bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrate Concentrations in Springs Flowing into the Lower Flint River Basin, Georgia U.S.A.1
Authors: Allums Stephanie E. , Opsahl Stephen P. , Golladay Stephen W. , Hicks David W. , Conner L. Mike
Published: January 2012

Allums, Stephanie E., Stephen P. Opsahl, Stephen W. Golladay, David W. Hicks, and L. Mike Conner, 2012. Nitrate Concentrations in Springs Flowing Into the Lower Flint River Basin, Georgia U.S.A. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(3): 423‐438. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00624.x

Abstract:  Analysis of long‐term data from (2001‐2009) in four springs that discharge from the Upper Floridan aquifer into the Flint River (southwestern Georgia, United States) indicate aquifer and surface‐water susceptibility to nutrient loading. Nitrate‐N concentrations ranged from 1.74 to 3.30 mg/l, and exceeded historical levels reported for the Upper Floridan aquifer (0.26‐1.52 mg/l). Statistical analyses suggest increasing nitrate‐N concentration in groundwater discharging at the springs (n = 146 over eight years) and that nitrate‐N concentration is influenced by a dynamic interaction between depth to groundwater (an indicator of regional hydrologic conditions) and land use. A one‐time synoptic survey of 10 springs (6 springs in addition to the 4 previously mentioned) using stable isotopes generated δ15N‐NO3− values (4.8‐8.4‰ for rural springs and 7.7‐13.4‰ for developed/urban springs) suggesting mixed sources (i.e., fertilizer, animal waste, and soil organic nitrogen) of nitrate‐N to rural springs and predominantly animal/human waste to urban springs. These analyses indicate a direct relation between nitrate‐N loading since the 1940s and intensification of agricultural and urban land use. This study demonstrates the importance of evaluating long‐term impacts of land use on water quality in groundwater springs and in determining how rapidly these changes occur.
Conundrums in health care reform: current experiences across the North Atlantic
Authors: Currie Richard B. , Pretty Iain A. , Tickle Martin , Maupomé Gerardo
Published: January 2012

Objective: To assist stakeholders (policy makers, dentists and patients) implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 in the United States by providing information on conundrums arising from previous polices of the UK Labour government and emergent policies of the recently elected Coalition Government.

Methods: The authors provide a background to the development of National Health Service dental services contrasted with US provision. Considerations are given from the different perspectives of stakeholders involved (policy makers, dentists, and patients).

Conclusions: Policy makers must work under pressure for services to remain within boundaries of finite economic resources and what people are willing to pay for. The importance is stressed that they respond to public demands and workforce capability by clearly determining what the priorities should be, what services will be delivered, and defining responsibilities.
The Literary Tradition of Ruins of Rome and a New Consideration of Piranesi's Staffage Figures
Authors: ZARUCCHI JEANNE MORGAN
Published: January 2012

Piranesi's Vedute di Roma (c.1747‐78) are generally interpreted as manifestations of his admiration for Roman architecture. The inconsistency of Piranesi's staffage figures has been problematic, however, especially when they are markedly distorted and off‐balance. This study takes an interdisciplinary approach, suggesting that these staffage figures may reflect a well‐recognised literary tradition that conceived of the ruins of Rome as a metaphor for human mortality and social decay. This literature included texts by canonical authors Spenser and Du Bellay and was cited by Dr Johnson as well as a popular guidebook for travellers making the Grand Tour.
Holding a Mirror to Fiction: Voltaire and the History of Tom Jones1
Authors: LANGILLE EDOUARD
Published: January 2012

This paper sets out some striking parallels between Voltaire's life and events in Fielding's Tom Jones, a work that inspired Candide. I argue that the autobiographical dimension latent in Candide derives from the way Voltaire saw his own life story in terms of Fielding's fiction, revisited and corrigé by the contemporary translator Pierre‐Antoine de La Place.
Skin swabbing as a new efficient DNA sampling technique in amphibians, and 14 new microsatellite markers in the alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris)
Authors: PRUNIER J. , KAUFMANN B. , GROLET O. , PICARD D. , POMPANON F. , JOLY P.
Published: January 2012

This study introduces a novel DNA sampling method in amphibians using skin swabs. We assessed the relevancy of skin swabs relevancy for genetic studies by amplifying a set of 17 microsatellite markers in the alpine newt Ichthyosaura alpestris, including 14 new polymorphic loci, and a set of 11 microsatellite markers in Hyla arborea, from DNA collected with buccal swabs (the standard swab method), dorsal skin swabs and ventral skin swabs. We tested for quality and quantity of collected DNA with each method by comparing electrophoresis migration patterns. The consistency between genotypes obtained from skin swabs and buccal swabs was assessed. Dorsal swabs performed better than ventral swabs in both species, possibly due to differences in skin structure. Skin swabbing proved to be a useful alternative to buccal swabbing for small or vulnerable animals: by drastically limiting handling, this method may improve the trade‐off between the scientific value of collected data, individual welfare and species conservation. In addition, the 14 new polymorphic microsatellites for the alpine newt will increase the power of genetic studies in this species. In four populations from France (n = 19–25), the number of alleles per locus varied from 2 to 16 and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.04 to 0.91. Presence of null alleles was detected in two markers and two pairs displayed gametic disequilibrium. No locus appeared to be sex‐linked.
Useful Theories Make Predictions
Authors: Howes Andrew
Published: January 2012

