Rich-club network topology to minimize synchronization cost due to phase difference among frequency-synchronized oscillators

As exemplified by power grids and large-scale brain networks, some functions of networks consisting of phase oscillators rely on not only frequency synchronization, but also phase synchronization among the oscillators. Nevertheless, even after the oscillators reach frequency-synchronized status, the phase synchronization is not always accomplished because the phase difference among the oscillators is often trapped at non-zero constant values. Such phase difference potentially results in inefficient transfer of power or information among the oscillators, and avoids proper and efficient functioning of the networks. In the present study, we newly define synchronization cost by using the phase difference among the frequency-synchronized oscillators, and investigate the optimal network structure with the minimum synchronization cost through rewiring-based optimization. By using the Kuramoto model, we demonstrate that the cost is minimized in a network with a rich-club topology, which comprises the densely-connected center nodes and low-degree peripheral nodes connecting with the center module. We also show that the network topology is characterized by its bimodal degree distribution, which is quantified by Wolfson’s polarization index.     

Effectively controlled microfluidic trap for spatiotemporal analysis of the electrotaxis of Caenorhabditis elegans

C. elegans is a popular model organism with a well‐developed neural network. Approximately 60% of the genes in C. elegans have genomic counterparts in humans, including those involved in building neural circuits. Therefore, we can extend the study of human neural network mechanisms to C. elegans which is easy to genetically manipulate. C. elegans shows behavioural responses to various external physical and chemical stimuli. Electrotaxis is one of its distinct behavioural responses, which is defined as movement towards the cathode in an electric field. In this study, we developed an effective microfluidic trap system for analysing electrotaxis in C. elegans. In addition, two mutant strains (unc‐54(s74) and unc‐6(e78)) from wild‐type (N2) worms were screened using the system. Wild‐type (N2) worms and the two mutant strains clearly showed different behavioural responses to the applied electric field, thus enabling the effective screening of the mutant worms from the wild type (N2). This microfluidic system can be utilized as a platform for the study of behavioural responses, and for the sorting and mutant screening of C. elegans.     

润湿特性对超级电容器储能动力学的影响机理

润湿特性对超级电容器储能性能有着至关重要的影响。借助分子动力学模拟,本文研究了润湿特性对超级电容器储能动力学行为的影响。以石墨烯和晶体铜作为疏电解液和亲电解液电极材料。结果表明,在充电过程中,亲电解液铜电极呈现出非对称的U型微分电容曲线,负极电容是正极的～5.77倍,不同于经典双电层理论Gouy-Chapman-Stern(对称U型)和疏电解液型。该现象与离子自由能阻力分布密切相关,负极自由能阻力远小于正极(～2倍)和疏电解液电极,进而有利于强化双电层结构对电极电压的响应能力,导致更高微分电容。通过微分离子电荷密度,本文再现了微分电容演变规律,并发现改善润湿性会显著降低双电层厚度。最后,我们指出润湿性直接影响储能微观机理,将电荷储存机制从离子吸附和交换共同主导(疏电解液)转变到离子吸附主导(亲电解液)。本文所得结论揭示了润湿特性对储能动力学行为影响的原子层级机理,对超级电容器材料设计、构筑与润湿特性调控具有重要指导意义。     

Stationary Dyonic regular and black hole solutions

We consider globally regular and black hole solutions in SU(2) Einstein–Yang–Mills–Higgs theory, coupled to a dilaton field. The basic solutions represent magnetic monopoles, monopole–antimonopole systems or black holes with monopole or dipole hair. When the globally regular solutions carry additionally electric charge, an angular momentum density results, except in the simplest spherically symmetric case. We evaluate the global charges of the solutions and their effective action, and analyze their dependence on the gravitational coupling strength. We show, that in the presence of a dilaton field, the black hole solutions satisfy a generalized Smarr type mass formula. B. Kleihaus gratefully acknowledges support by the German Aerospace Center. F. Navarro-Lérida gratefully acknowledges support by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia under grant EX2005-0078.     

