Mendel Kleiner

The measurement of core affect: A Swedish self-report measure derived from the affect circumplex.

Three studies were conducted with the aim of developing a new Swedish self-report measure of core affect (the Swedish Core Affect Scale or SCAS). In Study 1,122 participants rated their current mood on 24 unipolar adjective scales. A revised set of 12 bipolar adjective scales was evaluated in Study 2 employing 96 participants who rated their current mood before and after a mood-inducing naturally occurring event. A slightly revised set of adjective scales was used in Study 3, in which another 96 participants rated several induced moods. The results showed that the adjective scale ratings could be aggregated as reliable measures of the independent valence and activation dimensions proposed in the affect circumplex, and that the aggregated measures discriminated mood differences within and between individuals.

Computation of edge diffraction for more accurate room acoustics auralization

Inaccuracies in computation and auralization of room impulse responses are related in part to inadequate modeling of edge diffraction, i.e., the scattering from edges of finite surfaces. A validated time-domain model (based on analytical extensions to the Biot-Tolstoy-Medwin technique) is thus employed here to compute early room impulse responses with edge diffraction. Furthermore, the computations are extended to include combinations of specular and diffracted paths in the example problem of a stage-house. These combinations constitute a significant component of the total nonspecular scattering and also help to identify edge diffraction in measured impulse responses. The computed impulse responses are then convolved with anechoic signals with a variety of time-frequency characteristics. Initial listening tests with varying orders and combinations of diffraction suggest that (1) depending on the input signal, the diffraction contributions can be clearly audible even in nonshadow zones for this conservative open geometry and (2) second-order diffraction to nonshadowed receivers can often be neglected. Finally, a practical implementation for binaural simulation is proposed, based on the singular behavior of edge diffraction along the least-time path for a given source-edge-receiver orientation. This study thus provides a first major step toward computing edge diffraction for more accurate room acoustics auralization.

Does It Make You Happy Feeling This Way? A Core Affect Account of Preference for Current Mood

Two experiments were conducted to investigate whether and how preference for current mood is related to the valence and activation dimensions of core affect. In Study 1, 100 undergraduates rated valence and activation of their naturally occurring current mood and preference for this mood. In Study 2, another 90 undergraduates performed the same ratings for various induced moods. The results showed as expected that preference for current mood is related to both valence and activation. Whereas the relation to valence is direct, the relation to activation is invertedly U-shaped with a maximum that increases with valence.

Auditory-Induced Presence in Mixed Reality Environments and Related Technology

Presence, the “perceptual illusion of non-mediation,” is often a central goal in mediated and mixed environments, and sound is believed to be crucial for inducing high-presence experiences. This chapter provides a review of the state of the art within presence research related to auditory environments. Various sound parameters such as externalization and spaciousness and consistency within and across modalities are discussed in relation to their presence-inducing effects. Moreover, these parameters are related to the use of audio in mixed realities and example applications are discussed. Finally, we give an account of the technological possibilities and challenges within the area of presence-inducing sound rendering and presentation for mixed realities and outline future research aims.

An environmental and economical solution to sound absorption using straw

The growing attentiveness to using environmentally friendly materials in the building construction industry as a whole has led many architects to research the use of natural materials. Natural fibers, such as straw, are advantageous due to their accessibility, ease of processing, and their ability to be discarded with a lesser environmental impact through biodegradability. While the material focus may have shifted, the need for quality acoustic environments has remained the same. In a set of preliminary studies, the absorption coefficients of sound absorbers using natural fibers have been proven to have comparable values relative to other highly absorptive, nonenvironmentally friendly materials such as mineral wool and fiberglass. The absorption coefficients were evaluated for octave and third‐octave frequencies (125 to 4000 Hz) using the impedance tube method with one microphone. While these absorbers may be acoustically effective as well as environmentally friendly, there may be potential concerns in us...

A new way of measuring the lateral energy fraction

Abstract A method to measure the lateral energy fraction of the early reflection pattern of a room ( L f ) is presented. The method allows a correct cos φ response as well as the more commonly used cos2 φ response. The method is based on the same dual-microphone technique which is used in intensity measurement. This means that equipment will be readily available in most laboratories. The evaluation is carried out using a digital FFT analyser. A flowchart for the analysis using a FFT analyser as well as some test data are presented. Measurement data for different environments such as an anechoic room and a symphony hall are presented. The data agrees with the predicted results.

Handheld Experiences: Using Audio To Enhance the Illusion of Self-Motion

Handheld multimedia devices could benefit from multisensory technologies. The authors discuss audio, visual, and tactile cues designed to maximize presence and the illusion of self-motion.

Simultaneous acoustic channel measurement via maximal-length-related sequences

A wide variety of acoustic systems has multiple sources and receivers. This paper proposes a technique for making acoustic measurements simultaneously for multiple sources. The proposed technique features a collection of excitation signals of the maximum-length sequence (MLS) and MLS-related classes. Each signal in the set has a pulse-like autocorrelation function, and the cross-correlation functions between arbitrary pairs of signals drawn from the set have peak values that are significantly lower than the peak magnitude of the autocorrelation functions. The proposed method is particularly valuable when characterization of multisource, multireceiver system must be accomplished in a limited time period. Both simulation and experimental results are presented that demonstrate the feasibility and fidelity of the proposed techniques in characterizing acoustic systems.

Affective Reactions to and Preference for Combinations of Interior Aircraft Sound and Vibration

Affective reactions to the interior aircraft environment are a basic constituent of perceived ride quality. This study addresses affective reactions to combinations of interior aircraft sound and vibration. In agreement with findings from environmental psychology, it was found that the combinations of six interior aircraft sounds and vibrations (no vibration, 16 Hz, and 95 Hz) gave rise to affective reactions described by two dimension s: valence (unpleasantness-pleasantness) and activation (activated-deactivated). Moreover, preferences for the affective reactions induced by the sound-vibration combinations were related to both of the affect dimensions. Taken together, these findings suggests that (a) different combinations of sound and vibration induce different affective state and (b) by measuring preference in addition to affective reactions, ride quality optimization may be facilitated.

Components in Evaluation of cOmplex Interior Truck Sounds

In order to investigate influences on assessment of interior truck sounds two experiments have been carried out with emphasis on the low frequency content. In the first experiment the participants were presented with recorded sound from the interior of a truck cabin, with different alterations of the low frequency content. In the second experiment the balance between low and high frequency content was altered for the recorded sounds. Three main dimensions important for the assessment of truck sounds were found: an Annoyance factor, a Wakefulness factor and a Quality factor. Additionally it was found that a well-suited spectral balance could improve positive impressions of truck sound.