bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variations of thermophysical properties and heat transfer performance of nanoparticle-enhanced ionic liquids
Authors: Zhang Fang-Fang , Zheng Fei-Fei , Wu Xue-Hong , Yin Ya-Ling , Chen Geng
Published: April 2019

The ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIm]Ac) was investigated as a promising absorbent for absorption refrigeration. To improve the thermal conductivity of pure [EMIm]Ac, IL-based nanofluids (ionanofluids, INFs) were prepared by adding graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). The thermal stability of the IL and INFs was analysed. The variations of the thermal conductivity, viscosity and specific heat capacity resulting from the addition of the GNPs were then measured over a wide range of temperatures and mass fractions. The measured data were fitted with appropriate equations and compared with the corresponding classical models. The results revealed that the IL and INFs were thermally stable over the measurement range. The thermal conductivity greatly increased with increasing mass fraction, while only slightly changed with increasing temperature. A maximum enhancement in thermal conductivity of 43.2% was observed at a temperature of 373.15 K for the INF with a mass fraction of 5%. The numerical results revealed that the dispersion of the GNPs in the pure IL effectively improved the local heat transfer coefficient by up to 28.6%.
Cross-cultural similarity in relationship-specific social touching
Authors: Suvilehto Juulia T. , Nummenmaa Lauri , Harada Tokiko , Dunbar Robin I. M. , Hari Riitta , Turner Robert , Sadato Norihiro , Kitada Ryo
Published: April 2019

Many species use touching for reinforcing social structures, and particularly, non-human primates use social grooming for managing their social networks. However, it is still unclear how social touch contributes to the maintenance and reinforcement of human social networks. Human studies in Western cultures suggest that the body locations where touch is allowed are associated with the strength of the emotional bond between the person touched and the toucher. However, it is unknown to what extent this relationship is culturally universal and generalizes to non-Western cultures. Here, we compared relationship-specific, bodily touch allowance maps across one Western (
N
= 386, UK) and one East Asian (
N
= 255, Japan) country. In both cultures, the strength of the emotional bond was linearly associated with permissible touch area. However, Western participants experienced social touching as more pleasurable than Asian participants. These results indicate a similarity of emotional bonding via social touch between East Asian and Western cultures.
All-optical electrophysiology reveals excitation, inhibition, and neuromodulation in cortical layer 1
Authors: Fan Linlin Z. , Kheifets Simon , Böhm Urs L. , Piatkevich Kiryl D. , Wu Hao , Parot Vicente , Xie Michael E. , Boyden Edward S. , Takesian Anne E. , Cohen Adam E.
Published: April 2019

The stability of neural dynamics arises through a tight coupling of excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) signals. Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) can report both spikes and subthreshold dynamics in vivo, but voltage only reveals the combined effects of E and I synaptic inputs, not their separate contributions individually. Here we combine optical recording of membrane voltage with simultaneous optogenetic manipulation to probe E and I individually in barrel cortex Layer 1 (L1) neurons in awake mice. Our studies reveal how the L1 microcircuit integrates thalamocortical excitation, lateral inhibition and top-down neuromodulatory inputs. We develop a simple computational model of the L1 microcircuit which captures the main features of our data. Together, these results suggest a model for computation in L1 interneurons consistent with their hypothesized role in attentional gating of the underlying cortex. Our results demonstrate that all-optical electrophysiology can reveal basic principles of neural circuit function in vivo.

One Sentence Summary

All-optical electrophysiology revealed the function in awake mice of an inhibitory microcircuit in barrel cortex Layer 1.
pH-responsive nano-vaccines as antigen and adjuvant carrier that improve vaccine immunogenicity
Authors: Freeman Daniel , Smith John
Published: April 2019

Here, we report a novel method to establish an effective antigen and immunoagonist co-vector to solve the problems of low antigenic endocytosis efficiency, low immunological activity and easy degradation of antigen by antigen presenting cells. Mesoporous silica was selected as the nucleus. After loading the model antigen chicken egg albumin (OVA), the metal organic framework (MOF) formed by Eu 3+ and guanine mononucleotide (GMP) was coated on the mesoporous silicon surface. The immunostimulant CpG nucleic acid is adsorbed on the surface to construct a co-carrier system of pH-sensitive antigen and immunostimulant. The antigen loading rate of mesoporous silicon was 20%, and the protein release amount reached 55% after incubation for 24 h under acidic conditions. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the conjugated polymer was uniformly coated on the surface of the material; It was found that the adsorption capacity of the carrier for CpG nucleic acid was 8 ×10−6 mol per gram of carrier−adsorbing nucleic acid; MTT results showed that the vector had low toxicity.
Empathy for service: benefits, unintended consequences, and future research agenda
Authors: Bove Liliana L.
Published: April 2019

Purpose

Empathy is a core characteristic of helping and caring interactions and thus is fundamental to service. Yet, to date, service marketing literature has focused on a restricted view of the value of empathy as it leads to improved service quality perceptions and successful sales outcomes. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the empathy literature and the dispositional and situational factors affecting it, so as to further explore its potential benefits and limitations for service.

