bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bringing the State Back in Secularization: The Development of Laïcité in the French Third Republic (1875–1905)
Authors: Peker Efe
Published: November 2019

The secularization literature increasingly recognizes the role of historical state‐building processes and the manifest agency of sociopolitical actors in shaping public secularity. Based on archival data from the French Third Republic, this article offers three contributions to the historicizing agenda. First, to better capture the contingent and agency‐driven nature of secularization, it reoperationalizes the concepts of separation and regulation as contentious strategies of state‐building used toward religious authority. Second, it identifies and exemplifies four interrelated yet uneven spheres in which secularization is prompted through governmental action: politico‐institutional, socio‐pedagogical, symbolic‐ideological, and property‐distributional. Third, it suggests going beyond viewing secularizing agents as disconnected elites operating independently of grassroots movements. The French case shows that the Republicans’ engagement with the pressures of various class forces had a significant impact on their secularizing policies. The analysis advances the study of the mechanisms whereby state‐building engenders and mediates secularization as a nonlinear and heterogeneous process.
Trait divergence of woody species in relation to affinity for termite mounds in Upper Katanga (DR Congo)
Authors: Cuma Mushagalusa Fidèle , Bauman David , Ngoy Shutcha Mylor , Meerts Pierre
Published: November 2019

Question

Do functional traits vary in relation to affinity for termite mounds in trees of dry tropical woodlands?

Location

North of the Zambezian Region, Plain of Lubumbashi, Upper Katanga, DR Congo.

Methods

In four woodland sites, the occurrence of a total of 3,454 stems, on and off Macrotermes mounds has been recorded. Twenty‐one functional traits including foliar concentrations of nutrients, specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf dry matter content (LDMC) were determined in 36 species. Intraspecific variation of traits was examined in one species (Dalbergia boehmii) occurring both on and off mounds.

Results

Most species had a narrow niche, with 22 species (31%) showing a strong positive affinity for termite mounds (>90% of occurrences) (T species), and 43 species (61%) showing strong negative affinity (<10% of occurrences) (NT species). Strong divergence of traits was found between T and NT species. Affinity for termite mounds was positively correlated to SLA and foliar concentrations of B, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, and negatively correlated to LDMC and leaf thickness. Intraspecific variation in D. boehmii showed the same pattern, though with a smaller amplitude.

Conclusions

Strong environmental filters are structuring the vegetation of dry tropical woodlands, with termitophilous species expressing a syndrome of faster resource capture and use, in line with the higher nutrient and water availability of termite mound soil. Broad‐niched species are either more plastic, or have evolved locally adapted populations.
Differences of Anteroposterior Pelvic Radiographs Between Supine Position and Standing Position in Patients with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
Authors: Yang Guo‐yue , Li Ya‐yue , Luo Dian‐zhong , Hui Cheng , Xiao Kai , Zhang Hong
Published: November 2019

Objective

To explore the difference in pelvic tilt and hip joint parameters with developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) comparing the anteroposterior (AP) pelvic radiographs taken in supine and standing positions.

Methods

A prospective study of DDH patients undergoing Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) was conducted. AP pelvic radiographs were taken in supine and standing positions before surgery The pelvic tilt and hip joint parameters from the two radiographs were compared. Contrast parameters included the distance between the pubic symphysis to sacrococcygeal distance (PSSC), lateral center‐edge angle (LCEA), Tönnis angle (TA), and angle of sharp (SA).

Results

A total of 110 young DDH patients were enrolled, including 32 men and 78 women, aged 18–49 years. The male PSSC was 45.63 ± 13.69 mm in supine position and 36.91 ± 12.33 mm in standing position (P < 0.05). The female PSSC was 56.76 ± 13.54 mm in supine position and 48.62 ± 15.44 mm in standing position (P < 0.05). In this study, LCEA <20° in AP pelvic radiographs in the supine position was found in 52 men and 135 women. For male patients, in supine position and standing position, LCEA were 5.51° ± 11.88° and 4.45° ± 12.22°, respectively (P < 0.05); TA were 20.20° ± 9.63° and 21.30° ± 9.97°, respectively (P < 0.05), and SA comparison showed no significant differences. For female patients, in supine position and standing position, LCEA were 3.07° ± 12.07° and 1.69° ± 12.11°, respectively (P < 0.05), TA were 22.62° ± 9.31° and 23.82° ± 9.45°, respectively (P < 0.05), and SA were 48.01° ± 4.68° and 48.49° ± 4.74°, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared with the supine position, the young DDH patients have pelvic tilt backward and a decrease in hip coverage in the standing position.
Diversity, distribution and prevalence of vegetable‐infecting geminiviruses in Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouattara A. , Tiendrébéogo F. , Lefeuvre P. , Hoareau M. , Claverie S. , Allibert A. , Chiroleu F. , Traoré E.V. , Barro N. , Traoré O. , Lett J.‐M.
Published: November 2019

