bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban and Rural Patterns in Emergent Pediatric Transfer: A Call for Regionalization
Authors: Horeczko Timothy , Marcin James P. , Kahn Jeremy M. , Sapien Robert E. ,   on behalf of the Consortium Of Regionalization Efforts in Emergency Medical Services for Children (CORE‐EMSC)
Published: October 2013

Context

National groups call for the regionalization of health care, to direct patients with high‐risk conditions to designated hospitals with greater capabilities. Currently there is limited information detailing the characteristics and specific needs of acutely ill and injured children who require transfer to another institution, especially in underserved rural communities.

Purpose

To determine the epidemiology of pediatric transfers from urban and rural emergency departments (EDs).

Methods

We analyzed data in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 1995 to 2010. Eligible children were <18 years of age seen in a United States ED, and transferred to another hospital after initial evaluation.

Findings

Of all 283,232,058 pediatric ED visits, less than 0.5% resulted in a transfer, yielding a population‐based estimate of 900,100 transfers nationally during this period. Urban and rural EDs showed similar transfer rates. Children transferred from rural EDs were older and more likely to arrive by emergency medical services than children transferred from urban EDs (12.1 vs 8.2 years of age, P < .01). Children from rural EDs were more than twice as likely to be transferred for a psychiatric indication (43.5% vs 19.5%, P < .01).

Conclusions

Emergency pediatric transfers are uncommon in the United States; transfer rates are similar in urban and rural settings. Rural children have additional obstacles to care, especially in access to emergency mental health services. Programs to study and implement regionalization of care should consider diverse patient populations and target improvement in coordination of care, transfer times, and outcomes.
Evaluation of a Home‐Based Colorectal Cancer Screening Intervention in a Rural State
Authors: Charlton Mary E. , Mengeling Michelle A. , Halfdanarson Thorvardur R. , Makki Nader M. , Malhotra Ashish , Klutts J. Stacey , Levy Barcey T. , Kaboli Peter J.
Published: October 2013

Purpose

Distance from health care facilities can be a barrier to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, especially for colonoscopy. Alternatively, an improved at‐home stool‐based screening tool, the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), requires only a single sample and has a better sensitivity‐specificity balance compared to traditional guaiac fecal occult blood tests. Our objective was to determine if FITs mailed to asymptomatic, average‐risk patients overdue for screening resulted in higher screening rates versus mailing educational materials alone or no intervention (ie, usual care).

Methods

Veterans ages 51‐64, asymptomatic, at average risk for CRC, overdue for screening and in a veterans administration (VA) catchment area covering a large rural population were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (1) education only (Ed) group: mailed CRC educational materials and a survey of screening history and preferences (N = 499); (2) FIT group: mailed the FIT, plus educational materials and survey (N = 500); and (3) usual care (UC) group: received no mailings (N = 500).

Findings

At 6 months postintervention, 21% of the FIT group had received CRC screening by any method compared to 6% of the Ed group (and 6% of the UC group) (P < .0001). Of the 105 respondents from the FIT group, 71 (68%) were eligible to take the FIT. Of those, 64 (90%) completed the FIT and 8 (12%) tested positive.

Conclusions

This low‐intensity intervention of mailing FITs to average risk patients overdue for screening resulted in a significantly higher screening rate than educational materials alone or usual care, and may be of particular interest in rural areas.
Sexual Function in Patients with Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis
Authors: Evangelista Alessandra , Dantas Thiago , Zendron Carolina , Soares Thiers , Vaz George , Oliveira Marco A.P.
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Endometriosis is a benign condition that causes pain and infertility. Sexual dysfunction, particularly deep dyspareunia, is common in patients with endometriosis and interferes with quality of life and conjugal satisfaction.

Aim

The study aims to assess sexual function in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis.

Method

Fifty-seven women diagnosed with deep infiltrating endometriosis were recruited from Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto (HUPE) between July and December 2011. The control group comprised 38 healthy women recruited at the HUPE family planning clinic.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcomes are full-scale and individual domain scores on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a validated questionnaire for functional assessment of sexual function in women.

Results

Patients with endometriosis had more pain in intercourse than controls, which correlates with lower scores in the FSFI pain domain. However, there were no statistically significant between-group differences in overall (full-scale) FSFI scores.

Conclusion

Women with endometriosis exhibit significant dysfunction in the pain domain of the FSFI questionnaire, but this finding was not sufficient to affect the overall sexual function.
Sexual Desire in Trans Persons: Associations with Sex Reassignment Treatment
Authors: Wierckx Katrien , Elaut Els , Van Hoorde Birgit , Heylens Gunter , De Cuypere Griet , Monstrey Stan , Weyers Steven , Hoebeke Piet , T'Sjoen Guy
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Sex steroids and genital surgery are known to affect sexual desire, but little research has focused on the effects of cross-sex hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery on sexual desire in trans persons.

Aim

This study aims to explore associations between sex reassignment therapy (SRT) and sexual desire in a large cohort of trans persons.

