bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of bubble activity to the efficacy of histotripsy and catheter-directed recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for treatment of porcine thrombi in vitro
Authors: Yang Shumeng , Zemzemi Chadi , Holland Christy K. , Haworth Kevin J.
Published: April 2023

Histotripsy has been shown to be a promising adjuvant treatment for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), using the mechanical action of bubble clouds to enhance thrombolytic activity and reduce the risk of complications. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of histotripsy with and without recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator, rt-PA in a physiologic, in vitro model mimicking porcine DVT. Highly retracted porcine whole blood clots were treated for 1 h with catheter-directed infusions of either saline or rt-PA [0.04 mg/ml] at 25 ml/h, either with or without histotripsy exposure. Five-cycle, 1.5 MHz histotripsy pulses with a peak negative pressure of 32 MPa and pulse repetition frequency of 40 Hz were applied along the catheter at 0.3 mm/s and repeated 1 mm on either side. This application pattern was repeated 6 times, totaling approximately 120 to 144 K pulses per clot. B-mode and passive cavitation images were acquired every 10pulses. The combination of rt-PA and histotripsy was more efficacious for recanalization than saline with histotripsy, saline, or rt-PA alone. Histotripsy exposure, but not rt-PA, improved mass loss (p < 0.01). These in vitro data support our hypothesis that the mechanical action of histotripsy-induced bubble clouds enhances catheter-directed thrombolytic.
Decrease in volcano jet noise peak frequency as crater expands
Authors: McKee Kathleen F. , Snee Eveanjelene , Maher Sean , Smith Cassandra , Reath Kevin , Roman Diana , Matoza Robin , Carn Simon , Mastin Larry , Anderson Kyle , Damby David , Perttu Anna , Assink Jelle D. , de Negri Leiva Rodrigo , Degterev Artem , Rybin Alexander , Chibisova Marina , Itikarai Ima , Mulina Kila , Saunders Steve
Published: April 2023

Volcanic jet noise is the sound, often <20 Hz and termed infrasound, generated by momentum-driven fluid flow through a volcanic vent. Assuming the self-similarity of jet flows and audible jet noise extends to infrasonic volcanic jet noise, the Strouhal number, St, connects frequency changes to those in jet length (expanded jet diameter) and/or velocity scale (jet velocity). We examine the infrasound signals from the June 2019 eruptions of Raikoke, Kuril Islands and Ulawun, Papua New Guinea volcanoes with changes in crater geometry. We use data from the International Monitoring System infrasound network and pre- and post-eruption satellite data (PlanetScope imaging). We observe a decrease in infrasound peak frequency during the transition to a more intense phase, which remains through the end of both eruptions. With the PlanetScope data, we measured a crater area increase of ∼50 000 m2 at Raikoke and ∼31 000 m2 at Ulawun. We use crater diameter as a proxy for expanded jet diameter. Our analysis suggests that the increases in crater diameter alone cannot account for the decreases in peak frequency for a constant St. This suggests the jet velocity also increased, which fits satellite data, and or the fluid properties (e.g., particle loading, nozzle characteristics, etc.) changed. This is reasonable as the eruptions intensified, which likely involved an increase in jet velocity and erosion of the crater walls. This is the first study to corroborate the decrease in infrasound peak frequency with documented increase in crater area.
Loudspeaker modeling using CadnaA in an urban environment
Authors: Smith Valerie , Duty Jason , Decker Jeremy
Published: April 2023

CadnaA is traditionally used to model environmental noise sources, such as traffic, trains, and industrial noise sources. In this presentation, we will talk about past experiences using CadnaA to model outdoor noise levels from loudspeakers at music venues in an urban environment. This noise modeling was validated by comparing to “real world” measured data.
Atmospheric acoustic propagation modeling using heterogeneous wind profiles along the acoustic path
Authors: Vecchiotti Andrea , Ryan Teresa J. , Foeller Jeff , Vignola Joseph , Turo Diego
Published: April 2023

This work presents atmospheric sound propagation predictions using a parabolic equation solver that accounts for heterogeneous wind profile distribution along the acoustic path. Transmission loss predictions using both homogeneous and heterogeneous wind speeds information are compared with data. A three-dimensional scanning Doppler LIDAR wind profiler captures real-time wind speed gradients at many locations along the acoustic propagation path providing the heterogeneous wind speed profiles. The wind measurements are concurrent with a pitch catch transmission loss measurements. A long-range acoustic device on an anchored pontoon sends known chirp sequences to a seven-channel receiver array at the water’s edge at ranges up to approximately one kilometer. Additional synchronized meteorological observations include temperature, humidity, and wind measured with anemometers. Key differences in model results are highlighted and an assessment of the value of the computational cost is presented.
Relating spatial release from masking to lateralization using interaural differences
Authors: Williams Brittany T. , Miller Margaret , Gallun Frederick J. , Stecker G. Christopher
Published: April 2023

