Chaos and neural coding: Is the binding problem a pseudo-problem?

2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 826-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonino Raffone ◽  
Cees van Leeuwen
Keyword(s):  
Neural Coding ◽  
Temporal Coding ◽  
Binding Problem ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Visual Scenes ◽  
Thoughtful Discussion ◽  
Formal Properties

Tsuda's article suggests several plausible concepts of neurodynamic representation and processing, with a thoughtful discussion of their neurobiological grounding and formal properties. However, Tsuda's theory leads to a holistic view of brain functions and to the controversial conclusion that the “binding problem” is a pseudo-problem. By contrast, we stress the role of chaotic patterns in solving the binding problem, in terms of flexible temporal coding of visual scenes through graded and intermittent synchrony.

scholarly journals Monitoring and Modulating Inflammation-Associated Alterations in Synaptic Plasticity: Role of Brain Stimulation and the Blood–Brain Interface

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 359
Author(s):  
Maximilian Lenz ◽  
Amelie Eichler ◽  
Andreas Vlachos
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Systemic Infection ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Blood Brain ◽  
Brain Interface ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Inflammation of the central nervous system can be triggered by endogenous and exogenous stimuli such as local or systemic infection, trauma, and stroke. In addition to neurodegeneration and cell death, alterations in physiological brain functions are often associated with neuroinflammation. Robust experimental evidence has demonstrated that inflammatory cytokines affect the ability of neurons to express plasticity. It has been well-established that inflammation-associated alterations in synaptic plasticity contribute to the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Nevertheless, diagnostic approaches and interventional strategies to restore inflammatory deficits in synaptic plasticity are limited. Here, we review recent findings on inflammation-associated alterations in synaptic plasticity and the potential role of the blood–brain interface, i.e., the blood–brain barrier, in modulating synaptic plasticity. Based on recent findings indicating that brain stimulation promotes plasticity and modulates vascular function, we argue that clinically employed non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, could be used for monitoring and modulating inflammation-induced alterations in synaptic plasticity.

scholarly journals Nanobiotechnology for Agriculture: Smart Technology for Combating Nutrient Deficiencies with Nanotoxicity Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1781
Author(s):  
Gaurav Chugh ◽  
Kadambot H. M. Siddique ◽  
Zakaria M. Solaiman
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Delivery ◽  
Plant Cells ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Synthesis Of Nanoparticles ◽  
Toxicity Potential ◽  
Stimulate Plant Growth ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Nanobiotechnology in agriculture is a driver for modern-day smart, efficient agricultural practices. Nanoparticles have been shown to stimulate plant growth and disease resistance. The goal of sustainable farming can be accomplished by developing and sustainably exploiting the fruits of nanobiotechnology to balance the advantages nanotechnology provides in tackling environmental challenges. This review aims to advance our understanding of nanobiotechnology in relevant areas, encourage interactions within the research community for broader application, and benefit society through innovation to realize sustainable agricultural practices. This review critically evaluates what is and is not known in the domain of nano-enabled agriculture. It provides a holistic view of the role of nanobiotechnology in multiple facets of agriculture, from the synthesis of nanoparticles to controlled and targeted delivery, uptake, translocation, recognition, interaction with plant cells, and the toxicity potential of nanoparticle complexes when presented to plant cells.

Sales transformation: conceptual domain and dimensions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Corsaro ◽  
Isabella Maggioni
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
B2b Relationships ◽  
Systemic Process ◽  
Different Dimensions ◽  
Business To Business

Purpose This study aims to offer a conceptualization of sales transformation, a phenomenon that is redefining the role of salespeople and the nature of Business-to-Business (B2B) relationships while disrupting the selling logics across a variety of industries. Design/methodology/approach Through a two-stage approach, the authors propose and test a conceptual model of sales transformation. The authors conducted 20 interviews and two focus groups with sales directors and managers. The authors then surveyed directors, executives and managers in the sales area (n = 190) and tested a reflective–formative hierarchical model using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings Sales transformation is a multidimensional construct that includes four higher-order dimensions, namely, people, digitalization, integration and acceleration, and 16 sub-dimensions. These dimensions simultaneously contribute to the sales transformation phenomenon that is conceptualized as a systemic process. This study also offers a measurement tool to assess the degree of sales transformation and enhance the value generated through sales. Originality/value Although many companies are facing challenges stemming from the process of sales transformation, most studies have only focused on micro-aspects of this transformation. This study provides a holistic view of sales transformation aimed at understanding the complexity of this phenomenon by adopting a macro-level perspective on the different dimensions that contribute to its occurrence and development.