Design/methodology/approach

A summative review of the empathy literature uncovers cause–effect relationships and their potential boundary conditions. Theoretical propositions set an agenda for future research on empathy for service that breaks new ground.

Findings

Empathy can reduce anti-social, revenge, discrimination and unethical behaviors in service settings. It can also improve value-in-context experiences for users of service innovations. Notwithstanding its potential benefits, empathy can diminish the objectivity and performance of service providers when experienced at extreme levels. Empathy can also serve as an ingratiation influence tactic and can be detrimental to the target in embarrassing service contexts.

Originality/value

This paper suggests propositions for future research to advance theory and managerial practice on the use of empathy to improve service outcomes for interacting actors. It also alludes to the potential dark side of empathy when experienced at excessive levels or when used to manipulate.
Molecular characterization of clinical responses to PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors in non‐small cell lung cancer: Predictive value of multidimensional immunomarker detection for the efficacy of PD‐1 inhibitors in Chinese patients
Authors: Song Peng , Cui Xiaoxia , Bai Li , Zhou Xiangdong , Zhu Xiaoli , Zhang Jian , Jin Faguang , Zhao Jianping , Zhou Chengzhi , Zhou Yanbin , Zhang Xiaoju , Wang Kai , Wang Qi , Yu Yao , Zhang Xiaoyu , Bai Chunxue , Zhang Li
Published: April 2019

According to multiple studies, the objective response rate of PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors in the second‐line treatment of unscreened non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is only approximately 20%. Predictive biomarkers of treatment efficacies are still under investigation. In selected NSCLC patients with PD‐L1 expression ≥ 50%, the response rate of pembrolizumab in first‐line treatment can reach 44.8%. Moreover, patients with a higher tumor mutation burden (TMB) tend to achieve a better response with nivolumab. Besides PD‐L1 expression and TMB, taking all these indicators into consideration would hypothetically maximize the clinical response in a specific subgroup of patients. Our study aims to accumulate large and complete samples and clinical data to verify the biomarkers and their cutoff values related to the efficacy of PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors in Chinese NSCLC patients, and to construct a comprehensive predictive model by combining multi‐omics data with contemporary machine learning techniques. NSCLC patients administered treatment of anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 antibodies or a combination with other drugs have been enrolled. The estimated enrollment is 250 participants. A sophisticated predictive model of immunotherapy response in the Chinese population has not yet been developed. It is clinically and practically imperative to comprehensively evaluate the possible indicators of Chinese NSCLC patients through multiple test platforms, such as next generation sequencing, PCR, or immunohistochemistry. This study is registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900021395).
Development of a consumer experience reporting questionnaire for residential aged care homes in Australia
Authors: Wells Yvonne , Fetherstonhaugh Deirdre , Solly Kane Norman
Published: April 2019

Objective

To develop and pilot a short interview tool to be implemented by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (AACQA) in residential aged care, to inform prospective consumers about the quality of care and services received—the consumer experience report (CER).

Methods

Twenty‐four questions addressing the four Aged Care Quality Standards were piloted with 140 residents and 48 representatives (including 27 resident‐representative pairs). A method for approximating random selection was also trialled. Fifty‐two residents were interviewed twice, one week apart, and each question's usability was rated by 11 surveyors and two interpreters. Selection criteria for questions included consumer preference, test‐retest reliability, resident‐representative agreement, usability and low missing data.

Results

Nineteen questions performed well on missing data, 16 on test‐retest, 17 on resident‐representative agreement and 12 on usability. Ten quantitative and two open‐ended questions were selected.

Conclusions

The CER questions proved suitable to collect data systematically on consumer experience in residential aged care. AACQA (now the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission) uses the CER interview to support their audit process, and aggregated results are published online.
Letter: nonselective beta‐blockers, endoscopic therapy and portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis. Authors' reply
Authors: Nery Filipe , Valla Dominique
Published: April 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Nery et al and Bosch and Berzigotti papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15137 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15236.
Single centre experience of bilateral gracilis flap perineal reconstruction following extra‐levator abdominoperineal excision
Authors: Coelho J. A. J. , McDermott F. D. , Cameron O. , Smart N. J. , Watts A. M. , Daniels I. R.
Published: April 2019

Aim

A variety of tissue flaps have been described for the closure of perineal wounds following abdominoperineal excision of the rectum (APE) or exenteration for locally advanced/recurrent rectal cancer and salvage surgery for anal cancer. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the utility of the bilateral pedicled gracilis muscle flaps (BPGMFs) as a reconstruction option in these patients. This is of particular benefit when using a laparoscopic approach for the abdominal component of the operation, avoiding disruption of the abdominal wall and risk of herniation with other reconstruction options, e.g. vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flaps.

Method

This is a retrospective single centre case series of patients who underwent reconstruction of perineal defects using BPGMFs using a novel weave technique, from January 2008 to August 2017.

