A Step Toward AI Tools for Quality Control and Musicological Analysis of Digitized Analogue Recordings: Recognition of Audio Tape Equalizations

Historical analogue audio documents are indissolubly linked to their physical carriers on which they are recorded. Because of their short life expectancy these documents have to be digitized. During this process, the document may be altered with the result that the digital copy is not reliable from the authenticity point of view. This happens because digitization process is not completely automatized and sometimes it is influenced by human subjective choices. Artificial intelligence can help operators to avoid errors, enhancing reliability and accuracy, and becoming the base for quality control tools. Furthermore, this kind of algorithms could be part of new instruments aiming to ease and to enrich musicological studies. This work focuses the attention on the equalization recognition problem in the audio tape recording field. The results presented in this paper, highlight that, using machine learning algorithms, is possible to recognize the pre-emphasis equalization used to record an audio tape

A Conceptual Framework for Motion Based Music Applications

Imaginary projections are the core of the framework for motion based music applications presented in this paper. Their design depends on the space covered by the motion tracking device, but also on the musical feature involved in the application. They can be considered a very powerful tool because they allow not only to project in the virtual environment the image of a traditional acoustic instrument, but also to express any spatially defined abstract concept. The system pipeline starts from the musical content and, through a geometrical interpretation, arrives to its projection in the physical space. Three case studies involving different motion tracking devices and different musical concepts will be analyzed. The three examined applications have been programmed and already tested by the authors. They aim respectively at musical expressive interaction (Disembodied Voices), tonal music knowledge (Harmonic Walk) and XX century music composition (Hand Composer)

Arbitrage theory in discrete time markets with bid-ask spread

openThis thesis studies the work of Przemysław Rola on the condition of no-arbitrage in a finite discrete time market with a money account (risk-free) and bid-ask spreads. In the first chapter, we introduce the mathematical model and we state the notions of Equivalent Bid-Ask Martingale Measure (EBAMM) and consistent price system (CPS). In the second chapter, we prove some lemmas and the fundamental theorem of asset pricing using the existence of EBAMM or superCPS and subCPS as an equivalent condition for no-arbitrage. In the last chapter, as an application of our findings, we introduce the Cox-Ross-Rubinstein model with bid-ask spreads.This thesis studies the work of Przemysław Rola on the condition of no-arbitrage in a finite discrete time market with a money account (risk-free) and bid-ask spreads. In the first chapter, we introduce the mathematical model and we state the notions of Equivalent Bid-Ask Martingale Measure (EBAMM) and consistent price system (CPS). In the second chapter, we prove some lemmas and the fundamental theorem of asset pricing using the existence of EBAMM or superCPS and subCPS as an equivalent condition for no-arbitrage. In the last chapter, as an application of our findings, we introduce the Cox-Ross-Rubinstein model with bid-ask spreads

The \u201cHarmonic Walk\u201d and Enactive Knowledge: an Assessment Report

The Harmonic Walk is an interactive, physical environment based on user\u2019s motion detection and devoted to the study and practice of tonal harmony. When entering the rectangular floor surface within the application\u2019s camera view, a user can actually walk inside the musical structure, causing a sound feedback depending on the occupied zone. We arranged a two masks projection set up to allow users to experience melodic segmentation and tonality harmonic space, and we planned two phase assessment sessions, submitting a 22 high school student group to various test conditions. Our findings demonstrate the high learning effectiveness of the Harmonic Walk application. Its ability to transfer abstract concepts in an enactive way, produces important improvement rates both for subjects who received explicit information and for subjects who didn\u2019t

Correlating the interstellar magnetic field with protostellar jets and its sources

