Natural Sounds Research Articles

Combined Effects of the Visual–Acoustic Environment on Public Response in Urban Forests

Urban forests are increasingly recognized as vital components of urban ecosystems, offering a plethora of physiological and psychological benefits to residents. However, the existing research has often focused on single dimensions of either visual or auditory experiences, overlooking the combined impact of audio–visual environments on public health and well-being. This study addresses this gap by examining the effects of composite audio–visual settings within three distinct types of urban forests in Fuzhou, China: mountain, mountain–water, and waterfront forests. Through field surveys and quantitative analysis at 24 sample sites, we assessed visual landscape elements, soundscapes, physiological indicators (e.g., heart rate, skin conductance), and psychological responses (e.g., spiritual vitality, stress relief, emotional arousal, attention recovery) among 77 participants. Our findings reveal that different forest types exert varying influences on visitors’ physiology and psychology, with waterfront forests generally promoting relaxation and mountain–water forests inducing a higher degree of tension. Specific audio–visual elements, such as plant, water scenes, and natural sounds, positively affect psychological restoration, whereas urban noise is associated with increased physiological stress indicators. In conclusion, the integrated effects of audio–visual landscapes significantly shape the multisensory experiences of the public in urban forests, underscoring the importance of optimal design that incorporates natural elements to create restorative environments beneficial to the health and well-being of urban residents. These insights not only contribute to the scientific understanding of urban forest impact but also inform the design and management of urban green spaces for enhanced public health outcomes.

The Effect of Soundscape on Sense of Place for Residential Historical and Cultural Areas: A Case Study of Taiyuan, China

A soundscape carries the culture and memories of historical and cultural areas, capable of evoking people’s emotions towards a place. This paper aims to explore the influence of the soundscape on the sense of place in historical and cultural areas using a mixed-method approach. Conducting on-site measurements, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews in four areas in Taiyuan, China, this research utilized structural equation modeling and grounded theory for analysis. Research findings: Firstly, the soundwalk method identified 11 categories of soundscapes and the main sources of noise in residential areas were traffic sounds and commercial sounds. Secondly, residents showed the highest preference for natural sounds and traditional activity sounds. Preferences for activities’ sounds and traditional sounds, along with the perceived frequency of daily life sounds, entertainment activities’ sounds, and natural sounds were positively associated with the sense of place, while the perceived frequency of commercial sounds, traffic sounds, and pet sounds was negatively associated. Lastly, from the grounded theory, this research showed that traditional sounds effectively enhanced residents’ sense of place by triggering memories, embodying culture, and connecting emotions. Daily life sounds linked residents’ lives and prompted visions, while local dialects evoked emotion and culture. Activities’ sounds served as lubricants for the place, primarily triggering residents’ sense of place from a lifestyle and emotional connection.

Exploring the effects of soundscape perception on place attachment: A comparative study of residents and tourists

The critical role of soundscapes in nurturing place attachment, affecting individuals' emotional ties and perceptions of specific locations, has been historically undervalued. In this case, this study examined the profound interrelationships between soundscapes and human connections to place, with a focus on the contrasting perspectives of residents and visitors. Based on on-site surveys on Kulangsu Island involving both groups, this research examined the difference in soundscape perception and place attachment as well as their relationships between the two groups. The findings revealed that residents and visitors showed a shared inclination towards natural sounds alongside the recognition of artificial sounds, while a significant divide emerged in the evaluation of overall soundscapes. Residents displayed a heightened sense of place attachment compared to visitors, characterized by feelings of belongingness and uniqueness. Notably, visitors' place attachment was closely tied to various soundscape evaluation indicators, particularly correlated with the perception of artificial and mechanical sounds. In contrast, residents' place attachment is independent of soundscape evaluations, while is influenced positively by the preference for natural sounds. This contrast underscores the differing perspectives and objectives between the two groups. The results facilitate a deeper understanding of the pivotal role of soundscapes in shaping human-place relationships, informing both academic discourse and practical applications.

Control preoperative anxiety with self-relaxation

Anxiety experienced by preoperative patients is a normal response, but when the anxiety response causes disturbances in physiological and psychological function, this becomes an abnormal response. The impact of anxiety before surgery can have an impact on the operation so that it must be postponed. Action is needed to overcome the anxiety experienced by the patient. One that can by givingSelf relaxound therapy, that is by providing a combination of relaxation interventionsmaybeandnature sound developed by researchers which is done by perception and self-suggestion while listening to natural sounds and deep breathing exercises. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of relaxationself relaxound on patient anxiety before laparotomy surgery. This type of research uses quantitative research, by designquasi experiment using a non planequivalent without control group. This research was carried out in the surgical inpatient room on 32 respondents. Anxiety measurement uses a questionnaireZung Self Rating Scale. Data analysis usingPaired Sample T test with a significance limit of 0.05. The results of the analysis obtained a p value = 0.000 (α 0.05), which shows that there is a significant effect between therapyself relaxound with patient anxiety. Psychological problems are closely related to surgery, for this the researchers suggestSelf relaxound therapy can be considered as a nursing procedure for every preoperative patient.

Measuring soundscape quality of urban environments using physiological indicators: Construction of physiological assessment dimensions and comparison with subjective dimensions

Residents and designers typically pursue healthy urban acoustic environments. The soundscape community has established internationally recommended standards for subjective questionnaires to evaluate soundscape quality; however, much work is still needed to standardise physiological assessments. This study measures the physiological responses and subjective evaluations of participants in 20 common sound sources (scenarios) in urban public open spaces, and discusses the potential dimensions when assessing the quality of urban soundscapes through physiological indicators. Categorical principal components analysis are employed to reduce the dimensionality of the physiological data. The results indicate that physiological Dimension 1 represents the Natural–Artificial dimension, and physiological Dimension 2 potentially represents the Regular–Irregular dimension, providing a rough estimate of regularity or predictability in soundscapes. Subjective data are used as a control for physiological data, subjective Dimension 1 can be summarised as the Calm (Pleasant)–Chaotic (Annoying) dimension, whereas subjective Dimension 2 can be summarised as Familiar (Congruent)–Unfamiliar (Incongruent). Through comparing and discussing the distributions in physiological and subjective models under different sound sources, it is found that both physiologically and subjectively, the foremost dimension (Dimension 1) represents comfort and pleasure, and natural sounds can be distinctly differentiated from noise through this dimension. Although its physiological significance is not clear, the two-dimensional physiological indicator model reveals distinctions between sound sources of various categories. These findings have implications for the planning and design of liveable and comfortable urban environments from the perspective of physiological indicators.

Investigating the effectiveness of music therapy combined with binaural beats on chronic tinnitus: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundBinaural beat stimulation (BBS) involve presenting two sinusoidal waves with specific frequency differences to induce neural changes in the brain, often used for mental state induction and symptom reduction. However, there are limited studies on its effectiveness for tinnitus. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of combining binaural beats with music containing nature sounds for chronic tinnitus. MethodsA total of 30 men, aged 45.87 on average (SD = 8.09), who had chronic tinnitus and symmetrical mild to moderate hearing loss, were included in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: MT group (Music therapy; n = 15), which received relaxing music containing the sound of sea waves, and MT + BBS group (Music therapy plus binaural beats; n = 15), which received the same music combined with alpha frequency (8 Hz) binaural beats. The therapy sessions were conducted twice a day for 15 min, over a period of 4 weeks. Outcome measures, including the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the pitch and loudness of tinnitus were administered before, immediately after, and during the three-month follow-up period. ResultsThe findings revealed improvements in loudness and annoyance VAS, as well as THI total and all subscale scores in both groups (p < 0.001). Additionally, TFI total score showed improvement in both groups (MT: p = 0.001; MT + BBS: p < 0.001) except for the sense of control subscale in both groups and the cognitive subscale in the MT group after the treatment and during the three-month follow-up period. Furthermore, both groups exhibited a decrease in scores for both subscales of HADS. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the measurement outcomes (p > 0.05), except for the emotional subscale scores of TFI (p = 0.049) and the functional subscale scores of THI (p = 0.034). In other words, during the follow-up period, the MT + BBS group exhibited lower scores in these two subscales compared to the MT group. ConclusionAlthough our study failed to demonstrate the superiority of combining binaural beats with music, both groups experienced significant improvements. This suggest that there are potential benefits to be gained from these types of stimuli. Given the sustained effect of both methods and the even greater improvements in follow-up observed in the binaural beats group for some scales, it seems that the changes in neural response and brain waves caused by our stimulations are persistent. This necessitates further research involving brain mapping, especially with longer follow-up durations.