Results

There were 25 patients (16 female), with a median follow‐up of 19 months (3–102). The indications for BPGMFs were cancer resection (21) and perineal hernia (4). The median length of stay was 14 days (6–60). All‐cause mortality was 36% within the follow‐up period. A healed perineal wound was achieved in 72% of patients within 30 days (84% of patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy). The overall donor site complication rate was 20% (including infection, dehiscence, numbness, haematoma and seroma) and 28% for the perineal site (including infection, dehiscence and prolapse).

Conclusions

BPGMFs provide an important option for reconstruction of the perineum particularly with a minimally invasive approach or with two stomas.
Intersecting Issues Involving Asylum in the United States and Cases Arising Under the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
Authors: Garbolino James D.
Published: April 2019

The issue of immigration status has become the focal point in some cases arising under the 1980 Hague Convention on Child Abduction. Asylum claims affect both substantive and procedural issues that are presented to state and federal courts. A nexus has developed between undocumented immigrants who are parties to a Hague case, and issues of habitual residence, acclimatization, and grave risk. Asylum claims have forced courts to consider the viability of such claims, requests for stay of Hague cases pending the outcome of asylum claims, the likelihood of deportation, and the effect of grants of asylum on the particular issues in the case. Where asylum has been granted to either a parent or child, substantial consideration has been given to the asylum determination by the court hearing the Hague case.
Antarctica: The final frontier for marine biological invasions
Authors: McCarthy Arlie H. , Peck Lloyd S. , Hughes Kevin A. , Aldridge David C.
Published: April 2019

Antarctica is experiencing significant ecological and environmental change, which may facilitate the establishment of non‐native marine species. Non‐native marine species will interact with other anthropogenic stressors affecting Antarctic ecosystems, such as climate change (warming, ocean acidification) and pollution, with irreversible ramifications for biodiversity and ecosystem services. We review current knowledge of non‐native marine species in the Antarctic region, the physical and physiological factors that resist establishment of non‐native marine species, changes to resistance under climate change, the role of legislation in limiting marine introductions, and the effect of increasing human activity on vectors and pathways of introduction. Evidence of non‐native marine species is limited: just four marine non‐native and one cryptogenic species that were likely introduced anthropogenically have been reported freely living in Antarctic or sub‐Antarctic waters, but no established populations have been reported; an additional six species have been observed in pathways to Antarctica that are potentially at risk of becoming invasive. We present estimates of the intensity of ship activity across fishing, tourism and research sectors: there may be approximately 180 vessels and 500+ voyages in Antarctic waters annually. However, these estimates are necessarily speculative because relevant data are scarce. To facilitate well‐informed policy and management, we make recommendations for future research into the likelihood of marine biological invasions in the Antarctic region.
Facile synthesis of α‐Si3N4 nanoneedles and their photoluminescence properties
Authors: Shen Xiulin , Liu Haitao , Zhang Xianmei , Huang Zhaohui , Liu Yangai , Fang Minghao , Wu Xiaowen , Min Xin
Published: April 2019

Needle‐like α‐Si3N4 with unique structures has potential application in both field emission devices and tips for atomic force microscopes. Single‐crystalline, α‐Si3N4 nanoneedles have been prepared by using an improved chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method at 1200°C for 3 hours. The phases, chemical composition, and microstructure of the as‐prepared products were determined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) equipped with EDS. The as‐synthesized products show a needle‐like morphology with hundreds of micrometers in length and nanometer‐featured tips. The nanoneedles show a α‐Si3N4@SiOx core‐shell heterostructure as characterized by TEM, with single‐crystalline α‐Si3N4 core and an insulating amorphous silicon oxide shell. The growth of α‐Si3N4 nanoneedles corresponds to vapor‐liquid‐solid cap‐growth and base‐growth mechanism. Photoluminescence (PL) properties of the products were also characterized. An obvious emission peak at 400 nm under 254 nm UV excitation was observed. The nanoneedle morphology and photoluminescence properties of the products have potentials to be used in future optoelectronic nanodevices.
Competition Law Gone Global: Introducing the Comparative Competition Law and Enforcement Datasets
Authors: Bradford Anu , Chilton Adam S. , Megaw Christopher , Sokol Nathaniel
Published: April 2019

Competition law has proliferated around the world. Due to data limitations, however, there is little systematic information about the substance and enforcement of these laws. In this article, we address that problem by introducing two new datasets on competition law regimes around the world. First, we introduce the Comparative Competition Law Dataset, which codes competition laws in 131 jurisdictions between 1889 to 2010. Second, we introduce the Comparative Competition Enforcement Dataset, which provides data on competition agencies’ resources and activities in 100 jurisdictions between 1990 and 2010. These datasets offer the most comprehensive picture of competition law yet assembled and provide a new foundation for empirical research on the legal regimes used to regulate markets.
Bisphenol A promotes the proliferation of leiomyoma cells by GPR30‐EGFR signaling pathway
Authors: Li Zemin , Lu Qing , Ding Bo , Xu Jingyun , Shen Yang
Published: April 2019

Aim

To study the molecular mechanism of G protein‐coupled receptor 30‐epidermal growth factor receptor (GPR30‐EGFR) signaling pathway on the proliferation of leiomyoma cells exposed with bisphenol A.

