Do different types of cochlear implant electrode influence hearing preservation and speech perception?

BACKGROUND: Hearing can be preserved in patients with considerable low-frequency hearing implanted with cochlear implants. However, the most favorable electrode type for hearing preservation and speech perception has been debated. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate hearing preservation and speech discrimination one year post-implantation for all types of cochlear implant electrode used for adult patients implanted between 2014 and 2022. METHODS: The HEARING group formula was used to calculate the degree of hearing preservation, which was defined as minimal (0-25%), partial (25-75%) or complete (≥ 75%). Speech perception was measured by monosyllabic words. RESULTS: Analysis of hearing preservation for the various electrode types revealed that FLEX 24 preserved hearing statistically significantly better (p < 0.05) than FLEX 28, FLEX soft, and contour advance. Also, FLEX 20 preserved hearing statistically significantly better (p < 0.05) than contour advance. No statistically significant difference was found for the monosyllabic word score for the different electrode types. DISCUSSION: There was a statistically significant difference between the electrode types in terms of hearing preservation but not for speech perception. The result of this study contributes important information about hearing preservation and speech perception that can be used for pre-surgery patient counselling.

Metformin represses the carcinogenesis potentially induced by 50 Hz magnetic fields in aged mouse fibroblasts via inhibition of NF-kB.

Aging is a risk factor for various human disorders, including cancer. Current literature advocates that the primary principles of aging depend on the endogenous stress-induced DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species 50 Hz low-frequency magnetic field was suggested to induce DNA damage and chromosomal instability. NF-kB, activated by DNA damage, is upregulated in age-related cancers and inhibition of NF-kB results in aging-related delayed pathologies. Metformin (Met), an NF-kB inhibitor, significantly reduces both NF-kB activation and expression in aging and cancer. This in vitro study, therefore, was set out to assess the effects of 5mT MF in 50 Hz frequency and Met treatment on the viability and proliferation of aged mouse NIH/3T3 fibroblasts and expression of RELA/p65, matrix metalloproteinases MMP2 and MMP9, and E-cadherin (CDH1) genes. The trypan blue exclusion assay was used to determine cell viability and the BrdU incorporation assay to determine cell proliferation. The MMP-2/9 protein analysis was carried out by immunocytochemistry, NF-kB activity by ELISA and the expressions of targeted genes by qRT-PCR methods. Four doses of Met (500 uM, 1 mM, 2 mM and 10 mM) suppressed both the proliferation and viability of fibroblasts exposed to the MF in a dose-dependent pattern, and the peak inhibition was recorded at the 10 mM dose. Met reduced the expression of NF-kB, and MMP2/9, elevated CDH1 expression and suppressed NF-kB activity. These findings suggest that Met treatment suppresses the carcinogenic potential of 50 Hz MFs in aged mouse fibroblasts, possibly through modulation of NF-kB activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition modulation.

Ultra-efficient Heat Transport across a "2.5D" All-carbon sp2/sp3 Hybrid Interface.

Single- and few-layer graphene-based thermal interface materials (TIMs) with extraordinary high-temperature resistance and ultra-high thermal conductivity are very essential to develop the next-generation integrated circuits. However, the function of the as-prepared graphene-based TIMs would undergo severe degradation when being transferred to chips, as the interface between the TIMs and chips possesses a very small interfacial thermal conductance. Here, a "2.5D" all-carbon interface containing rich covalent bonding, namely a sp2/sp3 hybrid interfaces is designed and realized by a plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition with a function of ultra-rapid quenching. The interfacial thermal conductance of the 2.5D interface is excitingly very high, up to 110-117 MWm-2K-1 at graphene thickness of 12-25 nm, which is even more than 30% higher than various metal/diamond contacts, and orders of magnitude higher than the existing all-carbon contacts. Atomic-level simulation confirm the key role of the efficient heat conduction via covalent C-C bonds, and reveal that the covalent-based heat transport could contribute 85% to the total interfacial conduction at a hybridization degree of 22 at%. This study provides an efficient strategy to design and construct 2.5D all-carbon interfaces, which can be used to develop high performance all-carbon devices and circuits.

