Effect of Occupational Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on the Thyroid Gland of Workers:A Prospective Study

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the biological effects of occupational extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field(ELF-EMF)exposure on the thyroid gland.Methods:We conducted a prospective analysis of 85 workers(exposure group)exposed to an ELF-EMF(100μT,10-100 Hz)produced by the electromagnetic aircraft launch system and followed up on thyroid function indices,immunological indices,and color Doppler images for 3 years.Additionally,116 healthy volunteers were randomly selected as controls(control group),the thyroid function of whom was compared to the exposure group.Results:No significant difference was observed in thyroid function between the exposure and control groups.During the follow-up of the exposure group,the serum free triiodothyronine(FT3)level was found to slowly decrease and free thyroxine(FT4)level slowly increase with increasing exposure time.However,no significant difference was found in thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH)over the three years,and no significant difference was observed in the FT3,FT4 and TSH levels between different exposure subgroups.Furthermore,no significant changes were observed in thyroid autoantibody levels and ultrasound images between subgroups or over time.Conclusion:Long-term exposure to ELF-EMF may promote thyroid secretion of T4 and inhibit deiodination of T4 to T3.ELF-EMF has no significant effect on thyroid immune function and morphology.

Effect of low-frequency electromagnetic field on the as-cast microstructure of a new super high strength aluminum alloy by horizontal continuous casting

The super high strength aluminum alloy ingots with 100 mm in diameter were cast by the process of low-frequency electromagnetic horizontal continuous casting (LFEHC) and the effect of electromagnetic field on the as-cast microstructure was studied. Results show that microstructure of the sample prepared by the LFEHC process was greatly refined. Microstructures at the border and the center of the ingots were fine, uniform and rosette-shaped. Electromagnetic frequency plays a key role in microstructure refining. Fine and uniform microstructures can be obtained with optimal electromagnetic frequency. In this experiment, under a frequency of 30 Hz the microstructure was the finest and the most uniform.

EFFECT OF LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ON THE AS-CASTING MICROSTRUCTURES AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HDC 2024 ALUMINUM ALLOY

The influences of the low frequency electromagnetic field on the horizontal direct chill casting process were investigated experimentally. Ingots of 2024 aluminum alloy with a cross size of 40 mm× 200 mm were produced by the conventional horizontal chill casting process and low frequency electromagnetic horizontal chill casting processre- spectively. The as-cast structures and the mechanical property of the ingots were examined. The results showed that the low frequency electromagnetic field could sub- stantially refine the microstructures and pronouncedly reduce the macrosegregation in the horizontal direct chill casting process. Moreover, the surface quality of the ingot was prominently improved by the low frequency electromagnetic field. The fracture strength and elongation percentage of the ingot was increased with the low frequency electromagnetic field.

Effects of low-frequency electromagnetic field on the surface quality of 7050 aluminum alloy ingots during the hot-top casting process

To improve the quality of 7050 aluminum alloy ingots, low-frequency electromagnetic （LFE） field was applied during the conventional hot-top casting process. Macrostructures and microstructures of the ingots by the conventional and LFE hot-top casting processes were studied. The experimental results show that when the LFE field is turn off during the hot-top casting process, cold folding appears, and the as-cast structure becomes very coarse. Additionally, the thickness of the shell zone is much thinner during the low-frequency electromagnetic hot-top casting process than that during the conventional hot-top casting process. Some reasons for low-frequency electromagnetic field improving the surface quality, refining the structure of the ingot, and minimizing the thickness of the shell zone have been studied.

Protective effects of blueberry anthocyanin extracts on hippocampal neuron damage induced by extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field

The protective effects of blueberry anthocyanin extracts against damage induced by extremely lowfrequency electromagnetic field(ELF-EMF)were investigated in a rat model.Wistar rats were exposed to ELF-EMF with or without the administration of blueberry anthocyanin extracts(50,100,and 200 mg/kg per day intragastrically once a day)for 30 days.Blueberry anthocyanin extracts supplementation inhibited the decrease in Nissl substance levels,cell membrane integrity,and mitochondrial membrane potential induced by ELF-EMF;prevented the increase in nitric oxide,malondialdehyde,and Ca2+concentrations;suppressed superoxide dismutase and glutathione depletion;and enhanced the cognitive ability of the rats exposed to ELF-EMF.The protective effects of blueberry anthocyanin extracts against hippocampal neuron injury caused by ELF-EMF were dose-dependent.These results demonstrated that blueberry anthocyanin extracts suppress hippocampal neuron injury caused by ELF-EMF by inhibiting cell membrane damage and oxidative stress pathways,and suggested that blueberry anthocyanin treatment potentially prevents hippocampal neuron injury.

