bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An attempt at a general solution to the problem of deviant causal chains
Authors: Ward Shane
Published: April 2023

Deviant causal chain problems arise in many settings. The most famous instance of the problem is the Gettier problem, but the problem also arises in the philosophy of action and perception. Usually, attempts to tackle these problems try to solve them individually. This paper takes a different approach: I propose a general solution to the problem. I begin by providing a solution to the deviant causal chain problem for skillful performance, and I argue that the solution can be extended to solve the Gettier problem and the deviant causal chain problems for perception and intentional action. As I develop my solution to these problems, I also compare it with other solutions to bring out the advantages of my approach. I then explain why the solution generalizes: my solution provides us with an analysis of disposition manifestation, which is the key to ruling out deviance. I conclude by considering objections and giving my replies.
Airway inflammation and lung function in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Wainwright Claire E.
Published: April 2023

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Political ideology shapes risk and benefit judgments of COVID‐19 vaccines
Authors: Rubaltelli Enrico , Dickert Stephan , Markowitz David M. , Slovic Paul
Published: April 2023

In April 2021, the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID‐19 vaccine was paused to investigate whether it had caused serious blood clots to a small number of women (six out of 6.8 million Americans who had been administered that vaccine). As these events were unfolding, we surveyed a sample of Americans (N = 625) to assess their reactions to this news, whether they supported the pausing of the vaccine, and potential psychological factors underlying their decision. In addition, we employed automated text analyses as a supporting method to more classical quantitative measures. Results showed that political ideology influenced the support for the pausing of the vaccine; liberals were more likely to oppose it than conservatives. In addition, the effect of political ideology was mediated by the difference between perceived benefit and risk and the language style used to produce reasons in support (or against) the decision to pause the vaccine. Liberals perceived the benefit of vaccines higher than the risk, used a more analytic language style when stating their reasons, and had a more positive attitude toward the vaccine. We discuss the implications of our findings considering vaccine hesitancy and risk perception during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Liposome functionalized reduced graphene oxide for rapid electrochemical sensing of bacteria
Authors: Kumar Shailendra , Jaiswal Juhi , Yadav Snehlata , Dhayal Marshal
Published: April 2023

Pathogenic bacteria represent a severe threat to global public health, particularly with the growing rate of antibiotic resistance, and, therefore, indicate a critical need for developing efficient sensing platforms. Liposome-based sensors are collocating interest due to their intrinsic fusogenic ability to fuse with the outer membrane of bacteria. However, the lack of a conducting property limits their applicability for developing biosensing platforms. In this study, we report conjugation of liposomes with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for fabricating a rapid and sensitive biosensor for electrochemical detection of Escherichia coli (E. coli). The large surface area of rGO facilitated binding of liposomes with their surface, and the intrinsic electrical and biocompatible properties assisted electrochemical sensing of bacteria. The electrochemical response of the liposome and the rGO-liposome coated electrode shows nonconducting and conducting characteristics, respectively. A significant change in the peak current of differential pulse voltammetry with the gradual variation of bacterial density in the electrolyte was observed for the glassy carbon electrode rGO-liposome (GCE-L-rGO) surface only. The detection sensitivity of GCE-L-rGO sensors was ∼26 μA/106 cells per ml of electrolyte for varying cell densities from 3 × 103 to 3 × 104 cells/ml. The proposed sensing technique can serve as an alternative to conventional methodologies for rapid and in situ detection of bacterial load in different samples, laying the foundation for new applications in clinical diagnostics.
In situ diagnostics of the Si etching structures profile in ICP SF6/C4F8 plasma: Macrostructures
Authors: Osipov Artem , Gagaeva Alina , Speshilova Anastasia , Osipov Armenak , Enns Yakov , Kazakin Alexey , Endiiarova Ekaterina , Kornilov Roman , Alexandrov Sergey
Published: April 2023

In this work, we studied the influence of technological parameters of plasma chemical etching of silicon on silicon etching rate, photoresist etching rate, etching selectivity of silicon in relation to a photoresist, and sidewall angle of etched structures. It was found that the silicon etching rate increases with raising percentage of SF6 in the gas mixture (25%–50%), pressure (1–2.5 Pa), high-frequency (HF) power (1000–2000 W), and bias voltage module (15–75 V) and decreases with a raising total flow rate of the gas mixture (5–35 SCCM) due to the increasing passivation efficiency of the sample surface. The etching selectivity increases with a raising percentage of SF6 and pressure and decreases with the raising total gas flow rate, HF power, and bias voltage module due to different influences of technological parameters on the photoresist etching rate. In addition, based on the obtained results, a common regularity between the sidewall angle and the optical emission spectra was revealed. The method of in situ diagnostics was proposed, namely, controlling the sidewall angle by a ratio of emission intensities of a carbon line (517.1 nm) to a fluorine line (685.8 and 703.9 nm) designated as parameter X. It was found that the sidewall angle of etched structures takes certain values depending on the value of the X parameter. The ranges of X values at which the sidewall angle is acute, right, and obtuse were estimated. So, at values of X from ≈0.15 to ≈0.35, an acute angle (from 81° ± 0.5° to 89° ± 0.5°) is obtained; at X from ≈0.35 to ≈0.42, a right angle is obtained (90° ± 0.5°); and at X from ≈0.42 to ≈0.75, the values of the sidewall angle are in the range from 91° ± 0.5° to 94° ± 0.5°, no matter which technological parameters were set. Experiments were conducted for etching windows with linear dimensions from 0.5 × 20 to 2 × 20 mm.
Modified you-only-look-once model for joint source detection and azimuth estimation in a multi-interfering underwater acoustic environment
Authors: Zhao Meng , Wang Wenbo , Ren Qunyan , Ni Haiyan , Xiao Xu , Ma Li
Published: April 2023

