bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Speech errors in fast speech of alveolar and alveo-palatal consonants: A preliminary study using ultrasound
Authors: Shimizu Misato , Arai Takayuki , Mizoguchi Ai , Morimoto Maho , Li Weiyu , Yamane Noriko
Published: January 2025

In this study, we observed speech errors that occurred when alternating between alveolar and alveo-palatal consonants during fast speech, through acoustic analysis and ultrasound tongue imaging. We selected phonologically parallel contrasting pairs in Japanese, /sa ɕa/ and /ta tɕa/. Three native Japanese speakers participated in the experiment. They completed a preliminary questionnaire and reported that despite having no history of speech or hearing disorders, they were aware of experiencing speaking difficulties. Participants were asked to pronounce bisyllabic phrases repeatedly in time with the metronome (BPM = 480). Their pronunciation was recorded using a microphone and ultrasound. The experimenter then auditorily judged each token as correct or errant pronunciation. We measured each consonant’s spectral center of gravity (CoG) using Praat and analyzed ultrasound images of each consonant using AAA. We calculated the error rates for each token and found that Speaker 1 had a 44% error rate for both /sa ɕa/ and /ta tɕa/, Speaker 2 had a 25% error rate for /sa ɕa/ and 53% for /ta tɕa/, and Speaker 3 had a 27% error rate for /sa ɕa/ and 53% for /ta tɕa/. Additionally, the CoG and tongue contours during errors often differed from those during correct pronunciations.
Acoustic properties of utterance-final prosodic events in Embosi
Authors: Zhang Yubin , Lu Yijing , Rialland Annie , Harper Sarah , Goldstein Louis
Published: January 2025

In some Bantu languages, the utterance-final prosodic juncture has been found to exhibit multiple acoustic properties, like a low f0 and final devoicing (Rialland & Aborobongui, 2016; Zerbian, 2016). However, a detailed quantitative analysis of these acoustic properties is still lacking, and the underlying causes are not well understood. To this end, we carry out an acoustic analysis of the utterance-final prosodic events in Embosi, a Bantu language spoken in the Republic of Congo. We analyze the mean f0, intensity and H1-H2* of the final three moras in an Embosi utterance. We hypothesize that the acoustic properties are correlates of the pulmonic pressure initiation dynamics, i.e., when subglottal pressure drops below the phonation pressure threshold towards the end of an utterance. Thus, f0 and intensity should be lowered and final-devoicing can also occur (Zhang, 2016). It is also likely that a glottal spreading or slackening gesture is present utterance-finally, reducing the vocal fold medial surface thickness. Then, the voice quality might become breathier, which can be characterized by a low f0 and an increase in H1-H2* (Zhang, 2016). The results show that utterance-finally both intensity and f0 are lowered but there is no evidence for an increase in H1-H2*. These findings are more consistent with the pulmonic pressure initiation hypothesis.
Intelligibility of medically related sentences in quiet, speech-shaped noise, and hospital noise
Authors: White Sarah E. , Holly Alex , Bent Tessa , Ryherd Erica E. , Baese-Berk Melissa
Published: January 2025

Noise levels in healthcare settings often exceed recommendations from health organizations. Previous work on the impact of noise on speech perception has been studied in classrooms and workplaces, showing decreased performance on working memory tasks and reduced intelligibility. However, the effect of noise on speech perception in medical settings has not yet been explored, even though successful communication between healthcare providers and patients is vital to quality healthcare delivery. Furthermore, previous studies typically focused on noise produced by buildings, equipment, or humansi—while all of these sources must be considered for noise within healthcare settings. This begs the question: how might hospital noise impact patients' ability to understand medical information? In this study, we explored perception of speech in conditions of quiet, hospital noise, and speech-shaped noise through an intelligibility task with participants aged 65 and older to understand the impact of hospital noise on speech perception. Additionally, we explored the role of word frequency and familiarity on speech intelligibility in noise by utilizing both standard sentences and medically related sentences. Finally, we collected data on participants' hearing ability, cognitive acuity, and experience in hospital settings, to explore additional factors that may interact with speech perception in noise. [Work supported by James S. McDonnell Foundation.]
Effect of non-human avatars on opinion convergence in remote spoken interactions
Authors: Song Jiu , Ma Charlize , Kitamura Raechel , Blanco Alejandra , Fong Liang Kai , Islam Jahurul , Gick Bryan
Published: January 2025

