Appreciating speech through gaming

This paper discusses the Speech and Phoneme Recognition as an Educational Aid for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired (SPREAD) application and the ongoing research on its deployment as a tool for motivating deaf and hearing impaired students to learn and appreciate speech. This application uses the Sphinx-4 voice recognition system to analyze the vocalization of the student and provide prompt feedback on their pronunciation. The packaging of the application as an interactive game aims to provide additional motivation for the deaf and hearing impaired student through visual motivation for them to learn and appreciate speech.Peer Reviewe

Human Centered Autonomous and Assistant Systems Testbed for Exploration Operations

The Engineering and Mission Operations Directorates at NASA Johnson Space Center are combining laboratories and expertise to establish the Human Centered Autonomous and Assistant Systems Testbed for Exploration Operations. This is a testbed for human centered design, development and evaluation of intelligent autonomous and assistant systems that will be needed for human exploration and development of space. This project will improve human-centered analysis, design and evaluation methods for developing intelligent software. This software will support human-machine cognitive and collaborative activities in future interplanetary work environments where distributed computer and human agents cooperate. We are developing and evaluating prototype intelligent systems for distributed multi-agent mixed-initiative operations. The primary target domain is control of life support systems in a planetary base. Technical approaches will be evaluated for use during extended manned tests in the target domain, the Bioregenerative Advanced Life Support Systems Test Complex (BIO-Plex). A spinoff target domain is the International Space Station (ISS) Mission Control Center (MCC). Prodl}cts of this project include human-centered intelligent software technology, innovative human interface designs, and human-centered software development processes, methods and products. The testbed uses adjustable autonomy software and life support systems simulation models from the Adjustable Autonomy Testbed, to represent operations on the remote planet. Ground operations prototypes and concepts will be evaluated in the Exploration Planning and Operations Center (ExPOC) and Jupiter Facility

Scoliosis Research Society members attitudes towards physical therapy and physiotherapeutic scoliosis specific exercises for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Background: Attitudes regarding non-operative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) may be changing with the publication of BRAiST. Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis Specific Exercises (PSSE) are used to treat AIS, but high-quality evidence is limited. The purpose of this study is to assess the attitudes of members of the Scoliosis Research Society towards PSSE. Methods: A survey was sent to all SRS members with questions on use of Physical Therapy (PT) and PSSE for AIS. Results: The majority of the 263 respondents were from North America (175, 67 %), followed by Asia (37, 14 %) and Europe (36, 14 %). The majority of respondents (166, 63 %) prescribed neither PT nor PSSE, 28 (11 %) prescribed both PT and PSSE, 39 (15 %) prescribe PT only and 30 (11 %) prescribe PSSE only. PT was prescribed by 67 respondents, as an adjunct to bracing (39) and in small curves (32); with goals to improve aesthetics (27) and post-operative outcomes (25). Of the 196 who do not prescribe PT, the main reasons were lack of evidence (149) and the perception that PT had no value (112). PSSE was prescribed by 58 respondents. The most common indication was as an adjunct to bracing (49) or small curves (41); with goals to improve aesthetics (36), prevent curve progression (35) and improve quality of life (31). Of the respondents who do not prescribe PSSE, the main reasons were lack of supporting research (149), a perception that PSSE had no value (108), and lack of access (63). Most respondents state that evidence of efficacy may increase the role of PSSE, with 85 % (223 of 263) favoring funding PSSE studies by the SRS. Conclusion: The results show that 22 % of the respondents use PSSE for AIS, skepticism remains regarding the benefit of PSSE for AIS. Support for SRS funded research suggests belief that there is potential benefit from PSSE and the best way to assess that potential is through evidence development

Instrumented intervertebral or posterolateral fusion in elderly patients Clinical results of a single center

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Data on the clinical outcome after spinal fusion in the elderly patient are rare. To our knowledge there has been no clinical outcome assessment for instrumented spinal fusion in elderly patients comparing posterolateral fusion with intervertebral fusion. Aim of the current study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of elderly patients who underwent a spinal fusion procedure for degenerative spinal stenosis with instability. Main hypothesis was to test whether it is necessary to force an intervertebral fusion for a better clinical outcome in spinal fusion surgery of the elderly or not.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two subgroups - posterolateral fusion versus intervertebral fusion (cage vs. non-cage) were compared with regard to functional outcome, fusion rates and complications after a mean follow up of 3.8 years. Questionnaires were completed by the patients before surgery and at final follow-up. Changes in mean VAS and ODI scores (decrease from the baseline VAS and ODI scores) were compared.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean final follow up for all subjects was 3.8 years. Of the 114 patients, 2 patients were deceased at the time of the follow-up, 5 patients didn't want to participate and 107 patients completed the questionnaires. This resulted in an overall follow-up rate of 93%. At final follow-up, the patients demonstrated significant improvement in the VAS and ODI- compared with the preoperative scores in both groups. But overall there were no significant differences between both groups regarding the outcome assessment using the ODI and VAS.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results of this study shows that elderly patients aged over 75 benefit from instrumented lumbar fusion. The study suggests that there is no need to force an intervertebral fusion because elderly patients do not seem to benefit from this procedure.</p