In West and Central Africa, as in many regions of the world, vegetables are severely affected by geminivirus diseases. In Burkina Faso, observation of various virus‐like symptoms, especially on tomato, suggests the involvement of several geminiviruses and underlines the pressing need for additional information on their diversity, distribution, prevalence and host plant reservoirs. Large‐scale surveys conducted in Burkina Faso confirmed the presence of tomato (yellow) leaf curl diseases (ToLCD‐TYLCD) and geminiviruses in all localities with mean prevalences of 25% and 45%, respectively. Five geminiviruses including four begomoviruses (pepper yellow vein Mali virus (PepYVMLV), tomato leaf curl Burkina Faso virus, tomato leaf curl Mali virus and tomato leaf curl Ghana virus) and a dicot‐infecting mastrevirus (chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus) were characterized on tomato. In addition, PepYVMLV and cotton leaf curl Gezira virus (CLCuGeV) were characterized on pepper and okra, respectively, in combination or not with alphasatellites and betasatellites for CLCuGeV. The most severe, prevalent and widely distributed virus on vegetables was PepYVMLV, which was characterized for the first time in combination with a genetically divergent DNA‐B component that may constitute a key factor of PepYVMLV pathogenicity. Of the eight weeds identified as potential reservoir hosts of begomoviruses, four host PepYVMLV. The results confirm the importance of geminivirus diseases on vegetable crops in Burkina Faso and highlight the complex association of geminiviruses and satellites. The detection of begomoviruses in weeds growing close to crops points to the increasing necessity to consider reservoir plants and virus communities in the control of virus diseases.
Prospective evaluation of immune haemolysis in liver transplantation
Authors: Brunetta Denise Menezes , de Barros Carlos Luciana Maria , Da Silva Vilany Franco Pereira , de Oliveira Alves Tania Maria , Macedo Ênio Simas , Coelho Gustavo Rego , Vasconcelos João Batista Marinho , De Francesco Daher Elizabeth , Garcia José Huygens Parente
Published: November 2019

Background

Immune haemolysis in liver transplant (LT) can occur due to autoantibodies and alloantibodies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for immune haemolysis in LT.

Methods

A total of 175 consecutive patients were included. Multiorgan recipients were excluded. Samples, from before LT, seven consecutive days and weekly for 4 weeks, were evaluated for haemolysis and immunohaematological tests. SPSS 24 was used for statistical analysis.

Results

Nine patients (5·1%) presented positive antibody screen (AS) before LT, (2·3% clinically significant), more frequent in RhD‐negative (P = 0·017). Positive DAT occurred in 53 (30·3%) and was related to high MELD score (P = 0·048), HCV (P = 0·005) and furosemide use (P = 0·001). Positive AS after LT occurred in 22 patients (12·5%), with nine (5·7%) clinically significant antibodies. Positive AS occurred more frequently in RhD negative (P = 0·021) and in those transfused (P = 0·022). Post‐transplant positive DAT was associated with piperacillin‐tazobactam use (P = 0·021) and minor ABO incompatibility (P = 0·0038). Five patients presented passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS), all received liver‐graft O, four presented haemolysis, and three were transfused due to PLS.

Conclusion

Auto‐ and alloantibodies against red blood cell antigens are frequent in LT, but the frequency of immune haemolysis was only 2·8%. The only risk factor for PLS was minor ABO mismatch.
Isolated serum hepatitis B core antibody seropositivity: A diagnostic risk factor for occult hepatitis B infection
Authors: Fasakin Kolawole A. , Ifeanyichukwu Martin O. , Ibijola Ajayi Adeleke , Adeniyi Augustine A. , Ajetunmobi Wasiu A. , Adebara Idowu O. , Ajayi Oluwafemi David , Esan Ayodele Jacob , Oyeleke Kikelomo O. , Omisakin Christopher T.
Published: November 2019

Anti‐HBc screening and nucleic acid testing for hepatitis B viral DNA (HBV DNA) detection in blood donors are not routinely performed in clinical settings in Nigeria. This raises serious concerns for safety of blood at a time that global health standards advocate for transfusion safety. The aim of this research is to investigate if presence of anti‐HBc in blood donors is actually associated with occult hepatitis B infection through basic and advanced procedures. Prospective blood donors who were seronegative for HBsAg but sero‐positive for anti‐HBc (with or without other markers) among the four hundred and seventy enrolled in a cross‐sectional study were selected for this study. Samples were further screened for hepatitis B core immunoglobulin M by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Nucleic acid testing was performed for confirmation of occult hepatitis B infection. Anti‐HBc was detected in 20 (32.8%) of the sixty‐one HBsAg antigen‐negative blood donors which constituted 13.0% of the total number of enrolled blood donors. Anti‐HBc total‐positive differentiation showed eighteen (90.0%) anti‐HBc (IgG) and two (10%) anti‐HBc (IgM) were detected. Nucleic acid testing showed 5.0% prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection among the anti‐HBc‐positive blood donors with estimated HBV DNA viral load of 58 IU/ml. Demonstration of 5.0% occult hepatitis B prevalence showed the possibility of post‐transfusion hepatitis B infection in transfusion recipients with consequent possible liver damage should hepatitis B surface antigen alone be the continued practice in clinical settings. The inclusion of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen screening in addition to hepatitis B surface antigen marker is an essential step to ensuring optimal blood safety and prevent post‐transfusion hepatitis.
Selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase‐2 protects porcine aortic endothelial cells from human antibody‐mediated complement‐dependent cytotoxicity
Authors: Chen Pengfei , Zhao Yanli , Gao Hanchao , Huang Jiabao , Lu Ying , Song Jinqi , Lin Lizhong , Lin Zejin , Ou Chunpei , Sun Huimin , Li Yajing , Zeng Changchun , Cooper David K. C. , Zhan Yongqiang , Deng Xuefeng , Mou Lisha
Published: November 2019

