Contraction Phenomenon Research Articles

Regulating the thermophysical properties of rare earth cerates through high entropy design and substitute

Cerate ceramics are considered promising candidates for the new generation of thermal barrier coatings. However, in the middle temperature area (473–673 K), the CTE mismatch due to the thermal contraction often results in coating failure. The aim of this work is to develop an innovative component regulation method that significantly reduces the thermal conductivity and alleviates the thermal contraction. Cerates exhibit a low thermal diffusion coefficient, primarily attributed to the impact of extrinsic phonon scattering mechanisms. Our comprehensive analysis encompassed various factors such as point defects, the degree of size and mass disorder, grain interfaces, and lattice distortion. By employing high entropy design and doping strategies, we have successfully alleviated the thermal contraction phenomenon in cerates, while maintaining their high CTE. Furthermore, an in-depth investigation of the valence states of elements and lattice energy was conducted to elucidate the thermal contraction mechanism of cerates in the middle temperature area.

Comparative analysis of viscous dissipation effects on Prandtl fluid including contraction and relaxation phenomena

AbstractThis paper investigates the effects of magnetohydrodynamics and heat transfer on the peristaltic transport of Prandtl fluid in a vertical endoscopic tube. The reduction of the complexity of the equations governing the flow of Prandtl fluid entails the use of long wavelength and low Reynolds number approximations. These complex equations for the pressure gradient and velocity profile are handled analytically using the perturbation technique with convective boundary conditions, and the temperature and concentration profiles are carefully solved for the exact solution. The frictional forces and pressure rise are also simulated with numerical integration. The resulting formulas for velocity, temperature, concentration, pressure rise, and pressure gradient are graphed using the MATLAB and MATHMATICA software, and the effects of all the different physical parameters are investigated and assessed. The streamlines with five distinct wave types are sketched at the conclusion to show the phenomenon of trapping. It is investigated that the velocity profile rises due to buoyancy forces and falls due to the influence of magnetic forces.

A GABAergic system in atrioventricular node pacemaker cells controls electrical conduction between the atria and ventricles

Physiologically, the atria contract first, followed by the ventricles, which is the prerequisite for normal blood circulation. The above phenomenon of atrioventricular sequential contraction results from the characteristically slow conduction of electrical excitation of the atrioventricular node (AVN) between the atria and the ventricles. However, it is not clear what controls the conduction of electrical excitation within AVNs. Here, we find that AVN pacemaker cells (AVNPCs) possess an intact intrinsic GABAergic system, which plays a key role in electrical conduction from the atria to the ventricles. First, along with the discovery of abundant GABA-containing vesicles under the surface membranes of AVNPCs, key elements of the GABAergic system, including GABA metabolic enzymes, GABA receptors, and GABA transporters, were identified in AVNPCs. Second, GABA synchronously elicited GABA-gated currents in AVNPCs, which significantly weakened the excitability of AVNPCs. Third, the key molecular elements of the GABAergic system markedly modulated the conductivity of electrical excitation in the AVN. Fourth, GABAA receptor deficiency in AVNPCs accelerated atrioventricular conduction, which impaired the AVN’s protective potential against rapid ventricular frequency responses, increased susceptibility to lethal ventricular arrhythmias, and decreased the cardiac contractile function. Finally, interventions targeting the GABAergic system effectively prevented the occurrence and development of atrioventricular block. In summary, the endogenous GABAergic system in AVNPCs determines the slow conduction of electrical excitation within AVNs, thereby ensuring sequential atrioventricular contraction. The endogenous GABAergic system shows promise as a novel intervention target for cardiac arrhythmias.

