ATTRACTOR-BASED MODELS FOR SEQUENCES AND PATTERN GENERATION IN NEURAL CIRCUITS.

Neural circuits in the brain perform a variety of essential functions, including input classification, pattern completion, and the generation of rhythms and oscillations that support processes such as breathing and locomotion [51]. There is also substantial evidence that the brain encodes memories and processes information via of neural activity. In this dissertation, we are focused on the general problem of how neural circuits encode rhythmic activity, as in central pattern generators (CPGs), as well as the encoding of sequences.

Large Serpiginous Thrombus Crossing a Patent Foramen Ovale.

Transesophageal iconic image of a large serpiginous thrombus crossing a patent foramen ovale.

Complete absorption of topologically protected waves.

Chiral edge states can transmit energy along imperfect interfaces in a topologically robust and unidirectional manner when protected by bulk-boundary correspondence. However, in continuum systems, the number of states at an interface can depend on boundary conditions. Here we design interfaces that host a net flux of the number of modes into a region, trapping incoming energy.

Nonlinear stability of two-layer shallow water flows with a free surface.

The problem of two layers of immiscible fluid, bordered above by an unbounded layer of passive fluid and below by a flat bed, is formulated and discussed. The resulting equations are given by a first-order, four-dimensional system of PDEs of mixed-type. The relevant physical parameters in the problem are presented and used to write the equations in a non-dimensional form.

Evidence of impaired longitudinal strain in pre-Fontan palliation in functional single left ventricle.

Background: We evaluated two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography longitudinal strain (L2DSE) in functionally single left ventricles (LV).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 21 patients with functionally single LV. We divided patients into two groups according to pre-Fontan cardiac catheterization data: group 1, adequate data for Fontan procedure and group 2, inadequate data.