This article combines new CCD polarimetric data with previous information about protostellar objects in a search for correlations involving the interstellar magnetic field. Specifically, we carried out an optical polarimetric study of a sample of 28 fields of 10 X 10 arcmin^2 located in the neighborhood of protostellar jets and randomly spread over the Galaxy. The polarimetry of a large number of field stars is used to estimate both the average and dispersion of the interstellar magnetic field (ISMF) direction in each region. The results of the applied statistical tests are as follows. Concerning the alignment between the jet direction and the interstellar magnetic field, the whole sample does not show alignment. There is, however, a statistically significant alignment for objects of Classes 0 and I. Regarding the interstellar magnetic field dispersion, our sample presents values slightly larger for regions containing T Tauri objects than for those harboring younger protostars. Moreover the ISMF dispersion in regions containing high-mass objects tends to be larger than in those including only low-mass protostars. In our sample, the mean interstellar polarization as a function of the average interstellar extinction in a region reaches a maximum value around 3% for A(V) = 5, after which it decreases. Our data also show a clear correlation of the mean value of the interstellar polarization with the dispersion of the interstellar magnetic field: the larger the dispersion, the smaller the polarization. Based on a comparison of our and previous results, we suggest that the dispersion in regions forming stars is larger than in quiescent regions.Comment: ApJ accepte

Is Vivaldi smooth and takete? Non-verbal sensory scales for describing music qualities

Studies on the perception of music qualities (such as induced or perceived emotions, performance styles, or timbre nuances) make a large use of verbal descriptors. Although many authors noted that particular music qualities can hardly be described by means of verbal labels, few studies have tried alternatives. This paper aims at exploring the use of non-verbal sensory scales, in order to represent different perceived qualities in Western classical music. Musically trained and untrained listeners were required to listen to six musical excerpts in major key and to evaluate them from a sensorial and semantic point of view (Experiment 1). The same design (Experiment 2) was conducted using musically trained and untrained listeners who were required to listen to six musical excerpts in minor key. The overall findings indicate that subjects\u2019 ratings on non-verbal sensory scales are consistent throughout and the results support the hypothesis that sensory scales can convey some specific sensations that cannot be described verbally, offering interesting insights to deepen our knowledge on the relationship between music and other sensorial experiences. Such research can foster interesting applications in the field of music information retrieval and timbre spaces explorations together with experiments applied to different musical cultures and contexts

Laparoscopic intraperitoneal on-lay mesh repair for the umbilical hernia using anti-adhesive gel

Curs Chirurgie Generală al Facultăţii Stomatologie, USMF „Nicolae Testemiţanu”, Spitalul Clinic Militar Central, Chişinău, Republica Moldova, Al XII-lea Congres al Asociației Chirurgilor „Nicolae Anestiadi” din Republica Moldova cu participare internațională 23-25 septembrie 2015Introducere: Poziţionarea intraperitoneală a plasei chirurgicale în cadrul curei laparoscopice intraperitoneale (IPOM) impune selectarea materialului sintetic. Material şi metode: În clinica noastră de chirurgie (SCMC), în anii 2013-2015 au fost supuşi curei laparoscopice pentru hernie ombilicală 10 pacienţi, 6 femei şi 4 bărbaţi. Vârsta a variat de la 20 pînă la 60 ani. Pentru protezare s-a folosit plasa din polivinilidenftorid (PVDF) de tip „Uniflex” (Rusia), mai mare cu 5 cm decât defectul herniar pe toate dimensiunile. Pentru prevenirea aderenţelor parieto-viscerale a fost utilizat suplimentar, compozitul antiadeziv „Mezogel” (Rusia). Fixarea plasei s-a asigurat prin aplicarea a 5 suturi tip „ancore” transfasciale şi agrafe helicoidale neresorbabile de diametrul – 4 mm, plasate la 1cm de marginea protezei. Algometria s-a efectuat cu utilizarea scalei analog vizuale (VAS). Rezultate: Defectul herniar a avut un diametru median de 3,9 cm. La 4 pacienţi a fost suturat defectul (diametrul = 1-3 cm) herniar prin aplicarea suturii intracorporale. Din particularităţi intraoperatorii se menţionează: reducerea conţinutului sacului herniar, adezioliză, controlul hemoragiei din adeziuni. Durata medie a intervenţiilor a fost de 55 min (45-65 min). În perioada postoperatorie complicaţii nu au fost semnalate. Sindromul dolor postoperator a fost minim (VAS: 1-3); complicaţii parietale – absente. Durata mediană de spitalizare – 3,2 zile. În perioada postoperatorie la distanţă nu s-au constatat dureri şi neuropatii, dereglări de tranzit intestinal sau recidive herniare. Concluzii: Cura laparoscopică a herniei ombilicale cu aplicarea protezei IPOM este o metodă fezabilă, sigură şi minim-invazivă. Plasa şi gelul cu proprietăţi antiadezive reduce semnificativ riscul aderenţelor parieto-viscerale şi a complicaţiilor parietale, asigurând reintegrarea socio-profesională rapidă. Avantajele expuse argumentează perspectivele utilizării tehnicii IPOM în cura herniilor ombilicale.Introduction: In laparoscopic intraperitoneal on-lay mesh repair (IPOM) positioning of a surgical mesh requires the selection of a synthetic material with anti-adhesive properties. Material and methods: Within period of 2013-2015, 10 IPOM hernia repairs have been performed on the group of 10 patients diagnosed with umbilical hernia, 6 male and 4 female. The overall age was 36.4 years (range 20-60). The PVDF monofilament macroporous mesh has been utilized for repair. The mesh overlaped the defect with 5 cm. The combined fixation technique was ensured by applying the “anchor” type sutures and 4 mm non-resorbable spiral tacks plaid up to 1 cm from the edge of the prosthetic mesh. The non-adhesive composite “Mezogel” has been used to ensure the prevention of the adhesions. Algometry was performed using visual analog scale (VAS). Results: The mean diameter of the hernia defect was 3.9 cm. In 4 cases the hernia defect (d=1-3 cm) has been closed by applying intracorporeal suture. The intraoperative features were: reduction the hernia sac content, removal of adhesions, control of the bleeding. The mean time of operations was 55 min. In postoperative period there no reported complications. In the distance postoperative period were not found pain and local neuropathy, bowel disorders or hernia recurrences. Conclusions: Laparoscopic IPOM umbilical hernia repair it is a feasible, safe and minimally-invasive procedure. Prosthesis and gel with anti-adhesive properties significantly reduce the risk of the parieto-visceral adhesions and complications ensuring quick socio-professional reintegration. The exposed advantages arguments the use of IPOM procedure in the umbilical hernia repair

First experience of surgical treatment in patients with hemorrhoidal disease with dopplerguided haemorrhoidal artery ligation and recto anal repair (HAL-RAR)

