Implementation of an elaborated neuromorphic model of a biological photoreceptor

We describe here an elaborated neuromorphic model based on the photoreceptors of flies and realised in both software simulation and hardware using discrete circuit components. The design of the model is based on optimisations and further elaborations to the mathematical model initially developed by van Hateren and Snippe that has been shown to accurately simulate biological responses in simulations under both steady-state and limited dynamic conditions. The model includes an adaptive time constant, nonlinear adaptive gain control, logarithmic saturation and a nonlinear adaptive frequency response mechanism. It consists of a linear phototransduction stage, a dynamic filter stage, two divisive feedback loops and a static nonlinearity. In order to test the biological accuracy of the model, impulses and step responses were used to test and evaluate the steady-state characteristics of both the biological (fly) and artificial (new neuromorphic model) photoreceptors. These tests showed that the model has faithfully captured most of the essential characteristics of the insect photoreceptor cells. The model showed a decreasing response to impulsive stimuli when the background intensity was increased, indicating that the circuit adapted to background luminance in order to improve the overall operating range and better encode the contrast of the stimulus rather than luminance. The model also showed the same change in its frequency response characteristics as the biological photoreceptors over a luminance range of 70,000 cd/m², with the corner frequency of the circuit ranging from 10 to 90 Hz depending on the current state of adaptation. Complex naturalistic experiments have also further proven the robustness of the model to perform in real-world scenario. The model showed great correlation to the biological photoreceptors with an r ² value exceeding 0.83. Our model could act as an excellent platform for future experiments that could be carried out in scenarios where in vivo intracellular recording from biological photoreceptors would be impractical or impossible, or as a front-end for an artificial imaging system.     

Crossmodal visual input for odor tracking during fly flight

Flies generate robust and high-performance olfactory and visual behaviors. Adult fruit flies can distinguish small differences in odor concentration across antennae separated by less than 1 mm [1], and a single olfactory sensory neuron is sufficient for near-normal gradient tracking in larvae [2]. During flight a male housefly chasing a female executes a corrective turn within 40 ms after a course deviation by its target [3]. The challenges imposed by flying apparently benefit from the tight integration of unimodal sensory cues. Crossmodal interactions reduce the discrimination threshold for unimodal memory retrieval by enhancing stimulus salience [4], and dynamic crossmodal processing is required for odor search during free flight because animals fail to locate an odor source in the absence of rich visual feedback [5]. The visual requirements for odor localization are unknown. We tethered a hungry fly in a magnetic field, allowing it to yaw freely, presented odor plumes, and examined how visual cues influence odor tracking. We show that flies are unable to use a small-field object or landmark to assist plume tracking, whereas odor activates wide-field optomotor course control to enable accurate orientation toward an attractive food odor.     

Simultaneous tracking of fly movement and gene expression using GFP

Background  

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) is used extensively as a reporter for transgene expression in Drosophila and other organisms. However, GFP has not generally been used as a reporter for circadian patterns of gene expression, and it has not previously been possible to correlate patterns of reporter expression with 3D movement and behavior of transgenic animals.     

Asymptotic oscillations in the tracking behaviour of the fly Musca domestica

From recent theoretical work (Poggio and Reichardt, 1981), high frequency oscillations are expected in the angular trajectory of houseflies tracking a moving target if the target's retinal position controls the flight torque by means of a stronger optomotor response to progressive than to regressive motion. Experiments designed to test this conjecture have shown that (a) asymptotic non-decaying oscillations are found in the torque of female houseflies tracking targets moving at constant angular velocity; (b) the magnitude of the oscillations grows monotonically with mean retinal excentricity of the target; (c) the period of the oscillation is around 180–200 ms. The experimental findings are consistent with the hypothesis that a progressive-regressive mechanism plays a significant role in the tracking behaviour of female houseflies. From this phenomenological point of view a flicker mechanism that is active only for nonzero motion is equivalent to a progressive-regressive system. The relatively long period of the oscillation requires more complex reaction dynamics than a pure single dead-time delay. As a specific example we show that a model where the reaction to progressive motion is sticky, holding for a longish time after the ending of the stimulus, is consistent with the experimental data.     

Stochastic prediction in pursuit tracking: An experimental test of adaptive model theory

In this paper we test the proposition that in pursuit tracking, subjects compute stochastic (statistical) models of the temporal variations in position of the target and use these models to forecast target position for at least a response time interval into the future. A computer simulation of a human operator employing stochastic model prediction of target position is used to generate a synthetic pursuit tracking response signal. Actual pursuit tracking response signals are measured from 10 normal subjects using the same stimulus signal. Cross correlation and spectral analysis are employed to compute gain and phase frequency response characteristics for both synthetic and actual tracking data. The similarity of the gain and phase curves for synthetic and actual data provides compelling evidence in support of the proposition.     

Social behavior and aging: A fly model

The field of behavioral genetics has recently begun to explore the effect of age on social behaviors. Such studies are particularly important, as certain neuropsychiatric disorders with abnormal social interactions, like autism and schizophrenia, have been linked to older parents. Appropriate social interaction can also have a positive impact on longevity, and is associated with successful aging in humans. Currently, there are few genetic models for understanding the effect of aging on social behavior and its potential transgenerational inheritance. The fly is emerging as a powerful model for identifying the basic molecular mechanisms underlying neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss these recent advancements, with a focus on how studies in Drosophila melanogaster have provided insight into the effect of aging on aspects of social behavior, including across generations.     

