bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness of therapeutic conversation intervention for caregivers of adolescents with ADHD: a quasi‐experimental design
Authors: Gisladottir M. , Svavarsdottir E. K.
Published: November 2016

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Caregivers of adolescents with ADHD experience major difficulties as care providers and are in need of guidance and support.

Adolescents with ADHD may develop oppositional and criminal behaviour. More than 50 % have the symptoms in adulthood, and up to one‐fourth with severe emotional or antisocial difficulties.

There is a lack of evidence of caregivers′ supporting intervention although caregiver groups have been found to contribute to better coping, decreased stress and improvements in ADHD symptoms.

What does this paper add to existing knowledge?

Primary caregivers of adolescents with ADHD experienced better quality of life after the Therapeutic Conversation Intervention.

The intervention contributed to better social functioning among secondary caregivers.

What are the implications for practice?

The content of the Therapeutic Conversation Intervention is significant and highlights the utility of a combination of group and private sessions for caregivers of people with ADHD.

The intervention can influence how services for families are organized, such that a Therapeutic Conversation Intervention could be offered on a regular basis.

Introduction

Caregivers of adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are burdened with tasks and many suffer from distress. Adolescents with ADHD may develop antisocial behaviour and caregiver′s group can empower caregiver's supporting role.

Aim/Question

To evaluate the effectiveness of a Therapeutic Conversation Intervention on caregivers of adolescents with ADHD regarding strengthening the supportive role.

Method

The study utilized a quasi‐experimental design. The participants (n = 60) were caregivers of adolescents (13–17 years old) with ADHD. The intervention consisted in‐group and parent sessions. The Calgary Family Model and the Family Illness Beliefs Model were used as theoretical frameworks.

Results

The study revealed significant differences in the improvement of quality of life; regarding primary caregiver (PC) worry, daily activities, family relationships and collaboration post‐intervention, as well emotional functioning at both post‐intervention and follow‐up. Secondary caregiver (SC) social functioning was significantly improved at follow‐up.

Discussion

The intervention proved to be beneficial to the caregivers and is filling a gap in much needed intervention.

Implication for practice

The results will expand health care professionals’ knowledge of how to increase PC quality of life when supporting their adolescent with ADHD. This treatment information should improve service at health care centres/hospitals where adolescents with ADHD receive care.
Caecal microbiota of chickens fed diets containing propolis
Authors: Eyng C. , Murakami A. E. , Pedroso A. A. , Duarte C. R. A. , Picoli K. P.
Published: November 2016

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different levels of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and raw propolis (RP) on broiler performance and on selected bacterial groups in caecal microbiota using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) measured by fluorescent activated cell sorting. Two experiments were conducted with 120 male chicks from 1 to 21 days of age for each, raised in cages and distributed in a completely randomized experimental design; there were five replicates with four birds per experimental unit and six treatments for each experiment (trial 1 – EEP – 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 ppm and trial 2 – RP – 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm). Fluorescent probes were used against the bacterial groups in caecal samples collected at 21 days of age. The data were subjected to one‐way anova followed by Tukey's and regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between dietary levels of EEP or RP on performance and intestinal microbiota (p < 0.05). In the trial 1, results showed that the EEP did not cause any significant (p > 0.05) modification in the performance and caecal microbiota. In the trial 2, RP inclusion did not affect the performance but changed the bacterial composition (p < 0.05). Clostridiaceae, Gammaproteobacteria excluding Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillus spp. showed a quadratic response (p < 0.05), with the lowest value predicted to occur at 240 ppm, 221 ppm and 213 ppm of RP respectively. The proportion of Bacteroidaceae and Gammaproteobacteria did not differ (p > 0.05) among the experimental groups. The inclusion of ethanolic extract of propolis did not affect the performance and intestinal microbiota, whereas the supplementation of raw propolis modulates the caecal microbiota composition without any effects on chicken performance.
From One Testament to the Other
Authors: Aspray Barnabas
Published: November 2016

Translation of Paul Ricoeur, “D'un testament à l'autre”

Translator's Preface: This essay, part of the section “Essais d'herméneutique biblique” in Ricoeur's Lectures 3: aux frontières de la philosophie, is one example of the later Ricoeur's increasing willingness to let theology and philosophy speak to each other. I would like to draw readers’ attention to two moves made here by Ricoeur: (1) the way in which his philosophical hermeneutics opens the way for a biblical ontology rooted in Exodus 3:14, and (2) the way his theory of metaphor reveals the same implied ontology behind 1 John 4:8.
Cation‐ and Anion‐Substituted Potassium Manganese Phosphate, KMnP3O9: Luminescence and Photocatalytic Studies
Authors: Chandiri Sudhakar Reddy , Gundeboina Ravi , Kurra Sreenu , Guje Ravinder , Maligi Malathi , Muga Vithal
Published: November 2016

