bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nurses’ attitudes, beliefs and practices on sexuality for cardiovascular care: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wang Panpan , Ai Jiansai , Davidson Patricia M. , Slater Tammy , Du Ruofei , Chen Changying
Published: October 2018

Aims and objectives

To describe nurses’ attitudes, beliefs, and practices regarding sexuality care for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Background

Limited sexual activity is common among patients with cardiovascular disease, yet assessment of sexuality and counselling is frequently not undertaken by nurses.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

This study recruited 268 cardiac nurses from seven tertiary hospitals in five cities of Henan province. The Sexual Attitudes and Beliefs Survey, along with investigator‐developed questions regarding practices and perceived barriers, was administered to the nurses. The STROBE checklist was used to ensure quality reporting during this observational study (see Supporting Information Data S1).

Results

The average age of nurses who participated was 31.81 years (SD = 7.41). The average score of Sexual Attitudes and Beliefs Survey was 47.72 (SD = 7.40), indicating moderate attitudinal barriers for nurses to discuss sexual activities with patients. Most nurses (91%) perceived that sexuality was too private to discuss with patients. Only 20% of nurses expressed that they would provide time to discuss sexual concerns with patients. Eighty per cent of nurses revealed that they felt uncomfortable discussing sexuality; moreover, they believed that hospitalised patients were too sick to be engaged in these types of conversations. Additionally, almost 85% of nurses conveyed that they have never conducted discussions regarding sexuality care in patients with cardiovascular disease. The most frequently reported perceived barriers preventing nurses from discussing sexual concerns included fear of offending patients (77.2%), uncertainty of how to communicate with patients (69.4%), feelings of embarrassment (67.5%), lack of safe and private environments (61.9%) and lack of knowledge (54.9%).

Conclusion

Nurses in this cross‐sectional sample rarely discussed sexual concerns with their patients. There were several key barriers identified by nurses regarding providing sexuality care, including personal attitudes and beliefs, limited skills and knowledge, culture and organizational‐related barriers.

Relevance to clinical practice

Targeted training for nurses and creating a culturally safe environment is recommended to improve management of sexuality in patients with CVD.
Neurofibroma of the ulnar nerve in the carpal canal in a dog: treatment by marginal neurectomy
Authors: Basa R. M. , Crowley A. M. , Johnson K. A.
Published: October 2018

Peripheral nerve sheath tumours arising in the plexus or peripheral nerves can be treated by limb amputation. There are few reports of these tumours affecting peripheral nerves in the distal regions of the limbs. Here we describe a case of neurofibroma affecting the palmar branch of the ulnar nerve in an Irish setter. Surgical treatment in the region of the carpus by ulnar neurectomy resulted in resolution of chronic thoracic limb lameness. At 11 months following the surgery, clinical examination and MRI did not detect any evidence of recurrence. Neurectomy may be a feasible option for management of selected cases of distally located peripheral nerve sheath tumours.
The Role of Nominee Gender and Race at U.S. Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings
Authors: Boyd Christina L. , Collins Paul M. , Ringhand Lori A.
Published: October 2018

We investigate an unexplored aspect of the U.S. Supreme Court confirmation process: whether questioning senators treat female and minority nominees differently from male and white nominees. Applying out-group theory, we argue that senators will ask female and minority nominees more questions about their “judicial philosophies” in an effort to determine their competence to serve on the Court. This out-group bias is likely to be exacerbated for nominees not sharing the senator's political party. Our results do not support racial differences, but they do provide strong evidence that female nominees receive more judicial philosophy-related questions from male senators. This effect is enhanced when the female nominee does not share the partisan affiliation of the questioning senator. Together, these findings indicate that female nominees undergo a substantively different confirmation process than male nominees. We further find that this effect may be most intense with nominees like Justice Sotomayor, whose identities align with more than one out-group.
After Heidegger and Marion: The Task of Christian Metaphysics Today
Authors: Betz John R.
Published: October 2018

Without denying legitimate criticisms of metaphysics that have been made since the time of the Reformation, the purpose of this essay is to challenge prevailing assumptions in continental philosophy and theology since Heidegger that the age of metaphysics is now over and should be replaced as “first philosophy” either by some version of phenomenology, such as that offered by Jean‐Luc Marion, or by a pragmatic linguistic approach in the spirit of Wittgenstein, such as that offered by Kevin Hector. Notwithstanding the genuine merits of their proposals and concerns, it is argued here that metaphysics is not so easily dismissed, and that there is, in fact, a way to do metaphysics otherwise – a way that was taken by Erich Przywara, whose analogical metaphysics is characterized not only by an analogy between God and creation, the analogia entis, but also by an analogy between philosophical and theological metaphysics. In this, form, it is argued, not only is metaphysics impervious to the standard criticisms of “onto‐theology,” it also turns out to be, at its core, nothing other than a Christological metaphysics.
Iliopsoas hematoma as a complication of tetanus
Authors: Ishii Nobuyuki , Mochizuki Hitoshi , Shiomi Kazutaka , Nakazato Masamitsu
Published: October 2018

Background

Iliopsoas hematoma is a rare but serious bleeding event that occurs during anticoagulation therapy. Due to lack of previous reports of clinical data, incidence and characteristics of iliopsoas hematoma during tetanus management, including anticoagulation prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism, remain unclear.

