bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of cefonicid in lactating goats after intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration, and after a long‐acting formulation for subcutaneous administration
Authors: Badillo Elena , Escudero Elisa , Hernandis Verónica , Galecio Juan Sebastián , Marín Pedro
Published: November 2019

The single‐dose disposition kinetics of cefonicid were determined in clinically normal lactating goats (n = 6) after intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) administration of a conventional formulation, and after subcutaneous administration of a long‐acting formulation (SC‐LA). Cefonicid concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The concentration–time data were analysed by noncompartmental pharmacokinetic methods. Steady‐state volume of distribution (Vss) and clearance (Cl) of cefonicid after IV administration were 0.14 ± 0.03 L/kg and 0.51 ± 0.07 L/h·kg, respectively. Following IM, SC and SC‐LA administration, cefonicid achieved maximum plasma concentrations of 14.46 ± 0.82, 11.98 ± 1.92 and 17.17 ± 2.45 mg/L at 0.26 ± 0.13, 0.42 ± 0.13 and 0.83 ± 0.20 hr, respectively. The absolute bioavailabilities after IM, SC and SC‐LA routes were 75.34 ± 11.28%, 71.03 ± 19.14% and 102.84 ± 15.155%, respectively. After cefonicid analysis from milk samples, no concentrations were found above LOQ at any sampling time. From these data, cefonicid administered at 20 mg/kg each 12 hr after SC‐LA could be effective to treat bacterial infections in lactating animals not affected by mastitis problems.
Value from Control: Subjective Valuations of Negotiations by Principals and Agents
Authors: Amit Adi
Published: November 2019

The use of agents in negotiations is ubiquitous. Little is known, however, about the divergent psychological experiences of agents and principals in negotiations and their potential downstream consequences. The current research investigated how one’s role in a negotiation (as a principal or an agent) affects feelings of control, and how these feelings determine subjective value. In Studies 1 and 2, participants were randomly assigned to role‐play principals or agents in deal‐making negotiations. In both studies, agents reported feeling more control than principals, and control positively predicted the subjective value derived from the negotiation. In Studies 3 and 4, experimentally enhancing feelings of control influenced subjective value for principals. These findings point to the potential psychological costs of using agents. The findings advance research on subjective value in negotiations and highlight the critical role of control in principal–agent relationships.
Exceptional preservation requires fast biodegradation: thylacocephalan specimens from La Voulte‐sur‐Rhône (Callovian, Jurassic, France)
Authors: Jauvion Clément , Bernard Sylvain , Gueriau Pierre , Mocuta Cristian , Pont Sylvain , Benzerara Karim , Charbonnier Sylvain
Published: November 2019

Konservat‐Lagerstätten are seen as snapshots of past biodiversity for a given location and time. However, processes leading to the exceptional morphological preservation of fossils in these deposits remain incompletely understood. This results in a deficient assessment of taphonomic biases and limits the robustness/relevance of palaeobiological reconstructions. Here, we report the mineralogical characterization of crustacean fossils preserved within carbonate‐rich concretions from the Jurassic Konservat‐Lagerstätte of La Voulte‐sur‐Rhône (Ardèche, France). The combination of SEM‐EDS, TEM, synchrotron‐based XRF, XRD and XANES allows the mineralogical phases composing these fossils (i.e. fluorapatite, Fe‐sulfides (pyrite, pyrrhotite) and Mg‐calcite) and the surrounding matrix (i.e. Mg‐calcite, clays and detrital silicates) to be identified. Fluorapatite and pyrite (and pyrrhotite) precipitated during decay under anoxic conditions, replacing delicate organic structures and preserving anatomical details. These mineral structures were subsequently consolidated by a Mg‐calcite cement. Of note, histologically similar tissues were replaced by the same mineral phases, confirming that fossilization (in La Voulte) occurred rapidly enough to be influenced by tissue composition. Altogether, the present study shows that exceptional preservation requires fast biodegradation, thereby confirming recent experimental evidence.
The philosophy of linguistics: Scientific underpinnings and methodological disputes
Authors: Nefdt Ryan M.
Published: November 2019

This article surveys the philosophical literature on theoretical linguistics. The focus of the paper is centred around the major debates in the philosophy of linguistics, past and present, with specific relation to how they connect to the philosophy of science. Specific issues such as scientific realism in linguistics, the scientific status of grammars, the methodological underpinnings of formal semantics, and the integration of linguistics into the larger cognitive sciences form the crux of the discussion.
How Political Scandals Affect the Electorate. Tracing the Eroding and Spillover Effects of Scandals with a Panel Study
Authors: von Sikorski Christian , Heiss Raffael , Matthes Jörg
Published: November 2019

