Oscillatory Profile Research Articles

Traveling waves for quantum hydrodynamics with nonlinear viscosity

In this paper we study existence of traveling waves for 1-D compressible Euler system with dispersion (which models quantum effects through the Bohm potential) and nonlinear viscosity in the context of quantum hydrodynamic models for superfluidity. The existence of profiles is proved for appropriate (super– or sub– sonic) end states defining Lax shocks for the underlying Euler system formulated in terms of density and velocity without restrictions for the viscosity and dispersion parameters. On the other hand, the interplay of the dispersion and the viscosity plays a crucial role in proving the existence of oscillatory profiles, showing in this way how the dispersion plays a significant role in certain regimes. Numerical experiments are also provided to analyze the sensitivity of such profiles with respect to the viscosity/dispersion terms and with respect to the nearness to vacuum.

Generation and application of sub-kilohertz oscillatory flows in microchannels

We present a user-friendly and versatile experimental technique that generates sub-kilohertz sinusoidal oscillatory flows within microchannels. The method involves the direct interfacing of microfluidic tubing with a loudspeaker diaphragm to generate oscillatory flow in microchannels with frequencies ranging from $10-1000$ Hz and amplitudes ranging from $10 - 600 \ \mu$m. The speaker-based apparatus allows independent control of frequency and amplitude that is unique to the speaker's manufacturing specifications. The performance of our technique is evaluated by Fourier spectral analysis of oscillatory motion of tracer particles, obtained by particle tracking velocimetry, as well as by comparing oscillatory flow profiles against theoretical benchmarks such as Stokes flow in a square channel and Stokes' second problem near a solid boundary. Applications that utilize both the oscillatory flow and the associated steady rectified flows are demonstrated in prototypical microfluidic configurations. These include inertial focusing and mixing at low Reynolds numbers, respectively.

The renin secretion profile under the influence of sleep deprivation and the neuropeptides CRH and GHRH

It is already known that during normal sleep plasma renin activity (PRA) shows oscillations with decreases during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep and increases during non-REM (NREM) sleep. We also know that renin correlates positively with slow-wave sleep (SWS). Sleep deprivation is known to enhance significantly SWS and slow wave activity (SWA, known as δ power).Based on these findings we addressed the question whether and to which extent sleep deprivation may affect the synchronization found between PRA and REM sleep during normal sleep and whether this synchronization is affected by other sleep regulating factors. To investigate these questions we compared sleep EEG and sleep-related free renin levels in 48 normal women and men 19–69 years old between nights before and after 40 h of sleep deprivation. During the recovery night, four bolus injections of either GHRH, CRH or placebo were injected via long catheter around sleep onset. When compared to baseline after each of the treatments SWS, SWA and renin levels increased. The characteristical oscillation profiles of renin during normal sleep were also preserved after sleep deprivation. Similar to normal sleep our data support also a distinct link between nocturnal renin secretion and SWS after sleep deprivation and that independent of the applied treatments.

Spatial control of localized oscillations in arrays of coupled laser dimers.

Arrays of coupled semiconductor lasers are systems possessing radically complex dynamics that makes them useful for numerous applications in beam forming and beam shaping. In this work, we investigate the spatial controllability of oscillation amplitudes in an array of coupled photonic dimers, each consisting of two semiconductor lasers driven by differential pumping rates. We consider parameter values for which each dimer's stable phase-locked state has become unstable through a Hopf bifurcation and we show that, by assigning appropriate pumping rate values to each dimer, high-amplitude oscillations coexist with negligibly low-amplitude oscillations. The spatial profile of the amplitude of oscillations across the array can be dynamically controlled by appropriate pumping rate values in each dimer. This feature is shown to be quite robust, even for random detuning between the lasers, and suggests a mechanism for dynamically reconfigurable production of a large diversity of spatial profiles of laser amplitude oscillations.

Interfacing gene circuits with microelectronics through engineered population dynamics.

While there has been impressive progress connecting bacterial behavior with electrodes, an attractive observation to facilitate advances in synthetic biology is that the growth of a bacterial colony can be determined from impedance changes over time. Here, we interface synthetic biology with microelectronics through engineered population dynamics that regulate the accumulation of charged metabolites. We demonstrate electrical detection of the bacterial response to heavy metals via a population control circuit. We then implement this approach to a synchronized genetic oscillator where we obtain an oscillatory impedance profile from engineered bacteria. We lastly miniaturize an array of electrodes to form "bacterial integrated circuits" and demonstrate its applicability as an interface with genetic circuits. This approach paves the way for new advances in synthetic biology, analytical chemistry, and microelectronic technologies.

CD8 regulatory T cells during Zika virus infection

Abstract Introduction Flavivirus infections are cause of great concern worldwide due to recurrent epidemics and high mortality rates, being a major public health problem. The relevance to study Zika virus infection was highlighted after the discovery that ZIKV infection during pregnancy could cause microcephaly, besides others abnormalities. Knowing that ZIKV, like other flaviviruses, can modulate host innate and adaptive immune response, we aim to understand the role of CD8+ regulatory T cells in the control of viral replication in an experimental infection. Methods C57BL/6 Foxp3GFP and C57BL/6 CD8−/− mice were infected with 106 PFU of ZIKV (Brazilian strain), followed by viral quantification, gene expression, and flow cytometry analysis. Results Infection of CD8 knockout mice presented viral load with an oscillatory profile compared to WT mice, and analysis of CD8 T cells populations in WT mice showed that CD8Foxp3 cells are induced on the first day post infection and it pool of cells are maintained during infection, as could be noted on day 30 post infection. These cells are related to increase of viral replication as shown in cell transfer experiment. However, naïve CD8Foxp3 cells are responsible to increase virus replication, while CD8Foxp3 cells from infected mice seems to be not capable to respond to antigen. Conclusion This finding leads us to believe that there is an attempt by the pathogen to modulate the adaptive immune response, in order to facilitate its replication and permanence in the host. In short, our work seeks to elucidate the immunobiology of the ZIKV infection and to correlate this with the susceptibility to the Congenital Syndrome caused by Zika virus.

Stability assessment of iron oxide yellow pigment dispersions and temperature dependent implications of rheological measurements

Iron oxide yellow pigment dispersions were prepared using different surfactants. Dispersions were subjected to rheology analysis and accelerated stability test to understand and assess the shelf life/storage stability of the dispersions. The cohesive energy density (Ec) determined by analyzing Oscillatory amplitude sweep test indicated that, dispersion prepared using the surfactant, Polyoxyethylene Oleic Amide (S-1) should result in good storage stability compared to the other 3 dispersions prepared with surfactants Ethoxylated Cocamide (S-2), Cocomonoethanolamide Ethoxylate (S-3), and Polyoxy Ethylene Amide (S-4). However, the physical observations of accelerated stability test of dispersion prepared with S-1 showed separation and settling. The initial rheology data did not help for the assessment of shelf life of the dispersion probably due to the difference in test conditions e.g. the accelerated stability test was performed at 55 °C and the rheology profiles were recorded at 25 °C. The ‘Ec’ was calculated again for all dispersions for the Oscillatory sweep profiles recorded at 55 °C. Interestingly, the ‘Ec’ of dispersion prepared with S1 was reduced drastically. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in ‘Ec’ observed for other 3 dispersions. The ‘Ec’ calculated for profiles recorded at 55 °C reflected well with physical observation of accelerated stability samples. Dispersion prepared with S1 was found unstable over a period of time or at accelerated test conditions might be due to low HLB of S1. It was demonstrated that rheology data are of great help in assessing the stability of the dispersions provided the test conditions were considered appropriately.

TLS and GB-RAR Measurements of Vibration Frequencies and Oscillation Amplitudes of Tall Structures: An Application to Wind Towers

This article presents a methodology for the monitoring of tall structures based on the joint use of a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS), configured in line scanner mode, and a ground-based real aperture radar (GB-RAR) interferometer. The methodology provides both natural frequencies and oscillation amplitudes of tall structures. Acquisitions of the surface of the tall structure are performed by the TLS with a high sampling rate: each line scan provides an instantaneous longitudinal section. By interpolating the points of each line, oscillation profiles are estimated with a much better precision than each single point. The amplitude and frequency of the main oscillation mode of the whole structure are derived from the TLS profiles. GB-RAR measurements are used to measure the vibration frequencies of higher oscillation modes which are not caught by the TLS due its lower precision in the measurement of displacements. In contrast, the high spatial resolution of TLS measurements provides an accurate description of oscillation amplitude along the tower, which cannot be caught by the GB-RAR, due to its poorer spatial resolution. TLS and GB-RAR acquisitions are simultaneous. The comparison with the analytical solution for oscillation modes demonstrates that the proposed methodology can provide useful information for structural health monitoring (SHM). The methodology does not require the use of targets on the structure and it can be applied during its normal use, even in presence of dynamic loads (wind, traffic vibrations, etc.). A test was carried out on a wind tower where the synergistic use of TLS and GB-RAR made it possible to fully describe the spectral properties of the tower and at the same time measure the amplitude of the first oscillation mode along the tower with a high spatial resolution.