Background

Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) is an inducible enzyme with catalytic activity for biosynthesis of prostaglandins which are the key mediators of inflammation. COX‐2 is also the therapeutic target for widely used non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, the involvement of COX‐2 in xenotransplantation (eg, pig‐to‐non‐human primate) remains poorly recognized.

Methods

We investigated the mechanisms that regulate COX‐2 expression and the effects of COX‐2 on porcine aortic endothelial cell (PAEC) viability using in vitro pig‐to‐primate xenotransplantation model and in vivo pig‐to‐mouse cellular transplant model. Regulation of COX‐2 expression was assessed by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting. The effects of inhibition or downregulation of COX‐2 on PAEC viability were assessed by propidium iodide (PI)‐Annexin V staining and Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay.

Results

Human serum triggered robust COX‐2 expression in PAECs in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Induction of COX‐2 expression by human serum was partially through activation of both canonical and non‐canonical nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κb) signaling and increasing intracellular calcium. Cytokines like tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin 1 beta (IL‐1β), IL‐17, were able to induce COX‐2 expression. Selective inhibition of COX‐2 by celecoxib dramatically decreased PAEC death in vitro and in vivo as defined by propidium iodide (PI)‐Annexin V staining. Consistently, downregulation of COX‐2 expression by NF‐κb inhibitors or calcium chelator BAPTA decreased human serum‐induced PAEC death as well. Silencing of COX‐2 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) protected PAEC viability when transplanted under kidney capsule of C57BL/6 mice.

Conclusions

Taken together, our data suggest that COX‐2 is highly induced in PAECs by xenogenic serum and associated with human antibody‐mediated complement‐dependent cytotoxicity. COX‐2 might be a potential therapeutic target to improve xenotransplantation.
AESTHETICS, CREATIVITY, AND MYSTICISM: AN INVESTIGATION OF THREE MODES OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Authors: Frishkopf Michael
Published: November 2019

This essay explores the universal nature of aesthetic, creative, and mystical experience, tracing some essential interrelations among the three. Enlarging upon the work of anthropologist Jacques Maquet, I speculate that “sensory fixedness” is both necessary and sufficient to achieve aesthetic experience, and that the unification of mind engendered by sensory fixedness is the essential source of aesthetic power. Therefore, the role of the aesthetic object (construed broadly) is either as an arbitrary sensory focusing mechanism, or as the physical embodiment of a gestalt facilitating fixedness; the first category is merely attractive, while the second contains all that is truly great in art (visual and auditory). I suggest further that as both creative inspiration and mystical experience result from fixedness, both are related to aesthetic experience. However, while aesthetic experience is rooted in sensation, mystical and creative experience, though often prepared by sensory fixedness, may transcend the sensory domain altogether toward more abstract forms of mental fixedness.
EPIPHANY PHILOSOPHERS: AFTERWORD
Authors: Williams Rowan
Published: November 2019

Being a theist makes a difference, but not so much to what propositions we assent to, nor to an expanded ontology of spiritual entities. Rather, it is concerned with what commitments we enter into, and involves a participatory engagement with a broader reality then we might have supposed was possible. Embodied practices are a crucial part of the contemplative path, which draws on the wisdom of the body. This leads on to a “labor of culture.” Our present culture is not obviously as secular as supposed to be, but what has now become sacred is a strong sense of the individual ego, around which many ethical and political commitments are built, and which sits uneasily with our widely accepted mechanistic view of life. The crucial challenge to artificial intelligence is whether it can find ways of enhancing the mutual recognition that is crucial to the ethical life.
HIGH SCIENCE AND NATURAL SCIENCES: GREEK THEOLOGIANS AND THE SCIENCE AND RELIGION INTERACTIONS (1832–1910)
Authors: Tampakis Kostas
Published: November 2019

