Time course of adaptation and recovery from adaptation in the cat auditory-nerve neurophonic

The auditory-nerve neurophonic (ANN) reflects the ensemble response of phase-locked firing in single auditory-nerve fibers to sustained signals. Consequently, neural response properties such as adaptation and recovery from adaptation can be observed. In this study, ANN responses to 800-Hz, 100-ms tones presented at 10-30-dB SL were recorded using bipolar platinum-iridium electrodes placed on the auditory nerve of the cat. The cat ANN adaptation properties were determined and fit to the equation: A(tp) = Yre(-tp/tau Ar) + Yse(-tp/tau As) + Ass. The rapid time constant of adaptation (tau Ar) was invariant across stimulus level, with a mean value of 4.8 (+/- 2.1) ms. The short-term time constant (tau As) decreased approximately 21 ms for each 10-dB increase in probe amplitude. The mean tau As was 116 ms at 10 dB SL, 83.2 ms at 20 dB SL, and 73.5 ms at 30 dB SL. The ANN recovery from adaptation data was analyzed and fit to the equation: A(delta t) = Amax - Yre(-delta t/tau Rr) - Yse(-delta t/tau Rs). Here, tau Rr, the rapid time constant of recovery, and tau Rs, the short-term time constant, were independent of masker intensity in the studied range, with values of 16.2(+/- 9.8) and 125(+/- 50.1) ms, respectively. The results of this study indicate that ANN time constants are comparable to those measured for single units and that the adaptation behavior of phase-locked and nonphase-locked activity appears to be similar.     

Hole interactions with molecular vibrations on DNA

We report on a study of the interactions between holes and molecular vibrations on dry DNA using photoinduced infrared absorption spectroscopy. Laser photoexcited holes are found to have a room-temperature lifetime in excess of tau > 1 ms, clearly indicating the presence of localization. However, from a quantitative model analysis of the frequency shifts of vibrational modes caused by the holes, we find the hole-vibrational coupling constant to be relatively small, lambda approximately 0.2. This interaction leads to a change in the conformational energy of DeltaE0 approximately 0.015 eV, which is too small to cause self-trapping at room temperature. We conclude that, at least in the dry (A) form, DNA is best understood in terms of a double chain of coupled quantum dots arising from the pseudorandom chain sequence of base pairs, in which Anderson localization prevents the formation of a metallic state.     

Pitch and pitch discrimination of broadband signals with rippled power spectra

A random-interval pulse train or wide-band noise when delayed (tau) and added back to itself (cos+) produces a stimulus with a consinusoidally varying (or trippled) power spectrum. The spacing between the peaks in the spectrum is equal to the reciprocal of the delay (1/tau). If the stimulus is delayed and added back at 180 degrees phase reversal (cos-), then a cosinusoidally varying power spectrum is generated whose spectral peaks are separated by 1/tau, but whose peaks are displaced by 1/2tau relative to the power spectrum of the cos+ stimulus generated with the same day, tau. These stimuli yield a pitch, such that the pitch of the cos+ stimulus is equal to approximately 1/tau and the pitches of the cos- stimuli are equal to approximately 0.9/tau and 1.1/tau. These pitch matching results were studied using a variety of matching stimuli and conditions. Following the identification of the pitches, a method of limits and a same-different procedure were used to study the pitch discriminability of both the cos+ and cos- stimuli. Delays (tau) ranging from 1 to 10 ms were studied covering a pitch range of 90-1100 Hz. The pitch discriminations associated with the cos+ and cos- stimuli were essentially the same for both the random-interval pulse train and the wide-band stimuli. These pitch-discrimination results are compared to those associated with a periodic pulse train. The research is also discussed in terms of discriminations of delayed sounds in reverberant environments. These are consistent with assumptions concerning the autocorrelation of the rippled stimuli within the dominant frequency region for pitch perception.     

Theory of transport of long polymer molecules through carbon nanotube channels

A theory of transport of long chain polymer molecules through carbon nanotube (CNT) channels is developed using the Fokker-Planck equation and direct molecular dynamics simulations. The mean transport or translocation time tau is found to depend on the chemical potential energy, the entropy, and the diffusion coefficient. A power law dependence tau approximately N2 is found, where N is the number of monomers in a molecule. For 10(5)-unit long polyethylene molecules, tau is estimated to be approximately 1 micros. The diffusion coefficient of long polymer molecules inside CNTs, like that of short ones, is found to be a few orders of magnitude larger than in ordinary silicate based zeolite systems.     

