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Urban natural parks represent a remarkable concept that evokes the coexistence of human habitation with a wild environment, and the associated interactions between human and natural territories. In this context, urban noise infringes upon the natural soundscape, leading to various consequences for both realms. This study seeks to characterize the impact of anthropic noise levels on biodiversity in the urban natural Văcărești Park (Bucharest, Romania), utilizing on-site measurements and software simulation techniques. The study seeks to develop a method for evaluating integrative strategies to mitigate the impact of traffic noise on wildlife in an urban wild park, without addressing the specific effects of noise on the perception and communication of individual species. By calibrating field measurements with laboratory results, a more reliable data set will be used to identify areas where the biophonic environment is impacted by anthropogenic noise. Since human-generated noise in an urban natural park predominantly originates from road traffic and industrial sites, managing traffic noise and its propagation pathways could substantially improve the park's soundscape. Additionally, this study will apply software simulations for noise reduction strategies, such as vegetation planting and earthen embankments, to obtain suitable solutions and propose plausible and effective actions to authorities for improving the biophonic environment. This research could also serve as the basis for long-term monitoring, allowing for the assessment of the evolution and impact of implemented measures over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Der Beitrag stellt in aller Kürze das Konzept der Soundscape vor, wie es vor allem von R. Murray Schafer (1977) entwickelt worden ist. Ausgehend von Schafer wird in der Folge argumentiert, dass es sich bei der Bibliothek um eine spezifische Ausprägung einer Soundscape handelt, die im Kontrast zur gesellschaftlichen Umwelt als klangliche Heterotopie (Hi-Fi-Soundscape) beschrieben werden kann. Diese Hi-Fi-Umgebung trägt maßgeblich zur Entstehung einer lernförderlichen Atmosphäre in Bibliotheken bei, die unter anderem mit Begriffen wie „Bibliothekskonzentration“ oder die „Out-of-the-Box-Konzentration“ (Fansa, 2008) beschrieben worden ist und als Alleinstellungsmerkmal der Einrichtung gilt. Das Soundscape-Konzept ermöglicht hier eine neue analytische Perspektive auf diese Zusammenhänge, wodurch ein Mehrwert unter anderem für die bibliothekarischen Diskussionen um den physischen Lernort Bibliothek generiert werden kann. Zum Abschluss werden einige potentielle Anschlussthemen skizziert.

Background: Despite growing attention from researchers and governments, challenges persist in comprehensively assessing urban sound quality by integrating both quietness and naturalness aspects. Goals: This study aimed to develop an innovative soundscape quality index that concurrently evaluates quietness and naturalness in urban soundscapes. Our objectives included conducting urban soundscape quality mapping, analyzing influential mechanisms, and identifying priority zones for sound environment management. Approaches: We collected sound pressure level (SPL) and raw audio data, from which we computed a normalized difference soundscape index (NDSI). With a dataset comprising 28 explanatory variables encompassing land use, built environment, vegetation characteristics, and temporal factors, we employed the random forest (RF) model to predict 10 indicators, including eight SPL-related indices, NDSI, and the QNS (quietness and naturalness soundscape) index. Crucially, we utilized SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values to interpret the RF model. Findings: Spatial variations in quietness and naturalness were evident, closely associated with road networks and vegetation, respectively, with discernible temporal variations. The top three variables influencing QNS were distance to major roads, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and proportion of tree coverage. Moreover, interaction effects highlighted dual negative or synergistic promoting effects on QNS from factors such as road width, human disturbance, vegetation configurations, and land cover. Notably, these mechanisms were successfully applied to six typical tourist attractions in Xiamen city, where five types of management zones were mapped based on priority considerations of population density and soundscape quality. Interestingly, natural soundscape reserves were highly correlated with city parks, high-risk zones predominantly overlapped with road networks, and potential zones comprised inner communities between streets. Significance: The framework demonstrated effectiveness in mapping, exploring mechanisms, and guiding management strategies for the urban sound environment.

