Autor: |
Khaled Nasr, Andreas Nieder |
Jazyk: |
angličtina |
Rok vydání: |
2021 |
Předmět: |
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Zdroj: |
iScience, Vol 24, Iss 11, Pp 103301- (2021) |
Druh dokumentu: |
article |
ISSN: |
2589-0042 |
DOI: |
10.1016/j.isci.2021.103301 |
Popis: |
Summary: Conceiving “nothing” as a numerical value zero is considered a sophisticated numerical capability that humans share with cognitively advanced animals. We demonstrate that representation of zero spontaneously emerges in a deep learning neural network without any number training. As a signature of numerical quantity representation, and similar to real neurons from animals, numerosity zero network units show maximum activity to empty sets and a gradual decrease in activity with increasing countable numerosities. This indicates that the network spontaneously ordered numerosity zero as the smallest numerical value along the number line. Removal of empty-set network units caused specific deficits in the network's judgment of numerosity zero, thus reflecting these units' functional relevance. These findings suggest that processing visual information is sufficient for a visual number sense that includes zero to emerge and explains why cognitively advanced animals with whom we share a nonverbal number system exhibit rudiments of numerosity zero. |
Databáze: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |
Externí odkaz: |
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