Wave dissipation in flexible tubes in the time domain: in vitro model of arterial waves

Earlier work of wave dissipation in flexible tubes and arteries has been carried out predominantly in the frequency domain and most of the studies used the measured pressure waveform for presenting the results. In this work we investigate the pattern of wave dissipation in the time domain using the separated forward and backward travelling waves in flexible tubes. We tested four sizes of latex tubes of 2m in length each, where a single semi-sinusoidal in shape, pressure wave, was produced at the inlet of each tube. Simultaneous measurements of pressure and flow waveforms were recorded every 5cm along the tubes and wave speed was determined using the pressure-velocity loop method (PU-loop). The measured data and wave speed were used to separate the pressure waveform and wave intensity, into their forward and backward directions, using wave intensity analysis (WIA). Also, the energy carried by the wave was calculated by integrating the relevant area under the wave intensity curve. The peak of the measured pressure waveform increased downstream, however, the peak of the separated forward pressure waveform decreased exponentially along the tube. Wave intensity and energy also dissipated exponentially along the travelling distance. The peaks of the separated pressure and wave intensity decreased in the forward in a similar exponential way to that in the backward direction in all four tube sizes. Also, the smaller the size of the tube the greater wave dissipation it caused. We conclude that wave separation is useful in studying wave dissipation in elastic tubes, and WIA provides a convenient method for determining the dissipation of the energy carried by the wave along the travelled distance. The separated pressure waveform, wave intensity and wave energy dissipate exponentially with the travelling distance, and wave dissipation varies conversely with the diameter of elastic tubes.     

The equation of motion for sperm flagella.

The equation of motion for sperm flagella, in which the elastic bending moment and the active contractile moment are balanced by the moment from the viscous resistance of the surrounding fluid, is solved for a wave solution that superimposes partial solutions. Substitution of the expression for the wave solution into the equation leads to an expression for the active contractile moment. This active moment can be decomposed into two parts. The first part describes an active moment that travels over the flagellum with the mechanical flagellar wave, the second part represents a moment in phase over the entire length of the flagellum, which decreases linearly towards the distal tip. The linear synchronous moment, to which an amount of traveling moment has been added as a perturbation, leads to wave solutions that closely resemble flagellar waves. Properties such as wavelength and wave amplitudes and also the shape of the waves in sea urchin sperm flagella at different frequencies are accurately described by the theory. The change in wave shape in sea urchin sperm flagella at raised viscosity is predicted well by the theory. The different wave properties caused in bull sperm flagella by different boundary conditions at the proximal junction are explained. When only a traveling active moment is present in a flagellum, the wave solutions describe waves of a small wave length in a long flagellum. Some properties of the wave motion of sperm flagella are derived from the theory and verified experimentally.     

Selection of Multiarmed Spiral Waves in a Regular Network of Neurons

Formation and selection of multiarmed spiral wave due to spontaneous symmetry breaking are investigated in a regular network of Hodgkin-Huxley neuron by changing the excitability and imposing spatial forcing currents on the neurons in the network. The arm number of the multiarmed spiral wave is dependent on the distribution of spatial forcing currents and excitability diversity in the network, and the selection criterion for supporting multiarmed spiral waves is discussed. A broken spiral segment is measured by a short polygonal line connected by three adjacent points (controlled nodes), and a double-spiral wave can be developed from the spiral segment. Multiarmed spiral wave is formed when a group of double-spiral waves rotate in the same direction in the network. In the numerical studies, a group of controlled nodes are selected and spatial forcing currents are imposed on these nodes, and our results show that l-arm stable spiral wave (l = 2, 3, 4,...8) can be induced to occupy the network completely. It is also confirmed that low excitability is critical to induce multiarmed spiral waves while high excitability is important to propagate the multiarmed spiral wave outside so that distinct multiarmed spiral wave can occupy the network completely. Our results confirm that symmetry breaking of target wave in the media accounts for emergence of multiarmed spiral wave, which can be developed from a group of spiral waves with single arm under appropriate condition, thus the potential formation mechanism of multiarmed spiral wave in the media is explained.     

