Input Intensity Research Articles

Modulatory effects of real-time electromagnetic stimulation on epileptiform activity in juvenile rat hippocampus based on multi-electrode array recordings

Electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) has proven to be useful for the focal suppression of epileptiform activity (EFA) in the hippocampus. There is a critical period during EFA for achieving the transition from brief interictal discharges (IIDs) to prolonged ictal discharges (IDs), and it is unknown whether EMS can modulate this transition. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the intensity- and time-dependent effect of EMS on the transition of EFA. A juvenile rat EFA model was constructed by perfusing magnesium-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) on brain slices, and the induced EFA was recorded using a micro-electrode array (MEA) platform. After a stable EFA event was recorded for some time, real-time pulsed magnetic stimulation with low and high peak-to-peak input magnetic field intensities was carried out. A 5-min intervention with real-time magnetic fields with low intensity was found to reduce the amplitude of IDs (ID events still existed), whereas a 5-min intervention with real-time magnetic fields with high input voltages completely suppressed IDs. Short-time magnetic fields (9 s and 1 min) with high or low input intensity had no effect on EFA. Real-time magnetic fields can block the normal EFA process from IIDs to IDs (i.e., a complete EFA cycle) and this suppression effect is dependent on input intensities and intervention duration. The experimental findings further indicate that magnetic stimulation may be chosen as an alternative antiepileptic therapy.

Measuring the input rank in global supply networks

AbstractWe introduce the Input Rank as a network measure of relevance of direct and indirect suppliers in Global Value Chains. We conceive an intermediate input to be more relevant for a downstream buyer if a negative shock to that input's productivity affects that buyer more. In particular, in our framework, the relevance of any input depends on: (i) the network position of the supplier relative to the buyer, (ii) the patterns of intermediate input intensities connecting the buyer and the supplier, and (iii) the competitive pressures along supply chains. After we compute the Input Rank from both the U.S. and the world input–output tables, we provide useful insights into the crucial role of services inputs as well as on the relatively higher relevance of domestic suppliers, and suppliers coming from regionally integrated partners. Finally, we test that the Input Rank is a good predictor of vertical integration choices made by 20,489 U.S. parent companies controlling 154,836 subsidiaries worldwide.

Critical effect of heat input on joint quality in resistance element welding of Al and steel

Resistance element welding (REW) has recently attracted increasing interest, especially in the joining of high-strength steels and aluminum alloys. However, the intensity of heat input is a critical factor for the joint quality due to the possibility of excessive melting of the aluminum sheet around the element shank, which often degrades the joint's performance. This study evaluates the influence of heat input on the joint formation and mechanical performance of REW joints between ultra-high strength steel and aluminum alloy. In addition to the experimental investigations, a finite element method (FEM) was used to analyze the temperature distribution, nugget formation, and aluminum sheet melting characteristics as a function of heat input. The results show that the nugget dominates the joint's strength if the heat input is comparatively low. When heat is increased, however, the aluminum sheet plays a significant role in the joint's strength. Excessive melting of aluminum sheets reduces the load-bearing area of the joint. The competition between the weld nugget and aluminum sheet determines the joint's strength. The failure mode changes from interfacial to aluminum sheet failure as the heat input increases. The combined effect of aluminum sheet thickness and heat input on the joint strength was also evaluated. The results indicate that determining the appropriate heat input level is crucial to achieving an excellent performance of the REW joints.

Political economy of real exchange rate levels

Voluminous theoretical and empirical research shows that real exchange rate (RER) undervaluation could be conducive to economic development. Why do countries then often avoid the pursuit of policies that facilitate undervaluation or even intentionally pursue RER overvaluation? We address this question by investigating economic, institutional, and policy factors that help explain the within-country variation in RER undervaluation in a baseline panel of 68 developing and 39 developed countries between 1989–2013 using OLS and GMM estimators. Our results indicate that increases in the share of non-tradable sector output, imported input intensity of exports, and capital account openness is systematically associated with less undervalued RERs. We also provide evidence that independent central banks and democratic institutions are linked to RER overvaluation. Our key findings are robust to using alternative specifications, measures, estimation techniques, samples, and additional control variables. A preliminary comparison of Latin America and East Asia suggests interesting support for our key findings.