Aim

To evaluate the incidence of iliopsoas hematoma in tetanus and identify clinical factors that would help in its detection.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a retrospective descriptive study and evaluated the clinical courses of patients with iliopsoas hematoma as a case series. Patient data were collected by reviewing medical charts.

Results

Among 21 patients, four (19%) developed iliopsoas hematoma during the clinical course of tetanus. A case series of these four patients revealed that all had progressive anemia; furthermore, D‐dimer levels continued increasing or did not decrease in these patients despite them receiving anticoagulation therapy.

Conclusion

The incidence of tetanus‐related iliopsoas hematoma was higher than that of anticoagulation‐related iliopsoas hematoma. Therefore, clinicians should carefully consider the indication of prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in patients with tetanus. Progressive anemia and increased D‐dimer level may indicate iliopsoas hematoma in patients with tetanus.
Pitfalls in the diagnosis and management of Kawasaki disease: An update for the pediatric dermatologist
Authors: Vervoort Dominique , Donné Marieke , Van Gysel Dirk
Published: October 2018

Kawasaki disease is easily diagnosed when it presents in its complete form, but because not all characteristic symptoms are always present at the same time, and the diagnosis of incomplete and atypical Kawasaki disease is often challenging, a delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis often occurs. We present the diagnostic approach to Kawasaki disease with common pitfalls and explain how to avoid them. We also describe current practice and new trends in treatment.
Usefulness of the skin biopsy as a tool in the diagnosis of silvery hair syndrome
Authors: Ridaura‐Sanz Cecilia , Durán‐McKinster Carola , Ruiz‐Maldonado Ramón
Published: October 2018

Background/Objectives

Silvery hair syndrome is a rare, autosomal‐recessive entity characterized by silvery gray hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes and may be associated or not with immunologic or neurologic alterations. Two main types have been recognized: Chediak‐Higashi syndrome and Griscelli syndrome. Hair shaft examination under light microscopy has been a useful tool to differentiate Chediak‐Higashi syndrome from Griscelli syndrome, although distribution of melanin varies according to hair color related to ethnicity. The objective was to compare the pattern of melanin in the skin and with the pattern of melanin distribution in the hair shaft.

Methods

Sixteen patients with silvery hair syndrome were selected (Chediak‐Higashi syndrome 5, Griscelli syndrome 11). The distribution of melanin granules in skin and hair shafts was compared and correlated with clinical diagnoses.

Results

Chediak‐Higashi syndrome was characterized by small granules of melanin uniformly distributed throughout the thickness of the epidermis. Griscelli syndrome was characterized by an irregular pigment distribution in the epidermal basal layer with large and dense granules alternating with areas lacking melanin pigment. In two cases, study of the hair was not conclusive, but the skin showed the characteristic pattern of Griscelli syndrome.

Conclusion

Skin biopsy is a useful tool in differentiating Chediak‐Higashi syndrome from Griscelli syndrome and as a complementary study in cases in which hair shaft pigment distribution does not support the diagnosis, especially in patients with fair hair. The distribution of melanin granules in the skin correlates with that observed in the hair shaft, allowing Chediak‐Higashi syndrome to be differentiated from Griscelli syndrome, at any age.
Infective dermatitis associated with HTLV‐1 infection in a girl from Trinidad: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Weiler Nicole , Mayer Erick F. , Kazlouskaya Viktoryia , Bamgbola Oluwatoyin F. , Banniettis Natalie , Heilman Edward , Glick Sharon A.
Published: October 2018

Infective dermatitis (ID) associated with Human T‐cell leukemia virus type‐1 (HTLV‐1) is a rare form of severe superinfected eczema seen mostly in the Caribbean islands and Latin America. Although rapid response to antibiotic treatment is observed, patients should be monitored for development of complications associated with this retroviral infection, including T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV‐1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Infective dermatitis is rarely seen in the United States and therefore may be under‐recognized by physicians unfamiliar with this condition. Herein, we present an additional case report of an ID associated with HTLV‐1 in an 11‐year‐old girl from Trinidad.
Application of Dirofilaria immitis immunoreactive proteins in serodiagnosis
Authors: Khanmohammadi Majid , Falak Reza , Meamar Ahmad Reza , Razmjou Elham , Mokhtarian Kobra , Arshadi Mehdi , Shayanfar Nasrin , Akhlaghi Lame
Published: October 2018

Dirofilariasis is a zoonotic global vector‐borne disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis. The present study focuses on the somatic and excretory/secretory (E/S) proteins released from adult D. immitis. We aimed to fractionate and identify adult D. immitis immunoreactive proteins. Somatic and E/S extracts were immunoblotted to identify the immunoreactive proteins. In the current study, we used matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF/MS) to characterize the immunogenic proteins. Additionally, we used fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) to fractionate and evaluate the immunogenicity of the D. immitis secretome. The most immunoreactive proteins were between 10 and 48 kDa. Six proteins including polyprotein antigen, P22u, pepsin inhibitor Dit33, neutrophil chemotactic factor (DiNCF) precursor, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and heat‐shock protein 70 (HSP70) were found in both somatic and E/S extracts. Eluting the FPLC column with NaCl resolved two peaks in which the immunoreactivities of the purified proteins were conserved. Characterization of these proteins could provide a novel perspective for understanding the pathogenesis and diagnosing of this disease.
The Role of Pilot Projects in Urban Climate Change Policy Innovation
Authors: Hughes Sara , Yordi Samer , Besco Laurel
Published: October 2018

Cities are taking a leadership role in addressing global climate change and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but policy innovations are needed to help cities move from goals to outcomes. Pilot projects are one means by which cities are experimenting with new ways of governing and financing climate change mitigation. In this paper, we develop a framework for understanding the role of pilot projects in urban policy innovation: their emergence and rationale, and the means by which they ultimately scale up and out to reduce GHG emissions. We use this framework to evaluate a pilot project for retrofitting social housing buildings in Toronto. We find the initial pilot project helped address the challenges of pursuing deep retrofits of social housing. Scaling these lessons up to the city level required overcoming challenges to financing and coordinating a larger project; scaling out to the provincial level revealed institutional and political obstacles to pursuing the co‐benefits of deep building retrofits in social housing. Bridging agents play an important role in both scaling processes. The analysis reveals the additive nature of urban policy innovation and the dynamic interplay of change agents and institutional and political context in innovation processes.
Income inequality among minority farmers in China: Does social capital have a role?
Authors: Liu Lin , Paudel Krishna P. , Li Guanghao , Lei Ming
Published: October 2018

We used recently available household panel data collected by China's National Bureau of Statistics to examine the effects of natural, human, material, and social capital on income inequality among minority farmers in China's Xinjiang Province between 2011 and 2012. Results obtained from panel quantile regression and correlated random effects’ models show that income inequality and the poverty of ethnic farmers have been decreasing to some extent. Results also indicated that human capital exacerbates income inequality among the minorities, whereas the effect of natural capital on income inequality is not evident. Social and material capital reduce income inequality among ethnic minorities. Results from the decomposition of the Gini coefficient indicate that material and social capital contribute to a substantial majority of the income inequality in the region.
Cambrian wave‐dominated tidal‐flat deposits, central Wisconsin, USA
Authors: MacNaughton Robert B. , Hagadorn James W. , Dott Robert H.
Published: October 2018

In central Wisconsin, Cambrian strata of the Elk Mound Group record deposition on open‐coast, wave‐dominated tidal flats. Mature, medium‐grained quartz arenite is dominated by parallel‐bedding with upper‐flow regime parallel‐lamination, deposited during high‐energy storms that also produced three‐dimensional bedforms on the flats. Abundant wave ripples were produced as storms waned or during fair weather, in water depths ≤2 m. Indicators of variably shallow water (washout structures and stranded cnidarian medusae) and subaerial exposure (adhesion marks, rain‐drop impressions and desiccation cracks, including cracked medusae) are abundant. Parallel‐bedded facies preserve a Cruziana ichnofacies, similar to other Cambrian tidal‐flat deposits. Flats were dissected by small, mainly straight channels, the floors of which were grazed intensely by molluscs. Most channels were ephemeral but some developed low levées, point bars and cut‐banks, probably reflecting stabilization by abundant microbial mats and biofilms. Channels were filled with trough cross‐bedding that is interpreted to have been produced mainly during storm runoff. The strata resemble deposits of open‐coast, wave‐dominated tidal flats on the east coast of India and west coast of Korea. Ancient wave‐dominated and open‐coast tidal flats documented to date appear to have been limited to mud‐rich strata with ‘classic’ tidal indicators such as flaser bedding and tidal bundles. The Cambrian (Miaolingian to early Furongian) Elk Mound Group demonstrates that sandy, wave‐dominated tidal flats also can be recognized in the stratigraphic record.
Poitou–Tate duality for arithmetic schemes
Authors: Geisser Thomas H. , Schmidt Alexander
Published: October 2018

We give a generalization of Poitou–Tate duality to schemes of finite type over rings of integers of global fields.
Line arrangements and configurations of points with an unexpected geometric property
Authors: Cook D. , Harbourne B. , Migliore J. , Nagel U.
Published: October 2018

We propose here a generalization of the problem addressed by the SHGH conjecture. The SHGH conjecture posits a solution to the question of how many conditions a general union$X$of fat points imposes on the complete linear system of curves in$\mathbb{P}^{2}$of fixed degree$d$, in terms of the occurrence of certain rational curves in the base locus of the linear subsystem defined by$X$. As a first step towards a new theory, we show that rational curves play a similar role in a special case of a generalized problem, which asks how many conditions are imposed by a general union of fat points on linear subsystems defined by imposed base points. Moreover, motivated by work of Di Gennaro, Ilardi and Vallès and of Faenzi and Vallès, we relate our results to the failure of a strong Lefschetz property, and we give a Lefschetz-like criterion for Terao’s conjecture on the freeness of line arrangements.
Counting fundamental solutions to the Pell equation with prescribed size
Authors: Xi Ping
Published: October 2018

The cardinality of the set of $D\leqslant x$ for which the fundamental solution of the Pell equation $t^{2}-Du^{2}=1$ is less than $D^{1/2+\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}}$ with $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}\in [\frac{1}{2},1]$ is studied and certain lower bounds are obtained, improving previous results of Fouvry by introducing the $q$-analogue of van der Corput method to algebraic exponential sums with smooth moduli.
Oxytocin can regulate myometrial smooth muscle excitability by inhibiting the Na+‐activated K+ channel, Slo2.1
Authors: Ferreira Juan J. , Butler Alice , Stewart Richard , Gonzalez‐Cota Ana Laura , Lybaert Pascale , Amazu Chinwendu , Reinl Erin L. , Wakle‐Prabagaran Monali , Salkoff Lawrence , England Sarah K. , Santi Celia M.
Published: October 2018

Key points

At the end of pregnancy, the uterus transitions from a quiescent state to a highly contractile state. This transition requires that the uterine (myometrial) smooth muscle cells increase their excitability, although how this occurs is not fully understood.

We identified SLO2.1, a potassium channel previously unknown in uterine smooth muscle, as a potential significant contributor to the electrical excitability of myometrial smooth muscle cells.

We found that activity of the SLO2.1 channel is negatively regulated by oxytocin via Gαq‐protein‐coupled receptor activation of protein kinase C. This results in depolarization of the uterine smooth muscle cells and calcium entry, which may contribute to uterine contraction.

These findings provide novel insights into a previously unknown mechanism by which oxytocin may act to modulate myometrial smooth muscle cell excitability. Our findings also reveal a new potential pharmacological target for modulating uterine excitability.

During pregnancy, the uterus transitions from a quiescent state to a more excitable contractile state. This is considered to be at least partly a result of changes in the myometrial smooth muscle cell (MSMC) resting membrane potential. However, the ion channels controlling the myometrial resting membrane potential and the mechanism of transition to a more excitable state have not been fully clarified. In the present study, we show that the sodium‐activated, high‐conductance, potassium leak channel, SLO2.1, is expressed and active at the resting membrane potential in MSMCs. Additionally, we report that SLO2.1 is inhibited by oxytocin binding to the oxytocin receptor. Inhibition of SLO2.1 leads to membrane depolarization and activation of voltage‐dependent calcium channels, resulting in calcium influx. The results of the present study reveal that oxytocin may modulate MSMC electrical activity by inhibiting SLO2.1 potassium channels.
Acoustics comfort in buildings in Hong Kong, Macao, and the Greater Bay Area of China
Authors: To W. M. , Chung Andy
Published: October 2018

There have been various assessment standards on green and sustainable buildings to promote the better use of resources following a holistic approach. As one of the major sources of complaints, noise is an essential element in these schemes. More and more smart use of materials and design embedded is seen. This paper reviews the role of sound and acoustics in the whole life cycle for a building—from planning, design to construction, and operation. A review on the latest trends and way forward will also be given.
Validity of the frozen-surface approximation for large time-bandwidth signals
Authors: Hines Paul C. , Abraham Douglas A. , Murphy Stefan , Siderius Martin
Published: October 2018

The physical modeling of underwater acoustic propagation, scattering, and reflection, and the signal processing associated with these processes, usually rely on the frozen-surface approximation. This longstanding approximation, which dates back to Carl Eckart’s seminal paper (The Scattering of Sound from the Sea Surface, 1953) assumes that the ocean surface can be modeled as being frozen in time throughout the entire pulse duration. The approximation is valid for short-duration pulses typically used by sonars in the decades following that paper; however, its applicability to present-day high duty cycle sonars is questionable. Although the assumption is based on the physics of the problem, it can have a profound effect on the signal processing, especially for large time-bandwidth signals. In this paper some experimental results will be presented to provide examples of how the approximation fails for a long duration, wideband pulse. Using this as motivation, the authors will explore some areas where incorrectly employing the approximation can introduce errors in the expected signal processing gain. While no attempt will be made to correct shortcomings in the approximation, it is hoped that the discussion may motivate renewed interest in this issue. Funding from ONR and ONR Global is gratefully acknowledged.
Case study: Acoustic tuning of the new DePaul University School of Music Concert Hall
Authors: Corry Brian , Hough Ian
Published: October 2018

