Helix Electrode Research Articles

Electrocoagulation process for phosphate recovery of agricultural wastewater: effect of calcium adding, voltage, and time.

Recovery of valuable resources, such as phosphate recovery from wastewater, can help close the nutrient cycle and is interesting to investigate. This study aims to evaluate phosphate recovery and set aside TOC, OC, and IC in agricultural wastewater using electrocoagulation with a helix electrode configuration. This study employed the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for statistical analysis and modeling, utilizing a central composite design (CCD). Variation of calcium concentration (2-7mg/L), voltage (15-45V), and electrocoagulation time (5-15min) was applied in an electrocoagulation reactor with a helix-shaped stainless steel cathode and a solid cylindrical Mg anode. Based on RSM analysis, electrocoagulation with a helical electrode configuration significantly affects phosphate recovery and the removal of TOC, OC, and IC when treating agricultural wastewater. Under operating conditions of 15V, 15min time, and 2mg/L calcium concentration, we achieved the lowest phosphate concentration of 0.003mg/L (99.74% reduction). The highest TOC allowance is > 100% of the initial concentration, the TC allowance is 55.79%, and the IC allowance is 30.91%. The formation of metal hydroxides affects the efficiency of TOC removal in the electrocoagulation process, and higher electrolysis times lead to higher TOC removal efficiency. Higher voltages also improve the coagulation and flotation processes in the reactor. Calcium concentration plays a role in enhancing the flocculation process and binding phosphonates from wastewater.

An incremental energy stimulation test to predict success in left bundle branch capture

Abstract Introduction Left bundle branch (LBB) stimulation is guided by fluoroscopic projections and electrocardiographic criteria limited by positional variations. Purpose To evaluate an incremental energy stimulation test (IEST) to optimize success. Methods Prospective, non-randomized experimental study for proof-of-concept analysis (N=23), consisting on: (i) stimulation at three locations at the high, middle and low right mid-ventricular septum (right oblique 30o); and (ii) continuous unipolar stimulation (lumenless fixed helix electrode) at each location with increasing outputs (2 volt x 0.5 ms up to 10 vol x 1.5 ms). The final position for lead penetration was made by the operator blinded to the results of the IEST. Results IEST shortened the S-LVAT (δ-S-LVAT) up to 6.4±5 ms (range 0 to 18 ms), 8±8 ms (range 0 to 36 ms) and 5.5±5 ms (range 0 to 20 ms) respectively for high, mid, and low sites (Figure, panel A and B). There was not observed any paired correlation between the magnitude of the δ-S-LVAT at the three different positions (Pearson 0.36, 0.12 and 0.22; p= 0.1, 0.6 and 0.4 respectively), suggesting that the δ-S-LVAT is site specific. The final position for lead penetration was medium in 17 cases vs low in 6 cases. The low-output S-LVAT interval at the final position before lead penetration was positively correlated with the final S-LVAT achieved after lead penetration (Pearson 0.44; p=0.04), but the magnitude of the correlation increased with the high-output S-LVAT interval (Pearson 0.57; p=0.006) suggesting a better prediction performance (Figure, panel C). A complex relationship was observed where higher δ-S-LVAT values were associated with shorter S-LVAT after penetration and final position of the lead. In fact, for cases with low-output S-LVAT interval > 100 ms, the δ-S-LVAT significantly correlated with S-LVAT after penetration and final position of the lead (Pearson -0.61; p=0.026). Conclusions IEST lead to a site-specific shortening of the S-LVAT, pointing to optimized positions for LBB pacing. The technique provides with additional diagnostic criteria to determine the better site for lead penetration.

Harvesting of Dunaliella salina using electrocoagulation with helix electrode and producing HHO gas as promising Hydrogen fuel

