Neural population coding: combining insights from microscopic and mass signals

Behavior relies on the distributed and coordinated activity of neural populations. Population activity can be measured using multi-neuron recordings and neuroimaging. Neural recordings reveal how the heterogeneity, sparseness, timing, and correlation of population activity shape information processing in local networks, whereas neuroimaging shows how long-range coupling and brain states impact on local activity and perception. To obtain an integrated perspective on neural information processing we need to combine knowledge from both levels of investigation. We review recent progress of how neural recordings, neuroimaging, and computational approaches begin to elucidate how interactions between local neural population activity and large-scale dynamics shape the structure and coding capacity of local information representations, make them state-dependent, and control distributed populations that collectively shape behavior

A model checker for performance and dependability properties

Markov chains are widely used in the context of performance and reliability evaluation of systems of various nature. Model checking of such chains with respect to a given (branching) temporal logic formula has been proposed for both the discrete [8] and the continuous time setting [1], [3]. In this short paper, we describe the prototype model checker $E \vdash M C^2$ for discrete and continuous-time Markov chains, where properties are expressed in appropriate extensions of CTL.We illustrate the general benefits of this approach and discuss the structure of the tool

A tool for model-checking Markov chains

Markov chains are widely used in the context of the performance and reliability modeling of various systems. Model checking of such chains with respect to a given (branching) temporal logic formula has been proposed for both discrete [34, 10] and continuous time settings [7, 12]. In this paper, we describe a prototype model checker for discrete and continuous-time Markov chains, the Erlangen-Twente Markov Chain Checker EÎMC2, where properties are expressed in appropriate extensions of CTL. We illustrate the general benefits of this approach and discuss the structure of the tool. Furthermore, we report on successful applications of the tool to some examples, highlighting lessons learned during the development and application of EÎMC2

Some Observations on Thomas Mann\u27s Use of Names in Buddenbrooks

Buku ini berisi tentang sejarah, dan berbagai jenis media teknologi dan dimanfaatkan dalam rangka penyediaan jasa informasixi, 9.30 hlm.: ilus.; 21 c

Interactive and automated application of virtual microscopy

Virtual microscopy can be applied in an interactive and an automated manner. Interactive application is performed in close association to conventional microscopy. It includes image standardization suitable to the performance of an individual pathologist such as image colorization, white color balance, or individual adjusted brightness. The steering commands have to include selection of wanted magnification, easy navigation, notification, and simple measurements (distances, areas). The display of the histological image should be adjusted to the physical limits of the human eye, which are determined by a view angle of approximately 35 seconds. A more sophisticated performance should include acoustic commands that replace the corresponding visual commands. Automated virtual microscopy includes so-called microscopy assistants which can be defined similar to the developed assistants in computer based editing systems (Microsoft Word, etc.). These include an automated image standardization and correction algorithms that excludes images of poor quality (for example uni-colored or out-of-focus images), an automated selection of the most appropriate field of view, an automated selection of the best magnification, and finally proposals of the most probable diagnosis. A quality control of the final diagnosis, and feedback to the laboratory determine the proposed system. The already developed tools of such a system are described in detail, as well as the results of first trials. In order to enhance the speed of such a system, and to allow further user-independent development a distributed implementation probably based upon Grid technology seems to be appropriate. The advantages of such a system as well as the present pathology environment and its expectations will be discussed in detail

Tobramycin Adenylyltransferase: A New AminoglycosideInactivating Enzyme from Staphylococcus epidermidis

Certain strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis resistant to the aminoglycoside antibiotics were shown to contain an enzyme that inactivates the kanamycins, neomycins, butirosins, paromomycin, gentamicin A, amikacin, and tobramycin by adenylylation. Tobramycin adenylyltransferase, as this enzyme is called, was found to be optimally active at pH 5.5. With paromomycin or neomycin Band C as substrates, however, two pH values (5.5 and 9.0) for optimal activity were observed. The enzyme requires Mg+ + for activity and is stabilized significantly by dithiothreitol. It is probable that the 4′-hydroxyl group of ring I of the antibiotics is adenylylated. Those aminoglycosides that are not substrates for the enzyme lack a hydroxyl group in the corresponding positio

Sch 29482, laboratory evaluation of a new penem antibiotic

The antibacterial activity of a new penem antibiotic, Sch 29482 (SCH), was examined in comparison with appropriate cephalosporins and penicillins. The drug inhibited penicillinase-positive and negative staphylococci equally well, being 2-5 times more active than cephalothin or cefamandole and 10-20 times more active than methicillin. Staphylococci resistant to methicillin were susceptible to SCH in agar dilution tests. Staphylococci tolerant to methicillin were also tolerant to SCH. Streptococci and pneumococci were highly susceptible to the drug. The agent was of only moderate activity against enterococci, especially Streptococcus faecium strains. MICs of ampicillin and penicillin G against enterococci were 4-8 times lower than those of SCH. SCH was bactericidal. Neither the choice of the method used for susceptibility testing, nor the size of the inoculum nor various test media influenced the in-vitro activity of this drug against a representative collection of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteri

Spatially Dependent Quantum Interference Effects in the Detection Probability of Charged Leptons Produced in Neutrino Interactions or Weak Decay Processes

Feynman's path amplitude formulation of quantum mechanics is used to analyse the production of charged leptons from charged current weak interaction processes. For neutrino induced reactions the interference effects predicted are usually called `neutrino oscillations'. Similar effects in the detection of muons from pion decay are here termed `muon oscillations'. Processes considered include pion decay (at rest and in flight), and muon decay and nuclear $\beta$-decay at rest. In all cases studied, a neutrino oscillation phase different from the conventionally used one is found. A concise critical review is made of previous treatments of the quantum mechanics of neutrino and muon oscillations.Comment: 45 pages, 1 table, 3 figures. Supersedes hep-ph/0110064. Consistent use of MRS matrix to describe charged lepton-neutrino couplings. Unphysical `lepton flavour eigenstates' removed from the formalis

Prognostic significance of endogenous adhesion/growth-regulatory lectins in lung cancer

Objective: To determine the expression of endogenous adhesion/growth-regulatory lectins and their binding sites using labeled tissue lectins as well as the binding profile of hyaluronic acid as an approach to define new prognostic markers. Methods: Sections of paraffin-embedded histological material of 481 lungs from lung tumor patients following radical lung excision processed by a routine immunohistochemical method (avidin-biotin labeling, DAB chromogen). Specific antibodies against galectins-1 and - 3 and the heparin-binding lectin were tested. Staining by labeled galectins and hyaluronic acid was similarly visualized by a routine protocol. After semiquantitative assessment of staining, the results were compared with the pT and pN stages and the histological type. Survival was calculated by univariate and multivariate methods. Results: Binding of galectin-1 and its expression tended to increase, whereas the parameters for galectin-3 decreased in advanced pT and pN stages at a statistically significant level. The number of positive cases was considerably smaller among the cases with small cell lung cancer than in the group with non-small-cell lung cancer, among which adenocarcinomas figured prominently with the exception of galectin-1 expression. Kaplan-Meier computations revealed that the survival rate of patients with galectin-3-binding or galectin-1-expressing tumors was significantly poorer than that of the negative cases. In the multivariate calculations of survival lymph node metastases ( p < 0.0001), histological type ( p = 0.003), galectin-3-binding capacity ( p = 0.01), galectin-3 expression ( p = 0.03) and pT status ( p = 0.003) proved to be independent prognostic factors, not correlated with the pN stage. Conclusion: The expression and the capacity to bind the adhesion/growth regulatory galectin-3 is defined as an unfavorable prognostic factor not correlated with the pTN stage. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel