title: Motion contrast classification is a linearly nonseparable problem.
abstract: Sensitivity to image motion contrast, that is, the relative motion between different parts of the visual field, is a common and computationally important property of many neurons in the visual pathways of vertebrates. Here we illustrate that, as a classification problem, motion contrast detection is linearly nonseparable. In order to do so, we prove a theorem stating a sufficient condition for linear nonseparability. We argue that nonlinear combinations of local measurements of velocity at different locations and times are needed in order to solve the motion contrast problem.
authors.affiliation: Physics Department, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA. amahani@wustl.edu
authors.forename: Alireza S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Mahani
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wessel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*; D014795:Visual Pathways