Perceptual Measures Research Articles

Menthol Mouth Rinsing Improves Cycling Performance in Trained Adolescent Males Under Heat Stress.

This study investigated the effect of menthol (MEN) mouth rinsing (MR) on cycling performance during a modified variable cycle test (M-VCT) in adolescent athletes under hot conditions (31.4 ± 0.9°C, 23.4 ± 3.7% relative humidity). Trained adolescent male cyclists (n = 11, 16.7 ± 1.3years, height 176.6 ± 8.8cm, body mass 65.8 ± 11.6kg, maximal oxygen uptake 62.97 ± 7.47ml·kg-1·min-1) voluntarily completed three trials (familiarization and two experimental) of a 30-min M-VCT, which included five 6-min laps consisting of three 6-s accelerations and three 10-s sprints throughout each lap. In a randomized crossover design, MEN (0.01%) or placebo (PLA) (crystal-light), was swilled for 5s before the start of each lap (total of 6 MR). Power output, distance (in kilometers), core temperature, heart rate, perceptual exertion, thermal stimulation (thermal comfort and thermal sensation), and blood lactate concentration were recorded. MEN MR significantly improved M-VCT mean power output by 1.81 ± 1.57% compared to PLA (MEN, 177.8 ± 31.4W; PLA, 174.7 ± 30.5W, p < .001, 95% confidence interval [1.73, 4.46], d = 1.53). For maximal intermittent sprints, 6- and 10-s mean power output was significantly higher with MEN than PLA (6s, p = .041, 95% confidence interval [0.73, 27.19], d = 0.71; 10s, p = .002, 95% confidence interval [11.08, 35.22], d = 1.29). There was no significant difference in core temperature, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, or any perceptual measure between trials (p > .05) despite significantly higher work with MEN. 64% of athletes (7/11) improved M-VCT performance with MEN. The results of this investigation suggest that a MEN MR may improve power output during a sport-specific stochastic cycling task in elite adolescent male cyclists.

A meta-analysis-based study of the effects of rural tourism activities on tourists’ physical and mental health

Abstract As a convenient and easily accessible green space place in the environment, the countryside provides people with the opportunity to get in touch with nature intimately, so in the process of this tourism experience, people’s health benefits have been more and more widely concerned by academia. Based on this, this study utilizes the questionnaire survey method and scientific experiments to conduct an in-depth exploration of the mechanism of the impact of rural tourism activities on the physical and mental health of tourists by taking tourists who have had rural tourism experiences as the research object. This paper derives the physical and mental health indicators of tourists before tourism based on the evaluation method of physiological indicators and the test method in psychology, proposes a perceptual measurement tool to study the obtained data of tourists’ state of mind, and concludes that after tourism, the overall mean values of tourists’ average heart rate, minimum heart rate, and maximum heart rate were reduced by 0.65 bpm, 3.28 bpm, and 7.5 bpm, respectively. The mean value of ventilation per minute was reduced by 1.11 L- min-1, indicating that there is a significant effect of different ages on the physical and mental health benefits of tourists. Tourists with tour time under half an hour had a poor state of mind, and tour time of 4 hours or more had the highest POMS index of 298, with a more favorable emotional state, indicating that there is also a significant effect of tour time length on tourists’ state of mind.

How to Equalize High- and Low-Intensity Endurance Exercise Dose.

Without appropriate standardization of exercise doses, comparing high- (HI) and low-intensity (LI) training outcomes might become a matter of speculation. In athletic preparation, proper quantification ensures an optimized stress-to-recovery ratio. This review aims to compare HI and LI doses by estimating theoretically the conversion ratio, 1:x, between HI and LI: How many minutes, x, of LI are equivalent to 1minute of HI using various quantification methods? A scrutinized analysis on how the dose increases in relation to duration and intensity was also made. An estimation was conducted across 4 categories encompassing 10 different approaches: (1)"arbitrary" methods, (2)physiological and perceptual measurements duringexercise, (3)postexercise measurements, andcomparison to (4a) acute and (4b) chronic intensity-related maximum dose. The first 2 categories provide the most conservative estimation for the HI:LI ratio (1:1.5-1:10), and the third, slightly higher (1:4-1:11). The category (4a) provides the highest estimation (1:52+) and (4b) suggests 1:10 to 1:20. The exercise dose in the majority of the approaches increase linearly in relation to duration and exponentially in relation to intensity. As dose estimations provide divergent evaluations of the HI:LI ratio, the choice of metric will have a large impact on the research designs, results, and interpretations. Therefore, researchers should familiarize themselves with the foundations and weaknesses of their metrics and justify their choice. Last, the linear relationship between duration and exercise dose is in many cases assumed rather than thoroughly tested, and its use should be subjected to closer scrutiny.

Comparing dysphonia severity index, objective, subjective, and perceptual analysis of voice in patients with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls

BackgroundImpairments in voice quality in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have recently been investigated and different results were found. A voice-centered multidimensional assessment protocol with patient-reported outcome measures was conducted to evaluate all the aspects of the voice changes. ObjectivesThe study aimed to compare the objective, subjective, and perceptual measures of voice between the people with MS and the healthy control group. MethodsA total of 128 participants, including 64 people with MS age, and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Subjective, objective, and auditory-perceptual voice assessments of the participants were performed. The auditory-perceptual evaluation was performed with GRBAS. The Dysphonia Severity index was computed for both groups. All the participants completed the Turkish version of The Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and the Voice-Related Quality of Life (VRQoL). ResultsAcoustic and aerodynamic parameters of voice were found significantly different for both males and females between the MS and control group. DSI was found significantly different for both males and females in the MS group compared to the control group (p<0.05). All components of the GRBAS scale were significantly higher in the MS group (p<0.001). Using a multivariate regression model, it was determined that age, gender, EDSS score, number of MS attacks, and disease duration did not affect the DSI. The overall VHI-10 score was higher in the MS group (median=1.0 range= 0–28) and lower in the control group (median=0 range= 0–4). The mean VRQoL was lower in the MS group (median=95 range= 62.5–100) than in controls (median=100 range= 85–100) (p<0.001). ConclusionOur results indicated that people with MS have significant differences in acoustic and aerodynamic parameters of voice compared to healthy individuals. A significant number of persons with MS are aware that their voice problem affects their quality of life. People with MS must be monitored for voice changes and a multidimensional voice assessment protocol should be implemented.

Asset specificity, relational governance, firm adaptability and supply chain integration

PurposeThis study investigates how asset specificity, relational governance and firm adaptability relate with supply chain integration (SCI), considering selected food processing firms (FPFs) in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies a quantitative research methodology. This research draws on a sample of 103 FPFs that have been selected from a population of 345 FPFs located in Kampala district. Hypothesis testing was done using Smart PLS version 3.FindingsAsset specificity has a significant positive relationship with SCI, and firm adaptability partially mediates this relationship. Also, there is a full mediation impact of firm adaptability on the relationship between relational governance and SCI.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focused on perceptual measures to get responses from managers on the level of integration with key suppliers and customers, yet firms deal with a number of suppliers and customers.Originality/valueThis study contributes to existing literature on SCI by applying the transaction cost theory. The study focuses on the influence of asset specificity, relational governance and firm adaptability on SCI in the food processing sector. Literature on relational governance in supply chain using the transaction cost theory remains scanty. Few studies have also focused on firm adaptability as a mediator in the FPS with specific focus on Uganda, yet the sector is highly faced with uncertain events. The uncertain events in the sector and in developing countries call for adaptive strategies. Additionally, this study is the first to use firm adaptability to mediate the influence of asset specificity and relational governance on SCI more so in a developing country like Uganda where the FPS is one of the most important in the economy.

Components of Social Media Marketing Capabilities That Support The Marketing Performance of Micro Small to Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

This paper aims to understand the importance of marketing capabilities in using social media on business performance. The conceptualization was developed based on Morgan’s marketing capabilities framework. Data was collected from SMEs in the food sector who just received a certificate for food safety, which means they have had the opportunity to market their product widely. Partial least squares structural equation modelling will be used to analyze data. The results of this study will have some limitations/implications: First: The data was collected using a non-probability sampling method, commonly known as convenience sampling. Second: Perceptual measures used on performance variables in this analysis. Third: This study neglects data changes from time to time, in other words, this study obtains cross-sectional data collection. Finally, the study was only conducted in Tasikmalaya’s food sector and therefore does not lend itself to any general applicability. The originality of this study lies in the fact that this research is the first research that provides a complete view of social media applications in supporting SMEs in the food sector marketing performance.