Urban natural parks represent a remarkable concept that evokes the coexistence of human habitation with a wild environment, and the associated interactions between human and natural territories. In this context, urban noise infringes upon the natural soundscape, leading to various consequences for both realms. This study seeks to characterize the impact of anthropic noise levels on biodiversity in the urban natural Văcărești Park (Bucharest, Romania), utilizing on-site measurements and software simulation techniques. The study seeks to develop a method for evaluating integrative strategies to mitigate the impact of traffic noise on wildlife in an urban wild park, without addressing the specific effects of noise on the perception and communication of individual species. By calibrating field measurements with laboratory results, a more reliable data set will be used to identify areas where the biophonic environment is impacted by anthropogenic noise. Since human-generated noise in an urban natural park predominantly originates from road traffic and industrial sites, managing traffic noise and its propagation pathways could substantially improve the park’s soundscape. Additionally, this study will apply software simulations for noise reduction strategies, such as vegetation planting and earthen embankments, to obtain suitable solutions and propose plausible and effective actions to authorities for improving the biophonic environment. This research could also serve as the basis for long-term monitoring, allowing for the assessment of the evolution and impact of implemented measures over time.

Despite growing attention from researchers and governments, challenges persist in comprehensively assessing urban sound quality by integrating both quietness and naturalness aspects. This study aimed to develop an innovative soundscape quality index that concurrently evaluates quietness and naturalness in urban soundscapes. Our objectives included conducting urban soundscape quality mapping, analyzing influential mechanisms, and identifying priority zones for sound environment management. We collected sound pressure level (SPL) and raw audio data, from which we computed a normalized difference soundscape index (NDSI). With a dataset comprising 28 explanatory variables encompassing land use, built environment, vegetation characteristics, and temporal factors, we employed the random forest (RF) model to predict 10 indicators, including eight SPL-related indices, NDSI, and the QNS (quietness and naturalness soundscape) index. Crucially, we utilized SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values to interpret the RF model. Spatial variations in quietness and naturalness were evident, closely associated with road networks and vegetation, respectively, with discernible temporal variations. The top three variables influencing QNS were distance to major roads, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and proportion of tree coverage. Moreover, interaction effects highlighted dual negative or synergistic promoting effects on QNS from factors such as road width, human disturbance, vegetation configurations, and land cover. Notably, these mechanisms were successfully applied to six typical tourist attractions in Xiamen city, where five types of management zones were mapped based on priority considerations of population density and soundscape quality. Interestingly, natural soundscape reserves were highly correlated with city parks, high-risk zones predominantly overlapped with road networks, and potential zones comprised inner communities between streets. The framework demonstrated effectiveness in mapping, exploring mechanisms, and guiding management strategies for the urban sound environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noise pollution is one of the common physical harmful factors in many work environments. The current study aimed to assess personal and environmental sound pressure level and project the sound-Isosonic map in one of the Razavi Khorasan Paste manufacture using Surfer V.14 and Noise at work V.5.0. This cross-sectional, descriptive study is analytical that was conducted in 2018 in the Paste factory that contains Canister, production and Brewing unit. Following ISO 9612:2009, Casella Cel-320 was used to measure personal sound pressure level, while CEL-450 sound level meter (manufactured by Casella-Cel, the UK) was employed to assess environmental sound pressure level. Statistical analyzes was done using SPSS V.18 and Linear Regression test. The sound-isosonic maps were projected using Surfer V. 14 and Noise at work V.5.0. The results of assessing personal sound pressure level indicated that the highest received dose (172.21%) and personal equivalent sound level (87.36 dBA) were recorded for workers in the Canister unit. According to results of measuring of the environmental sound pressure level, out of 16 measurement stations in this unit, overall 87.5% were regarded as danger and caution areas. The lowest and highest sound pressure levels in this units were 61 dBA and 92 dBA that belong to Brewing and Canister units respectively. Results indicate Over 75% of the Canister and production units had a sound pressure level greater than 85 dBA and these two units were regarded as the most dangerous area in terms of noise pollution. It is therefore necessary to implement noise control measures, apply hearing protection program and auditory tests among workers in these units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Łódzkie Studia Etnograficzne is the property of Polish Ethnological Society / Polskie Towarzystwo Ludoznawcze and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this article I investigate online sound mapping practices, taking cartophony - the coming together of cartographic and sonic activities - as an important contribution to emerging ways of thinking and practicing mapping. I first develop a typology of approaches to cartophony, before moving on to reveal the normative tendencies of online combinations of sound and mapping through an analysis of three platforms: Freesound; audioBoom; and Radio Aporee. Showing how in different ways each of these platforms supports an approach to sound mapping that favours pinning high fidelity, indexical audiorecordings to a seemingly neutral base layer, I question what is glossed over through this approach, while also considering how visual and sound-based strategies for communicating about places illuminate and resonate with one another. Discussing some more experimental online sound maps, I highlight the value of such projects in their current form, and argue for the continued expansion of cartophonic practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos de Música, Artes Visuales y Artes Escénicas is the property of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Noise is regarded as a major physical hazard in work environments. The current study aimed at investigating environmental sound pressure level and sound mapping in an Iranian safety shoes production factory in 2017 using Surfer V.13. This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted among 3 units of a safety shoes production factor. Casella noise dosimeter (Cel-320) was used to measure individuals' exposure to noise, while 450 Casella-Cel sound level meter (manufactured in England) was utilized to assess environmental sound pressure level. The collected data were then fed into Surfer V.13 to draw the isosonic map. The results of assessing individuals' exposure showed that workers in the cutting, stitching, and stuffing unit had excessive exposure to noise (over 85.76 dB, which is the standard limit). The results of measuring environmental sound pressure level also showed that 32.3% of the measurement stations were located in the danger zone (with sound pressure levels greater than 85 dBA). The highest sound pressure levels measured in Lewis and lineage, injection, and cutting, stitching, and stuffing units were 88, 89, and 93 dB, respectively. Based on the obtained results, the cutting, stitching and stuffing is in dire need of engineering controls and working, trafficking, and stopping limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sound source localization is a well-researched subject with applications ranging from localizing sniper fire in urban battlefields to cataloging wildlife in rural areas. One critical application is the localization of noise pollution sources in urban environments, due to an increasing body of evidence linking noise pollution to adverse effects on human health. Current noise mapping techniques often fail to accurately identify noise pollution sources, because they rely on the interpolation of a limited number of scattered sound sensors. Aiming to produce accurate noise pollution maps, we developed the SoundCompass, a low-cost sound sensor capable of measuring local noise levels and sound field directionality. Our first prototype is composed of a sensor array of 52 Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones, an inertial measuring unit and a low-power field-programmable gate array (FPGA). This article presents the SoundCompass’s hardware and firmware design together with a data fusion technique that exploits the sensing capabilities of the SoundCompass in a wireless sensor network to localize noise pollution sources. Live tests produced a sound source localization accuracy of a few centimeters in a 25-m2 anechoic chamber, while simulation results accurately located up to five broadband sound sources in a 10,000-m2 open field.

In this paper, we revisit the acoustics education program using mobile devices to better understand urban environments. We begin with a summary of our past projects to demonstrate a model case of the concept. In these projects, the output was mainly supposed to be a noise map with measured sound pressure levels (SPLs) and sound spectra. This methodology can obviously be applied to larger-scale urban studies. Including measured sound spectra can be another advantage. Next, current problems in measurement accuracy due to recent device developments are explained and the required examinations are stated. Finally, the accuracy of the current versions of the applications as well as recently available devices are discussed. The results of this study provide information regarding the measurement accuracy of mobile devices, and some suggestions for their practical use are given, which are also useful for additional studies pertaining to the urban acoustic environment.

Developments in electronics and computer science have led to the introduction of an automated bioacoustic identification device used to resolve commonly encountered problems in the identification of animal species in the field. This technology aids our auditory observations, and also improves the quality of biological surveys and environmental monitoring. In this paper the future roles and possibilities of bioacoustics are discussed, providing some examples from the realm of environmental education and monitoring that focus on the use of nature sounds.