Atherosclerotic plaque characterization by spatial and temporal speckle pattern analysis

Improved methods are needed to identify the vulnerable coronary plaques responsible for acute myocardial infraction or sudden cardiac death. We describe a method for characterizing the structure and biomechanical properties of atherosclerotic plaques based on speckle pattern fluctuations. Near-field speckle images were acquired from five human aortic specimens ex vivo. The speckle decorrelation time constant varied significantly for vulnerable aortic plaques (tau=40 ms) versus stable plaques (tau=400 ms) and normal aorta (tau=500 ms) . These initial results indicate that different atherosclerotic plaque types may be distinguished by analysis of temporal and spatial speckle pattern fluctuations.     

Two-wave mixing by means of dynamic Bragg gratings recorded by saturation of absorption in erbium-doped fibers

We present experimental results of two-wave mixing in single-mode Er-doped optical fibers for which dynamic Bragg reflectance gratings are formed as a result of saturation of fiber-optic absorption (i.e., by means of the effect of spatial hole burning). The gratings are probed by the same recording waves at lambda approximately = 1549 nm and are detected as periodic changes of the intensity of light reflected from a Sagnac interferometer (with a piece of the doped fiber included) observed when periodic phase modulation is induced in one of the waves. Both rectangular and sinusoidal modulation were used, which permitted evaluation of the grating recording time (tau(g) approximately = 3 ms for OFS-Fitel EDF-HG980 fiber) and the grating amplitude, which proved to be approximately 6-7 times lower than expected from measurements of saturation of fiber-optic absorption by one wave only.     

Excited-configuration metastable level lifetimes of Cl-like Mn IX and Fe X

Forbidden transitions from levels with 3P and 1D cores in excited configurations of Cl-like Mn IX and Fe X have been isolated using interference filters. The fluorescence decay lifetimes of ions orbiting in a Kingdon ion trap were measured. New relativistic configuration interaction calculations of relevant level lifetimes, to aid the analysis, based on B-spline basis sets, are also presented. Line identifications and experimental lifetimes are Mn IX ((4)D(7/2)-(4)F(9/2)):363(-3/+7) nm; tau(Mn IX3p(4)(3P)3d (4)F(9/2)) = 210+/-42 ms; tau(Fe X,3p(4)(3P)3d (4)F(9/2)) = 85.7+/-9.2 ms; tau(Fe X,3p(4)(3P)3d (4)F(7/2)) = 93+/-30 ms; and tau(Fe X, 3p(4)(1D)3d (2)G(9/2)) = 17.8+/-3.1 ms.     

Accurate statistics of a flexible polymer chain in shear flow

We present exact and analytically accurate results for the problem of a flexible polymer chain in shear flow. Under such a flow the polymer tumbles, and the probability distribution of the tumbling times tau of the polymer decays exponentially as approximately exp(-alphatau/tau_{0}) (where tau_{0} is the longest relaxation time). We show that for a Rouse chain this nontrivial constant alpha can be calculated in the limit of a large Weissenberg number (high shear rate) and is in excellent agreement with our simulation result of alpha approximately 0.324. We also derive exactly the distribution functions for the length and the orientational angles of the end-to-end vector R of the polymer.     

Universal aging features in the restructuring of fractal colloidal gels

We use multispeckle dynamic light scattering to measure the dynamic structure factor, f(q,tau), of gels formed by aggregation of colloids. Although the gel is an elastic solid, f(q,tau) nearly completely decays on long time scales, with an unusual form, f(q, tau) approximately exp{-(tau/tau(f))(mu)}, with mu approximately 1.5 and with tau(f) proportional variant q(-1). A model for restructuring of the gel with aging correctly accounts for this behavior. Aging leads to a dramatic increase in tau(f); however, all data can be scaled on a single master curve, with tau(f) asymptotically growing linearly with age. This behavior is strikingly similar to that predicted for aging in disordered glassy systems, offering convincing proof of the universality of these concepts.     

