Cluster solutions in networks of weakly coupled oscillators on a 2D square torus

We consider a model for an N × N lattice network of weakly coupled neural oscilla- tors with periodic boundary conditions (2D square torus), where the coupling between neurons is assumed to be within a von Neumann neighborhood of size r, denoted as von Neumann r-neighborhood. Using the phase model reduction technique, we study the existence of cluster solutions with constant phase differences (Ψh, Ψv) between adjacent oscillators along the horizontal and vertical directions in our network, where Ψh and Ψv are not necessarily to be identical. Applying the Kronecker production representation and the circulant matrix theory, we develop a novel approach to analyze the stability of cluster solutions with constant phase difference (i.e., Ψh,Ψv are equal). We begin our analysis by deriving the precise conditions for stability of such cluster solutions with von Neumann 1-neighborhood and 2 neighborhood couplings, and then we generalize our result to von Neumann r-neighborhood coupling for arbitrary neighborhood size r ≥ 1. This developed approach for the stability analysis indeed can be extended to an arbitrary coupling in our network. Finally, numerical simulations are used to validate the above analytical results for various values of N and r by considering an inhibitory network of Morris-Lecar neurons.

Three-State Majority-Vote Model on Small-World Networks

In this work, we study the opinion dynamics of the three-state majority-vote model on small-world networks of social interactions. In the majority-vote dynamics, an individual adopts the opinion of the majority of its neighbors with probability 1−q, and a different opinion with chance q, where q stands for the noise parameter. The noise q acts as a social temperature, inducing the dissensus among individual opinions. With probability p, we rewire the connections of the two-dimensional square lattice network, allowing long-range interactions in the society, thus yielding the small-world property present in many different real-world systems. We employ Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the second-order phase transition of the system, and obtain the critical noise qc, as well as the standard critical exponents β/ν, γ/ν, and 1/ν for several values of the rewiring probability p. We conclude that the rewiring of the lattice enhances the social order in the system and drives the model to different universality classes from that of the three-state majority-vote model in two-dimensional square lattices.

Attention-based Pyramid Dilated Lattice Network for Blind Image Denoising

Though convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with residual and dense aggregations have obtained much attention in image denoising, they are incapable of exploiting different levels of contextual information at every convolutional unit in order to infer different levels of noise components with a single model. In this paper, to overcome this shortcoming we present a novel attention-based pyramid dilated lattice (APDL) architecture and investigate its capability for blind image denoising. The proposed framework can effectively harness the advantages of residual and dense aggregations to achieve a great trade-off between performance, parameter efficiency, and test time. It also employs a novel pyramid dilated convolution strategy to effectively capture contextual information corresponding to different noise levels through the training of a single model. Our extensive experimental investigation verifies the effectiveness and efficiency of the APDL architecture for image denoising as well as JPEG artifacts suppression tasks.

Effective routing design for remote entanglement generation on quantum networks

Quantum network is a promising platform for many ground-breaking applications that lie beyond the capability of its classical counterparts. Efficient entanglement generation on quantum networks with relatively limited resources such as quantum memories is essential to fully realize the network’s capabilities, the solution to which calls for delicate network design and is currently at the primitive stage. In this study we propose an effective routing scheme to enable automatic responses for multiple requests of entanglement generation between source-terminal stations on a quantum lattice network with finite edge capacities. Multiple connection paths are exploited for each connection request while entanglement fidelity is ensured for each path by performing entanglement purification. The routing scheme is highly modularized with a flexible nature, embedding quantum operations within the algorithmic workflow, whose performance is evaluated from multiple perspectives. In particular, three algorithms are proposed and compared for the scheduling of capacity allocation on the edges of quantum network. Embodying the ideas of proportional share and progressive filling that have been well-studied in classical routing problems, we design another scheduling algorithm, the propagatory update method, which in certain aspects overrides the two algorithms based on classical heuristics in scheduling performances. The general solution scheme paves the road for effective design of efficient routing and flow control protocols on applicational quantum networks.

Seismotectonics of Armenia: main problems

The article describes the main problems in the existing researches on the seismotectonics of the territory of Armenia. A review was conducted on certain issues related to the accuracy of the initial seismological data, the problem of identifying possible focal zones of strong earthquakes, and the probabilistic assessment of the seismic hazard of the territory of Armenia. As the results of numerous studies show, the initial seismological data from catalogs and bulletins are characterized by their heterogeneity. Different observation systems and different methods of seismological data processing have led to the fact that when visualizing the spatial distribution of earthquake epicenters on the territory of Armenia, during the instrumental period of observations, an artificially lattice network of epicenters is obtained, which does not agree in any way with the fault tectonics of the territory. During the stud of distribution of earthquake hypocenters by depth, the discrete nature of their distribution was revealed. There is also a number of disadvantages in the area of allocation of focal zones of strong earthquakes. The main part of the conducted research was mainly based on data on previously recorded strong seismic events, as well as on data on historical earthquakes, as a result, for the most part of the studied territory, in fact, no research was conducted. In addition, there are relevant questions about the tectonic basis used in these studies. The last group of problems concerns the probabilistic assessment of the seismic hazard of the territory of Armenia. It is shown that in the existing works, there are quite a lot of unsubstantiated assumptions.Based on the analysis, it is concluded that in the field of seismotectonic studies of the territory of Armenia, there are a number of urgent tasks that require priority solutions.

Ambiguity and context learning in signalling games

Lexical ambiguity is present in many natural languages, but ambiguous words and phrases do not seem to be advantageous. Therefore, the presence of ambiguous words in natural language warrants explanation. We justify the existence of ambiguity from the perspective of context dependence. The main contribution of the paper is that we constructed a context learning process such that each interlocutor can infer their opponent’s private belief from the conversation. A sufficient condition for successful learning is provided. Furthermore, for cases in which learning fails, we investigate how the interlocutors choose among degrees of ambiguous expressions through an adaptive learning process. Lastly, we apply our model in the lattice network, demonstrating that structural evolution favours ambiguity as well.

The Surface Characterisation of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Modified via the Direct Sputter Deposition of Calcium Phosphate Thin Films

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has emerged as the material of choice for spinal fusion devices, replacing conventional materials such as titanium and its alloys due to its ability to easily overcome a lot of the limitations of traditional metallic biomaterials. However, one of the major drawbacks of this material is that it is not osteoinductive, nor osteoconductive, preventing direct bone apposition. One way to overcome this is through the modification of the PEEK with bioactive calcium phosphate (CaP) materials, such as hydroxyapatite (HA–Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2). RF magnetron sputtering has been shown to be a particularly useful technique for the deposition of CaP coatings due to the ability of the technique to provide greater control of the coating’s properties. The work undertaken here involved the deposition of HA directly onto PEEK via RF magnetron at a range of deposition times between 10–600 min to provide more bioactive surfaces. The surfaces produced have been extensively characterised using X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), stylus profilometry, and Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToFSIMS). XPS results indicated that both Ca and P had successfully deposited onto the surface, albeit with low Ca/P ratios of around 0.85. ToFSIMS analysis indicated that Ca and P had been homogeneously deposited across all the surfaces. The SEM results showed that the CaP surfaces produced were a porous micro-/nano-structured lattice network and that the deposition rate influenced the pore area, pore diameter and number of pores. Depth profiling, using ToFSIMS, highlighted that Ca and P were embedded into the PEEK matrix up to a depth of around 1.21 µm and that the interface between the CaP surface and PEEK substrate was an intermixed layer. In summary, the results highlighted that RF magnetron sputtering can deliver homogenous CaP lattice-like surfaces onto PEEK in a direct, one-step process, without the need for any interlayers, and provides a basis for enhancing the potential bioactivity of PEEK.

Syphilitic Balanitis of Follmann: Laboratory Pitfalls

We report a case of early syphilis, presenting as balanitis and papular syphilides in an HIV-infected patient, with a previous history of syphilis infection, which demonstrated a false negative VDRL testing due to a prozone phenomenon. This false negative response results from overwhelming antibody titers, which interfere with the proper formation of the antigen-antibody lattice network, necessary to visualize a positive flocculation test.

The distances measurement problem for an underwater robotic swarm: a semi-experimental trial, using power LEDs, in unknown sea water conditions

In a preceding paper, we have showed as swarm robotics displacement can be related to the deformation of a continuum material, discretized by a lattice network representing the swarm. To reach this aim, it is fundamental to know the swarm configuration, i.e., its shape; this can be computed from the knowledge of the relative distances between its elements and it is studied as a geometry distances problem. Typically, ultrasonic devices are employed to measure the distances. We propose a method based on light signal exchanged between the machines and the computing of the unknown water adsorption coefficient and distance. Aim of this paper is, therefore, to measure distances between underwater elements of the swarm using cheap power LEDs as light source and photodiode as receiver. The receiving photodiode produces a current we can correlate with distance and water adsorption coefficient; we can be able to estimate the two unknown parameters by moving the robots and stressing the emission conditions of the LED diode. Actual work is based on a previous paper where we stressed work conditions of a power LED in shallow water to change its emission characteristics; now, using these results, we can now perform a set of measurements leading to the knowledge of distances d and adsorption coefficient $$a(\lambda ). $$ a ( λ ) . The method we propose here can be a possible support to traditional ultrasonic devices