Non-native children speech recognition through transfer learning

This work deals with non-native children's speech and investigates both multi-task and transfer learning approaches to adapt a multi-language Deep Neural Network (DNN) to speakers, specifically children, learning a foreign language. The application scenario is characterized by young students learning English and German and reading sentences in these second-languages, as well as in their mother language. The paper analyzes and discusses techniques for training effective DNN-based acoustic models starting from children native speech and performing adaptation with limited non-native audio material. A multi-lingual model is adopted as baseline, where a common phonetic lexicon, defined in terms of the units of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), is shared across the three languages at hand (Italian, German and English); DNN adaptation methods based on transfer learning are evaluated on significant non-native evaluation sets. Results show that the resulting non-native models allow a significant improvement with respect to a mono-lingual system adapted to speakers of the target language

Visits to figurative art museums may lower blood pressure and stress

Background: The research aimed to assess, through physiological measurements such as blood pressure and heart rate, whether exposure to art museums and to different art styles (figurative vs. modern art) was able to enhance visitors’ well-being in terms of relaxing and stress reduction. Method: Participants (n = 77) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions, on the basis of the typology of the art style they were exposed to in the museum visit: (1) figurative art, (2) modern art and (3) museum office (as a control condition). Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after the visits. Results: Diastolic values of the participants were quite stable, as expected in people who do not suffer hypertension; we therefore considered only variations in systolic blood pressure. The majority of the participants exposed to figurative art significantly decreased systolic blood pressure compared to those exposed to modern art and museum office. No differences were found in the heart rate before and after the visit for the three groups. Conclusion: Findings suggest that museum visits can have health benefits, and figurative art may decrease systolic blood pressur

Quantifying ENSO impacts at the basin scale using the Iterative Input variable Selection algorithm

Medium-to-long range streamflow predictions provide a key assistance in anticipating hydro- climatic adverse events and prompting effective adaptation measures. In this context, recent modelling efforts have been dedicated to seasonal and inter-annual predictions based on the teleconnection between at-site hydrological processes and large-scale, low-frequency climate fluctuations, such as El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). This work proposes a novel procedure for first detecting the impact of ENSO on hydro-meteorological processes at the basin scale, and then quantitatively assessing the potential of ENSO indexes for building medium-to-long range streamflow prediction models. Core of this procedure is the adoption of the Iterative Input variable Selection (IIS) algorithm, which is employed to find the most relevant determinants of streamflow variability and derive predictive models based on the selected inputs. The procedure is tested on two different case studies, the Columbia River (US) and the Williams River (Australia), whose sensitivity to ENSO fluctuations has been documented in previous studies. Results show that IIS outcomes for both case studies are consistent with the results of previous analyses conducted with state-of-the-art detection methods, and that ENSO indexes can effectively be used in both regions to enhance the accuracy of streamflow prediction models

Non-Pharmacological Approaches in the Treatment of Dementia

Currently, a pharmacological disease-modifying treatment for dementia is not available, but different non-pharmacological approaches appear to be useful. In this chapter, we describe traditional treatments such as cognitive and emotion-oriented interventions, sensory and multi-sensory stimulation interventions and also potentially alternative interesting options such as behavioural therapy, animal-assisted therapy, home-adaptation therapy and assistive technologies to support patient with dementia. Many non-pharmacological treatments have reported benefits in multiple research studies, but there is a need for further Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an adequate sample size to improve the strength of evidence in order to apply these approaches

Information and Communication Technologies for the Activities of Daily Living in Older Patients with Dementia: A Systematic Review

Background: Significant innovations have been introduced in recent years in the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support healthcare for patients with dementia. Objective: In the present systematic review, our goal is to keep track of ICT concepts and approaches to support the range of activities of daily living for people with dementia and to provide a snapshot of the effect that technology is having on patients' self-reliance. Methods: We reviewed the literature and identified systematic reviews of cohort studies and other authoritative reports. Our selection criteria included: (1) activities of daily living, (2) ICT, and (3) dementia. Results: We identified 56 studies published between 2000 and 2015, of which 26 met inclusion criteria. The present systematic review revealed many ICT systems that could purportedly support the range of activities of daily living for patients with dementia. The results showed five research bodies: 1) technologies used by patients with dementia, 2) technologies used by caregivers, 3) monitoring systems, 4) ambient assistive living with ICTs, and 5) tracking and wayfinding. Conclusions: There is a potential for ICTs to support dementia care at home and to improve quality of life for caregivers, reducing healthcare costs and premature institutional care for these patients

