scholarly journals Spontaneous Neuronal Signaling is Inherently Musical and Mathematical: Insight into the Universal Human Affinity for Music

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-68
Author(s):  
Thomas B. Shea ◽  
Ruth Remington
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Networks ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Sine Wave ◽  
Digital Signals ◽  
Electrode Arrays ◽  
Music And Mathematics ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Audio Files ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insight Into

Objective:Audio files of spontaneous signal streams generated byex vivoneuronal networks cultured on multi-electrode arrays generated an oscillating sine wave with an inherent musical quality. This was not anticipated considering that synaptic signals are “all - or – none”, and therefore digital, events.Methods:These findings may provide insight into why music can be perceived as pleasurable and invoke a calm mood despite that music is ultimately perceived and stored as a series of digital signals; it is speculated that music may reinforce and/or enhance this spontaneous digital stream.Results and Conclusion:These findings also support the relationship between music and mathematics.

scholarly journals Robot-Embodied Neuronal Networks as an Interactive Model of Learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47
Author(s):  
Abraham M Shultz ◽  
Sangmook Lee ◽  
Mary Guaraldi ◽  
Thomas B. Shea ◽  
Holly A. Yanco
Keyword(s):  
Cortical Neurons ◽  
Neuronal Networks ◽  
Sensory Input ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Motor Output ◽  
Synaptic Activity ◽  
Abnormal Development ◽  
Electrode Arrays ◽  
Complex Signals

Background and Objective:The reductionist approach of neuronal cell culture has been useful for analyses of synaptic signaling. Murine cortical neurons in culture spontaneously form anex vivonetwork capable of transmitting complex signals, and have been useful for analyses of several fundamental aspects of neuronal development hitherto difficult to clarifyin situ. However, these networks lack the ability to receive and respond to sensory input from the environment as do neuronsin vivo. Establishment of these networks in culture chambers containing multi-electrode arrays allows recording of synaptic activity as well as stimulation.Method:This article describes the embodiment ofex vivoneuronal networks neurons in a closed-loop cybernetic system, consisting of digitized video signals as sensory input and a robot arm as motor output.Results:In this system, the neuronal network essentially functions as a simple central nervous system. This embodied network displays the ability to track a target in a naturalistic environment. These findings underscore thatex vivoneuronal networks can respond to sensory input and direct motor output.Conclusion:These analyses may contribute to optimization of neuronal-computer interfaces for perceptive and locomotive prosthetic applications.Ex vivonetworks display critical alterations in signal patterns following treatment with subcytotoxic concentrations of amyloid-beta. Future studies including comparison of tracking accuracy of embodied networks prepared from mice harboring key mutations with those from normal mice, accompanied with exposure to Abeta and/or other neurotoxins, may provide a useful model system for monitoring subtle impairment of neuronal function as well as normal and abnormal development.

scholarly journals Mathematics and Music in Context: The Contribution of Erasmus Horicius to the Emergence of the Idea of Modern Number

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-67
Author(s):  
Oscar João Abdounur
Keyword(s):  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Early Modern Period ◽  
Western History ◽  
Structural Problems ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Geometrical Mean ◽  
Music And Mathematics ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Music Theorist ◽  
The Relationship

This article covers questions of how the relationship between mathematics and theoretical music throughout western history shaped modern comprehension of critical notions such as “ratio” and “proportion”. In order to do that, it will be consider a procedure taken by Erasmus of Höritz, a Bohemian mathematician and music theorist who emerged in the early 16th century as a German humanist very articulate with musical matters. In order to divide the tone, Erasmus preferred to use a numerical method to approach the geometrical mean, although he did not recognize his procedure itself as an approximation of the true real number value of the geometric mean. The Early Modern Period saw the growing use of geometry as an instrument for solving structural problems in theoretical music, a change not independently from those occurred in the conception of ratio/number in the context of theoretical music. In the context of recovery of interest in Greek sources, Erasmus communicated to musical readers an important fruit of such a revival and was likely the first in the Renaissance to apply explicitly Euclidean geometry to solve problems in theoretical music. Although Erasmus also considered the tradition of De institutione musica of Boethius, he was based strongly on Euclid’s The Elements, using geometry in his De musica in different ways in order to solve musical problems. It is this comprehensive geometrical work rather than the summary arithmetical and musical books of Boethius that serves Erasmus as his starting-point. However, Erasmus proposed a proportional numerical division of the whole tone interval sounding between strings with length ratio of 9:8, since it was a primary arithmetical problem. This presentation aims at showing the educational potentiality of the implications of such a procedure of Erasmus on the transformation of conception of ratio and on the emergence of the idea of modern number in theoretical music contexts. Under a broader perspective, it aims at show the implications on education of a historical/epistemological and interdisciplinary appraisal of theoretical music and mathematics.

