Novel implementation of homogenization method to predict effective properties of periodic materials

Representative volume element （RVE） method and asymptotic homogenization （AH） method are two widely used methods in predicting effective properties of pe- riodic materials. This paper develops a novel implementa- tion of the AH method, which has rigorous mathematical foundation of the AH method, and also simplicity as the RVE method. This implementation can be easily realized using commercial software as a black box, and can use all kinds of elements available in commercial software to model unit cells with rather complicated microstructures, so the model may remain a fairly small scale. Several examples were car- fled out to demonstrate the simplicity and effectiveness of the new implementation.

Effects of Amiodarone on Transmural Dispersion of Ventricular Effective Refractory Periods across Myocardial Layers in the Normal and Hypertrophic Canine Heart

The effects of amiodarone on transmural dispersion of ventricular effective refractory periods （ERPs） in the normal and hypertrophic canine heart were investigated in vivo. By using the programmed stimulation protocol, the ERPs of epicardium （Epi）, midmyocardium （Mid） and endocardium （Endo） were measured by inserting specially-designed electrodes into the three myocardial layers before and after mainlining of amiodarone. No significant ERPs-dispersion was observed in the three layers before and after mainlining of amiodarone in the normal group. In contrast, ERPs of all the three layers were prolonged in the hypertrophic heart, while the ERPs-dispersion was reduced significantly after mainlining of amiodarone. The ERPs-dispersion was significantly increased in the hypertrophic heart but not in the normal heart using ＂long-short＂ and ＂short-long＂ interval stimulation technique. It was concluded that （1） the differences in ERPs-dispersion among the three layers were significant in hypertrophic heart, and differences were not significant in normal canine heart; （2） ERPs of each three-myocardial layers were significantly prolonged after using amioda- rone, but the ERPs-dispersion decreased in hypertrophic heart and （3） the programmed extrastimulus technique of ＂long-short＂ and ＂short-long＂ intervals increased the transmural ERPs-dispersion in the hypertrophic heart.

Changes of Monophasic Action Potential Duration and Effective Refractory Period of Three Layers Myocardium of Canine during Acute Ischemia in Vivo

Summary： The effect of acute ischemia on the electrophysiological characteristics of the three layers myocardium of canine in vivo was investigated. Twelve canines were divided into two groups randomly： acute ischemia （AI） group and sham operation （SO） group. By using the monophasic action potential （MAP） technique, MAP and effective refractory period （ERP） of the three layers myocardium were measured by specially designed plunge needle electrodes and the transmural dispersion of repolarization （TDR） and transmural dispersion of ERP （TDE） were analyzed. The results showed that in the AI group, MAP duration （MAPD） was shortened from 201.67±21.42 ms to 169.50±13.81 ms （P〈0.05）, but ERP prolonged to varying degrees and TDE increased during ischemia. In the SO group, MAPD and ERP did not change almost. Among of the three layers myocardium of canine, MAPD was coincident in two groups. It was concluded that during acute ischemia, MAPD was shortened sharply, but there was no significant difference among of the three layers myocardium. The prolonged ERP was concomitant with increased TDE during acute ischemia, which may play an important role in the occurrence of arrhythmias induced by acute ischemia. These findings may have important implications in arrhythmogenesis.

Effect of β_3-adrenoceptors on Ventricle Fibrillation Threshold and Effective Refractory Period in Rats With Heart Failure

Objectives To observe the effect of β3-Adrenoceptor （AR） on ventricle fibrillation threshold （VFT） and effective refractory period （ERP） in rats with heart failure. Methods Rats were randomized into control group and heart failure group. The expression of β3-ARmRNA was detected with RTPCR; The VFT, ERP, LVESP,LVEDP, ＋dp/dtmax and -dp/dtmax was measured at the same time with administration of BRL37344 （ 2 nmol / kg, β3- AR agonist）. Results ①Both the expression of β3-AR mRNA and the proportion increased in rats with heart failure in comparison with control rats （0.028 vs. 0.011 and 5.4% vs 1.2%, P 〈 0.05）;② ERP was longer in rats with heart failure than control group （70.5±5.5 ms vs 59.5±6.4ms, P 〈 0.05） and there was no difference of ERP in rats with heart failure with administration of BRL37344 （73.0±4.8 ms vs 70.5± 5.5 ms, P 〉0.05）; ③VFT was lower in rats with heart failure than control group（10.9±0.8 mv vs 30.5± 1.3 mv, P〈 0.05） and decreased obviously in rats with heart failure with administration of BRL37344 （7.1±0.6 mv vs 10.9±0.8 mv, P 〈 0.05） ; The decrease of VFT correlated with the effect on LVESP, ＋dp/ dtmax,-dp/dtmax of BRL37344 and the expression of β3-AR mRNA （correlation coefficient： 0.788, 0.708, 0.759, 0.787; P 〈 0.05）. Conclusions The expression of β3-AR mRNA of left ventricle was obviously increased in rats with heart failure, and activation of β3-AR had no effect on ERP but could decreased VFT which correlated with the effect of β3-AR on LVESP, ＋dp/dtmax, -dp/dtmax and the expression of β3-AR mRNA.