Business environment, technological innovation and government intervention: influences on high-quality economic development

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the impact of business environment on high-quality economic development (HQED) and clarify the role of technological innovation and government intervention in this relationship.Design/methodology/approachBased on China’s provincial panel data from 2010 to 2019, this paper adopts the system generalized method of moments to empirically analyze the influential mechanism and heterogeneity of the business environment on HQED. Furthermore, the authors construct a dynamic panel threshold model to test the threshold effect of government intervention.FindingsThe results indicate that optimizing the business environment can significantly promote HQED, technological innovation plays a partial mediating role in the impact of business environment on HQED, mainly by enhancing the intensity of innovation input and increasing innovation output to facilitate HQED. Government intervention can regulate the impact of business environment on HQED, and there is a double threshold effect, and it possesses an inverted U-shaped feature of first promoting and then inhibiting.Originality/valueThis paper examines the influence path of business environment on HQED from the perspective of technological innovation and government intervention, filling the gap in the study of provincial business environment. Moreover, the conclusions furnish a theoretical basis for optimizing the business environment and facilitating the HQED in China.

The Development of Green Finance and the Rising Status of China’s Manufacturing Value Chain

Green finance has gradually become an imperative engine for the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry in the new era. Using 30 provincial panel data sets of China from 2011 to 2020, this paper explores whether green finance will effectively impact the rise of China’s manufacturing value chain using green finance as the breakthrough point. The results show that: (1) The implementation of green finance policy has a promoting effect on the rise of the manufacturing value chain. (2) It has significant regional heterogeneity characteristics in the process of green finance that influence the manufacturing value chain. In the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry, the role of green finance in regions with developed economic bases is superior to those in comparatively backward areas. (3) Innovation and technological development are significant factors in the development of the manufacturing industry, and the intensity of innovative development inputs as well as the labour factor of highly skilled workers have a moderating role in the process of green finance for climbing up the value chain status of manufacturing. Based on the empirical evidence, policy implications are suggested.

DEVELOPMENT OF A MODIFIED METHOD OF NETWORK TRAFFIC FORMING

Based on the analysis of the statistical characteristics of heterogeneous network traffic of "Quadruple Play" mobile subscribers, it is shown that it cannot be represented by Poisson or Erlang distributions. It is shown that for such similar traffic, the rate of growth of the required buffer volume increases as the Hurst parameter increases. A method of adaptive traffic formation using the control of the length of intervals of the intensity of the arrival of data packets has been developed. Congestion management is carried out by changing the frequency of the marker generator (GM) on the basis of the results of forecasting the required bandwidth of the system and the required buffer size. The shaper adapts to changes in the length and instantaneous intensity of packet input in real-time.

Materials for Dielectric Nanotweezers in the Near-Visible Region

Nanotweezers made of dielectric nanoantennas have enabled optical trapping and manipulation of nanoscale objects. Commonly used dielectric materials with a high refractive index, notably silicon (Si), suffer from absorption at visible wavelengths and thus Joule heating of the structure and the trapped object. They are thus normally considered unsuitable for trapping applications in this wavelength range. In this work, dielectric materials with low absorption at 785 nm are studied to minimize Joule heating. We consider a bowtie configuration, which is simulated for four different dielectric materials and optimized for maximum electric field enhancement. The results show a significant electric field enhancement in the bowtie gap, which can act as a “hotspot” for optical trapping and enhancement of Raman scattering of a single nanosphere. We numerically investigate optical trapping of nanospheres and compare the results with an analytical expression. Three nanospheres with different refractive indices are used as examples. We further study the temperature increase and the thermally induced flow around the bowtie nanoantenna to understand if and how the trapping is perturbed by Joule heating. We find that nanoantennas made by Si on a Si substrate, although absorbing, can be used for trapping quantum dots (QDs) and polystyrene (PS) beads. The required input intensities for stable trapping are approximately 10 and 50 mW/μm2, for QDs and PS beads, respectively, inducing temperature increases of ∼1.4 K and ∼7 K, respectively. For transparent materials, the input intensity is the limiting factor, and gallium phosphide (GaP) requires the lowest input intensity due to its high refractive index. However, Si is a far more common and standard material and thus gives a significantly easier fabrication process.