Political scandals are highly relevant for political decision‐making and democratic processes more generally. While most prior research employed experimental and cross‐sectional survey studies, we tested the effects of a political scandal in the context of the 2017 Austrian Parliamentary Elections using panel data (N = 559, both waves). Importantly, we used a unique data set collected before and just after a major scandal broke in the final election phase. Drawing on a motivated reasoning perspective, attribution theory, and the inclusion/exclusion model, our results revealed a scandal‐eroding effect particularly damaging a candidate's own base of supporters and leaving followers in disappointment. The findings also showed a negative scandal‐spillover effect for candidate supporters high in scandal knowledge decreasing political trust toward other politicians. Importantly, the results revealed that negative candidate evaluations are not a necessary precondition for negative spillover effects on political trust more generally.
Genotypic difference in secondary metabolism‐related enzyme activities and their relative gene expression patterns, osmolyte and plant hormones in wheat
Authors: Dugasa Mengesha T. , Chala Idesa G. , Wu Feibo
Published: November 2019

Salinity and drought are the two most important and frequently co‐occurring abiotic factors. A greenhouse pot experiment was carried out on two contrasting wheat genotypes (Jimai22, salt tolerant; Yangmai20, salt sensitive) to analyze the effect of drought (4% soil moisture content, D) and salinity (100 mM NaCl, S) either individually or combined on secondary metabolism‐related enzyme activities and osmolytes. Results showed that drought, salinity and their combination (D + S) caused increases in phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.24) activities compared with controls with a greater enhancement in Jimai22 than Yangmai20. Polyphenol peroxidase (PPO, EC 1.14.18.1) and shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH, EC 1.1.1.25) activities increased more in Jimai22 both under salinity alone and D + S stresses. The D + S combination increased cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD, EC 1.1.1.195) activity and glycine betaine (GB) under both 10 and 4% soil moisture contents (SMC), and elevated abscisic acid (ABA), indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) and flavonoid contents at 4% SMC in Jimai22, contents of the compounds remained unchanged in Yangmai20. The treatment with salinity alone at both SMCs significantly increased callose and flavonoid contents in Jimai22 more than in Yangmai20, as compared to controls. In addition, the total phenol content at 4% SMC increased in the salt‐tolerant genotype more. Moreover, total tocopherol under salinity alone and D + S at 4% SMC and chitinase activity under salinity at both SMC remarkably increased in Jimai22 while non‐significant change observed in Yangmai20. Also, the expression of genes related to secondary metabolism (PAL, PPO, CAD, SKDH, and GB) was more induced in Jimai22 than Yangmai20 under D + S, and lower accumulation of H2O2 and O2− also occurred. Our findings suggest that high tolerance to D + S stress in Jimai22 was closely related to enhanced secondary metabolism‐related enzyme activities and osmolytes such as PAL, CAD, PPO, SKDH, GB, total tocopherol, callose, plant hormones and their transcript level, which may beneficial to lower the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation.
Carry trade and forward premium puzzle from the perspective of a safe‐haven currency
Authors: Haab David R. , Nitschka Thomas
Published: November 2019

Swiss franc exchange rates exhibit safe‐haven characteristics, which suggest a close link between the forward premium puzzle and profitability of the carry trade. Our analysis of Swiss franc exchange rates shows that the two phenomena are distinct from each other, thus corroborating U.S. dollar evidence. Persistent exposures to two different global shocks drive the two phenomena in Swiss franc exchange rates. Moreover, we find significant links between expected average Swiss franc exchange rate changes and macroeconomic conditions during the period of the minimum Swiss franc exchange rate against the euro, but not during the rest of the sample period.
Inferring the Outcomes of Rejected Loans: An Application of Semisupervised Clustering
Authors: Li Zhiyong , Hu Xinyi , Li Ke , Zhou Fanyin , Shen Feng
Published: November 2019

Rejection inference aims to reduce sample bias and to improve model performance in credit scoring. We propose a semisupervised clustering approach as a new rejection inference technique. K-prototype clustering can deal with mixed types of numeric and categorical characteristics, which are common in consumer credit data. We identify homogeneous acceptances and rejections and assign labels to part of the rejections according to the label of acceptances. We test the performance of various rejection inference methods in logit, support vector machine and random-forests models based on data sets of real consumer loans. The predictions of clustering rejection inference show advantages over other traditional rejection inference methods. Inferring the label of the rejection from semisupervised clustering is found to help to mitigate the sample bias problem and to improve the predictive accuracy.
Post‐transfusion platelet responses in critically ill cancer patients with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia
Authors: Baron Elodie , Charpentier Julien , François Anne , Ben Hadj Amor Habib , Habr Bassem , Cariou Alain , Chiche Jean‐Daniel , Mira Jean‐Paul , Jamme Matthieu , Pène Frédéric
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Platelet transfusion is aimed at increasing platelet counts to prevent or treat bleeding. Critically ill cancer patients with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia are high consumers of blood products. We herein described their post‐transfusion platelet responses in the intensive care unit (ICU) and analyzed the determinants of poor post‐transfusion increments.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a single‐center 9‐year (2009‐2017) retrospective observational study. Patients with malignancies and presumed or proven hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia who had received at least one platelet transfusion in the ICU were included. Poor post‐transfusion platelet increments were defined as body surface‐adjusted corrected count increment (CCI) <7, or alternatively as weight‐adjusted platelet transfusion recovery (PTR) <0.2. Patients were deemed refractory to platelet transfusions when two consecutive ABO‐compatible transfusions resulted in poor platelet increments.

