Wiring Patterns Research Articles

White matter characteristics of motor, sensory and interhemispheric tracts underlying impaired upper limb function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

This study explored the role of lesion timing (periventricular white matter versus cortical and deep grey matter lesions) and type of corticospinal tract (CST) wiring pattern (contralateral, bilateral, ipsilateral) on white matter characteristics of the CST, medial lemniscus, superior thalamic radiations and sensorimotor transcallosal fibers in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP), and examined theassociation with upper limb function. Thirty-four children (mean age 10 years 7 months ± 2 years 3 months) with unilateral CP underwent a comprehensive upper limb evaluation and diffusion weighted imaging (75 directions, b value 2800). Streamline count, fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were extracted from the targeted tracts and asymmetry indices were additionally calculated. Transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied to assess the CST wiring pattern. Results showed a more damaged CST in children with cortical and deep grey matter lesions (N = 10) and ipsilateral CST projections (N = 11) compared to children with periventricular white matter lesions (N = 24; p < 0.02) and contralateral CST projections (N = 9; p < 0.025), respectively. Moderate to high correlations were found between diffusion metrics of the targeted tracts and upper limb function (r = 0.45-0.72; p < 0.01). Asymmetry indices of the CST and sensory tracts could best explain bimanual performance (74%, p < 0.0001) and unimanual capacity (50%, p = 0.004). Adding lesion timing and CST wiring pattern did not further improve the model of bimanual performance, while for unimanual capacity lesion timing was additionally retained (58%, p = 0.0002). These results contribute to a better understanding of the underlying neuropathology of upper limb function in children with unilateral CP and point towards a clinical potential of tractography.

Homeostatic Plasticity Shapes the Retinal Response to Photoreceptor Degeneration.

Homeostatic plasticity stabilizes input and activity levels during neural development, but whether it can restore connectivity and preserve circuit function during neurodegeneration is unknown. Photoreceptor degeneration is the most common cause of blindness in the industrialized world. Visual deficits are dominated by cone loss, which progresses slowly, leaving a window during which rewiring of second-order neurons (i.e., bipolar cells) could preserve function. Here we establish a transgenic model to induce cone degeneration with precise control and analyze bipolar cell responses and their effects on vision through anatomical reconstructions, invivo electrophysiology, and behavioral assays. In young retinas, we find that three bipolar cell types precisely restore input synapse numbers when 50% of cones degenerate but one does not. Of the three bipolar cell types that rewire, two contact new cones within stable dendritic territories, whereas one expands its dendrite arbors to reach new partners. In mature retinas, only one of four bipolar cell types rewires homeostatically. This steep decline in homeostatic plasticity is accompanied by reduced light responses of bipolar cells and deficits in visual behaviors. By contrast, light responses and behavioral performance are preserved when cones degenerate in young mice. Our results reveal unexpected cell type specificity and a steep maturational decline of homeostatic plasticity. The effect of homeostatic plasticity on functional outcomes identify it as a promising therapeutic target for retinal and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Gradient Coil Design and Realization for a Halbach-Based MRI System

In this paper we design and construct gradient coils for a Halbach permanent magnet array magnetic resonance (MR) scanner. The target field method, which is widely applied for the case of axial static magnetic fields, has been developed for a transverse static magnetic field as produced by a Halbach permanent magnet array. Using this method, current densities for three gradient directions are obtained and subsequently verified using a commercial magneto-static solver. Stream functions are used to turn the surface current densities into wire patterns for constructing the gradient coils. The measured fields are in good agreement with simulations and their prescribed target fields. Three dimensional images have been acquired using the constructed gradient coils with very low degree of geometric distortion.

Wiring patterns from auditory sensory neurons to the escape and song-relay pathways in fruit flies.