Impact of outsourcing agricultural production on the frequency and intensity of agrochemical inputs: evidence from a field survey of 1211 farmers in major food-producing areas in China

Impact of outsourcing agricultural production on the frequency and intensity of agrochemical inputs: evidence from a field survey of 1211 farmers in major food-producing areas in China

How does participation in Ghana’s fertilizer subsidy program (GFSP) affect the adoption of sustainable intensification practices (SIPs) and gross farm inputs?

ABSTRACT Technology adoption is key to overcoming climate-related risks to smallholder farmers and declining soil fertility in sub-Sahara Africa. This study estimates the effect of participation in Ghana’s Fertilizer Subsidy Program (GFSP) on the adoption intensity of Sustainable Intensification Practices (SIPs) and gross farm inputs, using a nationally representative dataset of 4365 maize-growing households for two survey periods (2012/2013) and (2016/2017). The study finds that participation in the GFSP increases the adoption intensity in both SIPs and gross farm inputs. The study also finds that mutual aid schemes, farmer cooperatives, agricultural loans, household wealth, and connection of a farm household dwelling to the national electricity grid positively and significantly increase adoption intensity of SIPs and gross farm inputs. Improving access to the GFSP among poor farm households, provision of rural electrification, strengthening and resourcing enabling factors (such as mutual aid schemes and farmer cooperatives) at the local level can facilitate Ghana’s drive towards a sustainable agricultural production.

Surface plasmon resonance induced impressive absorptive nonlinearity from C-2-phenylethenilcalix [4]resorcinarene silver hybrid system

We experimentally demonstrate the enhanced absorptive nonlinear response from a hybrid system developed through the noncovalent interaction of C-2-phenylethenilcalix [4]resorcinarene (CPECR) with the silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The modified absorption spectrum and significantly reduced emission spectrum confirm the hybrid system formation. The characteristic shift in the Raman peaks ensures the charge transfer between CPECR and Ag. The absorptive nonlinearity of the hybrid system at the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band of Ag NPs was studied by the z-scan method using a Q-switched Nd: YAG laser with nanosecond pulsed beams having a repetition rate of 10 Hz at 532 nm. The dominance of the hybrid system formation over the pure system is the emergence of impressive nonlinear response at low input intensity resulting from the synergistic effect of effective two-photon absorption, the photo-induced charge transfer between CPECR and Ag and the local field effect produced by the SPR of Ag NPs.

Seismic Reduction Performance of Wrap Rope Connection Devices for Continuous Girder Bridges

In this article, wrap rope connection device (WRCD), which considers the relative acceleration of piers and beam as a control variable, is proposed for improving the current situation of continuous girder bridges whose bearing force of a single pier is along the longitudinal direction and based on the synergy principle. The WRCD device, which meets the slow displacement requirements of temperature and vehicle load under normal operation, is implemented and used to improve the performance of the sliding bearing pier. During earthquakes, because of the amplification effect of the wrap rope, the instantaneous large stiffness state in the longitudinal force can be achieved. Based on the shaking table test of a typical continuous girder bridge for examining the performance of the WRCD during earthquakes, the dynamic characteristics, structural acceleration, displacement, and strain responses of the structure under different frequency spectra, and seismic input intensities are analyzed and the seismic reduction performance of the WRCD is demonstrated. This analysis demonstrated that, by activating WRCD, the ratio of the acceleration response of the fixed bearing pier to the sliding bearing pier increased from 10% to 57%; moreover, the force on each pier appeared more uniform. Furthermore, with an increase in the input intensity of the earthquake, the displacement of the primary beam and the seismic response of the fixed pier bottom considerably decreased and the synergy effect of each pier was more prominent. Under certain site conditions, the WRCD can effectively improve the synergy effect between the sliding bearing piers and fixed bearing pier; however, the improvement in the obtained result is directly associated with the seismic input characteristics. The design parameters of the WRCD should be determined as per different site conditions and the optimum application range of the WRCD.

