Coupling of sympathetic nerve traffic and BP at very low frequencies is mediated by large-amplitude events

2003 ◽  
Vol 284 (3) ◽  
pp. R802-R810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don E. Burgess ◽  
David C. Randall ◽  
Richard O. Speakman ◽  
David R. Brown

This study explores the functional association between renal sympathetic nerve traffic (NT) and arterial blood pressure (BP) in the very-low-frequency range (i.e., <0.1 Hz). NT and BP ( n = 6) or BP alone ( n = 17) was recorded in unanesthetized rats ( n = 6). Data were collected for 2–5 h, and wavelet transforms were calculated from data epochs of up to 1 h. From these transforms, we obtained probability distributions for fluctuation amplitudes over a range of time scales. We also computed the cross-wavelet power spectrum between NT and BP to detect the occurrence in time of large-amplitude transient events that may be important in the autonomic regulation of BP. Finally, we computed a time sequence of cross correlations between NT and BP to follow the relationship between NT and BP in time. We found that NT and BP follow comparable self-similar scaling relationships (i.e., NT and BP fluctuations exhibit a certain type of power law behavior). Scaling of this nature 1) points to underlying dynamics over a wide range of scales and 2) is related to large-amplitude events that contribute to the very-low-frequency variability of NT and BP. There is a strong correlation between NT and BP during many of these transient events. These strong correlations and the uniformity in scaling imply a functional connection between these two signals at frequencies where we previously found no connection using spectral coherence.

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (5) ◽  
pp. H2272-H2279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslaw Latka ◽  
Malgorzata Turalska ◽  
Marta Glaubic-Latka ◽  
Waldemar Kolodziej ◽  
Dariusz Latka ◽  
...  

Complex continuous wavelet transforms are used to study the dynamics of instantaneous phase difference Δφ between the fluctuations of arterial blood pressure (ABP) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in a middle cerebral artery. For healthy individuals, this phase difference changes slowly over time and has an almost uniform distribution for the very low-frequency (0.02–0.07 Hz) part of the spectrum. We quantify phase dynamics with the help of the synchronization index γ = 〈sinΔφ〉2 + 〈cosΔφ〉2that may vary between 0 (uniform distribution of phase differences, so the time series are statistically independent of one another) and 1 (phase locking of ABP and CBFV, so the former drives the latter). For healthy individuals, the group-averaged index γ has two distinct peaks, one at 0.11 Hz [γ = 0.59 ± 0.09] and another at 0.33 Hz (γ = 0.55 ± 0.17). In the very low-frequency range (0.02–0.07 Hz), phase difference variability is an inherent property of an intact autoregulation system. Consequently, the average value of the synchronization parameter in this part of the spectrum is equal to 0.13 ± 0.03. The phase difference variability sheds new light on the nature of cerebral hemodynamics, which so far has been predominantly characterized with the help of the high-pass filter model. In this intrinsically stationary approach, based on the transfer function formalism, the efficient autoregulation is associated with the positive phase shift between oscillations of CBFV and ABP. However, the method is applicable only in the part of the spectrum (0.1–0.3 Hz) where the coherence of these signals is high. We point out that synchrony analysis through the use of wavelet transforms is more general and allows us to study nonstationary aspects of cerebral hemodynamics in the very low-frequency range where the physiological significance of autoregulation is most strongly pronounced.


2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzannah K. Helps ◽  
Samantha J. Broyd ◽  
Christopher J. James ◽  
Anke Karl ◽  
Edmund J. S. Sonuga-Barke

Background: The default mode interference hypothesis ( Sonuga-Barke & Castellanos, 2007 ) predicts (1) the attenuation of very low frequency oscillations (VLFO; e.g., .05 Hz) in brain activity within the default mode network during the transition from rest to task, and (2) that failures to attenuate in this way will lead to an increased likelihood of periodic attention lapses that are synchronized to the VLFO pattern. Here, we tested these predictions using DC-EEG recordings within and outside of a previously identified network of electrode locations hypothesized to reflect DMN activity (i.e., S3 network; Helps et al., 2008 ). Method: 24 young adults (mean age 22.3 years; 8 male), sampled to include a wide range of ADHD symptoms, took part in a study of rest to task transitions. Two conditions were compared: 5 min of rest (eyes open) and a 10-min simple 2-choice RT task with a relatively high sampling rate (ISI 1 s). DC-EEG was recorded during both conditions, and the low-frequency spectrum was decomposed and measures of the power within specific bands extracted. Results: Shift from rest to task led to an attenuation of VLFO activity within the S3 network which was inversely associated with ADHD symptoms. RT during task also showed a VLFO signature. During task there was a small but significant degree of synchronization between EEG and RT in the VLFO band. Attenuators showed a lower degree of synchrony than nonattenuators. Discussion: The results provide some initial EEG-based support for the default mode interference hypothesis and suggest that failure to attenuate VLFO in the S3 network is associated with higher synchrony between low-frequency brain activity and RT fluctuations during a simple RT task. Although significant, the effects were small and future research should employ tasks with a higher sampling rate to increase the possibility of extracting robust and stable signals.