The influence of conversational agents' role and communication style on user experience.

Conversational Agents (CAs) are characterized by their roles within a narrative and the communication style they adopt during conversations. Within computer games, users' evaluation of the narrative is influenced by their estimation of CAs' intelligence and believability. However, the impact of CAs' roles and communication styles on users' experience remains unclear. This research investigates such influence of CAs' roles and communication styles through a crime-solving textual game. Four different CAs were developed and each of them was assigned to a role of either witness or suspect and to a communication style than can be either aggressive or cooperative. Communication styles were simulated through a Wizard of Oz method. Users' task was to interact, through real-time written exchanges, with the four CAs and then to identify the culprit, assess the certainty of their judgments, and rank the CAs based on their conversational preferences. In addition, users' experience was evaluated using perceptual measures (perceived intelligence and believability scales) and behavioral measures (including analysis of users' input length, input delay, and conversation length). The results revealed that users' evaluation of CAs' intelligence and believability was primarily influenced by CAs' roles. On the other hand, users' conversational behaviors were mainly influenced by CAs' communication styles. CAs' communication styles also significantly determined users' choice of the culprit and conversational preferences.

Behavioral examination of the role of the primary visual cortex in the perceived size representation

Previous research has shown that neural activity in the primary visual cortex (V1) and V1 surface area may be linked with subjective experience of size illusions. Here, we behaviorally measured the hallway illusion with experimental manipulations as a proxy of V1’s influence on size perception. We first tested whether the hallway illusion can persist without further recurrent processing by using backward masking. Next, we examined relations among the hallway illusion magnitude and other perceptual measures that have been suggested to be correlated with V1 surface area. In Experiment 1, the magnitude of the hallway illusion was not affected by the stimulus duration and visual masking when the hallway context was previewed (i.e., complex depth information is already processed). It suggests that V1 activity could support the size illusion to some extent even when recurrent processing between V1 and higher areas is disturbed. In Experiment 2, the hallway illusion magnitude was correlated with the Vernier acuity threshold, but not with physical size discriminability. Our results provide converging evidence with the previous findings in that neural activity in V1 may contribute to size illusions and that V1 surface area is not the sole factor that mediates size perception and visual precision.

Does Moderate-Load Priming Activity Influence Maximal Upper-Body Performance and Perceptual State?

Harrison, PW, Kelly, VG, Jenkins, DG, McGuigan, MR, Holmberg, PM, and James, LP. Does moderate-load priming activity influence maximal upper-body performance and perceptual state?. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): e581-e587, 2023-The results of previous research indicate that resistance exercise "priming" may improve strength-power measures within 48 hours after their completion. Although researchers have primarily examined performance responses after lower-body priming stimuli, investigations examining the effects of upper-body resistance priming exercises are presently limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine upper-body pushing and pulling performance in addition to perceptual responses 3 and 27 hours after moderate-load (ML) upper-body resistance priming exercise. Fourteen resistance-trained men were assigned to complete ML priming (4 × 3 bench press and bench pull at 65% 1RM [repetition maximum]) and control (rest) protocols in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Peak velocity during the bench throw and bench pull tests involving different loads (25, 50, and 75% 1RM) showed no practical change at 3 and 27 hours after the priming session (p = 0.216-0.99, Cliff's d = -0.041 to 0.225). Small effect size increases in perceptual measures ("physical feeling," "physical performance," "aggression" [p = 0.400-0.553, Cliff's d = 0.183-0.201], and "muscular heaviness" [p = 0.178, Cliff's d = 0.231]) were found at 3 hours postpriming. A moderate practical increase was observed in perceived "physical feeling" compared with control (p = 0.385, Cliff's d = 0.349) in addition to small effect size increases in perceived "physical performance" and "aggression" (Cliff's d = 0.243-0.290) at 27 hours after priming activities. These results indicate that upper-body strength-power changes within 27 hours after ML upper-body resistance exercise priming are not practically meaningful.

Differences in Various Strength Manifestations Between the Flat and Retracted Bench Press Variants: Are They Affected by Subjects' Experience or Strength Levels?

