The induction of reentry in cardiac tissue. The missing link: How electric fields alter transmembrane potential

This review examines the initiation of reentry in cardiac muscle by strong electric shocks. Specifically, it concentrates on the mechanisms by which electric shocks change the transmembrane potential of the cardiac membrane and create the physiological substrate required by the critical point theory for the initiation of rotors. The mechanisms examined include (1) direct polarization of the tissue by the stimulating current, as described by the one-dimensional cable model and its two- and three-dimensional extensions, (2) the presence of virtual anodes and cathodes, as described by the bidomain model with unequal anisotropy ratios of the intra- and extracellular spaces, (3) polarization of the tissue due to changing orientation of cardiac fibers, and (4) polarization of individual cells or groups of cells by the electric field ("sawtooth potential"). The importance of these mechanisms in the initiation of reentry is examined in two case studies: the induction of rotors using successive stimulation with a unipolar electrode, and the induction of rotors using cross-field stimulation. These cases reveal that the mechanism by which a unipolar stimulation induces arrhythmias can be explained in the framework of the bidomain model with unequal anisotropy ratios. In contrast, none of the examined mechanisms provide an adequate explanation for the induction of rotors by cross-field stimulation. Hence, this study emphasizes the need for further experimental and theoretical work directed toward explaining the mechanism of field stimulation. (c) 1998 American Institute of Physics.     

The role of cardiac tissue structure in defibrillation

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between cardiac tissue structure, applied electric field, and the transmembrane potential induced in the process of defibrillation. It outlines a general understanding of the structural mechanisms that contribute to the outcome of a defibrillation shock. Electric shocks defibrillate by changing the transmembrane potential throughout the myocardium. In this process first and foremost the shock current must access the bulk of myocardial mass. The exogenous current traverses the myocardium along convoluted intracellular and extracellular pathways channeled by the tissue structure. Since individual fibers follow curved pathways in the heart, and the fiber direction rotates across the ventricular wall, the applied current perpetually engages in redistribution between the intra- and extracellular domains. This redistribution results in changes in transmembrane potential (membrane polarization): regions of membrane hyper- and depolarization of extent larger than a single cell are induced in the myocardium by the defibrillation shock. Tissue inhomogeneities also contribute to local membrane polarization in the myocardium which is superimposed over the large-scale polarization associated with the fibrous organization of the myocardium. The paper presents simulation results that illustrate various mechanisms by which cardiac tissue structure assists the changes in transmembrane potential throughout the myocardium. (c) 1998 American Institute of Physics.     

Multiple mechanisms of spiral wave breakup in a model of cardiac electrical activity

It has become widely accepted that the most dangerous cardiac arrhythmias are due to reentrant waves, i.e., electrical wave(s) that recirculate repeatedly throughout the tissue at a higher frequency than the waves produced by the heart's natural pacemaker (sinoatrial node). However, the complicated structure of cardiac tissue, as well as the complex ionic currents in the cell, have made it extremely difficult to pinpoint the detailed dynamics of these life-threatening reentrant arrhythmias. A simplified ionic model of the cardiac action potential (AP), which can be fitted to a wide variety of experimentally and numerically obtained mesoscopic characteristics of cardiac tissue such as AP shape and restitution of AP duration and conduction velocity, is used to explain many different mechanisms of spiral wave breakup which in principle can occur in cardiac tissue. Some, but not all, of these mechanisms have been observed before using other models; therefore, the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate them using just one framework model and to explain the different parameter regimes or physiological properties necessary for each mechanism (such as high or low excitability, corresponding to normal or ischemic tissue, spiral tip trajectory types, and tissue structures such as rotational anisotropy and periodic boundary conditions). Each mechanism is compared with data from other ionic models or experiments to illustrate that they are not model-specific phenomena. Movies showing all the breakup mechanisms are available at http://arrhythmia.hofstra.edu/breakup and at ftp://ftp.aip.org/epaps/chaos/E-CHAOEH-12-039203/ INDEX.html. The fact that many different breakup mechanisms exist has important implications for antiarrhythmic drug design and for comparisons of fibrillation experiments using different species, electromechanical uncoupling drugs, and initiation protocols. (c) 2002 American Institute of Physics.     