<p>Biofuels obtained from renewable sources are the only alternative in the global economy from a sustainable point of view. Microalgae have shown tremendous potential as a major source of biomass production that can be used as biofuels. At the same time, gas hydrogen is a non-polluting energy source because it is produced from renewable sources. This study aims to analyze the harvesting efficiency of Dunaliella salina using electrocoagulation with a helix electrode and having HHO gas as hydrogen fuel. D salina harvesting using an EC reactor made of acrylic is done on a batch scale. Helix-shaped type 304 stainless steel is the cathode, and solid cylindrically-shaped Fe is the anode. The voltage set is 20 Volts, while the electrolysis time is varied between 1. 5. 10. 15. 20. 25 and 30 minutes. The harvesting efficiency of D salina using electrocoagulation with a helix electrode was the highest at 84.74%. The highest concentration of dissolved hydrogen gas was 1.753 ppm. The highest volume of HHO gas was 1978 mL resulting from a 30-minute electrocoagulation with a helix electrode, 20-volt voltage. Nanoscale glovaries are formed on the electrode through heterogeneous nucleation at the solid-liquid interface. After nucleation, the nanobubbles grow, and the buoyancy forces of the growing bubbles cause gas release from the cathode surface. This process continues until it causes many bubbles to produce 1978 mL HHO gas for 30 minutes. During the study, the convex HHO gas formed helped remove coagulated D salina floc through electro-flotation. When the time of D salina harvesting using electrocoagulation with a helix electrode significantly affects D salina harvesting efficiency, gas HHO volume, pH, and temperature, harvesting time has no significant effect on dissolved hydrogen gas concentration and ORP.</p>

Deposition of silicon oxide films on silicon using HelixJet - an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet process below 100 °C

Silicon oxide films are widely applied for their superior dielectric, chemical and mechanic properties as well as for their resistance against reactive chemicals. Simultaneously, there is an increasing number of applications which demand a low deposition temperature. In this work, we compare the material properties of SiOx layers deposited on silicon at ca. 70 °C by HelixJet, an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet deposition (PA) using double helix electrodes, with those of SiO2 layers thermally grown or deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition. According to cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, the interface between the PA oxide and the Si substrate is, similar to the case of thermal oxide, smooth with no apparent defects. In addition, the electrically active interface defect density is only one order of magnitude higher than that of the interface between thermal oxide and Si. In contrast, the bulk of the PA oxide significantly differs from that of thermal oxide. Right after deposition, the PA oxide contains carbon and hydrogen in a concentration of several at%, and the SiO2 network comprises several active centres. After furnace annealing, the formation of the SiO2 network is completed and the optical and electrical properties of the PA oxide converge to that of thermal oxide.

Research on multi-electrode capacitance rod position measurement sensor for NHR-200

Rod position measurement sensor is the key equipment of control rod stepping and scram measurement, its accuracy is directly related to the safety and reliability of NHR-200. The nonlinear errors of capacitance rod position measurement sensor (CRPMS) were classified, and the experiments of sensor edge effect and measuring rod eccentricity effect were carried out. The calculation model of CRPMS was established, the results of the model agree well with the experimental results. The relationship between eccentricity error and rod position depth was analyzed, and the design of multiple unequal length helix electrodes CRPMS based on the eccentricity error zeroing method was proposed. The static characteristic experiment of the CRPMS with suspending electrodes was carried out and the model was verified. The edge effect and eccentricity effect nonlinear errors were analyzed by using the model. The results show that the nonlinear errors can meet the requirement of rod position measurement accuracy.

Hydrogel-based electrodes for selective cervical vagus nerve stimulation

Objective. Electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has the potential to treat a wide variety of diseases by modulating afferent and efferent communication to the heart, lungs, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Although distal vagal nerve branches, close to end organs, could provide a selective therapeutic approach, these locations are often surgically inaccessible. In contrast, the cervical vagus nerve has been targeted for decades using surgically implantable helix electrodes to treat epileptic seizures and depression; however, to date, clinical implementation of VNS has relied on an electrode with contacts that fully wrap around the nerve, producing non-selective activation of the entire nerve. Here we demonstrate selective cervical VNS using cuff electrodes with multiple contacts around the nerve circumference to target different functional pathways. Approach. These flexible probes were adjusted to the diameter of the nerve using an adhesive hydrogel wrap to create a robust electrode interface. Our approach was verified in a rat model by demonstrating that cervical VNS produces neural activity in the abdominal vagus nerve while limiting effects on the cardiovascular system (i.e. changes in heart rate or blood pressure). Main results. This study demonstrates the potential for selective cervical VNS as a therapeutic approach for modulating distal nerve branches while reducing off target effects. Significance. This methodology could potentially be refined to treat gastrointestinal, metabolic, inflammatory, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases amenable to vagal neuromodulatory control.