Piepoli, A, Miras-Moreno, S, Janicijevic, D, Martínez-Amat, A, and García-Ramos, A. Differences in various strength manifestations between the flat and retracted bench press variants: are they affected by subjects' experience or strength levels? J Strength Cond Res 37(12): 2339-2345, 2023. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of retracting the scapulae during the free-weight bench press (BP) exercise on various strength manifestations and perceptual variables. Twenty-eight recreationally trained male lifters (BP 1-repetition maximum [1RM] = 96.1 ± 20.8 kg) randomly performed in 2 different sessions: the flat BP (scapulae free to move during the movement) and retracted BP (shoulders retracted during the movement). Three strength manifestations were evaluated: (a) explosive strength -mean velocity (MV) achieved against 3 submaximal loads (40, 60, and 80%1RM); (b) maximal strength -1RM; and (c) endurance strength -number of repetitions completed to failure against the 70%1RM. Discomfort and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) values were also recorded immediately after completing each test. The upward displacement of the barbell was lower for the retracted BP compared with the flat BP at the 3 submaximal loads ( p ≤ 0.024), but no significant differences between the BP variants were observed for the MV at submaximal loads ( p ≥ 0.473), 1RM ( p = 0.147), number of repetitions completed to failure ( p = 0.447), RPE at submaximal loads ( p ≥ 0.363), or discomfort during any test ( p ≥ 0.611). Subjects always demonstrated a greater strength performance with the BP variant most used in their training programs, but the differences between the flat and retracted BP were not affected by subjects' maximal strength values ( p ≥ 0.162). These results suggest that retracting the scapulae during the BP exercise presents minor effects on different strength manifestations and perceptual measures of effort and discomfort.

Seasonal influence on cognitive and psycho-physiological responses to a single 11-h day of work in outdoor mine industry workers

ABSTRACT This study investigated the seasonal effects that working outdoors had on various parameters in mining industry workers over the course of a work-shift. Workers (n = 27) were assessed in summer (33.3 ± 4.2°C, 38 ± 18% RH; n = 13, age = 46 ± 14 y, BMI = 29.1 ± 5.7 kg/m2) and winter (23.6 ± 5.1°C, 39 ± 20% RH; n = 14, age = 44 ± 12 y, BMI = 31.2 ± 4.1 kg/m2). Core temperature and heart-rate were measured continuously (analyzed at five time points), while perceptual measures, cognitive and manual dexterity performance were assessed at various times over an 11-h shift at the start of a 14-day swing. Hydration was assessed (urine specific gravity) pre- and post-shift. Working memory was impaired in summer compared to winter (−10%; p = 0.039), however did not change throughout the shift. Processing efficiency was significantly reduced at 12 pm (−12%; p = 0.005) and 5 pm (−21%; p < 0.001) compared to 9 am, irrespective of season (p > 0.05). Manual dexterity (dominant-hand) improved over the shift (+13%, p = 0.002), but was not different between seasons. Perceived fatigue had no main effect of season or shift. Core temperature, heart-rate, thermal sensation and rating of perceived exertion increased throughout the shift, with only core temperature and thermal sensation showing a seasonal effect (summer: +0.33°C, +18%, respectively; p < 0.002). Notably, 23% of workers in summer and 64% in winter started work significantly dehydrated, with 54% and 64% in summer and winter, respectively, finishing work with significant to serious dehydration. Impairment in working memory in summer combined with high levels of dehydration over the work-shift reinforces the need for workplace education on the importance of hydration and risk of occupation heat stress. Abbreviations: Core temperature: Tc; Fly-in fly-out: FIFO; Ratings of perceived exertion: RPE; Relative humidity: RH; Urinary specific gravity: USG; Wet bulb globe temperature: WBGT.

