bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guidophone: A handheld virtual music instrument combining vocal tract geometry and hand gestures
Authors: Cassidy Ryan , Segnini Rodrigo , Liu Yi-Wen
Published: October 2013

Vocal sounds provide an intuitive and appealing basis for virtual instruments. The former aspect allows most people to engage in a musical activity simply by repetition of a heard sound. Physical models in speech synthesis attempt, among other objectives, to approximate the geometry of the vocal tract required to produce specific sounds. Cook has developed one such model [Perry Cook, Identification of Control Parameters in an Articulatory Vocal Tract Model with Applications to the Synthesis of Singing, Stanford University, 1990], where the vocal tract is divided into tube sections that govern the transmission and reflection of acoustic energy at the junctions between sections. Tube section radii provide the model parameters. This paper explores the feasibility of using hand gestures to control those parameters. To that end, the problem of mapping hand gestures to the parameters of Cook’s vocal synthesis model, with attention paid to transitions between successive phonemes, is explored. The physical basis of the model is reviewed. Next the relationship between the geometries implied by Cook’s tract model and those determined by experiment is investigated. A means for mapping a number of parameters less than the degrees of freedom inherent in the model is presented. Finally, the details of a virtual instrument, controlled by a mechanical device recently developed for the work, are presented.
SCUBA: The Self-Contained Unified Bass Augmenter
Authors: Cceres Juan Pablo , Mysore Gautham J. , Trevio Jeffrey
Published: October 2013

The Self-Contained Unified Bass Augmenter (SCUBA) is a new augmentative OSC (Open Sound Control) controller for the tuba. SCUBA allows new expressive possibilities by adding onboard continuous and discrete sensors to provide user-controlled parametric data for the processing of the instruments natural sound in Pd. SCUBA endows acoustic instruments with parametric control of virtual instruments and provides a means of integrating the output of a virtual instrument with the natural sound of the tuba. The user sends controller data from the augmented tuba interface to the virtual instrument via FSRs (Force-Sensitive Resistors) and buttons mounted on the existing instrument interface. An AVRMini microcontroller converts raw sensor data to OSC (Open Sound Control) messages, which are mapped in Pd to control virtual instrument parameters. Virtual instrument output is integrated into the solo instrument interface via satellite speakers mounted in the bell; this allows for mixing of the instruments natural sound with that of the virtual instrument to create the impression of a single instrument. This integration is the goal of the SCUBA project: by providing a flexible but unified control interface and acoustic output, traditional acoustic instrument interfaces can be augmented and paired with virtual musical instruments. [We would like to thank Michael Gurevich, Max Matthews, Bill Verplank, Pascal Stang, and classmates from Music 250 (Fall 04) for assistance in the realization of this project.]
Increased damping in irregular resonators
Authors: Sapoval Bernard , Asch Mark , Felix Simon , Filoche Marcel
Published: October 2013

The relation between shape and damping of shallow acoustical cavities has been studied numerically in the case where the dissipation occurs only on the cavity walls. It is first found that whatever the type of geometrical irregularity, many, but not all the modes are localized. It is shown that the localization mechanism is what is called weak localization. The more irregular, the smaller the quality factors are found. However this effect is very different for the non-localized and the localized modes. For non-localized modes the damping increases roughly proportionally to the cavity surface. The localized modes are even more damped. These results generalize the results already obtained both numerically and experimentally on prefractal acoustical cavities. [B. Sapoval, O. Haeberle, and S. Russ, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 102, 2014–2019 (1997); B. Hebert, B. Sapoval, and S. Russ, ibid. 105, 1567–1576 (1999)].
Estimation of bolide energy using observed infrasound signals
Authors: Edwards Wayne N. , Brown Peter G. , ReVelle Douglas O.
Published: October 2013

The acoustic amplitude-yield relationships including formal errors for a population of large and well-observed (greater than 0.05 kton) bolide events have been investigated. Using various signal measurements as a function of range, these data have been calibrated against optical yield estimates from satellite measurements. A correction for the presence of stratospheric winds has also been applied to the observations and is found to greatly improve the relationship correlation, remaining scatter may be due to variations amongst the fireball population such as differing burst altitudes, greater or lesser amounts of fragmentation or the variability in the magnitude of stratospheric winds, which can during certain times of the year be comparable to or exceed the strength of the winds themselves. Comparison to point source, ground-level nuclear and high explosive airwave data with similar yields shows that observed bolide infrasound is consistently lower in amplitude. This downward shift relative to nuclear and HE data is interpreted as due in part to increased weak nonlinearity during signal propagation from higher altitudes. This is a likely explanation, since mean estimates of the altitude of maximum energy deposition along the bolide trajectory was found to be between 20–30 km altitude for this fireball population.
The dispersion-focalization theory of sound systems
Authors: Schwartz Jean-Luc , Abry Christian , Boë Louis-Jean , Vallée Nathalie , Ménard Lucie
Published: October 2013

