16,308 research outputs found
Minimal basilar membrane motion in low-frequency hearing
Low-frequency hearing is critically important for speech and music perception, but no mechanical measurements have previously been available from inner ears with intact low-frequency parts. These regions of the cochlea may function in ways different from the extensively studied high-frequency regions, where the sensory outer hair cells produce force that greatly increases the sound-evoked vibrations of the basilar membrane. We used laser interferometry in vitro and optical coherence tomography in vivo to study the low-frequency part of the guinea pig cochlea, and found that sound stimulation caused motion of a minimal portion of the basilar membrane. Outside the region of peak movement, an exponential decline in motion amplitude occurred across the basilar membrane. The moving region had different dependence on stimulus frequency than the vibrations measured near the mechanosensitive stereocilia. This behavior differs substantially from the behavior found in the extensively studied high-frequency regions of the cochlea
Genomic evidence for elevated mutation rates in highly expressed genes
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102069/1/embr2012165.reviewer_comments.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102069/2/embr2012165-sup-0001.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102069/3/embr2012165.pd
Enumeration of distinct mechanically stable disk packings in small systems
We create mechanically stable (MS) packings of bidisperse disks using an
algorithm in which we successively grow or shrink soft repulsive disks followed
by energy minimization until the overlaps are vanishingly small. We focus on
small systems because this enables us to enumerate nearly all distinct MS
packings. We measure the probability to obtain a MS packing at packing fraction
and find several notable results. First, the probability is highly
nonuniform. When averaged over narrow packing fraction intervals, the most
probable MS packing occurs at the highest and the probability decays
exponentially with decreasing . Even more striking, within each
packing-fraction interval, the probability can vary by many orders of
magnitude. By using two different packing-generation protocols, we show that
these results are robust and the packing frequencies do not change
qualitatively with different protocols.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, Conference Proceedings for X International
Workshop on Disordered System
Development of 〈110〉 texture in copper thin films
Author name used in this publication: C. H. Woo2001-2002 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe
Effects of the physiological parameters on the signal-to-noise ratio of single myoelectric channel
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An important measure of the performance of a myoelectric (ME) control system for powered artificial limbs is the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the output of ME channel. However, few studies illustrated the neuron-muscular interactive effects on the SNR at ME control channel output. In order to obtain a comprehensive understanding on the relationship between the physiology of individual motor unit and the ME control performance, this study investigates the effects of physiological factors on the SNR of single ME channel by an analytical and simulation approach, where the SNR is defined as the ratio of the mean squared value estimation at the channel output and the variance of the estimation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Mathematical models are formulated based on three fundamental elements: a motoneuron firing mechanism, motor unit action potential (MUAP) module, and signal processor. Myoelectric signals of a motor unit are synthesized with different physiological parameters, and the corresponding SNR of single ME channel is numerically calculated. Effects of physiological multi factors on the SNR are investigated, including properties of the motoneuron, MUAP waveform, recruitment order, and firing pattern, etc.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results of the mathematical model, supported by simulation, indicate that the SNR of a single ME channel is associated with the voluntary contraction level. We showed that a model-based approach can provide insight into the key factors and bioprocess in ME control. The results of this modelling work can be potentially used in the improvement of ME control performance and for the training of amputees with powered prostheses.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The SNR of single ME channel is a force, neuronal and muscular property dependent parameter. The theoretical model provides possible guidance to enhance the SNR of ME channel by controlling physiological variables or conscious contraction level.</p
The wavelet-NARMAX representation : a hybrid model structure combining polynomial models with multiresolution wavelet decompositions
A new hybrid model structure combing polynomial models with multiresolution wavelet decompositions is introduced for nonlinear system identification. Polynomial models play an important role in approximation theory, and have been extensively used in linear and nonlinear system identification. Wavelet decompositions, in which the basis functions have the property of localization in both time and frequency, outperform many other approximation schemes and offer a flexible solution for approximating arbitrary functions. Although wavelet representations can approximate even severe nonlinearities in a given signal very well, the advantage of these representations can be lost when wavelets are used to capture linear or low-order nonlinear behaviour in a signal. In order to sufficiently utilise the global property of polynomials and the local property of wavelet representations simultaneously, in this study polynomial models and wavelet decompositions are combined together in a parallel structure to represent nonlinear input-output systems. As a special form of the NARMAX model, this hybrid model structure will be referred to as the WAvelet-NARMAX model, or simply WANARMAX. Generally, such a WANARMAX representation for an input-output system might involve a large number of basis functions and therefore a great number of model terms. Experience reveals that only a small number of these model terms are significant to the system output. A new fast orthogonal least squares algorithm, called the matching pursuit orthogonal least squares (MPOLS) algorithm, is also introduced in this study to determine which terms should be included in the final model
Effects of ferroelectric-poling-induced strain on the quantum correction to low-temperature resistivity of manganite thin films
Author name used in this publication: H. L. W. ChanAuthor name used in this publication: H. S. Luo2010-2011 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe
Magnetic anisotropy study of ion-beam synthesized cobalt nanocrystals
The magnetic properties of Co nanocrystals in crystalline Al2 O3 and amorphous Si O2 are investigated. In contrast to the Si O2 matrix, the Al2 O3 matrix provides higher magnetic anisotropy and coercive field for Co nanocrystals. Using x-ray photoemission spectroscopy, it is found that a Co Al2 O4 layer forms in Co implanted region. Transmission electron microscopy shows that this Co Al2 O4 layer is grown epitaxially around Co nanocrystals. The higher coercive field of the Co nanocrystals in Al2 O3 is attributed to the presence of antiferromagnetic Co Al2 O4 layers. © 2006 American Institute of Physics
Probing Shadowed Nuclear Sea with Massive Gauge Bosons in the Future Heavy-Ion Collisions
The production of the massive bosons and could provide an
excellent tool to study cold nuclear matter effects and the modifications of
nuclear parton distribution functions (nPDFs) relative to parton distribution
functions (PDFs) of a free proton in high energy nuclear reactions at the LHC
as well as in heavy-ion collisions (HIC) with much higher center-of mass
energies available in the future colliders. In this paper we calculate the
rapidity and transverse momentum distributions of the vector boson and their
nuclear modification factors in p+Pb collisions at TeV and in
Pb+Pb collisions at TeV in the framework of perturbative QCD
by utilizing three parametrization sets of nPDFs: EPS09, DSSZ and nCTEQ. It is
found that in heavy-ion collisions at such high colliding energies, both the
rapidity distribution and the transverse momentum spectrum of vector bosons are
considerably suppressed in wide kinematic regions with respect to p+p reactions
due to large nuclear shadowing effect. We demonstrate that in the massive
vector boson productions processes with sea quarks in the initial-state may
give more contributions than those with valence quarks in the initial-state,
therefore in future heavy-ion collisions the isospin effect is less pronounced
and the charge asymmetry of W boson will be reduced significantly as compared
to that at the LHC. Large difference between results with nCTEQ and results
with EPS09 and DSSZ is observed in nuclear modifications of both rapidity and
distributions of and in the future HIC.Comment: 13 pages, 21 figures, version accepted for publication in Eur. Phys.
J.
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