Theodore W. Berger
David Packard Professor of Engineering
Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience
Director, Center for Neural Engineering
University of Southern California
berger@bmsr.usc.edu
http://www.usc.edu/programs/neuroscience/faculty/profile.php?fid=23
Title:
Engineering Memories: Toward a Cognitive Neural Prosthesis for Recovery and Enhancement of Memory Function
Research Description:
Dr. Berger leads a multi-disciplinary collaboration with Drs. Marmarelis, Song, Granacki, Heck, and Liu at the University of Southern California, Dr. Cheung at City University of Hong Kong, Drs. Hampson and Deadwyler at Wake Forest University, and Dr. Gerhardt at the University of Kentucky, that is developing a microchip-based neural prosthesis for the hippocampus, a region of the brain responsible for long-term memory. Damage to the hippocampus is frequently associated with epilepsy, stroke, and dementia (Alzheimer’s Disease), and is considered to underlie the memory deficits characteristic of these neurological conditions. The essential goals of Dr. Berger’s multi-laboratory effort include: (1) experimental study of neuron and neural network function during memory formation — how does the hippocampus encode information?, (2) formulation of biologically realistic models of neural system dynamics — can that encoding process be described mathematically to realize a predictive model of how the hippocampus responds to any event?, (3) microchip implementation of neural system models — can the mathematical model be realized as a set of electronic circuits to achieve parallel processing, rapid computational speed, and miniaturization?, and (4) creation of conformal neuron-electrode interfaces — can cytoarchitectonic-appropriate multi-electrode arrays be created to optimize bi-directional communication with the brain? By integrating solutions to these component problems, the team is realizing a biomimetic model of hippocampal nonlinear dynamics that can perform the same function as part of the hippocampus. Through bi-directional communication with other neural tissue that normally provides the inputs and outputs to/from a damaged hippocampal area, the biomimetic model can serve as a neural prosthesis. A proof-of-concept is presented using rats that have been chronically implanted with stimulation/recording micro-electrodes throughout multiple regions of the CA3 and CA1 hippocampus, and that have been trained using a delayed, non-match-to-sample task. Normal hippocampal functioning is required for successful delayed non-match-to-sample memory. Memory-behavioral function of the hippocampus is blocked pharmacologically, and then in the presence of that blockade, hippocampal memory/behavioral function is restored by a multi-input, multi-output model of hippocampal nonlinear dynamics that interacts bi-directionally with the in vivo hippocampus. The model is used to predict output of the CA1 hippocampus in the form of spatio-temporal patterns of neural activity – hippocampal memory codes; electrical stimulation of CA1 cells is used to “drive” the output of hippocampus to the desired (predicted) state. Using the same procedures in implanted animals with an intact, normally functioning hippocampus substantially enhances memory strength and thus, learned behavior is improved. Extension of these studies to the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of behaving monkeys also is demonstrated. Finally, preliminary recordings from the human hippocampus, both in vitro and in vivo, will be presented. These results show for the first time that it is possible to create “hybrid electronic-biological” systems that mimic physiological properties, and thus, may be used as neural prostheses to restore damaged brain regions – even those regions that underlie cognitive function.
Abstract:
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Leon O. Chua
Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences Department
University of California, Berkeley
chua@eecs.berkeley.edu
http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/~chua/
Title:
1 3 7
Abstract:
This lecture introduces a toy universe consisting of a ring of discrete binary cells interacting only with their nearest neighbors via 256 elementary cellular automata rules inscribed on colorful toys, dubbed Boolean cubes, and identified by 256 consecutive integers 0, 1, 2,…137,…, 255. Among them Boolean cube 137 will be shown to be a Universal Turing Machine capable of solving any problem solvable by a digital computer.
We will identify a subset of these 256 Boolean cubes that can emulate many physical and cosmological phenomena such as time reversality, arrow of time, black holes, and even the big bang, as well as many exotic quantum mechanical phenomena such as photons, atomic orbitals, matter and anti-matter creation and annihilation, Parity violation, charge-conjugation violation, CP violations, etc.
Since Rule 137 is a Universal Turing machine, it can emulate any of the other 255 cellular automata rules. It follows that Rule 137 alone can emulate all of the above cited physical and quantum mechanical phenomena, as well as any thing else solvable by a Turing machine.
As much of this lecture is designed for school-age children, no prior backgrounds on cellular automata, cosmology, and quantum mechanics are needed.
