EPIC Spinal Procedure with Sound Wave Technology Induces Biomechanical Alignment Putatively Influencing Pain Response.

Spinal biomechanical alignment is now able to be altered through the use of unique sound wave technology. This methodological commentary will correlate recent studies demonstrating the ability of sound waves to carry mass, how the EPIC technique spinal procedure uses a sound wave impulse to create measurable changes in spinal alignment, and the clinical safety and efficacy of this approach. The EPIC technique is a direct genealogical descendant of the technique originally developed by the founding family of chiropractic. With sound wave therapies currently being used to break up kidney stones, called lithotripsy, in physical therapy for the treatment of soft tissue injuries, in the treatment of prostate cancer, and in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, it is possible that the use of sound wave therapies may enter into the realm of altering joint biomechanics. Through a neurovascular examination, the EPIC technique spinal procedure can ascertain the presence of craniocervical subluxation, followed by acquiring multi-dimensional radiographic images for structural analysis. Currently using digital radiographic analysis, the EPIC technique acquires an epigenetic profile of structural asymmetries as well as a multi-directional biomechanical malposition profile of the spine, combining both profiles to ascertain the exact degrees for realignment. EPIC clinics have successfully utilized EPIC on over 20,000 cases. Comparison of pre-treatment biomechanical lateral displacement of the C1 vertebra around the Z-axis measured on digital radiographs, and post-treatment biomechanical lateral displacement of the C1 vertebra measured on digital radiographs immediately following the procedure, demonstrated an average 52% reduction in lateral biomechanical displacement around the Z-axis in a select group of over 2,000 cases. While more research is required, we are encouraged by these preliminary results. WC 265.

Management of severe low back pain with a focused vibro-percussion wave treatment: A case report.

A 49-year-old male with severe low back pain (LBP) showed multilevel disc bulges with spinal stenosis. After 18 novel low-frequency sound wave treatments, initial VAS pain score of 9.5 reduced to 2.5 and the Rolland-Morris score of 13 reduced to 3. MRI showed some resolution of L3-L4 and L4-L5.

Enhancement of the Cd phytoremediation efficiency of Festuca arundinacea by sonic seed treatment.

It has been reported that both naturally occurring and artificially created sounds can alter the physiological parameters of various plants. A series of experiments were designed in the present study to estimate the physiological responses and the variation in the Cd decontamination capacity of Festuca arundinacea under sonic wave treatments. Plant seeds were treated by sound waves of frequency 200, 300, 400, 500, and 1000 Hz, and the germinated seedlings were transplanted to Cd-polluted soil. The results showed that all the sonic treatments increased the whole plant dry weight of F. arundinacea compared with that of the control, and the highest value was observed in the 200 Hz treatment. The Cd content in below-ground and aerial tissues of the species increased with increasing frequency till 400 Hz, after which they became constant. A higher proportion of senescent and dead leaf tissues was observed in the high-frequency treatment (1000 Hz), and more Cd was transferred to these failing tissues. Therefore, in the 1000 Hz treatment, a significantly greater amount of Cd could be eliminated by harvesting the senescent and dead leaf tissues of the species compared with that of the other treatments. The concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and the proportions of hydrophilic fractions which have a strong Cd affinity, in the rhizosphere soil of F. arundinacea increased with the increase in sound frequency. Cd extraction ability of DOM also increased with increasing frequency. This study indicated that a suitable sonic treatment can improve the phytoextraction efficiency of F. arundinacea, and also explained the mechanism from the perspective of the variations in soil DOM.

Sound Waves Promote Arabidopsis thaliana Root Growth by Regulating Root Phytohormone Content.

Sound waves affect plants at the biochemical, physical, and genetic levels. However, the mechanisms by which plants respond to sound waves are largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of sound waves on Arabidopsis thaliana growth. The results of the study showed that Arabidopsis seeds exposed to sound waves (100 and 100 + 9k Hz) for 15 h per day for 3 day had significantly longer root growth than that in the control group. The root length and cell number in the root apical meristem were significantly affected by sound waves. Furthermore, genes involved in cell division were upregulated in seedlings exposed to sound waves. Root development was affected by the concentration and activity of some phytohormones, including cytokinin and auxin. Analysis of the expression levels of genes regulating cytokinin and auxin biosynthesis and signaling showed that cytokinin and ethylene signaling genes were downregulated, while auxin signaling and biosynthesis genes were upregulated in Arabidopsis exposed to sound waves. Additionally, the cytokinin and auxin concentrations of the roots of Arabidopsis plants increased and decreased, respectively, after exposure to sound waves. Our findings suggest that sound waves are potential agricultural tools for improving crop growth performance.

