Connectivity Parameters Research Articles

Cyclic connectivity index of fuzzy incidence graphs with applications in the highway system of different cities to minimize road accidents and in a network of different computers.

A parameter is a numerical factor whose values help us to identify a system. Connectivity parameters are essential in the analysis of connectivity of various kinds of networks. In graphs, the strength of a cycle is always one. But, in a fuzzy incidence graph (FIG), the strengths of cycles may vary even for a given pair of vertices. Cyclic reachability is an attribute that decides the overall connectedness of any network. In graph the cycle connectivity (CC) from vertex a to vertex b and from vertex b to vertex a is always one. In fuzzy graph (FG) the CC from vertex a to vertex b and from vertex b to vertex a is always same. But if someone is interested in finding CC from vertex a to an edge ab, then graphs and FGs cannot answer this question. Therefore, in this research article, we proposed the idea of CC for FIG. Because in FIG, we can find CC from vertex a to vertex b and also from vertex a to an edge ab. Also, we proposed the idea of CC of fuzzy incidence cycles (FICs) and complete fuzzy incidence graphs (CFIGs). The fuzzy incidence cyclic cut-vertex, fuzzy incidence cyclic bridge, and fuzzy incidence cyclic cut pair are established. A condition for CFIG to have fuzzy incidence cyclic cut-vertex is examined. Cyclic connectivity index and average cyclic connectivity index of FIG are also investigated. Three different types of vertices, such as cyclic connectivity increasing vertex, cyclically neutral vertex and, cyclic connectivity decreasing vertex, are also defined. The real-life applications of CC of FIG in a highway system of different cities to minimize road accidents and a computer network to find the best computers among all other computers are also provided.

Взаємозв’язки порушень біохімічного й імунологічного гомеостазу у хворих на ювенільний ревматоїдний артрит з урахуванням тривалості захворювання

Актуальність. Ювенільний ревматоїдний артрит (ЮРА) належить до довічних патологічних станів. Тому актуальними є дослідження, що вивчають закономірності його розвитку, функціонування метаболічних систем, розвиток дистрофічних змін на тлі запального процесу. Мета. Вивчення особливостей метаболізму сполучнотканинних структур відповідно до стану імунного гомеостазу на етапах еволюції ЮРА у хворих дитячого віку. Матеріали та методи. Вивчено особливості структурного складу компонентів сполучної тканини, вмісту мікроелементів, імунологічного гомеостазу у дітей із ЮРА. Проаналізовано 355 клінічних спостережень хворих на ЮРА з урахуванням ретро- і проспективних досліджень за 2012–2016 роки. Клінічна група становила 117 хворих на суглобову форму віком від 2 до 18 років (у середньому 6,0 ± 0,5 року). Результати. Дослідження імунного статусу визначило зниження рівня Т-загальних лімфоцитів (р < 0,001), Т-лімфоцитів-хелперів (р < 0,001), Т-супресорів/цитотоксичних (р < 0,001), підвищення імунорегуляторного індексу (р < 0,05), зменшення бактерицидної активності нейтрофілів (р < 0,001), збільшення показників тесту з нітросинім тетразолієм і зниження показника індексу стимуляції нейтрофілів (р < 0,001), підвищення рівня циркулюючих імунних комплексів (р < 0,001). Аналіз умісту прозапальних цитокінів довів підвищення рівня інтерлейкіну-1 (р < 0,05) та інтерлейкіну-6. Визначено залежність імунологічних показників від тривалості хвороби. Встановлено підвищення вмісту хондроїтин-4- та -6-сульфатів, кератан- і дерматансульфатів крові. Найбільші відхилення відзначались на перших етапах розвитку хвороби, що, безперечно, пов’язано з активністю патологічного процесу до призначення протизапального лікування або на перших етапах його отримання. У віддалені періоди захворювання відбувається зменшення рівня загальних глікозаміногліканів, хондроїтин-4- та -6-сульфатів, сповільнення екскреції уронових кислот (рt < 0,05). Аналіз змін у вмісті неорганічних компонентів залежно від тривалості хвороби виявив незначне зниження втрати організмом фосфору у період 3–5 років ЮРА. Аналіз відхилень імунобіохімічних співвідношень на різних етапах еволюції патологічного процесу виявив зміни кількості та характеру взаємозв’язків між показниками сполучнотканинного метаболізму й імунологічного гомеостазу. Висновки. Висока активність захворювання є основним предиктором розвитку дистрофічних змін, що підтверджується численними кореляційними взаємозв’язками показників обміну сполучної тканини та імунологічних параметрів. Найбільш несприятливими періодами є перші 1,5 року і через 3–5 років від початку захворювання. Виявлені зміни є підставою для проведення медикаментозної корекції біохімічного складу сполучнотканинних структур з метою профілактики розвитку вторинних дистрофічних змін в уражених суглобах у дітей з ЮРА, а також можуть відображати недостатню ефективність проведеного лікування та збереження субклінічної активності запалення.

