Gender and the performance of music

This study evaluates propositions that have appeared in the literature that music phenomena are gendered. Were they present in the musical "message," gendered qualities might be imparted at any of three stages of the music-communication interchange: the process of composition, its realization into sound by the performer, or imposed by the listener in the process of perception. The research was designed to obtain empirical evidence to enable evaluation of claims of the presence of gendering at these three stages. Three research hypotheses were identified and relevant literature of music behaviors and perception reviewed. New instruments of measurement were constructed to test the three hypotheses: (i) two listening sequences each containing 35 extracts from published recordings of compositions of the classical music repertoire, (ii) four "music characteristics" scales, with polarities defined by verbal descriptors designed to assess the dynamic and emotional valence of the musical extracts featured in the listening sequences. 69 musically-trained listeners listened to the two sequences and were asked to identify the sex of the performing artist of each musical extract; a second group of 23 listeners evaluated the extracts applying the four music characteristics scales. Results did not support claims that music structures are inherently gendered, nor proposals that performers impart their own-sex-specific qualities to the music. It is concluded that gendered properties are imposed subjectively by the listener, and these are primarily related to the tempo of the music

Evaluation of PFC and AGID as flock-screening tests for OJD : National Ovine Johne's Disease Control and Evaluation Program.

The aims of this project were to provide comparative estimates of the flock-sensitivity of PFC and AGID under a range of likely scenarios, using a simulation approach. Sample sizes required to achieve equivalent performance of PFC and AGID under different conditions of prevalence and desired flocksensitivity were also estimated, as well as the effect of variations in the assumptions on which the model was based. The resulting Monte Carlo simulation model indicated (amongst other recommendations) that PFC should be the preferred screening test for surveillance and market-assurance testing for ovine Johne’s disease in Australia, although the AGID may be an appropriate alternative where prevalence is likely to be high or where a rapid result is required

Performing sex: The representation of male and female musicians in three genres of music performance

In this article, the representation of male and female musicians is compared between three major genres of music performance and across three geographical regions: the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. Relevant data of artists from 40 world-class orchestras, 40 competition brass bands, and 40 top-selling recorded popular music groups were obtained from the websites of the respective organizations and from other authenticated sources. Information collected included the instruments played by each artist, the artist’s status in the ensemble (e.g., principal/section leader/rank and file player). The membership of each instrumental section was then analyzed for balance of sex representation. Overall, across all three genres, male musicians considerably outnumbered females, but this imbalance was moderated by genre and regional differences. The lowest level of imbalance of sexes was observed in orchestras, with males occupying 60% of orchestral chairs compared with females 40%, but principal chairs/section leaders were found to be predominantly male. In brass bands, males predominated by a ratio of 76% males to 24% females, and section leader chairs were almost invariably occupied by males. In the genre of popular music, male performers massively outnumbered females by 85%–15% in every aspect of performers and group leader roles by 90% to 10%. Possible causes of these imbalances are explored for each genre. In all three genres representation of males and females was found to be closely related to the instruments played, for example, many more females than males were harpists, and many more males were trombonists and tuba players than were females. Reasons for these differences are explored with particular reference to differential patterns of education and musical training and to underlying historical and sociological issues

Design of master and slave modules on battery management system for electric vehicles

Nowadays, electric vehicle usage and the use of LiFePO4 batteries in electric vehicles gradually increase. However, there are important features to be considered to use these batteries safely and efficiently. Incorrect use of these batteries can lead to burning, explosion or shortening of the life of batteries. In this paper, a Battery Management System (BMS) for lithium based batteries is designed that operates more efficiently and communicates with UART between master and slave modules and can communicate via CAN protocol with external devices. Micro controller based control and protection equipment is designed that help to measure and monitor the voltage, temperature and current values of the batteries. They protect the battery cells from the conditions such as over charge, over discharge, high current, high temperature. BMS balances battery cell voltages during charging process with passive cell voltage balancing. In addition to the main controller module in the BMS, slave controller modules have been added to provide high resolution voltage and temperature tracking. A modular BMS has been devised which can be used in groups of batteries of different voltage values thanks to electrically isolated slave control modules

Generalized Geologic Map for Land-Use Planning: Lewis County, Kentucky

This map is not intended to be used for selecting individual sites. Its purpose is to inform land-use planners, government officials, and the public in a general way about geologic bedrock conditions that affect the selection of sites for various purposes. The properties of thick soils may supercede those of the underlying bedrock and should be considered on a site-to-site basis. At any site, it is important to understand the characteristics of both the soils and the underlying rock

Only A Kiss

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/3340/thumbnail.jp

Generalized Geologic Map for Land-Use Planning: Meade County, Kentucky

This map is not intended to be used for selecting individual sites. Its purpose is to inform land-use planners, government officials, and the public in a general way about geologic bedrock conditions that affect the selection of sites for various purposes. The properties of thick soils may supercede those of the underlying bedrock and should be considered on a site-to-site basis. At any site, it is important to understand the characteristics of both the soils and the underlying rock

Available Coal Resoures of the Handshoe 7.5–Minute Quadrangle, Knott County, Kentucky

Coal resources available for mining have been estimated for the Handshoe Quadrangle within the Hazard Coal Reserve District of the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. Twelve coal beds within the quadrangle are potentially mineable and comprise the basis of these resource estimates. Seven of these beds have been commercially developed, but only four have produced more than 1 million tons: the Tiptop, Hazard No. 8, Hazard No. 4, and Upper Elkhorn No. 3. A computerized Geographic Information System was used to calculate estimates of original, mined-out, and remaining resources, restrictions to mining, and available resources

Performance improvement of existing three phase synchronous reluctance machine : stator upgrading to 5-phase with combined star-pentagon winding

This paper investigates the performance of 3-phase synchronous reluctance machines (SynRMs) when upgrading their stator to 5-phase, keeping the same rotor. The design of the 5-phase stator has been optimized to select the optimal dimensions of the slots and teeth. Moreover, a combined star-pentagon winding is employed to further improve the machine performance. Different winding configurations have been studied and compared using 2D Ansys Maxwell transient simulations. It is observed that at optimal current angle and rated current, the average torque is increased by 17.41% when changing the 3-phase stator with the proposed 5-phase one. In addition, the efficiency of the 5-phase SynRM is increased by about 0.8% compared to 3-phase SynRM. At 3 times the rated speed, the torque and efficiency are significantly increased by around 33% and 3.5% respectively. Moreover, the 5-phase SynRM shows a superior performance in the faulty case with one phase opened. It works at 98.84% of the rated torque of the healthy 3-phase machine, whereas the 3-phase machine works at only 43.35% with huge torque ripple (228%). Finally, an experimental validation using the reference 3-phase machine has been done

Available Coal Resources of the Salyersville South 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Magoffin County, Kentucky

Coal resources available for mining have been estimated for the Salyersville South Quadrangle, which is located in the Licking River Coal Reserve District of the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field. Nine coal beds within the quadrangle are potentially mineable and constitute the basis of these resource estimates. Seven of these beds have been commercially developed, but only five have produced more than 1 million tons: from youngest to oldest, the Skyline A, Lower Broas, Lower Peach Orchard, Middle Peach Orchard, and Upper Peach Orchard. A computerized Geographic Information System was used to calculate estimates of original, mined-out, and remaining resources, as well as restrictions to mining and available resources