Single Pitch Research Articles

Building and design of Trkaliste (racetrack): From the first gallop races in 1863 through to the first football pitches in Belgrade at the beginning of the twentieth century

Building of 'Trkalište' as the first Belgrade hippodrome had a significant role in the social and sports life of the capital. A part of the city which used to be on the outskirts starts to change rapidly. With the development and expansion of sports activities in the second half of the nineteenth century Racetrack becomes progressively important, calling for building of the first significant football pitches. The paper outlines the development of the sports facilities in 'Trkalište', from the first track for the gallop races facilitated by Knez Mihailo through to the first football pitches whose building was initiated by the effort and financial means of the greatest Serbian intellectuals of the time. By chronologically analyzing every single pitch, their major architectural features become clearly noticeable. In a very short period they have transformed from disorganized fields into the architectural forms following standards of the Western world. In parallel with the development and urbanization of Belgrade between the two world wars, sports pitches in 'Trkalište' gradually give place to the Technical University, the Svetozar Marković University Library and the Serbian Archive, acquiring new and far more modern forms in the other locations. By analyzing archive materials, newspaper articles and photograph collections the degree of societal and architectural development becomes identifiable. In this respect, this paper is a contribution to the appreciation of the sports architecture which has not had a right place within the frame of the architectural heritage of the period.

Focus projection and prenuclear accents: evidence from lexical processing

ABSTRACTTheories of Focus Projection claim that a single pitch accent on a verb's argument is sufficient to prosodically mark that verb as part of the focus, negating the need for a prenuclear accent on the verb itself. The present study employed online lexical processing to test this claim empirically. In three cross-modal associative priming experiments, listeners heard English SVO sentences with/without prenuclear accenting on the verb in both broad (VP) and narrow (object) focus contexts. Results showed that the absence of a prenuclear accent in broad focus contexts did not disrupt priming, but the presence of one in narrow focus contexts did. This disruption was found to be somewhat modulated by individual differences in “autistic traits”. Overall, the findings are interpreted as supporting a model that includes both (a) a Focus Projection mechanism and (b) an information structural function for prenuclear accents, with the latter possibly subject to cross-listener variation.

Effect of applied voltage and electrolyte parameters on pitch, runout, flank topology, and finishing productivity of the straight bevel gears in PECH process

ABSTRACTThis paper describes improvements in the considered parameters of micro-geometry: flank surface topology and finishing productivity of 20MnCr5 alloy steel straight bevel gears through their finishing by pulsed electrochemical honing (PECH) process. Effects of three most important parameters of PECH process, namely applied voltage, electrolyte composition, and electrolyte concentration were investigated to identify their optimum values. Pre-identified values of other PECH parameters and an aqueous mixture of NaCl and NaNO3 as an electrolyte were used in the present work. Errors in pitch (i.e., single pitch error, adjacent pitch error, and cumulative pitch error) and runout were used to evaluate micro-geometry of the straight bevel gears while volumetric material removal rate was used to judge the finishing productivity of the PECH process. Topology of the gear tooth flank surface and microstructure of the best-finished bevel gears were also studied. The results revealed considerable improvements in the micro-geometry, flank surface topology, and microstructure of the bevel gears finished by PECH. Applied voltage of 8 V, electrolyte composition of 75 wt.% NaCl + 25 wt.% NaNO3, and electrolyte concentration of 7.5 wt.% were identified as the optimum values to achieve simultaneous improvement in all the considered responses.

Task-Based Variability in Children’s Singing Accuracy

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of task demands on children’s singing accuracy. A 2 × 4 factorial design was used to examine the performance of fourth-grade children ( N = 120) in solo and doubled response conditions. Each child sang four task types: single pitch, interval, pattern, and the song “Jingle Bells.” The results indicated that children’s singing accuracy varied by task type, with poorer performance on patterns and songs than on single pitches and intervals. Performance was significantly better for all tasks in the doubled condition than in the solo condition, and a significant interaction indicated task-based performance varied by response mode. Students who indicated some history of private lessons ( n = 54) performed significantly better than those without. Internal reliability using five test items for each type of singing task was satisfactory. Application of the Spearman-Brown formula suggests that a minimum of three items can be included in each task in future research for a reliability coefficient of .75, and four items for a coefficient greater than .80. Performance on these singing tasks was significantly intercorrelated.