The Dispersion-Focalization Theory states that sound systems in human languages are shaped by two major perceptual constraints: dispersion driving auditory contrast towards maximal or sufficient values [B. Lindblom, J. Phonetics 18, 135–152 (1990)] and focalization driving auditory spectra towards patterns with close neighboring formants. Dispersion is computed from the sum of the inverse squared inter-spectra distances in the (F1, F2, F3, F4) space, using a non-linear process based on the 3.5 Bark critical distance to estimate F2’. Focalization is based on the idea that close neighboring formants produce vowel spectra with marked peaks, easier to process and memorize in the auditory system. Evidence for increased stability of focal vowels in short-term memory was provided in a discrimination experiment on adult French subjects [J. L. Schwartz and P. Escudier, Speech Comm. 8, 235–259 (1989)]. A reanalysis of infant discrimination data shows that focalization could well be the responsible for recurrent discrimination asymmetries [J. L. Schwartz et al., Speech Comm. (in press)]. Recent data about children vowel production indicate that focalization seems to be part of the perceptual templates driving speech development. The Dispersion-Focalization Theory produces valid predictions for both vowel and consonant systems, in relation with available databases of human languages inventories.
L2 use and stimulus complexity in perceived acceent ratings
Authors: Doty Astrid Zerla , Bahr Ruth Huntley , Bryant Judith Becker
Published: October 2013

Listener perception of accentedness has been shown to be influenced by experience with L2 (measured by length of residence in US). However, frequency of L1 use and degree of linguistic complexity (defined by the number of non-native phonetic features targeted) may provide more insight into the role of experience in the perception of accentedness. Three groups of listeners (monolingual English and Spanish [L1] speakers divided into two groups of high and low use of English [L2]) rated the accentedness of bilingual speakers who spoke with varying degrees of accentedness. The speakers read sentences adapted from Magan (1998) to include linguistic aspects likely to be difficult for native Spanish speakers. Listeners performed similarly in rating speakers degree of accent. Amount of daily L1 use only influenced the ratings of the slightly accented group; the high-use bilingual group rated these speakers as more accented than the native English group, regardless of level of linguistic difficulty. These results suggest that the high-use groups lack of L2 experience made them less perceptually sensitive to certain phonetic features of English. Because speakers did not make the predicted target errors, the listener groups may have based their ratings on features not targeted in this investigation.
Categorization of speech sounds by Norwegian/English bilinguals
Authors: Dypvik Audny T. , Slawinski Elzbieta B.
Published: October 2013

Bilinguals who learned English late in life (late bilinguals) as opposed to those who learned English early in life (early bilinguals) differ in their perception of phonemic distinctions. Age of acquisition of a second language as well as depth of immersion into English is influenced by perceptual differences of phonemic contrasts between monolinguals and bilinguals, with consequences for speech production. The phonemes /v/ and /w/ are from the same category in Norwegian, rendering them perceptually indistinguishable to the native Norwegian listener. In English, /v/ and /w/ occupy two categories. Psychoacoustic testing on this phonemic distinction in the current study will compare perceptual abilities of monolingual English and bilingual Norwegian/English listeners. Preliminary data indicates that Norwegian/English bilinguals demonstrate varying perceptual abilities for this phonemic distinction. A series of speech sounds have been generated by an articulatory synthesizer, the Tube Resonance Model, along a continuum between the postures of /v/ and /w/. They will be presented binaurally over headphones in an anechoic chamber at a sound pressure level of 75 dB. Differences in the perception of the categorical boundary between /v/ and /w/ among English monolinguals and Norwegian/English bilinguals will be further delineated.
Effects of linguistic experience on early levels of perceptual tone processing
Authors: Huang Tsan , Johnson Keith
Published: October 2013

This study investigated the phenomenon of language-specificity in Mandarin Chinese tone perception. The main question was whether linguistic experience affects the earliest levels of perceptual processing of tones. Chinese and American English listeners participated in four perception experiments, which involved short inter-stimulus intervals (300 ms or 100 ms) and an AX discrimination or AX degree-of-difference rating task. Three experiments used natural speech monosyllabic tone stimuli and one experiment used time-varying sinusoidal simulations of Mandarin tones. AE listeners showed psychoacoustic listening in all experiments, paying much attention to onset and offset pitch. Chinese listeners showed language-specific patterns in all experiments to various degrees, where tonal neutralization rules reduced perceptual distance between two otherwise contrastive tones for Chinese listeners. Since these experiments employed procedures hypothesized to tap the auditory trace mode (Pisoni, Percept. Psychophys. 13, 253–260 (1973)], language-specificity found in this study seems to support the proposal of an auditory cortical map [Guenther et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 23, 213–221 (1999)]. But the model needs refining to account for different degrees of language-specificity, which are better handled by Johnsons (2004, TLS03:26-41) lexical distance model, although the latter model is too rigid in assuming that linguistic experience does not affect low-level perceptual tasks such as AX discrimination with short ISIs.
An acoustic investigation of the Cantonese vowels in the speech of the adult and child speakers
Authors: Lee Wai-Sum
Published: October 2013

