Acoustic evaluation of the vertical distribution of dwarf ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis in Lake Biwa

SUMMARY: The vertical distribution of dwarf ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis in the pelagic waters of Lake Biwa was evaluated from June to September in 1995–97 from eight acoustic surveys using a quantitative echosounder. In each survey, echoes from a depth range of 3 m to the sea bottom were collected at a station every 2.7 s for 24 h together with measurements of vertical profiles of water temperature and chlorophyll-a. The ayu's echoes were identified using an underwater video camera. The ayu were observed near the maximum chlorophyll-a depth and above the thermocline. Their density was highest at depths of 4–11 m with 2–4 individuals/m ³ and was almost zero below 20 m. Echo signs were recorded as having a frequent duration of more than 1 h at night, whereas were of a shorter duration in the day. The fish stay in the epilimnion during the day without any clear vertical migration, but are distributed more uniformly at night. The advantages of remaining in the epilimnion are discussed in terms of food availability and predator avoidance.     

Application of acoustic Doppler current profiler combined with a scientific echo sounder for krill Euphausia pacifica density estimation

ABSTRACT:   An application of the acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP, 153.6 kHz) in combination with a scientific echo sounder (EK60, 38 and 200 kHz) was investigated to estimate the density of krill Euphausia pacifica . The acoustic backscattering strength from sound scattering layers was compared with biomass estimates from midwater trawls. Euphausia pacifica was targeted among mixed species populations in the sound scattering layer in the offshore Funka Bay area of Hokkaido, Japan. The frequency characteristics of acoustic backscattering by krill were calculated using a distorted wave Born approximation scattering model at three frequencies. Krill aggregations identified from the EK60 data were extracted as the mean volume backscattering strength difference between two frequencies. They were then used to identify similar aggregations in the ADCP data by matching observation times and depths for the two methods, which were applied simultaneously. Results from the comparison of the mean volume backscattering strength and the density calculated from the ADCP and EK60 showed that ADCP can be used to measure density and spatial–temporal distribution of krill aggregations. Current speed and direction at the study site were found to be 16.1 cm/s and 187.0°, respectively, and krill speed and direction (including the current component) were found to be 19.8 cm/s and 172.2°, respectively. Based on the ADCP data, the net speed and direction of the krill aggregations were found to be 5.9 cm/s and 128.0°, respectively.     

Peaks of brainstem auditory evoked potentials in dogs

The effects of electrode configuration and click polarity on brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in dogs were investigated to clarify the inconsistent nomenclature for each peak. Four positive peaks (waves 1, 2, 3 and 4) before a deep negative trough and a fifth positive peak (wave 5) following the trough were the basic components of BAEP in dogs, which were easily identified regardless of recording conditions such as electrode configuration and click polarity. Additional peaks tended to be present when a noncephalic reference electrode and/or single-polarity (rarefaction or condensation) click stimuli were used. The Roman nomenclature for the individual positive peaks of BAEP in dogs is confused owing to variations in the observed waveforms among researchers, but click polarity and/or reference electrode position can explain all the previously reported variations in BAEP waveforms in dogs. When the criteria concerning wave V in the guidelines of BAEP in human beings are applied to avoid further confusion of Roman nomenclature in dogs, it is recommended that the basic five positive peaks (waves 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 as identified easily with Ai-Vertex configuration and alternating clicks) are designated as waves I, II, III, V and VI, respectively. Wave IV (wave 3b) occurs occasionally before wave V in dogs.Abbreviations BAEP brainstem auditory evoked potentials - dBHL dB hearing level - IPL interpeak latency - Ai the caudodorsal end of the zygomatic arch ipsilateral to the stimulated ear - Nape the neck over the spinous process of the fourth cervical vertebra     

Movement patterns of seaward migrating European eel (Anguilla anguilla) at a complex of riverine barriers: implications for conservation

River infrastructure such as weirs and hydropower stations commonly present migrating fish with multiple potential passage routes. Knowledge of the cues fish use to navigate such environments is required to protect migrants from hazardous areas and guide them towards safe passage; however, this is currently lacking for many species. Employing high‐resolution positioning telemetry, this study examined movements of downstream migrating adult European eel, Anguilla anguilla, as they encountered a complex of water control structures in one location on the River Stour, southern England. The distribution of eels across five potential routes of passage differed from that predicted based on proportion of discharge alone. Certain routes were consistently avoided, even when the majority of flow passed through them. Passage distribution was partially explained by avoidance in the vicinity of a floating debris boom. Movement paths were nonrandomly distributed across the forebay and eels moved predominantly within a zone 2–4 m from the channel walls. Understanding of avoidance and structure oriented movementation exhibited by eels will help advance effective guidance and downstream passage solutions for adults.     