Dissipative Self-Assembly of Dynamic Multicompartmentalized Microsystems with Light-Responsive Behaviors

Summary Living cells are compartmentalized systems operating far from thermodynamic equilibrium and consume energy from the environment to carry out their functions. The construction of biomimetic synthetic compartments has both scientific and technological value. Despite many advances, the assembly of synthetic compartments that present nonequilibrium behaviors based on dissipative (or transient) self-assembly remains a grand challenge. Here, we describe the design and synthesis of multicompartmental systems with an active microstructure and complex behaviors. By including an artificial pathway for energy dissipation, we demonstrate the autonomous generation of active polymeric systems using a strategy based on polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), driven by chemical fuel. Remarkably, these self-organized synthetic systems exhibit a dynamic change in their multicompartmental structures when exposed to light. This work introduces a strategy toward the design and construction of synthetic compartments with a dynamic structure and also presents pathways to engineer materials with spatially controllable structures and functionalities.

Inhibitory Effect of a KSL-W Peptide-Loaded Poloxamer 407-Based Microemulsions for Buccal Delivery on Fusobacterium nucleatum Biofilm.

KSL-W peptide has demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal activity and inhibitory effects against oral biofilm. This study aimed to check out the effect of chlorhexidine (CLX) or KSL-W peptide-loaded poloxamer 407-based microemulsions for buccal delivery on Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) biofilm. The formulation (F) containing 10% copolymer poloxamer 407 dispersion (1%), 40% oleic acid and 50% PPG-5-CETETH-20 was characterized by polarized light microscopy (PLM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), rheology, bioadhesive and syringeability; and in the treatment of a biofilm produced by F. nucleatum. The darkfield images obtained by PLM and the SAXS curves with an extended peak indicated that the system was characteristic of microemulsions. In a continuous analysis, microemulsions exhibited Newtonian behavior. In frequency, the oscillatory analysis profile presented predominantly viscous behavior. Bioadhesive force detected in the analysis of F (7.4 ± 1.81 mN˙ s) and syringeability (17.83± 5.97 N · mm) being adequate values for buccal administration. After 4 h, KSL-W-loaded F shown over 20% higher effectiveness than chlorhexidine-loaded microemulsions. In conclusion, the KSL-W-loaded microemulsions showed a considerable reduction in F. nucleatum biofilm formation and presented promising structural properties for buccal drug delivery.

Simulation of self-coordination in a row of beating flexible flaplets for micro-swimmer applications: Model and experiment study

In this study, we present a model that simulates hydrodynamic self-coordination in a row of flexible flaplets. We control the flaplets in order that their tips follow a fixed-amplitude oscillatory motion profile. When brought together at a low Reynolds-number environment, the flaplets interact with each other in the form of bending deflections at their tips, which causes the frequency of the individual oscillations to vary until a coordinated steady state is reached. The model design steps are experimentally verified and the coordination results of both the experiment and the model are compared. The model’s internal states are then analysed for a better understanding of the synchronization collective effect. The coordination of the flaplets is found to settle in the direction of propulsion forces ascent. The stability of the resulted synchronization and propulsion forces are examined over long periods. The model is meant to be simplified and mostly linear so that it can be utilized for state forecasting in a real-time control application of a swimmer robot. Finally, we experimentally study the propulsion performance of five beating flaplets that follow prescribed oscillation profiles forming a metachronal wave. The flow results show that the flaplets, that beat in coordination, are efficient at generating a uni-directional steady-streaming transport of the fluid at their surface.

An unbiased and efficient assessment of excitability of sensory neurons for analgesic drug discovery.

Alleviating chronic pain is challenging, due to lack of drugs that effectively inhibit nociceptors without off-target effects on motor or central neurons. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) contain nociceptive and non-nociceptive neurons. Drug screening on cultured DRG neurons, rather than cell lines, allows for the identification of drugs most potent on nociceptors with no effects on non-nociceptors (as a proxy for unwanted side effects on central nervous system and motor neurons). However, screening using DRG neurons is currently a low-throughput process, and there is a need for assays to speed this process for analgesic drug discovery. We previously showed that veratridine elicits distinct response profiles in sensory neurons. Here, we show evidence that a veratridine-based calcium assay allows for an unbiased and efficient assessment of a drug effect on nociceptors (targeted neurons) and non-nociceptors (nontargeted neurons). We confirmed the link between the oscillatory profile and nociceptors, and the slow-decay profile and non-nociceptors using 3 transgenic mouse lines of known pain phenotypes. We used the assay to show that blockers for Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 channels, which are validated targets for analgesics, affect non-nociceptors at concentrations needed to effectively inhibit nociceptors. However, a combination of low doses of both blockers had an additive effect on nociceptors without a significant effect on non-nociceptors, indicating that the assay can also be used to screen for combinations of existing or novel drugs for the greatest selective inhibition of nociceptors.

