Para além da partitura: análise do timbre na música de vanguarda

The article examines perceptual aspects of timbre within the context of avant-garde XX century music. An excerpt from a work by Luciano Berio was taken into account. We recorded it on 8 separate channels each of them devoted to small groups of homogeneous sounds, in order to obtain a global result that we could modify by subtracting one or more of the recorded groups. We prepared four different excerpts: one with the original version and three with modified versions. 50 participants (25 experts, 25 non-experts) were invited to fill in a semantic differential bipolar scale made of 12 adjectives, 6 concerning emotional and 6 sensorial aspects of perception. We interpreted the subjects’ responses with the help of a spectrographic analysis and of studies on timbre verbalization. The main aim of our research was to explore the possibilities of timbre analysis, a field that so far has no solid scientific background. The research obtained promising responses from expert listeners, while non-experts manifested a sort of aesthetic refusal of this genre of music. Positive results were obtained also in the critical observations of possibilities and limits of spectrographic analysis and verbalizations of timbre. We hope that our initial data can be useful for future studies on timbre perception.Este artículo pretende examinar los aspectos perceptivos del timbre en el contexto de la música de vanguardia del siglo XX. En la investigación se ha utilizado un fragmento musical tomado de una composición de Luciano Berio. El fragmento ha sido grabado en ocho canales separados, cada uno contenía un pequeño grupo de sonidos homogéneos consiguiendo un resultado global que podía ser modificado eliminando uno o más de los grupos grabados. Se han elaborado cuatro grabaciones distintas, una con la versión original y las otras tres con una versión diferente. Han sido invitados 50 participantes (25 musicalmente expertos y 25 no expertos) y se los ha invitado a completar una escala bipolar de diferencial semántico constituida por 12 adjetivos, 6 pertenecientes a la percepción emocional y 6 a la percepción sensorial. La interpretación de las respuestas de los participantes se ha realizado con la ayuda del análisis espectrográfico y de los estudios sobre verbalización de las calidades tímbricas. El objetivo principal de nuestra investigación ha sido el de explorar cuáles podían ser las posibilidades del análisis del timbre, un campo que todavía no tiene a sus espaldas un solido bagaje científico. Las respuestas dadas por los oyentes expertos se han revelado prometedoras, al contrario los oyentes no expertos han manifestado una especie de rechazo de tipo estético frente a este tipo de música. Resultados positivos se han recogido también con respecto a las útiles observaciones críticas sobre las posibilidades y las limitaciones del análisis espectrográfico y de la verbalización. Tenemos la esperanza de que estos resultados iniciales puedan ser de utilidad para futuros estudios sobre la percepción del timbre.O presente artigo busca examinar os aspectos perceptíveis do timbre no contexto da música de vanguarda do século XX. A pesquisa utilizou um fragmento musical de uma composição de Luciano Berio. O trecho foi gravado em 8 canais separados, cada qual contendo um pequeno grupo de sons similares, a fim de se obter um resultado global que pudesse ser modificado eliminando um ou mais dos grupos gravados. Foram preparadas quatro gravações: uma com a versão original e três com uma versão diferente. Cinquenta participantes (25 especialistas em música e 25 não especialistas) foram convidados a preencher uma escala bipolar de diferencial semântico composta de 12 adjetivos: 6 relativos à percepção emocional e 6 relativos à percepção sensorial. A interpretação da resposta dos participantes foi realizada com a ajuda da análise espectrográfica, e dos estudos sobre a verbalização das qualidades do timbre. O objetivo principal da nossa pesquisa foi o de explorar as diversas possibilidades das análises de timbre; um campo que não possui ainda um sólido embasamento científico. As respostas obtidas através dos ouvintes especialistas mostraram ser promissoras, enquanto as respostas dos não especialistas demonstraram uma rejeição de cunho estético em relação a esse tipo de música. Foram igualmente obtidos resultados positivos em relação às úteis observações críticas sobre as possibilidades e os limites da análise espectrográfica e da verbalização sobre o timbre. Esperamos que os nossos resultados iniciais possam ser utilizados nos estudos futuros sobre a percepção do timbre

Urban IoT ontologies for sharing and electric mobility

Cities worldwide are facing the challenge of digital information governance: different and competing service providers operating Internet of Things (IoT) devices often produce and maintain large amounts of data related to the urban environment. As a consequence, the need for interoperability arises between heterogeneous and distributed information, to enable city councils to make data-driven decisions and to provide new and effective added value services to their citizens. In this paper, we present the Urban IoT suite of ontologies, a common conceptual model to harmonise the data exchanges between municipalities and service providers, with specific focus on the sharing mobility and electric mobility domains

