bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developmental sexual dimorphism and the evolution of mechanisms for adjustment of sex ratios in mammals
Authors: Cameron Elissa Z. , Edwards Amy M. , Parsley Laura M.
Published: November 2016

Sex allocation theory predicts biased offspring sex ratios in relation to local conditions if they would maximize parental lifetime reproductive return. In mammals, the extent of the birth sex bias is often unpredictable and inconsistent, leading some to question its evolutionary significance. For facultative adjustment of sex ratios to occur, males and females would need to be detectably different from an early developmental stage, but classic sexual dimorphism arises from hormonal influences after gonadal development. Recent advances in our understanding of early, pregonadal sexual dimorphism, however, indicate high levels of dimorphism in gene expression, caused by chromosomal rather than hormonal differences. Here, we discuss how such dimorphism would interact with and link previously hypothesized mechanisms for sex‐ratio adjustment. These differences between males and females are sufficient for offspring sex both to be detectable to parents and to provide selectable cues for biasing sex ratios from the earliest stages. We suggest ways in which future research could use the advances in our understanding of sexually dimorphic developmental physiology to test the evolutionary significance of sex allocation in mammals. Such an approach would advance our understanding of sex allocation and could be applied to other taxa.
RNAi‐mediated endogene silencing in strawberry fruit: detection of primary and secondary siRNAs by deep sequencing
Authors: Härtl Katja , Kalinowski Gregor , Hoffmann Thomas , Preuss Anja , Schwab Wilfried
Published: November 2016

RNA interference (RNAi) has been exploited as a reverse genetic tool for functional genomics in the nonmodel species strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) since 2006. Here, we analysed for the first time different but overlapping nucleotide sections (>200 nt) of two endogenous genes, FaCHS (chalcone synthase) and FaOMT (O‐methyltransferase), as inducer sequences and a transitive vector system to compare their gene silencing efficiencies. In total, ten vectors were assembled each containing the nucleotide sequence of one fragment in sense and corresponding antisense orientation separated by an intron (inverted hairpin construct, ihp). All sequence fragments along the full lengths of both target genes resulted in a significant down‐regulation of the respective gene expression and related metabolite levels. Quantitative PCR data and successful application of a transitive vector system coinciding with a phenotypic change suggested propagation of the silencing signal. The spreading of the signal in strawberry fruit in the 3′ direction was shown for the first time by the detection of secondary small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) outside of the primary targets by deep sequencing. Down‐regulation of endogenes by the transitive method was less effective than silencing by ihp constructs probably because the numbers of primary siRNAs exceeded the quantity of secondary siRNAs by three orders of magnitude. Besides, we observed consistent hotspots of primary and secondary siRNA formation along the target sequence which fall within a distance of less than 200 nt. Thus, ihp vectors seem to be superior over the transitive vector system for functional genomics in strawberry fruit.
Convergence of The Nobel Fields of Telomere Biology and DNA Repair
Authors: Fouquerel Elise , Opresko Patricia L.
Published: November 2016

The fields of telomere biology and DNA repair have enjoyed a great deal of cross‐fertilization and convergence in recent years. Telomeres function at chromosome ends to prevent them from being falsely recognized as chromosome breaks by the DNA damage response and repair machineries. Conversely, both canonical and nonconical functions of numerous DNA repair proteins have been found to be critical for preserving telomere structure and function. In 2009, Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak were awarded the Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of telomeres and telomerase. Four years later, pioneers in the field of DNA repair, Aziz Sancar, Tomas Lindahl and Paul Modrich were recognized for their seminal contributions by being awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This review is part of a special issue meant to celebrate this amazing achievement, and will focus in particular on the convergence of nucleotide excision repair and telomere biology, and will discuss the profound implications for human health.
Solving Blue Light Riddles: New Lessons from Flavin‐binding LOV Photoreceptors
Authors: Losi Aba , Gärtner Wolfgang
Published: November 2016

Detection of blue light (BL) via flavin‐binding photoreceptors (Fl‐Blues) has evolved throughout all three domains of life. Although the main BL players, that is light, oxygen and voltage (LOV), blue light sensing using flavins (BLUF) and Cry (cryptochrome) proteins, have been characterized in great detail with respect to structure and function, still several unresolved issues at different levels of complexity remain and novel unexpected findings were reported. Here, we review the most prevailing riddles of LOV‐based photoreceptors, for example: the relevance of water and/or small metabolites for the dynamics of the photocycle; molecular details of light‐to‐signal transduction events; the interplay of BL sensing by LOV domains with other environmental stimuli, such as BL plus oxygen‐mediating photodamage and its impact on microbial lifestyles; the importance of the cell or chromophore redox state in determining the fate of BL‐driven reactions; the evolutionary pathways of LOV‐based BL sensing and associated functions through the diverse phyla. We will discuss major novelties emerged during the last few years on these intriguing aspects of LOV proteins by presenting paradigmatic examples from prokaryotic photosensors that exhibit the largest complexity and richness in associated functions.
Assessment of the effect of surface drip irrigation on Verticillium dahliae propagules differing in persistence in soil and on verticillium wilt of olive
Authors: Santos‐Rufo A. , Vega V. , Hidalgo J. J. , Hidalgo J. C. , Rodríguez‐Jurado D.
Published: November 2016