What was science for the Orthodox Greek theologian of the nineteenth century? How did it feature in his (theologians were all men at the time) own work? This article is an attempt to describe the science and religion interactions by placing Greek Orthodox theologians of the nineteenth century in the center of the historical narrative, rather than treat them as occasional deuteragonists in the scientists’ historiography. The picture that emerges is far more complicated than one of antagonism, indifference, conflict, or coexistence. Greek theologians saw themselves as scientists and treated theology as a positive, rational science. They developed strategies to delineate their disciplinary borders and safeguard their identity as expert scholars by harnessing their university and academic credentials. For that reason, they had to invoke famous German and other Western theologians, while ensuring that they were seen as true defenders of Orthodox Christianity. The idea of science was an integral part of this achievement.
On the Balmer spectrum for compact Lie groups
Authors: Barthel Tobias , Greenlees J. P. C. , Hausmann Markus
Published: November 2019

We study the Balmer spectrum of the category of finite $G$-spectra for a compact Lie group $G$, extending the work for finite $G$ by Strickland, Balmer–Sanders, Barthel–Hausmann–Naumann–Nikolaus–Noel–Stapleton and others. We give a description of the underlying set of the spectrum and show that the Balmer topology is completely determined by the inclusions between the prime ideals and the topology on the space of closed subgroups of $G$. Using this, we obtain a complete description of this topology for all abelian compact Lie groups and consequently a complete classification of thick tensor ideals. For general compact Lie groups we obtain such a classification away from a finite set of primes $p$.
Effect of underlayment formulation and structural design on high and low frequency impact isolation metrics
Authors: Golden Matthew V. , Byrick Wilson
Published: November 2019

The ASTM E33 Building acoustics committee is currently evaluating two proposed new standards on high and low frequency impact noise ratings. Unlike the Impact Isolation Class (IIC) which covers a frequency range of 100 to 3150 Hz, the new high and low frequency ratings cover ranges of 50–80 Hz and 400–3150 Hz, respectively. Correlations among these new ratings and the standard IIC rating for several hundred laboratory tests will be show along with examples of their usefulness. A detailed analysis of several different structural assemblies will be shown. Finally, effects of underlayment formulation on the new ratings and IIC are discussed.
Massive or lightweight? Sound insulation of Austrian multistory apartment buildings since 2000
Authors: Ferk Heinz
Published: November 2019

During the past centuries, Austria was a country of massive multistory apartment houses. Since the last decade of the last century, technical and legal developments led to experimental multistory buildings with lightweight construction as timber frame or cross laminated timber construction. During the following years, the proportion of lightweight constructions increased slightly. In Styria, a federal land in the south of Austria, it is usual to perform sample performance measurements also of the quality of subsidized apartment buildings upon competition. This paper shows some results of such quality measurements of airborne and impact sound insulation during the past two decades and discusses the performance of different constructions. Moreover, some results of “mikrozensus” surveys about noise pollution of the federal institution “Statistik Austria” are presented. The question arises, if the used descriptors as, e.g., the weighted sound reduction index Rw are still sufficient meaningful in every case or if there should be some additional information to avoid specific problematic construction solutions. Another way would be to provide rules for robust in detail. Some special cases and construction influences are shown exemplarily. For future development, it would be of interest to provide more information about sensitivity of construction measures in order to enhance the future sound insulation performance not only as a number but in reality.
Binaural models that can assess and understand architectural environments
Authors: Braasch Jonas , Blauert Jens
Published: November 2019

Traditional binaural models, such as those based on cross-correlation and equalization/cancellation algorithms, use a bottom-up approach. They simulate the functions of the ascending auditory pathway from signals at the ears up through higher-level structures, typically the midbrain. In contrast, top-down methods are frequently used in practical robotics applications, for instance, when applying simultaneous-localization-and-mapping (SLAM) techniques. Such top-down approaches, however, are generally absent from models that foster understanding of our auditory system. This talk focuses on binaural-localization models that integrate traditional signal-driven models with psychoacoustically motivated top-down structures, for example, by means of feedback loops. The aim is to design advanced models that operate in architectural environments in order to understand both the environment and activities within the environment. These models are presented in the context of the authors' current work on a contributed book entitled, “The Technology of Binaural Understanding,” which is in press at Springer. The discussed approaches include: models to estimate room-impulse responses and binaural-activity maps from running signals; algorithms to utilize head movements for strategically reading the environment; and algorithms for the automatic labeling of sonic events using deep-learning techniques. [Work supported by the EU-FET project “TwoEars,” Contract No. 618075, NSF BCS-1539276, and CISL (RPI).]
Noise predictions of sound systems using system data and complex summation
Authors: Malgieri Nick
Published: November 2019

