Altered spontaneous brain activity patterns in hypertensive retinopathy using fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations:a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

AIM:To study functional brain abnormalities in patients with hypertensive retinopathy(HR)and to discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of HR by fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(fALFFs)method.METHODS:Twenty HR patients and 20 healthy controls(HCs)were respectively recruited.The age,gender,and educational background characteristics of the two groups were similar.After functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)scanning,the subjects’spontaneous brain activity was evaluated with the fALFF method.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to classify the data.Further,we used Pearson’s correlation analysis to explore the relationship between fALFF values in specific brain regions and clinical behaviors in patients with HR.RESULTS:The brain areas of the HR group with lower fALFF values than HCs were the right orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus(RO-MFG)and right lingual gyrus.In contrast,the values of fALFFs in the left middle temporal gyrus(MTG),left superior temporal pole(STP),left middle frontal gyrus(MFG),left superior marginal gyrus(SMG),left superior parietal lobule(SPL),and right supplementary motor area(SMA)were higher in the HR group.The results of a t-test showed that the average values of fALFFs were statistically significantly different in the HR group and HC group(P<0.001).The fALFF values of the left middle frontal gyrus in HR patients were positively correlated with anxiety scores(r=0.9232;P<0.0001)and depression scores(r=0.9682;P<0.0001).CONCLUSION:fALFF values in multiple brain regions of HR patients are abnormal,suggesting that these brain regions in HR patients may be dysfunctional,which may help to reveal the pathophysiological mechanisms of HR.

Altered spontaneous brain activity patterns in patients with diabetic retinopathy using amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by prolonged elevation of blood glucose due to various causes.Currently,the relationship between diabetic retinopathy(DR)and altered connectivity of brain function is unclear.AIM To investigate the relationship between this brain activity and clinical manifestations and behaviors of DR patients by using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation(ALFF)technique.METHODS Twenty-four DR patients and 24 healthy controls(HCs)matched for age and gender were enrolled.We measured and recorded average ALFF values of DR patients and HCs and then classified them using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.RESULTS ALFF values of both left and right posterior cerebellar lobe and right anterior cingulate gyrus were remarkably higher in the DR patients than in the HCs;however,DR patients had lower values in the bilateral calcarine area.ROC curve analysis of different brain regions demonstrated high accuracy in the area under the curve analysis.There was no significant relationship between mean ALFF values for different regions and clinical presentations in DR patients.Neuronal synchronization abnormalities in some brain regions of DR patients were associated with cognitive and visual disorders.CONCLUSION Abnormal spontaneous brain activity was observed in many areas of DR patients’brains,which may suggest a possible link between clinical manifestations and behaviors in DR patients.

Altered spontaneous brain activity patterns in patients with hyperthyroidism exophthalmos using amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation:a resting-state fMRI study

AIM:To assess changed spontaneous brain activity in hyperthyroid exophthalmos(HE)patients by the amplitude of the low-frequency fluctuation(ALFF)method,and to analyze the correlation between brain activity and ALFF values in these patients.METHODS:Totally 18 HE and 18 hyperthyroid nonexophthalmos(HNE)patients were enrolled.The participants were tested by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to classify the ALFF values of the study population.Pearson’s correlation analysis was utilized to evaluate the relationship between the ALFF values obtained from different brain areas and clinical manifestations.RESULTS:Contrary to HNE patients,we observed lower ALFF values in the left calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex(LCFSC)in HE patients.In the ROC curve analysis of the LCFSC,the area under the curve reflected a high degree of accuracy.In addition,there was positive correlation between mean ALFF values of the LCFSC and the bestcorrected visual acuity of the affected eyes.CONCLUSION:The study displays abnormal brain activity in LCFSC in patients with HE,which might suggest pathological mechanism of visual impairment of HE patients.