Spatial acoustic cues such as interaural differences in time (ITD) and level (ILD) contribute to the benefit of reduced interference (masking) that occurs when competing sounds (maskers) differ in spatial location from the target talker. This benefit (spatial release from masking or SRM) is well studied but the contributions of ITD and ILD to SRM during speech-on-speech masking remain poorly understood. One hypothesis regarding mixed results in the literature is that SRM primarily reflects differences in overall perceived spatial location rather than independent contributions of ITD and ILD. We evaluated this hypothesis by relating SRM directly to the perceived spatial locations of speech stimuli that were processed in five conditions: ITD only, ILD only, consistent (ITD + ILD), and opposing (ITD – ILD or ILD – ITD). We measured lateralization for speech stimuli in each condition. Lateralization was consistently strongest for consistent ITD + ILD cues, but weaker and more variable across other conditions. Finally, we evaluate a model relating individual differences in SRM to ITD/ILD-based lateralization of target and masker sounds. [Work supported by NIH R01-DC016643]
Emotion perception in children with cochlear implants and with hearing aids
Authors: Başkent Deniz , Babaoğlu Gizem , Yazgan Başak , Ertürk Pınar , Gaudrain Etienne , Nagels Leanne , Jong Tjeerd , Launer Stefan , Singh Gurjit , Derleth R. Peter , Coster Francien , Chatterjee Monita , Vickers Debi , Hendriks Petra , Yücel Esra , Sennaroğlu Gonca , Schroeff Marc , Vroegop Jantien , Maat Bert , Free Rolien , Benard Ruben , Dirks Evelien , Rachman Laura
Published: April 2023

Emotion recognition is an important part of human communication and this ability contributes to children’s social development. Children with hearing loss may have difficulties perceiving relevant acoustic cues conveying emotions, but the combined effects of neuroplasticity, physiological effects from hearing loss, and the compensatory features of hearing aids and cochlear implants are not fully understood. As a result, it is also unclear if difficulties in vocal emotion perception are mostly due to a reduced access to relevant acoustic cues, an acute effect. Additionally, the ability to recognize and label emotions may develop differently in children with hearing loss, an accumulated effect over a longer period of time that may be less directly related to hearing difficulties. We will present findings from recent studies on vocal emotion recognition from semantically meaningless sentences in children (6–18 years) with cochlear implants or with hearing aids, and preliminary results from ongoing work on both vocal and facial emotion recognition in hearing aided children (6–18 years). These data show a large variability in performance, indicating some children with hearing loss mayhave great difficulties. We will discuss potentially relevant contributing factors in the development of emotion perception in children with hearing loss.
The role of voice fundamental frequency in the perception of anger in clear speech
Authors: Ferguson Sarah H. , Bennion Sierra N. , Smalley Tara E. , Young Elizabeth D.
Published: April 2023

In previous work, listeners have rated clearly-spoken neutral speech materials as sounding angry significantly more often than identical materials spoken conversationally. This effect varies widely among talkers, and a recent study compared acoustic characteristics of clear and conversational speech produced by talkers whose clear speech sounds angry to those of talkers whose clear speech does not sound angry. Of several well-known clear speech acoustic changes, only raised voice fundamental frequency (fo) differed for talkers who do and do not sound angry when speaking clearly. To test whether raised fo causes clear speech to sound angry, the present study used six talkers whose clear speech was rated as sounding angry and who also made sizeable fo shifts when speaking clearly. For each talker, nine pairs of identical sentences (one from each speaking style) were identified. Praat was then used to lower the pitch of the clear sentences to match the pitch of the conversational sentences and to raise the pitch of the conversational sentences to match the pitch of the clear sentences. Listeners with normal hearing heard these sentences and rated the emotion they heard in each item; shifting fo had only minimal effects on perceived anger.
Influence of public space type on soundscape perception in the residential context
Authors: Lu Yichun , Lau Siu-Kit
Published: April 2023

Many studies have validated that soundscape quality will contribute to the satisfaction of public spaces. However, the requirements for a sound environment differ in different public spaces. Few studies focus on the difference among effects of soundscape on satisfaction in various types of public spaces in residential areas. Besides, the public space type may also moderate the effect of audio-visual environment on soundscape quality, which there may be a lack of existing studies. The present research aims to investigate the relationship among space type, audio-visual environment, and soundscape to improve satisfaction in public spaces. An on-site questionnaire survey was conducted in public spaces in residential areas, and 50 subjects participated in this survey. The correlation analysis showed that the audio-visual indicators affect soundscape perception in passive and active space differently. In particular, traffic noise may have a less negative effect on pleasantness in active space than passive space. Also, interesting visual elements may enhance eventfulness in passive zone while they may not affect eventfulness in active zone. The result of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) indicated that pleasantness is most important to people’s satisfaction in both passive and active spaces, while eventfulness is more critical in active than passive spaces.
Masking effects of amplitude modulation on frequency-modulated tones
Authors: Whiteford Kelly L. , Rajappa Neha , Goh PuiYii , Oxenham Andrew J.
Published: April 2023

