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An End-to-End Musical Instrument System That Translates Electromyogram Biosignals to Synthesized Sound
No full textThis article presents a custom system combining hardware and sortware that sense physiological signals of the performer's body resulting from muscle contraction and translates them to computer-synthesized sound. Our goal was to build upon the history of research in the field to develop a complete, integrated system that could be used by nonspecialist musicians. We describe the Embodied AudioVisual Interaction Electromyogram, an end-to-end system, spanning wearable sensing on the musician's body, custom microcontroller-based biosignal acquisition hardware, machine learning– based gesture-to-sound mapping middleware, and software-based granular synthesis sound output. A novel hardware design digitizes the electromyogram signals from the muscle with minimal analog preprocessing and treats it in an audio signal-processing chain as a class-compliant audio and wireless MIDI interface. The mapping layer implements an interactive machine learning workflow in a reinforcement learning configuration and can map gesture features to auditory metadata in a multidimensional information space. The system adapts existing machine learning and synthesis modules adapted to work with the hardware, resulting in an integrated, end-to-end system. We explore its potential as a digital musical instrument through a series of public presentations and concert performance by a range of musical practitioners
A Stiffness Approach for Coupling Structural and Magnetic Models for the Sustainable Design, Optimisation and Real-Time Structural Integrity Assessment of Radial Flux Permanent Magnet Generators for Direct-Drive Wind Turbines
Get PDFThe mass of a direct-drive generator is often defined by the requirements for structural stiffness to meet the magnetic stiffness between the rotor and stator surfaces. This paper analyses this magnetic stiffness and estimates the structural stiffness of direct-drive generators for different modes of deflection. The magnetic stiffness modelling is based on an analytical model of the airgap closing forces. The final models are verified using finite element analysis and developed for both permanent magnet and wound rotor generators. It shows that wound rotor machines have higher stiffness requirements than permanent magnet machines. The structural stiffness of the generator rotor and stator is evaluated for different modes by applying spatially varying forces and finding the associated deflections. Structural stiffnesses for the rotor, stator and bearing are then combined. Finally, the magnetic and structural stiffnesses are combined and a stiffness margin can be found. This method is applied to a relatively stiff and a relatively compliant set of generator structures in a case study. The analytical model presented in this paper is useful for structural optimisation purposes or as part of an online structural health monitoring system as it could assess the integrity of the machines in real time
From black to green: Quantifying the impact of economic growth, resource management, and green technologies on CO2 emissions
Get PDFIn an exploration of environmental concerns, this groundbreaking research delves into the relationship between GDP per capita, coal rents, forest rents, mineral rents, oil rents, natural gas rents, fossil fuels, renewables, environmental tax and environment-related technologies on CO2 emissions in 30 highly emitting countries from 1995 to 2021 using instrumental-variables regression Two-Stage least squares (IV-2SLS) regression and two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimates. Our results indicate a significant positive relationship between economic growth and CO2 emissions across all quantiles, showcasing an EKC with diminishing marginal effects. Coal rents exhibit a statistically significant negative relationship with emissions, particularly in higher quantiles, and mineral rents show a negative association with CO2 emissions in lower and middle quantiles, reinforcing the idea of resource management in emissions reduction. Fossil fuels exert a considerable adverse impact on emissions, with a rising effect in progressive quantiles. Conversely, renewable energy significantly curtails CO2 emissions, with higher impacts in lower quantiles. Environmental tax also mitigates CO2 emissions. Environment-related technologies play a pivotal role in emission reduction, particularly in lower and middle quantiles, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, highlighting the importance of tailoring interventions to different emission levels and leveraging diverse strategies for sustainable development
Adult-onset hearing loss and incident cognitive impairment and dementia – A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies
Get PDFBackgroundWe comprehensively summarized the cohort evidence to date on adult-onset hearing loss as risk factor for incident cognitive impairment and dementia, and examined the evidence for dose-response, risk for various dementia subtypes, and other moderators. Previous meta-analyses were less comprehensive.MethodsWe included cohort studies with participants without dementia and with hearing assessments at baseline, minimum 2 years follow-up and incident cognitive outcomes. We used random-effect models and subgroup and meta-regression on moderator analyses.ResultsWe identified fifty studies (N=1,548,754). Hearing loss (yes/no) was associated with incident dementia risk (HR=1.35 [95% CI = 1.26 – 1.45), mild cognitive impairment (MCI HR=1.29 [95% CI = 1.11 – 1.50]), cognitive decline not specified as MCI or dementia (HR=1.29 [95% CI = 1.17 – 1.42]), and Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD, HR=1.56 [95% CI = 1.30 – 1.87]), but not with vascular dementia (HR, 1.30 [95% CI = 0.83 – 2.05]). Each 10-decibel worsening of hearing was associated with a 16% increase in dementia risk (95% CI = 1.07 – 1.27). The effect of hearing loss did not vary across potential moderators.ConclusionsCohort studies consistently support that adult-onset hearing loss increases the risk of incident cognitive decline, dementia, MCI, and ADD
Perceptions of black and minoritised ethnic occupational therapists on mentoring: A survey
Get PDFIntroduction:Mentorship is perceived as a mechanism to enhance career progression. Within occupational therapy, there is little research to demonstrate the effectiveness of mentoring on career success and no research has explored its relevance for black and minoritised ethnic (BME) occupational therapists. This research explored the experience of mentoring for career progression from a BME perspective using a survey.Methods:An online survey was conducted with occupational therapists in the United Kingdom who identified as BME. The primary recruitment method was a convenience sample via a BME network and through its other links. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyse and report the data.Findings:In all, 54 BME occupational therapists completed the survey. Most BME therapists had never requested a BME mentor, but most wanted a BME mentor. Active allyship was viewed as an important part of mentorship when mentored by a white therapist.Conclusion:This research is the first study in occupational therapy to examine the mentoring experiences and needs of BME therapists. It is a call for action to recognise and reorient the approach and understanding of the structures and experiences of BME mentorship
A Reflection On: Online Supportive Conversations and Reflection Sessions (OSCaRS): A Feasibility Pilot with Care Home Staff during the Pandemic
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The origin story: behind the scenes of food festivals
No full textThe relationships between food festivals and food storytelling have been scarcely explored by previous research. Nevertheless, these relationships are a source of memorable experiences, based on the authenticity of food places and stories. Drawing on the analysis of the storytelling strategies of the Festival oríGenes (Spanish word for origins), this research demonstrates the importance of product and producer stories in creating a distinct narrative of place through gastronomy. Results identify the relevance of the value chain from land to table (or bar to bean), where stakeholders engage with the origin of the product, respect the producer, and acknowledge the traditional knowledge in food production. Values such as creativity, education and family are presented in relation to food consumption. This paper contributes to the understanding of how and why food festivals generate food storytelling behind the scenes
Discursive constructions of student midwives’ professional identities: A discourse analysis
Get PDFBackgroundThe construction and performance of professional identity is significant to broader socio-cultural understandings of who ‘professionals’ are and what they do. Importantly, it is also implicated in the development and enactment of policy, regulation, education, and professional practice. Professional identity is linked to self-esteem, self-efficacy, professional value, confidence and success. The salience of this in relation to midwifery practice is highly significant; aspects of autonomy, confidence, competence, responsibility, and accountability are all implicated in the provision of safe and effective care.AimTo explore how student midwives are constructed in the discourses of policy, professionalism, and learning, to provide new perspectives to inform, policy, education, and practice.MethodsAn adapted critical discourse analysis of the United Kingdom (UK) Nursing and Midwifery Council’s 2009 Standards for pre-registration midwifery education, using a three-step process: exploring discourse at the level of (1) discursive practice (2) linguistic features of the text, and (3) social practice.Findings/ DiscussionThe discourses that relate to midwifery education and practice emerge within socio-political and historical