Search Results (589)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a computer science that focuses on developing systems and machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human cognitive abilities. It has widespread applications in medical diagnostics. Its use has led to rapid advancements in diagnostic methodology, enabling the analysis of large datasets. The major applications of AI in medical diagnostics include personalized treatment based on patient genetics, preventive measures, and medical image analysis. AI is employed to analyse genomic data and biomarkers, aiding in the precise tailoring of therapies to individual patient needs. It could also be employed in modern dentistry in the near future, helping to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in diagnosis and treatment planning. AI may be utilized in screening for oral mucosa lesions and to discriminate between oral potentially malignant disorders and cancers from benign lesions. The potential advantages of AI include high speed and accuracy in the diagnostic process, as well as relatively low costs. The aim of this review was to present the potential applications of AI methods in the diagnosis of selected mucocutaneous diseases. A literature review focuses on oral lichen planus, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, and oral and laryngeal leukoplakia. Full article

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that utilizes magnetic fields to induce cortical electric currents, enabling both the measurement and modulation of neuronal activity. Initially developed as a diagnostic tool, TMS now serves dual roles in clinical neurology, offering insight into neurophysiological dysfunctions and the therapeutic modulation of abnormal cortical excitability. This review examines key TMS outcome measures, including motor thresholds (MT), input–output (I/O) curves, cortical silent periods (CSP), and paired-pulse paradigms such as short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), short-interval intracortical facilitation (SICF), intracortical facilitation (ICF), long interval cortical inhibition (LICI), interhemispheric inhibition (IHI), and short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI). These biomarkers reflect underlying neurotransmitter systems and can aid in differentiating neurological conditions. Diagnostic applications of TMS are explored in Parkinson’s disease (PD), dystonia, essential tremor (ET), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Each condition displays characteristic neurophysiological profiles, highlighting the potential for TMS-derived biomarkers in early or differential diagnosis. Therapeutically, repetitive TMS (rTMS) has shown promise in modulating cortical circuits and improving motor and cognitive symptoms. High- and low-frequency stimulation protocols have demonstrated efficacy in PD, dystonia, ET, AD, and MCI, targeting the specific cortical regions implicated in each disorder. Moreover, the successful application of TMS in differentiating and treating AD and MCI underscores its clinical utility and translational potential across all neurodegenerative conditions. As research advances, increased attention and investment in TMS could facilitate similar diagnostic and therapeutic breakthroughs for other neurological disorders that currently lack robust tools for early detection and effective intervention. Moreover, this review also aims to underscore the importance of maintaining standardized TMS protocols. By highlighting inconsistencies and variability in outcomes across studies, we emphasize that careful methodological design is critical for ensuring the reproducibility, comparability, and reliable interpretation of TMS findings. In summary, this review emphasizes the value of TMS as a distinctive, non-invasive approach to probing brain function and highlights its considerable promise as both a diagnostic and therapeutic modality in neurology—roles that are often considered separately. Full article

Script-based computer-aided design tools offer accessible and customizable environments, but their broader adoption is limited by the cognitive and computational difficulty of describing curved, irregular, or free-form geometries through code. This study addresses this challenge by contributing a unified, open-source framework that enables concept-to-model transformation through 2D point-based representations. Unlike previous ad hoc methods, this framework systematically integrates an interactive point-cloud modeling layer with modular systems for curve construction, point generation, transformation, sequencing, and formatting, together with script-based rendering functions. This framework allows users to generate geometrically valid models without navigating the heavy geometric calculations, strict syntax requirements, and debugging demands typical of script-based workflows. Structured case studies demonstrate the underlying workflow across mechanical, artistic, and handcrafted forms, contributing empirical evidence of its applicability to diverse tasks ranging from mechanical component modeling to cultural heritage digitization and reverse engineering. Comparative analysis demonstrates that the framework reduces user-facing code volume by over 97% compared to traditional scripting and provides a lightweight, noise-free alternative to traditional hardware-based reverse engineering by allowing users to define clean geometry from the outset. The findings confirm that the framework generates fabrication-ready outputs—including volumetric models and vector representations—suitable for various manufacturing contexts. All systems and rendering functions are made publicly available, enabling the entire pipeline to be performed using free tools. By establishing a practical and reproducible basis for point-based modeling, this study contributes to the advancement of computational design practice and supports the wider adoption of script-based design workflows. Full article

With the aid of non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), this paper investigates simultaneous two-way communications for cooperative cognitive radio networks, where a group of secondary access points (APs) scattered over a primary cell not only serve their own users but also help the primary cell-edge users′ transmissions cooperatively. As a reward for the cooperation, these APs are granted full access to the primary frequency spectrum. To coordinate the two-way transmissions of the primary and secondary networks, we propose a spectrum-efficient cooperative scheme that only involves two transmission phases, and particularly, the two variable-length transmission phases endow the system with the capability of adapting to possible DL and UL traffic asymmetry. For the system design, we formulate a power minimization problem subject to the bidirectional transmission rate constraints of both networks. The formulated problem is shown to be nonlinear and nonconvex, and for the numerically efficient solution, we propose an iterative algorithm facilitated by the successive convex approximation technique. Simulation results show that the proposed design algorithm has fast convergence speed and is superior to the hybrid orthogonal multiple access and NOMA schemes. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Giant sphenoid wing meningiomas are generally viewed as skull base masses that compress frontal centers and their respective pathways gradually enough to cause a dysexecutive–apathetic syndrome, which can mimic primary neurodegenerative disease. The aim of this report is to illustrate how bedside phenotyping and multimodal imaging can disclose similar clinical presentations as surgically treatable network lesions. Case Presentation: An independent, right-handed older female developed an incremental, two-year decline of her ability to perform executive functions, extreme apathy, lack of instrumental functioning, and a frontal-based gait disturbance, culminating in a first generalized seizure and a newly acquired left-sided upper extremity pyramidal sign. Standardized neuropsychological evaluation revealed a predominant frontal-based dysexecutive profile with intact core language skills, similar to behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). MRI demonstrated a large, right fronto-temporo-basal extra-axial tumor attached to the sphenoid wing with homogeneous postcontrast enhancement, significant vasogenic edema within the frontal projection pathways, and a marked midline displacement of structures with an open venous pathway. With the use of a skull-base flattening pterional craniotomy with early devascularization followed by staged internal debulking, arachnoid preserving dissection, and conservative venous preservation, the surgeon accomplished a Simpson Grade I resection. Sequential improvements in the patient’s frontal “re-awakening” were demonstrated through postoperative improvements on standardized stroke, cognitive and functional assessment scales that correlated well with persistent decompression and symmetric ventricles on follow-up images. Conclusions: This case illustrates the possibility of a non-dominant sphenoid wing meningioma resulting in a pseudo-degenerative frontal syndrome and its potential for reversal if recognized as a network lesion and treated with tailored, venous-sparing skull-base surgery. Contrast-enhanced imaging and routine frontal testing in atypical “dementia” presentations may aid in identifying additional patients with potentially surgically remediable cases. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hearing impairment in middle-aged adults is a significant, modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, and therapy with hearing aids or cochlear implants has been suggested to reduce this risk. However, most research on auditory rehabilitation and cognition has focused on older adults, and evidence regarding cognitive outcomes in middle-aged adults remains scarce despite this group being identified as critical for dementia prevention. Thus, this study aimed to assess cognitive skills in middle-aged hearing-impaired individuals 1 year after receiving a cochlear implant (CI) as part of auditory rehabilitation. Methods: Thirty-two patients with a mean age of 52.4 were enrolled in a prospective pre-post study. Hearing was tested using the Freiburg Monosyllable Test (FS) and the Oldenburg Inventory (OI). Cognitive performance was assessed using the WAIS-IV, operationalized through the Working Memory Index (Digit Span, Arithmetic) and Processing Speed Index (Symbol Search, Coding). Quality of life was assessed with the NCIQ, tinnitus-related distress with the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ), and depressive symptoms with the ADS-L. Results: After one year, speech intelligibility (FS) improved from a median of 0 to 70.0 (Wilcoxon Z = −4.864, p < 0.001, r = −0.61), and subjective hearing from a median of 2.55 to 3.18 (Wilcoxon Z = −3.072, p = 0.002). The NCIQ score increased from 52.3 to 60.6 (Z = −3.899, p < 0.001), and tinnitus-related distress decreased from 25 to 21 (Wilcoxon Z = −2.209, p = 0.027). Depressive symptoms declined numerically, although this change did not reach statistical significance. Working memory improved from 82.0 to 89.0 (Wilcoxon Z = −4.090, p < 0.001), and processing speed from 89.5 to 95.5 (Wilcoxon Z = −2.533, p = 0.011). Before CI, WMI and PSI showed a strong correlation (ρ = 0.533, p = 0.002), and WMI correlated moderately with education level (ρ = 0.452, p = 0.012). One year after CI, correlations strengthened between PSI and NCIQ (ρ = 0.510, p = 0.006), PSI and OI (ρ = 0.400, p = 0.039), and WMI and TQ (ρ = –0.459, p = 0.021), indicating emerging associations between cognitive outcomes and auditory or psychosocial measures. Conclusions: One year of CI-based auditory rehabilitation improves auditory function, quality of life, tinnitus distress, and—critically—working memory and processing speed in middle-aged adults. These findings address a previously unfilled research gap and support the relevance of CIs for preserving cognitive health during midlife. Full article