Phosphates as multifunctional materials were of vital importance in the environmental and energy fields. In the present work, a new cyclophosphate, potassium manganese phosphate (KMnP3O9) (hereafter KMPO), was prepared by solid state method. Cations (Ag+ and Cu2+) and anion (N3−) were substituted into KMPO lattice via ion‐exchange and solid state methods, respectively. The as‐prepared materials were characterized by powder X–ray diffraction, SEM–EDS and UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectra. Rietveld refinement was carried out for parent material. All the prepared materials were found to crystallize in the hexagonal lattice and isomorphous with KCoP3O9. The nitrogen content in N3−‐substituted KMPO was estimated by EDS and O‐N‐H analysis. The bandgap energy of the cation‐ and anion‐substituted samples was lower compared to that of pristine KMPO. Gouy method was employed to determine the magnetic susceptibility of KMPO. The photoluminescence property of Mn2+ in all the samples was studied, and the color coordinates were calculated using CIE 1931 chromaticity. The photocatalytic activity of visible light active material, N3−‐substituted KMPO, was examined against the degradation of methylene blue and methyl violet at ambient conditions.
Remarks on the Normativity of International Legal Rules and Global Constitutionalism
Authors: Widłak Tomasz H.
Published: November 2016

The article reflects on the possibility of conceptualising the complex problem of the normativity of international legal rules, including in particular the phenomenon of “relative normativity.” The author utilises the critical potential of Ronald Dworkin's proposal for a new philosophy of international law to reflect on the classical accounts explaining normativity of international law. By building on Dworkin's argument, the author argues for a constitutional account of international law. The far‐reaching constitutional proposals may provide a more complex and coherent set of possible rationalisations of international legal rules. International law is in great need of a comprehensive theory that could better explain its normative character as well as its sources, and it is argued that international constitutionalism has the potential to serve this purpose.
HRCT features of surgically resected invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma associated with interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Miyamoto Atsushi , Kurosaki Atsuko , Fujii Takeshi , Kishi Kazuma , Homma Sakae
Published: November 2016

Background and objective

Lung cancer is prevalent among patients with interstitial pneumonia (IP). HRCT findings mucinous adenocarcinoma in patients with IP have not been described.

Methods

In 112 consecutive patients with 120 surgically resected IP‐associated lung cancers, 42 patients had pathologically proven invasive adenocarcinoma (IA). A total of 14 out of 42 patients (10 men, 4 women, mean age, 68.4 years) had invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma. We reviewed the patients’ medical records and HRCT scans.

Results

Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma were most commonly associated with idiopathic IP (n = 13) affecting the lower lobe adjacent to a fibrocystic changes. In 11 patients with invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma or other types of IA, the tumour was adjacent to a fibrocystic lesion. In invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma, malignant signs included lobulation (n = 11), spiculation (n = 9), vascular convergence (n = 10) and pleural indentation (n = 2). Characteristic findings of mucinous adenocarcinoma (i.e. vague margins (n = 10), lobular‐bounded margins (n = 11), air bronchogram (n = 11) and bubble‐like low attenuation (n = 8)) were more common in invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma than in other IA types. All invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma tumours (n = 11) were closely associated with fibrosis.

Conclusion

Mixed ground‐glass opacity and consolidation adjacent to a fibrocystic lesion with malignant signs and characteristic features of mucinous adenocarcinoma indicate malignancy.
Areas for quality improvements in heart failure care: quality of care from the patient's perspective
Authors: Ängerud Karin H. , Boman Kurt , Ekman Inger , Brännström Margareta
Published: November 2016

Background

Heart failure is a serious condition with high mortality and a high symptom burden. Most patients with heart failure will be taken care of in primary care but the knowledge of how the quality of care is perceived by patients with heart failure is limited.

Objective

The aim was to explore how patients with heart failure report quality of care, in an outpatient setting.

Methods

Seventy‐one patients with a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure and who were cared for in an outpatient setting were included in this cross‐sectional study. Quality of care was assessed with a short form of the Quality from the Patient's Perspective questionnaire. The items measured four dimensions, and each item consists of both perceived reality of the received care and its subjective importance.

Results

Inadequate quality was identified in three out of four dimensions and in items without dimension affiliation. In total, inadequate quality was identified in 19 out of 25 items. Patients reported the highest level of perceived reality in ‘my family member was treated well’ and the lowest perceived reality in ‘effective treatment for loss of appetite’. Effective treatment for shortness of breath was of the highest subjective importance for the patients.