Methods

A cross-sectional single specialized center study including 214 trans women (male-to-female trans persons) and 138 trans men (female-to-male trans persons).

Main Outcome Measures

Questionnaires assessing demographics, medical history, frequency of sexual desire, hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), and treatment satisfaction.

Results

In retrospect, 62.4% of trans women reported a decrease in sexual desire after SRT. Seventy-three percent of trans women never or rarely experienced spontaneous and responsive sexual desire. A third reported associated personal or relational distress resulting in a prevalence of HSDD of 22%. Respondents who had undergone vaginoplasty experienced more spontaneous sexual desire compared with those who planned this surgery but had not yet undergone it (P = 0.03).

In retrospect, the majority of trans men (71.0%) reported an increase in sexual desire after SRT. Thirty percent of trans men never or rarely felt sexual desire; 39.7% from time to time, and 30.6% often or always. Five percent of trans men met the criteria for HSDD. Trans men who were less satisfied with the phalloplasty had a higher prevalence of HSDD (P = 0.02).

Trans persons who were more satisfied with the hormonal therapy had a lower prevalence of HSDD (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

HSDD was more prevalent in trans women compared with trans men. The majority of trans women reported a decrease in sexual desire after SRT, whereas the opposite was observed in trans men. Our results show a significant sexual impact of surgical interventions and both hormonal and surgical treatment satisfaction on the sexual desire in trans persons.
Geology and impact features of Riachão structure, northern Brazil
Authors: Maziviero Mariana V. , Vasconcelos Marcos A. R. , Crósta Alvaro P. , Góes Ana M. , Reimold Wolf U. , De C. Carneiro Cleyton
Published: October 2013

Riachão, located at S7°42′/W46°38′ in Maranhão State, northeastern Brazil, is a complex impact structure of about 4.1 km diameter, formed in Pennsylvanian to Permian sedimentary rocks of the Parnaíba Basin sequence. Although its impact origin was already proposed in the 1970s, information on its geology and shock features is still scarce in the literature. We present here the main geomorphological and geological characteristics of the Riachão impact structure obtained by integrated geophysical and remote sensing analysis, as well as geological field work and petrographic analysis. The identified lithostratigraphic units consist of different levels of the Pedra de Fogo Formation and, possibly, the Piauí Formation. Our petrographic analysis confirms the presence of shock‐diagnostic planar microdeformation structures in quartz grains of sandstone from the central uplift as evidence for an impact origin of the Riachão structure. The absence of crater‐filling impact breccias and melt rocks, shatter cones, as well as the restricted occurrence of microscopic shock effects, suggests that intense and relatively deep erosion has occurred since crater formation.
MADSreloaded: evolution of theAGAMOUSsubfamily genes
Authors: Dreni Ludovico , Kater Martin M.
Published: October 2013

AGAMOUSsubfamily proteins are encoded byMADS‐box family genes. They have been shown to play key roles in the determination of reproductive floral organs such as stamens, carpels and ovules. However, they also play key roles in ensuring a fixed number of floral organs by controlling floral meristem determinacy. Recently, an enormous amount of sequence data for nonmodel species have become available together with functional data onAGAMOUSsubfamily members in many species. Here, we give a detailed overview of the most important information about this interesting gene subfamily and provide new insights into its evolution.

ContentsSummary717I.Introduction717II.Phylogeny and subfunctionalization within theAGAMOUSsubfamily718III.Genetic interactions between B and C function genes725IV.Regulatory pathways during flower development726V.Fruit and seed development727VI.Conclusions728Acknowledgements728References728
Bone health in eating disorders
Authors: Zuckerman‐Levin N. , Hochberg Z. , Latzer Y.
Published: October 2013

Eating disorders (EDs) put adolescents and young adults at risk for impaired bone health.

Low bone mineral density (BMD) with ED is caused by failure to accrue peak bone mass in adolescence and bone loss in young adulthood. Although ED patients diagnosed with bone loss may be asymptomatic, some suffer bone pains and have increased incidence of fractures. Adolescents with ED are prone to increased prevalence of stress fractures, kyphoscoliosis and height loss.

The clinical picture of the various EDs involves endocrinopathies that contribute to impaired bone health.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized by low bone turnover, with relatively higher osteoclastic (bone resorptive) than osteoblastic (bone formation) activity. Bone loss in AN occurs in both the trabecular and cortical bones, although the former is more vulnerable.

Bone loss in AN has been shown to be influenced by malnutrition and low weight, reduced fat mass, oestrogen and androgen deficiency, glucocorticoid excess, impaired growth hormone–insulin‐like growth factor 1 axis, and more.

