17,969 research outputs found
Neural networks with dynamical synapses: from mixed-mode oscillations and spindles to chaos
Understanding of short-term synaptic depression (STSD) and other forms of
synaptic plasticity is a topical problem in neuroscience. Here we study the
role of STSD in the formation of complex patterns of brain rhythms. We use a
cortical circuit model of neural networks composed of irregular spiking
excitatory and inhibitory neurons having type 1 and 2 excitability and
stochastic dynamics. In the model, neurons form a sparsely connected network
and their spontaneous activity is driven by random spikes representing synaptic
noise. Using simulations and analytical calculations, we found that if the STSD
is absent, the neural network shows either asynchronous behavior or regular
network oscillations depending on the noise level. In networks with STSD,
changing parameters of synaptic plasticity and the noise level, we observed
transitions to complex patters of collective activity: mixed-mode and spindle
oscillations, bursts of collective activity, and chaotic behaviour.
Interestingly, these patterns are stable in a certain range of the parameters
and separated by critical boundaries. Thus, the parameters of synaptic
plasticity can play a role of control parameters or switchers between different
network states. However, changes of the parameters caused by a disease may lead
to dramatic impairment of ongoing neural activity. We analyze the chaotic
neural activity by use of the 0-1 test for chaos (Gottwald, G. & Melbourne, I.,
2004) and show that it has a collective nature.Comment: 7 pages, Proceedings of 12th Granada Seminar, September 17-21, 201
Critical and resonance phenomena in neural networks
Brain rhythms contribute to every aspect of brain function. Here, we study
critical and resonance phenomena that precede the emergence of brain rhythms.
Using an analytical approach and simulations of a cortical circuit model of
neural networks with stochastic neurons in the presence of noise, we show that
spontaneous appearance of network oscillations occurs as a dynamical
(non-equilibrium) phase transition at a critical point determined by the noise
level, network structure, the balance between excitatory and inhibitory
neurons, and other parameters. We find that the relaxation time of neural
activity to a steady state, response to periodic stimuli at the frequency of
the oscillations, amplitude of damped oscillations, and stochastic fluctuations
of neural activity are dramatically increased when approaching the critical
point of the transition.Comment: 8 pages, Proceedings of 12th Granada Seminar, September 17-21, 201
Instanton Corrected Non-Supersymmetric Attractors
We discuss non-supersymmetric attractors with an instanton correction in Type
IIA string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau three-fold at large volume. For
a stable non-supersymmetric black hole, the attractor point must minimize the
effective black hole potential. We study the supersymmetric as well as
non-supersymmetric attractors for the D0-D4 system with instanton corrections.
We show that in simple models, like the STU model, the flat directions of the
mass matrix can be lifted by a suitable choice of the instanton parameters.Comment: Minor modifications, Corrected typos, 38 pages, 1 figur
Integration of renewable energy in markets: analysis of key European and American electricity markets
ABSTRACT: Electricity markets are systems for affecting the purchase and sale of energy. Most existing markets are built on well-established principles of competition and transparency. However, their designs are based on centralized power plants with a small participation of end-use customers. During the past years, the share of electricity produced by renewable sources increased significantly. This paper analyses the structure and operation of two European markets and two American markets. The analysis highlights that the design, rules and characteristics of most markets are still not completely adapted to power systems with high levels of variable renewable energy. Accordingly, the paper proposes some recommendations to foster the integration of renewable generation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Bilateral negotiation in a multi-agent supply chain system
A supply chain is a set of organizations directly linked by flows of services from suppliers to customers. Supply chain activities range from the ordering and receipt of raw materials to the production and distribution of finished goods. Supply chain management is the integration of key activities across a supply chain for the purposes of building competitive infrastructures, synchronizing supply with demand, and leveraging worldwide logistics. This paper addresses the challenges created by supply chain management towards improving long-term performance of companies. It presents a multi-agent supply chain system composed of multiple software agents, each responsible for one or more supply chain activities, and each interacting with other agents in the execution of their responsibilities. Additionally, this paper presents the key features of a negotiation model for software agents. The model handles bilateral multi-issue negotiation and incorporates an alternating offers protocol, a set of logrolling strategies, and a set of negotiation tactics
Propagation of tau and α-synuclein in the brain: therapeutic potential of the glymphatic system
Many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, are characterised by the accumulation of misfolded protein deposits in the brain, leading to a progressive destabilisation of the neuronal network and neuronal death. Among the proteins that can abnormally accumulate are tau and α-synuclein, which can propagate in a prion-like manner and which upon aggregation, represent the most common intracellular proteinaceous lesions associated with neurodegeneration. For years it was thought that these intracellular proteins and their accumulation had no immediate relationship with extracellular homeostasis pathways such as the glymphatic clearance system; however, mounting evidence has now suggested that this is not the case. The involvement of the glymphatic system in neurodegenerative disease is yet to be fully defined; however, it is becoming increasingly clear that this pathway contributes to parenchymal solute clearance. Importantly, recent data show that proteins prone to intracellular accumulation are subject to glymphatic clearance, suggesting that this system plays a key role in many neurological disorders. In this review, we provide a background on the biology of tau and α-synuclein and discuss the latest findings on the cell-to-cell propagation mechanisms of these proteins. Importantly, we discuss recent data demonstrating that manipulation of the glymphatic system may have the potential to alleviate and reduce pathogenic accumulation of propagation-prone intracellular cytotoxic proteins. Furthermore, we will allude to the latest potential therapeutic opportunities targeting the glymphatic system that might have an impact as disease modifiers in neurodegenerative diseases
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