Slumpmässigt musikskapande : En studie om slumpens betydelse för musikskapare och musikskapandeprocesser

Rapporten behandlar slumpfenomenets betydelse i musikskapandeprocesser. Syftet med den är att bidra till en djupare förståelse för slumpartade upptäckters betydelse för musikskapare under deras skapandeprocesser, såväl som slumpens värde i musiken de konsumerar, producerad av någon annan. Undersökningens teorier och tidigare forskning utgörs främst av litteratur om kreativitets- och slumpbegreppet. I och med undersökningen utvecklades av mig två begrepp, för att särskilja olika typer av slumper. Den rena slumpen, som definieras som ett tekniskt missöde eller ett misstag, och den framtvingade slumpen som definieras som en slump som är medvetet framkallad under skapandeprocessen men vars resultat är okänt tills handlingen är utförd. Undersökningen gick till genom en enkät vars syfte var att identifiera musikskapare, en fokusgrupp där dessa musikskapare sedan deltog samt en djupintervju med en musikskapare med erfarenhet av slumpen i sitt egna skapande. Resultatet visade att musikskapare värderar den rena slumpens resultat högre än den framtvingade slumpens. Båda typer av slump upplevs dock tillföra en önskvärd oväntad ingrediens i musik, både i skaparnas egna musikskapandeprocesser som i musiken som skaparna konsumerar. Det övergripande värdet av slumpen kommer från dess oväntade karaktär och slumpens inflytande i musikskapandeprocessen liknas vid det från en utomstående part, vilket kan upplevas som fördelaktigt för en del musikskapare. Empirin indikerar dessutom på att musikskapare med starka kontrollbehov mer sannolikt avfärdar slumpen i sina skapandeprocesser än dem med avsaknad av det. Musikskapare vars musikaliska arbetsmiljö innefattar arbete digitalt i DAW är även mer mottagliga för slumpen i sitt skapande, vilket kan tänkas bero på slumpens lättillgänglighet i denna arbetsmiljö. Det framkom dessutom att upptäckter från den rena slumpen ofta görs i kreativa sinnestillstånd, med starkt inflytande från det omedvetna, som omskrivits inom kreativitetsforskning. För framtida forskning vore det eventuellt relevant att utveckla de begrepp som kommit till i och med min undersökning. Utvecklingen skulle kunna göras genom att tillämpa och undersöka begreppens relevans inom andra typer av skapandeprocesser än musikskapande.

Inflationary expectations during Germany's great slump

Was the German slump inevitable? This paper argues that -despite thespeed and depth of Germany's deflation in the early 1930s - fear ofinflation is evident in the bond, foreign exchange, and commodity marketsat certain critical junctures of the Great Depression. Therefore, policyoptions were more limited than many subsequent critics of Brüning'spolicies have been prepared to admit. Using a rational expectationsframework, we find strong evidence from the bondmarket to suggest fearof inflation. Futures prices also reveal that market participants werebetting on price increases. These findings are discussed in the contextof reparations and related to the need for a regime shift to overcomethe crisis.

Evaluation of Mini Slump Cone Test, MLR-97-01, 2000

Early stiffening of cement has been noted as contributing to workability problems with concrete placed in the field. Early stiffening, normally attributed to cements whose gypsum is reduced to hemi⋅hydrate or anhydrate because of high finish mill temperatures, is referred to as false setting. Stiffening attributed to uncontrolled reaction of C3A is referred to as flash set. False setting may be overcame by extended mix period, while flash setting is usually more serious and workability is usually diminished with extended mixing. ASTM C 359 has been used to detect early stiffening with mixed results. The mini slump cone test was developed by Construction Technology Laboratories (CTL), Inc., as an alternative method of determining early stiffening. This research examined the mini slump cone test procedure to determine the repeatability of the results obtained from two different testing procedures, effect of w/c ratio, lifting rate of the cone, and accuracy of the test using a standard sample.

Evaluation of High-Slump Concrete for Bridge Deck Overlays, TR-427, 2005

The Iowa Method for bridge deck overlays has been very successful in Iowa since its adoption in the 1970s. This method involves removal of deteriorated portions of a bridge deck followed by placement of a layer of dense (Type O) Portland Cement Concrete (PCC). The challenge encountered with this type of bridge deck overlay is that the PCC must be mixed on-site, brought to the placement area and placed with specialized equipment. This adds considerably to the cost and limits contractor selection, because not all contractors have the capability or equipment required. If it is possible for a ready-mix supplier to manufacture and deliver a dense PCC to the grade, then any competent bridge deck contractor would be able to complete the job. However, Type O concrete mixes are very stiff and generally cannot be transported and placed with ready-mix type trucks. This is where a “super-plasticizer” comes in to use. Addition of this admixture provides a substantial increase in the workability of the concrete – to the extent that it can be delivered to the site and placed on the deck directly out of a ready-mix truck. The objective of this research was to determine the feasibility of placing a deck overly of this type on county bridges within the limits of county budgets and workforce/contractor availability.