Opinion convergence in spoken interactions is influenced by various factors, such as interlocutor traits, social identity, and context [Pardo, 2022, JPhon 95]. Previous studies on communication via Zoom conferences have reported that differences in opinion can affect visual cues in vowel productions [Ma et al., 2023, HISPCSL]. However, there is a general lack of understanding of how technology-mediated communication affects opinion convergence. This study investigated whether the availability of visual cues in online video communication has an effect on opinion convergence between people. We collected data from fifty college students (aged 18–30, with an average age of 19.96) who were randomly paired into 25 groups to participate in a 20-min Zoom discussion on a range of debatable propositions. The discussions were conducted using two conditions: no camera (black screen) or fox avatars set up by Zoom. Participants' opinions on the propositions were measured before and after the discussion. We will measure whether a difference in avatar vs. non-avatar conditions impacts the level of opinion convergence between pairs of speakers by comparing the changes in the levels of convergence between before and after conversations. Implications for the general effects of technology-mediated communication on opinion formation and convergence will be discussed.
An acoustic dataset augmentation generator for ship noise classification
Authors: Thomson Dugald , Topple Jessica , Barclay David R.
Published: January 2025

Automated target recognition using ship noise has advanced rapidly with machine learning, yet remains constrained by a limited number of benchmark datasets due to a scarcity of labeled data. This study aims to enhance ship classifier performance by addressing dataset limitations through an innovative Acoustic Dataset Augmentation Generator. Leveraging acoustic data from Arctic hydrophones and incorporating simulated ship noise via a Passive Sonar Simulator alongside ambient noise variations, this generator simulates diverse environmental conditions to enrich training datasets. By filling gaps and introducing realistic noise sources, it aims to improve model robustness and performance. The research evaluates model effectiveness using the augmented dataset, focusing on identifying and mitigating misclassifications.
Radiant panels and chilled beams for thermal and acoustical design
Authors: Clements Jessica S. , Barringer-Cook Kirsten
Published: January 2025

Radiant panels and chilled beams are becoming more prevalent in projects using open ceilings and low velocity airflow designs. Radiant panels are being considered with open ceiling designs for thermal efficiency and modern appearances. These panels also offer options to include acoustical absorption, however, which brings challenges that must be addressed with the mechanical engineer and the acoustical consultant. Chilled beams promise better thermal regulation and low created noise, but those promises rely heavily on the installation. This lightning presentation will endeavor to give a high-level review of these two products and how to consider them in your design.
Curtin University’s Centre for Marine Science and Technology: Virtual lab tour
Authors: Erbe Christine , Parnum Iain M. , Madhusudhana Shyam
Published: January 2025

Founded in 1985, the Centre for Marine Science and Technology (Perth, Western Australia) comprises an interdisciplinary group of physical, biological, data, and computer scientists, as well as engineers, using active and passive acoustic techniques to study the ocean. We work in close partnership with offshore industry and government on marine soundscapes, sound generation and propagation, underwater noise and its impacts on marine fauna (terrestrial and marine) animal sound production and reception, acoustic ecology, and marine habitat mapping and modeling. In 2023, we opened our Centre of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at Curtin Mauritius (Telfair, Mauritius), focussing on marine and terrestrial (bio-)acoustics. Let us take you on a tour of our two labs, meet some of our staff and students, and let them excite you about their projects: what do diving birds hear; how do we predict the noise of yet-to-be-built equipment; how can we manage and mitigate the effects of noise; what habitat characteristics are suitable for endangered insects, birds, and whales; can we acoustically enhance habitats; do whales feed on migration; can acoustic behavior predict physical and functional behavior; are long-term trends in Antarctic whale presence related to climate change; etc.?
Careers in underwater sound
Authors: Barclay David R.
Published: January 2025

During this session, a moderator led discussion between panel members will be held. The panel members will represent various career outcomes of advanced training in acoustics, oceanography, and ocean science, including careers in academia, industry, government, non-profits, and others. The panel will then be open to questions from the virtual audience.
Framework for real-time computation and streaming of soundscapes
Authors: Rehman Rouben , Dreier Christian , Heck Jonas , Llorca-Bofi Josep , Vorlaender Michael
Published: January 2025

The auralization of dynamic soundscapes brings significant computational challenges, as multiple often moving sources have to be considered simultaneously. Making such auralizations interactive rules out pre-rendering, requiring the underlying computations to be performed in real-time instead. The “Virtual Acoustics” (VA) framework allows for such real-time applications by leveraging geometrical acoustics and efficient multi-threading. Delivering these simulations to a larger audience, however, has proven difficult, as they still require a lengthy setup and possible simulation complexity is highly dependent on available hardware. When also including high-fidelity 3D visualization, hardware requirements rise further, hindering remote deployment. We present a web-based approach that executes simulations on a server and streams the result in real-time, offloading heavy calculations to a sufficiently powerful machine. 3D graphics are rendered by Unreal Engine and streamed using Pixel Streaming. VA auralization is transmitted via WebRTC audio streams. Both visualization and auralization are ultimately aggregated in a single website for platform-independent access. User input is gathered by the website and relaid back to the server, making the experience interactive. Thereby, this approach can deliver high-fidelity virtual environments with minimal setup and hardware requirements for the user. The approach will be demonstrated by streaming an interactive city park soundscape.
Investigating architectural acoustics modeling with the summer undergraduate research or internship experience in acoustics program
Authors: Christian Dante , Connick Robert , Roehl Alex
Published: January 2025