Quantification of crocin, picrocrocin and safranal in saffron stigmas obtained from sounded corms with acoustic waves.

INTRODUCTION: Plant acoustic frequency technology (PAFT) is the effect or treatment of a plant with a specific frequency sound wave. OBJECTIVE: The sound waves with different frequencies and a sound pressure level 77 dB were emitted on the saffron corms in a controlled environment using aeroponic cultivation and the contents of crocin, picrocrocin and safranal in their produced stigmas were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. For this purpose, the corms were divided into two groups. In group 1, sound waves with the frequencies of 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz were emitted on saffron corms in different stages of sprouting, flowering and the whole stage of sprouting and flowering. In group 2, sonication was performed on the corms during the flowering stage at 4, 8, 12 and 16 kHz frequencies. RESULTS: The changes in the contents of crocin, picrocrocin and safranal were not significantly compared to the control at 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz frequencies in the stages of sprouting and flowering of corms. While the higher frequencies (4, 8, 12 and 16 kHz) in flowering stage were affected significantly, the crocin and picrocrocin content increased 8.5% and 30%, applying the frequency of 12 and 8 kHz, respectively. Also, the effect of sound exposure time per day with the frequency of 16 kHz at 15, 30 and 60 min were investigated. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that the corms could be affected by sounding in the different stages of growth of the corm and also in the content of secondary metabolites.

Characterization of Response Frequency for the Pressure-Sensitive Paint Based on Fluorine-Containing Polymer Matrixes Using Oscillating Sound Wave Technique.

Five kinds of new homo-polymer and copolymers of methacrylate containing a fluorine ester group were synthesized and used for the binder of pressure-sensitive paint (PSP)to ensure the good compatibility between luminophore (Pt(II) meso-tetra (pentafluorophenyl) porphine (PtTFPP)) and polymer binder. In the work, we were concerned with how the structure of thesepolymers containing fluorine, especially the various ester group structure, affects the response frequency of PSP using oscillating sound wave technique. The results showed that the pressure sensitivities (Sp) of these PSP samples containing different polymers, exhibit some difference. The length of ester chain on the methacrylatepolymer affects the response frequency of PSP sensor layer composed of the polymer. The longer the chain length of the ester group, the higher the response frequency of the PSP sensor layer quenching by oxygen.

Sound waves affect the total flavonoid contents in Medicago sativa, Brassica oleracea and Raphanus sativus sprouts.

BACKGROUND: Sound waves are emerging as a potential biophysical alternative to traditional methods for enhancing plant growth and phytochemical contents. However, little information is available on the improvement of the concentration of functional metabolites like flavonoids in sprouts using sound waves. In this study, different frequencies of sound waves with short and long exposure times were applied to three important varieties to improve flavonoid content. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sound waves on flavonoid content on the basis of biochemical and molecular characteristics. RESULTS: We examined the effects of various sound wave treatments (250 Hz to 1.5 kHz) on flavonoid production in alfalfa (Medicago sativa), broccoli (Brassica oleracea) and red young radish (Raphanus sativus). The results showed that sound wave treatments differentially altered the total flavonoid contents depending upon the growth stages, species and frequency of and exposure time to sound waves. Sound wave treatments of alfalfa (250 Hz), broccoli sprouts (800 Hz) and red young radish sprouts (1 kHz) increased the total flavonoid content by 200%, 35% and 85%, respectively, in comparison with untreated control. Molecular analysis showed that sound waves induce the expression of genes of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway, which positively corresponds to the flavonoid content. Moreover, the sound wave treatment significantly improves the antioxidant efficiency of sprouts. CONCLUSIONS: The significant improvement of flavonoid content in sprouts with sound waves makes their use a potential and promising technology for the production of agriculture-based functional foods. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Underwater Spiral Wave Sound Source Based on Phased Array with Three Transducers.

This paper realizes an underwater spiral wave sound source by using three omni-directional spherical transducers with three different phases. The pressure distribution of the sound field for a phased array is derived using the superposition theory of sound field. The generation of spiral wave field is presented, the relationship between the performance of phased array sound field and the array parameters is analyzed, and also verified by the finite element method (FEM). A spiral wave sound source with three spherical piezoelectric ceramic transducers is then designed and fabricated based on FEM simulation, and the performance of the sound source is analyzed. Measurements are made in a reverberation pool, and the result shows that the fabricated spiral wave sound source is capable of producing a spiral sound wave. Under a frequency of 3.5 kHz, the phase directivity has a fluctuation of ±21°, and the amplitude directivity range is 4.3 dB, which verifies the realization of the spiral wave sound source.

Spiral Sound Wave Transducer Based on the Longitudinal Vibration.

