A remotely accessible USB hub:software design and testing

Abstract. Remote use of USB peripherals has been identified as useful for Aava Mobile customers. Therefore, the commercial feasibility of an accessory that allows accessing USB devices remotely was studied at Aava, and a prototype device was built. The software in this accessory was required to transfer data securely, be automatically detectable on a local network, and operate autonomously. It is explored in this thesis how remote USB sharing and the requirements could be implemented using open-source software components. New USB remote use programs that support the required capabilities were created as part of this thesis. These applications run on Linux-based operating systems and make use of the existing open-source USB/IP tool protocol. The new client program uses the existing Linux USB/IP virtual host controller driver, and the server is implemented in user space. After the software work was concluded, measurements were performed for evaluation purposes. Optimal encryption ciphers for the prototype hardware were also selected. It was verified by testing that network delay causes major performance degradation. Other significant performance concerns were network adapter speed, the use of encryption, USB port speed, and the user space server implementation. However, while these aspects reduced the performance of the prototype, they were not determined to be critical. The accessory was not intended for high-performance use cases, and therefore the use of cost-effective components can be justified

Vocal music enhances memory and language recovery after stroke : pooled results from two RCTs

Objective: Previous studies suggest that daily music listening can aid stroke recovery, but little is known about the stimulus-dependent and neural mechanisms driving this effect. Building on neuroimaging evidence that vocal music engages extensive and bilateral networks in the brain, we sought to determine if it would be more effective for enhancing cognitive and language recovery and neuroplasticity than instrumental music or speech after stroke. Methods: Using data pooled from two single-blind randomized controlled trials in stroke patients (N = 83), we compared the effects of daily listening to self-selected vocal music, instrumental music, and audiobooks during the first 3 poststroke months. Outcome measures comprised neuropsychological tests of verbal memory (primary outcome), language, and attention and a mood questionnaire performed at acute, 3-month, and 6-month stages and structural and functional MRI at acute and 6-month stages. Results: Listening to vocal music enhanced verbal memory recovery more than instrumental music or audiobooks and language recovery more than audiobooks, especially in aphasic patients. Voxel-based morphometry and resting-state and task-based fMRI results showed that vocal music listening selectively increased gray matter volume in left temporal areas and functional connectivity in the default mode network. Interpretation: Vocal music listening is an effective and easily applicable tool to support cognitive recovery after stroke as well as to enhance early language recovery in aphasia. The rehabilitative effects of vocal music are driven by both structural and functional plasticity changes in temporoparietal networks crucial for emotional processing, language, and memory.Peer reviewe