For efficient integrated management of verticillium wilt in olive (VWO), it is important to establish whether irrigation treatments (with Verticillium dahliae‐free water) that mitigate the disease in V. dahliae‐infested soil, also reduce the levels of more and less persistent propagules of the pathogen in the soil. Effects of irrigation on VWO and V. dahliae propagules were evaluated under natural environmental conditions. Potted plants were irrigated (pathogen‐free water) to two ranges of soil water content (RWC; high and low) at three surface drip‐irrigation frequencies (daily, weekly, and daily during some periods and otherwise weekly). VWO and total inoculum density (ID), density of less persistent micropropagules (MpD) and more persistent sclerotia in wet soil (SwD), and sclerotia density for air‐dried soil (SdD) were monitored. A logistic model (multiple sigmoid) of disease incidence revealed the lowest parameter values in treatments irrigated daily. Daily frequency of irrigation showed significantly lower disease incidence (39.2%) and disease intensity index (43.9%) and MpD (88.0%) values as areas compared with other frequencies, regardless of the RWC. High RWC significantly reduced (70.8–84.9%) ID, SwD and SdD as areas, but significantly increased (18.0%) the incidence of infected plants (IIP), regardless of the irrigation frequency. The disease incidence was not correlated with temperature. Daily irrigation to low RWC mitigated the VWO and the IIP, kept soil to the lowest MpD and resulted in the lowest SdD level at the end of the trial. Results suggested that less persistent propagules could have played a part in the disease development.
Factors influencing stomatal conductance in response to water availability in grapevine: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Lavoie‐Lamoureux Anouk , Sacco Dario , Risse Paul‐André , Lovisolo Claudio
Published: November 2016

The main factors regulating grapevine response to decreasing water availability were assessed under statistical support using published data related to leaf water relations in an extensive range of scion and rootstock genotypes. Matching leaf water potential (Ψleaf) and stomatal conductance (gs) data were collected from peer‐reviewed literature with associated information. The resulting database contained 718 data points from 26 different Vitis vinifera varieties investigated as scions, 15 non‐V. vinifera rootstock genotypes and 11 own‐rooted V. vinifera varieties. Linearised data were analysed using the univariate general linear model (GLM) with factorial design including biological (scion and rootstock genotypes), methodological and environmental (soil) fixed factors. The first GLM performed on the whole database explained 82.4% of the variability in data distribution having the rootstock genotype the greatest contribution to variability (19.1%) followed by the scion genotype (16.2%). A classification of scions and rootstocks according to their mean predicted gs in response to moderate water stress was generated. This model also revealed that gs data obtained using a porometer were in average 2.1 times higher than using an infra‐red gas analyser. The effect of soil water‐holding properties was evaluated in a second analysis on a restricted database and showed a scion‐dependant effect, which was dominant over rootstock effect, in predicting gs values. Overall the results suggest that a continuum exists in the range of stomatal sensitivities to water stress in V. vinifera, rather than an isohydric–anisohydric dichotomy, that is further enriched by the diversity of scion‐rootstock combinations and their interaction with different soils.
Justice and Well‐Orderedness: Saving Rawls from Luck Egalitarianism
Authors: Queralt Jahel
Published: November 2016

This paper develops a full account of Rawls's notion of a well‐ordered society and uses it to address two luck egalitarian objections to his principles of justice. The first is an internal criticism which claims that Rawls's account of justice is better captured by a responsibility‐sensitive egalitarian account. The second is an external objection according to which, regardless of the alleged inconsistency between Rawls's principles and his account of justice, we should reject those principles in favour of a responsibility‐sensitive criterion because it better captures our moral intuitions about distributive justice. The argument presented answers both objections by defending the value of well‐orderedness and showing the difficulties of responsibility‐sensitive egalitarian conceptions in realizing this ideal.
Effect of OSA on hypoxic and inflammatory markers during CPAP withdrawal: Further evidence from three randomized control trials
Authors: Turnbull Chris D. , Rossi Valentina A. , Santer Peter , Schwarz Esther I. , Stradling John R. , Petousi Nayia , Kohler Malcolm
Published: November 2016

ABSTRACT

Background and objective

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with cardiovascular disease. Intermittent hypoxia, endothelial dysfunction and adipose tissue‐mediated inflammation have all been linked to cardiovascular disease in OSA. We therefore explored the effect of OSA on relevant associated blood markers: adrenomedullin (ADM), endocan, endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), resistin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Methods

Patients with OSA, established on and compliant with continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) therapy for >1 year were included from three randomized controlled trials, conducted at two centres. Patients were randomized to either continued therapeutic CPAP or sham CPAP (CPAP withdrawal) for 2 weeks. Blood markers were measured at baseline and at 14 days and the treatment effect between sham CPAP and therapeutic CPAP was analysed.

