The computer core will enhance the interaction of the four individual projects in the CCNR by providinggeneral resources for computer programming, systems management and data storage. The multi-unitrecording studies proposed in and the fMRI studies all result invery large data sets, and the computational modeling produces similarly large simulation outputfiles. The ability to safely and reliably store, backup, access and transfer data is an integral component of allof the projects which will greatly facilitate the analysis of data within the experimental projects, and thecomparison of data between experiments and with the experimental predictions from computationalsimulations. Currently, the experimental projects are impeded by limitations on data storage requiring theremoval of files produced by intermediate stages of analysis, and the comparison of data sets is impeded bythe separation of networks and data formats between laboratories. A full time systems operator will greatlyfacilitate the maintenance of adequate storage and the network mechanisms for interaction betweenprojects. In addition, there is a strong need for a full-time programmer to provide software development forenhancing research interactions including: a.) Translation of experimental data and simulation output to acommon data format, b.) Development of common data analysis software to be used by all projectsperforming similar analysis, such as analysis of spike timing relative to theta rhythm oscillations, c.)Development of unified software for presentation of data and model output in the same format, d.)Development and maintenance of common scripts in MATLAB and CATACOMB for simulation ofhippocampus, entorhinal cortex and prefrontal cortex, and e.) Assistance with programming of data collectionand behavioral tasks for individual projects. The development of unified data formats, analysis programs andsimulations scripts will provide fundamental resources for the outreach and data sharing of this center, madeavailable on the center web site. Thus, the computer core will enhance the synergistic interaction of the fourprojects within the center, and the interaction with the scientific community.
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