bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of rigid porous medium via ultrasonic reflected waves at oblique incidence
Authors: Sadouki Mustapha , Berbiche Amine , fellah Mohamed , fellah Zine El Abidine , Depollier Claude
Published: October 2015

In this paper, an enhanced method is proposed for measuring porosity, tortuosity, viscous, and thermal characteristic length of porous materials having a rigid frame via reflected ultrasonic waves at oblique incidence using the equivalent fluid model. The advantage of the proposed method is that the four parameters are determined simultaneously just using reflected experimental waves for a porous material saturated by air. The inverse problem is solved based on the least-square numerical method using experimental reflected waves in time domain. Tests are performed using industrial plastic foams. Experimental and numerical validation results of this method are presented.
Active and passive techniques for a cost-effective noise reduction in the interior of aircraft cabins
Authors: Tavossi Hasson M.
Published: October 2015

Different noise reduction techniques that can be applied to the interior of aircraft cabin are investigated, to determine the most cost-effective means, without any aircraft external modifications, such as jet engine design change, or fuselage modifications, with no significant added weight. The goal of this research is to arrive at a cabin interior design that can be retrofitted to the existing aircraft interior to reduce overall cabin noise. Relaxation oscillations of the aircraft cabin model, considered as a system in forced vibrations with non-linear damping, and sub-harmonic resonances are considered. Negative and positive damping coefficients, and some techniques for noise cancelation by active means are discussed. From noise power-spectrum results for a typical aircraft cabin, amplitude versus audible frequency, one can determine the most energetic cabin vibration modes. Those modes require the highest damping. The proposed technique will utilize a regular matrix of the multiple sets of open Helmholtz resonators, with sound absorbing surfaces, that are imbedded in the cabin interior walls, just below the surface, and tuned to the highest noise level frequencies inside the cabin. The resonators dissipate the noise energy inside the aircraft at the most dominant frequencies, and hence reduce the overall cabin noise level.
Calculation of energy exchange between the outer hair cell and structural components of the organ of Corti, using the in vivo measurement data
Authors: Nankali Amir , Grosh Karl
Published: October 2015

The mammalian cochlea amplifies the sound born vibration of the microstructures of the OoC through a frequency and level dependent active process. The somatic motility of the mechanosensory outer hair cells (OHCs) is hypothesized as the key element of the cochlea active mechanism. During the sound stimulation, the OHCs respond to the membrane potential fluctuation through a fast alteration of their length. This cellular length change applies an active harmonic force to both sides of the OHC (reticular lamina (RL) on the apical part and basilar membrane (BM) on the basal part), and boosts the OoC motion. In this paper, we use the in vivo experimental data on the OHC extracellular receptor potential together with the displacement of the OoC structural components to estimate energy exchange between the modes. It is found that when the OHC transmembrane potential leads the BM displacement by a phase between 0 and 180 degree, with an optimal value of 90 degree, the electrical power is transmitted into the BM mode. A phase difference between 180 and 360 gives rise to power dissipation on the BM. These phase ranges are shifted by 180 degree for the RL mode. Analyzing the experimental data reveals that the OHC active force dissipate power in the BM side while it amplifies the RL motion. Moreover, we utilize the BM/RL displacement amplitude to quantify the OHC active power generated by each hair cell.
Fluid-structure interaction effects for minimizing transmission in waveguides: Time and frequency domain approach
Authors: Vettamparambath Swaroop R. , Sarkar Abhijit
Published: October 2015

In many noise and vibration control applications, transmission loss in waveguides needs to be maximized. We propose a waveguide comprising of two different fluids with large impedance mismatch. The two dissimilar fluids are separated by two identical spring-mass combinations. An analytical model for such waveguide is undertaken using principles of one-dimensional linear wave propagation theory. Transmission loss for the waveguide across the frequency range is formulated in terms of (i) impedance mismatch of the fluids (ii) fluid-structure interaction parameter. It is shown that an appropriate choice of the above two parameters leads to a minimal transmission across the frequency range. The above inference is also corroborated through transient Finite Element Analysis. For transient simulation an initial condition is imposed on the system and the simulation is carried on till the first transmission is observed. The ratio of the maximum response in the transmitted pulse to the maximum response in the incident pulse is defined as the transmission ratio in time domain. It is observed that the transmission ratio computed in time domain correlate well with the transmission ratio formulated in the frequency domain.
Railway vibration and noise reduction using particle impact dampers
Authors: Yang Wonseok , Ahn SangKeun , Koh Hyoin , Park Junhong
Published: October 2015

Rolling noise is becoming a increasing concern for residential areas near railways. Rail vibration caused by moving loads of a train and corrugations generates noise. This study presented a particle impact dampers and its application to reduction of the rolling noise. The particle impact dampers to efficiently reduce the vibration were designed and verified using simplified models of a railway. To verify the particle impact damper performance, the vibration of a simplified railway attached with particle impact dampers was measured. The effects of different clearances and mass ratio of the damper to the railway was investigated. The numerical predictions of finite element model of impacting dampers were proposed and verified to the measured results to find the vibration reduction mechanism.
Sound characteristic analysis of Multi-layer sound- absorbing materials using impedance tube
Authors: Park Hyungwoo , Bae Seonggeon , Bae Myungjin , Lee Duckhee
Published: October 2015