Refractory properties of auditory brain-stem responses evoked by electrical stimulation of human cochlear nucleus: evidence of neural generators

In this study of electrically-evoked auditory brain-stem responses (EABRs) elicited by cochlear nucleus stimulation, 3 waves were identified after the initial wave that is directly initiated by the electric stimulus. Varying the rate of periodic stimulation or the interval between pairs of stimuli revealed that the shorter the latency of a wave, the faster it recovered from activation (i.e. shorter refractory period). The slow recovery of the third wave and an accompanying contribution to the second wave could be accounted for by postsynaptic generation in the two medial superior olivary nuclei (MSO); the faster recovery of another contribution to the second wave by generation in an axonal tract bending around the contralateral MSO; and the fastest recovery of the first wave by another axonal pathway having larger axons. Comparison with the relative latencies and spatial distribution of an acoustically-evoked auditory brain-stem response (AABR) indicated that the third wave corresponds to wave V, the second to wave IV (called IVb), and the first to a wave that precedes wave IV (called IVa). The anatomical interpretations for the two later waves of the EABR are consistent with most of the extant data on the neural generators of AABR waves IV and V. Thus, the present data and analysis strengthen the identification of the electrically evoked responses as EABRs and provide a firmer foundation for intra-operative EABR monitoring to assist auditory brain-stem implant placement.     

The large-scale influence of the Great Barrier Reef matrix on wave attenuation

Offshore reef systems consist of individual reefs, with spaces in between, which together constitute the reef matrix. This is the first comprehensive, large-scale study, of the influence of an offshore reef system on wave climate and wave transmission. The focus was on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia, utilizing a 16-yr record of wave height from seven satellite altimeters. Within the GBR matrix, the wave climate is not strongly dependent on reef matrix submergence. This suggests that after initial wave breaking at the seaward edge of the reef matrix, wave energy that penetrates the matrix has little depth modulation. There is no clear evidence to suggest that as reef matrix porosity (ratio of spaces between individual reefs to reef area) decreases, wave attenuation increases. This is because individual reefs cast a wave shadow much larger than the reef itself; thus, a matrix of isolated reefs is remarkably effective at attenuating wave energy. This weak dependence of transmitted wave energy on depth of reef submergence, and reef matrix porosity, is also evident in the lee of the GBR matrix. Here, wave conditions appear to be dependent largely on local wind speed, rather than wave conditions either seaward, or within the reef matrix. This is because the GBR matrix is a very effective wave absorber, irrespective of water depth and reef matrix porosity.     

滨海湿地消浪服务空间分布特征——以上海市崇明岛为例

全球气候变化增加了滨海地区遭受侵蚀、风暴潮等灾害的风险,利用自然湿地的消浪功能增强海岸防护是当前研究的热点,但目前对消浪服务的空间分布评估研究相对匮乏。以上海市崇明岛环岛滨海湿地为例,结合GIS与Kobayashi指数形式波高衰减模型评估常规状态下湿地消浪服务的空间分布特征。结果显示,大、小潮升条件下,崇明环岛湿地消波的平均高度分别为0.94、0.54 m与效度分别为83.6%、60.4%,消波高度的空间分布表现为南岸小于北岸,消波效度的空间分布在小潮升时与消波高度相似,而大潮升时南岸的消波效度有明显提升。物理环境与生物因素空间分布及其相互作用的异质性,导致消浪服务的空间分布也具有空间异质性。实际参与消波的断面宽度与不同景观消波服务的评估结果表明,一个断面的所有景观并非都参与到消浪过程中,即使在大潮升时期,不同岸段景观的平均参与度不足71%。潮高与波高的增加并不会使参与消波的景观规模成对应比例的增加,说明消波服务在空间上具有明显的非线性特征。研究可为滨海湿地生态修复空间规划、基于生态系统的海岸带管理、自然资本核算提供科技支撑。     

Evolution of a Langmuir wave in a weakly inhomogeneous plasma in a longitudinal electric field

The spatial evolution of a Langmuir wave excited by external sources in a weakly inhomogeneous electron plasma in a longitudinal electrostatic field is considered. It is shown that, in a longitudinal electrostatic field, a Langmuir wave can only be amplified in an inhomogeneous plasma provided that the current of trapped electrons exceeds that of untrapped electrons. In this case, as the wave propagates through the inhomogeneous region where its phase velocity increases, some untrapped electrons become trapped in the wave potential wells. As a result, the current of trapped electrons increases and the wave is amplified. Moreover, in the regions where the bulk electrons are localized, the minima of the wave are amplified to a greater extent than its maxima.     

The Fundamental Structure and the Reproduction of Spiral Wave in a Two-Dimensional Excitable Lattice

In this paper we have systematically investigated the fundamental structure and the reproduction of spiral wave in a two-dimensional excitable lattice. A periodically rotating spiral wave is introduced as the model to reproduce spiral wave artificially. Interestingly, by using the dominant phase-advanced driving analysis method, the fundamental structure containing the loop structure and the wave propagation paths has been revealed, which can expose the periodically rotating orbit of spiral tip and the charity of spiral wave clearly. Furthermore, the fundamental structure is utilized as the core for artificial spiral wave. Additionally, the appropriate parameter region, in which the artificial spiral wave can be reproduced, is studied. Finally, we discuss the robustness of artificial spiral wave to defects.     