Results

A total of 109 patients were studied (therapeutic CPAP n = 54, sham CPAP n = 55). Sham CPAP was associated with a return of OSA (between‐group difference in oxygen desaturation index (ODI) 36.0/h, 95% CI 29.9–42.2, P < 0.001). Sham CPAP was associated with a reduction in ADM levels at 14 days (−26.0 pg/mL, 95% CI −47.8 to −4.3, P = 0.02), compared to therapeutic CPAP. Return of OSA was not associated with changes in endocan, ET‐1, resistin or VEGF.

Conclusion

Whilst CPAP withdrawal was associated with return of OSA, it was associated with an unexpected significant reduction in the vasodilator ADM and not with expected increases in hypoxia‐induced markers, markers of endothelial function or resistin. We propose that the vascular effects occurring in OSA may be brought about by other mechanisms, perhaps partly through a reduction in ADM.
A Coverage Theory for Least Squares
Authors: Carè Algo , Garatti Simone , Campi Marco C.
Published: November 2016

A sensible use of an estimation method requires that assessment criteria for the quality of the estimate be available. We present a coverage theory for the least squares estimate. By suitably modifying the empirical costs, one constructs statistics that are guaranteed to cover with known probability the cost associated with a next, still unseen, member of the population. All results of this paper are distribution free and can be applied to least squares problems in use across a variety of fields.
The Albian–Cenomanian transition and Oceanic Anoxic Event 1d – an example from the Boreal Realm
Authors: Bornemann André , Erbacher Jochen , Heldt Matthias , Kollaske Tina , Wilmsen Markus , Lübke Nathalie , Huck Stefan , Vollmar Nele M. , Wonik Thomas
Published: November 2016

The upper Albian to lower Cenomanian interval in the Hanover area (Germany) is characterized by a well‐developed lithological transition from upper Albian monotonous (marly) claystones of several hundred metres thickness, which become enriched in biosilica in the topmost Albian, to increasingly CaCO3‐rich marls and limestones in the lower and middle Cenomanian. This study presents a new 165 m thick composite record spanning the latest Albian to mid‐early Cenomanian (ca 103·0 to 97·5 Ma) based on two core drillings at Anderten in the central Lower Saxony Basin (east of Hanover), which is a sub‐basin of the North German Basin. Due to the lack or delayed occurrences of Tethyan biostratigraphic markers for the late Albian and early Cenomanian in the Boreal Realm, the definition of the Albian–Cenomanian boundary, as based on the lowest occurrence of Thalmanninella globotruncanoides, is not applicable. In order to overcome this issue, an integrated biostratigraphic–chemostratigraphic approach has been employed. In addition to biostratigraphy (calcareous nannofossils, ostracods, planktonic foraminifera and inoceramids), the Anderten succession has been studied using sedimentary geochemistry (CaCO3, total organic carbon, δ13C and δ18O), γ‐ray logging and X‐ray fluorescence core scanning. This approach enabled successful correlation of the composite Anderten record to European reference sections in England, south‐east France and Italy, as well as to further low‐resolution records from the Lower Saxony Basin (Wunstorf and Konrad 101 core). This work has made it possible to identify the δ13Ccarb expression of: (i) the Oceanic Anoxic Event 1d; (ii) the Albian–Cenomanian boundary interval; and (iii) potentially the Lower Cenomanian Event(s). Chemostratigraphic age assignments are supported by biostratigraphic results. Calcareous nannofossils indicate an extended Upper Cretaceous 0 (UC0) zone (upper Albian) up to Upper Cretaceous 2 (UC2; upper lower Cenomanian), and the occurrence of the ostracod Physocythere steghausi supports an early Cenomanian age for most of the upper part of the composite record. Notably, influxes of the planktonic foraminifer Thalmanninella aff. reicheli have previously been described from this area and the first appearance of this taxon is usually used to define the base of the middle Cenomanian Substage. However, findings from the Anderten cores and elsewhere suggest that this taxon has an apparently earlier first appearance, questioning previous age assignments from the Boreal Realm solely based on planktonic foraminifera. Due to both moderately well‐preserved microfossils and high sedimentation rates, the drilled succession of Anderten is considered as a potential Boreal reference section for the Albian–Cenomanian transition.
Red cell volume response to exercise training: Association with aging
Authors: Montero D. , Lundby C.
Published: November 2016

