Channel Segregation Research Articles

Synchronized Firing among Retinal Ganglion Cells Signals Motion Reversal

We show that when a moving object suddenly reverses direction, there is a brief, synchronous burst of firing within a population of retinal ganglion cells. This burst can be driven by either the leading or trailing edge of the object. The latency is constant for movement at different speeds, objects of different size, and bright versus dark contrasts. The same ganglion cells that signal a motion reversal also respond to smooth motion. We show that the brain can build a pure reversal detector using only a linear filter that reads out synchrony from a group of ganglion cells. These results indicate that not only can the retina anticipate the location of a smoothly moving object, but that it can also signal violations in its own prediction. We show that the reversal response cannot be explained by models of the classical receptive field and suggest that nonlinear receptive field subunits may be responsible.

At Home in Singaporean Sitcoms

At Home in Singaporean Sitcoms

The Importance of Tidal and Lateral Asymmetries in Stratification to Residual Circulation in Partially Mixed Estuaries*

Abstract Measurements collected in the York River estuary, Virginia, demonstrate the important impact that tidal and lateral asymmetries in turbulent mixing have on the tidally averaged residual circulation. A reduction in turbulent mixing during the ebb phase of the tide caused by tidal straining of the axial density gradient results in increased vertical velocity shear throughout the water column during the ebb tide. In the absence of significant lateral differences in turbulent mixing, the enhanced ebb-directed transport caused by tidal straining is balanced by a reduction in the net seaward-directed barotropic pressure gradient, resulting in laterally uniform two-layer residual flow. However, the channel–shoal morphology of many drowned river valley estuaries often leads to lateral gradients in turbulent mixing. Tidal straining may then lead to tidal asymmetries in turbulent mixing near the deeper channel while the neighboring shoals remain relatively well mixed. As a result, the largest lateral asymmetries in turbulent mixing occur at the end of the ebb tide when the channel is significantly more stratified than the shoals. The reduced friction at the end of ebb delays the onset of the flood tide, increasing the duration of ebb in the channel. Conversely, over the shoal regions where stratification is more inhibited by tidal mixing, there is greater friction and the transition from ebb to flood occurs more rapidly. The resulting residual circulation is seaward over the channel and landward over the shoal. The shoal–channel segregation of this barotropically induced estuarine residual flow is opposite to that typically associated with baroclinic estuarine circulation over channel–shoal bathymetry.

Dendritic D‐type potassium currents inhibit the spike afterdepolarization in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons

In CA1 pyramidal neurons, burst firing is correlated with hippocampally dependent behaviours and modulation of synaptic strength. One of the mechanisms underlying burst firing in these cells is the afterdepolarization (ADP) that follows each action potential. Previous work has shown that the ADP results from the interaction of several depolarizing and hyperpolarizing conductances located in the soma and the dendrites. By using patch-clamp recordings from acute rat hippocampal slices we show that D-type potassium current modulates the size of the ADP and the bursting of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Sensitivity to alpha-dendrotoxin suggests that Kv1-containing potassium channels mediate this current. Dual somato-dendritic recording, outside-out dendritic recordings, and focal application of dendrotoxin together indicate that the channels mediating this current are located in the apical dendrites. Thus, our data present evidence for a dendritic segregation of Kv1-like channels in CA1 pyramidal neurons and identify a novel action for these channels, showing that they inhibit action potential bursting by restricting the size of the ADP.

Modelling of the thermosolutal convection and macrosegregation in the solidification of an Fe‐C binary alloy

PurposeThe motivation for this work is to establish a model that not only includes the main factors resulting in macrosegregation but also retains simplicity and consistency for the sake of potential application in casting practice.Design/methodology/approachA mathematical model for the numerical simulation of thermosolutal convection and macrosegregation in the solidification of multicomponent alloys is developed, in which the coupled macroscopic mass, momentum, energy and species conservation equations are solved. The conservation equations are discretized by using the control volume‐based finite difference method, in which an up‐wind scheme is adopted to deal with the convection term. The alternative direction implicit procedure and a line‐by‐line solver, based on the tri‐diagonal matrix algorithm, are employed to iteratively solve the algebraic equations. The velocity‐pressure coupling is handled by using the SIMPLE algorithm.FindingsBased on the present study, the liquid flow near the dendritic front is believed to play an important role in large‐scale transport of the solute species. The numerical or experimental results in the literatures on the formation of channel segregation, especially those about the location of the initial flow as well as the morphology of the liquidus front, are well supported by the present investigation.Research limitations/implicationsThe modelling is limited to dealing with the thermosolutal convection of two‐dimensional cases. More complicated phenomena (e.g. crystal movement) and 3D geometry should be considered in future research.Practical implicationsThe present model can be used to analyze the effects of process parameters on macrosegregation and, with further development, could be applied as a useful tool in casting practice.Originality/valueThe numerical simulation demonstrates the capability of the model to simulate the thermosolutal convection and macrosegregation in alloy solidification. It also shows that the present model has good application potential in the prediction and control of channel segregation.

