Synchronization and bursting transition of the coupled Hindmarsh-Rose systems with asymmetrical time-delays

The study of synchronization and bursting transition is very important and valuable in cognitive activities and action control of brain as well as enhancement for the reliability of the cortex synapses. However, we wonder how the synaptic strength and synaptic delay, especially the asymmetrical time-delays between different neurons can collectively influence their synchronous firing behaviors. In this paper, based on the Hindmarsh-Rose neuronal systems with asymmetrical time-delays, we investigate the collective effects of various delays and coupling strengths on the synchronization and bursting transition. It is shown that the interplay between delay and coupling strength can not only enhance or destroy the synchronizations but also can induce the regular transitions of bursting firing patterns. Specifically, as the coupling strength or time-delay increasing, the firing patterns of the time-delayed coupling neuronal systems consistently present a regular transition, that is, the periods of spikes during the bursting firings increase firstly and then decrease slowly. In particular, in contrast to the case of symmetrical time-delays, asymmetrical time-delays can lead to the paroxysmal synchronizations of coupling neuronal systems, as well as the concentration level of synchronization for the non-identically coupled system is superior to the one of identical coupling. These results more comprehensively reveal the rich nonlinear dynamical behaviors of neuronal systems and may be helpful for us to have a better understanding of the neural coding.     

A neglected GABAergic astrocyte: Calcium dynamics and involvement in seizure activity

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) contributes substantially to neurocognitive function as an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human cerebral cortex. However, the pathophysiology of disorders such as epilepsy are not well understood, since GABA agonists are not quite effective in treating epilepsy. Knowledge of the mechanism of action of GABA would contribute to review previously proposed anti-epileptic processes by GABA agonists. In this study based on recent experiments on GABAergic astrocytes, we developed a modified GABAergic astrocyte model, and successfully simulated a long-lasting Ca²⁺ oscillation in astrocytes after 0.5-s stimulation of GABAergic transmission. We then incorporated this GABAergic astrocyte model into a classical Ullah-Schiff seizure model and surprisingly found that this GABAergic astrocyte model functions to hinder the anti-epileptic action of GABA agonists, thereby explaining their low efficiency in previous experiments. These results also update our knowledge of the mechanism of action of GABA and the effects of astrocytes on physiological and pathological functions of the brain.     

Multi-objective robust design optimization of a novel negative Poisson’s ratio bumper system

Negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) structure has outstanding performances in lightweight and energy absorption, and it can be widely applied in automotive industries. By combining the front anti-collision beam, crash box and NPR structure, a novel NPR bumper system for improving the crashworthiness is first proposed in the work. The performances of the NPR bumper system are detailed studied by comparing to traditional bumper system and aluminum foam filled bumper system. To achieve the rapid design while considering perturbation induced by parameter uncertainties, a multi-objective robust design optimization method of the NPR bumper system is also proposed. The parametric model of the bumper system is constructed by combining the full parametric model of the traditional bumper system and the parametric model of the NPR structure. Optimal Latin hypercube sampling technique and dual response surface method are combined to construct the surrogate models. The multi-objective robust optimization results of the NPR bumper system are then obtained by applying the multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm and six sigma criteria. The results yielded from the optimizations indicate that the energy absorption capacity is improved significantly by the NPR bumper system and its performances are further optimized efficiently by the multi-objective robust design optimization method.     

Path planning of a free-floating space robot based on the degree of controllability

An effective and more efficient path planning algorithm is developed for a kinematically non-redundant free-floating space robot (FFSR) system by proposing a concept of degree of controllability (DOC) for underactuated systems. The DOC concept is proposed for making full use of the internal couplings and then achieving a better control effect, followed by a certain definition of controllability measurement which measures the DOC, based on obtaining an explicit and finite equivalent affine system and singular value decomposition. A simple method for nilpotent approximation of the Lie algebra generated by the FFSR system is put forward by direct Taylor expansion when obtaining the equivalent system. Afterwards, a large-controllability-measurement (LCM) nominal path is searched by a weighted A* algorithm, and an optimal self-correcting method is designed to track the nominal path approximately, yielding an efficient underactuated path. The proposed strategy successfully avoids the drawback of inefficiency inherent in previous path-planning schemes, which is due to the neglect of internal couplings, and illustrative numerical examples show its efficacy.     