With the development of the field of transportation, vehicles have come to be driven fast. As a result, due to their high speed, railways are the cause of increased noise inside the railway vehicle. Methods for reducing noise present themselves in various ways. However, it is difficult for a method to be effective without a costly and difficult implementation of technology. In general, to improve the characteristics of vehicle interior noise conditions, which can increases the effect of sound absorbing or insulation materials, it is necessary that any sound absorbing material be located between the outer and inner walls of the vehicle. In this paper, we perform an experiment on the acoustic characteristics of a composite multilayer type sound-absorbing material that can be used to reduce the interior noise of a vehicle. In our tests, we used an impedance tube, which can scan a plane wave with a speaker for the test-material. The tube is fabricated in a circular symmetrical shape. This overall method can be used to evaluate acoustic transmission loss. The results found in this study can be used to show that the selection of a multi-layer sound-absorbing material can allow users to achieve the characteristics of noise reduction. With the results delineated in this study, a multi-layer high density material can be confirmed to show improved performance this material can also be used to check the characteristics of the frequency response of the shape of the surfaces.
Speech variability and prosody in childhood apraxia of speech
Authors: Macrae Toby , Lansford Kaitlin , Berteau Emily
Published: October 2015

This is a follow-up to a paper that was presented at the 2014 Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which included preliminary data from 12 children. Data collection is ongoing and the data from all participants will be presented at the Acoustical Society of America Meeting in 2015. While speech variability and disordered prosody are core features of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), much of the research in this area is descriptive and/or subjective. The purpose of the proposed study is to compare children with CAS to children with non-CAS speech sound disorders (SSDs) using more objective acoustic measures of variability and prosody, including: (1) durational variability of the phrase “Buy Bobby a puppy,” (2) durational variability of /ɑ/ in “Bobby,” (3) durational variability of /ʌ/ in “puppy,” (4) durational variability of voice onset time for /p/ in “puppy,” (5) spectral variability of the first and second formants (F1 and F2) for /ɑ/ in “Bobby,” (6) spectral variability of F1 and F2 for /ʌ/ in “puppy,” and (7) three stress metrics from Liss et al. (2009), which relate variability in consonant durations to variability in vowel durations and have been shown to differentiate between speakers with and without dysarthria and among different dysarthria subtypes. Preliminary data were encouraging. Children with CAS showed relatively more variability in consonant durations than vowel durations. Children with non-CAS SSDs showed relatively more variability in vowel durations than consonant durations.
The intonation of wh-in situ questions in Northern Peninsular Spanish
Authors: Gonzalez Carolina , Reglero Lara
Published: October 2015

This project investigates the intonational characteristics of wh-in situ questions (As in: ¿Compraste qué? ‘You bought what?) in Northern Peninsular Spanish. Although these questions reportedly occur with various pragmatic readings in several Spanish dialects (Uribe-Etxebarria 2002; Chernova 2013; Reglero and Ticio 2013), their intonation remains to be investigated. Data from 22 speakers from Northern Peninsular Spanish was collected in a reading and an elicitation task. Each task included 30 contextualized wh-in situ questions representing information-seeking, echo-repetition, and echo-surprise readings. Target sentences were interspersed among declaratives and yes–no questions. Preliminary results from the elicitation task are discussed for two female participants. Prevalent pitch contours are analyzed following Spanish ToBi conventions (Face and Prieto 2007). In addition, we report the global tonal range for each type of wh-in situ, as well as the tonal range average from the nuclear tone to the boundary tone. It is expected that surprise contexts will have the greatest tonal range, followed by echo-repetition contexts. Finally, we explore the prevalence of intermediate phrases prior to the final wh-word for the three contexts, which might have repercussions for the syntactic analysis of wh-in situ in Spanish (Uribe-Etxebarria 2002 vs. Reglero and Ticio 2013).
How do L1 and L2 influence on the acquisition of L3 (English) stress pattern
Authors: Yakup Mahire , Omanova Dina
Published: October 2015

In this research, we investigated the acquisition of English stress by trilingual speakers (Kazakh/Russian (L1)-Russian/Kazakh (L2)-English (L3). Stress in Kazakh, as a Turkic language, is on the final position (Johnson, 1998) and was cued by fundamental frequency (Kirghner, cited from Kondibaeva, 2010). However, in Russian, stress was cued by duration and intensity (Hamilton, 1980; Kuznetsova, 2006). In this research, we used two different trilingual groups in which the Kazakh-Russian-English trilingual group has Kazakh as a dominant language and first language; on the other hand, the Russian-Kazakh-English trilingual group has Russian as a dominant language with the advanced level of Kazakh. However, both groups have high level of English (IELTS =  6.5 and above). All participants from both groups produced the noun-verb stress pattern words in sentences. In the production of ten female speakers from each group, average fundamental frequency, duration, average intensity, and first and second formant frequencies for vowels were collected in the stressed and unstressed syllables. The result showed that for Russian-Kazakh-English speakers, duration and intensity are stronger cues than F0. Kazakh-Russian-English trilinguals used all parameters, but duration was strongly associated with final lengthening. The results will be discussed in terms of L1/L2 transfer into the acquisition of L3.
Non-word repetition task by young Japanese learners of English
Authors: Kawai Hiromi
Published: October 2015