Changes in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in specific frequency bands in major depressive disorder after electroconvulsive therapy

BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder(MDD)tends to have a high incidence and high suicide risk.Electroconvulsive therapy(ECT)is currently a relatively effective treatment for MDD.However,the mechanism of efficacy of ECT is still unclear.AIM To investigate the changes in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in specific frequency bands in patients with MDD after ECT.METHODS Twenty-two MDD patients and fifteen healthy controls(HCs)were recruited to this study.MDD patients received 8 ECT sessions with bitemporal placement.Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was adopted to examine regional cerebellar blood flow in both the MDD patients and HCs.The MDD patients were scanned twice(before the first ECT session and after the eighth ECT session)to acquire data.Then,the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(ALFF)was computed to characterize the intrinsic neural oscillations in different bands(typical frequency,slow-5,and slow-4 bands).RESULTS Compared to before ECT(pre-ECT),we found that MDD patients after the eighth ECT(post-ECT)session had a higher ALFF in the typical band in the right middle frontal gyrus,posterior cingulate,right supramarginal gyrus,left superior frontal gyrus,and left angular gyrus.There was a lower ALFF in the right superior temporal gyrus.Compared to pre-ECT values,the ALFF in the slow-5 band was significantly increased in the right limbic lobe,cerebellum posterior lobe,right middle orbitofrontal gyrus,and frontal lobe in post-ECT patients,whereas the ALFF in the slow-5 band in the left sublobar region,right angular gyrus,and right frontal lobe was lower.In contrast,significantly higher ALFF in the slow-4 band was observed in the frontal lobe,superior frontal gyrus,parietal lobe,right inferior parietal lobule,and left angular gyrus.CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the abnormal ALFF in pre-and post-ECT MDD patients may be associated with specific frequency bands.

Application of Amplitude Ratio Profiles Extracted with Prestack Kirchhoff Integral Migration

The Z component and X component profiles of seismic waves extracted with the prestack Kirchhoff integral migration could approximate to the primary wave （P wave） and converted shear wave （PS wave） profiles under certain conditions. The relative change of their reflection amplitude reflects the formation stress anomaly and subsurface media anisotropy. The principle and method for extracting amplitude ratios were studied and the application of amplitude ratio profiles was also examined when processing and interpreting actual seismic data. The amplitude ratio profile is an effective supplementary means of identifying the stratigraphic boundary and lithology.

Calibration of P/S amplitude ratios for seismic events in Xinjiang and its adjacent areas based on a Bayesian Kriging method

Correction maps of P/S amplitude ratios for seismic events distributed in Xinjiang, China and its adjacent areas were established using a Bayesian Kriging method for the two seismic stations WMQ and MAK. The relationship between correction maps and variations of along-path features was analyzed and the validity of applying the correction maps to improve performances of P/S discriminants for seismic discrimination was investigated. Results show that obtained correction maps can generally reflect event-station path effects upon corresponding P/S discriminants; and the correction of these effects could further reduce scatters of distance-corrected P/S measurements within earthquake and explosion populations as well as improve their discriminating performances if path effects are a significant factor of such scatters. For example, as corresponding Kriging correction map was applied, the misidentification rate of earthquakes by Pn（2-4 Hz）/Lg（2-4 Hz） at MAK was reduced from 16.3% to 5.2%.

Applicability of P/S amplitude ratios for the discrimination of low magnitude seismic events

Applicability of regional P/S amplitude ratios for the discrimination of low-magnitude seismic events was tested and proved using earthquakes and explosions in Central Asia. Results obtained show that regional P/S amplitude ratios which may discriminate medium or large magnitude events well, are also applicable to low magnitude events Their performances for low magnitude events are almost as good as that for medium or large events. Statistical comparisons based on 25 P/S discriminate from the four seismic stations WMQ, BLK, MUL and MAK showed that the average misclassification rate for low-magnitude seismic events averagely was only 2 percent higher than that for medium and large magnitude seismic events.

Amplitude Ratio of Regional Seismic Phases: An Efficient Indicator of Thermal State of the Lithosphere

By analyzing seismograms of short period records at the Beijing SeismoJogicaJ Observatory, the present paper investigates the amplitude ratio of seismic phases. The results indicate that the amplitude ratio of Sn/Lg is correlated with the lithosphere structure, the thermal state, and strong earthquake occurrence in the region the seismic rays pass through. The significance of such a correlation in the study on the genesis and prediction of strong earthquakes is discussed.

Feasibility Study on Determining Focal Mechanism Solutions of Small Earthquakes Using the Velocity Amplitude Ratio of -and -Waves

The focal mechanism parameters of small earthquakes are determined by the maximum velocity and displacement amplitude ratio of the direct ^-P- and ^-S-waves recorded by digital stations. The displacement is obtained from the velocity by emulation, and the two results are compared and analyzed. Results of theoretical analysis and practical measurement indicate that the two results of velocity and displacement are consistent, and it is feasible that the maximum displacement amplitude ratio be replaced by the maximum velocity amplitude ratio of the direct ^-P-and ^-S- waves recorded by regional seismic networks when determining focal mechanism solutions of small earthquakes.

