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Sleep disorders are one of the significant problems in the modern society. Current research is on the lookout for the nonpharmacological ways to improve sleep quality and slow wave brain activity that plays a crucial role in homeostasis and cognitive functions. One of the promising approaches is acoustic stimulation that is phase-locked to deep sleep EEG rhythms. It was already shown that such stimulation improves slow wave brain activity. This article describes Dreem: a wireless consumer device that performs acoustic sleep stimulation in home conditions. The device has dry EEG electrodes, photo sensor for pulse oximetry, and an accelerometer. The inbuilt software detects deep sleep, performs audio stimulation on the ascending slope of the delta wave and does automatic sleep staging. In the pilot study of the device, three subjects made 10 to 24 recordings of night sleep with EEG recording and stimulation. The raw data recorded by the device is available to the user and is sufficient for sleep staging and basic sleep analysis. Automatic hypnograms reflect the structure of a normal night sleep. EEG averaged by the stimulation markers demonstrated the high efficacy of slow wave detectors and placement of stimulations on the ascending slope of a delta wave. Dreem device is of interest for the sleep researchers as an easy to use tool for an out-of-lab data acquisition.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Post‐traumatic stress disorder is associated with connectivity changes in the default mode, central executive, and salience networks, and other brain regions. This study evaluated changes in network connectivity associated with usage of High‐resolution, relational, resonance‐based electroencephalic mirroring (HIRREM(®); Brain State Technologies, Scottsdale, AZ), a closed‐loop, allostatic, acoustic stimulation neurotechnology, for military‐related traumatic stress. METHODS: Eighteen participants (17 males, mean age 41 years [SD = 7], 15 active duty) enrolled in an IRB approved pilot trial for symptoms of military‐related traumatic stress. Participants received 19.5 (1.1) HIRREM sessions over 12 days. Symptoms, physiological and functional measures, and whole brain resting MRI were collected before and after HIRREM. Six whole brain functional networks were evaluated using summary variables and community structure of predefined networks. Pre to postintervention change was analyzed using paired‐sample statistical tests. RESULTS: Postintervention, there was an overall increase in connectivity of the default mode network (P = .0094). There were decreases of community structure in both the anterior portion of the default mode (medial prefrontal cortex, P = .0097) and in the sensorimotor (P = .005) network. There were no statistically significant changes at the whole brain level, or in the central executive, salience, or other networks analyzed. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in clinical symptoms, as well as autonomic cardiovascular regulation, which have been reported previously. CONCLUSIONS: Use of closed‐loop, allostatic, acoustic stimulation neurotechnology (HIRREM) was associated with connectivity changes in the default mode and sensorimotor networks, in directions that may have explained the subjects' clinical improvements.

Subjective tinnitus is the conscious perception of sound in the absence of any acoustic source. The literature suggests various tinnitus mechanisms, most of which invoke changes in spontaneous firing rates of central auditory neurons resulting from modification of neural gain. Here, we present an alternative model based on evidence that tinnitus is: (1) rare in people who are congenitally deaf, (2) common in people with acquired deafness, and (3) potentially suppressed by active cochlear implants used for hearing restoration. We propose that tinnitus can only develop after fast auditory fiber activity has stimulated the synapse formation between fast-spiking parvalbumin positive (PV+) interneurons and projecting neurons in the ascending auditory path and coactivated frontostriatal networks after hearing onset. Thereafter, fast auditory fiber activity promotes feedforward and feedback inhibition mediated by PV+ interneuron activity in auditory-specific circuits. This inhibitory network enables enhanced stimulus resolution, attention-driven contrast improvement, and augmentation of auditory responses in central auditory pathways (neural gain) after damage of slow auditory fibers. When fast auditory fiber activity is lost, tonic PV+ interneuron activity is diminished, resulting in the prolonged response latencies, sudden hyperexcitability, enhanced cortical synchrony, elevated spontaneous y oscillations, and impaired attention/stress-control that have been described in previous tinnitus models. Moreover, because fast processing is gained through sensory experience, tinnitus would not exist in congenital deafness. Electrical cochlear stimulation may have the potential to reestablish tonic inhibitory networks and thus suppress tinnitus. The proposed framework unites many ideas of tinnitus pathophysiology and may catalyze cooperative efforts to develop tinnitus therapies. ; German Research Foundation (DFG) DFG-Kni-316-4-1 SPP16-08 DFG Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (CONICYT) CONICYT FONDECYT 1161155 Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) BASAL FB008 ICM P09-015F European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Grant 764604 722046 National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common injuries to military personnel, a population often exposed to stressful stimuli and emotional trauma. Changes in sensory processing after TBI might contribute to TBI-post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) comorbidity. Combining an animal model of TBI with an animal model of emotional trauma, we reveal an interaction between auditory sensitivity after TBI and fear conditioning where 75 dB white noise alone evokes a phonophobia-like phenotype and when paired with footshocks, fear is robustly enhanced. TBI reduced neuronal activity in the hippocampus but increased activity in the ipsilateral lateral amygdala (LA) when exposed to white noise. The white noise effect in LA was driven by increased activity in neurons projecting from ipsilateral auditory thalamus (medial geniculate nucleus). These data suggest that altered sensory processing within subcortical sensory-emotional circuitry after TBI results in neutral stimuli adopting aversive properties with a corresponding impact on facilitating trauma memories and may contribute to TBI-PTSD comorbidity.

Abstract
Trigeminal sensorimotor activity stimulates arousal and cognitive performance, likely through activation of the locus coeruleus (LC). In this study we investigated, in normal subjects, the effects of bilateral trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) on the LC-dependent P300 wave, elicited by an acoustic oddball paradigm. Pupil size, a proxy of LC activity, and electroencephalographic power changes were also investigated. Before TNS/sham-TNS, pupil size did not correlate with P300 amplitude across subjects. After TNS but not sham-TNS, a positive correlation emerged between P300 amplitude and pupil size within frontal and median cortical regions. TNS also reduced P300 amplitude in several cortical areas. In both groups, before and after TNS/sham-TNS, subjects correctly indicated all the target stimuli. We propose that TNS activates LC, increasing the cortical norepinephrine release and the dependence of the P300 upon basal LC activity. Enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio of cortical neurons, norepinephrine may improve the sensory processing, allowing the subject to reach the best discriminative performance with a lower level of neural activation (i.e., a lower P300 amplitude). The study suggests that TNS could be used for improving cognitive performance in patients affected by cognitive disorders or arousal dysfunctions.

Hao Guo,1 Ziming Wang,1 Quanyin Du,1 Pan Li,2 Zhigang Wang,2 Aimin Wang1 1Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China; 2Chongqing Key Laboratory of Ultrasound Molecular Imaging, Institute of Ultrasound Imaging, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China Purpose: Bacterial biofilms on the surface of prostheses are becoming a rising concern in managing prosthetic joint infections. The inherent resistant features of biofilms render traditional antimicrobial therapy unproductive and revision surgery outcomes uncertain. This situation has prompted the exploration of novel antimicrobial strategies. The synergy of ultrasound microbubbles and vancomycin has been proposed as an efficient alternative for biofilm eradication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-biofilm effect of stimulated phase-shift acoustic nanodroplets (NDs) combined with vancomycin.Materials and methods: We fabricated lipid phase-shift NDs with a core of liquid perfluoropentane. A new phase change mode for NDs incorporating an initial unfocused low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for 5 minutes and a subsequent incubation at 37°C into a 24-hour duration was developed. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilms were incubated with vancomycin and NDs under the hybrid stimulation. Biofilm morphology following treatment was determined using confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Resazurin assay was used to quantify bactericidal efficacy against MRSA biofilm bacteria.Results: NDs treated sequentially with ultrasound and heating at 37°C achieved gradual and substantial ND vaporization and cavitation in a successive process. NDs after stimulation were capable of generating stronger destruction on biofilm structure which was best characterized by residual circular arc margins and more dead bacteria. Furthermore, NDs combined with vancomycin contributed to significantly decreasing the metabolic activity of bacteria in MRSA biofilms (P<0.05).Conclusion: Phase-shift acoustic NDs could exert a significant bactericidal effect against MRSA biofilms through a new stimulation mode. Acoustic NDs present advantages over microbubbles for biofilm damage. This anti-biofilm strategy could be used either alone or as an enhancer of traditional antibiotics in the control of prosthetic joint infections. Keywords: nanodroplets, MRSA, biofilm matrix, ultrasound, phase change, cavitation

Passive limb displacement is routinely used to assess muscle tone. If we attempt to quantify muscle stiffness using mechanical devices, it is important to know whether kinematic stimuli are able to trigger startle reactions. Whether kinematic stimuli are able to elicit a startle reflex and to accelerate prepared voluntary movements (StartReact effect) has not been studied extensively to date. Eleven healthy subjects were suspended in an exoskeleton and were exposed to passive left knee flexion (KF) at three intensities, occasionally replaced by fast right KF. Upon perceiving the movement subjects were asked to perform right wrist extension (WE), assessed by extensor carpi radialis (ECR) electromyographic activity. ECR latencies were shortest in fast trials. Startle responses were present in most fast trials, yet being significantly accelerated and larger with right versus left KF, since the former occurred less frequently and thus less expectedly. Startle responses were associated with earlier and larger ECR responses (StartReact effect), with the largest effect again upon right KF. The results provide evidence that kinematic stimuli are able to elicit both startle reflexes and a StartReact effect, which depend on stimulus intensity and anticipation, as well as on the subjects' preparedness to respond. ; This study was supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III Grant ESPY 1281-15 and Government of Spain Grant PRX12/00349 to Juan M. Castellote. ; Sí

This research investigates the current structure of the Ministry of Defence's procurement system, with particular emphasis on the procurement of military sensor systems. A lifecycle common test environment, with an appropriate commercial construct for its implementation, is proposed. Sensor systems include radar, passive RF surveillance (ESM) as well as electro-optic, infrared, sonar and other acoustic monitoring systems that are used to gather intelligence for a number of purposes including 1. Pre-empting hostile acts 2. Reducing risk to friendly forces and non-combatants in danger zones 3. Informing and prosecuting attacks on hostile forces Sensor systems often form part of larger systems, also called systems of systems. In some cases, a number of sensors are required to work together to improve information extraction by data or information fusion. It will be seen that these are complex systems. They are often designed to adapt their modes of operation to meet evolving situations. In this way, they can optimise themselves to meet their deployment objectives. These are difficult systems to specify. Therefore, they are difficult systems to test; they are expected to respond to a large number of situations that cannot easily be defined in advance of their being encountered. This research brings together technical and commercial initiatives to remove many of the existing discontinuities along the lifecycle of such projects. The discontinuities harbour technical and commercial discrepancies that detract from achieving delivery and cost targets. A pragmatic Test and Evaluation concept is defined. It is backed by a commercial process. Together they provide an independent way to deliver continuous lifecycle evaluation and test of sensor systems. This research offers a quantifiable measure of military capability improvements that complies with Systems Engineering and Management good practice.

By the action of variable periodic acoustic signals in terms of their duration parameters, it was possible to explain the phenomena of sister edges in the Rainette, the stimulation of call sequences, the organisation of calls in duos, trios, and the loss of this organisation when more animals are present. These different appearances of choir activity can be explained by a single mechanism: the sound signals, provided they have the appropriate acoustic frequencies, are stimulating voice activity. The stimulus effect is accompanied by a delaying effect that postpones the response beyond the actual stimulating time. The effects of this mechanism can be summarised under four rules: 1 — the deviation rule: The duration of discrepancies between responses can be changed but never goes beyond the discrepancies between spontaneous calls of the species. 2 — the alternance rule: If the duration of the stimulating signal is not too long the response starts in the break as the deviation rule can be respected. 3 — the latency rule: When the alter nance rule is applied, the response follows the sound stimulation after a typical latency time of the parameters of the estimating signal and the state of the animal. 4 — the sound level of stimulation rule: The more intense the sti mulation, the more stimulating the signal is, but the longer the delaying effect that accompanies the stimulus effect is lasting. These rules are sufficient to explain the noise interactions in the choir, but choir activity is made more complex by individual differences in activity and response. These rules also shed light on a number of other aspects of behaviour, such as the transmission of rivalry and rain signals. They also make it possible to consider, at least in part, hearing measures; sound activity level and a quantification of the reactogenic power of the signals. They also show that the scope for responses goes far beyond what is used by the species in swabbing conditions and that these rules are likely to belong to a wider set of rules ...

In humans, both language and fine motor skills are associated with left-hemisphere specialization, whereas visuospatial skills are associated with right-hemisphere specialization. Individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) show a profile of deficits and strengths that involves these lateralized cognitive functions. Here we test the hypothesis that regions implicated in these functions are atypically rightward lateralized in individuals with ASC and, that such atypicality is associated with functional performance. Participants included 67 male, right-handed adults with ASC and 69 age- and IQ-matched neurotypical males. We assessed group differences in structural asymmetries in cortical regions of interest with voxel-based analysis of grey matter volumes, followed by correlational analyses with measures of language, motor and visuospatial skills. We found stronger rightward lateralization within the inferior parietal lobule and reduced leftward lateralization extending along the auditory cortex comprising the planum temporale, Heschl's gyrus, posterior supramarginal gyrus, and parietal operculum, which was more pronounced in ASC individuals with delayed language onset compared to those without. Planned correlational analyses showed that for individuals with ASC, reduced leftward asymmetry in the auditory region was associated with more childhood social reciprocity difficulties. We conclude that atypical cerebral structural asymmetry is a potential candidate neurophenotype of ASC. ; Funding: - UK Medical Research Council. Grant Number: GO 400061 - EU‐AIMS (Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint). Grant Number: 115300 - European Union's Seventh Framework Programme. Grant Number: FP7/2007‐2013 - Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge - William Binks Autism Neuroscience Fellowship - EU‐AIMS - Wolfson College, Cambridge - Shirley Foundation - Wellcome Trust - British Academy - Jesus College, Cambridge - NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre - Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the auditory-sensory characteristics of the digital pop music that is particularly successful on the YouTube website by measuring young listeners' brain responses to highly successful pop music noninvasively.


Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) experiment with 56 young adults (23 females; mean age 24 years) with normal vision and hearing and no record of neurological disease. The authors calculated total blood flow (TBF) and hemodynamic randomness and examined their relationships with online popularity.


Findings
The authors found that TBF to the right medial prefrontal cortex increased more when the young adults heard music that presented acoustic stimulation well above previously defined optimal sensory level. The hemodynamic randomness decreased significantly when the participants listened to music that provided near- or above-OSL stimulation.


Research limitations/implications
Online popularity, recorded as the number of daily hits, was significantly positively related with the TBF and negatively related with hemodynamic randomness.


Practical implications
These findings suggest that a new media marketing strategy may be required that can provide a sufficient level of sensory stimulation to Millennials in order to increase their engagements in various use cases including entertainment, advertising and retail environments.


Social implications
Digital technology has so drastically reduced the costs of sharing and disseminating information, including music, that consumers can now easily use digital platforms to access a wide selection of music at minimal cost. The structure of the current music market reflects the decentralized nature of the online distribution network such that artists from all over the world now have equal access to billions of members of the global music audience.


Originality/value
This study confirms the importance of understanding target customer's sensory experiences would grow in determining the success of digital contents and marketing.

Introduction Tinnitus has been defined as an "auditory phantom perception," meaning that tinnitus results from an abnormal activity within the nervous system, in the absence of any internal or external acoustic stimulation. About 10 to 15% of the adult population is affected by tinnitus, and a relevant percentage of tinnitus sufferers experience symptoms severe enough to significantly affect quality of life, including sleep disturbances, work impairment, and, in some cases, psychiatric distress. The selfrated complaints about tinnitus focus on emotional distress, auditory perceptual difficulties, and sleep disturbances. Objectives To evaluate the works that show sleep disorders in patients with tinnitus, and sleep disorders assessed by polysomnography. Data Synthesis We found four studies with polysomnography to assess sleep disorders in patients with tinnitus. The first study evaluated 80 patients who were military personnel without major psychiatric disturbances, and their tinnitus was associated with noise-induced permanent hearing. The second study was a prospective, case-control, nonrandomized study of 18 patients affected by chronic tinnituswho were compared with a homogeneous control group consisting of 15 healthy subjects. The last work evaluated questionnaires mailed to patients before their initial appointment at the Oregon Health Sciences University Tinnitus Clinic between 1994 and 1997. These questionnaires requested information pertaining to insomnia, tinnitus severity, and loudness. Follow-up questionnaires were mailed to 350 patients 1 to 4 years (mean 5 ± 2.3 years) after their initial appointment at the clinic. Conclusion There are few studies with polysomnography for the evaluation of patients with sleep disorders caused by tinnitus. This shows the need for more studies on this subject.

Abstract Introduction Tinnitus has been defined as an "auditory phantom perception," meaning that tinnitus results from an abnormal activity within the nervous system, in the absence of any internal or external acoustic stimulation. About 10 to 15% of the adult population is affected by tinnitus, and a relevant percentage of tinnitus sufferers experience symptoms severe enough to significantly affect quality of life, including sleep disturbances, work impairment, and, in some cases, psychiatric distress. The selfrated complaints about tinnitus focus on emotional distress, auditory perceptual difficulties, and sleep disturbances. Objectives To evaluate the works that show sleep disorders in patients with tinnitus, and sleep disorders assessed by polysomnography. Data Synthesis We found four studies with polysomnography to assess sleep disorders in patients with tinnitus. The first study evaluated 80 patients who were military personnel without major psychiatric disturbances, and their tinnitus was associated with noise-induced permanent hearing. The second study was a prospective, case-control, nonrandomized study of 18 patients affected by chronic tinnituswho were compared with a homogeneous control group consisting of 15 healthy subjects. The last work evaluated questionnaires mailed to patients before their initial appointment at the Oregon Health Sciences University Tinnitus Clinic between 1994 and 1997. These questionnaires requested information pertaining to insomnia, tinnitus severity, and loudness. Follow-up questionnaires were mailed to 350 patients 1 to 4 years (mean 5 ± 2.3 years) after their initial appointment at the clinic. Conclusion There are few studies with polysomnography for the evaluation of patients with sleep disorders caused by tinnitus. This shows the need for more studies on this subject.