Performance evaluation of anti-radiation based on the gamma degradation process

In the environment of space radiation, the high-energy charged particles or high-energy photons acting on a spacecraft can cause either temporary device degradation or permanent failure. The traditional probability model is difficult to obtain reliable estimation of unit radiation resistance performance with small samples. Considering that different products will change differently after high-energy particle radiation, we construct a model based on the gamma degradation process. This model can efficiently describe the law of unit radiation resistance variation with the total radiation dose levels under the effect of the total dose and displacement damage. Finally, the proposed model is used to assess the anti-radiation performance of the N-channel power MOSFET device STRH60N20FSY3 produced by STM to obtain average unit radiation resistance, survival probability, survival function, etc.     

Damage localization for beams based on the wavelet correlation operator

The continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is one of the crucial damage identification tools in the vibration-based damage assessment. Because of the vanishing moment property, the CWT method is capable of featuring damage singularity in the higher scales, and separating the global trends and noise progressively. In the classical investigations about this issue, the localization property of the CWT is usually deemed as the most critical point. The abundant information provided by the scale-domain information and the corresponding effectiveness are, however, neglected to some extent. Ultimately, this neglect restricts the sufficient application of the CWT method in damage localization, especially in noisy conditions. In order to address this problem, the wavelet correlation operator is introduced into the CWT damage detection method as a post-processing. By means of the correlations among different scales, the proposed operator suppresses noise, cancels global trends, and intensifies the damage features for various mode shapes. The proposed method is demonstrated numerically with emphasis on characterizing damage in noisy environments, where the wavelet scale Teager-Kaiser energy operator is taken as the benchmark method for comparison. Experimental validations are conducted based on the benchmark data from composite beam specimens measured by a scanning laser vibrometer. Numerical and experimental validations/comparisons present that the introduction of wavelet correlation operator is effective for damage localization in noisy conditions.     

Effect of ambient wind on pressure wave generated by high-speed train entering a tunnel

Journal of Central South University - Using three-dimensional, unsteady N-S equations and k-ε turbulence model, the effect of ambient wind on the pressure wave generated by a high-speed train...     

浅析安徽地方文庙的布局特征——以寿州孔庙为例

儒学被认为是古代封建文化的正统,地方文庙也随着封建统治者对尊孔祭祀活动的升级而逐渐普及。寿州孔庙建筑群是安徽省境内始建年代较早,现存较为完整的地方文庙代表。本文以寿州孔庙建筑群为例,从特点鲜明的建筑组成,庙学合一的功能组织,礼制规范的形制格局,层层递进的序列空间等方面解析作为地方文庙建筑的典型布局特征,以期为安徽地方文庙建筑的保护研究提供参考。     

Theoretical Investigation of the Viscous Damping Coefficient of Hydraulic Actuators

The viscous damping coefficient(VDC) of hydraulic actuators is crucial for system modeling,control and dynamic characteristic analysis.Currently,the researches on hydraulic actuators focus on behavior assessment,promotion of control performance and efficiency.However,the estimation of the VDC is difficult due to a lack of study.Firstly,using two types of hydraulic cylinders,behaviors of the VDC are experimentally examined with velocities and pressure variations.For the tested plunger type hydraulic cylinder,the exponential model B=αυ~(-β),(α0,β0)or B=α_1e~(-β_1υ)+α_2e~(-β_2υ)(α_1,α_20,β_1,β_20),fits the relation between the VDC and velocities for a given pressure of chamber with high precision.The magnitude of the VDC decreases almost linearly under certain velocities when increasing the chamber pressure from 0.6 MPa to 6.0 MPa.Furthermore,the effects of the chamber pressures on the VDC of piston and plunge type hydraulic cylinders are different due to different sealing types.In order to investigate the VDC of a plunger type hydraulic actuator drastically,a steady-state numerical model has been developed to describe the mechanism incorporating tandem seal lubrication,back-up ring related friction behaviors and shear stress of fluid.It is shown that the simulated results of VDC agree with the measured results with a good accuracy.The proposed method provides an instruction to predict the VDC in system modeling and analysis.     

Studies of the Influence of Temperature and the Energy State of the Surface Layer of Adsorbents on Wall Effects in Soap-Based Greases

This paper presents the results of studies of wall effects in commercial soap-based greases LT4-S2 and HUTPLEX EP-2, thickened with, respectively, lithium 12-hydroxystearate and overbased calcium sulfonate. The studies were conducted in the presence of five different materials: copper alloy C11000, bronze B476, EPDM rubber and PTFE and PU thermoplastics. The influence of the energy state of the surface layer of the adsorbents and temperature (ranging from ?20 to 60 °C) on the intensity of wall effects was investigated. Changes in the structural viscosity and shear stress in the boundary layer area in the greases and the soap-based thickener’s ability to adsorb on the surfaces of the adsorbents were determined by evaluating the rheological parameter plateau modulus.