Patent term extensions and commercialization lags in the pharmaceutical industry: A growth-theoretic analysis

Due to the lags in commercialization, the effective life of a patent is generally less than its statutory term. We introduce commercialization lags into the Schumpeterian growth model and explore the effects of patent term extensions on pharmaceutical R&D and social welfare. Our results show that extending patent terms stimulates the consumption of homogeneous goods but generates an ambiguous effect on the consumption of pharmaceuticals. When patent extensions have an inverted-U effect on social welfare, the optimal patent extension increases with the length of commercialization lags but decreases with the input intensity of commercialization lags. Finally, we calibrate the model and find that increasing patent breadth reduces the optimal patent extension.

Causal linkages between land reform and factor demand under tenure insecurity: Evidence from Amhara Region, Ethiopia

While the debates on improving tenure security through land registration and certification are well discussed in Ethiopia, evidence on the effects of earlier land reforms is limited. This study examines the impact of land reform provoking tenure insecurity implemented prior to land registration and certification on the factor demand of farmers. Based on Ethiopian unique panel data in 1997 and 1999, we analyze the impact of the latest large-scale land redistribution implemented in Amhara Region in 1997. We employed an extended model of a difference-in-differences approach that allows us to test for asymmetries in impacts on both land-expropriated and land-redistributed households. The empirical results show that impact of the land redistribution on the factor demand of farmers depend on distinct factors, and it is asymmetric between the expropriated and redistributed households. The increase in land holdings (including land transfers) promotes land rentals, suggesting that there is an active land rental market; however, there is no evidence that it is caused by the land redistribution in 1997. It is assumed that tenure insecurity triggered by the land redistribution made them avoid land rentals. The results help fill the research gap in the recent debate concerning improving tenure security through land registration and certification. The expropriated households significantly increase their demand for the amount and the intensity of fertilizer input, while the redistributed households significantly decrease their off-farm labor choice. Contrastingly, there is no significant change in demand for factors with incomplete markets, such as livestock. To effectively implement land redistribution, it is necessary to simultaneously implement policies stimulating factor markets, low-interest credit services, extension services, and land tenure securing programs.

Temporal and inter-farm variability of economic and environmental farm performance: A resilience perspective on potato producing regions in the Netherlands

In the context of resilience and sustainability of farming systems it is important to study the trade-offs and synergies between economic and environmental variables. In this study, we selected food production, economic and environmental performance indicators of farms in three potato producing regions in the Netherlands: Flevoland, Zeeland and Veenkoloniën. We studied the period 2006 to 2019 using farm accountancy data. We used threshold regressions to determine gradual development and year-to-year variation of those indicators. Subsequently we applied a sparse Partial Least Square (sPLS) regression to study the response of performance, gradual development and year-to-year variation under different conditions regarding weather, market and farm structure. sPLS-model performance was at best moderate. Best model performance was attained for Veenkoloniën, a region with relatively little inter-farm variability and relatively stable economic prices. Model results were very sensitive to the selection of response variables. We found that food production, economic and environmental performance levels and gradual developments were primarily determined by input intensity levels. How these performance levels were determined by input intensity, i.e. positively or negatively, differed per case study. Year-to-year variability was determined by average yearly weather conditions and weather extremes. Overall, we conclude that the method applied to the data we had available mostly provided insights that confirm existing knowledge at case study level. sPLS can be seen as a filter and projector of high-dimensional data that accentuates patterns in the data. In the context of resilience of farms, while using a relatively small dataset, the applicability of our methodology seems limited to a rather homogeneous farm population in a stable economic environment. Researchers intending to apply this method to (arable) farming systems should be well aware of the influence they can have on the results through their selection of response variables.

