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Open NEST Developer Video Conference Monday May 5, at 11:30 CEST (UTC+0200)
by Dennis Terhorst 05 May '25

05 May '25

Dear NEST Users & Developers! I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer Video Conference today *Monday May 5, at 11:30 CEST (UTC+0200).* As usual, in the Project team round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement summarizing ongoing and planned work in the team and highlight cross-cutting points that need discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go into a more in-depth discussion of topics that came up on the mailing list or that are suggested by the teams. Feel free to join the meeting also if it’s just to bring your own quick questions for direct discussion in the in-depth section. Agenda * Welcome * Review of NEST User Mailing List * Project team round * In-depth discussion o Bug report https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/issues/3489 o Memory measurement, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/issues/3043 The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-05-05-Open-NEST-Developer-… <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-05-05-Open-NEST-Developer-…> Looking forward to seeing you soon! Cheers, Dennis Terhorst Log-in information We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN <https://www.dfn.de/en/> (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 <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 <mailto: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 <http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4> -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Dr. Stephanie Bauer (stellvertretende Vorsitzende), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens, Prof. Dr. Laurens Kuipers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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DumpLayerConnections() possible optimization? ...
by Xavier Otazu 29 Apr '25

29 Apr '25

Hello, Some time ago I tool a look at the C++ code of DumpLayerConnections() function and realized the bottleneck is on the get_global_positions_vector() method. In order to avoid this call, could it be possible to define a new function, e.g. DumpLayerConnectionsWithPositions(), where the user can send to the function the positions of the nodes of source and target layers? This way, the calculus of the distance between nodes would be much faster (and it would be possible to avoid the call to get_global_positions_vector() ). In addition, could it be possible to create a function, e.g. GetLocaNodeCollectionPositions(), that returns the positions of (local) nodes? (this positions could be send to the precious DumpLayerConnectionsWithPositions() function). Best, Xavier

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Feedback Requested on NMDA Conductance Model with Dual‑Decay Time Constants in NESTML
by marialaura.degrazia01＠universitadipavia.it 24 Apr '25

24 Apr '25

Dear experts, I am writing to request your feedback about the modification of the standard NMDA conductance β‑function to include two separate decay components. Here our implementation of the related kernel in nestml: kernel g_NMDA' = g_NMDA$ - NMDA_A1_decay1 * (g_NMDA / NMDA_Tau_decay1) - NMDA_A2_decay2 * (g_NMDA /NMDA_Tau_decay2), g_NMDA$' = NMDA_A_rise * (-g_NMDA$ / NMDA_Tau_rise) Do you think that this writing might be the right way to implement it? Thank you very much for your insight. Kind regards, MG

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Fwd: Usage of the nest-server-mpi
by Viktor Vorobev 21 Apr '25

21 Apr '25

Hello, dear nest team! I am trying to launch the experiment, using nest-server-mpi and NRP on the HPC. We also use a module generated by nestml. But I faced the issue, which I so far cannot solve myself... Probably you could help me. We have a working experiment for the nest-server v3.7, which also works with v3.8. I tried to launch nest-simulator in the container on the HPC, but I faced some mpi incompatibility issues, could not solve it fast and gave up for now. Then I installed nest-simulator 3.7 from source on the HPC. The simulation with nest-server also worked. After patching nest-server-mpi (serialization issue) I could launch it on the HPC and communicate with the API, but the experiment didn't work, and I switched to the local nest-simulator container for the test. Locally, in the original nest/nest-simulator:3.7 and 3.8 containers, the nest-server-mpi is not starting. After the fixing the issue (with docopt and serialization) the nest-server-mpi is launching in nest/nest-simulator:dev container. But here is the problem, with this version the experiment is crashing even with nest-server, as well as with nest-server-mpi. And I cannot figure out the reason from the logs and git history... I tried patching versions 3.7 and 3.8, then I can start nest-server-mpi, can use API, but the experiment itself doesn't work. So, the summary: The experiment works with nest-server 3.7 and 3.8, but doesn't work with the patched nest-server-mpi The experiment doesn't work with the nest-server with :dev container What happens in the latest container with the nest-server: nrp-nest-simulator | > nrp-nest-simulator | Apr 03 16:11:15 SimulationManager::set_status [Info]: > nrp-nest-simulator | Temporal resolution changed from 0.1 to 0.1 ms. > nrp-nest-simulator | > nrp-nest-simulator | Apr 03 16:11:15 Install [Info]: > nrp-nest-simulator | loaded module controller_module And that's it, on the other side I get [json.exception.out_of_range.403] key 'data' not found The nest script, which is executed at this moment is nest.ResetKernel() > nest.SetKernelStatus({"resolution": res}) > nest.Install("controller_module") > for i in range(njt): > planner_p = nest.Create("tracking_neuron_nestml", n=N, params={"kp": > plan_params["kp"], "base_rate": plan_params["base_rate"], "pos": True, > "traj": trj, "simulation_steps": len(trj)}) > planner_n = nest.Create("tracking_neuron_nestml", n=N, params={"kp": > plan_params["kp"], "base_rate": plan_params["base_rate"], "pos": False, > "traj": trj, "simulation_steps": len(trj)}) The same piece of code works in nest-server v3.7 and v3.8 What happens in the patched nest-server-mpi v 3.8 or 3.7, here it at least throws an exception nrp-nest-simulator | ======================================== > nrp-nest-simulator | > nrp-nest-simulator | ==> MASTER 0/1743700791.3478301 (route_api_call): > call=GetStatus, args=[[303]], kwargs={} > nrp-nest-simulator | ==> MASTER 0/1743700791.3478405 (GetStatus): sending > call bcast > nrp-nest-simulator | ==> MASTER 0/1743700791.3478618 (GetStatus): sending > data bcast, data=([[303]], {}) > nrp-nest-simulator | ==> MASTER 0/1743700791.3480251 (GetStatus): local > call, args=[NodeCollection(metadata=None, model=spike_recorder, size=1, > first=303)], kwargs={} > nrp-nest-simulator | ==> MASTER 0/1743700791.3480933 (GetStatus): waiting > for response gather > nrp-nest-simulator | ==> MASTER 0/1743700791.3484681 (GetStatus): > received response gather, data=[({'element_type': 'recorder', 'events': > {'senders': array([204]), 'times': array([13.5])}, 'frozen': False, > 'global_id': 303, 'label': 'Brain stem pos', 'local': True, 'model': > 'spike_recorder', 'model_id': 96, 'n_events': 1, 'node_uses_wfr': False, > 'origin': 0.0, 'record_to': 'memory', 'start': 0.0, 'stop': > 1.7976931348623157e+308, 'thread': 0, 'thread_local_id': 152, > 'time_in_steps': False, 'vp': 0},), [{'element_type': 'recorder', 'events': > {'senders': [], 'times': []}, 'frozen': False, 'global_id': 303, 'label': > 'Brain stem pos', 'local': True, 'model': 'spike_recorder', 'model_id': 96, > 'n_events': 0, 'node_uses_wfr': False, 'origin': 0.0, 'record_to': > 'memory', 'start': 0.0, 'stop': 1.7976931348623157e+308, 'thread': 0, > 'thread_local_id': 152, 'time_in_steps': False, 'vp': 1}]] > nrp-nest-simulator | [2025-04-03 19:19:51,348] ERROR in app: Exception on > /api/GetStatus [POST] > nrp-nest-simulator | Traceback (most recent call last): > nrp-nest-simulator | File > "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/flask/app.py", line 2070, in wsgi_app > nrp-nest-simulator | response = self.full_dispatch_request() > nrp-nest-simulator | File > "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/flask/app.py", line 1515, in > full_dispatch_request > nrp-nest-simulator | rv = self.handle_user_exception(e) > nrp-nest-simulator | File > "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/flask_cors/extension.py", line 165, in > wrapped_function > nrp-nest-simulator | return > cors_after_request(app.make_response(f(*args, **kwargs))) > nrp-nest-simulator | File > "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/flask/app.py", line 1513, in > full_dispatch_request > nrp-nest-simulator | rv = self.dispatch_request() > nrp-nest-simulator | File > "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/flask/app.py", line 1499, in > dispatch_request > nrp-nest-simulator | return > self.ensure_sync(self.view_functions[rule.endpoint])(**req.view_args) > nrp-nest-simulator | File > "/opt/nest/lib/python3.10/site-packages/nest/server/hl_api_server.py", line > 317, in route_api_call > nrp-nest-simulator | return jsonify(response) > nrp-nest-simulator | File > "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/flask/json/__init__.py", line 348, in > jsonify > nrp-nest-simulator | f"{dumps(data, indent=indent, > separators=separators)}\n", > nrp-nest-simulator | File > "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/flask/json/__init__.py", line 129, in dumps > nrp-nest-simulator | rv = _json.dumps(obj, **kwargs) > nrp-nest-simulator | File "/usr/lib/python3.10/json/__init__.py", line > 238, in dumps > nrp-nest-simulator | **kw).encode(obj) > nrp-nest-simulator | File "/usr/lib/python3.10/json/encoder.py", line > 199, in encode > nrp-nest-simulator | chunks = self.iterencode(o, _one_shot=True) > nrp-nest-simulator | File "/usr/lib/python3.10/json/encoder.py", line > 257, in iterencode > nrp-nest-simulator | return _iterencode(o, 0) > nrp-nest-simulator | File > "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/flask/json/__init__.py", line 56, in default > nrp-nest-simulator | return super().default(o) > nrp-nest-simulator | File "/usr/lib/python3.10/json/encoder.py", line > 179, in default > nrp-nest-simulator | raise TypeError(f'Object of type > {o.__class__.__name__} ' > nrp-nest-simulator | TypeError: Object of type int64 is not JSON > serializable > nrp-nest-simulator | [2025-04-03 19:19:51,349] INFO in _internal: > 172.18.0.3 - - [03/Apr/2025 19:19:51] "POST /api/GetStatus HTTP/1.1" 500 - Do you have any clues where I should dig? I would appreciate any help. Best wishes, Viktor

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nestml generate_target spinnaker failed
by Chris Huyck 16 Apr '25

16 Apr '25

I'm trying to generate a nestml model for spinnaker. I run the generate target and nest, and it works fine. If I change to spinnaker, it crashes with a CoCosManager not found. The spinnaker runs correctly, and I get correct behaviour on my board. I just can't generate target. Has anyone generated spinnaker models recently? -Chris

