Dual-pulses and harmonic patterns of a square-wave soliton in passively mode-locked fiber laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Wanzhuo; Wang, Tianshu; Su, Qingchao; Zhang, Jing; Jia, Qingsong; Jiang, Huilin

2018-06-01

We demonstrate a square-wave soliton pulse passively mode-locked fiber laser. The mode-locked pulses are achieved by using a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror. Single-pulse operation at a fundamental repetition rate of 3.2 MHz is obtained. The optical spectrum presents the soliton feature of several sidebands. The pulse duration expands with increasing pump power, but the amplitude hardly varies. Pulse breaking occurs and a stable dual-pulse is obtained with a fixed interval of 48 ns. Harmonic mode-locked states can be achieved when the total pump power is higher than 740 mW. The harmonic pulses can also operate in both single-pulse and dual-pulse states.

Pump-dump iterative squeezing of vibrational wave packets.

PubMed

Chang, Bo Y; Sola, Ignacio R

2005-12-22

The free motion of a nonstationary vibrational wave packet in an electronic potential is a source of interesting quantum properties. In this work we propose an iterative scheme that allows continuous stretching and squeezing of a wave packet in the ground or in an excited electronic state, by switching the wave function between both potentials with pi pulses at certain times. Using a simple model of displaced harmonic oscillators and delta pulses, we derive the analytical solution and the conditions for its possible implementation and optimization in different molecules and electronic states. We show that the main constraining parameter is the pulse bandwidth. Although in principle the degree of squeezing (or stretching) is not bounded, the physical resources increase quadratically with the number of iterations, while the achieved squeezing only increases linearly.

Shear wave pulse compression for dynamic elastography using phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Thu-Mai; Song, Shaozhen; Arnal, Bastien; Wong, Emily Y.; Huang, Zhihong; Wang, Ruikang K.; O'Donnell, Matthew

2014-01-01

Assessing the biomechanical properties of soft tissue provides clinically valuable information to supplement conventional structural imaging. In the previous studies, we introduced a dynamic elastography technique based on phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PhS-OCT) to characterize submillimetric structures such as skin layers or ocular tissues. Here, we propose to implement a pulse compression technique for shear wave elastography. We performed shear wave pulse compression in tissue-mimicking phantoms. Using a mechanical actuator to generate broadband frequency-modulated vibrations (1 to 5 kHz), induced displacements were detected at an equivalent frame rate of 47 kHz using a PhS-OCT. The recorded signal was digitally compressed to a broadband pulse. Stiffness maps were then reconstructed from spatially localized estimates of the local shear wave speed. We demonstrate that a simple pulse compression scheme can increase shear wave detection signal-to-noise ratio (>12 dB gain) and reduce artifacts in reconstructing stiffness maps of heterogeneous media.

Potential of M-Wave Elicited by Double Pulse for Muscle Fatigue Evaluation in Intermittent Muscle Activation by Functional Electrical Stimulation for Motor Rehabilitation

PubMed Central

Miura, Naoto; Watanabe, Takashi

2016-01-01

Clinical studies on application of functional electrical stimulation (FES) to motor rehabilitation have been increasing. However, muscle fatigue appears early in the course of repetitive movement production training by FES. Although M-wave variables were suggested to be reliable indices of muscle fatigue in long lasting constant electrical stimulation under the isometric condition, the ability of M-wave needs more studies under intermittent stimulation condition, because the intervals between electrical stimulations help recovery of muscle activation level. In this paper, M-waves elicited by double pulses were examined in muscle fatigue evaluation during repetitive movements considering rehabilitation training with surface electrical stimulation. M-waves were measured under the two conditions of repetitive stimulation: knee extension force production under the isometric condition and the dynamic movement condition by knee joint angle control. Amplitude of M-wave elicited by the 2nd pulse of a double pulse decreased during muscle fatigue in both measurement conditions, while the change in M-waves elicited by single pulses in a stimulation burst was not relevant to muscle fatigue in repeated activation with stimulation interval of 1 s. Fatigue index obtained from M-waves elicited by 2nd pulses was suggested to provide good estimation of muscle fatigue during repetitive movements with FES. PMID:27110556

Ozone formation behind pulsed-laser-generated blast waves in oxygen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stricker, J.; Parker, J. G.

1984-12-01

The formation of ozone behind blast waves in oxygen generated by a pulsed laser has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically, over cell pressure range of 0.68-27 atm. Ozone buildup formed by successive pulses was monitored by recording UV absorption at 2540 Å. It was found that, as the number of pulses increase, the rate of ozone formation decreased until finally an equilibrium concentration was reached. This equilibrium magnitude was determined by the condition that the number of ozone molecules produced by the wave equals the number decomposed by the same wave. The decomposition and formation of O3 during a single pulse were monitored by time-resolved UV absorption measurements. In order to provide a fundamental basis for interpretation of the mechanism of ozone formation, a mathematical model was developed. Although qualitatively measurements and theory agree, the data, mainly on the number of O3 molecules produced per pulse, is in significant disagreement. Several possible explanations of this discrepancy are given.

Mach 5 bow shock control by a nanosecond pulse surface dielectric barrier discharge

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nishihara, M.; Takashima, K.; Rich, J. W.

2011-06-15

Bow shock perturbations in a Mach 5 air flow, produced by low-temperature, nanosecond pulse, and surface dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), are detected by phase-locked schlieren imaging. A diffuse nanosecond pulse discharge is generated in a DBD plasma actuator on a surface of a cylinder model placed in air flow in a small scale blow-down supersonic wind tunnel. Discharge energy coupled to the actuator is 7.3-7.8 mJ/pulse. Plasma temperature inferred from nitrogen emission spectra is a few tens of degrees higher than flow stagnation temperature, T = 340 {+-} 30 K. Phase-locked Schlieren images are used to detect compression waves generatedmore » by individual nanosecond discharge pulses near the actuator surface. The compression wave propagates upstream toward the baseline bow shock standing in front of the cylinder model. Interaction of the compression wave and the bow shock causes its displacement in the upstream direction, increasing shock stand-off distance by up to 25%. The compression wave speed behind the bow shock and the perturbed bow shock velocity are inferred from the Schlieren images. The effect of compression waves generated by nanosecond discharge pulses on shock stand-off distance is demonstrated in a single-pulse regime (at pulse repetition rates of a few hundred Hz) and in a quasi-continuous mode (using a two-pulse sequence at a pulse repetition rate of 100 kHz). The results demonstrate feasibility of hypersonic flow control by low-temperature, repetitive nanosecond pulse discharges.« less

Cascading pulse tubes on a large diaphragm pressure wave generator to increase liquefaction potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caughley, A.; Meier, J.; Nation, M.; Reynolds, H.; Boyle, C.; Tanchon, J.

2017-12-01

Fabrum Solutions, in collaboration with Absolut System and Callaghan Innovation, produce a range of large pulse tube cryocoolers based on metal diaphragm pressure wave generator technology (DPWG). The largest cryocooler consists of three in-line pulse tubes working in parallel on a 1000 cm3 swept volume DPWG. It has demonstrated 1280 W of refrigeration at 77 K, from 24 kW of input power and was subsequently incorporated into a liquefaction plant to produce liquid nitrogen for an industrial customer. The pulse tubes on the large cryocooler each produced 426 W of refrigeration at 77 K. However, pulse tubes can produce more refrigeration with higher efficiency at higher temperatures. This paper presents the results from experiments to increase overall liquefaction throughput by operating one or more pulse tubes at a higher temperature to pre-cool the incoming gas. The experiments showed that the effective cooling increased to 1500 W resulting in an increase in liquefaction rate from 13 to 16 l/hour.

Effect of Pulsing in Low-Level Light Therapy

PubMed Central

Hashmi, Javad T.; Huang, Ying-Ying; Sharma, Sulbha K.; Kurup, Divya Balachandran; De Taboada, Luis; Carroll, James D.; Hamblin, Michael R.

2010-01-01

Background and Objective Low level light (or laser) therapy (LLLT) is a rapidly growing modality used in physical therapy, chiropractic, sports medicine and increasingly in mainstream medicine. LLLT is used to increase wound healing and tissue regeneration, to relieve pain and inflammation, to prevent tissue death, to mitigate degeneration in many neurological indications. While some agreement has emerged on the best wavelengths of light and a range of acceptable dosages to be used (irradiance and fluence), there is no agreement on whether continuous wave or pulsed light is best and on what factors govern the pulse parameters to be chosen. Study Design/Materials and Methods The published peer-reviewed literature was reviewed between 1970 and 2010. Results The basic molecular and cellular mechanisms of LLLT are discussed. The type of pulsed light sources available and the parameters that govern their pulse structure are outlined. Studies that have compared continuous wave and pulsed light in both animals and patients are reviewed. Frequencies used in other pulsed modalities used in physical therapy and biomedicine are compared to those used in LLLT. Conclusion There is some evidence that pulsed light does have effects that are different from those of continuous wave light. However further work is needed to define these effects for different disease conditions and pulse structures. PMID:20662021

Effect of pulsing in low-level light therapy.

PubMed

Hashmi, Javad T; Huang, Ying-Ying; Sharma, Sulbha K; Kurup, Divya Balachandran; De Taboada, Luis; Carroll, James D; Hamblin, Michael R

2010-08-01

Low level light (or laser) therapy (LLLT) is a rapidly growing modality used in physical therapy, chiropractic, sports medicine and increasingly in mainstream medicine. LLLT is used to increase wound healing and tissue regeneration, to relieve pain and inflammation, to prevent tissue death, to mitigate degeneration in many neurological indications. While some agreement has emerged on the best wavelengths of light and a range of acceptable dosages to be used (irradiance and fluence), there is no agreement on whether continuous wave or pulsed light is best and on what factors govern the pulse parameters to be chosen. The published peer-reviewed literature was reviewed between 1970 and 2010. The basic molecular and cellular mechanisms of LLLT are discussed. The type of pulsed light sources available and the parameters that govern their pulse structure are outlined. Studies that have compared continuous wave and pulsed light in both animals and patients are reviewed. Frequencies used in other pulsed modalities used in physical therapy and biomedicine are compared to those used in LLLT. There is some evidence that pulsed light does have effects that are different from those of continuous wave light. However further work is needed to define these effects for different disease conditions and pulse structures. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effect of pulse duration on photomechanical response of soft tissue during Ho:YAG laser ablation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jansen, E. Duco; Motamedi, Massoud; Pfefer, T. Joshua; Asshauer, Thomas; Frenz, Martin; Delacretaz, Guy P.; Abela, George S.; Welch, Ashley J.

1995-05-01

Mechanical injury during pulsed holmium laser ablation of tissue is caused by rapid bubble expansion and collapse or by laser-induced pressure waves. In this study the effect of pulse duration on the photomechanical response of soft tissue during holmium:YAG laser ablation has been investigated. The dynamics of laser-induced bubble formation was documented in water and in transparent polyacrylamide tissue phantoms with a water concentration of 84%. Holmium:YAG laser radiation ((lambda) equals 2.12 micrometers ) was delivered in water or tissue phantoms via an optical fiber (200 or 400 micrometers ). The laser was operated in either the Q- switched mode ((tau) p equals 500 ns, Qp equals 14 +/- 1 mJ, 200 micrometers fiber, Ho equals 446 mJ/mm2) or the free-running mode ((tau) p equals 100 - 1100 microsecond(s) , Qp equals 200 +/- 5 mJ, 400 micrometers fiber, Ho equals 1592 mJ/mm2). Bubble formation was documented using a fast flash photography setup while simultaneously a PVDP needle hydrophone (40 ns risetime), recorded pressures. The effect of the pulse duration on the photomechanical response of soft biological tissue was evaluated by delivering 5 pulses of 800 mJ to the intimal side of porcine aorta in vitro, followed by histologic evaluation. It was observed that, as the pulse duration was increased the bubble shape changed from almost spherical for Q-switched pulses to a more elongated, cylindrical shape for the longer pulse durations. The bubble expansion velocity was larger for shorter pulse durations. A thermo- elastic expansion wave was measured only during Q-switched pulse delivery. All pulses that induced bubble formation generated pressure waves upon collapse of the bubble in water as well as in the gel. The amplitude of the pressure wave depended strongly on the size and geometry of the laser-induced bubble. The important findings of this study were (1) the magnitude of collapse pressure wave decreased as laser pulse duration increased, and (2) mechanical tissue damage is reduced significantly by using longer pulse durations (> 460 microsecond(s) , for the pulse energy used).

Pulse based sensor networking using mechanical waves through metal substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorenz, S.; Dong, B.; Huo, Q.; Tomlinson, W. J.; Biswas, S.

2013-05-01

This paper presents a novel wireless sensor networking technique using ultrasonic signal as the carrier wave for binary data exchange. Using the properties of lamb wave propagation through metal substrates, the proposed network structure can be used for runtime transport of structural fault information to ultrasound access points. Primary applications of the proposed sensor networking technique will include conveying fault information on an aircraft wing or on a bridge to an ultrasonic access point using ultrasonic wave through the structure itself (i.e. wing or bridge). Once a fault event has been detected, a mechanical pulse is forwarded to the access node using shortest path multi-hop ultrasonic pulse routing. The advantages of mechanical waves over traditional radio transmission using pulses are the following: First, unlike radio frequency, surface acoustic waves are not detectable outside the medium, which increases the inherent security for sensitive environments in respect to tapping. Second, event detection can be represented by the injection of a single mechanical pulse at a specific temporal position, whereas radio messages usually take several bits. The contributions of this paper are: 1) Development of a transceiver for transmitting/receiving ultrasound pulses with a pulse loss rate below 2·10-5 and false positive rate with an upper bound of 2·10-4. 2) A novel one-hop distance estimation based on the properties of lamb wave propagation with an accuracy of above 80%. 3) Implementation of a wireless sensor network using mechanical wave propagation for event detection on a 2024 aluminum alloy commonly used for aircraft skin construction.

Design of a Continuous Blood Pressure Measurement System Based on Pulse Wave and ECG Signals.

PubMed

Li, Jian-Qiang; Li, Rui; Chen, Zhuang-Zhuang; Deng, Gen-Qiang; Wang, Huihui; Mavromoustakis, Constandinos X; Song, Houbing; Ming, Zhong

2018-01-01

With increasingly fierce competition for jobs, the pressures on people have risen in recent years, leading to lifestyle and diet disorders that result in significantly higher risks of cardiovascular disease. Hypertension is one of the common chronic cardiovascular diseases; however, mainstream blood pressure measurement devices are relatively heavy. When multiple measurements are required, the user experience and the measurement results may be unsatisfactory. In this paper, we describe the design of a signal collection module that collects pulse waves and electrocardiograph (ECG) signals. The collected signals are input into a signal processing module to filter the noise and amplify the useful physiological signals. Then, we use a wavelet transform to eliminate baseline drift noise and detect the feature points of the pulse waves and ECG signals. We propose the concept of detecting the wave shape associated with an instance, an approach that minimizes the impact of atypical pulse waves on blood pressure measurements. Finally, we propose an improved method for measuring blood pressure based on pulse wave velocity that improves the accuracy of blood pressure measurements by 58%. Moreover, the results meet the american medical instrument promotion association standards, which demonstrate the feasibility of our measurement system.

Design of a Continuous Blood Pressure Measurement System Based on Pulse Wave and ECG Signals

PubMed Central

Li, Jian-Qiang; Li, Rui; Chen, Zhuang-Zhuang; Deng, Gen-Qiang; Wang, Huihui; Mavromoustakis, Constandinos X.; Ming, Zhong

2018-01-01

With increasingly fierce competition for jobs, the pressures on people have risen in recent years, leading to lifestyle and diet disorders that result in significantly higher risks of cardiovascular disease. Hypertension is one of the common chronic cardiovascular diseases; however, mainstream blood pressure measurement devices are relatively heavy. When multiple measurements are required, the user experience and the measurement results may be unsatisfactory. In this paper, we describe the design of a signal collection module that collects pulse waves and electrocardiograph (ECG) signals. The collected signals are input into a signal processing module to filter the noise and amplify the useful physiological signals. Then, we use a wavelet transform to eliminate baseline drift noise and detect the feature points of the pulse waves and ECG signals. We propose the concept of detecting the wave shape associated with an instance, an approach that minimizes the impact of atypical pulse waves on blood pressure measurements. Finally, we propose an improved method for measuring blood pressure based on pulse wave velocity that improves the accuracy of blood pressure measurements by 58%. Moreover, the results meet the american medical instrument promotion association standards, which demonstrate the feasibility of our measurement system. PMID:29541556

Large-amplitude acoustic solitary waves in a Yukawa chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheridan, T. E.; Gallagher, James C.

2017-06-01

We experimentally study the excitation and propagation of acoustic solitary waves in a one-dimensional dusty plasma (i.e. a Yukawa chain) with particles interacting through a screened Coulomb potential. The lattice constant mm. Waves are launched by applying a 100 mW laser pulse to one end of the chain for laser pulse durations from 0.10 to 2.0 s. We observe damped solitary waves which propagate for distances with an acoustic speed s=11.5\\pm 0.2~\\text{mm}~\\text{s}-1$ . The maximum velocity perturbation increases with laser pulse duration for durations s and then saturates at . The wave speed is found to be independent of the maximum amplitude, indicating that the formation of nonlinear solitons is prevented by neutral-gas damping.

Changes in Central Aortic Pressure Levels, Wave Components and Determinants Associated with High Peripheral Blood Pressure States in Childhood: Analysis of Hypertensive Phenotype.

PubMed

García-Espinosa, Victoria; Curcio, Santiago; Marotta, Marco; Castro, Juan M; Arana, Maite; Peluso, Gonzalo; Chiesa, Pedro; Giachetto, Gustavo; Bia, Daniel; Zócalo, Yanina

2016-10-01

The aims were to determine whether children's high peripheral blood pressure states (HBP) are associated with increased central aortic blood pressure (BP) and to characterize hemodynamic and vascular changes associated with HBP in terms of changes in cardiac output (stroke volume, SV), arterial stiffness (aortic pulse wave velocity, PWV), peripheral vascular resistances (PVR) and net and relative contributions of reflected waves to the aortic pulse amplitude. We included 154 subjects (mean age 11; range 4-16 years) assigned to one of two groups: normal peripheral BP (NBP, n = 101), defined as systolic and diastolic BP < 90th percentile, or high BP (HBP, n = 53), defined as average systolic and/or diastolic BP levels ≥90th percentile (curves for sex, age and body height). The HBP group included children with hypertensive and pre-hypertensive BP levels. After a first analysis, groups were compared excluding obese and dyslipidemic children. Peripheral and central aortic BP, PWV and pulse wave-derived parameters (augmentation index, forward and backward wave components' amplitude) were measured using gold-standard techniques, applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor) and oscillometry (Mobil-O-Graph). Independent of the presence of dyslipidemia and/or obesity, aortic systolic and pulse BP were higher in HBP than in NBP children. The increase in central BP could not be explained by an increase in the relative contribution of reflections to the aortic pressure wave, higher PVR or by an augmented peripheral reflection coefficient. Instead, the rise in central BP would be explained by an increase in the amplitude of both incident and reflected wave components.

On the Theory of High-Power Ultrashort Pulse Propagation in Raman-Active Media

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Belenov, E. M.; Isakov, V. A.; Kanavin, A. P.; Smetanin, I. V.

1996-01-01

The propagation of an intense femtosecond pulse in a Raman-active medium is analyzed. An analytic solution which describes in explicit form the evolution of the light pulse is derived. The field of an intense light wave undergoes a substantial transformation as the wave propagates through the medium. The nature of this transformation can change over time scales comparable to the period of the optical oscillations. As a result, the pulse of sufficiently high energy divides into stretched and compressed domains where the field decreases and increases respectively.

Detection of Aortic Wall Inclusion Using Regional Pulse Wave Propagation and Velocity In Silico

PubMed Central

Shahmirzadi, Danial; Konofagou, Elisa E.

2012-01-01

Monitoring of the regional stiffening of the arterial wall may prove important in the diagnosis of various vascular pathologies. The pulse wave velocity (PWV) along the aortic wall has been shown to be dependent on the wall stiffness and has played a fundamental role in a range of diagnostic methods. Conventional clinical methods involve a global examination of the pulse traveling between two remote sites, e.g. femoral and carotid arteries, to provide an average PWV estimate. However, the majority of vascular diseases entail regional vascular changes and therefore may not be detected by a global PWV estimate. In this paper, a fluid-structure interaction study of straight-geometry aortas was carried out to examine the effects of regional stiffness changes on PWV. Five homogeneous aortas with increasing wall stiffness as well as two aortas with soft and hard inclusions were considered. In each case, spatio-temporal maps of the wall motion were used to analyze the regional pulse wave propagation. On the homogeneous aortas, increasing PWVs were found to increase with the wall moduli (R2 = 0.9988), indicating the reliability of the model to accurately represent the wave propagation. On the inhomogeneous aortas, formation of reflected and standing waves was observed at the site of the hard and soft inclusions, respectively. Neither the hard nor the soft inclusion had a significant effect on the velocity of the traveling pulse beyond the inclusion site, which supported the hypothesis that a global measurement of the average PWV could fail to detect regional abnormalities. PMID:24235978

FPGA-based design and implementation of arterial pulse wave generator using piecewise Gaussian-cosine fitting.

PubMed

Wang, Lu; Xu, Lisheng; Zhao, Dazhe; Yao, Yang; Song, Dan

2015-04-01

Because arterial pulse waves contain vital information related to the condition of the cardiovascular system, considerable attention has been devoted to the study of pulse waves in recent years. Accurate acquisition is essential to investigate arterial pulse waves. However, at the stage of developing equipment for acquiring and analyzing arterial pulse waves, specific pulse signals may be unavailable for debugging and evaluating the system under development. To produce test signals that reflect specific physiological conditions, in this paper, an arterial pulse wave generator has been designed and implemented using a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which can produce the desired pulse waves according to the feature points set by users. To reconstruct a periodic pulse wave from the given feature points, a method known as piecewise Gaussian-cosine fitting is also proposed in this paper. Using a test database that contains four types of typical pulse waves with each type containing 25 pulse wave signals, the maximum residual error of each sampling point of the fitted pulse wave in comparison with the real pulse wave is within 8%. In addition, the function for adding baseline drift and three types of noises is integrated into the developed system because the baseline occasionally wanders, and noise needs to be added for testing the performance of the designed circuits and the analysis algorithms. The proposed arterial pulse wave generator can be considered as a special signal generator with a simple structure, low cost and compact size, which can also provide flexible solutions for many other related research purposes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Heat Pulse Propagation in Carbon Nanotube Peapods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osman, Mohamed

2013-03-01

Earlier studies of heat pulse propagation in single and double wall nanotubes at very low temperatures have shown that the heat pulse generated wave packets that moved at the speed of sound corresponding to LA and TW phonon modes, second sound waves and diffusive components. The energy content of LA mode wave packets in SWNT was significantly smaller than the TW mode. The energy of the leading LA mode wavepacket in DWNT had a significant increase in the energy content compared to SWNT LA mode. Additionally, an increase simple strain within the LA mode was higher in DWNT compared to SWNT was also reported in. This has motivated us to examine heat pulse propagation in carbon nanopeapods and the coupling between the (10,10) SWNT nanotube and the C60 fullerenes enclosed. The major coupling frequency between the C60 and the (10,10) occurs at 4.88 THz which correspond to the radial breathing mode frequency. We will discuss these results and report on the major phonon modes involved in heat pulse propagation in the (10,10) SWNT-C60 nanopeapod.

Suppressing bubble shielding effect in shock wave lithotripsy by low intensity pulsed ultrasound.

PubMed

Wang, Jen-Chieh; Zhou, Yufeng

2015-01-01

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been used as an effective modality to fragment kidney calculi. Because of the bubble shielding effect in the pre-focal region, the acoustic energy delivered to the focus is reduced. Low pulse repetition frequency (PRF) will be applied to dissolve these bubbles for better stone comminution efficiency. In this study, low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) beam was aligned perpendicular to the axis of a shock wave (SW) lithotripter at its focus. The light transmission was used to evaluate the compressive wave and cavitation induced by SWs without or with a combination of LIPUS for continuous sonication. It is found that bubble shielding effect becomes dominated with the SW exposure and has a greater significant effect on cavitation than compressive wave. Using the combined wave scheme, the improvement began at the 5th pulse and gradually increased. Suppression effect on bubble shielding is independent on the trigger delay, but increases with the acoustic intensity and pulse duration of LIPUS. The peak negative and integral area of light transmission signal, which present the compressive wave and cavitation respectively, using our strategy at PRF of 1 Hz are comparable to those using SW alone at PRF of 0.1 Hz. In addition, high-speed photography confirmed the bubble activities in both free field and close to a stone surface. Bubble motion in response to the acoustic radiation force by LIPUS was found to be the major mechanism of suppressing bubble shielding effect. There is a 2.6-fold increase in stone fragmentation efficiency after 1000 SWs at PRF of 1 Hz in combination with LIPUS. In summary, combination of SWs and LIPUS is an effective way of suppressing bubble shielding effect and, subsequently, improving cavitation at the focus for a better outcome. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Method for exciting inductive-resistive loads with high and controllable direct current

DOEpatents

Hill, Jr., Homer M.

1976-01-01

Apparatus and method for transmitting dc power to a load circuit by applying a dc voltage from a standard waveform synthesizer to duration modulate a bipolar rectangular wave generator. As the amplitude of the dc voltage increases, the widths of the rectangular wave generator output pulses increase, and as the amplitude of the dc voltage decreases, the widths of the rectangular wave generator output pulses decrease. Thus, the waveform synthesizer selectively changes the durations of the rectangular wave generator bipolar output pulses so as to produce a rectangular wave ac carrier that is duration modulated in accordance with and in direct proportion to the voltage amplitude from the synthesizer. Thereupon, by transferring the carrier to the load circuit through an amplifier and a rectifier, the load current also corresponds directly to the voltage amplitude from the synthesizer. To this end, the rectified wave at less than 100% duty factor, amounts to a doubled frequency direct voltage pulse train for applying a direct current to the load, while the current ripple is minimized by a high L/R in the load circuit. In one embodiment, a power transmitting power amplifier means having a dc power supply is matched to the load circuit through a transformer for current magnification without sacrificing load current duration capability, while negative voltage and current feedback are provided in order to insure good output fidelity.

Cross-sectional relations of arterial stiffness, pressure pulsatility, wave reflection, and arterial calcification.

PubMed

Tsao, Connie W; Pencina, Karol M; Massaro, Joseph M; Benjamin, Emelia J; Levy, Daniel; Vasan, Ramachandran S; Hoffmann, Udo; O'Donnell, Christopher J; Mitchell, Gary F

2014-11-01

Arterial hemodynamics and vascular calcification are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, but their inter-relations remain unclear. We sought to examine the associations of arterial stiffness, pressure pulsatility, and wave reflection with arterial calcification in individuals free of prevalent cardiovascular disease. Framingham Heart Study Third Generation and Offspring Cohort participants free of cardiovascular disease underwent applanation tonometry to measure arterial stiffness, pressure pulsatility, and wave reflection, including carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, central pulse pressure, forward wave amplitude, and augmentation index. Participants in each cohort (n=1905, 45±6 years and n=1015, 65±9 years, respectively) underwent multidetector computed tomography to assess the presence and quantity of thoracic aortic calcification, abdominal aortic calcification, and coronary artery calcification. In multivariable-adjusted models, both higher carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and central pulse pressure were associated with greater thoracic aortic calcification and abdominal aortic calcification, whereas higher augmentation index was associated with abdominal aortic calcification. Among the tonometry measures, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was the strongest correlate of all calcification measures in multivariable-adjusted models (odds ratio per SD for thoracic aortic calcification, 2.69 [95% confidence interval, 2.17-3.35]; abdominal aortic calcification, 1.47 [95% confidence interval, 1.26-1.73]; and coronary artery calcification, 1.48 [95% confidence interval, 1.28-1.72]; all P<0.001, respectively). We observed stronger relations of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, central pulse pressure, and forward wave amplitude with nearly all continuous calcification measures in the younger Third Generation Cohort as compared with the Offspring Cohort. In community-dwelling individuals without prevalent cardiovascular disease, abnormal central arterial hemodynamics were positively associated with vascular calcification and were observed at younger ages than previously recognized. The mechanisms of these associations may be bidirectional and deserve further study. © 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.

Observation of Self-Cavitating Envelope Dispersive Shock Waves in Yttrium Iron Garnet Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janantha, P. A. Praveen; Sprenger, Patrick; Hoefer, Mark A.; Wu, Mingzhong

2017-07-01

The formation and properties of envelope dispersive shock wave (DSW) excitations from repulsive nonlinear waves in a magnetic film are studied. Experiments involve the excitation of a spin wave step pulse in a low-loss magnetic Y3Fe5O12 thin film strip, in which the spin wave amplitude increases rapidly, realizing the canonical Riemann problem of shock theory. Under certain conditions, the envelope of the spin wave pulse evolves into a DSW that consists of an expanding train of nonlinear oscillations with amplitudes increasing from front to back, terminated by a black soliton. The onset of DSW self-cavitation, indicated by a point of zero power and a concomitant 180° phase jump, is observed for sufficiently large steps, indicative of the bidirectional dispersive hydrodynamic nature of the DSW. The experimental observations are interpreted with theory and simulations of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation.

In vivo repeatability of the pulse wave inverse problem in human carotid arteries.

PubMed

McGarry, Matthew; Nauleau, Pierre; Apostolakis, Iason; Konofagou, Elisa

2017-11-07

Accurate arterial stiffness measurement would improve diagnosis and monitoring for many diseases. Atherosclerotic plaques and aneurysms are expected to involve focal changes in vessel wall properties; therefore, a method to image the stiffness variation would be a valuable clinical tool. The pulse wave inverse problem (PWIP) fits unknown parameters from a computational model of arterial pulse wave propagation to ultrasound-based measurements of vessel wall displacements by minimizing the difference between the model and measured displacements. The PWIP has been validated in phantoms, and this study presents the first in vivo demonstration. The common carotid arteries of five healthy volunteers were imaged five times in a single session with repositioning of the probe and subject between each scan. The 1D finite difference computational model used in the PWIP spanned from the start of the transducer to the carotid bifurcation, where a resistance outlet boundary condition was applied to approximately model the downstream reflection of the pulse wave. Unknown parameters that were estimated by the PWIP included a 10-segment linear piecewise compliance distribution and 16 discrete cosine transformation coefficients for each of the inlet boundary conditions. Input data was selected to include pulse waves resulting from the primary pulse and dicrotic notch. The recovered compliance maps indicate that the compliance increases close to the bifurcation, and the variability of the average pulse wave velocity estimated through the PWIP is on the order of 11%, which is similar to that of the conventional processing technique which tracks the wavefront arrival time (13%). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A simplified measurement of pulse wave velocity is not inferior to standard measurement in young adults and children.

PubMed

Edgell, Heather; Stickland, Michael K; MacLean, Joanna E

2016-06-01

The standard measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV) is restricted by the need for simultaneous tonometry measurements requiring two technicians and expensive equipment, limiting this technique to well-resourced settings. In this preliminary study, we compared a simplified method of pulse wave detection from the finger and toe to pulse wave detection from the carotid and radial arteries using applanation tonometry in children and young adults. We hypothesized that the simplified method of PWV measurement would strongly correlate with the standard measurement in different age groups and oxygen conditions. Participants included (a) boys and girls aged 8-12 years and (b) men and women aged 18-40 years. Participants rested supine while carotid and radial artery pulse waves were measured using applanation tonometry and finger and toe pulse waves were simultaneously collected using a Finometer Midi and a piezo-electric pulse transducer, respectively. These measurements were repeated under hypoxic conditions. Finger-toe PWV measurements were strongly correlated to carotid-radial PWV in adults (R=0.58; P=0.011), but not in children (R=0.056; P=0.610). Finger-toe PWV was sensitive enough to show increases in PWV with age (P<0.0001) and hypoxia in children (P<0.0001) and adults (P=0.003). These results indicate that the simplified measurement of finger-toe PWV strongly correlates with the standard measurement of carotid-radial PWV in adults, but not in children. However, finger-toe PWV can be used in either population to determine changes with hypoxia.

Dynamic ultraslow optical-matter wave analog of an event horizon.

PubMed

Zhu, C J; Deng, L; Hagley, E W; Ge, Mo-Lin

2014-08-29

We investigate theoretically the effects of a dynamically increasing medium index on optical-wave propagation in a rubidium condensate. A long pulsed pump laser coupling a D2 line transition produces a rapidly growing internally generated field. This results in a significant optical self-focusing effect and creates a dynamically growing medium index anomaly that propagates ultraslowly with the internally generated field. When a fast probe pulse injected after a delay catches up with the dynamically increasing index anomaly, it is forced to slow down and is prohibited from crossing the anomaly, thereby realizing an ultraslow optical-matter wave analog of a dynamic white-hole event horizon.

Ultra-short pulse generator

DOEpatents

McEwan, T.E.

1993-12-28

An inexpensive pulse generating circuit is disclosed that generates ultra-short, 200 picosecond, and high voltage 100 kW, pulses suitable for wideband radar and other wideband applications. The circuit implements a nonlinear transmission line with series inductors and variable capacitors coupled to ground made from reverse biased diodes to sharpen and increase the amplitude of a high-voltage power MOSFET driver input pulse until it causes non-destructive transit time breakdown in a final avalanche shock wave diode, which increases and sharpens the pulse even more. 5 figures.

Focusing of shock waves induced by optical breakdown in water

PubMed Central

Sankin, Georgy N.; Zhou, Yufeng; Zhong, Pei

2008-01-01

The focusing of laser-generated shock waves by a truncated ellipsoidal reflector was experimentally and numerically investigated. Pressure waveform and distribution around the first (F1) and second foci (F2) of the ellipsoidal reflector were measured. A neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser of 1046 nm wavelength and 5 ns pulse duration was used to create an optical breakdown at F1, which generates a spherically diverging shock wave with a peak pressure of 2.1–5.9 MPa at 1.1 mm stand-off distance and a pulse width at half maximum of 36–65 ns. Upon reflection, a converging shock wave is produced which, upon arriving at F2, has a leading compressive wave with a peak pressure of 26 MPa and a zero-crossing pulse duration of 0.1 μs, followed by a trailing tensile wave of −3.3 MPa peak pressure and 0.2 μs pulse duration. The −6 dB beam size of the focused shock wave field is 1.6×0.2 mm2 along and transverse to the shock wave propagation direction. Formation of elongated plasmas at high laser energy levels limits the increase in the peak pressure at F2. General features in the waveform profile of the converging shock wave are in qualitative agreement with numerical simulations based on the Hamilton model. PMID:18537359

Generation of dual-wavelength square pulse in a figure-eight erbium-doped fiber laser with ultra-large net-anomalous dispersion.

PubMed

Shao, Zhihua; Qiao, Xueguang; Rong, Qiangzhou; Su, Dan

2015-08-01

A type of wave-breaking-free mode-locked dual-wavelength square pulse was experimentally observed in a figure-eight erbium-doped fiber laser with ultra-large net-anomalous dispersion. A 2.7 km long single-mode fiber (SMF) was incorporated as a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) and provided largely nonlinear phase accumulation and anomalous dispersion, which enhanced the four-wave-mixing effect to improve the stability of the dual-wavelength operation. In the NOLM, the long SMF with small birefringence supported the Sagnac interference as a filter to manage the dual-wavelength lasing. The dual-wavelength operation was made switchable by adjusting the intra-cavity polarization loss and phase delay corresponding to two square pulses. When the pump power was increased, the duration of the square pulse increased continuously while the peak pulse power gradually decreased. This square-type pulse can potentially be utilized for signal transmission and sensing.

LASER APPLICATIONS AND OTHER TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS: Reflection of an electromagnetic pulse from a subcritical waveguide taper and from a supercritical-density plasma in a waveguide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rukhadze, Anri A.; Tarakanov, V. P.

2006-09-01

Two related problems are studied by numerical simulations using the KARAT code: the reflection of the TM01 mode of an electromagnetic pulse from the subcritical taper of the section of a circular waveguide and the reflection of the same pulse from a 'cold' collisionless plasma with a density increasing up to a supercritical value along the waveguide axis. It is shown that in the former case the pulse is totally reflected with an insignificant distortion of its shape, in accordance with the linear theory. In the latter case, the character of reflection depends substantially on the plasma density increase length, the pulse duration, and the wave field amplitude, a significant field deceleration and amplitude growth occurring near the critical point; the pulse absorption in the plasma far exceeds the absorption due to the linear transformation of the incident transverse wave to the longitudinal plasma oscillations.

ELECTRIC CURRENT FILAMENTATION AT A NON-POTENTIAL MAGNETIC NULL-POINT DUE TO PRESSURE PERTURBATION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jelínek, P.; Karlický, M.; Murawski, K., E-mail: pjelinek@prf.jcu.cz

2015-10-20

An increase of electric current densities due to filamentation is an important process in any flare. We show that the pressure perturbation, followed by an entropy wave, triggers such a filamentation in the non-potential magnetic null-point. In the two-dimensional (2D), non-potential magnetic null-point, we generate the entropy wave by a negative or positive pressure pulse that is launched initially. Then, we study its evolution under the influence of the gravity field. We solve the full set of 2D time dependent, ideal magnetohydrodynamic equations numerically, making use of the FLASH code. The negative pulse leads to an entropy wave with amore » plasma density greater than in the ambient atmosphere and thus this wave falls down in the solar atmosphere, attracted by the gravity force. In the case of the positive pressure pulse, the plasma becomes evacuated and the entropy wave propagates upward. However, in both cases, owing to the Rayleigh–Taylor instability, the electric current in a non-potential magnetic null-point is rapidly filamented and at some locations the electric current density is strongly enhanced in comparison to its initial value. Using numerical simulations, we find that entropy waves initiated either by positive or negative pulses result in an increase of electric current densities close to the magnetic null-point and thus the energy accumulated here can be released as nanoflares or even flares.« less

Longitudinal Waves Drive the Solar Cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagner, Orvin

2000-05-01

In Physics Essays 12: 3-10 I explain the placement of the planets in terms of low velocity waves emitted by the sun. Evidence for the wave pulse generated near the center of the sun is indicated by the initial high latitude sunspots observed on the butterfly diagram. The wave pulse carries charge with it as observed for similar waves in plants (W-waves). For the first half cycle negative charge is carried to the surface of the sun where much of the wave pulse radiates a wave crest into space while the charge slowly redistributes itself. Meanwhile the next wave pulse carrying excess positive charge moves outward. Rotating charge determines the polarity of the sun's magnetic poles so they reverse as the pulse moves outward. The wave pulse, which interacts strongly with force fields, is guided by centripetal force and gravity so that the pulse comes out near the sun's equator. W-waves produce an automatic return wave in the vacuum so that standing waves are produced in the space around the sun providing a template for the formation and stabilization planets. W-waves are hypothesized to provide self organization for both the universe and life. See the

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Uryupin, S A; Frolov, A A

We have developed a theory of generation of low-frequency radiation and surface waves under the pondermotive action of a femtosecond laser pulse irradiating a conductor along the normal and focused by a cylindrical lens. It is shown that for the chosen focusing method and specified values of laser pulse duration and flux density it is possible to significantly increase the total energy of both surface waves and low-frequency radiation. (terahertz radiation)

Effect of Wave Reflection and Arterial Stiffness on the Risk of Development of Hypertension in Japanese Men.

PubMed

Tomiyama, Hirofumi; Komatsu, Shunsuke; Shiina, Kazuki; Matsumoto, Chisa; Kimura, Kazutaka; Fujii, Masatsune; Takahashi, Lisa; Chikamori, Taishiro; Yamashina, Akira

2018-05-08

We conducted analyses of repeated-measures data to examine whether pressure wave reflection acts additively or synergistically with arterial stiffness in the pathogenesis of hypertension. In 3172 middle-aged (42±9 years) healthy Japanese men without hypertension at the study baseline, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, and radial augmentation index were measured annually during a 9-year study period. Of these, 474 participants (15%) developed hypertension by the end of the study period. Binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant individual odds ratios for both baseline brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and radial augmentation index for the development of hypertension. The rate of onset of hypertension during the study period was highest in the participant group with high values for both brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and radial augmentation index at study baseline (262 of 965 participants: 27%). The generalized estimating equation analysis revealed that both radial augmentation index (estimate=0.06, SE=0.03, P =0.05) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (estimate=0.07×10 -1 , SE=0.02×10 -1 , P <0.01) showed significant longitudinal association with new onset of hypertension, with no significant interaction. In Japanese men, abnormal wave reflection and increased arterial stiffness may be additively associated with the risk of new onset of hypertension. Abnormal wave reflection and elevated central blood pressure may be longitudinally associated with increase in arterial stiffness, and this longitudinal association may be a mechanism underlying the additive effect of these 2 variables on the risk of new onset of hypertension. © 2018 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.

Modeling digital pulse waveforms by solving one-dimensional Navier-stokes equations.

PubMed

Fedotov, Aleksandr A; Akulova, Anna S; Akulov, Sergey A

2016-08-01

Mathematical modeling for composition distal arterial pulse wave in the blood vessels of the upper limbs was considered. Formation of distal arterial pulse wave is represented as a composition of forward and reflected pulse waves propagating along the arterial vessels. The formal analogy between pulse waves propagation along the human arterial system and the propagation of electrical oscillations in electrical transmission lines with distributed parameters was proposed. Dependencies of pulse wave propagation along the human arterial system were obtained by solving the one-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations for a few special cases.

Pulse wave analysis in a 180-degree curved artery model: Implications under physiological and non-physiological inflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bulusu, Kartik V.; Plesniak, Michael W.

2013-11-01

Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse pressures, and left ventricular hypertrophy contribute to cardiovascular risks. Increase of arterial stiffness due to aging and hypertension is an important factor in cardiovascular, chronic kidney and end-stage-renal-diseases. Pulse wave analysis (PWA) based on arterial pressure wave characteristics, is well established in clinical practice for evaluation of arterial distensibility and hypertension. The objective of our exploratory study in a rigid 180-degree curved artery model was to evaluate arterial pressure waveforms. Bend upstream conditions were measured using a two-component, two-dimensional, particle image velocimeter (2C-2D PIV). An ultrasonic transit-time flow meter and a catheter with a MEMS-based solid state pressure sensor, capable of measuring up to 20 harmonics of the observed pressure waveform, monitored flow conditions downstream of the bend. Our novel continuous wavelet transform algorithm (PIVlet 1.2), in addition to detecting coherent secondary flow structures is used to evaluate arterial pulse wave characteristics subjected to physiological and non-physiological inflows. Results of this study will elucidate the utility of wavelet transforms in arterial function evaluation and pulse wave speed. Supported by NSF Grant No. CBET- 0828903 and GW Center for Biomimetics and Bioinspired Engineering.

Traveling waves in a spatially-distributed Wilson-Cowan model of cortex: From fronts to pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harris, Jeremy D.; Ermentrout, Bard

2018-04-01

Wave propagation in excitable media has been studied in various biological, chemical, and physical systems. Waves are among the most common evoked and spontaneous organized activity seen in cortical networks. In this paper, we study traveling fronts and pulses in a spatially-extended version of the Wilson-Cowan equations, a neural firing rate model of sensory cortex having two population types: Excitatory and inhibitory. We are primarily interested in the case when the local or space-clamped dynamics has three fixed points: (1) a stable down state; (2) a saddle point with stable manifold that acts as a threshold for firing; (3) an up state having stability that depends on the time scale of the inhibition. In the case when the up state is stable, we look for wave fronts, which transition the media from a down to up state, and when the up state is unstable, we are interested in pulses, a transient increase in firing that returns to the down state. We explore the behavior of these waves as the time and space scales of the inhibitory population vary. Some interesting findings include bistability between a traveling front and pulse, fronts that join the down state to an oscillation or spatiotemporal pattern, and pulses which go through an oscillatory instability.

Central arterial stiffness is associated with systemic inflammation among Asians with type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiao; Liu, Jian Jun; Fang Sum, Chee; Ying, Yeoh Lee; Tavintharan, Subramaniam; Ng, Xiao Wei; Su, Chang; Low, Serena; Lee, Simon Bm; Tang, Wern Ee; Lim, Su Chi

2016-07-01

To examine the relationship between inflammation and central arterial stiffness in a type 2 diabetes Asian cohort. Central arterial stiffness was estimated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and augmentation index. Linear regression model was used to evaluate the association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products with pulse wave velocity and augmentation index. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was analysed as a continuous variable and categories (<1, 1-3, and >3 mg/L). There is no association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and pulse wave velocity. Augmentation index increased with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as a continuous variable (β = 0.328, p = 0.049) and categories (β = 1.474, p = 0.008 for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein: 1-3 mg/L and β = 1.323, p = 0.019 for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein: >3 mg/L) after multivariable adjustment. No association was observed between augmentation index and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products. Each unit increase in natural log-transformed soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products was associated with 0.328 m/s decrease in pulse wave velocity after multivariable adjustment (p = 0.007). Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and decreased soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products are associated with augmentation index and pulse wave velocity, respectively, suggesting the potential role of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of central arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes. © The Author(s) 2016.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and age-related arterial stiffness in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

PubMed

Montalbán-Méndez, Cristina; Soriano-Maldonado, Alberto; Vargas-Hitos, José A; Sáez-Urán, Luis M; Rosales-Castillo, Antonio; Morillas-de-Laguno, Pablo; Gavilán-Carrera, Blanca; Jiménez-Alonso, Juan

2018-03-01

The aim of this study was twofold: (i) to examine the association of cardiorespiratory fitness with arterial stiffness in women with systemic lupus erythematosus; (ii) to assess the potential interaction of cardiorespiratory fitness with age on arterial stiffness in this population. A total of 49 women with systemic lupus erythematosus (mean age 41.3 [standard deviation 13.8] years) and clinical stability during the previous 6 months were included in the study. Arterial stiffness was assessed through pulse wave velocity (Mobil-O-Graph® 24 hours pulse wave velocity monitor). Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated with the Siconolfi step test and the 6-minute walk test. Cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely associated with pulse wave velocity in crude analyses (P < .05), although this relationship was attenuated when age and other cardiovascular risk factors were controlled. There was a cardiorespiratory fitness × age interaction effect on pulse wave velocity, regardless of the test used to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness (P < .001 for the Siconolfi step test; P = .005 for the 6-minute walk test), indicating that higher cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with a lower increase in pulse wave velocity per each year increase in age. The results of this study suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness might attenuate the age-related arterial stiffening in women with systemic lupus erythematosus and might thus contribute to the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in this population. As the cross-sectional design precludes establishing causal relationships, future clinical trials should confirm or contrast these findings. © 2018 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation.

Full Spectrum Conversion Using Traveling Pulse Wave Quantization

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-01

Full Spectrum Conversion Using Traveling Pulse Wave Quantization Michael S. Kappes Mikko E. Waltari IQ-Analog Corporation San Diego, California...temporal-domain quantization technique called Traveling Pulse Wave Quantization (TPWQ). Full spectrum conversion is defined as the complete...pulse width measurements that are continuously generated hence the name “traveling” pulse wave quantization. Our TPWQ-based ADC is composed of a

Sub-threshold depolarizing pre-pulses can enhance the efficiency of biphasic stimuli in transcutaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

PubMed

Vargas Luna, Jose Luis; Mayr, Winfried; Cortés-Ramirez, Jorge-Armando

2018-06-09

There is multiple evidence in the literature that a sub-threshold pre-pulse, delivered immediately prior to an electrical stimulation pulse, can alter the activation threshold of nerve fibers and motor unit recruitment characteristics. So far, previously published works combined monophasic stimuli with sub-threshold depolarizing pre-pulses (DPPs) with inconsistent findings-in some studies, the DPPs decreased the activation threshold, while in others it was increased. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of DPPs during biphasic transcutaneous electrical stimulation and to study the possible mechanism underlying those differences. Sub-threshold DPPs between 0.5 and 15 ms immediately followed by biphasic or monophasic pulses were administered to the tibial nerve; the electrophysiological muscular responses (motor-wave, M-wave) were monitored via electromyogram (EMG) recording from the soleus muscle. The data show that, under the specific studied conditions, DPPs tend to lower the threshold for nerve fiber activation rather than elevating it. DPPs with the same polarity as the leading phase of biphasic stimuli are more effective to increase the sensitivity. This work assesses for the first time the effect of DPPs on biphasic pulses, which are required to achieve charge-balanced stimulation, and it provides guidance on the effect of polarity and intensity to take full advantage of this feature. Graphical abstract In this work, the effect of sub-threshold depolarizing pre-pulses (DPP) is investigated in a setup with transcutaneous electrical stimulation. We found that, within the tested 0-15 ms DPP duration range, the DPPs administered immediately before biphasic pulses proportionally increase the nerve excitability as visible in the M-waves recorded from the soleus muscle. Interestingly, these findings oppose published results, where DPPs, administered immediately before monophasic stimuli via implanted electrodes, led to decrease of nerve excitability.

The Effect of Aortic Compliance on Left Ventricular Power Requirement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pahlevan, Niema; Gharib, Morteza

2009-11-01

Aortic compliance depends on both geometry and mechanical properties of the aorta. Reduction in arterial compliance has been associated with aging, smoking, and multiple cardiovascular diseases. Increased stiffness of the aorta affects the wave dynamics in the aorta by increasing both pulse pressure amplitude and wave speed. We hypothesized that decreased aortic compliance leads to an increased left ventricular power requirement for a fixed cardiac output due to altered pulse pressure and pulse wave velocity. We used a computational approach using the finite element method for solid and fluid domains coupled to each other by using the direct coupling method. A nonlinear material model was used for the solid wall. The fluid flow model was considered to be Newtonian, incompressible, and laminar. The simulation was performed for a heart rate of 75 beats per minute for six different compliances while keeping the cardiac output and the peripheral resistance constant. The results show a trend towards increased left ventricular energy expenditure per cycle with decreased compliance. The relevance of these findings to clinical observations will be discussed.

Generation and evolution of mode-locked noise-like square-wave pulses in a large-anomalous-dispersion Er-doped ring fiber laser.

PubMed

Liu, Jun; Chen, Yu; Tang, Pinghua; Xu, Changwen; Zhao, Chujun; Zhang, Han; Wen, Shuangchun

2015-03-09

In a passively mode-locked Erbium-doped fiber laser with large anomalous-dispersion, we experimentally demonstrate the formation of noise-like square-wave pulse, which shows quite different features from conventional dissipative soliton resonance (DSR). The corresponding temporal and spectral characteristics of a variety of operation states, including Q-switched mode-locking, continuous-wave mode-locking and Raman-induced noise-like pulse near the lasing threshold, are also investigated. Stable noise-like square-wave mode-locked pulses can be obtained at a fundamental repetition frequency of 195 kHz, with pulse packet duration tunable from 15 ns to 306 ns and per-pulse energy up to 200 nJ. By reducing the linear cavity loss, stable higher-order harmonic mode-locking had also been observed, with pulse duration ranging from 37 ns at the 21st order harmonic wave to 320 ns at the fundamental order. After propagating along a piece of long telecom fiber, the generated square-wave pulses do not show any obvious change, indicating that the generated noise-like square-wave pulse can be considered as high-energy pulse packet for some promising applications. These experimental results should shed some light on the further understanding of the mechanism and characteristics of noise-like square-wave pulses.

A comparison between the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis and normal pressure hydrocephalus: is pulse wave encephalopathy a component of MS?

PubMed

Bateman, Grant A; Lechner-Scott, Jeannette; Lea, Rodney A

2016-09-22

It has been suggested there is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder, underlying the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), which is distinct from the more obvious immune-mediated attack on the white matter. Limited data exists indicating there is an alteration in pulse wave propagation within the craniospinal cavity in MS, similar to the findings in normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). It is hypothesized MS may harbor pulse wave encephalopathy. The purpose of this study is to compare blood flow and pulse wave measurements in MS patients with a cohort of NPH patients and control subjects, to test this hypothesis. Twenty patients with MS underwent magnetic resonance (MR) flow quantification techniques. Mean blood flow and stroke volume were measured in the arterial inflow and venous out flow from the sagittal (SSS) and straight sinus (ST). The arteriovenous delay (AVD) was defined. The results were compared with both age-matched controls and NPH patients. In MS there was a 35 % reduction in arteriovenous delay and a 5 % reduction in the percentage of the arterial inflow returning via the sagittal sinus compared to age matched controls. There was an alteration in pulse wave propagation, with a 26 % increase in arterial stroke volume but 30 % reduction in SSS and ST stroke volume. The AVD and blood flow changes were in the same direction to those of NPH patients. There are blood flow and pulsation propagation changes in MS patients which are similar to those of NPH patients. The findings would be consistent with an underlying pulse wave encephalopathy component in MS.

Evaluation of arterial propagation velocity based on the automated analysis of the Pulse Wave Shape

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clara, F. M.; Scandurra, A. G.; Meschino, G. J.; Passoni, L. I.

2011-12-01

This paper proposes the automatic estimation of the arterial propagation velocity from the pulse wave raw records measured in the region of the radial artery. A fully automatic process is proposed to select and analyze typical pulse cycles from the raw data. An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system, together with a heuristic search is used to find a functional approximation of the pulse wave. The estimation of the propagation velocity is carried out via the analysis of the functional approximation obtained with the fuzzy model. The analysis of the pulse wave records with the proposed methodology showed small differences compared with the method used so far, based on a strong interaction with the user. To evaluate the proposed methodology, we estimated the propagation velocity in a population of healthy men from a wide range of ages. It has been found in these studies that propagation velocity increases linearly with age and it presents a considerable dispersion of values in healthy individuals. We conclude that this process could be used to evaluate indirectly the propagation velocity of the aorta, which is related to physiological age in healthy individuals and with the expectation of life in cardiovascular patients.

Left ventricular ejection time, not heart rate, is an independent correlate of aortic pulse wave velocity.

PubMed

Salvi, Paolo; Palombo, Carlo; Salvi, Giovanni Matteo; Labat, Carlos; Parati, Gianfranco; Benetos, Athanase

2013-12-01

Several studies showed a positive association between heart rate and pulse wave velocity, a sensitive marker of arterial stiffness. However, no study involving a large population has specifically addressed the dependence of pulse wave velocity on different components of the cardiac cycle. The aim of this study was to explore in subjects of different age the link between pulse wave velocity with heart period (the reciprocal of heart rate) and the temporal components of the cardiac cycle such as left ventricular ejection time and diastolic time. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was assessed in 3,020 untreated subjects (1,107 men). Heart period, left ventricular ejection time, diastolic time, and early-systolic dP/dt were determined by carotid pulse wave analysis with high-fidelity applanation tonometry. An inverse association was found between pulse wave velocity and left ventricular ejection time at all ages (<25 years, r(2) = 0.043; 25-44 years, r(2) = 0.103; 45-64 years, r(2) = 0.079; 65-84 years, r(2) = 0.044; ≥ 85 years, r(2) = 0.022; P < 0.0001 for all). A significant (P < 0.0001) negative but always weaker correlation between pulse wave velocity and heart period was also found, with the exception of the youngest subjects (P = 0.20). A significant positive correlation was also found between pulse wave velocity and dP/dt (P < 0.0001). With multiple stepwise regression analysis, left ventricular ejection time and dP/dt remained the only determinant of pulse wave velocity at all ages, whereas the contribution of heart period no longer became significant. Our data demonstrate that pulse wave velocity is more closely related to left ventricular systolic function than to heart period. This may have methodological and pathophysiological implications.

Pulse Wave Velocity Predicts Response to Renal Denervation in Isolated Systolic Hypertension.

PubMed

Fengler, Karl; Rommel, Karl-Philipp; Hoellriegel, Robert; Blazek, Stephan; Besler, Christian; Desch, Steffen; Schuler, Gerhard; Linke, Axel; Lurz, Philipp

2017-05-17

Renal sympathetic denervation seems to be less effective as a treatment for hypertension in patients with isolated systolic hypertension, a condition associated with elevated central arterial stiffness. Because isolated systolic hypertension can also be caused by wave reflection or increased cardiac output, a more differentiated approach might improve patient preselection for renal sympathetic denervation. We sought to evaluate the additional predictive value of invasive pulse wave velocity for response to renal sympathetic denervation in patients with combined versus isolated systolic hypertension. Patients scheduled for renal sympathetic denervation underwent additional invasive measurement of pulse wave velocity and pulse pressure before denervation. Blood pressure was assessed via ambulatory measurement at baseline and after 3 months. In total 109 patients (40 patients with isolated systolic hypertension) were included in our analysis. After 3 months, blood pressure reduction was more pronounced among patients with combined hypertension compared with patients with isolated systolic hypertension (systolic 24-hour average 9.3±10.5 versus 5.0±11.5 mm Hg, P =0.046). However, when stratifying patients with isolated systolic hypertension by invasive pulse wave velocity, patients in the lowest tertile of pulse wave velocity had comparable blood pressure reduction (12.1±12.6 mm Hg, P =0.006) despite lower baseline blood pressure than patients with combined hypertension (systolic 24-hour average 154.8±12.5 mm Hg in combined hypertension versus 141.2±8.1, 148.4±10.9, and 150.5±12.7 mm Hg, respectively, by tertiles of pulse wave velocity, P =0.002). Extended assessment of arterial stiffness can help improve patient preselection for renal sympathetic denervation and identify a subgroup of isolated systolic hypertension patients who benefit from sympathetic modulation. © 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.

Intrinsic Frequency and the Single Wave Biopsy

PubMed Central

Petrasek, Danny; Pahlevan, Niema M.; Tavallali, Peyman; Rinderknecht, Derek G.; Gharib, Morteza

2015-01-01

Insulin resistance is the hallmark of classical type II diabetes. In addition, insulin resistance plays a central role in metabolic syndrome, which astonishingly affects 1 out of 3 adults in North America. The insulin resistance state can precede the manifestation of diabetes and hypertension by years. Insulin resistance is correlated with a low-grade inflammatory condition, thought to be induced by obesity as well as other conditions. Currently, the methods to measure and monitor insulin resistance, such as the homeostatic model assessment and the euglycemic insulin clamp, can be impractical, expensive, and invasive. Abundant evidence exists that relates increased pulse pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and vascular dysfunction with insulin resistance. We introduce a potential method of assessing insulin resistance that relies on a novel signal-processing algorithm, the intrinsic frequency method (IFM). The method requires a single pulse pressure wave, thus the term “ wave biopsy.” PMID:26183600

Effects of pressure characteristics on transfection efficiency in laser-induced stress wave-mediated gene delivery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ando, Takahiro; Sato, Shunichi; Ashida, Hiroshi; Obara, Minoru

2013-07-01

Laser-induced stress waves (LISWs) generated by irradiating a light-absorbing medium with a pulsed laser can transiently increase the permeability of cell membranes for gene delivery. In this study, we investigated the effects of pressure characteristics of LISWs upon gene transfection efficiency using lasers with different pulse durations: a 6-ns pulsed Nd:YAG laser and 20-ns and 200-µs pulsed ruby lasers. LISWs were generated by irradiating a black rubber disk, on which a transparent plastic sheet was adhered for confinement of the laser-produced plasma. Rat dorsal skin was injected with plasmid DNA coding for luciferase, to which LISWs were applied. With nanosecond laser pulses, transfection efficiency increased linearly with increasing positive peak pressure in the range of 35 to 145 MPa, the corresponding impulse ranging from 10 to 40 Paṡs. With 200-µs laser pulses, on the other hand, efficient gene expression was observed by the application of LISWs even with a 10-fold-lower peak pressure (˜5 MPa), the corresponding impulse being as large as 430 Paṡs. These results indicate that even at low peak pressures, efficient transfection can be achieved by extending the pressure duration and hence by increasing the impulse of LISWs, while the averaged expression efficiencies were relatively low.

Strong-field ionization with twisted laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paufler, Willi; Böning, Birger; Fritzsche, Stephan

2018-04-01

We apply quantum trajectory Monte Carlo computations in order to model strong-field ionization of atoms by twisted Bessel pulses and calculate photoelectron momentum distributions (PEMD). Since Bessel beams can be considered as an infinite superposition of circularly polarized plane waves with the same helicity, whose wave vectors lie on a cone, we compared the PEMD of such Bessel pulses to those of a circularly polarized pulse. We focus on the momentum distributions in propagation direction of the pulse and show how these momentum distributions are affected by experimental accessible parameters, such as the opening angle of the beam or the impact parameter of the atom with regard to the beam axis. In particular, we show that we can find higher momenta of the photoelectrons, if the opening angle is increased.

Divergent effects of laughter and mental stress on arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics.

PubMed

Vlachopoulos, Charalambos; Xaplanteris, Panagiotis; Alexopoulos, Nikolaos; Aznaouridis, Konstantinos; Vasiliadou, Carmen; Baou, Katerina; Stefanadi, Elli; Stefanadis, Christodoulos

2009-05-01

To investigate the effect of laughter and mental stress on arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics. Arterial stiffness and wave reflections are independent predictors of cardiovascular risk. Chronic psychological stress is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events, whereas acute stress deteriorates vascular function. Eighteen healthy individuals were studied on three occasions, according to a randomized, single-blind, crossover, sham procedure-controlled design. The effects of viewing a 30-minute segment of two films inducing laughter or stress were assessed. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was used as an index of arterial stiffness; augmentation index was used as a measure of wave reflections. Laughter decreased pulse wave velocity (by 0.30 m/sec, p = .01), and augmentation index (by 2.72%, p = .05). Conversely, stress increased pulse wave velocity (by 0.29 m/sec, p = .05) and augmentation index (by 5.1%, p = .005). Laughter decreased cortisol levels by 1.67 microg/dl (p = .02), soluble P-selectin by 26 ng/ml (p = .02) and marginally von Willebrand factor (by 2.4%, p = .07) and increased total oxidative status (by 61 micromol/L, p < .001). Stress decreased interleukin-6 (by 0.11 pg/ml, p = .04) and increased total oxidative status (by 44 micromol/L, p = .007). Soluble CD40 ligand and fibrinogen remained unchanged. Positive (laughter) and negative (stress) behavioral interventions have divergent acute effects on arterial stiffness and wave reflections. These findings have important clinical implications extending the spectrum of lifestyle modifications that can ameliorate arterial function.

Internal polarization dynamics of vector dissipative-soliton-resonance pulses in normal dispersion fiber lasers.

PubMed

Li, Daojing; Shen, Deyuan; Li, Lei; Tang, Dingyuan; Su, Lei; Zhao, Luming

2018-03-15

Internal polarization dynamics of vector dissipative-soliton-resonance (DSR) pulses in a mode-locked fiber laser are investigated. By utilizing a wave plate analyzer configuration to analyze the special structure of a DSR pulse, we find that polarization state is not uniform across a resonant dissipative soliton. Specifically, although the central plane wave of the resonant dissipative soliton acquires nearly a single fixed polarization, the dissipative fronts feature polarization states that are different and spatially varying. This distinct polarization distribution is maintained while the whole soliton extends with increasing gain. Numerical simulation further confirms the experimental observations.

RARE/Turbo Spin Echo Imaging with Simultaneous MultiSlice Wave-CAIPI

PubMed Central

Eichner, Cornelius; Bhat, Himanshu; Grant, P. Ellen; Wald, Lawrence L.; Setsompop, Kawin

2014-01-01

Purpose To enable highly accelerated RARE/Turbo Spin Echo (TSE) imaging using Simultaneous MultiSlice (SMS) Wave-CAIPI acquisition with reduced g-factor penalty. Methods SMS Wave-CAIPI incurs slice shifts across simultaneously excited slices while playing sinusoidal gradient waveforms during the readout of each encoding line. This results in an efficient k-space coverage that spreads aliasing in all three dimensions to fully harness the encoding power of coil sensitivities. The novel MultiPINS radiofrequency (RF) pulses dramatically reduce the power deposition of multiband (MB) refocusing pulse, thus allowing high MB factors within the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) limit. Results Wave-CAIPI acquisition with MultiPINS permits whole brain coverage with 1 mm isotropic resolution in 70 seconds at effective MB factor 13, with maximum and average g-factor penalties of gmax=1.34 and gavg=1.12, and without √R penalty. With blipped-CAIPI, the g-factor performance was degraded to gmax=3.24 and gavg=1.42; a 2.4-fold increase in gmax relative to Wave-CAIPI. At this MB factor, the SAR of the MultiBand and PINS pulses are 4.2 and 1.9 times that of the MultiPINS pulse, while the peak RF power are 19.4 and 3.9 times higher. Conclusion Combination of the two technologies, Wave-CAIPI and MultiPINS pulse, enables highly accelerated RARE/TSE imaging with low SNR penalty at reduced SAR. PMID:25640187

Process for laser machining and surface treatment

DOEpatents

Neil, George R.; Shinn, Michelle D.

2004-10-26

An improved method and apparatus increasing the accuracy and reducing the time required to machine materials, surface treat materials, and allow better control of defects such as particulates in pulsed laser deposition. The speed and quality of machining is improved by combining an ultrashort pulsed laser at high average power with a continuous wave laser. The ultrashort pulsed laser provides an initial ultrashort pulse, on the order of several hundred femtoseconds, to stimulate an electron avalanche in the target material. Coincident with the ultrashort pulse or shortly after it, a pulse from a continuous wave laser is applied to the target. The micromachining method and apparatus creates an initial ultrashort laser pulse to ignite the ablation followed by a longer laser pulse to sustain and enlarge on the ablation effect launched in the initial pulse. The pulse pairs are repeated at a high pulse repetition frequency and as often as desired to produce the desired micromachining effect. The micromachining method enables a lower threshold for ablation, provides more deterministic damage, minimizes the heat affected zone, minimizes cracking or melting, and reduces the time involved to create the desired machining effect.

Note: A novel method for generating multichannel quasi-square-wave pulses.

PubMed

Mao, C; Zou, X; Wang, X

2015-08-01

A 21-channel quasi-square-wave nanosecond pulse generator was constructed. The generator consists of a high-voltage square-wave pulser and a channel divider. Using an electromagnetic relay as a switch and a 50-Ω polyethylene cable as a pulse forming line, the high-voltage pulser produces a 10-ns square-wave pulse of 1070 V. With a specially designed resistor-cable network, the channel divider divides the high-voltage square-wave pulse into 21 identical 10-ns quasi-square-wave pulses of 51 V, exactly equal to 1070 V/21. The generator can operate not only in a simultaneous mode but also in a delay mode if the cables in the channel divider are different in length.

Visualisation of an nsPEF induced calcium wave using the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP in U87 human glioblastoma cells.

PubMed

Carr, Lynn; Bardet, Sylvia M; Arnaud-Cormos, Delia; Leveque, Philippe; O'Connor, Rodney P

2018-02-01

Cytosolic, synthetic chemical calcium indicators are typically used to visualise the rapid increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration that follows nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) application. This study looks at the application of genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) to investigate the spatiotemporal nature of nsPEF-induced calcium signals using fluorescent live cell imaging. Calcium responses to 44kV/cm, 10ns pulses were observed in U87-MG cells expressing either a plasma membrane targeted GECI (GCaMP5-G), or one cytosolically expressed (GCaMP6-S), and compared to the response of cells loaded with cytosolic or plasma membrane targeted chemical calcium indicators. Application of 100 pulses, to cells containing plasma membrane targeted indicators, revealed a wave of calcium across the cell initiating at the cathode side. A similar spatial wave was not observed with cytosolic indicators with mobile calcium buffering properties. The speed of the wave was related to pulse application frequency and it was not propagated by calcium induced calcium release. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental study on the pressure wave propagation in the artificial arterial tree in brain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimada, Shinya; Tsurusaki, Ryo; Iwase, Fumiaki; Matsukawa, Mami; Lagrée, Pierre-Yves

2018-07-01

A pulse wave measurement is effective for the early detection of arteriosclerosis. The pulse wave consists of incident and reflected waves. The reflected wave of the pulse wave measured at the left common carotid artery seems to originate from the vascular beds in the brain. The aim of this study is to know if the reflected waves from the occlusions in cerebral arteries can affect the pulse waveform. The artificial arterial tree in the brain was therefore fabricated using polyurethane tubes. After investigating the effects of the bifurcation angle on the pulse waveform, we attempted to confirm whether the reflected waves from occlusions in the artificial arterial tree in the brain can be experimentally measured at the left common carotid artery. Results indicate that the bifurcation angle did not affect the pulse waveform, and that the reflected wave from an occlusion with a diameter of more than 1 mm in the brain could be observed.

Asynchronous arterial systolic expansion as a marker of vascular aging: assessment of the carotid artery with velocity vector imaging.

PubMed

Yang, Woo-In; Shim, Chi Y; Bang, Woo D; Oh, Chang M; Chang, Hyuk J; Chung, Namsik; Ha, Jong-Won

2011-12-01

Arterial elastic properties change with aging. Measurements of pulse wave velocity and augmentation index are useful for the evaluation of arterial stiffness. However, they likely represent only global characteristics of the arterial tree rather than local vascular alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether local vascular properties assessed by velocity vector imaging differed with aging. Vascular properties of carotid arteries with ages were assessed in 100 healthy volunteers (52 men) ranging from 20 to 68 years using velocity vector imaging. The peak circumferential strain and strain rate of the six segments in left common carotid arteries were analyzed and the standard deviation of the time to peak circumferential strain and strain rate of the six segments, representing the synchronicity of the arterial expansion, were calculated. Central blood pressure, augmentation index and pulse wave velocity were assessed by commercially available radial artery tonometry, the SphygmoCor system (AtCor Medical, West Ryde, Australia). A validated generalized transfer function was used to acquire the central aortic pressures and pressure waveforms. Pulse wave velocity, augmentation index and velocity vector imaging parameters showed significant changes with age. However, the age-related changes in pulse wave velocity, augmentation index and velocity vector imaging parameters were different. The increase in pulse wave velocity was more prominent in older individuals, whereas the changes in augmentation index and carotid strain and strain rate were evident earlier, at the age of 30 years. Unlike augmentation index, which showed little change in older individuals, the standard deviation of time to peak strain and strain rate showed a steady increase from younger to older individuals. Asynchronous arterial expansion could be a useful discriminative marker of vascular aging independent of individual's age.

Localized wave pulses in the keyport experiment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chambers, D.H.; Lewis, D.K.

1998-02-17

Localized wave (LW) pulses were produced using a standard Navy array in the anechoic tank at Navy Underwater Weapons Center (NUWC) Keyport. The LW pulses used were the MPS pulse first derived by Ziolkowski, and a new type of pulse based on a superposition of Gaussian beam modes. This new type is motivated by a desire to make a comparison of the MPS pulse with another broad band pulse built from solutions to the wave equation. The superposed Gaussian pulse can be described by parameters which are analogous to those describing the MPS pulse. We compare the directivity patternsand themore » axial energy decay between the pulses. We find the behavior of the pulses to be similar so that the superposed Gaussian could be another candidate in the class of low diffractive pulses known as localized waves.« less

Regression analysis and transfer function in estimating the parameters of central pulse waves from brachial pulse wave.

