Junction Model Research Articles

Microcontroller Implementation, Chaos Control, Synchronization and Antisynchronization of Josephson Junction Model

The microcontroller implementation, chaos control, synchronization, and antisynchronization of the nonlinear resistive-capacitive-inductive shunted Josephson junction (NRCISJJ) model are reported in this paper. The dynamical behavior of the NRCISJJ model is performed using phase portraits, and time series. The numerical simulation results reveal that the NRCISJJ model exhibits different shapes of hidden chaotic attractors by varying the parameters. The existence of different shapes of hidden chaotic attractors is confirmed by microcontroller results obtained from the microcontroller implementation of the NRCISJJ model. It is theoretically demonstrated that the two designed single controllers can suppress the hidden chaotic attractors found in the NRCISJJ model. Finally, the synchronization and antisynchronization of unidirectional coupled NRCISJJ models are studied by using the feedback control method. Thanks to the Routh Hurwitz stability criterion, the controllers are designed in order to control chaos in JJ models and achieved synchronization and antisynchronization between coupled NRCISJJ models. Numerical simulations are shown to clarify and confirm the control, synchronization, and antisynchronization.

Current Progress in the Creation, Characterization, and Application of Human Stem Cell-derived in Vitro Neuromuscular Junction Models.

Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are of great value for studying developmental processes, disease modeling, and drug testing. One area in which the use of human PSCs has become of great interest in recent years is for in vitro models of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The NMJ is a synapse at which a motor neuron releases acetylcholine to bind to skeletal muscle and stimulate contraction. Degeneration of the NMJ and subsequent loss of muscle function is a common feature of many neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In order to develop new therapies for patients with neuromuscular diseases, it is essential to understand mechanisms taking place at the NMJ. However, we have limited ability to study the NMJ in living human patients, and animal models are limited by physiological relevance. Therefore, an in vitro model of the NMJ consisting of human cells is of great value. The use of stem cells for in vitro NMJ models is still in progress and requires further optimization in order to yield reliable, reproducible results. The objective of this review is (1) to outline the current progress towards fully PSC-derived in vitro co-culture models of the human NMJ and (2) to discuss future directions and challenges that must be overcome in order to create reproducible fully PSC-derived models that can be used for developmental studies, disease modeling, and drug testing.

The role of right temporo-parietal junction in stimulus evaluation

A predominant model of the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) claims that this region is critical for attentional orienting/reorienting toward an unexpected, but behaviorally significant stimulus. However, recent studies have suggested that the TPJ is also involved in the process of evaluating stimulus, especially matching between external sensory inputs and internal representations. While some studies provide evidence for the involvement of the TPJ in stimulus evaluation, the nature of the evaluative process mediated by the TPJ remains unclear. To address this issue, we tested whether the TPJ activation amplitude and its peak latency is proportional to the demand of the evaluative process. We found that when the amount of sensory evidence for the matching process was abundant, the TPJ was transiently activated. Importantly, the TPJ activation showed a greater and more sustained pattern while the sensory evidence was accumulating for a longer period of time. These findings suggest that the TPJ function is associated with the evaluative process of matching sensory inputs with internal representations, as well as attentional reorienting.

Homology Characteristics of EEG and EMG for Lower Limb Voluntary Movement Intention.

In the field of lower limb exoskeletons, besides its electromechanical system design and control, attention has been paid to realizing the linkage of exoskeleton robots to humans via electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG). However, even the state of the art performance of lower limb voluntary movement intention decoding still faces many obstacles. In the following work, focusing on the perspective of the inner mechanism, a homology characteristic of EEG and EMG for lower limb voluntary movement intention was conducted. A mathematical model of EEG and EMG was built based on its mechanism, which consists of a neural mass model (NMM), neuromuscular junction model, EMG generation model, decoding model, and musculoskeletal biomechanical model. The mechanism analysis and simulation results demonstrated that EEG and EMG signals were both excited by the same movement intention with a response time difference. To assess the efficiency of the proposed model, a synchronous acquisition system for EEG and EMG was constructed to analyze the homology and response time difference from EEG and EMG signals in the limb movement intention. An effective method of wavelet coherence was used to analyze the internal correlation between EEG and EMG signals in the same limb movement intention. To further prove the effectiveness of the hypothesis in this paper, six subjects were involved in the experiments. The experimental results demonstrated that there was a strong EEG-EMG coherence at 1 Hz around movement onset, and the phase of EEG was leading the EMG. Both the simulation and experimental results revealed that EEG and EMG are homologous, and the response time of the EEG signals are earlier than EMG signals during the limb movement intention. This work can provide a theoretical basis for the feasibility of EEG-based pre-perception and fusion perception of EEG and EMG in human movement detection.

Microcontroller-based simulation of a nonlinear resistive-capacitive-inductance shunted Josephson junction model and applications in electromechanical engineering

Abstract The equations, modelling a nonlinear resistive-capacitive-inductance shunted Josephson junction (NRCLJJ) subjected to various signal shapes of the electrical current, are simulated experimentally using the Arduino Uno-type microcontroller that takes benefit of its simplicity, lost cost, high precision, ease of implementation, and stability compared to the voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO) circuitry. Real time electrical signals are observed presenting various dynamics. Shapiro steps (SS) from the IV-characteristics are also obtained. These real electrical signals are then used to power an electromechanical pendulum in the second part of this work. Bifurcation diagram shows that the pendulum exhibits periodic and chaotic dynamics.

Modeling dislocation-related reverse bias leakage in GaN p–n diodes

Finite element analysis software was used to model and visualize two p-n junction models: one with a single threading dislocation (TD) and a control without one. TDs are modeled as a Gaussian distribution of trap states with a full width at half maximum value of 5 nm localized around the line in a cylindrical coordination such that the linear trap state density was 1 trap c−1-translation; this model allows the cylindrical symmetry of the c-plane GaN crystal orientation to be used to avoid more computationally intensive 3D models. In this work, a vertical p–n diode with typical doping characteristics and an equivalent threading dislocation density of was modeled in reverse bias. Our simulations show that the dislocation-mediated leakage mechanism for reverse bias leakage in GaN p–n diodes is the generation of electron–hole pairs via a trap-assisted tunneling mechanism whereby electrons from the valence band use the intermediate trap state to traverse the band gap. This mechanism results in electron–hole pairs that are swept out of the junction by the reverse bias electric field. This behavior results in a measurable leakage current within the model with behavior consistent with experimental values.

Characterization and Modeling of the Polysilicon Emitter Contact for Circuit Simulation

The emitter contact in bipolar transistors with polysilicon emitters has been characterized based on an improved open-collector (OC) method, which allows extraction of the nonlinear I-V characteristics of the resistance presented by the poly-/monocrystalline emitter interface. The nonlinear characteristics of the interfacial polysilicon-emitter resistance at low currents are modeled using an approximate rectangular-barrier tunnel junction model to extract an upperbound estimate for the thickness of the oxide layer at the poly-/monocrystalline contact. Having verified that the extracted data based on the improved OC method are consistent with the first-principles rectangular tunnel junction model, a data-driven model accounting for the bias-dependence of the emitter series resistance is presented, which employs a voltage-controlled resistor (VCR) to enable the efficient simulation of the effect of the interfacial nonlinearity as well as the substrate bias. SPICE simulations indicate that the VCR-based model for the emitter resistance accurately predicts the measured I-V characteristics obtained using the improved OC method. The utility of a subcircuit-based model explaining the experimentally observable effect of the substrate bias on the behavior of the emitter resistance is also evaluated for circuit simulation.