Human sensitivity to frequency modulation (FM) is best for low carrier frequencies (<∼4–5 kHz) and slow modulation rates (<5–10 Hz). This high sensitivity is thought to be afforded by neural phase locking to temporal fine structure (TFS). At faster rates and higher carriers, TFS cues may no longer be available, with sensitivity to FM relying instead on conversion to amplitude modulation (AM) via cochlear filtering. One way to test this hypothesis is to measure the masking produced by additional AM, with the prediction that AM masking will be more pronounced when FM is encoded via AM than via TFS cues. This study tested AM masking of FM and of “simulated FM,” which involves out-of-phase AM dyads. FM detection was measured for carrier frequencies of 1 and 6 kHz and modulation rates of 2 and 20 Hz with and without AM masking. Preliminary results suggest that FM and simulated FM sensitivity is more affected by AM at fast than slow rates at both low and high carrier frequencies. Overall, the results do not provide support for the idea that AM interference can be used to distinguish between TFS- and envelope-based codes for FM. [Work supported by NIH grant R21 DC019409.]
Behavioral and neurophysiological signatures of the modulation filterbank in an animal model
Authors: Henry Kenneth S.
Published: April 2023

Fluctuations in the temporal envelope of sound, called amplitude modulation (AM), are an important information-bearing feature of many complex communication signals including speech. Human listeners show diminished sensitivity to AM signals in the presence of competing modulations of similar frequency, known as modulation masking. Modulation masking is not explainable by classic power-spectrum models, but instead suggests a “modulation filterbank” processing strategy that separates concurrent sounds (e.g., AM signals from noise) that have different modulation frequencies. The modulation filterbank is an exciting theoretical development because in addition to explaining modulation masking, the model predicts differences in speech perception across noise environments with different envelope statistics. However, the physiological underpinnings of the modulation filterbank remain uncertain due to limited nonhuman animal models. New behavioral and neurophysiological studies of the modulation filterbank are presented in budgerigars, a parakeet species with human-like behavioral sensitivity to many simple and complex sounds. Behavioral modulation-masking results show compelling evidence of the modulation filterbank in this animal model. Neural recordings from the inferior colliculus (midbrain level) further suggest that rate-based AM sensitivity can explain behavioral modulation-masking results. This new animal model of the modulation filterbank can be used to explore hearing mechanisms in real-world noisy listening environments.
Children’s use of lexical cues for speech recognition in interleaved noise
Authors: Youngdahl Carla
Published: April 2023

This study investigates the role of lexical cues for speech recognition in noise across adults and children (5-10 years old). Target stimuli consists of phonetically balanced CVC and CVCCVC words and nonwords. Speech and speech-shaped noise (SSN) were separately divided into 30 contiguous 1-equivalent rectangular bands. Fifteen bands of speech were mixed with SSN bands to create four listening conditions: interleaved speech and noise, overlapped speech and noise, broadband noise and speech, and speech in quiet. To roughly equate performance between groups, speech and noise were presented at 0 dB SNR for adults and + 5 dB SNR for children. Anticipated results are that adults will achieve masking release when noise is interleaved with speech due to their ability to isolate frequency regions of clear speech. Children in this age range, however, may not have acquired this adult-like listening strategy. Analysis will be completed for recognition performance for words and nonwords at the whole word and consonant level. This analysis will help determine the extent that adults and children rely on lexical cues across noise conditions of varying spectral regions. Overall, these results may contribute to our understanding of how listening strategies for speech in noise develops in children.
Crosslinguistic differences in cue primacy affect bilinguals' discrimination performance
Authors: Seo Yuhyeon , Dmitrieva Olga
Published: April 2023

Onset f0 – pitch at the onset of the vowel following the consonant – is an important cue to laryngeal stop distinctions in Korean, especially the lenis-aspirated contrast, while in English onset f0 plays only a secondary role in distinguishing voiced and voiceless stops. The current study investigates to what extent Korean heritage speakers (n = 29) who are English dominant can perceptually discriminate Korean lenis and aspirated stops differing acoustically only in terms of onset f0, but not in terms of VOT. Heritage speakers’ performance is compared to that of Korean-immersed native speakers as a control group (n = 29). We hypothesized that heritage speakers would experience more difficulty than Korean-immersed speakers in using onset f0 as the sole cue to laryngeal contrast, due to the influence from English, where VOT dominates onset f0 as a cue to voicing. The results of a mixed-effects logistic regression model confirmed that heritage speakers were less accurate in the lenis-aspirated discrimination task than Korean-immersed speakers, providing support to the hypothesis that bilinguals’ perception of their first language speech can be subject to crosslinguistic influence from their second language.
The effect of prosodic structure on cue integration in pitch perception
Authors: Chan May Pik Yu , Kuang Jianjing
Published: April 2023