RESULTS

A total of 1470 platelet transfusions received by 326 patients were analyzed. Indications for platelet transfusions were distributed into prophylactic (44.5%), peri‐procedural (18.1%) and therapeutic (37.4%). Regardless of indications, 54.6% and 55.4% of transfusion episodes were associated with a CCI <7 or a PTR <0.2. Factors independently associated with poor post‐transfusion increments were lower body mass index, spleen enlargement, concurrent severity of clinical condition, fever ≥39°C, antibiotic therapy and increased storage duration of platelet concentrates. Eventually, 48 patients developed refractoriness to platelet transfusion, which was associated increased incidence of bleeding events.

CONCLUSION

Platelet transfusions are often associated with poor increments in critically ill cancer patients with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia. The findings suggest amenable interventions to improve the platelet transfusion practices in this setting.
Lighting and the Circadian Rhythm of Night Shift Workers
Authors: Weatherly David G.
Published: November 2019

The human factor of lighting is examined through the elements of sunlight, blue light, and how it affects the circadian rhythm, and ultimately how it impacts the work schedule of workers. The intricacies of light and human vision are explored to zero in on the issues with disrupting the circadian rhythm for these employees. Modifications can be incorporated into the design of the working environment to improve efficiency, productivity, safety, and job satisfaction in an effort to deal with these issues. Recommendations are provided in an effort to mitigate or reduce the disturbances to the circadian rhythm and improve overall performance for night shift workers.
Identification of defect species in ZnO thin films through process modification and monitoring of photoluminescent properties
Authors: Akazawa Housei
Published: November 2019

Photoluminescence (PL) from defect-rich ZnO thin films was investigated in relation to transparent conductive properties. By varying the sputter deposition and post-treatment conditions, the correlation between deep-level luminescence and changes in the optical and electrical properties was examined, and the defects that were the origin of the donors and acceptors were identified. Slightly oxygen-deficient and transparent conductive films deposited on glass substrates without a supply of oxygen source gas had a resistivity of 3 × 10−3 Ω cm; these films exhibited only band edge emissions peaking at 380 nm in the PL spectra. Abundant defects were introduced through postannealing in an H2 atmosphere at 300−400 °C. The permeating H2 reacted with the O and Zn atoms constituting the crystal network, and the resulting PL spectra exhibited a continuous defect-emission band ranging from violet to red. The spectra included transitions of the conduction band (CB) → zinc vacancies (VZn) (400 nm), zinc interstitials (Zni) → valence band (VB) (440 nm), CB → oxygen vacancies (VO) (560 nm), and CB → oxygen interstitials (Oi) (620 nm). Similar PL spectra from disordered crystals were obtained by sputter deposition at 300 and 400 °C under a reducing atmosphere. The films deposited on the sapphire substrate above 300 °C were nonemissive because they were strongly oxygen deficient compared to those on the glass substrate. When the films on sapphire were postannealed, only emissions from the CB → VO transition appeared. Thus, VO is the primary defect in films on sapphire, whereas every type of intrinsic defect (Zni, Oi, VO, and VZn) builds up in ZnO films on glass. Electronically excited modifications induced by argon plasma irradiation were investigated in order to discriminate the influence from that of thermal processes. After prolonged plasma exposure, emissions corresponding to CB → VO (540 nm) and Zni → VB (420−470 nm) transitions predominated as a result of preferential sputtering of oxygen atoms. The improvement in electric conduction by the plasma treatment is attributed to hydrogen atoms trapped at newly created VO sites.
Photoacoustic imaging with nanoparticle contrast media
Authors: Jokerst Jesse V.
Published: November 2019

Photoacoustic imaging combines the high temporal and spatial resolution of ultrasound with the good contrast and spectral nature of optics. This techniques is “light in/sound out” as opposed to traditional “sound in/sound out” ultrasound. In this lecture, I will present three case studies that highlight the power of photoacoustic imaging to address the needs of the medical community. First, I will describe our work using photoacoustics to guide therapy in treating multidrug-resistant bacteria. Second, I will discuss our efforts in oral health including improved transducers for minimally invasive exams. Finally, I will detail photoacoustic imaging with a wearable transducer for therapeutic drug monitoring of heparin.
Design exploration of additively manufactured metamaterials
Authors: Seepersad Carolyn C. , Haberman Michael R. , Morris Clinton B.
Published: November 2019

