bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated Hepatic Copper Content in Porto‐Sinusoidal Vascular Disorder (PSVD): Leading Down a Wrong Track
Authors: Balcar Lorenz , Dominik Nina , Mozayani Behrang , Semmler Georg , Halilbasic Emina , Mandorfer Mattias , Reiberger Thomas , Trauner Michael , Scheiner Bernhard , Stättermayer Albert Friedrich
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

Porto‐sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) is a rare vascular liver disorder characterised by specific histological findings in the absence of cirrhosis, which is poorly understood in terms of pathophysiology. While elevated hepatic copper content serves as diagnostic hallmark in Wilson disease (WD), hepatic copper content has not yet been investigated in PSVD.

Methods

Patients with a verified diagnosis of PSVD at the Medical University of Vienna and available hepatic copper content at the time of diagnosis of PSVD were retrospectively included. Elevated hepatic copper content was correlated with cholestatic changes and WD diagnostics in PSVD and analysed for liver‐related outcomes (first/further hepatic decompensation/liver‐related death).

Results

Overall, 92 patients were included into this study (mean age 49 ± 16; 57% male; median hepatic copper content was 30 [IQR: 18–55] μg/g) of whom 29 (32%) had moderately (≥ 50 μg/g) and 4 (4%) strongly (≥ 250 μg/g) elevated hepatic copper content.

Elevated levels of hepatic copper were associated with younger age in multivariable linear regression analysis. After adjusting for age, decompensation status and albumin, hepatic copper content was significantly associated with the outcome of interest (log, per 10; aHR: 1.60 [95% CI: 1.14–2.25]; p = 0.007). A hepatic copper cut‐off at ≥ 90 μg/g identified PSVD patients with considerable risk of liver‐related outcomes (at 2 years: 51% vs. 12%).

Conclusion

Elevated hepatic copper seems frequent in patients with PSVD even in the absence of cholestatic features, especially in young patients, which makes differential diagnosis to WD challenging. Since PSVD patients with elevated hepatic copper content had increased risk for liver‐related outcomes, the pathomechanisms underlying hepatic copper accumulation in PSVD should be investigated as this may open new therapeutic avenues.
Predictive Model of Self‐Management and Quality of Life for Patients on Hemodialysis Using Information‐Motivation‐Behavioral Skills Model: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Kim Sung Reul , Kim Hye Young , Ko Eun , Kang No Eul , Lee Kang Sun
Published: January 2025

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a predictive model to enhance self‐management and quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis, using the Information‐Motivation‐Behavioral (IMB) skills model. A cross‐sectional study design was employed, with data collected from 245 participants selected through convenience sampling from seven hemodialysis centers in the Republic of Korea. Data were gathered using a structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and path analysis, utilizing Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 27 and Amos 23.0. In patients undergoing hemodialysis, family income, self‐management knowledge, attitude toward self‐management, and social support were found to influence quality of life indirectly through self‐efficacy and self‐management. In contrast, comorbidities and duration of hemodialysis were found to have a direct impact on quality of life. The IMB model, incorporating individual‐level factors proves to be an effective framework for predicting self‐management and quality of life in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Enhancing self‐management and quality of life remains a critical issue for this population.
Anthurium lorenanum (Araceae), a new species from Sierra Sur, Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Ángel Pérez Farrera Miguel , Díaz Jiménez Pedro , Hentrich Heiko , Aguilar‐Rodríguez Pedro A.
Published: January 2025

In the present paper, we describe and illustrate Anthurium lorenanum Díaz Jim. & Pérez‐Farr., a new terrestrial and epipetric species of Araceae from the southernmost spurs of Sierra Norte, Oaxaca, Mexico. This species grows in montane cloud forest at 1000 m a.s.l. It is morphologically similar to A. cerrobaulense Matuda, but differs from that species by having longer geniculum, spathe rounded at base, dark purple spadix at anthesis, fewer flowers in the principal spiral, flowers with non‐emergent pistils at anthesis, stamens with no visible filaments at anthesis, and semi‐glossy fruits when ripe, sunken for above half between the tepals.
MEDIATOR15 destabilizes DELLA protein to promote gibberellin‐mediated plant development
Authors: Ohama Naohiko , Moo Teck Lim , Chung KwiMi , Mitsuda Nobutaka , Boonyaves Kulaporn , Urano Daisuke , Chua Nam‐Hai
Published: January 2025

Mediator, a transcriptional coactivator, regulates plant growth and development by interacting with various transcriptional regulators. MEDIATOR15 (MED15) is a subunit in the Mediator complex potentially involved in developmental control.

To uncover molecular functions of Arabidopsis MED15 in development, we searched for its interactors. MED15 was found to interact with DELLA proteins, which negatively regulate gibberellic acid (GA) signaling and positively regulate GA biosynthesis.

