Design and verification of a measurement setup for wireless remote microphone systems (WRMSs).

OBJECTIVE: This work presents the design and verification of a simplified measurement setup for wireless remote microphone systems (WRMSs), which has been incorporated into guidelines of the European Union of Hearing Aid Acousticians (EUHA). DESIGN: Three studies were conducted. First, speech intelligibility scores within the simplified setup were compared to that in an actual classroom. Second, different WRMSs were compared in the simplified setup, and third, normative data for normal-hearing people with and without WRMS were collected. STUDY SAMPLE: The first two studies include 40 older hearing impaired and the third study 20 young normal-hearing adults. RESULTS: Speech intelligibility with WRMS was not different across actual classroom and simplified setup. An analog omnidirectional WRMS showed poorer speech intelligibility and poorer quality ratings than digital WMRSs. The usage of a WRMS in the simplified setup resulted in significantly higher speech intelligibility across all tested background noise levels. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being a simplified measurement setup, it realistically emulates a situation where people are listening to speech in noise from a distance, such as in a classroom or meeting room. Hence, with standard audiological equipment, the individual benefit of WRMSs can be measured and experienced by the user in clinical practice.

The effects of using hearing aids and a frequency modulated system on listening effort among adolescents with hearing loss.

Objective: To develop a web-based application for a colour pattern memory recognition task as the secondary task of a dual-task paradigm and to compare the listening effort required by adolescents with hearing loss (HL) under two conditions (HA and HA + FM system), to adolescents with normal hearing (NH).Design: Cohort study. The participants underwent a dual-task paradigm, including the Hearing in Noise Test as the primary task and a colour memory task as the secondary task. A platform, PALETA, was developed to assess the secondary task.Study sample: In total, 31 adolescents were enrolled, of which 13 adolescents had HL and 18 adolescents had NH (mean age, 14 years).Results: Adolescents with NH scored significantly better on the secondary task compared to participants with HL using a HA. However, on analysing response time, no significant differences were observed among the groups.Conclusion: PALETA is proposed as a test procedure for the secondary task. The results revealed that the use of an FM system reduces the listening effort that adolescents with HL deploy to recognise speech in noise, and that listening effort data by number of correct responses is a way of investigating the benefits of using FM system.

Assessment of the safety benefits of vehicles' advanced driver assistance, connectivity and low level automation systems.

The Connected Vehicle (CV) technologies together with other Driving Assistance (DA) technologies are believed to have great effects on traffic operation and safety, and they are expected to impact the future of our cities. However, few research has estimated the exact safety benefits when all vehicles are equipped with these technologies. This paper seeks to fill the gap by using a general crash avoidance effectiveness framework for major CV&DA technologies to make a comprehensive crash reduction estimation. Twenty technologies that were tested in recent studies are summarized and sensitivity analysis is used for estimating their total crash avoidance effectiveness. The results show that crash avoidance effectiveness of CV&DA technology is significantly affected by the vehicle type and the safety estimation methodology. A 70% crash avoidance rate seems to be the highest effectiveness for the CV&DA technologies operating in the real-world environment. Based on the 2005-2008 U.S. GES Crash Records, this research found that the CV&DA technologies could lead to the reduction of light vehicles' crashes and heavy trucks' crashes by at least 32.99% and 40.88%, respectively. The rear-end crashes for both light vehicles and heavy trucks have the most expected crash benefits from the technologies. The paper also studies the effectiveness of Forward Collision Warning technology (FCW) under fog conditions, and the results show that FCW could reduce 35% of the near-crash events under fog conditions.

Cylindrical Free-Standing Mode Triboelectric Generator for Suspension System in Vehicle.

The triboelectric generator (TEG) is a strong candidate for low-power sensors utilized in the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Within IoT technologies, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) technology is included within autonomous driving technology. Development of an energy source for sensors necessary for operation becomes an important issue, since a lot of sensors are embedded in vehicles and require more electrical energy. Although saving energy and enhancing energy efficiency is one of the most important issues, the application approach to harvesting wasted energy without compromising the reliability of existing mechanical systems is still in very early stages. Here, we report of a new type of TEG, a suspension-type free-standing mode TEG (STEG) inspired from a shock absorber in a suspension system. We discovered that the optimum width of electrode output voltage was 131.9 V and current was 0.060 µA/cm² in root mean square (RMS) value while the optimized output power was 4.90 µW/cm² at 66 MΩ. In addition, output power was found to be proportional to frictional force due to the contact area between two frictional surfaces. It was found that the STEG was made of perfluoroalkoxy film and showed good mechanical durability with no degradation of output performance after sliding 11,000 times. In addition, we successfully demonstrated charging a capacitor of 330 µF in 6 min.