2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (3) ◽  
pp. R653-R662 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Edwards ◽  
J. Kevin Shoemaker ◽  
Richard L. Hughson

Transfer function analysis of the arterial blood pressure (BP)-mean flow velocity (MFV) relationship describes an aspect of cerebrovascular autoregulation. We hypothesized that the transfer function relating BP to cerebrovascular resistance (CVRi) would be sensitive to low-frequency changes in autoregulation induced by head-up tilt (HUT) and altered arterial Pco 2. Nine subjects were studied in supine and HUT positions with end-tidal Pco 2(Pet CO2 ) kept constant at normal levels: +5 and −5 mmHg. The BP-MFV relationship had low coherence at low frequencies, and there were significant effects of HUT on gain only at high frequencies and of Pco 2 on phase only at low frequencies. BP → CVRi had coherence >0.5 from very low to low frequencies. There was a significant reduction of gain with increased Pco 2 in the very low and low frequencies and with HUT at the low frequency. Phase was affected by Pco 2 in the very low frequencies. Transfer function analysis of BP → CVRi provides direct evidence of altered cerebrovascular autoregulation under HUT and higher levels of Pco 2.


Author(s):  
Maduranga Amaratunga ◽  
Roar Nybø ◽  
Rune W. Time

Drilling fluids experience a wide range of shear rates and oscillatory motion while circulating through the well and also during the operations for solids control. Therefore, it is important to investigate the influence of oscillatory fields on the velocity profiles, shear rate and resulting rheological condition of non-Newtonian polymers, which are additives in drilling fluids. In this paper, we present the dynamic velocity profiles within both Newtonian (deionized water) and non-Newtonian liquids (Polyanionic Cellulose – PAC) exposed to oscillatory motion. A 15 cm × 15 cm square cross-sectional liquid column was oscillated horizontally with very low frequencies (0.75–1.75 Hz) using a laboratory made oscillating table. The dynamic velocity profiles at the bulk of the oscillating liquid column were visualized by the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method, where the motion of fluid is optically visualized using light scattering “seeding” particles. Increased frequency of oscillations lead to different dynamic patterns and ranges of velocity-shear magnitudes. The experiments are part of a comprehensive study aimed at investigating the influence of low frequency oscillations on particle settling in non-Newtonian drilling fluids. It is discussed, how such motion imposed on polymeric liquids influences both flow dynamics as well as local settling velocities of cuttings particles.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlien E.F. Niesten ◽  
Christof Stieger ◽  
Daniel J. Lee ◽  
Julie P. Merchant ◽  
Wilko Grolman ◽  
...  

Superior canal dehiscence (SCD) is a defect in the bony covering of the superior semicircular canal. Patients with SCD present with a wide range of symptoms, including hearing loss, yet it is unknown whether hearing is affected by parameters such as the location of the SCD. Our previous human cadaveric temporal bone study, utilizing intracochlear pressure measurements, generally showed that an increase in dehiscence size caused a low-frequency monotonic decrease in the cochlear drive across the partition, consistent with increased hearing loss. This previous study was limited to SCD sizes including and smaller than 2 mm long and 0.7 mm wide. However, the effects of larger SCDs (>2 mm long) were not studied, although larger SCDs are seen in many patients. Therefore, to answer the effect of parameters that have not been studied, this present study assessed the effect of SCD location and the effect of large-sized SCDs (>2 mm long) on intracochlear pressures. We used simultaneous measurements of sound pressures in the scala vestibuli and scala tympani at the base of the cochlea to determine the sound pressure difference across the cochlear partition - a measure of the cochlear drive in a temporal bone preparation - allowing for assessment of hearing loss. We measured the cochlear drive before and after SCDs were made at different locations (e.g. closer to the ampulla of the superior semicircular canal or closer to the common crus) and for different dehiscence sizes (including larger than 2 mm long and 0.7 mm wide). Our measurements suggest the following: (1) different SCD locations result in similar cochlear drive and (2) larger SCDs produce larger decreases in cochlear drive at low frequencies. However, the effect of SCD size seems to saturate as the size increases above 2-3 mm long and 0.7 mm wide. Although the monotonic effect was generally consistent across ears, the quantitative amount of change in cochlear drive due to dehiscence size varied across ears. Additionally, the size of the dehiscence above which the effect on hearing saturated varied across ears. These findings show that the location of the SCD does not generally influence the amount of hearing loss and that SCD size can help explain some of the variability of hearing loss in patients. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (S337) ◽  
pp. 311-312
Author(s):  
N. D. Ramesh Bhat ◽  
Steven E. Tremblay ◽  
Franz Kirsten

AbstractLow-frequency pulsar observations are well suited for studying propagation effects caused by the interstellar medium (ISM). This is particularly important for millisecond pulsars (MSPs) that are part of high-precision timing applications such as pulsar timing arrays (PTA), which aim to detect nanoHertz gravitational waves. MSPs in the southern hemisphere will also be the prime targets for PTAs with the South African MeerKAT, and eventually with the SKA. The development of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) and the Engineering Development Array (EDA) brings excellent opportunities for low-frequency studies of MSPs in the southern hemisphere. They enable observations at frequencies from 50 MHz to 300 MHz, and can be exploited for a wide range of studies relating to pulsar emission physics and probing the ISM.