Curs Chirurgie Generală al Facultății Stomatologie, USMF „Nicolae Testemițanu”, Spitalul Clinic Central Feroviar, Chișinău, Republica Moldova, Al XII-lea Congres al Asociației Chirurgilor „Nicolae Anestiadi” din Republica Moldova cu participare internațională 23-25 septembrie 2015Introducere: În ultimul timp au fost propuse și implementate cu succes în practica chirurgicală diferite metode de tratament minim-invaziv al bolii hemoroidale. Ligaturarea transanală a arterelor hemoroidale cu mucopexie sub controlul doplerometriei ultrasonore (HAL-RAR) este o metodă contemporană de tratament al hemoroizilor interni. Scopul studiului: Implementarea în practică și aprecierea eficacității metodei minim-invazive HAL-RAR. Material și metode: În clinica de chirurgie a Spitalului Clinic Central, stația Chișinău, în anii 2014-2015 au fost efectuate 5 intervenții chirurgicale pacienților cu diagnosticul de hemoroizi cronici micști gr.IV cu ajutorul aparatului A.M.I. HAL-RAR. Pentru ligaturarea arterelor hemoroidale a fost folosită sutura atraumatică 2-0, acul 5/8. Cu ajutorul aparatului HAL-RAR sub controlul doplerometriei ultrasonore intraoperator s-au depistat ramurile arterei hemoroidale superioare și a fost efectuat procedeul de ligaturare transanală a arterelor proximal de linia dentată. Cel mai frecvent ramurile arterei hemoroidale superioare au fost depistate corespunzător orelor 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. Calitatea ligaturării arterelor a fost confirmată ultrasonografic prin dispariția sau diminuarea pulsației acestora. La 3 pacienți a fost efectuată mucopexia cu „lifting” al mucoasei și nodulilor hemoroidali prolabați. Simultan la 3 pacienți au fost excizați nodulii externi hipertrofiați și pliurile ano-cutanate („skin tags”) din motive cosmetice. Rezultate: La toți 5 pacienți sindromul algic a fost slab pronunțat. După efectuarea HAL-RAR administrarea opioidelor n-a fost necesară. Complicații postoperatorii n-au fost depistate. Toți pacienții au fost externați la domiciliu în stare satisfăcătoare. Concluzii: Reieșind din datele literaturii de specialitate și experiența noastră modestă, considerăm că HAL-RAR este o metodă alternativă de tratament minim-invaziv al hemoroizilor.Introduction: Different minimally invasive methods of treatment of hemorrhoids were recently offered and successfully introduced into surgical practice. Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation and recto anal repair (HAL-RAR) is an up-to-date method of internal hemorrhoids treatment. Aim of study: Implementation in practice of HAL-RAR method and assessment of its performance. Material and methods: In our Clinic of surgery, Central Railway Hospital, Chisinau station, in 2014-2015 there were performed 5 surgical interventions in patients diagnosed with chronic mixed hemorrhoids, grade IV, with the A.M.I. HAL-RAR device. Atraumatic suture 2-0, needle 5/8 was used for hemorrhoidal artery ligation. During the surgery superior hemorrhoidal artery branches were determined under the ultrasound control and the procedure of transanal artery ligation was performed proximal to dentate line. Superior hemorrhoidal artery branches were determined most commonly corresponding to 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 o’clock. The ultrasound confirmed the quality of the artery ligation via disappearance or reduction of their pulsation. Mucopexy with lifting of mucosa and prolapsed hemorrhoids was performed in 3 patients. Simultaneously external hypertrophic piles and skin tags were excised for cosmetic reason in 3 patients. Results: A mild pain syndrome was determined in all 5 patients. There was not any necessity in opioids prescription after the HAL-RAR procedure. Any postsurgical complications were not determined. All the patients were discharged home in satisfactory condition. Conclusions: According to the literature on specialty and our modest experience, we believe that the HAL-RAR procedure is an alternative minimally invasive method of hemorrhoids treatment

Mozart is still blue: a comparison of sensory and verbal scales to describe qualities in music

An experiment was carried out in order to assess the use of non-verbal sensory scales for evaluating perceived music qualities, by comparing them with the analogous verbal scales. Participants were divided into two groups; one group (SV) completed a set of non-verbal scales responses and then a set of verbal scales responses to short musical extracts. A second group (VS) completed the experiment in the reverse order. Our hypothesis was that the ratings of the SV group can provide information unmediated (or less mediated) by verbal association in a much stronger way than the VS group. Factor analysis performed separately on the SV group, the VS group and for all participants shows a recurring patterning of the majority of sensory scales versus the verbal scales into different factors. Such results suggest that the sensory scale items are indicative of a different semantic structure than the verbal scales in describing music, and so they are indexing different qualities (perhaps ineffable), making them potentially special contributors to understanding musical experience

Contemporary management of internal chronical hemorrhoids depending on grade of clinical course