Effects of mesoscale processes on phytoplankton chlorophyll off Baja California

Using satellite sea surface height (SSH) and chlorophyll (CHL), the year 2000 is analyzed to characterize the effects of mesoscale circulation patterns on phytoplankton spatial variability in the California Current (CC) off Baja California. Satellite data are combined with and compared to in situ field measurements (chlorophyll-a and hydrographic variables) along vertical alongshore sections located similar to 130 km offshore between similar to 24.5 degrees -33 degrees N. Monthly average maps of SSH and surface geostrophic velocities depict the characteristics of mesoscale meanders and eddies, which correspond well with the subsurface hydrographic and velocity fields. Satellite-derived pigment (CHL) represent in situ fields in the upper 0-20 m (overall r = 0.53; p < 0.05), but their representation of peak values in Deep Chlorophyll Maxima (DCM) at similar to 50 m depth are inaccurate. DCM are traced in all three seasons (January-July), descending from near the surface (north of 31 degrees N) to 50 m over a large extent of the transect to the south, approximately following the 24.7-25.1 isopycnals as they and the isotherms deepen to the south. In January, phytoplankton chlorophyll concentrations in the DCM are relatively uniform, originating during upwelling events that occur farther north, then following the equatorward flow of the CC. During April and July, the discrete maxima in the DCM occur at the centers of cyclonic meanders and the chlorophyll concentrations inside these maxima are enhanced as a result of local coastal upwelling off Baja California. Phytoplankton blooms created by coastal upwelling spread offshore and subduct along the 24.7-25.1 isopycnals, creating the DCM along the inner part of the meandering jet.KEYWORDS: Current system, Satellite, Pigment, State, Temperature, El Nino, Salinity, Evolution, Interannual variability, Coastal transition zon

Seasonal and interannual variability of satellite-derived chlorophyll pigment, surface height, and temperature off Baja California

Mean fields, seasonal cycles, and interannual variability are examined for fields of satellite-derived chlorophyll pigment concentrations (CHL), sea surface height (SSH), and sea surface temperature (SST) during 1997–2002. The analyses help to identify three dynamic regions: an upwelling zone next to the coast, the Ensenada Front in the north, and regions of repeated meanders and/or eddy variability west and southwest of Point Eugenia. High values of CHL are found in the upwelling zone, diminishing offshore. The exception is the area north of 31°N (the Ensenada Front), where higher CHL are found about 150 km offshore. South of 31°N, the long-term mean dynamic topography decreases next to the coast, creating isopleths of height parallel to the coastline, consistent with southward geostrophic flow. North of 31°N the mean flow is toward the east, consistent with the presence of the Ensenada Front. The mean SST reveals a more north-south gradient, reflecting latitudinal differences in surface heating due to solar radiation. Harmonic analyses and EOFs reveal the seasonal and interannual patterns, including the region of repeated eddy activity to the west and southwest of Point Eugenia. A maximum CHL occurs in spring in most of the inshore regions, reflecting the growth of phytoplankton in response to the seasonal maximum in upwelling-favorable winds. SST and SSH anomalies are negative in the coastal upwelling zone in spring, also consistent with a response to the seasonal maximum in upwelling. When the seasonal cycle is removed, the strongest signal in the EOF time series is the response to the strong 1997– 1998 El Niño, with a weaker signal representing La Niña (1998–1999) conditions. El Niño conditions consist of low chlorophyll, high SSH, and high SST, with opposite conditions during La Niña

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) productivity influenced by microbial inocula under nitrogen-limited conditions in aquaponics.

The demand for food will outpace productivity of conventional agriculture due to projected growth of the human population, concomitant with shrinkage of arable land, increasing scarcity of freshwater, and a rapidly changing climate. While aquaponics has potential to sustainably supplement food production with minimal environmental impact, there is a need to better characterize the complex interplay between the various components (fish, plant, microbiome) of these systems to optimize scale up and productivity. Here, we investigated how the commonly-implemented practice of continued microbial community transfer from pre-existing systems might promote or impede productivity of aquaponics. Specifically, we monitored plant growth phenotypes, water chemistry, and microbiome composition of rhizospheres, biofilters, and fish feces over 61-days of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) growth in nitrogen-limited aquaponic systems inoculated with bacteria that were either commercially sourced or originating from a pre-existing aquaponic system. Lettuce above- and below-ground growth were significantly reduced across replicates treated with a pre-existing aquaponic system inoculum when compared to replicates treated with a commercial inoculum. Reduced productivity was associated with enrichment in specific bacterial genera in plant roots, including Pseudomonas, following inoculum transfer from pre-existing systems. Increased productivity was associated with enrichment of nitrogen-fixing Rahnella in roots of plants treated with the commercial inoculum. Thus, we show that inoculation from a pre-existing system, rather than from a commercial inoculum, is associated with lower yields. Further work will be necessary to test the putative mechanisms involved