Composing first species counterpoint with a variable neighbourhood search algorithm

In this article, a variable neighbourhood search (VNS) algorithm is developed that can generate musical fragments consisting of a melody for the cantus firmus and the first species counterpoint. The objective function of the algorithm is based on a quantification of existing rules for counterpoint. The VNS algorithm developed in this article is a local search algorithm that starts from a randomly generated melody and improves it by changing one or two notes at a time. A thorough parametric analysis of the VNS reveals the significance of the algorithm's parameters on the quality of the composed fragment, as well as their optimal settings. A comparison of the VNS algorithm with a developed genetic algorithm shows that the VNS is more efficient. The VNS algorithm has been implemented in a user-friendly software environment for composition, called Optimuse. Optimuse allows a user to specify a number of characteristics such as length, key and mode. Based on this information, Optimuse 'composes' both cantus firmus and first species counterpoint. Alternatively, the user may specify a cantus firmus, and let Optimuse compose the accompanying first species counterpoint. © 2012 Taylor & Francis

Superconductivity in diamond

We report the discovery of superconductivity in boron-doped diamond synthesized at high pressure (8-9 GPa) and temperature (2,500-2,800 K). Electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and field-dependent resistance measurements show that boron-doped diamond is a bulk, type-II superconductor below the superconducting transition temperature Tc=4 K; superconductivity survives in a magnetic field up to Hc2(0)=3.5 T. The discovery of superconductivity in diamond-structured carbon suggests that Si and Ge, which also form in the diamond structure, may similarly exhibit superconductivity under the appropriate conditions.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Structural dynamics of GaN microcrystals in evolutionary selection selective area growth probed by X-ray microdiffraction

A method to grow high quality, single crystalline semiconductor material irrespective of the substrate would allow a cost-effective improvement to functionality and performance of optoelectronic devices. Recently, a novel type of substrate-insensitive growth process called Evolutionary Selection Selective Area Growth (ES-SAG) has been proposed. Here we report the use of X-ray microdiffraction to study the structural properties of GaN microcrystals grown by ES-SAG. Utilizing high resolution in both direct and reciprocal spaces, we have unraveled structural dynamics of GaN microcrystals in growth structures of different dimensions. It has been found that the geometric proportions of the growth constrictions play an important role: 2.6â.Î 1/4m and 4.5â.Î 1/4m wide growth tunnels favor the evolutionary selection mechanism, contrary to the case of 8.6â.Î 1/4m growth tunnels. It was also found that GaN microcrystal ensembles are dominated by slight tensile strain irrespective of growth tunnel shape

Just-in-Time, Just-in-Place Virtual Training in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Novel Approach to Impact the Perfusion Exam

Ashish S Shah,1,2 Brad Sobolewski,3,4 Sabina Chon,3 Bradly Cruse,5 Mike D Glisson,5 Matthew W Zackoff,3,5,6 David Davis,5 Yin Zhang,7 Daniel J Schumacher,3,4 Gary L Geis3– 5 1Department of Pediatrics, University of California – San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA; 2Division of Emergency Medicine, Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA; 3Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA; 4Division of Emergency Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; 5Center for Simulation and Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; 6Division of Critical Care Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA; 7Emergency Services, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USACorrespondence: Ashish S Shah, Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of California – San Diego, Rady Children’s Hospital, 3020 Children’s Way, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA, Tel +1 920-786-0132, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Early identification of shock is vital in decreasing morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Although residents are taught the perfusion portion of the rapid cardiopulmonary assessment at our institution, they perform it at the bedside with 8.4% completing 1 part of the assessment and 9.7% verbalizing their findings. Newer technologies, including virtual reality (VR), offer immersive training to close this clinical gap.Objective: To assess senior pediatric residents’ performance of a perfusion exam and verbalization of their perfusion assessment following VR-based Just-in-Time/Just-in-Place (JITP) training compared to video-based JITP training. We hypothesized that JITP media training was feasible, and VR JITP was more effective than video-based training.Methods: Residents were randomized to VR or video-based training during shifts in the emergency department. Clinical performance was assessed by review of a video-recorded patient encounter using a standardized assessment tool and by an in-person, two question shock assessment. Residents completed a survey assessing attitudes toward their intervention at the time of training.Results: Eighty-five senior pediatric residents were enrolled; 84 completed training. Sixty-four (76%) residents had a patient encounter available for video review (VR 33; Video 31). Fourteen residents in the VR group (42.4%, 95% CI 25.5% to 60.8%) and 13 residents in the video group (41.9%, 95% CI 24.6% to 60.9%) completed a perfusion exam AND verbalized an assessment during their next clinical encounter (X2 p-value 1.00). Fifty-one of 64 residents (79.7%) completed the two-step shock assessment; 50 (98%) agreed with supervising physician’s assessment. VR was rated more effective than reading, low-fidelity manikin, standardized patient encounters, traditional didactic teaching, and online learning. Video was rated more effective than online learning, traditional didactic teaching, and reading.Conclusion: Novel video and VR JITP perfusion exam and assessment trainings are impactful and well-received by senior pediatric residents.Keywords: resident, shock, simulation, training, virtual reality, pediatri