1995 ◽  
Vol 166 ◽  
pp. 347-350
Author(s):  
S. Volonte

The Moon is generally considered to be an ideal site for astronomy, offering excellent observing conditions and access to the entire electromagnetic and particle spectrum. A wide range of astronomical observations can be carried out from the Moon, but, as concluded in a recent ESA study (Mission to the Moon 1992), only a restricted number could be better implemented from a lunar site rather than from any other location. Very low frequency (VLF) astronomy, astrometry and interferometry fall into this category, as well as a transit telescope to map dark matter in the Universe. Whilst VLF and astrometric telescopes should be automatic, long baseline interferometers will probably require human intervention and will thus benefit from a manned lunar base.


2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (6) ◽  
pp. H2674-H2688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie J. Badra ◽  
William H. Cooke ◽  
Jeffrey B. Hoag ◽  
Alexandra A. Crossman ◽  
Tom A. Kuusela ◽  
...  

We studied the influence of three types of breathing [spontaneous, frequency controlled (0.25 Hz), and hyperventilation with 100% oxygen] and apnea on R-R interval, photoplethysmographic arterial pressure, and muscle sympathetic rhythms in nine healthy young adults. We integrated fast Fourier transform power spectra over low (0.05–0.15 Hz) and respiratory (0.15–0.3 Hz) frequencies; estimated vagal baroreceptor-cardiac reflex gain at low frequencies with cross-spectral techniques; and used partial coherence analysis to remove the influence of breathing from the R-R interval, systolic pressure, and muscle sympathetic nerve spectra. Coherence among signals varied as functions of both frequency and time. Partialization abolished the coherence among these signals at respiratory but not at low frequencies. The mode of breathing did not influence low-frequency oscillations, and they persisted during apnea. Our study documents the independence of low-frequency rhythms from respiratory activity and suggests that the close correlations that may exist among arterial pressures, R-R intervals, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity at respiratory frequencies result from the influence of respiration on these measures rather than from arterial baroreflex physiology. Most importantly, our results indicate that correlations among autonomic and hemodynamic rhythms vary over time and frequency, and, thus, are facultative rather than fixed.


2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (6) ◽  
pp. H2816-H2824 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Brown ◽  
Lisa A. Cassis ◽  
Dennis L. Silcox ◽  
Laura V. Brown ◽  
David C. Randall

The slope of the log of power versus the log of frequency in the arterial blood pressure (BP) power spectrum is classically considered constant over the low-frequency range (i.e., “fractal” behavior), and is quantified by β in the relationship “1/ fβ.” In practice, the fractal range cannot extend to indefinitely low frequencies, but factor(s) that terminate this behavior, and determine β, are unclear. We present 1) data in rats ( n = 8) that reveal an extremely low frequency spectral region (0.083–1 cycle/h), where β approaches 0 (i.e., the “shoulder”); and 2) a model that 1) predicts realistic values of β within that range of the spectrum that conforms to fractal dynamics (∼1–60 cycles/h), 2) offers an explanation for the shoulder, and 3) predicts that the “successive difference” in mean BP (mBP) is an important parameter of circulatory function. We recorded BP for up to 16 days. The absolute difference between successive mBP samples at 0.1 Hz (the successive difference, or Δ) was 1.87 ± 0.21 mmHg (means ± SD). We calculated β for three frequency ranges: 1) 0.083–1; 2) 1–6; and 3) 6–60 cycles/h. The β for all three regions differed ( P < 0.01). For the two higher frequency ranges, β indicated a fractal relationship (β6–60/h = 1.27 ± 0.01; β1–6/h = 1.80 ± 0.16). Conversely, the slope of the lowest frequency region (i.e., the shoulder) was nearly flat (β0.083–1 /h = 0.32 ± 0.28). We simulated the BP time series as a random walk about 100 mmHg with ranges above and below of 10, 30, and 50 mmHg and with Δ from 0.5 to 2.5. The spectrum for the conditions mimicking actual BP time series (i.e., range, 85–115 mmHg; Δ, 2.00) resembled the observed spectra, with β in the lowest frequency range = 0.207 and fractal-like behavior in the two higher frequency ranges (β = 1.707 and 2.057). We suggest that the combined actions of mechanisms limiting the excursion of arterial BP produce the shoulder in the spectrum and that Δ contributes to determining β.


2009 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cat Hope

Low-frequency sound on the cusp of the audible offers the possibility of redefining the way we think about listening to music. As the perception of pitch is lost in very low-frequency sound emissions, an opportunity arises for a different kind of music and a different way of listening. Low frequencies can be engaged to activate responses other than the aural or be used as a kind of “silent activator,” enabling or affecting other sounds. This article explores the possibilities for what may be called an “infrasonic music.”


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