Total Pulse Research Articles

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and MRI Markers of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Cardiovascular risk factors have been implicated in the etiology of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD); however, whether the associations are causal remains unclear in part due to the susceptibility of observational studies to reverse causation and confounding. Here, we use mendelian randomization (MR) to determine which cardiovascular risk factors are likely to be involved in the etiology of CSVD. We used data from large-scale genome-wide association studies of European ancestry to identify genetic proxies for blood pressure, blood lipids, body mass index (BMI), type 2 diabetes, smoking initiation, cigarettes per day, and alcohol consumption. MR was performed to assess their association with 3 neuroimaging features that are altered in CSVD (white matter hyperintensities [WMH], fractional anisotropy [FA], and mean diffusivity [MD]) using genetic summary data from the UK Biobank (N = 31,855). Our primary analysis used inverse-weighted median MR, with validation using weighted median, MR-Egger, and a pleiotropy-minimizing approach. Finally, multivariable MR was performed to study the effects of multiple risk factors jointly. MR analysis showed consistent associations across all methods for higher genetically proxied systolic and diastolic blood pressures with WMH, FA, and MD and for higher genetically proxied BMI with WMH. There was weaker evidence for associations between total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, smoking initiation, pulse pressure, and type 2 diabetes liability and at least 1 CSVD imaging feature, but these associations were not reproducible across all validation methods used. Multivariable MR analysis for blood pressure traits found that the effect was primarily through genetically proxied diastolic blood pressure across all CSVD traits. Genetic predisposition to higher blood pressure, primarily diastolic blood pressure, and to higher BMI is associated with a higher burden of CSVD, suggesting a causal role. Improved management and treatment of these risk factors could reduce the burden of CSVD.

Central-to-peripheral stiffness gradients determine diastolic pressure and flow fluctuation waveforms: time domain analysis of femoral artery pulse.

Blood pressure fluctuates during diastole to create a dicrotic wave but the mechanistic origin remains poorly understood. We sought to investigate the characteristics and determinants of diastolic pressure and flow fluctuations with a focus on stiffness gradients between the central aorta and peripheral arteries. Using applanation tonometry and duplex ultrasound, pulse waveforms were recorded on the femoral artery in 592 patients (age: 55 ± 14 years) to estimate the diastolic pressure fluctuation as a residual wave against the mono-exponential decay and the diastolic flow fluctuation as a bidirectional (forward and reverse) velocity wave. The radial, carotid, and dorsalis pedis pressures were also recorded to measure the peripheral/aortic pulse pressure (PP) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) ratios. There were close resemblances between the femoral pressure and flow fluctuation waveforms. The pressure and flow fluctuations were mutually correlated in relative amplitude as indexed to the total pulse height (r = 0.63), and the former temporally followed the latter. In multivariate-adjusted models, higher peripheral/aortic PP and PWV ratios were independently associated with greater pressure and flow fluctuation indices (P < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that the associations of PP and PWV ratios with the pressure fluctuation index were largely mediated by the flow fluctuation index [indirect/total effect ratio: 57 (95% CI 42-80)% and 54 (30-100)%, respectively]. These results suggest that central-to-peripheral pulse amplification and stiffness gradients contribute to triphasic flow fluctuations and dicrotic pressure waves. Diminished or inverted stiffness gradients caused by aortic stiffening may thus reduce diastolic runoff leading to ischemic organ damage.

PD26-06 IS LESS MORE WHEN USING THE NOVEL THULIUM LASER: WHAT FIBER SIZE AND LASER SETTINGS RESULT IN THE MOST EFFICIENT IN SITU LOWER POLE LITHOTRIPSY?

