STDP and the distribution of preferred phases in the whisker system

Rats and mice use their whiskers to probe the environment. By rhythmically swiping their whiskers back and forth they can detect the existence of an object, locate it, and identify its texture. Localization can be accomplished by inferring the whisker’s position. Rhythmic neurons that track the phase of the whisking cycle encode information about the azimuthal location of the whisker. These neurons are characterized by preferred phases of firing that are narrowly distributed. Consequently, pooling the rhythmic signal from several upstream neurons is expected to result in a much narrower distribution of preferred phases in the downstream population, which however has not been observed empirically. Here, we show how spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP) can provide a solution to this conundrum. We investigated the effect of STDP on the utility of a neural population to transmit rhythmic information downstream using the framework of a modeling study. We found that under a wide range of parameters, STDP facilitated the transfer of rhythmic information despite the fact that all the synaptic weights remained dynamic. As a result, the preferred phase of the downstream neuron was not fixed, but rather drifted in time at a drift velocity that depended on the preferred phase, thus inducing a distribution of preferred phases. We further analyzed how the STDP rule governs the distribution of preferred phases in the downstream population. This link between the STDP rule and the distribution of preferred phases constitutes a natural test for our theory.

STDP and the distribution of preferred phases in the whisker system

Rats and mice use their whiskers to probe the environment. By rhythmically swiping their whiskers back and forth they can detect the existence of an object, locate it, and identify its texture. Localization can be accomplished by inferring the position of the whisker. Rhythmic neurons that track the phase of the whisking cycle encode information about the azimuthal location of the whisker. These neurons are characterized by preferred phases of firing that are narrowly distributed. Consequently, pooling the rhythmic signal from several upstream neurons is expected to result in a much narrower distribution of preferred phases in the downstream population, which however has not been observed empirically. Here, we show how spike timing dependent plasticity (STDP) can provide a solution to this conundrum. We investigated the effect of STDP on the utility of a neural population to transmit rhythmic information downstream using the framework of a modeling study. We found that under a wide range of parameters, STDP facilitated the transfer of rhythmic information despite the fact that all the synaptic weights remained dynamic. As a result, the preferred phase of the downstream neuron was not fixed, but rather drifted in time at a drift velocity that depended on the preferred phase, thus inducing a distribution of preferred phases. We further analyzed how the STDP rule governs the distribution of preferred phases in the downstream population. This link between the STDP rule and the distribution of preferred phases constitutes a natural test for our theory.

Introduction of a Superconducting Gravimeter as Novel Hydrological Sensor for the Alpine Research Catchment Zugspitze

The Zugspitze Geodynamic Observatory Germany has been set up with a worldwide unique installation of a superconducting gravimeter at the summit of Mount Zugspitze. With regard to hydrology, this karstic high-alpine site is largely dominated by high precipitation amounts and a long seasonal snow cover period with significant importance for water supply to its forelands, while it shows a high sensitivity to climate change. However, regarding the majority of alpine regions worldwide there is only weak knowledge on temporal water storage variations due to only sparsely distributed hydrological and meteorological point sensors and the large variability and complexity of alpine signals. This underlines the importance of well-equipped areas such as Mount Zugspitze serving as natural test laboratories for an improved monitoring, understanding and prediction of alpine hydrological processes. The observatory superconducting gravimeter OSG 052 supplements the existing sensor network as a novel hydrological sensor system for the direct observation of the integral gravity effect of total water storage variations in the alpine research catchment Zugspitze. Besides the experimental setup and the available datasets, the required gravimetric prerequisites are presented such as calibration, tidal analysis and signal separation of the superconducting gravimeter observations from the first 2 years. The snowpack is identified as primary contributor to seasonal water storage variations and thus to the gravity residuals with a signal range of up to 750 nm/s2 corresponding to 1957 mm snow water equivalent measured at a representative station at the end of May 2019. First hydro-gravimetric sensitivity analysis are based on simplified assumptions of the snowpack distribution within the area around Mount Zugspitze. These reveal a snow-gravimetric footprint of up to 4 km distance around the gravimeter with a dominant gravity contribution from the snowpack in the Partnach spring catchment. This study already shows that the hydro-gravimetric approach can deliver important and representative integral insights into this high-alpine site. This work is regarded as a concept study showing preliminary gravimetric results and sensitivity analysis for upcoming long-term hydro-gravimetric research projects.