Methods

Primary cultures and subcultures of human uterine leiomyoma (UL) cells. The expressions of messenger RNA and proteins of GPR30 and EGFR in 15 leiomyoma tissue specimens and all groups were detected by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay and Western blot assay. The protein of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK)/extracellular signal–regulated kinases (ERK)/c‐fos signaling pathway members was detected by Western blot assay.

Results

Bisphenol A promoted the growth of UL cells and the expressions of GPR30, EGFR, c‐fos and p‐ERK1/2.

Conclusion

Bisphenol A was found to be a promoter specifically to proliferate the human UL cells by activating the transcription and translation of GPR30‐EGFR and MAPK/ERK/c‐fos signaling pathway members.
Inhibition of aerobic glycolysis enhances the anti‐tumor efficacy of Zoptarelin Doxorubicin in triple‐negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Gründker Carsten , Wokoun Ulrike , Hellriegel Martin , Emons Günter
Published: April 2019

Aim

A characteristic of cancer cells including triple‐negative breast cancers (TNBC) is an increased aerobic glycolysis for ATP production representing a selective therapeutic target. More than 70% of TNBC express gonadotropin‐releasing hormone receptors (GnRH‐R). These receptors can be used for targeted chemotherapy with cytotoxic GnRH agonists such as Zoptarelin Doxorubicin, in which doxorubicin is covalently linked to [D‐Lys6]GnRH. In this study, we have analyzed whether inhibition of aerobic glycolysis can enhance the antitumor efficacy of GnRH‐R‐targeted chemotherapy using Zoptarelin Doxorubicin.

Methods

Triple‐negative breast cancers cell lines MDA‐MB‐231 and HCC1806 were treated with Zoptarelin Doxorubicin, glycolysis inhibitor 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (2DG) or the combination of both agents. Cell viability was measured using Alamar blue. Induction of apoptosis was quantified by measurement of loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. In vivo experiments were performed using nude mice bearing xenografted MDA‐MB‐231 tumors.

Results

Treatment of TNBC cells with Zoptarelin Doxorubicin or with 2DG resulted in a significant decrease of cell viability and a significant increase of apoptosis. Treatment with Zoptarelin Doxorubicin in combination with 2DG resulted in significantly reduced viability and enhanced apoptosis compared with single‐agent treatments. Combinational index (CI) analysis revealed the co‐treatment effect as a synergistic. The antitumor effects of Zoptarelin Doxorubicin or 2DG were confirmed in nude mice. The tumor reducing effects of Zoptarelin Doxorubicin were enhanced by combination with 2DG.

Conclusion

The glycolytic phenotype of TNBC can be used to improve antitumor therapies. Co‐treatment of Zoptarelin Doxorubicin with glycolysis inhibitor 2DG might be a suitable therapeutic option for GnRH receptor‐positive TNBC.
What lies beneath
Authors: Nundeekasen Sunaina , Nunez Kristen J , Trivedi Amit , La Hei Erik
Published: April 2019

See Answer
Neonate with annular erythema on his face and scalp at birth
Authors: Yin Guangwen , Yan Jiadi
Published: April 2019

See Answer
Feasibility of integrating a dental hygienist into an inpatient medical team for patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Simon Lisa , Tobey Matthew , Wilson Marlena
Published: April 2019

Patients who are hospitalized face a high risk of poor oral health and experience a decline in oral hygiene over the course of hospitalization. Due to the documented links between diabetes and periodontal disease as well as the prevalence of diabetes in the hospitalized population, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were chosen as the population of interest for a pilot program of dental hygienist‐led care provision in the hospital. Inclusion criteria were established by agreement of a dentist and physician. Nursing and medical staff were provided with multiple opportunities to learn about the dental hygienist's role throughout the pilot. The dental hygienist utilized a fully mobile dental unit and bedside suction unit and followed all standard infection control procedures. This intervention identified a number of suboptimal oral health practices among patients and was perceived positively by patients and providers. No adverse events occurred.
The relationship of industry structure to open innovation: cooperative value creation in pharmaceutical consortia
Authors: Olk Paul , West Joel
Published: April 2019

With its focus on value creation and value capture, open innovation research explicitly or implicitly examines the competitive impacts of collaboration. However, to date such research has not considered the effects of a blockbuster industry structure upon open innovation. Here, we examine a particular form of multilateral collaboration, the open R&D consortium, in which the results from collaboration are allowed to spill over to members and nonmembers alike. We do so in the context of the pharmaceutical industry, a stable but fragmented industry defined by the ongoing search for blockbuster hits protected by strong appropriability. Using a novel data set, we identify 141 such consortia that involve two or more of the 30 largest pharma firms. We show that firms financially support such consortia, in part, because their value creation activities benefit members without disrupting the value capture or other aspects of the incumbent industry structure. We discuss the implications of these findings for research on multilateral collaboration in blockbuster industries, and open innovation more generally.
Thermal Resistance Modeling of Oscillating Heat Pipes for Nanofluids by Artificial Intelligence Approach
Authors: Malekan M. , Khosravi A. , Goshayeshi H. R. , Assad M. E. H. , Garcia Pabon J. J.
Published: April 2019

