991 research outputs found
Analog Violin Audio Synthesizer
Abstract In the past decade, music electronics have almost completely shifted from analog to digital technology. Digital keyboards and effects provide more sound capabilities than their analog predecessors, while also reducing size and cost. However, many musicians still prefer analog instruments due to the perception that they produce superior sound quality. Many musicians spend extra money and accommodate the extra space required for analog technologies instead of digital.
Furthermore, audio synthesizers are commonly controlled with the standard piano keyboard interface. Many musicians can perform sufficiently on a keyboard, but requiring a specific skill set limits the size of the market for a product. Also, when reproducing instruments such as a violin, a keyboard will not suffice in simulating a controllable vibrato from a fretless fingerboard. There is a need for an interface that allows the user to successfully reproduce the sound of the desired instrument. The violin is just one example of instruments that cannot be completely reproduced on a keyboard. For example, cellos, trombones and slide guitars all have features that a keyboard cannot simulate in real time.
The Analog Violin Synthesizer uses oscillators and analog technology to reproduce the sound of a violin. The user controls the synthesizer with a continuous touch sensor, representing the fretless violin fingerboard. The continuous interface allows for a violin sound played as a standard note, or a warmer sound with adjustable vibrato, based on how the user moves his or her hand. This product provides an innovation and next step to the use of analog technology in sound synthesis. However, as digital technology continues to improve, this product could potentially cross over into digital, with the continued use of the touch interface. Currently, there are products that utilize touch input, however they are often used for sound effects, and atmospheric sounds. Rarely are they used to allow for the digital playability of a synthesized acoustic instrument
Chiral Vortons and Cosmological Constraints on Particle Physics
We investigate the cosmological consequences of particle physics theories
that admit stable loops of current-carrying string - vortons. In particular, we
consider chiral theories where a single fermion zero mode is excited in the
string core, such as those arising in supersymmetric theories with a D-term.
The resulting vortons formed in such theories are expected to be more stable
than their non-chiral cousins. General symmetry breaking schemes are considered
in which strings formed at one symmetry breaking scale become current-carrying
at a subsequent phase transition. The vorton abundance is estimated and
constraints placed on the underlying particle physics theories from
cosmological observations. Our constraints on the chiral theory are
considerably more stringent than the previous estimates for more general
theories.Comment: minor corrections made. This version will appear in PR
Integrating Storytelling into the Theory and Practice of Contextual Behavioral Science
The practice of generating and interpreting stories can be examined through a behavioral lens and has many potential implications for clinical practice. However, storytelling has for the most part yet to be integrated into the field of contextual behavioral science (CBS). A bedrock of human culture, storytelling has influenced both individual behavior and intergroup cooperation for millennia. Basic principles of relational frame theory, such as those pertaining to coherence, perspective-taking, and the transformation of stimulus function, may help to reveal how stories derive their psychological impact. In turn, understanding storytelling from a CBS perspective can facilitate the broader integration of narrative methods into clinical interventions, which may help in expanding the reach and impact of individual, group, and self-help interventions. Suggestions for integrating storytelling into practice are provided as are future directions for studying the behavioral mechanisms of storytelling
Recent developments in Vorton Theory
This article provides a concise overview of recent theoretical results
concerning the theory of vortons, which are defined to be (centrifugally
supported) equilibrium configurations of (current carrying) cosmic string
loops. Following a presentation of the results of work on the dynamical
evolution of small circular string loops, whose minimum energy states are the
simplest examples of vortons, recent order of magnitude estimates of the
cosmological density of vortons produced in various kinds of theoretical
scenario are briefly summarised.Comment: 6 pages Latex. Contribution to 1996 Cosmology Meeting, Peyresq,
Franc
Cosmic Vortons and Particle Physics Constraints
We investigate the cosmological consequences of particle physics theories
that admit stable loops of superconducting cosmic string - {\it vortons}.
