Characteristics of critical amplitude of a sinusoidal stimulus in a model neuron

The characteristics of the critical amplitude of a sinusoidal stimulus in a model neuron, Morris－Lecar model, are investigated numerically. It is important in the study of stochastic resonance to determine whether a periodic stimulus is subthreshold or not. The critical amplitude as a function of the stimulus frequency is not a constant, but a curve, which is the boundary between subthreshold and suprathreshold stimulation. It has been considered that this curve is U-shaped in the previous investigations, and this has been accepted as a universal phenomenon. Nevertheless, we think that it is only true for a type of neuron: namely, resonators. Actually, there exists another type of neuron, integrators, which can undergo a saddle-node on invariant circle bifurcation from the rest state to the firing state. For the latter we find that the critical amplitude increases monotonically as the frequency of sinusoidal stimulus is increased. This is shown by way of the Morris－Lecar model. As a consequence, the critical amplitude curve is studied further, and the dynamical mechanisms underlying the change in critical amplitude curve are uncovered. The results of this paper can provide a reference to choose the subthreshold periodic stimulus.     

A new approach to detecting weak signal in strong noise based on chaos system control

In this paper, a chaos system and proportional differential control are both used to detect the frequency of an unknown signal. In traditional methods the useful signal is obtained through the Duffing equation or other chaotic oscillators. But these methods are too complex because of using a lot of chaos oscillators. In this paper a new method is presented that uses the R?ssler equation and proportional differential control to detect a weak signal frequency. Substituting the detected signal frequency into the R?ssler equation leads the R?ssler phase state to be considerably changed. The chaos state can be controlled through the proportional differential method. Through its phase diagram and spectrum analysis, the unknown frequency is obtained. The simulation results verify that the presented method is feasible and that the detection accuracy is higher than those of other methods.     

Chaotic dynamics and its analysis of Hindmarsh-Rose neurons by Shil'nikov approach

In this paper, the relationship between external current stimulus and chaotic behaviors of a Hindmarsh–Rose(HR)neuron is considered. In order to find out the range of external current stimulus which will produce chaotic behaviors of an HR neuron, the Shil'nikov technique is employed. The Cardano formula is taken to obtain the threshold of the chaotic motion, and series solution to a differential equation is utilized to obtain the homoclinic orbit of HR neurons. This analysis establishes mathematically the value of external current input in generating chaotic motion of HR neurons by the Shil'nikov method. The numerical simulations are performed to support the theoretical results.     

Dynamical response of a neuron–astrocyte coupling system under electromagnetic induction and external stimulation

Previous studies have observed that electromagnetic induction can seriously affect the electrophysiological activity of the nervous system. Considering the role of astrocytes in regulating neural firing, we studied a simple neuron–astrocyte coupled system under electromagnetic induction in response to different types of external stimulation. Both the duration and intensity of the external stimulus can induce different modes of electrical activity in this system, and thus the neuronal firing patterns can be subtly controlled. When the external stimulation ceases, the neuron will continue to fire for a long time and then reset to its resting state. In this study, "delay" is defined as the delayed time from the firing state to the resting state, and it is highly sensitive to changes in the duration or intensity of the external stimulus. Meanwhile, the self-similarity embodied in the aforementioned sensitivity can be quantified by fractal dimension. Moreover, a hysteresis loop of calcium activity in the astrocyte is observed in the specific interval of the external stimulus when the stimulus duration is extended to infinity, since astrocytic calcium or neuron electrical activity in the resting state or during periodic oscillation depends on the initial state. Finally, the regulating effect of electromagnetic induction in this system is considered. It is clarified that the occurrence of "delay" depends purely on the existence of electromagnetic induction. This model can reveal the dynamic characteristics of the neuron–astrocyte coupling system with magnetic induction under external stimulation. These results can provide some insights into the effects of electromagnetic induction and stimulation on neuronal activity.     

Studies of phase return map and symbolic dynamics in a periodically driven Hodgkin–Huxley neuron

How neuronal spike trains encode external information is a hot topic in neurodynamics studies.In this paper,we investigate the dynamical states of the Hodgkin–Huxley neuron under periodic forcing.Depending on the parameters of the stimulus,the neuron exhibits periodic,quasiperiodic and chaotic spike trains.In order to analyze these spike trains quantitatively,we use the phase return map to describe the dynamical behavior on a one-dimensional(1D)map.According to the monotonicity or discontinuous point of the 1D map,the spike trains are transformed into symbolic sequences by implementing a coarse-grained algorithm—symbolic dynamics.Based on the ordering rules of symbolic dynamics,the parameters of the external stimulus can be measured in high resolution with finite length symbolic sequences.A reasonable explanation for why the nervous system can discriminate or cognize the small change of the external signals in a short time is also presented.     

