General Principles for Sensory Coding

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatyana O. Sharpee
Keyword(s):  
Sensory System ◽  
Sensory Systems ◽  
Multiple Delays ◽  
Minimal Amount ◽  
Sensory Coding ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Comprehensive Framework ◽  
State Of The Environment ◽  
The Impact

Sensory systems exist to provide an organism with information about the state of the environment that can be used to guide future actions and decisions. Remarkably, two conceptually simple yet general theorems from information theory can be used to evaluate the performance of any sensory system. One theorem states that there is a minimal amount of energy that an organism has to spend in order to capture a given amount of information about the environment. The second theorem states that the maximum rate with which the organism can acquire resources from the environment, relative to its competitors, is limited by the information this organism collects about the environment, also relative to its competitors. These two theorems provide a scaffold for formulating and testing general principles of sensory coding but leave unanswered many important practical questions of implementation in neural circuits. These implementation questions have guided thinking in entire subfields of sensory neuroscience, and include: What features in the sensory environment should be measured? Given that we make decisions on a variety of time scales, how should one solve trade-offs between making simpler measurements to guide minimal decisions vs. more elaborate sensory systems that have to overcome multiple delays between sensation and action. Once we agree on the types of features that are important to represent, how should they be represented? How should resources be allocated between different stages of processing, and where is the impact of noise most damaging? Finally, one should consider trade-offs between implementing a fixed strategy vs. an adaptive scheme that readjusts resources based on current needs. Where adaptation is considered, under what conditions does it become optimal to switch strategies? Research over the past 60 years has provided answers to almost all of these questions but primarily in early sensory systems. Joining these answers into a comprehensive framework is a challenge that will help us understand who we are and how we can make better use of limited natural resources.

scholarly journals Neurophysiology goes wild: from exploring sensory coding in sound proof rooms to natural environments

2021 ◽  
Vol 207 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-319
Author(s):  
Heiner Römer
Keyword(s):  
Sensory System ◽  
Sensory Systems ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Sensory Coding ◽  
Noise Levels ◽  
Sensory Physiology ◽  
Sound Localisation ◽  
Physical Environments ◽  
History Of ◽  
Adaptive Behaviours

AbstractTo perform adaptive behaviours, animals have to establish a representation of the physical “outside” world. How these representations are created by sensory systems is a central issue in sensory physiology. This review addresses the history of experimental approaches toward ideas about sensory coding, using the relatively simple auditory system of acoustic insects. I will discuss the empirical evidence in support of Barlow’s “efficient coding hypothesis”, which argues that the coding properties of neurons undergo specific adaptations that allow insects to detect biologically important acoustic stimuli. This hypothesis opposes the view that the sensory systems of receivers are biased as a result of their phylogeny, which finally determine whether a sound stimulus elicits a behavioural response. Acoustic signals are often transmitted over considerable distances in complex physical environments with high noise levels, resulting in degradation of the temporal pattern of stimuli, unpredictable attenuation, reduced signal-to-noise levels, and degradation of cues used for sound localisation. Thus, a more naturalistic view of sensory coding must be taken, since the signals as broadcast by signallers are rarely equivalent to the effective stimuli encoded by the sensory system of receivers. The consequences of the environmental conditions for sensory coding are discussed.

Postscript: Conclusions, Implications, and Comment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham R. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Partial Information ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Sensory Systems ◽  
Huge Amount ◽  
Trade Offs

The natural world contains a huge amount of constantly changing information but specializations within sensory systems mean that each species receives only a small part of that information. Information is filtered by sensory systems. We cannot assume what a bird can detect–it is important to measure its sensory capacities and to quantify the sensory challenges posed for the conduct of tasks in different environments. No sensory system can function adequately throughout the full ranges of stimuli that are found in the natural world. There have been many trade-offs in the evolution of particular sensory capacities and tradeoffs and complementarity between different sensory capacities within a species. Birds may often be guided by information at the limits of their sensory capacities. Information that guides behaviours may often be sparse and partial. Key behaviours may only be possible because of cognitive abilities which allow adequate interpretation of such partial information.

