Combining ultra-high-field fMRI adaptation and computational modelling to estimate neuronal frequency selectivity in human auditory cortex

Frequency selectivity is a ubiquitous property of auditory neurons. Measuring it in human auditory cortex may be crucial for understanding common auditory deficits, but current non-invasive neuroimaging techniques can only measure the aggregate response of large populations of cells, thereby overestimating tuning width. Here we attempted to estimate neuronal frequency tuning in human auditory cortex using a combination of fMRI-adaptation paradigm at 7T and computational modelling. We measured the BOLD response in the auditory cortex of eleven participants to a high frequency (3.8 kHz) probe presented alone or preceded by adaptors at different frequencies (0.5 to 3.8 kHz). From these data, we derived both the response tuning curves (the BOLD response to adaptors alone as a function of adaptor frequency) and adaptation tuning curves (the degree of response suppression to the probe as a function of adaptor frequency, assumed to reflect neuronal tuning) in primary and secondary auditory cortical areas, delineated in each participant. Results suggested the existence of both frequency-independent and frequency-specific adaptation components, with the latter being more frequency-tuned than response tuning curves. Using a computational model of neuronal adaptation and BOLD non-linearity in topographically-organized cortex, we demonstrate both that the frequency-specific adaptation component overestimates the underlying neuronal frequency tuning and that frequency-specific and frequency-independent adaptation component cannot easily be disentangled from the adaptation tuning curve. By fitting our model directly to the response and adaptation tuning curves, we derive a range of plausible values for neuronal frequency tuning. Our results suggest that fMRI adaptation is suitable for measuring neuronal frequency tuning properties in human auditory cortex, provided population effects and the non-linearity of BOLD response are taken into account.

Transient, Sub-Continuum, Heat Conduction in Irregular Geometries

Phonon transfer in irregular shapes is important for assessing the influence of shape effect on thermal transport characteristics of low-scale films. It becomes critical for evaluating the contribution of the scattering phonons to the phonon intensity distribution inside the film. Hence, the sub-continuum ballistic-diffusive model is incorporated to formulate the phonon transport in an irregular geometry of low-size film adopting the transient, frequency-independent, equation of phonon radiative transfer. The discrete ordinate method is used in the numerical discretization of the governing transport equation. It is demonstrated that the geometric feature of the film influences the phonon intensity distribution within the film material. The transport characteristics obtained from the Fourier and the ballistic-diffusive models are markedly different in their spatial and temporal behavior. This is true when the device sizes are of the same order of magnitude as the mean-free path of the heat carriers.

Sinuous Antenna for UWB Radar Applications

In this paper, the recent progress on sinuous antennas is detailed, focusing the attention on the antenna geometry, dielectric structure, and miniaturization techniques. In the first part, we introduce the basic principles of the frequency-independent antenna, in particular the self-complementary and log-periodic geometries, as well as the antenna geometries, all characterized in terms of angles. The operating principles, main advantages, system design considerations, limits, and challenges of conventional sinuous antennas are illustrated. Second, we describe some technical solutions aimed to ensure the optimal trade-off between antenna size and radiation behavior. To this aim, some special modification of the antenna geometry based on the meandering as well as on the loading with dielectric structures are presented. Moreover, the cavity backing technique is explained in detail as a method to achieve unidirectional radiation. Third, we present a new class of supershaped sinuous antenna based on a suitable merge of the 2D superformula and the sinuous curve. The effect of the free parameters change on the antenna arm geometry as well as the performance improvement in terms of directivity, beam stability, beam angle, gain, and radiating efficiency are highlighted.

Understanding Rheology of Metal Nanocontacts

The mechanical rigidity or softness of metal-metal nanocontacts under large vibrations is important in nanoscale rheology and in technology. A puzzling shear-induced liquefaction under oscillatory strain, totally unexpected at room temperature, was suggested by recent experiments on nanosized gold junctions. Here we show theoretically that the simulated gold nanocontact structure actually remains crystalline even under large oscillatory strains. Tensile and compressive slips, respectively of “necking” and “bellying” types, do take place, but recover reversibly even during fast oscillatory cycles. We also explain why, counterintuitively, the residual stress remains tensile after both slips, driving the averaged stiffness from positive to negative, thus superficially mimicking a liquid’s. Unlike a liquid, however, the softening of the solid junction occurs by stick-slip, predicting largely frequency independent stiffness with violent noise in stress and conductance, all properties compatible with experiments. This surprising large amplitude rheology of nanojunctions and its consequences are likely to apply, with different parameters, to many other metals.

Impedance Analysis and Noise Measurements on Multi Walled Carbon Nanotube Networks

The electrical impedance characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) networks were studied as a function of CNT concentrations in the frequency range of 1 kHz–1 MHz. The novelty of this study is that the MWCNTs were not embedded in any polymer matrix and so the response of the device to electrical measurements are attributed to the CNTs in the network without any contribution from a polymer host matrix. Devices with low MWCNT packing density (0.31–0.85 µg/cm2) exhibit a frequency independent plateau in the low-frequency regime. At higher frequencies, the AC conductivity of these devices increases following a power law, characteristic of the universal dynamic response (UDR) phenomenon. On the other hand, devices with high MWCNT concentrations (>1.0 µg/cm2) exhibit frequency independent conductivity over the entire frequency range (up to 1 MHz), indicating that conduction in these devices is due to direct contact between the CNTs in the network. A simple single-relaxation time electrical equivalent circuit with an effective resistance and capacitance is used to describe the device performance. The electrical noise measurements on devices with different MWCNT packing densities exhibit bias-dependent low-frequency 1/f noise, attributed to resistance fluctuations.

Modelling migration in birds: competition's role in maintaining individual variation

Animals exhibit extensive intraspecific variation in behaviour. Causes of such variation are less well understood. Here, we ask when competition leads to the maintenance of multiple behavioural strategies. We model variability using the timing of bird migration as an example. Birds often vary in when they return from non-breeding grounds to establish breeding territories. We assume that early-arriving birds (counting permanent residents as ‘earliest’) select the best territories. But arriving before the optimal (frequency-independent) breeding date incurs a fitness penalty. Using simulations, we find stable sets of return dates. When year-round residency is viable, the greatest between-individual variation occurs when a small proportion of permanent residents is favoured, and the rest of the population varies in their return times. However, when fitness losses due to year-round residency exceed the benefits of breeding in the worst territory, all individuals migrate, although their return dates often vary continuously. In that case, individual variation is inversely related to fitness risks and positively related to territory inequality. This result is applicable across many systems: when there is more to gain through competition, or when its risks are small, a diversity of individual strategies prevails. Additionally, stability can depend upon the distribution of resources.

Energy Envelope and Attenuation Characteristics of High-Frequency (HF) and Very-High-Frequency (VF) Martian Events

ABSTRACT Since its deployment at the surface of Mars, the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) instrument of the InSight mission has detected hundreds of small-magnitude seismic events. In this work, we highlight some features of two specific families: high-frequency (HF) and very-high-frequency (VF) events. We characterize the shape of the energy envelopes of HF and VF events with two parameters: (1) the delay time td between the onset and the peak of the dominant arrival; and (2) the quality factor Qc, which quantifies the energy decay rate in the coda. We observe that the envelope of HF and VF events is frequency independent. As a consequence, a single delay time suffices to characterize envelope broadening in the 2.5–7.5 Hz band. The typical coda decay time is also frequency independent, as attested by the close to linear increase of Qc with frequency. Finally, we use elastic radiative transfer theory to perform a series of inversion of seismogram envelopes for the attenuation properties of the Martian lithosphere. The good fit between synthetic and observed envelopes confirms that multiple scattering of elastic waves released by internal sources is a plausible explanation of the events characteristics. We quantify scattering and attenuation properties of Mars and highlight the differences and similarities with the Earth and the Moon. The albedo, that is, the contribution of scattering to the total attenuation, derived from VF events is very high, which we interpret as a signature of a mostly dry medium. Our results also suggest a stratification of the scattering and attenuation properties.

A Composite of (95%) La2CoMnO6+ (5%) Ba0.5Na0.5TiO3 : Study of Structural and Dielectric Properties

This project work reports synthesis, structural and dielectric nature of composite of the type (95%) La2CoMnO6+ (5%) Ba0.5Na0.5TiO3. The composite was characterized at room temperature for structural and dielectric properties. The structural characterization X-ray diffraction was carried for structural confirmation. The XRD data study convey the sample is dual phase in nature evident from the corresponding diffraction peaks. Monoclinic phase was acquired by La2CoMnO6 and the space groupof the phase is P 1 21/n whereas Ba0.5Na0.5TiO3 phase has acquired cubic structure with space group Pm-3m. The frequency dependent dielectric constant examined reveals high dielectric constant which decreases with increase in applied ac field values. Dielectric loss calculated shows the behaviour like dielectric constant which initially decreases abruptly with applied field and later attains frequency independent values. However, the ac conductivity was observed higher in the as synthesized.

