Hadron-nucleus scattering in the local reggeon model with pomeron loops for realistic nuclei

Contribution of simplest loops for hadron-nucleus scattering cross-sections is studied in the Local Reggeon Field Theory with a supercritical pomeron. It is shown that inside the nucleus the supercritical pomeron transforms into a subcritical one, so that perturbative treatment becomes possible. The pomeron intercept becomes complex, which leads to oscillations in the cross-sections.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

Solar Grand Minima and random fluctuations in dynamo parameters

We consider to what extent the long-term dynamics of cyclic solar activity in the form of Grand Minima can be associated with random fluctuations of the parameters governing the solar dynamo. We consider fluctuations of the alpha-coefficient in the conventional Parker migratory dynamo, and also in slightly more sophisticated dynamo models, and demonstrate that they can mimic the gross features of the phenomenon of the occurrence of Grand Minima over a suitable parameter range. The temporal distribution of these Grand Minima appears chaotic, with a more or less exponential waiting time distribution, typical of Poisson processes. In contrast however, the available reconstruction of Grand Minima statistics based on cosmogenic isotope data demonstrates substantial deviations from this exponential law. We were unable to reproduce the non-Poissonic tail of the waiting time distribution either in the framework of a simple alpha-quenched Parker model, or in its straightforward generalization, nor in simple models with feedback on the differential rotation. We suggest that the disagreement may only be apparent and is plausibly related to the limited observational data, and that the observations and results of numerical modeling can be consistent and represent physically similar dynamo regimes.Comment: Solar Physics, in prin

Analysis of the intraspinal calcium dynamics and its implications on the plasticity of spiking neurons

The influx of calcium ions into the dendritic spines through the N-metyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) channels is believed to be the primary trigger for various forms of synaptic plasticity. In this paper, the authors calculate analytically the mean values of the calcium transients elicited by a spiking neuron undergoing a simple model of ionic currents and back-propagating action potentials. The relative variability of these transients, due to the stochastic nature of synaptic transmission, is further considered using a simple Markov model of NMDA receptos. One finds that both the mean value and the variability depend on the timing between pre- and postsynaptic action-potentials. These results could have implications on the expected form of synaptic-plasticity curve and can form a basis for a unified theory of spike time-dependent, and rate based plasticity.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures. A few changes in section IV and addition of a new figur

Modeling observed chaotic oscillations in bursting neurons: the role of calcium dynamics and IP3

Chaotic bursting has been recorded in synaptically isolated neurons of the pyloric central pattern generating (CPG) circuit in the lobster stomatogastric ganglion. Conductance-based models of pyloric neurons typically fail to reproduce the observed irregular behavior in either voltage time series or state-space trajectories. Recent suggestions of Chay [Biol Cybern 75: 419-431] indicate that chaotic bursting patterns can be generated by model neurons that couple membrane currents to the nonlinear dynamics of intracellular calcium storage and release. Accordingly, we have built a two-compartment model of a pyloric CPG neuron incorporating previously described membrane conductances together with intracellular Ca2+ dynamics involving the endoplasmic reticulum and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor IP3R. As judged by qualitative inspection and quantitative, nonlinear analysis, the irregular voltage oscillations of the model neuron resemble those seen in the biological neurons. Chaotic bursting arises from the interaction of fast membrane voltage dynamics with slower intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and, hence, depends on the concentration of IP3. Despite the presence of 12 independent dynamical variables, the model neuron bursts chaotically in a subspace characterized by 3-4 active degrees of freedom. The critical aspect of this model is that chaotic oscillations arise when membrane voltage processes are coupled to another slow dynamic. Here we suggest this slow dynamic to be intracellular Ca2+ handling