Cues to Perceiving Tonal Stability in Music

Musical expectations may arise from short-term sensitivity to the statistics of the immediate context and from long-term knowledge acquired through previous listening experiences. Here we investigate the influence of two statistical structures on tonal expectations: the frequency with which individual pitches occur, and the occurrence of such pitches on strong or weak positions of the musical meter. We familiarized nonmusician adult listeners to a 2-min tone sequence in which some pitches occurred more frequently than others (Experiment 1) or some pitches occurred more frequently on strong than on weak metrical positions (Experiment 2). Participants then indicated which of two short test sequences matched the familiarization sequence (Experiments 1a and 2a), or they provided fit ratings for individual probe tones following short test sequences (Experiments 1b and 2b). In Experiments 1a and 2a, listeners correctly identified the test sequence that matched the familiarization. In Experiments 1b and 2b, we found that the statistics of the immediate context strongly influenced probe tone ratings. In Experiment 2b, but not Experiment 1b, prior familiarization also influenced participants’ ratings. Findings suggest that both frequency-of-occurrence and metrical position exert a short-term influence on perceived tonal stability, and metrical position also exerts a long-term influence.

Calculation of reliable transcript levels of annotated genes on the basis of multiple probe-sets in Affymetrix microarrays.

Microarray methods have become a basic tool in studies of global gene expression and changes in transcript levels. Affymetrix microarrays from the HGU133 series contain multiple probe-sets complementary to the same gene (4742 genes are represented by more than one probe-set in a microarray HGU133A). Individual probe-sets annotated to the same gene often show different hybridization signals and even opposite trends, which may result from some of them matching transcripts of more than one gene and from the existence of different splice-variant transcripts. Existing methods that redefine probe-sets and develop custom probe-set definitions use mathematical tools such as Matlab or the R statistical environment with the Bioconductor package (Gentleman et al., 2004, Genome Biol. 5: 280) and thus are directed to researchers with a good knowledge of bioinformatics. We propose here a new approach based on the principle that a probe-set which hybridizes to more than one transcript can be recognized because it produces a signal significantly different from others assigned to the particular gene, allowing it to be detected as an outlier in the group and eliminated from subsequent analyses. A simple freeware application has been developed (available at www.bioinformatics.aei.polsl.pl) that detects and removes outlying probe-sets and calculates average signal values for individual genes using the latest annotation database provided by Affymetrix. We illustrate this procedure using microarray data from our experiments aiming to study changes of transcription profile induced by ionizing radiation in human cells.

Relationship of Influence Coefficients Between Static-Couple and Multiplane Methods on Two-Plane Balancing

This paper demonstrates analytical relationship of influence coefficients between static-couple and multiplane methods on two-plane balancing as well as its application. For the static-couple approach, cross-effects are defined between static weights and couple response as well as between couple weights and static response, thus making it possible to offset both static and couple vibration vectors effectively with appropriate combination of static and couple weights. Relationship of influence coefficients between static/couple and individual probe due to static/couple weights is also given. Static, couple, or individual probe influence coefficients due to static or couple weights can be obtained directly without having to place static or couple trial weights if influence coefficients used in the multiplane approach are known. From static and couple influence data as well as cross-effects, influence data for the multiplane approach can be obtained directly as well without having to place any trial weights at either plane. The above findings and conversion equations are obtained analytically and verified by experimental results. Conversion of influence coefficients from multiplane to static-couple format can determine whether static or couple weights are more effective as well as running vibration modes, while conversion from static-couple to multiplane format can determine which balance plane is more effective.

Relationship of Influence Coefficients Between Static-Couple and Multi-Plane Methods on Two-Plane Balancing

This paper demonstrates analytical relationship of influence coefficients between static-couple and multi-plane methods on two-plane balancing as well as its application. For the static-couple approach, cross effects are defined between static weights and couple response as well as between couple weights and static response, thus making it possible to offset both static and couple vibration vectors effectively with appropriate combination of static and couple weights. Relationship of influence coefficients between static/couple and individual probe due to static/couple weights is also given. Static, couple, or individual probe influence coefficients due to static or couple weights can be obtained directly without having to place static or couple trial weights if influence coefficients used in the multi-plane approach are known. From static and couple influence data as well as cross effects, influence data for the multi-plane approach can be obtained directly as well without having to place any trial weights at either plane. The above findings and conversion equations are obtained analytically, and verified by experimental results. Conversion of influence coefficients from multi-plane to static-couple format can determine whether static or couple weights are more effective as well as running vibration modes, while conversion from static-couple to multi-plane format can determine which balance plane is more effective.

Accelerating the Calibration of Multihole Pressure Probes by Applying Advanced Computational Methods

The miniature multihole pneumatic pressure probe is widely regarded as a cost-effective, easy-to-use, and accurate method for performing two- or three-dimensional flow field measurements in turbomachinery. The major downside to the use of these probes is that the influence of fabrication imperfections on probe characteristics necessitates an extensive and highly time-intensive and, therefore, costly calibration of each individual probe. Unless these probes can be fabricated to such standards that make individual probe calibrations superfluous, the only way to significantly reduce the time and costs associated with probe calibration is to shorten the calibration process. The latter is only possible if all essential information can be obtained from less calibration data. This paper describes an approach to the calibration of a series of multihole pressure probes in which advanced computational methods are used to make this possible. By exploiting the key features of a probe’s characteristic this approach requires only a fraction of the size of a conventional calibration database for the accurate modeling of the relationships between port pressures and flow conditions. As a result, calibration time and costs can be reduced without the sacrifice of quality.

Accelerating the Calibration of Multi-Hole Pressure Probes by Applying Advanced Computational Methods

The miniature multi-hole pneumatic pressure probe is widely regarded as a cost-effective, easy-to-use and accurate method for performing two- or three-dimensional flow field measurements in turbomachinery. The major downside to the use of these probes is that the influence of fabrication imperfections on probe characteristics necessitates an extensive and highly time-intensive and, therefore, costly calibration of each individual probe. Unless these probes can be fabricated to such standards that make individual probe calibrations superfluous, the only way to significantly reduce the time and costs associated with probe calibration is to shorten the calibration process. The latter is only possible if all essential information can be obtained from less calibration data. This paper describes a novel approach to the calibration of a series of multi-hole pressure probes in which advanced computational methods are used to make this possible. By exploiting the key features of a probe’s characteristic this approach requires only a fraction of the size of a conventional calibration database for the accurate modeling of the relationships between port pressures and flow conditions. As a result, calibration time and costs can be reduced without the sacrifice of quality.