Determination of EEG activity propagation: pair-wise versus multichannel estimate

Performance of different estimators describing propagation of electroencephalogram (EEG) activity, namely: Granger causality, directed transfer function (DTF), direct DTF (dDTF), short-time DTF (SDTF), bivariate coherence, and partial directed coherence are compared by means of simulations and on the examples of experimental signals. In particular, the differences between pair-wise and multichannel estimates are studied. The results show unequivocally that in most cases, the pair-wise estimates are incorrect and a complete set of signals involved in a given process has to be used to obtain the correct pattern of EEG flows. Different performance of multivariate estimators of propagation depending on their normalization is discussed. Advantages of multivariate autoregressive model are pointed out.     

Standardized MR protocol for the evaluation of MRA sequences and/or contrast agents effects in high-degree arterial stenosis analysis

Purpose To investigate the relative role of high resolution (spatial or temporal) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) sequence and of contrast agent properties in the evaluation of high-degree arterial stenosis. Methods We qualitatively and quantitatively studied both 50 and 95% (300 μm diameter) stenosis of a 6 mm arterial phantom with two contrast agents (CA), Gd-DOTA (r₁ =2.9 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹) versus P760 (r₁ =25 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹) at several CA concentrations, including arterial peak concentration after injection of either a single or double dose of CA, using either a high temporal (booster) or high spatial (HR) resolution 3D MRA sequences. Experimental data were then compared to theoretical data. Results With the 3D HR sequence, both visual and quantitative analysis were significantly better compared to the 3D booster sequence, at each phantom diameter. Quantitative analysis was significantly improved by injection of a double versus a single dose of each CA (Gd-DOTA or P760), primarily in high degree stenosis. Conclusion Combined MRA spatial resolution and high CA efficiency are mandatory to correctly evaluate high degree stenosis.     

Rational Interpolation from Stochastic Data: A New Froissart's Phenomenon

The analytic structure of Rational Interpolants (R.I.) f (z) built from randomly perturbed data is explored; the interpolation nodes x _j , j = 1,...,M, are real points where the function f reaches these prescribed data . It is assumed that the data are randomly perturbed values of a rational function _(n) ^(m) (m / n is the degree of the numerator/denominator). Much attention is paid to the R.I. familyf _(n+1) ^(m–1), in the small stochasticity régime. The main result is that the additional zero and pole are located nearby the root of the same random polynomial, called the Froissart Polynomial (F.P.). With gaussian hypothesis on the noise, the random real root of F.P. is distributed according to a Cauchy-Lorentz law, with parameters such that the integrated probability over the interpolation interval x ₁, x _M is always larger than 1/2; in two cases studied in detail, it reaches 2/3 in one case and almost 3/4 in the other. For the families f _(n+k) ^(m+k), numerical explorations point to similar phenomena; inspection shows that, in the mean, the localization occurs in the complex and/or real vicinity of the interpolation interval.     

Pressure distribution in an assembly of wooden cylinders with various aspect ratios under uniaxial confined compression

Understanding how forces propagate in granular assemblages is important for equipment design and process control in many technologies. Yet, it remains poorly understood. In this study, a cuboidal assembly comprising cylinders of various lengths (aspect ratios AR ranging from 0.9 to 3.6) were subjected to uniaxial confined compression tests. Samples were vertically compressed until the top platen exerted a pressure of 50 kPa on the uppermost particles. This maximum pressure corresponds to the hydrostatic pressure of an approximately 15 m high column of chopped wood that may be encountered in real storage structures. The nonlinear loading curves were obtained depended on the aspect ratios of the cylinders. The modulus of elasticity, calculated from the linear elastic part of the stress–strain curve, monotonically decreased from 10.2 to 8.6 MPa as the aspect ratio increased from 1.2 to 3.6. The elastic modulus and volume fraction exhibited similar trends as functions of the aspect ratio. The horizontal-to-vertical pressure ratio was calculated as the horizontal pressure exerted on the wider walls to the vertical pressure exerted on the top lid during loading–unloading cycles. For ARs up to 3.6, the pressure ratio was approximately 0.31; for the longest cylinders (AR = 3.6), it decreased to approximately 0.27, probably because the assumption of the representative chamber volume was invalidated at this AR.     

Non-minimum-phase property of N-trailer kinematics resulting from off-axle interconnections

Off-axle interconnections between segments of N-trailer vehicles may imply specific oscillatory behaviour of trailers during vehicle manoeuvres. The paper reveals that this kind of oscillations is a direct consequence of the non-minimum-phase property of vehicle kinematics resulting from application of off-axle interconnections between vehicle segments. First we show the non-minimum-phase property for dynamics of a single pair of interconnected segments, and then how it propagates along the N-trailers equipped with arbitrary number of off-axle interconnections. By referring to available results for linear systems, we locally analyse linearly approximated vehicle kinematics around selected steady-motion conditions. We focus on the time-response effects like undershooting, zero-crossing, and overshooting caused by off-axle interconnections. We show how the number and type of interconnections influence the non-minimum-phase effects. Numerical results obtained for three-trailer kinematics validate theoretical considerations providing some quantitative view of the problem. Short discussion has been provided on the possible control-level consequences resulting from the non-minimum-phase property of N-trailers.     

Electrocatalytic Determination of Glucose in a Ringer''s Solution by Pulse-Voltammetry

Improvement of the electrocatalytic method of glucose determination was achieved by applying the pulse voltammetry technique. This technique, compared. to previously applied cyclic voltammetry, enhances selectivity of a platinum-black working electrode for glucose measurement. A low catalytic load working electrode has been used which is less susceptible to poisoning and has longer term stability. With cyclic voltammetry previously applied, those electrodes were limited by their narrow concentration range for glucose detection. By applying a pulsing technique, these electrodes exhibit linearity up to a glucose concentration 200 mg/dl with correlation coefficients greater than 0.9. The pulse voltammetry diminishes interference by low molecular weight serum components such as serum urea. Concentrations from 20. to 40 mg/di had an interference of 4 percent compared to 40 percent with cyclic voltammetry. Further investigations are carried on to adopt pulse voltammetry for direct measurements of glucose in body fluids.     

Diminazene Aceturate Stabilizes Atherosclerotic Plaque and Attenuates Hepatic Steatosis in apoE-Knockout Mice by Influencing Macrophages Polarization and Taurine Biosynthesis

Atherosclerosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Western countries. The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) with its two main opposing effectors, i.e., angiotensin II (Ang II) and Ang-(1–7), is widely recognized as a major regulator of cardiovascular function and body metabolic processes. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) by breaking-down Ang II forms Ang-(1–7) and thus favors Ang-(1–7) actions. Therefore, the aim of our study was to comprehensively evaluate the influence of prolonged treatment with ACE2 activator, diminazene aceturate (DIZE) on the development of atherosclerotic lesions and hepatic steatosis in apoE^−/− mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). We have shown that DIZE stabilized atherosclerotic lesions and attenuated hepatic steatosis in apoE^−/− mice fed an HFD. Such effects were associated with decreased total macrophages content and increased α-smooth muscle actin levels in atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, DIZE changed polarization of macrophages towards increased amount of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages in the atherosclerotic lesions. Interestingly, the anti-steatotic action of DIZE in the liver was related to the elevated levels of HDL in the plasma, decreased levels of triglycerides, and increased biosynthesis and concentration of taurine in the liver of apoE^−/− mice. However, exact molecular mechanisms of both anti-atherosclerotic and anti-steatotic actions of DIZE require further investigations.