Mean Amplitude Values Research Articles

Heritable Thrombophilia and Increased Risk for Venous Thromboembolism Despite Thromboprophylaxis After Pelvis or Acetabulum Fracture.

Individuals with pelvic and acetabular fractures are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The purpose of this study was to determine whether serum markers for thrombophilia and rapid thromboelastography (r-TEG) values correlate with increased VTE risk among patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures. . Prospective observational study. Two urban academic level 1 trauma centers. Adult patients with isolated pelvis and/or acetabulum fractures (OTA/AO 61 and 62) treated surgically placed on a standardized VTE chemoprophylaxis regimen with enoxaparin over a 5-year period were included. Serum r-TEG, coagulation laboratory values, and markers for heritable thrombophilia were drawn postoperatively and after completion of a 6-week course of enoxaparin. The primary outcome was VTE event (either deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) diagnosed using a Duplex ultrasound, chest computed tomography angiogram, or lung ventilation-perfusion ordered based on clinical suspicion of a VTE event. Laboratory markers and values were then compared between patients who went on to have a VTE event and those who did not and patients with and without markers of thrombophilia. One hundred thirty-three adult patients with isolated operative pelvic and/or acetabular fractures were enrolled in this study. The average age of patients at time of injury was 48.3 years (range 18-91). Sixty-seven percent of patients in the study were (n = 90) males. Sixty-three percent of patients (n = 84) completed both clinical and laboratory follow-up. Forty-one percent of patients (n = 54) had 1 or more markers of heritable thrombophilia. Twelve percent (n = 10) of patients who completed follow-up were diagnosed with VTE. Age, sex, and smoking status were not associated with VTE. Patients who developed VTE had a higher body mass index (P = 0.04). Having more than 1 marker of heritable thrombophilia (P = 0.004) and an r-TEG mean amplitude greater than 72 mm postoperatively was positively associated with VTE (P = 0.02). Among patients treated surgically for isolated pelvic and acetabular fractures who received enoxaparin prophylaxis, the presence of more than 1 marker of heritable thrombophilia or r-TEG mean amplitude value greater than 72 mm postoperatively was associated with an increased risk of VTE. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A rotating machinery feature enhancement method based on improved symplectic geometry mode component sparsity

Gears and bearings are vital parts of rotating equipment. Weak fault feature enhancement is crucial to fault diagnosis. Therefore, a feature enhancement method based on the improved symplectic geometry mode component sparsity (ISGMCS) is proposed. Firstly, the improved symplectic geometry mode decomposition (ISGMD) method is proposed to reduce redundancy. ISGMD parameter optimization is based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Kurtosis-to-Eigenvalue (KE). The max-kurtosis redundancy reduction component of ISGMD with less redundancy is used for sparse analysis. Subsequently, the sparse feature mining method is proposed to enhance the fault features of the redundancy reduction component. A sparse model optimization solution based on Forward-Backward Splitting (FBS) and the Mean Amplitude Ratio (MAR) metric is implemented. Finally, the effectiveness and superiority of ISGMCS are verified by simulated experiments, fault experiments, and comparison experiments. Meanwhile, the Mean Value of Amplitude (MVA) metric is designed to evaluate the effect of ISGMCS.

Electroacupuncture at HT5 + GB20 produces stronger activation effect on swallowing cortex and muscle than single points