Dante Christian was chosen to participate in an inspiring 10-week experience with the Acoustical Society of America’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Acoustics (SURIEA) Program. Given his physics major and architectural background, SURIEA coordinators felt that he would thrive best as an intern at Acentech (an architectural acoustics firm). The research project that Dante landed on was an auralization of the Warner Theater’s rehearsal room—a structure in Erie, PA. Two of his mentors from Acentech visited to make reverberation time measurements and to ensure that the rehearsal room was behaving as it was intended to. Thus, these measurements came to serve as the backbone of his project’s structure. For Dante’s summer research, he went through the processes of modeling in SketchUp and in Trebel (a geometric and wave-based solver) to gather and simulate impulse responses for the Warner Theater’s Rehearsal room. He worked iteratively to assign absorption and scattering coefficients to the model that best fit the measured experimental results. This is because, especially, absorption coefficients of every material in the room were not specified. Overall, this research project taught Dante how to critically think about a space, its materials, and how its materials interact with the soundscape.
Toroidal shell electroacoustic transducer
Authors: Sahoo Divyamaan , Brown David A.
Published: January 2025

The design and modeling of an electroacoustic toroidal-hollow-shell transducer for underwater acoustics are considered. Radiation from a solid toroid was considered by Sherman and Parke (JASA 38, 1965) and is useful as an approximation for the radiation of a short cylinder. We explore the vibration of a hollow toroid vibrating in circumferential hoop-mode and in breathing tube-mode and present an equivalent electromechanical circuit model for acoustic radiation. Results are compared with a first prototype made from piezoelectric ceramics comprised of piecewise cylindrical tube sections. [Work supported in part by ONR and the MUST research program at the Umass Dartmouth and a subject of the author (DS) Master’s Thesis.]
A detailed study of the impedances of mouthpieces, flared bells, and curved pipes in brass instruments
Authors: Jackson Miranda , Scavone Gary
Published: January 2025

The input impedance of a brass instrument provides information about quality and playing characteristics, such as intonation and response. Modeling the input impedance of an instrument with the transfer matrix and finite element methods based on its geometry is useful, as the calculations can be performed without a physical prototype. Previous work has determined that both the transfer matrix and finite element methods can determine the properties of the impedances of mouthpieces and flaring bells. These results will be more closely examined and compared with regard to relative peak locations. At present, the transfer matrix method can only be used for conical or cylindrical segments along a straight axis, so it is useful to add curvature as a parameter of the calculation. An adaptation to the transfer matrix calculation for curved pipes will be presented. Transfer matrix and finite element calculations will be compared with each other and with impedance measurements. The ultimate goal of this work is to accurately calculate the input impedance of a realistic brass instrument, with curved pipes, valves, water keys, and slides. This will allow for improvement of existing instruments and development of new instruments and instrument parts exhibiting particular acoustical characteristics.
Deep-penetration acoustic volumetric printing
Authors: Zhang Y. Shrike
Published: January 2025

Over the last decades, the field of three-dimensional (3D) printing, or additive manufacturing, has witnessed tremendous progress. 3D printing enables precise control over the composition, spatial distribution, and architecture of the printed constructs facilitating the recapitulation of the delicate shapes and structures of target patterns. In particular, volumetric printing, an emerging additive manufacturing technique, builds objects with enhanced printing speed and surface quality by forgoing the stepwise ink-renewal step. Existing volumetric printing techniques almost exclusively rely on light energy to trigger photopolymerization in transparent inks, limiting material choices and build sizes. This talk will discuss our recent efforts in developing a unique additive manufacturing strategy that takes advantage of self-enhancing sono-ink design and corresponding focused-ultrasound writing technique for deep-penetration acoustic volumetric printing (DAVP). Experiments and acoustic modeling were used to study the frequency and scanning rate-dependent acoustic printing behaviors. DAVP achieves the key features of low acoustic streaming, rapid sonothermal polymerization, and large printing depth, enabling the printing of volumetric hydrogels and nanocomposites with various shapes regardless of their optical properties. DAVP also allows printing at centimeter depths through biological tissues, paving the way toward minimally invasive medicine.
Talker head orientation related benefit as a function of masker-talker head angle
Authors: Delaram Vahid , Trine Allison , Ananthanarayana Rohit M. , Buss Emily , Stecker G. Christopher , Miller Margaret , Monson Brian B.
Published: January 2025