scholarly journals An Overview of Studies Demonstrating that ex vivo Neuronal Networks Display Multiple Complex Behaviors: Emergent Properties of Nearest-Neighbor Interactions of Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurons.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-15
Author(s):  
Thomas B. Shea
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Neuronal Activity ◽  
Neuronal Networks ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
System Development ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Nervous System Development ◽  
Electrode Arrays ◽  
Higher Order Functions

The responsiveness of the human nervous system ranges from the basic sensory interpretation and motor regulation to so-called higher-order functions such as emotion and consciousness. Aspects of higher-order functions are displayed by other mammals and birds. In efforts to understand how neuronal interaction can generate such a diverse functionality, murine embryonic cortical neurons were cultured on Petri dishes containing multi-electrode arrays that allowed recording and stimulation of neuronal activity. Despite the lack of major architectural features that govern nervous system development in situ, this overview of multiple studies demonstrated that these 2-dimensional ex vivo neuronal networks nevertheless recapitulate multiple key aspects of nervous system development and activity in situ, including density-dependent, the spontaneous establishment of a functional network that displayed complex signaling patterns, and responsiveness to environmental stimulation including generation of appropriate motor output and long-term potentiation. These findings underscore that the basic interplay of excitatory and inhibitory neuronal activity underlies all aspects of nervous system functionality. This reductionist system may be useful for further examination of neuronal function under developmental, homeostatic, and neurodegenerative conditions.

Covariational reasoning and mathematical narratives: investigating students’ understanding of graphs in chemical kinetics

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon-Marc G. Rodriguez ◽  
Kinsey Bain ◽  
Marcy H. Towns ◽  
Maja Elmgren ◽  
Felix M. Ho
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Kinetics ◽  
Mathematical Reasoning ◽  
First Year ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Student Responses ◽  
Test Items ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mathematical Expertise ◽  
Insight Into

Graphical representations are an important tool used to model abstract processes in fields such as chemistry. Successful interpretation of a graph involves a combination of mathematical expertise and discipline-specific content to reason about the relationship between the variables and to describe the phenomena represented. In this work, we studied students’ graphical reasoning as they responded to a chemical kinetics prompt. Qualitative data was collected and analyzed for a sample of 70 students through the use of an assessment involving short-answer test items administered in a first-year, non-majors chemistry course at a Swedish university. The student responses were translated from Swedish to English and subsequently coded to analyze the chemical and mathematical ideas students attributed to the graph. Mathematical reasoning and ideas related to covariation were analyzed using graphical forms and the shape thinking perspective of graphical reasoning. Student responses were further analyzed by focusing on the extent to which they integrated chemistry and mathematics. This was accomplished by conceptualizing modeling as discussing mathematical narratives, characterizing how students described the “story” communicated by the graph. Analysis provided insight into students’ understanding of mathematical models of chemical processes.

Skeletal elements of crinoid echinoderms: High-resolution structural and microanalytical results

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 194-195
Author(s):  
D. F. Blake ◽  
L. F. Allard ◽  
D. R. Peacor
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Sea Stars ◽  
High Resolution Tem ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insight Into

