MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, BODY MOVEMENT, SPACE, AND MOTION DATA: MUSIC AS AN EMERGENT MULTIMODAL CHOREOGRAPHY

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A Knowledge-based, Data-driven Method for Action-sound Mapping

This paper presents a knowledge-based, data-driven method for using data describing action-sound couplings collected from a group of people to generate multiple complex mappings between the performance movements of a musician and sound synthesis. This is done by using a database of multimodal motion data collected from multiple subjects coupled with sound synthesis parameters. A series of sound stimuli is synthesised using the sound engine that will be used in performance. Multimodal motion data is collected by asking each participant to listen to each sound stimulus and move as if they were producing the sound using a musical instrument they are given. Multimodal data is recorded during each performance, and paired with the synthesis parameters used for generating the sound stimulus. The dataset created using this method is then used to build a topological representation of the performance movements of the subjects. This representation is then used to interactively generate training data for machine learning algorithms, and define mappings for real-time performance. To better illustrate each step of the procedure, we describe an implementation involving clarinet, motion capture, wearable sensor armbands, and waveguide synthesis

Using rhythm for rehabilitation: evaluation of a novel haptic device

This project explored how new and novel approaches to stroke rehabilitation could improve physical function and the confidence of stroke survivors to remain active and engaged in the community. The innovation trialed was a ‘Haptic bracelet/cueing device’, developed at The Open University. An overview of the Haptic device, its development and role in stroke rehabilitation can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4ZxN6H6XGk The Haptic bracelets provide a physical (embodied) beat that someone can walk to as an alternative to existing audio cuing ways of working. The haptic device provides a non-invasive, relatively cheap way of facilitating people after stroke to continue to maintain or even improve their mobility after intensive rehabilitation has finished. This research explored the impact of the haptic device to gains in mobility. The project had two key aims: 1. To develop a usable and practical prototype of a haptic device to restore gait symmetry after stroke. 2. To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the prototype in stroke patients. Summary of findings and recommendations When introduced to the Haptic Bracelets participants hoped the product would provide them with: • More confidence and make them feel safer when walking. • Greater ability to take bigger strides rather than little steps. • A way to combat the silly mistakes participants reported making due to tiredness. • Reduced pain (knees, hips) The physiotherapists saw potential for the Haptic devices as part of post stroke rehabilitation, but expressed concern about their lack of access to mobile technologies when out in community practice settings. There were also concerns about use with some stroke survivors because of issues of cognition; and the sensation from the Haptic beat. In the Haptic gait testing • All the participants demonstrated good mobility performance prior to the study (high score on the Rivermead mobility scale) • 4/7* (57.1%) participants who were the most asymmetrical at baseline improved their gait symmetry whilst wearing the haptic device • 3/7* (42%) participant’s gait symmetry continued to improve in the post off condition. • All the participants walked quicker in post-op condition. However, gait speed varied between participants when they were wearing the haptic bracelets. • Participants were had had their strokes between 3-10 years ago, but there was still an indication that the Haptic bracelets were having some impact on mobility. • Syncing of the Haptic device and more mobile Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to the fixed gait laboratory (gold standard) system has improved the potential for more community based rehabilitation and commercialisation of the Haptic bracelets. • Post Haptic interviews identified that there were mixed participant feelings about the bracelets. However, some did express positive experiences from testing the Haptic bracelets, including a carry over effect after the devices were removed. Recommendations As this was a pilot study more work is now required to explore the: • use of the Haptic bracelets in community rehabilitation settings • feasibility of the using Haptic bracelets in community settings, particularly looking at staff access to new technologies • potential for the Haptic bracelets to be used in the home as part of ongoing rehabilitation • benefits of Haptic bracelets in the context of longer term stroke rehabilitation • future design needs to improve the look, size and ease of application • cost benefits of using Haptic bracelets as part of an overall program of stroke rehabilitation

Preparedness and response to the covid-19 emergency: Experience from the teaching hospital of Pisa, Italy

