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Automatic mixing systems using adaptive digital audio effects

The field of Automatic Mixing has been ripe with research over the past five years. There are now systems that emulate level and panning decisions with some sophistication, and these have been evaluated as being close in quality to o↵erings produced by a professional sound engineer. However, a real-world mix is an integrated e↵ort between several axes, and we are missing a ground-truth on how expert mixers holistically perform their art and craft. The purpose of this thesis is to fill that knowledge gap in what mixing best practices are. An exhaustive number of approaches were made to complete this endeavor, starting with a review of academic, technical and non-technical literature. A significant number of interviews with expert professional mixers followed, which led to a quantitative questionnaire in best practices. Simultaneously, over 20 di↵erent subjective evaluation tests were performed with the collaboration of medium-skilled to expert listeners. Another validation approach was through the devising of algorithms that could extract significative content from full-mixes. The pursuit of these goals involved the creation of two extensive datasets, one of multi-track unmixed material, and a second one of commercially very successful songs to be analyzed for production patterns. All these concurrent e↵orts led to the creation of a shifting collection of assumptions that crystalized into its final form as the 88-assumption database that is the kernel of this thesis. Unlike previous e↵orts, it focuses on top-quality, o✏ine, studio mixing of music. For validation process whenever possible, and summarized e↵orts done so far in terms of implementation. As a part of the testing and validation process, many implementation algorithms were developed, some of them novel, and are described together with the assumptions that inspired them. The work was organized so that it may contribute as a self-contained blueprint to many of the upcoming approaches to computer-assisted mixing. Despite the considerable length of our e↵ort, we acknowledge that there is so much more to unravel on this topic, that the present work serves only as a modest foundation stone, probably opening up more questions for further research than the ones it now closes

Loudness measurement of multitrack audio content using modifcations of ITU-R BS.1770

The recent loudness measurement recommendations by the ITU and the EBU have gained widespread recognition in the broadcast community. The material it deals with is usually full-range mastered audio content, and its applicability to multitrack material is not yet clear. In the present work we investigate how well the evaluated perception of single track loudness agrees with the measured value as de ned by ITU-R BS.1770. We analyze the underlying features that may be the cause for this disparity and propose some parameter alterations that might yield better results for multitrack material with minimal modi cation to their rating of broadcast content. The best parameter sets are then evaluated by a panel of experts in terms of how well they produce an equal-loudness multitrack mix, and are shown to be signi cantly more successful

The Smart Stage: Designing 3D interaction metaphors for immersive and ubiquitous music systems

This conceptual paper describes a work in progress in the process of design and implementation of the Smart Stage, an interactive music system prototype for collaborative musical creativity in immersive and ubiquitous environments. This system is intended to have a low entry barrier, thus more forgiving to users with lesser experience or knowledge in music, and it is designed with affordances to support intuitive progress in improvisational performance in a collaborative setting. We present a preliminary technical overview of the system and a first case study of a 3D interaction metaphor for granular synthesis, developed for this environment.Innovation Agency (Agência de Inovação, ADI, Portugal) and Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional (QREN, Portugal): VisualYzARt: Visual programming framework for augmented reality and ubiquitous natural user interfaces (QREN-ADI ref: 23201) and COMPETE - Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade (POFC

Is there a relationship between ferric-chelate reductase activity in roots of poncirus trifoliata and leaf chlorophyll contents?

Poncirus trifoliata is a citrus rootstock very sensitive to Fe deficiency. This deficiency is very common in crops grown in calcareous soils due to the detrimental effect of bicarbonate ion. Higher plants have distinct behaviours when faced with Fe chlorosis, and several mechanisms may be activated under Fe shortage. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of ferric-chelate reductase (FC-R), a key enzyme in Fe uptake, and to verify whether relationships with leaf chlorophyll contents could be established. Plants were grown in nutrient solutions without Fe (0 μM Fe), with 1 μM Fe, with 120 μM Fe and with 120 μM Fe plus CaCO3 (1 g L-1). Total leaf chlorophyll in young and mature leaves was determined using a calibration model based on a relationship between SPAD readings and concentration of chlorophyll (r2=0.95; P<0.01). The activity of FC-R was determined in roots apexes and several biomass parameters in shoots (number of leaves, height, dry and fresh weight) and roots (dry and fresh weight) were evaluated at the end of the experiment. The activity of FC-R increased in plants grown without iron (0 μM Fe). The results about the relations between root FC-R and leaf chlorophyll are discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A systematic review of teacher-facing dashboards for collaborative learning activities and tools in online higher education

Dashboard for online higher education support monitoring and evaluation of students’ interactions, but mostly limited to interaction occurring within learning management systems. In this study, we sought to find which collaborative learning activities and tools in online higher education are included in teaching dashboards. By following Kitchenham’s procedure for systematic reviews, 36 papers were identified according to this focus and analysed. The results identify dashboards supporting collaborative tools, both synchronous and asynchronous, along categories such as learning management systems, communication tools, social media, computer programming code management platforms, project management platforms, and collaborative writing tools. Dashboard support was also found for collaborative activities, grouped under four categories of forum discussion activities, three categories of communication activities and four categories of collaborative editing/sharing activities, though most of the analysed dashboards only provide support for no more than two or three collaborative tools. This represents a need for further research on how to develop dashboards that combine data from a more diverse set of collaborative activities and tools.This work was supported by the TRIO project funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ KA220-ADU – Cooperation partnerships in adult education programme under grant agreement no. KA220-ADU-1B9975F8.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Metacognitive challenges to support self-reflection of students in online software engineering education

Software engineering education requires students to develop technical knowledge and advanced cognitive and behavioral skills, particularly in the transition from novice to proficient. In distance learning, the hurdles are greater because students require greater autonomy, adopting strategies of self and co-regulation of learning. Facing these challenges, the SimProgramming approach has been transposed into the context of DL: e-SimProgramming. In the second iteration of e-SimProgramming implementation (2019/2020), one adaptation was inclusion of metacognitive challenges (MC) to promote students’ self-reflection on their learning process. We explain the design of the two types of implemented MCs. We provide qualitative and quantitative analysis of: 1) evolution of MCs submission throughout the semester, identifying regularity and completion within deadlines and their relationship to student success; 2) students’ perceptions of MCs. Results show a positive correlation between high MC submission and student success, greater interest and involvement of students in type 2 MCs and positive perceptions of students about MCs.This work was financially supported by National Funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., and CIDTFF (UIDB/00194/2020) - Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal, via Stimulus of Scientific Employment – CEECIND/00986/2017 Individual Support 2017, and via project PTDC/CED-EDG/30040/2017. We would also like to thank all students and teachers who collaborated on this research.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Is gut microbiota the key?

Funding: This study was supported by ERDF through the operation POCI-01-0145-ERDF-007746 funded by Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização—COMPETE2020 and by National Funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia within CINTESIS, R&D Unit (reference UID/IC/4255/2013) and CHRC (UIDB/04923/2020 and UIDP/04923/2020). This study was also supported by Emilio Peres grant from the Portuguese Society of Diabetology.The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been recommended for type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment. The impact of diet in shaping the gut microbiota is well known, particularly for MD. However, the link between MD and diabetes outcome improvement is not completely clear. This study aims to evaluate the role of microbiota modulation by a nonpharmacological intervention in patients with T2D. In this 12-week single-arm pilot study, nine participants received individual nutritional counseling sessions promoting MD. Gut microbiota, biochemical parameters, body composition, and blood pressure were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after the intervention. Adherence to MD [assessed by Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) score] increased after the intervention. Bacterial richness increased after 4 weeks of intervention and was negatively correlated with fasting glucose levels and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Prevotella to Bacteroides ratio also increased after 4 weeks. In contrast, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and HOMA-IR were only decreased at the end of study. Alkaline phosphatase activity was assessed in fecal samples and was negatively correlated with HbA1c and positively correlated with bacterial diversity. The results of this study reinforce that MD adherence results in a better glycemic control in subjects with T2D. Changes in gut bacterial richness caused by MD adherence may be relevant in mediating the metabolic impact of this dietary intervention.publishersversionpublishe

Práticas artísticas no ensino básico e secundário

Sobre a Matéria-Prima, há novidades e perigos. O tempo vivido na Europa e no contexto global tem vindo a acentuar a urgência das prioridades quantificadas, com um discurso dominante onde há menos política (pessoas) e mais representação económica (coisas). O correlato entre pessoas e coisas é, como sabemos, o dinheiro, ou trabalho reificado. A crise europeia, em torno da dívida soberana e dos maiores orçamentos do mundo, da capacidade da sua gestão na linguagem dura dos mercados e das taxas de juro veio modificar os objetivos imediatos da Europa, que em 2000 eram ambiciosos — “a sociedade mais competitiva do mundo em 2010” — para uma estratégia de emergência, agora chamada horizonte 2020. Este é o panorama ideal para colocar o ensino artístico em risco. Os fóruns internacionais passaram a valorizar os resultados da educação em rankings e sondagens de aproveitamento, cuja principal estratégia e preocupação é a mensurabilidade e comparabilidade, como são exemplo os relatórios PISA: avaliam-se em todos os países, as competências em Ciências, Matemática e Língua Materna. A matéria-prima de amanhã corre riscos de desaparecer gradualmente, pelos cortes de carga horária, pela concepção extracurricular da educação artística, pela sua perceção menorizada em função das concepções competitivas da sociedade contemporânea globalizada.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

EuReCa ONE—27 Nations, ONE Europe, ONE Registry A prospective one month analysis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes in 27 countries in Europe

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of the EuReCa ONE study was to determine the incidence, process, and outcome for out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) throughout Europe.MethodsThis was an international, prospective, multi-centre one-month study. Patients who suffered an OHCA during October 2014 who were attended and/or treated by an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) were eligible for inclusion in the study. Data were extracted from national, regional or local registries.ResultsData on 10,682 confirmed OHCAs from 248 regions in 27 countries, covering an estimated population of 174 million. In 7146 (66%) cases, CPR was started by a bystander or by the EMS. The incidence of CPR attempts ranged from 19.0 to 104.0 per 100,000 population per year. 1735 had ROSC on arrival at hospital (25.2%), Overall, 662/6414 (10.3%) in all cases with CPR attempted survived for at least 30 days or to hospital discharge.ConclusionThe results of EuReCa ONE highlight that OHCA is still a major public health problem accounting for a substantial number of deaths in Europe.EuReCa ONE very clearly demonstrates marked differences in the processes for data collection and reported outcomes following OHCA all over Europe. Using these data and analyses, different countries, regions, systems, and concepts can benchmark themselves and may learn from each other to further improve survival following one of our major health care events