Synchronization Rate Research Articles

Comparison between small renal masses 0-2 cm vs. 2.1-4 cm in size: A population-based study

BackgroundThe NCCN guidelines recommend active surveillance (AS) as an option for the initial management of cT1a 0-2 cm renal lesions. However, data about comparison between renal cell carcinoma (RCC) 0-2 cm vs. 2.1-4 cm are scarce. MethodsWithin the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2002–2016), 46,630 T1a NanyMany stage patients treated with nephrectomy were identified. Data were tabulated according to histological subtype, tumor grade (low [LG] vs. high [HG]), as well as age category and gender. Additionally, rates of synchronous metastases were quantified. ResultsOverall, 69.3 vs. 74.1% clear cell, 21.4 vs. 17.6% papillary, 6.9 vs. 6.8% chromophobe, 2.0 vs. 1.1% sarcomatoid dedifferentiation, 0.2 vs. 0.2% collecting duct histological subtype were identified for respectively 0-2 cm and 2.1-4 cm RCCs. In both groups, advanced age was associated with higher rate of HG clear cell and HG papillary histological subtype. In 0-2 cm vs. 2.1-4 cm RCCs, 13.8% vs. 20.2% individuals operated on harbored HG tumors and were more prevalent in males. Lower synchronous metastases rates were recorded in 0-2 cm RCC and ranged from 0 in respectively multilocular cystic to 0.9% in HG papillary histological subtype. The highest synchronous metastases rates were recorded in sarcomatoid dedifferentiation histological subtype (13.8% and 9.7%) in both groups. ConclusionsRelative to 2.1-4 cm RCCs, 0-2 cm RCCs harbored lower rates of HG tumors, lower rates of aggressive variant histology and lower rates of synchronous metastases. The indications and demographics of patients selected for AS may be expanded in the future to include younger and healthier patients.

Does social facilitation affect suckling behaviour in zebras?

Many recent studies show that synchronisation of various behaviours are advantageous for group-living mammals. However, studies on synchronisation of suckling behaviour inmonotocous species are nearly absent. We observed 49 individual foals of three zebra species in Dvůr Králové Zoo, and recorded a total of 5 890 suckling bouts, almost one fifth (1 036) of which were synchronised (defined as at least two bouts overlapping at the same time). We found that synchronised suckling bouts lasted longer and were less likely to be terminated by the mother than non-synchronised ones. This is in line with social facilitation theory. In addition the occurrence of synchronised suckling bout differed interspecifically. In plains (Equus quagga) and mountain zebra (E. zebra) the probability of synchronised bouts increased with increasing numbers of foals, whereas the opposite result was found in Grevy’s zebra (E. grevyi). We suggest that the interspecific differences may reflect differences in social organisation of respective species as suckling synchronisation rate was higher in species that form nurseries in the wild.

Comparison of Success Rate of Estrus and Pregnancy between Laser Puncture and Intra Vaginal Progesterone Sponge in Bali Cattle

The purpose of this study was to find a method of determining laser models and intra vaginal progesteronesponge in Bali Cattle. An assessment was carried out at Sapi Loka Grati, Pasuruan, Indonesia. The parametersobserved included the symptoms of estrus, response of estrus, and the level of pregnancy. Twenty Balinesecows were divided at random in two groups. P1 treated with laser puncture at a certain point and P2 treatedwith 1.5 g of progesterone + 10 mg of estradiol benzoate intra vaginal sponge. The diagnosis of subsequentpregnancies was done by ultrasonographic examination on day 40th after artificial insemination (AI). Thelaser used in this study was a soft laser with power supply specifications as follows: 50 Hz, 220 Volts, 50Watts, ranging from 0.2 Joules to 0.5 Joules. These lasers include semiconductor lasers and laser probes.Three acupuncture points were used (GV 4, BL-22, and GV-2). Furthermore, the intra vaginal progesteronesponge used was made from silicone plastic similar to the drugs containing medroxyprogesterone acetate.Data testing was done by using the T-test. Results demonstrated that the P1 responses of estrus appeared onday 3rd, while P2 on day 9th. There was no significant difference (p >0.05) in the accumulation of estrus andpregnancy. In conclusion, estrus synchronization and pregnancy rate could be efficiently achieved in Balicattle using either laser puncture or intra vaginal progesterone sponge. However, laser puncture treatmentinduced more spread estrus with higher pregnancy rate.