In Italy, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emergency took hold in Lombardy and Veneto at the end of February 2020 and spread unevenly among the other regions in the following weeks. In Tuscany, the progressive increase of hospitalized COVID-19 patients required the set-up of a regional task force to prepare for and effectively respond to the emergency. In this case report, we aim to describe the key elements that have been identified and implemented in our center, a 1082-bed hospital located in the Pisa district, to rapidly respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in order to guarantee safety of patients and healthcare workers

A small repeated measures study of haptic cueing upon gait symmetry in people after stroke

Introduction Rehabilitation of gait after stroke often includes forms of rhythmic cueing. Haptic cueing, in which a rhythmic cue is provided by touch could be a discreet cueing method for ambulation. This small prospective lab based study aimed to investigate the effect of prototype haptic devices (HDs) in stroke survivors. Methods Participants were recruited if they could walk 20 metres without an aid but reported persistent problems with walking. The HDs were fitted to both legs. After familiarisation, participants walked in the lab: 1) with the HDs switched off; 2) with the HDs switched on; 3) with the HDs switched off. Temporal symmetry and gait speed was evaluated using the Qualisys Motion Capture system. Results 6 participants a median average of 59.5 years old (range: 53–74) and 5 years (range: 3–10) after stroke were recruited. 3 demonstrated mild temporal asymmetry, 1 demonstrated severe asymmetry and 2 had no/minimal asymmetry. When the HDs were switched on, temporal symmetry improved in 4 (from 6) with moderate or severe asymmetry. When the HDs were switched off, temporal symmetry remained improved in 3 and walking speed improved in 5 (overall mean change: 0.05; SD = 0.14 ms−1 ). Conclusion The findings of this small study suggest that the HDs could provide an effective cueing device for people with moderate or severe gait asymmetry after stroke. Further work is now needed to investigate the HDs in a larger and more varied sample of stroke survivors and in community settings

FATTY ACID COMPOSITION AND CHOLESTEROL CONTENT OF THE FAT OF PIGS OF VARIOUS GENOTYPES

The authors determined the fatty acid composition and the fat cholesterol content of the fat of Mangalica, Hungarian Large White x Hungarian Landrace and Mangalica x Duroc pigs. It was established that no significant difference among the three genotypes could be detected with respect to saturated, unsaturated, or the essential fatty acids, nor in regard to cholesterol content. The findings of these investigations indicate that in the three pig genotypes studied fat cholesterol content varies between 71 and 109 mg/100 g. Attention is also drawn to the high oleic acid content (relative %age 43.57-44.81) and linoleic acid content (relative %age 10.63-11.47) of pig fat

Preliminary Assessment of Microbiome Changes Following Blood-Feeding and Survivorship in the <i>Amblyomma americanum</i> Nymph-to-Adult Transition using Semiconductor Sequencing

<div><p>The physiology of ticks supports a diverse community of non-pathogenic and pathogenic organisms. This study aims to initially characterize the microbial community present within colony-reared <i>Amblyomma americanum</i> using PCR of the variable region 5 of the 16S rRNA gene followed by semiconductor sequencing and classification of sequence data using the Ribosomal Database Project and MG-RAST analysis tools. Comparison of amplicon library datasets revealed changes in the microbiomes in newly engorged nymphs, newly-molted adults, and aged adults, as well as ticks exposed to different environmental conditions. These preliminary data support the concept that microbe survivorship and diversity are partially dependent upon environmental variables and the sequence of blood feeding, molting, and aging. The maintenance and/or emergence of pathogens in ticks may be dependent in part on temporal changes in the microbial community of the tick microbiome.</p></div

Project time-line and identification of experimental treatments to assess the microbiome of the lone star tick,<i>Amblyomma americanum</i>, from nymphal blood feeding, separation of cohorts into environmental conditions, and aging of adult ticks.

<p>Project time-line and identification of experimental treatments to assess the microbiome of the lone star tick,<i>Amblyomma americanum</i>, from nymphal blood feeding, separation of cohorts into environmental conditions, and aging of adult ticks.</p

Summary statistics of all runs on the Ion Torrent PGM.

<p>Summary statistics of all runs on the Ion Torrent PGM.</p