High-order Bragg forward scattering and frequency shift of low-frequency underwater acoustic field by moving rough sea surface

Acoustic scattering modulation caused by an undulating sea surface on the space-time dimension seriously affects underwater detection and target recognition.Herein,underwater acoustic scattering modulation from a moving rough sea surface is studied based on integral equation and parabolic equation.And with the principles of grating and constructive interference,the mechanism of this acoustic scattering modulation is explained.The periodicity of the interference of moving rough sea surface will lead to the interference of the scattering field at a series of discrete angles,which will form comb-like and frequency-shift characteristics on the intensity and the frequency spectrum of the acoustic scattering field,respectively,which is a high-order Bragg scattering phenomenon.Unlike the conventional Doppler effect,the frequency shifts of the Bragg scattering phenomenon are multiples of the undulating sea surface frequency and are independent of the incident sound wave frequency.Therefore,even if a low-frequency underwater acoustic field is incident,it will produce obvious frequency shifts.Moreover,under the action of ideal sinusoidal waves,swells,fully grown wind waves,unsteady wind waves,or mixed waves,different moving rough sea surfaces create different acoustic scattering processes and possess different frequency shift characteristics.For the swell wave,which tends to be a single harmonic wave,the moving rough sea surface produces more obvious high-order scattering and frequency shifts.The same phenomena are observed on the sea surface under fully grown wind waves,however,the frequency shift slightly offsets the multiple peak frequencies of the wind wave spectrum.Comparing with the swell and fully-grown wind waves,the acoustic scattering and frequency shift are not obvious for the sea surface under unsteady wind waves.

Diagnosing ratio of electron density to collision frequency of plasma surrounding scaled model in a shock tube using low-frequency alternating magnetic field phase shift

A non-contact low-frequency(LF)method of diagnosing the plasma surrounding a scaled model in a shock tube is proposed.This method utilizes the phase shift occurring after the transmission of an LF alternating magnetic field through the plasma to directly measure the ratio of the plasma loop average electron density to collision frequency.An equivalent circuit model is used to analyze the relationship of the phase shift of the magnetic field component of LF electromagnetic waves with the plasma electron density and collision frequency.The applicable range of the LF method on a given plasma scale is analyzed.The upper diagnostic limit for the ratio of the electron density(unit:m^(-3))to collision frequency(unit:Hz)exceeds 1×10^(11),enabling an electron density to exceed 1×10^(20)m^(-3)and a collision frequency to be less than 1 GHz.In this work,the feasibility of using the LF phase shift to implement the plasma diagnosis is also assessed.Diagnosis experiments on shock tube equipment are conducted by using both the electrostatic probe method and LF method.By comparing the diagnostic results of the two methods,the inversion results are relatively consistent with each other,thereby preliminarily verifying the feasibility of the LF method.The ratio of the electron density to the collision frequency has a relatively uniform distribution during the plasma stabilization.The LF diagnostic path is a loop around the model,which is suitable for diagnosing the plasma that surrounds the model.Finally,the causes of diagnostic discrepancy between the two methods are analyzed.The proposed method provides a new avenue for diagnosing high-density enveloping plasma.

An internal ballistic model of electromagnetic railgun based on PFN coupled with multi-physical field and experimental validation

To accelerate the practicality of electromagnetic railguns,it is necessary to use a combination of threedimensional numerical simulation and experiments to study the mechanism of bore damage.In this paper,a three-dimensional numerical model of the augmented railgun with four parallel unconventional rails is introduced to simulate the internal ballistic process and realize the multi-physics field coupling calculation of the rail gun,and a test experiment of a medium-caliber electromagnetic launcher powered by pulse formation network(PFN)is carried out.Various test methods such as spectrometer,fiber grating and high-speed camera are used to test several parameters such as muzzle initial velocity,transient magnetic field strength and stress-strain of rail.Combining the simulation results and experimental data,the damage condition of the contact surface is analyzed.

Electromagnetic fields in ultra-peripheral relativistic heavy-ion collisions

Ultra-peripheral heavy-ion collisions(UPCs)offer unique opportunities to study processes under strong electromagnetic fields.In these collisions,highly charged fast-moving ions carry strong electromagnetic fields that can be effectively treated as photon fluxes.The exchange of photons can induce photonuclear and two-photon interactions and excite ions.This excitation of the ions results in Coulomb dissociation with the emission of photons,neutrons,and other particles.Additionally,the electromagnetic fields generated by the ions can be sufficiently strong to enforce mutual interactions between the two colliding ions.Consequently,the two colliding ions experience an electromagnetic force that pushes them in opposite directions,causing a back-to-back correlation in the emitted neutrons.Using a Monte Carlo simulation,we qualitatively demonstrate that the above electromagnetic effect is large enough to be observed in UPCs,which would provide a clear means to study strong electromagnetic fields and their effects.

Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field pretreated bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote the regeneration of crush-injured rat mental nerve

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs） have been shown to promote the regeneration of injured peripheral nerves. Pulsed electromagnetic field （PEMF） reportedly promotes the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of BMSCs. Low-frequency PEMF can induce the neuronal differentiation of BMSCs in the absence of nerve growth factors. This study was designed to investigate the effects of low-frequency PEMF pretreatment on the proliferation and function of BMSCs and the effects of low-frequency PEMF pre-treated BMSCs on the regeneration of injured peripheral nerve using in vitro and in vivo experiments.In in vitro experiments, quantitative DNA analysis was performed to determine the proliferation of BMSCs, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect S100 （Schwann cell marker）, glial fibrillary acidic protein （astrocyte marker）, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor （neurotrophic factors） mRNA expression. In the in vivo experiments, rat models of crush-injured mental nerve established using clamp method were randomly injected with low-frequency PEMF pretreated BMSCs, unpretreated BMSCs or PBS at the injury site （1 × 106 cells）. DiI-labeled BMSCs injected at the injury site were counted under the fluorescence microscope to determine cell survival. One or two weeks after cell injection, functional recovery of the injured nerve was assessed using the sensory test with von Frey filaments. Two weeks after cell injection, axonal regeneration was evaluated using histomorphometric analysis and retrograde labeling of trigeminal ganglion neurons. In vitro experiment results revealed that low-frequency PEMF pretreated BMSCs proliferated faster and had greater mRNA expression of growth factors than unpretreated BMSCs. In vivo experiment results revealed that compared with injection of unpretreated BMSCs, injection of low-frequency PEMF pretreated BMSCs led to higher myelinated axon count and axon density and more DiI-labeled neurons in the trigeminal ganglia, contributing to rapider functional recovery of injured mental nerve. These findings suggest that low-frequency PEMF pretreatment is a promising approach to enhance the efficacy of cell therapy for peripheral nerve injury repair.

Flashover Probability of Wind Turbine Blade and Impact of Strong Electromagnetic Pulse from Lightning Strikes on Wind Turbine Safety

This paper systematically studies the flashover probability of wind turbine blade lightning arrester and the impact of strong electromagnetic pulses on the local and surrounding wind turbines during lightning strikes.The research results indicate that the flashover probability of direct lightning strikes by the wind turbine blade lightning arrester is almost negligible,and the strong electromagnetic pulse of wind turbine blade during lightning strikes has a serious impact on the electronic equipment of the machine,while the impact on the surrounding wind turbine is relatively small.At the same time,the calculation formula for the reflection of lightning current on the carbon brush between the wind turbine hub and the engine compartment during the flashing of the wind turbine blades is provided,and the calculation method for calculating the spatial gradient distribution of electromagnetic field intensity using Biot-Savart Law theorem is applied.The limitations of using wind turbine blades for lightning protection are pointed out,and a technical route for achieving wind turbine lightning safety is proposed,which can be used as a reference for wind turbine lightning protection technicians.

Characteristics of electromagnetic vector field generated from rock fracturing

Rock fracturing is often accompanied by electromagnetic phenomenon.As a vector field,in addition to the intensity that is widely concerned,the generated electromagnetic field also has obvious direction-ality.To this end,a set of electromagnetic antennas capable of simultaneous three-axis measurement is used to monitor the electromagnetic vector field generated from rock fracturing based on Brazilian tests.The signal amplitude on each axis can represent the magnitude of actual magnetic flux density component on the three axes.The intensity and directional characteristics of electromagnetic signals received at different positions are studied using vector synthesis.The directionality of electromagnetic radiation measured using a three-axis electromagnetic antenna shows that the direction of the magnetic flux intensity generated by rock fracturing tends to be parallel to the crack surface,and the measured signal intensity is greater in a direction closer to the crack surface.

