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At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

A neural mechanism for detecting the distance of a selected target by modulating the FM sweep rate of biosonar in echolocation of bat.

Most species of bats making echolocation use frequency modulated (FM) ultrasonic pulses to measure the distance to targets. These bats detect with a high accuracy the arrival time differences between emitted pulses and their echoes generated by targets. In order to clarify the neural mechanism for echolocation, we present neural model of inferior colliculus (IC), medial geniculate body (MGB) and auditory cortex (AC) along which information of echo delay times is processed. The bats increase the downward frequency sweep rate of emitted FM pulse as they approach the target. The functional role of this modulation of sweep rate is not yet clear. In order to investigate the role, we calculated the response properties of our models of IC, MGB, and AC changing the target distance and the sweep rate. We found based on the simulations that the distance of a target in various ranges may be encoded the most clearly into the activity pattern of delay time map network in AC, when the sweep rate of FM pulse used is coincided with the observed value which the bats adopt for each range of target distance.

Animals↗

Frequency modulated sweep responses in the medial geniculate nucleus.

A basic feature of communication signals is a dynamic change in frequency. One stimulus that lends itself well to investigating the frequency changes contained in these signals is the frequency modulated (FM) sweep. While many studies have investigated FM sweep responses in the auditory midbrain and cortex, relatively few have examined them in the thalamus. To this end, we investigated the responses of single units in the ventral division of the medial geniculate nucleus (MGNv) of the rat to FM sweeps. Both upward- (changing from low to high frequency) and downward-directed (changing from high to low frequency) FM sweeps were presented at four rates of frequency modulation (i.e., speed). Results showed that the majority (76%) of the cells preferred fast or medium FM sweeps. For direction selectivity, just under half of the units (47%) exhibited a preference for the direction of FM sweep. The results suggest that there is a greater degree of direction but not speed selectivity at progressively higher levels in the auditory pathway.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Violet light emitting diode-induced fluorescence detection combined with on-line sample concentration techniques for use in capillary electrophoresis.

The first application of a violet light-emitting diode (LED) for fluorescence detection in capillary electrophoresis (CE) is described. The utility of violet LED (peak emission wavelength at 410 nm, approximately 2 mW) for fluorescence detection is demonstrated by examining reserpine and dopamine-labeled NDA (naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde), respectively. The detection limit for reserpine was determined to be 2.5 x 10(-6) M by normal micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEKC) and this was improved to 2.0 x 10(-9) M and 2.0 x 10(-10) M when sweeping-MEKC and cation-selective exhaustive injection (CSEI)-sweep-MEKC techniques were applied, respectively. In addition, the detection limit of NDA-labeled dopamine was determined to be 6.3 x 10(-6) M by means of normal MEKC and this was improved to 3.0 x 10(-8) M when the sweeping-MEKC mode was applied.

Buffers↗

The effects of aging in the medial geniculate nucleus: a comparison with the inferior colliculus and auditory cortex.

A common problem among the elderly is a difficulty in discriminating speech. One factor that may contribute to this is deterioration in the ability to process the dynamic components of speech such as formant transitions. The frequency-modulated (FM) sweep is a useful stimulus for investigating the neural basis of temporal processing speed since it has features in common with formant transitions. Previously, we showed that when cells in the auditory cortex of aged animals were presented with FM sweeps, they exhibited a decrease in temporal processing speed when compared to cells recorded from young animals. However, this was not the case for cells in the inferior colliculus (IC) where neural responses did not appear to be affected by aging. One question that remains is how the auditory thalamus is affected by aging: Is it similar to that of the auditory cortex or of the IC. To this end, single units were recorded from the ventral division of the medial geniculate nucleus (MGNv) of young and aged anaesthetized rats in response to FM sweeps. Results showed that there were no age-related differences in speed or direction selectivity of FM sweep responses in the MGNv. When compared with units recorded from the IC and AI, the responses of MGNv neurons were similar to those of the IC. This suggests that temporal processing speed is affected by aging in the cortex, but not in the auditory thalamus or midbrain.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Temporal processing speed in the inferior colliculus of young and aged rats.

A common problem among the elderly is a difficulty in discriminating speech. One factor that may contribute to this is a deterioration in the ability to process dynamic aspects of speech such as formant transitions. Recently, Mendelson and Ricketts [Mendelson, J.R., Ricketts, C., Hear. Res. 158 (2001) 84-94] showed that cells recorded from the auditory cortex of aged animals exhibited a decrease in temporal processing speed compared to young animals. In the present study, we examined whether this age-related effect was exclusive to the auditory cortex or whether it was apparent subcortically. To this end, single units were recorded from the inferior colliculus (IC) of young and aged rats in response to frequency modulated (FM) sweeps. Results showed that there was no age-related difference in speed or direction selectivity of FM sweep responses in the IC. The present results suggest that the effect of aging on temporal processing speed occurs in the cortex, but not subcortically.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Selective adaptation to linear frequency-modulated sweeps: evidence for direction-specific FM channels?