Stephen and Van Orden (this issue) propose that there is a complex system approach to cognitive science, and collectively the authors of the papers presented in this issue believe that this approach provides the means to drive a revolution in the science of the mind. Unfortunately, however illuminating, this explanation is absent and hyperbole is all too extensive. In contrast, I argue (1) that dynamic systems theory is not new to cognitive science and does not provide a basis for a revolution, (2) it is not necessary to reject cognitive science in order to explain the constraints imposed by the body and the environment, (3) it is not necessary, as Silberstein and Chemero (this issue) appear to do, to reject cognitive science in order to explain consciousness, and (4) our understanding of pragmatics is not advanced by Gibbs and Van Orden‘s (this issue) “self‐organized criticality”.? Any debate about the future of cognitive science could usefully focus on predictive adequacy. Unfortunately, this is not the approach taken by the authors of this issue.
Furosemide versus Gosha‐Jinki‐Gan, a Blended Herbal Medicine, for Nocturnal Polyuria: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: YOSHIMURA Koji , SHIMIZU Yosuke , MASUI Kimihiko , OKUNO Hiroshi , UEDA Tomohiro , SODA Takeshi , OGAWA Osamu
Published: January 2012

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of two types of drugs, furosemide and gosha‐jinki‐gan (GJG), for treatment of nocturia with nocturnal polyuria using a randomized crossover method.

Methods: A total of 36 patients with nocturnal polyuria were recruited for this study. We assessed the International Prostate Symptom Score (I‐PSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), frequency volume charts, blood pressure, urine chemistry, serum B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and body fluid compartments.

Results: Both furosemide and GJG significantly improved the nocturia score in the I‐PSS, the I‐PSS Quality of Life (QOL) score, actual nocturnal frequency and hours of undisturbed sleep compared with those at baseline. Nocturnal frequency and nocturnal urine volume were more significantly reduced by furosemide treatment than with GJG treatment. The I‐PSS total score and nocturnal urine volume significantly improved only by furosemide treatment.

Conclusion: Furosemide treatment definitively improved nocturia with nocturnal polyuria. GJG treatment may also induce mild improvement of nocturnal polyuria, although further study is required to confirm its efficacy.
Efficacy and safety of Abraxane in treatment of progressive and recurrent non‐small cell lung cancer patients: A retrospective clinical study
Authors: Yuan Dong‐mei , Lv Yan‐ling , Yao Yan‐wen , Miao Xiao‐hui , Wang Qian , Xiao Xin‐wu , Yin Jie , Shi Yi , Shi Mei‐qi , Zhang Xiu‐wei , Song Yong
Published: January 2012

Background:  Abraxane is a novel Cremophor‐free nanoparticle paclitaxel that has been demonstrated to improve efficacy in the treatment of solid tumors. We undertook this retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Abraxane in the progressive or recurrent non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods:  From August 2009 to April 2011, 33 patients who were diagnosed with progressive or recurrent NSCLC and treated with one or more prior platinum‐based chemotherapies, were enrolled. The patients were injected with Abraxane, 260 mg/m2, d1, and were evaluated for efficacy and safety. The treatment was repeated every three weeks unless progressive lesions or unacceptable toxicities were found.

Results:  There were no complete response and 11 partial responses (33.3%). Patients with squamous cell carcinoma showed better responses than those with adenocarcinoma (41.7% and 21.1%, respectively). Fourteen patients had stable disease, and the disease control rate was 75.8%. The median progression‐free survival was five months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.5–6.5). Four patients (12.1%) experienced grade 3–4 hematologic toxicities; one anemia (3.0%), two leucopenia (6.1%) and one thrombocytopenia (3.0%). Six patients (18.2%) experienced grade 3–4 non‐hematologic toxicities; two abnormal hepatic functions (6.1%), one fatigue (3.0%), one peripheral neuropathy (3.0%), and two alopecia (6.1%).

Conclusion:  Recurrent and progressive NSCLC patients pretreated with platinum‐based chemotherapy might benefit from Abraxane with tolerable adverse events.
Prompt before the choice is made: Effects of a stair‐climbing intervention in university buildings
Authors: Lewis Amanda , Eves Frank
Published: January 2012

Objectives.  Recent interventions report positive results following a multi‐component campaign to increase stair climbing. This study investigated the effectiveness of volitional and motivational components of a stair‐climbing intervention in the workplace.

Design.  Interrupted time‐series design.

