Decline In Amplitude Research Articles

Vibration-Based Fault Diagnosis of Helical Gear Pair With Tooth Surface Wear Considering Time-Varying Friction Coefficient Under Mixed Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Condition

Abstract Based on “slice method,” the improved time-varying mesh stiffness (TVMS) calculation model of helical gear pair with tooth surface wear is proposed, in which the effect of friction force that obtained under mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) is considered in the model. Based on the improved TVMS calculation model, the dynamic model of helical gear system is established, then the influence of tooth wear parameters on the dynamic response is studied. The results illustrate that the varying reduction extents of mesh stiffness along tooth profile under tooth surface wear, in addition, the dynamic response in time-domain and frequency-domain present significant decline in amplitude under deteriorating wear condition.

Effects of frequency-dependent spatial variation in soundscape settlement cues for reef fish larvae

The mechanisms that link reef soundscapes to larval fish settlement behaviors are poorly understood, yet the management of threatened reef communities requires we maintain the recruitment processes that recover and sustain populations. Using a field-calibrated sound propagation model, we predicted the transmission loss in the relevant frequency band as a function of range, depth, and azimuth to estimate the spatial heterogeneity in the acoustic cuescape. The model highlighted the frequency- and depth-dependence of the sound fields fishes may encounter, and we predict these complex spatial patterns influence how sounds function as settlement cues. Both modeling and field measurements supported a non-monotonic decline in amplitude with distance from the reef. We modeled acoustic fields created by sounds at frequencies from 2 common soniferous reef-based animals (snapping shrimps and toadfish) and estimated detection spaces of these sounds for larvae of 2 reef fish species. Results demonstrated that larval depth will influence cue availability and amplitude, and these spatial patterns of detection depend on cue frequency and the larval receiver’s auditory sensitivity. Estimated spatial scales of detection coupled with field measurements suggest cue amplitudes might allow some larvae to detect reef-based sounds at a range exposing them to the predicted spatial variation in the acoustic cuescape. In an individual-based model, cues available to even the shortest modeled distances improved settlement success. Our results emphasize the need to consider the frequency- and depth-dependence of the acoustic cues larval fishes encounter to increase understanding of the role of soundscapes in larval settlement.

Topical Ketotifen Fumarate Inhibits Choroidal Mast Cell Degranulation and Loss of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells in Rat Model for Geographic Atrophy.

PurposeThis study evaluates whether topical ketotifen fumarate (KTF) can prevent geographic atrophy (GA)-like phenotypes in a rat model.MethodsPharmacokinetics (PKs) of KTF after topical administration twice daily for 5 days was analyzed in rat retina, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid/sclera, and in plasma by an liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Rats were then given hydrogel implants +/- 48/80 in the superior subconjunctival space and topically treated with 1% and 0.25% of KTF or phosphate buffer saline (PBS) twice daily. Rats were euthanized at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks postinjection. Choroidal mast cells (MCs) were stained with nonspecific esterase and the RPE monolayer was labeled with RPE65 and ZO-1 in whole mount choroids. Retinal and choroidal areas were determined in cryosections stained with picrosirius red. Dark-adapted electroretinogram (ERG) was also performed to evaluate retinal function.ResultsPK results showed the highest level of KTF (average 5.6 nM/mg) in the RPE/choroid/sclera in rats given topical 1% KTF. Topical 1% KTF significantly reduced choroidal MC degranulation at 1 week and 2 weeks (both P < 0.001) and RPE loss at 4 weeks (P < 0.001) as well as retinal and choroidal thinning (both P < 0.001) and reduction in ERG amplitude at 8 weeks (P < 0.05) compared to PBS. Similar results were obtained with 0.25% KTF.ConclusionsBoth 1% and 0.25% KTF eye drops effectively reduced MC degranulation, RPE loss, and retinal and choroidal thinning while preventing the decline of ERG amplitude in a GA-like rat model. These data suggest that topical KTF might be a new therapeutic drug for treating GA.Translational RelevanceThe results of this study demonstrate that topical KTF successfully reduced GA-like phenotypes in a rat model and may provide a novel therapy for GA.

The aging-related decrease in cVEMP amplitude cannot be accounted for by normalization.

Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (cVEMP) is an electromyogenic measure commonly used in clinic to assess saccule function. The main parameters are peak-peak amplitude and interaural asymmetry ratio (IAR). Several non-vestibular factors may influence these parameters. Notably, a greater EMG contraction level prior to stimulation leads to an increased amplitude. As aging impacts both vestibular structures and muscle propreties, it is still a matter of debate whether the decrease in cVEMP amplitude observed in normal aging is due to EMG differences prior to stimulation or to the effect of aging on the sacculo-collic reflex pathway. At the clinical level, understanding the effect of aging on the relationship between EMG activity and cVEMP response (amplitude, asymmetry ratio) and the effect of normalization is crucial to improving the categorization of healthy versus pathological responses. To investigate whether normalization modifies cVEMP amplitude and asymmetry ratios differently in younger and older heatlhy adults. cVEMP recordings were conducted in 42 normal healthy participants divided in two age groups: younger (n = 29): mean = 22.79 years old SD = 1.66; and older (n = 13): mean = 69.00 years old SD = 3.61. Air-conducted cVEMP were recorded using Eclipse (Interacoustics, Denmark). The stimulus was a 95 dBnHL tone burst (500 Hz) with rise, plateau and fall time of 1 ms. cVEMP were recorded only when EMG levels were between 50μV and 150μV, using the Eclipse (Interacoustic, Denmark) monitoring system. No significant differences were observed for prestimulus EMG levels between younger and older participants (F(1,83) = 1.13, p = 0.291). However, significant differences between groups were observed for raw cVEMP amplitude (F(1,83) = 14.78; p < 0.001) and corrected cVEMP amplitude (F(1,83) = 21.85; p < 0.0001). A significant positive linear relationship between prestimulus EMG contraction level (RMS) and raw cVEMP amplitude was observed in younger participants (r2 = 0.234; p < 0.001), but not in older adults (r2 = -0.0144; p = 0.056). Finally, no significant differences between younger and older participants were observed for raw amplitude asymmetry ratios (F(1,41) = 0.124, p = 0.726) or normalized asymmetry ratios (F(1,41) = 0.726, p = 0.508). Our results suggest that when EMG is monitored and activation of the SCM is sufficient, the observed decline in cVEMP amplitude with normal aging does not seem to be caused by EMG differences and is therefore likely due to the known histopathological modifications of the vestibular system that occurs with normal aging.

Learning to deal with delayed outcomes: EEG oscillatory and slow potentials during the prefeedback interval.

It is well established that the stimulus-preceding negativity (SPN) decreases in amplitude as a task is mastered, a phenomenon generally attributed to the reduction in anticipatory attention as feedback becomes less needed. Typically, the experiments supporting this assumption have used relatively short delays (<3s). However, we found in a previous study that this decline in amplitude, although present during the 2.5-s prefeedback delay of a patterned key-pressing task, was absent with an 8-s delay. We reexamined this finding using a 6-s delay and found that the SPN diminished at frontal sites as participants learned a sequence of four keypress durations, but that this modulation was limited to the early half of the delay (maximum at 2s). Decline of lateralized sensorimotor theta activity across trials was also limited to early portions of the delay. These findings suggest that processes other than anticipatory attention to feedback may be more relevant for explaining SPN diminution. Such processes could include adjustment and maintenance of action-outcome expectancies (e.g., forward models) during the prefeedback interval.

Magnetoencephalography and High-Density Electroencephalography Study of Acoustic Event Related Potentials in Early Stage of Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study on Cognitive Impairment and Fatigue.

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common and disabling symptom of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with a negative impact on daily living. In this pilot study, we applied magnetoencephalography (MEG) and high density (hd) electroencephalography (EEG) study to evaluate acoustic P300 features in a cohort of early MS. Sixteen MS patients (pwMS) and 19 healthy controls (HCs) matched for age and gender underwent an MEG-/(hd)-EEG-co-recording, using 306-channel Vectorview and 64 scalp electrodes. CI was assessed using Rao’s Brief Repeatable Battery (BRB). Moreover, we performed psychometric tests to assess depression and fatigue. In pwMS, we observed a slight latency prolongation of P300 peak compared to HCs, while P300 amplitude and scalp distribution were similar in the two groups. pwMS did not show an amplitude reduction and different scalp distribution of Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) and Event Related Fields (ERFs) related to an acoustic oddball paradigm. We found an inverse correlation between P300 amplitude and fatigue (r Spearman = −0.4; p = 0.019). In pwMS, phenomena of cortical adaptation to early dysfunction could preserve the cognitive performance of the P300 acoustic task, while the development of fatigue could prospectively lead to amplitude decline of P300, suggesting its possible role as a biomarker.

Effect of modified draft tube with inclined conical diffuser on flow instabilities in Francis turbine

When a Francis turbine operates over an extended range of regimes far from the best efficiency point, the formation of a helical precessing vortex rope can lead to reduced efficiency, severe pressure fluctuations, and power swings. Because the existence of a vortex rope limits the operating range of the Francis turbine, it is necessary to adopt certain measures to mitigate the occurrence of vortex ropes and the associated pressure fluctuations, to improve the operating flexibility of the turbine. In the present study, a novel method to mitigate vortex ropes was proposed. This method involves using a modified draft tube with an inclined conical diffuser. Under the operating condition of a 16° Guide Vane Opening, four different inclination angles (from 0° to 24.4°) were investigated to determine the optimal inclination angle. Computational fluid dynamics results demonstrated that an inclination angle of 18.8° was the most effective for hindering the development of strong swirling flow and resulted in a decline in the pressure pulsation amplitude. This angle was later used under three other partial load operating points, and the results were compared with those of a traditional draft tube. The modified draft tube with an inclined conical diffuser exhibited satisfactory and stable performance in terms of reducing the flow instabilities within the draft tube. Based on an analysis of the mechanism for alleviation of the vortex rope, it was concluded that the inclined conical diffuser plays an effective role in reducing the swirling flow in the draft tube and thus destroying the development of the vortex rope. As a result, the proposed approach could be adopted to ameliorate the instability issue in Francis turbines.

On the physiology of cognitive decline in type 1 diabetes

ObjectivesType 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may be associated with cognitive impairment and notably a decline in psychomotor speed, information processing speed and attention. The mechanism for this decline is uncertain. Previous studies by our group and others have demonstrated a decline in EEG-power and event-related potential amplitude in T1DM. The objectives of the present study were to explore whether 1) the association between event-related potential (N100) amplitude and psychomotor speed is different between T1DM and healthy subjects, and 2) the decline in N100 amplitude depends on duration of diabetes. MethodsPatients with T1DM (N = 204) and healthy control subjects (N = 358) were included in a cross-sectional study. Event-related brain potentials were recorded with auditory reaction tasks. Psychomotor speed was evaluated with the Grooved Pegboard test in a subset of the patients (N = 70) and the healthy control subjects (N = 89). ResultsPatients with T1DM had a decrease in the N100 amplitude that correlated with a decline in psychomotor speed, longer duration of diabetes and increasing age. In healthy controls, the N100 amplitude did not decrease with age and the association between psychomotor speed and N100 amplitude was absent. ConclusionThe association between psychomotor speed and N100 amplitude is likely to be a specific trait for T1DM since it was not found in healthy controls and was dependent on diabetes duration. Our findings indicate that the pathogenesis of cognitive decline in T1DM may involve a disease-related factor with a long-term influence on the N100 amplitude.

Fundamental diagrams of luggage-laden pedestrians ascending and descending stairs

In transportation terminals, a lot of passengers usually travel with luggage, which affects not only their mobility but also the ones who have no luggage, especially on stairs. As a result, congestion could be severer during rush hours. However, the impact of luggage on the movement characteristics of pedestrians ascending and descending stairs have not been systematically studied yet. Therefore, in this study, a series of single-file luggage-laden movement experiments under controlled laboratory conditions were performed. Trajectories have been extracted to analyze the movement features under different luggage-laden ratio scenarios. From the space–time diagram, it can be found the average stopping time gradually increases as the increase of the luggage-laden ratios. In the relationship between spatial headway and speed, two regimes are found, i.e., free regime and strongly constrained regime. The minimum descending headway is basically the same as the tread depth, while the minimum ascending headway is greater than the tread depth. The pedestrian adaptation time in the scenario of a high luggage-laden ratio is longer than that of none. Finally, in addition to longitudinal movement, with the increase of speed, pedestrian lateral sway amplitude decline rate in the descending process is faster than that in the ascending process. The impact of carrying luggage ascent and descent the stairs on pedestrian movement characteristics provided in this study is helpful not only for the calibration and verification of the pedestrian models but also for the design of pedestrian facilities in transportation terminals.

A Comprehensive Study of the Retinal Phenotype of Rpe65-Deficient Dogs.

The Rpe65-deficient dog has been important for development of translational therapies of Leber congenital amaurosis type 2 (LCA2). The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive report of the natural history of retinal changes in this dog model. Rpe65-deficient dogs from 2 months to 10 years of age were assessed by fundus imaging, electroretinography (ERG) and vision testing (VT). Changes in retinal layer thickness were assessed by optical coherence tomography and on plastic retinal sections. ERG showed marked loss of retinal sensitivity, with amplitudes declining with age. Retinal thinning initially developed in the area centralis, with a slower thinning of the outer retina in other areas starting with the inferior retina. VT showed that dogs of all ages performed well in bright light, while at lower light levels they were blind. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) inclusions developed and in younger dogs and increased in size with age. The loss of photoreceptors was mirrored by a decline in ERG amplitudes. The slow degeneration meant that sufficient photoreceptors, albeit very desensitized, remained to allow for residual bright light vision in older dogs. This study shows the natural history of the Rpe65-deficient dog model of LCA2.

Constraining the age of young stellar clusters via the amplitude of photometric variability

Context. The determination of stellar age is a crucial task in astrophysics research. At present, the various methods employed in such studies are either model-dependent or based on calibrated empirical relations. The most reliable results are generally obtained when different methods are applied in a complementary manner. Aims. We propose a new method for the age determination of young stellar associations and open clusters (ages ≲ 125 Myr), which may allow for the placement of further constraints on the age when used in tandem with other methods. Methods. We explore the amplitude of the photometric variability in bins of color and rotation period of five young associations and clusters spanning an interval of ages from ∼1−3 Myr to ∼ 625 Myr (Taurus, ρ Ophiuchi, Upper Scorpius, Pleiades, and Praesepe), which all have high-quality time-series photometry from Kepler K2 campaigns. Results. In the low-mass regime, we find that stars with similar color and rotation periods but different ages exhibit a range of amplitudes for their photometric variability, with younger stars showing a larger photometric variability than older stars. Conclusions. The decline of photometric variability amplitude versus age in stars with similar color and rotation period may, in principle, be calibrated and adopted as an additional empirical relation for constraining the age of young associations and open clusters, provided that time-series photometry is available for their low-mass members.

Features of Duration Mismatch Negativity Around the Onset of Overt Psychotic Disorders: A Longitudinal Study.

Reduced amplitude of duration mismatch negativity (dMMN) has been reported in psychotic disorders and at-risk mental state (ARMS); however, few longitudinal MMN studies have examined the amplitude changes during the course of psychosis. We compared dMMN amplitude between ARMS individuals with later psychosis onset and those without, and we longitudinally examined potential dMMN changes around psychosis onset. Thirty-nine ARMS subjects and 22 healthy controls participated in this study. Of the 39 ARMS subjects, 11 transitioned to psychosis (at-risk mental state with later psychosis onset [ARMS-P]) during follow-up and 28 did not (at-risk mental state without later psychosis onset [ARMS-NP]). dMMN was measured twice using an auditory oddball paradigm with a mean interval of 2years. Follow-up dMMN data were available for all but four ARMS-P subjects. dMMN amplitude at baseline was smaller in ARMS-P subjects compared with control and ARMS-NP subjects. Additionally, ARMS-P subjects displayed a longitudinal decline in dMMN amplitude, which was not present in control and ARMS-P subjects. We also observed a progressive decline in dMMN amplitude during the transition period, suggesting dynamic brain changes associated with the psychosis onset. Our findings implicate dMMN amplitude as a biological predictor of future psychosis onset in high-risk individuals, which may be used for early detection and intervention of psychosis.

Experimental research on the performance of a rotating detonation combustor with a turbine guide vane

Rotating detonation engines (RDEs) have received significant attention from industry and academia alike, owing to their numerous advantages, such as pressure gain combustion, high operation frequency, and near-constant thrust output. Furthermore, there is considerable interest in combining RDEs with gas-turbine engines to further improve their overall system performance. This study examines the propagation characteristics of continuous rotating detonation waves (CRDWs) with a turbine guide vane (TGV). We develop an experimental model of a hydrogen–air rotating detonation combustor integrated with a TGV section and record the high-frequency pressure oscillations and static pressure upstream and downstream of the TGV section. The experimental results indicate that: the interactions between CRDW and the turbine blade cause the reflected shock propagating backwards to the combustor. Both pressure oscillation amplitude and static pressure decline at downstream of TGV. Notably, the pressure oscillation attenuation by the TGV is influenced by the direction of CRDW propagation. When the CRDW propagation direction and the flow path direction of the guide vane are opposite to each other, the pressure oscillation attenuation increases. The findings obtained herein provide benchmark data that help improve the fundamental understanding of CRDW and TGV interaction, and can be used to develop detonation-based propulsion technology.

Are Ly α emitters segregated in protoclusters regions?

ABSTRACT The presence of neutral hydrogen in the interstellar medium (ISM) and intergalactic medium (IGM) induces radiative transfer (RT) effects on $\rm {Ly}\,\alpha$ photons that affect the observability of Lyman alpha emitters (LAEs). We use the galform semi-analytic model of galaxy formation and evolution to analyse how these effects shape the spatial distribution of LAEs with respect to $\rm {H}\,\alpha$ emitters (HAEs) around high-density regions at high redshift. We find that when a large sample of protoclusters is considered, HAEs showing also $\rm {Ly}\,\alpha$ emission (HAEs + LAEs) populate the same regions as those that do not display the $\rm {Ly}\,\alpha$ line at $z$ = 2.2. We compare against the protocluster USS1558-003, one of the most massive protoclusters located at $z$ = 2.53. Our results indicate that the strong depletion of HAEs + LAEs present in the high-density regions of USS1558-003 may be due to cosmic variance. We find that at $z$ = 2.2 and $z$ = 3.0, RT of the ISM produces a strong decline (30–50 per cent) of the clustering amplitude of HAEs + LAEs with respect to HAEs towards the protoclusters centre. At $z$ = 5.7, given the early evolutionary state of protoclusters and galaxies, the clustering of HAEs + LAEs has a smaller variation (10–20 per cent) towards the protoclusters centre. Depending on the equivalent width and luminosity criteria of the emission-line galaxy sample, the IGM can have a mild or a null effect on galaxy properties and clustering in high-density regions.

Insights Into the Spatiotemporal Patterns of Complexity of Ventricular Fibrillation by Multilead Analysis of Body Surface Potential Maps.

BackgroundVentricular fibrillation (VF) is the main cause of sudden cardiac death, but its mechanisms are still unclear. We propose a noninvasive approach to describe the progression of VF complexity from body surface potential maps (BSPMs).MethodsWe mapped 252 VF episodes (16 ± 10 s) with a 252-electrode vest in 110 patients (89 male, 47 ± 18 years): 50 terminated spontaneously, otherwise by electrical cardioversion (DCC). Changes in complexity were assessed between the onset (“VF start”) and the end (“VF end”) of VF by the nondipolar component index (NDIBSPM), measuring the fraction of energy nonpreserved by an equivalent 3D dipole from BSPMs. Higher NDI reflected lower VF organization. We also examined other standard body surface markers of VF dynamics, including fibrillatory wave amplitude (ABSPM), surface cycle length (BsCLBSPM) and Shannon entropy (ShEnBSPM). Differences between patients with and without structural heart diseases (SHD, 32 vs. NSHD, 78) were also tested at those stages. Electrocardiographic features were validated with simultaneous endocardium cycle length (CL) in a subset of 30 patients.ResultsAll BSPM markers measure an increase in electrical complexity during VF (p < 0.0001), and more significantly in NSHD patients. Complexity is significantly higher at the end of sustained VF episodes requiring DCC. Intraepisode intracardiac CL shortening (VF start 197 ± 24 vs. VF end 169 ± 20 ms; p < 0.0001) correlates with an increase in NDI, and decline in surface CL, f-wave amplitude, and entropy (p < 0.0001). In SHD patients VF is initially more complex than in NSHD patients (NDIBSPM, p = 0.0007; ShEnBSPM, p < 0.0001), with moderately slower (BsCLBSPM, p = 0.06), low-amplitude f-waves (ABSPM, p < 0.0001). In this population, lower NDI (p = 0.004) and slower surface CL (p = 0.008) at early stage of VF predict self-termination. In the NSHD group, a more abrupt increase in VF complexity is quantified by all BSPM parameters during sustained VF (p < 0.0001), whereas arrhythmia evolution is stable during self-terminating episodes, hinting at additional mechanisms driving VF dynamics.ConclusionMultilead BSPM analysis underlines distinct degrees of VF complexity based on substrate characteristics.

Greater fatigue resistance of dorsiflexor muscles in people with prediabetes than type 2 diabetes

Although exercise can prevent progression to T2D among people with prediabetes, little is known about fatigue during exercise in people with prediabetes compared to T2D. The purpose of the study was to compare the magnitude and mechanisms of fatigability of the ankle dorsiflexor muscles between people with prediabetes and T2D. Ten people with prediabetes (6 females, 51.7 ± 6.9 years) and fourteen with T2D (6 females, 52.6 ± 6.2 years) who were matched for age, body mass index and physical activity performed an intermittent (6 s contraction: 4 s relaxation) fatiguing task at 75% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) with the dorsiflexors. Electrical stimulation was used to assess contractile properties of the dorsiflexor muscles before and after the fatiguing task. People with prediabetes had a longer time-to-task failure, i.e. greater fatigue resistance (7.9 ± 5.1 vs. 4.9 ± 2.5 min, P = 0.04), and slower rate of decline of the (potentiated) twitch amplitude (6.5 ± 3.1 vs. 16.5 ± 11.7%·min−1, P = 0.03) than people with T2D. Shorter time-to-task failure (i.e. greater fatigability) was associated with greater baseline MVC torque (r2 = 0.21, P = 0.02) and faster rate of decline of twitch amplitude (r2 = 0.39, P = 0.04). The ankle dorsiflexor muscles of males and females with prediabetes were more fatigue resistant than people with T2D, and fatigability was associated with contractile mechanisms.

On the performance analysis of gas-actuated peristaltic micropumps

In this study, we report on the performance analysis of peristaltic micropumps to understand the impact of affecting parameters on micropump actuation membrane and overall micropump operation. To this end, a thermoplastic micropump consisting of three interconnected actuation units made of Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film is designed and fabricated. The actuation membrane for liquid pumping is made of TPU film that is located between the liquid and the actuation chambers. The effects of actuation gas pressure and actuation frequency on micropump characteristics in terms of pumping flow rate, volumetric efficiency, and generated liquid pressure are studied. A maximum flow rate of 56.28 ± 1.47 μl/min is obtained using an actuation pressure and frequency of 50 kPa and 15 Hz, respectively. An experimental setup is designed and assembled to measure the actual pressure experienced by the actuation membrane at different actuation frequencies and gas pressures. It is found that the increase of actuation pressure leads to the increment of membrane oscillation amplitude with subsequent increase of pumping flow rate and volumetric efficiency. However, a further increase of actuation pressure beyond a threshold (50 kPa) leads to the decline of membrane oscillation amplitude that decreases the flow rate. Also, an image processing of the actuation membrane reveals that the increase of actuation frequency results in the continuous reduction of the oscillation amplitude of micropump membrane. Similar to actuation pressure, the increase of actuation frequency beyond a critical value (15 Hz) leads to the decline of flow rate. Our findings provide critical insights required for optimal design and operation of micropumps and finding a compromise between optimum pumping flow rates and operating conditions for on-chip pumping.

Progesterone and Luteinizing hormone secretion patterns in early pregnant gilts.

We studied luteinizing hormone (LH) pulsatility and episodic progesterone release of the corpus luteum (CL) on Day 11 and Day 21 in inseminated gilts and aimed to establish a relationship between these two hormones. Blood was collected at 15-min intervals for 12hr on Days 11, 16 and 21 from a vena cava caudalis catheter. At euthanasia, eight gilts were pregnant and six gilts were not pregnant. Progesterone parameters (basal, mean, pulse frequency and pulse amplitude) did not differ between pregnant and non-pregnant gilts on Day 11, LH pulse frequency and amplitude tended to differ (p=.07 and p=.079). In pregnant gilts, basal and mean progesterone, progesterone pulse amplitude and frequency declined significantly from Day 11 to Day 21 (p<.05). A significant decline was also seen in the LH pulse amplitude from Day 11 to Day 21 (p<.05). None of the LH pulses was followed by a progesterone pulse within 1hr on Day 21. On Day 11 and Day 21 appeared a synchronicity in the LH pulse pattern, as there were two or three LH pulses in 12hr and these LH pulses appeared in the same time window. We conclude that on Day 11 and Day 21 of pregnancy in gilts, progesterone pulses do not follow an LH pulse within one hour. Further we demonstrated that the successful or not successful formation of a CL of pregnancy is independent of progesterone release on Day 11 after insemination. We confirmed the decline of progesterone from Day 11 to Day 21 in the vena cava caudalis and could demonstrate that this decline is partly due to lower progesterone pulse amplitude and frequency and that the decline occurs simultaneously with a decline in LH pulse amplitude.

Investigation on influence of drilling unloading on wellbore stability in clay shale formation

Wellbore collapse frequently happens in the clay shale formation. To maintain wellbore stability, appropriate mud pressure is a vital factor. When clay formation is opened, drilling unloading occurs, modifying rock structure and strength at the wall of borehole, which affects the selection of mud pressure. Currently, mechanism of drilling unloading is still poorly understood which in return will bring a concern to wellbore stability. Therefore, in this study, a combination of triaxial compressive test and ultrasonic wave test has been used to simulate drilling unloading and analyze its mechanism. Results indicate that more void space is created inside the clay shale sample due to unloading. This structure change leads to a decline of strength and acoustic amplitude. Additionally, unloading influence is depended on varying drilling unloading parameters. Small unloading range and fast unloading rate are able to enhance stability. With various degrees of unloading impact, collapse pressure equivalent density has a clear modification, proving that unloading is a non-negligible influencing factor of wellbore stability. Besides, the unloading effect is much stronger in large confining pressure, implying that more attention should be given to unloading when drilling is in extreme deep or high geostress formation. Findings in this paper can offer theoretical guidance for drilling in the clay shale formation.

Focused-attention meditation increases cognitive control during motor sequence performance: Evidence from the N2 cortical evoked potential

Previous work found that single-session focused attention meditation (FAM) enhanced motor sequence learning through increased cognitive control as a mechanistic action, although electrophysiological correlates of sequence learning performance following FAM were not investigated. We measured the persistent frontal N2 event-related potential (ERP) that is closely related to cognitive control processes and its ability to predict behavioural measures. Twenty-nine participants were randomised to one of three conditions reflecting the level of FAM experienced prior to a serial reaction time task (SRTT): 21 sessions of FAM (FAM21, N = 12), a single FAM session (FAM1, N = 9) or no preceding FAM control (Control, N = 8). Continuous 64-channel EEG were recorded during SRTT and N2 amplitudes for correct trials were extracted. Component amplitude, regions of interests, and behavioural outcomes were compared using mixed effects regression models between groups. FAM21 exhibited faster reaction time performances in majority of the learning blocks compared to FAM1 and Control. FAM21 also demonstrated a significantly more pronounced N2 over majority of anterior and central regions of interests during SRTT compared to the other groups. When N2 amplitudes were modelled against general learning performance, FAM21 showed the greatest rate of amplitude decline over anterior and central regions. The combined results suggest that FAM training provided greater cognitive control enhancement for improved general performance, and less pronounced effects for sequence-specific learning performance compared to the other groups. Importantly, FAM training facilitates dynamic modulation of cognitive control: lower levels of general learning performance was supported by greater levels of activation, whilst higher levels of general learning exhibited less activation.