1,436 research outputs found
The Distance Geometry of Music
We demonstrate relationships between the classic Euclidean algorithm and many
other fields of study, particularly in the context of music and distance
geometry. Specifically, we show how the structure of the Euclidean algorithm
defines a family of rhythms which encompass over forty timelines
(\emph{ostinatos}) from traditional world music. We prove that these
\emph{Euclidean rhythms} have the mathematical property that their onset
patterns are distributed as evenly as possible: they maximize the sum of the
Euclidean distances between all pairs of onsets, viewing onsets as points on a
circle. Indeed, Euclidean rhythms are the unique rhythms that maximize this
notion of \emph{evenness}. We also show that essentially all Euclidean rhythms
are \emph{deep}: each distinct distance between onsets occurs with a unique
multiplicity, and these multiplicies form an interval . Finally,
we characterize all deep rhythms, showing that they form a subclass of
generated rhythms, which in turn proves a useful property called shelling. All
of our results for musical rhythms apply equally well to musical scales. In
addition, many of the problems we explore are interesting in their own right as
distance geometry problems on the circle; some of the same problems were
explored by Erd\H{o}s in the plane.Comment: This is the full version of the paper: "The distance geometry of deep
rhythms and scales." 17th Canadian Conference on Computational Geometry (CCCG
'05), University of Windsor, Canada, 200
The complex process of scaling the integration of technology enhanced learning in mainstream classrooms
The early optimism for how technology might transform teaching and learning practices in mainstream school classrooms has long faded in many countries around the world. Whilst early research findings suggested that this was due to obvious barriers such as access to the technology itself, more recent attempts to scale student-access have illuminated other factors and provided a more sound theoretical foundation for us to understanding the processes and products of scaling educational technology innovations. This keynote will use findings from key projects and initiatives to highlight what is being learned – and how this might inform future endeavours to realise a more 21st century curriculum
Ergodic properties of a generic non-integrable quantum many-body system in thermodynamic limit
We study a generic but simple non-integrable quantum {\em many-body} system
of {\em locally} interacting particles, namely a kicked model of spinless
fermions on 1-dim lattice (equivalent to a kicked Heisenberg XX-Z chain of 1/2
spins). Statistical properties of dynamics (quantum ergodicity and quantum
mixing) and the nature of quantum transport in {\em thermodynamic limit} are
considered as the kick parameters (which control the degree of
non-integrability) are varied. We find and demonstrate {\em ballistic}
transport and non-ergodic, non-mixing dynamics (implying infinite conductivity
at all temperatures) in the {\em integrable} regime of zero or very small kick
parameters, and more generally and important, also in {\em non-integrable}
regime of {\em intermediate} values of kicked parameters, whereas only for
sufficiently large kick parameters we recover quantum ergodicity and mixing
implying normal (diffusive) transport. We propose an order parameter (charge
stiffness ) which controls the phase transition from non-mixing/non-ergodic
dynamics (ordered phase, ) to mixing/ergodic dynamics (disordered phase,
D=0) in the thermodynamic limit. Furthermore, we find {\em exponential decay of
time-correlation function} in the regime of mixing dynamics.
The results are obtained consistently within three different numerical and
analytical approaches: (i) time evolution of a finite system and direct
computation of time correlation functions, (ii) full diagonalization of finite
systems and statistical analysis of stationary data, and (iii) algebraic
construction of quantum invariants of motion of an infinite system, in
particular the time averaged observables.Comment: 18 pages in REVTeX with 14 eps figures included, Submitted to
Physical Review
Wellbeing at Work: Four Perspectives on What User Experiences with Artifacts May Contribute
Part 2: User Experiences and Wellbeing at Work (UX@Work)International audienceMost work involves the use of artifacts; thus, user experience (UX) is a factor in how most employees experience their work. This study revisits the tool, media, dialogue-partner, and system perspectives on artifact use to explore how UX may contribute to wellbeing at work. It is found that artifacts foster positive UX when they lend the user expressive power (tool), are transparent (media) or perceptive (dialogue partner).They foster negative UX when they break the user’s task focus or make the user a mere system component. These findings are discussed and refined by elaborating the classic concepts of ready to hand and present at hand
Bringing Oversight Review in Line with Online Research
The purpose of an oversight structure or institution is to protect human subjects from research that would pose unacceptable dangers or deny human rights. Review boards provide an independent assessment of research proposals. This additional level of scrutiny is meant to provide an additional level of protection for human subjects. However, oversight of human subject research, as currently carried out in the bureaucratic, rule-based, clinically-biased American system, is too cumbersome with regard to online research. In addition, it is not conducive to the training of ethical Internet researchers. Internet research differs from traditional human subject research in many ways, and the oversight rules governing traditional research do not easily relate to the complexities of conducting research online. Online researchers do not oppose the foundational principles of non-maleficence (avoiding harm) and autonomy, nor do they reject the ideals of informed consent and confidentiality, nevertheless, they face practical dilemmas in attempting to follow these principles and apply these ideals in the various Internet domains. The current oversight system is ill-equipped to assist. A conservative response to this problem of fit might entail adjustments to the oversight system that, in the case of the American system, would entail modifications to the Common Rule and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). I will argue in this paper, instead, that re-structuring is needed to allow more oversight authority for Internet researchers. I will utilize Consequentialism and Virtue Ethics in making this case
Measuring readiness-to-hand through differences in attention to the task vs. attention to the tool
New interaction techniques, like multi-touch, tangible inter-action, and mid-air gestures often promise to be more intuitive and natural; however, there is little work on how to measure these constructs. One way is to leverage the phenomenon of tool embodiment—when a tool becomes an extension of one’s body, attention shifts to the task at hand, rather than the tool itself. In this work, we constructed a framework to measure tool embodiment by incorporating philosophical and psychological concepts. We applied this framework to design and conduct a study that uses attention to measure readiness-to-hand with both a physical tool and a virtual tool. We introduce a novel task where participants use a tool to rotate an object, while simultaneously responding to visual stimuli both near their hand and near the task. Our results showed that participants paid more attention to the task than to both kinds of tool. We also discuss how this evaluation framework can be used to investigate whether novel interaction techniques allow for this kind of tool embodiment.Postprin
An Action-Based Approach to Presence: Foundations and Methods
This chapter presents an action-based approach to presence. It starts by briefly describing the theoretical and empirical foundations of this approach, formalized into three key notions of place/space, action and mediation. In the light of these notions, some common assumptions about presence are then questioned: assuming a neat distinction between virtual and real environments, taking for granted the contours of the mediated environment and considering presence as a purely personal state. Some possible research topics opened up by adopting action as a unit of analysis are illustrated. Finally, a case study on driving as a form of mediated presence is discussed, to provocatively illustrate the flexibility of this approach as a unified framework for presence in digital and physical environment
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