Psychometric functions were obtained for detection of linear frequency-modulated pure tones which were preceded by either a pure tone or a linear FM pure-tone adaptor. The results of Gardner and Wilson [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 66, 704-709(1979)] were generally confirmed: Thresholds were larger by about a factor of 1.7 when the adaptor and test sweeps rose in frequency. This increase in threshold corresponds to a change in performance from 75% to 65% correct. As an alternative to feature-selective channels, we propose that this small effect is due to nonsensory factors, specifically, the use of an adaptor-like reference in the "adapted" condition. Performance similar to that obtained in humans is shown by an ideal receiver that uses an inappropriate reference to match the signal in the detection task.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Genetic hitchhiking.

Selection on one or more genes inevitably perturbs other genes, even when those genes have no direct effect on fitness. This article reviews the theory of such genetic hitchhiking, concentrating on effects on neutral loci. Maynard Smith and Haigh introduced the classical case where the perturbation is due to a single favourable mutation. This is contrasted with the apparently distinct effects of inherited variation in fitness due to loosely linked loci. A model of fluctuating selection is analysed which bridges these alternative treatments. When alleles sweep between extreme frequencies at a rate lambda, the rate of drift is increased by a factor (1 + E[1/pq]lambda/(2(2lambda + r))), where the recombination rate r is much smaller than the strength of selection. In spatially structured populations, the effects of any one substitution are weaker, and only cause a local increase in the frequency of a neutral allele. This increase depends primarily on the rate of recombination relative to selection (r/s), and more weakly, on the neighbourhood size, Nb = 4(pi rho sigma)2. Spatial subdivision may allow local selective sweeps to occur more frequently than is indicated by the overall rate of molecular evolution. However, it seems unlikely that such sweeps can be sufficiently frequent to increase significantly the drift of neutral alleles.

Animals↗

The Hill-Robertson effect and the evolution of recombination.

In finite populations, genetic drift generates interference between selected loci, causing advantageous alleles to be found more often on different chromosomes than on the same chromosome, which reduces the rate of adaptation. This "Hill-Robertson effect" generates indirect selection to increase recombination rates. We present a new method to quantify the strength of this selection. Our model represents a new beneficial allele (A) entering a population as a single copy, while another beneficial allele (B) is sweeping at another locus. A third locus affects the recombination rate between selected loci. Using a branching process model, we calculate the probability distribution of the number of copies of A on the different genetic backgrounds, after it is established but while it is still rare. Then, we use a deterministic model to express the change in frequency of the recombination modifier, due to hitchhiking, as A goes to fixation. We show that this method can give good estimates of selection for recombination. Moreover, it shows that recombination is selected through two different effects: it increases the fixation probability of new alleles, and it accelerates selective sweeps. The relative importance of these two effects depends on the relative times of occurrence of the beneficial alleles.

Alleles↗

Functional organization of the pallid bat auditory cortex: emphasis on binaural organization.

This report maps the organization of the primary auditory cortex of the pallid bat in terms of frequency tuning, selectivity for behaviorally relevant sounds, and interaural intensity difference (IID) sensitivity. The pallid bat is unusual in that it localizes terrestrial prey by passively listening to prey-generated noise transients (1-20 kHz), while reserving high-frequency (<30 kHz) echolocation for obstacle avoidance. The functional organization of its auditory cortex reflects the need for specializations in echolocation and passive sound localization. Best frequencies were arranged tonotopically with a general increase in the caudolateral to rostromedial direction. Frequencies between 24 and 32 kHz were under-represented, resulting in hypertrophy of frequencies relevant for prey localization and echolocation. Most neurons (83%) tuned <30 kHz responded preferentially to broadband or band-pass noise over single tones. Most neurons (62%) tuned >30 kHz responded selectively or exclusively to the 60- to 30-kHz downward frequency-modulated (FM) sweep used for echolocation. Within the low-frequency region, neurons were placed in two groups that occurred in two separate clusters: those selective for low- or high-frequency band-pass noise and suppressed by broadband noise, and neurons that showed no preference for band-pass noise over broadband noise. Neurons were organized in homogeneous clusters with respect to their binaural response properties. The distribution of binaural properties differed in the noise- and FM sweep-preferring regions, suggesting task-dependent differences in binaural processing. The low-frequency region was dominated by a large cluster of binaurally inhibited neurons with a smaller cluster of neurons with mixed binaural interactions. The FM sweep-selective region was dominated by neurons with mixed binaural interactions or monaural neurons. Finally, this report describes a cortical substrate for systematic representation of a spatial cue, IIDs, in the low-frequency region. This substrate may underlie a population code for sound localization based on a systematic shift in the distribution of activity across the cortex with sound source location.

