Excitation–contraction coupling is unaffected by drastic alteration of the sequence surrounding residues L720–L764 of the α1S II-III loop

The II-III loop of the skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) α1S subunit is responsible for bidirectional-signaling interactions with the ryanodine receptor (RyR1): transmitting an orthograde, excitation–contraction (EC) coupling signal to RyR1 and receiving a retrograde, current-enhancing signal from RyR1. Previously, several reports argued for the importance of two distinct regions of the skeletal II-III loop (residues R681–L690 and residues L720–Q765, respectively), claiming for each a key function in DHPR–RyR1 communication. To address whether residues 720–765 of the II-III loop are sufficient to enable skeletal-type (Ca2+ entry-independent) EC coupling and retrograde interaction with RyR1, we constructed a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged chimera (GFP-SkLM) having rabbit skeletal (Sk) DHPR sequence except for a II-III loop (L) from the DHPR of the house fly, Musca domestica (M). The Musca II-III loop (75% dissimilarity to α1S) has no similarity to α1S in the regions R681–L690 and L720–Q765. GFP-SkLM expressed in dysgenic myotubes (which lack endogenous α1S subunits) was unable to restore EC coupling and displayed strongly reduced Ca2+ current densities despite normal surface expression levels and correct triad targeting (colocalization with RyR1). Introducing rabbit α1S residues L720–L764 into the Musca II-III loop of GFP-SkLM (substitution for Musca DHPR residues E724–T755) completely restored bidirectional coupling, indicating its dependence on α1S loop residues 720–764 but its independence from other regions of the loop. Thus, 45 α1S-residues embedded in a very dissimilar background are sufficient to restore bidirectional coupling, indicating that these residues may be a site of a protein–protein interaction required for bidirectional coupling.

Wave digital filter model of the entire auditory periphery

A model of the auditory periphery assembled from analog network submodels of all the relevant anatomical structures is described. There is bidirectional coupling between networks representing the outer ear, middle ear and cochlea. A simple voltage source representation of the outer hair cells provides level-dependent basilar membrane curves. The networks are translated into efficient computational modules by means of wave digital filtering. A feedback unit regulates the average firing rate at the output of an inner hair cell module via a simplified modelling of the dynamics of the descending paths to the peripheral ear. This leads to a digital model of the entire auditory periphery with applications to both speech and hearing research.

Nonlinear Dynamics of Nd:YAG lasers: Hopf bifurcation, Multistability and Chaotic Synchronization

In this thesis we have presented some aspects of the nonlinear dynamics of Nd:YAG lasers including synchronization, Hopf bifurcation, chaos control and delay induced multistability.We have chosen diode pumped Nd:YAG laser with intracavity KTP crystal operating with two mode and three mode output as our model system.Different types of orientation for the laser cavity modes were considered to carry out the studies. For laser operating with two mode output we have chosen the modes as having parallel polarization and perpendicular polarization. For laser having three mode output, we have chosen them as two modes polarized parallel to each other while the third mode polarized orthogonal to them.

Synchronization and control of chaos in coupled chaotic multimode Nd:YAG lasers

In this Letter we numerically investigate the dynamics of a system of two coupled chaotic multimode Nd:YAG lasers with two mode and three mode outputs. Unidirectional and bidirectional coupling schemes are adopted; intensity time series plots, phase space plots and synchronization plots are used for studying the dynamics. Quality of synchronization is measured using correlation index plots. It is found that for laser with two mode output bidirectional direct coupling scheme is found to be effective in achieving complete synchronization, control of chaos and amplification in output intensity. For laser with three mode output, bidirectional difference coupling scheme gives much better chaotic synchronization as compared to unidirectional difference coupling but at the cost of higher coupling strength. We also conclude that the coupling scheme and system properties play an important role in determining the type of synchronization exhibited by the system.

