Discrete Synaptic Events Induce Global Oscillations in Balanced Neural Networks.

Despite the fact that neural dynamics is triggered by discrete synaptic events, the neural response is usually obtained within the diffusion approximation representing the synaptic inputs as Gaussian noise. We derive a mean-field formalism encompassing synaptic shot noise for sparse balanced neural networks. For low (high) excitatory drive (inhibitory feedback) global oscillations emerge via continuous or hysteretic transitions, correctly predicted by our approach, but not from the diffusion approximation.

Contrasting thermodynamic and hydrodynamic entropy.

In this paper, using hydrodynamic entropy, we quantify multiscale disorder in Euler and hydrodynamic turbulence. These examples illustrate that the hydrodynamic entropy is not extensive because it is not proportional to the system size. Consequently, we cannot add hydrodynamic and thermodynamic entropies, which measure disorder at macroscopic and microscopic scales, respectively.

Mechanism of transition from subdiffusive transport to normal diffusion for passive tracers in a plane periodical flow induced by Gaussian noise.

The known analytical solution describing a two-dimensional viscous flow with vortices under a driving force is generalized. It is shown that a periodic pattern of asymmetric vortices arises when the force amplitude exceeds a critical value. The transport of an ensemble of passive particles through the resulting structure has been studied.

AFM Nanoindentation of Stiff Inhomogeneous Layer on Polymeric Substrate.

Analysis of indentation data of heterogeneous material, in particular, layer on an elastic substrate requires information about the contact area that is essential for calculating mechanical properties. The actual shape of the AFM-tip is not described by simple body of revolution. In this work, the indentation of a stiff layer on a hyperelastic substrate by a truncated conical tip is studied using finite element methods.

Newest Methods and Approaches to Enhance the Performance of Optical Frequency-Domain Reflectometers.

In this review, we summarize the latest advances in the design of optical frequency-domain reflectometers (OFDRs), digital signal processing, and sensors based on special optical fibers. We discuss state-of-the-art approaches to improving metrological characteristics, such as spatial resolution, SNR, dynamic range, and the accuracy of determining back reflection coefficients. We also analyze the latest achievements in the OFDR-based sensors: the accuracy of spatial localization of the impact, the error in detecting temperatures, deformation, and other quantities, and the features of separate measurement of various physical quantities.

Foreign Body Reaction to Ion-Beam-Treated Polyurethane Implant.

All artificial materials used for implantation into an organism cause a foreign body reaction. This is an obstacle for a number of medical technologies. In this work, we investigated the effect of high-energy ion bombardment on polyurethane for medical purposes and the reaction of body tissues to its insertion into the mouse organism.

Superparamagnetic effects in the linear magnetic response of polydisperse ensembles of nanoparticles suspended in a fluid.

Within a kinetic theory, the linear magnetic response of uniaxial single-domain particles suspended in a fluid is analyzed. The main qualitatively different types of frequency dependence of the longitudinal dynamic magnetic susceptibility of such particles are described. It is shown that superparamagnetic (related to orientation thermal fluctuations of the magnetic moment inside a particle) peculiarities of the response of a particle to a probing magnetic field are not fully determined by the ratio of anisotropy energy to thermal energy when a stationary bias field is applied.

Scaling of damage mechanism for additively manufactured alloys at very high cycle fatigue.

A comparative analysis of fracture mechanisms in high- and very high- cycle fatigue (HCF, VHCF) regimes was carried out based on the results of multifractal analysis of the fracture surfaces of additively manufactured 316L stainless steel samples. In terms of scale invariants, the morphology of fracture surfaces in HCF and VHCF regimes inside and outside the fine granular area is shown. The analysis demonstrated that chaotic patterns of relief formation prevail in the crack initiation zone of VHCF samples.

Attachment of Fibrinogen on Ion Beam Treated Polyurethane.

Protein-stable coverage of the artificial implant is a key problem for biocompatibility. In the present study, a protein layer was attached covalently to a polyurethane surface treated by an ion beam. A plasma system consisting of a vacuum chamber (0.

Piezoceramics Actuator with Attached Mass for Active Vibration Diagnostics of Reinforced Concrete Structures.

One of the effective methods of non-destructive testing of structures is active vibration diagnostics. This approach consists of the local dynamic impact of the actuator on the structure and the registration of the vibration response. Testing of massive reinforced concrete structures is carried out with the use of actuators, which are able to create sufficiently high-impact loads.

Does Magnetic Field Influence the Surface Tension of Ferrofluid?

Studying the physical properties of ferrofluids is a challenging task, especially when conventional experimental techniques are adapted to the presence of a magnetic field. To date, there has been no definitive understanding of how the magnetic field affects the surface energy of ferrofluid interfaces. In this study, we perform a direct experimental investigation to assess the effect of magnetic fields on the surface tension of ferrofluids.

Macroscopic behavior of populations of quadratic integrate-and-fire neurons subject to non-Gaussian white noise.

We study macroscopic behavior of populations of quadratic integrate-and-fire neurons subject to non-Gaussian noises; we argue that these noises must be α-stable whenever they are delta-correlated (white). For the case of additive-in-voltage noise, we derive the governing equation of the dynamics of the characteristic function of the membrane voltage distribution and construct a linear-in-noise perturbation theory. Specifically for the recurrent network with global synaptic coupling, we theoretically calculate the observables: population-mean membrane voltage and firing rate.

