Effect of speech-stimulus degradation on phoneme-related potential.

Auditory evoked potential (AEP) has been used to evaluate the degree of hearing and speech cognition. Because AEP generates a very small voltage relative to ambient noise, a repetitive presentation of a stimulus, such as a tone, word, or short sentence, should be employed to generate ensemble averages over trials. However, the stimulation of repetitive short words and sentences may present an unnatural situation to a subject. Phoneme-related potentials (PRPs), which are evoked-responses to typical phonemic stimuli, can be extracted from electroencephalography (EEG) data in response to a continuous storybook. In this study, we investigated the effects of spectrally degraded speech stimuli on PRPs. The EEG data in response to the spectrally degraded and natural storybooks were recorded from normal listeners, and the PRP components for 10 vowels and 12 consonants were extracted. The PRP responses to a vocoded (spectrally-degraded) storybook showed a statistically significant lower peak amplitude and were prolonged compared with those of a natural storybook. The findings in this study suggest that PRPs can be considered a potential tool to evaluate hearing and speech cognition as other AEPs. Moreover, PRPs can provide the details of phonological processing and phonemic awareness to understand poor speech intelligibility. Further investigation with the hearing impaired is required prior to clinical application.

Influence of Sociodemographic Factors, Health Conditions, and Activity on Participation in People With Spinal Cord Injury in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the causal relationship between sociodemographic factors, health conditions, and activities that influence the participation of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) using International Spinal Cord Injury (InSCI) Survey data and to investigate the moderation effects of environmental restrictions and health care system concerns. DESIGN: Cross-sectional community survey and structural equation model. SETTING: SCI databases of the Korea National Rehabilitation Center and Korea Spinal Cord Injury Association. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling adults (N=890) with SCI. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The InSCI questionnaire domains included sociodemographic factors, health conditions, activity, participation, environmental restrictions, and health system concerns. Sociodemographic factors included age, education, and income. Health conditions included bowel dysfunction, respiratory problems, and pain, among others. Activity included "daily routine" and "using hands," among others. Participation included "interacting with people" and "intimate relationships," among others. Environmental restrictions included "public places" and "negative attitudes," among others. Health care system concerns included "nursing care" and "experience of being treated," among others. RESULTS: The hypothesis that health conditions would have a significant effect on activity was supported because 51% of the total variance in activity factors was explained by health condition factors. The hypothesis that activity would have a significant effect on participation was also supported because 63.4% of total variance in participation factors was explained by activity factors. The moderation effect tests supported the hypotheses that health conditions, activity, and participation would differ depending on the extent of environmental restrictions as well as the extent of health system concerns. CONCLUSIONS: When formulating policies and recommendations to promote the participation of people with SCI living in the South Korean community, the influence of environmental restrictions and health systems as well as the causal influence of health conditions and activity should be considered.

Immediate effect of insoles on balance in older adults.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, fall prevention in older adults has received considerable attention in healthcare. Among many interventions, insoles are considered cost-effective and easily adopted tools to improve balance in older people. Numerous studies have verified the immediate effects of insoles on balance in older adults. However, there is still lack of consensus regarding the immediate benefits of using insoles on balance improvement. RESEARCH QUESTION: Given this, a meta-analysis was conducted to provide more conclusive evidence about the immediate effect of insoles on balance in older adults and answer the question: "Do insoles influence balance in older people?" METHODS: PubMed, NDSL, Medline, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched from March to August 2018. The key terms were "insole", "elderly", "gait", "balance", "shoe", "foot", and "postural". Finally, seven primary studies were selected for this meta-analysis. The balance related outcomes were coded to compute effect sizes and the overall effect size of the standardized mean differences was analyzed. Moderating variables included kinematic variables of balance, static and dynamic balance, and type of insole. RESULTS: The overall effect size of insoles was medium (d = 0.618), which suggests that insoles are beneficial for older adults for improving balance. More specifically, this study revealed that textured and vibration insoles were the most effective types of insoles. SIGNIFICANCE: This finding supports the idea that augmented tactile and mechanical sensory input from insoles can enhance the postural control mechanisms in older adults with age-related deterioration of sensory mechanisms. The use of insoles may lead to a reduction in the rate of falls which are related to decreased quality of life in older adults.