Echinodermata is a phylum of marine invertebrates which has been extant since Cambrian time (c.a. 500 m.y. before the present). Modern examples of echinoderms include sea urchins, sea stars, and sea lilies (crinoids). The endoskeletons of echinoderms are composed of plates or ossicles (Fig. 1) which are with few exceptions, porous, single crystals of high-magnesian calcite. Despite their single crystal nature, fracture surfaces do not exhibit the near-perfect {10.4} cleavage characteristic of inorganic calcite. This paradoxical mix of biogenic and inorganic features has prompted much recent work on echinoderm skeletal crystallography. Furthermore, fossil echinoderm hard parts comprise a volumetrically significant portion of some marine limestones sequences. The ultrastructural and microchemical characterization of modern skeletal material should lend insight into: 1). The nature of the biogenic processes involved, for example, the relationship of Mg heterogeneity to morphological and structural features in modern echinoderm material, and 2). The nature of the diagenetic changes undergone by their ancient, fossilized counterparts. In this study, high resolution TEM (HRTEM), high voltage TEM (HVTEM), and STEM microanalysis are used to characterize tha ultrastructural and microchemical composition of skeletal elements of the modern crinoid Neocrinus blakei.

Work Engagement and Research Output Among Female and Male Scientists

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lonneke Dubbelt ◽  
Sonja Rispens ◽  
Evangelia Demerouti
Keyword(s):  
Work Engagement ◽  
Research Output ◽  
Research Performance ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Women have a minority position within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and, consequently, are likely to face more adversities at work. This diary study takes a look at a facilitating factor for women’s research performance within academia: daily work engagement. We examined the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between two behaviors (i.e., daily networking and time control) and daily work engagement, as well as its effect on the relationship between daily work engagement and performance measures (i.e., number of publications). Results suggest that daily networking and time control cultivate men’s work engagement, but daily work engagement is beneficial for the number of publications of women. The findings highlight the importance of work engagement in facilitating the performance of women in minority positions.

Further Studies on the Mechanisms for the Antithrombotic Effects of Sulfated Polysaccharides in Rabbits

1988 ◽  
Vol 60 (02) ◽  
pp. 188-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
F A Ofosu ◽  
F Fernandez ◽  
N Anvari ◽  
C Caranobe ◽  
F Dol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antithrombin Iii ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Thrombus Formation ◽  
Minimum Weight ◽  
Sulfated Polysaccharides ◽  
Pentosan Polysulfate ◽  
Heparin Cofactor Ii ◽  
Thrombin Inhibition ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Prothrombin Activation

SummaryA recent study (Fernandez et al., Thromb. Haemostas. 1987; 57: 286-93) demonstrated that when rabbits were injected with the minimum weight of a variety of glycosaminoglycans required to inhibit tissue factor-induced thrombus formation by —80%, exogenous thrombin was inactivated —twice as fast in the post-treatment plasmas as the pre-treatment plasmas. In this study, we investigated the relationship between inhibition of thrombus formation and the extent of thrombin inhibition ex vivo. We also investigated the relationship between inhibition of thrombus formation and inhibition of prothrombin activation ex vivo. Four sulfated polysaccharides (SPS) which influence coagulation in a variety of ways were used in this study. Unfractionated heparin and the fraction of heparin with high affinity to antithrombin III potentiate the antiproteinase activity of antithrombin III. Pentosan polysulfate potentiates the activity of heparin cofactor II. At less than 10 pg/ml of plasma, all three SPS also inhibit intrinsic prothrombin activation. The fourth agent, dermatan sulfate, potentiates the activity of heparin cofactor II but fails to inhibit intrinsic prothrombin activation even at concentrations which exceed 60 pg/ml of plasma. Inhibition of thrombus formation by each sulfated polysaccharides was linearly related to the extent of thrombin inhibition achieved ex vivo. These observations confirm the utility of catalysis of thrombin inhibition as an index for assessing antithrombotic potential of glycosaminoglycans and other sulfated polysaccharides in rabbits. With the exception of pentosan polysulfate, there was no clear relationship between inhibition of thrombus formation and inhibition of prothrombin activation ex vivo.

