Beat Frequency Research Articles

Under the sea: How can we use heart rate and accelerometers to remotely assess fish welfare in salmon aquaculture?

Recent advances in bio-sensing technologies open for new possibilities to monitor and safeguard the welfare of fishes in aquaculture. Yet before taken into practice, the applicability of all novel biosensors must be validated, and the breadth of their potential uses must be investigated. Here, we investigated how ECG and accelerometry-derived parameters measured using bio-loggers, such as heart rate, acceleration and variance of acceleration, relate to O2 consumption rate (MO2) and blood borne indicators of stress and tissue damage to determine how biologgers may be used to estimate stress and welfare. To do this, we instrumented 13 fish with a biologger and an intravascular catheter and subjected them to a swimming protocol followed by a stress protocol throughout which the physiological parameters were measured and analyzed a posteriori. Additionally, based on the empirical data obtained, we calculated the mathematical relationships between the bio-logger data and the other parameters and tested the relationship between the calculated parameters using the linear regression algorithms and the measured parameters. Our results show that acceleration is a good proxy for swimming activity as it is closely related to tail beat frequency. In addition, we show that heart rate, acceleration and variance of acceleration all can be used as predictors for metabolic rate. Accelerometry based data, especially variance of acceleration, significantly explain some of the variation in venous partial pressure of O2, blood lactate and plasma cortisol concentration. Variance of acceleration also significantly explains some of the variation in pH and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. These relationships are explained by variance of acceleration being a good indicator of the onset of burst-swimming activity, which is often followed by acid-base imbalances and release of catecholamines. The results herein indicate that bio-logger data can be used to extrapolate a range of stress-related physiological events when these are accompanied by increases in activity and highlight the great potential of biosensors for monitoring fish welfare.

De-noising of microwave reflectometry signal using maximal overlap discrete wavelet packet transform for plasma density measurement

For microwave reflectometry-based fusion plasma diagnostics, the acquired data is contaminated by the surrounding noise environment, making it difficult to measure the beat frequency accurately. Discrete wavelet and wavelet packet transforms are unsuitable as the former cannot decompose detailed coefficients, and the latter is a time-variant transform. This paper presents a correlation-based Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Packet Transform (MODWPT), which decomposes the signal using different mother wavelet families. The suitable mother wavelet is chosen based on the metrics like signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), mean squared error (MSE), and mean absolute error (MAE). The data used for analysis is the stationary tokamak wall, for which the beat frequency and distance are measured. After rigorous analysis, it is found that sym12 outperforms with the following values 0.0493 (MSE), 0.1736 (MAE), 4.3334(SNR(dB)), 13.0634(PSNR(dB)) respectively. This technique can be extended to plasma scenarios for accurately measuring beat frequency and density profile.

Temporal Stability of Ciliary Beating Post Nasal Brushing, Modulated by Storage Temperature.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a heterogeneous, inherited motile ciliopathy in which respiratory cilia beat abnormally, and some ultrastructural ciliary defects and specific genetic mutations have been associated with particular ciliary beating alterations. Ciliary beating can be evaluated using digital high-speed videomicroscopy (DHSV). However, normal reference values, essential to assess ciliary beating in patients referred for a PCD diagnostic, vary between centres, as minor variations in protocols might influence ciliary beating. Consequently, establishment of normal values is essential for each PCD diagnostic centre. We aimed to evaluate whether delay after sampling, and temperature for conservation of respiratory ciliated samples, might modify assessments of ciliary beating. In total, 37 healthy nasal brushing samples of respiratory ciliated epithelia were collected. Video sequences were recorded at 37 °C immediately using DHSV. Then, the samples were divided and conserved at 4 °C or at room temperature (RT). Ciliated beating edges were then recorded at 37 °C, at 3 h and at 9 h post sampling. In six samples, recordings were continued up to 72 h after sampling. Ciliary beating was assessed manually by ciliary beat frequency (CBFM) and ciliary beat pattern (CBP). A semi-automatic software was used for quantitative analysis. Both CBF and CBP evaluated manually and by a semi-automated method were stable 9 h after sampling. CBFM was higher when evaluated using samples stored at RT than at 4 °C. CBP and the semi-automated evaluation of ciliary beating were not affected by storage temperature. When establishing normal references values, ciliary beating can be evaluated at 37 °C up to 9 h after nasal brushing, but the storage temperature modifies ciliary beating and needs to be controlled.