The you-only-look-once (YOLO) model identifies objects in complex images by framing detection as a regression problem with spatially separated boundaries and class probabilities. Object detection from complex images is somewhat similar to underwater source detection from acoustic data, e.g., time-frequency distributions. Herein, YOLO is modified for joint source detection and azimuth estimation in a multi-interfering underwater acoustic environment. The modified you-only-look-once (M-YOLO) input is a frequency-beam domain (FBD) sample containing the target and multi-interfering spectra at different azimuths, generated from the received data of a towed horizontal line array. M-YOLO processes the whole FBD sample using a single-regression neural network and directly outputs the target-existence probability and spectrum azimuth. Model performance is assessed on both simulated and at-sea data. Simulation results reveal the strong robustness of M-YOLO toward different signal-to-noise ratios and mismatched ocean environments. As tested on the data collected in an actual multi-interfering environment, M-YOLO achieved near-100% target detection and a root mean square error of 0.54° in azimuth estimation.
Short-term, not long-term, average spectra of preceding sentences bias consonant categorization
Authors: Shorey Anya E. , Stilp Christian E.
Published: April 2023

Speech sound perception is influenced by the spectral properties of surrounding sounds. For example, listeners perceive /g/ (lower F3 onset) more often after sounds with prominent high-F3 frequencies and perceive /d/ (higher F3 onset) more often after sounds with prominent low-F3 frequencies. These biases are known as spectral contrast effects (SCEs). Much of this work examined differences between long-term average spectra (LTAS) of preceding sounds and target speech sounds. Post hoc analyses by Stilp and Assgari [(2021) Atten. Percept. Psychophys. 83(6) 2694–2708] revealed that spectra of the last 475 ms of precursor sentences, not the entire LTAS, best predicted biases in consonant categorization. Here, the influences of proximal (last 500 ms) versus distal (before the last 500 ms) portions of precursor sentences on subsequent consonant categorization were compared. Sentences emphasized different frequency regions in each temporal window (e.g., distal low-F3 emphasis, proximal high-F3 emphasis, and vice versa) naturally or via filtering. In both cases, shifts in consonant categorization were produced in accordance with spectral properties of the proximal window. This was replicated when the distal window did not emphasize either frequency region, but the proximal window did. Results endorse closer consideration of patterns of spectral energy over time in preceding sounds, not just their LTAS.
Computational modeling of the human compound action potential
Authors: Alamri Yousef , Jennings Skyler G.
Published: April 2023

The auditory nerve (AN) compound action potential (CAP) is an important tool for assessing auditory disorders and monitoring the health of the auditory periphery during surgical procedures. The CAP has been mathematically conceptualized as the convolution of a unit response (UR) waveform with the firing rate of a population of AN fibers. Here, an approach for predicting experimentally recorded CAPs in humans is proposed, which involves the use of human-based computational models to simulate AN activity. CAPs elicited by clicks, chirps, and amplitude-modulated carriers were simulated and compared with empirically recorded CAPs from human subjects. In addition, narrowband CAPs derived from noise-masked clicks and tone bursts were simulated. Many morphological, temporal, and spectral aspects of human CAPs were captured by the simulations for all stimuli tested. These findings support the use of model simulations of the human CAP to refine existing human-based models of the auditory periphery, aid in the design and analysis of auditory experiments, and predict the effects of hearing loss, synaptopathy, and other auditory disorders on the human CAP.
Wide-band electrical and electromechanical properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE) piezoelectric films using electro-acoustic reflectometry
Authors: Maréchal É. , Géron E. , Holé S.
Published: April 2023