A matrix model for studying tsetse fly populations

Some characteristics of tsetse fly population dynamics were investigated using a matrix model. To take into account the peculiarities of the tsetse fly life cycle, the classic Leslie model was modified. Our model integrated the physiological age group of Glossina females, the pupal and adult survival rate and the pupal life span. The limit of the growth rate was studied and the results were satisfactory when compared with data of tsetse fly mass rearing. The effect of adult and pupal survival rates on the growth rate was examined and confirmed the importance of adult survival. The sensitivity analysis showed that the growth rate was particularly sensitive to change in the survival rate of young nulliparous females. This matrix model, directly accessible to the experimenter, enhanced our understanding of tsetse population dynamics.     

Structure of the levan elaborated by Streptococcus salivarius strain 51: An application of chemical-ionisation mass-spectrometry

The polysaccharide elaborated by Streptococcus salivarius strain 51 contains β-D-fructofuranose residues linked through positions 2 and 6, as well as 1, 2, and 6. The approximate numbers of terminal, non-reducing D-fructofuranose residues and those linked through positions 2 and 6, and through 1, 2, and 6 in the average repeating-unit are 1, 7, and 1, respectively. The branches through the β-(2→1)-linkage contain up to at least four D-fructofuranose residues. Chemical-ionisation mass-spectrometry aids the assignment of structures to O-acetyl-O-methylalditols obtained in methylation analysis.     

An investigation of the host range of the carrot fly

The historical records of the earliest reports of umbelliferous and other hosts of carrot fly ( Psila rosae ) are presented and their validity discussed. In addition, the results are reported of tests made between 1972 and 1980 on 27 species of Umbelliferae and three sub-species of Daucus carota to determine whether they would support the carrot fly. Techniques were developed for identifying plant species as hosts by determining the number of adult flies that emerged from root and soil samples obtained from plants exposed to carrot fly in the field. Experiments in 1979 and 1980 indicating the importance of co-ordinating the life cycles of plant and insect. The results showed that certain annual species of Umbelliferae were unsuitable as hosts in the autumn when they has flowered and senesced. Valid records could only be obtained for these species by exposing the plants to first generation carrot fly attack. Of the 27 species tested, Anthriscus sylvestris, Ferula communis, and Smyrnium olusatrum failed to support carrot fly and the following 13 species were new host records: Aethusa cynapium, Anthriscus caucalis, Apium inundatum, Apium nodiflorum, Bupleurum tenuissimum, Chaerophyllum temulentum, Cicuta virosa, Daucus capillifolius, Daucus glochidiatus, Heracleum mantegazzianum, Ligusticum scoticum, Oenanthe crocata and Sison amomum . From two species, Chaerophyllum temulentum and Torilis japonica , more than two carrot flies/root were recovered. These species are numerous and widespread in carrot-growing districts. The significance of these and other wild host plants in relation to the ecology and control of carrot fly is discussed.     

A quantitative synchronization model for smooth pursuit target tracking

We propose a quantitative model for human smooth pursuit tracking of a continuously moving visual target which is based on synchronization of an internal expectancy model of the target position coupled to the retinal target signal. The model predictions are tested in a smooth circular pursuit eye tracking experiment with transient target blanking of variable duration. In subjects with a high tracking accuracy, the model accounts for smooth pursuit and repeatedly reproduces quantitatively characteristic patterns of the eye dynamics during target blanking. In its simplest form, the model has only one free parameter, a coupling constant. An extended model with a second parameter, a time delay or memory term, accounts for predictive smooth pursuit eye movements which advance the target. The model constitutes an example of synchronization of a complex biological system with perceived sensory signals. Cognitive and Neurobiological Research Consortium in Traumatic Brain Injury (CNRC-TBI).     

Deep Learning model for markerless tracking in spinal SBRT

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), alternatively termed Stereotactic ABlative Radiotherapy (SABR) or Stereotactic RadioSurgery (SRS), delivers high dose with a sub-millimeter accuracy. It requires meticulous precautions on positioning, as sharp dose gradients near critical neighboring structures (e.g. the spinal cord for spinal tumor treatment) are an important clinical objective to avoid complications such as radiation myelopathy, compression fractures, or radiculopathy. To allow for dose escalation within the target without compromising the dose to critical structures, proper immobilization needs to be combined with (internal) motion monitoring. Metallic fiducials, as applied in prostate, liver or pancreas treatments, are not suitable in clinical practice for spine SBRT. However, the latest advances in Deep Learning (DL) allow for fast localization of the vertebrae as landmarks. Acquiring projection images during treatment delivery allows for instant 2D position verification as well as sequential (delayed) 3D position verification when incorporated in a Digital TomoSynthesis (DTS) or Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Upgrading to an instant 3D position verification system could be envisioned with a stereoscopic kilovoltage (kV) imaging setup. This paper describes a fast DL landmark detection model for vertebra (trained in-house) and evaluates its accuracy to detect 2D motion of the vertebrae with the help of projection images acquired during treatment. The introduced motion consists of both translational and rotational variations, which are detected by the DL model with a sub-millimeter accuracy.     

Mitochondrial hyperfusion causes neuropathy in a fly model of CMT2A

Mitochondria undergo frequent fusion and fission events, which are essential to maintain a functional mitochondrial network. A disruption of these processes can cause severe neurodegeneration. Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 2A (CMT2A) is a neuropathy that is caused by mutations in the fusion factor Mfn2. It is generally assumed that impaired mitochondrial fusion causes CMT2A. However, the detailed molecular mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of CMT2A is only incompletely understood. In this issue of EMBO Reports, El Fissi et al established a fly model to analyze the consequence of frequently occurring MFN2 mutations on locomotor behavior, mitochondrial morphology, and function and find that some pathogenic mutants enhance fusion activity, indicating that increased mitochondrial fusion can drive CMT2A‐like pathology 1 . Moreover, this novel assay system will be a useful tool to analyze CMT2A pathogenesis in vivo.