Objective assessment of concert hall acoustics using temporal energy analysis

ABSTRACT While for concert halls there are preferred ranges of values for the objective measures described in ISO3382-1, a method for comparing measured sound levels with theoretically expected values is pro-posed here. The theoretical values are based on the revised theory of sound level, with both measured and theoretical values plotted against source-receiver distance. The discussion concentrates on midfrequency behaviour. The comparison can be made for early sound (less than 80 ms delay), late sound (greater than 80 ms delay), total sound level (G, strength) and the earlyto-late sound index, C80. A com-posite of four graphs, one for each quantity, is suggested. The early and late levels can be considered from an objective standpoint as determined by the auditorium design, while the total level and early-to-late index relate to subjective response. Four case studies are presented which illustrate both typical behaviour and divergences from revised theory due to design features in the halls themselves. This Temporal Energy Analysis is proposed as an additional method for assessing acoustic behaviour with the advantage of illustrating behaviour at different locations within the auditorium. While for concert halls there are preferred ranges of values for the objective measures described in ISO3382-1, a method for comparing measured sound levels with theoretically expected values is pro-posed here. The theoretical values are based on the revised theory of sound level, with both measured and theoretical values plotted against source-receiver distance. The discussion concentrates on mid-fre-quency behaviour. The comparison can be made for early sound (less than 80 ms delay), late sound (greater than 80 ms delay), total sound level (G, strength) and the early-to-late sound index, C 80 . A com-posite of four graphs, one for each quantity, is suggested. The early and late levels can be considered from an objective standpoint as determined by the auditorium design, while the total level and early-to-late index relate to subjective response. Four case studies are presented which illustrate both typical behav-iour and divergences from revised theory due to design features in the halls themselves. This Temporal Energy Analysis is proposed as an additional method for assessing acoustic behaviour with the advantage of illustrating behaviour at different locations within the auditorium

CHO microRNA engineering is growing up : recent successes and future challenges

microRNAs with their ability to regulate complex pathways that control cellular behavior and phenotype have been proposed as potential targets for cell engineering in the context of optimization of biopharmaceutical production cell lines, specifically of Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. However, until recently, research was limited by a lack of genomic sequence information on this industrially important cell line. With the publication of the genomic sequence and other relevant data sets for CHO cells since 2011, the doors have been opened for an improved understanding of CHO cell physiology and for the development of the necessary tools for novel engineering strategies. In the present review we discuss both knowledge on the regulatory mechanisms of microRNAs obtained from other biological models and proof of concepts already performed on CHO cells, thus providing an outlook of potential applications of microRNA engineering in production cell lines

Development of a Technical Memorandum Describing Optimal Room Acoustic Parameter Ranges for Musical Performance and Rehearsal Spaces

A working group has been convened by the European Acoustics Association to develop optimum Room Acoustic Parameter (RAP) ranges for musical performance and rehearsal spaces. A Technical Memorandum, outlining the proposals of the working group is in production: the main contents are summarized in this article. The main focus has been to develop optimum parameter ranges for concert halls, as well as for other spaces for music rehearsal and performance, such as chamber music halls and orchestra rehearsal halls. It is widely accepted that room acoustic quality is multi-dimensional: multiple RAPs are therefore required to quantify acoustic quality. The RAPs as currently implemented do not however provide a robust differentiation of acoustic quality - both good and bad sounding halls can fall within the RAP ranges currently proposed in the literature. The Technical Memorandum describes a selection process for RAP ranges, with the aim of setting projects on a good path towards acoustical excellence, and to improve the quantification of the outcome. While the possibility to develop novel parameters was at first discussed, is has been agreed that the RAPs already defined in ISO 3382 Part 1 will be used. The RAPs are physically linked; therefore, the RAP optimum ranges must form an internally consistent set, taking into consideration their variation throughout the space. Other important aspects that must be considered in the definition of optimal RAPs that are often overlooked are the orchestra/ensemble size, music type or genre, room volume available, ideal loudness during loud (forte) passages, variation of parameters with acoustic volume and with distance from the source. It has also been established that measurement protocols should be refined to improve the differentiation between spaces of differing acoustical quality

Expressions 1980

Expressions contains selected work from the 1980 Creative Writing Contest winners and honorable mentions, Campus Chronicle Photography Contest entrants, and the Commercial Art students at Des Moines Area Community College. Design, typography and layout was done by Journalism students.https://openspace.dmacc.edu/expressions/1002/thumbnail.jp

International consensus conference recommendations on ultrasound education for undergraduate medical students

