Mobile microphone robust acoustic feature identification using coefficient of variance

One of the most challenging techniques for speech analysis applications in mobile phones is acoustic feature extraction. The adverse environment noises, diversity of microphone specifications, and various recording software have a significant effect on the values of the extracted acoustic features. In this study, we investigate the robustness of different types of acoustic features related to time-based, frequency-based, and sustained vowel using 11 different mobile recording devices. 49 recordings of subjects reciting the Rainbow Passage and 25 recordings of sustained vowel /a/ were collected. By way of synchronous recording, we analyzed and compared the extracted 253-dimensional acoustic feature vectors in order to examine how consistent the data values between the different recording devices. The variability of data values was measured using the method of coefficient of variance. Data values with low variability were identified to be from features such as the transition parameters, amplitude modulation, contrast, Chroma, mean fundamental frequency and formants. These groups of features turn out to be more reliable than others in their dependency on the recording device specifications.

Evaluating a recorded appointment service for individual research consultations between librarians and allied health students

PurposeResearch consultations are a long-established means of providing support to students undertaking research activities (Stapleton et al., 2020). The literature on research consultations consistently reports high levels of satisfaction and that students value the individual, bespoke advice received via one-on-one librarian tuition. However, research consultations are resource-intensive and maximising the learning potential of consultations is a priority to justify the expenditure of time and ensure the sustainability of services. This study reports on the outcomes of a service development where students attending research consultations were offered a screencast recording of their appointment to support retention and application of information literacy skills and research processes covered in the research consultation. The study explored student use and perceptions of the service and how the recording of the appointment was integrated into research practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a mixed-method approach including a questionnaire and interviews. Quantitative elements explored if and how students engaged with recordings made during research consultations while qualitative elements investigated students' perceptions of the service and how content from the recordings was used to complete research activities.FindingsFindings indicated a high degree of positive feedback on the service and reveal complex user behaviours when using appointment recordings. The study demonstrates that the addition of multimedia recording during individual research consultations (IRCs) may offer significant benefits to students by improving knowledge retention and application and for librarians by reducing follow-up enquiries and increased engagement with the service.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study give an evidential basis for library and reference services interesting in incorporating synchronous recording into a research consultation service.Originality/valueThis study is believed to be the first to investigate the perceptions and use of synchronous recording of research consultations between librarians and students.

Data Recording Framework for Physiological and Surgical Data in Operating Theatres

Integrated operating rooms typically connect medical devices providing the clinical user a complete control over environment, device setting and digital management of intervention-related data. Consequently, the opportunity to analyse and present data from different perspectives and with different objectives has arisen. The available integrated ORs are so far designed as closed systems, thus connecting coexisting systems from different manufactures e.g. anaesthesia machines and surgical devices is demanding. The purpose of this project is to facilitate data collection from anaesthesiology, patient monitoring and surgical devices. The study is performed on laparoscopic procedures, and the data are going to be recorded at the Schwarzwald-Baar Klinikum (SBK) in Villingen-Schwenningen (Germany). Therefore, this part of the project focuses on the overall architecture for collecting data in the operating theatre at the SBK. In this work, (i) the system architecture (i.e. hardware components), (ii) software architecture and (iii) required protocols for synchronous recording of data in the OR are described. The proposed framework demonstrates that signal recording is possible with variety of devices at different sampling rates during surgical procedure.