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on cortical activation and swallowing muscle groups. The study examined brain activation in healthy subjects performing swallowing tasks during electroacupuncture. Additionally, the study analyzed electromyographic signals of swallowing muscle groups after electroacupuncture. MethodsTwenty-seven healthy subjects were randomly separated into three groups. They underwent electroacupuncture at HT5 acupoint (HT5 group), or GB20 acupoint (GB20 group), or HT5 + GB20 acupoint (HT5 + GB20 group) for 30 min of intervention. Subjects performed a swallowing task while receiving electroacupuncture. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to detect cortical activation and functional connectivity (FC). The mean amplitude values of the swallowing muscle groups after electroacupuncture were also measured. Statistical analysis was used to investigate the differences between the three groups. The protocol was registered with the China Clinical Trials Registry with the registration number ChiCTR2300067457. ResultsCompared with the HT5 group, the HT5 + GB20 group showed higher cortical activation in the LM1 (t = 2.842, P < 0.05) and a tighter FC in the RM1 and LM1 (t = 2.4629, P < 0.05) with considerably increased mean amplitude values of the swallowing muscle groups (t = 5.2474, P < 0.0001). Increased FC was found in the HT5 + GB20 group compared to the GB20 group between the RM1 and RS1 (t = 2.9997, P < 0.01), RM1 and RPM (t = 2.2116, P < 0.05), RM1 and LM1 (t = 3.2078, P < 0.01), RPM and LM1 (t = 2.7440, P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in cortical activation or mean amplitude values of swallowing muscle groups. ConclusionThis study showed that electroacupuncture at HT5 + GB20 acupoints particularly engaged the cerebral cortex related to swallowing, resulting in tighter functional connectivity and higher amplitude values of swallowing muscle groups than electroacupuncture at single acupoints. The results may reveal the mechanism of electroacupuncture for post-stroke swallowing dysphagia.

Two novel GCK mutations in Chinese patients with maturity-onset diabetes of the young.

Heterozygous inactivating mutations in the glucokinase (GCK) gene result in the asymptomatic fasting hyperglycemia named as GCK-MODY or MODY2. The genetic testing can effectively avoid the misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment for GCK-MODY. A total of 25 unrelated families with MODY were screened for mutations in coding region of GCK by using direct sequencing. Three different bioinformatics tools such as PolyPhen2, Mutation Taster and PROVEAN were performed to predict the function of mutant proteins. The glucose profile was recorded by continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) to evaluate the glycemic variability for the GCK-MODY patient. Our study identified five GCK mutations in 24% of the families (6/25): two novel mutations (I126fs and G385A) and three already described mutations (G44S, H50fs and S383L). In silico analyses predicted that these mutations altered structural conformational changes. The values of mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), an important index of blood glucose fluctuation in CGMS system, were 0.81 in the first 24 h and 1.61 in the second 24 h record in the patient with GCK-MODY (F3), suggesting little glucose fluctuation. The genetic testing is suggested to be important to differentiate GCK-MODY from other types of diabetes. CGMS might be used to screen GCK-MODY cases prior to genetic testing.

Primary somatosensory cortex sensitivity may increase upon completion of a motor task

ObjectivesThe electroencephalogram and magnetic field primary somatosensory cortex (S1)-derived components are attenuated before and during motor tasks compared to the resting state, a phenomenon called gating; however, the S1 response after a motor task has not been well studied. We aimed to investigate sensory information processing immediately after motor tasks using magnetoencephalography. Materials and methodsWe investigated sensory information processing immediately after finger movement using magnetoencephalography in 14 healthy adults. Volunteers performed a simple reaction task where they were required to press a button when they received a cue. In parallel, electrical stimulation to the right index finger was applied at regular intervals to detect the magnetic brain field changes. The end of the motor task timing was defined using the event-related synchronization (ERS) appearance latency in the brain magnetic field’s beta band around the primary motor cortex. The ERS appearance latency and the sensory stimuli timing applied every 500 ms were synchronized over the experimental system timeline. We examined whether there was a difference in the S1 somatosensory evoked field responses between the ERS emergence and ERS disappearance phase, focusing on the N20m-P35m peak-to-peak amplitude (N20m-P35m amplitude) value. A control experiment was also conducted in which only sensory stimulation was applied with no motor task. ResultsThe N20m-P35m mean amplitude value was significantly higher in the ERS emergence phase (15.81 nAm; standard deviation [SD], 6.54 nAm) than in the ERS disappearance phase (13.54 nAm; SD, 5.12 nAm) (p < 0.05) and the control (12.08 nAm, SD 5.61 nAm) (p = 0.013). No statistically significant differences were identified between the ERS disappearance phase and the control (p = 0.281). ConclusionsThe S1 sensitivity may increase rapidly after exiting from the gating influence in S1 (after completing a motor task).

Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential Abnormalities in Early and Late Stage Parkinson Patients

ABSTRACT&#x0D; Aim: Loss of balance can be seen in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) There are only a few studies in the literature in which brainstem involvement in IPD has been researched with neurophysiological tests such as vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP). In this study, it was investigated whether there is a difference in the results of VEMP testing in early or late stage of IPD.&#x0D; Material and method: The IPD cases were classified as early stage and late stage according to the Hoehn-Yahr scale. The presence of a positive wave with a latency of P13 and a negative wave with a latency of N23 was investigated as the first reflex response The latencies of these potentials and the absolute amplitude of the P13-N23 component were measured. The VEMP results of the patients with early and late stage IPD were compared with those of the control group.&#x0D; Results: The right P13 latency mean value in the late stage patient group was significantly prolonged than in the early stage patient group and the control group. The right P13-N23 amplitude mean value of the late and early stage patient groups was significantly smaller than that of the control group (p &lt; 0.002 and p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Among the patients with IPD, the P13 latency was statistically increased in those with a fall history than in those without a fall history.&#x0D; In conclusion, this study indicates that the VEMP pathway is affected over time especially in patients with late stage Parkinson’s disease.

Electromyography of the External Anal Sphincter during Micturition and Electrophysiological Bulbocavernosus Reflex in Healthy Spayed Female Canines.

This study aimed to find methods and interferences and illustrate the pattern of external anal sphincter (EAS) electromyography (EMG) during micturition and to determine reference intervals of electrophysiological bulbocavernosus reflex (EBCR) by using robust statistical methods in healthy spayed female canines. Ten healthy spayed female canines (no breed restriction) with a body weight of 11.3-18 kg were enrolled. EAS EMG during micturition and the EBCR test were performed under light general anesthesia. Altogether 25 out of 34 EAS EMG showed a similar pattern, including low-amplitude high-frequency bursting pattern before voiding, medium- or high-amplitude low-frequency bursting pattern at the beginning of voiding, oscillate medium- and/or high-amplitude low-frequency bursting with a low-amplitude high-frequency bursting pattern during voiding, and high-amplitude high-frequency bursting pattern at the end of voiding. An average of 100 consecutive stimulations of EBCR for one cycle were performed in each dog and another cycle was repeated to ensure reproducibility. The lower and upper limits of the reference interval of EBCR onset latency values and EBCR mean amplitude values were calculated using both standard and robust methods with untransformed and transformed Box-Cox data. The EBCR onset latency was between 13.85 and 27.44 milliseconds, whereas the EBCR mean baseline to peak amplitude was not transformed with Box-Cox transformation. All EBCR compound muscle action potentials started with a negative sharp wave, which tapers from the baseline in the upward direction, showing an upturned bell-shaped curve. In conclusion, this study was possibly the first to examine the method and provide the electrographic pattern of EAS EMG during micturition and reference intervals of EBCR onset latency in spayed female dogs, which may serve as baseline information to help veterinarians differentiate healthy from diseased dogs. Further studies should compare normal dogs and dogs with lower urinary tract abnormalities at different lesion locations.

Feasibility of facial nerve monitoring using adhesive surface electrodes during parotidectomy: a comparative study with needle electrodes.