Ecological risks of heavy metals in soil under different cultivation systems in Northwest China

The increasing population worldwide and high demand for food have changed the conventional open-field cultivation system (OFS) to plastic shed cultivation system (PSS), resulting in serious concern about soil contamination by heavy metals due to the intensive planting in PSS. However, there is limited research on heavy metals ecological risk after converting the cultivation system from OFS to PSS in Northwest China. Therefore, a total number of 341 soil samples were collected in Shaanxi province to measure heavy metals contents (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) and assess the ecological risk. In this study, the PSS cultivation system exhibited more severe contamination than the OFS; whereas the heavy metals pollution in different regions was in the following order: southern Shaanxi (SS) > central Shaanxi (CS) > northern Shaanxi (NS). Although the mean values of the selected heavy metals were below the national limited standard, Cd and Pb posed considerable accumulation in both cultivation systems and the growing cultivation years increased the Cd, Hg and Zn contents in soils of PSS. The results of correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between total phosphorus (TP) and Cd in PSS cultivation systems. However, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK) had different interactions with other heavy metals in each region under both cultivation systems due to the variations in crop management techniques such as planting intensity and fertilizer input. Partial least square path model (PLS-PM) analysis showed that the different cultivation regions had a greater impact than the type of cultivation system, which should be carefully taken into account in mitigating pollution risk. Additionally, research on heavy metals species and fractions in connection to their bioavailability under various agricultural production systems is advised for improved food safety.

Au–WS2 Nanohybrids with Enhanced Optical Nonlinearity for Optical Limiting Applications

Utilizing plasmonic effects of metal nanostructures on tailoring the properties of semiconducting materials has gained substantial research attention in the past 10 years. Here, we report the plasmon resonance-induced enhanced optical nonlinearity of Au–WS2 nanohybrids prepared via the blending of liquid phase exfoliated few-layer WS2 nanosheets with chemically synthesized spherical gold nanoparticles (NPs). Nonlinear optical properties were studied using the open aperture Z-scan technique with nanosecond laser pulses of wavelength 532 nm, which lie in the plasmonic band of Au NPs (480–550 nm) and B-excitonic transition range of WS2 nanosheets (520–535 nm). Au–WS2 nanohybrids exhibited an enhanced nonlinear absorption and optical limiting activity with an effective nonlinear absorption coefficient of 182 cm/GW at an on-axis input intensity of 0.14 GW/cm2, which is 3.87 times higher than that of bare WS2 nanosheets. The improved NLO response of nanohybrids is due to the plasmon resonance-induced local field effects, which significantly enhance B-excitonic transitions in WS2 nanosheets. The simulated field intensity enhancement profile also confirmed the effect of formation, where a strong interaction of plasmonic fields with WS2 nanosheets is clearly visible. The enhancement observed in simulated absorption density profiles indicated improved B-excitonic transitions in WS2 nanosheets due to the resonant plasmonic field. Au–WS2 nanohybrids exhibited a low limiting threshold of 0.55 J/cm2, which is better than that of many eminent nanohybrids reported so far. The strategy followed in this work for attaining superior nonlinear optical responses in Au–WS2 nanohybrids will be useful to develop novel nonlinear optical materials for photonic device applications.

High saturation photocurrent THz waveguide-type MUTC-photodiodes reaching mW output power within the WR3.4 band.