Josef A. Nossek
Chair of Network Theory and Signal Processing
Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
Technische Universität München
josef.a.nossek@tum.de
http://www.nws.ei.tum.de/index.php?id=23
Title:
What is the Role of Circuit Theory in Communications Engineering?
Abstract:
The high level of abstraction often used in the description and design of communication systems does not always faithfully reflect physical reality. Circuit theoretic multiport models are a promising approach to physically consistently bridge the gap between mathematical theories like information theory, signal theory and electromagnetic theory. Such an approach not only provides new insight but may also lead to more efficient system designs.
Maciej Ogorzałek
Professor/Head of Department of Information Technologies
Jagiellonian University Krakov
maciej.ogorzalek@uj.edu.pl
http://ztis5.if.uj.edu.pl/ZTI/pracownicy/ogorzalek/ogorzalek.html
Title:
Self-powered integrated circuits and systems – dream becoming true!?
Abstract:
Possibilities of creation of new elements and devices at the nanoscale open unprecedented new vistas for design and implementation of integrated circuits and systems without external power supply. Nano-wires and nanotubes, mems and also specific quasi-fractal geometries implemented in heterogeneous technologies permit for creation of new energy scavenging devices, on-chip batteries and energy storages in the form of hyper-capacitors.
Development of such systems is underway and first proofs-of-concept have been already being fabricated.
Wolfgang Porod
Frank M. Freiman Professor of Electrical Engineering
Department of Electrical Engineering
University of Notre Dame
porod@nd.edu
http://www3.nd.edu/~porod/
Title:
NanoMagnet Logic
Abstract:
We present recent results on implementing logic using physically-coupled nanomagnet arrays. The binary state of a bit is represented by the magnetization state of a single-domain nanomagnet element, and logic is accomplished through direct physical interactions between them. We refer to this approach as nanomagnet logic (NML). We have demonstrated that NML satisfies the requirements for digital logic, and offers performance advantages, primarily low power and non- volatility, as a potential post-CMOS technology.
This talk will summarize the most recent work in several areas of NML development including nanomagnet lithography and fabrication, field-coupled input devices, recent progress developing multilayer magnetic stacks that use tunneling and spin torque to effect input and output devices, embedded clock line fabrication methods, enhanced-permeability dielectric materials that show large enhancements in both permeability and saturation magnetization, and progress with larger NML circuits.
Albrecht Reibiger
Professor emeritus
Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
Technische Universität Dresden
reibiger@iee.et.tu-dresden.de
http://www.iee.et.tu-dresden.de/iee/te/reib.html
Title:
Networks, Multipoles and Multiports
Abstract:
Starting point is the definition of networks as ordered pairs of a skeleton and a constitutive relation. The skeleton describes the topological structure of a network. The constitutive relation describes the physical properties assigned to its branch set. The behavior of a network is defined as the set of all signal pairs obeying its constitutive relation and both Kirchhoff’s laws.
Multipoles are introduced as ordered pairs consisting of a network and a family of terminal classes. The terminal classes are disjoint subsets of the node set of the corresponding network. Multiports are defined as multipoles whose terminal classes contain exactly two nodes.
Based on these concepts a general theory of the terminal behavior of multipoles is developed.
Tamás Roska
Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest
roska.tamas@itk.ppke.hu
https://itk.ppke.hu/en
Title:
Frame-less detection of spatial-temporal events via wave algorithms
Abstract:
Champion species are outperforming supercomputers in some specific spatial-temporal event detection. It is also clear that in the detection “computing” process there is no time discretization. In the sensory-processing-detection mechanisms, for example in the visual pathway, there is no frame by frame “analysis”. The input spatial-temporal wave travels through a couple of layers of neurons, they might be combined, and the final wave will “tell” the specific event.
A good example is the mammalian retina, we can learn a few lessons:
- the input spatial-temporal wave is transformed by a few layers with their own, receptive field defined spatial-temporal operations,
- after some transformations different paths are combined, and
- different synaptic delays or time constants might play a role.
Actually, the Cellular Wave Computing concept reflects these properties. It’s different physical implementations, as well as the products based on this principle provides practical platforms for this computing paradigm (e.g. the cellular visual microprocessors, a vision system on a chip, like the Q-Eye by AnaFocus Ltd., the Bi-i system by Eutecus Inc., and the Smart Photo Sensor SPS 02 by Toshiba).
In the lecture, the first few results and principles will be summarized and a possible theoretical framework will be highlighted.