The effect of repeated attempts and test-retest reliability in children’s singing accuracy

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of repeated attempts at singing accuracy tasks. Test-retest reliability of singing accuracy was examined in a second administration of the test. A secondary purpose was to analyze individual variability in children’s singing accuracy. Test stimuli were designed using five attempts each at a single pitch, interval, and four-note pattern, and song singing. Children aged 6–11 were given the one-on-one singing accuracy test, and an identical form of the test was administered again within 1–6 weeks. Pitch matching items were scored by measuring the deviation in Hertz from the stimuli. The song singing item was scored by singing teachers using an 8-point scale with acceptable inter-rater reliability ( r = .86). Participants’ individual best attempt out of five was equally distributed, with overall performance increasing across subsequent attempts measured in signed cent deviation. A repeated-measures ANOVA with the task type (single, interval, and pattern) and attempt (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) as the within-subjects variables indicated no main effect for task type ( p = .129), but a significant main effect for attempt ( p < .001, [Formula: see text] = .087). Test-retest reliability was considered high ( r = .69).

Critical Variables in Singing Accuracy Test Construction

The purpose of this review of literature was to identify research findings for designing assessments in singing accuracy. The aim was to specify the test construction variables that directly affect test performance to guide future design in singing accuracy assessment for research and classroom uses. Three pitch-matching tasks—single pitch, interval pitch, and patterns—plus song-singing have each been shown to be discriminators of singing accuracy. Teachers and researchers should consider incorporating more than one task type when assessing children, since performance on one song or pitch-matching task cannot easily be generalized to others. Item-level and task-level difficulty must be taken into consideration when designing singing tests. In addition to task type, the variables of singing voice development, contextual presentation, model characteristics, range, and text must be a part of a priori decision making.

Numerical investigation on turbulent forced convection and heat transfer characteristic in a square channel with discrete combined V-baffle and V-orifice

Turbulent forced convection, heat transfer and performance improvement in a square channel with discrete combined baffles (DCB), which combined V-baffle and V-orifice, are investigated numerically. The influences of the flow blockage ratios (BR=0.05, 0.10 and 0.15) and V-tip directions (V-tip pointing downstream called “V-Downstream” and V-tip pointing upstream called “V-Upstream”) are examined with a single pitch spacing ratio, PR=1, and attack angle, α=30o, for the Reynolds number, Re=5000–20,000. The computation results are reported in terms of flow visualizations, heat transfer characteristics, performance assessments. The results are compared with the smooth channel and the previous works. As the results, the DCB enhances the heat transfer rate and thermal efficiency due to the disturbance of the thermal boundary layer. The improvement of the heat transfer rate is around 2.8–6 times higher than the smooth channel depended on BR, V-tip directions and Re. In addition, the computational result reveals that the optimum thermal enhancement factor, TEF, is around 1.72 at BR=0.1, Re=3000 and V-Upstream.

Lou Reed’s “Ostrich” Tuning as an Aesthetic Point of Articulation

The author argues that an unusual guitar tuning known as "Ostrich" served as a point of articulation between the differing musical practices of Lou Reed and John Cale when they came together as the Velvet Underground. The implications of the tuning, which is composed of unison and octave doublings of a single pitch class, are discussed.

Constrained non-negative matrix factorization for score-informed piano music restoration

In this work, we propose a constrained non-negative matrix factorization method for the audio restoration of piano music using information from the score. In the first stage (instrument training), spectral patterns for the target source (piano) are learned from a dataset of isolated piano notes. The model for the piano is constrained to be harmonic because, in this way, each pattern can define a single pitch. In the second stage (noise training), spectral patterns for the undesired source (noise) are learned from the most common types of vinyl noises. To obtain a representative model for the vinyl noise, a cross-correlation-based constraint that minimizes the cross-talk between different noise components is used. In the final stage (separation), we use the trained instrument and noise models in an NMF framework to extract the clean audio signal from undesired non-stationary noise. To improve the separation results, we propose a novel score-based constraint to avoid activations of notes or combinations that are not present in the original score. The proposed approach has been evaluated and compared with commercial audio restoration softwares, obtaining competitive results.

Investigating the Nature of the Left Periphery in Peninsular Spanish wh-Question Intonation

Background/Aims: In this paper we aim to resolve the phonological status of utterance-initial rises in Spanish wh-questions. Methods/Analysis 1: In analysis 1 we examine the scaling and alignment properties of utterance-initial rises produced by 14 speakers of Peninsular Spanish. Results/Analysis 1: The results provide evidence for a single bitonal pitch accent at the left periphery (L + <H*) despite multiple options at the right periphery. Conclusion/Analysis 1: Our analysis, relying on the notion of sparse tonal specification, helps to explain Sp_ToBI transcribers' past inconsistencies in labeling wh-question initial rises. Methods/Analysis 2: In analysis 2 we tested whether there are scaling differences between the wh-question contours produced in analysis 1 and statement contours produced by the same 14 speakers. Results/Analysis 2: We showed that speakers scale utterance-initial peaks higher in statements, and that they scale utterancefinal peaks higher in wh-questions. Conclusion/Analysis 2: This finding is incompatible with the notion that speakers of Spanish use a higher F0 level from the start of the utterance to distinguish questions from statements.