Bone loss in AN may not be completely reversible despite recovery from the illness. Treatment modalities involving hormonal therapies have limited effectiveness, whereas increased caloric intake, weight gain and resumption of menses are essential to improved BMD.
The association between body composition and foot structure and function: a systematic review
Authors: Butterworth P. A. , Landorf K. B. , Gilleard W. , Urquhart D. M. , Menz H. B.
Published: October 2013

The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the relationship between body composition and foot structure and function. Six electronic databases (OvidMEDLINE,OvidEMBASE,OvidAMED,CINAHL,Scopus and TheCochraneLibrary) and reference lists from relevant papers were searched on 2September 2013. Sixteen papers that reported on the association between body composition and foot structure and function met our inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The evidence indicates that obesity is strongly associated with planus (low‐arched) foot posture, pronated dynamic foot function and increased plantar pressures when walking. However, there is limited evidence to support an association between other body composition measures, such as fat mass, with foot structure or function.
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Adult Patients with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot and Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction
Authors: MERCHANT FAISAL M. , KELLA DANESH , BOOK WENDY M. , LANGBERG JONATHAN J. , LLOYD MICHAEL S.
Published: October 2013

Background

Although left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is known to occur in adults with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are not well characterized.

Methods

We retrospectively divided all patients with repaired TOF and impaired LV ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 40%) undergoing CRT at our institution (n = 10) into two groups: de novo CRT (group A, n = 6) or upgrade from existing device (group B, n = 4). Echocardiograms were reviewed at baseline, medium‐term (>6 months post‐CRT), and long‐term follow‐up. CRT response was defined as reduction in LV end‐systolic volume (LVESV) ≥15% at medium term.

Results

Age at surgical repair was 13.1 ± 16.0 years, age at CRT was 44.4 ± 12.5 years, and baseline LVEF was 24.0 ± 10.5%. Group A demonstrated a preponderance of right ventricular (RV) conduction delay, whereas all patients in group B demonstrated RV pacing at baseline. At medium‐term follow‐up, patients in group A showed significant improvements in LVEF, LV end‐diastolic volume (LVEDV), and LVESV. Group B also demonstrated a significant improvement in LVEF with favorable trends in LV volumes. Of nine patients with complete data at medium term, eight showed evidence of CRT response. Average long‐term follow‐up was 53.4 ± 29.3 months. At long‐term follow‐up, LVEF, LVEDV, and LVESV remained numerically better than baseline, although the results were no longer significant.

Conclusions

Adult patients with repaired TOF and LV systolic dysfunction demonstrate significant medium‐term response to CRT, even among those with RV conduction delay. The long‐term impact of CRT in this population requires further characterization.
ANEO‐STOICAPPROACH TO EPISTEMICAGENCY
Authors: Wright Sarah
Published: October 2013

What is the best model of epistemic agency for virtue epistemology? Insofar as the intellectual and moral virtues are similar, it is desirable to develop models of agency that are similar across the two realms. Unlike Aristotle, the Stoics present a model of the virtues on which the moral and intellectual virtues are unified. The Stoics’ materialism and determinism also help to explain how we can be responsible for our beliefs even when we cannot believe otherwise. In this paper I show how a neo‐Stoic model of epistemic agency can address common objections to treating epistemic and moral agency similarly and allow a robust explanatory role for character in determining our actions and beliefs. The picture of epistemic responsibility that flows from this model also explains why we often deserve credit for our knowledge, while demonstrating that the truth of our beliefs is not something for which we are epistemically responsible.
Collaborative Innovation: A Viable Alternative to Market Competition and Organizational Entrepreneurship
Authors: Hartley Jean , Sørensen Eva , Torfing Jacob
Published: October 2013

There are growing pressures for the public sector to be more innovative but considerable disagreement about how to achieve it. This article uses institutional and organizational analysis to compare three major public innovation strategies. The article confronts the myth that the market‐driven private sector is more innovative than the public sector by showing that both sectors have a number of drivers of as well as barriers to innovation, some of which are similar, while others are sector specific. The article then systematically analyzes three strategies for innovation: New Public Management, which emphasizes market competition; the neo‐Weberian state, which emphasizes organizational entrepreneurship; and collaborative governance, which emphasizes multiactor engagement across organizations in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. The authors conclude that the choice of strategies for enhancing public innovation is contingent rather than absolute. Some contingencies for each strategy are outlined.
The good, the bad (and the ugly): The role of curiosity in subjective well‐being and risky behaviors among adolescents
Authors: Jovanović Veljko , Gavrilov‐Jerković Vesna
Published: October 2013

Previous studies have shown that enhanced trait curiosity has positive influence on well‐being. It remains an open question, however, whether curiosity has any detrimental effects on behavioral outcomes in adolescence. The main aim of this research was to investigate the role of trait curiosity in the prediction of risky behavior engagement and subjective well‐being (SWB) among adolescents. A total of 371 Serbian adolescents (mean age 15.5, SD = 0.57) participated in the 5‐month follow up study. The results showed that the embracing component of curiosity (but not stretching) predicted risky behavior engagement, while the stretching component of curiosity (but not embracing) predicted positive affect. In addition, neither embracing nor stretching was a significant predictor of negative affect and life satisfaction. The results of this study call into question the conceptualization of curiosity as a completely positive emotional‐motivational system, and suggest that curiosity can contribute to negative outcomes in adolescence.
Design of a Self-Driven Liquid Metal Cooling Device for Heat Dissipation of Hot Chips in a Closed Cabinet
Authors: Li Peipei , Liu Jing , Zhou Yixin
Published: October 2013

