Dear all,
I hope you are in staying safe.
I'm working on a balanced network consisting of "iaf_cond_exp" neurone model.
I want to have the control over these parameters at the same time:
- increasing the synaptic decay time.
- reducing the synaptic weight.
The goal is to make the area under the synaptic current, constant. So that we know that the only parameter that is affecting on the network, is synaptic delay.
I wonder if you know of any furmula in mathematics or any algorithm, that can help me, making this process automatic. And keeping the area under the curve, a constant value.
Best wishes,
Nosratullah
Hi all,
I'm trying to understand some inner workings of Nest. Rigth now I'm running
simulations with close half millons elements, using mpirun in a cluster
with 25 nodes. The problem I am having is that the "setup" (layer creation
and connections) phase takes close to 8min and the simulation only takes
1min.
So I tried to use python's multiprocessing package to speed it up, with the
following code:
nest.ResetKernel()
nest.SetKernelStatus({"local_num_threads": 1})
#...
connections = [
(layer1, layer1, conn_ee_dict, 1),
(layer1, layer2, conn_ee_dict, 2),
(layer2, layer2, conn_ee_dict, 3),
(layer2, layer1, conn_ee_dict, 4)
]
# Process the connections.
def parallel_topology_connect(parameters):
[pre, post, projection, number] = parameters
print(f"Connection number: {number}")
topology.ConnectLayers(pre, post, projection)
pool = multiprocessing.Pool(processes=4)
pool.map(parallel_topology_connect, connections)
The above example takes around 0.9s, but if the last two to lines are
changed for a sequential call, it takes 2.1s:
for [pre, post, projection, number] in connections:
print(f"Connection number: {number}")
topology.ConnectLayers(pre, post, projection)
So far the multiprocessing works great, the problem comes when the
"local_num_threads" parameters is changed from 1 to 2 or more, in the
cluster it could be 32. The code gets stuck in the topology.Connect without
any error, after a while I just stopped it.
Also I realised that the tolopoly.ConnectLayers just spawn one thread to
connects layers despite the local_num_threads is setted more than one.
Any idea what is going on?
Thanks in advance
Juan Manuel
PD: The full example code is attached (60 lines of code). The
local_num_threads and multiprocessing_flag variables change the behaviors
of the code.
Hello,
I hope everyone is well.
I am working on replicating some results from Teremae et al 2012
<https://www.nature.com/articles/srep00485#Sec4> and have run into an area
of uncertainty. The paper calls for there to be a synaptic weight-dependent
failure rate of synaptic transmission:
[image: image.png]
Is there any way to implement this in Nest? If it would help, I am working
on a custom neuron model built in Nestml. I can also write some C++ if it
seems that there would be an easy way to add this functionality with a
short function. Alternatively, are there canonical ways to alter network
structure to account for such a failure rate if it cannot be implemented in
Nest?
Thank you and best wishes,
Josh Stern
Dear Colleagues,
This mail is mostly relevant for developers, but I would also like interested users to take a look and comment. In
https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/issues/1570#issuecomment-622380622
I have attempted to summarize a number of thoughts about the details of node representation and Connect() semantics. While a lot is in place, we still need to clarify some details in the near future, before we can release NEST 3. Your input is therefore welcome!
If you haven't looked at NEST 3 yet, you may want to take a look at
https://nest-simulator.readthedocs.io/en/latest/guides/nest2_to_nest3/nest2…
first.
Best regards,
Hans Ekkehard
--
Prof. Dr. Hans Ekkehard Plesser
Head, Data Science Section
Faculty of Science and Technology
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
PO Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway
Phone +47 6723 1560
Email hans.ekkehard.plesser(a)nmbu.no
Home http://arken.nmbu.no/~plesser
Dear all,
The NEST Initiative is excited to invite everyone interested in Neural
Simulation Technology and the NEST Simulator to the NEST Conference 2020.
The NEST Conference provides an opportunity for the NEST Community to
meet, exchange success stories, swap advice, learn about current
developments in and around NEST spiking network simulation and
its application.
This year's conference will take place as a *virtual conference* on
*Monday/Tuesday 29/30 June 2020*.
We are now inviting contributions to the conference, including plenary
talks, "posters" and breakout sessions on specific topics.
*Important dates*
*01 June 2020* — Deadline for submission of contributions
*08 June 2020* — Notification of acceptance
*10 June 2020* — Deadline for NEST Initiative Membership applications
(registration is free for members in 2020)
*22 June 2020* — Registration deadline
*29 June 2020* — NEST Conference 2020 starts
For more information on how to submit your contribution, register and
participate, please visit the conference website
*https://nest-simulator.org/conference*
We are looking forward to seeing you all in June!