ホブ切り歯車の単一ピッチ誤差測定の新たな手法（ガウシアンフィルタを通した歯すじ形状測定結果の適用）

Improving quality of hobbed gears must yield high accuracy of ground gears. This can be achieved by measuring hobbed gears accurately. Pitch deviations are most crucial in grinding processes with a worm type grinder. In the preset study, a new measuring method is proposed for single pitch deviations. In this method, measured helix trace data are conditioned with Gaussian Filter to be divided into short- and long-wavelength components. Single pitch deviations are calculated from the long-wavelength components around the center of facewidth. The calculated deviations showed 62.6 % lower variation in iterative measurements.

ホブ切り歯車の単一ピッチ誤差測定精度の向上

ホブ切り歯車の単一ピッチ誤差測定精度の向上

Experimental analysis and optimisation of process parameters for gear cutting process using wire EDM

Wire EDM is a non-traditional machining operation in which complicated profiles are cut by the help of a wire by the application of heat produced from the electrical sparks. Gear cutting is a challenging task in which small teeth are cut by the help of wire for the manufacturing of gears to meet the growing demand. The objective of the present work is to minimise the error present in the gears by optimising the input parameters to get the optimum value. The proposed work deals with the analysis and optimisation of response parameters, i.e., single pitch error and material removal rate of wire electric discharge machined spur gears made of copper material. The values of pitch error and MRR of the gear obtained by these experiments were optimised and a loss function is generated by optimising the single pitch error and MRR. The loss function is investigated and the optimum value obtained can be applied for future findings.

Experimental analysis and optimisation of process parameters for gear cutting process using wire EDM

Wire EDM is a non-traditional machining operation in which complicated profiles are cut by the help of a wire by the application of heat produced from the electrical sparks. Gear cutting is a challenging task in which small teeth are cut by the help of wire for the manufacturing of gears to meet the growing demand. The objective of the present work is to minimise the error present in the gears by optimising the input parameters to get the optimum value. The proposed work deals with the analysis and optimisation of response parameters, i.e., single pitch error and material removal rate of wire electric discharge machined spur gears made of copper material. The values of pitch error and MRR of the gear obtained by these experiments were optimised and a loss function is generated by optimising the single pitch error and MRR. The loss function is investigated and the optimum value obtained can be applied for future findings.

Effects of staggering and pitch error on the dynamic response of a double-helical gear set

Theoretical analysis is conducted to investigate the nonlinear vibration response in a double-helical gear set under the influence of staggering, single pitch error and cumulative pitch error. A dynamic model of the double-helical gear set is established considering the axial deflection of shaft and gyroscopic effect, and the natural frequencies, mode shapes and critical speeds for the gear set with axial degree and gyroscopic effect are calculated. Moreover, several cases are numerically simulated after consideration of time varying mesh stiffness and gear backlash, and then some general results are deduced about the influences of staggering, single pitch error and cumulative pitch error on vibration intensity and gear teeth impact. Although the pitch error is modeled as a lower frequency excitation, high natural frequencies and modes are excited, especially when the double-helical gear pair operates under high speed condition. Comparisons are listed which are useful for understanding the high speed performance of a high speed gear set.

Investigations on micro-geometry improvement of straight bevel gears finished by electrochemical honing process

This paper reports on investigations on micro-geometry improvement of the straight bevel gears by finishing them by electrochemical honing (ECH) process. Adjacent pitch error, cumulative pitch error, and total runout have been used to evaluate the micro-geometry of the case hardened straight bevel gears made of 20MnCr5 alloy steel. An innovative experimental setup was developed for finishing the entire face width of bevel gears without requiring any reciprocating motion to workpiece gear or cathode gears and simultaneously maintaining the required inter-electrode gap by envisaging a novel concept of complementary cathode gears. Experiments were conducted to study the influence of five ECH parameters (concentration, temperature and flow rate of electrolyte, applied voltage, and rotary speed of workpiece gear) on the micro-geometry of the bevel gears using Taguchi L27 orthogonal array. Results showed that certain combinations of the ECH parameters appreciably improved the micro-geometry of the bevel gears, i.e., the quality of the bevel gear improved from standard DIN 9 to DIN 8 for the single pitch error, from standard DIN 8 to DIN 7 for the adjacent pitch error, and from DIN 7 to DIN 6 for the total runout within an optimized finishing time of 2 min which will ensure improved tribological performance and service life of the bevel gears. This work proves that ECH has great potential to be developed as a technologically better, productive, and economical alternative to the conventional bevel gear finishing processes.

