bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How DIFAR sensors can enhance detection and 2-D localization of impulsive fish sounds on coral reefs
Authors: Thode Aaron , Conrad Alexander , Tenorio-Hallé Ludovic , Freeman Simon E. , Freeman Lauren , Kim Katherine H.
Published: November 2019

The impulsive sounds produced by tropical fish are a prominent component of coral reef acoustic environments off Hawaii. The resultant ambient noise field is highly nonstationary, making it difficult to equalize the noise background when implementing standard intensity-based detectors on conventional hydrophones. Here we demonstrate how DIFAR sensors can be used to enhance the contrast between transient fish signals and background ambient noise, permitting simultaneous detection and triangulation of individual pulses. This approach assigns an azimuth to each time-frequency component of a conventional spectrogram, by computing the arctangent of the active intensity measured on two orthogonal axes. The resulting “azigram” can be processed using standard image processing methods to isolate connected regions that share the same azimuth, and to match similar regions on azigrams from nearby DIFAR sensors. The cross-matched bearings can then be used to triangulate the source. The technique is being used to study “hotspots” of fish activity on coral reef pinnacles.
Underwater sound propagation modeling and the predictive probability of detection framework
Authors: Duda Timothy F.
Published: November 2019

The predictive probability of detection framework (PPD) provides a measure of uncertainty to the binary problem of signal detection in the situation of fluctuating received signal. The fluctuations can be from many causes, including short-term and difficult to predict propagation variability, long-term and possible to predict propagation variability, and noise variability. In PPD, the density functions covering all fluctuating-causing processes are combined and analyzed with respect to a benchmark to give a detection probability. In the traditional PPD analysis, the benchmark propagation loss is a somewhat general function of range, as are other quantities such as array gain. These provide reference levels for signal to noise ratio evaluation. With more detailed data-informed propagation modeling, including 3-D modeling, additional structure can be given to those functions, and the stochastic fluctuation aspects of the method can potentially be reduced, thereby altering computed maps of probability of detection. Example computations will be shown for spatially heterogeneous environments: canyons, slopes, and internal wave areas. [Work supported by the Office of Naval Research.]
Investigation on cutoff frequency and radial dependence of the sound field inelastic fluid-filled pipelines
Authors: Shang Dajing , Li Qi , Song Jiapeng
Published: November 2019

Elastic fluid-filled pipeline system has been widely used in both life and military. It is of great significance for vibration and noise reduction of underwater vehicles to investigate the acoustic propagation characteristics of elastic fluid-filled pipeline system. The propagation path of low frequency noise in the pipeline is related to the radial dependence of the sound field in the pipeline. In this paper, the frequencies of normal waves in an elastic fluid-filled pipeline were calculated, and the axial and radial dependences of sound fields were analyzed. An experimental system for investigating acoustic propagation in a fluid-filled PE pipeline was constructed and verified the theoretical results. The cut-off frequencies of the normal waves and the radial dependence of the sound in the pipeline were carefully investigated. The results show that there is a sound cut-off phenomenon in the elastic fluid-filled pipeline; the radial dependence of the sound field in the pipeline conforms to the Bessel function law.
Comparing analytical and machine-learning techniques for predicting acoustic fields in ideal single- and multi-path environments
Authors: Lee Brandon M. , Dowling David R.
Published: November 2019

Neural-network-based machine learning provides a modern solution paradigm for a wide variety of problems. Trained neural networks can provide answers quickly because the primary computational effort is front-loaded into network training. This presentation provides the results of an investigation into the neural-network-development effort necessary to replace point-source Helmholtz-equation solutions in axisymmetric single-path, two-path, and multi-path environments having constant sound speed. Here, the acoustic and environmental input parameters are provided to the neural network as they would be to a propagation simulation. The single-path (free space) environment involves four parameters (sound speed, frequency, receiver range, and receiver depth). The two-path (Lloyd’s mirror) environment adds a reflecting surface and a fifth parameter, source depth. The multipath (ideal waveguide) environment further adds a second (deeper) reflecting surface and a sixth parameter, waveguide depth. In all cases, neural network training data and performance comparisons are developed from well-known analytical Helmholtz-equation solutions. Uniform and non-uniform sampling strategies for neural-netwok training are considered for frequencies in the 100s of Hz, depths up to 200 m, and ranges up to 2 km for sound speeds near 1500 m/s. Comparisons emphasize acoustic-field amplitude. Extensions of these results to acoustic-field phase and more than three propagation paths are considered.
Application of a coupled elasto-acoustic-damage system to acoustic emissions from sea ice fracture
Authors: Pitt Jonathan
Published: November 2019