This study identified the L2 sound processing problems of young Japanese EFL learners on articulatory production ability of English sounds, without intervention of lexical representation. A non-word repetition test was conducted based on the L1 English children’s speech processing system as proposed by Stackhouse and Wells (1997). 203 5th and 6th graders from a public elementary school in Tokyo participated in this study. Nine L1 English normally developing children participated in the test as a reference group. During the non-word repetition test, the participant children watched a native speaker of American Standard English on a computer monitor pronouncing 15 non-words ranging in length from one to three syllables and repeated each non-word following the NS model pronunciation. The recorded performances of the participants were judged by two experts in phonetics and phonology and a native speaker of English specializing in university-TESOL. There was no significant difference between the three judges in perceptual rating (p >.05). An ANOVA showed a significant difference between the Japanese children and the L1 English children in the total score of the repetition test. The difficulty of the item analysis, however, revealed a tendency in both Japanese and L1 English children in articulating each syllable.
Listeners pay attention to rhythmic cues when judging the nativeness of speech
Authors: Pellegrino Elisa , Dellwo Volker
Published: October 2015

Native listeners are good at detecting whether speech is foreign-accented or not. Here, we tested the role of rhythmic cues from the amplitude envelope (ENV) in this process. In a binary forced-choice perception experiment, ten L1 Italian listeners listened to 32 stimuli, each containing two Italian utterances of identical lexical content under the following conditions: (a) Both utterances were produced by a non-native speaker and were manipulated with either the ENV of a native German speaker of Italian and Italian L1 speaker (at 10 and 30 frequency bands). (b) One utterance was produced by an L1 Italian, the other by an L2 speaker. For 10 and 30 frequency bands their ENVs were exchanged (speech chimeras). Listeners' task was to choose which of the utterances in a stimulus was the more native-like. In condition (a), listeners’ probability to choose the utterance with the L1 envelope was above chance at 10 bands (0.72) and increased with 30 bands (0.78). In condition (b) listeners’ probability to choose the utterance with the L1 ENV was 0.19 at 10 bands and 0.46 at 30 bands. We conclude that rhythmic cues in the speech ENV influence listeners' perception of nativeness.
Disentangling the contribution of pitch and duration cues in first and second language perception of the Mandarin neutral tone
Authors: Thompson Arthur L. , Nolan Francis
Published: October 2015

Most L1 and L2 Standard Mandarin (SM) perception tests focus on the four lexical tones. However, none take into account the neutral tone (NT) for L2 speakers, and few do for L1 speakers (e.g., Yang, 2010). Pitch onset aside, the relatively short duration of NT syllables is assumed to be their primary perceptual cue (Lin and Yan, 1980). This study tested which perceptual cues are used by L1 and L2 groups. To this end, 9 L1 and 9 L2 learners (L1 British English) participated in a five-way alternative forced-choice tone identification task. Three minimal pair disyllabic tokens containing NT were used as stimuli. Syllables carrying NT were manipulated in PRAAT using steps of 30, 50, 70, and 100% manipulation for pitch and/or duration. Pitch was progressively manipulated to mimic that of a lexical tone, while duration progressively approached that of a lexical tone in second syllable position. This study found that L2s rely primarily on duration to identify NT, while L1s rely primarily on pitch. This expands previous studies showing that duration interferes with L2 SM tone perception (Blicher et al., 1991; Chang, 2011). By contextualizing this finding, new models are proposed for L2 SM tone perception and acquisition.
One of these accents sounds like the other; one of these accents is not the same
Authors: Miller Rachel M.
Published: October 2015

Accented speech occurs when the structure of a talker’s native language causes deviations from the speech productions norms of the non-native language being produced (e.g., Spanish-accented English; Tarone, 1987). The current study tested sensitivity to deviations shared across accents by asking two groups of listeners to judge similarities and differences between Spanish- and Chinese-accented speech samples. The matching group was asked to judge whether a model’s accented token (e.g., Spanish) was more similar in accent to a token in the same (e.g., Spanish) vs. a different accent (e.g., Chinese). The discrimination group was asked to judge whether a model’s accented token (e.g., Spanish) was different in accent from a token in the same (e.g., Spanish) vs. a different accent (e.g., Chinese). Results showed that listeners are able to make similarity matches at significantly greater than chance (50%) levels, suggesting that they are perceptually sensitive to the similarities between non-native accents. However, listeners were not good at picking out the “dissimilar” accent. This experiment shows a discrepancy in listeners’ ability to compare accents based on whether they focus their judgments on similarities or differences between the accents, suggesting that different cognitive processes may be used in matching versus discrimination type tasks.
A single equation for predicting required ocean and seismic acoustic fiber optic sensor response
Authors: DeMetz Fred C.
Published: October 2015

In the past decade, requirements have evolved for systems of ocean bottom and seismic downhole acoustic sensors with high dynamic range, wider bandwidths, and which will operate reliably for a decade or more in high-pressure-high-temperature environments. As seismic and acoustic survey spatial resolution, operating depth, and range requirements have increased, higher sensor string counts have been required to provide the needed improvements in target definition. Fiber optic sensors and telemetry systems are being developed which allow HPHT operation, without vulnerable electrical telemetry in the “wet” end of the system, and which can reliably transmit high-sensor count string outputs which are 10's of km from the processor. This paper introduces a modified version of the SONAR equation which allows straight forward estimation of the required fiber optic acoustic sensor response, early in the system design stage, and allows the system engineer to define and optimize sensor response requirements and help minimize system performance risks.
Improved multiple focusing with adaptive time-reversal mirror in the ocean
Authors: Byun Gi Hoon , Kim Jea Soo
Published: October 2015

The linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) method in adaptive signal processing is designed in such a way that it attempts to minimize the output power subject to constraints on the look directions. This adaptive method has been applied to time-reversal mirror (TRM) for simultaneous multiple focusing and its efficiency has been verified by [Kim et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 109 (5), 1817–1825 (2001)]. However, the norm of the weighting vector ‖w‖ that satisfies the constraints tends to become very large when two probe sources (PS) are close to each other. It causes prominent spatial sidelobes as the weighting vector w is back-propagated in TR focusing. In this study, a relationship between ‖w‖ and PS locations is illustrated, and LCMV method is partially reformulated to calculate the weighting vector w which satisfies new constraint responses, so that sidelobes are significantly suppressed. The proposed method for improved adaptive time-reversal mirror for stable simultaneous multiple focusing is verified using numerical simulations and experimental data.
Focal properties of an underwater acoustic Fresnel zone plate lens
Authors: Calvo David C. , Nicholas Michael , Thangawng Abel L. , Layman Christopher N.
Published: October 2015

Fresnel zone plate (FZP) lenses provide thin alternatives to conventionally sized acoustic lenses. We present experimental characterization of an underwater acoustic FZP lens fabricated at the Naval Research Laboratory. This diffractive lens has a short focal length (numerical aperture angle of θ = 62°) which provides a narrow focal spot with a diffraction limited first-null radius 0.61λ/sinθ. The 13 in diameter FZP consists of opaque rubber foam rings attached to a thin PDMS rubber substrate. Ultrasonic measurements of transmission were made using a scanning needle hydrophone and a 200 kHz piston source. Measured focal gain varied between 20 and 15 dB for incidence angles between 0 and 12°, respectively. These gains agreed with predictions computed using a wide-angle beam propagation method. Measured transverse focal shift agreed with geometrical constructions used in conventional lens theory. Axisymmetric finite-element computations using Fourier decomposition of the oblique incident field are also presented which provide a more accurate treatment of scattering from the penetrable rubber foam. These simulations resolve high-order, very narrow focusing in regions close to the lens (~5 wavelengths). A comparison of spherical and coma aberration between a conventional and FZP lens are also reported. [Work sponsored by the Office of Naval Research.]
Scattering from a partially buried target: A modified acoustic ray model
Authors: Kargl Steven G. , Espana Aubrey L. , Williams Kevin L.
Published: October 2015

An acoustic ray model, recently presented by Kargl et al. (IEEE J. Ocean. Eng., DOI: 10.1109/JOE.2014.2356934), describes the scattering of sound from a target within a homogeneous waveguide. For a proud target, four ray paths account for the interaction of incident sound with the target and its local environment. In marine environments, a target at the water-sediment boundary can be partially or completely buried. Ray paths that may reach a target then depend on the burial state. Modifications to the ray model are presented. The simplest approach introduces a Heaviside step function into the model, which abruptly turns a ray contribution off as a ray's point of impact on a target transitions from above the boundary to below. In geometric acoustics, the Heaviside step function is a zeroth order approximation to the Fresnel integral for the diffraction of sound at a shadow boundary into a shadow region. The Fresnel integral provides a smooth transition in the intensity across the boundary. Similarly, a smooth transition should occur within a modified ray model for partially buried targets. The modified ray model will be compared to finite-element model results for a solid aluminum cylinder and an aluminum replica of a underwater unexploded ordnance. [Research supported by SERDP and ONR.]
Deep ocean vector sensor array performance metrics
Authors: Kniffin Gabriel P. , Zurk Lisa
Published: October 2015

Recent work in passive sonar has drawn interest in the potential for vertical line arrays (VLAs) deployed below the critical depth—the depth inthe deep ocean at which the sound speed below the channel axis reaches the sound speed near the surface. Such arrays can take advantage of propagation via the reliable acoustic path (RAP), which has been shown to improve thesignal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of received signals from sources at or near the surface at moderate ranges. The potential of these deep ocean VLAs hasspawned further interest in the design of vector sensor VLAs that would allow azimuthal rejection and additional array gain over conventional pressure sensor VLAs. This work will present simulation results that explore and quantify the performance of such vector sensor VLAs deployed in thedeep ocean in terms of surface area coverage, detection probability, andoperational lifetime. The potential use of these deep ocean vector sensorarrays to estimate source depth using the depth-harmonic interferencebetween direct and surface-reflected acoustic arrivals will also be discussed.
Space-time block coding for undersea acoustic links
Authors: N Sabna , R Revathy , Pillai P. R. S.
Published: October 2015