Influence of principal stress rotation of unequal tensile and compressive stress amplitudes on characteristics of soft clay

Soil behavior can reflect the characteristics of principal stress rotation under dynamic wave and traffic loads. Unequal amplitudes of tensile and compressive stresses applied to soils have complex effects on foundation soils in comparison with the pure principal stress rotation path. A series of undrained cyclic hollow torsional shear tests were performed on typical remolded soft clay from the Hexi area of Nanjing, China. The main control parameters were the tensile and compressive stress amplitude ratio(α) and the cyclic dynamic stress ratio(η). It was found that the critical η tended to remain constant at 0.13, when the value of the compressive stress amplitude was higher than the tensile stress amplitude. However, the influence of the tensile stress was limited by the dynamic stress level when α= 1.For obvious structural change in the soil, the corresponding numbers of cyclic vibration cycles were found to be independent of α at low stress levels and were only related to η. Finally, a new method for evaluating the failure of remolded soft clay was presented. It considers the influence of the tensile and compressive stresses which caused by complex stress paths of the principal stress rotation. This criterion can distinguish stable, critical, and destructive states based on the pore-water-pressure-strain coupling curve while also providing a range of failure strain and vibration cycles. These results provide the theoretical support for systematic studies of principal stress rotation using constitutive models.

Survivors of COVID-19 exhibit altered amplitudes of low frequency fluctuation in the brain: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study at 1-year follow-up

Although some short-term follow-up studies have found that individuals recovering from coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)exhibit anxiety,depression,and altered brain microstructure,their long-term physical problems,neuropsychiatric sequelae,and changes in brain function remain unknown.This observational cohort study collected 1-year follow-up data from 22 patients who had been hospitalized with COVID-19(8 males and 11 females,aged 54.2±8.7 years).Fatigue and myalgia were persistent symptoms at the 1-year follow-up.The resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that compared with 29 healthy controls(7 males and 18 females,aged 50.5±11.6 years),COVID-19 survivors had greatly increased amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation(ALFF)values in the left precentral gyrus,middle frontal gyrus,inferior frontal gyrus of operculum,inferior frontal gyrus of triangle,insula,hippocampus,parahippocampal gyrus,fusiform gyrus,postcentral gyrus,inferior parietal angular gyrus,supramarginal gyrus,angular gyrus,thalamus,middle temporal gyrus,inferior temporal gyrus,caudate,and putamen.ALFF values in the left caudate of the COVID-19 survivors were positively correlated with their Athens Insomnia Scale scores,and those in the left precentral gyrus were positively correlated with neutrophil count during hospitalization.The long-term follow-up results suggest that the ALFF in brain regions related to mood and sleep regulation were altered in COVID-19 survivors.This can help us understand the neurobiological mechanisms of COVID-19-related neuropsychiatric sequelae.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University(approval No.2020 S004)on March 19,2020.

THE INFLUENCE OF LOW-FREQUENCY VARYING MAGNETIC FIELDON THE PULSATILE FLOW IN A RIGID ROUND TUBE

In this paper, the analytic solution of the dynamical equation of the pulsatile flow in a rigid round tube under the low-frequency varying magnetic field is obtained. The velocity distribution and the flow impedance are calculated. The results of e valuable for understanding the influence of low-frequency varying magnetic field on hemodynamics and its clinical application.

AMPLITUDE OF LOW FREQUENCY FLUCTUATION AT DIFFERENT FREQUENCY BANDS IN EARLY AMNESTIC MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: RESULTS FROM ADNI