scholarly journals GluA1 Phosphorylation Alters Evoked Firing PatternIn Vivo

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balázs Barkóczi ◽  
Gábor Juhász ◽  
Robert G. Averkin ◽  
Imre Vörös ◽  
Petra Vertes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Spike Trains ◽  
Temporal Coding ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Ampa Receptor Subunit ◽  
Ampa And Nmda Receptors ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
Evoked Activity

AMPA and NMDA receptors convey fast synaptic transmission in the CNS. Their relative contribution to synaptic output and phosphorylation state regulate synaptic plasticity. The AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 is central in synaptic plasticity. Phosphorylation of GluA1 regulates channel properties and trafficking. The firing rate averaged over several hundred ms is used to monitor cellular input. However, plasticity requires the timing of spiking within a few ms; therefore, it is important to understand how phosphorylation governs these events. Here, we investigate whether the GluA1 phosphorylation (p-GluA1) alters the spiking patterns of CA1 cellsin vivo. The antidepressant Tianeptine was used for inducing p-GluA1, which resulted in enhanced AMPA-evoked spiking. By comparing the spiking patterns of AMPA-evoked activity with matched firing rates, we show that the spike-trains after Tianeptine application show characteristic features, distinguishing from spike-trains triggered by strong AMPA stimulation. The interspike-interval distributions are different between the two groups, suggesting that neuronal output may differ when new inputs are activated compared to increasing the gain of previously activated receptors. Furthermore, we also show that NMDA evokes spiking with different patterns to AMPA spike-trains. These results support the role of the modulation of NMDAR/AMPAR ratio and p-GluA1 in plasticity and temporal coding.

scholarly journals Outcome contingency selectively affects the neural coding of outcomes but not of tasks

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Wisniewski ◽  
Birte Forstmann ◽  
Marcel Brass
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Parietal Cortex ◽  
Neural Coding ◽  
Free Choice ◽  
Pattern Analysis ◽  
Maintenance Phase ◽  
Large Network ◽  
Multivariate Pattern Analysis ◽  
Multivariate Pattern

AbstractValue-based decision-making is ubiquitous in every-day life, and critically depends on the contingency between choices and their outcomes. Only if outcomes are contingent on our choices can we make meaningful value-based decisions. Here, we investigate the effect of outcome contingency on the neural coding of rewards and tasks. Participants performed a reversal-learning paradigm in which reward outcomes were contingent on trial-by-trial choices, and performed a ‘free choice’ paradigm in which rewards were random and not contingent on choices. We hypothesized that contingent outcomes enhance the neural coding of rewards and tasks, which was tested using multivariate pattern analysis of fMRI data. Reward outcomes were encoded in a large network including the striatum, dmPFC and parietal cortex, and these representations were indeed amplified for contingent rewards. Tasks were encoded in the dmPFC at the time of decision-making, and in parietal cortex in a subsequent maintenance phase. We found no evidence for contingency-dependent modulations of task signals, demonstrating highly similar coding across contingency conditions. Our findings suggest selective effects of contingency on reward coding only, and further highlight the role of dmPFC and parietal cortex in value-based decision-making, as these were the only regions strongly involved in both reward and task coding.

Toward heterogeneity in feedforward network with synaptic delays based on FitzHugh–Nagumo model

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (01) ◽  
pp. 1750274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying-Mei Qin ◽  
Cong Men ◽  
Jia Zhao ◽  
Chun-Xiao Han ◽  
Yan-Qiu Che
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Temporal Coding ◽  
Feedforward Network ◽  
Firing Patterns ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
Connection Probability ◽  
Rate Coding

We focus on the role of heterogeneity on the propagation of firing patterns in feedforward network (FFN). Effects of heterogeneities both in parameters of neuronal excitability and synaptic delays are investigated systematically. Neuronal heterogeneity is found to modulate firing rates and spiking regularity by changing the excitability of the network. Synaptic delays are strongly related with desynchronized and synchronized firing patterns of the FFN, which indicate that synaptic delays may play a significant role in bridging rate coding and temporal coding. Furthermore, quasi-coherence resonance (quasi-CR) phenomenon is observed in the parameter domain of connection probability and delay-heterogeneity. All these phenomena above enable a detailed characterization of neuronal heterogeneity in FFN, which may play an indispensable role in reproducing the important properties of in vivo experiments.