Current research in undersea communication scenario focuses on the applications of undersea acoustic networks in environmental data collection, pollution monitoring, offshore surveillance, coastal surveillance, etc. The various constraints encountered in undersea acoustic communications are mainly low bandwidth, high latency, high failure rates of acoustic links, and multipath propagation effects. Multipath effects in undersea environments are due to the reflection of sound by the sea surface and sea bottom as well as refraction of sound in water. As a result, the receiver gets a bewildering mix of signals. The receiving subsystems of the undersea networks perform special signal processing techniques for regenerating the data streams from the multipath composite signals in a MIMO configurable network. The performance of Space-Time Block Coding (STBC) diversity technique has been adopted in this paper for improving the reliability of the undersea network. In the simplest form of MIMO configuration, two transmitting transducers send out the data stream and its modified versions in two time slots on independently fading environments, leading to substantial improvements in the error rate performance. For a shallow water medium range channel, which exhibits the Rayleigh fading characteristics, the error rate performance has been found to be 7 x 10-6 for 16-QAM based STBC.
Acoustical Society of America Silver Medal in Signal Processing in Acoustics: Brian G. Ferguson
Authors: Sullivan Edmund J. , Candy James V.
Published: October 2015

The Silver Medal is presented to individuals, without age limitation, for contributions to the advancement of science, engineering, or human welfare through the application of acoustic principles, or through research accomplishment in acoustics.
Cross-Domain Relationships with Assistant and Head Coaches: Comparing Levels and Correlates
Authors: Stuntz Cheryl P.
Published: October 2015

Cross-domain relationships (CDRs) involve coaches knowing and caring about aspects of athletes’ lives beyond the sport context (e.g., family, school, relationships). Purposes of the current study included (a) comparing athletes’ levels of cross-domain relationships with head and assistant coaches, (b) evaluating gender, roster size, and sport type as correlates of CDRs with head and assistant coaches, and (c) examining relationships between CDRs with head and assistant coaches and motivational variables. Collegiate athletes (N = 294, 139 male, 155 female) completed surveys assessing study constructs. Results indicated that levels of CDRs with head coaches and assistant coaches did not differ. Male athletes had stronger CDRs with head coaches than female athletes did. While female athletes with female head coaches had moderate levels of CDRs with head coaches regardless of assistant coach gender, female athletes with male head coaches had stronger CDRs with head coaches when the assistant coach was female than when the assistant coach was male. Stronger CDRs with head coaches were related to greater perceived competence, enjoyment, and sport commitment, while CDRs with assistant coaches were not related. Findings suggest that researchers should not assume that CDRs with assistant and head coaches are similarly related to athletes’ motivational outcomes.
Over Egging the Pudding? Comments on Ojala and Thorpe
Authors: Collins David J. , Collins Loel , Willmott Tom
Published: October 2015

In a recent paper in ISCJ, Ojala and Thorpe offered a culturally based observation that questions the role and application of coaching in action sports. Their critique is focused on the action sport of snowboarding which, despite its’ comparatively recent inclusion in the Olympics, retains a different, almost collaborative rather than competitive culture more akin to other action sports such as skateboarding and surfing. Ojala and Thorpe then present Problem Based Learning (PBL) as the solution to many of these perceived ills, describing the positive characteristics of the approach and promoting its cultural fit with action sport environments and performers. In this paper we offer a different perspective, which questions the veracity of the data presented and the unquestioningly positive view of PBL as the answer. Our alternative, data-driven perspective suggests that action sport athletes are increasingly positive, or even desirous of good coaching, of which PBL is a possible approach; suitable for some athletes some of the time.
Association between low dietary zinc and hyperuricaemia in middle-aged and older males in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Xie Dong-xing , Xiong Yi-lin , Zeng Chao , Wei Jie , Yang Tuo , Li Hui , Wang Yi-lun , Gao Shu-guang , Li Yu-sheng , Lei Guang-hua
Published: October 2015

Objective

To examine the associations between dietary zinc intake and hyperuricaemia.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

This study was conducted in a health examination centre of China.

Participants

A total of 5168 middle-aged and older participants (aged 40 years or above) (2697 men and 2471 women) were included.

Outcome measures

Dietary zinc intake was assessed using a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Hyperuricaemia was defined as uric acid ≥416 µmol/L for males and ≥360 µmol/L for females.

Results

For males, the prevalence of hyperuricaemia was 22.9%. After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI) and energy intake, the ORs were 0.68 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.92) in the second quintile, 0.63 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.89) in the third quintile, 0.68 (95% CI 0.46 to 1.00) in the fourth quintile and 0.55 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.87) in the fifth quintile comparing the lowest quintile of Zn intake, respectively (p for trend=0.03). In the multivariable adjusted model, the relative odds of hyperuricaemia were significantly decreased by 0.71 times in the second quintile of zinc intake (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.98), 0.64 times in the third quintile (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.94) and 0.55 times in the fifth quintile (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.97) compared with those in the lowest quintile, and p for trend was 0.064. For females, the prevalence of hyperuricaemia was 10.0%, and unadjusted, minimally adjusted as well as multivariable adjusted ORs all suggested no significant association between dietary zinc intake and hyperuricaemia.

Conclusions

The findings of this cross-sectional study indicated that dietary zinc intake was inversely associated with hyperuricaemia in middle-aged and older males, but not in females. The association was significant after considering the influence of age, BMI and energy intake, and after that, minimum adjustment remained independent of further confounding factors such as vitamin C intake, alcohol drinking status and nutrient supplementation.
Linking social media and medical record data: a study of adults presenting to an academic, urban emergency department
Authors: Padrez Kevin A , Ungar Lyle , Schwartz Hansen Andrew , Smith Robert J , Hill Shawndra , Antanavicius Tadas , Brown Dana M , Crutchley Patrick , Asch David A , Merchant Raina M
Published: October 2015

Background

Social media may offer insight into the relationship between an individual's health and their everyday life, as well as attitudes towards health and the perceived quality of healthcare services.

