scholarly journals Predictive Neuronal Adaptation as a Basis for Consciousness

2022 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur Luczak ◽  
Yoshimasa Kubo
Keyword(s):  
Network Performance ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Schema Theory ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Predictive Processing ◽  
Fast Time ◽  
Neuronal Adaptation ◽  
The Future ◽  
Conscious Processing ◽  
The Difference

Being able to correctly predict the future and to adjust own actions accordingly can offer a great survival advantage. In fact, this could be the main reason why brains evolved. Consciousness, the most mysterious feature of brain activity, also seems to be related to predicting the future and detecting surprise: a mismatch between actual and predicted situation. Similarly at a single neuron level, predicting future activity and adapting synaptic inputs accordingly was shown to be the best strategy to maximize the metabolic energy for a neuron. Following on these ideas, here we examined if surprise minimization by single neurons could be a basis for consciousness. First, we showed in simulations that as a neural network learns a new task, then the surprise within neurons (defined as the difference between actual and expected activity) changes similarly to the consciousness of skills in humans. Moreover, implementing adaptation of neuronal activity to minimize surprise at fast time scales (tens of milliseconds) resulted in improved network performance. This improvement is likely because adapting activity based on the internal predictive model allows each neuron to make a more “educated” response to stimuli. Based on those results, we propose that the neuronal predictive adaptation to minimize surprise could be a basic building block of conscious processing. Such adaptation allows neurons to exchange information about own predictions and thus to build more complex predictive models. To be precise, we provide an equation to quantify consciousness as the amount of surprise minus the size of the adaptation error. Since neuronal adaptation can be studied experimentally, this can allow testing directly our hypothesis. Specifically, we postulate that any substance affecting neuronal adaptation will also affect consciousness. Interestingly, our predictive adaptation hypothesis is consistent with multiple ideas presented previously in diverse theories of consciousness, such as global workspace theory, integrated information, attention schema theory, and predictive processing framework. In summary, we present a theoretical, computational, and experimental support for the hypothesis that neuronal adaptation is a possible biological mechanism of conscious processing, and we discuss how this could provide a step toward a unified theory of consciousness.

scholarly journals Predictive neuronal adaptation as a basis for consciousness.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artur Luczak
Keyword(s):  
Network Performance ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Schema Theory ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Predictive Processing ◽  
Fast Time ◽  
Neuronal Adaptation ◽  
The Future ◽  
Conscious Processing ◽  
Great Survival

Being able to correctly predict the future and to adjust own actions accordingly, offers great survival advantage. In fact, this could be the main reason for organisms to evolve their brains. The most mysterious feature of brain activity: consciousness, also seems to be related to predicting the future and detecting surprise: a mismatch between actual and predicted situation. Even at the single neuron level, predicting future activity and adapting synaptic inputs accordingly, is the best strategy to maximize metabolic energy for a neuron. Following on those ideas, here we examine if surprise minimization by single neurons could be a basis for consciousness. First, we show in simulations that as a neural network learns a task, then the surprise within neurons, defined as: difference between actual and expected activity, changes similarly as consciousness of a learned skill in humans. Moreover, implementing adaptation of neuronal activity to minimize surprise at fast time scales (tens of ms), resulted in improved network performance. This improvement is likely due to the fact that adapting activity based on the internal predictive model, allows each neuron for a more “educated” response to stimuli. Based on those results, we propose that: neuronal predictive adaptation to minimize surprise could be a basic building block of conscious processing. This is because, adapting activity toward a predicted level, allows neurons to exchange not only information about stimulus but also about its internal model predictions and thus, to build more complex predictive models. To be precise, we provide an equation to quantify consciousness as the amount of surprise minus the size of the adaptation error. Since neuronal adaptation can be studied experimentally, this allows for directly testing our hypothesis. Specifically, we postulate that any substance affecting neuronal adaptation will also affect consciousness. Interestingly, our predictive adaptation hypothesis is consistent with multiple ideas presented previously in diverse theories of consciousness, such as global workspace theory, integrated information, attention schema theory, and predictive processing framework. In summary, we present a theoretical, computational and experimental support for the hypothesis that neuronal adaptation is a possible biological mechanism of conscious processing, and we discuss how this could provide a step toward a unified theory of consciousness.

scholarly journals Attention, awareness, and the right temporoparietal junction

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (25) ◽  
pp. e2026099118
Author(s):  
Andrew I. Wilterson ◽  
Samuel A. Nastase ◽  
Branden J. Bio ◽  
Arvid Guterstam ◽  
Michael S. A. Graziano
Keyword(s):  
Human Subjects ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Schema Theory ◽  
Exogenous Attention ◽  
Endogenous Control ◽  
Temporoparietal Junction ◽  
Behavioral Paradigm ◽  
Right Temporoparietal Junction ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Right

The attention schema theory posits a specific relationship between subjective awareness and attention, in which awareness is the control model that the brain uses to aid in the endogenous control of attention. In previous experiments, we developed a behavioral paradigm in human subjects to manipulate awareness and attention. The paradigm involved a visual cue that could be used to guide attention to a target stimulus. In task 1, subjects were aware of the cue, but not aware that it provided information about the target. The cue measurably drew exogenous attention to itself. In addition, implicitly, the subjects’ endogenous attention mechanism used the cue to help shift attention to the target. In task 2, subjects were no longer aware of the cue. The cue still measurably drew exogenous attention to itself, yet without awareness of the cue, the subjects’ endogenous control mechanism was no longer able to use the cue to control attention. Thus, the control of attention depended on awareness. Here, we tested the two tasks while scanning brain activity in human volunteers. We predicted that the right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) would be active in relation to the process in which awareness helps control attention. This prediction was confirmed. The right TPJ was active in relation to the effect of the cue on attention in task 1; it was not measurably active in task 2. The difference was significant. In our interpretation, the right TPJ is involved in an interaction in which awareness permits the control of attention.

Comparative analysis of changes of bioelectrical activity of the brain during the neutral touch and during the performance of the myofascial release technique

2018 ◽  
pp. 46-55
Author(s):  
A. F. Belyaev ◽  
G. E. Piskunova
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Direct Action ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Therapeutic Touch ◽  
Bioelectrical Activity ◽  
Therapeutic Action ◽  
Osteopathic Treatment ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Multiparameter Analysis

Introduction. One of the main tools of an osteopath are soft tissue techniques, which have a number of particular qualities such as minimization of force and duration of indirect techniques with an emphasis on muscle and ligamentous structures; combination of gestures, tendency to maximal relaxation and exclusion of direct action on pathological symptoms such as tension, overtone and pain. Minimization of the force applied during the performance of soft tissue techniques often invites a question whether there are differences between the usual touch and the therapeutic touch of an osteopath.Goal of research - to reveal the changes in the bioelectrical activity of the cerebral cortex arising in the process of osteopathic treatment in order to prove its specifi city in comparison with nonspecifi c tactile stimulation (neutral touch).Materials and methods. 75 people were examined with the use of multiparameter analysis of multichannel EEG in different times. 25 patients were clinically healthy adults, whereas 50 patients had signs of somatic dysfunctions.Results. Computer encephalography permits to perceive the difference between the neutral touch and the therapeutic action. An identifi cation reaction is a response to the neutral touch (changes in brain bioelectrical activity with an increase in statistically signifi cant connections in the temporal lobes), whereas the therapeutic action provokes the state of purposeful brain activity during still point (intensifi cation of frontooccipital interactions).Conclusions. Osteopathic action causes additional tension in the processing of incoming information, which requires participation of different brain regions, including interhemispheric mechanisms associated with analysis, maintenance of attention and regulation of targeted activities.

Smart Estimation Ver-H.1.0

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigit Haryadi
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Confidence Level ◽  
Time Span ◽  
Regression Equation ◽  
Weight Factor ◽  
The Past ◽  
Level Of Confidence ◽  
The Future ◽  
Future Value ◽  
The Difference

We cannot be sure exactly what will happen, we can only estimate by using a particular method, where each method must have the formula to create a regression equation and a formula to calculate the confidence level of the estimated value. This paper conveys a method of estimating the future values, in which the formula for creating a regression equation is based on the assumption that the future value will depend on the difference of the past values divided by a weight factor which corresponding to the time span to the present, and the formula for calculating the level of confidence is to use "the Haryadi Index". The advantage of this method is to remain accurate regardless of the sample size and may ignore the past value that is considered irrelevant.

Characteristics of Asian Mosquito Saliva Allergens for Specific Diagnoses and Effective Therapies

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soung-Hoo Jeon
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Reaction ◽  
East Asia ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Recombinant Allergens ◽  
Systemic Reactions ◽  
The Future ◽  
Mosquito Saliva ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Future Direction

An allergic reaction to mosquitoes can result in severe or abnormal local or systemic reactions such as anaphylaxis, angioedema, and general urticarial or wheezing. The aim of this review is to provide information on mosquito saliva allergens that can support the production of highly specific recombinant saliva allergens. In particular, candidate allergens of mosquitoes that are well suited to the ecology of mosquitoes that occur mainly in East Asia will be identified and introduced. By doing so, the diagnosis and treatment of patients with severe sensitivity to mosquito allergy will be improved by predicting the characteristics of East Asian mosquito allergy, presenting the future direction of production of recombinant allergens, and understanding the difference between East and West.