UNIVERSAL AND SPECIFIC IN THE FORMATION AND FUNCTION OF COMPOUND ABBREVIATED WORDS IN THE INDO-EUROPEAN AND CHINESE LANGUAGES

The purpose of the proposed study is to determine universal and specific features in the systems of compound abbreviated words of some Indo-European languages (Ukrainian, Polish, English, French, Italian, German), which are inflectional in their morphological nature and have letter graphics, and the Chinese language, which is the root language and has hieroglyphic graphics. The object of study is the abbreviations of the above-mentioned languages and trends in the functioning of these language units. The subject of research is the relationship between the derivatives of compound abbreviated units and those language units that act as creative for them. The material of the study was taken from several dictionaries of abbreviations, and many lists and realities available for review. In total, more than 4500 language units were considered, of which almost 1150 (in total from different languages) were analyzed. It should be noted that only those units that are formed from word combinations, i.e. compound abbreviated words, were studied; Abbreviations of one word were not considered as an object of analysis. The main methods of research are general methods of analysis and synthesis, procedures of methods of comparative, word-forming, syntactic, graphic analysis and descriptive method. The result of the analysis is presented in a number of conclusions. The formation and functioning of compound abbreviated words is a linguistic universal at the present stage of language development. Representatives of the linguistic schools formed on the basis of the Indo-European languages consider the law of economy of speech means to be the “driving force” of the abbreviation process. In Chinese linguistics, there is an opinion that the phenomenon of contraction is natural for the Chinese language, because it reflects the ancient monosyllabicity of Chinese words. In different languages, the set of ways to form compound abbreviated words depends on their typological features, the rules of the order of words in combinations, graphic features of written speech, pronunciation features, and methods of word formation.

Observation of a promethium complex in solution.

Lanthanide rare-earth metals are ubiquitous in modern technologies1-5, but we know little about chemistry of the 61st element, promethium (Pm)6, a lanthanide that is highly radioactive and inaccessible. Despite its importance7,8, Pm has been conspicuously absent from the experimental studies of lanthanides, impeding our full comprehension of the so-called lanthanide contraction phenomenon: a fundamental aspect of the periodic table that is quoted in general chemistry textbooks. Here we demonstrate a stable chelation of the 147Pm radionuclide (half-life of 2.62 years) in aqueous solution by the newly synthesized organic diglycolamide ligand. The resulting homoleptic PmIII complex is studied using synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations to establish the coordination structure and a bond distance of promethium. These fundamental insights allow a complete structural investigation of a full set of isostructural lanthanide complexes, ultimately capturing the lanthanide contraction in solution solely on the basis of experimental observations. Our results show accelerated shortening of bonds at the beginning of the lanthanide series, which can be correlated to the separation trends shown by diglycolamides9-11. The characterization of the radioactive PmIII complex in an aqueous environment deepens our understanding of intra-lanthanide behaviour12-15 and the chemistry and separation of the f-block elements16.

Spatial Contraction Based on Velocity Variation for Natural Walking in Virtual Reality.

Virtual Reality (VR) offers an immersive 3D digital environment, but enabling natural walking sensations without the constraints of physical space remains a technological challenge. Previous VR locomotion methods, including game controller, teleportation, treadmills, walking-in-place, and redirected walking (RDW), have made strides towards overcoming this challenge. However, these methods also face limitations such as possible unnaturalness, additional hardware requirements, or motion sickness risks. This paper introduces "Spatial Contraction (SC)", an innovative VR locomotion method inspired by the phenomenon of Lorentz contraction in Special Relativity. Similar to the Lorentz contraction, our SC contracts the virtual space along the user's velocity direction in response to velocity variation. The virtual space contracts more when the user's speed is high, whereas minimal or no contraction happens at low speeds. We provide a virtual space transformation method for spatial contraction and optimize the user experience in smoothness and stability. Through SC, VR users can effectively traverse a longer virtual distance with a shorter physical walking. Different from locomotion gains, the spatial contraction effect is observable by the user and aligns with their intentions, so there is no inconsistency between the user's proprioception and visual perception. SC is a general locomotion method that has no special requirements for VR scenes. The experimental results of our live user studies in various virtual scenarios demonstrate that SC has a significant effect in reducing both the number of resets and the physical walking distance users need to cover. Furthermore, experiments have also demonstrated that SC has the potential for integration with existing locomotion techniques such as RDW.

The phenomenon of skin contraction in CO2 LASER surgical incisions using superpulse and continuous emission mode - preliminary study.