Objective

To determine the acceptability to patients and potential utility to researchers of a database linking patients’ social media content with their electronic medical record (EMR) data.

Methods

Adult Facebook/Twitter users who presented to an emergency department were queried about their willingness to share their social media data and EMR data with health researchers for the purpose of building a databank for research purposes. Shared posts were searched for select terms about health and healthcare.

Results

Of the 5256 patients approached, 2717 (52%) were Facebook and/or Twitter users. 1432 (53%) of those patients agreed to participate in the study. Of these participants, 1008 (71%) consented to share their social media data for the purposes of comparing it with their EMR. Social media data consisted of 1 395 720 posts/tweets to Facebook and Twitter. Participants sharing social media data were slightly younger (29.1±9.8 vs 31.9±10.4 years old; p<0.001), more likely to post at least once a day (42% vs 29%; p=0.003) and more likely to present to the emergency room via self-arrival mode and have private insurance. Of Facebook posts, 7.5% (95% CI 4.8% to 10.2%) were related to health. Individuals with a given diagnosis in their EMR were significantly more likely to use terms related to that diagnosis on Facebook than patients without that diagnosis in their EMR (p<0.0008).

Conclusions

Many patients are willing to share and link their social media data with EMR data. Sharing patients have several demographic and clinical differences compared with non-sharers. A database that merges social media with EMR data has the potential to provide insights about individuals’ health and health outcomes.
THE TOS2 STUDY: AN INTERNATIONAL MULTI-CENTRE AUDIT ASSESSING THE STANDARD OF NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION
Authors: Appleton JP , Ilinca A , Lindgren AG , Puschmann A , Habahbeh M , Siddiqui K , DeSilva R , Jones M , Butterworth R , Nicholl DJ
Published: October 2015

Having previously demonstrated that in-patients referred to neurology at two UK hospitals were not fully examined prior to referral, we designed an audit with 80% power to detect a 10% increase in tendon hammer or ophthalmoscope use following an educational intervention.

In-patients referred to neurology over a 4 month period in the UK, Jordan, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates were asked whether they recalled examination with a Tendon hammer, Ophthalmoscope and Stethoscope since admission. Results were disseminated to local medical teams and data were collected for a further 4 months. Pre and post-intervention data were available for 11 centres with 407 and 391 patients in each arm. 264 patients (64.86%) recalled examination with a tendon hammer pre-intervention, which significantly improved to 298 (76.21%) (p<0.001). 119 (29.24%) recollected ophthalmoscopy pre-intervention, which significantly improved to 149 (38.11%) (p=0.009). 321 (78.87%) recalled examination with a stethoscope pre-intervention, which significantly improved to 330 (84.4%) (p=0.045). Most patients were not fully examined prior to neurology referral, yet a simple assessment score and educational intervention can improve the standard of neurological examination. This is the largest and – to our knowledge – only study to assess the standard of neurological examination internationally. This has implications for national neurological educators.
ETHNICITY AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PREVALENCE IN EAST LONDON
Authors: Albor Christo , Sautoy Timothy du , Vanan Narmadha Kali , Boomla Kambiz , Schmierer Klaus
Published: October 2015

Background

There is a perceived consensus that the incidence and prevalence rates of MS in countries with a White majority are lower in the minority ethnic population than in the White population. Often-cited UK-based studies relevant to this were conducted over twenty years ago. In our study we update the UK-based literature.

Methods

Electronic records from GPs in the four innermost east London boroughs were queried for the number of patients with an MS diagnosis, grouped by ethnicity, into 5-year age bands. Compared against total registered GP patients in the area (c.900K), we calculated the age-standardised MS prevalence separately, for White, Black and South Asian populations.

Results

Overall prevalence was 111 per 100K (152 for women, 70 for men). This was 180, 74, and 29 for the White, Black and South Asian populations respectively. The sex ratios (female:male) were 2.2:1, 2.1:1 and 2.8:1 respectively.

Conclusion

Inner east London is an ideal area to study ethnicity-specific prevalence, with a population that is 36% White, 16% Black, 30% South Asian and 18% Other. MS prevalence was considerably lower amongst Black and South Asian populations, compared to the White population, by 59% and 84% respectively. Our findings are consistent with previous studies.
REDUCED MS RELAPSE RATES WITH NATALIZUMAB: TOP UK COHORT
Authors: Nicholas Richard , Berry Roger
Published: October 2015

Introduction

The Tysabri® Observational Program (TOP) is a 10-year, ongoing, global, open-label study of long-term outcomes in natalizumab-treated patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Methods

Baseline characteristics were summarised. On-treatment annualised relapse rate (ARR) was compared with baseline.

