Subjective Evaluation of Acoustic Environment in Underground Spaces

2012 ◽  
Vol 450-451 ◽  
pp. 1498-1503
Author(s):  
Qi Meng ◽  
Jian Kang ◽  
Hong Jin

Previous studies have demonstrated that users’ evaluation of acoustic environment such as subjective loudness or acoustic comfort depends on a series of factors in a particular space, rather than only on sound pressure levels. In this study, more than 2800 interviews have been undertaken at underground spaces in Harbin, China, to find out influencing factors to users’ evaluation, considering both space conditions and demographical factors. Based on the analysis of case study results, it has been found that in underground spaces, background music is generally noticeable and preferred, and it is useful for psychologically ‘masking’ other less preferred sound sources. While there is a linear correlation between the measured LAeq and the subjective loudness, the relationship between the measured LAeq and the acoustic comfort evaluation is of a parabolic shape, and the acoustic comfort is the best when LAeq is around 65-70dB. There is no significant difference between different age groups, whereas people with a higher income level tend to feel that an underground space is nosier and less acoustically comfortable.

2012 ◽  
Vol 518-523 ◽  
pp. 3809-3813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Meng ◽  
Tian Ze Gong ◽  
Yi Shan Du

Nowadays, the users’ evaluation of sound environment in the railway stations is focused by all kinds of experts. Comparing with other spaces, the waiting hall is usually recognized as the most important space in the railway station. In this study, more than 600 questionnaire survey has been undertaken at 4 waiting halls of railway stations in capital cities of China, to determine how the sound sources and sound pressure level influence acoustic evaluation. More details of acoustic evaluation in the waiting hall of Harbin railway station are given in this paper. Based on the analysis of the investigation results, it has been found that in the waiting halls of railway stations, PA system is generally noticeable and ‘masking’ other less preferred sound sources, while sound from mobiles is preferred by passengers. The relationship between the measured LAeq and the subjective loudness, acoustic comfort evaluation as well as subjective loudness and acoustic comfort are all of a linear shape, and the acoustic comfort is general better when LAeq is lower than 75dBA.


2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (02) ◽  
pp. 187-192
Author(s):  
EJAZ HUSSAIN SIDDIQUI ◽  
SAAD SIDDIQUI ◽  
NOREEN SHAH

Objectives: To assess common presenting features and the role of Ultrasound in evaluation of Hepatobiliary diseases in ourpopulation. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Khyber X rays, Khyber Medical Centre, Peshawar. Period: August 2010 to December2010. Material and Methods: Data from patients presenting for evaluation of Hepatobiliary diseases was analyzed for presenting complaintsand ultrasound findings according to objectives of the study. Results: In total 197 cases were included in the study. The age wise categorizationincluded pediatric population (6.1%) adult population (87.3%) and geriatric population (6.6%). Upper abdominal pain was the most commonpresenting feature in all age groups as well as in both genders. Cholelithiasis with or without cholecystitis was the most common ultrasoundfinding in all age groups. No statistically significant difference was found between presenting features or ultrasound findings in different agegroups as well as across gender. Conclusions: Hepatobiliary diseases are among major illnesses in our region. Ultrasound is a sensitive anduseful tool for screening and evaluation of Hepatobiliary disorders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 232596712092793
Author(s):  
Christopher Antonacci ◽  
Thomas R. Atlee ◽  
Peter N. Chalmers ◽  
Christopher Hadley ◽  
Meghan E. Bishop ◽  
...  