The Holtschneider Performance Center in Chicago packs an enormous program onto a limited urban site. The largest of the four performance halls in this new home for DePaul University's School of Music is the 535-seat Concert Hall. In response to a limited footprint and a broad program of performance types, Kirkegaard devised a simple but innovative acoustical approach to the room. A single massive plaster cloud hovers in the center of the hall, supporting onstage communication and providing first reflections to the audience. The large gap between the cloud and the perimeter walls integrates the extensive volume above the ceiling with the main volume of the hall. Extensive banners above the cloud are intended to “turn off” the upper volume, effectively converting the hall from a concert hall to a recital hall. More conventional curtains and banners below the cloud allow further fine tuning of the room's acoustics. The Concert Hall is well isolated acoustically from the rest of the 3 storey music building and exterior city noise by 18” thick concrete walls, concrete roof, and a continuous structural acoustic isolation joint.
Glass sponge reef soundscapes
Authors: Archer Stephanie K. , Halliday William D. , Riera Amalis , Mouy Xavier , Pine Matthew , Dunham Anya , Juanes Francis
Published: October 2018

Many structured biogenic habitats are biodiversity hotspots and thus possess unique soundscapes largely driven by the biophony. To date, the vast majority of research has focused on shallow-water biogenic habitats such as coral or oyster reefs. Glass sponge reefs are a deep-water habitat analogous in many ways to shallow-water coral reefs. These reefs are built by three species of hexactinellid sponges which form complex 3-dimensional habitats that support diverse communities of animals. Many soniferous animals, including rockfish, are strongly associated with patches of live-sponge dominated habitat within the reef foot-print. Consequently, we hypothesized that glass sponge reefs and the communities they support would generate unique soundscapes. Beginning in September of 2016, we deployed a series of underwater acoustic recorders on sponge reefs throughout Canada’s Pacific continental shelf. Initial results show that recorders located on sponge reefs were significantly louder in the mid- and high-frequency bands (100–1000 Hz and 1–10 kHz, respectively). Additionally, many fish calls were detected in recordings from within sponge reefs, while few fish calls were observed at similar depths in off-reef habitats. We will discuss our understanding of the link between soundscapes and biodiversity in glass sponge reef habitats and the potential application of ecosystem-level monitoring.
Describing new fish sounds from the northeast Pacific: A quantitative approach
Authors: Riera Amalis , Rountree Rodney A. , Juanes Francis
Published: October 2018

In order to identify fish sounds in British Columbia soundscapes, we need catalogues of validated fish sounds from Pacific species. These catalogues will help in comparing validated examples to unknown sounds found in long-term autonomous recordings. In addition, it is important that the sounds be described quantitatively for accurate identification and comparison. Our goal is to contribute to building such catalogues and to fill knowledge gaps in fish acoustic behaviour to support studies on the impact of anthropogenic noise on Pacific fishes. Since distinguishing sound sources in the ocean is extremely difficult, we are collaborating with aquaria, marine science centers and ocean-based aquaculture facilities to monitor, audition and record the acoustic behaviour of captive and semi-captive fish species. To date, we have acquired over 3,000 hours of recordings in these conditions. Sounds that we have already validated include Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus), and grunt sculpin (Rhamphocottus richardsonii) vocalizations. Here, we will present a description of these newly validated sounds.
Results from the "Arctic ocean under melting ice" acoustic thermometry experiment
Authors: Storheim Espen , Sagen Hanne , Dzieciuch Matthew , Worcester Peter F. , Falck Eva , Geyer Florian
Published: October 2018

The Fram Strait is the main gateway for heat exchange between the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, hence estimating the heat transport is important to understand the on-going climate change. An acoustic system for acoustic thermometry was developed under the ACOBAR project. Results from this experiment showed that it was important to monitor the heat content in the north-going West-Spitzbergen current and the south-going East-Greenland current separately. Additionally, the complex oceanographic conditions in this region make it difficult to separate the different arrivals of the acoustic signals in the time domain. The UNDER-ICE experiment, funded by the Research Council of Norway, is the third acoustic thermometry experiment carried out by NERSC in the Fram Strait. Five moorings were deployed from 2014 to 2016, monitoring the north-going and the south-going currents separately. Transmissions were made every third hour for two years along 8 transects, and two moorings were augmented with additional oceanographic sensors. Results from the processing and analysis of the acoustic data are presented, including time series of the depth-range average temperature along the different transects. Oceanographic measurements and a comparison between acoustic observations and modeling results are also presented.
Using a regional ocean model to understand the structure and sampling variability of acoustic tomography arrivals in Fram Strait
Authors: Geyer Florian , Sagen Hanne , Cornuelle Bruce
Published: October 2018

A regional ocean model for Fram Strait allows to understand the variability and structure of acoustic tomography arrivals. The eddy-permitting model (52 vertical layers and 4.5 km horizontal resolution) was evaluated using long-term moored hydrography data and time series of depth-range averaged temperature obtained from the inversion of acoustic tomography measurements. Geometric ray modelling on the ocean model fields reproduces the measured arrival structure of the acoustic tomography experiment. The combination of ocean and acoustic model gives insights into acoustic propagation during winter and spring. Overlapping arrivals coming from different vertical angles can be resolved and explained. The overlapping arrival of sound channel rays and bottom-reflected rays has implications for the inversion of tomography data in Fram Strait. The increased knowledge about the ray-length variations of bottom-reflected rays is valuable information for choosing appropriate observation kernels for the data assimilation of acoustic tomography data in Fram Strait.
Multipath arrival tracking for marine vehicles utilizing pattern recognition
Authors: Fouquette Jordan , Schmidt Henrik
Published: October 2018

In recent years, interest in the Arctic Region has been steadily growing as it has become more accessible due to continued ice recession. Extreme temperatures and significant ice cover have created a unique and challenging acoustic environment. At increased distances, individual ray path data become inconsistent due to improper ray path identification and fading. Through the use of pattern recognition, a multipath arrival tracking algorithm was developed to utilize the unique characteristics associated with each individual ray path for long range tracking purposes. This tracking algorithm analyzes the amplitude and arrival time patterns amongst all individual ray paths in order to accurately identify each ray path as scattering and fading occurs, thereby increasing range-tracking capabilities. This becomes especially useful in the Arctic Region as contacts of interest can be tracked regardless of their position above, below, or within the Beaufort Duct—a sound duct from 100 to 200 m depth. Simulations covering the numerous depth combinations of sources and receivers with respect to the Beaufort Duct highlight the effectiveness that is presented by utilizing multipath arrival data. The developed algorithm takes advantage of these unique patterns in order to provide a tracking capability for marine vehicles to employ. [Work supported by ONR.]
Needle hydrophone transfer function model for characterizing therapeutic transducers
Authors: Wear Keith A. , Liu Yunbo
Published: October 2018

A rigid piston model has been developed to predict needle hydrophone transfer functions. The model predicts that “effective” sensitive element diameter depends on the frequency and can exceed geometrical sensitive element diameter by a factor of up to 2.25. The model predicts harmonic distortion for hydrophone measurements of focused pressure waves, which were modeled using nonlinear plane wave theory for spectral characteristics and Gaussian radial pressure distributions. The pressure wave model was validated by comparing to hydrophone (sensitive element diameter: 85 microns) measurements performed in focal planes of source transducers (3.5 MHz, 64 mm diameter, 89 mm focus and 5 MHz, 19 mm diameter, 38 mm focus). Root mean squared difference (RMSD) between the model fit and measured relative strengths of the first four harmonics was 9% (3.5 MHz transducer) and 11% (5 MHz transducer) where Blackstock’s sigma parameter (JASA, 39, 1019–1026, 1966), which measures extent of nonlinearity, was optimized to fit the data. RMSD between model and measured half width half maxima was 10 ± 5%. Tone bursts from each transducer were measured using needle hydrophones (sensitive element diameters: 200, 400, 600, and 1000 microns). RMSD between model and measured harmonic distortion was 12 ± 4% for the first four harmonics.
Imaging aeroacoustic sources in a wind-tunnel with a massive array of MEMS microphones
Authors: Zhou Yinshi , Valeau Vincent , Marchal Jacques , Marchiano Régis , ollivier françois
Published: October 2018

This presentation deals with the identification of aeroacoustic sources in the open section of an anechoic wind-tunnel by using a three-dimensional (3D) array of 256 microphones. The antenna is made of three perpendicular planar arrays enclosing the test-section, and the microphones are digital MEMS microphones. The data processing is based on the beamforming technique associated with a deconvolution method (CLEAN) developed in 3D to improve the spatial resolution. Some preliminary tests with a well-controlled artificial source validate the set-up and the calibration procedure. Some measurements are carried out with aeroacoustic sources generated by the interaction of obstacles with the wind-tunnel flow. The academic case of a cylinder emitting aeolian tones is first considered. A more complex case is then considered with a symmetric wall-mounted NACA airfoil. The different sources (trailing edge noise, tip noise, and junction noise) are successfully identified in a 3D volume in terms of position. The study demonstrates that aeroacoustic source identification is achievable in three dimensions by using a massive array of very cheap MEMS microphones when associated to appropriate data processing techniques.
A study on sudden unintended acceleration estimation engine sounds by vehicle type
Authors: Song Uk-Jin , Bae Seonggeon , Bae Myungjin
Published: October 2018

A car is one of the road transport that carries the passenger or freight by transmitting power generated by the engine to the wheel. The automobile has been continuously developed up to modern, so that the power can be transmitted to the wheel with higher efficiency. Recently, however, an accident involving the suspicion of mechanical defect has occurred through the electronicization of internal parts of automobiles. One of them is estimated to be a sudden unintended acceleration. A sudden unintended acceleration is a phenomenon in which the rpm of the engine rises rapidly regardless of the intention of the driver, resulting in a rapid acceleration of the vehicle speed. Accidents involving automobiles are decreasing due to various efforts to reduce the incidence rates, but accidents with the sudden unintended acceleration are on the rise. Therefore, in this paper, we want to analyze the "engine sounds of accidents claiming sudden unintended acceleration" obtained by a black box by the vehicle type.
Laser optical measurement of acoustic phenomena in the near field of a supersonic jet using 2-D position sensitive detector
Authors: Okamoto Koji , Fukatsu Kazuya , Akamine Masahito , Teramoto Susumu
Published: October 2018