Thin piezoelectric polymer films are used in increasingly more high frequency applications. However, they are not well characterized up to the gigahertz range. In this paper, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE) films are mechanically and electrically characterized using the electro-acoustic reflectometry (EAR) method from 20 MHz to 2 GHz. In addition to mechanical and electrical properties, nonuniform poling is detected in the tested PVDF-TrFE samples showing a larger piezoelectric constant in the middle of the film and thus generating even and odd resonance modes.
Noise in your web browser: An online listening study regarding the perceived annoyance due to impact sounds
Authors: Mueller-Trapet Markus , Skoda Sabrina , Choi Young-Ji , Batista da Cunha Iara , Mahn Jeffrey
Published: April 2023

Laboratory listening studies are typically limited in the number of people who can participate because of the effort that is involved in setting up and carrying out the experiment for each participant. This effort has significantly increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the heightened public health requirements for in-person studies. This increase in effort and the resulting limit on the number of participants can be avoided by implementing the listening study as an online interface, where participants can then run the experiment from the comfort of their home and anyone who has access to a computer and headphones is able to participate. Such an approach supports the goal of involving the general public, who are the ultimate target audience for the research outcome. This contribution presents the preliminary results of an online listening study assessing the perceived annoyance due to impact sounds in residential buildings. The interface was previously validated and presented (Internoise 2021) with limited data. Since then, the survey has been published online for worldwide access. The results are discussed in relation to the results of previous laboratory studies.
Using a simulation model to guide a new measurement method for floor ceiling assembly impact performance
Authors: Girdhar Sunit , Barnard Andrew , Blough Jason R. , Lo Verde John , Dong Wayland
Published: April 2023

The impact performance of a floor-ceiling assembly is calculated as a single number rating using the ASTM standard. The radiated SPL in the receiving room below is measured, either at discrete points or by scanning in parts of the room, and compared to a reference curve. This method suffers from non-reproducibility issues, especially in low frequencies where the sound field is non-diffuse and SPL measurements may give a large error for different locations in the room. A new method is needed that improves the reproducibility of the measurement method. We are using a simulation model to guide a new measurement method that will have a higher reproducibility. In this presentation, we will discuss some of the advances made so far and discuss the future scope of this work. This presentation provides an update on the long-term project of proposing a new measurement method for impact noise in floor-ceiling assemblies.
The effect of loudspeaker type and position on field airborne sound isolation measurements
Authors: Dong Wayland , Lo Verde John
Published: April 2023

Airborne sound isolation measurement per ASTM E336 uses random noise excitation generated by loudspeakers in the source room. For smaller rooms such as those in residences, loudspeakers are typically located in and pointed into a corner. There is some indication that this loudspeaker position results in systematic reductions in the airborne sound isolation. To investigate the reported reductions and other possible effects due to loudspeaker characteristics, we performed a gauge repeatability and reproducibility study (GRR) on a typical demising wall between units in a multi-family residential building. A GRR uses analysis of variations (ANOVA) on an appropriately designed experiment to separate and quantify the components of the overall uncertainty. This adds to the GRR analyses previously completed (see papers by the authors at Internoise 2018, 2019, and 2021). This study used loudspeaker type, position, and level as the study variables. The results are presented, and the effect on noise isolation testing procedures is discussed.
Statistical evaluation of noise due to changes in pandemic traffic patterns
Authors: Lo Verde John , Dong Wayland , Rawlings Samantha , Edwards McCall
Published: April 2023

Vehicular traffic noise for free-flowing roadways and highways generally follows statistically predictable flow rates and vehicular mix. The authors’ earlier work in this area examined long-term variations in traffic noise level with the purpose of establishing maximum hourly levels for vehicular sources (“Defining vehicular noise levels to manage risk associated with exterior façade design,” LoVerde, Dong, Rawlings, Internoise 2014 Melbourne) and general average sound level (“Noise prediction of vehicle sources on arterials using measured sound data,” LoVerde, Dong, Rawlings, ASA 2014 Providence; “Methods for estimating the variance in traffic noise distribution from short-duration measurements,” LoVerde, Dong, Rawlings, ICSV 2015 Florence). When the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lockdowns, traffic patterns at the measurement location in Southern California were affected. The authors’ examination of traffic data revealed that the changes in traffic patterns did not affect noise level significantly, but variability in sound level across the 24-h period increased substantially (“Changes in statistical traffic noise descriptors during COVID-19,” LoVerde, Dong, Edwards, Rawlings, ASA 2021). For this paper, the authors have undertaken comparison of pre-, during-, and post-lockdown vehicular traffic noise levels over a several-month period for the purpose of understanding how measurement of traffic noise is implemented and interpreted.
Application of active noise control for plenum window in a domestic setting
Authors: Tan Johann K. , LAU Siu-Kit
Published: April 2023