Bond strength of different endodontic sealers to dentin: push-out test

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the bond strength of different root canal sealers to dentin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty extracted single-rooted human teeth were examined and the coronal and middle thirds of the canals were prepared with a 1.50 mm post drill (FibreKor Post System, Pentron). The teeth were allocated in two experimental groups, irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl+17% EDTA or saline solution (control group) and instrumented using Race rotary files (FKG) to a size #40 at the working length. Then, the groups were divided into four subgroups and filled with Epiphany sealer (Group 1), EndoREZ (Group 2), AH26 (Group 3) and Grossman's Sealer (Group 4). After 2 weeks of storage in 100% humidity at 37ºC, all teeth were sectioned transversally into 2-mm-thick discs. Push-out tests were performed at a cross-head speed of 1 mm/min using a universal testing machine. The maximum load at failure was recorded and expressed in MPa. RESULTS: Means (±SD) in root canals irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl and 17% EDTA were: G1 (21.6±6.0), G2 (15.2±3.7), G3 (14.6±4.5) and G4 (11.7±4.1).Two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test showed the highest bond strength for the Epiphany's group (p< 0.01) when compared to the other tested sealers. Saline solution decreased the values of bond-strength (

Social Perception of Reconstruction following Orbital Exenteration

Background: Orbital exenteration, the removal of the entire globe, eyelids, and orbital content, is indicated in extensive neoplastic disease involving the orbital region. Although a functional reconstruction of orbital exenteration defects is mandatory, aesthetic concerns need to be considered. Facial disfigurement following reconstructive surgery often leads to great discomfort and social retirement, which can limit social interaction. The aim of this study was to explore how the society perceives the aspect of patients who underwent orbital exenteration and subsequent reconstruction, comparing two different types of reconstruction: standard anterolateral thigh (ALT) or "sandwich" fascial ALT (SALT) free flap. Methods: An online survey was created based on four questions regarding the perception of reconstruction (discomfort at looking at that patient, perception of unhealthiness, hypothesis of social life impairment, etc); five possible answers were provided, ranging from "completely" to "not at all." The survey was administered to the general population and to medical students. Results: In total, 255 people participated to the survey (130 medical students and 125 people of the general population); a total of 245 surveys were considered eligible (10 were incomplete and then discharged). Statistical significance was found (P &lt; 0.001) regarding the better overall appearance of the SALT group over the ALT one. Conclusions: After analysis, the surgical outcome after SALT reconstruction has been found to be less disruptive in both groups, due to a reduced scar burden and a more pleasant orbital pocket. Our results encourage more research in the field of postexenteration reconstruction to achieve more aesthetic and social acceptability

Hypovitaminosis D is independently associated with metabolic syndrome in obese patients