Conclusion

Important areas for improvement in the quality of care for patients with heart failure in an outpatient setting were identified, such as symptom alleviation, information, participation and access to care.
The Effects of a Consumer Chemistry Intervention on Urban At‐Risk High School Students’ Performance, Utility Value, and Intentions to Pursue STEM
Authors: Duffin Lisa C. , Starling Michael P. , Day Martha M. , Cribbs Jennifer D.
Published: November 2016

The main purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the degree to which a three‐week intervention in an urban high‐needs high school science classroom would influence students’ (n = 51) interest, utility value, content knowledge, and intentions for future study in chemistry. The intervention consisted of an authentic, inquiry‐based chemistry project where students worked cooperatively to investigate core chemistry concepts and connect them to real‐world consumer products and careers in manufacturing that required chemistry knowledge. Findings indicated that students improved their chemistry knowledge, found greater relevance for chemistry, and intend to take more chemistry in the future. Interest in chemistry did not statistically significantly increase as a result of the intervention; however, students’ interest levels remained consistently moderate from pre‐test to post. This study adds to the current body of literature in three ways. First, the intervention showcased positive outcomes with students from an urban, high‐needs high school who lacked motivation and academic proficiency in science. Second, using an authentic, inquiry‐based utility value intervention is a viable alternative to previous successful interventions that involved writing tasks. Finally, the study was the result of a high school teacher's advanced training in research where important evaluation skills were cultivated and advanced.
From Scientists to Teachers: The Role of Student Epistemology in Lesson Plans of Career Switchers
Authors: Burton Erin Peters , Burton Stephen
Published: November 2016

Professional scientists who pursue a teaching credential bring a great deal of background to students in a classroom, but they may have barriers to the ways they portray the field of science. This study used a multiple‐case replication design to determine the role of epistemology in lesson plans of seven scientists becoming teachers. Data sources for this study included: (a) written assignment addressing student scientific epistemology at the beginning of the course, (b) fully‐developed written lesson plans for a one‐month period, and (c) interviews with participants three months after the course was completed. Two major types of instructional designers, schema‐centered teachers and activity‐centered teachers, emerged from the data. The schema‐centered teachers believed teaching to be a process of developing ideas and approached lesson planning initially from a general perspective and worked to a more specific orientation. The activity centered teachers expressed the need to show students how to think about science rather than allowing students to construct their own conception, and viewed teaching knowledge about the scientific enterprise as an activity to be undertaken only at the beginning of the year.
Phylogenetic relationships of North American Gomphidae and their close relatives
Authors: WARE JESSICA L. , PILGRIM ERIK , MAY MICHAEL L. , DONNELLY THOMAS W. , TENNESSEN KENNETH
Published: November 2016

Intrafamilial relationships among clubtail dragonflies (Gomphidae) have been the subject of many morphological studies, but have not yet been systematically evaluated using molecular data. Here we present the first molecular phylogeny of Gomphidae. We include six of the eight subfamilies previously suggested to be valid, and evaluate generic relationships within them. We have included examples of all genera reported from the Nearctic except Phyllocycla. This sample includes all North American species of Ophiogomphus, which has allowed us to explore intrageneric relationships in that genus. Our particular focus is on the closest relatives of the genus Gomphus, especially those North American species groups that have been commonly treated as subgenera of Gomphus. The Gomphus complex is split into additional genera, supported by molecular and morphological evidence: Phanogomphus, Stenogomphurus, Gomphurus and Hylogomphus are here considered to be valid genera. The genus Gomphus, in our restricted sense, does not occur in the western hemisphere; in addition, G. flavipes is transferred to Stylurus.
How I train specialists in transfusion medicine
Authors: Goodnough Lawrence Tim , Murphy Michael F.
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

The changing focus of transfusion medicine (TM) toward the hospital rather than the blood center and the involvement of TM specialists in a wide range of patient blood management and other specialist activities in the hospital, rather than just blood bank activities, means that the training of the transfusion specialists of the future should be under constant review.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We provide overviews of the current training programs of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in the United States and the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board in the United Kingdom, along with specific descriptions of our own training programs at Stanford and Oxford.

RESULTS

The numbers of TM fellows in training annually in the United States and of those who attempt to attain board certification have increased substantially over the last 20 years, despite the profound reduction in blood utilization since 2009. These trends reflect increasing job and career opportunities in new activities, such as patient blood management at hospital‐based transfusion services. This trend has been seen to a lesser extent in the United Kingdom, although the focus of TM is similarly switching to hospital‐based transfusion services.