Comparison of a Mid Scala and a Perimodiolar Electrode in Adults: Performance, Impedances, and Psychophysics.

The HiFocus Mid-Scala electrode array (HFms) is designed to sit within the scala tympani without touching either the lateral wall or the modiolus. The aim of this study was to compare the HFms to the Helix perimodiolar electrode array. Two groups of recipients with Helix (n = 22 ears) and HFms (n = 29 ears) electrode arrays were retrospectively identified and matched by age at implantation and duration of severe to profound deafness. Most comfortable listening levels (M), impedances, Freiburger Monosyllables in quiet, and Oldenburg sentences in adaptive noise were compared at 3, 6, and 12 months postimplant. Median scores for monosyllables in quiet for the HFms group were significantly better than the Helix group at each test interval (p < 0.05). Speech perception in quiet also significantly improved from 3 to 12 months for both groups (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups for speech in noise. Impedances were significantly lower for the HFms group at 12 months (p < 0.05) except at the basal end and M levels were generally higher. The HFms group had better median performance for monosyllables in quiet than the Helix group at each test interval, although performance in noise was similar. For speech in noise, the HFms group appear to reach optimum performance quicker than the Helix group. Impedances were lower in the HFms group across the array, other than at the most basal end, and support our hypothesis that the HFms assumes a more lateral position within the cochlea than the Helix electrode, although our article did not include imaging data.

Simulation and Experimental Investigation on Micro Electrochemical Milling of Micro Pattern Structures with High-Speed Helix Electrode

Background: It is always difficult to fabricate micro parts in complicated machines. As one of the most promising micro machining methods, micro electrochemical milling based on the principle of anode electrochemical dissolution is useful for the fabrication of micro structures in hard metal material with advantages irrespective of the material hardness and strength along with no residual stress or heat treatment being observed on the surface of the workpiece. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to propose a method of micro pattern structures machining by using high-speed helix electrode in micro electrochemical milling, and reveal the relationship of rotating speed of helix electrode and machining efficiency. Methods: This paper presents a micro electrochemical milling technique for fabricating micro pattern structures with high efficiency. Firstly, a mathematical model of gap electric field under the condition of ultra short pulse power supply is established, and the surface profile change of workpiece in micro electrochemical milling is simulated by COMSOL Multiphysics. Secondly, the gap flow field of the machining under the conditions of different rotating speed of helix electrode is analyzed by simulation. Finally, a set of experiments are carried out to discuss the influence of the rotating speed on maximum feed rate. Results: The surface profile change of workpiece in micro electrochemical milling is predicted by simulation. The graphs of gas-liquid distribution and velocity vector of the flow field in the machining are obtained. A series of micro pattern structures with a groove width of 150μm are machined successfully. Conclusion: By using high-speed helix electrode, the electrolyte circulation can be promoted and machining efficiency of micro electrochemical milling can be improved obviously. The experiment results demonstrate that the micro electrochemical milling with high-speed helix electrode is an efficient method to fabricate micro pattern structures. In this article, various patents have been discussed.

Enhancement of the electric field in electrodynamic screen using helix electrodes

The effect of electric fields on electrodynamic screen is very important for dust removal from solar cell screen. In this paper, we first analyzed and studied electrodynamic screen and examined the results in comparison with other reports in the literature. Also, simulation was done using the COMSOL Multiphysics software using the finite element analysis (FEA). The simulation results were compared with the results of analytical method (ANA), which are in good agreement with each other. Then, it is proposaled to using the structure of spring-shaped electrodes and the properties of Helix antennas, the electric field at the surface of electrodynamic screen was studied and amplified. In this system, the wired circles are located around the cylindrical electrodes. Found, when the voltage circulates inside these electrodes and wires in the frequency range of 5 to 100 Hz, it increases the electric field by about 50%. The amplification of the electric field leads to a more powerful electric force and a faster movement of dust particles, which speeds up the cleaning of electrodynamic screen.