Acoustic measurement close to noise sources is significant to understand the generation mechanisms of jet noise. Microphones are generally used for the acoustic measurement, but they may disturb the flow and acoustic fields when they are used in the near field of a jet. In this study, an optical measurement method using a laser and 2-D position sensitive detector (PSD) is proposed for the acoustic measurement in the near field. In this method, 2-D PSD detects the angle and direction of the refraction of the laser path by acoustic wave passing, so that the propagating direction, as well as the acoustic intensity, is expected to be measured by this method. To discuss its validity, this method was applied to the acoustic measurement of a correctly expanded supersonic jet. In this experiment, microphone measurement was also carried out simultaneously, and cross correlation between the signals of these two measurements is discussed. Also, the measured spectra and propagating directions for different frequencies are compared with those of the acoustic intensity vector measurement.
Comparison between predicted and measured Stevens perceived level of sonic booms for community response testing
Authors: Doebler William
Published: October 2018

In 2011, NASA conducted a flight test to study community response and perception of low amplitude sonic booms in the Waveforms and Sonic Boom Perception and Response (WSPR) experiment. Several noise monitors were placed in a 1.6 sq. km area to record the booms. In future sonic boom community response flight tests, it will not be practicable to place noise monitors at the locations of every survey respondent. Therefore, noise predictions are necessary. Using NASA’s PCBoom code, the Stevens Mark VII Perceived Level (PL) was predicted at each noise monitor locations using the real aircraft trajectories and weather balloon data taken during the WSPR test. These predictions are then compared to the measured PL values. This comparison will inform the methodology for estimating noise exposure in future flight tests.
Frequency dependent atmospheric scattering of infrasound: Observations and modeling of controlled explosions
Authors: de Groot-Hedlin Catherine
Published: October 2018

In deriving equations relating to the amplitude of infrasound signals from large explosions to the energy of the source, the assumption is generally made that the amplitude scales linearly with the source yield. However, results from experiments with large-yield detonations carried out at the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) west of Salt Lake City have cast doubt on that assumption, at least within the near field. In 2016, acoustic and infrasound sensors were placed at ranges up to 90 km east of the UTTR test site, and sources with yield ranging from 1700–17700 kg were detonated during the summertime. In several cases, detonations occurred only several hours apart. Predictable changes in amplitude might be expected, given that only small-scale spatial variations in the atmosphere occur over that time. The fact that this is not observed may be attributable to frequency dependent effects in atmospheric scattering. I report on the observations and show the degree to which amplitude variations can be predicted with numerical modeling. Numerical computations of the Navier-Stokes equations governing acoustic propagation are performed to investigate infrasound propagation for these events. The modeling allows for nonlinear propagation within an azimuthally symmetric atmospheric model, and incorporates accurate weather information.
Experimental characterization of atmospheric boundary layer humidity profile
Authors: Ryan Teresa J. , Vignola Joseph F. , Judge John , Turo Diego
Published: October 2018

This work presents a measurement system designed to capture the humidity profile in the near-surface (up to 100 m) atmospheric boundary layer. The sensor array combines a portable static array of humidity sensors as well as GPS-synchronized pressure, temperature, and humidity sensors mounted to an unmanned aerial vehicle. These humidity measurements support an ongoing effort that is investigating the influence of humidity profile on acoustic ducting phenomena. These measurements will inform sensitivity studies using a numerical model being developed in a parallel effort. Preliminary measurements are presented for a range of experimental conditions such as foreshore or littoral, freshwater wetland, and dry coastal plain. The aim of this overall effort is an improved numerical model of acoustic refraction and attenuation over moderate to long distances above a sea surface that accounts for sea state as well as boundary layer wind, temperature, and humidity profiles.
Sense, the single neuron, and multi-dimensional stimuli
Authors: Benichoux Victor
Published: October 2018

Sensory processing disorders are characterized by poor behavioral performance in psychophysical tasks relative to the general population. To assess the etiology of those deficits, a tempting possibility is to look for abnormalities in the information available in responses of specific groups of neurons, which could then become the target of rehabilitation. I discuss here basic limitations in linking behavioral performance to neuronal responses. Our understanding of sensory neurons comes from measuring tuning curves, which describe how the response varies when a dimension of the stimulus is varied. In reality, however, neural responses are modulated by many stimulus features, e.g., in the auditory system: amplitude and spectrum of the stimulus, spatial position, temporal properties, etc. I illustrate the challenges that this tuning heterogeneity raises when trying to predict results of behavioral experiments from neuronal responses. I first exhibit effects in theory using Fisher Information, then analyze explicit optimal decoders trained to estimate spectral and spatial properties of an auditory stimulus from neural responses. I show how heterogeneity in tuning is a major contributor to the robustness of the encoding of multiple stimulus dimensions. Finally, I described how this changes the interpretation of neural constraints on behavioral acuity.
Passive structural monitoring based on matched processing
Authors: Lubeigt Emma , Rakotonarivo Sandrine , Mensah Serge , Chaix Jean-François , Kuperman William A. , Sarkar Jit , Baqué François , Gobillot Gilles
Published: October 2018