In this study, thermal resistance of a closed-loop oscillating heat pipe (OHP) is investigated using experimental tests and artificial intelligence methods. For this target, γFe2O3 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles are mixed with the base fluid. Also, intelligent models are developed to predict the thermal resistance of the OHP. These models are developed based on the heat input into evaporator section, the thermal conductivity of working fluids, and the ratio of the inner diameter to length of OHP. The intelligent methods are multilayer feed-forward neural network (MLFFNN), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and group method of data handling (GMDH) type neural network. Thermal resistance of the heat pipe (as a measure of thermal performance) is considered as the target. The results showed that using the nanofluids as working fluid in the OHP decreased the thermal resistance, where this decrease for Fe3O4/water nanofluid was more than that of γFe2O3/water. The intelligent models also predicted successfully the thermal resistance of OHP with a correlation coefficient close to 1. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) for MLFFNN, ANFIS, and GMDH models was obtained as 0.0508, 0.0556, and 0.0569 (°C/W) (for the test data), respectively.
A High Temperature Instrument for Consecutive Measurements of Thermal Conductivity, Electrical Conductivity, and Seebeck Coefficient
Authors: Yazdani Sajad , Kim Hyun-Young , Pettes Michael Thompson
Published: April 2019

A device for measuring a plurality of material properties is designed to include accurate sensors configured to consecutively obtain thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient of a single sample while maintaining a vacuum or inert gas environment. Four major design factors are identified as sample-heat spreader mismatch, radiation losses, parasitic losses, and sample surface temperature variance. The design is analyzed using finite element methods for high temperature ranges up to 1000 °C as well as ultra-high temperatures up to 2500 °C. A temperature uncertainty of 0.46% was estimated for a sample with cold and hot sides at 905.1 and 908.5 °C, respectively. The uncertainty at 1000 °C was calculated to be 0.7% for a ΔT of 5 °C between the hot and cold sides. The thermal conductivity uncertainty was calculated to be −8.6% at ∼900 °C for a case with radiative gains, and +8.2% at ∼1000 °C for a case with radiative losses, indicating the sensitivity of the measurement to the temperature of the thermal guard in relation to the heat spreader and sample temperature. Lower limits of −17 and −13% error in thermal conductivity measurements were estimated at the ultra-high temperature of ∼2500 °C for a single-stage and double-stage radiation shield, respectively. It is noted that this design is not limited to electro-thermal characterization and will enable measurement of ionic conductivity and surface temperatures of energy materials under realistic operating conditions in extreme temperature environments.
Pulse Oximeter for Low SpO2 Level Detection Using Discrete
Time Signal Processing Algorithm
Authors: Pandey Sumit , Tan Cher Ming , Chen Hsiao-Wen , Xie Yao En , Tung Jung Hua , Kau Yu-Chuan , Liao Chia-Chih
Published: April 2019

Oximeter is an important clinical device used for measuring peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) in blood and hence accurate results are needed in order to help physicians predict clinical problems in the initial stage(s) of liver or kidney diagnosis. Different issues associated with the accuracy of SpO2 and heart rate measurement accuracy are studied in this work. With the understanding of these issues, a new SpO2 monitoring system is proposed that comprises of a better detection method, novel discrete time signal processing (DTSP) algorithm, and a custom-made oximeter probe head. The proposed SpO2 measurement system is capable of determining low levels of SpO2 present in human blood and produce the results in a short time that enable real-time monitoring of a patient SpO2. It can also distinguish low level of SpO2 against background noise.
An Improved Technique for Elastodynamic Green's Function Computation for Transversely Isotropic Solids
Authors: Fooladi Samaneh , Kundu Tribikram
Published: April 2019

Elastodynamic Green's function for anisotropic solids is required for wave propagation modeling in composites. Such modeling is needed for the interpretation of experimental results generated by ultrasonic excitation or mechanical vibration-based nondestructive evaluation tests of composite structures. For isotropic materials, the elastodynamic Green’s function can be obtained analytically. However, for anisotropic solids, numerical integration is required for the elastodynamic Green's function computation. It can be expressed as a summation of two integrals—a singular integral and a nonsingular (or regular) integral. The regular integral over the surface of a unit hemisphere needs to be evaluated numerically and is responsible for the majority of the computational time for the elastodynamic Green's function calculation. In this paper, it is shown that for transversely isotropic solids, which form a major portion of anisotropic materials, the integration domain of the regular part of the elastodynamic time-harmonic Green's function can be reduced from a hemisphere to a quarter-sphere. The analysis is performed in the frequency domain by considering time-harmonic Green's function. This improvement is then applied to a numerical example where it is shown that it nearly halves the computational time. This reduction in computational effort is important for a boundary element method and a distributed point source method whose computational efficiencies heavily depend on Green's function computational time.
Asymmetries in phonetic memory across voices and contexts
Authors: Sumner Meghan
Published: April 2019

