Comment on "Auditory-nerve first-spike latency and auditory absolute threshold: a computer model" [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119, 406-417 (2006)

A recent paper by Meddis [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119, 406-417 (2006)] shows that an existing model of the auditory nerve [Meddis and O'Mard, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 117, 3787-3798 (2005)] is consistent with experimentally-measured first-spike latencies in the auditory nerve [Heil and Neubauer, J. Neurosci. 21, 7404-7415 (2001)]. The paper states that this consistency emerges because in the model, the calcium concentration inside the inner hair cell builds up over long periods of time (up to at least 200 ms) during tone presentation. It further states that integration over long time-scales happens despite the very short time constants (< 1 ms) used for the calcium dynamics. This letter demonstrates that these statements are incorrect. It is shown by simulation that calcium concentration inside the hair cell stage of the Meddis model rapidly reaches a steady state within a few milliseconds of a stimulus onset, exactly as expected from the short time-constant in the simple first-order differential equation used to model the calcium concentration. The success of the Meddis model in fitting experimental data actually confirms earlier results [Krishna, J. Comput. Neurosci. 13, 71-91 (2002a)] that show that the experimental data are a natural result of stochasticity in the synaptic events leading up to spike-generation in the auditory nerve; integration over long time scales is not necessary to model the experimental data.     

The existence of a phase transition in classical antiferromagnetic models

For a wide class of antiferromagnetic models we prove the existence of a phase transition using an extended Peierls argument, taking into account a result of Dobrushin [R. L. Dobrushin,Funct. Anal. Appl. 2:44 (1968); in English,2:302 (1968)] for an antiferromagnetic Ising model and the results of Malyshev [V. Malyshev,Comm. Math. Phys. 40:75–82 (1975)] for ferromagnetic models (such as the anisotropic rotator). In particular we review a result of Fröhlich, Israel, Lieb, and Simon [J. Fröhlichet al., J. Stat. Phys. 22(3):297–347 (198)] obtained when reflection positivity holds.     

A modified diffusion equation for room-acoustic predication

This letter presents a modified diffusion model using an Eyring absorption coefficient to predict the reverberation time and sound pressure distributions in enclosures. While the original diffusion model [Ollendorff, Acustica 21, 236-245 (1969); J. Picaut et al., Acustica 83, 614-621 (1997); Valeau et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 119, 1504-1513 (2006)] usually has good performance for low absorption, the modified diffusion model yields more satisfactory results for both low and high absorption. Comparisons among the modified model, the original model, a geometrical-acoustics model, and several well-established theories in terms of reverberation times and sound pressure level distributions, indicate significantly improved prediction accuracy by the modification.     

The normalized interaural correlation: accounting for NoS pi thresholds obtained with Gaussian and "low-noise" masking noise.

Recently, Eddins and Barber [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 103, 2578-2589 (1998)] and Hall et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 103, 2573-2577 (1998)] independently reported that greater masking of interaurally phase-reversed (S pi) tones was produced by diotic low-noise noise than by diotic Gaussian noise. Based on quantitative analyses, Eddins and Barber suggested that their results could not be accounted for by assuming that listeners' judgments were based on constant-criterion changes in the normalized interaural correlation produced by adding the S pi signal to the diotic masker. In particular, they showed that a model like the one previously employed by Bernstein and Trahiotis [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 100, 3774-3784 (1996)] predicted an ordering of thresholds between the conditions of interest that was opposite to that observed. Bernstein and Trahiotis computed the normalized interaural correlation subsequent to half-wave, square-law rectification and low-pass filtering, the parameters of which were chosen to mimic peripheral auditory processing. In this report, it is demonstrated that augmenting the model by adding a physiologically valid stage of "envelope compression" prior to rectification and low-pass filtering provides a remedy. The new model not only accounts for the data obtained by Eddins and Barber (and the similar data obtained by Hall et al.), but also does not diminish the highly successful account of the comprehensive set of data that gave rise to the original form of the model. Therefore, models based on the computation of the normalized interaural correlation appear to remain valid because they can account, both quantitatively and qualitatively, for a wide variety of binaural detection and discrimination data.     

