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

The development of an excellence model integrating the Shingo model and sustainability

Companies are continuously looking to improve their production systems using excellence models, with lean thinking, the Shingo model, six sigma and lean six sigma being the most comprehensive and applied. It is expected that the initial focus for the survival of companies is their economic profitability, but when economic needs are met, the next step is to achieve operational excellence. For this, in addition to economic objectives, it is necessary to include social and environmental objectives, i.e., the other two pillars of sustainability. This study aims to propose a conceptual model identifying the tools that can help achieve the desired results in the three pillars of sustainability aligned with operational excellence. The design of the conceptual model was based on a bibliometric analysis of the literature that relates the concepts of lean thinking, six sigma, lean six sigma and the Shingo model. The Web of Science was the platform selected for the collection of data, and the timeframe considered was 2010 to 2021. A total of 125 articles were analyzed using the VosViewer software, through which it was possible to analyze different topics of study related to the literature. The bibliometric analysis allowed for the identification of the temporal distribution of publications, the categorization of topics, different areas of application and the importance of the tools used in different practical cases. This study points out that companies have at their disposal several tools to achieve economic objectives. On the other hand, there is a set of more restricted tools that are used to meet the objectives of the social and environmental pillars. Future research should focus on identifying tools that meet social and environmental goals in order to strengthen these pillars that are essential for operational excellence and for the sustainability of companies.The work of the author Vanda Lima is supported by national funds, through the FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the project UIDB/04728/2020

Determination of the sensitized zone extension in welded AISI 304 stainless steel using non-destructive electrochemical techniques

Extension of sensitized zone (SZ) in welded AISI 304 stainless steel was determined by two non-destructive electrochemical tests: double loop electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation technique (DLEPR) and local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (LEIS). Welding was carried out using the shielded metal arc with two selected welding energies: the first one (0.7 kJ mm¡1) does not promote the sensitization of the 304 steel and it constitutes the reference sample and the second one (2.2 kJ mm¡1) which leads to the precipitation of chromium carbides in the grain boundaries after the welding process. The non-destructive DLEPR and LEIS tests allowed the length of the SZ to be determined and a good agreement between the two techniques and the microstructure of the two welded samples was shown. The presence of an inductive loop on the local impedance diagrams seems to reflect a galvanic coupling between the weld string (anode) and the welded stainless steel plates (cathode) which will be very prejudicial to a good corrosion resistance of the welded system. The results showed that the two electrochemical tests could be applied in practical cases in industrial field

A Central Limit Theorem for intransitive dice

Intransive dice $D^{(1)}, \ldots, D^{(\ell)}$ are dice such that $D^{(1)}$ has advantage with respect to $D^{(2)}$, dice $D^{(2)}$ has advantage with respect to $D^{(3)}$ and so on, up to $D^{(\ell)}$, which has advantage over $D^{(1)}$. In this twofold work, we present: first, (deterministic) results on existence of general intransitive dice. Second and mainly, a central limit theorem for the vector of normalized victories of a die against the next one in the list when the faces of a die are i.i.d.\ random variables and all dice are independent, but different dice may have distinct distributions associated to, as well as they may have distinct number of faces. From this central limit theorem we derive a criteria to assure that the asymptotic probability of observing intransitive dice is null, which applies for many cases, including all continuous distributions and many discrete ones.Comment: 37 pages, 3 figure

GAMMA-ORYZANOL HAS AN EQUIVALENT EFFICACY AS A LIPID-LOWERING AGENT COMPARED TO FIBRATE AND STATIN IN TWO DYSLIPIDEMIA MICE MODELS

Objective: A substantial fraction of the population is intolerant or does not respond well to the recommended treatments for dyslipidemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy ofgamma-oryzanol (γ-ORZ) treatment in acute and long-term mouse experimental models of dyslipidemia in comparison toGemfibrozil and Simvastatin. Methods: For the acute dyslipidemia-induced model, dyslipidemia was induced in 40 mice using a single intra-peritoneal administration of Triton WR-1339. For the long-termmodel, dyslipidemia was induced in 24 mice using a hypercholesterolemic diet over 14 days. Thereafter, animals were divided into different groups of treatment,and orally received treatments with gamma-oryzanol (5, 25, 50mg. kg-1), gemfibrozil or simvastatin. For biochemical analysis, glucose, total cholesterol and triacylglycerols were measured. Body weight and net food intake was registered weekly, and urea, creatinine, AST and ALT levels were evaluated. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls method,and p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Only the highest dose of γ-ORZ exhibited significant protective effects. Gamma-oryzanol andGemfibrozil treatments reduced total cholesterol and triacylglycerols levels in a similar manner in the acute model. In the second model, γ-ORZ and simvastatin treatments reduced glucose and total cholesterol levels in the same way. In addition, the administration ofγ-ORZ did not cause any adverse events, or significantly altered hepatic enzymes levels, plasmatic urea or creatinine concentrations. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that gamma-oryzanol acts as a potential lipid-lowering agent, reducing triglycerides and total cholesterol in dyslipidemia-induced models

