Adaptive intermittent control: A computational model explaining motor intermittency observed in human behavior

It is a fundamental question how our brain performs a given motor task in a real-time fashion with the slow sensorimotor system. Computational theory proposed an influential idea of feed-forward control, but it has mainly treated the case that the movement is ballistic (such as reaching) because the motor commands should be calculated in advance of movement execution. As a possible mechanism for operating feed-forward control in continuous motor tasks (such as target tracking), we propose a control model called "adaptive intermittent control" or "segmented control," that brain adaptively divides the continuous time axis into discrete segments and executes feed-forward control in each segment. The idea of intermittent control has been proposed in the fields of control theory, biological modeling and nonlinear dynamical system. Compared with these previous models, the key of the proposed model is that the system speculatively determines the segmentation based on the future prediction and its uncertainty. The result of computer simulation showed that the proposed model realized faithful visuo-manual tracking with realistic sensorimotor delays and with less computational costs (i.e., with fewer number of segments). Furthermore, it replicated "motor intermittency", that is, intermittent discontinuities commonly observed in human movement trajectories. We discuss that the temporally segmented control is an inevitable strategy for brain which has to achieve a given task with small computational (or cognitive) cost, using a slow control system in an uncertain variable environment, and the motor intermittency is the side-effect of this strategy

A New Test for the Absorption Mechanism of GPS Radio Sources Using Polarization Properties

We consider the use of polarization properties as a means to discriminate between Synchrotron Self-Absorption (SSA) and Free--Free Absorption (FFA) in GHz-Peaked Spectrum (GPS) sources. The polarization position angle (PA) of synchrotron radiation at high frequencies for the optically thin regime is perpendicular to the magnetic field, whereas it is parallel to the magnetic field at low frequencies for the optically thick regime. Therefore, SSA produces a change in PA of $90^{\circ}$ across the spectral peak, while FFA does not result in such a change. We analyzed polarization data from VLA observations for six GPS sources to see if such a change in PA was present. Our results indicate that there is no significant evidence for $90^{\circ}$ change in PA across the spectral peak, suggesting that FFA is more likely than SSA for low-frequency cutoffs in these sources

On cosmic-ray production efficiency at supernova remnant shocks propagating into realistic diffuse interstellar medium

Using three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics simulations, we show that the efficiency of cosmic-ray (CR) production at supernova remnants (SNRs) is over-predicted if it could be estimated based on proper motion measurements of H$\alpha$ filaments in combination with shock-jump conditions. Density fluctuations of upstream medium make shock waves rippled and oblique almost everywhere. The kinetic energy of the shock wave is transferred into that of downstream turbulence as well as thermal energy which is related to the shock velocity component normal to the shock surface. Our synthetic observation shows that the CR acceleration efficiency as estimated from a lower downstream plasma temperature, is overestimated by 10-40%, because rippled shock does not immediately dissipate all upstream kinetic energy.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in ApJ; the paper with full resolution images is http://www.phys.aoyama.ac.jp/~ryo/papers/shimoda2015.pd

On the Earthquake Response of Structural Systems Considering the Interaction Effects of the Ground

In earthquake engineering, it is important to estimate reasonably the effects of the ground characteristics on the earthquake responses of above-ground structures. In this paper, the ground characteristics in an elastic range are represented as the dynamic ground compliance of a foundation on an elastic half-space that means a force-displacement transfer function of an elastic ground-foundation system. Supposing bilinear hysteretic restoring force characteristics in an above-ground structure and an elasto-plastic boundary layer underneath the foundation, the nonlinear transient responses of a ground-structure system subjected to horizontal ground acceleration excitations are analyzed in a wide parameter range. The random time functions obtained through a noise generator are used for this response analysis as ground acceleration excitations. As a result of the present study, it is pointed out that an interaction effect of the ground may act advantageously on a structural earthquake response in usual cases, while a disadvantageous effect should be considered when large plastic behaviours of structures are anticipated during earthquakes

A Case of Bilateral Permanent Subluxation of the Lateral Meniscus

We report a case of bilateral, permanent subluxation of the lateral meniscus. To our knowledge, the present case is the first reported description of bilateral irreducible anterior dislocation of the posterior segment of the lateral meniscus. This disorder is characterized by a flipped meniscus sign of the lateral meniscus on sagittal magnetic resonance images of the knee joint, with no history of trauma or locking symptoms. A detailed examination of serial magnetic resonance images of the lateral meniscus can help differentiate this condition from malformation of the lateral meniscus, that is, a double-layered meniscus. We recommend two-stage treatment for this disorder. First, the knee joint is kept in straight position for 3 weeks after the lateral meniscus is reduced to the normal position. Second, if subluxation of the lateral meniscus recurs, meniscocapsular suture is then performed. Although subluxation of the lateral meniscus without locking symptoms is rare, it is important to be familiar with this condition to diagnose and treat it correctly

On the Site Amplification Characteristics in San Francisco Bay Region Due to the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake Type Loadings

A large earthquake occurred in the Santa Cruz mountains, California, on 17 October 1989, and many structures and facilities in the San Francisco Bay region suffered fatal damage from the seismic motion. In order to evaluate the ground amplification characteristics in the region, the practical method of representing the seismic wave field may be necessary. This paper is concerned with a theoretical analysis and numerical evaluation based on the wave propagation theory to find the dynamic characteristics of the slightly sedimental basin around the San Francisco Bay due to the Loma Prieta earthquake type excitations. Numerical examples of this system are shown in the domain of frequency and time