Listeners integrate voice quality cues when perceiving pitch, and listeners’ pitch perception strategy is modulated by their musicality. Prior work has shown that speakers of English, Mandarin and Cantonese performed similarly on stimuli based on English prosody (pitch contour being driven by stress), but it remains unknown whether the prosodic structure of the stimuli affects pitch perception. 47 L1-English and 95 L1-Cantonese speakers participated in a pitch classification experiment. The stimuli included two F0 peaks modelled after Cantonese prosody (pitch movement being mostly modulated by tones), they were resynthesized to contrasting in two spectral slopes creating four permutations. The first peak had a consistent F0, while the second peak varied in F0 along an 11-step continuum. Listeners judged whether the second ‘ma4-ma1-ma4’ was higher in F0 than the first word. Listeners also completed a musicality test. Results show that all participants integrated spectral cues in pitch perception similarly with breathier-tenser stimuli favoring hearing a higher pitch and vice versa, and individuals with high musicality integrate spectral cues less. However, the effect of musicality was significantly smaller for Cantonese than for English speakers, differing from stimuli modelled after English prosody. Overall results suggest an effect of prosody on speakers’ pitch perception.
Influences of talker variability, reading ability, and language ability on word learning
Authors: Abu El Adas Sandy , Yen Ivy , Levi Susannah V.
Published: April 2023

Studies show that talker variability is beneficial for learning second language contrasts, though less is known about variability in processing speech in a speaker’s native language. Talker variability benefits have also been found for word learning studies with children, with better performance for children in the high variability condition than those in the low variability condition. Furthermore, it has been shown that individuals with a range of reading and language abilities perform differently on tasks that tap into phonological processes. Therefore, the current study examines how individual differences in reading and language abilities influence word learning and the extent to which talker variability improves performance. One hundred and forty listeners were randomly assigned to three conditions: (1) single talker, (2) multiple talker (randomized), and (3) multiple talker (blocked). Our results showed that individuals with poorer reading or language skills performed worse than individuals with higher reading and language skills. Surprisingly, variability was not beneficial and instead, listeners in the single talker condition performed better than those in the multiple talker conditions. These results suggest that talker variability benefits in word learning may be dependent on other aspects such as the amount of difference between talkers or the task.
Statistical regularities of accented speech influence listeners’ own speech productions
Authors: Murphy Timothy K. , Nozari Nazbanou , Holt Lori
Published: April 2023

Conversation partners’ speech acoustics sometimes converge, providing evidence for the transfer of information from speech perception to one’s own speech productions. The nature of this phonetic convergence has remained elusive, with variable experimental findings regarding the contexts under which phonetic convergence emerges, the acoustic speech features it affects, and the gender of talkers most influenced. Here, we approach phonetic convergence through the lens of dimension-based statistical learning whereby the statistical regularities of short-term speech input impact the perceptual weight of acoustic dimensions in speech categorization. Participants passively listened to a randomly ordered sequence of 4 pier and 4 beer utterances, sampled across voice onset time (VOT) and fundamental frequency (F0) in a manner that aligned with English norms (Canonical) or departed from typical English pronunciations as an ‘accent’ (Reverse). Immediately after, participants categorized and repeated aloud an ambiguous test stimulus varying only in F0, with ambiguous VOT. The Reverse input regularities led both male and female participants to down-weight F0 in both perceptual categorization and in the acoustics of word repetitions. The results indicate that statistical learning across passive listening to another speaker’s voice can lead to detailed acoustic-phonetic adjustments in one’s own speech productions.
Effects of auditory context on nonnative recognition of reduced speech: Does meaning explain it all?
Authors: Chen Bihua , Darcy Isabelle
Published: April 2023

Previous studies have shown that acoustic cues in the sentential context improve native (L1) listeners’ recognition of reduced speech (Janse & Ernestus, 2011). That is, when hearing a reduced target in casual speech (e.g., too into /twntə/), L1 listeners would be more accurate in recognizing it in its surrounding speech (e.g., she’s too into computers) than if they merely see the text of its context (e.g., she’s ____ computers), even though semantic/syntactic information is equivalent in both conditions. It is unclear, however, whether nonnative (L2) listeners make use of the acoustic cues in the context to facilitate reduced speech recognition to the same extent as L1 listeners do. This study investigates this question by comparing L1 and L2 listeners of English in their recognition of reduced words that were aurally presented in three conditions—Isolation, Textual (with surrounding text given), and Auditory (with both text and auditory forms of context)—in a repetition task. Results showed that L2 listeners were significantly more accurate in the Auditory than Textual condition, and such difference was not distinguishable from L1 listeners. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that the facilitative effects of context acoustic cues are language general.
Multi-user transmit beamforming for broadband acoustic systems
Authors: Cuji Diego A. , Li Zhengnan , Stojanovic Milica
Published: April 2023