Towards ASSR-based hearing assessment using natural sounds

Objective. The auditory steady-state response (ASSR) allows estimation of hearing thresholds. The ASSR can be estimated from electroencephalography (EEG) recordings from electrodes positioned on both the scalp and within the ear (ear-EEG). Ear-EEG can potentially be integrated into hearing aids, which would enable automatic fitting of the hearing device in daily life. The conventional stimuli for ASSR-based hearing assessment, such as pure tones and chirps, are monotonous and tiresome, making them inconvenient for repeated use in everyday situations. In this study we investigate the use of natural speech sounds for ASSR estimation. Approach. EEG was recorded from 22 normal hearing subjects from both scalp and ear electrodes. Subjects were stimulated monaurally with 180 min of speech stimulus modified by applying a 40 Hz amplitude modulation (AM) to an octave frequency sub-band centered at 1 kHz. Each 50 ms sub-interval in the AM sub-band was scaled to match one of 10 pre-defined levels (0–45 dB sensation level, 5 dB steps). The apparent latency for the ASSR was estimated as the maximum average cross-correlation between the envelope of the AM sub-band and the recorded EEG and was used to align the EEG signal with the audio signal. The EEG was then split up into sub-epochs of 50 ms length and sorted according to the stimulation level. ASSR was estimated for each level for both scalp- and ear-EEG. Main results. Significant ASSRs with increasing amplitude as a function of presentation level were recorded from both scalp and ear electrode configurations. Significance. Utilizing natural sounds in ASSR estimation offers the potential for electrophysiological hearing assessment that are more comfortable and less fatiguing compared to existing ASSR methods. Combined with ear-EEG, this approach may allow convenient hearing threshold estimation in everyday life, utilizing ambient sounds. Additionally, it may facilitate both initial fitting and subsequent adjustments of hearing aids outside of clinical settings.

Natural soundscapes, urban design and psychological well-being

IntroductionWhile the acoustic environment in the cities correlates with various health-related problems, health benefits of natural sounds are proven. These positive effects of the sounds of nature should probably be taken seriously in urban design and urban renewal projects.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to review the paradigm of natural soundscapes in the cities, psychological effects of natural soundscapes and the potential urban recommendations for such architecture design.Methods We conducted a comprehensive review of the scientific literature using Web databases with the following keywords: natural soundscapes, natural sound, urban design, and mental health.ResultsOur research found that improving the urban environment soundscape for the well-being of city dwellers has become one of the most pressing challenges of modern times. In a growing number of published studies, positive psychological effects of natural soundscapes are explored using various methods such as questionnaires, biofeedback sensors coupled with virtual reality experiences in laboratories, and quantification of the prevalence of restorative acoustic environments in parks. In a recent study (2023), Jian Kang from the United Kingdome, reported that “by taking psycho-acoustical, neural and physiological, and contextual factors into account, the European Research Council Soundscape Indices project will adequately reflect levels of human comfort, to integrate side-by-side with (and eventually replace) decibel-based metrics into existing (international) regulations”. The same paper highlighted how the transition from fighting noise pollution to creating soundscapes is key.ConclusionsArchitects should develop mandatory guidelines regarding the spatial planning focusing on managing natural soundscapes in cities. Various sites such as green urban public spaces that offers exposure to natural sounds should be an integral part of the urban environment. These areas must be with a high abundance of natural sound (geophony and bio phony) and a low anthropogenic sound to enhance human physical and psychological health.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

The Role of Digital Elevation Models in Increasing the Accuracy of Geophysical Studies of Anthropogenic Metallic Pollution