A DS-CDMA Cellular System Using Band Division and Channel Segregation Distributed Channel Allocation

SUMMARY In DS-CDMA cellular communications systems, the single frequency reuse can be utilized. Since large other-cell interference is produced, the well known soft handover or site diversity must be used. If the single frequency reuse is not utilized to avoid the other-cell interference, we will face the frequency allocation problem, similar to FDMA systems. In this paper, a DS-CDMA cellular system using band division is proposed. The available wide frequency band is divided into several narrow frequency bands and the different frequency bands are allocated to adjacent cells so as to avoid the large other-cell interference. For the frequency allocation, the channel segregation distributed channel allocation (CS-DCA) algorithm is applied. The link capacity is evaluated by computer simulation.

Functional organization of TRPC-Ca 2+ channels and regulation of calcium microdomains

TRP family of proteins are components of unique cation channels that are activated in response to diverse stimuli ranging from growth factor and neurotransmitter stimulation of plasma membrane receptors to a variety of chemical and sensory signals. This review will focus on members of the TRPC sub-family (TRPC1–TRPC7) which currently appear to be the strongest candidates for the enigmatic Ca 2+ influx channels that are activated in response to stimulation of plasma membrane receptors which result in phosphatidyl inositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP 2) hydrolysis, generation of IP 3 and DAG, and IP 3-induced Ca 2+ release from the intracellular Ca 2+ store via inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP 3R). Homomeric or selective heteromeric interactions between TRPC monomers generate distinct channels that contribute to store-operated as well as store-independent Ca 2+ entry mechanisms. The former is regulated by the emptying/refilling of internal Ca 2+ store(s) while the latter depends on PIP 2 hydrolysis (due to changes in PIP 2 per se or an increase in diacylglycerol, DAG). Although the exact physiological function of TRPC channels and how they are regulated has not yet been conclusively established, it is clear that a variety of cellular functions are controlled by Ca 2+ entry via these channels. Thus, it is critical to understand how cells coordinate the regulation of diverse TRPC channels to elicit specific physiological functions. It is now well established that segregation of TRPC channels mediated by interactions with signaling and scaffolding proteins, determines their localization and regulation in functionally distinct cellular domains. Furthermore, both protein and lipid components of intracellular and plasma membranes contribute to the organization of these microdomains. Such organization serves as a platform for the generation of spatially and temporally dictated [Ca 2+] i signals which are critical for precise control of downstream cellular functions.

Blocking Probability of a DS-CDMA Multi-Hop Virtual Cellular Network

A wireless multi-hop virtual cellular network (VCN) was recently proposed to avoid the large peak transmit power, resulting from the high transmission rates expected for future mobile communication systems. In VCN, calls hop through several links to reach the central port, which is the gateway to the network. With the use of a routing algorithm based on the total uplink transmit power minimization criterion, the total transmit power of all the multi-hop links between the mobile terminal and the central port can be significantly reduced, in comparison with the present (single-hop) cellular network. In this paper, an on-demand channel assignment strategy, using the channel segregation dynamic channel allocation (CS-DCA) algorithm, is proposed for multi-hop DS-CDMA VCN. Computer simulation is conducted to evaluate the blocking probability performance and make a comparison between the VCN and the present cellular network.

Distributed Dynamic Channel Assignment for Multi-Hop DS-CDMA Virtual Cellular Network

SUMMARY In this paper, the channel segregation dynamic channel allocation (CS-DCA) scheme is applied to a multi-hop DS-CDMA virtual cellular network (VCN). After all multi-hop routes are constructed over distributed wireless ports in a virtual cell, the CS-DCA is carried out to allocate the channels to multi-hop up and down links. Each wireless port is equipped with a channel priority table. The transmit wireless port of each link initiates the CS-DCA procedure and selects a channel among available ones using its channel priority table to check. In this paper, the channel allocation failure rate is evaluated by computer simulation. It is shown that CS-DCA reduces remarkably the failure rate compared to FCA. The impact of propagation parameters on the failure rate is discussed.