Nonlinear surface waves in soft, weakly compressible elastic media

Nonlinear surface waves in soft, weakly compressible elastic media are investigated theoretically, with a focus on propagation in tissue-like media. The model is obtained as a limiting case of the theory developed by Zabolotskaya [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 91, 2569-2575 (1992)] for nonlinear surface waves in arbitrary isotropic elastic media, and it is consistent with the results obtained by Fu and Devenish [Q. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 49, 65-80 (1996)] for incompressible isotropic elastic media. In particular, the quadratic nonlinearity is found to be independent of the third-order elastic constants of the medium, and it is inversely proportional to the shear modulus. The Gol'dberg number characterizing the degree of waveform distortion due to quadratic nonlinearity is proportional to the square root of the shear modulus and inversely proportional to the shear viscosity. Simulations are presented for propagation in tissue-like media.     

Statistical estimation of transmission loss from geoacoustic inversion using a towed array

Geoacoustic inversion estimates environmental parameters from measured acoustic fields (e.g., received on a towed array). The inversion results have some uncertainty due to noise in the data and modeling errors. Based on the posterior probability density of environmental parameters obtained from inversion, a statistical estimation of transmission loss (TL) can be performed and a credibility level envelope or uncertainty band for the TL generated. This uncertainty band accounts for the inherent variability of the environment not usually contained in sonar performance prediction model inputs. The approach follows [Gerstoft et al. IEEE J. Ocean. Eng. 31, 299-307 (2006)] and is demonstrated with data obtained from the MAPEX2000 experiment conducted by the NATO Undersea Research Center using a towed array and a moored source in the Mediterranean Sea in November 2000. Based on the geoacoustic inversion results, the TL and its variability are estimated and compared with the measured TL.     

An application of the Peano series expansion to predict sound propagation in materials with continuous pore stratification

This work reports on an application of the state vector (Stroh) formalism and Peano series expansion to solve the problem of sound propagation in a material with continuous pore stratification. An alternative Biot formulation is used to link the equivalent velocity in the oscillatory flow in the material pores with the acoustic pressure gradient. In this formulation, the complex dynamic density and bulk modulus are predicted using the equivalent fluid flow model developed by Horoshenkov and Swift [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 110(5), 2371-2378 (2001)] under the rigid frame approximation. This model is validated against experimental data obtained for a 140 mm thick material specimen with continuous pore size stratification and relatively constant porosity. This material has been produced from polyurethane binder solution placed in a container with a vented top and sealed bottom to achieve a gradient in the reaction time which caused a pore size stratification to develop as a function of depth [Mahasaranon et al., J. Appl. Phys. 111, 084901 (2012)]. It is shown that the acoustical properties of this class of materials can be accurately predicted with the adopted theoretical model.     

Developments in geothermal energy in Mexico—part thirty-nine. Extraction of useful heat and silica removal from geothermal brine utilizing liquid fluidized bed heat exchangers

Liquid fluidized bed heat exchangers can be utilized for the recovery of heat from geothermal brine in order to avoid scaling. At the same time, these heat exchangers remove silica from the geothermal brine. A new parameter, obtained from the bed expansion and referred to as the porosity of transition, is defined. This parameter contributes to a better understanding of systems utilizing liquid fluidized bed heat exchangers. From the model proposed by Goto [J. Phys. Chem.60, 1007–1008 (1956)] for silica polymerization and modified by Axtmann [Geothermics15, 185–191 (1986)] for silica removal, the rate of reaction constant is expressed as a function of silica equilibrium monomer concentration (solubility).     

Analytical Results Connecting Stellar Structure Parameters and Neutrino Fluxes

This paper is an attempt to construct simple analytic models to study the internal structure of main sequence stars. Explicit closed form expressions, which are computable, are given for a number of quantities such as nuclear reaction rate, luminosity, and the number of two particle reactions when the radial matter density of the stellar model is a nonlinear function decreasing from the center to the surface. All analytic results are obtained by taking advantage of the integration theory of generalized hypergeometric functions.     

Evaluation of decay times in coupled spaces: reliability analysis of Bayeisan decay time estimation

This paper discusses quantitative tools to evaluate the reliability of "decay time estimates" and inter-relationships between multiple decay times for estimates made within a Bayesian framework. Previous works [Xiang and Goggans, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 110, 1415-1424 (2001); 113, 2685-2697 (2003)] have applied Bayesian framework to cope with the demanding tasks in estimating multiple decay times from Schroeder decay functions measured in acoustically coupled spaces. A parametric model of Schroeder decay function [Xiang, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 98, 2112-2121 (1995)] has been used for the Bayesian model-based analysis. The relevance of this work is that architectural acousticians need to know how well determined are the estimated decay times calculated within Bayesian framework using Schroeder decay function data. This paper will first address the estimation of global variance of the residual errors between the Schroeder function data and its model. Moreover, this paper discusses how the "landscape" shape of the posterior probability density function over the decay parameter space influences the individual decay time estimates, their associated variances, and their inter-relationships. This paper uses experimental results from measured room impulse responses in real halls to describe a model-based sampling method for an efficient estimation of decay times, and their individual variances. These parameters along with decay times are relevant decay parameters for evaluation and understanding of acoustically coupled spaces.     