Comparing Roundabouts and Signalized Intersections Through Multiple- Model Simulation

In modern transportation systems, more and more vehicles result in severe traffic congestion, affecting our daily life and modern logistics. Well-designed traffic infrastructures play an important role in implementing safe and efficient traffic systems. From subjective experience, roundabouts are more efficient than conventional signalized intersections because vehicles do not wait for traffic signals, decreasing which is the main reason for time-loss at signalized crossroads. This paper aims to further investigate the differences between intersections and roundabouts in the capacity of vehicle passing and other performance. Two scenarios with different traffic volumes are considered, including a large volume of traffic flow (2.44 vehicles per second) and a small volume of traffic flow (0.52 vehicles per second). In each scenario, we build six junction models including four intersections with different traffic light time and two roundabouts with different numbers of lanes. Multiple evaluation metrics (i.e., number of passing vehicles over time, mean speed of passing vehicles, mean number of halts per vehicle, mean time-loss per vehicle, and total time for all vehicles to pass) are considered to compare these models’ performance. Results illustrate that roundabouts have a higher capability of vehicle passing than intersections, especially for a large traffic volume. But roundabouts bring more halts per vehicle than signalized intersections when the traffic volume is large. When the volume of traffic flow is small, there is no significant efficiency difference between intersections and roundabouts. These results tend to be applied to future traffic junction designs to improve system efficiency.

Neuron-like spiking and bursting in Josephson junctions: A review.

The superconducting Josephson junction shows spiking and bursting behaviors, which have similarities with neuronal spiking and bursting. This phenomenon had been observed long ago by some researchers; however, they overlooked the biological similarity of this particular dynamical feature and never attempted to interpret it from the perspective of neuronal dynamics. In recent times, the origin of such a strange property of the superconducting junction has been explained and such neuronal functional behavior has also been observed in superconducting nanowires. The history of this research is briefly reviewed here with illustrations from studies of two junction models and their dynamical interpretation in the sense of biological bursting.

The role of fretting-frequency on the damage modes of THR modular junction: In-vitro study

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, currently, more than 250,000 total hip replacements annually in the US alone, with an estimated increase to 500,000 by the year 2030. The usage of tapered junctions between the femoral neck and head gives the surgeon flexibility in implant assembly. However, these modular junctions are subjected to micro-motion that may cause chemical and fretting-corrosion at the modular junction. Therefore, it is imperative to study these forces to mitigate their effects. The current study aims to understand the effects of fretting-corrosion as a function of fretting frequencies caused by common physical activities in an in-vitro model of hip modular junctions. The fretting system has a tribological contact condition of flat-on-flat, mounted to a load frame. CoCrMo pins were polished and immersed in a synovial fluid-like electrolyte solution (Bovine calf serum 30 g/l). Electrochemical measurements were made using a potentiostat. Samples then undergo 3600 cycles at 50 μm (to simulate gross slips), with a horizontal load at 200 N, and a frequency of 0.5 Hz, 0.7 Hz, 1 Hz, and 1.5 Hz to simulate Sit Down-Stand Up, Stair Climb, Walking, and Jogging, respectively. Worn surfaces were then examined under optical and scanning electron microscopy.The evolution of free potential as a function of time for tested frequencies shows the initial potential drop and stabilized trend in the potential evolution. The sample group at a higher frequency displays a higher tendency of corrosion than a lower frequency; however, the dissipation energy decreases as a function of fretting frequency. Both electrochemical and mechanical responses correlate to the variation in the fretting frequencies. Organometallic complexes were found on the surfaces of the samples that were subjected to a slower frequency of fretting, whereas mechanical grooving was noticed on samples with a faster frequency. Hence, these preliminary studies suggest that implant failure rates may be altered based on fretting-frequencies induced by physical activity. Further studies will be required to verify the findings and explore the potential role of fretting frequency in the damage modes of the modular junction.

