Jamming bat echolocation: the clicks of arctiid moths

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 647-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Fullard ◽  
M. Brock Fenton ◽  
James A. Simmons
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
Echolocation Calls ◽  
Auditory Systems ◽  
Time Structures ◽  
And Function

Analysis of the clicks produced by some arctiid moths shows that their acoustic characteristics (power spectra and frequency–time structures) are remarkably similar to those of frequency-modulated echolocation calls produced by many bats as they close with their prey. We suspect that the clicks are initially processed as echoes by the auditory systems of these bats and function by interfering with information processing by the bat.

scholarly journals In situ acoustic analysis of two twentieth-century heritage carillons

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Allan Orr
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Mechanical Action ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Physical Acoustics ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
Dynamic Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Function

AbstractCarillons are a diverse and global form of musical and civic heritage: musical instruments comprised of a series of 23 or more bells, typically hung in a tower-like structure, tuned chromatically and played from a touch-sensitive manual and pedal console using an elaborate mechanical action. Carillon bells have a distinct series of musical overtones which should be accurately tuned to one another and with other bells they sound alongside. Although these overtones have been previously studied ex situ, this study assesses the acoustic characteristics of two early-twentieth century carillons in Toronto, Canada as a combination of structure, bells, and mechanical action. Thus, the instrument and its context are considered holistically, more accurately reflecting the musical sensitivity of a carillonist. Spectral analysis of audio samples of each bell at different musical dynamic levels enabled the analysis of the acoustic qualities of the bells and the mechanical action of the instruments. The tuning of bells in the instruments varied; most importantly, there was a significant difference between the audial intensity of the bell tones produced by the instruments, demonstrating the importance of the mechanical action as part of the ‘carillon system’. This was represented with a resistive power-law model, that represents the sensitivity of intensity to carillonist musical dynamic level. A discussion of the implications for artistic and heritage practice follows. Understanding the in situ physical acoustics of the carillon as a holistic instrument in its context informs performers, arrangers, and composers of how they can best embrace the instrument’s unique qualities to improve artistic pursuits and support the appreciation of carillons as heritage instruments and function as civic voices.

Normalization Principles in Computational Neuroscience

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenway Louie ◽  
Paul W. Glimcher
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Computational Neuroscience ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Information Coding ◽  
Brain Organization ◽  
Contextual Modulation ◽  
Early Visual Cortex ◽  
And Function ◽  
And Behavior

A core question in systems and computational neuroscience is how the brain represents information. Identifying principles of information coding in neural circuits is critical to understanding brain organization and function in sensory, motor, and cognitive neuroscience. This provides a conceptual bridge between the underlying biophysical mechanisms and the ultimate behavioral goals of the organism. Central to this framework is the question of computation: what are the relevant representations of input and output, and what algorithms govern the input-output transformation? Remarkably, evidence suggests that certain canonical computations exist across different circuits, brain regions, and species. Such computations are implemented by different biophysical and network mechanisms, indicating that the unifying target of conservation is the algorithmic form of information processing rather than the specific biological implementation. A prime candidate to serve as a canonical computation is divisive normalization, which scales the activity of a given neuron by the activity of a larger neuronal pool. This nonlinear transformation introduces an intrinsic contextual modulation into information coding, such that the selective response of a neuron to features of the input is scaled by other input characteristics. This contextual modulation allows the normalization model to capture a wide array of neural and behavioral phenomena not captured by simpler linear models of information processing. The generality and flexibility of the normalization model arises from the normalization pool, which allows different inputs to directly drive and suppress a given neuron, effectively separating information that drives excitation and contextual modulation. Originally proposed to describe responses in early visual cortex, normalization has been widely documented in different brain regions, hierarchical levels, and modalities of sensory processing; furthermore, recent work shows that the normalization extends to cognitive processes such as attention, multisensory integration, and decision making. This ubiquity reinforces the canonical nature of the normalization computation and highlights the importance of an algorithmic framework in linking biological mechanism and behavior.

scholarly journals In Situ Acoustic Analysis of Two 20th-Century Heritage Carillons

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Allan Orr
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Mechanical Action ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Physical Acoustics ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
Dynamic Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Function

