title: Melody transcription for interactive applications

authors: McNab, Rodger J.

subjects: computer science

abstract: A melody transcription system has been developed to support interactive music applications. The system accepts monophonic voice input ranging from F2 (87 HZ) to G5 (784 HZ) and tracks the frequency, displaying the result in common music notation. Notes are segmented using adaptive thresholds operating on the signal's amplitude; users are required to separate notes using a stop consonant. The frequency resolution of the system is ±4 cents. Frequencies are internally represented by their distance in cents above MIDI note 0 (8.176 Hz); this allows accurate musical pitch labeling when a note is slightly sharp or flat, and supports a simple method of dynamically adapting the system's tuning to the user's singing. The system was evaluated by transcribing 100 recorded melodies-10 tunes, each sung by 5 male and 5 female singers-comprising approximately 5000 notes. The test data was transcribed in 2.8% of recorded time. Transcription error was 11.4%, with incorrect note segmentation accounting for virtually all errors. Error rate was highly dependent on the singer, with one group of four singers having error rates ranging from 3% to 5%, error over the remaining 6 singers ranged from 11% to 23%.

text: Melody transcription for interactive applications A melody transcription system has been developed to support interactive music applications. The system accepts monophonic voice input ranging from F2 (87 HZ) to G5 (784 HZ) and tracks the frequency, displaying the result in common music notation. Notes are segmented using adaptive thresholds operating on the signal's amplitude; users are required to separate notes using a stop consonant. The frequency resolution of the system is ±4 cents. Frequencies are internally represented by their distance in cents above MIDI note 0 (8.176 Hz); this allows accurate musical pitch labeling when a note is slightly sharp or flat, and supports a simple method of dynamically adapting the system's tuning to the user's singing. The system was evaluated by transcribing 100 recorded melodies-10 tunes, each sung by 5 male and 5 female singers-comprising approximately 5000 notes. The test data was transcribed in 2.8% of recorded time. Transcription error was 11.4%, with incorrect note segmentation accounting for virtually all errors. Error rate was highly dependent on the singer, with one group of four singers having error rates ranging from 3% to 5%, error over the remaining 6 singers ranged from 11% to 23%.

year: 1996-12

title: An Analysis of the Concept of 'Sustainability' in Mining Agreements in Papua New Guinea: The case of Hidden Valley/Hamata Mine

authors: Esonu, Bernard

subjects: Papua New Guinea

abstract: This thesis examined the way in which notions of economic, social and environmental sustainability were addressed in mining agreements in Papua New Guinea (PNG), through a case study of the Hidden Valley/Hamata mine. The thesis offered a discussion of indigenous and western perspectives on economic, social and environmental perspectives and practices. It then developed a model of sustainable development drawn from the scholarly literature and applied it to the case study.

The thesis explored the extent to which principles of sustainable development were incorporated into the mining agreement, as well as in negotiations amongst key actors. The study analysed key documents relating to sustainable development in PNG, including relevant national legislation and the memorandum of agreement negotiated amongst the principal actors in the Hidden Valley/Hamata mine. In addition, interviews and focus groups with the main participants in the Hidden Valley/Hamata case were also analysed. The analysis revealed significant deficiencies in the understandings of issues around sustainable development among all actors, which affected the negotiations of the mining agreement. The dominant concern for all actors, reflected in the analysis of documents and interviews, was economic. Furthermore, indigenous perspectives on sustainability were not given a hearing in the negotiations.

The study demonstrated that the major power differences between government and the mining company, on the one hand, and the landowners, on the other hand, prevented meaningful participation of the affected villagers in the negotiation process. The contradictory role of the state as both the regulator of the mining company and its partner in the mining development, along with a lack of awareness about issues of sustainable development, adds to the difficulty of implementing the provisions of the Environment Act.  The thesis concludes by developing an analytical framework for negotiating sustainable development in mining agreements through incorporating indigenous and western perspectives and practices of economic, social and environmental sustainability in development projects.

The significance of this research is that it addresses a gap in the literature on sustainable development with specific reference to mining in PNG. It offers insights into the negotiation process of mining agreements and offers a framework for negotiating sustainable development in practice in the future.

text: An Analysis of the Concept of 'Sustainability' in Mining Agreements in Papua New Guinea: The case of Hidden Valley/Hamata Mine This thesis examined the way in which notions of economic, social and environmental sustainability were addressed in mining agreements in Papua New Guinea (PNG), through a case study of the Hidden Valley/Hamata mine. The thesis offered a discussion of indigenous and western perspectives on economic, social and environmental perspectives and practices. It then developed a model of sustainable development drawn from the scholarly literature and applied it to the case study.

The thesis explored the extent to which principles of sustainable development were incorporated into the mining agreement, as well as in negotiations amongst key actors. The study analysed key documents relating to sustainable development in PNG, including relevant national legislation and the memorandum of agreement negotiated amongst the principal actors in the Hidden Valley/Hamata mine. In addition, interviews and focus groups with the main participants in the Hidden Valley/Hamata case were also analysed. The analysis revealed significant deficiencies in the understandings of issues around sustainable development among all actors, which affected the negotiations of the mining agreement. The dominant concern for all actors, reflected in the analysis of documents and interviews, was economic. Furthermore, indigenous perspectives on sustainability were not given a hearing in the negotiations.

The study demonstrated that the major power differences between government and the mining company, on the one hand, and the landowners, on the other hand, prevented meaningful participation of the affected villagers in the negotiation process. The contradictory role of the state as both the regulator of the mining company and its partner in the mining development, along with a lack of awareness about issues of sustainable development, adds to the difficulty of implementing the provisions of the Environment Act.  The thesis concludes by developing an analytical framework for negotiating sustainable development in mining agreements through incorporating indigenous and western perspectives and practices of economic, social and environmental sustainability in development projects.

The significance of this research is that it addresses a gap in the literature on sustainable development with specific reference to mining in PNG. It offers insights into the negotiation process of mining agreements and offers a framework for negotiating sustainable development in practice in the future.

year: 2009

title: Ko wai tēnei e tū ake nei? Activating collectivity and accountability through grounded positioning

authors: Rata, Arama

abstract: Building on conference conversations about positionality—about who we are and how our identities shape our views of the world, about the connections and disconnections experienced between us, and about our proximities to place, power, and privilege—this piece brings together four conference participants to continue to reflect on what positionality means, on why it is important, and on how to practice it in non-performative, well-developed, and mutually nourishing ways. Their dialogue reflects active and critical positioning in process and practice, creating opportunities for acknowledging our relationships and activating both collectivity and accountability in the various spaces where we live, work, create, and hope.

text: Ko wai tēnei e tū ake nei? Activating collectivity and accountability through grounded positioning Building on conference conversations about positionality—about who we are and how our identities shape our views of the world, about the connections and disconnections experienced between us, and about our proximities to place, power, and privilege—this piece brings together four conference participants to continue to reflect on what positionality means, on why it is important, and on how to practice it in non-performative, well-developed, and mutually nourishing ways. Their dialogue reflects active and critical positioning in process and practice, creating opportunities for acknowledging our relationships and activating both collectivity and accountability in the various spaces where we live, work, create, and hope.

year: 2021-12