Plenum windows, also known as ventilation windows allow for natural ventilation in living spaces while providing noise reduction to improve the health and living comfort of occupants, especially in noise polluted and tropical/sub-tropical cities. However, while plenum windows can provide acceptable levels of natural ventilation, the passive noise performance of plenum windows when fully opened is still lacking compared to the conventional closed windows at low frequencies. Active noise control (ANC) has been shown to provide good performance in several applications in low-frequencycontrol. Thus, the application of active noise control through a single-channel and dual-channel ANC implementation is to be developed and demonstrated in a field test for a plenum window set in a domestic home built to reproduce the environment of a high-rise apartment. The experimental application will be based on the optimal configurations for single and dual-channel ANC informed by prior simulation studies.
Treating seat-dip with acoustic metamaterials and detuned acoustic resonators
Authors: Maurer Alex
Published: April 2023

As sound passes over regularly spaced audience seating areas in performance spaces at a grazing angle, the low frequency response of performing arts venues and auditoria is altered. This is due to diffraction based on the regular spacing of the seating. One effect is what is referred to as seat-dip attenuation, which is a reduction in low frequency energy across a bandwidth. Being a low-frequncy phenomenon, it is difficult to treat using conventional acoustic materials such as porous absorbers or Schroeder diffusers. Modern acoustic metamaterials can alter wave propagation using relatively thin layers. This project investigates whether acoutic metamaterials applied to the tops of the seats, the rear of the seats, or the floor can reduce the low-frequency attenuation brought about by the seat-dip effect. This novel approach demonstrates varying levels of succes for remediating low-frequency seat-dip attenuation. The study is carried out using a computer model that is evualted using boundary element method (BEM) in COMSOL Multiphysics. Additionally, a novel approach for reducing the prominence of the seat-dip effect is explored using detuned Helmholtz resonatos placed at the top of the seats.
Using crowd-sourced data to optimize conversational sound levels in hospitality venues
Authors: Dugan Erin L.
Published: April 2023

One of the top complaints about a restaurant is usually related to noise. The sound level in a venue can significantly affect whether or not a customer will return. Statistical analysis of the crowdsourced data collected with the SoundPrint smartphone app at more than 10,000 U.S.-based hospitality venues (restaurants, coffee shops, and bars) provides a comparison of the objective sound level data versus the patrons’ subjective ratings for conversational ability. These insights show a customer's tolerance for noisy environments can be highly dependent on the venue type, specifically when communication is important. The findings can also help venue managers know what interior sound levels to target when optimizing the acoustics for their venue, whether by reducing background noise levels or improving acoustical treatments, in order to attract and keep their patrons happy.
The effects of speech intelligibility on reading comprehension under task-switching behaviour in open-plan offices
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , LAU Siu-Kit , Ou Dayi , Qu Guanhua
Published: April 2023

Numerous investigations showed that speech noise is the most disturbing factor in work efficiency. Work efficiency decreases with speech intelligibility. The results of a recent study show that the effect of speech intelligibility on work efficiency is significantly correlated with the effect of speech intelligibility on reconcentration. To examine the effects of speech intelligibility on reading comprehension under task-switching behaviour, a total of 30 students were recruited to participate reading comprehension test, which is interrupted by a creative task. Task performance, psychology, and physiology indicators were carried out under eight experimental conditions with speech transmission index = 0.00, 0.17, 0.26, 0.36, 0.45, 0.52, 0.57, and 0.71. The experimental results showed that the task-switching behaviour had no evidence to support a significant impact on task performance for each speech intelligibility. However, task-switching behaviour significantly impacts participants’ fatigue and workload as the value of the speech transmission index increases.
Sound advice—Sound design
Authors: Schafer Mark E.
Published: April 2023

Ultrasound energy offers unique capabilities to treat a wide range of medical conditions, through numerous distinct physical interactions with tissue. Unlike diagnostic ultrasound, where safety and efficacy are easily demonstrated and the underlying technology has been available for decades, therapeutic ultrasound applications have explored new regimes and therefore required novel technologies and approaches. This presentation will describe the journey from discovery to clinic, based on examples from the author’s personal experience as a consultant and entrepreneur. Developing therapeutic ultrasound products involves several specific and sometimes unique steps. It generally starts with the observation of a therapeutic effect, or a realization that an existing approach could be applied to a different clinical situation. Moving from “N = 1” to a repeatable treatment paradigm can be both exciting and discouraging. The next key steps, which are the hardest, involve translating the initial idea/data/concept into a commercial design, or at least a plan for one. The regulatory, financial, commercial, and clinical environments can be as challenging as the purely technical hurdles, and all factor into the development process. While creating new clinical ultrasound treatments and devices can be difficult and time consuming, it can also be immensely rewarding and satisfying.
In vivo soft tissue aberration correction for histotripsy using acoustic cavitation emissions
Authors: Yeats Ellen , Stocker Greyson , Sukovich Jonathan R. , Xu Zhen , Hall Timothy L.
Published: April 2023