Structuring of colloidal silica nanoparticle suspensions near water-silica interfaces probed by specular neutron reflectivity.

Structuring of aqueous suspensions of colloidal silica nanoparticles near an isolated planar silica-water interface is studied by specular neutron reflectivity. The reflectivity data clearly show that the suspensions develop a damped, oscillatory concentration profile in the normal direction to the interface. The wavelengths of these oscillations agree well with those independently determined by direct force measurements in the slit-geometry. The reflectivity data further demonstrate that the oscillatory structure persists over several layers and that the first particle layer is separated from the interface by a particle-free region.

A Nudge or a Shove: Altering Actomyosin Pulse Profiles InVivo.

Pulsed actomyosin contractions drive morphogenetic processes, but how cyclic frequencies and amplitudes of contractions are tuned to achieve processive shrinking of cell surfaces remains unclear. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Cavanaugh etal. (2020) use optogenetics and biophysical modeling to demonstrate how cells respond to different oscillatory force profiles.

Hippocampal oscillatory dynamics and sleep atonia are altered in an animal model of fibromyalgia: Implications in the search for biomarkers.

The pathogenesis of fibromyalgia is still unknown. Core symptoms include pain, depression, and sleep disturbances with high comorbidity, suggesting alterations in the monoaminergic system as a common origin of this disease. The reserpine-induced myalgia (RIM) model lowers pain thresholds and produces depressive-like symptoms. The present work aims to evaluate temporal dynamics in the oscillatory profiles and motor activity during sleep in this model and to evaluate if the model mimics the sleep disorders that occur in fibromyalgia patients. Hippocampal and electromyogram activity were recorded in chronically implanted rats. Following 3 days of basal recordings, reserpine was administered on three consecutive days to achieve the RIM. Postreserpine recordings were taken on alternate days for 21 days. Reserpine induced changes in the sleep architecture with more transitions between states, and a different pattern between the administration period and postreserpine weeks. Administration days were characterized by a larger amount of rapid eyes movement sleep with dominant theta waves without atonia. Following the reserpinization, theta oscillations were always more fragmented and with lower frequency. On the postreserpine days, sleep was dominated by slow-wave sleep with fast intrusions and reduced hierarchical coupling with spindles and ripples. Simultaneous electromyography recordings also showed muscle twitches during sleep and the dissociation of theta activity and muscle atonia. Abnormally high slow waves, alpha/delta intrusions, frequent transitions, and muscle twitches are common traits in fibromyalgia. Therefore, our analyses support the validity of the RIM model to study sleep disorders in fibromyalgia, and provide new insights into the research of oscillographic biomarkers.

On the origin of oscillatory interactions between surfaces mediated by polyelectrolyte solution.

We use a numerical implementation of polymer classical density functional theory with an incompressibility condition to study the system consisting of nonadsorbing polyelectrolytes confined by two planar surfaces and quantify the effective interaction between the two planar surfaces as a function of the polyelectrolyte and salt concentrations. Our results indicate that for the uncharged surfaces (and weakly charged surfaces), the effective interaction primarily consists of a short-range attraction due to the depletion followed by repulsion due to the electric double layer overlapping and electrostatic correlations. For salt-free and low salt concentration systems, the magnitude of the repulsion barrier is determined by the overlap between the electric double layers, while at relatively high salt concentrations, the magnitude of the repulsion barrier is determined by the electrostatic correlations. Due to the competition between the electric double layer and the electrostatic correlations, the magnitude of the repulsion barrier varies nonmonotonically. In contrast, a mean-field Poisson-Boltzmann treatment of the electrostatics predicts a monotonically decreasing repulsion barrier with increasing salt concentration. At moderate salt concentrations, our theory predicts oscillatory interaction profiles. A comparison with the mean-field Poisson-Boltzmann treatment of electrostatics suggests that the oscillations are due primarily to electrostatic correlations.

