Discharge Frequency Research Articles

Circular RNA-GRIN2B Suppresses Neuropathic Pain by Targeting the NF-κB/SLICK Pathway.

The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in neuropathic pain is linked to the fundamental physiological mechanisms involved. However, the exact function of circRNAs in the context of neuropathic pain is still not fully understood. The functional impact of circGRIN2B on the excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons was investigated using siRNA or overexpression technology in conjunction with fluorescence in situ hybridization and whole-cell patch-clamp technology. The therapeutic efficacy of circGRIN2B in treating neuropathic pain was confirmed by assessing the pain threshold in a chronic constrictive injury (CCI) model. The interaction between circGRIN2B and NF-κB was examined through RNA pulldown, RIP, and mass spectrometry assays. CircGRIN2B knockdown significantly affected the action potential discharge frequency and the sodium-dependent potassium current flux (SLICK) in DRG neurons. Furthermore, knockdown of circGRIN2B dramatically reduced the SLICK channel protein and mRNA expression in vivo and in vitro. Our research confirmed the interaction between circGRIN2B and NF-κB. These findings demonstrated that circGRIN2B promotes the transcription of the SLICK gene by binding to NF-κB. In CCI rat models, the overexpression of circGRIN2B has been shown to hinder the progression of neuropathic pain, particularly by reducing mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Additionally, this upregulation significantly diminished the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the DRG. Upon reviewing these findings, it was determined that circGRIN2B may mitigate the onset of neuropathic pain by modulating the NF-κB/SLICK pathway.

Plasma assisted combustion of different biogas mixtures in low swirl burner

This study explores the impact of plasma driving frequency on diverse biogas compositions, emphasizing flame behaviour by analysing spatial emissions of OH*, C2*, and CH* from plasma-assisted flames. Experimental investigation performed combusting mixtures with 25 % and 60 % CH4 in CO2 under lean combustion conditions with the varying fuel equivalence ratios from 0.71 to 0.83 and plasma discharge frequencies from 60 to 120 kHz resulting in higher energy density.Obtained results indicate that the plasma assistance notably enhances flame stability under lean fuel conditions with increasing frequency from 80 to 120 kHz. The discharge frequency of 60 kHz indicates insufficient energy to enhance combustion of low calorific value mixtures as the flame lift-off height increases approximately by 0.43–1.5 % for the mixture of 25 vol% CH4 in CO2 and by 0.26–7.7 % for the mixture of 60 vol% CH4 in CO2. Changing the plasma frequency from 80 to 120 kHz, the flame position is shifted closer to the burner nozzle for both mixtures and the highest effect is determined at 120 kHz. The flame lift-off height is reduced by 2.43–16.34 % for the mixture with 25 vol% of CH4 and by 3.57–51.28 % for the mixture with 60 % of CH4. The plasma-assisted combustion leads to improved combustion efficiency as CO emissions are reduced from 1550 ppm to 45 ppm for biogas mixture, but in the case of low calorific value gas, the CO emissions increase linearly with the frequency increase even the flame curvature and stability is improved.

Is High-Frequency Activity at Seizure Onset Inhibitory? A Stereoelectroencephalographic Study of Motor Cortex Seizures.

In the era of stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG), many studies have been devoted to understanding the role of interictal high-frequency oscillations. High-frequency activity (HFA) at seizure onset has been identified as a marker of epileptogenic zone. We address the physiological significance of ictal HFAs and their relation to clinical semiology. We retrospectively identified patients with pure focal primary motor epilepsy. We selected only patients in whom SEEG electrodes were optimally placed in the motor cortex as confirmed by electrical stimulation. Based on these narrow inclusion criteria, we extensively studied 5 patients (3 males and 2 females, mean age = 22.4 years) using time-frequency analysis and time correlation with motor signs onset. A total of 157 analyzable seizures were recorded in 5 subjects. The first 2 subjects had tonic or clonic semiology with rare secondary generalization. Subject 3 had atonic onset followed by clonic hand/arm flexion. Subject 4 had clusters of tonic and atonic facial movements. Subject 5 had upper extremity tonic movements. The median frequency of the fast activity extracted from the Epileptogenic Zone Fingerprint pipeline in the first 4 subjects was 76 Hz (interquartile range = 21.9Hz). Positive motor signs did not occur concomitantly with high gamma activity developing in the motor cortex. Motor signs began at the end of HFAs. This study supports the hypothesis of an inhibitory effect of ictal HFAs. The frequency range in the gamma band was associated with the direction of the clinical output effect. Changes from inhibitory to excitatory effect occurred when discharge frequency dropped to low gamma or beta. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:1127-1137.