In this paper, we report on waveguide-type modified uni-traveling-carrier photodiodes (MUTC-PDs) providing a record high output power level for non-resonant photodiodes in the WR3.4 band. Indium phosphide (InP) based waveguide-type 1.55 µm MUTC-PDs have been fabricated and characterized thoroughly. Maximum output powers of -0.6 dBm and -2.7 dBm were achieved at 240 GHz and 280 GHz, respectively. This has been accomplished by an optimized layer structure and doping profile design that takes transient carrier dynamics into account. An energy-balance model has been developed to study and optimize carrier transport at high optical input intensities. The advantageous THz capabilities of the optimized MUTC layer structure are confirmed by experiments revealing a transit time limited cutoff frequency of 249 GHz and a saturation photocurrent beyond 20 mA in the WR3.4 band. The responsivity for a 16 µm long waveguide-type THz MUTC-PD is found to be 0.25 A/W. In addition, bow-tie antenna integrated waveguide-type MUTC-PDs are fabricated and reported to operate up to 0.7 THz above a received power of -40 dBm.

Effects of Sediment Dredging on the Reduction in Sediment Internal Loading of Lake Taihu and the Self-recovery Ability of Benthic Organism

Sediment dredging has a great effect on the control of lake internal loading and is one of the important methods for lake internal loading management. In this study, the dredged area of Taihu Lake was used as the main object. An estimation of the reduction in whole lake internal loading of Taihu Lake in decade years was carried out. At the same time, we evaluated the effect of sediment dredging on the control of internal loading in the northern area of Taihu Lake (Zhushan Bay and Meiliang Bay). The results indicated that a total of 42 million cubes of sediment was dredged from Taihu Lake, and the total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and organic matter in the dredged sediment was estimated to be approximately 6.26×104 tons, 1.83×104 tons, and 11.7×105 tons, respectively. This was roughly equal to the 20 years of external loading pollution accumulated in Taihu Lake. From a long-term perspective, sediment dredging could effectively increase the water quality of Meiliang Bay within five years and that where the external loading has been controlled effectively. However, the water quality of Meiliang Bay subsequently rebounded, but dredging still reduced the nitrogen and phosphorus content in surface sediment. On the contrary, dredging could not effectively control the internal loading of Zhushan Bay, which still had a large input of external loading. The amount of sediment internal loading recovered to the original level of the pre-dredging period. In a six-year-long period of continuous monitoring of the benthic organism community of Zhushan Bay, the results indicated that sediment dredging could cause negative effects on sediment dredging initially, but the density and biomass of the benthic organisms in the dredged area had later been recovered to the un-dredged level. There was no difference between the dredged and un-dredged areas with regard to the diversity indices of benthic organisms. The results of this study indicated that sediment dredging can effectively control the lake internal loading. However, the maintenance period of dredging effects was related closely to the input intensity of the external loading. In addition, sediment dredging did not have a large influence on the benthic organism community and could recover to the original level depending on self-recovery.

Analysis of the Factors Affecting China’s Manufacturing Servitization from the Perspective of the Ecological Environment

Manufacturing servitization (MS) can effectively alleviate the contradiction between economic growth and ecological carrying capacity and can promote energy conservation and emission reduction in the manufacturing industry (MI). However, China’s MI is in the primary stage of servitization and lacks sufficient ability to provide services; thus, the environmental benefits of MS are not obvious. Therefore, in the context of current pressure to normalize environmental protection, how servitization can drive low-carbon development in MI while taking into account economic development has become an important topic at present. Thus, this study constructs an evaluation index system of factors based on a driver–pressure–state–impact–response (DPSIR) model, and uses the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) model to analyze the causal relationship and key elements among the influencing factors. The results show that from the perspective of the ecological environment, many factors affect MS, although to varying degrees. Among them, the proportion of R&D personnel, input intensity, and the proportion of clean energy are the main factors. Based on the transmission mechanism among these factors, we propose two paths to realizing the service-oriented, low-carbon development of China’s MI.