PubMed

Chai Rui; Li Si-Man; Xu Li-Sheng; Yao Yang; Hao Li-Ling

2017-07-01

This study mainly analyzed the parameters such as ascending branch slope (A_slope), dicrotic notch height (Hn), diastolic area (Ad) and systolic area (As) diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulse pressure (PP), subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), waveform parameter (k), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and peripheral resistance (RS) of central pulse wave invasively and non-invasively measured. These parameters extracted from the central pulse wave invasively measured were compared with the parameters measured from the brachial pulse waves by a regression model and a transfer function model. The accuracy of the parameters which were estimated by the regression model and the transfer function model was compared too. Our findings showed that in addition to the k value, the above parameters of the central pulse wave and the brachial pulse wave invasively measured had positive correlation. Both the regression model parameters including A_slope, DBP, SEVR and the transfer function model parameters had good consistency with the parameters invasively measured, and they had the same effect of consistency. The regression equations of the three parameters were expressed by Y'=a+bx. The SBP, PP, SV, CO of central pulse wave could be calculated through the regression model, but their accuracies were worse than that of transfer function model.

Response of a hypersonic boundary layer to freestream pulse acoustic disturbance.

PubMed

Wang, Zhenqing; Tang, Xiaojun; Lv, Hongqing

2014-01-01

The response of hypersonic boundary layer over a blunt wedge to freestream pulse acoustic disturbance was investigated. The stability characteristics of boundary layer for freestream pulse wave and continuous wave were analyzed comparatively. Results show that freestream pulse disturbance changes the thermal conductivity characteristics of boundary layer. For pulse wave, the number of main disturbance clusters decreases and the frequency band narrows along streamwise. There are competition and disturbance energy transfer among different modes in boundary layer. The dominant mode of boundary layer has an inhibitory action on other modes. Under continuous wave, the disturbance modes are mainly distributed near fundamental and harmonic frequencies, while under pulse wave, the disturbance modes are widely distributed in different modes. For both pulse and continuous waves, most of disturbance modes slide into a lower-growth or decay state in downstream, which is tending towards stability. The amplitude of disturbance modes in boundary layer under continuous wave is considerably larger than pulse wave. The growth rate for the former is also considerably larger than the later the disturbance modes with higher growth are mainly distributed near fundamental and harmonic frequencies for the former, while the disturbance modes are widely distributed in different frequencies for the latter.

Response of a Hypersonic Boundary Layer to Freestream Pulse Acoustic Disturbance

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhenqing; Tang, Xiaojun; Lv, Hongqing

2014-01-01

The response of hypersonic boundary layer over a blunt wedge to freestream pulse acoustic disturbance was investigated. The stability characteristics of boundary layer for freestream pulse wave and continuous wave were analyzed comparatively. Results show that freestream pulse disturbance changes the thermal conductivity characteristics of boundary layer. For pulse wave, the number of main disturbance clusters decreases and the frequency band narrows along streamwise. There are competition and disturbance energy transfer among different modes in boundary layer. The dominant mode of boundary layer has an inhibitory action on other modes. Under continuous wave, the disturbance modes are mainly distributed near fundamental and harmonic frequencies, while under pulse wave, the disturbance modes are widely distributed in different modes. For both pulse and continuous waves, most of disturbance modes slide into a lower-growth or decay state in downstream, which is tending towards stability. The amplitude of disturbance modes in boundary layer under continuous wave is considerably larger than pulse wave. The growth rate for the former is also considerably larger than the later the disturbance modes with higher growth are mainly distributed near fundamental and harmonic frequencies for the former, while the disturbance modes are widely distributed in different frequencies for the latter. PMID:24737993

Association of Brachial-Ankle Pulse Wave Velocity with Asymptomatic Intracranial Arterial Stenosis in Hypertension Patients.

PubMed

Wang, Yan; Zhang, Jin; Qain, Yuesheng; Tang, Xiaofeng; Ling, Huawei; Chen, Kemin; Li, Yan; Gao, Pingjin; Zhu, Dingliang

2016-08-01

Intracranial arterial stenosis is a common cause of ischemic stroke in Asians. We therefore sought to explore the relationship of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and intracranial arterial stenosis in 834 stroke-free hypertensive patients. Intracranial arterial stenosis was evaluated through computerized tomographic angiography. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was measured by an automated cuff device. The top decile of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was significantly associated with intracranial arterial stenosis (P = .027, odds ratio = 1.82; 95% confidence interval: 1.07-3.10). The patients with the top decile of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity showed 56% higher risk for the presence of intracranial arterial stenosis to the whole population, which was more significant in patients younger than 65 years old. We also found that brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity related to both intracranial arterial stenosis and homocysteine. Our study showed the association of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity with asymptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis in hypertension patients, especially in relative younger subjects. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity might be a relatively simple and repeatable measurement to detect hypertension patients in high risk of intracranial arterial stenosis. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Apparatus for and method of operating a cylindrical pulsed induction mass launcher

DOEpatents

Cowan, M. Jr.; Duggin, B.W.; Widner, M.M.

1992-06-30

An electromagnetic cylindrical projectile mass launcher and a method of operation is provided which includes a cylindrical projectile having a conducting armature, a cylindrical barrel in which the armature is received, a plurality of electromagnetic drive coil stages, a plurality of pulse energy sources, and a pulsed power arrangement for generating magnetic pulses forming a pulsed magnetic wave along the length of the launcher barrel. The pulsed magnetic wave provides a propelling force on the projectile along the drive coil. The pulsed magnetic wave of the drive coil stages is advanced along the armature faster than the projectile to thereby generate an induced current wave in the armature. The pulsed generation of the magnetic wave minimizes electromagnetic heating of the projectile and provides for smooth acceleration of the projectile through the barrel of the launcher. 2 figs.

Apparatus for and method of operating a cylindrical pulsed induction mass launcher

DOEpatents

Cowan, Jr., Maynard; Duggin, Billy W.; Widner, Melvin M.

1992-01-01

An electromagnetic cylindrical projectile mass launcher and a method of operation is provided which includes a cylindrical projectile having a conducting armature, a cylindrical barrel in which the armature is received, a plurality of electromagnetic drive coil stages, a plurality of pulse energy sources, and a pulsed power arrangement for generating magnetic pulses forming a pulsed magnetic wave along the length of the launcher barrel. The pulsed magnetic wave provides a propelling force on the projectile along the drive coil. The pulsed magnetic wave of the drive coil stages is advanced along the armature faster than the projectile to thereby generate an induced current wave in the armature. The pulsed generation of the magnetic wave minimizes electromagnetic heating of the projectile and provides for smooth acceleration of the projectile through the barrel of the launcher.

Uric Acid Level Has a J-Shaped Association with Arterial Stiffness in Korean Postmenopausal Women.

PubMed

Lee, Hyungbin; Jung, Young-Hyo; Kwon, Yu-Jin; Park, Byoungjin

2017-11-01

Uric acid has been reported to function both as an oxidant or antioxidant depending on the context. A previous study in the Korean population reported a positive linear association between serum uric acid level and arterial stiffness in men, but little is known about how serum uric acid level is related to the risk of increased arterial stiffness in Korean postmenopausal women. We performed a cross-sectional study of 293 subjects who participated in a health examination program run by the health promotion center of Gangnam Severance Hospital between October 2007 and July 2010. High brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was defined as a brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity of more than 1,450 cm/s. The odds ratios (ORs) for high brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity were calculated using multivariate logistic regression analysis across uric acid quartiles after adjusting for other indicators of cardiovascular risk. The 293 postmenopausal women were divided into quartiles according to uric acid level. The mean brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity values of each quartile were as follows: Q1, 1,474 cm/s; Q2, 1,375 cm/s; Q3, 1,422 cm/s; Q4, 1,528 cm/s. The second quartile was designated as the control group based on mean brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity value. Multivariate adjusted ORs (95% confidence intervals) for brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity across the uric acid quartiles were 2.642 (Q1, 1.095-6.3373), 1.00, 4.305 (Q3, 1.798-10.307), and 4.375 (Q4, 1.923-9.949), after adjusting for confounding variables. Serum uric acid level has a J-shaped association with arterial stiffness in Korean postmenopausal women.

[Research on a non-invasive pulse wave detection and analysis system].

PubMed

Li, Ting; Yu, Gang

2008-10-01

A novel non-invasive pulse wave detection and analysis system has been developed, including the software and the hardware. Bi-channel signals can be acquired, stored and shown on the screen dynamically at the same time. Pulse wave can be reshown and printed after pulse wave analysis and pulse wave velocity analysis. This system embraces a computer which is designed for fast data saving, analyzing and processing, and a portable data sampling machine which is based on a singlechip. Experimental results have shown that the system is stable and easy to use, and the parameters are calculated accurately.

Laser Shock Wave-Assisted Patterning on NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilhom, Saidjafarzoda; Seyitliyev, Dovletgeldi; Kholikov, Khomidkohodza; Thomas, Zachary; Er, Ali O.; Li, Peizhen; Karaca, Haluk E.; San, Omer

2018-01-01

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of smart materials and they were employed in various applications in engineering, biomedical, and aerospace technologies. Here, we report an advanced, efficient, and low-cost direct imprinting method with low environmental impact to create thermally controllable surface patterns. Patterned microindents were generated on Ni50Ti50 (at. %) SMAs using an Nd:YAG laser with 1064 nm wavelength at 10 Hz. Laser pulses at selected fluences were focused on the NiTi surface and generated pressure pulses of up to a few GPa. Optical microscope images showed that surface patterns with tailorable sizes can be obtained. The depth of the patterns increases with laser power and irradiation time. Upon heating, the depth profile of SMA surfaces changed where the maximum depth recovery ratio of 30% was observed. Recovery ratio decreased and stabilized when the number of pulses and thus the well depth were further increased. A numerical simulation of pressure evolution in shape memory alloys showed a good agreement with the experimental results. The stress wave closely followed the rise time of the laser pulse to its peak value and initial decay. Rapid attenuation and dispersion of the stress wave were found in our simulation.

Laser Shock Wave-Assisted Patterning on NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilhom, Saidjafarzoda; Seyitliyev, Dovletgeldi; Kholikov, Khomidkohodza; Thomas, Zachary; Er, Ali O.; Li, Peizhen; Karaca, Haluk E.; San, Omer

2018-03-01

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of smart materials and they were employed in various applications in engineering, biomedical, and aerospace technologies. Here, we report an advanced, efficient, and low-cost direct imprinting method with low environmental impact to create thermally controllable surface patterns. Patterned microindents were generated on Ni50Ti50 (at. %) SMAs using an Nd:YAG laser with 1064 nm wavelength at 10 Hz. Laser pulses at selected fluences were focused on the NiTi surface and generated pressure pulses of up to a few GPa. Optical microscope images showed that surface patterns with tailorable sizes can be obtained. The depth of the patterns increases with laser power and irradiation time. Upon heating, the depth profile of SMA surfaces changed where the maximum depth recovery ratio of 30% was observed. Recovery ratio decreased and stabilized when the number of pulses and thus the well depth were further increased. A numerical simulation of pressure evolution in shape memory alloys showed a good agreement with the experimental results. The stress wave closely followed the rise time of the laser pulse to its peak value and initial decay. Rapid attenuation and dispersion of the stress wave were found in our simulation.

PASOTRON high-energy microwave source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goebel, Dan M.; Schumacher, Robert W.; Butler, Jennifer M.; Hyman, Jay, Jr.; Santoru, Joseph; Watkins, Ron M.; Harvey, Robin J.; Dolezal, Franklin A.; Eisenhart, Robert L.; Schneider, Authur J.

1992-04-01

A unique, high-energy microwave source, called PASOTRON (Plasma-Assisted Slow-wave Oscillator), has been developed. The PASOTRON utilizes a long-pulse E-gun and plasma- filled slow-wave structure (SWS) to produce high-energy pulses from a simple, lightweight device that utilizes no externally produced magnetic fields. Long pulses are obtained from a novel E-gun that employs a low-pressure glow discharge to provide a stable, high current- density electron source. The electron accelerator consists of a high-perveance, multi-aperture array. The E-beam is operated in the ion-focused regime where the plasma filling the SWS space-charge neutralizes the beam, and the self-pinch force compresses the beamlets and increases the beam current density. A scale-model PASOTRON, operating as a backward- wave oscillator in C-band with a 100-kV E-beam, has produced output powers in the 3 to 5 MW range and pulse lengths of over 100 microsecond(s) ec, corresponding to an integrated energy per pulse of up to 500 J. The E-beam to microwave-radiation power conversion efficiency is about 20%.

Investigation on the generation characteristic of pressure pulse wave signal during the measurement-while-drilling process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Changqing, Zhao; Kai, Liu; Tong, Zhao; Takei, Masahiro; Weian, Ren

2014-04-01

The mud-pulse logging instrument is an advanced measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool and widely used by the industry in the world. In order to improve the signal transmission rate, ensure the accurate transmission of information and address the issue of the weak signal on the ground of oil and gas wells, the signal generator should send out the strong mud-pulse signals with the maximum amplitude. With the rotary valve pulse generator as the study object, the three-dimensional Reynolds NS equations and standard k - ɛ turbulent model were used as a mathematical model. The speed and pressure coupling calculation was done by simple algorithms to get the amplitudes of different rates of flow and axial clearances. Tests were done to verify the characteristics of the pressure signals. The pressure signal was captured by the standpiece pressure monitoring system. The study showed that the axial clearances grew bigger as the pressure wave amplitude value decreased and caused the weakening of the pulse signal. As the rate of flow got larger, the pressure wave amplitude would increase and the signal would be enhanced.

In vivo analysis of THz wave irradiation induced acute inflammatory response in skin by laser-scanning confocal microscopy.

PubMed

Hwang, Yoonha; Ahn, Jinhyo; Mun, Jungho; Bae, Sangyoon; Jeong, Young Uk; Vinokurov, Nikolay A; Kim, Pilhan

2014-05-19

The recent development of THz sources in a wide range of THz frequencies and power levels has led to greatly increased interest in potential biomedical applications such as cancer and burn wound diagnosis. However, despite its importance in realizing THz wave based applications, our knowledge of how THz wave irradiation can affect a live tissue at the cellular level is very limited. In this study, an acute inflammatory response caused by pulsed THz wave irradiation on the skin of a live mouse was analyzed at the cellular level using intravital laser-scanning confocal microscopy. Pulsed THz wave (2.7 THz, 4 μs pulsewidth, 61.4 μJ per pulse, 3Hz repetition), generated using compact FEL, was used to irradiate an anesthetized mouse's ear skin with an average power of 260 mW/cm(2) for 30 minutes using a high-precision focused THz wave irradiation setup. In contrast to in vitro analysis using cultured cells at similar power levels of CW THz wave irradiation, no temperature change at the surface of the ear skin was observed when skin was examined with an IR camera. To monitor any potential inflammatory response, resident neutrophils in the same area of ear skin were repeatedly visualized before and after THz wave irradiation using a custom-built laser-scanning confocal microscopy system optimized for in vivo visualization. While non-irradiated control skin area showed no changes in the number of resident neutrophils, a massive recruitment of newly infiltrated neutrophils was observed in the THz wave irradiated skin area after 6 hours, which suggests an induction of acute inflammatory response by the pulsed THz wave irradiation on the skin via a non-thermal process.

EVOLUTION OF FAST MAGNETOACOUSTIC PULSES IN RANDOMLY STRUCTURED CORONAL PLASMAS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yuan, D.; Li, B.; Pascoe, D. J.

2015-02-01

We investigate the evolution of fast magnetoacoustic pulses in randomly structured plasmas, in the context of large-scale propagating waves in the solar atmosphere. We perform one-dimensional numerical simulations of fast wave pulses propagating perpendicular to a constant magnetic field in a low-β plasma with a random density profile across the field. Both linear and nonlinear regimes are considered. We study how the evolution of the pulse amplitude and width depends on their initial values and the parameters of the random structuring. Acting as a dispersive medium, a randomly structured plasma causes amplitude attenuation and width broadening of the fast wavemore » pulses. After the passage of the main pulse, secondary propagating and standing fast waves appear. Width evolution of both linear and nonlinear pulses can be well approximated by linear functions; however, narrow pulses may have zero or negative broadening. This arises because narrow pulses are prone to splitting, while broad pulses usually deviate less from their initial Gaussian shape and form ripple structures on top of the main pulse. Linear pulses decay at an almost constant rate, while nonlinear pulses decay exponentially. A pulse interacts most efficiently with a random medium with a correlation length of about half of the initial pulse width. This detailed model of fast wave pulses propagating in highly structured media substantiates the interpretation of EIT waves as fast magnetoacoustic waves. Evolution of a fast pulse provides us with a novel method to diagnose the sub-resolution filamentation of the solar atmosphere.« less

Surface-Wave Pulse Routing around Sharp Right Angles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Z.; Xu, H.; Gao, F.; Zhang, Y.; Luo, Y.; Zhang, B.

2018-04-01

Surface-plasmon polaritons (SPPs), or localized electromagnetic surface waves propagating on a metal-dielectric interface, are deemed promising information carriers for future subwavelength terahertz and optical photonic circuitry. However, surface waves fundamentally suffer from scattering loss when encountering sharp corners in routing and interconnection of photonic signals. Previous approaches enabling scattering-free surface-wave guidance around sharp corners are limited to either volumetric waveguide environments or extremely narrow bandwidth, being unable to guide a surface-wave pulse (SPP wave packet) on an on-chip platform. Here, in a surface-wave band-gap crystal implemented on a single metal surface, we demonstrate in time-domain routing a surface-wave pulse around multiple sharp right angles without perceptible scattering. Our work not only offers a solution to on-chip surface-wave pulse routing along an arbitrary path, but it also provides spatiotemporal information on the interplay between surface-wave pulses and sharp corners, both of which are desirable in developing high-performance large-scale integrated photonic circuits.

Pump-probe imaging of nanosecond laser-induced bubbles in agar gel.

PubMed

Evans, R; Camacho-López, S; Pérez-Gutiérrez, F G; Aguilar, G

2008-05-12

In this paper we show results of Nd:YAG laser-induced bubbles formed in a one millimeter thick agar gel slab. The nine nanosecond duration pulse with a wave length of 532 nm was tightly focused inside the bulk of the gel sample. We present for the first time a pump-probe laser-flash shadowgraphy system that uses two electronically delayed Nd:YAG lasers to image the the bubble formation and shock wave fronts with nanosecond temporal resolution and up to nine seconds of temporal range. The shock waves generated by the laser are shown to begin at an earlier times within the laser pulse as the pulse energy increases. The shock wave velocity is used to infer a shocked to unshocked material pressure difference of up to 500 MPa. The bubble created settles to a quasi-stable size that has a linear relation to the maximum bubble size. The energy stored in the bubble is shown to increase nonlinearly with applied laser energy, and corresponds in form to the energy transmission in the agar gel. We show that the interaction is highly nonlinear, and most likely is plasma-mediated.

Ultrarelativistic electromagnetic pulses in plasmas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ashour-Abdalla, M.; Leboeuf, J. N.; Tajima, T.; Dawson, J. M.; Kennel, C. F.

1981-01-01

The physical processes of a linearly polarized electromagnetic pulse of highly relativistic amplitude in an underdense plasma accelerating particles to very high energies are studied through computer simulation. An electron-positron plasma is considered first. The maximum momenta achieved scale as the square of the wave amplitude. This acceleration stops when the bulk of the wave energy is converted to particle energy. The pulse leaves behind as a wake a vacuum region whose length scales as the amplitude of the wave. The results can be explained in terms of a snow plow or piston-like action of the radiation on the plasma. When a mass ratio other than unity is chosen and electrostatic effects begin to play a role, first the ion energy increases faster than the electron energy and then the electron energy catches up later, eventually reaching the same value.

Measuring the Carotid to Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (Cf-PWV) to Evaluate Arterial Stiffness.

PubMed

Ji, Hongwei; Xiong, Jing; Yu, Shikai; Chi, Chen; Bai, Bin; Teliewubai, Jiadela; Lu, Yuyan; Zhang, Yi; Xu, Yawei

2018-05-03

For the elderly, arterial stiffening is a good marker for aging evaluation and it is recommended that the arterial stiffness be determined noninvasively by the measurement of carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) (Class I; Level of Evidence A). In literature, numerous community-based or disease-specific studies have reported that higher cf-PWV is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Here, we discuss strategies to evaluate arterial stiffness with cf-PWV. Following the well-defined steps detailed here, e.g., proper position operator, distance measurement, and tonometer position, we will obtain a standard cf-PWV value to evaluate arterial stiffness. In this paper, a detailed stepwise method to record a good quality PWV and pulse wave analysis (PWA) using a non-invasive tonometry-based device will be discussed.

Comparison of Regression Analysis and Transfer Function in Estimating the Parameters of Central Pulse Waves from Brachial Pulse Wave.

PubMed

Chai, Rui; Xu, Li-Sheng; Yao, Yang; Hao, Li-Ling; Qi, Lin

2017-01-01

This study analyzed ascending branch slope (A_slope), dicrotic notch height (Hn), diastolic area (Ad) and systolic area (As) diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulse pressure (PP), subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), waveform parameter (k), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and peripheral resistance (RS) of central pulse wave invasively and non-invasively measured. Invasively measured parameters were compared with parameters measured from brachial pulse waves by regression model and transfer function model. Accuracy of parameters estimated by regression and transfer function model, was compared too. Findings showed that k value, central pulse wave and brachial pulse wave parameters invasively measured, correlated positively. Regression model parameters including A_slope, DBP, SEVR, and transfer function model parameters had good consistency with parameters invasively measured. They had same effect of consistency. SBP, PP, SV, and CO could be calculated through the regression model, but their accuracies were worse than that of transfer function model.

Non-filamentated ultra-intense and ultra-short pulse fronts in three-dimensional Raman seed amplification

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lehmann, G.; Spatschek, K. H.

Ultra-intense and ultra-short laser pulses may be generated up to the exawatt-zetawatt regime due to parametric processes in plasmas. The minimization of unwanted plasma processes leads to operational limits which are discussed here with respect to filamentation. Transverse filamentation, which originally was derived for plane waves, is being investigated for seed pulse propagation in the so called π-pulse limit. A three-dimensional (3D) three-wave-interaction model is the basis of the present investigation. To demonstrate the applicability of the three-wave-interaction model, the 1D pulse forms are compared with those obtained from 1D particle in cell and Vlasov simulations. Although wave-breaking may occur,more » the kinetic simulations show that the leading pumped pulse develops a form similar to that obtained from the three-wave-interaction model. In the main part, 2D and 3D filamentation processes of (localized) pulses are investigated with the three-wave-interaction model. It is shown that the leading pulse front can stay filamentation-free, whereas the rear parts show transverse modulations.« less

Effect of ion temperature on ion-acoustic solitary waves in a magnetized plasma in presence of superthermal electrons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Singh, S. V.; Devanandhan, S.; Lakhina, G. S.

2013-01-15

Obliquely propagating ion-acoustic soliatry waves are examined in a magnetized plasma composed of kappa distributed electrons and fluid ions with finite temperature. The Sagdeev potential approach is used to study the properties of finite amplitude solitary waves. Using a quasi-neutrality condition, it is possible to reduce the set of equations to a single equation (energy integral equation), which describes the evolution of ion-acoustic solitary waves in magnetized plasmas. The temperature of warm ions affects the speed, amplitude, width, and pulse duration of solitons. Both the critical and the upper Mach numbers are increased by an increase in the ion temperature.more » The ion-acoustic soliton amplitude increases with the increase in superthermality of electrons. For auroral plasma parameters, the model predicts the soliton speed, amplitude, width, and pulse duration, respectively, to be in the range of (28.7-31.8) km/s, (0.18-20.1) mV/m; (590-167) m, and (20.5-5.25) ms, which are in good agreement with Viking observations.« less

Resting spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac autonomic control in anabolic androgenic steroid users

PubMed Central

dos Santos, Marcelo R.; Sayegh, Ana L.C.; Armani, Rafael; Costa-Hong, Valéria; de Souza, Francis R.; Toschi-Dias, Edgar; Bortolotto, Luiz A.; Yonamine, Mauricio; Negrão, Carlos E.; Alves, Maria-Janieire N.N.

2018-01-01

OBJECTIVES: Misuse of anabolic androgenic steroids in athletes is a strategy used to enhance strength and skeletal muscle hypertrophy. However, its abuse leads to an imbalance in muscle sympathetic nerve activity, increased vascular resistance, and increased blood pressure. However, the mechanisms underlying these alterations are still unknown. Therefore, we tested whether anabolic androgenic steroids could impair resting baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac sympathovagal control. In addition, we evaluate pulse wave velocity to ascertain the arterial stiffness of large vessels. METHODS: Fourteen male anabolic androgenic steroid users and 12 nonusers were studied. Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate were recorded. Baroreflex sensitivity was estimated by the sequence method, and cardiac autonomic control by analysis of the R-R interval. Pulse wave velocity was measured using a noninvasive automatic device. RESULTS: Mean spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity, baroreflex sensitivity to activation of the baroreceptors, and baroreflex sensitivity to deactivation of the baroreceptors were significantly lower in users than in nonusers. In the spectral analysis of heart rate variability, high frequency activity was lower, while low frequency activity was higher in users than in nonusers. Moreover, the sympathovagal balance was higher in users. Users showed higher pulse wave velocity than nonusers showing arterial stiffness of large vessels. Single linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between mean blood pressure and baroreflex sensitivity and pulse wave velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence for lower baroreflex sensitivity and sympathovagal imbalance in anabolic androgenic steroid users. Moreover, anabolic androgenic steroid users showed arterial stiffness. Together, these alterations might be the mechanisms triggering the increased blood pressure in this population. PMID:29791601

Resting spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac autonomic control in anabolic androgenic steroid users.

PubMed

Santos, Marcelo R Dos; Sayegh, Ana L C; Armani, Rafael; Costa-Hong, Valéria; Souza, Francis R de; Toschi-Dias, Edgar; Bortolotto, Luiz A; Yonamine, Mauricio; Negrão, Carlos E; Alves, Maria-Janieire N N

2018-05-21

Misuse of anabolic androgenic steroids in athletes is a strategy used to enhance strength and skeletal muscle hypertrophy. However, its abuse leads to an imbalance in muscle sympathetic nerve activity, increased vascular resistance, and increased blood pressure. However, the mechanisms underlying these alterations are still unknown. Therefore, we tested whether anabolic androgenic steroids could impair resting baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac sympathovagal control. In addition, we evaluate pulse wave velocity to ascertain the arterial stiffness of large vessels. Fourteen male anabolic androgenic steroid users and 12 nonusers were studied. Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate were recorded. Baroreflex sensitivity was estimated by the sequence method, and cardiac autonomic control by analysis of the R-R interval. Pulse wave velocity was measured using a noninvasive automatic device. Mean spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity, baroreflex sensitivity to activation of the baroreceptors, and baroreflex sensitivity to deactivation of the baroreceptors were significantly lower in users than in nonusers. In the spectral analysis of heart rate variability, high frequency activity was lower, while low frequency activity was higher in users than in nonusers. Moreover, the sympathovagal balance was higher in users. Users showed higher pulse wave velocity than nonusers showing arterial stiffness of large vessels. Single linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between mean blood pressure and baroreflex sensitivity and pulse wave velocity. Our results provide evidence for lower baroreflex sensitivity and sympathovagal imbalance in anabolic androgenic steroid users. Moreover, anabolic androgenic steroid users showed arterial stiffness. Together, these alterations might be the mechanisms triggering the increased blood pressure in this population.

Aortic stiffness predicts functional outcome in patients after ischemic stroke.

PubMed

Gasecki, Dariusz; Rojek, Agnieszka; Kwarciany, Mariusz; Kubach, Marlena; Boutouyrie, Pierre; Nyka, Walenty; Laurent, Stephane; Narkiewicz, Krzysztof

2012-02-01

Increased aortic stiffness (measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity) and central augmentation index have been shown to independently predict cardiovascular events, including stroke. We studied whether pulse wave velocity and central augmentation index predict functional outcome after ischemic stroke. In a prospective study, we enrolled 99 patients with acute ischemic stroke (age 63.7 ± 12.4 years, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 6.6 ± 6.6, mean ± SD). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and central augmentation index (SphygmoCor) were measured 1 week after stroke onset. Functional outcome was evaluated 90 days after stroke using the modified Rankin Scale with modified Rankin Scale score of 0 to 1 considered an excellent outcome. In univariate analysis, low carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (P=0.000001) and low central augmentation index (P=0.028) were significantly associated with excellent stroke outcome. Age, severity of stroke, presence of previous stroke, diabetes, heart rate, and peripheral pressures also predicted stroke functional outcome. In multivariate analysis, the predictive value of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (<9.4 m/s) remained significant (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06-0.79; P=0.02) after adjustment for age, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission, and presence of previous stroke. By contrast, central augmentation index had no significant predictive value after adjustment. This study indicates that aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Bubble-based acoustic radiation force using chirp insonation to reduce standing wave effects.

PubMed

Erpelding, Todd N; Hollman, Kyle W; O'Donnell, Matthew

2007-02-01

Bubble-based acoustic radiation force can measure local viscoelastic properties of tissue. High intensity acoustic waves applied to laser-generated bubbles induce displacements inversely proportional to local Young's modulus. In certain instances, long pulse durations are desirable but are susceptible to standing wave artifacts, which corrupt displacement measurements. Chirp pulse acoustic radiation force was investigated as a method to reduce standing wave artifacts. Chirp pulses with linear frequency sweep magnitudes of 100, 200 and 300 kHz centered around 1.5 MHz were applied to glass beads within gelatin phantoms and laser-generated bubbles within porcine lenses. The ultrasound transducer was translated axially to vary standing wave conditions, while comparing displacements using chirp pulses and 1.5 MHz tone burst pulses of the same duration and peak rarefactional pressure. Results demonstrated significant reduction in standing wave effects using chirp pulses, with displacement proportional to acoustic intensity and bubble size.

Bubble-Based Acoustic Radiation Force Using Chirp Insonation to Reduce Standing Wave Effects

PubMed Central

Erpelding, Todd N.; Hollman, Kyle W.; O’Donnell, Matthew

2007-01-01

Bubble-based acoustic radiation force can measure local viscoelastic properties of tissue. High intensity acoustic waves applied to laser-generated bubbles induce displacements inversely proportional to local Young’s modulus. In certain instances, long pulse durations are desirable but are susceptible to standing wave artifacts, which corrupt displacement measurements. Chirp pulse acoustic radiation force was investigated as a method to reduce standing wave artifacts. Chirp pulses with linear frequency sweep magnitudes of 100, 200, and 300 kHz centered around 1.5 MHz were applied to glass beads within gelatin phantoms and laser-generated bubbles within porcine lenses. The ultrasound transducer was translated axially to vary standing wave conditions, while comparing displacements using chirp pulses and 1.5 MHz tone burst pulses of the same duration and peak rarefactional pressure. Results demonstrated significant reduction in standing wave effects using chirp pulses, with displacement proportional to acoustic intensity and bubble size. PMID:17306697

Electromagnetic plane-wave pulse transmission into a Lorentz half-space.

PubMed

Cartwright, Natalie A

2011-12-01

The propagation of an electromagnetic plane-wave signal obliquely incident upon a Lorentz half-space is studied analytically. Time-domain asymptotic expressions that increase in accuracy with propagation distance are derived by application of uniform saddle point methods on the Fourier-Laplace integral representation of the transmitted field. The results are shown to be continuous in time and comparable with numerical calculations of the field. Arrival times and angles of refraction are given for prominent transient pulse features and the steady-state signal.

Computational and Experimental Analysis of Mach 5 Air Flow over a Cylinder with a Nanosecond Pulse Discharge

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

wind tunnel t = 4:1 s after a discharge event. The compression wave pushes the bow - shock outward, as seen in the red region. Consistent with the two... wind tunnel , which was able to computationally replicate the bow - shock structure seen in the schlieren photography, predict the width of the tunnel’s...from the pulse source. As the shock wave travels upstream, it interacts with the standing bow - shock and momentarily increases the bow - shock

Ultrasonic control of ceramic membrane fouling by particles: effect of ultrasonic factors.

PubMed

Chen, Dong; Weavers, Linda K; Walker, Harold W

2006-07-01

Ultrasound at 20 kHz was applied to a cross-flow ultrafiltration system with gamma-alumina membranes in the presence of colloidal silica particles to systematically investigate how ultrasonic factors affect membrane cleaning. Based on imaging of the ultrasonic cavitation region, optimal cleaning occurred when the membrane was outside but close to the cavitation region. Increasing the filtration pressure increased the compressive forces driving cavitation collapse and resulted in fewer cavitation bubbles absorbing and scattering sound waves and increasing sound wave penetration. However, an increased filtration pressure also resulted in greater permeation drag, and subsequently less improvement in permeate flux compared to low filtration pressure. Finally, pulsed ultrasound with short pulse intervals resulted in permeate flux improvement close to that of continuous sonication.

Effect of black tea consumption on radial blood pulse spectrum and cognitive health.

PubMed

Chang, Chi-Wei; Wang, Sheng-Hung; Jan, Ming-Yie; Wang, Wei-Kung

2017-04-01

Black tea consumption has been proven to improve endothelial function and to lower the risk of stroke and cognitive impairment. Several effects of black tea on cardiovascular system had been surveyed. However, the black tea effect on pressure pulse spectrum remains unknown. The study was aimed to investigate the influence of black tea on radial blood pressure and Pulse Spectrum. Fourteen healthy subjects received water and single doses of black tea (0.05g/Kg) in separate weeks. The radial blood pressure and pulse wave were measured and the pressure pulses were evaluated using harmonic analysis. This report confirmed that black tea consumption (dose=0.05g/Kg) significantly increased third, fifth, (P<0.1), sixth, seventh, and eighth harmonics (p<0.05) of radial pressure wave comparing to water control. We proposed that black tea may increase cerebral blood flow (CBF), which was deduced from the results and from the conclusions of previous studies. The results also showed that the harmonic components of pressure pulse could be the vascular kinetic index that assessed the hemodynamic status in each time frame before and after consumption of black tea. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reflectometry diagnostics on TCV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Molina Cabrera, Pedro; Coda, Stefano; Porte, Laurie; Offeddu, Nicola; Tcv Team

2017-10-01

Both profile reflectometer and Doppler back-scattering (DBS) diagnostics are being developed for the TCV Tokamak using a steerable quasi-optical launcher and universal polarizers. First results will be presented. A pulse reflectometer is being developed to complement Thomson Scattering measurements of electron density, greatly increasing temporal resolution and also effectively enabling fluctuation measurements. Pulse reflectometry consists of sending short pulses of varying frequency and measuring the roundtrip group-delay with precise chronometers. A fast arbitrary waveform generator is used as a pulse source feeding frequency multipliers that bring the pulses to V-band. A DBS diagnostic is currently operational in TCV. DBS may be used to infer the perpendicular velocity and wave number spectrum of electron density fluctuations in the 3-15 cm-1 wave-number range. Off-the-shelf transceiver modules, originally used for VNA measurements, are being used in a Doppler radar configuration. See author list of S. Coda et al., 2017 Nucl. Fusion 57 102011.

Pulse-wave propagation in straight-geometry vessels for stiffness estimation: theory, simulations, phantoms and in vitro findings.

PubMed

Shahmirzadi, Danial; Li, Ronny X; Konofagou, Elisa E

2012-11-01

Pulse wave imaging (PWI) is an ultrasound-based method for noninvasive characterization of arterial stiffness based on pulse wave propagation. Reliable numerical models of pulse wave propagation in normal and pathological aortas could serve as powerful tools for local pulse wave analysis and a guideline for PWI measurements in vivo. The objectives of this paper are to (1) apply a fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulation of a straight-geometry aorta to confirm the Moens-Korteweg relationship between the pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the wall modulus, and (2) validate the simulation findings against phantom and in vitro results. PWI depicted and tracked the pulse wave propagation along the abdominal wall of canine aorta in vitro in sequential Radio-Frequency (RF) ultrasound frames and estimates the PWV in the imaged wall. The same system was also used to image multiple polyacrylamide phantoms, mimicking the canine measurements as well as modeling softer and stiffer walls. Finally, the model parameters from the canine and phantom studies were used to perform 3D two-way coupled FSI simulations of pulse wave propagation and estimate the PWV. The simulation results were found to correlate well with the corresponding Moens-Korteweg equation. A high linear correlation was also established between PWV² and E measurements using the combined simulation and experimental findings (R² =  0.98) confirming the relationship established by the aforementioned equation.

Impaired Central Pulsatile Hemodynamics in Children and Adolescents With Marfan Syndrome.

PubMed

Grillo, Andrea; Salvi, Paolo; Marelli, Susan; Gao, Lan; Salvi, Lucia; Faini, Andrea; Trifirò, Giuliana; Carretta, Renzo; Pini, Alessandro; Parati, Gianfranco

2017-11-07

Marfan syndrome is characterized by aortic root dilation, beginning in childhood. Data about aortic pulsatile hemodynamics and stiffness in pediatric age are currently lacking. In 51 young patients with Marfan syndrome (12.0±3.3 years), carotid tonometry was performed for the measurement of central pulse pressure, pulse pressure amplification, and aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity). Patients underwent an echocardiogram at baseline and at 1 year follow-up and a genetic evaluation. Pathogenetic fibrillin-1 mutations were classified between "dominant negative" and "haploinsufficient." The hemodynamic parameters of patients were compared with those of 80 sex, age, blood pressure, and heart-rate matched controls. Central pulse pressure was significantly higher (38.3±12.3 versus 33.6±7.8 mm Hg; P =0.009), and pulse pressure amplification was significantly reduced in Marfan than controls (17.9±15.3% versus 32.3±17.4%; P <0.0001). Pulse wave velocity was not significantly different between Marfan and controls (4.98±1.00 versus 4.75±0.67 m/s). In the Marfan group, central pulse pressure and pulse pressure amplification were independently associated with aortic diameter at the sinuses of Valsalva (respectively, β=0.371, P =0.010; β=-0.271, P =0.026). No significant difference in hemodynamic parameters was found according to fibrillin-1 genotype. Patients who increased aortic Z-scores at 1-year follow-up presented a higher central pulse pressure than the remaining (42.7±14.2 versus 32.3±5.9 mm Hg; P =0.004). Central pulse pressure and pulse pressure amplification were impaired in pediatric Marfan syndrome, and associated with aortic root diameters, whereas aortic pulse wave velocity was similar to that of a general pediatric population. An increased central pulse pressure was present among patients whose aortic dilatation worsened at 1-year follow-up. © 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.

Beat-to-beat, reading-to-reading, and day-to-day blood pressure variability in relation to organ damage in untreated Chinese.

PubMed

Wei, Fang-Fei; Li, Yan; Zhang, Lu; Xu, Ting-Yan; Ding, Feng-Hua; Wang, Ji-Guang; Staessen, Jan A

2014-04-01

Whether target organ damage is associated with blood pressure (BP) variability independent of level remains debated. We assessed these associations from 10-minute beat-to-beat, 24-hour ambulatory, and 7-day home BP recordings in 256 untreated subjects referred to a hypertension clinic. BP variability indices were variability independent of the mean, maximum-minimum difference, and average real variability. Effect sizes (standardized β) were computed using multivariable regression models. In beat-to-beat recordings, left ventricular mass index (n=128) was not (P≥0.18) associated with systolic BP but increased with all 3 systolic variability indices (+2.97-3.53 g/m(2); P<0.04); the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio increased (P≤0.03) with systolic BP (+1.14-1.17 mg/mmol) and maximum-minimum difference (+1.18 mg/mmol); and pulse wave velocity increased with systolic BP (+0.69 m/s; P<0.001). In 24-hour recordings, all 3 indices of organ damage increased (P<0.03) with systolic BP, whereas the associations with BP variability were nonsignificant (P≥0.15) except for increases in pulse wave velocity (P<0.05) with variability independent of the mean (+0.16 m/s) and maximum-minimum difference (+0.17 m/s). In home recordings, the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (+1.27-1.30 mg/mmol) and pulse wave velocity (+0.36-0.40 m/s) increased (P<0.05) with systolic BP, whereas all associations of target organ damage with the variability indices were nonsignificant (P≥0.07). In conclusion, while accounting for BP level, associations of target organ damage with BP variability were readily detectable in beat-to-beat recordings, least noticeable in home recordings, with 24-hour ambulatory monitoring being informative only for pulse wave velocity.

Operation of a long-pulse backward-wave oscillator using a disk cathode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hahn, Kelly; Fuks, Mikhail I.; Schamiloglu, Edl

2001-08-01

Recent work at the University of New Mexico has studied the use of a circular disk cathode as the electron source in a long-pulse Backward Wave Oscillator (BWO) experiment. The use of this cathode was motivated by recent studies by Loza and Strelkov of the General Physics Institute in Russia that demonstrated that a relativistic electron beam with stable cross section could be sustained for over one microsecond. In our first investigations using this new cathode configuration we found that the microwave pulse length generated from a long pulse BWO increased somewhat compared to the case when a traditional annular `cookie-cutter' cathode was used. We attribute this pulse lengthening to the hypothesis that the disk cathode generates a relativistic electron beam that is less likely to radially expand, thereby minimizing wall interception and the generation of unwanted plasma. In this paper we describe details of work- in-progress relating to a comparison of microwave generation from a disk cathode and annular cathode in a long-pulse BWO.

Optimisation of parameters of Raman laser pulse compression in a plasma for its implementation using the PEARL laser facility (IAP RAS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balakin, A. A.; Levin, D. S.; Skobelev, S. A.

2018-04-01

We consider Raman compression of laser pulses in a plasma under the conditions of an experiment planned at the Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences on the PEARL laser facility. The analysis is based on the equations describing, among other things, the effect of plasma dispersion and relativistic nonlinearity, as well as the dynamics of the field near the plasma wave breaking threshold. It is shown that the main limiting factors are excessive frequency modulation of the pump pulse and a too low plasma density in which the plasma wave breaking can occur. To reduce the negative influence of these effects, we suggest using an intense and short (on the order of the plasma period) seed laser pulse. Numerical simulation shows the possibility of a hundredfold increase in the intensity of the compressed pulse in comparison with the intensity of the pump pulse at a length of uniform plasma of 2 cm.

Creating high-purity angular-momentum-state Rydberg atoms by a pair of unipolar laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, PeiPei; Cheng, Hong; Zhang, ShanShan; Wang, HanMu; Xu, ZiShan; Liu, HongPing

2018-04-01

We propose a method of producing high-purity angular-momentum-state Rydberg atoms by a pair of unipolar laser pulses. The first positive-polarity optical half-cycle pulse is used to prepare an excited-state wave packet while the second one is less intense, but with opposite polarity and time delayed, and is employed to drag back the escaping free electron and clip the shape of the bound Rydberg wave packet, selectively increasing or decreasing a fraction of the angular-momentum components. An intelligent choice of laser parameters such as phase and amplitude helps us to control the orbital-angular-momentum composition of an electron wave packet with more facility; thus, a specified angular-momentum state with high purity can be achieved. This scheme of producing high-purity angular-momentum-state Rydberg atoms has significant application in quantum-information processing.

Arterial Wave Reflection and Aortic Valve Calcification in an Elderly Community-Based Cohort

PubMed Central

Sera, Fusako; Russo, Cesare; Iwata, Shinichi; Jin, Zhezhen; Rundek, Tatjana; Elkind, Mitchell S.V.; Homma, Shunichi; Sacco, Ralph L.; Di Tullio, Marco R.

2015-01-01

Background Aortic valve calcification (AVC) without stenosis is common in the elderly, is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and may progress to aortic valve stenosis. Arterial stiffness and pulse wave reflection are important components of proximal aortic hemodynamics, but their relationship with AVC is not established. Methods To investigate the relationship of arterial wave reflection and stiffness with AVC, pulse wave analysis and AVC evaluation by echocardiography were performed in 867 participants from the Cardiovascular Abnormalities and Brain Lesions (CABL) study. Participants were divided into 4 categories based on the severity and extent of AVC: 1) none or mild focal AVC; 2) mild diffuse AVC; 3) moderate-severe focal AVC; and 4) moderate-severe diffuse AVC. Central blood pressures and pulse pressure, total arterial compliance, augmentation index, and time to wave reflection were assessed using applanation tonometry. Results Indicators of arterial stiffness and wave reflection were significantly associated with AVC severity, except for central systolic and diastolic pressures and time to reflection. After adjustment for pertinent covariates (age, sex, race/ethnicity, and eGFR), only augmentation pressure (P = .02) and augmentation index (P = .002) were associated with the severity of AVC. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that augmentation pressure (odds ratio per mmHg = 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.27; P = .02) and augmentation index (odds ratio per percentage point = 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.13; P = .02) were associated with an increase risk of moderate-severe diffuse AVC, even when central blood pressure value was included in the same model. Conclusions Arterial wave reflection is associated with AVC severity, independent of blood pressure values. Increased contribution of wave reflection to central blood pressure could be involved in the process leading to AVC. PMID:25600036

Max dD/Dt: A Novel Parameter to Assess Fetal Cardiac Contractility and a Substitute for Max dP/Dt.

PubMed

Fujita, Yasuyuki; Kiyokoba, Ryo; Yumoto, Yasuo; Kato, Kiyoko

2018-07-01

Aortic pulse waveforms are composed of a forward wave from the heart and a reflection wave from the periphery. We focused on this forward wave and suggested a new parameter, the maximum slope of aortic pulse waveforms (max dD/dt), for fetal cardiac contractility. Max dD/dt was calculated from fetal aortic pulse waveforms recorded with an echo-tracking system. A normal range of max dD/dt was constructed in 105 healthy fetuses using linear regression analysis. Twenty-two fetuses with suspected fetal cardiac dysfunction were divided into normal and decreased max dD/dt groups, and their clinical parameters were compared. Max dD/dt of aortic pulse waveforms increased linearly with advancing gestational age (r = 0.93). The decreased max dD/dt was associated with abnormal cardiotocography findings and short- and long-term prognosis. In conclusion, max dD/dt calculated from the aortic pulse waveforms in fetuses can substitute for max dP/dt, an index of cardiac contractility in adults. Copyright © 2018 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dye laser traveling wave amplifier

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davidson, F.; Hohman, J.

1984-01-01

A flashlamp pumped dye laser suitable for use as a single stage amplifier is described. Particular emphasis is placed on the efforts to increase output pulse energy and improve the temporal profile of the injected pulse. By using high power thin film polarizers, output energies reach from 4 to 45 mJ. Various dispersive elements are used to develop an amplified pulse with an extremely clean temporal profile.

Characteristics of the pulse waveform during altered nitric oxide synthesis in the rabbit.

PubMed

Weinberg, P D; Habens, F; Kengatharan, M; Barnes, S E; Matz, J; Anggård, E E; Carrier, M J

2001-06-01

Nitrovasodilators produce characteristic changes in the shape of the peripheral pulse wave. Similar changes might also be caused by alteration of endogenous NO activity, which would allow such activity to be assessed in vivo. We investigated whether manipulation of the NO pathway influences the pulse waveform, and the mechanisms involved. The pulse wave in the ear of normal rabbits was examined by reflectance photoplethysmography before and during infusion of vasoactive agents. Pulse wave velocity was assessed by using an additional sensor on the rear foot. A diastolic peak was observed in the ear pulse; its timing was consistent with it being a reflection of the systolic peak from the lower body. The height of the dicrotic notch marking the start of this diastolic wave was decreased by acetylcholine or an NO donor, and further decreased by a phosphodiesterase type V inhibitor. The acetylcholine-induced decreases were blocked by inhibiting NO synthesis with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) but were unaffected by the inactive enantiomer D-NAME. These data demonstrate that NO influences the height of the notch in the pulse wave. Heart rate and blood pressure were altered during acetylcholine or L-NAME infusion, but there were no changes in pulse wave amplitude or velocity, or in the timing of the diastolic peak or dicrotic notch. The slope of the pulse wave between the systolic peak and notch changed substantially. These effects are most convincingly explained by changes in wave reflection, not only from the lower body but also from more proximal sites.

Characteristics of the pulse waveform during altered nitric oxide synthesis in the rabbit

PubMed Central

Weinberg, P D; Habens, F; Kengatharan, M; Barnes, S E; Matz, J; Änggård, E E; Carrier, M J

2001-01-01

Nitrovasodilators produce characteristic changes in the shape of the peripheral pulse wave. Similar changes might also be caused by alteration of endogenous NO activity, which would allow such activity to be assessed in vivo. We investigated whether manipulation of the NO pathway influences the pulse waveform, and the mechanisms involved. The pulse wave in the ear of normal rabbits was examined by reflectance photoplethysmography before and during infusion of vasoactive agents. Pulse wave velocity was assessed by using an additional sensor on the rear foot. A diastolic peak was observed in the ear pulse; its timing was consistent with it being a reflection of the systolic peak from the lower body. The height of the dicrotic notch marking the start of this diastolic wave was decreased by acetylcholine or an NO donor, and further decreased by a phosphodiesterase type V inhibitor. The acetylcholine-induced decreases were blocked by inhibiting NO synthesis with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) but were unaffected by the inactive enantiomer D-NAME. These data demonstrate that NO influences the height of the notch in the pulse wave. Heart rate and blood pressure were altered during acetylcholine or L-NAME infusion, but there were no changes in pulse wave amplitude or velocity, or in the timing of the diastolic peak or dicrotic notch. The slope of the pulse wave between the systolic peak and notch changed substantially. These effects are most convincingly explained by changes in wave reflection, not only from the lower body but also from more proximal sites. PMID:11375252

Characteristics of Electromagnetic Pulse Propagation in Metal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Namkung, M.; Wincheski, B.; Nath, S.; Fulton, J. P.

2004-01-01

It is well known that the solution of the diffusion equation for an electromagnetic field with a time harmonic term, e(sup iwt), is in the form of a traveling wave whose amplitude attenuates over distance into a conducting medium. As the attenuation is an increasing function of frequency, the high frequency components attenuate more rapidly than those of low ones upon entering a well conducting object. At the same time, the phase velocity of an individual component is also an increasing function of frequency causing a broadening of the pulse traveling inside a conductor. In the results of our previous study of numerical simulations, the problem of using a gaussian input pulse was immediately clear. First, having the dominant frequency components distributed around zero, the movement of the peak was not well defined. Second, with the amplitude of fourier components varying slowly over a wide range, the dispersion-induced blurring of the peak position was seen to be severe. For the present study, we have used a gaussian modulated single frequency sinusoidal wave, i. e., the carrier, as an input pulse in an effort to improve the issues related to the unclear movement of peak and dispersion as described above. This was based on the following two anticipated advantages: First, the packet moves in a conductor at the group velocity calculated at the carrier frequency, which means it is well controllable. Second, the amplitude of frequency components other than that of the carrier can be almost negligible, such that the effect of dispersion can be significantly reduced. A series of experiments of transmitting electromagnetic pulses through aluminum plates of various thickness was performed to test the validity of the above points. The results of numerical simulation based on wave propagation are discussed with respect to the experimental results. Finally, a simple simulation was performed based on diffusion of a continuous sine wave input and the results are compared with those of a single frequency sinusoidal wave observed over time at difference locations inside a conductor.

Coded continuous wave meteor radar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chau, J. L.; Vierinen, J.; Pfeffer, N.; Clahsen, M.; Stober, G.

2016-12-01

The concept of a coded continuous wave specular meteor radar (SMR) is described. The radar uses a continuously transmitted pseudorandom phase-modulated waveform, which has several advantages compared to conventional pulsed SMRs. The coding avoids range and Doppler aliasing, which are in some cases problematic with pulsed radars. Continuous transmissions maximize pulse compression gain, allowing operation at lower peak power than a pulsed system. With continuous coding, the temporal and spectral resolution are not dependent on the transmit waveform and they can be fairly flexibly changed after performing a measurement. The low signal-to-noise ratio before pulse compression, combined with independent pseudorandom transmit waveforms, allows multiple geographically separated transmitters to be used in the same frequency band simultaneously without significantly interfering with each other. Because the same frequency band can be used by multiple transmitters, the same interferometric receiver antennas can be used to receive multiple transmitters at the same time. The principles of the signal processing are discussed, in addition to discussion of several practical ways to increase computation speed, and how to optimally detect meteor echoes. Measurements from a campaign performed with a coded continuous wave SMR are shown and compared with two standard pulsed SMR measurements. The type of meteor radar described in this paper would be suited for use in a large-scale multi-static network of meteor radar transmitters and receivers. Such a system would be useful for increasing the number of meteor detections to obtain improved meteor radar data products, such as wind fields. This type of a radar would also be useful for over-the-horizon radar, ionosondes, and observations of field-aligned-irregularities.

Cavitation enhances coagulated size during pulsed high-intensity focussed ultrasound ablation in an isolated liver perfusion system.

PubMed

Zhao, Lu-Yan; Liu, Shan; Chen, Zong-Gui; Zou, Jian-Zhong; Wu, Feng

2016-11-24

To investigate whether cavitation enhances the degree of coagulation during pulsed high-intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) in an isolated liver perfusion system. Isolated liver was treated by pulsed HIFU or continuous-wave HIFU with different portal vein flow rates. The cavitation emission during exposure was recorded, and real-time ultrasound images were used to observe changes in the grey scale. The coagulation size was measured and calculated. HIFU treatment led to complete coagulation necrosis and total cell destruction in the target regions. Compared to exposure at a duty cycle (DC) of 100%, the mean volumes of lesions induced by 6 s exposure at DCs of 50% and 10% were significantly larger (P < .01) but were smaller at a DC of 5%. The necrosis volume was negatively related to the perfusion rate in the pulsed HIFU at a DC of 50% for exposure durations of 4 and 6 s, while the perfusion flow rate did not affect the necrosis volume for exposure durations of 1, 2 and 3 s. For increased perfusion flow rates, there was no significant decrease in the cavitation activity for the pulsed-HIFU (P > .05). For continuous-wave HIFU exposure, there was a significant decrease in the necrosis volume and cavitation activity for exposure times of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 s with increasing portal perfusion rates. Perfusion flow rates negatively influence cavitation activity and coagulation volume. Ablation is significantly enhanced during pulsed HIFU exposure compared with continuous-wave HIFU.

Insulin-resistance HCV infection-related affects vascular stiffness in normotensives.

PubMed

Perticone, Maria; Maio, Raffaele; Tassone, Eliezer Joseph; Tripepi, Giovanni; Di Cello, Serena; Miceli, Sofia; Caroleo, Benedetto; Sciacqua, Angela; Licata, Anna; Sesti, Giorgio; Perticone, Francesco

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND AND AIMS. Arterial stiffness evaluated as pulse wave velocity, is an early marker of vascular damage and an independent predictor for cardiovascular events. We investigated if the insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia chronic hepatitis C virus infection-related could influence arterial stiffness. METHODS. We enrolled 260 outpatients matched for age, body mass index, gender, ethnicity: 52 with never-treated uncomplicated chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV(+)), 104 never-treated hypertensives (HT) and 104 healthy subjects (NT). Pulse wave velocity was evaluated by a validated system employing high-fidelity applanation tonometry. We also measured: fasting plasma glucose and insulin, total, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, e-GFR-EPI, HOMA, quantitative HCV-RNA. RESULTS. HCV(+) patients with respect to NT had an increased pulse wave velocity (7.9 ± 2.1 vs 6.4 ± 2.1 m/s; P < 0.0001), similar to that observed in HT group (8.8 ± 3.2 m/s). HCV(+) patients, in comparison with NT, had higher triglyceride, creatinine, fasting insulin and HOMA (3.2 ± 1.3 vs 2.5 ± 1.0; P < 0.0001). At linear regression analysis, the correlation between pulse wave velocity and HOMA was similar in HT (r = 0.380, P < 0.0001) and HCV(+) (r = 0.369, P = 0.004) groups. At multiple regression analysis, HOMA resulted the major determinant of pulse wave velocity in all groups, explaining respectively 11.8%, 14.4% and 13.6% of its variation in NT, HT and HCV(+). At correlational analysis hepatitis C virus-RNA and HOMA demonstrated a strong and linear relationship between them, explaining the 72.4% of their variation (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS. We demonstrated a significant and direct correlation between HOMA and pulse wave velocity in HCV(+) patients, similar to that observed in hypertensives. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Association between ICP pulse waveform morphology and ICP B waves.

PubMed

Kasprowicz, Magdalena; Bergsneider, Marvin; Czosnyka, Marek; Hu, Xiao

2012-01-01

The study aimed to investigate changes in the shape of ICP pulses associated with different patterns of the ICP slow waves (0.5-2.0 cycles/min) during ICP overnight monitoring in hydrocephalus. Four patterns of ICP slow waves were characterized in 44 overnight ICP recordings (no waves - NW, slow symmetrical waves - SW, slow asymmetrical waves - AS, slow waves with plateau phase - PW). The morphological clustering and analysis of ICP pulse (MOCAIP) algorithm was utilized to calculate a set of metrics describing ICP pulse morphology based on the location of three sub-peaks in an ICP pulse: systolic peak (P(1)), tidal peak (P(2)) and dicrotic peak (P(3)). Step-wise discriminant analysis was applied to select the most characteristic morphological features to distinguish between different ICP slow waves. Based on relative changes in variability of amplitudes of P(2) and P(3) we were able to distinguish between the combined groups NW + SW and AS + PW (p < 0.000001). The AS pattern can be differentiated from PW based on respective changes in the mean curvature of P(2) and P(3) (p < 0.000001); however, none of the MOCAIP feature separates between NW and SW. The investigation of ICP pulse morphology associated with different ICP B waves may provide additional information for analysing recordings of overnight ICP.

Functional significance of the pattern of renal sympathetic nerve activation.

PubMed

Dibona, G F; Sawin, L L

1999-08-01

To assess the renal functional significance of the pattern of renal sympathetic nerve activation, computer-generated stimulus patterns (delivered at constant integrated voltage) were applied to the decentralized renal sympathetic nerve bundle and renal hemodynamic and excretory responses determined in anesthetized rats. When delivered at the same integrated voltage, stimulus patterns resembling those observed in in vivo multifiber recordings of renal sympathetic nerve activity (diamond-wave patterns) produced greater renal vasoconstrictor responses than conventional square-wave patterns. Within diamond-wave patterns, increasing integrated voltage by increasing amplitude produced twofold greater renal vasoconstrictor responses than by increasing duration. With similar integrated voltages that were subthreshold for renal vasoconstriction, neither diamond- nor square-wave pattern altered glomerular filtration rate, whereas diamond- but not square-wave pattern reversibly decreased urinary sodium excretion by 25 +/- 3%. At the same number of pulses per second, intermittent stimulation produced faster and greater renal vasoconstriction than continuous stimulation. At the same number of pulses per second, increases in rest period during intermittent stimulation proportionally augmented the renal vasoconstrictor response compared with that observed with continuous stimulation; the maximum augmentation of 55% occurred at a rest period of 500 ms. These results indicate that the pattern of renal sympathetic nerve stimulation (activity) significantly influences the rapidity, magnitude, and selectivity of the renal vascular and tubular responses.

Carotid artery stiffness evaluated early by wave intensity in normal left ventricular function in post-radiotherapy patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhuo; Luo, Runlan; Tan, Bijun; Qian, Jing; Duan, Yanfang; Wang, Nan; Li, Guangsen

2018-04-01

This study aims to assess carotid elasticity early in normal left ventricular function in post-radiotherapy patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by wave intensity. Sixty-seven post-radiotherapy patients all with normal left ventricular function were classified into group NPC1 and group NPC2 based on their carotid intima-media thickness. Thirty age- and sex-matched NPC patients without any history of irradiation and chemotherapy were included as a control group. Carotid parameters, including stiffness constant (β), pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), arterial compliance (AC), stiffness constant pulse wave velocity (PWVβ), and wave intensity pulse wave velocity (PWVWI) were measured. There were no significant differences in conventional echocardiographic variables among the three groups. In comparison with the control group, β, Ep, PWVβ, and PWVWI were significantly increased, while AC was significantly decreased in the NPC1 and NPC2 groups, and there were differences between the NPC1 group and NPC2 group (all P < 0.05). This study suggested that carotid artery stiffness increased with reduced carotid compliance in post-RT with NPC.

Pulse-to-pulse correlation in satellite radar altimeters. [for ocean wave height measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walsh, E. J.

1982-01-01

Pulse-to-pulse correlation in satellite radar altimeters is examined to determine if range jitter in future altimeters could be reduced by increasing the pulse repetition frequency (PRF). Data from the Skylab radar altimeter is analyzed and compared with rules of thumb and the results of a Monte Carlo simulation. Altimeter range tracker configurations are reviewed and a simple curve is developed for the PRF below which decorrelation is assured. An adaptive PRF for future altimeters is recommended to conserve mission power while optimizing data collection during high-sea states.

Arterial stiffness estimation based photoplethysmographic pulse wave analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huotari, Matti; Maatta, Kari; Kostamovaara, Juha

2010-11-01

Arterial stiffness is one of the indices of vascular healthiness. It is based on pulse wave analysis. In the case we decompose the pulse waveform for the estimation and determination of arterial elasticity. Firstly, optically measured with photoplethysmograph and then investigating means by four lognormal pulse waveforms for which we can find very good fit between the original and summed decomposed pulse wave. Several studies have demonstrated that these kinds of measures predict cardiovascular events. While dynamic factors, e.g., arterial stiffness, depend on fixed structural features of the vascular wall. Arterial stiffness is estimated based on pulse wave decomposition analysis in the radial and tibial arteries. Elucidation of the precise relationship between endothelial function and vascular stiffness awaits still further study.

White matter hyperintensities in migraine: Clinical significance and central pulsatile hemodynamic correlates.

PubMed

Cheng, Chun-Yu; Cheng, Hao-Min; Chen, Shih-Pin; Chung, Chih-Ping; Lin, Yung-Yang; Hu, Han-Hwa; Chen, Chen-Huan; Wang, Shuu-Jiun

2018-06-01

Background The role of central pulsatile hemodynamics in the pathogenesis of white matter hyperintensities in migraine patients has not been clarified. Methods Sixty patients with migraine (20-50 years old; women, 68%) without overt vascular risk factors and 30 demographically-matched healthy controls were recruited prospectively. Cerebral white matter hyperintensities volume was determined by T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with CUBE-fluid-attenuated-inversion-recovery sequences. Central systolic blood pressure, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, and carotid augmentation index were measured by applanation tonometry. Carotid pulsatility index was derived from Doppler ultrasound carotid artery flow analysis. Results Compared to the controls, the migraine patients had higher white matter hyperintensities frequency (odds ratio, 2.75; p = 0.04) and greater mean white matter hyperintensities volume (0.174 vs. 0.049, cm 3 , p = 0.04). Multivariable regression analysis showed that white matter hyperintensities volume in migraine patients was positively associated with central systolic blood pressure ( p = 0.04) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity ( p < 0.001), but negatively associated with carotid pulsatility index ( p = 0.04) after controlling for potential confounding factors. The interaction effects observed indicated that the influence of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity ( p = 0.004) and central systolic blood pressure ( p = 0.03) on white matter hyperintensities formation was greater for the lower-carotid pulsatility index subgroup of migraine patients. White matter hyperintensities volume in migraine patients increased with decreasing carotid pulsatility index and with increasing central systolic blood pressure or carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. Conclusions White matter hyperintensities are more common in patients with migraine than in healthy controls. Increased aortic stiffness or central systolic blood pressure in the presence of low intracranial artery resistance may predispose patients with migraine to white matter hyperintensities formation.

Method for generating a plasma wave to accelerate electrons

DOEpatents

Umstadter, D.; Esarey, E.; Kim, J.K.

1997-06-10

The invention provides a method and apparatus for generating large amplitude nonlinear plasma waves, driven by an optimized train of independently adjustable, intense laser pulses. In the method, optimal pulse widths, interpulse spacing, and intensity profiles of each pulse are determined for each pulse in a series of pulses. A resonant region of the plasma wave phase space is found where the plasma wave is driven most efficiently by the laser pulses. The accelerator system of the invention comprises several parts: the laser system, with its pulse-shaping subsystem; the electron gun system, also called beam source, which preferably comprises photo cathode electron source and RF-LINAC accelerator; electron photo-cathode triggering system; the electron diagnostics; and the feedback system between the electron diagnostics and the laser system. The system also includes plasma source including vacuum chamber, magnetic lens, and magnetic field means. The laser system produces a train of pulses that has been optimized to maximize the axial electric field amplitude of the plasma wave, and thus the electron acceleration, using the method of the invention. 21 figs.

Method for generating a plasma wave to accelerate electrons

DOEpatents

Umstadter, Donald; Esarey, Eric; Kim, Joon K.

1997-01-01

The invention provides a method and apparatus for generating large amplitude nonlinear plasma waves, driven by an optimized train of independently adjustable, intense laser pulses. In the method, optimal pulse widths, interpulse spacing, and intensity profiles of each pulse are determined for each pulse in a series of pulses. A resonant region of the plasma wave phase space is found where the plasma wave is driven most efficiently by the laser pulses. The accelerator system of the invention comprises several parts: the laser system, with its pulse-shaping subsystem; the electron gun system, also called beam source, which preferably comprises photo cathode electron source and RF-LINAC accelerator; electron photo-cathode triggering system; the electron diagnostics; and the feedback system between the electron diagnostics and the laser system. The system also includes plasma source including vacuum chamber, magnetic lens, and magnetic field means. The laser system produces a train of pulses that has been optimized to maximize the axial electric field amplitude of the plasma wave, and thus the electron acceleration, using the method of the invention.

Imaging Feedback of Histotripsy Treatments Using Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography

PubMed Central

Wang, Tzu-Yin; Hall, Timothy L.; Xu, Zhen; Fowlkes, J. Brian; Cain, Charles A.

2013-01-01

Histotripsy is a cavitation-based ultrasound therapy that mechanically fractionates soft solid tissues into fluid-like homogenates. This paper investigates the feasibility of imaging the tissue elasticity change during the histotripsy process as a tool to provide feedback for the treatments. The treatments were performed on agar tissue phantoms and ex vivo kidneys using 3-cycle ultrasound pulses delivered by a 750-kHz therapeutic array at peak negative/positive pressure of 17/108 MPa and a repetition rate of 50 Hz. Lesions with different degrees of damage were created with increasing numbers of therapy pulses from 0 to 2000 pulses per treatment location. The elasticity of the lesions was measured with ultrasound shear wave elastography, in which a quasi-planar shear wave was induced by acoustic radiation force generated by the therapeutic array, and tracked with ultrasound imaging at 3000 frames per second. Based on the shear wave velocity calculated from the sequentially captured frames, the Young’s modulus was reconstructed. Results showed that the lesions were more easily identified on the shear wave velocity images than on B-mode images. As the number of therapy pulses increased from 0 to 2000 pulses/location, the Young’s modulus decreased exponentially from 22.1 ± 2.7 to 2.1 ± 1.1 kPa in the tissue phantoms (R2 = 0.99, N = 9 each), and from 33.0 ± 7.1 to 4.0 ± 2.5 kPa in the ex vivo kidneys (R2 = 0.99, N = 8 each). Correspondingly, the tissues transformed from completely intact to completely fractionated as examined via histology. A good correlation existed between the lesions’ Young’s modulus and the degree of tissue fractionation as examined with the percentage of remaining structurally intact cell nuclei (R2 = 0.91, N = 8 each). These results indicate that lesions produced by histotripsy can be detected with high sensitivity using shear wave elastography. Because the decrease in the tissue elasticity corresponded well with the morphological and histological change, this study provides a basis for predicting the local treatment outcomes from tissue elasticity change. PMID:22711412

Imaging feedback of histotripsy treatments using ultrasound shear wave elastography.

PubMed

Wang, Tzu-Yin; Hall, Timothy L; Xu, Zhen; Fowlkes, J Brian; Cain, Charles A

2012-06-01

Histotripsy is a cavitation-based ultrasound therapy that mechanically fractionates soft solid tissues into fluid-like homogenates. This paper investigates the feasibility of imaging the tissue elasticity change during the histotripsy process as a tool to provide feedback for the treatments. The treatments were performed on agar tissue phantoms and ex vivo kidneys using 3-cycle ultrasound pulses delivered by a 750-kHz therapeutic array at peak negative/positive pressure of 17/108 MPa and a repetition rate of 50 Hz. Lesions with different degrees of damage were created with increasing numbers of therapy pulses from 0 to 2000 pulses per treatment location. The elasticity of the lesions was measured with ultrasound shear wave elastography, in which a quasi-planar shear wave was induced by acoustic radiation force generated by the therapeutic array, and tracked with ultrasound imaging at 3000 frames per second. Based on the shear wave velocity calculated from the sequentially captured frames, the Young's modulus was reconstructed. Results showed that the lesions were more easily identified on the shear wave velocity images than on B-mode images. As the number of therapy pulses increased from 0 to 2000 pulses/location, the Young's modulus decreased exponentially from 22.1 ± 2.7 to 2.1 ± 1.1 kPa in the tissue phantoms (R2 = 0.99, N = 9 each), and from 33.0 ± 7.1 to 4.0 ± 2.5 kPa in the ex vivo kidneys (R2 = 0.99, N = 8 each). Correspondingly, the tissues transformed from completely intact to completely fractionated as examined via histology. A good correlation existed between the lesions' Young's modulus and the degree of tissue fractionation as examined with the percentage of remaining structurally intact cell nuclei (R2 = 0.91, N = 8 each). These results indicate that lesions produced by histotripsy can be detected with high sensitivity using shear wave elastography. Because the decrease in the tissue elasticity corresponded well with the morphological and histological change, this study provides a basis for predicting the local treatment outcomes from tissue elasticity change.

Nonlinear Time-Reversal in a Wave Chaotic System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frazier, Matthew; Taddese, Biniyam; Ott, Edward; Antonsen, Thomas; Anlage, Steven

2012-02-01

Time reversal mirrors are particularly simple to implement in wave chaotic systems and form the basis for a new class of sensors [1-3]. These sensors work by applying the quantum mechanical concepts of Loschmidt echo and fidelity decay to classical waves. The sensors make explicit use of time-reversal invariance and spatial reciprocity in a wave chaotic system to remotely measure the presence of small perturbations to the system. The underlying ray chaos increases the sensitivity to small perturbations throughout the volume explored by the waves. We extend our time-reversal mirror to include a discrete element with a nonlinear dynamical response. The initially injected pulse interacts with the nonlinear element, generating new frequency components originating at the element. By selectively filtering for and applying the time-reversal mirror to the new frequency components, we focus a pulse only onto the element, without knowledge of its location. Furthermore, we demonstrate transmission of arbitrary patterns of pulses to the element, creating a targeted communication channel to the exclusion of 'eavesdroppers' at other locations in the system. [1] Appl. Phys. Lett. 95, 114103 (2009) [2] J. Appl. Phys. 108, 1 (2010) [3] Acta Physica Polonica A 112, 569 (2007)

Chirped or time modulated excitation compared to short pulses for photoacoustic imaging in acoustic attenuating media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burgholzer, P.; Motz, C.; Lang, O.; Berer, T.; Huemer, M.