Red blood cell volume (RBCV) is a main determinant of cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy individuals. However, it remains controversial to what extent exercise training (ExT) enhances RBCV. Therefore, we sought to systematically review and determine the effect of ExT on RBCV in healthy individuals across all ages. We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, since their inceptions until February 2016 for articles assessing the effect of ExT interventions (not including hypoxic training) on blood volumes in healthy individuals. A meta‐analysis was performed to determine the mean difference (MD) in RBCV between post‐ and pre‐ExT measurements. Thirty studies were included after systematic review, comprising a total of 299 healthy individuals (mean age = 19–71 years, 271 males). Exercise training programs primarily consisted in lower limb endurance training interventions (mean duration = 15.2 weeks). After data pooling, RBCV was not increased following ExT (MD = 49 mL, 95% CI = −11, 108; P = 0.11). In subgroup analyses, RBCV was increased after ExT in young and middle‐aged individuals (mean age <60 year) (n = 106, MD = 81 mL, 95% CI = 0, 162; P < 0.05) but not in older study participants (mean age ≥60 year) (n = 110, MD = 13 mL, 95% CI = −76, 102; P = 0.77). Heterogeneity was not detected among studies in young and middle‐aged (I2 = 0%) and older individuals (I2 = 0%). In conclusion, RBCV is moderately, yet consistently, enhanced by ExT in young and middle‐aged but not in older healthy individuals. Therefore, RBCV adaptations to ExT appear to be age dependent.
Patients' outcome after rescue plerixafor administration for autologous stem cell mobilization: a single‐center retrospective analysis
Authors: Spoerl Silvia , Peter Robert , Wäscher Dagmar , Götze Katharina , Verbeek Mareike , Peschel Christian , Krackhardt Angela M.
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Plerixafor is predominantly used for patients mobilizing inadequate stem cell numbers for autologous transplantation after stimulation with granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We here report on 300 patients undergoing stem cell mobilization with G‐CSF, among them 36 poor mobilizers (CD34+ cell counts < 50 × 106/L blood) receiving G‐CSF alone and 49 receiving G‐CSF in combination with plerixafor for rescue intervention. Mobilization efficacy and short‐time outcome after autologous stem cell transplantation were analyzed and compared in the respective subgroups.

RESULTS

Out of 49 patients treated with plerixafor and G‐CSF, 46 (94%) collected sufficient hematopoietic stem cell numbers although the number was clearly inferior in poor mobilizers. Compared to good mobilizers, viability of CD34+ cells analyzed after collection was slightly reduced in poor mobilizers independent of the application of plerixafor. A total of 232 patients underwent autologous stem cell transplantation, among them 26 poor mobilizers who received only G‐CSF and 31 patients who received G‐CSF in combination with plerixafor. Time until neutrophil engraftment was in median 1 day later in poor mobilizers irrespective of the application of plerixafor. Platelet engraftment was in median 2 days delayed in patients mobilized with G‐CSF and plerixafor compared to 1 day in poor mobilizers treated with G‐CSF only. Frequency of detected CD38+ CD138+ CD45– CD56+ plasma cells in the apheresis products of myeloma patients was comparable for all groups.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrate that plerixafor is highly effective as rescue measurement after mobilization failure with G‐CSF alone and short‐term clinical outcome after stem cell transplantation is comparable.
RADIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS OF HOOF BALANCE ARE SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCED BY A HORSE'S STANCE
Authors: Pauwels Frederik E. , Rogers Chris W. , Wharton Heather , Flemming Hailey , Wightman Paul F. , Green Ron W.
Published: November 2016

Hoof balance radiographs are commonly used as the basis for corrective farriery decision‐making in horses, however there are limited published data quantifying effects of the stance of the horse or the horizontal radiographic beam angle. In this analytical study, the influence of variation of the horse's stance in the craniocaudal and lateromodial plane on hoof balance measurements as well as the influence of variation of the horizontal radiographic beam angle on dorsopalmar hoof balance measurements was examined. Distal left thoracic limb lateromedial radiographs were acquired using a standardized protocol while varying the craniocaudal stance of five horses, each selected to be sound and conformationally normal. Dorsopalmar foot radiographs were acquired while varying the lateromedial stance; and variable angle horizontal beam dorsopalmar foot radiographs were acquired while keeping the limb position constant. Analyses of measurements demonstrated that hoof pastern angle had a linear relationship (R2 = 0.89, P < 0.001) with craniocaudal stance of the horse. The relationship of joint angle and stance was greater for the distal interphalangeal joint angle (R2 = 0.89, P < 0.001) than the proximal interphalangeal joint angle (R2 = 0.65, P = 0.001). The distal phalanx angle did not change with craniocaudal stance variation. The proximal interphalangeal joint width, distal interphalangeal joint width, or distal phalanx height did not change with lateromedial stance variation, nor within a 15 degree dorsolateral to caudomedial and dorsomedial to caudolateral variation from the dorsopalmar axis. Findings indicated that positioning of the thoracic limb needs to be considered during radiographic interpretation and decision‐making for corrective farriery.
From loose body to osteochondritis dissecans: a historical account of disease definition
Authors: Tarabella Vittorio , Filardo Giuseppe , Di Matteo Berardo , Andriolo Luca , Tomba Patrizia , Viganò Anna , Marcacci Maurilio
Published: November 2016

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a rare yet fascinating disease affecting young, active patients. It remains a ‘mysterious disease’ whose etiopathology, still unclear, is the subject of ongoing studies aiming improving the knowledge of this condition and, therefore, treatment options, too. Even though the first descriptions of intra-articular loose bodies date back to very ancient times, it is only relatively recently that, thanks to the contribution of some very eminent physicians, it became recognized as a specific orthopaedic condition. The aim of the present manuscript is to trace the main steps in the journey that led to the acknowledgement of OCD as an autonomous clinical entity, and to recall the prominent figures involved.
Resistive memory multilayer structure with self-rectifying and forming free properties along with their modification by adding a hafnium nanoparticle midlayer
Authors: Michelakaki Irini , Bousoulas Panagiotis , Maragos Nikos , Boukos Nikos , Tsoukalas Dimitris
Published: November 2016