Phase aberration by heterogeneous soft tissues decreases the focusing quality of transabdominal histotripsy, thereby increasing the energy required to generate cavitation for therapy and elevating the risk of unsafe tissue heating. In vitro studies have shown that the acoustic signals emitted by histotripsy cavitation bubbles can serve as ‘point sources’ for aberration correction (AC). This study assessed the efficacy of cavitation emission-based AC in vivo. A 750-kHz, 260-element, receive-capable histotripsy phased array was used to generate cavitation at 3 locations in the livers of 3 pigs (n = 9). For each location, cavitation emission signals were received and cross correlated to determine a set of corrective phase delays. Then, the array was re-fired at increasing increments of driving power both with and without aberration correction. It was found that AC decreased the transducer power required to generate cavitation by 16%–48%. This result suggests that AC using the cavitation emissions from an initial test pulse can substantially reduce the energy delivered to intervening tissues during histotripsy therapy and thus increase treatment safety.
Event- and sample-based audio processing: A shotgun marriage
Authors: Puckette Miller
Published: April 2023

Real-time audio computation tends to fall into two very different paradigms. On one hand we deal with continuous streams of audio sample frames having a fixed number of channels and a fixed data type. Our main conceptual tool is the Nyquist theorem. On the other hand, musical scores and sporadic control streams (for instance MIDI or network packets) do not fit comfortably into any fixed data type and need not fall on any fixed sample rate. In this talk I'll describe the choices taken in the design of the Pure Data real-time music and audio programming environment. The design makes it possible to make exactly reproducible real-time audio computations that combine two computational paradigms, one for vectorized data streams (intended for, but not limited to, audio), and the other to support control computations with sub-sample-accurate time tags.
Comparison of vocal vibrato across multiple singers and vowels
Authors: Berger Hanna , Smith Sarah R.
Published: April 2023

Vibrato is a common technique used by singers to add expressiveness to their voice, which involves oscillating slightly above and below the target pitch. Analyzing the features of vibrato could be useful in projects such as identifying singers based on their voice or creating a more realistic autotune. The parameters of the vibrato explored included frequency modulation width, frequency modulation rate, and amplitude modulation width. To collect data on these parameters, various singers of different voice parts were recorded singing scales on different vowels with and without vibrato. The singers were recorded in an anechoic chamber to minimize the impact of the room on the samples. The scales were then cut down into individual pitches that could be analyzed. Using MATLAB, the vibrato parameters of the voice samples were calculated and graphed. The data was then compared between vowels sung by the same singer, and between different singers.
The effect of ambient noise within a vehicle on the audibility of safety sirens
Authors: Webber Madeline K. , Lee Norman , Beer Christopher
Published: April 2023

Driver response times to safety vehicle sirens can make the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, siren audibility is impeded by additional auditory stimuli (such as music), which more than 90% of drivers listen to. To better understand siren effectiveness in alerting drivers, ambient noise (including such additional stimuli) is measured with respect to a typical sedan to understand masking. Quantifying the sound propagation characteristics, specifically diffraction and attenuation, of sirens at set distances is done by measuring the A-weighted sound pressure levels outside and inside the sedan. Measurements are taken to simulate an emergency vehicle approaching from behind. Initial findings demonstrate that dBA levels are reduced more than two-fold when propagating inside a sedan with all noise sources off (engine, etc.). Ambient noise is studied in multiple designs, including engine idling or driving, and music at various sound pressure levels. This enables quantifying human detection thresholds to determine minimal masking values in various types/levels of ambient noise. Human detection thresholds are determined using established signal-to-noise ratio standards. Findings shall be discussed in terms of siren effectiveness in alerting drivers in the presence of ambient noise to provide insights to further the safety of the public and emergency personnel.
Frequency compensation for in-ear noise dosimetry
Authors: Parkins John
Published: April 2023

Personal noise dosimeters (PNDs) are used in the prevention of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) by monitoring noise exposure. Exposure of a worker is typically estimated by measuring the noise level at the shoulder location and subtracting the estimated protection provided by any worn hearing protection devices. Current noise dosimeters in the marketplace are deficient because the noise level at the shoulder does not necessarily represent the noise exposure in the ear canal due to shadowing, canal resonances and other acoustical phenomena. Moreover, workers often deliberately insert earplugs to shallow canal depths to better hear their environments, and earmuff attenuation is inconsistent due to variations in head geometry. Thus, the estimated hearing protection is often in error. In-ear personal noise dosimeters (iPNDs) can solve these problems because they incorporate a microphone within a hearing protection earplug that measures the actual noise level in an ear canal. However, the acoustics of the in-ear measurement are quite different compared to the shoulder measurement, and in-ear measurements must be frequency compensated to achieve valid results. This paper discusses in-ear noise dosimetry, why frequency compensation is needed and how to compensate the microphone signal. [This work was funded by a CDC SBIR grant.]
A study on acoustic performance of dissipative silencer for fluid-filled pipe system according to acoustic models of absorbing material
Authors: Yang Haesang , Lee Jongmoo , Seong Woojae
Published: April 2023