Background: Pitching velocity is one of the most important metrics used to evaluate a baseball pitcher’s effectiveness. The relationship between age and pitching velocity after a lighter ball baseball training program has not been determined. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between age and pitching velocity after a lighter ball baseball training program. We hypothesized that pitching velocity would significantly increase in all adolescent age groups after a lighter baseball training program, without a significant difference in magnitude of increase based on age. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Baseball pitchers aged 10 to 17 years who completed a 15-week training program focused on pitching mechanics and velocity improvement were included in this study. Pitchers were split into 3 groups based on age (group 1, 10-12 years; group 2, 13-14 years; group 3, 15-17 years), and each group trained independently. Pitch velocity was assessed at 4 time points (sessions 3, 10, 17, and 25). Mean, maximum, and mean change in pitch velocity between sessions were compared by age group. Results: A total of 32 male baseball pitchers were included in the analysis. Mean/maximum velocity increased in all 3 age groups: 3.4/4.8 mph in group 1, 5.3/5.5 mph in group 2, and 5.3/5.2 mph in group 3. While mean percentage change in pitch velocity increased in all 3 age groups (group 1, 6.5%; group 2, 8.3%; group 3, 7.6%), the magnitude of change was not significantly different among age groups. Program session number had a significant effect on mean and maximum velocity, with higher mean and maximum velocity seen at later sessions in the training program ( P = .018). There was no interaction between age and program session within either mean or maximum velocity ( P = .316 and .572, respectively). Conclusion: Age had no significant effect on the magnitude of increase in maximum or mean baseball pitch velocity during a velocity and mechanics training program in adolescent males.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario D’Orazio ◽  
Giulia Fratoni ◽  
Anna Rovigatti ◽  
Massimo Garai

Italian Historical Opera Houses are private or public spaces built around a cavea, with tiers of boxes on the surrounding walls. At the early age – from 16th to 18th century – boxes were private properties of the richest class, typically the financial responsible of the whole building. The stalls hosted the middle class, that gradually increased its social position and for this reason the wooden seats were progressively replaced by chairs. The gallery was reserved to lower classes. Does this social division correspond to a different acoustic comfort? The present work tries to answer this question using subjective preference models provided by scholars. With this aim, the room criteria defined by different authors and in distinct times are lined up with the ISO 3382 standards and analysed depending on the acoustic peculiarities of an Italian Historical Opera House selected as case study. Calibrated impulse responses were handled through the numerical simulations of a whole orchestra of virtual sound sources in the pit.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 3994
Author(s):  
Wei Tong Chen ◽  
Hew Cameron Merrett ◽  
Shih Tong Lu ◽  
Leonard Mortis

Construction partnering is commonly touted as a win-win arrangement for project owners and contractors alike. The failure or success of construction partnering arrangements is contingent upon a multitude of influences, many of which can be controlled through careful planning and active project management. This study examines the key failure factors (KFFs) of construction partnering projects based on data collected from a survey of industry professionals in Taiwan. Methods: Factor analysis is performed using data gathered from a survey of industry practitioners operating in Taiwan to identify KFFs and better understand the level of significance of each factor. A total of 15 failure variables (FV) were included in the survey. This study applied Principle Components Analysis to classify groups of crucial FV relevant to construction partnering based on their relative perceived contribution to project failure. Study results confirm that there are four KFFs to partnering failure in construction projects; they are absence of agility, collaboration barriers, partnering barriers, and organizational management barriers. The biggest influencer on partnership failure in construction projects is the association between absence of agility and organizational management barriers, while the next most significant is the relationship between collaboration barriers and partnering barriers. Avoiding failure of construction partnering requires careful planning and management considerations of the four KFFs found.


Noise Mapping ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Aletta ◽  
Jian Kang

AbstractIn the guidelines about the management of areas of good environmental noise quality recently published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) it is suggested to combine different methodologies, like noise mapping, sound level measurements and the soundscape approach. Such a recommendation has started to be recognised by a number of local authorities in Europe that are gradually integrating a holistic concept into their environmental noise policies. This research aimed to explore and demonstrate the possibility to integrate conventional noise mapping methods and soundscape methods in an actual urban redevelopment project. A case study was made using the Valley Gardens project in Brighton & Hove (UK). Different scenarios of sound-pressure level distributionswere simulated for both traffic sound sources (i.e. noise maps) and natural sound sources (i.e. sound maps). Additionally, individual responses about the sound environment of the place collected during an on-site question survey were used to implement soundscape maps.The overall picture revealed that the road traffic noise should be reduced, but also it is feasible that preferred sounds likewater features or birdsong could be introduced to make the sound environment more appropriate for the place. Generally, within the framework of this research, noise maps, sound maps and soundscape maps were used together to "triangulate" different layers of information related to the acoustic environment and the way it is perceived, providing a possible working procedure to consider for planners and policy-makers in the future.