Stochastic resonance of a damped oscillator with frequency fluctuation driven by a periodic external force

<正>Considering a damped linear oscillator model subjected to a white noise with an inherent angular frequency and a periodic external driving force,we derive the analytic expression of the first moment of output response,and study the stochastic resonance phenomenon in a system.The results show that the output response of this system behaves as a simple harmonic vibration,of which the frequency is the same as the external driving frequency,and the variations of amplitude with the driving frequency and the inherent frequency present a bona fide stochastic resonance.     

Directional sensitivity of auditory ascending neuron in the bushcricket Gampsocleis gratiosa

Quantitative analyses on phonotactic behavior of the bushcricket havedemonstrated that the bushcricket possesses good capability to determine directionof sound source.The morphological structure,laterality and directional sensitivityof the auditory ascending neuron in the prothoracic ganglion of the bushcrickethave been studied.At its best frequency of 15 kHz,the laterality threshold differ-ence of the neuron is great up to about 16 dB.Its directional sensitivity dependsclosely on stimulus frequency.The higher the stimulus frequency,the greater thedirectional threshold differences.Spike count and latency shift of the ascendingneuron in response to each stimulus depend on the angle of incidence of sound.Therefore,the two parameters can be used as directional cues of sound source bythe ascending neuron.     

Determination of the exact range of the value of the parameter corresponding to chaos based on the Silnikov criterion

Based on the Silnikov criterion, this paper studies a chaotic system of cubic polynomial ordinary differential equations in three dimensions. Using the Cardano formula, it obtains the exact range of the value of the parameter corresponding to chaos by means of the centre manifold theory and the method of multiple scales combined with Floque theory. By calculating the manifold near the equilibrium point, the series expression of the homoclinic orbit is also obtained. The space trajectory and Lyapunov exponent are investigated via numerical simulation, which shows that there is a route to chaos through period-doubling bifurcation and that chaotic attractors exist in the system. The results obtained here mean that chaos occurred in the exact range given in this paper. Numerical simulations also verify the analytical results.     

Open-loop frequency response for a chaotic masking system

In this paper, a new numerical simulation approach is proposed for the study of open-loop frequency response of a chaotic masking system. Using Chua's circuit and the Lorenz system as illustrative examples, we have shown that one can employ chaos synchronization to separate the feedback network from a chaotic masking system, and then use numerical simulation to obtain the open-loop synchronization response, the phase response, and the amplitude response of a chaotic masking system. Based on the analysis of the frequency response, we have also proved that changing the amplitude of the exciting (input) signal within normal working domain does not influence the frequency response of the chaotic masking system. The new numerical simulation method developed in this paper can be extended to consider the open-loop frequency response of other systems described by differential or difference equations.     

Bubble nonlinear dynamics and stimulated scattering process

A complete understanding of the bubble dynamics is deemed necessary in order to achieve their full potential applications in industry and medicine. For this purpose it is first needed to expand our knowledge of a single bubble behavior under different possible conditions including the frequency and pressure variations of the sound field. In addition, stimulated scattering of sound on a bubble is a special effect in sound field, and its characteristics are associated with bubble oscillation mode. A bubble in liquid can be considered as a representative example of nonlinear dynamical system theory with its resonance, and its dynamics characteristics can be described by the Keller–Miksis equation. The nonlinear dynamics of an acoustically excited gas bubble in water is investigated by using theoretical and numerical analysis methods. Our results show its strongly nonlinear behavior with respect to the pressure amplitude and excitation frequency as the control parameters, and give an intuitive insight into stimulated sound scattering on a bubble. It is seen that the stimulated sound scattering is different from common dynamical behaviors, such as bifurcation and chaos, which is the result of the nonlinear resonance of a bubble under the excitation of a high amplitude acoustic sound wave essentially. The numerical analysis results show that the threshold of stimulated sound scattering is smaller than those of bifurcation and chaos in the common condition.     

