LOUDNESS OF SHARPLY (2068 dB/OCTAVE) FILTERED NOISES IN RELATION TO THE FACTORS EXTRACTED FROM THE AUTOCORRELATION FUNCTION

This study examines the loudness of bandpass noises with center frequencies of 250, 500 and 1000Hz while changing the autocorrelation function (ACF). The bandwidth of the source signal was altered with a 2068 dB/octave sharp filter to control the ACF of the source signal. The scale values of loudness were obtained using a paired-comparison method. It is shown that the loudness of the bandpass noises inside the critical band is not constant. The loudness of the pure tone is greater than that of sharply filtered noises. The loudness of the bandpass noises increases with increasing effective duration of the ACF (τ_e) of the source signal.     

DURATION SENSATION WHEN LISTENING TO BANDPASS NOISES

The duration sensation of bandpass noise was examined while changing the factors (τ₁, φ₁and τ_e) extracted from the autocorrelation function. The white noise and bandpass noises with six center frequencies (125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) with different bandwidths were used as stimuli. A paired-comparison test comparing the white-noise duration with bandpass-noise duration was conducted under the conditions of constant sound pressure level (SPL; 80 dB(A)) and rise and fall times (1 ms). Results indicate that the duration of bandpass noise is judged to be longer than that of the white noise. The duration sensation of the bandpass stimuli with longer τ₁is significantly longer than that of the stimuli with shorterτ₁ (p<0·01).     

MAGNETOENCEPHALOGRAPHIC RESPONSES CORRESPONDING TO INDIVIDUAL SUBJECTIVE PREFERENCE OF SOUND FIELDS

To investigate human cortical responses that correspond to subjective preference of sound fields, an attempt is made here to analyze the autocorrelation function (ACF) of magnetoencephalography (MEG) under the condition of varying delay time of single reflections. According to previous studies, it is assumed that a similar repetitive feature of the MEG alpha-waves range (8-13 Hz) is related to subjective preference in terms of the effective duration of the ACF. The source signal was the word “piano” which had a 0·35 s duration. The delay time, Δt₁, was varied at five levels (0, 5, 20, 60, and 100 ms). The scale values of the subjective preference of each subject were obtained by the paired-comparison tests. To compare the results of the MEG measurements with the scale values of the subjective preference, combinations of a reference stimulus (Δt₁=0 ms) and test stimuli (Δt₁=0, 5, 20, 60, and 100 ms) were presented alternately 50 times, and the MEGs were analyzed. It is found that subjective preference for each individual and the effective duration of the ACF of the MEG alpha waves are linearly related.     

Mean work functions effective for negative-ionic, electronic and positive-ionic emissions from polycrystalline surfaces

To elucidate the thermionic property of polycrystalline surfaces, a further study is made on the mean work functions (φ⁻, φ^e and φ⁺) effective for negative-ionic, electronic and positive-ionic emissions. Comparison between theoretical analyses and experimental data yields the conclusions as follows. (1) The equation of φ⁻ = φ^e holds always with both mono- and polycrystalline surfaces. (2) The relation of φ⁻ = φ^e < φ⁺ applies to polycrystalline surfaces because they bear the thermionic contrast (Δφ^* ≡ φ⁺ − φ^e > 0). (3) The value of Δφ^* ranges from ∼0.4 to 0.9 eV depending upon the surface species of polycrystalline metals (e.g., W, Re and Pt), whilst Δφ^* = 0 for monocrystalline surfaces. (4) When the degree of monocrystallization (δ_m) is less than ∼50%, the theoretical value of Δφ^* is virtually independent of δ_m and agrees well with experimental data, nearly the same within ±0.1 eV among the so-called “polycrystalline” surfaces of W. (5) As δ_m increases beyond ∼80 up to 100%, Δφ^* decreases rapidly down to 0 eV, showing again a good agreement between theory and experiment. (6) Our theoretical model is valid in evaluating the effective mean work functions, irrespective of the range of δ_m.     

Theoretical evaluation of the effective work functions for positive-ionic and electronic emissions from polycrystalline metal surfaces

