The effect of functionally-guided-connectivity-based rTMS on amygdala activation

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has fundamentally transformed how we treat psychiatric disorders, but is still in need of innovation to optimally correct dysregulation that occurs throughout the fronto-limbic network. rTMS is often applied over the prefrontal cortex, a central node in this network, but less attention is given to subcortical areas because they lie at depths beyond the electric field penetration of rTMS. Recent studies have demonstrated that the effectiveness of rTMS is dependent on the functional connectivity between deep subcortical areas and superficial targets, indicating that leveraging such connectivity may improve dosing approaches for rTMS interventions. The current preliminary study, therefore, sought to test whether task-related, fMRI-connectivity-based rTMS could be used to modulate amygdala activation through its connectivity with the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). For this purpose, fMRI was collected on participants to identify a node in the mPFC that showed the strongest negative connectivity with right amygdala, as defined by psychophysiological interaction analysis. To promote long-lasting Hebbian-like effects, and potentially stronger modulation, 5Hz rTMS was then applied to this target as participants viewed frightening video-clips that engaged the fronto-limbic network. Post-rTMS fMRI results revealed promising increases in both the left mPFC and right amygdala, for active rTMS compared to sham. While these modulatory findings are promising, they differ from the a priori expectation that excitatory 5Hz rTMS over a negatively connected node would reduce amygdala activity. As such, further research is needed to better understand how connectivity influences TMS effects on distal structures, and to leverage this information to improve therapeutic applications.

A parallel electric field penetration technique for identifying hazardous water sources beneath coal seam mining face floors

In this work, a highly applicable multi-channel parallel electric field penetration technique is proposed to facilitate identification of hazardous water sources beneath coal seam mining face floors. The effects of various parameters on the characteristics of the apparent resistivity curves of a spherical model were analyzed through numerical simulation. It was determined that the proposed technique was sensitive to several model parameters (resistivity, size and spatial location). In addition, physical model experiments were also performed. Resistivity was determined from a three-dimensional inversion of the measurements. The results showed that the proposed technique was highly effective in determining the electrical characteristics and spatial distribution range of the anomalous bodies in the physical model. An engineering application of the proposed technique further demonstrated its effectiveness and reliability. The proposed technique can provide a basis for formulating water disaster prevention and control measures for mining faces.

Geomagnetic conjugate observations of ionospheric disturbances in response to a North Korean underground nuclear explosion on 3 September 2017

We report observations of ionospheric disturbances in response to a North Korean underground nuclear explosion (UNE) on 3 September 2017. By using data from IGS (International GNSS Service) stations and Swarm satellites, geomagnetic conjugate ionospheric disturbances were observed. The observational evidence showed that UNE-generated ionospheric disturbances propagated radially from the UNE epicenter with a velocity of ∼280 m s−1. We propose that the ionospheric disturbances are results of electrodynamic process caused by LAIC (lithosphere–atmosphere–ionosphere coupling) electric field penetration. The LAIC electric field can also be mapped to the conjugate hemispheres along the magnetic field line and consequently cause ionospheric disturbances in conjugate regions. The UNE-generated LAIC electric field penetration plays an important role in the ionospheric disturbances in the region of the nuclear test site nearby and the corresponding geomagnetic conjugate points.

Geomagnetic Conjugate Observations of Ionospheric Disturbances in response to North Korea Underground Nuclear Explosion on 3 September 2017

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> We report observations of ionospheric disturbances in response to North Korea underground nuclear explosion (UNE) on 3 September 2017. By using data from IGS (International GNSS Service) stations and Swarm satellite, geomagnetic conjugate ionospheric disturbances were observed. The observational evidences showed that UNE-generated ionospheric disturbances propagated radially from the UNE epicenter with the velocity of ~<span class="thinspace"></span>280<span class="thinspace"></span>m/s. We propose that the ionospheric disturbances are results of electrodynamic process caused by LAIC (Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling) electric field penetration. LAIC electric field can also be mapped to the conjugate hemispheres along the magnetic field line and consequently cause ionospheric disturbances in conjugate regions. The UNE-generated LAIC electric field penetration plays an important role in the ionospheric disturbances in the region of the nuclear test site nearby and the corresponding geomagnetic conjugate points.</p>