Sea ice fracture and the resultant acoustic emissions have been studied extensively through observation, experiments, and theoretical analysis. This work demonstrates the applicability of a novel time-domain method for simulating dynamic damage evolution in a coupled structural-acoustic system for the prediction of acoustic emissions from sea ice fracture. The primary aim of this study is to employ first principles modeling of acoustic emissions from failure, as derived via the theory of continuum damage mechanics, including the transition of the acoustic waves from solid to fluid domains. The overall solution method is designed to be compatible with modern high-performance computing environments. The algorithm is staggered, where first the solution for the dynamic fracture evolution is found with an explicit step, and then the coupled computation of the structural-acoustic system response is computed using the new values of the damage and modified geometry. Code and solution verification of the fully coupled solution algorithm are presented, as are comparison to laboratory experiments and field observations for sea-ice fracture.
Of body shops, shuls, and shiraz
Authors: Ehnert Jesse J.
Published: November 2019

Completed in March of 2013, the new worship facility for The Congregation or Hadash in Atlanta, Georgia is an adaptive reuse of a vacant automotive paint and body repair facility constructed primarily of concrete, masonry, and metal. The synagogue, which was designed to accommodate 400 families, contains a sanctuary, social hall, chapel, offices, and classrooms along with exterior courtyards and gardens. The focal point for the synagogue is the 450-seat sanctuary which, due to the multinational nature of the congregation, had to promote a high degree of speech intelligibility. Additionally, live music plays a prominent role in typical services; therefore, the acoustics of the room needed to achieve a compromise between the often conflicting demands of these two different types of program. In addition to the architectural realities presented by the existing industrial facility, the building’s location with a high school football stadium located approximately 200’ away provided a significant challenge in the form of environmental noise, particularly on Friday nights when games (with associated marching bands and public address system usage) and services were likely to be concurrently held. However, perhaps the greatest challenge posed was due to client expectations, based on what they had been accustomed to. Sometimes venues need to age like good wine.
Renovation of a middle school older gymnasium to provide a multipurpose performance and assembly space
Authors: Coffeen Robert C.
Published: November 2019

St. John School in Lawrence, Kansas found it possible and necessary to construct a new gymnasium of proper size on the north side of their school building. The construction of this new gymnasium was completed in early 2018. The new gymnasium is partially adjacent to an older and smaller gymnasium that has a small stage in one end. This older gymnasium was renovated to address aesthetic, acoustic, noise, and theatrical issues so as to provide a multipurpose performance and assembly space. The renovated gymnasium was opened in October 2018 and it has proved to be a successful multipurpose performance and assembly facility.
A collection of insights gained through assembly space renovation projects
Authors: Bridger Joseph F. , Mahajan Siddharth , Gagliardi John , Schafer Fred , Stewart Noral D.
Published: November 2019

Renovations of assembly spaces are carried out due to a large variety of reasons. These could range from a desire for improved aesthetics, use of up-to-date technologies, recovery from damages or even repurposing for a different purpose. As the project does not start off with a clean slate, it brings many constraints that may prevent acousticians from using their conventional methods of solving certain problems and make them return to the first principles of such problem-solving. The authors believe that some of the most interesting and educational projects they have been involved in were such renovation projects. In this paper, they present a collection of valuable insights gained by their consulting firm in the recent past while working on assembly space renovation projects.
Victoria Hall Theatre—Almost ready for prime time
Authors: Hoover K. Anthony
Published: November 2019

The Victoria Hall Theatre was built in 1921 as a lively church in the center of Santa Barbara, California, but matured into a tired theatre in the center of the downtown Arts District. Initial considerations whether to renovate began with a study about minimizing intrusion of loud dance music from a neighboring open-deck club. Thereafter, the renovation took off, with major changes including an entirely new stage house, and replacing a problematic balcony with a continuous floor plan with great sightlines for its 294 seats. Exterior noise isolation is excellent considering its wood construction, and interior finishes promote great clarity and improved intimacy. However, the decision to reuse the six old air handling units in the attic, compounded by some questionable mechanical engineering omissions, undermined the theatre’s potential to make sound system reinforcement essentially unnecessary. This paper will review various renovation decisions, and the several steps to quiet the renovated HVAC to its current moderate levels, plus the follow-up that almost provided authorization to further quiet the system.
Anthropogenic noise and social context affect vocal plasticity in a common urban passerine
Authors: Grabarczyk Erin E. , Vonhof Maarten J. , Gill Sharon A.
Published: November 2019

Vocal communication shapes animal social networks, connecting individuals over space and time via information, facilitating mate attraction and resource defense. Despite evidence that both the physical and social environment affect signaling behavior, few studies consider variation in individual responses to environmental change within a social context. We test the hypothesis that male House wrens (Troglodytes aedon) plastically adjust songs and song sections structured for short-and long-distance transmission in response to change in their immediate noise environment, but that both social context and noise affect singing patterns at the population level. We recorded paired males prior to clutch initiation, quantified ambient noise in the moments before singing, and define social context within pairs as female fertile status and between males as number of conspecific neighbors. Among males, adjustment patterns varied depending on transmission properties, social context, and noise. In response to immediate change in noise, males plastically adjust some, but not all, song traits. We show that not all males adjust signals in the same way, and that consideration of social context and signal function are crucial for understanding variation in signal structure. This is an essential step towards understanding how both the social and physical environment may drive selection on vocalizations.
Do aircraft events alter the vocal behavior of passerine bird communities?
Authors: Injaian Allison
Published: November 2019