Analysis of two‐dimensional multipactor model for ferrite circulator junction

Based on the Vaughan model, a simplified two-dimensional multipactor model of the circulator junction is established in this paper. It consists of two parallel metal plates and a dielectric plate that is vertical to the metal plate. A radio frequency electric field is applied between the two metal plates, and an electrostatic field exists on the dielectric surface. The trajectory of the electron can be obtained by solving the dynamic equation satisfied by the electron. And the influence of different electrostatic fields applied to the dielectric on the trajectory of electrons is analyzed. It is found that with the increase of the electrostatic field, the electrons quickly approach the dielectric plate, and finally move near the dielectric plate. Also, the total number of secondary electrons is decreasing accordingly. So, the multipactor discharge tends to go out. This conclusion can provide an idea for the suppression of the multipactor. Namely, applying a suitable electrostatic field on the dielectric surface can suppress multipactor involved in circulator junction.

158 Generation of junctional epidermolysis bullosa model mice with revertant mosaicism

158 Generation of junctional epidermolysis bullosa model mice with revertant mosaicism

Analysis of Hemichannels and Gap Junctions: Application and Extension of the Passive Transmembrane Ion Transport Model.

Electrical synaptic transmission is an essential form of interneuronal communication which is mediated by gap junctions that permit ion flow. Three gene families (connexins, innexins, and pannexins) have evolved to form gap junctional channels. Each gap junctional channel is formed by the docking of the hemichannel of one cell with the corresponding hemichannel of an adjacent cell. To date, there has been a lack of study models to describe this structure in detail. In this study, we demonstrate that numerical simulations suggest that the passive transmembrane ion transport model, based on the generality of ion channels, also applies to hemichannels in non-junctional plasma membranes. On this basis, we established a gap junctional channel model, which describes hemichannels' docking. We simulated homotypic and heterotypic gap junctions formed by connexins, innexins, and pannexins. Based on the numerical results and our theoretical model, we discussed the physiology of hemichannels and gap junctions, including ion blockage of hemichannels, voltage gating of gap junctions, and asymmetry and delay of electrical synaptic transmission, for which the numerical simulations are first comprehensively realized.

Superconductive Circuits and the General-Purpose Electronic Simulator APLAC

The general-purpose circuit simulator analysis program for linear active circuits (APLAC) is not widely known within the superconductor circuit community, regardless of its built-in Josephson junction model and capability of modeling the superconductive phase transition with controlled sources. We review the use of APLAC to model, e.g., noisy dc SQUIDs and transition-edge sensors. Based on an APLAC simulation, we also comment on the preference of voltage bias over current bias in dc SQUIDs in applications where large dynamic range and high bandwidth are simultaneously required.

Development and Research of a Theoretical Model of the Magnetic Tunnel Junction

Spin-dependent tunneling structures are widely used in many spintronic devices and sensors. This paper describes the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) characteristics caused by the inhomogeneous magnetic field of ferromagnetic layers. The extremely oblate magnetic ellipsoids have been used to mimic these layers. The strong effect of an inhomogeneous magnetic field on the magnetoresistive layers’ interaction was demonstrated. The magnetostatic coupling coefficient is also calculated.

Gate Tunable Supercurrent in Josephson Junctions Based on Bi2Te3 Topological Insulator Thin FilmsSupported by the Basic Science Center Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51788104), and the National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFA0302900).

We report transport measurements on Josephson junctions consisting of Bi2Te3 topological insulator (TI) thin films contacted by superconducting Nb electrodes. For a device with junction length L = 134 nm, the critical supercurrent I c can be modulated by an electrical gate which tunes the carrier type and density of the TI film. I c can reach a minimum when the TI is near the charge neutrality regime with the Fermi energy lying close to the Dirac point of the surface state. In the p-type regime the Josephson current can be well described by a short ballistic junction model. In the n-type regime the junction is ballistic at 0.7 K < T < 3.8 K while for T < 0.7 K the diffusive bulk modes emerge and contribute a larger I c than the ballistic model. We attribute the lack of diffusive bulk modes in the p-type regime to the formation of p–n junctions. Our work provides new clues for search of Majorana zero mode in TI-based superconducting devices.