The skin contraction phenomenon occurs due to the energy emitted by the surgical CO2 LASER affecting the collagen architecture and intracellular water content in tissues. The study aimed to assess how gender, age, breed, body-weight, CO2 LASER emission mode, and potency influence skin contraction following the incision. The study involved 80 dogs (N = 80) of both genders, multiple breeds, undergoing major surgery with CO2 LASER. Subjects were grouped based on LASER potency (12 or 15 Watts) and emission mode (Superpulse-SP or Continuous-CT): GSP12, GSP15, GCT12, and GCT15. A 10mm incision was performed using the surgical CO2 LASER beam, consistently employing a focal point of 0.4mm, positioned at a distance of 1mm from the skin surface, and always maintained perpendicular to it, and resulting lengths measured with a digital caliper. Results were considered significant for p-value < 0.05. GSP12 showed minimal contraction, while GCT15 exhibited the most significant. Male subjects in GCT12, GCT15, and GSP12 experienced less contraction than females. Purebred dogs had greater contraction than mixed breeds. GSP12 individuals showed age-related contraction decrease (p < 0.01), with skin contracting by 0.09mm per year. Weight and skin contraction trended towards significance (p = 0.06), with a 0.02mm increase per unit weight. For a constant power of 12 W, the analysis of the relationship between the emission mode of the LASER beam and the final skin contraction (GSP12 vs. GCT12) revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.01). This study suggests that the use of the Continuous mode of LASER emission, regardless of the power used, is associated with a higher level of final skin contraction. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION FOR PROSPECTIVELY REGISTERED TRIALS: Project approval registration number by the Research and Teaching Ethics Committee (CEIE),Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-University of Lisbon (FMV_ULisboa), Lisboa-Portugal, N/Refª 015/2022.

The Spatiotemporal Variation Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Green Vegetation in China

Green vegetation is one of the main objects of ecological environment restoration and protection, objectively reflecting the quality of regional ecological environments. Studying its spatial distribution characteristics is of great significance to the formulation of ecological environment restoration policies. Based on data on urban green vegetation in China from 2000 to 2022, this study attempts to analyze the destruction and protection patterns of urban green vegetation in China from the perspectives of total changes in green vegetation contraction and growth and spatial evolution characteristics and trends, and it explores the driving factors affecting the change in green vegetation area. The results show the following: (1) Green vegetation growth and contraction occurred alternately in China from 2000 to 2022. Vegetation contraction showed a “point–line–plane” evolution pattern, forming a contraction stage of point-like aggregation, linear series, and planar spread. Vegetation growth has always presented a frontal pattern. (2) The growth and contraction of green vegetation in China showed a north–south differentiation phenomenon. The vegetation contraction phenomenon spread in the Central Plains urban agglomeration and its surrounding areas and showed an expanding trend. The growth trend is obviously moving northward, mainly concentrated in Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Gansu, Xinjiang, and other northern provinces, which also coincides with the key ecological restoration policies in northern China in recent years. (3) City scale, economic level, population scale, agro-industrial structure, and water resources content have significant effects on the spatial distribution of green vegetation.

Type-B Carbonated Hydroxyapatite Based on Crab Shells: A Review on Synthesis and Characterization

The synthesis and characterization of B-type CHAp based on mangrove crab shells (Scylla serrata) as a source of calcium using the precipitation method has been successfully carried out. Based on the FTIR results, the substitution of carbonate ion for phosphate, which indicates the formation of B-type CHAp, is characterized by the appearance of absorption at wave numbers (CO32-) 1426 and 875 cm-1, PO43- at wave numbers 965, 619 &amp; 569 cm-1. The XRD results show that diffraction peaks (211), (300), and (202) appear at an angle of 2θ ranging from 31°-34°, and there is a phenomenon of a-axis contraction and c-axis expansion in the HAp lattice structure. The SEM-EDX results show that the Ca/P ratio is 1.72, and the carbonate content is 5.01 wt%. All of these parameters are characteristics of CHAp, so it can be concluded that type-B CHAp has been formed.

Re‑examining the mechanism of eccentric exercise‑induced skeletal muscle damage from the role of the third filament, titin (Review).