Abstract Carillons are a diverse and global form of musical and civic heritage: musical instruments comprised of a series of 23 or more bells, typically hung in a tower-like structure, tuned chromatically and played from a touch-sensitive manual and pedal console using an elaborate mechanical action. Carillon bells have a distinct series of musical overtones which need to be accurately tuned to one another and with other bells they sound alongside. Although these overtones have been previously studied ex situ, this study assesses the acoustic characteristics of two early-20th century carillons in Toronto, Canada as a combination of structure, bells, and mechanical action. Thus, the instrument and its context are considered holistically, more accurately reflecting the musical sensitivity of a carillonist. Spectral and Fourier analysis of audio samples of each bell at different musical dynamic levels enabled the analysis of the acoustic qualities of the bells and the mechanical action of the instruments. The tuning of bells in the instruments varied; most importantly, there was a significant difference between the audial intensity of the bell tones produced by the instruments, demonstrating the importance of the mechanical action as part of the ‘carillon system’. This was represented with a resistive power-law model, that represents the sensitivity of intensity to carillonist musical dynamic level. A discussion of the implications for artistic and heritage practice follows. Understanding the in situ physical acoustics of the carillon as a holistic instrument in its context informs performers, arrangers, and composers of how they can best embrace the instrument’s unique qualities to improve artistic pursuits and support the appreciation of carillons as heritage instruments and function as civic voices.

scholarly journals Tiger moths and the threat of bats: decision-making based on the activity of a single sensory neuron

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 368-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Ratcliffe ◽  
James H. Fullard ◽  
Benjamin J. Arthur ◽  
Ronald R. Hoy
Keyword(s):  
Sound Production ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Auditory Neuron ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Echolocation Calls ◽  
Tiger Moth ◽  
Prey Interaction ◽  
The Face ◽  
Tiger Moths ◽  
And Function

Echolocating bats and eared moths are a model system of predator–prey interaction within an almost exclusively auditory world. Through selective pressures from aerial-hawking bats, noctuoid moths have evolved simple ears that contain one to two auditory neurons and function to detect bat echolocation calls and initiate defensive flight behaviours. Among these moths, some chemically defended and mimetic tiger moths also produce ultrasonic clicks in response to bat echolocation calls; these defensive signals are effective warning signals and may interfere with bats' ability to process echoic information. Here, we demonstrate that the activity of a single auditory neuron (the A1 cell) provides sufficient information for the toxic dogbane tiger moth, Cycnia tenera , to decide when to initiate defensive sound production in the face of bats. Thus, despite previous suggestions to the contrary, these moths' only other auditory neuron, the less sensitive A2 cell, is not necessary for initiating sound production. However, we found a positive linear relationship between combined A1 and A2 activity and the number of clicks the dogbane tiger moth produces.

The echolocation calls of the spotted bat Euderma maculatum are relatively inaudible to moths

1997 ◽  
Vol 200 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Fullard ◽  
J Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Eptesicus Fuscus ◽  
Auditory Threshold ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
Insectivorous Bats ◽  
Echolocation Calls ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
A Site ◽  
Approach Phase

Previous studies of the spotted bat Euderma maculatum have demonstrated that this bat emits echolocation calls that are lower in frequency, shorter in duration and fainter in intensity compared with those of most other insectivorous bats, acoustic characteristics which should render it less conspicuous to eared moths. We tested this prediction by monitoring electrophysiologically the ears of sympatric noctuoid (noctuid, arctiid and notodontid) moths in a site in western Canada. Auditory threshold curves demonstrate that most of the moths tested are less responsive to the calls of Eu. maculatum than to those of another sympatric bat, Eptesicus fuscus. Playbacks to moth ears of pre-recorded search- and approach-phase echolocation calls of Eu. maculatum and Ep. fuscus further demonstrate that the calls of Eu. maculatum are poorly detectable to moths and, in some cases, completely inaudible. We estimate that, in the wild, an average noctuoid moth would detect the calls of Eu. maculatum at distances of less than 1 m as opposed to the calls of Ep. fuscus which should be first heard at distances of 20­25 m. Although most moths are unable to adequately hear Eu. maculatum, the observation that two individuals possessed ears sensitive to this bat's calls suggests the existence of auditory pre-adaptation to this type of echolocation.