Electrophysiological monitoring of the facial nerve during parotidectomy has been reported as an adjunctive method to prevent facial nerve injury. Classically, a needle electrode is used to obtain electromyographic (EMG) signals from facial muscles during facial nerve monitoring (FNM) of parotid surgery, likewise adhesive surface electrodes. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of performing FNM with surface electrodes during parotid surgery and to compare EMG values with needle electrodes. Thirty patients who underwent parotidectomy under FNM using adhesive surface and needle electrodes were included. Two pairs of adhesive surface electrodes and needle electrodes were used for FNM during parotid surgery. Mean amplitudes were collected after electrical facial nerve stimulation at 1mA after specimen removal. The mean amplitude of the adhesive surface electrodes was 226.50 ± 118.44μV (orbicularis oculi muscle) and 469.6 ± 306.06μV (orbicularis oris muscle), respectively. The mean amplitude of the needle electrodes was 449.85 ± 248.10μV (orbicularis oculi muscle) and 654.66 ± 395.71μV (orbicularis oris muscle), respectively. The mean amplitude of the orbicularis oris muscle was significantly greater than that of the orbicularis oculi. The amplitude values measured in the orbicularis oculi muscle showed significant differences between the needle and skin electrodes. Facial nerve monitoring (FNM) using adhesive surface electrodes is feasible in parotid surgery. Although the mean amplitude value of the surface electrode was relatively lower than that of the needle electrode, the surface electrode is considered a feasible and safe EMG recording device for FNM in parotid surgery.

A new diagnostic definition for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms evaluated by corpus cavernosum electromyography: 'Pelvic autonomic dysfunction'.

This study investigates the use of corpus cavernosum electromyography (CC-EMG) recording as a diagnostic tool for identifying the presence of pelvic autonomic dysfunction (PAD) in patients with LUTS and concurrent ED. Fifty patients were included in the study, and the electromyographic and urodynamic findings were compared. The 50% relaxation degree was accepted as a threshold value for PAD. According to relaxation degree in CC-EMG recordings, patients were grouped as; Group 1 (with PAD)=23 patients with a relaxation degree of less than 50%. Group 2 (without PAD)=27 patients with a relaxation degree greater than 50%. The mean age of the patients was 58 ± 3.2 (50-71) years. The comparison of the urodynamic parameters and transrectal ultrasound revealed that the postvoiding residual urine volume (PVR) (p=0.0007), P det Qmax (p=0.0005), and P det compliance (0.003) values were statistically significantly lower in Group 2. The mean IIEF-5 and IIEF-15 scores of the patients in Group 1 were 2.5 ± 0.7 and 8.1 ± 1.1 respectively. In Group 2, mean IIEF-5 and IIEF-15 scores were 7.2 ± 2.9, and 17.2 ± 3.5 (p: 0.00023 and p: 0.0009). The mean I-PSS score was 22.8 ± 3 in Group 1 and 16 ± 2.3 in Group 2 (p=0.001). The mean relaxation degree (RD) in Group I was 30.73 ± 6.8%, and in Group 2 was 66.3 ± 5.1%. The mean amplitude values of the patients in Group I were 261.41 ± 112.97 before papaverine injection, and in Group 2 were 246 ± 101.28 respectively. The inter-group difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The mean amplitude value of the patients in Group I after papaverine injection was 182.73 ± 60.71, and in Group 2, that value was 83.2 ± 29.19. The inter-group difference was also significant (p < 0.05). Increased electrical bursts and decreased relaxation responses on CC-EMG indirectly indicated an increase in the contractility of the bladder sphincter. Therefore, we concluded that CC-EMG could be a diagnostic tool for PAD and cavernous autonomic dysfunction.

Classification and Identification Method of Radio Fuze Target and Sweep Jamming Signals Based on Third-Order Spectrum Features

To overcome the problem of insufficiency of linear frequency modulation (LFM) radio fuzes against sweep-type jamming, a method is proposed to classify and identify radio fuze targets and interfering signals based on third-order spectrum features. Using the measured data of an LFM radio fuze, the third-order spectral transform is applied to the output signals of the detector end under the action of the target and several amplitude modulated sweeping interfering signals, and the amplitude mean value, third-order spectral amplitude entropy, and third-order spectral singular value entropy based on the third-order spectrum are extracted as three-dimensional features. The experimental results show that the classification and identification of targets and AM sweep-type interference using the third-order spectral features of the signal at the detector end has a high success rate, with a comprehensive identification accuracy of 98.33%.

