A Theory of Cortical Neural Processing.

This dissertation puts forth an original theory of cortical neural processing that is unique in its view of the interplay of chaotic and stable oscillatory neurodynamics and is meant to stimulate new ideas in artificial neural network modeling. Our theory is the first to suggest two new purposes for chaotic neurodynamics: (i) as a natural means of representing the uncertainty in the outcome of performed tasks, such as memory retrieval or classification, and (ii) as an automatic way of producing an economic representation of distributed information. We developed new models, to better understand how the cerebral cortex processes information, which led to our theory. Common to these models is a neuron interaction function that alternates between excitatory and inhibitory neighborhoods. Our theory allows characteristics of the input environment to influence the structural development of the cortex. We view low intensity chaotic activity as the a priori uncertain base condition of the cortex, resulting from the interaction of a multitude of stronger potential responses. Data, distinguishing one response from many others, drives bifurcations back toward the direction of less complex (stable) behavior. Stability appears as temporary bubble-like clusters within the boundaries of cortical columns and begins to propagate through frequency sensitive and non-specific neurons. But this is limited by destabilizing long-path connections. An original model of the post-natal development of ocular dominance columns in the striate cortex is presented and compared to autoradiographic images from the literature with good matching results. Finally, experiments are shown to favor computed update order over traditional approaches for better performance of the pattern completion process

Measuring Multi-Joint Stiffness during Single Movements: Numerical Validation of a Novel Time-Frequency Approach

This study presents and validates a Time-Frequency technique for measuring 2-dimensional multijoint arm stiffness throughout a single planar movement as well as during static posture. It is proposed as an alternative to current regressive methods which require numerous repetitions to obtain average stiffness on a small segment of the hand trajectory. The method is based on the analysis of the reassigned spectrogram of the arm's response to impulsive perturbations and can estimate arm stiffness on a trial-by-trial basis. Analytic and empirical methods are first derived and tested through modal analysis on synthetic data. The technique's accuracy and robustness are assessed by modeling the estimation of stiffness time profiles changing at different rates and affected by different noise levels. Our method obtains results comparable with two well-known regressive techniques. We also test how the technique can identify the viscoelastic component of non-linear and higher than second order systems with a non-parametrical approach. The technique proposed here is very impervious to noise and can be used easily for both postural and movement tasks. Estimations of stiffness profiles are possible with only one perturbation, making our method a useful tool for estimating limb stiffness during motor learning and adaptation tasks, and for understanding the modulation of stiffness in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases

Bits from Biology for Computational Intelligence

Computational intelligence is broadly defined as biologically-inspired computing. Usually, inspiration is drawn from neural systems. This article shows how to analyze neural systems using information theory to obtain constraints that help identify the algorithms run by such systems and the information they represent. Algorithms and representations identified information-theoretically may then guide the design of biologically inspired computing systems (BICS). The material covered includes the necessary introduction to information theory and the estimation of information theoretic quantities from neural data. We then show how to analyze the information encoded in a system about its environment, and also discuss recent methodological developments on the question of how much information each agent carries about the environment either uniquely, or redundantly or synergistically together with others. Last, we introduce the framework of local information dynamics, where information processing is decomposed into component processes of information storage, transfer, and modification -- locally in space and time. We close by discussing example applications of these measures to neural data and other complex systems

Air Force Institute of Technology Research Report 1999

This report summarizes the research activities of the Air Force Institute of Technology’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management. It describes research interests and faculty expertise; lists student theses/dissertations; identifies research sponsors and contributions; and outlines the procedures for contacting the school. Included in the report are: faculty publications, conference presentations, consultations, and funded research projects. Research was conducted in the areas of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electro-Optics, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Systems and Engineering Management, Operational Sciences, and Engineering Physics

Adaptive Learning Based Whale Optimization and Convolutional Neural Network Algorithm for Distributed Denial of Service Attack Detection in Software Defined Network Environment

SDNs (Software Defined Networks) have emerged as a game-changing network concept. It can fulfill the ever-increasing needs of future networks and is increasingly being employed in data centres and operator networks. It does, however, confront certain fundamental security concerns, such as DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) assaults. To address the aforementioned concerns, the ALWO+CNN method, which combines ALWOs (Adaptive Learning based Whale Optimizations) with CNNs (Convolution Neural Networks), is suggested in this paper. Initially, preprocessing is performed using the KMC (K-Means Clustering) algorithm, which is used to significantly reduce noise data. The preprocessed data is then used in the feature selection process, which is carried out by ALWOs. Its purpose is to pick out important and superfluous characteristics from the dataset. It enhances DDoS classification accuracy by using the best algorithms.  The selected characteristics are then used in the classification step, where CNNs are used to identify and categorize DDoS assaults efficiently. Finally, the ALWO+CNN algorithm is used to leverage the rate and asymmetry properties of the flows in order to detect suspicious flows specified by the detection trigger mechanism. The controller will next take the necessary steps to defend against DDoS assaults. The ALWO+CNN algorithm greatly improves detection accuracy and efficiency, as well as preventing DDoS assaults on SDNs. Based on the experimental results, it was determined that the suggested ALWO+CNN method outperforms current algorithms in terms of better accuracies, precisions, recalls, f-measures, and computational complexities

Evolving integrated multi-model framework for on line multiple time series prediction

Time series prediction has been extensively researched in both the statistical and computational intelligence literature with robust methods being developed that can be applied across any given application domain. A much less researched problem is multiple time series prediction where the objective is to simultaneously forecast the values of multiple variables which interact with each other in time varying amounts continuously over time. In this paper we describe the use of a novel Integrated Multi-Model Framework (IMMF) that combined models developed at three di erent levels of data granularity, namely the Global, Local and Transductive models to perform multiple time series prediction. The IMMF is implemented by training a neural network to assign relative weights to predictions from the models at the three di erent levels of data granularity. Our experimental results indicate that IMMF signi cantly outperforms well established methods of time series prediction when applied to the multiple time series prediction problem

Complex and Adaptive Dynamical Systems: A Primer

An thorough introduction is given at an introductory level to the field of quantitative complex system science, with special emphasis on emergence in dynamical systems based on network topologies. Subjects treated include graph theory and small-world networks, a generic introduction to the concepts of dynamical system theory, random Boolean networks, cellular automata and self-organized criticality, the statistical modeling of Darwinian evolution, synchronization phenomena and an introduction to the theory of cognitive systems. It inludes chapter on Graph Theory and Small-World Networks, Chaos, Bifurcations and Diffusion, Complexity and Information Theory, Random Boolean Networks, Cellular Automata and Self-Organized Criticality, Darwinian evolution, Hypercycles and Game Theory, Synchronization Phenomena and Elements of Cognitive System Theory.Comment: unformatted version of the textbook; published in Springer, Complexity Series (2008, second edition 2010