Curs chirurgie generală al facultății stomatologie, USMF „Nicolae Testemițanu”, Spitalul clinic central feroviar, Chișinău, Republica Moldova, Al XII-lea Congres al Asociației Chirurgilor „Nicolae Anestiadi” din Republica Moldova cu participare internațională 23-25 septembrie 2015Introducere: Hemoroizii reprezintă o patologie răspîndită a regiunii ano-rectale. La momentul actual pe larg se utilizează diferite clasificări ale hemoroizilor interni. Gradul I – hemoroizii proemină în anus fără prolaps; gradul II – hemoroizii prolabează în timpul defecației și se reduc spontan; gradul III – hemoroizii prolabează și necesită reducție manuală; gradul IV – hemoroizii prolabează și sunt ireductibili. De asemenea, de obicei gradul este în corelație cu severitatea eliminărilor sangvinolente din rect. Material și metode: Noi am analizat rezultatele managementului contemporan al hemoroizilor cronici interni. Rezultate: Reieșind din datele literaturii de specialitate și experiența noastră, considerăm, că în gradul I-II este indicată schimbarea modului de viață, dieta cu conținutul sporit al fibrelor naturale, cantitate optimă de lichide; tratamentul conservativ local (unguente, creme, supozitoare, uleiuri, clistere, băi, etc.) și sistemic (angioprotectoare, flavonoide, laxative, antiinflamatoare, coagulante/anticoagulante, antispastice, imunostimulante, antioxidanți, etc.). De asemenea, la necesitate, tratamentul conservativ în hemoroizii interni de gradul I-III poate fi asociat cu metodele miniminvazive de tratament chirurgical: ligaturarea arterelor hemoroidale cu/fără mucopexie (HAL-RAR), ligatura cu benzi elastice (RBL), hemoroidopexia cu stapler (Longo), fotocoagularea în infraroșu, scleroterapia, hemoroidoliza galvanică, laser – fotocoagulare, diatermocoagularea monosau bipolară. În gradul III-IV este indicat tratamentul chirurgical: excizia tradițională cu abordarea individuală – Milligan-Morgan, Parks, Fergusson, Whitehead, etc.; excizia cu electrocoagulare, radiofrecvența, cu ultrasunete; metoda Longo sau HAL-RAR. Concluzii: Considerăm, că abordarea diferențiată, complexă și individuală în managementul hemoroizilor interni în funcție de grad permite o alegere optimală a metodei de tratament.Introduction: Hemorrhoids are a widespread pathology of anorectal region. Currently various classifications of internal hemorrhoids are widely used. Grade I – hemorrhoids protrude into the anus without prolapse; grade II – hemorrhoids prolapse during defecation and are reduced spontaneously; grade III – hemorrhoids prolapse and require manual reduction; grade IV – hemorrhoids prolapse and are irreducible. Also, the grade is usually correlated with the severity of bleeding from the rectum. Material and methods: We analyzed the results of contemporary management of chronic internal hemorrhoids. Results: Basing on literature data and our experience, we believe that in grade I-II it is indicated: the change of lifestyle, diet with high content of natural fibers, the optimal amount of liquid; local conservative treatment (ointments, creams, suppositories, oils, enemas, baths, etc.) and general treatment (angioprotectors, flavonoids, laxatives, anti-inflammatory, coagulants/anticoagulants, spasmolytics, immunostimulants, antioxidants, etc.). Also, if necessary, conservative treatment of internal hemorrhoids grade I-III can be associated with minimally invasive surgical treatment methods: hemorrhoidal artery ligation with/without mucopexy (HAL-RAR), rubber band ligation (RBL), stapled hemorrhoidopexy (Longo), hemorrhoids infrared coagulation (IRC), sclerotherapy, galvanic hemorrhoidolysis, Nd-YAG laser phototherapy, mono- or bipolar diathermocoagulation. In grade III-IV surgery is indicated: traditional excision with individual approach – Milligan-Morgan, Parks, Fergusson, Whitead, etc.; excision with electrocoagulation, radiofrequency, ultrasound; Longo or HAL-RAR method. Conclusions: We believe that differentiated, complex and individual approach in management of internal hemorrhoids depending on grade allows to select an optimal method of treatment