Effective work functions (φ⁺ and φ^e) for positive-ionic and electronic emissions from polycrystalline metals of Nb, Mo, Ta, W and Ir are calculated according to our theoretical model by using those published data on both fractional surface area (F_i) and local work function (φ_i) of each metal surface composed of several patchy faces (1, 2, …, i). Comparison between the theoretical values thus obtained and those experimental data published to date yields the conclusions as follows. (1) With a slight error of less than ∼0.1 eV, the value of φ^e calculated with each of the metals is in fair or good agreement with that determined by experiment. (2) Such agreement is found also with φ⁺ for W. (3) In a typical case of W, where the degree of monocrystallization (δ_m) corresponding to the largest among the values of F_i is less than ∼0.5, the thermionic contrast (Δφ* ≡ φ⁺ − φ^e) is found again to be nearly equal to both theoretical and experimental values reported previously. (4) Each of the five metals shows that Δφ* at δ_m = 0.68-0.95 is smaller than Δφ* at δ_m < 0.5. (5) This result strongly supports our theoretical prediction that Δφ* decreases gradually to zero as δ_m increases beyond ∼0.5 up to ∼1. (6) Particularly, such a surface which has δ_m ≥ 0.96 exhibits Δφ* ≈ 0, apparently equivalent to the so-called “monocrystalline surface (δ_m = 1)”. These results lead to the conclusion that our theoretical model is valid for evaluating the effective work functions probably with a slight error of less than ∼0.1 eV, irrespective of both the surface species and the range of δ_m. In addition, our simple model makes it possible to analyze the mechanism of change in φ⁺ and φ^e according to the change in surface characters of both φ_i and F_i.     

Beyond the pulse-area theorem: Role of the absorption and the dispersion in the propagation of weak ultrashort resonant pulses

We present here some fundamental but yet underlooked features of the propagation of weak ultrashort pulses (with Δ_dτ << 1, where Δ_d is the Doppler width and τ is the pulse duration) in resonant atomic media. We show that the pulse area behaviour and the pulse spectrum at resonance are governed by the usual optical depth (α₀L, where α₀ is the absorption coefficient at resonance and L the length of the medium), whereas the pertinent parameter that governs the severity of the dispersion effects and the distortion of the pulse is the dispersion parameter e_disp = (α₀L)Δ_dτ that we introduce. Paradoxical effect such as distortionless propagation (e.g. e_disp << 1) with vanishing pulse area (when α₀L >> 1) can then explained within this formalism.     

Adjustment on subjective annoyance of low frequency noise by adding additional sound

Structure-borne noise originating from a heat pump unit was selected to study the influence on subjective annoyance of low frequency noise (LFN) combined with additional sound. Paired comparison test was used for evaluating the subjective annoyance of LFN combined with different sound pressure levels (SPL) of pink noise, frequency-modulated pure tones (FM pure tones) and natural sounds. The results showed that, with pink noise of 250-1000 Hz combined with the original LFN, the subjective annoyance value (SAV) first dropped then rose with increasing SPL. When SPL of the pink noise was 15-25 dB, SAV was lower than that of the original LFN. With pink noise of frequency 250-20,000 Hz added to LFN, SAV increased linearly with increasing SPL. SAV and the psychoacoustic annoyance value (PAV) obtained by semi-theoretical formulas were well correlated. The determination coefficient (R²) was 0.966 and 0.881, respectively, when the frequency range of the pink noise was 250-1000 and 250-20,000 Hz. When FM pure tones with central frequencies of 500, 2000 and 8000 Hz, or natural sounds (including the sound of singing birds, flowing water, wind or ticking clock) were, respectively, added to the original sound, the SAV increased as the SPL of the added sound increased. However, when a FM pure tone of 15 dB with a central frequency of 2000 Hz and a modulation frequency of 10 Hz was added, the SAV was lower than that of the original LFN. With SPL and central frequency held invariable, the SAV declined primarily when modulation frequency increased. With SPL and modulation frequency held invariable, the SAV became lowest when the central frequency was 2000 Hz. This showed a preferable correlation between SAV and fluctuation extent of FM pure tones.     

An investigation on annoyance caused by road-vehicle noise based on the autocorrelation function

The objective of this study is to reveal the cause of noise annoyance based on its perceptual properties.The available physical factors extracted from the autocorrelation function （ACF） were used to explain the primary sensations and representative perceptual properties of road-vehicle noise.Two novel factors,EMD and ESM.used especially for measuring fluctuation and smoothness of the ACF envelope,were proposed.It should be pointed out that ifφ₁ was not the maximum value exceptφ（0）,bothφ_max andτ_max were suggested to be added.Three primary sensations -loudness,pitch,and timbre have been acquired by applying the principal component analysis to ACF factors extracted from 232 noise samples.From 10 subjects, annoyance scale values were investigated using the magnitude estimation approach under wellcontrolled experimental conditions.It is realized that there certainly exist elementary factors for every primary sensation.Different ACF characteristics can induce diverse dominant sensation, which would control or determine the perceptual properties of the noise.The variability of dominant sensation and the priority difference in primary sensations will bring out subjective annoyance.Moreover,the mixture of elementary factors would confuse the auditory features, and induce subjective annoyance.In other words,it is the chaos of perceptual properties that cause and affect noise annoyance.     