Hydrogen Production from Methane Decomposition Using a Mobile and Elongating Arc Plasma Reactor

Hydrogen and solid carbon were produced through methane decomposition in a plasma reactor with a parallel set of screw type helix and rod-like electrodes. The novel configuration led to the 3-dimensional movement of plasma zone in the axial and angular directions as well as arc elongation. The effect of arc elongation and movement at various angular velocities of high voltage electrode was investigated on the reactor performance in terms of methane conversion, hydrogen yield, and energy yield. In addition, the influence of fluid flow direction was considered. Methane conversion of 47% and hydrogen production rate of 132.7 ml/min with the energy yield of 36.8 g/kWh were achieved at stable operating conditions. The deposition rate of carbon was 35 mg/min which had a graphite-like structure. A reaction pathway is proposed according to reaction path analysis in order to interpret the underlying plasma chemical process.

Electrical characterization of argon and nitrogen based cold plasma jet

In this paper, a dielectric barrier discharge plasma based atmospheric pressure plasma jet has been generated in a floating helix and floating end ring electrode configuration using mixture of argon and nitrogen gases (50:50 ratio). This configuration is subjected to a range of supply frequencies (10–25 kHz) and supply voltages (6.5–9.5 kV) at a fixed rate of gas flow rate (i.e., 1 l/min). The electrical characterization of the plasma jet has been carried out using a high voltage probe and current transformer. The current–voltage characteristics have been analyzed, and the power consumed by the device has been estimated at different applied combinations of supply frequency and voltages for optimum power consumption and maximum jet length. A comparative analysis of the results of the above experiments has shown that maximum power consumed by the device in helix electrode configuration with end ring is 19 W for (Ar+N2) mixture as compared to only 12 mW and 7.7 mW for Ar and He gas respectively (With end ring), this may be due to the main ionization mechanisms which are different depending on the working gas. Furthermore, maximum jet length of 42 mm has been obtained for He gas at 6 kV/25 kHz due to penning ionization process in comparison to jet lengths of only 32 mm for Ar gas and jet length of only 26 mm for Ar+N2 mixture. The obtained average power consumed and maximum jet length for mixture of (Ar+N2) gases are 6.5 W and 26 mm.

P3884Persistency of current of injury is associated with pacing threshold in a canine model of experimental helix electrode implantation

P3884Persistency of current of injury is associated with pacing threshold in a canine model of experimental helix electrode implantation

Fabrication of Glass Micro-Holes with High Quality by Electrochemical Discharge Machining with a Rotary Helix Electrode

Fabrication of Glass Micro-Holes with High Quality by Electrochemical Discharge Machining with a Rotary Helix Electrode

Atraumaticity Study of 2 Cochlear Implant Electrode Arrays

Evaluate, based on morphologic and histologic parameters, the atraumaticity of 2 electrode arrays implanted in 10 human temporal bones. Atraumatic surgery and electrode arrays are current topics in otologic surgery. The preservation of cochlear anatomy and its functions is a priority and morphologic evaluation of the surgical trauma is essential to continue improving in this field. Ten preserved human temporal bones (TB) without anatomic alterations were used in this study. They were divided into 2 groups of 5, and atraumatic surgery was performed to insert HiFocus 1J (group A) and HiFocus Helix (group B) electrode arrays. Anatomic comparisons were performed using computed tomography and histologic analysis. Group A: the mean length for the cochlear longitudinal axis was 10.30 mm, and the cochlear transversal axis was 7.2 mm. Scala tympani insertion was achieved in 4/5 TB studied, with a mean depth and angle of insertion of 19.2 mm and 325.5°, respectively. Lateral location of the electrode array was achieved in all specimens. No significant correlation was observed between these dimensions and depth of insertion. Group B: the mean length for the cochlear longitudinal axis was 9.52 mm, and cochlear transversal axis was 6.38 mm. Scala tympani insertion was achieved in 4/5 TB studied, with a mean depth and angle of insertion of 17.5 mm and 352°, respectively. Modiolar location of the electrode array was achieved in all specimens. A positive correlation was established between the linear and angular insertion depths (p = 0.044). In summary, it is safe to state that neither electrode array shows significant insertion trauma.