The study focuses on improving the accuracy of geophysical investigations of anthropogenic metallic pollution using digital elevation models (DEMs). The methodology was tested at the Norilsk site, located in close proximity to the slag heaps of the nickel plant, based on DEM data obtained through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct a detailed geomorphological analysis of the area. Geophysical methods such as the natural field (NF) method and frequency sounding were also used to identify zones of potential metallic pollution, as well as the characteristics and spatial positions of predicted permafrost layers. The main emphasis is on the advantages of integrating geophysical methods with DEMs and derived cartographic materials to improve the accuracy and reliability of surface metallic pollution detection and mapping, considering the geocryological situation within the study area. Geophysical methods of natural field (NF) and frequency sounding were employed to determine the geoelectrical properties of the study area. Reconnaissance surveys and flight missions were conducted to create the digital elevation model and orthoimage, and a surface water runoff map was developed based on the generated rasters and their interpretation. Based on the obtained geophysical data, zones of possible metallic pollution spread from the slag heaps were identified, which were confirmed through DEM analysis by the geomorphology of the study site. The distribution of specific electrical resistance fields was also interpreted in consideration of the collected data and validated through borehole drilling. It is worth noting that the integrated approach helped reveal the need to revise the interpretation plan, as only through the analysis of the nature and intensity of metallic pollution could the abnormally low resistance values in areas far from thermokarst lakes, with relatively shallow permafrost depths, be explained. Additionally, it became possible to qualitatively assess the zones of dust material accumulation.

Music Style Transfer with Time-Varying Inversion of Diffusion Models

With the development of diffusion models, text-guided image style transfer has demonstrated great controllable and high-quality results. However, the utilization of text for diverse music style transfer poses significant challenges, primarily due to the limited availability of matched audio-text datasets. Music, being an abstract and complex art form, exhibits variations and intricacies even within the same genre, thereby making accurate textual descriptions challenging. This paper presents a music style transfer approach that effectively captures musical attributes using minimal data. We introduce a novel time-varying textual inversion module to precisely capture mel-spectrogram features at different levels. During inference, we utilize a bias-reduced stylization technique to get stable results. Experimental results demonstrate that our method can transfer the style of specific instruments, as well as incorporate natural sounds to compose melodies. Samples and code are available at https://lsfhuihuiff.github.io/MusicTI/.

Effects Of A Combination Of Microscopic Handgrip And Nature's Voice On A Client's Blood Pressure With Hypertension

Background: Hypertension is the number one cause of death in the world every year because it causes complex cardiovascular problems. Semarang City Department's 2023 health profile data shows the number of hypertension is 24,949. Practicing holding a handgrip is a non-pharmacological therapy for treating hypertension because it stabilizes blood pressure and heart rate. Many combination therapies are used, including combining handgrip exercises with sound waves. Natural sounds will stimulate the hypothalamus, resulting in a feeling of calm and have an effect on the blood pressure regulation mechanism. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a combination of handgrip exercise and natural sounds on the blood pressure of clients with hypertension. This research method is a pre-experimental one group pre and post test design and sampling using purposive sampling technique. The population of this study were clients who were recorded as suffering from hypertension at the Sekaran Semarang Community Health Center. The research instrument uses a digital spygmomanometer and SOP for action. The research stages consist of preparation, implementation and processing of research data. The steps in the preparation stage are literature study, field survey, discussions with lecturers and experts, developing procedures for the combination of handgrip exercise and natural sounds, expert review, and socialization of the combination of handgrip exercise and natural sounds to clients and families. The implementation stage is carried out by collecting data on clients registered at the Sekaran Semarang Community Health Center, pre and post tests by measuring blood pressure using a spygmomanometer, implementing actions according to the prepared SOP, observing implementation using an observation sheet. In the data processing stage, a Paired Sample T-test was carried out to assess the effect of the combination of handgrip exercise and natural sounds on the blood pressure of clients with hypertension. The targeted output is publication in national journals indexed by Sinta and HAKI. The TKT target for this combination of handgrip exercise and natural sounds is level 2. The research results showed that 91.67% of respondents experienced an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 10.69 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of 6.11 mmHg. Based on the Paired Sample T-test, the results obtained were 0.000 for the systolic value and 0.001 for the diastolic value, both of which were smaller than the p value of 0.05, so it was concluded that there was an influence of the combination of handgrip exercise and natural sounds on the blood pressure of clients with hypertension. The results of this research can be input for related parties to implement a combination of handgrip exercise and natural sounds as non-pharmacological therapy for hypertension sufferers.

