Design and implementation of DATA logging and stabilization system for a UAV

In this paper integration of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and Global positioning System are used for data logging. This paper presents the design and implementation of a data logging system for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The main focus is designing a prototype system for tracking purposes with image-capturing capabilities. The purpose is to develop a recorder that can provide a complete record of the parameters in case of surveillance. The data logger can also be used to determine the cause of a flight crash. The results are gathered to improve the quality of measurements. And also the quality of the sensor's measurements can be improved with sophisticated filtering techniques. This filter was designed using the Mahony filter which provides efficient and effective solutions for IMU. This filter is computationally efficient and requires fewer mathematical computations to produce desired results at lower sampling rates. Additionally, the pitch, roll, and yaw stabilization of the device must be done when the system enters abnormal conditions. However, altitude, camera angle, and motion blur make it a more challenging task.

Ötz-T: 3D-printed open-source turbidity sensor with Arduino shield for suspended sediment monitoring

Fine sediment production in catchments and transport through rivers to floodplains and coastal areas is extremely important for riverine, coastal and marine ecosystems, nutrient transport, global biogeochemical cycles, water quality and pollution. Due to the high cost of suspended sediment monitoring technology, it is extremely difficult to obtain a complete understanding of the physical connections between climate, hydrology, fluvial processes, and sediment fluxes, which requires measurements at many locations. For this reason, we have built an open-source turbidity sensor that brings accessibility to global river research. Compared to commercial turbidity sensors ( > 6000€), our low-cost version ( ∼ 200€) allows for multiple deployment and therefore a high spatial coverage of sediment fluxes. It is an optical scatter sensor with an 850 nm LED and two IR detectors, and features a temperature and pressure sensor. Our sensor is 3D-printed on a hobby printer and is programmed with Arduino IDE, making it accessible to those without high-tech workshop access and limited programming skills. It features a printed circuit board that stacks on top of an ultra low-power Arduino MKR WAN 1310, for durability and easy assembly. The sensor was tested during a flood in September 2022 on the Ötztal Ache in Tirol, Austria.

Mini-DAQ: A lightweight, low-cost, high resolution, data acquisition system for wave energy converter testing

As part of the development process, scaled testing of wave energy converter devices are necessary to prove a concept, study hydrodynamics, and validate control system approaches. Creating a low-cost, small, lightweight data acquisition system suitable for scaled testing is often a barrier for wave energy converter developers' ability to test such devices. This paper outlines an open-source solution to these issues, which can be customized based on specific needs. This will help developers with limited resources along a path toward commercialization.

Outcomes of children with sensorineural hearing loss fitted with binaural hearing aids at a pediatric public hospital in South Africa

OBJECTIVE

To describe hearing aid outcomes for children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at a pediatric public hospital in South Africa in terms of daily use and oral/aural performance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of clinical data and caregiver reported outcomes of children aged 0-13 years with bilateral SNHL at one-month and three-months post-fitting. Oral/aural performance was measured by the Parents' Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH) questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate factors associated with hearing aid use. Thematic analysis was applied for qualitative caregiver-reported outcomes.

STUDY SAMPLE

Sixty-eight children with confirmed bilateral SNHL who were fitted with binaural air-conduction hearing aids at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, between January 2017 and December 2019.

RESULTS

Average daily hearing aid use increased significantly (p < 0.05) from one-month (5.0; 3.0 SD; range 0.3-14.0) to three-months post-fitting (5.9; 3.4 SD; range 1.1-16.8). Average PEACH scores were higher in Quiet (73.4%) than in Noise (69.6%). More than half (52.2%) of children required review based on their overall percentage PEACH scores. Higher average daily hearing aid use was significantly associated with higher overall PEACH scores (p < 0.05). Neuro-typically developing children had significantly higher hearing aid use than children with additional disabilities (p < 0.001). Qualitative caregiver feedback revealed themes pertaining to advantages and barriers to hearing aid use.

CONCLUSION

Outcomes of children with SNHL fitted with binaural hearing aids at a pediatric public hospital in South Africa demonstrated increased average daily hearing aid use from one-month to three-months post-fitting. Aural/oral performance was typical for one in two children. Children with additional disabilities had significantly poorer hearing aid use and aural/oral performance requiring more support for this vulnerable group to realize sufficient benefit from hearing aid use.

Cochlear implant: More hearing better speech performance

BACKGROUND

Datalogging feature of the cochlear implant audio processor has been utilized to calculate the average daily wearing hours for cochlear implant devices by patients.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the relationship between the time use of cochlear implant audio processor and speech development as well as to identify the lowest acceptable duration of audio processor use to achieve an acceptable language development.

METHODS

A retrospective study design including prelingual thirty-four ears (24 patients) who received the same electrode array of cochlear implant with 2 years follow up. The audiological and speech evaluations were done for all patients postoperatively and the last postoperative follow-up visit was used for analysis in this study.

RESULTS

The average daily use of the audio processor was 11.3 ± 2.7 h per day. The pure tone average was 30.55 ± 4.64 dB whereas the speech reception threshold was 30.88 ± 6.12 dB. The average speech discrimination score at 65 dB was 68.59 ± 16.80%. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.54, p value = 0.0009) was found between the daily use of the audio processor and the speech discrimination score. The lowest wearing time needed to have more than 60% of the speech discrimination score was 8.3 h/day.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed a positive correlation between the daily duration of the audio processor usage and speech performance. Moreover, we found that pediatric patients need to use their cochlear implant device for at least 8.3 h/day to achieve acceptable language development.

Hypnos board: A low-cost all-in-one solution for environment sensor power management, data storage, and task scheduling

Open source in-situ environmental sensor hardware continues to expand across the globe for a variety of applications. Sensor-management systems typically perform three fundamental tasks: sample sensors at a specified time or period, save data onto retrievable media, and switch power to components on and off in between sample cycles to conserve battery energy and increase field operation time. These tasks are commonly accomplished through integrating separate off-the-shelf components into the desired system such as: power relays, SD card hardware, Real-Time Clocks (RTCs), and coin cell batteries. To enable faster prototyping, the Openly Published Environmental Sensing Lab abstracted all of these requirements into a single printed circuit board (PCB), Hypnos, that can be included in any project to achieve these commonly-required capabilities: powering on and off connected sensors on a schedule and logging collected data to the removable SD card. The hardware is laid out in a "Feather" form factor, a popular configuration in the open-source hardware community, to easily mate with other industry standard products. The onboard RTC acts as an alarm clock that wakes a user-attached microprocessor from low-power sleep modes in between sample cycles. By integrating all these components into a single PCB, we save cost while significantly reducing physical system size. The design as well as a suite of code functions that enable the user to configure all the Hypnos board features are detailed.

Does Auditory Environment Predict Speech Perception Outcomes in Elderly Cochlear Implant Patients?

INTRODUCTION

Cochlear implantation (CI) is a reliable and safe means by which sensorineural hearing loss can be ameliorated in the elderly population. However, a high degree of variation exists in postimplantation hearing outcomes for which some modifiable factors of the daily natural auditory environment may be contributory. In this study, we analyze the relationship between cochlear implant patient age, natural auditory environment, and postimplantation speech perception among older adults.

METHODS

Data log from automatic environment classification enabled sound processors of postlingually deafened CI recipients ≥50 years old (n = 115) were obtained retrospectively and analyzed for time spent (hours per day) in listening environment and loudness (SPL dB). Speech perception testing was assessed in a subset of patients (n = 27) using open-set word recognition in quiet Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant in the short and intermediate postoperative period.

RESULTS

The mean subject age was 70 years (range, 53-99 years). Average daily implant use was 10.8 h and was not significantly correlated with age (p = 0.23, Spearman's rho). Age was positively correlated with the percentage of hours spent at <40 and 40-50 dB and negatively correlated to proportional CI use at higher volume (60-70, 70-80, and >80 dB; rs = 0.21, 0.20, -0.20, -0.35, -0.43; p = 0.021, 0.036, 0.033, <0.001, <0.001, respectively). Age was positively correlated with CI use in the quiet scene (rs = 0.26, p = 0.006) and negatively correlated with scenes containing speech and noise (rs = -0.19, -0.25; p = 0.046, 0.007). Total hours of device use and time spent at <40, 40-50 dB, and quiet environments were significantly correlated with improved CNC word scores (rs = 0.48, 0.48, 0.51; p = 0.01, 0.01, <0.01, Spearman's rho). While all speech (speech in noise + speech) was not significantly correlated to improvements in speech perception, a medium effect size was observed (rs = 0.37, p = 0.057).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