scholarly journals A Neurocomputational Theory of Nightmares: The role of formal properties of nightmare images

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick McNamara ◽  
Wesley J Wildman ◽  
George Hodulik ◽  
David Rohr
Keyword(s):  
Individual Difference ◽  
Parameter Space ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Computational Simulation ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Individual Difference Variables ◽  
Image Characteristics ◽  
Nightmare Disorder ◽  
Formal Properties

Abstract Study Objectives To test and extend Levin & Nielsen’s (2007) Affective Network Dysfunction (AND) model with nightmare disorder (ND) image characteristics, and then to implement the extension as a computational simulation, the Disturbed Dreaming Model (DDM). Methods We used AnyLogic V7.2 to computationally implement an extended AND model incorporating quantitative effects of image characteristics including valence, dominance, and arousal. We explored the DDM parameter space by varying parameters, running approximately one million runs, each for one month of model time, varying pathway bifurcation thresholds, image characteristics, and individual-difference variables to quantitively evaluate their combinatory effects on nightmare symptomology. Results The DDM shows that the AND model extended with pathway bifurcations and image properties is computationally coherent. Varying levels of image properties we found that when nightmare images exhibit lower dominance and arousal levels, the ND agent will choose to sleep but then has a traumatic nightmare, whereas, when images exhibit greater than average dominance and arousal levels, the nightmares trigger sleep-avoidant behavior, but lower overall nightmare distress at the price of exacerbating nightmare effects during waking hours. Conclusions Computational simulation of nightmare symptomology within the AND framework suggests that nightmare image properties significantly influence nightmare symptomology. Computational models for sleep and dream studies are powerful tools for testing quantitative effects of variables affecting nightmare symptomology and confirms the value of extending the Levin & Nielsen AND model of disturbed dreaming/ND.

scholarly journals Instrument Development to Review Factors for Research Commercialization Study in Universities

2021 ◽  
Vol 124 ◽  
pp. 05002
Author(s):  
Nurshafiza Ismail ◽  
Nabilla Afzan Abdul Aziz ◽  
Arif Hartono
Keyword(s):  
Social Issues ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Research Commercialization ◽  
Research Institutes ◽  
The Government ◽  
Process Factors ◽  
The University

Recently, university commercialization has drawn growing attention to the role of the university as one of the drivers to local economic growth. Majority universities and other research institutes in Malaysia has established Technology Transfer Offices (TTO) to give support and guidance to the researchers in the bid to commercialize Research and Development (R&D) activities. The issues that are faced by current researchers are progressing and adapting to the role of developing and commercialising products while having lack of business acumen that hinders success in commercialization among the researchers. The objective of this study is to create a research model for commercialization study in universities and developing questionnaire to assess the issue in a holistic view. This study reviews the role of TTO, lists of incentives from the government to the researchers and factors that impedes the researchers’ output to the commercial bench. Contextual factor, Process factors and Organizational factors lead to the successful commercialization in the research institutes. A research model for impediment in commercialization is created and questionnaire for TTO and survey for researchers, are developed to investigate on the impediment factors that hinder success in the research commercialization among universities. The in-house developed instruments are modified based on massive literatures on commercialization to stimulate strategies and improvement of units from Planning to Execution role in the TTO. On another hand, researchers in the university will be able to plan and execute their research that will deliver scientific, technological, cultural and economic developments in addressing industrial, culture and social issues.

scholarly journals ORGANIZATION OF STUDENTS 'PROJECT ACTIVITIES IN PHYSICS LESSONS

InterConf ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Mykhailo Kalenyk
Keyword(s):  
Design Process ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Creative Activity ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Generalized Systems

The article shows that in the design process students are required not only to identify but also to substantiate certain essential features of the content component of the school course of physics. Therefore, forming a holistic view of the components, you can limit yourself to a system of questions that play the role of cognitive tasks, solving which in small groups, students get one or more essential features of the component. The most rational ways of formation and use in the course of training of the generalized systems of independent works of the pupils directed on development of their creative activity, independence, thinking are specified.

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