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.

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.

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.

SPEECH ENHANCEMENT USING HARMONICS REGENERATION BASED ON MULTIBAND EXCITATION

This paper proposes an algorithm that adopts the harmonic regeneration as post-processing to improve the performance of speech enhancement using traditional Short Time Spectral Amplitude(STSA).The proposed algorithm aims to alleviate the distortion of the high harmonics of enhanced speech via the traditional STSA,and consequently improves the speech quality.We first detect the pitch,or fundamental frequency,of the enhanced speech via the traditional STSA,and then,divide the whole spectrum into multiple sub-bands which center on each harmonic.After that,a series of specially designed windows centered on each harmonic are applied to all the sub-bands,in order to redistribute the energy in the sub-bands.The results of experiment demonstrate that the method has both theo-retical and practical basis.

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.

谐波结构相位估计联合幅度补偿的语音增强方法

传统语音增强方法,通常只对含噪语音信号的幅度进行增强处理,忽略了相位信息。相位谱在语音的可懂度和感知质量方面也具有积极影响。为了解决传统语音增强方法对相位处理的不足以及在语音增强过程中普遍存在的可理解性较低的问题,提出一种谐波结构相位估计联合幅度补偿的语音增强方法,该方法强调谐波结构的相位估计恢复浊音信息,并针对由浊音相位估计后清音特征被背景噪声破坏引起的语音信息丢失问题,提出一种平滑背景噪声策略来抑制噪声的影响。此外,还利用谐波比分离谐波结构和清音特征,基于谐波判决来判断是否应该平滑背景噪声,为避免不可靠的判决导致清音特征损失,在谐波判决的基础上还增加了清音特征信息的利用。实验结果表明,该方法在白噪声环境下的信噪比(signal to noise ratio,SNR)、语音质量感知评估(perceptual evaluation of speech quality,PESQ)和短时客观可懂度(short-time objective intelligibility,STOI)分别提升了12.02 dB,1.03和0.07,进一步证实该方法可以有效减少语音失真,提高噪声环境下语音信号质量和可懂度。

基于迭代增强变分模态提取的滚动轴承复合故障诊断

针对变分模态提取对多分量复合故障提取能力不足,且存在中心频率和平衡因子两个超参数优化等问题,提出了一种迭代增强变分模态提取(iterative enhanced variational mode extraction,IEVME)的滚动轴承复合故障诊断新方法。首先,提出引入中心频率趋势收敛现象优化VME的初始中心频率,使其能自适应寻找合适的初始中心频率进行提取并加入新的收敛准则对信号进行迭代提取的迭代变分模态提取方法(iterative variational mode extraction,IVME);然后,通过优化IVME的平衡因子得到多个分量信号,再利用图拉普拉斯能量指数选取最优分量进行重构;接着,为全面提取复合故障信号中的主要周期,提出了结合加强运算减去运算的增强最小噪声幅值解卷积(enhanced minimum noise amplitude deconvolution,EMNAD)方法,以降低噪声并增强相对较弱的周期信号;最后,通过融合平方包络谱实现对滚动轴承的复合故障诊断。将所提方法应用到滚动轴承复合故障诊断中,通过仿真和实例信号验证所提IEVME方法的有效性和鲁棒性,并将所提方法与现有多种方法进行对比,结果表明所提IEVME方法准确性更高,效果更优。

基于改进的辛周期模态分解的滚动轴承复合故障诊断方法

辛周期模态分解(symplectic period mode decomposition, SPMD)方法可以准确地提取周期脉冲分量,是一种有效的滚动轴承单一故障诊断方法。但在滚动轴承出现复合故障时,尤其是强背景噪声下,周期脉冲信号往往较微弱,使得SPMD难以提取出不同周期的脉冲分量,进而限制了其在复合故障诊断中的应用。对此,提出了改进的辛周期模态分解(improved symplectic period mode decomposition, ISPMD)方法。该方法首先采用求差增强技术和最小噪声幅值反卷积相结合的方法对信号进行降噪,增强周期脉冲,以准确估计故障周期;然后构造对应的周期截断矩阵,并通过辛几何相似变换和周期冲击强度获得辛几何周期分量;最后对残差信号采用迭代分解,进而得到不同周期的辛几何周期分量。试验结果表明,ISPMD能准确提取出周期脉冲分量,是一种有效的滚动轴承复合故障诊断方法。