This study supports a relationship between auditory environment and age, with older CI recipients spending a greater proportion of time in quiet. Older CI users demonstrated greater improvements in speech perception with longer daily device use. Additional examination of the relationship between auditory environment and speech perception is necessary to conclusively guide future auditory rehabilitation efforts.

[Impact of CI use and CI fitting on speech production in very early cochlear-implanted infants]

BACKGROUND

Children's age at implantation is an important factor for their outcome in auditory and language skills with a cochlear implant (CI). CI use and frequency of CI fitting may also influence speech performance. Purpose of this study was to evaluate CI use and CI fitting of very early implanted infants and its potential influence on age-related speech production performance.

METHODS

Data of 34 bilaterally cochlea-implanted infants (age at CI in months: M = 8,8; SD = 1,7) were included. During the third year of life speech production performance was evaluated and related to datalogging-based CI use and number of CI fitting sessions.

RESULTS

About half of the cohort achieved speech production level within the normal range of hearing peers. Daily time of CI use was approximately 8 h. Analysis of listening environment showed that infants were exposed most of the time to quiet environment and least amount of time to speech in noise. Daily time of CI use seems to be a significant predictor of speech production, speech-exposition particularly predicts word production. Number of daily disconnection between CI-processor and implant as well as the monthly number of CI fitting sessions were not correlated with speech production.

CONCLUSION

Very early cochlear implanted infants may achieve age-appropriate speech production performance in the third year of life. Time of daily CI use in the study cohort is comparable to results of other studies. Time of daily CI use and exposure to speech seem to be important factors for early speech production. These findings should be integrated in pre- and postoperative parent counselling.

SitkaNet: A low-cost, distributed sensor network for landslide monitoring and study

Landslides threaten the infrastructure and safety of communities. Soil conditions can predict landslide threat, but the cost and complexity of sensing systems for documenting hazardous conditions across a heterogeneous spatial area prevent widespread utilization. The SitkaNet system is a low-cost, easier to install alternative that allows for numerous sites to be monitored with real-time reporting and expands the accessibility of data-driven landslide forecasting. Using a combination of industry-proven sensors and cheaper alternatives, each SitkaNet node can measure the rainfall, six soil moisture sensors at varying depths, water table, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and temperature at each site for less than one-fifth the cost of existing solutions (<$1000/node). The SitkaNet nodes transmit data wirelessly at five-minute intervals over LoRa network to an Ethernet connected hub instead of more traditional on-site cellular or satellite methods. The node electronics are packaged with 3D printed components in a small waterproof case mounted on a hand-driven well-point utilized for the water level measurement. Each node is intended for operation for more than six months on a lithium-ion battery pack: no solar panel is needed, so amenable to low-light sites. The installation process is streamlined which allows for a node to be installed in less than a day compared to multi-day procedures required by other systems.

Low-cost and precise inline pressure sensor housing and DAQ for use in laboratory experiments

There are many applications for inline pressure sensors, including fluid flow experiments, sensor field deployments, pumps, and Internet of Things systems. We developed a low-cost (~US$56), open-source, customizable inline pressure sensor system with operational flexibility and simple data logging. Most pressure sensors are expensive, not customizable, specific to a single tubing size, provide only analog readings, have poor stability and precision, or are incomplete without a data logger. These issues limit the usefulness of such hardware. Our system addresses all of these concerns. The customizability of both the hardware and firmware (via options or code modification) allows for the device to be tailored easily to each application. Tubing diameter, adapter dimensions, sensor used, logging behavior, and integration with other systems can be configured with ease. Much of the practicality and configurability of the software and hardware arise from the use of our Loom code and ecosystem. We present experimental data for the flow of a viscous fluid between two parallel plates that shows that sudden changes in fluid properties are not always discernible in static images, but are detectable as pressure signals with our inline pressure sensor.