CONCLUSION

Based on current trends, transfusion medicine is a growing and robust specialty in the United States but perhaps less so in the United Kingdom, increasingly with hospital‐centered job opportunities for improving blood utilization and clinical outcomes. Establishing pediatric TM training programs and improving research training are further opportunities for training TM specialists.
No association between frequent apheresis donation and risk of fractures: a retrospective cohort analysis from Sweden
Authors: Grau Katrine , Vasan Senthil K. , Rostgaard Klaus , Bialkowski Walter , Norda Rut , Hjalgrim Henrik , Edgren Gustaf ,   for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III)
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Citrate anticoagulation during apheresis induces transient alterations in calcium homeostasis. It is unknown whether the repeated, transient alterations in calcium homeostasis experienced by repeated apheresis donors affects bone turnover to increase fracture risk. Our aim was to investigate the risk of osteoporotic and nonosteoporotic fracture among voluntary, frequent apheresis donors.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

All apheresis donors were identified from the Scandinavian Donations and Transfusions database (SCANDAT2), which includes information on over 1.6 million blood donors from Sweden and Denmark from the years 1968 and 1981, respectively. Only data from Sweden were used for these analyses. Information on fractures was obtained by linking SCANDAT2 to hospital registers. Poisson regression was used to compute incidence rate ratios of fractures in relation to the cumulative number of apheresis donations, both overall and in fixed time windows.

RESULTS

In total, 140,289 apheresis donors (67,970 women and 72,319 men) were identified from the SCANDAT2 database and were followed for up to 23 years. We observed no association between the frequency of apheresis donation and the risk of fracture either in the overall study period or during fixed‐length time windows. The incidence rate ratio of fractures in donors who had made 100 or more cumulative apheresis donations was 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.92‐1.06) compared with donors who had made from 9 to 24 donations. The results were similar in analyses stratified by sex and restricted to postmenopausal women.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of an association between repeated apheresis donation and fracture risk indicates that apheresis collection is safe with regard to bone health.
Microfracture versus microfracture and platelet-rich plasma: arthroscopic treatment of knee chondral lesions. A two-year follow-up study
Authors: Mancò Annalisa , Goderecci Remo , Rughetti Anna , De Giorgi Silvana , Necozione Stefano , Bernardi Alfredo , Calvisi Vittorio
Published: November 2016

Purpose: the aim of this study was to describe and compare the clinical results obtained in patients affected by chondral lesions of the knee submitted to an arthroscopic treatment with the microfracture technique or microfracture + intraoperative autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection.

Methods: a prospective observational study was performed in patients affected by chondral lesions of the knee (classed as grade III-IV according to Outer-bridge’s classification) and early osteoarthritis (classed as grade 1-2 according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification). Their mean age was 52.4 years. Thirteen patients were treated with the microfracture technique according to Steadman (Group A), while 14 were treated with microfracture + PRP injection (Group B). Both groups were assessed using series of measures (a visual analog scale for pain, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form) to compare pre-operative and postoperative values at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Statistical analysis was conducted using a two-factor ANOVA for repeated measures.

Results: the VAS score decreased from a pre-operative value of 6.62±1.26 to 3.54 ±2.26 at 24 months in Group A (p<0.001), and from 6.43±1.91 to 3.36±2.84 in Group B (p<0.001). the IKDC subjective score increased from a pre-operative value of 37.02±12.00 to 62.13±19.00 at two years in Group A (p<0.001) and from 34.63±15.00 to 67.11±26.74 in Group B (p<0.001); the SF-36 scores showed a similar trend. Although an improvement was recorded over time in both groups, in the short term the IKDC subjective score improvement seemed to be better in Group B; a similar trend was shown by the SF-36 and VAS scores. At two years, the IKDC Subjective Scale, VAS and SF-36 scores seemed to be similar in the two groups. Over time, no significant differences were found between the two groups in any of the three outcomes.

Conclusions: the use of autologous PRP in association with the microfracture technique seems to give better clinical and functional results in short-term follow-up, above all as regards pain. At two-year followup, however, the clinical results of the two groups were similar.

Level of evidence: Level II, prospective cohort study.
Intrinsic-cum-extrinsic normalization of formant data of vowels
Authors: T. V. Ananthapadmanabha , A. G. Ramakrishnan
Published: November 2016

Using a known speaker-intrinsic normalization procedure, formant data are scaled by the reciprocal of the geometric mean of the first three formant frequencies. This reduces the influence of the talker but results in a distorted vowel space. The proposed speaker-extrinsic procedure re-scales the normalized values by the mean formant values of vowels. When tested on the formant data of vowels published by Peterson and Barney, the combined approach leads to well separated clusters by reducing the spread due to talkers. The proposed procedure performs better than two top-ranked normalization procedures based on the accuracy of vowel classification as the objective measure.
Age effects in discrimination of intervals within accented tone sequences differing in accent type and sequence presentation rate
Authors: Fitzgibbons Peter J. , Gordon-Salant Sandra
Published: November 2016