Experimental and numerical investigations into the fabrication of alumina ceramic surface microchannel by electrochemical discharge machining

The electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) is an advanced and promising technology for fabricating micro structures. This method is effectively applicable for non-conductive hard and brittle materials micromachining, such as glass and ceramics. However, the ceramics high melting point and intense heat exchange effects during microchannel fabrication lead to the easy dissipation of thermal energy and the difficulty in processing. To address this issue and expanded the ECDM processing range. This paper dedicated to the investigation of the material removal mechanism and process characteristics for the alumina ceramic surfaces microchannels preparation. Firstly, this study explained the difference of the ECDM critical applied voltage and gas film generation mechanism by analyzing the volt-ampere characteristic curve of 20 wt% NaOH electrolyte with a tool immersed depth of 2 mm and 10 mm respectively. Then, a thermal removal finite element model (FEM) for ECDM was developed. The heat cumulative and intermittent cooling effects applied on the alumina ceramic surface dominated the materiel removal. Additionally, it can be found that the microchannel machining accuracy and bottom surface quality depended on the Gaussian heat source characteristics, gas film formation mechanism, heat accumulation effect, and temperatures spatial and temporal distribution. And a series of single factor experiments for evaluating the parametric studies such as the effect of discharge frequency, applied voltage, duty ratio and tool feed rate on the fabricated microchannel performance are executed. Finally, the complex three-dimensional structures of cross microchannel grid and zigzag microchannel array with variable depth were successfully fabricated on aluminum oxide ceramic surface. Notably, the results highlighted and enriched the ECDM stability, consistency and applicability for alumina ceramic surface microchannel fabrication.

Electroacupuncture pretreatment mediates sympathetic nerves to alleviate myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury via CRH neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus

BackgroundMyocardial ischemia–reperfusion can further exacerbate myocardial injury and increase the risk of death. Our previous research found that the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in the improvement of myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury (MIRI) by electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment, but its mechanism of action is still unclear. CRH neurons exhibit periodic concentrated expression in PVN, but further research is needed to determine whether they are involved in the improvement of MIRI by EA pretreatment. Meanwhile, numerous studies have shown that changes in sympathetic nervous system innervation and activity are associated with many heart diseases. This study aims to investigate whether EA pretreatment improves MIRI through sympathetic nervous system mediated by PVNCRH neurons.MethodsIntegrated use of fiber-optic recording, chemical genetics and other methods to detect relevant indicators: ECG signals were acquired through Powerlab standard II leads, and LabChart 8 calculated heart rate, ST-segment offset, and heart rate variability (HRV); Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular short-axis shortening (LVFS), left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter (LVIDs) and interventricular septal thickness (IVSs) were measured by echocardiography; Myocardial infarct area (IA) and area at risk (AAR) were calculated by Evans-TTC staining. Pathological changes in cardiomyocytes were observed by HE staining; Changes in PVNCRH neuronal activity were recorded by fiber-optic photometry; Sympathetic nerve discharges were recorded for in vivo electrophysiology; NE and TH protein expression was assayed by Western blot.ResultsOur data indicated that EA pretreatment can effectively alleviate MIRI. Meanwhile, we found that in the MIRI model, the number and activity of CRH neurons co labeled with c-Fos in the PVN area of the rat brain increased, and the frequency of sympathetic nerve discharge increased. EA pretreatment could reverse this change. In addition, the results of chemical genetics indicated that inhibiting PVNCRH neurons has a similar protective effect on MIRI as EA pretreatment, and the activation of PVNCRH neurons can counteract this protective effect.ConclusionEA pretreatment can inhibit PVNCRH neurons and improve MIRI by inhibiting sympathetic nerve, which offers fresh perspectives on the application of acupuncture in the management of cardiovascular disease.