Vowel processing by a model of the auditory periphery: a comparison to eighth-nerve responses

A model of peripheral auditory processing that incorporates processing steps describing the conversion from the acoustic pressure-wave signal at the eardrum to the time course activity in auditory neurons has been developed. It can process arbitrary time domain waveforms and yield the probability of neural firing. The model consists of a concatenation of modules, one for each anatomical section of the periphery. All modules are based on published algorithms and current experimental data, except that the basilar membrane is assumed to be linear. The responses of this model to vowels alone and vowels in noise are compared to neural population responses, as determined by the temporal and average rate response measures of Sachs and Young [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 66, 470-479, (1979)] and Young and Sachs [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 66, 1381-1403, (1979)]. Despite the exclusion of nonlinear membrane mechanics, the model accurately predicts the vowel formant representations in the average localized synchronized rate (ALSR) responses and the saturating characteristics of the normalized average rate responses in quiet. When vowels are presented in background noise, the modeled ALSR responses are less robust than the neural data.     

高速公路交通流元胞自动机模型的一种统计平均解耦处理

对于高速公路交通流的一维元胞自动机模型，提出一种从微观格点状态更新规则出发，经过逐步的统计系综平均和截断退耦近似处理，推导宏观演化规律，从而获得描述车流稳态平均速度与车辆密度之间关系的基本图曲线的平均场方程方法.宏观演化规律表现为相继两个时刻车流平均速度的一个非线性映射.平均场论可以作为这一非线性映射的吸引子得到.将此法应用于Fukui-Ishibashi建议的高速运动车模型，计算表明：在单辆车最大速度为M的情形，可以采用截断退耦到仅保留M+1格点耦合的近似法计算空间关联函数.对于不考虑随机减速的决定论模     

Numerical simulation of long laboratory sparks generated by positive switching impulses

A numerical methodology using two different leader channel criteria has been implemented. The methodology is based on Bondiou and Gallimberti's proposition [A. Bondiou, I. Gallimberti, Theoretical modelling of the development of the positive spark in long spark, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 27 (1994) 1252–1266]. The leader channel criteria used are Rizk engineering criterion [Rizk, A model for switching impulse leader inception and breakdown of long air gaps, IEEE Trans. Power Deliv., 4(1) (1989)] and Local thermodynamic – L.T.E. – physical concept [I. Gallimberti, The mechanism of the long spark formation, Colloque C7, J. Phys. (supplement au nro 7, Tome 40) (July 1979) C7–193]. The methodology was tested in three different cases; a deterministic case, a statistical variation and a typical constant level test. Deterministic calculation considered corona inception using stabilization corona electric field criterion of Gallimberti [I. Gallimberti, The mechanism of the long spark formation, Colloque C7, J. Phys. (supplement au nro 7, Tome 40) (July 1979) C7–193] and the leader moving as segments. The statistical simulation has two different statistical delays, one at inception and the other due to the tortuous characteristics of the leader channel. The constant level test consists of 200 positive switching impulses with the same characteristics such as maximum applied voltage, time to crest and time to fall. Time to breakdown and breakdown voltage were found based on the results obtained from the constant level test characteristics. All the numerical results presented are based on experimental conditions reported in [Les Renardières Group, Research on long gap discharges at Les Renardières, Electra N 35 (1973)] from the world class research group namely Les Renardieres Group.     

Characterization of ultrasound contrast microbubbles using in vitro experiments and viscous and viscoelastic interface models for encapsulation

Zero-thickness interface models are developed to describe the encapsulation of microbubble contrast agents. Two different rheological models of the interface, Newtonian (viscous) and viscoelastic, with rheological parameters such as surface tension, surface dilatational viscosity, and surface dilatational elasticity are presented to characterize the encapsulation. The models are applied to characterize a widely used microbubble based ultrasound contrast agent. Attenuation of ultrasound passing through a solution of contrast agent is measured. The model parameters for the contrast agent are determined by matching the linearized model dynamics with measured attenuation data. The models are investigated for its ability to match with other experiments. Specifically, model predictions are compared with scattered fundamental and subharmonic responses. Experiments and model prediction results are discussed along with those obtained using an existing model [Church, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97, 1510 (1995) and Hoff et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 107, 2272 (2000)] of contrast agents.     