High concentrations of glucose reduce the oxidative metabolism of dog neutrophils in vitro

Background: Dogs are commonly affected by hyperglycemic conditions. Hyperglycemia compromises the immune response and favors bacterial infections; however, reports on the effects of glucose on neutrophil oxidative metabolism and apoptosis are conflicting in humans and rare in dogs. Considering the many complex factors that affect neutrophil oxidative metabolism in vivo, we investigated in vitro the specific effect of high concentrations of glucose on superoxide production and apoptosis rate in neutrophils from healthy dogs.Results: The capacity of the neutrophils to reduce tetrazolium nitroblue decreased significantly in the higher concentration of glucose (15.13 ± 9.73% (8 mmol/L) versus 8.93 ± 5.71% (16 mmol/L)). However, there were no changes in tetrazolium nitroblue reduction at different glucose concentrations when the neutrophils were first activated with phorbol myristate acetate. High concentrations of glucose did not affect the viability and apoptosis rate of canine neutrophils either with or without prior camptothecin stimulation. This study provides the first evidence that high concentrations of glucose inhibit the oxidative metabolism of canine neutrophils in vitro in a manner similar to that which occurs in humans, and that the decrease in superoxide production did not increase the apoptosis rate.Conclusions: A high concentration of glucose reduces the oxidative metabolism of canine neutrophils in vitro. It is likely that glucose at high concentrations rapidly affects membrane receptors responsible for the activation of NADPH oxidase in neutrophils; therefore, the nonspecific immune response can be compromised in dogs with acute and chronic hyperglycemic conditions. © 2013 Bosco et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Chemical composition of essential oils and anticholinesterasic activity of Eugenia sulcata Spring ex Mart.

The chemical composition of the essential oils from leaves and stems of Eugenia sulcata Spring ex Mart., obtained by hydrodistillation, was analyzed by GC-MS and quantified by CG-FID. In all, 37 components were identified and sesquiterpenes represented the largest fraction of both oils, in the leaves (58.2 %) and stems (85.3 %). The major constituent found in the essential oil from leaves and stems of E. sulcata was β-caryophyllene, corresponding to 24.6 % and 18.8 %, respectively. The substances α- cubebene (1.1 %), β-copaene (0.5 %), cis-muurola-3,5-diene (0.6 %), cis-muurola-4(14),5-diene (1.3 %), γ- himachalene (2.0 %), epizonarene (0.8 %), trans-calamenene (4.4 %) and trans-cadina-1,4-diene (3.4 %) were identified for the first time as chemical constituents of essential oil from leaves of E. sulcata. To our knowledge, this was the first phytochemical contribution to the essential oil from stems of E. sulcata. It was also performed the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory bioassay of the essential oil from leaves of E. sulcata, which was considered active and exhibited an IC50 value of 4.66 ± 0.48 μg.mL-1.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Habitat use of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in Brazilian Amazon

Amazonia forest plays a major role in providing ecosystem services for human and sanctuaries for wildlife. However, ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation in the Brazilian Amazon has threatened both. The ocelot is an ecologically important mesopredator and a potential conservation ambassador species, yet there are no previous studies on its habitat preference and spatial patterns in this biome. From 2010 to 2017, twelve sites were surveyed, totaling 899 camera trap stations, the largest known dataset for this species. Using occupancy modeling incorporating spatial autocorrelation, we assessed habitat use for ocelot populations across the Brazilian Amazon. Our results revealed a positive sigmoidal correlation between remote-sensing derived metrics of forest cover, disjunct core area density, elevation, distance to roads, distance to settlements and habitat use, and that habitat use by ocelots was negatively associated with slope and distance to river/lake. These findings shed light on the regional scale habitat use of ocelots and indicate important species–habitat relationships, thus providing valuable information for conservation management and land-use planning