Harmonic fusion and pitch affinity: Is there a direct link?

Simultaneous pure tones approximately one octave apart tend to be fused perceptually and to evoke a single pitch sensation. Besides, sequentially presented pure tones show a subjective “affinity” or similarity in pitch when their frequency ratio is close to one octave. The aim of the study reported here was to determine if these two perceptual phenomena are directly related. Each stimulus was a triplet of simultaneous or successive pure tones forming frequency ratios varying across stimuli between 0.96 and 1.04 octaves. The tones were presented at a low sensation level (15 dB) within broadband threshold-equalizing noise, in order to prevent them from interacting in the cochlea when they were simultaneous. A large set of stimulus comparisons made by 18 listeners indicated that: (1) when the tones were simultaneous, maximal fusion was obtained for a mean frequency ratio deviating by less than 0.2% from one octave, and fusion decreased less rapidly above this frequency ratio than below it; (2) when the tones were presented successively, maximal pitch affinity was obtained for a mean frequency ratio significantly larger than one octave, and pitch affinity decreased more rapidly above this frequency ratio than below it. The differences between the results obtained for simultaneous and successive tones suggest that harmonic fusion and pitch affinity are unrelated phenomena.

Context Dependent Pitch Perception in Consonant and Dissonant Harmonic Intervals

Two experiments examined whether discrimination of component pitches in a harmonic interval is affected by the consonance or dissonance of the interval. A single probe pitch (B or C) was followed by a two note harmonic interval including that pitch (e.g., C then C-F# or C-G) or not including it (e.g., C then B-F# or B-G). On each trial, subjects indicated by key press whether the probe note was repeated in the following interval. The target note in the interval either matched the probe or differed by one semitone (B or C). The other note produced a consonant (e.g., perfect fifth) or dissonant (e.g., tritone) context for the target. Pitch discrimination was faster and more accurate in consonant intervals than dissonant, when the context note was higher than the target (Experiment 1), but there was no effect of consonance when the target was higher (Experiment 2). We conclude that the perception of the lower but not the upper pitch in a two note harmonic interval is affected by the interval’s consonance or dissonance. We discuss the results in terms of the theoretical framework of processing fluency and aesthetics proposed by Winkielman, Schwarz, Fazendeiro, and Reber (2003).

Assessing Linearity in the Loudness Envelope of the Messa di Voce Singing Exercise Through Acoustic Signal Analysis

Messa di voce (MDV) is a singing exercise that involves sustaining a single pitch with a linear change in loudness from silence to maximum intensity (the crescendo part) and back to silence again (the decrescendo part), with time symmetry between the two parts. Previous studies have used the sound pressure level (SPL, in decibels) of a singer's voice to measure loudness, so as to assess the linearity of each part-an approach that has limitations due to loudness and SPL not being linearly related. This article studies the loudness envelope shapes of MDVs, comparing the SPL approach with approaches that are more closely related to human loudness perception. The MDVs were performed by a cohort of tertiary singing students, recorded six times (once per semester) over a period of 3 years. The loudness envelopes were derived for a typical audience listening position, and for listening to one's own singing, using three models: SPL, Stevens' power law-based model, and a computational loudness model. The effects on the envelope shape due to room acoustics (an important effect) and vibrato (minimal effect) were also considered. The results showed that the SPL model yielded a lower proportion of linear crescendi and decrescendi, compared with other models. The Stevens' power law-based model provided results similar to the more complicated computational loudness model. Longitudinally, there was no consistent trend in the shape of the MDV loudness envelope for the cohort although there were some individual singers who exhibited improvements in linearity.

Numerical study of tandem flapping wing aerodynamics in both two and three dimensions

In this paper we extend our previous two-dimensional tandem wing study to three-dimensions. In our previous study we found that vortex interactions highly depend on the phase lag angle and spacing between the forewing and hindwing. In this paper the effect of phase lag angle between the fore and hind wings on the wing–wing interactions, force production, and efficiency of the hindwing was studied for three different phase lag angles, 0°, 90° and 180°. The spacing used between the forewing and hindwing was one chord. A single frequency sinusoidal pitch–plunge motion was used at a Strouhal number of 0.3 and a Reynolds number of 200. The aspect ratio of the three dimensional wing was two. The simulations were based on the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations, discretized on overlapping grids. The wing motions were prescribed by a series of composed transformation matrices. A moving overlapping grid technique will be used to handle the moving boundary problems. It was found that the three dimensional cases exhibited a spanwise variation in the LEV structure and a weaker LEV formation at midspan compared to the two-dimensional cases with the same kinematics. The spanwise variation resulted in weaker vortex interactions between the fore and hind wing than predicted by the two dimensional study.