Mutants and overexpressors of MED15 exhibited multiple GA‐related growth phenotypes, which resembled the phenotypes of the DELLA overexpressor and mutant, respectively. Consistent with this observation, DELLA protein levels were inversely correlated with MED15 protein levels, suggesting that MED15 activates GA signaling through DELLA degradation. MED15 was required not only for DELLA‐mediated induction of GA‐biosynthesis gene expression but also for GA‐mediated degradation of DELLA. Therefore, MED15 facilitates DELLA destruction not only by promoting GA biosynthesis but also by accelerating DELLA turnover. Furthermore, MED15‐mediated GA signaling was required for timely developmental responses to dark and warm conditions.

Our results provide insight into developmental control by Mediator via precise regulation of DELLA stability. These findings are potentially useful for the generation of new crop cultivars with ideal body architecture.
Digital tools and technologies used in food fortification: A scoping review
Authors: Vasta Florencia C. , Friesen Valerie M. , Jungjohann Svenja , Nyangaresi Annette M. , Mkambula Penjani , Morrison Taylor , Walsh Fiona , Mbuya Mduduzi N. N.
Published: January 2025

Food fortification (i.e., industrial fortification and biofortification) increases the micronutrient content of foods to improve population nutrition. Implementing effective fortification programs requires the generation and use of data to inform decision making. The use of digital tools and technologies (DTTs) for such purposes in broader nutrition programs is growing; however, there is limited consolidation of those used in fortification. This scoping review aimed to identify and describe DTTs used in fortification programs. We searched peer‐reviewed and gray literature and conducted 17 stakeholder surveys. We then mapped DTTs identified against the fortification and nutrition data value chains. Of 11,741 articles identified, 158 met the inclusion criteria. From the included articles and stakeholder surveys, 125 DTTs were identified across three categories: software and tooling (n = 58), data and information lifecycle (n = 50), and hardware and infrastructure (n = 17). Gaps were identified in processing, post‐harvest storage, aggregation, and transport nodes of the fortification value chain, and data prioritization, translation/dissemination, and decision‐making nodes of the nutrition data value chain. DTTs have the potential to address challenges faced by fortification stakeholders to generate and use data to improve program decision making and nutritional impact. Further work is needed to standardize terminology, identify relevant DTTs from other sectors, and explore stakeholder needs.
Math‐anxious people suffer more in math‐related events: The perspective of reward processing on motivated behavior
Authors: Cui Fang , Dai Luwei , He Hao , Liu Jie
Published: January 2025

Individuals with high math anxiety (HMA) demonstrate a tendency to avoid math‐related tasks, a behavior that perpetuates a detrimental cycle of limited practice, poor performance, increased anxiety, and further avoidance. This study delves into the cognitive and neural bases of math avoidance behavior in HMA through the lens of reward processing. In Experiment 1, participants reported their satisfaction level in response to the reward provided after solving an arithmetic problem. In Experiment 2, participants weighed the economic benefits against the cognitive costs of solving a calculation problem. This decision‐making process was framed in terms of either retaining or losing some monetary reward, creating positive or negative contexts, respectively. Experiment 1 showed that HMA participants were more punishment‐sensitive and less satisfied with incorrect answers. Experiment 2 revealed that HMA individuals were less willing to tackle math challenges when their satisfaction dipped after errors. HMAs exhibited increased math avoidance and a notably reduced P3 amplitude in negative contexts, a response unique to the HMA group. HMAs also displayed an elevated feedback‐related negativity amplitude in both contexts. This study suggests a potential impairment in reward processing in negative contexts and under negative appraisal among those with high math anxiety.
Root Development of Tomato Plants Infected by the Cacao Pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa Is Affected by Limited Sugar Availability
Authors: Paschoal Daniele , Cazetta Laura , Mendes João V. O. , Dias Nathália C. F. , Ometto Vitor , Carrera Esther , Rossi Mônica L. , Aricetti Juliana A. , Mieczkowski Piotr , Carvalho Gabriel G. , Cesarino Igor , da Silva Simone F. , Ribeiro Rafael V. , Teixeira Paulo J. P. L. , da Silva Eder M. , Figueira Antonio
Published: January 2025

Moniliophthora perniciosa is the causal agent of the witches' broom disease of cacao (Theobroma cacao), and it can infect the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) ‘Micro‐Tom’ (MT) cultivar. Typical symptoms of infection are stem swelling and axillary shoot outgrowth, whereas reduction in root biomass is another side effect. Using infected MT, we investigated whether impaired root growth derives from hormonal imbalance or sink competition. Intense stem swelling coincided with a reduction in root biomass, predominantly affecting lateral roots. RNA‐seq analyses of root samples identified only a few differentially expressed genes involved in hormone metabolism, and root hormone levels were not expressively altered. Inoculation of the auxin highly‐sensitive entire mutant genotype maintained the impaired root phenotype; in contrast, the low‐cytokinin MT transgenic line overexpressing CYTOKININ OXIDASE‐2 (35S::AtCKX2) with fewer symptoms did not exhibit root growth impairment. Genes involved in cell wall, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolism were downregulated, accompanied by lower levels of carbohydrate and amino acid in roots, suggesting a reduction in metabolite availability. 13CO2 was supplied to MT plants, and less 13C was detected in the roots of infected MT but not in those of 35S::AtCKX2 line plants, suggesting that cytokinin‐mediated sugar sink establishment at the infection site may contribute to impaired root growth. Exogenous sucrose application to roots of infected MT plants partially restored root growth. We propose that the impairment of lateral root development is likely attributed to disrupted sugar signalling and photoassimilate supply by establishing a strong sugar sink at the infected stem.
Chickpea displays a temporal growth response to Mesorhizobium strains under well‐watered and drought conditions
Authors: Iqbal Nasir , Brien Chris , Jewell Nathaniel , Berger Bettina , Zhou Yi , Denison R. Ford , Denton Matthew D.
Published: January 2025

