A quantum vocal theory of sound

Concepts and formalism from acoustics are often used to exemplify quantum mechanics. Conversely, quantum mechanics could be used to achieve a new perspective on acoustics, as shown by Gabor studies. Here, we focus in particular on the study of human voice, considered as a probe to investigate the world of sounds. We present a theoretical framework that is based on observables of vocal production, and on some measurement apparati that can be used both for analysis and synthesis. In analogy to the description of spin states of a particle, the quantum-mechanical formalism is used to describe the relations between the fundamental states associated with phonetic labels such as phonation, turbulence, and supraglottal myoelastic vibrations. The intermingling of these states, and their temporal evolution, can still be interpreted in the Fourier/Gabor plane, and effective extractors can be implemented. The bases for a quantum vocal theory of sound, with implications in sound analysis and design, are presented

Categories, Quantum Computing, and Swarm Robotics: A Case Study

The swarms of robots are examples of artificial collective intelligence, with simple individual autonomous behavior and emerging swarm effect to accomplish even complex tasks. Modeling approaches for robotic swarm development is one of the main challenges in this field of research. Here, we present a robot-instantiated theoretical framework and a quantitative worked-out example. Aiming to build up a general model, we first sketch a diagrammatic classification of swarms relating ideal swarms to existing implementations, inspired by category theory. Then, we propose a matrix representation to relate local and global behaviors in a swarm, with diagonal sub-matrices describing individual features and off-diagonal sub-matrices as pairwise interaction terms. Thus, we attempt to shape the structure of such an interaction term, using language and tools of quantum computing for a quantitative simulation of a toy model. We choose quantum computing because of its computational efficiency. This case study can shed light on potentialities of quantum computing in the realm of swarm robotics, leaving room for progressive enrichment and refinement

Assessment of mathematical learning in a musical composition workshop applying tools from the onto-semiotic approach

The mathematical music composition workshop, an endeavor that integrates mathematics and music majors, is a concrete example of a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) project. In this article, the authors analyze how mathematics students and music composition students have worked together, have learned to interpret specialized languages from one another, and have presented their results to a public interested in the relationship that guards these two disciplines. The goal of improving the understanding of abstract mathematical concepts through the application to musical structures is analyzed using the Onto-semiotic Approach (OSA). This framework sheds light on some of the written and oral manifestations of the students who participated. The mathematical competence that the participants were expected to achieve through this interdisciplinary endeavor are privileged in this article over the music education goals (which were also present)

Comparison of non-Markovianity criteria in a qubit system under random external fields

We give the map representing the evolution of a qubit under the action of non-dissipative random external fields. From this map, we construct the corresponding master equation that in turn allows us to phenomenologically introduce population damping of the qubit system. We then compare, in this system, the time regions where non-Markovianity is present on the basis of different criteria for both the non-dissipative and the dissipative case. We show that the adopted criteria agree both in the non-dissipative case and in the presence of population damping. © 2013 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

CubeHarmonic: A new interface from a magnetic 3D motion tracking system to music performance

We developed a new musical interface, CubeHarmonic, with the magnetic 3D motion tracking system IM3D. This sys- tem precisely tracks positions of tiny, wireless, battery-less, and identifiable markers (LC coils) in real time. The Cube- Harmonic is a musical application of the Rubik’s cube, with notes on each little piece. Scrambling the cube, we get dif- ferent chords and chord sequences. Positions of the pieces which contain LC coils are detected through IM3D, and transmitted to the computer to recognize the status of the Rubik’s cube, that plays sounds. The central position of the cube is also measured by the LC coils located into the corners of Rubik’s cube, and, depending on the position, we can manipulate overall loudness and pitch changes, as in theremin playing. This new instrument, whose first idea comes from mathematical theory of music, can be used as a teaching tool both for math (group theory) and music (music theory, mathematical music theory), as well as a composition device, a new instrument for avant-garde per- formances, and a recreational tool

Efficacy of hemostatic matrix and microporous polysaccharide hemospheres

AbstractBackgroundMicroporous Polysaccharide Hemospheres (MPH) are a new plant-derived polysaccharide powder hemostat. Previous studies investigated MPH as a replacement to nonflowable hemostatic agents of different application techniques (e.g., oxidized cellulose, collagen); therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if MPH is a surrogate for flowable hemostatic agents of similar handling and application techniques, specifically a flowable thrombin-gelatin hemostatic matrix.MethodsHemostatic efficacy was compared using a heparinized porcine abrasion model mimicking a capsular tear of a parenchymal organ. MPH (ARISTA, 1 g) and hemostatic matrix (Floseal, 1 mL) were applied, according to a randomized scheme, to paired hepatic abrasions (40 lesions per group). Hemostatic success, control of bleeding, and blood loss were assessed 2, 5, and 10 min after treatment. Hemostatic success and control of bleeding were analyzed using odds ratios and blood loss using mean differences.ResultsHemostatic matrix provided superior hemostatic success relative to MPH at 5 (odds ratio: 0.035, 95% confidence interval: 0.004–0.278) and 10 min (0.032, 0.007–0.150), provided superior control of bleeding at 5 (0.006, <0.001–0.037) and 10 min (0.009, 0.001–0.051), and had significantly less blood loss at 5 (mean difference: 0.3118 mL/min, 95% confidence interval: 0.0939–0.5296) and 10 min (0.5025, 0.2489–0.7561).ConclusionsThese findings corroborate other MPH investigations regarding its low-level efficacy and suggest that MPH is not an appropriate surrogate for hemostatic matrix despite similar application techniques. The lack of a procoagulant within MPH may likely be the reason for its lower efficacy and need for multiple applications

Shall We (Math and) Dance?

Can we use mathematics, and in particular the abstract branch of category theory, to describe some basics of dance, and to highlight structural similarities between music and dance? We first summarize recent studies between mathematics and dance, and between music and categories. Then, we extend this formalism and diagrammatic thinking style to dance.Comment: preprin