2018-02-01

In photoacoustic imaging, optically generated acoustic waves transport the information about embedded structures to the sample surface. Usually, short laser pulses are used for the acoustic excitation. Acoustic attenuation increases for higher frequencies, which reduces the bandwidth and limits the spatial resolution. One could think of more efficient waveforms than single short pulses, such as pseudo noise codes, chirped, or harmonic excitation, which could enable a higher information-transfer from the samples interior to its surface by acoustic waves. We used a linear state space model to discretize the wave equation, such as the Stoke's equation, but this method could be used for any other linear wave equation. Linear estimators and a non-linear function inversion were applied to the measured surface data, for onedimensional image reconstruction. The proposed estimation method allows optimizing the temporal modulation of the excitation laser such that the accuracy and spatial resolution of the reconstructed image is maximized. We have restricted ourselves to one-dimensional models, as for higher dimensions the one-dimensional reconstruction, which corresponds to the acoustic wave without attenuation, can be used as input for any ultrasound imaging method, such as back-projection or time-reversal method.

Excimer-laser-induced shock wave and its dependence on atmospheric environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krueger, Ronald R.; Krasinski, Jerzy S.; Radzewicz, Czeslaw

1993-06-01

High speed shadow photography is performed on excimer laser ablated porcine corneas and rubber stoppers to capture the excimer laser induced shock waves at various time delays between 40 and 320 nanoseconds. The shock waves in air, nitrogen, and helium are recorded by tangentially illuminating the ablated surface with a tunable dye laser, the XeCl excimer laser pulse. The excimer laser ablates the specimen and excites the dye laser, which is then passed through an optical delay line before illuminating the specimen. The shadow of the shock wave produced during ablation is then cast on a screen and photographed with a CCD video camera. The system is pulsed at 30 times per second to allow a video recording of the shock wave at a fixed time delay. We conclude that high energy acoustic waves and gaseous particles are liberated during excimer laser corneal ablation, and dissipate on a submicrosecond time scale. The velocity of their dissipation is dependent on the atmospheric environment and can be increased two-fold when the ablation is performed in a helium atmosphere. Therefore, local temperature increases due to the liberation of high energy gases may be reduced by using helium during corneal photoablation.

Continuous wave power scaling in high power broad area quantum cascade lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suttinger, M.; Leshin, J.; Go, R.; Figueiredo, P.; Shu, H.; Lyakh, A.

2018-02-01

Experimental and model results for high power broad area quantum cascade lasers are presented. Continuous wave power scaling from 1.62 W to 2.34 W has been experimentally demonstrated for 3.15 mm-long, high reflection-coated 5.6 μm quantum cascade lasers with 15 stage active region for active region width increased from 10 μm to 20 μm. A semi-empirical model for broad area devices operating in continuous wave mode is presented. The model uses measured pulsed transparency current, injection efficiency, waveguide losses, and differential gain as input parameters. It also takes into account active region self-heating and sub-linearity of pulsed power vs current laser characteristic. The model predicts that an 11% improvement in maximum CW power and increased wall plug efficiency can be achieved from 3.15 mm x 25 μm devices with 21 stages of the same design but half doping in the active region. For a 16-stage design with a reduced stage thickness of 300Å, pulsed roll-over current density of 6 kA/cm2 , and InGaAs waveguide layers; optical power increase of 41% is projected. Finally, the model projects that power level can be increased to 4.5 W from 3.15 mm × 31 μm devices with the baseline configuration with T0 increased from 140 K for the present design to 250 K.

Laboratory model of the cardiovascular system for experimental demonstration of pulse wave propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stojadinović, Bojana; Nestorović, Zorica; Djurić, Biljana; Tenne, Tamar; Zikich, Dragoslav; Žikić, Dejan

2017-03-01

The velocity by which a disturbance moves through the medium is the wave velocity. Pulse wave velocity is among the key parameters in hemodynamics. Investigation of wave propagation through the fluid-filled elastic tube has a great importance for the proper biophysical understanding of the nature of blood flow through the cardiovascular system. Here, we present a laboratory model of the cardiovascular system. We have designed an experimental setup which can help medical and nursing students to properly learn and understand basic fluid hemodynamic principles, pulse wave and the phenomenon of wave propagation in blood vessels. Demonstration of wave propagation allowed a real time observation of the formation of compression and expansion waves by students, thus enabling them to better understand the difference between the two waves, and also to measure the pulse wave velocity for different fluid viscosities. The laboratory model of the cardiovascular system could be useful as an active learning methodology and a complementary tool for understanding basic principles of hemodynamics.

Chirped pulse digital holography for measuring the sequence of ultrafast optical wavefronts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karasawa, Naoki

2018-04-01

Optical setups for measuring the sequence of ultrafast optical wavefronts using a chirped pulse as a reference wave in digital holography are proposed and analyzed. In this method, multiple ultrafast object pulses are used to probe the temporal evolution of ultrafast phenomena and they are interfered with a chirped reference wave to record a digital hologram. Wavefronts at different times can be reconstructed separately from the recorded hologram when the reference pulse can be treated as a quasi-monochromatic wave during the pulse width of each object pulse. The feasibility of this method is demonstrated by numerical simulation.

Shock Wave Technology and Application: An Update☆

PubMed Central

Rassweiler, Jens J.; Knoll, Thomas; Köhrmann, Kai-Uwe; McAteer, James A.; Lingeman, James E.; Cleveland, Robin O.; Bailey, Michael R.; Chaussy, Christian

2012-01-01

Context The introduction of new lithotripters has increased problems associated with shock wave application. Recent studies concerning mechanisms of stone disintegration, shock wave focusing, coupling, and application have appeared that may address some of these problems. Objective To present a consensus with respect to the physics and techniques used by urologists, physicists, and representatives of European lithotripter companies. Evidence acquisition We reviewed recent literature (PubMed, Embase, Medline) that focused on the physics of shock waves, theories of stone disintegration, and studies on optimising shock wave application. In addition, we used relevant information from a consensus meeting of the German Society of Shock Wave Lithotripsy. Evidence synthesis Besides established mechanisms describing initial fragmentation (tear and shear forces, spallation, cavitation, quasi-static squeezing), the model of dynamic squeezing offers new insight in stone comminution. Manufacturers have modified sources to either enlarge the focal zone or offer different focal sizes. The efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) can be increased by lowering the pulse rate to 60–80 shock waves/min and by ramping the shock wave energy. With the water cushion, the quality of coupling has become a critical factor that depends on the amount, viscosity, and temperature of the gel. Fluoroscopy time can be reduced by automated localisation or the use of optical and acoustic tracking systems. There is a trend towards larger focal zones and lower shock wave pressures. Conclusions New theories for stone disintegration favour the use of shock wave sources with larger focal zones. Use of slower pulse rates, ramping strategies, and adequate coupling of the shock wave head can significantly increase the efficacy and safety of ESWL. PMID:21354696

Electromagnetic pulses, localized and causal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lekner, John

2018-01-01

We show that pulse solutions of the wave equation can be expressed as time Fourier superpositions of scalar monochromatic beam wave functions (solutions of the Helmholtz equation). This formulation is shown to be equivalent to Bateman's integral expression for solutions of the wave equation, for axially symmetric solutions. A closed-form one-parameter solution of the wave equation, containing no backward-propagating parts, is constructed from a beam which is the tight-focus limit of two families of beams. Application is made to transverse electric and transverse magnetic pulses, with evaluation of the energy, momentum and angular momentum for a pulse based on the general localized and causal form. Such pulses can be represented as superpositions of photons. Explicit total energy and total momentum values are given for the one-parameter closed-form pulse.

Superconducting traveling wave accelerators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Farkas, Z.D.

1984-11-01

This note considers the applicability of superconductivity to traveling wave accelerators. Unlike CW operation of a superconducting standing wave or circulating wave accelerator section, which requires improvement factors (superconductor conductivity divided by copper conductivity) of about 10/sup 6/ in order to be of practical use, a SUperconducting TRaveling wave Accelerator, SUTRA, operating in the pulsed mode requires improvement factors as low as about 10/sup 3/, which are attainable with niobium or lead at 4.2K, the temperature of liquid helium at atmospheric pressure. Changing from a copper traveling wave accelerator to SUTRA achieves the following. (1) For a given gradient SUTRAmore » reduces the peak and average power requirements typically by a factor of 2. (2) SUTRA reduces the peak power still further because it enables us to increase the filling time and thus trade pulse width for gradient. (3) SUTRA makes possible a reasonably long section at higher frequencies. (4) SUTRA makes possible recirculation without additional rf average power. 8 references, 6 figures, 1 table.« less

Generation of spin waves by a train of fs-laser pulses: a novel approach for tuning magnon wavelength.

PubMed

Savochkin, I V; Jäckl, M; Belotelov, V I; Akimov, I A; Kozhaev, M A; Sylgacheva, D A; Chernov, A I; Shaposhnikov, A N; Prokopov, A R; Berzhansky, V N; Yakovlev, D R; Zvezdin, A K; Bayer, M

2017-07-18

Currently spin waves are considered for computation and data processing as an alternative to charge currents. Generation of spin waves by ultrashort laser pulses provides several important advances with respect to conventional approaches using microwaves. In particular, focused laser spot works as a point source for spin waves and allows for directional control of spin waves and switching between their different types. For further progress in this direction it is important to manipulate with the spectrum of the optically generated spin waves. Here we tackle this problem by launching spin waves by a sequence of femtosecond laser pulses with pulse interval much shorter than the relaxation time of the magnetization oscillations. This leads to the cumulative phenomenon and allows us to generate magnons in a specific narrow range of wavenumbers. The wavelength of spin waves can be tuned from 15 μm to hundreds of microns by sweeping the external magnetic field by only 10 Oe or by slight variation of the pulse repetition rate. Our findings expand the capabilities of the optical spin pump-probe technique and provide a new method for the spin wave generation and control.

Autogenerator of beams of charged particles

DOEpatents

Adler, Richard J.; Mazarakis, Michael G.; Miller, Robert B.; Shope, Steven L.; Smith, David L.

1986-01-01

An autogenerating apparatus provides secondary intense relativistic current beam pulses in response to an injected beam pulse. One or more electromagnetic energy storage devices are provided in conjunction with gaps along a beam propagation path for the injected beam pulse. For injected beam pulses which are no longer than double the transit time of electromagnetic waves within the storage devices (which may be resonant cavities), distinct secondary beam pulses are generated by each of the energy storage devices. The beam propagation path, together with the one or more gaps provided therein, operates as a pulse forming transmission line cavity, in which the separate cavities associated with the gaps provide delays for electromagnetic waves generated at the gaps. After doubly traversing the cavity, the electromagnetic waves cause the gap to generate the secondary beam pulses, which are thus delayed by a time interval equal to the double transit time for the induced wave within the cavity.

Autogenerator of beams of charged particles

DOEpatents

Adler, R.J.; Mazarakis, M.G.; Miller, R.M.; Shope, S.L.; Smith, D.L.

1983-10-31

An autogenerating apparatus provides secondary intense relativistic current beam pulses in response to an injected beam pulse. One or more electromagnetic energy storage devices are provided in conjunction with gaps along a beam propagation path for the injected beam pulse. For injected beam pulses which are no longer than double the transit time of electromagnetic waves within the storage devices (which may be resonant cavities), distinct secondary beam pulses are generated by each of the energy storage devices. The beam propagation path, together with the one or more gaps provided therein, operates as a pulse forming transmission line cavity, in which the separate cavities associated with the gaps provide delays for electromagnetic waves generated at the gaps. After doubly traversing the cavity, the electromagnetic waves cause the gap to generate the secondary beam pulses, which are thus delayed by a time interval equal to the double transit time for the induced wave within the cavity.

Associations between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Arterial Stiffness: A Prospective Analysis Based on the Maine-Syracuse Study.

PubMed

Elias, Merrill F; Crichton, Georgina E; Dearborn, Peter J; Robbins, Michael A; Abhayaratna, Walter P

2018-03-01

The aim of this study was to investigate prospective associations between type 2 diabetes mellitus status and the gold standard non-invasive method for ascertaining arterial stiffness, carotid femoral pulse wave velocity. The prospective analysis employed 508 community-dwelling participants (mean age 61 years, 60% women) from the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study. Pulse wave velocity at wave 7 (2006-2010) was compared between those with type 2 diabetes mellitus at wave 6 (2001-2006) ( n = 52) and non-diabetics at wave 6 ( n = 456), with adjustment for demographic factors, cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle- and pulse wave velocity-related factors. Type 2 diabetes mellitus status was associated with a significantly higher pulse wave velocity (12.5 ± 0.36 vs. 10.4 ± 0.12 m/s). Multivariate adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle- and pulse wave velocity-related variables did not attenuate the findings. The risk of an elevated pulse wave velocity (≥12 m/s) was over 9 times higher for those with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus than for those without diabetes (OR 9.14, 95% CI 3.23-25.9, p < 0.001). Type 2 diabetes mellitus, particularly if uncontrolled, is significantly associated with risk of arterial stiffness later in life. Effective management of diabetes mellitus is an important element of protection from arterial stiffness.

Strong terahertz emission by optical rectification of shaped laser pulse in transversely magnetized plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Ram Kishor; Singh, Monika; Rajouria, Satish Kumar; Sharma, R. P.

2017-07-01

This communication presents a theoretical model for efficient terahertz (THz) radiation generation by the optical rectification of shaped laser pulse in transversely magnetised ripple density plasma. The laser beam imparts a nonlinear ponderomotive force to the electron and this force exerts a nonlinear velocity component in both transverse and axial directions which have spectral components in the THz range. These velocity components couple with the pre-existing density ripple and give rise to a strong nonlinear current density which drives the THz wave in the plasma. The THz yield increases with the increasing strength of the background magnetic field and the sensitivity depends on the ripple wave number. The emitted power is directly proportional to the square of the amplitude of the density ripple. For exact phase matching condition, the normalised power of the generated THz wave can be achieved of the order of 10-4.

Peregrine rogue waves induced by the interaction between a continuous wave and a soliton.

PubMed

Yang, Guangye; Li, Lu; Jia, Suotang

2012-04-01

Based on the soliton solution on a continuous wave background for an integrable Hirota equation, the reduction mechanism and the characteristics of the Peregrine rogue wave in the propagation of femtosecond pulses of optical fiber are discussed. The results show that there exist two processes of the formation of the Peregrine rogue wave: one is the localized process of the continuous wave background, and the other is the reduction process of the periodization of the bright soliton. The characteristics of the Peregrine rogue wave are exhibited by strong temporal and spatial localization. Also, various initial excitations of the Peregrine rogue wave are performed and the results show that the Peregrine rogue wave can be excited by a small localized (single peak) perturbation pulse of the continuous wave background, even for the nonintegrable case. The numerical simulations show that the Peregrine rogue wave is unstable. Finally, through a realistic example, the influence of the self-frequency shift to the dynamics of the Peregrine rogue wave is discussed. The results show that in the absence of the self-frequency shift, the Peregrine rogue wave can split into several subpulses; however, when the self-frequency shift is considered, the Peregrine rogue wave no longer splits and exhibits mainly a peak changing and an increasing evolution property of the field amplitude.

Pulse wave imaging using coherent compounding in a phantom and in vivo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zacharias Apostolakis, Iason; McGarry, Matthew D. J.; Bunting, Ethan A.; Konofagou, Elisa E.

2017-03-01

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness linked to cardiovascular morbidity. Pulse wave imaging (PWI) is a technique developed by our group for imaging the pulse wave propagation in vivo. PWI requires high temporal and spatial resolution, which conventional ultrasonic imaging is unable to simultaneously provide. Coherent compounding is known to address this tradeoff and provides full aperture images at high frame rates. This study aims to implement PWI using coherent compounding within a GPU-accelerated framework. The results of the implemented method were validated using a silicone phantom against static mechanical testing. Reproducibility of the measured PWVs was assessed in the right common carotid of six healthy subjects (n  =  6) approximately 10-15 mm before the bifurcation during two cardiac cycles over the course of 1-3 d. Good agreement of the measured PWVs (3.97  ±  1.21 m s-1, 4.08  ±  1.15 m s-1, p  =  0.74) was obtained. The effects of frame rate, transmission angle and number of compounded plane waves on PWI performance were investigated in the six healthy volunteers. Performance metrics such as the reproducibility of the PWVs, the coefficient of determination (r 2), the SNR of the PWI axial wall velocities (\\text{SN}{{\\text{R}}{{\\text{v}_{\\text{PWI}}}}} ) and the percentage of lateral positions where the pulse wave appears to arrive at the same time-point, indicating inadequacy of the temporal resolution (i.e. temporal resolution misses) were used to evaluate the effect of each parameter. Compounding plane waves transmitted at 1° increments with a linear array yielded optimal performance, generating significantly higher r 2 and \\text{SN}{{\\text{R}}{{\\text{v}_{\\text{PWI}}}}} values (p  ⩽  0.05). Higher frame rates (⩾1667 Hz) produced improvements with significant gains in the r 2 coefficient (p  ⩽  0.05) and significant increase in both r 2 and \\text{SN}{{\\text{R}}{{\\text{v}_{\\text{PWI}}}}} from single plane wave imaging to 3-plane wave compounding (p  ⩽  0.05). Optimal performance was established at 2778 Hz with 3 plane waves and at 1667 Hz with 5 plane waves.

Picosecond pulses from wavelength-swept continuous-wave Fourier domain mode-locked lasers.

PubMed

Eigenwillig, Christoph M; Wieser, Wolfgang; Todor, Sebastian; Biedermann, Benjamin R; Klein, Thomas; Jirauschek, Christian; Huber, Robert

2013-01-01

Ultrafast lasers have a crucial function in many fields of science; however, up to now, high-energy pulses directly from compact, efficient and low-power semiconductor lasers are not available. Therefore, we introduce a new approach based on temporal compression of the continuous-wave, wavelength-swept output of Fourier domain mode-locked lasers, where a narrowband optical filter is tuned synchronously to the round-trip time of light in a kilometre-long laser cavity. So far, these rapidly swept lasers enabled orders-of-magnitude speed increase in optical coherence tomography. Here we report on the generation of ~60-70 ps pulses at 390 kHz repetition rate. As energy is stored optically in the long-fibre delay line and not as population inversion in the laser-gain medium, high-energy pulses can now be generated directly from a low-power, compact semiconductor-based oscillator. Our theory predicts subpicosecond pulses with this new technique in the future.

Picosecond pulses from wavelength-swept continuous-wave Fourier domain mode-locked lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eigenwillig, Christoph M.; Wieser, Wolfgang; Todor, Sebastian; Biedermann, Benjamin R.; Klein, Thomas; Jirauschek, Christian; Huber, Robert

2013-05-01

Ultrafast lasers have a crucial function in many fields of science; however, up to now, high-energy pulses directly from compact, efficient and low-power semiconductor lasers are not available. Therefore, we introduce a new approach based on temporal compression of the continuous-wave, wavelength-swept output of Fourier domain mode-locked lasers, where a narrowband optical filter is tuned synchronously to the round-trip time of light in a kilometre-long laser cavity. So far, these rapidly swept lasers enabled orders-of-magnitude speed increase in optical coherence tomography. Here we report on the generation of ~60-70 ps pulses at 390 kHz repetition rate. As energy is stored optically in the long-fibre delay line and not as population inversion in the laser-gain medium, high-energy pulses can now be generated directly from a low-power, compact semiconductor-based oscillator. Our theory predicts subpicosecond pulses with this new technique in the future.

Comparison of laboratory and ambulatory measures of central blood pressure and pulse wave reflection: hitting the target or missing the mark?

PubMed

Burns, Matthew J; Seed, Jeremy D; Incognito, Anthony V; Doherty, Connor J; Notay, Karambir; Millar, Philip J

2018-04-01

Prior studies demonstrating clinical significance of noninvasive estimates of central blood pressure (BP) and pulse wave reflection have relied primarily on discrete resting measures. The aim of this study was to compare central BP and pulse wave reflection measures sampled during a single resting laboratory visit against those obtained under ambulatory conditions. The secondary aim was to investigate the reproducibility of ambulatory central BP and pulse wave reflection measurements. Forty healthy participants (21 males; 24 ± 3 years) completed three measurements of brachial artery pulse wave analysis (Oscar 2 with SphygmoCor Inside) in the laboratory followed by 24 hours of ambulatory monitoring. Seventeen participants repeated the 24-hour ambulatory monitoring visit after at least 1 week. Ambulatory measures were divided into daytime (9 AM-9 PM), nighttime (1 AM-6 AM), and 24-hour periods. Compared with laboratory measurements, central systolic BP, augmentation pressure, and augmentation index (with and without heart rate normalization) were higher (all P < .01) during daytime and 24-hour periods but lower during the nighttime period (all P < .001). The drop in nighttime brachial systolic BP was larger than central systolic pressure (Δ -20 ± 6 vs. -15 ± 6 mm Hg; P < .0001). Repeat ambulatory measurements of central BP and pulse wave reflection displayed good-to-excellent intraclass correlation coefficients (r = 0.58-0.86; all P < .01), although measures of pulse wave reflection had higher coefficients of variation (14%-41%). The results highlight absolute differences in central BP and pulse wave reflection between discrete laboratory and ambulatory conditions. The use of ambulatory measures of central BP and pulse wave reflection warrant further investigation for clinical prognostic value. Copyright © 2018 American Heart Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An analysis of beam parameters on proton-acoustic waves through an analytic approach.

PubMed

Kipergil, Esra Aytac; Erkol, Hakan; Kaya, Serhat; Gulsen, Gultekin; Unlu, Mehmet Burcin

2017-06-21

It has been reported that acoustic waves are generated when a high-energy pulsed proton beam is deposited in a small volume within tissue. One possible application of proton-induced acoustics is to get real-time feedback for intra-treatment adjustments by monitoring such acoustic waves. A high spatial resolution in ultrasound imaging may reduce proton range uncertainty. Thus, it is crucial to understand the dependence of the acoustic waves on the proton beam characteristics. In this manuscript, firstly, an analytic solution for the proton-induced acoustic wave is presented to reveal the dependence of the signal on the beam parameters; then it is combined with an analytic approximation of the Bragg curve. The influence of the beam energy, pulse duration and beam diameter variation on the acoustic waveform are investigated. Further analysis is performed regarding the Fourier decomposition of the proton-acoustic signals. Our results show that the smaller spill time of the proton beam upsurges the amplitude of the acoustic wave for a constant number of protons, which is hence beneficial for dose monitoring. The increase in the energy of each individual proton in the beam leads to the spatial broadening of the Bragg curve, which also yields acoustic waves of greater amplitude. The pulse duration and the beam width of the proton beam do not affect the central frequency of the acoustic wave, but they change the amplitude of the spectral components.

Effect of viscosity on the wave propagation: Experimental determination of compression and expansion pulse wave velocity in fluid-fill elastic tube.

PubMed

Stojadinović, Bojana; Tenne, Tamar; Zikich, Dragoslav; Rajković, Nemanja; Milošević, Nebojša; Lazović, Biljana; Žikić, Dejan

2015-11-26

The velocity by which the disturbance travels through the medium is the wave velocity. Pulse wave velocity is one of the main parameters in hemodynamics. The study of wave propagation through the fluid-fill elastic tube is of great importance for the proper biophysical understanding of the nature of blood flow through of cardiovascular system. The effect of viscosity on the pulse wave velocity is generally ignored. In this paper we present the results of experimental measurements of pulse wave velocity (PWV) of compression and expansion waves in elastic tube. The solutions with different density and viscosity were used in the experiment. Biophysical model of the circulatory flow is designed to perform measurements. Experimental results show that the PWV of the expansion waves is higher than the compression waves during the same experimental conditions. It was found that the change in viscosity causes a change of PWV for both waves. We found a relationship between PWV, fluid density and viscosity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modeling the Pulse Signal by Wave-Shape Function and Analyzing by Synchrosqueezing Transform

PubMed Central

Wang, Chun-Li; Yang, Yueh-Lung; Wu, Wen-Hsiang; Tsai, Tung-Hu; Chang, Hen-Hong

2016-01-01

We apply the recently developed adaptive non-harmonic model based on the wave-shape function, as well as the time-frequency analysis tool called synchrosqueezing transform (SST) to model and analyze oscillatory physiological signals. To demonstrate how the model and algorithm work, we apply them to study the pulse wave signal. By extracting features called the spectral pulse signature, and based on functional regression, we characterize the hemodynamics from the radial pulse wave signals recorded by the sphygmomanometer. Analysis results suggest the potential of the proposed signal processing approach to extract health-related hemodynamics features. PMID:27304979

Modeling the Pulse Signal by Wave-Shape Function and Analyzing by Synchrosqueezing Transform.

PubMed

Wu, Hau-Tieng; Wu, Han-Kuei; Wang, Chun-Li; Yang, Yueh-Lung; Wu, Wen-Hsiang; Tsai, Tung-Hu; Chang, Hen-Hong

2016-01-01

We apply the recently developed adaptive non-harmonic model based on the wave-shape function, as well as the time-frequency analysis tool called synchrosqueezing transform (SST) to model and analyze oscillatory physiological signals. To demonstrate how the model and algorithm work, we apply them to study the pulse wave signal. By extracting features called the spectral pulse signature, and based on functional regression, we characterize the hemodynamics from the radial pulse wave signals recorded by the sphygmomanometer. Analysis results suggest the potential of the proposed signal processing approach to extract health-related hemodynamics features.

[De-noising and measurement of pulse wave velocity of the wavelet].

PubMed

Liu, Baohua; Zhu, Honglian; Ren, Xiaohua

2011-02-01

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a vital index of the cardiovascular pathology, so that the accurate measurement of PWV can be of benefit for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The noise in the measure system of pulse wave signal, rounding error and selection of the recording site all cause errors in the measure result. In this paper, with wavelet transformation to eliminate the noise and to raise the precision, and with the choice of the point whose slope was maximum as the recording site of the reconstructing pulse wave, the measuring system accuracy was improved.

Optical Production and Detection of Ultrasonic Waves in Metals for Nondestructive Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrison, R. A.

1972-01-01

Ultrasonic waves were produced by striking the surface of a metal with the focused one-joule pulse of a Q-switched ruby laser. Rayleigh (surface) waves and longitudinal waves were detected with conventional transducers. Optical methods of detection were tested and developed. Rayleigh waves were produced with an oscillator and transducer. They were optically detected on curved polished surfaces, and on unpolished surfaces. The technique uses a knife edge to detect small angle changes of the surface as the wave pulse passes the illuminated spot. Optical flaw detection using pulse echo and attenuation is demonstrated.

Observed stratospheric downward reflection, and its relation to upward pulses of wave activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harnik, N.

2009-04-01

We examine the differences between observed stratospheric vertical wave reflection and wave absorption events, which differ in that the wave induced deceleration remains confined to upper levels in the former. The two types of events signify two types of stratospheric winter dynamics, associated with different downward coupling to the troposphere (Perlwitz and Harnik, 2004). Using time lag composites, we find that the main factor influencing which event will occur is the duration, in time, of the upward pulse of wave activity entering the stratosphere from the troposphere. Short pulses accelerate the flow at their trailing edge in the lower stratosphere while they decelerate it at upper levels, resulting in a vertical shear reversal, and corresponding downward reflection, while long pulses continue decelerating the vortex at progressively lower levels. The confinement of deceleration to upper levels for short wave forcing pulses is also found in an idealized model of an interaction between a planetary wave and the stratospheric vortex, though some aspects of the wave geometry evolution, and thus vertical reflection, are not captured realistically in the model. The results suggest the stratospheric influence on the type of wave interaction, in reality, is indirect - through a possible effect on the duration of upward wave fluxes through the tropopause.

Human Pulse Wave Measurement by MEMS Electret Condenser Microphone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nomura, Shusaku; Hanasaka, Yasushi; Ishiguro, Tadashi; Ogawa, Hiroshi

A micro Electret Condenser Microphone (ECM) fabricated by Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) technology was employed as a novel apparatus for human pulse wave measurement. Since ECM frequency response characteristic, i.e. sensitivity, logically maintains a constant level at lower than the resonance frequency (stiffness control), the slightest pressure difference at around 1.0Hz generated by human pulse wave is expected to detect by MEMS-ECM. As a result of the verification of frequency response of MEMS-ECM, it was found that -20dB/dec of reduction in the sensitivity around 1.0Hz was engendered by a high input-impedance amplifier, i.e. the field effect transistor (FET), mounted near MEMS chip for amplifying tiny ECM signal. Therefore, MEMS-ECM is assumed to be equivalent with a differentiation circuit at around human pulse frequency. Introducing compensation circuit, human pulse wave was successfully obtained. In addition, the radial and ulnar artery tracing, and pulse wave velocity measurement at forearm were demonstrated; as illustrating a possible application of this micro device.

Temperature dependence of the pulse-duration memory effect in NbSe3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, T. C.; Simpson, C. R., Jr.; Clayhold, J. A.; McCarten, J. P.

2000-04-01

The temperature dependence of the oscillatory response of the 59 K charge-density wave in NbSe3 to a sequence of repetitive current pulses was investigated. For 52 K>T>45 K the learned behavior commonly referred to as the pulse-duration memory effect (PDME) is very evident; after training the voltage oscillation always finishes the pulse at a minimum. At lower temperatures the PDME changes qualitatively. In nonswitching samples the voltage oscillation always finishes the pulse increasing. In switching samples there is a conduction delay which becomes fixed after training, but no learning of the duration of the pulse.

Simulation of the excitation of quasi-plane wake waves in a plasma by a resonant sequence of laser pulses with a variable envelope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kalinnikova, E. I.; Levchenko, V. D.

2008-04-15

Results are presented from full-scale numerical simulations of the excitation of wake waves by a sequence of weakly relativistic laser pulses in a subcritical plasma. Computations were carried out with a 2D3V version of the SUR-CA code that is based on the local-recursive nonlocal-asynchronous algorithm of the particle-in-cell method. The parameters of a train of laser pulses were chosen to correspond to the resonant excitation of the wake field. The curvature of the envelope of the pulses was chosen to depend on the number of the pulse in the train. Numerical simulations showed that there are plane waves during themore » first period of the plasma wave behind the pulse train.« less

Atomistic simulations of ultra-short pulse laser ablation of aluminum: validity of the Lambert-Beer law

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eisfeld, Eugen; Roth, Johannes

2018-05-01

Based on hybrid molecular dynamics/two-temperature simulations, we study the validity of the application of Lambert-Beer's law, which is conveniently used in various modeling approaches of ultra-short pulse laser ablation of metals. The method is compared to a more rigorous treatment, which involves solving the Helmholtz wave equation for different pulse durations ranging from 100 fs to 5 ps and a wavelength of 800 nm. Our simulations show a growing agreement with increasing pulse durations, and we provide appropriate optical parameters for all investigated pulse durations.

Attosecond electromagnetic pulse generation due to the interaction of a relativistic soliton with a breaking-wake plasma wave.

PubMed

Isanin, A V; Bulanov, S S; Kamenets, F F; Pegoraro, F

2005-03-01

During the interaction of a low-frequency relativistic soliton with the electron density modulations of a wake plasma wave, part of the electromagnetic energy of the soliton is reflected in the form of an extremely short and ultraintense electromagnetic pulse. We calculate the spectra of the reflected and of the transmitted electromagnetic pulses analytically. The reflected wave has the form of a single cycle attosecond pulse.

Strong sub-terahertz surface waves generated on a metal wire by high-intensity laser pulses

PubMed Central

Tokita, Shigeki; Sakabe, Shuji; Nagashima, Takeshi; Hashida, Masaki; Inoue, Shunsuke

2015-01-01

Terahertz pulses trapped as surface waves on a wire waveguide can be flexibly transmitted and focused to sub-wavelength dimensions by using, for example, a tapered tip. This is particularly useful for applications that require high-field pulses. However, the generation of strong terahertz surface waves on a wire waveguide remains a challenge. Here, ultrafast field propagation along a metal wire driven by a femtosecond laser pulse with an intensity of 1018 W/cm2 is characterized by femtosecond electron deflectometry. From experimental and numerical results, we conclude that the field propagating at the speed of light is a half-cycle transverse-magnetic surface wave excited on the wire and a considerable portion of the kinetic energy of laser-produced fast electrons can be transferred to the sub-surface wave. The peak electric field strength of the surface wave and the pulse duration are estimated to be 200 MV/m and 7 ps, respectively. PMID:25652694

Stringlike Pulse Quantification Study by Pulse Wave in 3D Pulse Mapping

PubMed Central

Chung, Yu-Feng; Yeh, Cheng-Chang; Si, Xiao-Chen; Chang, Chien-Chen; Hu, Chung-Shing; Chu, Yu-Wen

2012-01-01

Abstract Background A stringlike pulse is highly related to hypertension, and many classification approaches have been proposed in which the differentiation pulse wave (dPW) can effectively classify the stringlike pulse indicating hypertension. Unfortunately, the dPW method cannot distinguish the spring stringlike pulse from the stringlike pulse so labeled by physicians in clinics. Design By using a Bi-Sensing Pulse Diagnosis Instrument (BSPDI), this study proposed a novel Plain Pulse Wave (PPW) to classify a stringlike pulse based on an array of pulse signals, mimicking a Traditional Chinese Medicine physician's finger-reading skill. Results In comparison to PPWs at different pulse taking positions, phase delay Δθand correlation coefficient r can be elucidated as the quantification parameters of stringlike pulse. As a result, the recognition rates of a hypertensive stringlike pulse, spring stringlike pulse, and non–stringlike pulse are 100%, 100%, 77% for PPW and 70%, 0%, 59% for dPW, respectively. Conclusions Integrating dPW and PPW can unify the classification of stringlike pulse including hypertensive stringlike pulse and spring stringlike pulse. Hence, the proposed novel method, PPW, enhances quantification of stringlike pulse. PMID:23057481

Particle energy distributions and metastable atoms in transient low pressure interpulse microwave plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, Shail; Nath Patel, Dudh; Ram Baitha, Anuj; Bhattacharjee, Sudeep

2015-12-01

The electron energies and its distribution function are measured in non-equilibrium transient pulsed microwave plasmas in the interpulse regime using a retarding field electron energy analyzer. The plasmas are driven to different initial conditions by varying the electromagnetic (EM) wave pulse duration, peak power, or the wave frequency. Two cases of wave excitation are investigated: (i) short-pulse (pulse duration, t w ~ 1 μs), high-power (~60 kW) waves of 9.45 GHz and (ii) medium-pulse (t w ~ 20 μs), and moderate power waves of ~3 kW at 2.45 GHz. It is found that high-power, short-duration pulses lead to a significantly different electron energy probability function (EEPF) in the interpulse phase—a Maxwellian with a bump on the tail, although the average energy per pulse (~60 mJ) is maintained the same in the two modes of wave excitation. Electrons with energies  >250 eV are found to exist in the discharge in the both cases. Another subset of experiments is performed to delineate the effect of the wave frequency and the peak power on EEPF. A traveling wave tube (TWT) amplifier based microwave source for generating pulsed plasma (t w  =  230 μs) in a wide frequency range (6-18 GHz) is employed for this purpose. Further experiments on measurements of metastable density using optical emission spectroscopy and ion energy analyzer have been carried out. By tailoring the EEPF of the transient plasma and metastable densities, new applications in plasma processing, chemistry and biology can be realized in the interpulse phase of the discharge.

Pulse wave myelopathy: An update of an hypothesis highlighting the similarities between syringomyelia and normal pressure hydrocephalus.

PubMed

Bateman, Grant A

2015-12-01

Most hypotheses trying to explain the pathophysiology of idiopathic syringomyelia involve mechanisms whereby CSF is pumped against a pressure gradient, from the subarachnoid space into the cord parenchyma. On review, these theories have universally failed to explain the disease process. A few papers have suggested that the syrinx fluid may originate from the cord capillary bed itself. However, in these papers, the fluid is said to accumulate due to impaired fluid drainage out of the cord. Again, there is little evidence to substantiate this. This proffered hypothesis looks at the problem from the perspective that syringomyelia and normal pressure hydrocephalus are almost identical in their manifestations but only differ in their site of effect within the neuraxis. It is suggested that the primary trigger for syringomyelia is a reduction in the compliance of the veins draining the spinal cord. This reduces the efficiency of the pulse wave dampening, occurring within the cord parenchyma, increasing arteriolar and capillary pulse pressure. The increased capillary pulse pressure opens the blood-spinal cord barrier due to a direct effect upon the wall integrity and interstitial fluid accumulates due to an increased secretion rate. An increase in arteriolar pulse pressure increases the kinetic energy within the cord parenchyma and this disrupts the cytoarchitecture allowing the fluid to accumulate into small cystic regions in the cord. With time the cystic regions coalesce to form one large cavity which continues to increase in size due to the ongoing interstitial fluid secretion and the hyperdynamic cord vasculature. Crown Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Engineering studies of vectorcardiographs in blood pressure measuring systems, appendix 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mark, R. G.

1975-01-01

The development of a cardiovascular monitoring system to noninvasively monitor the blood pressure and heart rate using pulse wave velocity was described. The following topics were covered: (1) pulse wave velocity as a measure of arterial blood pressure, (2) diastolic blood pressure and pulse wave velocity in humans, (3) transducer development for blood pressure measuring device, and (4) cardiovascular monitoring system. It was found, in experiments on dogs, that the pulse wave velocity is linearly related to diastolic blood pressure over a wide range of blood pressure and in the presence of many physiological perturbations. A similar relationship was observed in normal, young human males over a moderate range of pressures. Past methods for monitoring blood pressure and a new method based on pulse wave velocity determination were described. Two systems were tested: a Doppler ultrasonic transducer and a photoelectric plethysmograph. A cardiovascular monitoring system was described, including operating instructions.

Reconstructing surface wave profiles from reflected acoustic pulses using multiple receivers.

PubMed

Walstead, Sean P; Deane, Grant B

2014-08-01

Surface wave shapes are determined by analyzing underwater reflected acoustic signals collected at multiple receivers. The transmitted signals are of nominal frequency 300 kHz and are reflected off surface gravity waves that are paddle-generated in a wave tank. An inverse processing algorithm reconstructs 50 surface wave shapes over a length span of 2.10 m. The inverse scheme uses a broadband forward scattering model based on Kirchhoff's diffraction formula to determine wave shapes. The surface reconstruction algorithm is self-starting in that source and receiver geometry and initial estimates of wave shape are determined from the same acoustic signals used in the inverse processing. A high speed camera provides ground-truth measurements of the surface wave field for comparison with the acoustically derived surface waves. Within Fresnel zone regions the statistical confidence of the inversely optimized surface profile exceeds that of the camera profile. Reconstructed surfaces are accurate to a resolution of about a quarter-wavelength of the acoustic pulse only within Fresnel zones associated with each source and receiver pair. Multiple isolated Fresnel zones from multiple receivers extend the spatial extent of accurate surface reconstruction while overlapping Fresnel zones increase confidence in the optimized profiles there.

Ambulatory aortic blood pressure, wave reflections and pulse wave velocity are elevated during the third in comparison to the second interdialytic day of the long interval in chronic haemodialysis patients

PubMed Central

Koutroumbas, Georgios; Georgianos, Panagiotis I.; Sarafidis, Pantelis A.; Protogerou, Athanase; Karpetas, Antonios; Vakianis, Pantelis; Raptis, Vassilios; Liakopoulos, Vassilios; Panagoutsos, Stylianos; Syrganis, Christos; Passadakis, Ploumis

2015-01-01

Background Increased arterial stiffness and aortic blood pressure (BP) are independent predictors of cardiovascular outcomes in end-stage renal disease. The 3-day interdialytic interval is associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in haemodialysis. This study investigated differences in ambulatory aortic BP and arterial stiffness between the second and third day of the long interdialytic interval. Methods Ambulatory BP monitoring with Mobil-O-Graph monitor (IEM, Stolberg, Germany) was performed in 55 haemodialysis patients during a 3-day interval. Mobil-O-Graph records oscillometric brachial BP and pulse waves and calculates aortic BP and augmentation index (AIx) as measure of wave reflections, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) as measure of arterial stiffness. Results Ambulatory aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were higher during the third versus second interdialytic day (123.6 ± 17.0 versus 118.5 ± 17.1 mmHg, P < 0.001; 81.5 ± 11.8 versus 78 ± 11.9 mmHg, P < 0.001, respectively). Similar differences were noted for brachial BP. Ambulatory AIx and PWV were also significantly increased during the third versus second day (30.5 ± 9.9 versus 28.8 ± 9.9%, P < 0.05; 9.6 ± 2.3 versus 9.4 ± 2.3 m/s, P < 0.001, respectively). Differences between Days 2 and 3 remained significant when day-time and night-time periods were compared separately. Aortic SBP and DBP, AIx and PWV showed gradual increases from the end of dialysis session onwards. Interdialytic weight gain was a strong determinant of the increase in the above parameters. Conclusions This study showed significantly higher ambulatory aortic BP, AIx and PWV levels during the third compared with the second interdialytic day. These findings support a novel pathway for increased cardiovascular risk during the third interdialytic day in haemodialysis. PMID:25920919

Efficient and broadband Stokes wave generation by degenerate four-wave mixing at the mid-infrared wavelength in a silica photonic crystal fiber.

PubMed

Yuan, Jinhui; Sang, Xinzhu; Wu, Qiang; Zhou, Guiyao; Yu, Chongxiu; Wang, Kuiru; Yan, Binbin; Han, Ying; Farrell, Gerald; Hou, Lantian

2013-12-15

Based on degenerate four-wave mixing (FWM), the broadband Stokes waves are efficiently generated at the mid-infrared wavelength above 2 μm, for the first time to our knowledge, by coupling the femtosecond pulses into the fundamental mode of a silica photonic crystal fiber designed and fabricated in our laboratory. Influences of the power and wavelength of pump pulses on the phase-matched frequency conversion process are discussed. When pump pulses with central wavelength of 815 nm and average power of 300 mW are used, the output power ratio of the Stokes wave generated at 2226 nm and the residual pump wave P(s)/P(res) is estimated to be 10.8:1, and the corresponding conversion efficiency η(s) and bandwidth B(s) of the Stokes wave can be up to 26% and 33 nm, respectively. The efficient and broadband Stokes waves can be used as the ultrashort pulse sources for mid-infrared photonics and spectroscopy.

Rotary wave-ejector enhanced pulse detonation engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nalim, M. R.; Izzy, Z. A.; Akbari, P.

2012-01-01

The use of a non-steady ejector based on wave rotor technology is modeled for pulse detonation engine performance improvement and for compatibility with turbomachinery components in hybrid propulsion systems. The rotary wave ejector device integrates a pulse detonation process with an efficient momentum transfer process in specially shaped channels of a single wave-rotor component. In this paper, a quasi-one-dimensional numerical model is developed to help design the basic geometry and operating parameters of the device. The unsteady combustion and flow processes are simulated and compared with a baseline PDE without ejector enhancement. A preliminary performance assessment is presented for the wave ejector configuration, considering the effect of key geometric parameters, which are selected for high specific impulse. It is shown that the rotary wave ejector concept has significant potential for thrust augmentation relative to a basic pulse detonation engine.

Aortic Blood Flow Reversal Determines Renal Function: Potential Explanation for Renal Dysfunction Caused by Aortic Stiffening in Hypertension.

PubMed

Hashimoto, Junichiro; Ito, Sadayoshi

2015-07-01

Aortic stiffness determines the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and predicts the progressive decline of the GFR. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains obscure. Recent evidence has shown a close link between aortic stiffness and the bidirectional (systolic forward and early diastolic reverse) flow characteristics. We hypothesized that the aortic stiffening-induced renal dysfunction is attributable to altered central flow dynamics. In 222 patients with hypertension, Doppler velocity waveforms were recorded at the proximal descending aorta to calculate the reverse/forward flow ratio. Tonometric waveforms were recorded to measure the carotid-femoral (aortic) and carotid-radial (peripheral) pulse wave velocities, to estimate the aortic pressure from the radial waveforms, and to compute the aortic characteristic impedance. In addition, renal hemodynamics was evaluated by duplex ultrasound. The estimated GFR was inversely correlated with the aortic pulse wave velocity, reverse/forward flow ratio, pulse pressure, and characteristic impedance, whereas it was not correlated with the peripheral pulse wave velocity or mean arterial pressure. The association between aortic pulse wave velocity and estimated GFR was independent of age, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and antihypertensive medication. However, further adjustment for the aortic reverse/forward flow ratio and pulse pressure substantially weakened this association, and instead, the reverse/forward flow ratio emerged as the strongest determinant of estimated GFR (P=0.001). A higher aortic reverse/forward flow ratio was also associated with lower intrarenal forward flow velocities. These results suggest that an increase in aortic flow reversal (ie, retrograde flow from the descending thoracic aorta toward the aortic arch), caused by aortic stiffening and impedance mismatch, reduces antegrade flow into the kidney and thereby deteriorates renal function. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

Chirped-Pulse Millimeter-Wave Spectroscopy of Rydberg-Rydberg Transitions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prozument, Kirill; Colombo, Anthony P.; Zhou Yan

2011-09-30

Transitions between Rydberg states of Ca atoms, in a pulsed, supersonic atomic beam, are directly detected by chirped-pulse millimeter-wave spectroscopy. Broadband, high-resolution spectra with accurate relative intensities are recorded instantly. Free induction decay (FID) of atoms, polarized by the chirped pulse, at their Rydberg-Rydberg transition frequencies, is heterodyne detected, averaged in the time domain, and Fourier transformed into the frequency domain. Millimeter-wave transient nutations are observed, and the possibility of FID evolving to superradiance is discussed.

Phase and frequency structure of superradiance pulses generated by relativistic Ka-band backward-wave oscillator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rostov, V. V.; Romanchenko, I. V.; Elchaninov, A. A.

2016-08-15

Phase and frequency stability of electromagnetic oscillations in sub-gigawatt superradiance (SR) pulses generated by an extensive slow-wave structure of a relativistic Ka-band backward-wave oscillator were experimentally investigated. Data on the frequency tuning and radiation phase stability of SR pulses with a variation of the energy and current of electron beam were obtained.

Electro-optic Q-switch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zou, Yingyin (Inventor); Chen, Qiushui (Inventor); Zhang, Run (Inventor); Jiang, Hua (Inventor)

2006-01-01

An electro-optic Q-switch for generating sequence of laser pulses was disclosed. The Q-switch comprises a quadratic electro-optic material and is connected with an electronic unit generating a radio frequency wave with positive and negative pulses alternatively. The Q-switch is controlled by the radio frequency wave in such a way that laser pulse is generated when the radio frequency wave changes its polarity.

Underwater acoustic wave generation by filamentation of terawatt ultrashort laser pulses.

PubMed

Jukna, Vytautas; Jarnac, Amélie; Milián, Carles; Brelet, Yohann; Carbonnel, Jérôme; André, Yves-Bernard; Guillermin, Régine; Sessarego, Jean-Pierre; Fattaccioli, Dominique; Mysyrowicz, André; Couairon, Arnaud; Houard, Aurélien

2016-06-01

Acoustic signals generated by filamentation of ultrashort terawatt laser pulses in water are characterized experimentally. Measurements reveal a strong influence of input pulse duration on the shape and intensity of the acoustic wave. Numerical simulations of the laser pulse nonlinear propagation and the subsequent water hydrodynamics and acoustic wave generation show that the strong acoustic emission is related to the mechanism of superfilamention in water. The elongated shape of the plasma volume where energy is deposited drives the far-field profile of the acoustic signal, which takes the form of a radially directed pressure wave with a single oscillation and a very broad spectrum.

Coded Excitation Plane Wave Imaging for Shear Wave Motion Detection

PubMed Central

Song, Pengfei; Urban, Matthew W.; Manduca, Armando; Greenleaf, James F.; Chen, Shigao

2015-01-01

Plane wave imaging has greatly advanced the field of shear wave elastography thanks to its ultrafast imaging frame rate and the large field-of-view (FOV). However, plane wave imaging also has decreased penetration due to lack of transmit focusing, which makes it challenging to use plane waves for shear wave detection in deep tissues and in obese patients. This study investigated the feasibility of implementing coded excitation in plane wave imaging for shear wave detection, with the hypothesis that coded ultrasound signals can provide superior detection penetration and shear wave signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) compared to conventional ultrasound signals. Both phase encoding (Barker code) and frequency encoding (chirp code) methods were studied. A first phantom experiment showed an approximate penetration gain of 2-4 cm for the coded pulses. Two subsequent phantom studies showed that all coded pulses outperformed the conventional short imaging pulse by providing superior sensitivity to small motion and robustness to weak ultrasound signals. Finally, an in vivo liver case study on an obese subject (Body Mass Index = 40) demonstrated the feasibility of using the proposed method for in vivo applications, and showed that all coded pulses could provide higher SNR shear wave signals than the conventional short pulse. These findings indicate that by using coded excitation shear wave detection, one can benefit from the ultrafast imaging frame rate and large FOV provided by plane wave imaging while preserving good penetration and shear wave signal quality, which is essential for obtaining robust shear elasticity measurements of tissue. PMID:26168181

Arterial stiffness, pressure and flow pulsatility and brain structure and function: the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility--Reykjavik study.

PubMed

Mitchell, Gary F; van Buchem, Mark A; Sigurdsson, Sigurdur; Gotal, John D; Jonsdottir, Maria K; Kjartansson, Ólafur; Garcia, Melissa; Aspelund, Thor; Harris, Tamara B; Gudnason, Vilmundur; Launer, Lenore J

2011-11-01

Aortic stiffness increases with age and vascular risk factor exposure and is associated with increased risk for structural and functional abnormalities in the brain. High ambient flow and low impedance are thought to sensitize the cerebral microcirculation to harmful effects of excessive pressure and flow pulsatility. However, haemodynamic mechanisms contributing to structural brain lesions and cognitive impairment in the presence of high aortic stiffness remain unclear. We hypothesized that disproportionate stiffening of the proximal aorta as compared with the carotid arteries reduces wave reflection at this important interface and thereby facilitates transmission of excessive pulsatile energy into the cerebral microcirculation, leading to microvascular damage and impaired function. To assess this hypothesis, we evaluated carotid pressure and flow, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, brain magnetic resonance images and cognitive scores in participants in the community-based Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility--Reykjavik study who had no history of stroke, transient ischaemic attack or dementia (n = 668, 378 females, 69-93 years of age). Aortic characteristic impedance was assessed in a random subset (n = 422) and the reflection coefficient at the aorta-carotid interface was computed. Carotid flow pulsatility index was negatively related to the aorta-carotid reflection coefficient (R = -0.66, P<0.001). Carotid pulse pressure, pulsatility index and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity were each associated with increased risk for silent subcortical infarcts (hazard ratios of 1.62-1.71 per standard deviation, P<0.002). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was associated with higher white matter hyperintensity volume (0.108 ± 0.045 SD/SD, P = 0.018). Pulsatility index was associated with lower whole brain (-0.127 ± 0.037 SD/SD, P<0.001), grey matter (-0.079 ± 0.038 SD/SD, P = 0.038) and white matter (-0.128 ± 0.039 SD/SD, P<0.001) volumes. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (-0.095 ± 0.043 SD/SD, P = 0.028) and carotid pulse pressure (-0.114 ± 0.045 SD/SD, P = 0.013) were associated with lower memory scores. Pulsatility index was associated with lower memory scores (-0.165 ± 0.039 SD/SD, P<0.001), slower processing speed (-0.118 ± 0.033 SD/SD, P<0.001) and worse performance on tests assessing executive function (-0.155 ± 0.041 SD/SD, P<0.001). When magnetic resonance imaging measures (grey and white matter volumes, white matter hyperintensity volumes and prevalent subcortical infarcts) were included in cognitive models, haemodynamic associations were attenuated or no longer significant, consistent with the hypothesis that increased aortic stiffness and excessive flow pulsatility damage the microcirculation, leading to quantifiable tissue damage and reduced cognitive performance. Marked stiffening of the aorta is associated with reduced wave reflection at the interface between carotid and aorta, transmission of excessive flow pulsatility into the brain, microvascular structural brain damage and lower scores in various cognitive domains.

Damping of acoustic waves in a 1 kHz repetition rate XeCl laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sentis, M. L.; Canarelli, P.; Delaporte, Ph.; Forestier, B. M.; Fontaine, B. L.

To increase the pulse repetition frequency, the average power, and the beam quality of excimer laser systems, the problem of damping of the strong acoustic waves induced by the active medium excitation must be solved. In order to achieve this goal, different electrodes and acoustic damping configuration have been studied. Excitation of the active medium at high repetition rate (up to 1000 Hz) in a subsonic loop was achieved by means of a classical discharge, through transfer capacitors. The discharge is preionized by X-rays generated by a wire ion plasma gun. The effects of different kinds of electrodes (solid, screen, nickel felt) and transversal acoustic dampers on the stability of the discharge and on the pulse to pulse output energy are discussed.

Energy-optimal electrical excitation of nerve fibers.

PubMed

Jezernik, Saso; Morari, Manfred

2005-04-01

We derive, based on an analytical nerve membrane model and optimal control theory of dynamical systems, an energy-optimal stimulation current waveform for electrical excitation of nerve fibers. Optimal stimulation waveforms for nonleaky and leaky membranes are calculated. The case with a leaky membrane is a realistic case. Finally, we compare the waveforms and energies necessary for excitation of a leaky membrane in the case where the stimulation waveform is a square-wave current pulse, and in the case of energy-optimal stimulation. The optimal stimulation waveform is an exponentially rising waveform and necessitates considerably less energy to excite the nerve than a square-wave pulse (especially true for larger pulse durations). The described theoretical results can lead to drastically increased battery lifetime and/or decreased energy transmission requirements for implanted biomedical systems.

Arterial stiffness in people with Type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnoea.

PubMed

Hvelplund Kristiansen, M; Banghøj, A M; Laugesen, E; Tarnow, L

2018-05-15

To examine whether people with Type 2 diabetes with concurrent obstructive sleep apnoea have increased arterial stiffness as compared with people with Type 2 diabetes without obstructive sleep apnoea. In a study with a case-control design, 40 people with Type 2 diabetes and treatment-naïve moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index ≥15) and a control group of 31 people with Type 2 diabetes without obstructive sleep apnoea (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index <5) were examined. Obstructive sleep apnoea status was evaluated using the ApneaLink ® + home-monitoring device (Resmed Inc., San Diego, CA, USA), providing the Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index scores. Arterial stiffness was assessed according to carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity using the Sphygmocor device and the oscillometric Mobil-O-Graph ® (I.E.M. GmbH, Stolberg, Germany). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was not significantly different between participants with Type 2 diabetes with obstructive sleep apnoea and those without obstructive sleep apnoea (10.7±2.2 m/s vs 10.3±2.1 m/s; P=0.513), whereas oscillometric pulse wave velocity was significantly higher in participants with Type 2 diabetes with obstructive sleep apnoea than in those without obstructive sleep apnoea (9.5±1.0 m/s vs 8.6±1.4 m/s; P=0.002). In multiple regression analysis, age (P=0.002), gender (men; P=0.018) and HbA 1c (P=0.027) were associated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, and systolic blood pressure (P=0.004) and age (P<0.001) were associated with oscillometric pulse wave velocity. After adjustment, presence of obstructive sleep apnoea was not independently associated with pulse wave velocity whether assessed by tonometry or oscillometry. In conclusion, the present study did not find an age- and blood pressure-independent association between moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea and arterial stiffness in non-sleepy people with Type 2 diabetes. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT02482584). © 2018 Diabetes UK.

A Persistent Feature of Multiple Scattering of Waves in the Time-Domain: A Tutorial

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lock, James A.; Mishchenko, Michael I.

2015-01-01

The equations for frequency-domain multiple scattering are derived for a scalar or electromagnetic plane wave incident on a collection of particles at known positions, and in the time-domain for a plane wave pulse incident on the same collection of particles. The calculation is carried out for five different combinations of wave types and particle types of increasing geometrical complexity. The results are used to illustrate and discuss a number of physical and mathematical characteristics of multiple scattering in the frequency- and time-domains. We argue that frequency-domain multiple scattering is a purely mathematical construct since there is no temporal sequencing information in the frequency-domain equations and since the multi-particle path information can be dispelled by writing the equations in another mathematical form. However, multiple scattering becomes a definite physical phenomenon in the time-domain when the collection of particles is illuminated by an appropriately short localized pulse.

Propagation behavior of the stress wave in a hollow Hopkinson transmission bar

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, G.; Shen, X.; Guo, C.; Vecchio, K. S.; Jiang, F.

2018-03-01

In order to investigate the stress wave propagation behavior through a hollow elastic bar that is used in a Hopkinson-bar-loaded fracture testing system, three-point bending fracture experiments were performed in such a system. The effects of sample span and diameter and wall thickness of the hollow elastic bar on the stress wave propagation behavior were studied numerically using the software of ANSYS/LS-DYNA. The experimental results demonstrated that the incident, reflected, and transmitted pulses calculated by the finite element method are coincident with those obtained from the Hopkinson-bar-loaded fracture tests. Compared to the solid transmission bar, the amplitude of the transmitted pulse is relatively larger in the hollow transmission bar under the same loading conditions and decreases with increasing wall thickness. On the other hand, when the inside diameter is fixed, the effect of the wall thickness on the stress wave characteristics is more obvious.

Experimental Investigation of the Properties of an Acoustic Wave Induced by Laser Ablation of a Solid Target in Water-Confined Plasma Propulsion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Zhiyuan; Gao, Hua; Gao, Lu; Xing, Jie

2014-11-01

Acoustic waves generated in nanosecond pulsed-laser ablation of a solid target in both air and water-confined environments were measured experimentally. It was found that the amplitude of the acoustic wave tended to decrease with an increase in water thickness. The waves were analyzed by means of fast Fourier transform. It was shown that there are several frequency components in the acoustic waves with the dominant frequency shifting from high frequency to low frequency as the thickness of the water layer increases. Furthermore, strong acoustic pressure led to enhancement of the coupling of the laser energy to the target in laser plasma propulsion.

[Research on vigilance detection based on pulse wave].

PubMed

Cao, Yong; Jiao, Xuejun; Pan, Jinjin; Jiang, Jin; Fu, Jiahao; Xu, Fenggang; Yang, Hanjun

2017-12-01

This paper studied the rule for the change of vigilance based on pulse wave. 10 participants were recruited in a 95-minute Mackworth clock test (MCT) experiment. During the experiment, the vigilance of all participants were evaluated by Karolinska sleepiness scale (KSS) and Stanford sleepiness scale (SSS), and behavior data (the reaction time and the accuracy of target) and pulse wave signal of the participants were recorded simultaneously. The result indicated that vigilance of the participants can be divided into 3 classes: the first 30 minutes for high vigilance level, the middle 30 minutes for general vigilance level, and the last 30 minutes for low vigilance level. Besides, time domain features such as amplitude of secondary peak, amplitude of peak and the latency of secondary peak decreased with the decrease of vigilance, while the amplitude of troughs increased. In terms of frequency domain features, the energy of 4 frequency band including 8.600 ~ 9.375 Hz, 11.720 ~ 12.500 Hz, 38.280 ~ 39.060 Hz and 39.060 ~ 39.840 Hz decreased with the decrease of vigilance. Finally, under the recognition model established by the 8 characteristics mentioned above, the average accuracy of three-classification results over the 10 participants was as high as 88.7%. The results of this study confirmed the feasibility of pulse wave in the evaluation of vigilance, and provided a new way for the real-time monitoring of vigilance.

Color Doppler sonography and angioscintigraphy in hepatic Hodgkin’s lymphoma

PubMed Central

Stojković, Mirjana V; Artiko, Vera M; Radoman, Irena B; Knežević, Slavko J; Lukić, Snezana M; Kerkez, Mirko D; Lekić, Nebojsa S; Antić, Andrija A; Žuvela, Marinko M; Ranković, Vitomir I; Petrović, Milorad N; Šobić, Dragana P; Obradović, Vladimir B

2009-01-01

AIM: To estimate the characteristics of Color Doppler findings and the results of hepatic radionuclide angiography (HRA) in secondary Hodgkin’s hepatic lymphoma. METHODS: The research included patients with a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma with metastatic focal lesions in the liver and controls. Morphologic characteristics of focal liver lesions and hemodynamic parameters were examined by pulsed and Color Doppler in the portal, hepatic and splenic veins were examined. Hepatic perfusion index (HPI) estimated by HRA was calculated. RESULTS: In the majority of patients, hepatomegaly was observed. Lesions were mostly hypoechoic and mixed, solitary or multiple. Some of the patients presented with dilated splenic veins and hepatofugal blood flow. A pulse wave was registered in the centre and at the margins of lymphoma. The average velocity of the pulse wave was higher at the margins (P > 0.05). A continuous venous wave was found only at the margins of lymphoma. There was no linear correlation between lymphoma size and velocity of pulse and continuous wave (r = 390, P < 0.01). HPI was significantly lower in patients with lymphomas than in controls (P < 0.05), pointing out increased arterial perfusion in comparison to portal perfusion. CONCLUSION: Color Doppler ultrasonography is a sensitive method for the detection of neovascularization in Hodgkin’s hepatic lymphoma and estimation of its intensity. Hepatic radionuclide angiography can additionally help in the assesment of vascularisation of liver lesions. PMID:19598303

978-nm square-wave in an all-fiber single-mode ytterbium-doped fiber laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shujie; Xu, Lixin; Gu, Chun

2018-01-01

A 978 nm single mode passively mode-locked all-fiber laser delivering square-wave pulses was demonstrated using a figure-8 cavity and a 75 cm commercial double-clad ytterbium-doped fiber. We found the three-level system near 978 nm was able to operate efficiently under clad pumping, simultaneously oscillation around 1030 nm well inhibited. The optimized nonlinear amplifying loop mirror made the mode locking stable and performed the square-pulses shaping. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time to report the square-wave pulse fiber laser operating at 980 nm. The spectral width of the 978 mode-locked square pulses was about 4 nm, far greater than that of the mode-locked square pulses around 1060 nm reported before, which would be helpful to deeply understand the various square-wave pulses' natures and forming mechanisms. Compared with modulated single-mode or multimode 980 nm LDs, this kind of 980 nm square-wave sources having higher brightness, more steeper rising and falling edge and shorter pulse width, might have potential applications in pumping nanosecond ytterbium or erbium fiber lasers and amplifiers.

Optical generation of millimeter-wave pulses using a fiber Bragg grating in a fiber-optics system.

PubMed

Ye, Qing; Qu, Ronghui; Fang, Zujie

2007-04-10

A scheme is proposed to transform an optical pulse into a millimeter-wave frequency modulation pulse by using a weak fiber Bragg grating (FBG) in a fiber-optics system. The Fourier transformation method is used to obtain the required spectrum response function of the FBG for the Gaussian pulse, soliton pulse, and Lorenz shape pulse. On the condition of the first-order Born approximation of the weak fiber grating, the relation of the refractive index distribution and the spectrum response function of the FBG satisfies the Fourier transformation, and the corresponding refractive index distribution forms are obtained for single-frequency modulation and linear-frequency modulation millimeter-wave pulse generation. The performances of the designed fiber gratings are also studied by a numerical simulation method for a supershort pulse transmission.

Arterial wave reflection and aortic valve calcification in an elderly community-based cohort.

PubMed

Sera, Fusako; Russo, Cesare; Iwata, Shinichi; Jin, Zhezhen; Rundek, Tatjana; Elkind, Mitchell S V; Homma, Shunichi; Sacco, Ralph L; Di Tullio, Marco R

2015-04-01

Aortic valve calcification (AVC) without stenosis is common in the elderly, is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and may progress to aortic valve stenosis. Arterial stiffness and pulse-wave reflection are important components of proximal aortic hemodynamics, but their relationship with AVC is not established. To investigate the relationship of arterial wave reflection and stiffness with AVC, pulse wave analysis and AVC evaluation by echocardiography were performed in 867 participants from the Cardiovascular Abnormalities and Brain Lesions study. Participants were divided into four categories on the basis of the severity and extent of AVC: (1) none or mild focal AVC, (2) mild diffuse AVC, (3) moderate to severe focal AVC, and (4) moderate to severe diffuse AVC. Central blood pressures and pulse pressure, total arterial compliance, augmentation index, and time to wave reflection were assessed using applanation tonometry. Indicators of arterial stiffness and wave reflection were significantly associated with AVC severity, except for central systolic and diastolic pressures and time to reflection. After adjustment for pertinent covariates (age, sex, race/ethnicity, and estimated glomerular filtration rate), only augmentation pressure (P = .02) and augmentation index (P = .002) were associated with the severity of AVC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that augmentation pressure (odds ratio per mm Hg, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.27; P = .02) and augmentation index (odds ratio per percentage point, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.13; P = .02) were associated with an increased risk for moderate to severe diffuse AVC, even when central blood pressure value was included in the same model. Arterial wave reflection is associated with AVC severity, independent of blood pressure values. Increased contribution of wave reflection to central blood pressure could be involved in the process leading to AVC. Copyright © 2015 American Society of Echocardiography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Central blood pressure and pulse wave velocity: relationship to target organ damage and cardiovascular morbidity-mortality in diabetic patients or metabolic syndrome. An observational prospective study. LOD-DIABETES study protocol.

PubMed

Gómez-Marcos, Manuel A; Recio-Rodríguez, José I; Rodríguez-Sánchez, Emiliano; Castaño-Sánchez, Yolanda; de Cabo-Laso, Angela; Sánchez-Salgado, Benigna; Rodríguez-Martín, Carmela; Castaño-Sánchez, Carmen; Gómez-Sánchez, Leticia; García-Ortiz, Luis

2010-03-18

Diabetic patients show an increased prevalence of non-dipping arterial pressure pattern, target organ damage and elevated arterial stiffness. These alterations are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.The objectives of this study are the following: to evaluate the prognostic value of central arterial pressure and pulse wave velocity in relation to the incidence and outcome of target organ damage and the appearance of cardiovascular episodes (cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, chest pain and stroke) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome. This is an observational prospective study with 5 years duration, of which the first year corresponds to patient inclusion and initial evaluation, and the remaining four years to follow-up. The study will be carried out in the urban primary care setting. Consecutive sampling will be used to include patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 20-80 years of age. A total of 110 patients meeting all the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria will be included. Patient age and sex, family and personal history of cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular risk factors. Height, weight, heart rate and abdominal circumference. Laboratory tests: hemoglobin, lipid profile, creatinine, microalbuminuria, glomerular filtration rate, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood insulin, fibrinogen and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Clinical and 24-hour ambulatory (home) blood pressure monitoring and self-measured blood pressure. Common carotid artery ultrasound for the determination of mean carotid intima-media thickness. Electrocardiogram for assessing left ventricular hypertrophy. Ankle-brachial index. Retinal vascular study based on funduscopy with non-mydriatic retinography and evaluation of pulse wave morphology and pulse wave velocity using the SphygmoCor system. The medication used for diabetes, arterial hypertension and hyperlipidemia will be registered, together with antiplatelet drugs. The results of this study will help to know and quantify the prognostic value of central arterial pressure and pulse wave velocity in relation to the evolution of the subclinical target organ damage markers and the possible incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

A pulse coding and decoding strategy to perform Lamb wave inspections using simultaneously multiple actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Marchi, Luca; Marzani, Alessandro; Moll, Jochen; Kudela, Paweł; Radzieński, Maciej; Ostachowicz, Wiesław

2017-07-01

The performance of Lamb wave based monitoring systems, both in terms of diagnosis time and data complexity, can be enhanced by increasing the number of transducers used to actuate simultaneously the guided waves in the inspected medium. However, in case of multiple simultaneously-operated actuators the interference among the excited wave modes within the acquired signals has to be considered for the further processing. To this aim, in this work a code division strategy based on the Warped Frequency Transform is presented. At first, the proposed procedure encodes actuation pulses using Gold sequences. Next, for each considered actuator the acquired signals are compensated from dispersion by cross correlating the warped version of the actuated and received signals. Compensated signals form the base for a final wavenumber imaging meant at emphasizing defects and or anomalies by removing incident wavefield and edge reflections. The proposed strategy is tested numerically, and validated through an experiment in which guided waves are actuated in a plate by four piezoelectric transducers operating simultaneously.

Excitation of plasma waves by nonlinear currents induced by a high-frequency electromagnetic pulse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grishkov, V. E.; Uryupin, S. A.

2017-03-01

Excitation of plasma waves by nonlinear currents induced by a high-frequency electromagnetic pulse is analyzed within the kinetic approach. It is shown that the most efficient source of plasma waves is the nonlinear current arising due to the gradient of the energy density of the high-frequency field. Generation of plasma waves by the drag current is usually less efficient but not negligibly small at relatively high frequencies of electron-ion collisions. The influence of electron collisions on the excitation of plasma waves by pulses of different duration is described quantitatively.

Theory of spin and lattice wave dynamics excited by focused laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Ka; Bauer, Gerrit E. W.

2018-06-01

We develop a theory of spin wave dynamics excited by ultrafast focused laser pulses in a magnetic film. We take into account both the volume and surface spin wave modes in the presence of applied, dipolar and magnetic anisotropy fields and include the dependence on laser spot exposure size and magnetic damping. We show that the sound waves generated by local heating by an ultrafast focused laser pulse can excite a wide spectrum of spin waves (on top of a dominant magnon–phonon contribution). Good agreement with recent experiments supports the validity of the model.

Excitation of plasma waves by nonlinear currents induced by a high-frequency electromagnetic pulse

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grishkov, V. E.; Uryupin, S. A., E-mail: uryupin@sci.lebedev.ru

Excitation of plasma waves by nonlinear currents induced by a high-frequency electromagnetic pulse is analyzed within the kinetic approach. It is shown that the most efficient source of plasma waves is the nonlinear current arising due to the gradient of the energy density of the high-frequency field. Generation of plasma waves by the drag current is usually less efficient but not negligibly small at relatively high frequencies of electron–ion collisions. The influence of electron collisions on the excitation of plasma waves by pulses of different duration is described quantitatively.

Effect of temperature degeneracy and Landau quantization on drift solitary waves and double layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shan, Shaukat Ali; Haque, Q.

2018-01-01

The linear and nonlinear drift ion acoustic waves have been investigated in an inhomogeneous, magnetized, dense degenerate, and quantized magnetic field plasma. The linear drift ion acoustic wave propagation along with the nonlinear structures like double layers and solitary waves has been found to be strongly dependent on the drift speed, magnetic field quantization parameter β, and the temperature degeneracy. The graphical illustrations show that the frequency of linear waves and the amplitude of the solitary waves increase with the increase in temperature degeneracy and Landau quantization effect, while the amplitude of the double layers decreases with the increase in η and T. The relevance of the present study is pointed out in the plasma environment of fast ignition inertial confinement fusion, the white dwarf stars, and short pulsed petawatt laser technology.