Using OSL dating data for quartz provenance analysis in late Quaternary sediments of Amazonia

<p>Quartz grains are resistant minerals and abundant on Earth´s surface. They have been extensively used for optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of Quaternary sediments from a large range of depositional environments. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the luminescence properties of the quartz can also be a useful tool for provenance analysis, because of the signal properties inherited from its parent rock, weathering conditions, and depositional history (i.e. cycles of erosion, transport, and deposition). These provenance studies are based on the OSL sensitivity (i.e. the light emitted per unit mass per radiation dose) of the first second of the luminesce signal of the quartz, using relatively fast and low-cost measurements. Since laboratories worldwide already have an extensive database with results of quartz signals primarily measured for dating studies, these data could potentially be repurposed for sensitivity analysis.</p><p>Here, we investigate the use of OSL quartz signals, originally measured for dating, for now characterizing the quartz OSL sensitivity and their usefulness for provenance analysis. The samples we studied are from Amazon fluvial systems: two Holocene endmembers from the Xingu and Solimões rivers, representatives of cratonic and Andean sediment sources, respectively, and a Pleistocene sample from Içá Formation, a paleo-fluvial system whose provenance is not fully known. First, we evaluate our approach by calculating the OSL quartz sensitivity of all quartz signals (i.e. signals derived from the natural, regenerative, and test doses) measured in a dating sequence with the Single Aliquot Regenerative dose (SAR) protocol. Such analysis gives the basis for deciding which signal, if any, should be prioritized for sensitivity calculation. Then, we compare the OSL sensitivities derived from quartz signals measured using the conventional sensitivity protocol with those measured by the conventional dating protocol. Finally, we deduce the sediment source of the Pleistocene Içá Formation based on the modern analogues (the Holocene endmembers).</p><p>Our preliminary results show that: it is feasible to use data from dating sequences for sensitivity calculation; OSL quartz signal derived from the natural test doses (L<sub>n</sub>) is the best candidate for sensitivity calculation; the sensitivities provided by our approach are slightly larger than those calculated using the conventional sensitivity protocol; and, the Pleistocene Içá Formation represents a mixed-source (Andean and Cratonic), which is different from the presumed modern analogue represented by the Solimões river, which is dominated by Andean sediments.</p>

Historically rice-farming societies have tighter social norms in China and worldwide

Data recently published in PNAS mapped out regional differences in the tightness of social norms across China [R. Y. J. Chua, K. G. Huang, M. Jin,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.116, 6720–6725 (2019)]. Norms were tighter in developed, urbanized areas and weaker in rural areas. We tested whether historical paddy rice farming has left a legacy on social norms in modern China. Premodern rice farming could plausibly create strong social norms because paddy rice relied on irrigation networks. Rice farmers coordinated their water use and kept track of each person’s labor contributions. Rice villages also established strong norms of reciprocity to cope with labor demands that were twice as high as dryland crops like wheat. In line with this theory, China’s historically rice-farming areas had tighter social norms than wheat-farming areas, even beyond differences in development and urbanization. Rice–wheat differences were just as large among people in 10 neighboring provinces (n= 3,835) along the rice–wheat border. These neighboring provinces differ sharply in rice and wheat, but little in latitude, temperature, and other potential confounding variables. Outside of China, rice farming predicted norm tightness in 32 countries around the world. Finally, people in rice-farming areas scored lower on innovative thinking, which tends to be lower in societies with tight norms. This natural test case within China might explain why East Asia—historically reliant on rice farming—has tighter social norms than the wheat-farming West.

Copolymerized Natural Fibre from the Mesocarp of Orbignya phalerata (Babassu Fruit) as an Irrigating-Fertilizer for Growing Cactus Pears

Cactus pears face challenges due to global climate change, which is leading to in-depth research to monitor and increase their water activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of the natural test hydrogel (TH) from Orbignya phalerata fibre as nutrients and water for growing cactus pear genotypes (“Baiana” and “Doce” [Nopalea cochenillifera], ‘Gigante’ [Opuntia fícus-indica], and “Mexican Elephant Ear” [Opuntia stricta]) compared to the use of commercial hydrogel (CH), which is based on polymers composed of polyacrylamide, and a treatment without the use of hydrogel (WH). A completely randomized design was used, in a factorial scheme (4 × 3), with four genotypes of cactus pear and three forms of hydration, with five replications. The number and area of cladode was greatest (p < 0.01) in plants with CH and TH irrigation-fertilization in the ‘Doce’ cactus genotype. The dry biomass of the cladode and root in the ‘Gigante’ cactus genotype was greatest (p < 0.01) in the treatments with CH and TH irrigation-fertilisation. The ‘Baiana’, ‘Doce’, and ‘Gigante’ cactus genotypes exhibited more (p < 0.01) dry matter content with the TH irrigation-fertilisation. The highest (p < 0.01) neutral detergent fibre content was observed in the ‘Baiana’ and ‘Doce’ cactus genotypes when irrigation occurred with WH treatment, and the highest acid detergent fibre content in the ‘Gigante’ genotype. The copolymerized natural fibre from the mesocarp of Orbignya phalerata (babassu fruit) induced a better growth and chemical composition of cactus pear genotypes than the hydrogel based on polymers composed of polyacrylamide.

Dome C coherence time statistics from DIMM data

ABSTRACT We present a reanalysis of several years of DIMM data at the site of Dome C, Antarctica, to provide measurements of the coherence time τ0. Statistics and seasonal behaviour of τ0 are given at two heights above the ground, 3 and 8 m, for the wavelength λ = 500 nm. We found an annual median value of 2.9 ms at the height of 8 m. A few measurements could also be obtained at the height of 20 m and give a median value of 6 ms during the period June–September. For the first time, we provide measurements of τ0 in daytime during the summer, which appears to show the same time dependence as the seeing with a sharp maximum at 5 pm local time. Exceptional values of τ0 above 10 ms are met at this particular moment. The continuous slow variations of turbulence conditions during the day offers a natural test bed for a solar adaptive optics system.

ENVIROMENTAL ASPECTS OF NOISE ASSESSMENT AND REGULATION IN THE DESIGN OF PORT COMPLEXES IN RUSSIA

A comparative analysis of various biological objects sensitivity to acoustic effects is being conducted. For many animal species, the frequency range at which sounds are heard is very different from that for humans and may not even intersect with it. The total frequency range at which various animals can hear covers at least eight orders of magnitude (from hundredths of Hz to hundreds of kHz), while for humans this interval is limited to only four orders of magnitude. Thus, the existing anthropocentric standards for permissible noise levels are unsuitable for regulating their impacts on natural ecosystems and it is necessary to develop standards for sound pressure levels in the entire specified frequency range that are acceptable for the most sensitive recipients. For terrestrial and riparian ecosystems and protected areas, natural test subjects are birds, for which noise levels of 35-40 dBA do not cause pathological changes in behavior and physiological processes. This level can tentatively be considered as maximum permissible for man-made noise and for the noise of ports in particular. More reliable results will be given by regulating the permissible sound pressure levels in the entire frequency range based on reactions of the most sensitive recipients in each octave.

Natural Test for Random Numbers Generator Based on Exponential Distribution

We will prove that when uniformly distributed random numbers are sorted by value, their successive differences are a exponentially distributed random variable Ex(λ). For a set of n random numbers, the parameters of mathematical expectation and standard deviation is λ =n−1. The theorem was verified on four series of 200 sets of 101 random numbers each. The first series was obtained on the basis of decimals of the constant e=2.718281…, the second on the decimals of the constant π =3.141592…, the third on a Pseudo Random Number generated from Excel function RAND, and the fourth series of True Random Number generated from atmospheric noise. The obtained results confirm the application of the derived theorem in practice.