Test Tone Research Articles

Minimally invasive subperiosteal pocket technique for Osia 2 system- implantation without fixation.

The CochlearTM Osia® 2 is an active transcutaneous implant designed to treat patients with different types of hearing loss. Due to its size, implantation needs appropriate practice since the necessity of extended flap creation and bone work can be an issue in some cases. The goal of our study was to determine whether fixation of the OSI200 implant was necessary for the performance of patients with conductive or mild mixed hearing loss.The vibroacoustic performance of the Osia 2 system, with and without BI300 fixation, was evaluated through tests conducted on a head model. In addition, three patients underwent surgery using the modified minimally invasive subperiosteal pocket technique; the OSI200 implant was placed in a tight subperiosteal pocket without fixing it with the BI300 implant. To evaluate the audiological performance of the non-fixated Osia 2 system, we compared the preoperative unaided pure tone and suprathreshold testing with the Baha 5 sound processor and the non-fixated Osia 2 system aided thresholds.Initial results indicate that omitting fixation does not significantly impair the function of the Osia 2 system. The findings of the clinical assessment support the fact that the Osia 2 system performed better than the Baha 5 system on Softband, both in pure tone and suprathreshold tests.According to our results, we have found that utilizing the subperiosteal pocket method and implanting Osia 2 without BI300 fixation may be a viable option. This approach has shown promising results in terms of improving hearing ability with minimalization of surgery related complications.

Outcomes Using the Optimized Pitch and Language Strategy Versus the Advanced Combination Encoder Strategy in Mandarin-Speaking Cochlear Implant Recipients.

The experimental Optimized Pitch and Language (OPAL) strategy enhances coding of fundamental frequency (F0) information in the temporal envelope of electrical signals delivered to channels of a cochlear implant (CI). Previous studies with OPAL have explored performance on speech and lexical tone perception in Mandarin- and English-speaking CI recipients. However, it was not clear which cues to lexical tone (primary and/or secondary) were used by the Mandarin CI listeners. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate whether OPAL provides improved recognition of Mandarin lexical tones in both quiet and noisy environments compared with the Advanced Combination Encoder (ACE) strategy. A secondary aim was to investigate whether, and to what extent, removal of secondary (duration and intensity envelope) cues to lexical tone affected Mandarin tone perception. Thirty-two CI recipients with an average age of 24 (range 7 to 57) years were enrolled in the study. All recipients had at least 1 year of experience using ACE. Each subject attended two testing sessions, the first to measure baseline performance, and the second to evaluate the effect of strategy after provision of some take-home experience using OPAL. A minimum take-home duration of approximately 4 weeks was prescribed in which subjects were requested to use OPAL as much as possible but were allowed to also use ACE when needed. The evaluation tests included recognition of Mandarin lexical tones in quiet and in noise (signal to noise ratio [SNR] +5 dB) using naturally produced tones and duration/intensity envelope normalized versions of the tones; Mandarin sentence in adaptive noise; Mandarin monosyllabic and disyllabic word in quiet; a subset of Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of hearing questionnaire (SSQ, speech hearing scale); and subjective preference for strategy in quiet and noise. For both the natural and normalized lexical tone tests, mean scores for OPAL were significantly higher than ACE in quiet by 2.7 and 2.9%-points, respectively, and in noise by 7.4 and 7.2%-points, respectively. Monosyllabic word recognition in quiet using OPAL was significantly higher than ACE by approximately 7.5% points. Average SSQ ratings for OPAL were significantly higher than ACE by approximately 0.5 points on a 10-point scale. In quiet conditions, 14 subjects preferred OPAL, 7 expressed a preference for ACE, and 9 reported no preference. Compared with quiet, in noisy situations, there was a stronger preference for OPAL (19 recipients), a similar preference for ACE (7 recipients), while fewer expressed no preference. Average daily take-home use of ACE and OPAL was 4.9 and 7.1 hr, respectively. For Mandarin-speaking CI recipients, OPAL provided significant improvements to lexical tone perception for natural and normalized tones in quiet and noise, monosyllabic word recognition in quiet, and subjective ratings of speech intelligibility. Subjects accessed both primary and secondary cues to lexical tone for perception in quiet and noise conditions. The benefits of lexical tone recognition were attributed to enhanced F0 rate cues encoded by OPAL, especially in a noisy environment. The OPAL strategy was well accepted by many of the Mandarin-speaking CI recipients.

