We are able to identify and discriminate objects in the world because of exquisitely detailed and rapid processing of sensory information by neurons in the cortex of the brain. In this project we will examine these operations in neurons in the cortex that receive input from the large face whiskers of the rat. These whiskers are used for fine-grain discrimination and for gauging distance. They are deflected by being actively moved, under muscle control, over objects (active touch) or by being pas ....We are able to identify and discriminate objects in the world because of exquisitely detailed and rapid processing of sensory information by neurons in the cortex of the brain. In this project we will examine these operations in neurons in the cortex that receive input from the large face whiskers of the rat. These whiskers are used for fine-grain discrimination and for gauging distance. They are deflected by being actively moved, under muscle control, over objects (active touch) or by being passively deflected by objects. Deflection results in inputs to the brain that are processed to form the neural basis for very finely detailed perceptual behaviour. In rats, with impoverished visual and auditory senses, the whiskers are the major sensory system for interacting with the world, and are used in navigating the environment and in finding and distinguishing foods. Thus they contribute strongly to the remarkable success of this species. This elegant sensory system has a number of advantages that make it a very good model for the study of brain mechanisms responsible for active fine-grain sensory function. We plan to take advantage of the unique features of this system to define the information processing that occurs in the cortex in this elegantly complex system. This will address an issue relevant to all sensory systems - namely the neural basis of complex fine grain perceptual behaviour. Understanding the mechanisms underlying active tactile perception also has relevance to clinical conditions involving deficits in active touch e.g., in diabetic polyneuropathy (which eventually affects ~50% of diabetics), in leprosy (in which an early sign is damage to active touch). Knowledge of the core brain processes in active touch gained in this study could eventually underpin the ameliorative technologies for such deficits.Read moreRead less
Using Contextual Effects To Test Theories Of Coding In Visual Cortex
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,500.00
Summary
The visual cortex is the main structure in the brain that processes the visual scene. Cells in the cortex respond selectively to features of the scene such as the orientation of objects, the direction they move and their brightness relative to the background. Cortical cells are arranged in a topographic map of visual space, so that nearby cells respond to light from nearby parts of the image. Recent advances have shown that cells talk to each other so a stimulus in one part of the visual field c ....The visual cortex is the main structure in the brain that processes the visual scene. Cells in the cortex respond selectively to features of the scene such as the orientation of objects, the direction they move and their brightness relative to the background. Cortical cells are arranged in a topographic map of visual space, so that nearby cells respond to light from nearby parts of the image. Recent advances have shown that cells talk to each other so a stimulus in one part of the visual field can influence the responses of cells looking at other regions. This communication between cells is important in guiding the brain to focus on areas of the visual scene that are most important, a process known as attention. An example would be that a mouse moving through the periphery of someone's vision would attract their attention away from objects elsewhere in the scene. This project is designed to study the way that cells in the visual cortex cooperate to guide attention. Attention is important because it reduces the need to process all the detail in the visual scene with the same level of accuracy, leaving more resources free to process what is important. Attention deficits are a problem for people with dyslexia, so understanding the physiological basis of attention is an important goal. As well as attention, the visual system has a range of other mechanisms to select important information from the visual scene. For example, visual adaptation tends to improve the ability to code changes in the visual scene at the expense of reducing the sensitivity of the system overall. This project will investigate the relationship between attentional and adaptive mechanisms in the visual cortex. We expect to establish the precise physiological mechanisms that drive adaptive and attentional mechanisms in the mammalian brain.Read moreRead less
Robust transmission, identification and key agreement in communications networks. This project identifies significant, innovative directions to achieve robust data transmission, identification and key agreement in networks. It presents the information and communication technology industry with new and profitable markets, contributing to wealth creation, employment and exports. Immediate benefits are: 1. Contribution to the growing knowledge base and fundamental capabilities in networks; 2. Crea ....Robust transmission, identification and key agreement in communications networks. This project identifies significant, innovative directions to achieve robust data transmission, identification and key agreement in networks. It presents the information and communication technology industry with new and profitable markets, contributing to wealth creation, employment and exports. Immediate benefits are: 1. Contribution to the growing knowledge base and fundamental capabilities in networks; 2. Creation and commercialization of valuable intellectual property; 3. Education of future leading academic and industrial innovators within Australia; 4. High international profile of Australian communications and information technology research.
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Closing the Gap: Fundamental Capacity Limits for Interfering Wireless Networks and Practical Methods to Get There. Enhancing communication networks to achieve broadband data rates is now a national priority. Wireless communications is hugely important, with mobile phones, wireless computers, and wireless Internet access to homes, all rapidly growing areas. This project addresses the fundamental bottleneck of interference between links in wireless networks. Wireless unplugs the user and allows hi ....Closing the Gap: Fundamental Capacity Limits for Interfering Wireless Networks and Practical Methods to Get There. Enhancing communication networks to achieve broadband data rates is now a national priority. Wireless communications is hugely important, with mobile phones, wireless computers, and wireless Internet access to homes, all rapidly growing areas. This project addresses the fundamental bottleneck of interference between links in wireless networks. Wireless unplugs the user and allows him/her to roam, and to set up ad-hoc networks with other users. This research will thus contribute to Australia's increased productivity. Just as importantly, this project addresses fundamental research; it will increase Australia's knowledge base and provide training for students and researchers in how to think about communications problems.Read moreRead less
Efficient Data Transport using Network Coding. Large-scale content distribution is driving the evolution of future Internet, cellular and wireless data networks. This project develops theory and practice underpinning entirely new modes of content distribution. This presents the ICT industry with new and profitable markets, contributing to wealth creation, employment and exports. Immediate benefits to Australia are: Contribution to the growing knowledge base and fundamental capabilities in the im ....Efficient Data Transport using Network Coding. Large-scale content distribution is driving the evolution of future Internet, cellular and wireless data networks. This project develops theory and practice underpinning entirely new modes of content distribution. This presents the ICT industry with new and profitable markets, contributing to wealth creation, employment and exports. Immediate benefits to Australia are: Contribution to the growing knowledge base and fundamental capabilities in the important area of telecommunication networks; Creation and commercialisation of intellectual property; Education of future Australian academic leaders and industrial innovators; Raising the international profile of Australian research in communications and information technology.Read moreRead less
Construction methods and analysis tools for repeat-accumulate error correction codes. Error correction codes play an integral role in digital communications systems, enabling technologies such as compact-disk players, hard-disk drives, high-speed modems, digital audio broadcasting and deep-space communications. This project develops the techniques which underlie the success of next-generation error correction technologies and thus addresses an important and fundamental problem in the area of inf ....Construction methods and analysis tools for repeat-accumulate error correction codes. Error correction codes play an integral role in digital communications systems, enabling technologies such as compact-disk players, hard-disk drives, high-speed modems, digital audio broadcasting and deep-space communications. This project develops the techniques which underlie the success of next-generation error correction technologies and thus addresses an important and fundamental problem in the area of information and communications technology (ICT). The nature of the project presents significant potential for project outcomes to be beneficial to the Australian telecommunications industry in a wide range of application areas including wireless networks, mobile communications, and data storage.
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