Perspectives of physicians on medical acupuncture in Lebanon: a preliminary study

2020 ◽  
pp. 096452842096883
Author(s):  
Fadila Bassem Naji ◽  
Kamal Wahab ◽  
Ghassan Hamadeh ◽  
Sani Hlais
Keyword(s):  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Medical Curricula ◽  
Chinese Acupuncture ◽  
The Future ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Medical Acupuncture ◽  
The Difference

Objectives: There are no regulations governing the practice of acupuncture in Lebanon as it is not yet registered as a profession. To our knowledge, no studies have ever been conducted in Lebanon regarding the practice of acupuncture. The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the knowledge of Lebanese physicians about acupuncture, with the intent of conducting larger scale studies and developing strategies aimed at refining this knowledge in the future, and the ultimate goal of setting guidelines for acupuncture practice in Lebanon. Methods: An online survey looking into physicians’ knowledge of acupuncture, its mechanisms of action, effectiveness, indications and safety, and physicians’ understanding of its concepts, was circulated to 4651 physicians registered in the Lebanese orders of physicians. Results: One hundred forty-nine physicians (3.2%) completed the survey. Most study respondents stated that they were unaware of the difference between traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) and Western medical acupuncture (WMA). Overall, 30% of respondents had personally used and/or referred patients for acupuncture. Physicians who had personally tried acupuncture were more likely to refer patients for acupuncture (p < 0.001). Those who know the difference between WMA and TCA were more likely to have tried or referred for acupuncture (p = 0.004). 72% believed that acupuncture and other integrative medicine modules should be introduced in medical curricula in Lebanon. Conclusion: Interest in acupuncture among physicians in Lebanon appears to be limited, based on the low response rate. Among respondents, physicians who had tried or referred patients for acupuncture appeared to be more well informed about different acupuncture styles.

The Difference Principle, Capitalism, and Property-Owning Democracy

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-172
Author(s):  
Andrew Lister
Keyword(s):  
Welfare State ◽  
Equal Opportunity ◽  
Main Idea ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
Income Growth ◽  
Difference Principle ◽  
State Capitalism ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Jason Brennan and John Tomasi have argued that if we focus on income alone, the Difference Principle supports welfare-state capitalism over property-owning democracy, because capitalism maximizes long run income growth for the worst off. If so, the defense of property-owning democracy rests on the priority of equal opportunity for political influence and social advancement over raising the income of the worst off, or on integrating workplace control into the Difference Principle’s index of advantage. The thesis of this paper is that even based on income alone, the Difference Principle is not as hostile to property-owning democracy as it may seem, because the Difference Principle should not be interpreted to require maximizing long run income growth. The main idea is that it is unfair to make the present worst off accept inequality that doesn’t benefit them, for the sake of benefitting the future worst off, if the future worst off will be better off than they are anyway.

Design of Measurement System of the Center of Gravity

2013 ◽  
Vol 706-708 ◽  
pp. 733-736
Author(s):  
Fang Li
Keyword(s):  
Measurement System ◽  
Center Of Gravity ◽  
Actual Position ◽  
Ideal Position ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Difference ◽  
New System ◽  
The Ideal

It is very difficult to confirm the position of the center of gravity irregular object.This paper introduces a new system,which can be used in measuring and adjusting of the center of gravity.The irregular object was put on the support parts,then the center of gravity was given.When the actual position was compared with the ideal position,the difference was given. Until actual position and ideal position were coincided,the machining was continuing. Matlab was programmed in this measure system. It will be applied widely in the future.

Review Product Distribution Through Different Channels

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 44-47
Author(s):  
Zhaoqiong Qin
Keyword(s):  
Product Distribution ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Direct Channel ◽  
Past Work ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Channel Competition ◽  
Physical Channel ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Difference

This study aims to investigate the literature in product distribution and channel competition. In this study, past work related to the product distribution through different channels is extensively reviewed. Based on the channel differentiation, channel competition is also reviewed. Finally, the study proposes that the future research may focus on helping the producer make a decision whether to sell the product through its own direct channel (online) through a physical channel or both based on the difference between these two channels.

Cash flow as a key indicator of production and personal financial activity

2021 ◽  
pp. 302-309
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Olegovna Boyko
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Cash Flow ◽  
Financial Activity ◽  
Key Indicator ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Difference

Cash flow is an indicator showing the difference between income and expenses for a certain period. Cash flow takes into account the activities from investment, business, employment, charity and other monetary activities, as well as one’s costs, mandatory and optional, and other expenses. Such designation as «cash flow» is used both in business and in private. Cash flow determines solvency, plans for the future, past expenses and even possible bankruptcy. Why is cash flow a key indicator of financial performance?

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