Executive Functions and Deafness: Results in a Group of Cochlear Implanted Children

Objects: This study aimed to evaluate the Executive Function (EF) domains in a group of profoundly deaf children treated with cochlear implant (CI) in comparison to normal hearing (NH) children. The secondary aim was to evaluate the influence exerted by the age at cochlear implant activation on EFs. Materials and Methods: 32 children were enrolled into two groups: group A of 17 CI users with a mean age of 8.78 years and group B of 15 NH subjects with a mean age of 7.99 years (SD + 2.3). All subjects were tested using the following tests: the subtests for working memory of the neuropsychological evaluation battery for the developmental age (Batteria di valutazione neuropsicologica per l’età evolutive), inhibition and control of the impulsive response—CAF, and the tower of London test. Results: No children with CIs scored within the normal range in the tests administered for the evaluation of EF domains. The same scores were significantly lower when compared with scores obtained by NH children. Children with younger age at CI activation showed better executive performances in planning, working memory (backward digit span), and cognitive flexibility (categorical fluency). Conclusion: The results of this study highlight that cochlear implantation plays a role in improving hearing and consequently influences the development of EFs in deaf children.

Howling Detection and Suppression Based on Segmented Notch Filtering

The existing adaptive echo cancellation based howling (typically in hearing aids) removal methods have several drawbacks such as insufficient attenuation of the howling component, slow response and nonlinear distortion. To solve these problems, we propose a segmented notch filtering based scheme. Specifically, firstly, it is proved that the attenuation value can reach −330 dB at any detected howling frequency; secondly, the filter coefficients can be readily calculated by a closed-form formula, yielding a fast response to the sudden howling accident; thirdly, the closed-form formula of this filter is theoretically an even function, indicating that this filter possesses a linear transfer characteristic. In combination with proper segmentation and precisely removing these transient samples arising from FIR (Finite Impulsive Response) filtering, nonlinear distortion can be entirely avoided. Experimental results show that our proposed scheme can not only accurately estimate the howling frequency, but can also completely remove it, which yields a high-quality output waveform with a recovery SNR of about 22 dB. Therefore, the proposed segmented notching based scheme possesses vast potential for hearing aid development and other relevant applications.

Stream Hydrochemical Response to Flood Events in a Multi-Lithological Karstic Catchment from the Pyrenees Mountains (SW France)

Hydrological variations hold a significant influence over the water chemistry in the karstic critical zone. In this context, the karstic Baget Catchment (BC) has been monitored at a high resolution over two years at the outlet in order to set up a typology of the flood events. The objective was to assess the multiple streamwater physico-chemical patterns in response to hydrological variations, streamflow component (quick-response, subsurface, and baseflow) and lithological contributions, and biogeochemical processes. The karstic catchment exhibited an impulsive response to flood events in relation to the typical structural and morphological characteristics of the karst. In addition, this response was constrained by the magnitude of the rainfall and the preceding hydroclimatic conditions. The variability of the dissolved load in streamflow was closely associated with the characteristics of the weathered rocks and the hydrological conditions throughout the year. Two simple indicators allow to characterize the concentration–discharge relationships with different hysteresis patterns on a set of floods with various intensities and shapes of the hydrograph and under different hydrological conditions before the flood. Almost all elements exhibited either clockwise loops or more complex behaviors, suggesting a higher overall concentration when the major water contribution comes from the quick-response flow (karst and surface runoff fraction). Besides, the epikarst flushing under dry conditions led counterclockwise hysteresis patterns for calcium (Ca2+) and bicarbonate (HCO3−) which revealed an overall chemostatic behavior as a result of carbonate dissolution in the karst. On the contrary, sulfate (SO42−) exhibited the widest relative variation during flooding and showed a significant sensitivity to the dilution process with increasing discharge. For medium flood episodes (Qmax < 4.4 m3·s−1), an overall concentration increase or chemostatic behavior could be observed during the rising limb of the hydrograph. On the opposite, under extreme flood episodes (Qmax > 8.3 m3·s−1) occurring after several rain events, a dilution pattern was noted for all elements originating from rock weathering. Finally, high-frequency sampling during storm events improved the understanding of the factors controlling the hydrochemical dynamic in karstic catchments.