Additive manufacturing (AM) is making a profound impact on our ability to realize complex metamaterials and structures, but fully realizing the manufacturing freedom afforded by AM requires some significant advances in engineering design methods and tools. For some additive manufacturing applications, simulation-based design tools may be required to explore a hierarchy of features, ranging in size from microns to meters. At the same time, these tools need to provide real-time feedback on the constraints and process-structure-property relationships relevant to specific AM technologies, and this Design-for-AM feedback is needed during the design process, rather than at the end. To address these challenges, a design exploration approach has been established for creating inverse maps of promising regions of a hierarchical structural/material design space. The approach utilizes machine learning classifiers for identifying sets of promising solutions to a materials design problem, combined with statistical characterization of geometric features and material properties to ensure that the designs are robustly manufacturable. The capabilities of the approach are demonstrated by applying it to the hierarchical design of negative stiffness metamaterials for energy absorption applications
Ultrasonic non-destructive characterization of hybrid additively manufactured 420 stainless steel made with directed energy deposition
Authors: Sotelo Luz D. , Pratt Cody S. , Hadidi Haitham , Sealy Michael P. , Turner Joseph A.
Published: November 2019

Additive manufacturing is remarkably suitable for creating high complexity performance parts. An added benefit of the Directed Energy Deposition (DED) process is the ability to make functionally graded materials. This expansion of the design and manufacturing spaces presents a challenge for the non-destructive evaluation of AM parts. Hybrid AM parts are an example of functionally graded materials for which the variation in microstructure and material properties across the bulk of the parts is created through a combination of manufacturing processes. In this work, a hybrid 420 stainless steel coupon was created using the DED method, and a surface treatment was applied between added layers. Characterization using destructive and non-destructive methods was performed. The microstructure, hardness profile, phase velocity, attenuation, and backscatter results from the hybrid coupon are compared with those from an AM coupon and a wrought coupon. Agreement between destructive and non-destructive measurements is studied. Furthermore, ultrasonic non-destructive methods are shown to be effective for identifying the gradient in the material properties of the hybrid coupon. The work hereby presented can further inform non-destructive evaluation decisions for hybrid AM parts.
Perceptual asymmetry in lexical tone perception
Authors: Wayland Ratree , Chen Si , Hong Yitian , Fang Zhou
Published: November 2019

Directional asymmetries have been documented in both infant and adult perception of lexical tones. For example, Tsao (2008) found that a stimulus change from the background mandarin T1 (55) to the target Mandarin T3 (213) was easier than the reverse among one-year-old Mandarin learning infants. Yeung et al. (2013) reported that 4- and 9-month-old Mandaring learning infants are better at Cantonese tone discrimination after being familiarized with T2 (25) than with T3 (33). Francis and Ciocca (2003) found that native Cantonese speakers’ tone discrimination was better when the first syllable was higher in frequency (about 4 Hz) than the second syllable. Finally, in an ERP study, Politzer-Ahles et al. (2016) found that Mismatch Negativity (MMN) was attenuated among both native and non-native Mandarin listeners when Mandarin T3 was the standard and another deviant in comparison to the reverse. In this talk, we will report results from two studies examining the effects of memory load and first language on perceptual asymmetry patterns in adult lexical tone perception among native English, Mandarin, and Cantonese speakers. Application of theoretical models including the perceptual magnet effects and perceptual assimilation will be discussed.
The case for an Urban Ocean Observatory
Authors: Stein Peter J. , Gruhl Amy
Published: November 2019

Over the last 16 years the authors have been developing a distributed multi-static active sonar system for port underwater surveillance. Our continuing mission is to develop a robust capability that classifies and tracks the smallest possible objects found in a harbor. We are essentially trying to simultaneously image the entire operational space, and indeed the solution is looking less like a sonar system and more like an imaging system. Developing such a system is a process of continuous optimization, including compensating for the highly time and space variable harbor ocean. Advancement requires greater and greater accuracy and resolution in our environmental measurements and modeling. We envision the system itself becoming a tomographic tool for determining and predicting the ocean state. Here, we make the case for establishing an Urban Ocean Observatory to achieve more rapid and long term progress. Such a laboratory would allow us to efficiently integrate into one test bed, the often stove-piped technologies developed by the underwater acoustic and oceanographic communities. We can study the long term effects of underwater surveillance systems on marine life. The Urban Ocean Observatory can also act as a scale model and speed advancement towards similar littoral and deep water solutions.
Recent acoustical studies of khaen pipes
Authors: Martin Will C. , Nash Kali , Cottingham James P.
Published: November 2019

A khaen pipe is an open bamboo pipe of effective length L, with the free reed located at approximately L/4. The physical length of the pipe is greater than L, with two rectangular tuning slots cut into the pipe defining its effective length and resulting in the presence of cylindrical end sections. Properties of individual khaen pipes and collective effects of two or more pipes sounding together have been studied both experimentally and with finite element modeling software. Special attention has been given to the role of the pipe end sections and the presence of coupling between pipes played simultaneously. In addition to the modes of an open cylindrical pipe expected for the main pipe section, the khaen pipe has modes involving either an end section alone or an end section and the main section together. The presence of these resulting end sections can significantly affect both sound radiation properties and the timbre of the radiated sound. Music for the khaen almost always involves multiple pipes sounding simultaneously, and the conditions for synchronization of slightly mistuned pipes have been studied.
Application of Hilbert space operators on the sphere to directivity measurements
Authors: Bellows Samuel , Leishman Timothy W.
Published: November 2019

