A dynamic causal model of the coupling between pulse stimulation and neural activity

We present a dynamic causal model that can explain context-dependent changes in neural responses, in the rat barrel cortex, to an electrical whisker stimulation at different frequencies. Neural responses were measured in terms of local field potentials. These were converted into current source density (CSD) data, and the time series of the CSD sink was extracted to provide a time series response train. The model structure consists of three layers (approximating the responses from the brain stem to the thalamus and then the barrel cortex), and the latter two layers contain nonlinearly coupled modules of linear second-order dynamic systems. The interaction of these modules forms a nonlinear regulatory system that determines the temporal structure of the neural response amplitude for the thalamic and cortical layers. The model is based on the measured population dynamics of neurons rather than the dynamics of a single neuron and was evaluated against CSD data from experiments with varying stimulation frequency (1–40 Hz), random pulse trains, and awake and anesthetized animals. The model parameters obtained by optimization for different physiological conditions (anesthetized or awake) were significantly different. Following Friston, Mechelli, Turner, and Price (2000), this work is part of a formal mathematical system currently being developed (Zheng et al., 2005) that links stimulation to the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signal through neural activity and hemodynamic variables. The importance of the model described here is that it can be used to invert the hemodynamic measurements of changes in blood flow to estimate the underlying neural activity.

Coupling ensemble weather predictions based on TIGGE database with Grid-Xinanjiang model for flood forecast

The incorporation of numerical weather predictions (NWP) into a flood forecasting system can increase forecast lead times from a few hours to a few days. A single NWP forecast from a single forecast centre, however, is insufficient as it involves considerable non-predictable uncertainties and lead to a high number of false alarms. The availability of global ensemble numerical weather prediction systems through the THORPEX Interactive Grand Global Ensemble' (TIGGE) offers a new opportunity for flood forecast. The Grid-Xinanjiang distributed hydrological model, which is based on the Xinanjiang model theory and the topographical information of each grid cell extracted from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), is coupled with ensemble weather predictions based on the TIGGE database (CMC, CMA, ECWMF, UKMO, NCEP) for flood forecast. This paper presents a case study using the coupled flood forecasting model on the Xixian catchment (a drainage area of 8826 km2) located in Henan province, China. A probabilistic discharge is provided as the end product of flood forecast. Results show that the association of the Grid-Xinanjiang model and the TIGGE database gives a promising tool for an early warning of flood events several days ahead.

The role of air–sea coupling in the simulation of the Madden–Julian oscillation in the Hadley Centre model

The role of air–sea coupling in the simulation of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is explored using two configurations of the Hadley Centre atmospheric model (AGCM), GA3.0, which differ only in F, a parameter controlling convective entrainment and detrainment. Increasing F considerably improves deficient MJO-like variability in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, but variability in and propagation through the Maritime Continent remains weak. By coupling GA3.0 in the tropical Indo-Pacific to a boundary-layer ocean model, KPP, and employing climatological temperature corrections, well resolved air–sea interactions are simulated with limited alterations to the mean state. At default F, when GA3.0 has a poor MJO, coupling produces a stronger MJO with some eastward propagation, although both aspects remain deficient. These results agree with previous sensitivity studies using AGCMs with poor variability. At higher F, coupling does not affect MJO amplitude but enhances propagation through the Maritime Continent, resulting in an MJO that resembles observations. A sensitivity experiment with coupling in only the Indian Ocean reverses these improvements, suggesting coupling in the Maritime Continent and West Pacific is critical for propagation. We hypothesise that for AGCMs with a poor MJO, coupling provides a “crutch” to artificially augment MJO-like activity through high-frequency SST anomalies. In related experiments, we employ the KPP framework to analyse the impact of air–sea interactions in the fully coupled GA3.0, which at default F shows a similar MJO to uncoupled GA3.0. This is due to compensating effects: an improvement from coupling and a degradation from mean-state errors. Future studies on the role of coupling should carefully separate these effects.

Coupling an aerosol box model with one-dimensional flow: a tool for understanding observations of new particle formation events

Field observations of new particle formation and the subsequent particle growth are typically only possible at a fixed measurement location, and hence do not follow the temporal evolution of an air parcel in a Lagrangian sense. Standard analysis for determining formation and growth rates requires that the time-dependent formation rate and growth rate of the particles are spatially invariant; air parcel advection means that the observed temporal evolution of the particle size distribution at a fixed measurement location may not represent the true evolution if there are spatial variations in the formation and growth rates. Here we present a zero-dimensional aerosol box model coupled with one-dimensional atmospheric flow to describe the impact of advection on the evolution of simulated new particle formation events. Wind speed, particle formation rates and growth rates are input parameters that can vary as a function of time and location, using wind speed to connect location to time. The output simulates measurements at a fixed location; formation and growth rates of the particle mode can then be calculated from the simulated observations at a stationary point for different scenarios and be compared with the ‘true’ input parameters. Hence, we can investigate how spatial variations in the formation and growth rates of new particles would appear in observations of particle number size distributions at a fixed measurement site. We show that the particle size distribution and growth rate at a fixed location is dependent on the formation and growth parameters upwind, even if local conditions do not vary. We also show that different input parameters used may result in very similar simulated measurements. Erroneous interpretation of observations in terms of particle formation and growth rates, and the time span and areal extent of new particle formation, is possible if the spatial effects are not accounted for.