We used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)to determine whether there are any abnormalities in different frequency bands between amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(ALFF)and fractional ALFF(fALFF)and between 10 early amnestic mild cognitive impairment(EMCI)patients and eight normal controls participating in the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative(ADNI).We showed widespread difference in ALFF/fALFF between two frequency bands(slow-4:0.027-0.073 Hz,slow-5:0.01-0.027 Hz)in many brain areas including posterior cingulate cortex(PCC),medial prefrontal cortex(MPFC),suprasellar cistern(SC)and ambient cistern(AC).Compared to the normal controls,the EMCI patients showed increased ALFF values in PCu,cerebellum,occipital lobe and cerebellum posterior lobe in frequency band slow-4.While in frequency band slow-5,the EMCI patients showed decreased ALFF values in temporal lobe,left cerebrum and middle temporal gyrus5.Moreover,the EMCI patients showed increased fALFF values in frontal lobe and inferior frontal gyrus in band slow-5.While in frequency band slow-4,the EMCI patients showed decreased fALFF values in limbic lobe,cingulate gyrus and corpus callosum.These results demonstrated that EMCI patients had widespread abnormalities of amplitude of LFF in different frequency bands.

GNSS线极化天线干涉信号反演土壤湿度算法测试

利用全球导航卫星系统干涉信号(GNSS-IR)测量土壤湿度已成为热门的研究课题。搭载低成本线性极化天线的智能手机可以方便快捷采集干涉信号信噪比(SNR)。分别仿真垂直和水平线性极化天线采集的GNSS干涉信号,给出2种极化方式下干涉信号SNR波形和反射率随卫星高度角变化的结果。对于垂直极化分量,电磁波会在入射角65°~85°左右时发生全透射,导致干涉信号振荡效果消失,而水平极化不存在该现象。同时,分别仿真右旋圆极化(RHCP)直射和左旋圆极化(LHCP)反射天线采集的GNSS信号,并计算直反射信号的幅值比。在仿真基础上分别利用不同极化天线进行实验,结果表明:采用线性极化天线采集的GNSS干涉信号振荡效果几乎不受卫星高度角的限制,可以为土壤湿度反演提供更多的有效数据,并且反演得到的土壤湿度与同位数据具有良好的一致性,两者的相关性达到0.95。使用搭载圆极化天线的双通道接收机采集北斗系统卫星数据进行对比,相关性达到0.91。对于不同的设备,智能手机采集的GNSS数据占用空间相对比于双通道接收机降低1%,且反演结果相关性接近,由于干涉信号提取直反射信号需要一定的振荡周期,故反演结果的时间分辨率要低于双通道接收机。

冻融雁行裂隙花岗岩单轴压缩宏细观疲劳特性试验研究

对于季冻区的岩体工程,岩石经常受到冻融和周期荷载扰动引起的耦合疲劳损伤。为了研究冻融裂隙花岗岩的疲劳开裂扩展情况,量化裂纹的损伤程度和分类类型,对冻融40次后的双裂隙花岗岩进行了3种应力振幅下的周期荷载试验。采用实时声发射和高速摄影监测技术来揭示裂纹演化,并进一步对不同的裂纹开裂类型进行分类,以帮助理解动态压裂规律,利用核磁共振测试分析裂隙花岗岩细观孔隙特征及其宏观力学特性的关系。结果表明:随着周期荷载振幅应力比的增加,双裂隙花岗岩在周期荷载“沉寂期”内的声发射计数增加;周期荷载阶段双裂隙花岗岩产生的剪切裂纹占比大于单调加载阶段,高振幅作用下岩石容易形成剪切破坏裂纹;双裂隙花岗岩声发射的最大幅值变小即大尺度破裂减少,周期荷载下岩样预制裂隙外尖端产生的向端面扩展裂纹的角度越大;双裂隙花岗岩的疲劳寿命减小,内部微裂隙扩展发育减缓,能够储存的含H流体也越少,最终表现为核磁共振T2谱面积变化率减小。

基于随机森林回归的电离层幅度闪烁指数预测

为满足低成本、高精度的电离层闪烁监测需求,提出一种基于随机森林回归的闪烁指数预测模型。在卫星导航接收机输出信息基础上,计算电离层结构状态参数,形成输入参数,并进行参数筛选构建训练数据集,结合专用型电离层闪烁监测接收机观测到的闪烁指数,训练生成基于随机森林回归的幅度闪烁指数预测模型。实验结果表明,与传统电离层幅度闪烁指数计算方法相比,随机森林回归模型预测得到的闪烁指数相关性更强、精度更高。