Acoustic Analysis of Breathy and Rough Voice Characterizing Elderly Speech

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takeshi Miyazaki ◽  
◽  
Mitsunori Mizumachi ◽  
Katsuyuki Niyada
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Average Power ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Acoustic Features ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
Listening Tests ◽  
Amplitude Spectra ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Age Range

This paper aims at investigating acoustic features, which can objectively explain breathiness and roughness of elderly speech, respectively. In this paper, acoustic analysis was carried out using word sequences, which were uttered by 153 male speakers in the age range of between 20 and 89 years old. Concerning the breathiness, we confirmed that elderly breathy voices caused energy lift in higher frequency region over 4 kHz in average power spectra during the stationary parts in the uttered vowels. Concerning roughness, we observed the slight fluctuations, which synchronized with vocal cord vibration, in amplitude spectra during stationary parts of vowels. Based on acoustic analysis results, we propose physical parameters for measuring breathiness and roughness, respectively. In this paper, listening tests were carried out to quantitatively give the subject degrees of breathiness and roughness, respectively. It was confirmed that the proposed physical parameters had correlation with each of subjective degrees. Relationships between age and acoustic characteristics of breathiness and roughness were investigated using the proposed parameters. It is confirmed that the degree of breathiness and roughness increased in proportion to age, especially in age ranges over 60 years old.

Electrophysiological changes in late life depression and their relation to structural brain changes

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Köhler ◽  
C. Heather Ashton ◽  
Richard Marsh ◽  
Alan J. Thomas ◽  
Nicky A. Barnett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Brain Volume ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Beta Band ◽  
Total Brain Volume ◽  
Band Frequency ◽  
Total Brain

ABSTRACTBackground: Late life depression is often accompanied by slowed information processing during neuropsychological testing, and this has been related to underlying cerebrovascular disease. We investigated whether changes in electrophysiological markers of information processing might share the same pathological correlates.Methods: Differences in power spectra frequency, contingent negative variation (CNV), post-imperative negative variation (PINV), and auditory P300a amplitude and latency in 19 patients with DSM-IV major depression aged ≥ 60 years were compared with 25 recordings in age-matched healthy controls. Associations with total brain volume and degree of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) were examined in those who had undergone additional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Results: Compared with healthy controls, patients had more slow-wave delta (group difference: p = 0.024) and theta activity (p = 0.015) as well as alpha activity (p = 0.005) but no decrease in beta band frequency (p = 0.077). None of these changes related differently to brain volume or WMH in patients or controls. Patients further showed prolonged P300a latencies (p = 0.027), which were associated with decreased total brain volume in patients but not controls (interaction by group: p = 0.004). While there were no overall differences in PINV between both groups, patients showed a decrease in PINV magnitude with increasing WMH, a relation that was not seen in controls (interaction by group: p = 0.024).Conclusion: Patients with late life depression show changes in several electrophysiological markers of cerebral arousal and information processing, some of which relate to brain atrophy and WMH on MRI.

scholarly journals Systems-Thinking in Complex Audit Situations

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. P40-P46
Author(s):  
Billy E. Brewster ◽  
Anthony C. Bucaro
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Specific Form ◽  
Audit Process ◽  
Complex Processes ◽  
Comprehensive Information ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
And Function

SUMMARY This article summarizes three academic studies (Brewster 2011; Brewster 2016; Bucaro 2019) that investigate the effects of a specific form of critical thinking, systems-thinking, on audit judgments. Systems-thinking emphasizes taking a holistic “big picture” perspective and understanding how parts of complex processes interact and function. Collectively, the three studies find that systems-thinking can lead to auditors better understanding the risk of material misstatement through improved risk assessment and information processing. Ultimately, these improvements in critical thinking also increase the likelihood of identifying incorrect management explanations and incorporation of comprehensive information into audit decisions. Importantly, these studies find that systems-thinking can be instilled through short tutorial sessions, which may be embedded directly into the audit process.

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