The validation of acoustic environment simulator to determine the relationship between sound objects and soundscape

An acoustic environment simulator is a system that facilitates acoustic environment composition by controlling the parameters of sound objects (both background and sound events), allowing the user to compose and compare soundscapes against their expectations. By using the acoustic environment simulator, data regarding parameters of sound objects, such as their sound level and selection, can be obtained. Furthermore, these data can be used to understand the relationship between the sound objects and the soundscapes. This paper describes the development and validation of an acoustic environment simulator, which can be used to design a complex acoustic environment in the laboratory according to the expectations of the user. Validation of the simulated soundscape, whether the composed acoustic environment has the same soundscape dimension characteristics as previous in-situ and other laboratory experiments, was conducted by reproducing acoustic environment compositions using a two-dimensional ambisonic system in the laboratory. Listener responses on semantic differential scales were reduced to three reliable soundscape dimensions by principal component analysis: Calmness/Relaxation (40%), Dynamics/Vibrancy (12%), and Communication (11%). These three soundscape dimensions are consistent with a previous study conducted in situ. The results reported here indicate that acoustic environment composition can successfully imitate the soundscape dimensions of an actual acoustic environment

The effect of sound level on perception of reproduced soundscapes

The aim of this work was to investigate the perception of soundscape reproduced by an ambisonic reproduction system on a horizontal plane, how the experience of space affected the perception of soundscape reproduction, and how the sound level adjustment on soundscape reproduction affected the perception of soundscape compared with actual conditions. There were three experiments conducted: a soundwalk in situ in Manchester (United Kingdom) city centre, listening tests in Salford (United Kingdom), and listening tests in Bandung (Indonesia). The listening tests used material recorded from four locations on the soundwalk route in Manchester. The Salford listening tests were performed at the in-situ measured sound level, and the participants were asked to adjust the sound level to the level that represents actual locations. The listening test in Bandung was conducted to understand the effect of participants who never come to the actual location to the perception of soundscape and the sound level adjustment. The listening tests in Bandung were conducted at the in situ sound level, at 9.5 dB below the in situ sound level (based on the preference sound level from the experiment in Salford), and the participants were also requested to adjust the sound level to the level that represents the actual space (to examine the consistency with the experiment in Salford). In each case, soundscape perception was measured on 19 semantic differential scales. Analysis of the semantic differential results showed that the ambisonic reproduction produced a similar subjective experience to the in situ soundwalk when the reproduction sound level was 9.5 dB lower than the actual sound level in situ. Reproduction at the actual sound level in situ produced a different dimensional space. The study shows that the sound level adjustment of soundscape reproduction in laboratory experiment produces more ecologically valid results compared to the reproduction at the actual sound level in situ

Predictors of oral health-related quality of life in patients following stroke

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Is hypercholesterolaemia common among Hong Kong Chinese?

There is growing concern that coronary heart disease (CHD) is becoming more common and that hypercholesterolaemia may be an important problem among Hong Kong Chinese. This study aims at finding out the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia among adult patients in general practice. 1113 Chinese patients aged 21 to 60 attending a Government general outpatient clinic were randomly sampled. The demographic data and information on other CHD risk factors were obtained from each participant. All participants had their cholesterol measured by the Reflotron. The reflotron cholesterol results were validated and calibrated against laboratory results. The survey showed 10% of the sample had blood cholesterol > 6.2mmol/l, and 32% had borderline hypercholesterolaemia between 5.2 to 6.2mmol/l. Less than 1% of the people had cholesterol levels above 7.8mmol/l. Age had the most significant effect on cholesterol level especially in females after 40. One in four females over 50 had blood cholesterol levels > 6.2mmol/l. Twentyone percent of the sample had > 2 other CHD risk factors, over half of them had cholesterol >5.2mmol/l. The main problem among Hong Kong Chinese is borderline hypercholesterolaemia which is most significant in people with additional CHD risk factors. Cholesterol screening will be more costeffective if directed to people known to have other CHD risk factors but may not be worthwhile for the low risk group.published_or_final_versio