Background: Findings show that beetroot-derived nitrates can improve endurance, oxygen efficiency, muscular power, recovery and cardiovascular function, particularly in recreationally active or moderately trained individuals. However, results are mixed in elite athletes, likely due to their already optimized nitric oxide utilization. Cognitive function is a crucial aspect of athletic performance enabling athletes to adapt to dynamic environments and execute skills effectively, but evidence for cognitive benefits of nitrate-rich beetroot supplementation is limited and inconsistent. The combination of improved physical activity and cognitive functions contribute to overall healthy aging and extending life expectancy. This highlights the synergistic role of nutrition, exercise and mental agility in promoting long-term well-being. Methods: The literature review was conducted to summarize and systematize existing evidence on beetroot juice supplementation on physical performance and cognitive function in both, healthy adult population and athletes. Results: Overall, beetroot supplementation demonstrates strong potential as a natural ergogenic aid for enhancing physical performance, but current evidence on cognitive improvement remains inconclusive. Conclusions: Further research, particularly involving female or elite athletes, is needed to establish clear recommendations of beetroot juice supplementation as a supportive element of exercise capacity and cognitive abilities contributing to maintaining health and thus healthy aging. Full article

Introduction: Refractory Status Epilepsy Syndrome is a heterogeneous group of diseases associated with status epilepsy. Literature and definition have been conflicting and confusing in terms of their nomenclatures. New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is a syndrome characterized by new onset refractory seizures in a previously health child. Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) is a similar syndrome now considered a variant of NORSE and is defined as a febrile event taking place between twenty-four hours and two weeks prior to the commencement of refractory status epilepticus. An autoimmune or inflammatory etiology is often implied in both conditions because infection is rarely identified. Aim: This review provides an update on hypotheses, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, laboratory evaluation, treatment, and perspectives for NORSE/FIRES. Methods: A PubMed Clinical Queries search is performed using keywords of NORSE and FIRES, on human subjects up to May 2025. All reviews, systematic reviews, case series and case reports were included. Results: Seizures are typically recalcitrant in NORSE/FIRES. Treatments include anti-seizure medications (ASM), ketogenic diet, immunotherapy (intravenous immunoglobulin ± plasmapheresis ± corticosteroid). The prognosis is usually poor. Most children would suffer refractory epilepsy and associated cognitive impairment if they survived. Guidelines and new consensus on NORSE/FIRES terminology have aided clinicians in managing status epilepticus in a previously healthy child that occurs ± a minor febrile episode. When an autoimmune or paraneoplastic condition is subsequently identified, the condition will be named accordingly. Conclusions: NORSE and FIRES are similar conditions except that vagus nerve stimulation appears to be more efficacious in NORSE than FIRES. We propose to define these heterogeneous and confusing conditions as “NOSES” as a two-criteria syndrome: New Onset + Status Epilepticus Syndrome, lasting for over 24 h despite the use of two standard ASM. Autoimmune, paraneoplastic and infectious encephalitis are specific diagnoses of NOSES with etiology subsequently identified. Full article

Mobile games have become one of the fastest-growing segments of the digital economy, and in-app advertisements represent a major source of revenue while shaping consumer attention and memory processes. This study examined the relationship between visual attention and brand recall of in-app advertisements in a mobile sports game using mobile eye-tracking technology. A total of 79 participants (47 male, 32 female; Mage = 25.8) actively played a mobile sports game for ten minutes while their eye movements were recorded with Tobii Pro Glasses 2. Areas of interest (AOIs) were defined for embedded advertisements, and fixation-related measures were analyzed. Brand recall was assessed through unaided, verbal-aided, and visual-aided measures, followed by demographic comparisons based on gender, mobile sports game experience and interest in tennis. Results from Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) revealed that brand placement was the strongest predictor of recall (p < 0.001), overriding raw fixation duration. Specifically, brands integrated into task-relevant zones (e.g., the central net area) achieved significantly higher recall odds compared to peripheral ads, regardless of marginal variations in dwell time. While eye movement metrics varied by gender and interest, the multivariate model confirmed that in active gameplay, task-integration drives memory encoding more effectively than passive visual salience. These findings suggest that active gameplay imposes unique cognitive demands, altering how attention and memory interact. The study contributes both theoretically by extending advertising research into ecologically valid gaming contexts and practically by informing strategies for optimizing mobile in-app advertising. Full article

