Manifestation of Chaos in Real Complex Systems: Case of Parkinson's Disease

In this chapter we present a new approach to the study of manifestations of chaos in real complex system. Recently we have achieved the following result. In real complex systems the informational measure of chaotic chatacter (IMC) can serve as a reliable quantitative estimation of the state of a complex system and help to estimate the deviation of this state from its normal condition. As the IMC we suggest the statistical spectrum of the non-Markovity parameter (NMP) and its frequency behavior. Our preliminary studies of real complex systems in cardiology, neurophysiology and seismology have shown that the NMP has diverse frequency dependence. It testifies to the competition between Markovian and non-Markovian, random and regular processes and makes a crossover from one relaxation scenario to the other possible. On this basis we can formulate the new concept in the study of the manifestation of chaoticity. We suggest the statistical theory of discrete non-Markov stochastic processes to calculate the NMP and the quantitative evaluation of the IMC in real complex systems. With the help of the IMC we have found out the evident manifestation of chaosity in a normal (healthy) state of the studied system, its sharp reduction in the period of crises, catastrophes and various human diseases. It means that one can appreciably improve the state of a patient (of any system) by increasing the IMC of the studied live system. The given observation creates a reliable basis for predicting crises and catastrophes, as well as for diagnosing and treating various human diseases, Parkinson's disease in particular.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures, 3 tables. To be published in "The Logistic Map and the Route to Chaos: From the Beginnings to the Modern Applications", eds. by M. Ausloos, M. Dirickx, pp. 175-196, Springer-Verlag, Berlin (2006

Anomalous Diffusion in Infinite Horizon Billiards

We consider the long time dependence for the moments of displacement < |r|^q > of infinite horizon billiards, given a bounded initial distribution of particles. For a variety of billiard models we find ~ t^g(q) (up to factors of log t). The time exponent, g(q), is piecewise linear and equal to q/2 for q2. We discuss the lack of dependence of this result on the initial distribution of particles and resolve apparent discrepancies between this time dependence and a prior result. The lack of dependence on initial distribution follows from a remarkable scaling result that we obtain for the time evolution of the distribution function of the angle of a particle's velocity vector.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures Submitted to Physical Review

Delayed Self-Synchronization in Homoclinic Chaos

The chaotic spike train of a homoclinic dynamical system is self-synchronized by re-inserting a small fraction of the delayed output. Due to the sensitive nature of the homoclinic chaos to external perturbations, stabilization of very long periodic orbits is possible. On these orbits, the dynamics appears chaotic over a finite time, but then it repeats with a recurrence time that is slightly longer than the delay time. The effect, called delayed self-synchronization (DSS), displays analogies with neurodynamic events which occur in the build-up of long term memories.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett., 13 pages, 7 figure

Diffusive energy transport in the S=1 Haldane chain compound AgVP2S6

We present the results of measurements of the thermal conductivity $\kappa$ of the spin S=1 chain compound AgVP_2S_6 in the temperature range between 2 and 300 K and with the heat flow directed either along or perpendicular to the chain direction. The analysis of the anisotropy of the heat transport allowed for the identification of a small but non-negligible magnon contribution $\kappa_m$ along the chains, superimposed on the dominant phonon contribution $\kappa_ph$. At temperatures above about 100 K the energy diffusion constant D_E(T), calculated from the $\kappa_m(T)$ data, exhibits similar features as the spin diffusion constant D_S(T), previously measured by NMR. In this regime, the behaviour of both transport parameters is consistent with a diffusion process that is caused by interactions inherent to one-dimensional S=1 spin systems.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

On The Mobile Behavior of Solid 4^4He at High Temperatures

We report studies of solid helium contained inside a torsional oscillator, at temperatures between 1.07K and 1.87K. We grew single crystals inside the oscillator using commercially pure $^4$He and $^3$He-$^4$He mixtures containing 100 ppm $^3$He. Crystals were grown at constant temperature and pressure on the melting curve. At the end of the growth, the crystals were disordered, following which they partially decoupled from the oscillator. The fraction of the decoupled He mass was temperature and velocity dependent. Around 1K, the decoupled mass fraction for crystals grown from the mixture reached a limiting value of around 35%. In the case of crystals grown using commercially pure $^4$He at temperatures below 1.3K, this fraction was much smaller. This difference could possibly be associated with the roughening transition at the solid-liquid interface.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figure

Cerebral malaria: Gamma-interferon redux

There are two theories that seek to explain the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria, the mechanical obstruction hypothesis and the immunopathology hypothesis. Evidence consistent with both ideas has accumulated from studies of the human disease and experimental models. Thus, some combination of these concepts seems necessary to explain the very complex pattern of changes seen in cerebral malaria. The interactions between malaria parasites, erythrocytes, the cerebral microvascular endothelium, brain parenchymal cells, platelets and microparticles need to be considered. One factor that seems able to knit together much of this complexity is the cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-?). In this review we consider findings from the clinical disease, in vitro models and the murine counterpart of human cerebral malaria in order to evaluate the roles played by IFN-? in the pathogenesis of this often fatal and debilitating condition. © 2014 Hunt, Ball, Hansen, Khaw, Guo, Bakmiwewa, Mitchell, Combes and Grau

Energy Content of Acorns of Shinnery Oak (Quercus havardii) in the Diet of Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) in Southeastern New Mexico

Shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) is a deciduous, low-growing shrubby tree that is a dominant plant in large areas of grassland in western Oklahoma, the Texas Panhandle, and eastern New Mexico. Acorns of the plant are important food items for many wildlife species, including scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), and endangered lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus). We analyzed the energy content of acorns of shinnery oak obtained from the crops of scaled quail collected from plains-mesa sand-scrub in Lea and Eddy counties, New Mexico. Acorns were removed from crops and dried for 48 hours at 60°C to remove moisture and standardize masses. Acorns were then analyzed for gross caloric value (i.e., energy content) in an oxygen bomb calorimeter. Energy content of acorns of shinnery oak from New Mexico averaged 15.8 J/kg (3.8 kcal/g— standard deviation, 0.5 J/kg [0.1 kcal/g]) and was lower than that of most other food items previously reported from the diet of scaled quail and other upland game birds from southeastern New Mexico

Evaluating categories of resistance in soybean genotypes from the United States and Brazil to \u3ci\u3eAphis glycines\u3c/i\u3e (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), the soybean aphid, has become an important pest of soybeans, leading to significant yield losses in the United States. Host plant resistance is a viable alternative for managing A. glycines. The objectives of this study were to identify and categorize sources of resistance in soybean to A. glycines on genotypes from the United States and Brazil. An antixenosis assay was initially conducted with 8 genotypes to evaluate attractiveness to A. glycines. The selected soybean genotypes were further evaluated in a colonization assay to investigate the resistance of the genotypes at V1 (fully developed leaves at unifoliate node, 1st trifoliate leaf unrolled) and V3 (fully developed leaf at 2nd trifoliate node, 3rd trifoliate leaf unrolled) stages. An antibiosis assay was also conducted, in which multiple biological parameters of A. glycines were recorded. In the antixenosis assay, PI 200538, IAC 24, and IAC 17 genotypes were least attractive to adults of A. glycines, indicating moderate levels of antixenosis. The colonization assay showed that genotypes infested at the V3 stage had greater resistance when compared with the respective plants infested at the V1 stage. In addition, high levels of antibiosis to A. glycines were found in UX 2569-159, PI 200538, and PI 243540 genotypes. The identification of soybeans with resistance to A. glycines is of importance for the integrated pest management of this insect pest in the United States. Moreover, this research represents the first report on potential sources of resistance to A. glycines in soybeans from Brazil. O pulgão-da-soja, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), tornou-se uma importante praga da soja, levando a significativas perdas de produção nos Estados Unidos da América (EUA). A resistência de plantas é considerada uma alternativa viável para o manejo de A. glycines. Os objetivos deste estudo foram identificar e categorizar fontes de resistência em soja a A. glycines, avaliando genótipos dessa leguminosa do Brasil e EUA. Um ensaio de antixenose foi conduzido inicialmente com oito genótipos de soja a fim de avaliar a atratividade de A. glycines. Os genótipos selecionados foram posteriormente avaliados em um ensaio de colonização, visando verificar sua resistência nos estádios V1 (folhas do primeiro nó totalmente desenvolvidas; primeiro trifólio aberto) e V3 (folhas do segundo trifólio totalmente desenvolvidas; folhas do terceiro trifólio abertas). Um ensaio de antibiose também foi realizado, avaliando-se diversos parâmetros biológicos de A. glycines. No ensaio de antixenose, os genótipos PI 200538, IAC 24 e IAC 17 foram menos atrativos a adultos de A. glycines, indicando níveis moderados de antixenose. O ensaio de colonização mostrou que genótipos de soja infestados no estádio V3 apresentam maior resistência em comparação com plantas infestadas no estádio V1. Em adição, este estudo constatou altos níveis de antibiose para A. glycines nos genótipos UX 2569-159, PI 200538 e PI 243540. A identificação de genótipos de soja com resistência a A. glycines é importante para os programas de manejo integrado de pragas (MIP) nos EUA. Em adição, esta pesquisa apresenta o primeiro registro de genótipos de soja brasileiros como potenciais fontes de resistência ao pulgão-da-soja

Customer emotions in service failure and recovery encounters

Emotions play a significant role in the workplace, and considerable attention has been given to the study of employee emotions. Customers also play a central function in organizations, but much less is known about customer emotions. This chapter reviews the growing literature on customer emotions in employee–customer interfaces with a focus on service failure and recovery encounters, where emotions are heightened. It highlights emerging themes and key findings, addresses the measurement, modeling, and management of customer emotions, and identifies future research streams. Attention is given to emotional contagion, relationships between affective and cognitive processes, customer anger, customer rage, and individual differences

Comparative Reliability Assessment of Hybrid Si/SiC and Conventional Si Power Module Based PV Inverter Considering Mission Profile of India and Denmark Locations

Energy harnessing from renewable energy sources has become more flexible with power electronic technologies. Recent advancements in power electronic technologies achieve converter efficiency higher than 98. Today, reliable power electronic devices are needed to design a PV-based energy converter (inverter) to reduce the risk of failure and maintenance costs during operation. Wide-bandgap SiC devices are becoming more common in power electronic converters. These devices are designed to reduce switching loss and improve the efficiency of the system. Nevertheless, the cost of SiC devices is a major concern. Hence, to improve the reliability of the PV inverter while considering the economic aspects, this paper develops a highly reliable PV inverter with a hybrid Si/SiC power module that consists of a Si-IGBT with a SiC anti-parallel diode. A test case of a 3 kW PV inverter is considered for reliability analysis. The loading of the PV inverter is done under uncertain environmental conditions by considering the yearly Mission Profile (MP) data related to Ambient Temperature (AT) and Solar Irradiance (SI) at the India and Denmark locations. The effectiveness of the proposed hybrid Si/SiC power module is tested by comparing it with a conventional IGBT power module. The results showcase the marked improvement in PV inverter reliability with the proposed hybrid power module