PERCUTANEOUS TIBIAL NERVE STIMULATION FOR TREATMENT OF ANAL INCONTINENCE

Faecal incontinence (FI) is a not common symptom in the general population (0.4–2.2% in population-based studies), which 342 Tech Coloproctol (2009) 13:341–368 123 affects predominantly the elderly people, with a female prevalence. FI has a notable public health impact. It is psychologically and physically debilitating and can lead the patient to isolation and progressive loss of all social activities. Patient selection is decisive to opt for an effective intervention. A conservative approach is required to treat mild to moderate FI; it is based on nutritional, medical and rehabilitative therapy, with a success rate of5%. In no-responsive cases, other several different semi-conservative procedures, such as bulking agents, injection or sacral neuromodulator implant can be proposed prior to resorting to surgery. One of the least invasive forms of neuromodulation is the tibial nerve percutaneous stimulation (PTNS), currently used for a wide variety of urologic conditions.PTNS seems to be a safe and effective therapeutic option and it could represent a valid approach to mild to moderate FI. Tolerableness, affordability and mininvasivity of this simple procedure compel to further studie

Prevention and Preparedness of the Messina-Reggio Calabria Strait: An Earthquake Forecasting and Didactic Project

This contribution is addressed to an introductive university course on the correlation existing between radon emission and earthquakes processes held following a flipped-class approach where students receive didactic materials prior to face-to-face lessons. This research was initially started to investigate the real correlation between Radon emission from the Earth and the occurrence of strong earthquakes by using measurements of hourly Radon flow variation. During quiet seismogenic conditions, we observe an unvarying level of Radon emission in the air. Before a strong earthquake, substantial variations of Radon (222Rn) concentration have been observed in the air, probably because of the increase of thermodynamic energy inside the Earth. The physical processes affecting earthquakes are still not fully understood; therefore, we are interested in investigating a wide variety of signals observed before an earthquake, ranging from chemical, electric, and magnetic variations. The goal is to be able to estimate the earthquake magnitude, timing also location in advance with a good approximation. The experimental observation and research studies were carried out by G. Giuliani Permanent Foundation since 2002 in Abruzzo. The innovative methodology of observations with Gamma detectors allowed us to reveal a close correlation between the different physical phenomena during the preparation phase of strong earthquakes. We master the methodology of measuring the hourly flow of 222Rn gas decay, which provides a good correlation with the occurrence of strong earthquakes. To advance the reliability of our assessment, we added more parameters to our observations, such as magnetic and RF. The joint analysis advances our understanding of the processes underlying the earthquake occurrence. The experimental observation of Radon has been tested for more than a decade in the Abruzzo region. The initial results provided the baseline of reliable correlation between radon variations and earthquakes that could be used as an alert mechanism for the forthcoming seismic events. The multiparametric approach of detecting pre-earthquakes signals provided the robustness in detecting the earthquake preparation phase. There are no doubts that by expanding the network of gamma sensors, we achieve much better signal detection, which is critical for the better spatial correlation of Radon variations with the earthquake processes