Production rather than observation: comparison between the roles of embodiment and conceptual metaphor in L2 lexical tone learning

BackgroundIt remains unclear how embodiment and conceptual metaphor play a role in second language (L2) lexical tone learning. AimsThe present study aimed to examine the roles of pitch gesture production (PP), pitch feature observation (PO), and word-picture association (WA) approach in L2 lexical tone learning. SampleParticipants were 90 undergraduate students with Mandarin as their native language. MethodsParticipants learned Thai lexical tones via the three approaches and completed tone discrimination, tone identification, and word-picture matching tasks. ResultsThe PP performed better than the PO and WA in discriminating between and identifying specific tones. The PP was more accurate than the WA in word-picture matching. ConclusionsThe pitch gesture production's embodiment was superior to the pitch feature observation's conceptual metaphor in learning L2 lexical tones. However, its role was affected by lexical tones' pitch features, test tasks, and learners' tonal experience.

Mandarin-Speaking Amusics' Online Recognition of Tone and Intonation.

Congenital amusia is a neurogenetic disorder of musical pitch processing. Its linguistic consequences have been examined separately for speech intonations and lexical tones. However, in a tonal language such as Chinese, the processing of intonations and lexical tones interacts with each other during online speech perception. Whether and how the musical pitch disorder might affect linguistic pitch processing during online speech perception remains unknown. We investigated this question with intonation (question vs. statement) and lexical tone (rising Tone 2 vs. falling Tone 4) identification tasks using the same set of sentences, comparing behavioral and event-related potential measurements between Mandarin-speaking amusics and matched controls. We specifically focused on the amusics without behavioral lexical tone deficits (the majority, i.e., pure amusics). Results showed that, despite relative to normal performance when tested in word lexical tone test, pure amusics demonstrated inferior recognition than controls during sentence tone and intonation identification. Compared to controls, pure amusics had larger N400 amplitudes in question stimuli during tone task and smaller P600 amplitudes in intonation task. These data indicate that musical pitch disorder affects both tone and intonation processing during sentence processing even for pure amusics, whose lexical tone processing was intact when tested with words.

Auditory Ensemble Perception (Summary Statistics) for Music Scale Tones by Listeners with and without Absolute Pitch

ABSTRACT Ensemble perception refers to our ability to summarize complex information across individual items in a group. Ensemble perception of pitch in the auditory domain can be achieved remarkably well: listeners can accurately judge whether the pitch corresponding to the mean frequency of a set of six music scale tones is higher or lower than the pitch of a test tone presented after the set. Ensemble perception for music scale tones was performed by absolute pitch (AP) possessors (n = 16) and musically experienced non-AP listeners (n = 14). They performed a set averaging experiment (Experiment 1), and a tone recognition experiment, in which they judged whether an individual tone had been part of the set or not (Experiment 2). AP listeners obtained a significantly higher percentage correct and a smaller just noticeable difference than non-AP listeners when comparing the (average) pitch of the set and the test. Remarkably, though, AP listeners did not significantly outperform non-AP listeners in individual tone recognition. These results suggest that a cognitive tone-labeling strategy, as predominantly used by AP listeners, enhances ensemble perception for music scale tones. Musically experienced non-AP listeners, however, can achieve recognition of individual tones without tone labeling at a very high level as well. Possible strategies used by the listeners in both groups were discussed.