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NEST Conference 2025 - Extension of abstract submission deadline
by Dennis Terhorst 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

Dear all, We are inviting contributions to the conference, including talks, "posters" and workshops on specific topics. We are looking forward to your contributions! Due to unrelated organizational circumstances we decided to *extend the abstract submission deadline* for the NEST Conference 2025 *to 30 April*. 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. Take the opportunity to advance your skills in using NEST at our hands-on workshops! This year's conference will again take place as a *virtual conference* on Tuesday/Wednesday *17/**18 June 2025*. We are delighted to welcome * Marja-Leena Linne, Tampere University, Finland * Daniela Gandolfi, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy * Barna Zajzon, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany * Bernhard Vogginger, TU Dresden, Germany as keynote speakers at the conference. For more information on how to submit your contribution, register and participate, please visit the conference website *https://nest-simulator.org/conference* <https://nest-simulator.org/conference> *Important dates* *25 April*2025 - Deadline for NEST Initiative membership applications eligible for fee reduction *30 April*2025 - Extended deadline for submission of contributions *09 May*2025 - Notification of acceptance *11 June*2025 - Registration deadline *17 June*2025 - NEST Conference 2025 starts We are looking forward to seeing you all in June! on behalf of Hans Ekkehard Plesser and the conference organizing committee best Dennis Terhorst

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install issue: MUSIC working from SLI but not pyNEST
by Paolo Marzolo 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

Hey all! First time poster here on the mailing list, so don't hesitate to correct me or ask for more information. I'm building a container to package a simulation, but I've ran into an unusual issue that I can't seem to fix: MUSIC proxy nodes are found and created correctly from NEST SLI, but raise `nest.lib.hl_api_exceptions.NESTErrors.UnknownModelName` when created from pyNEST. Here's some more info about my setup. - Both MUSIC and NEST are built from source (`git clone --depth 1 --branch v3.7 https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/`) - I've tried both `-Dwith-music=ON` and `-Dwith-music=$MUSIC_INSTALL_DIR` to no avail. I'll keep the latter. - other flags are `-Dwith-mpi=ON -Dwith-openmp=ON -Dwith-ltdl=ON` - here are the relevant sections of the cmake output (full output at the end) ``` #18 11.02 Python bindings : Yes (Python 3.10.17: /sim/venv/bin/python3) #18 11.02 Includes : /usr/local/include/python3.10 #18 11.02 Libraries : #18 11.02 Cython : Yes (Cython 3.0.12: /sim/venv/bin/cython) #18 11.02 MPI4Py : Yes (/sim/venv/lib/python3.10/site-packages/mpi4py/include) ... #18 11.02 Use MUSIC : Yes (MUSIC 1.2.1) #18 11.02 Includes : /sim/install/music/include #18 11.02 Libraries : /sim/install/music/lib/libmusic.so ``` - the presence of MUSIC version in `cmake` output makes me hopeful that it's found correctly - image based on Debian 12 (`FROM python:3.10-slim-bookworm AS runner`) - first thing i do is create a venv and set it as first in path (`ENV PATH="$VIRTUAL_ENV/bin:$PATH"`) - when i attempt to run the [MUSIC with pyNEST example](https://nest-simulator.readthedocs.io/en/stable/tutorials/music_tutorial/music_tutorial_2.html) i get `nest.lib.hl_api_exceptions.NESTErrors.UnknownModelName: UnknownModelName in SLI function Create_l_i: /music_event_in_proxy is not a known model name.`, while running the [MUSIC in SLI example](https://nest-simulator.readthedocs.io/en/stable/tutorials/music_tutorial/music_tutorial_sli.html) works correctly - i read the [official Dockerfile](https://github.com/nest/nest-docker/blob/master/src/3.8/Dockerf… but I couldn't spot any steps I might be missing, the [cmake options](https://nest-simulator.readthedocs.io/en/stable/installation/cmake_options.html#cmake-options), the [install_music.sh script](https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/blob/master/build_support/in…, the [docker entrypoint](https://github.com/nest/nest-docker/blob/master/src/3.8/entrypo… and the $NEST_INSTALL_DIR/bin/nest_vars.sh scripts, but I didn't find anything other than what I already had. - I'm guessing this is user error on my part, hence the mailing list instead of github issues. If necessary I can share a smaller version of the dockerfile... not sure what else to try. On one hand, I'd think of a compilation issue, but the cmake output and the fact that SLI works correctly makes me doubt so. On the other, I might be missing an env var, but from what I could gather in pyNEST `nest.node_models` is asked to the kernel, which correctly creates the node when called from the SLI... Is there any esoteric configuration I might've missed? I'll take any and all suggestions! Thanks a lot, Paolo full cmake output: ``` #18 11.02 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #18 11.02 NEST Configuration Summary #18 11.02 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Target System : Linux #18 11.02 Cross Compiling : FALSE #18 11.02 C compiler : GNU 12.2.0 (/usr/bin/cc) #18 11.02 C compiler flags : -Wall -fopenmp -O2 -fdiagnostics-color=auto #18 11.02 C++ compiler : GNU 12.2.0 (/usr/bin/c++) #18 11.02 C++ compiler flags : -std=c++17 -Wall -fopenmp -O2 -fdiagnostics-color=auto #18 11.02 Build dynamic : ON #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Built-in modelset : full #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Python bindings : Yes (Python 3.10.17: /sim/venv/bin/python3) #18 11.02 Includes : /usr/local/include/python3.10 #18 11.02 Libraries : #18 11.02 Cython : Yes (Cython 3.0.12: /sim/venv/bin/cython) #18 11.02 MPI4Py : Yes (/sim/venv/lib/python3.10/site-packages/mpi4py/include) #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Documentation : No #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Use threading : Yes (OpenMP: -fopenmp) #18 11.02 Libraries : /usr/lib/gcc/x86_64-linux-gnu/12/libgomp.so;/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libpthread.a #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Use GSL : Yes (GSL 2.7.1) #18 11.02 Includes : /usr/include #18 11.02 Libraries : /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libgsl.so;/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libgslcblas.so #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Use Readline : Yes (GNU Readline 8.2) #18 11.02 Includes : /usr/include #18 11.02 Libraries : /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libreadline.so;/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libncurses.so #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Use libltdl : Yes (LTDL 2.4.7) #18 11.02 Includes : /usr/include #18 11.02 Libraries : /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libltdl.so #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Use MPI : Yes (MPI: /usr/bin/mpicxx) #18 11.02 Includes : /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/openmpi/include;/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/openmpi/include/openmpi #18 11.02 Libraries : /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/openmpi/lib/libmpi_cxx.so;/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/openmpi/lib/libmpi.so #18 11.02 Launcher : /usr/bin/mpiexec -n <np> <prog> <args> #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Detailed timers : No #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Use MUSIC : Yes (MUSIC 1.2.1) #18 11.02 Includes : /sim/install/music/include #18 11.02 Libraries : /sim/install/music/lib/libmusic.so #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Use libneurosim : No #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Use Boost : Yes (Boost 1.74.0) #18 11.02 Includes : /usr/include #18 11.02 Libraries : #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Use SIONlib : No #18 11.02 #18 11.02 Use HDF5 : No #18 11.02 #18 11.02 For details on setting specific flags for your MPI launcher command, see the #18 11.02 CMake documentation at https://cmake.org/cmake/help/latest/module/FindMPI.html #18 11.02 #18 11.02 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #18 11.02 #18 11.02 The NEST executable will be installed to: #18 11.02 /sim/install/nest/bin/ #18 11.02 #18 11.02 NEST dynamic libraries and user modules will be installed to: #18 11.02 /sim/install/nest/lib/nest/ #18 11.02 #18 11.02 PyNEST will be installed to: #18 11.02 /sim/install/nest/lib/python3.10/site-packages #18 11.02 #18 11.02 To set necessary environment variables, add the following line #18 11.02 to your ~/.bashrc : #18 11.02 source /sim/install/nest/bin/nest_vars.sh #18 11.02 #18 11.02 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #18 11.02 #18 11.02 You can now build and install NEST with #18 11.02 make #18 11.02 make install #18 11.02 make installcheck #18 11.02 #18 11.02 If you experience problems with the installation or the use of NEST, #18 11.02 please see https://www.nest-simulator.org/frequently_asked_questions #18 11.02 or go to https://www.nest-simulator.org/community to find out how to #18 11.02 join the user mailing list. #18 11.02 ```

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Open NEST Developer Video Conference Monday April 7, at 11:30 CEST (UTC+0200)
by Dennis Terhorst 07 Apr '25

07 Apr '25

Dear NEST Users & Developers! I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer Video Conference today *Monday April 7, at 11:30 CEST (UTC+0200).* As usual, in the Project team round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement summarizing ongoing and planned work in the team and highlight cross-cutting points that need discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go into a more in-depth discussion of topics that came up on the mailing list or that are suggested by the teams. Feel free to join the meeting also if it’s just to bring your own quick questions for direct discussion in the in-depth section. Agenda * Welcome * Review of NEST User Mailing List * Project team round * In-depth discussion The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-04-07-Open-NEST-Developer-… <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-04-07-Open-NEST-Developer-…> Looking forward to seeing you soon! Cheers, Dennis Terhorst Log-in information We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN <https://www.dfn.de/en/> (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 <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 <mailto: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 <http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4> -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Dr. Stephanie Bauer (stellvertretende Vorsitzende), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens, Prof. Dr. Laurens Kuipers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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using NEST in C++ examples
by johnpapad24＠gmail.com 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

Dear NEST team, I would like to intergrate nest in my c++ project however I couldn't find any examples on how to use nest in the C++ programing language. Can you give me some simple examples like conecting 3 neurons? Thanks in advance.

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using NEST in C++ examples
by johnpapad24＠gmail.com 01 Apr '25

01 Apr '25

Dear NEST team, I would like to intergrate nest in my c++ project however I couldn't find any examples on how to use nest in the C++ programing language. Can you give me some simple examples like conecting 3 neurons? Thanks in advance.

