bool empty_out_spikes (void)
{ 
	return (empty_bit_field (out_spikes, out_spikes_size)); 
  
}
//! \brief Check if any spikes have been recorded
//! \return True if no spikes have been recorded, false otherwise
bool out_spikes_is_empty() {
    return (empty_bit_field(out_spikes, out_spikes_size));

}