Neural Oscillation Profiles of a Premise Monotonicity Effect During Semantic Category-Based Induction.

A premise monotonicity effect during category-based induction is a robust effect, in which participants are more likely to generalize properties shared by many instances rather than those shared by few instances. Previous studies have shown the event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by this effect. However, the neural oscillations in the brain underlying this effect are not well known, and such oscillations can convey task-related cognitive processing information which is lost in traditional ERP analysis. In the present study, the phase-locked and non-phase-locked power of neural oscillations related to this effect were measured by manipulating the premise sample size [single (S) vs. two (T)] in a semantic category-based induction task. For phase-locked power, the results illustrated that the premise monotonicity effect was revealed by anterior delta power, suggesting differences in working memory updating. The results also illustrated that T arguments evoked larger posterior theta-alpha power than S arguments, suggesting that T arguments led to enhanced subjectively perceived inductive confidence than S arguments. For non-phase-locked power, the results illustrated that the premise monotonicity effect was indicated by anterior theta power, suggesting that the differences in sample size were related to a change in the need for cognitive control and the implementation of adaptive cognitive control. Moreover, the results illustrated that the premise monotonicity effect was revealed by alpha-beta power, which suggested the unification of sentence and inference-driven information. Therefore, the neural oscillation profiles of the premise monotonicity effect during semantic category-based induction were elucidated, and supported the connectionist models of category-based induction.

Dispersive shocks in quantum hydrodynamics with viscosity

In this paper we study existence and stability of shock profiles for a 1-D compressible Euler system in the context of quantum hydrodynamic models. The dispersive term is originated by the quantum effects described through the Bohm potential; moreover we introduce a (linear) viscosity to analyze its interplay with the former while proving existence, monotonicity and stability of traveling waves connecting a Lax shock for the underlying Euler system. The existence of monotone profiles is proved for sufficiently small shocks; while the case of large shocks leads to the (global) existence for an oscillatory profile, where dispersion plays a significant role. The spectral analysis of the linearized problem about a profile is also provided. In particular, we derive a sufficient condition for the stability of the essential spectrum and we estimate the maximum modulus of the eigenvalues in the unstable plane, using a careful analysis of the Evans function.

CRISPR/Cas-mediated Fubp1 silencing disrupts circadian oscillation of Per1 protein via downregulating Syncrip expression.

Most living organisms have physiological and behavioral circadian rhythms controlled by molecular clocks. In mammals, several core clock genes show self-perpetuating oscillation profiles of their messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and proteins through anauto-regulatory transcription-translation feedback loop (TTFL). As a critical component in the molecular clock system, Period 1 (Per1) contributes to the maintenance of circadian rhythm duration predominantly in peripheral clocks. Alterations in Per1 expression and oscillating patterns lead to the development of cancers as well as circadian rhythm abnormalities. In this study, we demonstrate that the phasic profile of Per1 protein was clearly disrupted in CRISPR/Cas-mediated Fubp1-deficient cells. Although Fubp1 does not show rhythmic expression, Fubp1 upregulates the mRNA and protein level of Syncrip, the main post-transcriptional regulator of Per1 protein oscillation. In addition to the diverse physiological functions of Fubp1, including cell-cycle regulation and cellular metabolic control, our results suggest new roles forFubp1 in the molecular clock system.

Nipple Deformation and Peripheral Pressure on the Areola During Breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is a complex process where the infant utilizes two forms of pressure during suckling, vacuum and compression. Infant applied compression, or positive oral pressure, to the breast has not been previously studied in vivo. The goal of this study is to use a methodology to capture the positive oral pressure values exerted by infants' maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw) on the breast areola during breastfeeding. In this study, the positive and negative (vacuum) pressure values are obtained simultaneously on six lactating mothers. Parallel to the pressure data measurements, ultrasound images are captured and processed to reveal the nipple deformations and the displacements of infants' tongues and jaw movements during breastfeeding. Motivated by the significant differences in composition between the tissue of the breast and the nipple-areola complex, the strain ratio values of the lactating nipples are obtained using these deformation measurements along with pre- and postfeed three-dimensional (3D) scans of the breast. The findings show an oscillatory positive pressure profile on the breast under both maxilla and mandible, which differs from clinical indications that only the mandible of an infant moves during breastfeeding. The strain ratio varies between mothers, which indicates volume changes in the nipple during feeding and suggests that previous assumptions regarding strain ratio for nonlactating breasts will not accurately apply to breast tissue during lactation.