The study measured listener sensitivity to increments in the duration of one or two target silent intervals embedded within unaccented tone sequences and sequences that featured a single accented component. The baseline unaccented sequences consisted of six 1000-Hz 40-ms tone bursts that were separated equally by silent intervals to establish a slower tone sequence rate, with tonal inter-onset intervals (IOIs) set to 200 ms, or a faster rate with tonal IOIs set to 100 ms. Stimulus accent was created by doubling the baseline duration of a single sequence component, either the second tone burst (tonal accent), or the second tonal IOI (interval accent). Duration difference limens for increments of the target interval(s) were measured adaptively by varying a single inter-tone silent interval or co-varying two successive inter-tone silent intervals; target intervals occurred at the third, or third and fourth, sequence locations. Listeners included younger normal-hearing adults and groups of older listeners with and without hearing loss. Discrimination for the two older groups was equivalent and poorer than that of the younger listeners, especially for the faster accented sequences. Discrimination was best for stimuli with two successive target intervals, indicating that target repetition within accented sequences acts to improve listener temporal sensitivity.
Statistically defining the construct of “acoustic quality” in K-12 classrooms
Authors: Lee Joonhee , Brill Laura C. , Lester Houston , Bovaird James , Wang Lily M.
Published: November 2016

This paper presents preliminary statistical analyses of acoustic measurements taken in over a hundred K-12 classrooms in Nebraska during the 2015-2016 academic year. Noise levels were continuously logged over two consecutive school days, three times seasonally. Other measurements included unoccupied background noise levels and room impulse responses. Equivalent sound pressure levels, percentile levels, reverberation times, and other assorted room acoustic metrics have been calculated from the measured data. Preliminary statistical analyses have been performed to investigate how each metric is related to each other and how the metrics are distributed across classrooms. These quantities have also been statistically analyzed to understand which are most pertinent to a comprehensive construct of “acoustic quality.” This “acoustic quality” construct will subsequently be used to investigate how its components are related to the academic performance of students, and its inter-relationships with other environmental conditions such as indoor air quality, thermal, and lighting conditions. [Work supported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Grant Number R835633.]
Exploring correlation between sound levels in active occupied classrooms and unoccupied classrooms
Authors: Brill Laura C. , Lee Joonhee , Wang Lily M.
Published: November 2016

A large-scale in-situ survey of environmental conditions, including acoustics, is being conducted in over 200 K-12 classrooms in multiple school districts by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Continuing analyses, conducted on logged acoustic sound levels collected seasonally over two occupied class days through Fall 2016, will be presented to determine how unoccupied noise levels are related to levels in the occupied active classroom. Do increased unoccupied noise levels correlate to increased occupied levels, and if so, to what degree? A number of methods are used to explore this relationship including spectral analyses of the logged data, further percentile level analyses, and linking the type of activity in the classroom more clearly to the logged sound levels. [Work supported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Grant Number R835633.]
Computing where ocean fluctuations affect the acoustic impulse response
Authors: Spiesberger John , Mikhin Dmitry
Published: November 2016

We compute accurate maps of oceanic fluctuations affecting transient acoustic signals propagating between a source and receiver. The technological advance involves coupling the One-Way Wave Equation (OWWE) propagation model with the theory for the Differential Measure of Influence (DMI). This theory uses two finite-frequency solutions of the linear acoustic wave equation: from source to receiver and vice versa. They must obey reciprocity. OWWE satisfies reciprocity with great accuracy even at basin-scales when the field of sound speed varies horizontally and vertically. At infinite frequency, maps of the DMI collapse into infinitely thin rays. Mapping the DMI is useful for understanding measurements of the amplitude and travel time changes of sound at finite frequencies. [Work supported by ONR contracts N00014-12-C0230 and N62909-12-1-7033.]
Real-time three-dimensional visualization of blood vessels and its condition, based on photoacoustic technology
Authors: Yagi Takayuki
Published: November 2016

In 2014, the Japanese Government created the new innovation funding program, called “ImPACT; Impulsing PAradigm Change through disruptive Technologies” and established in the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), the Cabinet Office. ImPACT consists of 16 programs and its period is for 5 years (JFY2014-2018). One of ImPACT is this program; Innovative Visualization Technology to Lead to Creation of a New Growth Industry. The goal of this program is to develop the technologies for real-time 3D photoacoustic imaging of blood vessels in the human body and the physical properties of substances, and then demonstrate the value of applications in medical, healthcare, and cosmetic fields. The configuration of the program consists of six projects: “Visualization and measurement technology,” “Tunable laser technology,” “Ultrasound sensor technology,” “Wide-field visualization system” and “Micro-visualization system” for the achievement of real-time 3D visualization, and “Demonstration of value”for demonstrating the value of applications. Six research institutions and six companies will work together for a common goal. I will present the targets and strategies of the program and show recent research results.
Photoacoustic imaging for ultrasound tissue characterization and treatment monitoring
Authors: Kolios Michael C.
Published: November 2016