Understanding speech in multi-talker environments poses significant challenges as multiple speech signals compete for attention. One factor that plays a role in speech recognition in multi-talker environments is talker head orientation. In this study, we investigated the effect of talker head orientation related (THOR) spectral cues on speech recognition using eight different masker head orientation angles ranging from 0° (facing the listener) to 180° (facing away from the listener). The target talker was facing the listener in all conditions and maskers were co-located with the target. Target speech was digit triplets from a female talker, with a female two-talker masker consisting of narrative speech. A speech reception threshold was calculated for each condition as the mean of 6 reversals in a two-down one-up adaptive track. A THOR benefit was observed when maskers faced >45°. This benefit continually increased as masker head angle increased to 180°. Low-pass filtering stimuli at 8 kHz somewhat reduced the THOR benefit. The data indicate that the THOR benefit from spectral cues can be >6dB for the highest masker head angles but could reach >10 dB when additionally accounting for masker level reductions associated with masker head rotation. [Work supported by NIH grant R01DC019745.]
Exploratory acoustic analysis of nonverbal affective and communicative vocalizations from non-speaking individuals with autism using cosine similarity
Authors: Shah Siddhant Bikram , Johnson Kristina T.
Published: January 2025

Nonverbal vocalizations from non-speaking individuals are challenging to interpret without context or familiarity. This study assessed acoustic similarities between 4727 affective and communicative vocalizations (e.g., frustration, delight, request) from 8 non-speaking individuals with autism using the ReCANVo dataset. We augmented the audio with noise, pitch shifts, and tempo changes, and extracted features using pre-trained Wav2Vec2 model representations, mel-spectrograms, and low-level descriptors to train a classification network (dim 24; 85/15 train/val). We calculated a mean vector (dim 24) for each class and computed their cosine similarities. Across eight individuals and seven vocalization classes, “Social” vocalizations were most globally similar (AvgCS = 0.950), suggesting acoustic features spanning affective and communicative states, while “Dysregulated” sounds were the most distinct (AvgCS = 0.886). However, the model (Acc = 0.660, MacroF1 = 0.555) was sensitive to speaker gender and age, and class imbalances, even after augmentation. Examining the participant with the most samples (P01; n = 1687; Acc = 0.676; MacroF1 = 0.695), “Request” was most similar to “Social” (CS = 0.978), suggesting shared underlying acoustics. “Delightedi” and “Frustrated” were the least similar (CS = 0.715), supporting the hypothesis that affective vocalizations are discernable via acoustical properties. Increased sample sizes and better real-world labeling techniques will enhance model accuracy, enabling interactive augmentative technologies for this population.
Toward the long-term evolution of the xkl speech analysis software
Authors: Di Benedetto Maria-Gabriella , De Nardis Luca , Kashif Kaleem , Choi Jeung-Yoon , Shattuck-Hufnagel Stefanie
Published: January 2025

A legacy software, “xkl,” developed in the 1980’s by Dennis Klatt in Kenneth N. Stevens’ Speech Communication Group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been recently revamped, thanks to a joint effort between MIT and Sapienza University of Rome (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352711023001887). This collaboration led to the development of a modern xkl, which is now compatible with modern computing platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux) (more on current software developments can be found at http://acts.ing.uniroma1.it/xkl.php). The original development was based on Motif libraries, but these libraries currently are not being updated. To ensure long-term compatibility, the xkl graphical user interface is currently being redesigned using GTK. Moreover, the software will include the possibility of computing the reassigned spectrogram, enriching the available time-frequency representations, and facilitating the process of performing detailed analyses of the properties of speech, such as formant estimation. The xkl software has superior qualities for acoustic parameter estimation, in particular, determination of spectral peaks and their evolution in time, thanks to a flexible interface that allows the investigator to conveniently sweep through successive spectral slices. This new-xkl is currently under use in preliminary analyses of vowels in the LaMIT dataset, a set of 100 sentences in Italian (see https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352340922004772).
Tutorial on machine learning for acoustics
Authors: Gerstoft Peter , Bianco Michael J. , McCarthy Ryan A. , Zhang Neil
Published: January 2025

Acoustic data provide scientific and engineering insights in fields ranging from biology and communications to ocean and Earth science. We survey the recent advances and transformative potential of machine learning (ML), including deep learning, in the field of acoustics. ML is a broad family of techniques, which are often based in statistics, for automatically detecting and utilizing patterns in data. We have ML examples from ocean acoustics, room acoustics, and personalized spatial audio. For room acoustics, we take room impulse responses (RIR) generation as an example application. For personalized spatial audio, we take head-related transfer function (HRTF) up-sampling as examples. The tutorial will conclude with a set of Jupiter notebook examples on GitHub demonstrating ML benefits.
Shallow water mid-frequency ambient noise observations off southern California
Authors: Hodgkiss William , Ensberg David
Published: January 2025

The shallow water environment is challenging for geoacoustic inversions due to site-specific complex bathymetry and sub-bottom characteristics as well as time-evolving oceanography. Shallow water mid-frequency (0.5–10 kHz) ambient noise and source tow transmission observations are presented that were collected with a 2D array (512 elements arranged in 8 vertical staves of 64-elements each all half-wavelength spaced at 6 kHz). The data were collected in August-September 2021 WSW of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and NW of Santa Catalina Island. The water depth at the array site was 311 m with the bathymetry gradually becoming deeper to the north and was ∼600–900 m deep in the east-west region for ships transiting in/out of LA/Long Beach. The mid-frequency observations included tonal source tow transmissions for characterizing propagation in the region, the radiated signatures of ships transiting the area, and the relatively quiet periods between. The 2D array geometry facilitates decomposing the acoustic field in azimuth as well as elevation. The long-term intent is to implement azimuthally and range-dependent geoacoustic inversions for the seafloor properties in this region as well as to compare shipping as sources of opportunity to the tonal transmissions.
Uncertainty in room acoustics modeling
Authors: Olson Bruce , Jaramillo Ana M.
Published: January 2025