As the number and size of amplified outdoor events in urban areas is increasing, so are the challenges with accompanied noise immissions and therefore the need for accurate noise predictions. An advanced method for predictions of sound systems is introduced, that uses specific system data and applies complex summation. The system data, including all acoustically relevant characteristics, such as positioning, orientation and directivity of loudspeakers, delays and electronic filters, are simply imported with a system design file already in use by the system provider (d&b’s ArrayCalc simulation software). This procedure eliminates any inaccuracies and inefficiencies because it spares the process of re-modeling a sound system in the noise prediction software and ensures predictions using the actual system design. Also, and with increasing importance, advanced electronic filtering (e.g., IIR, FIR) is automatically included. Environmental noise modelling software usually does not consider complex summation between sources because they are assumed to be un-correlated with one another (as in traffic and industry). However, in sound systems, the signals sent to the loudspeakers are mostly correlated. Furthermore, modern line-array systems use coherence effects to further tailor directivity. Therefore, the sound propagation calculation was extended for complex summation and the method was implemented in SoundPLAN software and in NoizCalc (d&b audiotechnik).
Untapping the potential of soundwalks as participatory methods for co-designing smart cities
Authors: Radicchi Antonella
Published: November 2019

Nowadays, the mainstream smart city paradigm relies on uncritical, massive use of technology, deployed with the promise of addressing sustainability challenges affecting large, densely populated cities. Likewise, a scrutiny of literature in the field of environmental noise shows the tendency to exploit technological innovation to implement a noise-based, top-down approach in the evaluation of the acoustic environment, which on the other hand overlooks the health and psychological effects of noise on people. This contribution reflects on this contradiction and discusses how the people-centred soundscape concept and its methods, i.e., the soundwalks, can counterbalance such criticalities informing the smart city paradigm. After providing a brief introduction to soundscape theory and methods, two case studies of soundwalks conducted with the public in Berlin and New York are presented. In conclusion, the studies’ limitations are discussed and recommendations on the potential of soundwalks as participatory methods for co-designing smart cities are provided so as to possibly orientate future research and professional practice.
Usability assessment of a wearable speech-processing platform
Authors: Boothroyd Arthur , Kirsch Christine , Mackersie Carol , Painter Shaelyn , Garudadri Harinath
Published: November 2019

The ultimate value of the NIDCD open-source initiative lies in use of the resulting platforms in research studies that advance knowledge and practice in hearing health-care. This study is concerned with usability of the current instantiation of the UCSD wearable speech-processing platform in possible field studies of advanced processing and/or listener-adjustment protocols. Usability is assessed, here, in the context of hearing-aid self-adjustment. Starting with an NAL-NL2 prescription for a relatively mild generic hearing loss, volunteers self-adjust gain and spectral tilt to preference in the clinic. They use the embedded version of the Boothroyd and Mackersie “Goldilocks” protocol while listening to recorded narrative at a conversational level. They are then accompanied by the researcher to local environments, with varying background noise and reverberation, and are given the opportunity to readjust. Listener reactions are subsequently obtained via a structured interview covering opinions on the physical attributes, acoustic attributes, and ease of adjustment. These are supplemented by coupler and real-ear measures of self-selected responses together with measures of phoneme recognition as a function of listening level. Individual differences are extreme but most participants respond positively to acoustics and usability and a proportion indicate a willingness to wear the platform in field studies.
Structural transients from the impact force excitation of beams
Authors: Stepanishen Peter
Published: November 2019

Analytical and experimental results are presented for the transient longitudinal and flexural waves which result from the impact force excitation of beams. Space-time, integral transform and convolution methods are utilized for the analyses. Analytical results are presented for the in vacuo velocity response of an infinite, semi infinite and a beam of finite length to illustrate the effects of boundary reflection and material dissipation on flexural and longitudinal waves. Experimental results are then presented to illustrate the general behavior of transient longitudinal and flexural wave propagation in a free-free beam of finite length in vacuo which is impacted by a hammer excitation. In contrast to the clearly observable multi-pulse structure for the reflected longitudinal waves the dispersive nature of the flexural waves results in overlapping reflected waves with a loss of the multi-pulse structure. Frequency-time analyses provide a clearer picture of the underlying physics and illustrate the expected dispersion relationships.
Killer whale (Orcinus orca) hearing in noise
Authors: Branstetter Brian K. , Meze-Burtis Kristi , Felice Mike , Finneran James J. , Robeck Todd
Published: November 2019

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are an apex predator, the largest delphinid odontocete, and have the widest cosmopolitan distribution of all cetacean species. These long-lived animals can be found in life-long matrilineal groups, where fitness-related activities such as cooperative hunting rely on sophisticated group coordination, often mediated by acoustic communication. The effects of anthropogenic noise on the fitness of killer whales is a growing concern, especially for the endangered population of southern resident killer whales. Although modest progress has been made in determining the killer whales’ behavior in response to noise (e.g., Lombard effect), almost nothing is known about how these animals hear in noisy environments. Here, what is known about killer whale hearing is summarized, including behavioral and electrophysiological audiograms, and resulting auditory weighting functions. In addition, new critical ratio data are presented and compared with other odontocete species. These preliminary data are evaluated in a communication space model to predict negative impacts of anthropogenic noise.
Large scale structural acoustics in Sierra-SD
Authors: Bunting Gregory , Walsh Timothy F.
Published: November 2019

