@article{ChenShangZhouetal.2009, author = {Chen, Maoyin and Shang, Yun and Zhou, Changsong and Wu, Ye and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Enhanced synchronizability in scale-free networks}, issn = {1054-1500}, doi = {10.1063/1.3062864}, year = {2009}, abstract = {We introduce a modified dynamical optimization coupling scheme to enhance the synchronizability in the scale- free networks as well as to keep uniform and converging intensities during the transition to synchronization. Further, the size of networks that can be synchronizable exceeds by several orders of magnitude the size of unweighted networks.}, language = {en} } @article{ZamoraLopezZhouKurths2009, author = {Zamora-Lopez, Gorka and Zhou, Changsong and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Graph analysis of cortical networks reveals complex anatomical communication substrate}, issn = {1054-1500}, doi = {10.1063/1.3089559}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Sensory information entering the nervous system follows independent paths of processing such that specific features are individually detected. However, sensory perception, awareness, and cognition emerge from the combination of information. Here we have analyzed the corticocortical network of the cat, looking for the anatomical substrate which permits the simultaneous segregation and integration of information in the brain. We find that cortical communications are mainly governed by three topological factors of the underlying network: (i) a large density of connections, (ii) segregation of cortical areas into clusters, and (iii) the presence of highly connected hubs aiding the multisensory processing and integration. Statistical analysis of the shortest paths reveals that, while information is highly accessible to all cortical areas, the complexity of cortical information processing may arise from the rich and intricate alternative paths in which areas can influence each other.}, language = {en} } @article{RomanoThielKurthsetal.2009, author = {Romano, Maria Carmen and Thiel, Marco and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen and Mergenthaler, Konstantin and Engbert, Ralf}, title = {Hypothesis test for synchronization : twin surrogates revisited}, issn = {1054-1500}, doi = {10.1063/1.3072784}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The method of twin surrogates has been introduced to test for phase synchronization of complex systems in the case of passive experiments. In this paper we derive new analytical expressions for the number of twins depending on the size of the neighborhood, as well as on the length of the trajectory. This allows us to determine the optimal parameters for the generation of twin surrogates. Furthermore, we determine the quality of the twin surrogates with respect to several linear and nonlinear statistics depending on the parameters of the method. In the second part of the paper we perform a hypothesis test for phase synchronization in the case of experimental data from fixational eye movements. These miniature eye movements have been shown to play a central role in neural information processing underlying the perception of static visual scenes. The high number of data sets (21 subjects and 30 trials per person) allows us to compare the generated twin surrogates with the "natural" surrogates that correspond to the different trials. We show that the generated twin surrogates reproduce very well all linear and nonlinear characteristics of the underlying experimental system. The synchronization analysis of fixational eye movements by means of twin surrogates reveals that the synchronization between the left and right eye is significant, indicating that either the centers in the brain stem generating fixational eye movements are closely linked, or, alternatively that there is only one center controlling both eyes.}, language = {en} } @article{OrgisBrandSchwarzetal.2009, author = {Orgis, Thomas and Brand, Sascha and Schwarz, Udo and Handorf, D{\"o}rthe and Dethloff, Klaus and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Influence of interactive stratospheric chemistry on large-scale air mass exchange in a global circulation model}, issn = {1951-6355}, doi = {10.1140/epjst/e2009-01105-8}, year = {2009}, abstract = {A new globally uniform Lagrangian transport scheme for large ensembles of passive tracer particles is presented and applied to wind data from a coupled atmosphere-ocean climate model that includes interactive dynamical feedback with stratospheric chemistry. This feedback from the chemistry is found to enhance large-scale meridional air mass exchange in the northern winter stratosphere as well as intrusion of stratospheric air into the troposphere, where both effects are due to a weakened polar vortex.}, language = {en} } @article{RusconiVallerianiDunlopetal.2009, author = {Rusconi, Marco and Valleriani, Angelo and Dunlop, John William Chapman and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen and Weinkamer, Richard}, title = {Insights into the control of trabecular bone remodelling obtained by a Markov model}, issn = {8756-3282}, doi = {10.1016/j.bone.2009.03.467}, year = {2009}, language = {en} } @article{WesselRiedlKurths2009, author = {Wessel, Niels and Riedl, Maik and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Is the normal heart rate "chaotic" due to respiration?}, issn = {1054-1500}, doi = {10.1063/1.3133128}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The incidence of cardiovascular diseases increases with the growth of the human population and an aging society, leading to very high expenses in the public health system. Therefore, it is challenging to develop sophisticated methods in order to improve medical diagnostics. The question whether the normal heart rate is chaotic or not is an attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular dynamics and therefore a highly controversial topical challenge. In this contribution we demonstrate that linear and nonlinear parameters allow us to separate completely the data sets of the three groups provided for this controversial topic in nonlinear dynamics. The question whether these time series are chaotic or not cannot be answered satisfactorily without investigating the underlying mechanisms leading to them. We give an example of the dominant influence of respiration on heart beat dynamics, which shows that observed fluctuations can be mostly explained by respiratory modulations of heart rate and blood pressure (coefficient of determination: 96\%). Therefore, we recommend reformulating the following initial question: "Is the normal heart rate chaotic?" We rather ask the following: " Is the normal heart rate 'chaotic' due to respiration?"}, language = {en} } @article{ZolotovaPonyavinMarwanetal.2009, author = {Zolotova, Nadezhda V. and Ponyavin, Dmitri I. and Marwan, Norbert and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Long-term asymmetry in the wings of the butterfly diagram}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/200811430}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Aims. Sunspot distribution in the northern and southern solar hemispheres exibit striking synchronous behaviour on the scale of a Schwabe cycle. However, sometimes the bilateral symmetry of the Butterfly diagram relative to the solar equatorial plane breaks down. The investigation of this phenomenon is important to explaining the almost-periodic behaviour of solar cycles. Methods. We use cross-recurrence plots for the study of the time-varying phase asymmetry of the northern and southern hemisphere and compare our results with the latitudinal distribution of the sunspots. Results. We observe a long-term persistence of phase leading in one of the hemispheres, which lasts almost 4 solar cycles and probably corresponds to the Gleissberg cycle. Long-term variations in the hemispheric-leading do not demonstrate clear periodicity but are strongly anti-correlated with the long-term variations in the magnetic equator.}, language = {en} } @article{LiChenWuetal.2009, author = {Li, Ping and Chen, Maoyin and Wu, Ye and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Matrix-measure criterion for synchronization in coupled-map networks}, issn = {1539-3755}, doi = {10.1103/Physreve.79.067102}, year = {2009}, abstract = {We present conditions for the local and global synchronizations in coupled-map networks using the matrix measure approach. In contrast to many existing synchronization conditions, the proposed synchronization criteria do not depend on the solution of the synchronous state and give less limitation on the network connections. Numerical simulations of the coupled quadratic maps demonstrate the potentials of our main results.}, language = {en} } @article{WuLiChenetal.2009, author = {Wu, Ye and Li, Ping and Chen, Maoyin and Xiao, Jinghua and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Response of scale-free networks with community structure to external stimuli}, issn = {0378-4371}, doi = {10.1016/j.physa.2009.03.037}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The response of scale-free networks with community structure to external stimuli is studied. By disturbing some nodes with different strategies, it is shown that the robustness of this kind of network can be enhanced due to the existence of communities in the networks. Some of the response patterns are found to coincide with topological communities. We show that such phenomena also occur in the cat brain network which is an example of a scale-free like network with community structure. Our results provide insights into the relationship between network topology and the functional organization in complex networks from another viewpoint.}, language = {en} } @article{SunLuKurthsetal.2009, author = {Sun, Xiaojuan and Lu, Qishao and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen and Wang, Qingyun}, title = {Spatiotemporal coherence resonance in a map lattice}, issn = {0218-1274}, doi = {10.1142/S021812740902310X}, year = {2009}, abstract = {We study the effects of parametric noise on a lattice network, which is locally modeled by a two-dimensional Rulkov map. We conclude that at some intermediate noise intensity, parametric noise can induce ordered circular patterns, which indicates the appearance of spatiotemporal coherence resonance in the studied lattice. With the observation of coherence-like manner in linear spatial cross-correlation, the coherence phenomena can be analyzed quantitatively.}, language = {en} }