Intense and unaccustomed eccentric exercise has been extensively studied for its ability to induce muscle damage. However, the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon still requires further clarification. This knowledge gap arises from the need for explanation of the eccentric contraction through the sliding filament theory. The two-filament sarcomere model, which is consisted of thin and thick filaments, forms the basis of the sliding filament theory. The mechanisms of concentric and isometric contractions at the cellular and molecular levels are effectively described by this model. However, when relying solely on the cross-bridge swing, the sliding filament theory fails to account for specific observations, such as the stability of the descending limb of the force-length relationship curve. Recent evidence indicated that titin and the extracellular matrix (ECM) may play a protective role by interacting with the thick and thin filaments. During an eccentric contraction, titin serves as a third filament in the sarcomere, which helps regulate changes in passive force. The two-filament sarcomere model has limitations in explaining eccentric contraction, thus this compensates for those shortcomings. The present review explored the potential of replacing the two-filament sarcomere model with a three-filament sarcomere model, incorporating thin filaments, thick filaments and titin. This revised model offers a more comprehensive explanation of eccentric contraction phenomena. Furthermore, the sliding filament theory was investigated in the context of the three-filament sarcomere model. The double-layer protection mechanism, which involves increased titin stiffness and the ECM during eccentric contraction was explored. This mechanism may enhance lateral force transmission between muscle fibers and the ECM, resulting in sarcolemma and ECM shear deformation. These findings provided insight into the mechanism of eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage. Considering the three-filament sarcomere model and the double-layer protection mechanism, the present review offered a more logical and comprehensive understanding of the mechanism behind eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage.

Construction, dynamic analysis and DSP implementation of a novel 3D discrete memristive hyperchaotic map

In this paper, a three-dimensional discrete memristive hyperchaotic map (3DMCHM) with a complex structure and rich, dynamic characteristics is designed by using a discrete charge-controlled memristor. By introducing the offset control, amplitude control, and coupling parameters, we have found that changing the parameters and initial values can lead to different outcomes. We have discovered that modifying the parameters and initial values yields significant results. The 3DMCHM exhibits several dynamic characteristics, including complex offset behavior, multi-vortex-like behavior, separate structure phenomenon, transient-like phenomenon, expansion and contraction phenomenon, and inversion symmetry phenomenon. The offset behavior appears with multi-state transition controlled by parameters. Additionally, we have discovered that by changing the related parameters, The 3DMCHM can evolve from period, period doubling, chaos, and hyperchaos. We have conducted tests to assess the complexity and randomness of the 3DMCHM and have verified its high complexity and good randomness. Finally, we have successfully implemented the 3DMCHM using the DSP hardware circuit, thereby confirming the feasibility and potential applications of the 3DMCHM.

Analytical solution of non-Newtonian Williamson fluid under the effect of magnetohydrodynamics

In this paper, inscribed non-Newtonian Williamson fluid relaxation and contraction phenomena due to the effect of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is taken into account. This issue is modeled, and precise solutions are handled using a low Reynolds number and long wavelength approximation. Graphical depiction of the consequences of various parameters on temperature and velocity are provided. It becomes clear that the temperature reactions to increases in Biot numbers are decreased. Considering a cylindrical coordinate system, the impact of various physical parameters on the temperature distribution, velocity, the pressure gradient, and frictional force are secured from the flow for non-Newtonian Williamson fluid exposed from MATLAB. Additionally, it has been discovered that the velocity profile at the tube’s center increases for shear-thinning a fluid and decreases for thickening a fluid. Furthermore, the peristaltic walls show the opposite behavior.

LANTHANIDE CONTRACTION IN CHELATES OF ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID BASED ON CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC DATA: A SHORT REVIEW

The lanthanide (Ln) series has been attracted so much attention not only for its physical properties but also for its applications in organic synthesis and biomedical engineering. In the lanthanide chemistry, lanthanide contraction is a crucial concept meaning the gradual decrease in ionic radii as the atomic number of the Ln series increases. As a prominent chelator, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) has been well-known to give stable complexes with various metals including Ln ions, resulted in forming (EDTA−4H)4− anion by deprotonation; over 100 kinds of Ln-EDTA complexes have hitherto been synthesized and structurally characterized using X-ray crystallography. While the lanthanide contraction phenomenon has been extensively studied in certain complexes of Ln, systematization on the Ln-EDTA remains inadequate though the chelates of EDTA are commonly used. Thus, this study presents a comprehensive analysis based on the data from the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC). In mononuclear EDTA complexes X[Ln(EDTA−4H)(H2O)m]·nH2O (X+ = NH4+and its analogues) systematic lanthanide contraction depending on their coordination number are presented except for a few cases. However, in the case of non-mononuclear complexes or coordination polymers, the compositions become more complicated, and a greater variation in atomic bond length occurs, which is unusual for the lanthanide contraction studies in previous research. These varieties are considered to be influenced by different types of counter-cations, inorganic anions, solvent molecules and bridging O atoms from another EDTA anions. This suggests the flexibility and versatility of EDTA as a ligand. Such findings in the Ln-EDTA complexes could potentially provide us further development of a novel function in the future.