基于IPOA-LSSVM模型的高压直流输电线路故障定位

故障定位在长距离高压直流输电系统中起着至关重要的作用.针对线路衰减系数计算不准和二次波头难以捕捉的问题,提出了一种改进鹈鹕优化算法(IPOA)优化最小二乘支持向量(LSSVM)的故障定位模型.根据行波衰减原理,推导故障距离和线路两端线模分量模极大值比的计算公式,发现二者具有非线性关系.使用LSSVM泛化二者之间的关系,将改进后的POA算法对LSSVM的关键参数进行寻优,建立IPOA-LSSVM故障定位模型.通过在两端采集故障信号,对其进行小波变换得到首波头幅值比作为模型的输入量,故障距离作为输出量进行仿真验证.仿真结果表明,该模型不受过渡电阻和故障类型的影响,能够可靠准确地定位.

不同厚宽比矩形截面柱体涡激振动的数值研究

厚宽比的变化将导致矩形截面柱体周边流场的变化,进而影响结构气动性能及其涡激振动响应。基于Fluent软件平台,以雷诺数22 000的二维矩形截面柱体为对象,结合重叠网格技术与四阶龙格-库塔法,研究了厚宽比对其涡激振动的影响,从流场角度进行了影响机理分析。首先,选择厚宽比D/B=0.25的矩形截面,将计算结果与相关文献试验与模拟对比,验证了模拟方法及参数设置的有效性;然后,从气动力系数统计值及自谱、流向与横风向振幅变化以及相位转变等角度,对比分析了厚宽比对结构涡激振动响应的影响;最后,从瞬态流场的角度,分析了不同折减风速对柱体尾涡脱落的影响。结果表明,在柱体截面面积不变时,较小厚宽比柱体的涡振响应极为微弱,气动性能也明显低于大厚宽比柱体,大厚宽比柱体的气动性能及涡振响应高于标准方柱,振幅也会在较低折减风速下发生突变,但会在较高折减风速下达到振幅峰值。比起圆柱等结构,分离角固定的矩形柱体的尾涡脱落模式对折减风速的变化并不敏感,这一特征在大厚宽比方柱上表现更为明显。

Dynamic alterations of amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in patients with chronic neck pain

Background:The pathogenesis of neck pain in the brain,which is the fourth most common cause of disability,remains unclear.Furthermore,little is known about the characteristics of dynamic local functional brain activity in cervical pain.Objective:The present study aimed to investigate the changes of local brain activity caused by chronic neck pain and the factors leading to neck pain.Methods:Using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations(ALFF)method combined with sliding window approach,we compared local brain activity that was measured by the functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)of 107 patients with chronic neck pain(CNP)with that of 57 healthy control participants.Five pathogenic factors were selected for correlation analysis.Results:The group comparison results of dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation(dALFF)variability showed that patients with CNP exhibited decreased dALFF variability in the left inferior temporal gyrus,the middle temporal gyrus,the angular gyrus,the inferior parietal marginal angular gyrus,and the middle occipital gyrus.The abnormal dALFF variability of the left inferior temporal gyrus was negatively correlated with the average daily working hours of patients with neck pain.Conclusions:The findings indicated that the brain regions of patients with CNP responsible for audition,vision,memory,and emotion were subjected to temporal variability of abnormal regional brain activity.Moreover,the dALFF variability in the left inferior temporal gyrus might be a risk factor for neck pain.This study revealed the brain dysfunction of patients with CNP from the perspective of dynamic local brain activity,and highlighted the important role of dALFF variability in understanding the neural mechanism of CNP.

配网线路无人机智能剪线机构设计与优化

配网线路无人机智能剪线机构在废弃配网线路拆除过程中起着至关重要的作用。文中以某卸电剪线机构为研究对象,简化机构模型,明确优化目标,研究剪线过程中的横向振动与纵向振动随两轴交点位置与长轴之比及长短轴长度之比的变化规律,并以横向振动与纵向振动的幅度最小为优化目标,得到位比与轴比最优点,并得出了剪线作业时的横向振动与纵向振动与位比和轴比的变化关系。研究结果表明:位比不变时,横向振幅与纵向振幅随轴比的增大先减小后增大且横向振幅的降速慢于纵向振幅降速,横向振幅升速快于纵向振幅升速;轴比不变时,横向振幅与纵向振幅随轴比的增大而减小,且纵向振幅的降速与升速均快于横向振幅;卸电剪线机构的最优位比和轴比为0.35和2.3。