Discrimination experiment of sound distance perception for a real source in near-field

International audienceThe ability of distance perception is quite important for our daily life. For the backward region where the vision cannot cover, listeners perceive objects only via binaural hearing, and the distance perception for a backward sound source is very important. It helps listeners to perceive an approaching sound source and avoid dangerous object especially when the sound source is in the rear. In the free field, the main acoustic distance perception cues for a nearby sound source include intensity variation with distance, binaural cues, dynamic cues, spectrum change and direct-to-reverberant energy ratio (Pavel Zahorik, 2005). Theoretically, all the above mentioned cues can be simulated via virtual auditory display (VAD), and realized by using a real sound source in an anechoic chamber. In comparison, the results based on a real sound source measurement should be more accurate. Previous researches have proved that the sound pressure has a giant influence on the ability of distance discrimination in both near field and far field when source is in front of head (Daniel H. Ashmead, 1990). However, few researches attempt to examine the binaural effect alone in distance perception. The theory was based on a fact that both the sound intensities and spectrums of a nearby sound will be different in two ears due to the head shadow, and these differences will change with distance when the sound source is lateral (PAUL D. COLEMAN, 1963). To verify the impact of binaural effect to distance discrimination, we conducted an experiment to exam the backward sound distance perception thresholds when the sound is presented from different azimuths in the horizontal plane. We used an automatic test system controlled by a computer in an anechoic room, eight listeners participated in the test. A loudness balanced band noise was used as test signals to remove the influence of sound level, and the signal was presented in 75 dBA. One signal was presented in the reference distance (50cm or 100cm), while the other one was presented in a closer distance, and sequence is random. The subjects need to do 2IFC (choose the closer one) between the signals presented in two different distances, and no feedback was given to subjects.The discrimination thresholds of two reference distances (0.5m and 1m) and five source azimuth (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°, right half plane of head) were examined in the experiment. The result show that subjects distance discrimination thresholds are lower when the sound source is on the side of head (about 20%) compared with front and back (above 30%), distinguishing two signals become quite difficult for participants when signals are presented in azimuth 0° and 180°. Moreover, this phenomenon is more prominent in 50cm compared with 100cm, while the effect of head shadow is more significant in 50cm. The results obtained in this study are consistent with previous studies and reveal that the binaural effect indeed contributes to distance discrimination process of human in a degree. This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11574090) and the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (Grant No. 2018B030311025)

Short-term wind power combination forecasting method based on wind speed correction of numerical weather prediction

The temporal variation of wind power is primarily influenced by wind speed, exhibiting high levels of randomness and fluctuation. The accuracy of short-term wind power forecasts is greatly affected by the quality of Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) data. However, the prediction error of NWP is common, and posing challenges to the precision of wind power prediction. To address this issue, the paper proposes a NWP wind speed error correction model based on Residual Network-Gated Recurrent Unit (ResNet-GRU). The model corrects the forecasted wind speeds at different heights to provide reliable data foundation for subsequent predictions. Furthermore, in order to overcome the difficulty of selecting network parameters for the combined prediction model, we integrate the Kepler Optimization Algorithm (KOA) intelligent algorithm to achieve optimal parameter selection for the model. We propose a Convolutional Neural Network-Long and Short-Term Memory Network (CNN-LSTM) based on Attention Mechanism for short-term wind power prediction. Finally, the proposed methods are validated using data from a wind farm in northwest China, demonstrating their effectiveness in improving prediction accuracy and their practical value in engineering applications

Localization of Virtual Sound Source Reproduced by the Crosstalk Cancellation System Under Different Reflective Conditions

This study explores the localization of virtual sound source reproduced by the crosstalk cancellation system under different reflective conditions in virtual rooms and analyzes the localization results with binaural cues. Binaural room impulse responses are generated using the high-order image source method. By modifying the acoustic parameters of the virtual room to manipulate the intensity and temporal structure of the reflection, psychoacoustic experiments were conducted using headphone reproduction. The experimental results indicate that, changes in reflection intensity within a certain range by altering the room reverberation time (RT) do not cause noticeable variations in virtual source localization. Increasing the loudspeaker–listener distance (changing temporal structure of reflections) deteriorates localization performance. The primary distinction between variations in the loudspeaker–listener distance and RT lies in whether the temporal structure of the reflection component changes. Overall, the study highlights the importance of the reflection temporal structure in the virtual source localization. The analysis of binaural cues indicates that, even in reverberant environments, the interaural time difference exhibits greater consistency with localization than the interaural level difference

Influence of Audiovisual Training on Horizontal Sound Localization and Its Related ERP Response