Anthropogenic noise alters ambient sound levels even in the most protected habitats in the US, with airports being a major contributor of noise. Birds breeding near airports may alter their vocal behavior, perhaps due to a reduction in communication space (i.e., masking). Alterations in vocal behavior may result in a reduced ability to attract a mate or maintain a territory. Here, we use passive acoustic monitoring to assess the effects of aircraft noise on the vocal behavior of common bird species, (e.g., wood thrushes, red-winged blackbirds, etc.) in Ithaca, NY, USA. We measured total time spent singing immediately before and after plane takeoffs for birds breeding at varying proximities to the airport and associated flight paths. Data were collected between 0600 and 0700 h (peak of dawn chorus) from May–July 2017. If the total time spent singing differs based on aircraft status (before/after aircraft event) and noise exposure (peak amplitude associated with aircraft events), our results would suggest that aircraft noise alters dawn chorus. Further, if our data show species-specific impacts of noise, characteristics such as migratory status and/or vocalization frequency (pitch) may be important considerations when predicting noise impacts on birds.
Anthropogenic noise and the many acoustic modalities of terrestrial invertebrates
Authors: Raboin Maggie , Elias Damian O.
Published: November 2019

Anthropogenic noise is widely recognized as an issue of environmental concern. However, research to date has focused on the impacts of far-field airborne noise (i.e., pressure waves) on vertebrates while the impact of noise on invertebrates, and the other acoustic modalities they rely on, has received little attention. Although some terrestrial invertebrates use far-field sound for communication, the majority rely on near-field airborne and substrate-borne sound (i.e., particle motion and vibrations, respectively). We discuss what little information is known about the impact of anthropogenic noise on invertebrates and make predictions based on studies of invertebrate bioacoustics. Furthermore, we discuss the ways that noise in each acoustic modality (far-field airborne, near-field airborne, and substrate-borne) might affect communication of terrestrial invertebrates and highlight the most pressing lines of inquiry for future research.
Influence of resonance-driven bubble clouds on fine-scale behaviour of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Flores Martin Nicholas , Leighton Timothy G. , White Paul R. , Kemp Paul S.
Published: November 2019

Acoustic-bubble barriers show potential as a management tool for fish passage. Although greater efforts are now being made to better understand the fundamentals that underpin reactions of fish to such barriers, the phenomenon of bubble coalescence has not yet been considered. When introducing air underwater smaller bubbles coalesce with successor bubbles at the orifice so that without vibration the bubble which enters the liquid is large. Orifice diameter has historically been used as a measure of bubble size, however as detachment and fragmentation occur unpredictably this method is unreliable, indicating insufficient control over the stimulus generated. This study used lower air flows (6 l min−1 m−1) and haptic feedback motors to vibrate the injection nozzles and reduce coalescence. Greater uniformity in bubble size allowed matching of the bubble population to a sound field to which the bubbles were resonant. In a proof-of-concept study, fish response to two resonant acoustic-bubble barriers was tested and compared to two non-resonant acoustic-bubble walls. The scattering and absorption coefficients for all segments of the bubble population were calculated to determine the most important bubble sizes for attenuation. Analysis of fish movement and orientation was used to examine fish behaviour in relation to the sound fields generated.
Two decades of progress in active bioacoustics
Authors: Stanton Timothy K.
Published: November 2019

There has been significant progress over the past 20 years in the area of active bioacoustics. Use of multifrequency echosounders has given way to broadband systems. Autonomous vehicles, used as sensor platforms, which were generally at the prototype level 20 years ago are now fully operational and ubiquitous. Methods such as use of echo statistics to infer meaningful biological information have advanced from modeling narrowband signals, simple scatterers, and direct path geometries to broadband signals, randomized elongated scatterers, and long-range sonars. These advances and others will be summarized, as well as looks to the future.
Broadband acoustic quantification of mesopelagic zooplankton
Authors: Kahn Rachel E. , Lavery Andone C.
Published: November 2019