Evolution of particle-scale dynamics in an aging clay suspension

Multispeckle x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy was employed to characterize the slow dynamics of a suspension of highly charged, nanometer-sized disks. At wave vectors q corresponding to interparticle length scales, the dynamic structure factor follows a form f(q,t) approximately exp([-(t/tau)(beta)], where beta approximately 1.5. The relaxation time tau increases with the sample age t(a) approximately as tau approximately t(1.8)(a) and decreases with q as tau approximately q(-1). Such behavior is consistent with models that describe the dynamics in disordered elastic media in terms of strain from random, local structural rearrangements. The measured amplitude of f(q,t) varies with q in a manner that implies caged particle motion. The decrease in the range of this motion and an increase in suspension conductivity with increasing t(a) indicate a growth in interparticle repulsion as the mechanism for internal stress development implied by these models.     

Discriminability of bursts of reproducible noise.

The ability of human listeners to discriminate pairs of bursts of reproducible noise was examined. A same-different psychophysical method was used. Bursts in a pair were identical on same trials. On different trials, bursts were identical except for tau ms of independent noise located at either the beginning, middle, or end of the pairs of bursts. As the temporal position of the tau ms of independent noise was moved from the beginning to the end of the bursts of noise, discriminability increased. For each temporal position of the independent noise, discriminability was a function of the ratio of the duration of the independent noise (tau) to the total burst duration.     

Biased diffusion and universality in model queues

We study the structure and robustness of universality classes for queueing, deriving analytic results for priority-based models with continuous-valued priorities. By mapping one model onto the problem of biased diffusion, we show that its distribution of waiting times, P(tau), decreases for large times tau as P(tau) approximately tau;{-3/2} or as P(tau) approximately tau;{-5/2}exp(-tau/tau_{0}) in different parameter regimes. In a second model, introducing a cost for switching between different classes of tasks substantially changes the asymptotic behavior of P(tau).     

Defect production in nonlinear quench across a quantum critical point

We show that the defect density n, for a slow nonlinear power-law quench with a rate tau(-1) and an exponent alpha>0, which takes the system through a critical point characterized by correlation length and dynamical critical exponents nu and z, scales as n approximately tau(-alphanud/(alphaznu+1)) [n approximately (alphag((alpha-1)/alpha)/tau)(nud/(znu+1))] if the quench takes the system across the critical point at time t=0 [t=t(0) not = 0], where g is a nonuniversal constant and d is the system dimension. These scaling laws constitute the first theoretical results for defect production in nonlinear quenches across quantum critical points and reproduce their well-known counterpart for a linear quench (alpha=1) as a special case. We supplement our results with numerical studies of well-known models and suggest experiments to test our theory.     

2D(13)C-(13)C MAS NMR correlation spectroscopy with mixing by true (1)H spin diffusion reveals long-range intermolecular distance restraints in ultra high magnetic field

An improved 2D (13)C-(13)C CP(3) MAS NMR correlation experiment with mixing by true (1)H spin diffusion is presented. With CP(3), correlations can be detected over a much longer range than with direct (1)H-(13)C or (13)C-(13)C dipolar recoupling. The experiment employs a (1)H spin diffusion mixing period tau(m) sandwiched between two cross-polarization periods. An optimized CP(3) sequence for measuring polarization transfer on a length scale between 0.3 and 1.0 nm using short mixing times of 0.1 ms < tau(m) < 1 ms is presented. For such a short tau(m), cross talk from residual transverse magnetization of the donating nuclear species after a CP can be suppressed by extended phase cycling. The utility of the experiment for genuine structure determination is demonstrated using a self-aggregated Chl a/H(2)O sample. The number of intramolecular cross-peaks increases for longer mixing times and this obscures the intermolecular transfer events. Hence, the experiment will be useful for short mixing times only. For a short tau(m) = 0.1 ms, intermolecular correlations are detected between the ends of phytyl tails and ring carbons of neighboring Chl a molecules in the aggregate. In this way the model for the structure, with stacks of Chl a that are arranged back to back with interdigitating phytyl chains stretched between two bilayers, is validated.     