The study analyzes the formant center frequencies for the seven Cantonese vowels [i, y, u, ε, æ, ɔ, a] from 30 native speakers of Cantonese, 10 male and 10 female adults and 5 male and 5 female 9–10 year old children. Results show that the formant frequencies for the vowels are largest for the female children, followed by the male children, female adults, and male adults in decreasing order. Despite the differences, the patterns of formant frequencies for any one vowel for the different groups are similar. The difference in F-values for any one vowel between the male and female children is smaller than the difference between the male and female adults. As for individual formant frequencies, the difference in F1 between the males and females of the same age group and between the adults and children of the same gender group is smaller for the high vowels [i, y, u] than the non-high vowels [ε, æ, ɔ, a]. The difference in F2 between the males and females of the same age group and between the adults and children of the same gender group is smaller for the high rounded vowels [y, u] than the other vowels. The paper will also present the ratios of speaker group-to-speaker group for individual formant frequencies.
Infant-directed speech: Final syllable lengthening and rate of speech
Authors: Church Robyn , Bernhardt Barbara , Shi Rushen , Pichora-Fuller Kathleen
Published: October 2013

Speech rate has been reported to be slower in infant-directed speech (IDS) than in adult-directed speech (ADS). Studies have also found phrase-final lengthening to be more exaggerated in IDS compared with ADS. In our study we asked whether the observed overall slower rate of IDS is due to exaggerated utterance-final syllable lengthening. Two mothers of preverbal English-learning infants each participated in two recording sessions, one with her child, and another with an adult friend. The results showed an overall slower rate in IDS compared to ADS. However, when utterance-final syllables were excluded from the calculation, the speech rate in IDS and ADS did not differ significantly. The duration of utterance-final syllables differed significantly for IDS versus ADS. Thus, the overall slower rate of IDS was due to the extra-long final syllable occurring in relatively short utterances. The comparable pre-final speech rate for IDS and ADS further accentuates the final syllable lengthening in IDS. As utterances in IDS are typically phrases or clauses, the particularly strong final-lengthening cue could potentially facilitate infants’ segmentation of these syntactic units. These findings are consistent with the existing evidence that pre-boundary lengthening is important in the processing of major syntactic units in English-learning infants.
Signal processing techniques for inverse problems in stochastic propagation and scattering channels
Authors: Sibul Leon H. , Roan Michael J. , Coviello Christian M.
Published: October 2013

The basic signal processing techniques associated with inverse problems are signal extraction, deconvolution, signal and signal parameter estimation, channel modeling and characterization. Maximum entropy, minimum cross-entropy, Kullback-Liebler divergence and other information theoretic criteria have been widely used for regularization of underdetermined inversion. We show how maximum entropy and continuous wavelet transforms can be used for spreading function (reflection density function) estimation. If the signal source or receivers are in motion through heterogeneous medium with randomly rough boundaries, propagation and scattering channels are stochastic. Stochastic channels can be characterized by stochastic Greens functions and spreading functions. If the medium probing signals are narrow band, spreading functions are random functions that show how the received signal is spread in delay and Doppler. For wideband probing signals, spreading function spread the received echo in time and time-scale dilation. If the probing signal satisfies admissibility conditions for CWT, wideband spreading functions can be estimated by inverting CWT. Rebollo-Neira and Fernandez-Rubio have shown that the continuous wavelet transform is an optimal solution of the inverse problem, estimation of the spreading function, in a maximum entropy sense. [Work supported by Office of Naval Research Code 333 and Code 321 US.]
Comparison of the magnitude and phase of the reflection coefficient from a smooth water/sand interface with elastic and poroelastic models
Authors: Isakson Marcia , Camin H. John , Canepa Gaetano
Published: October 2013

The reflection coefficient from a sand/water interface is an important parameter in modeling the acoustics of littoral environments. Many models have been advanced to describe the influence of the sediment parameters and interface roughness parameters on the reflection coefficient. In this study, the magnitude and phase of the reflection coefficient from 30 to 160 kHz is measured in a bistatic experiment on a smoothed water/sand interface at grazing angles from 5 to 75 degrees. The measured complex reflection coefficient is compared with the fluid model, the elastic model and poro-elastic models. Effects of rough surface scattering are investigated using the Bottom Response from Inhomogeneities and Surface using Small Slope Approximation (BoRIS-SSA). Spherical wave effects are modeled using plane wave decomposition. Models are considered for their ability to predict the measured results using realistic parameters. [Work supported by ONR, Ocean Acoustics.]
A semi-empirical model for predicting surface scattering strengths
Authors: Gauss Roger C. , Fialkowski Joseph M. , Wurmser Daniel
Published: October 2013

