Neurological Control Systems

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xx

   PDF

2. The Crayfish

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-3

      PDF

   2. Transfer Function of a Photoreceptor Ganglion

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 4-27

   3. The Random Walk System

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 28-43

   4. Nerve Impulse Code

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 44-71

3. The Pupil

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 73-76

      PDF

   2. The Transfer Function

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 77-91

   3. Stability and Oscillations

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 92-110

   4. Pupil Noise

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 111-159

   5. Functional Analysis of Pupil Nonlinearities

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 160-183

4. The Lens

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 185-187

      PDF

   2. Nonlinear Servoanalysis of Human Lens Accommodation

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 188-204

   3. Absence of an Odd-Error Signal Mechanism in Human Accommodation

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 205-219

   4. Accommodative Tracking: A Trial-and-Error Function

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 220-230

5. The Eye

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 231-235

      PDF

   2. Predictive Control

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 236-249

   3. Sampled — Data Model

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 250-270

   4. Variable Feedback Experiments

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 271-295

6. The Hand

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 297-301

      PDF

   2. Physiological Model for Hand Movement Control System

      • Lawrence Stark

      Pages 302-318

To anyone who worked long on the functional organization of living systems, it seems obvious that the central problems arise from a multi­ plicity of closed loops Simultaneously active in the control of every act. Severally, they may be stable but, combined, they may crack up or break into schizogenetic oscillation. Whatever they are, linear or not, is beside the point, for in either case the same difficulty of analysis arises. Nor does it help our argument that we deal only with formal neurons or those having greater similitude to real ones. This limited Pitts and me, in 1943, to three theorems of Part III of our "Logical Calculus of Idea Immanent in Nervous Activity. " We still seek a transparent terminology in which to discern their properties. In the face of such difficulties it takes great courage to attempt a servo system analysis of the control mechanisms me­ diating any reflex if one would do this as a good engineer. Walt Whitman says of the "Beginners," "How dear and dreadful they are to the earth - appearing at intervals - How all times mischoose their objects of adulation and reward - And how the same price must still be paid for the same great services!" Larry Stark is a beginner. His book must not be mistaken for phys­ iology - and there is nothing wrong with his physiology.

• control
• control system
• engine
• mechanism
• mechanisms
• organization
• physiology
• service
• system analysis

• University of California, Berkeley, USA

  Lawrence Stark

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