The Great Slump of 2008–9 and Ukraine's integration with the European Union

For a number of years following the Orange revolution of 2004, Ukraine aspired to join the European Union. Although full integration was never a short-term prospect, European integration, through the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, offers considerable benefits to Ukraine. However, the country was severely affected by the Great Slump of 2008–9 in the global economy, and this profoundly negative experience has shaped Ukrainian domestic and foreign policy in the subsequent period, putting paid to aspirations to EU membership and influencing the Ukrainian government's decision to seek a closer relationship with Russia immediately following the presidential election of 2010. Nevertheless, closer relations with Russia should not adversely affect Ukraine's efforts at EU integration.

Lumps and balls in high-slump concrete: reasons and remedy

The objective of this research was to investigate the reason lumps occur in high-slump concrete and develop adequate batching procedures for a lumps-free high-slump ready-mix concrete mix used by the Florida Department of Transportation. Cement balls are round lumps of cement, sand, and coarse aggregate, typically about the size of a baseball that frequently occur in high-slump concrete. Such lumps or balls jeopardize the structural integrity of structural members. Experiments were conducted at the CSR Rinker concrete plant in Miami, Florida, based on a protocol developed by a team of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) concrete engineers, Rinker personnel, and Florida International University faculty. A total of seventeen truckloads were investigated in two phases, between April 2001 and March 2002. The tests consisted of gathering data by varying load size, discharge rate, headwater content, and mixing revolutions. The major finding was that a usual load size and discharge rate, an initial headwater ratio of 30%, and an initial number of revolutions of 100 at 12 revolutions per minute seem to produce a lump-free high-slump concrete. It was concluded that inadequate mixing and batching procedures caused cement lumps. Recommendations regarding specific load size, discharge rates, number of mixing revolutions, and initial water content are made. Clear guidelines for a high-slump concrete batching protocol can be developed, with further testing based on these research conclusions.

The Pico de Navas slump (Burgos, Spain): a large rocky landslide caused by underlying clayey sand fluidification

The Pico de Navas landslide was a large-magnitude rotational movement, affecting 50x106m3 of hard to soft rocks. The objectives of this study were: (1) to characterize the landslide in terms of geology, geomorphological features and geotechnical parameters; and (2) to obtain an adequate geomechanical model to comprehensively explain its rupture, considering topographic, hydro-geological and geomechanical conditions. The rupture surface crossed, from top to bottom: (a) more than 200 m of limestone and clay units of the Upper Cretaceous, affected by faults; and (b) the Albian unit of Utrillas facies composed of silty sand with clay (Kaolinite) of the Lower Cretaceous. This sand played an important role in the basal failure of the slide due to the influence of fine particles (silt and clay), which comprised on average more than 70% of the sand, and the high content presence of kaolinite (>40%) in some beds. Its geotechnical parameters are: unit weight (δ) = 19-23 KN/m3; friction angle (φ) = 13º-38º and cohesion (c) = 10-48 KN/m2. Its microstructure consists of accumulations of kaolinite crystals stuck to terrigenous grains, making clayey peds. We hypothesize that the presence of these aggregates was the internal cause of fluidification of this layer once wet. Besides the faulted structure of the massif, other conditioning factors of the movement were: the large load of the upper limestone layers; high water table levels; high water pore pressure; and the loss of strength due to wet conditions. The 3D simulation of the stability conditions concurs with our hypothesis. The landslide occurred in the Recent or Middle Holocene, certainly before at least 500 BC and possibly during a wet climate period. Today, it appears to be inactive. This study helps to understand the frequent slope instabilities all along the Iberian Range when facies Utrillas is present.

Viability of Two New Mixture Design Methodologies for Self-Consolidating Concrete

This paper presents the results from an experimental study of the technical viability of two mixture designs for self-consolidating concrete (SCC) proposed by two Portuguese researchers in a previous work. The objective was to find the best method to provide the required characteristics of SCC in fresh and hardened states without having to experiment with a large number of mixtures. Five SCC mixtures, each with a volume of 25 L (6.61 gal.) were prepared using a forced mixer with a vertical axis for each of three compressive strength targets: 40, 55, and 70 MPa (5.80, 7.98, and 10.15 ksi). The mixtures' fresh state properties of fluidity, segregation resistance ability, and bleeding and blockage tendency, and their hardened state property of compressive strength were compared. For this study, the following tests were performed. slump-flow, V-funnel, L-box, box, and compressive strength. The results of this study made it possible to identify the most influential factors in the design of the SCC mixtures.