Methods.  Ascending stair/lift choices, coded by gender, were observed between 08:00–10:00 and 14:15–16:15 on weekdays, in four university buildings (n = 14,138; 46% female). Baseline observations (stage 1; 5 days) preceded a motivational intervention, that is, a poster positioned inside the lift(s), that was positioned in each building (stage 2; 5 days). Next a volitional intervention, that is, point‐of‐choice prompt, supplemented the motivational one (stage 3; 8 days). Logistic regression analysis of stair/lift choices included the independent variables of intervention components, gender, time of day, building height, number of lifts, and pedestrian traffic.

Results.  There was no significant change in stair climbing when the motivational component was positioned alone (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.93, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.85–1.02, p = .123). In contrast, stair climbing increased significantly when the volitional component, that is, the point‐of‐choice prompt, was added (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.14–1.32, p < .001). During both stages, building height, number of lifts, time of day, and pedestrian traffic were all associated with stair climbing. No significant gender effects were seen.

Conclusions.  A motivational component positioned alone, inside the lift(s) did not increase stair climbing. When a volitional component was added, that is, point‐of‐choice prompt positioned at the time and place where individuals choose their method of ascent, stair climbing increased significantly. Visibility of a prompt at the time behavioural choice is made appears necessary to change actual behaviour.
Two experimental tests of relational models of procedural justice: Non‐instrumental voice and authority group membership
Authors: Platow Michael J. , Eggins Rachael A. , Chattopadhyay Rachana , Brewer Greg , Hardwick Lisa , Milsom Laurin , Brocklebank Jacinta , Lalor Thérèse , Martin Rowena , Quee Michelle , Vassallo Sara , Welsh Jenny
Published: January 2012

Abstract  In both a laboratory experiment (in Australia) using university as the basis of group membership, and a scenario experiment (in India) using religion as the basis of group membership, we observe more favourable respect and fairness ratings in response to an in‐group authority than an out‐group authority who administers non‐instrumental voice. Moreover, we observe in our second experiment that reported likelihood of protest (herein called “social‐change voice”) was relatively high following non‐instrumental voice from an out‐group authority, but relatively low following non‐instrumental voice from an in‐group authority. Our findings are consistent with relational models of procedural justice, and extend the work by examining likely use of alternative forms of voice as well as highlighting the relative importance of instrumentality.
S‐Glutathionylation of troponin I (fast) increases contractile apparatus Ca2+ sensitivity in fast‐twitch muscle fibres of rats and humans
Authors: Mollica J. P. , Dutka T. L. , Merry T. L. , Lamboley C. R. , McConell G. K. , McKenna M. J. , Murphy R. M. , Lamb G. D.
Published: January 2012

Key points 

Reactive oxygen‐based molecules generated within muscle fibres in both exercise and pathological conditions can greatly affect muscle function. These and consequent reactions can lead to either decreased or increased force response by the contractile proteins, but the mechanisms are unknown.

This study demonstrates that the increase in force response appears to be due to a specific chemical process, known as S‐glutathionylation, of a particular cysteine residue present on the troponin I molecule in fast‐twitch muscle fibres, which is involved in sensing and responding to changes in intracellular calcium levels.

S‐Glutathionylation can occur when glutathione, the primary cellular anti‐oxidant, reacts with oxidized cysteine residues.

S‐Glutathionylation of troponin I not only helps protect the molecule from oxidative stress, but evidently also makes the contractile apparatus much more sensitive to calcium ions.

This process seemingly occurs in exercising humans and is likely to be an important mechanism helping delay onset of muscle fatigue.
Functional characteristics of parvalbumin‐ and cholecystokinin‐expressing basket cells
Authors: Bartos Marlene , Elgueta Claudio
Published: January 2012

Abstract  Cortical neuronal network operations depend critically on the recruitment of GABAergic interneurons and the properties of their inhibitory output signals. Recent evidence indicates a marked difference in the signalling properties of two major types of perisomatic inhibitory interneurons, the parvalbumin‐ and the cholecystokinin‐containing basket cells. Parvalbumin‐expressing basket cells are rapidly recruited by excitatory synaptic inputs, generate high‐frequency trains of action potentials, discharge single action potentials phase‐locked to fast network oscillations and provide fast, stable and timed inhibitory output onto their target cells. In contrast, cholecystokinin‐containing basket cells are recruited in a less reliable manner, discharge at moderate frequencies with single action potentials weakly coupled to the phases of fast network oscillations and generate an asynchronous, fluctuating and less timed inhibitory output. These signalling modes are based on cell type‐dependent differences in the functional and plastic properties of excitatory input synapses, integrative qualities and in the kinetics and dynamics of inhibitory output synapses. Thus, the two perisomatic inhibitory interneuron types operate with different speed and precision and may therefore contribute differently to the operations of neuronal networks.
Exploring the Effect of V-Shaped Cut at Blade Exit of a Double Volute Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Al-Qutub Amro M. , Khalifa Atia E. , Al-Sulaiman Faleh A.
Published: January 2012