High-rate penetration of a striker into SiC ceramic with different void content

The kinetics of penetration of deformable striking rods into SiC ceramics with different void content is studied. The penetration may be viewed as a two-stage process. At the first stage, the penetration rate is minimal and the rate of contraction of the rod is maximal. At this stage, the penetration resistance of the ceramic is the highest. At the second (quasi-steady-state) stage, the penetration kinetics is similar to the kinetics of penetration into a zero-strength medium and resistance to penetration is largely inertial. At the first stage, the penetration resistance is shown to correlate with the hardness of the ceramic and depend strongly on the void content.     

Adaptation and recovery from adaptation in single fiber responses of the cat auditory nerve.

This study examined the time course of adaptation and recovery from adaptation of single auditory-nerve fiber responses. The conditions studied were: (1) adaptation response using low level, 800 Hz or characteristic frequency (CF) stimuli; and (2) onset recovery and whole tone response recovery of a probe tone following a masker of equal frequency with variable silent intervals between the masker offset and probe onset. Single unit responses to 290 ms long, 800 Hz or CF tones presented at 10-30 dB SL were recorded from the auditory nerve of the cat. Adaptation properties were determined and fit to the equation: A(tp) = Yre(-tp/tau Rr) + Yse(-tp/tau Rs) + Ass. Recovery from adaptation was determined by recording the response of a probe tone following a 100-ms masker tone equal in frequency to the probe, and with amplitudes ranging from 20- to 30-dB relative to the probe amplitude. Both the onset recovery and the whole tone recovery were determined for the single unit responses. The onset data were analyzed and fit to either the equation: A (delta xt,tp) = Ass - Yre(-tp/tau Rr) - Yse(- delta t/tau Rs) or A (delta t,tp) = Ass - Yre(- delta t/tau R). The whole tone response showed two distinctive time patterns that could be fit to either an adaptation equation or to the two-time-constant recovery equation, depending on the relative amplitude of the masker and the length of the silent interval between masker offset and probe onset. The results of this study indicate that single fiber time constants are comparable to those measured in previous studies using the auditory-nerve neurophonic (ANN). Likewise, the pattern of recovery of the whole tone response for single fiber responses is comparable to the ANN. Possible sites and mechanisms for adaptation and recovery from adaptation taking into account recent data from electrical stimulation studies and receptor channel morphology and kinetics are discussed.     

Equilibrium signal intensity mapping, an MRI method for fast mapping of longitudinal relaxation rates and for image enhancement

INTRODUCTION: Inhomogeneity of magnetic fields, both B(0) and B(1), has been a major challenge in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Field inhomogeneity leads to image artifacts and unreliability of signal intensity (SI) measurements. This work proposes and shows the feasibility of generating equilibrium signal intensity (SI(Eq)) maps that can be utilized either to speed up relaxation-rate measurement or to enhance image quality and relaxation-rate-based weighting in various applications. METHODS: A 1.5-T MRI scanner was used. In canines (n=4), myocardial infarction was induced, and 48 h after the administration of 0.05 mmol kg(-1) Gd(ABE-DTTA), a contrast agent with slow tissue kinetics, in vivo R(1) mapping was carried out using an inversion recovery (IR)-prepared, fast gradient-echo sequence with varying inversion times (TIs). To test the SI(Eq) mapping method without the confounding effects of motion and blood flow, we carried out ex vivo R(1) mapping after the administration of 0.2 mmol kg(-1) Gd(DTPA) using an IR-prepared, fast spin-echo sequence in another group of dogs (n=2). R(1,full) maps and SI(Eq) maps were generated from the data from both sequences by three-parameter nonlinear curve fitting of the SI versus TI dependence. R(1,full) maps served as the reference standard. Raw IR images were then divided by the SI(Eq) maps, yielding corrected SI maps (COSIMs). Additionally, R(1) values were calculated from each single-TI image separately, using the SI(Eq) value and a one-parameter curve-fitting procedure (R(1,single)). Voxelwise correlation analysis was carried out for the COSIMs and the R(1,single) maps, both versus the standard R(1,full) maps. Deviations of R(1,single) from R(1,full) were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: In vivo, COSIM versus R(1,full) showed significantly (P<.05) better correlation [correlation coefficient (CC)=0.95] than SI versus R(1,full) with a TI=700-800 ms, which is 200-300 ms longer than the tau(null) (500 ms) of viable myocardium. With such TIs, SI versus R(1,full) yielded CCs of 0.86-0.88. R(1,single) versus R(1,full) yielded a peak CC of 0.96 at TI=700-900 ms. Mean deviations of R(1,single) from R(1,full) were below 5% for TIs between 500 and 1000 ms. Ex vivo, where tau(null) was 300 ms, the advantage of correction with SI(Eq) was not in the improvement of linear correlation but more in the reduction of scatter. Peak CCs for SI versus R(1,full) and COSIM versus R(1,full) at TI=500 ms were 0.96 for both. The ex vivo CC for R(1,single) versus R(1,full) at TI=500 ms was 0.98. Mean deviations of R(1,single) from R(1,full) were below 5% for TIs between 400 and 700 ms. CONCLUSIONS: Once the corresponding SI(Eq) map is obtained from a control stack, R(1) can be obtained accurately, using only a single IR image and without the need for a stack of TI-varied images. This approach could be applied in various dynamic MRI studies where short measurement time, once the dynamics has started, is of essence. When using this method with IR-prepared T(1)-weighted images, it is essential that the single TI be chosen such that the longitudinal relaxation in all voxels of interest would have passed tau(null). SI(Eq) maps are also useful in eliminating confounders from MR images to allow obtaining SI values that reflect more faithfully the relaxation parameter (R(1)) sought.     

