Influences of combined traffic noise on the ability of learning and memory in mice.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the influences of combined traffic noise (CTN) on the ability of learning and memory in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were exposed to CTN from highways and high-speed railways for 42 days, whose day-night equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (Ldn) was 70 dB(A). On the basis of behavioral reactions in Morris water maze (MWM) and the concentrations of amino acid neurotransmitters in the hippocampus, the impacts of CTN on learning and memory in mice were examined. RESULTS: The MWM test showed that the ability of learning and memory in mice was improved after short-term exposure (6-10 days, the first batch) to 70 dB(A) CTN, which showed the excitatory effect of stimuli. Long-term exposure (26-30 days, the third batch; 36-40 days, the fourth batch) led to the decline of learning and memory ability, which indicated the inhibitory effect of stimuli. Assays testing amino acid neurotransmitters showed that the glutamate level of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group in the first batch. However, the former was lower than the latter in the third and fourth batches. Both, behavioral reactions and the concentrations of amino acid neurotransmitters, testified that short-term exposure and long-term exposure resulted in excitatory effect and inhibitory effect on the ability of learning and memory, respectively. CONCLUSION: The effects of 70 dB(A) CTN on the ability of learning and memory were closely related to the exposure duration. Furthermore, those effects were regulated and controlled by the level of glutamate in the hippocampus.

Emotion recognition from sound stimuli based on back-propagation neural networks and electroencephalograms.

This research aims to explore the feasibility of using back-propagation (BP) neural networks and electroencephalograms (EEGs) to recognize the emotional reactions induced by sound stimuli in the dimensions of pleasure and arousal, as well as compare the recognition performance of each method on these two dimensions. It could provide an aided design on choosing proper sounds to induce or regulate individuals' emotional states under specific situations for potential users at the design stage. Emotional reactions to different sound stimuli are investigated by Self-Assessment Manikin. The results of BP neural network indicate that the arousal predictions are more satisfactory than the pleasure predictions, and the recognition rates can be improved by optimizing input parameters. EEG signals induced by sound stimuli are recorded. The results show that when induced by each pleasant sound, the Average Power of Electroencephalogram of the α wave in the left frontal pole electrode is significantly lower than that in the right frontal pole electrode, while when induced by each unpleasant sound, the former is significantly higher than the latter. This finding indicates that pleasant and unpleasant sounds can be identified based on the asymmetry of the α wave between the left and right frontal pole electrodes.

Annoyance and activity disturbance induced by high-speed railway and conventional railway noise: a contrastive case study.

BACKGROUND: High-speed railway (HR, Electrified railway with service speed above 200 km/h.) noise and conventional railway (CR, Electrified railway with service speed under 200 km/h.) noise are different in both time and frequency domain. There is an urgent need to study the influence of HR noise and consequently, develop appropriate noise evaluation index and limits for the total railway noise including HR and CR noise. METHODS: Based on binaural recording of HR and CR noises in a approximate semi-free field, noise annoyance and activity disturbance induced by maximal train pass-by events in China were investigated through laboratory subjective evaluation. 80 students within recruited 102 students, 40 males and 40 females, 23.9 ± 2.1 years old, were finally selected as the subjects. After receiving noise stimulus via headphone of a binaural audio playback system, subjects were asked to express the annoyance or activity disturbance due to railway noise at a 0-100 numerical scale. RESULTS: The results show that with the same annoyance rating (A) or activity disturbance rating (D), the A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level (LAeq) of CR noise is approximately 7 dB higher than that of HR noise. Linear regression analysis between some acoustical parameters and A (or D) suggests that the coefficient of determination (R2) is higher with the instantaneous fast A-weighted sound pressure level (LAFmax) than that with LAeq. A combined acoustical parameter, LHC = 1.74LAFmax + 0.008LAFmax(Lp-LAeq), where Lp is the sound pressure level, was derived consequently, which could better evaluate the total railway noise, including HR and CR noise. More importantly, with a given LHC, the noise annoyance of HR and CR noise is the same. CONCLUSIONS: Among various acoustical parameters including LHC and LAeq, A and D have the highest correlation with LHC. LHC has been proved to be an appropriate index to evaluate the total railway noise, including both HR and CR. However, it should be pointed out that this study provides suggestive evidence, rather than a final proof. Further study is expected to elucidate conclusions above by additional measurements.

Aircraft noise exposure affects rat behavior, plasma norepinephrine levels, and cell morphology of the temporal lobe.