The relative performance of rhizobial strains could depend on their resource allocation, environmental conditions, and host genotype. Here, we used a high‐throughput shoot phenotyping to investigate the effects of Mesorhizobium strain on the growth dynamics, nodulation and bacteroid traits with four chickpea (Cicer arietinum) varieties grown under different water regimes in an experiment including four nitrogen sources (two Mesorhizobium strains, and two uninoculated controls: nitrogen fertilised and unfertilised) under well‐watered and drought conditions. We asked three questions. Does the impact of rhizobial strains on chickpea growth change with well‐watered versus drought conditions? Do Mesorhizobium strains differ in their ability to influence biomass and nodule traits of chickpea varieties under well‐watered and drought conditions? Are bacteroid size and amount of polyhydroxybutyrate modified by Mesorhizobium strain, chickpea variety, water availability and their interactions? Under well‐watered conditions, chickpea inoculated with CC1192 showed higher shoot growth rates than M075 and accumulated high plant biomass at harvest. Under drought conditions, however, the shoot growth rate was comparable between CC1192 and M075, with no significant difference in plant biomass and symbiotic effectiveness at harvest. Across sources of variation, plant biomass varied 3.0‐fold, nodules per plant 3.9‐fold, nodule dry weight 3.0‐fold, symbiotic effectiveness 1.5‐fold, bacteroid size 1.4‐fold and bacteroid polyhydroxybutyrate 1.4‐fold. Plant biomass was negatively correlated with both bacteroid size and allocation to polyhydroxybutyrate under well‐watered conditions, suggesting a trade‐off between plant and rhizobial fitness. This study demonstrates the need to reassess rhizobial strain effectiveness across diverse environments, recognising the dynamic nature of their interaction with host plants.
A robust and powerful metric for distributional homogeneity
Authors: Chen Yanzhou , Ding Tianxuan , Wang Xiufang , Zhang Yaowu
Published: January 2025

Assessing the homogeneity of two random vectors is a fundamental task in statistical inference. In this work, we introduce a weighted multivariate Cramér‐von Mises type metric that transforms each variable through a marginal mixture distribution function and integrates the squared difference in probability functions of these transformed variables. Notably, our metric exhibits scale invariance, rendering it robust against outliers and heterogeneity. The expression for our metric is straightforward and possesses a closed‐form representation. It is non‐negative and attains a value of zero if and only if the two random vectors are identically distributed. Moreover, our metric employs an ‐norm expression, which significantly enhances its effectiveness in high‐dimensional scenarios compared to traditional methods relying on the ‐norm. We validate the efficacy of our proposed approach through extensive simulation studies and empirical data analysis.
Identification of the Novel HLA‐B*38:01:26 Allele by Next‐Generation Sequencing
Authors: Cheranev Valery , Evgrafova Natalia , Smirnova Darya , Loginova Maria , Korostin Dmitry
Published: January 2025

The new HLA‐B*38:01:26 allele showed one synonymous nucleotide difference compared to the HLA‐B*38:01:01:01 allele in codon 101.
Validity of the Diabetic Wound Assessment Learning Tool
Authors: Selim Omar , Dueck Andrew D. , Kulasegaram Kulamakan M. , Brydges Ryan , Walsh Catharine M. , Okrainec Allan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The development of the Diabetic Wound Assessment Learning Tool (DiWALT) has previously been described. However, an examination of its application to a larger, more heterogeneous group of participants is lacking. In order to allow for a more robust assessment of the psychometric properties of the DiWALT, we applied it to a broader group of participants.

Materials and Methods

We built validity evidence for the tool by assessing 74 clinician participants' during two simulated wound care scenarios: Two assessors independently rated each participant using our tool, with a total of five raters providing scores. We evaluated validity evidence using generalizability theory analyses and by comparing performance scores across the three experience levels using ANOVA.

Results

The tool differentiated between novices and the other two groups well (p < 0.01) but not between intermediates and experts (p = 0.34). Our generalizability coefficient was 0.87, and our phi coefficient was 0.87.

Conclusion

The accumulated validity evidence suggests our tool can be used to assess novice clinicians' competence in initial diabetic wound management during simulated cases. Further work is required to clarify the DiWALT's performance in a broader universe of generalisation and to examine evidence for its extrapolation and implications inferences.
Engaging Students in a Dialysis Unit: A Pilot Study
Authors: Couser Sarah K. , Schuh Meredith P. , Herrmann Lisa E.
Published: January 2025

Background

Seeking to provide early paediatric nephrology exposure to medical students in the United States, we implemented the Kids In Dialysis, Nephrology Exposure and Education (KIDNEE) club. This club served as an educational intervention in which preclinical medical students were paired with paediatric dialysis patients, as patient buddies.

