Application of virtual reality technology improves the functionality of brain networks in individuals experiencing pain

Medical procedures are inherently invasive and carry the risk of inducing pain to the mind and body.Recently,efforts have been made to alleviate the discomfort associated with invasive medical procedures through the use of virtual reality(VR)technology.VR has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for pain associated with medical procedures,as well as for chronic pain conditions for which no effective treatment has been established.The precise mechanism by which the diversion from reality facilitated by VR contributes to the diminution of pain and anxiety has yet to be elucidated.However,the provision of positive images through VR-based visual stimulation may enhance the functionality of brain networks.The salience network is diminished,while the default mode network is enhanced.Additionally,the medial prefrontal cortex may establish a stronger connection with the default mode network,which could result in a reduction of pain and anxiety.Further research into the potential of VR technology to alleviate pain could lead to a reduction in the number of individuals who overdose on painkillers and contribute to positive change in the medical field.

Electroencephalogram Signal Correlations between Default Mode Network and Attentional Functioning

Attentional issues may affect acquiring new information, task performance, and learning. Cortical network activities change during different functional brain states, including the default mode network (DMN) and attention network. We investigated the neural mechanisms underlying attentional functions and correlations between DMN connectivity and attentional function using the Trail-Making Test (TMT)-A and -B. Electroencephalography recordings were performed by placing 19 scalp electrodes per the 10 - 20 system. The mean power level was calculated for each rest and task condition. Non-parametric Spearman’s rank correlation was used to examine the correlation in power levels between the rest and TMT conditions. The most significant correlations during TMT-A were observed in the high gamma wave, followed by theta and beta waves, indicating that most correlations were in the parietal lobe, followed by the frontal, central, and temporal lobes. The most significant correlations during TMT-B were observed in the beta wave, followed by the high and low gamma waves, indicating that most correlations were in the temporal lobe, followed by the parietal, frontal, and central lobes. Frontoparietal beta and gamma waves in the DMN may represent attentional functions.

Wave Azimuth Cutoff Compensation Method and the Multisatellite Networking Mode of SAR

Synthetic aperture radars(SARs)encounter the azimuth cutoff problem when observing sea waves.Consequently,SARs can only capture the waves with wavelengths larger than the cutoff wavelength and lose the information of waves with smaller wavelengths.To increase the accuracy of SAR wave observations,this paper investigates an azimuth cutoff compensation method based on the simulated multiview SAR wave synchronization data obtained by the collaborative observation via networked satellites.Based on the simulated data and the equivalent multiview measured data from Sentinel-1 virtual networking,the method is verified and the cutoff wavelengths decrease by 16.40%and 14.00%.The biases of the inversion significant wave height with true values decrease by 0.04 m and 0.14 m,and the biases of the mean wave period decrease by 0.17 s and 0.22 s,respectively.These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the azimuth cutoff compensation method.Based on the azimuth cutoff compensation method,the multisatellite SAR networking mode for wave observations are discussed.The highest compensation effect is obtained when the combination of azimuth angle is(95°,115°,135°),the orbital intersection angle is(50°,50°),and three or four satellites are used.The study of the multisatellite networking mode in this paper can provide valuable references for the compensation of azimuth cutoff and the observation of waves by a multisatellite network.

The default mode network is affected in the early stage of simian immunodeficiency virus infection:a longitudinal study

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome infection can lead to cognitive dysfunction represented by changes in the default mode network.Most recent studies have been cross-sectional and thus have not revealed dynamic changes in the default mode network following acquired immune deficiency syndrome infection and antiretroviral therapy.Specifically,when brain imaging data at only one time point are analyzed,determining the duration at which the default mode network is the most effective following antiretroviral therapy after the occurrence of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.However,because infection times and other factors are often uncertain,longitudinal studies cannot be conducted directly in the clinic.Therefore,in this study,we performed a longitudinal study on the dynamic changes in the default mode network over time in a rhesus monkey model of simian immunodeficiency virus infection.We found marked changes in default mode network connectivity in 11 pairs of regions of interest at baseline and 10 days and 4 weeks after virus inoculation.Significant interactions between treatment and time were observed in the default mode network connectivity of regions of interest pairs area 31/V6.R and area 8/frontal eye field(FEF).L,area 8/FEF.L and caudal temporal parietal occipital area(TPOC).R,and area 31/V6.R and TPOC.L.ART administered 4 weeks after infection not only interrupted the progress of simian immunodeficiency virus infection but also preserved brain function to a large extent.These findings suggest that the default mode network is affected in the early stage of simian immunodeficiency virus infection and that it may serve as a potential biomarker for early changes in brain function and an objective indicator for making early clinical intervention decisions.