Animals↗

Processing of modulated sounds in the zebra finch auditory midbrain: responses to noise, frequency sweeps, and sinusoidal amplitude modulations.

The avian auditory midbrain nucleus, the mesencephalicus lateralis, dorsalis (MLd), is the first auditory processing stage in which multiple parallel inputs converge, and it provides the input to the auditory thalamus. We studied the responses of single MLd neurons to four types of modulated sounds: 1) white noise; 2) band-limited noise; 3) frequency modulated (FM) sweeps, and 4) sinusoidally amplitude-modulated tones (SAM) in adult male zebra finches. Responses were compared with the responses of the same neurons to pure tones in terms of temporal response patterns, thresholds, characteristic frequencies, frequency tuning bandwidths, tuning sharpness, and spike rate/intensity relationships. Most neurons responded well to noise. More than one-half of the neurons responded selectively to particular portions of the noise, suggesting that, unlike forebrain neurons, many MLd neurons can encode specific acoustic components of highly modulated sounds such as noise. Selectivity for FM sweep direction was found in only 13% of cells that responded to sweeps. Those cells also showed asymmetric tuning curves, suggesting that asymmetric inhibition plays a role in FM directional selectivity. Responses to SAM showed that MLd neurons code temporal modulation rates using both spike rate and synchronization. Nearly all cells showed low-pass or band-pass filtering properties for SAM. Best modulation frequencies matched the temporal modulations in zebra finch song. Results suggest that auditory midbrain neurons are well suited for encoding a wide range of complex sounds with a high degree of temporal accuracy rather than selectively responding to only some sounds.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Fast 1H-13C correlation data for use in automatic structure confirmation of small organic compounds.

A method of speeding up the acquisition of 1H-13C correlation data has been developed. It is applicable in situations where the experiment time is determined by the need to sample the second dimension adequately rather than by signal-to-noise ratio requirements. Two spectra with different, reduced, 13C sweep widths are measured, time being saved by reducing the number of increments in line with the reduction in the sweep width. Rules are presented for the selection of the two reduced sweep widths so that the correct 13C chemical shifts can be easily and unambiguously calculated. The benefits and limitations of this approach, in the context of the structure confirmation of small (MW < or = 450) organic compounds, is discussed. The use of a third spectrum to resolve problems that may be encountered when proton signals overlap is demonstrated.

Journal Article↗

Electrophoretic separations using sweeping fields.

Sweeping-field electrophoresis is investigated as a method for increasing the resolution of low-voltage slab gel separations. In this technique a low direct current (DC) voltage is time multiplexed to an array of periodically spaced electrodes placed along the length of the slab in a manner that follows the band migration. Because the electrode spacing is smaller than the slab length, a larger field is generated, yielding an improved separation. The effect of the nonuniform electric field on band distortion is studied in some detail. Experimental band distortion results showed good agreement with theoretical predictions in a macroscopic sweeping-field electrophoresis system. Both analytical and numerical results show that band distortion can be effectively minimized when an appropriate sweep rate is selected for a narrow band range. Using this scheme we have achieved the same number of theoretical plates as a DC-driven system with one third of the drive voltage.

Electrophoresis, Agar Gel↗

Assessment of the distensibility of superficial arteries.

Doppler signal processing cannot only be employed to detect the local blood velocity as function of time, but also to assess transcutaneously the displacement of the arterial walls during the cardiac cycle (distension waveform) and, hence, the time-dependent changes in arterial diameter relative to its initial diameter at the start of a cardiac cycle. The distension waveform normalized with respect to the local pulse pressure provides useful information about the local elasticity of the arterial wall. The displacement of the arterial wall can be obtained by processing the RF-signals within a sample volume coinciding with the arterial wall. To evaluate this method a dedicated high-speed memory system has been developed storing the RF-signal, as obtained with a conventional echo-imager in M-mode, over a number of successive sweeps covering a selected depth range. The data are transferred line after line to a personal computer (PC) and processed on the fly, thereby relieving the memory requirements of the PC. It can be concluded that a RF-signal memory in combination with a PC provides a useful tool to extract detailed diameter waveforms from the RF-signals obtained. Although the system does not process the signals in real-time the process can be considered to be on-line since the results become available within one minute after the acquisition of the data is completed.