COMPARISON OF THE REAL IMAGE, RADIOGRAPHIC AND PROCESSED IMAGE IN THE STUDY OF METALLIC PIECES FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

Archaeologists and conservators have different problems in inspecting metal-type pieces extracted from the archaeological sites, such as their large number and the complexity of the materials and their shapes. Usually, all of the pieces are hidden under the oxidation layers. From this point of view, a non-destructive analysis technique such as digital radiography imaging can detect and discriminate one piece from another. Also, the shape of pieces, state of the metal core, and assessment of its handling can be investigated. But there are still some problems with metal-type parts with a certain thickness. The generated X-ray image can be very foggy and without adequate quality. This will prevent the method to discriminate small details about the shape, hidden structures, and the real level of oxidation, and the presence of cracks. A solution for improving the quality of the x-ray image can be implementing a digital imaging processing algorithm for enhancing the quality of the radiographs. In this study, the metal parts are carried out from two important Iberian-Roman sites located on the coast of the municipality of Burriana (Castellón), i.e. Sant Gregori and Torre d'Onda. This set of pieces belong to the archaeological museum of Burriana, Spain, and are investigated by X-ray imaging. This study has used the “Fast 2D Gaussian convolution first-order infinite impulsive response” (IIR) to extract the maximum detail for better interpretation of the image. A multidisciplinary perspective has been desired for this study.

Effect of Rider Posture on Bicycle Comfort

Cyclists are exposed to vibration due to road roughness. The levels of vibration that the cyclists experience have a major effect on comfort and depend on the bicycle, rider and road characteristics. It is known that the posture of the cyclist has a relevant effect on the bicycle-cyclist system vibration response. Nevertheless, this effect has been scarcely quantified. This study focuses on the measurement of the effect of body posture on comfort while riding a bicycle. A laboratory methodology based on the measurement of the impulsive response of sensitive points of the bicycle was implemented to predict the comfort of cyclists on the road. The posture on the sagittal plane was verified during the tests. The methodology was implemented to predict the comfort of two cyclists riding a city bicycle in two postures: upright and bent forward. Experimental results showed that in the bent forward posture the acceleration levels had a significant increment for the handlebar stem and a non-significant increment for the seatpost.

Impulsive Response of Rectangular Metal Sandwich Plate with a Graded Foam Core

An analytical study considering inhomogeneous core compression is conducted to investigate the impulsive response of fully clamped rectangular metal sandwich plate with a graded foam (GF) core. The dynamic compressive properties of GF under impulsive loading are theoretically modeled antecedently. The approximate analytical predictions are achieved for the impulsive response of rectangular sandwich plate with a linear strength distributed GF core along the thickness by using the relevant loci of a new yield criterion. The analytical predictions agree well with the finite element (FE) results and indicate that the sandwich plates with negative gradient design outperform their uniform counterparts in impulsive resistance. The present study provides an insight into understanding the blast resistance of the sandwich structures with inhomogeneous cores.

Does Impulsive Response to Internal and External Food Cues Lead to Higher Calorie Intake?

Measuring the impact of self-control on caloric intake has proved challenging in non-experimental studies. In this article, we study the relationship between self-control and food intake quantified by calories. Using validated behavioral measures, we find that impulsivity increases caloric intake, and that restraint decreases intake. Furthermore, the effect of impulsivity and restraint is more pronounced at the upper end of the calorie distribution. Thus, individuals already consuming more calories display a heightened reaction and likelihood to succumb to food environmental pressures. An individual's decision to diet, when allowed to vary with behavioral measures, bears no unique significance on caloric intake. Our results are robust to different levels of physical activity and generally robust to underreporting.