Hans Ekkehard Plesser, Susanne Kunkel, Dennis Terhorst, Anne Elfgen &
many more
Hello everyone,
I used the source code to install nest simulator 2.20 from here
<https://nest-simulator.readthedocs.io/en/stable/installation/linux_install.…>
and did the following steps
(I used to do the same steps for version 2.18 without error.)
cmake -Dwith-python=3 -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:PATH=</install/path>
</path/to/NEST/src>
make
make install
make installcheck
I got this error from "make installcheck":
Phase 1: Testing if SLI can execute scripts and report errors
-------------------------------------------------------------
Running test 'selftests/test_pass.sli'... Running Apr 21 19:46:31
SLIStartup [Error]: NEST_DATA_DIR is not usable: Apr 21 19:46:31 SLIStartup
[Error]: Directory '/usr/share/nest' does not exist. Apr 21 19:46:31
SLIStartup [Error]: I'm using the default:
/home/abolfazl/prog/install-dir/nest-simulator-2.20.0_build/share/nest Apr
21 19:46:31 SLIStartup [Error]: NEST_DOC_DIR is not usable: Apr 21 19:46:31
SLIStartup [Error]: Directory '/usr/share/doc/nest' does not exist. Apr 21
19:46:31 SLIStartup [Error]: I'm using the default:
/home/abolfazl/prog/install-dir/nest-simulator-2.20.0_build/share/doc/nest
/usr/bin//bin/nest /usr/share/doc/nest/selftests/test_pass.sli
/home/abolfazl/prog/install-dir/nest-simulator-2.20.0_build/bin/nest_serial:
20:
/home/abolfazl/prog/install-dir/nest-simulator-2.20.0_build/bin/nest_serial:
Apr: not found
Failed: unexpected exit code 127
Running Apr 21 19:46:31 SLIStartup [Error]: NEST_DATA_DIR is not usable:
Apr 21 19:46:31 SLIStartup [Error]: Directory '/usr/share/nest' does not
exist. Apr 21 19:46:31 SLIStartup [Error]: I'm using the default:
/home/abolfazl/prog/install-dir/nest-simulator-2.20.0_build/share/nest Apr
21 19:46:31 SLIStartup [Error]: NEST_DOC_DIR is not usable: Apr 21 19:46:31
SLIStartup [Error]: Directory '/usr/share/doc/nest' does not exist. Apr 21
19:46:31 SLIStartup [Error]: I'm using the default:
/home/abolfazl/prog/install-dir/nest-simulator-2.20.0_build/share/doc/nest
/usr/bin//bin/nest /usr/share/doc/nest/selftests/test_pass.sli
/home/abolfazl/prog/install-dir/nest-simulator-2.20.0_build/bin/nest_serial:
20:
/home/abolfazl/prog/install-dir/nest-simulator-2.20.0_build/bin/nest_serial:
Apr: not found
***
*** An unexpected exit code usually hints at a bug in the test suite!
***
*** Please report the problem at
*** https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/issues
***
*** To help us diagnose the problem, please attach the archived content
*** of these directories to the issue:
*** -
'/home/abolfazl/prog/install-dir/nest-simulator-2.20.0_build/reports'
*** -
'/home/abolfazl/prog/install-dir/nest-simulator-2.20.0_build/reports/nest.CgbAi'
***
CMakeFiles/installcheck.dir/build.make:57: recipe for target
'CMakeFiles/installcheck' failed
make[3]: *** [CMakeFiles/installcheck] Error 2
CMakeFiles/Makefile2:99: recipe for target
'CMakeFiles/installcheck.dir/all' failed
make[2]: *** [CMakeFiles/installcheck.dir/all] Error 2
CMakeFiles/Makefile2:106: recipe for target
'CMakeFiles/installcheck.dir/rule' failed
make[1]: *** [CMakeFiles/installcheck.dir/rule] Error 2
Makefile:188: recipe for target 'installcheck' failed
make: *** [installcheck] Error 2
--
regards,
Abolfazl Ziaeemehr
Department of Physics,
PhD student in Computational Physics
Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS)
Tel: 0919 607 4296
Page: iasbs.ac.ir/~a.ziaeemehr
Dear Nest community,
I have a network of LIF neurons ('iaf_cond_alpha') and I would like to
implement STDP synapses, rather than the
standard 'static_synapse'. I would like to be able to set a subset of
the network to STDP synapses (e.g. all excitatory ones)
and leave the rest static. This is how have implemented that currently
(see code). I am using a for loop because I want to
see how STDP changes the activity over time (over many iterations),
which leaves me with the following two questions:
*1. Is this a correct way to implement STDP in nest? *
*2. Is there a way to reset the network such that the connections are
not lost? *ResetNetwork() and ResetKernel() both seem to
destroy all the network connections. While I would like to keep them,
so that the network becomes less and less randomly
connected per simulation.
Thank you!