Shal and Shaker Differential Contribution to the K+Currents in theDrosophilaMushroom Body Neurons

Shaker, a voltage-dependent K+ channel, is enriched in the mushroom bodies (MBs), the locus of olfactory learning in Drosophila. Mutations in the shaker locus are known to alter excitability, neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and olfactory learning. However, a direct link of Shaker channels to MB intrinsic neuron (MBN) physiology has not been documented. We found that transcripts for shab, shaw, shaker, and shal, among which only Shaker and Shal have been reported to code for A-type currents, are present in the MBs. The electrophysiological data showed that the absence of functional Shaker channels modifies the distribution of half-inactivation voltages (V(i1/2)) in the MBNs, indicating a segregation of Shaker channels to only a subset (approximately 28%) of their somata. In harmony with this notion, we found that approximately one-fifth of MBNs lacking functional Shaker channels displayed dramatically slowed-down outward current inactivation times and reduced peak-current amplitudes. Furthermore, whereas all MBNs were sensitive to 4-aminopyridine, a nonspecific A-type current blocker, a subset of neurons (approximately 24%) displayed little sensitivity to a Shal-specific toxin. This subset of neurons displaying toxin-insensitive outward currents had more depolarized V(i1/2) values attributable to Shaker channels. Our findings provide the first direct evidence that altered Shaker channel function disrupts MBN physiology in Drosophila. To our surprise, the experimental data also indicate that Shaker channels segregate to a minor fraction of MB neuronal somata (20-30%), and that Shal channels contribute the somatic A-type current in the majority of MBNs.

Two kinds of magnetic fields induced by one pair of rotating permanent magnets and their application in stirring and controlling molten metal flows

We present a method to induce rotating and travelling magnetic fields inside metallic alloys by permanent magnets. A pair of arc NbFeB permanent magnets, which constitutions and dimensions were optimally designed was rotated in high speed by means of a motor, and the subsequently electromagnetic body forces were induced in the molten metal. In different regions, two kinds of magnetic field were obtained: the rotating and the travelling magnetic fields. A two layers construction called double-magnet-driver was used to realize agitation and control of the free surface of the flow at the same time. CET experiment and solidifying front observation validate the theory analysis. A gradient travelling magnetic field was induced in the external space of the arc permanent magnets, with a distribution different from that induced by the alternative current. This system was analyzed, too. The induction of Lorentz forces by the gradient travelling magnetic field was proved by the analytical solution. Its effect was confirmed experimentally by visualization of the flow and the channel segregation modification.

Temporal codes and computations for sensory representation and scene analysis.

This paper considers a space of possible temporal codes, surveys neurophysiological and psychological evidence for their use in nervous systems, and presents examples of neural timing networks that operate in the time-domain. Sensory qualities can be encoded temporally by means of two broad strategies: stimulus-driven temporal correlations (phase-locking) and stimulus-triggering of endogenous temporal response patterns. Evidence for stimulus-related spike timing patterns exists in nearly every sensory modality, and such information can be potentially utilized for representation of stimulus qualities, localization of sources, and perceptual grouping. Multiple strategies for temporal (time, frequency, and code-division) multiplexing of information for transmission and grouping are outlined. Using delays and multiplications (coincidences), neural timing networks perform time-domain signal processing operations to compare, extract and separate temporal patterns. Separation of synthetic double vowels by a recurrent neural timing network is used to illustrate how coherences in temporal fine structure can be exploited to build up and separate periodic signals with different fundamentals. Timing nets constitute a time-domain scene analysis strategy based on temporal pattern invariance rather than feature-based labeling, segregation and binding of channels. Further potential implications of temporal codes and computations for new kinds of neural networks are explored.

Channel segregation during solidification and the effects of an alternating traveling magnetic field

The model proposed by Felicelli, Heinrich, and Poirier is used to simulate the solidification of a small two-dimensional domain of Pb-10 wt pct Sn alloy in the presence of electromagnetic stirring by different traveling fields, with or without gravity. Results show (a) enrichment of the bulk liquid by mush solute draining; (b) spontaneous formation of vertical channels, acting as ducts, significantly modified by the electromagnetic flow; and possibly (c) a finer periodic structure of subchannels. Only the last feature is sensitive to the mesh size and permeability value. Scaling analysis is used to balance Darcy, buoyancy, and electromagnetic phenomena. Attention is focused on the gradient zone at the solidification front. Electromagnetic forces can change the flow structure in the bulk liquid. In this way, they modify the pressure differences at the solidification front, changing the channel segregation pattern. Although they cannot eliminate the channels, they can control their positions and partly prevent the unsteadiness of buoyancy effects.

