Interaural Level Difference-Dependent Gain Control and Synaptic Scaling Underlying Binaural Computation

SummaryBinaural integration in the central nucleus of inferior colliculus (ICC) plays a critical role in sound localization. However, its arithmetic nature and underlying synaptic mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we showed in mouse ICC neurons that the contralateral dominance is created by a “push-pull”-like mechanism, with contralaterally dominant excitation and more bilaterally balanced inhibition. Importantly, binaural spiking response is generated apparently from an ipsilaterally mediated scaling of contralateral response, leaving frequency tuning unchanged. This scaling effect is attributed to a divisive attenuation of contralaterally evoked synaptic excitation onto ICC neurons with their inhibition largely unaffected. Thus, a gain control mediates the linear transformation from monaural to binaural spike responses. The gain value is modulated by interaural level difference (ILD) primarily through scaling excitation to different levels. The ILD-dependent synaptic scaling and gain adjustment allow ICC neurons to dynamically encode interaural sound localization cues while maintaining an invariant representation of other independent sound attributes

Inglewood Oil Field Remediation and Restoration

It is apparent now more than ever that fossil fuel extraction is a primary cause of warming the Earth’s atmosphere which has impacted the environment in a multitude of ways. Since the mid 19th century oil extraction has dominated the energy sector making the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy a complicated process. However, as carbon neutrality is gaining acceptance, the state of California has decided to phase out oil extraction within the next twenty years. In order to accomplish these goals, the largest urban oil field in Los Angeles, the Inglewood Oil Field, will be decommissioned in phases over the next decade and transitioned to a sustainable, mixed-use community. Encompassing approximately 1,000 acres in Los Angeles County, including areas such as Culver City, Baldwin Hills, Ladera Heights, and View Park, this field has been a significant player in the region's oil industry since the discovery of oil and gas in 1924. Sentinel Peak Resources operates the Inglewood Oil Field, overseeing the largest urban oil field in the United States. Remarkably, more than one million people reside within a five-mile radius of the site, highlighting the complex interplay between industrial activity and densely populated urban areas (Los Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club). The Inglewood Oil Field has led to fragmentation of the land, which has disproportionately affected the surrounding communities through health risks and environmental degradation, all of which may pose challenges to incorporating the site back into the community. The goal is to determine how this site can be transitioned to a more sustainable landscape which incorporates and engages the surrounding community, in addition to having a net zero impact. In order to develop the recommendations for the site, the team traveled to Los Angeles to engage in community outreach with the surrounding community of the Inglewood Oil Field. The survey aimed to gauge the community's awareness and expectations of residing near an urban oil field, as well as to discern their preferences for the future use of the remediated site. Key insights from the survey include a strong awareness of the Inglewood Oil Field, but a weak knowledge of the decommissioning of the field. Additionally, the majority of the community residents would like the site to have natural areas with green space and opportunities for walking and biking trails. Based on the insights derived from the survey and extensive research on land remediation techniques, the recommendations for the Inglewood Oil Field were formulated. The redeveloped site will focus on harnessing long-term sustainability, and our recommendations are a reflection of that idea. The most effective way to measure long term sustainability is by creating a circular system on the site. The recommendations can be grouped into four different categories: soil remediation, urban biodiversity, energy suitability and community well-being. The report goes on to assess the methods needed to measure the success of these recommendations and some limitations that may arise during this process. In conclusion, the Inglewood Oil Field remediation recommendations provide an inclusive approach, prioritizing sustainability.Master of Science (MS) Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)School for Environment and SustainabilityUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/193056/1/Inglewood Oil Field Diana Martinez Diana Martinez.pdfDescription of Inglewood Oil Field Diana Martinez Diana Martinez.pdf : Final Masters project article

Phenolic resin as a carbon source for the synthesis of monometallic Mo and bimetallic CoMo carbides via carbothermal reduction route

<p>It was the first time that phenolic resin (PR) was used as a carbon source for the synthesis of nanostructured monometallic Mo and bimetallic CoMo carbides via carbothermal reduction route. The results showed that phase-pure β-Mo₂C can be formed under an Ar atmosphere at 900°C or a H₂ atmosphere above 700°C. However, almost pure CoMo carbides (Co₃Mo₃C and Co₆Mo₆C) can be obtained only under a H₂ atmosphere at a low temperature of 630°C for 24 and 48 h, respectively. The role of PR in the preparation process has been investigated and a detailed formation mechanism was proposed based on the experimental results.</p> <p></p

A Free-Piston Linear Generator Control Strategy for Improving Output Power

This paper presents a control strategy to improve the output power for a single-cylinder two-stroke free-piston linear generator (FPLG). The comprehensive simulation model of this FPLG is established and the operation principle is introduced. The factors that affect the output power are analyzed theoretically. The characteristics of the piston motion are studied. Considering the different features of the piston motion respectively in acceleration and deceleration phases, a ladder-like electromagnetic force control strategy is proposed. According to the status of the linear electric machine, the reference profile of the electromagnetic force is divided into four ladder-like stages during one motion cycle. The piston motions, especially the dead center errors, are controlled by regulating the profile of the electromagnetic force. The feasibility and advantage of the proposed control strategy are verified through comparison analyses with two conventional control strategies via MatLab/Simulink. The results state that the proposed control strategy can improve the output power by around 7-10% with the same fuel cycle mass

A facile route for large-scale synthesis of molybdenum phosphide nanoparticles with high surface area

<p></p> <p>In this study, we report a novel, simple and large-scale (about 100 g) synthesis of MoP nanoparticles with a high surface area (439.3 m² g⁻¹). The current approach uses a solid mixture of MoO₃, (NH₄)₂HPO₄ and phenol-formaldehyde resin (PFR) as a precursor and employs an inert gas as a feed gas. The formation mechanism of MoP was proposed by various techniques, including thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and carbon content analysis.</p