Structural and functional whole brain changes in autism spectrum disorder at different age stages.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder involving regional changes and local neural disturbances. However, few studies have investigated the dysfunctional phenomenon across different age stages. This study explores the structural and functional brain changes across different developmental stages in individuals with ASD, focusing on childhood (6-12 years), adolescence (12-18 years), and adulthood (18 + years). Using a comprehensive set of neuroimaging metrics, including modulated and non-modulated voxel-based morphometry (VBM), regional homogeneity (ReHo), amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), and fractional ALFF (fALFF), we identified significant stage-specific alterations in both VBM and functional measurements. Our results reveal that ASD is associated with progressive and stage-specific abnormalities in brain structure and function, with distinct patterns emerging at each developmental stage. Specifically, we observed significant modulated VBM reductions in the precuneus, lentiform nucleus, and inferior parietal lobule, accompanied by increases in the midbrain and sub-gyral regions. Moreover, we observed unmodulated VBM increment in regions including lentiform nucleus and thalamus. Functionally, ReHo analyses demonstrated disrupted local synchronization in the medial frontal gyrus, while ALFF and fALFF metrics highlighted altered spontaneous brain activity in the sub-gyral and sub-lobar. Finally, correlation analyses revealed that stage-specific findings are closely linked to clinical social- and behavior-related scores, with VBM in the inferior parietal lobule and putamen as well as ReHo in supplemental motor area being significantly associated with restrictive repetitive behaviors in childhood. These findings underscore the importance of considering age-specific brain changes when studying ASD and suggest that targeted interventions may be necessary at different developmental stages.

Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field (ELF-EMF) Increases Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain Activities and Ameliorates Depressive Behaviors in Mice.

Compromised mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) activities are associated with depression in humans and rodents. However, the effects of the enhancement of mitochondrial ETC activities on depression remain elusive. We recently reported that an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) of as low as 10 µT induced hormetic activation of mitochondrial ETC complexes in human/mouse cultured cells and mouse livers. Chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) for 10 consecutive days caused behavioral defects mimicking depression in mice, and using an ELF-EMF for two to six weeks ameliorated them. CSDS variably decreased the mitochondrial ETC proteins in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in 10 days, which were increased by an ELF-EMF in six weeks. CSDS had no effect on the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate in the PFC in 10 days, but using an ELF-EMF for six weeks enhanced it. CSDS inactivated SOD2 by enhancing its acetylation and increased lipid peroxidation in the PFC. In contrast, the ELF-EMF activated the Sirt3-FoxO3a-SOD2 pathway and suppressed lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, CSDS increased markers for mitophagy, which was suppressed by the ELF-EMF in six weeks. The ELF-EMF exerted beneficial hormetic effects on mitochondrial energy production, mitochondrial antioxidation, and mitochondrial dynamics in a mouse model of depression. We envisage that an ELF-EMF is a promising therapeutic option for depression.

The presence of drum and bass modulates responses in the auditory dorsal pathway and mirror-related regions to pop songs.

In pop music, drum and bass components are crucial for generating the desire to move one's body, primarily due to their role in delivering salient metrical cues. This study explored how the presence of drum and bass influences neural responses to unfamiliar pop songs. Using AI-based algorithms, we isolated the drum and bass components from the musical excerpts, creating two additional versions: one that included only the drum and bass (excluding vocals and other instruments), and another that excluded the drum and bass (consisting solely of vocals and other instruments). Twenty-five participants were subjected to fMRI scans while listening to these musical stimuli. Analysis of fMRI data indicated that the removal of drum and bass led to increased activity in the auditory dorsal pathway, suggesting that the absence of these metrical cues demands greater cognitive effort to process the beats. In contrast, the version featuring only drum and bass elicited stronger activation in frontal regions associated with mirror properties, including the right ventral premotor cortex (extending into the inferior frontal gyrus) and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, compared to the original version. Overall, this study contributed insights into the foundational role of drum and bass in imparting metrical salience to pop songs, enriching our understanding of listeners' sensorimotor processing of musical genres that prominently feature these two elements.

