Text-to-speech synthesis can be an empowering communication tool in the hands of the print-disabled or augmentative and alternative communication user. In an effort to improve the naturalness of synthesised speech – and thus enhance the communication experience – we apply the natural language processing tasks of part-of-speech tagging and chunking to the text in the synthesis process. We cover ...

Catatonia is a severe but treatable neuropsychiatric syndrome known since the middle of the nineteenth century. It has been considered for a long time as a subtype of schizophrenia, even though this association occurs only in 10% of cases. In contrast, it is frequently observed in bipolar patients. First-line treatment consists of benzodiazepines, while in case of resistance electroconvulsive t...

A computer model for simulating population dynamics of Lyctocoris campestris (F.), a predator of stored-product insects, was developed using data from the literature and newly collected data for adult longevity and fecundity. Immature development time and survival, adult longevity, fecundity, and cannibalism were simulated. The model was validated at ambient environmental conditions during thre...

Almost all people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experience a motor speech disorder, such as dysarthria, as the disease progresses. At some point, 80 to 95% of people with ALS are unable to meet their daily communication needs using natural speech. Unfortunately, once intelligibility begins to decrease, speech performance often deteriorates so rapidly that there is little time to impl...

Voice-output augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) aids play a leading role in the integration of people with speech impairments, but their cost is still a major obstacle preventing many potential users to benefit from this technology. This paper presents a prototype voice-output AAC aid based on general-purpose voice record/playback technology, where one of the major objectives to a...

Objectives: Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) provides a means of effective communication to individuals with severe impairments in speech comprehension production. The present study aimed examine the awareness Iranian Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) AAC services. Methods: In total, 111 SLPs who were selected by convenience sampling method participated this cross-sectional st...

Abstract People who use high-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) solutions still face restrictions in terms of practical utilization present AAC devices, especially when speech impairment is compounded with motor disabilities. This study aims to explore an effective way decode breathing patterns for by the means a breath activated dynamic air pressure detection system (DAPDS) ...