Listeners store highly detailed phonetic representations in memory. These representations are tied to talkers, whereby changing the talker negatively influences performance. This talk focuses on two related issues: (1) memory is not perfectly reliable and (2) the encoding of a single utterance across various voices and contexts is likely to vary. In this talk, I present the result from three experiments that highlight asymmetries that arise when we look the memory for spoken words in the continuous recognition paradigm when talker is a between-subject variable, when talker is a within subject variable, and when talker is a within-subject variable in a divided attention condition. I show that memory for spoken words depends on talker voice, presenting talker voices together increases the differences found across talkers. These differences are larger again, under divided attention conditions. The phonetic memory for a single word depends on the talker, the social information processed about the talker by the listener, and stereotypes cued by the voices. This work focuses on the memory of words spoken by different talkers and is important in a broader context: Reports of linguistic experiences depend on linguistic memory, and here, we show that memory is both predictably unreliable and easily malleable.
Canonical cylindrical target acoustic backscattering investigations
Authors: Davis Joshua S. , Arrieta Rodolfo , Kennedy Jermaine L.
Published: April 2019

In littoral environments where visibility can be low and objects of interest are often either partially or fully buried with respect to the water-sediment interface, the task of identifying unexploded ordinances (UXOs) is a challenging one. Downward looking sonar (DLS) systems have been shown to be capable of penetrating the seafloor of various littoral environments and therefore could be an effective tool for searching for UXOs. However, although DLS’s can penetrate the seafloor, classification and identification (C&I) of targets of interest versus clutter are still a technical obstacle of interest. To address this, researchers at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) have been working on algorithms that can identify an object based on its acoustic backscatter response. The concept is similar to identifying the material composition of an object with optical spectroscopy but in this case using the acoustic response rather than the optical spectra. Initial investigations, analysis, and algorithm development have focused on the analysis of acoustic backscattering measurements conducted on various targets in the free-field using linear frequency modulated (LFM) interrogation pulses. Experimental measurements are compared with model results derived from a paper by Lecroq [1]. Data/model results as well as a process for potentially aiding automatic target recognition development will be discussed in this presentation. [1] F. Lecroq, L. Fernand, D. Décultot, and G. Maze, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 91, 1388 (1992).
Acoustic radiation from elastic structures in shallow water by finite element method combined with normal modes
Authors: An Buchao , Shang Dejiang , Zhang Chao , Xiao Yan
Published: April 2019

Acoustic radiation problem of elastic structures in shallow water has not been solved effectively. Finite Element Method (FEM) is not suitable for higher frequency and large range problems. In principle, the Combined Wave Superposition Method can deal with such problems. However, it is hard to optimize a large number of virtual sources. For low and middle frequency bands, we propose a new method combining FEM and normal modes. FEM is used to calculate the near range acoustic field of the structural source, then the eigen function expansion is performed on the field, and the coefficients of modes can be obtained by using the orthogonality of the eigen function. Therefore, we can calculate the acoustic field at any range. This method avoids the process of solving inverse matrix of a large complex matrix, which is an essential step in wave superposition method, and is very efficient to calculate the far field. To show the efficiency and accuracy of the method, the simulation results of various structural sources and waveguide models are compared with that of using FEM directly.
Soundscape of the evolving library
Authors: Siebein Gary W. , Paek Hyun , Roa Marylin , Siebein Keely , Miller Jennifer R. , Siebein Gary , Vetterick Matthew
Published: April 2019

Historically libraries were thought of as places of quiet reading and research. There were 2 general acoustical design approaches to reading rooms in libraries. One was to use large volume spaces with sound reflective materials that amplified every sound made in the room so that people would be self-conscious of the sounds that they made. A second approach was to design rooms with sound absorbent finishes that would reduce the spread of sounds from one part of the space to another. The evolving library of the future has many more complex functions and rich programs than the traditional library. Many of these encourage discussion, recreation, public involvement, experiencing multi-sensory media in addition to traditional books and a variety of other activities such as coffee shops, community meeting rooms, auditoriums, recording studios, listening rooms for amplified audio, interactive computer work stations, collaborative work/study areas where students can gather, talk, view and listen in active sessions all in close proximity to each other. Case studies of 2 libraries will be presented to identify links between soundscape design issues, architectural planning strategies and practical systems for designing the library of the future as it continues to rapidly evolve in concept.
Most animals hear acoustic flow instead of pressure; we should too
Authors: Miles Ronald
Published: April 2019