The effect of V-cut at impeller blades’ exit on internal pressure fluctuations, case vibration, and performance of a double volute boiler-feed pump has been investigated. Scaled model pump and two impellers, with and without the V-cut, were used in a closed water test loop to conduct experimental testing. The V-cut increases the effective gap between the trailing edge of the impeller blades and volute tongue reducing the impeller-volute interaction, which is the origin of pressure pulsation inside the pump. It reduces pump vibration by different amounts depending on flow rate. The V-cut is more effective in reducing pressure fluctuations at off-design conditions. The reduction in pressure fluctuations and pump vibration was achieved at the expense of pump head. The energy content of pressure fluctuations measured at discharge and suction pipes proved to be insignificant compared to those measured inside the pump.
Economic and Technical Efficiency of High Performance Abrasive Waterjet Cutting
Authors: Henning Axel , Liu H.-T. , Olsen Carl
Published: January 2012

Abrasive waterjets have recently become a popular tool for mechanical machining. With its great advantages of geometric and material flexibility and its ability to cut hard-to-machine material, the technology is quickly spreading throughout many industries. With this process, near net-shape production becomes feasible, while significantly reducing the time necessary for secondary operations such as programming, clamping, or tool changing. This allows a significant optimization of the overall manufacturing process chain. In this paper, different approaches to increase the economic and technical efficiency of cutting with abrasive waterjets are analyzed. Experimental analysis of the speed of abrasive particles show that the kinetic power of the particles mainly depends on the hydraulic power of the waterjet. Merely increasing the pressure of the jet did not yield any improvement in its acceleration capability. To obtain the most effective cutting performance, a high level of hydraulic power through large nozzles should therefore be utilized. Additionally, recent advancements in cutting path control software have proven to significantly decreasing the total “time to product” and to increase the precision of the part. Those improvements in both software control and cutting power enable abrasive waterjets to become an integral part of many industrial manufacturing processes. This will widen the scope of possible applications of this innovative and promising technology.
Novel light sputter ion pump with neodymium iron boron magnets and the low outgassing body
Authors: Ha Taekyun , Park C. D. , Chung Sukmin
Published: January 2012

A light sputter ion pump for ultra high vacuum was fabricated using 5-mm-thick neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets. The weight of the pump was reduced by 30%, compared with conventional sputter ion pumps using ferrite magnets. For the sake of uniformity of magnetic field, three pieces of magnet were combined into a 100 mm × 150 mm magnet block for the 30 ℓ/s pumping element. The authors coped with the low working temperature (below 150 °C) of the NdFeB magnets by forming a pure and dense chromium oxide film on the inner surface of the stainless steel pump body. With this vacuum thermal oxidation, the outgassing rate of water and hydrogen was considerably reduced so that a high temperature bakeout was unnecessary. The ultimate pressure achieved by the developed pump was much lower than 10−10 mbar even with a low bakeout temperature at 100 °C.
Investigating the consistency of woodwind instrument manufacturing by comparing five nominally identical oboes
Authors: Mamou-Mani Adrien , Brian Sharp David , Meurisse Thibaut , Ring William
Published: January 2012

For large-scale woodwind instrument makers, producing instruments with exactly the same playing characteristics is a constant aim. This paper explores manufacturing consistency by comparing five Howarth S10 student model oboes. Psychophysical testing involving nine musicians is carried out to investigate perceived differences in the playing properties of the two Howarth oboes believed to be most dissimilar. Further testing, involving one musician and combinations of the five oboes, provides information regarding the relative playabilities of the instruments at specific pitches. Meanwhile, input impedance measurements are made on the five oboes for fingerings throughout the playing range and their bore profiles are measured. The main findings are (1) the two instruments used in the preliminary psychophysical testing are perceived as identical by most of the musicians, although differences are identified by two players when playing the note F6 and by one player when playing in the lowest register, (2) a variation in the playability of F6 across the five oboes is due to differences in the elevation of the C key, and (3) variations in the playing properties in the lowest register are related to input impedance differences,which, in turn, appear to be at least partly due to bore profile differences.
Restoration of a 17th-century harpsichord to playable condition: A numerical and experimental study
Authors: Le Moyne Sylvie , Le Conte Sandie , Ollivier François , Frelat Joël , Battault Jean-Claude , Vaiedelich Stéphane
Published: January 2012

The Music Museum in Paris recently acquired a harpsichord made by Ioannes Couchet in Antwerp in 1652. This instrument is considered to be a masterpiece and is protected as a “National Treasure.” It was restored with the aim to be played again in concert. An experimental and numerical study of the vibraoacoustic behavior of this harpsichord is presented. A numerical modal analysis was performed with a finite element model. For the experimental part, impact nearfield acoustical holography was used. Experimental eigenmodes are compared to literature and to the finite element results. An application of the model for restoration studies is also proposed.
Effects of nonlinear sound propagation on the characteristic timbres of brass instruments
Authors: Myers Arnold , Pyle Robert W. , Gilbert Joël , Campbell D. Murray , Chick John P. , Logie Shona
Published: January 2012

