Enhanced Generative Adversarial Networks for Unseen Word Generation from EEG Signals

Recent advances in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, particularly based on generative adversarial networks (GAN), have shown great promise for improving decoding performance for BCI. Within the realm of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI), GANs find application in addressing many areas. They serve as a valuable tool for data augmentation, which can solve the challenge of limited data availability, and synthesis, effectively expanding the dataset and creating novel data formats, thus enhancing the robustness and adaptability of BCI systems. Research in speech-related paradigms has significantly expanded, with a critical impact on the advancement of assistive technologies and communication support for individuals with speech impairments. In this study, GANs were investigated, particularly for the BCI field, and applied to generate text from EEG signals. The GANs could generalize all subjects and decode unseen words, indicating its ability to capture underlying speech patterns consistent across different individuals. The method has practical applications in neural signal-based speech recognition systems and communication aids for individuals with speech difficulties.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

EFFECTS OF 10 WEEKS TRAINING PROGRAM ON LOWER EXTREMITY STRENGTH AND VERTICAL REACTION FORCE DURING SIT-TO-STAND IN CHRONIC STROKE PATIENTS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 10 weeks training program on lower extremity strength and' vertical reaction force during sit-to-stand movement in chronic stroke patients. Maximum vertical ground reaction force, difference of vertical ground reaction force between left and right foot, COP in anteriorposterior and mediolateral direction did not show any significant time main effect. However, the difference of body weight distribution between the left and right foot was decreased in experimental group after training. The peak torque generated by the flexors of the paretic limb at 60o /sec and 180o/sec in experimental group changed from baseline, an increases of 30.23% and 24.09%, respectively. These results appear that 10 weeks training program improves sit-to-stand movement and lower extremity strength in chronic stroke patients

A case of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome is a rare disorder that is characterized by multiple recurrent vascular malformations, such as hemangioma, and these primarily involve the skin and the gastrointestinal tract. It may also involve the brain, liver, lungs, and skeletal muscles. A 14-year-old female visited our hospital with a chief complaint of dizziness; upon examination, we found multiple recurrent hemangiomas on the skin and gastrointestinal tract. We were able to diagnose her as suffering from blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome and we treated her with methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg/day for 1 month and 1 mg/kg/day for additional 3 months). We report on this case along with a review of the literature

A preliminary study on the feasibility of community game-based respiratory muscle training for individuals with high cervical spinal cord injury levels: a novel approach

Abstract Background Respiratory disorders result in rehospitalization and premature death of patients with cervical spinal cord injuries (CSCI). Community game-based respiratory muscle training (RMT) programs could reduce secondary complications. Methods We examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of RMT as a community-based exercise program. Among the 10 included participants (eight male and two female), four, one, one, and four reported C3, C4, C5, and C6 complete injuries, respectively (eight graded by American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale [ASIA] A and two by ASIA B). Their mean age was 43 ± 12.3 y. The time since injury was 10 ± 6.7 y. The participants completed an RMT program for 60 min/day, twice weekly, for 8 weeks. The participants were trained in the use of a newly developed game-based RMT device. The device provides consistent pressure for respiratory muscle strength and endurance training. Seven RMT devices were modified to allow 10 game-based RMT programs. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), vital capacity (VC), inspiratory capacity (IC), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), and peak cough flow (PCF) were measured. Results There were improvements after RMT compared to pre-RMT in FVC (p = 0.027, 10.62%, 0.22 effect size [ES]), PEF (p = 0.006, 23.21%, 0.45 ES), VC (p = 0.002, 35.52%, 0.60 ES), IC (p = 0.001, 46.94%, 0.81 ES), IRV (p = 0.001, 90.53%, 1.22 ES), MIP (p = 0.002, 97.25%, 1.32 ES), MEP (p = 0.005, 141.12%, 1.07 ES), and PCF (p = 0.001, 35.60%, 0.74 ES). The participants reported a positive impact of the program. Conclusions Community game-based RMT for individuals with CSCI appears to be safe and feasible. Community exercise with RMT use may have a positive impact on the respiratory measures for patients with CSCI who are vulnerable to respiratory compromise. Trial registration KCT0005980

Protocol for Community-Based Exercise Training after Discharge from Hospital-Based Stroke Rehabilitation: A Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Double-Blind Controlled Pilot and Feasibility Trial

Exercise training participation of patients with stroke in the community after discharge from the hospital has many benefits for physical, social, and psychological rehabilitation and improves their quality of life. However, in the Republic of Korea, studies on stroke survivors who can participate in an exercise training program have not been conducted. This trial aims to investigate the effectiveness of exercise training programs after patients with stroke are discharged from the hospital with a doctor’s note and referred to a community exercise center, as there is a lack of studies on this population. This multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind controlled pilot and feasibility trial will randomly assign 120 patients with stroke to either 8 weeks of a community-based exercise training program (experimental group) or activities of daily living (control group). The primary outcomes will be muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, physical performance, and gait. The secondary outcomes will be quality of life and activities of daily living. This study’s results may add new insights into the effectiveness of community-based exercise training programs after patients with stroke are discharged from the hospital with a doctor’s note and referred to a community exercise center. The success of the new exercise training approach could offer valuable information for developing more inclusive protocols for patients with stroke in the future if it proves to be efficacious

