Modern Methods of Time-Frequency Warping of Sound Signals

Tato práce se zabývá reprezentací nestacionárních harmonických signálů s časově proměnnými komponentami. Primárně je zaměřena na Harmonickou transformaci a jeji variantu se subkvadratickou výpočetní složitostí, Rychlou harmonickou transformaci. V této práci jsou prezentovány dva algoritmy využívající Rychlou harmonickou transformaci. Prvni používá jako metodu odhadu změny základního kmitočtu sbírané logaritmické spektrum a druhá používá metodu analýzy syntézou. Oba algoritmy jsou použity k analýze řečového segmentu pro porovnání vystupů. Nakonec je algoritmus využívající metody analýzy syntézou použit na reálné zvukové signály, aby bylo možné změřit zlepšení reprezentace kmitočtově modulovaných signálů za použití Harmonické transformace.This thesis deals with representation of non-stationary harmonic signals with time-varying components. Its main focus is aimed at Harmonic Transform and its variant with subquadratic computational complexity, the Fast Harmonic Transform. Two algorithms using the Fast Harmonic Transform are presented. The first uses the gathered log-spectrum as fundamental frequency change estimation method, the second uses analysis-by-synthesis approach. Both algorithms are used on a speech segment to compare its output. Further the analysis-by-synthesis algorithm is applied on several real sound signals to measure the increase in the ability to represent real frequency-modulated signals using the Harmonic Transform.

Migliorare lo sviluppo dell’ascolto nell’educazione scolastica della scuola preparatoria attraverso l’uso di supporti multimediali (un esempio polacco)

This article refers to the use of multimedia on early stages of music education in the context of the category of audiation. Theory of universal music learning, according to Gordon, is mostly directed at teachers. The text presents the possibility of implementing E. E. Gordon’s theory into professional training of early music education teachers at Kazi - mierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz in Poland. The author recognises the importance of shaping research competences of future teachers as they help students use not only practical (pedagogical), but empirical work of E. E. Gordon’s theory. The text presents also the reports from research on the application of E. E. Gordon’s Theory of Music Learning, carried out by students of early school and music education at Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz in Poland. Such expectations are taken into consideration in the Music Fairytale “e–Audiation Songbook” project, described in this text, which from the beginning has been the field of practical and empirical application of the elements of E.E. Gordon’s theory by the staff and student team cooperating in the Faculty of Music Education of the Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz.Questo articolo riguarda l’uso della multimedialità nelle prime fasi di educazione musicale nel contesto della categoria di ascolto. La teoria dell’apprendimento musicale universale, secondo Gordon, è per lo più rivolta ai docenti. Il testo presenta la possibilità di implementare la teoria di E. E. Gordon all’interno della formazione professionale degli insegnanti di musica antica presso la Kazimierz Wielki University di Bydgoszcz in Polonia.L’autore riconosce l’importanza della formazione alle competenze di ricerca dei futuri insegnanti, in quanto essi aiutano gli studenti utilizzando non solo un lavoro pratico (pedagogico), ma traducendo in lavoro empirico la teoria di E. E. Gordon. Il testo presenta anche delle relazioni di ricerca sull’applicazione della teoria di E. E. Gordon sull’apprendimento musicale, realizzate da studenti della scuola preparatoria e di educazione musicale presso la Kazimierz Wielki University di Bydgoszcz in Polonia. Tali prospettive sono prese in considerazione nel progetto Musica Fairytale “e-Audiation Songbook”, descritto in questo testo, che sin dall’inizio è stato il campo di applicazione pratica ed empirica degli elementi della teoria di E. E. Gordon da parte del team di personalee studenti collaboratori presso la Facoltà di Educazione musicale Kazimierz Wielki University di Bydgoszcz