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What exactly should one do to customize one's own extension module?
by Alex Serenko 28 Mar '25

28 Mar '25

2 1

Documentation
by Peter Mason 25 Mar '25

25 Mar '25

To Jessica Mitchell. using::: https://nest-jessica-mitchell.readthedocs.io/en/stable/documentation_workfl… Should this read 'bottom right of the screen' ? Also the 'Stable' page raises an Error Peter [image: image.png]

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Disconnecting a recurrently connected population fails
by Willem Wybo 24 Mar '25

24 Mar '25

Dear Nest users, I’ve been trying to disconnect a population of neurons that is recurrently connected to itself. This works for a simple connection rule, like conn_spec=‘all_to_all’, but it fails for a more complex rule, like, conn_spec={'rule': 'pairwise_bernoulli', 'p': 1.0, 'allow_autapses': False}. When connecting two different populations to each other, disconnecting works with this rule. However, when connecting to the same population, the output of nest.GetConnections states that there are no connections, and calling nest.Disconnect() results in an error: nest.lib.hl_api_exceptions.NESTErrors.The connection does not exist: The connection does not exist in SLI function Disconnect_g_g_D_D: Deletion of connection is not possible. I’ve added a minimal example reproducing the issue in the attachment, Nest version is 3.8.0-post0.dev0. Btw, I’ve gotten this issue in a network model that was developed for Nest 3.5, so it seemed to work in that version. Best regards, Willem ---------------------- Dr. Willem Wybo, group leader Peter Grünberg Institute 15 - Neuromorphic Software Ecosystems Forschungszentrum Jülich www.fz-juelich.de/pgi/PGI-15 ——————————— ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Dr. Stephanie Bauer (stellv. Vorsitzende), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens, Prof. Dr. Laurens Kuipers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Open NEST Developer Video Conference Monday March 24, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100)
by Dennis Terhorst 24 Mar '25

24 Mar '25

Dear NEST Users & Developers! I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer Video Conference today *Monday March 24, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100).* As usual, in the Project team round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement summarizing ongoing and planned work in the team and highlight cross-cutting points that need discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go into a more in-depth discussion of topics that came up on the mailing list or that are suggested by the teams. Feel free to join the meeting also if it’s just to bring your own quick questions for direct discussion in the in-depth section. Agenda * Welcome * Review of NEST User Mailing List * Project team round * In-depth discussion The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-03-24-Open-NEST-Developer-… <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-03-24-Open-NEST-Developer-…> Looking forward to seeing you soon! Cheers, Dennis Terhorst Log-in information We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN <https://www.dfn.de/en/> (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 <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 <mailto: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 <http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4> -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Dr. Stephanie Bauer (stellvertretende Vorsitzende), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens, Prof. Dr. Laurens Kuipers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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NESTML - Error when generating code in an EasyBuild installation
by Pablo Alejandro 20 Mar '25

20 Mar '25

Hi everyone, I am currently working with nest/nestml that was installed with EasyBuild <https://docs.easybuild.io/> (i.e. a tool to manage software in HPC systems). Nest was installed with OpenMPI support (see nest_easybuild.eb attached) and it seems to be working fine. Nestml is failing when I try the stdp tutorial <https://nestml.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/stdp_windows/stdp_windows…> (see error log slurm-782.out and test.py script attached). I also attached the installation steps for nestml (nestml_easybuild.eb) and the slurm script (run_job_simple.sh) to this email. Could someone please assist me with further debugging this? This looks like an installation problem, but I get no errors if I'm using no synapse models. Thanks -- Pablo Alejandro

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Test message, please ignore
by Hans Ekkehard Plesser 19 Mar '25

19 Mar '25

-- Prof. Dr. Hans Ekkehard Plesser Research Committee Chair, Faculty of Science and Technology Head, Department of Data Science Department of Data Science 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<mailto:hans.ekkehard.plesser@nmbu.no> Home http://arken.nmbu.no/~plesser

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NEST Conference 2025 – registration and call for contributions are open
by Hans Ekkehard Plesser 16 Mar '25

16 Mar '25

Dear colleagues, The NEST Initiative is excited to invite everyone interested in Neural Simulation Technology and the NEST Simulator to the NEST Conference 2025. 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. Take the opportunity to advance your skills in using NEST at our hands-on workshops! We explicitly encourage young scientists to participate in the conference! This year's conference will again take place as a virtual conference on Tuesday/Wednesday 17/18 June 2025. We are delighted to welcome * Marja-Leena Linne, Tampere University, Finland * Daniela Gandolfi, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Italy * Barna Zajzon, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany * as keynote speakers at the conference. Registration and submission of contributions are now open! We are inviting contributions to the conference, including talks, "posters" and workshops on specific topics. Please register and submit your contribution(s) via the conference website https://nest-simulator.org/conference Important dates 15 April 2025 - Deadline for submission of contributions 25 April 2025 - Deadline for NEST Initiative membership applications eligible for fee reduction 09 May 2025 - Notification of acceptance 11 June 2025 - Registration deadline 17 June 2025 - NEST Conference 2025 starts We are looking forward to seeing you all in June! Hans Ekkehard Plesser and the conference organizing committee -- Prof. Dr. Hans Ekkehard Plesser Research Committee Chair, Faculty of Science and Technology Head, Department of Data Science Department of Data Science 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<mailto:hans.ekkehard.plesser@nmbu.no> Home http://arken.nmbu.no/~plesser

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First LTP interaction in STDP and synaptic time delay in STDP
by iiro.ahokainen＠tuni.fi 10 Mar '25

10 Mar '25

I'm a bit confused with NEST's STDP models. I'm not sure if the issues that I have found are design choices or unintended bugs. To debug stdp models, I added print statements in the stdp_synapse.h file: double minus_dt; while ( start != finish ) { minus_dt = t_lastspike_ - ( start->t_ + dendritic_delay ); std::cout<<"minus_dt: "<<minus_dt<<std::endl; std::cout<<"postspike time: "<<start->t_<<std::endl; ++start; // get_history() should make sure that // start->t_ > t_lastspike - dendritic_delay, i.e. minus_dt < 0 assert( minus_dt < -1.0 * kernel().connection_manager.get_stdp_eps() ); weight_ = facilitate_( weight_, Kplus_ * std::exp( minus_dt / tau_plus_ ) ); } I created two parrot neurons and fed spike times to the first neuron. I set the syn_delay to 0.3 ms. I found two issues: 1. If the spike train consists of only one spike, no STDP updates are performed. I would expect one positive update since the postsynaptic spike arrives 0.3 ms after the presynaptic spike. 2. minus_dt=-0.6 instead of -0.3. The spike separation is 0.3 ms, however for the STDP calculation, one uses 0.6 ms which confuses me. Indeed, simulating with presynaptic spike train [10., 20.] leads to weight change 1.0->35.5443 (lamba=1, mu_plus=mu_minus=0, otherwise defaults). Analytically, the same can be achieved by calculating (1/100 + np.exp(-0.6/20) - np.exp(-9.4/20))*100 = np.float64(35.54432652658074) This confirms that indeed minus_dt=-0.6 ms and that the first LTP STDP interaction is neglected. Are these known issues or new findings? I tested with NEST 3.3 and 3.8 and both had the same issues. I do not understand the point of having dendritic_delay in minus_dt = t_lastspike_ - ( start->t_ + dendritic_delay ), as it is already included in the start->t_ (?).

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Open NEST Developer Video Conference Monday March 10, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100)
by Dennis Terhorst 10 Mar '25

10 Mar '25

Dear NEST Users & Developers! I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer Video Conference today *Monday March 10, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100).* As usual, in the Project team round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement summarizing ongoing and planned work in the team and highlight cross-cutting points that need discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go into a more in-depth discussion of topics that came up on the mailing list or that are suggested by the teams. Feel free to join the meeting also if it’s just to bring your own quick questions for direct discussion in the in-depth section. Agenda * Welcome * Review of NEST User Mailing List * Project team round * In-depth discussion The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-03-10-Open-NEST-Developer-… <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-03-10-Open-NEST-Developer-…> Looking forward to seeing you soon! Cheers, Dennis Terhorst Log-in information We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN <https://www.dfn.de/en/> (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 <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 <mailto: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 <http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4> -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Dr. Stephanie Bauer (stellvertretende Vorsitzende), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens, Prof. Dr. Laurens Kuipers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Exponential Euler Support in NESTML
by justin.r.davis＠essie.ufl.edu 05 Mar '25

05 Mar '25

I've got a version of the HH model (via a NESTML file) which seems to be requiring an exponential Euler solver (ie the one commonly used for e^x dependent biologic systems) to most efficiently solve the equations*. From my reading of the NESTML code generator tools source, only rk45 and forward-Euler are supported. The difference between Euler and Exponential Euler doesn't seem that significant, so I wanted to see if I could get the exponential version implemented....however, what's become unclear to me is whether or not this is a limitation of NEST, NESTML or the underlying solvers and how I'd go about getting a different solver implemented. Are there any guides around on how one would implement a new solver and/or information which would help me figure this out. thx. jrd *=forward Euler does work for some (might work with even smaller timestep) cases, but it requires a time step of 0.01ms. I'm comparing with a Brian2 version of the model running with a 0.1ms time step with it's natively supported exponential Euler solver which is what is making me look into other solvers for my NESTML-based code.