Accurate monostatic and bistatic active sonar performance predictions require accurate predictions of reverberation which in turn rely on accurate estimates of surface scattering strength. This paper presents a new model that estimates the surface scattering strength due to both the rough air-sea interface (small-slope theory) and subsurface bubble clouds (a Lloyd-mirror model), given the acoustic frequency (<5 kHz), incident grazing angle, scattered grazing angle, bistatic angle, wind speed, and sound speed in the water. This semi-empirical surface scattering strength (SESSS) model advances previous incarnations [Gauss and Fialkowski, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 105, 1254 (1999) and ECUA 2000] by: (1) incorporating a low wavenumber cut-off to the surface-wave roughness spectra; (2) adding significant sets of low- and mid-frequency, open-ocean backscattering strength data to the database used to derive model parameters (using more comprehensive procedures); and (3) adding a new angle-dependent factor to the bubble-cloud scattering formula. All these changes have increased prediction accuracy, with variances of least-square fits to the new, full data set down from 9.7 dB2 for the old model to 5.3 dB2 for the new model. [Work supported by ONR and SPAWAR PMW-180.]
Noise problem in a primary level classroom
Authors: Beristain Sergio
Published: October 2013

Noise was assesed in a primary school in Mexico City (six to twelve year old kids), known as having significant noise inside classrooms. Several sources were identified, among them, traffic noise and noise from the sports and recreational areas, which were in the center of the school with the classrooms surrounding them. Reverberation was an issue, but not very significant. But in some cases the most annoying sound (noise), was the one made by the students within the classroom, inducing a number of reactions in the lecturers. These reactions ranged from shouting to give the lecture, through trying to control the students, to ignore them and let it go. Lecturer’s voice levels were also measured, finding out a wide spread in normal speech voice level, and some of their experiences and comments were analyzed. Results are sumarized in this presentation.
Seafloor classification using artificial neural network architecture from central western continental shelf of India
Authors: Mahale Vasudev , Chakraborty Bishwajit , Navelkar Gajanan S. , Prabhu Desai R. G.
Published: October 2013

Seafloor classification studies are carried out at the central western continental shelf of India employing two frequency normal incidence single beam echo-sounder backscatter data. Echo waveform data from different seafloor sediment areas are utilized for present study. Three artificial neural network (ANN) architectures, e.g., Self-Organization Feature Maps (SOFM), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), and Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) are applied for seafloor classifications. In case of MLP, features are extracted from the received echo signal, on the basis of which, classification is carried out. In the case of the SOFM, a simple moving average echo waveform pre-processing technique is found to yield excellent classification results. Finally, LVQ, which is known as ANN of hybrid architecture is found to be the efficient seafloor classifier especially from the point of view of the real-time application. The simultaneously acquired sediment sample, multi-beam bathymetry and side scan sonar and echo waveform based seafloor classifications results are indicative of the depositional (inner shelf), non-depositional or erosion (outer shelf) environment and combination of both in the transition zone. [Work supported by DIT.]
Matched-field geoacoustic inversion with correlated data errors
Authors: Dosso Stan E.
Published: October 2013

Many approaches to geoacoustic inversion are based implicitly on the assumption that data errors (including measurement and theory errors) are uncorrelated. However, this assumption is often not valid, and can lead to inefficient geoacoustic parameter estimates and an under-estimation of parameter uncertainties. This paper examines the effects of data error (residual) correlations in matched-field geoacoustic inversion. Statistical tests for error correlations in both space and frequency are considered. An inversion approach is developed based on an iterative, non-parametric method of estimating the full error covariance matrix (assuming ergodic residuals), and including this covariance in the likelihood function of a Bayesian formulation. The inversion approach is illustrated for broadband, vertical-array data from the Mediterranean Sea.
Computational synthesis of ultrasound breast images from a three-dimensional anatomical model
Authors: Shen Yi-Ting , Lacefield James C.
Published: October 2013

A three-dimensional breast anatomy model has been implemented using spline surfaces and fractal structures to represent the architecture of the lactiferous ducts, mammary fat lobules, skin, and supporting connective tissues. The model randomly varies user-specified structural parameters to provide an unlimited number of realizations of the gross anatomy. Cross-sectional views extracted by slicing through a realization of the model are input to a two-dimensional k-space (i.e., spatial frequency domain) ultrasound propagation simulator. The k-space simulator iterates pressure and particle velocity fields in 30-ns steps to compute scattering from the structures defined by the anatomical model and small random variations in compressibility that are added to generate speckle. A synthetic aperture method is employed to simulate B-mode imaging with a 5 MHz, 192-element linear array operated using multiple transmit focal zones and dynamic receive focusing. Simulated images of random-scattering phantoms possess approximately Rayleigh speckle statistics. The anatomical model is expected to yield images with speckle statistics comparable to clinical breast images. The long-term objectives of these simulations are to investigate sources of focus aberration in ultrasound breast imaging and the impact of aberration on cancer detection. [Work supported by an NSERC Discovery Grant.]
Comparison of three models at high frequency for ultrasound tissue scattering
Authors: Oelze Michael , O’Brien William , Zachary James
Published: October 2013