Plasminogen Depletion during Streptokinase Treatment or Two-Chain Urokinase Incubation Correlates with Decreased Clot Lysability Ex Vivo and In Vitro

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (06) ◽  
pp. 0998-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Páll T Önundarson ◽  
H Magnús Haraldsson ◽  
Lena Bergmann ◽  
Charles W Francis ◽  
Victor J Marder
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
State Variables ◽  
Thrombolytic Treatment ◽  
Direct Proportion ◽  
Plasmin Activity ◽  
Plasma Exposure ◽  
The Relationship

SummaryThe relationship between lytic state variables and ex vivo clot lysability was investigated in blood drawn from patients during streptokinase administration for acute myocardial infarction. A lytic state was already evident after 5 min of treatment and after 20 min the plasminogen concentration had decreased to 24%, antiplasmin to 7% and fibrinogen 0.2 g/1. Lysis of radiolabeled retracted clots in the patient plasmas decreased from 37 ± 8% after 5 min to 21 ± 8% at 10 min and was significantly lower (8 ± 9%, p <0.005) in samples drawn at 20, 40 and 80 min. Clot lysability correlated positively with the plasminogen concentration (r = 0.78, p = 0.003), but not with plasmin activity. Suspension of radiolabeled clots in normal plasma pre-exposed to 250 U/ml two-chain urokinase for varying time to induce an in vitro lytic state was also associated with decreasing clot lysability in direct proportion with the duration of prior plasma exposure to urokinase. The decreased lysability correlated with the time-dependent reduction in plasminogen concentration (r = 0.88, p <0.0005). Thus, clot lysability decreases in conjunction with the development of the lytic state and the associated plasminogen depletion. The lytic state may therefore limit reperfusion during thrombolytic treatment.

Monitoring Anticoagulant Therapy by Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time: Hirudin Assessment

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (05) ◽  
pp. 685-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T Nurmohamed ◽  
René J Berckmans ◽  
Willy M Morriën-Salomons ◽  
Fenny Berends ◽  
Daan W Hommes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Blood ◽  
Partial Thromboplastin Time ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Heparin Therapy ◽  
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time ◽  
Recombinant Hirudin ◽  
Interindividual Differences ◽  
The Relationship

SummaryBackground. Recombinant hirudin (RH) is a new anticoagulant for prophylaxis and treatment of venous and arterial thrombosis. To which extent the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is suitable for monitoring of RH has not been properly evaluated. Recently, a capillary whole blood device was developed for bed-side monitoring of the APTT and it was demonstrated that this device was suitable to monitor heparin therapy. However, monitoring of RH was not evaluated.Study Objectives. To evaluate in vitro and ex vivo the responsiveness and reproducibility for hirudin monitoring of the whole blood monitor and of plasma APTT assays, which were performed with several reagents and two conventional coagulometers.Results. Large interindividual differences in hirudin responsiveness were noted in both the in vitro and the ex vivo experiments. The relationship between the APTT, expressed as clotting time or ratio of initial and prolonged APTT, and the hirudin concentration was nonlinear. A 1.5-fold increase of the clotting times was obtained at 150-200 ng/ml plasma. However, only a 2-fold increase was obtained at hirudin levels varying from 300 ng to more than 750 ng RH/ml plasma regardless of the assays. The relationship linearized upon logarithmic conversion of the ratio and the hirudin concentration. Disregarding the interindividual differences, and presuming full linearity of the relationship, all combinations were equally responsive to hirudin.Conclusions. All assays were equally responsive to hirudin. Levels up to 300 ng/ml plasma can be reliably estimated with each assay. The manual device may be preferable in situations where rapid availability of test results is necessary.

On Metaphysics and the Political: A Polemics of Reading Baudelaire in the 1930s

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-259
Author(s):  
Joseph Acquisto
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
The Political ◽  
Modern Poetry ◽  
Progressive Politics ◽  
The World ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insight Into

This essay examines a polemic between two Baudelaire critics of the 1930s, Jean Cassou and Benjamin Fondane, which centered on the relationship of poetry to progressive politics and metaphysics. I argue that a return to Baudelaire's poetry can yield insight into what seems like an impasse in Cassou and Fondane. Baudelaire provides the possibility of realigning metaphysics and politics so that poetry has the potential to become the space in which we can begin to think the two of them together, as opposed to seeing them in unresolvable tension. Or rather, the tension that Baudelaire animates between the two allows us a new way of thinking about the role of esthetics in moments of political crisis. We can in some ways see Baudelaire as responding, avant la lettre, to two of his early twentieth-century readers who correctly perceived his work as the space that breathes a new urgency into the questions of how modern poetry relates to the world from which it springs and in which it intervenes.

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