Nowadays, a lot of interesting and useful and imaginative applications are springing to Android software market. And for guitar fans, some related apps bring great connivence to them, like a guitar tuner can save people from carrying a entity tuner all the time, some apps can simulate a real guitar, and some apps provide some simple lessons allowing people to learn some basic things. But these apps which can teach people, they can't really “monitor ” people, that is, they just give some instructions and hope people would follow them. So my project is to design an app which can detect if users are playing wrong and right real-timely. Guitar chords are always the first for new guitar beginners to learn, and a chord is a set of notes combined together in a regulated way ( get from the music theory having millions of developing ), and 'pitch' is the term for determining if the note different from other notes or noise, so the problem here is to manage the multi-pitch analysis in real time. And it's necessary to know some basics of digital signal processing ( DSP ) because digital signals are always more convenient for computers to analyze compared to analog signals. Then I found an audio processing Java library – TarsosDSP, and try to apply it to my Android project.

Dans la fabrication de lentilles asphériques pour la photolithographie, l’étape delissage est critique. C’est aujourd’hui le seul procédé qui peut corriger les défauts de hautesfréquences spatiales responsables de diffusions parasites, de diminutions de transmittance etde contraste. Cette opération doit préserver la forme asphérique basse fréquence tout enlissant les défauts de hautes fréquences. Un tel comportement peut être obtenu pour des outilscombinant une couche continue flexible pour le suivi basse fréquence et une couche de poixfractionnée pour le lissage de défauts hautes fréquences. Les buts principaux de cette étudesont de prédire l’efficacité de lissage et le suivi de forme de différents outils et ensuite dedéterminer l’outil permettant le meilleur compromis. A cette fin, un modèle multi-échelles estdéveloppé. A l’échelle de l’outil entier, une étude paramétrique par éléments finis permet dedéterminer les caractéristiques de la couche flexible ainsi que la force appliquée optimale afind’obtenir l’homogénéité de la pression à l’échelle de la forme asphérique globale. A l’échelle dela couche de poix, la Méthode par Eléments Discrets est utilisée pour investiguer l’interfaceoutil-pièce. Un modèle basé sur le concept de la poutre cohésive viscoélastique est développé,prenant en compte la réponse fréquentielle de la couche de poix. La comparaison avecl’Analyse Mécanique Dynamique montre la capacité de la DEM à modéliser le comportementviscoélastique. L’opération de lissage est ensuite modélisée par DEM et analytiquement. Lesdonnées expérimentales obtenues par la méthode de la Densité Spectrale de Puissancemettent en évidence l’impact des propriétés de la poix sur l’efficacité de lissage. Lacomparaison entre les résultats numériques et expérimentaux montre que le modèle DEMdonne des résultats prometteurs pour la modélisation du lissage de défauts. / In aspherical photolithography optics manufacturing, the smoothing step iscritical. So far, it is the only process that can correct high spatial frequency defects, responsiblefor flare and transmission, contrast decrease. This operation must preserve the low frequencyaspherical shape while smoothing high frequency defects. That behavior can be obtained withtools that combine a continuous flexible layer for low frequency compliance and a fractionatepitch layer for high frequency defect polishing. The main goals of this study are predicting thesmoothing efficiency and form control of different tools, and then determining the best tool toachieve a good balance between them. To do this, a multi-scale model is developed. First, atthe whole tool scale, a finite-element parametric study yields the best characteristics for theflexible layer as well as the optimal applied force to achieve pressure homogeneity at the globalaspherical shape level. Second, at the pitch layer level, the Discrete Element Method is used toinvestigate the tool-workpiece interface. A model based on the viscoelastic cohesive beamconcept is developed, taking into account the pitch layer’s frequency response. Comparisonwith Dynamic Mechanical Analysis shows the ability of DEM to model viscoelastic behavior. Thesmoothing operation is then modeled both by DEM and analytically. Experimental data obtainedby the Power Spectral Density Method highlight the impact of pitch properties on the smoothingefficiency. Comparison between numerical and experimental data shows that the DEM modelyields promising results in defect smoothing modeling

This study investigates prosodic features of child-directed speech during the child’s first year, using the automated prosodic annotation software Prosogram. From previous studies on first language acquisition and child-directed speech we know that speech directed to infants and small children is characterised by exaggerated use of several prosodic features, including a higher pitch, livelier pitch movement and slower speech rate. Annotation of these phenomena has previously been done manually, which is time consuming and includes a risk of circularity. If we can use semi-automated systems to carry out this task, it would be a huge methodological gain. This study analysed recordings of 10 parent-child pairs at four occasions (3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age) for a total of 40 recordings. The audio files were analysed in Prosogram in order to detect possible differences depending on the child’s age. The results showed a noticeable change in child-directed speech over the first year of the child’s life. A change in several characteristic prosodic features was noted to occur between the ages of 6 and 9 months. Pitch levels decreased, and articulation rate increased. Additionally, parents seemed to use pitch values much higher than their mean pitch speaking to children aged 3 and 6 months than to children aged 9 and 12 months. Despite using a relatively small sample, the results show several interesting trends in the usage of child-directed speech. Furthermore, this study shows that Prosogram is a useful tool for automatic analysis of child-directed speech.

[pt] As propriedades reológicas dos piches de petróleo têm grande importância no processamento e nas propriedades finais das fibras de carbono, além de auxiliar na seleção da matéria-prima. No presente trabalho, uma série de piches de petróleo com teores crescentes de anisotropia foi produzida a partir de óleo decantado proveniente do processo de craqueamento catalítico do petróleo, com o objetivo de se investigar as propriedades reológicas destes materiais, para melhor aplicá-las na produção de fibras de carbono. Um dos piches produzidos foi centrifugado em alta temperatura com o objetivo de estudar as propriedades reológicas das suas fases isotrópica e anisotrópica. Os teores e texturas das anisotropias obtidas foram analisados, respectivamente, por centrifugação em alta temperatura e por microscopia ótica com luz polarizada. Os tamanhos moleculares dos piches de petróleo foram medidos utilizando-se a técnica de Espectrometria de Massas com Ionização e Dessorção a Laser Assistida por Matriz e Análise de Íons por Tempo de Vôo (MALDI-TOF-MS). Os piches analisados apresentaram uma natureza oligomérica, e massas moleculares de até 1500 Da foram detectadas. A caracterização reológica mostrou o comportamento viscoplástico dos piches e as curvas de escoamento medidas foram ajustadas utilizando a função viscosidade de Herschel-Bulkley. As análises reológicas também mostraram o aumento da elasticidade dos piches com o progresso do tratamento térmico e o surgimento do comportamento tixotrópico. As técnicas de análise utilizadas neste trabalho se mostraram eficientes para o estudo e caracterização de piches de petróleo precursores de fibras de carbono. / [en] Rheological properties of petroleum pitches are of major importance not only in the processing and final properties of carbon fibers, but they also helps in the selection of the raw material. In this work, a series of petroleum pitches with increasing contents of anisotropy was produced from decanted oil obtained from catalytic cracking process of petroleum, with the objective of investigate the rheological properties of these materials and its application on carbon fibers production. One of the produced pitches was centrifuged at high temperature with the objective of study the rheological properties of isotropic and anisotropic phases. The contents and textures of the obtained anisotropy were respectively analyzed by centrifugation at high temperature and by optical microscopy with polarized light. The molecular sizes of petroleum pitches were measured using the technique MALDI-TOF-MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Timeof- Flight Mass Spectrometry). The analyzed petroleum pitches exhibited an oligomeric nature and molecular masses up to 1500 Da were detected. Rheological characterization showed viscoplastic behavior of pitches and the measured flow curves were fitted using the Herschel-Bulkley viscosity function. Rheological analysis also showed the increasing of pitches elasticity with the progress of the heat treatment and the appearance of thixotropic behavior. The analytical techniques used in this work proved its efficiency on the study and characterization of petroleum pitches as carbon fibers precursors.

The value of studying elephant vocalizations lies in the abundant information that can be retrieved from it. Recordings of elephant rumbles can be used by researchers to determine the size and composition of the herd, the sexual state, as well as the emotional condition of an elephant. It is a difficult task for researchers to obtain large volumes of continuous recordings of elephant vocalizations. Recordings are normally analysed manually to identify the location of rumbles via the tedious and time consuming methods of sped up listening and the visual evaluation of spectrograms. The application of speech processing on elephant vocalizations is a highly unexploited resource. The aim of this study was to contribute to the current body of knowledge and resources of elephant research by developing a tool for recording high volumes of continuous acoustic data in harsh natural conditions as well as examining the possibilities of applying human speech processing techniques to elephant rumbles to achieve automatic detection of these rumbles in recordings. The recording tool was designed and implemented as an elephant recording collar that has an onboard data storage capacity of 128 gigabytes, enough memory to record sound data continuously for a period of nine months. Data is stored in the wave file format and the device has the ability to navigate and control the FAT32 file system so that the files can be read and downloaded to a personal computer. The collar also has the ability to stamp sound files with the time and date, ambient temperature and GPS coordinates. Several different options for microphone placement and protection have been tested experimentally to find an acceptable solution. A relevant voice activity detection algorithm was chosen as a base for the automatic detection of infrasonic elephant rumbles. The chosen algorithm is based on a robust pitch determination algorithm that has been experimentally verified to function correctly under a signal-to-noise ratio as low as -8 dB when more than four harmonic structures exist in a sound. The algorithm was modified to be used for elephant rumbles and was tested with previously recorded elephant vocalization data. The results obtained suggest that the algorithm can accurately detect elephant rumbles from recordings. The number of false alarms and undetected calls increase when recordings are contaminated with unwanted noise that contains harmonic structures or when the harmonic nature of a rumble is lost. Data obtained from the recording collar is less prone to being contaminated than far field recordings and the automatic detection algorithm should provide an accurate tool for detecting any rumbles that appear in the recordings. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering / unrestricted

The drainage behaviour of sports pitches is not well understood nor has performance been measured in the past. Within planning authorities there is a perceived contribution of pitch water discharge to local flood risk; whereby all the rainfall surface runoff is rapidly channelled through the drainage system to the pitch outfall. However, empirical evidence from industry suggested that this may not be a realistic assumption from observations of low drainage volumes yielded from pitch drainage systems. Furthermore, discharge constraints imposed have in many cases resulted in grossly over-designed off-line drainage attenuation systems for new sports developments through lack of understanding. In contrast, sports pitches indeed have the potential to enhance the attenuation performance of the subsoils and provide localised effective management of surface water runoff, and a significant storage volume if designed appropriately The findings in this thesis confirm that pitch bases demonstrate the key functions that are in fact reflected in the design requirements of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS). This PhD research project was conducted to investigate and document the performance of common pitch construction and drainage systems to better characterise the key drainage mechanisms that occur and control the flow of surface rain water through the pitch to the discharge outfall. The project developed a triangulated approach to the investigations, comprising: field measurements of climate and discharge behaviour at a range of artificial and natural turf pitches in England; laboratory physical model testing of pitch component hydraulics; and predictive mathematical modelling of how a pitch system may be expected to perform hydraulically based on key material and system drainage principles. The field monitoring systems were developed as part of the research, as was bespoke laboratory physical simulation of a pitch construction. It was found that very variable yields (% out versus % in) of water were detected from the monitored field sites. The values varied across a range of < 1 to 88%, with the natural turf providing higher yields in general. The antecedent weather patterns did not show a clear relationship with yield as might have been expected. However, it was not always possible to retrieve detailed information on the subsoil conditions or hydraulic capability reducing the conclusiveness of the discharge flow measurements. The scaled laboratory testing of pitch materials established the importance and magnitude of barriers to percolation of surface water through the layers of the pitch constructions, in particular artificial pitch profiles. It was found that a significant proportion of the total rainfall head was required to instigate percolation of surface water through the carpet and into the pitch i.e. breakthrough head. In addition, several constituent pitch materials exhibited water retention characteristics that reduced that rate of free percolation of surface water through the pitch profile. The net impact is to reduce the net available head of water to further drive flow through the layers to the pipe network drainage system. A conceptual hydraulic model, developed from the literature, was further developed into a simple numerical model. The model was informed by parameters determined from the laboratory measurements and key groundwater drainage flow theory to attempt to replicate a pitch drainage system. It was envisaged that the models would be validated by the field data, although this proved challenging as a result of the field data variability and the multivariate nature of the influences on flows measured. A key finding of the modelling was further establishing the likely head of water generated at the interfaces between the bottom of the granular sub-base and the pipe collection drainage system beneath. This resulted in limited pipe infiltration and low total flows to the outfall, further corroborating the project field results and the anecdotal observations from practitioners. The combined unique data sets provide a refined model for sports pitch drainage to both reinforce understanding and inform practical design and operation.

The lecture recital was given on July 2, 1984. The Megalith Trilogy was performed following a lecture which examined the internal structure of the work. The main body of the lecture focused on motivic and tonal considerations and included motivic and pitch reductions of the three movements. In addition to the lecture recital three other public solo recitals were performed. The four programs were recorded on magnetic tape and are filed with the written version of the lecture as a part of the dissertation.

This dissertation presents evidence that Béla Bartók created his masterwork, the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion (1937), in a very complex period of his life. Since it was a mature piece, Bartók utilized typically "Bartókian" compositional techniques and styles. His ethnomusicological studies were also influential factors in the creation of the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion. We can be witness to how different the first draft was to the published version; the minor and major changes are revealed in the draft study of the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion 's first movement. These changes allow today's musicians to reconstruct the compositional process. The first movement introduces some interesting uses of sonata form, to be explored in more detail in the analysis. Starting with linear analysis, the basic motives and rhythmic patterns are discussed and supported with Bartók's own explanations. The conclusion of this study has important ramifications for performance: it eases up the pressure on the performers, since problematic passages are analyzed and explained - preparing the players' mentally for the performance. This is music which is hard to play and difficult to analyze. The analysis, combining the results of both theoretical and musicological studies, is intended to help both analysts and performers understand the genesis of the piece and, for performers, to execute the music in the best possible manner.

The aim of this thesis was automatic pitch detection in melodic guitar lines and subsequent transcription to guitar tablature. Final system uses comb filtering to detect pitch. Individual notes are separated by beat detection. An algorithm for transcription of notes to guitar tablature, based on minimalization of hand movement is proposed.

Thesis deals with the relation between track geometry and development of long-pitch corrugation in curves of small radii. In the frame of this diploma thesis, measurements of track geometry and measurements of long-pitch corrugation in the sections between Brno - Malomerice and Babice nad Svitavou were carried out. The measured data were processed and evaluated, while individual parameters were compared with each other and their dependencies were searched.