Approach

Students were recruited for involvement in the club through the medical school Paediatric Interest Group. For the 2022–2023 academic year, seven first‐year students were paired with seven paediatric dialysis patients. Students met with their patient match weekly to play games, watch movies and to act as a friend.

Evaluation

The evaluation aimed at assessing the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention as well as influence on student interest in paediatric chronic disease and paediatric nephrology. We developed and distributed surveys to patients, unit staff, and students after programme implementation. From October 2022 to April 2023, medical students collectively spent ~173 h in the dialysis unit. Staff and patients/families unanimously reported that they would recommend the KIDNEE club to other families. Students objectively reported an increased interest in paediatric nephrology and chronic disease and subjectively reported an increased understanding of the patient experience.

Implications

The KIDNEE club pilot was both feasible and acceptable for patients/families, staff and students. It holds the potential to increase student interest in the field of paediatric nephrology. As our results are limited by small sample size given the pilot nature of the programme, future studies are needed to assess programme expansion and longitudinal influence on students' career paths.
Iron deficiency and infection risk in Danish blood donors
Authors: Brøns Nanna , Kaspersen Kathrine Agergård , Bay Jakob Thaning , Dowsett Joseph , Erikstrup Christian , Hjalgrim Henrik , Aagaard Bitten , Mikkelsen Christina , Mikkelsen Susan , Pedersen Ole Birger , Rostgaard Klaus , Schwinn Michael , Sørensen Erik , Rigas Andreas Stribolt , Glenthøj Andreas , Ostrowski Sisse Rye
Published: January 2025

Background

We aimed to investigate if iron deficiency was associated with infection susceptibility in a large cohort of healthy individuals.

Study Design and Methods

The Danish Blood Donor Study is a national ongoing prospective study of blood donors. We included 94,628 donors with 338,290 ferritin measurements from March 2010 to October 2022. We performed sex‐stratified multivariable Cox regression to estimate the risk of infection for iron‐deficient donors compared with iron‐replete donors. Infection was defined as either a filled prescription of antibiotics registered in the Danish National Prescription Registry (NPR), or a hospital contact with infection registered in the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR).

Results

Iron deficiency was associated with an overall increased risk of infection (defined as prescriptions of antibiotics) for women (hazard ratio [HR] 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.15). Subgroup analyses showed an increased risk of respiratory tract infections (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05–1.28) and urinary tract infections (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.04–1.29). Iron deficiency was not associated with overall risk of infection for men (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.82–1.28). For both men and women, no association was found between iron deficiency and hospital contacts for infections.

Conclusion

Iron deficiency was associated with an increased risk of infection in female blood donors. However, effect sizes were small, and there was no association between iron deficiency and hospital contacts for infection. Consequently, risk of infection should not be considered an apprehension regarding blood donation. These findings support the role of iron in immune function and monitorization of iron stores in female blood donors.
Exploring the therapeutic effects of emotion equalization app during daily walking activities
Authors: Law Man Hei , Horner Andrew B.
Published: January 2025

Mobile apps and games are discovered to be some forms of therapeutic tools for improving emotion. In this study, we explored the therapeutic effects of integrating music and digital devices into daily walking activities. We aimed to determine whether subjects experienced therapeutic effects when listening to proposed music during their walks in an uncontrolled setting. Through this study, we are able to analyze the emotion changes for the pre- and post-tests using Russell’s model and identify the most effective method for generating a playlist that improves the emotions of the subjects. We recruited forty undergraduate students who used an app to listen to proposed music playlists during their walks. The results showed that the energy level and mood of the songs influenced the walking distance of the participants. Additionally, there were positive changes in the arousal and valence values of the subjects after listening to the music. The Angry quadrant was found to be the most powerful area for generating therapeutic music. These findings provide us an idea of the use of music and digital devices into daily activities for therapeutic purposes.
Lab tour and demo of software application developed to measure spatial and acoustic linear systems responses
Authors: Elko Gary W. , Meyer Jens , Backer Steven , Gaensler Tomas , Diethorn Eric , Teutsch Heinz
Published: January 2025