The objective was to investigate the influence of audiovisual training on horizontal sound localization and the underlying neurological mechanisms using a combination of psychoacoustic and electrophysiological (i.e., event-related potential, ERP) measurements on sound localization. Audiovisual stimuli were used in the training group, whilst the control group was trained using auditory stimuli only. Training sessions were undertaken once per day for three consecutive days. Sound localization accuracy was evaluated daily after training, using psychoacoustic tests. ERP responses were measured on the first and last day of tasks. Sound localization was significantly improved in the audiovisual training group when compared to the control group. Moreover, a significantly greater reduction in front-back confusion ratio for both trained and untrained angles was found between pre- and post-test in the audiovisual training group. ERP measurement showed a decrease in N1 amplitude and an increase in P2 amplitude in both groups. However, changes in late components were only found in the audiovisual training group, with an increase in P400 amplitude and decrease in N500 amplitude. These results suggest that the interactive effect of audiovisual localization training is likely to be mediated at a relatively late cognitive processing stage

Schottky-Contact Formation between Metal Electrodes and Molecularly Doped Disordered Organic Semiconductors

We study using three-dimensional kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations to what extent the formation of Schottky contacts between a metal electrode and a molecularly doped disordered organic semiconductor can be understood from the theory for crystalline inorganic semiconductors, adapted to include the effects of the localized nature of the states in which the charge carriers reside and the hopping transport in between these states. The thickness of the Schottky-contact depletion region is found to be significantly smaller than as expected when the energetical disorder is neglected. The presence of energetic disorder is also found to influence the voltage dependence of the width of the depletion regions near the contacts of single-layer double-Schottky-contact devices. The voltage drop over the two depletion regions and the remaining charge-neutral bulk layer is shown to be described successfully by a semianalytical model, based on an accurately parameterized bulk mobility function of the dopant concentration, energetic disorder, and the electric field. We furthermore find that the mobility in the depletion regions is drastically reduced. As a result, the depletion-region formation process can be ultraslow, with a characteristic time scale ranging from microseconds to beyond milliseconds.</p

Expected geoneutrino signal at JUNO using local integrated 3-D refined crustal model

Geoneutrinos serve as a potent tool for comprehending the radiogenic power and composition of Earth. Although geoneutrinos have been observed in prior experiments, the forthcoming generation of experiments,such as JUNO, will be necessary for fully harnessing their potential. Precise prediction of the crustal contribution is vital for interpreting particlephysics measurements in the context of geo-scientific inquiries. Nonetheless, existing models such as JULOC and GIGJ have limitations in accurately forecasting the crustal contribution. This paper introduces JULOCI, the novel 3-D integrated crustal model of JUNO, which employs seismic, gravity, rock sample, and heat flow data to precisely estimate the geoneutrino signal of the lithosphere. The model indicates elevated concentrations of uranium and thorium in southern China, resulting in unexpectedly strong geoneutrino signals.The accuracy of JULOC-I, coupled with a decade of experimental data, affords JUNO the opportunity to test multiple mantle models. Once operational, JUNO can validate the model predictions and enhance the precision of mantle measurements. All in all, the improved accuracy ofJULOC-I represents a substantial stride towards comprehending the geochemical distribution of the South China crust, offering a valuable tool for investigating the composition and evolution of the Earth through geoneutrinos.Comment: Substantial updates on the model and predictions, submitted versio

JUNO Sensitivity to Invisible Decay Modes of Neutrons

We explore the bound neutrons decay into invisible particles (e.g., $n\rightarrow 3 \nu$ or $nn \rightarrow 2 \nu$) in the JUNO liquid scintillator detector. The invisible decay includes two decay modes: $n \rightarrow { inv}$ and $nn \rightarrow { inv}$. The invisible decays of $s$-shell neutrons in $^{12}{\rm C}$ will leave a highly excited residual nucleus. Subsequently, some de-excitation modes of the excited residual nuclei can produce a time- and space-correlated triple coincidence signal in the JUNO detector. Based on a full Monte Carlo simulation informed with the latest available data, we estimate all backgrounds, including inverse beta decay events of the reactor antineutrino $\bar{\nu}_e$, natural radioactivity, cosmogenic isotopes and neutral current interactions of atmospheric neutrinos. Pulse shape discrimination and multivariate analysis techniques are employed to further suppress backgrounds. With two years of exposure, JUNO is expected to give an order of magnitude improvement compared to the current best limits. After 10 years of data taking, the JUNO expected sensitivities at a 90% confidence level are $\tau/B( n \rightarrow { inv} ) > 5.0 \times 10^{31} \, {\rm yr}$ and $\tau/B( nn \rightarrow { inv} ) > 1.4 \times 10^{32} \, {\rm yr}$.Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures, 4 table

Psychoacoustic Principle, Methods, and Problems with Perceived Distance Control in Spatial Audio

One purpose of spatial audio is to create perceived virtual sources at various spatial positions in terms of direction and distance with respect to the listener. The psychoacoustic principle of spatial auditory perception is essential for creating perceived virtual sources. Currently, the technical means for recreating virtual sources in different directions of various spatial audio techniques are relatively mature. However, perceived distance control in spatial audio remains a challenging task. This article reviews the psychoacoustic principle, methods, and problems with perceived distance control and compares them with the principles and methods of directional localization control in spatial audio, showing that the validation of various methods for perceived distance control depends on the principle and method used for spatial audio. To improve perceived distance control, further research on the detailed psychoacoustic mechanisms of auditory distance perception is required.</jats:p