The effect of cooling garments to improve physical function in people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

There is strong evidence for the benefits of exercise for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), however, up to 80% of people with MS report experiencing exacerbated symptoms with elevated body temperatures. A range of cooling garments to assist people with MS manage symptoms of heat sensitivity have been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to assess the effect of cooling garments to improve physical function in people with MS, and to determine any associated physiological and perceptual responses. A systematic review adhering to the PRISMA guidelines was performed. The eligibility criteria required investigations to have conducted a randomized controlled trial or cross-over study to assess the effect of a cooling garment to improve physical function, or a related physiological or perceptual measure, in people with MS. Thirteen empirical studies were identified, compromising of acute cross-over designs (61.5%), longitudinal parallel group designs (23.1%) or a combination of both (15.4%). The studies included 384 participants with MS with an expanded disability status scale range of 1-7.5. Garments included liquid-perfused cooling vests/tops/hoods (50.0%), phase-change cooling vests (38.9%), a cooling thigh-cuff (5.6%) and a palm cooling device (5.6%). The cooling garments were effective at improving walking capacity and functional mobility, and some studies demonstrated improvements in muscular strength and balance, but not manual dexterity. The garments also resulted in improved core temperature, skin temperature, thermal sensation and subjective fatigue. Improvements occurred in temperate and warm conditions, and both with and without an exercise stimulus. Cooling garments can improve physical function for people with MS. Since none of the cooling garments caused harm, and no particular cooling garment could be identified as being superior, people with MS should experiment with different cooling garments to determine their preference, and industry should focus on cooling garments that are effective, accessible and user-friendly.

Perceptual and neural measures of spectral and temporal cue strength in speech perception

Many listeners experience difficulty understanding speech in noise that may result from limited ability to use important acoustic cues, such as spectral and temporal features. One way of assessing deficits related to perceptual or neural processing is to enhance or degrade specific cues and measure the impact on behavior or neural coding. To do so, we combined a target-word identification task with simultaneous EEG measurement in 20 young and 20 older normal-hearing listeners. Coordinate Response Measure sentences were manipulated in the spectral modulation (SM) and temporal modulation (TM) domains (neutral, degraded, enhanced) and presented in four-talker babble in both passive and attention conditions. Multivariate temporal response function (mTRF) analyses were used to evaluate cortical tracking of the speech envelope. Speech perception in younger listeners improved for both SM and TM enhancement, but older listeners only benefited from TM enhancement. Both groups showed stronger cortical tracking for attention versus passive listening, but only older listeners showed tracking changes across SM and TM conditions. Cortical tracking and perceptual results in older listeners are consistent with cognitive aging theories suggesting that cortical processing changes with age involve both compensation and dedifferentiation to help maintain auditory perceptual performance.

Cortical temporal integration can account for limits of temporal perception: investigations in the binaural system

The auditory system has exquisite temporal coding in the periphery which is transformed into a rate-based code in central auditory structures, like auditory cortex. However, the cortex is still able to synchronize, albeit at lower modulation rates, to acoustic fluctuations. The perceptual significance of this cortical synchronization is unknown. We estimated physiological synchronization limits of cortex (in humans with electroencephalography) and brainstem neurons (in chinchillas) to dynamic binaural cues using a novel system-identification technique, along with parallel perceptual measurements. We find that cortex can synchronize to dynamic binaural cues up to approximately 10 Hz, which aligns well with our measured limits of perceiving dynamic spatial information and utilizing dynamic binaural cues for spatial unmasking, i.e. measures of binaural sluggishness. We also find that the tracking limit for frequency modulation (FM) is similar to the limit for spatial tracking, demonstrating that this sluggish tracking is a more general perceptual limit that can be accounted for by cortical temporal integration limits.

Hot water immersion: Maintaining core body temperature above 38.5°C mitigates muscle fatigue.

Hot water immersion (HWI) has gained popularity to promote muscle recovery, despite limited data on the optimal heat dose. The purpose of this study was to compare the responses of two exogenous heat strains on core body temperature, hemodynamic adjustments, and key functional markers of muscle recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Twenty-eight physically active males completed an individually tailored EIMD protocol immediately followed by one of the following recovery interventions: HWI (40°C, HWI40 ), HWI (41°C, HWI41 ) or warm water immersion (36°C, CON36 ). Gastrointestinal temperature (Tgi ), hemodynamic adjustments (cardiac output [CO], mean arterial pressure [MAP], and systemic vascular resistance [SVR]), pre-frontal cortex deoxyhemoglobin (HHb), ECG-derived respiratory frequency, and subjective perceptual measures were tracked throughout immersion. In addition, functional markers of muscle fatigue (maximal concentric peak torque [Tpeak ]) and muscle damage (late-phase rate of force development [RFD100-200 ]) were measured prior to EIMD (pre-), 24 h (post-24 h), and 48 h (post-48 h) post-EIMD. By the end of immersion, HWI41 led to significantly higher Tgi values than HWI40 (38.8 ± 0.1 vs. 38.0°C ± 0.6°C, p < 0.001). While MAP was well maintained throughout immersion, only HWI41 led to increased (HHb) (+4.2 ± 1.47 μM; p = 0.005) and respiratory frequency (+4.0 ± 1.21 breath.min-1 ; p = 0.032). Only HWI41 mitigated the decline in RFD100-200 at post-24 h (-7.1 ± 31.8%; p = 0.63) and Tpeak at post-48 h (-3.1 ± 4.3%, p = 1). In physically active males, maintaining a core body temperature of ~25 min within the range of 38.5°C-39°C has been found to be effective in improving muscle recovery, while minimizing the risk of excessive physiological heat strain.