Over many years, we have developed a software system that measures the frequency and spatial responses of microphones and loudspeakers. The software runs on a Mac or PC and uses standard multichannel sound card hardware and MATLAB for the UI. The UI calls a special processing library that records and averages the acoustic impulse responses for up to 64 channels simultaneously. The software application called SAMH, measures averaged multichannel impulse responses using a chirp signal. SAMH can also control a rotator that allows measurements to be made in with a desired angular resolution to measure the spatial responses of transducers. One underlying assumption is the chirp source signal is longer than the impulse response of the system being measured. We use a time editing feature of the measured impulse response functions to obtain the anechoic response of devices being measured. This approach is valid if the direct field impulse response decays significantly before the first reflections arrive. A video tour of our lab and the use of the SAMH software application to measure a 64-element spherical array will be shown.
Emotional characteristics of the erhu and violin: A comparative study of emotional intensity in musical excerpts
Authors: Song Wenyi , Horner Andrew B.
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the emotional characteristics of the erhu and violin, focusing on the differences in emotional intensity. The experiment involved 25 participants categorizing the emotions and providing valence-arousal ratings for 14 musical excerpts. The results showed significant agreement between the two models, with the categorical emotions used to determine the emotional labels. A subsequent 9-point Likert comparison with 20 participants revealed that the instrument factor influenced emotional intensity. Overall, the violin conveyed more happiness, agitation, and calmness than the erhu, particularly for the Chinese-style excerpts. However, the sad emotional intensity was similar between the two instruments, contrary to the expectation that the erhu would convey sadder emotions. The performance factor had minimal impact on emotional intensity within the same instrument group, suggesting the inherent qualities of the erhu and violin were the primary drivers of the differences. Listeners more familiar with the instruments were likely to rate the violin higher in valence and arousal than the erhu. These findings contribute to understanding the expressive capabilities of the two instruments and highlight the instrument-specific emotional characteristics that shape the perceived emotional characteristics of music.
Effects of goodness-of-fit on auditory segregation in musical backgrounds
Authors: Lee Jiwon , Oh Eunmi
Published: January 2025

This study examined the impact of “goodness-of-fit,” a term by Krumhansl and Kessler that measures how well a tone fits within musical backgrounds on auditory segregation. The stimuli consisted of 40 consecutive sequences of 60 ms chords, totaling 2.4 sec. The figure tone was either C, D, E, F, G (high goodness-of-fit in C major), or their sharp equivalents (low goodness-of-fit in C major), and consistently repeated on each trial. The backgrounds were either consonant chords in C major or dissonant chords of random tones with each chord containing 8 tones ranging from 277 to 3729 Hz. Participants detected the figure from the background, using a staircase procedure to achieve over 70% accuracy, which set the figure volume for the main experiment. Results showed a significant accuracy decrease (up to 20%) only for the no-sharp figure in the consonant background. In contrast, the sharp figure's accuracy remained unaffected regardless of the background. These results indicate that figures with high goodness-of-fit were harder to distinguish in consonant backgrounds, whereas figures with low goodness-of-fit were easier to detect in consonant and dissonant backgrounds. This implies that listeners may utilize lawful relationships among musical chords for auditory segregation.
Understanding melodic transitions: A neuro-acoustical study with Indian Classical Music
Authors: Basu Medha , Banerjee Kumardeb , Ghosh Dipak
Published: January 2025

Different kinds of melodic movements and note-to-note transitions form one of the most important features of music. In this work, we have tried to analyze some of these transitions, within the domain of Instrumental Indian Classical Music. Two most widely used transitions in ICM renditions have been chosen for this pilot study- i). slow, gliding transitions, ii). fast, direct-note transitions Three pairs of melodic portions have been prepared from recorded Sitar renditions of Indian maestros, such that within each pair, one clips was predominantly characterized by slow, gliding inter-note transitions and the other by fast, direct ones. Time of transitions, pitch profiles and certain acoustic features like spectral centroid, entropy, kurtosis, skewness etc. were first compared for these two clip-categories. Next, Electroencephalogram (EEG) experiment was performed on 5 participants, using these two kinds of clips as input signals. Extracted neural signals were analyzed with help of robust non-linear scaling technique of ‘Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis’. The neural responses corresponding to these two contrasting transitions were then compared with parameters like EEG-complexity and EEG-entropy. This pilot-study is a novel attempt to understand the acoustic attributes and characteristics of two contrasting melodic transitions of ICM, as well as their corresponding neural correlates.
Study on noise insulation using double layered acoustic gratings
Authors: Du Liangfen , Fan Zheng
Published: January 2025

Noise reduction technologies that enable natural ventilation have garnered significant attention, especially in densely populated cities like Hong Kong and Singapore. These technologies not only provide aural and thermal comfort but also serve as alternatives to air conditioning during cooling seasons, thereby reducing energy consumption in green buildings. Common passive solutions for noise reduction and natural ventilation include plenum windows, coiling-up-space structures, and Helmholtz resonator (HR)-based structures. However, achieving effective noise isolation, particularly at low frequencies, often involves trade-offs, such as larger spacing between glass panels in plenum windows or increased volumes in coiling-up-space and HR-based structures, which can make them bulky and limit their practical applications. To overcome these challenges, we propose an ultrathin solution: the double-layered acoustic grating (DLAG). This innovative structure features two layers of rigid panels with perforated slits. Unlike noise insulation technologies that rely on energy conversion or impedance mismatch, the DLAG redirects acoustic energy away from sensitive areas, creating a quiet zone where needed. Additionally, the slit configuration supports natural ventilation. This paper will examine the noise reduction performance of the DLAG, specifically investigating its potential for low-frequency noise isolation.
Empirical observations of significant wave height and atmospheric acoustic transmission loss in a near-shore environment
Authors: Faircloth Heath , Stengrim Matthew , Foeller Jeff , Turo Diego , Vignola Joseph , Ryan Teresa J.
Published: January 2025

Sound is influenced by meteorological conditions as it travels, which can have profound effect on transmission loss over long ranges. Conditions, such as wind speed, wind direction, and temperature, are primary atmospheric variables affecting transmission loss. At longer ranges, the surface roughness of the water is also an important factor to consider. Significant wave height is a typical metric to characterize the water surface roughness. A June 2024 field measurement campaign was completed in the Pamlico Sound adjacent to the East Carolina University Outer Banks campus. Measurement of meteorological conditions and concurrent acoustic transmission losses were performed over water only at ranges from 250 m to 2 km. A buoy that records three-dimensional wave motion was incorporated into the measurement process and deployed between the acoustic source and receiver array. The record of wave dynamics allows for the calculation of significant wave height. The approach to synchronizing wave height measurements to the acoustic measurements is discussed. Results are presented to show how water surface roughness relates to measured transmission loss.
Generation and use of very wideband chip signals for coded underwater applications
Authors: Kumru Yasin , Taşdelen A. Sinan , Köymen Hayrettin
Published: January 2025

We present the generation and use of coded signals with very wideband chip signals for underwater applications. We performed measurements using a parametric array in a large water tank. We fabricated a transducer consisting of a 3 mm thick and 75 mm-by-75 mm square-shaped PZT ceramic plate, which is matched to water media at the radiating face and terminated by a very low impedance at the back. We used the square-root amplitude modulation and complementary Golay sequences to code the driving signals centered around 855 kHz primary frequency. We employed a matched filter at reception. Our measurement results showed that generating coded signals with varying code and chip signal lengths at 10–80 kHz difference frequency range is possible. We measured that the normalized matched filter output at 40 kHz for a 2-chip coded signal with the widest bandwidth chip signal length of 2-cycle/chip is 0.94, which indicates a strong correlation and is consistent with those measured at other difference frequencies. As a result, we obtained well-defined coded signals with a chip length of 2-cycle/chip at a 10–80 kHz frequency range, although we also observed coded signals with shorter chip signals.
Lessons learned in developing a distributed in-air ensonification and sensing lab test bed
Authors: Smith Jayden , Newcomb Wendy N. , Gage Natalya , Baden Mike , Satish Aprameya , Cook Daniel
Published: January 2025

In recent years, the use of commercial off-the-shelf audio acoustic hardware has been leveraged in the sonar community to emulate in-water sonar acquisitions in a controlled lab environment to benefit research and student education. In-air sonar test beds offer the opportunity to quickly create experimental data which would be costly and time consuming if done in-water. Tests may include different source receiver configurations (monostatic, bistatic, and multistatic) or experimentation with diverse materials and waveforms. Accurate positioning measurements result in the ability to create synthetic aperture imagery. The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) has developed the Distributed In-air Ensonification & Sensing Lab (DIESEL) testbed to contribute to collaboration and dataset generation for the mutual benefit of dataset sharing in the sonar community. There are several critical aspects of test bed development that must be evaluated and verified to bridge the gap between in-air acoustics and in-water sonar simulation and ensure proper system functioning. To further community collaboration and education in this area, this talk will discuss some of the lessons learned from challenges in setting up hardware, debugging aliasing, mitigating noise, and room artifacts and modifying signal processing for sonar dataset simulation in monostatic, multistatic, and bistatic acoustic configurations.
UW data analysis with Python webinar
Authors: Neilsen Tracianne B. , Flynn Tyler J.
Published: January 2025

The collection and analysis of data are central to all areas of acoustics. While data analysis has been performed extensively with several coding languages in the past, Python has been gaining prominence. This webinar will highlight some common applications of data analysis in Python using examples from underwater acoustics. The webinar will consist of a series of presentations by underwater acoustics experts. The first presentation will be a brief overview of some openly available datasets. Examples of spectral analyses on a few types of data will then be presented. Following the spectral analyses, a few array processing methods will be demonstrated and applications to data presented. The link to a GitHub repo for the codes and data samples used in this special session webinar will be provided to participants at the beginning of the session. Those familiar with Python and Jupyter Notebooks will be able to clone the repo and follow along during the webinar. The webinar will end with a discussion regarding additional freely available resources for data analysis in ocean acoustics.
Acoustical oceanography meets bioacoustics: Teaching ocean acoustics to biologists and physicists at the University of Victoria
Authors: Dosso Stan , Halliday William D.
Published: January 2025