In this talk, we will present an overview of structural acoustics and model reduction capabilities in Sierra-SD (Structural-Dynamics). Sierra-SD is a massively parallel finite element application for structural dynamics and acoustics, having recently demonstrated the implicit solution of models with over 2 billion degrees of freedom and running on up to one hundred thousand distributed memory cores. Domain decomposition and MPI parallelism are used to split a large domain into many small domains that can be solved in parallel. Sierra-SD offers a wide range of capabilities for model reduction. For acoustic models, infinite elements and perfectly matched layers are available to reduce domain size. For structural models, Craig-Bampton style superelements are available to reduce specific components in the structural portions of the model. Various coupling and handoff methods between linear structural acoustics codes and nonlinear solid and fluid mechanics codes are used to reduce model size. Large-scale, realistic applications will be presented on models such as ship shock loading and vibration of reentry bodies. [Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under Contract DE-NA-0003525.]
Recent developments of faster numerical methods for fluid-structure interaction analysis
Authors: Wu Kuangcheng , Bennett Alyssa , Diperna Xingguang
Published: November 2019

Frequency Response Functions (FRF) haves been used to aid noise and vibration designs in various industries. Those design considerations include resonance avoidance, vibration reduction, etc. Numerical methods have been widely applied to predict Frequency Response Functions (FRF) of structures. However, the computational resources (i.e., CPU time, memory, disk space) needed to solve large and detailed numerical models are getting large. Furthermore, the need to resolve resonant response peaks can drive up the number of FRF calculations required. Lately, advanced numerical techniques based on a Krylov subspace and Galerkin Projection (KGP) and Pade Approximation have been demonstrated that they can significantly accelerate the overall process by approximating the frequency dependent response (calculating the forced response at only a few frequencies, then using KGP or Pade approximates to reconstruct the FRF for the rest of desired frequency points.) This paper will present the latest enhancements to the KGP: modeling of viscoelastic material via its complex modulus representation and adaptive capability (AKGP) in automating the frequency sweep process via calculated tolerance error. To illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the new enhancements, a numerical example will be exercised and used as a benchmark to compare different numerical tools with and without the AKGP.
Distributed acoustic sensing of shots in realistic environments
Authors: Dagallier Adrien , Cheinet Sylvain , Juvé Daniel , Surgis Timothée , Broglin Thierry
Published: November 2019

Upon firing, most weapons emit very loud sounds. These sounds propagate over the battlefield and are distorted by the atmospheric effects, absorbed by the ground, reflected on or diffracted around buildings or mountains. It is of obvious operational interest to develop sensing systems to localize these sound sources, with arrays of distributed sensors. This study develops an original sensing approach. It uses the time-matching method, based on finding the best match between pre-calculated times of arrivals (TOAs) of the shot sounds and measured TOAs from a set of synchronous, distributed sensors. Predicting the TOAs requires a physical model able to factor in the impact of complex 3-D environments (wind and sound speed gradients, obstacles), and of complex sound sources (e.g., combination of muzzle blast and supersonic projectile wave). A very fast interface-tracking model is used, based on Sethian's Fast-Marching method, for pre-calculating the TOAs in a general and comprehensive framework. Applications to localization of shots in urban environments and to localization of long range artillery gun are presented. They demonstrate that, compared to standard methods, the above matching-and-marching approach can work without classification, with less sensors, or with a much smaller baseline array.
An improved Cramer’s scheme for computing sound fields in a stratified medium
Authors: Feng Jianxiong , Li Kai Ming
Published: November 2019

The Fast-Field Program (FFP) is a powerful numerical tool for calculating sound fields in an inhomogeneous atmosphere. The medium can be divided into a number of layers in the case of a vertical stratification. A linear system of simultaneous equations can be established using the boundary conditions between each layer. To solve the problem, a global matrix is formed and typically be solved by means of the LU decomposition method. However, the inversion of the matrix is time-consuming when the matrix size is large. Since a limited number of layers closed to ground are usually needed in the prediction of the sound fields, hence, the global matrix approach is re-examined in the present paper by seeking a numerically efficient method for matrix inversion. A close examination of the governing equations suggests that a pseudo penta-diagonal matrix can be formed where the associated determinants can be calculated by using their diagonal elements. The computational cost for calculating the kernel function of a specific layer is then linearly proportional to the matrix size. This paper discusses an approach in setting up the penta-diagonal matrix and examine an efficient Cramer scheme in calculating the determinants of the matrix and its co-factors.
Levin's collocation method for predicting sound fields in the presence of sound speed gradients
Authors: Wang Yiming , Li Kai Ming
Published: November 2019