Arteries↗

Experimental analysis of molecular events during mutational periodic selections in bacterial evolution.

A fundamental feature of bacterial evolution is a succession of adaptive mutational sweeps when fitter mutants take over a population. To understand the processes involved in mutational successions, Escherichia coli continuous cultures were analyzed for changes at two loci where mutations provide strong transport advantages to fitness under steady-state glucose limitation. Three separate sweeps, observed as classic periodic selection events causing a change in the frequency of neutral mutations (in fhuA causing phage T5 resistance), were identified with changes at particular loci. Two of the sweeps were associated with a reduction in the frequency of neutral mutations and the concurrent appearance of at least 13 alleles at the mgl or mlc loci, respectively. These mgl and mlc polymorphisms were of many mutational types, so were not the result of a mutator or directed mutation event. The third sweep observed was altogether distinct and involved hitchhiking between T5 resistance and advantageous mgl mutations. Moreover, the hitchhiking event coincided with an increase in mutation rates, due to the transient appearance of a strong mutator in the population. The spectrum of mgl mutations among mutator isolates was distinct and due to mutS. The mutator-associated periodic selection also resulted in mgl and fhuA polymorphism in the sweeping population. These examples of periodic selections maintained significant genotypic diversity even in a rapidly evolving culture, with no individual "winner clone" or genotype purging the population.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Frequency selectivity in normal-hearing listeners using a sweep, frequency-modulated masker: a preliminary report.

It was the objective of this preliminary investigation to determine whether psychoacoustic tuning curves could be obtained on naive listeners utilizing a sweep, frequency-modulated masker. Psychoacoustic tuning curves were obtained on 10 normal-hearing young adult listeners. A simultaneous masking paradigm was utilized. The probe tone was a 2 kHz signal and the masker was a sweep, frequency-modulated tone between and including 750 Hz and 4 kHz. A mean Q value of 4.93 with a standard deviation of 0.85 was obtained from the subjects. Clinical implications and needs for further research are discussed.

Audiometry↗

Selecting ordered environments in NMR of spin 3/2 nuclei via frequency-sweep pulses.

We demonstrate that frequency-swept pulses can be used for the selective and enhanced detection of quadrupolar nuclei located in anisotropic environments. The primary driving force for this technique development is the field of sodium-MRI, where sodium signals from locally ordered environments are known to be diagnostic of cartilage defects. We demonstrate here simple one-dimensional images of model systems, in which the signals from free sodium ions are suppressed, while ordered sodium is detected via the narrow central transition signal.

Algorithms↗

A comparison of monaural and binaural responses to frequency modulated (FM) sweeps in cat primary auditory cortex.

Monaural and binaural single unit responses to frequency-modulated (FM) sweeps were compared in cat primary auditory cortex (AI). Both upward-directed (changing from low to high frequency) and downward-directed (changing from high to low frequency) FM sweeps were presented monaurally and binaurally at five rates of frequency modulation (referred to here as the speed of FM sweep). Two types of binaural FM sweep conditions were presented: (1) like-directed FM sweeps, in which identical FM sweeps were presented to both ears, and (2) opposite-directed FM sweeps, in which one ear was presented with one direction of FM sweep while the other ear was simultaneously presented with the opposite direction of FM sweep. In a sample of 78 cells, 33 cells were classified as EE (binaural facilitatory) and 45 were classified as EI (binaural inhibitory). Ninety-four percent of all units were sensitive to the direction and/or speed of FM sweeps. In general, under binaural stimulus conditions, EE cells responded optimally to like-directed FM sweeps, while EI cells preferred opposite-directed FM sweeps. When tested monaurally, 59% of all cells (both EE and EI) were direction selective, with the majority (76%) preferring downward-directed FM sweeps. When tested binaurally, most direction selective EE cells (60%) preferred upward-directed FM sweeps, while the majority of direction selective EI cells (71%) preferred downward-directed FM sweeps. Our analysis also allowed us to classify inhibitory responses of EI cells as either direction selective (37%) or non-direction selective (63%). For FM speed selectivity under monaural conditions, most EE cells preferred fast FM sweep rates (0.4-0.8 kHz/ms), while approximately equal numbers of EI cells preferred either slow (i.e., 0.05-0.1 kHz/ms) or fast (i.e., 0.4-0.8 kHz/ms) speeds. Under binaural conditions, the majority of EE and EI cells responded best to high speeds when tested with like-directed FM sweeps, while the preferred speed with opposite-directed FM sweeps was more broadly tuned. The results suggest the presence of binaural neural mechanisms underlying cortical FM sweep direction and speed selectivity.

Acoustic Stimulation↗