Quantum Mechanics Emerges from Information Theory Applied to Causal Horizons

It is suggested that quantum mechanics is not fundamental but emerges from classical information theory applied to causal horizons. The path integral quantization and quantum randomness can be derived by considering information loss of fields or particles crossing Rindler horizons for accelerating observers. This implies that information is one of the fundamental roots of all physical phenomena. The connection between this theory and Verlinde’s entropic gravity theory is also investigated.     

Tremor: Is Parkinson's disease a dynamical disease?

Experimental evidence has shown a plethora of short-term fluctuations in patients with Parkinson's disease. We investigate these transitory events using the concept of dynamical disease. Several examples of short-term fluctuations in tremor are analyzed, and in two cases, other systemic variables (i.e., respiration and blood pressure) are examined as well. A model for tremor, based on negative feedback with delays is proposed, and the transient events are simulated. The theoretical implications of the model suggest that interactions between the central and peripheral loops, as well as interactions between the control loops and other systemic signals, can give rise to transitory events in tremor, both in the pathological and in the normal case. (c) 1995 American Institute of Physics.     

Can climate sensitivity be estimated from short-term relationships of top-of-atmosphere net radiation and surface temperature?

Increasing the knowledge in climate radiative feedbacks is critical for current climate studies. This work focuses on short-term relationships between global mean surface temperature and top-of-atmosphere (TOA) net radiation. The relationships may be used to characterize the climate feedback as suggested by some recent studies. As those recent studies, an energy balance model with ocean mixed layer and both radiative and non-radiative heat sources is used here. The significant improvement of current model is that climate system memories are considered.Based on model simulations, short-term relationship between global mean surface temperature and TOA net radiation (or the linear striation feature as suggested by previous studies) might represent climate feedbacks when the system had no memories. However, climate systems with the same short-term feedbacks but different memories would have a similar linear striation feature. This linear striation feature reflects only fast components of climate feedbacks and may not represent the total climate feedback even when the memory length of climate systems is minimal. The potential errors in the use of short-term relationships in estimations of climate sensitivity could be big. In short time scales, fast climate processes may overwhelm long-term climate feedbacks. Thus, the climate radiative feedback parameter obtained from short-term data may not provide a reliable estimate of climate sensitivity. This result also suggests that long-term observations of global surface temperature and TOA radiation are critical in the understanding of climate feedbacks and sensitivities.     

Stability of discrete memory states to stochastic fluctuations in neuronal systems

Noise can degrade memories by causing transitions from one memory state to another. For any biological memory system to be useful, the time scale of such noise-induced transitions must be much longer than the required duration for memory retention. Using biophysically-realistic modeling, we consider two types of memory in the brain: short-term memories maintained by reverberating neuronal activity for a few seconds, and long-term memories maintained by a molecular switch for years. Both systems require persistence of (neuronal or molecular) activity self-sustained by an autocatalytic process and, we argue, that both have limited memory lifetimes because of significant fluctuations. We will first discuss a strongly recurrent cortical network model endowed with feedback loops, for short-term memory. Fluctuations are due to highly irregular spike firing, a salient characteristic of cortical neurons. Then, we will analyze a model for long-term memory, based on an autophosphorylation mechanism of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) molecules. There, fluctuations arise from the fact that there are only a small number of CaMKII molecules at each postsynaptic density (putative synaptic memory unit). Our results are twofold. First, we demonstrate analytically and computationally the exponential dependence of stability on the number of neurons in a self-excitatory network, and on the number of CaMKII proteins in a molecular switch. Second, for each of the two systems, we implement graded memory consisting of a group of bistable switches. For the neuronal network we report interesting ramping temporal dynamics as a result of sequentially switching an increasing number of discrete, bistable, units. The general observation of an exponential increase in memory stability with the system size leads to a trade-off between the robustness of memories (which increases with the size of each bistable unit) and the total amount of information storage (which decreases with increasing unit size), which may be optimized in the brain through biological evolution.     