Photoacoustic imaging relies on generation of ultrasound waves from optically absorbing structures. The ultrasound produced in photoacoustic imaging can be analyzed by methods developed to analyze ultrasound backscatter signals for ultrasound tissue characterization, but the interpretation of the analysis is based on the physics of photoacoustic wave generation. In the absence of exogenous absorbers, blood is one of the dominant optically absorbing tissues. Hemoglobin in red blood cells is the main endogenous chromophore in blood. The spatial distribution of red blood cells in tissue determines the spectral characteristics of the ultrasound signals produced. We are interested in cancer treatment monitoring. Tumor blood vessels have distinct organizational structure compared to normal blood vessels: normal vessel networks are hierarchically organized, with vessels that are evenly distributed to ensure adequate oxygen and nutrient delivery. Tumor vessels are structurally different: they are torturous and hyperpermeable. Therapies that target the vasculature can induce changes in the vascular networks that in principle should be detected using photoacoustic imaging. In this work, we will show how the frequency content of the photoacoustic signals encodes information about the size, concentration, and spatial distribution of non-resolvable blood vessels that can be used to assess treatment response.
Using wine glasses, strings, and bars to teach resonance at the undergraduate and graduate levels
Authors: Anderson Brian E.
Published: November 2016

At Brigham Young University, two of the acoustics courses taught in the Physics and Astronomy Department focus on resonance topics. One of the undergraduate courses is a general education, descriptive acoustics course on musical instruments, speech, hearing, and audio. One of the graduate level courses using a differential equations approach to wave motion and resonances on strings, bars, membranes, and plates. In both of these courses, taught at very different levels, the concept of resonance is explored and analyzed. This presentation will discuss various demonstrations used in these classrooms and discuss how they are used in the learning development of the students. Demonstrations include wine glasses, strings, and bars.
Comparison of acoustic education in the architecture departments between Turkey and different universities in the world
Authors: Kocyigit Filiz B. , Lokce Sevgi
Published: November 2016

The aim of this study is to determine the “when and what extent” do architectural acoustics is included in architecture curricula. Additionally, to find out the state of research facilities across academic institutions between Turkey and different countries including Architectural Acoustic. In Turkey, in many architecture programs do not include “Experiences of the Acoustics Laboratory or courses” and also education is not among the objectives of architectural acoustics for their future. On comparing of teaching activities, education objective is to allow professional figures to interpret, define, and govern the processes of maintenance and management with high quality checking in the life cycle of the built systems are researched. It seems that searching a new formation is being established in order to integrate with the EU standards such as European Credit Transfer and Accumulation system (ECTS) and many of the schools have revised their programs according to these new standards. As a consequence of this revision, duration and content of the courses are being re-handled. Curriculum of Architecture, course Group, Percentage of course are compared.
The role of cross-validation approaches in sound quality metric development
Authors: Fiebig André , Kamp Fabian
Published: November 2016

The sound of a product is an important feature influencing the perceived quality impression. Thus, product sound is deliberately designed to stand out against competitors. To determine meaningful design targets guaranteeing a perceived sound quality, jury tests are performed and sound quality metrics are developed. Ideally, by means of a developed sound quality metric, the prediction of perceived sound quality of comparable products is possible without the need for further jury testing. However, several aspects influence the reliability and validity of jurors’ ratings deteriorating the prediction accuracy of the derived sound quality metric. Moreover, if parameters of a sound quality metric are only estimated in a way to give a best fit with the rating data, the external validity of the metric is possibly reduced. In order to estimate the robustness of a sound quality metric and to avoid overfitting, cross-validation methods and different error measures should be considered. The paper will illustrate the impact of missing robustness analyses on the validity of sound quality metrics and how systematic approaches can be applied to improve the process of metric development. Moreover, general limitations and risks of sound quality metrics based on jury tests will be discussed.
Consideration of radiated sound quality for high-grade washing machine through paired comparison test
Authors: Yoshida Junji , Yamashita Rei , Yoshida Shota , Fujii Tomohiro , Hosokawa Akihiro
Published: November 2016

In this study, we conducted a sound quality evaluation test to obtain a guide realizing a radiated noise suitable for high-grade washing machines. Twelve sounds at spin drying of drum type washing machines were prepared for paired comparison experiments. Forty eight participants evaluated the presented sound quality about “noisiness,” “discomfort,” and “luxuriousness.” The results indicated that noisiness and discomfort had very high correlation between each other. In addition, loudness values calculated from the recorded sound pressure signal had very high linear relationship with them. On the other hand, evaluation result of luxuriousness showed a different tendency. The relationship between the calculated loudness value and luxuriousness score was high; however, the relationship was not linear but hyperbolic curve. When the loudness of the washing machine was over 10 sone, the luxury feeling of the radiated sound was rarely improved in spite of the loudness reduction. On the contrary, the luxuriousness was found to be expected to increase largely by the noise reduction when the loudness was less than 10 sone. Consequently, decreasing the loudness less than 10 sone was found to be important in any cases to realize a noise suitable for high-grade washing machine.
Controlling smartphone vibration and noise
Authors: Jang Inman , Park Taeyoung , Kim Donghyun , Woo Sangbeom , Ohm Won-Suk , Park Heungkil
Published: November 2016