Multi-user transmit beamforming for acoustic systems based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation is studied and demonstrated. Transmit beamforming consists of assigning weight coefficients to multiple transmit elements, such that the signals transmitted from the array add constructively at the users' receive sides. In an optimal setting, the transmitter assigns weights that are proportional to the channel transfer functions to the users. However, the assumption of complete channel knowledge is not entirely accurate, as the transmitter obtains the channels via feedback from the users. Thus, the transmitter has partial knowledge of the channels, as their estimates are not only noisy, but can be outdated if the channels have changed during the time it took to close the feedback loop. These adversities are notably pronounced in time-varying acoustic channels, as the feedback delay is large as compared to the channel coherence time due to the low speed of sound propagation. To counteract this problem, a technique that targets only those features of the channels that can withstand the feedback delay is proposed. Such features are the users' angles of arrival of the principal propagation paths. The principal paths are stable paths that do not experience rapid fluctuations and are thus varying sufficiently slowly that they can tolerate long feedback delays. The design concepts are demonstrated using experimental over-the-air transmissions in an indoor environment of an acoustic communications testbed.
Lake testbed for mobile acoustic communications and networking
Authors: Song Aijun , Zhang Fumin
Published: April 2023

We present a lake testbed that can support mobile acoustic communications and networking research. The primary assets of the testbed are two autonomous underwater vehicles equipped with software-defined acoustic modems. The acoustic modems are integrated with the user-installed autonomy software on the vehicle, MOOS-IvP. Through this integration, vehicle information can be passed to the acoustic modem. Or the acoustic modem can receive remote instructions to modify vehicle missions. With additional stationary nodes, the testbed can support two types of acoustic experiments. First, it supports acoustic waveform transmissions from two synchronized mobile nodes. The acoustic transmissions can be recorded in a multi-element receiving array for offline data processing. Second, the testbed can perform real-time acoustic communication and networking tests for different vehicle trajectories. We will present the testbed instrument and capabilities, field deployments, sample acoustic data, and communication test results. [The research is supported by the national science foundation (NSF).]
The sound of sustainable structures: Acoustic considerations for mass timber
Authors: Loshin Ben , Blount Denis
Published: April 2023

The use of mass timber in multi-family and commercial buildings poses a range of challenges for acoustic designers, due in part to its recent emergence as a structural technology and relative light weight compared to concrete. The spectral performance of mass timber assemblies differs from that of concrete and of lightweight double-panel systems, such as timber joist floors, even when comparing assemblies with the same single-number airborne and impact sound transmission ratings. Due to the inclusion of mass toppings and damping layers, mass timber floor designs may outperform lightweight double-panel systems at low frequencies, but they are often challenged at mid to high frequencies, resulting in a sound spectrum that differs from established “acoustically acceptable” benchmarks. This study presents initial findings from listening sessions conducted in the Arup SoundLab, as well as various design strategies to balance performance, cost, aesthetics, and sustainability.
Acoustic design trade-offs when reducing the carbon footprint of buildings
Authors: Broyles Jonathan
Published: April 2023

Architects and building engineers are increasingly tasked to consider the environmental performance of building designs to meet national and global targets to reduce carbon emissions. While minimizing the carbon footprint is needed to mitigate the effects of climate change, sustainability-driven design can have benefits or unintended consequences on secondary design objectives. Neglect of additional building disciplines could negatively impact the indoor environmental quality in a building and require costly change orders or retrofits. Recent research has shown that sustainability-driven design decisions can affect the acoustical performance in a building, though sustainable and acoustical goals are often unrelated. In response, this presentation reviews acoustic trade-offs when the building design is driven by sustainable goals. Acoustical ramifications and design solutions when minimizing the operational and embodied carbon are discussed. Lastly, areas of future research at the intersection of architectural acoustics and sustainability are provided. Overall, this presentation gives a brief overview on reducing carbon emissions in buildings, discusses the consequences sustainability-driven design can have on building acoustics, and provides sustainable alternatives that do not hinder acoustic performance.
Avoiding heavy-handed recommendations
Authors: Eligator Ronald
Published: April 2023

The avoidance of heavy-handed construction recommendations for achieving acoustic performance is important to ensure project success. Keys to achieving this goal include proper alignment of client expectations regarding acoustics, project schedule, and budgetas well as practice of an interdisciplinary approach to project design and construction. This presentation will provide several examples of how educating clients, design team members, and the constructorson the importance of integrated design and construction, and following through with appropriate construction materials and methods, can result in better projects at lower cost—and avoid heavy handed recommendations and construction.
Assessing machine independence of quantitative ultrasonography to evaluate vision degrading myodesopsia
Authors: Hoerig Cameron , Nguyen Justin , Mamou Jonathan , Venuat Cedric , Sebag J. , Ketterling Jeffrey
Published: April 2023