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Open NEST Developer Video Conference Monday February 24, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100)
by Dennis Terhorst 24 Feb '25

24 Feb '25

Dear NEST Users & Developers! I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer Video Conference today *Monday February 24, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100).* As usual, in the Project team round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement summarizing ongoing and planned work in the team and highlight cross-cutting points that need discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go into a more in-depth discussion of topics that came up on the mailing list or that are suggested by the teams. Feel free to join the meeting also if it’s just to bring your own quick questions for direct discussion in the in-depth section. Agenda * Welcome * Review of NEST User Mailing List * Project team round * In-depth discussion The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-02-24-Open-NEST-Developer-… <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-02-24-Open-NEST-Developer-…> Looking forward to seeing you soon! Cheers, Dennis Terhorst Log-in information We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN <https://www.dfn.de/en/> (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 <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 <mailto: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 <http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4> -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ Phone +49 2461 61-85062 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens ----------------------------------------------------------------------

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export NEST_MLMODULES=nestmlmodule breaks nest
by Chris Huyck 14 Feb '25

14 Feb '25

I've been using nestml with pynn and nest for some time. I think I built a new model (combining a synapse and a neuron) and it broke nest. So, I can start an environment that has nest, and run nest (sli), pynest and pynn files with nest. However, if I export NEST_MLMODULES=nestmlmodule it breaks nest (sli). That is, I invoke nest, and it says it can't find nestmlmodule. However, if I start a new shell, and do not export NEST_MLMODULES I can run python, import nest, then nest.Install("./nestmlmodule") # in the right directory neuron = nest.Create("iaf_cond_beta_neuron") If I then export NEST_MLMODULES=nestmlmodule I can't import nest from python. Somewhere in the middle of all this, I reran nestml to create just the iaf_cond_beta_neuron, so that's the library I'm using. I'm pretty sure that library works fine. Any idea how to fix it? -Chris From: Chris Huyck <C.Huyck(a)mdx.ac.uk> Sent: 31 January 2025 12:10 To: NEST User Mailing List <users(a)nest-simulator.org> Subject: [NEST Users] Re: nestml synapses in pyNN I'm trying to use my own short term potentiation model with an existing model. The model is the IF_cond_exp model from PyNN. I tried your nestml integrate and fire models from Git.../nestml/master/models/neurons, and none seem to be the IF_cond_exp model. The closest I could find was the iaf_cond_beta_neuron. Am I missing something. Is the IF_cond_exp model done somewhere in nestml? (I'm relatively vested in that IF_cond_exp model. I need the nestml neuron model before I can properly use the nestml synapse model.) -Chris From: Charl Linssen <nest-users(a)turingbirds.com<mailto:nest-users@turingbirds.com>> Sent: 23 July 2024 11:25 To: users(a)nest-simulator.org<mailto:users@nest-simulator.org> Subject: [NEST Users] Re: nestml synapses in pyNN You don't often get email from nest-users(a)turingbirds.com<mailto:nest-users@turingbirds.com>. Learn why this is important<https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification> Hi Chris, Thank you for writing in! It would be great to have a better compatibility and better documentation for using NESTML models in pyNN, but as of now this is not yet in place, please let us know if you have any tips or experience to share. On SpiNNaker, only neuron models are supported for now, we have an open position for a student project to implement synaptic plasticity as well! With kind regards, Charl On Mon, Jul 22, 2024, at 16:32, Chris Huyck wrote: I've taken your noisy_synapse model and got that to run in pyNest. When I try it in PyNN it fails (can't find weight if you set w, weight not an argument if you use weight). I understand that you don't support pyNN. Do you support SpiNNaker (as it's a target)? If so, how do you access the model on SpiNNaker? (I only access SpiNNaker through PyNN). -Chris _______________________________________________ NEST Users mailing list -- users(a)nest-simulator.org<mailto:users@nest-simulator.org> To unsubscribe send an email to users-leave(a)nest-simulator.org<mailto:users-leave@nest-simulator.org>

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nestml synapses in pyNN
by Chris Huyck 14 Feb '25

14 Feb '25

I've taken your noisy_synapse model and got that to run in pyNest. When I try it in PyNN it fails (can't find weight if you set w, weight not an argument if you use weight). I understand that you don't support pyNN. Do you support SpiNNaker (as it's a target)? If so, how do you access the model on SpiNNaker? (I only access SpiNNaker through PyNN). -Chris

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nestml doesn't work on synapse models
by Chris Huyck 12 Feb '25

12 Feb '25

I've got a new conda environment. I compile nest (3.7) from a tarball and it runs. I pip install pyNN I pip install nestml (which now gives me nestml8.0.0. Is there some way to tell the version without just uninstalling it?) The neuron models work. The synapse models fail to nestml I tried my models, but went to the noisy_synapse and static_synapse models (from git) Both fail in nest_code_generator.py line 267 (variables_special_cases = ...) Any thoughts about how to get synapses to work in nestml? -Chris

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wrong results eprop examples
by Xavier Otazu Porter 11 Feb '25

11 Feb '25

Hello, I have downloaded several of the eprop python examples, and none of them generate the correct results. For example, the handwritten example, generates a rather random result (the red points data) that do not fit with the expected results. The sinus generation, also generates wrong results. If you want, I can send a small image (not did it now to avoid image spamming). I am using NEST 3.8 with python 3.9 in a linux Rocks enviornment, and python 3.11 in a FreeBSD environment. Thanks a lot in advance. Xavier Computer Vision Center<http://www.cvc.uab.cat> CONFIDENTIALITY WARNING<http://www.cvc.uab.es/?page_id=7475>

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`tsodyks_synapse` and `tsodyks2_synapse` models have different behavior for short term depression
by Pavel Haman 10 Feb '25

10 Feb '25

Hello, I have followed the example script comparing `tsodyks_synapse` and `tsodyks2_synapse` models, which can be found here: https://nest-simulator.readthedocs.io/en/stable/auto_examples/evaluate_tsod… Using the parameter set for depression instead of facilitation I found that `tsodyks2_synapse` model leads to weird peaks of synaptic currents (at least I would not expect that for short term depression) - during the second stimulation the weight rescaling seems to be shifted by one spike compared to tsodyks_synapse (as if parameter "u" would be updated after rescaling the weight instead of before). Does anybody know why is there this difference between the two synapse models? Thank you. All the best, PH

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Building a nest simulation for mnist dataset
by Aditya Srivastava 10 Feb '25

10 Feb '25

I have built a nest simulation for a binary dataset where we have two classes normal and anomalous . So i tried to built a model iun such a way so that the model learns to produce no spike in case of a normal data but when it sees a anomalous data it is producing the spikes. So this model was working fine. Now I am trying to move forward with it and try it on image dataset where I am using simple MNIST data and I have just taken image for one digit and trying to build a same kind of architecture where it should produce almost no spike when it sees a digit one and oin case of other digits it should produce spikes but I am facing issues in it . The model is not able to produce enough spikes and when I am creating more exc connections then spikes are not reducing with each epochs so can you please suggest me a better approach or some suggestion for my current approach. # loading dataset from sklearn.datasets import fetch_openml import numpy as np def preprocess_mnist_digit(digit=1): """ Load and preprocess the MNIST dataset to only include images of a specific digit. Normalize pixel values by dividing by 4 and flatten images. Args: digit (int): The digit to filter (e.g., 1 for digit '1'). num_samples (int): Number of samples to retain. Returns: flattened_images (array): Flattened MNIST images of the specified digit. labels (array): Corresponding labels. """ # Load MNIST data mnist = fetch_openml('mnist_784', version=1) data, labels = mnist['data'], mnist['target'].astype(int) # Convert labels to integers # Filter images that correspond to the specified digit digit_indices = np.where(labels == digit)[0] # Get indices where label is equal to the specified digit # Extract the corresponding images and labels filtered_images = data.iloc[digit_indices].to_numpy(dtype=float) / 4.0 # Normalize filtered_labels = labels[digit_indices] return filtered_images, filtered_labels # Load only images of the digit '1' images, labels = preprocess_mnist_digit(digit=1) # building simulation nest.ResetKernel() # Simulation parameters dt = 0.01 # Simulation time step in ms nest.SetKernelStatus({"resolution": dt}) N = 784 # Number of neurons images=images[:10] gmax = 3 neuron_params = { "tau_m": 140.0, # Membrane time constant in ms "E_L": -70.6, # Resting potential (in mV) "V_th": -40.4, # Threshold potential (in mV) "V_reset": -70.6, # Reset potential (in mV) "V_m":0.0, } nest.CopyModel("stdp_synapse", "stdp_synapse_exc", {"weight":gmax,"alpha":1,"Wmax":gmax, "tau_plus": 20.0,"lambda": -0.0005, "mu_minus": 0, "mu_plus": 0}) nest.CopyModel("stdp_synapse", "stdp_synapse_inh", {"weight":-gmax/(N-1),"alpha":1,"Wmax":-gmax, "tau_plus": 20.0,"lambda": 0.005, "mu_minus": 0, "mu_plus": 0}) G_spike_gen = nest.Create("poisson_generator",N) G_input = nest.Create("parrot_neuron", N) input_spike_recorder = nest.Create("spike_recorder",N) nest.Connect(G_input, input_spike_recorder,"one_to_one") G_hidden = nest.Create("iaf_psc_delta", N,params=neuron_params) G_output = nest.Create("iaf_psc_delta", 1,params=neuron_params) hidden_spike_recorder = nest.Create("spike_recorder",N) nest.Connect(G_hidden, hidden_spike_recorder,"one_to_one") S_in = nest.Connect(G_spike_gen, G_input, "one_to_one") # Connect input to hidden layer with excitatory STDP synapses S_exc = nest.Connect(G_input, G_hidden,"one_to_one",syn_spec = "stdp_synapse_exc") # Retrieve the neuron IDs for G_input and G_hidden input_ids = G_input.tolist() hidden_ids = G_hidden.tolist() # Get the existing excitatory connections and extract their source-target ID pairs exc_connections = nest.GetConnections(G_input, G_hidden) exc_connection_pairs = set(zip(exc_connections.get("source"), exc_connections.get("target"))) for i in input_ids: for h in hidden_ids: if (i, h) not in exc_connection_pairs: nc1 = nest.NodeCollection([i]) nc2 = nest.NodeCollection([h]) nest.Connect(nc1, nc2, syn_spec= "stdp_synapse_inh") S_out = nest.Connect(G_hidden, G_output,"all_to_all",syn_spec = {"weight": 40.4/N}) # training function def train_net(images, spike_tol=0): output_spike_recorder = nest.Create("spike_recorder") output_membrane_recorder = nest.Create("voltmeter", 1) nest.Connect(G_output, output_spike_recorder) # Record output layer spikes nest.Connect(output_membrane_recorder, G_output, "one_to_one") while True: for image in images: for i in range(784): G_spike_gen[i].rate=image[i] nest.Simulate(500) for i in range(784): spikes = nest.GetStatus(hidden_spike_recorder[i], "events")[0] # if length of spikes is not zero then print the number of spikes and the times of spikes also print the index of the input_spike_recorder if len(spikes["times"]) != 0: print("Number of spikes in hidden_spike_recorder",i,":", len(spikes["times"])) print("Times of spikes in hidden_spike_recorder",i,":", spikes["times"]) print("\n") output_spikes_num = len(output_spike_recorder.get()["events"]["times"]) print("# of output spikes: " + str(output_spikes_num)) # del recorder_for_epoch if output_spikes_num <= spike_tol: print("Training finished") break return output_membrane_recorder, output_spike_recorder v, spk = train_net(images, spike_tol = 2) ___________________________________________

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Open NEST Developer Video Conference Monday February 10, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100)
by Dennis Terhorst 10 Feb '25