A Single-Channel Wireless EEG Headset Enabled Neural Activities Analysis for Mental Healthcare Applications.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a technique of Electrophysiology used in a wide variety of scientific studies and applications. Inadequately, many commercial devices that are available and used worldwide for EEG monitoring are expensive that costs up to thousands of dollars. Over the past few years, because of advancements in technology, different cost-effective EEG recording devices have been made. One such device is a non-invasive single electrode commercial EEG headset called MindWave 002 (MW2), created by NeuroSky Inc that cost less than 100 USD. This work contributes in four distinct ways, first, how mental states such as a focused and relaxed can be identified based on EEG signals recorded by inexpensive MW2 is demonstrated for accurate information extraction. Second, MW2 is considered because apart from cost, the user's comfort level is enhanced due to non-invasive operation, low power consumption, portable small size, and a minimal number of detecting locations of MW2. Third, 2 situations were created to stimulate focus and relaxation states. Prior to analysis, the acquired brain signals were pre-processed to discard artefacts and noise, and band-pass filtering was performed for delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma wave extraction. Fourth, analysis of the shapes and nature of extracted waves was performed with power spectral density (PSD), mean amplitude values, and other parameters in LabVIEW. Finally, with comprehensive experiments, the mean values of the focused and relaxed signal EEG signals were found to be 30.23 µV and 15.330 µV respectively. Similarly, average PSD values showed an increase in theta wave value and a decrease in beta wave value related to the focus and relaxed state, respectively. We also analyzed the involuntary and intentional number of blinks recorded by the MW2 device. Our study can be used to check mental health wellness and could provide psychological treatment effects by training the mind to quickly enter a relaxed state and improve the person's ability to focus. In addition, this study can open new avenues for neurofeedback and brain control applications.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11277-022-09731-w.

The Influence of Treadmill Training on the Bioelectrical Activity of the Lower Limb Muscles in Patients with Intermittent Claudication.

Aim: Intermittent claudication is the most common symptomatic manifestation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), presenting as ischemic leg muscle pain and gait dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in bioelectrical activity of the lower limb muscles activity in claudicating patients over a 12-week period of supervised treadmill training and to verify the hypothesis as to which muscles of lower limbs are activated by training treatment—the proximal, as compensatory mechanism, or the distal, which are the most ischemic. Methods: The study comprised 45 patients aged 60–70 years (height 168.8 ± 6.8 cm, weight 78.9 ± 9.2 kg) with PAD and unilateral intermittent claudication (Fontaine stage IIa/IIb), who participated in a 12-week supervised treadmill training program. Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the gastrocnemius lateralis (GaL), gastrocnemius medialis (GaM), tibialis anterior (TA), biceps femoris (BF), rectus femoris (RF) and gluteus medius (GM) muscles in the claudicated leg were continuously measured during the treadmill test. The average mean amplitude and mean amplitude range of the sEMG signal were analyzed. Results: During the treadmill test, after 12 weeks of training, the average mean amplitude of the GM (105 ± 43 vs. 74 ± 38%, p = 0.000008, ES = 0.76), BF (41 ± 22 vs. 33 ± 12%, p = 0.006, ES = 0.45) and GaM (134 ± 50 vs. 114 ± 30%, p = 0.007, ES = 0.48) muscles was significantly lower compared with baseline. The mean amplitude range was significantly decreased after 12 weeks of training in the GM (229 ± 64 vs. 181 ± 62%, p = 0.008, ES = 0.77) and BF (110 ± 69 vs. 84 ± 31%, p = 0.0002, ES = 0.48) muscles. After 12 weeks of training, the mean amplitude range of the TA muscle was significantly higher compared with baseline (104 ± 46 vs. 131 ± 53%, p = 0.001, ES = 0.54), but without significant changes in the average mean amplitude value. The most favorable changes, suggesting the lowest muscle fatigue and the highest walking capacity, were found in patients with the longest walking time. Conclusions: The obtained results may suggest that after 12 weeks of treadmill training, beneficial changes occurred in both the proximal and distal muscles. Therefore, greater foot plantar flexion and stronger push-off as well as greater hip extension may be considered the main mechanisms of observed gait pattern improvement. It may also be suggested that the therapy of gait alterations in patients with PAD should be focused not only on calf muscle pump improvement, but also on proximal hip extensor strengthening.