In order to investigate the physiological effects of airport noise exposure on organisms, in this study, we exposed Sprague-Dawley rats in soundproof chambers to previously recorded aircraft-related noise for 65 d. For comparison, we also used unexposed control rats. Noise was arranged according to aircraft flight schedules and was adjusted to its weighted equivalent continuous perceived noise levels (L(WECPN)) of 75 and 80 dB for the two experimental groups. We examined rat behaviors through an open field test and measured the concentrations of plasma norepinephrine (NE) by high performance liquid chromatography-fluorimetric detection (HPLC-FLD). We also examined the morphologies of neurons and synapses in the temporal lobe by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our results showed that rats exposed to airport noise of 80 dB had significantly lower line crossing number (P<0.05) and significantly longer center area duration (P<0.05) than control animals. After 29 d of airport noise exposure, the concentration of plasma NE of exposed rats was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). We also determined that the neuron and synapsis of the temporal lobe of rats showed signs of damage after aircraft noise of 80 dB exposure for 65 d. In conclusion, exposing rats to long-term aircraft noise affects their behaviors, plasma NE levels, and cell morphology of the temporal lobe.

[Optimally control urban railway noise by sound propagation path].

In order to control railway noise pollution in urban areas, the residential district located near the Zhegan railway in Hangzhou urban was taken for example, and some controlling measures were proposed based on the investigation in railway noise impact as well as the planning of the district, the environmental scene and the project devises. The measures included setting man-made soil slopes, noise barriers and virescence. Combining some of them could be a typical noise reduction scheme. The professional software Cadna/A was used to predict the noise reduction results of every scheme. Results show that the maximal difference of noise reduction is 19.4 dB and the noise reduction effect of the second scheme is best. However, if only railway noise influence is considered, the first scheme is best. The research results can provide reference for residential districts planning and noise control near the railway in urban areas.

[Impact of low-frequencies noise on the ability of thinking and judgment].

Three typical low frequency noise samples which were collected from some associated facilities in urban residential areas and white noise which was produced by acoustic apparatus were selected to compare the competence of brainwork index (AYP) and error rate in noisy environment with those in quiet environment, using dosage exercise method. The result indicates that AYP is lower in noisy environment and the error rate is higher than that in quiet environment, and there are significant differences between them. The changes of most testees in groups that use three different low frequency noise samples respectively are more obvious than the group that uses white noise, and the AYP difference attains significant level. It indicates that low frequency components are the main frequency elements to affect the ability of thinking and judgment. By paired samples t-test and frequency spectrums analysis, the results show that the impact degree of air condition outdoor unit noise is highest, and noise samples which have a peak frequency between 50-300 Hz have a more negative impact on the ability of thinking and judgment than other environmental noise.

[Computer simulation model of propagation and impact of undergroud garage noise between buildings in urban residential region].

Aimed at certain types of building dispositions in urban residential region, the noise impacts of the underground garage is analyzed and calculated with the simulation model of random point sound source. The comparison between the predicted results and measured value of noise level shows that the predicted model presents an acceptable degree of accuracy. Adopting this model to predict noise impacts of the underground garage in designed and newly-built residential region will provide scientific basis for effective noise

[Prediction and influence factors of the ramp's noise of the entrance or exit of garages].

Some typical entrances/exits of the underground garages are chosen in urban residential areas. On the basis of the optimization of the positions of the noise sampling points and the groupings of the synchronous sampling points, by means of the acoustical analysis of the noise samples, the relation of the correlative factors, among the ramps' noise of the entrances or exits of the garages, the structure, grade, shape of the ramps, upgrade and downgrade, is studied. The prediction model of the ramp's noise influence of the entrance or exit of the garage is established through amending the noise influence of the entrance or exit of the even concrete road.

Subjective annoyance caused by indoor low-level and low frequency noise and control method.

The influence of low-level noise has not been widely noticed. This paper discovered that low-level and low frequency noise (A-weighted equivalent level Leq < 45 dB) causes higher probability of subjective annoyance. The fuzzy mathematic principle was applied to deal with the threshold level of subjective annoyance from noise in this study; there is preferable relationship between the indoor noise and noise annoyance at low frequency noise level. Study indicated at the same centered noise level, the change of annoyance probability is mainly caused by the change of the frequency spectrum characteristic of the indoor noise. Under low noise level environment, without change of the medium-low frequency noise, the slight increase of medium-high frequency noise level with the help of noise sheltering effect can significantly reduce the noise annoyance. This discovery brings a new resolution on how to improve the environmental quality of working or living places. A noise control model is given in this study according to the acoustic analysis.

A new approach of drawing airport noise contours on computer based on Surfer.

Noise contours are used to describe the extent of airport noise pollution and to plan land use around airports. The L(WECPN) (weighted equivalent continuous perceive noise level) recommended by ICAO(International Civil Aviation Organization) is adopted as airport noise rating parameter in this paper. With the help of various mathematical models in the software Surfer, noise contours can be drawn automatically by the completed program in Visual C++ Code. Corrections for thrust, velocity, atmospheric temperature, humidity and lateral ground attenuation are also considered in the new method, which can improve the efficiency of drawing contours. An example of its use for drawing noise contours of an airport in Zhejiang Province of China is proposed and the predictions and the measurements show agreements well.