Ayudas externas para mejorar la independencia en personas con discapacidad visual / External aids for improving the Independence of persons with visual impairment

En los últimos años se ha incrementado la investigación con respecto al desarrollo de ayudas que mejoren la independencia de los discapacitados visuales. El propósito de esta revisión es determinar la evidencia científica relacionada con ayudas externas para mejorar la independencia en personas con discapacidad visual severa o ceguera. Para efectuar el trabajo fueron consultadas las bases de datos de PubMed, Cochrane Database-Wiley Online Library, LILACS y Scielo, además de las publicaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, el Instituto Nacional de Ciegos en Colombia, el Consejo Internacional de Oftalmología y los patrones preferidos de práctica en rehabilitación visual, de la Academia Americana de Oftalmología. Se incluyó un total de 43 artículos y documentos en los idiomas inglés, portugués y español para ser analizados. La mayoría de estos estudios fueron descriptivos, y no se encontraron ensayos controlados ni metanálisis. La tendencia observada es hacia ayudas tecnológicas con un diseño dirigido al usuario y cada vez más pequeñas, discretas, con múltiples funciones que comprenden sus actividades de la vida diaria(AU)

In the last few years, research on the development of aids to improve the independence of visually impaired people has increased. The objective of this review was to determine the scientific evidence related to external aids to improve the independence of persons with severe visual impairment or blindness. To carry out the study, PubMed, Cochrane Database-Wiley Online Library, LILACS and Scielo databases were consulted in addition to publications by the World Health Organization, National Institute of Blind People in Colombia, the International Council of Ophthalmology and the preferred patterns in visual rehabilitation practice of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. A total number of 43 articles and documents in English, Portuguese and Spanish were included to be analyzed. Most of the studies were descriptive ones and neither controlled assays nor meta-analysis were found. The observed tendency is the use of technological aids with a user-tailored design and increasingly small, discreet, having many functions that cover the daily life activity of those persons(AU)

Ayudas externas para mejorar la independencia en personas con discapacidad visual / External aids for improving the Independence of persons with visual impairment

En los últimos años se ha incrementado la investigación con respecto al desarrollo de ayudas que mejoren la independencia de los discapacitados visuales. El propósito de esta revisión es determinar la evidencia científica relacionada con ayudas externas para mejorar la independencia en personas con discapacidad visual severa o ceguera. Para efectuar el trabajo fueron consultadas las bases de datos de PubMed, Cochrane Database-Wiley Online Library, LILACS y Scielo, además de las publicaciones de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, el Instituto Nacional de Ciegos en Colombia, el Consejo Internacional de Oftalmología y los patrones preferidos de práctica en rehabilitación visual, de la Academia Americana de Oftalmología. Se incluyó un total de 43 artículos y documentos en los idiomas inglés, portugués y español para ser analizados. La mayoría de estos estudios fueron descriptivos, y no se encontraron ensayos controlados ni metanálisis. La tendencia observada es hacia ayudas tecnológicas con un diseño dirigido al usuario y cada vez más pequeñas, discretas, con múltiples funciones que comprenden sus actividades de la vida diaria(AU)

In the last few years, research on the development of aids to improve the independence of visually impaired people has increased. The objective of this review was to determine the scientific evidence related to external aids to improve the independence of persons with severe visual impairment or blindness. To carry out the study, PubMed, Cochrane Database-Wiley Online Library, LILACS and Scielo databases were consulted in addition to publications by the World Health Organization, National Institute of Blind People in Colombia, the International Council of Ophthalmology and the preferred patterns in visual rehabilitation practice of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. A total number of 43 articles and documents in English, Portuguese and Spanish were included to be analyzed. Most of the studies were descriptive ones and neither controlled assays nor meta-analysis were found. The observed tendency is the use of technological aids with a user-tailored design and increasingly small, discreet, having many functions that cover the daily life activity of those persons(AU)

Use of U-shaped Retractor to Reduce Traction Injury of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in Video-assisted Thyroidectomy / 中国微创外科杂志

Objective To explore the home-made U-shaped retractor ’ s effect on reducing the traction injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve in the video-assistance thyroidectomy . Methods The patients with unilateral and unifocal papillary thyroid microcarcinoma , which were diagnosed by ultrasound preparation and by pathological postoperation , were enrolled .They all underwent the ipdilateral lobectomy , isthmus resection and the clearance of central lymph nodes with video-assistance technology .From January 2013 to June 2014, 79 cases ( control group ) were received conventional method , by which the thyroid lobe was elevated onto the trachea surface.From January 2015 to March 2016, 71 cases (U-shaped group) accepted the procedure which adopted home-made U-shaped retractor to pull the thyroid lobe to carotid artery horizontally .The operations were completed by the same surgeon .There were no significant differences between the two groups in age , gender and lesion size , which is comparable .The incidence rate of hoarseness was compared postoperation . Results Postoperative hoarseness of the U-shaped group occurred in 6 cases (8.5%) and the control group in 17 cases (21.5%), which show a significantly statistical difference (χ2 =4.919, P=0.027).And there was no significant difference in voice recovery time [median:16.5 d (8-31 d) vs.18 d (4-50 d), Z=-0.246, P=0.806]. Conclusion In the video-assisted thyroidectomy , using the U-shaped retractor to pull the thyroid lobe laterally and horizontally will be beneficial to reduce the recurrent laryngeal nerve tension and the incidence of the retract injury .

