PhD. Subject: Strategies to design life-long learning heuristic based algorithms

Nowadays combinatorial optimization problems arise in many circumstances, and we need to be able to solve these problems e ciently. Unfortunately, many of these problems are proven to be NP-hard, but problems can be related in some way. Analysing di erent combinatorial problems we can see some similarities between them. If we work with this similarities, we could improve the search process of an algorithm, because there exists some concurrent knowledge about solving a problem that could be exploited. For example, if an algorithm can solve an instance X for Sudoku puzzle ensuring uniqueness in blocks before rows and colums, this strategy can be useful for another instance Y when the algorithm is in a local optimum. In other words, some heuristics that can nd interesting candidate solutions can be reused in future during the execution of an algorithm. To do this, an algorithm should learn over time to determine how, when and which heuristic apply. The idea of this investigation is to create strategies to design life-long learning heuristic based algorithms. There have been some investigations in this area applied to 1-D Bin Packing problem, for Traveling Sales Problem and the most important thing, is that can be applied in different kinds of problem. (Párrafo extraído del texto a modo de resumen)Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativa (SADIO

Teaching and Learning Music Technologically

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, multimedia technology has transformed all educational paradigms. In this mixed-methods study, the researcher shows the effects of inspiring instructional technologies on assimilating musical knowledge and developing performance concepts. Thus, assisted- technology learning is the foundation of inspiration to induce music performance and theory, hardening self-esteem as the core subject of this study. The researcher measures time and skills gathered over two years by a group of high school music students, assessing them with two variables: first, traditional conservatory instruction, and second, the MusicLab method. In addition, the researcher quantifies how technological tools intervene in fundamental musical knowledge and development in a greater or lesser time and what capacities are established more than others at the same phase with the two variables

PhD. Subject: Strategies to design life-long learning heuristic based algorithms

Nowadays combinatorial optimization problems arise in many circumstances, and we need to be able to solve these problems e ciently. Unfortunately, many of these problems are proven to be NP-hard, but problems can be related in some way. Analysing di erent combinatorial problems we can see some similarities between them. If we work with this similarities, we could improve the search process of an algorithm, because there exists some concurrent knowledge about solving a problem that could be exploited. For example, if an algorithm can solve an instance X for Sudoku puzzle ensuring uniqueness in blocks before rows and colums, this strategy can be useful for another instance Y when the algorithm is in a local optimum. In other words, some heuristics that can nd interesting candidate solutions can be reused in future during the execution of an algorithm. To do this, an algorithm should learn over time to determine how, when and which heuristic apply. The idea of this investigation is to create strategies to design life-long learning heuristic based algorithms. There have been some investigations in this area applied to 1-D Bin Packing problem, for Traveling Sales Problem and the most important thing, is that can be applied in different kinds of problem. (Párrafo extraído del texto a modo de resumen)Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativa (SADIO

FIR Digital Filter and Neural Network Design using Harmony Search Algorithm

Harmony Search (HS) is an emerging metaheuristic algorithm inspired by the improvisation process of jazz musicians. In the HS algorithm, each musician (= decision variable) plays (= generates) a note (= a value) for finding the best harmony (= global optimum) all together. This algorithm has been employed to cope with numerous tasks in the past decade. In this thesis, HS algorithm has been applied to design digital filters of orders 24 and 48 as well as the parameters of neural network problems. Both multiobjective and single objective optimization techniques were applied to design FIR digital filters. 2-dimensional digital filters can be used for image processing and neural networks can be used for medical image diagnosis. Digital filter design using Harmony Search Algorithm can achieve results close to Parks McClellan Algorithm which shows that the algorithm is capable of solving complex engineering problems. Harmony Search is able to optimize the parameter values of feedforward network problems and fuzzy inference neural networks. The performance of a designed neural network was tested by introducing various noise levels at the testing inputs and the output of the neural networks with noise was compared to that without noise. It was observed that, even if noise is being introduced to the testing input there was not much difference in the output. Design results were obtained within a reasonable amount of time using Harmony Search Algorithm

A Functional Taxonomy of Music Generation Systems

Digital advances have transformed the face of automatic music generation since its beginnings at the dawn of computing. Despite the many breakthroughs, issues such as the musical tasks targeted by different machines and the degree to which they succeed remain open questions. We present a functional taxonomy for music generation systems with reference to existing systems. The taxonomy organizes systems according to the purposes for which they were designed. It also reveals the inter-relatedness amongst the systems. This design-centered approach contrasts with predominant methods-based surveys and facilitates the identification of grand challenges to set the stage for new breakthroughs.Comment: survey, music generation, taxonomy, functional survey, survey, automatic composition, algorithmic compositio

Music theory pedagogy in Malta: implications for practice in higher education from the perspectives of teachers, lecturers and students

This study examines insights concerning teachers’ and students’ perspectives, strategies and experiences of music theory teaching and learning in Higher Education in Malta. Inspired by a combination of approaches (case study, constructivist-interpretivist), the research aimed to provide an empirical exploration of music theory teaching at the Malta School of Music (MSM), whilst acting as a backbone, to the researcher’s design and structure of two study guides for the higher theory grades. Findings from the empirical part of the study suggest distinctive core skills for all music theory learners in Higher Education. These are aural and sight singing skills, analysis skills, part-writing and composing skills, keyboard harmony and impovisation skills. The theoretical framework has also identified approaches that music theory teachers could adopt for effective teaching such as student-centred and inquiry-based learning, using a variety of music repertoire, adopting creative digital technologies, connecting theory with practice and assessment through portfolios. In particular, responses from the participants in the study suggest that active listening, keyboard harmony and improvisation, analysis through a variety of repertoire, student-centred approach that encourage the students’ creative voice in composition, the connection of theory with practice, digital technologies and the organisation of the portfolio assessment were all underscored as being pivotal in the students’ musical development. The thesis concludes with recommendations on the content and ways of teaching of music theory in Higher Education directed at helping students to connect actively with the subject in a pragmatic and enjoyable way. Besides the written submission, the separate portfolio submission also includes sample material from the final versions of the music theory guides for Grades VII and VIII that the researcher has created, which will form part of the forthcoming music theory workbooks, compiled by the researcher upon the request of the Maltese Government