A Dynamical Systems Model for Face Perception

The fusiform face area, or FFA, is a small region found on the inferior (bottom) surface of the temporal lobe. It is located in a gyrus called the fusiform gyrus.Studies in humans have shown that the FFA is sensitive to both face parts and face configurations. Recoding activity in the FFA showed that most of the neurons in the FFA are active in response to facial imagery, but not in response to images of other body parts or objects. Visual sensory neurons sensitive to a face feature and possessing a related firing rate activate an associated cluster of neurons in the FFA. This results in a partition of the FFA into clusters that respond to the various facial features. Once an entire face stimulus activates the FFA, interneurons redistribute the initial activation via the neural network. In this article a novel approach to modelling the function of the network is presented. We define by a transition matrix that describes probabilistically how one cluster, firing at a synchronous rate, affects the others in the FFA. The initial face stimulation in the FFA together with the transition matrix defines a dynamical system which possesses a stationary probability function. We claim that a stationary probability function uniquely represents a face. Among the properties of this probability function are: 1) response magnitude invariance, 2) repurposing of clusters to define new stationary probability function on the FFA partition; 3) stability of stationary probabilities under perturbations.

Better together: analysis of integrated acoustic and visual methods when surveying a cetacean community

Understanding the relative performance of data collection methods is critical for the production of robust results in any biological field study. This is particularly relevant for monitoring studies of rare and inconspicuous species, such as some cetaceans. Here, we compared how passive acoustic and visual survey methods performed when surveying a multispecies cetacean community in a large-scale survey area and whether the simultaneous application of these methods leads to complementary results. For both methods we compared (1) frequency of unscheduled survey stoppages, (2) detection ranges, (3) success in identifying species, (4) precedence of either method in synchronous detections, (5) detection rates, and (6) influence of sea state on detection rates. Data were collected during 4 surveys conducted between 2015 and 2017, using simultaneous visual and acoustic methods in the Santos Basin, Brazil. A total of 1492 h of simultaneous sampling yielded 617 detections, of which 46.5% (n = 287) were exclusively acoustic, 18.5% (n = 114) were exclusively visual, and 35% (n = 216) were corresponding detections of the same group made by each method, resulting in 108 paired detections. The simultaneous application of visual and acoustic methods was complementary. Acoustics were more efficient in detecting cetaceans—detecting first and further from the vessel and with a greater detection rate—whereas visual observation was more accurate for species identification. When used together, detection rates per species increased, reducing potential biases. By improving acoustic classification through visually confirmed sightings, this integrated approach has the potential to provide a reliable sound library for cetaceans in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean.

Synchronized Information Acquisition Method for Virtual Geographic Scene Image Synthesis in Cities Based on Wireless Network Technology

At present, in the process of image synthesis information acquisition of urban virtual geographic scene, there is information complexity. The existing acquisition technology is easy to disturb in the process of information positioning and transmission, resulting in large acquisition delay and affecting the final synthesis quality of the image. In response to the above problems, the method of synchronous information acquisition for urban virtual geographic scene image synthesis based on wireless network technology is studied. Based on the construction of an urban virtual geographic environment, the spatial localization of the sign target of geographic scene image synthesis is carried out, and the optical flow method is used to register the urban geographic scene images. Based on the greedy algorithm of the beacon to design the synchronous wireless network route for urban virtual scene image synthesis, and after the grid division of the wireless network in the synthesis information acquisition area, the packets of each acquisition node are acquired and transmitted according to the designed wireless network route to realize the synchronous acquisition of image synthesis information. The comparison experimental data show that the acquisition delay of the studied information synchronization acquisition method is less than 0.5 s, the acquisition synchronization rate is significantly improved, and the quality of the synthesized images is better by applying the information acquired by the method, and the practical use is better.