Healthy aging in elderly cochlear implant recipients: a multinational observational study

Background

Given an increase in the aging population and its impact on healthcare systems, policy makers for provision of health and social services are aiming to keep older adults in good health for longer, in other words towards ‘healthy aging’. Our study objective is to show that rehabilitation with cochlear implant treatment in the elderly with hearing impairment improves the overall health-related quality of life and general well-being that translate into healthy aging.

Methods

The multicentre, prospective, repeated measures, single-subject, clinical observational study will accrue 100 elderly, first-time, unilateral CI recipients (≥ 60 years) and analyze changes on specific measurement tools over ca. 20 months from preimplant to postimplant. Evaluations will consist of details collected through case history and interview questionnaires by clinicians, data logging, self-report questionnaires completed by the recipients and a series of commonly used audiometric measures and geriatric assessment tools. The primary indicator of changes in overall quality of life will be the HUI-3.

Discussion

The protocol is designed to make use of measurement tools that have already been applied to the hearing-impaired population in order to compare effects of CI rehabilitation in adults immediately before their implantation, (pre-implant) and after gaining 1–1.5 years of experience (post-implant). The broad approach will lead to a greater understanding of how useful hearing impacts the quality of life in elderly individuals, and thus improves potentials for healthy aging. Outcomes will be described and analyzed in detail.

Trial registration

This research has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/), 7 March 2017 under the n° NCT03072862.

Data logging variables and speech perception in prelingually deafened pediatric cochlear implant users

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship among objectively gathered data logging measurements, patient-related variables, and speech recognition performance of pediatric CI users.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Thirty-two prelingually implanted children who have the ability to perform word discrimination test were included in this study. To reveal the relationship between speech perception abilities and auditory exposure, seven data logging variables were analyzed: "on-air," "off-air," "coil-off," "speech," "speech in noise," "music" and "noise. In addition, implantation age (months) and CI usage duration (months) were taken into account. Finally, it was investigated the differences between unilateral, sequential bilateral, and simultaneous bilateral CI users in terms of all study variables.

RESULTS

The average on-air time ranged between 10.52 and 12.30 in the groups. In the case of sequential implantation, smaller on-air and higher coil off values were observed with the second CI. In the case of simultaneous bilateral implantation, data logging measurements were almost the same in both implants. WRS was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with on-air time (r = 0.62), coil-off count (r = -0.48), chronological age (r = 0.48), and CI duration (r = 0.44). Multiple linear regression model was fit to predict the WRS, with on-air time, CI duration, and chronological age as predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

The critical importance of early intervention and long-term use of CI is well-established in the literature and is also corroborated by our findings. However, the key findings of the present study are that consistent CI use and the quality of daily listening environment also exerted a major and positive effect on the speech recognition performance of pediatric CI users. Therefore, during the monitoring of pediatric CI recipients, it is important to know the device usage data in order to detect problems in the early stages after CI.

Outcomes for a clinically representative cohort of hearing-impaired adults using the Nucleus® CI532 cochlear implant

PURPOSE

Hearing performance data was collected from a large heterogeneous group of subjects implanted with the Cochlear™ Nucleus® CI532 with Slim Modiolar Electrode, for the purposes of postmarket clinical follow-up. Data was analysed for factors which may predict postoperative speech recognition scores.

METHODS

Data was collected retrospectively from five German clinics for 159 subjects from March 2017 to August 2018. Hearing thresholds and recognition scores for monosyllabic words in quiet and sentences in noise were measured preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

There was a mean gain of 44% points (95% CI 39-49%) at 6 months in monosyllable scores in quiet for implanted ears. Preoperative hearing thresholds in implant ears increased systematically with decreasing age; however, younger subjects had better baseline monosyllable scores with hearing aids compared with older subjects. Baseline performance alone explained 14% of the variation in postoperative scores. Residual hearing was preserved on average to within 22 dB at 250 Hz and 30 dB at 500 Hz of preoperative levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large and varied cohort of routinely treated hearing-impaired adults, speech recognition with the CI532 for German monosyllabic words in quiet at 6 months was equivalent to performance reported at one year or more in other published studies. Although younger subjects had poorer preoperative pure-tone thresholds, they had better preoperative word recognition scores compared with older subjects, and also had higher post implant scores. Further research is required to identify if this phenomenon is just applicable to German health system assessment and referral practices.