Room acoustics prediction software is a great tool for the acoustician. However, there are limitations on how reliable the predictions are and how close they can get to measured results. The first limitation of ray tracing modeling tools is the uncertainty of input data. We will also discuss uncertainty in the geometrical modeling of rooms, calculation settings, and accuracy of outputs.
Mechanical noise design—Discrepancies between calculations and outcomes in the field
Authors: Choi Daniel
Published: January 2025

HVAC noise calculations that acoustical consultants typically perform utilize software that are mostly based on conceptual ASHRAE equations. Field measurements often indicate that the measured levels are sometimes close to those that are calculated, while at other times the discrepancies are greater. While conservative measures are taken to account for the discrepancies, this can potentially lead to overdesign, incurring additional costs that may not have been necessary. While considering every possible field factor is difficult, this study explores the identification of a few uncertainties that exist during design and field implementation.
Experimental sound exposure studies on aquatic animals: An early attempt to develop underwater bioacoustics in Iran
Authors: Shafiei Sabet Saeed
Published: January 2025

Sound-generating human activities have elevated ambient sound levels in aquatic habitats. Many aquatic animals also live in captivity for several purposes. Likewise, in aquatic habitats, there are also anthropogenic sound sources in captivity and under laboratory conditions. There is growing evidence that anthropogenic sound can have several impacts on aquatic life. In this presentation, behavioral studies exploring anthropogenic sound effects on aquatic animals that have been carried out in Iran will be reviewed (an invertebrate, the red cherry shrimp, and a vertebrate, the zebrafish). In a laboratory-based experiment, it was shown that generated sound exposure caused negative effects on sound-related spatial distribution and feeding performance in the red cherry shrimp. Zebrafish changed their swimming speed and foraging activities when exposed to sound. To increase biological relevance and behavioral interpretation, it is important to consider addressing sound components, both pressure level and particle motion, as well as designing experiments in a natural environment and in real-world conditions. Finally, limitations in underwater bioacoustics studies in Iran will be addressed.
Estimation of shear wave speed and shear viscosity with a simplified time-domain model for viscoelastic media
Authors: Bannon Nicholas A. , Urban Matthew W. , McGough Robert J.
Published: January 2025

Shear wave elasticity imaging is a non-invasive imaging modality that characterizes the mechanical properties of soft tissue, such as the shear wave speed or shear modulus. Present time-domain methods for shear wave parameter estimation divide the propagation distance by the propagation time to obtain an estimate of the shear wave speed. However, soft tissues are viscoelastic, and the shear viscosity frequently produces large errors in the estimated shear wave speed. To address this problem, a simplified time-domain model for shear wave parameter estimation in viscoelastic media is applied to simulated three-dimensional (3D) shear waves in a viscoelastic medium, where these 3D simulations require high performance computing to evaluate an approximate time-domain Green’s function solution of Navier’s equation that employs a Kelvin-Voigt rheological model. Parameters for the time-domain model are determined from an optimization procedure, then the shear wave speed is estimated from estimated time delays that account for the shear viscosity. Estimates of the shear wave speed are shown at the focal depth and in a two-dimensional region for various parameter combinations. The simplified time-domain viscoelastic model consistently yields smaller errors for the shear wave speed than cross-correlations while simultaneously providing estimates of the shear viscosity.
A rig for measuring violin sound radiation
Authors: Curtin Joseph , Jost Luca , Rogers Chris
Published: January 2025

A now-standard way of measuring violin sound radiation is to tap the bridge with a miniature impact hammer while a microphone samples the resulting sound field. At least three factors complicate the process: (1) the strings exert three-dimensional forces at the bridge; (2) radiation becomes increasingly directional above 1 kHz; and (3) unless measurements are done under anechoic conditions, the acoustics of the measurement space must be considered. This video describes a rig that uses a solenoid-driven hammer, two driving directions (one horizontal at the bass corner of the bridge; the other vertical at the top-center), and twelve equatorial microphone positions 20 cm from the central axis of the violin. The resulting 24 FRFs can be used to estimate total sound output per-unit-force at the bridge. Alternatively, impulse responses from individual measurements can be convolved with recordings made on an electric violin to create realistic emulations of a normally played violin for use in psycho-acoustic testing.
A decade of MacGyver acoustics
Authors: Ryan Teresa J. , Faircloth Heath , Stengrim Matthew , Foeller Jeff , Turo Diego , Vignola Joseph
Published: January 2025