Background/Objectives: This narrative review aims to evaluate the use of pupillometry as an objective measure of auditory perception and listening effort across the lifespan. Specifically, it synthesizes research examining pupillary responses in individuals with and without hearing impairment across pediatric, adult, and older adult populations. The review addresses methodological practices and clinical implications for integrating pupillometry into routine audiological assessment. Methods: 12 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025 were selected through a systematic search of databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria required empirical use of pupillometry in auditory tasks involving human participants with normal hearing or hearing impairment. Studies were analyzed for population characteristics, experimental paradigms, pupillometric metrics (e.g., peak pupil dilation), level of evidence, and relevance to clinical audiology. This article uses a narrative review approach to organize and interpret findings. Results: Across age groups and hearing conditions, pupillometry consistently demonstrated sensitivity to cognitive load and listening effort, particularly in noisy environments or during complex auditory tasks. Pediatric studies revealed its potential as a non-invasive tool for preverbal children. Adult and older adult studies confirmed that pupillary responses reflect device performance (e.g., hearing aids, cochlear implants) and cognitive–linguistic demands. Methodological variability and individual differences in pupil response patterns were noted as limitations. Conclusions: The findings support the use of pupillometry as a valuable adjunct to behavioral audiometry, offering objective insight into auditory–cognitive load. Its application holds promise for pediatric diagnostics, hearing technology evaluation, and geriatric audiology. Standardization of measurement protocols and development of normative data are necessary to enhance clinical applicability and generalizability. Full article

Introduction: Red spinach powder (RSP) contains high amounts of inorganic nitrate/nitrite (NO₃/NO₂), which has been suggested to alter vascular activity, cognitive processing, and sprint exercise performance. There have been few investigations as to whether RSP serves as an ergogenic aid to improve resistance exercise performance, particularly muscular endurance. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate acute RSP (VitaSpinach^®) supplementation on muscular endurance and velocity during bench press exercise. Methods: In a double-blind, counterbalanced crossover manner, resistance-trained males (n = 14) were subjected to two supplement conditions as follows: (1) placebo (PL; purple sweet potato) or (2) red spinach powder (RSP; 400 mg NO₃). Supplements were consumed 2 h prior to exercise and blood was collected immediately pre-exercise to determine NO₃/NO₂ levels. To determine barbell velocity, participants completed two sets × two repetitions with maximal effort, while a rotary encoder measured mean barbell velocity. Following this, participants performed three sets × repetitions to exhaustion (RTE) at 60% of 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM), separated by 2 min of rest, to determine muscular endurance. Local (lRPE) and global (gRPE) ratings of perceived exertion were measured after exercise. Blood NO₃/NO₂, RTE, mean velocity, lRPE, and gRPE were compared between supplement conditions. Results: RSP resulted in significantly higher blood levels of total NO₃/NO₂ (p < 0.001) compared to PL. RSP did not result in superior total RTE (p = 0.935) but increased mean velocity (p = 0.035) compared to PL. Both lRPE (p = 0.027) and gRPE (p = 0.028) were significantly reduced with RSP supplementation. Conclusions: Findings suggest acute RSP ingestion increased NO₃/NO₂ and bench press velocity. While muscular endurance remained unchanged, RSP resulted in lower perceptions of exertion. Full article

Understanding the economic and psychological values that people assign to threatened species is crucial for their effective protection. The long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is an endangered primate currently threatened by habitat destruction, removal from the wild for scientific, commercial, and recreational purposes, and culling due to conflicts with local communities. We conducted on-site interviews with Maguindanao residents in the Philippines (n = 500) to explore the conservation value of the long-tailed macaque and to assess how cognition, emotion, and folklore influence willingness to pay (WTP). Participants showed pro-conservation attitudes and positive emotions toward the long-tailed macaque, had substantial knowledge about their behavior and biology, but did not believe in folklore traditions. An average annual WTP of PHP 46.9 was estimated for macaque conservation, amounting to PHP 10.5 million annually, based on the number of households in the study area. Conservation attitudes, emotions, and biological knowledge about the long-tailed macaque were positively linked to WTP for its preservation. Conversely, dominionistic worldviews were negatively associated with WTP. Younger participants, females, and those with higher incomes demonstrated a higher WTP than older participants, males, and those with lower incomes. These findings can aid in designing and implementing outreach campaigns to raise funds and educate local communities, thereby further improving their attitudes toward this endangered primate. Full article