Comparative study of oestrus responses in unsynchronized jennies and jennies ® synchronized with single treatment of PGF2á (lutalyse ) in Zaria, Nigeria

This study was carried out to compare oestrus responses in unsynchronized jennies and jennies synchronized using single treatment of PGF2& (Lutalyse®). Eight (8) cycling Jennies aged 3.0±2.0 years were used for this study. The jennies were randomly assigned to 2 groups of 4 jennies each; Group 1 (n=4): Jennies in this group were not treated with any agent; Group 2 (n=4): jennies treated with a single injection of 10mg of Lutalyse® . The synchronized and unsynchronized jennies were observed for behavioural oestrus three times daily (8-10 am, 12-2 pm and 4-8 pm) for two oestrous cycles. The fertility parameters determined in this study were: Oestrus response rate (ORR), Time to onset of oestrus (TOO), Duration of oestrus (DOO) and Intensity of synchronization (IS) within 48 hours. The ORR and IS were expressed in percentages while TOO and DOO were expressed as mean ± SEM. Comparisons between the groups were carried out using T- test. Onset of oestrus in group 1 (2.34±0.32 hours) was lower (P<0.01) than 10.07±4.91 hours in group 2. The duration of oestrus in group 1 (48±24.0 hours) was longer (P<0.05). than 24.0±0.0 hours in group 2. Oestrus response rate were 50 and 25% in both groups 1 and 2 while intensity of synchronization within 48 hours for groups 1 and 2 were both 50% (P>0.05). In conclusion, single treatment of PGF2á injection did not improve oestrus response rate and intensity of synchronization. However, more than a single treatment of PGF2& injection is recommended for effective oestrus synchronization in jennies.

A simple Ca2+-imaging approach to neural network analyses in cultured neurons

BackgroundCa2+-imaging is a powerful tool to measure neuronal dynamics and network activity. To monitor network-level changes in cultured neurons, neuronal activity is often evoked by electrical or optogenetic stimulation and assessed using multi-electrode arrays or sophisticated imaging. Although such approaches allow detailed network analyses, multi-electrode arrays lack single-cell precision, whereas optical physiology generally requires advanced instrumentation that may not be universally available. New methodHere we developed a simple, stimulation-free protocol with associated Matlab algorithms that enables scalable analyses of spontaneous network activity in cultured human and mouse neurons. The approach allows analysis of the overall network activity and of single-neuron dynamics, and is amenable to screening purposes. ResultsWe validated the new protocol by assessing human neurons with a heterozygous conditional deletion of Munc18-1, and mouse neurons with a homozygous conditional deletion of neurexins. The approach described enabled identification of differential changes in these mutant neurons, allowing quantifications of the synchronous firing rate at the network level and of the amplitude and frequency of Ca2+-spikes at the single-neuron level. These results demonstrate the utility of the approach. Comparision with existing methodsCompared with current imaging platforms, our method is simple, scalable, accessible, and easy to implement. It enables quantification of more detailed parameters than multi-electrode arrays, but does not have the resolution and depth of more sophisticated yet labour-intensive methods, such as patch-clamp electrophysiology. ConclusionThe method reported here is scalable for a rapid direct assessment of neuronal function in culture, and can be applied to both human and mouse neurons. Thus, the method can serve as a basis for phenotypical analysis of mutations and for drug discovery efforts.

Parameters Variation-Based Synchronization on Derivative Coupled Lur’e Networks

This paper investigates the exponential synchronization of coupled Lur’e dynamical networks with multiple time-varying delays and derivative coupling. In order to synchronize the Lur’e dynamical networks to the corresponding Lur’e systems, we propose a kind of impulsive pinning control strategy, where different functions of impulsive effects are taken into account. Sufficient conditions are derived for the exponential synchronization of the derivative coupled Lur’e dynamical networks by jointly applying the contradiction proof method, the concept of an average impulsive interval, comparison principle, and the extended parameters variation formula. Simultaneously, the convergence rates of exponential synchronization are obtained according to the definition of the impulsive solution equation on different functions of impulsive effects. Furthermore, three numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity of the theoretical analysis and the control protocol.