Alterations of regional brain activity and corresponding brain circuits in drug-naïve adolescents with nonsuicidal self-injury.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is one of the major public health problems endangering adolescents. However, the neural mechanisms of NSSI is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore regional brain activity and corresponding brain circuits in drug-naïve adolescents with NSSI using amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) combined with functional connectivity (FC) analysis. Thirty-two drug-naïve adolescents with NSSI (NSSI group) and 29 healthy controls matched for sex, age, and level of education (HC group) were enrolled in this study. ALFF and seed-based FC analyses were used to examine the alterations in regional brain activity and corresponding brain circuits. The correlation between ALFF or FC values of aberrant brain regions and clinical characteristics were detected by Pearson correlation analysis. The NSSI group showed increased ALFF in the left inferior and middle occipital gyri, lingual gyrus, and fusiform gyrus; additionally, decreased ALFF in the right medial cingulate gyrus, left anterior cingulate gyrus, and left medial superior frontal gyrus compared to those in the HC group. With the left inferior occipital gyrus as seed, the NSSI group showed increased FC between the left inferior occipital gyrus and the bilateral superior parietal gyrus, right inferior parietal angular gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus of the insular region, and left precuneus relative to that the HC group. With the left anterior cingulate gyrus as seed, the NSSI group showed increased FC between the left anterior cingulate gyrus and right dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus. With the left lingual gyrus as seed, the NSSI group showed increased FC between the left lingual gyrus and right middle frontal gyrus, and decreased FC between the left lingual gyrus and the left superior temporal gyrus, right supplementary motor area, and left rolandic operculum. With the left fusiform gyrus as seed, the NSSI group showed increased FC between the left fusiform gyrus and left middle and inferior temporal gyrus, and decreased FC between the left fusiform gyrus and the bilateral postcentral gyrus, right precentral gyrus, right lingual gyrus, and left inferior parietal angular gyrus. Moreover, the FC value between the left fusiform gyrus and left inferior temporal gyrus was positively correlated with suicidal ideations score. This study highlights alterations in regional brain activity and corresponding brain circuits in brain regions related to visual and emotional regulation functions in drug-naïve adolescents with NSSI. These findings may facilitate better understand the underlying neural mechanisms of NSSI in adolescents.

Guidelines for Rigorous and Reproducible Research on Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder: Commentary on Dang et al. (2024).

Dang et al.'s review concludes that atypical anorexia nervosa (atypical AN), purging disorder (PD), and night eating syndrome (NES) are clinically significant and severe eating disorders (EDs). However, findings are unlikely to alter their status in future editions of the DSM due to limitations in the literature to date. Guidelines are offered to promote rigorous and reproducible research on other specified feeding or eating disorder OSFED. First, published research diagnostic criteria for atypical AN, PD, and NES should be consistently used to ensure findings across studies reflect the same conditions. Second, operational definitions are recommended for "recurrent" as at least twice within a 3-month period, minimum duration as at least 1 month, and "significant weight loss" as >5% BMI reduction within 1 month. Third, Thomas's and Gydus's trumping scheme for differential diagnosis of OSFED subcategories is endorsed but should prioritize identifying treatment targets based on medical morbidity over mirroring existing diagnostic algorithms. Fourth, a systematic approach for establishing clinical significance is recommended that explicitly notes medical risk associated with malnutrition, purging and nonpurging behaviors, and relevance of marked distress related to binge eating and body image disturbance. Adoption of these guidelines will facilitate necessary research on clinical utility.

Nonlinear seismic response analysis of long-span railway cable-stayed bridges crossing strike-slip faults.

Active faults along railways in the mountainous regions of western China pose significant challenges to bridge safety. To ensure the safe operation of long-span railway bridges under complex geological conditions, this study investigates the synthesis of artificial ground motions for bridges crossing strike-slip faults and analyzes their nonlinear seismic response. First, we develop a theoretical method for simulating high- and low-frequency seismic motions using a finite fault and an equivalent velocity pulse model. Next, using a specific long-span railway cable-stayed bridge as a case study, we construct a nonlinear finite element model with OpenSees software. Finally, we assess the seismic response of key bridge components considering various crossing angles, seismic amplitudes, fault rupture directivity, and fling-step effects. The results show that the crossing angle significantly influences the seismic response, with longitudinal and transverse responses exhibiting opposite patterns. Additionally, the scaling factor of seismic motion significantly affects bridge response. For bridges crossing strike-slip faults, the longitudinal response exhibits a sudden increase in displacement due to instantaneous velocity pulses, while the transverse response shows notable residual displacement influenced by the fling-step effect. However, the critical section curvatures of bridge towers and piers remain within the elastic range across all crossing angles, indicating that controlling large displacement deformations is crucial for the seismic design of bridges crossing strike-slip faults.