Perception of vibration threshold potential with tuning fork and pure tone audiometry assessment for early detection of diabetic polyneuropathy

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM), a multisystem disorder, is a known etiological entity, leading to several neurological disorders. Among them, nervous system is more commonly affected. In most of the diabetic polyneuropathy cases, sensory symptoms involving both general and special senses predominate. Due to gradual and non-homogenous manifestations, it is not easy to detect its onset. Till now no accepted gold standard has been available for its assessment and diagnosis. In this study, changes in vibration perception threshold (VPT) at different frequencies and auditory perception threshold have been investigated in diabetes patients and healthy controls. Aims and objectives: Determination of perception threshold of a general sense-vibration sense and a special sense-hearing in normal human subjects and patients of DM and evaluation of perception threshold of the human sensory system by VPT test and pure tone audiometry (PTA) as a diagnostic, prognostic and research tool for diabetic neuropathy. Materials and Methods: A case–control study, conducted in the department of physiology at medical college, Kolkata, after obtaining approval by the institutional research and ethics committee on 100 cases and 40 control subjects. Testing of vibration sensitivity was performed with the help of tuning forks of frequencies of 128 Hz, 256 Hz, and 512 Hz. Assessment of auditory perception threshold was done by Siemens SD 28 diagnostic audiometer. Results: All data obtained by the methods described here are tabulated. Graphs and charts are drawn and analyzed by standard statistical methods using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (version-16) and MATLAB (version-9). A P < 0.05 was considered as significant. A partial negative correlation was observed between the vibration sensitivity and fasting blood sugar and postprandial blood sugar level of the patient population of DM cases, with a “r” value (Pearson’s correlation coefficient was around −0.5. By PTA, it was found the percentage of rise in auditory threshold is around 92–93% in 8000 Hz frequency, and the results of the t-test yield a very highly significant difference (P < 0.0001) between cases and controls. It was found that 128 Hz and 256 Hz vibration stimuli applied over maxillary prominence are highly sensitive and efficient tools for perception analysis. Pure tone auditory threshold evaluation showed preservation of the right-sided advantage of auditory sensitivity and frequency-dependent loss of hearing in the diabetic study population. Conclusion: Determination of perception threshold of vibration sense by tuning fork and auditory perception by PTA may be used as an effective, easily performed, and low-cost bedside and also outpatient department-based diagnostic tool in patients with DM.

Unusual Benign Middle Ear Tumors: How Does the Presentation Differ from Otitis Media?

Introduction: Middle ear tumors represents a rare group of neoplasm that vary widely according to their pathology, anatomical involvements and clinical features. They mimic middle ear inflammatory pathologies intricately and hence early definitive diagnosis is a challenge. As these tumors are histologically benign, they are only locally destructive causing vestibular/facial dysfunction.
 Materials and Methods: In this case series, we have included 5 cases of rare middle ear tumors, who presented to our hospital in period of 2020-2023. All patients had a pre-operative examination with otoscope and microscope/otoendoscope. Pre-operative and post-operative hearing assessment done with tuning fork test and pure tone audiometry.Pre-operative radiological investigation done in all cases.Biopsy was usually taken pre-operatively, however in tumors suspected to be highly vascular an intra-operative sample was sent.
 Results: Mastoidectomy(canal wall up/canal wall down/radical) was performed as definite surgical treatment to achieve maximum clearance.
 Conclusion: Surgery is the treatment of the choice for benign middle ear tumors. High resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are important to determine the extent and to help surgical planning in doubtful vascular tumour. Biopsy is helpful for the differential diagnosis.

A Review On Formulation and Evaluation of Ubtan Facewash

Since the old times, there has been mindfulness among individuals in regards to the utilization of plants for the fundamental Need of a solid and delightful skin Herbal definitions have consistently gotten a Ton of interest because they have great action and Have less or no adverse consequences than manufactured Drugs. Since Normal face are utilizes Tropical face washes made of fixings Accessible in nature, a large part of the new writing Review plant deriveding redients, which might Incorporate spices, blossoms, roots, blossoms, and Rejuvenating ointment, the best thing about home grown Beauty care products is that they give the body Supplements and other helpful minerals. The regular Based individual face care market has encountered Fast development. The objective of this exploration was To create and test a home grown recipe. The Point of this study was to figure out and assess the home grown face wash containing concentrates of Curcuma Longa (Haldi), Murraya Koenigii (curry), Santalum Collection (Sandalwood oil) The plants have been accounted for In the writing having great enemy of microbial, against oxidant and calming , hostile to skin break out, against tanning Movement. Arranged definition was assessed for different boundaries like tone, appearance, consistency, pH, strength review and purchaser acknowledgment test

Hearing loss impacts aviator performance and cognitive workload during simulated flight

Hearing loss can render an aviator more susceptible to the adverse effects of degraded communication signals and consequently lead to an increased allocation of mental resources to hear (referred to as listening effort). Army aviation hearing standards, which are primarily based on pure tone and speech recognition test scores in quiet environments, do not necessarily predict the functional impact of hearing loss. The Army has recently adopted a new Military Operational Hearing Test (MOHT) to assess the functional impact of hearing loss. The current study aimed to validate the MOHT, specifically for aviators, and measure subjective workload, task performance, and physiological workload across different simulated hearing loss conditions in both clinical and flight simulator settings. Participants were Army aviators with normal hearing thresholds and underwent clinical testing using the MOHT for normal and hearing loss conditions. In addition to audiometric data, flight performance data were collected from pilots operating a full-motion UH-60 Black Hawk flight simulator for different levels of workloads and compared across the different hearing loss conditions. Subjective and physiological measurements of cognitive workload during simulated flight were also collected. Findings from this study will be leveraged in developing future protocols for aeromedical standards and evaluating hearing loss mitigation strategies using various headset technologies.

Simulation of hearing loss can induce pitch shifts for complex tones.

Most studies on pitch shift provoked by hearing loss have been conducted using pure tones. However, many sounds encountered in everyday life are harmonic complex tones. In the present study, psychoacoustic experiments using complex tones were performed on healthy participants, and the possible mechanisms that cause pitch shift due to hearing loss are discussed. Two experiments were performed in this study. In experiment 1, two tones were presented, and the participants were asked to select the tone that was higher in pitch. Partials with frequencies less than 250, 500, 750, or 1,000 Hz were eliminated from the harmonic complex tones and used as test tones to simulate low-tone hearing loss. Each tone pair was constructed such that the tone with a lower fundamental frequency (F0) was higher in terms of the frequency of the lowest partial. Furthermore, partials whose frequencies were greater than 1,300 or 1,600 Hz were also eliminated from these test tones to simulate high-tone hearing loss or modified sounds that patients may hear in everyday life. When a tone with a lower F0 was perceived as higher in pitch, it was considered a pitch shift from the expected tone. In experiment 2, tonal sequences were constructed to create a passage of the song "Lightly Row." Similar to experiment 1, partials of harmonic complex tones were eliminated from the tones. After listening to these tonal sequences, the participants were asked if the sequences sounded correct based on the melody or off-key. The results showed that pitch shifts and the melody sound off-key when lower partials are eliminated from complex tones, especially when a greater number of high-frequency components are eliminated. Considering that these experiments were performed on healthy participants, the results suggest that the pitch shifts from the expected tone when patients with hearing loss hear certain complex tones, regardless of the underlying etiology of the hearing loss.

Comparison of quick speech-in-noise test and pure tone audiometry in noise-induced hearing loss

Objective Complaints of speech understanding in situations where background noise exists, can be seen from early stages of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL); therefore, speech-in-noise tests including Quick speech-in-noise (Q-SIN) tests may be a suitable method for screening NIHL. The Q-SIN test uses the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) to evaluates speech perception in the presence of noise. This study aimed to compare pure tone audiometry and Q-SIN tests in patients with NIHL and normal hearing subjects. Methods In this cross-sectional study, according to the result of audiometry, subjects were classified into two groups: 45 individuals with audiograms suggestive of NIHL as a case group and 57 normal-hearing individuals as controls. The Persian version of the Quick-SIN test was performed for two study groups. The Mann-Whitney U Test was used for the comparison of mean SNR and hearing thresholds between the study groups. Spearman test was implemented for evaluation of the correlation between mean SNR and mean hearing thresholds in high and low frequencies in both ears. Results The median SNR loss was significantly higher in the NIHL group [0.75 (IQR: −0.75, 2.75)] than in the normal hearing group [−1.25 (−0.25, 1.25)] (p < 0.0001). It was also found that in the NIHL group, SNR loss had a direct and significant correlation with the high frequencies of both ears and the low frequency of the left ear, as the average hearing threshold increases at high frequencies and low frequencies of the left ear, the SNR loss mean increases as well. Conclusion The present study showed that the Q-SIN test as a rapid, easily applicable test has a positive correlation with pure tone audiometry results, especially at higher frequencies.