A Perceptual Measure for Deep Single Image Camera and Lens Calibration.

Image editing and compositing have become ubiquitous in entertainment, from digital art to AR and VR experiences. To produce beautiful composites, the camera needs to be geometrically calibrated, which can be tedious and requires a physical calibration target. In place of the traditional multi-image calibration process, we propose to infer the camera calibration parameters such as pitch, roll, field of view, and lens distortion directly from a single image using a deep convolutional neural network. We train this network using automatically generated samples from a large-scale panorama dataset, yielding competitive accuracy in terms of standard l2 error. However, we argue that minimizing such standard error metrics might not be optimal for many applications. In this work, we investigate human sensitivity to inaccuracies in geometric camera calibration. To this end, we conduct a large-scale human perception study where we ask participants to judge the realism of 3D objects composited with correct and biased camera calibration parameters. Based on this study, we develop a new perceptual measure for camera calibration and demonstrate that our deep calibration network outperforms previous single-image based calibration methods both on standard metrics as well as on this novel perceptual measure. Finally, we demonstrate the use of our calibration network for several applications, including virtual object insertion, image retrieval, and compositing.

The impact of the Speech Systems Approach on intelligibility for children with cerebral palsy: a secondary analysis

Background The motor speech disorder, dysarthria, is common in cerebral palsy. The Speech Systems Approach therapy programme, which focuses on controlling breath supply and speech rate, has increased children’s intelligibility. Objective To ascertain if increased intelligibility is due to better differentiation of the articulation of individual consonants in words spoken in isolation and in connected speech. Design Secondary analysis. Setting University. Participants Forty-two children with cerebral palsy and dysarthria aged 5–18 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System I–V. Intervention The Speech Systems Approach is a motor learning therapy delivered to individuals by a speech and language therapist in 40-minute sessions, three times per week for 6 weeks. Intervention focuses on production of a strong, clear voice and speaking at a steady rate. Practice changes from single words to increasingly longer utterances in tasks with increasing cognitive load. Main outcome measures Unfamiliar listeners’ identification of singleton consonants (e.g. nap) and clusters of consonants (e.g. stair, end) at the start and end of words when hearing single words in forced choice tasks and connected speech in free transcription tasks. Acoustic measures of sound intensity and duration. Data sources Data collected at 1-week pre- and 1-week post-therapy from three studies: two interrupted time series design, one feasibility randomised controlled trial. Results Word initial and word final singleton consonants and consonant clusters were better identified post-therapy. The extent of improvement differed across word initial and word final singleton consonant subtypes. Improvement was greater for single words than connected speech. Change in sound identification varied across children, particularly in connected speech. Sound intensity and duration increases also were inconsistent. Limitations The small sample size did not allow for analysis of cerebral palsy type. Acoustic data were not available for all children, limiting the strength of conclusions that can be drawn. The different but phonetically balanced word lists, used in the original research, created variability in single words spoken across recordings analysed. Low frequencies of plosives, fricatives and affricates necessitated their combination for analysis preventing investigation of the effect of specific consonants. Connected speech was spontaneous, again creating variability within the data analysed. The estimated effects of therapy may therefore be partially explained by differences in the spoken language elicited. Conclusions The Speech Systems Approach helped children generate greater breath supply and a steady rate, leading to increased intensity and duration of consonant sounds in single words, thereby aiding their identification by listeners. Transfer of the motor behaviour to connected speech was inconsistent. Future work Refining the Speech Systems Approach to focus on connected speech early in the intervention. Personalisation of cues according to perceptual and acoustic speech measures. Creation of a battery of measures that can be repeated across children and multiple recordings. Study registration This trial is registered as Research Registry 6117. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation programme (NIHR130967) and will be published in full in Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation; Vol. 10, No. 4. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Menthol mouth rinsing and performance in elite football referees in the heat: A study protocol for a randomized crossover trial