Generation of ultra-wideband triplet pulses based on four-wave mixing and phase-to-intensity modulation conversion.

PubMed

Li, Wei; Wang, Li Xian; Hofmann, Werner; Zhu, Ning Hua; Bimberg, Dieter

2012-08-27

We propose and demonstrate a novel scheme to generate ultra-wideband (UWB) triplet pulses based on four-wave mixing and phase-to-intensity modulation conversion. First a phase-modulated Gaussian doublet pulse is generated by four-wave mixing in a highly nonlinear fiber. Then an UWB triplet pulse is generated by generating the first-order derivative of the phase-modulated Gaussian doublet pulse using an optical filter serving as a frequency discriminator. By locating the optical signal at the linear slope of the optical filter, the phase modulated Gaussian doublet pulse is converted to an intensity-modulated UWB triplet pulse which well satisfies the Federal Communications Commission spectral mask requirements, even in the extremely power-restricted global positioning system band.

Influence of humidity on the characteristics of negative corona discharge in air

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, Pengfei, E-mail: xpftsh@126.com; Zhang, Bo, E-mail: shizbcn@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn; He, Jinliang, E-mail: hejl@tsinghua.edu.cn

Detailed negative corona discharge characteristics, such as the pulse amplitude, repetition frequency, average corona current, rise time, and half-wave time, are systematically studied under various air humidities with a single artificial defect electrode. The experimental result reveals that the pulse amplitude increases with the increase of air humidity; meanwhile, the repetition frequency deceases as the air humidity increases. Empirical formulae are first established for the pulse amplitude and repetition frequency with the humidity factor taken into consideration. The effective ionization integral is calculated and a positive correlation is found between the integral and the pulse amplitude. Furthermore, a simplified negative-ionmore » cloud model is built up to investigate the mechanism of the humidity's influence on negative corona discharge. Based on the theoretical analyses, the correlation between pulse amplitude, repetition frequency, and air humidity is well explained.« less

Extension of harmonic cutoff in a multicycle chirped pulse combined with a chirp-free pulse

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu Junjie; Zeng Bin; Yu Yongli

2010-11-15

We demonstrate high-order harmonic generation in a wave form synthesized by a multicycle 800-nm chirped laser pulse and a chirp-free laser pulse. Compared with the case of using only a chirped pulse, both the harmonic cutoff and the extreme ultraviolet supercontinuum can be extended when a weak chirp-free pulse is combined with the chirped pulse. When chirp-free pulse intensity grows, the cutoff energy and bandwidth of the supercontinuum grow as well. It is found that the broad supercontinuum can be achieved for a driving pulse with long duration even though the driving pulse reaches 10 optical cycles. An isolated attosecondmore » pulse with duration of about 59 as is obtained, and after appropriate phase compensation with a duration of about 11 as. In addition, by performing time-frequency analyses and the classical trajectory simulation, the difference in supercontinuum generation between the preceding wave form and a similar wave form synthesized by an 800-nm fundamental pulse and a 1600-nm subharmonic pulse is investigated.« less

Pulse wave imaging in normal, hypertensive and aneurysmal human aortas in vivo: a feasibility study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ronny X.; Luo, Jianwen; Balaram, Sandhya K.; Chaudhry, Farooq A.; Shahmirzadi, Danial; Konofagou, Elisa E.

2013-07-01

Arterial stiffness is a well-established biomarker for cardiovascular risk, especially in the case of hypertension. The progressive stages of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) have also been associated with varying arterial stiffness. Pulse wave imaging (PWI) is a noninvasive, ultrasound imaging-based technique that uses the pulse wave-induced arterial wall motion to map the propagation of the pulse wave and measure the regional pulse wave velocity (PWV) as an index of arterial stiffness. In this study, the clinical feasibility of PWI was evaluated in normal, hypertensive, and aneurysmal human aortas. Radiofrequency-based speckle tracking was used to estimate the pulse wave-induced displacements in the abdominal aortic walls of normal (N = 15, mean age 32.5 ± 10.2 years), hypertensive (N = 13, mean age 60.8 ± 15.8 years), and aneurysmal (N = 5, mean age 71.6 ± 11.8 years) human subjects. Linear regression of the spatio-temporal variation of the displacement waveform in the anterior aortic wall over a single cardiac cycle yielded the slope as the PWV and the coefficient of determination r2 as an approximate measure of the pulse wave propagation uniformity. The aortic PWV measurements in all normal, hypertensive, and AAA subjects were 6.03 ± 1.68, 6.69 ± 2.80, and 10.54 ± 6.52 m s-1, respectively. There was no significant difference (p = 0.15) between the PWVs of the normal and hypertensive subjects while the PWVs of the AAA subjects were significantly higher (p < 0.001) compared to those of the other two groups. Also, the average r2 in the AAA subjects was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that in the normal and hypertensive subjects. These preliminary results suggest that the regional PWV and the pulse wave propagation uniformity (r2) obtained using PWI, in addition to the PWI images and spatio-temporal maps that provide qualitative visualization of the pulse wave, may potentially provide valuable information for the clinical characterization of aneurysms and other vascular pathologies that regionally alter the arterial wall mechanics.

Intracompartmental pressure as a predictor of intratesticular blood flow: a rat model.

PubMed

Watson, Matthew J; Bartkowski, Donald P; Nelson, Nathan C

2015-06-01

We identified an intratesticular pressure at which vascular flow would cease in a testicular compartment syndrome model, defining a critical vascular stop flow pressure. A total of 52 male Sprague Dawley® rats were used for the study. The testicle of each rat was delivered from the scrotum and size measurements were taken. An intracompartment pressure monitor needle was inserted into the testis to record basal intratesticular pressure. The monitor needle remained in the testicle for the duration of the procedure. Vascular flow within the testis was measured using a variable frequency linear ultrasound transducer with color flow and pulse wave Doppler modalities. Saline was infused through the compartment monitor in 5 mm Hg increments via a pressure infusion pump. Following each 5 mm Hg increase intratesticular vascular blood flow and velocities were recorded using color flow and pulse wave, respectively. Data collection proceeded until color flow images indicated a complete absence of flow within the testis. Using a paired t-test (p <0.0001), mean color flow stop flow pressure was 52.17 mm Hg (95% CI 49.57-54.77) and pulse wave stop flow pressure was 36.34 mm Hg (95% CI 33.90-38.77). Regression analysis of pulse wave vs color flow showed a slope of 0.6960 ± 0.09112, a y-intercept of 0.02427 ± 4.824 and an x-intercept of -0.03486. This is the first known study to characterize a stop flow pressure within the testicular parenchyma resulting from an increased intracompartmental pressure. Due to probe sensitivity limitations, color flow appears to provide the most precise mean pressure of occlusion of 52.17 mm Hg. Copyright © 2015 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of multipath laser shock processing on microhardness, surface roughness, and wear resistance of 2024-T3 Al alloy.

PubMed

Kadhim, Abdulhadi; Salim, Evan T; Fayadh, Saeed M; Al-Amiery, Ahmed A; Kadhum, Abdul Amir H; Mohamad, Abu Bakar

2014-01-01

Laser shock processing (LSP) is an innovative surface treatment technique with high peak power, short pulse, and cold hardening for strengthening metal materials. LSP is based on the application of a high intensity pulsed laser beam (I > 1 GW/cm(2); t < 50 ns) at the interface between the metallic target and the surrounding medium (a transparent confining material, normally water) forcing a sudden vaporization of the metallic surface into a high temperature and density plasma that immediately develops inducing a shock wave propagating into the material. The shock wave induces plastic deformation and a residual stress distribution in the target material. In this paper we study the increase of microhardness and surface roughness with the increase of laser pulse energy in 2024-T3 Al alloy. The influence of the thickness of the confining layer (water) on microhardness and surface roughness is also studied. In addition, the effect of LSP treatment with best conditions on wear behaviors of the alloy was investigated.

Strengthening of surface layer of material by wave deformation multi-contact loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirichek, A. V.; Barinov, S. V.; Aborkin, A. V.; Yashin, A. V.; Zaicev, A. A.

2018-03-01

It has been experimentally established that the possibility of multi-contact shock systems can transmit large total energy of the impact pulse to the deformation center. Thus, an increase in the number of instruments in a shock system from two to four, with the constant energy of the shock pulse, made it possible to increase the depth and the degree of hardening in the surface layer. The performance of multi-contact impact systems can be increased by 50% without degrading the hardening parameters by increasing the distance between the tools.

Slow and fast light via SBS in optical fibers for short pulses and broadband pump

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalosha, V. P.; Chen, Liang; Bao, Xiaoyi

2006-12-01

Slow-light effect via stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in single-mode optical fibers was considered for short probe pulses of nanosecond duration relevant to Gb/s data streams. Unlike recent estimations of delay versus pump based on steady-state small-signal approximation we have used numerical solution of three-wave equations describing SBS for a realistic fiber length. Both regimes of small signal and pump depletion (gain saturation) were considered. The physical origin of Stokes pulse distortion is revealed which is related to excitation of long-living acoustic field behind the pulse and prevents effective delay control by pump power increase at cw pumping. We have shown different slope of the gain-dependent delay for different pulse durations. Spectrally broadened pumping by multiple cw components, frequency-modulated pump and pulse train were studied for short pulses which allow to obtain large delay and suppress pulse distortion. In the pump-depletion regime of pumping by pulse train, both pulse delay and distortion decrease with increasing pump, and the pulse achieves advancement.

Generation of multicolor vacuum ultraviolet pulses through four-wave sum-frequency mixing in argon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Liping; Li, Wenxue; Zhou, Hui; Wang, Di; Ding, Liang'en; Zeng, Heping

2013-11-01

We demonstrate efficient generation of multicolor vacuum ultraviolet pulses with excellent mode quality through χ(3)-based four-wave sum-frequency mixing and third-order harmonic generation of 400- and 267-nm femtosecond laser pulses in argon gas. The χ(3)-based nonlinear optical processes were optimized with appropriate control of gas pressure and group velocity delay between the driving pulses. Furthermore, the pulse breakup effects were observed for tightly focused ultraviolet pulses.

Comparison of acoustic shock waves generated by micro and nanosecond lasers for a smart laser surgery system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguendon Kenhagho, Hervé K.; Rauter, Georg; Guzman, Raphael; C. Cattin, Philippe; Zam, Azhar

2018-02-01

Characterization of acoustic shock wave will guarantee efficient tissue differentiation as feedback to reduce the probability of undesirable damaging (i.e. cutting) of tissues in laser surgery applications. We ablated hard (bone) and soft (muscle) tissues using a nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm and a microsecond pulsed Er:YAG laser at 2.94 μm. When the intense short ns-pulsed laser is applied to material, the energy gain causes locally a plasma at the ablated spot that expands and propagates as an acoustic shock wave with a rarefaction wave behind the shock front. However, when using a μs-pulsed Er:YAG laser for material ablation, the acoustic shock wave is generated during the explosion of the ablated material. We measured and compared the emitted acoustic shock wave generated by a ns-pulsed Nd:YAG laser and a μs-pulsed Er:YAG laser measured by a calibrated microphone. As the acoustic shock wave attenuates as it propagates through air, the distance between ablation spots and a calibrated microphone was at 5 cm. We present the measurements on the propagation characteristics of the laser generated acoustic shock wave by measuring the arrival time-of-flight with a calibrated microphone and the energy-dependent evolution of acoustic parameters such as peak-topeak pressure, the ratio of the peak-to-peak pressures for the laser induced breakdown in air, the ablated muscle and the bone, and the spectral energy.

The Predictive Value of Pulse Oximeters for Pulse Improvement after Angiography in Infants and Children

PubMed Central

Alipour, Mohammad-Reza; Rastegar, Mazyar; Ghaderian, Mehdi; Namayandeh, Seyedeh-Mahdieh; Faraji, Reza; Pezeshkpour, Zohreh

2016-01-01

Background Information from pulse oximeter waves confirms the presence of a pulse and helps obtain waves from tissue when the supplying artery is not readily accessible. Objectives This study determined the predictive value of pulse oximeters for detecting improved arterial pulses after angiography. Patients and Methods This cross-sectional, multi-center study included 467 4-day-old to 12-year-old patients and was conducted from January 2012 to January 2016. Angiographies were performed on 12-year-old or younger children for various medical reasons using venous, arterial, or both types of paths. The posterior malleolar or dorsalis pedis were palpated in punctured lower extremities. In the absence of a pulse, pulse oximetry was performed to identify pulse curves at 1 hour, 6 hours, and 12 hours after each angiography. Results Pulse oximetry displayed the pulses of 319 patients immediately following each angiography. Of these, 262 patients had palpable pulses at 6 hours after angiography (P < 0.0001), while 57 patients had no palpable pulse. Of these 57 patients, 15 had no palpable pulse at 12 hours after angiography (P < 0.0001). The odds of pulse improvement in children 6 hours after catheter angiography were 76% for the arterial path, 90% for the venous path, and 83.2% for both paths. At 12 hours after catheter angiography, these values increased to 91.6% for the arterial path, 100% for the venous path, and 95.9% for both paths. Conclusions The pulse oximeter can display the pulse curve immediately (1 hour) after angiography and indicate pulse improvement at 12 hours maximally following an angiography. In this case, heparin alone may be used instead of thrombolytic agents. PMID:28203338

Amplification of pressure waves in laser-assisted endodontics with synchronized delivery of Er:YAG laser pulses.

PubMed

Lukač, Nejc; Jezeršek, Matija

2018-05-01

When attempting to clean surfaces of dental root canals with laser-induced cavitation bubbles, the resulting cavitation oscillations are significantly prolonged due to friction on the cavity walls and other factors. Consequently, the collapses are less intense and the shock waves that are usually emitted following a bubble's collapse are diminished or not present at all. A new technique of synchronized laser-pulse delivery intended to enhance the emission of shock waves from collapsed bubbles in fluid-filled endodontic canals is reported. A laser beam deflection probe, a high-speed camera, and shadow photography were used to characterize the induced photoacoustic phenomena during synchronized delivery of Er:YAG laser pulses in a confined volume of water. A shock wave enhancing technique was employed which consists of delivering a second laser pulse at a delay with regard to the first cavitation bubble-forming laser pulse. Influence of the delay between the first and second laser pulses on the generation of pressure and shock waves during the first bubble's collapse was measured for different laser pulse energies and cavity volumes. Results show that the optimal delay between the two laser pulses is strongly correlated with the cavitation bubble's oscillation period. Under optimal synchronization conditions, the growth of the second cavitation bubble was observed to accelerate the collapse of the first cavitation bubble, leading to a violent collapse, during which shock waves are emitted. Additionally, shock waves created by the accelerated collapse of the primary cavitation bubble and as well of the accompanying smaller secondary bubbles near the cavity walls were observed. The reported phenomena may have applications in improved laser cleaning of surfaces during laser-assisted dental root canal treatments.

Intermittent burst of a super rogue wave in the breathing multi-soliton regime of an anomalous fiber ring cavity.

PubMed

Lee, Seungjong; Park, Kyoungyoon; Kim, Hyuntai; Vazquez-Zuniga, Luis Alonso; Kim, Jinseob; Jeong, Yoonchan

2018-04-30

We report the intermittent burst of a super rogue wave in the multi-soliton (MS) regime of an anomalous-dispersion fiber ring cavity. We exploit the spatio-temporal measurement technique to log and capture the shot-to-shot wave dynamics of various pulse events in the cavity, and obtain the corresponding intensity probability density function, which eventually unveils the inherent nature of the extreme events encompassed therein. In the breathing MS regime, a specific MS regime with heavy soliton population, the natural probability of pulse interaction among solitons and dispersive waves exponentially increases owing to the extraordinarily high soliton population density. Combination of the probabilistically started soliton interactions and subsequently accompanying dispersive waves in their vicinity triggers an avalanche of extreme events with even higher intensities, culminating to a burst of a super rogue wave nearly ten times stronger than the average solitons observed in the cavity. Without any cavity modification or control, the process naturally and intermittently recurs within a time scale in the order of ten seconds.

Comparative study of methodologies for pulse wave velocity estimation.

PubMed

Salvi, P; Magnani, E; Valbusa, F; Agnoletti, D; Alecu, C; Joly, L; Benetos, A

2008-10-01

Arterial stiffness, estimated by pulse wave velocity (PWV), is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, the clinical applicability of these measurements and the elaboration of reference PWV values are difficult due to differences between the various devices used. In a population of 50 subjects aged 20-84 years, we compared PWV measurements with three frequently used devices: the Complior and the PulsePen, both of which determine aortic PWV as the delay between carotid and femoral pressure wave and the PulseTrace, which estimates the Stiffness Index (SI) by analyzing photoplethysmographic waves acquired on the fingertip. PWV was measured twice by each device. Coefficient of variation of PWV was 12.3, 12.4 and 14.5% for PulsePen, Complior and PulseTrace, respectively. These measurements were compared with the reference method, that is, a simultaneous acquisition of pressure waves using two tonometers. High correlation coefficients with the reference method were observed for PulsePen (r = 0.99) and Complior (r = 0.83), whereas for PulseTrace correlation with the reference method was much lower (r = 0.55). Upon Bland-Altman analysis, mean differences of values +/- 2s.d. versus the reference method were -0.15 +/- 0.62 m/s, 2.09 +/- 2.68 m/s and -1.12 +/- 4.92 m/s, for PulsePen, Complior and Pulse-Trace, respectively. This study confirms the reliability of Complior and PulsePen devices in estimating PWV, while the SI determined by the PulseTrace device was found to be inappropriate as a surrogate of PWV. The present results indicate the urgent need for evaluation and comparison of the different devices to standardize PWV measurements and establish reference values.

Self-reflection of extremely short light pulses in nonlinear optical waveguides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurasov, Alexander E.; Kozlov, Sergei A.

2004-07-01

An equation describing the generation of reflected radiation during the propagation of high-intensity extremely short pulses in a nonlinear optical waveguide is derived. The phenomena taking place during the strong self-inducted changes of the temporal structure of the forward wave are studied. It is shown that the duration of the backward pulse is much greater than the duration of the forward pulse and that the main part of the energy of the backward wave is carried by lower frequencies than the central frequency of the forward wave.

Effect of Shock Waves Generated by Pulsed Electric Discharges in Water on Yeast Cells and Virus Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girdyuk, A. E.; Gorshkov, A. N.; Egorov, V. V.; Kolikov, V. A.; Snetov, V. N.; Shneerson, G. A.

2018-02-01

The aim of this study is to determine the optimal parameters of the electric pulses and shock waves generated by them for the soft destruction of the virus and yeast envelopes with no changes in the structure of antigenic surface albumin and in the cell morphology in order to use them to produce antivirus vaccines and in biotechnology. The pulse electric discharges in water have been studied for different values of amplitude, pulse duration and the rate of the rise in the current. A mathematical model has been developed to estimate the optimal parameters of pulsed electric charges and shock waves for the complete destruction of the yeast cell envelopes and virus particles at a minimum of pulses.

Sequentially pulsed traveling wave accelerator

DOEpatents

Caporaso, George J [Livermore, CA; Nelson, Scott D [Patterson, CA; Poole, Brian R [Tracy, CA

2009-08-18

A sequentially pulsed traveling wave compact accelerator having two or more pulse forming lines each with a switch for producing a short acceleration pulse along a short length of a beam tube, and a trigger mechanism for sequentially triggering the switches so that a traveling axial electric field is produced along the beam tube in synchronism with an axially traversing pulsed beam of charged particles to serially impart energy to the particle beam.

Effect of cholesterol lowering on stiffness of aortic and femoral arterial walls in rabbits on a high fat diet.

PubMed

Xue, Li; Xu, Wan-Hai; Xu, Jin-Zhi; Zhang, Tong; Bi, Hong-Yuan; Shen, Bao-Zhong

2009-06-20

Researches in arterial elasticity have increased over the past few years. We investigated the effects of simvastatin on vascular stiffness in fat fed rabbits by ultrasonography. Thirty rabbits were assigned randomly to 3 groups: normal control group (A), the cholesterol group (B), simvastatin group (C: high fat diet for 4 weeks and high fat diet + simvastatin for further 4 weeks). Stiffness coefficient, pressure strain elastic modulus and velocity of pulse waves in abdominal aorta and femoral artery were measured by ultrasonographic echo tracking at the end of the 4th and the 8th weeks. At the end of the 4th week, stiffness coefficient, pressure strain elastic modulus and pulse wave velocity of femoral artery were significantly increased in group B compared with those in group A. Similarly, at the end of the 8th week, the same parameters of abdominal aorta were significantly increased in group B compared with those in group A. In contrast, stiffness coefficient, pressure strain elastic modulus and pulse wave velocity of femoral artery were significantly decreased in group C compared with those in group B, however, there was no significant difference in parameters of abdominal aorta between groups B and C. Short term administration of simvastatin can improve the elasticity of femoral artery but not abdominal aorta.

A study of phase explosion of metal using high power Nd:YAG laser ablation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yoh, Jack J.; Lee, H. H.; Choi, J. H.

2007-12-12

The interaction of high-power pulsed-laser beam with metal targets in air from 1.06 {mu}m, 5 ns, 3 J/pulse max, Nd:YAG pulsed laser is investigated together with hydrodynamic theories of laser-supported detonation (LSD) wave and multi-material reactive Euler equations. The high speed blast wave generated by the laser ablation of metal reaches maximum velocity of several thousand meters per second. The apparently similar flow conditions to those of reactive shock wave allow one to apply the equations of motion for energetic materials and to understand the explosive behavior of metal vaporization upon laser ablation. The characteristic time at which planar tomore » spherical wave transition occurs is confirmed at low (20 mJ/pulse) to higher (200 mJ/pulse) beam intensities. The flow structure behind the leading shock wave during the early planar shock state is confirmed by the high-resolution multi-material hydrocode originally developed for shock compression of condensed matter.« less

Noncontact sphygmomanometer based on pulse-wave transit time between the face and hand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakano, Kazuya; Ohnishi, Takashi; Nishidate, Izumi; Haneishi, Hideaki

2018-02-01

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is highly sensitive to various factors such as psychological stress, and hence its continuous monitoring is essential to evaluate different health conditions. However, conventional sphygmomanometers cannot continuously measure SBP given the time-consuming setup based on a pressure cuff. Moreover, continuous biological signal monitoring is more comfortable when no sensors are attached. A solution for continuous SBP estimation is based on pulse transit time (PTT), which determines the time difference between two pulse waves at different body parts. In previous studies, we successfully measured the PTT using a contactless setup composed by two digital color cameras recording the face and hand of subjects. Then, the acquired images were transformed into blood volume by combining multiple regression analysis and a Monte Carlo method. As a result, the delay among images allowed to determine the PPT from pulse waves. In this study, we simultaneously measured SBP and PTT by using a sphygmomanometer and the two cameras, respectively. We evaluated SBP increases (i.e., stressful situations) and the corresponding PPT by asking participants to either grasp a handgrip or momentarily interrupting breath. We also determined the SBP and PTT without asking for such exercises. Comparison results show that the mean PTT under stress was significantly lower than that without stress, which is consistent with an increased SBP. Finally, we related the SBP and PTT by a nonlinear formula with a coefficient of determination of 0.59, thus confirming the effectiveness of the proposed system.

Arterial stiffness and cardiovascular events: the Framingham Heart Study.

PubMed

Mitchell, Gary F; Hwang, Shih-Jen; Vasan, Ramachandran S; Larson, Martin G; Pencina, Michael J; Hamburg, Naomi M; Vita, Joseph A; Levy, Daniel; Benjamin, Emelia J

2010-02-02

Various measures of arterial stiffness and wave reflection have been proposed as cardiovascular risk markers. Prior studies have not assessed relations of a comprehensive panel of stiffness measures to prognosis in the community. We used proportional hazards models to analyze first-onset major cardiovascular disease events (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, heart failure, or stroke) in relation to arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PWV]), wave reflection (augmentation index, carotid-brachial pressure amplification), and central pulse pressure in 2232 participants (mean age, 63 years; 58% women) in the Framingham Heart Study. During median follow-up of 7.8 (range, 0.2 to 8.9) years, 151 of 2232 participants (6.8%) experienced an event. In multivariable models adjusted for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, use of antihypertensive therapy, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, smoking, and presence of diabetes mellitus, higher aortic PWV was associated with a 48% increase in cardiovascular disease risk (95% confidence interval, 1.16 to 1.91 per SD; P=0.002). After PWV was added to a standard risk factor model, integrated discrimination improvement was 0.7% (95% confidence interval, 0.05% to 1.3%; P<0.05). In contrast, augmentation index, central pulse pressure, and pulse pressure amplification were not related to cardiovascular disease outcomes in multivariable models. Higher aortic stiffness assessed by PWV is associated with increased risk for a first cardiovascular event. Aortic PWV improves risk prediction when added to standard risk factors and may represent a valuable biomarker of cardiovascular disease risk in the community.

Contrast Enhancement of the LOASIS CPA Laser and Effects on Electron Beam Performance of LWFA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Toth, Csaba; Gonsalves, Anthony J.; Panasenko, Dmitriy

2009-01-22

A nonlinear optical pulse cleaning technique based on cross-polarized wave (XPW) generation filtering [1] has been implemented to improve laser pulse contrast, and consequently to control pre-ionization in laser-plasma accelerator experiments. Three orders of magnitude improvement in pre-pulse contrast has been achieved, resulting in 4-fold increase in electron charge and improved stability of both the electron beam energy and THz radiation generated as a secondary process in the gas-jet-based LWFA experiments.

Aortic stiffness is associated with visceral adiposity in older adults enrolled in the study of health, aging, and body composition.

PubMed

Sutton-Tyrrell, K; Newman, A; Simonsick, E M; Havlik, R; Pahor, M; Lakatta, E; Spurgeon, H; Vaitkevicius, P

2001-09-01

The central arteries stiffen with age, causing hemodynamic alterations that have been associated with cardiovascular events. Changes in body fat with age may be related to aortic stiffening. The association between vascular stiffness and body fat was evaluated in 2488 older adults (mean age, 74 years; 52% female; 40% black) enrolled in the Study of Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC), a prospective study of changes in weight and body composition. Clinical sites were located in Pittsburgh, Pa, and Memphis, Tenn. Aortic pulse wave velocity was used as an indirect measure of aortic stiffness. A faster pulse wave velocity indicates a stiffer aorta. Body fat measures were evaluated with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography. Independent of age and blood pressure, pulse wave velocity was positively associated with weight, abdominal circumference, abdominal subcutaneous fat, abdominal visceral fat, thigh fat area, and total fat (P<0.001 for all). The strongest association was with abdominal visceral fat. Elevated pulse wave velocity was also positively associated with history of diabetes and higher levels of glucose, insulin, and hemoglobin A1c (P<0.001 for all). In multivariate analysis, independent positive associations with pulse wave velocity were found for age, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, abdominal visceral fat, smoking, hemoglobin A1c, and history of hypertension. The association between pulse wave velocity and abdominal visceral fat was consistent across tertiles of body weight. Among older adults, higher levels of visceral fat are associated with greater aortic stiffness as measured by pulse wave velocity.

Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of travelling pulses and spiral waves in the lattice Lotka-Volterra model.

PubMed

Makeev, Alexei G; Kurkina, Elena S; Kevrekidis, Ioannis G

2012-06-01

Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations are used to study the stochastic two-species Lotka-Volterra model on a square lattice. For certain values of the model parameters, the system constitutes an excitable medium: travelling pulses and rotating spiral waves can be excited. Stable solitary pulses travel with constant (modulo stochastic fluctuations) shape and speed along a periodic lattice. The spiral waves observed persist sometimes for hundreds of rotations, but they are ultimately unstable and break-up (because of fluctuations and interactions between neighboring fronts) giving rise to complex dynamic behavior in which numerous small spiral waves rotate and interact with each other. It is interesting that travelling pulses and spiral waves can be exhibited by the model even for completely immobile species, due to the non-local reaction kinetics.

Simulation study of the thermal and the thermoelastic effects induced by pulsed laser absorption in human skin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jae-Young; Jang, Kyungmin; Yang, Seung-Jin; Baek, Jun-Hyeok; Park, Jong-Rak; Yeom, Dong-Il; Kim, Ji-Sun; Kim, Hyung-Sik; Jun, Jae-Hoon; Chung, Soon-Cheol

2016-04-01

We studied the thermal and the mechanical effects induced by pulsed laser absorption in human skin by numerically solving the heat-transfer and the thermoelastic wave equations. The simulation of the heat-transfer equation yielded the spatiotemporal distribution of the temperature increase in the skin, which was then used in the driving term of the thermoelastic wave equation. We compared our simulation results for the temperature increase and the skin displacements with the measured and numerical results, respectively. For the comparison, we used a recent report by Jun et al. [Sci. Rep. 5, 11016 (2015)], who measured in vivo skin temperature and performed numerical simulation of the thermoelastic wave equation using a simple assumption about the temporal evolution of the temperature distribution, and found their results to be in good agreement with our results. In addition, we obtained solutions for the stresses in the human skin and analyzed their dynamic behaviors in detail.

Gastric electrical stimulation with short pulses reduces vomiting but not dysrhythmias in dogs.

PubMed

Chen, Jiande D Z; Qian, Liwei; Ouyang, Hui; Yin, Jieyun

2003-02-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of 3 different methods of electrical stimulation in the prevention of vasopressin-induced emetic response and gastric dysrhythmias. Seven female hound dogs chronically implanted with 4 pairs of electrodes on gastric serosa were used in a 5-session study. Saline and vasopressin were infused in sessions 1 and 2, respectively. In the other 3 sessions with vasopressin infusion, 3 different methods of electrical stimulation (short-pulse stimulation, long-pulse stimulation, and electroacupuncture) were applied. Gastric slow waves and vomiting and behaviors suggestive of nausea were recorded in each session. In a separate study, additional experiments were performed in 5 vagotomized dogs to investigate vagally mediated mechanisms. Vasopressin induced gastric dysrhythmias, uncoupling of slow waves, and vomiting and behaviors suggestive of nausea (P < 0.02, analysis of variance). Long-pulse stimulation, but not short-pulse stimulation or electroacupuncture, was capable of preventing vasopressin-induced gastric dysrhythmias and gastric slow wave uncoupling. Short-pulse stimulation and electroacupuncture, but not long-pulse stimulation, prevented vomiting and significantly reduced the symptom scores, which was not noted in the dogs with truncal vagotomy. Long-pulse stimulation normalizes vasopressin-induced slow wave abnormalities with no improvement in vomiting and behaviors suggestive of nausea. Short-pulse stimulation and electroacupuncture prevent vomiting and behaviors suggestive of nausea induced by vasopressin but have no effects on slow waves, and their effects are vagally mediated.

Visible blue-shifted dispersive wave generation in the second-order mode of photonic crystal fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Binbin; Yuan, Jinhui; Sang, Xinzhu; Wang, Kuiru; Yu, Chongxiu

2016-04-01

We experimentally demonstrated the generation of dispersive waves (DWs) at the visible wavelength by coupling femtosecond pulses into the anomalous dispersion region of the second-order mode of a homemade photonic crystal fiber. When center wavelengths of the pump pulses are located at 800 and 850 nm and input average powers Pav are increased from 300, to 400, and to 500 mW, the blue-shifted DWs can be generated during the soliton dynamics and are tunable within the wavelength range of 614 to 561 nm. Moreover, the conversion efficiency ηDW of DWs is enhanced from 5% to 21%, and the corresponding bandwidth BDW is broadened from 17 to 30 nm. It is believed that the DWs can be used as the ultrashort pulse source for visible photonics and spectroscopy.

Creating Rydberg electron wave packets using terahertz pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bromage, Jake

1999-10-01

In this thesis I present experiments in which we excited classical-limit states of an atom using terahertz pulses. In a classical-limit state, an atom's outer electron is confined to a wave packet that orbits the core along a classical trajectory. Researchers have excited states with classical traits, but wave packets localized in all three dimensions have proved elusive. Theoretical studies have shown such states can be created using terahertz pulses. Using these techniques, we created a linear-orbit wave packet (LOWP), that is three-dimensionally localized and orbits along a line on one side of the atom's core. Terahertz pulses are sub-picosecond bursts of far- infrared radiation. Unlike ultrashort optical pulses, the electric field of terahertz pulses barely completes a single cycle. Our simulations of the atom-pulse interaction show that this electric field profile is critical in determining the quality of the wave packet. To characterize our terahertz pulses, we invented dithered-edge sampling which time- resolves the electric field using a photoconductive receiver and a triggered attenuator. We also studied how pulses are distorted after propagating through metallic structures, and used our findings to design our atomic experiments. We excited wave packets in atomic sodium using a two-step process. First, we used tunable, nanosecond dye lasers to excite an extreme Stark state. Next, we used a terahertz pump pulse to coherently redistribute population among extreme Stark states in neighboring manifolds. Interference between the final states produces a localized, dynamic LOWP. To analyze the LOWP, we ionized it with a stronger terahertz probe pulse, varying the pump-probe delay to map out its motion. We observed two strong LOWP signatures. Changing the static electric field produced small changes (2%) in the orbital period that agreed with our theoretical predictions. Secondly, because the LOWP scatters off the core, the pump-probe signal depended on the direction of the kick the LOWP received from the robe pulse. These observations, combined with our detailed simulations that used sodium parameters and the actual shape of the terahertz pulse, lead us to conclude that we excited a LOWP.

Evolution of the frequency chirp of Gaussian pulses and beams when passing through a pulse compressor.

PubMed

Li, Derong; Lv, Xiaohua; Bowlan, Pamela; Du, Rui; Zeng, Shaoqun; Luo, Qingming

2009-09-14

The evolution of the frequency chirp of a laser pulse inside a classical pulse compressor is very different for plane waves and Gaussian beams, although after propagating through the last (4th) dispersive element, the two models give the same results. In this paper, we have analyzed the evolution of the frequency chirp of Gaussian pulses and beams using a method which directly obtains the spectral phase acquired by the compressor. We found the spatiotemporal couplings in the phase to be the fundamental reason for the difference in the frequency chirp acquired by a Gaussian beam and a plane wave. When the Gaussian beam propagates, an additional frequency chirp will be introduced if any spatiotemporal couplings (i.e. angular dispersion, spatial chirp or pulse front tilt) are present. However, if there are no couplings present, the chirp of the Gaussian beam is the same as that of a plane wave. When the Gaussian beam is well collimated, the introduced frequency chirp predicted by the plane wave and Gaussian beam models are in closer agreement. This work improves our understanding of pulse compressors and should be helpful for optimizing dispersion compensation schemes in many applications of femtosecond laser pulses.

Matched Template Signal Processing for Continuous Wave Laser Tracking of Space Debris

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raj, S.; Ward, R.; Roberts, L.; Fleddermann, R.; Francis, S.; McClellend, D.; Shaddock, D.; Smith, C.

2016-09-01

The build up of space junk in Earth's orbit space is a growing concern as it shares the same orbit as many currently active satellites. As the number of objects increase in these orbits, the likelihood of collisions between satellites and debris will increase [1]. The eventual goal is to be able to maneuver space debris to avoid such collisions. We at SERC aim to accomplish this by using ground based laser facilities that are already being used to track space debris orbit. One potential method to maneuver space debris is using continuous wave lasers and applying photon pressure on the debris and attempt to change the orbit. However most current laser ranging facilities operates using pulsed lasers where a pulse of light is sent out and the time taken for the pulse to return back to the telescope is measured after being reflected by the target. If space debris maneuvering is carried out with a continuous wave laser then two laser sources need to be used for ranging and maneuvering. The aim of this research is to develop a laser ranging system that is compatible with the continuous wave laser; using the same laser source to simultaneously track and maneuver space debris. We aim to accomplish this by modulating the outgoing laser light with pseudo random noise (PRN) codes, time tagging the outgoing light, and utilising a matched filter at the receiver end to extract the various orbital information of the debris.

Ballistic pulse propagation in quantum wire waveguides: Toward localization and control of electron wave packets in space and time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayata, K.; Tsuji, Y.; Koshiba, M.

1992-10-01

A theoretical formulation of electron pulse propagation in quantum wire structures with mesoscopic scale cross sections is presented, assuming quantum ballistic transport of electron wave packets over a certain characteristic length. As typical mesoscopic structures for realizing coherent electron transmission, two traveling-wave configurations are considered: straight quantum wire waveguides and quantum wire bend structures (quantum whispering galleries). To estimate temporal features of the pulse during propagation, the walk off, the dispersion, and the pulse coherence lengths are defined as useful characteristic lengths. Numerical results are shown for ultrashort pulse propagation through rectangular wire waveguides. Effects due to an external electric field are discussed as well.

Contributions of aortic pulse wave velocity and backward wave pressure to variations in left ventricular mass are independent of each other.

PubMed

Bello, Hamza; Norton, Gavin R; Ballim, Imraan; Libhaber, Carlos D; Sareli, Pinhas; Woodiwiss, Angela J

2017-05-01

Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and backward waves, as determined from wave separation analysis, predict cardiovascular events beyond brachial blood pressure. However, the extent to which these aortic hemodynamic variables contribute independent of each other is uncertain. In 749 randomly selected participants of African ancestry, we therefore assessed the extent to which relationships between aortic PWV or backward wave pressures (Pb) (and hence central aortic pulse pressure [PPc]) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) occur independent of each other. Aortic PWV, PPc, forward wave pressure (Pf), and Pb were determined using radial applanation tonometry and SphygmoCor software and LVMI using echocardiography; 44.5% of participants had an increased left ventricular mass indexed to height 1.7 . With adjustments for age, brachial systolic blood pressure or PP, and additional confounders, PPc and Pb, but not Pf, were independently related to LVMI and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in both men and women. However, PWV was independently associated with LVMI in women (partial r = 0.16, P < .001), but not in men (partial r = 0.03), and PWV was independently associated with LVH in women (P < .05), but not in men (P = .07). With PWV and Pb included in the same multivariate regression models, PWV (partial r = 0.14, P < .005) and Pb (partial r = 0.10, P < .05) contributed to a similar extent to variations in LVMI in women. In addition, with PWV and Pb included in the same multivariate regression models, PWV (P < .05) and Pb (P < .02) contributed to LVH in women. In conclusion, aortic PWV and Pb (and hence pulse pressure) although both associated with LVMI and LVH produce effects which are independent of each other. Copyright © 2017 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Laboratory Model of the Cardiovascular System for Experimental Demonstration of Pulse Wave Propagation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stojadinovic, Bojana; Nestorovic, Zorica; Djuric, Biljana; Tenne, Tamar; Zikich, Dragoslav; Žikic, Dejan

2017-01-01

The velocity by which a disturbance moves through the medium is the wave velocity. Pulse wave velocity is among the key parameters in hemodynamics. Investigation of wave propagation through the fluid-filled elastic tube has a great importance for the proper biophysical understanding of the nature of blood flow through the cardiovascular system.…

Detection of Low-volume Blood Loss: Compensatory Reserve Versus Traditional Vital Signs

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

studies have demonstrated that photoplethysmogram (PPG) wave forms obtained with a pulse oximeter sensor significantly change with volume loss.5 With this...donation, including PPG wave forms (OEM III pulse oximeter , Nonin, Minneapolis, MN), and a noninvasive BPwave form (ccNexfin, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine...a PPG wave form obtained with a pulse oximeter sensor. CRI is calculated after 30 heart beats and is recalculated beat-to-beat in a continuous

Electromagnetic or other directed energy pulse launcher

DOEpatents

Ziolkowski, Richard W.

1990-01-01

The physical realization of new solutions of wave propagation equations, such as Maxwell's equations and the scaler wave equation, produces localized pulses of wave energy such as electromagnetic or acoustic energy which propagate over long distances without divergence. The pulses are produced by driving each element of an array of radiating sources with a particular drive function so that the resultant localized packet of energy closely approximates the exact solutions and behaves the same.

Measurement of Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity With a Connected Bathroom Scale

PubMed Central

Campo, David; Khettab, Hakim; Yu, Roger; Genain, Nicolas; Edouard, Paul; Buard, Nadine

2017-01-01

Abstract BACKGROUND Measurement of arterial stiffness should be more available. Our aim was to show that aortic pulse wave velocity can be reliably measured with a bathroom scale combining the principles of ballistocardiography (BCG) and impedance plethysmography on a single foot. METHOD The calibration of the bathroom scale was conducted on a group of 106 individuals. The aortic pulse wave velocity was measured with the SphygmoCor in the supine position. Three consecutive measurements were then performed on the Withings scale in the standing position. This aorta-leg pulse transit time (alPTT) was then converted into a velocity with the additional input of the height of the person. Agreement between the SphygmoCor and the bathroom scale so calibrated is assessed on a separate group of 86 individuals, following the same protocol. RESULTS The bias is 0.25 m·s−1 and the SE 1.39 m·s−1. This agreement with Sphygmocor is “acceptable” according to the ARTERY classification. The alPTT correlated well with cfPTT with (Spearman) R = 0.73 in pooled population (cal 0.79, val 0.66). The aorta-leg pulse wave velocity correlated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity with R = 0.76 (cal 0.80, val 0.70). CONCLUSION Estimation of the aortic pulse wave velocity is feasible with a bathroom scale. Further investigations are needed to improve the repeatability of measurements and to test their accuracy in different populations and conditions. PMID:28520843

Resonant optical pulses on a continuous-wave background in two-level active media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Sitai; Biondini, Gino; Kovačič, Gregor; Gabitov, Ildar

2018-01-01

We present exact N-soliton optical pulses riding on a continuous-wave (c.w.) beam that propagate through and interact with a two-level active optical medium. Their representation is derived via an appropriate generalization of the inverse scattering transform for the corresponding Maxwell-Bloch equations. We describe the single-soliton solutions in detail and classify them into several distinct families. In addition to the analogues of traveling-wave soliton pulses that arise in the absence of a c.w. beam, we obtain breather-like structures, periodic pulse-trains and rogue-wave-type (i.e., rational) pulses, whose existence is directly due to the presence of the c.w. beam. These soliton solutions are the analogues for Maxwell-Bloch systems of the four classical solution types of the focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation with non-zero background, although the physical behavior of the corresponding solutions is quite different.

Flow instabilities of Alaskan glaciers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turrin, James Bradley

Over 300 of the largest glaciers in southern Alaska have been identified as either surge-type or pulse-type, making glaciers with flow instabilities the norm among large glaciers in that region. Consequently, the bulk of mass loss due to climate change will come from these unstable glaciers in the future, yet their response to future climate warming is unknown because their dynamics are still poorly understood. To help broaden our understanding of unstable glacier flow, the decadal-scale ice dynamics of 1 surging and 9 pulsing glaciers are investigated. Bering Glacier had a kinematic wave moving down its ablation zone at 4.4 +/- 2.0 km/yr from 2002 to 2009, which then accelerated to 13.9 +/- 2.0 km/yr as it traversed the piedmont lobe. The wave first appeared in 2001 near the confluence with Bagley Ice Valley and it took 10 years to travel ~64 km. A surge was triggered in 2008 after the wave activated an ice reservoir in the midablation zone, and it climaxed in 2011 while the terminus advanced several km into Vitus Lake. Ruth Glacier pulsed five times between 1973 and 2012, with peak velocities in 1981, 1989, 1997, 2003, and 2010; approximately every 7 years. A typical pulse increased ice velocity 300%, from roughly 40 m/yr to 160 m/yr in the midablation zone, and involved acceleration and deceleration of the ice en masse; no kinematic wave was evident. The pulses are theorized to be due to deformation of a subglacial till causing enhanced basal motion. Eight additional pulsing glaciers are identified based on the spatiotemporal pattern of their velocity fields. These glaciers pulsed where they were either constricted laterally or joined by a tributary, and their surface slopes are 1-2°. These traits are consistent with an overdeepening. This observation leads to a theory of ice motion in overdeepenings that explains the cyclical behavior of pulsing glaciers. It is based on the concept of glaciohydraulic supercooling, and includes sediment transport and erosion along an adverse slope, ice thickening, and ablation of the ice surface such that the ratio of the angle of the adverse slope to ice surface slope oscillates around the supercooling threshold.

Relations of Arterial Stiffness and Brachial Flow-Mediated Dilation With New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation: The Framingham Heart Study.

PubMed

Shaikh, Amir Y; Wang, Na; Yin, Xiaoyan; Larson, Martin G; Vasan, Ramachandran S; Hamburg, Naomi M; Magnani, Jared W; Ellinor, Patrick T; Lubitz, Steven A; Mitchell, Gary F; Benjamin, Emelia J; McManus, David D

2016-09-01

The relations of measures of arterial stiffness, pulsatile hemodynamic load, and endothelial dysfunction to atrial fibrillation (AF) remain poorly understood. To better understand the pathophysiology of AF, we examined associations between noninvasive measures of vascular function and new-onset AF. The study sample included participants aged ≥45 years from the Framingham Heart Study offspring and third-generation cohorts. Using Cox proportional hazards regression models, we examined relations between incident AF and tonometry measures of arterial stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity), wave reflection (augmentation index), pressure pulsatility (central pulse pressure), endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation), resting brachial arterial diameter, and hyperemic flow. AF developed in 407/5797 participants in the tonometry sample and 270/3921 participants in the endothelial function sample during follow-up (median 7.1 years, maximum 10 years). Higher augmentation index (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.32; P=0.02), baseline brachial artery diameter (hazard ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.43; P=0.04), and lower flow-mediated dilation (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.63-0.99; P=0.04) were associated with increased risk of incident AF. Central pulse pressure, when adjusted for age, sex, and hypertension (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.28; P=0.02) was associated with incident AF. Higher pulsatile load assessed by central pulse pressure and greater apparent wave reflection measured by augmentation index were associated with increased risk of incident AF. Vascular endothelial dysfunction may precede development of AF. These measures may be additional risk factors or markers of subclinical cardiovascular disease associated with increased risk of incident AF. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

Pulse Wave Amplitude Drops during Sleep are Reliable Surrogate Markers of Changes in Cortical Activity

PubMed Central

Delessert, Alexandre; Espa, Fabrice; Rossetti, Andrea; Lavigne, Gilles; Tafti, Mehdi; Heinzer, Raphael

2010-01-01

Background: During sleep, sudden drops in pulse wave amplitude (PWA) measured by pulse oximetry are commonly associated with simultaneous arousals and are thought to result from autonomic vasoconstriction. In the present study, we determine whether PWA drops were associated with changes in cortical activity as determined by EEG spectral analysis. Methods: A 20% decrease in PWA was chosen as a minimum for a drop. A total of 1085 PWA drops from 10 consecutive sleep recordings were analyzed. EEG spectral analysis was performed over 5 consecutive epochs of 5 seconds: 2 before, 1 during, and 2 after the PWA drop. EEG spectral analysis was performed over delta, theta, alpha, sigma, and beta frequency bands. Within each frequency band, power density was compared across the five 5-sec epochs. Presence or absence of visually scored EEG arousals were adjudicated by an investigator blinded to the PWA signal and considered associated with PWA drop if concomitant. Results: A significant increase in EEG power density in all EEG frequency bands was found during PWA drops (P < 0.001) compared to before and after drop. Even in the absence of visually scored arousals, PWA drops were associated with a significant increase in EEG power density (P < 0.001) in most frequency bands. Conclusions: Drops in PWA are associated with a significant increase in EEG power density, suggesting that these events can be used as a surrogate for changes in cortical activity during sleep. This approach may prove of value in scoring respiratory events on limited-channel (type III) portable monitors. Citation: Delessert A; Espa F; Rossetti A; Lavigne G; Tafti M; Heinzer R. Pulse wave amplitude drops during sleep are reliable surrogate markers of changes in cortical activity. SLEEP 2010;33(12):1687-1692. PMID:21120131

COMPARATIVE DISINFECTION EFFICIENCY OF PULSED AND CONTINUOUS-WAVE UV IRRADIATION TECHNOLOGIES

EPA Science Inventory

Pulsed UV (PUV) is novel UV irradiation system that is a non-mercury lamp based alternative to currently used continuous-wave systems for water disinfection. To compare the polychromatic PUV irradiation disinfection efficiency with that from continuous wave monochromatic low-pre...

Terahertz waves radiated from two noncollinear femtosecond plasma filaments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Du, Hai-Wei; Hoshina, Hiromichi; Otani, Chiko, E-mail: otani@riken.jp

2015-11-23

Terahertz (THz) waves radiated from two noncollinear femtosecond plasma filaments with a crossing angle of 25° are investigated. The irradiated THz waves from the crossing filaments show a small THz pulse after the main THz pulse, which was not observed in those from single-filament scheme. Since the position of the small THz pulse changes with the time-delay of two filaments, this phenomenon can be explained by a model in which the small THz pulse is from the second filament. The denser plasma in the overlap region of the filaments changes the movement of space charges in the plasma, thereby changingmore » the angular distribution of THz radiation. As a result, this schematic induces some THz wave from the second filament to propagate along the path of the THz wave from the first filament. Thus, this schematic alters the direction of the THz radiation from the filamentation, which can be used in THz wave remote sensing.« less

Attosecond transient absorption of a bound wave packet coupled to a smooth continuum

DOE PAGES

Dahlström, Jan Marcus; Pabst, Stefan; Lindroth, Eva

2017-10-16

Here, we investigate the possibility of using transient absorption of a coherent bound electron wave packet in hydrogen as an attosecond pulse characterization technique. In a recent work, we have shown that photoionization of such a coherent bound electron wave packet opens up for pulse characterization with unprecedented temporal accuracy—independent of the atomic structure—with maximal photoemission at all kinetic energies given a wave packet with zero relative phase. Here, we perform numerical propagation of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation and analytical calculations based on perturbation theory to show that the energy-resolved maximal absorption of photons from the attosecond pulse does not uniquely occur at a zero relative phase of the initial wave packet. Instead, maximal absorption occurs at different relative wave packet phases, distributed as a non-monotonous function with a smoothmore » $$-\\pi /2$$ shift across the central photon energy (given a Fourier-limited Gaussian pulse). Similar results are also found in helium. Our finding is surprising, because it implies that the energy-resolved photoelectrons are not mapped one-to-one with the energy-resolved absorbed photons of the attosecond pulse.« less

Attosecond transient absorption of a bound wave packet coupled to a smooth continuum

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dahlström, Jan Marcus; Pabst, Stefan; Lindroth, Eva

Here, we investigate the possibility of using transient absorption of a coherent bound electron wave packet in hydrogen as an attosecond pulse characterization technique. In a recent work, we have shown that photoionization of such a coherent bound electron wave packet opens up for pulse characterization with unprecedented temporal accuracy—independent of the atomic structure—with maximal photoemission at all kinetic energies given a wave packet with zero relative phase. Here, we perform numerical propagation of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation and analytical calculations based on perturbation theory to show that the energy-resolved maximal absorption of photons from the attosecond pulse does not uniquely occur at a zero relative phase of the initial wave packet. Instead, maximal absorption occurs at different relative wave packet phases, distributed as a non-monotonous function with a smoothmore » $$-\\pi /2$$ shift across the central photon energy (given a Fourier-limited Gaussian pulse). Similar results are also found in helium. Our finding is surprising, because it implies that the energy-resolved photoelectrons are not mapped one-to-one with the energy-resolved absorbed photons of the attosecond pulse.« less

Pulse dynamics of dual-wavelength dissipative soliton resonances and domain wall solitons in a Tm fiber laser with fiber-based Lyot filter.

PubMed

Wang, Pan; Zhao, Kangjun; Xiao, Xiaosheng; Yang, Changxi

2017-11-27

We report on the first demonstration of dual-wavelength square-wave pulses in a thulium-doped fiber laser. Under appropriate cavity parameters, dual-wavelength dissipative soliton resonances (DSRs) and domain wall solitons (DWSs) are successively obtained. Meanwhile, dark pulses generation is achieved at the dual-wavelength DWSs region due to the overlap of the two domain wall pulses. The fiber-based Lyot filter, conducted by inserting PMF between an in-line PBS and a PD-ISO, facilitates the generation of dual-wavelength operation. The polarization-resolved investigation suggests that the cross coupling between two orthogonal polarization components in the high nonlinear fiber plays an important role in the square-wave pulses formation. The investigation may be helpful for further understanding the square-wave pulse formation and has potential in application filed of multi-wavelength pulsed fiber lasers.

New tip design and shock wave pattern of electrohydraulic probes for endoureteral lithotripsy.

PubMed

Vorreuther, R

1993-02-01

A new tip design of a 3.3F electrohydraulic probe for endoureteral lithotripsy was evaluated in comparison to a regular probe. The peak pressure, as well as the slope of the shock front, depend solely on the voltage. Increasing the capacity leads merely to broader pulses. A laser-like short high-pressure pulse has a greater impact on stone disintegration than a corresponding broader low-pressure pulse of the same energy. Using the regular probe, only positive pressures were obtained. Pressure distribution around the regular tip was approximately spherical, whereas the modified probe tip "beamed" the shock wave to a great extent. In addition, a negative-pressure half-cycle was added to the initial positive peak pressure, which resulted in a higher maximal pressure amplitude. The directed shock wave had a greater depth of penetration into a model stone. Thus, the ability of the new probe to destroy harder stones especially should be greater. The trauma to the ureter was reduced when touching the wall tangentially. No difference in the effect of the two probes was seen when placing the probe directly on the mucosa.

Burst design and signal processing for the speed of sound measurement of fluids with the pulse-echo technique

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dubberke, Frithjof H.; Baumhögger, Elmar; Vrabec, Jadran, E-mail: jadran.vrabec@upb.de

2015-05-15

The pulse-echo technique determines the propagation time of acoustic wave bursts in a fluid over a known propagation distance. It is limited by the signal quality of the received echoes of the acoustic wave bursts, which degrades with decreasing density of the fluid due to acoustic impedance and attenuation effects. Signal sampling is significantly improved in this work by burst design and signal processing such that a wider range of thermodynamic states can be investigated. Applying a Fourier transformation based digital filter on acoustic wave signals increases their signal-to-noise ratio and enhances their time and amplitude resolutions, improving the overallmore » measurement accuracy. In addition, burst design leads to technical advantages for determining the propagation time due to the associated conditioning of the echo. It is shown that the according operation procedure enlarges the measuring range of the pulse-echo technique for supercritical argon and nitrogen at 300 K down to 5 MPa, where it was limited to around 20 MPa before.« less

Acousto-optic modulation and opto-acoustic gating in piezo-optomechanical circuits

PubMed Central

Balram, Krishna C.; Davanço, Marcelo I.; Ilic, B. Robert; Kyhm, Ji-Hoon; Song, Jin Dong; Srinivasan, Kartik

2017-01-01

Acoustic wave devices provide a promising chip-scale platform for efficiently coupling radio frequency (RF) and optical fields. Here, we use an integrated piezo-optomechanical circuit platform that exploits both the piezoelectric and photoelastic coupling mechanisms to link 2.4 GHz RF waves to 194 THz (1550 nm) optical waves, through coupling to propagating and localized 2.4 GHz acoustic waves. We demonstrate acousto-optic modulation, resonant in both the optical and mechanical domains, in which waveforms encoded on the RF carrier are mapped to the optical field. We also show opto-acoustic gating, in which the application of modulated optical pulses interferometrically gates the transmission of propagating acoustic pulses. The time-domain characteristics of this system under both pulsed RF and pulsed optical excitation are considered in the context of the different physical pathways involved in driving the acoustic waves, and modelled through the coupled mode equations of cavity optomechanics. PMID:28580373

Seismic excitation by the space shuttle Columbia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kanamori, H.; Mori, J.; Anderson, D.L.; Heaton, T.H.

1991-01-01

SEISMIC stations in southern California recorded the atmospheric shock waves generated by the space shuttle Columbia on its return to the Edwards Air Force base on 13 August 1989 (Fig. 1). In addition to the shock wave, the broad-band IRIS-TERRAscope station at Pasadena recorded a distinct pulse with a period of ???2-3 seconds, which arrived 12.5 seconds before the shock wave (Fig. 2). This pulse was also recorded at the University of Southern California, near downtown Los Angeles, where it arrived 3 seconds after the shock wave. The origin of this pulse could not be readily identified. We show here that it was a seismic P wave excited by the motion of high-rise buildings in downtown Los Angeles, which were hit by the shock wave. The proximity of the natural period of the high-rise buildings to that of the Los Angeles basin enabled efficient energy transfer from shock wave to seismic wave.

Microwave Triggered Laser Ionization of Air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vadiee, Ehsan; Prasad, Sarita; Jerald Buchenauer, C.; Schamiloglu, Edl

2012-10-01

The goal of this work is to study the evolution and dynamics of plasma expansion when a high power microwave (HPM) pulse is overlapped in time and space on a very small, localized region of plasma formed by a high energy laser pulse. The pulsed Nd:YAG laser (8 ns, 600mJ, repetition rate 10 Hz) is focused to generate plasma filaments in air with electron density of 10^17/cm^3. When irradiated with a high power microwave pulse these electrons would gain enough kinetic energy and further escalate avalanche ionization of air due to elastic electron-neutral collisions thereby causing an increased volumetric discharge region. An X-band relativistic backward wave oscillator(RBWO) at the Pulsed Power,Beams and Microwaves laboratory at UNM is constructed as the microwave source. The RBWO produces a microwave pulse of maximum power 400 MW, frequency of 10.1 GHz, and energy of 6.8 Joules. Special care is being given to synchronize the RBWO and the pulsed laser system in order to achieve a high degree of spatial and temporal overlap. A photodiode and a microwave waveguide detector will be used to ensure the overlap. Also, a new shadowgraph technique with a nanosecond time resolution will be used to detect changes in the shock wave fronts when the HPM signal overlaps the laser pulse in time and space.

Retinal pulse wave velocity measurement using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Li, Qian; Li, Lin; Fan, Shanhui; Dai, Cuixia; Chai, Xinyu; Zhou, Chuanqing

2018-02-01

The human eyes provide a natural window for noninvasive measurement of the pulse wave velocity (PWV) of small arteries. By measuring the retinal PWV, the stiffness of small arteries can be assessed, which may better detect early vascular diseases. Therefore, retinal PWV measurement has attracted increasing attention. In this study, a jump-scanning method was proposed for noninvasive measurement of retinal PWV using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The jump-scanning method uses the phase-resolved Doppler OCT to obtain the pulse shapes. To realize PWV measurement, the jump-scanning method extracts the transit time of the pulse wave from an original OCT scanning site to another through a transient jump. The measured retinal arterial PWV of a young human subject with normal blood pressure was in the order of 20 to 30 mm/s, which was consistent with previous studies. As a comparison, PWV of 50 mm/s was measured for a young human subject with prehypertension, which was in accordance with the finding of strong association between retinal PWV and blood pressure. In summary, it is believed the proposed jump-scanning method could benefit the research and diagnosis of vascular diseases through the window of human eyes. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Why stones break better at slow shock wave rate than at fast rate: In vitro study with a research electrohydraulic lithotripter

PubMed Central

Pishchalnikov, Yuri A.; McAteer, James A.; Williams, James C.; Pishchalnikova, Irina V.; VonDerHaar, R. Jason

2008-01-01

Purpose Stones break better when the rate of shock wave (SW) delivery is slowed. It has been hypothesized that increased cavitation at fast rate shields pulse propagation, interfering with the delivery of SW energy to the stone. We tested this idea by correlating waveforms measured at the SW focus with cavitation viewed using high-speed imaging. Methods U30-gypsum stones held in a 2 mm-mesh basket were exposed to 200SWs at 30 or 120SW/min from a research electrohydraulic lithotripter (HM3-clone). Waveforms were collected using a fiberoptic probe hydrophone. High-speed imaging was used to observe cavitation bubbles in the water and at the stone surface. Results Stone breakage was significantly better at 30SW/min than at 120SW/min. Rate had little effect on SW parameters in the water free field. In the presence of particulates released from stones, the positive pressure of the SW remained unaffected, but the trailing tensile phase of the pulse was significantly reduced at 120SW/min. Conclusions Cavitation bubbles do not persist between SWs. Thus, mature bubbles from one pulse do not interfere with the next pulse, even at 120SW/min. However, cavitation nuclei carried by fine particles released from stones can persist between pulses. These nuclei have little effect on the compressive wave, but seed cavitation under influence of the tensile wave. Bubble growth draws energy from the negative-pressure phase of the SW, reducing its amplitude. This likely affects the dynamics of cavitation bubble clusters at the stone surface, reducing the effectiveness of bubble action in stone comminution. PMID:16903810

Household air pollution and measures of blood pressure, arterial stiffness and central haemodynamics.

PubMed

Baumgartner, Jill; Carter, Ellison; Schauer, James J; Ezzati, Majid; Daskalopoulou, Stella S; Valois, Marie-France; Shan, Ming; Yang, Xudong

2018-02-09

We evaluated the exposure-response associations between personal exposure to air pollution from biomass stoves and multiple vascular and haemodynamic parameters in rural Chinese women. We analysed the baseline information from a longitudinal study in southwestern China. Women's brachial and central blood pressure and pulse pressure, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and augmentation index, and their 48-hour personal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and black carbon were measured in summer and winter. We evaluated the associations between exposure to air pollution and haemodynamic parameters using mixed-effects regression models adjusted for known cardiovascular risk factors. Women's (n=205, ages 27-86 years) exposures to PM 2.5 and black carbon ranged from 14 µg/m 3 to 1405 µg/m 3 and 0.1-121.8 µg/m 3 , respectively. Among women aged ≥50 years, increased PM 2.5 exposure was associated with higher systolic (brachial: 3.5 mm Hg (P=0.05); central: 4.4 mm Hg (P=0.005)) and diastolic blood pressure (central: 1.3 mm Hg (P=0.10)), higher pulse pressure (peripheral: 2.5 mm Hg (P=0.05); central: 2.9 mm Hg (P=0.008)) and lower peripheral-central pulse pressure amplification (-0.007 (P=0.04)). Among younger women, the associations were inconsistent in the direction of effect and not statistically significant. Increased PM 2.5 exposure was associated with no difference in pulse wave velocity and modestly higher augmentation index though the CI included zero (1.1%; 95% CI -0.2% to 2.4%). Similar associations were found for black carbon exposure. Exposure to household air pollution was associated with higher blood pressure and central haemodynamics in older Chinese women, with no associations observed with pulse wave velocity. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Relationships between 24-h blood pressure variability and 24-h central arterial pressure, pulse wave velocity and augmentation index in hypertensive patients.

PubMed

Omboni, Stefano; Posokhov, Igor N; Rogoza, Anatoly N

2017-04-01

Twenty-four-h blood pressure variability (BPV) predicts cardiovascular complications in hypertension, but its association with pulse wave indices (central arterial pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx)) is poorly understood. In the present study, we assessed the degree of the effect of 24-h BPV on 24-h pulse wave indices. Brachial blood pressure was measured non-invasively over the 24 h with an electronic, oscillometric, automated device (BPLab) in 661 uncomplicated treated or untreated hypertensive patients. Digitalized oscillometric waveforms were analyzed with a validated algorithm to obtain pulse wave indices. Twenty-four-h BPV was calculated as the unweighted (SDu) or weighted s.d. (SDw) of the mean blood pressure or as the average real variability (ARV). Twenty-four-h systolic BPV showed a direct and significant relationship with the central arterial systolic pressure (r=0.28 SDu, r=0.40 SDw, r=0.34 ARV), PWV (r=0.10 SDu, r=0.21 SDw, r=0.19 ARV) and AIx (r=0.17 SDu, r=0.27 SDw, r=0.23 ARV). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, antihypertensive treatment and 24-h systolic blood pressure, the relationship lost some power but was still significant for all measures, except for the AIx. Pulse wave indices were higher in patients with high BPV than in those with low BPV: after adjustment, these differences were abolished for the AIx. The diastolic BPV showed a weak association with the pulse wave indices. In conclusion, in hypertensive patients, 24-h systolic BPV is moderately and independently associated with 24-h central arterial pressure and stiffness.

Arterial stiffness is associated to cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index in young Swedish adults: The Lifestyle, Biomarkers, and Atherosclerosis study.

PubMed

Fernberg, Ulrika; Fernström, Maria; Hurtig-Wennlöf, Anita

2017-11-01

Background Early changes in the large muscular arteries are already associated with risk factors as hypertension and obesity in adolescence and young adulthood. The present study examines the association between arterial stiffness measurements, pulse wave velocity and augmentation index and lifestyle-related factors, body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness, in young, healthy, Swedish adults. Design This study used a population-based cross-sectional sample. Methods The 834 participants in the study were self-reported healthy, non-smoking, age 18-25 years. Augmentation index and pulse wave velocity were measured with applanation tonometry. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured by ergometer bike test to estimate maximal oxygen uptake. Body mass index (kg/m 2 ) was calculated and categorised according to classification by the World Health Organisation. Results Young Swedish adults with obesity and low cardiorespiratory fitness have significantly higher pulse wave velocity and augmentation index than non-obese young adults with medium or high cardiorespiratory fitness. The observed U-shaped association between pulse wave velocity and body mass index categories in women indicates that it might be more beneficial to be normal weight than underweight when assessing the arterial stiffness with pulse wave velocity. The highest mean pulse wave velocity was found in overweight/obese individuals with low cardiorespiratory fitness. The lowest mean pulse wave velocity was found in normal weight individuals with high cardiorespiratory fitness. Cardiorespiratory fitness had a stronger effect than body mass index on arterial stiffness in multiple regression analyses. Conclusions The inverse association between cardiorespiratory fitness and arterial stiffness is observed already in young adults. The study result highlights the importance of high cardiorespiratory fitness, but also that underweight individuals may be a possible risk group that needs to be further studied.

Three-wave interaction solitons in optical parametric amplification.

PubMed

Ibragimov, E; Struthers, A A; Kaup, D J; Khaydarov, J D; Singer, K D

1999-05-01

This paper applies three-wave interaction (TWI)-soliton theory to optical parametric amplification when the signal, idler, and pump wave can all contain TWI solitons. We use an analogy between two different velocity regimes to compare the theory with output from an experimental synchronously pumped optical parametric amplifier. The theory explains the observed inability to compress the intermediate group-velocity wave and 20-fold pulse compression in this experiment. The theory and supporting numerics show that one can effectively control the shape and energy of the optical pulses by shifting the TWI solitons in the pulses.

Patterns of Alloy Deformation by Pulsed Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chebotnyagin, L. M.; Potapov, V. V.; Lopatin, V. V.

2015-06-01

Patterns of alloy deformation for optimization of a welding regime are studied by the method of modeling and deformation profiles providing high deformation quality are determined. A model of stepwise kinetics of the alloy deformation by pulsed pressure from the expanding plasma channel inside of a deformable cylinder is suggested. The model is based on the analogy between the acoustic and electromagnetic wave processes in long lines. The shock wave pattern of alloy deformation in the presence of multiple reflections of pulsed pressure waves in the gap plasma channel - cylinder wall and the influence of unloading waves from free surfaces are confirmed.

Direct space-time observation of pulse tunneling in an electromagnetic band gap

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Doiron, Serge; Hache, Alain; Winful, Herbert G.

2007-08-15

We present space-time-resolved measurements of electromagnetic pulses tunneling through a coaxial electromagnetic band gap structure. The results show that during the tunneling process the field distribution inside the barrier is an exponentially decaying standing wave whose amplitude increases and decreases as it slowly follows the temporal evolution of the input pulse. At no time is a pulse maximum found inside the barrier, and hence the transmitted peak is not the incident peak that has propagated to the exit. The results support the quasistatic interpretation of tunneling dynamics and confirm that the group delay is not the traversal time of themore » input pulse peak.« less

Nonphasematched broadband THz amplification and reshaping in a dispersive chi(3) medium.

PubMed

Koys, Martin; Noskovicova, Eva; Velic, Dusan; Lorenc, Dusan

2017-06-12

We theoretically investigate non-phasematched broadband THz amplification in dispersive chi(3) media. A short 100 fs pump pulse is interacting with a temporally matched second harmonic pulse and a weak THz signal through the four wave mixing process and a significant broadband THz amplification and reshaping is observed. The pulse evolution dynamics is explored by numerically solving a set of generalized Nonlinear Schroedinger equations. The influence of incident pulse chirp, pulse duration and the role of wavelength, THz seed frequency and losses are evaluated separately. It is found that a careful choice of incident parameters can provide a broadband THz output and/or a significant increase of THz peak power.

EFFECTS OF LASER RADIATION ON MATTER. LASER PLASMA: Generation of currents and propagation of plasma fronts in the case of two-pulse interaction with a target in air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barkhudarov, É. M.; Gelashvili, G. V.; Gumberidze, G. G.; Taktakishvili, M. I.

1990-06-01

An investigation was made of the enhancement in the efficiency of generation of currents when a target in air was subjected to two consecutive CO2 laser radiation pulses. Preliminary interaction with a low-energy (1.5-5 J) pulse increased by more than one order of magnitude the currents generated by the second pulse and this was true in a wide range of energies of the latter pulse. The energy conversion efficiency was practically unaffected. The results were in qualitative agreement with the proposed pattern of plasma formation and propagation of shock waves near a target.

Aortic stiffness and the balance between cardiac oxygen supply and demand: the Rotterdam Study.

PubMed

Guelen, Ilja; Mattace-Raso, Francesco Us; van Popele, Nicole M; Westerhof, Berend E; Hofman, Albert; Witteman, Jacqueline Cm; Bos, Willem Jan W

2008-06-01

Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We investigated whether aortic stiffness, estimated as aortic pulse wave velocity, is associated with decreased perfusion pressure estimated as the cardiac oxygen supply potential. Aortic stiffness and aortic pressure waves, reconstructed from finger blood pressure waves, were obtained in 2490 older adults within the framework of the Rotterdam Study, a large population-based study. Cardiac oxygen supply and demand were estimated using pulse wave analysis techniques, and related to aortic stiffness by linear regression analyses after adjustment for age, sex, mean arterial pressure and heart rate. Cardiac oxygen demand, estimated as the Systolic Pressure Time Index and the Rate Pressure Product, increased with increasing aortic stiffness [0.27 mmHg s (95% confidence interval: 0.21; 0.34)] and [42.2 mmHg/min (95% confidence interval: 34.1; 50.3)], respectively. Cardiac oxygen supply potential estimated as the Diastolic Pressure Time Index decreased [-0.70 mmHg s (95% confidence interval: -0.86; -0.54)] with aortic stiffening. Accordingly, the supply/demand ratio Diastolic Pressure Time Index/Systolic Pressure Time Index -1.11 (95% confidence interval: -0.14; -0.009) decreased with increasing aortic stiffness. Aortic stiffness is associated with estimates of increased cardiac oxygen demand and a decreased cardiac oxygen supply potential. These results may offer additional explanation for the relation between aortic stiffness and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

EFFECTS OF CONTINUOUS-WAVE, PULSED, AND SINUSOIDAL-AMPLITUDE-MODULATED MICROWAVES ON BRAIN ENERGY METABOLISM

EPA Science Inventory

A comparison of the effects of continuous wave, sinusoidal-amplitude modulated, and pulsed square-wave-modulated 591-MHz microwave exposures on brain energy metabolism was made in male Sprague Dawley rats (175-225g). Brain NADH fluorescence, adensine triphosphate (ATP) concentrat...