Development of an injectable grout for concrete repair and strengthening

This paper deals with the coupled effect of temperature and silica fume addition on rheological, mechanical behaviour and porosity of grouts based on CEMI 42.5R, proportioned with a polycarboxylate-based high range water reducer. Preliminary tests were conducted to focus on the grout best able to fill a fibrous network since the goal of this study was to develop an optimized grout able to be injected in a mat of steel fibers for concrete strengthening. The grout composition was developed based on criteria for fresh state and hardened state properties. For a CEMI 42.5R based grout different high range water reducer dosages (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.7%) and silica fume (SF) dosages (0%, 2%, 4%) were tested (as replacement of cement by mass). Rheological measurements were used to investigate the effect of polycarboxylates (PCEs) and SF dosage on grout properties, particularly its workability loss, as the mix was to be injected in a matrix of steel fibers for concrete jacketing. The workability behaviour was characterized by the rheological parameters yield stress and plastic viscosity (for different grout temperatures and resting times), as well as the procedures of mini slump cone and funnel flow time. Then, further development focused only on the best grout compositions. The cement substitution by 2% of SF exhibited the best overall behaviour and was considered as the most promising compared to the others compositions tested. Concerning the fresh state analysis, a significant workability loss was detected if grout temperature increased above 35 degrees C. Below this temperature the grout presented a self-levelling behaviour and a life time equal to 45 min. In the hardened state, silica fumes increased not only the grout's porosity but also the grout's compressive strength at later ages, since the pozzolanic contribution to the compressive strength does not occur until 28 d and beyond. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rheological behaviour of concrete made with fine recycled concrete aggregates - Influence of the superplasticizer

This paper evaluates the influence of two superplasticizers (SP) on the rheological behaviour of concrete made with fine recycled concrete aggregates (FRCA). Three families of concrete were tested: family CO made without SP, family Cl made with a regular superplasticizer and family C2 made with a high-performance superplasticizer. Five replacement ratios of natural sand by FRCA were tested: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50% and 100%. The coarse aggregates were natural gravels. Three criteria were established to design the concrete mixes' composition: keep the same particle size distribution curves, adjust the water/cement ratio to obtain a similar slump and no pre-saturation of the FRCA. All mixes had the same cement and SP content. The results show that the incorporation of FRCA significantly increased the shrinkage and creep deformation. The FRCA's effect was influenced by the curing age. The reference concrete made with natural sand stabilizes the creep deformation faster than the mixes made with FRCA. The incorporation of superplasticizer increased the shrinkage at early ages and decreased the shrinkage at 91 days of age. The regular superplasticizer did not improve the creep deformation while the high-performance superplasticizer highly improved this property. The incorporation of FRCA jeopardized the SP's effectiveness. This study demonstrated that to use FRCA and superplasticizer for concrete production it is necessary to take into account the different rheological behaviour of these mixes. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Study of the rheology of self-compacting concrete with fine recycled concrete aggregates

This work studies the effect of incorporating fine recycled aggregates on the rheology of self-compacting concrete over time (at 15,45 and 90 min). The fine fraction of the natural aggregates was replaced at 0%, 20%, 50% and 100% with recycled sand. The fresh-state properties were studied by empirical tests (slump-flow, J-Ring, L-Box) and fundamental ones in an ICAR rheometer. The mixes with 50% and 100% recycled sand lost their SCC characteristics at 90 min. Contrarily the mix with 20% replacement maintained suitable passing and filling ability. The causes of this trend were an initial increase of plastic viscosity and afterwards an increase of yield stress. The compressive strength of the 50% and 100% replacement mixes decreased significantly and that of the 20% replacement mix less than 10%. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance of concrete made with recycled aggregates from Portuguese CDW recycling plants

The objective of this research is the production of concrete with recycled aggregates (RA) from various CDW plants around Portugal. The influence of the RA collection location and consequently of their composition on the characteristics of the concrete produced was analysed. In the mixes produced in this research RA from five plants (Valnor, Vimajas, Ambilei, Europontal and Retria) were used: in three of them coarse and fine RA were analysed and in the remaining ones only coarse RA were used. The experimental campaign comprised two tests in fresh concrete (cone of Abrams slump and density) and eight in hardened concrete (compressive strength in cubes and cylinders, splitting tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, water absorption by immersion and capillarity, carbonation and chloride penetration resistance). It was found that the use of RA causes a quality decrease in concrete. However, there was a wide results scatter according to the plant where the RAs were collected, because of the variation in composition of the RA. It was also found that the use of fine RA causes a more significant performance loss of the concrete properties analysed than the use of coarse RA. © (2015) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.

Essay on secular stagnation

In this paper we show that a closed economy, with a balanced budget and unable to increase public spending, can avoid or leave a persistent slump through adequate and timely combination of monetary and fiscal policy based on distortionary taxation. We use a three generations OLG New Keynesian model in which a permanent slump is possible without any self-correcting force to full-employment. Complementing recent work on Secular Stagnation using lump-sum taxation and government spending as fiscal instruments, our contribution is to use distortionary taxes over labor, consumption and capital, in a balanced budget environment with constant (or decreasing) government spending.