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Peru faces substantial social and economic inequality. Rural communities experience social exclusion through the undervaluation of their cultural heritage and native languages, creating significant barriers to their personal and professional growth. Higher education scholarships aim to address this issue, yet educational institutions-typically based in urban areas-often present a disorienting environment for these students, affecting both their academic performance and overall experience. This study proposes an audiovisual literacy program for scholarship students at a private university in Peru, designed to enhance their identity and development within an urban setting. Findings suggest that such a program can foster positive change by reinforcing students' sense of identity, valuing their cultural heritage, and strengthening their connection to the university environment.

Argentine Law 26.522 on Audiovisual Communication Services recognized, among other things, the right to communication for indigenous peoples. The cases of three indigenous radio stations in northern Argentina reveal the limits and possibilities of this normative transformation and the challenges to indigenous media posed by the changes in communications policy since the 2015 change of government. La ley argentina 26.522 de Servicios de Comunicación Audiovisual reconoció, entre otras cuestiones, el derecho a la comunicación de los pueblos originarios. Los casos de tres emisoras de radio indígenas en el norte de Argentina revelan los límites y posibilidades de esta transformación normativa y los desafíos a los medios indígenas generados a partir de los cambios en política de comunicaciones desde el cambio de gobierno de 2015.

ABSTRACTStroke is the leading cause of long term disability in developed countries and one of the top causes of mortality worldwide. The past decade has seen substantial advances in the diagnostic and treatment options available to minimize the impact of acute ischemic stroke. The key first step in stroke care is early identification of patients with stroke and triage to centers capable of delivering the appropriate treatment, as fast as possible. Here, we review the data supporting pre-hospital and emergency stroke care, including use of emergency medical services protocols for identification of patients with stroke, intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke including updates to recommended patient eligibility criteria and treatment time windows, and advanced imaging techniques with automated interpretation to identify patients with large areas of brain at risk but without large completed infarcts who are likely to benefit from endovascular thrombectomy in extended time windows from symptom onset. We also review protocols for management of patient physiologic parameters to minimize infarct volumes and recent updates in secondary prevention recommendations including short term use of dual antiplatelet therapy to prevent recurrent stroke in the high risk period immediately after stroke. Finally, we discuss emerging therapies and questions for future research.

This paper presents a comparison of Bayesian Network ( BN ) and Bayesian Statistics ( BS ) modeling for QoE ( Quality of Experience ) estimation and prediction in multimedia communications, with special attention to prediction. As an example of the comparison, we employ a haptic-audiovisual interactive communication system with guaranteed bandwidth. The QoE measure adopted here is subjects’ overall satisfaction (average score) of performing an interactive task under conditions specified by combinations of the video guaranteed bandwidth, video encoding bit rate, receiver’s playout buffering time and gender of each subject. For BN modeling, we utilize an R package bnlearn and create a discrete BN model of a directed acyclic graph with four nodes corresponding to the four parameters. For BS modeling, we build (1) a Bayesian hierarchical regression model with covariates of the four parameters and random effect terms reflecting users’ individualities and gender, and (2) a Bayesian regression model without the random effect terms. The two BS models are analyzed by Markov chain Monte Carlo ( MCMC ) simulation with the software OpenBUGS . We then find that the BN and BS models provide approximately the same estimates of the QoE measure. Regarding the prediction, however, the BS model with random effect terms outperforms the BN model and BS model without random effect terms. We thus learn that the random effect terms enhance the ability of Bayesian approaches in QoE prediction.

El presente artículo académico analiza la creación y el funcionamiento del Registro Estatal de Prestadores del Servicio de Comunicación Audiovisual en España, introducido por la Ley 13/2022, de 7 de julio, General de Comunicación Audiovisual (LGCA), y su conexión con la Directiva (UE) 2018/1808 (AVMSD) y el Reglamento (UE) 2022/2065 (DSA). Se examina cómo este registro busca adaptarse al ecosistema digital convergente, incluyendo a los prestadores del servicio de intercambio de vídeos a través de plataforma (PIV) y a los usuarios de especial relevancia (UER). Se detallan sus fundamentos legales, el procedimiento de inscripción, las obligaciones de transparencia asociadas y el papel de los organismos supervisores como la Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC). Asimismo, se aborda el impacto del registro en la supervisión de plataformas y en la actividad de los UER, analizando los retos actuales y las perspectivas de futuro, especialmente en lo relativo a la autorregulación, la corregulación y la protección de los usuarios en el dinámico entorno digital.

The fundamental right to freedom of expression is inextricably linked to the right of all people to equal access to information. This right is enshrined in documents, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Spanish Constitution itself, which are basic pillars of a democratic society. With regard to television, accessibility is a particularly important issue due to its public service nature and its relevance as a factor of social inclusion. At present, however, the public service remit is the exclusive reserve of state television, while at the private channels economic interests prevail. It is precisely because of this factor that the focus here is placed on private television, with the aim of plotting a path that explains, in a contextualized manner, the origin, evolution, and current situation of accessibility of Spanish private television for people with disabilities. To this end, an analysis has been performed on the introduction of subtitles, audio descriptions, and sign language by the two private channels with the highest audience ratings and the longest track record in Spain, namely, Antena 3 and Telecinco. Thus, this study shows that the Audiovisual Communication Act (7/2010) has marked a turning point in the evolution of accessibility. Following the enactment of this legislation, there has been a genuine increase in accessible content, but the current state of affairs is still far from the universal access demanded by people with disabilities and the basic principles of democracy.

Abstract Social isolation may increase morbidity and mortality, particularly for aging adults. Research suggests that COVID-19 has significantly disrupted social networks, exacerbating isolation and risk. However, the extent of disruption and its implications for older adults and their essential contacts (ECs) is unknown. ECs, those who provide support/engagement to older adults, play a significant role in networks and help shape communication patterns. Understanding the effects of COVID-19 on social connectedness between ECs and older adults is vital to promoting their well-being. The purpose of this study was to investigate ECs' patterns of communication with adults aged 60+ during the COVID-19 pandemic , considering preferences, needs, and barriers. Self-identified ECs (N=546, Aged 19+, MAge=44.3±14.2) completed a Qualtrics survey via Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants were ECs for community-dwelling (CDECs=57.3%) and institutionalized adults (IECs=42.7%). In addition to likert-style questions, the survey included free-response sections, examining communication quality, frequency, and method. Content analysis was conducted independently by two reviewers, using inductive coding. Qualitative results revealed distanced communication was widely utilized. Audiovisual/video communication was more frequently noted as desirable by IECs (32.8%) than CDECs (11.85%). Further, preference for audiovisual communication negatively correlated to expression of COVID-19-related barriers (IECs=12.5%, CDECs=7.7%, (r(546)= -.128, p=.01). Comparisons suggested that IECs reported absence of in-person contact with older adults more frequently than CDECs (recent contact=Never: 51% and 13.4% respectively). This may support the utility of video-communication to meaningfully supplement connectedness in the absence of in-person contact. The experiences described can reveal avenues for loneliness interventions and may guide future technology innovations.