The capacity of a brass instrument to generate sounds with strong high-frequency components is dependent on the extent to which its bore profile supports nonlinear sound propagation. At high dynamic levels some instruments are readily sounded in a “cuivré” (brassy) manner: this phenomenon is due to the nonlinear propagation of sound in ducts of the proportions typical of labrosones (lip-reed aerophones). The effect is also evident at lower dynamic levels and contributes to the overall tonal character of the various kinds of brass instrument. This paper defines a brassiness potential parameter derived from the bore geometries of brass instruments. The correlation of the brassiness potential parameter with spectral enrichment as measured by the spectral centroid of the radiated sound is examined in playing tests using musicians, experiments using sine-wave excitation of instruments, and simulations using a computational tool. The complementary effects of absolute bore size on spectral enrichment are investigated using sine-wave excitation of cylindrical tubes and of instruments, establishing the existence of a trade-off between bore size and brassiness potential. The utility of the brassiness potential parameter in characterizing labrosones is established, and the graphical presentation of results in a 2D space defined by bore size and brassiness potential demonstrated.
Vibroacoustic characteristics of a gothic harp
Authors: Daltrop Shira , Kotlicki Andrzej , Waltham Chris , Wolfe Nathan , Elie Benjamin , Gautier François
Published: January 2012

The “gothic” style of harp was popular across most of Europe from the late medieval period to the Renaissance. These harps have a one-piece, longitudinally oriented hardwood soundboard, as opposed to the transverse-oriented bonded softwood structure on a modern instrument. In addition, the one-piece back is flexible, whereas the back of a modern instrument is a rigid molded shell. To study the gothic harp, one was constructed from plans created by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts from a late German model in their collection. The vibrational behaviors of the soundboard and soundbox were measured at various stages of construction. The completed instrument was subjected to modal analysis and radiativity measurements. The sound radiation is dominated by two breathing modes at 188 and 273 Hz, each with strong motion of the back, and modes around 350 Hz. Taken together, these modes function like the A0/T1 resonance pairs seen in the soundboxes of other instruments, and a comparison is made with the guitar. Also observed is that as the frequency increases, radiation is emitted from higher up the soundboard, and from higher soundholes. This feature has been observed in other harps, and is a consequence of the harp family’s unique geometry.
Oscillation threshold of a clarinet model: A numerical continuation approach
Authors: Karkar Sami , Vergez Christophe , Cochelin Bruno
Published: January 2012

This paper focuses on the oscillation threshold of single reed instruments. Several characteristics such as blowing pressure at threshold, regime selection, and playing frequency are known to change radically when taking into account the reed dynamics and the flow induced by the reed motion. Previous works have shown interesting tendencies, using analytical expressions with simplified models. In the present study, a more elaborated physical model is considered. The influence of several parameters, depending on the reed properties, the design of the instrument or the control operated by the player, are studied. Previous results on the influence of the reed resonance frequency are confirmed. New results concerning the simultaneous influence of two model parameters on oscillation threshold, regime selection and playing frequency are presented and discussed. The authors use a numerical continuation approach. Numerical continuation consists in following a given solution of a set of equations when a parameter varies. Considering the instrument as a dynamical system, the oscillation threshold problem is formulated as a path following of Hopf bifurcations, generalizing the usual approach of the characteristic equation, as used in previous works. The proposed numerical approach proves to be useful for the study of musical instruments. It is complementary to analytical analysis and direct time-domain or frequency-domain simulations since it allows to derive information that is hardly reachable through simulation, without the approximations needed for analytical approach.
Roughness of organ pipe sound due to frequency comb
Authors: Trommer Thomas , Angster Judit , Miklós András
Published: January 2012

In the sound spectrum of flue organ pipes in addition to the usual harmonic partials, sometimes a series of equidistant but not harmonic lines can be found. This phenomenon has been observed in the recorded sound of pipes from different pipe ranks. The second set of spectral lines is similar to “frequency combs” used in optics for accurate measurement of optical frequencies. Analysis of measured sound spectra with and without frequency comb and simulations are presented and discussed in the paper. The appearance of frequency combs in the sound spectrum is explained by a model that assumes the presence of a mouth tone in addition to the pipe sound. Mouth tone bursts are generated when the oscillating air jet passes the upper lip. The burst repetition frequency is locked to the fundamental frequency of the pipe and the bursts are coherent with a pulse-to-pulse phase shift. The phase shift explains the observed frequency offset of the frequency comb to the harmonic frequencies. The simulations also show that weak and fluctuating mouth tones cannot generate frequency comb due to a lack of coherence.
Processing simultaneous auditory objects: Infants’ ability to detect mistuning in harmonic complexes
Authors: Folland Nicole A. , Butler Blake E. , Smith Nicholas A. , Trainor Laurel J.
Published: January 2012