In addition to its critical role in biogeochemical cycling, the mesopelagic zone has the potential to become an important global fisheries resource. A growing number of studies have focused on estimating the global biomass of mesopelagic fishes, but that of mesopelagic zooplankton is far more uncertain. Yet, quantification of zooplankton biomass and distribution is crucial to both understanding the ecology of the mesopelagic zone and informing policy makers on sustainable exploitation. Shipboard, narrowband, volume backscattering measurements—typically performed at 18 and/or 38 kHz—are likely dominated by gas-bearing organisms, hindering accurate assessment of zooplankton biomass. A towed vehicle, Deep-See, was developed and equipped with broadband acoustics from 1–450 kHz, optical sensors, and environmental sensors to address the challenges associated with systematically acquiring holistic, quantitative data to infer mesopelagic biomass. Broadband backscattering spectra (50–160 kHz) collected by Deep-See in Summer 2018 and 2019 off the New England shelf break are used to classify scattering layers into fluid-like zooplankton (e.g., jellies, copepods, krill) or gas-bearing organisms (e.g., fishes, siphonophores), then physics-based scattering models are used to estimate abundance and biomass. Consistent with the acoustic measurements, digital holographic images collected by Deep-See reveal multiple deep scattering layers, some consisting mainly of weakly scattering krill.
Two decades of progress in physics-based echo statistics
Authors: Stanton Timothy K. , Lee Wu-Jung , Baik Kyungmin
Published: November 2019

The echo from an aggregation of marine organisms naturally fluctuates from ping to ping as the echosounder is moved over that aggregation due to various interference phenomena and statistical processes. There is important information in the characteristics of the fluctuations, such as numerical density of the scatterers, which can be lost through averaging when calculating volume scattering strength. Physics-based echo statistics involves describing the fluctuations through use of the parameters of the echosounder (signal type, beamwidth), scattering properties of the marine organisms, interference effects of echoes from multiple scatterers, and effects due to the environment such as presence of boundaries and heterogeneities in the medium. Advances over the past 20 years will be reviewed which include describing the statistics for broadband signals, randomized elongated scatterers, and long-range sonars. This presentation will draw from the tutorial recently published by these authors which also contains open access software to calculate the statistics over a wide range of scenarios [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 144, 3124–3171 (2018)].
Ultrafast high frequency ultrasound Doppler imaging and its biomedical applications
Authors: Huang Chih-Chung
Published: November 2019

Cerebrovascular disorders are associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Preclinical animal study is necessary for understanding AD pathogenesis and determining its optimal diagnosis and treatment strategies. Conventionally, the cerebral vasculature’s structure is analyzed through histological staining. However, functional analysis of the cerebral vasculature requires an in vivo approach to visualize the blood flow in small animal brains. This paper proposes high-frequency micro-Doppler imaging (HFμDI) technology for mapping mouse cerebral vasculature. Using a 40-MHz transducer enabled in vivo visualization of the mouse brain up to 3 mm in depth; furthermore, a minimal vessel diameter of 48 μm could be determined without using microbubbles. Animal experiments determined that the cortical and hippocampal vessel density in young (4-month-old) wild-type mice was similar to that in middle-aged (11-month-old) wild-type mice. However, compared with the vessel density in middle-aged wild-type mice, that in middle-aged mice with AD was significantly lower, particularly in the hippocampus. In vivo observation of cerebral vasculature demonstrated the effectiveness of HFμDI for the preclinical study of AD and as a potential tool for AD diagnosis.
Color Doppler ultrasound twinkling in pathological biomineralizations
Authors: Rokni Eric , Simon Julianna C.
Published: November 2019

The color Doppler ultrasound twinkling artifact has been observed on some kidney stones as well as various sites in the body where pathological biomineralization can occur. On kidney stones, twinkling was recently attributed to stabilized crevice microbubbles, which suggests that microbubbles may also be present on other minerals. However, it is unknown how crystal structure, composition, and the surrounding environment influences the presence and location of microbubbles and twinkling. Here, crystals found in pathological biomineralization (i.e., uric acid, cholesterol, calcium phosphate, and calcium oxalate), were grown in vitro, embedded in a tissue-mimicking phantom, and imaged with a research ultrasound system at 5 and 18.5 MHz. Doppler power was quantified and compared between crystal composition (n = 5 per type). We found twinkling was strongest in cholesterol crystals and weakest in calcium phosphate crystals. Micro-computed tomography (µCT) of an ex vivo calcium oxalate kidney stone (i.e., a heterogeneous crystal) submerged in water revealed the presence of gas within internal microcracks, which was confirmed by reducing the hydrostatic pressure in a subsequent µCT scan. Future work includes exposing pure in vitro crystals to µCT and ultrasound with changes in hydrostatic pressure to evaluate for internal gas pockets that may contribute to twinkling.
Beatrhyming probes the nature of the interface between phonology and beatboxing
Authors: Blaylock Reed , Phoolsombat Ramida
Published: November 2019

Beatboxing—a form of vocal music made with percussive sounds—has been shown to have its own set of sounds and grammatical properties. The development of beatrhyming—an art form in which beatboxing and speech are performed simultaneously by a single individual—presents the first opportunity to explore what happens when speech competes with a similar vocal task. In beatrhyming, beatboxing sounds often replace word onset consonants; for example, the word “float” /flot/ in beatrhyming can be pronounced as [pf’lot], with a PF Snare replacing the initial /f/ . In principle, the speech sound could be replaced by any beatboxing sound; however, English beatrhyming data from YouTube show that in many cases, the beatboxing sound shares articulatory properties (such as place of articulation) with the speech sound which it replaces. Beatrhyming is one of the only behaviors that forces an interaction between speech and another complex grammatical system of sounds; this makes beatrhyming a unique venue for exploring the relationship between speech phonology and other related aspects of human cognition.
Evaluation of excised porcine larynx frequency changes due to changing vocal fold elastic properties
Authors: Burks Garret , Leonessa Alexander , De Vita Raffaella
Published: November 2019