The majority of animals that hear sound do so by detecting the minute fluctuations in the velocity of the medium. They do this by sensing the deflection of thin hairs that are driven by viscous forces in the acoustic medium. This is in contrast to the detection of sound pressure, as is used in some animals, including humans. Nearly all microphones respond to sound through the use of a thin diaphragm or membrane designed to experience a net fluctuating pressure in a sound field. Here, we explore technologies for achieving precise detection of sound using a mechanical structure that is driven by viscous forces associated with the fluctuating velocity of the medium. In one example, this has been shown to result in a directional microphone with flat response from 1 Hz to 50 kHz [Zhou et al., “Sensing fluctuating airflow with spider silk,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 201710559(2017)]. Methods of creating extremely compliant, viscous-driven velocity sensors are discussed along with a new technique for capacitive transduction to achieve an electronic output.
Graduate study in physical acoustics at the University of Mississippi
Authors: Mobley Joel , Gladden Josh R. , Labuda Cecille , Zhang Likun
Published: April 2019

The University of Mississippi is a Ph.D. granting institution with an R1 Carnegie designation placing it among schools with the highest level of research activity. The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Ole Miss has a diverse range of research opportunities, including two groups associated with recent Nobel Prizes. Along with programs in Computational Physics, High Energy Physics, Atmospheric Physics and Gravitation, the department is affiliated with the National Center for Physical Acoustics (NCPA). NCPA is an 85 000 square foot standalone facility on the campus of the University of Mississippi dedicated to the physics and engineering applications of acoustics. It has research groups dedicated to ultrasound, infrasound, aeroacoustics, atmospheric propagation, porous media, and ocean acoustics. Graduate students in physics and engineering are pursuing Ph.D. and M.S. degrees at NCPA, and four faculty members from the Physics department have their research laboratories in the facility. In addition to NCPA, the Physics department has affiliations with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO), The European Center for Particle Physics (CERN), Fermilab and Belle II.
Evaluating human neural envelope coding as the basis of speech intelligibility in noise
Authors: Viswanathan Vibha , Bharadwaj Hari M. , Shinn-Cunningham Barbara , Heinz Michael G.
Published: April 2019

Models of speech intelligibility that accurately reflect human listening performance across a broad range of background-noise conditions are clinically important (e.g., for deriving hearing-aid prescriptions, and optimizing cochlear-implant signal processing). A leading hypothesis in the field is that internal representations of envelope information ultimately determine intelligibility. However, this hypothesis has not been tested neurophysiologically. Here, we address this gap by combining human electroencephalography (EEG) with simultaneous perceptual intelligibility measurements. First, we derive a neural envelope-coding metric (ENVneural) from EEG responses to speech in multiple levels of stationary noise, and identify a mapping between the neural metric and corresponding speech intelligibility. Then, using the same mapping, we use only EEG measurements to test whether ENVneural is predictive of speech intelligibility in novel background-noise conditions and in the presence of linear and non-linear distortions. Preliminary results suggest that neural envelope coding can predict speech intelligibility to varying degrees for different realistic listening conditions. These results inform modeling approaches based on neural coding of envelopes, and may lead to the future development of physiological assays for characterizing individual differences in speech-in-noise perceptual abilities.
South Dakota State University
Authors: Kahn David
Published: April 2019

Shortly after South Dakota set out to design their new performing arts center to support their music and theatre programs in 1997, they discovered the cost to construct these facilities was roughly double their budget. After 6 years of planning and design, the phase 1 performing arts center opened. Then, after an additional 5 years, the University was able to raise enough money to construct the second phase of their performing arts center which included a state—of-the-art large proscenium theatre, rehearsal rooms for choir and large instrumental ensembles, a jewel box recital hall with a pipe organ, music teaching studios and practice rooms. The accommodation of the pipe organ into the design of the recital hall was especially challenging because the pipe organ was originally designed and installed in a much larger and different-shaped church. Pipe organ music was not a high priority for the use of the new recital hall, and therefore some special accommodations were made to improve the sound of the pipe organ without compromising the acoustics for the room’s primary use as a recital hall.
Biomimetic spike representation for the encoding of sonar signals
Authors: Alexandre David , Khyam Mohammad Omar , Bhardwaj Ananya , Müller Rolf
Published: April 2019

Biosonar echoes received by bats in their natural habitats are short, highly time-variant acoustic waveforms. Because of these signals properties, the way in which the bats' auditory nerve represents the echoes could be a model for how sparse neural time-code can capture salient signal features. Here, the spike-encoding of natural echoes has been studied based on a large data set containing about 220 00 echoes that were collected by hand-carrying a biomimetic robotic sonar head through forest environments. The sonar head was equipped with flexible noseleaf and pinna shapes that could deform during pulse emission/echo reception in a similar fashion to what horseshoe bats do. This peripheral dynamics was turned on for half of the recoded echoes and turned off for the other half. The echo waveforms were transformed into spike trains using two spike-generation models, each with different levels of complexity: The simplest version was a “leaky integrate-and-fire model"; in the more complex version, a response kernels was added to model the refractory behavior of the neurons. The input to the spike generation models were the outputs of three different basiliar membrane models of varying complexity levels. The coding capacity of the spike trains has been evaluated using information-theoretic methods.
Information-theoretic evaluation of brain-inspired sonar signal representation
Authors: Bhardwaj Ananya , Khyam Mohammad Omar , Alexandre David , Müller Rolf
Published: April 2019

