Four Keynote Lectures have been scheduled. They will take place before the daily schedule of technical sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:20 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. in Hall B.

14 May 2012, morning Monday, Hall B
8:20AM – 9:20AM

Language Learning and the Developing Brain: Cross-Cultural Studies Unravel the Effects of Biology and Culture

Patricia K. Kuhl
(Co-Director, Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, Co-Director, NSF Science of Learning Center (LIFE), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195)

Abstract
Cross-cultural studies show that infants are born with innate abilities that make them "citizens of the world." By the end of the first year of life, however, culture produces a dramatic transition. Infants' abilities to discern differences in native-language sounds increase, and their abilities to discriminate sounds from other languages decreases. This perceptual narrowing of infants' language skills is caused by two interacting factors: the child's computational skills and their social brains. Computational skills allow rapid and automatic "statistical learning" and social interaction is necessary for this computational learning process to occur. This combination produces the neuroplasticity of the child's mind, and contrasts with the more expert (but less open) mind of the adult. Neuroimaging of infants using Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is helping explain the extraordinary learning of young children. The work is leading to a new theoretical account for the "critical period" for language. Understanding the interaction between biology and culture in human learning in the domain of language may unlock some of the mysteries and mechanisms of the human mind.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 May 2012, morning Tuesday, Hall B
8:20AM – 9:20AM

Acoustic Diode

Jianchun Cheng, Dong Zhang, Bin Liang, Xiasheng Guo, Juan Tu
(Key Laboratory of Modern Acoustics (Nanjing University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, P. R. China)

Abstract
Usually, waves can travel just as easily in either direction along a given path. The invention of electric diode, which acts as a one-way filter for the current flux, has marked the beginning of modern electronics and eventually led to worldwide revolutions in many aspects. Similar devices also exist for light and heat transmission. However, it is much more difficult to make such one-way devices for sound waves, another important form of classical wave with even longer research history than electric waves, because of the way sound waves move though a material. Recently, the first model of “acoustic diode” has been demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally to allow the acoustic energy to flow in only one direction. This device was fabricated by coupling a superlattice with a layer of ultrasound contrast agent microbubble suspension. A significant rectifying effect could be observed within two frequency bands at locations that agreed well with theoretical predictions. The development of the “acoustic diode” prototype will inspire the interests and investigations in the more practical and efficient acoustic rectifiers, which should have substantial significance for the applications of ultrasound devices in many practical areas such as medical ultrasound therapy and high resolution imaging.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 May 2012, morning Thursday, Hall B
8:20AM – 9:20AM

Acoustics of traditional Chinese theatres

Ji-qing Wang
(Institute of Acoustics, Tongji University Shanghai, Shanghai, China 200092
E-mail: [email protected])

Abstract
The traditional Chinese theatre is a unique architectural form. Chinese opera is a form of imaginary performing art; therefore, it does not require large stage and realistic stage settings. A pavilion stage open on three sides and thrusting into the audience area is its commonly applied characteristic feature. A comparatively low ceiling with elegant dome-like caisson acts as a sound shell, providing beneficial reflections to the audience, and to actors on the stage as well. The older generation Chinese opera goers used the term “going to listen opera” which well explains how they placed great demands on vocal performance. In Chinese theatrical history, there were different types of theatre from open-air theatre to hall theatre, built both in cities and rural areas all over the country. Nevertheless, the courtyard theatre was the most popular. Up to the present day, thousands of ancient traditional theatres still exist in China, and many of them are well preserved. Interesting results are reported in this paper after acoustical surveys of these theatres. Acoustical issues are raised from these studies, such as, does the classical parameter of reverberation time still adequate for qualifying the acoustics for a roofless courtyard theatre, or for an amphitheatre as well? A primary subjective survey conducted in our laboratory recently presents the negative conclusion. Another presentation is involved in this paper: the puzzle of vase resonators beneath the traditional stage which was long believed to be effective for sound enhancement as recorded in the Chinese historical accounts. The author also gives other acoustic analysis of the kind with pictorial presentations

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 May 2012, morning Friday, Hall B
8:20AM – 9:20AM
Reservoir Acoustics and Its Applications

Xiuming Wang

(State Key Lab of Acoustics, Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Beijing 100190, China)

Abstract
Reservoir is an underground formation with various pores that is able to store oil, water and/or gas, while reservoir acoustics is related to studies and applications of acoustic wave interactions with multiphase porous media. The reservoir acoustics stems from seismic petroleum exploration (including single well imaging, vertical seismic profile, and cross-well tomography), acoustic logging, rock acoustic measurements, sedimentology, digital acoustic signal processing and imaging, and so on, through which it has developed into a comprehensive acoustics branch for the petroleum exploration and exploitation.