Stabilization Of The CN3 5- Anion In Recoverable High-pressure Ln3 O2 (CN3 ) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Yb) Oxoguanidinates.

A series of isostructural Ln3 O2 (CN3 ) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Yb) oxoguanidinates was synthesized under high-pressure (25-54 GPa) high-temperature (2000-3000 K) conditions in laser-heated diamond anvil cells. The crystal structure of this novel class of compounds was determined via synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) as well as corroborated by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The Ln3 O2 (CN3 ) solids are composed of the hitherto unknown CN3 5- guanidinate anion-deprotonated guanidine. Changes in unit cell volumes and compressibility of Ln3 O2 (CN3 ) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Yb) compounds are found to be dictated by the lanthanide contraction phenomenon. Decompression experiments show that Ln3 O2 (CN3 ) compounds are recoverable to ambient conditions. The stabilization of the CN3 5- guanidinate anion at ambient conditions provides new opportunities in inorganic and organic synthetic chemistry.

Stabilization Of The CN35− Anion In Recoverable High‐pressure Ln3O2(CN3) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Yb) Oxoguanidinates

AbstractA series of isostructural Ln3O2(CN3) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Yb) oxoguanidinates was synthesized under high‐pressure (25–54 GPa) high‐temperature (2000–3000 K) conditions in laser‐heated diamond anvil cells. The crystal structure of this novel class of compounds was determined via synchrotron single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) as well as corroborated by X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The Ln3O2(CN3) solids are composed of the hitherto unknown CN35− guanidinate anion—deprotonated guanidine. Changes in unit cell volumes and compressibility of Ln3O2(CN3) (Ln=La, Eu, Gd, Tb, Ho, Yb) compounds are found to be dictated by the lanthanide contraction phenomenon. Decompression experiments show that Ln3O2(CN3) compounds are recoverable to ambient conditions. The stabilization of the CN35− guanidinate anion at ambient conditions provides new opportunities in inorganic and organic synthetic chemistry.

On the role of Poisson’s contraction propagation in the creation of squeeze-film assisted levitation

The paper presents results of computer simulation and experimental observations with the main objective of explaining the role of Poisson’s contraction phenomenon in the mechanism of initiating and maintaining squeeze-film action through which light and planar objects can be levitated. Initial and centrally located shallow dimple, created in a thin plate under plain tensile stress is, with the passage of time, transformed into a pattern of elastic deformations over plate’s surface. As a result of that, a light object levitates not only at the centre of the plate where initial, primary dimple is located but over the entire plate.

Systematic analysis of proximal midgut- and anorectal-originating contractions in larval zebrafish using event feature detection and supervised machine learning algorithms.

Zebrafish larvae are translucent, allowing in vivo analysis of gut development and physiology, including gut motility. While recent progress has been made in measuring gut motility in larvae, challenges remain which can influence results, such as how data are interpreted, opportunities for technical user error, and inconsistencies in methods. To overcome these challenges, we noninvasively introduced Nile Red fluorescent dye to fill the intraluminal gut space in zebrafish larvae and collected serial confocal microscopic images of gut fluorescence. We automated the detection of fluorescent-contrasted contraction events against the median-subtracted signal and compared it to manually annotated gut contraction events across anatomically defined gut regions. Supervised machine learning (multiple logistic regression) was then used to discriminate between true contraction events and noise. To demonstrate, we analyzed motility in larvae under control and reserpine-treated conditions. We also used automated event detection analysis to compare unfed and fed larvae. Automated analysis retained event features for proximal midgut-originating retrograde and anterograde contractions and anorectal-originating retrograde contractions. While manual annotation showed reserpine disrupted gut motility, machine learning only achieved equivalent contraction discrimination in controls and failed to accurately identify contractions after reserpine due to insufficient intraluminal fluorescence. Automated analysis also showed feeding had no effect on the frequency of anorectal-originating contractions. Automated event detection analysis rapidly and accurately annotated contraction events, including the previously neglected phenomenon of anorectal contractions. However, challenges remain to discriminate contraction events based on intraluminal fluorescence under treatment conditions that disrupt functional motility.