A distributed dynamic channel assignment method with packet‐data transmission during the silent periods of circuit‐switched‐voice communications for cellular systems

AbstractChannel efficiency can be improved by transmission that integrates voice and the data. When this idea is applied to multicellular systems, channels must be assigned so that the intercellular interference power is minimized. Furthermore, channels must be provided with priority for voice calls, since real‐time transmission is required. As a system that considers these requirements, this paper investigates a method of reducing intercellular interference in a circuit‐switching system with channel segregation in which data are transmitted with priority, using the silent period of voice calls. It is shown by computer simulation that the proposed method can improve performance characteristics such as the interference rate, blocking rate, forced termination rate, and hand‐off rate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(10): 93–101, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10148

Concurrent tonotopic processing streams in auditory cortex.

The basis for multiple representations of equivalent frequency ranges in auditory cortex was studied with physiological and anatomical methods. Our goal was to trace the convergence of thalamic, commissural, and corticocortical information upon two tonotopic fields in the cat, the primary auditory cortex (AI) and the anterior auditory field (AAF). Both fields are among the first cortical levels of processing. After neurophysiological mapping of characteristic frequency, we injected different retrograde tracers at separate, frequency-matched loci in AI and AAF. We found differences in their projections that support the notion of largely segregated parallel processing streams in the auditory thalamus and cerebral cortex. In each field, ipsilateral cortical input amounts to approximately 70% of the number of cells projecting to an isofrequency domain, while commissural and thalamic sources are each approximately 15%. Labeled thalamic and cortical neurons were concentrated in tonotopically predicted regions and in smaller loci far from their spectrally predicted positions. The few double-labeled thalamic neurons (<2%) are consistent with the hypothesis that information to AI and AAF travels along independent processing streams despite widespread regional overlap of thalamic input sources. Double labeling is also sparse in both the corticocortical and commissural systems ( approximately 1%), confirming their independence. The segregation of frequency-specific channels within thalamic and cortical systems is consistent with a model of parallel processing in auditory cortex. The global convergence of cells outside the targeted frequency domain in AI and AAF could contribute to context-dependent processing and to intracortical plasticity and reorganization.

Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels and AnkyrinG Occupy a Different Postsynaptic Domain from Acetylcholine Receptors from an Early Stage of Neuromuscular Junction Maturation in Rats

Spatial segregation of membrane proteins is a feature of many excitable cells. In skeletal muscle, clusters of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) and voltage-gated sodium channels (Na(V)1s) occupy distinct domains at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). We used quantitative immunolabeling of developing rat soleus muscles to study the mechanism of ion channel segregation and Na(V)1 clustering at NMJs. When Na(V)1s can first be detected, at birth, they already occupy a postsynaptic domain that is distinct from that occupied by AChRs. At this time, Na(V)1s are expressed only in a diffuse area that extends 50-100 microm from the immature NMJ. However, in the region of the high-density AChR cluster at NMJ itself, Na(V)1s are actually present in lower density than in the immediately surrounding membrane. These distinctive features of the Na(V)1 distribution at birth are closely correlated with the distribution of ankyrinG immunolabeling. This suggests that an interaction with ankyrinG plays a role in the initial segregation of Na(V)1s from AChRs. Both Na(V)1 and ankyrinG become clustered at the NMJ itself 1-2 weeks after birth, coincident with the formation of postsynaptic folds. Syntrophin immunolabeling codistributes with AChRs and never resembles that for Na(V)1 or ankyrinG. Therefore, syntrophin is unlikely to play an important part in the initial accumulation of Na(V)1 at the NMJ. These findings suggest that the segregation of Na(V)1 from AChRs begins early in NMJ formation and occurs as a result of the physical exclusion of Na(V)1 and ankyrinG from the region of nerve-muscle contact rather than by a process of active clustering.

Segregation and integration of visual channels: layer-by-layer computation of ON-OFF signals by amacrine cell dendrites.