This work presents lessons learned while aspiring to measure long distance outdoor sound propagation in an initially resource-limitedprogram. This recounts the use of many components secured from discount stores and online vendors which are not typically incorporated in scientific research. These include inexpensive condenser microphones, portable speakers, and audio recorders more commonly seen in karaoke venues than acoustics labs. The price of using such relatively inexpensive hardware is the sweat equity required for validation and verification of these items for the research use case, to include both calibration and stability issues. Furthermore, the successful use of this equipment required developing effective protocols for use in the littoral environment and all of the threats therein: sand, salt water, and thunderstorms. This presentation will discuss the specific hardware and factors to consider when adapting devices for research applications.
Knock-knock, Who’s there? Fresco
Authors: Vignola Joseph , Gangemi Nicholas T. , Vignola Amelia , DeLucia Nicholas , Turo Diego , Ryan Teresa J. , Marchetti Barbara , Davison Jason
Published: January 2025

Fresco painting, in which an artist applies dry pigments to wet plaster, dates from antiquity. A common mode of failure occurs when the decorative plaster layers separate from the masonry substrate or lower structural plaster. Our research team has for many years used scanning laser Doppler vibrometry to identify regions of delamination of frescos in the US Capitol Building as part of a conservation effort. Historically, such regions have been mapped by experienced conservators who knock on the plaster with their knuckles or small mallets and make subjective assessments of the radiated sound to identify areas needing restoration work. These acoustic signatures carry substantial information about the nature of the structure that produces the sound. Modern signal processing techniques can shed light on the underlying mechanical behavior of the system from those recorded acoustic signatures. This research will enable the use of simple, free smartphone or PC apps, and simple algorithms to put the conservator’s expertise at anyone’s disposal.
Acoustic evidence for consonant cluster organization across contexts
Authors: Geissler Christopher A. , Sytenkova Anya , Brown Piper , Viegas Eguia Arthur
Published: January 2025

C-center organization, in which onset consonant clusters exhibit temporal coordination similar to singletons, is an important theme in speech research. As an alternative to expensive and difficult articulatory research methods, Durvasula et al. (2021) developed a technique for identifying C-center timing using acoustic data alone. We replicate the English results of that study and investigate additional contexts. Following Durvasula et al. (2021), we noted the acoustic midpoints of onset consonants, took the average of these midpoints as “acoustic C-center,” and used the acoustic end of the vowel as an anchor. If C-center coordination were present, C-center-to-anchor intervals should, as compared to singleton onset-to-anchor intervals, be similar in magnitude but more stable. We recorded 18 English speakers producing /s/+nasal, stop+liquid, and /s/+stop+liquid clusters along with segmentally matched non-clusters (e.g., splay, play, lay). Diagnostics indicated C-center-like-timing in initial clusters across segment types, as well as in tautosyllabic medial clusters; the evidence of C-center timing was not found where clusters were split across a syllable boundary. These results are consistent with established models of syllable structure and support the use of acoustic diagnostics for gestural coordination.
Effect of phonetics training in the perception of the four-way stop contrast by native English-speaking learners of Hindi
Authors: Sarkar Sreeparna
Published: January 2025

The Hindi four-way stop contrast poses a challenge in speech production and perception for native English-speaking learners of Hindi. This study tests the perceptual accuracy of the four-way stop contrast by native speakers of English and if it improves if they are explicitly taught about the phonetic details of the stops including their articulatory mechanisms and the resulting acoustic signals. Data was collected from two sets of participants1) learners who were provided the phonetics training (n=11, male=5, female= 6) and 2) learners who were not provided the phonetics training (n=12, male=6, female 6). Participants were native speakers of American English and learners of Hindi. Participants from both groups responded to 270 audio stimuli of CVs; the Cs were the different stop types and the V was /a/, e.g.: /ta/, /pa/, /tha/, /gha/. Participants had to select the CV they heard from a selection of 6 choices shown on their computer screen simultaneously. Results show a higher perceptual accuracy (70.37% accuracy) in the group that received the phonetics training compared to the one that did not (63.37% accuracy). This 7% difference was significant according to a linear mixed effects model (t value = 8.977, p value <0.05) suggesting a significant effect of phonetics training in the perception of the four-way stop contrast. An important future direction of this study is to test whether this perceptual accuracy is also reflected in speech production.
Do acoustics predict tongue shape in American English rhotics?
Authors: Eads Amanda , Oh Josephine , Lara Marcela , Preston Jonathan L. , McAllister Tara
Published: January 2025