Spherical directivity measurements are useful for understanding and characterizing acoustic sources and are often applied to computer-based modeling and simulation of acoustic spaces. While the measurements must be handled with great care for suitable accuracy, little if any data post-processing has been employed in the past to ameliorate them and improve their utility. This paper outlines techniques utilizing Hilbert space operators on the unit sphere to both evaluate certain qualities of directivity measurements and provide refinements of their datasets. Truncation, projection, and symmetry operators on directivity measurements are specifically shown to benefit post-processing of the spherical functions.
Using directional acoustics for mapping the spatial distribution of low frequency mammals
Authors: Martin Bruce , Gaudet Briand , Morris Corey , Miksis-Olds Jennifer L.
Published: November 2019

Long-term passive acoustic monitoring programs have been conducted over several years using directional acoustic recorders. The data from these recorders provide an indication of the direction to each detected signal, which includes calls from blue, fin, sei, and minke whales. The directional results provide new information on the spatial distribution of these animals, including the type of habitat by each species as well as the number of animals vocalizing in an area. Examples will be presented using data recorded at the edge of the Grand Banks as well as from a site off Savanah Ga in waters 800 m deep.
Real-time passive acoustic monitoring results of the 2018 Pacific Region International Survey of Marine Megafauna off Western Canada
Authors: Norris Thomas F. , Riddoch Nicholas , Küsel Elizabeth T. , Doniol-Valcroze Thomas , Abernethy Robin , Nichol Linda
Published: November 2019

Real-time passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) was conducted as part of the first large-scale systematic survey of marine mammal distribution and abundance in territorial outer-coastal waters off western Canada. The survey was conducted for approximately five weeks, from early July to mid-August, 2018 using a 69-m Canadian Coast Guard and Fisheries Vessel. A four-element, towed hydrophone array and sonobuoys (type AN/SSQ-53F and AN/SSQ-53G) were deployed and monitored in real-time 24/7 by experienced bio-acousticians. The towed array was deployed for approximately 640 h (78% of the time underway). Approximately 145 independent detections of marine mammals were made. Sperm whales (n = 53) and porpoises (n= 49) represented just over two-thirds of all detections. Ten near real-time localizations of sperm whales and 31 localization of porpoises were made, representing just over 60% of all (n = 67) all high-quality localizations. Sonobuoy effort consisted of semi-systematic deployments day and night and when sightings of large baleen whales occurred. A total of 112 sonobuoys were deployed successfully and monitored in directional (DIFAR) mode. Marine mammal calls were recorded on 32% (36) of sonobuoys. Sonobuoy detections included killer whales calls and clicks, sperm whale clicks, dolphin clicks, fin whale calls, and blue whale calls (both B and D type calls).
Analysis and automatic detection of potential Omura’s whale signals in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Frank Scott D. , Bartolo Michelle A. , Harris Danielle
Published: November 2019

The north Indian Ocean is a rich environment for passive acoustic monitoring of baleen whales including fin and blue whales, with several different populations of blue whales having been identified by recordings of their song type. A signal known as the Diego Garcia Croak (DGC) has been recorded on two hydrophone triads near Diego Garcia that make up part of the International Monitoring System of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization. The DGC signal was tentatively attributed to a blue whale (Sousa and Harris, 2015) but has recently been linked to the Omura’s whale (Cerchio et al., 2019). In previous work, the DGC has been observed visually on spectrograms and initial time and frequency statistics obtained. In this work, a least squares detector is constructed for the signals and applied to long term recordings from 2002 and 2003. The resulting detections are used to extend previous measurements of the DGC signal, generating a robust characterization of the DGC, including frequency statistics, inter-call intervals, and call lengths. Further, localization methods will be applied to initial time-difference of arrival results and used to explore source level estimation of the DGC signal.
Directivity of the musical instruments and voice in a real situation using beamforming techniques
Authors: Navvab Mojtaba , Meyer Andy
Published: November 2019

Musical instruments are considered natural sound sources with specific directivities. Each instrument unique directivity needs to be identified and implemented in auralization of sound in room acoustic designs. This paper shows detailed directivity measurements on selected musical instruments, human voice, and impulse sources used in room acoustics design under realistic conditions. This work presents results that are measured using acoustic beamforming techniques. Measurements are based on simultaneous recording using a hemispherical array of 120 microphones. The directivity data are measured and analyzed in the time, and frequency domain, and effects in the near field of musical instruments are explored. Dynamic variations in the musical instruments’ directivity relative to sound power, loudness (intensity, pressure), projection, and the apparent size of the sound or volume are presented. Recorded data are presented in static or dynamic mode as well as in both 2- and 3-dimensional format using the beamforming software as well as Math lab algorithm. The results of this work are applicable toward improvement in the quality of auralization of musical instrument in simulation tools and vocal production studies and room acoustic sound filed. Evaluation of their projected radiations’ pattern contributes to a more realistic acoustic design simulations or virtual reality applications.
Temporal loudness weights in background noise: Data and models
Authors: Oberfeld Daniel , Fischenich Alexander , Verhey Jesko L. , Hots Jan
Published: November 2019