Block and Random Practice: A Wii Fit Dynamic Balance Training in Older Adults.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of blocked and random practice schedules of balance training in dynamic balance abilities of older adults using Wii Fit balance game tasks. Method: Forty-one participants who were not receiving hospice care or living in a nursing home participated. Three Wii Fit balance tasks (tasks A, B, and C) were selected for training, and one task (task D) was selected as the transfer test among the nine tasks in the Wii Fit balance game software. Scores for tasks A and D were evaluated. Completion times for tasks B and C were evaluated. Moved distance for the functional reach test (FRT), completion time for the timed up and go test (TUG), and performance score for the Tinetti performance-oriented mobility assessment (POMA) were also tested as clinical balance assessment outcomes. Results: The training significantly improved the performance outcomes of clinical balance assessments and task D. There were no significant group × time interaction effects and no significant main effects by group during the acquisition and retention periods of tasks A, B, and C. However, significant main effects by time were observed for tasks A, B, and C. Conclusions: When dynamic balance training such as the Wii Fit balance system is administered to older adults in a clinical setting, either a block or a random practice schedule can be effectively used to improve the dynamic balance skills. Wii Fit-based balance training is clinically effective for improving the dynamic balance ability.

Functionalized Sulfide Solid Electrolyte with Air-Stable and Chemical-Resistant Oxysulfide Nanolayer for All-Solid-State Batteries.

Sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) with high Li-ion conductivities (σion) and soft mechanical properties have limited applications in wet casting processes for commercial all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) because of their inherent atmospheric and chemical instabilities. In this study, we fabricated sulfide SEs with a novel core-shell structure via environmental mechanical alloying, while providing sufficient control of the partial pressure of oxygen. This powder possesses notable atmospheric stability and chemical resistance because it is covered with a stable oxysulfide nanolayer that prevents deterioration of the bulk region. The core-shell SEs showed a σion of more than 2.50 mS cm-1 after air exposure (for 30 min) and reaction with slurry chemicals (mixing and drying for 31 min), which was approximately 82.8% of the initial σion. The ASSB cell fabricated through wet casting provided an initial discharge capacity of 125.6 mAh g-1. The core-shell SEs thus exhibited improved powder stability and reliability in the presence of chemicals used in various wet casting processes for commercial ASSBs.

Superionic Halogen-Rich Li-Argyrodites Using In Situ Nanocrystal Nucleation and Rapid Crystal Growth.

Although several crystalline materials have been developed as Li-ion conductors for use as solid electrolytes in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), producing materials with high Li-ion conductivities is time-consuming and cost-intensive. Herein, we introduce a superionic halogen-rich Li-argyrodite (HRLA) and demonstrate its innovative synthesis using ultimate-energy mechanical alloying (UMA) and rapid thermal annealing (RTA). UMA with a 49 G-force milling energy provides a one-pot process that includes mixing, glassification, and crystallization, to produce as-milled HRLA powder that is ∼70% crystallized; subsequent RTA using an infrared lamp increases this crystallinity to ∼82% within 25 min. Surprisingly, this HRLA exhibits the highest Li-ion conductivity among Li-argyrodites (10.2 mS cm-1 at 25 °C, cold-pressed powder compact) reported so far. Furthermore, we confirm that this superionic HRLA works well as a promising solid electrolyte without a decreased intrinsic electrochemical window in various electrode configurations and delivers impressive cell performance (114.2 mAh g-1 at 0.5 C).

Electrochemical behaviors of Li-argyrodite-based all-solid-state batteries under deep-freezing conditions.

We probe the electrochemical performance of Li-argyrodite-based all-solid-state batteries under deep-freezing conditions (-30 °C) using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The performance deterioration is mainly caused by the increased interfacial resistances of electrolyte and active materials resulting from the slow kinetics of Li-ion transport in solid materials at low temperatures.

Quantitative Analysis of Microstructures and Reaction Interfaces on Composite Cathodes in All-Solid-State Batteries Using a Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Technique.

The composite cathode of an all-solid-state battery composed of various solid-state components requires a dense microstructure and a highly percolated solid-state interface different from that of a conventional liquid-electrolyte-based Li-ion battery. Indeed, the preparation of such a system is particularly challenging. In this study, quantitative analyses of composite cathodes by three-dimensional reconstruction analysis were performed beyond the existing qualitative analysis, and their microstructures and reaction interfaces were successfully analyzed. Interestingly, various quantitative values of structure properties (such as the volume ratio, connectivity, tortuosity, and pore formation) associated with material optimization and process development were predicted, and they were found to result in limited electrochemical charge/discharge performances. We also verified that the effective two-phase boundaries were significantly suppressed to ∼23% of the total volume because of component dispersion and packing issues.

NF-kappaB activation in hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin neurons is essential in illness- and leptin-induced anorexia.