Tremendous attentions have been focused on thermal management to control the temperature of many advanced integrated electronic devices. The liquid metal cooling has recently been validated as a highly effective method to dissipate heat from hot chips. In this study, a practical design and implementation of a buoyancy effect driven liquid metal cooling device for the automatic thermal management of hot chips in a closed cabinet were demonstrated. The principles, especially the theory for convective thermal resistance of liquid metal cooling was provided for guiding optimization of the device. A model prototype was then fabricated and tested. Experiments were performed when two simulated hot chips in the closed cabinet worked at different heat loads and different angles with the horizontal plane. It was shown that for the one chip case, the cooling device could maintain the chip temperature to below 85.1 °C at the ambient temperature 20 °C when the heat load was about 122 W. The cooling performance of the device could achieve better when the angle between the cabinet and the horizontal plane varied from 0 °C to 90 °C. With two chips working simultaneously, both chips had close temperature and hot spot did not appear easily when subject to large power, which will help reduce thermal stress and enhance reliability of the system. The practical value of the self-driven liquid metal cooling device is rather evident. Given its reliability, simplicity, and efficiency, such device can possibly be used for heat dissipation of multichip in closed space in the future.
Inlet Condition Effects on the Tip Clearance Flow With Zonal Detached Eddy Simulation
Authors: Riéra William , Castillon Lionel , Marty Julien , Leboeuf Francis
Published: October 2013

In the present study, the influence of the inlet condition on the tip clearance flow of an axial compressor is investigated. Two different zonal detached eddy simulations (ZDES) computations are carried out and compared to Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) and unsteady RANS (URANS) computations as well as to experimental data. A rotating distortion map of the flow cartography is set as inlet condition for the first ZDES computation. An azimuthally averaged inlet condition is used for the second one and uncouples the rotor tip-leakage vortex flutter phenomenon, which stems from the arrival of the inlet guide vane wake from the behavior inherent to the rotor tip-leakage vortex. In the studied configuration, the inlet guide vane tip vortex reveals to lower the effects from double leakage on the rotor. The topology of the rotor tip-leakage vortex is described, and its development is analyzed.
Short review on in situ measurement techniques of impedance or absorption
Authors: Nocke Christian
Published: October 2013

The paper will present a short historical review on the development of in situ measurement techniques of sound absorption or the acoustic surface impedance. One of the earliest setups to measure the absorption of a material in situ has been proposed in 1933. In 1934 a method applying short tones to separate the reflected signal from the incident signal in front of a reflecting surface has been proposed. Many more methods have been described over the years. Applications of modern MLS-based measurement equipment to deduce the absorption coefficient in situ were brought up in the early 1990s. An MLS-based procedure similar to an early method has been introduced as subtraction technique and is the basis of European standard ENV 1793, part 5. Most of these methods are based on the assumption of plane wave propagation. Other methods relying on spherical wave propagation approach are being reviewed. Measurement examples and applications in room acoustics will be shown for some of the methods presented and compared to each other.
In situ measurements of the absorption coefficient in porous materials performed with parametric arrays and with standard audio instrumentation
Authors: Castagnede Bernard , Moussatov Alexei
Published: October 2013

Metrology applications in the field of the characterization of sound absorbing porous materials were considered quite early by using ‘‘parametric arrays’’ of nonlinear acoustics. Some experimental work was performed in our lab with various devices having a central frequency varying from 40 kHz to 200 kHz [Castagnede et al., Ultrasonics, 44 (2006)]. Reflection and transmission coefficients are available versus frequency, as well as dispersion curves. Experimental data are compared to numerical predictions in the frame of the standard poroelastic models for different porous materials. Some dedicated instrumentation has also been designed for industrial applications, e.g. for ‘‘on-line’’ and ‘‘in-situ’’ measurements of the LF coefficient of absorption over the 100 Hz–6 kHz bandwidth [Castagnede et al., Applied Acoustics, 68 (2007)]. More recently, absorption coefficient measurements have been performed with the same type of configurations with standard audio instrumentation, including a simple loudspeaker and a single microphone. These data are compared here, for numerous fibrous materials, with those obtained with parametric arrays, resonance Kundt tubes, as well as with numerical predictions. The agreement between the various measurements is generally good, even better at low frequencies with the audio system, because the LF sensitivity (below 200 Hz) of the parametric devices is generally quite poor.
The ‘‘effective’’ sound absorption of unique variable acoustic devices in Jensen Concert Hall, Pocatello, Idaho
Authors: Chu William , Conant David
Published: October 2013

