Broadband Infrasound Signal of a Collapsing Hanging Glacier

A major ice collapse ((Formula presented.) 10,000 (Formula presented.)) from a hanging glacier on Mount Eiger, Switzerland was recorded by a small aperture array as a broadband (0.1–10 Hz) infrasound signal. Array analysis reveals that the high ((Formula presented.) 3 Hz) frequency signal is infrasound produced by the moving ice mass, and its back azimuth variation with time tracks the ice mass trajectory and provides a mean velocity estimate. Infrasound frequency is used to estimate a radius, that despite overestimating the volume, provides quantitative analysis in near-real time. The low ((Formula presented.) 0.1 Hz) frequency oscillation is modeled in terms of the velocity field (wind), which the moving ice mass induces on the surrounding air, producing pressure variations at the different elements. These results show how infrasound array observations may provide quantitative information of glacier collapse and ice avalanche trajectories, and possibly, volume.ISSN:0094-8276ISSN:1944-800

Spiking neurons with short-term synaptic plasticity form superior generative networks

Spiking networks that perform probabilistic inference have been proposed both as models of cortical computation and as candidates for solving problems in machine learning. However, the evidence for spike-based computation being in any way superior to non-spiking alternatives remains scarce. We propose that short-term plasticity can provide spiking networks with distinct computational advantages compared to their classical counterparts. In this work, we use networks of leaky integrate-and-fire neurons that are trained to perform both discriminative and generative tasks in their forward and backward information processing paths, respectively. During training, the energy landscape associated with their dynamics becomes highly diverse, with deep attractor basins separated by high barriers. Classical algorithms solve this problem by employing various tempering techniques, which are both computationally demanding and require global state updates. We demonstrate how similar results can be achieved in spiking networks endowed with local short-term synaptic plasticity. Additionally, we discuss how these networks can even outperform tempering-based approaches when the training data is imbalanced. We thereby show how biologically inspired, local, spike-triggered synaptic dynamics based simply on a limited pool of synaptic resources can allow spiking networks to outperform their non-spiking relatives.Comment: corrected typo in abstrac

First Views of a Nearby LIRG: Star Formation and Molecular Gas in IRAS 04296+2923

We present a first look at the local LIRG, IRAS04296+2923. This barred spiral, overlooked because of its location in the Galactic plane, is among the half dozen closest LIRGs. More IR-luminous than either M82 or the Antennae, it may be the best local example of a nuclear starburst caused by bar-mediated secular evolution. We present Palomar J and Pa beta images, VLA maps from 20-1.3cm, a Keck LWS image at 11.7mic and OVRO CO(1-0) and ^13CO(1-0), and 2.7 mm continuum images. The J-band image shows a symmetric barred spiral. Two bright, compact mid-IR/radio sources in the nucleus comprise a starburst that is equivalent to 10^5 O7 stars, probably a pair of young super star clusters separated by 30pc. The nuclear starburst is forming stars at the rate of ~12Msun/yr, half of the total star formation rate for the galaxy of ~25Msun/yr. IRAS04296 is bright in CO, and among the most gas-rich galaxies in the local universe. The CO luminosity of the inner half kpc is equivalent to that of the entire Milky Way. While the most intense CO emission extends over a 15"(2 kpc) region, the nuclear starburst is confined to ~1-2"(150-250 pc) of the dynamical center. From ^13CO, we find that the CO conversion factor in the nucleus is higher than the Galactic value by a factor 3-4, typical of gas-rich spiral nuclei. The nuclear star formation efficiency is M_gas/SFR^nuc = 2.7x10^-8 yr^-1, corresponding to gas consumption timescale, tau_SF^nuc~4x10^7 yrs. The star formation efficiency is ten times lower in the disk, tau_SF^disk~3.3x10^8 yrs. The low absolute star formation efficiency in the disk implies that the molecular gas is not completely consumed before it drifts into the nucleus, and is capable of fueling a sustained nuclear starburst. IRAS04296 is beginning a 100Myr period as a LIRG, during which it will turn much of its 6x10^9Msun of molecular gas into a nuclear cluster of stars. (abridged)Comment: Accepted, Astronomical Journa

A New Normal for the Sea Ice Index

The NSIDC Sea Ice Index is a popular data product that shows users how ice extent and concentration have changed since the beginning of the passive microwave satellite record in 1978. It shows time series of monthly ice extent anomalies rather than actual extent values, in order to emphasize the information the data are carrying. Along with the time series, an image of average extent for the previous month is shown as a white field, with a pink line showing the median extent for that month. These are updated monthly; corresponding daily products are updated daily

Stochasticity from function -- why the Bayesian brain may need no noise

An increasing body of evidence suggests that the trial-to-trial variability of spiking activity in the brain is not mere noise, but rather the reflection of a sampling-based encoding scheme for probabilistic computing. Since the precise statistical properties of neural activity are important in this context, many models assume an ad-hoc source of well-behaved, explicit noise, either on the input or on the output side of single neuron dynamics, most often assuming an independent Poisson process in either case. However, these assumptions are somewhat problematic: neighboring neurons tend to share receptive fields, rendering both their input and their output correlated; at the same time, neurons are known to behave largely deterministically, as a function of their membrane potential and conductance. We suggest that spiking neural networks may, in fact, have no need for noise to perform sampling-based Bayesian inference. We study analytically the effect of auto- and cross-correlations in functionally Bayesian spiking networks and demonstrate how their effect translates to synaptic interaction strengths, rendering them controllable through synaptic plasticity. This allows even small ensembles of interconnected deterministic spiking networks to simultaneously and co-dependently shape their output activity through learning, enabling them to perform complex Bayesian computation without any need for noise, which we demonstrate in silico, both in classical simulation and in neuromorphic emulation. These results close a gap between the abstract models and the biology of functionally Bayesian spiking networks, effectively reducing the architectural constraints imposed on physical neural substrates required to perform probabilistic computing, be they biological or artificial