Sound propagation in a stratified medium has been studied for decades. The Ray tracing method, which is one of the most popular methods, calculates the ray path and propagating angle of a sound ray. However, the ray method is not accurate under many circumstances compared with the wave-based numerical schemes. The Fast field program (FFP), an efficient method for numerical evaluation of the Fourier integral, is accurate but requires significant computational resources for high frequency sound fields because of the highly oscillatory functions found in the integrand. In this paper, a Levin’s collocation method is introduced and used in the evaluation of the sound fields above a locally reacting ground with the presence of the sound speed gradient. The method is far more efficient than most other available numerical techniques such as the FFP and Parabolic Equation method.
Using Wikipedia to promote acoustics knowledge for the International Year of Sound 2020
Authors: Murphy William J. , Morata Thais C. , Sadowski John
Published: November 2019

Wikipedia is an important mechanism to share science information with the public. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) adopted a multi-component strategy to improve the health content on Wikipedia. For the International Year of Sound (IYS 2020), the Acoustical Society of America and NIOSH organized the online event Wiki4YearOfSound2020, to facilitate the improvement of Wikipedia content related to acoustics. IYS 2020 is a global initiative to highlight the importance of sound in all aspects of life and improve our understanding of sound-related issues at an international level. The Wiki4YearOfSound2020 platform (available in several languages) provides guidance to all who join. Ways to participate include promoting the project, suggesting a topic that should have a Wikipedia article, improving or translating existing articles, articles, or writing new ones. Educational programs can count on a platform and tools to train students to contribute high-quality content to Wikipedia as part of their class assignments. Throughout 2020 the Wikimedia outreach dashboard will allows anyone to monitor contributions and reach. This campaign is an opportunity to make content in acoustics one of the better-developed areas within Wikipedia, while providing quality information to everyone in the world- where they are actually looking for it.
Selecting a parametric probability density function for urban sound
Authors: Kamrath Matthew J. , Wilson D. Keith , Hart Carl R. , Breton Daniel J. , Haedrich Caitlin E.
Published: November 2019

In an urban setting, sound levels vary over time and space due to transportation, construction, and other community noise sources. Parametric probability density functions (PDFs) can concisely characterize these variations, but the literature does not identify an appropriate PDF that both has a firm theoretical foundation and fits urban sound data well. A Gaussian distribution, which physically corresponds to a single dominant source, sometimes describes a distribution of levels well, but often it does not. Frequently, the distribution falls somewhere between the idealizations of a single dominant source and many comparable sources, so a model that can approximate both cases could perform better than a Gaussian distribution. To that end, this presentation considers the generalized gamma and compound gamma distributions for modeling the normalized mean squared pressure. Creating histograms of acoustic data, which were collected in Boston, provides a basis to compare the distributions using the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence. In general, compared to the generalized gamma and log-normal distributions, the compound gamma distribution has a lower KL divergence and thus more closely matches the experimental distributions.
Unusual case studies—Investigating outdoor and indoor sources of community noise
Authors: Bridger Joseph F. , Stewart Noral D. , Gagliardi John , Mahajan Siddharth , Schafer Fred
Published: November 2019

There has been much research on problems related to noise in the community. Most of this has concentrated on sources related to transportation, military systems, and ventilation systems. That is because these sources are widespread, and there have been readily available mechanisms to fund the research. Most of this research has concentrated on establishing acceptable quantities of sound and reducing sound to those levels for these common sources. Noise ordinances, if not obsolete or carelessly written, may still fail to recognize some of the unusual noise sources as a problem which could cause nuisance in the nearby community. These sources may be at a great distance, not directly visible or even indoors which requires the use of creative or advanced investigation methods to properly identify and mitigate. The authors present some of the unusual projects encountered by their consulting firm in the recent past and how they approached them.
Study of metadiffusers in broadband improvement of noise barrier performance
Authors: Priyadarshinee Prachee
Published: November 2019

In previous studies, installation of Schroeder diffusers on top of noise barriers has been shown to improve effectiveness of noise barriers. However, since these diffusers have thickness of the order of design wavelength, they become very bulky, costly and less practical to use. Their use for lower frequency applications is thus limited. Metadiffusers are subwavelength diffusers, capable of creating similar diffusion characteristics, but their thickness can be 10 to 20 times lower than conventional diffusers. In addition, the absorption performance can be improved by incorporating coupled Helmholtz resonators to further increase noise barrier insertion loss. The reduced thickness and incorporation of Helmholtz resonators enables better performance for a broader range of frequencies, which was not possible with a conventional sound diffuser. It was observed that both 1-D and 2-D metadiffuser designs installed on top of noise barriers improve the performance upto 5dBA in the shadow zone. A combination of number sequences such as maximum length, quadratic residue, primitive root, Luke, ternary, etc. with Helmholtz resonators tuned to different frequencies has also been reported in this study.
Standing waves in structures with spatiotemporally modulated material properties
Authors: Goldsberry Benjamin M. , Wallen Samuel P. , Haberman Michael R.
Published: November 2019