Stability and performance limits for active vibration isolation using blended velocity feedback

This paper presents a theoretical study of active vibration isolation on a two degree of freedom system. The system consists of two lumped masses connected by a coupling spring. Both masses are also attached to a firm reference base by a mounting spring. The lower mass is excited by a point force. A reactive control force actuator is used between the two masses in parallel with the coupling spring. Both masses are equipped with an absolute velocity sensor. The two sensors and the actuator are used to implement velocity feedback control loops to actively isolate the upper mass from the vibrations of the lower mass over a broad range of frequencies. The primary concern of the study is to determine what type of velocity feedback configuration is suitable with respect to the five parameters that characterise the system (the three spring stiffnesses and the two masses). It is shown analytically that if the ratio of the lower mounting spring stiffness to the lower mass is larger than the ratio of the upper mounting spring stiffness to the upper mass (supercritical system), feeding back the absolute upper mass velocity to the reactive force actuator results in an unconditionally stable feedback loop and the vibration isolation objective can be fully achieved without an overshot at higher frequencies. In contrast, if the ratio of the lower mounting spring stiffness to the lower mass is smaller than the ratio of the upper mounting spring stiffness to the upper mass (subcritical system), the upper mass velocity feedback is conditionally stable and the vibration isolation objective cannot be accomplished in a broad frequency band. For subcritical systems a blended velocity feedback is proposed to stabilise the loop and to improve the broad-band vibration isolation effect. A simple inequality is introduced to derive the combinations between the two error velocities that guarantee unconditionally stable feedback loops.     

Fiber-based optical frequency comb at 3.3 μm for broadband spectroscopy of hydrocarbons [Invited]

A 125 MHz fiber-based frequency comb source in the mid-infrared wavelength region is presented. The source is based on difference frequency generation from a polarization-maintaining Er-doped fiber pump laser and covers a spectrum between2900 cm~(-1) and 3400 cm~(-1) with a simultaneous bandwidth of 170 cm~(-1) and an average output power up to 70 m W. The source is equipped with actuators and active feedback loops, ensuring long-term stability of the repetition rate, output power, and spectral envelope. An absorption spectrum of ethane and methane was measured using a Fourier transform spectrometer to verify the applicability of the mid-infrared comb to multispecies detection. The robustness and good long-and short-term stability of the source make it suitable for optical frequency comb spectroscopy of hydrocarbons.     

On the Origin of Entropic Gravity and Inertia

It was recently suggested that quantum field theory is not fundamental but emerges from the loss of phase space information about matter crossing causal horizons. Possible connections between this formalism and Verlinde’s entropic gravity and Jacobson’s thermodynamic gravity are proposed. The holographic screen in Verlinde’s formalism can be identified as local Rindler horizons and its entropy as that of the bulk fields beyond the horizons. This naturally resolves some issues on entropic gravity. The quantum fluctuation of the fields is the origin of the thermodynamic nature of entropic gravity. It is also suggested that inertia is related to dragging Rindler horizons.     

Different effects of redundant feedback loops on a bistable switch

Bistable switches have important roles in cellular decision-making processes. Bistability can be the consequence of positive or double-negative feedback loops. Although necessary, such feedback is not sufficient for bistability, which also requires nonlinearity. Nonlinearity can be provided by synergy of multiple feedback loops or by an ultrasensitive response within a single feedback loop. However, these two possibilities are not mutually exclusive; a combination of them is also possible. Here we analyze a biochemical regulatory network that controls a crucial cell cycle transition in all eukaryotic cells and contains multiple redundant feedback loops and nonlinearity. We show in this realistic biological example that two redundant feedback loops have different effects on the position of one of the saddle-node bifurcations of the system, which determines where the system switches. This illustrates that even though the roles of positive and double-negative feedbacks have been regarded as equivalent, the difference in their architectures can lead to differences in their effects on the system. We speculate that this conclusion could be general for other bistable systems with redundant feedback loops.     

光学双稳态中从三频准周期运动过渡到混沌

研究了在绝热近似条件下具有两个时间延迟反馈迴路的混合光学双稳态中动力学行为。在此模型中,该系统可由高维映象来描写增加输入光强保持两时延比ω=3/5,观察到了从三频准周期运动到混沌的过渡。此结果对理解湍流有重要意义。 关键词：     

Cerebral blood flow estimation from perfusion-weighted MRI using FT-based MMSE filtering method