The graduate-level Ocean Acoustics course at the University of Victoria is targeted at students in different departments with diverse backgrounds, ranging from physics to biology. We lead the students through a series of lectures, discussions, and assignments to provide fundamental knowledge of acoustical oceanography and marine bioacoustics, with subjects ranging from acoustic propagation modelling and geophysical inverse theory to soundscape ecology and the impacts of underwater noise on marine life. Given the varied background of the students, we must balance the material so that the course covers physical concepts without being too “math heavy” for the biologists, and so the physicists can understand and appreciate the biology. We frame assignments around skills that the students can use in their graduate research, and also give the students opportunities to review scientific papers and give presentations to the class. We have taught this course for two years now, and students have come out with a deeper understanding of the physics of sound and how it is affects marine life, providing a good foundation for their graduate research in various aspects of underwater acoustics.
A comprehensive numerical investigation of the potential influence of the bubble size and ultrasound focal pressure in drug delivery enhancement
Authors: Jafarisojahrood Amin
Published: January 2025

Stable Bubble oscillations contribute to a range of bio-effects such as enhanced drug delivery and blood-brain barrier opening. The treatment outcome depends on the bubble oscillation characteristics and the number of bubbles present at the target. Higher concentrations result in more bubbles per unit length of the vessels and, therefore, more uniform effects. At higher bubble concentrations, however, the pre-focal attenuation increases. Moreover, above a concentration threshold, bubble-bubble interactions suppress bubble oscillations. To enhance the treatment outcome, thus, not only the bubble concentration and activity should be optimized, but also the problem of pre-focal attenuation should be tackled. Numerical results show that, using the pressure gradient of focused ultrasound transducers and by taking advantage of the pressure dependent attenuation of size isolated bubbles, pre-focal attenuation can be minimized. The optimal bubble size for maximum propagation depends on the focal pressure. When volume is matched, and at lower pressures, bigger bubbles exhibit stronger radial oscillations, scattered pressure, and microstreaming (RSM). Above a pressure threshold that depend on the bubble size, smaller bubbles exhibit stronger RSM compared to their bigger counterparts. The treatment outcome may be enhanced using an optimal set of size and pressures. These results are in qualitative agreement with experimental case studies using size isolated bubbles.
The sound of culture: Exploring acoustical features of sounds perceived in free-choice learning environments
Authors: Hayde Donnelley , Hristov Nickolay , Meyer Justin Reeves , Weiss Laura , Levin-Güracar Elise , Heimlich Joe , Kawczinski Kim , Shanahan Daniel , Merson Martha
Published: January 2025

The Sound Travels research team will share a recording that exemplifies affective associations made with specific sounds by visitors to free-choice learning environments (a science museum, a park, a zoo, and a botanical garden). This recording reflects direct collaboration with visitors and demonstrates the variation in how people make sense of sound, both in identifying its sources and in describing its effects on their emotional and cognitive states. Our US-based, federally funded project explores the impacts of ambient and designed sound on STEM learning and leisure experiences. Beyond addressing our research questions, we embrace the larger goals of seeking meaningful input from professionals in and visitors to these spaces and directly informing educational design practice. Our methods include multiple stationary ambient recordings within spaces of interest, a post-experience visitor questionnaire, and a “sound search” instrument in which visitors record video clips during their experience to represent sounds that make them feel curious, energized, uneasy, and peaceful. Together, the resulting data reveal not only how visitors are affected by sound but also how visitors experience and notice sound in context, and in what ways a person’s embodied and culturally informed associations with sound relate to their experiences of learning and leisure.
Telematic connection of two co-located venues using virtual microphone control
Authors: Braasch Jonas , Chabot Samuel , Huang Mincong
Published: January 2025

In this project, a spatially accurate, long-distance audio connection was developed between two collaborative spaces, Rensselaer’s CRAIVE-Lab and the Panorama Screen System at EMPAC. This talk focuses on the special requirements for music collaborations that result from simultaneously producing sounds at both remote ends. Unlike with the back-and-forth occurring speech, the latency between both parties has to be kept at a minimum to avoid temporal disruptions. We use a low-latency transmission software (Jacktrip) and a low-latency, time-based sound spatialization software package (Virtual Microphone Control, ViMiC) to mitigate this. ViMiC is based on the virtual simulation of traditional microphone techniques, where each virtual microphone in a multichannel array can be adjusted in directivity and 3-D orientation using delay lines and amplitude adjustments for auralization. A spherical microphone is used at each end to track the musical instruments and voices. The latency requirement for the tracking system is less strict because the additional latency only affects the spatial but not the temporal properties of the sounds. The two sites use immersive loudspeaker systems capable of accurately reproducing spatialized audio from the remote site. [Work supported by NSF IIS-1909229.]
A nonlinear career path for acoustic metamaterial research
Authors: Naify Christina
Published: January 2025

Acoustic metamaterials are designed materials which have specific functionality to control acoustic or elastic waves. Over the last 20 or so years, metamaterials have proven to be a promising approach for noise control such as acoustic absorption control of acoustic fields such as holography. My technical research has focused on acoustic metamaterials for over 15 years and that work has taken me on a very nonlinear path through 4 institutions over the course of my career. When I was leaving school, like many students or those early in their career in research or industry, I expected that my professional path would be fairly linear but the reality has taken unexpected twists and turns. In this talk, I will describe my own career path researching acoustic metamaterials. This path has included multiple cross-country moves with noise control using acoustic metamaterials as a common theme.
Combined effect of acoustic radiation force and acoustic streaming for focused beams to trap cells in three dimensions
Authors: Li Shiyu , Gong Zhixiong
Published: January 2025