Discharge Against Medical Advice from Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Some Influencing Factors in an Academic Center

Background: Early discharge from the hospital against medical advice poses a significant threat to the health of patients, particularly neonates, who are a vulnerable population. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the frequency of neonatal discharge with personal consent and identify the most influential factors. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Alzahra Hospital in Rasht from 2020 to 2021. Using a census method, information on all infants discharged against medical advice was extracted from the hospital's clinical records available in the information system. Data on the reason for neonatal hospitalization and discharge against medical advice, neonatal age, weight, maternal education, and insurance status were recorded. Results: Among 2327 neonates, 581 (24.96%) were discharged from the hospital against medical advice. The primary cause of early discharge was related to family problems (64.4%), followed by dissatisfaction with the hospital and treatment process (15.3%), prolonged hospitalization (11%), and financial problems (9.3%). A significant association was found between neonatal age, weight, type of delivery, maternal education, insurance status, and the reason for hospitalization with the reason for discharge against medical advice (all P < 0.001). Conclusions: The rate of discharge against medical advice in this study was notably higher compared to other studies, possibly due to the timing of the study coinciding with the peak of COVID-19 and the different reasons for hospitalization, such as icterus versus sepsis. Family problems were identified as the main cause of discharge against medical advice, while financial problems were the least common. Therefore, practical and preventive solutions should be provided to families whenever possible.

Investigation of pulsed direct-current plasma jets in a turbulent boundary layer

Characteristics of the plasma jet produced by a pulsed direct-current (pulsed-DC) dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and its interaction with a turbulent boundary layer (TBL) are investigated in detail using stereo particle imaging velocimetry. Quiescent-flow characterization results show that a positive starting vortex and a negative near-wall jet structure are induced by the pulsed-DC DBD plasma actuator. With increasing pulse width and discharge frequency, the jet velocity magnitude increases monotonously, as a direct result of the extension of fluid particle acceleration time. During the interaction with a cross-flow TBL, two streamwise vortices with opposite signs are observed at the two sides of the electrode junction, which essentially originate from the starting vortex and negative jet in quiescent air. The skin-friction drag variations are dominated by the cross-stream momentum transportation of streamwise vortices, with drag reduction in the vortex upwash zone and drag increase in the downwash zone. Compared with the conventional alternating-current DBD plasma actuators, the turbulent fluctuations produced by pulsed-DC DBD are much higher, which also affects the skin-friction drag. Further proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) analysis reveals that two distinctly different flow patterns are produced by pulsed-DC DBD working at small and large pulse widths. The dominant POD modes causing the most velocity fluctuation are the spanwise translation and deformation of plasma-induced streamwise vortices. These results provide insights into the basic phenomenon of pulsed-DC plasma jets in cross flow, which recently has demonstrated its promising applications in turbulent skin-friction reduction.

Influence of A.C. Frequency on Hollow Magnetron Sputtering Discharge Parameters

In the present work, optical emission spectroscopy was used to diagnose the influence of A.C. power source frequency on the hollow magnetron sputtering discharge parameters (such as discharge emission, discharge current and voltage, glow discharge structure, temperature (Te) and electron number density (ne), Debye length (λD), and plasma parameter (ND) of constant pressure. The electron temperature and number density were determined using the Boltzmann plots and the Stark broadening methods, respectively. The results illustrate that the normal glow discharge structure is similar to the D.C. discharge mode. The magnetic field has no impact on the fundamental discharge parameter in both A.C. frequencies under study. On the other hand, the other discharge parameters (Te, ne, λD and ND) increase with increasing the magnetic field in both discharge frequencies. In addition, the increase in the frequency of the A.C. source current led to an increase in the discharge intensity emission and the other discharge parameters being studied. In this case, in frequency 7 kHz, Te surged from 0.685 eV to 0.839 eV, and ne experienced an increase from 3.088 x 1018 m-3 to 4.902 x 1018 m-3. At a frequency of 9 kHz, the electron temperature surged from 0.711eV to 0.911 eV. ne experienced an increase from 3.615 x 1018 m-3 to 6.749 x 1018 m-3.