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to provide expert consensus recommendations to establish a global ultrasound curriculum for undergraduate medical students. Methods: 64 multi-disciplinary ultrasound experts from 16 countries, 50 multi-disciplinary ultrasound consultants, and 21 medical students and residents contributed to these recommendations. A modified Delphi consensus method was used that included a systematic literature search, evaluation of the quality of literature by the GRADE system, and the RAND appropriateness method for panel judgment and consensus decisions. The process included four in-person international discussion sessions and two rounds of online voting. Results: A total of 332 consensus conference statements in four curricular domains were considered: (1) curricular scope (4 statements), (2) curricular rationale (10 statements), (3) curricular characteristics (14 statements), and (4) curricular content (304 statements). Of these 332 statements, 145 were recommended, 126 were strongly recommended, and 61 were not recommended. Important aspects of an undergraduate ultrasound curriculum identified include curricular integration across the basic and clinical sciences and a competency and entrustable professional activity-based model. The curriculum should form the foundation of a life-long continuum of ultrasound education that prepares students for advanced training and patient care. In addition, the curriculum should complement and support the medical school curriculum as a whole with enhanced understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiological processes and clinical practice without displacing other important undergraduate learning. The content of the curriculum should be appropriate for the medical student level of training, evidence and expert opinion based, and include ongoing collaborative research and development to ensure optimum educational value and patient care. Conclusions: The international consensus conference has provided the first comprehensive document of recommendations for a basic ultrasound curriculum. The document reflects the opinion of a diverse and representative group of international expert ultrasound practitioners, educators, and learners. These recommendations can standardize undergraduate medical student ultrasound education while serving as a basis for additional research in medical education and the application of ultrasound in clinical practice

Contextual Effects of Video Tutorials on The Academic Performance of STEM 12 Students

As schools publicly modernize in response to societal changes, additional teaching and learning methods are developed, observed, and used since learners have different learning styles that make it easier for them to grasp and retain the material. During the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers require different media to keep the classroom involved while presenting the lesson materials online, one of which is video tutorials. The purpose of this study was to analyze the extent of contextual effects of video tutorials used in general chemistry, determine the relationship between video tutorial effectiveness and the respondents' academic performance, and analyze the significant difference between the four indicators of contextual effects of video tutorials and the respondents' profile. A descriptive-correlational quantitative research design was used in this study. The participants in this study were 144 Grade 12 STEM students from a private school in Sultan Kudarat, Philippines, who took their general chemistry course during the pandemic. The respondents were given a survey questionnaire created with Google Forms. The students agreed with all the assertions and rated them as effective in terms of their perceptions of general chemistry, implying that video tutorials are useful in teaching the subject. With p-values of .023, .046, and .010, respectively, the findings revealed a significant relationship between the overall mean of students' perceptions of the subject of General Chemistry, the concept and application of chemical knowledge and understanding, and their influence on students' academic performance. In terms of their perception, ideas, and application of chemical knowledge and comprehension, the results demonstrated that there is no statistically significant difference between the general mean of male and female students' responses. This basically means that by using video lectures, STEM students of all genders appreciate and understand General Chemistry as a subject

Recent Progress and Next Steps for the MATHUSLA LLP Detector

We report on recent progress and next steps in the design of the proposed MATHUSLA Long Lived Particle (LLP) detector for the HL-LHC as part of the Snowmass 2021 process. Our understanding of backgrounds has greatly improved, aided by detailed simulation studies, and significant R&D has been performed on designing the scintillator detectors and understanding their performance. The collaboration is on track to complete a Technical Design Report, and there are many opportunities for interested new members to contribute towards the goal of designing and constructing MATHUSLA in time for HL-LHC collisions, which would increase the sensitivity to a large variety of highly motivated LLP signals by orders of magnitude.Comment: Contribution to Snowmass 2021 (EF09, EF10, IF6, IF9), 18 pages, 12 figures. v2: included additional endorser

Politics ahead of patients: The battle between medical and chiropractic professional associations over the inclusion of chiropractic in the American Medicare System

Health care professions struggling for legitimacy, recognition, and market share can become disoriented to their priorities. Health care practitioners are expected to put the interests of patients first. Professional associations represent the interests of their members. So when a professional association is composed of health care practitioners, its interests may differ from those of patients, creating a conflict for members. In addition, sometimes practitioners’ perspectives may be altered by indoctrination in a belief system, or misinformation, so that a practitioner could be confused about the reality of patient needs. Politicians, in attempting to find an expedient compromise, can value a “win” in the legislative arena over the effects of that legislation. These forces all figure into the events that led to the acceptance of chiropractic into the American Medicare system. Two health care systems in a political fight lost sight of their main purpose: to provide care to patients without doing harm. Dans leur recherche de légitimité, de reconnaissance et d’une juste part sur le marché de la santé, les professionnels de la santé peuvent perdre de vue leurs priorités. Ces praticiens doivent donner préséance aux intérêts des patients tandis que les associations professionnelles représentent ceux de leurs membres. Lorsqu’une association professionnelle regroupe des praticiens de la santé cependant, ses intérêts s’opposent parfois à ceux des patients, créant ainsi un conflit pour les membres. De plus, les praticiens peuvent être endoctrinés par un système de valeurs ou mal informés, au point de se tromper dans l’évaluation des besoins réels des patients. De leur côté, les politiciens peuvent préférer une « victoire » dans l’arène législative à une juste appréciation des impacts d’une loi. Ces forces ont toutes participé aux évènements qui ont mené à l’acceptation de la chiropraxie par le système américain Medicare. Dans cette bataille politique, deux systèmes de santé ont négligé leur principal objectif : soigner des patients sans leur nuire