Analysis Of Synthesizing Natural Sounds Based on Nyquist

As a matter of fact, many captivating sounds emanate from the natural world, yet their inherent dynamism presents a difficult challenge for replication by existence instruments in recent years. For this reason, computers rarely manage to faithfully replicate these natural sounds. With this in mind, this paper revolves around capturing these beautiful sounds within algorithms, which are later integrated into a demonstrative meditative composition. To be specific, this study will detail demonstrate the methods as well as techniques employed to recreate sounds such as cricket chirps, bird songs, and rain. In detail, the program Nyquist will be introduced in brief as well as applied to achieve the goal. Additionally, a concise overview of the compositional process will be provided and analyzed at the same time. According to the analysis, the current drawbacks for the approaches will be analyzed. In addition, the future prospects will be discussed accordingly. Overall, these results shed light on guiding further exploration of natural sounds synthesizing.

The effects of positive visualization with and without sound on sleep actigraphy measures in a small sample of tinnitus patients

BackgroundTinnitus is a common oto-neurological disorder associated with sleep disturbances. This research explored visualization and visualization reinforced with nature sounds as an acute therapy for sleep disturbance in people with tinnitus.MethodsTwelve adults with bothersome tinnitus and sleep disturbances participated in a randomized cross-over design in which measurements of tinnitus perception (rating scales), anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), attention (Attention and Performance Self-Assessment), and sleep quality (sleep diary and actigraphy—automated estimates of total sleep time, sleep onset latency, sleep fragmentation, and wake after sleep onset) were undertaken at baseline and repeated with therapy. The visualization task was 30 min in duration and was performed every night before sleep. The visualization with sound reinforcement task added nature sounds played overnight.ResultsSleep onset latency analyzed using the sleep diary normalized actigraphy was significantly reduced with both interventions (visualization reduced by 60 min and visualization with sound reinforcement reduced by 70 min). None of the other sleep quality markers demonstrated a statistically significant change. Self-reported attention ability significantly improved with visualization. Of the participants, 90% were able to consistently complete actigraphy measures over the 3 weeks of the study, and 75% kept sleep diaries.ConclusionSleep onset time was reduced with visualization.

Impact of a combination sound therapy on tinnitus distress: an exploratory one-year longitudinal study

IntroductionCombination devices offering both amplification and sound therapy are commonly used in tinnitus management. However, there is insufficient evidence supporting the relationship between sound therapy and tinnitus outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore longitudinal effects of sound therapy on tinnitus-related distress using a combination device.MethodTwenty participants with mild to moderate tinnitus related distress were fitted with combination devices that included three sound-therapy programs. The sound-therapy programs were selected by the participants from the available sounds offered in the combination device. The sounds comprised fractal music, nature sounds and combinations of the two. Participants were asked to wear the devices for 12 months and to complete questionnaires related to tinnitus distress at baseline and 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 months after starting the treatment. Additionally, at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months, the device log data capturing information about amplification and sound-therapy use were collected.ResultsTinnitus handicap inventory (THI), tinnitus functional index (TFI), tinnitus awareness and annoyance decreased following the device fitting. This improvement plateaued at 4 months. The degrees of improvement in THI, TFI and tinnitus annoyance were correlated with daily hours of sound-therapy use but not with daily hours of amplification-only or total device use.ConclusionsA combination sound therapy consisting of therapy sounds, amplification as needed, and counseling was associated with a reduction in tinnitus-related distress. A future randomized controlled trial should be conducted to allow for detangling the effect of sound therapy from effects of amplification, counseling, placebo, and time itself, and to investigate the predictors of sound-therapy benefit and use.

Fish responses to underwater sounds depend on auditory adaptations: An experimental test of the effect of motorboat sounds on the fish community of a large fluvial lake.