The ability to separate simultaneous auditory objects is crucial to infant auditory development. Music in particular relies on the ability to separate musical notes, chords, and melodic lines. Little research addresses how infants process simultaneous sounds. The present study used a conditioned head-turn procedure to examine whether 6-month-old infants are able to discriminate a complex tone (240 Hz, 500 ms, six harmonics in random phase with a 6 dB roll-off per octave) from a version with the third harmonic mistuned. Adults perceive such stimuli as containing two auditory objects, one with the pitch of the mistuned harmonic and the other with pitch corresponding to the fundamental of the complex tone. Adult thresholds were between 1% and 2% mistuning. Infants performed above chance levels for 8%, 6%, and 4% mistunings, with no significant difference between conditions. However, performance was not significantly different from chance for 2% mistuning and significantly worse for 2% compared to all larger mistunings. These results indicate that 6-month-old infants are sensitive to violations of harmonic structure and suggest that they are able to separate two simultaneously sounding objects.
Tuning natural modes of vibration by prestress in the design of a harmonic gong
Authors: McLachlan Neil , Adams Ryan , Burvill Colin
Published: January 2012

Prestresses are purposefully added to an object to improve its performance, such as tuning a guitar string by adding tension. This paper reports how the normal modes of a sheet metal component can be tuned through the prestresses generated by cold-forging small dimples. Finite element analysis showed that the frequencies of specific mode shapes were differentially affected by the location of residual stress fields due to dimple formation in relation to modal stress fields. The frequencies of overtones were most sensitive to the depth of the dimples located near the maxima of modal stresses. Using this approach a series of musical gongs were designed with up to the first five overtones tuned to within 5% of the harmonic series. The balance of harmonic and inharmonic overtones in these gongs that are well resolved by the human cochlea may constitute a set of recognizable musical timbres with sufficient harmonicity to produce an unambiguous pitch for most listeners. Since many other mechanical properties of sheet metal components are affected by residual stresses this manufacturing technique may have broader application in design engineering.
Four mass coupled oscillator guitar model
Authors: Popp John E.
Published: January 2012

Coupled oscillator models have been used for the low frequency response (50 to 250 Hz) of a guitar. These 2 and 3 mass models correctly predict measured resonance frequency relationships under various laboratory boundary conditions, but did not always represent the true state of a guitar in the players’ hands. The model presented has improved these models in three ways, (1) a fourth oscillator includes the guitar body, (2) plate stiffnesses and other fundamental parameters were measured directly and effective areas and masses used to calculate the responses, including resonances and phases, directly, and (3) one of the three resultant resonances varies with neck and side mass and can also be modeled as a bar mode of the neck and body. The calculated and measured resonances and phases agree reasonably well.
Three dimensional analyses of scattering by pressure-release sinusoidal surfaces
Authors: Welton P. J.
Published: January 2012

Scattering by pressure-release sinusoidal surfaces in three dimensions is analyzed using the Fresnel phase approximation and realistic source and receiver directivity approximations. Geometrical shadowing and second-order scattering are explicitly included to explore the validity of the Kirchhoff approximation. No restrictions on the surface heights and slopes are made. The “goodness” of the resulting expressions is verified by requiring the pressure scattered by a sinusoidal surface to reduce to the image solution as the surface amplitude goes to zero. The first-order scattered pressure achieves a very good approximation to the image solution, and the second-order scattered pressure goes to zero, as expected, under this requirement. The theory is compared with available experimental scattering measurements, and the agreement is good. Because the slopes on the experimental surface are very steep, shadowing corrections are indispensible to achieving accurate first and second order scattering results. Shadowing has a greater impact on the scattering prediction than the second-order scattering contribution. This suggests that the Kirchhoff approximation may be more robust when incorporated into a theory including a detailed shadowing treatment as well as the Fresnel phase approximation and a good directivity approximation.
Comparing closed quotient in children singers’ voices as measured by high-speed-imaging, electroglottography, and inverse filtering
Authors: Mecke Ann-Christine , Sundberg Johan , Granqvist Svante , Echternach Matthias
Published: January 2012

The closed quotient, i.e., the ratio between the closed phase and the period, is commonly studied in voice research. However, the term may refer to measures derived from different methods, such as inverse filtering, electroglottography or high-speed digital imaging (HSDI). This investigation compares closed quotient data measured by these three methods in two boy singers. Each singer produced sustained tones on two different pitches and a glissando. Audio, electroglottographic signal (EGG), and HSDI were recorded simultaneously. The audio signal was inverse filtered by means of the decap program; the closed phase was defined as the flat minimum portion of the flow glottogram. Glottal area was automatically measured in the high speed images by the built-in camera software, and the closed phase was defined as the flat minimum portion of the area-signal. The EGG-signal was analyzed in four different ways using the matlab open quotient interface. The closed quotient data taken from the EGG were found to be considerably higher than those obtained from inverse filtering. Also, substantial differences were found between the closed quotient derived from HSDI and those derived from inverse filtering. The findings illustrate the importance of distinguishing between these quotients.
Estimated communication range and energetic cost of bottlenose dolphin whistles in a tropical habitat
Authors: Jensen Frants H. , Beedholm Kristian , Wahlberg Magnus , Bejder Lars , Madsen Peter T.
Published: January 2012