Abstract Disclosure: W.E. Lanik: None. A. Fingeret: None. B. Rose: None. A. Kotwal: None. A. Yuil-Valdes: None. A. Patel: None. W.S. Goldner: None. Introduction: Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is the preferred biopsy method for evaluation of thyroid nodules. Non-diagnostic and indeterminate biopsies impact patient care and healthcare cost. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) seeks to alleviate this burden and involves evaluation of thyroid material at the time of biopsy. ROSE improves FNA adequacy rates. In our retrospective study, we sought to determine if the adaption of ROSE + telecytopathology (ROSE/T) increased diagnostic biopsies and reduced rates of Bethesda III and IV. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 3,310 ultrasound-guided thyroid FNAs including no ROSE, ROSE, or ROSE/T from 2018 to 2022 was performed. When utilizing ROSE, thyroid biopsy specimens were assessed using conventional microscopy and interpreted by a cytotechnologist while ROSE/T utilized a synchronous audiovisual communication with a remote cytopathologist. Biopsy results were reported using the Bethesda classification system for reporting thyroid cytology. Non-diagnostic vs diagnostic rates and indeterminate rates (Bethesda III and IV) vs Bethesda II, V, and VI were analyzed. Results: Of the 3,310 cases, 275 (8.31%) were Bethesda I. There were 2,242 (67.73%) Bethesda II, 394 (11.90%) Bethesda III, 208 (6.28%) Bethesda IV, 80 (2.42%) Bethesda V, and 111 (3.35%) Bethesda VI. Distribution of cases was 314 (9.49%) without ROSE, 1,570 (47.43%) ROSE, and 1,426 (43.08%) ROSE/T. Non-diagnostic rates without ROSE were significantly higher at 43 (13.69%) vs ROSE and ROSE/T (p=0.0008), while no difference in diagnostic rates was observed between ROSE 129 (8.22%) and ROSE/T 103 (7.22%) (p=0.012). Indeterminate rates were 49 (18.08%) without ROSE, 262 (18.18%) with ROSE, and 291 (22.0%) with ROSE/T. Overall diagnostic FNAs significantly increased over time (p=0.0063), however there was no trend detected in indeterminate biopsies over time (p=0.1176). Discussion: Both types of ROSE allow for immediate feedback to the practitioner leading to further passes and increased diagnostic rates. The trend of diagnostic biopsies represents the increasing adoption of ROSE/T over time. Indeterminate rates were higher with ROSE/T, despite no increase in the indeterminate trend over time. These findings could represent the influence of academic dialogue between physicians at the time of biopsy promoting a personalized approach to each biopsy to improve diagnostic accuracy. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) people often face communication barriers that limit their access to crucial information. This study investigates which modalities deaf people used to gather information from various sources, and which factors predicted accessibility, satisfaction, and wellbeing. We report the findings from an accessible survey study, released in two written and three signed languages. Responses from 395 deaf/HoH UK and Spanish residents were collected online shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic breakout. We investigated whether the onset and Level of Deafness, knowledge of sign language, Residence, and self-assessed reading skill predicted the frequency with which they found accessible information, their satisfaction levels with the information accessed, and their physical and mental health. We found that most deaf/HoH people relied on subtitles to access information from the government and the news, but when signed information was available (i.e., from deaf organisations), SL was the preferred modality of access. Our main finding was that reading skill was a key predictor, with less skilled readers being at a disadvantage, less satisfied, and having lower health outcomes. Our findings advocate for facilitating more signed information, as well as releasing written information at appropriate reading levels and improving literacy programmes for deaf people.

Purpose: Communicating remotely using audio and audiovisual technology is ubiquitous in modern work and social environments. Remote communication is increasing in medicine and in voice therapy delivery, and this evolution may have an impact on speakers' voices. This study sought to determine whether these communication modalities impact the voice production of typical speakers. Method: The speech acoustics of 12 participants with healthy voices were recorded as they held standardized conversations with a single investigator using three communication modalities: in-person, remote-audio, and remote-audiovisual. Participants rated their vocal effort on a 100-mm visual analog scale. Results: Compared to in-person communication, self-ratings of vocal effort were statistically significantly increased for remote-audiovisual communication; vocal effort during remote-audio and in-person communication were not significantly different. In comparison to in-person communication, vocal intensity and smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) were statistically significantly higher during remote-audio and remote-audiovisual communication. Effect sizes for CPPS changes were larger than for sound pressure level (SPL), and changes in CPPS and SPL between in-person and remote-audiovisual communication were not significantly correlated. Conclusions: Vocal effort and SPL were increased when using remote-audio and remote-audiovisual communication in comparison to in-person communication. Voice quality was also impacted by technology use, with changes in CPPS that were consistent with, but not fully explained by, increases in SPL. This may impact the telepractice delivery of voice therapy, and further investigation is warranted.