contexts. Constructions of identity are articulated through a rule-bound framework which includes competence, confidence and ‘good health and good character’. There is a requirement for midwives to ‘be’ responsible, accountable, autonomous, professional, competent, and confident. Regulatory power is reinforced through medico-legal discourses, with the status of midwifery discursively presented as inferior to medicine.ConclusionAccording to the Standards, midwives must be a lot of things in their role and function. The Standards’ discourses are authoritative, legislative and controlling, creating an ideology about professional status and agency which constructs an ‘imaginary autonomy’; becoming a midwife is more automatic (with the perception of control), than agentic. All of which has significance for the social practice of midwifer
Investigation of efficiency and temperature dependence in RbGeBr3 -based Perovskite solar cell structures
Get PDFThis study is centered on the exploration of the inorganic perovskite material RbGeBr3 as an absorbing layer in various configurations of perovskite solar cells. The Poisson, continuity, and transport equations are solved using the finite element method for calculation. Systematic variations in the thicknesses of the RbGeBr_3 absorber layer and the electron transfer layer are performed, with Gold and Silver utilized as metal contacts for the electrodes. The study also delves into the impact of temperature variations on the efficacy of these structures. Among the tested configurations, the FTO/TiO2/RbGeBr3/P3HT/Au configuration emerges as the most efficient, achieving a power conversion efficiency of 11.89%, with a short-circuit current of 14.47 mA/cm² and an open-circuit voltage of 0.96 V. Additionally, two alternative structures, FTO/ITO/RbGeBr3/PEDOT:PSS/Au and FTO/ITO/RbGeBr3/PEDOT:PSS/Ag, are investigated, yielding comparable power conversion efficiencies of 11.374%. The findings of this study can serve as valuable insights for the design of more advanced and efficient perovskite solar cells based on mineral perovskite layers
Experiences and perceptions of men following breast cancer diagnosis: a mixed method systematic review
Get PDFBackground: Men with breast cancer experience unique physical and emotional challenges. However, a thorough understanding of these experiences including the psychosocial effects and supportive care needs have received less attention. In some settings, men with breast cancer experience stigma within the healthcare system and their care needs are not prioritised. This influences the level of professional support offered, consequently worsening their health and well-being outcomes. This review explored the variabilities in the experiences and treatment modalities of male breast cancer (MBC) across different contexts. Methods: All primary study designs including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies that reported on the experiences, treatment approaches and outcomes of MBC were included in this systematic review. Six databases (Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Global Health, CINAHL and Web of Science) were searched for articles from January 2000 to September 2023. A results-based convergence synthesis was used for data analysis and reported using PRISMA guidelines. Results: Of the studies screened (n = 29,687), forty-four fulfilled the predetermined criteria and were included. Our findings relating to the experiences and treatment approaches of MBC are broadly themed into three parts. Theme 1—Navigating through a threat to masculinity: describes how males experienced the illness reflecting on detection, diagnosis, coming to terms with breast cancer, and disclosure. Theme 2- Navigating through treatment: captures the experiences of undergoing breast cancer treatment/ management following their diagnosis. Theme 3—Coping and support systems: describes how MBC patients coped with the disease, treatment process, aftercare/rehabilitative care, and the available support structures. Conclusions: Men experience a myriad of issues following a breast cancer diagnosis, especially with their masculinity. Awareness creation efforts of MBC among the public and healthcare practitioners are urgently required, which could change the perception of men in promoting early diagnosis, adherence to treatments, post-treatment monitoring, oncological results and a better quality of life. Considerations for training, education and development of specialised guidelines for healthcare practitioners on MBC would provide the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their practice through the adoption of person-centred and male-specific care strategies. Professional care intervention and support for MBC should not end after the diagnosis phase but should extend to the entire treatment continuum and aftercare including future research focusing on MBC specific clinical trials. Trial registration: PROSPERO Registration No. CRD42021228778
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