Altered amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and default mode network connectivity in high myopia:a resting-state fMRI study

AIM:To analyze changes in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(ALFFs)and default mode network(DMN)connectivity in the brain,using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI),in high myopia(HM)patients.METHODS:Eleven patients with HM(HM group)and 15 age-and sex-matched non-HM controls(non-HM group)were recruited.ALFFs were calculated and compared between HM group and non-HM group.Independent component analysis(ICA)was conducted to identify DMN,and comparisons between DMNs of two groups were performed.Region-of-interest(ROI)-based analysis was performed to explore functional connectivity(FC)between DMN regions.RESULTS:Significantly increased ALFFs in left inferior temporal gyrus(ITG),bilateral rectus gyrus(REC),bilateral middle temporal gyrus(MTG),left superior temporal gyrus(STG),and left angular gyrus(ANG)were detected in HM group compared with non-HM group(all P<0.01).HM group showed increased FC in the posterior cingulate gyrus(PCC)/precuneus(preCUN)and decreased FC in the left medial prefrontal cortex(mPFG)within DMN compared with nonHM group(all P<0.01).Compared with non-HM group,HM group showed higher FC between mPFG and bilateral middle frontal gyrus(MFG),ANG,and MTG(all P<0.01).In addition,HM patients showed higher FC between PCC/(preCUN)and the right cerebellum,superior frontal gyrus(SFG),left pre CUN,superior frontal gyrus(SFG),and medial orbital of the superior frontal gyrus(ORB supmed;all P<0.01).CONCLUSION:HM patients show different ALFFs and DMNs compared with non-HM subjects,which may imply the cognitive alterations related to HM.

Resting-state connectivity in the default mode network and insula during experimental low back pain

Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have shown that the insular cortex has a signif- icant role in pain identification and information integration, while the default mode network is associated with cognitive and memory-related aspects of pain perception. However, changes in the functional connectivity between the defauk mode network and insula during pain remain unclear. This study used 3.0 T functional magnetic resonance imaging scans in 12 healthy sub- jects aged 24.8 ± 3.3 years to compare the differences in the functional activity and connectivity of the insula and default mode network between the baseline and pain condition induced by intramuscular injection of hypertonic saline. Compared with the baseline, the insula was more functionally connected with the medial prefrontal and lateral temporal cortices, whereas there was lower connectivity with the posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus and inferior parietal lobule in the pain condition. In addition, compared with baseline, the anterior cingulate cortex exhibited greater connectivity with the posterior insula, but lower connectivity with the anterior insula, during the pain condition. These data indicate that experimental low back pain led to dysfunction in the connectivity between the insula and default mode network resulting from an impairment of the regions of the brain related to cognition and emotion, suggesting the impor- tance of the interaction between these regions in pain processing.

Changes in the default mode network in the prefrontal lobe, posterior cingulated cortex and hippocampus of heroin users

The default mode network is associated with senior cognitive functions in humans. In this study, we performed independent component analysis of blood oxygenation signals from 14 heroin users and 13 matched normal controls in the resting state through functional MRI scans. Results showed that the default mode network was significantly activated in the prefrontal lobe, posterior cingulated cortex and hippocampus of heroin users, and an enhanced activation signal was observed in the right inferior parietal Iobule （P 〈 0.05, corrected for false discovery rate）. Experimental findings indicate that the default mode network is altered in heroin users.

Hardware-in-the-loop simulation of communication networks

To enhance the fidelity and accuracy of the simulation of communication networks,hardware-in-the-loop（HITL） simulation was employed.HITL simulation methods was classified into three categories,of which the merits and shortages were compared.Combing system-in-the-loop（SITL） simulation principle with high level architecture（HLA）,an HITL simulation model of asynchronous transfer mode（ATM） network was constructed.The throughput and end-to-end delay of all-digital simulation and HITL simulation was analyzed,which showed that HITL simulation was more reliable and effectively improved the simulation credibility of communication network.Meanwhile,HLA-SITL method was fast and easy to achieve and low-cost during design lifecycle.Thus,it was a feasible way to research and analyze the large-scale network.