Effect of Late-Stage Meniere's Disease and Vestibular Functional Impairment on Hippocampal Atrophy.

We investigated correlations among clinical features, degree of inner ear endolymphatic hydrops (EH), and hippocampal volume (HV) in different stages of Meniere's disease (MD). From February 2021 to April 2022, clinical data were collected from 99 patients (39 males, 60 females, mean age: 50.4 ± 10.0 [range: 26-69] years) with unilateral MD admitted to the Department of Vertigo Disease of Shandong ENT Hospital. The left and right ears were affected in 64 and 35 patients, respectively. There were 50 and 49 cases in early (Stages 1, 2) and late stages (Stages 3, 4), respectively. Fifty healthy participants were included as controls. Audiovestibular function test results, EH grading using gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and HV determined on MRI were analyzed for patients at different stages of MD. Between-group comparisons of early and late MD revealed significant differences in the disease course, vestibular function (VF), degree of EH, and HV. There were no significant between-group differences based on age, sex, affected side, subjective degree of dizziness, hospital anxiety, or depression. Mean HV in patients with early-stage MD was correlated with the canal paresis value of the caloric test and pure tone hearing threshold, HV in late-stage patients was correlated with vestibular EH. Patients with late-stage MD exhibited severe auditory and VF impairments, increased EH, and atrophy of the HV. More advanced disease was associated with greater vestibular damage and degree of EH. 3 Laryngoscope, 134:410-418, 2024.

Preserving the Role of the Audiologist in a Clinical Technology, Consumer Channel, Clinical Service Model of Hearing Healthcare.

The past decade has been characterized by significant changes in the distribution and sale of hearing aids. Alternatives to the clinical technology, clinical channel, clinical service (i.e., traditional) hearing healthcare delivery model have been driven by growth in hearing aid dispensaries housed in large retail establishments and direct-to-consumer hearing aid sales by internet-based companies unaffiliated with major hearing aid manufacturers (e.g., Eargo). These developments have been accompanied by acceleration in the growth of teleaudiology services as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting development of nontraditional hearing aid distribution and sales models can be categorized into distinct archetypes as reviewed earlier in this publication. This article will review the Clinical Technology-Consumer Channel-Clinical Service model as exemplified by Jabra Enhance. We will describe a completely digital model of hearing aid distribution and sales that maintains the professional service component throughout the client journey to include an online tone test, the use of a risk mitigation questionnaire, virtual consultations, remote hearing aid adjustments, and the establishment and monitoring of client-centered treatment goals. Furthermore, this article will review the Jabra Enhance model within the context of consumer healthcare decision-making theory with a focus on the Consumer Decision-Making Model.

Düşük Kas Tonusu ve Konuşma Bozukluğu Olan 3 Yaşındaki Bir Çocukta Ayres Duyu Bütünleme İçeren Fizyoterapi Programının Etkileri: Tek Vaka Çalışması

This case report describes how a physiotherapy program with Ayres Sensory Integration was associated with changes in a 3 years old child with low muscle tone and speech disorders. To see how the Ayres Sensory Integration Physiotherapy Program affects muscle tone, speech, and the relation between muscle tone and speech, a 24-week physiotherapy program with Ayres Sensory Integration was initiated. Before and after the therapy, Development Screening Test, speech, muscle tone, and Antigravity Test were assessed and recorded. Muscle tone, speech, Development Screening Test and Antigravity Test results have all improved. Children with low muscle tone and speech difficulties can benefit from physiotherapy programs involving Ayres Sensory Integration. In addition to speech therapy, children with speech issues should get sensory integration therapy

Audiometry and biochemical analysis in patients with tinnitus — preliminary findings