The results of acoustical measurements taken at a new 1200 seat concert hall with variable acoustics demonstrate that significant reverberation control can be obtained with strategically located, but rather unusual, ab-sorptive devices. These unique elements yield a change in RT60 of 1 second, with insignificant reduction in room volume and minimally exposed absorptive area. Various measures for estimating RT60 are compared, along with CATT-Acoustic modeling, to assess the best characterization of the influence of these devices, including an ‘‘effective’’ sound absorption coefficient.
Hank Medwin’s early contributions to the use of acoustics in understanding physical processes in the ocean
Authors: Wilson Oscar B. , Muir Thomas G.
Published: October 2013

Two old friends and colleagues of Hank Medwin will present a brief review of Hank’s early acoustics research, during the period, 1960s–1980s, and its applications to processes in the ocean. Emphasis will be on work in the laboratory aimed at obtaining an understanding of the physics of some acoustical phenomena in the ocean; in particular, to diffraction from a sea mount, scattering from and transmission through a rough surface, measurement of bubble distribution in the ocean and its effects on sound propagation, as well as noise from rain drops impinging on the ocean surface.
Recent Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and American Institute of Architects decisions about speech privacy: What do they mean?
Authors: Sykes David , Cavanaugh William , Tocci Gregory , Carballeira Andrew
Published: October 2013

Fifty years of research and development in speech privacy that began in 1955 produced total demand for services and solutions by 2005 of less than $100 million a year. But suddenly this is changing due to the convergence of several forces that include: a surge of security and privacy laws over the past decade; growing concern about the noise epidemic in healthcare; and corporate concerns about privacy in business decision-making such as the SEC suit against Hewlett Packard. Result: recent decisions by the American Institute of Architects, LEED/U.S. Green Building Council, and the Green Guide for Healthcare that, for the first time, recognize speech privacy as an objective, measurable phenomenon. These decisions will produce demand for professional advice and counsel. Is the 8000-member acoustics profession prepared to meet a sudden increase in demand for services related to privacy measurement, mitigation, and certification? What needs to happen to ensure the profession continues to play a role in implementing and enforcing this basic but only recently recognized civil right?
Sound localization and its relation to vision in large and small New-World bats
Authors: Koay Gimseong , Heffner Henry E. , Heffner Rickye S.
Published: October 2013

Passive sound-localization acuity (minimum audible angle) for brief noise bursts was determined behaviorally for two species of New-World bats (Phyllostomidae): Phyllostomus hastatus, a large bat that eats fruit and preys on other vertebrates, and Carollia perspicillata, a small species that eats fruit and nectar. Both use echolocation calls of very low intensity for orientation and obstacle avoidance. The mean minimum audible angle for two P. hastatus was 9 deg, and that for two C. perspicillata was 14.8 deg. This places their passive sound-localization acuity near the mean for mammals. Sound localization varies widely among mammals and the best predictor of a species acuity remains the width of the field of best vision (r=.89, p<.0001). Neither of these bats nor the other three bat species tested so far deviates from the relationship between sound-localization and vision, suggesting that despite their specialization for echolocation, the use of hearing to direct the eyes to the source of a sound still serves as the major source of evolutionary selective pressure for passive sound localization.
The effect of a rough sea surface on acoustic normal modes
Authors: Miller James H. , Lynch James F.
Published: October 2013

Acoustical oceanography as defined by Medwin is concerned with development and use of acoustical techniques to measure and understand parameters and processes of the sea. The book of the same name, by Clay and Medwin, was used in a graduate course at MIT for years and educated a great many young acousticians about sound in the ocean including the effects of its surface. Stressed by the turbulent winds above it, the ocean surface can be tweaked to tiny patches of cats paws or whipped into a frenzy of raging, mountainous seas. [Clay and Medwin, ‘‘Acoustical Oceanography’’ (Wiley, New York, 1977) p. 16]. The text developed the fundamentals of ocean acoustic propagation including the normal mode solution in a waveguide. With the background provided by this text, we developed a technique for estimating the sea surface frequency-direction spectra using the perturbations in modal travel time. The forward problem of computing the acoustic travel time perturbation spectra given the surface wave spectrum was solved to first order. The recent Shallow Water 06 experiment experienced two tropical storms (Ernesto and Florence) and mode travel time perturbations were measured between a number of sources and receivers and are compared to theory. [Work supported by ONR.]
An acoustic study of real and imagined foreigner-directed speech
Authors: Scarborough Rebecca , Dmitrieva Olga , Hall-Lew Lauren , Zhao Yuan , Brenier Jason
Published: October 2013

Foreigner-directed speech is a much cited speech style, but its acoustic properties are surprisingly under-studied, and many existing studies evoke imagined interlocutors to elicit foreigner-directed speech. This study provides an acoustic comparison of foreigner-directed and native-directed speech in real and imaginary conditions. Ten native English speakers described the path between landmarks on a map to each of two confederate listeners (one native English speaker and one native Mandarin speaker) and to two imagined listeners (one described as a native English speaker and the other as a non-native speaker). Vowel duration, rate of speech, and vowel centralization were examined across native-foreigner and real-imagined conditions in 22 target words. Stressed vowels were longer and rate of speech was slower in foreigner-directed than in native-directed speech. Additionally, /ae/ was more peripheral in the vowel space in the foreigner-directed condition. These effects were consistent across real and imaginary conditions; however, vowels were longer, rate of speech was slower, and /ae/ was more peripheral in the imaginary than in the real condition. In other words, speakers made acoustic-phonetic adjustments in foreigner-directed speech that are consistent with those seen in listener-directed clear speech, and these accommodations were greater when the listener was imagined rather than real.
Temporal characteristization of auditory-visual coupling in speech
Authors: Barbosa Adriano V. , Yehia Hani C. , Vatikiotis-Bateson Eric
Published: October 2013