Hearing aid and hearing assistance technology use in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe factors that are related to hearing aid and hearing assistance technology ownership and use in Aotearoa/New Zealand. DESIGN: Adults with hearing impairment living in New Zealand were surveyed regarding health-related quality of life and device usage. Audiometric data (hearing sensitivity and speech in noise) were collected. STUDY SAMPLE: Data were obtained from 123 adults with hearing impairment: 73 reported current hearing-aid use, 81 reported current hearing assistance technology use. RESULTS: In both analyses, device users had more difficulty understanding speech in background noise, had poor hearing in both their better and worse hearing ears, and perceived more consequences of hearing impairment in their everyday lives (both emotionally and socially) than non-hearing-aid users. Discriminant analyses showed that the social consequences of hearing impairment and the better ear hearing best classified hearing aid users from non-users but social consequences and worse ear hearing best classified hearing assistance technology users from non-users. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life measurements and speech-in-noise assessments provide useful clinical information. Hearing-impaired adults in New Zealand who use hearing aids also tend to use hearing assistance technology, which has important clinical implications.

Políticas e tecnologias de gestão em serviços de saúde e de enfermagem / Políticas y tecnologías de administración en servicios de salud y de enfermería / Politics and technologies in the administration of health care and nursing services

Objetivo: identificar se os enfermeiros do Brasil têm conhecimento das políticas e tecnologias de gestão nos serviços de saúde e enfermagem. Métodos: realizamos revisão integrativa da literatura, utilizando as bases de dados: LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, BDENF e PAHO e os descritores: gestão em saúde, tecnologia em saúde, tecnologia assistencial e enfermagem, incluindo as publicações nos idiomas português, espanhol e inglês. Resultados: A análise resultou em 11 referências completas, no período de 2003 a 2007. Constatamos que os enfermeiros possuem articulação nos serviços de enfermagem e competência técnica no exercício profissional, porém, apresentam-se frágeis politicamente, o que limita sua autonomia profissional e os torna ainda subordinados a outros profissionais. Conclusão: diante dos avanços e constantes mudanças no setor saúde, particularmente no nível organizacional e técnico-científico, torna-se imprescindível que o(a) enfermeiro(a) desenvolva suas habilidades políticas, gerenciais e de liderança com participação responsável e de forma interdisciplinar.

Objective: To determine if Brazilian nurses have knowledge of politics and technologies for the administration of health care and nursing services. Method: A integrative literature review was conducted using the LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, BDENF, and PAHO databases. The key words "administration of health care," "health technology," and "health care technology and nursing," limited to publications in Portuguese, Spanish, and English were used to search the databases. Results: Eleven publications from 2003 to 2007 were retrieved. Nurses could articulate well in the nursing services and had technical competencies for professional nursing practice; however, they were fragile politically; this limited their professional autonomy and made them to be subordinated to other health care professionals. Conclusion: Advancement and continuing changes in health care, particularly in the organizational and technical-scientific levels, require nurses to develop and strengthen their political, management, and leadership skills to participate equally in a interdisciplinary leadership team.

Objetivo: Identificar si los enfermeros en Brasil tienen conocimiento de las políticas y tecnologías de administración en los servicios de salud y enfermería. Métodos: Fue realizada una revisión integradora de la literatura, utilizando las bases de datos: LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO, BDENF y PAHO y los descriptores: administración en salud, tecnología en salud, tecnología asistencial y enfermería, incluyendo las publicaciones en los idiomas portugués, castellano e inglés. Resultados: El análisis resultó en 11 referencias completas, en el período de 2003 a 2007. Fue constatado que los enfermeros poseen articulación en los servicios de enfermería y competencia técnica en el ejercicio profesional, sin embargo, se presentan frágiles políticamente, lo que limita su autonomía profesional y los vuelve subordinados de otros profesionales. Conclusión: Delante del avance y constantes cambios en el sector de la salud, particularmente en el nivel organizacional y técnico-científico, es imprescindible que el(la) Enfermero(a) desarrolle sus habilidades políticas, administrativas y de liderazgo con participación responsable y de forma interdisciplinar.