The representation of auditory space in the auditory cortex of anesthetized and awake mice

The ability to localize sounds is of profound importance for animals, as it enables them to detect prey and predators. In the horizontal plane, sound localization is achieved by means of binaural cues, which are processed and interpreted by the ascending auditory pathway. The auditory cortex (AC), as its primary cortical relay station, has traditionally been thought to broadly and stationary represent the contralateral hemifield of auditory space. Because prior research on space representation in the mammalian AC heavily relied on anesthetized preparations, the manner in which anesthesia influences this representation has remained elusive. Performing chronic two-photon-calcium imaging in the AC of awake and anesthetized mice, I characterized the effects of anesthesia on auditory space representation. First, anesthesia was found to impair the spatial sensitivity of neurons. Second, anesthesia constantly suppressed the representation of frontal locations biasing spatial tuning to the contralateral side. In both conditions (awake and anesthetized), the population of neurons endured a stable representation of auditory space, while single-cell spatial tuning was found to be extremely dynamic. Importantly, under both conditions no evidence for a topographical map of auditory space was found. This study is the first to chronically probe spatial tuning in the AC and likewise the first to directly assess effects of anesthesia on single-cell spatial tuning and the population code emphasizing the need for a shift towards awake preparations

Anti-Democratic Tenets? Behavioural-Economic Imaginaries of a Future Food System

This article makes the central argument that basic democratic values such as justice, autonomy and participation run the risk of being neglected when designing 'nudges' (i.e., indirect suggestions to influence individual behaviour) for sustainable behaviour change in the context of food governance, potentially complicating a democratisation of the food system. 'Nudges' uphold freedom of choice while simultaneously advocating a non-coercive soft force of paternalism to help people realise their preferences, maximise societal well-being and meet macro-sustainability goals. While the promises of the 'nudge' approach are widely echoed, nudging is also being contested because of its possible anti-democratic effects, such as individualisation, depoliticization and the emphasis of the status of citizens as 'consumer-citizens.' From a food democracy perspective, these dangers may undermine efforts to organise collective political action and impede alternative visions of a future food system. Empirically, the article examines specifically how behavioural-economic approaches imagine transitions to a more sustainable food system. By using the "COOP Supermarket of the Future" as a case study, the following analysis will illustrate how private actors are increasingly involved in steering consumer choice towards socially desirable actions. The analysis suggests that the design of choice environments may under specific circumstances increase the susceptibility of individuals to the influence of corporate preferences and simultaneously decrease the prospects for democratic legitimation and decision-making. The article therefore critically assesses whether reforming the food system by altering consumers' choice-sets and the attribution of personal responsibility, may in fact point towards implicit anti-democratic tenets underlying the 'will to nudge' citizens

PERBANDINGAN HASIL UJI KAPASITAS DUKUNG TIANG PANCANG PADA TANAH LEMPUNG JENUH SKALA LABORATORIUM DENGAN PERHITUNGAN ANALISIS STATIS

Pile bearing capacity, is an important parameter in infrastructure design. The pile driving process, especially in saturated clay soils, results in an increase in pore pressure which affects the bearing strength capacity of the pile foundation immediately after erection. By knowing the com-parison of various ways to calculate the bearing capacity of a pile foundation, especially in clay soils, various influencing parameters can be studied and to be taken in determining the bearing ca-pacity of a pile foundation. The test is carried out by comparing the value of the pile bearing capacity of a laboratory scale pile model with the results of the calculation of the pile bearing capacity using the static analysis method based on the results of the test parameters of the soil. The clay soil con-ditions in the test are limited to saturated conditions. The reading of the change in pore water pres-sure is carried out using a pressure transducer during the pile driving process. Based on the pile loading test results in the laboratory, the pile bearing capacity results were 0.31 kN, while the bearing capacity results based on the static analysis method were 0.75 kN. The difference in pile bearing carrying capacity is caused by excess pore water pressure that appears around the ground during the driving process

Herd Bells

Deep in the valleys ringing, the herd bells echo clear;The wand\u27rer stops to listen, and fondly lingers here.The KIne bells tinkle faintly, deep in the forest grand,And in the holy twilight make earth like spirit land,And in the hold twilight make earth like spirit land. Upon the lofty mountains, they chime so sweet and low,When tripp\u27d the highest summits, in ev\u27ning\u27s mellow glow;The wand\u27ring music renders the heart so warmIt seems so warm, amid sweet sounds to enter the land of heav\u27nly dreams,Amid sweet sounds to enter the land of heav\u27nly dreams

INFLUENCE OF RIPARIAN BUFFER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ON SOIL PROPERTIES

The Kentucky Division of Water indicates that agriculture is responsible for 55% of the Commonwealth’s assessed streams not supporting their designated uses. Riparian buffers reduce nonpoint source pollution in agroecosystems by storing and cycling nutrients, stabilizing streambanks, increasing infiltration, and storing water. Specific information regarding riparian buffer management is needed for land managers to maximize buffer effectiveness at reducing agricultural contaminants impairing water quality. Baseline soil properties (texture, pH, C and nutrients) of the riparian buffer surrounding a tributary of Cane Run Creek in Fayette County, KY were characterized prior to imposing three mowing regimes (intense, moderate, and no mow treatments) and one native grass regime. Measurements were made along parallel transects located 2-m and 8-m distances from the stream. Root biomass, aggregate distribution, and saturated hydraulic conductivity were measured along the 2-m transect in two consecutive years following treatment establishment. The 2-m transect soils had the highest C, pH, Ca, Zn, and sand content. The 8-m transect had the highest P, K, Mg, and clay content. Semivariogram analysis of C content indicated slight to moderate spatial dependency along the 2m transect and moderate to strong spatial dependency along the 8m transect. Root biomass increased with decreased mowing frequency at the surface depth after one year; the native grass treatment had significantly less root biomass in both years compared to mowing treatments. There was no significant treatment effect on aggregate size distribution at the surface depth in either year. Mean weight diameter and large macroaggregates decreased from 2011 to 2012. Vegetation treatment had no statistically significant effect on water stable aggregates or saturated hydraulic conductivity. Experimental semivariograms provided evidence of spatial structure at multiple scales in root biomass, aggregates, and soil C. Spatial variability occurred over a shorter lag distance in 2012 than 2011, suggesting an effect of imposed treatments slowly developing over time. This study provides important insights on riparian buffer soil properties, soil sampling strategies to detect spatial variability in riparian buffers, and length of time needed to assess effects of vegetation management regimes on riparian root biomass, soil aggregates, and hydraulic conductivity

User's manual for a 0.3-m TCT wall interference assessment/correction procedure: 8- by 24-inch airfoil test section

A transonic Wall-Interference Assessment/Correction (WIAC) procedure has been developed and verified for the 8- by 24-inch airfoil test section of the Langley 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel. This report is a user's manual for the correction procedure. It includes a listing of the computer procedure file as well as input for and results from a step-by-step sample case

Video Fest 2006 Press Release

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film Video Fest 2006 press release April 2006https://digitalcommons.providence.edu/videofest_pubs/1001/thumbnail.jp

Breakdown of the conservative potential equation

The breakdown of the conservative potential approximation occurs for all the airfoils tested. It develops as soon as the shock waves appear in the flow field. Since shock waves are not properly represented by the potential approximation, it is conjectured that the breakdown is due to the isentropic shock jump condition of the potential approximation