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The Dual Control Model proposes that sexual arousal and related processes are dependent on the balance between sexual excitation and sexual inhibition, and that individuals vary in their propensity for these processes. This scoping review provides an overview and discussion of the questionnaires used to measure the propensities for sexual excitation and inhibition, their translation and validation in other languages, and their application in empirical research on topics ranging from sexual desire and arousal, sexual (dys)function, sexual risk taking, asexuality, hypersexuality, and sexual aggression. A total of 152 papers, published between 2009 and 2022 and identified using online databases, were included in this review. The findings, consistent with those reviewed by Bancroft et al. (2009), suggest that sexual excitation is particularly relevant to sexual desire and responsivity and predictive of asexuality and hypersexuality. Sexual inhibition plays a role in sexual dysfunction. sexual risk taking, and sexual aggression, although often in interaction with sexual excitation. Suggestions for the further development of the model and for future studies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reconstruction of electrical excitation patterns through the unobserved depth of the tissue is essential to realizing the potential of computational models in cardiac medicine. We have utilized experimental optical-mapping recordings of cardiac electrical excitation on the epicardial and endocardial surfaces of a canine ventricle as observations directing a local ensemble transform Kalman filter data assimilation scheme. We demonstrate that the inclusion of explicit information about the stimulation protocol can marginally improve the confidence of the ensemble reconstruction and the reliability of the assimilation over time. Likewise, we consider the efficacy of stochastic modeling additions to the assimilation scheme in the context of experimentally derived observation sets. Approximation error is addressed at both the observation and modeling stages through the uncertainty of observations and the specification of the model used in the assimilation ensemble. We find that perturbative modifications to the observations have marginal to deleterious effects on the accuracy and robustness of the state reconstruction. Furthermore, we find that incorporating additional information from the observations into the model itself (in the case of stimulus and stochastic currents) has a marginal improvement on the reconstruction accuracy over a fully autonomous model, while complicating the model itself and thus introducing potential for new types of model errors. That the inclusion of explicit modeling information has negligible to negative effects on the reconstruction implies the need for new avenues for optimization of data assimilation schemes applied to cardiac electrical excitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We formulate a comprehensive theoretical description of excitation harvesting in molecular aggregates photoexcited by weak incoherent radiation. An efficient numerical scheme that respects the continuity equation for excitation fluxes is developed to compute the nonequilibrium steady state (NESS) arising from the interplay between excitation generation, excitation relaxation, dephasing, trapping at the load, and recombination. The NESS is most conveniently described in the so-called preferred basis in which the steady-state excitonic density matrix is diagonal. The NESS properties are examined by relating the preferred-basis description to the descriptions in the site or excitonic bases. Focusing on a model photosynthetic dimer, we find that the NESS in the limit of long trapping time is quite similar to the excited-state equilibrium in which the stationary coherences originate from the excitation–environment entanglement. For shorter trapping times, we demonstrate how the properties of the NESS can be extracted from the time-dependent description of an incoherently driven but unloaded dimer. This relation between stationary and time-dependent pictures is valid, provided that the trapping time is longer than the decay time of dynamic coherences accessible in femtosecond spectroscopy experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the quasi-analytical spatiotemporal theory, which describes the process of establishing generation in a backward-wave gyro-oscillator based on the use of a sectioned quasi-optical system with the zigzag path of the operating wave beam. This theory explains peculiarities (namely, a piecewise character) of changing the operating frequency and power of the output signal in the process of the broadband frequency tuning provided by changing the operating magnetic field. This theory also describes competition of different modes of the system in the process of excitation of auto-oscillators and predicts the possibility for realization of the regime of automodulations of the output power, as well as the regime of formation of a short powerful super-radiant pulse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an aeroacoustic control mechanism of a plasma jet acting on a high-speed moving wing under a wing-in-ground effect is investigated. Moreover, a novel method is proposed to reduce the aeroacoustics of Aero-train wings. Numerical simulations of the aeroacoustics generated by flow around a National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics 4412 wing are performed under three different plasma excitation modes at four clearances with an incoming flow velocity of 0.3 Ma and an angle of attack of 5°. The results show that different plasma excitation modes interfere with the vortex generation and development in different ways to achieve aeroacoustic reduction. The UP excitation mode delays the airflow separation, delays the vortex generation and development, and reduces the vortex intensity. The BOTH excitation mode forces transverse vortices to transform into streamwise hairpin vortices and reduces the local pressure fluctuation intensity. Hence, plasma jets exhibit a good control effect on the peak aeroacoustics under different clearance conditions but result in the frequency shift effect of acoustic energy transfer to high frequencies. The modal analysis of the flow field of the three excitation conditions via a proper orthogonal decomposition method reveals that the trend of the modal change is similar for the three excitation conditions, and the change in each order of the modal corresponds to the energy decrease at the peak frequency and the energy increase at high frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dependence of nonreciprocity of excitation of magnetostatic surface waves on antenna width was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The nonreciprocity was successfully modified by changing the excitation antenna width. The nonreciprocity ratio, which was defined as the spin wave intensity under negative bias field divided by that under positive bias field, was found to decrease with increasing antenna width. Micromagnetic simulations revealed that this decrease in the nonreciprocity ratio originates from the rapid decrease in the in-plane excitation field compared to the perpendicular excitation field with reducing the antenna width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the excitation–contraction coupling is inseparable during voluntary exercise, the relative contribution of the mechanical and neural input on hypertrophy-related molecular signalling is still poorly understood. Herein, we use a rat in-vivo strength exercise model with an electrically-induced standardized excitation pattern, previously shown to induce a load-dependent increase in myonuclear number and hypertrophy, to study acute effects of load on molecular signalling. We assessed protein abundance and specific phosphorylation of the four protein kinases FAK, mTOR, p70S6K and JNK after 2, 10 and 28 min of a low- or high-load contraction, in order to assess the effects of load, exercise duration and muscle-type on their response to exercise. Specific phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6K and JNK was increased after 28 min of exercise under the low- and high-load protocol. Elevated phosphorylation of mTOR and JNK was detectable already after 2 and 10 min of exercise, respectively, but greatest after 28 min of exercise, and JNK phosphorylation was highly load-dependent. The abundance of all four kinases was higher in TA compared to EDL muscle, p70S6K abundance was increased after exercise in a load-independent manner, and FAK and JNK abundance was reduced after 28 min of exercise in both the exercised and control muscles. In conclusion, the current study shows that JNK activation after a single resistance exercise is load-specific, resembling the previously reported degree of myonuclear accrual and muscle hypertrophy with repetition of the exercise stimulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a local framework for the calculation of coupled cluster excitation energies of large molecules (LoFEx). The method utilizes time-dependent Hartree-Fock information about the transitions of interest through the concept of natural transition orbitals (NTOs). The NTOs are used in combination with localized occupied and virtual Hartree-Fock orbitals to generate a reduced excitation orbital space (XOS) specific to each transition where a standard coupled cluster calculation is carried out. Each XOS is optimized to ensure that the excitation energies are determined to a predefined precision. We apply LoFEx in combination with the RI-CC2 model to calculate the lowest excitation energies of a set of medium-sized organic molecules. The results demonstrate the black-box nature of the LoFEx approach and show that significant computational savings can be gained without affecting the accuracy of CC2 excitation energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal modeling and numerical simulations have been performed to describe the ultrafast thermal response of band gap materials upon optical excitation. A model was established by extending the conventional two-temperature model that is adequate for metals, but not for semiconductors. It considers the time- and space-dependent density of electrons photoexcited to the conduction band and accordingly allows a more accurate description of the transient thermal equilibration between the hot electrons and lattice. Ultrafast thermal behaviors of bismuth, as a model system, were demonstrated using the extended two-temperature model with a view to elucidating the thermal effects of excitation laser pulse fluence, electron diffusivity, electron-hole recombination kinetics, and electron-phonon interactions, focusing on high-density excitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simplified model for a collective dynamics in ionic melts is proposed for the description of optic-like excitations. Within a polarization model of ionic melt, the analytical expressions for optic and relaxation dipole modes are obtained. The considered model allows one to describe a softening of frequency and an increase of damping of optic modes caused by polarization processes in comparison with the rigid-ion model. The contributions related with ion polarization to time correlation functions are calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) are of great interest as components of optoelectronic devices that can operate at the quantum limit. The charge configuration, interdot coupling, and symmetry of complexes containing multiple QDs can all be tuned with applied electric fields, but the magnitude and angle of the electric field required to control each of these parameters depend on the orientation of the QD complex. We present a 4-electrode device compatible with optical excitation and emission that allows application of electric fields with arbitrary magnitudes and angles relative to isolated QD complexes. We demonstrate the electric field tunability of this device with numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A real wave packet based time-dependent method and a statistical quantum method have been used to study the He + NeH+ (v, j) reaction with the reactant in various ro-vibrational states, on a recently calculated ab initioground state potential energy surface. Both the wave packet and statistical quantum calculations were carried out within the centrifugal sudden approximation as well as using the exact Hamiltonian. Quantum reaction probabilities exhibit dense oscillatory pattern for smaller total angular momentum values, which is a signature of resonances in a complex forming mechanism for the title reaction. Significant differences, found between exact and approximate quantum reaction cross sections, highlight the importance of inclusion of Coriolis coupling in the calculations. Statistical results are in fairly good agreement with the exact quantum results, for ground ro-vibrational states of the reactant. Vibrational excitation greatly enhances the reaction cross sections, whereas rotational excitation has relatively small effect on the reaction. The nature of the reaction cross section curves is dependent on the initial vibrational state of the reactant and is typical of a late barrier type potential energy profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By applying an asymmetric on-site restoring force in a 1D chain of oscillators, we demonstrate experimentally that a morphing in the bandgap structure or passive bandgap reconfiguration can be triggered by an increase in environmental excitation amplitude. Recent studies on wave propagation have focused on new capabilities and behaviors resulting from intrinsic nonlinearities. This paper details a bistable experimental design that achieves amplitude dependent filtering through passive bandgap reconfiguration, which is triggered by a bifurcation. The system studied comprises a 1D chain of axially aligned pendulums in dimer unit cells with geometrically nonlinear nearest neighbor coupling where bistability is induced through repulsive magnets. When the bistability is asymmetric, each potential well has a different linear spectra. Though this paper uses mechanically coupled oscillators as an example, the phenomenon itself could be used in any wave propagation media where asymmetric bistability can be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FePt films prepared by DC sputtering on Si (100) substrates when annealed at 600 °C for 1 h exhibited a structurally ordered and magnetically hard L10 phase. These FePt films were exposed to dense electronic excitations by using 100MeV oxygen ions as a function of increasing fluences. Such excitations induce pressure and result in the enhancement of order parameter by increasing strain on the FePt films. Apart from this, the surface morphological images from field emission scanning electron microscopy reveal a densification of the films consequent to irradiation and are correlated with the details obtained from Rutherford back scattering analysis. The variation in the values of coercivity correlates well with the change in volume percentage of face centered tetragonal and face centered cubic phase. A coercivity of 14.7 kOe with order parameter 0.92 is achieved at a fluence of 5×1012 ions/cm2. The theoretical simulation of the demagnetization curve shows a strong correlation of coercivity and order parameter between the experimentally obtained values with that of simulation. The effect of irradiation induced strain, the structural ordering and coercivity of FePt films as a function of fluences have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compositional dependence of luminescence properties and scintillation response were investigated in Ce3+-doped Y2Gd1Al5-xGaxO12 (x=2, 3, 4) single crystals. The Gd3+ → Ce3+ energy transfer was evidenced by photoluminescence excitation spectra of Ce3+ emission. With increasing Ga content in the garnet host, the Ce3+ luminescence from the lowest 5d level (5d1) is shifted toward higher energy due to the decrease in the crystal field splitting of the 5d levels. Light yield (LY) and its dependence on the amplifier shaping time were measured under excitation with γ-rays High LY value of ~38 000 ph/MeV was obtained for a Y2Gd1Al5-xGaxO12:Ce sample. Scintillation decay was measured with an extended dynamical and temporal scale under the nanosecond pulse soft X-ray excitation. The decrease of both LY value and relative contribution of slower decay component in the scintillation response was observed with increasing Ga content in the garnet host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excitation temperature of a solution plasma was investigated by spectroscopic measurements to control the nanoparticle synthesis. In the experiments, the effects of edge shielding, applied voltage, and electrode material on the plasma were investigated. When the edge of the Ni electrode wire was shielded by a quartz glass tube, the plasma was uniformly generated together with metallic Ni nanoparticles. The emission spectrum of this electrode contained OH, Hα, Hβ, Na, O, and Ni lines. Without an edge-shielded electrode, the continuous infrared radiation emitted at the edge created a high temperature on the electrode surface, producing oxidized coarse particles as a result. The excitation temperature was estimated from the Boltzmann plot. When the voltages were varied at the edge-shielded electrode with low average surface temperature by using different electrolyte concentrations, the excitation temperature of current-concentration spots increased with an increase in the voltage. The size of the Ni nanoparticles decreased at high excitation temperatures. Although the formation of nanoparticles via melting and solidification of the electrode surface has been considered in the past, vaporization of the electrode surface could occur at a high excitation temperature to produce small particles. Moreover, we studied the effects of electrodes of Ti, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Nb, Mo, Pd, Ag, W, Pt, Au, and various alloys of stainless steel and Cu-Ni alloys. With the exception of Ti, the excitation temperatures ranged from 3500 to 5500K and the particle size depended on both the excitation temperature and electrode-material properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was shown previously that the synergy of the multi-degree-of-freedom (multi-DOF) and the mechanical stopper techniques is an effective way to further broaden the operation bandwidth of vibration energy harvesters. Considering the stochastic factor at the same time, this paper is devoted to developing a theoretical method for analyzing the dynamical characteristics of an impact-engaged 2DOF energy harvesting system under stochastic excitation, in which the impact is modeled as a nonlinear piecewise function. The existence of the impact and multi-DOF brings complexity in analyses, and the main theoretical method utilized in this paper is the stochastic averaging method which is suitable for multi-DOF quasi-nonintegrable systems. After that, the joint and marginal probability density functions of the system are derived, and numerical examples are shown to verify the effectiveness of the theoretical method. It is noteworthy that the theoretical method has the potential to be extended to more complex multi-DOF systems with stoppers. Subsequently, the stochastic response, bifurcations in the stochastic and corresponding deterministic systems, and the relationship between the D-bifurcation and the mean square voltage are discussed. Effects of crucial system coefficients, the impact stiffness and distance on the system are investigated as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we examine how to build coarse-grain transport models consistently from the kinetic to fluid regimes. The internal energy of the gas particles is described through a state-to-state approach. A kinetic equation allows us to study transport phenomena in phase space for a non-homogeneous gas mixture. Internal energy excitation is modeled using a binary collision operator, whereas gas chemical processes rely on a reactive collision operator. We obtain an asymptotic fluid model by means of a Chapman–Enskog perturbative solution to the Boltzmann equation in the Maxwellian reaction regime. The macroscopic conservation equations of species mass, mixture momentum, and energy as well as expressions of the transport properties are given. Reversibility relations for elementary processes are formulated in the coarse-grain model at the kinetic level and are enforced in the collision algorithm of the direct simulation Monte Carlo method used to solve the kinetic equation. Furthermore, respecting these reversibility relations is key to deriving a fluid model that is well-posed and compatible with the second law of thermodynamics. The consistency between the kinetic and fluid simulations is assessed for the simulation of a shock wave in a nitrogen gas using the uniform rovibrational collisional coarse-grain model. The kinetic and fluid simulations show consistency for the macroscopic properties and transport fluxes between both regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early electroencephalographic studies that focused on finding brain correlates of psychic events led to the discovery of the P300. Since then, the P300 has become the focus of many basic and clinical neuroscience studies. However, despite its wide applications, the underlying function of the P300 is not yet clearly understood. One line of research among the many studies that have attempted to elucidate the underlying subroutine of the P300 in the brain has suggested that the physiological function of the P300 is related to inhibition. While some intracranial, behavioral, and event-related potential studies have provided support for this theory, little is known about the inhibitory mechanism. In this study, using alpha event-related desynchronization (ERD) and effective connectivity, based on the causal (one-way directed) relationship between alpha ERD and P300 sources, we demonstrated that P300's associated inhibition is implemented at a higher information processing stage in a localized brain region. We discuss how inhibition as the primary function of the P300 is not inconsistent with 'resource allocation' and 'working memory updating' theories about its cognitive function. In light of our findings regarding the scope and information processing stage of inhibition of the P300, we reconcile the inhibitory account of the P300 with working memory updating theory. Finally, based on the compensatory behavior of alpha ERD at the time of suppression of the P300, we propose two distinct yet complementary working memory mechanisms (inhibition and desynchronizing excitation) that render target perception possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the ultrafast electron transfer (ET) processes involving various vibronic excitation in biological systems remains challenging and requires well-defined model proteins for in-depth studies. In this work, we selected three types of mutants with different ET lifetimes in flavodoxin to explore the excitation dependence of the photo-induced ET dynamics. For the ultrafast ET processes within the time window of intramolecular vibrational relaxation, with increasing excitation energies, we observed no change of ET lifetimes but with higher vibrational excitation in products, both of which can be attributed to the unique nature of ultrafast ET. For the slower ET, we did not find any dependence of product vibration excitation relative to the initial different excitation due to the complete vibrational relaxation. These results strongly indicate the vibrational energy can be propagated to the subsequent reactions during ultrafast ET processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitophagy is an essential physiological process that eliminates damaged mitochondria via lysosomes. It is reported that hypoxia, inflammatory stimuli or other stress conditions could lead to mitochondrial damage and mitochondrial dysfunction, which induces the process of mitophagy. Herein, we report a novel fluorescent probe PC-NTR for imaging hypoxia-induced mitophagy by monitoring the change of nitroreductase and viscosity simultaneously. To our delight, PC-NTR could respond simultaneously to nitroreductase and viscosity at different fluorescence channels with no mutual interference under the same excitation wavelength. The fluorescence emission around 535 nm was enhanced dramatically after addition of nitroreductase while the fluorescence emission around 635 nm heightened as the viscosity increased. The probe would be able to selectively targeting of mitochondria in cells because of the positively charged pyridine salt structure of PC-NTR. The probe was successfully applied to assess the different levels of hypoxia and real-time imaging of mitochondrial autophagy in live cells. More importantly, using dual channel imaging, PC-NTR could be used to distinguish cancer cells from normal cells and was successfully applied to imaging experiments in HeLa-derived tumor-bearing nude mice. Therefore, PC-NTR would be an important molecular tool for hypoxia imaging and detecting solid tumors in vivo. [Display omitted] • A novel dual channel probe PC-NTR for the detection of NTR and viscosity has been designed. • PC-NTR could exhibit simultaneous detection of NTR and viscosity under the same excitation wavelength. • PC-NTR assesses real-time imaging of different levels of hypoxia and mitophagy in living cells. • PC-NTR has the potential to distinguish normal cells from cancer cells with dual channels. • PC-NTR was successfully applied to imaging experiments in HeLa-derived tumor-bearing nude mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical stimulation of the mammalian efferent vestibular system (EVS) predominantly excites primary vestibular afferents along two distinct time scales. Although roles for acetylcholine (ACh) have been demonstrated in other vertebrates, synaptic mechanisms underlying mammalian EVS actions are not well-characterized. To determine if activation of ACh receptors account for efferent-mediated afferent excitation in mammals, we recorded afferent activity from the superior vestibular nerve of anesthetized C57BL/6 mice while stimulating EVS neurons in the brainstem, before and after administration of cholinergic antagonists. Using a normalized coefficient of variation (CV*), we broadly classified vestibular afferents as regularly- (CV* < 0.1) or irregularly-discharging (CV* > 0.1) and characterized their responses to midline or ipsilateral EVS stimulation. Afferent responses to efferent stimulation were predominantly excitatory, grew in amplitude with increasing CV*, and consisted of fast and slow components that could be identified by differences in rise time and post-stimulus duration. Both efferent-mediated excitatory components were larger in irregular afferents with ipsilateral EVS stimulation. Our pharmacological data show, for the first time in mammals, that muscarinic AChR antagonists block efferent-mediated slow excitation whereas the nicotinic AChR antagonist DHβE selectively blocks efferent-mediated fast excitation, while leaving the efferent-mediated slow component intact. These data confirm that mammalian EVS actions are predominantly cholinergic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to identify vibroacoustic properties associated with intraocular pressure (IOP) changes and to suggest a new way to measure the IOP based on these properties. Ten ex vivo porcine eyeballs were used in this study. Each eyeball was fixated in a central hole of a Styrofoam block, and vibration applied to the Styrofoam block was transmitted to the eyeball. An accelerometer directly attached to the eyeball measured the vibration response. Excitations and measurements were performed for 1 s, and the excitation magnitude was varied for the same signal in repeat measurements. A 30-gauge needle was inserted into the anterior chamber of the eyeball to inject a balanced salt solution, and the height of the bottle was adjusted to adjust the IOP. A tonometer was used under identical conditions to measure the IOP five times, and the mean value was determined for further analyses. The measurements showed that the parameters resonance frequency and change in the magnitude of the vibration response (CMVR) increased with rising IOP values. The CMVR was highly correlated with the IOP (p-value < 0.0001). A linear mixed effects model (LMM) was used as a statistical analysis method. We confirmed that vibroacoustic properties of the eyeball are correlated with IOP changes. It is expected that the CMVR will serve as a new parameter for IOP measurements. Thus, in the future, continuous IOP measurements would be easily performed using the CMVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal tissue damage can have long-lasting effects on nociceptive processing in the central nervous system, which may reflect persistent injury-evoked alterations to the normal balance between synaptic inhibition and excitation in the spinal dorsal horn. Spinal dynorphin-lineage (pDyn) neurons are part of an inhibitory circuit which limits the flow of nociceptive input to the brain and is disrupted by neonatal tissue damage. To identify the potential molecular underpinnings of this disruption, an unbiased single-nucleus RNAseq analysis of adult mouse spinal pDyn cells characterized this population in depth and then identified changes in gene expression evoked by neonatal hindpaw incision. The analysis revealed 11 transcriptionally distinct subpopulations (ie, clusters) of dynorphin-lineage cells, including both inhibitory and excitatory neurons. Investigation of injury-evoked differential gene expression identified 15 genes that were significantly upregulated or downregulated in adult pDyn neurons from neonatally incised mice compared with naive littermate controls, with both cluster-specific and pan-neuronal transcriptional changes observed. Several of the identified genes, such as Oxr1 and Fth1 (encoding ferritin), were related to the cellular stress response. However, the relatively low number of injury-evoked differentially expressed genes also suggests that posttranscriptional regulation within pDyn neurons may play a key role in the priming of developing nociceptive circuits by early-life injury. Overall, the findings reveal novel insights into the molecular heterogeneity of a key population of dorsal horn interneurons that has previously been implicated in the suppression of mechanical pain and itch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic approach using rat congenic lines between SHRSP/Izm and WKY/Izm identified stromal interaction molecule 1 (Stim1), an essential component of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), as a promising candidate gene responsible for the exaggerated sympathetic response to stress in SHRSP. Since SHRSP has a nonsense mutation in Stim1 resulting in the expression of a truncated form of STIM1 that caused reduction of SOCE activity in primary cultured cerebral astrocytes, we created SHRSP/Izm knocked-in with the wild-type Stim1 (KI SHRSP) by the CRISPR/Cas9 method to investigate whether the functional recovery of STIM1 would mitigate sympatho-excitation to stress in vivo in SHRSP. No potential off-target nucleotide substitutions/deletions/insertions were found in KI SHRSP. Western blotting and fluorescent Ca2+ imaging of astrocytes confirmed wild-type STIM1 expression and restored SOCE activity in astrocytes from KI SHRSP, respectively. Blood pressure (BP) measured by the tail-cuff method at 12, 16, and 20 weeks of age did not significantly differ between SHRSP and KI SHRSP, while the heart rate of KI SHRSP at 16 and 20 weeks of age was significantly lower than that of age-matched SHRSP. Unexpectedly, the sympathetic response to stress (evaluated with urinary excretion of norepinephrine under cold stress and BP elevation under cold/restraint stress) did not significantly differ between SHRSP and KI SHRSP. The present results indicated that the functional deficit of STIM1 was not a genetic determinant of the exaggerated sympathetic response to stress in SHRSP and that it would be necessary to explore other candidates within the congenic fragment on chromosome 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Loading‐induced tension development is often assumed to constitute an independent cue to initiate muscle protein synthesis following resistance exercise. However, with traditional physiological models of resistance exercise, changes in loading‐induced tension development also reflect changes in neural activation patterns, and direct evidence for a mechanosensitive mechanism is therefore limited. Here, we sought to examine the importance of excitation and tension development per se on initiation of signalling, gene transcription and protein synthesis in rat skeletal muscle. Methods: Isolated rat extensor digitorum longus muscles were allocated to the following interventions: (a) Excitation‐induced eccentric contractions (ECC); (b) Passive stretching without excitation (PAS); (c) Excitation with inhibition of contractions (STIM + IMA) and; (d) Excitation in combination with both inhibition of contractions and PAS (STIM + IMA + PAS). Assessment of transcriptional and translational signalling, gene transcription and acute muscle protein synthesis was compared in stimulated vs contra‐lateral non‐stimulated control muscle. Results: Protein synthesis increased solely in muscles subjected to a combination of excitation and tension development (ECC and STIM + IMA + PAS). The same pattern was true for p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase signalling for gene transcription as well as for gene transcription of immediate early genes FOS and JUN. In contrast, mechanistic target of rapamycin Complex 1 signalling for translation initiation increased in all muscles subjected to increased tension development (ECC and STIM + IMA + PAS as well as PAS). Conclusions: The current study suggests that exercise‐induced increases in protein synthesis as well as transcriptional signalling is dependent on the concomitant effect of excitation and tension development, whereas signalling for translation initiation is only dependent of tension development per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cerebral cortex displays specific patterns of spontaneous activity produced endogenously. These states are characterized with respect to the degree of synchrony of the collective neuronal activity and the level of irregularity of action potential spikes of individual neurons. A problem posed to theoretical neuroscience is how to model the emergence of synchronous and asynchronous spontaneous states from the same network of spiking neurons. In this article, three models that offer solutions to this problem are reviewed. The models use spiking neurons of the class known as integrate-and-fire and consider different network structures and synaptic dynamics. Mechanisms adopted by the models, like balance between excitation and inhibition and spiking-dependent adaptation, are discussed and contextualized. In parallel, this article presents some concepts utilized in the modelling of neurons and synapses, offering a quick introduction to theoretical neuroscience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use cryogenic spatial–temporal photoluminescence (PL) imaging measurements down to 10 K and with short-wavelength, 405 nm laser excitation to study surface charge generation, trapping, and recombination at single bright and dark grains as well as their boundaries in model methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) polycrystalline thin films. These salient conditions are shown to be critical for identifying both the detrimental and cooperative roles of grain microstructures where the dark grains serve as the PL quenching center, while the grain boundaries are largely benign and may promote electron–hole separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a methodology to capture the model-based haptic feedback control reference for closed-loop steering systems is demonstrated. The parameterisation is based on the measurements of open-loop driving manoeuvres for the inertia-spring-damper-friction reference model. The steady-state and transient manoeuvres are used to identify the model parameters. The reference model is limited to the haptic feedback of driver excitation in the linear vehicle handling range and intended to be used in closed-loop steering control strategies. The model parameters have an intuitive interpretation that allows to be used in both admittance and impedance control setting. The feasibility of the proposed model is demonstrated in a validated simulation environment for electric power assisted steering and on a real hardware for the steer-by-wire force-feedback case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Psychoacoustical studies on transmission characteristics related to bone-conducted (BC) speech, perceived by speakers during vocalization, are important for further understanding the relationship between speech production and perception, especially auditory feedback. For exploring how the outer ear part contributes to BC speech transmission, this article aims to measure the transmission characteristics of bone conduction focusing on the vibration of the regio temporalis (RT) and sound radiation in the ear canal (EC) due to the excitation in the oral cavity (OC). Method: While an excitation signal was presented through a loudspeaker located in the enclosed cavity below the hard palate, transmitted signals were measured on the RT and in the EC. The transfer functions of the RT vibration and EC sound pressure relative to OC sound pressure were determined from the measured signals using the sweep-sine method. Results: Our findings obtained from the measurements of five participants are as follows: (a) the transfer function of the RT vibration relative to the OC sound pressure attenuated the frequency components above 1 kHz and (b) the transfer function of the EC relative to the OC sound pressure emphasized the frequency components between 2 and 3 kHz. Conclusions: The vibration of the soft tissue or the skull bone has an effect of low-pass filtering, whereas the sound radiation in the EC has an effect of 2--3 kHz bandpass filtering. Considering the perceptual effect of low-pass filtering in BC speech, our findings suggest that the transmission to the outer ear may not be a dominant contributor to BC speech perception during vocalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within 30 Hz, the discomfort caused by whole-body vibration in rotational direction is higher than vertical vibration at similar equivalent magnitude. Roll vibration, in particular, produces greater discomfort comparing with pitch and yaw vibrations. It is critical to understand the biodynamic characteristics of seated human body under roll vibration for both comfort assessment and vibration control. Experiments are carried out to obtain the biodynamic response of seated human body under random roll vibrations at four r.m.s. magnitude levels. It is found that the principal resonance in the roll apparent inertia is about 1 Hz, but varied from 0.7 to 1.5 Hz depending on the magnitude of vibration (0.5 to 2.0 rad/s2), and the secondary resonance locates around 3 Hz with a much lower modulus. It is noted that the human response to roll vibration has some features in common with that in the lateral direction. Two lumped parameter models are developed and calibrated to study the correlation between the two excitation axials. The equivalent relationships of magnitude and phase between roll and lateral vibrations are obtained on condition that they produce similar rotational responses of the upper human body. It suggests an equivalence approach between translational and rotational vibrations that can benefit the comfort assessment when exposed to multiaxial excitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound can modulate action potential firing in vivo and in vitro, but the mechanistic basis of this phenomenon is not well understood. To address this problem, we used patch-clamp recording to quantify the effects of focused, high-frequency (43 MHz) ultrasound on evoked action potential firing in CA1 pyramidal neurons in acute rodent hippocampal brain slices. We find that ultrasound can either inhibit or potentiate firing in a spike frequency-dependent manner: at low (near-threshold) input currents and low firing frequencies, ultrasound inhibits firing, while at higher input currents and higher firing frequencies, ultrasound potentiates firing. The net result of these two competing effects is that ultrasound increases the threshold current for action potential firing, the slope of frequency-input curves, and the maximum firing frequency. In addition, ultrasound slightly hyperpolarizes the resting membrane potential, decreases action potential width, and increases the depth of the after-hyperpolarization. All of these results can be explained by the hypothesis that ultrasound activates a sustained potassium conductance. According to this hypothesis, increased outward potassium currents hyperpolarize the resting membrane potential and inhibit firing at near-threshold input currents but potentiate firing in response to higher-input currents by limiting inactivation of voltage-dependent sodium channels during the action potential. This latter effect is a consequence of faster action potential repolarization, which limits inactivation of voltage-dependent sodium channels, and deeper (more negative) after-hyperpolarization, which increases the rate of recovery from inactivation. Based on these results, we propose that ultrasound activates thermosensitive and mechanosensitive two-pore-domain potassium (K2P) channels through heating or mechanical effects of acoustic radiation force. Finite-element modeling of the effects of ultrasound on brain tissue suggests that the effects of ultrasound on firing frequency are caused by a small (<2°C) increase in temperature, with possible additional contributions from mechanical effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-frequency vibrational excitations of protein macromolecules in the terahertz frequency region are suggested to contribute to many biological processes such as enzymatic catalysis, intra-protein energy/charge transport, recognition, and allostery. To explain high effectiveness of these processes, two possible mechanisms of the long-lived excitation were proposed by H. Fröhlich and A.S. Davydov, which relate to either vibrational modes or solitary waves, respectively. In this paper, we developed a quantum dynamic model of vibrational excitation in α-helical proteins interacting with the aqueous environment. In the model, we distinguished three coupled subsystems, i.e., (i) a chain of hydrogen-bonded peptide groups (PGs), interacting with (ii) the subsystem of the side-chain residuals which in turn interact with (iii) the environment, surrounding water responsible for dissipation and fluctuation in the system. It was shown that the equation of motion for phonon variables of the PG chain can be transformed to nonlinear Schrodinger equation which admits bifurcation into the solution corresponding to the weak-damped vibrational modes (Fröhlich-type regime) and Davydov solitons. A bifurcation parameter is derived through the strength of phonon–phonon interaction between the side-chains and hydration-shell water molecules. As shown, the energy of these excited states is pumped through the interaction of the side-chains with fluctuating water environment of the proteins. The suggested mechanism of the collective vibrational mode excitation is discussed in connection with the recent experiments on the long-lived collective protein excitations in the terahertz frequency region and vibrational energy transport pathways in proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When female rats (OVI) reach the post-menopausal age (OVX), the neuronal excitability of female-specific subpopulation of myelinated Ah-type baroreceptor neurons is significantly reduced due presumably to the down-regulation of microRNA-504 (miR-504) in the absence of estrogen. This down-regulated miR-504 then leads inversed up-regulations of KCNMB4 gene and its protein KCa1.1 β4-subunit because of conservative binding profiles between miR-504 and KCNMB4, which eventually causes the reduced neuroexcitation of baroreflex afferent pathway and increased blood pressure (BP). • KCa1.1-β4 subunits express lower level in female vs. male rats in the NG & NTS. • Reduced excitability of Ah-types is restored by paxilline & iberiotoxin further. • Bioinformatic data show conservative binding profiles between KCNMB4 and miR-504. • miR-504 negatively regulates KCa1.1-β4 subunit expression in BRx afferent pathway. • KCa1.1-β4/miR-504 expressed in Ah-types is the key for sex-dimorphic excitation. Large conductance of Ca2+-activated K+ channel (KCa1.1) plays an inhibitory role in neuroexcitation. However, the expression of KCNMB4/β4-subunit in the nodose ganglia (NG) and nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), and its effect and regulation on baroreflex afferent function at post-transcriptional level of female rats remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that the expression of β4-subunit encoded by KCNMB4 was significantly lower in females vs. males and ovariectomized (OVX) rats in the NG. Although all baroreceptor neurons (BRNs) expressed β4-subunit, altered discharge characteristics were only observed in Ah-type neurons after ovariectomy. Notably, the decreased excitability of Ah-types was restored by paxilline and further enhanced by iberiotoxin. The consistent changes were observed in excitatory post-synaptic currents. The level of miR-504 was higher in females, which was predicted to bind to the 3′UTR of KCNMB4. In consistent, an inverse expression pattern between miR-504 and KCNMB4 was observed in baroreflex afferents. The paxilline-sensitive β4-subunits is less in Ah-types and up-regulated by ovariectomy. These data indicated that KCa1.1 β4-subunit is the key regulator in neuroexcitation of Ah-types and sexual-dimorphism in baroreflex afferent function through estrogen-dependent inhibition of KCNMB4 expression via miR-504. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]