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) and hypovitaminosis D represent two of the most diffuse condition worldwide, reaching pandemic proportions in industrialized countries, and are both strongly associated with obesity. This study set out to evaluate the presence of an independent association between hypovitaminosis D and MS in an adult population of obese subjects with/without MS. Methods: We recruited 107 consecutive obese subjects, 61 with MS (age(mean +/- SD) 45.3 +/- 13.3 years, BMI(mean +/- SD): 43.1 +/- 8.3 kg/m(2)) and 46 without MS (age: 41.8 +/- 11.5, p = n.s., BMI: 41.6 +/- 6.5 kg/m(2), p = n.s.) comparable for sex, BMI, waist circumference and body fat mass, evaluated by bioimpedentiometry. 25(OH) vitamin D-3 levels were measured by colorimetric method. Insulin resistance was estimated by fasting blood insulin, HOMA-IR and ISI. Results: Serum 25(OH) D3 levels were significantly lower in MS obese patients than in obese subjects without MS (median(range) 13.5(3.3-32) vs 17.4(5.1-37.4), p&lt;0.007). Low 25(OH)D-3 levels correlated with glycaemia (p&lt;0.007), phosphate (p&lt;0.03), PTH (p&lt;0.003) and the MS (p&lt;0.001). Multivariate model confirmed that low 25(OH)D-3 levels were associated with the diagnosis of MS in obese patients independently from gender, age, serum PTH and body fat mass. After stratifying the study population according to 25(OH)D-3 concentrations, patients in the lowest quartile showed a markedly increased prevalence of MS compared to those in the highest quartile (OR = 4.1, CI 1.2-13.7, p = 0.02). Conclusions: A powerful association exists between hypovitaminosis D and MS in obese patients independently from body fat mass and its clinical correlates. This indicates that the association between low 25(OH)D-3 levels and MS is not merely induced by vitamin D deposition in fat tissue and reinforces the hypothesis that hypovitaminosis D represent a crucial independent determinant of MS.Background:Metabolic syndrome (MS) and hypovitaminosis D represent two of the most diffuse condition worldwide, reaching pandemic proportions in industrialized countries, and are both strongly associated with obesity. This study set out to evaluate the presence of an independent association between hypovitaminosis D and MS in an adult population of obese subjects with/without MS.Methods:We recruited 107 consecutive obese subjects, 61 with MS (age(mean±SD) 45.3±13.3 years, BMI(mean±SD): 43.1±8.3 kg/m2) and 46 without MS (age: 41.8±11.5, p = n.s., BMI:41.6±6.5 kg/m2, p = n.s.) comparable for sex, BMI, waist circumference and body fat mass, evaluated by bioimpedentiometry. 25(OH) vitamin D3 levels were measured by colorimetric method. Insulin resistance was estimated by fasting blood insulin, HOMA-IR and ISI.Results:Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were significantly lower in MS obese patients than in obese subjects without MS (median(range) 13.5(3.3-32) vs 17.4(5.1-37.4), p&lt;0.007). Low 25(OH)D3 levels correlated with glycaemia (p&lt;0.007), phosphate (p&lt;0.03), PTH (p&lt;0.003) and the MS (p&lt;0.001). Multivariate model confirmed that low 25(OH)D3 levels were associated with the diagnosis of MS in obese patients independently from gender, age, serum PTH and body fat mass. After stratifying the study population according to 25(OH)D3 concentrations, patients in the lowest quartile showed a markedly increased prevalence of MS compared to those in the highest quartile (OR = 4.1, CI 1.2-13.7, p = 0.02).Conclusions:A powerful association exists between hypovitaminosis D and MS in obese patients independently from body fat mass and its clinical correlates. This indicates that the association between low 25(OH) D3 levels and MS is not merely induced by vitamin D deposition in fat tissue and reinforces the hypothesis that hypovitaminosis D represent a crucial independent determinant of MS. © 2013 Barchetta et al

CHARACTERISTICS OF INTERNET USE AMONGST ITALIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Background: Problematic Internet use (PIU), that may be defined as the inability to control one’s use of Internet with negative consequences in daily life, is an emerging problem involving primarily, but not only young generations. Different studies have shown that students are particularly vulnerable to PIU. Given the paucity of information on PIU in our country, the aim of this paper was at investigating the characteristics of PIU amongst Italian University students. Subjects and methods: A self-assessment questionnaire, referred by the acronym QUNT (“Questionario sull’Utilizzo delle Nuove Tecnologie”), composed by 101 items grouped together to identify a series of factors, was developed and sent through e-mail invitation to several students from three Italian Universities. Results: The returned questionnaires were 3324, out of a total of 51,304 sent, with no difference between the two sexes. On the contrary, the distribution of the QUNT factors was different in the two sexes, in people living alone and in overweight subjects. Men resulted to be more involved in online recreational activities, whereas women seemed more attracted to instant messaging and generally to social networks. PIU was significantly more present in men than women. The comparisons of QUNT factor scores in the four BMI categories showed that the greater the BMI the greater the score of some factors. Conclusions: The findings of the present study indicate that the use of Internet through new technologies may exceed its real utility amongst Italian university student, with some sex-related differences. Men seem more prone to use Internet for passing time and women for social relationships. Men are also at risk of developing PIU. Again, Internet use might be a basic vulnerability factor of increasing weight gain and obesity amongst young people

Prevalence and clinical outcome of hepatic haemangioma with specific reference to the risk of rupture: a large retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence and incidence of hepatic haemangioma are estimated from autopsy series only. Although benign and generally asymptomatic, hepatic haemangioma can cause serious complications. AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of hepatic haemangioma and to attempt to quantify the risk of major complications such as spontaneous rupture. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the radiology database of a Regional University Hospital over a 7-year period: the radiological records of 83,181 patients who had an abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance scan were reviewed. Diagnoses made at imaging were reviewed and related to clinical course. RESULTS: Hepatic haemangioma was diagnosed in 2071 patients (2.5% prevalence). In 226 patients (10.9%), haemangioma had diameter of 4 cm or more (giant haemangioma). The risk of bleeding was assessed on patients without concomitant malignancies. Spontaneous bleeding occurred in 5/1067 patients (0.47%). All 5 patients had giant haemangioma: 4 had exophytic lesions and presented with haemoperitoneum; 1 with centrally located tumour experienced intrahepatic bleeding. CONCLUSION: Giant haemangiomas have a low but relevant risk of rupture (3.2% in this series), particularly when peripherally located and exophytic. Surgery might be considered in these cases