Altered Effective Connectivity within an Oculomotor Control Network in Unaffected Relatives of Individuals with Schizophrenia.

The ability to rapidly stop or change a planned action is a critical cognitive process that is impaired in schizophrenia. The current study aimed to examine whether this impairment reflects familial vulnerability to schizophrenia across two experiments comparing unaffected first-degree relatives to healthy controls. First, we examined performance on a saccadic stop-signal task that required rapid inhibition of an eye movement. Then, in a different sample, we investigated behavioral and neural responses (using fMRI) during a stop-signal task variant that required rapid modification of a prepared eye movement. Here, we examined differences between relatives and healthy controls in terms of activation and effective connectivity within an oculomotor control network during task performance. Like individuals with schizophrenia, the unaffected relatives showed behavioral evidence for more inefficient inhibitory processes. Unlike previous findings in individuals with schizophrenia, however, the relatives showed evidence for a compensatory waiting strategy. Behavioral differences were accompanied by more activation among the relatives in task-relevant regions across conditions and group differences in effective connectivity across the task that were modulated differently by the instruction to exert control over a planned saccade. Effective connectivity parameters were related to behavioral measures of inhibition efficiency. The results suggest that individuals at familial risk for schizophrenia were engaging an oculomotor control network differently than controls and in a way that compromises inhibition efficiency.

Equivalent hydraulic conductivity, connectivity and percolation in 2D and 3D random binary media

The equivalent hydraulic conductivity (Keq) relates the spatial averages of flux and head gradient in a block of heterogeneous media. In this article, we study the influence of connectivity on Keq of media samples composed of a high conductivity (k+) and a low conductivity (k−) facies. The k+ facies is characterized by a proportion p, and also by two connectivity parameters: a connectivity structure type (no, low, intermediate, high), and a correlation integral scale lc.The probability distribution of Keq, and the critical value of p at which percolation occurs (pav), are studied as a function of these connectivity parameters. The distribution of log(Keq) is Gaussian in all cases, so the results are presented in terms of the geometric mean (〈Keq〉) and the variance (σlog(Keq)2).Both quantities show a data collapse if expressed as a function of p−pav (for the variance σlog(Keq)2, notably, even if 2D and 3D data are plotted together). In 3D, when a connectivity structure exists, Keq is always greater than when no structure exists, and increases (while pav decreases) as lc increases. The same is observed in 2D, except for the low connectivity structure type (i.e. when the k+ facies is disconnected), that shows an unprecedented behaviour: Keq is greater in the absence of structure, and decreases (pav increases) as lc increases. Our results show that any influence of connectivity on Keq is well accounted for simply by a shift in the percolation threshold pav, and then, suggest that Keq is controlled mainly by the proximity to percolation.

Surrogate models for endplate beam-column connections with shape memory alloy bolts

This paper presents the development and validation of moment-rotation backbone curve parameters for self-centering steel endplate connections with superelastic SMA bolts. In terms of influential design factors, surrogate models of response parameters are proposed using detailed finite element models of self-centering beam-column connections and statistical analysis of response parameters. The predictive surrogate models are useful for characterizing the connection backbone and self-centering response, which is essential for the performance-based design and assessment of extended endplate connections equipped with SMA bolts. Through a verification study, the accuracy of predictions using the proposed models is confirmed. The proposed surrogate models are used to assess the fragility of SMA-based beam-column connections. The results demonstrate that endplate beam-column connections with SMA bolts can provide an acceptable level of deformation capacity. Furthermore, it is found that larger diameter SMA bolts and smaller depth beam sections can reduce the probability of experiencing SMA bolt fracture by 31% and 77%, respectively.