Despite the amount of work that has been produced using TiO2 to study its resistance dynamic properties, the switching mechanism is not fully understood. In this context, the authors have fabricated and investigated the switching mechanism of TiO2 based memristors with and without the incorporation of crystalline hafnium nanoparticles. The resistive switching of the devices needs no electroforming and is dictated by electrode/film interface modifications. The results indicate that the dominant conduction mechanism is Schottky emission while in the case of hafnium nanoparticles incorporation, a synthesis of which has not been reported before, conduction prevailing mechanism changes to Fowler–Nordheim tunneling. Insight on device operation can be obtained by revealing the role of nanoparticles on loss of rectifying properties, through local modification of oxygen vacancy concentration.
The effect of the helicotrema on low-frequency loudness perception
Authors: Jurado Carlos , Marquardt Torsten
Published: November 2016

Below approximately 40 Hz, the cochlear travelling wave reaches the apex, and differential pressure is shunted through the helicotrema, reducing hearing sensitivity. Just above this corner frequency, a resonance feature is often observed in objectively measured middle-ear-transfer functions (METFs). This study inquires whether overall and fine structure characteristics of the METF are also perceptually evident. Equal-loudness-level contours (ELCs) were measured between 20 and 160 Hz for 14 subjects in a purpose-built test chamber. In addition, the inverse shapes of their METFs were obtained by adjusting the intensity of a low-frequency suppressor tone to maintain an equal suppression depth of otoacoustic emissions for various suppressor tone frequencies (20–250 Hz). For 11 subjects, the METFs showed a resonance. Six of them had coinciding features in both ears, and also in their ELC. For two subjects only the right-ear METF was obtainable, and in one case it was consistent with the ELC. One other subject showed a consistent lack of the feature in their ELC and in both METFs. Although three subjects displayed clear inconsistencies between both measures, the similarity between inverse METF and ELC for most subjects shows that the helicotrema has a marked impact on low-frequency sound perception.
The effects of physiological adjustments on the perceptual and acoustical characteristics of vibrato as a model of vocal tremor
Authors: Lester-Smith Rosemary A. , Story Brad H.
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physiological adjustments on listeners' perception of the magnitude of modulation of voice and to determine the characteristics of the acoustical modulations that explained listeners' judgments. This research was carried out using singers producing vibrato as a model of vocal tremor. Twenty healthy adults participated in a perceptual study involving pair-comparisons of the magnitude of “shakiness” with singers' samples, which differed by fundamental frequency, vocal quality, and vowel. Results revealed that listeners perceived a higher magnitude of voice modulation when female samples had a pressed vocal quality. Acoustical analyses were performed with voice samples to determine the features that predicted listeners' judgments. Based on regression analyses, listeners' judgments were predicted to some extent by modulation information in frequency bands across the spectrum.
ACOUSTICAL STANDARDS NEWS
Authors: Stremmel Neil B. , Struck Christopher J.
Published: November 2016

American National Standards (ANSI Standards) developed by Accredited Standards Committees S1, S2, S3, S3/SC 1, and S12 in the areas of acoustics, mechanical vibration and shock, bioacoustics, animal bioacoustics, and noise, respectively, are published by the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). In addition to these standards, ASA publishes a catalog of Acoustical American National Standards. To receive a copy of the latest Standards catalog, please contact Neil Stremmel.

Comments are welcomed on all material in Acoustical Standards News.

This Acoustical Standards News section in JASA and other information on the Standards Program of the Acoustical Society of America are available via the ASA home page: http://acousticalsociety.org.
The UCLA voice synthesizer, version 2.0
Authors: Kreiman Jody , Antonanzas-Barroso Norma , Gerratt Bruce R.
Published: November 2016

Based on our psychoacoustic model of voice quality, the UCLA voice synthesizer allows users to copy synthesize nearly any steady-state voice sample or to create stimuli that systematically vary in specific acoustic dimensions. This new release contains a number of significant improvements from earlier versions. The vocal tract model now includes three spectral zeros with adjustable bandwidths. The precise spectral shape of the harmonic and inharmonic sources can be modified at will, either by adjusting the heights of the harmonics or the noise amplitude in a selected frequency range or by specifying the desired spectral or noise slope in a range. Any number of ranges of any size can be specified. Synthesizer variables can be individually saved and copied between cases. Additional changes increase control of analysis parameters and the ease with which series of stimuli can be created. The synthesizer is fully documented and is freely available for download from headandnecksurgery.ucla.edu/glottalaffairs. Copies will also be available at the conference. [Research supported by NIH.]
Combination method air and bone conducted speech for speaker recognition in i-vector space
Authors: Tsuge Satoru , Kuroiwa Shingo
Published: November 2016