Many animals rely on acoustic cues to decide what action to take next. Unraveling the wiring patterns of the auditory neural pathways is prerequisite for understanding such information processing. Here, we reconstructed the first step of the auditory neural pathway in the fruit fly brain, from primary to secondary auditory neurons, at the resolution of transmission electron microscopy. By tracing axons of two major subgroups of auditory sensory neurons in fruit flies, low-frequency tuned Johnston's organ (JO)-B neurons and high-frequency tuned JO-A neurons, we observed extensive connections from JO-B neurons to the main second-order neurons in both the song-relay and escape pathways. In contrast, JO-A neurons connected strongly to a neuron in the escape pathway. Our findings suggest that heterogeneous JO neuronal populations could be recruited to modify escape behavior whereas only specific JO neurons contribute to courtship behavior. We also found that all JO neurons have postsynaptic sites at their axons. Presynaptic modulation at the output sites of JO neurons could affect information processing of the auditory neural pathway in flies.

Sticky thermoelectric materials for flexible thermoelectric modules to capture low–temperature waste heat

ABSTRACTWe examined a working hypothesis of sticky thermoelectric (TE) materials, which is inversely designed to mass-produce flexible TE sheets with lamination or roll-to-roll processes without electric conductive adhesives. Herein, we prepared p-type and n-type sticky TE materials via mixing antimony and bismuth powders with low-volatilizable organic solvents to achieve a low thermal conductivity. Since the sticky TE materials are additionally injected into punched polymer sheets to contact with the upper and bottom electrodes in the fabrication process, the sticky TE modules of ca. 2.4 mm in thickness maintained temperature differences of ca. 10°C and 40°C on a hot plate of 40 °C and 120°C under a natural-air cooling condition with a fin. In the single-cell resistance analysis, we found that 75∼150-µm bismuth powder shows lower resistance than the smaller-sized one due to the fewer number of particle-particle interfaces in the electric pass between the upper and bottom electrodes. After adjusting the printed wiring pattern for the upper and bottom electrodes, we achieved 42 mV on a hot plate (120°C) with the 6 x 6 module having 212 Ω in the total resistance. In addition to the possibility of mass production at a reasonable cost, the sticky TE materials provide a low thermal conductivity for flexible TE modules to capture low-temperature waste heat under natural-air cooling conditions with fins for the purpose of energy harvesting.

Enhanced Power and Ground Mesh Structure for IR-Drop Reduction

New enhanced power/ground mesh structure is presented for voltage drop (IR drop) reduction on power distribution network in integrated circuits (ICs). The new structure focuses on the length of the overall power/ground mesh wire pattern, reducing it by using a complex dotted line wire pattern instead of the usual mesh straps, which brings to wire length reduction on almost 40%, while via count on changed metal layer remained the same. Measurements of the voltage drop prove that with proposed mesh structure IR drop reduced about 76% for power net compared to standard mesh structure but runtime for mesh creation is increased due to more complex patterns. Proposed structure can be used in advanced technology nodes where IR drop phenomenon has become critical for performance of the ICs.

Plucked Hair as a Substrate for Indirect Immunofluorescence in Cases of Pemphigus Vulgaris.

Introduction:Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) is used to determine the circulating autoantibodies in cases of Pemphigus. For IIF in Pemphigus several substrates had been used. This study was done to determine whether plucked hair can be utilized as a substrate for IIF in cases of Pemphigus. Aim & Objectives: To determine the efficacy of utilizing the plucked hair as a substrate for indirect immunofluorescence among patients with Pemphigus vulgaris.Methodology:Thirty two consecutive patients with active and fresh diagnosed cases of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) who did not undergo any treatment and those patients who had positive DIF findings of characteristic fish net or chicken wire pattern of intercellular IgG deposits in the epidermis of perilesional skin were included in the study. A total of 32 control subjects without any auto immune disorders were selected and the blood samples were taken from these patients for IIF analysis. Anagen hair were collected from the healthy volunteers without pemphigus in the same way as for trichogram. Telogen hair were obtained by combing the hair and collecting the loose strands of hair on the comb and further confirmed under microscope. Three hairs each of anagen and telogen stage were collected from each subject to be utilized as a substrate for IIF.Results:Out of 32 samples 20 samples showed positive results for Ig G alone and 5 samples showed positivity for Ig G and C3. One sample showed positivity for C3alone. All these 26 samples were considered to have positive IIF test based on the intercellular pattern of deposit. Positive IIF results were observed in anagen hair samples and were negative in all the telogen hair samples. Six anagen hair samples did not show any positive findings in IIF for the study group. All the 32 control samples showed negative reports in IIF.Conclusion:In conclusion, IIF microscopy on plucked hair as a substrate is a more sensitive immunoassay for the detection of circulating intercellular autoantibodies in PV and the lower negative predictive value of this substrate is a limitation. Further large scale studies might provide better information regarding the practical utility.