Eigenvalues, eigenfunctions, and surface states in finite periodic systems

Using a simple approach that requires neither the Bloch functions nor the reciprocal lattice, new, compact, and rigorous analytical formulas are derived for an accurate evaluation of resonant energies, resonant states, energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of open and bounded n-cell periodic systems with arbitrary 1D potential shapes, provided the single cell transfer matrix is given. These formulas are applied to obtain the energy spectra and wave functions of a number of simple but representative open and bounded superlattices. We solve the fine structure in bands and exhibit unambiguously that the true eigenfunctions do no not fulfill the periodicity property |Ψ_μ,ν (z + l_c)|² = |Ψ_μ,ν (z)|², with l_c the single cell length. We show that the well known surface states and surface energy levels come out naturally. We analyze the surface repulsion effect and calculate exactly the surface energy levels for different potential discontinuities an the ends.     

Radiative quantum efficiency of CdSe/ZnS core-shell colloidal solutions: Size-dependence

Thermo-optical parameters of CdSe/ZnS core-shell nanoparticles suspended in toluene were measured using a thermal lens (TL) technique. TL transient measurements were performed using the mode-mismatched dual-beam (excitation and probe) configuration. A He-Ne laser at λ_p = 632.8 nm was used as the probe beam and an Ar⁺ laser (at λ_e = 514.5 nm) was used as the excitation beam for studies as a function of both core size and concentration of CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals. The fraction thermal load (φ) and radiative quantum efficiencies (η) of the CdSe/ZnS were determined. Dependence on core size (∼2-5 nm) and concentration (∼0.01-0.62 mg/ml) was observed for both φ and η parameters.     

DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM BASED ON THE HUMAN AUDITORY-BRAIN MODEL FOR MEASURING ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE—AN APPLICATION TO RAILWAY NOISE

Measurements of railway noise were conducted by use of a diagnostic system of regional environmental noise. The system is based on the model of the human auditory-brain system. The model consists of the interplay of autocorrelators and an interaural crosscorrelator acting on the pressure signals arriving at the ear entrances, and takes into account the specialization of left and right human cerebral hemispheres. Different kinds of railway noise were measured through binaural microphones of a dummy head. To characterize the railway noise, physical factors, extracted from the autocorrelation functions (ACF) and interaural crosscorrelation function (IACF) of binaural signals, were used. The factors extracted from ACF were (1) energy represented at the origin of the delay, Φ (0), (2) effective duration of the envelope of the normalized ACF, τe, (3) the delay time of the first peak, τ₁, and (4) its amplitude,ø₁ . The factors extracted from IACF were (5) IACC, (6) interaural delay time at which the IACC is defined, τ_IACC, and (7) width of the IACF at the τ_IACC,W_IACC . The factor Φ (0) can be represented as a geometrical mean of energies at both ears as listening level, LL.     

Subjective diffuseness of music signals convolved with binaural impulse responses

The spatial impression of sound in a hall can be quantified using sound field factors such as the interaural cross-correlation coefficient (IACC) calculated from binaural impulse response (BIR), henceforth denoted by IACC_IR. The subjective diffuseness for the listener is a spatial attribute which depends on factors associated both with the source signal and with the actual sound field, and is quantified using the IACC of the signal received by the listener, henceforth denoted by IACC_SR. Therefore, the subjective diffuseness in a given hall may change with the music. The aims of this study are to estimate the IACC_SR from the IACC_IR and the factors, which is obtained from autocorrelation function (ACF) of music signal, and to evaluate the subjective diffuseness by these factors. First, the relationship between the IACC_IR and IACC_SR was investigated. Second, subjective diffuseness was measured by a psycho-acoustical experiment. As a result, the IACC_SR could be estimated from the IACC_IR of the BIR and the effective duration (τ_e) from the ACF of music signal. It was found that the effects of BIRs on subjective diffuseness could be evaluated by IACC_IR for almost all subjects, while the effects of music signals could be evaluated by the τ_e and the width of the peak at τ=0 (W_?(0)) of the ACF.     

On some properties of the neutron in the statistical model

Using the statistical model to arrive at |ψ(r)|² the square modulus of theS state wavefunction of the neutron, the electric dipole moment |d _n ^e | of the neutron as well as its baryon number violating lifetime have been estimated. The baryon asymmetry of the universe depending on |d _n ^e | has also been studied in this context.     

Intermittency in the atmospheric surface layer: Unresolved or slowly varying?

We present streamwise velocity structure functions 〈δv_L(τ)〉=〈|v(t+τ)−v(t)|^p〉 (with p=1:5) obtained in the near neutral atmospheric surface layer at the Utah SLTEST site at the highest terrestrial Reynolds number Re_τ=O(10⁶). We show that the occurrence of very large scale coherent oscillations in the streamwise velocity throughout the wall region, interpreted as genuine structural features of the canonical turbulent boundary layer, affects the scaling exponents of the p>3 order structure functions. This results in a slight alteration of the intermittent behavior of the velocity field. It was found that for positive (fast) large scale oscillation of the low-pass filtered velocity signal, deviations from the Kolmogorov K41 prediction (absence of multiscaling) are more marked, as compared to negative (slow) excursion. The results are discussed in terms of convergence of statistics from atmospheric boundary layer measurements.     