Boundary spatiotemporal correlations in a self-organized critical model of punctuated equilibrium

In a semi-infinite geometry, a one-dimensional, M-component model of biological evolution realizes microscopically an inhomogeneous branching process for M-->infinity. This implies a size distribution exponent tau(')=7/4 for avalanches starting at a free, "dissipative" end of the evolutionary chain. A bulklike behavior with tau(')=3/2 is restored by "conservative" boundary conditions. These are such as to strictly fix to its critical, bulk value the average number of species directly involved in an evolutionary avalanche by the mutating species located at the chain end. A two-site correlation function exponent tau(')(R)=4 is also calculated exactly in the "dissipative" case, when one of the points is at the border. Together with accurate numerical determinations of the time recurrence exponent tau(')(first), these results show also that, no matter whether dissipation is present or not, boundary avalanches have the same space and time fractal dimensions as those in the bulk, and their distribution exponents obey the basic scaling laws holding there.     

pH-induced release of polyanions from multilayer films

We discovered pH-induced selective desorption and readsorption of weakly acidic polymers from polyacid or polybase layer-by-layer films. In situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the selectivity of polyacid release and shows that film response is caused by pH-induced charge imbalance. Experimentally the characteristic time of chain release tau scales with molar mass M as M(1.1+/-0.1). A new theoretical model of "sticky gel electrophoresis" of entangled polyacids agrees with experiments and predicts tau approximately MH, where H is film thickness. Neutron reflectivity shows that polyacid release results in disordering of the film structure.     

Thermal and Thermo-Oxidative Degradation of Biodegradable Poly(Ester Urethane) Containing Poly(L-Lactic Acid) and Poly(Butylene Succinate) Blocks

A novel biodegradable poly(ester urethane; PEU) was synthesized by chain extension reaction of dihydroxylated poly(L-lactic acid; PLLA) and poly(butylene succinate; PBS) using diisocyanate as a chain extender. The kinetics of thermal and thermo-oxidative degradation of PEU containing PLLA and PBS blocks were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA results indicated that PEU was more stable in air than in nitrogen and went through a two-stage degradation process irrespective of the experimental atmosphere. Activation energy of each stage was calculated by means of Kissinger, Kim-Park, Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa, and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose methods. For the first stage, the activation energy value obtained in air was slightly higher than the corresponding value obtained in nitrogen; and for the second stage, the activation energy showed a much higher value in air than in nitrogen. The Coats-Redfern method was employed to study the degradation mechanism of each stage. The results indicated that the degradation of the first stage follows the P3/4 mechanism irrespective of the experimental atmosphere; the degradation of the second stage of PEU obeys the P1 mechanism in nitrogen while P3/2 in air.