Hemodynamic signals correlate tightly with synchronized gamma oscillations

Functional imaging methods monitor neural activity by measuring hemodynamic signals. These are more closely related to local field potentials (LFPs) than to action potentials. We simultaneously recorded electrical and hemodynamic responses in the cat visual cortex. Increasing stimulus strength enhanced spiking activity, high-frequency LFP oscillations, and hemodynamic responses. With constant stimulus intensity, the hemodynamic response fluctuated; these fluctuations were only loosely related to action potential frequency but tightly correlated to the power of LFP oscillations in the gamma range. These oscillations increase with the synchrony of synaptic events, which suggests a close correlation between hemodynamic responses and neuronal synchronization.     

In-plane spectral weight shift of charge carriers in YBa2Cu3O6.9

The temperature-dependent redistribution of the spectral weight of the CuO2 plane-derived conduction band of the YBa2Cu3O6.9 high-temperature superconductor (superconducting transition temperature = 92.7 kelvin) was studied with wide-band (0.01- to 5.6-electron volt) spectroscopic ellipsometry. A superconductivity-induced transfer of the spectral weight involving a high-energy scale in excess of 1 electron volt was observed. Correspondingly, the charge carrier spectral weight was shown to decrease in the superconducting state. The ellipsometric data also provide detailed information about the evolution of the optical self-energy in the normal and superconducting states.     

Some factors affecting regional differentiation of the soils in the Republic of Benin (West Africa)

Spatial distribution of the parent materials, color, clay-eluviated horizon thickness, textural profile type, presence and position of the ferruginous nodules and ferricretes in the profile are analyzed at a small scale using the thematic information content of the published 1:200,000 soil map of Benin. Analyses indicate that there is a regional differentiation of the soil cover which is first drawn on that of the geological provinces, sedimentary basins, great morpho-structural units, and then determined by the factors that control the preservation or the transformation and erosion of an ancient lateritic mantle. These factors are directly influenced by differential changes of the local base levels.