In many industrial systems involving pipe or duct structures, sound transmission modeling is critical to noise treatment and control. A typical noise treatment method applied to pipe structures is to use a silencer. In particular, a dissipative silencer with a sound absorbing material has a noise control ability to reduce noise through successive sound reflections by impedance mismatch while dissipating incident sound energy as heat. In this study, the acoustic performance of a dissipative silencer lined with multi-layered absorbing materials for fluid-filled pipe system is investigated. Herein, the absorbing materials are modeled applying poroelastic and viscoelastic theories. In the analysis, the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions in the dissipative silencer are determined from the rigid wall boundary condition and the interfaces between the absorbing materials, and then the acoustic performance is compared by obtaining the transmission loss using the mode matching method. Also, a parametric study is conducted to investigate the effect of the number and arrangement of layers on the acoustic performance of the silencer according to the absorbing material properties.
Multiscale acoustics in dense granular media; geophysical implications
Authors: Jia Xiaoping , Tourin Arnaud
Published: April 2023

We overview sound interactions with dense granular packings, dry, wet or saturated by liquid, in which acoustic waves are served not only as a probe to monitor the fragile and heterogeneous contact networks, but also as a pump to fluidize the medium and trigger the shear instability. First, we describe the linear sound propagation in jammed granular solid: coherent waves and multiple scattering [1], as well as acoustic probing of elastic heterogeneities [2], and plastic rearrangements [3]. Then, we investigate the nonlinear acoustic waves dominated by the hysteresis due to micro-slips at contacts [4] and the huge softening of shear wave velocity in transient elastography [5]. Finally, we discuss the triggering of granular avalanches by high-amplitude ultrasound [6], through the acoustic lubrication of contacts (micro-plasticity) without visible grains motions. This work helps to understand landslides triggered by seismicity. [1] X. Jia, Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 154303 (2004). [2] S. Wildenberg et al., Europhys. Lett. 115, 34005 (2016). [3] Y. Khidas and X. Jia, Phys. Rev. Express 85, 051304 (2012). [4] X. Jia, T. Brunet, and J. Laurent, Phys. Rev. Express 84, 020301(R) (2011). [5] J. Brum et al., Phys. Rev. Eexpress 99, 042902 (2019). [6] J. Léopoldès, X. Jia, A. Tourin, and A. Mangeney, Phys. Rev. Express 102, 042901 (2020).
Nonlinear elastic properties of granular media: The effects of stress, relative humidity, and grain shape
Authors: Riviere Jacques , Gao Linying , Shokouhi Parisa
Published: April 2023

The long-term goal of this work is to elucidate the microphysical mechanisms responsible for the nonlinear elastic properties of rocks and granular media. Nonlinear elasticity in such media arises from the weak junctions between grains, however the precise microphysical mechanisms at play remain to be determined. In our previous work, we found that (1) in rocks, the nonlinear elastic parameters cluster in two groups, suggesting that there are two main physical mechanisms, (2) despite their differences in grain shape, the elastic nonlinearity of spherical glass beads and angular fine sand is of the same magnitude, however (3) the elastic nonlinearity increases with relative humidity (RH) for glass beads, while it remains quite constant for fine sand. To further refine these observations and reduce scatter, here, we present preliminary results using a new setup that allows us to quickly vary the relative humidity of a single sample, rather than comparing different samples at different RH. We monitor the nonlinear elastic response of our samples using Dynamic Acousto-Elastic Testing and systematically vary the stress and RH. Interpretation of these new results in light of our previous work are discussed.
A profile of profile analysis
Authors: Conroy Christopher
Published: April 2023

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, David M. Green and his collaborators published a series of papers and a book detailing a view of intensity discrimination that they termed profile analysis. The basic idea was that, in certain situations, masked intensity discrimination is accomplished through an analysis of spectral shape, rather than a successive comparison of intensities in the spectral region of the intensity change. In other words, masker energy in spectral regions far removed from the intensity change can have a profound influence—either positive or negative, depending, among other factors, on the listener’s uncertainty and expectations regarding the masker’s spectral shape—on intensity-discrimination performance, an idea that diverged sharply from classical models based on a single inflexible channel. Consequently, Green’s work on profile analysis both spurred on, and became part of, a broader movement within psychoacoustics that emerged around the same time, in which classical theory and methods began to comingle with higher-level concepts (uncertainty, expectation, etc.). This talk will use Green’s own reflections, along with those of his collaborators, to trace the development and theoretical consequences of his work on profile analysis, with a particular emphasis on its relation to this broader historical movement.
Profile analysis and neural fluctuations: New perspectives on a classic stimulus
Authors: Guest Daniel R. , Carney Laurel H.
Published: April 2023

