At present, this data set contains data from 991 neurons. However, some were incompletely studied and their data may need to be set aside depending upon the analysis.
This data set is an appending from two studies (see references below) in which the protocol was essentially the same for the included data. However, study 10, 20 was performed with glass microelectrodes while study 33, 34 used etched tungsten microelectrodes which had a larger 'seeing distance'. In addition, the latter study used only male cats and included electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerves. The user should check for statistically significant differences among the data from the two studies.
These data have been prepared as rectangular ASCII tables to provide the most generality for import into a variety of data analysis systems. The data are organized in BLOCKs, each containing a subset of variables. Each neuron has been arbitrarily assigned a unique number (UN#; not in the order of data collection). This number specifies to which neuron (table row) the data in the BLOCK belongs. The first link provides a list of symbol definitions and variable names with the encoding for the group variables.
Many of the BLOCKs contain zeros or negative numbers (see 'Symbols, Variables and Encoding' below) to fill out the table where there was no data. In general, a -8 means 'no response' and a -9 means 'not tested'. A zero means 'unknown' (i.e., either 'not tested' or 'no response'). The users will have to make the required transformation to {null} for the data processing system they use. BLOCKs 04-13 have been appended to each other in sequence because they are relatively small. The users will have to split them apart with a text editor as needed.
The data files are in HTML with the data bracketed as TEXT rather than as an FTP site so that the user can actually look at the data before deciding to store them. Use your browser's 'File/ Save As' and assign a 'file name' to store a local copy. Then use a text editor to remove the HTML code at the beginning and end of the file as well as the column labels.
In these experiments, the classification system (CL) was slightly different than for the contralateral forepaw cortex data set (see references below). However, the distribution among classes was only slightly affected. Also, CH was the hunting stimulus rather than CF. In BLOCKs 01 and 04-13, the CH spike latencies are missing for the last 15 neurons. In BLOCK 19, the data are missing for study 10,20. The missing data will be available at a later date.
Symbols, Variables and Encoding
Data Block 01 - Primary Data, Part 1
Data Block 02 - Primary Data, Part 2
Data Block 03 - Secondary Data
Data Blocks 04-13 - 2nd through 11th Spike Latencies
Data Block 19 - Experiment and Electrode Track Number
Doetsch, G. S. and A. L. Towe. 1976. Response properties of distinct neuronal subsets in hindlimb sensorimotor cerebral cortex of the domestic cat. Exp. Neurol. 53:520-547.
Doetsch, G. S. and A. L. Towe. 1976. Population response patterns of distinct neuronal subsets in the hindlimb sensorimotor cerebral cortex of the domestic cat. Exp. Neurol 53:548-566.
Slimp, J. C. and A. L. Towe. 1980. Effects of pudendal nerve stimulation on neurons in pericruciate cerebral cortex of male domestic cats. Exp. Neurol. 67:181-204