Recently, some new sensors, such as bone-conductive microphones, throat microphones, and non-audible murmur (NAM) microphones, besides conventional condenser microphones have been developed for collecting speech data. Accordingly, some researchers began to study speaker and speech recognition using speech data collected by these new sensors. From these new sensors, we focus on a bone-conductive microphone. Recently, the speaker recognition method based on i-vector will be state-of-the-art. Hence, in this paper, first, we report the speaker recognition performance using bone-conducted speech based on i-vector-based speaker recognition system. In addition, we propose a speaker recognition method combined bone-conducted speech with air-conducted speech. In this paper, we investigate three combination methods, which are a distance combination method, an i-vector combination method, and a feature combination method. To evaluate the proposed methods, we conducted the speaker identification experiments. From experimental results, performance of the bone-conducted speech is almost same as that of the air-conducted speech under the condition of the enrolment and the evaluation speech collected on same session. In addition, the experimental results show that all proposed methods are able to improve the speaker recognition performance of air- and bone-conducted speech.
Ocean acoustic tomography: Fortieth anniversary, 1976–2016
Authors: Worcester Peter F. , Munk Walter H.
Published: November 2016

The year 1976 saw the publication of “Monitoring the ocean acoustically” by Munk and Worcester [Science, Technology, and The Modern Navy, Thirtieth Anniversary 1946-1976, 497-508] and arguably the first ocean acoustic tomography experiment. The field got off to a stormy start when a reviewer of an early proposal wrote that “travel times along ray paths are meaningless in a saturated environment,” but a 1978 experiment showed that ray arrivals could be “resolved, identified, and tracked” at ~900 km range, just in time to save the field from an early demise. The need to measure and predict travel times with millisecond accuracy pushed the field of underwater acoustics to develop the requisite instrumentation and mathematical tools to accurately characterize the impulse response of the ocean. Important contributions to our understanding of the oceans include (1) the demonstration that internal tides are coherently generated by surface tides over the Hawaiian submarine ridge (and other similar benthic features) and can be traced for thousands of km to distant regions of dissipation, (2) measurements of oceanic deep convection, and (3) the discovery using trans-Arctic transmissions that the heat content in the Arctic was increasing. In the future, ocean acoustic tomography will likely be one component of multipurpose acoustic systems for acoustic remote sensing, navigation, communications, and passive listening, with special applicability in ice-covered regions.
Deconvolution-based approach for super-resolution photoacoustic imaging
Authors: Yu Jaesok , Kang Kim
Published: November 2016

Recently, the microbubble-localization technique was able to increase spatial resolution by multifold in ultrasound (US) imaging, overcoming the acoustic diffraction limit. In this study, we applied the super-resolution approach to the photoacoustic (PA) imaging with a mid-frequency medical imaging array transducer. One of the biggest challenges in this application is relatively low PA response from individual contrast agent particles to the limited laser fluence under safety guidelines. The increased concentration of contrast agent enhances PA signal, but it results in convolved and blurred PA signals due to particle clumping. The conventional localization technique likely discards such blurred PA signals and thus requires a large number of imaging frames. Alternatively, a deconvolution method can be utilized to directly identify individual agent particles from the blurred PA signals. In-vitro experiments were performed using the PA sequence programmed US platform with a linear array transducer centered at 5 MHz. A pulsed laser of 5 ns long at 10 Hz tuned at 800 nm was synchronized to the US system. Totally 8,000 PA frames were acquired from micron-sized metal beads flowing in a polyethylene tube. Richardson-Lucy deconvolution method successfully identified individual particles from the blurred PA signals generated from clumped beads at high concentration.
Visualizing sound directivity via smartphone sensors
Authors: Hawley Scott H. , McClain Robert E.
Published: November 2016

We present a fast, simple method for automated data acquisition and visualization of sound directivity suitable for use with introductory acoustics education, made convenient and accessible via a new free smartphone app, “Polar Pattern Plotter.” The app synchronizes measurements of sound volume with the phone's angular orientation, obtained from either compass, gyroscope, or accelerometer sensors, and produces a graph and exportable data file. It is generalizable to various sound sources and receivers via the use of an input-jack-adaptor to supplant the smartphone's (omnidirectional) microphone. We show results obtained in a free-field environment for loudspeaker directivity, microphone polar patterns, and two-speaker interference effects. Results provide both a visual and quantitative representation of sound fields and device responses, useful for introductory acoustics experiments and demonstrations.
Equivalent gradient properties of porous material with macro void and panel structures
Authors: Xin Fengxian , Jiang Changyong , Lu Tianjian , Huang Lixi
Published: November 2016

In order to reduce the interface sound reflection, best sound absorption may be achieved by having a low acoustic impedance at the air-absorber interface and a gradient property is used inside the absorber. This study explores how such gradient properties may be realized by a distribution of voids and/or perforated panel structures. Finite-element simulation for the basic module is conducted to reveal the relationship between the design and equivalent fluid properties. The gradient of various properties are then identified. Genetic algorithm is used to optimize the geometrical parameters for best absorption performance under the constraint of a given thickness and a set of boundary conditions. The optimized design is then considered as parallel-series arrangement of homogeneous layers each with different acoustic impedance. For a chosen practical application, a feasible design is determined and its performance is compared with the traditional absorber of optimized, uniform properties. Gains in broadband sound absorption performance is analyzed with a single-digit descriptor relevant to the application.
Role of high-frame-rate imaging for monitoring high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment
Authors: Umemura Shin-ichiro , Yoshizawa Shin , Takagi Ryo
Published: November 2016