Who Is More Vulnerable?The Age-Period-Cohort Effect of Psychological Distress among Urban Residents in China

How does psychological distress evolve over time?This study utilizes cross-sectional data from the China General Social Survey from 2010 to 2017 to explore the differences in psychological distress among Chinese residents at various ages,periods,and cohorts.The dummy variable method and random effects hierarchical age-period-cohort model were employed to isolate the age,period,and cohort effects that impacted the psychological distress of Chinese urban residents.First,in terms of the age effect,the psychological distress experienced by residents tends to increase initially and then decrease with age.Middle-aged individuals,around 40 years old,often face a particularly severe form of psychological distress known as the“midlife crisis.”Additionally,middle-aged people who have larger families may experience more significant psychological distress due to increased family burdens.Second,in terms of the period effect,the psychological distress experienced by residents has been on the rise due to the continued development of society.Those who are at a disadvantage in market competition and work longer hours may be particularly vulnerable to increased psychological distress.Thirdly,the cohort effect refers to the different social behaviors and attitudes exhibited by individuals of different generations.In terms of this effect,psychological distress initially decreased and then increased among those born between 1945 and 1990.Individuals born in the 1980s and 1990s experienced higher levels of psychological distress,with internet use having a greater negative impact.Additionally,the positive effect of income on their psychological distress was reduced.The psychological distress of Chinese urban residents is affected by a variety of time-related factors,which are closely related to Chinese clan culture,market competition and social changes.The heavy family burden imposed by traditional clan culture,the different working conditions created by market competition,and the emergence of new lifestyles,such as internet use during social changes,have led to diverse psychological distress experiences among residents across different ages,time periods,and cohorts.In the future,longitudinal studies are needed to strengthen the robustness of the conclusions and consider the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.Mental health support should pay specific attention to the psychological distress of middle-aged individuals,long-time workers,and internet users.

A transparent electromagnetic-shielding film based on one-dimensional metal–dielectric periodic structures

In this study, we designed and fabricated optical materials consisting of alternating ITO and Ag layers. This approach is considered to be a promising way to obtain a light-weight, ultrathin and transparent shielding medium, which not only transmits visible light but also inhibits the transmission of microwaves, despite the fact that the total thickness of the Ag film is much larger than the skin depth in the visible range and less than that in the microwave region. Theoretical results suggest that a high dielectric/metal thickness ratio can enhance the broadband and improve the transmittance in the optical range. Accordingly, the central wavelength was found to be red-shifted with increasing dielectric/metal thickness ratio. A physical mechanism behind the controlling transmission of visible light is also proposed. Meanwhile, the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of the prepared structures was found to exceed 40 dB in the range from 0.1 GHz to 18 GHz, even reaching up to 70 dB at 0.1 GHz, which is far higher than that of a single ITO film of the same thickness.

Seismic response of bridge pier on rigid caisson foundation in soil stratum

An analytical method to study the seismic response of a bridge pier supported on a rigid caisson foundation embedded in a deep soil stratum underlain by a homogeneous half space is developed. The method reproduces the kinematic and inertial responses, using translational and rotational distributed Winkler springs and dashpots to simulate the soil-caisson interaction. Closed-form solutions are given in the frequency domain for vertical harmonic S-wave excitation. Comparison with results from finite element （FE） analysis and other available solutions demonstrates the reliability of the model. Results from parametric studies are given for the kinematic and inertial responses. The modification of the fundamental period and damping ratio of the bridge due to soil-structure interaction is graphically illustrated.

A Reevaluation of the Critical Membrane Potential of the Effective Refractory Period in Guinea Pig Ventricular Fibres

The traditional critical membrane potential (CMP), -55—-60mV, which corresponds to effective refractory period (ERP), was anew investigated in guinea pig ventricular muscle fibres. The electrical and contractile responses to the stimulus during repolarization of action potential (AP), particularly from+10 to -60 mV, were observed. One third of 35 tested cells displayed testing action potential (TAP) and local response at≥-54 mV when they were stimulated by testing pulses in 37℃ normal Tyrode's solution. Potential level of TAP which occurred earliest was at -30 mV and that of local response which appeared earliest was at 0 mV during repolarization among 95 systematic tests. Most of the TAPs belonged to the slow response potential type. The ratio of TAP evoked at ≥-54 mV initial membrane potential (IMP) was as high as 86% when the experiment was carried out in 37℃ 1.5 mmol KC1/L Tyrode's solution. In view of distribution of IMPs of TAPs, the CMP of ERP in guinea pig ventricular muscle fibres was more positive than traditional CMP measured by Hoffman et al. in dog, sheep Purkinje fibres and had a quite changeable range. The CMP of every cell in ventricular muscle was not all the same, and their CMPs approximated to normal distribution. There was no sharp line separating ERP from relative refractory period in myocardium. Higher temperature and low [K]_0 were the important factors elevating CMP of ERP.