A mammary carcinoma was grown in mice and imaged with an ultrasound transducer operating with a center frequency of 65 MHz. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) analysis was used to characterize the tumors using the bandwidth of 30 to 85 MHz. Three models (Gaussian scatterer, fluid-filled sphere, and a new cell scatterer) for scattering were examined and scatterer property estimates were compared to real tissue morphology as seen from optical microscope images of the tumors. The Gaussian scattering model did not fit the data well compared to the fluid-filled sphere and new cell scatterer models. The fluid-filled sphere model fit the measurements better than any other model but did not yield scatterer property estimates that resembled underlying structure. Using the fluid-filled sphere model, the average estimated scatterer diameter was 25.5±0.14 μm. A new cell scatterer model was developed, which was based on scattering from a cell by incorporating the effects of the cytoskeleton and nucleus. The new cell scatterer model yielded estimates that appeared to reflect underlying structure more accurately. Using the new cell scatterer model, the average estimated nuclear diameter was 15.6±2.2 μm compared with 13.2 μm as measured from optical microscope images.
Non-invasive measurement of in situ thermal diffusivity and local heat source using backscattered ultrasound for thermal therapy planning and monitoring
Authors: Anand Ajay , Kaczkowski Peter
Published: October 2013

Bioheat transfer equation (BHTE) estimates of applied dose during HIFU therapy typically use prior knowledge or assume standard values for tissue properties that determine thermal diffusivity (K) and heat source (Q). We have developed a novel signal-processing based technique to noninvasively estimate these parameters in situ based on analysis of raw backscattered RF data from two localized HIFU exposures, one at sub-ablative intensities to determine K, and another at therapeutic intensities to obtain Q. Both exposures are performed prior to therapy. To estimate K, a short HIFU exposure is applied resulting in a temperature rise of less than 15° C. The Gaussian radius of the temperature induced apparent strain profile during cool down is estimated and fit to an approximate analytical heat diffusion expression to obtain K. Independent estimates of K derived using the transient hotwire technique validated the ultrasonic measurements. To estimate Q, an audio range hydrophone was acoustically coupled to the sample to detect the onset of boiling. The time required to bring the sample to boiling was used to estimate Q by iteration of a numerical BHTE model. These results are validated against in situ measured values using thermocouples and linear acoustic calculations.
Blast noise impacts on sleep
Authors: Nykaza Edward T. , Pater Larry L.
Published: October 2013

Firing large guns during the hours of darkness is essential to combat readiness for the military. At the same time most people are particularly sensitive to noise when sleeping or trying to fall asleep. Laboratory studies done by Griefahn [J. Sound and Vib. 128, 109–119 (1989)] and Luz [see Luz et al., ERDC/CERL, TR-04-26 (2004)] suggest that a time period at night may exist where people are more tolerant to large weapon impulse noise (blast noise) and therefore, are less likely to be awakened from noise events. In the fall of 2004, a field study was conducted around a military installation to determine if such a time period(s) exists. Noise monitors were set up inside and outside of residents homes to record noise levels from live military training activities and actimeters were worn by participants sleeping their natural environment to measure sleep disturbance and awakening. The method and results of this study will be presented. [Work supported by US Army Engineer Research and Development Center CERL.]
A study of automobile exhaust noise preferences
Authors: Haire Jay B. , Carney Melinda J. , Cheenne Dominique J.
Published: October 2013

A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between preferences in automobile exhaust noise and the demographic factors of a listening jury. Noise samples of four different vehicles were recorded at idle as well as at 3000 RPM, and 1/3 octave sound spectra were acquired simultaneously. The recordings were presented to the jury using headphones and a preference survey was administered. Zwicker loudness was computed for all samples. Demographic factors such as gender, age, current and future vehicle ownership, were correlated to listening preferences, and unforeseen results were found, especially in regards to sport utility vehicles (SUV).
Multi-channel active noise control on an axial fan using variable loads
Authors: Duke Connor , Sommerfeldt Scott
Published: October 2013

A multi-channel active noise control system using a mock computer enclosure has been shown to produce significant reduction in tonal noise produced by an axial fan. The mock computer enclosure creates an impedance which influences the fan operation. For this system to be used commercially, it should be versatile enough to be used in a variety of enclosures and environments. Various enclosures and environments can be simulated using a fan plenum to create different back pressures on the system. The effects of different loads seen by the system on the performance of the system will be discussed. The performance of the system can be characterized in either a reverberant or anechoic environment, and the results so obtained will be presented.
A predictive noise study regarding the proposed Cincinnati Muncipal Airport expansion
Authors: Limberg Grant E. , Carney Melinda J. , Cheenne Dominique J.
Published: October 2013