Vision degrading myodesopsia (VDM) results from clinically significant vitreous opacities that reduce contrast sensitivity (CS) and visual quality of life (VQOL). Previous studies with a single clinical system for quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) found correlations with CS and VQOL as measured by the N.E.I. Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ). Here, we evaluated a cohort of patients to determine if VDM as evaluated by QUS is machine independent. 28 eyes from 14 patients (age 56 ± 14 years) experiencing VDM were scanned with two different clinical ophthalmic ultrasound systems in succession: one with a 15-MHz single element transducer (23mm focal length, 7 mm aperture) and one with a 20 MHz annular array (five elements, 22 mm focal length, 9 mm total aperture). Images were acquired as a longitudinal plane through premacular vitreous in temporal gaze. Three QUS parameters and a composite score were computed from the vitreous region within each set of log-compressed envelope data and averaged over artifact-free frames. A linear regression comparing QUS parameters computed fromeach system showed statistically significant correlations (R ≥ 0.86, p < 0.001). Moreover, QUS parameters from both systems were correlated with CS and VFQ scores. The results from this study suggest the QUS parameters are independent of scanner and could be universally applied to assess VDM.
Decorrelated compounding methods in synthetic transmit aperture ultrasound imaging and its application
Authors: Xu Yuan , Zhao Na
Published: April 2023

Speckles exist in most ultrasound images. They are generated due to the interference of the ultrasound waves scattered from multiple scattering particles in one resolution cell. Although they are very useful in many ultrasound applications, they limit the detection of low-contrast targets in a scattering medium. In conventional compounding, multiple correlated sub-images from various imaging apertures and frequency bandwidths are generated and then averaged incoherently to reduce the speckles. In this paper, we present our study on a method called Decorrelated Compounding to reduce speckles. In decorrelated compounding, a decorrelation procedure was applied to the correlated sub-images to further reduce speckle variance in synthetic transmit aperture (STA) ultrasound imaging. Decorrelated compounding was shown to improve the detectability of low-contrast lesions in terms of lesion signal-to-noise ratio (lSNR), visual detection, and statistical tests of the performance in detecting low-contrast lesions. The application of the proposed method to monitoring ultrasound thermal therapy and to measuring the attenuation coefficient will also be discussed.
Ultrafast ultrasound beamformer for plane wave imaging with field programmable gate array
Authors: Kou Zhengchang , Oelze Michael L.
Published: April 2023

In this work, we propose a novel method of implementing an ultrafast ultrasound beamformer for plane wave imaging (PWI) on a field programmable gate array (FPGA). First, a modified delay calculation method was proposed to (1) separate the transmit and receive delay, (2) reduce the size of delay profile, and (3) enable parallel beamforming by delay reuse and data vectorization. Second, a parallelized implementation of beamformer on single FPGA was proposed by (1) loading pre-calculated delay profile from external memory instead of calculating delay on run-time, (2) vectorizing channel data fetching, (3) compensating transmit and receive delays separately, and (4) using fixed summing networks to reduce consumption of logic resources. The proposed method was also highly scalable, which was demonstrated by implementing the beamformer with different beamforming rates ranging from 2.4 G to 9.6 G samples per second to three different sizes of FPGAs ranging from entry-level FPGA to high-end FPGA. The power consumption was less than 3 watts for 2.4 G samples per second beamforming rate, which demonstrates the possibility of implementing ultrafast ultrasound imaging on handheld probe. The FPGA beamformer’s results were compared with Verasonics CPU beamformer’s result to verify that the image quality was not compromised for speed.
Improving attenuation imaging of the breast with the spectral log difference technique and full angular spatial compounding
Authors: Liu Mingrui , Oelze Michael L.
Published: April 2023

Ultrasound tomography is an imaging technique for the breast that can create maps of the sound speed and acoustic attenuation simultaneously. By use of wave-based methods, images of speed of sound are of high quality, but the attenuation images are of inferior quality. The Spectral Log Difference (SLD) is a technique based on the ultrasonic backscatter that can provide estimates of the attenuation coefficient slope (ACS). However, SLD requires a large amount of data to provide a low variance of the estimate. This estimate variance can be reduced through compounding, which decreases spatial resolution of SLD images. Due to the nature of tomography, the tradeoff between estimate variance of SLD and spatial resolution can be reduced by using full angular spatial compounding. Using the data from a breast tomography scanner, the results demonstrated that the SLD technique with full angular spatial compounding could generate an accurate attenuation map with low bias and variance. As a result, SLD with full spatial angular compounding can provide improved attenuation images for breast diagnostics.
The effect of elevated oxygen on kidney stone twinkling in vivo and ex vivo
Authors: Brownstead Laura , Streeper Necole , Simon Julianna C.
Published: April 2023

The Doppler ultrasound twinkling artifact is a rapid color shift observed in ∼66% of kidney stones. Breathing oxygen at elevated pressures was shown to enhance twinkling on kidney stones in human subjects. Here, in humans and in ex vivo stones, we investigate the effects of elevated oxygen at ambient pressure. Recruited subjects with confirmed stones were scanned with a research ultrasound system and Philips/ATL C5-2 transducer while breathing ambient air for 2 min. Then, subjects were masked with 100% oxygen for 15 min and scanned again for the last 2 min. Similarly, ex vivo stones were imaged before and after bubbling oxygen into water. Average Doppler power was calculated for in vivo and ex vivo stones. In human subjects, Doppler power increased by 30% when subjects breathed pure oxygen compared to ambient air. Similarly, on ex vivo stones, an average increase in Doppler power of 98% was observed in elevated oxygen conditions; twinkling also became visible on stones that otherwise did not twinkle at elevated oxygen (50% more oxygen than control). These results suggest that elevated oxygen at ambient pressure may improve the consistency of twinkling to detect kidney stones. [Work supported by the PSU Center for Biodevices Seed Grant.]
Using 3D printed structures to evaluate the potential causes of the color Doppler twinkling signature
Authors: Wood Benjamin , Saracaydin Renc , Lee Christine , Urban Matthew W.
Published: April 2023