10 Feb '25

Dear NEST Users & Developers! I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer Video Conference today *Monday February 10, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100).* As usual, in the Project team round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement summarizing ongoing and planned work in the team and highlight cross-cutting points that need discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go into a more in-depth discussion of topics that came up on the mailing list or that are suggested by the teams. Feel free to join the meeting also if it’s just to bring your own quick questions for direct discussion in the in-depth section. Agenda * Welcome * Review of NEST User Mailing List * Project team round * In-depth discussion The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-02-10-Open-NEST-Developer-… <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-02-10-Open-NEST-Developer-…> Looking forward to seeing you soon! Cheers, Dennis Terhorst Log-in information We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN <https://www.dfn.de/en/> (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 <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 <mailto: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 <http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4> -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ Phone +49 2461 61-85062 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens ----------------------------------------------------------------------

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Invitation to EBRAINS events in Heidelberg from 12-13 March
by Dennis Terhorst 10 Feb '25

10 Feb '25

Hi everyone, I would like to forward the invitation to the EBRAINS events in Heidelberg next month. Many experts of tools will be there including quite a number of NEST users and developers. You have the opportunity to join tutorials, learn about more interesting tools and directly exchange experience with others. Have a look! --- Dear NEST Community, We are delighted to invite you to join us in Heidelberg, Germanyat theEINC <https://einc.eu/>, from 12-13 March 2025, for a series of EBRAINS events. On*Wednesday,**12 March*, we will host an*EBRAINS Tutorials and Users Day*. It is aimed at both newcomers and experienced users of EBRAINS tools. Newcomers will have the chance to explore the wide range of Open Science Tools and Services available on the research infrastructure, while seasoned EBRAINS users can dive deeper with advanced tutorials and discuss with developers. You can find out more about the Tutorials and Users Day here:https://www.ebrains.eu/news-and-events/accelerate-your-neuroscience-research-with-ebrains-tutorials-and-users-day-in-heidelberg <https://www.ebrains.eu/news-and-events/accelerate-your-neuroscience-researc…> On*Thursday, 13 March*, we will host an*EBRAINS Developers Day*. It will feature introductions for developers on how to integrate tools and services into the EBRAINS software distribution or to integrate services via EBRAINS (workflows). You can find out more about the Developers Day here:https://www.ebrains.eu/news-and-events/developers-day-2025 <https://www.ebrains.eu/news-and-events/developers-day-2025> If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contactcommunications(a)ebrains.eu <mailto:communications@ebrains.eu>. We hope to see you in Heidelberg! Kind regards, EBRAINSAISBL --- -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ Phone +49 2461 61-85062 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens ----------------------------------------------------------------------

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Test
by Jochen Martin Eppler 10 Feb '25

10 Feb '25

1 1

Building a nest simulation for mnist dataset
by Aditya Srivastava 28 Jan '25

28 Jan '25

I have built a nest simulation for a binary dataset where we have two classes normal and anomalous . So i tried to built a model iun such a way so that the model learns to produce no spike in case of a normal data but when it sees a anomalous data it is producing the spikes. So this model was working fine. Now I am trying to move forward with it and try it on image dataset where I am using simple MNIST data and I have just taken image for one digit and trying to build a same kind of architecture where it should produce almost no spike when it sees a digit one and oin case of other digits it should produce spikes but I am facing issues in it . The model is not able to produce enough spikes and when I am creating more exc connections then spikes are not reducing with each epochs so can you please suggest me a better approach or some suggestion for my current approach. # loading dataset from sklearn.datasets import fetch_openml import numpy as np def preprocess_mnist_digit(digit=1): """ Load and preprocess the MNIST dataset to only include images of a specific digit. Normalize pixel values by dividing by 4 and flatten images. Args: digit (int): The digit to filter (e.g., 1 for digit '1'). num_samples (int): Number of samples to retain. Returns: flattened_images (array): Flattened MNIST images of the specified digit. labels (array): Corresponding labels. """ # Load MNIST data mnist = fetch_openml('mnist_784', version=1) data, labels = mnist['data'], mnist['target'].astype(int) # Convert labels to integers # Filter images that correspond to the specified digit digit_indices = np.where(labels == digit)[0] # Get indices where label is equal to the specified digit # Extract the corresponding images and labels filtered_images = data.iloc[digit_indices].to_numpy(dtype=float) / 4.0 # Normalize filtered_labels = labels[digit_indices] return filtered_images, filtered_labels # Load only images of the digit '1' images, labels = preprocess_mnist_digit(digit=1) # building simulation nest.ResetKernel() # Simulation parameters dt = 0.01 # Simulation time step in ms nest.SetKernelStatus({"resolution": dt}) N = 784 # Number of neurons images=images[:10] gmax = 3 neuron_params = { "tau_m": 140.0, # Membrane time constant in ms "E_L": -70.6, # Resting potential (in mV) "V_th": -40.4, # Threshold potential (in mV) "V_reset": -70.6, # Reset potential (in mV) "V_m":0.0, } nest.CopyModel("stdp_synapse", "stdp_synapse_exc", {"weight":gmax,"alpha":1,"Wmax":gmax, "tau_plus": 20.0,"lambda": -0.0005, "mu_minus": 0, "mu_plus": 0}) nest.CopyModel("stdp_synapse", "stdp_synapse_inh", {"weight":-gmax/(N-1),"alpha":1,"Wmax":-gmax, "tau_plus": 20.0,"lambda": 0.005, "mu_minus": 0, "mu_plus": 0}) G_spike_gen = nest.Create("poisson_generator",N) G_input = nest.Create("parrot_neuron", N) input_spike_recorder = nest.Create("spike_recorder",N) nest.Connect(G_input, input_spike_recorder,"one_to_one") G_hidden = nest.Create("iaf_psc_delta", N,params=neuron_params) G_output = nest.Create("iaf_psc_delta", 1,params=neuron_params) hidden_spike_recorder = nest.Create("spike_recorder",N) nest.Connect(G_hidden, hidden_spike_recorder,"one_to_one") S_in = nest.Connect(G_spike_gen, G_input, "one_to_one") # Connect input to hidden layer with excitatory STDP synapses S_exc = nest.Connect(G_input, G_hidden,"one_to_one",syn_spec = "stdp_synapse_exc") # Retrieve the neuron IDs for G_input and G_hidden input_ids = G_input.tolist() hidden_ids = G_hidden.tolist() # Get the existing excitatory connections and extract their source-target ID pairs exc_connections = nest.GetConnections(G_input, G_hidden) exc_connection_pairs = set(zip(exc_connections.get("source"), exc_connections.get("target"))) for i in input_ids: for h in hidden_ids: if (i, h) not in exc_connection_pairs: nc1 = nest.NodeCollection([i]) nc2 = nest.NodeCollection([h]) nest.Connect(nc1, nc2, syn_spec= "stdp_synapse_inh") S_out = nest.Connect(G_hidden, G_output,"all_to_all",syn_spec = {"weight": 40.4/N}) # training function def train_net(images, spike_tol=0): output_spike_recorder = nest.Create("spike_recorder") output_membrane_recorder = nest.Create("voltmeter", 1) nest.Connect(G_output, output_spike_recorder) # Record output layer spikes nest.Connect(output_membrane_recorder, G_output, "one_to_one") while True: for image in images: for i in range(784): G_spike_gen[i].rate=image[i] nest.Simulate(500) for i in range(784): spikes = nest.GetStatus(hidden_spike_recorder[i], "events")[0] # if length of spikes is not zero then print the number of spikes and the times of spikes also print the index of the input_spike_recorder if len(spikes["times"]) != 0: print("Number of spikes in hidden_spike_recorder",i,":", len(spikes["times"])) print("Times of spikes in hidden_spike_recorder",i,":", spikes["times"]) print("\n") output_spikes_num = len(output_spike_recorder.get()["events"]["times"]) print("# of output spikes: " + str(output_spikes_num)) # del recorder_for_epoch if output_spikes_num <= spike_tol: print("Training finished") break return output_membrane_recorder, output_spike_recorder v, spk = train_net(images, spike_tol = 2)

1 0

Open NEST Developer Video Conference Monday January 27, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100)
by Dennis Terhorst 27 Jan '25

27 Jan '25

Dear NEST Users & Developers! I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer Video Conference today *Monday January 27, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100).* As usual, in the Project team round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement summarizing ongoing and planned work in the team and highlight cross-cutting points that need discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go into a more in-depth discussion of topics that came up on the mailing list or that are suggested by the teams. Feel free to join the meeting also if it’s just to bring your own quick questions for direct discussion in the in-depth section. Agenda * Welcome o Welcome NEAT * Review of NEST User Mailing List * Project team round * In-depth discussion The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-01-27-Open-NEST-Developer-… <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-01-27-Open-NEST-Developer-…> Looking forward to seeing you soon! Cheers, Dennis Terhorst Log-in information We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN <https://www.dfn.de/en/> (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 <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 <mailto: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 <http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4> -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ Phone +49 2461 61-85062 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens ----------------------------------------------------------------------

1 0

Error during NESTML make
by Beck Strohmer 16 Jan '25

16 Jan '25

Hi, I am trying to create a dopamine modulated synapse using NESTML. You can find the nestml file and the file for creating the neuron attached. I am using NEST version 3.8.0 and running within a conda environment (v. 24.1.2). I get a make error in the end so the files are created except for the .so file that I need for loading the model. I attached the terminal error for further details. Has anyone else had this issue? How were you able to resolve it? Thanks for any advice! Best, Beck

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Save the date: NEST Conference 2025 will take place 17–18 June (online)
by Hans Ekkehard Plesser 16 Jan '25

16 Jan '25

Dear Colleagues, The NEST Initiative is excited to invite everyone interested in neural simulation technology, simulation-based neuroscience and NEST Software to the NEST Conference 2025. Save the date for the virtual conference, taking place online on 17–18 June 2025! The annual 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. We particularly encourage young scientists to participate in the conference! Registration and abstract submission will open soon. For more information on the event please visit the conference website https://nest-simulator.org/conference We are looking forward to seeing you in June! Hans Ekkehard Plesser on behalf of the conference organizing committee -- Prof. Dr. Hans Ekkehard Plesser Research Committee Chair, Faculty of Science and Technology Head, Department of Data Science Department of Data Science 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<mailto:hans.ekkehard.plesser@nmbu.no> Home http://arken.nmbu.no/~plesser