Mechanical Properties of the Carbonized Layer Formed by Ion Flow Orientated at Different Angles to the Polyurethane Surface.

Polymer materials are widely used in medicine due to their mechanical properties and biological inertness. When ion-plasma treatment is used on a polymer material, a carbonization process occurs in the surface nanolayer of the polymer sample. As a result, a surface carbonized nanolayer is formed, which has mechanical properties different from those of the substrate.

Circular cumulant reductions for macroscopic dynamics of oscillator populations with non-Gaussian noise.

We employ the circular cumulant approach to construct a low dimensional description of the macroscopic dynamics of populations of phase oscillators (elements) subject to non-Gaussian white noise. Two-cumulant reduction equations for α-stable noises are derived. The implementation of the approach is demonstrated for the case of the Kuramoto ensemble with non-Gaussian noise.

Challenges of reliable AFM-tip shape reconstruction and approximation.

Reliable reconstruction of AFM tip geometry is not an easy task. The shape of the tip can be (partially) reconstructed from the AFM image of a calibration sample using a blind reconstruction method. The result is a range of the tip shapes (from unrealistically sharp to blunt).

On the Degree of Plastic Strain during Laser Shock Peening of Ti-6Al-4V.

Laser shock peening (LSP) is an innovative technique that is used to enhance the fatigue strength of structural materials via the generation of significant residual stress. The present work was undertaken to evaluate the degree of plastic strain introduced during LSP and thus improve the fundamental understanding of the LSP process. To this end, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and nano-hardness measurements were performed to examine the microstructural response of laser-shock-peened Ti-6Al-4V alloy.

Investigation of Plasma-Electrolytic Processing on EDMed Austenitic Steels.

This study investigates the effect of electrolytic plasma processing on the degree of defective layer removal from a damaged layer obtained after manufacturing operations. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is widely accepted in modern industries for product development. However, these products may have undesirable surface defects that may require secondary operations.

Modelling the effect of particle arrangement on the magnetoelectric response of a polymer multiferroic film.

In this work the behavior of a three-component composite multiferroic (MF)-an electrically neutral polymer matrix filled with a mixture of piezoelectric and ferromagnetic micrometer-size particles-is investigated in the framework of a simple mesoscopic model. The main issue of interest is the electric polarization generated in a thin film of such an MF in response to a quasistatic magnetic field. The driving mechanism of the effect is rotation of magnetically hard particles inside the matrix which, in turn, transfers the arisen mechanical stresses to the piezoelectric grains.

Elastic Modulus of a Carbonized Layer on Polyurethane Treated by Ion-Plasma.

Nanocoatings formed by various plasma and chemical methods on the surface of polymeric materials have unique properties. However, the applicability of polymeric materials with nanocoatings under specific temperature and mechanical conditions depends on the physical and mechanical properties of the coating. The determination of Young's modulus is a task of paramount importance since it is widely used in calculations of the stress-strain state of structural elements and structures in general.

Evaluating structural, morphological, and multifractal aspects of n-ZnO/p-ZnO homojunctions and n-ZnO/p-NiO heterojunctions.

We have investigated the evolution of the structure and surface morphology of n-ZnO/p-ZnO homojunctions and n-ZnO/p-NiO heterojunctions transparent structures deposited by radio frequency-sputtering on quartz (Q)/ITO substrates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the as-deposited and annealed ZnO, n-ZnO/p-NiO/Q/ITO, and n-ZnO/p-ZnO/Q/ITO thin films showed that ZnO had a wurtzite hexagonal structure and (002) preferred growth direction. The annealing temperature played a key role in improving the crystalline structure of the films, as evidenced by the changes in the intensity and position of the XRD (002) peak.

Investigation of chemoconvection in vibration fields.

This study is devoted to the investigation of the chemoconvection in a two-layer miscible system caused by the neutralisation reaction proceeding in the convective-controlled (CC) regime under the influence of vertical vibrations. The CC regime without vibrational influence is characterized by the development of a density wave and vigorous convection in the upper layer, ensuring a high reaction rate and forcing the reaction front to move downwards more rapidly than in the well-known diffusive-controlled (DC) regime. It is shown that vibrations lead to some deceleration of the convection that depends both on the magnitude of the vibrational acceleration and on the initial concentrations of the reagents.

Nonlinear three-dimensional patterns of the Marangoni convection in a thin film on a poorly conducting substrate.

We investigate the dynamics of a thin liquid film that is placed atop a heated substrate of very low thermal conductivity. The direct numerical simulation of the stationary long-wave Marangoni instability is performed with the system of coupled partial differential equations. These equations were previously derived within the lubrication approximation; they describe the evolution of film thickness and fluid temperature.

Nonlinear development of convective patterns driven by a neutralization reaction in immiscible two-layer systems.

This article provides the results of a theoretical and experimental study of buoyancy-driven instabilities triggered by a neutralization reaction in an immiscible two-layer system placed in a vertical Hele-Shaw cell. Flow patterns are predicted by a reaction-induced buoyancy number [Formula: see text], which we define as the ratio of densities of the reaction zone and the lower layer. In experiments, we observed the development of cellular convection ([Formula: see text]), the fingering process with an aligned line of fingertips at a slightly denser reaction zone ([Formula: see text]) and the typical Rayleigh-Taylor convection for [Formula: see text].