Abstract Background Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) allows to manipulate neural activity non-invasively, and much research is trying to exploit this ability in clinical and basic research ...settings. In a standard TMS paradigm, single-pulse stimulation over motor cortex produces repetitive responses in descending motor pathways called I-waves. However, the details of how TMS induces neural activity patterns in cortical circuits to produce these responses remain poorly understood. According to a traditional view, I-waves are due to repetitive synaptic inputs to pyramidal neurons in layer 5 (L5) of motor cortex, but the potential origin of such repetitive inputs is unclear. Objective/hypothesis Here we aim to test the plausibility of an alternative mechanism behind D- and I-wave generation through computational modeling. This mechanism relies on the broad distribution of conduction delays of synaptic inputs arriving at different parts of L5 cells' dendritic trees and their spike generation mechanism. Methods Our model consists of a detailed L5 pyramidal cell and a population of layer 2 and 3 (L2/3) neurons projecting onto it with synapses exhibiting short-term depression. I-waves are simulated as superpositions of spike trains from a large population of L5 cells. Results Our model successfully reproduces all basic characteristics of I-waves observed in epidural responses during in vivo recordings of conscious humans. In addition, it shows how the complex morphology of L5 neurons might play an important role in the generation of I-waves. In the model, later I-waves are formed due to inputs to distal synapses, while earlier ones are driven by synapses closer to the soma. Finally, the model offers an explanation for the inhibition and facilitation effects in paired-pulse stimulation protocols. Conclusions In contrast to previous models, which required either neural oscillators or chains of inhibitory interneurons acting upon L5 cells, our model is fully feed-forward without lateral connections or loops. It parsimoniously explains findings from a range of experiments and should be considered as a viable alternative explanation of the generating mechanism of I-waves.
Damage detection based on modal parameter changes has become popular in the last few decades. Nowadays, there are robust and reliable mathematical relations available to predict natural frequency ...changes if damage parameters are known. Using these relations, it is possible to create databases containing a large variety of damage scenarios. Damage can be thus assessed by applying an inverse method. The problem is the complexity of the database, especially for structures with more cracks. In this paper, we propose two machine learning methods, namely the random forest (RF), and the artificial neural network (ANN), as search tools. The databases we developed contain damage scenarios for a prismatic cantilever beam with one crack and ideal and non-ideal boundary conditions. The crack assessment was made in two steps. First, a coarse damage location was found from the networks trained for scenarios comprising the whole beam. Afterwards, the assessment was made involving a particular network trained for the segment of the beam on which the crack was previously found. Using the two machine learning methods, we succeeded in estimating the crack location and severity with high accuracy for both simulation and laboratory experiments. Regarding the location of the crack, which was the main goal of the practitioners, the errors were less than 0.6%. Based on these achievements, we concluded that the damage assessment we propose, in conjunction with the machine learning methods, is robust and reliable.
This paper presents some results concerning the size-controlled hydroxyapatite nanoparticles obtained in aqueous media in a biopolymer matrix from soluble precursors salts. Taking the inspiration ...from nature, where composite materials made of a polymer matrix and inorganic fillers are often found, e.g. bone, shell of crustaceans, shell of eggs, etc., the feasibility on making composite materials containing chitosan and nanosized hydroxyapatite was investigated. A stepwise co-precipitation approach was used to obtain different types of composites by means of different ratio between components. The synthesis of hydroxyapatite was carried out in the chitosan matrix from calcium chloride and sodium dihydrogenphosphate in alkaline solutions at moderate pH of 10–11 for 24
h. Our research is focused on studying and understanding the structure of this class of composites, aiming at the development of novel materials, controlled at the nanolevel scale. The X-ray diffraction technique was employed in order to study the kinetic of hydroxyapatite formation in the chitosan matrix as well as to determine the HAp crystallite sizes in the composite samples. The hydroxyapatite synthesized using this route was found to be nano-sized (15–50
nm). Moreover, applying an original approach to analyze the (0
0
2) XRD diffraction peak profile of hydroxyapatite by using a sum of two Gauss functions, the bimodal distribution of nanosized hydroxyapatite within the chitosan matrix was revealed. Two types of size distribution domains such as cluster-like (between 200 and 400
nm), which are the habitat of ‘‘small’’ hydroxyapatite nanocrystallites and scattered-like, which are the habitat of ‘‘large’’ hydroxyapatite nanocrystallites was probed by TEM and CSLM. The structural features of composites suggest that self-assembly processes might be involved. The composites contain nanosized hydroxyapatite with structural features close to those of biological apatites that make them attractive for bone tissue engineering applications.
Evaluating the integrity of structures is an important issue in engineering applications. The use of vibration-based techniques has become a common approach to assessing cracks, which are the most ...frequently occurring damage in structures. When involving an inverse method, it is necessary to know the influence of the position and the geometry of the crack on the modal parameter changes. The geometry of the crack, both in size and shape, defines the damage severity (DS). In this study, we present a method (DS-SHC) used for estimating the DS for closed and open transverse cracks in beam-like structures using the intact and damaged beam deflections under its weight and a Stochastic Hill Climbing (SHC) algorithm. After describing the procedure of applying DS-SHC, we calculate for a prismatic cantilever beam the severities for different crack types and depths. The results are tested by comparing the DS obtained with DS-SHC with those acquired from dynamic tests made using professional simulation software. We obtained a good fit between the severities determined in these two ways. Subsequently, we performed laboratory experiments and found that the severities obtained with the DS-SHC method can accurately predict the frequency changes due to the crack. Hence, these severities are a valuable tool for damage detection.