Pathophysiology and clinical symptoms of acute radiation syndrome

Introduction: The use of radiation sources in various areas of life generates the risk of accidents and radiation disasters. The increase in terrorist threats as well as the risk of an outbreak of new armed conflicts carries the risk of using radioactive materials by terrorist groups and the military. Exposure to high doses of radiation and absorbing above-threshold doses by victims may cause acute radiation syndrome (ARS), as well as some distant effects. Personnel of the State Emergency Medical System (EMS) will be the first professional medical team in the process of providing assistance to such victims. The effects of further medical treatment in the hospital will depend on EMS’s first response, radiological triage and initial interventions taken. The aim: To present pathophysiology and clinical symptoms of acute radiation syndrome in the context of the medical practice of the EMS. Material and methods: For the purpose of this publication, an analysis of literature on the subject of the mechanism of ionizing radiation and its effects on the human body was performed. The work is focused on the interpretation of research results and their presentation from the EMS’s perspective. Results: The publication presents the impact of ionizing radiation on the body, the mechanism of damage to cellular structures and its consequences for individual organs and systems. ARS’s clinical (hematopoietic, intestinal, cerebrovascular) syndromes were discussed in detail, paying attention to radiation doses, the sensitivity of individual systems and organs, the dynamics of individual phases, as well as the ability to recognize and assess the severity of their progression by EMS personnel. Conclusions: The knowledge of pathophysiology, and ARS’s symptoms and dynamics is important to respond correctly to radiation incidents. This knowledge allows for efficient organization and emergency management during rescue operations. The increase in the risk of radiation incidents and radiation disasters generates the need for appropriate preparation of emergency rescuers, in particular, of the medical personnel of the State Emergency Medical Services

Conditions Of Polish Industry Innovativeness

One of the measures of Polish economy development, including its innovativeness and competitiveness is the level of gross domestic expenditures on research and development activity, so called GERD in relation to gross domestic product, i.e. GDP. Poland assigns for R&D one tenth of expenditures, which are assigned by countries with the highest index GERD/GDP: USA and Japan. Scientific and research-development units in our country are characterised by a relatively low level of investment expenditures. As a result, small rebuild scientific-research apparatus and high level of its wear occur. The level of expenditures on R&D per capita in Poland and small share of industry in financing research are reasons of still unsatisfactory pace of decreasing the distance between Poland and well - developed countries (including the EU countries). Lack of mechanisms encouraging industry to greater participation in expenditures on R&D destimulates innovativeness and competitiveness of economy. The paper presents indexes characterising the innovative potential of Polish economy against the background of selected countries. It analyses positive aspects and barriers of innovativeness growth. These problems make a subject of many years research and analyses carried out by authors presented among others in works [1], [2].  The paper described some trends and conditions occurring in Polish economy undergoing transformation.  It presents an example of using a method of artificial neural networks in modelling innovativeness in industry on an example of the innovation intensity index.  Research method proposed by authors, carried out with the use of a method of artificial neural networks confirm that positive trends concerning Polish industry innovativeness in the first years of the XXI century are maintained

Triage and emergency medical management of the acute radiation syndrome

Introduction: Medical personnel of the state Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be the first element involved in providing assistance to victims of radiation incidents. Triage, initial diagnosis and further patient medical management will depend on their actions. In many radiation incidents, initial radiation triage and early diagnostics will be carried out in the emergency department (ED) or trauma center (TC). Extended triage, diagnosis of ARS and proper treatment will be continued in specialist centers. The aim: To present a model of patient medical management including initial triage and early diagnosis of ARS that can be carried out at the ED and TC. Material and methods: The initial medical procedures prepared by expert groups were presented. The choice of procedures was made in terms of the possibility of their application by the EMS teams in Poland. Particular attention was paid to the method of initial triage, based on the clinical condition and laboratory diagnostics. Results: Based on the material collected, the path of the initial medical procedure was presented. Variants of the radiation triage, interpretation of clinical parameters and results of laboratory tests are presented. The methods of initial treatment and the method of qualification for specialist treatment, and new methods of treating patients were also described. Conclusions: An adequate evaluation of radiation incidents, determining the absorbed dose of ionising radiation and ARS, as well as initial triage seem to be crucial skills of the EMS workers

Kreatywność w myśleniu muzycznym jako przedmiot badań muzyczno-edukacyjnych studentów pedagogiki wczesnoszkolnej