The work presented in this study investigates the impact of changing vocal fold elastic properties on the frequencies of vibration during phonation. Excised porcine larynx tests were conducted to examine the relationship between porcine vocal fold anterior-posterior strain and the resulting changes in the phonation frequency. During each test, two high speed cameras (4000 FPS) and a microphone (44100 Hz) were used to record changes in vocal fold dynamics while a servo motor stretched the tissue in the anterior-posterior direction. A digital image correlation tracking method was then used to measure anterior-posterior strain on the exposed porcine vocal fold superior surface. Strain measurements were related to changes in vocal fold elasticity based on previously reported mean elastic parameters which describe porcine vocal fold elasticity from 0%–40%. Additionally, an aeroelastic model of phonation which incorporates the measured vocal fold geometry, elastic properties, and air flow characteristics was implemented to further study the impact of changing porcine vocal fold elasticity on the vibration frequency. Phonation was first observed at a strain of 0.18 mm/mm with a fundamental frequency of 246 Hz and increased to 404 Hz at a strain of 0.35 mm/mm. Airflow conditions were kept constant during all experimental tests.
Flap articulation and lowered fourth formant
Authors: Faytak Matthew , Aziz Jacob , Barnett Phillip , Jo Jinyoung , Kuo Jennifer , Teixeira G. , Wu Joy , Zhou Z. L. , Keating Patricia
Published: November 2019

Speakers of North American English are known to use a variety of tap/flap articulations depending on phonetic context (Derrick and Gick, 2011); it is also known that NAE taps/flaps are sometimes associated with a greatly lowered F4 frequency (Warner and Tucker, 2017). It has been less clear whether only certain articulatory variants show this acoustic effect. Since retroflex stops are also associated with lowered F4 (Blumstein and Stevens, 1975), we predict that flap retroflexion is associated with lowered F4. To test this prediction, synchronized ultrasound and audio recordings were made of words containing /t, d/ in a variety of contexts known to give rise to tap/flap variants. Based on visual inspection of ultrasound videos, these were coded as one of four articulatory variants (low tap, high tap, up flap, down flap: Derrick and Gick, 2011); formant frequencies were extracted from the audio at several timepoints relative to the tap/flap. Preliminary results from one speaker support the hypothesis: high taps and down flaps (variants with initial retroflexion) show an F4 drop into the consonant, while high taps and up flaps (variants with final retroflexion) show an F4 rise out of the consonant.
Articulatory characteristics of focus in Korean
Authors: Jang Jiyoung , Katsika Argyro
Published: November 2019

The phonetic correlates of prominence in head prominence languages (e.g., English), where prominence is signaled by stress and pitch accent, are extensively studied. However, the phonetic profile of prominence in edge prominence languages, such as Korean, that realize prominence by phrasing is not well understood. Relevant work has mainly focused on the acoustic domain and boundary-related phenomena. The present study assesses the articulatory correlates of prominence in Seoul Korean by the means of electromagnetic articulography (EMA). Specifically, we examine the effect of presence of focus (contrastive focus versus absence of focus) and position of focus (initial versus final) on the consonant constriction gestures of utterances consisting of two four-syllable long accentual phrases (APs). Preliminary results suggest that constriction gestures are longer, faster, and, although weakly supported, larger in contrastive focus than in the unfocused condition. These effects are found on the onset consonants of the first two syllables of the focused AP when the latter is utterance-initial, but extend to the coda of the second syllable when focus is on the final AP. A theoretical account of prominence and its interaction with boundaries in edge-marking languages is proposed, with implications for a cross-linguistic model of prosody. [Work supported by NSF.]
The kinematics of prominence in American English
Authors: Katsika Argyro , Jang Jiyoung , Goldstein Louis , Krivokapic Jelena , Saltzman Elliot
Published: November 2019

Speech units under prominence present longer, larger, and faster constriction gestures than their non-prominent counterparts. However, whether there are discrete degrees of prominence, and if so how many, has yet to be discovered, partly because the contribution of the information structure in marking prominence is unclear. Here, we employ electromagnetic articulography (EMA) to examine the effect of focus (unfocused, de-accented, broad focus, narrow focus, and contrastive focus) on the kinematics (position, duration, velocity, and stiffness) of the consonant gestures of the test words’ stressed syllable. Test words varied in terms of length (one, two, three, and four syllables) and position of stress (first, second, or third syllable). Results from eight native speakers of American English indicate that prominent gestures become longer, larger, and faster in a way that consistently reflects three degrees of prominence. Nonetheless, kinematic dimensions differ in the number of degrees of prominence they distinguish, ranging from two levels (stiffness) to three (position and velocity) and four levels (duration). All dimensions distinguish contrastive focus from unfocused, while de-accented tends to be grouped with unfocused, and narrow focus with either contrastive or broad focus. A hierarchy of prominence is proposed taking into consideration categorical versus gradient distinctions. [Work supported by NSF.]
Toward cross-speaker articulatory modeling
Authors: Toutios Asterios , Blaylock Reed , Goldstein Louis , Narayanan Shrikanth S.
Published: November 2019