Vibration of the internal electronics components and its transmission to the casing has been known as a source of noise radiation that degrades the call quality of a smartphone. Here, we expand upon our previous work [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 137, 2293 (2015)] that employed the nearfield acoustic holography (NAH) for characterization of the smartphone radiated noise. The NAH, when used in conjunction with a vibration model of the smartphone, is shown to be a powerful tool for controlling the smartphone vibration and noise at the initial design phase. The vibration model is largely based on the classical plate theory and yields concrete guidelines on how to reduce vibration and the subsequent noise. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated using some of the smartphones currently available on the market.
On-off intermittency in coupled chaotic thermoacoustic systems
Authors: Delage Rémi , Takayama Yusuke , Biwa Tetsushi
Published: November 2016

We present chaos-chaos synchronization in coupled thermally induced acoustic gas oscillation systems. By introducing a local cross-sectional change in a gas-filled tube subjected to a temperature gradient, chaotic oscillations are found to be achieved through the mode competition. The chaos-chaos synchronization is then obtained by connecting the two thermoacoustic oscillators via a rigid plate with an orifice. Theoretical statistical scaling laws regarding the laminar phases, spectral density, and amplitude probability distribution are found to be satisfied in the coupled thermoacoustic oscillators, as presented from the analysis of pressure fluctuations when the thermoacoustic chaos-chaos synchronization breaks down with the decreased orifice size.
Development of a prototype thermoacoustic refrigerator with coaxial geometry
Authors: Kakuda Ayumu , Sakamoto Shin-ichi , Watanabe Yoshiaki
Published: November 2016

The thermoacoustic system with coaxial geometry (coaxial-type) is discussed. The coaxial-type has high efficiency because it performs the energy conversion with the traveling wave mode as the same of the looped tube type thermoacoustic system (loop-tube-type). Additionally, the coaxial-type can be realized more downsizing in comparison with the loop-tube-type, and it is also expected to expand the practical use. In this report, the experimental studies of the coaxial-type refrigerator were carried out. A pair of stacks was placed in the experimental setup. Those stacks were employed as a prime mover and a heat pump. In the case of the loop-tube-type, those are usually placed symmetrically. However, it is not practical for the coaxial-type to place stacks symmetrically because of the difficulties for the taking off cold energy; therefore, both of stacks were placed in annular path. As a result, temperature decreases were confirmed, that is, amount of 5 decreases from room temperature were observed at the cooling point of a heat pump. It is thought that the energy conversion with the traveling wave mode is occurring in stacks. These results show that the coaxial-type can be possible to become a new design to take the place of the loop-tube-type.
Comparison of localization performance with individualized and non-individualized head-related transfer functions for dynamic listeners
Authors: Mehra Ravish , Nicholls Aaron , Begault Durand , Zannoli Marina
Published: November 2016

The head-related transfer function (HRTF) depends on head, torso, and ear geometry of an individual and typically measured in an anechoic chamber using an HRTF measurement apparatus. This is referred to as the individualized HRTF. In many applications, an HRTF corresponding to an average human head is measured on dummy also called genericHRTFs. Prior research has shown that personalized HRTF gives significantly better performance over the generic HRTF for a static listener. However, these studies were limited to only static listeners where the listener’s head is fixed during stimuli presentation. In case of dynamic listeners, the head motion enables the listeners to perceive additional spectral cues resulting due to head motion. In the present study, we compare the performance of personalized vs. generic HRTFs for a dynamic listener. We quantify the localization performance of each listener with both individualized and non-individualized HRTFs (virtual conditions) and compare it against their ground truth localization performance. Our data reveals the benefits of personalized HRTF over the generic HRTF for dynamic listeners in virtual environments.
A dipole model for estimating frequency versus elevation-angle trajectory of the first spectral notch of head-related transfer functions in the median plane
Authors: Takemoto Hironori , Mokhtari Parham , Kato Hiroaki , Nishimura Ryouichi , Iida Kazuhiro
Published: November 2016

The first (lowest) spectral notch (N1) of head-related transfer functions is known as a cue for sound localization in the median plane. This may be due to the fact that N1 frequency gradually increases as the sound source approaches the direction above the head. The mechanism of this phenomenon, however, is still unclear. To clarify the mechanism, using finite-difference time-domain simulation, the normalized pressure amplitude patterns were visualized around the head for 12 subjects when the analysis field was excited at various frequencies from a point just outside the blocked meatus. As a result, strong radiations with different phases occurred in the upper and lower directions, while in the intermediate narrow zone, the pressure amplitude became minimum. This zone corresponded to N1 and bent upward with increasing excitation frequency. These facts implied that the two radiated sound waves canceled each other in the zone, where the path difference amounted to a phase difference of half a wavelength. Thus, the shape of the intermediate zone could be modeled by a hyperboloid whose foci were two hypothetical points on the pinna. The model could roughly estimate, for each individual, the frequency versus elevation-angle trajectory of N1 in the median plane.
On a fire extinguisher using sound winds
Authors: Bae Myungjin , Yi EunYoung
Published: November 2016

