Hearing loss from interrupted, intermittent, and time varying Gaussian noise exposures: the applicability of the equal energy hypothesis

Eight groups of chinchillas (N=74) were exposed to various equivalent energy [100 or 106 dB(A) sound pressure level (SPL)] noise exposure paradigms. Six groups received an interrupted, intermittent, time varying (IITV) Gaussian noise exposure that lasted 8 h/d, 5 d/week for 3 weeks. The exposures modeled an idealized workweek. At each level, three different temporal patterns of Gaussian IITV noise were used. The 100 dB(A) IITV exposure had a dB range of 90-108 dB SPL while the range of the 106 dB(A) IITV exposure was 80-115 dB SPL. Two reference groups were exposed to a uniform 100 or 106 dB(A) SPL noise, 24 h/d for 5 days. Each reference group and the three corresponding IITV groups comprised a set of equivalent energy exposures. Evoked potentials were used to estimate hearing thresholds and surface preparation histology quantified sensory cell populations. All six groups exposed to the IITV noise showed threshold toughening effects of up to 40 dB. All IITV exposures produced hearing and sensory cell loss that was similar to their respective equivalent energy reference group. These results indicate that for Gaussian noise the equal energy hypothesis for noise-induced hearing loss is an acceptable unifying principle.     

Diffusion tensor parameters and principal eigenvector coherence: Relation to b-value intervals and field strength

Diffusion-weighted MRI images acquired at b-value greater than 1000 s mm^− 2 measure the diffusion of a restricted pool of water molecules. High b-value images are accompanied by a reduction in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to the application of large diffusion gradients. By fitting the diffusion tensor model to data acquired at incremental b-value intervals, we determined the effect of SNR on tensor parameters in normal human brains, in vivo. In addition, we also investigated the impact of field strength on the diffusion tensor model. Data were acquired at 1.5 and 3 T, at b-values 0, 1000, 2000 and 3000 s mm^− 2 in twenty diffusion-sensitised directions. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and principal eigenvector coherence (κ) were calculated from diffusion tensors fitted between datasets with b-values 0–1000, 0–2000, 0–3000, 1000–2000 and 2000–3000 s mm^− 2. Field strength and b-value effects on diffusion parameters were analysed in white and grey matter regions of interest. Decreases in FA, κ and MD were found with increasing b-value in white matter. Univariate analysis showed a significant increase in FA with increasing field strength in highly organised white matter. These results suggest there are significant differences in diffusion parameters at 1.5 and 3 T and that the optimal results, in terms of the highest values of FA in white matter, are obtained at 3 T with a maximum b = 1000 s mm^− 2.     

Mean Field Analysis of Large-Scale Interacting Populations of Stochastic Conductance-Based Spiking Neurons Using the Klimontovich Method

We investigate the dynamics of large-scale interacting neural populations, composed of conductance based, spiking model neurons with modifiable synaptic connection strengths, which are possibly also subjected to external noisy currents. The network dynamics is controlled by a set of neural population probability distributions (PPD) which are constructed along the same lines as in the Klimontovich approach to the kinetic theory of plasmas. An exact non-closed, nonlinear, system of integro-partial differential equations is derived for the PPDs. As is customary, a closing procedure leads to a mean field limit. The equations we have obtained are of the same type as those which have been recently derived using rigorous techniques of probability theory. The numerical solutions of these so called McKean–Vlasov–Fokker–Planck equations, which are only valid in the limit of infinite size networks, actually shows that the statistical measures as obtained from PPDs are in good agreement with those obtained through direct integration of the stochastic dynamical system for large but finite size networks. Although numerical solutions have been obtained for networks of Fitzhugh–Nagumo model neurons, which are often used to approximate Hodgkin–Huxley model neurons, the theory can be readily applied to networks of general conductance-based model neurons of arbitrary dimension.     

Photoconductivity derived from an exact modelling of the uncompensated one-donor model. III—problem of fitting the exact model with approximate models

Abstract

The paper is essentially devoted to a quantitative comparison of the exact (1D) model developed in Part I, with two approximate models indicated by Kittel (1D_a1) and by Van der Ziel (1D_a2). And this is made for identical values of their common parameters. This allows to show that models 1D and 1D_a1 generally present no suitable intervals for fitting. The model of Van der Ziel is more suited, for, a good fitting with the 1D model can be obtained, for relatively reduced G values, and for temperatures bounded upward by the characteristic temperature T ₀ defined previously. The role played by the sub-models, obtained after simplifying the 1D_ai model equations, is studied also.     