Research on Analysis and Suppression Methods of the Bearing Current for Electric Vehicle Motor Driven by SiC Inverter

The silicon carbide (SiC) inverter brings great advantages to the motor drive systems of new energy vehicles; however, severe challenges to the bearings also happen. The high dc bus voltage and switching frequency of SiC inverter can increase the discharge frequency and energy when the bearing grease film collapses. As a result, the bearing suffers severe electric corrosion, and the service life of the motor drive system can be shortened. In this paper, the characteristics of common-mode voltage and bearing voltage are analyzed, firstly under space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM). After that, the common-mode equivalent circuit model of the motor drive system is established. The frequency characteristics of bearing voltage are revealed, and the safe working area is determined. Then, the frequency characteristics of bearing voltage and current are verified based on IGBT and SiC inverters in experiments. After that, by designing a common-mode filter, the bearing voltage and current are significantly attenuated. Furthermore, the active zero state PWM (AZSPWM) is adopted to reduce the common-mode voltage from the inverter. At the same time, combined with the common-mode filter, the bearing voltage and current are further reduced. The experimental results show that the switching frequency has a decisive effect on the amplitude of bearing voltage and current. The bearing voltage can be attenuated to around half of the reference bearing voltage by using the common-mode filter and AZSPWM strategy, respectively. The combination of the common-mode filter and AZSPWM strategy can reduce the bearing voltage to around one-fourth of the reference bearing voltage, which can effectively reduce the breakdown time and discharge energy of the grease oil film.

Inhibitory effect of acupoint electrostimulation with different layers and intensities on muscular inflammatory pain and spinal WDR neuron activity.

To observe the analgesic effects of different levels and intensities of electrical stimulation on the local acupoints in the pain source area and their impact on wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons in the spinal dorsal horn, in order to provide a basis for selecting appropriate parameters for electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation. Wistar rats were used in 3 parts of the experiment. Complete Freund's adjuvant was used to establish a model of inflammation-induced pain in the gastrocnemius muscle. After modeling, 6 rats were randomly selected for multi-channel extracellular electrophysiological recording of the electrical activity of WDR neurons, to determine the threshold for activating the A-component (Ta) and the C-component (Tc), which were used as the intervention intensities for skin transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) or EA. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into normal , model , TEAS-Ta , TEAS-Tc, EA-Ta , and EA-Tc groups, with 6 rats in each group. In the pain source area , Ta or Tc intensity of TEAS or EA intervention at"Chengshan"(BL57) was performed for 30 min each time, once a day, for 3 consecutive days. A small animal pressure pain measurement instrument was used to measure the mechanical pressure pain threshold of the gastrocnemius muscle in rats, and the Von Frey filament was used to measure the mechanical pain threshold of the footpad. Thirteen rats were randomly selected to observe the immediate responsiveness of WDR neurons to Ta/Tc intensity of EA or TEAS in BL57. The thresholds of TEAS to activate WDR neuron A-component or C-component were (2.43±0.57) mA and (7.00±1.34) mA, respectively, while the thresholds for EA to activate muscle WDR neuron A-component or C-component were (0.72±0.34) mA and (1.58±0.35) mA, respectively. After injection of CFA into the gastrocnemius muscle, compared with the normal group both the mechanical pressure pain threshold of the gastrocnemius muscle and the mechanical pain threshold of the footpad of rats in the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.001). After TEAS-Ta, TEAS-Tc or EA-Ta intervention in the BL57, both the mechanical pressure pain threshold of the gastrocnemius muscle and the mechanical pain threshold of the footpad were significantly higher than those in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.001). Compared with the normal group, the electrical threshold for evoking WDR neuron C-component discharge was significantly decreased (P<0.001) in the model group, while increased after TEAS-Ta, TEAS-Tc, or EA-Ta intervention (P<0.01) compared with the model group. The evoked discharge frequency of muscle WDR neurons decreased significantly after immediate intervention with TEAS-Ta, TEAS-Tc, or EA-Ta (P<0.01, P<0.05). EA-Tc had no significant improvement on the evoked electrical activity of WDR neurons or pain behavior. TEAS-Ta, TEAS-Tc, or EA-Ta can all alleviate the local and footpad mechanical pain in rats with muscle inflammation and inhibit the responsiveness of WDR neurons, indicating that different intensities are required for analgesic effects at different levels of acupoints in the pain source area.