Virtual Round care model in a Covid-19 Geriatric sub intensive unit

Introduction. Telepresence provides clinicians the ability to monitor patients as well to communicate with all the members of the healthcare staff.  Covid-19 Units cope with high complexity in providing care and an integration amount the care team and the patients’ relatives should be carried out to obtained successful outcomes and preventing complication. Virtual rounding (VR) has been successfully applied to cope with this task in the last 2000 years in medical units.  Covid-19 patients due to safety rules may be prone to isolation and lack of communication with their family. Purpose. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of structured virtual round protocol in a geriatric Covid-19 unit on anxiety and depression for the patients and their relatives. Methodology. All the patients admitted to the geriatric Covid-19 unit from 1 February 2021 to 30 April were studied. Inclusion criteria to the study were the followings: no severe cognitive impairment (MMSE =>24) or neuro sensorial deficits; informed consent to participate to the study. Forty-nine 49 (75% of patients) met the inclusion criteria. All the subject who were found to be eligible to the study underwent a VR standard protocol of care. VR was consisted with: 1) a video call with a tablet device conducted by a psychologist that established a cooperative communication between the health care staff (nurses and MD, their relatives) at the bed sides; 2) a video call with the patient’s relatives in which it was clearly explained the standard care and the role of each healthcare member was also included. Anxiety and depression levels were assessed for the patients at baseline after the end of the protocol by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Patients’ relatives were investigated for depression at baseline and after the end of the protocol by the Beck Depression Inventory- Primary Care (BDI-PC). The Beck Depression Inventory for primary care has seven items with each item rated on a 4-point scale (0–3). It is scored by summing ratings for each item (range 0–21). Items are symptoms of sadness, pessimism, past failure, loss of pleasure, self-dislike, self-criticalness, and suicidal thoughts and wishes. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a self- assessment scale found to be a reliable instrument for detecting states of depression and anxiety. The anxiety and depressive sub-scales are also valid measures of severity of the emotional disorder. The questionnaire comprises seven questions for anxiety and seven questions for depression, and takes 2–5min to complete. For both scales, scores less than 7 indicate non- cases, 8-10 mild, 11-14 moderate, 15-21 severe. JMP software by SAS (v.16) was used for the statistical analysis. Results. The present study included forty-nine 49 patients (67% male), mean age of 69.9 ±14.7 years with one relative for each patient. The average mean of the hospitalization for each patients was 17.6 ± 5.7 days The mean VR duration time was 60±5.5 minutes. VR showed a significant decrease in both Anxiety and depression for patients: (HADS Depression baseline 10.6 ±3.1 vs 6.9 ±2.7 end p<0.01) (HADS Anxiety baseline 10.2 ±3.4 vs 6.8 ±3.0 end p<0.01). VR has also reduced depression in the relatives of patients (BDI-PC 3.6 ±2.4 vs 1.9 ±1.9 p<0.01). Discussion. VR has reduced anxiety and depression in patients hospitalized in a sub-intensive COVID 19 unit and it also has been found to be effective in decreasing depression in the relatives of these patients Limitation. However, the study has some possible limitations considering its small size and that it was mono centric Conclusions. Our data confirm the efficacy of VR in the sub-intensive care setting. This evidence supports the key role of a multidisciplinary team, focusing on the importance of social and psychological support during the hospital stay.   More studies will be consequently necessary to better validate the importance of VR as a standard care tool in intensive/sub- intensive care units for the elderly patient

Robotic and Sensor Technologies for Mobility in Older People

Maintaining independent mobility is fundamental to independent living and to the quality of life of older people. Robotic and sensor technologies may offer a lot of potential and can make a significant difference in the lives of older people and to their primary caregivers. The aim of this study was to provide a presentation of the methods that are used up till now for analysis and evaluation of human mobility utilizing sensor technologies and to give the state of the art in robotic platforms for supporting older people with mobility limitations. The literature was reviewed and systematic reviews of cohort studies and other authoritative reports were identified. The selection criteria included (1) patients with age â\u89¥60 years; (2) patients with unstable gait, with or without recurrent falls; (3) patients with slow movements, short strides, and little trunk movement; (4) sensor technologies that are currently used for mobility evaluation; and (5) robotic technologies that can serve as a supporting companion for older people with mobility limitations. One hundred eighty-one studies published up until February 2017 were identified, of which 36 were included. Two categories of research were identified from the review regarding the robot and sensor technologies: (1) sensor technologies for mobility analysis and (2) robots for supporting older people with mobility limitations. Potential for robotic and sensor technologies can be taken advantage of for evaluation and support at home for elder persons with mobility limitations in an automated way without the need of the physical presence of any medical personnel, reducing the stress of caregivers