The color Doppler twinkling artifact has been attributed to existing microbubbles or cavitation occurring on objects like kidney stones, some breast biopsy markers, and sandpaper. The grooves of helical constructs that twinkle may provide sufficient locations for bubble retention and/or cavitation. We developed six half-cylinders that replicate the geometry of twinkling helical constructs with a micro 3D-printing process to explore how their characteristics relate to twinkling. Four copies of each design including a control were created. The cylinders had pitch (groove-to-groove distance) of 87.5–343 μm and amplitude (groove depth) of 41.5–209 μm. The cylinders were submerged in degassed water and optically imaged before and after ultrasound to visualize bubbles on the cylinders. The cylinders remained submerged while scanning with color Doppler at frequencies from 3.1 to 6.3 MHz with a General Electric Logiq E9 scanner and 9L linear array transducer. Two designs that showed twinkling characteristics were further examined. The presence or absence of bubbles on these designs was confirmed with microscopy, and the resulting twinkling behavior was investigated. This work shows strong evidence that both existing visible bubbles and either cavitation or ultrasound wave interactions with patterned or rough surfaces are significant factors in producing the twinkling signature.
Design of an electronic marking clip for tracking breast cancer lesions through neoadjuvant chemotherapy using ultrasound identification
Authors: Cario Jenna , Oelze Michael L.
Published: April 2023

During the treatment of breast cancer via neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), radiological clips are used to track lesions. Marking lesions allows them to be located and distinguished from their surroundings post-NAC, but morphological changes to the treated regions due to NAC can affect the visibility of marking clips in ultrasound, sometimes to a degree which requires the use of alternative, less comfortable modalities to visualize the clips in preparation for procedures, such as surgical resection or biopsy. In previous work, we proposed an electronic clip design leveraging active communication with an ultrasound imaging probe, improving visibility and differentiation of clips in ultrasound. The transmitted signal in a prototype of this design was successfully localized and identified by the ultrasound system in post-processing. Presently, we refine the device design by using pseudorandom noise (PN) codes as the ultrasonic identification signals to improve localization, and adjust the system design to allow multiple clips to be active and identified with greater accuracy in the imaging field in real time. [Work supported by a grant from the NIH (R21EB030743) and a fellowship from the Cancer Center at Illinois (CST EP082021).]
Non-contrast-enhanced ultrasound microvasculature imaging and quantification for differentiation of thyroid nodules
Authors: Sabeti Soroosh , Kurti Melisa , Larson Nicholas B. , Fatemi Mostafa , Alizad Azra
Published: April 2023

Observation of thyroid nodules in ultrasound examinations is a common occurrence. However, accurate diagnosis of the malignancy status of these nodules is a challenging task relying only on conventional ultrasound imaging. Therefore, increasing the sensitivity and specificity of non-invasive screening methods can be helpful in reducing the probability of missed diagnosis and decreasing the rate of unnecessary biopsies. In this feasibility study, a quantitative ultrasound microvasculature imaging technique is applied to ultrasound data collected from a cohort of 92 patients. This technique consists of first enabling the visualization of vascular networks inside the scanned nodules, followed by a morphometric analysis framework with a number of biomarkers to distinguish between benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Statistical tests are performed to find significant differences between the distribution of the values of the biomarkers. Subsequently, these biomarkers are utilized to train classification models that solely benefit from morphological biomarkers and those trained with additional clinical features. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of these models, which helps us evaluate their predictive power, is presented. In our preliminary results, the model trained with combined morphological and clinical features achieves an AUC of 0.90, a sensitivity of 0.81, and a specificity of 0.79. [Work supported by R01CA239548.]
ExploreSound.org—An Acoustical Society of America Educator Resource
Authors: Jones Keeta
Published: April 2023

The Acoustical Society of America Committee on Education in Acoustics (ASA EdCom) developed ExploreSound.org for young people and educators who are interested in learning about sound and the scientists who study sound. This educational website consists of open access material generated by ASA as well as externally created content found to be beneficial to teachers, librarians, professors, and anyone else interested in acoustics education. To effectively communicate the technical content of acoustics and its importance, ExploreSound.org is divided into three main audiences: educators, K-12 students, and university students and acoustics topics can be explored in all technical areas represented in the ASA from Animal Bioacoustics to Underwater Acoustics. Educators and students can freely access and search all games, science fair projects, acoustician profiles, lesson plans, and more. ExploreSound.org supports acoustics education at all levels and in all areas of expertise. All acousticians, professional and student alike, can visit the site to participate in the long tradition of acoustics education.
Interferometric measurements of laser-induced shockwaves in air: Variable laser energy
Authors: Hart Carl R. , Lyons Gregory W. , White Michael J.
Published: April 2023

