Vårt mål med detta kandidatarbete var att tillsammans med en rhizomatisk och med en ljudteoretisk synvinkel utforska och förverkliga alternativa sätt att gestalta ljud. Vi ville både ifrågasätta våra egna förutfattade meningar och den generella uppfattningen om audiell interaktion. Vi har tagit inspiration från Michel Chions analysprocess lyssnar modus och teorin synchresis för att realisera en utgångspunkt och en grundpelare vilket löper genom hela arbetet. Våra teorier och tester har skett på både ett reaktionärt och proaktivt sätt då vi både har producerat prototyper utifrån förstudier och genomfört tester med prototyperna i sökande efter externa åsikter. Testerna genomfördes genom att vi bjöd in utomstående att delta i undersökningen och på ett så naturligt sätt som möjligt utfört kvalitativa studier i form av intervjuer och observation för att tillsammans utforskat de semantiska beskaffenheter ljud besitter. Resultatet av vår undersökning brottas med människans biologiska förutsättningar. Att avkontextualisera ljud helt är ett åliggande som anses vara en utopi som vi i undersökningen har behandlat. Hur våra situeringar och våra källor har påverkat vår granskning, vårt skrivande och vårt prövande är en interpretation som vi diskuterar i slutet av undersökningen. / Our goal with this Bachelor Thesis was to explore and realize alternative ways of synthesizing sound, together with a rhizomatic and an audio-theoretical point of view. We both question our preconceived assumptions and the general perception of audio interaction. We have been inspired by Michel Chion's analysis process, modes of listening and the theory of synchresis to realize a starting point and a mainstay that runs throughout the thesis. Our theories and tests have taken place in both a reactionary and proactive manner as we have both produced prototypes based on preliminary studies and conducted tests with prototypes in search of external opinions. The tests were conducted by inviting third parties to participate in the survey and, in as natural a way as possible, conducted qualitative studies in the form of interviews and observation to jointly explore the semantic characteristics sound possesses. The result of our study is in conflict with the human biological conditions. To decontextualise audio completely is an issue that is considered an utopia and something that we have taken in consideration in the survey. At the end of the survey we will discuss if our situated mind and our references have influenced our scrutiny, our writing and our testing.

The hypothesis was tested that meditation using an audible word-sound would be superior to silent repetition of the same word in producing decrements in autonomic arousal and improvements in anxiety, mood, and the ability to cope with stress. The influence of hypnotic susceptibility upon improvement was also evaluated. Thirty subjects, assigned to one of three groups: audible meditation, silent meditation, and relaxation control, met one hour weekly for six weeks to practice their respective technique and discuss their progress. All subjects were evaluated using the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, a medical symptom checklist, the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Scale, a self-rating of state anxiety, and factors C and Q4 of the 16PF. Finger temperature was taken as a measure of physiological arousal. Confidence ratings of the respective strategies were taken pre- and post-treatment.

Purpose: This study will identify that patients with chronic neck pain have an altered autonomic functioning compared to a control group, and that manipulation might directly influence the autonomic nervous system as measured by using a fully automated pupillometry system. Subjects: 100 chronic pain patients and 50 control subjects participated in this study to achieve a power of 0.80, effect size of 0.5, and a type I error rate of 0.05 for two-tailed hypothesis testing. Method: A quasi-experimental design was be used. The ANOVA and Chi square test were used to establish homogeneity of baseline characteristics. The Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare the pre-intervention pupil diameter amongst the groups. The Friedman's test was used to determine the pupil diameter change during the three measurements. The Wilcoxen Signed-ranks test was used to analyze the difference in pupil size between the pre- and post-intervention measures and to determine if there was a difference in pupil diameter between the two groups undergoing the thoracic manipulation. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the pupil diameter change to the presence of joint sounds. And the Fisher's Exact test was used to determine the relationship between the number of pops and the VAS change score > 13mm. Results: This study demonstrated that the chronic pain group had a statistically significant smaller pupil diameter than the healthy control group (P=0.022). Manipulation resulted in a relative increase in pupil diameter following the manipulation, however this was not statistical significant. There was a statistical significant decrease in pupil diameter in the placebo group (pConclusions: It appears that a T3-T4 manipulation results in a relative non-specific increase in sympathetic activity. Recommendations: Manipulation may be used by physical therapists to affect the autonomic nervous system. Visual pupil assessment may become part of the evaluation process to identify patients that might present with autonomic dysfunction and to determine the effect of treatment modalities.

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L'objectif de ce travail est d'optimiser le prétraitement de boues par des ultrasons de puissance (US) à basses fréquences, et en particulier d‘étudier pour la première fois des améliorations possibles en modifiant la pression hydrostatique, et la fréquence jusqu’à l’audible. Après un examen préliminaire des conditions du procédé (conditionnement des boues, type de boues, alcalinisation préalable, contrôle de la température), les effets des paramètres ultrasonores (puissance, intensité, énergie spécifique, fréquence) et de la pression hydrostatique ont été spécifiquement étudiés, séparément et simultanément, d’abord à température constante (28°C), puis sans refroidissement. On a ainsi vérifié que l’énergie spécifique joue un rôle clé dans la désintégration des boues sous US (i.e. solubilisation de la matière organique) et que l'élévation de température pendant la sonication adiabatique est bénéfique grâce aux effets combinés d’hydrolyse thermique et de cavitation. Pour une énergie spécifique donnée, une faible fréquence (12 kHz contre 20 kHz) et une haute puissance améliorent la solubilisation de la matière organique grâce à une cavitation plus violente, tandis qu’on observe un optimum de pression hydrostatique en raison de ses effets opposés sur le seuil et l'intensité de la cavitation. Un résultat important est que la pression optimale dépend de l’intensité ultrasonore et du profil de température, mais pas de l’énergie spécifique, ni de la fréquence, ni du type de boues. Après avoir fixé les conditions les plus favorables (soit 12 kHz, 360 W, 28 gTS/L et conditions adiabatiques), l‘optimisation finale a fourni la pression de travail (3,25 bar) et les paramètres du mode séquentiel (US ON/OFF, permettant d‘éviter de hautes températures qui amortissement l‘intensité de la cavitation et peuvent endommager le transducteur). Ces conditions ont permis d‘atteindre un rendement d’extraction de la DCO très élevé, mais n’améliorent que faiblement le rendement ultérieur de méthanisation. / The objective of this work is to optimize high-power low-frequency sonication (US) pretreatment of sludge, and especially to investigate for the first time possible improvements by higher pressure and audible frequency. After a preliminary examination of regular process conditions (sludge conditioning, sludge type, prior alkalization, temperature control, etc.), effects of US parameters (power -PUS, intensity -IUS, specific energy input -ES, frequency -FS, etc.) and of hydrostatic pressure (Ph) were specifically looked into, separately and in combination, first under cooling at constant temperature (28°C), then under the progressive temperature rise provoked by sonication. First, it was confirmed that specific energy input (ES) plays a key role in sludge US disintegration (i.e. solubilisation of organic matter) and that temperature rise during adiabatic-like sonication is beneficial through additional effects of thermal hydrolysis and cavitation. At a given ES value, low FS (12 kHz vs. 20 kHz) and high PUS enhance soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) due to more violent cavitation, while hydrostatic pressure gives rise to an optimum value due to its opposite effects on cavitation threshold and intensity. One major result is that optimal pressure depends on IUS (PUS) as well as temperature profile, but not on ES, FS, nor sludge type. Setting the other parameters at the most favorable conditions expected, i.e. 12 kHz, 360 W , 28 gTS/L, and adiabatic conditions, final optimization was achieved by searching for this pressure optimum and examining sequential procedure to avoid too high temperature dampening cavitation intensity and damaging the transducer. Such conditions with sequential mode and Ph of 3.25 bar being selected succeeded in achieving very high SCOD, but only marginally improved subsequent methanization yield.

This work aims at enhancing the understanding and to provideimproved models of the dynamic behavior of rubber vibrationisolators which are widely used in mechanical systems.Initially, a time domainmodel relating compressions tocomponent forces accounting for preload effects, frequency anddynamic amplitude dependence is presented. The problem ofsimultaneously modelling the elastic, viscoelastic and frictionforces are removed by additively splitting them, where theelastic force response is modelled either by a fully linear ora nonlinear shape factor based approach, displaying resultsthat agree with those of a neo-Hookean hyperelastic isolatorunder a long term precompression. The viscoelastic force ismodelled by a fractional derivative element, while the frictionforce governs from a generalized friction element displaying asmoothed Coulomb force. This is a versatile one-dimensionalcomponent model effectively using a small number of parameterswhile exhibiting a good resemblance to measured isolatorcharacteristics. Additionally, the nonlinear excitationeffects on dynamic stiffness and damping of a filled rubberisolator are investigated through measurements. It is shownthat the well-known Payne effect - where stiffness is high forsmall excitation amplitudes and low for large amplitudes whiledamping displays a maximum at intermediate amplitudes -evaluated at a certain frequency, is to a large extentinfluenced by the existence of additional frequency componentsin the signal. Finally, a frequency, temperature and preloaddependent dynamic stiffness model is presented covering theranges from 20 to 20 000 Hz, -50 to +50 °C at 0 to 20 %precompression. A nearly incompressible, thermo-rheologicallysimple material model is adopted displaying viscoelasticitythrough a time - strain separable relaxation tensor with asingle Mittag-Leffler function embodying its time dependence.This fractional derivative based function successfully fitsmaterial properties throughout the whole audible frequencyrange. An extended neo-Hookean strain energy function, beingdirectly proportional to the temperature and density, isapplied for the finite deformation response with componentproperties solved by a nonlinear finite element procedure. Thepresented work is thus believed to enlighten workingconditions’impact on the dynamic properties of rubbervibration isolators, while additionally taking some of thesemost important features into account in the presentedmodels.

<p>This work aims at enhancing the understanding and to provideimproved models of the dynamic behavior of rubber vibrationisolators which are widely used in mechanical systems.Initially, a time domainmodel relating compressions tocomponent forces accounting for preload effects, frequency anddynamic amplitude dependence is presented. The problem ofsimultaneously modelling the elastic, viscoelastic and frictionforces are removed by additively splitting them, where theelastic force response is modelled either by a fully linear ora nonlinear shape factor based approach, displaying resultsthat agree with those of a neo-Hookean hyperelastic isolatorunder a long term precompression. The viscoelastic force ismodelled by a fractional derivative element, while the frictionforce governs from a generalized friction element displaying asmoothed Coulomb force. This is a versatile one-dimensionalcomponent model effectively using a small number of parameterswhile exhibiting a good resemblance to measured isolatorcharacteristics. Additionally, the nonlinear excitationeffects on dynamic stiffness and damping of a filled rubberisolator are investigated through measurements. It is shownthat the well-known Payne effect - where stiffness is high forsmall excitation amplitudes and low for large amplitudes whiledamping displays a maximum at intermediate amplitudes -evaluated at a certain frequency, is to a large extentinfluenced by the existence of additional frequency componentsin the signal. Finally, a frequency, temperature and preloaddependent dynamic stiffness model is presented covering theranges from 20 to 20 000 Hz, -50 to +50 °C at 0 to 20 %precompression. A nearly incompressible, thermo-rheologicallysimple material model is adopted displaying viscoelasticitythrough a time - strain separable relaxation tensor with asingle Mittag-Leffler function embodying its time dependence.This fractional derivative based function successfully fitsmaterial properties throughout the whole audible frequencyrange. An extended neo-Hookean strain energy function, beingdirectly proportional to the temperature and density, isapplied for the finite deformation response with componentproperties solved by a nonlinear finite element procedure. Thepresented work is thus believed to enlighten workingconditions’impact on the dynamic properties of rubbervibration isolators, while additionally taking some of thesemost important features into account in the presentedmodels.</p>

The object of the study. Short impulse acoustic signals in the frequency range from 500 to 4000 Hz and intensity from 30 to 85 dB. The aim of the study. To estimate and assess the quality of the speech and acoustic signals from the perspective of various background noises of different frequency spectra. The tasks of the study: 1. To evaluate the effects of noise of various intensity on identification of short impulse signals and speech intelligibility in noise; 2. To analyse the audibility of signals in the frequency range of verbal communication (500–4000 Hz) in noise of various intensity and frequency content and to determine the characteristics of signals to be identified in noise; 3. To determine the influence of signals’ duration to the quality of its qualitative subjective identification; 4. To assess the masking effects of the background noise on speech and other informative signals under the combinations if different intensity. Practical value. The data obtained and method developed can be used for the assessment of the acoustic signals in noise. The method is also applicable to the description of background noise from the perspective of verbal communication. Such methodology and results can be adopted for the quality prognostication of audible information and its loss in various background noises of different spectral pattern. / Temos aktualumas. Triukšmo poveikis darbo aplinkoje dažnai siejamas su dirbančiųjų produktyvumo mažėjimu, o triukšmingoje aplinkoje neišgirsti arba neadekvačiai išgirsti akustiniai signalai dažnai būna mašinų trikčių ar traumų darbe pasekmė. Šie pavyzdžiai aiškiai rodo būtinybę spręsti problemas, susietas su girdimosios informacijos sklaida ir kokybe triukšmingoje aplinkoje. Įspėjamųjų ar pavojaus signalų darbo aplinkoje naudojimas standartizuotas ir dažniausiai sprendžiamas energiniu požiūriu, t. y. teikiant ženkliai didesnio intensyvumo akustinius signalus. Šių signalų girdimumas vidutinio intensyvumo triukšmingoje aplinkoje keblumų nesukelia, tačiau realiomis sąlygomis tokios aplinkybės retai pasitaikančios. Daugelyje mokslinių darbų, nagrinėjant garsinės informacijos kokybės klausimus, keliamos tik visiško arba pakankamo suprantamumo problemos, tačiau praktikoje svarbus dalinis šių signalų suvokimas (egzistavimo fakto nustatymas), kuris tyrinėtas menkai. Šiame darbe tiriami ir nagrinėjami reiškiniai, turintys įtakos akustinių garsų girdimumui triukšmingoje aplinkoje bei girdimumą sąlygojančios aplinkybės o taip pat siūlomi sprendimai garsinės informacijos kokybės sistemoje „žmogus – mašina – aplinka“ patikimumo didinimui. Darbo tikslas – triukšmo šaltinių sukuriamą triukšmo foną akustinėje erdvėje ištirti trumpalaikių informacinių akustinių garsų suvokimo požiūriu ir įvertinti triukšmingos aplinkos įtaką naudingų akustinių signalų identifikavimo kokybei. Darbo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Ce travail se place en contexte de télécommunications, et concerne plus particulièrement la transmission de signaux audio multicanaux. Quatre expériences psychoacoustiques ont été menées de façon à étudier la résolution spatiale du système auditif - également appelée flou de localisation - en présence de sons distracteurs. Il en résulte que le flou de localisation augmente quand ces distracteurs sont présents, mettant en évidence ce que nous appellerons le phénomène de "floutage spatial" auditif. Ces expériences estiment l'effet de plusieurs variables sur le floutage spatial : la fréquence de la source sonore considérée ainsi que celles des sources distractrices, leur niveau sonore, leur position spatiale, et le nombre de sources distractrices. Exceptée la position des sources distractrices, toutes ces variables ont montré un effet significatif sur le floutage spatial. Cette thèse aborde également la modélisation de ce phénomène, de sorte que la résolution spatiale auditive puisse être prédite en fonction des caractéristiques de la scène sonore (nombre de sources présentes, leur fréquence, et leur niveau). Enfin, deux schémas de codage audio multicanaux exploitant ce modèle à des fins de réduction de l'information à transmettre sont proposés : l'un basé sur une représentation paramétrique (downmix + paramètres spatiaux) du signal multicanal, et l'autre sur la représentation Higher-Order Ambisonics (HOA). Ces schémas sont tous deux basés sur l'idée originale d'ajuster dynamiquement la précision de la représentation spatiale du signal multicanal de façon à maintenir les distorsions spatiales résultantes dans le flou de localisation, afin que celles-ci restent indétectables.

Under 2000-talet har medie- och musikklimatet varit i omstöpning. Förutsättningar för att dela, distribuera och upptäcka musik har förändrats i grunden. Soundcloud, en digital musikplattform som startade sin verksamhet hösten 2008, står på många sätt i centrum för denna utveckling. Det övergripande syftet med föreliggande uppsats är att utifrån ett antal ämnesområden kopplade till teknik och musik, sociala funktioner och relationer, ett förändrat musiklandskap samt Soundclouds samarbete med Audible Magic tematiskt analysera och problematisera den digitala musikplattformen Soundcloud med utgångspunkt i kvalitativa intervjuer med artister/producenter/DJ:s verkandes inom den elektroniska scenen. Mer specifikt behandlas användarnas förhållning till upplevelsen av musik genom den särskilda teknologi och grafiska inramning som Soundcloud tillhandahåller samt de sociala funktioner som implementerats. Vidare problematiseras synen på Soundcloud som ett community, förhållandet mellan global och lokal tillhörighet samt hur artister respektive lyssnare förhåller sig till ett nytt medie- och musikklimat. Slutligen belyser uppsatsen Soundclouds nyligen initierade partnerskap med Audible Magic – ett företag som specialiserat sig på automatiserad identifiering av medieinnehåll. I tidigare forskning behandlas den så kallade modscenen samt den forskning som bedrivits kring det komplexa förhållandet mellan musik, teknologi och sociala praktiker. Det teoretiska ramverket är baserat på Chris Andersons ”Long Tail”-teori, med betoning på demokratiseringen av distributionsmedel respektive produktionsverktyg samt nya filter för urval och sammankoppling mellan utbud och efterfrågan. Vidare berörs Gerd Leonhards samtidsforskning om det nya medie- och musikklimat som står inför dörren. Studien har belyst Soundclouds distinkta grafiska gränssnitt och sociala funktioner och dess inverkan, i både positiv och negative bemärkelse, för hur musik upplevs. Studien visar att Soundcloud kan ses ett steg framåt i processen att göra delning av musik i digital tidsålder mer social, en utveckling som emellertid bromsas av faktum av att banden mellan användarna i många fall är allt för svaga, vilket bland annat beror på Soundclouds allt för kraftfulla filtrering- och urvalsmekanismer. En konsekvens av detta är att Soundcloud i sig ofta inte ses som ett community, utan blott som ett verktyg eller en länk mellan lokala noder. Denna slutsats stärks av faktum att samtliga informanter framhöll lokal tillhörighet som grundläggande. Musikaliska samarbeten via en digital musikplattform som Soundcloud menar man aldrig kommer att kunna ersätta det kreativa utbyte som sker fysisk mellan människor. Partnerskapet med Audible Magic är ännu i ett tidigt stadium. Studien visar att samarbete kan få både negativa och positiva följder. Det negativa består i att DJ-mixar kan komma att försvinna från Soundcloud. Det positiva i att en ökad upphovsrättslig kontroll kan fungera som ett incitament för att göra artister mer originella i sitt arbete