Nonlinear reflection of a spherically divergent N-wave from a plane surface: Optical interferometry measurements in air

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karzova, M., E-mail: masha@acs366.phys.msu.ru; Physics Faculty, Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119991 Moscow; Yuldashev, P.

2015-10-28

Mach stem is a well-known structure typically observed in the process of strong (acoustic Mach numbers greater than 0.4) step-shock waves reflection from a rigid boundary. However, this phenomenon has been much less studied for weak shocks in nonlinear acoustic fields where Mach numbers are in the range from 0.001 to 0.01 and pressure waveforms have more complicated waveforms than step shocks. The goal of this work was to demonstrate experimentally how nonlinear reflection occurs in air for very weak spherically divergent acoustic spark-generated pulses resembling an N-wave. Measurements of reflection patterns were performed using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. A thinmore » laser beam with sub-millimeter cross-section was used to obtain the time resolution of 0.4 µs, which is 6 times higher than the time resolution of the condenser microphones. Pressure waveforms were reconstructed using the inverse Abel transform applied to the phase of the signal measured by the interferometer. The Mach stem formation was observed experimentally as a result of collision of the incident and reflected shock pulses. It was shown that irregular reflection of the pulse occurred in a dynamic way and the length of the Mach stem increased linearly while the pulse propagated along the surface. Since the front shock of the spark-generated pulse was steeper than the rear shock, irregular type of reflection was observed only for the front shock of the pulse while the rear shock reflection occurred in a regular regime.« less

Intense laser pulse propagation in ionizing gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bian, Zhigang

2003-10-01

There have been considerable technological advances in the development of high intensity, short pulse lasers. However, high intensity laser pulses are subject to various laser-plasma instabilities. In this thesis, a theory is developed to study the scattering instability that occurs when a laser pulse propagates through and ionizes a gas. The instability is due to the intensity dependence of the ionization rate, which leads to a transversely structured free electron density. The instability is convective in the frame of laser pulse, but can have a relatively short growth length scaling as Lg˜k0/k2p where k0 is the laser wave number, k2p=w2p/c 2 and op is the plasma frequency. The most unstable perturbations correspond to a scattering angle for which the transverse wave number is around the plasma wave number, k p. The scattered light is frequency upshifted. The comparison between simple analytic theory and numerical simulation shows good agreement. Instabilities can drastically change the shape of the laser pulse and reduce the propagation distance of the laser pulse. Therefore, we change the propagation conditions and reduce the laser-plasma interaction possibilities in applications which require an interaction length well in excess of the Rayleigh length of the laser beam. One of the methods is to use a capillary to propagate the laser pulse. We studied the propagation of short pulses in a glass capillary. The propagation is simulated using the code WAKE, which has been modified to treat the case in which the simulation boundary is the wall of a capillary. Parameters that were examined include transmission efficiency of the waveguides as a function of gas pressure, laser intensity, and waveguide length, which is up to 40 Rayleigh lengths. The transmission efficiency decreases with waveguide length due to energy loss through the side-walls of the capillary. The loss increases with gas pressure due to ionization of the gas and scattering of the radiation. The intensity on the inner wall of the capillary is monitored to assure realistic simulations, consistent with optical breakdown of the waveguide material. Generally speaking the intensity on the wall increases with gas pressure due to the scattering of the lowest order capillary mode. Finally, the high order harmonic generation (HHG) in a capillary is investigated. The phase matching condition is studied to increase the conversion efficiency for high order harmonics generation. The phase matching occurs as a balance of the dispersion of the neutral gas, plasma and the waveguide.

Electromagnetic pulse propagation in dispersive planar dielectrics.

PubMed

Moten, K; Durney, C H; Stockham, T G

1989-01-01

The responses of a plane-wave pulse train irradiating a lossy dispersive dielectric half-space are investigated. The incident pulse train is expressed as a Fourier series with summing done by the inverse fast Fourier transform. The Fourier series technique is adopted to avoid the many difficulties often encountered in finding the inverse Fourier transform when transform analyses are used. Calculations are made for propagation in pure water, and typical waveforms inside the dielectric half-space are presented. Higher harmonics are strongly attenuated, resulting in a single continuous sinusoidal waveform at the frequency of the fundamental depth in the material. The time-averaged specific absorption rate (SAR) for pulse-train propagation is shown to be the sum of the time-averaged SARs of the individual harmonic components of the pulse train. For the same average power, calculated SARs reveal that pulse trains generally penetrate deeper than carrier-frequency continuous waves but not deeper than continuous waves at frequencies approaching the fundamental of the pulse train. The effects of rise time on the propagating pulse train in the dielectrics are shown and explained. Since most practical pulsed systems are very limited in bandwidth, no pronounced differences between their response and continuous wave (CW) response would be expected. Typical results for pulse-train propagation in arrays of dispersive planar dielectric slabs are presented. Expressing the pulse train as a Fourier series provides a practical way of interpreting the dispersion characteristics from the spectral point of view.

Assessing mental stress from the photoplethysmogram: a numerical study

PubMed Central

Charlton, Peter H; Celka, Patrick; Farukh, Bushra; Chowienczyk, Phil; Alastruey, Jordi

2018-01-01

Abstract Objective: Mental stress is detrimental to cardiovascular health, being a risk factor for coronary heart disease and a trigger for cardiac events. However, it is not currently routinely assessed. The aim of this study was to identify features of the photoplethysmogram (PPG) pulse wave which are indicative of mental stress. Approach: A numerical model of pulse wave propagation was used to simulate blood pressure signals, from which simulated PPG pulse waves were estimated using a transfer function. Pulse waves were simulated at six levels of stress by changing the model input parameters both simultaneously and individually, in accordance with haemodynamic changes associated with stress. Thirty-two feature measurements were extracted from pulse waves at three measurement sites: the brachial, radial and temporal arteries. Features which changed significantly with stress were identified using the Mann–Kendall monotonic trend test. Main results: Seventeen features exhibited significant trends with stress in measurements from at least one site. Three features showed significant trends at all three sites: the time from pulse onset to peak, the time from the dicrotic notch to pulse end, and the pulse rate. More features showed significant trends at the radial artery (15) than the brachial (8) or temporal (7) arteries. Most features were influenced by multiple input parameters. Significance: The features identified in this study could be used to monitor stress in healthcare and consumer devices. Measurements at the radial artery may provide superior performance than the brachial or temporal arteries. In vivo studies are required to confirm these observations. PMID:29658894

Nonlinear spin waves in magnetic thin films - foldover, dispersive shock waves, and spin pumping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janantha, Pasdunkorale Arachchige Praveen

Three nonlinear phenomena of spin waves and the spin Seebeck effect in yttrium iron garnet (YIG)/Pt bi-layer structures are studied in this thesis and are reported in detail in Chapters 4-7. In the fourth chapter, the first observation of foldover effect of nonlinear eigenmodes in feedback ring systems is reported. The experiments made use of a system that consisted of a YIG thin film strip, which supported the propagation of forward volume spin waves, and a microwave amplifier, which amplified the signal from the output of the YIG strip and then fed it back to the input of the strip. The signal amplitude vs. frequency response in this ring system showed resonant peaks which resulted from ring eigenmodes. With an increase in the resonance amplitude, those resonant peaks evolved from symmetric peaks to asymmetric ones and then folded over to higher frequencies. The experimental observations were reproduced by theoretical calculations that took into account the nonlinearity-produced frequency shift of the traveling spin waves. The fifth chapter presents the first experimental observation of the formation of envelope dispersive shock wave (DSW) excitations from repulsive nonlinear spin waves. The experiments used a microwave step pulse to excite a spin-wave step pulse in a YIG thin film strip, in which the spin-wave amplitude increases rapidly. Under certain conditions, the spin-wave pulse evolved into a DSW excitation that consisted of a train of dark soliton-like dips with both the dip width and depth increasing from the front to the back and was terminated by a black soliton that had an almost zero intensity and a nearly 180° phase jump at its center. The sixth chapter reports on the spin pumping due to traveling spin waves. The experiment used a micron-thick YIG strip capped by a nanometer-thick Pt layer. The YIG film was biased by an in-plane magnetic field. The spin waves pumped spin currents into the Pt layer, and the later produced electrical voltages across the length of the Pt strip through the inverse spin Hall effect (ISHE). Several distinct pumping regimes were observed and were interpreted in the frame work of the nonlinear three-wave splitting processes of the spin waves. The seventh chapter presents the first experimental work on the roles of damping in the spin Seebeck effect (SSE). The experiments used YIG/Pt bi-layered structures where the YIG films exhibited very similar structural and static magnetic properties but very different damping. The data indicate that a decrease in the damping of the YIG film gives rise to an increase in the SSE coefficient, and this response shows quasi-linear behavior. The data also indicate that the SSE coefficient shows no notable dependences on the enhanced damping due to spin pumping.

Role of the sodium pump in pacemaker generation in dog colonic smooth muscle.

PubMed Central

Barajas-López, C; Chow, E; Den Hertog, A; Huizinga, J D

1989-01-01

1. The role of the Na+ pump in the generation of slow wave activity in circular muscle of the dog colon was investigated using a partitioned 'Abe-Tomita' type chamber for voltage control. 2. Blockade of the Na+ pump by omission of extracellular K+, by ouabain, or the combination of 0 mM-Na+ and ouabain, depolarized the membrane up to approximately -40 mV and abolished the slow wave activity. Repolarization back to the control membrane potential by hyperpolarizing current restored the slow wave activity. 3. Slow waves continued to be present in 0 Na+, Li+ HEPES solution. 4. The depolarization induced by the procedures to block Na+ pump activity was associated with an increase in input membrane resistance. 5. Voltage-current relationships show the presence of an inward rectification. 6. Reduction of temperature depolarized the membrane, and decreased the slow wave frequency and amplitude. The slow wave amplitude was restored by repolarization of the membrane. 7. Brief depolarizing pulses evoked premature slow waves. Brief hyperpolarizing pulses terminated the slow waves. 8. We conclude that abolition of slow wave activity by Na+ pump blockade is a direct effect of membrane depolarization and that the Na+ pump is not responsible for the generation of the slow wave. 9. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that pacemaker activity in smooth muscle is a consequence of membrane conductance changes which are metabolically dependent. PMID:2607455

Apparatus for in-situ nondestructive measurement of Young's modulus of plate structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huang, Jerry Qixin (Inventor); Perez, Robert J. (Inventor); DeLangis, Leo M. (Inventor)

2005-01-01

A method and apparatus for determining stiffness of a plate-like structure including a monolithic or composite laminate plate entails disposing a device for generating an acoustical pulse against a surface of the plate and disposing a detecting device against the same surface spaced a known distance from the pulse-generating device, and using the pulse-generating device to emit a pulse so as to create an extensional wave in the plate. The detecting device is used to determine a time of flight of the wave over the known distance, and the wave velocity is calculated. A Young's modulus of the plate is determined by a processor based on the wave velocity. Methods and apparatus for evaluating both isotropic plates and anisotropic laminates are disclosed.

Travelling Wave Pulse Coupled Oscillator (TWPCO) Using a Self-Organizing Scheme for Energy-Efficient Wireless Sensor Networks.

PubMed

Al-Mekhlafi, Zeyad Ghaleb; Hanapi, Zurina Mohd; Othman, Mohamed; Zukarnain, Zuriati Ahmad

2017-01-01

Recently, Pulse Coupled Oscillator (PCO)-based travelling waves have attracted substantial attention by researchers in wireless sensor network (WSN) synchronization. Because WSNs are generally artificial occurrences that mimic natural phenomena, the PCO utilizes firefly synchronization of attracting mating partners for modelling the WSN. However, given that sensor nodes are unable to receive messages while transmitting data packets (due to deafness), the PCO model may not be efficient for sensor network modelling. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposed a new scheme called the Travelling Wave Pulse Coupled Oscillator (TWPCO). For this, the study used a self-organizing scheme for energy-efficient WSNs that adopted travelling wave biologically inspired network systems based on phase locking of the PCO model to counteract deafness. From the simulation, it was found that the proposed TWPCO scheme attained a steady state after a number of cycles. It also showed superior performance compared to other mechanisms, with a reduction in the total energy consumption of 25%. The results showed that the performance improved by 13% in terms of data gathering. Based on the results, the proposed scheme avoids the deafness that occurs in the transmit state in WSNs and increases the data collection throughout the transmission states in WSNs.

Travelling Wave Pulse Coupled Oscillator (TWPCO) Using a Self-Organizing Scheme for Energy-Efficient Wireless Sensor Networks

PubMed Central

Hanapi, Zurina Mohd; Othman, Mohamed; Zukarnain, Zuriati Ahmad

2017-01-01

Recently, Pulse Coupled Oscillator (PCO)-based travelling waves have attracted substantial attention by researchers in wireless sensor network (WSN) synchronization. Because WSNs are generally artificial occurrences that mimic natural phenomena, the PCO utilizes firefly synchronization of attracting mating partners for modelling the WSN. However, given that sensor nodes are unable to receive messages while transmitting data packets (due to deafness), the PCO model may not be efficient for sensor network modelling. To overcome this limitation, this paper proposed a new scheme called the Travelling Wave Pulse Coupled Oscillator (TWPCO). For this, the study used a self-organizing scheme for energy-efficient WSNs that adopted travelling wave biologically inspired network systems based on phase locking of the PCO model to counteract deafness. From the simulation, it was found that the proposed TWPCO scheme attained a steady state after a number of cycles. It also showed superior performance compared to other mechanisms, with a reduction in the total energy consumption of 25%. The results showed that the performance improved by 13% in terms of data gathering. Based on the results, the proposed scheme avoids the deafness that occurs in the transmit state in WSNs and increases the data collection throughout the transmission states in WSNs. PMID:28056020

Numerical simulations of short-mixing-time double-wave-vector diffusion-weighting experiments with multiple concatenations on whole-body MR systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finsterbusch, Jürgen

2010-12-01

Double- or two-wave-vector diffusion-weighting experiments with short mixing times in which two diffusion-weighting periods are applied in direct succession, are a promising tool to estimate cell sizes in the living tissue. However, the underlying effect, a signal difference between parallel and antiparallel wave vector orientations, is considerably reduced for the long gradient pulses required on whole-body MR systems. Recently, it has been shown that multiple concatenations of the two wave vectors in a single acquisition can double the modulation amplitude if short gradient pulses are used. In this study, numerical simulations of such experiments were performed with parameters achievable with whole-body MR systems. It is shown that the theoretical model yields a good approximation of the signal behavior if an additional term describing free diffusion is included. More importantly, it is demonstrated that the shorter gradient pulses sufficient to achieve the desired diffusion weighting for multiple concatenations, increase the signal modulation considerably, e.g. by a factor of about five for five concatenations. Even at identical echo times, achieved by a shortened diffusion time, a moderate number of concatenations significantly improves the signal modulation. Thus, experiments on whole-body MR systems may benefit from multiple concatenations.

Ambulatory aortic blood pressure, wave reflections and pulse wave velocity are elevated during the third in comparison to the second interdialytic day of the long interval in chronic haemodialysis patients.

PubMed

Koutroumbas, Georgios; Georgianos, Panagiotis I; Sarafidis, Pantelis A; Protogerou, Athanase; Karpetas, Antonios; Vakianis, Pantelis; Raptis, Vassilios; Liakopoulos, Vassilios; Panagoutsos, Stylianos; Syrganis, Christos; Passadakis, Ploumis

2015-12-01

Increased arterial stiffness and aortic blood pressure (BP) are independent predictors of cardiovascular outcomes in end-stage renal disease. The 3-day interdialytic interval is associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in haemodialysis. This study investigated differences in ambulatory aortic BP and arterial stiffness between the second and third day of the long interdialytic interval. Ambulatory BP monitoring with Mobil-O-Graph monitor (IEM, Stolberg, Germany) was performed in 55 haemodialysis patients during a 3-day interval. Mobil-O-Graph records oscillometric brachial BP and pulse waves and calculates aortic BP and augmentation index (AIx) as measure of wave reflections, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) as measure of arterial stiffness. Ambulatory aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were higher during the third versus second interdialytic day (123.6 ± 17.0 versus 118.5 ± 17.1 mmHg, P < 0.001; 81.5 ± 11.8 versus 78 ± 11.9 mmHg, P < 0.001, respectively). Similar differences were noted for brachial BP. Ambulatory AIx and PWV were also significantly increased during the third versus second day (30.5 ± 9.9 versus 28.8 ± 9.9%, P < 0.05; 9.6 ± 2.3 versus 9.4 ± 2.3 m/s, P < 0.001, respectively). Differences between Days 2 and 3 remained significant when day-time and night-time periods were compared separately. Aortic SBP and DBP, AIx and PWV showed gradual increases from the end of dialysis session onwards. Interdialytic weight gain was a strong determinant of the increase in the above parameters. This study showed significantly higher ambulatory aortic BP, AIx and PWV levels during the third compared with the second interdialytic day. These findings support a novel pathway for increased cardiovascular risk during the third interdialytic day in haemodialysis. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved.

Ambulatory (24 h) blood pressure and arterial stiffness measurement in Marfan syndrome patients: a case control feasibility and pilot study.

PubMed

Hillebrand, Matthias; Nouri, Ghazaleh; Hametner, Bernhard; Parragh, Stephanie; Köster, Jelena; Mortensen, Kai; Schwarz, Achim; von Kodolitsch, Yskert; Wassertheurer, Siegfried

2016-05-06

The aim of this work is the investigation of measures of ambulatory brachial and aortic blood pressure and indices of arterial stiffness and aortic wave reflection in Marfan patients. A case-control study was conducted including patients with diagnosed Marfan syndrome following Ghent2 nosology and healthy controls matched for sex, age and daytime brachial systolic blood pressure. For each subject a 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and 24 h pulse wave analysis measurement was performed. All parameters showed a circadian pattern whereby pressure dipping was more pronounced in Marfan patients. During daytime only Marfan patients with aortic root surgery showed increased pulse wave velocity. In contrast, various nighttime measurements, wave reflection determinants and circadian patterns showed a significant difference. The findings of our study provide evidence that ambulatory measurement of arterial stiffness parameters is feasible and that these determinants are significantly different in Marfan syndrome patients compared to controls in particular at nighttime. Further investigation is therefore indicated.

Simulation study and guidelines to generate Laser-induced Surface Acoustic Waves for human skin feature detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tingting; Fu, Xing; Chen, Kun; Dorantes-Gonzalez, Dante J.; Li, Yanning; Wu, Sen; Hu, Xiaotang

2015-12-01

Despite the seriously increasing number of people contracting skin cancer every year, limited attention has been given to the investigation of human skin tissues. To this regard, Laser-induced Surface Acoustic Wave (LSAW) technology, with its accurate, non-invasive and rapid testing characteristics, has recently shown promising results in biological and biomedical tissues. In order to improve the measurement accuracy and efficiency of detecting important features in highly opaque and soft surfaces such as human skin, this paper identifies the most important parameters of a pulse laser source, as well as provides practical guidelines to recommended proper ranges to generate Surface Acoustic Waves (SAWs) for characterization purposes. Considering that melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer, we conducted a finite element simulation-based research on the generation and propagation of surface waves in human skin containing a melanoma-like feature, determine best pulse laser parameter ranges of variation, simulation mesh size and time step, working bandwidth, and minimal size of detectable melanoma.

Detecting gravity waves from binary black holes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wahlquist, Hugo D.

1989-01-01

One of the most attractive possible sources of strong gravitational waves would be a binary system comprising massive black holes (BH). The gravitational radiation from a binary is an elliptically polarized, periodic wave which could be observed continuously - or at intervals whenever a detector was available. This continuity of the signal is certainly appealing compared to waiting for individual pulses from infrequent random events. It also has the advantage over pulses that continued observation can increase the signal-to-noise ratio almost indefinitely. Furthermore, this system is dynamically simple; the theory of the generation of the radiation is unambiguous; all characteristics of the signal can be precisely related to the dynamical parameters of the source. The current situation is that while there is no observational evidence as yet for the existence of massive binary BH, their formation is theoretically plausible, and within certain coupled constraints of mass and location, their existence cannot be observationally excluded. Detecting gravitational waves from these objects might be the first observational proof of their existence.

Effect of Young's modulus on bubble formation and pressure waves during pulsed holmium ablation of tissue phantoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jansen, E. Duco; Asshauer, Thomas; Frenz, Martin; Delacretaz, Guy P.; Motamedi, Massoud; Welch, Ashley J.

1995-05-01

Mechanical injury during pulsed laser ablation of tissue is caused by rapid bubble expansions and collapse or by laser-induced pressure waves. In this study the effect of material elasticity on the ablation process has been investigated. Polyacrylamide tissue phantoms with various water concentrations (75-95%) were made. The Young's moduli of the gels were determined by measuring the stress-strain relationship. An optical fiber (200 or 400 micrometers ) was translated into the clear gel and one pulse of holmium:YAG laser radiation was given. The laser was operated in either the Q-switched mode (tau) p equals 500 ns, Qp equals 14 +/- 1 mJ, 200 micrometers fiber, Ho equals 446 mJ/mm2) or the free-running mode ((tau) p equals 100 microsecond(s) , Qp equals 200 +/- 5 mJ, 400 micrometers fiber, Ho equals 1592 mJ/mm2). Bubble formation inside the gels was recorded using a fast flash photography setup while simultaneously recording pressures with a PVDP needle hydrophone (40 ns risetime) positioned in the gel, approximately 2 mm away from the fibertip. A thermo-elastic expansion wave was measured only during Q-switched pulse delivery. The amplitude of this wave (approximately equals 40 bar at 1 mm from the fiber) did not vary significantly in any of the phantoms investigated. Rapid bubble formation and collapse was observed inside the clear gels. Upon bubble collapse, a pressure transient was emitted; the amplitude of this transient depended strongly on bubble size and geometry. It was found that (1) the bubble was almost spherical for the Q-switched pulse and became more elongated for the free-running pulse, and (2) the maximum bubble size and thus the collapse amplitude decreased with an increase in Young's modulus (from 68 +/- 11 bar at 1 mm in 95% water gel to 25 +/- 10 bar at 1 mm in 75% water gel).

Effects of blood pressure and sex on the change of wave reflection: evidence from Gaussian fitting method for radial artery pressure waveform.

PubMed

Liu, Chengyu; Zhao, Lina; Liu, Changchun

2014-01-01

An early return of the reflected component in the arterial pulse has been recognized as an important indicator of cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to determine the effects of blood pressure and sex factor on the change of wave reflection using Gaussian fitting method. One hundred and ninety subjects were enrolled. They were classified into four blood pressure categories based on the systolic blood pressures (i.e., ≤ 110, 111-120, 121-130 and ≥ 131 mmHg). Each blood pressure category was also stratified for sex factor. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and radial artery pressure waveforms (RAPW) signals were recorded for each subject. Ten consecutive pulse episodes from the RAPW signal were extracted and normalized. Each normalized pulse episode was fitted by three Gaussian functions. Both the peak position and peak height of the first and second Gaussian functions, as well as the peak position interval and peak height ratio, were used as the evaluation indices of wave reflection. Two-way ANOVA results showed that with the increased blood pressure, the peak position of the second Gaussian significantly shorten (P < 0.01), the peak height of the first Gaussian significantly decreased (P < 0.01) and the peak height of the second Gaussian significantly increased (P < 0.01), inducing the significantly decreased peak position interval and significantly increased peak height ratio (both P < 0.01). Sex factor had no significant effect on all evaluation indices (all P > 0.05). Moreover, the interaction between sex and blood pressure factors also had no significant effect on all evaluation indices (all P > 0.05). These results showed that blood pressure has significant effect on the change of wave reflection when using the recently developed Gaussian fitting method, whereas sex has no significant effect. The results also suggested that the Gaussian fitting method could be used as a new approach for assessing the arterial wave reflection.

Plasma diagnostics of low pressure high power impulse magnetron sputtering assisted by electron cyclotron wave resonance plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stranak, Vitezslav; University of South Bohemia, Institute of Physics and Biophysics, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice; Herrendorf, Ann-Pierra

2012-11-01

This paper reports on an investigation of the hybrid pulsed sputtering source based on the combination of electron cyclotron wave resonance (ECWR) inductively coupled plasma and high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) of a Ti target. The plasma source, operated in an Ar atmosphere at a very low pressure of 0.03 Pa, provides plasma where the major fraction of sputtered particles is ionized. It was found that ECWR assistance increases the electron temperature during the HiPIMS pulse. The discharge current and electron density can achieve their stable maximum 10 {mu}s after the onset of the HiPIMS pulse. Further, a highmore » concentration of double charged Ti{sup ++} with energies of up to 160 eV was detected. All of these facts were verified experimentally by time-resolved emission spectroscopy, retarding field analyzer measurement, Langmuir probe, and energy-resolved mass spectrometry.« less

Measurement of Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity With a Connected Bathroom Scale.

PubMed

Campo, David; Khettab, Hakim; Yu, Roger; Genain, Nicolas; Edouard, Paul; Buard, Nadine; Boutouyrie, Pierre

2017-09-01

Measurement of arterial stiffness should be more available. Our aim was to show that aortic pulse wave velocity can be reliably measured with a bathroom scale combining the principles of ballistocardiography (BCG) and impedance plethysmography on a single foot. The calibration of the bathroom scale was conducted on a group of 106 individuals. The aortic pulse wave velocity was measured with the SphygmoCor in the supine position. Three consecutive measurements were then performed on the Withings scale in the standing position. This aorta-leg pulse transit time (alPTT) was then converted into a velocity with the additional input of the height of the person. Agreement between the SphygmoCor and the bathroom scale so calibrated is assessed on a separate group of 86 individuals, following the same protocol. The bias is 0.25 m·s-1 and the SE 1.39 m·s-1. This agreement with Sphygmocor is "acceptable" according to the ARTERY classification. The alPTT correlated well with cfPTT with (Spearman) R = 0.73 in pooled population (cal 0.79, val 0.66). The aorta-leg pulse wave velocity correlated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity with R = 0.76 (cal 0.80, val 0.70). Estimation of the aortic pulse wave velocity is feasible with a bathroom scale. Further investigations are needed to improve the repeatability of measurements and to test their accuracy in different populations and conditions. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of American Journal of Hypertension.

Repetitively Pulsed Backward-Wave Oscillator Investigations

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-03-31

Sinus-6 High Power BWO Experiments and Theory .................. 6 A . B W O physics .............................................................. 6...B. Experiments with high power output of BWO .............................. 8 Section III. Long Pulse Vacuum BWO Experiments...UNM) has completed its initial phase of research on repetitively pulsed high power backward-wave oscillators (BWOs). The aggressive program that we had

Terahertz pulse generation from metal nanoparticle ink

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kato, Kosaku; Takano, Keisuke; Tadokoro, Yuzuru; Phan, Thanh Nhat Khoa; Nakajima, Makoto

2016-11-01

Terahertz pulse generation from metallic nanostructures irradiated by femtosecond laser pulses is of interest because the conversion efficiency from laser pulses to terahertz waves is increased by the local field enhancement resulting from the plasmon oscillation. In this talk we present our recent study on terahertz generation from metal nanoparticle ink. We baked a silver nanoparticle ink spin-coated onto a glass coverslip in various temperatures. On the surface of the baked ink, bumpy nanostructures are spontaneously formed, and the average size of bumps depends on the baking temperature. These structures are expected to lead to local field enhancement and then large nonlinear polarizations on the surface. The baked ink was irradiated by the output of regeneratively amplified Ti:sapphire femtosecond laser at an incidence angle of 45°. Waveforms of generated terahertz pulses are detected by electro-optical sampling. The generation efficiency was high when the average diameter of bumps was around 100 nm, which is realized when the ink is baked in 205 to 235°C in our setup. One of our next research targets is terahertz wave generation from micro-patterned metallic nanoparticle ink. It is an advantage of the metal nanoparticle ink that by using inkjet printers one can fabricate various patterns with micrometer scales, in which terahertz waves have a resonance. Combination of microstructures made by a printer and nanostructure spontaneously formed in the baking process will provide us terahertz emitters with unique frequency characteristics.

Central blood pressure and pulse wave velocity: relationship to target organ damage and cardiovascular morbidity-mortality in diabetic patients or metabolic syndrome. An observational prospective study. LOD-DIABETES study protocol

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Diabetic patients show an increased prevalence of non-dipping arterial pressure pattern, target organ damage and elevated arterial stiffness. These alterations are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The objectives of this study are the following: to evaluate the prognostic value of central arterial pressure and pulse wave velocity in relation to the incidence and outcome of target organ damage and the appearance of cardiovascular episodes (cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, chest pain and stroke) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome. Methods/Design Design: This is an observational prospective study with 5 years duration, of which the first year corresponds to patient inclusion and initial evaluation, and the remaining four years to follow-up. Setting: The study will be carried out in the urban primary care setting. Study population: Consecutive sampling will be used to include patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 20-80 years of age. A total of 110 patients meeting all the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria will be included. Measurements: Patient age and sex, family and personal history of cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular risk factors. Height, weight, heart rate and abdominal circumference. Laboratory tests: hemoglobin, lipid profile, creatinine, microalbuminuria, glomerular filtration rate, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood insulin, fibrinogen and high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Clinical and 24-hour ambulatory (home) blood pressure monitoring and self-measured blood pressure. Common carotid artery ultrasound for the determination of mean carotid intima-media thickness. Electrocardiogram for assessing left ventricular hypertrophy. Ankle-brachial index. Retinal vascular study based on funduscopy with non-mydriatic retinography and evaluation of pulse wave morphology and pulse wave velocity using the SphygmoCor system. The medication used for diabetes, arterial hypertension and hyperlipidemia will be registered, together with antiplatelet drugs. Discussion The results of this study will help to know and quantify the prognostic value of central arterial pressure and pulse wave velocity in relation to the evolution of the subclinical target organ damage markers and the possible incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01065155 PMID:20298558

Dietary Sodium Restriction and Association with Urinary Marinobufagenin, Blood Pressure, and Aortic Stiffness

PubMed Central

Fedorova, Olga V.; Racine, Matthew L.; Geolfos, Candace J.; Gates, Phillip E.; Chonchol, Michel; Fleenor, Bradley S.; Lakatta, Edward G.; Bagrov, Alexei Y.; Seals, Douglas R.

2013-01-01

Summary Background and objectives Systolic BP and large elastic artery stiffness both increase with age and are reduced by dietary sodium restriction. Production of the natriuretic hormone marinobufagenin, an endogenous α1 Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor, is increased in salt-sensitive hypertension and contributes to the rise in systolic BP during sodium loading. Design, setting, participants, & measurements The hypothesis was that dietary sodium restriction performed in middle-aged/older adults (eight men and three women; 60±2 years) with moderately elevated systolic BP (139±2/83±2 mmHg) would reduce urinary marinobufagenin excretion as well as systolic BP and aortic pulse-wave velocity (randomized, placebo-controlled, and crossover design). This study also explored the associations among marinobufagenin excretion with systolic BP and aortic pulse-wave velocity across conditions of 5 weeks of a low-sodium (77±9 mmol/d) and 5 weeks of a normal-sodium (144±7 mmol/d) diet. Results Urinary marinobufagenin excretion (weekly measurements; 25.4±1.8 versus 30.7±2.1 pmol/kg per day), systolic BP (127±3 versus 138±5 mmHg), and aortic pulse-wave velocity (700±40 versus 843±36 cm/s) were lower during the low- versus normal-sodium condition (all P<0.05). Across all weeks, marinobufagenin excretion was related with systolic BP (slope=0.61, P<0.001) and sodium excretion (slope=0.46, P<0.001). These associations persisted during the normal- but not the low-sodium condition (both P<0.005). Marinobufagenin excretion also was associated with aortic pulse-wave velocity (slope=0.70, P=0.02) and endothelial cell expression of NAD(P)H oxidase-p47phox (slope=0.64, P=0.006). Conclusions These results show, for the first time in humans, that dietary sodium restriction reduces urinary marinobufagenin excretion and that urinary marinobufagenin excretion is positively associated with systolic BP, aortic stiffness (aortic pulse-wave velocity), and endothelial cell expression of the oxidant enzyme NAD(P)H oxidase. Importantly, marinobufagenin excretion is positively related to systolic BP over ranges of sodium intake typical of an American diet, extending previous observations in rodents and humans fed experimentally high-sodium diets. PMID:23929930

High-Intensity Interval Cycling Exercise on Wave Reflection and Pulse Wave Velocity.

PubMed

Kingsley, J Derek; Tai, Yu Lun; Vaughan, Jeremiah A; Mayo, Xián

2017-05-01

Kingsley, JD, Tai, YL, Vaughan, J, and Mayo, X. High-intensity interval cycling exercise on wave reflection and pulse wave velocity. J Strength Cond Res 31(5): 1313-1320, 2017-The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of high-intensity exercise on wave reflection and aortic stiffness. Nine young, healthy men (mean ± SD: age: 22 ± 2 years) participated in the study. The high-intensity interval cycling exercise consisted of 3 sets of Wingate Anaerobic Tests (WATs) with 7.5% of bodyweight as resistance and 2 minutes of rest between each set. Measurements were taken at rest and 1 minute after completion of the WATs. Brachial and aortic blood pressures, as well as wave reflection characteristics, were measured through pulse wave analysis. Aortic stiffness was assessed through carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to investigate the effects of the WATs on blood pressure and vascular function across time. There was no change in brachial or aortic systolic pressure from rest to recovery. There was a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in brachial diastolic pressure (rest: 73 ± 6 mm Hg; recovery: 67 ± 9 mm Hg) and aortic diastolic pressure (rest: 75 ± 6 mm Hg; recovery: 70 ± 9 mm Hg) from rest to recovery. In addition, there was no significant change in the augmentation index (rest: 111.4 ± 6.5%; recovery: 109.8 ± 5.8%, p = 0.65) from rest to recovery. However, there was a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in the augmentation index normalized at 75 b·min (rest: 3.29 ± 9.82; recovery 21.21 ± 10.87) during recovery compared with rest. There was no change in cfPWV (rest: 5.3 ± 0.8 m·s; recovery: 5.7 ± 0.5m·s; p = 0.09) in response to the WAT. These data demonstrate that high-intensity interval cycling exercise with short rest periods has a nonsignificant effect on vascular function.

Systolic blood pressure, arterial rigidity, and risk of stroke. The Framingham study.

PubMed

Kannel, W B; Wolf, P A; McGee, D L; Dawber, T R; McNamara, P; Castelli, W P

1981-03-27

Based on prospective data from the Framingham study relating systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, age, and pulse-wave configuration to future stroke incidence, it would appear that isolated systolic hypertension predisposes to stroke independent of arterial rigidity. The prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension increased with age and with the degree of blunting of the dicrotic notch in the pulse wave. Subjects with isolated systolic hypertension experienced two to four times as many strokes as did normotensive persons. While diastolic pressure is related to stroke incidence, in the subject with systolic hypertension, the diastolic component adds little to risk assessment and in men, in this subgroup, appears unrelated to stroke incidence.

Effect of Multipath Laser Shock Processing on Microhardness, Surface Roughness, and Wear Resistance of 2024-T3 Al Alloy

PubMed Central

Kadhim, Abdulhadi; Salim, Evan T.; Fayadh, Saeed M.; Al-Amiery, Ahmed A.; Kadhum, Abdul Amir H.; Mohamad, Abu Bakar

2014-01-01

Laser shock processing (LSP) is an innovative surface treatment technique with high peak power, short pulse, and cold hardening for strengthening metal materials. LSP is based on the application of a high intensity pulsed laser beam (I > 1 GW/cm2; t < 50 ns) at the interface between the metallic target and the surrounding medium (a transparent confining material, normally water) forcing a sudden vaporization of the metallic surface into a high temperature and density plasma that immediately develops inducing a shock wave propagating into the material. The shock wave induces plastic deformation and a residual stress distribution in the target material. In this paper we study the increase of microhardness and surface roughness with the increase of laser pulse energy in 2024-T3 Al alloy. The influence of the thickness of the confining layer (water) on microhardness and surface roughness is also studied. In addition, the effect of LSP treatment with best conditions on wear behaviors of the alloy was investigated. PMID:24737973

Electron-acoustic rogue waves in a plasma with Tribeche–Tsallis–Cairns distributed electrons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Merriche, Abderrzak; Tribeche, Mouloud, E-mail: mouloudtribeche@yahoo.fr; Algerian Academy of Sciences and Technologies, Algiers

2017-01-15

The problem of electron-acoustic (EA) rogue waves in a plasma consisting of fluid cold electrons, nonthermal nonextensive electrons and stationary ions, is addressed. A standard multiple scale method has been carried out to derive a nonlinear Schrödinger-like equation. The coefficients of dispersion and nonlinearity depend on the nonextensive and nonthermal parameters. The EA wave stability is analyzed. Interestingly, it is found that the wave number threshold, above which the EA wave modulational instability (MI) sets in, increases as the nonextensive parameter increases. As the nonthermal character of the electrons increases, the MI occurs at large wavelength. Moreover, it is shownmore » that as the nonextensive parameter increases, the EA rogue wave pulse grows while its width is narrowed. The amplitude of the EA rogue wave decreases with an increase of the number of energetic electrons. In the absence of nonthermal electrons, the nonextensive effects are more perceptible and more noticeable. In view of the crucial importance of rogue waves, our results can contribute to the understanding of localized electrostatic envelope excitations and underlying physical processes, that may occur in space as well as in laboratory plasmas.« less

Complementary optical rogue waves in parametric three-wave mixing.

PubMed

Chen, Shihua; Cai, Xian-Ming; Grelu, Philippe; Soto-Crespo, J M; Wabnitz, Stefan; Baronio, Fabio

2016-03-21

We investigate the resonant interaction of two optical pulses of the same group velocity with a pump pulse of different velocity in a weakly dispersive quadratic medium and report on the complementary rogue wave dynamics which are unique to such a parametric three-wave mixing. Analytic rogue wave solutions up to the second order are explicitly presented and their robustness is confirmed by numerical simulations, in spite of the onset of modulation instability activated by quantum noise.

Relations of arterial stiffness with postural change in mean arterial pressure in middle-aged adults: The Framingham Heart Study

PubMed Central

Torjesen, Alyssa; Cooper, Leroy L.; Rong, Jian; Larson, Martin G.; Hamburg, Naomi M.; Levy, Daniel; Benjamin, Emelia J.; Vasan, Ramachandran S.; Mitchell, Gary F.

2017-01-01

Impaired regulation of blood pressure upon standing can lead to adverse outcomes, including falls, syncope, and disorientation. Mean arterial pressure typically increases upon standing; however, an insufficient increase or a decline in mean arterial pressure upon standing may result in decreased cerebral perfusion. Orthostatic hypotension has been reported in older people with increased arterial stiffness, whereas the association between orthostatic change in mean arterial pressure and arterial stiffness in young-to-middle aged individuals has not been examined. We analyzed orthostatic blood pressure response and comprehensive hemodynamic data in 3205 participants (1693 [53%] women) in the Framingham Heart Study Third Generation cohort. Participants were predominantly middle-aged (mean age: 46±9 years). Arterial stiffness was assessed using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, forward pressure wave amplitude, and characteristic impedance of the aorta. Adjusting for standard cardiovascular disease risk factors, orthostatic change in mean arterial pressure (6.9±7.7 mm Hg) was inversely associated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (partial correlation, rp = −0.084, P<0.0001), forward wave amplitude (rp = −0.129, P<0.0001), and characteristic impedance (rp = −0.094, P<0.0001). The negative relation between forward wave amplitude and change in mean arterial pressure on standing was accentuated in women (P=0.002 for sex interaction). Thus, higher aortic stiffness was associated with a blunted orthostatic increase in mean arterial pressure, even in middle age. The clinical implications of these findings warrant further study. PMID:28264924

Comparison between broadband Bessel beam launchers based on either Bessel or Hankel aperture distribution for millimeter wave short pulse generation.

PubMed

Pavone, Santi C; Mazzinghi, Agnese; Freni, Angelo; Albani, Matteo

2017-08-07

In this paper, a comparison is presented between Bessel beam launchers at millimeter waves based on either a cylindrical standing wave (CSW) or a cylindrical inward traveling wave (CITW) aperture distribution. It is theoretically shown that CITW launchers are better suited for the generation of electromagnetic short pulses because they maintain their performances over a larger bandwidth than those realizing a CSW aperture distribution. Moreover, the wavenumber dispersion of both the launchers is evaluated both theoretically and numerically. To this end, two planar Bessel beam launchers, one enforcing a CSW and the other enforcing a CITW aperture distribution, are designed at millimeter waves with a center operating frequency of f¯=60GHz and analyzed in the bandwidth 50 - 70 GHz by using an in-house developed numerical code to solve Maxwell's equations based on the method of moments. It is shown that a monochromatic Bessel beam can be efficiently generated by both the launchers over a wide fractional bandwidth. Finally, we investigate the generation of limited-diffractive electromagnetic pulses at millimeter waves, up to a certain non-diffractive range. Namely, it is shown that by feeding the launcher with a Gaussian short pulse, a spatially confined electromagnetic pulse can be efficiently generated in front of the launcher.

Imaging and control of interfering wave packets in a dissociating molecule.

PubMed

Skovsen, Esben; Machholm, Mette; Ejdrup, Tine; Thøgersen, Jan; Stapelfeldt, Henrik

2002-09-23

Using two identical 110 femtosecond (fs) optical pulses separated by 310 fs, we launch two dissociative wave packets in I2. We measure the square of the wave function as a function of both the internuclear separation, /Psi(R)/(2), and of the internuclear velocity, /Psi(v(R))/(2), by ionizing the dissociating molecule with an intense 20 fs probe pulse. Strong interference is observed in both /Psi(R)/(2) and in /Psi(v(R))/(2). The interference, and therefore the shape of the wave function, is controlled through the phase difference between the two dissociation pulses in good agreement with calculations.

Rogue waves in a multistable system.

PubMed

Pisarchik, Alexander N; Jaimes-Reátegui, Rider; Sevilla-Escoboza, Ricardo; Huerta-Cuellar, G; Taki, Majid

2011-12-30

Clear evidence of rogue waves in a multistable system is revealed by experiments with an erbium-doped fiber laser driven by harmonic pump modulation. The mechanism for the rogue wave formation lies in the interplay of stochastic processes with multistable deterministic dynamics. Low-frequency noise applied to a diode pump current induces rare jumps to coexisting subharmonic states with high-amplitude pulses perceived as rogue waves. The probability of these events depends on the noise filtered frequency and grows up when the noise amplitude increases. The probability distribution of spike amplitudes confirms the rogue wave character of the observed phenomenon. The results of numerical simulations are in good agreement with experiments.

Enhanced optical confinement of dye-doped dielectric nanoparticles using a picosecond-pulsed near-infrared laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kittiravechote, A.; Chiang, W.-Y.; Usman, A.; Liau, I.; Masuhara, H.

2014-07-01

We demonstrate a novel strategy to increase the capability of confining numerous dye-doped polymeric nanobeads (diameter 100 nm) with laser trapping. Unlike most classical works of optical trapping that address mainly the stiffness of the optical trap, our work concerns an increase in the number of particles confined near the laser focus. We developed an imaging system of light scattering in which a condenser lamp was employed to illuminate the focal plane of the objective lens, and the scattering of the incoherent light was specifically measured to determine the number of confined nanobeads. In contrast to preceding work that used mainly continuous-wave or femtosecond-pulsed lasers, we employed a picosecond-pulsed laser with the half-wavelength of the laser particularly falling within the absorption band of the dopant. Our results show that the number of doped nanobeads held by the laser is significantly greater than that of the bare nanobeads of the same dimension. In striking contrast, the confinement of the nanobeads of the two types was comparable when a continuous-wave laser of the same wavelength and power was employed. The number of confined dye-doped nanobeads increased nonlinearly with the power of the pulsed laser; this dependence was fitted satisfactorily with a second-order polynomial. Supported by theoretical analysis, we attribute the enhanced confinement of doped nanobeads in part to an increased effective refractive index resulting from two-photon resonance between the optical field of the laser and the dopant of the nanobead. We envisage that our findings would evoke applications that benefit from controlled confinement or aggregation of nanomaterials with the employment of near-infrared pulsed lasers.

Coherence rephasing combined with spin-wave storage using chirped control pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demeter, Gabor

2014-06-01

Photon-echo based optical quantum memory schemes often employ intermediate steps to transform optical coherences to spin coherences for longer storage times. We analyze a scheme that uses three identical chirped control pulses for coherence rephasing in an inhomogeneously broadened ensemble of three-level Λ systems. The pulses induce a cyclic permutation of the atomic populations in the adiabatic regime. Optical coherences created by a signal pulse are stored as spin coherences at an intermediate time interval, and are rephased for echo emission when the ensemble is returned to the initial state. Echo emission during a possible partial rephasing when the medium is inverted can be suppressed with an appropriate choice of control pulse wave vectors. We demonstrate that the scheme works in an optically dense ensemble, despite control pulse distortions during propagation. It integrates conveniently the spin-wave storage step into memory schemes based on a second rephasing of the atomic coherences.

Impact of American-style football participation on vascular function.

PubMed

Kim, Jonathan H; Sher, Salman; Wang, Francis; Berkstresser, Brant; Shoop, James L; Galante, Angelo; Al Mheid, Ibhar; Ghasemzadeh, Nima; Hutter, Adolph M; Williams, B Robinson; Sperling, Laurence S; Weiner, Rory B; Quyyumi, Arshed A; Baggish, Aaron L

2015-01-15

Although hypertension is common in American-style football (ASF) players, the presence of concomitant vascular dysfunction has not been previously characterized. We sought to examine the impact of ASF participation on arterial stiffness and to compare metrics of arterial function between collegiate ASF participants and nonathletic collegiate controls. Newly matriculated collegiate athletes were studied longitudinally during a single season of ASF participation and were then compared with healthy undergraduate controls. Arterial stiffness was characterized using applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor). ASF participants (n = 32, 18.4 ± 0.5 years) were evenly comprised of Caucasians (n = 14, 44%) and African-Americans (n = 18, 56%). A single season of ASF participation led to an increase in central aortic pulse pressure (27 ± 4 vs 34 ± 8 mm Hg, p <0.001). Relative to controls (n = 47), pulse wave velocity was increased in ASF participants (5.6 ± 0.7 vs 6.2 ± 0.9 m/s, p = 0.002). After adjusting for height, weight, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure, ASF participation was independently predictive of increased pulse wave velocity (β = 0.33, p = 0.04). In conclusion, ASF participation leads to changes in central hemodynamics and increased arterial stiffness. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Arterial wave reflection and subclinical atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Gunter, Sule; Robinson, Chanel; Woodiwiss, Angela J; Norton, Gavin R; Hsu, Hon-Chun; Solomon, Ahmed; Tsang, Linda; Millen, Aletta M E; Dessein, Patrick H

2018-01-01

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk is increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Wave reflection occurs at arterial branching points, which are particularly prone to atherosclerosis. We explored the relationship of wave reflection with atherosclerosis in RA. One hundred and sixty three RA patients (110 white, 31 Asian, 17 black and 5 of mixed ancestry) without cardiovascular disease participated. Arterial stiffness, wave reflection, pressure pulsatility, plaque in the extracranial carotid artery tree and the mean of the left and right common carotid arteries intima-thickness were determined. Associations were identified in multivariable regression models. One SD increase in reflected wave pressure (OR (95% CI) = 2.54 (1.41-4.44), p=0.001), reflection magnitude (OR (95% CI) = 1.84 (1.17-2.89), p=0.008), central pulse pressure (OR (95% CI) = 1.89 (1.12-3.22), p=0.02) and peripheral pulse pressure (OR (95% CI) = 2.09 (1.23-3.57), p=0.007) were associated with plaque. The association of wave reflection with plaque was independent of arterial stiffness and pressure pulsatility, and was present in both hypertensive and normotensive RA patients. In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the optimal cutoff value for reflected wave pressure in predicting plaque presence was 25 mmHg with a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 45.2%, 89.3%, 78.6% and 66.2%, respectively; a reflected wave pressure of >25 mmHg was associated with plaque in univariate and adjusted analysis (p<0.0001 for both). Arterial function was not independently related to carotid intima-media thickness. Consideration and therapeutic targeting of wave reflection may improve cardiovascular disease prevention in RA.

Birefringent Fiber Devices and Lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Theimer, James Prentice

1995-01-01

This thesis presents the results of numerical simulations of mode-locked figure eight lasers and their components: fiber amplifiers and nonlinear optical loop mirrors (NOLMs). The computations were designed to study pulse evolution in optical amplifiers and NOLMs with periodic repetition of these elements. Since fiber laser systems also include birefringent fiber, the effects of fiber birefringence was incorporated into the simulations. My studies of pulse amplification in non-birefringent amplifiers show pulse breakup when their energies exceed 4.5 fundamental soliton energies. In birefringent fibers pulse breakup is also found, but the two orthogonally polarized pulses propagate together. I find that their behavior is related to the properties of a vector soliton. I found that vector waves have close to unity transmission through a birefringent NOLM, but the pulse shape is distorted. This shape distortion reduces subsequent transmissions through the NOLM. The energy required for peak transmission of the pulse is predicted by the theory based on vector solitons. The same theory also predicted the low intensity transmission. The performance of the NOLM with birefringent fiber could not be improved by altering the polarization state of the pulse from linear polarization; the polarization controller introduced pulse distortion that resulted in excessive loss. I found an instability in the steady-state operation of the figure eight laser, which is due to pulse reshaping during propagation in the amplifier section. To remove this instability I introduced the concept of dispersion balancing; by increasing the dispersion in the amplifier section, the pulse can propagate nearly as a fundamental soliton in both the amplifier and the NOLM sections of the laser. This eliminated a major source of dispersive wave shedding and allowed the laser operation to become independent of the amplifier length. Sidebands were found on the pulse spectrum and their maxima corresponded well with the periodic resonance model.

Distortion of ultrashort pulses caused by aberrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horváth, Z. L.; Kovács, A. P.; Bor, Zs.

The effect of the primary wave aberrations (spherical aberration, astigmatism and coma) on ultrashort pulses is studied by the Nijboer-Zernike theory. The results of the geometrical and the wave optical treatments are compared.

Molecular isomerization induced by ultrashort infrared pulses. II. Pump-dump isomerization using pairs of time-delayed half-cycle pulses.

PubMed

Uiberacker, Christoph; Jakubetz, Werner

2004-06-22

We investigate population transfer across the barrier in a double-well potential, induced by a pair of time-delayed single-lobe half-cycle pulses. We apply this setup both to a one-dimensional (1D) quartic model potential and to a three-dimensional potential representing HCN-->HNC isomerization. Overall the results for the two systems are similar, although in the 3D system some additional features appear not seen in the 1D case. The generic mechanism of population transfer is the preparation by the pump pulse of a wave packet involving delocalized states above the barrier, followed by the essentially 1D motion of the delocalized part of wave packet across the barrier, and the eventual de-excitation by the dump pulse to localized states in the other well. The correct timing is given by the well-to-well passage time of the wave packet and its recurrence properties, and by the signs of the field lobes which determine the direction and acceleration or deceleration of the wave packet motion. In the 3D system an additional pump-pump-dump mechanism linked to wave packet motion in the reagent well can mediate isomerization. Since the transfer time and the pulse durations are of the same order of magnitude, there is also a marked dependence of the dynamics and the transfer yield on the pulse duration. Our analysis also sheds light on the pronounced carrier envelope phase dependence previously observed for isomerization and molecular dissociation with one-cycle and sub-one-cycle pulses. (c) 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Study on the Depth, Rate, Shape, and Strength of Pulse with Cardiovascular Simulator.

PubMed

Lee, Ju-Yeon; Jang, Min; Shin, Sang-Hoon

2017-01-01

Pulse diagnosis is important in oriental medicine. The purpose of this study is explaining the mechanisms of pulse with a cardiovascular simulator. The simulator is comprised of the pulse generating part, the vessel part, and the measurement part. The pulse generating part was composed of motor, slider-crank mechanism, and piston pump. The vessel part, which was composed with the aorta and a radial artery, was fabricated with silicon to implement pulse wave propagation. The pulse parameters, such as the depth, rate, shape, and strength, were simulated. With changing the mean pressure, the floating pulse and the sunken pulse were generated. The change of heart rate generated the slow pulse and the rapid pulse. The control of the superposition time of the reflected wave generated the string-like pulse and the slippery pulse. With changing the pulse pressure, the vacuous pulse and the replete pulse were generated. The generated pulses showed good agreements with the typical pulses.

Metabolic Predictors of Change in Vascular Function: Prospective Associations From a Community-Based Cohort.

PubMed

Zachariah, Justin P; Rong, Jian; Larson, Martin G; Hamburg, Naomi M; Benjamin, Emelia J; Vasan, Ramachandran S; Mitchell, Gary F

2018-02-01

Vascular function varies with age because of physiological and pathological factors. We examined relations of longitudinal change in vascular function with change in metabolic traits. Longitudinal changes in vascular function and metabolic traits were examined in 5779 participants (mean age, 49.8±14.5 years; 54% women) who attended sequential examinations of the Framingham Offspring, Third Generation, and Omni-1 and Omni-2 cohorts. Multivariable regression analysis related changes in vascular measures (dependent variables), including carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CFPWV), forward pressure wave amplitude, characteristic impedance, central pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure (MAP), with change in body mass index, fasting total:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, serum triglycerides, and blood glucose. Analyses accounted for baseline value of each vascular and metabolic measure, MAP change, and multiple comparisons. On follow-up (mean, 5.9±0.6 years), aortic stiffness (CFPWV, 0.2±1.6 m/s), and pressure pulsatility (forward pressure wave, 1.2±12.4 mm Hg; characteristic impedance, 23±73 dyne×sec/cm 5 ; central pulse pressure, 2.6±14.7 mm Hg; all P <0.0001) increased, whereas MAP fell (-3±10 mm Hg; P <0.0001). Worsening of each metabolic trait was associated with increases in CFPWV and MAP ( P <0.0001 for all associations) and an increase in MAP was associated with an increase in CFPWV. Overall, worsening metabolic traits were associated with worsening aortic stiffness and MAP. Opposite net change in aortic stiffness and MAP suggests that factors other than distending pressure contributed to the observed increase in aortic stiffness. Change in metabolic traits explained a greater proportion of the change in CFPWV and MAP than baseline metabolic values. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

Project Physics Programmed Instruction, Waves 1.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA. Harvard Project Physics.

This programmed instruction booklet is an interim version of instructional materials being developed by Harvard Project Physics. It is the first of two booklets on the topic of waves and covers pulses, how pulses travel, and what happens when two pulses pass through the same region at the same time. For the second booklet in this series, see SE…

High resolution wavenumber analysis for investigation of arterial pulse wave propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hasegawa, Hideyuki; Sato, Masakazu; Irie, Takasuke

2016-07-01

The propagation of the pulse wave along the artery is relatively fast (several m/s), and a high-temporal resolution is required to measure pulse wave velocity (PWV) in a regional segment of the artery. High-frame-rate ultrasound enables the measurement of the regional PWV. In analyses of wave propagation phenomena, the direction and propagation speed are generally identified in the frequency-wavenumber space using the two-dimensional Fourier transform. However, the wavelength of the pulse wave is very long (1 m at a propagation velocity of 10 m/s and a temporal frequency of 10 Hz) compared with a typical lateral field of view of 40 mm in ultrasound imaging. Therefore, PWV cannot be identified in the frequency-wavenumber space owing to the low resolution of the two-dimensional Fourier transform. In the present study, PWV was visualized in the wavenumber domain using phases of arterial wall acceleration waveforms measured by high-frame-rate ultrasound.

Propagation and dispersion of shock waves in magnetoelastic materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Crum, R. S.; Domann, J. P.; Carman, G. P.

Previous studies examining the response of magnetoelastic materials to shock waves have predominantly focused on applications involving pulsed power generation, with limited attention given to the actual wave propagation characteristics. This study provides detailed magnetic and mechanical measurements of magnetoelastic shock wave propagation and dispersion. Laser generated rarefacted shock waves exceeding 3 GPa with rise times of 10 ns were introduced to samples of the magnetoelastic material Galfenol. The resulting mechanical measurements reveal the evolution of the shock into a compressive acoustic front with lateral release waves. Importantly, the wave continues to disperse even after it has decayed into anmore » acoustic wave, due in large part to magnetoelastic coupling. The magnetic data reveal predominantly shear wave mediated magnetoelastic coupling, and were also used to noninvasively measure the wave speed. The external magnetic field controlled a 30% increase in wave propagation speed, attributed to a 70% increase in average stiffness. Lastly, magnetic signals propagating along the sample over 20× faster than the mechanical wave were measured, indicating these materials can act as passive antennas that transmit information in response to mechanical stimuli.« less

Propagation and dispersion of shock waves in magnetoelastic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crum, R. S.; Domann, J. P.; Carman, G. P.; Gupta, V.

2017-12-01

Previous studies examining the response of magnetoelastic materials to shock waves have predominantly focused on applications involving pulsed power generation, with limited attention given to the actual wave propagation characteristics. This study provides detailed magnetic and mechanical measurements of magnetoelastic shock wave propagation and dispersion. Laser generated rarefacted shock waves exceeding 3 GPa with rise times of 10 ns were introduced to samples of the magnetoelastic material Galfenol. The resulting mechanical measurements reveal the evolution of the shock into a compressive acoustic front with lateral release waves. Importantly, the wave continues to disperse even after it has decayed into an acoustic wave, due in large part to magnetoelastic coupling. The magnetic data reveal predominantly shear wave mediated magnetoelastic coupling, and were also used to noninvasively measure the wave speed. The external magnetic field controlled a 30% increase in wave propagation speed, attributed to a 70% increase in average stiffness. Finally, magnetic signals propagating along the sample over 20× faster than the mechanical wave were measured, indicating these materials can act as passive antennas that transmit information in response to mechanical stimuli.

Propagation and dispersion of shock waves in magnetoelastic materials

DOE PAGES

Crum, R. S.; Domann, J. P.; Carman, G. P.; ...

2017-11-15

Previous studies examining the response of magnetoelastic materials to shock waves have predominantly focused on applications involving pulsed power generation, with limited attention given to the actual wave propagation characteristics. This study provides detailed magnetic and mechanical measurements of magnetoelastic shock wave propagation and dispersion. Laser generated rarefacted shock waves exceeding 3 GPa with rise times of 10 ns were introduced to samples of the magnetoelastic material Galfenol. The resulting mechanical measurements reveal the evolution of the shock into a compressive acoustic front with lateral release waves. Importantly, the wave continues to disperse even after it has decayed into anmore » acoustic wave, due in large part to magnetoelastic coupling. The magnetic data reveal predominantly shear wave mediated magnetoelastic coupling, and were also used to noninvasively measure the wave speed. The external magnetic field controlled a 30% increase in wave propagation speed, attributed to a 70% increase in average stiffness. Lastly, magnetic signals propagating along the sample over 20× faster than the mechanical wave were measured, indicating these materials can act as passive antennas that transmit information in response to mechanical stimuli.« less

Effects of pulsed ultrasound on the adsorption of n-alkyl anionic surfactants at the gas/solution interface of cavitation bubbles.

PubMed

Yang, Limei; Sostaric, Joe Z; Rathman, James F; Kuppusamy, Periannan; Weavers, Linda K

2007-02-15

Sonolysis of argon-saturated aqueous solutions of the nonvolatile surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium 1-pentanesulfonate (SPSo) was investigated at three ultrasonic frequencies under both continuous wave (CW) and pulsed ultrasound. Secondary carbon-centered radicals were detected by spin trapping using 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzenesulfonic acid (DBNBS) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Following sonolysis, -*CH- radicals were observed for both surfactants under both sonication modes. Under CW at 354 kHz, the maximum plateau -*CH- radical yield was higher for SPSo than for SDS, indicating that SDS, which is more surface active under equilibrium conditions, accumulates at the gas/solution interface of cavitation bubbles to a lesser degree, compared with the less surface active surfactant, SPSo. However, after sonolysis (354 kHz) under pulsed ultrasound with a pulse length of 100 ms and an interval of 500 ms, the -*CH- radical yield at the plateau concentrations was higher for SDS than for SPSo due to increased amounts of SDS accumulation on the bubble surfaces. In contrast to the findings following sonolysis at 354 kHz, sonolysis of aqueous surfactant solutions at 620 kHz and 803 kHz showed a higher -*CH- radical yield for SDS compared with SPSo under CW but lower -*CH- radical yield with increasing pulsing interval, indicating a frequency dependence on accumulation. Results indicate that pulsing the ultrasonic wave has a significant effect on the relative adsorption ability of n-alkyl surfactants at the gas/solution surface of cavitation bubbles.

Doubly-excited pulse-waves on flowing liquid films: experiments and numerical simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adebayo, Idris; Xie, Zhihua; Che, Zhizhao; Wray, Alex; Matar, Omar

2016-11-01

The interaction patterns between doubly-excited pulse waves on a flowing liquid film are studied both experimentally and numerically. The flowing film is constituted on an inclined glass substrate while pulse-waves are excited on the film surface by means of a solenoid valve connected to a relay which receives signals from customised Matlab routines. The effect of varying the system parameters i.e. film flow rate, inter-pulse interval and substrate inclination angle on the pulse interaction patterns are then studied. Results show that different interaction patterns exist for these binary pulses; which include a singular behaviour, complete merger, partial merger and total non-coalescence. A regime map of these patterns is then plotted for each inclination angles examined, based on the film Re and the inter-pulse interval. Finally, the individual effect of the system parameters on the merging distance of these binary pulses in the merger mode is then studied and the results validated using both numerical simulations and mathematical modelling. Funding from the Nigerian Government (for Idris Adebayo), and the EPSRC through a programme Grant MEMPHIS (EP/K003976/1) gratefully acknowledged.

High-efficiency generation of pulsed Lyman-α radiation by resonant laser wave mixing in low pressure Kr-Ar mixture.

PubMed

Saito, Norihito; Oishi, Yu; Miyazaki, Koji; Okamura, Kotaro; Nakamura, Jumpei; Louchev, Oleg A; Iwasaki, Masahiko; Wada, Satoshi

2016-04-04

We report an experimental generation of ns pulsed 121.568 nm Lyman-α radiation by the resonant nonlinear four-wave mixing of 212.556 nm and 845.015 nm radiation pulses providing a high conversion efficiency 1.7x10^-3 with the output pulse energy 3.6 μJ achieved using a low pressure Kr-Ar mixture. Theoretical analysis shows that this efficiency is achieved due to the advantage of using (i) the high input laser intensities in combination with (ii) the low gas pressure allowing us to avoid the onset of full-scale discharge in the laser focus. In particular, under our experimental conditions the main mechanism of photoionization caused by the resonant 2-photon 212.556 nm radiation excitation of Kr atoms followed by the 1-photon ionization leads to ≈17% loss of Kr atoms and efficiency loss only by the end of the pulse. The energy of free electrons, generated by 212.556 nm radiation via (2 + 1)-photon ionization and accelerated mainly by 845.015 nm radiation, remains during the pulse below the level sufficient for the onset of full-scale discharge by the electron avalanche. Our analysis also suggests that ≈30-fold increase of 845.015 nm pulse energy can allow one to scale up the L-α radiation pulse energy towards the level of ≈100 μJ.

Design of compact piezoelectric transducers for shock wave applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dreyer, Thomas; Liebler, Marko; Riedlinger, Rainer E.; Ginter, Siegfried

2003-10-01

The application of focused intense sound pulses to treat several orthopedic diseases has gained in importance during the past years. Self-focusing piezoelectric transducers known from ESWL are not well suited for this purpose due to their size. Therefore compact transducers have to be designed. This implies an increase of the pressure pulse amplitude generated at the radiating surface. A stacked placement of two piezoelectric layers driven by two high-voltage pulses with an adjustable delay accomplishes this. Several designs are presented here representing transducers of different sizes. In principle piezoelectric transducers have the ability to vary the pressure pulse shape to a wider extent than other shock wave sources. Based on FEM simulations of the transducer the influence of some driving parameters, like a variation of the interpulse delay or shape of the driving voltage, on the resulting focal pressure signal is demonstrated. The results show the feasibility to control some parameters of the signal, for example the peak negative pressure amplitude. This possibility could provide new aspects in basic research as well as in clinical applications.

Turbulent Water Coupling in Shock Wave Lithotripsy

PubMed Central

Lautz, Jaclyn; Sankin, Georgy; Zhong, Pei

2013-01-01

Previous studies have demonstrated that stone comminution decreases with increased pulse repetition frequency as a result of bubble proliferation in the cavitation field of a shock wave lithotripter (Pishchalnikov et al., 2011). If cavitation nuclei remain in the propagation path of successive lithotripter pulses, especially in the acoustic coupling cushion of the shock wave source, they will consume part of the incident wave energy, leading to reduced tensile pressure in the focal region and thus lower stone comminution efficiency. We introduce a method to remove cavitation nuclei from the coupling cushion between successive shock exposures using a jet of degassed water. As a result, pre-focal bubble nuclei lifetime quantified by B-mode ultrasound imaging was reduced from 7 s to 0.3 s by a jet with an exit velocity of 62 cm/s. Stone fragmentation (percent mass < 2 mm) after 250 shocks delivered at 1 Hz was enhanced from 22 ± 6% to 33 ± 5% (p = 0.007) in water without interposing tissue mimicking materials. Stone fragmentation after 500 shocks delivered at 2 Hz was increased from 18 ± 6% to 28 ± 8% (p = 0.04) with an interposing tissue phantom of 8 cm thick. These results demonstrate the critical influence of cavitation bubbles in the coupling cushion on stone comminution and suggest a potential strategy to improve the efficacy of contemporary shock wave lithotripters. PMID:23322027

Effect of stress on ultrasonic pulses in fiber reinforced composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hemann, J. H.; Baaklini, G. Y.

1986-01-01

An acoustical-ultrasonic technique was used to demonstrate relationships existing between changes in attenuation of stress waves and tensile stress on an eight ply 0 degree graphite-epoxy fiber reinforced composite. All tests were conducted in the linear range of the material for which no mechanical or macroscopic damage was evident. Changes in attenuation were measured as a function of tensile stress in the frequency domain and in the time domain. Stress wave propagation in these specimens was dispersive, i.e., the wave speed depends on frequency. Wave speeds varied from 267,400 cm/sec to 680,000 cm/sec as the frequency of the signal was varied from 150 kHz to 1.9 MHz which strongly suggests that flexural/lamb wave modes of propagation exist. The magnitude of the attenuation changes depended strongly on tensile stress. It was further observed that the wave speeds increased slightly for all tested frequencies as the stress was increased.

Shock-Wave Pulse Compression and Stretching of Dodecane and Mineral Oils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bannikova, I. A.; Zubareva, A. N.; Utkin, A. V.

2018-04-01

The behavior of dodecane, vacuum, and transformer oils under shock-wave pulse compression and stretching are studied experimentally. The wave profiles are registered using a VISAR laser interferometer. The shock adiabats, the dependence of the sound velocity on the pressure, and the maximum negative pressures developed in the studied liquids are determined. It is shown that the negative pressure value does not depend on the deformation rate in the case of oils and is a strong function of the compression pulse amplitude in the case of dodecane.

The Diagnostic Value of Pulsed Wave Tissue Doppler Imaging in Asymptomatic Beta- Thalassemia Major Children and Young Adults; Relation to Chemical Biomarkers of Left Ventricular Function and Iron Overload

PubMed Central

Ragab, Seham M; Fathy, Waleed M; El-Aziz, Walaa FAbd; Helal, Rasha T

2015-01-01

Background Cardiac iron toxicity is the leading cause of death among β-halassaemia major (TM) patients. Once heart failure becomes overt, it is difficult to reverse. Objectives To investigate non-overt cardiac dysfunctions in TM patients using pulsed wave Tissue Doppler Imaging (TD I) and its relation to iron overload and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Methods Thorough clinical, conventional echo and pulsed wave TDI parameters were compared between asymptomatic 25 β-TM patients and 20 age and gender matched individuals. Serum ferritin and plasma BNP levels were assayed by ELISA. Results TM patients had significant higher mitral inflow early diastolic (E) wave and non significant other conventional echo parameters. In the patient group, pulsed wave TDI revealed systolic dysfunctions, in the form of significant higher isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), and lower ejection time (E T), with diastolic dysfunction in the form of higher isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), and lower mitral annulus early diastolic velocity E′ (12.07 ±2.06 vs 15.04±2.65, P= 0.003) compared to the controls. Plasma BNP was higher in patients compared to the controls. Plasma BNP and serum ferritin had a significant correlation with each other and with pulsed wave conventional and TDI indices of systolic and diastolic functions. Patients with E/E′ ≥ 8 had significant higher serum ferritin and plasma BNP levels compared to those with ratio < 8 without a difference in Hb levels. Conclusion Pulsed wave TDI is an important diagnostic tool for latent cardiac dysfunction in iron-loaded TM patients and is related to iron overload and BNP. PMID:26401240

The Diagnostic Value of Pulsed Wave Tissue Doppler Imaging in Asymptomatic Beta- Thalassemia Major Children and Young Adults; Relation to Chemical Biomarkers of Left Ventricular Function and Iron Overload.

PubMed

Ragab, Seham M; Fathy, Waleed M; El-Aziz, Walaa FAbd; Helal, Rasha T

2015-01-01

Cardiac iron toxicity is the leading cause of death among β-halassaemia major (TM) patients. Once heart failure becomes overt, it is difficult to reverse. To investigate non-overt cardiac dysfunctions in TM patients using pulsed wave Tissue Doppler Imaging (TD I) and its relation to iron overload and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Thorough clinical, conventional echo and pulsed wave TDI parameters were compared between asymptomatic 25 β-TM patients and 20 age and gender matched individuals. Serum ferritin and plasma BNP levels were assayed by ELISA. TM patients had significant higher mitral inflow early diastolic (E) wave and non significant other conventional echo parameters. In the patient group, pulsed wave TDI revealed systolic dysfunctions, in the form of significant higher isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), and lower ejection time (E T), with diastolic dysfunction in the form of higher isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), and lower mitral annulus early diastolic velocity E' (12.07 ±2.06 vs 15.04±2.65, P= 0.003) compared to the controls. Plasma BNP was higher in patients compared to the controls. Plasma BNP and serum ferritin had a significant correlation with each other and with pulsed wave conventional and TDI indices of systolic and diastolic functions. Patients with E/E' ≥ 8 had significant higher serum ferritin and plasma BNP levels compared to those with ratio < 8 without a difference in Hb levels. Pulsed wave TDI is an important diagnostic tool for latent cardiac dysfunction in iron-loaded TM patients and is related to iron overload and BNP.

Liberation of a pinned spiral wave by a rotating electric pulse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jiang-Xing; Peng, Liang; Ma, Jun; Ying, He-Ping

2014-08-01

Spiral waves may be pinned to anatomical heterogeneities in the cardiac tissue, which leads to monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. Wave emission from heterogeneities (WEH) induced by electric pulses in one direction (EP) is a promising method for liberating such waves by using heterogeneities as internal virtual pacing sites. Here, based on the WEH effect, a new mechanism of liberation by means of a rotating electric pulse (REP) is proposed in a generic model of excitable media. Compared with the EP, the REP has the advantage of opening wider time window to liberate pinned spiral. The influences of rotating direction and frequency of the REP, and the radius of the obstacles on this new mechanism are studied. We believe this strategy may improve manipulations with pinned spiral waves in heart experiments.

The Use of Steady and Unsteady Detonation Waves for Propulsion Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Adelman, Henry G.; Menees, Gene P.; Cambier, Jean-Luc; Bowles, Jeffrey V.; Cavolowsky, John A. (Technical Monitor)

1995-01-01

Detonation wave enhanced supersonic combustors such as the Oblique Detonation Wave Engine (ODWE) are attractive propulsion concepts for hypersonic flight. These engines utilize detonation waves to enhance fuel-air mixing and combustion. The benefits of wave combustion systems include shorter and lighter engines which require less cooling and generate lower internal drag. These features allow air-breathing operation at higher Mach numbers than the diffusive burning scramjet delaying the need for rocket engine augmentation. A comprehensive vehicle synthesis code has predicted the aerodynamic characteristics and structural size and weight of a typical single-stage-to-orbit vehicle using an ODWE. Other studies have focused on the use of unsteady or pulsed detonation waves. For low speed applications, pulsed detonation engines (PDE) have advantages in low weight and higher efficiency than turbojets. At hypersonic speeds, the pulsed detonations can be used in conjunction with a scramjet type engine to enhance mixing and provide thrust augmentation.

Pulse wave velocity in patients with severe head injury a pilot study.

PubMed

Shahsavari, S; McKelvey, T; Rydenhag, B; Ritzén, C Eriksson

2010-01-01

The study aimed to determine the potential of pulse wave velocity measurements to reflect changes in compliant cerebral arteries/arterioles in head injured patients. The approach utilizes the electrocardiogram and intracranial pressure signals to measure the wave transit time between heart and cranial cavity. Thirty five clinical records of nineteen head injured patients, with different levels of cerebrovascular pressure-reactivity response, were investigated through the study. Results were compared with magnitude of normalized transfer function at the fundamental cardiac frequency. In patients with intact cerebrovascular pressure-reactivity, magnitude of normalized transfer function at the fundamental cardiac component was found to be highly correlated with pulse wave transit time.

Acute effects of oral melatonin administration on arterial distensibility, as determined by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, in healthy young men

PubMed Central

Yildiz, Mustafa; Sahin, Banu; Sahin, Alparslan

2006-01-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of melatonin administration on arterial distensibility by using carotid-femoral (aortic) pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements in healthy young men. Ten men were studied (five men in the melatonin group and five men in the placebo group) by physicians. Carotid-femoral (aortic) PWV, blood pressure and plasma melatonin were measured in the supine position before and 60 min after oral administration of melatonin or placebo. Although carotid-femoral (aortic) PWV, systolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure were decreased, pulse wave propagation time and plasma melatonin levels were increased at 60 min after oral melatonin (1 mg) administration (P=0.04, P=0.04, P=0.04, P=0.04 and P=0.04, respectively). No significant differences were found between all parameters in the placebo group (P>0.05). In conclusion, these findings indicate that melatonin administration, compared with placebo, decreased carotid-femoral PWV and systolic blood pressure in the supine position in healthy young men. Administration of melatonin may have an inhibitory effect on sympathetic tone. PMID:18651024

High power tapered lasers with optimized photonic crystal structure for low divergence and high efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Xiaolong; Qu, Hongwei; Qi, Aiyi; Zhou, Xuyan; Ma, Pijie; Liu, Anjin; Zheng, Wanhua

2018-04-01

High power tapered lasers are designed and fabricated. A one-dimensional photonic crystal structure in the vertical direction is adopted to narrow the far field divergence. The thickness of the defect layer and the photonic crystal layers are optimized by analyzing the optical field theoretically. For tapered lasers, the continuous-wave power is 7.3 W and the pulsed power is 17 W. A maximum wall-plug efficiency of 46% under continuous-wave operation and 49.3% in pulsed mode are obtained. The beam divergences are around 11° and 6° for the vertical and lateral directions, respectively. High beam qualities are also obtained with a vertical M2 value of 1.78 and a lateral M2 value of 1.62. As the current increases, the lateral M2 value increases gradually while the vertical M2 value remains around 2.

Power scaling and experimentally fitted model for broad area quantum cascade lasers in continuous wave operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suttinger, Matthew; Go, Rowel; Figueiredo, Pedro; Todi, Ankesh; Shu, Hong; Leshin, Jason; Lyakh, Arkadiy

2018-01-01

Experimental and model results for 15-stage broad area quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are presented. Continuous wave (CW) power scaling from 1.62 to 2.34 W has been experimentally demonstrated for 3.15-mm long, high reflection-coated QCLs for an active region width increased from 10 to 20 μm. A semiempirical model for broad area devices operating in CW mode is presented. The model uses measured pulsed transparency current, injection efficiency, waveguide losses, and differential gain as input parameters. It also takes into account active region self-heating and sublinearity of pulsed power versus current laser characteristic. The model predicts that an 11% improvement in maximum CW power and increased wall-plug efficiency can be achieved from 3.15 mm×25 μm devices with 21 stages of the same design, but half doping in the active region. For a 16-stage design with a reduced stage thickness of 300 Å, pulsed rollover current density of 6 kA/cm2, and InGaAs waveguide layers, an optical power increase of 41% is projected. Finally, the model projects that power level can be increased to ˜4.5 W from 3.15 mm×31 μm devices with the baseline configuration with T0 increased from 140 K for the present design to 250 K.

Whistler mode plasma waves observed on Electron Echo 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Monson, S. J.; Kellogg, P. J.; Cartwright, D. G.

1976-01-01

Observations of whistler-mode waves associated with beams of electrons injected into the ionosphere are reported. The measurements are from the plasma-wave experiments carried on the Electron Echo 2 sounding rocket launched on September 24, 1972. Over 2000 electron injections were made with durations of 8 ms and 64 ms and pitch angles from 0 to 180 deg. The electric field receivers carried on the ejected nose cone observed strong whistler waves in the range from less than 100 kHz up to the electron cyclotron frequency of 1400 kHz. The whistler characteristics fall into four distinct types depending on pitch angle and gun energy. Both frequency and amplitude showed strong dependence on time from the start of the pulse and pitch angle. Cases of enhancement at the leading edge of a gun pulse, growth during a pulse, and echoes after the end of a pulse were all observed.

A differential optical interferometer for measuring short pulses of surface acoustic waves.

PubMed

Shaw, Anurupa; Teyssieux, Damien; Laude, Vincent

2017-09-01

The measurement of the displacements caused by the propagation of a short pulse of surface acoustic waves on a solid substrate is investigated. A stabilized time-domain differential interferometer is proposed, with the surface acoustic wave (SAW) sample placed outside the interferometer. Experiments are conducted with surface acoustic waves excited by a chirped interdigital transducer on a piezoelectric lithium niobate substrate having an operational bandwidth covering the 200-400MHz frequency range and producing 10-ns pulses with 36nm maximum out-of-plane displacement. The interferometric response is compared with a direct electrical measurement obtained with a receiving wide bandwidth interdigital transducer and good correspondence is observed. The effects of varying the path difference of the interferometer and the measurement position on the surface are discussed. Pulse compression along the chirped interdigital transducer is observed experimentally. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Local pulse wave velocity estimated from small vibrations measured ultrasonically at multiple points on the arterial wall

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ito, Mika; Arakawa, Mototaka; Kanai, Hiroshi

2018-07-01

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is used as a diagnostic criterion for arteriosclerosis, a major cause of heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. However, there are several problems with conventional PWV measurement techniques. One is that a pulse wave is assumed to only have an incident component propagating at a constant speed from the heart to the femoral artery, and another is that PWV is only determined from a characteristic time such as the rise time of the blood pressure waveform. In this study, we noninvasively measured the velocity waveform of small vibrations at multiple points on the carotid arterial wall using ultrasound. Local PWV was determined by analyzing the phase component of the velocity waveform by the least squares method. This method allowed measurement of the time change of the PWV at approximately the arrival time of the pulse wave, which discriminates the period when the reflected component is not contaminated.

High resolution data acquisition

DOEpatents

Thornton, G.W.; Fuller, K.R.

1993-04-06

A high resolution event interval timing system measures short time intervals such as occur in high energy physics or laser ranging. Timing is provided from a clock, pulse train, and analog circuitry for generating a triangular wave synchronously with the pulse train (as seen in diagram on patent). The triangular wave has an amplitude and slope functionally related to the time elapsed during each clock pulse in the train. A converter forms a first digital value of the amplitude and slope of the triangle wave at the start of the event interval and a second digital value of the amplitude and slope of the triangle wave at the end of the event interval. A counter counts the clock pulse train during the interval to form a gross event interval time. A computer then combines the gross event interval time and the first and second digital values to output a high resolution value for the event interval.

High resolution data acquisition

DOEpatents

Thornton, Glenn W.; Fuller, Kenneth R.

1993-01-01

A high resolution event interval timing system measures short time intervals such as occur in high energy physics or laser ranging. Timing is provided from a clock (38) pulse train (37) and analog circuitry (44) for generating a triangular wave (46) synchronously with the pulse train (37). The triangular wave (46) has an amplitude and slope functionally related to the time elapsed during each clock pulse in the train. A converter (18, 32) forms a first digital value of the amplitude and slope of the triangle wave at the start of the event interval and a second digital value of the amplitude and slope of the triangle wave at the end of the event interval. A counter (26) counts the clock pulse train (37) during the interval to form a gross event interval time. A computer (52) then combines the gross event interval time and the first and second digital values to output a high resolution value for the event interval.

Anomalous transmission of an ultrashort ionizing laser pulse through a thin foil.

PubMed

Ferrante, G; Zarcone, M; Uryupin, S A

2003-08-22

The formation of a highly anisotropic photoelectron velocity distribution as a result of the interaction of a powerful ultrashort laser pulse with a thin foil is found to yield a large skin-layer depth and an anomalous increase of the transmission coefficient. The physical reason for the effect is the influence of the incident wave magnetic field, through the Lorenz force, on the electron kinetics in the skin layer.

Designing dipolar recoupling and decoupling experiments for biological solid-state NMR using interleaved continuous wave and RF pulse irradiation.

PubMed

Bjerring, Morten; Jain, Sheetal; Paaske, Berit; Vinther, Joachim M; Nielsen, Niels Chr

2013-09-17

Rapid developments in solid-state NMR methodology have boosted this technique into a highly versatile tool for structural biology. The invention of increasingly advanced rf pulse sequences that take advantage of better hardware and sample preparation have played an important part in these advances. In the development of these new pulse sequences, researchers have taken advantage of analytical tools, such as average Hamiltonian theory or lately numerical methods based on optimal control theory. In this Account, we focus on the interplay between these strategies in the systematic development of simple pulse sequences that combines continuous wave (CW) irradiation with short pulses to obtain improved rf pulse, recoupling, sampling, and decoupling performance. Our initial work on this problem focused on the challenges associated with the increasing use of fully or partly deuterated proteins to obtain high-resolution, liquid-state-like solid-state NMR spectra. Here we exploit the overwhelming presence of (2)H in such samples as a source of polarization and to gain structural information. The (2)H nuclei possess dominant quadrupolar couplings which complicate even the simplest operations, such as rf pulses and polarization transfer to surrounding nuclei. Using optimal control and easy analytical adaptations, we demonstrate that a series of rotor synchronized short pulses may form the basis for essentially ideal rf pulse performance. Using similar approaches, we design (2)H to (13)C polarization transfer experiments that increase the efficiency by one order of magnitude over standard cross polarization experiments. We demonstrate how we can translate advanced optimal control waveforms into simple interleaved CW and rf pulse methods that form a new cross polarization experiment. This experiment significantly improves (1)H-(15)N and (15)N-(13)C transfers, which are key elements in the vast majority of biological solid-state NMR experiments. In addition, we demonstrate how interleaved sampling of spectra exploiting polarization from (1)H and (2)H nuclei can substantially enhance the sensitivity of such experiments. Finally, we present systematic development of (1)H decoupling methods where CW irradiation of moderate amplitude is interleaved with strong rotor-synchronized refocusing pulses. We show that these sequences remove residual cross terms between dipolar coupling and chemical shielding anisotropy more effectively and improve the spectral resolution over that observed in current state-of-the-art methods.

The influence of climate change and the timing of stratospheric warmings on Arctic ozone depletion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Austin, John; Butchart, Neal

1994-01-01

Satellite data are presented showing the timing of sudden warmings in the lower stratosphere during the winters 1979-1992. A three-dimensional dynamical-radiative-photochemical model is used to establish how Arctic ozone depletion will respond to a doubling of CO2 according to the timing of the warmings. In a series of idealized experiments the timing of the warmings is varied by specifying different geopotential wave amplitudes at the 316-mbar model lower boundary. Results from a "transient climate change experiment" show that the chosen wave amplitudes are appropriate for both the current and the doubled CO2 atmosphere. For doubled CO2 the experiments show that any significant risk of an Arctic ozone hole will be confined to those years with only a late stratospheric warming. In all other years the results suggest that springtime total ozone over the Arctic is more likely to increase by a small amount due to a combination of slower homogeneous chemistry and changes in transport. The predictions obtained from the idealized studies are then tested by prescribing at the model lower boundary the observed geopotential wave amplitudes from two specific years with late winter warmings. Doubling CO2 amounts produced no significant increase in ozone depletion with the 1989 wave amplitudes, but with 1990 wave amplitudes, an Arctic ozone hole occurred with minimum column of 187 Dobson Units. This contrasting response is attributed to the large midwinter pulse in the 1989 wave amplitudes compared to the less dramatic and shorter timescale fluctuations in the 1990 wave amplitudes. It is concluded that under doubled CO2 conditions an Arctic ozone hole is likely to occur in years with late stratospheric warmings following winters in which there were no significant pulses in the upper tropospheric planetary wave amplitudes.

A distributed parameter model of transmission line transformer for high voltage nanosecond pulse generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jiangtao; Zhao, Zheng; Li, Longjie; He, Jiaxin; Li, Chenjie; Wang, Yifeng; Su, Can

2017-09-01

A transmission line transformer has potential advantages for nanosecond pulse generation including excellent frequency response and no leakage inductance. The wave propagation process in a secondary mode line is indispensable due to an obvious inside transient electromagnetic transition in this scenario. The equivalent model of the transmission line transformer is crucial for predicting the output waveform and evaluating the effects of magnetic cores on output performance. However, traditional lumped parameter models are not sufficient for nanosecond pulse generation due to the natural neglect of wave propagations in secondary mode lines based on a lumped parameter assumption. In this paper, a distributed parameter model of transmission line transformer was established to investigate wave propagation in the secondary mode line and its influential factors through theoretical analysis and experimental verification. The wave propagation discontinuity in the secondary mode line induced by magnetic cores is emphasized. Characteristics of the magnetic core under a nanosecond pulse were obtained by experiments. Distribution and formation of the secondary mode current were determined for revealing essential wave propagation processes in secondary mode lines. The output waveform and efficiency were found to be affected dramatically by wave propagation discontinuity in secondary mode lines induced by magnetic cores. The proposed distributed parameter model was proved more suitable for nanosecond pulse generation in aspects of secondary mode current, output efficiency, and output waveform. In depth, comprehension of underlying mechanisms and a broader view of the working principle of the transmission line transformer for nanosecond pulse generation can be obtained through this research.

A distributed parameter model of transmission line transformer for high voltage nanosecond pulse generation.

PubMed

Li, Jiangtao; Zhao, Zheng; Li, Longjie; He, Jiaxin; Li, Chenjie; Wang, Yifeng; Su, Can

2017-09-01

A transmission line transformer has potential advantages for nanosecond pulse generation including excellent frequency response and no leakage inductance. The wave propagation process in a secondary mode line is indispensable due to an obvious inside transient electromagnetic transition in this scenario. The equivalent model of the transmission line transformer is crucial for predicting the output waveform and evaluating the effects of magnetic cores on output performance. However, traditional lumped parameter models are not sufficient for nanosecond pulse generation due to the natural neglect of wave propagations in secondary mode lines based on a lumped parameter assumption. In this paper, a distributed parameter model of transmission line transformer was established to investigate wave propagation in the secondary mode line and its influential factors through theoretical analysis and experimental verification. The wave propagation discontinuity in the secondary mode line induced by magnetic cores is emphasized. Characteristics of the magnetic core under a nanosecond pulse were obtained by experiments. Distribution and formation of the secondary mode current were determined for revealing essential wave propagation processes in secondary mode lines. The output waveform and efficiency were found to be affected dramatically by wave propagation discontinuity in secondary mode lines induced by magnetic cores. The proposed distributed parameter model was proved more suitable for nanosecond pulse generation in aspects of secondary mode current, output efficiency, and output waveform. In depth, comprehension of underlying mechanisms and a broader view of the working principle of the transmission line transformer for nanosecond pulse generation can be obtained through this research.

Mechanistic investigation of doxycycline photosensitization by picosecond-pulsed and continuous wave laser irradiation of cells in culture

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shea, C.R.; Hefetz, Y.; Gillies, R.

1990-04-15

In order to elucidate the photophysical mechanisms of cellular phototoxicity sensitized by doxycycline, MGH-U1 human bladder carcinoma cells in vitro were treated with 20.7 microM doxycycline and irradiated with either a pulsed (lambda = 355 nm, pulse duration = 24 ps) or a continuous wave (lambda = 351 nm) laser. Cumulative radiant exposure and irradiance were systematically varied in experiments with both lasers. Phototoxicity was assessed by epifluorescence microscopy of unfixed cells using rhodamine 123 labeling of mitochondria. With the continuous wave source, the cumulative radiant exposure required for induction of phototoxic injury was independent of irradiance. With the 24-ps-pulsedmore » source, a significantly lower cumulative radiant exposure was required to induce the phototoxicity when the peak irradiance was 5.8 x 10(7) or 1.3 x 10(8) watts cm-2 compared with when peak irradiance was either lower (6.0 x 10(6) watts cm-2) or higher (7.6 x 10(8) watts cm-2). The measured fluorescence lifetimes of doxycycline in buffered saline solution were longer than the laser pulse duration of 24 ps. The increased efficiency of photosensitization at the optimal peak irradiance in the ps domain appears to result from sequential multiphoton absorption involving higher excited states of the singlet manifold. At the highest irradiance studied, on the other hand, reduced efficiency of photosensitization is attributed to increased photodegradation of doxycycline from higher excited states by processes such as photoionization. A model consistent with these observations is presented along with calculations, based on simple rate equations, that fit the essentials of the proposed model.« less

Conventional and cross-correlation brain-stem auditory evoked responses in the white leghorn chick: rate manipulations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burkard, R.; Jones, S.; Jones, T.

1994-01-01

Rate-dependent changes in the chick brain-stem auditory evoked response (BAER) using conventional averaging and a cross-correlation technique were investigated. Five 15- to 19-day-old white leghorn chicks were anesthetized with Chloropent. In each chick, the left ear was acoustically stimulated. Electrical pulses of 0.1-ms duration were shaped, attenuated, and passed through a current driver to an Etymotic ER-2 which was sealed in the ear canal. Electrical activity from stainless-steel electrodes was amplified, filtered (300-3000 Hz) and digitized at 20 kHz. Click levels included 70 and 90 dB peSPL. In each animal, conventional BAERs were obtained at rates ranging from 5 to 90 Hz. BAERs were also obtained using a cross-correlation technique involving pseudorandom pulse sequences called maximum length sequences (MLSs). The minimum time between pulses, called the minimum pulse interval (MPI), ranged from 0.5 to 6 ms. Two BAERs were obtained for each condition. Dependent variables included the latency and amplitude of the cochlear microphonic (CM), wave 2 and wave 3. BAERs were observed in all chicks, for all level by rate combinations for both conventional and MLS BAERs. There was no effect of click level or rate on the latency of the CM. The latency of waves 2 and 3 increased with decreasing click level and increasing rate. CM amplitude decreased with decreasing click level, but was not influenced by click rate for the 70 dB peSPL condition. For the 90 dB peSPL click, CM amplitude was uninfluenced by click rate for conventional averaging. For MLS BAERs, CM amplitude was similar to conventional averaging for longer MPIs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS).

Time's arrow: A numerical experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fowles, G. Richard

1994-04-01

The dependence of time's arrow on initial conditions is illustrated by a numerical example in which plane waves produced by an initial pressure pulse are followed as they are multiply reflected at internal interfaces of a layered medium. Wave interactions at interfaces are shown to be analogous to the retarded and advanced waves of point sources. The model is linear and the calculation is exact and demonstrably time reversible; nevertheless the results show most of the features expected of a macroscopically irreversible system, including the approach to the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, ergodicity, and concomitant entropy increase.

Control of wave propagation in a biological excitable medium by an external electric field.

PubMed

Sebestikova, Lenka; Slamova, Elena; Sevcikova, Hana

2005-03-01

We present an experimental evidence of effects of external electric fields (EFs) on the velocity of pulse waves propagating in a biological excitable medium. The excitable medium used is formed by a layer of starving cells of Dictyostelium discoideum through which the waves of increased concentration of cAMP propagate by reaction-diffusion mechanism. External dc EFs of low intensities (up to 5 V/cm) are shown to speed up the propagation of cAMP waves towards the positive electrode and slow it down towards the negative electrode. Electric fields were also found to support an emergence of new centers, emitting cAMP waves, in front of cAMP waves propagating towards the negative electrode.

Long-period fiber grating fabricated by 800 nm femtosecond laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yani; Xi, Yaru; Liu, Sicong; Jiang, Peng; Zhao, Ya; Xu, Qiang

2018-02-01

In this paper, the long period fiber gratings (LPFGs) in standard SMF-28 telecommunication fibers without hydrogen loading were inscribed by using point-to-point direct writing method of femtosecond laser pulses with pulse duration of 100 fs, repetition rate of 1kHz and a central wavelength of 800 nm. The LPFGs with different spectral characteristics were fabricated by adjusting grating period, grating length and duty ratio. The results show that the resonant peak wavelengths shift to the long-wave direction with the increase of the grating length increasing. The variations of duty ratio will lead to the generation of resonance rejection band of LPFGs from singlepeak to multi-peak plus lesser out-of-band loss.

Cavitation-based hydro-fracturing simulator

DOEpatents

Wang, Jy-An John; Wang, Hong; Ren, Fei; Cox, Thomas S.

2016-11-22

An apparatus 300 for simulating a pulsed pressure induced cavitation technique (PPCT) from a pressurized working fluid (F) provides laboratory research and development for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), oil, and gas wells. A pump 304 is configured to deliver a pressurized working fluid (F) to a control valve 306, which produces a pulsed pressure wave in a test chamber 308. The pulsed pressure wave parameters are defined by the pump 304 pressure and control valve 306 cycle rate. When a working fluid (F) and a rock specimen 312 are included in the apparatus, the pulsed pressure wave causes cavitation to occur at the surface of the specimen 312, thus initiating an extensive network of fracturing surfaces and micro fissures, which are examined by researchers.

Single-cycle high-intensity electromagnetic pulse generation in the interaction of a plasma wakefield with regular nonlinear structures.

PubMed

Bulanov, S S; Esirkepov, T Zh; Kamenets, F F; Pegoraro, F

2006-03-01

The interaction of regular nonlinear structures (such as subcycle solitons, electron vortices, and wake Langmuir waves) with a strong wake wave in a collisionless plasma can be exploited in order to produce ultrashort electromagnetic pulses. The electromagnetic field of the nonlinear structure is partially reflected by the electron density modulations of the incident wake wave and a single-cycle high-intensity electromagnetic pulse is formed. Due to the Doppler effect the length of this pulse is much shorter than that of the nonlinear structure. This process is illustrated with two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. The considered laser-plasma interaction regimes can be achieved in present day experiments and can be used for plasma diagnostics.

Coherent control of ultrafast optical four-wave mixing with two-color {omega}-3{omega} laser pulses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Serrat, Carles

2005-08-15

A theoretical investigation on the coherent control of optical transient four-wave mixing interactions in two-level systems with two intense few-cycle propagating laser pulses of central angular frequencies {omega} and 3{omega} is reported. By numerically solving the full Maxwell-Bloch equations beyond the slowly varying envelope and rotating-wave approximations in the time domain, the nonlinear coupling to the optical field at frequency 5{omega} is found to depend critically on the initial relative phase {phi} of the propagating pulses: the coupling is enhanced when the pulses interfere constructively in the center ({phi}=0), while it is nearly suppressed when they are out of phasemore » ({phi}={pi})« less

A program to calculate pulse transmission responses through transversely isotropic media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wei; Schmitt, Douglas R.; Zou, Changchun; Chen, Xiwei

2018-05-01

We provide a program (AOTI2D) to model responses of ultrasonic pulse transmission measurements through arbitrarily oriented transversely isotropic rocks. The program is built with the distributed point source method that treats the transducers as a series of point sources. The response of each point source is calculated according to the ray-tracing theory of elastic plane waves. The program could offer basic wave parameters including phase and group velocities, polarization, anisotropic reflection coefficients and directivity patterns, and model the wave fields, static wave beam, and the observed signals for pulse transmission measurements considering the material's elastic stiffnesses and orientations, sample dimensions, and the size and positions of the transmitters and the receivers. The program could be applied to exhibit the ultrasonic beam behaviors in anisotropic media, such as the skew and diffraction of ultrasonic beams, and analyze its effect on pulse transmission measurements. The program would be a useful tool to help design the experimental configuration and interpret the results of ultrasonic pulse transmission measurements through either isotropic or transversely isotropic rock samples.

Mechanisms of amplification of ultrashort electromagnetic pulses in gyrotron traveling wave tube with helically corrugated waveguide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ginzburg, N. S., E-mail: ginzburg@appl.sci-nnov.ru; Zaslavsky, V. Yu.; Nizhny Novgorod State University, 23 Gagarin Ave., 603950 Nizhny Novgorod

A time-domain self consistent theory of a gyrotron traveling wave tube with a helically corrugated operating waveguide has been developed. Based on this model, the process of short pulse amplification was studied in regimes of grazing and intersection of the dispersion curves of the electromagnetic wave and the electron beam. In the first case, the possibility of amplification without pulse form distortion was demonstrated for the pulse spectrum width of the order of the gain bandwidth. In the second case, when the electrons' axial velocity was smaller than the wave's group velocity, it was shown that the slippage of themore » incident signal with respect to the electron beam provides feeding of the signal by “fresh” electrons without initial modulation. As a result, the amplitude of the output pulse can exceed the amplitude of its saturated value for the case of the grazing regime, and, for optimal parameters, the peak output power can be even larger than the kinetic power of the electron beam.« less

Narrow bandwidth detection of vibration signature using fiber lasers

DOEpatents

Moore, Sean; Soh, Daniel B.S.

2018-05-08

The various technologies presented herein relate to extracting a portion of each pulse in a series of pulses reflected from a target to facilitate determination of a Doppler-shifted frequency for each pulse and, subsequently, a vibration frequency for the series of pulses. Each pulse can have a square-wave configuration, whereby each pulse can be time-gated to facilitate discarding the leading edge and the trailing edge (and associated non-linear effects) of each pulse and accordingly, capture of the central portion of the pulse from which the Doppler-shifted frequency, and ultimately, the vibration frequency of the target can be determined. Determination of the vibration velocity facilitates identification of the target being in a state of motion. The plurality of pulses can be formed from a laser beam (e.g., a continuous wave), the laser beam having a narrow bandwidth.

Chirped self-similar optical pulses in tapered centrosymmetric nonlinear waveguides doped with resonant impurities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, J. R.; Xu, S. L.; Xue, L.

2017-11-01

Exact chirped self-similar optical pulses propagating in tapered centrosymmetric nonlinear waveguides doped with resonant impurities are reported. The propagation behaviors of the pulses are studied by tailoring of the tapering function. Numerical simulations and stability analysis reveal that the tapering can be used to postpone the wave dispersion and the addition of a small cubic self-focusing term to the governing equation could stabilize the chirped bright pulses. An example of possible experimental protocol that may generate the pulses in realistic waveguides is given. The obtained chirped self-similar optical pulses are particularly useful in the design of amplifying or attenuating pulse compressors for chirped solitary waves in tapered centrosymmetric nonlinear waveguides doped with resonant impurities.

Visible continuum pulses based on enhanced dispersive wave generation for endogenous fluorescence imaging.

PubMed

Cui, Quan; Chen, Zhongyun; Liu, Qian; Zhang, Zhihong; Luo, Qingming; Fu, Ling

2017-09-01

In this study, we demonstrate endogenous fluorescence imaging using visible continuum pulses based on 100-fs Ti:sapphire oscillator and a nonlinear photonic crystal fiber. Broadband (500-700 nm) and high-power (150 mW) continuum pulses are generated through enhanced dispersive wave generation by pumping femtosecond pulses at the anomalous dispersion region near zero-dispersion wavelength of high-nonlinear photonic crystal fibers. We also minimize the continuum pulse width by determining the proper fiber length. The visible-wavelength two-photon microscopy produces NADH and tryptophan images of mice tissues simultaneously. Our 500-700 nm continuum pulses support extending nonlinear microscopy to visible wavelength range that is inaccessible to 100-fs Ti:sapphire oscillators and other applications requiring visible laser pulses.

Pulsed voltage electrospray ion source and method for preventing analyte electrolysis

DOEpatents

Kertesz, Vilmos [Knoxville, TN; Van Berkel, Gary [Clinton, TN

2011-12-27

An electrospray ion source and method of operation includes the application of pulsed voltage to prevent electrolysis of analytes with a low electrochemical potential. The electrospray ion source can include an emitter, a counter electrode, and a power supply. The emitter can include a liquid conduit, a primary working electrode having a liquid contacting surface, and a spray tip, where the liquid conduit and the working electrode are in liquid communication. The counter electrode can be proximate to, but separated from, the spray tip. The power system can supply voltage to the working electrode in the form of a pulse wave, where the pulse wave oscillates between at least an energized voltage and a relaxation voltage. The relaxation duration of the relaxation voltage can range from 1 millisecond to 35 milliseconds. The pulse duration of the energized voltage can be less than 1 millisecond and the frequency of the pulse wave can range from 30 to 800 Hz.

Multi-operational tuneable Q-switched mode-locking Er fibre laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qamar, F. Z.

2018-01-01

A wavelength-spacing tuneable, Q-switched mode-locking (QML) erbium-doped fibre laser based on non-linear polarization rotation controlled by four waveplates and a cube polarizer is proposed. A mode-locked pulse train using two quarter-wave plates and a half-wave plate (HWP) is obtained first, and then an extra HWP is inserted into the cavity to produce different operation regimes. The evolutions of temporal and spectral dynamics with different orientation angles of the extra HWP are investigated. A fully modulated stable QML pulse train is observed experimentally. This is, to the author’s best knowledge, the first experimental work reporting QML operation without adding an extra saturable absorber inside the laser cavity. Multi-wavelength pulse laser operation, multi-pulse train continuous-wave mode-locking operation and pulse-splitting operations are also reported at certain HWP angles. The observed operational dynamics are interpreted as a mutual interaction of dispersion, non-linear effect and insertion loss. This work provides a new mechanism for fabricating cheap tuneable multi-wavelength lasers with QML pulses.

A two-dimensional analysis of the sensitivity of a pulse first break to wave speed contrast on a scale below the resolution length of ray tomography.

PubMed

Willey, Carson L; Simonetti, Francesco

2016-06-01

Mapping the speed of mechanical waves traveling inside a medium is a topic of great interest across many fields from geoscience to medical diagnostics. Much work has been done to characterize the fidelity with which the geometrical features of the medium can be reconstructed and multiple resolution criteria have been proposed depending on the wave-matter interaction model used to decode the wave speed map from scattering measurements. However, these criteria do not define the accuracy with which the wave speed values can be reconstructed. Using two-dimensional simulations, it is shown that the first-arrival traveltime predicted by ray theory can be an accurate representation of the arrival of a pulse first break even in the presence of diffraction and other phenomena that are not accounted for by ray theory. As a result, ray-based tomographic inversions can yield accurate wave speed estimations also when the size of a sound speed anomaly is smaller than the resolution length of the inversion method provided that traveltimes are estimated from the signal first break. This increased sensitivity however renders the inversion more susceptible to noise since the amplitude of the signal around the first break is typically low especially when three-dimensional anomalies are considered.

Proposal and performance analysis on the PDM microwave photonic link for the mm-wave signal with hybrid QAM-MPPM-RZ modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Bo; Zhang, Qi; Ma, Jianxin; Tao, Ying; Shen, Yufei; Wang, Yang; Zhang, Geng; Zhou, Wenmao; Zhao, Yi; Pan, Xiaolong

2018-07-01

A polarization division multiplexed (PDM) microwave photonic link for the millimeter (MM)-wave signal with hybrid modulation scheme is proposed in this paper, which is based on the combination of quadrature amplitude modulation, multi-pulse pulse-position modulation and return to zero modulation (QAM-MPPM-RZ). In this scheme, the two orthogonal polarization states enable simultaneous transmission of four data flows, which can provide different services for users according to the data rate requirement. To generate hybrid QAM-MPPM-RZ mm-wave signal, the QAM mm-wave signal is directly modulated by MPPM-RZ signal without using digital signal processing (DSP) devices, which reduces the overhead of the encoding process. Then, the generated QAM-MPPM-RZ mm-wave signal is transmitted in PDM microwave photonic link based on SSB modulation. The sparsity characteristic of QAM-MPPM-RZ not only improves the power efficiency, but also decreases the degradation caused by the fiber chromatic dispersion. The simulation results show that, under the constraint of the same transmitted data rate, the PDM microwave photonic link with 50 GHz QAM-MPPM-RZ mm-wave signal achieves much lower levels of bit-error rate than ordinary 32-QAM. In addition, the increase of laser linewidth brings no additional impact to the proposed scheme.

Yearly evolution of organ damage markers in diabetes or metabolic syndrome: data from the LOD-DIABETES study.

PubMed

Gomez-Marcos, Manuel A; Recio-Rodríguez, Jose I; Patino-Alonso, Maria C; Agudo-Conde, Cristina; Gomez-Sanchez, Leticia; Rodriguez-Sanchez, Emiliano; Gomez-Sanchez, Marta; Garcia-Ortiz, Luis

2011-10-14

Cardiovascular disease morbidity-mortality is greater in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus or metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the yearly evolution of organ damage markers in diabetes or metabolic syndrome, and to analyze the associated factors. An observational prospective study was carried out in the primary care setting, involving 112 patients: 68 diabetics and 44 subjects with metabolic syndrome, subjected to 12 months of follow-up. traditional cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, blood glucose, lipids, smoking, body mass index (BMI) and) and non-traditional risk factors (waist circumference, hsC Reactive Protein and fibrinogen); subclinical vascular (carotid intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity and ankle/brachial index), cardiac (Cornell voltage-duration product), renal organ damage (creatinine, glomerular filtration and albumin/creatinine index), and antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs. At baseline, the diabetics presented a mean age of 59.9 years, versus 55.2 years in the subjects with metabolic syndrome (p = 0.03). Diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were lower among the patients with diabetes, while blood glucose and HbA1c, as well as antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drug use, were greater. At evaluation after one year, the diabetics showed a decrease in BMI (-0.39), diastolic blood pressure (-3.59), and an increase in fibrinogen (30.23 mg/dL), ankle/brachial index (0.07) and the number of patients with ankle/brachial index pathologic decreased in 6. In turn, the patients with metabolic syndrome showed an increase in HDL-cholesterol (1-91 mg/dL), fibrinogen (25.54 mg/dL), Cornell voltage-duration product (184.22 mm/ms), ankle/brachial index (0.05) and the use of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs, and a reduction in serum glucose (3.74 mg/dL), HOMA, systolic (-6.76 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (-3.29 mmHg), and pulse wave velocity (-0.72 m/s). The variable that best predicted a decrease in pulse wave velocity in subjects with metabolic syndrome was seen to be an increase in antihypertensive drug use. The annual assessment of cardiovascular risk factors and the decrease in pulse wave velocity was more favorable in the patients with metabolic syndrome, probably influenced by the increased percentage of subjects treated with antihypertensive and lipid lowering drugs in this group.

Tension of Liquids by Shockwaves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Utkin, A. V.; Sosikov, V. A.

2009-12-01

Experimental investigations of dynamic tension of liquids (water, ethanol, glycerol, hexane, hexadecane, pentadecane, and transformer oil) under shock waves have been made. The method of spall strength measurements was applied and wave profiles were registered by laser interferometer VISAR. It was found that negative pressures in liquids were almost independent from the value of stain rate when the temperature was far from melting point. But near the melting point the spall strength of water, hexadecane, pentadecane, and glycerol is a strong function of strain rate and shock-wave amplitude. The process of cavitation in hexadecane and methanol is double-staged. At the first stage formation of cavities starts, and a kinked of free velocity profile is observed. At the second stage the cavity growth rate increases and the spall-pulse occurs. The theory of homogeneous bubble nucleation was used to explain the experimental results. It was observed for water that spall-pulse amplitude may be higher than the shock wave amplitude. To explain this phenomenon the model of failure kinetics, taking into account the inertial bubbles growth, has been proposed.

Harnessing the relativistic Buneman instability for laser-ion acceleration in the transparency regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stark, D. J.; Yin, L.; Albright, B. J.

2018-06-01

We examine the relativistic Buneman instability in systems relevant to high-intensity laser-plasma interactions under conditions of relativistically-induced transparency, as this instability can generate large-amplitude electrostatic waves at low frequencies that are pertinent to ion dynamics in these systems. Ion flows are shown to significantly alter the range of unstable wave numbers and to increase the phase velocities of the unstable modes; we particularly highlight the relativistic effects from both the ion and electron (with transverse motion) populations. These findings are related to the mode structure seen in particle-in-cell simulation results of a short-pulse laser breaking through an initially opaque target with the onset of relativistic transparency. Additionally, driving mechanisms from free energy present in density and velocity gradients are shown to be capable of significantly enhancing the growth rates, and these instabilities furthermore extend the breadth of the unstable wave number range. Lastly, we discuss how the transverse self-generated magnetic fields characteristic of short-pulse interactions can potentially constrain the unstable wave numbers in a non-trivial manner.

Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography of the kidneys: is shear wave velocity affected by tissue fibrosis or renal blood flow?

PubMed

Asano, Kenichiro; Ogata, Ai; Tanaka, Keiko; Ide, Yoko; Sankoda, Akiko; Kawakita, Chieko; Nishikawa, Mana; Ohmori, Kazuyoshi; Kinomura, Masaru; Shimada, Noriaki; Fukushima, Masaki

2014-05-01

The aim of this study was to identify the main influencing factor of the shear wave velocity (SWV) of the kidneys measured by acoustic radiation force impulse elastography. The SWV was measured in the kidneys of 14 healthy volunteers and 319 patients with chronic kidney disease. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated by the serum creatinine concentration and age. As an indicator of arteriosclerosis of large vessels, the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was measured in 183 patients. Compared to the degree of interobserver and intraobserver deviation, a large variance of SWV values was observed in the kidneys of the patients with chronic kidney disease. Shear wave velocity values in the right and left kidneys of each patient correlated well, with high correlation coefficients (r = 0.580-0.732). The SWV decreased concurrently with a decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate. A low SWV was obtained in patients with a high brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Despite progression of renal fibrosis in the advanced stages of chronic kidney disease, these results were in contrast to findings for chronic liver disease, in which progression of hepatic fibrosis results in an increase in the SWV. Considering that a high brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity represents the progression of arteriosclerosis in the large vessels, the reduction of elasticity succeeding diminution of blood flow was suspected to be the main influencing factor of the SWV in the kidneys. This study indicates that diminution of blood flow may affect SWV values in the kidneys more than the progression of tissue fibrosis. Future studies for reducing data variance are needed for effective use of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Arterial stiffness and wave reflection: sex differences and relationship with left ventricular diastolic function.

PubMed

Russo, Cesare; Jin, Zhezhen; Palmieri, Vittorio; Homma, Shunichi; Rundek, Tatjana; Elkind, Mitchell S V; Sacco, Ralph L; Di Tullio, Marco R

2012-08-01

Increased arterial stiffness and wave reflection have been reported in heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFNEF) and in asymptomatic left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, a precursor of HFNEF. It is unclear whether women, who have higher frequency of HFNEF, are more vulnerable than men to the deleterious effects of arterial stiffness on LV diastolic function. We investigated, in a large community-based cohort, whether sex differences exist in the relationship among arterial stiffness, wave reflection, and LV diastolic function. Arterial stiffness and wave reflection were assessed in 983 participants from the Cardiovascular Abnormalities and Brain Lesions study using applanation tonometry. The central pulse pressure/stroke volume index, total arterial compliance, pulse pressure amplification, and augmentation index were used as parameters of arterial stiffness and wave reflection. LV diastolic function was evaluated by 2-dimensional echocardiography and tissue-Doppler imaging. Arterial stiffness and wave reflection were greater in women compared with men, independent of body size and heart rate (all P<0.01), and showed inverse relationships with parameters of diastolic function in both sexes. Further adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors attenuated these relationships; however, a higher central pulse pressure/stroke volume index predicted LV diastolic dysfunction in women (odds ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence intervals, 1.03 to 2.30) and men (odds ratio, 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.30 to 3.39), independent of other risk factors. In conclusion, in our community-based cohort study, higher arterial stiffness was associated with worse LV diastolic function in men and women. Women's higher arterial stiffness, independent of body size, may contribute to their greater susceptibility to develop HFNEF.

The effect of frequency doubled double pulse Nd:YAG laser fiber proximity to the target stone on transient cavitation and acoustic emission.

PubMed

Fuh, Eric; Haleblian, George E; Norris, Regina D; Albala, W David M; Simmons, Neal; Zhong, Pei; Preminger, Glenn M

2007-04-01

Scant information has been published describing the effect of laser fiber distance from the stone target on the mechanism of calculus fragmentation. Using high speed photography and acoustic emission measurements we characterized the impact of laser fiber proximity on stone comminution. We evaluated the effect of laser fiber distance from the stone target on resultant cavitation bubble formation and shock wave generation. Stone fragmentation was assessed using a FREDDY (frequency doubled double pulse Nd:YAG) (World of Medicine, Orlando, Florida) laser and a holmium laser. The FREDDY laser was operated using a 420 microm fiber at an output energy of 120 and 160 mJ in single and double pulse settings, and a pulse repetition rate of 1 Hz. The holmium laser was operated using a 200 microm fiber at an output energy of 1 to 3 J and a pulse repetition rate of 1 Hz. The surface of a 1 cm square BegoStone (Bego, Bremen, Germany) attached to an X-Y-Z translational stage was aligned perpendicular to the laser fiber, which was immersed in a Lucite tank filled with water at room temperature. An Imacon 200 high speed camera was used to capture transient cavitation bubbles at a framing rate of up to 1,000,000 frames per second. Acoustic emission signals associated with shock waves generated during the rapid expansion and collapse of the cavitation bubble were measured using a 1 MHz focused ultrasound transducer. At laser fiber distances of 3.0 mm or less cavitation bubbles and shock waves were observed with the FREDDY laser. In contrast to the holmium laser, the bubble size and shock wave intensity of the FREDDY laser was inversely related to the fiber-to-stone distance over the range tested (0.5 to 3.0 mm). While bubble size was noted to increase with a larger stone-to-fiber distance using the holmium laser, to consistently generate cavitation bubbles and shock waves using the FREDDY laser the laser fiber should be operated within 3.0 mm of the target stone. These findings have significant implications during clinical laser stone fragmentation.

The wave-field from an array of periodic emitters driven simultaneously by a broadband pulse.

PubMed

Dixon, Steve; Hill, Samuel; Fan, Yichao; Rowlands, George

2013-06-01

The use of phased array methods are commonplace in ultrasonic applications, where controlling the variation of the phase between the narrowband emitters in an array facilitates beam steering and focusing of ultrasonic waves. An approach is presented here whereby emitters of alternating polarity arranged in a one-dimensional array are pulsed simultaneously, and have sufficiently wide, controlled bandwidth to emit a two-dimensional wave. This pulsed approach provides a rapid means of simultaneously covering a region of space with a wave-front, whereby any wave that scatters or reflects off a body to a detector will have a distinct arrival time and frequency. This is a general wave phenomenon with a potential application in radar, sonar, and ultrasound. The key result is that one can obtain a smooth, continuous wave-front emitted from the array, over a large solid angle, whose frequency varies as a function of angle to the array. Analytic and finite element models created to describe this phenomenon have been validated with experimental results using ultrasonic waves in metal samples.

Control of unsteadiness of a shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction by using a pulsed-plasma-jet actuator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narayanaswamy, Venkateswaran; Raja, Laxminarayan L.; Clemens, Noel T.

2012-07-01

A pulsed-plasma jet actuator is used to control the unsteady motion of the separation shock of a shock wave/boundary layer interaction formed by a compression ramp in a Mach 3 flow. The actuator is based on a plasma-generated synthetic jet and is configured as an array of three jets that can be injected normal to the cross-flow, pitched, or pitched and skewed. The typical peak jet exit velocity of the actuators is about 300 m/s and the pulsing frequencies are a few kilohertz. A study of the interaction between the pulsed-plasma jets and the shock/boundary layer interaction was performed in a time-resolved manner using 10 kHz schlieren imaging. When the actuator, pulsed at StL ≈ 0.04 (f = 2 kHz), was injected into the upstream boundary layer, the separation shock responded to the plasma jet by executing a rapid upstream motion followed by a gradual downstream recovery motion. Schlieren movies of the interaction showed that the separation shock unsteadiness was locked to the pulsing frequency of the actuator, with amplitude of about one boundary layer thickness. Wall-pressure measurements made under the intermittent region showed about a 30% decrease in the overall magnitude of the pressure fluctuations in the low-frequency band associated with unsteady large-scale motion of the separated flow. Furthermore, by increasing the pulsing frequency to 3.3 kHz, the amplitude of the separation shock oscillation was reduced to less than half the boundary layer thickness. Investigation into the effect of the actuator location on the shock wave/boundary layer interaction (SWBLI) showed qualitatively and quantitatively that the actuator placed upstream of the separation shock caused significant modification to the SWBLI unsteadiness, whereas injection from inside the separation bubble did not cause a noticeable effect.

Determinants of elevated pulse pressure in middle-aged and older subjects with uncomplicated systolic hypertension: the role of proximal aortic diameter and the aortic pressure-flow relationship.

PubMed

Mitchell, Gary F; Lacourcière, Yves; Ouellet, Jean-Pascal; Izzo, Joseph L; Neutel, Joel; Kerwin, Linda J; Block, Alan J; Pfeffer, Marc A

2003-09-30

Elevated pulse pressure (PP) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and is thought to be secondary to elastin fragmentation with secondary collagen deposition and stiffening of the aortic wall, leading to a dilated, noncompliant vasculature. By use of calibrated tonometry and pulsed Doppler, arterial stiffness and pulsatile hemodynamics were assessed in 128 subjects with uncomplicated systolic hypertension (supine systolic pressure > or =140 mm Hg off medication) and 30 normotensive control subjects of comparable age and gender. Pulse-wave velocity was assessed from tonometry and body surface measurements. Characteristic impedance (Zc) was calculated from the ratio of change in carotid pressure and aortic flow in early systole. Effective aortic diameter was assessed by use of the water hammer equation. Hypertensives were heavier (P<0.001) and had higher PP (P<0.001), which was attributable primarily to higher Zc (P<0.001), especially in women. Pulse-wave velocity was higher in hypertensives (P=0.001); however, this difference was not significant after adjustment for differences in mean arterial pressure (MAP) (P>0.153), whereas increased Zc remained highly significant (P<0.001). Increased Zc in women and in hypertensive men was attributable to decreased effective aortic diameter, with no difference in wall stiffness at comparable MAP and body weight. Elevated PP in systolic hypertension was independent of MAP and was attributable primarily to elevated Zc and reduced effective diameter of the proximal aorta. These findings are not consistent with the hypothesis of secondary aortic degeneration, dilation, and wall stiffening but rather suggest that aortic function may play an active role in the pathophysiology of systolic hypertension.

On the elimination of pulse wave velocity in stroke volume determination from the ultralow-frequency displacement ballistocardiogram.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1964-03-01

A hydrodynamic model of the systemic circulatory system was mounted on an ultralow-frequency ballistocardiograph (ULF-BCG). The relationship between stroke volume and ballistocardiographic amplitude was investigated for different pulse wave velocitie...

Frequency modulation and compression of optical pulses in an optical fibre with a travelling refractive-index wave

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zolotovskii, I O; Lapin, V A; Sementsov, D I

2016-01-31

We have studied the conditions for spectral broadening, frequency modulation and compression (both temporal and spectral) of Gaussian pulses propagating in a fibre with a travelling refractive-index wave. Analytical expressions have been derived for the dependences of pulse duration, chirp and spectral width on the distance travelled through the fibre, parameters of the fibre and radiation launched into it. Based on the numerical analysis we have studied the behaviour of these characteristics by changing the coefficient of the refractive-index modulation and other parameters of the travelling refractive-index wave. (nonlinear optical phenomena)

Information hiding and retrieval in Rydberg wave packets using half-cycle pulses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murray, J. M.; Pisharody, S. N.; Wen, H.

We demonstrate an information hiding and retrieval scheme with the relative phases between states in a Rydberg wave packet acting as the bits of a data register. We use a terahertz half-cycle pulse (HCP) to transfer phase-encoded information from an optically accessible angular momentum manifold to another manifold which is not directly accessed by our laser pulses, effectively hiding the information from our optical interferometric measurement techniques. A subsequent HCP acting on these wave packets reintroduces the information back into the optically accessible data register manifold which can then be read out.

Verification of Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Measurement Method Based on Pulse Wave Signal Detected by FBG Sensor System.

PubMed

Kurasawa, Shintaro; Koyama, Shouhei; Ishizawa, Hiroaki; Fujimoto, Keisaku; Chino, Shun

2017-11-23

This paper describes and verifies a non-invasive blood glucose measurement method using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor system. The FBG sensor is installed on the radial artery, and the strain (pulse wave) that is propagated from the heartbeat is measured. The measured pulse wave signal was used as a collection of feature vectors for multivariate analysis aiming to determine the blood glucose level. The time axis of the pulse wave signal was normalized by two signal processing methods: the shortest-time-cut process and 1-s-normalization process. The measurement accuracy of the calculated blood glucose level was compared with the accuracy of these signal processing methods. It was impossible to calculate a blood glucose level exceeding 200 mg/dL in the calibration curve that was constructed by the shortest-time-cut process. In the 1-s-normalization process, the measurement accuracy of the blood glucose level was improved, and a blood glucose level exceeding 200 mg/dL could be calculated. By verifying the loading vector of each calibration curve to calculate the blood glucose level with a high measurement accuracy, we found the gradient of the peak of the pulse wave at the acceleration plethysmogram greatly affected.

Diffraction and quantum control of wave functions in nonresonant two-photon absorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Baihong; Pang, Huafeng; Wang, Doudou; Zhang, Tao; Dong, Ruifang; Li, Yongfang

2018-03-01

In this study, the nonresonant two-photon absorption process in a two-level atom, induced by a weak chirped pulse, is theoretically investigated in the frequency domain. An analytical expression of the wave function expressed by Fresnel functions is obtained, and the two-photon transition probability (TPTP) versus the integral bandwidth, spectral width, and chirp parameter is analyzed. The results indicate that the oscillation evolution of the TPTP result from quantum diffraction of the wave function, which can be explained by analogy with Fresnel diffraction from a wide slit in the spatial domain. Moreover, the ratio between the real and imaginary parts of the excited state wave function and, hence, the atomic polarization, can be controlled by the initial phase of the excitation pulse. In some special initial phase of the excitation pulse, the wave functions with purely real or imaginary parts can be obtained by measuring the population probability. This work provides a novel perspective for understanding the physical details of the interactions between atoms and chirped light pulses in the multiphoton process.

Effect of source frequency and pulsing on the SiO2 etching characteristics of dual-frequency capacitive coupled plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hoe Jun; Jeon, Min Hwan; Mishra, Anurag Kumar; Kim, In Jun; Sin, Tae Ho; Yeom, Geun Young

2015-01-01

A SiO2 layer masked with an amorphous carbon layer (ACL) has been etched in an Ar/C4F8 gas mixture with dual frequency capacitively coupled plasmas under variable frequency (13.56-60 MHz)/pulsed rf source power and 2 MHz continuous wave (CW) rf bias power, the effects of the frequency and pulsing of the source rf power on the SiO2 etch characteristics were investigated. By pulsing the rf power, an increased SiO2 etch selectivity was observed with decreasing SiO2 etch rate. However, when the rf power frequency was increased, not only a higher SiO2 etch rate but also higher SiO2 etch selectivity was observed for both CW and pulse modes. A higher CF2/F ratio and lower electron temperature were observed for both a higher source frequency mode and a pulsed plasma mode. Therefore, when the C 1s binding states of the etched SiO2 surfaces were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the increase of C-Fx bonding on the SiO2 surface was observed for a higher source frequency operation similar to a pulsed plasma condition indicating the increase of SiO2 etch selectivity over the ACL. The increase of the SiO2 etch rate with increasing etch selectivity for the higher source frequency operation appears to be related to the increase of the total plasma density with increasing CF2/F ratio in the plasma. The SiO2 etch profile was also improved not only by using the pulsed plasma but also by increasing the source frequency.

Energy scaling of terahertz-wave parametric sources.

PubMed

Tang, Guanqi; Cong, Zhenhua; Qin, Zengguang; Zhang, Xingyu; Wang, Weitao; Wu, Dong; Li, Ning; Fu, Qiang; Lu, Qingming; Zhang, Shaojun

2015-02-23

Terahertz-wave parametric oscillators (TPOs) have advantages of room temperature operation, wide tunable range, narrow line-width, good coherence. They have also disadvantage of small pulse energy. In this paper, several factors preventing TPOs from generating high-energy THz pulses and the corresponding solutions are analyzed. A scheme to generate high-energy THz pulses by using the combination of a TPO and a Stokes-pulse-injected terahertz-wave parametric generator (spi-TPG) is proposed and demonstrated. A TPO is used as a source to generate a seed pulse for the surface-emitted spi-TPG. The time delay between the pump and Stokes pulses is adjusted to guarantee they have good temporal overlap. The pump pulses have a large pulse energy and a large beam size. The Stokes beam is enlarged to make its size be larger than the pump beam size to have a large effective interaction volume. The experimental results show that the generated THz pulse energy from the spi-TPG is 1.8 times as large as that obtained from the TPO for the same pumping pulse energy density of 0.90 J/cm(2) and the same pumping beam size of 3.0 mm. When the pumping beam sizes are 5.0 and 7.0 mm, the enhancement times are 3.7 and 7.5, respectively. The spi-TPG here is similar to a difference frequency generator; it can also be used as a Stokes pulse amplifier.

Hypericin and pulsed laser therapy of squamous cell cancer in vitro.

PubMed

Bublik, Michael; Head, Christian; Benharash, Peyman; Paiva, Marcos; Eshraghi, Adrian; Kim, Taiho; Saxton, Romaine

2006-06-01

This in vitro study compares continuous wave and pulsed laser light at longer wavelengths for activation of the phototoxic drug hypericin in human cancer cells. Two-photon pulsed laser light now allows high-resolution fluorescent imaging of cancer cells and should provide deeper tissue penetration with near infrared light for improved detection as well as phototoxicity in human tumors. Cultured Seoul National University (SNU)-1 tumor cells from a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were incubated with hypericin before photoirradiation at four laser wavelengths. Phototoxicity of hypericin sensitized SCC cells was measured by dimethyl thiazoldiphenyl (MTT) tetrazolium bromide cell viability assays and by confocal fluorescence microscopy via 532-nm and infrared two-photon pulsed laser light. Phototoxic response increased linearly with hypericin dose of 0.1-2 microM, light exposure time of 5-120 sec, and pulsed dye laser wavelengths of 514-593 nm. Light energy delivery for 50% cell phototoxicity (LD50) response was 9 joules at 514 nm, 3 joules at 550 nm, and less than 1 joule at the 593 nm hypericin light absorption maxima. Fluorescence confocal microscopy revealed membrane and perinuclear localization of hypericin in the SNU cells with membrane damage seen after excitation with visible 532 nm continuous wave light or two-photon 700-950 nm picosecond pulsed laser irradiation. Hypericin may be a powerful tumor targetting drug when combined with pulsed laser light in patients with recurrent head and neck SCC.

Features of the non-contact carotid pressure waveform: Cardiac and vascular dynamics during rebreathing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casaccia, S.; Sirevaag, E. J.; Richter, E. J.; O'Sullivan, J. A.; Scalise, L.; Rohrbaugh, J. W.

2016-10-01

This report amplifies and extends prior descriptions of the use of laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) as a method for assessing cardiovascular activity, on a non-contact basis. A rebreathing task (n = 35 healthy individuals) was used to elicit multiple effects associated with changes in autonomic drive as well as blood gases including hypercapnia. The LDV pulse was obtained from two sites overlying the carotid artery, separated by 40 mm. A robust pulse signal was obtained from both sites, in accord with the well-described changes in carotid diameter over the blood pressure cycle. Emphasis was placed on extracting timing measures from the LDV pulse, which could serve as surrogate measures of pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the associated arterial stiffness. For validation purposes, a standard measure of pulse transit time (PTT) to the radial artery was obtained using a tonometric sensor. Two key measures of timing were extracted from the LDV pulse. One involved the transit time along the 40 mm distance separating the two LDV measurement sites. A second measure involved the timing of a late feature of the LDV pulse contour, which was interpreted as reflection wave latency and thus a measure of round-trip travel time. Both LDV measures agreed with the conventional PTT measure, in disclosing increased PWV during periods of active rebreathing. These results thus provide additional evidence that measures based on the non-contact LDV technique might provide surrogate measures for those obtained using conventional, more obtrusive assessment methods that require attached sensors.

Characteristics of light reflected from a dense ionization wave with a tunable velocity.

PubMed

Zhidkov, A; Esirkepov, T; Fujii, T; Nemoto, K; Koga, J; Bulanov, S V

2009-11-20

An optically dense ionization wave (IW) produced by two femtosecond (approximately 10/30 fs) laser pulses focused cylindrically and crossing each other may become an efficient coherent x-ray converter in accordance with the Semenova-Lampe theory. The resulting velocity of a quasiplane IW in the vicinity of pulse intersection changes with the angle between the pulses from the group velocity of ionizing pulses to infinity allowing a tuning of the wavelength of x rays and their bunching. The x-ray spectra after scattering of a lower frequency and long coherent light pulse change from the monochromatic to high order harmoniclike with the duration of the ionizing pulses.

Shock wave acceleration of protons in inhomogeneous plasma interacting with ultrashort intense laser pulses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lecz, Zs.; Andreev, A.; Max-Born Institute, Berlin

The acceleration of protons, triggered by solitary waves in expanded solid targets is investigated using particle-in-cell simulations. The near-critical density plasma is irradiated by ultrashort high power laser pulses, which generate the solitary wave. The transformation of this soliton into a shock wave during propagation in plasma with exponentially decreasing density profile is described analytically, which allows to obtain a scaling law for the proton energy. The high quality proton bunch with small energy spread is produced by reflection from the shock-front. According to the 2D simulations, the mechanism is stable only if the laser pulse duration is shorter thanmore » the characteristic development time of the parasitic Weibel instability.« less

Elastic wave speeds and moduli in polycrystalline ice Ih, si methane hydrate, and sll methane-ethane hydrate

USGS Publications Warehouse

Helgerud, M.B.; Waite, W.F.; Kirby, S.H.; Nur, A.

2009-01-01

We used ultrasonic pulse transmission to measure compressional, P, and shear, S, wave speeds in laboratory-formed polycrystalline ice Ih, si methane hydrate, and sll methane-ethane hydrate. From the wave speed's linear dependence on temperature and pressure and from the sample's calculated density, we derived expressions for bulk, shear, and compressional wave moduli and Poisson's ratio from -20 to 15??C and 22.4 to 32.8 MPa for ice Ih, -20 to 15??C and 30.5 to 97.7 MPa for si methane hydrate, and -20 to 10??C and 30.5 to 91.6 MPa for sll methane-ethane hydrate. All three materials had comparable P and S wave speeds and decreasing shear wave speeds with increasing applied pressure. Each material also showed evidence of rapid intergranular bonding, with a corresponding increase in wave speed, in response to pauses in sample deformation. There were also key differences. Resistance to uniaxial compaction, indicated by the pressure required to compact initially porous samples, was significantly lower for ice Ih than for either hydrate. The ice Ih shear modulus decreased with increasing pressure, in contrast to the increase measured in both hydrates ?? 2009.

Voltammetric studies of antimony ions in soda-lime-silica glass melts up to 1873 K.

PubMed

Yamashita, H; Yamaguchi, S; Nishimura, R; Maekawa, T

2001-01-01

The half wave potential of reduction of Sb5+ in 16Na2O x 10CaO x 74SiO2 glass melts was examined by differential pulse voltammetry up to 1873 K. The half wave potential shifted to the positive direction with an increase in temperature. The results indicate that the equilibrium of Sb5+/Sb3+ shifted to negative direction with an increase in temperature. The half wave potential shifted to positive direction (48 mV at 1473 K) when the atmosphere over the melts changed from pure oxygen gas to air, in agreement with the theoretical prediction. The reversibility of Pt:O2 reference electrode is confirmed.

The Diurnal Profile of Central Hemodynamics in a General Uruguayan Population.

PubMed

Boggia, José; Luzardo, Leonella; Lujambio, Inés; Sottolano, Mariana; Robaina, Sebastián; Thijs, Lutgarde; Olascoaga, Alicia; Noboa, Oscar; Struijker-Boudier, Harry A; Safar, Michel E; Staessen, Jan A

2016-06-01

No previous population study assessed the diurnal profile of central arterial properties. In 167 participants (mean age, 56.1 years; 63.5% women), randomly recruited in Montevideo, Uruguay, we used the oscillometric Mobil-O-Graph 24-h PWA monitor to measure peripheral and central systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and pulse (PP) pressures and central hemodynamics standardized to a heart rate of 75 bpm, including aortic pulse wave velocity, systolic augmentation (first/second peak × 100), and pressure amplification (peripheral PP/central PP). Over 24 hours, day and night, peripheral minus central differences in SBP/DBP and in PP averaged 12.2/-1.1, 14.0/-0.7, and 9.7/0.2mm Hg and 12.6, 14.7, and 9.5mm Hg, respectively (P < 0.001 except for nighttime DBP (P = 0.38)). The central-to-peripheral ratios of SBP, DBP, and PP were 0.89, 1.00, and 0.70 unadjusted, but after accounting for anthropometric characteristics decreased to 0.74, 0.97, and 0.63, respectively, with strong influence of height for SBP and DBP and of sex for PP. From day (10-20h) to nighttime (0-6h), peripheral (-10.4/-10.5 mm Hg) and central (-6.0/-11.3mm Hg) SBP/DBP, pulse wave velocity (-0.7 m/s) and pressure amplification (-0.05) decreased (P < 0.001), whereas central PP (+5.3mm Hg) and systolic augmentation (+2.3%) increased (P < 0.001). The diurnal rhythm of central pressure runs in parallel with that of peripheral pressure, but the nocturnal fall in SBP is smaller centrally than peripherally. pulse wave velocity, systolic augmentation, and pressure amplification loop through the day with high pulse wave velocity and pressure amplification but low systolic augmentation in the evening and opposite trends in the morning. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Novel Signal Noise Reduction Method through Cluster Analysis, Applied to Photoplethysmography.

PubMed

Waugh, William; Allen, John; Wightman, James; Sims, Andrew J; Beale, Thomas A W

2018-01-01

Physiological signals can often become contaminated by noise from a variety of origins. In this paper, an algorithm is described for the reduction of sporadic noise from a continuous periodic signal. The design can be used where a sample of a periodic signal is required, for example, when an average pulse is needed for pulse wave analysis and characterization. The algorithm is based on cluster analysis for selecting similar repetitions or pulses from a periodic single. This method selects individual pulses without noise, returns a clean pulse signal, and terminates when a sufficiently clean and representative signal is received. The algorithm is designed to be sufficiently compact to be implemented on a microcontroller embedded within a medical device. It has been validated through the removal of noise from an exemplar photoplethysmography (PPG) signal, showing increasing benefit as the noise contamination of the signal increases. The algorithm design is generalised to be applicable for a wide range of physiological (physical) signals.

Multiphase Oscillator Using Traveling Pulses Developed in a System of Transmission Lines with Regularly Spaced Resonant-tunneling Diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narahara, Koichi

2017-06-01

A scheme is proposed for generating multiphase oscillatory signals in millimeter-wave frequencies based on the dynamics of a traveling pulse developed in a closed transmission line periodically loaded with resonant-tunneling diodes (RTDs) that is coupled with several straight RTD lines. When supplied with an appropriate voltage at the end of an RTD line, a pulse edge is shown to exhibit a spatially extended limit-cycle oscillation on the line. We consider the case where several RTD lines are connected halfway to a closed one at even intervals. In this case, the oscillatory edge developed in each straight RTD line is mutually synchronized such that a pulse-shaped rotary traveling wave develops on the closed RTD line. The oscillating edge on each straight line is also synchronized with the traveling pulse on the closed line, such that the leading edge of the traveling pulse on the closed line and the forward edge on the straight line pass the cross point simultaneously. As a result, when N L straight lines are connected to the closed line, the phase difference between two adjacent oscillatory edges becomes 2 π/ N L . On the other hand, the trailing edge of the traveling pulse at the cross point breaks the voltage wave on the straight line into two pieces, one of which travels forward to form a solitary wave and the other of which travels backward to reach the input end, where it is reflected and starts to travel forward and this forward moving edge is supposed to be synchronized with the leading edge of the traveling pulse. It means that a back-and-forth edge and a forward-moving solitary wave develop periodically on each straight line. Because the time required for the traveling pulse to go around the closed line must be coincident with the period of the edge oscillation on each straight line, a unique traveling pulse cannot synchronize with each oscillating edge when the cell size of the closed line becomes large, resulting in the development of multiple traveling pulses on the closed line. In this paper, the design criteria are discussed concerning the connecting point between the straight and closed lines, the number of straight lines, and the size of the closed line. In addition, we describe several measurement results that validate the essential properties of the traveling pulse and then show several results of full-wave analysis of a monolithically integrated RTD line.

A pulse tube cryocooler with a cold reservoir

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, X. B.; Zhang, K. H.; Qiu, L. M.; Gan, Z. H.; Shen, X.; Xiang, S. J.

2013-02-01

Phase difference between pressure wave and mass flow is decisive to the cooling capacity of regenerative cryocoolers. Unlike the direct phase shifting using a piston or displacer in conventional Stirling or GM cryocoolers, the pulse tube cyocooler (PTC) indirectly adjusts the cold phase due to the absence of moving parts at the cold end. The present paper proposed and validated theoretically and experimentally a novel configuration of PTC, termed cold reservoir PTC, in which a reservoir together with an adjustable orifice is connected to the cold end of the pulse tube. The impedance from the additional orifice to the cold end helps to increase the mass flow in phase with the pressure wave at the cold end. Theoretical analyses with the linear model for the orifice and double-inlet PTCs indicate that the cooling performance can be improved by introducing the cold reservoir. The preliminary experiments with a home-made single-stage GM PTC further validated the results on the premise of minor opening of the cold-end orifice.

[Study of microorganism sterilization by instant microwave and electromagnetic pulse].

PubMed

Lu, Zhiyuan; Shi, Pinpin; Zhu, Manzuo; Sun, Wenquan; Ding, Hua; Hou, Jianqiang

2008-08-01

The sterilization effects of constant electromagnetic wave and instant pulse on foods and traditional Chinese medical pills are introduced in this paper. From the velum's voltage variation caused by the outward electric filed,the dielectric properties of membranaceous ion and the pass rate of the membranaceous ion, we could analyze the biological heating effect and the biological non-heating effect. The sterilization effect of constant electromagnetic wave is based on the biological heating effect, while the instant electromagnetic pulse is based on the biological non-heating effect. With the applied electronic field, the voltage of membrane could increase, which results in the gates of K+ open, and the flowing out of K+. And the variation of the membranaceous voltage makes the gates of Ca2+ open. The Ca2+ of large consistency could come into the cell by the gradient of voltage. It could induce the death of the cells. The greater the variation of membranaceous voltage becomes, the higher will be the death rate of the cells.

Peripheral circulatory disorders in essential thrombocythemia.

PubMed

Małecki, Rafał; Gacka, Małgorzata; Fiodorenko-Dumas, Żanna; Dumas, Ilias; Kwiatkowski, Jacek; Adamiec, Rajmund; Kuliszkiewicz-Janus, Małgorzata

2018-03-01

A significant number of patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) complain of symptoms including distal parts of the extremities (e.g., paresthesias or Raynaud's phenomenon). The aim of the present study was to examine peripheral circulation in the upper extremities of individuals with ET. The study included 45 ET patients and 30 control subjects. All participants were subjected to thermography, photoplethysmography, impedance plethysmography, and applanation tonometry pulse wave analysis. The patients with ET differed significantly from the control subjects in terms of 3rd finger skin temperature (mean 31.04 vs. 32.45°C), skin temperature gradient (mean 1.82 vs. 0.11°C), photoplethysmographic amplitude (median 0.25 vs. 0.74%), and pulse waveform in the radial artery (more frequent occurrence of type B waveform). Pulse wave parameters correlated with the skin temperature gradient. The study findings imply the altered regulation of peripheral circulation in ET, including a decreased flow and an increased resistance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Electrohydraulic shock wave generation as a means to increase intrinsic permeability of mortar

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maurel, O.; Reess, T.; Matallah, M.

2010-12-15

This article discusses the influence of compressive shock waves on the permeability of cementitious materials. Shock waves are generated in water by Pulsed Arc Electrohydraulic Discharges (PAED). The practical aim is to increase the intrinsic permeability of the specimens. The maximum pressure amplitude of the shock wave is 250 MPa. It generates damage in the specimens and the evolution of damage is correlated with the intrinsic permeability of the mortar. A threshold of pressure is observed. From this threshold, the increase of permeability is linear in a semi-log plot. The influence of repeated shocks on permeability is also discussed. Qualitativemore » X Ray Tomography illustrates the evolution of the microstructure of the material leading to the increase of permeability. Comparative results from mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) show that the micro-structural damage process starts at the sub-micrometric level and that the characteristic size of pores of growing volume increases.« less

Arterial pulse wave velocity but not augmentation index is associated with coronary artery disease extent and severity: implications for arterial transfer function applicability.

