Data on subglottal pressure and SPL at varied vocalloudness and pitch in 8- to 11-year-old children

Phonation threshold pressure has been defined as the minimum subglottalpressure to generate phonation. Previous research has indicated that children may habitually employ higher subglottal pressures than adults. In the present investigation sound pressure level (SPL) and subglottal pressures at different pitch levels were measured at and above phonation threshold in nine children. Phonation threshold values were scattered in reasonable agreement with Titzes' prediction, although a discrepancy was noted regarding the frequency dependence in some voices. At normal conversational loudness and loudest level of phonation the children's PS values were between two to four and four to eight times the predicted threshold values, respectively. At normal conversational loudness and habitual pitch subglottal pressures were lower than those previously observed for children, but similar to those found for female adults. The SPL in softest and loudest phonation were somewhat lower as compared to previous phonetogram data for children and for female adults. At normal loudness and habitual pitch the SPL values were similar to those of female adults. For a doubling of P_s mean SPL increased by 10.5 dB on the average.     

Comparison on the mixture rules of sound velocities used in characterizing biomedium components

In this paper, several mixtrue rules of sound velocity and their useful ness in characterizing the components of biomedium are analysed. It is pointed out that for characterizing the components of biomedium, the rules are compatible with each other under certain conditions, and the errors between each rule and real sound velocity are diffferent. It concludes that there is no general rule suitable for various media among above mentioned rules.     

椰胡声功率级的半消声室测试

椰胡是具有地方特色的拉弦乐器之一,多用于演奏广东音乐和广东戏曲、曲艺的伴奏。但对其发声强度一直未进行过科学的测试。本文介绍在华南理工大学半消声室内参照ISO(GB)标准对椰胡声功率级的测量工作。由两位资深乐师分别用两把椰胡在pp,mp,f和ff力度下演奏单音、音阶和乐曲,对每一把椰胡的每一测试内容,由十通道测试设备同步测试中心频率为100～10000 Hz的1/3倍频带声压级谱,通过计算获得每把椰胡在演奏每项内容时的声功率级和动态范围。通过对两把椰胡的测试结果进行平均,获得该乐器在演奏上述内容时的典型声功率级数值及频谱。文中并将半消声室内的测试结果与混响室内的测试结果相对比,探讨测试环境对测试结果的影响。民族乐器发声强度及其频谱特性的获得是开展民族音乐厅堂音质研究的基础。     

Insertion loss of sound waves through composite acoustic window materials

This study evaluated the insertion loss of sound waves through composite acoustic window materials for sonar dome applications, and examined the influence of dome shape on the sonar performance. The insertion loss of sound waves through acoustic window materials was experimentally measured as a function of frequency at normal incidence. The insertion loss was also theoretically estimated with three- and four-medium layer models. The theoretical estimation of insertion loss showed good agreement with the experimental measurements. The insertion loss was also measured as a function of angle of incidence. The characteristics of longitudinal and converted shear waves were observed at various angles of incidence. This study will be useful to select acoustic window materials with the appropriate acoustic characteristics for practical sonar dome applications.     

Propagation of sound waves through a spatially homogeneous but smoothly time-dependent medium

The propagation of sound through a spatially homogeneous but non-stationary medium is investigated within the framework of fluid dynamics. For a non-vortical fluid, especially, a generalized wave equation is derived for the (scalar) potential of the fluid velocity distribution in dependence of the equilibrium mass density of the fluid and the sound wave velocity. A solution of this equation for a finite   transition period τ$\tau$ is determined in terms of the hypergeometric function for a phenomenologically realistic, sigmoidal change of the mass density and sound wave velocity. Using this solution, it is shown that the energy flux of the sound wave is not conserved but increases always   for the propagation through a non-stationary medium, independent of whether the equilibrium mass density is increased or decreased. It is found, moreover, that this amplification of the transmitted wave arises from an energy exchange with the medium and that its flux is equal to the (total) flux of the incident and the reflected wave. An interpretation of the reflected wave as a propagation of sound backward in time is given in close analogy to Feynman and Stueckelberg for the propagation of anti-particles. The reflection and transmission coefficients of sound propagating through a non-stationary medium is analyzed in more detail for hypersonic waves with transition periods τ$\tau$ between 15 and 200 ps as well as the transformation of infrasound waves in non-stationary oceans.     

Suppression of slag foaming by a sound wave

The aim of this work was to study the effects of sound frequency, sound intensity and viscosity of slag on the slag foaming rate and the steady-state foam height. Experiments were carried out using two slags (BaO–B₂O₃) melted at a temperature of 1223 or 1273 K, as well as water–glycerin solutions at room temperature. Low frequency sound waves (<1.3 kHz) are found to be more effective in the slag foaming suppression than high frequency waves (1.3–12 kHz). The steady-state foam height decreases abruptly when the sound pressure reaches a threshold value that depends on sound frequency and liquid viscosity. The results can be explained in terms of enhancing the rates of liquid drainage and film rupture induced by sound.     

Multiple speeds of flame edge propagation for Lewis numbers above one

Edges of diffusion flames in a counterflow burner are examined numerically for Lewis greater than unity. When the speed of propagation is plotted against Damköhler for a range of Lewis a fold bifurcation is observed. It is shown that there exist stable positively and negatively propagating edges for some Damköhler and Lewis number pairs. It is further shown that changed local conditions can lead to a transition from positive (advancing into the unburnt gasses) to negative (receding) propagation.     

Development of a highway traffic noise prediction model that considers various road surface types

A highway traffic noise prediction model has been developed for environmental assessment in South Korea. The model is based on an outdoor sound propagation method and is fully compliant with ISO 9613 and the sound power level (PWL) estimation for a road segment, as suggested in the ASJ Model-1998 that is based on PWLs. Due to that model’s selection of two pavement types, such as asphalt or concrete pavement, an unacceptable traffic noise prediction is made in cases where the road surface is different from that on which the model is based. In order to address this problem, several road surface types are categorized, and the PWL of each surface type is determined and modeled by measuring the noise levels obtained from newly developed methods. An evaluation of the traffic noise prediction model using field measurements finds good agreement between predicted and measured noise levels.     

A simple impulse sound source for measurements in room acoustics

This paper deals with the construction and characteristics of a specially designed wooden clapper intended to operate as an impulse sound source for measurements in rooms. It is to be used as an alternative impulse sound source for experimental estimations of impulse responses of rooms located at remote and specific places where none of the standard sound sources - an omnidirectional loudspeaker system, etc. - can be used. The paper describes the spectral characteristics and directivity of the clapper impulse. Its features are compared with other impulse sources.     

A pilot study on improving the absorptivity of a thick microperforated panel absorber

Microperforated panel (MPP) absorbers are promising as a basis for the next-generation of sound absorbing materials. MPPs are typically made of a thin metal or plastic panel. However, thin limp panels are generally not suitable as an interior finish of room walls because they do not have sufficient strength, which prevents practical application of MPPs as an interior finish of room walls. In order to overcome the lack of appropriate strength required for room walls, it is possible to make an MPP out of a thick panel. However, thick MPPs are usually not efficient because the resistance and/or reactance become too high. In this study, trial production of thick MPPs and measurement of their normal absorption coefficients were carried out. Results show that efficient absorption can be given with a thick MPP by using a tapered perforation.