General symmetry breaking schemes are considered, in which strings are formed
at one energy scale and subsequently become superconducting in a secondary
phase transition at what may be a considerably lower energy scale. We estimate
the abundances of the ensuing vortons, and thereby derive constraints on the
relevant particle physics models from cosmological observations. These
constraints significantly restrict the category of admissible Grand Unified
theories, but are quite compatible with recently proposed effects whereby
superconducting strings may have been formed close to the electroweak phase
transition.Comment: 33 pages, 2 figures, RevTe
Renormalisation of gravitational self interaction for wiggly strings
It is shown that for any elastic string model with energy density and
tension , the divergent contribution from gravitational self interaction can
be allowed for by an action renormalisation proportional to . This
formula is applied to the important special case of a bare model of the
transonic type (characterised by a constant value of the product ) that
represents the macroscopically averaged effect of shortwavelength wiggles on an
underlying microscopic model of the Nambu-Goto type (characterised by ).Comment: 11 pages, Latex; original 8 page version extended to include
estimates of relevant orders of magnitude. To be published in Physical
Review,
Towards understanding resprouting at the global scale
Understanding and predicting plant response to disturbance is of paramount importance in our changing world. Resprouting ability is often considered a simple qualitative trait and used in many ecological studies. Our aim is to show some of the complexities of resprouting while highlighting cautions that need be taken in using resprouting ability to predict vegetation responses across disturbance types and biomes. There are marked differences in resprouting depending on the disturbance type, and fire is often the most severe disturbance because it includes both defoliation and lethal temperatures. In the Mediterranean biome, there are differences in functional strategies to cope with water deficit between resprouters (dehydration avoiders) and nonresprouters (dehydration tolerators); however, there is little research to unambiguously extrapolate these results to other biomes. Furthermore, predictions of vegetation responses to changes in disturbance regimes require consideration not only of resprouting, but also other relevant traits (e.g. seeding, bark thickness) and the different correlations among traits observed in different biomes; models lacking these details would behave poorly at the global scale. Overall, the lessons learned from a given disturbance regime and biome (e.g. crown-fire Mediterranean ecosystems) can guide research in other ecosystems but should not be extrapolated at the global scale.This work was performed under the framework of the TREVOL projects (CGL2012-39938-C02-01 to J.G.P.) from the Spanish Government. A.L.J., R.B.P., A.V. and S.P. were supported by the following grants: IOS-1252232 (NSF), IOS-0845125 (NSF), CGL-2011-30531-CO2-02 (SURVIVE Project, Spain), ID-1120458 (Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo CientĂfico y TecnolĂłgico, FONDECYT, Chile), respectively
Tectonic Transport Directions, Shear Senses and Deformation Temperatures Indicated by Quartz câAxis Fabrics and Microstructures in a NWâSE Transect across the Moine and Sgurr Beag Thrust Sheets, Caledonian Orogen of Northern Scotland
Moine metasedimentary rocks of northern Scotland are characterized by arcuate map patterns of mineral lineations that swing progressively clockwise from orogenâperpendicular Eâtrend-ing lineations in greenschist facies mylonites above the Moine thrust on the foreland edge of the Caledonian Orogen, to Sâtrending lineations at higher structural levels and metamorphic grades in the hinterland. Quartz câaxis fabrics measured on a west to east coast transect demonstrate that the lineations developed parallel to the maximum principal extension direction and therefore track the local tectonic transport direction. Microstructures and câaxis fabrics document a progressive change from top to the N shearing in the hinterland to top to the W shearing on the foreland edge. Field relationships indicate that the domain of top to the N shearing was at least 55 km wide before later horizontal shortening on kmâscale Wâvergent folds that detach on the underlying Moine thrust. Previously published data from the Moine thrust mylonites demonstrate that top to the W shearing had largely ceased by 430 Ma, while preliminary isotopic age data suggest top to the N shearing occurred at ~470â450 Ma. In addition, data from the east coast end of our transect indicate normal-sense top downâSE shearing at close to peak temperatures at ~420 Ma that may be related to the closing stages of Scandian deformation, metamorphism and cooling/exhumation
Forgiveness-Reconciliation and Communication-Conflict-Resolution Interventions Versus Retested Controls in Early Married Couples
The first 6 months of marriage are optimal for marriage enrichment interventions. The Hope-Focused Approach to couple enrichment was presented as two 9-hr interventions--(a) Handling Our Problems Effectively (HOPE), which emphasized communication and conflict resolution, and (b) Forgiveness and Reconciliation through Experiencing Empathy (FREE). HOPE and FREE were compared with repeated assessment controls. Couples were randomly assigned and were assessed at pretreatment (t1); 1 month posttreatment (t2) and at 3- (t3), 6- (t4), and 12-month (t5) follow-ups using self-reports. In addition to self-report measures, couples were assessed at t1, t2, and t5 using salivary cortisol, and behavioral coding of decision making. Of 179 couples who began the study, 145 cases were analyzed. Both FREE and HOPE produced lasting positive changes on self-reports. For cortisol reactivity, HOPE and FREE reduced reactivity at t2, but only HOPE at t5. For coded behaviors, control couples deteriorated; FREE and HOPE did not change. Enrichment training was effective regardless of the focus of the training
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