During high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, tissue change, and acoustic cavitation as its precursor, should be monitored both in and outside the HIFU focal zone, to ensure the intended therapeutic effect and to prevent potential adverse effects, respectively. Unlike boiling-induced bubbles, cavitation-generated microbubbles are difficult to detect with conventional B-mode imaging because their life is significantly shorter than the typical image repetition period. An image repetition period less than a few milliseconds is required to detect them. This can only be accomplished by high-frame-rate imaging with plane or diverging waves. In-vivo as well as ex-vivo experimental results evidencing the effectiveness of such imaging to detect cavitation-generated microbubbles will be shown in this paper. A number of researches are underway to ultrasonically detect HIFU-induced tissue change, which occurs at much lower temperature than boiling. During echo data acquisition for detecting such tissue change, HIFU exposure is typically intermitted. High frame-rate-imaging also has a significant advantage there because the tissue motion by being released from the radiation force by HIFU can be ignored if the intermission is within a few milliseconds. Ex-vivo experimental results evidencing the effectiveness to detect HIFU-induced tissue change by high-frame rate imaging will also be shown.
Histotripsy: Transcranial applications
Authors: Cain Charles A. , Sukovich Jonathan , Hall Timothy L. , Xu Zhen
Published: November 2016

Histotripsy produces non-thermal lesions by generating, when an intrinsic threshold is exceeded, dense highly confined energetic bubble clouds that mechanically fractionate tissue. This nonlinear thresholding phenomenon has useful consequences. If only the tip of the waveform (P-) exceeds the intrinsic threshold, small lesions less than the diffraction limit can be generated. Moreover, side lobes from distorting aberrations can be “thresholded-out” wherein part of the relatively undistorted main lobe exceeds the intrinsic threshold producing a clean bubble cloud (and lesion) conferring significant immunity to aberrations. The short very high intensity histrotripsy pulse is significantly backscattered by the cloud it creates, allowing aberration corrections to be made in real time using transmitting elements as receivers. This allows significant increases in peak negative pressures that can be generated through the skull. These same backscattered signals allow a 3D representation of the bubble cloud to be generated providing excellent noninvasive bubble cloud localization. These refinements allow noninvasive transcranial procedures outside of expensive MRI machines.
Non-invasive thrombolysis using microtripsy for deep vein thrombosis and intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Xu Zhen , Zhang Xi , Sukovich Jonathan , Gerhardson Tyler I. , Gurm Hitinder , Owens Gabe , Pandey Aditya , Hall Tim L. , Cain Charles A.
Published: November 2016

Histotripsy has been demonstrated as a non-invasive, drug-free, image-guided thrombolysis method using cavitation alone. Microtripsy is a new histotripsy approach, where cavitation is generated using 1-cycle ultrasound pulses with negative pressure exceeding a threshold intrinsic to the medium. We investigated microtripsy for treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). First, the in vivo feasibility of using microtripsy to treat DVT was investigated. Guided by ultrasound imaging, microtripsy thrombolysis treatment was applied to the clot formed in the femoral vein in 14 pigs using 1 μs-long pulses at a pulse repetition frequency of 100 Hz and a peak negative pressure of 30 MPa by a 1 MHz transducer. Blood flow was restored or significantly increased in 13 out of the 14 pigs confirmed by color Doppler. Minor hemolysis was observed. No vessel damage was observed on histology. Second, microtripsy was investigated to liquefy and drain clots through excised human skulls for ICH treatment using a 256-element, 500 kHz phased array transducer. Microtripsy generated individual lesions of 0.1 to 1.5 mm at the geometric location and electronically steered positions out to 20 mm from the geometric focus. By electronically steering the focus to cover a clot volume, microtripsy liquefied 40 mL of clot in 25 min, resulting in clot liquefaction rate of 1.6 mL/min.
Visualizing the histotripsy process: Bubble cloud-cancer cell interactions in a tissue-mimicking environment
Authors: Vlaisavljevich Eli , Maxwell Adam , Mancia Lauren , Johnsen Eric , Cain Charles , Xu Zhen
Published: November 2016