Modeling and experimental comparison of pulsed-DC driven low-pressure plasma discharge in a metal tube

High-voltage pulsed-DC can be used to deposit films on the inner surfaces of tubes and pipes. However, the characteristics of the plasma discharge in the tubes and mechanisms of film deposition are not well understood. In this study, a discharge is formed in a metal tube inserted with a coaxial anode by microsecond (μs) pulsed power to explore the influence of the pulse parameters on the plasma characteristics, including the temporal and spatial evolution near the tube walls experimentally and by simulation. The discharge waveform is monitored by a voltage-current probe to analyze the impact of the electrical characteristics on the plasma. The plasma properties are diagnosed by a Langmuir probe and numerically calculated by the fluid model. The source voltage and current jointly influence the plasma density and electron temperature, and secondary electron emission by energetic ion bombardment affects not only the distribution of electron density measured by the probe, but also the temporal distribution during the pulse-on and pulse-off time. The electron temperature varies conversely with the density from the plasma zone to the cathode suggesting the typical glow discharge in the pulsed-DC tube. Secondary electron emission is created at a higher discharge frequency, and a sustained plasma between pulse cycles appears to be produced at a higher frequency. The results impart information about the pulsed-DC driven plasma discharge at low pressure as well as the role energetic ions play on the cathode and elucidate the mechanisms of plasma deposition on the interior tube wall.

Characteristics of an AC rotating gliding arc discharge in NH3 and air atmospheres

Plasmas have emerged as a promising technology for the utilization of NH3 as a carbon-free fuel for direct plasmas-assisted combustion and hydrogen production. This study aims to explore the electrical and optical emission characteristics of the rotating gliding arc (RGA) discharge in NH3 and air swirling flows over a wide range of nominal power inputs. The electrical characteristics were measured using voltage–current probes, while a spectrometer was employed to assess the spectral characteristics. Additionally, a synchronized high-speed camera equipped with a dual-scope objective was utilized to capture transient phenomena of the arc in the optical emission spectrum. Both the spark-type and glow-type discharges were observed in RGA. Interestingly, the spark-type discharge frequency exhibited a non-monotonic variation with increasing nominal power inputs for both NH3 and air, while the glow-type discharge frequency displayed a monotonous upward trend. Regarding the spectral emission characteristics in NH3, a dramatic transition of the arc emission spectrum from Hα to NH2* was observed as nominal power inputs increased. The Hα and NH2* emissions that are dominated in the spark-type and glow-type discharges, respectively, and the intensity ratio of Hα and NH2* emission shows evident correlations with discharge current and electric field strength. In summary, this study represents the first investigation into the electrical and spectral characteristics of RGA in NH3.

Influence of generator parameters on cutting width during WEDM process

The primary objective of this paper is to rigorously analyse the influence of selected parameters on the cut width in the context of Wire Electric Discharge Machining (WEDM). The parameters under investigation, each varied at different levels, include pulse width, servo reference mean voltage, time interval between two pulses, discharge frequency, and wire feed speed. As the workpiece material, sintered carbide K10 was used. Data for the response variable, cut width, was meticulously collected using two high-precision instruments: the Zoller Genius 3s and the Alicona InfiniteFocusSL. Among the parameters studied, the mean reference voltage emerged as the most influential variable. It holds a commanding lead with a percentage contribution of as much as 82.4 %, making it nearly 15 times more impactful than the second most influential parameter, which is pulse width. At its lowest setting, or first level, the mean reference voltage results in a record low cut width. Conversely, at its highest setting, or third level, it leads to a record high cut width. This comprehensive analysis not only quantifies the relative importance of each parameter but also provides valuable insights into the optimal settings for achieving desired cut widths. The findings have significant implications for improving the efficiency and precision of WEDM processes.