140 Effect of hCG on the last day of the 5-d CIDR-Synch and/or on day 5 of the estrous cycle on luteal dynamics in recipient Holstein heifers

Abstract The objective was to determine the effect of hCG (3,300 IU) administered on days 0 and/or 5 of the estrous cycle on total luteal area (TLA) and circulating concentrations of progesterone (P4) in recipient heifers. All heifers (n = 232; BCS = 3.3 ± 0.2) were synchronized with a 5d CIDR-Synch protocol (d-8: used CIDR inserted; d-3: CIDR removed and PGF2α treatment; d0: 100µg GnRH or hCG). Heifers were randomly assigned to four treatments: control, hCGd0, hCGd5, and hCGd0&5. Controls were treated with GnRH on d0, while hCGd0 received hCG on d0. hCGd5 heifers were treated with GnRH on d0 and hCG on d5, while hCGd0&5 received hCG on d0 and 5. Ovaries were scanned by ultrasound on d0, 5, and 12. Blood was collected on d0, 5, 7, and 12. Synchronization rate (94%) did not differ (P = 0.94) by treatment. Treatment differences were only tested in synchronized heifers (n = 218). Proportion of heifers with 1 or 2+ CL on d5 did not differ (P = 0.10) for hCG d0 treatments (hCGd0 + hCGd0&5) vs. GnRH d0 treatments (controls + hCGd5). However, heifers treated with hCG on d0 had greater (P < 0.01) TLA and P4 on d5 vs. treatments with GnRH on d0 (311 ± 13 vs. 257 ± 9 mm2; and 2.39 ± 0.15 vs. 1.90 ± 0.09 ng/mL). Ovulation rate for d5 hCG did not differ (P = 0.63) for hCGd5 vs. hCGd0&5 (93 vs. 84%). Controls had the lowest serum P4 on d7 and 12. In contrast, hCGd0&5 had the highest serum P4 on d7 (Table 1). Serum P4 on d7 did not differ for hCGd0 vs. hCGd5. On d12, serum P4 and TLA were not different for hCGd5 vs. hCGd0&5. These data indicate that hCG can be used on d0 to induce an increase in serum P4 on d5 compared to GnRH. However, only heifers treated with hCG on d5 achieved mean serum P4 > 8ng/mL.

Efficacité d’un traitement intravaginal à base de progestérone chez des vaches croisées <em> Bos indicus </em> x <em> Bos taurus </em>

L’étude a eu pour objectif d’évaluer l’efficacité d’un traitement combiné à base de progestérone intravaginale sur l’induction de l’oestrus de femelles croisées au Cameroun. Un total de 116 vaches Goudali (Bos indicus) x Charolaises (Bos taurus) ayant mis bas au moins une fois, sans antécédent pathologique, avec une note d’état corporel supérieure à 2, ont été sélectionnées dans des élevages du département de la Vina (arrondissement de Nyambaka). Elles ont été rassemblées dans un ranch et réparties en lots de 10 animaux. Le protocole d’induction et de synchronisation des chaleurs a consisté en la pose d’un dispositif intravaginal à base de progestérone (Prid Delta) pendant huit à neuf jours. Vingt-quatre heures avant son retrait, une injection de cinq millilitres de prostaglandine F2alpha (Dinoprost, Enzaprost) a été administrée. Au moment du retrait, 500 UI de gonadotropine chorionique équine ont été injectées. Cinquante-six heures après le retrait, l’insémination a été effectuée à heure fixe avec de la semence de taureaux Gyr et Brahman. Les taux d’induction de l’oestrus et de synchronisation, de rétention du dispositif intravaginal, de gravidité en première insémination, de fécondité, et d’avortement ont été respectivement de 100 %, 100 %, 56,0 %, 51,7 %, et 4,3 % (en % des vaches traitées). Le Prid Delta s’est révélé efficace pour l’induction des chaleurs et l’obtention de gravidités chez les vaches Goudali x Charolaises.

Contextual impacts on individual and synchronous breathing rate variations in three captive odontocete groups.