Results

As of 1 May 2014, the UK cohort included 134 patients. Median disease duration was 5.3 years and 84 patients (62.7%) had prior treatment with ≥1 other therapy. ARR decreased from 2.21 at baseline to 0.29 (86.9% reduction; p<0.0001); on-treatment ARR was low with ≥6 months of treatment (0.29; 87.2% reduction; p<0.0001; n=120) and remained low after ≥3.5 years (0.33; 85.7% reduction; p<0.0001; n=20). In patients previously treated with interferon or glatiramer acetate, ARR decreased by 83.5%–87.7% (p≤0.0009). Relapses resulting in hospitalisation or steroid treatment decreased by 93.3% (p<0.0001) and 86.5% (p<0.0001), respectively.

Conclusions

UK TOP patients exhibited ≥83.5% reduction in ARR with ≥6 months of natalizumab treatment regardless of prior therapy, a reduction maintained over ≥3.5 years with no waning of effect. Relapses resulting in hospitalisation or steroid treatment were significantly reduced post natalizumab therapy initiation.

Sponsored by Biogen Idec Ltd. Disclosures: RN: grant and conference travel support from Biogen Idec Ltd. RB: employee of Biogen Idec Ltd.
COGNITIVE REHABILITATION IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Authors: Campbell Jamie , Cercignani Mara , Langdon Dawn , Rashid Waqar
Published: October 2015

Background/aims

To explore the feasibility and efficacy of computerised, home-based cognitive rehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis using neuropsychological assessment and structural and functional MRI techniques.

Materials, methods or case report

38 patients with MS and evidence of cognitive impairment on the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS) test battery were enrolled and randomly assigned to undergo computerised cognitive rehabilitation (n=19) for six weeks or to a control condition (n=19). All patients underwent MRI at baseline (T1) and post-intervention (T2). Changes in cortical activations were explored using an n-back fMRI paradigm.

Results

Compared to baseline, patients in the treatment group showed significant improvement in the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test at T2 (p=0.035) and exhibited altered cortical fMRI activations compared to controls.

Conclusion

Our preliminary data support the hypothesis that home-based, computerised cognitive rehabilitation is a feasible and effective approach to improving cognitive performance in patients with MS and may reflect underlying changes in brain activations.

BICAMS is a sensitive and easy to administer tool for identifying cognitive impairment in MS in the outpatient setting. Identification of cognitive impairment may have important treatment implications in the future.
THE MS-SMART TRIAL IN SECONDARY PROGRESSIVE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: A MULTI-ARM, MULTI-CENTRE TRIAL OF NEUROPROTECTION
Authors: Chataway Jeremy , Chandran Siddharthan , Miller David , Giovannoni Gavin , Wheeler-Kingshott Claudia , Pavitt Sue , Stallard Nigel , Hawkins Clive , Sharrack Basil ,   for the MS-SMART trialists
Published: October 2015

There is currently no treatment for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) which determines the majority of disability in multiple sclerosis. The MS-SMART trial is a multi-arm, multi-centre, phase 2 randomised trial for patients with SPMS. A total of 440 patients with progressing SPMS will be recruited in England and Scotland and randomised to one of 4 blinded arms: amiloride 5mg bd, riluzole 50mg bd, fluoxetine 20mg bd or placebo. These agents have been chosen after an extensive systematic review which has suggested putative neuroprotective properties. Patients will be followed up for 96 weeks with outcome data collected after 0, 24, 48 and 96 weeks. The primary endpoint is MRI atrophy rate. A wide range of relevant secondary and mechanistic exploratory outcomes will be collected including: MR spectroscopy, MTR, grey matter volume cervical cord atrophy, CSF neurofilament levels and optical coherence tomography. This trial is now open for recruitment in 2015.

This independent research is awarded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme (EME) and funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS Society) and managed by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on behalf of the MRC-NIHR partnership.
THYROTOXICOSIS SECONDARY TO ALEMTUZUMAB TREATMENT FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PRESENTING AS PULMONARY HYPERTENSION
Authors: Healy S , Willis MD , Pickersgill TP , Page M , Robertson NP
Published: October 2015

Alemtuzumab has been approved for use in the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis. Despite its proven clinical efficacy acquired autoimmune disease remains a significant risk. In particular thyroid disease is common and robust surveillance mechanisms are required to identify disease at an early stage. We present the case of a 31-year-old female patient who presented with signs consistent with pulmonary hypertension as the presenting feature of thyrotoxicosis. 12-months after the first alemtuzumab treatment course the patient presented to clinic with a 2-week history of exertional dyspnoea, palpitations and headaches. On examination, she had a new pansystolic murmur loudest in the pulmonary area and bilateral pitting oedema to the knees. An echocardiogram demonstrated elevated right ventricular pressure (40 mm Hg) and tricuspid regurgitation consistent with pulmonary hypertension. A CT pulmonary angiogram did not demonstrate evidence of a pulmonary embolus. Thyroid function tests revealed profound thyrotoxicosis (free T4 37.3 pmol/l and TSH <0.02 mU/l), which was thought to be the likely cause. Carbimazole was started but discontinued due to a rash with euthyroidism eventually achieved with radio-iodine. Her symptoms have subsequently resolved. This case highlights the need for neurologists using Alemtuzumab to be vigilant of the varied and sometimes acute presentations of thyroid dysfunction; and the growing repertoire of induced autoimmunity.
EFFECT OF FINGOLIMOD VS. IFN-BETA1A ON NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE ACTIVITY
Authors: Silber E , Montalban X , Barkhof F , Khatri B , Hartung HP , Ritter S , Meier D Piani , Tomic D , Kappos L
Published: October 2015

Introduction

To compare effects of fingolimod vs. interferon beta-1a (IFN) in achieving no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-4) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in the TRANSFORMS study. Adding Brain Volume Loss (BVL) to NEDA results in a more comprehensive and balanced measure of focal and diffuse damage.