Profile analysis tests the ability to discriminate sounds based on patterns in amplitude spectra. Prior work has largely interpreted profile-analysis data using the power-spectrum model of masking. Under this model, performance relies on analyzing the output of a peripheral bandpass filterbank, and thresholds reflect limits on performance due to frequency selectivity and neural noise. Although this model successfully captures some basic trends in profile-analysis data, it has difficulty explaining others, such as poorer performance at high frequencies. We hypothesize that these trends can instead be explained by midbrain sensitivity to neural fluctuations. Profile-analysis stimuli contain rich temporal modulations, which elicit fluctuations in neural responses that are shaped by the auditory periphery and encoded by average discharge rates in the midbrain. We used physiologically realistic models to simulate midbrain responses to profile-analysis stimuli over a wide range of frequencies, sound levels, and component numbers/spacing. Some features of profile analysis that are difficult to explain with the power-spectrum model, such as frequency dependence and the effects of hearing loss, were readily accounted for by midbrain tuning to neural fluctuations. These results inform the role of fluctuations and effects of hearing loss on discrimination of complex sounds. [Work supported by NIH R01 DC010813.]
Analysis of ideal models of real nonlocal acoustic and elastic metamaterials
Authors: Geib Nathan
Published: April 2023

Nonlocal coupling in acoustic and elastic systems has received growing attention for its potential to expand the capabilities of active metamaterials. Previously, we have shown experimentally how nonlocality imposed through action at a distance, where signals from disturbances at one location are used to drive actuators at separate locations, gives rise to unique scattering characteristics, namely highly nonreciprocal transmission. We showed how the mathematical models for these experimental systems were excellent predictors for real system behavior, and as such, represented powerful experimental design tools. However, these models were elaborate, incorporating the characteristics of real sensors and actuators, electronic controllers, and material properties and geometries, consequently obscuring the underlying nonlocal physics responsible for their unique behavior. Here, we present simplified models of these real systems that feature closed form expressions for system scattering characteristics, allowing for the identification of relevant dimensionless quantities and revealing how the interactions of those quantities affect both system performance and stability. We compare and contrast ideal models for both acoustic and elastodynamic nonlocal systems, highlighting how each ideal model is qualitatively representative of its real counterpart, thus providing a pathway to a deeper understanding and further exploration of nonlocality in wave-bearing systems.
Experimental demonstration of a spatiotemporally modulated sound diffusing metasurfaces
Authors: Kang Janghoon , Haberman Michael R.
Published: April 2023

Spatiotemporal modulation of material properties has been studied across physics in an effort to control propagating waves. Using a semi-analytical approach, we have recently shown that the performance of a conventional sound diffuser can be significantly improved through spatiotemporal modulation of its surface admittance [Kang et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 121, 181703 (2022)]. The improved performance is a result of energy in scattered sound at the incident wave frequency plus and minus harmonics of the modulation frequency of the temporal modulation of the input admittance. The additional frequencies of reflected sound increase the diversity of propagating diffraction modes and therefore increased angular distribution of scattered energy. This work presents the design of a sound diffuser element to implement the spatiotemporal modulation. The rigid bottom of a straight-tube diffuser well is replaced by a piezo disc shunted by a negative impedance converter (NIC), in which a capacitance can be controlled by varying a resistor value in the NIC. We present impedance tube measurements that show the presence of modulation harmonics in the reflected wave for single-frequency incident wave caused by a modulation of an acoustic admittance, and the diffusion performance measured in the anechoic chamber is compared with the non-modulated case.
Clear speech processing benefits beyond intelligibility
Authors: Smiljanic Rajka
Published: April 2023

A robust clear speech intelligibility benefit for a variety of talkers, listeners, and communication challenges is well-documented. In this talk, I will review research that focuses on how conversational to clear speech modifications facilitate linguistic processes and cognitive functioning beyond word recognition in noise. In one line of work, using a visual-world paradigm, we showed that clear speech enhanced speech segmentation and reduced lexical competition. In another, we showed that clear speech benefit extended to the improved sentence recognition memory and recall of words and sentences. Finally, in a series of experiments using a dual-task paradigm, we showed that hearing clear speech increased reaction times on a concurrent visual task suggesting that the clear speech processing benefits may arise through the increased engagement of the attentional resources toward the more salient hyperarticulated speech. The results contribute evidence that clear speech facilitates signal-dependent sensory processing as well as deeper linguistic processing abstracted from the input speech. These clear speech findings have implications for our understanding of perceptual mechanisms that underlie improved speech perception, including the use of cognitive resources and listening effort.
Non-native clear speech: The roles of proficiency and speech target
Authors: Baese-Berk Melissa M. , Kato Misaki
Published: April 2023