1 0

Using nest server to run nestml models
by Pablo Alejandro 16 Jan '25

16 Jan '25

Hi Everyone, Apologies for sending the message below again. I think my last post was done incorrectly and no one got notifications. ----------------------------------------- Does nest server currently support nestml models? I couldn't find examples in the documentation (even though `nestml-server` binary exists in nest3.8 docker image). Ideally, I would like to run it with MPI too. I can run a simple example (`python test.py`) with `nest-server` running from a docker container, but the same code fails if I use `nestml-server`: ``` docker run -it --rm -e LOCAL_USER_ID=`id -u $USER` -p 52425:52425 nest/nest-simulator:3.8 nest-server start ``` works, but ``` docker run -it --rm -e LOCAL_USER_ID=`id -u $USER` -p 52426:52426 nest/nest-simulator:3.8 nestml-server start ``` fails with ``` Traceback (most recent call last): File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connection.py", line 199, in _new_conn sock = connection.create_connection( File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/util/connection.py", line 85, in create_connection raise err File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/util/connection.py", line 73, in create_connection sock.connect(sa) ConnectionRefusedError: [Errno 111] Connection refused The above exception was the direct cause of the following exception: Traceback (most recent call last): File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connectionpool.py", line 789, in urlopen response = self._make_request( File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connectionpool.py", line 495, in _make_request conn.request( File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connection.py", line 441, in request self.endheaders() File "/usr/lib/python3.10/http/client.py", line 1278, in endheaders self._send_output(message_body, encode_chunked=encode_chunked) File "/usr/lib/python3.10/http/client.py", line 1038, in _send_output self.send(msg) File "/usr/lib/python3.10/http/client.py", line 976, in send self.connect() File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connection.py", line 279, in connect self.sock = self._new_conn() File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connection.py", line 214, in _new_conn raise NewConnectionError( urllib3.exceptions.NewConnectionError: <urllib3.connection.HTTPConnection object at 0x7fb8b63ea440>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 111] Connection refused The above exception was the direct cause of the following exception: Traceback (most recent call last): File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/adapters.py", line 439, in send resp = conn.urlopen( File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connectionpool.py", line 843, in urlopen retries = retries.increment( File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/util/retry.py", line 519, in increment raise MaxRetryError(_pool, url, reason) from reason # type: ignore[arg-type] urllib3.exceptions.MaxRetryError: HTTPConnectionPool(host='localhost', port=52425): Max retries exceeded with url: /exec (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPConnection object at 0x7fb8b63ea440>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 111] Connection refused')) During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred: Traceback (most recent call last): File "/home/pablo/git/nest-client/test_server.py", line 4, in <module> response = nsc.from_file('examples/NESTClient_script.py', return_vars='n_events') File "/home/pablo/git/nest-client/nest_client/nest_client.py", line 68, in from_file return self.exec_script(script, return_vars) File "/home/pablo/git/nest-client/nest_client/nest_client.py", line 56, in exec_script response = requests.post(self.url + 'exec', json=params, headers=self.headers) File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/api.py", line 119, in post return request('post', url, data=data, json=json, **kwargs) File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/api.py", line 61, in request return session.request(method=method, url=url, **kwargs) File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/sessions.py", line 544, in request resp = self.send(prep, **send_kwargs) File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/sessions.py", line 657, in send r = adapter.send(request, **kwargs) File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/adapters.py", line 516, in send raise ConnectionError(e, request=request) requests.exceptions.ConnectionError: HTTPConnectionPool(host='localhost', port=52425): Max retries exceeded with url: /exec (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPConnection object at 0x7fb8b63ea440>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 111] Connection refused')) ``` The simple python code used is shown below. ``` from nest_client import NESTClient nsc = NESTClient() response = nsc.from_file('examples/NESTClient_script.py', return_vars='n_events') n_events = response['data'] print('Number of events:', n_events) ``` No nestml models are being tested for now because I don't know which functions should be used to generate code with `nest-client` e.g. ``` from pynestml.codegeneration.nest_code_generator_utils import NESTCodeGeneratorUtils module_name, neuron_model_name, synapse_model_name = \ NESTCodeGeneratorUtils.generate_code_for( "neuron.nestml", "synapse.nestml", post_ports=["post_spikes"], codegen_opts=codegen_opts ) ``` should be rewritten to use `from nest_client import NESTClient`. Thanks in advance, Pablo Alejandro

2 3

Segmentation faults with Structural Plasticity in NEST v3.6 onwards
by Ady Sharma 15 Jan '25

15 Jan '25

Hello, TL;DR: using structural plasticity with mpi-based simulation leads to spontaneous crashes in NESTv3.6 onward. A minimal script reproducing the crash is provided This is a followup to my previous mailing list post (https://www.nest-simulator.org/mailinglist/hyperkitty/list/users@nest-simul…) where I encountered segmentation faults while executing structural-plasticity-based simulations in NESTv3.8. Previously, I suspected that the crashes occurred due to presumed buggy installations of NEST on HPCs. The helpful comments on that post did not solve the issue, so I performed some tests and gathered feedback from other users testing structural plasticity (SP) in NESTv3.6+. My conclusion is that MPI-based simulations spontaneously crash when using structural plasticity. The probability of spontaneous crashes increases with the number of MPI processes. Below, I'll provide more details and also a link to a minimal code that reproduces the segmentation fault. Background: I use SP to perform large-scale network simulations on HPC. Hitherto, I've been using NESTv2.20.1 for various reasons. When I found that SP functionality in NESTv3.6 was finally equivalent to that of NESTv2.20.1, I decided to port my code to the latest release (v3.8). I installed v3.8 on my local machine with MPI support, and tested a scaled-down experiment as a sanity check---everything worked as expected. However, when I ran the full-scale network on HPCs (JUSUF at Jülich and NEMO at uni-freiburg), I got segmentation faults. HPC support couldn't help in resolving the issues. Reinstalling didn't help. At this point, I reached out with the aforementioned post on the mailing list ("MPI-based error on v3.8"). Current Status: I created a minimal pynest script that simulates an E-I network, where the E-->E connections are organised by structural plasticity. I believe this minimal example includes the necessary steps involved in any SP-based experiment. The script can be run by the following BASH call: `mpirun python minimal.py $RANDOM_SEED $TOTAL_NUM_VIRTUAL_PROCS # use srun, when required` The following table gives a summary of the segmentation-fault crashes for `minimal.py`: NEST version machine (MPI procs count) Crash v2.20.1 local (2) No v2.20.2 local (2) No v2.20.1 HPC-2 (upto 1024) No v2.20.2 HPC-1 (upto 1024) No v3.8 local (2) Yes (rarely) v3.8 HPC-1 (8) No v3.8 HPC-1 (16, 24, 32, 64, 128) Yes v3.8 HPC-2 (8) No v3.8 HPC-2 (16, 24, 32, 64, 128) Yes v3.6 HPC-1 (32, 64, 128, 256) Yes - machines: - local: Linux 5.4.0-204-generic x86_64; Intel Core i5-5300U; 16GB - HPC-2: NEMO (https://www.nemo.uni-freiburg.de/) - HPC-1: JUSUF (https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/ias/jsc/systems/supercomputers/jusuf) - NESTv2.20.1, v2.20.2, and v3.8 in all cases were installed manually. v3.6 was available as a preinstalled module in HPC-1 - The crashes do not occur if MPI is not used for SP simulations - The crashes do not occur in MPI-based simulations that do not involve SP Conclusion: - MPI-based crashes occur in SP simulations. - Perhaps how MPI-procs handle data in NESTv3.6+ leads to spontaneous segmentation faults. - MPI-proc count potentially correlates with segmention-fault frequency. It is possible that faults will occur, although rarely, with small no. of MPI procs Expectations from this post: Large no. of MPI-procs provide a very significant speed-up for SP-based simulations, therefore it is important that MPI is fully functional in NEST. - Kindly let me know if you can reproduce the same crash. If what I observe is indeed true, then this merits creating an issue on GitHub. - If you cannot reproduce the crashes, I would greatly appreciate any help and fixing the issue. Code: - You will find a formated version of this post with acocmpanying code and crash dumps on this GitLab page: https://gitlab.rz.uni-freiburg.de/as2013/minimal_share.git - minimal.py: https://gitlab.rz.uni-freiburg.de/as2013/minimal_share/-/blob/119e52d3552a7… Thanks! Best, Ady PS. Is it possible to add some sort of text formatting (HTML/markdown) to these posts?

2 1

Open NEST Developer Video Conference Monday January 13, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100)
by Dennis Terhorst 13 Jan '25

13 Jan '25

Dear NEST Users & Developers! I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer Video Conference today *Monday January 13, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100).* As usual, in the Project team round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement summarizing ongoing and planned work in the team and highlight cross-cutting points that need discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go into a more in-depth discussion of topics that came up on the mailing list or that are suggested by the teams. Feel free to join the meeting also if it’s just to bring your own quick questions for direct discussion in the in-depth section. Agenda * Welcome * Review of NEST User Mailing List * Project team round * In-depth discussion The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-01-13-Open-NEST-Developer-… <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2025-01-13-Open-NEST-Developer-…> Looking forward to seeing you soon! Cheers, Dennis Terhorst Log-in information We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN <https://www.dfn.de/en/> (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 <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 <mailto: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 <http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4> -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ Phone +49 2461 61-85062 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens ----------------------------------------------------------------------

1 0

Test message, please ignore
by Hans Ekkehard Plesser 09 Jan '25

09 Jan '25

This message is a test. -- Prof. Dr. Hans Ekkehard Plesser Research Committee Chair, Faculty of Science and Technology Head, Department of Data Science Department of Data Science 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<mailto:hans.ekkehard.plesser@nmbu.no> Home http://arken.nmbu.no/~plesser

1 0

Test and a Happy New Year!
by Jochen Martin Eppler 07 Jan '25

07 Jan '25

Cheers Jochen!  