You have accessJournal of UrologyStone Disease: Surgical Therapy III (PD26)1 Sep 2021PD26-06 IS LESS MORE WHEN USING THE NOVEL THULIUM LASER: WHAT FIBER SIZE AND LASER SETTINGS RESULT IN THE MOST EFFICIENT IN SITU LOWER POLE LITHOTRIPSY? Akin S. Amasyali, Joshua D. Belle, Natalie Chen, Mohammed Keheila, Jenna Lee, Nathaniel Srikureja, Elizabeth Baldwin, and D. Duane Baldwin Akin S. AmasyaliAkin S. Amasyali More articles by this author , Joshua D. BelleJoshua D. Belle More articles by this author , Natalie ChenNatalie Chen More articles by this author , Mohammed KeheilaMohammed Keheila More articles by this author , Jenna LeeJenna Lee More articles by this author , Nathaniel SrikurejaNathaniel Srikureja More articles by this author , Elizabeth BaldwinElizabeth Baldwin More articles by this author , and D. Duane BaldwinD. Duane Baldwin More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002019.06AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The novel thulium fiber laser (TFL) has advantages compared to the Holmium laser (HL) including smaller fiber size (150 μm) and higher frequency settings (up to 2000 Hz). These characteristics may be of particular benefit when performing in situ treatment of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) lower pole kidney stones. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal fiber size and laser settings for in situ treatment of COM lower pole stones. METHODS: In a benchtop model, a 3D printed kidney and ureter were attached to a 2x2 mm metal mesh and submerged in a saline bath. Forty 1cm BegoStones (COM consistency) were placed in the lower pole and fragmented in situ by the same surgeon using a flexible ureteroscope. The stone was considered fully treated when residual fragments were small enough to fit through the 2mm mesh grid. Laser settings used were: 1Jx20Hz (20W), 0.4Jx50 Hz (20W), 0.2Jx100Hz (20W), and 0.1Jx200Hz (20W) for both the 150 and 200μm fiber sizes. Data collected included lasing time, procedure time, total pulse energy, and fiber stripping. ANOVA and independent T-tests were used to compare outcomes between treatment arms with p<0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Pre-procedure stone weights were similar between trials (0.99 gm, p=0.944). Lasing time, overall procedure time, and total pulse energy were significantly different across all 8 trials (p<0.05 for all; Fig 1). Overall, use of the 150μm fiber resulted in less total lasing time, procedure time, and pulse energy compared to the 200μm fiber (p<0.05 for all). Lasing with 0.2J and 100Hz and the 150μm fiber had the shortest procedure time (18.5 min) compared to all other laser setting and fiber combinations (p<0.05). There was no difference in the number of fiber strippings between groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this benchtop lower pole model of in situ treatment of COM stones, the 150μm laser fiber resulted in shorter lasing time, procedure time, and lower total pulse energy compared to the 200μm fiber overall. When comparing different laser energies and frequencies, the fastest procedure time was seen when using 100Hz and 0.2J. Understanding these data can help improve efficiency of treatment for dense lower pole COM stones in situ. Source of Funding: none © 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 206Issue Supplement 3September 2021Page: e439-e439 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Akin S. Amasyali More articles by this author Joshua D. Belle More articles by this author Natalie Chen More articles by this author Mohammed Keheila More articles by this author Jenna Lee More articles by this author Nathaniel Srikureja More articles by this author Elizabeth Baldwin More articles by this author D. Duane Baldwin More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Loading ...

Study on proton-induced single event effect of SiC diode and MOSFET

Proton-induced degradation and catastrophic failures in 650 V SiC diode and 900 V SiC MOSFET under different bias voltage and different proton energy are investigated. The experimental results show that when the bias voltage of SiC diode and MOSFET reaches 88% of rated voltage, 20 MeV protons will not cause the single event burnout (SEB) of two SiC devices. When SiC devices are burned out, a wave-shaped pulse current appears, the pulse current peak value gradually decreases, and the total pulse current width is within 5 microseconds. With the increase of bias voltage, the SEB fluence of SiC device is significantly reduced. After SiC diode is burned out, its reverse breakdown voltage is lower than 1 V, and the forward current when device has not been turned on is up to 8 orders of magnitude higher than before irradiation; the reverse breakdown voltage of SiC MOSFET is also lower than 1 V after burning out, only some SiC MOSFETs still maintain transfer characteristics under a voltage bias of 700 V, and the gate-source current has increased by 7–8 orders of magnitude compared to before irradiation. The Monte Carlo simulation results show that the linear energy transfer (LET) of 20 MeV proton in the epitaxial layer is lower than 2 MeV·cm2/mg, which is not enough to generate charge required for SEB. And the randomness of interaction between protons and device materials leads to different SEB fluences for SiC devices under different proton energies.