Histotripsy is an ultrasonic ablation method that uses cavitation to mechanically fractionate tissue into acellular debris. Previous work has led to the hypothesis that the rapid expansion and collapse of histotripsy bubbles fractionate tissue by inducing large strain on the tissue structures immediately adjacent to the bubbles. In this work, the histotripsy fractionation process was visualized at the cellular level for the first time using a custom-built 2 MHz transducer incorporated into a microscope stage. A layer of breast cancer cells were cultured within an optically transparent fibrin-based phantom to mimic cells inside an extracellular matrix environment. The response to single and multiple histotripsy pulses was investigated using high speed optical imaging. Bubbles were generated in the extracellular space, and significant cell displacement/deformation was observed for cells directly adjacent to the bubbles. The largest displacements were observed during collapse for cells immediately adjacent to the bubble, with cells moving more than 150-300 μm in less than 100 μs. Cells often underwent multiple large deformations (>150% strain) over multiple pulses, resulting in the bisection of cells multiple times before complete rupture. These results support our hypothesis and help to explain the formation of the sharp lesions formed in histotripsy therapy.
Broadband ultrasound emission from a three-layer thermo-acoustic transducer
Authors: Burguiere Olivier Y. , Takayanagi Shinji , Matsukawa Mami , Hiryu Shizuko
Published: November 2016

A thermophone generates sound with temporal variation of Joule heat which leads to expansions and contractions of a small volume of air near the surface of the metallic film. Consequently, the SPL of the sound is proportional to the input power and the emitted sound is the second harmonic of the input signal.1 Here, the fundamental characteristics of a three-layer thermophone (200-nm-thick Pt film, 5-μm-thick glass heat-insulating layer, and 500-μm-thick Si heat-releasing layer) were investigated. The device (10×12 mm2, 2.32 Ω) showed a broadband frequency response up to 140 kHz, and its SPL level at 50 mm was nearly constant (61.5±3 dB) from 20 to 140 kHz at 1.8 W power consumption. The conversion efficiency was 2.68×10-5%, which is 150 times the efficiency of the authors’ previous prototype, in which the heat release was less efficient (594-μm-thick alumina layer). Furthermore, by applying both AC and DC currents to the thermophone, it emitted the fundamental and the second harmonics of a 50-20 kHz FM sound, and hence a broadband (100-20 kHz) compound signal. These results and this device’s simple manufacturing process suggest that it may be used as a high resolution ultrasound sensor. 1Shinoda et al. (1999), Nature, 400(6747), p.853
Annular 1-3 piezocomposite high intensity focused ultrasound transducer of a concave geometry
Authors: Roh Yongrae , Choi Euna , Jang Seongwon , Jo Minwoo
Published: November 2016

For medical therapeutic applications, we have developed a concave annular high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer that is made of a 1-3 piezocomposite plate and operates at 3 MHz. The transducer has 16 annular channels, and the annuli have been designed to focus at the geometrical center of the sphere. The focal point can be controlled to scan a three dimensional volume by electronic and mechanical means. The focal point is moved along the normal axis of the transducer by electronically steering the sixteen annular channels. The focal point is also rotated back and forth by mechanically wobbling the piezocomposite plate with a kinematic linkage. The kinematic linkage is driven by an electric motor installed inside the transducer. The optimal combination of the number of channels, the width of the kerf between channels, and the width of each channel were determined by means of the OpQuest-Nonlinear programming algorithm and the finite element method. The objective of the optimization was to minimize the side lobe levels while focusing the ultrasound beam to a prescribed position. Based on the design, an experimental prototype of the transducer was fabricated and its performance was measured, which showed excellent agreement with the design.
On implantable sensors for totally implantable hearing devices
Authors: Calero Diego , Paul Stephan , Cordioli Julio A.
Published: November 2016

Conventional hearing devices, such as cochlear implants and hearing aids, use a microphone as a sensor for capturing the external sound field. Currently, the microphone is located in an external element, which is also responsible for processing the sound signal, but its presence is the cause of problems like discomfort, impossibility of being used during physical activities and sleeping, and social stigma. These limitations have driven studies with the goal of developing totally implantable hearing devices, and the design of an implantable sensor has been of the main issues to be overcome. Different designs of implantable sensors can be found in the literature and on some commercial implantable hearing aids, including different transduction mechanisms (capacitive, piezoelectric, electromagnetic, etc.), configurations (microphones, accelerometers, force sensor, etc.), and locations (subcutaneous or located in the middle ear). In this work, a detail review of such designs is presented and a general classification is proposed. The technical characteristics of the sensors are presented and discussed in view of the main requirements for an implantable sensor for hearing devices, including sensitivity, internal noise, frequency bandwidth, and energy consumption. The implantation feasibility of each sensor is also evaluated and compared.
Modeling studies of wind instruments using the Navier-Stokes equations
Authors: Giordano Nicholas
Published: November 2016

Modeling of musical instruments can be done at different levels of sophistication and realism. Depending on the goal of the simulation, it is sometimes possible to treat components of an instrument in an approximate way. For example, in dealing with a wind instrument it may be possible to consider a free running oscillator coupled to a one dimensional resonator with feedback, and ignore the physical details of the oscillator and feedback. However, in some cases, it is necessary to take a more exact approach and apply the fundamental laws of mechanics and fluid dynamics. For a wind instrument, this means the application of the Navier-Stokes equations, a set of nonlinear partial differential equations that require a numerical solution. In recent years, the available computational power has made it possible to apply the Navier-Stokes equations to instrument geometries that are fairly realistic. This talk reviews some of that work and discusses the kinds of questions that can be addressed with simulations of this kind. [Research supported by NSF grant PHY1513273.]