Low frequency-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture improves post-stroke cognitive impairment and has better clinical efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Enhancing post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a key aspect of prognosis for stroke patients. Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) is currently a widely utilised method for treating PSCI. With the increasing promotion of traditional Chinese medicine, Xingnao Kaiqiao (XNKQ) acupuncture has been progressively incorporated into clinical treatment. This paper observes the effect of LF-rTMS with XNKQ acupuncture on patients with PSCI. METHODS: Totally, 192 patients with PSCI were consecutively recruited and treated either with LF-rTMS and XNKQ acupuncture (observation group) or LF-rTMS only (control group) for 4 weeks. The pre- and post-treatment Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores, P300 latency and amplitude, inflammatory factor levels were compared and clinical efficacy was assessed. RESULTS: Both groups exhibited increased MMSE/MoCA scores, and P300 amplitude, and shortened P300 latency, and the observation group had higher scores and P300 amplitude, and shorter P300 latency than the control group. Both groups displayed decreased inflammatory factor levels (Tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-1ß) after treatment, which were lower in the observation group than the control group. Inflammatory factor levels in PSCI patients were negatively interrelated with MMSE, MoCA score and P300 amplitude, and positively with P300 latency. The observation group showed an increased number of patients showing cured and significantly effective results, a decreased number of patients showing effective and invalid results, and an observably elevated total effective rate. CONCLUSION: LF-rTMS with XNKQ acupuncture can improve cognitive function and reduce inflammatory immune response, and has better clinical efficacy in PSCI patients.

Differential Resting-State Brain Characteristics of Skeleton Athletes and Non-Athletes: A Preliminary Resting-State fMRI Study.

(1) Background: This study investigates the resting-state brain characteristics of skeleton athletes compared to healthy age-matched non-athletes, using resting-state fMRI to investigate long-term skeleton-training-related changes in the brain. (2) Methods: Eleven skeleton athletes and twenty-three matched novices with no prior experience with skeleton were recruited. Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and seed-based functional connectivity analyses were explored to investigate resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data, aiming to elucidate differences in resting-state brain function between the two groups. (3) Results: Compared to the control group, skeleton athletes exhibited significantly higher ALFF in the left fusiform, left inferior temporal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, left and right insula, left Rolandic operculum, left inferior frontal gyrus, and left superior temporal gyrus. Skeleton athletes exhibit stronger functional connectivity in brain regions associated with cognitive and motor control (superior frontal gyrus, insula), as well as those related to reward learning (putamen), visual processing (precuneus), spatial cognition (inferior parietal), and emotional processing (amygdala), during resting-state brain function. (4) Conclusions: The study contributes to understanding how motor training history shapes skeleton athletes' brains, which have distinct neural characteristics compared to the control population, indicating potential adaptations in brain function related to their specialized training and expertise in the sport.

A Highly Linear Ultra-Low-Area-and-Power CMOS Voltage-Controlled Oscillator for Autonomous Microsystems.

Voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) can be an excellent means of converting a magnitude into a readable value. However, their design becomes a real challenge for power-and-area-constrained applications, especially when a linear response is required. This paper presents a VCO for smart dust systems fabricated by 65 nm technology. It is designed to minimize leakage, limit high peak currents and provide an output whose frequency variation is linear with the input voltage, while allowing rail-to-rail input range swing. The oscillator occupies 592 µm2, operates in a frequency range from 43 to 53 Hz and consumes a maximum average power of 210 pW at a supply voltage of 1 V and 4 pW at 0.3 V. In addition, the proposed VCO exhibits a quasi-linear response of frequency vs. supply voltage and temperature, allowing easy temperature compensation with complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) voltage.