A noise study was performed on the landing path of runway 21L of Cincinnati Municipal Airport to determine the effect of the runway expansion project set to begin in 2005. Sound pressure levels were acquired along the landing path branches to evaluate the eight-hour Leq and the test data were compared to those predicted by the Integrated Noise Model (INM) software. The test data line up to the modeled results within 3.5 dB, an amount that can be explained by weather patterns and other environmental noise variables. The model shows that the 65 dB Day/Night Level (DNL) contour area could negatively affect 46 residents near the airport. Suggestions for the expansion plans include a detailed review of all relevant noise issues using an appropriate computer model.
A simple model for coupled acoustic-structure resonance in Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
Authors: Ginsberg Jerry H.
Published: October 2013

The Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint project of NASA and the Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt that has mounted a 2.5 m, 20 000 kg infrared telescope on a bulkhead of a specially modified Boeing 747-SP. A large sliding door will expose the observation bay to the exterior flow field at Mach 0.85 and 13 km altitude. In the open configuration the interaction of turbulence vortices generated at the leading and trailing edges of the opening has the possibility of inducing a strong acoustic signal. A concern has been raised that the peak frequencies of such a signal might coincide with the cavity resonances. The present work examines the transfer function for a known source in order to identify the cavity resonances. Simplistic reasoning argues that the worst case would occur if the cavity resonant frequencies are close to structural resonances. However, the structure’s impedance is very low at its resonances, which means that the cavity resonant frequencies are shifted from their nominal values. The present work uses a simple one-dimensional waveguide model, in which one end is terminated by a damped single-degree-of-freedom oscillator, to explain the coupled-fluid structure resonance. The characteristic equation and formulas for the pressure and displacement transfer functions are derived. Analysis of these results leads to some surprising insights regarding the role of a structure’s stiffness and mass. [Work supported by the NASA.]
The preliminary study about neutral tone: Dialect effect between North Official Mandarin speakers in China and Taiwan Mandarin speakers
Authors: Li Jennifer
Published: October 2013

According to general theories, neutral tone is not regarded as an independent tone in Mandarin. Previous research shows that the most important characteristic of the neutral tone is that it does not have a certain target and pitch contour. (Lin and Yang, 1980) Namely, its pitch contour is uncertain, and it is weak in perception level. However, those studies ignore the variant between different dialects. Our study examined the features of the neutral tone between two dialects of Mandarin speakers and aimed at figuring out the dialect difference effect on the pronunciation of the neutral tone. Our subjects were chosen form two groups of Mandarin speakers. One group is from the North Mainland China, and the other is from Taiwan. The experiment was designed with a speak-it-out process. All subjects read a randomized script written in Mandarin, and the whole process was recorded spontaneously. The preliminary result shows that the dialect difference effect actually matters. It shows a tendency that the neutral tone has a certain target in Taiwan Mandarin speakers.
Size-constraints on intonation groups in speech: Evidence of an independent syllable-count principle
Authors: Gilbert Annie C. , Boucher Victor J.
Published: October 2013

This poster examines size-limits on intonation (F0) contours in spontaneous speech and presents the results of an experiment on a syllable-count principle, which is seen to constitute, irrespective of syntax, a factor restricting the length of F0 groups. Studies of various languages indicate a general tendency to restrict stress-groups in speech to four syllables or less. In languages were stress is not lexically coded (e.g., French), syntax is not a sufficient predictor of stress. The object was to determine whether these aspects of stress patterning also apply to tonal groups. Statistics are lacking with respect to the extent of F0 contours in speech. Pitch-extracting software was used to analyze the speech of 15 native speakers of French (20 minutes each). Initial results suggest an eight-syllable limit on tonal groups. Based on these statistics an experiment was conducted where 40 Ss read and repeated visually presented sentences containing major syntactic divisions (phrase boundaries) at different locations. There are two central findings: (1) phrase boundaries placed at different points in the sentence did not serve to predict tonal grouping; (2) even when the sentence structure offered the possibility of creating large tonal groups, Ss did not create contours exceeding an eight-syllable limit.
Sociological effects on vocal aging: Age related F0 effects in two languages
Authors: Nagao Kyoko
Published: October 2013

Listeners can estimate the age of a speaker fairly accurately from their speech (Ptacek and Sander, 1966). It is generally considered that this perception is based on physiologically determined aspects of the speech. However, the degree to which it is due to conventional sociolinguistic aspects of speech is unknown. The current study examines the degree to which fundamental frequency (F0) changes due to advanced aging across two language groups of speakers. It also examines the degree to which the speakers associate these changes with aging in a voice disguising task. Thirty native speakers each of English and Japanese, taken from three age groups, read a target phrase embedded in a carrier sentence in their native language. Each speaker also read the sentence pretending to be 20-years younger or 20-years older than their own age. Preliminary analysis of eighteen Japanese speakers indicates that the mean and maximum F0 values increase when the speakers pretended to be younger than when they pretended to be older. Some previous studies on age perception, however, suggested that F0 has minor effects on listeners’ age estimation. The acoustic results will also be discussed in conjunction with the results of the listeners’ age estimation of the speakers.
Effects of aspiration on fundamental frequency in Taiwanese syllables
Authors: Lai Yuwen , Jongman Allard
Published: October 2013