The text highlights selected research themes explored by students of early school education, concerning the conditions for creative thinking development in music. The creativity is analysed in connection with audiation development, which in the light of the Gordon music learning theory is described as one of the most important paths in implementation ofthe music education process. it applies to various forms of music activity and forms part of the task of preparing children to active participation in music culture. The sole focus of the reflection on pupils in early school age results from the belief that in that developmental period a dynamic program for stimulation of thinking in music is most important.W tekście zwrócono uwagę na wybrane kierunki badań podejmowanych przez studentów pedagogiki wczesnoszkolnej nad warunkami rozwijania kreatywnego myślenia w muzyce. Taką kreatywność analizuje się w kontekście rozwoju audiacji, co w świetle teorii uczenia się muzyki E. E. Gordona określane jest jako jeden z ważniejszych tropów w realizacjiprocesu kształcenia muzycznego. Dotyczy to różnych form aktywności muzycznej i wpisuje się w zadania przygotowania dziecka do aktywnego uczestnictwa w kulturze muzycznej. Zawężenie refleksji na wczesnoszkolnym wieku uczniów jest konsekwencją poglądów, iż w tym okresie rozwoju bardzo ważny jest dynamiczny program rozwijania myślenia w muzyce

Skutki zdrowotne ekspozycji na promieniowanie jonizujące

Cel: W publikacji omówiono skutki działania promieniowania jonizującego na organizm ludzki. W przeświadczeniu autorów przedstawienie problematyki zdarzeń radiacyjnych od strony skutków napromieniowania pozwoli na lepsze przygotowanie na wypadek ich wystąpienia, a w konsekwencji bezpieczniejsze działanie w trakcie tego zagrożenia. Wprowadzenie: Coraz szersze zastosowanie materiałów promieniotwórczych i urządzeń wytwarzających promieniowanie jonizujące w wielu obszarach naszego życia niesie za sobą ryzyko narażenia na działanie niebezpiecznych dla zdrowia dawek promieniowania. Dawki te mogą być generowane wskutek uszkodzenia źródeł promieniowania lub postępowania z nimi w nieodpowiedni sposób. Nie można również wykluczyć narażeń wynikających z intencjonalnego wykorzystania materiałów promieniotwórczych w działaniach kryminalnych lub terrorystycznych. Narażenie na promieniowanie jonizujące może wywołać negatywne skutki zdrowotne – zarówno u ofiar zdarzenia radiacyjnego, jak i u ratowników udzielających ofiarom pomocy. Istniejące zagrożenia wymagają więc odpowiedniego przygotowania medycznych służb ratowniczych. Jednym z elementów tych przygotowań jest poznanie specyfiki zagrożeń radiacyjnych, w tym źródeł promieniowania, mechanizmu działania poszczególnych form promieniowania jonizującego, a także rodzaju obrażeń radiacyjnych, które wywołują. Metodologia: W artykule przedstawiono właściwości promieniowania jonizującego, najbardziej istotne z punktu widzenia ratownictwa medycznego. Omówiono zagadnienia związane z kontaktem ze źródłem promieniowania, skażenia zewnętrznego i wewnętrznego, pomiaru wielkości ekspozycji i dawek pochłoniętych oraz zaprezentowano wzajemne zależności pomiędzy nimi. Szczegółowo opisano mechanizm bezpośredniego i pośredniego działania promieniowania jonizującego na struktury komórkowe (DNA, mRNA, błony cytoplazmatyczne) enzymy wewnątrzkomórkowe. Przedstawiono konsekwencje zdrowotne dla organizmu w postaci uszkodzeń ostrych (deterministycznych) i zmian późnych (stochastycznych). Wnioski: Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na ostry zespół radiacyjny (ang. Acute Radiation Syndrome, ARS). Szczegółowo omówiono zależność poszczególnych postaci ARS od wielkości pochłoniętej dawki. Przedstawiono każdą z faz ARS: wstępną, utajoną, rozwiniętych objawów i zdrowienia (śmierci) oraz czas ich wystąpienia, długość trwania i moment zakończenia. Scharakteryzowano mechanizm uszkodzenia poszczególnych narządów i układów. Wskazano najczęstsze objawy, ich nasilenie i przyczyny zagrożenia życia w poszczególnych postaciach ARS. Obok skutków ogólnoustrojowych opisano zmiany miejscowe pod postacią radiacyjnego zespołu skórnego (ang. Cutaneous Radiation Syndrome, CSR).Purpose: The effects of ionising radiation on the human body has been discussed. The authors believe that the understanding of the radiation incidents from the perspective of its effects is crucial for better preparation, and therefore safer and more effective responses to incidents involving such threats. Introduction: The increasing use of radioactive materials and radiation producing devices in many areas of our lives carries the risk of exposure to high doses of radiation being hazardous to our health due to possible damage to radiation sources or improper handling. Exposure resulting from the intentional use of radioactive materials for criminal or terrorist purposes cannot be excluded, either. Exposure to ionising radiation may cause adverse health effects both to victims of a radiation incident and for rescuers providing emergency care. Such threats require the proper preparation of emergency medical services (EMS). Part of these preparations is to examine the specifics of radiation hazards, including radiation sources, the mechanism of injury of ionising radiation and the type of radiation damage. Methodology: The publication presents the properties of ionising, corpuscular and electromagnetic types of radiation, which are the most important from EMS’s perspective. The dangers of contact with a radiation source, the problem of external and internal contamination, the estimation of the amount of absorbed radiation were discussed, and the interrelationships between them were presented. The mechanism of direct and indirect action of ionising radiation on cell structures (DNA, mRNA, cytoplasmic membranes) and intracellular enzymes was thoroughly discussed. The authors presented health consequences of radiation for the body in the form of acute (deterministic) lesions and late (stochastic) lesions. Conclusions: Particular attention was paid to acute radiation syndrome (ARS). The dependence of ARS on the amount of absorbed radiation was discussed in detail. Four stages of ARS were presented: initial, latent, manifest illness and recovery (or death) as well as the time of their onset, duration and end. The mechanism of damage to individual organs and systems was also analysed. The most common symptoms, their severity, and causes of life-threatening conditions, resulting from radiation damage in particular syndromes of ARS, were indicated. In addition to systemic effects, local changes in the form of Cutaneous Radiation Syndrome (CSR) were discussed