The Sensory Ecology of Birds

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham R. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Partial Information ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Sensory Ecology ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Sensory Systems ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Predator Detection ◽  
Trade Offs

The natural world contains a huge amount of constantly changing information. Limitations on, and specializations within, sensory systems mean that each species receives only a small part of that information. In essence, information is filtered by sensory systems. Sensory ecology aims to understand the nature and functions of those filters for each species and sensory system. Fluxes of information, and the perceptual challenges posed by different natural environments, are so large that sensory and behavioural specializations have been inevitable. There have been many trade-offs in the evolution of sensory capacities, and trade-offs and complementarity between different sensory capacities within species. Many behavioural tasks may have influenced the evolution of sensory capacities in birds, but the principal drivers have been associated with just two tasksforaging and predator detection. The key task is the control of the position and timing of the approach of the bill towards a target. Other tasks, such as locomotion and reproduction, are achieved within the requirements of foraging and predator detection. Information thatguides behaviours may often be sparse and partial and key behaviours may only be possible because of cognitive abilities which allow adequate interpretation of partial information. Human modifications of natural environments present perceptual challenges that cannot always be met by the information available to particular birds. Mitigations of the negative effects of human intrusions into natural environments must take account of the sensory ecology of the affected species. Effects of environmental changes cannot be understood sufficiently by viewing them through the filters of human sensory systems.

scholarly journals Multisensory components of rapid motor responses to fingertip loading

2017 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 331-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Crevecoeur ◽  
A. Barrea ◽  
X. Libouton ◽  
J.-L. Thonnard ◽  
P. Lefèvre
Keyword(s):  
Motor Response ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Muscle Spindles ◽  
Sensory Systems ◽  
Online Control ◽  
Muscle Afferents ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Motor Responses ◽  
The Impact

Tactile and muscle afferents provide critical sensory information for grasp control, yet the contribution of each sensory system during online control has not been clearly identified. More precisely, it is unknown how these two sensory systems participate in online control of digit forces following perturbations to held objects. To address this issue, we investigated motor responses in the context of fingertip loading, which parallels the impact of perturbations to held objects on finger motion and fingerpad deformation, and characterized surface recordings of intrinsic (first dorsal interosseous, FDI) and extrinsic (flexor digitorum superficialis, FDS) hand muscles based on statistical modeling. We designed a series of experiments probing the effects of peripheral stimulation with or without anesthesia of the finger, and of task instructions. Loading of the fingertip generated a motor response in FDI at ~60 ms following the perturbation onset, which was only driven by muscle stretch, as the ring-block anesthesia reduced the gain of the response occurring later than 90 ms, leaving responses occurring before this time unaffected. In contrast, the motor response in FDS was independent of the lateral motion of the finger. This response started at ~90 ms on average and was immediately adjusted to task demands. Altogether these results highlight how a rapid integration of partially distinct sensorimotor circuits supports rapid motor responses to fingertip loading. NEW & NOTEWORTHY To grasp and manipulate objects, the brain uses touch signals related to skin deformation as well as sensory information about motion of the fingers encoded in muscle spindles. Here we investigated how these two sensory systems contribute to feedback responses to perturbation applied to the fingertip. We found distinct response components, suggesting that each sensory system engages separate sensorimotor circuits with distinct functions and latencies.

Contemporary Qur'anic Studies in Iran and its Relationship with Qur'anic Studies in the West