The perturbation effect on vowel fundamental frequency (F0) by voiceless aspirated and unaspirated prevocalic obstruents is investigated in Taiwanese. It is well known that F0 is significantly higher after voiceless than voiced stops. However, the perturbation effect caused by aspiration has received much less attention. Twenty-eight minimal pairs contrasting in prevocalic aspiration across three different places of articulation from seven tonal categories in Taiwanese were recorded from two male and two female speakers. An acoustic study was conducted on a total of 1120 syllables. Onset, offset, and mean F0 as well as contours of the tones after the aspirated and unaspirated obstruents were compared. Results indicate that the onset and mean F0 are significantly higher when following aspirated obstruents but no difference was found in offset F0. Tonal contour comparison shows that the F0 raising effect triggered by aspirated obstruents disappears at 50–60% of the tone. Higher larynx and faster airflow rate are posited as the major factors for the higher F0 after voiceless aspirated obstruents. The present results warrant a reconsideration of the traditional theory of aspiration-induced tonal split according to which a tonal split resulted from the lowering of F0 due to aspiration.
Low vowels and transparency in Kinande vowel harmony
Authors: Gick Bryan , Pulleyblank Douglas , Mutaka Ngessimo , Campbell Fiona
Published: October 2013

Transparency—in which a harmony effect passes over a segment without affecting it phonetically or phonologically—has been a controversial concept in previous literature on harmony systems. A typical case of so-called transparency involves cross-height vowel harmony in Kinande, a Bantu language (J.40). Previous accounts have analyzed low vowels in this system as being transparent to harmony [Schlindwein, NELS 17, 551–567 (1987)]. Further, some analysts have considered low vowels theoretically incapable of undergoing tongue root harmony. These claims were tested in a single-subject field study using ultrasound imaging to measure tongue root position in low vowels. Results indicate that (a) advanced versus retracted tongue root position (ATR) is a viable feature for describing the phonological distinction in the vowel system; (b) there is a phonetic difference between low vowels when adjacent to ATR triggering vowels; (c) this distinction in low vowels does not decrease with distance from trigger vowels, suggesting that these vowels are undergoing phonological harmony rather than phonetic assimilation; and finally, (d) the ATR distinction is phonetically categorical in high vowels, but shows crossover in mid and low vowels. Implications for phonological theory and phonetics-phonology interface will be discussed. [Work supported by NSERC and SSHRC.]
Concurrent recognition of focus and question in Mandarin
Authors: Liu Fang
Published: October 2013

F0 has been shown to vary not only with lexical tones but also with focus and sentence type (statement versus question) in Mandarin. This study further investigates whether listeners can detect concurrent focus and sentence type information in speech. 320 statements and unmarked questions with initial, medial, final, or neutral focus produced by two speakers were tested on 11 listeners. Results show that listeners can identify both sentence type and focus in most cases (89.1% and 88.7%, respectively), suggesting that F0 variations related to the two functions can be simultaneously perceived. Meanwhile, the lowest rates were found for identifying neutral focus in questions (71%) and for identifying statement in sentences with final focus (78%). In both cases the confusions seem to arise from the conflicting F0 adjustments by sentence type and focus in the sentence-final position (final F0 being raised for both question and final focus, but not for statement). Overall, the findings not only indicate that F0 can concurrently encode both focus and sentence type in addition to tonal information, but also demonstrate how delicate a balance is maintained between these communicative functions when they have to share the same articulatory/acoustic parameter for their respective manifestations.
An iso-deviant approach for acoustic computations using efficient adaptive gridder for littoral environments
Authors: Rike Erik R. , DelBalzo Donald R.
Published: October 2013

Transmission Loss (TL) computations in littoral areas require a dense spatial and azimuthal grid to achieve acceptable accuracy and detail. The computational cost of accurate predictions led to a new concept, OGRES (Objective Grid/Radials using Environmentally-sensitive Selection), which produces sparse, irregular acoustic grids, with controlled accuracy. Recent work to further increase accuracy and efficiency with better metrics and interpolation led to EAGLE (Efficient Adaptive Gridder for Littoral Environments). On each iteration, EAGLE produces grids with approximately constant spatial uncertainty (hence, iso-deviance), yielding predictions with ever-increasing resolution and accuracy. The EAGLE point-selection mechanism is tested using the predictive error metric and 1-D synthetic data-sets created from combinations of simple signal functions (e.g., polynomials, sines, cosines, exponentials), along with white and chromatic noise. The speed, efficiency, fidelity, and iso-deviance of EAGLE are determined for each combination of signal, noise, and interpolator. The results show significant efficiency enhancements compared to uniform grids of the same accuracy. [Work sponsored by ONR under the LADC project.]
Predicting and auralizing acoustics in classrooms
Authors: Christensen Claus Lynge
Published: October 2013

