Venerable Style, Form, and the Avant-Garde in Mozart’s Minor Key Piano Sonatas K. 310 and K. 457: Topic and Structure

Although the topoi and elements of what has been described as the “Venerable Style” (V.S.) are found in many places in Mozart’s solo keyboard sonatas, the obsessive juxtaposition of these elements against brilliant, concerted, Empfindsamer Stil, and Sturm und Drang topoi can be shown to define the first and third movements of his minor key piano sonatas K.310 and K.457. This thesis will investigate using the theoretical tools developed by a range of Topic Theory authors such as Ratner (1980,) Allanbrook (1983,) Hatten (2004,) and Monelle (2000, 2006,) a newly developed analytical concept known as topical expansion, and the structural framework provided by Hepokoski and Darcy (2006) to prove that the venerable topoi are not purely referential gestures, but are also vital parts of the structural content of each of the sonatas and their respective single movements. In line with Caplin (2005)’s warning that the venerable and learned styles are some of the only historically developed and generally accepted topoi with formal (structural) ramifications, this thesis will argue that K.310 and K.457’s surface content is built largely upon the application, troping, and expansion of V.S. topoi in the key formal regions given in Hepokoski and Darcy (2006). As a result of comparative analysis, a further topical level of unity and compositional organization will be shown to be present in the works justifying Kinderman (2006) and Irving (2010)’s conception of the works’ stylistic affect as avant-garde and romantic in execution. Additionally, analysis of the works’ strictly controlled topoi will show each work to be in opposition to Allanbrook’s conception of Mozart’s music as a “miniature theater of gestures,” suggesting that their austere affect is programmed at the topical level in addition to their tonal and formal content (Allanbrook 1992, 130)

Functional programming framework for GRworkbench

The software tool GRworkbench is an ongoing project in visual, numerical General Relativity at The Australian National University. Recently, the numerical differential geometric engine of GRworkbench has been rewritten using functional programming techniques. By allowing functions to be directly represented as program variables in C++ code, the functional framework enables the mathematical formalism of Differential Geometry to be more closely reflected in GRworkbench . The powerful technique of `automatic differentiation' has replaced numerical differentiation of the metric components, resulting in more accurate derivatives and an order-of-magnitude performance increase for operations relying on differentiation

Numerical experimentation within GRworkbench

The software tool GRworkbench is an ongoing project in visual, numerical General Relativity at The Australian National University. This year, GRworkbench has been significantly extended to facilitate numerical experimentation. The numerical differential geometric engine has been rewritten using functional programming techniques, enabling fundamental concepts to be directly represented as variables in the C++ code of GRworkbench. Sophisticated general numerical methods have replaced simpler specialised algorithms. Various tools for numerical experimentation have been implemented, allowing for the simulation of complex physical situations. A recent claim, that the mass of the Milky Way can be measured using a small interferometer located on the surface of the Earth, has been investigated, and found to be an artifact of the approximations employed in the analysis. This difficulty is symptomatic of the limitations of traditional pen-and-paper analysis in General Relativity, which was the motivation behind the original development of GRworkbench. The physical situation pertaining to the claim has been modelled in a numerical experiment in GRworkbench, without the necessity of making any simplifying assumptions, and an accurate estimate of the effect has been obtained

Numerical wave optics and the lensing of gravitational waves by globular clusters

We consider the possible effects of gravitational lensing by globular clusters on gravitational waves from asymmetric neutron stars in our galaxy. In the lensing of gravitational waves, the long wavelength, compared with the usual case of optical lensing, can lead to the geometrical optics approximation being invalid, in which case a wave optical solution is necessary. In general, wave optical solutions can only be obtained numerically. We describe a computational method that is particularly well suited to numerical wave optics. This method enables us to compare the properties of several lens models for globular clusters without ever calling upon the geometrical optics approximation, though that approximation would sometimes have been valid. Finally, we estimate the probability that lensing by a globular cluster will significantly affect the detection, by ground-based laser interferometer detectors such as LIGO, of gravitational waves from an asymmetric neutron star in our galaxy, finding that the probability is insignificantly small.Comment: To appear in: Proceedings of the Eleventh Marcel Grossmann Meetin

Evidence of a deep viral host switch event with beak and feather disease virus infection in rainbow bee-eaters (Merops ornatus)

Since the characterization of psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) in 1984, a wide range of avian circoviruses have been discovered with varying pathogenic effects amongst a diverse range of avian hosts. Until recently these circovirus species were thought to be restricted to within avian Orders such as the Psittaciformes for beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) and Columbiformes for pigeon circovirus with little evidence of cross-family transmission or replication. We report evidence of a naturally occurring novel host switch event with self-limiting BFDV infection in a group of rainbow bee-eaters (Merops ornatus) a species of Coraciiformes unrelated to parrots and not previously known to be susceptible to any avian circovirus. The outbreak highlights important and unexpected aspects of disease emergence and host-switching pertinent to other situations when viruses might cross species boundaries as well as the potential of avian circoviruses to infect disparate host species

Automated movement feedback for recovering independence in the sit-to-stand movement in an older population : a pilot randomised controlled trial of a novel system

Background: The sit-to-stand (StS) movement is a frequently performed task critical to independent living that is both difficult to perform and associated with falls in older populations. Consequently, the recovery of this movement through supervised practice is a priority during the rehabilitation of older people. Technology may enable self-practice, potentially improving rehabilitation outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility and effectiveness of an automated movement feedback system for recovering the StS movement in an older population.Methods: This was a phase two pilot randomised controlled trial. Participants were in-patients on a geriatric rehabilitation unit with an impaired StS ability. Following baseline outcome measurements, including quantifying the number of StS executions 48 hours pre- and post- trial, participants were block randomised to either a control group receiving standard rehabilitation or an experimental group receiving standard rehabilitation augmented with a novel automated movement feedback system for the StS training sessions. The intervention aimed to last four weeks with outcome measures repeated following completion.Results: Eighteen participants (81.25+/- 7.31 years) were evenly distributed between the two groups and interventions were completed without incident. The novel feedback group provided positive feedback on their experience, reporting the system to be motivating and instructive. Differences between the groups were statistically significant (p<0.05) for change in clinical measures (Tinetti and Elderly Mobility Score) with greater improvement in the technology-based feedback group. Daily StS movements increased in the experimental group (5.75±1.97 to 29.5± 6.22) but decreased in the control group (17.00 ± 4.86 to 11.88 ± 3.37) a difference that was statistically significant (p=0.02).Conclusions: This randomised controlled trial evaluated a novel automated movement feedback system for recovering independence in the StS movement in an older population. The positive findings demonstrate the system to be suitable for use in a clinical environment and provide preliminary evidence of improved outcome in terms of StS capacity when compared to standard therapy

Automated movement feedback for recovering independence in the sit-to-stand movement in an older population : a pilot randomised controlled trial of a novel system

Background: The sit-to-stand (StS) movement is a frequently performed task critical to independent living that is both difficult to perform and associated with falls in older populations. Consequently, the recovery of this movement through supervised practice is a priority during the rehabilitation of older people. Technology may enable self-practice, potentially improving rehabilitation outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility and effectiveness of an automated movement feedback system for recovering the StS movement in an older population.Methods: This was a phase two pilot randomised controlled trial. Participants were in-patients on a geriatric rehabilitation unit with an impaired StS ability. Following baseline outcome measurements, including quantifying the number of StS executions 48 hours pre- and post- trial, participants were block randomised to either a control group receiving standard rehabilitation or an experimental group receiving standard rehabilitation augmented with a novel automated movement feedback system for the StS training sessions. The intervention aimed to last four weeks with outcome measures repeated following completion.Results: Eighteen participants (81.25+/- 7.31 years) were evenly distributed between the two groups and interventions were completed without incident. The novel feedback group provided positive feedback on their experience, reporting the system to be motivating and instructive. Differences between the groups were statistically significant (p<0.05) for change in clinical measures (Tinetti and Elderly Mobility Score) with greater improvement in the technology-based feedback group. Daily StS movements increased in the experimental group (5.75±1.97 to 29.5± 6.22) but decreased in the control group (17.00 ± 4.86 to 11.88 ± 3.37) a difference that was statistically significant (p=0.02).Conclusions: This randomised controlled trial evaluated a novel automated movement feedback system for recovering independence in the StS movement in an older population. The positive findings demonstrate the system to be suitable for use in a clinical environment and provide preliminary evidence of improved outcome in terms of StS capacity when compared to standard therapy

Diaphragm Abnormalities in Patients with End-Stage Heart Failure: NADPH Oxidase Upregulation and Protein Oxidation

Patients with heart failure (HF) have diaphragm abnormalities that contribute to disease morbidity and mortality. Studies in animals suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause diaphragm abnormalities in HF. However, the effects of HF on ROS sources, antioxidant enzymes, and protein oxidation in the diaphragm of humans is unknown. NAD(P)H oxidase, especially the Nox2 isoform, is an important source of ROS in the diaphragm. Our main hypothesis was that diaphragm from patients with HF have heightened Nox2 expression and p47phox phosphorylation (marker of enzyme activation) that is associated with elevated protein oxidation. We collected diaphragm biopsies from patients with HF and brain-dead organ donors (controls). Diaphragm mRNA levels of Nox2 subunits were increased 2.5–4.6-fold over controls (p \u3c 0.05). Patients also had increased protein levels of Nox2 subunits (p47phox, p22phox, and p67phox) and total p47phox phosphorylation, while phospho-to-total p47phox levels were unchanged. The antioxidant enzyme catalase was increased in patients, whereas glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutases were unchanged. Among markers of protein oxidation, carbonyls were increased by ~40% (p \u3c 0.05) and 4-hydroxynonenal and 3-nitrotyrosines were unchanged in patients with HF. Overall, our findings suggest that Nox2 is an important source of ROS in the diaphragm of patients with HF and increases in levels of antioxidant enzymes are not sufficient to maintain normal redox homeostasis. The net outcome is elevated diaphragm protein oxidation that has been shown to cause weakness in animals

Searching for stochastic gravitational-wave background with the co-located LIGO interferometers

This paper presents techniques developed by the LIGO Scientific Collaboration to search for the stochastic gravitational-wave background using the co-located pair of LIGO interferometers at Hanford, WA. We use correlations between interferometers and environment monitoring instruments, as well as time-shifts between two interferometers (described here for the first time) to identify correlated noise from non-gravitational sources. We veto particularly noisy frequency bands and assess the level of residual non-gravitational coupling that exists in the surviving data.Comment: Proceedings paper from the 7th Edoardo Amaldi Conference on Gravitational Waves, held in Sydney, Australia from 8-14 July 2007. Accepted to J. Phys.: Conf. Se