Introduction of Trichoderma spp. biocontrol strains against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary change soil microbial community composition in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivation

Biological control represents a promising alternative to maintain the viability and productivity of different agricultural crops. In this work, dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was grown in a field contaminated with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, the causal agent of white mold disease. We analyzed the impact of the application of antagonistic strains of Trichoderma harzianum ESALQ-1306 and Trichoderma asperellum BRM-29104 on the edaphic native microbiota and endophytic fungal community. The structure of the fungal and bacterial communities was evaluated by next generation sequencing of the 28S and 16S rRNA genes, respectively. The results showed that the introduction of the strains changed the composition of the community without significantly affecting the parameters of abundance and alpha diversity (Anova P > 0.05). Ascomycota (54.8%) and Actinobacteria (37.2%) were predominant in the analyzed communities. Hill's diversity profiles of the treatments were similar in terms of diversity and dominance, being higher in a 90-day period and in the control treatment. NMDS and UPGMA analysis show that treatments of different lengths have low similarity in their composition, however, treatments where Trichoderma spp. were inoculated were relatively similar to the control. T. harzianum ESALQ-1306 promoted a greater quantity of indicator OTUs, 17 in total. T. harzianum ESALQ-1306 and T. asperellum BRM-29104 alter the size (1140 and 449 nodes respectively), connectivity parameters such as average degree (79.28 and 22.29 links respectively) and predominant topological roles in co-occurrence networks, but they do not alter the richness or abundance of orthologous genes. Cultivation time and plant organs were the factors that most influenced the structure of the microbial community. Trichoderma harzianum ESALQ-1306 and T. asperellum BRM-29104 promote the biological control of white mold without deleterious effects on the edaphic and endophytic bean communities.

Increased functional interaction within frontoparietal network during working memory task in major depressive disorder.

Abnormal fronto‐parietal activation has been suggested as a neural underpinning of the working memory (WM) deficits in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the potential interaction within the frontoparietal network during WM processing in MDD remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the role of abnormal functional interactions within frontoparietal network in the neuropathological mechanisms of WM deficits in MDD. A total of 40 MDD patients and 47 demographic matched healthy controls (HCs) were included. Functional magnetic resonance imaging and behavioral data were collected during numeric n‐back tasks. The psychophysiological interaction and dynamic causal modelling methods were applied to investigate the connectivity within the frontoparietal network in MDD during n‐back tasks. The psychophysiological interaction analysis revealed that MDD patients showed increased functional connectivity between the right inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) compared with HCs during the 2‐back task. The dynamic causal modelling analysis revealed that MDD patients had significantly increased forward modulation connectivity from the right IPL to the right dlPFC than HCs during the 2‐back task. Partial correlation was used to calculate the relationship between connective parameters and psychological variables in the MDD group, which showed that the effective connectivity from right IPL to right dlPFC was correlated negatively with the sensitivity index d’ of WM performances and positively with the depressive severity in MDD group. In conclusion, the abnormal functional and effective connectivity between frontal and parietal regions might contribute to explain the neuropathological mechanism of working memory deficits in major depressive disorder.

Predicting subclinical psychotic-like experiences on a continuum using machine learning

Previous studies applying machine learning methods to psychosis have primarily been concerned with the binary classification of chronic schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. The aim of this study was to use electroencephalographic (EEG) data and pattern recognition to predict subclinical psychotic-like experiences on a continuum between these two extremes in otherwise healthy people. We applied two different approaches to an auditory oddball regularity learning task obtained from N = 73 participants:A feature extraction and selection routine incorporating behavioural measures, event-related potential components and effective connectivity parameters;Regularisation of spatiotemporal maps of event-related potentials.Using the latter approach, optimal performance was achieved using the response to frequent, predictable sounds. Features within the P50 and P200 time windows had the greatest contribution toward lower Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ) scores and the N100 time window contributed most to higher PQ scores. As a proof-of-concept, these findings demonstrate that EEG data alone are predictive of individual psychotic-like experiences in healthy people. Our findings are in keeping with the mounting evidence for altered sensory responses in schizophrenia, as well as the notion that psychosis may exist on a continuum expanding into the non-clinical population.

Effectiveness of vegetation cover pattern on regulating soil erosion and runoff generation in red soil environment, southern China

Coupling vegetation cover pattern with soil erosion and runoff generation positions a multi-discipline hotspot. Due to the widely occurred patchy vegetation cover and water-limited environment, regulation of vegetation cover pattern on runoff and soil erosion in arid and semiarid environment was addressed widely. In tropical and subtropical environment, patchy vegetation cover pattern also widely occurred in human-dominated landscapes. However, the effect of vegetation cover pattern on runoff generation and sediment yield and its dependence on rainfall characteristics attract little attention, and are unclear. Correspondingly, this study addresses two relevant issues: (1) the rainfall-dependent capacity of vegetation cover pattern to mitigate runoff and soil erosion; (2) rainfall-runoff and rainfall-erosion regimes mitigated by vegetation cover pattern. Eighteen 10 m-by-5 m plots were constructed for the three-year (2015–2017) observation in a humid and red-soil-covered environment in southern China. The results show that vegetation cover pattern affected the response of runoff generation and soil erosion to rainfall. The soil loss was more readily to be regulated by the fraction and spatial pattern of vegetation cover than runoff; the potential of the fraction of vegetation cover in regulating soil loss positively response to rainfall depth and rainfall intensity; and rising rainfall depth led to a weakened relationship between vegetation coverage and runoff volume. Our results illustrated that the increased rainfall intensity promotes the regression relationship between vegetation coverage and runoff volume. In this humid environment, vegetation cover pattern regulates the response of runoff and sediment discharge to rainfall characteristics; and the effectiveness of vegetation cover pattern on regulation runoff and sediment discharge was rainfall-dependent. This study indicates that including connectivity parameters in quantifying the spatial pattern of vegetation may lead to different understanding of the effectiveness of vegetation cover on hydrology and soil erosion.

An extensive survey on the Internet of Drones

The Internet of Drones (IoD) recently gained momentum due to its high adaptability to a wide variety of complex scenarios. Indeed, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can successfully be employed in different applications, such as agriculture, search and rescue missions, surveillance systems, mission-critical services, among others, thanks to some technological and practical advantages: high mobility, capability to extend wireless coverage areas, or ability to reach places inaccessible to humans. Moreover, the employment of drones promisingly improves the performance parameters of different network architectures, e.g., reliability, connectivity, throughput, and delay. Nevertheless, the adoption of networks of drones gives rise to several issues related to the intrinsic unreliability of the wireless medium, the duration of batteries, and the high mobility degree, which may cause frequent topology changes. Also security and privacy issues need to be properly investigated. This explains the very large number of works produced in the recent literature on IoD-related topics. With respect to other surveys on IoD-related topics, the goal of the present work is to categorize the multifaceted aspects of IoD, proposing a classification approach of the IoD environment that develops along two main directions. The IoD is initially introduced according to the possible applications and reference operating scenarios. On top of that, this work discussed with its applicability with a dedicated focus on the economical/social implications that the adoption of drones at scale may have. At a macroscopic level, it follows the structure of the Internet protocol stack, starting from the physical layer and extending to the upper layers, without neglecting cross-layer and optimization approaches. At a finer level, all the most relevant works belonging to each layer of the stack are further classified, according to the different issues that propose a peculiar challenges for each layer, and highlighting the most relevant differences with the other surveys present in literature. To provide a deeper insight, the present work embraces many facets of the IoD, with a thorough examination of privacy and security considerations. Finally, a discussion on the main research challenges and possible future directions is carried out, focusing on both open issues and the most promising technologies that deserve to be further developed in the IoD field.

Forward and backward locomotion patterns in C. elegans generated by a connectome-based model simulation

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) can produce various motion patterns despite having only 69 motor neurons and 95 muscle cells. Previous studies successfully elucidate the connectome and role of the respective motor neuron classes related to movement. However, these models have not analyzed the distribution of the synaptic and gap connection weights. In this study, we examined whether a motor neuron and muscle network can generate oscillations for both forward and backward movement and analyzed the distribution of the trained synaptic and gap connection weights through a machine learning approach. This paper presents a connectome-based neural network model consisting of motor neurons of classes A, B, D, AS, and muscle, considering both synaptic and gap connections. A supervised learning method called backpropagation through time was adapted to train the connection parameters by feeding teacher data composed of the command neuron input and muscle cell activation. Simulation results confirmed that the motor neuron circuit could generate oscillations with different phase patterns corresponding to forward and backward movement, and could be switched at arbitrary times according to the binary inputs simulating the output of command neurons. Subsequently, we confirmed that the trained synaptic and gap connection weights followed a Boltzmann-type distribution. It should be noted that the proposed model can be trained to reproduce the activity patterns measured for an animal (HRB4 strain). Therefore, the supervised learning approach adopted in this study may allow further analysis of complex activity patterns associated with movements.

REGARDING THE QUALITY OF ASSEMBLY OF THE SCREW CONNECTIONS OF THE MOUNTING ASSEMBLY OF BALL BEARINGS

Application of method of vibrodiagnostics is based on the presence of cross-correlation dependences of dynamic descriptions of all knots from contact pressure in connection through the change of inflexibility of joints. The change of inflexibility of separate elements causes the change of the resulted inflexibility of knot, and at the same time and characteristic it to dynamic descriptions of the artificially created oscillation field: frequencies and amplitudes of resonance vibrations, indexes of damping, phase correlations. There is a task of determination of method of control of the most responsible technological frame-clamping operations at making of such objects: quality of contact connections, ball-bearing knots, fixing of previous pull of ball-bearings and control of isotropicness, inflexibility and dissipative descriptions of the system of pendant of rotor at all stages of drafting, including in the functional state. The primary objective of this work is research of question of influence of non-perfect resiliency and different inflexibility of the supporting bearings on the dynamic reaction of object at external oscillation excitation, determination of estimation of the different inflexibility bearings, determination of accordance of axial inflexibility of ball-bearings supports, them by a basic value. The dynamic model of knot and certain functions of influence of parameters of the system is considered on high-quality indexes. The dynamic model of precision rotor system (PRS) is investigated. Vibration tests at the stage of assembling the structure of the ORS showed that in the process of assembling the elements change the natural frequencies of the system and the quality factor of the oscillating circuits. The resulted dependences allow giving an estimation degree of non-linearity of resilient description and, as a result, different inflexibility of bearings supports as a result of oscillation researches. The sensitivity functions of the design parameters of the complex press-threaded connection in relation to the vibration dynamic parameters – frequencies and amplitudes of resonant oscillations – do not differ qualitatively from those obtained previously.

Disturbed Interhemispheric Functional and Structural Connectivity in Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with cognitive decline and altered brain structure and function. However, the interhemispheric coordination of T2DM patients is unclear. To investigate interhemispheric functional and anatomic connectivity in T2DM, and their associations with cognitive performance and endocrine parameters. Prospective. 38 T2DM patients and 42 matched controls. 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner; magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequence; fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence; single-shot, gradient-recalled echo-planar imaging sequence (resting-state functional MRI); and diffusion-weighted spin-echo-based echo-planar sequence (diffusion tensor imaging). Voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) value was calculated based on the functional images. Fibers passing through the regions with significant VMHC differences were identified using an atlas-guided track recognition. The mean fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and fiber length were extracted and compared between the two groups. Finally, correlational analyses were performed to examine the relationships between abnormal interhemispheric connectivity, cognitive performances, and endocrine parameters. Two-sample t-tests were performed controlling for confounding factors, with partial correlation analysis. False discovery rate (FDR) correction was used for multiple comparisons. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. T2DM patients exhibited significantly decreased VMHC between bilateral lingual gyrus and sensorimotor cortex. The fibers connecting lingual gyrus in patients showed significantly lower FA (P=0.011) and shorter fiber length (P < 0.001), while the differences in sensorimotor fibers were insignificant (P=0.096 for FA, P=0.739 for fiber length and P=0.150 for MD). The FA value in the lingual fibers was negatively correlated with insulin resistance (IR) level in T2DM group after FDR correction (R=-0.635). We noted disruptions in interhemispheric coordination in T2DM patients, involving both functional and anatomical connectivities. IR might be a promising therapeutic target in the intervention of T2DM-related cognitive impairment. 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

Analysis and improvement of the design of uninterrupted connection of pump rods

Based on the field data, numerous failures of the downhole equipment of sucker rod pumping units occur, especially of the sucker rod strings. They are subject to corrosion, wear and alternating loads. The stress-strain state of the threaded connection elements is determined by the nature of the distribution of loads along the threads, which is uneven and depends on many factors. Despite this, the development of new designs of sucker rod connections and measures to improve the efficiency of operation and their research is an urgent task. In addition to the threaded connections of the sucker rods, there were a number of threadless designs that were not used in the fields, but they passed certain tests. The article presents these connection designs and discusses their advantages and disadvantages in comparison with standard threaded connections. Simulation modeling of a standard connection of sucker rods made it possible to investigate its stress-strain state and identify hazardous areas (stress concentrators). The stress-strain state of the threaded connection of the sucker rods has been investigated, the design of this connection has been improved and it has been established that, in comparison with the standard threaded connection of the sucker rods, the investigated has certain advantages. It was found that with an increase in the number of protrusions and depressions in a threaded joint, stresses decrease, which are concentrated in dangerous sections and along the contact planes. Convex contact planes also reduce stress, especially at the joint surface. Research has shown that the stresses generated in a threadless sucker rod joint are less than the stresses generated in a standard sucker rod and sleeve joint. Although the difference between these stresses is insignificant, attention should be paid to changing the geometric parameters of the threadless connection of the sucker rods, thereby reducing the maximum stresses.

Dynamic binary neural networks with time-variant parameters and switching of desired periodic orbits

This paper studies 3-layer dynamic binary neural networks characterized by binary connection parameters and the signum activation function. The connection parameters and the number of hidden neurons are time-variant. The dynamics is described by a non-autonomous difference equation of binary state variables and the network can generate various periodic orbits of binary vectors. First, we present a simple synthesis method that guarantees storage of desired multiple periodic orbits and switching of the periodic orbits through desired entrances. Second, as a basic step to engineering applications, we present an FPGA based hardware prototype. The hardware can realize switching of various periodic orbits experimentally and typical examples are demonstrated. The switching of periodic orbits is applicable to switching of walking patterns in robotics and variable output of switching power converters.

Behaviour and design of prefabricated CFST stub columns with PCC connections under compression

This paper investigates the compressive behaviour of prefabricated concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns with prefabricated column–column (PCC) connections. The innovative PCC connections are designed using conventional structural bolts instead of expensive blind bolts to connect two prefabricated CFST columns, simplifying the construction process and rendering the construction cost-effective. The compressive behaviour of prefabricated CFST columns with or without PCC connections has been investigated numerically. Parametric studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of different parameters of PCC connections, including connection configurations, horizontal and vertical stiffeners of connections, diameter of the coupling bolt, steel tube thickness, yield strength of steel tube, and compression strength of concrete, on the compressive behaviour of CFST columns with PCC connections. The prefabricated CSFT columns with the developed PCC connections are able to achieve similar compressive strengths that are achieved by the CFST columns without connections. Therefore, the developed PCC connections can be used to construct prefabricated CFST columns for the prefabricated steel–concrete composite structures.

Temporal lobe epilepsy with or without hippocampal sclerosis: Structural and functional connectivity using advanced MRI techniques.

The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in structural connectivity based on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional connectivity based on arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI between temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with and without hippocampal sclerosis (HS). We enrolled 50 patients with TLE, including 25 patients with HS and 25 patients without HS, who underwent brain MRI, including DTI and ASL. We calculated the network parameters of structural connectivity based on DTI and functional connectivity based on ASL using a graph theoretical analysis. The parameters included global network measures (radius, diameter, characteristic path length, global efficiency, local efficiency, mean clustering coefficient, transitivity, assortative coefficient, and small-worldness index) and a local network measure (betweenness centrality). The global and local network measures of structural connectivity were not different between TLE patients with and without HS. However, significant differences in functional connectivity existed between the two groups. The radius and diameter of the global network measures in the TLE patients with HS were significantly increased compared with those without HS (4.140 vs. 3.140, p = 0.045; 6.812 vs. 5.132, p = 0.049; respectively). No differences were detected between other global network measures of functional connectivity and local network measure. Significant differences in global network measures of functional connectivity based on ASL existed between TLE patients with and without HS. These findings suggest that TLE patients with HS exhibit a more disconnected functional brain network than those without HS.

Seismic performance evaluation of slotted-weband bolt-flange plate moment connection

In this article, a steel moment connection of beam to the column called a slotted web and bolt flange plate moment connection is introduced and the seismic performance of the connection is assessed by modeling the finite element. The connection consists of two slots in the beam web and bolted plates to the beam flange at the area of connection of the beam to the column to create a plastic hinge in an area farther from the column face, thus reducing the plastic strain equivalent to the panel zone and welding the beam-to-column connection area. The beam is connected to the slab on the side so that no plastic hinge is created against the side buckling. A numerical study has been performed to find the effectiveness of the proposed connection parameters. The results showed that following the limitations in this study, the SW-BFP connection had better hysteresis behavior than the SW connection. The deformation capacity of the connection in the SW-BFP connection (slotted web and bolt flange plate moment connection) has increased up to 112% compared to the connection of the beam with the slot web (SW). The sheet bolted to the beam flange on both sides of the beam with the slot die causes the buckling modes to occur later and reduces the stress by 23.93% in the beam-to-column connection area and 20.94% in the connection panel zone compared to the SW connection. Also, adding bolt-to-beam plates to the SW connection reduces the plastic strain in the panel zone by 87%, while the strain value in the beam-to-column connection area has reached zero.

Task specific Brain Synchronization in EEG based Speech and Speech Imagery Procedures

Speech being a complicated cognitive skill of the brain, retrieving verbal information from spoken and imagined speech using electrophysiological signal is widely under research to assist the impaired. Electroencephalography has been a successful medium in analyzing the temporal and behavioral changes happening in the brain during any task. In this work an endeavor has been made to distinguish such changes while speaking and envisioning speaking the phoneme of vowel ‘a’. The brain activity was recorded from volunteers while speaking and envisioning speaking the vowel ‘a’ and the basic signal processing routines were applied. The EEG sub-band frequencies were extracted using Fast Fourier Transform (fft). The synchronization indices were assessed for the segmented signals of various sub-band frequencies and the behavioral changes were enlisted. It was seen that the left hemisphere of the brain functioned synchronously during speech task and an inverse phenomenon was observed during the imagery task. Hence the possibility of reconstructing the broken or incomplete speech from the directly recorded brain activity has reached a step ahead towards the milestone. This work exhibits the analysis of brain connectivity parameters while speaking and imagining a vowel ‘a’. Speech imagery can be used to decode the thoughts for patients who are unable to express their thoughts, using non-invasive techniques.

Performance characterization and design recommendations of socket connections for precast columns

The socket connection has been proven to exhibit sufficient structural performance and offer constructability advantages for connecting precast columns. To further promote this type of connection, this paper presents the characterization of structural behavior and appropriate design recommendations of socket connections. By utilizing the numerical models that adequately replicate the responses obtained from an experimental test, it was found that the major nonlinear behavior of the socket connection was triggered by the radial cracks developed on the connection. After identifying the performance characteristics of socket connections, the numerical parametric study was conducted to investigate the effect of four primary connection parameters. The results indicated that the connection strength generally increased with the increasing column embedment length-to-column diameter ratio, connection diameter-to-column diameter ratio, and concrete strength of the connection. Increasing transverse reinforcement ratio was also found to improve the post-cracking performance of socket connections. As a result of the numerical investigation, the preferred column embedment length-to-column diameter ratio for various connection parameters and the detailing requirements were recommended. The paper also illustrates the proposed design recommendations using a field implementation.