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Singing Like a Sailor

Short description of book, directed to academic community

Sensor-based agitation prediction in institutionalized people with dementia A systematic review

Early detection of agitation in individuals with dementia can lead to timely interventions, preventing the worsening of situations and enhancing their quality of life. The emergence of multi-modal sensing and advances in artificial intelligence make it feasible to explore and apply technology for this goal. We conducted a literature review to understand the current technical developments and challenges of its integration in caregiving institutions. Our systematic review used the Pubmed and IEEE scientific databases, considering studies from 2017 onwards. We included studies focusing on linking sensor data to vocal and/or physical manifestations of agitation. Out of 1622 identified studies, 12 were selected for the final review. Analysis was conducted on study design, technology, decisional data, and data analytics. We identified a gap in the standardized semantic representation of both behavioral descriptions and system event generation configurations. This research highlighted initiatives that leverage existing information in a caregiver's routine, such as correlating electronic health records with sensor data. As predictive systems become more integrated into caregiving routines, false positive reduction needs to be addressed as those will discourage their adoption. Therefore, to ensure adaptive predictive capacity and personalized system re-configuration, we suggest future work to evaluate a framework that incorporates a human-in-the-loop approach for detecting and predicting agitation.

Fusing the electromagnetic articulograph, high-speed video cameras and a 16-channel microphone array for speech analysis

Electromagnetic articulography (EMA) is one of the instrumental phonetic research methods used for recording and assessing articulatory movements. Usually, articulographic data are analysed together with standard audio recordings. This paper, however, demonstrates how coupling the articulograph with devices providing other types of information may be used in more advanced speech research. A novel measurement system is presented that consists of the AG 500 electromagnetic articulograph, a 16-channel microphone array with a dedicated audio recorder and a video module consisting of 3 high-speed cameras. It is argued that synchronization of all these devices allows for comparative analyses of results obtained with the three components. To complement the description of the system, the article presents innovative data analysis techniques developed by the authors as well as preliminary results of the system’s accuracy.

Expiratory muscle strength training in patients after total laryngectomy

OBJECTIVES: Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) is a threshold based device-driven treatment for improving expiratory pressure. EMST proved to be effective in different patient groups to improve cough function. To date, EMST has not been tested in the total laryngectomy population (TL).METHODS: This prospective, randomized case-series study examined feasibility, safety, and compliance of EMST in a group of TL participants and its effects on pulmonary function, physical exertion, fatigue, and vocal functioning. Ten TL participants were included in the study to perform a 4 till 8 weeks of EMST. Objective and subjective outcome measures included manometry, spirometry, cardio pulmonary exercise testing (CPET), voice recordings, and patient reported outcome measures. Group means were reported and estimates of the effect are shown with a 95% confidence interval, using single sample t-tests.RESULTS: Nine participants completed the full study protocol. Compliance to the training program was high. All were able to perform the training, although it requires adjustments of the device and skills of the participants. Maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and vocal functioning in loudness improved over time. After EMST no changes were seen in other objective and subjective outcomes.CONCLUSIONS: EMST appears to be feasible and safe after total laryngectomy. MEP improved over time but no improvement in the clinically relevant outcome measures were seen in this sample of relatively fit participants. Further investigation of the training in a larger group of participants who report specifically pulmonary complaints is recommended to investigate if the increase in MEP results in clinical benefits.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Acting inclusively

All the Other Directions We Can Go: Alternative Media Networks and their Infrastructures

This book analyses the values and processes that characterise DIY (do it yourself) digital infrastructure, relating networked initiatives to broader tensions in contemporary alternative media production, namely between ideology and practice in cultural and artistic networked initiatives. Adopting immersive and direct engagement methods, focusing specifcially on the case of A Traversal Network of Feminist Servers, this book shows that contemporary alternative media projects are defined mainly by the people and the networks they build — alternative infrastructures are about the process driving them, more so than the content produced. Small or local organisations intervene in infrastructures by building responses to extractivist platform models, but can be exclusive to the communities already involved in the process. Nevertheless, alternative media initiatives are culturally and socially significant, as they produce critical media discourses and network imaginaries that signify a call for better digital and technical literacy in society.