Effects of electroporation pulse wave on the incorporation of viral RNA into tobacco protoplasts

The uptake and expression of cucumber mosaic viral (CMV) RNA by tobacco protoplasts was examined using both square wave and exponential wave electroporation pulses. These electropulses, when supplied at sufficient field strength for a critical duration, enabled RNA to be incorporated and expressed in more than 60% of the surviving protoplasts. The results of experiments using these two electroporation wave forms showed significant differences in RNA uptake and expression. The number of viable protoplasts and cells showing expression of RNA was higher over a much broader range of experimental conditions using the square rather than exponential wave generator, even when both machines were optimized for maximal performance. However, at a narrow range of low field strengths the exponential wave pulse generated a higher percentage of transformants than did the square wave pulse. It was shown that after an electroporation pulse from either wave form, there were viable cells which expressed foreign RNA at predictable levels.     

Use of simultaneous pressure and velocity measurements to estimate arterial wave speed at a single site in humans

It has not been possible to measure wave speed in the human coronary artery, because the vessel is too short for the conventional two-point measurement technique used in the aorta. We present a new method derived from wave intensity analysis, which allows derivation of wave speed at a single point. We apply this method in the aorta and then use it to derive wave speed in the human coronary artery for the first time. We measured simultaneous pressure and Doppler velocity with intracoronary wires at the left main stem, left anterior descending and circumflex arteries, and aorta in 14 subjects after a normal coronary arteriogram. Then, in 10 subjects, serial measurements were made along the aorta before and after intracoronary isosorbide dinitrate. Wave speed was derived by two methods in the aorta: 1) the two-site distance/time method (foot-to-foot delay of pressure waveforms) and 2) a new single-point method using simultaneous pressure and velocity measurements. Coronary wave speed was derived by the single-point method. Wave speed derived by the two methods correlated well (r = 0.72, P < 0.05). Coronary wave speed correlated with aortic wave speed (r = 0.72, P = 0.002). After nitrate administration, coronary wave speed fell by 43%: from 16.4 m/s (95% confidence interval 12.6-20.1) to 9.3 m/s (95% confidence interval 6.5-12.0, P < 0.001). This single-point method allows determination of wave speed in the human coronary artery. Aortic wave speed is correlated to coronary wave speed. Finally, this technique detects the prompt fall in coronary artery wave speed with isosorbide dinitrate.     

Influence of the outer-magnetospheric magnetohydrodynamic waveguide on the reflection of hydromagnetic waves from a shear flow at the magnetopause

The coefficient of reflection of a fast magnetosonic wave incident on the magnetosphere from the solar wind is studied analytically in the framework of a plane-stratified model of the medium with allowance for the transverse inhomogeneity of the magnetosphere and a jump of the plasma parameters at the magnetopause. Three factors decisively affecting the properties of reflection are taken into account: the shear flow of the solar wind plasma relative to the magnetosphere; the presence of a magnetospheric magnetohydrodynamic waveguide caused by the transverse plasma inhomogeneity; and the presence of an Alfvén resonance deep in the magnetosphere, where the oscillation energy dissipates. If the solar wind velocity exceeds the wave phase velocity along the magnetopause, then the wave energy in the solar wind is negative and such a wave experiences overreflection. In the opposite case, the wave energy is positive and the wave is reflected only partially. The wave reflection has a pronounced resonant character: the reflection coefficient has deep narrow minima or high narrow maxima at the eigenfrequencies of the magnetospheric waveguide. For other frequencies, the reflection coefficient only slightly differs from unity. The wave energy influx into the magnetosphere is positive for waves with both positive and negative energies. For waves with a negative energy, this is a consequence of their overreflection, because the flux of negative energy carried away by the reflected wave exceeds the incident flux of negative energy.     

Neuronal activities of the visual field of the cerebral cortex modulated by reserpine-induced PGO waves

The modulatory influence of reserpine-induced PGO wave upon the spontaneous activity of visual cortical neurons was examined in acutely prepared cats. Unitary discharge of cortical neurons was recorded extracellularly with glass micropipettes. Of twenty three neurons three showed a vigorous discharge synchronously with a certain phase of PGO wave. One neuron was strongly suppressed by the occurrence of PGO wave. Three neurons showed an increase and one neuron showed a decrease, respectively, in discharge in a loose correlation with PGO wave. This study has demonstrated the presence of a unique group of neurons which show a burst discharge or a complete silence in a precisely phase-lock manner when reserpine-induced PGO wave occurred.     