The recent increasing availability of comprehensive real-time MRI data of the vocal tract and concomitant progress in air-tissue boundary segmentation present novel opportunities for articulatory modeling. PCA-based articulatory models represent vocal tract configurations as weighted linear combinations of articulatory components that characterize vocal tract shaping patterns. Historically, most such models have been developed using data from a single speaker, and their direct application to data from multiple speakers may provide components that are not comparable across speakers. A technique that can address this issue is PARAFAC, which has been applied in the past to analyze data corresponding to tongue contour X-ray tracings of 10 English vowels from 5 speakers. PARAFAC introduces an additional level of weighting of the articulatory components that is constant for, and therefore characteristic of, each speaker. We revisited PARAFAC and ran a successful pilot on real-time MRI air tissue-boundaries of the entire vocal tract from 4 speakers, each uttering two repetitions of a set of 4 Shibboleth sentences, yielding 289 phones per speaker. Application on a much larger and diverse real-time MRI dataset already collected by our team will provide crucial progress toward true cross-speaker articulatory modeling. [Work supported by NIH and NSF.]
Effect of medial surface shape on voice production in a MRI-based three-dimensional phonation model
Authors: Wu Liang , Zhang Zhaoyan
Published: November 2019

Our previous studies using simplified vocal fold geometry have shown that medial surface shape, particularly the vertical thickness, has an important effect on the closure pattern of vocal fold vibration. The goal of this study is to investigate if similar effect can be observed for medial surface shape that occurs in realistic human phonation, using a parametric MRI-based three-dimensional vocal fold model. Manipulation of medial surface shape is achieved through a two-level control of the superior and inferior portion of the medial surface, based on experimental observations. Simulations show that, in general, both superior-medial bulging and inferior-medial bulging of the medial surface, which leads to an increased vertical thickness and a more rectangular glottal configuration, increase the closed quotient of the vocal fold vibration. Changes in medial surface shape also have significant effect on the phonation threshold pressure. This effect of the medial surface shape varies significantly across larynges, indicating the important effect of subject-specific laryngeal geometry. The results point to the importance of taking into consideration of the medial surface shape in clinical management of voice disorders. [Work supported by NIH.]
Analysis of genioglossus-centered tongue muscle function groups from dynamic magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Xing Fangxu , Stone Maureen , Goldsmith Tessa , Prince Jerry L. , El Fakhri Georges , Woo Jonghye
Published: November 2019

Internal tongue muscle functions vary in speech due to their anatomical structure differences and complex cooperative patterns. Assessment of muscle cooperative patterns and general mechanics provides insights into speech motor control and helps interpretation of clinical observations. In this work, we developed a method that revealed different function groups of all internal tongue muscles with respect to genioglossus (GG) during speech. Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging with tags was used to compute spatial and temporal muscle motion, which was deformed into a previously constructed statistical tongue atlas space. A pre-defined atlas muscle mask was used to extract motion at each muscle’s location. We used GG as a major representation of the tongue’s motion pattern and computed pattern correlation of each muscle’s motion against GG over time. Muscle function groups were determined using the value of dynamic correlation series. The data from sixteen normal controls and three post-glossectomy patients were processed, revealing that mylohyoid, geniohyoid, and digastric muscles tended to function as a separate group while most other internal muscles followed GG. However, due to patients’ post-glossectomy function loss, most of their internal muscles functioned as one unique group as a compensation strategy, providing information for further understanding of speech motor control.
A two-way approach to adapt reduced-scale laboratory experiments and corresponding numerical simulations of offshore seismic surveys in complex marine environments
Authors: Favretto-Cristini Nathalie , Solymosi Bence , Cristini Paul , Monteiller Vadim , Ursin Bjorn , Komatitsch Dimitri
Published: November 2019