[Speech audiometry and data logging in CI patients : Implications for adequate test levels. German version]

BACKGROUND

As part of postoperative cochlear implant (CI) diagnostics, speech comprehension tests are performed to monitor audiological outcome. In recent years, a trend toward improved suprathreshold speech intelligibility in quiet and an extension of intelligibility to softer sounds has been observed. Parallel to audiometric data, analysis of the patients' acoustic environment can take place by means of data logging in modern CI systems.

OBJECTIVES

Which test levels reflect the individual listening environment in a relevant manner and how can these be reflected in a clinical audiometric setting?

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective analysis, data logs of 263 adult CI patients were evaluated for sound level and the listening situation (quiet, speech in quiet, noise, speech in noise, music, and wind). Additionally, monosyllabic word comprehension in quiet was analyzed in experienced CI users at presentation levels of 40-80 dB.

RESULTS

For the sound level in the acoustic environment of postlingually deafened adult CI users, data logging shows a maximum occurrence of speech signals in the range 50-59 dB. This demonstrates the relevance of everyday speech comprehension at levels below 60 dB.

CONCLUSIONS

Individual optimization of speech intelligibility with a CI speech processor should not be performed in the range of 65-70 dB only, but also at lower levels. Measurements at 50 dB currently seem to be a useful addition.

Speech processor data logging helps in predicting early linguistic outcomes in implanted children

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the value of listening-data logged in the speech processor on the prediction of the early auditory and linguistic skills in children who received a cochlear implant in their first 2 years of life.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective observational non-randomized study.

METHODS

Ten children with profound congenital sensorineural hearing loss were included in the study. The mean age at CI activation was 16.9 months (SD ± 7.2; range 10-24). The auditory skills were evaluated with the Infant Toddler Meaningful Inventory Scale and the Category of Auditory Performance. Lexical level was assessed with the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory. The overall data of average daily use and acoustic scene-analyses were extracted from Data Logging system. The effect of the one-year cumulative listening time to speech (in quiet) and speech-in-noise on the auditory and lexical scores was analysed.

RESULTS

A significant positive correlation was found between speech in quiet exposure time at low loudness level (<70 dB) and lexical quotient after one year of CI use. Infant Toddler Meaningful Inventory Scale was negatively correlated with the highest speech-in-noise loudness levels (>80 dB). The Category of Auditory Performance was not related to the logged data.

CONCLUSION

The listening environment can influence the early functional outcomes in younger implanted children. In this perspective, the data logging system is a promising tool in predicting early linguistic and auditory outcomes.

Clinicians' and Researchers' Perspectives on Manual Wheelchair Data Loggers

Recent studies have used data loggers to record a wide range of, sometimes differing, objective outcomes associated with the use of manual wheelchairs. To identify which outcomes are broadly perceived to be the most important to measure when objectively documenting manual wheelchair use, a cross-sectional survey was conducted with groups of researchers and clinicians in the field of wheeled mobility. We also surveyed the challenges these groups experienced when using data loggers. The survey was informed by a previous scoping review of the scientific and gray literature. Seventy-four people with various academic and professional backgrounds completed the survey: 57 researchers (77.0%) and 17 clinicians (23.0%). Regarding the importance they attributed to commonly measured outcomes, the most highly rated outcome identified by both groups was "distance traveled." There were significant differences between the groups' perspectives in rating and ranking the importance of "pressure-relief activities," "seat pressure," and "acceleration." In terms of challenges or barriers associated with the use of data loggers for monitoring manual wheelchair use, it appears that researchers and clinicians have relatively similar needs and preferences. However, only clinicians reported that the time they wanted to, or could, allocate to review recorded information was a potential hardship. Our hope is that these results will help further development and increase the functionality and applicability of data loggers for manual wheelchairs in research and clinical contexts.