INTRODUCTION: Perfusion-weighted MRI can be used for estimating blood flow parameters using bolus tracking technique based on dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI. In order to extract flow parameters, several deconvolution techniques have been proposed, of which the singular value decomposition (SVD) and Fourier transform (FT)-based techniques are more popular and widely used. In this work, an FT-based method has been proposed that involves derivation of an optimal shaped filter (defined as a filter function) estimated using minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) technique in the frequency domain. The proposed technique has been compared with the well-established SVD technique using simulation experiments. SIMULATION METHODS: Simulation was performed in multiple steps. An arterial input function (AIF) was first defined based on a certain blood flow value. The T2* signal change was then derived from this AIF, and noise was added to the signal. Then, a unique and optimal shaped filter function Phi(f) was derived in order to obtain the best estimate of scaled residue function. One way is by minimizing the mean-squared error between the noiseless and noisy scaled residue function, i.e., using an MMSE method. The effect of low and moderate noise and distorted AIF on cerebral blood flow (CBF) estimates was obtained by using FT-based MMSE method. Results were compared with the SVD technique. In this work, SVD technique was assumed to be the standard reference deconvolution technique. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: For low-noise condition, the FT-based technique was more stable than the SVD technique, while for moderate noise, both techniques consistently underestimated CBF. SVD technique was found to be more stable in presence of AIF distortions. However, SVD technique was found to be unstable due to AIF delay compared to the FT-based MMSE method. The shaped filter function was found to be sensitive to effect of AIF distortions.     

Amplitude and frequency stabilisation of a Tm–Ho:YAG laser for coherent lidar applications at 2.1 μm

We developed a low-noise, single-frequency Tm–Ho:YAG laser tunable in the wavelength interval between 2087 and 2099 nm. To suppress both amplitude and frequency fluctuations the laser has been stabilised by two different control loops. Intensity noise has been effectively reduced using a feedback loop acting on the pump diode current, based on a biquadratic bandpass filter, which provides up to 17 dB suppression at the relaxation oscillation peak. Absolute frequency stabilisation has been achieved by locking the oscillator to the P(12) absorption line of the HBr molecule at 2097.2 nm using the fringe side locking technique, obtaining a long-term frequency stability better than 32 kHz over an observation time of 60 min. This stabilised source is aimed to injection seeding of a coherent lidar system for high precision measurements of wind velocity.     

基于外光注入互耦合垂直腔面发射激光器的混沌随机特性研究

通过在互耦合垂直腔面发射激光器(VCSELs)系统中增加外光注入, 建立了一种基于偏振可调光反馈VCSEL驱动互耦合VCSELs混沌系统模型, 分析了增加外光驱动对互耦合激光器随机特性的影响. 以不可预测度作为随机特性的评价指标, 采用信息论中的排列熵作为相应量化工具, 对系统输出混沌信号的不可预测性进行定量分析.数值研究了光强度、时延、偏振旋转角度以及驱动激光器与耦合激光器间的频率失谐对输出信号随机特性的影响.结果表明: 外光注入能够增大互耦合VCSELs输出混沌信号的排列熵, 即外光注入能够有效提高耦合系统的随机特性; 驱动激光器可调偏振片偏转角度调节到45° 附近, 注入强度适中, 满足耦合强度大于驱动激光器自反馈强度条件, 系统输出信号的排列熵较大; 在耦合时延与驱动激光器反馈时延不相等的同时, 增加驱动激光器与耦合激光器频率失谐, 外光注入互耦合VCSELs的随机特性能够得到进一步提高.     

An optically bistable absorption scheme with additional lateral feedback loops

An optically bistable absorption system involving several feedback loops formed by the lateral supply of a fraction of light energy passed through a semiconductor with single-and two-photon absorption is analyzed. It is shown that multistability can be realized in the case of two-photon absorption. The use of several loops makes it possible to significantly reduce energy expenditures on switching and to reduce the switching time by approximately a factor of 10. A method of switching the system from one state to another by varying the reflectivities of side mirrors is proposed.     

Upright,correlated random walks: A statistical-biomechanics approach to the human postural control system

The task of maintaining erect stance involves a complex sensorimotor control system, the output of which can be highly irregular. Even when a healthy individual attempts to stand still, the center of gravity of his or her body and the center of pressure (COP) under his or her feet continually move about in an erratic fashion. In this study, we approach the problem of characterizing postural sway from the perspective of random-walk theory. Specifically, we analyze COP trajectories as one-dimensional and two-dimensional random walks. These analyses reveal that over short-term intervals of time during undisturbed stance the COP behaves as a positively correlated random walk, whereas over long-term intervals of time it resembles a negatively correlated random walk. We interpret this novel finding as an indication that during quiet standing the postural control system utilizes open-loop and closed-loop control schemes over short-term and long-term intervals, respectively. From this perspective, our approach, known as stabilogram-diffusion analysis, has the advantage that it leads to the extraction of COP parameters which can be directly related to the steady-state behavior and functional interaction of the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of erect stance. (c) 1995 American Institute of Physics.     