Seweryn Kurowski : a pharmacist from Wadowice

Seweryn Kurowski urodził się w 1839 r. w Rzeszowie w rodzinie mieszczańskiej. W roku 1863 wziął udział w powstaniu styczniowym. Po jego upadku, jako zbieg z Królestwa Polskiego, uciekając przed carskimi represjami grożącymi wywózką na Sybir, wyjechał do Krakowa i rozpoczął studia farmaceutyczne na Wydziale Filozoficznym Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego. Po uzyskaniu dyplomu magistra farmacji w 1865 r., osiedlił się w Wadowicach, gdzie około 1880 r. został właścicielem apteki obwodowej. Po dorobieniu się majątku Seweryn Kurowski kupił kamienicę przy ul. Kościelnej 7 w Wadowicach. W kamienicy tej w 1920 r. urodził się Karol Wojtyła, późniejszy papież Jan Paweł II. S. Kurowski pełnił funkcję członka rady miejskiej, a później także wiceburmistrza Wadowic. Zmarł w 1889 r. Obecnie w jego dawnej kamienicy mieści się Muzeum Domu Rodzinnego Jana Pawła II.Seweryn Kurowski was born in 1839 in Rzeszów, into a bourgeois family. In 1863, he took part in the January Uprising. After its suppression, as a political fugitive from the Kingdom of Poland, on the run from the tsarist repressions, e.g. forced deportation into Siberia, he made his way to Krakow, and subsequently commenced his pharmaceutical studies at the Faculty of Philosophy, Jagiellonian University. Having obtained his Master of Science degree in pharmacy in 1865, he settled in Wadowice, where he became the proprietor of a regional pharmacy around 1880. Good fortune in business allowed him to purchase a tenement house at 7 Kościelna Street. In 1920, Karol Wojtyła, later Pope John Paul II, was born at the very same premises. Kurowski also happened to serve on the city council, eventually rising to the position of a deputy mayor of Wadowice. He died in 1889. Presently, his former tenement house accommodates a museum - The Holy Father John Paul II Family Home in Wadowice