Breathing rates are often collected both in the wild and in captivity to inform on cetaceans' internal state. However, few studies have investigated the effect of various factors on this breathing rate. We investigated the variations of individual and synchronous breathing rates depending on individual features (species, sex, age), displayed behavior, social parameters (social grouping), and environmental parameters (diurnal variation, presence of enrichment, unusual events, and presence of visitors in three groups of captive odontocetes (Yangtze finless porpoises, Neophocaena asiaeorentalis asiaeorientalis, East-Asian finless porpoises, Neophocaena asiaeorentalissunameri, bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus). Both individual and synchronous breathing rates were the highest when animals engaged in energetic or social behaviors. Individual breathing rate decreased but synchronous breathing rate increased with the presence of enrichment. Both rates increased during unusual events (e.g., pool cleaning, presence of a diver in the pool, noise, transport) and when public was present for Yangtze finless porpoises. Finally, synchronous breathing rate increased for Yangtze finless porpoises when experiencing social separation. We suggest that individual and synchronous breathing rates are useful parameters to measure, both in wild and captive animals, to obtain information on their arousal/stress state. However, these rates should be interpreted with caution and should be used together with other parameters to allow more accurate inferences.

Distributed Optimal Synchronization Rate Control for AC Microgrids Under Event-Triggered Mechanism

With the development of distributed generation (DG) technologies, distributed energy resources (DERs) with low capacity and low inertia are highly penetrated in the islanded AC microgrid. This has highlighted the need for secondary control strategies to remedy frequency deviation and strongly limitation of the frequency synchronization rate, which are associated with the primary control. To solve this problem, an optimal condition, in terms of explicit synchronization rate formula, is derived. Then, a distributed event-triggered control strategy is proposed to synchronize the microgrid frequency to the nominal value and maximize the synchronization rate for the primary control process. To reduce the communication and computation burdens, an event-triggered mechanism that enables each agent to update its input based on discrete information from only one of its neighbors are provided. The stability of the event condition and event interval are also analyzed using Lyapunov method. Finally, the theoretical results are applied to a parallel-feeder test system consisting of fourteen DGs, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.

Cluster synchronization and firing rate oscillation induced by time delay in random network of adaptive exponential integrate-and-fire neural system

Both time delay and coupling form are the most important factors in neural networks. The properties of firing rate oscillation and cluster synchronization induced by time delay are studied in random network of different coupling neurons. In previous work, the firing rate oscillation of cortical network was observed at the presence of three factors (time delay, weak sinusoidal signal, and noise). Here, we found that the firing rate oscillation can be induced only by the time delay, and the spike train can be propagated at a certain interval time, which is consistent with the value of delay time. Furthermore, the phenomenon of cluster synchronization occurs in random network, which may originates from network structure, and this connection between the neurons trigger spikes within a time-restricted window, resulting in cluster synchronization between corresponding neurons. These numerical results provide a potential theoretical basis for certain pathological brain rhythms associated with epileptic seizures.

Geometric and control optimization of a two cross-flow turbine array

Cross-flow turbines, also known as vertical-axis turbines, convert the kinetic energy in moving fluid to mechanical energy using blades that rotate about an axis perpendicular to the incoming flow. In this work, the performance of a two-turbine array in a recirculating water channel was experimentally optimized across 64 unique array configurations. For each configuration, turbine performance was optimized using tip-speed ratio control, where the rotation rate for each turbine is optimized individually, and using coordinated control, where the turbines are optimized to operate at synchronous rotation rates but with a phase difference. For each configuration and control strategy, the consequences of co- and counter-rotations were also evaluated. This is the first experimental cross-flow turbine array study to simultaneously address array geometry, control, and turbine rotation direction. Based on these results, we hypothesize how array configurations and control cases influence interactions between turbines and affect the performance of the array.

Multichannel seismocardiography: an imaging modality for investigating heart vibrations

Objective: Seismocardiography is the measurement of vibration waves caused by the beating heart with accelerometer(s) placed on the chest. Investigating the nature and the behavior of these vibration waves, by comparing measurements from multiple sites, would help to understand the heart’s mechanical contraction activity. Approach: Using newly designed multichannel seismocardiogram equipment, it was possible to investigate the vibration waves with 16 three-axis sensors. The equipment performed well with highly precise synchronization rate over 10 min, linear frequency response and high signal quality. The vibration waves were analyzed using the sagittal axis, a single cardiac cycle and focusing on four fiducial points. Two of the fiducial point where the negative and positive peaks associated with aorta valve opening, along with peaks associated with aorta valve closing. Main results: The respective average centers of mass of the four fiducial points in 13 subjects were at (frontal axis: 35 mm, vertical axis: 5 mm), (31, 6), (26, 24), and (4, −2), relative to the Xiphoid Process. Similar patterns among the subjects were identified for the propagation of the waves across the chest for the four fiducial points. Significance: The multichannel seismocardiogram equipment successfully revealed a general pattern present in chest surface vibration maps.