Freshwater fishes exhibit a wide range of auditory adaptations and capabilities, which are assumed to help them navigate their environment, avoid predators, and find potential mates. Yet, we know very little about how freshwater environments sound to fish, or how fish with different auditory adaptations respond to different soundscapes. We first compiled data on fish hearing acuity and adaptations and provided a portrait of how anthropogenic sounds compare to natural sounds in different freshwater soundscapes. We then conducted a sound-enrichment field experiment at Lake Saint Pierre, a large fluvial lake in Canada, to evaluate the effect of motorboat sound exposure on the fish community by looking at the extent to which changes in species abundances were linked to auditory adaptations. Data compilation showed that the hearing acuity of most species overlaps with a wide range of ambient and anthropogenic underwater sounds while the field experiment showed that species with more specialized auditory structures were captured less often in sound-enriched traps, indicating avoidance behavior. Our findings highlight the importance of considering species' sensorial adaptations when evaluating the community-scale effects of anthropogenic sounds on the fish community, especially at low levels of anthropogenic activity.

A Study of the Effects of Historical Block Context on Soundscape Perception

This study aims to explore the influence of spatial functional differences on the overall relationship between soundscape and visual landscape in the context of historical blocks and then propose design guidelines for audiovisual elements. Audiovisual stimulus materials were collected from 11 representative locations in typical urban historical blocks along the southeast coast of China and classified into residential, cultural leisure, and commercial spaces based on their primary function, activity, and visual environment characteristics. An evaluation environment was created in the laboratory using virtual reality technology, and a subjective evaluation questionnaire was administered to 71 volunteers regarding the perception of audiovisual elements and the evaluation of the overall environment. Structural equation modeling was used to elucidate the relationships between sound source perception, soundscape perception, visual landscape satisfaction, and overall harmony of the environment and to compare the effects of functional differences at different locations on the overall relationships. The results show significant differences in the types of perceived sound sources at different functional locations, which makes the sound sources affecting soundscape perception and visual landscape satisfaction different. Residential space is mainly affected by artificial sound and mechanical noise; in cultural and leisure spaces, all three types of sound sources have a significant impact, and only natural sound has enhanced subjective perception; the impact of artificial sound in commercial space is crucial. In addition, visual landscape satisfaction should be prioritized over soundscape pleasure to enhance the overall harmony of the environment. In residential and commercial spaces, reducing artificial and mechanical noise can effectively enhance the harmony of the environment; in cultural and leisure areas, reducing artificial sounds and increasing natural sounds or historical landscape elements can enhance the overall harmony of the environment. The results of this paper provide empirical evidence for understanding the overall relationship between soundscape factors in urban contexts and suggest that place function should be considered an important context when designing soundscapes.

Virtual reality natural experiences for mental health: comparing the effects between different immersion levels

Virtual nature is an innovative approach for promoting mental health. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects on mental health outcomes between two immersion levels of virtual reality natural experiences. The study design was a cluster trial. Healthy adults were allocated to two experimental groups. Identical pre-recorded 360° videos of natural scenes and sounds were played on the two virtual reality devices, one with a higher immersive level via a head-mounted display and the other one with a lower immersive level via a smartphone. The intervention was conducted for 30 min per session, once a week for 12 weeks. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires at the baseline and post-intervention. In total, 54 participants completed the interventions. A significantly greater effect was revealed on improving happiness, self-rated health, and physical, mental, social, and environmental quality of life, and ameliorating distress, depression, and somatization in participants who experienced the higher immersive level compared to participants who experienced the lower immersive level. Virtual reality natural experiences with high immersion are recommended to promote mental health.