Intelligent electric vehicle charging optimization and horse herd-inspired power generation for enhanced energy management

This article focuses on optimizing electric vehicle charging in distribution networks, emphasizing technical and economic considerations. Unlike traditional methods, the proposed intelligent approach tailors each EV's charging based on specific daily trip energy requirements. Vehicle owners provide trip data to the charge management system, enabling precise charging calculations considering factors such as energy tariffs, distribution network limits, and charging levels. The paper introduces the horse herd optimization algorithm, inspired by horse herd behavior, offering advantages like reduced computational time and improved convergence in maximizing power generation, especially under shading conditions. The comparative analysis of smart EV charging under normal and fast conditions, considering various constraints and load response programs, demonstrates the proposed method's effectiveness. Numerical results reveal a 46.02 % average load reduction and a 20.53 % peak load decrease with a Load Response Program. Charging costs are optimized, with Case 2 exhibiting a 2.61 % cost reduction compared to Case 3. The study delves into charging frequencies, discharge frequencies, total unsupplied energy, and unloaded energy for each case, providing crucial insights into algorithmic performance. The horse herd optimization algorithm-based approach proves superior, offering a promising solution for efficient and cost-effective electric vehicle charging in distribution networks. Furthermore, graphical representations illustrate the algorithm's impact on charging power, energy allocation, power passing through distribution posts, and megavolt-ampere flow through network lines. These numerical and graphical analyses provide a comprehensive understanding of the horse herd optimization algorithm capabilities, emphasizing its potential to optimize power distribution, reduce costs, and enhance the resilience of residential distribution networks.

Feminizing genital gender affirmation surgery: Patient-reported outcomes of urethral flap and classical penile inversion techniques

Introduction: Although more and more transgender individuals are receiving gender-affirming medical interventions, there are limited data on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). We assessed PROMs in patients who received genital gender affirmation surgery (gGAS) with vaginoplasty by conventional penile inversion (PI) or urethral flap (UF). Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing vaginoplasty by PI or UF between 2015 and 2021 were candidates for this questionnaire-based cohort study. PROMs including satisfaction with body image and overall quality of life, esthetic, sensory, and functional parameters, including urological and sexual outcomes, and decision for surgery were assessed by using the Gender Congruence and Life Satisfaction scale, the Hamburg Body Drawing Scale, the Inclusive Sexual Function Inventory, and additional questions, and responses from PI and UF groups were compared. Results: With a response rate of 64%, total 41 patients were included in the study. Overall, patients reported high satisfaction with body image and quality of life after PI and UF. Patients with UF were significantly more comfortable being naked in front of a sexual partner compared to those with PI, but satisfaction with esthetics was high in both groups. The UF group had a significantly higher frequency of sanguineous discharge from the neovagina. Functional urological problems were rare in both groups, but urgency was reported more frequently in PI than in UF. Both groups reported generally high interest in sexual activity, and both frequently needed lubrication for neovaginal penetration. There were few regrets about the decision to undergo gGAS in either group. Conclusion: Patient satisfaction regarding body image, quality of life, functionality, sexuality, and decision for surgery was reasonably high, and UF seems to be a valid alternative to PI.

Therapeutic Strategies in Children with Epilepsy: A Quality-of-Life-Related Perspective.