Previous studies consistently showed that human listeners primarily consider the beginning of a time-varying sound when judging its overall loudness, and place less weight on subsequent temporal portions. However, all experiments studying this primacy effect in temporal loudness weights presented the target sound in quiet. Here, we compared temporal weights when the target sound was either presented in quiet or in a continuous background noise, and for a variation in the level of the target sound across a range of 60 dB. The target sound was a time-varying narrowband noise, the background noise was a continuous bandpass-filtered noise. In all conditions, we observed the expected primacy effect, well described by an exponential decay function using parameters based on previous studies. The patterns of temporal weights were very similar in conditions with and without background noise, and largely independent of the variation in target level. Simulations using a dynamical model for the partial loudness of time-varying sounds in background noise showed that the model does not predict the observed temporal loudness weights. Strongly depending on the loudness statistic extracted from the loudness model, the predicted loudness weights were either uniform, or showed an inverse U-shaped pattern with higher weights predicted for temporal portions in the middle of the sound compared to temporal portions near onset or offset.
Bilingual sibilant acoustics in conversational Cantonese-English speech
Authors: Johnson Khia A. , Babel Molly E.
Published: November 2019

Similar sibilants in different languages can differ in their trajectories, even when other cues fail to differentiate them [Reidy, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 140, 2518 (2016)]. Whether bilinguals—whose languages influence each other in a multitude of ways—would maintain such a difference in sibilant production across their two languages remains an open question. Using the transcribed and force-aligned (female) half of a new corpus recorded in Vancouver, Canada during 2018–2019, this study compares word-initial, prevocalic Cantonese /s/ productions to English /s/ and /ʃ/ productions in the same environment, by the same set of talkers. Cantonese /s/ is of interest given its variable description in the literature, across measurements, talkers, and vowel environments [Yu, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 139, 1672 (2016)]. This study addresses how bilinguals produce Cantonese /s/, and whether or not it is acoustically comparable to either of their English voiceless sibilants. Sibilant productions are measured in a variety of ways, for comparison with previous studies. This includes peak ERBN number trajectories, which capture spectro-temporal variation. All comparisons are within-talker. Cross-talker differences in language background are also considered.
New real-time Doppler developments based on ULA-OP platforms
Authors: Tortoli Piero , Boni Enrico
Published: November 2019

The recent introduction of open scanners has substantially boosted the development of new Doppler methods capable of performing detailed measurements of blood flow or tissue velocity. The flexibility of such scanners allows to test novel transmission strategies and to (Doppler) process the related echoes, either in real-time or off-line, depending on the available processing power. In this paper, the main characteristics of the ULA-OP open scanners are briefly reviewed and shown ideal for advanced real-time Doppler imaging. Significant application examples aimed at solving classic limitations of Doppler investigation are then presented. First, coded TX (made possible by the on board linear transmitters) is shown capable of significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio of blood velocity measurements in deep vessels. Second, the ambiguities due to the unknown Doppler angle are overcome by novel vector Doppler approaches addressed to the investigation of all SVs aligned along one or multiple lines. Finally, ULA-OP is shown suitable to perform, in real-time, plane-wave-based color flow imaging at high-frame rate. This capability is exploited to produce correct flow maps even in presence of rapid blood velocity changes or to improve the quality of color flow images by extending the packet size.
Reduced-order models for piezoelectric systems
Authors: Cipolla Jeffrey
Published: November 2019

Large-scale analysis of transducer arrays usually requires detailed, high-resolution modeling to represent the coupling effects of piezoelectric, elastic, and fluid media. However, reduced-order models, in the form of low-DOF lumped-parameter engineering models remain essential for system design. Here, we show how to bridge the gap between these model classes by deriving a simple means to compute the modes of an arbitrary piezoelectric system. Our approach exploits the intrinsic disparity in time scale between the electric and elastic fields to reduce the coupled problem into an augmented, elastic-only, system of equations. This system is shown to have the same mathematical characteristics as the elastic system, insofar as no new singularities appear. The piezoelectric-elastic modal system is fully general, and compatible with large-scale finite element representations of complex transducer designs. Numerical examples are shown to demonstrate the efficiency and practicality of the modal analysis.
A comparison of nonlinear modal synthesis using a time varying linear approximation and direct computation
Authors: Rau Mark , Smith Julius O.
Published: November 2019