Acoustic and elastic wave metamaterials with time- and space-dependent material properties have received great attention as a means to increase the degree of control over the propagation of linear waves through a medium. Previous works have shown that propagating waves in a modulated medium display non-reciprocity by means of asymmetric frequency and wavenumber conversion between two counter-propagating modes [K. Yi et al., Phys. Rev. B 96, 104110 (2017)]. In the present study, we investigate standing acoustic waves in a finite medium with time- and space-dependent material properties. A semi-analytical approach based on coupled mode theory is derived, as well as a finite element approach that can consider more complex geometries. The effects of space-only, time-only, and space-time modulations of the material properties on standing waves in a finite system are explored. The present analysis leads to potential applications in acoustic communications, vibration suppression, and energy harvesting. [Work supported by NSF EFRI.]
Auxlab—An integrative open-source computing environment software for audio and speech signal processing
Authors: Kwon Bomjun J.
Published: November 2019

A scripting language AUX (AUdio syntaX) allows auditory researchers and students with minimal training in programming to generate waveforms and manipulate them with easy and intuitive grammar [Kwon, Behave. Res. 44, 361–373 (2012)]. Akin to the MATLAB, R, or Python environment, AUXLAB is an integrative audio computing environment based on AUX, in which users play and record audio samples, visualize them, write the code for signal analysis and processing, and debug their code. A signal processing task can run on the fly with the microphone, line input to the PC sound card, or streaming audio input. Most notably, AUXLAB is free of charge with open C + + source and does not require special hardware. In this presentation, in addition to introducing newly added AUX language features with object-oriented styles, a hands-on demo of real-time operation emulating a hearing aid’s speech processing will be given. Further, the discussion will focus on how this could be used as a low-cost research tool for better hearing aid fitting.
Evaluation of digital ear scanning for custom hearing protection devices
Authors: Stefanson J. R. W. , Ahroon William A.
Published: November 2019

Custom earpieces (e.g., hearing aids, insert hearing protection devices) are traditionally made using physical earmold impressions. Advances in technologies have led to the development of digital methods to capture ear canal geometries for the production of custom earpieces. Three different optical scanning technologies were evaluated and compared to traditional custom earplug fabrication methods. Custom earplugs were made for 20 volunteers from each of the three digital scanning methods, physical earmold impressions, and digital scans of the earmold impressions. A 3-D printing method was also used to produce custom earplugs from the digital scans. Using a within-subjects design, the hearing protection of each custom earplug was evaluated according to standard methodologies described in ANSI/ASA S12.6-2016, Method A. Subjective questionnaires were used for each custom earplug to assess perceived comfort. Results indicate custom earplugs made from traditional physical earmold impressions were significantly higher attenuating but were the least comfortable compared to all other custom earplug fabrication methods. Custom earplugs made from digital ear scanning methods were not significantly different from each other in terms of attenuation or comfort but were significantly better than the physical impression method for comfort.
Dynamics of quasi-periodic metastructures
Authors: Ruzzene Massimo
Published: November 2019

This presentation illustrates results of investigations of quasi-periodic assemblies, which uncover unique properties related to vibration localization in one-dimensional and two-dimensional systems. These can be as interesting if not more useful than the interface modes that are found in periodic structures, as the quasi-periodicity framework provides a consistent methodology that leads to vibration confinement in systems that are not ordered, but are described by deterministic property distributions. Moreover, the study of localization in quasiperiodic structure can be supported by the analysis of localization landscapesassociated with elliptic operators governing the dynamic behavior of the media under consideration, which suggests that localization may be predictable and tunable in a more deterministic way than originally thought. Beam and plate structures with quasiperiodic arrangements of grounding springs and lumped masses are presented as structural components which support a variety of localized modes and that are suitable for the experimental characterization of the dynamic behavior of these configurations. These observations open new avenues and offer new ideas for concepts that may be applied in the design of structures operating in dynamic environments, whose vibrations need to be localized or isolated from specific regions.
Novel vibration absorbers for space payload
Authors: Green Halle , Vignola Amelia , Ryan Teresa J. , Vignola Joseph F. , Turo Diego
Published: November 2019

The vibration transmitted to the payload of a rocket vehicle during liftoff is large in magnitude and broad in frequency. Delicate parts of a satellite like solar panels, lenses, and other equipment carried to perform specific missions can easily be damaged during liftoff. Passive damping systems are currently used to isolate the delicate payload from vibration. However, energy can be dissipated in a narrow frequency band using a Subordinate Oscillator Array (SOA). The SOA is an array of cantilever beams of different size and mass that are attached on a primary resonant structure. The subordinate beams are substantially smaller than the primary structure. This arrangement allows energy transmitted to the primary structure to be dissipated down scale through the vibration of the array of smaller structures. In this study, an SOA is designed to isolate one face of a CubeSat (a cubic satellite of dimensions 10 × 10 × 10 cm) from the broadband vibrations transmitted during the launch of its rocket carrier. Simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics is used to analyze and quantify the effectiveness of this absorber. These numerical results are compared to scanning laser Doppler vibrometry measurements of prototype SOAs affixed to a plate designed to mimic the CubeSat face.