The AΠu state of : Electric properties, fine and hyperfine coupling constants, and magnetic moments (g-factors). A theoretical study

Several properties are calculated for A²Π_u of —the majority for the first time—including electric and magnetic moments, and fine/hyperfine structure (fs/hfs) parameters. The new results are compared with our previous ones for X² and B² of [P.J. Bruna, F. Grein, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 227 (2004) 67–80]. The electric quadrupole Θ and hexadecapole Φ moments, polarizability α, and hfs constants a, b, c, d, eQq₀, eQq₂ are evaluated at the density functional theory (DFT) level [B3LYP/aug-cc-pVQZ]. The fs constants (spin–orbit coupling A_Π, Λ-doubling p, q, spin-rotation γ_Π), and magnetic moments (g-factors) are obtained via 2nd-order sum-over-states expansions, using wavefunctions and matrix elements obtained with a multireference configuration interaction (MRDCI) method, and the Breit–Pauli Hamiltonian. At equilibrium, 2nd-order properties of A²Π_u are dominated by its coupling with B². For the A state, two independent components are reported for traceless tensor properties (multipoles Θ and Φ; hfs parameters c/d and q₀/q₂) and three for traced properties (polarizability α and g-factors), i.e., one more component than for axially symmetric Σ states. The currently available experimental data on — limited to A_Π, p, and q—are well reproduced by our theoretical results.     

A moiré method of visualizing electromagnetic force lines

We propose a simple moiré method of visualizing electromagnetic force lines. The indicial equation is first derived for the tangent (or normal) curve to the electric field (or magnetic induction) around two parallel-line charges (or currents). The derived equation is then shown to have a one-to-one correspondence with that of the moiré fringe formed by two overlapped radial gratings. Since the tangent (or normal) curve to the electric field (or the magnetic induction) corresponds to the direction of the electric (or magnetic) force on a test charge (or current), the radial grating moirés can be used for the visualization of electric (or magnetic) force lines.     

Investigation of spin transition in GdCoO3 by measuring the electric field gradient at Co sites

In the present work, the time differential perturbed angular correlation (PAC) technique was used to study the temperature dependence of electric field gradient (efg) in GdCoO₃ perovskite using ¹¹¹Cd and ¹⁸¹Ta nuclear probes. The radioactive parent nuclei ¹¹¹In and ¹⁸¹Hf were introduced in the oxide lattice through chemical process during sample preparation and were found to occupy only the Co sites in GdCoO₃. The efg's at ¹¹¹Cd and ¹⁸¹Ta show temperature dependence with two different fractions each that change with temperature. In the case of ¹¹¹Cd the quadrupole frequency slowly decreases, with corresponding increase of the temperature and shows a peak like structure at around 200 K and a discontinuity at 700 K. These changes have been interpreted as thermally activated spin-state transitions from low-spin ground state configuration to the intermediate-spin state and from intermediate-spin to high-spin state of Co³⁺${\mathrm{Co}}^{3+}$ ion similar to LaCoO₃ compound. Indication of a Jahn–Teller distortion, which stabilizes the intermediate-spin state with orbital ordering, is also pointed out.     

Investigation of seismicity after the initiation of a Seismic Electric Signal activity until the main shock

The behavior of seismicity in the area candidate to suffer a main shock is investigated after the observation of the Seismic Electric Signal activity until the impending main shock. This is based on the view that the occurrence of earthquakes is a critical phenomenon to which statistical dynamics may be applied. In the present work, analysing the time series of small earthquakes, the concept of natural time chi was used and the results revealed that the approach to criticality itself can be manifested by the probability density function (PDF) of kappa(1) calculated over an appropriate statistical ensemble. Here, kappa(1) is the variance kappa(1)(=-(2)) resulting from the power spectrum of a function defined as Phi(omega)= summation operator(k=1)(N) p(k) exp(iomegachi(k)), where p(k) is the normalized energy of the k-th small earthquake and omega the natural frequency. This PDF exhibits a maximum at kappa(1) asymptotically equal to 0.070 a few days before the main shock. Examples are presented, referring to the magnitude 6 approximately 7 class earthquakes that occurred in Greece.