Theoretical probe into universal tetrad effect for complexation discrepancy between lanthanide elements and organophosphoric extractant diethyl phosphoric acid

The deep understanding of 4f-correlated electron motion behavior is experimentally limited due to similar physicochemical properties of rare earth elements (REEs). While the solvent extraction behavior originating from the continuous occupation of 4f electrons along the lanthanide family provides a particular platform to probe the 4f electrons motion behavior and its correlations to their versatile functions. Herein, the complexation between REEs and the prototypical extractant of diethyl phosphoric acid (DEP) was substantially studied based on quantum mechanical calculation. The results firstly show that the average bond lengths between Ln and six coordinated oxygen atoms are consistent with lanthanide contraction phenomenon, and gadolinium break effect is also obviously observed. Secondly, the “tetrad effect” is figured out based on the subtle discrepancy of 4f electrons occupation, namely La–Nd, Sm–Eu, Gd–Dy and Ho–Lu. Specifically, the main composition is 4f5d6p for La–Nd, while the discrepancy is due to the increasing electrons in the 5d shell, while it is 4f5d for Pm–Eu. For Gd–Dy, their 4f orbitals accept little electrons and the donating electrons flow into 6s5d subshells due to the half-filled stability and the enhancement of shielding effect. The electrons donate into 5d6p subshells due to multiply electrons occupation of 4f orbitals for Ho–Lu. These detailed analyses obviously clarify the “tetrad effect” along the lanthanide family due to the different variation of 4f orbital occupation. It is expected that these microscopic understandings provide important guidance for the separation of REEs and the design of new extractants.

Splint-free line drawing model: An innovative method for excisional wound models.

The physiological phenomenon of wound contraction in mice cannot completely imitate the process of human skin regeneration, which is primarily attributed to reepithelialisation. As such, excisional wound models in mice are considered to be imperfect comparisons. This study aimed to enhance the correlation of mouse excisional wound models with that of humans, and to offer more practical and accurate ways to record and measure wound areas. We present evidence that simple excisional wounds produce a robust and stable wound model by comparing splint-free and splint groups. We monitored reepithelialisation and contraction in the C57BL/6J mouse excision wound model at different time points and prove that excisional wounds heal by both contraction and reepithelialisation. Some parameters were measured and a formula was used to calculate the area of wound reepithelialisation and contraction. In our results, reepithelialisation accounted for 46% of the wound closure of full-thickness excisional wounds. In conclusion, excisional wound models can be used as wound-healing models and a straightforward formula may be used to determine the process of reepithelialisation over a wound bed created by a simple excisional rodent wound model.

Uniform exponential contraction for viscous Hamilton–Jacobi equations

The well known phenomenon of exponential contraction for solutions to the viscous Hamilton-Jacobi equation in the space-periodic setting is based on the Markov mechanism. However, the corresponding Lyapunov exponent $\lambda(\nu)$ characterizing the exponential rate of contraction depends on the viscosity $\nu$. The Markov mechanism provides only a lower bound for $\lambda(\nu)$ which vanishes in the limit $\nu \to 0$. At the same time, in the inviscid case $\nu=0$ one also has exponential contraction based on a completely different dynamical mechanism. This mechanism is based on hyperbolicity of action-minimizing orbits for the related Lagrangian variational problem. In this paper we consider the discrete time case (kicked forcing), and establish a uniform lower bound for $\lambda(\nu)$ which is valid for all $\nu\geq 0$. The proof is based on a nontrivial interplay between the dynamical and Markov mechanisms for exponential contraction. We combine PDE methods with the ideas from the Weak KAM theory.