2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-72
Author(s):  
Morteza Karimi-Nia
Keyword(s):  
Islamic Law ◽  
Human Sciences ◽  
The West ◽  
Communications Technologies ◽  
Religious Learning ◽  
The Status ◽  
Islamic Republic Of Iran ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The status of tafsīr and Qur'anic studies in the Islamic Republic of Iran has changed significantly during recent decades. The essay provides an overview of the state of Qur'anic studies in Iran today, aiming to examine the extent of the impact of studies by Western scholars on Iranian academic circles during the last three decades and the relationship between them. As in most Islamic countries, the major bulk of academic activity in Iran in this field used to be undertaken by the traditional ʿulamāʾ; however, since the beginning of the twentieth century and the establishment of universities and other academic institutions in the Islamic world, there has been increasing diversity and development. After the Islamic Revolution, many gradual changes in the structure and approach of centres of religious learning and universities have occurred. Contemporary advancements in modern sciences and communications technologies have gradually brought the institutions engaged in the study of human sciences to confront the new context. As a result, the traditional Shīʿī centres of learning, which until 50 years ago devoted themselves exclusively to the study of Islamic law and jurisprudence, today pay attention to the teaching of foreign languages, Qur'anic sciences and exegesis, including Western studies about the Qur'an, to a certain extent, and recognise the importance of almost all of the human sciences of the West.

IFRS IMPLEMENTATION AS ONE OF THE FACTORS FOR IMPROVING THE INVESTMENT CLIMATE IN UKRAINE

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kateryna Sova ◽  
◽  
Natalia Yatsenko ◽  
Denys Zagirniak ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Investment Climate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact

The article is devoted to the study of the impact of the introduction of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on changes in the investment climate in Ukraine. The relevance of the topic is that improving the practice of applying IFRS as a tool for exchanging financial information is one of the key conditions for improving the investment climate in Ukraine. The authors have created the generalized scheme that illustrates the chronological list of enterprises that are required by law to prepare financial statements in accordance with IFRS. It was noted that in 2018, in accordance with Part 2 of Article 12 of the law on accounting and financial reporting in Ukraine and resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 547 from 11.07.2018, the criteria of enterprises that are required to prepare financial statements in accordance with IFRS were updated. This step significantly increased the level of application of international standards due to the adoption of such a decision at the legislative level. The dynamics of the number of IFRS enterprises in Ukraine was analyzed. The analysis showed that over the past three years, the number of almost all enterprises that must apply international standards has been growing. The advantages of using IFRS for different users of financial statements were determined. It was determined that the priority users of IFRS financial statements are investors. At the same time, it was noted that the main advantage for other users of financial statements prepared in accordance with international standards is the improvement of the investment climate. The dynamics of the Investment Attractiveness Index of Ukraine based on the Likert scale in the period from 2016 to 2020 was analyzed. The direct investment receipts to Ukraine from the European Union countries were studied. The dynamics of direct investment in the Ukrainian economy was analyzed for two types of economic activities that should form financial statements in accordance with IFRS, namely, the extractive industry and quarrying, as well as financial and insurance activities.

The Impact of Entrepreneurial Behavior on Sales Volume

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Adjeng Tiara Eltari ◽  
Hendrati Dwi Mulyaningsih
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Sales Volume ◽  
Entrepreneurial Behavior ◽  
Street Vendors ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Entrepreneurial Behaviour ◽  
Full Calculation ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact

This research was conducted at the Culinary Hawkers that located on Highway Sukapura, Dayeuhkolot, Bandung. This study examines the Entrepreneurial behaviour which resulted in increased sales volumes. Almost all Culinary Hawkers on Highway Sukapura doesn’t yet have the entrepreneurial behavior in accordance with the characteristics - traits mentioned by Suryana, Confident, Own initiative, Have achievement motive, Having leadership, and Dare to take risks with the full calculation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of entrepreneurial behavior to the merchant's sales volume culinary pavement on Highway Sukapura, Dayeuhkolot, Bandung.Researchers used quantitative research methods. The population in this study was 63 Merchants Culinary Street on Highway Sukapura. Samples are 63 street vendors in JalanSukapura. Data were analyzed using simple regression analysis.The results showed that entrepreneurial behavior affect the sales volume of culinary street traders in Highway Sukapura. Based on the calculation coefficient of determination (R2) can be seen the effect of entrepreneurial behavior variables (X) on sales volume (Y) is approximately 94%. While the remaining 6% are influenced by other factors such as competence, performance, and motivation.