Modulation of electronic properties with external fields in silicene-based nanostructures

This work reviews our recent works about the density functional theory(DFT) calculational aspects of electronic properties in silicene-based nanostructures with the modulation of external fields, such as electric field, strain, etc. For the two-dimensional(2D) silicene-based nonostructures, the magnetic moment of Fe-doped silicene shows a sharp jump at a threshold electric field, which indicates a good switching effect, implying potential applications as a magnetoelectric(ME) diode. With the electric field, the good controllability and sharp switching of the magnetism may offer a potential applications in the ME devices. For the one-dimensional(1D) nanostructures, the silicene nanoribbons with sawtooth edges(SSi NRs) are more stable than the zigzag silicene nanoribbons(ZSiNRs) and show spin-semiconducting features. Under external electric field or uniaxial compressive strain, the gapless spin-semiconductors are gained, which is significant in designing qubits for quantum computing in spintronics. The superlattice structures of silicene-based armchair nanoribbons(ASiSLs) is another example for 1D silicene nanostructures. The band structures of ASi SLs can be modulated by the size and strain of the superlattices. With the stain increased, the related energy gaps of ASi SLs will change, which are significantly different with that of the constituent nanoribbons. The results suggest potential applications in designing quantum wells.     

Band structures of bilayer graphene superlattices

We formulate a low energy effective Hamiltonian to study superlattices in bilayer graphene (BLG) using a minimal model which supports quadratic band touching points. We show that a one dimensional (1D) periodic modulation of the chemical potential or the electric field perpendicular to the layers leads to the generation of zero-energy anisotropic massless Dirac fermions and finite energy Dirac points with tunable velocities. The electric field superlattice maps onto a coupled chain model comprised of "topological" edge modes. 2D superlattice modulations are shown to lead to gaps on the mini-Brillouin zone boundary but do not, for certain symmetries, gap out the quadratic band touching point. Such potential variations, induced by impurities and rippling in biased BLG, could lead to subgap modes which are argued to be relevant to understanding transport measurements.     

Map-based model of the cardiac action potential

A simple computationally efficient model which is capable of replicating the basic features of cardiac cell action potential is proposed. The model is a four-dimensional map and demonstrates good correspondence with real cardiac cells. Various regimes of cardiac activity, which can be reproduced by the proposed model, are shown. Bifurcation mechanisms of these regimes transitions are explained using phase space analysis. The dynamics of 1D and 2D lattices of coupled maps which model the behavior of electrically connected cells is discussed in the context of synchronization theory.     

经颅磁刺激感应外电场作用下最小神经元模型放电起始动态机理分析

经颅磁刺激(TMS)是一种采用电磁线圈在大脑指定区域产生磁场的刺激方式. TMS的治疗原理是通过电磁感应产生作用于神经元的外加电场进而影响神经元编码. 然而目前TMS感应外电场改变神经元编码的内在机理尚不清楚.研究表明, 神经元编码由神经元的放电起始动态机理决定. 本文建立了TMS感应外电场作用下的最小神经元模型, 采用相平面分析和分岔分析方法, 研究了外电场作用下神经元放电起始动态的动力学机理, 并从阈下电位的不同动力学特性离子电流竞争角度揭示了TMS感应外电 场作用下神经元放电起始动态的生理学机理.     

Positive and negative sawtooth signals applied to a DBD plasma actuator – influence on the electric wind

The influence of the electric signal shape applied to a surface dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuator is investigated in order to optimise the produced electric wind. This report also gives insights on the mechanisms involved in the electro-fluido-dynamic (EFD) operated by actuators based on atmospheric non-thermal discharges in air. The parameters of the electric signal that maximises the produced electric wind in quiescent air are investigated with a positive and negative sawtooth waveforms. The induced airflow properties are observed with a particle image velocimetry (PIV) set-up. The positive sawtooth waveform results in a more filamentary discharge and generates an electric wind with maximum velocities close to the active air exposed electrode. This contrasts with the negative sawtooth waveform that does not create as many filaments and induces electric wind velocities more homogeneously distributed along the dielectric surface. Even though the velocities values are of the same order, the shape of the vortex generated above the air exposed electrode is very dependant on the waveform.     