​​Estimation of Total Factor Productivity Growth of Major Pulse Crops in Rajasthan, India

Background: Pulses, supplemented with cereals, provide a perfect mix of vegetarian protein of high biological value. The productivity of pulses in India is less than half of the productivity levels in the USA and Canada. Present investigation was aimed to Total Factor Productivity (TFP) growth in three pulse crops in the state of Rajasthan from 2000-01 to 2017-18. Methods: In the current study, the Tornqvist Theil Index was used to compute the total output index, total input index and total factor productivity index. The Tornqvist Index is exact for the homogenous translog production function that can deliver a second order approximation to an arbitrary twice differentiable homogenous production function. The translog function does not require perfect substitutes for inputs. If the relative price of input increases, the producer decreases its use (substituting other inputs) until all marginal productivities are proportional to the new prices. Result: The results of this study has indicates low TFP in Gram (0.98%) despite a 59.23 per cent share in the total pulse output of the state. The annual compound growth rate of TFP of black gram increased at the rate of 1.11 per cent per annum (moderate growth) and the contribution of TFP to output growth was low; at about 41.63. Whereas, the compound growth rate of TFP of annual green gram crop increased at the 2.38 per cent per annum (high growth) while its TFP to output growth was about 66.43 per cent. The real cost of production of gram, black gram and green gram crop increased by 0.77, 1.49 and 1.57 per cent per annum, respectively.

B-PO02-133 HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF REVERSIBLE AND IRREVERSIBLE VENTRICULAR LESION BOUNDARIES PRODUCED BY PULSED FIELD ABLATION

During pulsed field ablation (PFA), electric pulses induce reversible (R) or irreversible (IR) injury on cardiac myocytes. To perform histological examination of acute ventricular lesions produced by PFA, determining R and IR injury boundaries in a swine heart model. A 7F catheter with a 3.5mm ablation electrode (TactiCath, Abbott) was connected to a pulsed electric field (PEF) generator (CENTAURI, Galaxy Medical) and positioned in RV and LV under EnSite guidance in 2 closed chest pigs. Biphasic PEF current was delivered between the ablation electrode and a skin patch at 13 RV sites (28Amp, total pulse width of 1.4ms, 4 pulses) and 19 LV sites (35Amp, 1.6ms, 7 pulses). Two hours after ablation, triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) was administered. Pigs were sacrificed and hearts were excised and fixed in formalin. Hearts were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) staining was also performed to examine mitochondrial activity to delineate R and IR lesion boundaries. Fig. Ablation lesions were well demarcated with TTC staining, showing a dark central zone surrounded by pale boundaries (PB). Histology showed destruction of myocyte architecture within the PB. A hyperstained (dark red) rim beyond the PB indicates R zone. COX staining showed no or low mitochondrial activity within the PB, consistent with IR ablated region. Enhanced activity of COX staining extended to unaffected normal myocardium, consistent with R zone. Acute ventricular lesions produced by PEF ablation show clear demarcation by TTC staining. COX staining suggests that IR lesions are surrounded by R zone.

B-PO03-131 EFFECTS OF CONTACT FORCE ON LESION SIZE DURING PULSED FIELD ABLATION

Effects of contact force (CF) on lesion formation during pulsed field ablation (PFA) have not been validated. To determine the relationship between average CF and lesion size during PFA using a swine beating heart model. A 7F catheter with a 3.5mm saline irrigated (2ml/min) ablation electrode and CF sensor (TactiCath SE, Abbott) was connected to a pulsed electric field (PEF) generator system (CENTAURI, Galaxy Medical). The catheter was positioned in RV and LV under EnSite guidance in 2 closed chest pigs (66kg). During atrial pacing at 90 bpm, biphasic PEF current was delivered between the ablation electrode and a skin patch at 13 separate sites in RV (28Amp, total pulse width of 1.4ms, 4 pulses synchronized with QRS) and 19 separate sites in LV (35Amp, 1.6ms, 7 pulses) at average CF: 1) low (4-12 g, median 8 g); 2) moderate (16-30 g, median 20 g); or 3) high (33-55 g, median 40 g). Ablation was also performed without electrode contact (2 mm away from the endocardium, confirmed by intracardiac echocardiography, n=5). Pigs were sacrificed at 2 hours after ablation and lesion size was measured using triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. (Fig.) Ablation lesions were clearly identified with TTC staining, showing the dark central zone surrounded by pale boundaries. At constant PEF current and pulse duration, lesion depth increased significantly with increasing contact force. There were no detectable lesions resulting from ablation without electrode contact. At same PEF dose intensity, lesion depth increases significantly with increasing contact force. Electrode-tissue contact is required for effective lesion formation with PEF ablation.