Selectively trapping of a single cell has potential applications such as reproductive cell selection, cell mechanics measurement, in-vivo rheology probes, etc. A widely-used technique called the micropipette aspiration has been used [Mitchison and Swann, J. Exp. Biol.,31, 443 (1954).] However, this contact trapping of a cell suffers the disadvantages of possible biological cross-infection and potential damage under mechanical suction. This could be overcome by the single focused-beam acoustical tweezers, as shown with a first trial in theory [Gong et al., J. Acous. Soc. Am. 154, A263 (2023)]. To selectively trap a cell in three dimensions, the beam's wavelength should approximate the typical size of cells, leading to a high frequency up to a few tens of megahertz. However, the acoustic absorption at such frequencies will be significant, and the acoustic streaming induced drag force [Li et al., Phys. Rev. Fluids (in press)] cannot be ignored. Hence, the 3-D trapping by a focused beam under the acoustic radiation force (ARF) as demonstrated previously may fail since the axial trapping is fragile. Here, we study the ability of 3-D trapping under the resultant force of the ARF and streaming-induced drag force and summarize the prior parameters
Creating logic gates using actuated phononic crystals
Authors: Zhao Yuanyan , Subramanian Sriram , Memoli Gianluca
Published: January 2025

In recent times, the use of acoustic metamaterials has opened to acoustics many technical developments that were initially associated only with light. In this work, we discuss how this trend brings naturally to the developing field of acoustic computing. In particular, we show how multi-level logic gates can be created using mechanically-actuated phononic crystals. We show how to design unit cells that exploit topological symmetries (or the lack of them) to create basic ON/OFF switches. We demonstrate how these switches can be combined into the main logic gates (AND, OR, NOT, and XOR) and how these might be used in practice. Finally, we realise two of these devices, based on audible sounds, and use ad-hoc measurement methods to assess their performance compared to theory.
Age-related acoustic changes in female speech production
Authors: Li Siqi , Souza Pamela E.
Published: January 2025

Previous research has observed acoustic changes in aging speech caused by physiologic changes that occur during normal aging process, but with highly variable results across studies regarding what acoustic characteristics change and how (Tucker et al., 2021). Gender has been found to be one possible factor related to such variability (Torre & Barlow, 2009). Therefore, this study focuses on the age-related changes in female speech production specifically by comparing certain acoustic measures between younger and older female talkers. Participants (n = 15 × 2 age groups) were instructed to read a set of sentences and recorded. Speech rates, fundamental frequencies (F0) and pitch variations (indexed as pitch velocity and pitch dynamicity; McCloy et al., 2015) were extracted for each talker. The results showed that older talkers tended to speak more slowly with lower mean F0, decreased F0 standard deviations, and decreased F0 ranges. The measures of pitch velocity and dynamicity are novel to the analysis of aging speech, and both turned out to be lower in older talkers, indicating more downdrift and smaller pitch excursions in their speech production. The implications of such acoustic changes for speech recognition will also be discussed.
Syracuse University Bioacoustics and Behavioral Ecology Laboratory
Authors: Parks Susan , Adcock Dana , Cusano Dana , Eschmann Alex , Perez-Marrufo Valeria , Philipp Maya , Smith Melanie , Tennant Sara
Published: January 2025

The Bioacoustics and Behavioral Ecology Laboratory at Syracuse University studies the ecology and evolution of acoustic signaling. Diverse research topics in the lab span the fields of behavioral ecology, bioacoustics, biological oceanography, and conservation biology. The current projects in the lab involve studies of both marine and terrestrial animals ranging from characterization of the acoustic behavior of species to experimental studies investigating the behavioral functions of sounds and the impacts of noise on communication. Research interests include studying the use of sound for communication, the evolution of acoustic signals, soundscapes, hearing abilities, and the impacts of noise on development, behavior, sound production and reception. This tour will introduce current lab group members and give a tour of the facilities, equipment, and software we utilize to undertake our research endeavors.
Open-source real-time auralizations with Virtual Acoustics
Authors: Palenda Pascal , Schäfer Philipp , Aspoeck Lukas , Vorlaender Michael
Published: January 2025

Auralizations are a valuable tool for demonstrating acoustic phenomena. They can form a basis on which both non-experts and experts can discuss and evaluate acoustic scenarios. However, creating auralizations often demands expert knowledge due to their complexity. The open-source, real-time auralization framework “Virtual Acoustics” (VA) aims to simplify this process. It supports various physically based sound propagation models, from simple free-field scenarios to complex room acoustic and outdoor scenarios. Dynamic changes in the scene, such as moving sources and receivers, are also supported. In addition to the propagation models, different spatialization methods are available, including binaural rendering and Ambisonics. Its user-friendly, modular design abstracts the complexity of underlying models while offering a simple, unified interface. This contribution presents some of the possible applications of the framework based on the examples included. A particular focus will be set on the auralization of a car pass-by that includes diffraction effects.