Determine the physical mechanism and source region of beat wave modulation by changing the frequency of high-frequency waves

This paper introduces a new approach for the determination of the source region of beat wave(BW)modulation.This type of modulation is achieved by transmitting high-frequency(HF)continuous waves with a frequency difference f,where f is the frequency of modulated ELF/VLF(extremely low frequency/very low frequency)waves from two sub-arrays of a high power HF transmitter.Despite the advantages of BW modulation in terms of generating more stable ELF/VLF signal and high modulation efficiency,there exists a controversy on the physical mechanism of BW and its source region.In this paper,the two controversial theories,i.e.,BW based on D-E region thermal nonlinearity and BW based on F region ponderomotive nonlinearity are examined for cases where each of these two theories exists exclusively or both of them exist simultaneously.According to the analysis and simulation results presented in this paper,it is found that the generated VLF signal amplitude exhibits significant variation as a function of HF frequency in different source regions.Therefore,this characteristic can be utilized as a potential new approach to determine the physical mechanism and source location of BW.     

Firing dynamics of an autaptic neuron

Autapses are synapses that connect a neuron to itself in the nervous system. Previously, both experimental and theoretical studies have demonstrated that autaptic connections in the nervous system have a significant physiological function. Autapses in nature provide self-delayed feedback, thus introducing an additional timescale to neuronal activities and causing many dynamic behaviors in neurons. Recently, theoretical studies have revealed that an autapse provides a control option for adjusting the response of a neuron: e.g., an autaptic connection can cause the electrical activities of the Hindmarsh–Rose neuron to switch between quiescent, periodic, and chaotic firing patterns; an autapse can enhance or suppress the mode-locking status of a neuron injected with sinusoidal current; and the firing frequency and interspike interval distributions of the response spike train can also be modified by the autapse. In this paper, we review recent studies that showed how an autapse affects the response of a single neuron.     

Effect of metal oxide arrester on the chaotic oscillations in the voltage transformer with nonlinear core loss model using chaos theory

In this paper, controlling chaos when chaotic ferroresonant oscillations occur in a voltage transformer with nonlinear core loss model is performed. The effect of a parallel metal oxide surge arrester on the ferroresonance oscillations of voltage transformers is studied. The metal oxide arrester(MOA) is found to be effective in reducing ferroresonance chaotic oscillations. Also the multiple scales method is used to analyze the chaotic behavior and different types of fixed points in ferroresonance of voltage transformers considering core loss. This phenomenon has nonlinear chaotic dynamics and includes sub-harmonic, quasi-periodic, and also chaotic oscillations. In this paper, the chaotic behavior and various ferroresonant oscillation modes of the voltage transformer is studied. This phenomenon consists of different types of bifurcations such as period doubling bifurcation(PDB), saddle node bifurcation(SNB), Hopf bifurcation(HB), and chaos. The dynamic analysis of ferroresonant circuit is based on bifurcation theory. The bifurcation and phase plane diagrams are illustrated using a continuous method and linear and nonlinear models of core loss. To analyze ferroresonance phenomenon, the Lyapunov exponents are calculated via the multiple scales method to obtain Feigenbaum numbers. The bifurcation diagrams illustrate the variation of the control parameter. Therefore, the chaos is created and increased in the system.     

The bifurcation threshold value of the chaos detection system for a weak signal

Recently, it has become an important problem to confirm the bifurcation threshold value of a chaos detection system for a weak signal in the fields of chaos detection. It is directly related to whether the results of chaos detection are correct or not. In this paper, the discrimination system for the dynamic behaviour of a chaos detection system for a weak signal is established by using the theory of linear differential equation with periodic coefficients and computing the Lyapunov exponents of the chaos detection system; and then, the movement state of the chaos detection system is defined. The simulation experiments show that this method can exactly confirm the bifurcation threshold value of the chaos detection system.     

Hopf bifurcation analysis and circuit implementation for a novelfour-wing hyper-chaotic system

In the paper, a novel four-wing hyper-chaotic system is proposed and analyzed. A rare dynamic phenomenon is found that this new system with one equilibrium generates a four-wing-hyper-chaotic attractor as parameter varies. The system has rich and complex dynamical behaviors, and it is investigated in terms of Lyapunov exponents, bifurcation diagrams, Poincare′ maps, frequency spectrum, and numerical simulations. In addition, the theoretical analysis shows that the system undergoes a Hopf bifurcation as one parameter varies, which is illustrated by the numerical simulation. Finally, an analog circuit is designed to implement this hyper-chaotic system.     

