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Generation of tinnitus signal is not associated with SLC6A4 polymorphism and possibly with serotonergic mechanisms. However, the "ll" genotype variant of the SLC6A4 polymorphic promoter region seems associated with the limbic and autonomic nervous system symptoms of the patients with tinnitus. Therefore, serotonergic mechanisms may help explain the neurophysiological model of tinnitus, and serotonin replacement or serotonin reuptake inhibitors may increase the success rate of tinnitus treatment modalities based on the neurophysiologic model of tinnitus.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of low-temperature bipolar radiofrequency ablation for Coblation of the tongue base in the multilevel management of supine-position-associated obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Study Design and Setting: A retrospective analysis of the data of 16 subjects undergoing uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and tongue base Coblation. The efficacy of the procedure was investigated on the basis of polysomnographic results. Results: The success rate was 62.5% in 16 patients who underwent surgery for OSAS, with decreases in the mean Apnea Hypopnea Index of 20.1–8.9. The success rate was separately evaluated according to the subjects’ posture. A rate of 87.5% was found for the supine position, while the rate was 56.6% in non-supine positions. The minimum postoperative O₂ saturation was significantly increased for REM and non-REM stage 3 sleep rates. Conclusion: It is important to evaluate the relation of the disease to the body position in sleep apnea subjects. Coblation of the tongue base is an applicable method of therapy for patients who have sleep apnea that is more marked in the supine position.

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The aim of this study is to control the residual vibrations of a clamped-free beam subjected to a moving load. The dynamic response of the beam is calculated by using the finite element method in order to design a suitable control technique and the numerical results are verified by vibration measurements. All the numerical calculations are performed by a commercial finite element package. Two laser displacement sensors are used to measure the dynamic response of the beam. The moving load is obtained by pressured air directed to the beam via a nozzle, and the movement of the load is achieved by an industrial robot manipulator having 6 degrees of freedom. In this study, the suppression of the residual vibrations that occur after the moving load has left the beam is considered as the main subject. Piezoelectric actuators are used for active vibration control study and displacement feedback is employed. The numerical results agree well with the experimental results. The results show that the finite element method can be used effectively for designing a suitable vibration control strategy.