Modulation of intracortical inhibition during physically performed and mentally simulated balance tasks

Purpose Action observation (AO) during motor imagery (MI), so-called AO + MI, has been proposed as a new form of non-physical training, but the neural mechanisms involved remains largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether there were similarities in the modulation of short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) during execution and mental simulation of postural tasks, and if there was a difference in modulation of SICI between AO + MI and AO alone. Method 21 young adults (mean ± SD = 24 ± 6.3 years) were asked to either passively observe (AO) or imagine while observing (AO + MI) or physically perform a stable and an unstable standing task, while motor evoked potentials and SICI were assessed in the soleus muscle. Result SICI results showed a modulation by condition (F2,40 = 6.42, p = 0.009) with less SICI in the execution condition compared to the AO + MI (p = 0.009) and AO (p = 0.002) condition. Moreover, switching from the stable to the unstable stance condition reduced significantly SICI (F1,20 = 8.34, p = 0.009) during both, physically performed (− 38.5%; p = 0.03) and mentally simulated balance (− 10%, p < 0.001, AO + MI and AO taken together). Conclusion The data demonstrate that SICI is reduced when switching from a stable to a more unstable standing task during both real task execution and mental simulation. Therefore, our results strengthen and further support the existence of similarities between executed and mentally simulated actions by showing that not only corticospinal excitability is similarly modulated but also SICI. This proposes that the activity of the inhibitory cortical network during mental simulation of balance tasks resembles the one during physical postural task execution.

The Complex Approach of the C-lightVer System to the Automated Error Localization in C-programs

The C-lightVer system for the deductive verification of C programs is being developed at the IIS SB RAS. Based on the two-level architecture of the system, the C-light input language is translated into the intermediate C-kernel language. The meta generator of the correctness conditions receives the C-kernel program and Hoare logic for the C-kernel as input. To solve the well-known problem of determining loop invariants, the definite iteration approach was chosen. The body of the definite iteration loop is executed once for each element of the finite dimensional data structure, and the inference rule for them uses the substitution operation rep, which represents the action of the cycle in symbolic form. Also, in our meta generator, the method of semantic markup of correctness conditions has been implemented and expanded. It allows to generate explanations for unproven conditions and simplifies the errors localization. Finally, if the theorem prover fails to determine the truth of the condition, we can focus on proving its falsity. Thus a method of proving the falsity of the correctness conditions in the ACL2 system was developed. The need for more detailed explanations of the correctness conditions containing the replacement operation rep has led to a change of the algorithms for generating the replacement operation, and the generation of explanations for unproven correctness conditions. Modifications of these algorithms are presented in the article. They allow marking rep definition with semantic labels, extracting semantic labels from rep definition and generating description of break execution condition.

Application of AHP in Material Selection in Slope Protection Project in Riverway

In recent years, with the development of engineering material technology and its application in project, a number of choices are available for the slope protection project in riverway. For the increasing number of applications of gabion and reno mattress in such engineering projects, as advanced flexible materials, which are also obviously competitive in protection effect and service life, they are more expensive comparing to the traditional masonry and concrete. Therefore, comprising AHP method and both the qualitative and the quantities analyses focusing on five major factors, the execution condition, construction cost, protection effect, service life and management & maintenance, this paper provides reference for decision-makers to choose the most appropriate material in the slope protection project.