Focused ion beam preparation of samples for X‐ray nanotomography

The preparation of hard material samples with the necessary size and shape is critical to successful material analysis. X‐ray nanotomography requires that samples are sufficiently thin for X‐rays to pass through the sample during rotation for tomography. One method for producing samples that fit the criteria for X‐ray nanotomography is focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) which uses a focused beam of ions to selectively mill around a region of interest and then utilizes a micromanipulator to remove the milled‐out sample from the bulk material and mount it on a sample holder. In this article the process for preparing X‐ray nanotomography samples in multiple shapes and sizes is discussed. Additionally, solid‐oxide fuel cell anode samples prepared through the FIB/SEM technique underwent volume‐independence studies for multiple properties such as volume fraction, average particle size, tortuosity and contiguity to observe the characteristics of FIB/SEM samples in X‐ray nanotomography.     

The Lamb shift in finite electrodynamics

Using the finite-electrodynamics model, in which the electromagnetic field is considered as classical but the nature, classical or quantum, of the source of the field is unspecified, we establish, in a very simple way, a general formula associated with the self-energy of a time-periodic system of charges. By applying this formula to the currents associated with an electron bound in a hydrogen-like atom, one obtains immediately the Lamb shift standard formulas.     

Hydro­gen bonding and C—H⃛O interactions in 4‐phenanthrenemethanol at 150 K

The title compound, C₁₅H₁₂O, crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group I4₁/a with one mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit. In the single hydrogen bond, the H atom is ordered, the O_D?O_A distance is 2.788 (1) Å and the O—H?O angle is 176 (1)°. Each hydroxyl group forms hydrogen bonds with two other hydroxyl groups and the resulting chains of interactions, in four non‐linked subsets of mol­ecules, propagate along [001]. The single leading intermolecular C—H?O interaction has an H?O distance of 2.81 Å and a C—H?O angle of 140°; the single leading intramolecular C—H?O interaction has an H?O distance of 2.24 Å and a C—H?O angle of 152°. The phenanthrene core is less nearly planar in this structure than in the room temperature structure of phenanthrene‐4‐carboxylic acid.     

Phenyl‐ and mesitylglyoxylic acids: catemeric hydrogen bonding in two α‐keto acids

α‐Oxo­benzene­acetic (phenyl­glyoxy­lic) acid, C₈H₆O₃, adopts a transoid di­carbonyl conformation in the solid state, with the carboxyl group rotated 44.4 (1)° from the nearly planar benzoyl moiety. The heterochiral acid‐to‐ketone catemers [O?O = 2.686 (3) and H?O = 1.78 (4) Å] have a second, longer, intermolecular O—H?O contact to a carboxyl sp³ O atom [O?O = 3.274 (2) and H?O = 2.72 (4) Å], with each flat ribbon‐like chain lying in the bc plane and extending in the c direction. In α‐oxo‐2,4,6‐tri­methyl­benzene­acetic (mesityl­glyoxy­lic) acid, C₁₁H₁₂O₃, the ketone is rotated 49.1 (7)° from planarity with the aryl ring and the carboxyl group is rotated a further 31.2 (7)° from the ketone plane. The solid consists of chiral conformers of a single handedness, aggregating in hydrogen‐bonding chains whose units are related by a 3₁ screw axis, producing hydrogen‐bonding helices that extend in the c direction. The hydrogen bonding is of the acid‐to‐acid type [O?O = 2.709 (6) and H?O = 1.87 (5) Å] and does not formally involve the ketone; however, the ketone O atom in the acceptor mol­ecule has a close polar contact with the same donor carboxyl group [O?O = 3.005 (6) and H?O = 2.50 (5) Å]. This secondary hydrogen bond is probably a major factor in stabilizing the observed cisoid di­carbonyl conformation. Several intermolecular C—H?O close contacts were found for the latter compound.