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp.) depend on frequency-modulated whistles for many aspects of their social behavior, including group cohesion and recognition of familiar individuals. Vocalization amplitude and frequency influences communication range and may be shaped by many ecological and physiological factors including energetic costs. Here, a calibrated GPS-synchronized hydrophone array was used to record the whistles of bottlenose dolphins in a tropical shallow-water environment with high ambient noise levels. Acoustic localization techniques were used to estimate the source levels and energy content of individual whistles. Bottlenose dolphins produced whistles with mean source levels of 146.7±6.2 dB re. 1 μPa(RMS). These were lower than source levels estimated for a population inhabiting the quieter Moray Firth, indicating that dolphins do not necessarily compensate for the high noise levels found in noisy tropical habitats by increasing their source level. Combined with measured transmission loss and noise levels, these source levels provided estimated median communication ranges of 750 m and maximum communication ranges up to 5740 m. Whistles contained less than 17 mJ of acoustic energy, showing that the energetic cost of whistling is small compared to the high metabolic rate of these aquatic mammals, and unlikely to limit the vocal activity of toothed whales.
The relative phonetic contributions of a cochlear implant and residual acoustic hearing to bimodal speech perception
Authors: Sheffield Benjamin M. , Zeng Fan-Gang
Published: January 2012

The addition of low-passed (LP) speech or even a tone following the fundamental frequency (F0) of speech has been shown to benefit speech recognition for cochlear implant (CI) users with residual acoustic hearing. The mechanisms underlying this benefit are still unclear. In this study, eight bimodal subjects (CI users with acoustic hearing in the non-implanted ear) and eight simulated bimodal subjects (using vocoded and LP speech) were tested on vowel and consonant recognition to determine the relative contributions of acoustic and phonetic cues, including F0, to the bimodal benefit. Several listening conditions were tested (CI/Vocoder, LP, TF0-env, CI/Vocoder + LP, CI/Vocoder + TF0-env). Compared with CI/Vocoder performance, LP significantly enhanced both consonant and vowel perception, whereas a tone following the F0 contour of target speech and modulated with an amplitude envelope of the maximum frequency of the F0 contour (TF0-env) enhanced only consonant perception. Information transfer analysis revealed a dual mechanism in the bimodal benefit: The tone representing F0 provided voicing and manner information, whereas LP provided additional manner, place, and vowel formant information. The data in actual bimodal subjects also showed that the degree of the bimodal benefit depended on the cutoff and slope of residual acoustic hearing.
Binaural prediction of speech intelligibility in reverberant rooms with multiple noise sources
Authors: Lavandier Mathieu , Jelfs Sam , Culling John F. , Watkins Anthony J. , Raimond Andrew P. , Makin Simon J.
Published: January 2012

When speech is in competition with interfering sources in rooms, monaural indicators of intelligibility fail to take account of the listener’s abilities to separate target speech from interfering sounds using the binaural system. In order to incorporate these segregation abilities and their susceptibility to reverberation, Lavandier and Culling [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 127, 387–399 (2010)] proposed a model which combines effects of better-ear listening and binaural unmasking. A computationally efficient version of this model is evaluated here under more realistic conditions that include head shadow, multiple stationary noise sources, and real-room acoustics. Three experiments are presented in which speech reception thresholds were measured in the presence of one to three interferers using real-room listening over headphones, simulated by convolving anechoic stimuli with binaural room impulse-responses measured with dummy-head transducers in five rooms. Without fitting any parameter of the model, there was close correspondence between measured and predicted differences in threshold across all tested conditions. The model’s components of better-ear listening and binaural unmasking were validated both in isolation and in combination. The computational efficiency of this prediction method allows the generation of complex “intelligibility maps” from room designs.
Beaked whale and dolphin tracking using a multichannel autonomous acoustic recorder
Authors: Wiggins Sean M. , McDonald Mark A. , Hildebrand John A.
Published: January 2012

To track highly directional echolocation clicks from odontocetes, passive hydrophone arrays with small apertures can be used to receive the same high frequency click on each sensor. A four-hydrophone small-aperture array was coupled to an autonomous acoustic recorder and used for long-term tracking of high-frequency odontocete sounds. The instrument was deployed in the spring of 2009 offshore of southern California in a known beaked whale and dolphin habitat at about 1000 m depth. The array was configured as a tetrahedron with approximately 0.5 m sensor spacing. Time difference of arrival measurements between the six sensor-pairs were used to estimate three-dimensional bearings to sources. Both near-seafloor beaked whales and near-sea surface dolphins were tracked. The tracks observed using this technique provide swimming and diving behavioral information for free-ranging animals using a single instrument. Furthermore, animal detection ranges were derived, allowing for estimation of detection probability functions.
Some basic relations for ultrasonic fields from circular transducers with a central hole
Authors: Beissner K.
Published: January 2012