Best,
Daphne
*CODE*
# define network connectivity
conn_dict = {'rule': 'pairwise_bernoulli', 'p': 0.1}
# define dicts for static synapses
static_ex_params = {'model':'static_synapse','weight': 6.0,
'delay': 1.5}
static_in_params = {'model':'static_synapse','weight': -96.0,
'delay': 1.5}
if self.STDP == 'ALL':
# all synapses should be stdp ones, make connections
between the two populations:
# from exc neurons to all neurons
nest.Connect(neurons_all[:self.NE], neurons_all,
conn_dict, self.syn_params_ex)
# from interneurons to all neurons
nest.Connect(neurons_all[self.NE:], neurons_all,
conn_dict, self.syn_params_in)
elif self.STDP == 'EXC':
# keep the inhibitory synapses static
# connections from exc neurons to all neurons
nest.Connect(neurons_all[:self.NE], neurons_all,
conn_dict, self.syn_params_ex)
# connections from interneurons to all neurons
nest.Connect(neurons_all[self.NE:], neurons_all,
conn_dict, static_in_params)
where
synapse_params_in = {
'model':'stdp_synapse',
'lambda': 0.01,
'alpha': 1.0,
'delay': 1.5,
'weight':-95.0
}
Dear NEST Users & Developers!
Additionally to the Open NEST Developers VC on Monday, we would like to
announce a user contributed presentation of
*A declarative front-end for network and simulation specifications*
by /Tom Bugnon/ (Paris) and /Will Mayner/ (Wisconsin).
on Monday 27 April, 16.00-17.00 CEST (UTC+2) / 9.00am CDT (UTC-5).
This frontend to NEST allows to define the structure of more-or-less
arbitrary simulations in a set of parameter files. Those let the
user define network parameters (layers, neuron/synapse models,
connections and nest.Topo "connection models", "input" layers etc.)
and simulation parameters (set-up recorders, set-up "sessions", or
units of simulations, for which the user can define specific inputs,
changes in the state of some units, etc).
This approach makes it easier to version-control the network and
simulation specifications, share parameter files, perform parameter
exploration, or run the same network in different conditions.
We will meet in the same VC room, but due to the timezone difference of
the presenters this had to be detached from the meeting in the morning.
Connection details are given below.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Best,
Dennis Terhorst
------------------
Log-in information
------------------
We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN (Deutsches
Forschungsnetz).
You can use the web client to connect. We however encourage everyone to
use a headset for better audio quality or even a proper video
conferencing system (see below) or software when available.
Web client
* Visit https://conf.dfn.de/webapp/conference/97938800
* Enter your name and allow your browser to use camera and microphone
* The conference does not need a PIN to join, just click join and you're
in.
In case you see a dfnconf logo and the phrase "Auf den
Meetingveranstalter warten", just be patient, the meeting host needs to
join first (a voice will tell you).
VC system/software
How to log in with a video conferencing system, depends on you VC system
or software.
- Using the H.323 protocol (eg Polycom): vc.dfn.net##97938800 or
194.95.240.2##97938800
- Using the SIP protocol:97938800@vc.dfn.de
- By telephone: +49-30-200-97938800
For those who do not have a video conference system or suitable
software, Polycom provides a pretty good free app for iOS and Android,
so you can join from your tablet (Polycom RealPresence Mobile, available
from AppStore/PlayStore). Note that firewalls may interfere with
videoconferencing in various and sometimes confusing ways.
For more technical information on logging in from various VC systems,
please see
http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4
--
Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst
Coordinator Software Development
Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6)
Computational and Systems Neuroscience &
Theoretical Neuroscience,
Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6)
Jülich Research Centre, Member of the Helmholz Association and JARA
52425 Jülich, Germany
Building 15.22 Room 4004
Phone +49 2461 61-85062
Fax +49 2461 61- 9460
d.terhorst(a)fz-juelich.de
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
52425 Juelich
Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich
Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498
Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Volker Rieke
Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender),
Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear NEST Users & Developers!
I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer
Video Conference on
Monday 27 April, 11.30-12.30 CEST (UTC+2).
This VC will be in the updated format and we may do some more
explanation than I'd expect in future meetings. In the Project team
round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement
summarizing ongoing work in the team and cross-cutting points that need
discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go
into a more in-depth discussion suggested from the teams.
Agenda
Welcome
Review of NEST User Mailing List
Short introduction to Github project usage
Project team round
In-depth discussion
The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see
https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2020-04-27-Open-NEST-Developer-…
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
best,
Dennis Terhorst
------------------
Log-in information
------------------
We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN (Deutsches Forschungsnetz).
You can use the web client to connect. We however encourage everyone to
use a headset for better audio quality or even a proper video
conferencing system (see below) or software when available.
Web client
* Visit https://conf.dfn.de/webapp/conference/97938800
* Enter your name and allow your browser to use camera and microphone
* The conference does not need a PIN to join, just click join and you're in.
In case you see a dfnconf logo and the phrase "Auf den
Meetingveranstalter warten", just be patient, the meeting host needs to
join first (a voice will tell you).
VC system/software
How to log in with a video conferencing system, depends on you VC system
or software.
- Using the H.323 protocol (eg Polycom): vc.dfn.net##97938800 or
194.95.240.2##97938800
- Using the SIP protocol:97938800@vc.dfn.de
- By telephone: +49-30-200-97938800
For those who do not have a video conference system or suitable
software, Polycom provides a pretty good free app for iOS and Android,
so you can join from your tablet (Polycom RealPresence Mobile, available
from AppStore/PlayStore). Note that firewalls may interfere with
videoconferencing in various and sometimes confusing ways.
For more technical information on logging in from various VC systems,
please see
http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4