Evaluation of Cochlear Synaptopathy in Tinnitus Patients with Normal Hearing UsingAuditory Brainstem Response and Electrocochleography Tests

Background and Aim: Tinnitus is defined a phantom sound percept. Few studies have examined the occurrence of synaptopathy in tinnitus patients utilizing a battery of tests that indicate synaptopathy. This study aimed to investigate the role of synaptopathy in tinnitus production and compare the various characteristics of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) test and electrocochleography (ECochG) in normal-hearing people with and without tinnitus. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 34 normal-hearing individuals, 20 without tinnitus as controls (11 females and 9 males) and 14 with tinnitus (8 females and 6 men). The test components (amplitude, growth and slope of wave I, V/I ratio, action potential (AP) amplitude, and summating potential (SP)/AP) ratio were recorded during the ABR and ECochG tests for each subject. Results: The control group had higher mean values of amplitude, growth and slope of wave I, and AP amplitude compared to the tinnitus group, and this difference was statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). The mean V/I ratio and SP/AP ratio were lower in the control group than in the tinnitus group, and this difference was statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The significant difference in the parameters of ABR and ECochG tests between normal-hearing people with and without tinnitus indicates that these parameters can be used to evaluate the presence of synaptopathy in tinnitus patients. These findings suggest the need for proper interpretation of the results of ABR and ECochG tests in tinnitus patients with a focus on the parameters indicating synaptopathy.

Direct projection pathway between medial vestibular nucleus and vestibular efferent neurons in rats and its electrophysiological characteristics

Objective: To confirm the direct projection pathway between the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and vestibular efferent (VE) neurons and explore its electrophysiological characteristics. Methods: Newborn [(9±1) day-old] male and female Wistar rats were used in the study. The postsynaptic currents of VE were recorded after stimulating neurons in MVN by the whole-cell patch clamp recording technique. The action potentials (APs) of the afferent neurons in MVN were recorded retrogradely after stimulating the area of VE neurons distribution medial to genu of facial nerve (g7), and the position and shape of the recorded neurons were determined by biocytin staining. Results: The resting membrane potentials of VE neurons located medial to g7 ranged between -70 mV and -55 mV in current clamp recordings. Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were recorded in the VE neurons medial to the g7 evoked by single-pulse (0.08 mA, 0.1 Hz, 100 μs) electrical stimulation of MVN. The mean values of amplitude and duration were (195.6±23.7) pA and (23.9±5.9) ms, respectively. APs were recorded in MVN after stimulating the distribution area of VE neurons. The mean amplitude of the action potentials was (62.0±4.3) mV, and the mean duration was (94.9±4.7) ms. Biocytin staining indicated that the recorded neurons located in MVN and the axons' terminals went into the area medial to g7 in which VE neurons located. Conclusions: There is a direct excitatory pathway projecting from MVN to VE neurons medial to g7. Its physiological function may be related to the feedback regulation of vestibular center to peripheral vestibular afferent signals.

REVIEW ON METHODOLOGY AND INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS OF MOTOR EVOKED POTENTIALS INDUCED WITH MAGNETIC FIELD OR ELECTRICAL STIMULI RECORDED PREOPERATIVELY OR INTRAOPERATIVELY

