A comparative performance study of sound zoning methods in a reflective environment

Whilst sound zoning methods have typically been studied under anechoic conditions, it is desirable to evaluate the performance of various methods in a real room. Three control methods were implemented (delay and sum, DS; acoustic contrast control, ACC; and pressure matching, PM) on two regular 24-element loudspeaker arrays (line and circle). The acoustic contrast between two zones was evaluated and the reproduced sound fields compared for uniformity of energy distribution. ACC generated the highest contrast, whilst PM produced a uniform bright zone. Listening tests were also performed using monophonic auralisations from measured system responses to collect ratings of perceived distraction due to the alternate audio programme. Distraction ratings were affected by control method and programme material. Copyright © (2013) by the Audio Engineering Society

Evolution and molecular characterisation of a beta-globin gene from the Australian Echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus (Monotremata)

Coinciding with a period in evolution when monotremes, marsupials, and eutherians diverged from a common ancestor, a proto-beta-globin gene duplicated, producing the progenitors of mammalian embryonic and adult beta-like globin genes. To determine whether monotremes contain orthologues of these genes and to further investigate the evolutionary relationships of monotremes, marsupials, and eutherians, we have determined the complete DNA sequence of an echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) beta-like globin gene. Conceptual translation of the gene and sequence comparisons with eutherian and marsupial beta-like globin genes and echidna adult beta-globin indicate that the gene is adult expressed. Phylogenetic analyses do not clearly resolve the branching pattern of mammalian beta-like globin gene lineages and it is therefore uncertain whether monotremes have orthologues of the embryonic beta-like globin genes of marsupials and eutherians. Four models are proposed that provide a framework for interpreting further studies on the evolution of beta-like globin genes in the context of the evolution of monotremes, marsupials, and eutherians.Mi-Hye Lee, Robert Shroff, Steven J.B. Cooper, Rory Hop

Time and frequency structure of causal correlation networks in the China bond market

There are more than eight hundred interest rates published in China bond market every day. Which are the benchmark interest rates that have broad influences on most interest rates is a major concern for economists. In this paper, multi-variable Granger causality test is developed and applied to construct a directed network of interest rates, whose important nodes, regarded as key interest rates, are evaluated with inverse Page Rank scores. The results indicate that some short-term interest rates have larger influences on the most key interest rates, while repo rates are the benchmark of short-term rates. It is also found that central bank bills'rates are in the core position of mid-term interest rates'network, and treasury bond rates are leading the long-term bonds rates. The evolution of benchmark interest rates is also studied from 2008 to 2014, and it's found that SHIBOR has generally become the benchmark interest rate in China. In the frequency domain we detect the properties of information flows between interest rates and the result confirms the existence of market segmentation in China bond market.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure