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This paper presents an efficient real-time estimation and rendering of an acoustical environment for augmented reality(AR). An AR application obtains information about a given environment based on the detected surfaces with thecamera, as well as the positions virtual sound sources andlistener. Then an artificial reverberator is calibrated basedon these data. An evaluation is carried out both in an actualand in a virtual room (by using pre-rendered impulse responses and convolution). Results indicate a perceptual preference towards simpler artificial reverberators. Taken together, our implementation and perceptual evaluation results contribute to the challenge of real-time interaction in a real, dynamic environment so that the virtual objects areregistered in that environment not only visually, but also inthe auditory modality.

The NLRP3 inflammasome is an important regulator of the sterile inflammatory response and its activation by host-derived sterile molecules leads to the intracellular activation of caspase-1, processing of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL 1β)/IL-18, and pyroptotic cell death. Inappropriate activation of NLRP3 drives a chronic inflammatory response and is implicated in several non-communicable diseases, including gout, atherosclerosis, type II diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we report the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel boron compounds (NBCs) as NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors. Structure-activity relationships (SAR) show that 4-F groups on the phenyl rings retain NLRP3 inhibitory activity, whereas more steric and lipophilic substituents diminish activity. Loss of inhibitory activity is also observed when the CCl3 group on the oxazaborine ring is replaced by a CF3 group. These findings provide additional understanding of the NBC series and will aid in the development of these NLRP3 inhibitors as tool compounds or therapeutic candidates for sterile inflammatory diseases.

Summary NLRP3 is a receptor important for host responses to infection, yet is also known to contribute to devastating diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and others, making inhibitors for NLRP3 sought after. One of the inhibitors currently in use is 2-aminoethoxy diphenylborinate (2APB). Unfortunately, in addition to inhibiting NLRP3, 2APB also displays non-selective effects on cellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Here, we use 2APB as a chemical scaffold to build a series of inhibitors, the NBC series, which inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro and in vivo without affecting Ca2+ homeostasis. The core chemical insight of this work is that the oxazaborine ring is a critical feature of the NBC series, and the main biological insight the use of NBC inhibitors led to was that NLRP3 inflammasome activation was independent of Ca2+. The NBC compounds represent useful tools to dissect NLRP3 function, and may lead to oxazaborine ring-containing therapeutics., Graphical Abstract, Highlights • New inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome are described • NLRP3 inflammasome activation is independent of Ca2+ • These new inflammasome inhibitors are effective in vivo • The inhibitors described may lead to the development of new drugs, The NLRP3 inflammasome is known to contribute to damaging inflammation during disease. Baldwin et al. describe a new boron-containing series of inflammasome inhibitors, which may lead to the development of new anti-inflammatory molecules and allow further interrogation of inflammatory mechanisms.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2 enzymes. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a multi-protein complex responsible for the processing of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β and is implicated in many inflammatory diseases. Here we show that several clinically approved and widely used NSAIDs of the fenamate class are effective and selective inhibitors of the NLRP3 inflammasome via inhibition of the volume-regulated anion channel in macrophages, independently of COX enzymes. Flufenamic acid and mefenamic acid are efficacious in NLRP3-dependent rodent models of inflammation in air pouch and peritoneum. We also show therapeutic effects of fenamates using a model of amyloid beta induced memory loss and a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. These data suggest that fenamate NSAIDs could be repurposed as NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors and Alzheimer's disease therapeutics., NSAID-induced analgesia is typically induced by inhibition of COX enzymes. Here the authors show instead that fenamate NSAIDs inhibit the Nlrp3 inflammasome via an effect on volume-regulated anion channel function and also repurpose these drugs for therapeutic effect in rodent models of Alzheimer disease.

An interactive museum exhibit of a digitally augmented medieval musical instrument, the tromba marina, is presented. The tromba marina is a curious single stringed instrument with a rattling bridge, from which a trumpet-like timbre is produced. The physical instrument was constructed as a replica of one found in Musikmuseet in Frederiksberg. The replicated instrument was augmented with a pickup, speakers and digital signal processing to create a more reliable, approachable and appropriate instrument for interactive display in the museum. We report on the evaluation of the instrument performed at the Danish museum of musical instruments.

The internal noise present in a linear system can be quantified by the equivalent noise method. By measuring the effect that applying external noise to the system’s input has on its output one can estimate the variance of this internal noise. By applying this simple “linear amplifier” model to the human visual system, one can entirely explain an observer’s detection performance by a combination of the internal noise variance and their efficiency relative to an ideal observer. Studies using this method rely on two crucial factors: firstly that the external noise in their stimuli behaves like the visual system’s internal noise in the dimension of interest, and secondly that the assumptions underlying their model are correct (e.g. linearity). Here we explore the effects of these two factors while applying the equivalent noise method to investigate the contrast sensitivity function (CSF). We compare the results at 0.5 and 6 c/deg from the equivalent noise method against those we would expect based on pedestal masking data collected from the same observers. We find that the loss of sensitivity with increasing spatial frequency results from changes in the saturation constant of the gain control nonlinearity, and that this only masquerades as a change in internal noise under the equivalent noise method. Part of the effect we find can be attributed to the optical transfer function of the eye. The remainder can be explained by either changes in effective input gain, divisive suppression, or a combination of the two. Given these effects the efficiency of our observers approaches the ideal level. We show the importance of considering these factors in equivalent noise studies.