American English /ɹ/ is one of the most common and treatment-resistant speech deviations in children with residual speech sound disorder (RSSD; Flipsen, 2015) and has also been the focus of considerable basic science research on articulatory-acoustic relations (Zhou et al., 2008). English /ɹ/ can be produced using multiple tongue shapes that are commonly grouped into the broad categories bunched/tip-down and retroflex/tip-up. These shapes have a similar acoustic signature across the first three formants (Mielke et al., 2016) and are not readily perceptually distinguished (Twist etal., 2007). Previous work in adults has demonstrated that these shapes are acoustically distinct at the level of the 4th and 5th formants (F4 and F5; Espy-Wilson & Boyce, 1994; Zhou et al., 2008). The current study will investigate these acoustic-articulatory relationships using ultrasound and audio data from 36 children with no history of speech-language-hearing challenges and 30 children with RSSD affecting /ɹ/ who completed an ultrasound biofeedback treatment study. The /ɹ/ interval was segmented from the acoustic signal of each utterance and ultrasound frames in the rhotic interval were coded in a customized program. This provides ground truth articulatory labels for the data, thereby allowing for examination of relationships between F4 and F5 frequency values and bunched and retroflex tongue shapes.
Acoustic convergence to English sibilants is lexically-specific: Evidence for exemplar models
Authors: Hauser Ivy
Published: January 2025

Convergence occurs when talkers alter pronunciation toward speech they hear. Exemplar models provide one account of convergence, as recently heard exemplars are activated during speech production (Goldinger, 1998). Exemplars of speech sounds are stored with their lexical item, predicting that convergence should be lexically-specific. This means that phonetic values should shift towards the model/interlocutor for each word, even if that entails increasing values for some words and decreasing them for others. To test this, a laboratory shadowing study was conducted using English /s/. 34 English speakers produced 80 /s/-initial words (balanced for lexical frequency and following vowel rounding) with fillers, then were passively exposed to model speech with the same /s/-initial words produced by a female talker, then produced the words again post-exposure. Spectral center of gravity (CoG) for /s/ was extracted using Praat (Boersma, 2001). Most participants produced baseline CoG values that were both lower and higher than the model for different words. When the data are analyzed by baseline relative to the model, a significant convergent pattern emerges: words initially produced with higher CoG shifted down after exposure and words initially produced lower shifted up. Participants converged to the model's acoustic values for CoG and direction of shift was lexically specific. This indicates that talker- and word-specific acoustic variability is stored and utilized, as predicted by exemplar models of speech sound representation.
Considering word token versus word type in the interpretation of Pillai scores: The case of the Cantonese AM/P∼OM/P merger
Authors: Tse Holman
Published: January 2025

Stanley & Sneller (2023) have recently demonstrated the importance of large sample sizes in the interpretation of Pillai Scores in sociophonetic research. In this paper, I address whether larger is necessarily better if larger means more tokens of the same word types. The case study focuses on the AM/P∼OM/P merger in Cantonese, which involves /o/ becoming /ɐ/ in pre-labial contexts. The list of OM/P words is very small, though a few of these words are high frequency. The data come from spontaneous speech samples from 41 participants from the HLVC Corpus (Nagy 2011). Pillai Scores were calculated for each individual speaker based on both a smaller sample (five tokens maximum of the same word type, n = 1163) and a larger sample (more than five tokens of the same word type, n = 1659). Applying Stanley & Sneller’s (2023) threshold value formula, results show 10 merged speakers with the smaller sample but five merged with the larger sample. Overall, these results show that while some researchers may have previously overestimated the spread of this merger (Bauer & Benedict 1997), increasing sample size without increasing word type diversity may lead to underestimation of the extent of the merger.
Data preprocessing for seabed characterization with machine learning
Authors: Michalopoulou Zoi-Heleni
Published: January 2025

Data received when sound propagates in oceanic waveguides exhibit a behavior characterized by the physics of the propagation medium. These data can be presented as input to machine learning algorithms for environmental characterization, in our problem seabed identification. A key factor for the success of the task at hand is how the data are employed within the classification algorithms and whether raw signals or qualitative and quantitative features extracted from those are used at the input level. In this work, data are studied both in the frequency and time domains and their behavior is analyzed. It is observed that employing simple characteristic attributes extracted from recorded signals is equivalent to identifying seabed signatures, leading to effective and efficient sediment classification. [Work supported by ONR.]
Feature interpretation in underwater acoustics
Authors: Potty Gopu R.
Published: January 2025

Deep Learning algorithms such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) have been widely used recently in underwater acoustics applications including target recognition, passive acoustic monitoring of marine mammals, parameter estimation, etc. In many of these applications, spectrogram images are used to train the algorithms to identify the unique features. CNNs suffer from the black box effect due to their large number of parameters and developing methods to transform this black box algorithm into an interpretable one is an active area of research. This talk will highlight the challenges in interpretation of machine learnt features based on acoustic physics of propagation. How such knowledge of propagation physics may be incorporated into neural networks (e.g., through physics informed Neural Networks) would be explored. [Work supported by Office of Naval Research.]
Are offshore windfarms killing whales?
Authors: Stocker Michael
Published: January 2025