基于甘肃积石山6.2级和日本能登7.6级地震前热红外现象的均线差值增强比法的异常提取能力分析

2023年12月18日甘肃省积石山县发生6.2级、2024年1月1日日本能登发生7.6级地震,两次地震间隔时间较短,均造成较多的人员伤亡和巨大的财产损失,引起地震界的高度关注。运用均线差值振幅增强比法分析发现,这两次地震前均存在显著热红外异常:积石山地震前约110~90天,长波辐射热红外活跃性水平高于历史平均水平1.5~5倍;日本能登地震前约140~100天,热红外活跃性水平高于历史平均水平3~4倍。以上现象再次证明了强震前存在热红外异常现象,也从侧面说明了均线差值振幅增强比法具有较强的热红外异常提取能力。

Enhancement of low-frequency sound absorption of microperforated panels by adding a mechanical impedance

In order to solve the bad low frequency sound absorption of the Micro-Perforated panel （MPP） absorber, mechanical impedance was introduced in the back of the MPP absorber to form a composite structure. According to the same particle vibration velocity on both sides of a plate, the mechanical impedance plate transfer matrix could be obtained. The units of the mechanical impedance, cavity and MPP were connected in series with the use of the transfer matrix method, thus creating the composite structure＇s theoretical calculation model. The qual- ity factor affecting absorption bandwidth was analyzed. Bandwidth is inversely proportional to the mechanical impedance plate mass. During the experiments, when at close to 400 Hz, the composite structure reached an absorption peak with a coefficient of above 0.8. Experimen- tal results concurred with theoretical calculations. Mechanical resonance is added based on the traditional MPP resonance sound absorption mechanism. Through this, the performance of low frequency sound absorption can be improved without increasing the thickness of the structure. The frequency band can be broadened by reducing the mechanical impedance plate mass and controlling its boundary-damping coefficient.

Numerical study of flow and thermal characteristics of pulsed impinging jet on a dimpled surface

This research comprehensively investigates the flow and thermal characteristics of a pulsating impinging jet over a dimpled surface.It analyzes the impact of key parameters(e.g.,inlet velocity pulsation functions,pulsation frequency,amplitude,dimple pitch,dimple depth,Reynolds number)on flow patterns and heat transfer.Validated computational fluid dynamics and the Re-normalization group turbulence model are employed to accurately simulate complex turbulent flow behavior.Local and average heat transfer coefficients are calculated and compared to steady impingement cases,revealing the potential benefits of pulsation for heat transfer enhancement.The study also examines how pulsation-induced flow modulation and thermal mixing affect heat transfer mechanisms.Results indicate that combining fluctuating flow with a dimpled surface can improve heat transfer rates.In summary,increasing pulsation amplitude consistently enhances heat transfer,while the effect of frequency varies between impinging and wall jet zones.

Neuropathological characteristics of abnormal white matter functional signaling in adolescents with major depression

BACKGROUND Major depression disorder(MDD)constitutes a significant mental health concern.Epidemiological surveys indicate that the lifetime prevalence of depression in adolescents is much higher than that in adults,with a corresponding increased risk of suicide.In studying brain dysfunction associated with MDD in adolescents,research on brain white matter(WM)is sparse.Some researchers even mistakenly regard the signals generated by the WM as noise points.In fact,studies have shown that WM exhibits similar blood oxygen level-dependent signal fluctuations.The alterations in WM signals and their relationship with disease severity in adolescents with MDD remain unclear.AIM To explore potential abnormalities in WM functional signals in adolescents with MDD.METHODS This study involved 48 adolescent patients with MDD and 31 healthy controls(HC).All participants were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Scale and the mini international neuropsychiatric interview(MINI)suicide inventory.In addition,a Siemens Skyra 3.0T magnetic resonance scanner was used to obtain the subjects'image data.The DPABI software was utilized to calculate the WM signal of the fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations(fALFF)and regional homogeneity,followed by a two-sample t-test between the MDD and HC groups.Independent component analysis(ICA)was also used to evaluate the WM functional signal.Pearson’s correlation was performed to assess the relationship between statistical test results and clinical scales.RESULTS Compared to HC,individuals with MDD demonstrated a decrease in the fALFF of WM in the corpus callosum body,left posterior limb of the internal capsule,right superior corona radiata,and bilateral posterior corona radiata[P<0.001,family-wise error(FWE)voxel correction].The regional homogeneity of WM increased in the right posterior limb of internal capsule and left superior corona radiata,and decreased in the left superior longitudinal fasciculus(P<0.001,FWE voxel correction).The ICA results of WM overlapped with those of regional homogeneity.The fALFF of WM signal in the left posterior limb of the internal capsule was negatively correlated with the MINI suicide scale(P=0.026,r=-0.32),and the right posterior corona radiata was also negatively correlated with the MINI suicide scale(P=0.047,r=-0.288).CONCLUSION Adolescents with MDD involves changes in WM functional signals,and these differences in brain regions may increase the risk of suicide.

水力脉冲在储层内传播及衰减性研究

为优化脉动注水参数,提高水力脉冲在储层中作用距离,减小脉冲衰减,开展了水力脉冲在储层内传播、衰减性研究,通过数值方程解析和Abaqus有限元分析,形成对水力脉冲在储层内传播、衰减性的认识,并指出水力脉冲有效作用范围。研究结果表明:脉冲频率和脉冲幅值对于脉冲压力幅值衰减影响较大,脉冲频率和幅值增加,衰减速度呈现加快趋势;储层渗透率和注入流体黏度对脉冲能量衰减影响较大,渗透率越低,其脉冲衰减越快,脉冲注水的效果要好于脉冲注高黏化学剂体系;为减小脉冲衰减、提高作用距离,应尽量减小脉冲频率(<1 Hz)、增加脉冲压力幅值,脉冲复合注入高黏化学剂时,尽量采用交替注入的方式。

脉动流动强化换热的数值研究

对脉动流动强化凸块散热进行了数值研究,讨论了雷诺数Re,斯德鲁哈尔数St,脉动振幅A等参数对凸块散热性能和通道中压力损失的影响。数值结果表明,脉动流动加强了流体的扰动和掺混作用,增强了流体的传热能力,进而强化了凸块的散热。凸块散热的强化效果随着Re数和A的增大而增大,并且对于该模型存在最佳的St数。另外,通道中瞬时压力损失满足正弦规律变化,其周期平均的压力损失与稳态时差异不大。

一种融合相位估计的深度卷积神经网络语音增强方法

在时频域的语音增强中,幅度估计和相位估计都是影响语音增强性能的重要因素.为了在基于深度学习的语音增强方法中融合对相位的估计,本文将含噪语音短时傅里叶变换(STFT)的实部和虚部特征作为两个通道输入深度卷积神经网络,通过建立一个同步估计纯净语音STFT的实部和虚部特征的多任务学习模型,实现了对幅度和相位的同步估计.实验结果表明,相比仅考虑幅度估计的方法,本文方法具有更好的噪声抑制能力,在低信噪比条件下,显著提高了语音增强性能.

基于地质目标的岩性油气藏地震资料处理解释一体化方案

岩性油气藏存在储层薄、横向变化快等勘探难点,在常规处理的地震资料上开展岩性油气藏储层预测时,地震资料分辨率、保幅性等难以满足地质需求。为此,探索提出了基于地质目标的地震资料处理解释一体化方案。主要包括:(1)研究初期的规划阶段,以地质目标为导向,分析储层预测对地震资料品质的要求,明确相应的地震资料处理与解释关键技术,形成处理与解释整体技术流程;(2)处理解释阶段,通过合成记录标定、属性分析等技术手段,动态分析各处理环节对刻画地质目标的影响,实时反馈到处理流程中,及时对处理方法和参数选择做出相应调整,最终获得满足岩性油气藏储层预测需求的高品质地震资料;(3)储层描述阶段,结合区域地质资料进一步开展储层预测工作,对岩性油气藏储层做出更精细的判断。整个一体化流程中,处理、解释人员始终协同工作,从过去的"单向串联"工作模式变为"双螺旋并联"模式。地震解释工作时间前移,与处理工作同步开展,二者相互指导,螺旋上升,实现了处理、解释技术的有机融合,在实际生产应用中取得了较好效果。

结构载荷加重系数对疲劳裂纹扩展寿命的影响

介绍飞机结构载荷加重方法,通过经典疲劳裂纹扩展公式推导出载荷加重系数与寿命之间的关系。规划了变幅载荷谱和常幅谱两种谱型,分别通过载荷加重系数(1.05、1.1、1.15、1.2、1.3、1.4)在两种类型的试验件上进行试验验证。试验结果表明:在常幅载荷下,预测结果与试验结果吻合很好;变幅载荷谱下的结果虽没有常幅载荷下的结果理想,但误差范围比较小。通过载荷加重,能够大量缩短试验时间,并通过有效关系导出原谱下的裂纹扩展寿命。