Polarographic direct determination and homogeneous immunoassay of anti-human serum albumin (HSA) by parallel catalytic hydrogen wave of anti-HSA or HSA

Human serum albumin (HSA) or anti-human serum albumin (anti-HSA) yields a catalytic hydrogen wave at about -1.85V (vs Ag/AgCl) in 0.25M NH(3).H(2)O-NH(4)Cl (pH 8.58) buffer. When 1.0 x 10(-2)M K(2)S(2)O(8) is present, the catalytic hydrogen wave is further catalyzed, producing a parallel catalytic wave of hydrogen as catalyst in nature, termed the parallel catalytic hydrogen wave. The sensitivity of the parallel catalytic hydrogen wave is higher by two orders of magnitude than that of the catalytic hydrogen wave. Using the parallel catalytic hydrogen wave of anti-HSA or HSA in the presence of K(2)S(2)O(8), two sensitive methods for the determination of anti-HSA were developed. One is a direct determination based on the parallel catalytic hydrogen wave of anti-HAS itself, and the other is a homogeneous immunoassay based on measuring the decrease of the peak current of the parallel catalytic hydrogen wave of HSA after homogeneous immunoreaction of HSA with anti-HSA. In the direct determination, the second-order derivative peak current of the parallel catalytic hydrogen wave of anti-HSA itself is rectilinear to its titer in the range from 1:1.0 x 10(7) to 1:8.4 x 10(6). In the homogeneous immunoassay, the decrease in the second-order derivative peak current of the parallel catalytic hydrogen wave of HSA is linearly related to the added anti-HSA in the titer range from 1:3.0 x 10(7) to 1:6.0 x 10(6). These assays are highly sensitive and rapid in operation and can be used to evaluate such antigens and their antibodies as those that could yield the parallel catalytic hydrogen wave.     

高血压患者脉搏波参数与脉搏波传导速度的相关性研究

目的:探讨高血压患者脉搏波参数与脉搏波传导速度的相关性,为从脉图上辨识高血压病及脉搏波参数的拓展应用提供参考。方法:选择2012年6月至2013年6月在北京安贞医院和北京人民医院门诊和住院确诊的原发性高血压患者32例作为实验组,并招募健康成人志愿者29例作为对照组。利用中医四诊合参辅助诊疗仪与皮尺分别采集两组受试者的左侧寸口脉图信息和主动脉至桡动脉的血管长度,计算脉搏波参数及脉搏波传导速度,采用方差分析和皮尔逊简单相关的统计方法分析高血压患者不同的脉搏波参数与其脉搏波传导速度的相关性。结果:与对照组比较,实验组的PWV显著升高,有显著性差异(P0.05)。实验组H2/H1明显高于对照组(P0.05),但H4/H1、T1/T、T2/T比值均显著低于对照组(P0.05),差异均有显著性意义(P0.05)。高血压患者的H2/H1、T1/T、T2/T、H4/H1均与其PWV相关,其中H2/H1与PWV呈显著正相关(P0.05),T1/T、T2/T与PWV呈显著负相关(P0.05),H4/H1与PWV呈一般正相关(P0.05)。结论:高血压患者的脉搏波参数与脉搏波传导速度具有显著相关性,且潮波出现的幅值与脉搏波传导速度有显著正相关;脉搏波上升支和潮波的时值与脉搏波传导速度具有显著负相关,重搏波相对高度与脉搏波传导速度具有一般相关关系,因而可通过脉搏波参数的变化了解高血压患者血管弹性的状态。     

Temporal and spatial correlation of fertilization current, calcium waves and cytoplasmic contraction in eggs of Ciona intestinalis

Eggs of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis were loaded with the calcium indicator fura-2 via whole-cell clamp electrodes and changes in cytoplasmic calcium and cell currents were monitored during fertilization either in separate eggs or simultaneously in the same egg. The first indication of egg activation was the fertilization current; which reached peak values around 1 nA after 30 s. A wave of elevated calcium was detectable between 5 s and 30 s (mean = 21 s) after the start of the fertilization current. This wave spread across the egg increasing cytoplasmic calcium levels to at least 10 microM. When the fertilization current and calcium wave were complete and cytoplasmic calcium levels were decreasing to prefertilization levels, a cortical contraction wave spread across the egg surface. In eggs showing normal fertilization current, the calcium wave and the contraction wave were in the same direction. A region of elevated calcium persisted at the animal pole. Changing cytoplasmic calcium levels locally by local application of ionophore A23187 caused a contraction wave originating at the site of ionophore application. Increasing cytoplasmic calcium uniformly by facilitating calcium entry through voltage-regulated channels did not result in a contraction wave.     