Acute and Long-Term Effects of Aortic Compliance Decrease on Central Hemodynamics: A Modeling Analysis

Aortic compliance is an important determinant of cardiac afterload and a contributor to cardiovascular morbidity. In the present study, we sought to provide in silico insights into the acute as well as long-term effects of aortic compliance decrease on central hemodynamics. To that aim, we used a mathematical model of the cardiovascular system to simulate the hemodynamics (a) of a healthy young adult (baseline), (b) acutely after banding of the proximal aorta, (c) after the heart remodeled itself to match the increased afterload. The simulated pressure and flow waves were used for subsequent wave separation analysis. Aortic banding induced hypertension (SBP 106 mmHg at baseline versus 152 mmHg after banding), which was sustained after left ventricular (LV) remodeling. The main mechanism that drove hypertension was the enhancement of the forward wave, which became even more significant after LV remodeling (forward amplitude 30 mmHg at baseline versus 60 mmHg acutely after banding versus 64 mmHg after remodeling). Accordingly, the forward wave’s contribution to the total pulse pressure increased throughout this process, while the reflection coefficient acutely decreased and then remained roughly constant. Finally, LV remodeling was accompanied by a decrease in augmentation index (AIx 13% acutely after banding versus −3% after remodeling) and a change of the central pressure wave phenotype from the characteristic Type A (“old”) to Type C (“young”) phenotype. These findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of hypertension and provoke us to reconsider our understanding of AIx as a solely arterial parameter.

The Investigation on Ultrafast Pulse Formation in a Tm-Ho-Codoped Mode-Locking Fiber Oscillator.

We experimentally investigate the formation of various pulses from a thulium–holmium (Tm–Ho)-codoped nonlinear polarization rotation (NPR) mode-locking fiber oscillator. The ultrafast fiber oscillator can simultaneously operate in the noise-like and soliton mode-locking regimes with two different emission wavelengths located around 1947 and 2010 nm, which are believed to be induced from the laser transition of Tm3+ and Ho3+ ions respectively. When the noise-like pulse (NLP) and soliton pulse (SP) co-exist inside the laser oscillator, a maximum output power of 295 mW is achieved with a pulse repetition rate of 19.85-MHz, corresponding to a total single pulse energy of 14.86 nJ. By adjusting the wave plates, the fiber oscillator could also deliver the dual-NLPs or dual-SPs at dual wavelengths, or single NLP and single SP at one wavelength. The highest 61-order harmonic soliton pulse and 33.4-nJ-NLP are also realized respectively with proper design of the fiber cavity.

Energy and momentum conservation upon reflection of a solitary pulse in a bounded magnetized plasma

When the nature of a magnetosonic pulse propagating in a bounded magnetized plasma slab is successively transformed from compression to rarefaction and vice versa upon reflection at a plasma-vacuum interface, both the energy and the longitudinal electromagnetic (EM) momentum of the plasma-pulse system are found to oscillate between two states. Simple analytical models and particle-in-cell simulations show that these oscillations are associated with EM radiation to and from the surrounding magnetized vacuum. For partial reflection supplemental losses in total pulse energy and mechanical momentum are identified and shown to follow, respectively, Fresnel's transmission coefficients for the energy and the magnetic perturbation. This mechanical momentum loss upon partial reflection is traced to the momentarily nonzero volume-integrated Lorentz force, which in turn supports that mechanical and EM momentum transfers are, respectively, associated with the magnetic and electric parts of the momentum flux density.

Associations of Total Legume, Pulse, and Soy Consumption with Incident Type 2 Diabetes: Federated Meta-Analysis of 27 Studies from Diverse World Regions