Introduction: Tinnitus is a sound experience despite the lack of acoustic stimuli in the environment. The aim of this study was to report the audiometry and biochemical analysis of those patients with tinnitus compared with reference group. Material and methods: The study included a total of 26 patients aged from 20 to 72 years with diagnosed idiopathic tinnitus and 19 healthy subjects as a control group. All patients underwent audiometric tone test, speech audiometry, distortion otoacoustic emissions product testing, study of evoked auditory potentials of short latency, and biochemical analysis of venous blood concerning values of activity or concentration of the selected parameters of oxidative stress. Results: Mean values of activity or concentration of the selected parameters of oxidative stress in the study and control groups showed reduced effectiveness of the body's natural antioxidant barrier and intensification of treatment of lipid peroxidation. Discussion: There are a lot of factors suspected to generate tinnitus. A lot of them seem to be connected with biochemical disturbances inside cochlea and in central nervous system. It will be helpful to set such battery of tests that contains the predictive indicators of tinnitus. It will be the best if it is the battery of standard, not expensive tests of blood. Conclusions: Proper level of antioxidants may protect hearing. Glutathione and antioxodative enzymes may protect hearing organ against damages caused by free radicals. Lower level of the antioxidants and associated intensificaation of lipids peroxidation processes may increase free radicals-associated damages and lead to hearing organ dysfunction.

Tone evaluation of Ling sound test in Mandarin tone version.

The Ling sound test cannot provide the test of Chinese tone for preschool children with hearing aid and cochlear implants. The paper tries to design a new tone test method composed of the Ling sound test and four Chinese tones to evaluate the hearing level of Chinese hearing-impaired children. The tone identification rates of 20 cochlear implant children were statistically analyzed to verify the validity of the Ling sound test in the Chinese tone version. In addition, this paper analyzed the pronunciation characteristics of the Ling sound test in the Chongqing-accented Mandarin version of 20 subjects. The identification rate of Ling six sounds was more than 97.0%, the identification rate of tone was more than 81.0%, and the identification rate of vowels was 83.1%, which was higher than that of consonants 79.0%. The Ling sound test n the Chongqing-accented Mandarin version has a narrower frequency range. The results verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the Ling sound test in the Chinese tone version in the assessment of frequency range and tone identification for cochlear implant users.

Dose-Dependent Augmentation of Neuroplasticity-Based Auditory Learning in Schizophrenia: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Target Engagement Clinical Trial of the NMDA Glutamate Receptor Agonist d-serine

BackgroundPatients with schizophrenia show reduced NMDA glutamate receptor–dependent auditory plasticity, which is rate limiting for auditory cognitive remediation (AudRem). We evaluate the utility of behavioral and neurophysiological pharmacodynamic target engagement biomarkers, using a d-serine+AudRem combination. MethodsForty-five participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomized to 3 once-weekly AudRem visits + double-blind d-serine (80, 100, or 120 mg/kg) or placebo in 3 dose cohorts of 12 d-serine and 3 placebo-treated participants each. In AudRem, participants indicated which paired tone was higher in pitch. The primary outcome was plasticity improvement, operationalized as change in pitch threshold between AudRem tones [(test tone Hz − reference tone Hz)/reference tone Hz] between the initial plateau pitch threshold (mean of trials 20–30 of treatment visit 1) to pitch threshold at the end of visit(s). Target engagement was assessed by electroencephalography outcomes, including mismatch negativity (pitch primary). ResultsThere was a significant overall treatment effect for plasticity improvement (p = .014). Plasticity improvement was largest within the 80 and 100 mg/kg groups (p < .001, d > 0.67), while 120 mg/kg and placebo-treated participants showed nonsignificant within-group changes. Plasticity improvement was seen after a single treatment and was sustained on subsequent treatments. Target engagement was demonstrated by significantly larger mismatch negativity (p = .049, d = 1.0) for the 100 mg/kg dose versus placebo. ConclusionsOur results demonstrate sufficient proof of principle for continued development of both the d-serine+AudRem combination and our target engagement methodology. The ultimate utility is dependent on the results of an ongoing larger, longer study of the combination for clinically relevant outcomes.

