2,391 research outputs found
Nonnormal amplification in random balanced neuronal networks
In dynamical models of cortical networks, the recurrent connectivity can
amplify the input given to the network in two distinct ways. One is induced by
the presence of near-critical eigenvalues in the connectivity matrix W,
producing large but slow activity fluctuations along the corresponding
eigenvectors (dynamical slowing). The other relies on W being nonnormal, which
allows the network activity to make large but fast excursions along specific
directions. Here we investigate the tradeoff between nonnormal amplification
and dynamical slowing in the spontaneous activity of large random neuronal
networks composed of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. We use a Schur
decomposition of W to separate the two amplification mechanisms. Assuming
linear stochastic dynamics, we derive an exact expression for the expected
amount of purely nonnormal amplification. We find that amplification is very
limited if dynamical slowing must be kept weak. We conclude that, to achieve
strong transient amplification with little slowing, the connectivity must be
structured. We show that unidirectional connections between neurons of the same
type together with reciprocal connections between neurons of different types,
allow for amplification already in the fast dynamical regime. Finally, our
results also shed light on the differences between balanced networks in which
inhibition exactly cancels excitation, and those where inhibition dominates.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure
Swimming pool deck as environmental reservoir of Fusarium
While investigations on fungal contamination of swimming pools usually focus on dermatophytes, data on other potentially pathogenic molds are scarce. Here, we report the investigation of fungal colonization of the deck surrounding a hospital physical therapy swimming pool. Five series of samples from 8 sites were collected over one year from the pool surroundings. Concomitantly, 58 patients using the swimming pool were examined and samples obtained from those with suspected onychomycosis. All surface samples were positive for fungi, with Fusarium the most frequently recovered from 22 of 27 samples of sites surrounding the pool. Among the outpatients evaluated, two presented with a mixed onychomycosis from which Fusarium and Trichophyton rubrum were isolated. The questions of possible acquisition from the swimming pool area must be considered in both cases as the ungual lesions had developed within the previous three months. This warrants further studies to better understand the epidemiology of potentially pathogenic molds in areas surrounding pools in order to adopt appropriate measures to avoid contamination. This is of particular importance within medical institutions, considering the potential role of Fusarium onychomycosis as a starting point for disseminated infections in immunocompromised patient
Angular momentum transport modeling: achievements of a gyrokinetic quasi-linear approach
QuaLiKiz, a model based on a local gyrokinetic eigenvalue solver is expanded
to include momentum flux modeling in addition to heat and particle fluxes.
Essential for accurate momentum flux predictions, the parallel asymmetrization
of the eigenfunctions is successfully recovered by an analytical fluid model.
This is tested against self-consistent gyrokinetic calculations and allows for
a correct prediction of the ExB shear impact on the saturated potential
amplitude by means of a mixing length rule. Hence, the effect of the ExB shear
is recovered on all the transport channels including the induced residual
stress. Including these additions, QuaLiKiz remains ~10 000 faster than
non-linear gyrokinetic codes allowing for comparisons with experiments without
resorting to high performance computing. The example is given of momentum pinch
calculations in NBI modulation experiments
The I-mode confinement regime at ASDEX Upgrade: global propert ies and characterization of strongly intermittent density fluctuations
Properties of the Imode confinement regime on the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak are
summarized. A weak dependence of the power threshold for the LI transition on the toroidal
magnetic field strength is found. During improved confinement, the edge radial electric field
well deepens. Stability calculations show that the Imode pedestal is peelingballooning stable.
Turbulence investigations reveal strongly intermittent density fluctuations linked to the weakly
coherent mode in the confined plasma, which become stronger as the confinement quality
increases. Across all investigated structure sizes (
≈
⊥
k
5
–
12 cm
−
1
, with
⊥
k
the perpendicular
wavenumber of turbulent density fluctuations), the intermittent turbulence bursts are observed.
Comparison with bolometry data shows that they move poloidally toward the Xpoint and
finally end up in the divertor. This might be indicative that they play a role in inhibiting the
density profile growth, such that no pedestal is formed in the edge density profile.European Union (EUROfusion 633053)European Union (EUROfusion AWP15ENR09/IPP02
Supergravity Higgs Inflation and Shift Symmetry in Electroweak Theory
We present a model of inflation in a supergravity framework in the Einstein
frame where the Higgs field of the next to minimal supersymmetric standard
model (NMSSM) plays the role of the inflaton. Previous attempts which assumed
non-minimal coupling to gravity failed due to a tachyonic instability of the
singlet field during inflation. A canonical K\"{a}hler potential with
\textit{minimal coupling} to gravity can resolve the tachyonic instability but
runs into the -problem. We suggest a model which is free of the
-problem due to an additional coupling in the K\"{a}hler potential which
is allowed by the Standard Model gauge group. This induces directions in the
potential which we call K-flat. For a certain value of the new coupling in the
(N)MSSM, the K\"{a}hler potential is special, because it can be associated with
a certain shift symmetry for the Higgs doublets, a generalization of the shift
symmetry for singlets in earlier models. We find that K-flat direction has
This shift symmetry is broken by interactions coming from
the superpotential and gauge fields. This direction fails to produce successful
inflation in the MSSM but produces a viable model in the NMSSM. The model is
specifically interesting in the Peccei-Quinn (PQ) limit of the NMSSM. In this
limit the model can be confirmed or ruled-out not just by cosmic microwave
background observations but also by axion searches.Comment: matches the published version at JCA
Assessment on experimental bacterial biofilms and in clinical practice of the efficacy of sampling solutions for microbiological testing of endoscopes
International audienceOpinions differ on the value of microbiological testing of endoscopes, which varies according to the technique used. We compared the efficacy on bacterial biofilms of sampling solutions used for the surveillance of the contamination of endoscope channels. To compare efficacy, we used an experimental model of a 48-h Pseudomonas biofilm grown on endoscope internal tubing. Sampling of this experimental biofilm was performed with a Tween 80-lecithin-based solution, saline, and sterile water. We also performed a randomized prospective study during routine clinical practice in our hospital sampling randomly with two different solutions the endoscopes after reprocessing. Biofilm recovery expressed as a logarithmic ratio of bacteria recovered on bacteria initially present in biofilm was significantly more effective with the Tween 80-lecithin-based solution than with saline solution (P = 0.002) and sterile water (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference between saline and sterile water. In the randomized clinical study, the rates of endoscopes that were contaminated with the Tween 80-lecithin-based sampling solution and the saline were 8/25 and 1/25, respectively (P = 0.02), and the mean numbers of bacteria recovered were 281 and 19 CFU/100 ml (P = 0.001), respectively. In conclusion, the efficiency and therefore the value of the monitoring of endoscope reprocessing by microbiological cultures is dependent on the sampling solutions used. A sampling solution with a tensioactive action is more efficient than saline in detecting biofilm contamination of endoscopes
-Martin boundary of killed random walks in the quadrant
We compute the -Martin boundary of two-dimensional small steps random
walks killed at the boundary of the quarter plane. We further provide explicit
expressions for the (generating functions of the) discrete -harmonic
functions. Our approach is uniform in , and shows that there are three
regimes for the Martin boundary.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, to appear in S\'eminaire de Probabilit\'e
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