Simulation study of 6–10 kV cable lines for transient processes calculation during earth faults

As a rule, researchers do not consider the dependence of the inductance of cable lines on frequency in their scientific papers devoted to the calculation of transient processes during single phase-to-ground fault in 6–10 cable networks. In some cases, it can lead to significant errors in evaluation of current and voltage transient components parameters. Therefore, it is an urgent task to estimate defined errors and the scope of application of frequency-independent equivalent circuits and models of 6–10 kV cable lines during calculation and simulation of transient processes in case of single phase-to-ground fault. The authors applied PSCAD / EMTDC software to study the effect of the frequency dependence of the inductances of 6–10 kV cable lines on the calculation accuracy of transient processes during single phase-to-ground fault. It allows to simulate electric power systems models with the usage of both frequency-dependent and frequency-independent cable line models with round conductors only. To check the adequacy of the frequency-dependent three phase cable model developed in PSCAD software, the authors have used a frequency-dependent model of 6–10 kV three-phase cable with sector-shaped conductors designed in COMSOL Multiphysics software. The authors have developed an approach to develop of 610 kV cable lines models with frequency-dependent and frequency-independent parameters. The authors have obtained error estimation in transient current and voltage parameters during single phase-to-ground fault in cable networks models that do not consider the frequency dependence on inductance (for discharge components the error is 1520 %, for charging components the error is equal to 510 %). It is shown that models with cable line parameters defined according to spreading speed of electromagnetic wave, can be used for approximate calculation of transient current and voltage to solve most of tasks of investigation of transient processes during single phase-to-ground faults. Application of the developed recommendations to determine three phase medium voltage cable lines parameters will increase the calculation accuracy of transient processes during single phase-to-ground faults in 6–10 kV cable networks. Only application of frequency-dependent models of cable lines allows us to provide required accuracy to develop methods of distant earth fault localization in 6–10 kV networks.

Selection of parameters of overhead lines models when calculating transient processes during earth faults in 6–10 kV networks

Single phase-to-ground faults are the most common type of faults in 6–10 kV overhead distribution networks. Arc intermittent single phase-to-ground fault (PSP) are the most dangerous for the network and the damaged element. They are followed by intense transient processes and, as a result, dangerous overvoltage rate and significant transient current surges at the point of insulation damage. PSP transients also have a significant effect on the selectivity and operation stability of protection devices against this type of damage. Therefore, the development of the methods and means to improve the operation efficiency of 6–10 kV overhead networks in case of PSP and technical improvement of protection devices in many cases is due to the need to calculate the transient processes that occur during insulation breakdowns of the network phase to earth. For the systems under consideration, the reliability of transient processes calculations in case of PSP is determined mainly by the accuracy of estimation of the parameters of 6–10 kV overhead lines, first of all, of inductance, which generally depends on the frequency of the transient current components. In the scientific papers devoted to the study of transient processes in case of PSP in medium voltage electrical networks, including 6–10 kV overhead networks, constant (frequency independent) values of inductance are used as a rule in the equivalent circuits and in the models of transmission lines. An urgent task is to estimate errors caused by the application of this approach to determine the parameters of 6–10 kV overhead lines during the calculations and modeling of transient processes during PSP, and cases of its application. Advanced methods of modeling of electric power systems and their elements have been applied with the use of COMSOL Multiphysics and PSCAD software to obtain the frequency dependences of the inductances of a 6–10 kV three-phase overhead line and study of their influence on the calculation accuracy of transient currents and voltages in case of PSP. The parameters of 6–10 kV overhead line models developed in the indicated software packages at a frequency of 50 Hz are set in accordance with the reference data. The authors obtain the errors estimation to determine the parameters of transient currents and voltages during PSP in 6–10 kV overhead networks when using transmission line models. The frequency dependences of inductance, which are up to 40–50 % in amplitude are not considered. The results show that application of frequency-independent models is permissible only in the cases when parameters of the calculated equivalent circuit of the network and position of PSP point remain practically constant, when solving problems that require high accuracy to determine the parameters of transient currents and voltages, for example, to determine remotely the location of a ground fault, it is necessary to use frequency-dependent models of 6–10 kV overhead lines. Introduction of the developed recommendations to determine 6–10 kV three-phase overhead lines parameters allow us to increase the reliability of calculations and to avoid raw errors when solving the problems which are related to the study of transient processes in case of earth faults in the networks of the given voltage class.