A noticeable rise in mysticete mortalities in and around New Jersey concurrent with the increase in activities associated with offshore windfarm development has excited speculation that the windfarm development is at cause of the strandings. Various competing and sometimes countervailing interests have taken up an array of narratives on what is occurring, so inquiry into the topic is fraught with speculation and motives. This presentation will examine the conditions, circumstances, and motives of the 2022–2023 Jersey Shores “Unusual Mortality Event” (UME) with the objective of stimulating open conversation about this event—toward avoiding reoccurrences of similar events, and similar discussions.
Acoustic vector sensing reveals ecologically modulated sympatry of blue and fin whales
Authors: Ryan John P. , Leary Paul , Smith Kevin B. , Santora Jarrod , DeVogelaere Andrew , King Chad , Chavez Francisco , ZoBell Vanessa M. , Margolina Tetyana , Joseph John E. , Oestreich William , Benoit-Bird Kelly , Goldbogen Jeremy A.
Published: January 2025

Earth’s largest animal species, blue and fin whales, share a similar life history strategy involving annual long-distance migration between foraging and breeding habitat. The difficulty of monitoring spatial distributions of both species simultaneously has limited understanding of their sympatry within foraging habitats that sustain them. In addressing this observational challenge, a valuable method is acoustic vector sensing of the sounds produced by the whales. Using three years of continuous acoustic vector sensor data, we examine habitat occupancy of blue and fin whales in the central California Current Ecosystem. While fin whales called almost exclusively from offshore deep-water habitat, blue whales called predominantly from shelf and slope water habitat—indicating an allopatric tendency. However, stronger sympatry occurred during the third year, as blue whales spent a greater proportion of time in offshore deep-water habitat. This year was distinguished by the strongest wind-driven coastal upwelling, the furthest offshore extension of upwelled waters, and the greatest abundances of krill that are prey of both whale species. upporting the recovery of endangered blue and fin whale populations requires understanding where and how they live, and acoustic vector sensing is effective for this purpose in ecological research and resource management.
Case study: Developing an acoustics program in Ecuador Through Capstone Projects
Authors: Yoong Carlos , Durazno Galo , Abril Guido , Maldonado Galarza Fausto
Published: January 2025

The Coastal Polytechnic School in Guayaquil, Ecuador is the leading engineering school in the country. Recent efforts have been targeted towards the creation of an acoustics program that enables students apply basic acoustics knowledge in real-life problems that the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering currently has. With the lack of courses in acoustics, various capstone projects have been conducted by the students under the supervision of experts in acoustics. Most of the basic training in acoustics theory is given during the first weeks of the project and then the student is exposed to field work by taking measurements utilizing different test procedures to obtain acoustical metrics. Then, a subsequent analysis is performed under the supervision of various experts. These capstone projects will be the stepping stone for the first programs in industrial acoustics in the City of Guayaquil and will help newly graduates understand the importance of acoustics throughout their careers. The end goal is to have a well-established program with relevant undergraduate courses in acoustics.
General panel discussion on musical acoustics topics
Authors: Piacsek Andrew A.
Published: January 2025

A round-table discussion with presenters from both General Topics sessions in Musical Acoustics. This session provides an opportunity for participants to ask detailed follow-up questions and to stimulate discussion on a variety of topics.
Feeling heard: Conflict resolution in vehicle noise disputes
Authors: Schafer Tricia
Published: January 2025

Neighborhood noise disputes often arise due to differing lifestyles, varying schedules, or simply different tolerances to noise. While these conflicts can strain relationships and disrupt daily life, mediation provides a constructive way to resolve them amicably. With regard to automobile noise, such as audible remote keyless entry, what might seem trivial to one person can be deeply distressing to another, leading to frustration, stress, and even health issues over time. Addressing these concerns promptly and fairly is crucial to maintaining a harmonious neighborhood environment. Mediation is a process designed to facilitate constructive dialogue and negotiation between parties in conflict. This paper will emphasize strategies to bring disputing parties to the table, how to prepare for a mediation, selection of a mediator, and what to expect during the mediation process.
Quiet Florida
Authors: Tatigian Mary L.
Published: January 2025

Quiet Florida There are laws and regulations governing noise in states, counties, cities, and towns. Without community action and engagement with elected representatives, however, there may not be enforcement of existing laws. That was the situation in Collier County, Florida, when a group of citizens became concerned about the adverse health effects of aviation noise, and noise from illegally modified vehicle exhausts in and around the resort town of Naples. Creating an organization called Quiet Florida in March 2021, citizens reached out to elected officials, got on the meeting agenda, and informed the county commissioners of the negative health impacts of noise pollution. The next step was the formation of the Southwest Florida Noise Task Force, comprised of a county commissioner, the Collier County Sheriff Department, Naples City Police, the Florida Highway Patrol, the county Transportation Management Department, Florida Legislative Aide, and Quiet Florida. The Task Force is sending letters to 300 automotive repair shops and car dealerships, and using print, broadcast, and social media to inform businesses and the public of the negative health impacts of transportation noise and that modified exhaust systems are illegal. A detailed discussion of Quiet Florida’s efforts will be presented. Mary Tatigian Quiet Florida