1,326 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
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
-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
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
On non-zero space average density perturbation effects in tokamak plasma reflectometer signals
12th International Congress on Plasma Physics, 25-29 October 2004, Nice (France)The effects of the non-zero average density perturbation on phase and amplitude measured by reflectometry are presented. The non-zero average density perturbation on the phase variation can be seen as an index effect as soon as the shape of the density perturbation does not introduce spectral effects. Amplitude modulation in time follows generally the properties of the cut-off layer seen as a mirror but some specific situations produce a time modulation two times higher than the input time variation of the density perturbation as observed in Tore Supra. The introduction of secondary cut-off can exhibit this effect as shown in 2D simulations
Prognostic significance of anti-p53 and anti-KRas circulating antibodies in esophageal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>P53 mutations are an adverse prognostic factor in esophageal cancer. P53 and KRas mutations are involved in chemo-radioresistance. Circulating anti-p53 or anti-KRas antibodies are associated with gene mutations. We studied whether anti-p53 or anti-KRas auto-antibodies were prognostic factors for response to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or survival in esophageal carcinoma.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Serum p53 and KRas antibodies (abs) were measured using an ELISA method in 97 consecutive patients treated at Saint Louis University Hospital between 1999 and 2002 with CRT for esophageal carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma (SCCE) 57 patients, adenocarcinoma (ACE) 27 patients). Patient and tumor characteristics, response to treatment and the follow-up status of 84 patients were retrospectively collected. The association between antibodies and patient characteristics was studied. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were conducted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty-four patients (28%) had anti-p53 abs. Abs were found predominantly in SCCE (p = 0.003). Anti-p53 abs were associated with a shorter overall survival in the univariate analysis (HR 1.8 [1.03-2.9], p = 0.04). In the multivariate analysis, independent prognostic factors for overall and progression-free survival were an objective response to CRT, the CRT strategy (alone or combined with surgery [preoperative]) and anti-p53 abs. None of the long-term survivors had p53 abs. KRas abs were found in 19 patients (23%, no difference according to the histological type). There was no significant association between anti-KRas abs and survival neither in the univariate nor in the multivariate analysis. Neither anti-p53 nor anti-KRas abs were associated with response to CRT.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Anti-p53 abs are an independent prognostic factor for esophageal cancer patients treated with CRT. Individualized therapeutic approaches should be evaluated in this population.</p
Evaluation of safe and effective administration of nitrous oxide after a postgraduate training course
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