Methods

In this post-hoc analysis, we used data from the fingolimod 0.5 mg daily (n=431) and IFN 30 µg weekly (n=435) groups. NEDA-4 was defined as absence of confirmed relapses, new/enlarging T2 lesions, 6-month confirmed disability progression (CDP) and BVL (annual percent brain volume change [PBVC] of >−0.4%). 3-month CDP and additional PBVC cut-offs representing mean BVL rates in healthy adults (0.2%), MS patients (0.6%), or accelerated BVL (1.2%) were also tested. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for differences between fingolimod- and IFN-treated groups.

Results

Significantly more fingolimod (n=425) than IFN-treated patients (n=418) achieved NEDA-4 status: 27.9% vs. 16.7% (OR:1.93; 95% CI: 1.36–2.73; p=0.0002). Results were similar for other PBVC cut-offs: (>–0.2%): 20.2% vs 11.5%; 1.94; 1.30–2.90, p=0.0011; (>–0.6%): 34.6% vs 20.4%; 2.06; 1.49–2.86, p<0.0001; (>–1.2%): 40.8% vs 26.4%; 1.92; 1.42–2.60; p<0.0001.

Conclusion

Fingolimod-treated patients had twice the odds of achieving NEDA-4 status over 1 year as patients treated with IFN.
SUSTAINED LOW RATE BRAIN VOLUME LOSS IN LONG TERM FINGOLIMOD TREATMENT
Authors: Silber E , Radue EW , Barkhof F , Gottschalk R , Zhang Y , Cappiello L , von Rosenstiel P , Kappos L
Published: October 2015

Objectives

To evaluate long-term Brain Volume Loss (BVL) in patients who received fingolimod 0.5 mg or placebo in the FREEDOMS or FREEDOMS-2, and LONGTERMS studies.

Methods

pooled-analysis of patients who completed FREEDOMS and FREEDOMS-2 core studies and received at least one fingolimod-dose in LONGTERMS. We calculated the percent brain volume change (PBVC) and the mean annualized rate of brain atrophy (ARBA) at different time points using SIENA (Structural Image Evaluation using Normalization of Atrophy). Results up-to month (M)72 are presented for continuous-fingolimod 0.5 mg patient group and for placebo-fingolimod patient group

Results

2355 patients (fingolimod 0.5 mg: 783, placebo-fingolimod: 773). Median exposure to fingolimod was 915(271–1689); 18.8% of patients had fingolimod-exposure for =2160 days (6 years). At M6,12,24,36, and 48, mean PBVC was –0.22 vs. –0.36; –0.44 vs. –0.63; –0.83 vs. –1.28; –1.22 vs. –1.73 and –1.61 vs. –2.16 for fingolimod 0.5 mg vs. placebo-fingolimod. Mean ARBA was –0.43 vs. –0.70; –0.45 vs. –0.64; –0.43 vs. –0.67; –0.41 vs. –0.59 and –0.43 vs. –0.58. Similar pattern observed at M60 and 72 (smaller patient numbers) for PBVC (–1.49 vs. – 2.41 and –1.58 vs. –2.99) and ARBA (–0.31 vs. –0.51 and –0.27 vs. –0.52). Long–term treatment with fingolimod 0.5mg is attended by sustained low rates of BVL upto–6 years. Patients switching from placebo to fingolimod did not catch-up regarding BVL.
ARE WHITE MATTER ABNORMALITIES A CAUSE OF ‘UNEXPLAINED DIZZINESS’? A RETROSPECTIVE BI–CENTRE STUDY
Authors: Ahmad Hena , Cerchiai Niccolò , Mancuso Michelangelo , Casani Augusto , Bronstein Adolfo
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Although cerebral small vessel disease is a significant contributor to the development of imbalance and falls in the elderly, whether it also contributes to the development of dizziness is not known.

Methods

A retrospective case analysis was conducted for 125 dizzy patients referred to two neuro-otology tertiary centres in London and Pisa. Specific search criteria of “white matter disease” was applied to databases and patients were divided into ‘explained’ causes of dizziness (ie benign positional vertigo, orthostatic hypotension, cerebellar ataxias) and ‘unexplained’ causes of dizziness. White matter hyperintensities (WMH) in MRI (T2 weighted and FLAIR) were blindly rated according to the Fazekas scale.

Results

61 patients (mean age=72SD=7.95 years) in the ‘unexplained’ group and 64 (mean age=72.01SD=8.28 years) in the ‘explained’ group were recruited. The overall frequency of lesions (Fazekas 1–3) differed between the groups (p=0.015). The frequency of severe lesions (Fazekas 3) was significantly higher in the unexplained group (21%) than in the explained group (5%; p=0.005).

Conclusion

Increased severity of WM abnormalities in cases of unexplained dizziness suggests that such abnormalities are contributory to the development of dizziness. WM lesions may induce dizziness either because patients perceive a degree of objective unsteadiness or by a cortical-subcortical disconnection syndrome.