BackgroundThe consumption of legumes is promoted as part of a healthy diet in many countries but associations of total and types of legume consumption with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are not well established. Analyses across diverse populations are lacking despite the availability of unpublished legume consumption data in prospective cohort studies. ObjectiveTo examine the prospective associations of total and types of legume intake with the risk of incident T2D. MethodsMeta-analyses of associations between total legume, pulse, and soy consumption and T2D were conducted using a federated approach without physical data-pooling. Prospective cohorts were included if legume exposure and T2D outcome data were available and the cohort investigators agreed to participate. We estimated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and CIs of associations using individual participant data including ≤42,473 incident cases among 807,785 adults without diabetes in 27 cohorts across the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, and Western Pacific. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to combine effect estimates and estimate heterogeneity. ResultsMedian total legume intake ranged from 0–140 g/d across cohorts. We observed a weak positive association between total legume consumption and T2D (IRR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.04) per 20 g/d higher intake, with moderately high heterogeneity (I2 = 74%). Analysis by region showed no evidence of associations in the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, and Western Pacific. The positive association in Europe (IRR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.10, I2 = 82%) was mainly driven by studies from Germany, UK, and Sweden. No evidence of associations was observed for the consumption of pulses or soy. ConclusionsThese findings suggest no evidence of an association of legume intakes with T2D in several world regions. The positive association observed in some European studies warrants further investigation relating to overall dietary contexts in which legumes are consumed, including accompanying foods which may be positively associated with T2D.

Space-Time Coupling: Current Concept and Two Examples from Ultrafast Optics Studied Using Exact Solution of EM Equations

Current approach to space-time coupling (STC) phenomena is given together with a complementary version of the STC concept that emphasizes the finiteness of the energy of the considered pulses. Manifestations of STC are discussed in the framework of the simplest exact localized solution of Maxwell’s equations, exhibiting a “collapsing shell”. It falls onto the center, continuously deforming, and then, having reached maximum compression, expands back without losing energy. Analytical solutions describing this process enable to fully characterize the field in space-time. It allowed to express energy density in the center of collapse in the terms of total pulse energy, frequency and spectral width in the far zone. The change of the pulse shape while travelling from one point to another is important for coherent control of quantum systems. We considered the excitation of a two-level system located in the center of the collapsing EM (electromagnetic) pulse. The result is again expressed through the parameters of the incident pulse. This study showed that as it propagates, a unipolar pulse can turn into a bipolar one, and in the case of measuring the excitation efficiency, we can judge which of these two pulses we are dealing with. The obtained results have no limitation on the number of cycles in a pulse. Our work confirms the productivity of using exact solutions of EM wave equations for describing the phenomena associated with STC effects. This is facilitated by rapid progress in the search for new types of such solutions.

Conversion from W to Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states in the Rydberg-blockade regime of neutral-atom systems: Dynamical-symmetry-based approach

We investigate the possibilities for a deterministic conversion between two important types of maximally entangled multiqubit states, namely, $W$ and Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) states, in the Rydberg-blockade regime of a neutral-atom system where each atom is subject to four external laser pulses. Such interconversions between $W$ states and their GHZ counterparts have quite recently been addressed using the method of shortcuts to adiabaticity, more precisely techniques based on Lewis-Riesenfeld invariants [R.-H. Zheng {\em et al.}, Phys. Rev. A {\bf 101}, 012345 (2020)]. Motivated in part by this recent work, we revisit the $W$ to GHZ state-conversion problem using a fundamentally different approach, which is based on the dynamical symmetries of the system and a Lie-algebraic parametrization of its permissible evolutions. In contrast to the previously used invariant-based approach, which leads to a state-conversion protocol characterized by strongly time-dependent Rabi frequencies of external lasers, ours can also yield one with time-independent Rabi frequencies. This feature makes our protocol more easily applicable experimentally, with the added advantage that it allows the desired state conversion to be carried out in a significantly shorter time with the same total laser pulse energy used.

Rectangular current pulse generator to test varistors with pulsed electrical load

A brand-new circuit of a rectangular pulse current generator is presented. As a rule, generators consisting of 6-10 LC cells connected in series are used to obtain rectangular current pulses. Such units are very cumbersome and complicated in the selection of element parameters and adjustment, so a new scheme of pulse current generator was proposed. The main difference from the classical circuit is the method of generating a rectangular current pulse, i.e. by adding the currents from two parallel circuits connected to the load. The first circuit at discharge generates an aperiodic current pulse, the second generates an oscillatory current pulse. The total current pulse flowing through varistor has constant amplitude for some time. In a specified period of time, while the current pulse has a constant amplitude, there is an interruption of current with the help of a switching device. The given circuit solution is possible to implement when using fundamentally new switching devices of the IGBT module. A connection diagram of a pulse current generator for testing varistors with a classification voltage to 1200 V with adjustable pulse duration of 50, 1000, 2000 µs is proposed. The parameters of the generator circuit elements are determined. The measures aimed at suppression of overvoltages arising at break of current in circuits with high inductance as well as the tests confirming the operability of the designed circuit are carried out.