BackgroundWithin professional European competitions, matches can be played in extreme environmental temperatures, ranging from −5 °C to +30 °C in different countries. Furthermore, the World Cups are usually played in the summer months, when temperatures can exceed 35 °C, increasing physiological stress. Practical and cost-effective cooling strategies may be implemented to help players and referees to cope with exercising in the heat. No study has evaluated the effect of non-thermal internal cooling techniques regarding performance responses on elite football referees, so far. This study aims to analyse the effects of a menthol mouth rinse regarding physical, physiological, and perceptual performance in elite male football referees, during a 90-min football protocol in the heat. MethodsAt least thirteen male football referees will be recruited to perform two intermittent football protocols, separated by no less than 7 days. After passing the eligibility criteria, the participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of 2 beverages: (1) intervention - menthol solution 0.01% and (2) placebo - noncaloric berry-flavored solution, both at room temperature. The beverages will be given before warm-up (pre-cooling) and at the half-time (per-cooling). The trials will follow a randomized counterbalanced crossover design, single blinded, and will take place in indoor facilities, with Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) > 30 °C, at the same time of the day to control for circadian variations. Impact of the projectThe results of this study are expected to determine whether mouth rinsing a menthol solution before and during a football exercise protocol performed in the heat will alter perceptual measures and help ease physiological strain and attenuate performance decrements in elite male football referees, comparing to a non-cooling strategy. Thus, we can be closer to defining nutritional strategies of internal cooling that may be an advantage for the performance of the football referees in the heat. Trial registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05632692 registered on 20 November 2022.

How similar are the formants in the speech of bilingual speakers?

This study investigated whether a stronger accent in the L2 of Cantonese-English bilingual speakers with high levels of English proficiency correlates with greater convergence of corresponding vowels (four monophthongs (/i a (a) c u/ and five diphthongs /ai au ei ci ou (eu)/) between their two languages in identical phonetic environments. No consistent effect of accent rating was found in either acoustic or perceptual similarity measures. Much individual variation and vowel-specific patterns were observed. The results demonstrate that the formant patterns in one language or one vowel cannot predict those in another language or another vowel, even with highly comparable materials and speakers with a relatively strong accent. Possible reasons and implications for the lack of correlation between accentedness and vowel convergence are discussed.

Towards personalized and optimized fitting of cochlear implants.

A cochlear implant (CI) is a neurotechnological device that restores total sensorineural hearing loss. It contains a sophisticated speech processor that analyzes and transforms the acoustic input. It distributes its time-enveloped spectral content to the auditory nerve as electrical pulsed stimulation trains of selected frequency channels on a multi-contact electrode that is surgically inserted in the cochlear duct. This remarkable brain interface enables the deaf to regain hearing and understand speech. However, tuning of the large (>50) number of parameters of the speech processor, so-called "device fitting," is a tedious and complex process, which is mainly carried out in the clinic through 'one-size-fits-all' procedures. Current fitting typically relies on limited and often subjective data that must be collected in limited time. Despite the success of the CI as a hearing-restoration device, variability in speech-recognition scores among users is still very large, and mostly unexplained. The major factors that underly this variability incorporate three levels: (i) variability in auditory-system malfunction of CI-users, (ii) variability in the selectivity of electrode-to-auditory nerve (EL-AN) activation, and (iii) lack of objective perceptual measures to optimize the fitting. We argue that variability in speech recognition can only be alleviated by using objective patient-specific data for an individualized fitting procedure, which incorporates knowledge from all three levels. In this paper, we propose a series of experiments, aimed at collecting a large amount of objective (i.e., quantitative, reproducible, and reliable) data that characterize the three processing levels of the user's auditory system. Machine-learning algorithms that process these data will eventually enable the clinician to derive reliable and personalized characteristics of the user's auditory system, the quality of EL-AN signal transfer, and predictions of the perceptual effects of changes in the current fitting.