The visual system analyzes images through parallel channels, and our data suggest that the first set of parallel representations of the visual world is embodied in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) of the retina, in which light-evoked excitatory inputs of the ON and OFF bipolar cells to amacrine cells (ACs) are organized in a layer-by-layer manner. Approximately 30% of ACs have narrowly monostratified dendrites in 1 of the 10 strata of the IPL, and they receive segregated bipolar cell inputs: the light-evoked excitatory cation current, DeltaI(C), in strata 1, 2, and 4 is OFF (predominantly mediated by the OFF bipolar cells), the current in strata 3 and 7-10 is ON (predominantly mediated by ON bipolar cells), and the current in strata 5 and 6 is ON-OFF (mediated by both ON and OFF bipolar cells). The remaining 70% of ACs have broadly monostratified, multistratified, or diffuse dendrites, and they integrate bipolar cell signals through layer-by-layer summation: ACs with dendrites ramified in multiple strata exhibit DeltaI(C)s that are sums of DeltaI(C)s of individual strata. The light-evoked inhibitory chloride current, DeltaI(Cl), in strata 1, 2, and 4-6 is ON-OFF (mediated predominantly by ON-OFF ACs or ON ACs plus OFF ACs), and the DeltaI(Cl) in strata 3 and 7-10 is ON (mediated predominantly by ON ACs). This indicates that the amacrine-amacrine inhibitory synaptic circuitry in the IPL is asymmetrical in favor of the ON channels.

Segregation and Integration of Visual Channels: Layer-by-Layer Computation of ON–OFF Signals by Amacrine Cell Dendrites

The visual system analyzes images through parallel channels, and our data suggest that the first set of parallel representations of the visual world is embodied in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) of the retina, in which light-evoked excitatory inputs of the ON and OFF bipolar cells to amacrine cells (ACs) are organized in a layer-by-layer manner. Approximately 30% of ACs have narrowly monostratified dendrites in 1 of the 10 strata of the IPL, and they receive segregated bipolar cell inputs: the light-evoked excitatory cation current, Δ<i>I</i>_C, in strata 1, 2, and 4 is OFF (predominantly mediated by the OFF bipolar cells), the current in strata 3 and 7–10 is ON (predominantly mediated by ON bipolar cells), and the current in strata 5 and 6 is ON–OFF (mediated by both ON and OFF bipolar cells). The remaining 70% of ACs have broadly monostratified, multistratified, or diffuse dendrites, and they integrate bipolar cell signals through layer-by-layer summation: ACs with dendrites ramified in multiple strata exhibit Δ<i>I</i>_Cs that are sums of Δ<i>I</i>_Cs of individual strata. The light-evoked inhibitory chloride current, Δ<i>I</i>_Cl, in strata 1, 2, and 4–6 is ON–OFF (mediated predominantly by ON–OFF ACs or ON ACs plus OFF ACs), and the Δ<i>I</i>_Cl in strata 3 and 7–10 is ON (mediated predominantly by ON ACs). This indicates that the amacrine–amacrine inhibitory synaptic circuitry in the IPL is asymmetrical in favor of the ON channels.

Timing and frequency‐based channel segregation of base stations for high‐speed wireless access systems

AbstractA method is proposed to segregate channels used by each base station in both time and frequency in the case of a high‐speed wireless access system. By means of this method, many base stations can be established in a high‐speed wireless access system in which the number of frequency channels is reduced as the bandwidth per wave becomes wider. Further, the frequency‐use efficiency is improved in the entire system. In this paper, the timing and frequency‐based channel segregation method is proposed. The base station channel segregation algorithm in which this method is applied to a specific system is presented. By means of computer simulation, the possibility of achieving base station segregation is evaluated. It is shown that the proposed method is effective in a high‐speed wireless access system. Experiments using test apparatus show the correct operation of the system. © 2002 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 85(6): 64–74, 2002

The binaural processing of double vowels: Experimental measurements and computational models

The degree to which the binaural processing of a ‘‘target’’ vowel is affected by the simultaneous presentation of a ‘‘distractor’’ vowel (of different ITD to the target) was studied using three pairs of synthetic vowels. The stimuli were an ‘‘er’’ (of 100-Hz F0) paired together with either an ‘‘ai,’’ ‘‘er,’’ or ‘‘oo’’ (all of 125-Hz F0). In Experiment 1 ITD thresholds for the target vowel were measured. The results showed that thresholds were larger in double-vowel pairs than in control, target-alone situations. Moreover, the size of the effect was dependent both on whichever vowel of the pair was the target and on the relative level of the two vowels. Computational modeling of the binaural correlograms of the stimuli showed that these results do not require any explicit segregation of frequency channels for the two vowels. In Experiment 2 the perceived lateralization of the target vowel (when given an ITD of 0 ms) was measured. The results showed that this lateralization was ‘‘pulled’’ slightly toward the distractor vowel. Further computational modeling showed that some segregation of the frequency channels in the binaural correlogram, perhaps based on the pitch information in the corresponding autocorrelogram, is required to account for this result.