低频调制场中钾原子的激发

本文用含时多态展开方法计算了里德堡钾原子在静电场、微波场和低射频场[a radio-frequency(rf)field]共同作用下方波振荡的激发特性.研究计算了通过改变微波场的频率、振幅和静电场的振幅以及用低射频锯齿波代替低射频余弦波后方波振荡的变化,获得了一些非常有趣的结果,并给出了理论解释.     

心脏中的螺旋波和时空混沌的抑制研究

以Luo-Rudy相I心脏模型为基础,研究心脏中螺旋波和时空混沌的控制,提出了两种控制方法: (Ⅰ)通过交替改变细胞外钾离子浓度来产生平面波,再利用弱外电场辅助平面波抑制螺旋波和时空混沌; (Ⅱ)先提高细胞外钾离子浓度,然后利用外电场激发波的方式产生平面波,再用平面波去抑制螺旋波和时空混沌. 研究结果表明,只要适当选择控制参数,这两种方法都能够有效抑制螺旋波和时空混沌. 当心肌出现局部缺血时,在心肌缺血处就会出现高的细胞外钾离子浓度,在这种情况下, 可以采用电场发射波的方法来抑制心脏中的螺旋波和时空混沌.对这些控制方法的优点和控制机制做了解释.     

Theoretical analysis of transcranial Hall-effect stimulation based on passive cable model

Transcranial Hall-effect stimulation(THS) is a new stimulation method in which an ultrasonic wave in a static magnetic field generates an electric field in an area of interest such as in the brain to modulate neuronal activities. However, the biophysical basis of simulating the neurons remains unknown. To address this problem, we perform a theoretical analysis based on a passive cable model to investigate the THS mechanism of neurons. Nerve tissues are conductive; an ultrasonic wave can move ions embedded in the tissue in a static magnetic field to generate an electric field(due to Lorentz force).In this study, a simulation model for an ultrasonically induced electric field in a static magnetic field is derived. Then,based on the passive cable model, the analytical solution for the voltage distribution in a nerve tissue is determined. The simulation results showthat THS can generate a voltage to stimulate neurons. Because the THS method possesses a higher spatial resolution and a deeper penetration depth, it shows promise as a tool for treating or rehabilitating neuropsychiatric disorders.     

Role of reynolds stress-induced poloidal flow in triggering the transition to improved ohmic confinement on the HT-6M tokamak

Time and space resolved measurements of electrostatic Reynolds stress, radial electric field E(r), and plasma rotations have been performed across the transition to improved Ohmic confinement in the Hefei Tokamak-6M (HT-6M). The first experimental evidence of the correlation between the enhanced Reynolds stress gradient and the poloidal flow acceleration in the edge plasma is presented. The results indicate that the turbulence-induced Reynolds stress might be the dominant mechanism to create the sheared poloidal flow and E(r), which may further trigger the transition.     

Semiclassical Study of the Quantum Back-Reaction Problem in Scalar QED

The quantum back-reaction problem in scalar QED is studied, in the semiclassical approximation, for nonstationary external electric fields. Using a model proposed in [Cooper, F., Mottola, E. (1989). Quantum back reaction in scalar QED as an initial-value problem. Physical Review D40(2), 456–464], based in a Hartree-type equation, we calculate, until order ħ, the induced current density and the induced electromagnetic field. Once we have computed the induced electromagnetic field, we obtain, until order ħ, the effective Lagrangian and the average density of produced pairs taking into account the back-reaction.     

Theoretical analytic model for RESURF AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

In this paper, we propose a two-dimensional(2D) analytic model for the channel potential and electric field distribution of the RESURF AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors(HEMTs). The model is constructed by two-dimensional Poisson's equation with appropriate boundary conditions. In the RESURF AlGaN/GaN HEMTs, we utilize the RESURF effect generated by doped negative charge in the AlGaN layer and introduce new electric field peaks in the device channels,thus, homogenizing the distribution of electric field in channel and improving the breakdown voltage of the device. In order to reveal the influence of doped negative charge on the electric field distribution, we demonstrate in detail the influences of the charge doping density and doping position on the potential and electric field distribution of the RESURF AlGaN/GaN HEMTs with double low density drain(LDD). The validity of the model is verified by comparing the results obtained from the analytical model with the simulation results from the ISE software. This analysis method gives a physical insight into the mechanism of the AlGaN/GaN HEMTs and provides reference to modeling other AlGaN/GaN HEMTs device.     