This work examines the coupling between the acoustic and visual components of speech as it evolves through time. Previous work has shown a consistent correspondence between face motion and spectral acoustics, and between fundamental frequency (F0) and rigid body motion of the head [Yehia et al. (2002), JPHON, 30, 555–568]. Although these correspondences have been estimated both for sentences and for running speech, the analyses have not taken into account the temporal structure of speech. As a result, the role of temporal organization in multi-modal speech cannot be estimated. The current study is a first effort to correct this deficit. We have developed an algorithm, based on recurrent correlation, that computes the correlation between measurement domains (e.g., head motion and F0) as a time-varying function. Using this method regions of high or low correlation, or of rapid transition (e.g., from high to low) can be associated with visual and auditory events. The analysis of the time-varying coupling of multi-modal events has implications for speech planning and synchronization between speaker and listener.
The effects of visual-only vowel identification training on speech recognition for adults with hearing loss
Authors: Richie Carolyn
Published: October 2013

Speechreading, the use of visual cues to speech, may provide benefit for listeners with hearing loss in everyday communication beyond that achieved with hearing aids alone. Recent work examined the effects of a novel approach to speechreading training, for normal-hearing listeners tested in masking noise designed to simulate a hearing loss [C. Richie and D. Kewley-Port, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 117, 2570 (2005)]. That study showed improvements in sentence-level speech recognition for listeners trained to speechread vowels under audiovisual conditions, compared to listeners trained to speechread consonants and untrained listeners. The present study examined the effects of vowel identification speechreading training on sentence-level speech recognition, for adults with hearing loss. Computer-based training and testing was administered visual-only, in order to determine if training in the visual modality alone leads to gains in speech recognition. Results showed that vowel identification training under visual-only conditions led to improved vowel recognition, but that improved vowel identification did not generalize to increased sentence-level speech recognition. These findings suggest that some acoustic information, however minimal, may be beneficial during speechreading training and required for improved sentence-level speech recognition by adult listeners with hearing loss. [Work supported by Butler University HAC Grant No. 027096.]
Impact of underwater noise environment on coherent array processing of global positioning system (GPS) sonobuoy fields
Authors: Osman Abdalla , Nourledin Aboelamgd , Theriault Jim , Campbell Scott
Published: October 2013

Global positioning system (GPS) sonobuoys are widely used in underwater target localization. Most of the present underwater target tracking utilizing GPS sonobuoys rely on individual processing of the data provided by each sonobuoy. Coherent array processing of GPS sonobuoy fields was recently suggested in order to improve the overall system performance by proper combination of sonobuoys received signal. Therefore, it is essential to study the impact of underwater noise environment on target localization when an array of GPS sonobuoys is utilized. This paper introduces a complete analysis of the effect of different types of noisy environments. The overall system performance is evaluated for each environment for both individual sonobuoy processing and coherent array processing. Simulation was used to examine the effect of both white Gaussian noise and correlated noise on the overall system performance in the presence of two sources of interference at variable signal to noise ratios (SNR). Each sonobuoy signal is de-noised by wavelet analysis prior to processing multiple sonobuoy signals by beamforming to provide accurate bearing information for the target. The results discuss the impact of wavelet de-noising and the array processing in improving the overall system accuracy for different noisy environments at different SNRs.
Distributed multi-microphone (dmm) classification
Authors: Trawicki Marek B. , Johnson Michael T. , Osiejuk Tomasz S.
Published: October 2013

Over the past several decades, research in signal enhancement and speech recognition has concentrated on single channels and microphone arrays. Whereas single channels require subjects who are relatively close to the microphone, microphone arrays require close spacing and a priori knowledge of the geometry. In contrast to those stringent conditions, distributed multi-microphones (DMMs) can be utilized for situations that require the microphones that are positioned far away from the subjects with possibly unknown wide-spacing and configurations such as in meeting rooms or the wild. As opposed to performing recognition through microphone selection, feature integration, or likelihood combination, the proposed work focuses on processing the DMM signals to diminish the effects of ambient noise and form one optimal signal before passing it into the recognizer through two methods: weighted sum of distances and weighted sum of signal powers. Song-type classification experiments are presented on eight-channel Norwegian Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza Hortulana) vocalizations over a microphone range of 1 to 206 m from the reference on 1620 recordings using cepstral coefficients, energy, and time derivatives features. Based on the results, the two methods achieve accuracies of 91.2% (signal powers) and 94.4% (distances) against 90.7% (closest microphone) on 804 test exemplars divided across four song types.
Musical acoustics: Science and performance
Authors: Hansen Uwe J. , Floor Jerry
Published: October 2013

