Classification of Triadic Chord Inversions Using Kohonen Self-organizing Maps

In this paper we discuss the application of the Kohonen Selforganizing Maps to the classification of triadic chords in inversions and root positions. Our motivation started in the validation of Schönberg´s hypotheses of the harmonic features of each chord inversion. We employed the Kohonen network, which has been generally known as an optimum pattern classification tool in several areas, including music, to verify that hypothesis. The outcomes of our experiment refuse the Schönberg´s assumption in two aspects: structural and perceptual/functional

Paisagem Sonora: uma proposta de análise

This paper discuss the use of environmental sounds in musical composition, specially in the so-called Soundscape music. The use of such sounds in compositions created with technological support after the 60’s have started a controversial discussion on the musical syntax that such sounds can generate. The environmental sounds also raised important debates related to theories of auditory perception. Related to this point we present the processes of listening based on the ecological approach to auditory perception, which comes from J. J. Gibson’s theory of direct perception. This theory is taken as base to a new approach to environmental sonic materials and its insertion in the compositional processes. Our goal is to raise the issues that had lead to all those problems, and to briefly expose the theory of direct perception of J.J. Gibson as well. We conclude showing a possibility to use the notions of the ecological approach to perception as alternative analytic tools for soundscape music

Seafloor massive sulfides from mid-ocean ridges: Exploring the causes of their geochemical variability with multivariate analysis

The neovolcanic zones of mid-ocean ridges are host to seawater-derived hydrothermal systems forming seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits. These deposits have high concentrations of base metals and potentially economic enrichment of a wide range of trace elements. The factors controlling this enrichment are currently poorly understood. We have investigated the main factors controlling SMS compositional variability through robust principal component analysis and robust factor analysis of published and newly obtained bulk geochemical data for samples collected from SMS deposits worldwide. We found that a large part of the observed variability is produced by a combination of three independent factors, which are interpreted to reflect (in order of importance): (1) the temperature of deposition, (2) the ridge spreading rate, and (3) zone refining. The first and the third factors are mostly related to processes operating near the seafloor, such as conductive cooling, mixing of the hydrothermal fluids with seawater and metal remobilization, and determine the relative proportions of the main minerals and, thus, of Cu and Zn (Co, Se, Sb, Pb). The ridge spreading rate influences the structure of the oceanic lithosphere, which exerts a major control on the length and depth of the hydrothermal convection cell and on the rock-to-water ratios in the reaction zone, which in turn control the behavior of the precious metals Au and Ag and elements including Ni (Mo, Se). Despite the obvious role of substrate rocks as metal sources, their composition (specifically mafic vs. ultramafic) does not emerge as a statistically significant independent factor

Two-dimensional Burgers Cellular Automaton

A two-dimensional cellular automaton(CA) associated with a two-dimensional Burgers equation is presented. The 2D Burgers equation is an integrable generalization of the well-known Burgers equation, and is transformed into a 2D diffusion equation by the Cole-Hopf transformation. The CA is derived from the 2D Burgers equation by using the ultradiscrete method, which can transform dependent variables into discrete ones. Some exact solutions of the CA, such as shock wave solutions, are studied in detail.Comment: Latex2.09, 17 pages including 7 figure

Ovarian cancer identification based on dimensionality reduction for high-throughput mass spectrometry data

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Long-term effects of an informal education program on tourist environmental perception

Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors worldwide, with significant overarching impact on the environment, including negative effects caused by tourist inappropriate behavior while on vacation. By providing informal educational activities, tourism also has an educative role that leads to positive learning outcomes and beneficial environmental effects. Here we present the short- and long-term outcomes of a project for environmental education (Glocal Education) carried out in three travel destinations, aimed at promoting sustainability variables (knowledge, attitude, and awareness) in participating tourists. Since psychological components can affect learning outcomes, we also considered tourist satisfaction in participating in the project and identification with its values, as well as the intention to travel with the hosting tour operator again in the future. Tourists were asked to complete evaluation questionnaires three times: before Glocal Education activities, right after activities (i.e., while still on vacation), and after at least one year from initial project participation. Short- and long-term learning outcomes were tested, and possible relations between these variables and psychological components (satisfaction, identification, and intention) of the learning experience were verified. Overall, knowledge, attitude and awareness increased in the short term, while in the long term, knowledge and attitude decreased, and awareness remained constant. In most cases, psychological components showed positive relation with sustainability variables, which suggested their important role in structuring and carrying out environmental education activities. This study suggests that informal environmental education activities can be advantageous for tourism stakeholders in terms of customer loyalty. Such activities can contribute to enhance environment literacy, by allowing tourists to observe the environmental impact caused by human activity, and understand how their day-to-day actions, even if small, might help address some of the current concerns for environmental conservation