Exploring spontaneous brain activity changes in high-altitude smokers: Insights from ALFF/fALFF analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to explore the impact of smoking on intrinsic brain activity among high-altitude (HA) populations. Smoking is associated with various neural alterations, but it remains unclear whether smokers in HA environments exhibit specific neural characteristics. METHODS: We employed ALFF and fALFF methods across different frequency bands to investigate differences in brain functional activity between high-altitude smokers and non-smokers. 31 smokers and 31 non-smokers from HA regions participated, undergoing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scans. ALFF/fALFF values were compared between the two groups. Correlation analyses explored relationships between brain activity and clinical data. RESULTS: Smokers showed increased ALFF values in the right superior frontal gyrus (R-SFG), right middle frontal gyrus (R-MFG), right anterior cingulate cortex (R-ACC), right inferior frontal gyrus (R-IFG), right superior/medial frontal gyrus (R-MSFG), and left SFG compared to non-smokers in HA. In sub-frequency bands (0.01-0.027 Hz and 0.027-0.073 Hz), smokers showed increased ALFF values in R-SFG, R-MFG, right middle cingulate cortex (R-MCC), R-MSFG, Right precentral gyrus and L-SFG while decreased fALFF values were noted in the right postcentral and precentral gyrus in the 0.01-0.027 Hz band. Negative correlations were found between ALFF values in the R-SFG and smoking years. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals the neural characteristics of smokers in high-altitude environments, highlighting the potential impact of smoking on brain function. These results provide new insights into the neural mechanisms of high-altitude smoking addiction and may inform the development of relevant intervention measures.

Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio as an Indicator of Brain Activity Changes in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Resting-State fMRI Study.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for alterations in brain function. However, detecting early-stage symptoms and structural changes remains challenging, potentially leading to delayed treatment. In our study, we aimed to investigate spontaneous brain activity changes in CKD patients using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Additionally, we explored the correlation between common biomarkers reflecting CKD severity and brain activity. METHODS: We recruited a cohort of 22 non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients and 22 controls for resting-state fMRI scans. Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFFs) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) were calculated to evaluate brain activity. Regression analysis was conducted to explore the correlations between biomarkers reflecting the severity of CKD and brain activity. RESULTS: CKD patients exhibited reduced z-scored ALFF (zALFF) and mean ALFF (mALFF) in the bilateral putamen, right caudate nucleus, left anterior cingulate, and right precuneus. Changes in bilateral putamen were also found in smCohe-ReHo and szCohe-ReHo analyses. Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR), and serum albumin levels were associated with attenuated putamen activity. CONCLUSION: Non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients had changes in zALFF, mALFF, smCohe-ReHo, and szCohe-ReHo values in specific brain regions, especially bilateral putamen. UACR, UPCR, and serum albumin levels are associated with putamen activity attenuation in rs-fMRI.

Low-frequency rTMS Plays a Neuroprotective role in Pilocarpine-induced Status Epilepticus Rat Models Through the AMPAR GluA1-STIM-Ca2+ Pathway.

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) refers to the stimulation of the brain using repetitive magnetic field pulses at a low frequency (≤ 1 Hz) to reduce seizures. Currently, the mechanism is not well understood. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) and were then stimulated with low-frequency rTMS. An epilepsy cell model was then established by incubating rat hippocampal neurons with Mg2+-free extracellular fluids. The effects of the low-frequency rTMS on epileptogenesis and hippocampal neuron injury were evaluated using a video electroencephalogram (vEEG) and Nissl staining, and the expression of AMPAR GluA1 and STIM in the hippocampus and hippocampal neurons was assessed using western blot and immunofluorescence. Additionally, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using flow cytometry. Low-frequency rTMS attenuated spontaneous recurrent seizures in rats with epilepsy, with the SE group exhibiting a higher incidence (100%) and frequency (3.00 ± 0.18 times/day) than the SE + 0.3 (50% incidence, 0.06 ± 0.03 times/day), SE + 0.5 (0.20 ± 0.02 times/day) and SE + 1 Hz (1.02 ± 0.05 times/day) groups. Additionally, rTMS reduced the damage and apoptosis of hippocampal pyramidal neurons, increasing their numbers in the CA1 and CA3 regions. Furthermore, AMPAR GluA1 and STIM expression were upregulated in the hippocampus when using rTMS, reversing the downregulation caused by seizures. Immunofluorescence verified the increased fluorescence intensity of AMPAR GluA1 and STIM. Moreover, rTMS inhibited Ca2+ overload and ROS in epileptic neuron models. Low-frequency rTMS may exert neuroprotective effects through the AMPAR GluA1-STIM-Ca2+ pathway.

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and its comparison with high-frequency stimulation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) showed potentially beneficial effects for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Low-frequency (LF) rTMS decreases neuronal excitability and may have better safety compared to high-frequency (HF) rTMS. However, there lacks meta-analysis specifically focusing on LF rTMS. Objectives: To specifically explore the efficacy and safety of LF rTMS for treating PTSD. Methods: Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science were systematically searched from inception to October 17, 2023. Both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and open trials of LF rTMS on PTSD were included, and we additionally included RCTs comparing HF rTMS and sham treatment on PTSD. First, we qualitatively summarized parameters of LF rTMS treatment; then, we extracted data from the LF rTMS treatment subgroups of these studies to examine its effect size and potential influencing factors; third, we compared the effect sizes among LF rTMS, HF rTMS and sham treatment through network meta-analysis of RCTs. Results: In all, 15 studies with a sample size of 542 participants were included. The overall effect size for LF rTMS as a treatment for PTSD was found as Hedges' g = 1.02 (95% CI (0.56, 1.47)). Meta-regression analysis did not reveal any influencing factors. Network meta-analysis showed that compared to sham treatment, only HF rTMS on the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) demonstrated a significant advantage in ameliorating PTSD symptoms, while LF rTMS on the right DLPFC showed a trend toward advantage, but the difference was not significant. Conclusion: The current literature shows LF rTMS has effect in treating PTSD caused by various traumatic events. However, present limited number of RCT studies only showed LF rTMS to have a trend of advantage compared to sham treatment in treating PTSD caused by external traumatic events. In the future, more RCTs are needed to be made to confirm the efficacy of LF rTMS. Additionally, studies are required to elucidate the underlying mechanism in order to further improve its efficacy in different traumatic populations. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023470169.

Analysis of single vehicle noise emissions in the frequency domain for two different motorizations.

Environmental noise, primarily attributed to the road transportation system, poses a significant challenge in Europe, impacting the quality of life for millions. Therefore, a thorough characterization of noise emissions from road transportation sources is needed to stem this problem. This investigation aims to fill a gap in the literature regarding single-vehicle noise emissions in the frequency domain. The emphasis is on motorization (i.e., fuel type), with particular attention to Low-Frequency components, due to their potential impact on human health and ecosystems. Two probe vehicles, a diesel and a Liquefied Petroleum Gas-powered, were employed to collect data for noise emission curves in the frequency domain (from 63 to 8000 Hz) and compare them with those furnished in the CNOSSOS-EU, Harmonoise, and REMEL models. Moreover, data in terms of exhaust noise emissions (at the tailpipe) were also gathered and analyzed in the frequency domain. The analysis highlighted motorization's influence on noise emissions, revealing differences in frequency component contributions to the overall sound power level at different speeds. Low-frequency components were found to be predominant for both vehicles, especially at lower speeds, where the engine noise contribution dominates. This finds its endorsement in the frequency analysis on the noise emission curves provided in the examined models. The evaluation of the exhaust noise emissions revealed resonance phenomena at 63 Hz and showcased the dominance of low-frequency components in the exhaust spectrum (despite the penalization introduced by the A-weighting procedure), opening avenues for understanding and lowering noise emissions during vehicle idling and low-speed operations.