Musicians of the Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra and their director, Jerry Floor, are staples of the Jazz Scene in the Intermountain West. This evening, rather than limiting your interest to the scientific elements of musical acoustics, will lift your spirits with the rich, exciting sounds of this wonderful ensemble. Before a particular instrument family is featured in a performance, Uwe will simply help you understand why, for example, a clarinet sounds different than a trumpet. The basic science of each instrument group will be introduced before you have an opportunity to fill your ears with the sound of that family. You will experience each family, Strings, Brasses, Woodwinds, Piano, and Percussion through the lush sounds of the Salt Lake City Jazz Orchestra. At the same time you will gain some insight into the nature of tone production and tone quality for each instrument, you will actually see some wave-shapes and some spectra. The evening will conclude with a number of full ensemble performances of some of your favorite music.
Signal processing techniques for low-order acoustic modes
Authors: Chandrayadula Tarun K. , Wage Kathleen E. , Mercer James A. , Howe Bruce M. , Worcester Peter F. , Dzieciuch Matthew A.
Published: October 2013

Internal waves introduce substantial fluctuations in the lowest mode signals recorded during long-range tomography experiments. Lacking a complete random model for the mode signals, tomographers typically resort to averaging the mode signals across receptions to mitigate internal wave effects. Chandrayadula et al. used the 2004 Long Range Ocean Acoustic Propagation EXperiment (LOAPEX) signals and parabolic equation (PE) simulations modeling the LOAPEX environment to derive range-dependent statistics such as temporal mean, temporal covariance, and intermodal correlation of the lower mode signals [Chandrayadula et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 120, 3062 (2006)]. This talk proposes several statistical signal processing techniques such as likelihood ratio detectors, minimum entropy deconvolution methods, and empirical orthogonal function detectors that are based on the derived statistics, to mitigate internal wave effects. The proposed methods are tested on both the LOAPEX signals and PE simulated mode signals and compared against simple averaging techniques. [Work supported by ONR.]
A decade of acoustic thermometry in the North Pacific Ocean: Using long-range acoustic travel times to test gyre-scale temperature variability derived from other observations and ocean models
Authors: Dushaw Brian , Andrew R. , Howe B. , Mercer J. , Spindel R. , Worcester P. , Cornuelle B. , Dzieciuch M. , Birdsall T. , Metzger K. , Menemenlis D.
Published: October 2013

Large-scale temperatures in the North Pacific were measured by long-range acoustic transmissions from 1996–2006. Acoustic sources off California and Kauai transmitted to receivers distributed throughout the North Pacific from 1996–1999. Kauai transmissions continued from 2002–2006. Acoustic travel-time data are inherently integrating. This averaging suppresses mesoscale variability and provides an accurate measure of large-scale temperature, subject to the limitations of the ray path sampling. At basin scales, the ocean is highly variable, with significant changes occurring at time scales from weeks to years. The interannual variability is large compared to trends in the data. Willis, et al. used objective mapping techniques applied to satellite altimetry and hydrography to derive 0–750 m temperature fields for the global ocean. Travel times equivalent to the measured travel times can be calculated using these fields. The measured and calculated travel times are similar, but also show significant differences. Similar comparisions using travel times derived from the ‘‘Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean’’ (ECCO) model and a high-resolution Parallel Ocean Program (POP) model also show similarities and differences. The ECCO model was constrained by altimetric and profile data by data assimilation, suggesting that the acoustic travel times provide meaningful additional constraints on model behavior.
Haro Strait topography (water depths)
Authors: Tolstoy A.
Published: October 2013

Results have previously shown (most recently at the Honolulu meeting of the ASA, 12/06) that determining important geometric parameters for a single SR path of the Haro Strait test is problematic. In particular, many combinations of parameters will reproduce (via the Collins RAMPE) the observed time-domain arrivals seen in the data. These geometric parameters include water depths at the source and array phones. More recently multiple sources to a single array have still not produced a unique ‘‘solution’’ per SR path. This paper will select depths from the reduced yet allowable set of values and attempt to estimate a more global topography for the region via a tomographic method developed earlier.
Fluctuations of modal amplitudes due to modes coupling in shallow water
Authors: Katsnelson Boris , Grigorev Valery , Badiey Mohsen , Lynch James
Published: October 2013

In this work, frequency dependence of temporal fluctuations of modal amplitudes is considered. These fluctuations are provided by modes coupling due to perturbation of thermocline layer, for example, as a result of moving soliton (solitons train). In this case, due to the narrowness of the thermocline layer, we have predominating coupling of adjacent modes and the most significant contribution to intensity fluctuations should be given by a pair of modes. The corresponding numbers of mentioned modes depend on frequency; with increasing frequency numbers of interacting modes increase as well. Both theoretical analysis and experimental results, taken from SWARM95 and SW06, are considered. Reasonable agreement between theoretical calculations and experimental results is demonstrated. [Work was supported by RFBR and ONR.]
Spatial and temporal fluctuations of the sound field during shallow water 2006 (SW06) experiment
Authors: Badiey Mohsen , Lynch James , Katsnelson Boris , Tshoidze Alexander
Published: October 2013