Forming abilities of monatomic chains of several fcc and bcc metals in different crystallographic orientations

The forming abilities of monatomic chains (MC) of several fcc and bcc metals stretched in three principal crystallographic orientations of [1 1 1], [1 0 0] and [1 1 0] are analyzed in terms of a ratio between Peierls stress of a bulk crystal with dislocations (τ_p) and theoretical shear stress of a monatomic chain (τ_m). It is found that the structure and orientation dependent τ_m/τ_p values are proportional to the forming abilities of MC while τ_m/τ_p is a function of Possion's ratio ν. The above considerations are in agreement with known experimental and simulation results of Au. In addition, Nb as a candidate for MC formation is suggested.     

A STUDY OF THE BLENDING OF VOCAL MUSIC WITH THE SOUND FIELD BY DIFFERENT SINGING STYLES

The initial time delay Δt₁ between the direct sound and the first reflection and the subsequent reverberation time T_sub are usually fixed within a given space. Thus, concert halls do not have ideal conditions for all forms of music. It has been shown that the most preferred conditions for both listeners and performers are determined by the minimum value of the effective duration of the running autocorrelation function (ACF) of sound signals, (τ_e)_min. To determine the suitability of vocal music for a given sound field, (τ_e)_min of vocal music was analyzed, after recording five solo singers (tenor) in an anechoic room. The results showed that (τ_e)_min of the ACF of a voice source, which is closely related to the two temporal factors of the sound field, varies with singing style. A significant finding is that the values of (τ_e)_min of sound signals forfalsetto and medium falsetto are significantly longer than that for operatic singing.     

Mass generation in the O(3) non-linear σ model

We study the two-point function of the azimuthal angle, G^(φ)(x) = 〈e^iφ(x)e^?iφ(0)〉_inst [φ = arg (q¹ + iq²), where q^a is a three-component unit vector field], in the dense instanton gas approximation for the two-dimensional O(3) non-linear σ model. We find that G^(φ) (x) decreases exponentially as |x| → ∞. This suggests that the dense instanton gas may generate a mass gap in the O(3) non-linear σ model. The physical mechanism of this mass generation is also discussed.     

A simple relationship between chandrasekha's S and T functions

Chandrasekhar's equations for the functions S and T which represent the diffuse scattering and the diffuse transmission, respectively, of a beam of radiation by a planar atmosphere are invariant under the transformations S(τ₁; μ, φ - μ₀), φ₀) exp (-τ₁/μ₀) = T(τ₁; μ, φ; μ₀, φ₀) and T(τ₁; μ, φ; -μ₀, φ₀) exp(-τ_t/μ₀) = S(τ₁; μ, φ; μ₀, φ₀). This relationship reflects the physical symmetry of radiative transfer in a planar atmosphere. It offers a simple method for obtaining the expression for S (T) when an analytical expression for T (S) exists. However, it does not appear to ofter any simplification of numerical solutions.     

Life-time resolved emission spectra in CdI2 crystals

The emission spectrum of CdI₂ is composed of ultraviolet (UV), green (G) and yellow (Y and Y′) bands peaking at 3.38, 2.50, 2.16 and 2.25 eV, respectively. In order to determine the initial states of the Y- and G-luminescence, decay curves have been measured at 6 and 80 K by varying emission energy. The observed decay curves are composed of two or three exponential components. These decay components were named τ₁, τ₂, τ₃, τ_3′ and τ₄. The emission spectrum for each decay component, i.e., the life-time resolved emission spectrum, was constructed from the observed decay curves. At 6 K, three bands at 2.12, 2.49 and 2.64 eV are obtained for τ₁, τ₂ and τ₃ components, respectively. At 80 K, a dominant band for the τ₄ component and a weak band for the τ_3′ component appear on the same energy position at 2.25 eV. The origin of each emission band in the life-time resolved emission spectra will be briefly discussed.     

Search for CP violation in Z0 → τ + τ − and an upper limit on the weak dipole moment of the τ lepton

An improved test of invariance in the reaction e⁺e^? τ ⁺ τ ^? on the Z0 peak is performed using the data sample recorded between 1991 and 1995 with the OPAL detector at LEP. Optimal observables, requiring the reconstruction of the τ flight direction and spin, have been used for different final state topologies. From the non-observation of violation we derive 95% confidence level upper limits on the real and imaginary parts of the weak dipole moment of the τ lepton of |Re(d _τ ^w (m _Z ² | < 5.6 × 10^?18 e cm and |Im(d _τ ^w (m _Z ² ))| < 1.5 × 10^?17 e cm, respectively.