Novel Computerized Method for Automated Determination of Ventilatory Threshold and Respiratory Compensation Point

Introduction: The ventilatory threshold (named as VT1) and the respiratory compensation point (named as VT2) describe prominent changes of metabolic demand and exercise intensity domains during an incremental exercise test.Methods: A novel computerized method based on the optimization method was developed for automatically determining VT1 and VT2 from expired air during a progressive maximal exercise test. A total of 109 peak cycle tests were performed by members of the US astronaut corps (74 males and 35 females). We compared the automatically determined VT1 and VT2 values against the visual subjective and independent analyses of three trained evaluators. We also characterized VT1 and VT2 and the respective absolute and relative work rates and distinguished differences between sexes.Results: The automated compared to the visual subjective values were analyzed for differences with t test, for agreement with Bland–Altman plots, and for equivalence with a two one-sided test approach. The results showed that the automated and visual subjective methods were statistically equivalent, and the proposed approach reliably determined VT1 and VT2 values. Females had lower absolute O2 uptake, work rate, and ventilation, and relative O2 uptake at VT1 and VT2 compared to men (p ≤ 0.04). VT1 and VT2 occurred at a greater relative percentage of their peak VO2 for females (67 and 88%) compared to males (55 and 74%; main effect for sex: p < 0.001). Overall, VT1 occurred at 58% of peak VO2, and VT2 occurred at 79% of peak VO2 (p < 0.0001).Conclusion: Improvements in determining of VT1 and VT2 by automated analysis are time efficient, valid, and comparable to subjective visual analysis and may provide valuable information in research and clinical practice as well as identifying exercise intensity domains of crewmembers in space.

An Inductive Active Filtering Method for Low-Voltage Distribution Networks

Three-phase unbalanced and nonlinear loads aggravate harmonic problems in low-voltage distribution networks. In this paper, a hybrid inductive and active filter (HIAF) system with a Ddy converter transformer is proposed. By establishing the circuit and corresponding mathematical models, the working mechanism of the HIAF system in harmonic suppression is analyzed. In the designed HIAF system, we install the detection point on the grid-side winding and the compensation point on the filtering winding. Since both windings have the same connection, no phase compensation between the harmonic detection point and compensation point is demanded. Eventually, we apply a harmonic damping control and zero-value impedance control strategy to realize harmonic suppression under both balanced and unbalanced loads. The simulation results show that the HIAF system can effectively suppress harmonics under various load conditions.

The limiting factors and regulatory processes that control the environmental responses of C3, C3–C4 intermediate, and C4 photosynthesis

Here, we describe a model of C3, C3–C4 intermediate, and C4 photosynthesis that is designed to facilitate quantitative analysis of physiological measurements. The model relates the factors limiting electron transport and carbon metabolism, the regulatory processes that coordinate these metabolic domains, and the responses to light, carbon dioxide, and temperature. It has three unique features. First, mechanistic expressions describe how the cytochrome b6f complex controls electron transport in mesophyll and bundle sheath chloroplasts. Second, the coupling between the mesophyll and bundle sheath expressions represents how feedback regulation of Cyt b6f coordinates electron transport and carbon metabolism. Third, the temperature sensitivity of Cyt b6f is differentiated from that of the coupling between NADPH, Fd, and ATP production. Using this model, we present simulations demonstrating that the light dependence of the carbon dioxide compensation point in C3–C4 leaves can be explained by co-occurrence of light saturation in the mesophyll and light limitation in the bundle sheath. We also present inversions demonstrating that population-level variation in the carbon dioxide compensation point in a Type I C3–C4 plant, Flaveriachloraefolia, can be explained by variable allocation of photosynthetic capacity to the bundle sheath. These results suggest that Type I C3–C4 intermediate plants adjust pigment and protein distributions to optimize the glycine shuttle under different light and temperature regimes, and that the malate and aspartate shuttles may have originally functioned to smooth out the energy supply and demand associated with the glycine shuttle. This model has a wide range of potential applications to physiological, ecological, and evolutionary questions.

Magnetic Anisotropy and Damping Constant of Ferrimagnetic GdCo Alloy near Compensation Point

Metallic ferrimagnets with rare earth-transition metal alloys can provide novel properties that cannot be obtained using conventional ferromagnets. Recently, the compensation point of ferrimagnets, where the net magnetization or net angular momentum vanishes, has been considered a key aspect for memory device applications. For such applications, the magnetic anisotropy energy and damping constant are crucial. In this study, we investigate the magnetic anisotropy and damping constant of a GdCo alloy, with a Gd concentration of 12–27%. By analyzing the equilibrium tilting of magnetization as a function of the applied magnetic field, we estimate the uniaxial anisotropy to be 1–3 × 104 J m−3. By analyzing the transient dynamics of magnetization as a function of time, we estimate the damping constant to be 0.08–0.22.

Subsystem domination influence on magnetization reversal in designed magnetic patterns in ferrimagnetic Tb/Co multilayers

Recent results showed that the ferrimagnetic compensation point and other characteristic features of Tb/Co ferrimagnetic multilayers can be tailored by He+ ion bombardment. With appropriate choices of the He+ ion dose, we prepared two types of lattices composed of squares with either Tb or Co domination. The magnetization reversal of the first lattice is similar to that seen in ferromagnetic heterostructures consisting of areas with different switching fields. However, in the second lattice, the creation of domains without accompanying domain walls is possible. These domain patterns are particularly stable because they simultaneously lower the demagnetizing energy and the energy associated with the presence of domain walls (exchange and anisotropy). For both lattices, studies of magnetization reversal show that this process takes place by the propagation of the domain walls. If they are not present at the onset, the reversal starts from the nucleation of reversed domains and it is followed by domain wall propagation. The magnetization reversal process does not depend significantly on the relative sign of the effective magnetization in areas separated by domain walls.

Respiratory compensation point

This chapter describes how acidaemia stimulates ventilation in the later stages of a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). This happens after the anaerobic threshold, once the capacity of the blood to buffer lactic acid has been used up. The respiratory compensation point (RCP) can be identified from an increase in the slope when minute ventilation (VE) is plotted against carbon dioxide output (VCO2), or from a rise in the ventilatory equivalents for carbon dioxide (VeqCO2). The presence of a clear RCP indicates that the subject has made a fairly maximal effort during the CPET. An RCP also argues against significant lung disease, since it implies the ability to increase ventilation in response to acidaemia.