Anorexia and weight loss are prevalent in infectious diseases. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena, we established animal models of infection-associated anorexia by administrating bacterial and viral products, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and human immunodeficiency virus-1 transactivator protein (Tat). In these models, we found that the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), a pivotal transcription factor for inflammation-related proteins, was activated in the hypothalamus. In parallel, administration of LPS and Tat increased hypothalamic pro-inflammatory cytokine production, which was abrogated by inhibition of hypothalamic NF-kappaB. In vitro, NF-kappaB activation directly stimulated the transcriptional activity of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), a precursor of anorexigenic melanocortin, and mediated the stimulatory effects of LPS, Tat, and pro-inflammatory cytokines on POMC transcription, implying the involvement of NF-kappaB in controlling feeding behavior. Consistently, hypothalamic injection of LPS and Tat caused a significant reduction in food intake and body weight, which was prevented by blockade of NF-kappaB and melanocortin. Furthermore, disruption of I kappaB kinase-beta, an upstream kinase of NF-kappaB, in POMC neurons attenuated LPS- and Tat-induced anorexia. These findings suggest that infection-associated anorexia and weight loss are mediated via NF-kappaB activation in hypothalamic POMC neurons. In addition, hypothalamic NF-kappaB was activated by leptin, an important anorexigenic hormone, and mediates leptin-stimulated POMC transcription, indicating that hypothalamic NF-kappaB also serves as a downstream signaling pathway of leptin.

Does the mitral annulus shrink or enlarge during systole? A real-time 3D echocardiography study.

This study was conducted to explore the geometrical changes of the mitral annulus during systole. The 3D shape of the mitral annulus was reconstructed in 13 normal subjects who had normal structure of the mitral apparatus using real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) and 3D computer software. The two orthogonal (antero-posterior and commissure-commissure) dimensions, the areas (2D projected and 3D surface) and the non-planarity of the mitral annulus were estimated during early, mid and late systole. We demonstrated that the MA had a "saddle shape" appearance and it consistently enlarged mainly in the antero-posterior direction from early to late systole with lessening of its non-planarity, as was determined by 3D reconstruction using RT3DE and 3D computer software.

3D geometry of a normal tricuspid annulus during systole: a comparison study with the mitral annulus using real-time 3D echocardiography.

AIM: This study was done to explore the 3D geometry of the normal tricuspid annulus and compare it with the mitral annulus (MA), using real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) and newly developed 3D computer software. METHODS: Thirteen left ventricular (LV) and 13 right ventricular (RV) volumetric images were obtained using RT3DE from normal subjects. LV and RV volumetric data were segmented into 16 rotational apical planes (angle increment=11.25 degrees ) around the rotational axis from the apex through the center of two annuli, using newly developed 3D software (TomTec, Co., Munich, Germany). Two hinge points of the MA and the TA were traced in each plane during early and late systole. The MA and the TA were then automatically reconstructed with those 32 traced points. 3D surface (3DMAA, 3DTAA) and 2D projected areas (2DMAA, 2DTAA) of the annuli were calculated automatically as well, from those fitted data. For a comparison between the two annuli, the 3D and 2D area measurements of both annuli were corrected (c) according to the height of each patient (c2DMAA, c2DTAA, c3DMAA, and c3DTAA). Non-planarity of the annuli was estimated by their non-planar angles (MA: the angle between the anterior and posterior parts of the annulus; TA: the angle between the septal and free wall parts of the annulus). RESULTS: The TA revealed a less non-planar saddle shape than did the MA, which had a significantly wider non-planar angle (167.7+/-3.2 vs 145.5+/-6.1 degrees , p<0.01) and a round or oval appearance on the projected view. The c2DTAA was significantly larger than the c2DMAA during early systole (p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the c3DTAA and c3DMAA during early and late systole (p>0.01). CONCLUSION: We assessed the 3D geometry of the MA and the TA by 3D reconstruction using RT3DE and newly developed computer software. The TA had a less non-planar shape compared with the MA, with either a round or oval appearance on the projected view.

Assessment of left ventricular asynchrony using volume-time curves of 16 segments by real-time 3 dimensional echocardiography: comparison with tissue Doppler imaging.

BACKGROUND: Recent technical developments with high-resolution real-time 3 dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) facilitate the acquisition of high quality images and the analysis of segmental volume-time curves (VTCs). AIMS: To assess left ventricular (LV) asynchrony using the VTCs of 16 segments by RT3DE, and to evaluate accuracy compared to tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). METHODS: Twenty-three heart failure (HF) patients (LVEF: 25+/-6%, age: 60+/-13 years) and 16 normal controls underwent TDI and RT3DE. The standard deviation (SD3) of the end systolic time reaching minimal systolic volume for the 16 segments on VTCs was obtained by RT3DE. The standard deviation (SD2) of the electromechanical coupling time for the 8 segments was measured using TDI. RESULTS: SD3 was markedly higher in HF patients than in controls (7.7+/-2.5 vs 1.5+/-1.0%, P<0.01) and increased as LVEF decreased (r=-0.85, P<0.01). SD2 was also significantly higher in HF patients (27.0+/-8.6 vs 12.6+/-5.0 ms, P<0.01) and had a good negative correlation with LVEF (r=-0.72, P<0.01). SD3 was well correlated to SD2 (r=0.66, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that analysis of VTCs in 16 segments using RT3DE may be a useful alternative to TDI for the evaluation of LV asynchrony.