Introduction The method of motor evoked potentials recordings induced with magnetic field (MEP) (as part of the differential diagnosis of disease in the musculoskeletal system before the introduction of treatment) and motor evoked potentials induced with electrical stimuli (during intraoperative neuromonitoring) is particularly intensively used among clinical neurophysiology studies in the last twenty years. Aim The aim of the study is to review the practical usefulness of MEP in clinical diagnostics and present the most common examples of the application of this method, the possibility of modifications aimed at increasing non-invasiveness, safety and diagnostic precision. Material and methods The results of pilot tests of different variants of MEP recordings are presented preoperatively from muscles and nerves of the lower extremities in healthy volunteers (N = 10) and patients with disc-root conflicts (N = 15). Results Pilot tests show that in healthy people after oververtebral stimulation with the magnetic field at the lumbar level, the MEP amplitude and latency parameters recorded from nerves compared to those recorded from muscles are characterized by lower values (amplitudes by about 50%, latencies with mean at about 3 ms) and the time duration is increased by approximately 20%. The variability of MEP parameters is similar in patients with disc-root conflict in preoperative diagnostics, even though mean amplitude values from muscles were lower in comparison to healthy control group. Conclusions The MEP recording method from nerves vs. muscles after oververtebral stimulation with the magnetic field at the lumbar level in patients with disc-root conflict is diagnostically essential in cases of visible atrophic changes in muscles with symptoms of slight pathology in the transmission of nerve impulses in motor axons. Keywords: motor evoked potentials, neurophysiological diagnostics, neuromonitoring, methodological modifications

Seasonal variations in salinity of the North Pacific Intermediate Water and vertical mixing intensity over the Okinawa Trough

Seasonal variations in vertical mixing intensity in the intermediate layer of the northern Okinawa Trough was deduced using the seasonal variations in salinity in the North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) using two distinct datasets: the World Ocean Atlas 2013 and historical conductivity, temperature, and depth data in the Okinawa Trough. Water mass analysis of the NPIW with a simple advection model showed that the vertical mixing intensity in the intermediate layer is enhanced in the winter at a rate of 20–50% of the annual mean amplitude value. To determine the driving force behind the seasonal variations in vertical mixing, we examined moored current-meter data in the northern Okinawa Trough during 2004–2011 and showed that the near-inertial internal wave energy in the intermediate layer was enhanced around January beneath the Kuroshio on the continental slope; this was due to strong southwestward flows associated with deep cyclonic eddies developing in the winter. We used density and velocity data from a realistic high-resolution ocean general circulation model simulation to hypothesize that the large-amplitude Kuroshio meander and associated deep cyclonic eddies in the winter generate near-inertial internal waves through centrifugal/inertial instability in the area of negative potential vorticity that appears not only beneath the Kuroshio near the western slope but also near the eastern slope of the trough. In addition, the symmetric instability along the offshore Kuroshio front and the wind energy input in the winter are suggested as possible sources of winter-enhanced near-inertial internal wave energy in the intermediate layer.

Interaction of the Lofoten Vortex with a Satellite Cyclone

The Lagrangian-particles simulation in the Lofoten Basin area in the Norwegian Sea, based on the GLORYS12V1 reanalysis for the period from 2016-05-31 to 2016-06-28, was used to track the vortex pair consisting of the large quasi-permanent Lofoten Vortex (LV) and a cyclone generated nearby the LV. We show that the cyclone is a part of a shield around the LV. The core of the cyclone is partly located inside the LV. This structure forms an uneven vortex pair. We provide a complementary analysis of Lagrangian maps with temperature, salinity, and relative vorticity at 75 horizons from the surface to the bottom, consider the evolution of the vortex pair and obtain its characteristics. The cyclone moves around the LV passing along its periphery 348.97 km with a speed of 14 cm/s, which is comparable 23 cm/s, the orbital velocity of the LV during the study period. The orbital velocity of the satellite cyclone is 15 cm/s. The mean amplitude of the LV in the period from 2016-05-31 to 2016-06-28 is 12.50 cm, and the mean amplitude of the satellite cyclone for the same period is − 2.92 cm. The average radius of the LV is 57.48 km and 13.42 km for its satellite cyclone. The orbital velocities of the LV and its satellite cyclone (with their mean values of amplitude and radii) are 0.23 m/s and 0.15 m/s, respectively. The average integral (in a volume) relative vorticity of the eddies in the vortex pair is − 1.41 × 1018 c−1 for the LV and 3.19 × 109 c−1 for the satellite cyclone.