对称三材料双栅应变硅金属氧化物半导体场效应晶体管二维解析模型

提出了对称三材料双栅应变硅金属氧化物半导体场效应晶体管器件结构,为该器件结构建立了全耗尽条件下的表面势模型、表面场强和阈值电压解析模型,并分析了应变对表面势、表面场强和阈值电压的影响,讨论了三栅长度比率对阈值电压和漏致势垒降低效应的影响,对该结构器件与单材料双栅结构器件的性能进行了对比研究.结果表明,该结构能进一步提高载流子的输运速率,更好地抑制漏致势垒降低效应.适当优化三材料栅的栅长比率,可以增强器件对短沟道效应和漏致势垒降低效应的抑制能力.     

Research on the field emission mechanism of nano-structured carbon film

The field emission(FE) characteristics of nano-structured carbon films(NSCFs) are investigated.The saturation behaviour of the field emission current density found at high electric field E cannot be reasonably explained by the traditional Fowler-Nordheim(F-N) theory.A three-region E model and the curve-fitting method are utilized for discussing the FE characteristics of NSCFs.In the low,high,and middle E regions,the FE mechanism is reasonably explained by a modified F-N model,a corrected space-charge-limited-current(SCLC) model and the joint model of F-N and SCLC mechanism,respectively.Moreover,the measured FE data accord well with the results from our corrected theoretical model.     

Microsphere manipulation using ferroelectric liquid crystals

We propose a strategy for a micromanipulation method using SSFLC (surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals). By adjusting the frequency of the applied ac electric field, the surface layers that cannot follow an applied ac electric field are constructed in SSFLC. In addition, by applying a sawtooth wave voltage, net flow along the smectic layer is generated. The flow direction is reversed by changing the polarity of the sawtooth wave. Consequently, the particles dispersed in SSFLC can be driven bidirectionally along the smectic layer. The particle velocity depends on the temperature, amplitude, and frequency of the applied voltage.     

6H-SiC高场输运特性的多粒子蒙特卡罗研究

采用非抛物性能带模型,对6H-SiC高场电子输运特性进行了多粒子蒙特卡罗(Ensemble Monte Carlo)研究.研究表明：温度为296 K时,电子横向漂移速度在电场为2.0×104 V/cm处偏离线性区,5.0×105 V/cm处达到饱和.由EMC方法得到的电子横向饱和漂移速度为1.95×107 cm/s,纵向为6.0×106 cm/s,各向异性较为显著.当电场小于1.0×106 V/cm时,碰撞电离效应对高场电子漂移速度影响较小.另一方面,高场下电子平均能量的各向异性非常明显.电场大于2.0×105 V/cm时,极化光学声子散射对电子横向能量驰豫时间影响较大.当电场一定时,c轴方向的电子碰撞电离率随着温度的上升而增大.对非稳态高场输运特性的分析表明：阶跃电场强度为1.0×106 V/cm时,电子横向瞬态速度峰值接近3.0×107 cm/s,反应时间仅为百分之几皮秒量级.     

Determination of electric-field, magnetic-field, and electric-current distributions of infrared optical antennas: a near-field optical vector network analyzer

In addition to the electric field E(r), the associated magnetic field H(r) and current density J(r) characterize any electromagnetic device, providing insight into antenna coupling and mutual impedance. We demonstrate the optical analogue of the radio frequency vector network analyzer implemented in interferometric homodyne scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy for obtaining E(r), H(r), and J(r). The approach is generally applicable and demonstrated for the case of a linear coupled-dipole antenna in the midinfrared spectral region. The determination of the underlying 3D vector electric near-field distribution E(r) with nanometer spatial resolution and full phase and amplitude information is enabled by the design of probe tips with selectivity with respect to E(∥) and E(⊥) fabricated by focused ion-beam milling and nano-chemical-vapor-deposition methods.