An Hailong

The synchronization of FitzHugh-Nagumo neuron network coupled by gap junction ∗

It is well known that the strong coupling can synchronize a network of nonlinear oscillators. Synchronization provides the basis of the remarkable computational performance of the brain. In this paper the FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron network is constructed. The dependence of the synchronization on the coupling strength, the noise intensity and the size of the neuron network has been discussed. The results indicate that the coupling among neurons works to improve the synchronization, and noise increases the neuron random dynamics and the local fluctuations; the larger the size of network, the worse the synchronization. The dependence of the synchronization on the strength of the electric synapse coupling and chemical synapse coupling has also been discussed, which proves that electric synapse coupling can enhance the synchronization of the neuron network largely.

The bistable state of a twisted nematic liquid crystal cell with weak anchoring boundary

On the basis of the modified general Rapini–Papoular expression for the anchoring energy, a twisted nematic liquid crystal cell has been studied analytically. In this paper, a new variable is introduced and is suitable for the calculation of the threshold point and the saturation point. The free energy being smallest in the equilibrium state, we find that bistable states can be formed from the uniform twisted state plus the disturbed state, the disturbed state plus the saturation state, and the uniform twisted state plus the saturation state.

Calculation of the Physical and Microdosimetric Parameters of Electron and Alpha-Particle Radiation Using Monte Carlo Simulations

Various ionizing radiations, such as electrons and alpha particles, transfer their energy to media by produced secondary electrons and induce double- or single-strand break of DNA, which result in variable effects. To understand how the ionizing radiations interact with DNA and break it, several models have been developed, most of them consider the water as a vapor state. Actually, the ionizing particles interact with DNA which is solved in liquid water. To compare the difference of vapor and liquid water models, we calculate the stopping power, continuous slowing down approximation (CSDA) range and S value of electrons and alpha particles at cellular scale in liquid and vapor by Monte Carlo simulations, respectively. Our data show that the stopping power and CSDA range are different in liquid and vapor water in a special energy range. For many S values, the liquid model is better than the vapor model when the energy of the electrons is higher than 100 keV and the vapor model is higher than the liquid model for the 1 MeV alpha particles.

The influences of surface polarization on NLC cells

The influence of the surface polarization, Ps , on a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) cell is investigated analytically. Flexoelectric polarization is considered, but selective ion absorption is ignored. The differential equations are derived for tilt angle, θ, of director n and the corresponding boundary conditions based on Gibbs free energy, and their solutions discussed. Equations for the reduced threshold voltage, uth , and the reduced saturation voltage, usat , are deduced and the relationships between uth , usat and reduced strength of surface polarization, p, derived.

Dynamical Properties of Potassium Ion Channels with a Hierarchical Model

It is well known that potassium ion channels have higher permeability than K ions, and the permeable rate of a single K ion channel is about 108 ions per second. We develop a hierarchical model of potassium ion channel permeation involving ab initio quantum calculations and Brownian dynamics simulations, which can consistently explain a range of channel dynamics. The results show that the average velocity of K ions, the mean permeable time of K ions and the permeable rate of single channel are about 0.92 nm/ns, 4.35 ns and 2.30×108 ions/s, respectively.

Identification of Three Interactions to Determine the Conformation Change and to Maintain the Function of Kir2.1 Channel Protein

We find that a conserved mutation residue Glu to residue Asp (E303D), which both have the same polar and charged properties, makes Kir2.1 protein lose its function. To understand the mechanism, we identify three interactions which control the conformation change and maintain the function of the Kir2.1 protein by combining homology modeling and molecular dynamics with targeted molecular dynamics. We find that the E303D mutation weakens these interactions and results in the loss of the related function. Our data indicate that not only the amino residues but also the interactions determine the function of proteins.

The spike timing precision of FitzHugh-Nagumo neuron network coupled by gap junctions

It has been proved recently that the spike timing can play an important role in information transmission, so in this paper we develop a network with N-unit FitzHugh–Nagumo neurons coupled by gap junctions and discuss the dependence of the spike timing precision on synaptic coupling strength, the noise intensity and the size of the neuron ensemble. The calculated results show that the spike timing precision decreases as the noise intensity increases; and the ensemble spike timing precision increases with coupling strength increasing. The electric synapse coupling has a more important effect on the spike timing precision than the chemical synapse coupling.

Phenotypic characteristics of the first generation mealycup sage (Salvia Farinacea Benth.) induced by space radiation

To explore the biological effects of the space radiation, dry seeds of mealycup sage (Salvia farinacea Benth.) were flown with the Chinese space craft “Shen Zhou VIII”. The plants grown from the space exposed seeds displayed considerable changes in phenotypic traits. Eleven space exposed plants (EP) showed one month longer flowering period than the mean of the control plants (CP); 13 EP failed to flower and 23 bore flowers, within which 25 plants mutated in respect of flower production; leaf shape of EP showed two extremes: curling and folding, or totally smooth; 11 EP had mutated height, within which 6 plants were taller and 5 shorter than CP. These results demonstrated that space radiation could induce favorable mutations on plant seeds.

Electrostatic Interactions Determining the Selectivity of KcsA Channel and Its Mutants

We perform the density functional theory and Brownian dynamics simulations based on the three-dimensional structure of the WT KcsA channel and its mutants. Our data suggest that the electrostatic interactions between the channels and cations, within the signature sequence of K+ channels, determine the selectivity of the channel.

The Use of an 'Effective Potential' to Describe the Directed Motion of a Two-State Molecular Motor

Force generation and directed motion of molecular motors using a simple two-state model are studied in the paper. Here we consider the asymmetric and periodic potential in the model. The symmetric and periodic potential is adopted to describe the interactions between motor proteins and filaments that are periodic and polar. The flux and the slope of the effective potential as functions of the temperature and transition rates are calculated in the two-state model. The ratio of the slope of the effective potential to the flux is also calculated. It is concluded that the directed motion of motor proteins is relevant to the effective potential. The slope of the effective potential corresponds to an average force. The non-vanishing force therefore implies that detailed balance is broken in the process of transition between different states. Moreover, we compare the theoretical relationship of load force and velocity with the experimental data. It is shown that they are consistent