Modal synthesis is a common technique to model linear musical systems efficiently using a parallel bank of second-order digital filters to represent the modes of a resonating instrument. However, many instruments exhibit nonlinear behavior when driven at high amplitudes, often resulting in amplitude dependent mode center frequencies. This behavior can be modeled in a simplified manner using a time varying linear modal structure or could be directly modeled using a nonlinear mode approximation such as that of a Duffing oscillator. The time-varying linear approach is compared to the direct approach to gauge if the approximation is valid within perceptual limits. Particular emphasis is put on weakly nonlinear modes which may be found in a string instrument with thin vibrating plates.
The “dark” energy in-between sonic partials: Parametric estimation and analysis of weak spectral components for musical sound analysis and synthesis
Authors: Kihiko Angela C. , Ogihara Mitsunori , Ren Gang , Beauchamp James W.
Published: November 2019

Most musical sounds show strong energy concentrations, such as regular time-frequency patterns of sonic partials, as a sparse energy distribution across the spectrographic analysis plane. Most studies of musical sound are based on strong spectral components such as the energy distribution patterns of the harmonic partials. However, between any two sonic partials most musical sounds show interesting low-energy signal patterns such as wide-band articulation or other performance noise. The authors present a musical signal analysis framework that extracts these low-energy spectrographic components by detecting and masking-off the strong sonic partials. A parametric estimation and analysis framework is implemented for an in-depth study of the timbral properties of these weak signal components. Based on the parametric models of several instrument categories, the authors implemented several resynthesis methods for these weak signal components.
Effect of hammershank material properties on piano struck string sound
Authors: Amero Jacob , Riccardi Mario , Faraci Philip P.
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the hammershank material properties of a piano action assembly on the sound produced by the struck string. Using a standard birch hammershank as a baseline, a CAD drawing was developed from which several test hammershanks were fabricated. Alternate woods such as poplar and red oak, as well as several different 3-D printed filament materials were used. Vibrational frequency response data from 0 to 1600 Hz was collected from each of the hammershanks using a vibration exciter and accelerometers. Decay measurements of the first ten harmonics of the struck string were taken from note C40 (f1 = 262 Hz) on a typical working grand piano outfitted with the baseline and the test samples. Audio recordings of the string decay produced by each sample were also taken for audible comparison. Results will be discussed.
Community sound levels associated with Allianz Field
Authors: Braslau David
Published: November 2019

Allianz Field, a 20 000 seat outdoor stadium in St. Paul, MN is the new home of the Minnesota United Loons MLS team. At the start of the project, community ambient levels were initially measured near three residential areas for the environmental review process. Although exposed to noise from a nearby interstate highway and arterial roadways, sound levels were within Minnesota noise standards. Following completion of the stadium, updated background readings were taken to reflect changes in three years since the initial ambient levels were measured. Sound levels were then monitored during the first night game at the venue. Readings showed that crowd level barely exceeded ambient levels and were below the Minnesota standards. Stadium sound system levels were not audible. An evaluation of the potential noise impacts from predicted concert noise was then prepared. While a database of maximum mix levels at 100 feet from various groups was available, these values had to be converted to L10 levels governed by the state standards. Examination of the time history data for selected events provided needed conversion from mix peak to L10. Concert levels projected at the three original monitoring locations show some initial standard violations. Calculating backward in the prediction process showed that concerts with a mix level of 90 dBA would be in compliance with daytime standards while a mix limit of 80 dBA would suffice for late evening performances.
Population density and community noise in South Florida
Authors: Shroyer Samuel , Dugger Edward
Published: November 2019

The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is the eighth most populous in the U.S. but ranks sixteenth in land area. Confined within the twenty-miles between the Atlantic Ocean and the Everglades, most of the land area the MSA envelops cannot expand as its population grows. As a result, continued development has increased the proximity of urban population centers to less-populated “rural” areas. The results of long-term sound level measurements conducted at over 50 locations throughout the MSA are assessed in conjunction with land uses, population densities, and other statistical data to determine conformance with ASA, ANSI, and WHO guidelines and the U.S. EPA prediction model. Initial analyses revealed noise levels at most measurement locations to be inconsistent with these criteria, even in less-populated areas farther from urban centers. The datasets are compared to establish relationships at the local level and are combined based on their land use designations and respective location within municipal and county boundaries, the MSA, and smaller statistical areas for further correlation with standardized guidelines.
Unintended consequences of some jurisdictional noise ordinances
Authors: Hale Marlund E.
Published: November 2019

Since the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency published the Noise Control Act of 1972, many jurisdictions have enacted noise ordinances in various forms to protect the public health and welfare. Over time, research and technology have improved both the understanding of noise effects and the capabilities of noise measurement equipment. It follows then that modifications to noise ordinances would incorporate these improvements. However, in seeking to update noise ordinances, it is important to carefully examine the actual ramifications of the wording, practices and limitations being proposed. Words and wording matter a great deal in municipal noise codes. For example, the use of the word “maximum” is often used differently in noise codes than it is understood in acoustical instrumentation terminology. Another example is the difference between the phrases “shall not exceed” the code noise limit and “shall not cause the noise to exceed” the code noise limit. And finally, some ordinances provide additional adjustments to the noise code whenever the ambient noise is greater than the standard limits of the noise code. These examples, and others, can introduce certain unintended consequences in attempts to achieve project noise code compliance. This paper examines these code compliance challenges and possible remedies.
Community-based infrasound investigation
Authors: Braslau David
Published: November 2019