Effect of low-frequency alternating magnetic field on exopolysaccharide production and antioxidant capacity of Pleurotus citrinopileatus by submerged fermentation.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of low-frequency alternating magnetic field (LF-AMF) on the production of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) by submerged fermentation of Pleurotus citrinopileatus. The fermentation conditions optimized by the central composite design method were as follows: fermentation time of 6.18 days, temperature of 28.28 °C, shaking speed of 149.04 r/min, and inoculum amount of 8.43%. Under these conditions, a LF-AMF was applied to the submerged fermentation of P. citrinopileatus. When the intensity of LF-AMF was 40 Gs, the initial intervention time was 24 h after inoculation, and the treatment time was 6 h at one time, the mycelial biomass of P. citrinopileatus increased by 11.30%, and the EPS yield increased by 23.09% compared with the fermentation without LF-AMF treatment. The morphology of mycelium after LF-AMF treatment was observed by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the surface of mycelium was wrinkled, and the structure of mycelium was loose, which might be more conducive to the production of EPS. Mycelium diameter decreased, and ATPase activity increased, indicating that LF-AMF had a positive effect on the production of EPS by P. citrinopileatus fermentation. Moreover, LF-AMF could improve the permeability of the mycelial cell membrane, facilitate the exchange of intracellular and extracellular substances, and increase the metabolic capacity of P. citrinopileatus. In vitro antioxidant test of EPS showed that LF-AMF treatment also improved its antioxidant capacity.

Disruptive and complementary effects of depression symptoms on spontaneous brain activity in the subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Although depression symptoms are commonly reported in patients with subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment (svMCI), their impact on brain functions remains largely unknown, with diagnoses mainly dependent on behavioral assessments. Methods: In this study, we analyzed resting-state fMRI data from a cohort of 34 svMCI patients, comprising 18 patients with depression symptoms (svMCI+D) and 16 patients without (svMCI-D), along with 34 normal controls (NC). The study used the fraction of the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), resting-state functional connectivity, correlation analyses, and support vector machine (SVM) techniques. Results: The fALFF of the right cerebellum (CERE.R) differed among the svMCI+D, svMCI-D, and NC groups. Specifically, the regional mean fALFF of CERE. R was lower in svMCI-D patients compared to NC but higher in svMCI+D patients compared to svMCI-D patients. Moreover, the adjusted fALFF of CERE. R showed a significant correlation with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scores in svMCI-D patients. The fALFF of the right orbital part of the superior frontal gyrus was significantly correlated with Hamilton Depression Scale scores in svMCI+D patients, whereas the fALFF of the right postcingulate cortex (PCC.R) showed a significant correlation with MOCA scores in svMCI-D patients. Furthermore, RSFC between PCC. R and right precuneus, as well as between CERE. R and the right lingual gyrus (LING.R), was significantly reduced in svMCI-D patients compared to NC. In regional analyses, the adjusted RSFC between PCC. R and PreCUN. R, as well as between CERE. R and LING. R, was decreased in svMCI-D patients compared to NC but increased in svMCI+D patients compared to svMCI-D. Further SVM analyses achieved good performances, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 for classifying svMCI+D, svMCI-D, and NC; 0.96 for classifying svMCI+D and svMCI-D; 0.82 for classifying svMCI+D and NC; and 0.92 for classifying svMCI-D and NC. Conclusion: The study revealed disruptive effects of cognitive impairment, along with both disruptive and complementary effects of depression symptoms on spontaneous brain activity in svMCI. Moreover, these findings suggest that the identified features might serve as potential biomarkers for distinguishing between svMCI+D, svMCI-D, and NC, thereby guiding clinical treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation for svMCI.

Low-frequency Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Ameliorates Anhedonic Behaviors and Regulates the Gut Microbiome in Mice Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress.

Objective: This paper presents a preliminary study on whether low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-TMS) can modulate the gut microbiota in mice with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Methods: Mice received LF-TMS (1 Hz, 20 mT) for 28 consecutive days under chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The composition of gut microbiota of stool samples were tested. Results: CUMS caused significant changes in gut microbiotas, specifically in community diversity of gut microbiotas (P < .05). Compared with the stressed group mice, the Chao1 index (P < .05), Observed species index (P < .05), Faith's PD index (P < .05) and Shannon index (P < .05) of the LF-TMS treatment group were significantly increased. Furthermore, 1 Hz LF-TMS-treatment partially recovered chronic stress induced changes of microbiotas, such as the abundance of Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria. Conclusion: These results manifested that LF-TMS treatment can improve the anhedonic behaviors caused by CUMS in mice, which are connected with regulating the related intestinal microbial community disturbance, including species diversity, structure of gut microbiota, and species composition.