2 1

Assistance with Installing NESTML
by atiye nejadebrahim 26 Dec '24

26 Dec '24

Dear all, I have installed NEST from source in a conda environment and attempted to install NESTML both via conda and manually. However, I consistently encounter the following error: pynestml.exceptions.generated_code_build_exception.GeneratedCodeBuildException: Error occurred during 'make all'! More detailed error messages can be found in stderr. I have tried adding it to the path, but despite installing pynestml, it still cannot locate it. Could you please assist me in resolving this issue and successfully installing NESTML to create a new module? Thank you in advance for your help! Best regards,Atiyeh Atiyeh Nezhadebrahim,Scientific Researcher

2 3

Using nest server to run nestml models
by pabloabur＠gmail.com 17 Dec '24

17 Dec '24

Hi Everyone, Does nest server currently support nestml models? I couldn't find examples in the documentation (even though `nestml-server` binary exists in nest3.8 docker image). Ideally, I would like to run it with MPI too. I can run a simple example (`python test.py`) with `nest-server` running from a docker container, but the same code fails if I use `nestml-server`: ``` docker run -it --rm -e LOCAL_USER_ID=`id -u $USER` -p 52425:52425 nest/nest-simulator:3.8 nest-server start ``` works, but ``` docker run -it --rm -e LOCAL_USER_ID=`id -u $USER` -p 52426:52426 nest/nest-simulator:3.8 nestml-server start ``` fails with ``` Traceback (most recent call last): File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connection.py", line 199, in _new_conn sock = connection.create_connection( File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/util/connection.py", line 85, in create_connection raise err File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/util/connection.py", line 73, in create_connection sock.connect(sa) ConnectionRefusedError: [Errno 111] Connection refused The above exception was the direct cause of the following exception: Traceback (most recent call last): File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connectionpool.py", line 789, in urlopen response = self._make_request( File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connectionpool.py", line 495, in _make_request conn.request( File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connection.py", line 441, in request self.endheaders() File "/usr/lib/python3.10/http/client.py", line 1278, in endheaders self._send_output(message_body, encode_chunked=encode_chunked) File "/usr/lib/python3.10/http/client.py", line 1038, in _send_output self.send(msg) File "/usr/lib/python3.10/http/client.py", line 976, in send self.connect() File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connection.py", line 279, in connect self.sock = self._new_conn() File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connection.py", line 214, in _new_conn raise NewConnectionError( urllib3.exceptions.NewConnectionError: <urllib3.connection.HTTPConnection object at 0x7fb8b63ea440>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 111] Connection refused The above exception was the direct cause of the following exception: Traceback (most recent call last): File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/adapters.py", line 439, in send resp = conn.urlopen( File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/connectionpool.py", line 843, in urlopen retries = retries.increment( File "/usr/local/lib/python3.10/dist-packages/urllib3/util/retry.py", line 519, in increment raise MaxRetryError(_pool, url, reason) from reason # type: ignore[arg-type] urllib3.exceptions.MaxRetryError: HTTPConnectionPool(host='localhost', port=52425): Max retries exceeded with url: /exec (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPConnection object at 0x7fb8b63ea440>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 111] Connection refused')) During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred: Traceback (most recent call last): File "/home/pablo/git/nest-client/test_server.py", line 4, in <module> response = nsc.from_file('examples/NESTClient_script.py', return_vars='n_events') File "/home/pablo/git/nest-client/nest_client/nest_client.py", line 68, in from_file return self.exec_script(script, return_vars) File "/home/pablo/git/nest-client/nest_client/nest_client.py", line 56, in exec_script response = requests.post(self.url + 'exec', json=params, headers=self.headers) File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/api.py", line 119, in post return request('post', url, data=data, json=json, **kwargs) File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/api.py", line 61, in request return session.request(method=method, url=url, **kwargs) File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/sessions.py", line 544, in request resp = self.send(prep, **send_kwargs) File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/sessions.py", line 657, in send r = adapter.send(request, **kwargs) File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/requests/adapters.py", line 516, in send raise ConnectionError(e, request=request) requests.exceptions.ConnectionError: HTTPConnectionPool(host='localhost', port=52425): Max retries exceeded with url: /exec (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPConnection object at 0x7fb8b63ea440>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 111] Connection refused')) ``` The simple python code used is shown below. ``` from nest_client import NESTClient nsc = NESTClient() response = nsc.from_file('examples/NESTClient_script.py', return_vars='n_events') n_events = response['data'] print('Number of events:', n_events) ``` No nestml models are being tested for now because I don't know which functions should be used to generate code with `nest-client` e.g. ``` from pynestml.codegeneration.nest_code_generator_utils import NESTCodeGeneratorUtils module_name, neuron_model_name, synapse_model_name = \ NESTCodeGeneratorUtils.generate_code_for( "neuron.nestml", "synapse.nestml", post_ports=["post_spikes"], codegen_opts=codegen_opts ) ``` should be rewritten to use `from nest_client import NESTClient`. Thanks in advance, Pablo Alejandro

1 0

Open NEST Developer Video Conference Monday December 16, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100)
by Dennis Terhorst 16 Dec '24

16 Dec '24

Dear NEST Users & Developers! I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer Video Conference today *Monday December 16, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100).* As usual, in the Project team round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement summarizing ongoing and planned work in the team and highlight cross-cutting points that need discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go into a more in-depth discussion of topics that came up on the mailing list or that are suggested by the teams. Feel free to join the meeting also if it’s just to bring your own quick questions for direct discussion in the in-depth section. Agenda * Welcome * Review of NEST User Mailing List * Project team round * In-depth discussion The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2024-12-16-Open-NEST-Developer-… <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2024-12-16-Open-NEST-Developer-…> Looking forward to seeing you soon! Cheers, Dennis Terhorst Log-in information We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN <https://www.dfn.de/en/> (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 <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 <mailto: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 <http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4> -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ Phone +49 2461 61-85062 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens ----------------------------------------------------------------------

1 0

Issue In testing of a trained network
by Aditya Srivastava 10 Dec '24

10 Dec '24

I have built a nest model with a reverse stdp approach in which with time I'm trying to reduce the spikes in training data which is a normal bearing metal data and then during testing I'll try to test it on a anomalous data which should produce opposite results to that of training data so now firstly I made it in brian and it worked fine but here in nest after training the model when I have to test it then again the synaptic weights are changing which should not happen during testing. In brian I had put the learning rate as 0 thats why it was working fine but in Nest I am not able to find a way to test a model by freezing the weights. So I tried something which I'm not sure is the correct approach so can anyone please review this approach or if suggest a better approach for testing these kind of models. Also I want to mention one thing that with my current approach the weights are freezing but as I'm assigning input spikes from anomalous signal and start testing, the kernel is getting died which usually happens when there is a some issue in nest network. nest.ResetKernel() # Simulation parameters dt = 0.01 # Simulation time step in ms nest.SetKernelStatus({"resolution": dt}) N = 16 # Number of neurons gmax = 3 neuron_params = { "tau_m": 140.0, # Membrane time constant in ms "E_L": -70.6, # Resting potential (in mV) "V_th": -40.4, # Threshold potential (in mV) "V_reset": -70.6, # Reset potential (in mV) "V_m":0.0, } nest.CopyModel("stdp_synapse_hom", "stdp_synapse_exc", {"weight":gmax,"alpha":1,"Wmax":gmax, "tau_plus": 20.0,"lambda": -0.0005, "mu_minus": 0, "mu_plus": 0}) nest.CopyModel("stdp_synapse_hom", "stdp_synapse_inh", {"weight":-gmax/(N-1),"alpha":1,"Wmax":-gmax, "tau_plus": 20.0,"lambda": 0.005, "mu_minus": 0, "mu_plus": 0}) G_spike_gen = nest.Create("spike_generator", N) G_input = nest.Create("parrot_neuron", N) G_hidden = nest.Create("iaf_psc_delta", N,params=neuron_params) G_output = nest.Create("iaf_psc_delta", 1,params=neuron_params) S_in = nest.Connect(G_spike_gen, G_input, "one_to_one") # Connect input to hidden layer with excitatory STDP synapses S_exc = nest.Connect(G_input, G_hidden,"one_to_one",syn_spec = "stdp_synapse_exc") # Retrieve the neuron IDs for G_input and G_hidden input_ids = G_input.tolist() hidden_ids = G_hidden.tolist() # Get the existing excitatory connections and extract their source-target ID pairs exc_connections = nest.GetConnections(G_input, G_hidden) exc_connection_pairs = set(zip(exc_connections.get("source"), exc_connections.get("target"))) for i in input_ids: for h in hidden_ids: if (i, h) not in exc_connection_pairs: nc1 = nest.NodeCollection([i]) nc2 = nest.NodeCollection([h]) nest.Connect(nc1, nc2, syn_spec= "stdp_synapse_inh") S_out = nest.Connect(G_hidden, G_output,"all_to_all",syn_spec = {"weight": 40.4/N}) def train_net(signals, spike_tol=0): output_spike_recorder = nest.Create("spike_recorder") output_membrane_recorder = nest.Create("voltmeter", 1) nest.Connect(G_output, output_spike_recorder) # Record output layer spikes nest.Connect(output_membrane_recorder, G_output, "one_to_one") while True: recorder_for_epoch = nest.Create("spike_recorder") nest.Connect(G_output, recorder_for_epoch) for signal in signals: indices, times = process_signal(signal) # Get the indices and times offset = nest.GetKernelStatus()["biological_time"] for i in range(N): times_for_neuron = [t+offset for j,t in enumerate(times) if indices[j] == i] G_spike_gen[i].set(spike_times = times_for_neuron) nest.Simulate(len(signal)*(1/SAMPLE_RATE)*1000) output_spikes_num = len(recorder_for_epoch.get()["events"]["times"]) print("# of output spikes: " + str(output_spikes_num)) del recorder_for_epoch if output_spikes_num <= spike_tol: print("Training finished") break return output_membrane_recorder, output_spike_recorder def synapse_freeze(): conn = nest.GetConnections() sources = conn.get("source") targets = conn.get("target") weights = conn.get("weight") # Store as a list of tuples connections = list(zip(sources, targets, weights)) # Replace dynamic synapses with static synapses for s,t,w in connections: nc1 = nest.NodeCollection([s]) nc2 = nest.NodeCollection([t]) conn_t = nest.GetConnections(nc1,nc2) model=nest.GetConnections(nc1,nc2).get("synapse_model") if model=="stdp_synapse_exc": nest.Disconnect(nc1,nc2,syn_spec = {"synapse_model":"stdp_synapse_exc"}) nest.Connect(nc1,nc2,syn_spec = {"synapse_model":"static_synapse","weight":w}) if model=="stdp_synapse_inh": nest.Disconnect(nc1,nc2,syn_spec = {"synapse_model":"stdp_synapse_inh"}) nest.Connect(nc1,nc2,syn_spec = {"synapse_model":"static_synapse","weight":w}) print("Switched to static synapses with trained weights.") def inference(signal): output_spike_recorder_t = nest.Create("spike_recorder") output_membrane_recorder_t = nest.Create("voltmeter", 1) nest.Connect(G_output, output_spike_recorder_t) # Record output layer spikes nest.Connect(output_membrane_recorder_t, G_output, "one_to_one") indices, times = process_signal(signal) # Prepare test signal offset = nest.GetKernelStatus()["biological_time"] for i in range(N): times_for_neuron = [t+offset for j,t in enumerate(times) if indices[j] == i] G_spike_gen[i].set(spike_times = times_for_neuron) nest.Simulate(len(signal)*(1/SAMPLE_RATE)*1000) # Run simulation output_spikes_num = len(output_spike_recorder_t.get()["events"]["times"]) print("# of output spikes: " + str(output_spikes_num)) return output_membrane_recorder_t, output_spike_recorder_t