A spiral sound wave transducer comprised of longitudinal vibrating elements has been proposed. This transducer was made from eight uniform radial distributed longitudinal vibrating elements, which could effectively generate low frequency underwater acoustic spiral waves. We discuss the production theory of spiral sound waves, which could be synthesized by two orthogonal acoustic dipoles with a phase difference of 90 degrees. The excitation voltage distribution of the transducer for emitting a spiral sound wave and the measurement method for the transducer is given. Three-dimensional finite element modeling (FEM)of the transducer was established for simulating the vibration modes and the acoustic characteristics of the transducers. Further, we fabricated a spiral sound wave transducer based on our design and simulations. It was found that the resonance frequency of the transducer was 10.8 kHz and that the transmitting voltage resonance was 140.5 dB. The underwater sound field measurements demonstrate that our designed transducer based on the longitudinal elements could successfully generate spiral sound waves.

Bioacoustic-enabled patterning of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes into 3D cardiac tissue.

The creation of physiologically-relevant human cardiac tissue with defined cell structure and function is essential for a wide variety of therapeutic, diagnostic, and drug screening applications. Here we report a new scalable method using Faraday waves to enable rapid aggregation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) into predefined 3D constructs. At packing densities that approximate native myocardium (108-109 cells/ml), these hiPSC-CM-derived 3D tissues demonstrate significantly improved cell viability, metabolic activity, and intercellular connection when compared to constructs with random cell distribution. Moreover, the patterned hiPSC-CMs within the constructs exhibit significantly greater levels of contractile stress, beat frequency, and contraction-relaxation rates, suggesting their improved maturation. Our results demonstrate a novel application of Faraday waves to create stem cell-derived 3D cardiac tissue that resembles the cellular architecture of a native heart tissue for diverse basic research and clinical applications.

Development of a Smartphone App for Visualizing Heart Sounds and Murmurs.

BACKGROUND: Auscultation is one of the basic techniques for the diagnosis of heart disease. However, the interpretation of heart sounds and murmurs is a highly subjective and difficult skill. OBJECTIVES: To assist the auscultation skill at the bedside, a handy phonocardiogram was developed using a smartphone (Samsung Galaxy J, Android OS 4.4.2) and an external microphone attached to a stethoscope. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Android app used Java classes, "AudioRecord," "AudioTrack," and "View," that recorded sounds, replayed sounds, and plotted sound waves, respectively. Sound waves were visualized in real-time, simultaneously replayed on the smartphone, and saved to WAV files. To confirm the availability of the app, 26 kinds of heart sounds and murmurs sounded on a human patient simulator were recorded using three different methods: a bell-type stethoscope, a diaphragm-type stethoscope, and a direct external microphone without a stethoscope. The recorded waveforms were subjectively confirmed and were found to be similar to the reference waveforms. CONCLUSIONS: The real-time visualization of the sound waves on the smartphone may help novices to readily recognize and learn to distinguish the various heart sounds and murmurs in real-time.

Combined effect of pulsed electromagnetic field and sound wave on In vitro and In vivo neural differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Biophysical wave stimulus has been used as an effective tool to promote cellular maturation and differentiation in the construction of engineered tissue. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) and sound waves have been selected as effective stimuli that can promote neural differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of PEMFs and sound waves on the neural differentiation potential in vitro and in vivo using human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). In vitro, neural-related genes in hBM-MSCs were accelerated by the combined exposure to both waves more than by individual exposure to PEMFs or sound waves. The combined wave also up-regulated the expression of neural and synaptic-related proteins in a three-dimensional (3-D) culture system through the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase. In a mouse model of photochemically induced ischemia, exposure to the combined wave reduced the infarction volume and improved post-injury behavioral activity. These results indicate that a combined stimulus of biophysical waves, PEMFs and sound can enhance and possibly affect the differentiation of MSCs into neural cells. Our study is meaningful for highlighting the potential of combined wave for neurogenic effects and providing new therapeutic approaches for neural cell therapy. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:201-211, 2017.

Wave-Tunable Lattice Equivalents toward Micro- and Nanomanipulation.

The assembly of micro- and nanomaterials is a key issue in the development of potential bottom-up construction of building blocks, but creating periodic arrays of such materials in an efficient and scalable manner still remains challenging. Here, we show that a cymatic assembly approach in which micro- and nanomaterials in a liquid medium that resonate at low-frequency standing waves can be used for the assembly in a spatially periodic and temporally stationary fashion that emerges from the wave displacement antinodes of the standing wave. We also show that employing a two-dimensional liquid, rather than a droplet, with a coffee-ring effect yields a result that exhibits distinct lattice equivalents comprising the materials. The crystallographic parameters, such as the lattice parameters, can be adjusted, where the parameters along the x- and y-axes are controlled by the applied wave frequencies, and the one along z-axis is controlled by a transparent layer as a spacer to create three-dimensional crystal equivalents. This work represents an advancement in assembling micro- and nanomaterials into macroscale architectures on the centimeter-length scale, thus establishing that a standing wave can direct micro- and nanomaterial assembly to mimic plane and space lattices.