2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 716-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia S Anand ◽  
Janet Wittes ◽  
Salim Yusuf

Background The relationship and roles among the steering committee, the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), and the sponsor of a randomized clinical trial (RCT) must be carefully defined to ensure the integrity of the trial. Purpose We present an unusual scenario that arose during the conduct of a large RCT in Canada that involved the relationship of the steering committee and the DSMB with the peer review sponsor. Methods Case study of a large RCT conducted in Canada and a commentary on the roles and responsibilities of the steering committee, DSMB, and sponsor. Conclusions This case illustrates the need for funding agencies to understand the importance of respecting the independence of the DSMB and the need to keep confidential emerging trends regarding study results, including the conditional probability, during the conduct of a trial.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Ahmet BAŞKAN

The study aimed to determine the relationship between writing anxiety and writing self-efficacy of students learning Turkish as a foreign language. The study sample consisted of 247 international students at B1 and B2 levels at the Turkish Education Application and Research Center of a foundation university. The Writing Anxiety Scale for Learners of Turkish as a Foreign Language, developed by Şen and Boylu (2017), was used to determine students’ writing anxiety. There were 13 items and two factors on the scale: Action-Oriented Anxiety and Environmental Oriented Anxiety. The Writing Self-Efficacy Scale for Turkish Students who Learn Turkish was developed by Büyükikiz (2012) to determine the students’ writing self-efficacy. This two-factor scale had 16 items and explained 56.85% of the variance. The research was designed based on the relational screening model. SPSS 21.0 package programs were used to analyze the data. The study results indicated a significant positive relationship between writing anxiety and writing self-efficacy of students who learned Turkish as a foreign language. Besides, there was no significant difference between the Turkish learners’ scores from the writing anxiety scale and their language level.


2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 519-521
Author(s):  
D G Krechikova ◽  
Sh F Erdes ◽  
V A Milyagin

Aim. To establish the prevalence of complaints of joint swelling and arthralgia among the population of Smolensk city, to assess their correlation with the presence of rheumatic diseases. Methods. A cross-sectional telephone questionnaire survey of residents of six therapeutic districts of two municipal polyclinics of Smolensk city was conducted. Interviewed were 2737 people (64.8% females and 35.2% males). The average age of respondents was 49.1±17.6 years. Results. Swelling of the joints at the time of the survey was revealed in 665 (24.3%) of respondents, in the majority of which (583 people, 21.3%) the symptoms persisted for more than the last 12 months. Pain in the knee joints was observed in 1141 (41.7%) residents, including arthralgia lasting more than a year - in 1012 (37.0%) people. The relationship between both of the symptoms and the gender (the predominance of women) and age (an increasing linear nature of the frequency of complaints in males and non-linear with a peak in the group of 70-80-year-olds - in females) was revealed. It was established that only 41.3% of respondents with joints swelling and 30.9% with arthralgia had a previously established diagnosis of rheumatic disease. Conclusion. The study results suggest that there is high prevalence of rheumatic complaints among residents of Smolensk city with a predominance of articular disease in women and individuals of older age groups; revealed was the fact of low awareness of the population of the existing rheumatic disease.


Author(s):  
Mariana Ing Malelak ◽  
Nathania Mirabel Halim

This study aims to examine spending patterns in the millennial generation in Surabaya. Respondents of this study were the millennial generation who were divided into two age groups, namely 21-28 years old, who were referred to as junior millennials, and those aged 29-36 years who were referred to as senior millennials. The analysis technique used is a crosstab to examine the relationship between age and spending pattern of the millennial generation and an independent-sample t-test to test the difference between the spending pattern of the junior millennials and senior millennials. This study showed a significant relationship between age and spending pattern on the millennial generation, and there is a significant difference between the spending pattern of the junior millennials and senior millennials.


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