Back ground: Children with epilepsy are affected by several factors, including clinical and social variables. Among these variables, cognitive decline and behavioral disturbances, perceptions of stigma, and fatigue can lead to reductions in quality of life (QOL). Epileptic activities, including seizure severity, frequent seizures, and status epilepticus (SE), have been identified as important predictors of QOL. In addition, the frequency of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) on electroencephalogram (EEG) may also be an important predictor of QOL, because IEDs can lead to cognitive decline and behavioral disturbances. Moreover, frequent seizures and/or IEDs may play a role in emotional mediators, such as stigma and fatigue, in childhood epilepsy. Seizure severity and/or IEDs are, therefore, important QOL-related factors in childhood epilepsy. Seizure severity as a QOL-related factor: Frontal lobe dysfunctions, such as cognitive decline and behavioral disturbances, can result in reduced QOL for both the child and their family. Frontal and prefrontal lobe growth disturbances can be present during active-phase epilepsy in some children with neuropsychological impairments. Recovery from prefrontal lobe growth disturbances may depend on the active seizure period. Children with a shorter active seizure period can recover from disturbances in prefrontal lobe growth more rapidly. In contrast, recovery may be delayed in children with a longer active seizure period. Moreover, frequent seizures can lead to seizure-associated headaches, perceptions of self-stigma and parental stigma, and fatigue. Accordingly, severe seizures can lead to neuropsychological impairments in association with prefrontal lobe growth disturbances in children with epilepsy. EEG abnormalities as QOL-related factors: IEDs on EEG, representing persistent pathological neuronal discharges, may be associated with several pathological aspects. Frontal IEDs can be a risk factor for recurrent seizures, cognitive decline, and behavioral disturbances, and they may also play a role as emotional mediators similar to stigma. In addition, behavioral disturbances may result in the presence of secondary bilateral synchrony (SBS) on EEG. Behavioral disturbances can be improved in association with a reduction in IEDs in children with frontal IEDs and SBS. Therefore, EEG abnormalities, such as frontal IEDs and SBS, can also lead to neuropsychological impairments in children with epilepsy. Therapeutic strategies in children with epilepsy: Seizure severity and IEDs on EEG may be associated with neuropsychological impairments, leading to QOL reduction. Therapeutic management may be desirable to reduce seizures and EEG abnormalities, such as frontal IEDs and SBS, as early as possible to improve QOL in children with epilepsy. During antiseizure medication (ASM) selection and adjustment, physicians should strategize the therapeutic approach to controlling seizures and suppressing EEG abnormalities in children with epilepsy. Among various ASMs, novel ASMs, such as levetiracetam and perampanel, may suppress both clinical seizures and IEDs on EEG; thus, these novel ASMs may represent an important addition to the treatments available for epileptic children presenting with frontal IEDs and SBS.

Sensorimotor adaptation of locomotor synergies to gravitational constraint

This study investigates the impact of gravity on lower limb muscle coordination during pedaling. It explores how pedaling behaviors, kinematics, and muscle activation patterns dynamically adapts to changes in gravity and resistance levels. The experiment was conducted in parabolic flights, simulating microgravity, hypergravity (1.8 g), and normogravity conditions. Participants pedaled on an ergometer with varying resistances. The goal was to identify potential changes in muscle synergies and activation strategies under different gravitational contexts. Results indicate that pedaling cadence adjusted naturally in response to both gravity and resistance changes. Cadence increased with higher gravity and decreased with higher resistance levels. Muscular activities were characterized by two synergies representing pull and push phases of pedaling. The timing of synergy activation was influenced by gravity, with a delay in activation observed in microgravity compared to other conditions. Despite these changes, the velocity profile of pedaling remained stable across gravity conditions. The findings strongly suggest that the CNS dynamically manages the shift in body weight by finely tuning muscular coordination, thereby ensuring the maintenance of a stable motor output. Furthermore, electromyography analysis suggest that neuromuscular discharge frequencies were not affected by gravity changes. This implies that the types of muscle fibers recruited during exercise in modified gravity are similar to those used in normogravity. This research has contributed to a better understanding of how the human locomotor system responds to varying gravitational conditions, shedding light on the potential mechanisms underlying astronauts’ gait changes upon returning from space missions.