Recently, laboratory experiments have been reintroduced in the ideas-to-applications pipeline for geophysical issues. Benefiting from recent technological advances, we believe that in the coming years, laboratory experiments can play a major role, in support of field experiments and numerical modeling, to explore some of the current challenges of seismic or acoustic imaging in terms of, for instance, acquisition design or benchmarking of new imaging techniques at a low cost. But having confidence in the quality and the accuracy of the experimental data obtained in a complex configuration that mimics at a reduced scale a real geological environment is an essential prerequisite. This requires a robust framework regardless of the configuration studied. The goal of this work is to provide a global reflection on this framework in the context of offshore seismics. To illustrate this framework, we rely on a reduced-scale model representing a 3-D complex-shaped salt body buried in sedimentary layers with curved surfaces. Zero-offset and offset reflection data are collected on this model in a water tank using a conventional pulse-echo technique. We follow a cross-validation approach that allows, through the comparison between the experimental data and the numerical simulation of wave propagation, to point out both the improvements of the experimental setup that must still be made to increase the accuracy of the experiments and the limitations of the numerical tools that must be tackled.
Simulation research of underwater passive direction finding technology
Authors: Hui Juan , Tang Kaiyu
Published: November 2019

As one of the indispensable technologies for underwater target detecting, underwater acoustic passive detection technology has always been a hot spot in marine system research. A vector sensor can detect underwater targets by combination with the pressure and vibration velocity information; vector sensor array can obtain higher gain than pressure array with the same number hydrophones. Vector sensor can reduce the length of the underwater sensor array and can detect underwater targets in the case of low signal to noise ratio. This is the goal that many researchers strive to solve for many years; therefore, vector sensor passive detection technology has far-reaching scientific research value.Through the verification of the simulation experiment, the azimuth estimation technique and the adaptive frequency estimation technique are feasible. By estimating the azimuth sequence and frequency sequence of the target radiation signal, the relevant information of the target can be obtained, and so it is of great significance in the research of underwater acoustic detection technology.
Analysis for approach of passive measurement based on waveguide invariant
Authors: Hui Juan , Tang Kaiyu
Published: November 2019

Nowadays, the development of underwater acoustic positioning and measuring direction technology becomes more and more important. A method which belongs to a passive direction based on waveguide invariant, could be used to measure a heading angle of a target source with guide source technology, combined with a single acoustic vector hydrophone at a low frequency in the epicontinental. At first, in the epicontinental ocean, at a low frequency, simulating the channel of ocean according to normal mode theory using the software called KrakenC. Then, the vector acoustic pressure field could be calculated, getting the schematic diagram about a stable interference structure of epicontinental ocean in a low frequency. Waveguide invariant could describe the situation about that. To pick up, waveguide invariant becomes the most important part of this paper. This process get with the movement of the guide source and the target source; also, an image processing method called Hough transform is essential. Finally, waveguide invariant is acquired. At the same time, by that, the heading angle of the target source is easy to be estimated. When detailed information of the ocean have not acquired enough, this method still works well, and simulation data for the experiment prove the feasibility of the model.
The deconvolved conventional beamforming for conformal array
Authors: Sun Dajun , Ma Chao , Mei Jidan
Published: November 2019

As the conformal array has the advantages over the large array aperture, superior aeroacoustic dynamics, and wide angle cover range, it is widely used in radar and sonar system. The deconvolved conventional beamforming (dCv) can yield not only the improved direction of arrival (DOA) estimation accuracy in terms of a narrower beamwidth and suppressed side lobes but also the higher directivity index than the CBF. This paper uses an extended R-L deconvolution algorithm and applies the dCv in conformal array. Simulation and experiment results show that the extended R-L can be applied to an arbitrary conformal array with a shift-variant point spread function (PSF). Beyond the high-resolution and high array gain performance advantages, the extended R-L algorithm is shown to be suitable for coherent signals. The results also show that it is better to use the actual PSF than the theoretical PSF when there exit position errors.
Training Characteristics of Male and Female Professional Road Cyclists: A 4-Year Retrospective Analysis
Authors: van Erp Teun , Sanders Dajo , de Koning Jos J.
Published: November 2019

Purpose:To describe the training intensity and load characteristics of professional cyclists using a 4-year retrospective analysis. Particularly, this study aimed to describe the differences in training characteristics between men and women professional cyclists.Method:For 4 consecutive years, training data were collected from 20 male and 10 female professional cyclists. From those training sessions, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and power output (PO) were analyzed. Training intensity distribution as time spent in different heart rate and PO zones was quantified. Training load was calculated using different metrics such as Training Stress Score, training impulse, and session rating of perceived exertion. Standardized effect size is reported as Cohen’sd.Results:Small to large higher values were observed for distance, duration, kilojoules spent, and (relative) mean PO in men’s training (d = 0.44–1.98). Furthermore, men spent more time in low-intensity zones (ie, zones 1 and 2) compared with women. Trivial differences in training load (ie, Training Stress Score and training impulse) were observed between men’s and women’s training (d = 0.07–0.12). However, load values expressed per kilometer were moderately (d = 0.67–0.76) higher in women compared with men’s training.Conclusions:Substantial differences in training characteristics exist between male and female professional cyclists. Particularly, it seems that female professional cyclists compensate their lower training volume, with a higher training intensity, in comparison with male professional cyclists.
Association Between Toe Flexor Strength and Activity Levels in Community-Dwelling Japanese Older Women
Authors: Yokozuka Mieko , Miki Chie , Suzuki Makoto , Katsura Rieko
Published: November 2019