UV光谱研究[Cp-Fe-Cp]BF4和[Cp-Fe-Naph]BF4的光解动力学及机理

本文测定了两种新型阳离子光聚合引发剂二茂铁四氟硼酸盐（[Cp-Fe-Cp]BF4)和环戊二烯基－铁－萘四氟硼酸盐（[Cp-Fe-Naph]BF4)在二氯甲烷和环氧氯丙烷中的紫外－可见吸收光谱，研究了紫外光照射对吸收光谱的影响，通过实时紫外－可见吸收光谱分析，研究了两种光引发剂在环氧氯丙烷中的光解动力学。发现二者的吸收光谱随光照时间的变化规律一致，而且光解反应均为一级反应，速率常数分别为0.72和0.65min^-1，从而提出了二茂铁四氟硼酸盐的光引发机理。     

A general model for the absorption of ultrasound by biological tissues and experimental verification

In this paper, a closed-form expression is derived for the absorption of ultrasound by biological tissues. In this expression, the viscothermal and viscoelastic theories of relaxation processes are combined. Three relaxation time distribution functions are introduced, and it is assumed that each of these distributions can be described by an identical and simple hyperbolic function. Several simplifying assumptions had to be made to enable the experimental verification of the derived closed-form expression of the absorption coefficient. The simplified expression leaves two degrees of freedom and it was fitted to the experimental data obtained from homogenized beef liver. The model produced a considerably better fit to the data than other, more pragmatic models for the absorption coefficient as a function of frequency that could be found in the literature. Scattering in beef liver was estimated indirectly from the difference between attenuation in in vitro liver tissue as compared to absorption in a homogenate. The frequency dependence of the scattering coefficient could be described by a power law with a power of the order of 2. A comparable figure was found in direct backscattering measurements, performed at our laboratory with the same liver samples [Van den Aarssen et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (to be published)]. A model for scattering recently proposed by Sehgal and Greenleaf [Ultrason. Imag. 6, 60-80 (1984)] was fitted to the scattering data as well. This latter model enabled the estimation of a maximum scatterer distance, which appeared to be of the order of 25 micron.     

Modeling signal loss in surficial marine sediments containing occluded gas

The presence of occluded gas in inland lakes, harbor muds, and surficial marine sediments is well documented. Surficial gassy sediments cause underlying beds to be acoustically impenetrable to seismic surveys; therefore, the modeling of signal loss arising from mudline reflection and transmission absorption is of particular interest. The Anderson and Hampton [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 67, 1890-1903 (1980)] model for attenuation in gassy sediments was evaluated against the physical and acoustical properties of eight laboratory silty clay soils containing different amounts of occluded gas in bubbles of 0.2- to 1.8-mm diameter. The model was shown to give good agreement with measured data over the lower frequencies of bubble resonance and above resonance. It did not agree with measured data at frequencies below resonance, for which the model did not simulate the bulk properties of the gassy soils. The Mackenzie [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 32, 221-231 (1960)] model for reflection loss was also examined for the gassy soils. The maximum reflection losses of 6 dB, at a grazing angle of 40 degrees, does not wholly support speculation by Levin [Geophysics 27, 35-47 (1962)] of highly reflective pressure-release boundaries arising from substantial reflection and absorption losses in gassy sediments. It was found that mudlines formed from sediments with significant occluded gas may be successfully penetrated, although the substantial absorption loss arising from signal transmission through the sediment prevents penetration of the surficial layers to much beyond a meter in depth.     

Density matrix and eigenstates for an excess electron in water

We extend the molecular theory of the solvated electrons [Chandler, Singh and Richardson, J. Chem. Phys. 81, 1975 (1984)] to calculate the density matrix for an excess electron in water. Using this density matrix, the numerically obtained solvent induced interaction [Miura and Hirata, J. Phys. Chem. 98, 9649 (1994)] and our developed method [Sethia, Sanyal and Singh, J. Chem. Phys. 93, 7268 (1990)], we have calculated the eigenstates of the electron in water. These results show that the excees electron in water behaves almost like a free particle with effective mass m* in a constant potential well.