Ultrasonic transducers with a central hole are increasingly in use in high-intensity therapeutic ultrasound and similar medical applications. The hole is intended for the addition of a diagnostic device. Some fundamental properties of the fields produced by such transducers are investigated here theoretically, based on a Rayleigh integral algorithm. The approach is restricted to those cases where the Rayleigh integral can be fully solved to yield closed-formula results that can be easily used by the reader. This means a concentration on points on the field axis which, on the other hand, is most important under the aspect of the safety of the patient (maximum amplitudes). Closed-form expressions describing the influence of the central hole on the acoustic pressure, on the particle velocity and on the time-averaged intensity are presented. The relation between the true intensity and the intensity expression derived from the square of the acoustic pressure is discussed in some detail, an aspect which is important in ultrasonic measurement practice where the local intensity value is mostly assessed based on the square of a hydrophone signal.
Glottal behavior in the high soprano range and the transition to the whistle register
Authors: Garnier Maëva , Henrich Nathalie , Crevier-Buchman Lise , Vincent Coralie , Smith John , Wolfe Joe
Published: January 2012

The high soprano range was investigated by acoustic and electroglottographic measurements of 12 sopranos and high-speed endoscopy of one of these. A single laryngeal transition was observed on glissandi above the primo passaggio. It supports the existence of two distinct laryngeal mechanisms in the high soprano range: M2 and M3, underlying head and whistle registers. The laryngeal transition occurred gradually over several tones within the interval D#5-D6. It occurred over a wider range and was completed at a higher pitch for trained than untrained sopranos. The upper limit of the laryngeal transition during glissandi was accompanied by pitch jumps or instabilities, but, for most singers, it did not coincide with the upper limit of R1:f0 tuning (i.e., tuning the first resonance to the fundamental frequency). However, pitch jumps could also be associated with changes in resonance tuning. Four singers demonstrated an overlap range over which they could sing with a full head or fluty resonant quality. Glottal behaviors underlying these two qualities were similar to the M2 and M3 mechanisms respectively. Pitch jumps and discontinuous glottal and spectral changes characteristic of a M2-M3 laryngeal transition were observed on decrescendi produced within this overlap range.
Acoustical and perceptual influence of duplex stringing in grand pianos
Authors: Öberg Fredrik , Askenfelt Anders
Published: January 2012

This study investigates the acoustical and perceptual influence of the string parts outside the speaking length in grand pianos (front and rear duplex strings). Acoustical measurements on a grand piano in concert condition were conducted, measuring the fundamental frequencies of all main and duplex strings in the four octaves D4–C8. Considerable deviations from the nominal harmonic relations between the rear duplex and main string frequencies, as described by the manufacturer in a patent, were observed. Generally the rear duplex strings were tuned higher than the nominal harmonic relations with average and median deviations approaching +50 cent. Single keys reached +190 and −100 cent. The spread in deviation from harmonic relations within trichords was also substantial with average and median values around 25 cent, occasionally reaching 60 cent. Contributions from both front and rear duplex strings were observed in the bridge motion and sound. The audibility of the duplex strings was studied in an ABX listening test. Complete dampening of the front duplex was clearly perceptible both for an experiment group consisting of musicians and a control group with naive subjects. The contribution from the rear duplex could also be perceived, but less pronounced.
On the physical meaning of the power factor in acoustics
Authors: Stanzial Domenico , Sacchi Giorgio , Schiffrer Giuliano
Published: January 2012

Following recent advancements in the study of time-averaged properties of energy propagation in linear acoustic fields, the well established concept of power factor known from the electric AC circuits analysis, is here extended to acoustics. This allows our outline of a complete acousto-electro-mechanic analogy, where the fundamental physical concept of energy trajectory is assimilated to a continuous line network of electric circuits, and the complex intensity vector field is defined by means of three special spatial directions: the tangent, the principal normal and the binormal direction at each point of any energy path. The notions of sound energy conductance and susceptance are then introduced and their relationship with complex intensity is highlighted. Finally, the frequency distributions of the defined quantities are measured in different acoustical contexts, thus illustrating their practical utility for advanced intensimetric metrology.
Properties of underwater acoustic communication channels in shallow water
Authors: Yang T. C.
Published: January 2012

Underwater acoustic channels are band-limited and reverberant, posing many obstacles to reliable, phase-coherent acoustic communications. While many high frequency communication experiments have been conducted in shallow water, few have carried out systematic studies on the channel properties at a time scale relevant for communications. To aid communication system design, this paper analyzes at-sea data collected in shallow water under various conditions to illustrate how the ocean environments (sea surface waves and random ocean medium) can affect the signal properties. Channel properties studied include amplitude and phase variations, and temporal coherence of individual paths as well as the temporal and spatial coherence of multipaths at different time scales. Reasons for the coherence loss are hypothesized.