Absorption (K), reflection (R) and wavelength modulated transmission (ΔT/Δλ) spectra in SnS2 crystals of hexagonal phase (space group P63/mmc) were investigated in temperature interval from 300 to 10 ...K. It was established that indirect band gap ( E g ind - 2.403 eV) is due to unpolarized indirect transitions between Γ and M points of Brillouin zone. A minimal direct band gap ( E g dir - 2.623 eV) in E b polarization is formed by direct allowed transitions and in E b polarization (2.698 eV) by forbidden transitions in Γ point of Brillouin zone. A magnitude of refractive index (n) changes from 3 to 4 and has a maximum at 2.6 eV. Optical functions (n, k, 1 and 2) in energy region E > Eg (3-6.5 eV) were calculated from measured reflection spectra by Kramers-Kronig analysis. Features observed in reflection and optical function spectra were assigned to electron transitions. This electron transitions were localized in framework of theoretically calculated band structure.
A series of Zn1−xMgxO thin films with x ranging from 0 to 0.8 were prepared by spin coating and aerosol spray pyrolysis deposition on Si and quartz substrates. The morphology, composition, ...nano-crystalline structure, and optical and vibration properties of the prepared films were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and optical and Raman scattering spectroscopy. The optimum conditions of the thermal treatment of samples prepared by spin coating were determined from the point of view of film crystallinity. The content of crystalline phases in films and values of the optical band gap of these phases were determined as a function of the chemical composition. We developed heterostructure photodetectors based on the prepared films and demonstrated their operation in the injection photodiode mode at forward biases. A device design based on two Zn1−xMgxO thin films with different x values was proposed for extending the operational forward bias range and improving its responsivity, detectivity, and selectivity to UV radiation.
A series of Zn
1−
x
Mg
x
O thin films with the composition range
x
= 0.00–0.40 has been prepared by sol–gel spin coating on Si substrates with a post-deposition thermal treatment in the temperature ...range of 400–650 °C. The morphology of the films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy while their light emission properties were studied by photoluminescence spectroscopy under excitation at 325 nm. It was found that annealing at 500 °C leads to the production of macroscopically homogeneous wurtzite phase films, while thermal treatment at higher or lower temperature results in the degradation of the morphology, or in the formation of ZnO particles embedded into the ZnMgO matrix, respectively. Local compositional fluctuations leading to the formation of deep band tails in the gap were deduced from photoluminescence spectra. A model for the band tail distribution in the bandgap is proposed as a function of the alloy composition. Thin films were also prepared by aerosol spray pyrolysis deposition using the same sol–gel precursors for the purpose of comparison. The prepared films were tested for photodetector applications.
In this paper, we describe a methodology integrating verification and conformance testing. A specification of a system - an extended input-output automaton, which may be infinite-state - and a set of ...safety properties ("nothing bad ever happens") and possibility properties ("something good may happen") are assumed. The properties are first tentatively verified on the specification using automatic techniques based on approximated state-space exploration, which are sound, but, as a price to pay for automation, are not complete for the given class of properties. Because of this incompleteness and of state-space explosion, the verification may not succeed in proving or disproving the properties. However, even if verification did not succeed, the testing phase can proceed and provide useful information about the implementation. Test cases are automatically and symbolically generated from the specification and the properties and are executed on a black-box implementation of the system. The test execution may detect violations of conformance between implementation and specification; in addition, it may detect violation/satisfaction of the properties by the implementation and by the specification. In this sense, testing completes verification. The approach is illustrated on simple examples and on a bounded retransmission protocol.
During the 2007 – 2008 minimum of solar activity, the internally occulted coronagraphs SECCHI-COR1 onboard the STEREO space mission recorded numerous jet-like ejections over a great range of ...latitudes. We have found more than 10000 white-light jets in the above-mentioned period. Sometimes they can be identified on the disk with bright points observed in ultraviolet images by EUVI. In this study we present a catalog consisting of jets observed by the SECCHI-COR1 instrument and their association with lower coronal activity (bright points, UV jets). Furthermore, their association with bright points in the context of previously proposed models is discussed. From the complete catalog we have selected 106 jets observed in both STEREO-A and STEREO-B images for which it is possible to derive their kinematics and point of origin.
A single ZnO microwire detector for the monitoring of natural gas species is described. Single-crystal ZnO microwires were synthesized using a carbothermal reduction vapor phase transport method. It ...was characterized by XRD, EDX, SEM, Raman and photoluminescence techniques. The sensor structure was fabricated by in situ lift-out method using focused ion beam (FIB) system. The prototype is then functionalized with palladium and used as sensing element. The main advantage of the FIB procedure is a quick verification/testing of concept and is compatible with micro/nanoelectronic devices. A response of 5% was obtained for a single ZnO microwire sensor at 2000ppm natural gas in the air at room temperature. At 400°C the response increases to 40%. Selectivity to different gasses was investigated and higher response was detected for natural gas.
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