59 research outputs found
Complete synchronization in coupled Type-I neurons
For a system of type-I neurons bidirectionally coupled through a nonlinear
feedback mechanism, we discuss the issue of noise-induced complete
synchronization (CS). For the inputs to the neurons, we point out that the rate
of change of instantaneous frequency with the instantaneous phase of the
stochastic inputs to each neuron matches exactly with that for the other in the
event of CS of their outputs. Our observation can be exploited in practical
situations to produce completely synchronized outputs in artificial devices.
For excitatory-excitatory synaptic coupling, a functional dependence for the
synchronization error on coupling and noise strengths is obtained. Finally we
report an observation of noise-induced CS between non-identical neurons coupled
bidirectionally through random non-zero couplings in an all-to- all way in a
large neuronal ensemble.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figure
Efficient Dynamic Importance Sampling of Rare Events in One Dimension
Exploiting stochastic path integral theory, we obtain \emph{by simulation}
substantial gains in efficiency for the computation of reaction rates in
one-dimensional, bistable, overdamped stochastic systems. Using a well-defined
measure of efficiency, we compare implementations of ``Dynamic Importance
Sampling'' (DIMS) methods to unbiased simulation. The best DIMS algorithms are
shown to increase efficiency by factors of approximately 20 for a
barrier height and 300 for , compared to unbiased simulation. The
gains result from close emulation of natural (unbiased), instanton-like
crossing events with artificially decreased waiting times between events that
are corrected for in rate calculations. The artificial crossing events are
generated using the closed-form solution to the most probable crossing event
described by the Onsager-Machlup action. While the best biasing methods require
the second derivative of the potential (resulting from the ``Jacobian'' term in
the action, which is discussed at length), algorithms employing solely the
first derivative do nearly as well. We discuss the importance of
one-dimensional models to larger systems, and suggest extensions to
higher-dimensional systems.Comment: version to be published in Phys. Rev.
Tagging the world : descrying consciousness in cognitive processes
Although having conscious experiences is a fundamental feature of our everyday life,
our understanding of what consciousness is is very limited. According to one of the
main conclusions of contemporary philosophy of mind, the qualitative aspect of
consciousness seems to resist functionalisation, i.e. it cannot be adequately defined
solely in terms of functional or causal roles, which leads to an epistemic gap between
phenomenal and scientific knowledge. Phenomenal qualities, then, seem to be, in
principle, unexplainable in scientific terms. As a reaction to this pessimistic
conclusion it is a major trend in contemporary science of consciousness to turn away
from subjective experiences and re-define the subject of investigations in
neurological and behavioural terms. This move, however, creates a gap between
scientific theories of consciousness, and the original phenomenon, which we are so
intimately connected with.
The thesis focuses on this gap. It is argued that it is possible to explain features of
consciousness in scientific terms. The thesis argues for this claim from two
directions. On the one hand, a specific identity theory is formulated connecting
phenomenal qualities to certain intermediate level perceptual representations which
are unstructured for central processes of the embedding cognitive system. This
identity theory is hypothesised on the basis of certain similarities recognised between
the phenomenal and the cognitive-representational domains, and then utilised in
order to uncover further similarities between these two domains. The identity theory
and the further similarities uncovered are then deployed in formulating explanations
of the philosophically most important characteristics of the phenomenal domain—i.e.
why phenomenal qualities resist functionalisation, and why the epistemic gap occurs.
On the other hand, the thesis investigates and criticises existing models of reductive
explanation. On the basis of a detailed analysis of how successful scientific
explanations proceed a novel account of reductive explanation is proposed, which utilises so-called prior identities. Prior identities are prerequisites rather than
outcomes of reductive explanations. They themselves are unexplained but are
nevertheless necessary for mapping the features to be explained onto the features the
explanation relies on. Prior identities are hypothesised in order to foster the
formulation of explanatory claims accounting for target level phenomena in terms of
base level processes—and they are justified if they help projecting base level
explanations to new territories of the target level.
The thesis concludes that the identity theory proposed is a prior identity, and the
explanations of features of the phenomenal domain formulated with the aid of this
identity are reductive explanations proper. In this sense, the thesis introduces the
problem of phenomenal consciousness into scientific discourse, and therefore offers
a bridge between the philosophy and the science of consciousness: it offers an
approach to conscious experience which, on the one hand, tries to account for the
philosophically most important features of consciousness, whereas, on the other
hand, does it in a way which smoothly fits into the everyday practice of scientific
research
A new higher-order weak approximation scheme for stochastic differential equations and the Runge–Kutta method
Geist contra Großhirn. Gehirnforscher sind doch keine Unmenschen – aber vielleicht leiden sie an Schizophrenie?
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