Effects of nocturnal complete denture usage on cardiorespiratory parameters: A pilot study

Statement of problemSleeping without conventional complete dentures (CCDs) has been stated by some to induce negative effects on the cardiorespiratory functions of edentulous patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), although others have reported the exact opposite. Therefore, a consensus on nocturnal CCD usage is lacking. PurposeThe purpose of this clinical study was to assess the effects of nocturnal denture usage on cardiorespiratory stability by using pulse oximetry (PO). Materials and methodsThirty CCD wearers were enrolled in the study. The first nocturnal pulse oximetry (FNPO) recordings were made on 3 different nights while the participants were sleeping without dentures (WOD). Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and other PO parameters of the participants, including total respiratory event (TRE), basal SpO2 (BSpO2), time≤88 (T88), average low SpO2 (ALSpO2), total pulse event (TPE), average pulse rate (APR), and heart rate variability index (HRVI), were processed and the obtained data were recorded as WOD condition values. According to the ODI scores, the OSA status of the participants was grouped as normal (ODI<5), mild (5<ODI<15), moderate (15<ODI<30), or severe (ODI>30). Complete dentures were fabricated by an experienced prosthodontist and a dental laboratory technician by following conventional procedures. At the end of the first month of the follow-up period, the second nocturnal PO recordings (SNPO) were made on 3 different nights while the participants slept wearing dentures (WID), and the data obtained were recorded as WID condition values. The comparison of mean PO values obtained from WOD and WID were analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed- rank test (α=.05). ResultsSignificant differences were found between WOD and WID values in terms of TRE (P=.01), ODI (P=.001), ALSpO2 (P=.006), TPE (P=.001), and HRVI (P=.001) parameters. The significance of the improvements in the WID condition increased with the severity of OSA. ConclusionsImprovements were observed in substantial cardiorespiratory parameters such as the ODI and HRVI of the participants wearing dentures nocturnally.

Assessment of a new algorithm to detect atrial fibrillation in home blood pressure monitoring device among healthy adults and patients with atrial fibrillation.

The authors evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a new algorithm for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) using a home blood pressure (BP) monitor. Three serial BP values were measured in 205 subjects with sinus rhythm and 75 subjects with AF confirmed by electrocardiogram. Irregular pulse peak (IPP) 15 was defined as follows: |interval of pulse peak ‐ the average of the interval of the pulse peak| ≥ the average of the interval of the pulse peak × 15%. Irregular heartbeat (IHB) was defined as follows: beats of IPP ≥ total pulse × 20%. The sensitivities of IPP15 for diagnosing AF defined as two or three IHBs of three readings were 1.0 and 0.99, and the corresponding specificities were 0.97 and 0.99, respectively. The algorithm using two or more IHBs of three readings in the setting of IPP15 had the highest diagnostic accuracy for AF.

State of the art in total pulse production in major states of India using ARIMA techniques

Pulses are staple protein-rich food for Indian vegetarians, and India is one of the largest producers in the world. The present investigation is an attempt to study the trend in the production of total pulses in India using the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) method. For stochastic trend estimation, yearly data were used for the period from 1961 to 2019. On the basis of the performance of several goodness of model fit criteria, the most suitable ARIMA model is chosen to capture the trend of pulse production. Forecasting for the 10 years from 2020 to 2029 is done, and it is observed that India has the highest forecast value (31.03302 million tonnes) in 2029. This study will play an important role in determining the gap between production of and demand for pulses in the future.

Effect of Menopause on Arterial Stiffness and Central Hemodynamics: A Pulse Wave Analysis-Based Cross-sectional Study from Gujarat, India.