Atmospheric Pollution Control Effect of Key Cities in Inner Mongolia in 2014

APEC conference was held in Beijing during November 3- 12,2014. Hohhot City and Baotou City fall into the peripheral key air pollution control cities in the ＂ Beijing- Tianjin- Hebei＂ region. Inner Mongolia government adopted powerful pollution control measures in the period of the conference. According to pollutant concentration data and meteorological data etc. in the course of the event and the same period of last year,the atmospheric pollution variations and control effect were discussed in this study. The results showed that during October 1- 25,2014,there were 16 days with air pollution in Hohhot City and 15 days with air pollution in Baotou City,respectively increasing by 8% and 34% compared with the same period of 2013,and the concentration of particulate matter was also higher than that of last year. During October 22- 24,2014,Hohhot and Baotou cities were polluted persistently. The variation features of hourly concentration of main pollutants PM（10） and PM2. 5were similar to those in the same period of 2013. That is,the pollutant concentration reached the maximum from 21：00 to 23：00,and the minimum appeared from 15： 00 to 19： 00 in the next day. In the course of the event,the concentration of particulate matter in the two cities stared to reduce greatly on October 26. From October 26 to November 13,there were no days with air pollution in Hohhot City,decreasing by 100% compared with the same period of 2013; there were five days with air pollution in Baotou City,and the numbers of days with slight,moderate and severe pollution reduced by 37%,100% and67% respectively compared with the same period of last year. The persistent air pollution from October 22 to the first 10 days of November was related to unfavorable meteorological conditions,and the meteorological condition in the same period of 2014 was even worse. In the course of the event,the Inner Mongolia Government adopted air pollution control measures around October 25 and began to adopt some powerful pollution control measures on November 1. As a result,air pollution in key cities has been controlled effectively. This event showed that urban atmospheric pollution problem can be resolved,and we should take an optimistic attitude towards this matter.

Probe frequency- and field intensity-sensitive coherent control effects in an EIT-based periodic layered medium

A periodic layered medium, with unit cells consisting of a dielectric and an electromagnetically-induced transparency （EIT）-based atomic vapor, is designed for light propagation manipulation. Considering that a destructive quantum interference relevant to a two-photon resonance emerges in EIT-based atoms interacting with both control and probe fields, an EIT-based periodic layered medium exhibits a flexible frequency-sensitive optical response, where a very small variation in the probe frequency can lead to a drastic variation in reflectance and transmittance. The present EIT-based periodic layered structure can result in controllable optical processes that depend sensitively on the external control field. The tunable and sensitive optical response induced by the quantum interference of a multi-level atomic system can be applied in the fabrication of new photonic and quantum optical devices. This material will also open a good perspective for the application of such designs in several new fields, including photonic microcircuits or integrated optical circuits.

Discrete spatial solitons formed in periodically poled lithium niobate by electro-optical effect

We report the numerical observation of discrete spatial solitons in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide array by applying an electrical field through electro-optical effect. We show that discrete spatial soliton can be controlled by applied voltage in the periodically poled lithium niobate.

Effects of Amiodarone plus Losartan on Electrical Remodeling in Rapid Atrial Pacing in Rabbits

Objectives To investigate the electrical remodeling and the effects of amiodarone and losartan on electrical remodeling in rapid atrial pacing on rabbit model. Methods 40 normal rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups ： the saline group （control group）, amiodarone group, losartan group, anti ＋ los group. All rabbits were raised drugs in a week. The atrial effective refractory period （AERP） was measured. Then, take a rapid atrial pacing （600 bpm） and the AERP was measured after 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours pacing and 30 minutes after the termination of rapid pacing. Results （1） In control group, after 8 hours rapid pacing, AERP200 and AERP150 were significantly shortened 16. 11% ± 3.1% （ P 〈 0. 01 ） and 9. 99 % ± 4. 2% （ P 〈 0. 01 ）. And the degree of AERP shortening induced by rapid pacing was greater at basic cycle lengths of 200 ms （BCL200） than that at BCL150. The AERP of amiodarone, losartan group and ami ＋ los group were not shortened during rapid pacing. （2） In the control group, after the termination of rapid pacing, the AERP gradually increased. The AERP at all of the BCLS examined recovered to almost the 95.78% and 96. 76% of baseline values within the first 10 minutes and recovered to almost the 99.07% and 99.39% of baseline values within the first 30 minutes. Conclusions Short-term atrial rapid pacing can induce the atrial electrical remodeling. Amiodarone and losartan can prevent the electrical remodeling.