Prediction of Postprandial Glycemic Exposure Utility of fasting and 2-h glucose measurements alone and in combination with assessment of body composition, fitness, and strength

OBJECTIVE —To determine the best predictors of total postprandial glycemic exposure and peak glucose concentrations in nondiabetic humans. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —Data from 203 nondiabetic volunteers who ingested a carbohydrate-containing mixed meal were analyzed. RESULTS —Fasting glucose and insulin concentrations were poor predictors of postprandial glucose area above basal ( R 2 = ∼0.07, P < 0.001). The correlation was stronger for 2-h glucose concentration ( R 2 = 0.55, P < 0.001) and improved slightly but significantly ( P < 0.001) with the addition of fasting glucose, insulin, age, sex, and body weight to the model ( r 2 = 0.58). The 2-h glucose concentration also predicted the peak glucose concentration ( R 2 = 0.37, P < 0.001) with strength of the prediction increasing ( P < 0.001) modestly with the addition of fasting glucose, insulin, age, sex, and body weight to the model ( R 2 = 0.48, P < 0.001). On the other hand, addition of measures of body function and composition did not improve prediction of total glycemic exposure or peak glucose concentration. CONCLUSIONS —Isolated measures of fasting or 2-h glucose concentrations alone or in combination with more complex measures of body composition and function are poor predictors of postprandial glycemic exposure or peak glucose concentration. This may explain, at least in part, the weak and at times inconsistent relationship between these parameters and cardiovascular risk

Minimal model estimation of glucose absorption and insulin sensitivity from oral test : validation with a tracer method

Measuring insulin sensitivity during the physiological milieu of oral glucose perturbation, e.g., a meal or an oral glucose tolerance test, would be extremely valuable but difficult since the rate of appearance of absorbed glucose is unknown. The reference method is a tracer two-step one: first, the rate of appearance of glucose (R(a meal)(ref)) is reconstructed by employing the tracer-to-tracee ratio clamp technique with two tracers and a model of non-steady-state glucose kinetics; next, this R(a meal)(ref) is used as the known input of a model describing insulin action on glucose kinetics to estimate insulin sensitivity (SI(ref)). Recently, a nontracer method based on the oral minimal model (OMM) has been proposed to estimate simultaneously the above quantities, denoted R(a meal) and SI, respectively, from plasma glucose and insulin concentrations measured after an oral glucose perturbation. This last method has obvious advantages over the tracer method, but its domain of validity has never been assessed against a reference method. It is thus important to establish whether or not the "nontracer" R(a meal) and SI compare well with the "tracer" R(a meal)(ref) and SI(ref). We do this comparison on a database of 88 subjects, and it is very satisfactory: R(a meal) profiles agree well with the R(a meal)(ref) and correlation of SI(ref) with SI is r = 0.86 (P < 0.0001). We conclude that OMM candidates as a reliable tool to measure both the rate of glucose absorption and insulin sensitivity from oral glucose tests without employing tracers

Computational assessment of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity from 2-h oral glucose tolerance tests for clinical use for type 2 diabetes

In type 2 diabetes mellitus, glucose homeostasis is tightly maintained through insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. Therefore, finding an accurate method to assess insulin secretion and sensitivity using clinically available data would enhance the quality of diabetic medical care. In an effort to find such a method, we developed a computational approach to derive indices of these factors using a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). To evaluate our method, clinical data from subjects who received an OGTT and a glucose clamp test were examined. Our insulin secretion index was significantly correlated with an analogous index obtained from a hyperglycemic clamp test (r = 0.90, n = 46, p < 0.001). Our insulin sensitivity index sensitivity was also significantly correlated with an analogous index obtained from a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp test (r = 0.56, n = 79, p < 0.001). These results suggest that our method can potentially provide an accurate and convenient tool toward improving the management of diabetes in clinical practice by assessing insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity