Nonlinear Dynamics and SYnchronization in Life Science
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Synchronization of Coupled Nonlinear Oscillators
Hands clapping at the concert hall, group firing of fire
flies, firing patterns of neurons in the brain,
24 hours rhythm of human life etc.
There exist many systems in nature that are composed of
many elements, each of which repeats rhythmic dynamical
patternx.
Through mutual interactions, timing of the pattern
generation can be entrained between such elements.
Such phenomenon is called ``synchronization.''
Synchronization constitutes a basis of living systems
on many levels.
For instance, adaptation to the cycle of sun rise and
sun set creates 24 hours rhythm of human life.
Synchronous firing induced by synaptic connection
between neurons enhances information processing inside
the brain.
Synchronization plays a key role also for acoustics.
Our research focuses on such synchronization phenomena
as a universal view to understand biological systems
as well as acoustical systems.
Our theoretical framework is based on nonlinear dynamics
and coupled nonlinear oscillators.
Towards real-world applications, we develop various
tools of nonlinear time series analysis.
[Simultaneous plots of 16 coupled electrical circuits.
As the coupling strength is increased (left -> right),
the outputs of the 16 circuits get synchronized
with eatch other]
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Synchronization in vocal folds oscillation
The vocal folds are composed of elastic muscle fibers
situated on both left and right sides of the larynx.
Induced by an air pressure from subglottis, the left
and right vocal folds oscillate in a complete synchronous
manner.
For voiced sounds production, these vocal folds
vibrations serve as the main source of sound.
In normal subjects, the left and right vocal folds
have a symmetric structure, which is indispensable
to generate synchronous vibrations between both sides.
Such synchrony is essential to produce a normal pitch
of the sounds. However, in subjects with voice
pathology, symmetry of the vocal folds is broken
because of various reasons such as papoulis or atrophy.
This asymmetry induces non-synchronous vibrations
such as biphonation or chaos, which are perceived
as abnormal voice.
Hence, patients with voice diseases produce a
pathological quality of voice.
[High-speed camera recording of the vocal fold vibration.
Right and left vocal folds repeat closing and opening
in a synchronous manner]
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Automatic-diagnostic system of voice
Asymmetric configuration between the left and right
vocal folds is induced not only by voice diseases but
also by aging that slowly changes the voice physiology.
Some singing voice intentionally produces asymmetry to
produce biphonic sounds.
It is therefore important to detect the asymmetry as
a indicator of non-synchronized vocal folds vibrations.
Such asymmetry, however, is not easily detectable
unless invasive technique is used such as a direct
observation of the vocal folds by high-speed camera.
We develop a non-invasive technique for estimating
the asymmetry of the vocal folds from time series data.
Such a technique should be of significant use for
automatic diagnosis of voice pathology or aging.
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Towards a bridge between science and art
Synchronization is related to various important problems
of living biological systems such as neural systems or
circadian clocks.
Our research area includes analysis and comprehension of
such biological systems. Another challenging subject is
to make a bridge between science and art.
For instance, synchronization plays a major role of
resonance and synchronous play of musical instruments
in orchestra.
Evaluation of the artistic play in terms of synchronization
may provide us with a novel link between science and art.
We will deal with such a challenging problem in a future.
研究テーマ
「非線形力学による生命情報工学:同期現象に着目して」
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音声
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生命ネットワーク
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複雑ネットワークの構造推定
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SCNニューロンの解析:概日時計
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小脳IOニューロンの解析と学習
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食物連鎖構造の推定
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音楽の同期解析
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オーケストラの芸術性をどう評価するか?
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合唱おける歌唱者の基本周波数の同期解析
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生物音響(Bioacoustics)
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分岐構造の逆推定問題
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ニューロンの応答特性の推定
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船舶振動の応答特性の推定