Long-term radiofrequency electromagnetic fields exposure attenuates cognitive dysfunction in 5×FAD mice by regulating microglial function

We have previously found that long-term effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in 5xFAD mice with severe late-stage Alzheimer’s disease reduced both amyloid-βdeposition and glial activation,including microglia.To examine whether this therapeutic effect is due to the regulation of activated microglia,we analyzed mic roglial gene expression profiles and the existence of microglia in the brain in this study.5xFAD mice at the age of 1.5 months were assigned to sham-and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields-exposed groups and then animals were exposed to 1950 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields at a specific absorption rate of 5 W/kg for 2 hours/day and 5 days/week for 6 months.We conducted behavioral tests including the object recognition and Y-maze tests and molecular and histopathological analysis of amyloid precursor protein/a myloid-beta metabolism in brain tissue.We confirmed that radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure for 6 months ameliorated cognitive impairment and amyloid-βdeposition.The expression levels of Iba1(pan-microglial marker)and colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor(CSF1R;regulates microglial prolife ration)in the hippocampus in 5xFAD mice treated with radiofrequency electromagnetic fields were significantly reduced compared with those of the sham-exposed group.Subsequently,we analyzed the expression levels of genes related to mic rogliosis and microglial function in the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields-exposed group compared to those of a CSF1R inhibitor(PLX3397)-treated group.Both radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and PLX3397 suppressed the levels of genes related to microgliosis(Csf1r,CD68,and Ccl6)and pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β.N otably,the expression levels of genes related to mic roglial function,including Trem2,Fcgr1α,Ctss,and Spi1,were decreased after long-term radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure,which was also observed in response to microglial suppression by PLX3397.These results showed that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields ameliorated amyloid-βpathology and cognitive impairment by suppressing amyloid-βdeposition-induced microgliosis and their key regulator,CSF1R.

Electric field intensity measurement by using doublet electromagnetically induced transparency of cold Rb Rydberg atoms

We demonstrate a simple method to measure electric field intensity by using doublet electromagnetically induced transparency(EIT) spectra of cold Rb Rydberg atoms, where the frequency of the coupling laser does not need to be locked. Based on the Stark splitting of the Rb Rydberg state, 10D_(3/2), under electric fields and the corresponding calculated polarizabilities, the real electric field intensity is calculated using the difference in radio-frequency diffraction between two acousto-optic modulators, which acts as a frequency criterion that allows us to measure the electrical field without locking the coupling laser. The value measured by this simple method shows a good agreement with our previous work [Opt.Express 29 1558(2021)] where the frequency of the coupling laser needs to be locked with an additional EIT spectrum based on atom vapor and a proportional–integral–differential feedback circuit. Our presented method can also be extended to the measurement of electric field based on hot Rydberg atom vapor, which has application in industry.

Analysis and Simulation of the Influence of Electromagnetic Fields on Living Beings near HV Power Lines Using the FDTD Method

Recent decades have seen rapid advances in the field of electrical engineering, such that our environment has become a sea of electrical and magnetic signals, raising questions about the possible effects of low-frequency electromagnetic fields on the environment and which are capable of modifying and destroying our ecosystem. Particular interest was given in this article due to a massive influx of population living near high voltage lines. The analysis and simulation of the influence of low frequency electromagnetic fields on living beings in the vicinity of high voltage sources 132 kV and 220 kV in urban areas in DR Congo is the subject of our research with a view to estimating the level of exposure of humans to low frequency electromagnetic fields. To carry out our research, we used the classic method of analyzing the field produced near a high voltage line based on Maxwell’s image theory, the Maxwell-Gauss theorem and Maxwell-Ampère theorem to model and quantify low-frequency electromagnetic fields in the vicinity of high-voltage lines. The 2D FDTD numerical formulation was developed from telegraphers’ equations and allowed us to obtain models of current and voltage induced by electromagnetic fields on living beings below and near HV lines. The different simulations carried out on the proposed models illustrate the effects of the electrical and geometric parameters of the pylons on the distribution of the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the HV lines. The results obtained were compared to the safety limits recommended by the standards.

A state-of-the-art review on low-frequency nonlinear vibration isolation with electromagnetic mechanisms

Vibration isolation is one of the most efficient approaches to protecting host structures from harmful vibrations,especially in aerospace,mechanical,and architectural engineering,etc.Traditional linear vibration isolation is hard to meet the requirements of the loading capacity and isolation band simultaneously,which limits further engineering application,especially in the low-frequency range.In recent twenty years,the nonlinear vibration isolation technology has been widely investigated to broaden the vibration isolation band by exploiting beneficial nonlinearities.One of the most widely studied objects is the"three-spring"configured quasi-zero-stiffness(QZS)vibration isolator,which can realize the negative stiffness and high-static-low-dynamic stiffness(HSLDS)characteristics.The nonlinear vibration isolation with QZS can overcome the drawbacks of the linear one to achieve a better broadband vibration isolation performance.Due to the characteristics of fast response,strong stroke,nonlinearities,easy control,and low-cost,the nonlinear vibration with electromagnetic mechanisms has attracted attention.In this review,we focus on the basic theory,design methodology,nonlinear damping mechanism,and active control of electromagnetic QZS vibration isolators.Furthermore,we provide perspectives for further studies with electromagnetic devices to realize high-efficiency vibration isolation.

MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH OF FOUR-STRAND LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC CASTING ALUMINUM ALLOY

With the aid of ANSYS software, the effect of different mould external part materials on magnetic flux density in the aluminum melt and magnetic field interaction of four coils applied with same currents were investigated. Calculating results showed that magnetic flux density in the aluminum melt was greatly improved and the magnetic field interaction among different coils was decreased when external part of mould is made of soft magnetic material. Based on the finding, a four-strand low-frequency electromagnetic casting 6063 aluminum alloy experiment was carried out in the laboratory . The experiment showed that the surface of the billet was smooth and had no exudations and cold shuts, the as-cast microstructures were fine, uniform, equiaxed, net-globular or globular under low-frequency electromagnetic field. The microstructure becomes finer with increased current value.

Experiment on low-frequency electromagnetic waves propagating in shock-tube-generated magnetized cylindrical enveloping plasma

We propose a method of applying a static magnetic field to reduce the attenuation of the magnetic field component(SH) of low-frequency electromagnetic(LF EM) waves in dense plasma. The principle of this method is to apply a static magnetic field to limit electron movement, thereby increasing the equivalent resistance and thus reducing the induced current and SH. We consider the static magnetic field acting on the plasma of the entire induced current loop rather than on the local plasma, where the induced current is excited by the magnetic field component of LF EM waves. Analytical expressions of SH suitable for magnetized cylindrical enveloping plasma are derived by adopting an equivalent circuit approach, by which SHis calculated with respect to various plasma parameter settings. The results show that SH can be reduced under a static magnetic field and the maximum magnetic field strength that mitigates blackout is less than 0.1 T. Experiments in which LF EM waves propagate in a shock-tubegenerated magnetized cylindrical enveloping plasma are also conducted. SH measured under the magnetic field(the magnetic field strength B0 acting on the magnetic field probe was about0.06 T) reduces at f=10 MHz and f=30 MHz when ne≈1.9×1013 cm-3, which is consistent with theoretical results. The verification of the theory thus suggests that applying a static magnetic field with a weak magnetic field has the potential to improve the transmission capacity of LF EM waves in dense plasma.

Effects of 60 Hz electromagnetic field exposure on testiculargerm cell apoptosis in mice

Aim: To evaluate the effects of 60 Hz extremely low frequency (ELF) elelctromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on germ cell apoptosis in the testis of mice. Methods: Adult male BALB/c mice (7 weeks of age) were exposed to a 60 Hz EMF of 0.1 mT or 0.5 mT for 24 h/day. A sham-exposed group served as the control. After 8 weeks of exposure, the mice were sacrificed. Germ cell apoptosis in the testis was assessed by histopathological examination, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) and flow cytometric examination of isolated spermatogenic cells stained with 7 aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD). Results: EMF exposure did not significantly affect the body and testis weights, but significantly increased the incidence of germ cell death. The distinguishing morphological feature of EMF exposure was a decrement in the number of well organized seminiferous tubules. Quantitative analysis of TUNEL-positive germ cells showed a significantly higher apoptotic rate in the 0.5 mT exposed mice than that in the sham controls (P<0.05), while the difference between the two exposed groups was insignificant. The TUNEL-positive cells were mainly spermatogonia. In flow cytometry analysis, the percentage of live cells [forward scatter count (FSC)high7-AAD-] was lower in the exposed groups than that in the controls (Figure 5A), but the decrease in viability was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Continuous exposure to ELF EMF may induce testicular germ cell apoptosis in mice.

Effect of Electromagnetic Fields on Proliferation and Differentiation of Cultured Mouse Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Summary: In order to study the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on proliferation, differentiation and intercellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) in mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro, the mouse bone MSCs were isolated and cultured in vitro. The third passage MSCs were divided into 4 groups and stimulated with EMFs. The cellular proliferation (MTT), the cellular differentiation (alkaline phosphatase activity, ALP), and the intercellular cAMP level were investigated at different time points. The results showed that EMF (50Hz pulse burst 2 mT peak) inhibited the cellular proliferation (P<0.05), enhanced the cellular differentiation (P<0.05), and increased the intercellular cAMP level (P<0.01) in the early time of the stimulation (1-3 days), but the intercellular cAMP level did not increased further in the later days. We are led to conclude that the cAMP may be involved in the mediation of the growth inhibitory and differentiation-inducing signals of specific EMFs in vitro.