2 7

Request for Assistance with Synaptic Weight Normalization
by Peter Mason 02 Dec '24

02 Dec '24

I am currently working on a project involving synaptic weight normalization using the guidelines provided in the NEST simulator documentation. I have implemented the normalization process; however, I encountered some questions that I would appreciate your insights on. 1. Normalization Value: I found that the normalization value for a neuron with approximately 190 synapses is around 420, which I do not fully understand. This looks like the total weight of the neuron synapses. Could you provide clarification on how the normalisation value is determined? 2. Simulation State Preservation: I would like to save and restore the state of synaptic weights to maintain the simulation's behaviour across sessions. Below is the pseudocode I intend to use: Save synaptic weights: w = array of current weights of neuron connections normalization_factor = sum of absolute weights if normalization_factor != 0: normalized_weights = w / normalization_factor save normalized_weights to file Load synaptic weights: read normalized_weights from file assign loaded weights back to connection I would like to know if you have any suggestions for improving this pseudocode or if there are best practices I should consider. Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your response.

3 4

Open NEST Developer Video Conference Monday December 2, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100)
by Dennis Terhorst 02 Dec '24

02 Dec '24

Dear NEST Users & Developers! I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer Video Conference today *Monday December 2, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100).* As usual, in the Project team round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement summarizing ongoing and planned work in the team and highlight cross-cutting points that need discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go into a more in-depth discussion of topics that came up on the mailing list or that are suggested by the teams. Feel free to join the meeting also if it’s just to bring your own quick questions for direct discussion in the in-depth section. Agenda * Welcome * Review of NEST User Mailing List * Project team round * In-depth discussion The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2024-12-02-Open-NEST-Developer-… <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2024-12-02-Open-NEST-Developer-…> Today Jessica will be chairing the meeting. Cheers, Dennis Terhorst Log-in information We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN <https://www.dfn.de/en/> (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 <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 <mailto: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 <http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4> -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ Phone +49 2461 61-85062 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens ----------------------------------------------------------------------

1 0

Open NEST Developer Video Conference Monday November 18, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100)
by Dennis Terhorst 02 Dec '24

02 Dec '24

Dear NEST Users & Developers! I would like to invite you to our next fortnightly Open NEST Developer Video Conference today *Monday November 18, at 11:30 CET (UTC+0100).* As usual, in the Project team round, a contact person of each team will give a short statement summarizing ongoing and planned work in the team and highlight cross-cutting points that need discussion among the teams. The remainder of the meeting we would go into a more in-depth discussion of topics that came up on the mailing list or that are suggested by the teams. Feel free to join the meeting also if it’s just to bring your own quick questions for direct discussion in the in-depth section. Agenda * Welcome * Review of NEST User Mailing List * Project team round * In-depth discussion The agenda for this meeting is also available online, see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2024-11-18-Open-NEST-Developer-… <https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/wiki/2024-11-18-Open-NEST-Developer-…> Looking forward to seeing you soon! Cheers, Dennis Terhorst Log-in information We use a virtual conference room provided by DFN <https://www.dfn.de/en/> (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 <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 <mailto: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 <http://vcc.zih.tu-dresden.de/index.php?linkid=1.1.3.4> -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & JARA-Institute Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine Jülich Research Center, Member of the Helmholz Association 52425 Jülich, Germany http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/ Phone +49 2461 61-85062 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens ----------------------------------------------------------------------

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About Resonate and Fire Neuron Model?
by Thanh Binh To 02 Dec '24

02 Dec '24

2 5

Generating and building code in NESTML
by Shavika Rastogi 25 Nov '24

25 Nov '24

Hello everyone, I am Shavika Rastogi, a PhD student at the International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems, Western Sydney University, Australia. I currently use NEST and NESTML to write and test any arbitrary neuron model. Before writing my own neuron model, I wanted to test neuron models already existing in NESTML. I am using NEST and NESTML using docker. I am running the Izhikevich tutorial available in the documentation ( https://nestml.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/izhikevich/nestml_izhikev…). As per this tutorial, we can generate and build code using the following statement : "module_name,neuron_model_name=NESTCodeGeneratorUtils.generate_code_for("izhikevich_solution.nestml")" When I am using this function, I get the following error : "AttributeError: 'NESTCodeGeneratorUtils' object has no attribute 'generate_code_for'" Does anyone know whether the generate_code_for() function exists in the NESTCodeGeneratorUtils package? If not, what could be the alternative function we can use for generating and building neuron models ? Thanks in advance. With Warm Regards Shavika Rastogi, Research Scholar (Dual Award PhD) International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems The MARCS Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Development Western Sydney University Sydney, Australia & Biocomputation Research Group University of Hertfordshire, UK

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Re: NESTML Dopa Synapse - Error during parsing
by Jona Scholz 15 Nov '24

15 Nov '24

Hello everyone, quick update on my problem: I was using the latest .nestml models from the main branch with NESTML version 8.0.0-rc3. There is a slight difference between these and apparently that caused it. It works now and I hope everyone has a great weekend. Kind regards, Jona

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NESTML Dopa Synapse - Error during parsing
by Jona Scholz 13 Nov '24

13 Nov '24

Dear NESTML enthusiasts, I'm trying to do the NESTML dopamine-modulated STDP synapse tutorial ( https://nestml.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/stdp_dopa_synapse/stdp_do…) and get an error during the first code generation (see bottom of the message). This is the line where it fails: NESTCodeGeneratorUtils.generate_code_for("../../../models/neurons/iaf_psc_delta_neuron.nestml", nestml_stdp_dopa_model, ...) I am running the tutorial notebook as is, except for a change in the neuron model path. I changed it like this: NESTCodeGeneratorUtils.generate_code_for("iaf_psc_delta_neuron.nestml", nestml_stdp_dopa_model, ...) With this model https://github.com/nest/nestml/blob/master/models/neurons/iaf_psc_delta_neu… in the same folder as the notebook. I am using NESTML version 8.0.0rc3 and Nest 3.8. If I only generate code for the neuron model everything is fine. module_name, neuron_model_name = NESTCodeGeneratorUtils.generate_code_for( "iaf_psc_delta_neuron.nestml") [100%] Built target nestml_24dea23d173448c9b2a52d4f6a232dbd_module_module Install the project... Additionally, in the SFA tutorial I am able to change the neuron model and run it without any problems ( https://nestml.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/spike_frequency_adaptatio… ). With all of that said, here is the error: [1,GLOBAL, INFO]: List of files that will be processed: [2,GLOBAL, INFO]: /home/jona/rstdp-gym/iaf_psc_delta_neuron.nestml [3,GLOBAL, INFO]: /home/jona/rstdp-gym/neuromodulated_stdp_synapse.nestml [4,GLOBAL, INFO]: Target platform code will be generated in directory: '/home/jona/rstdp-gym/target' [5,GLOBAL, INFO]: Target platform code will be installed in directory: '/tmp/nestml_target_8uqeeze7' -- N E S T -- Copyright (C) 2004 The NEST Initiative Version: 3.8.0 Built: Aug 27 2024 04:33:09 This program is provided AS IS and comes with NO WARRANTY. See the file LICENSE for details. Problems or suggestions? Visit https://www.nest-simulator.org Type 'nest.help()' to find out more about NEST. [6,GLOBAL, INFO]: The NEST Simulator version was automatically detected as: v3.8.0 [7,GLOBAL, INFO]: Given template root path is not an absolute path. Creating the absolute path with default templates directory '/home/jona/mambaforge/envs/neuro/lib/python3.11/site-packages/pynestml/codegeneration/resources_nest/point_neuron' [8,GLOBAL, INFO]: Given template root path is not an absolute path. Creating the absolute path with default templates directory '/home/jona/mambaforge/envs/neuro/lib/python3.11/site-packages/pynestml/codegeneration/resources_nest/point_neuron' [9,GLOBAL, INFO]: Given template root path is not an absolute path. Creating the absolute path with default templates directory '/home/jona/mambaforge/envs/neuro/lib/python3.11/site-packages/pynestml/codegeneration/resources_nest/point_neuron' [10,GLOBAL, INFO]: The NEST Simulator installation path was automatically detected as: /home/jona/mambaforge/envs/neuro [11,GLOBAL, INFO]: Start processing '/home/jona/rstdp-gym/iaf_psc_delta_neuron.nestml'! [13,GLOBAL, INFO]: Start processing '/home/jona/rstdp-gym/neuromodulated_stdp_synapse.nestml'! [14,GLOBAL, ERROR]: Error occurred during parsing: abort [15,iaf_psc_delta_neuron_nestml, WARNING, [43:0;85:0]]: Model 'iaf_psc_delta_neuron_nestml' contains errors. No code generated! line 37:13 mismatched input '(' expecting NEWLINE line 39:4 extraneous input 'onReceive' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 40:8 extraneous input ' ' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 40:4 extraneous input ' ' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 43:8 extraneous input ' ' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 46:8 extraneous input 'c' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 46:4 extraneous input ' ' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 49:8 extraneous input ' ' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 52:8 extraneous input 'c' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 55:8 extraneous input 'emit_spike' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 55:4 extraneous input ' ' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 59:8 extraneous input ' ' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 63:8 extraneous input 'w' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 64:8 extraneous input 'w' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 65:8 extraneous input 'c' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 66:8 extraneous input 'n' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} line 66:0 extraneous input '\n' expecting {<EOF>, NEWLINE, 'model'} Any help is appreciated. Kind regards, Jona

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