Previous work has demonstrated that native talkers are able to enhance intelligibility by using a speaking style typically referred to as “clear speech.” However, it is less clear whether talkers who are speaking a language other than their native language are also able to produce speech in a style that results in intelligibility gains for listeners. In this talk, we will present a series of studies investigating the role of proficiency (higher versus lower proficiency) and target of clear speech (individual segments versus global properties of speech). The work suggests that both lower- and higher-proficiency non-native talkers reliably produce clear speech, but lower-proficiency talkers do not reliable produce a casual or reduced speaking style, and non-native talkers. Further, both groups of non-native talkers are more successful at producing clear speech when the target is a single segment, though this varies as a function of their experience with the particular segment in question. We will present both production and perception data as evidence for these claims. We will conclude by discussing the role of the listener and their familiarity with talkers and accents in our understanding of non-native clear speech.
Trust-worth multi-representation learning for audio classification with uncertainty estimation
Authors: Xu Kele , You Kang , Feng Ming , Zhu Boqing
Published: April 2023

Multi-view learning has been explored for audio classification tasks, exploiting different representations of audio signals, ranging from MFCC, CQT, to raw signals. The quality of each view may vary for different audio signals, and the appropriate uncertainty quantification for each view has not been fully explored. In this work, we explore a trusted multi-view learning framework for classification tasks in order to fully incorporate different views. Our framework consists of three parallel branches of Transformer architectures (Gammatone spectrogram, log-Mel and CQT) and they are combined using the uncertainty estimation of different branch. In addition to computing the classification probabilities, the uncertainty of each representation can also be obtained using the framework. We firstly calculate the evidence based on feature vectors to obtain the probabilities and the uncertainty of classification problems for Gammatone, log-Mel and CQT branch. By integrating the confidence from each of the different representations using the Dempster–Shafer theory, the classification framework can provide higher accuracy and confidence. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework, we conduct the experiments on the GTZAN dataset. The obtained results show that our method can reach the accuracy of 83.0%, which significantly outperforms single representation-based methods while providing uncertainty estimation for different views.
Using machine learning to determine the best wavelet for compressing acoustic data
Authors: Landeche Avery C. , Pies Shaun , Leftwich Kendal , Loup Juliette W.
Published: April 2023

This research uses acoustic data to determine the best method to find the optimal wavelet to use for data compression. The power spectral densities before and after wavelet decomposition, compression, and decomposition (decompression) are compared to assess the quality of the compression. Machine learning methods are tested to choose the optimal wavelet with the best qualities. Ultimately, this research will create a program to automatically give the user the best wavelet(s) to compress a particular acoustic data set. [This research is funded by the University of New Orleans Office of Research.]
Teacher’s vocal health: Voice application systems and other work-related factors
Authors: Hunter Eric J. , Cantor Cutiva Lady Catherine , Banks Russell , Hallam Pamela , Anderson Brian E.
Published: April 2023

School teachers’ voice problems are widespread and influence the learning process. Voice amplification systems in classrooms are a common response and a preventative strategy. The primary purpose of this study was to (1) determine the relationship between teacher vocal fatigue and use of classroom amplification; and (2) identify factors influencing amplification usage. Teachers throughout the US completed questionnaires regarding vocal health, classroom conditions, lifestyle habits, and access to and use of vocal amplification systems. Responses indicated that biological female teachers who used voice amplification or taught grades kindergarten to middle school were more likely to report higher levels of vocal fatigue. Further, teachers with access to amplification systems were more likely to use them if they were teachers in lower grade levels, who smoked occasionally, drank alcohol frequently, and taught in larger capacity classrooms. In conclusion, it maybe that those using the amplifications are using them because of pre-existing voice issues. Finally, the work-related factors associated with the use of amplification systems (e.g., grade level, classroom capacity) may be indicators of adjustments to reduce the occurrence of voice problems among teachers. Ongoing studies reviewing the available classroom amplification equipment and use from a school administrators perspective will be discussed.
Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) factors in K–12 learning spaces: The impact of acoustic performance on students with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Lekan-Kehinde Michael , Asojo Abimbola , Sanborn B
Published: April 2023

Acoustics is one of the major factors that impact language acquisition, concentration, information retention, and general comfort within the environment needed for preparing children for adult life. Students learn by communication, making speaking and listening crucial. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that could be complex, multifactorial, and pervasive and is widely described under the umbrella term of Neurodiversity. Neurodiversity describes anyone with a different brain process. As the understanding of cognitive and neurosciences increases, the number of people identified as neurodiverse is nearly 30% of the global population. This research examined the available guidelines and standards for learning space with good acoustic quality, conducted expert interviews and a case study of a space designed to meet this guideline, and finally, make performance threshold and material specification recommendations for improvement to ensure better inclusion of students with ASD. The study involved a mixed methods approach using literature review, interviews, case study, and simulation of a school in the south-central part of the United States. The results describe the current solution used to ensure acoustic suitability for students with ASD and the limitations student with ASD encounter in spaces. This research makes design and material recommendations for improving learning spaces and concludes with an increased need for an integrated understanding of acoustics by all players in the design field.