Sound source localization is a well-researched subject with applications ranging from localizing sniper fire in urban battlefields to cataloging wildlife in rural areas. One critical application is the localization of noise pollution sources in urban environments, due to an increasing body of evidence linking noise pollution to adverse effects on human health. Current noise mapping techniques often fail to accurately identify noise pollution sources, because they rely on the interpolation of a limited number of scattered sound sensors. Aiming to produce accurate noise pollution maps, we developed the SoundCompass, a low-cost sound sensor capable of measuring local noise levels and sound field directionality. Our first prototype is composed of a sensor array of 52 Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones, an inertial measuring unit and a low-power field-programmable gate array (FPGA). This article presents the SoundCompass's hardware and firmware design together with a data fusion technique that exploits the sensing capabilities of the SoundCompass in a wireless sensor network to localize noise pollution sources. Live tests produced a sound source localization accuracy of a few centimeters in a 25-m² anechoic chamber, while simulation results accurately located up to five broadband sound sources in a 10,000-m² open field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses noise distribution in a workplace by the use of software generated maps. Noise level distribution is calculated based on sound theory with the assumption that machines are modeled as point sources. Computer software calculates noise levels from input data. The sound properties of all noise producing office equipment are known values. The influence of the variation of machine positions was analyzed and it was concluded that noise reduction could be achieved by location management of office equipment in the work-space. The software was tested in a printing office. It is shown that for certain positions of the printing equipment the noise level is minimal. Computer modeling for noise reduction has crucial significance in such cases where the production lines are located in workplaces whereby a standard acoustic criteria has not been met and also where workers do not wear hearing protectors. The results of applied software and calculating procedure are available to machinery designers who construct new workplaces or modify the present production lines taking into account the aspect of noise level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, Arnold transformation and double random-phase encoding technique widely used in digital image information hiding are introduced to digital audio information hiding. The digital audio is transformed into a 2-D image called sound map and then the sound map will be divided into many windows and each window will be encrypted based on the Arnold transformation. Finally sound map will be re-encrypted based on double random-phase encoding technique. This method offers many advantages for digital audio information hiding: improve security and high attack immunity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper we draw on the analysis of sound in film theory in order to explore the potential that sound offers cybercartography. We first argue that the theoretical body developed in film studies is highly relevant to the study of sound/image relationships in mapmaking. We then build on this argument to develop experimental animated and interactive sound maps for the Cybercartographic Atlas of Antarctica that further explore the potential of sound for integrating emotional, cultural and political dimensions in cartography. These maps have been designed to recreate cinematic soundscapes, to provide contrapuntal perspectives on the cartographic image and to generate an aural identity of the atlas. As part of this experimental mapping, an innovative sound infrastructure is being developed to allow complex sound designs to be transmitted over the Internet as part of atlas content. Through this infrastructure the user can select as well as contribute his own sounds. The overall cartographic message is becoming less predictable, thus opening new perspectives on the way we design, interact with, and modify sounded maps over the Internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographical research and cartography have, for the most part, neglected sound, even though it is an important part of the environment within which human society exists. This article examines the use of sound in other disciplines, arguing that cartography is unusual in its relatively limited use of sound and examining research indicating that sound has the potential to provide useful options to cartographers in their map designs. The article then presents research carried out using interactive sound as an added dimension of maps designed to be accessible over the World Wide Web. The sounds are conceived as an integral part of the map, augmenting rather than replicating the visual information to provide new insights into the subject matter of the map. The article presents a detailed discussion of the design of a map of results from the Canadian federal election of 28 June 2004, showing a selection of electoral districts in the vicinity of Ottawa, ON. The map, implemented using Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), JavaScript, and recorded audio files, uses recorded speeches by the leaders of the federal political parties to provide an auditory dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of the sonic environment in major cities is becoming increasingly important owing to growing concerns regarding noise pollution and the need to preserve the soundscape as intangible cultural heritage. The objective of the present study is to demonstrate the use of a smartphone as a platform to collect sound data and generate a sound map based on soundwalks in major European cities. The sonic environments of the five major cities namely Paris, London, Amsterdam, Prague and Milan are presented and compared with those of two smaller European cities: Trondheim and Aachen. Among these seven European cities, Aachen is the quietest city, with equivalent and maximum sound pressure levels (SPLs) of about 66.5 dBA and 85.8 dBA, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]