Frequency and wavelength prediction of ultrasonic induced liquid surface waves.

A theoretical investigation of parametric excitation of liquid free surface by a high frequency sound wave is preformed, using potential flow theory. Pressure and velocity distributions, resembling the sound wave, are applied to the free surface of the liquid. It is found that for impinging wave two distinct capillary frequencies will be excited: One of them is the same as the frequency of the sound wave, and the other is equal to the natural frequency corresponding to a wavenumber equal to the horizontal wavenumber of the sound wave. When the wave propagates in vertical direction, mathematical formulation leads to an equation, which has resonance frequency equal to half of the excitation frequency. This can explain an important contradiction between the frequency and the wavelength of capillary waves in the two cases of normal and inclined interaction of the sound wave and the free surface of the liquid.

Experimental evidence supports mantle partial melting in the asthenosphere.

The low-velocity zone (LVZ) is a persistent seismic feature in a broad range of geological contexts. It coincides in depth with the asthenosphere, a mantle region of lowered viscosity that may be essential to enabling plate motions. The LVZ has been proposed to originate from either partial melting or a change in the rheological properties of solid mantle minerals. The two scenarios imply drastically distinct physical and geochemical states, leading to fundamentally different conclusions on the dynamics of plate tectonics. We report in situ ultrasonic velocity measurements on a series of partially molten samples, composed of mixtures of olivine plus 0.1 to 4.0 volume % of basalt, under conditions relevant to the LVZ. Our measurements provide direct compressional (V P) and shear (V S) wave velocities and constrain attenuation as a function of melt fraction. Mantle partial melting appears to be a viable origin for the LVZ, for melt fractions as low as ~0.2%. In contrast, the presence of volatile elements appears necessary to explaining the extremely high V P/V S values observed in some local areas. The presence of melt in LVZ could play a major role in the dynamics of plate tectonics, favoring the decoupling of the plate relative to the asthenosphere.

Effective isolation of primo vessels in lymph using sound- and ultrasonic-wave stimulation.

The effects of stimulation with sound and ultrasonic waves of a specific bandwidth on the microdissection of primo vessels in lymphatic vessels of rabbit were investigated. The primo vessels stained with alcian-blue dye injected in the lymph nodes were definitely visualized and more easily isolated by sound-wave vibration and ultrasonic stimulation applied to rabbits at various frequencies and intensities. With sound wave at 7 Hz and ultrasonic waves at 2 MHz, the probability of detecting the primo vessels was improved to 90%; however, without wave stimulation the probability of discovering primo vessels was about 50% only. Sound and ultrasonic waves at specific frequency bands should be effective for microdissection of the primo vessels in the abdominal lymph of rabbit. We suggest that oscillation of the primo vessels by sound and ultrasonic waves may be useful to visualize specific primo structure, and wave vibration can be a very supportive process for observation and isolation of the primo vessels of rabbits.

Modified stethoscope for auscultation of temporomandibular joint sounds.

BACKGROUND: Purpose of this study was to modify the stethoscope which can auscultate the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds more precisely than conventional stethoscope, and fabrication of stethoscope compatible software which analyses the auscultated sound and gives documentary evidence of that analysis in the form of graph. MATERIALS & METHODS: The conventional stethoscope was modified by attaching a custom made soundscope with a recording device which can be placed in external auditory meatus (EAM) for auscultation of TMJ sounds. When this small and smooth end of custom made soundscope of modified stethoscope is placed in EAM & connected with specially developed software it records the TMJ sounds & analyzes them in form of graph. RESULTS: Fabrication of modified stethoscope with software records the auscultated sound as a sound wave in form of graph and analyses this sound wave graph to give graphic evidence of prominent intensity at prominent frequency as spectrum analysis graph, and duration of that sound as a sound length graph. CONCLUSION: The use of modified stethoscope with software increases the accuracy of auscultation of TMJ sounds without any patient's discomfort and helps in diagnosis of TMJ disorders. The modified stethoscope with software for auscultation of TMJ sounds results in more precise auscultation & analysis of TMJ for sounds even of low intensity & frequency. How to cite the article: Dagar SR, Turakiya V, Pakhan AJ, Jaggi N, Kalra A, Vaidya V. Modified stethoscope for auscultation of temporomandibular joint sounds. J Int Oral Health 2014;6(2):40-4.