To enhance speech recognition, as well as Mandarin tone recognition in noice, we proposed a speech coding strategy called zero-crossing of fine structure in low frequency (LFFS) for cochlear implant based on low frequency non-uniform sampling (LFFS for short). In the range of frequency perceived boundary of human ear, we used zero-crossing time of the fine structure to generate the stimulus pulse sequences based on the frequency selection rule. Acoustic simulation results showed that although on quiet background the performance of LFFS was similar to continuous interleaved sampling (CIS), on the noise background the performance of LFFS in Chinese tones, words and sentences were significantly better than CIS. In addition to this, we also got better Mandarin recognition factors distribution by using the improved index distribution model. LFFS contains more tonal information which was able to effectively improve Mandarin recognition of the cochlear implant.
Acoustics ; Cochlear Implants ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Language ; Noise ; Recognition (Psychology) ; Speech Perception

Objective: To compare and analyze the effects of forearm flap and superior trapezius myocutaneous flap in repairing oral cancer defects. Methods: 56 cases of defect repair after oral cancer radical surgery were treated with the forearm flap (29 cases) and superior trapezius myocutaneous flap (27 cases). The success rate, postoperative quality of life and postoperative recovery time of the two groups were compared. The t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The success rate of forearm flap group was 96.6%(28/29) compared to 96.3%(26/27) in the trapezius myocutaneous flap group (P=0.920). The postoperative recovery time was (9.4±2.7) d (forearm flap group) and (9.3±2.6) d (trapezius myocutaneous flap group), respectively (P=0.489). The score of postoperative quality of life was 576.3±76.2 (forearm flap group) and 568.4±79.3 (trapezius myocutaneous flap group), respectively (P=0.471). There was no significant difference in all comparisons (P>0.05). Conclusions The free forearm flap and the superior trapezius myocutaneous flap pedicled with the transverse cervical artery can be used to repair the oral cancer, and satisfactory function and ideal clinical effect can be achieved. Both two kinds of flaps have high success rate and good clinical practical value. The latter has little influence on the donor site, and can be used as the first choice.

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of internal fixation with extra-articular distal humerus locking compression plate (LCP) for the treatment of mid-distal humerus diaphyseal fracture.Methods From December 2012 to December 2016,a cohort of 22 patients with mid-distal humerus shaft fracture were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using extra-articular distal humerus LCP.They were 14 males and 8 females with an average age of 42.7 years (range,from 18 to 86 years).According to AO classification,there were 13 cases of type 12-A,7 cases of type 12-B,and 2 cases of type 12-C.The surgical time,intra-operative blood loss and hospital stay were recorded.The clinical outcomes were evaluated by the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) at the last follow-ups.Results Surgical time ranged from 46 to 95 minutes with an average of 57 minutes.The average blood loss was 220 mL (range,from 150 to 400 mL).The average hospital stay was 10.5 days (range,from 9 to 13 days).The mean follow-up was 23.8 months (range,from 6 to 48 months).Bone union was achieved in 21 cases after an average of 4.6 months (range,from 3 to 9 months),and one patient experienced bone non-union which was uneventfully healed after secondary auto platelet rich plasma (PRP) graft management.The average MEPS elbow performance score was 88.2,resulting in 16 excellent,4 fine and 2 fair cases (excellent and fine rate:90.9％).Conclusions Since extra-articular distal humerus LCP can provide stable internal fixation,facilitating early postoperative rehabilitation,it may be considered an effective alternative osteosynthesis for mid-distal comminuted humeral diaphyseal fractures.

Objective:To investigate the effects of breast milk to total milk intake ratio during hospitalization on the duration of antibiotic therapy in preterm infants less than 34 weeks of gestation.Methods:Clinical data of preterm infants ( n=1 792) less than 34 gestational weeks were retrospectively collected in 16 hospitals of Jiangsu Province Neonatal-Perinatal Cooperation Network from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. The days of therapy (DOT) were used to evaluate the duration of antibiotic administration. The median DOT was 15.0 d (7.0-27.0 d). The patients were divided into four groups based on the quartiles of DOT: Q 1 (DOT≤7.0 d), Q 2 (7.0 d27.0 d) groups. According to the breast milk intake ratio (breast milk intake to total milk intake during hospitalization×100%), they were also divided into four groups: very-low-ratio breastfeeding group (breast milk intake ratio≤25%), low-ratio breastfeeding group (25%75%). Univariate analysis ( Chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test) was used to analyze the factors influencing DOT. Spearman correlation analysis and trend Chi-square test were used to explore the relationship between breast milk intake ratio and DOT. After using multiple imputations to address missing data, two models were constructed after adjusting for different factors, and multinomial logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the effects of the breast milk intake ratio on DOT. Finally, sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the stability of the models. Results:(1) Of the 1 792 preterm infants, there were 507 (28.3%) in the Q 1 group, 422 (23.5%) in the Q 2 group, 438 (24.4%) in the Q 3 group and 425 (23.7%) in the Q 4 group. (2) The median values of DOT in the very-low-ratio, low-ratio, medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding groups were 20.0 d (11.0-31.0 d), 20.0 d (11.0-32.0 d), 13.0 d (6.0-25.8 d) and 10.0 d (4.0-21.0 d), respectively. Compared with the very-low-ratio and low-ratio breastfeeding groups, the medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding groups had shorter DOT (all P<0.05). (3) After adjusting for factors with P<0.1 (prenatal glucocorticoid exposure, antimicrobial use within 24 h before delivery, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, Apgar score≤7 at 1 min, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, infectious pneumonia and early-onset neonatal sepsis) between the DOT quartile groups, it showed that medium-ratio and high-ratio breastfeeding were protective factors in contrast to very-low-ratio breastfeeding in the Q 2, Q 3 and Q 4 groups as compared with the Q 1 group [Q 2 group: OR=0.50 (95% CI: 0.30-0.85) and OR=0.36 (95% CI: 0.26-0.51); Q 3 group: OR=0.31 (95% CI: 0.18-0.55) and OR=0.20 (95% CI: 0.14-0.29); Q 4 group: OR=0.22 (95% CI: 0.12-0.42) and OR=0.17 (95% CI: 0.12-0.26)]. Conclusion:Breast milk intake accounting for over 50% of total milk intake has a positive impact on reducing DOT in premature infants requiring antibiotics, which suggests that breastfeeding should be actively encouraged.