The bifurcation threshold value of the chaos detection system for a weak signal＊

Recently, it has become an important problem to confirm the bifurcation threshold value of a chaos detectionsystem for a weak signal in the fields of chaos detection. It is directly related to whether the results of chaos detectionare correct or not. In this paper, the discrimination system for the dynamic behaviour of a chaos detection system fora weak signal is established by using the theory of linear differential equation with periodic coefficients and computingthe Lyapunov exponents of the chaos detection system; and then, the movement state of the chaos detection system isdefined. The simulation experiments show that this method can exactly confirm the bifurcation threshold value of thechaos detection svstem.     

Wavelength conversion of chaotic message through gain modulation by injection-locked Fabry-Perot laser diode

<正>We propose a wavelength conversion scheme for chaotic optical communications(COC) based on a Fabry-Perot (FP) laser diode.The FP laser,as a wavelength converter,is injection-locked at one of longitudinal modes by an external continuous-wave(CW) light.The simulation results demonstrated that the chaos masked signal at wavelengthλ_1,which corresponds to the other longitudinal mode of FP laser,can be converted to the injection-locked mode(wavelengthλ_2) based on cross-gain modulation in a closed-loop COC link.A 1.2-GHz chaos masked sinusoidal signal is successfully decoded with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) beyond 8 dB in 15-nm wavelength conversion range,and the effects of SNR on the signal frequency and conversion span are also investigated.     

Multiple broadband magnetoelectric response in Terfenol-D/PZT structure

In this paper, a novel magnetoelectric(ME) composite structure is proposed, and the ME response in the structure is measured at the bias magnetic field up to 2000 Oe(1 Oe = 79.5775 A·m~(-1)) and the excitation frequency of alternating magnetic field ranging from 1 kHz to 200 kHz. The ME voltage of each PZT layer is detected. According to the measurement results, the phase differences are observed among three channels and the multi-peak phenomenon appears in each channel. Meanwhile, the results show that the ME structure can stay a relatively high ME response within a wide bandwidth.Besides, the hysteretic loops of three PZT layers are observed. When the frequency of alternating current(AC) magnetic field changes, the maximum value of ME coefficient appears in different layers due to the multiple vibration modes of the structure. Moreover, a finite element analysis is performed to evaluate the resonant frequency of the structure, and the theoretical calculating results accord well with the experimental results. The experiment results suggest that the proposed structure may be a good candidate for designing broadband magnetic field sensors.     

Fast-scale border collision bifurcation in SEPIC power factor pre-regulators

In this paper we report a kind of fast-scale instability occurring in the single-ended primary inductance converter （SEPIC） power factor pre-regulator, which is designed to operate in discontinuous conduction mode. Main results are given by exact cycle-by-cycle computer simulations as well as theoretical analysis. It is found that the instability phenomenon manifests itself as a fast-scale bifurcation at the switching period, which implies the occurrence of border collision bifurcation, or is related to the transition of the regular operating mode of the SEPIC. According to the theoretical analysis and simulation results, the effects of parameters on system stability, and the locations of the bifurcation points are confirmed. Moreover, the effects of such an instability on power factor and switching stress are also discussed. Finally, the occurrence of the asymmetric bifurcation locations is investigated. The results show that this work provides a convenient means of predicting stability boundaries which can facilitate the selection of the practical parameters.     

Statistical interior properties of globular proteins

The character of forming long-range contacts affects the three-dimensional structure of globular proteins deeply. As the different ability to form long-range contacts between 20 types of amino acids and 4 categories of globular proteins, the statistical properties are thoroughly discussed in this paper. Two parameters N_C and N_D are defined to confine the valid residues in detail. The relationship between hydrophobicity scales and valid residue percentage of each amino acid is given in the present work and the linear functions are shown in our statistical results. It is concluded that the hydrophobicity scale defined by chemical derivatives of the amino acids and nonpolar phase of large unilamellar vesicle membranes is the most effective technique to characterise the hydrophobic behavior of amino acid residues. Meanwhile, residue percentage P_i and sequential residue length L_i of a certain protein i are calculated under different conditions. The statistical results show that the average value of P_i as well as L_i of all-α proteins has a minimum among these 4 classes of globular proteins, indicating that all-α proteins are hardly capable of forming long-range contacts one by one along their linear amino acid sequences. All-β proteins have a higher tendency to construct long-range contacts along their primary sequences related to the secondary configurations, i.e. parallel and anti-parallel configurations of β sheets. The investigation of the interior properties of globular proteins give us the connection between the three-dimensional structure and its primary sequence data or secondary configurations, and help us to understand the structure of protein and its folding process well.