Probe Response of an Optomechanical System with Optomechanical Coupling Modulated Periodically

AbstractIn this study, the probe response of a cavity optomechanical system with periodic modulation of the optomechanical coupling is investigated. The modulation arises from the beat effect between two external coherent driving lights, with the beat frequency matching the modulation frequency. The transmission coefficient is derived for the probe field and significant amplification, rather than absorption in the conventional optomechanically induced transparency schemes, is observed near the transparent point when the modulation is introduced. In addition, the coupling modulation can also enhance the slow light effect.

Mechanoresponses mediated by the TRP11 channel in cilia of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Cilia are organelles involved in motility and sensory transduction, but how these two functions coexist has not been elucidated in depth. Here, the involvement of the ciliary transient receptor potential (TRP) channel TRP11 in mechanoresponses is studied in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii using a TRP11-knockout mutant. The mutant has defects in the conversion of the bending mode of the cilium from forward to reverse when tapped with a glass rod, the detachment of cilia when shear is applied, the increase in ciliary beat frequency upon application of mechanical agitation by vortex mixing, and the initiation of gliding while both cilia are attached in opposite directions to a glass surface. These observations indicate that TRP11 can perceive mechanical stimuli with distinct intensities and durations and induce various types of ciliary responses.

Terahertz emission with remarkable efficiency through spherical nanoparticles using dark-hollow-Gaussian beams

Simultaneous tuning of Terahertz (THz) radiation with respect to its frequency, power and focus is still a challenge for the scientific community, because of which its use is lacking in several areas. To achieve such properties, the present work proposes monodisperse graphite nanoparticles (NPs) of spherical shape dispersed in two orthogonal directions with normal vector of their basal planes parallel and perpendicular to the electric field of the dark-hollow-Gaussian beams (DHGBs) used for the generation of THz radiation. The NPs are impinged upon by two DHGBs of slightly different frequencies, which exert a ponderomotive force on the conduction electrons of the NPs. The motion of these electrons under the action of high intensity laser beams constitutes a macroscopic nonlinear current that produces the THz radiation. The well-structured THz emission occurs with the efficiency reaching 10−2 when the NPs resonate with the beating frequency, and they are arranged in their parallel orientations with respect to the electric field of the lasers. The proposal and the obtained results will contribute to the THz science and technology along with their use in medical science and THz time-domain spectroscopy.

Study on the performance of injection-locked single-loop optoelectronic oscillators in presence of additive white Gaussian noise

Abstract This paper presents a detailed study on the synchronization characteristics of a single-loop optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) under the influence of radiofrequency (RF) signal, which is contaminated with additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The influence of the AWGN on the performance of the injection-locked optoelectronic oscillator (IL-OEO) is investigated in terms of the probability of losing lock, average beat frequency, and frequency of skipping cycles. Fokker–Planck technique is utilized to derive the expression for the probability density function (PDF) of the phase difference between the injection RF signal and the OEO output signal. The probability of losing lock on the two sides of the IL-OEO oscillation frequency and the frequency of skipping cycles are calculated in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). An expression for the phase noise spectrum of the IL-OEO is also presented. The analytical model predicts the phase noise of the IL-OEO at very low offset frequencies with the accuracy rate of 75 %, in the presence of AWGN. Experimental verifications are carried out to prove the validity of the proposed analytical model.

Red ginseng aqueous extract improves mucociliary transport dysfunction and histopathology in CF rat airways

BackgroundWe previously discovered that Korean red ginseng aqueous extract (RGAE) potentiates the TMEM16A channel, improved mucociliary transport (MCT) parameters in CF nasal epithelia in vitro, and thus could serve as a therapeutic strategy to rescue the MCT defect in cystic fibrosis (CF) airways. The hypothesis of this study is that RGAE can improve epithelial Cl− secretion, MCT, and histopathology in an in-vivo CF rat model. MethodsSeventeen 4-month old CFTR–/– rats were randomly assigned to receive daily oral control (saline, n = 9) or RGAE (Ginsenosides 0.4mg/kg/daily, n = 8) for 4 weeks. Outcomes included nasal Cl− secretion measured with the nasal potential difference (NPD), functional microanatomy of the trachea using micro-optical coherence tomography, histopathology, and immunohistochemical staining for TMEM16a. ResultsRGAE-treated CF rats had greater mean NPD polarization with UTP (control = -5.48 +/- 2.87 mV, RGAE = -9.49 +/- 2.99 mV, p < 0.05), indicating, at least in part, potentiation of UTP-mediated Cl− secretion through TMEM16A. All measured tracheal MCT parameters (airway surface liquid, periciliary liquid, ciliary beat frequency, MCT) were significantly increased in RGAE-treated CF rats with MCT exhibiting a 3-fold increase (control, 0.45+/-0.31 vs. RGAE, 1.45+/-0.66 mm/min, p < 0.01). Maxillary mucosa histopathology was markedly improved in RGAE-treated cohort (reduced intracellular mucus, goblet cells with no distention, and shorter epithelial height). TMEM16A expression was similar between groups. ConclusionRGAE improves TMEM16A-mediated transepithelial Cl− secretion, functional microanatomy, and histopathology in CF rats. Therapeutic strategies utilizing TMEM16A potentiators to treat CF airway disease are appropriate and provide a new avenue for mutation-independent therapies.

Scaling the tail beat frequency and swimming speed in underwater undulatory swimming

Undulatory swimming is the predominant form of locomotion in aquatic vertebrates. A myriad of animals of different species and sizes oscillate their bodies to propel themselves in aquatic environments with swimming speed scaling as the product of the animal length by the oscillation frequency. Although frequency tuning is the primary means by which a swimmer selects its speed, there is no consensus on the mechanisms involved. In this article, we propose scaling laws for undulatory swimmers that relate oscillation frequency to length by taking into account both the biological characteristics of the muscles and the interaction of the moving swimmer with its environment. Results are supported by an extensive literature review including approximately 1200 individuals of different species, sizes and swimming environments. We highlight a crossover in size around 0.5–1 m. Below this value, the frequency can be tuned between 2–20 Hz due to biological constraints and the interplay between slow and fast muscles. Above this value, the fluid-swimmer interaction must be taken into account and the frequency is inversely proportional to the length of the animal. This approach predicts a maximum swimming speed around 5–10 m.s−1 for large swimmers, consistent with the threshold to prevent bubble cavitation.

Sub-kHz-linewidth laser generation by self-injection locked distributed feedback fiber laser

We presented an integrated all-fiber sub-kHz-linewidth distributed feedback fiber laser (DFB-FL) assisted by self- injection locking. A π phase-shifted fiber Bragg grating (π-FBG) was employed to achieve single longitudinal mode operation, which was UV-inscribed in Er/Yb co-doped fiber with super-Gaussian apodization profile. The experiment results have shown that the apodized π-FBG based laser cavity has got the higher slope efficiency and the narrower linewidth, compared with the normal grating, which are consistent with the simulation one very well. To further compress the linewidth, we have employed the self-injection locking mechanism, which the linewidth of output laser could reach to around 350 Hz with 10-m delay fiber. After integrated encapsulation, the relative intensity noise (RIN) peak of the DFB-FL was reduced to below −125 dB/Hz. The beat frequency fluctuation was less than 15 MHz within 1000 s and power fluctuation was less than 1% in 7 h.

Naringenin attenuated airway cilia structural and functional injury induced by cigarette smoke extract via IL-17 and cAMP pathways

BackgroundCigarette smoke impairs mucociliary clearance via mechanisms such as inflammatory response and oxidative injury, which in turn induces various respiratory diseases. Naringenin, a naturally occurring flavonoid in grapes and grapefruit, has exhibited pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antioxidant properties. However, it is still unclear whether naringenin protects airway cilia from injury caused by cigarette smoke. PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the effect of naringenin on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced structural and functional abnormalities in airway cilia and highlight the potential regulatory mechanism. MethodsInitially, network pharmacology was used to predict the mechanism of action of naringenin in ciliary disease. Next, HE staining, immunofluorescence, TEM, qRT-PCR, western blot, and ELISA were performed to assess the effects of naringenin on airway cilia in tracheal rings and air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of Sprague Dawley rats after co-exposure to CSE (10% or 20%) and naringenin (0, 25, 50, 100 μM) for 24 h. Finally, transcriptomics and molecular biotechnology methods were conducted to elucidate the mechanism by which naringenin protected cilia from CSE-induced damage in ALI cultures. ResultsThe targets of ciliary diseases regulated by naringenin were significantly enriched in inflammation and oxidative stress pathways. Also, the CSE decreased the number of cilia in the tracheal rings and ALI cultures and reduced the ciliary beat frequency (CBF). However, naringenin prevented CSE-induced cilia damage via mechanisms such as the downregulation of cilia-related genes (e.g., RFX3, DNAI1, DNAH5, IFT88) and ciliary marker proteins such as DNAI2, FOXJ1, and β-tubulin IV, the upregulation of inflammatory factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-8, IL-13), ROS and MDA. IL-17 signaling pathway might be involved in the protective effect of naringenin on airway cilia. Additionally, the cAMP signaling pathway might also be related to the enhancement of CBF by naringenin. ConclusionIn this study, we first found that naringenin reduces CSE-induced structural disruption of airway cilia in part via modulation of the IL-17 signaling pathway. Furthermore, we also found that naringenin enhances CBF by activating the cAMP signaling pathway. This is the first report to reveal the beneficial effects of naringenin on airway cilia and the potential underlying mechanisms.

Effect of temporal interference electrical stimulation on phasic dopamine release in the striatum

BackgroundTemporal interference stimulation (TIS) is a neuromodulation technique that could stimulate deep brain regions by inducing interfering electrical signals based on high-frequency electrical stimulations of multiple electrode pairs from outside the brain. Despite numerous TIS studies, however, there has been limited investigation into the neurochemical effects of TIS. ObjectiveWe performed two experiments to investigate the effect of TIS on the medial forebrain bundle (MFB)-evoked phasic dopamine (DA) response. MethodsIn the first experiment, we applied TIS next to a carbon fiber microelectrode (CFM) to examine the modulation of the MFB-evoked phasic DA response in the striatum (STr). Beat frequencies and intensities of TIS were 0, 2, 6, 10, 20, 60, 130 Hz and 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 μA. In the second experiment, we examined the effect of TIS with a 2 Hz beat frequency (based on the first experiment) on MFB-evoked phasic DA release when applied above the cortex (with a simulation-based stimulation site targeting the striatum). We employed 0 Hz and 2 Hz beat frequencies and a control condition without stimulation. ResultsIn the first experiment, TIS with a beat frequency of 2 Hz and an intensity of 400 μA or greater decreased MFB-evoked phasic DA release by roughly 40%, which continued until the experiment's end. In contrast, TIS at beat frequencies other than 2 Hz and intensities less than 400 μA did not affect MFB-evoked phasic DA release. In the second experiment, TIS with a 2 Hz beat frequency decreased only the MFB-evoked phasic DA response, but the reduction in DA release was not sustained. ConclusionsSTr-applied and cortex-applied TIS with delta frequency dampens evoked phasic DA release in the STr. These findings demonstrate that TIS could influence the neurochemical modulation of the brain.

Simulation and Implementation of Signal Processing for LFM Radar Using DSK 6713

This research aims to propose a comprehensive simulation and implementation methodology for LFM (Linear Frequency Modulated) Radar Signal Processing and its application, using digital signal processing techniques on the DSP Starter Kit (DSK) 6713 board. The motivation behind this study is to develop control software based on MATLAB R14 and SIMULINK to model various system software tasks, including detection, A/D conversion, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), modulation, accumulation, decision-making, and target detection. The simulations are categorized into two groups: ideal beat frequency and parameterized beat frequency. We introduce several important terminologies for consideration, including pulse compression, SNR, matched filter, Doppler effect, and more. The use of real-time data exchange (RTDX) will facilitate the generation of input data and enable real-time calculations for outputs, leading to the creation of machine code for the DSP chip. This process aims to ensure data verification calculations and enhance the credibility and performance of the proposed methodology. By conducting thorough simulations, verification, and practical testing, the study demonstrates the satisfactory credibility and performance of the developed method. Using this research, we aim to contribute to the advancement of LFM Radar Signal Processing and enable its efficient implementation using digital signal processing techniques on the DSP Starter Kit (DSK) 6713 board.

Determining the parameters of the oil film on the sea surface using remote sensing data

Oil spill accidents have gradually increased due to the continuous development of marine transportation and petroleum processing industries. Monitoring and managing marine oil spills present important economic, social, and practical implications in preventing offshore oil pollution and maintaining ecological balance.&#x0D; Remote sensing technologies play an increasingly important role in accurate detection and monitoring of oil spill slicks, assisting scientists in forecasting their trajectories, developing clean-up plans, taking timely and urgent actions, and applying effective treatments to contain and alleviate adverse effects.&#x0D; A method is proposed for remote sensing of an oil film on the sea surface based on irradiation with frequency-modulated laser radiation with a linear dependence of frequency on time. According to the spectrum of temporal changes in the intensity of the radiation reflected by the surface, the average thickness of the oil film, the distribution function of the oil film thickness, and the volume of spilled oil are determined.&#x0D; Taking into account the possibility of registering beat frequencies from fractions of a hertz to megahertz with modern instruments, we can talk about the possibility of measuring oil thicknesses from hundreds of angstroms to tens of meters using the proposed method of remote sensing. The method also makes it possible to additionally determine the thickness distribution function and the volume of spilled oil.&#x0D; The method proposed in this study has obvious advantages in terms of small sample size and processing efficiency and has great application potential in the field of maritime supervision.

On the influence of head motion on the swimming kinematics of robotic fish.

Up to now bio-inspired fish-mimicking robots fail when competing with the swimming performance of real fish. While tail motion has been studied extensively, the influence of the head motion is still not fully understood and its active control is challenging. In this experimental study, we show that head yawing strongly impacts on the propulsion force and determines the optimal fin actuation amplitude and tail beat frequency when aiming for a maximal propulsion force. In a parametric experimental study on a tethered 367 mm long fish robot the pivot point location of the head yaw has been varied along with tail beat frequency and actuation amplitude. The experiments took place in a still water tank and the swimming force has been measured with a single axis load cell. The robot is actuated with non-conventional area actuators based on micro fiber composites. 105 parameter sets have been investigated while the highest pivot point distance of roughly 0.36 body length from the nose tip provided the highest propulsion force of 500 mN with the lowest actuation frequency of 2.5 Hz and the highest head motion amplitude of a magnitude of 0.18 body length. Even though the pivot point location on a free swimming robot is a consequence of the complex fluid-structure interactions of fish and fluid, the results provide valuable information for the design of fish mimicking robots and questions the paradigm that head yaw is a simple recoil effect from tail motion and has to be minimized for an effective propulsion.

Influence of Diameter and Cyclic Mechanical Stimulation on the Beating Frequency of Myocardial Cell-Laden Fibers.

Atrioventricular block (AVB) is a severe disease for pediatric patients. The repetitive operations needed in the case of the pacemaker implantation to maintain the electrical signal at the atrioventricular node (AVN) affect the patient's life quality. In this study, we present a method of biofabrication of multi-cell-laden cylindrical fibrin-based fibers that can restore the electrical signal at the AVN. We used human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells (HUVSMCs), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) cultivated either statically or dynamically to mimic the native AVN. We investigated the influence of cell composition, construct diameter and cyclic stretch on the function of the fibrin hydrogels in vitro. Immunohistochemistry analyses showed the maturity of the iPSC-CMs in the constructs through the expression of sarcomeric alpha actinin (SAA) and electrical coupling through Connexin 43 (Cx43) signal. Simultaneously, the beating frequency of the fibrin hydrogels was higher and easy to maintain whereas the concentration of iPSC-CMs was higher compared with the other types of cylindrical constructs. In total, our study highlights that the combination of fibrin with the cell mixture and geometry is offering a feasible biofabrication method for tissue engineering approaches for the treatment of AVB.

Optical fiber temperature sensor based on beat frequency and Vernier effect of fiber ring resonator composite cavity

A fiber temperature sensing scheme based on beat frequency and Vernier effect of fiber ring resonator (FRR) with composite cavity is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The optical FRR as a sensor is put into the linear cavity fiber laser, and Vernier effect is generated when the resonance spectrum of the optical FRR and the longitudinal mode of the laser are superimposed. The beat frequency envelope spectrum corresponding to the longitudinal mode Vernier spectrum is used to realize fiber ring sensing in electrical domain, and the sensing information is obtained by tracing the envelope of beat frequency signal, which has the advantages of stable system, simple structure, low cost and high sensitivity.

Amyloid-β slows cilia movement along the ventricle, impairs fluid flow, and exacerbates its neurotoxicity in explant culture

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by extensive and selective death of neurons and deterioration of synapses and circuits in the brain. The Aβ1–42 concentration is higher in an AD brain than in cognitively normal elderly individuals, and Aβ1–42 exhibits neurotoxicity. Brain-derived Aβ is transported into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and CSF flow is driven in part by the beating of cilia and CSF secretion into ventricles. Ventricles are lined with ependyma whose apical surface is covered with motile cilia. Herein, we constructed an experimental system to measure the movement of ependymal cilia and examined the effects of Aβ1–42 to the beating of cilia and neurons. The circadian rhythm of the beating frequency of ependymal cilia was detected using brain wall explant-cultures containing ependymal cilia and neurons; the beating frequency was high at midday and low at midnight. Aβ1–42 decreased the peak frequency of ciliary beating at midday and slightly increased it at midnight. Aβ1–42 exhibited neurotoxicity to neurons on the non-ciliated side of the explant culture, while the neurotoxicity was less evident in neurons on the ciliated side. The neurotoxic effect of Aβ1–42 was diminished when 1 mPa of shear stress was generated using a flow chamber system that mimicked the flow by cilia. These results indicate that Aβ1–42 affects the circadian rhythm of ciliary beating, decreases the medium flow by the cilia-beating, and enhances the neurotoxic action of Aβ1–42 in the brain explant culture.

The Cilialyzer – A freely available open-source software for the analysis of mucociliary activity in respiratory cells

Background and ObjectivePrimary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder causing a defective ciliary structure, which predominantly leads to an impaired mucociliary clearance and associated airway disease. As there is currently no single diagnostic gold standard test, PCD is diagnosed by a combination of several methods comprising genetic testing and the examination of the ciliary structure and function. Among the approved diagnostic methods, only high-speed video microscopy (HSVM) allows to directly observe the ciliary motion and therefore, to directly assess ciliary function. In the present work, we present our recently developed freely available open-source software – termed “Cilialyzer”, which has been specifically designed to support and facilitate the analysis of the mucociliary activity in respiratory epithelial cells captured by high-speed video microscopy. MethodsIn its current state, the Cilialyzer software enables clinical PCD analysts to load, preprocess and replay recorded image sequences as well as videos with a feature-rich replaying module facilitating the commonly performed qualitative visual assessment of ciliary function (including the assessment of the ciliary beat pattern). The image processing methods made accessible through an intuitive user interface allow clinical specialists to comfortably compute the ciliary beating frequency (CBF), the activity map and the “frequency correlation length” – an observable getting newly introduced. Furthermore, the Cilialyzer contains a simple-to-use particle tracking interface to determine the mucociliary transport speed. ResultsCilialyzer is fully written in the Python programming language and freely available under the terms of the MIT license. The proper functioning of the computational analysis methods constituting the Cilialyzer software is demonstrated by using simulated and representative sample data from clinical practice. Additionally, the software was used to analyze high-speed videos showing samples obtained from healthy controls and genetically confirmed PCD cases (DNAI1 and DNAH11 mutations) to show its clinical applicability. ConclusionsCilialyzer serves as a useful clinical tool for PCD analysts and provides new quantitative information awaiting to be clinically evaluated using cohorts of PCD. As Cilialyzer is freely available under the terms of a permissive open-source license, it serves as a ground frame for further development of computational methods aiming at the quantification and automation of the analysis of mucociliary activity captured by HSVM.

Tributyl phosphate can inhibit the feeding behavior of rotifers by altering the axoneme structure, neuronal coordination and energy supply required for motile cilia

Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) are frequently detected in aquatic environments and can potentially amplify the food chain, posing a potential risk to organisms. Marine invertebrates have primitive nervous systems to regulate behavior, but how they respond to OPFRs that are potentially neurotoxic substances is unclear. This study assessed changes in the feeding behavior of rotifer Brachionus plicatilis exposed to alkyl OPFRs tributyl phosphate (TnBP) (0.376 nM, 3.76 and 22.53 µM) to elucidate the mechanism of behavioral toxicity. TnBP at 22.53 μM reduced the ingestion and filtration rates of rotifers for Chlorella vulgaris and Phaeocystis globosa in a 24-h test and altered rotifer-P. globosa population dynamics in 15-d coculture. Ciliary beat frequency was also reduced, and the expression of genes encoding the cilia axoneme was downregulated. TnBP could inhibit rotifer acetylcholinesterase activity by binding this protein and reduce the expression of the exocytotic membrane protein syntaxin-4, suggesting a disorder in nervous regulation of cilia beat. Moreover, TnBP induced abnormal shape and dysfunction of mitochondria, which caused insufficient energy required for ciliary movement. This study revealed diverse neurotoxicity mechanisms of TnBP, particularly as a potentially competing acetylcholinesterase ligand for aquatic invertebrates. Our research also provides a meaningful reference for OPFR-induced behavioral toxicity assessments.