Although classrooms have fairly simple geometries, this type of room is known to cause problems when trying to predict their acoustics using room acoustics computer modeling. Some typical features from a room acoustics point of view are: Parallel walls, low ceilings (the rooms are flat), uneven distribution of absorption, and most of the floor being covered with furniture which at long distances act as scattering elements, and at short distance provide strong specular components. The importance of diffraction and scattering is illustrated in numbers and by means of auralization, using ODEON 8 Beta.
Rapid Speech Transmission Index predictions and auralizations of unusual instructional spaces at MIT’s new Stata Center
Authors: Conant David A.
Published: October 2013

The Stata Center for Computer, Information and Intelligence Sciences, recently opened at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, includes a variety of oddly-shaped seminar rooms in addition to lecture spaces of somewhat more conventional form. The architects design approach prohibited following conventional, well understood room-acoustical behavior yet MIT and the design team were keenly interested in ensuring that these spaces functioned exceptionally well, acoustically. CATT-Acoustic room modeling was employed to assess RASTI through multiple design iterations for all these spaces. Presented here are computational and descriptive results achieved for these rooms which are highly-regarded by faculty. They all sound peculiarly good, given their unusual form. In addition, binaural auralizations for selected spaces are provided.
Hearing and the round goby: Understanding the auditory system of the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)
Authors: Belanger Andrea J. , Higgs Dennis M.
Published: October 2013

The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), is an invasive species in the Great Lakes watershed. Adult round gobies show behavioral responses to conspecific vocalizations but physiological investigations have not yet been conducted to quantify their hearing abilities. We have been examining the physiological and morphological development of the auditory system in the round goby. Various frequencies (100 Hz to 800 Hz and conspecific sounds), at various intensities (120 dB to 170 dB re 1 Pa) were presented to juveniles and adults and their auditory brain-stem responses (ABR) were recorded. Round gobies only respond physiologically to tones from 100–600 Hz, with threshold varying between 145 to 155 dB re 1 Pa. The response threshold to conspecific sounds was 140 dB re 1 Pa. There was no significant difference in auditory threshold between sizes of fish for either tones or conspecific sounds. Saccular epithelia were stained using phalloidin and there was a trend towards an increase in both hair cell number and density with an increase in fish size. These results represent a first attempt to quantify auditory abilities in this invasive species. This is an important step in understanding their reproductive physiology, which could potentially aid in their population control. [Funded by NSERC.]
Do laboratory rearing conditions affect auditory and mechanosensory development of zebrafish (Danio rerio)?
Authors: Poling Kirsten R. , Jaworski Eva , Fantetti Kristen R. , Higgs Dennis M.
Published: October 2013

The effect of anthropogenic noise on the fish auditory system has become of increasing concern due to possible detrimental effects of intense sounds on auditory function and structures. This is especially problematic when raising fish in laboratory and aquaculture settings using filtration and aeration, which increase sound levels. To assess the effects of laboratory rearing conditions, one group of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos (‘‘controls’’) were placed into aerated aquaria in a normal laboratory rearing environment. A second set of embryos (‘‘quiet’’) were reared in aquaria with no aeration or filtration in a sound-resistant room. The intensity difference between the two sets of tanks was over 30 dB. Preliminary data show that there was no affect of differential rearing environments on saccular hair cell numbers or on hearing ability in fish up to 25 mm total length. However, rearing environment did affect neuromast number. ‘‘Quiet’’ fish had higher numbers of both cephalic and trunk superficial neuromasts, relative to controls. This difference was maintained up to 11 mm total length (the size at which canal formation begins). This suggests that acoustic environments normally found in the laboratory do not affect development of hearing in zebrafish, although laboratory acoustics may affect mechanosensory development.
Novel technique for rapid screening of tinnitus in rats
Authors: Turner Jeremy G. , Brozoski Thomas J. , Parrish Jennifer L. , Bauer Carol A. , Hughes Larry F. , Caspary Donald M.
Published: October 2013

Measuring tinnitus in laboratory animals is difficult, involving weeks or months of operant training. Preliminary data suggest that rapid screening for tinnitus in rats can be accomplished using an unconditioned acoustic startle reflex. In control animals, a gap in an otherwise constant acoustic background inhibits a subsequent startle response to a sound impulse. If, however, the background signal is qualitatively similar to the animal’s tinnitus, poorer detection of the gap and less inhibition of the startle might be expected. Fourteen animals with putative tinnitus at 10 kHz and 13 control animals were tested for gap detection using three different background signals: broadband noise, and filtered bandpass noise centered either at 16 kHz (15.5–16.5 kHz) or at their suspected tinnitus locus of 10 kHz (9.5–10.5 kHz). As predicted, animals with evidence of tinnitus exhibited significantly worse gap detection at 10 kHz, and were not significantly different than control animals at 16 kHz and broadband noise. These results suggest a new methodology for rapidly detecting tinnitus in individual animals. Equipment donated by Hamilton-Kinder Inc Behavioral Testing Systems in the memory of SIU graduate Dorothy Jean Kinder (Walker). [Work supported by NIH grants AG023910-01 (JT), DC4830 (TB & CB), and DC00151 (DC).]