Investigation of ultra-broadband terahertz time-domain spectroscopy with terahertz wave gas photonics

Recently, air plasma, produced by focusing an intense laser beam to ionize atoms or molecules, has been demonstrated to be a promising source of broadband terahertz waves. However, simultaneous broadband and coherent detection of such broadband terahertz waves is still challenging. Electro-optical sampling and photoconductive antennas are the typical approaches for terahertz wave detection. The bandwidth of these detection methods is limited by the phonon resonance or carrier’s lifetime. Unlike solid-state detectors, gaseous sensors have several unique features, such as no phonon resonance, less dispersion, no Fabry-Perot effect, and a continuous renewable nature. The aim of this article is to review the development of a broadband terahertz time-domain spectrometer, which has both a gaseous emitter and sensor mainly based on author’s recent investigation. This spectrometer features high efficiency, perceptive sensitivity, broad bandwidth, adequate signal-to-noise ratio, sufficient dynamic range, and controllable polarization. The detection of terahertz waves with ambient air has been realized through a third order nonlinear optical process: detecting the second harmonic photon that is produced by mixing one terahertz photon with two fundamental photons. In this review, a systematic investigation of the mechanism of broadband terahertz wave detection was presented first. The dependence of the detection efficiency on probe pulse energy, bias field strength, gas pressure and third order nonlinear susceptibility of gases were experimentally demonstrated with selected gases. Detailed discussions of phase matching and Gouy phase shift were presented by considering the focused condition of Gaussian beams. Furthermore, the bandwidth dependence on probe pulse duration was also demonstrated. Over 240 times enhancement of dynamic range had been accomplished with n-hexane vapor compared to conventional air sensor. Moreover, with sub-20 fs laser pulses delivered from a hollow fiber pulse compressor, an ultra-broad spectrum covering from 0.3 to 70 THz was also showed. In addition, a balanced detection scheme using a polarization dependent geometry was developed by author to improve signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range of conventional terahertz air-biased-coherent-detection (ABCD) systems. Utilizing the tensor property of third order nonlinear susceptibility, second harmonic pulses with two orthogonal polarizations was detected by two separated photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). The differential signal from these two PMTs offers a realistic method to reduce correlated laser fluctuation, which circumvents signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range of conventional terahertz ABCD systems. A factor of two improvement of signal-to-noise ratio was experimentally demonstrated. This paper also introduces a unique approach to directly produce a broadband elliptically polarized terahertz wave from laser-induced plasma with a pair of double helix electrodes. The theoretical and experimental results demonstrated that velocity mismatch between excitation laser pulses and generated terahertz waves plays a key role in the properties of the elliptically polarized terahertz waves and confirmed that the far-field terahertz emission pattern is associated with a coherent process. The results give insight into the important influence of propagation effects on terahertz wave polarization control and complete the mechanism of terahertz wave generation from laserinduced plasma. This review provides a critical understanding of broadband terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and introduces further guidance for scientific applications of terahertz wave gas photonics.

Generation of Elliptically Polarized Terahertz Waves from Laser-Induced Plasma with Double Helix Electrodes

By applying a helical electric field along a plasma region, a revolving electron current is formed along the plasma and an elliptically polarized far-field terahertz wave pattern is observed. The observed terahertz wave polarization reveals the remarkable role of velocity retardation between optical pulses and generated terahertz pulses in the generation process. Extensive simulations, including longitudinal propagation effects, are performed to clarify the mechanisms responsible for polarization control of air-plasma-based terahertz sources.

Study on Natural Gas Converted to C&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; Hydrocarbons in Plasma State

This paper presents the methane coupling with a new developed rotary multidentate helix electrode under plasmas at atmospheric pressure and in the presence of hydrogen to investigate the effects of peak voltage input the electric fields and feed flow rate on CH4 conversion and C2 yield and selectivity. The best result without remarkable amount of coke is 69.85% of single pass yield of C2 hydrocarbons with 70.46% of CH4 conversion and 99.14% of selectivity of C2 hydrocarbons. The emission of excited species such as excited radicals and atoms (C,CH,C2,H and H2) were detected in the spectra range of 300 nm～700 nm.