Background:Menopause, a cardiovascular risk in mid-life women, is studied in terms of blood pressure mostly. Arterial stiffness (AS) and central hemodynamics (CH) are direct surrogates measured by pulse wave analysis (PWA) with no study from our region.Objective:We studied AS, CH in relation to menopause using PWA.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed in 134 middle-aged females divided into groups with or without menopause. Oscillometric PWA done by Mobil-o-Graph (IEM, Germany) gave – AS like augmentation pressure, augmentation index at heart rate (HR) 75, aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), and total AS pulse pressure amplification; CH like aortic blood pressure, cardiac output and related parameters, peripheral resistance, stroke work, prevalent brachial/central hypertension, and raised central pulse pressure. They were further compared between groups, in relation to body mass index (BMI) and by multiple regressions with P < 0.05 as statistical significance.Results:Postmenopausal women were significantly elder, physically inactive with comparable BMI and showed higher AS (only aPWV was significantly different) and CH. BMI was unrelated to AS or CH in postmenopausal group. Age (except for aPWV), BMI, and HR (except for AIx@75) were insignificant predictors, while systolic blood pressure (SBP) in premenopausal and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in postmenopausal group was major AS predictors. Age, HR, and BMI were insignificant predictors, while SBP more than DBP was significant predictors of CH.Conclusions:In obese, predominantly sedentary midlife Gujarati women, menopause negatively affects AS and hemodynamics, central more than peripheral. Menopause accelerates cardiovascular aging, independent of BMI, and age that calls for further studies.

Enhancement in productivity of green gram (Vigna radiate L) through front line demonstration technologies in Rajasthan

India is a major producer of green gram in the world and grown in almost all the States. Its area in the country is about 4.5 million ha. with the total production of 2.5 million tonnes having a productivity of 548 kg/ha and contributing 10 per cent to the total pulse production in 2019–20. Rajasthan is the major producer of green gram followed by Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar and Karnataka. However, the area under this crop fluctuates with rainfall. In Ajmer district, the area has fluctuated between 0.86 to 1.21 lakh ha during last five years. Similarly, the average productivity ranged from 403 to 701 Kg/ha (during 2014–15 to 2019–20). Since the average productivity of green gram is far below the potential yield, therefore, efforts were made to increase the productivity by promotion of improved technologies through frontline demonstrations (FLDs). Front line demonstration is an effective technology transfer tool that bridges the yield gaps. Krishi Vigyan Kendra Ajmer has conducted large number of FLDs on green gram in the district during 2016 to 2021. A total number of 370 demonstrations were conducted on green gram in 190 ha area under rainfed condition with the active participation of farmers. The objective of these demonstrations was to increase the productivity of green gram crop by adopting improved technologies at farmers’ fields. Results of FLDs indicated that demonstrated technologies recorded higher yield as compared to farmer's local practice. The demonstrated improved technology of green gram recorded 25.9 to 46.6 per cent increase in yield in comparison to farmer practice. Result of the study indicated that the demonstrated technology of green gram recorded highest yield of 10.20 q/ha against local check (7.40 q/ha) with an increase of 38.2 per cent during kharif 2018. Technological yield gap affecting yield in green gram was found to be highest (5.20 q/ha) during 2016, while extension yield gap varied from 1.40 to 2.80 q/ha in green gram cultivation during study period. Overall, it is inferred that the demonstrated improved technology package gave higher gross return, net return with higher benefit cost ratio as compared to farmer's practices in both farming situations.

Compact Laser Driver for Ultrasonic Arbitrary Position and Width Pulse Sequences Generation

Laser ultrasound offers several benefits in comparison to immersion or air-coupled ultrasound: it directly generates stress on the sample surface; it has a wide bandwidth and a small acoustic source can be produced. Conventionally, high-power pulsed lasers are required therefore equipment is bulky and expensive. Here we propose to use mid-power laser diodes, which are small and low cost. To solve the low signal amplitude problem with lower power lasers, the use of spread spectrum signal, arbitrary position, and width binary pulse sets is proposed. To date, a laser driver for this task has not been available. This article describes the development of such a compact driver, where the essential electronics occupy an area of $10\,\,\times20$ mm. The whole system with a fixture for kinematic mount is comparable in size to a conventional piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer. The driver can supply pulse sets of up to 40 A. Individual pulse duration can vary between 20 and 1000 ns (0.5–25-MHz ultrasound range) and the total pulse train duration is limited by the laser type used. Experiments show that up to 10- $\mu \text{s}$ long pulse sets can be used at 10-A current, without laser degradation. Current waveforms, beam profile, and optical response signals were measured for three rectified topologies. It was concluded that the GaN-based constant current switch topology has the best performance, but a power MOSFET in a source current feedback topology can also be used to generate pulses down to 20 ns. Photoacoustic response signals from chirp and phase shift keying modulation have been demonstrated.