Equivalent constitutive model-based design of wave-absorbing material system and controller

A design methodology for wave-absorbing active material system is reported. The design enforces equivalence between an assumed material model having wave-absorbing behavior and a set of target feedback controllers for an array of microelectro-mechanical transducers which are integral part of the active material system. The proposed methodology is applicable to problems involving the control of acoustic waves in passive-active material system with complex constitutive behavior at different length-scales. A stress relaxation type one-dimensional constitutive model involving viscous damping mechanism is considered, which shows asymmetric wave dispersion characteristics about the half-line. The acoustic power flow and asymptotic stability of such material system are studied. A single sensor non-collocated linear feedback control system in a one-dimensional finite waveguide, which is a representative volume element in an active material system, is considered. Equivalence between the exact dynamic equilibrium of these two systems is imposed. It results in the solution space of the design variables, namely the equivalent damping coefficient, the wavelength(s) to be controlled and the location of the sensor. The characteristics of the controller transfer functions and their pole-placement problem are studied.     

线宽增强因子对光反馈半导体激光器混沌信号生成随机数性能的影响

基于光反馈半导体激光器产生的宽带混沌信号作为物理熵源生成物理随机数已得到广泛研究.线宽增强因子的存在会导致半导体激光器出现大量不稳定动态特性,因此,本文着重研究半导体激光器的线宽增强因子对生成随机数性能的影响.数值仿真结果表明:随着线宽增强因子的增加,光反馈半导体激光器输出混沌信号的延时峰值逐渐减小、最大李雅普诺夫指数逐渐增大.基于不同线宽增强因子下产生的混沌信号提取随机数,并利用NIST SP 800-22软件对生成随机数的性能进行测试.测试结果表明,选取线宽增强因子较大的半导体激光器产生混沌信号作为物理熵源易于生成性能良好的随机数.     

Emergent hierarchical structures in multiadaptive games

We investigate a game-theoretic model of a social system where both the rules of the game and the interaction structure are shaped by the behavior of the agents. We call this type of model, with several types of feedback couplings from the behavior of the agents to their environment, a multiadaptive game. Our model has a complex behavior with several regimes of different dynamic behavior accompanied by different network topological properties. Some of these regimes are characterized by heterogeneous, hierarchical interaction networks, where cooperation and network topology coemerge from the dynamics.     

Uncovering the secrets of the 2D random-bond Blume-Capel model

The effects of bond randomness on the ground-state structure, phase diagram and critical behavior of the square lattice ferromagnetic Blume-Capel (BC) model are discussed. The calculation of ground states at strong disorder and large values of the crystal field is carried out by mapping the system onto a network and we search for a minimum cut by a maximum flow method. At finite temperatures the system is studied by an efficient two-stage Wang-Landau (WL) method for several values of the crystal field, including both the first- and second-order phase transition regimes of the pure model. We attempt to explain the enhancement of ferromagnetic order and we discuss the critical behavior of the random-bond model. Our results provide evidence for a strong violation of universality along the second-order phase transition line of the random-bond version.     

Effects of pitch-shift velocity on voice Fo responses

Previous studies have shown that voice fundamental frequency (F0) is modified by changes in the pitch of vocal feedback and have demonstrated that the audio-vocal control system has both open- and closed-loop control properties. However, the extent to which this system operates in closed-loop fashion may have been underestimated in previous work. Because the step-type stimuli used were very rapid, and people are physically unable to change their voice F0 as rapidly as the stimuli, feedback responses might have been reduced or suppressed. In the present study, pitch-shift stimuli, consisting of a disparity between voice F0 and feedback pitch of varying ramp onset velocities, were presented to subjects vocalizing a steady /ah/ sound to examine the effect of stimulus onset on voice F0 responses. Results showed that response velocity covaried with stimulus velocity. Response latency and time of the peak response decreased with increases in stimulus velocity, while response magnitude decreased. A simple feedback model reproduced most features of these responses. These results strongly support previous suggestions that the audio-vocal system monitors auditory feedback and, through closed-loop negative feedback, adjusts voice F0 so as to cancel low-level fluctuations in F0.