Verification of a New NOAA/NSIDC Passive Microwave Sea-Ice Concentration Climate Record

A new satellite-based passive microwave sea-ice concentration product developed for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)Climate Data Record (CDR) programme is evaluated via comparison with other passive microwave-derived estimates. The new product leverages two well-established concentration algorithms, known as the NASA Team and Bootstrap, both developed at and produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The sea ice estimates compare well with similar GSFC products while also fulfilling all NOAA CDR initial operation capability (IOC) requirements, including (1) self describing file format, (2) ISO 19115-2 compliant collection-level metadata,(3) Climate and Forecast (CF) compliant file-level metadata, (4) grid-cell level metadata (data quality fields), (5) fully automated and reproducible processing and (6) open online access to full documentation with version control, including source code and an algorithm theoretical basic document. The primary limitations of the GSFC products are lack of metadata and use of untracked manual corrections to the output fields. Smaller differences occur from minor variations in processing methods by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (for the CDR fields) and NASA (for the GSFC fields). The CDR concentrations do have some differences from the constituent GSFC concentrations, but trends and variability are not substantially different

Anomalous Variability in Antarctic Sea Ice Extents During the 1960s With the Use of Nimbus Data

The Nimbus I, II, and III satellites provide a new opportunity for climate studies in the 1960s. The rescue of the visible and infrared imager data resulted in the utilization of the early Nimbus data to determine sea ice extent. A qualitative analysis of the early NASA Nimbus missions has revealed Antarctic sea ice extents that are signicant larger and smaller than the historic 1979-2012 passive microwave record. The September 1964 ice mean area is 19.7x10 km +/- 0.3x10 km. This is more the 250,000 km greater than the 19.44x10 km seen in the new 2012 historic maximum. However, in August 1966 the maximum sea ice extent fell to 15.9x10 km +/- 0.3x10 km. This is more than 1.5x10 km below the passive microwave record of 17.5x10 km set in September of 1986. This variation between 1964 and 1966 represents a change of maximum sea ice of over 3x10 km in just two years. These inter-annual variations while large, are small when compared to the Antarctic seasonal cycle

Anomalous Variability in Antarctic Sea Ice Extents During the 1960s With the Use of Nimbus Data

The Nimbus I, II, and III satellites provide a new opportunity for climate studies in the 1960s. The rescue of the visible and infrared imager data resulted in the utilization of the early Nimbus data to determine sea ice extent. A qualitative analysis of the early NASA Nimbus missions has revealed Antarctic sea ice extents that are significant larger and smaller than the historic 1979-2012 passive microwave record. The September 1964 ice mean area is 19.7x10(exp 6) sq. km +/- 0.3x10(exp 6) sq. km. This is more the 250,000 sq. km greater than the 19.44x10(exp 6) sq. km seen in the new 2012 historic maximum. However, in August 1966 the maximum sea ice extent fell to 15.9x10(exp 6) sq. km +/- 0.3x10(exp 6) sq. km. This is more than 1.5x10(exp 6) sq. km below the passive microwave record of 17.5x10(exp 6) sq. km set in September of 1986. This variation between 1964 and 1966 represents a change of maximum sea ice of over 3x10(exp 6) sq. km in just two years. These inter-annual variations while large, are small when compared to the Antarctic seasonal cycle

Bewegung im Nuklearstreit mit dem Iran: nach den Genfer Gesprächen herrscht vorsichtiger Optimismus

Nach sechs Monaten Verhandlungspause nahmen die Vertreter der E3+3 (Deutschland, Frankreich, Großbritannien sowie China, Russland, Vereinigte Staaten) und des Iran am 15. und 16. Oktober 2013 in Genf die Gespräche über das iranische Nuklearprogramm wieder auf. Die Voraussetzungen für den Einstieg in eine diplomatische Lösung sind so gut wie lange nicht mehr. Der im Juni gewählte neue Präsident Hasan Feridon-Ruhani hat ein klares Mandat für eine Politik der Verständigung mit dem Westen. Zwar gibt es weiterhin viele Differenzen über die Kontrolle und Begrenzung des iranischen Atomprogramms. Aber bei den besonders drängenden Problemen sind Kompromisslinien erkennbar. Auch wenn die Hoffnung auf schnelle Fortschritte groß ist: Verlorengegangenes Vertrauen kann nur in einem längeren Prozess neu aufgebaut werden. Beide Seiten sollten daher einen realistischen Fahrplan für Gespräche vereinbaren und gleichzeitig Verhandlungen darüber führen, wie eine langfristige Lösung im Nuklearkonflikt aussehen kann. (Autorenreferat