The Effects of Emotional Content on Phonological Processing in Children Who Stutter

Objectives: Stuttering and phonological processing are mutually related. Emotion is an effective factor in fluency and language processing; however, its underlying neural mechanism remains unclear. Event-Related Potential (ERP) is a non-invasive highly-beneficial method with high time resolution for language processing. The present study aimed to explore phonological processing in emotional words in Children Who Stutter (CWS), compared to Typically-Developing Children (TDC). Methods: Ten Persian-speaking CWS (3 girls, 7 boys), aged 7-10 years (Mean±SD = 8.9±0.11) and 10 TDC who are matched in age (Mean±SD = 8.7±0.12) and gender were given 120 emotional words (high-valence low-valence) and neutral words to read. Phonological processing was measured by the aloud reading task, while ERP was simultaneously recorded. The collected results were analyzed as behavioral (reaction time and reading accuracy) and electrophysiological (amplitude and topography). Repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Independent Samples t-test were used for between-group comparisons. Results: The obtained behavioral data included Reaction Time (RT) and accuracy. There were no significant differences between the explored CWS and TDC in RT and accuracy (P&gt;0.05). The mean value of amplitudes presented significant differences between CWS and TDC in language processing areas (P&lt;0.05). The collected results indicated higher mean values of amplitude for neutral words. The distribution highly differed between the investigated CWS and TDC in neutral and negative words. However, there were similarities in positive words in distribution between the study groups. Discussion: The studied CWS and TDC were similar concerning behavioral results. High-valence words in the CWS group presented a higher similar distribution, compared to the TDC groups; however, low-valence words in the explored CWS had a more similar amplitude to the TDC group for neutral words. Then, emotional content facilitated phonological processing in the investigated CWS in the given time range.

Assessment of the Road Surface Condition with Longitudinal Acceleration Signal of the Car Body

On the basis of road tests, the authors assessed the feasibility of the vehicle body acceleration values for the purposes of assessing road surface characteristics in terms of its roughness. Short-term Fourier Transform (STFT) was used for the analysis of the recorded signal. The spectra obtained in successive frequency bands demonstrate the amplitudes originating from the natural vibrations of the rolling wheel and forces resulting from the interaction with the road roughness. The article focuses on the relationships between the road roughness and the ratios of individual amplitudes in a specific frequency band of the vehicle body acceleration values. Amplitude values derived on the basis of successive windows were averaged for analogous, arbitrarily assumed local frequency bands. The value characterizing the road surface condition provided the information regarding the mean amplitude value in specific frequency ranges depending on the instantaneous velocity of the car body and the condition of the road surface on which it was moving. In cases where the road was free of any visible roughness, the obtained mean amplitude value in the analyzed spectrum window, for the adopted vehicle velocity range from 50 km h to 100 km/h, did not exceed 0.02 m/s2. It was also demonstrated that the road surface roughness leads to an increase in the mean amplitude value from 0.07 m/s2 to 0.16 m/s2.

Increasing tactical complexity to enhance the synchronisation of collective behaviours: An action-research study throughout a competitive volleyball season

ABSTRACT An Action-Research (AR) design was implemented throughout a competitive season in which Constraint-led and Step-Game approaches were combined. This intervention study investigated the impact of increased performance complexity on emergence of counterattacking synchronisation tendencies in team players (laterally and longitudinally on court) at different set moments. Fifteen youth volleyball team players were studied across three action-research cycles, with performance in one competitive match analysed per cycle. Team synchronisation tendencies were assessed using the cluster phase method, with a 3 (matches) x 2 (set moments) x 2 (court direction) repeated-measures ANOVA statistical procedure to calculate differences in cluster amplitude mean values. Results revealed a reduction in team synchrony levels when tactical complexity of counterattacking play increased (second AR-cycle). Nevertheless, similar levels of team synchrony emerged between the first and third AR-cycles. Results also revealed the final moments of a set as a significant environmental constraint that shaped synchronisation tendencies. Evidence suggested that the (re)achievement of functional synchrony was realised through integration of Constraint-led and Step-Game approaches during practices designed to enhance tactical awareness in players. Finally, an insider action-research design provided relevant contextualised insights on the development of a team’s synchronisation tendencies.