Many bat species, such as horseshoe bats, move their external auditory periphery (noseleaf and pinnae) during emission/reception of their biosonar signals. This peripheral dynamics has already been shown to enhance sensory information encoding at the level of the analog echo waveforms. However, the bats' brains do not process any analog waveforms directly but rely on spike codes generated in the auditory nerve instead. Hence, it is desirable to evaluate the effect of the peripheral dynamics at the level of these spike codes. As input for this analysis, natural foliage echoes akin to the forest environments experienced by bats were recorded using a biomimetic robot with a dynamic periphery similar to that of horseshoe bats. The echoes were converted into neural spike trains through a signal-processing model of the bats' cochlea/auditory nerve. The effect of the dynamic periphery was then investigated using information-theoretic techniques. As a first step, entropy was estimated to quantify coding capacity. The results showed an increased entropy within signals corresponding to a dynamic periphery when compared to a static periphery. For the next steps, the variability in characteristic spike train features such as spike timing, spike rates, and spike intervals will be characterized with additional information-theoretic methods.
Biomimetic solutions to finding passageways in foliage
Authors: Wang Ruihao , Müller Rolf
Published: April 2019

Many bats species live in densely vegetated habitats. Hence, they must have evolved the ability to detect passageways through the foliage. To identify echo features that bats have at their disposal to accomplish this sensing task, a biomimetic sonar head was used to ensonify artificial foliages in the laboratory. These foliages consisted of plastic vines that were arranged to create gaps of defined width and height. The conventional sonar approach to detecting gaps between scatterers is based on the drop in energy that occurs when the sonar beam is aimed at a gap. However, the performance of such an energy-detector decrease as the sonar-beam width increases relative to the angle subtended by the gap edges. Hence, reliable detection of a narrow gap with a wide beam and/or from a distance is not feasible with this approach. Here, a machine-learning approach based on convolutional neural networks was employed to identify features in energy-normalized spectrogram that could support passageway-detection independently of echo energy. The results indicate that features other than echo energy exist in the spectrogram that by themselves support much better passageway detection performance than the energy-based reference. Work to understand the features learned by the convolutional neural network is currently underway.
Measuring thrombolysis in a static model to assess ultrasound protocol efficacy
Authors: Genstler Curtis , Noble-Vranish Misty L.
Published: April 2019

Over the years, EKOS has developed an efficacy measure called Lysis Enhancement Factor (LEF) to evaluate the performance of prototype ultrasound catheters and acoustic protocols. LEF is defined as the percent increase in the rate of lysis compared to tPA alone as measured in our simple clot model consisting of a plasma clot in a static tube. The amount of thrombolysis can be measured by determining the change in fibrin weight compared to control clots. The LEF is expressed as a percent change in the thrombolysis rate compared to lytic control. When the EkoSonic catheter was initially launched, the in vitro LEF was about 50% using a constant amplitude pulsed ultrasound protocol with an average power of 2.7 W per transducer group. Later, the MACH4 ultrasound protocol was introduced with an LEF of about 70%. This protocol had a higher average power (3.5W) and consisted of variable pulse amplitudes, which were randomly sequenced. Further investigations with the clot model lead to the development of the currently marketed MACH4e protocol with an LEF of about 90% but with variable amplitude pulses, which cycle up and down. The clot model and LEF are being used to further develop EKOS’ technologies.
In vitro assessment of the relationship between medium stiffness and bubble activity for histotripsy-induced liquefaction
Authors: Hendley Samuel A. , Anthony Gregory , Bollen Viktor , Bader Kenneth B.
Published: April 2019

Histotripsy is a focused ultrasound therapy that ablates tissue via the mechanical activity of bubble clouds. While effective for healthy tissues, histotripsy-induced bubble expansion will be mitigated in stiff chronic pathologies. In this study, the bubble cloud activity necessary for liquefaction of agarose phantoms with elastic moduli ranging from 12.3 ± 3.67 to 142 ± 44.9 kPa was investigated. Bubble clouds were initiated with 1-MHz pulses of 5-μs duration and peak negative pressures of 12 to 24 MPa. Bubble cloud emissions were mapped via passive cavitation imaging, and correlated with liquefaction using receiver operating characteristic analysis. The maximum power of emissions, and azimuthal location of the maximum power, were recorded for each experimental condition. For phantoms with elastic moduli between 12.3 and 85.8 kPa, no change was indicated in the bubble activity necessary for liquefaction. A larger acoustic power was associated with liquefaction of phantoms with elastic moduli of 142 kPa compared to 22.1 kPa. For a given peak negative pressure of the histotripsy pulse, no change in the peak power or azimuthal location of peak emissions was observed. These results indicate that a fixed bubble activity dose predicts histotripsy liquefaction over a wide range of medium stiffness.