Creating a Rehabilitation Sports Public Service Information Systems Using Service Design Thinking: Physical Activity Management of the Disabled after Discharge in the Republic of Korea

The Republic of Korea has established an institutional framework to expedite the provision of rehabilitation sports public services to individuals with disabilities post-hospital discharge (Act on Guarantee of Right to Health and Access to Health Services for People with Disabilities in December 2017). Regrettably, this service remains non-operational to date. This study employs a service design approach to identify and develop essential elements for the effective implementation of public rehabilitation sports services in Korea. Adopting the service design method, including the empathize–define–ideate–prototype phases, co-creation activities were conducted with three teams comprising people with disabilities, caregivers, rehabilitation physicians, specialized sports instructors, facility managers, and government officials, emphasizing equitable distribution. By leveraging the experiences of people with disabilities, these teams collaboratively engaged in creative activities to formulate strategies for delivering prompt and user-friendly rehabilitation sports public services post-hospital discharge. Contributions from each team were meticulously collected and organized, incorporating diverse perspectives into the development of the Korean Rehabilitation Sports Public Service Information System (KRSPSIS). Additionally, we presented a scenario illustrating the practical application of the KRSPSIS. Through this system, we anticipate providing more efficient and convenient rehabilitation sports public services to individuals with disabilities during the critical early stages following hospital discharge

SHM-based practical safety evaluation and vibration control model for steel pipes

Unexpected damages or failures of steel pipes in refineries cause significant disruption to economic activity. While research has been conducted on the prevention of damage to steel pipes, no systematic methods or practical techniques for monitoring of vibrations to estimate the state of pipeline system have been reported. In this study, vibration safety evaluation model consisting of design – evaluation – control steps was developed to measure and control the vibration level during operation of the piping system of an oil refinery. The measurement location was designed by examining the structure of the pipe, and the vibration level measured at each location was compared with the allowable vibration level. Subsequently, two types of vibration reduction measures, namely, dynamic absorbers and viscous dampers, were introduced to reduce the vibration level. The effect of the application of the monitoring system was evaluated by comparing the vibration levels of the steel pipes before and after the application of the dynamic absorbers and viscous dampers. The vibrations of steel pipes in the oil refinery during operation decreased by over 50%. Upon applying the dynamic absorbers and viscous dampers, the responses of the frequency component also exhibited local and global reductions of approximately 50–80%

Effect of immersion into solutions at various pH on the color stability of composite resins with different shades

Objectives This study examined the color changes of a resin composite with different shades upon exposure to water with different pH. Materials and Methods Nanohybrid resin composites (Filtek Z350XT, 3M ESPE) with four different shades (A2, A3, B1, and B2) were immersed in water with three different pH (pH 3, 6, and 9) for 14 day. The CIE L*a*b* color coordinates of the specimens were evaluated before and after immersion in the solutions. The color difference (ΔE*) and the translucency parameter (TP) were calculated using the color coordinates. Results ΔE* ranged from 0.33 to 1.58, and the values were affected significantly by the pH. The specimens immersed in a pH 6 solution showed the highest ΔE* values (0.87 - 1.58). The specimens with a B1 shade showed the lowest ΔE* change compared to the other shades. TP ranged from 7.01 to 9.46 depending on the pH and resin shade. The TP difference between before and after immersion in the pH solutions was less than 1.0. Conclusions The resulting change of color of the tested specimens did not appear to be clinically problematic because the color difference was < 1.6 in the acidic, neutral, and alkaline solutions regardless of the resin shade, i.e., the color change was imperceptible

Alendronate-Eluting Biphasic Calcium Phosphate (BCP) Scaffolds Stimulate Osteogenic Differentiation

Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffolds have been widely used in orthopedic and dental fields as osteoconductive bone substitutes. However, BCP scaffolds are not satisfactory for the stimulation of osteogenic differentiation and maturation. To enhance osteogenic differentiation, we prepared alendronate- (ALN-) eluting BCP scaffolds. The coating of ALN on BCP scaffolds was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). An in vitro release study showed that release of ALN from ALN-eluting BCP scaffolds was sustained for up to 28 days. In vitro results revealed that MG-63 cells grown on ALN-eluting BCP scaffolds exhibited increased ALP activity and calcium deposition and upregulated gene expression of Runx2, ALP, OCN, and OPN compared with the BCP scaffold alone. Therefore, this study suggests that ALN-eluting BCP scaffolds have the potential to effectively stimulate osteogenic differentiation