Registration of geomagnetic field variations with a magnetic modulating sensor

Показана возможность применения магнитомодуляционных датчиков слабого магнитного поля с аморфным ферромагнитным сердечником, работающих в режиме автопараметрического усиления сигнала магнитной индукции, для измерения амплитуды и фазы вариаций геомагнитного поля в диапазоне частот 0,01–30 Гц. Разрешающая способность магнитомодуляционных датчиков с автопараметрическим усилением сигнала магнитной индукции в аморфном ферромагнитном сердечнике с компенсированной продольной магнитострикцией не превышает 1 пТл. Приведены примеры синхронной записи амплитуды трех составляющих вариаций геомагнитного поля на различных участках диапазона измеряемых частот, записанные во время слабой магнитной бури интенсивностью 5 баллов. Получаемая с помощью магнитомодуляционного датчика информация об амплитуде и фазе геомагнитных вариаций совместно с данными по амплитуде электрического поля электромагнитных волн может быть применена в геофизике в различных методах магнитотеллурического зондирования. The possibility of using magnetic modulating sensors of the weak magnetic field with amorphous ferromagnetic core operating in the mode of autoparametric signal gain of magnetic induction to measure the amplitude and phase variations of the geomagnetic field in the frequency range 0.01–30 Hz. Resolution of magnetomodulation sensors with autoparametric signal increase of magnetic induction in ferromagnetic amorphous core with offset longitudinal magnetostriction is not more than 1 pTl. Examples of synchronous recording of the amplitude of the three components of the variations of the geomagnetic field in different parts of the measured frequency range, recorded during a weak magnetic storm intensity of five points are given. Information obtained by magnetomodulation sensor about the amplitude and phase of geomagnetic variations, together with data on the amplitude of the electric field of electromagnetic waves can be applied in geophysics to the different methods of magnetotelluric sounding.

Differential diagnosis between epileptic seizures and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures based on semiology

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures present as paroxysmal symptoms and signs mimicking epileptic seizures. The gold standard test is the synchronous recording by video, electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram. However, video electroencephalogram is not available at many centers and not entirely independent of semiology. Recent studies have focused on semiological characteristics distinguishing these two circumstances. Clinical signs and symptoms provide important clues when making differential diagnosis. The purpose of this review is to help physicians differentiating psychogenic nonepileptic seizures better from epileptic seizures based on semiology, and improve care for those patients.

Paired experiment to identify truth and lie indicators in the natural conditions

The aim of this work was to develop an experimental design to study the manifestations and methods of detectingthe indicators of reliability/unreliability of the reported information in the situation with high ecological validity. In this regard, the adaptation of the card game “I Believe, I do not believe”, which can be played by two players, and the maximum points can be obtained in situations where it is possible to outwit the opponent or reveal his cunning, was made. To ensure the possibility of further analysis of manifestations and methods of searching for indicators of reliability/unreliability of the reported information, the interaction of players is carried out by means of video communication, and the video streams themselves are recorded. Additionally, oculomotor activity of players is recorded for further analysis of strategies for searching for signs of truth/lies during the game. The software and hardware complex implementing this game is developed, performing synchronous recording of the game process, communication of players through the video communication system, as well as oculomotor activity of players. The results of pilot study conducted with the use of this complex are presented.

PECULIARITIES OF HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN NEWBORNS

Heart rate variability values are potentially important for assessing vegetative dysfunction in children.The purpose of the research: a comparative study of spectral heart rate variability parameters and synchronization of low-frequency oscillations, characterizing baroreflex in the vegetative regulation of the cardiovascular system in healthy newborns and adults.15 healthy newborns and 60 healthy individuals in the age of 18-34 years old were included in the study. We performed synchronous recording of electrocardiograms and photoplethysmograms with 10 minutes duration, at rest. Were evaluated spectral heart rate variability indices and the index of synchronization of low-frequency oscillations in heart rate variability and photoplethysmograms (S index).Results. In newborns, the peak of low-frequency oscillations was predominantly in the range 0.07–0.09 Hz, and high frequency 0.40–0.50 Hz. Newborns had lower LF% values than adults: 22.8 (14.1, 29.4) vs 32.9 (25.1, 41.9) (p=0.009). The S index in newborns was 20.1 (16.9, 26.5)%, and 33.2 (21.2, 45.4)% in healthy adults (p=0.023).Conclusion. We have first demonstrated that the interaction of baroreflex regulation of heart rhythm and peripheral blood filling in healthy newborns is characterized by lower values of S index, than in healthy adults, which can be explained by the immaturity of the vegetative regulatory elements of the cardiovascular system.