Distance simultaneous interpreting is a typical example of technology-mediated interpreting, bridging participants (i.e., interpreters, audience, and speakers) in various events and conferences. This study explores how presentation mode affects cognitive load in DSI, utilizing eye-tracking sensor technology. A controlled experiment was conducted involving 36 participants, comprising 19 professional interpreters and 17 student interpreters, to assess the effects of presentation mode on their cognitive load during English-to-Chinese DSI. A Tobii Pro X3-120 screen-based eye tracker was used to collect eye-tracking data as the participants sequentially performed a DSI task involving four distinct presentation modes: the Speaker, Slides, Split, and Corner modes. The findings, derived from the integration of eye-tracking data and interpreting performance scores, indicate that both presentation mode and experience level significantly influence interpreters’ cognitive load. Notably, student interpreters demonstrated longer fixation durations in the Slides mode, indicating a reliance on visual aids for DSI. These results have implications for language learning, suggesting that the integration of visual supports can aid in the acquisition and performance of interpreting skills, particularly for less experienced interpreters. This study contributes to our understanding of the interplay between technology, cognitive load, and language learning in the context of DSI. Full article

Driven by 5G/6G and the Internet of Things (IoT), wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are confronted with core challenges such as limited energy constraints, unbalanced resource allocation, and security vulnerabilities. To address these, WSNs are integrated with cognitive radio networks (CRNs) to alleviate spectrum scarcity, and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) are adopted to enhance performance, but traditional passive RIS suffers from “double fading” (signal path loss from transmitter to RIS and RIS to receiver), which undermines WSNs’ energy efficiency and the physical layer security (PLS) (e.g., secrecy rate, SR) of primary users (PUs) in CRNs. This study leverages symmetry to develop an active RIS framework for WSN-integrated CRNs, constructing a tripartite collaborative model where symmetric beamforming and resource allocation improve WSN connectivity, reduce energy consumption, and strengthen PLS. Specifically, three symmetry types—resource allocation symmetry, beamforming structure symmetry, and RIS reflection matrix symmetry—are formalized mathematically. These symmetries reduce the degrees of freedom in optimization (e.g., cutting precoding complexity by ~50%) and enhance the directionality of green interference, while ensuring balanced resource use for WSN nodes. The core objective is to minimize total transmit power while satisfying constraints of PU SR, secondary user (SU) quality-of-service (QoS), and PU interference temperature, achieved by converting non-convex SR constraints into solvable second-order cone (SOC) forms and using an alternating optimization algorithm to iteratively refine CBS/PBS precoding matrices and active RIS reflection matrices, with active RIS generating directional “green interference” to suppress eavesdroppers without artificial noise, avoiding redundant energy use. Simulations validate its adaptability to WSN scenarios: 50% lower transmit power than RIS-free schemes (with four CBS antennas), 37.5–40% power savings as active RIS elements increase to 60, and a 40% lower power growth slope in multi-user WSN scenarios, providing a symmetry-aided, low-power solution for secure and efficient WSN-integrated CRNs to advance intelligent WSNs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acquired brain injuries (ABIs), such as stroke, are a major cause of disability globally and frequently affect functional cognition. Functional cognition is the ability to use cognitive processes including memory, attention, and executive functioning to perform daily tasks. When these processes are disrupted, it affects the individual in their participation, independence, and quality of life; it also places a significant burden on family members who often become primary caregivers. The aim of this review is to summarize evidence-based strategies to enhance functional cognition following strokes in an attempt to decrease the caregiver burden and improve both patients and their caregivers’ quality of life. Methods: This review summarizes and interprets findings using an annotated bibliography review and systematic search strategy to gather the most effective and relevant evidence-based interventions for those with ABIs and strokes experiencing memory, attention, and executive dysfunction. Studies outlining adaptive and compensatory interventions were included. Results: Evidence suggests compensatory strategies including environmental and external memory aids, structured routine, technological interventions, metacognitive strategies, as well as attention processing, strategy, and visual imagery training. These tactics demonstrate improvement in functional cognition domains of memory, (particularly prospective memory, i.e., remembering to perform future tasks), attention, and executive functioning after stroke and other ABIs. Conclusions: Effective intervention strategies can help individuals’ post-stroke become more independent in their participation and activities of daily living, leading to decreased caregiver burden and improvements in functional independence and quality of life in both patients and their caregivers. It is suggested that caregivers use these evidence-based approaches in their residential environments. Full article