Infrasound is not only associated with wind turbines and volcanoes. Low levels of disturbing infrasound that can have long term adverse impact on residents are also associated with sources such as bridges, transportation, barges, mechanical equipment and entertainment sound systems. This paper describes measurements to identify potential infrasound sources impacting a residence in a Mississippi River town in Minnesota. Initial monitoring was performed in a second floor room over a 24 h period with five samples up to 30 min using an Apollo sound analyzer. Supplemented with sound level meter readings, an average peak at 12.5 Hz appears to be associated with a nearby river crossing bridge. Peaks at this frequency peaks can not be attributed to room dimensions. Subsequent readings were taken in several rooms and outside with a micro-barometer system. These data supported earlier readings but showed differences between rooms and indoor and outdoor spectra. Unfortunately there are no standards or guidelines for indoor infrasound levels and only limited solutions for addressing these community infrasound sources. Whether or how infrasound could be incorporated into community noise ordinances that could possibly prevent adverse residential exposure to infrasound will be discussed.
Topological phononic crystals
Authors: Liu Zhengyou
Published: November 2019

Valley phononic crystals (VPCs) and Weyl phononic crystals (WPCs) are two typical types of topological phononic crystals. The valleys are the pair of energy extrema at two inequivalent corners of the reduced Brillouin zone of the 2-D hexagonal materials. The valley pseudospin, as new degree of freedom in addition to charge and spin, may provide a great alternative to be used in information encoding and processing. VPCs are 2-D acoustic or elastic artificial materials with valleys, and chiral valley states and robust valley edge transport, can be exhibited in either the acoustic or elastic VPCs. Weyl semimetals are materials in which the electrons have linear dispersions in all directions while are doubly degenerate at single points, called the Weyl points, near the Fermi surface in 3-D momentum space. Weyl points also exist in 3-D phononic crystals for acoustic or elastic waves, referred to as WPCs. The surface arc states in the WPC, not only manifest the normal refraction, but also the negative refraction when turning from one surface to another. In either case, they are immune against reflection. Topological phononic crystals extend topological physics from microscopic scales to macroscopic scales, which may accelerate the practical application of the topological physics.
Transmisison hysteresis and edge modes in bounded space-time composites
Authors: Nassar Hussein
Published: November 2019

The vibrational frequency response of bounded composites, e.g., metamaterials and sonic crystals, is often understood thanks to band diagrams established in the absence of boundaries. Introducing a pump wave that modulates in time the properties of the composite challenges the correspondence between the vibrations picture and the waves picture. The talk revisits this correspondence in the context of the nonreciprocal acoustics of space-time composites. Specifically, we establish in the weak coupling regime how the hybridization of total bandgaps into pairs of one-way bandgaps triggers nonreciprocal hysteresis transmission loops in the space-frequency domain and alters, qualitatively and quantitatively, the vibrational frequency response in the presence of reflecting boundaries. The theoretical analysis is assessed numerically and exploited to shed new light on previously obtained experimental data. Last, extrapolating our study to the strong coupling regime, transmission hysteresis is shown to explain the emergence of topological vibrational modes with one-way edge-bulk and bulk-edge transitions.
Development and analysis of synoptic evaluation strategy for research platforms for Cochlear Implants and hearing aids
Authors: Chandra Shekar Ram Charan M. , Hansen John H. L.
Published: November 2019

Cochlear Implants—Hearing Aids(CI/HA) offer opportunities for researchers wishing to advance algorithm development, since the existing commercial CIs/HAs are closed/sealed for customization, due to intellectual property and safety requirements. In general, Research Platforms (RPs), such as CCi-MOBILE (developed at CRSS-CILab, UTDallas), emulate the functionality of CIs/HAs, and allow researchers to insert their customized sub-algorithms for either benchtop (soundbooth) or field testing. To date, little formalized studies have explored RP performance effectiveness or a formal safety test paradigm. Here, a two phase comprehensive evaluation strategy is proposed that involves acoustical signal processing and user specified electrical stimulation configuration for CCi-MOBILE. While the full evaluation strategy is tedious (+407 h of audio testing: Acoustical test {380 h}, Stimulation parameter test {27 h}), an agile reduced safety test and researcher performance evaluation paradigm is developed by sub-sampling the comprehensive test and system evaluation parameter space. The synoptic safety and performance evaluation paradigm is evaluated to selectively prioritize test conditions based on: (i) acoustical diversity and electrical current level characteristics and (ii) CI stimulation configuration test conditions using physical limits of RF pulses. The proposed synoptic safety and performance evaluation paradigm is shown to be efficient, effective, and ensures reliability of each potentially deployed RP in the field.