Instabilities of a circularly polarized wave with trapped particles in an isotropic plasma

The structure and stability of a transverse electromagnetic wave propagating with a velocity lower than the speed of light in an unmagnetized plasma are considered. The stationary finite-amplitude wave is described by exact solutions to the Vlasov-Maxwell equations. However, unlike the well-known electrostatic analog, the Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal wave, the wave structure is determined to a large extent by the presence of trapped particles with a shear of transverse velocities, without which the existence of waves with a refraction index larger than unity is impossible. It is shown that the main origin of the wave instability is the longitudinal motion of trapped particles relative to the background plasma. Expressions for the growth rates in the main instability regimes are found under definite restrictions on the wave parameters.     

Behavior of Dictyostelium amoebae is regulated primarily by the temporal dynamic of the natural cAMP wave.

The instantaneous velocity plots of Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae responding to natural waves and simulated temporal waves of cAMP with periods of 7 min are highly similar. This similarity has been used to deduce the dynamics of a natural wave crossing an amoeba, and the behavior of amoebae has been characterized during the different phases of a natural wave with a computer-assisted dynamic image analyzing system. During the first approximately 150 sec of the front of a natural wave, cells move persistently toward the aggregation center, with high instantaneous velocity and a decreased frequency of lateral pseudopod formation. During the last 30 sec of the front of the wave and the first 30 sec of the back of the wave, there is a "freeze" in cell shape and a dramatic depression in cell motility, pseudopod formation, and intracellular particle movement. During the last 180 sec of the back of the wave, there is a rebound in pseudopod formation, but it is random in direction and leads to no net cellular translocation. The data suggest that all of the behavior of a cell but orientation during the translocation phase is mediated by the temporal dynamics of the wave. The data also suggest that orientation toward the aggregation center occurs early in the front of the wave and that, once oriented, cells move in a blind fashion during the translocation phase.     

A wave of IP3 production accompanies the fertilization Ca2+ wave in the egg of the frog, Xenopus laevis: theoretical and experimental support

The fertilization Ca2+ wave in Xenopus laevis is a single, large wave of elevated free Ca2+ that is initiated at the point of sperm-egg fusion and traverses the entire width of the egg. This Ca2+ wave involves an increase in inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) resulting from the interaction of the sperm and egg, which then results in the activation of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release machinery. The extraordinarily large size of this cell (1.2 mm diameter) together with the small surface region of sperm-receptor activation makes special demands on the IP3-dependent Ca2+ mobilizing machinery. We propose a detailed model of the fertilization Ca2+ wave in Xenopus eggs that requires an accompanying wave of IP3 production. While the Ca2+ wave is initiated by a localized increase of IP3 near the site of sperm-egg fusion, the Ca2+ wave propagates via IP3 production correlated with the Ca2+ wave-possibly via Ca(2+)-mediated PLC activation. Such a Ca(2+)-mediated IP(3) production wave has not been required previously to explain the fertilization Ca2+ wave in eggs; we argue this is necessary to explain the observed IP3 dynamics in Xenopus eggs. To test our hypothesis, we have measured the IP3 levels from 20 nl "sips" of the egg cortex during wave propagation. We were unable to detect the low IP3 levels in unfertilized eggs, but after fertilization, [IP3] ranged from 175 to 430 nM at the sperm entry point and from 120 to 700 nM 90 degrees away once the Ca2+ wave passed that region about 2 min after fertilization. Prior to the Ca2+ wave reaching that region the IP3 levels were undetectable. Since significant IP3 could not diffuse to this region from the sperm entry point within 2 min, this observation is consistent with a regenerative wave of IP3 production.     

The effect of the membrane compression wave on the light scattering spectrum from a protein monomer-dimer equilibrium

The membrane compression wave on the Rayleigh-Brillouin spectrum of a solution of protein in a monomer-timer equilibrium has been calculated. When the frequency of the longitudinal wave is slow compared to the monomer-dimer exchange frequency the compaction wave produces an asymmetry in the spectrum. The asymmetry is small and may be undetectable in the experimental spectra. If the frequency of the compression wave is high compared to the exchange rate then new bands will appear in the experimental spectra. The amplitude and shift of these peaks are related to the amplitude and frequency of the longitudinal wave, respectively. The bands due to the compression wave in this limit should be detectable in the experimental spectrum. Fitting of the experimental spectrum to the form calculated below will yield valuable information about the membrane compression wave.