Dinâmica caótica e sincronização de fase em mapas acoplados

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Bidirectional communication using delay coupled chaotic directly modulated semiconductor lasers

Chaotic synchronization of two directly modulated semiconductor lasers with negative delayed optoelectronic feedback is investigated and this scheme is found to be useful for e±cient bidirectional communication between the lasers. A symmetric bidirec- tional coupling is identified as a suitable method for isochronal synchronization of such lasers. The optimum values of coupling and feedback strength that can provide maxi- mum quality of synchronization are identified. This method is successfully employed for encoding/decoding both analog and digital messages. The importance of a symmetric coupling is demonstrated by studying the variation of decoding efficiency with respect to asymmetric coupling.

Multi-user bidirectional communication using isochronal synchronisation of array of chaotic directly modulated semiconductor lasers

Isochronal synchronisation between the elements of an array of three mutually coupled directly modulated semiconductor lasers is utilized for the purpose of simultaneous bidirectional secure communication. Chaotic synchronisation is achieved by adding the coupling signal to the self feedback signal provided to each element of the array. A symmetric coupling is effective in inducing synchronisation between the elements of the array. This coupling scheme provides a direct link between every pair of elements thus making the method suitable for simultaneous bidirectional communication between them. Both analog and digital messages are successfully encrypted and decrypted simultaneously by each element of the array.

Determination of the critical coupling for oscillators in a ring

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Information–movement coupling in developing cricketers under changing ecological practice constraints

Changing informational constraints of practice, such as when using ball projection machines, has been shown to significantly affect movement coordination of skilled cricketers. To date, there has been no similar research on movement responses of developing batters, an important issue since ball projection machines are used heavily in cricket development programmes. Timing and coordination of young cricketers (n = 12, age = 15.6 ± 0.7 years) were analyzed during the forward defensive and forward drive strokes when facing a bowling machine and bowler (both with a delivery velocity of 28.14 ± 0.56 m s−1). Significant group performance differences were observed between the practice task constraints, with earlier initiation of the backswing, front foot movement, downswing, and front foot placement when facing the bowler compared to the bowling machine. Peak height of the backswing was higher when facing the bowler, along with a significantly larger step length. Altering the informational constraints of practice caused major changes to the information–movement couplings of developing cricketers. Data from this study were interpreted to emanate from differences in available specifying variables under the distinct practice task constraints. Considered with previous findings, results confirmed the need to ensure representative batting task constraints in practice, cautioning against an over-reliance on ball projection machines in cricket development programmes.

A bidirectional two-leg resonant converter for high voltage pulsed power application

A high voltage pulsed power supply is proposed in this paper based on oscillation between an inductor and a capacitor in an LC circuit. A two-leg resonant circuit, supplied through an inverter with an alternative voltage waveform, can generate output voltage up to four times an input voltage magnitude. Bipolar and unipolar modulations are used in a single phase inverter to analyse their effects on the proposed resonant converter. Simulations have been carried out to evaluate the proposed topology and control.

Bearing damage analysis by calculation of capacitive coupling between inner and outer races of a ball bearing

Bearing damage in modern inverter-fed AC drive systems is more common than in motors working with 50 or 60 Hz power supply. Fast switching transients and common mode voltage generated by a PWM inverter cause unwanted shaft voltage and resultant bearing currents. Parasitic capacitive coupling creates a path to discharge current in rotors and bearings. In order to analyze bearing current discharges and their effect on bearing damage under different conditions, calculation of the capacitive coupling between the outer and inner races is needed. During motor operation, the distances between the balls and races may change the capacitance values. Due to changing of the thickness and spatial distribution of the lubricating grease, this capacitance does not have a constant value and is known to change with speed and load. Thus, the resultant electric field between the races and balls varies with motor speed. The lubricating grease in the ball bearing cannot withstand high voltages and a short circuit through the lubricated grease can occur. At low speeds, because of gravity, balls and shaft voltage may shift down and the system (ball positions and shaft) will be asymmetric. In this study, two different asymmetric cases (asymmetric ball position, asymmetric shaft position) are analyzed and the results are compared with the symmetric case. The objective of this paper is to calculate the capacitive coupling and electric fields between the outer and inner races and the balls at different motor speeds in symmetrical and asymmetrical shaft and balls positions. The analysis is carried out using finite element simulations to determine the conditions which will increase the probability of high rates of bearing failure due to current discharges through the balls and races.