Sound fire extinguisher is developed based on principle of quenching fire by lowering its temperature with contacting vibration energy from low frequency sound under 100 Hz to fire and then blocking inflow of oxygen with a sound wind. The one researched by American students are at very basic level to be commercialized. It concentrates a sound beam through special sound winds and increases sound energy performance 10 times more to put out the fire. This is because it utilizes basic theory of making sound and as sound has a tendency of dispersing, big sound and energy have to be created to extinguish fire. That is, even if 100 W is produced, it just makes a big noise but only 1/10 of it can be used for putting out fire. This special sound winds has convex shape which concentrates all the sound into one place to increase effectiveness by more than 10 times. Even 1~2 m away, initial control can be done. As a result, size of battery as well as amplifier can be made small to have minimized size and weight, making it more practical.
Analysis of driver workload when using speech interfaces
Authors: Hayashi Daiki , Miyajima Chiyomi , Takeda Kazuya
Published: November 2016

Speech interfaces are useful for improving the accessibility of in-vehicle devices as they are considered to be less distracting than visual interfaces. However, there is still considerable cognitive demand when using a speech interface, which may increase the chance of a traffic accident. This study investigates driver workload induced by various tasks, including a speech interface used for music retrieval. Driving data were collected from 523 drivers operating an instrumented vehicle on urban streets and highways. The drivers were given each of the following secondary tasks while driving: a) repeating random strings of four letters they heard through an earphone, b) interacting with a spoken dialogue system to retrieve and play music, c) being directed to an unfamiliar place by a human navigator on a cell phone, and d) reading aloud words seen on signboards while driving. After driving, each driver subjectively rated the induced workload for each secondary task from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Analysis of the results of their subjective evaluations showed that talking to a navigator on a cell phone resulted in the lowest average workload (about 1.6), which was almost the same as the driving without any secondary task. Repeating random strings of four letters and retrieving music using a speech interface produced the highest average workload (about 2.5).
Speech analysis-synthesis system using principal components of vowel spectra
Authors: Takara Tomio , Higa Akichika , Kaneshiro Syouki , Oshiro Yuuya
Published: November 2016

We have studied an effective method using principal components spanning a feature space of isolated vowels. A covariance matrix is calculated from many log-amplitude spectra of isolated vowels uttered by a speaker. An eigen equation of the covariance matrix is solved. The resulting eigenvectors are called principal vectors. In the analysis system, log-amplitude spectrum for each frame of a word uttered by the same speaker is transformed to the components on the principal vectors. In the synthesis system, a log-amplitude spectrum is reconstructed using the components on the principal vectors with the largest eigenvalues and the spoken word is synthesized using the LMA filter. We draw the distribution chart of the first and the second principal components extracted from Japanese vowel data. This figure was very similar to the F1—F2 distribution of vowels and so to the vowel classification map in coordinate axes of the degree of constriction and the tongue hump position. The Listening tests showed that the quality of the word with only 7 parameters per frame synthesized by the proposed method was comparable to the word with 9 to 12 parameters by the cepstral method. Consequently, the effectiveness of the proposed method was shown.
Improved ETSI advanced front-end for automatic speech recognition using quadrature mirror filter synthesis based on robust complex speech analysis
Authors: Higa Keita , Funaki Keiichi
Published: November 2016

An automatic speech recognition (ASR) is commonly used in these days. Current ASR systems perform well in ideal environment; however, it does not perform well in realistic noisy environment. As a robust ASR, ETSI has standardized Advanced Front-End (AFE) that adopts two-stage of iterative Wiener filter (IWF) to realize a speech enhancement as the front-end of ASR. In the ETSI AFE, 16 kHz speech is divided uniformly by QMF (Quadrature Mirror Filter) into lower-band and higher-band signal and only lower-band signal is emphasized by the IWF and MFCC (Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient) is extracted from both the second-stage of emphasized lower-band signal and non-emphasized higher-band signal. FFT is used to estimate speech spectrum that designs the Wiener filter. On the other hand, we have already proposed robust complex speech analysis for an analytic signal. It can estimate more robust and more accurate speech spectrum due to the introduced robust criterion and nature of analytic signal. This paper proposes an improved AFE using wide-band robust ELS (Extended Least Square) complex analysis and real-valued analysis instead of FFT. Moreover, the QMF synthesis is also introduced for second-stage of wide-band analysis. The experimental results using the CENSREC-2 speech database demonstrate that the performance is improved.