The fourth generation of nuclear reactor designs use liquid sodium as the core coolant. Due to both significant primary loads and thermal variations, important supporting structures are susceptible to thermo-mechanical fatigue. Periodic inspections are planned in order to check the health of the immersed structures, particularly to detect or to characterize potentially hazardous damage. The presented approach relies on both the a priori knowledge of the inspected structures (geometry and properties) and the low-frequency ambient noise in the reactor vessel. Indeed, the latter is used as a source of opportunity to inspect the immersed elastic structures. Two kinds of potential defects could occur: localized defects (e.g., fatigue cracks) and global defects (e.g., deformation of the structure). The feasibility of using data derived from ambient noise for detecting and localizing these defects is carried out on an academic example: a cylindrical shell immersed in water. A cross-correlation based procedure is used to construct the replica and datasets. Then, techniques, such as Matched Field Processing and Matched Mode Processing, are investigated to detect and locate the damage. Both conventional and adaptive processors are implemented and their performance compared. Presented results are obtained from numerical data.
Speech acoustics, phonetics, and phonology unified by an optimal dynamic model of sound communication
Authors: Divenyi Pierre , Mrayati Mohamad , Carré René
Published: October 2018

A book by us (Speech: A dynamic Process, de Gruyter, 2017) presents an optimal communication model for the production of sounds through dynamic deformation of a simple tube using the criterion that a maximum contrast between consecutive sounds must be achieved by expending a minimum effort. Its output corresponds well to fundamental articulatory speech data (places of articulation, F1-F2-F3 trajectories). When driven by a periodic source, the model generates natural-sounding vowels and, through constricting the tube at distinctive regions, also stop consonants. From this model’s viewpoint, phonetic systems of vowels and consonants arise as the direct consequence of production dynamics capable of producing essentially any vowel or stop consonant. The good correspondence between characteristics of the model and those of speech leads us to conclude that (1) the model is explanatory, (2) because it is acoustically optimal so must be speech production, and (3) an acoustically anchored phonology will derive from it. Based on acoustics, the model thus identifies a natural link between phonetics, and phonology. Propositions of our approach have also been tested in perceptual studies.
Non-native but not native listeners rely on exemplars for comprehending reduced pronunciation variants
Authors: Nijveld Annika , ten Bosch Louis , Ernestus Mirjam
Published: October 2018

This study investigates the representations of words’ pronunciations in the mental lexicon, and how they are used in spoken word recognition by native (L1) and non-native (L2) listeners. We report two long-term repetition priming lexical decision experiments, each conducted with native English listeners, Dutch learners, and Spanish learners of English. We tested whether the listeners recognized word repetitions more quickly and/or more accurately when the first (‘prime’) and second (‘target’) occurrence of the word shared surface details (e.g., the voice of the speaker) compared to when they did not. If so, this suggests that listeners retain word tokens with their acoustic details in their memories (in the form of an exemplar). We found that in one of the experiments, L2 listeners relied more on exemplar representations than L1 listeners did. Specifically, larger exemplar effects arose for the non-native listeners in the experiment in which we included reduced pronunciation variants resulting from acoustic schwa reduction in English (e.g., balloon). Reduced pronunciation variants are highly difficult to process for non-native but not for native listeners. Our finding suggests that exemplars play a role in spoken word recognition under specific circumstances only, such as under challenging listening conditions for L2 learners.
Effects of cochlear-implant simulation on processing of vowel sequences by young normal-hearing listeners
Authors: Rogers Catherine L. , Vallario Jenna , Donaldson Gail
Published: October 2018

To better understand the effects of listening environment on efficiency of phonetic processing, the present study examined the effects of signal degradation on phonetic processing of two-syllable sequences by normal-hearing listeners. Auditory temporal-order processing of American-English vowel sequences was compared across two listening conditions, each presented to a separate group of young, normal-hearing listeners: 1) unprocessed resynthesized stimuli and 2) stimuli that had been processed to simulate the signal produced by a 16-channel cochlear implant (CI). Using the methods of Fogerty, Humes and Kewley-Port [2010, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 127, 2509-2520], 70-ms resynthesized versions of the syllables “pit, pet, put,” and “pot” were presented in a two-syllable temporal-order processing task. Task difficulty was increased by decreasing syllable-onset asynchrony (SOA), i.e., the duration between syllable onsets. SOA thresholds for accuracy of syllable-sequence identification were estimated using the method of constant stimuli on each of four 72-trial blocks. Data analyzed to date show a threshold difference of approximately 20 ms between the unprocessed and CI-processed listener groups, or a difference in threshold of a factor of two or greater. Results will be discussed with regard to implications for phonetic processing of speech in challenging listening environments and practical implications for CI users.