This study aimed to explore the relationship between toe flexor strength and the daily activity levels in 56 Japanese older women aged between 70 and 88 years. The activity levels were measured as the average number of steps/day using a pedometer and the life space assessment (LSA) scores. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare toe flexor muscle strength and the LSA scores between those with fewer than and more than 6,000 steps/day. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between toe grip strength according to age and each variable. The LSA scores were significantly higher in the group with >6,000 steps/day (β = 0.188, p < .05). A correlation was found between the number of steps/day and toe flexor strength (r = .424, β = 0.419, p < .05) and the LSA scores (r = .417, β = 0.435, p < .05) in the participants in their 80s. Increasing the number of steps/day may benefit women in their 80s.
Taking care of the orphans
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: November 2019

Comparative genomics, bioinformatics, and biochemical assays enable the pairing of endogenous peptides with orphan GPCRs.
In VitroDerivation of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Mutants from Multiple Lineages of Haemophilus influenzae and Identification of Mutations Associated with Fluoroquinolone Resistance
Authors: Honda Hiroyuki , Sato Toyotaka , Shinagawa Masaaki , Fukushima Yukari , Nakajima Chie , Suzuki Yasuhiko , Kuronuma Koji , Takahashi Satoshi , Takahashi Hiroki , Yokota Shin-ichi
Published: November 2019

Haemophilus influenzaeis a pathogenic bacterium that causes respiratory and otolaryngological infections. The increasing prevalence of β-lactamase–negative high-level ampicillin-resistantH. influenzae(high-BLNAR) is a clinical concern. Fluoroquinolones are alternative agents to β-lactams. However, the emergence and increasing prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistantH. influenzaehave been reported.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus velezensis Strain ZeaDK315Endo16
Authors: Aremu Bukola Rhoda , Prigent-Combaret Claire , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti
Published: November 2019

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the endophytic
Bacillus velezensis
strain ZeaDK315Endo16, isolated from DK315 maize from Lyon, France.
B. velezensis
ZeaDK315Endo16 exhibits a suppressive ability toward
Fusarium graminearum
, a widely known threat to maize production and quality.
Draft Genome Sequence of Haloferax volcanii SS0101, Isolated from Salt Farms in Samut Sakhon, Thailand
Authors: Wanthongcharoen Suwanan , Yamprayoonswat Wariya , Ruangsuj Pattarawan , Thongpramul Nuttida , Jumpathong Watthanachai , Sittihan Satapanawat , Kanjanavas Pornpimon , Yasawong Montri
Published: November 2019

Haloferax volcanii
SS0101 is a halophilic archaeon isolated from salt farms in Thailand. The genome sequence of
H. volcanii
SS0101 contains a gene encoding capreomycidine synthase, a key enzyme for capreomycidine biosynthesis. This 3.8-Mb draft genome sequence of
H. volcanii
SS0101 will provide the tools for investigating genes involved in capeomycidine production in haloarchaea.
Complete Genome Sequence of Cellulomonas sp. Strain Y8, a High-GC-Content Plasmid-Free Heavy Metal-Resistant Bacterium Isolated from Farmland Soil
Authors: Chen Jinghao , Xing Chao , Zheng Xin , Li Xiaofang
Published: November 2019

We report the complete genome sequence of cadmium-resistant
Cellulomonas
sp. strain Y8, isolated from farmland soil. The 4.5-Mbp genome contains 4,074 genes, with an approximate GC content of 75%. This work might help in understanding how strain Y8 survives under heavy metal stress.
De Novo
Genome Assembly of a Plant-Associated Rhodococcus qingshengii Strain (RL1) Isolated from Eruca sativa Mill. and Showing Plant Growth-Promoting Properties
Authors: Kuhl Theresa , Felder Marius , Nussbaumer Thomas , Fischer Doreen , Kublik Susanne , Paul Chowdhury Soumitra , Schloter Michael , Rothballer Michael
Published: November 2019

Rhodococcus qingshengii
RL1 was isolated from surface-sterilized leaves of
Eruca sativa
Mill. and shows plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties. The
de novo
genome assembly consists of one chromosome with 6,253,838 bp and two plasmids with 144,038 bp and 448,745 bp. Many genes could be identified reflecting its PGP potential.
Draft Genome Sequence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strain Pf-1, Isolated from Prunus mume
Authors: Kanamasa Shin , Yamaguchi Daiki , Machida Chiyoko , Fujimoto Tsukasa , Takahashi Anna , Murase Masataka , Fukuyoshi Shuichi , Oda Akifumi , Satou Kenji , Takahashi Hiro
Published: November 2019

Saccharomyces cerevisiae
strain Pf-1 is a yeast isolated from
Prunus mume
; it potentially can be used to produce wine and traditional Japanese sake. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of this strain. The genomic information will provide a deeper understanding of the brewing characteristics of this strain.