Capacity of wavelength and time division multiplexing for quasi-distributed measurement using fiber bragg gratings

In this paper, an analysis of the use of wavelength and time division multiplexing techniques for quasi-distributed measurement in uniform fiber Bragg gratings is presented. To date, publications have concentrated on the determination of the maximum number of fiber Bragg gratings on one optical fiber using wavelength and time division multiplexing. In this paper, these techniques will be extended to determine the spectral width of wavelength division multiplexing in terms of the spectral width of the light emitting diode, the spectral width of the Bragg gratings, the measurement ranges of the individual sensors, and the guard band between two adjacent Bragg gratings. For time division multiplexing, a description of the time and power conditions are given. In particular the reflected power, first order crosstalk and chromatic dispersion have been considered. Finally, these relationships were applied to verify a design in a simulation using OptiSystem software

A subcortical oscillatory network contributes to recovery of hand dexterity after spinal cord injury

Recent studies have shown that after partial spinal-cord lesion at the mid-cervical segment, the remaining pathways compensate for restoring finger dexterity; however, how they control hand/arm muscles has remained unclear. To elucidate the changes in dynamic properties of neural circuits connecting the motor cortex and hand/arm muscles, we investigated the cortico- and inter-muscular couplings of activities throughout the recovery period after the spinal-cord lesion. Activities of antagonist muscle pairs showed co-activation and oscillated coherently at frequencies of 30–46 Hz (γ-band) by 1-month post-lesion. Such γ-band inter-muscular coupling was not observed pre-lesion, but emerged and was strengthened and distributed over a wide range of hand/arm muscles along with the recovery. Neither the β-band (14–30 Hz) cortico-muscular coupling observed pre-lesion nor a γ-band oscillation was observed in the motor cortex post-lesion. We propose that a subcortical oscillator commonly recruits hand/arm muscles, via remaining pathways such as reticulospinal and/or propriospinal tracts, independent of cortical oscillation, and contributes to functional recovery

Corticobulbar projections from distinct motor cortical areas to the reticular formation in macaque monkeys

Corticospinal and corticobulbar descending pathways act in parallel with brainstem systems, such as the reticulospinal tract, to ensure the control of voluntary movements via direct or indirect influences onto spinal motoneurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the corticobulbar projections from distinct motor cortical areas onto different nuclei of the reticular formation. Seven adult macaque monkeys were analysed for the location of corticobulbar axonal boutons, and one monkey for reticulospinal neurons' location. The anterograde tracer BDA was injected in the premotor cortex (PM), in the primary motor cortex (M1) or in the supplementary motor area (SMA), in 3, 3 and 1 monkeys respectively. BDA anterograde labelling of corticobulbar axons were analysed on brainstem histological sections and overlapped with adjacent Nissl-stained sections for cytoarchitecture. One adult monkey was analysed for retrograde CB tracer injected in C5-C8 hemispinal cord to visualise reticulospinal neurons. The corticobulbar axons formed bilateral terminal fields with boutons terminaux and en passant, which were quantified in various nuclei belonging to the Ponto-Medullary Reticular Formation (PMRF). The corticobulbar projections from both PM and SMA tended to end mainly ipsilaterally in PMRF, but contralaterally when originating from M1. Furthermore, the corticobulbar projection was less dense when originating from M1 than from non-primary motor areas (PM, SMA). The main nuclei of bouton terminals corresponded to the regions where reticulospinal neurons were located with CB retrograde tracing. In conclusion, the corticobulbar projection differs according to the motor cortical area of origin in density and laterality

Cavitation and Head Loss Characteristics in Non-symmetric Bifurcations

Nonsymmetric bifurcations, commonly used in piping systems to divert flow from one pipe to another, see considerable use in hydroelectric power applications and low-level outlet works at dams. Under normal operation, cavitation at the bifurcation likely is not an issue; however, during emergency releases for dam safety or other extreme flows, the bifurcation must be able to safely pass the required flows without incurring damage attributable to cavitation. Although nonsymmetric bifurcations are widely used, the authors are unaware of any published data on related cavitation characteristics. The current study used computational fluid dynamics in conjunction with a physical model to predict conditions that would cause the onset of cavitation and to calculate head loss coefficients. Operating conditions are recommended that will allow bifurcations to operate within safe limits of cavitation. This study, although not exhaustive, provides previously unavailable data and can help designers and operators better understand the hydraulic performance of bifurcations