Association between porpoise presence and fish choruses: implications for feeding strategies and ecosystem-based conservation of the East Asian finless porpoise

The associations between feeding activities and environmental variables inform animal feeding tactics that maximize energetic gains by minimizing energy costs while maximizing feeding success. Relevant studies in aquatic animals, particularly marine mammals, are scarce due to difficulties in the observation of feeding behaviors in aquatic environments. This data scarcity concurrently hinders ecosystem-based fishery management in the context of small toothed-cetacean conservation. In the present study, a passive acoustic monitoring station was deployed in an East Asian finless porpoise habitat in Laizhou Bay to investigate potential relationships between East Asian finless porpoises and their prey. The data revealed that porpoises were acoustically present nearly every day during the survey period. Porpoise detection rates differed between spring and autumn in concert with activities of fish choruses. During spring, fish choruses were present throughout the afternoon, and this was the time when porpoise vocalizations were the most frequently detected. During autumn, when fish choruses were absent, porpoise detection rates decreased, and diurnal patterns were not detected. The close association between fish choruses and finless porpoise activities implies an “eavesdropping” feeding strategy to maximize energetic gains, similar to other toothed cetaceans that are known to engage similar feeding strategies. Underwater noise pollution, particularly those masking fish choruses, could interrupt finless porpoises’ feeding success. Fisheries competing soniferous fishes with finless porpoise could impact finless porpoise viability through ecosystem disruption, in addition to fishing gear entanglement.     

New Method to Study In-situ Stress of Rock Mass by AE and Structure Analysis of Rock Mass

In this paper, the authors adopt a method of structural analysis and stereography in combination with acoustic emission Kaiser Effect test in laboratory to find out the main direction of initial stresses. For overcoming the shortcomings of Kaiser effect by comparing it with traditional methods of measuring in-situ stresses, it is shown that this method is simpler, more economical and convenient for a large number of measurements and for studying the law of changes of regional in-situ stresses.     

跌水坎流体动力性噪声模拟试验研

以流体声学相似原理为依据，对三种跌水坎形式进行噪声模拟试验。利用古典声学理论对背景噪声进行分析与修正，评估降噪的效果，确定跌水坎的修改形式。并对修改方案进行不同比尺的试验，对声强进行曲线拟合，绘制趋势线，推求原型噪声的大小，为工程建设提供参考依据。     

模型驾驶室的声学灵敏度分析

车身的声学灵敏度是指施加于车身的单位力产生的内部声压，是一种提高车辆NVH特性的很有效的途径。本文以一拖拉机驾驶室模型为研究对象，建立了其声振耦合模型，计算了该驾驶室模型的声学模态和声振耦合模态。并根据声振耦合特性和声学灵敏度分析方法，计算分析了在悬架接触点处振动激励引起的驾驶员耳旁的噪声灵敏度。     

应用声强测试技术对发动机噪声源识别的研究

通过对一台增压柴油机的噪声进行声强测试,将测试得到的数据用STARAcoustics声强软件进行处理和分析,得出发动机各个包络面的等声强分布、声强矢量分布和声功率的计算结果;利用这些结果着重分析和识别了该发动机的主要噪声源,确定了其噪声源的位置、主要噪声频率成分和声功率的贡献,为降低发动机噪声提供了改进依据.结果表明,通过与9点法试验结果的定性比较,能够更准确地判断噪声源的位置及其频率分布.     

循环水养殖大口黑鲈摄食颗粒饲料的声学特征

为突破智能投饲系统的技术瓶颈,近年来采用被动声学技术开展鱼虾摄食行为研究成为热点之一。该研究主要采用被动声学技术获取单体大口黑鲈（Micropterus salmoides）摄食声信号,从混合信号中提取完善的摄食信号,筛选可作为衡量大口黑鲈摄食活跃度的声学特征参数,以期对摄食活跃度进行量化。根据大口黑鲈喂食期间的同步音频与视频记录,确定信号类别并进行标记,主要提取每次吞食饲料的时域与频域特征,对比各参数与吞食次序之间的相关度。研究结果表明,摄食声信号能量主要集中于4～7 kHz,且大口黑鲈吞食间隔与吞食次序呈正相关,稳定性较强;而时域特征中的波形振幅极差与频域特征的功率积分值均与吞食次序呈负相关。吞食间隔、振幅极差及功率积分值均可以作为衡量摄食活跃度的量化指标,而共振峰与平均梅尔倒谱系数可作为摄食声识别参数,研究结果可为今后养殖鱼类被动声学智能投饲系统研发提供理论基础。