PubMed

Hope, Sarah A; Antonis, Paul; Adam, David; Cameron, James D; Meredith, Ian T

2007-10-01

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that coronary artery disease extent and severity are associated with central aortic pressure waveform characteristics. Although it is thought that central aortic pressure waveform characteristics, particularly augmentation index, may influence cardiovascular disease progression and predict cardiovascular risk, little is known of the relationship between central waveform characteristics and the severity and extent of coronary artery disease. Central aortic waveforms (2F Millar pressure transducer-tipped catheters) were acquired at the time of coronary angiography for suspected native coronary artery disease in 40 patients (24 male). The severity and extent of disease were assessed independently by two observers using two previously described scoring systems (modified Gensini's stenosis and Sullivan's extent scores). Relationships between disease scores, aortic waveform characteristics, aorto-radial pulse wave velocity and subject demographic features were assessed by regression techniques. Both extent and severity scores were associated with increasing age and male sex (P < 0.001), but no other risk factors. Both scores were independently associated with aorto-radial pulse wave velocity (P < 0.001), which entered a multiple regression model prior to age and sex. This association was not dependent upon blood pressure. Neither score was associated with central aortic augmentation index, by either simple or multiple linear regression techniques including heart rate, subject demographic features and cardiovascular risk factors. Aorto-radial pulse wave velocity, but not central aortic augmentation index, is associated with both the extent and severity of coronary artery disease. This has potentially important implications for applicability of a generalized arterial transfer function.

A novel device for measuring arterial stiffness using finger-toe pulse wave velocity: Validation study of the pOpmètre®.

PubMed

Alivon, Maureen; Vo-Duc Phuong, Thao; Vignon, Virginie; Bozec, Erwan; Khettab, Hakim; Hanon, Olivier; Briet, Marie; Halimi, Jean-Michel; Hallab, Magid; Plichart, Matthieu; Mohammedi, Kamel; Marre, Michel; Boutouyrie, Pierre; Laurent, Stéphane

2015-04-01

The finger-toe pathway could be a good alternative for assessing arterial stiffness conveniently. To evaluate the accuracy of the pOpmètre®--a new device that measures finger-toe pulse wave velocity (ft-PWV). The pOpmètre has two photodiode sensors, positioned on the finger and the toe. Pulse waves are recorded continuously for 20 seconds, and the difference in pulse wave transit time between toe and finger (ft-TT) is calculated. The travelled distance is estimated using subject height. Study 1 compared ft-PWV with carotid-femoral PWV (cf-PWV) obtained by the reference method (SphygmoCor®) in 86 subjects (mean age 53±20 years), including 69 patients with various pathologies and 17 healthy normotensives. Study 2 compared changes in ft-PWV and cf-PWV during a cold pressor test in 10 healthy subjects. Study 3 assessed repeatability in 45 patients. ft-PWV correlated significantly with cf-PWV (R2=0.43; P<0.0001). A better correlation was found in terms of transit time (R2=0.61; P<0.0001). The discrepancy between transit times was related to age. The cold pressor test induced parallel changes in cf-PWV and ft-PWV, with increased aortic stiffness that was reversible during recovery. Intra-session repeatability was very good, with a coefficient of variation of 4.52%. The pOpmètre® allows measurement of arterial stiffness in routine clinical practice. The greatest advantages of ft-PWV are simplicity, rapidity, feasibility, acceptability by patients and correct agreement with the reference technique. Further studies are needed to adjust for bias and to validate the pOpmètre in larger populations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Acute effects of interval versus continuous endurance training on pulse wave reflection in healthy young men.

PubMed

Hanssen, Henner; Nussbaumer, Monique; Moor, Christoph; Cordes, Mareike; Schindler, Christian; Schmidt-Trucksäss, Arno

2015-02-01

Our aim was to investigate the acute and 24-hour (h) effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate continuous training (MCT) on arterial pulse wave reflection, an established marker of arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk. In a randomized cross-over design, 21 young healthy male participants performed a HIIT or a MCT on separate visits. Before and 5 (t5), 20 (t20), 35 (t35), and 50 (t50) minutes after the acute exercise bouts, the crude augmentation index (AIx) and the AIx at a set heart rate (AIx@75) were analysed by applanation tonometry. Starting 1 h post-exercise, both indices were captured over 24-h with an oscillometric monitoring device. AIx did not change significantly after MCT but declined progressively after HIIT, reaching significantly lower values compared to MCT at t35 (P = 0.045) and t50 (P = 0.008). AIx@75 increased after both acute exercise types but was higher after HIIT at t5 (P < 0.001), t20 (P < 0.001) and t35 (P = 0.009) compared to MCT. The 24-h follow-up revealed a significant decline in AIx@75 after HIIT (P = 0.007) but not after MCT (P = 0.813). Exercise intensity affects pulse wave reflection, with different time courses for AIx and AIx@75 post-exercise. Although initially higher after HIIT, AIx@75 declines in the 24-h recovery period indicating more favourable effects on pulse wave reflection compared to MCT. This may result in substantial positive chronic training effects on arterial stiffness in health and cardiovascular disease. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impact of American-Style Football Participation on Vascular Function

PubMed Central

Kim, Jonathan H.; Sher, Salman; Wang, Francis; Berkstresser, Brant; Shoop, James L.; Galante, Angelo; Mheid, Ibhar Al; Ghasemzadeh, Nima; Hutter, Adolph M.; Williams, B. Robinson; Sperling, Laurence S.; Weiner, Rory B.; Quyyumi, Arshed A.; Baggish, Aaron L.

2014-01-01

Although hypertension is common among American-style football players, the presence of concomitant vascular dysfunction has not previously been characterized. We sought to examine the impact of American-style football participation on arterial stiffness and to compare metrics of arterial function between collegiate American-style football participants and non-athletic collegiate controls. Newly matriculated collegiate athletes were studied longitudinally during a single season of American-style football participation and were then compared to healthy undergraduate controls. Arterial stiffness was characterized by use of applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor®). American-style football participants (N = 32, 18.4 ± 0.5 years old) were evenly comprised of Caucasians (N = 14, 44%) and African-Americans (N = 18, 56%). A single season of American-style football participation led to an increase in central aortic pulse pressure (27 ± 4 vs. 34 ± 8 mm Hg, P <0.001). Relative to controls (N = 47), pulse wave velocity was increased among ASF participants (5.6 ± 0.7 vs. 6.2 ± 0.9 m/s, P = 0.002). After adjusting for height, weight, body-mass index, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure, American-style football participation was independently predictive of increased pulse wave velocity (β = 0.33, P = 0.04). In conclusion, American-style football participation leads to changes in central hemodynamics and increased arterial stiffness. PMID:25465938

Influence of Individual Differences on the Calculation Method for FBG-Type Blood Pressure Sensors

PubMed Central

Koyama, Shouhei; Ishizawa, Hiroaki; Fujimoto, Keisaku; Chino, Shun; Kobayashi, Yuka

2016-01-01

In this paper, we propose a blood pressure calculation and associated measurement method that by using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor. There are several points at which the pulse can be measured on the surface of the human body, and when a FBG sensor located at any of these points, the pulse wave signal can be measured. The measured waveform is similar to the acceleration pulse wave. The pulse wave signal changes depending on several factors, including whether or not the individual is healthy and/or elderly. The measured pulse wave signal can be used to calculate the blood pressure using a calibration curve, which is constructed by a partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis using a reference blood pressure and the pulse wave signal. In this paper, we focus on the influence of individual differences from calculated blood pressure based on each calibration curve. In our study, the calculated blood pressure from both the individual and overall calibration curves were compared, and our results show that the calculated blood pressure based on the overall calibration curve had a lower measurement accuracy than that based on an individual calibration curve. We also found that the influence of the individual differences on the calculated blood pressure when using the FBG sensor method were very low. Therefore, the FBG sensor method that we developed for measuring the blood pressure was found to be suitable for use by many people. PMID:28036015

Influence of Individual Differences on the Calculation Method for FBG-Type Blood Pressure Sensors.

PubMed

Koyama, Shouhei; Ishizawa, Hiroaki; Fujimoto, Keisaku; Chino, Shun; Kobayashi, Yuka

2016-12-28

In this paper, we propose a blood pressure calculation and associated measurement method that by using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor. There are several points at which the pulse can be measured on the surface of the human body, and when a FBG sensor located at any of these points, the pulse wave signal can be measured. The measured waveform is similar to the acceleration pulse wave. The pulse wave signal changes depending on several factors, including whether or not the individual is healthy and/or elderly. The measured pulse wave signal can be used to calculate the blood pressure using a calibration curve, which is constructed by a partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis using a reference blood pressure and the pulse wave signal. In this paper, we focus on the influence of individual differences from calculated blood pressure based on each calibration curve. In our study, the calculated blood pressure from both the individual and overall calibration curves were compared, and our results show that the calculated blood pressure based on the overall calibration curve had a lower measurement accuracy than that based on an individual calibration curve. We also found that the influence of the individual differences on the calculated blood pressure when using the FBG sensor method were very low. Therefore, the FBG sensor method that we developed for measuring the blood pressure was found to be suitable for use by many people.

Floodtide pulses after low tides in shallow subembayments adjacent to deep channels

USGS Publications Warehouse

Warner, J.C.; Schoellhamer, D.H.; Ruhl, C.A.; Burau, J.R.

2004-01-01

In shallow waters surface gravity waves (tides) propagate with a speed proportional to the square root of water depth (c=g(h+η)). As the ratio of free surface displacement to mean depth (η/h) approaches unity the wave will travel noticeably faster at high tide than at low tide, creating asymmetries in the tidal form. This physical process is explained analytically by the increased significance of friction and the nonlinear terms in the continuity and momentum equations. In a tidal system comprising a shallow bay adjacent to a deeper channel, tidal asymmetries will be more prevalent in the shallow bay. Thus strong barotropic gradients can be generated between the two, producing rapid accelerations of currents into the bay (relative to other bay tidal processes) and create a maximum peak in the flood tide that we describe as a floodtide pulse. These floodtide pulses can promote a landward flux of suspended-sediment into the bay. In Grizzly Bay (part of northern San Francisco Bay, USA), field observations verify the occurrence of floodtide pulses during the lowest low tides of the year. No pulses were observed in neighboring Honker Bay, which has an average depth ~30 cm greater than Grizzly Bay. Numerical simulations of northern San Francisco Bay using realistic bathymetry demonstrated that floodtide pulses occurred in Grizzly Bay but not in Honker Bay, consistent with the observations. Both observations and numerical simulations show that floodtide pulses promote a landward flux of sediment into Grizzly Bay. Numerical simulations of an idealized bay-channel system quantify the importance of mean depth and friction in creating these floodtide pulses. 

PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS OF AN EIT WAVE OBSERVED BY HINODE/EIS AND SDO/AIA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Veronig, A. M.; Kienreich, I. W.; Muhr, N.

2011-12-10

We present plasma diagnostics of an Extreme-Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) wave observed with high cadence in Hinode/Extreme-Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) sit-and-stare spectroscopy and Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly imagery obtained during the HOP-180 observing campaign on 2011 February 16. At the propagating EIT wave front, we observe downward plasma flows in the EIS Fe XII, Fe XIII, and Fe XVI spectral lines (log T Almost-Equal-To 6.1-6.4) with line-of-sight (LOS) velocities up to 20 km s{sup -1}. These redshifts are followed by blueshifts with upward velocities up to -5 km s{sup -1} indicating relaxation of the plasma behind the wave front.more » During the wave evolution, the downward velocity pulse steepens from a few km s{sup -1} up to 20 km s{sup -1} and subsequently decays, correlated with the relative changes of the line intensities. The expected increase of the plasma densities at the EIT wave front estimated from the observed intensity increase lies within the noise level of our density diagnostics from EIS Fe XIII 202/203 A line ratios. No significant LOS plasma motions are observed in the He II line, suggesting that the wave pulse was not strong enough to perturb the underlying chromosphere. This is consistent with the finding that no H{alpha} Moreton wave was associated with the event. The EIT wave propagating along the EIS slit reveals a strong deceleration of a Almost-Equal-To -540 m s{sup -2} and a start velocity of v{sub 0} Almost-Equal-To 590 km s{sup -1}. These findings are consistent with the passage of a coronal fast-mode MHD wave, pushing the plasma downward and compressing it at the coronal base.« less

Venus Lightning: What We Have Learned from the Venus Express Fluxgate Magnetometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russell, C. T.; Strangeway, R. J.; Wei, H. Y.; Zhang, T. L.

2010-03-01

The Venus Express magnetometer sees short (tens of milliseconds) pulses of EM waves in the Venus ionosphere as predicted by the lightning model for the PVO electric pulses. These waves are stronger than similar terrestrial signals produced by lightning.

Interplay between arterial stiffness and diastolic function: a marker of ventricular-vascular coupling.

PubMed

Zito, Concetta; Mohammed, Moemen; Todaro, Maria Chiara; Khandheria, Bijoy K; Cusmà-Piccione, Maurizio; Oreto, Giuseppe; Pugliatti, Pietro; Abusalima, Mohamed; Antonini-Canterin, Francesco; Vriz, Olga; Carerj, Scipione

2014-11-01

We evaluated the interplay between left ventricular diastolic function and large-artery stiffness in asymptomatic patients at increased risk of heart failure and no structural heart disease (Stage A). We divided 127 consecutive patients (mean age 49 ± 17 years) with risk factors for heart failure who were referred to our laboratory to rule out structural heart disease into two groups according to presence (Group 1, n = 35) or absence (Group 2, n = 92) of grade I left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Doppler imaging with high-resolution echo-tracking software was used to measure intima-media thickness (IMT) and stiffness of carotid arteries. Group 1 had significantly higher mean age, blood pressure, left ventricular mass index, carotid IMT and arterial stiffness than Group 2 (P < 0.05). Overall, carotid stiffness indices (β-stiffness index, augmentation index and elastic modulus) and 'one-point' pulse wave velocity each showed inverse correlation with E-wave velocity, E' velocity and E/A ratio, and direct correlation with A-wave velocity, E-wave deceleration time and E/E' ratio (P < 0.05). Arterial compliance showed negative correlations with the echocardiographic indices of left ventricular diastolic function (P < 0.05). On logistic regression analysis, age, hypertension, SBP, pulse pressure, left ventricular mass index, carotid IMT and stiffness parameters were associated with grade I left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (P < 0.05 for each). However, on multivariate logistic analysis, only 'one-point' pulse wave velocity and age were independent predictors (P = 0.038 and P = 0.016, respectively). An independent association between grade I left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness is demonstrated at the earliest stage of heart failure. Hence, assessment of vascular function, beyond cardiac function, should be included in a comprehensive clinical evaluation of these patients.

Dynamics of ionization processes in high-pressure nitrogen, air, and SF{sub 6} during a subnanosecond breakdown initiated by runaway electrons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tarasenko, V. F., E-mail: vft@loi.hcei.tsc.ru; Beloplotov, D. V.; Lomaev, M. I.

2015-10-15

The dynamics of ionization processes in high-pressure nitrogen, air, and SF{sub 6} during breakdown of a gap with a nonuniform distribution of the electric field by nanosecond high-voltage pulses was studied experimentally. Measurements of the amplitude and temporal characteristics of a diffuse discharge and its radiation with a subnanosecond time resolution have shown that, at any polarity of the electrode with a small curvature radius, breakdown of the gap occurs via two ionization waves, the first of which is initiated by runaway electrons. For a voltage pulse with an ∼500-ps front, UV radiation from different zones of a diffuse dischargemore » is measured with a subnanosecond time resolution. It is shown that the propagation velocity of the first ionization wave increases after its front has passed one-half of the gap, as well as when the pressure in the discharge chamber is reduced and/or when SF{sub 6} is replaced with air or nitrogen. It is found that, at nitrogen pressures of 0.4 and 0.7 MPa and the positive polarity of the high-voltage electrode with a small curvature radius, the ionization wave forms with a larger (∼30 ps) time delay with respect to applying the voltage pulse to the gap than at the negative polarity. The velocity of the second ionization wave propagating from the plane electrode is measured. In a discharge in nitrogen at a pressure of 0.7 MPa, this velocity is found to be ∼10 cm/ns. It is shown that, as the nitrogen pressure increases to 0.7 MPa, the propagation velocity of the front of the first ionization wave at the positive polarity of the electrode with a small curvature radius becomes lower than that at the negative polarity.« less

Acetylcysteine reduces plasma homocysteine concentration and improves pulse pressure and endothelial function in patients with end-stage renal failure.

PubMed

Scholze, Alexandra; Rinder, Christiane; Beige, Joachim; Riezler, Reiner; Zidek, Walter; Tepel, Martin

2004-01-27

Increased oxidative stress, elevated plasma homocysteine concentration, increased pulse pressure, and impaired endothelial function constitute risk factors for increased mortality in patients with end-stage renal failure. We investigated the metabolic and hemodynamic effects of intravenous administration of acetylcysteine, a thiol-containing antioxidant, during a hemodialysis session in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study in 20 patients with end-stage renal failure. Under control conditions, a hemodialysis session reduced plasma homocysteine concentration to 58+/-22% predialysis (mean+/-SD), whereas in the presence of acetylcysteine, the plasma homocysteine concentration was significantly more reduced to 12+/-7% predialysis (P<0.01). The reduction of plasma homocysteine concentration was significantly correlated with a reduction of pulse pressure. A 10% decrease in plasma homocysteine concentration was associated with a decrease of pulse pressure by 2.5 mm Hg. Analysis of the second derivative of photoplethysmogram waveform showed changes of arterial wave reflectance during hemodialysis in the presence of acetylcysteine, indicating improved endothelial function. Acetylcysteine-dependent increase of homocysteine removal during a hemodialysis session improves plasma homocysteine concentration, pulse pressure, and endothelial function in patients with end-stage renal failure.

Terahertz wave electro-optic measurements with optical spectral filtering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ilyakov, I. E., E-mail: igor-ilyakov@mail.ru; Shishkin, B. V.; Kitaeva, G. Kh.

We propose electro-optic detection techniques based on variations of the laser pulse spectrum induced during pulse co-propagation with terahertz wave radiation in a nonlinear crystal. Quantitative comparison with two other detection methods is made. Substantial improvement of the sensitivity compared to the standard electro-optic detection technique (at high frequencies) and to the previously shown technique based on laser pulse energy changes is demonstrated in experiment.

Pulsed-High Field/High-Frequency EPR Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fuhs, Michael; Moebius, Klaus

Pulsed high-field/high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is used to disentangle many kinds of different effects often obscured in continuous wave (cw) EPR spectra at lower magnetic fields/microwave frequencies. While the high magnetic field increases the resolution of G tensors and of nuclear Larmor frequencies, the high frequencies allow for higher time resolution for molecular dynamics as well as for transient paramagnetic intermediates studied with time-resolved EPR. Pulsed EPR methods are used for example for relaxation-time studies, and pulsed Electron Nuclear DOuble Resonance (ENDOR) is used to resolve unresolved hyperfine structure hidden in inhomogeneous linewidths. In the present article we introduce the basic concepts and selected applications to structure and mobility studies on electron transfer systems, reaction centers of photosynthesis as well as biomimetic models. The article concludes with an introduction to stochastic EPR which makes use of an other concept for investigating resonance systems in order to increase the excitation bandwidth of pulsed EPR. The limited excitation bandwidth of pulses at high frequency is one of the main limitations which, so far, made Fourier transform methods hardly feasible.

Study on the mode-transition of nanosecond-pulsed dielectric barrier discharge between uniform and filamentary by controlling pressures and pulse repetition frequencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Sizhe; Lu, Xinpei

2016-09-01

We investigate the temporally resolved evolution of the nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in a moderate 6mm gap under various pressures and pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) by intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) images, using synthetic air and its components oxygen and nitrogen. It is found that the pressures are very different when the DBD mode transits between uniform and filamentary in air, oxygen, and nitrogen. The PRFs can also obviously affect the mode-transition. The transition mechanism in the pulsed DBD is not Townsend-to-streamer, which is dominant in the traditional alternating-voltage DBDs. The pulsed DBD in a uniform mode develops in the form of plane ionization wave, due to overlap of primary avalanches, while the increase in pressure disturbs the overlap and DBD develops in streamer instead, corresponding to the filamentary mode. Increasing the initiatory electron density by pre-ionization methods may contribute to discharge uniformity at higher pressures. We also find that the dependence of uniformity upon PRF is non-monotonic.

Study on the mode-transition of nanosecond-pulsed dielectric barrier discharge between uniform and filamentary by controlling pressures and pulse repetition frequencies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, S.; Pei, X.; Hasnain, Q.; Nie, L.; Lu, X.

2016-02-01

In this paper, we investigate the temporally resolved evolution of the nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in a moderate 6 mm discharge gap under various pressures and pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) by intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) images, using dry air and its components oxygen and nitrogen. It is found that the pressures are very different when the mode transits between uniform and filamentary in air, oxygen, and nitrogen. The PRFs can also obviously affect the mode-transition. The transition mechanism in the pulsed DBD is not Townsend-to-Streamer, which is dominant in the traditional alternating-voltage DBD. The pulsed DBD in a uniform mode develops in the form of plane ionization wave due to overlap of primary avalanches, while the increase in pressure disturbs the overlap and discharge develops in streamer, corresponding to the filamentary mode. Increasing the initial electron density by pre-ionization may contribute to discharge uniformity at higher pressures. We also found that the dependence of homogeneity upon PRF is a non-monotonic one.

Wave Mode Discrimination of Coded Ultrasonic Guided Waves Using Two-Dimensional Compressed Pulse Analysis.

PubMed

Malo, Sergio; Fateri, Sina; Livadas, Makis; Mares, Cristinel; Gan, Tat-Hean

2017-07-01

Ultrasonic guided waves testing is a technique successfully used in many industrial scenarios worldwide. For many complex applications, the dispersive nature and multimode behavior of the technique still poses a challenge for correct defect detection capabilities. In order to improve the performance of the guided waves, a 2-D compressed pulse analysis is presented in this paper. This novel technique combines the use of pulse compression and dispersion compensation in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and temporal-spatial resolution of the signals. The ability of the technique to discriminate different wave modes is also highlighted. In addition, an iterative algorithm is developed to identify the wave modes of interest using adaptive peak detection to enable automatic wave mode discrimination. The employed algorithm is developed in order to pave the way for further in situ applications. The performance of Barker-coded and chirp waveforms is studied in a multimodal scenario where longitudinal and flexural wave packets are superposed. The technique is tested in both synthetic and experimental conditions. The enhancements in SNR and temporal resolution are quantified as well as their ability to accurately calculate the propagation distance for different wave modes.

Observation of sum-frequency-generation-induced cascaded four-wave mixing using two crossing femtosecond laser pulses in a 0.1 mm beta-barium-borate crystal.

PubMed

Liu, Weimin; Zhu, Liangdong; Fang, Chong

2012-09-15

We demonstrate the simultaneous generation of multicolor femtosecond laser pulses spanning the wavelength range from UV to near IR in a 0.1 mm Type I beta-barium borate crystal from 800 nm fundamental and weak IR super-continuum white light (SCWL) pulses. The multicolor broadband laser pulses observed are attributed to two concomitant cascaded four-wave mixing (CFWM) processes as corroborated by calculation: (1) directly from the two incident laser pulses; (2) by the sum-frequency generation (SFG) induced CFWM process (SFGFWM). The latter signal arises from the interaction between the frequency-doubled fundamental pulse (400 nm) and the SFG pulse generated in between the fundamental and IR-SCWL pulses. The versatility and simplicity of this spatially dispersed multicolor self-compressed laser pulse generation offer compact and attractive methods to conduct femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy and time-resolved multicolor spectroscopy.

Observations of a bi-directional lightning leader producing an M-component

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kotovsky, D. A.; Uman, M. A.; Wilkes, R.; Carvalho, F. L.; Jordan, D. M.

2017-12-01

Lightning discharges to ground often exhibit millisecond-scale surges in the continuing currents following return strokes, called M-components. Relatively little is known regarding the source of M-component charge and the mechanisms by which that charge is transferred to ground. In this work, we seek to directly address these questions by presenting correlated high-speed video and Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) observations of a bi-directional leader that resulted in an M-component occurring in a rocket-and-wire triggered lightning flash. The observed leader initiated in the decayed remnants of a positive leader channel that had traversed virgin air approximately 90 msec prior. Three-dimensional locations and speeds of the photographed bi-directional leader and M-component processes are calculated by mapping video images to the observed LMA channel geometry. Both ends of the bi-directional leader exhibited speeds on the order of 2 x106 m sec-1 over 570 meters of the visible channel. Propagation of the luminosity wave from the in-cloud leader to ground ( 8.8 km channel length) exhibited appreciable dispersion, with rise-times (10-90%) increasing from 330 to 410 μsec and pulse-widths (half-maximum) increasing from 380 to 810 μsec - the M-component current pulse measured at ground-level exhibited a rise-time of 290 μsec and a pulse-width of 770 μsec. Group velocities of the luminosity wave have been calculated as a function of frequency, increasing from 2 x107 to 6 x107 m sec-1 over the dominant signal bandwidth (DC to 2 kHz). Additionally, multiple waves of luminosity are observed within the in-cloud channel, indicating nuanced wave phenomena possibly associated with reflection from the end of the leader channel and attachment with the main lightning channel carrying continuing current to ground.

Variability of electromagnetic signatures of lightning initiation observed in the West Mediterranean basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolmasova, I.; Santolik, O.; Defer, E.; Stéphane, P.; Lan, R.; Uhlir, L.; Coquillat, S.; Lambert, D.; Pinty, J. P.; Prieur, S.

2016-12-01

Lightning discharges to ground often exhibit millisecond-scale surges in the continuing currents following return strokes, called M-components. Relatively little is known regarding the source of M-component charge and the mechanisms by which that charge is transferred to ground. In this work, we seek to directly address these questions by presenting correlated high-speed video and Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) observations of a bi-directional leader that resulted in an M-component occurring in a rocket-and-wire triggered lightning flash. The observed leader initiated in the decayed remnants of a positive leader channel that had traversed virgin air approximately 90 msec prior. Three-dimensional locations and speeds of the photographed bi-directional leader and M-component processes are calculated by mapping video images to the observed LMA channel geometry. Both ends of the bi-directional leader exhibited speeds on the order of 2 x106 m sec-1 over 570 meters of the visible channel. Propagation of the luminosity wave from the in-cloud leader to ground ( 8.8 km channel length) exhibited appreciable dispersion, with rise-times (10-90%) increasing from 330 to 410 μsec and pulse-widths (half-maximum) increasing from 380 to 810 μsec - the M-component current pulse measured at ground-level exhibited a rise-time of 290 μsec and a pulse-width of 770 μsec. Group velocities of the luminosity wave have been calculated as a function of frequency, increasing from 2 x107 to 6 x107 m sec-1 over the dominant signal bandwidth (DC to 2 kHz). Additionally, multiple waves of luminosity are observed within the in-cloud channel, indicating nuanced wave phenomena possibly associated with reflection from the end of the leader channel and attachment with the main lightning channel carrying continuing current to ground.

Mode-locked laser with pulse interleavers in a monolithic photonic integrated circuit for millimeter wave and terahertz carrier generation.

PubMed

Lo, Mu-Chieh; Guzmán, Robinson; Gordón, Carlos; Carpintero, Guillermo

2017-04-15

This Letter presents a photonics-based millimeter wave and terahertz frequency synthesizer using a monolithic InP photonic integrated circuit composed of a mode-locked laser (MLL) and two pulse interleaver stages to multiply the repetition rate frequency. The MLL is a multiple colliding pulse MLL producing an 80 GHz repetition rate pulse train. Through two consecutive monolithic pulse interleaver structures, each doubling the repetition rate, we demonstrate the achievement of 160 and 320 GHz. The fabrication was done on a multi-project wafer run of a generic InP photonic technology platform.

Non-Gaussian statistics and optical rogue waves in stimulated Raman scattering.

PubMed

Monfared, Yashar E; Ponomarenko, Sergey A

2017-03-20

We explore theoretically and numerically optical rogue wave formation in stimulated Raman scattering inside a hydrogen filled hollow core photonic crystal fiber. We assume a weak noisy Stokes pulse input and explicitly construct the input Stokes pulse ensemble using the coherent mode representation of optical coherence theory, thereby providing a link between optical coherence and rogue wave theories. We show that the Stokes pulse peak power probability distribution function (PDF) acquires a long tail in the limit of nearly incoherent input Stokes pulses. We demonstrate a clear link between the PDF tail magnitude and the source coherence time. Thus, the latter can serve as a convenient parameter to control the former. We explain our findings qualitatively using the concepts of statistical granularity and global degree of coherence.

Pulse Phase Dynamic Thermal Tomography Investigation on the Defects of the Solid-Propellant Missile Engine Cladding Layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Wei; Wang, Fei; Liu, Jun-yan; Xiao, Peng; Wang, Yang; Dai, Jing-min

2018-04-01

Pulse phase dynamic thermal tomography (PP-DTT) was introduced as a nondestructive inspection technique to detect the defects of the solid-propellant missile engine cladding layer. One-dimensional thermal wave mathematical model stimulated by pulse signal was developed and employed to investigate the thermal wave transmission characteristics. The pulse phase algorithm was used to extract the thermal wave characteristic of thermal radiation. Depth calibration curve was obtained by fuzzy c-means algorithm. Moreover, PP-DTT, a depth-resolved photothermal imaging modality, was employed to enable three-dimensional (3D) visualization of cladding layer defects. The comparison experiment between PP-DTT and classical dynamic thermal tomography was investigated. The results showed that PP-DTT can reconstruct the 3D topography of defects in a high quality.

Non-contact measurement of pulse wave velocity using RGB cameras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakano, Kazuya; Aoki, Yuta; Satoh, Ryota; Hoshi, Akira; Suzuki, Hiroyuki; Nishidate, Izumi

2016-03-01

Non-contact measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV) using red, green, and blue (RGB) digital color images is proposed. Generally, PWV is used as the index of arteriosclerosis. In our method, changes in blood volume are calculated based on changes in the color information, and is estimated by combining multiple regression analysis (MRA) with a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) model of the transit of light in human skin. After two pulse waves of human skins were measured using RGB cameras, and the PWV was calculated from the difference of the pulse transit time and the distance between two measurement points. The measured forehead-finger PWV (ffPWV) was on the order of m/s and became faster as the values of vital signs raised. These results demonstrated the feasibility of this method.

Discharge conditions for CW and pulse-modulated surface-wave plasmas in low-temperature sterilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, L.; Terashita, F.; Nonaka, H.; Ogino, A.; Nagata, T.; Koide, Y.; Nanko, S.; Kurawaki, I.; Nagatsu, M.

2006-01-01

The discharge conditions required for low-temperature plasma sterilization were investigated using low-pressure surface-wave plasma (SWP). The discharge conditions for both continuous wave (CW) and pulse-modulated SWPs in low-temperature sterilization of Geobacillus stearothermophilus with a population of 1.5 × 106 and 3.0 × 106 were studied by varying the microwave input power from 500 W to 3 kW, and the effective plasma treatment time from 40 to 300 s. Results showed that sterilization was possible in a shorter treatment time using a higher microwave power for both CW and pulse-modulated SWPs. Pulse-modulated SWPs gave effective sterilization at a temperature roughly 10 to 20 °C below that of CW SWPs under the same average microwave power.

Generalization of helicoidal beams for short pulses.

PubMed

Thomas, Jean-Louis; Brunet, Thomas; Coulouvrat, François

2010-01-01

A generalization to the transient regime is developed for waves with a phase singularity of the screw type. These singular waves are commonly called vortices for all kind of waves as, for instance, optical vortex or acoustical vortex. We generalize the definition of vortices to get an azimuthal velocity invariant for all the frequency components contained in the broad spectrum of a short pulse. This generalization leads to a modification of the orbital angular momentum definition. Another generalization is introduced by considering helicoidal waves with a finite number of turns. We demonstrate that, in this last case, the topological charge is no longer an integer. This provides a physical interpretation to vortices of fractional charge that are involved here to take into account the diffraction occurring at both tips of the now finite helical wave front. We show that shortening the pulse implies an angular localization of the wave energy and, as a consequence, a spreading of the angular momentum amplitude due to the uncertainty principle.

Physical exercise, fitness and dietary pattern and their relationship with circadian blood pressure pattern, augmentation index and endothelial dysfunction biological markers: EVIDENT study protocol

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Healthy lifestyles may help to delay arterial aging. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship of physical activity and dietary pattern to the circadian pattern of blood pressure, central and peripheral blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, carotid intima-media thickness and biological markers of endothelial dysfunction in active and sedentary individuals without arteriosclerotic disease. Methods/Design Design: A cross-sectional multicenter study with six research groups. Subjects: From subjects of the PEPAF project cohort, in which 1,163 who were sedentary became active, 1,942 were sedentary and 2,346 were active. By stratified random sampling, 1,500 subjects will be included, 250 in each group. Primary measurements: We will evaluate height, weight, abdominal circumference, clinical and ambulatory blood pressure with the Radial Pulse Wave Acquisition Device (BPro), central blood pressure and augmentation index with Pulse Wave Application Software (A-Pulse) and SphymgoCor System Px (Pulse Wave Analysis), pulse wave velocity (PWV) with SphymgoCor System Px (Pulse Wave Velocity), nutritional pattern with a food intake frequency questionnaire, physical activity with the 7-day PAR questionnaire and accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X), physical fitness with the cycle ergometer (PWC-170), carotid intima-media thickness by ultrasound (Micromax), and endothelial dysfunction biological markers (endoglin and osteoprotegerin). Discussion Determining that sustained physical activity and the change from sedentary to active as well as a healthy diet improve circadian pattern, arterial elasticity and carotid intima-media thickness may help to propose lifestyle intervention programs. These interventions could improve the cardiovascular risk profile in some parameters not routinely assessed with traditional risk scales. From the results of this study, interventional approaches could be obtained to delay vascular aging that combine physical exercise and diet. Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01083082 PMID:20459634

Logic circuit detects both present and missing negative pulses in superimposed wave trains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rice, R. E.

1967-01-01

Pulse divide and determination network provides a logical determination of pulse presence within a data train. The network uses digital logic circuitry to divide positive and negative pulses, to shape the separated pulses, and to determine, by means of coincidence logic, if negative pulses are missing from the pulse train.

Transient features in nanosecond pulsed electric fields differentially modulate mitochondria and viability.

PubMed

Beebe, Stephen J; Chen, Yeong-Jer; Sain, Nova M; Schoenbach, Karl H; Xiao, Shu

2012-01-01

It is hypothesized that high frequency components of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs), determined by transient pulse features, are important for maximizing electric field interactions with intracellular structures. For monopolar square wave pulses, these transient features are determined by the rapid rise and fall of the pulsed electric fields. To determine effects on mitochondria membranes and plasma membranes, N1-S1 hepatocellular carcinoma cells were exposed to single 600 ns pulses with varying electric fields (0-80 kV/cm) and short (15 ns) or long (150 ns) rise and fall times. Plasma membrane effects were evaluated using Fluo-4 to determine calcium influx, the only measurable source of increases in intracellular calcium. Mitochondria membrane effects were evaluated using tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) to determine mitochondria membrane potentials (ΔΨm). Single pulses with short rise and fall times caused electric field-dependent increases in calcium influx, dissipation of ΔΨm and cell death. Pulses with long rise and fall times exhibited electric field-dependent increases in calcium influx, but diminished effects on dissipation of ΔΨm and viability. Results indicate that high frequency components have significant differential impact on mitochondria membranes, which determines cell death, but lesser variances on plasma membranes, which allows calcium influxes, a primary determinant for dissipation of ΔΨm and cell death.

Bipolar-pulses observed by the LRS/WFC-L onboard KAGUYA - Plausible evidence of lunar dust impact -

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasahara, Yoshiya; Horie, Hiroki; Hashimoto, Kozo; Omura, Yoshiharu; Goto, Yoshitaka; Kumamoto, Atsushi; Ono, Takayuki; Tsunakawa, Hideo; Lrs/Wfc Team; Map/Lmag Team

2010-05-01

Introduction: The waveform capture (WFC) [1] is one of the subsystems of the Lunar Radar Sounder (LRS) [2] on board the KAGUYA spacecraft. By taking advantage of a moon orbiter, the WFC measures plasma waves and radio emis-sions around the moon. The WFC measures two components of electric wave signals detected by the two orthogonal 30 m tip-to-tip antennas from 100Hz to 1MHz. The WFC consists of the WFC-L which meas-ures electric waveform from 100Hz to 100kHz, and the WFC-H which is a fast sweep frequency analyz-er covering from 1kHz up to 1MHz. The WFC-L has two operation modes: DIFF and MONO. In DIFF mode, signals from two pairs of 30m tip-to-tip dipole antennas are obtained. MONO mode is namely an interferometry mode and we separately measure the signals from a pair of monopole antennas. This mode is dedicated to measure the phase velocities and wave numbers of plasma waves. Bipolar-pulses with their time scales of a few ms upto several tens ms were often observed by the WFC-L. Some of them are classified into elec-trostatic solitary waves (ESW) [3], while another type of bipolar pulses which are supposed to be caused by lunar dust impacts are also observed. In the present paper, we introduce the latter type of bipolar-pulses. Observation: In general, ESWs are caused by electron-holes in the nonlinear evolution of electron beam instability. Therefore waveform of ESW is basically symmetric and its propagation direction is parallel to the am-bient magnetic field. On the other hand, another type of bipolar pulses are characterized by their asymmetric waveforms, that is, the latter half of pulse is longer than the first half. It is also noted that detection probability of such asymmetric bipolar pulses in MONO mode is much higher than that in DIFF mode. This is because bipolar pulses detected by a pair of monopole antennas in MONO mode are almost identical (pulses are simultaneously detected with both monopole anten-nas and the polarities of these pulses are also same) and thus most of bipolar-pulses which can be detected in MONO mode are cancelled in DIFF mode. This fact suggests that these bipolar pulses are not a kind of natural wave but these are caused by instantaneous potential changes of the KAGUYA spacecraft. Discussion: Similar type of bipolar-pulses has been observed by the monopole antenna measurements using Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) instruments on-board Cassini around Saturn [4]. They demonstrated that these bipolar pulses are caused by impacts of dusts floating around the Saturn. It is well-known that lunar dusts are widely dis-tributed in higher altitude range around the moon and it is plausible that these bipolar pulses are caused by the lunar dust impacts. In the presentation, we show the detailed charac-teristics of bipolar pulses detected by the WFC-L onboard KAGUYA. References: [1] Y. Kasahara et al., Earth, Planets and Space, 60(4), 341-351, 2008. [2] T. Ono et al., Earth, Planets and Space, 60(4), 321-332, 2008. [3] K. Hashimoto et al., The 4th SELENE (KAGUYA) Science Working Team Meeting, (this issue), 2010. [4] W.S. Kurth et al, Planetary and Space Science, 54(9-10), 988-998, 2006.

Defects in Vascular Mechanics Due to Aging in Rats: Studies on Arterial Wave Properties from a Single Aortic Pressure Pulse.

PubMed

Chang, Chun-Yi; Chang, Ru-Wen; Hsu, Shu-Hsien; Wu, Ming-Shiou; Cheng, Ya-Jung; Kao, Hsien-Li; Lai, Liang-Chuan; Wang, Chih-Hsien; Chang, Kuo-Chu

2017-01-01

Changes in vascular mechanics due to aging include elevated vascular impedance, diminished aorta distensibility, and an accelerated return of pulse wave reflection, which may increase the systolic workload on the heart. Classically, the accurate measurement of vascular mechanics requires the simultaneous recording of aortic pressure and flow signals. In practice, it is feasible to estimate arterial wave properties in terms of wave transit time (τ w ) and wave reflection index (RI) by using aortic pressure signal alone. In this study, we determined the τ w and magnitudes of the forward (∣ P f ∣) and backward (∣ P b ∣) pressure waves in Long-Evans male rats aged 4 ( n = 14), 6 ( n = 17), 12 ( n = 17), and 18 ( n = 24) months, based on the measured aortic pressure and an assumed triangular flow ( Q tri ). The pulsatile pressure wave was the only signal recorded in the ascending aorta by using a high-fidelity pressure sensor. The base of the unknown Q tri was constructed using a duration, which equals to the ejection time. The timing at the peak of the triangle was derived using the fourth-order derivative of the aortic pressure waveform. In the 18-month-old rats, the ratio of τ w to left ventricular ejection time (LVET) decreased, indicating a decline in the distensibility of the aorta. The increased ∣ P b ∣ associated with unaltered ∣ P f ∣ enhanced the RI in the older rats. The augmentation index (AI) also increased significantly with age. A significant negative correlation between the AI and τ w /LVET was observed: AI = -0.7424 - 0.9026 × (τ w /LVET) ( r = 0.4901; P < 0.0001). By contrast, RI was positively linearly correlated with the AI as follows: AI = -0.4844 + 2.3634 × RI ( r = 0.8423; P < 0.0001). Both the decreased τ w /LVET and increased RI suggested that the aging process may increase the AI, thereby increasing the systolic hydraulic load on the heart. The novelty of the study is that Q tri is constructed using the measured aortic pressure wave to approximate its corresponding flow signal, and that calibration of Q tri is not essential in the analysis.

Defects in Vascular Mechanics Due to Aging in Rats: Studies on Arterial Wave Properties from a Single Aortic Pressure Pulse

PubMed Central

Chang, Chun-Yi; Chang, Ru-Wen; Hsu, Shu-Hsien; Wu, Ming-Shiou; Cheng, Ya-Jung; Kao, Hsien-Li; Lai, Liang-Chuan; Wang, Chih-Hsien; Chang, Kuo-Chu

2017-01-01

Changes in vascular mechanics due to aging include elevated vascular impedance, diminished aorta distensibility, and an accelerated return of pulse wave reflection, which may increase the systolic workload on the heart. Classically, the accurate measurement of vascular mechanics requires the simultaneous recording of aortic pressure and flow signals. In practice, it is feasible to estimate arterial wave properties in terms of wave transit time (τw) and wave reflection index (RI) by using aortic pressure signal alone. In this study, we determined the τw and magnitudes of the forward (∣Pf∣) and backward (∣Pb∣) pressure waves in Long–Evans male rats aged 4 (n = 14), 6 (n = 17), 12 (n = 17), and 18 (n = 24) months, based on the measured aortic pressure and an assumed triangular flow (Qtri). The pulsatile pressure wave was the only signal recorded in the ascending aorta by using a high-fidelity pressure sensor. The base of the unknown Qtri was constructed using a duration, which equals to the ejection time. The timing at the peak of the triangle was derived using the fourth-order derivative of the aortic pressure waveform. In the 18-month-old rats, the ratio of τw to left ventricular ejection time (LVET) decreased, indicating a decline in the distensibility of the aorta. The increased ∣Pb∣ associated with unaltered ∣Pf∣ enhanced the RI in the older rats. The augmentation index (AI) also increased significantly with age. A significant negative correlation between the AI and τw/LVET was observed: AI = −0.7424 − 0.9026 × (τw/LVET) (r = 0.4901; P < 0.0001). By contrast, RI was positively linearly correlated with the AI as follows: AI = −0.4844 + 2.3634 × RI (r = 0.8423; P < 0.0001). Both the decreased τw/LVET and increased RI suggested that the aging process may increase the AI, thereby increasing the systolic hydraulic load on the heart. The novelty of the study is that Qtri is constructed using the measured aortic pressure wave to approximate its corresponding flow signal, and that calibration of Qtri is not essential in the analysis. PMID:28751867

Interventional repetitive I-wave transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): the dimension of stimulation duration.

PubMed

Murray, Lynda M; Nosaka, Kazunori; Thickbroom, Gary W

2011-10-01

A range of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) techniques are now available to modulate human corticomotor excitability and plasticity. One presumably critical aspect of these interventions is their duration of application. In the current study, we investigated whether doubling the duration of an intervention would offer any additional benefit, or invoke self-limiting mechanisms controlling corticomotor excitability or synaptic plasticity. We compared (in a cross-over design) corticomotor excitability (to the first dorsal interosseous muscle) during and after a 15-minute (I15) and 30-minute (I30) TMS intervention targeting indirect (I-) wave interaction (iTMS). The interventions consisted of equi-intensity paired stimuli with an interpulse interval (IPI) of 1.5 milliseconds, corresponding to I-wave periodicity, delivered at a frequency of 0.2 Hz. During both the I15 and I30 interventions, paired-pulse (I-wave) motor evoked potential (iMEP) amplitude significantly increased (by 98.3% and 120.6%, respectively, last versus first minute, P = .001). The increase for I30 occurred in the first 15 minutes, and there was no further change during the remainder of the intervention. Both interventions were equally effective overall. Postintervention, single-pulse MEP amplitude increased by a mean of 91% and 106% (I15 and I30, respectively, P < .01) with no significant difference between interventions. We conclude that repetitive iTMS can increase corticomotor excitability after a relatively short intervention period of stimulation, and that a longer stimulation period has no additional benefit or detriment, perhaps as a result of the action of regulatory mechanisms. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Laser control of reactions of photoswitching functional molecules.

PubMed

Tamura, Hiroyuki; Nanbu, Shinkoh; Ishida, Toshimasa; Nakamura, Hiroki

2006-07-21

Laser control schemes of reactions of photoswitching functional molecules are proposed based on the quantum mechanical wave-packet dynamics and the design of laser parameters. The appropriately designed quadratically chirped laser pulses can achieve nearly complete transitions of wave packet among electronic states. The laser parameters can be optimized by using the Zhu-Nakamura theory of nonadiabatic transition. This method is effective not only for the initial photoexcitation process but also for the pump and dump scheme in the middle of the overall photoswitching process. The effects of momentum of the wave packet crossing a conical intersection on the branching ratio of products have also been clarified. These control schemes mentioned above are successfully applied to the cyclohexadiene/hexatriene photoisomerization (ring-opening) process which is the reaction center of practical photoswitching molecules such as diarylethenes. The overall efficiency of the ring opening can be appreciably increased by using the appropriately designed laser pulses compared to that of the natural photoisomerization without any control schemes.

Robust control algorithms for Mars aerobraking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shipley, Buford W., Jr.; Ward, Donald T.

1992-01-01

Four atmospheric guidance concepts have been adapted to control an interplanetary vehicle aerobraking in the Martian atmosphere. The first two offer improvements to the Analytic Predictor Corrector (APC) to increase its robustness to density variations. The second two are variations of a new Liapunov tracking exit phase algorithm, developed to guide the vehicle along a reference trajectory. These four new controllers are tested using a six degree of freedom computer simulation to evaluate their robustness. MARSGRAM is used to develop realistic atmospheres for the study. When square wave density pulses perturb the atmosphere all four controllers are successful. The algorithms are tested against atmospheres where the inbound and outbound density functions are different. Square wave density pulses are again used, but only for the outbound leg of the trajectory. Additionally, sine waves are used to perturb the density function. The new algorithms are found to be more robust than any previously tested and a Liapunov controller is selected as the most robust control algorithm overall examined.

Analyzing the Impact of Increasing Mechanical Index and Energy Deposition on Shear Wave Speed Reconstruction in Human Liver.

PubMed

Deng, Yufeng; Palmeri, Mark L; Rouze, Ned C; Rosenzweig, Stephen J; Abdelmalek, Manal F; Nightingale, Kathryn R

2015-07-01

Shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) has found success in liver fibrosis staging. This work evaluates hepatic SWEI measurement success as a function of push pulse energy using two mechanical index (MI) values (1.6 and 2.2) over a range of pulse durations. Shear wave speed (SWS) was measured in the livers of 26 study subjects with known or potential chronic liver diseases. Each measurement consisted of eight SWEI sequences, each with different push energy configurations. The rate of successful SWS estimation was linearly proportional to the push energy. SWEI measurements with higher push energy were successful in patients for whom standard push energy levels failed. The findings also suggest that liver capsule depth could be used prospectively to identify patients who would benefit from elevated output. We conclude that there is clinical benefit to using elevated acoustic output for hepatic SWS measurement in patients with deeper livers. Published by Elsevier Inc.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maimone, F., E-mail: f.maimone@gsi.de; Tinschert, K.; Endermann, M.

In order to increase the intensity of the highly charged ions produced by the Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Sources (ECRISs), techniques like the frequency tuning and the afterglow mode have been developed and in this paper the effect on the ion production is shown for the first time when combining both techniques. Recent experimental results proved that the tuning of the operating frequency of the ECRIS is a promising technique to achieve higher ion currents of higher charge states. On the other hand, it is well known that the afterglow mode of the ECRIS operation can provide more intense pulsedmore » ion beams in comparison with the continuous wave (cw) operation. These two techniques can be combined by pulsing the variable frequency signal driving the traveling wave tube amplifier which provides the high microwave power to the ECRIS. In order to analyze the effect of these two combined techniques on the ion source performance, several experiments were carried out on the pulsed frequency tuned CAPRICE (Compacte source A Plusiers Résonances Ionisantes Cyclotron Electroniques)-type ECRIS. Different waveforms and pulse lengths have been investigated under different settings of the ion source. The results of the pulsed mode have been compared with those of cw operation.« less

Nd:YAG Pulsed Laser based flaw imaging techniques for noncontact NDE of an aluminum plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Woong-Ki; Lee, Changgil; Park, Seunghee

2012-04-01

Recently, the longitudinal, shear and surface waves have been very widely used as a kind of ultrasonic wave exploration methods to identify internal defects of metallic structures. The ultrasonic wave-based non-destructive testing (NDT) is one of main non-destructive inspection techniques for a health assessment about nuclear power plant, aircraft, ships, and/or automobile manufacturing. In this study, a noncontact pulsed laser-based flaw imaging NDT technique is implemented to detect the damage of a plate-like structure and to identify the location of the damage. To achieve this goal, the Nd:YAG pulsed laser equipment is used to generate a guided wave and scans a specific area to find damage location. The Nd: YAG pulsed laser is used to generate Lamb wave and piezoelectric sensors are installed to measure structural responses. Ann aluminum plate is investigated to verify the effectiveness and the robustness of the proposed NDT approach. A notch is a target to detect, which is inflicted on the surface of an aluminum plate. The damagesensitive features are extracted by comparing the time of flight of the guided wave obtained from an acoustic emission (AE) sensor and make use of the flaw imaging techniques of the aluminum plate.

Exciting Alfven Waves using Modulated Electron Heating by High Power Microwaves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yuhou; Gekelman, Walter; Pribyl, Patrick; van Compernolle, Bart; Papadopoulos, Konstantinos

2014-10-01

Experiments exploring the physics of ionospheric modification with intense perpendicular propagating waves (k-> ⊥B->0) on the Large Plasma Device (LaPD) at UCLA have been upgraded with the addition of a high power rapidly pulsed microwave source. The plasma is irradiated with ten pulses (250 kW X-band) near the upper-hybrid frequency. The pulses are modulated at a frequency of a fraction (0.1-1.0) of fci (ion cyclotron frequency). Based on a previous single-pulse experiment, the modulated electron heating may drive a large amplitude shear Alfvén wave (f

Laser control of electronic transitions of wave packet by using quadratically chirped pulses.

PubMed

Zou, Shiyang; Kondorskiy, Alexey; Mil'nikov, Gennady; Nakamura, Hiroki

2005-02-22

An effective scheme is proposed for the laser control of wave packet dynamics. It is demonstrated that by using specially designed quadratically chirped pulses, fast and nearly complete excitation of wave packet can be achieved without significant distortion of its shape. The parameters of the laser pulse can be estimated analytically from the Zhu-Nakamura theory of nonadiabatic transition. If the wave packet is not too narrow or not too broad, then the scheme is expected to be utilizable for multidimensional systems. The scheme is applicable to various processes such as simple electronic excitation, pump-dump, and selective bond breaking, and it is actually numerically demonstrated to work well by taking diatomic and triatomic molecules (LiH, NaK, H(2)O) as examples.

Laser control of electronic transitions of wave packet by using quadratically chirped pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Shiyang; Kondorskiy, Alexey; Mil'nikov, Gennady; Nakamura, Hiroki

2005-02-01

An effective scheme is proposed for the laser control of wave packet dynamics. It is demonstrated that by using specially designed quadratically chirped pulses, fast and nearly complete excitation of wave packet can be achieved without significant distortion of its shape. The parameters of the laser pulse can be estimated analytically from the Zhu-Nakamura theory of nonadiabatic transition. If the wave packet is not too narrow or not too broad, then the scheme is expected to be utilizable for multidimensional systems. The scheme is applicable to various processes such as simple electronic excitation, pump-dump, and selective bond breaking, and it is actually numerically demonstrated to work well by taking diatomic and triatomic molecules (LiH, NaK, H2O) as examples.

Novel wave intensity analysis of arterial pulse wave propagation accounting for peripheral reflections

PubMed Central

Alastruey, Jordi; Hunt, Anthony A E; Weinberg, Peter D

2014-01-01

We present a novel analysis of arterial pulse wave propagation that combines traditional wave intensity analysis with identification of Windkessel pressures to account for the effect on the pressure waveform of peripheral wave reflections. Using haemodynamic data measured in vivo in the rabbit or generated numerically in models of human compliant vessels, we show that traditional wave intensity analysis identifies the timing, direction and magnitude of the predominant waves that shape aortic pressure and flow waveforms in systole, but fails to identify the effect of peripheral reflections. These reflections persist for several cardiac cycles and make up most of the pressure waveform, especially in diastole and early systole. Ignoring peripheral reflections leads to an erroneous indication of a reflection-free period in early systole and additional error in the estimates of (i) pulse wave velocity at the ascending aorta given by the PU–loop method (9.5% error) and (ii) transit time to a dominant reflection site calculated from the wave intensity profile (27% error). These errors decreased to 1.3% and 10%, respectively, when accounting for peripheral reflections. Using our new analysis, we investigate the effect of vessel compliance and peripheral resistance on wave intensity, peripheral reflections and reflections originating in previous cardiac cycles. PMID:24132888

Aging-related arterial-cardiac interaction in Japanese men.

PubMed

Maruyama, Yoshiaki

2009-11-01

Vascular and cardiac aging is rapidly progressing among the Japanese population. A close relation exists between the artery and cardiac performance (arterial-cardiac interaction), but the relationships between age and these parameters have not been well examined. The aim of this study was to elucidate the changes of arterial-cardiac interaction with aging, using pulse wave velocity (PWV) as an indicator of atherosclerosis. The subjects comprised 595 adult men (mean age, 58.8 +/- 12.2 years) without any history of cardiovascular disease. After correlating PWV, cardiac structure, cardiac function, and blood pressure to age, subjects were divided into five age groups to compare changes in these parameters. Pulse wave velocity exhibited a strong positive correlation with age (r = 0.461, P < 0.01) and increased significantly over 55 years old, and left atrial dimension, relative wall thickness, systolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure correlated positively with age and increased similarly. Left ventricular volume correlated negatively with age and decreased similarly. These parameters significantly correlated with PWV. Aortic diameter (AoD) positively and EA ratio (E/A) negatively exhibited a correlation with age and revealed earlier change before PWV increase. Aortic diameter increased significantly over 45 years old and stayed flat, but E/A decreased linearly from the early period. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) increased in the early period and decreased over 75 years of age. Agerelated atherosclerotic close arterial-cardiac interaction exists between the vessels and cardiac performance, but AoD, E/A, and DBP change in early age independent of atherosclerosis.

Stress wave emission from plasmonic nanobubbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brujan, Emil-Alexandru

2017-01-01

Stress wave emission from the collapse of cavitation nanobubbles, generated after irradiation of single-spherical gold nanoparticles with laser pulses, was investigated numerically. The significant parameters of this study are the nanoparticle radius, laser pulse duration, and laser fluence. For conditions comparable to those existing during plasmonic photothermal therapy, a purely compressive pressure wave is emitted during nanobubble collapse, not a shock. In the initial stage of its propagation, the stress wave amplitude is proportional to the inverse of the stress wave radius. The maximum amplitude and the duration of the stress wave decreases with the laser fluence, laser pulse duration, and gold nanoparticle radius. The full width at half maximum duration of the stress wave is almost constant up to a distance of 50 µm from the emission center. The stress wave amplitude is smaller than 5 MPa, while the stress wave duration is smaller than 35 ns. The stress wave propagation results in minor mechanical effects on biological tissue that are restricted to very small dimensions on a cellular or sub-cellular level. The stress wave is, however, able to produce breaching of the human cell membrane and bacterial wall even at distances as large as 50 µm from the emission centre. The experimentally observed melting of gold nanoparticles comes from the large temperature reached inside the nanoparticles during laser irradiation and not from the propagation of the stress wave into the surrounding liquid during nanobubble rebound.

Formation of plasmon pulses in the cooperative decay of excitons of quantum dots near a metal surface

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shesterikov, A. B.; Gubin, M. Yu.; Gladush, M. G.

The formation of pulses of surface electromagnetic waves at a metal–dielectric boundary is considered in the process of cooperative decay of excitons of quantum dots distributed near a metal surface in a dielectric layer. It is shown that the efficiency of exciton energy transfer to excited plasmons can, in principle, be increased by selecting the dielectric material with specified values of the complex permittivity. It is found that in the mean field approximation, the semiclassical model of formation of plasmon pulses in the system under study is reduced to the pendulum equation with the additional term of nonlinear losses.

LIDAR pulse coding for high resolution range imaging at improved refresh rate.

PubMed

Kim, Gunzung; Park, Yongwan

2016-10-17

In this study, a light detection and ranging system (LIDAR) was designed that codes pixel location information in its laser pulses using the direct- sequence optical code division multiple access (DS-OCDMA) method in conjunction with a scanning-based microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror. This LIDAR can constantly measure the distance without idle listening time for the return of reflected waves because its laser pulses include pixel location information encoded by applying the DS-OCDMA. Therefore, this emits in each bearing direction without waiting for the reflected wave to return. The MEMS mirror is used to deflect and steer the coded laser pulses in the desired bearing direction. The receiver digitizes the received reflected pulses using a low-temperature-grown (LTG) indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) based photoconductive antenna (PCA) and the time-to-digital converter (TDC) and demodulates them using the DS-OCDMA. When all of the reflected waves corresponding to the pixels forming a range image are received, the proposed LIDAR generates a point cloud based on the time-of-flight (ToF) of each reflected wave. The results of simulations performed on the proposed LIDAR are compared with simulations of existing LIDARs.

Simultaneous manipulation and observation of multiple ro-vibrational eigenstates in solid para-hydrogen.

PubMed

Katsuki, Hiroyuki; Ohmori, Kenji

2016-09-28

We have experimentally performed the coherent control of delocalized ro-vibrational wave packets (RVWs) of solid para-hydrogen (p-H 2 ) by the wave packet interferometry (WPI) combined with coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). RVWs of solid p-H 2 are delocalized in the crystal, and the wave function with wave vector k ∼ 0 is selectively excited via the stimulated Raman process. We have excited the RVW twice by a pair of femtosecond laser pulses with delay controlled by a stabilized Michelson interferometer. Using a broad-band laser pulse, multiple ro-vibrational states can be excited simultaneously. We have observed the time-dependent Ramsey fringe spectra as a function of the inter-pulse delay by a spectrally resolved CARS technique using a narrow-band probe pulse, resolving the different intermediate states. Due to the different fringe oscillation periods among those intermediate states, we can manipulate their amplitude ratio by tuning the inter-pulse delay on the sub-femtosecond time scale. The state-selective manipulation and detection of the CARS signal combined with the WPI is a general and efficient protocol for the control of the interference of multiple quantum states in various quantum systems.

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves stimulated by modest magnetospheric compressions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, B. J.; Hamilton, D. C.

1993-01-01

AMPTE/CCE magnetic field and particle data are used to test the suggestion that increased hot proton temperature anisotropy resulting from convection during magnetospheric compression is responsible for the enhancement in Pc 1 emission via generation of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves in the dayside outer equatorial magnetosphere. The relative increase in magnetic field is used to gauge the strength of the compression, and an image dipole model is used to estimate the motion of the plasma during compression. Proton data are used to analyze the evolution of the proton distribution and the corresponding changes in EMIC wave activity expected during the compression. It is suggested that enhancements in dynamic pressure pump the energetic proton distributions in the outer magnetosphere, driving EMIC waves. Waves are expected to be generated most readily close to the magnetopause, and transient pressure pulses may be associated with bursts of EMIC waves, which would be observed on the ground in association with ionospheric transient signatures.

The effect of stress on ultrasonic pulses in fiber reinforced composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hemann, J. H.; Baaklini, G. Y.

1983-01-01

An acoustical-ultrasonic technique was used to demonstrate relationships existing between changes in attenuation of stress waves and tensile stress for an eight ply 0 degree graphite-epoxy fiber reinforced composite. All tests were conducted in the linear range of the material for which no mechanical or macroscopic damage was evident. Changes in attenuation were measured as a function of tensile stress in the frequency domain and in the time domain. Stress wave propagation in these specimens was dispersive, i.e., the wave speed depends on frequency. Wave speeds varied from 267 400 cm/sec to 680 000 cm/sec as the frequency of the signal was varied from 150 kHz to 1.9 MHz which strongly suggests that flexural/lamb wave modes of propagation exist. The magnitude of the attenuation changes depended strongly on tensile stress. It was further observed that the wave speeds increased slightly for all tested frequencies as the stress was increased.

Numerical assessment of the stiffness index.

PubMed

Epstein, Sally; Vergnaud, Anne-Claire; Elliott, Paul; Chowienczyk, Phil; Alastruey, Jordi

2014-01-01

Elevated systemic vascular stiffness is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It has been suggested that the time difference between the two characteristic peaks of the digital volume pulse (DVP) measured at the finger using photoplethysmography is related to the stiffness of the arterial tree, and inversely proportional to the stiffness index (SI). However, the precise physical meaning of the SI and its relation to aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) is yet to be ascertained. In this study we investigated numerically the effect of changes in arterial wall stiffness, peripheral resistances, peripheral compliances or peripheral wave reflections on the SI and aPWV. The SI was calculated from the digital area waveform simulated using a nonlinear one-dimensional model of pulse wave propagation in a 75-artery network, which includes the larger arteries of the hand. Our results show that aPWV is affected by changes in aortic stiffness, but the SI is primarily affected by changes in the stiffness of all conduit vessels. Thus, the SI is not a direct substitute for aPWV. Moreover, our results suggest that peripheral reflections in the upper body delay the time of arrival of the first peak in the DVP. The second peak is predominantly caused by the impedance mismatch within the 75 arterial segments, rather than by peripheral reflections.

Wearable sensor glove based on conducting fabric using electrodermal activity and pulse-wave sensors for e-health application.

PubMed

Lee, Youngbum; Lee, Byungwoo; Lee, Myoungho

2010-03-01

Improvement of the quality and efficiency of health in medicine, both at home and the hospital, calls for improved sensors that might be included in a common carrier such as a wearable sensor device to measure various biosignals and provide healthcare services that use e-health technology. Designed to be user-friendly, smart clothes and gloves respond well to the end users for health monitoring. This study describes a wearable sensor glove that is equipped with an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor, pulse-wave sensor, conducting fabric, and an embedded system. The EDA sensor utilizes the relationship between drowsiness and the EDA signal. The EDA sensors were made using a conducting fabric instead of silver chloride electrodes, as a more practical and practically wearable device. The pulse-wave sensor measurement system, which is widely applied in oriental medicinal practices, is also a strong element in e-health monitoring systems. The EDA and pulse-wave signal acquisition module was constructed by connecting the sensor to the glove via a conductive fabric. The signal acquisition module is then connected to a personal computer that displays the results of the EDA and pulse-wave signal processing analysis and gives accurate feedback to the user. This system is designed for a number of applications for the e-health services, including drowsiness detection and oriental medicine.

Shock wave-induced ATP release from osteosarcoma U2OS cells promotes cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of methotrexate.

PubMed

Qi, Baochang; Yu, Tiecheng; Wang, Chengxue; Wang, Tiejun; Yao, Jihang; Zhang, Xiaomeng; Deng, Pengfei; Xia, Yongning; Junger, Wolfgang G; Sun, Dahui

2016-10-03

Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor, but treatment is difficult and prognosis remains poor. Recently, large-dose chemotherapy has been shown to improve outcome but this approach can cause many side effects. Minimizing the dose of chemotherapeutic drugs and optimizing their curative effects is a current goal in the management of osteosarcoma patients. In our study, trypan blue dye exclusion assay was performed to investigate the optimal conditions for the sensitization of osteosarcoma U2OS cells. Cellular uptake of the fluorophores Lucifer Yellow CH dilithium salt and Calcein was measured by qualitative and quantitative methods. Human MTX ELISA Kit and MTT assay were used to assess the outcome for osteosarcoma U2OS cells in the present of shock wave and methotrexate. To explore the mechanism, P2X7 receptor in U2OS cells was detected by immunofluorescence and the extracellular ATP levels was detected by ATP assay kit. All data were analyzed using SPSS17.0 statistical software. Comparisons were made with t test between two groups. Treatment of human osteosarcoma U2OS cells with up to 450 shock wave pulses at 7 kV or up to 200 shock wave pulses at 14 kV had little effect on cell viability. However, this shock wave treatment significantly promoted the uptake of Calcein and Lucifer Yellow CH by osteosarcoma U2OS cells. Importantly, shock wave treatment also significantly enhanced the uptake of the chemotherapy drug methotrexate and increased the rate of methotrexate-induced apoptosis. We found that shock wave treatment increased the extracellular concentration of ATP and that KN62, an inhibitor of P2X7 receptor reduced the capacity methotrexate-induced apoptosis. Our results suggest that shock wave treatment promotes methotrexate-induced apoptosis by altering cell membrane permeability in a P2X7 receptor-dependent manner. Shock wave treatment may thus represent a possible adjuvant therapy for osteosarcoma.

Empirical transfer functions: Application to the determination of outermost core velocity structure using teleseismic SmKS phases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eaton, D. W.; Alexandrakis, C.

2007-05-01

Teleseismic SmKS waves propagate as S-waves in the mantle and compressional (K) waves in the core, with m-1 underside bounce points at the core-mantle boundary. For long-period or broadband recordings at epicentral distances of 115-135°, higher-order SmKS waves (3 ≤ m < ∞) are not often discernible as distinct pulses. Instead, they are typically manifested as a weakly dispersive waveform that lags SKKS by ~ 12-32s. In a ray-theoretical representation of this process, there is a strong geometrical similarity between the coalescence of SmKS turning waves to form a composite arrival and the interference of mantle S waves to form teleseismic Love waves. SmKS waves can thus be viewed as a type of pseudo-interface wave, the dispersive properties of which depend strongly on the fine-scale velocity structure of the outermost core. In order to analyze SmKS arrivals, we have developed an empirical transfer-function (ETF) technique that uses SKKS as a reference phase. An ETF is a wave-shaping filter that transforms the observed SKKS pulse into the observed SmKS pulse. We obtain this filter by windowing the respective pulses and applying frequency- domain Wiener deconvolution. Each ETF contains SmKS-SKKS differential arrival-time, phase-shift and relative-amplitude information; it also implicitly removes the source-time function and instrument response, thus facilitating the merging of results from different stations and events. Here, we apply this approach to global observations of SmKS phases and invert the results to yield a new velocity model for the outermost core region.

Studies of nonlinear femtosecond pulse propagation in bulk materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eaton, Hilary Kaye

2000-10-01

Femtosecond pulse lasers are finding widespread application in a variety of fields including medical research, optical switching and communications, plasma formation, high harmonic generation, and wavepacket formation and control. As the number of applications for femtosecond pulses increases, so does the need to fully understand the linear and nonlinear processes involved in propagating these pulses through materials under various conditions. Recent advances in pulse measurement techniques, such as frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG), allow measurement of the full electric field of the pulse and have made detailed investigations of short- pulse propagation effects feasible. In this thesis, I present detailed experimental studies of my work involving nonlinear propagation of femtosecond pulses in bulk media. Studies of plane-wave propagation in fused silica extend the SHG form of FROG from a simple pulse diagnostic to a useful method of interrogating the nonlinear response of a material. Studies of nonlinear propagation are also performed in a regime where temporal pulse splitting occurs. Experimental results are compared with a three- dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation. This comparison fuels the development of a more complete model for pulse splitting. Experiments are also performed at peak input powers above those at which pulse splitting is observed. At these higher intensities, a broadband continuum is generated. This work presents a detailed study of continuum behavior and power loss as well as the first near-field spatial- spectral measurements of the generated continuum light. Nonlinear plane-wave propagation of short pulses in liquids is also investigated, and a non-instantaneous nonlinearity with a surprisingly short response time of 10 fs is observed in methanol. Experiments in water confirm that this effect in methanol is indeed real. Possible explanations for the observed effect are discussed and several are experimentally rejected. This thesis applies FROG as a powerful tool for science and not just a useful pulse diagnostic technique. Studies of three-dimensional propagation provide an in-depth understanding of the processes involved in femtosecond pulse splitting. In addition, the experimental investigations of continuum generation and pulse propagation in liquids provide new insights into the possible processes involved and should provide a useful comparison for developing theories.

Few-cycle optical rogue waves: complex modified Korteweg-de Vries equation.

PubMed

He, Jingsong; Wang, Lihong; Li, Linjing; Porsezian, K; Erdélyi, R

2014-06-01

In this paper, we consider the complex modified Korteweg-de Vries (mKdV) equation as a model of few-cycle optical pulses. Using the Lax pair, we construct a generalized Darboux transformation and systematically generate the first-, second-, and third-order rogue wave solutions and analyze the nature of evolution of higher-order rogue waves in detail. Based on detailed numerical and analytical investigations, we classify the higher-order rogue waves with respect to their intrinsic structure, namely, fundamental pattern, triangular pattern, and ring pattern. We also present several new patterns of the rogue wave according to the standard and nonstandard decomposition. The results of this paper explain the generalization of higher-order rogue waves in terms of rational solutions. We apply the contour line method to obtain the analytical formulas of the length and width of the first-order rogue wave of the complex mKdV and the nonlinear Schrödinger equations. In nonlinear optics, the higher-order rogue wave solutions found here will be very useful to generate high-power few-cycle optical pulses which will be applicable in the area of ultrashort pulse technology.

RADIATION WAVE DETECTION

DOEpatents

Wouters, L.F.

