8,899 research outputs found
Entropy-based parametric estimation of spike train statistics
We consider the evolution of a network of neurons, focusing on the asymptotic
behavior of spikes dynamics instead of membrane potential dynamics. The spike
response is not sought as a deterministic response in this context, but as a
conditional probability : "Reading out the code" consists of inferring such a
probability. This probability is computed from empirical raster plots, by using
the framework of thermodynamic formalism in ergodic theory. This gives us a
parametric statistical model where the probability has the form of a Gibbs
distribution. In this respect, this approach generalizes the seminal and
profound work of Schneidman and collaborators. A minimal presentation of the
formalism is reviewed here, while a general algorithmic estimation method is
proposed yielding fast convergent implementations. It is also made explicit how
several spike observables (entropy, rate, synchronizations, correlations) are
given in closed-form from the parametric estimation. This paradigm does not
only allow us to estimate the spike statistics, given a design choice, but also
to compare different models, thus answering comparative questions about the
neural code such as : "are correlations (or time synchrony or a given set of
spike patterns, ..) significant with respect to rate coding only ?" A numerical
validation of the method is proposed and the perspectives regarding spike-train
code analysis are also discussed.Comment: 37 pages, 8 figures, submitte
An HI interstellar bubble surrounding WR85 and RCW118
We analyze the distribution of the interstellar matter in the environs of the
Wolf-Rayet star LSS3982 (= WR85, WN6+OB?) linked to the optical ring nebula
RCW118. Our study is based on neutral hydrogen 21cm-line data belonging to the
Southern Galactic Plane Survey (SGPS).
The analysis of the HI data allowed the identification of a neutral hydrogen
interstellar bubble related to WR 85 and the 25' diameter ring nebula RCW118.
The HI bubble was detected at a systemic velocity of -21.5 km/s, corresponding
to a kinematical distance of 2.8+/-1.1 kpc, compatible with the stellar
distance. The neutral stucture is about 25' in radius or 21+/-8 pc, and is
expanding at 9+/-2 km/s. The associated ionized and neutral masses amount to
3000 Mo. The CO emission distribution depicts a region lacking CO coincident in
position and velocity with the HI structure. The 9'.3 diameter inner optical
nebula appears to be related to the approaching part of the neutral atomic
shell. The HI void and shell are the neutral gas counterparts of the optical
bubble and have very probably originated in the action of the strong stellar
wind of the central star during the O-type and WR phases on the surrounding
interstellar medium. The HI bubble appears to be in the momentun conserving
stage.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, accepted in MNRA
The integral cohomology rings of some p-groups
We determine the integral cohomology rings of an infinite family of p-groups,
for odd primes p, with cyclic derived subgroups. Our method involves embedding
the groups in a compact Lie group of dimension one, and was suggested by P H
Kropholler and J Huebschmann
Multifractal analysis with the probability density function at the three-dimensional Anderson transition
The probability density function (PDF) for critical wavefunction amplitudes
is studied in the three-dimensional Anderson model. We present a formal
expression between the PDF and the multifractal spectrum f(alpha) in which the
role of finite-size corrections is properly analyzed. We show the non-gaussian
nature and the existence of a symmetry relation in the PDF. From the PDF, we
extract information about f(alpha) at criticality such as the presence of
negative fractal dimensions and we comment on the possible existence of
termination points. A PDF-based multifractal analysis is hence shown to be a
valid alternative to the standard approach based on the scaling of general
inverse participation ratios.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figure
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