Lambda c(+), Sigma(c), and Lambda(b) hypernuclei in the quark-meson coupling model

Charmed (and bottom) hypernuclei are studied in the quark-meson coupling (QMC) model. This completes systematic studies of charmed (Lambda(c)(+), Sigma(c), Xi(c)), and Lambda(b) hypernuclei in the QMC model. Effects of the Pauli blocking due to the underlying quark structure of baryons, and the Sigma(c)N-Lambda(c)N channel coupling are phenomenologically taken into account at the hadronic level in the same way as those included for strange hypernuclei. Our results suggest that the Sigma(c)(++) and Xi(c)(+) hypernuclei are very unlikely to be formed. while the Lambda(c)(+), Xi(c)(0) and Lambda(b) hypernuclei are quite likely to be formed. For the Sigma(c)(+) hypernuclei, the formation probability is non-zero, though small. A detailed analysis is also made about the phenomenologically introduced Pauli blocking and channel coupling effects for the Sigma(c)(0) hypernuclei.

Exchange terms in the quark-meson coupling model

In this talk we report on recent progress in implementing exchange terms in the quark-meson coupling model. Exchange effects are related to the Pauli exclusion principle. We discuss exchange effects at the nucleon level and at the quark level. We also address the incorporation of chiral symmetry and Delta degrees of freedom in the model.

STRONG COUPLING LIMITS and QUANTUM ISOMORPHISMS of THE GAUGED THIRRING MODEL

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

An exactly soluble multiatom-multiphoton coupling model

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

CORNWALL-NORTON MODEL IN THE STRONG-COUPLING REGIME

The Cornwall-Norton model is studied in the strong-coupling regime. It is shown that the fermionic self-energy at large momenta behaves as SIGMA(p) approximately (m2/p)ln(p/m). We verify that in the strong-coupling phase the dynamically generated masses of gauge and scalar bosons are of the same order, and the essential features of the model remain intact.

Quark-meson coupling model with constituent quarks: Exchange and pionic effects

The binding energy of nuclear matter including exchange and pionic effects is calculated in a quark-meson coupling model with massive constituent quarks. As in the case with elementary nucleons in QHD, exchange effects are repulsive. However, the coupling of the mesons directly to the quarks in the nucleons introduces a new effect on the exchange energies that provides an extra repulsive contribution to the binding energy. Pionic effects are not small. Implications of such effects on observables are discussed. © 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Fock terms in the quark-meson coupling model

The mean field description of nuclear matter in the quark-meson coupling model is improved by the inclusion of exchange contributions (Fock terms). The inclusion of Fock terms allows us to explore the momentum dependence of meson-nucleon vertices and the role of pionic degrees of freedom in matter. It is found that the Fock terms maintain the previous predictions of the model for the in-medium properties of the nucleon and for the nuclear incompressibility. The Fock terms significantly increase the absolute values of the single-particle, four-component scalar and vector potentials, a feature that is relevant for the spin-orbit splitting in finite nuclei. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.

Droplet formation in cold asymmetric nuclear matter in the quark-meson-coupling model

The quark-meson-coupling model is used to study droplet formation from the liquid-gas phase transition in cold asymmetric nuclear matter. The critical density and proton fraction for the phase transition are determined in the mean field approximation. Droplet properties are calculated in the Thomas-Fermi approximation. The electromagnetic field is explicitly included and its effects on droplet properties are studied. The results are compared with the ones obtained with the NL1 parametrization of the non-linear Walecka model. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.

Light-front quark-meson coupling model

We formulate a quark-meson coupling model for nuclear matter using light front variables. We present results for saturation properties of nuclear matter and in-medium nucleon properties. We also calculate the distribution function of the plus momentum carried by nucleons in nuclear matter. Our model predicts that vector mesons carry only 7% of the fraction per nucleon of the total plus momentum of the system.

Excluded volume effects in the quark meson coupling model

Excluded volume effects are incorporated in the quark-meson coupling model to take into account in a phenomenological way the hard-core repulsion of the nuclear force. The formalism employed is thermodynamically consistent and does not violate causality. The effects of the excluded volume on in-medium nucleon properties and the nuclear matter equation of state are investigated as a function of the size of the hard core. It is found that in-medium nucleon properties are not altered significantly by the excluded volume, even for large hard-core radii, and the equation of state becomes stiffer as the size of the hard core increases.

Self-consistent quantum effects in the quark meson coupling model

We derive the equation of state of nuclear matter for the quark-meson coupling model taking into account quantum fluctuations of the σ meson as well as vacuum polarization effects for the nucleons. This model incorporates explicitly quark degrees of freedom with quarks coupled to the scalar and vector mesons. Quantum fluctuations lead to a softer equation of state for nuclear matter giving a lower value of incompressibility than would be reached without quantum effects. The in-medium nucleon and σ-meson masses are also calculated in a self-consistent manner. The spectral function of the σ meson is calculated and the σ mass has the value increased with respect to the purely classical approximation at high densities.