The painting of a patient: Provider representations of patient fitness and preferences in multi-disciplinary tumor board meetings.

246 Background: Pancreatic cancer treatment can involve multiple treatment modalities (e.g. chemotherapy, surgery, radiation) that vary greatly in intensity and timing. The most intense treatments are associated with substantial toxicity and only recommended for medically ‘fit’ patients regardless of age. Despite evidence-based guidelines demonstrating the benefit of including the geriatric assessment (GA) and patient preferences, these may not be formally included in multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTBs) where treatment decisions are often made. Methods: This qualitative study evaluated MDTB meetings at a single institution between November 2021 and February 2022 for inclusion of fitness and patient preferences. Discussions of patients with stage I-IV pancreatic cancer were identified for inclusion. These recordings were transcribed and analyzed using NVivo for recurring themes and exemplary quotes regarding how providers characterize patients’ fitness and present their preferences to the board. Results: Thirteen MDTB meetings including 50 individuals with stage I-IV pancreatic cancer were included. Descriptions of patient fitness largely consisted of the presentation of common demographic traits such as age and gender. Additional context, primarily focused on occupation, comorbidities, and patient attitudes, was provided when demographic information did not align with perceived fitness level; for example “He’s 60 years old. He’s actually very strong. He used to, or he does, work in landscaping”. There was no formal inclusion of GA data. Explicit references to patient preferences or agentive decision-making only occurred in 19 cases; 11 referring to the patient’s (non-)interest in clinical trials, 3 denying additional testing (tone suggesting non-compliance), and 7 specifically referring to treatment type preference (e.g. surgery vs. chemotherapy). Conclusions: At present, MDTB treatment discussions primarily rely on shared understandings of the cultural significance and meaning of various demographic traits and rarely reference patient-reported preferences or fitness when determining the best pathway for patient care. Further work is needed to understand how to better formally incorporate fitness and preferences into decision-making.

Aberrant orbitofrontal cortical activation interferes with encoding of Pavlovian fear conditioning.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients were usually found with the hyper-activation of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and a deficit in fear extinction learning. The OFC can be subdivided into the lateral OFC (lOFC) and the medial OFC (mOFC). Previous studies have suggested that both subregions are involved in the modulation of negative emotions. However, how aberrant activation of the OFC interacts with the encoding of Pavlovian fear remains unknown. In this study, the lOFC or the mOFC was pharmacologically activated or inactivated before the fear conditioning on Day 1, followed by a context test on Day 2 and a tone test on Day 3 in male Long-Evans rats. We found that for the animals that underwent fear conditioning under aberrant activation of either the lOFC or the mOFC, they showed normal within-session fear expression. However, the acquisition/consolidation of contextual fear was impaired under mOFC activation, while the acquisition/consolidation of cued fear was impaired under either the lOFC or the mOFC activation, in that these animals showed lower freezing compared to controls during the retrieval test. On the other hand, for the animals that underwent fear conditioning under inactivation of either the lOFC or the mOFC, they showed normal within-session fear expression, as well as intact encoding of both the contextual and cued fear. Together, our results suggested that the OFC was not actively engaged in the acquisition of Pavlovian fear conditioning, but aberrant activation of the OFC impaired fear learning.

Auto, hyphen, open parenthesis, veu

A voice-based autobiographical performance work, developed by deep listening to a synthetic clone of my voice, serves as a point of departure to consider the aesthetic and sociopolitical implications of the modes in which voices are represented in speech synthesis. In the context of the rapidly increasing use of voice-based devices and virtual assistants, such as Amazon Echo and Alexa, I discuss how recently developed artificial intelligence techniques are being used to produce hyper-naturalistic voices that conceal the sonic markers left by their production processes. These attempts at technically reproducing voices that are naturalized, by becoming indistinguishable from their originals, are historically situated through the examination of a series of cases, such as Thomas Alva Edison’s Tone Tests. In addition, these show how, by closely listening to synthetic voices’ technically mediated difference, we may establish forms of affective relationship with them that can favour a lasting transformation of how voices are thought and produced.