Synchronization and metabolic energy consumption in stochastic Hodgkin-Huxley neurons: Patch size and drug blockers

In this work, a stochastic Langevin approach is adopted to coupled Hodgkin-Huxley neuron system to elucidate the role of channel noise in the kinetics and energetics of spiking of action potential and the synchronization between neurons. The size of patch plays a pivotal role in synchronization and metabolic energy consumption. The behavior of postsynaptic neuron is explored by taking three different patch size ranges from noise enhanced phase to dead range state before reaching a deterministic limit. We also discuss the effect of sodium and potassium channel blockers on kinetic and energetic characteristics of synchronization and metabolic energy consumption rate.

The Processing Framework and Experimental Verification for the Noninterrupted Synchronization Scheme of LuTan-1

The bistatic synthetic aperture radar (BiSAR) plays an important role in remote sensing. However, the deviation between the two oscillators in BiSAR systems will cause a residual modulation of the echo signal. Therefore, the phase synchronization is an important issue that must be addressed in the BiSAR system. An advanced noninterrupted phase synchronization scheme is used for LuTan-1. The synchronization pulses are exchanged immediately after the ending time of the radar echo receiving window and before the starting time of the next pulse repetition interval, which will not interrupt the normal SAR operation. In order to evaluate the accuracy of the phase synchronization scheme, the model of phase synchronization is introduced at first. The hardware design and processing flow of LuTan-1 are introduced in detail. An innovative internal calibration strategy is also described. Then, the test data acquired by the ground validation system are analyzed to verify the effectiveness of the phase synchronization scheme. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the synchronization rate are the two most important factors to influence the accuracy in phase synchronization. The conclusions have guiding significance for the synchronization module design of LuTan-1 and the future BiSAR system.

Pulse rate as an alternative, real-time feedback indicator for chest compression rate: a porcine model of cardiac arrest.

Feedback indicators can improve chest compression quality during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, the application of feedback indicators in the clinic practice is rare. Pulse oximetry has been widely used and reported to correlate spontaneous circulation restoration during CPR. However, it is unclear if pulse oximetry can monitor the quality of chest compression. We hypothesized that pulse rate monitored by pulse oximetry can be used as a feedback indicator of the chest compression rate during CPR in a porcine model of cardiac arrest. Seven domestic male pigs (30–35 kg) were utilized in this study. Eighteen intermittent chest compression periods of 2 min were performed on each animal. Chest compression and pulse oximetry plethysmographic waveforms were recorded simultaneously. Chest compression and pulse rates were calculated based on both waveforms. Compression interruption and synchronous pulse interruption times were also measured. Agreement was analyzed between pulse rates and synchronous chest compression rates, as well as between compression interruption times and synchronous pulse interruption times. A total of 126 compression periods of 2 min were performed on seven animals. Interclass correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman analysis revealed reliable agreement between pulse rates and synchronous chest compression rates. Similarly, compression interruption and synchronous pulse interruption times obtained also showed high agreement. Pulse rate can be used as an alternative indicator of chest compression rate during CPR in a porcine model of cardiac arrest. Pulse interruption time also can be used to reflect compression interruption time precisely in this model.

SYNCHRONIZATION OF PICAM CAMERAS FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL STUDY OF DYNAMIC MULTI-DOMAINS NATURAL SCENES

Abstract. In this article, we study the interest of PiCam and its possibilities offered for the realization of a light payload (small and inexpensive) in order to perform the 3D reconstruction of dynamic scenes (underwater or aerial) in close-range remote sensing. We see that on these observation scales, movements of the scenes due to flora and fauna cannot be ignored if we want these objects to be part of the final model. We review the sensors used in the literature for 3D reconstruction and then present the arguments in favor of PiCam with regard to the constraints posed by the use of light and agile vectors. The main issue is the synchronization of these low cost sensors, which is not native: we explain the different steps to obtain a satisfactory synchronization rate with regard to the dynamism of the studied scenes and present the results obtained.