Comparative magnetic capture characteristics of revolving and spinning wires in uniform magnetic field

Centrifugal high gradient magnetic separation (CHGMS) operates through a rotating matrix in a magnetic field, so that its separation performance is closely related to the coupling of magnetic field and rotating magnetic wires of the matrix. In this work, the capture characteristics of magnetic wires rotating at two different patterns, i.e., revolving around the center of separating cylinder and spinning around the axis of wire in a given uniform magnetic field, were comparatively described; and using a capture set-up, they were experimentally verified by their actual magnetic capture to ilmenite particles from a primary ilmenite concentrate assaying 13.04% TiO2. It was found that the centrifugal force and hydrodynamic drag acting onto the particles of the spinning wire, as well as the required magnetic force to the particles for effective magnetic capture, is much smaller than that of the revolving wire. According to the COMSOL Multiphysics simulation, there is a large velocity gradient between the slurry around the rotating wire and the separating cylinder, producing a fluid shearing stress to particles in the slurry and thus improving the loose state of the slurry around the wire; in addition, the effect of wire spinning on the motion trajectories of particles is much weaker than that of the revolving one. The capture experiments indicated that the rotating pattern of wire has a significant effect on the capture characteristics; specifically, the spinning wire obtained a much higher mass weight for ilmenite particles but a similar capture selectivity, in comparison with the revolving wire. For instance, when the rotation of 6 mm diameter wire was transformed from revolution to spinning at the same rotation speed of 120 r/min, the mass weight of ilmenite particles captured onto the wire was significantly increased from 1.1 g/cm to 2.0 g/cm, while their TiO2 grades reached 27.12% and 26.25%, respectively. It was concluded that the high capture selectivity of the rotating wire to ilmenite particles is primarily attributed to the effect of loosing particles in the fluid, as it facilitates the release of non-magnetic particles from the magnetic deposits captured on the wire surface. This investigation provides a valuable reference for the determination of matrix rotation pattern in the development of CHGMS technology.

Modular transcriptional programs separately define axon and dendrite connectivity.

Patterns of synaptic connectivity are remarkably precise and complex. Single-cell RNA sequencing has revealed a vast transcriptional diversity of neurons. Nevertheless, a clear logic underlying the transcriptional control of neuronal connectivity has yet to emerge. Here, we focused on Drosophila T4/T5 neurons, a class of closely related neuronal subtypes with different wiring patterns. Eight subtypes of T4/T5 neurons are defined by combinations of two patterns of dendritic inputs and four patterns of axonal outputs. Single-cell profiling during development revealed distinct transcriptional programs defining each dendrite and axon wiring pattern. These programs were defined by the expression of a few transcription factors and different combinations of cell surface proteins. Gain and loss of function studies provide evidence for independent control of different wiring features. We propose that modular transcriptional programs for distinct wiring features are assembled in different combinations to generate diverse patterns of neuronal connectivity.

The Organization of the Second Optic Chiasm of the Drosophila Optic Lobe.

Visual pathways from the compound eye of an insect relay to four neuropils, successively the lamina, medulla, lobula, and lobula plate in the underlying optic lobe. Among these neuropils, the medulla, lobula, and lobula plate are interconnected by the complex second optic chiasm, through which the anteroposterior axis undergoes an inversion between the medulla and lobula. Given their complex structure, the projection patterns through the second optic chiasm have so far lacked critical analysis. By densely reconstructing axon trajectories using a volumetric scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique, we reveal the three-dimensional structure of the second optic chiasm of Drosophila melanogaster, which comprises interleaving bundles and sheets of axons insulated from each other by glial sheaths. These axon bundles invert their horizontal sequence in passing between the medulla and lobula. Axons connecting the medulla and lobula plate are also bundled together with them but do not decussate the sequence of their horizontal positions. They interleave with sheets of projection neuron axons between the lobula and lobula plate, which also lack decussations. We estimate that approximately 19,500 cells per hemisphere, about two thirds of the optic lobe neurons, contribute to the second chiasm, most being Tm cells, with an estimated additional 2,780 T4 and T5 cells each. The chiasm mostly comprises axons and cell body fibers, but also a few synaptic elements. Based on our anatomical findings, we propose that a chiasmal structure between the neuropils is potentially advantageous for processing complex visual information in parallel. The EM reconstruction shows not only the structure of the chiasm in the adult brain, the previously unreported main topic of our study, but also suggest that the projection patterns of the neurons comprising the chiasm may be determined by the proliferation centers from which the neurons develop. Such a complex wiring pattern could, we suggest, only have arisen in several evolutionary steps.

Physical Properties of Deposits and Three-Dimensional Structures Prepared By High-Speed Electrolytic Copper Plating Using a Jet Flow Device

Since copper has excellent properties such as malleability and conductivity, it is widely used in the electronics field. Copper sulfate plating is expanding further in fields requiring thick deposits such as for heat dissipation boards and bumps for stress relaxation during semiconductor mounting. In order to improve productivity and reduce cost, high speed electroplating using high current density is desired. However, in electroplating under high current density, abnormal deposition such as burnt deposits and dendrites due to insufficient supply of the metal ion. In order to facilitate the supply of the metal ion, our group focused on mechanical agitation type jet devices rather than conventional air or paddle agitation. In this study, the physical properties of deposits prepared by conventional copper sulfate plating at 5 A/dm2 and the high speed copper plating at 30 or 50 A/dm2 were compared. Furthermore, the high-speed copper sulfate plating method was applied to wiring and bump resist patterns where production of three-dimensional structures was demonstrated. 20×30 mm cut copper plates were used as the test substrate, which were treated with the alkaline degreasing and the acid activation prior to plating. Three kinds of additives Bis-(3-sulfopropyl) disulfide (SPS), Janus Green B (JGB) and Polyethelene glycol-20000 (PEG-20000) were used in the copper sulfate plating solution. Samples were annealed at 120°C for 60 min after plating. Investigation of physical properties was conducted by comparison of crystal orientation measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electrical conductivity measured by sheet resistance. Furthermore, the etching rate of each film was calculated from the mass loss per unit etching time. The additives were optimized for preparation of the three-dimensional structures. The current density was swept at an arbitrary speed from 0 A/dm2 to a target current density, and once reached, the current density was maintained until the target film thickness was obtained. The test substrate after plating was subjected to resist observation and then to observation using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Fig. 1 shows the crystal orientation attained at each current density. It was confirmed that both films produced at the current densities of 30 and 50 A/dm2 by high speed copper plating and the film produced at 5 A/dm2 using the conventional method were oriented with 60% of the 111 crystal phase. The sheet resistance values of all three films exhibited approximately the same value of 0.93 to 0.95 Ω/sq. . On the other hand, the etching rate of the films produced by high-speed copper plating were 2.5 µm/min, whereas that of the film produced by the conventional method was 1.7µm/min. Fig. 2 shows the wiring pattern filled with 30 A/dm2. It was confirmed that pattern filling by high speed plating can be accomplished 10 times faster than with the conventional method. Resist pattern filling by plating at higher current density will be discussed in detail. The high-speed copper plating film using a jet flow device has the near physical properties as the conventional method. Furthermore, since filling of the pattern substrate can be performed in a short time, it is considered that it can contribute to improvement of productivity in the electronic field. Figure 1

A generic deviance detection principle for cortical On/Off responses, omission response, and mismatch negativity

Neural responses to sudden changes can be observed in many parts of the sensory pathways at different organizational levels. For example, deviants that violate regularity at various levels of abstraction can be observed as simple On/Off responses of individual neurons or as cumulative responses of neural populations. The cortical deviance-related responses supporting different functionalities (e.g., gap detection, chunking, etc.) seem unlikely to arise from different function-specific neural circuits, given the relatively uniform and self-similar wiring patterns across cortical areas and spatial scales. Additionally, reciprocal wiring patterns (with heterogeneous combinations of excitatory and inhibitory connections) in the cortex naturally speak in favor of a generic deviance detection principle. Based on this concept, we propose a network model consisting of reciprocally coupled neural masses as a blueprint of a universal change detector. Simulation examples reproduce properties of cortical deviance-related responses including the On/Off responses, the omitted-stimulus response (OSR), and the mismatch negativity (MMN). We propose that the emergence of change detectors relies on the involvement of disinhibition. An analysis of network connection settings further suggests a supportive effect of synaptic adaptation and a destructive effect of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-r) antagonists on change detection. We conclude that the nature of cortical reciprocal wiring gives rise to a whole range of local change detectors supporting the notion of a generic deviance detection principle. Several testable predictions are provided based on the network model. Notably, we predict that the NMDA-r antagonists would generally dampen the cortical Off response, the cortical OSR, and the MMN.

Graphlet Laplacians for topology-function and topology-disease relationships.

Laplacian matrices capture the global structure of networks and are widely used to study biological networks. However, the local structure of the network around a node can also capture biological information. Local wiring patterns are typically quantified by counting how often a node touches different graphlets (small, connected, induced sub-graphs). Currently available graphlet-based methods do not consider whether nodes are in the same network neighbourhood. To combine graphlet-based topological information and membership of nodes to the same network neighbourhood, we generalize the Laplacian to the Graphlet Laplacian, by considering a pair of nodes to be 'adjacent' if they simultaneously touch a given graphlet. We utilize Graphlet Laplacians to generalize spectral embedding, spectral clustering and network diffusion. Applying Graphlet Laplacian-based spectral embedding, we visually demonstrate that Graphlet Laplacians capture biological functions. This result is quantified by applying Graphlet Laplacian-based spectral clustering, which uncovers clusters enriched in biological functions dependent on the underlying graphlet. We explain the complementarity of biological functions captured by different Graphlet Laplacians by showing that they capture different local topologies. Finally, diffusing pan-cancer gene mutation scores based on different Graphlet Laplacians, we find complementary sets of cancer-related genes. Hence, we demonstrate that Graphlet Laplacians capture topology-function and topology-disease relationships in biological networks. http://www0.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/natasa/graphlet-laplacian/index.html. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Development of an X-ray imaging detector to resolve 200 nm line-and-space patterns by using transparent ceramics layers bonded by solid-state diffusion.

A high-resolution lens-coupled X-ray imaging detector equipped with a thin-layer transparent ceramics scintillator has been developed. The scintillator consists of a 5μm thick Ce-doped Lu3Al5O12 layer (LuAG:Ce) bonded onto the support substrate of the non-doped LuAG ceramics by using a solid-state diffusion technique. Secondary electron microscopy of the bonded interface indicated that the crystal grains were densely packed without any pores in the optical wavelength scale, indicating a quasi-uniform refractive index across the interface. This guarantees high transparency and minimum reflection, which are essential properties for X-ray imaging detectors. The LuAG:Ce scintillator was incorporated into an X-ray imaging detector coupled with an objective lens with a numerical aperture of 0.85 and an optical magnification of 100. The scintillation light was imaged onto a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensor. The effective pixel size on the scintillator plane was 65nm. X-ray transmission images of 200nm line-and-space patterns were successfully resolved. The high spatial resolution was demonstrated by X-ray transmission images of large integrated circuits with the wiring patterns clearly visualized.

Functional geometry of protein interactomes.

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are usually modeled as networks. These networks have extensively been studied using graphlets, small induced subgraphs capturing the local wiring patterns around nodes in networks. They revealed that proteins involved in similar functions tend to be similarly wired. However, such simple models can only represent pairwise relationships and cannot fully capture the higher-order organization of protein interactomes, including protein complexes. To model the multi-scale organization of these complex biological systems, we utilize simplicial complexes from computational geometry. The question is how to mine these new representations of protein interactomes to reveal additional biological information. To address this, we define simplets, a generalization of graphlets to simplicial complexes. By using simplets, we define a sensitive measure of similarity between simplicial complex representations that allows for clustering them according to their data types better than clustering them by using other state-of-the-art measures, e.g. spectral distance, or facet distribution distance. We model human and baker's yeast protein interactomes as simplicial complexes that capture PPIs and protein complexes as simplices. On these models, we show that our newly introduced simplet-based methods cluster proteins by function better than the clustering methods that use the standard PPI networks, uncovering the new underlying functional organization of the cell. We demonstrate the existence of the functional geometry in the protein interactome data and the superiority of our simplet-based methods to effectively mine for new biological information hidden in the complexity of the higher-order organization of protein interactomes. Codes and datasets are freely available at http://www0.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/natasa/Simplets/. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Hemispheric Module-Specific Influence of the X Chromosome on White Matter Connectivity: Evidence from Girls with Turner Syndrome.

Turner syndrome (TS) is caused by the congenital absence of all or part of one of the X chromosomes in females, offering a valuable human "knockout model" to study the functioning patterns of the X chromosome in the human brain. Little is known about whether and how the loss of the X chromosome influences the brain structural wiring patterns in human. We acquired a multimodal MRI dataset and cognitive assessments from 22 girls with TS and 21 age-matched control girls to address these questions. Hemispheric white matter (WM) networks and modules were derived using refined diffusion MRI tractography. Statistical comparisons revealed a reduced topological efficiency of both hemispheric networks and bilateral parietal modules in TS girls. Specifically, the efficiency of right parietal module significantly mediated the effect of the X chromosome on working memory performance, indicating that X chromosome loss impairs working memory performance by disrupting this module. Additionally, TS girls showed structural and functional connectivity decoupling across specific within- and between-modular connections, predominantly in the right hemisphere. These findings provide novel insights into the functional pathways in the brain that are regulated by the X chromosome and highlight a module-specific genetic contribution to WM connectivity in the human brain.

A new type of micro-X-ray diffractometer focused by polycapillary optics

Micro-X-ray diffraction (μ-XRD) plays a significant role in measuring the phase structures of small samples or micro areas of larger samples. In this article, we propose a new type of desktop micro-X-ray diffractometer named μ-Hawk focused by polycapillary optics. It consists mainly of a microfocus X-ray tube, polycapillary optics, receiving slits, a silicon drift diode (SDD) X-ray detector integrated with single/multi-channel pulse analyzer, independently rotating &lt;i&gt;θ&lt;/i&gt;-&lt;i&gt;θ&lt;/i&gt; goniometer, high precision &lt;i&gt;XYZ&lt;/i&gt; sample stage, computer programs developed by LabVIEW codes, etc. The main interface of the program has micro-X-ray diffraction analysis mode and micro energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis mode. In addition, the monochromatization of X-ray, the angular resolution and the accuracy of the results of μ-Hawk are discussed. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of the instrument, the phase of micro area in the middle of the first stroke on the Chinese character “Jiao” from a 5-Jiao coin (Chinese currency) is measured by the μ-Hawk, and the phase of a copper wire 140 μm in diameter is also detected by it. After that, the phase of 1.0 mm × 0.6 mm area on the welding joint of the motherboard from an iPhone is two-dimensionally scanned by μ-Hawk. The &lt;i&gt;θ&lt;/i&gt;-&lt;i&gt;θ&lt;/i&gt; scanning is performed at each detected point inside the two-dimensional area. Four motors drive the &lt;i&gt;X&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Y&lt;/i&gt; axis of the sample stage as well as the &lt;i&gt;θ&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt; and &lt;i&gt;θ&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; axis of the goniometer to accomplish the above functions. The results show that the micro energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis mode of μ-Hawk can provide elementary reference information for the analysis of phase structure. Compared with conventional X-ray diffractometer, the μ-Hawk can detect the same diffraction peaks on the coin with lower background. Furthermore, the accurate diffraction peaks can be measured with a lower power and shorter time. The measured results can better reflect the true phase structure of the micro area. Six diffraction peaks and their phases can be clearly identified from the diffraction pattern of the copper wire. For the welding joint, the phase mapping of SnO&lt;sub&gt;2 &lt;/sub&gt;(3 1 2) is acquired through data processing. Therefore, the μ-Hawk can adapt to the micro-X-ray diffraction analysis of small samples or micro areas of samples as well as the two-dimensional scanning analysis of phase mapping. The μ-Hawk exhibits the unique advantages of accomplishing accurate micro-X-ray diffraction analysis, convenient software, low working power, time saving, and small in size. It indicates a wide application prospect in the fields of materials, geosciences and heritage protection.

Design and research of constructive features of paving slabs for power generation by pedestrians

Abstract At the moment, the development of alternative low-power renewable sources of electricity, that do not affect the environment, that is, generating green energy, is a relevant scientific and technical task. One of the ways to solve this task is to use various methods and approaches for converting different types of energy into electrical energy. The most relevant and promising are those systems and devices that can run anywhere with easy installation process. Such type of devices partially or fully covers the electricity needs of various objects. The aim of the current research is to study the process of generating electricity by power generating paving slabs - an alternative, renewable source of electricity, depending on the wiring pattern of stepping motors to its electric machine node and on their quantity. Authors use methods for processing experimental studies, methods for the theory of electrical machines and electric drives, as well as methods for calculating electrical circuits for the current research. Authors present a prototype of an energy-generating slab with an electro machine unit that can operate with one or two stepper motors. The results of experimental studies are curves of the dependence of voltage on time. Because of the processing of the obtained experimental data, authors show and describe the graphs of power versus time. Experiments have shown that connecting two stepper motors to an electro machine unit of an energy generating slab makes it possible to increase the value of the generated electricity by about 3.9 times. When pressure is applying to a power-generating slab with a force approximately equal to one average person’s step, the device generates approximately 1.16 W of electricity. The amount of generated energy is more dependent not on the weight of the person, but on how quickly the step is performed. The faster the pace of walking and the sharper the steps, the more energy is generated. It is possible to estimate the potential of the power generating paving slabs as an alternative source of energy, taking into account the data obtained from experimental studies and knowing the density of the humans flow.

The Cerebral Cortex is Bisectionally Segregated into Two Fundamentally Different Functional Units of Gyri and Sulci.

The human cerebral cortex is highly folded into diverse gyri and sulci. Accumulating evidences suggest that gyri and sulci exhibit anatomical, morphological, and connectional differences. Inspired by these evidences, we performed a series of experiments to explore the frequency-specific differences between gyral and sulcal neural activities from resting-state and task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. Specifically, we designed a convolutional neural network (CNN) based classifier, which can differentiate gyral and sulcal fMRI signals with reasonable accuracies. Further investigations of learned CNN models imply that sulcal fMRI signals are more diverse and more high frequency than gyral signals, suggesting that gyri and sulci truly play different functional roles. These differences are significantly associated with axonal fiber wiring and cortical thickness patterns, suggesting that these differences might be deeply rooted in their structural and cellular underpinnings. Further wavelet entropy analyses demonstrated the validity of CNN-based findings. In general, our collective observations support a new concept that the cerebral cortex is bisectionally segregated into 2 functionally different units of gyri and sulci.

EMC Board Design Utilizing High-Frequency Transmission Line Characteristics of Wiring Patterns

EMC Board Design Utilizing High-Frequency Transmission Line Characteristics of Wiring Patterns