Increasing prevalence of advanced colonic polyps in young patients undergoing colonoscopy in a referral academic hospital in Hong Kong

Aim: To investigate the distribution and frequency of advanced polyps over eight years. Methods: 6424 colonoscopies were reviewed during the study period 1998 to 2005. The study period was subdivided into period I: 1998 to 2001 and period II: 2002-2005. Results: 1856 polyps (33% advanced polyps) and 328 CRCs were detected. The mean ages of the patients with advanced polyps and cancer were 69.2 ± 12.0 and 71.6 ± 13.8 years, respectively. Advanced polyps were mainly left sided (59.5%). Advanced polyps were found in patients ≤ 60 years from 17.7% in period I to 26.3% in period II (P 0.05). Conclusion: Advanced polyps increased significantly in the younger male group in the most recent period and there seems to be a shift towards a proximal location. © 2007 WJG. All rights reserved.published_or_final_versio

An integrated particle sampler and lung radiation dosimeter

A lung dosimeter that can record the nonradiological hazard of aerosol particles to the lung as well as the radiological hazard of air borne radionuclides that are attached to aerosol particles has been developed. The dosimeter is capable of recording aerosol particles of diameters from 10-2 μm to 102 μ by electrostatic collection in a specially designed dosimeter body. The aerosol size distribution is recorded on a mylar strip and the activity size distribution of α, β, and γ radiation emitting aerosols recorded on another strip coated with α-Al2O3:C. Both strips can be read by a specially built reader, the output of which can be used to calculate the nonradiological hazard and radiological hazard, respectively, and to give an overall picture of the exposure.published_or_final_versio

Orofacial pain and associated impacts in southern Chinese people

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Laying the Groundwork for the Development of the Data Archive of the New Robotic Telescope

The Liverpool Telescope has been in fully autonomous operation since 2004. The supporting data archive facility has largely been untouched. The data provision service has not been an issue although some modernisation of the system is desirable. This project is timely. Not only does it suit the upgrade of the current LT data archive, it is in line with the design phase of the New Robotic Telescope which will be online in the early-2020s; and with the development of a new data archive facility for a range of telescopes at the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand. The Newton Fund enabled us to collaborate in designing a new versatile generic system that serves all purposes. In the end, we conclude that a single system would not meet the needs of all parties and only adopt similar front-ends while the back-ends are bespoke to our respective systems and data-flows

Effectiveness of a mobile smoking cessation service in reaching elderly smokers and predictors of quitting

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Different smoking cessation programmes have been developed in the last decade but utilization by the elderly is low. We evaluated a pilot mobile smoking cessation service for the Chinese elderly in Hong Kong and identified predictors of quitting.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Mobile Smoking Cessation Programme (MSCP) targeted elderly smokers (aged 60 or above) and provided service in a place that was convenient to the elderly. Trained counsellors provided individual counselling and 4 week's free supply of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Follow up was arranged at 1 month by face-to-face and at 3 and 6 months by telephone plus urinary cotinine validation. A structured record sheet was used for data collection. The service was evaluated in terms of process, outcome and cost.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>102 governmental and non-governmental social service units and private residential homes for the elderly participated in the MSCP. We held 90 health talks with 3266 elderly (1140 smokers and 2126 non-smokers) attended. Of the 1140 smokers, 365 (32%) received intensive smoking cessation service. By intention-to-treat, the validated 7 day point prevalence quit rate was 20.3% (95% confidence interval: 16.2%–24.8%). Smoking less than 11 cigarettes per day and being adherent to NRT for 4 weeks or more were significant predictors of quitting. The average cost per contact was US$54 (smokers only); per smoker with counselling: US$168; per self-reported quitter: US$594; and per cotinine validated quitter: US$827.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This mobile smoking cessation programme was acceptable to elderly Chinese smokers, with quit rate comparable to other comprehensive programmes in the West. A mobile clinic is a promising model to reach the elderly and probably other hard to reach smokers.</p

Orofacial pain and quality of life in elderly Chinese people

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