Computational investigation of the interaction mechanisms of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/polyurethane and low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/hexane systems as absorbents for oil spill remediation: A DFT study

AbstractThe escalating frequency of oil spill incidents and industrial wastewater discharges necessitates the development of effective remediation strategies. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive computational investigation using density functional theory (DFT) to elucidate the interaction mechanisms within polyethylene (PE) combined with polyurethane (PU) and hexane. The study focuses on adsorption energies, intermolecular interactions, miscibility, and electronic properties, providing a molecular‐level understanding crucial for designing advanced absorbent materials. The investigation reveals that the low‐density polyethylene/polyurethane (LDPE/PU) system exhibits significantly higher adsorption energies (−12.87 kcal/mol) compared to PE/hexane (−7.66 kcal/mol), indicating a robust binding affinity. This discrepancy underscores the superior performance of PE/PU as an absorbent material. The enthalpy results, with ∆H values of −55.75 kcal/mol for PE/hexane‐n‐hexadecane and −66.11 kcal/mol for PE/PU‐n‐hexadecane complexes at 298.15 K, support exothermic adsorption. The more exothermic ∆H for PE/PU indicates stronger interactions during oil absorption than PE/hexane. Additionally, Gibbs free energy change (∆G) values affirm a more favorable process for PE/PU, exhibiting a lower ∆G (−42.54 kcal/mol) compared to PE/hexane (−34.79 kcal/mol). Non‐covalent interaction (NCI) studies confirm the importance of van der Waals forces in both systems, validating their role in the adsorption process. Miscibility studies indicate limited interactions, with PE/PU showing positive enthalpy of mixing. Electronic study demonstrates PE/PU's higher energy gap of 9.19 eV, correlating with superior performance. This research contributes to the fundamental understanding of oil absorption processes and informs the design and optimization of environmentally sustainable and efficient oil‐absorbing materials for remediation applications.Highlights DFT explores polymeric systems, PE/PU and PE/hexane, for oil absorbent. PE/PU excels with −12.87 kcal/mol adsorption energy, surpassing PE/hexane (−7.66 kcal/mol). NCI validates van der Waals forces in both systems, crucial for effective adsorption. Miscibility studies reveal limited interactions. PE/PU's superior 9.19 eV energy gap signifies enhanced absorbent performance. PE/PU excels as an oil‐absorbent material, underlining its overall superiority.

Plasma synthetic jet actuator array driven by a programmable triggered Marx high-voltage generator

A plasma synthetic jet (PSJ) actuator array driven by a self-triggered Marx high-voltage generator can simultaneously actuate multichannel PSJ actuators to form jet arrays; however, the discharge frequency cannot be controlled by programmable electrical signals. To address this, programmable high-voltage pulses are used to trigger a Marx high-voltage generator and regulate the discharge frequency of the PSJ actuator array. The electrode gap range for achieving a programmable triggered discharge is determined, and typical discharge images and basic discharge characteristics are obtained. The effects of trigger frequency and voltage amplitude on the discharge frequency are studied. The high-speed Schlieren technique is used to obtain flow-field characteristics of five-channel PSJ actuators under a programmable triggered state. The programmable triggered Marx high-voltage generator can achieve programmable control of the discharge frequency with an approximate linear control range of 10–30 Hz and a nonlinear saturation range of 30–100 Hz. In the approximate linear control range, the discharge frequency increases almost linearly with trigger frequency under different trigger voltage amplitudes. One of the channels of the five-channel synthetic jet actuators achieves the highest jet height and speed of 70 m/s, while those of the others are similar but slightly lower. There is no significant decrease in the jet height or speed of the five-channel PSJ actuators with the increase in the trigger frequency, which is beneficial for flow-control applications.

Analysis of a second peak of electron density observed in high-power impulse magnetron sputtering plasma using a Langmuir probe

Plasma characteristics of a high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) for copper deposition were investigated using a time-resolved Langmuir probe to explore HIPIMS discharge physics. Various discharge frequencies and pulse widths were employed while operating the HIPIMS in a constant current mode. Waveforms of the HIPIMS cathode current remained constant throughout the HIPIMS voltage pulse. It was found that electrons exhibited a bi-Maxwellian energy distribution both during and after the HIPIMS pulse. After the HIPIMS pulse, plasma density built up to a second peak while the bulk electron temperature quickly decreased. By examining the effect of pulse width and discharge frequency on the temperature of hot electrons through Langmuir I–V curves, it is suggested that the hot electron ionization contributed to the occurrence of the second peak.