Neuromuscular Junction Model Optimized for Electrical Platforms.

Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), specialized synapses between motor neurons and muscle fibers, are essential for muscle activity. A simple and reproducible cell-based in vitro NMJ platform is needed to test the impact of chemicals on the neuron-muscle communication. Our platform utilizes genetically modified neurons and muscle cells, optimized culture conditions, and commercially available multielectrode array system for recording action potentials. Neuronal cells (NSC34) were optogenetically modified with channelrhodopsin chimera to allow for simultaneous, light-mediated, millisecond-precise activation of neuronal population. This signal is propagated through functional synapses to the muscle fibers. Muscle cells (C2C12) were modified by incorporating gap junction protein (Connexin-43) to improve intracellular communication without affecting muscle differentiation. This communication between muscle fibers resulted in better signal propagation and signal strength. Optimized culture medium facilitated the growth and differentiation of both cell types together. Our system was validated using vecuronium, a muscle relaxant, which abolished the muscle response. This in vitro model provides a unique tool for establishing a NMJ platform that is easy to record and analyze. Potential applications include nondestructive long-term screening of drugs affecting the NMJ.

Entropy and information flow in quantum systems strongly coupled to baths

Considering von Neumann expression for reduced density matrix as thermodynamic entropy of a system strongly coupled to baths, we use nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF) techniques to derive bath and energy resolved expressions for entropy, entropy production, and information flows. The consideration is consistent with dynamic (quantum transport) description and expressions reduce to expected forms in limiting cases of weak coupling or steady-state. Formulation of the flows in terms of only system degrees freedom is convenient for simulation of thermodynamic characteristics of open nonequilibrium quantum systems. We utilize standard NEGF for derivations in noninteracting systems, Hubbard NEGF is used for interacting systems. Theoretical derivations are illustrated with numerical simulations within generic junction models.

Majorana bound state manipulation by current pulses

Majorana bound states (MBSs) can occur in Josephson junctions of conventional s-wave superconductors coupled via a strong topological insulator. In configurations of multiple line junctions meeting at a point, the criterion for the MBS to exist coincides with the presence of a fractional Josephson vortex with 2π phase winding. We investigate the dynamic stability of such vortices in arrays of tri- and quad-junctions. The existence of fractional vortices in arrays is demonstrated, but the dynamic stability is found to depend critically on the current-phase relation and the inductance. We propose the idea, and study the feasibility, of manipulating the location of the vortices in arrays by using current pulses, compatible with rapid single flux quantum technology. It is shown theoretically, using a modified resistively shunted junction model, that braiding operations can be achieved using current pulses injected from the edge of the array. It is necessary to use vortex sites with elevated critical current as traps.

Evolution of a Non-Hermitian Quantum Single-Molecule Junction at Constant Temperature.

This work concerns the theoretical description of the quantum dynamics of molecular junctions with thermal fluctuations and probability losses. To this end, we propose a theory for describing non-Hermitian quantum systems embedded in constant-temperature environments. Along the lines discussed in [A. Sergi et al., Symmetry 10 518 (2018)], we adopt the operator-valued Wigner formulation of quantum mechanics (wherein the density matrix depends on the points of the Wigner phase space associated to the system) and derive a non-linear equation of motion. Moreover, we introduce a model for a non-Hermitian quantum single-molecule junction (nHQSMJ). In this model the leads are mapped to a tunneling two-level system, which is in turn coupled to a harmonic mode (i.e., the molecule). A decay operator acting on the two-level system describes phenomenologically probability losses. Finally, the temperature of the molecule is controlled by means of a Nosé-Hoover chain thermostat. A numerical study of the quantum dynamics of this toy model at different temperatures is reported. We find that the combined action of probability losses and thermal fluctuations assists quantum transport through the molecular junction. The possibility that the formalism here presented can be extended to treat both more quantum states () and many more classical modes or atomic particles () is highlighted.