The Dynamic Relationship of Brain Networks Across Time Windows During Product-Based Creative Thinking

Consensus of creativity research suggests that the measurement of both originality and valuableness is necessary when designing creativity tasks.However,few studies have emphasized valuableness when exploring underlying neural substrates of creative thinking.The present study employs product-based creativity tasks that measure both originality and valuableness in an exploration of the dynamic relationship between the default mode(DMN),executive control(ECN),and salience(SN)networks through time windows.This methodology highlights relevance,or valuableness,in creativity evaluation as opposed to divergent thinking tasks solely measuring originality.The researchers identified seven brain regions belonging to the ECN,DMN,and SN as regions of interest(ROIs),as well as four representative seeds to analyze functional connectivity in 25 college student participants.Results showed that all of the identified ROIs were involved during the creative task.The insula,precuneus,and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex(vlPFC)remained active across all stages of product-based creative thinking.Moreover,the connectivity analyses revealed varied interaction patterns of DMN,ECN,and SN at different thinking stages.The integrated findings of the whole brain,ROI,and connectivity analyses suggest a trend that the DMN and SN(which relate to bottom-up thinking)attenuate as time proceeds,whereas the vlPFC(which relates to top-down thinking)gets stronger at later stages;these findings reflect the nature of our creativity tasks and decision-making of valuableness in later stages.Based on brain region activation throughout execution of the task,we propose that product-based creative process may include three stages:exploration and association,incubation and insight,and finally,evaluation and decision making.This model provides a thinking frame for further research and classroom instruction.

Next Generation Network Service Provision Mode and Its Developing Trend

The provision mode of the telecommunication service has experienced an evolving process, and showing the developing trend from distributed to centralized, from integrated to separated, and from closed to open. To suit this trend, there will be three provision modes as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) server, Open Service Access (OSA) application server and intelligent network(IN) in Next Generation Network (NGN), provides all kinds of services and applications to the subscribers. With the popularity of broadband access and Internet, the NGN will provide single telecommunication service and act as the important national infrastructure to offer various information services to the subscribers. The service provision mode will be more open, diversified, and individualized.

Construction of Network Legal Supervision Mode With Chinese Characteristics

Localizing network legal supervision based on national conditions, legal traditions and the needs of economic and political development is the basis to manage and administrate the network by law. Adjusted to media convergence and the needs of network cultural industry development, China has made the lawmaking of media transform from practical service oriented management to functional oriented management of media. This strategy aims to prevent network medium risk effectively according to network communication regularity.

Disrupted functional connectivity of default mode network and executive control network in patients with vascular cognitive impairment, no dementia

Objective： To investigate functional connectivity within default mode network （DMN） and ex-ecutive control network （ECN） in vascular cognitive im-pairment, no dementia （VCIND）. Methods： Twenty-eight VCIND patients and sixteen healthy controls were recruit-ed. A seed-based connectivity analysis was performed us-ing data from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI）. Based on previous fndings, posteriorcingulate cortex （PCC） and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex （DLPFC） were chosen as regions of interest to study these networks.One-sample t-test and two-sample t-test were used for statistical analysis. Results： Compared with thecontrols, the VCIND group exhibited increased functional activity in such DMN regions as the left inferior temporal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, and medial frontal gyrus. The VCIND group had decreased functional connectivity of DMN at right superior frontal gyrus, left mid-cingu-late area, the medial part of left superior frontal gyrus, and bilateral medial frontal gyrus. The VCIND group also showed decreased functional connectivity of ECN pri-marilyat left inferior parietal gyrus, right angular gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, and right middle frontal cor-tex. Conclusions： Increased functional connectivity with-in DMN and decreased functional connectivity within ECN suggested dysfunction of these two networks, which mightbe associated with the cognitive defcitsin patients with VCIND. These fndingsmay help usunderstandthe pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of VCIND.

Dynamic Organization of Large-scale Functional Brain Networks Supports Interactions Between Emotion and Executive Control

Emotion and executive control are often conceptualized as two distinct modes of human brain functioning.Little,however,is known about how the dynamic organization of large-scale functional brain networks that support flexible emotion processing and executive control,especially their interactions.The amygdala and prefrontal systems have long been thought to play crucial roles in these processes.Recent advances in human neuroimaging studies have begun to delineate functional organization principles among the large-scale brain networks underlying emotion,executive control,and their interactions.Here,we propose a dynamic brain network model to account for interactive competition between emotion and executive control by reviewing recent resting-state and task-related neuroimaging studies using network-based approaches.In this model,dynamic interactions among the executive control network,the salience network,the default mode network,and sensorimotor networks enable dynamic processes of emotion and support flexible executive control of multiple processes;neural oscillations across multiple frequency bands and the locus coeruleus−norepinephrine pathway serve as communicational mechanisms underlying dynamic synergy among large-scale functional brain networks.This model has important implications for understanding how the dynamic organization of complex brain systems and networks empowers flexible cognitive and affective functions.

Abnormal characterization of dynamic functional connectivity in Alzheimer’s disease

Numerous studies have shown abnormal brain functional connectivity in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease(AD)or amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI).However,most studies examined traditional resting state functional connections,ignoring the instantaneous connection mode of the whole brain.In this case-control study,we used a new method called dynamic functional connectivity(DFC)to look for abnormalities in patients with AD and aMCI.We calculated dynamic functional connectivity strength from functional magnetic resonance imaging data for each participant,and then used a support vector machine to classify AD patients and normal controls.Finally,we highlighted brain regions and brain networks that made the largest contributions to the classification.We found differences in dynamic function connectivity strength in the left precuneus,default mode network,and dorsal attention network among normal controls,aMCI patients,and AD patients.These abnormalities are potential imaging markers for the early diagnosis of AD.

Structural and functional connectivity in traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury survivors often experience cognitive deficits and neuropsychiatric symptoms.However,the neurobiological mechanisms underlying specific impairments are not fully understood.Advances in neuroimaging techniques（such as diffusion tensor imaging and functional MRI）have given us new insights on structural and functional connectivity patterns of the human brain in both health and disease.The connectome derived from connectivity maps reflects the entire constellation of distributed brain networks.Using these powerful neuroimaging approaches,changes at the microstructural level can be detected through regional and global properties of neuronal networks.Here we will review recent developments in the study of brain network abnormalities in traumatic brain injury,mainly focusing on structural and functional connectivity.Some connectomic studies have provided interesting insights into the neurological dysfunction that occurs following traumatic brain injury.These techniques could eventually be helpful in developing imaging biomarkers of cognitive and neurobehavioral sequelae,as well as predicting outcome and prognosis.

Age-related changes in resting-state functional connectivity in older adults

Age-related changes in the brain connectivity of healthy older adults have been widely studied in recent years,with some differences in the obtained results.Most of these studies showed decreases in general functional connectivity,but they also found increases in some particular regions and areas.Frequently,these studies compared young individuals with older subjects,but few studies compared different age groups only in older populations.The purpose of this study is to analyze whole-brain functional connectivity in healthy older adult groups and its network characteristics through functional segregation.A total of 114 individuals,48 to 89 years old,were scanned using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in a resting state paradigm and were divided into six different age groups(<60,60–64,65–69,70–74,75–79,≥80 years old).A partial correlation analysis,a pooled correlation analysis and a study of 3-cycle regions with prominent connectivity were conducted.Our results showed progressive diminution in the functional connectivity among different age groups and this was particularly pronounced between 75 and 79 years old.The oldest group(≥80 years old)showed a slight increase in functional connectivity compared to the other groups.This occurred possibly because of compensatory mechanism in brain functioning.This study provides information on the brain functional characteristics of every age group,with more specific information on the functional progressive decline,and supplies methodological tools to study functional connectivity characteristics.Approval for the study was obtained from the ethics committee of the Comision de Bioetica de la Universidad de Barcelona(approval No.PSI2012-38257)on June 5,2012,and from the ethics committee of the Barcelona’s Hospital Clinic(approval No.2009-5306 and 2011-6604)on October 22,2009 and April 7,2011 respectively.

Differential aberrant connectivity of precuneus and anterior insula may underpin the diagnosis of schizophrenia and mood disorders

BACKGROUND Over the past decade,resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rsfMRI)has concentrated on brain networks such as the default mode network(DMN),the salience network(SN),and the central executive network(CEN),allowing for a better understanding of cognitive deficits observed in mental disorders,as well as other characteristic psychopathological phenomena such as thought and behavior disorganization.AIM To investigate differential patterns of effective connectivity across distributed brain networks involved in schizophrenia(SCH)and mood disorders.METHODS The sample comprised 58 patients with either paranoid syndrome in the context of SCH(n=26)or depressive syndrome(Ds)(n=32),in the context of major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder.The methods used include rs-fMRI and subsequent dynamic causal modeling to determine the direction and strength of connections to and from various nodes in the DMN,SN and CEN.RESULTS A significant excitatory connection from the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex to the anterior insula(aI)was observed in the SCH patient group,whereas inhibitory connections from the precuneus to the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and from the aI to the precuneus were observed in the Ds group.CONCLUSION The results delineate specific patterns associated with SCH and Ds and offer a better explanation of the underlying mechanisms of these disorders,and inform differential diagnosis and precise treatment targeting.

Patterns of cross-correlation in time series:A case study of gait trails

A complex system contains generally many elements that are networked by their couplings.The time series of output records of the system's dynamical process is subsequently a cooperative result of the couplings.Discovering the coupling structure stored in the time series is an essential task in time series analysis.However,in the currently used methods for time series analysis the structural information is merged completely by the procedure of statistical average.We propose a concept called mode network to preserve the structural information.Firstly,a time series is decomposed into intrinsic mode functions and residue by means of the empirical mode decomposition solution.The mode functions are employed to represent the contributions from different elements of the system.Each mode function is regarded as a mono-variate time series.All the mode functions form a multivariate time series.Secondly,the co-occurrences between all the mode functions are then used to construct a threshold network(mode network)to display the coupling structure.This method is illustrated by investigating gait time series.It is found that a walk trial can be separated into three stages.In the beginning stage,the residue component dominates the series,which is replaced by the mode function numbered M14 with peaks covering^680 strides(~12 min)in the second stage.In the final stage more and more mode functions join into the backbone.The changes of coupling structure are mainly induced by the co-occurrent strengths of the mode functions numbered as M11,M12,M13,and M14,with peaks covering 200-700 strides.Hence,the mode network can display the rich and dynamical patterns of the coupling structure.This approach can be extended to investigate other complex systems such as the oil price and the stock market price series.

Improvement of the prediction accuracy of polar motion using empirical mode decomposition

Previous studies revealed that the error of pole coordinate prediction will significantly increase for a prediction period longer than 100 days, and this is mainly caused by short period oscillations. Empirical mode decomposition （EMD）, which is increasingly popular and has advantages over classical wavelet decomposition, can be used to remove short period variations from observed time series of pole co- ordinates. A hybrid model combing EMD and extreme learning machine （ELM）, where high frequency signals are removed and processed time series is then modeled and predicted, is summarized in this paper. The prediction performance of the hybrid model is compared with that of the ELM-only method created from original time series. The results show that the proposed hybrid model outperforms the pure ELM method for both short-term and long-term prediction of pole coordinates. The improvement of prediction accuracy up to 360 days in the future is found to be 24.91% and 26.79% on average in terms of mean absolute error （MAE） for the xp and yp components of pole coordinates, respectively.

MODELING OF THE PRIORITY SCHEDULING INPUT-LINE GROUP OUTPUT WITH MULTI-CHANNEL IN ATM EXCHANGE SYSTEM

In this paper, an extended Kendall model for the priority scheduling input-line group output with multi-channel in Asynchronous Transfer Mode （ATM） exchange system is proposed and then the mean method is used to model mathematically the non-typical non-anticipative PRiority service （PR） model. Compared with the typical and non-anticipative PR model, it expresses the characteristics of the priority scheduling input-line group output with multi-channel in ATM exchange system. The simulation experiment shows that this model can improve the HOL block and the performance of input-queued ATM switch network dramatically. This model has a better developing prospect in ATM exchange system.