1960-08-30

Radiation waves can be detected by simultaneously measuring radiation- wave intensities at a plurality of space-distributed points and producing therefrom a plot of the wave intensity as a function of time. To this end. a detector system is provided which includes a plurality of nuclear radiation intensity detectors spaced at equal radial increments of distance from a source of nuclear radiation. Means are provided to simultaneously sensitize the detectors at the instant a wave of radiation traverses their positions. the detectors producing electrical pulses indicative of wave intensity. The system further includes means for delaying the pulses from the detectors by amounts proportional to the distance of the detectors from the source to provide an indication of radiation-wave intensity as a function of time.

Extremely High Peak Power Obtained at 29 GHZ Microwave Pulse Generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rostov, V. V.; Gunin, A. V.; Romanchenko, I. V.; Pedos, M. S.; Rukin, S. N.; Sharypov, K. A.; Shunailov, S. A.; Ul'maskulov, M. R.; Yalandin, M. I.

2017-12-01

The paper presents research results on enhancing the peak power of microwave pulses with sub- and nanosecond length using a backward-wave oscillator (BWO) operating at 29 GHz frequency and possessing a reproducible phase structure. Experiments are conducted in two modes on a high-current electron accelerator with the required electron beam power. In the first (superradiation) mode, which utilizes the elongated slow-wave structure, the BWO peak power is 3 GW at 180 ns pulse duration (full width at halfmaximum, FWHM). In the second (quasi-stationary) mode, the BWO peak power reaches 600 MW at 2 ns pulse duration (FWHM). The phase spread from pulse to pulse can vary from units to several tens of percent in a nanosecond pulse mode. The experiments do not show any influence of microwave breakdown on the BWO power generation and radiation pulse duration.

L wave in echo Doppler.

PubMed

Kumar, Vipin; Jose, John; Jose, V Jacob

2014-01-01

62-year-old female presented with progressive dyspnea NYHA class III for six months. Echocardiography showed normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function, mild biatrial enlargement, an L wave in pulse wave Doppler at mitral inflow and in M mode echocardiography across mitral valve. Tissue Doppler imaging at medial mitral annulus showed an L' wave in mid diastole in addition to E' and A' wave. An L wave in pulse wave Doppler and M mode echocardiography represents continued pulmonary vein mid diastolic flow through the left atrium in to LV across mitral valve after early rapid filling. Presence of an L' wave in these patients associated with higher E/E' is indicative of advance diastolic dysfunction with elevated filling pressures. Copyright © 2014 Cardiological Society of India. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dynamic behavior of geometrically complex hybrid composite samples in a Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pouya, M.; Balasubramaniam, S.; Sharafiev, S.; F-X Wagner, M.

2018-06-01

The interfaces between layered materials play an important role for the overall mechanical behavior of hybrid composites, particularly during dynamic loading. Moreover, in complex-shaped composites, interfacial failure is strongly affected by the geometry and size of these contact interfaces. As preliminary work for the design of a novel sample geometry that allows to analyze wave reflection phenomena at the interfaces of such materials, a series of experiments using a Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar technique was performed on five different sample geometries made of a monomaterial steel. A complementary explicit finite element model of the Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar system was developed and the same sample geometries were studied numerically. The simulated input, reflected and transmitted elastic wave pulses were analyzed for the different sample geometries and were found to agree well with the experimental results. Additional simulations using different composite layers of steel and aluminum (with the same sample geometries) were performed to investigate the effect of material variation on the propagated wave pulses. The numerical results show that the reflected and transmitted wave pulses systematically depend on the sample geometry, and that elastic wave pulse propagation is affected by the properties of individual material layers.

Nonlinear interaction of infrared waves on a VO2 surface at a semiconductor-metal phase transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berger, N. K.; Zhukov, E. A.; Novokhatskii, V. V.

1984-04-01

Nonlinear interactions (including wavefront reversal) of light from CW or pulsed 10.6-micron CO2 lasers at the semiconductor-metal phase transition in a VO2 film are investigated experimentally. The results are presented in graphs and characterized in detail. The intensity reflection coefficients of the three-wave interactions are found to be 0.5 percent for a CW reference wave of intensity 900 mW/sq cm and 42 percent for a pulsed reference wave of threshold density 600-800 microjoule/sq cm.

Increasing power and amplified spontaneous emission suppression for weak signal amplification in pulsed fiber amplifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Yi; Zhang, Hanwei; Wang, Xiaolin; Su, Rongtao; Ma, Pengfei; Zhou, Pu; Jiang, Zongfu

2017-10-01

In the pulsed fiber amplifiers with repetition frequency of several tens kHz, amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) is easy to build up because of the low repetition frequency and weak pulse signal. The ASE rises the difficulty to amplify the weak pulse signal effectively. We have demonstrated an all-fiber preamplifier stage structure to amplify a 40 kHz, 10 ns bandwidth (FWHM) weak pulse signal (299 μW) with center wavelength of 1062 nm. Compared synchronous pulse pump with continuous wave(CW) pump, the results indicate that synchronous pulse pump shows the better capability of increasing the output power than CW pump. In the condition of the same pump power, the output power of synchronous pulse pump is twice as high as CW pump. In order to suppress ASE, a longer gain fiber is utilized to reabsorb the ASE in which the wavelength is shorter than 1062nm. We amplified weak pulse signal via 0.8 m and 2.1 m gain fiber in synchronous pulse pump experiments respectively, and more ASE in the output spectra are observed in the 0.8 m gain fiber system. Due to the weaker ASE and consequent capability of higher pump power, the 2.1 m gain fiber is capable to achieve higher output power than shorter fiber. The output power of 2.1 m gain fiber case is limited by pump power.

Nonlinear pulse propagation and phase velocity of laser-driven plasma waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benedetti, Carlo; Rossi, Francesco; Schroeder, Carl; Esarey, Eric; Leemans, Wim

2014-10-01

We investigate and characterize the laser evolution and plasma wave excitation by a relativistically intense, short-pulse laser propagating in a preformed parabolic plasma channel, including the effects of pulse steepening, frequency redshifting, and energy depletion. We derived in 3D, and in the weakly relativistic intensity regime, analytical expressions for the laser energy depletion, the pulse self-steepening rate, the laser intensity centroid velocity, and the phase velocity of the plasma wave. Analytical results have been validated numerically using the 2D-cylindrical, ponderomotive code INF&RNO. We also discuss the extension of these results to the nonlinear regime, where an analytical theory of the nonlinear wake phase velocity is lacking. Work supported by the Office of Science, Office of High Energy Physics, of the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.

A repetitive S-band long-pulse relativistic backward-wave oscillator.

PubMed

Jin, Zhenxing; Zhang, Jun; Yang, Jianhua; Zhong, Huihuang; Qian, Baoliang; Shu, Ting; Zhang, Jiande; Zhou, Shengyue; Xu, Liurong

2011-08-01

This paper presents both numerical and experimental studies of a repetitive S-band long-pulse relativistic backward-wave oscillator. The dispersion relation curve of the main slow-wave structure is given by the numerical calculation. Experimental results show that a 1 GW microwaves with pulse duration of about 100 ns (full width of half magnitude) under 10 Hz repetitive operation mode are obtained. The microwave frequency is 3.6 GHz with the dominant mode of TM(01), and power conversion efficiency is about 20%. The single pulse energy is about 100 J. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulation ones. By analyzing the experimental phenomenon, we obtain the conclusion that the explosive emission on the surface of the electrodynamics structure in intense radio frequency field mainly leads to the earlier unexpected termination of microwave output.

Dual physiological rate measurement instrument

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cooper, Tommy G. (Inventor)

1990-01-01

The object of the invention is to provide an instrument for converting a physiological pulse rate into a corresponding linear output voltage. The instrument which accurately measures the rate of an unknown rectangular pulse wave over an extended range of values comprises a phase-locked loop including a phase comparator, a filtering network, and a voltage-controlled oscillator, arranged in cascade. The phase comparator has a first input responsive to the pulse wave and a second input responsive to the output signal of the voltage-controlled oscillator. The comparator provides a signal dependent on the difference in phase and frequency between the signals appearing on the first and second inputs. A high-input impedance amplifier accepts an output from the filtering network and provides an amplified output DC signal to a utilization device for providing a measurement of the rate of the pulse wave.

Time-resolved microscopy reveals the driving mechanism of particle formation during ultrashort pulse laser ablation of dentin-like ivory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Domke, Matthias; Gavrilova, Anna; Rapp, Stephan; Frentzen, Matthias; Meister, Joerg; Huber, Heinz P.

2015-07-01

In dental health care, the application of ultrashort laser pulses enables dental tissue ablation free from thermal side effects, such as melting and cracking. However, these laser types create undesired micro- and nanoparticles, which might cause a health risk for the patient or surgeon. The aim of this study was to investigate the driving mechanisms of micro- and nanoparticle formation during ultrashort pulse laser ablation of dental tissue. Time-resolved microscopy was chosen to observe the ablation dynamics of mammoth ivory after irradiation with 660 fs laser pulses. The results suggest that nanoparticles might arise in the excited region. The thermal expansion of the excited material induces high pressure in the surrounding bulk tissue, generating a pressure wave. The rarefaction wave behind this pressure wave causes spallation, leading to ejection of microparticles.

Pressure wave charged repetitively pulsed gas laser

DOEpatents

Kulkarny, Vijay A.

1982-01-01

A repetitively pulsed gas laser in which a system of mechanical shutters bracketing the laser cavity manipulate pressure waves resulting from residual energy in the cavity gas following a lasing event so as to draw fresh gas into the cavity and effectively pump spent gas in a dynamic closed loop.

Generation of ultrasound in materials using continuous-wave lasers.

PubMed

Caron, James N; DiComo, Gregory P; Nikitin, Sergei

2012-03-01

Generating and detecting ultrasound is a standard method of nondestructive evaluation of materials. Pulsed lasers are used to generate ultrasound remotely in situations that prohibit the use of contact transducers. The scanning rate is limited by the repetition rates of the pulsed lasers, ranging between 10 and 100 Hz for lasers with sufficient pulse widths and energies. Alternately, a high-power continuous-wave laser can be scanned across the surface, creating an ultrasonic wavefront. Since generation is continuous, the scanning rate can be as much as 4 orders of magnitude higher than with pulsed lasers. This paper introduces the concept, comparing the theoretical scanning speed with generation by pulsed laser. © 2012 Optical Society of America

Optical trapping of nanoparticles by ultrashort laser pulses.

PubMed

Usman, Anwar; Chiang, Wei-Yi; Masuhara, Hiroshi

2013-01-01

Optical trapping with continuous-wave lasers has been a fascinating field in the optical manipulation. It has become a powerful tool for manipulating micrometer-sized objects, and has been widely applied in physics, chemistry, biology, material, and colloidal science. Replacing the continuous-wave- with pulsed-mode laser in optical trapping has already revealed some novel phenomena, including the stable trap, modifiable trapping positions, and controllable directional optical ejections of particles in nanometer scales. Due to two distinctive features; impulsive peak powers and relaxation time between consecutive pulses, the optical trapping with the laser pulses has been demonstrated to have some advantages over conventional continuous-wave lasers, particularly when the particles are within Rayleigh approximation. This would open unprecedented opportunities in both fundamental science and application. This Review summarizes recent advances in the optical trapping with laser pulses and discusses the electromagnetic formulations and physical interpretations of the new phenomena. Its aim is rather to show how beautiful and promising this field will be, and to encourage the in-depth study of this field.

Transmission loss measurement of acoustic material using time-domain pulse-separation method (L).

PubMed

Sun, Liang; Hou, Hong

2011-04-01

An alternative method for measuring the normal incidence sound transmission loss (nSTL) is presented in this paper based on the time-domain separation of so-called Butterworth pulse with a short-duration time about 1 ms in a standing wave tube. During the generation process of the pulse, inverse filter principle was adopted to compensate the loudspeaker response, besides this, the effect of the characteristics of tube termination can be eliminated through the generation process of the pulse so as to obtain a single plane pulse wave in the standing wave tube which makes the nSTL measurement very simple. A polyurethane foam material with low transmission loss and a kind of rubber material with relatively high transmission loss are used to verify the proposed method. When compared with the traditional two-load method, a relatively good agreement between these two methods can be observed. The main error of this method results from the measuring accuracy of the amplitude of transmission coefficient.

Energy, momentum, and angular momentum of sound pulses.

PubMed

Lekner, John

2017-12-01

Pulse solutions of the wave equation can be expressed as superpositions of scalar monochromatic beam wavefunctions (solutions of the Helmholtz equation). This formulation leads to causal (unidirectional) propagation, in contrast to all currently known closed-form solutions of the wave equation. Application is made to the evaluation of the energy, momentum, and angular momentum of acoustic pulses, as integrals over the beam and pulse weight functions. Equivalence is established between integration over space of the energy, momentum, and angular momentum densities, and integration over the wavevector weight function. The inequality linking the total energy and the total momentum is made explicit in terms of the weight function formulation. It is shown that a general pulse can be viewed as a superposition of phonons, each with energy ℏck, z component of momentum ℏq, and z component of angular momentum ℏm. A closed-form solution of the wave equation is found, which is localized and causal, and its energy and momentum are evaluated explicitly.

Experimental Test of Coupled Wave Model of Large Coils

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-06-01

46556 Abstract: Recent data from Time Domain Pulse Reflectometry experiments on a three turn coil in the form of a race track corroborate the...Domain Pulse Reflectometry experiments on a three turn coil in the form of a race track corroborate the theory of coupled wave model for large coils...Gabriel, "Coupled Wave Model for Large Magnet Coils", NASA Contractor Report 3332, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC

Self-compression of spatially limited laser pulses in a system of coupled light-guides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balakin, A. A.; Litvak, A. G.; Mironov, V. A.; Skobelev, S. A.

2018-04-01

The self-action features of wave packets propagating in a 2D system of equidistantly arranged fibers are studied analytically and numerically on the basis of the discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Self-consistent equations for the characteristic scales of a Gaussian wave packet are derived on the basis of the variational approach, which are proved numerically for powers P < 10 P_cr , slightly exceeding the critical one for self-focusing. At higher powers, the wave beams become filamented, and their amplitude is limited due to the nonlinear breaking of the interaction between neighboring light-guides. This makes it impossible to collect a powerful wave beam in a single light-guide. Variational analysis shows the possibility of the adiabatic self-compression of soliton-like laser pulses in the process of 3D self-focusing on the central light-guide. However, further increase of the field amplitude during self-compression leads to the development of longitudinal modulation instability and the formation of a set of light bullets in the central fiber. In the regime of hollow wave beams, filamentation instability becomes predominant. As a result, it becomes possible to form a set of light bullets in optical fibers located on the ring.

Ultrafast optical measurements of surface waves on a patterned layered nanostructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daly, Brian; Bjornsson, Matteo; Connolly, Aine; Mahat, Sushant; Rachmilowitz, Bryan; Antonelli, George; Myers, Alan; Yoo, Hui-Jae; Singh, Kanwal; King, Sean

2015-03-01

We report ultrafast optical pump-probe measurements of 12 - 54 GHz surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on patterned layered nanostructures. These very high frequency SAWs were generated and detected on the following patterned film stack: 25 nm physically vapor deposited TiN / 180 nm porous PECVD-grown a-SiOC:H dielectric / 12 nm non-porous PECVD-grown a-SiOC:H etch-stop / 100 nm CVD-grown a-SiO2 / Si (100) substrate. The TiN layer was dry plasma etched to form lines of rectangular cross section with pitches of 420 nm, 250 nm, 180 nm, and 168 nm and the lines were oriented parallel to the [110] direction on the wafer surface. The absorption of ultrafast pulses from a Ti:sapphire oscillator operating at 800 nm generated SAWs that were detected by time-delayed probe pulses from the same oscillator via a reflectivity change (ΔR) . In each of the four cases the SAW frequency increased with decreasing pitch, but not in a linear way as had been seen in previous experiments of this sort. By comparing the results with mechanical simulations, we present evidence for the detection of different types of SAWs in each case, including Rayleigh-like waves, Sezawa waves, and leaky or radiative waves. This work was supported by NSF Award DMR1206681.

Polarization control of terahertz waves generated by circularly polarized few-cycle laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Liwei; Bai, Ya; Xu, Rongjie; Li, Chuang; Liu, Peng; Li, Ruxin; Xu, Zhizhan

2013-12-01

We demonstrate the generation and control of elliptically polarized terahertz (THz) waves from air plasma produced by circularly polarized few-cycle laser pulses. Experimental and calculated results reveal that electric field asymmetry in rotating directions of the circularly polarized few-cycle laser pulses produces the enhanced broadband transient currents, and the phase difference of perpendicular laser field components is partially inherited in the generation process of THz emission. The ellipticity of the THz emission and its major axis direction are all-optically controlled by the duration and carrier-envelope phase of the laser pulses.

Carrier-envelope phase control of carrier-wave Rabi flopping in asymmetric semiparabolic quantum well.

PubMed

Zhang, Chaojin; Song, Xiaohong; Yang, Weifeng; Xu, Zhizhan

2008-02-04

We investigate the carrier-wave Rabi flopping effects in an asymmetric semiparabolic semiconductor quantum well (QW) with few-cycle pulse. It is found that higher spectral components of few-cycle ultrashort pulses in the semiparabolic QW depend crucially on the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of the few-cycle ultrashort pulses: continuum and distinct peaks can be achieved by controlling the CEP. Our results demonstrate that by adjusting the CEP of few-cycle ultrashort pulses, the intersubband dynamics in the asymmetric semiparabolic QW can be controlled in an ultrashort timescale with moderate laser intensity.

Measurement of energy contrast of amplified ultrashort pulses using cross-polarized wave generation and spectral interferometry.

PubMed

Iliev, Marin; Meier, Amanda K; Galloway, Benjamin; Adams, Daniel E; Squier, Jeff A; Durfee, Charles G

2014-07-28

We present a method using spectral interferometry (SI) to characterize a pulse in the presence of an incoherent background such as amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). The output of a regenerative amplifier is interfered with a copy of the pulse that has been converted using third-order cross-polarized wave generation (XPW). The ASE shows as a pedestal background in the interference pattern. The energy contrast between the short-pulse component and the ASE is retrieved. The spectra of the interacting beams are obtained through an improvement to the self-referenced spectral interferometry (SRSI) analysis.

Permeability, storage and hydraulic diffusivity controlled by earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brodsky, E. E.; Fulton, P. M.; Xue, L.

2016-12-01

Earthquakes can increase permeability in fractured rocks. In the farfield, such permeability increases are attributed to seismic waves and can last for months after the initial earthquake. Laboratory studies suggest that unclogging of fractures by the transient flow driven by seismic waves is a viable mechanism. These dynamic permeability increases may contribute to permeability enhancement in the seismic clouds accompanying hydraulic fracking. Permeability enhancement by seismic waves could potentially be engineered and the experiments suggest the process will be most effective at a preferred frequency. We have recently observed similar processes inside active fault zones after major earthquakes. A borehole observatory in the fault that generated the M9.0 2011 Tohoku earthquake reveals a sequence of temperature pulses during the secondary aftershock sequence of an M7.3 aftershock. The pulses are attributed to fluid advection by a flow through a zone of transiently increased permeability. Directly after the M7.3 earthquake, the newly damaged fault zone is highly susceptible to further permeability enhancement, but ultimately heals within a month and becomes no longer as sensitive. The observation suggests that the newly damaged fault zone is more prone to fluid pulsing than would be expected based on the long-term permeability structure. Even longer term healing is seen inside the fault zone of the 2008 M7.9 Wenchuan earthquake. The competition between damage and healing (or clogging and unclogging) results in dynamically controlled permeability, storage and hydraulic diffusivity. Recent measurements of in situ fault zone architecture at the 1-10 meter scale suggest that active fault zones often have hydraulic diffusivities near 10-2 m2/s. This uniformity is true even within the damage zone of the San Andreas fault where permeability and storage increases balance each other to achieve this value of diffusivity over a 400 m wide region. We speculate that fault zones may evolve to a preferred diffusivity in a dynamic equilibrium.

Spatial beam shaping for lowering the threshold energy for femtosecond laser pulse photodisruption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hansen, Anja; Ripken, Tammo; Heisterkamp, Alexander

2011-10-01

High precision femtosecond laser surgery is achieved by focusing femtosecond (fs) laser pulses in transparent tissues to create an optical breakdown leading to tissue dissection through photodisruption. For moving applications in ophthalmology from corneal or lental applications in the anterior eye to vitreal or retinal surgery in the posterior eye the applied pulse energy needs to be minimized in order to avoid harm to the retina. However, the aberrations of the anterior eye elements cause a distortion of the wave front and consequently an increase in size of the irradiated area and a decrease in photon density in the focal volume. Therefore, higher pulse energy is required to still surpass the threshold irradiance. In this work, aberrations in an eye model consisting of a plano-convex lens for focusing and 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) in a water cuvette as eye tissue were corrected with a deformable mirror in combination with a Hartmann-Shack-sensor. The influence of an adaptive optics aberration correction on the pulse energy required for photodisruption was investigated. A reduction of the threshold energy was shown in the aberration-corrected case and the spatial confinement raised the irradiance at constant pulse energy. As less energy is required for photodisruption when correcting for wave front aberrations the potential risk of peripheral damage is reduced, especially for the retina during laser surgery in the posterior eye segment. This offers new possibilities for high precision fs-laser surgery in the treatment of several vitreal and retinal pathologies.

Photoacoustic simulation study of chirp excitation response from different size absorbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jnawali, K.; Chinni, B.; Dogra, V.; Rao, N.

2017-03-01

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is a hybrid imaging modality that integrates the strength of optical and ultrasound imaging. Nanosecond (ns) pulsed lasers used in current PA imaging systems are expensive, bulky and they often waste energy. We propose and evaluate, through simulations, the use of a continuous wave (CW) laser whose amplitude is linear frequency modulated (chirp) for PA imaging. The chirp signal provides signal-to-side-lobe ratio (SSR) improvement potential and full control over PA signal frequencies excited in the sample. The PA signal spectrum is a function of absorber size and the time frequencies present in the chirp. A mismatch between the input chirp spectrum and the output PA signal spectrum can affect the compressed pulse that is recovered from cross-correlating the two. We have quantitatively characterized this effect. The k-wave Matlab tool box was used to simulate PA signals in three dimensions for absorbers ranging in size from 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm, in response to laser excitation amplitude that is linearly swept from 0.5 MHz to 4 MHz. This sweep frequency range was chosen based on the spectrum analysis of a PA signal generated from ex-vivo human prostate tissue samples. In comparison, the energy wastage by a ns laser pulse was also estimated. For the chirp methodology, the compressed pulse peak amplitude, pulse width and side lobe structure parameters were extracted for different size absorbers. While the SSR increased 6 fold with absorber size, the pulse width decreased by 25%.

Nonlinear Brillouin amplification of finite-duration seeds in the strong coupling regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehmann, G.; Spatschek, K. H.

2013-07-01

Parametric plasma processes received renewed interest in the context of generating ultra-intense and ultra-short laser pulses up to the exawatt-zetawatt regime. Both Raman as well as Brillouin amplifications of seed pulses were proposed. Here, we investigate Brillouin processes in the one-dimensional (1D) backscattering geometry with the help of numerical simulations. For optimal seed amplification, Brillouin scattering is considered in the so called strong coupling (sc) regime. Special emphasis lies on the dependence of the amplification process on the finite duration of the initial seed pulses. First, the standard plane-wave instability predictions are generalized to pulse models, and the changes of initial seed pulse forms due to parametric instabilities are investigated. Three-wave-interaction results are compared to predictions by a new (kinetic) Vlasov code. The calculations are then extended to the nonlinear region with pump depletion. Generation of different seed layers is interpreted by self-similar solutions of the three-wave interaction model. Similar to Raman amplification, shadowing of the rear layers by the leading layers of the seed occurs. The shadowing is more pronounced for initially broad seed pulses. The effect is quantified for Brillouin amplification. Kinetic Vlasov simulations agree with the three-wave interaction predictions and thereby affirm the universal validity of self-similar layer formation during Brillouin seed amplification in the strong coupling regime.

The prediction, observation and study of long-distant undamped thermal waves generated in pulse radiative processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vysotskii, V. I.; Kornilova, A. A.; Vasilenko, A. O.; Krit, T. B.; Vysotskyy, M. V.

2017-07-01

The problems of the existence, generation, propagation and registration of long-distant undamped thermal waves formed in pulse radiative processes have been theoretically analyzed and confirmed experimentally. These waves may be used for the analysis of short-time processes of interaction of particles or electromagnetic fields with different targets. Such undamped waves can only exist in environments with a finite (nonzero) time of local thermal relaxation and their frequencies are determined by this time. The results of successful experiments on the generation and registration of undamped thermal waves at a large distance (up to 2 m) are also presented.

Effects of Obesity and Hypertension on Pulse Wave Velocity in Children.

PubMed

Kulsum-Mecci, Nazia; Goss, Charles; Kozel, Beth A; Garbutt, Jane M; Schechtman, Kenneth B; Dharnidharka, Vikas R

2017-03-01

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a biomarker of arterial stiffness. Findings from prior studies are conflicting regarding the impact of obesity on PWV in children. The authors measured carotid-femoral PWV in 159 children aged 4 to 18 years, of whom 95 were healthy, 25 were obese, 15 had hypertension (HTN), and 24 were both obese and hypertensive. Mean PWV increased with age but did not differ by race or sex. In adjusted analyses in children 10 years and older (n=102), PWV was significantly higher in children with hypertension (PWV±standard deviation, 4.9±0.7 m/s), obesity (5.0±0.9 m/s), and combined obesity-hypertension (5.2±0.6 m/s) vs healthy children (4.3±0.7 m/s) (each group, P<.001 vs control). In our study, obesity and HTN both significantly and independently increased PWV, while African American children did not have a higher PWV than Caucasian children. ©2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Doppler indexes of left ventricular systolic and diastolic flow and central pulse pressure in relation to renal resistive index.

PubMed

Kuznetsova, Tatiana; Cauwenberghs, Nicholas; Knez, Judita; Thijs, Lutgarde; Liu, Yan-Ping; Gu, Yu-Mei; Staessen, Jan A

2015-04-01

The cardio-renal interaction occurs via hemodynamic and humoral factors. Noninvasive assessment of renal hemodynamics is currently possible by assessment of renal resistive index (RRI) derived from intrarenal Doppler arterial waveforms as ((peak systolic velocity - end-diastolic velocity)/peak systolic velocity). Limited information is available regarding the relationship between RRI and cardiac hemodynamics. We investigated these associations in randomly recruited subjects from a general population. In 171 participants (48.5% women; mean age, 52.2 years), using pulsed wave Doppler, we measured RRI (mean, 0.60) and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and transmitral (E and A) blood flow peak velocities and its velocity time integrals (VTI). Using carotid applanation tonometry, we measured central pulse pressure and arterial stiffness indexes such as augmentation pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. In stepwise regression analysis, RRI independently and significantly increased with female sex, age, body weight, brachial pulse pressure, and use of β-blockers, whereas it decreased with body height and mean arterial pressure. In multivariable-adjusted models with central pulse pressure and arterial stiffness indexes as the explanatory variables, we observed a significant and positive correlation of RRI only with central pulse pressure (P < 0.0001). Among the Doppler indexes of left ventricular blood flow, RRI was significantly and positively associated with LVOT and E peak velocities (P ≤ 0.012) and VTIs (P ≤ 0.010). We demonstrated that in unselected subjects RRI was significantly associated with central pulse pressure and left ventricular systolic and diastolic Doppler blood flow indexes. Our findings imply that in addition to the anthropometric characteristics, cardiac hemodynamic factors influence the intrarenal arterial Doppler waveform patterns. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2014. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Changes in Cerebral Partial Oxygen Pressure and Cerebrovascular Reactivity During Intracranial Pressure Plateau Waves.

PubMed

Lang, Erhard W; Kasprowicz, Magdalena; Smielewski, Peter; Pickard, John; Czosnyka, Marek

2015-08-01

Plateau waves in intracranial pressure (ICP) are frequently recorded in neuro intensive care and are not yet fully understood. To further investigate this phenomenon, we analyzed partial pressure of cerebral oxygen (pbtO2) and a moving correlation coefficient between ICP and mean arterial blood pressure (ABP), called PRx, along with the cerebral oxygen reactivity index (ORx), which is a moving correlation coefficient between cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and pbtO2 in an observational study. We analyzed 55 plateau waves in 20 patients after severe traumatic brain injury. We calculated ABP, ABP pulse amplitude (ampABP), ICP, CPP, pbtO2, heart rate (HR), ICP pulse amplitude (ampICP), PRx, and ORx, before, during, and after each plateau wave. The analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc test was used to compare the differences in the variables before, during, and after the plateau wave. We considered all plateau waves, even in the same patient, independent because they are separated by long intervals. We found increases for ICP and ampICP according to our operational definitions for plateau waves. PRx increased significantly (p = 0.00026), CPP (p < 0.00001) and pbtO2 (p = 0.00007) decreased significantly during the plateau waves. ABP, ampABP, and HR remained unchanged. PRx during the plateau was higher than before the onset of wave in 40 cases (73 %) with no differences in baseline parameters for those with negative and positive ΔPRx (difference during and after). ORx showed an increase during and a decrease after the plateau waves, however, not statistically significant. PbtO2 overshoot after the wave occurred in 35 times (64 %), the mean difference was 4.9 ± 4.6 Hg (mean ± SD), and we found no difference in baseline parameters between those who overshoot and those who did not overshoot. Arterial blood pressure remains stable in ICP plateau waves, while cerebral autoregulatory indices show distinct changes, which indicate cerebrovascular reactivity impairment at the top of the wave. PbtO2 decreases during the waves and may show a slight overshoot after normalization. We assume that this might be due to different latencies of the cerebral blood flow and oxygen level control mechanisms. Other factors may include baseline conditions, such as pre-plateau wave cerebrovascular reactivity or pbtO2 levels, which differ between studies.

Aortic pulse wave velocity predicts cardiovascular mortality in middle-aged and elderly Japanese men.

PubMed

Inoue, Noriko; Maeda, Ryo; Kawakami, Hideshi; Shokawa, Tomoki; Yamamoto, Hideya; Ito, Chikako; Sasaki, Hideo

2009-03-01

Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) is widely used as a noninvasive index of arterial stiffness and was used in the present study to investigate the relationship between PWV and cardiovascular mortality in the middle-aged and elderly Japanese population using a longitudinal study design. From 1988 to 2003, a total of 3,960 men (50-69 years old at baseline) who underwent medical check-ups and measurement of PWV, which was standardized for diastolic blood pressure, were recruited and divided into 4 groups according to the PWV values. The average follow-up period was 8.2 years. Mortality from all-causes and from cardiovascular disease significantly increased as PWV increased in the entire follow-up period. Multivariate-adjusted relative risks of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality for the highest quartile of PWV (>9.0 m/s) were 1.28 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97-1.68) and 1.83 (95%CI 1.02-3.29), respectively, compared with the lowest quartile (<7.5 m/s). An increased PWV can predict cardiovascular mortality in middle-aged and elderly Japanese men.

Biomechanics of Ergometric Stress Test: regional and local effects on elastic, transitional and muscular human arteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valls, G.; Torrado, J.; Farro, I.; Bia, D.; Zócalo, Y.; Lluberas, S.; Craiem, D.; Armentano, Rl

2011-09-01

Ergometric exercise stress tests (EST) give important information about the cardiovascular (CV) response to increased demands. The expected EST-related changes in variables like blood pressure and heart rate are known, but those in the arterial biomechanics are controversial and incompletely characterized. In this context, this work aims were to characterize the regional and local arterial biomechanical behaviour in response to EST; to evaluate its temporal profile in the post-EST recovery phase; and to compare the biomechanical response of different to EST. Methods: In 16 non-trained healthy young subjects the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and the carotid, femoral and brachial arterial distensibility were non-invasively evaluated before (Rest) and after EST. Main results: The EST resulted in an early increase in the arterial stiffness, evidenced by both, regional and local parameters (pulse wave velocity increase and distensibility reduction). When analyzing conjunctly the different post-EST recovery stages there were quali-quantitative differences among the arterial local stiffness response to EST. The biomechanical changes could not be explained only by blood pressure variations.

Multi-Gaussian fitting for pulse waveform using Weighted Least Squares and multi-criteria decision making method.

PubMed

Wang, Lu; Xu, Lisheng; Feng, Shuting; Meng, Max Q-H; Wang, Kuanquan

2013-11-01

Analysis of pulse waveform is a low cost, non-invasive method for obtaining vital information related to the conditions of the cardiovascular system. In recent years, different Pulse Decomposition Analysis (PDA) methods have been applied to disclose the pathological mechanisms of the pulse waveform. All these methods decompose single-period pulse waveform into a constant number (such as 3, 4 or 5) of individual waves. Furthermore, those methods do not pay much attention to the estimation error of the key points in the pulse waveform. The estimation of human vascular conditions depends on the key points' positions of pulse wave. In this paper, we propose a Multi-Gaussian (MG) model to fit real pulse waveforms using an adaptive number (4 or 5 in our study) of Gaussian waves. The unknown parameters in the MG model are estimated by the Weighted Least Squares (WLS) method and the optimized weight values corresponding to different sampling points are selected by using the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) method. Performance of the MG model and the WLS method has been evaluated by fitting 150 real pulse waveforms of five different types. The resulting Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE) was less than 2.0% and the estimation accuracy for the key points was satisfactory, demonstrating that our proposed method is effective in compressing, synthesizing and analyzing pulse waveforms. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pulse compression favourable aperiodic infrared imaging approach for non-destructive testing and evaluation of bio-materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulaveesala, Ravibabu; Dua, Geetika; Arora, Vanita; Siddiqui, Juned A.; Muniyappa, Amarnath

2017-05-01

In recent years, aperiodic, transient pulse compression favourable infrared imaging methodologies demonstrated as reliable, quantitative, remote characterization and evaluation techniques for testing and evaluation of various biomaterials. This present work demonstrates a pulse compression favourable aperiodic thermal wave imaging technique, frequency modulated thermal wave imaging technique for bone diagnostics, especially by considering the bone with tissue, skin and muscle over layers. In order to find the capabilities of the proposed frequency modulated thermal wave imaging technique to detect the density variations in a multi layered skin-fat-muscle-bone structure, finite element modeling and simulation studies have been carried out. Further, frequency and time domain post processing approaches have been adopted on the temporal temperature data in order to improve the detection capabilities of frequency modulated thermal wave imaging.

A Wearable and Highly Sensitive Graphene Strain Sensor for Precise Home-Based Pulse Wave Monitoring.

PubMed

Yang, Tingting; Jiang, Xin; Zhong, Yujia; Zhao, Xuanliang; Lin, Shuyuan; Li, Jing; Li, Xinming; Xu, Jianlong; Li, Zhihong; Zhu, Hongwei

2017-07-28

Profuse medical information about cardiovascular properties can be gathered from pulse waveforms. Therefore, it is desirable to design a smart pulse monitoring device to achieve noninvasive and real-time acquisition of cardiovascular parameters. The majority of current pulse sensors are usually bulky or insufficient in sensitivity. In this work, a graphene-based skin-like sensor is explored for pulse wave sensing with features of easy use and wearing comfort. Moreover, the adjustment of the substrate stiffness and interfacial bonding accomplish the optimal balance between sensor linearity and signal sensitivity, as well as measurement of the beat-to-beat radial arterial pulse. Compared with the existing bulky and nonportable clinical instruments, this highly sensitive and soft sensing patch not only provides primary sensor interface to human skin, but also can objectively and accurately detect the subtle pulse signal variations in a real-time fashion, such as pulse waveforms with different ages, pre- and post-exercise, thus presenting a promising solution to home-based pulse monitoring.

Pulse transit time differential measurement by fiber Bragg grating pulse recorder.

PubMed

Umesh, Sharath; Padma, Srivani; Ambastha, Shikha; Kalegowda, Anand; Asokan, Sundarrajan

2015-05-01

The present study reports a noninvasive technique for the measurement of the pulse transit time differential (PTTD) from the pulse pressure waveforms obtained at the carotid artery and radial artery using fiber Bragg grating pulse recorders (FBGPR). PTTD is defined as the time difference between the arrivals of a pulse pressure waveform at the carotid and radial arterial sites. The PTTD is investigated as an indicator of variation in the systolic blood pressure. The results are validated against blood pressure variation obtained from a Mindray Patient Monitor. Furthermore, the pulse wave velocity computed from the obtained PTTD is compared with the pulse wave velocity obtained from the color Doppler ultrasound system and is found to be in good agreement. The major advantage of the PTTD measurement via FBGPRs is that the data acquisition system employed can simultaneously acquire pulse pressure waveforms from both FBGPRs placed at carotid and radial arterial sites with a single time scale, which eliminates time synchronization complexity.

A Study of Electron and Phonon Dynamics by Broadband Two-Dimensional THz Time-Domain Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Zhengping

Terahertz (THz) wave interacts with semiconductors in many ways, such as resonant excitation of lattice vibration, intraband transition and polaron formation. Different from the optical waves, THz wave has lower photon energy (1 THz = 4.14 meV) and is suitable for studying dynamics of low-energy excitations. Recently the studies of the interaction of THz wave and semiconductors have been extending from the linear regime to the nonlinear regime, owing to the advance of the high-intensity THz generation and detection methods. Two-dimensional (2D) spectroscopy, as a useful tool to unravel the nonlinearity of materials, has been well developed in nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared region. However, the counterpart in THz region has not been well developed and was only demonstrated at frequency around 20 THz due to the lack of intense broadband THz sources. Using laser-induced plasma as the THz source, we developed collinear broadband 2D THz time-domain spectroscopy covering from 0.5 THz to 20 THz. Broadband intense THz pulses emitted from laser-induced plasma provide access to a variety of nonlinear properties of materials. Ultrafast optical and THz pulses make it possible to resolve the transient change of the material properties with temporal resolution of tens of femtoseconds. This thesis focuses on the linear and nonlinear interaction of the THz wave with semiconductors. Since a great many physical processes, including vibrational motion of lattice and plasma oscillation, has resonant frequency in the THz range, rich physics can be studies in our experiment. The thesis starts from the linear interaction of the THz wave with semiconductors. In the narrow band gap semiconductor InSb, the plasma absorption edge, Restrahlen band and dispersion of polaritons are observed. The nonlinear response of InSb in high THz field is verified in the frequency-resolved THz Z-scan experiment. The third harmonic generations due to the anharmonicity of plasma oscillation and the second order signal due to the plasma-phonon interaction are observed in 2D THz transmission spectra. In this thesis, the coherent phonons excited by THz pulses are experimentally demonstrated for the first time in both GaAs and InSb. The resonant excitation using THz pulses enables the coherent control of the lattice motion via direct interaction of atoms and electromagnetic wave, without inducing electronic transition as reported in the optical excitation of coherent phonons. The classic model is used to explain both excitation and detection mechanisms. An increase of the damping rate of the coherent lattice motion due to higher carrier density is observed in our experiment. Transient reflectivity change of GaAs induced by THz pulses is studied in 2D THz-pump/optical-probe configuration. Using the perturbative analysis of nonlinear electrooptic effect, we conclude that the nonlinear response of GaAs to two phase-locked THz pulses is mainly caused by the nonlinearity of the electronic response.

Relationships among the serum omega fatty acid levels, serum C-reactive protein levels and arterial stiffness/wave reflection in Japanese men.

PubMed

Tomiyama, Hirofumi; Matsumoto, Chisa; Odaira, Mari; Yamada, Jiko; Yoshida, Masanobu; Shiina, Kazuki; Nagata, Mikio; Yamashina, Akira

2011-08-01

We examined the relationship among the serum omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid (O3FA and O6FA) levels, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and arterial stiffness/wave reflection (AS/WR) in healthy Japanese men. In 2206 Japanese healthy men, parameters related to the AS/WR (i.e., brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and radial arterial pulse wave analysis) were measured. No significant inverse relationships were observed between the serum O3FA levels and the AS/WR-related parameters. Adjusted values of the AS/WR-related parameters and serum CRP levels were higher in the subjects with serum O6FA levels in the highest tertile than in those with serum O6FA levels in the lowest tertile. In healthy Japanese men with known high dietary intakes of O3FAs, the serum O3FA levels may not reflect the pathophysiological abnormalities related to AS/WR. Increased serum O6FA levels appeared to be independently associated with the unfavorable conditions related to AS/WR and inflammation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of standing acoustic waves on the formation of laser-induced air plasmas.

PubMed

Craig, Stephanie M; Brownell, Kara; O'Leary, Brendon; Malfitano, Christopher; Kelley, Jude A

2013-03-01

The expected location of an air plasma produced by a focused YAG laser pulse has been found to be influenced by the acoustics of the surrounding environment. In open air, the expected location of a laser-induced air plasma is centered close to the focal point of the lens focusing the laser beam. When confining the same beam coaxially along the interior of a quartz tube, the expected location of the air plasma shifts away from the focal point, toward the focusing lens, in a region of less laser fluence. This shift is caused by an interaction between standing acoustic waves (formed from sound waves produced by previous laser-induced plasmas) and the impinging laser pulse. Standing acoustic waves in a tube produce areas (antinodes) of slightly higher and slightly lower pressure than ambient atmospheric conditions, that in turn have a noticeable affect on the probability of creating an air plasma at a given location. This leads to two observed phenomena: Increased probability of air plasma formation before the optical focal point is reached, and the formation of distinct (separate) air plasmas at the antinodes themselves.

New longitudinal mode and compression of pair ions in plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ehsan, Zahida; Imran, Muhammad, E-mail: imransindhu@hotmail.com; Tsintsadze, N. L.

Positive and negative ions forming the so-called pair plasma differing in sign of their charge but asymmetric in mass and temperature support a new acoustic-like mode. The condition for the excitation of ion sound wave through electron beam induced Cherenkov instability is also investigated. This beam can generate a perturbation in the pair ion plasmas in the presence of electrons when there is number density, temperature, and mass difference in the two species of ions. Basic emphasis is on the focusing of ion sound waves, and we show how, in the area of localization of wave energy, the density ofmore » pair particles increases while electrons are pushed away from that region. Further, this localization of wave is dependent on the shape of the pulse. Considering the example of pancake and bullet shaped pulses, we find that only the former leads to compression of pair ions in the supersonic regime of the focusing region. Here, possible existence of regions where pure pair particles can exist may also be speculated which is not only useful from academic point of view but also to mimic the situation of plasma (electron positron asymmetric and symmetric) observed in astrophysical environment.« less

Psycho-Physiological Responses by Listening to Some Sounds from Our Daily Life

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakamoto, H.; Hayashi, F.; Tsujikawa, M.; Sugiura, S.

1997-08-01

This study was made to clarify the relationship between mode of identification, mode of emotion and physiological response to noise. Twenty-six subjects, young females, listened to six different daily sounds for 150 s through head phones. The level of sound was 60-61LAcq. The pulse wave and blood pressure were observed, and pulse wave interval, wave height and maximum and minimum blood pressures were measured. Measurements were taken twice once 30 s before listening and again during the final 30 s of listening. The ratio of the latter value to the former value was used as the index for the evaluation of change. Immediately after the listening session, identification of the sound source and emotional response were surveyed via a questionnaire and the sounds were judged as related to comfort or discomfort. In the case of incorrect identification, physiological functions were not seen to change significantly. However, in the case of correct identification, maximum and minimum blood pressures were significantly increased form the pre-listening values. The physiological functions of the discomfort group did not change significantly. In the comfort group, wave height was decreased and blood pressure was significantly elevated.

Towards PDT with Genetically Encoded Photosensitizer KillerRed: A Comparison of Continuous and Pulsed Laser Regimens in an Animal Tumor Model.

PubMed

Shirmanova, Marina; Yuzhakova, Diana; Snopova, Ludmila; Perelman, Gregory; Serebrovskaya, Ekaterina; Lukyanov, Konstantin; Turchin, Ilya; Subochev, Pavel; Lukyanov, Sergey; Kamensky, Vladislav; Zagaynova, Elena

2015-01-01

The strong phototoxicity of the red fluorescent protein KillerRed allows it to be considered as a potential genetically encoded photosensitizer for the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer. The advantages of KillerRed over chemical photosensitizers are its expression in tumor cells transduced with the appropriate gene and direct killing of cells through precise damage to any desired cell compartment. The ability of KillerRed to affect cell division and to induce cell death has already been demonstrated in cancer cell lines in vitro and HeLa tumor xenografts in vivo. However, the further development of this approach for PDT requires optimization of the method of treatment. In this study we tested the continuous wave (593 nm) and pulsed laser (584 nm, 10 Hz, 18 ns) modes to achieve an antitumor effect. The research was implemented on CT26 subcutaneous mouse tumors expressing KillerRed in fusion with histone H2B. The results showed that the pulsed mode provided a higher rate of photobleaching of KillerRed without any temperature increase on the tumor surface. PDT with the continuous wave laser was ineffective against CT26 tumors in mice, whereas the pulsed laser induced pronounced histopathological changes and inhibition of tumor growth. Therefore, we selected an effective regimen for PDT when using the genetically encoded photosensitizer KillerRed and pulsed laser irradiation.

Noninvasive Evaluation of Varying Pulse Pressures in vivo Using Brachial Sphymomanometry, Applanation Tonometry, and Pulse Wave Ultrasound Manometry.

PubMed

Li, Ronny X; Ip, Ada; Sanz-Miralles, Elena; Konofagou, Elisa E

2017-06-01

The routine assessment and monitoring of hypertension may benefit from the evaluation of arterial pulse pressure (PP) at more central locations (e.g. the aorta) rather solely at the brachial artery. Pulse Wave Ultrasound Manometry (PWUM) was previously developed by our group to provide direct, noninvasive aortic PP measurements using ultrasound elasticity imaging. Using PWUM, radial applanation tonometry, and brachial sphygmomanometry, this study investigated the feasibility of noninvasively obtaining direct PP measurements at multiple arterial locations in normotensive, pre-hypertensive, and hypertensive human subjects. Two-way ANOVA indicated a significantly higher aortic PP in the hypertensive subjects, while radial and brachial PP were not significantly different among the subject groups. No strong correlation (r 2 < 0.45) was observed between aortic and radial/brachial PP in normal and pre-hypertensive subjects, suggesting that increases in PP throughout the arterial tree may not be uniform in relatively compliant arteries. However, there was a relatively strong positive correlation between aortic PP and both radial and brachial PP in hypertensive subjects (r 2 = 0.68 and 0.87, respectively). PWUM provides a low-cost, non-invasive, and direct means of measuring the pulse pressure in large central arteries such as the aorta. When used in conjunction with peripheral measurement devices, PWUM allows for the routine screening of hypertension and monitoring of BP-lowering drugs based on the PP from multiple arterial sites.

Sound Beams with Shockwave Pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Enflo, B. O.

2000-11-01

The beam equation for a sound beam in a diffusive medium, called the Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov (KZK) equation, has a class of solutions, which are power series in the transverse variable with the terms given by a solution of a generalized Burgers’ equation. A free parameter in this generalized Burgers’ equation can be chosen so that the equation describes an N-wave which does not decay. If the beam source has the form of a spherical cap, then a beam with a preserved shock can be prepared. This is done by satisfying an inequality containing the spherical radius, the N-wave pulse duration, the N-wave pulse amplitude, and the sound velocity in the fluid.

Traversal of electromagnetic pulses through dispersive media with negative refractive index

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nanda, L.; Ramakrishna, S. A.

2017-05-01

We investigate the traversal of electromagnetic pulses through dispersive media with negative refractive index in such a way that no resonant effects come into play. It has been verified that for evanescent waves, the definitions of the group delay and the reshaping delay times get interchanged in comparison to the propagating waves. We show that for a negative refractive index medium (NRM) with ɛ(ω)=μ(ω), the reshaping delay time identically vanishes for propagating waves. The total delay time in NRM is otherwise contributed by both the group and the reshaping delay times, whereas for the case of broadband pulses in NRM the total delay time is always subluminal.

Response functions of free mass gravitational wave antennas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Estabrook, F. B.

1985-01-01

The work of Gursel, Linsay, Spero, Saulson, Whitcomb and Weiss (1984) on the response of a free-mass interferometric antenna is extended. Starting from first principles, the earlier work derived the response of a 2-arm gravitational wave antenna to plane polarized gravitational waves. Equivalent formulas (generalized slightly to allow for arbitrary elliptical polarization) are obtained by a simple differencing of the '3-pulse' Doppler response functions of two 1-arm antennas. A '4-pulse' response function is found, with quite complicated angular dependences for arbitrary incident polarization. The differencing method can as readily be used to write exact response functions ('3n+1 pulse') for antennas having multiple passes or more arms.

Increased first and second pulse harmonics in Tai Chi Chuan practitioners.

PubMed

Lu, Wan-An; Chen, Yung-Sheng; Kuo, Cheng-Deng

2016-02-29

Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is known to be a good calisthenics for people. This study examined the relationship between pulse harmonics and autonomic nervous modulation in TCC practitioners. Power spectral measures of right pulse wave and heart rate variability (HRV) measures were compared between TCC practitioners and control subjects. Correlation analyses between pulse harmonics and HRV measures were performed using linear regression analysis. At baseline, the total power of pulse (TPp), powers of all individual pulse harmonics, normalized power of the 1(st) harmonics (nPh1) of TCC practitioners were greater, while the normalized power of the 4(th) pulse harmonics (nPh4) of TCC practitioners was smaller, than those of the controls. Similarly, the baseline standard deviation (SD(RR)), coefficient of variation (CV(RR)), and normalized high-frequency power (nHFP) of RR intervals were smaller, while the normalized very low-frequency power (nVLFP) and low-/high- frequency power ratio (LHR) were larger in the TCC practitioners. The TCC age correlated significantly and negatively with nPh1, and nearly significantly and negatively with nPh2 in the TCC practitioners. Thirty min after TCC exercise, the percentage changes in mRRI, SDRR, TP, VLFP were decreased, while the percentage changes in HR, ULFP, nLFP, and Ph2 were increased, relative to the controls. Correlation analysis shows that the %Ph2 correlates significantly and negatively with %mRRI and significantly and positively with %HR. The TCC practitioners had increased baseline total power of pulse and the 1(st) and 2(nd) pulse harmonics, and decreased power of the 4(th) pulse harmonics, along with decreased vagal modulation and increased sympathetic modulation. After TCC exercise, the power of the 2(nd) harmonics of TCC practitioners was increased which might be related to the increase in HR due to decreased vascular resistance after TCC exercise.

Stress wave focusing transducers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Visuri, S.R., LLNL

Conversion of laser radiation to mechanical energy is the fundamental process behind many medical laser procedures, particularly those involving tissue destruction and removal. Stress waves can be generated with laser radiation in several ways: creation of a plasma and subsequent launch of a shock wave, thermoelastic expansion of the target tissue, vapor bubble collapse, and ablation recoil. Thermoelastic generation of stress waves generally requires short laser pulse durations and high energy density. Thermoelastic stress waves can be formed when the laser pulse duration is shorter than the acoustic transit time of the material: {tau}{sub c} = d/c{sub s} where dmore » = absorption depth or spot diameter, whichever is smaller, and c{sub s} = sound speed in the material. The stress wave due to thermoelastic expansion travels at the sound speed (approximately 1500 m/s in tissue) and leaves the site of irradiation well before subsequent thermal events can be initiated. These stress waves, often evolving into shock waves, can be used to disrupt tissue. Shock waves are used in ophthalmology to perform intraocular microsurgery and photodisruptive procedures as well as in lithotripsy to fragment stones. We have explored a variety of transducers that can efficiently convert optical to mechanical energy. One such class of transducers allows a shock wave to be focused within a material such that the stress magnitude can be greatly increased compared to conventional geometries. Some transducer tips could be made to operate regardless of the absorption properties of the ambient media. The size and nature of the devices enable easy delivery, potentially minimally-invasive procedures, and precise tissue- targeting while limiting thermal loading. The transducer tips may have applications in lithotripsy, ophthalmology, drug delivery, and cardiology.« less

Experimental studies on twin PTCs driven by dual piston head linear compressor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gour, Abhay S.; Joy, Joewin; Sagar, Pankaj; Sudharshan, H.; Mallappa, A.; Karunanithi, R.; Jacob, S.

2017-02-01

An experimental study on pulse tube cryocooler is presented with a twin pulse tube configuration. The study is conducted with a dual piston head linear compressor design which is developed indigenously. The two identical pulse tube cryocoolers are operated by a single linear motor which generates 1800 out of phase dual pressure waves. The advantages of the configuration being the reduction in fabrication cost and the increased cooling power. The compressor is driven at a frequency of 48 Hz using indigenously developed PWM based power supply. The CFD study of pulse tube cryocooler is discussed along with the experimental cool down results. A detailed experimental and FEM based studies on the fabrication procedure of heat exchangers is conducted to ensure better heat transfer in the same.

Spectral broadening measurement of the lower hybrid waves during long pulse operation in Tore Supra

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Berger-By, G.; Decampy, J.; Goniche, M.

2014-02-12

On many tokamaks (C-Mod, EAST, FTU, JET, HT-7, TS), a decrease in current drive efficiency of the Lower Hybrid (LH) waves is observed in high electron density plasmas. The cause of this behaviour is believed to be: Parametric Instabilities (PI) and Scattering from Density Fluctuations (SDF). For the ITER LH system, our knowledge must be improved to avoid such effects and to maintain the LH current drive efficiency at high density. The ITPA IOS group coordinates this effort [1] and all experimental data are essential to validate the numerical codes in progress. Usually the broadening of the LH wave frequencymore » spectrum is measured by a probe located in the plasma edge. For this study, the frequency spectrum of a reflected power signal from the LH antenna was used. In addition, the spectrum measurements are compared with the density fluctuations observed on RF probes located at the antenna mouth. Several plasma currents (0.6 to 1.4 MA) and densities up to 5.2 × 10{sup 19} m−3 have been realised on Tore Supra (TS) long pulses and with high injected RF power, up to 5.4 MW-30s. This allowed using a spectrum analyser to make several measurements during the plasma pulse. The side lobe amplitude, shifted by 20-30MHz with respect to the main peak, grows with increasing density. Furthermore, for an increase of plasma current at the same density, the spectra broaden and become asymmetric. Some parametric dependencies are shown in this paper.« less

Acute effects of repeated bouts of aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness after glucose ingestion.

PubMed

Kobayashi, Ryota; Hashimoto, Yuto; Hatakeyama, Hiroyuki; Okamoto, Takanobu

2018-03-22

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute repeated bouts of aerobic exercise decrease leg arterial stiffness. However, the influence of repeated bouts of aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness after glucose ingestion is unknown. The present study investigates the acute effects of repeated bouts of aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness after the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Ten healthy young men (age, 23.2 ± 0.9 years) performed repeated bouts of aerobic exercise trial (RE, 65% peak oxygen uptake; two 15 min bouts of cycling performed 20 min apart) and control trial (CON, seated and resting in a quiet room) at 80 min before the 75-g OGTT on separate days in a randomized, controlled crossover fashion. Carotid-femoral (aortic) and femoral-ankle (leg) pulse wave velocity, carotid augmentation index, brachial and ankle blood pressure, heart rate and blood glucose and insulin levels were measured before (baseline) and 30, 60 and 120 min after the 75-g OGTT. Leg pulse wave velocity, ankle systolic blood pressure and blood glucose levels increased from baseline after the 75-g OGTT in the CON trial, but not in the RE trial. The present findings indicate that acute repeated bouts of aerobic exercise before glucose ingestion suppress increases in leg arterial stiffness following glucose ingestion. RE trial repeated bouts of aerobic exercise trial; CON trial control trial; BG blood glucose; VO 2peak peak oxygen uptake; PWV Pulse wave velocity; AIx carotid augmentation index; BP blood pressure; HR heart rate; CVs coefficients of variation; RPE Ratings of perceived exertion; SE standard error.

Spectral broadening measurement of the lower hybrid waves during long pulse operation in Tore Supra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berger-By, G.; Decampy, J.; Antar, G. Y.; Goniche, M.; Ekedahl, A.; Delpech, L.; Leroux, F.; Tore Supra Team

2014-02-01

On many tokamaks (C-Mod, EAST, FTU, JET, HT-7, TS), a decrease in current drive efficiency of the Lower Hybrid (LH) waves is observed in high electron density plasmas. The cause of this behaviour is believed to be: Parametric Instabilities (PI) and Scattering from Density Fluctuations (SDF). For the ITER LH system, our knowledge must be improved to avoid such effects and to maintain the LH current drive efficiency at high density. The ITPA IOS group coordinates this effort [1] and all experimental data are essential to validate the numerical codes in progress. Usually the broadening of the LH wave frequency spectrum is measured by a probe located in the plasma edge. For this study, the frequency spectrum of a reflected power signal from the LH antenna was used. In addition, the spectrum measurements are compared with the density fluctuations observed on RF probes located at the antenna mouth. Several plasma currents (0.6 to 1.4 MA) and densities up to 5.2 × 1019 m-3 have been realised on Tore Supra (TS) long pulses and with high injected RF power, up to 5.4 MW-30s. This allowed using a spectrum analyser to make several measurements during the plasma pulse. The side lobe amplitude, shifted by 20-30MHz with respect to the main peak, grows with increasing density. Furthermore, for an increase of plasma current at the same density, the spectra broaden and become asymmetric. Some parametric dependencies are shown in this paper.

Cross-Shore Exchange on Natural Beaches

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-01

87   Figure 2.   Wave conditions measured by the ADCP in 13 m water depth of (a) root- mean-square wave height Hrms...horizontal velocity, Umean, measured in the reference level, ∑Tsig,pulse T3−hour ∑Tsig,pulse T3−hour xi (e) local water depth, h, and (f) local root...mean-square wave height normalized by the local water depth, Hrms/h, measured by ADCPin (blue) and ADCPout (red) during the 3HRLTs. Colored lines

Propulsion system ignition overpressure for the Space Shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, R. S.; Jones, J. H.; Guest, S. H.; Struck, H. G.; Rheinfurth, M. H.; Verferaime, V. S.

1981-01-01

Liquid and solid rocket motor propulsion systems create an overpressure wave during ignition, caused by the accelerating gas particles pushing against or displacing the air contained in the launch pad or launch facility and by the afterburning of the fuel-rich gases. This wave behaves as a blast or shock wave characterized by a positive triangular-shaped first pulse and a negative half-sine wave second pulse. The pulse travels up the space vehicle and has the potential of either overloading individual elements or exciting overall vehicle dynamics. The latter effect results from the phasing difference of the wave from one side of the vehicle to the other. This overpressure phasing, or delta P environment, because of its frequency content as well as amplitude, becomes a design driver for certain panels (e.g., thermal shields) and payloads for the Space Shuttle. The history of overpressure effects on the Space Shuttle, the basic overpressure phenomenon, Space Shuttle overpressure environment, scale model overpressure testing, and techniques for suppressing the overpressure environments are considered.

Areal Mass Oscillations in Planar Targets Due to Feedout: Theory and Simulations.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Velikovich, A. L.; Schmitt, A. J.; Karasik, M.; Obenschain, S. P.; Serlin, V.; Pawley, C. J.; Gardner, J. H.; Aglitskiy, Y.; Metzler, N.

2001-10-01

When a planar shock wave breaks out at a rippled rear surface of a laser-driven target, the lateral pressure gradient in a rippled rarefaction wave propagating back to the front surface causes a lateral mass redistribution that reverses the phase of mass variation. If the driving laser pulse has no foot, then the RT growth, starting when the rarefaction wave reaches the front surface, causes the second phase reversal of mass variation, and continues at the initial phase, as consistently observed in feedout experiments on Nike. A foot of the laser pulse can cause an early phase reversal of mass variation, making the strong shock wave driven by the main pulse interact with a density variation in a rippled rarefaction wave rather than with static rear surface ripples. Theory and simulations predict that this interaction can make the phase of mass variation reverse one or three times. Then the phase of the RT growing mode would be opposite to that of the initial mass variation.

Numerical Study of Wave Propagation in a Non-Uniform Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Povitsky, Alex; Bushnell, Dennis M. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

The propagation of acoustic waves originating from cylindrical and spherical pulses, in a non-uniform mean flow, and in the presence of a reflecting wall is investigated by Hardin and Pope approach using compact approximation of spatial derivatives. The 2-D and 3-D stagnation flows and a flow around a cylinder are taken as prototypes of real world flows with strong gradients of mean pressure and velocity. The intensity and directivity of acoustic wave patterns appear to be quite different from the benchmark solutions obtained in a static environment for the same geometry. The physical reasons for amplification and weakening of sound are discussed in terms of dynamics of wave profile and redistribution of acoustic energy and its potential and kinetic components. For an acoustic wave in the flow around a cylinder, the observed mean acoustic pressure is approximately doubled (upstream pulse position) and halved (downstream pulse position) in comparison with the sound propagation in static ambient conditions.

Generalized dispersive wave emission in nonlinear fiber optics.

PubMed

Webb, K E; Xu, Y Q; Erkintalo, M; Murdoch, S G

2013-01-15

We show that the emission of dispersive waves in nonlinear fiber optics is not limited to soliton-like pulses propagating in the anomalous dispersion regime. We demonstrate, both numerically and experimentally, that pulses propagating in the normal dispersion regime can excite resonant dispersive radiation across the zero-dispersion wavelength into the anomalous regime.

Cerebrovascular Damage Mediates Relations Between Aortic Stiffness and Memory.

PubMed

Cooper, Leroy L; Woodard, Todd; Sigurdsson, Sigurdur; van Buchem, Mark A; Torjesen, Alyssa A; Inker, Lesley A; Aspelund, Thor; Eiriksdottir, Gudny; Harris, Tamara B; Gudnason, Vilmundur; Launer, Lenore J; Mitchell, Gary F

2016-01-01

Aortic stiffness is associated with cognitive decline. Here, we examined the association between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and cognitive function and investigated whether cerebrovascular remodeling and parenchymal small vessel disease damage mediate the relation. Analyses were based on 1820 (60% women) participants in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study. Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for vascular and demographic confounders showed that higher carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was related to lower memory score (standardized β: -0.071±0.023; P=0.002). Cerebrovascular resistance and white matter hyperintensities were each associated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and memory (P<0.05). Together, cerebrovascular resistance and white matter hyperintensities (total indirect effect: -0.029; 95% CI, -0.043 to -0.017) attenuated the direct relation between carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and memory (direct effect: -0.042; 95% CI, -0.087 to 0.003; P=0.07) and explained ≈41% of the observed effect. Our results suggest that in older adults, associations between aortic stiffness and memory are mediated by pathways that include cerebral microvascular remodeling and microvascular parenchymal damage. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

Directional spectra of ocean waves from microwave backscatter: A physical optics solution with application to the short-pulse and two-frequency measurement techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, F. C.

1979-01-01

Two simple microwave radar techniques that are potentially capable of providing routine satellite measurements of the directional spectrum of ocean waves were developed. One technique, the short pulse technique, makes use of very short pulses to resolve ocean surface wave contrast features in the range direction; the other technique, the two frequency correlation technique makes use of coherency in the transmitted waveform to detect the large ocean wave contrast modulation as a beat or mixing frequency in the power backscattered at two closely separated microwave frequencies. A frequency domain analysis of the short pulse and two frequency systems shows that the two measurement systems are essentially duals; they each operate on the generalized (three frequency) fourth-order statistical moment of the surface transfer function in different, but symmetrical ways, and they both measure the same directional contrast modulation spectrum. A three dimensional physical optics solution for the fourth-order moment was obtained for backscatter in the near vertical, specular regime, assuming Gaussian surface statistics.

Interaction of excitable waves emitted from two defects by pulsed electric fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jiang-Xing; Zhang, Han; Qiao, Li-Yan; Liang, Hong; Sun, Wei-Gang

2018-01-01

In response to a pulsed electric field, spatial distributed heterogeneities in excitable media can serve as nucleation sites for the generation of intramural electrical waves, a phenomenon called as ;wave emission from heterogeneities; (WEH effect). Heterogeneities in cardiac tissue strongly influence each other in the WEH effect. We study the WEH effect in a medium possessing two defects. The role of two defects and their interaction by pulsed DC electric fields (DEF) and rotating electric fields (REF) are investigated. The direction of the applied electric field plays a major role not only in the minimum electrical field necessary to originate wave propagation, but also in the degree of influences of nearby defects. The distance between two defects, i.e. the density of defects, also play an important role in the WEH effect. Generally, the REF is better than the DEF when pulsed electric fields are applied. These results may contribute to the improved application of WEH, especially in older patients with fibrosis and scarring, which are accompanied by a higher incidence of conductivity discontinuities.

A Skin-attachable Flexible Piezoelectric Pulse Wave Energy Harvester

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, Sunghyun; Cho, Young-Ho

2014-11-01

We present a flexible piezoelectric generator, capable to harvest energy from human arterial pulse wave on the human wrist. Special features and advantages of the flexible piezoelectric generator include the multi-layer device design with contact windows and the simple fabrication process for the higher flexibility with the better energy harvesting efficiency. We have demonstrated the design effectiveness and the process simplicity of our skin- attachable flexible piezoelectric pulse wave energy harvester, composed of the sensitive P(VDF-TrFE) piezoelectric layer on the flexible polyimide support layer with windows. We experimentally characterize and demonstrate the energy harvesting capability of 0.2~1.0μW in the Human heart rate range on the skin contact area of 3.71cm2. Additional physiological and/or vital signal monitoring devices can be fabricated and integrated on the skin attachable flexible generator, covered by an insulation layer; thus demonstrating the potentials and advantages of the present device for such applications to the flexible multi-functional selfpowered artificial skins, capable to detect physiological and/or vital signals on Human skin using the energy harvested from arterial pulse waves.

Broadband millimeter-wave GaAs transmitters and receivers using planar bow-tie antennas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Konishi, Y.; Kamegawa, M.; Case, M.; Yu, R.; Rodwell, M. J. W.; York, R. A.; Rutledge, D. B.

1992-01-01

We report broadband monolithic transmitters and receivers IC's for mm-wave electromagnetic measurements. The IC's use nonlinear transmission lines (NLTL) and sampling circuits as picosecond pulse generators and detectors. The pulses are radiated and received by planar monolithic bow-tie antennas, collimated with silicon substrate lenses and off-axis parabolic reflectors. Through Fourier transformation of the received pulse, 30-250 GHz free space gain-frequency measurements are demonstrated with an accuracy approximately = 0.17 dB, RMS.

Laser absorption waves in metallic capillaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anisimov, V. N.; Arutiunian, R. V.; Bol'Shov, L. A.; Kanevskii, M. F.; Kondrashov, V. V.

1987-07-01

The propagation of laser absorption waves in metallic capillaries was studied experimentally and numerically during pulsed exposure to CO2 laser radiation. The dependence of the plasma front propagation rate on the initial air pressure in the capillary is determined. In a broad range of parameters, the formation time of the optically opaque plasma layer is governed by the total laser pulse energy from the beginning of the exposure to the instant screening appears, and is weakly dependent on the pulse shape and gas pressure.

Tunable error-free optical frequency conversion of a 4ps optical short pulse over 25 nm by four-wave mixing in a polarisation-maintaining optical fibre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morioka, T.; Kawanishi, S.; Saruwatari, M.

1994-05-01

Error-free, tunable optical frequency conversion of a transform-limited 4.0 ps optical pulse signalis demonstrated at 6.3 Gbit/s using four-wave mixing in a polarization-maintaining optical fibre. The process generates 4.0-4.6 ps pulses over a 25nm range with time-bandwidth products of 0.31-0.43 and conversion power penalties of less than 1.5 dB.

Generation of an incident focused light pulse in FDTD.

PubMed

Capoğlu, Ilker R; Taflove, Allen; Backman, Vadim

2008-11-10

A straightforward procedure is described for accurately creating an incident focused light pulse in the 3-D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) electromagnetic simulation of the image space of an aplanatic converging lens. In this procedure, the focused light pulse is approximated by a finite sum of plane waves, and each plane wave is introduced into the FDTD simulation grid using the total-field/scattered-field (TF/SF) approach. The accuracy of our results is demonstrated by comparison with exact theoretical formulas.

Generation of an incident focused light pulse in FDTD

PubMed Central

Çapoğlu, İlker R.; Taflove, Allen; Backman, Vadim

2009-01-01

A straightforward procedure is described for accurately creating an incident focused light pulse in the 3-D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) electromagnetic simulation of the image space of an aplanatic converging lens. In this procedure, the focused light pulse is approximated by a finite sum of plane waves, and each plane wave is introduced into the FDTD simulation grid using the total-field/scattered-field (TF/SF) approach. The accuracy of our results is demonstrated by comparison with exact theoretical formulas. PMID:19582013

Effect of positive pulse charge waveforms on the energy efficiency of lead-acid traction cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smithrick, J. J.

1981-01-01

The effects of four different charge methods on the energy conversion efficiency of 300 ampere hour lead acid traction cells were investigated. Three of the methods were positive pulse charge waveforms; the fourth, a constant current method, was used as a baseline of comparison. The positive pulse charge waveforms were: 120 Hz full wave rectified sinusoidal; 120 Hz silicon controlled rectified; and 1 kHz square wave. The constant current charger was set at the time average pulse current of each pulse waveform, which was 150 amps. The energy efficiency does not include charger losses. The lead acid traction cells were charged to 70 percent of rated ampere hour capacity in each case. The results of charging the cells using the three different pulse charge waveforms indicate there was no significant difference in energy conversion efficiency when compared to constant current charging at the time average pulse current value.

Artificial Intelligence Estimation of Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity using Carotid Waveform.

PubMed

Tavallali, Peyman; Razavi, Marianne; Pahlevan, Niema M

2018-01-17

In this article, we offer an artificial intelligence method to estimate the carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) non-invasively from one uncalibrated carotid waveform measured by tonometry and few routine clinical variables. Since the signal processing inputs to this machine learning algorithm are sensor agnostic, the presented method can accompany any medical instrument that provides a calibrated or uncalibrated carotid pressure waveform. Our results show that, for an unseen hold back test set population in the age range of 20 to 69, our model can estimate PWV with a Root-Mean-Square Error (RMSE) of 1.12 m/sec compared to the reference method. The results convey the fact that this model is a reliable surrogate of PWV. Our study also showed that estimated PWV was significantly associated with an increased risk of CVDs.

Maternal arterial elasticity in the first trimester as a predictor of birthweight.

PubMed

O'Connor, Clare; O'Higgins, Amy; Segurado, Ricardo; Turner, Michael J; Stuart, Bernard; Kennelly, Máireád M

2016-07-01

The early detection of foetal growth restriction and macrosomia is an important goal of modern obstetric care. Aberrant foetal growth is an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Current modalities for detecting the abnormal foetal growth are often inadequate. Pulse wave analysis using applanation tonometry is a simple and non-invasive test that provides information about the cardiovascular system. Arterial elasticity has previously been implicated in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia and cardiovascular disease. Our study examined the relationship between maternal arterial elasticity and birthweight by using pulse wave analysis. We discovered that increased large artery elasticity predicted a larger baby at birth. Large artery elasticity therefore has the potential to act as a useful screening tool which may help in the prediction of women who are at risk of aberrant foetal growth.