , Rinaldi G. , Cartacci M. , Cicchetti A. , Hello Y. , Henry F. , Jacquinod S. , Reess J. M. , Noschese R. , Politi R. , Peter G.
Published: November 2016

Rosetta observes sublimating surface ices

Comets are “dirty snowballs” made of ice and dust, but they are dark because the ice sublimates away, leaving some of the dust behind on the surface. The Rosetta spacecraft has provided a close-up view of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko as it passes through its closest point to the Sun (see the Perspective by Dello Russo). Filacchione
et al.
detected the spectral signature of solid CO
2
(dry ice) in small patches on the surface of the nucleus as they emerged from local winter. By modeling how the CO
2
sublimates, they constrain the composition of comets and how ices generate the gaseous coma and tail. Fornasier
et al.
studied images of the comet and discovered bright patches on the surface where ice was exposed, which disappeared as the ice sublimated. They also saw frost emerging from receding shadows. The surface of the comet was noticeably less red just after local dawn, indicating that icy material is removed by sunlight during the local day.

Science
, this issue p.
1563
, p.
1566
; see also p.
1536
Complete Genome Sequence of Lytic Bacteriophage LZ35 Infecting Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates
Authors: Guo Zhonghe , Huang Honglan , Wu Xiaolin , Hao Yuchong , Sun Yanbo
Published: November 2016

Acinetobacter baumannii
is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that is frequently associated with nosocomial infections. Bacteriophages infecting
A. baumannii
can be used as effective agents to control these infections. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of the lytic bacteriophage LZ35 infecting
A. baumannii
isolates.
Genome Sequence of a Ranavirus Isolated from Pike-Perch
Sander lucioperca
Authors: Holopainen Riikka , Subramaniam Kuttichantran , Steckler Natalie K. , Claytor Sieara C. , Ariel Ellen , Waltzek Thomas B.
Published: November 2016

The pike-perch iridovirus (PPIV) was isolated in Finland from apparently healthy pike-perch fingerlings during routine disease surveillance. Our phylogenomic analysis revealed that PPIV is the first fish member of a clade of ranaviruses previously described from European and Chinese amphibians.
Insertional mutagenesis of a plasmid-borne Escherichia coli rpoB gene reveals alterations that inhibit beta-subunit assembly into RNA polymerase
Authors: Landick R , Colwell A , Stewart J
Published: November 2016

A plasmid was constructed that overproduces the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase beta subunit from a lac promoter-rpoB fusion. The overproduced, plasmid-encoded beta subunit assembled into functional RNA polymerase that supplied greater than 90% of the transcriptional capacity of the cells. Excess beta subunit segregated into insoluble inclusion bodies and was not deleterious to cell growth. By insertion of a XhoI linker sequence (CTCGAG) and accompanying deletion of variable amounts of rpoB sequences, 13 structural alterations were isolated in the first and last thirds of the plasmid-borne rpoB gene. Twelve of these alterations appeared to reduce or prevent assembly of plasmid-encoded beta subunit into RNA polymerase. One alteration had no discernible effect on assembly or function of the beta subunit; eight others appeared to inhibit assembly but still produced detectable transcriptional activity. Three of these nine alterations produced beta-subunit polypeptides that inhibited cell growth at 32 degrees C, even though they were present in less than 50% of the cell RNA polymerase. When assembled into RNA polymerase, these three altered beta subunits apparently affected essential RNA polymerase functions. Four of the recovered alterations appeared to inhibit completely or almost completely assembly of the beta subunit into RNA polymerase. The results are consistent with a hypothesis that sequences in the first third of the beta-subunit polypeptide are especially important for proper folding and assembly of the beta subunit.
Isolation and characterization of a Treponema pallidum major 60-kilodalton protein resembling the groEL protein of Escherichia coli
Authors: Houston L S , Cook R G , Norris S J
Published: November 2016

A native structure containing the major 60-kilodalton common antigen polypeptide (designated TpN60) was isolated from Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (Nichols strain) through a combination of differential centrifugation and sucrose density gradient sedimentation. Gel filtration chromatography indicated that this structure is a high-molecular-weight homo-oligomer of TpN60. Antisera to TpN60 reacted with the groEL polypeptide of Escherichia coli, as determined by immunoperoxidase staining of two-dimensional electroblots. Electron microscopy of the isolated complex revealed a ringlike structure with a diameter of approximately 16 nm which was very similar in appearance to the groEL protein. Comparison of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of TpN60 with the deduced sequences of the E. coli groEL protein, related chaperonin proteins from mycobacteria and Coxiella burnetti, the hsp60 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the wheat ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase-subunit-binding protein (alpha subunit), and the human P1 mitochondrial protein indicated sequence identity at 8 of 22 to 10 of 22 residues (36 to 45% identity). We conclude that the oligomer of TpN60 is homologous to the groEL protein and related chaperonins found in a wide variety of procaryotes and eucaryotes and thus may represent a heat shock protein involved in protein folding and assembly.