ACOUSTIC PANEL CHICKEN FEATHER WASTE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ansarullah ◽  
Ramli Rahim ◽  
Baharuddin Hamzah ◽  
Asniawaty Kusno ◽  
Muhammad Tayeb
Keyword(s):  
Animal Feed ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Selling Price ◽  
Chicken Feather ◽  
Chicken Feathers ◽  
The Road ◽  
Feather Waste ◽  
Chicken Feather Waste ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact

Chicken feathers are the result of waste from slaughterhouses and billions ofkilograms of waste produced by various kinds of poultry processing. This hal is a veryserious problem for the environment because it causes the impact of pollution. Hasmany utilization of chicken feather waste such as making komocen, accessories,upholstery materials, making brackets to the manufacture of animal feed but from theresults of this activity cannot reduce the production of chicken feathers that hiscontinuously increase every year. This is due to the fact that the selling price of chickenmeat has been reached by consumers with middle to upper economic levels. This caneasily be a chicken menu in almost all restaurants and restaurants to the food stalls onthe side of the road. An alternative way of utilizing chicken feathers is to makecomposite materials in the form of panels. Recent studies have shown that the pvacmaterial can be utilized as a mixing and adhesive material with mashed or groundfeathered composites to form a panel that can later be used as an acoustic material.The test results show that the absorption of chicken feathers and pvac glue into panelscan absorb sound well with an absorption coefficient of 0.59, light. This result is veryeconomical so it is worth to be recommended as an acoustic material. Apart from theresults of research methods carried out is one of the environmentally friendly activitiesin particular the handling of waste problems

Being Away from Purun: Women’s Experiences in Peatland Area of Hulu Sungai Utara, South Kalimantan

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Enik Maslahah
Keyword(s):  
Land Management ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Environmental Destruction ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Area Management

<p>Purun is a typical plant that grow in peatland area that has important functions for people living in peatland area. The availability of purun is now decreasing due to changes in land management and environmental destruction. Almost all of the plantation commodities in the peatlands area, management of peatlands in the forestry, agriculture, plantation and fisheries sectors apply exploitative and pragmatic methods, while ignoring environmental sustainability. Furthermore, environmental damage also occurs due to disasters such as forest and land fires that often occur in peatland areas in Indonesia. One of the damages happen to peatland area is the damage and scarcity of purun. As users and beneficiaries of purun, women become the affected group that face  the impact of peatland destruction. This paper describes the experiences and efforts of women in peatland areas to restore land and restore the existence of purun in their villages.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Carbon Dynamics in the Northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau from 1990 to 2030 Using Landsat Land Use/Cover Change Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingye Li ◽  
Jian Gong ◽  
Jean-Michel Guldmann ◽  
Shicheng Li ◽  
Jie Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Carbon Storage ◽  
Sharp Decrease ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Qinghai Lake ◽  
Lake Basin ◽  
Ecosystem Carbon ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Impact

Land use/cover change (LUCC) has an important impact on the terrestrial carbon cycle. The spatial distribution of regional carbon reserves can provide the scientific basis for the management of ecosystem carbon storage and the formulation of ecological and environmental policies. This paper proposes a method combining the CA-based FLUS model and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model to assess the temporal and spatial changes in ecosystem carbon storage due to land-use changes over 1990–2015 in the Qinghai Lake Basin (QLB). Furthermore, future ecosystem carbon storage is simulated and evaluated over 2020–2030 under three scenarios of natural growth (NG), cropland protection (CP), and ecological protection (EP). The long-term spatial variations in carbon storage in the QLB are discussed. The results show that: (1) Carbon storage in the QLB decreased at first (1990–2000) and increased later (2000–2010), with total carbon storage increasing by 1.60 Tg C (Teragram: a unit of mass equal to 1012 g). From 2010 to 2015, carbon storage displayed a downward trend, with a sharp decrease in wetlands and croplands as the main cause; (2) Under the NG scenario, carbon reserves decrease by 0.69 Tg C over 2020–2030. These reserves increase significantly by 6.77 Tg C and 7.54 Tg C under the CP and EP scenarios, respectively, thus promoting the benign development of the regional ecological environment. This study improves our understanding on the impact of land-use change on carbon storage for the QLB in the northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document