During a multi-institutional shallow water experiment in the summer of 2006 (SW06) a series of source-receiver positions were designated to examine the effects of 3D environmental fluctuations on the propagation of low to mid frequency (0.05–3 kHz) broadband acoustic signals. During each scheduled transmission a ship equipped with an acoustic source and a vertical receiver array was positioned at a fixed coordinate determined by the real-time measured position of an internal wave (IW) regime. The passing IW packet in each one of these events was measured by additional research vessels to assess the oceanographic conditions. At the source-receiver ship, the passing IW was observed and its speed and wavelength was measured from surface features using ship’s radar within 3-NM radius from the leading edge of the IW on approach. Each event was photographed at 30-s intervals. In addition, thermistor array data were collected simultaneously. A total of 57 passing IW events were recorded during 21 days through which broadband acoustic signals were transmitted at different source-receiver angles with respect to the IW front. This paper presents preliminary data processing of the observed data. [Work supported by ONR-321OA and RFBR.]
Simulation of an acoustically excited bubble within a compliant vessel
Authors: Gracewski Sheryl M. , Miao Hongyu , Dalecki Diane
Published: October 2013

Various independent investigations indicate that the presence of microbubbles within blood vessels may increase the likelihood of ultrasound-induced hemorrhage and endothelial cell damage. To explore potential damage mechanisms, an axisymmetric coupled finite element and boundary element code was developed to simulate the response of an acoustically excited bubble centered within a compliant tube. Results will be presented to show the influence of acoustic excitation parameters, tube dimensions, and material properties on bubble response, tube dilation, and stresses induced within the tube wall. Tube dilation occurs during the tensile portion of the acoustic excitation, when the external pressure is lower than the internal pressure. The hoop stress is the maximum induced principal stress. Its peak value occurs as the bubble is expanding, well before the bubble reaches its maximum radius. As the tube thickness, tube radius, and acoustic frequency decreases, the maximum hoop stress increases, indicating a higher potential for tube rupture and hemorrhage. [Work supported by NIH research grant R01HL69824.]
Remote underwater intense laser acoustic source
Authors: Jones Ted G. , Ting A. C. , Penano J. , Sprangle P. , Bibee L. D.
Published: October 2013

A novel underwater acoustic source is under development in which a tailored intense broadband laser pulse propagates many meters underwater and compresses at a predetermined remote location. Controlled compression of these optical pulses is governed by a combination of optical group velocity dispersion (GVD) and nonlinear self-focusing, resulting in photoionization, localized heating, and shock generation. Configurations involving both atmospheric and underwater laser propagation are also under investigation for applications where airborne lasers generate underwater acoustic signals. The ability to project an acoustic source far from a laser driver, and the increased photoacoustic energy conversion efficiency from the photoionization-shock generation mechanism, are significant improvements on previous laser acoustic source development. Recent experiments included the first demonstration of underwater acoustic generation using an intense lens-focused broadband laser pulse. Initial measurements of sound pressure levels yielded 170 dB for an optical pulse energy of 3 mJ, and are in the range of useful levels for some Navy applications. Optical GVD was precisely measured. Further acoustic measurements of this source, including photoacoustic energy conversion efficiency, acoustic power spectrum, and radiation pattern are underway. Experimental results will be presented.
Introduction to workshop goals
Authors: Schulte-Fortkamp Brigitte , Brooks Bennett M.
Published: October 2013

The goal of this workshop is to further explore standardization as a possible future advancement in the evolving field of soundscape measurement, analysis, and design. The workshop will begin in the morning with an introductory keynote address with all participants to review the topics, objectives, and procedures for the day’s discussion. The participants will then break out into small subgroups to define key issues and develop action plans. The entire group will reassemble to report, assess, and prioritize the proposed actions in each area.
Better soundscapes for all—a worthy goal
Authors: Schulte-Fortkamp Brigitte , Brooks Bennett M.
Published: October 2013

Creating and maintaining soundscapes, or outdoor acoustical environments, that delight the listener may seem to be a difficult task. The perception of the soundscape can provide comfort, tranquility, and needed information to the person concerned, or may be a source of annoyance. Engineering and aesthetic soundscape design may only proceed based on a complete characterization of the acoustical environment, including the nature of the sound sources and the reactions of the perceivers. A powerful tool in this endeavor is the emerging discipline of soundscaping. Soundscaping provides for the measurement, analysis, and design of environmental sound by applying the knowledge of both science and community experts. Much fundamental and practical research has been conducted to establish the bases for the soundscape field. The next step is for researchers and practitioners to standardize the available soundscape techniques to allow for more direct comparison of test and survey results and wider application in design.