When focused to a small spot size in air, a sufficiently energetic laser pulse initiates a rapidly expanding plasma. After a delay, a shockwave detaches from the plasma boundary and propagates. General features of the shockwaves can be deduced from condenser microphone measurements. However, the minimum range is limited by damage thresholds, and the presence of the microphone introduces a number of measurement artifacts. Distortion of the signal is caused by diffraction around the sensor, and the limited bandwidth does not allow rise times to be correctly quantified. In contrast, optical interferometry is a nonintrusive diagnostic for quantifying shockwave characteristics. In this study, a Nd:YAG laser is focused through a converging lens in order to generate laser-induced shockwaves. By using a variable attenuator, four laser energy outputs are examined: 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the maximum energy transmission. Heterodyne Mach–Zehnder interferometer measurements are made from 10 mm to 200 mm from the focal point of the lens. Virtual velocity signals, proportional to the time derivative of optical phase differences, are used to estimate density and pressure time histories, along with peak pressure as a function of distance.
Self-made voice dosimeter
Authors: Bottalico Pasquale , Nudelman Charles J.
Published: April 2023

Voice dosimeters are useful tools for gathering voice production data in the daily lives of individuals with voice disorders. In this tutorial, instructions for a low-cost (less than $100), easy-to-assemble voice dosimeter are provided. This do-it-yourself (DIY) voice dosimeter is validated based on performance results. The DIY voice dosimeter was worn by 10 vocally healthy participants. The participants produced a sustained /a/ vowel and then read a text with three different vocal efforts. These tasks were recorded by the DIY voice dosimeter and a reference microphone simultaneously. The expanded uncertainty of the mean error in the estimation of these two quantities as measured by the DIY dosimeter was performed by simultaneously comparing signals acquired through the reference microphone and the dosimeter themselves. For measures of sound pressure level, the DIY voice dosimeter had a mean error of −0.68 dB with an uncertainty of 0.56 dB. For fundamental frequency, the mean error was 1.56 Hz for female participants and 1.11 Hz for male participants, with an uncertainty of 0.62 Hz and 0.34Hz for females and males, respectively. The mean error and uncertainties for the DIY voice dosimeter are comparable to the most accurate voice dosimeters that were previously on the market.
Using the Corpus of North American Spoken English to explore regional variation in millions of eɪ diphthongs
Authors: Coats Steven
Published: April 2023

Increases in the quality of automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems and forced alignment algorithms have opened up new horizons for the study of acoustic properties of naturalistic speech (Coto-Solano et al., 2021). This paper describes the procedures used for the automatic extraction and alignment of audio and ASR transcript excerpts containing eɪ diphthongs from the Corpus of North American Spoken English, a 1.3-billion-word corpus of geolocated ASR transcripts of videos uploaded to YouTube channels of local government entities. In total, more than 2 million eɪ tokens were extracted from naturalistic speech in over 2000 locations in the US and Canada. The pipeline utilizes python code to extract audio segments from the DASH manifest of YouTube videos, then feeds them together with the corresponding transcript excerpt to the Montreal Forced Aligner. Targeted segments are then filtered using functions in Parselmouth, a python port of Praat. Because the underlying corpus is searchable and words are annotated with timing information, the extraction procedure is suitable for retrieving acoustic data from a range of naturalistic speech configurations (for example from discussions of particular topics or in the context of specific utterance types such as questions or replies). The corpus contains a variety of speech genres, making it suitable for studies of geophonetic and sociophonetic variation, and pipelines can be constructed to target specific phenomenona in YouTube videos, depending on the underlying research question.
Japanese devoiced vowel tongue movement: Acoustics and articulory mapping
Authors: Fonseca Marco
Published: April 2023

The goal of this study is to evaluate the tongue movements of Japanese devoiced vowels /i/ and /u/ using acoustic and articulatory data. Four speakers of Japanese were recorded with an EchoBlaster 128Z ultrasound probe attached to their chin. Participants read a total of 22 tokens in a carrier sentence (12 repetitions). Duration (ms) and Center of Gravity (CoG, Hz) was fit in two linear mixed effects models as dependent variables, and the interaction between voicing (voiced/devoiced) and vowel (i/u) as predictors. For the duration values, there was an effect of both predictors. There was an effect of voicing and of the interaction between vowel and voicing. For the articulatory, the tongue splines were obtained from the last data frame of the segment before the vowel prone to devoicing were obtained through EdgeTrak. A total of 12317 x-y coordinates were fit into generalized additive models. In conclusion, devoiced vowels are shorter, and the CoG of devoiced vowels is higher than that of voiced ones. CoG results indicate that the former segments are more fronted than the latter. The tongue splines indicate that devoiced vowels are more fronted than voiced ones, which has also been indicated through the CoG data.