Acoustic characteristics of bedrooms in two types of long-term care facilities in China

The aim of this study was to quantitatively determine the acoustic characteristics of bedrooms in two types of long-term care facilities in China. Objective acoustic conditions, including noise levels and reverberation times, were measured through a series of acoustic measurements in twelve bedrooms in two nursing homes and three adult care homes in Kunming city, China. The impacts of noise and sound preferences were evaluated through a questionnaire survey administered to residents and nursing staff. In terms of the sound field, the background noise levels in most measured bedrooms exceeded the WHO's recommended value (30 dBA) by approximately 10–15 dBA. Compared to those in adult care homes, the noise levels in nursing homes were approximately 5–7 dBA higher during the daytime and 2–3 dBA higher during the nighttime due to frequent nursing activities. Moreover, noise levels were 5–15 dBA higher in roadside bedrooms. The reverberation time of five bedrooms reached 0.8 s at low frequency (125 Hz) due to their large space and absence of sound-absorbing materials. The questionnaire showed that noise sources were mainly perceived as coming from corridors and out-of-windows by residents and nursing staff. Traffic noise, residents' yelling in pain (just in nursing homes) and footsteps were considered the most noticeable noises, which may have had negative effects on participants' sleep quality, health, and emotional state. Moreover, the residents in roadside bedrooms reported that noise had a greater impact on their sleep (p < 0.01). Compared to artificial and mechanical sounds, participants preferred nature sounds, such as streams and birds, which were significantly (p < 0.01) positively correlated with age.

A RYÛSUKE HAMAGUCHI MOVIE: ‘WALDEN'

&lt;p&gt;Ryûsuke Hamaguchi (1978) is one of the most important directors of contemporary cinema. He has won many awards with his films at the world's major film festivals such as Berlin, Cannes, and Venice and he received the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film in 2022 with his movie &lt;em&gt;‘Drive My Car’&lt;/em&gt;. Hamaguchi’s &lt;em&gt;‘Walden’&lt;/em&gt; (2022) is one of Hamaguchi's recent movies. &lt;em&gt;‘Walden’&lt;/em&gt; is a co-production of Austria, and Japan, premiered at The Festival Viennale (2022). Within Hamaguchi’s relatively mainstream cinema poetics, the movie &lt;em&gt;‘Walden’&lt;/em&gt; is an experimental work that invites the spectator to a deep contemplation. The film is a 2-minute, almost monochrome record of a water surface with reflections of trees, raindrops, vibration waves, water rings, bird songs, swarming insects, several sounds of nature, a floating leaf, etc. In addition to the sounds of nature, the film includes a female voice excerpt with music from Douglas Sirk's &lt;em&gt;‘All That Heaven Allows’&lt;/em&gt; (1955). Jean Wyman who is the protagonist “Cary Scott” of &lt;em&gt;‘All That Heaven Allows’&lt;/em&gt;, reads some lines from Henry David Thoreau's book Walden (1854). This movie at the same time is a documentary record of a water surface; a free cinematographic adaptation of Henri David Thoreau's autobiographical book &lt;em&gt;‘Walden’&lt;/em&gt;, a deep romantic landscape through continuous and random visual variations occurring on the surface and a crystallization of Hamaguchi’s style. Hamaguchi’s &lt;em&gt;‘Walden’&lt;/em&gt; surface also becomes an interface where Hamaguchi the artist, and the spectator meet temporally to explore the noema of existence, nature, and cinema within a Heideggerian-verse. Besides the 2- minute durée of the film and its surface subject indicates a continuous oscillation between Kronos and Aion in the Deleuzian sense.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0758/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Effects of emotion on auditory ERPs are independent of manipulated target relevance.

Emotional attention describes the prioritized processing of emotional information to help humans quickly detect biologically salient stimuli and initiate appropriate reactions. Humans can also voluntarily attend to specific stimulus features that are target-relevant. Electrophysiological studies have shown specific temporal interactions between voluntary and emotional attention, while no such studies exist for natural sounds (e.g., explosions, running water, applause). In two experiments (N = 40, each), we examined event-related potentials (ERPs) toward target relevant or irrelevant negative, neutral, or positive sounds. Target relevance was induced by the instruction to respond blockwise to either negative, neutral, or positive sounds. Emotional sounds elicited increased fronto-central N1 and P2 amplitudes and a larger late positive potential (LPP), with more sustained effects for negative sounds. Target relevance increased amplitudes during an early LPP interval (400-900 ms) but did not interact with the valence of the sounds. These results show early and late ERP modulations for natural sounds, which do not interact with the target relevance of the sound valence, in contrast to findings from the visual domain. Thus, findings indicate little temporal overlap between emotional processes and target relevance effects in the auditory domain. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).