[neuroConstruct] New release: neuroConstruct v1.3.0

[Padraig Gleeson]

Hi,

A new release of neuroConstruct (v1.3.0) has been put on the website 
(http://www.neuroConstruct.org).

This release features a number of new features and minor bugfixes and 
uses version 1.8.1 of NeuroML.. The full details for these are at:
http://www.neuroconstruct.org/nCinfo/RELEASE_NOTES but a summary of some 
of the key changes is as follows:

- Changed default project extension to ncx, making it easier to 
associate this file type with nC.bat/nC.sh for quick opening of 
neuroConstruct projects by (double) clicking on project file in file 
explorer.

- Option in Plot Frame when one or more Data Sets being plotted to 
generate python files which will allow a high resolution PDF, ESP, png 
of the data to be created. Requires install of matplotlib 
(http://matplotlib.sourceforge.net/).

- Added (long overdue) option for "silent mod file compilation", e.g. no 
pop up confirmation etc. when mod files are compiled on Windows.

- Improved import & export of NeuroML, incl Variable Parameters & 
inhomogeneous channel densities. Added option File -> Import NeuroML 
Levels 1-3, to have all of the cells, channels, synapses and networks 
found in a Level 1-3 file imported, possibly into a new project.

- Reset absolute refractory period for ***NETWORK CONNECTIONS IN 
GENESIS*** from 10ms to 1ms. May cause functionality change in some 
networks on GENESIS!!! But should make net behaviour more similar to NEURON.

- Added 2 new options for electrical input to cells: variable current 
clamp (e.g. ramped input current or sinusoidal input) & variable spike 
input rate. A generic function of time can be provided for the input 
amplitude or the input spike rate. Both of these are only available for 
NEURON currently.

- Added option for minimum radius of segments displayed in 3D. Improves 
3D display of large cells with thin dendrites

- Updated a number of the example files for controlling nC projects 
through Python. Generates/runs GENESIS projects now too.

- Improved PSICS export functionality. See nCexamples\Ex7_PSICSDemo for 
example

- Improved PyNN export functionality. See nCexamples\Ex8_PyNNDemo for 
example of what is currently supported. Only tested on Linux so far.

- Better support for running on KDE4 & Macs. Min Java version required 
is 1.5 again, due to some lack of support for 1.6 on Macs.

Regards,
Padraig


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Padraig Gleeson
Room 321, Anatomy Building
Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology
University College London
Gower Street
London WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom

+44 207 679 3214
p.gleeson at ucl.ac.uk
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