Prolonged Rhythm Monitoring for the Detection of Occult Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Ischemic Stroke of Unknown Cause

Atrial fibrillation (AF), commonly encountered in patients with ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), confers a 5-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke.1,2 AF-related strokes are associated with an ≈50% increased risk of disability and 60% increased risk of death at 3 months compared with strokes of other etiologies.3 Paroxysmal AF (PAF), a self-terminating recurrent form of cardiac arrhythmia that comprises between 25% and 62% of AF cases, may present as a brief single episode of arrhythmia or as clusters of abnormal rhythm of variable duration, sometimes evolving into a more persistent or permanent form.4 The self-terminating nature of PAF may lead to its underdiagnosis and consequent use of less effective treatment strategies (aspirin instead of oral anticoagulation) in poststroke patients. To address the underdiagnosis of PAF in patients with ischemic stroke and TIAs, several treatment guidelines have singled out the identification of PAF as an important goal after a stroke/TIA.5–8 The diagnosis of PAF, however, poses a challenge. Several features of AF (such as its brief duration, episodic frequency, and asymptomatic presentations) make its detection difficult and elusive to bedside screening measures, such as pulse monitoring and routine ECGs. To date, several studies have explored the use of prolonged noninvasive and invasive cardiac monitoring devices to identify AF but with variable success. After detection of AF, a cardioembolic mechanism is often inferred and anticoagulation occasionally prescribed for secondary stroke prevention. The routine use of cardiac monitoring to identify patients with PAF who will benefit from anticoagulation has been reported to be cost-effective.9 In this review, we provide an overview of the different methods of cardiac monitoring, summarize studies that investigated the incidence of PAF after stroke, and highlight gaps in our understanding of the pathogenic and prognostic significance of AF …

Simulation of Mechanical Environment in Active Lead Fixation: Effect of Fixation Helix Size

The risk of myocardial penetration due to active-fixation screw-in type pacing leads has been reported to increase as the helix electrodes become smaller. In order to understand the contributing factors for lead penetration, we conducted finite element analyses of acute myocardial micro-damage induced by a pacemaker lead screw-in helix electrode. We compared the propensity for myocardial micro-damage of seven lead designs including a baseline model, three modified designs with various helix wire cross-sectional diameters, and three modified designs with different helix diameters. The comparisons show that electrodes with a smaller helix wire diameter cause more severe micro-damage to the myocardium in the early stage. The damage severity, represented by the volume of failed elements, is roughly the same in the middle stage, whereas in the later stage the larger helix wire diameter generally causes more severe damage. The onset of myocardial damage is not significantly affected by the helix diameter. As the helix diameter increases, however, the extent of myocardial damage increases accordingly. The present findings identified several of the major risk factors for myocardial damage whose consideration for lead use and design might improve acute and chronic lead performance.

Helix electrode pull back: electrophysiology and surgical results

electrodes. Recent reports showed the effect of an increased focusing of the intracochlear electrical field by a surgical modification of the commonly performed insertion (Todt et al., 2005; 2008) called ‘pull-back’. Focusing the intracochlear field is assumed to further increase the number of virtual channels. It has been shown that this further increase of the perimodiolar position led to a better frequency discrimination with the Nucleus Advance array (Basta et al., 2010). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the modified insertion technique in the temporal bone (TB) to be able to perform the technique with the helix electrode. In a second step, we looked at the intraoperative electrophysiological changes due to the electrode pull-back. Method Ten TB with a view on the scala tympani were investigated. The intracochlear movements of the helix electrode positioning were recorded. After assessing the video-based recordings, the absolute change of three different distances (tip change, modiolus approximation distance, and pull back distance) was calculated. To define the pixel-based frame distances, the known contact-to-contact distances of the electrode provided by the manufacturer were used. Video analysis was performed with Metra software. Additionally, we investigated the electrophysiological effect of the electrode pull-back by pre- and post-pull-back measurements of the spread of excitation (SOE) and the neural response imaging (NRI) threshold in 10 implanted patients. A modified round window approach was performed. The pullback distance from the surgeons perspective was subjectively limited to 1.5 mm. Therefore, the first and the second cochleostomy markers were used (distance 3 mm). Measurements of the SOE were performed with the RSPOM software (Advanced Bionics software platform, Valencia, CA, USA) using the variable recording algorithm. Measurement contacts were electrodes 4, 8, and 12. Pre- and post-pullback current levels were intraindividually equally chosen, but varied interindividually. For the calculation of the pull-back effect, the electrode width of the SOE at 60% was used. RSPOM and equally current level were used for the measurements of the NRI thresholds.