A neuro-fuzzy approach as medical diagnostic interface

In contrast to the symbolic approach, neural networks seldom are designed to explain what they have learned. This is a major obstacle for its use in everyday life. With the appearance of neuro-fuzzy systems which use vague, human-like categories the situation has changed. Based on the well-known mechanisms of learning for RBF networks, a special neuro-fuzzy interface is proposed in this paper. It is especially useful in medical applications, using the notation and habits of physicians and other medically trained people. As an example, a liver disease diagnosis system is presented

Anomalous Diffusion of particles with inertia in external potentials

Recently a new type of Kramers-Fokker-Planck Equation has been proposed [R. Friedrich et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 96}, 230601 (2006)] describing anomalous diffusion in external potentials. In the present paper the explicit cases of a harmonic potential and a velocity-dependend damping are incorporated. Exact relations for moments for these cases are presented and the asymptotic behaviour for long times is discussed. Interestingly the bounding potential and the additional damping by itself lead to a subdiffussive behaviour, while acting together the particle becomes localized for long times.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Lagrangian Particle Statistics in Turbulent Flows from a Simple Vortex Model

The statistics of Lagrangian particles in turbulent flows is considered in the framework of a simple vortex model. Here, the turbulent velocity field is represented by a temporal sequence of Burgers vortices of different circulation, strain, and orientation. Based on suitable assumptions about the vortices' statistical properties, the statistics of the velocity increments is derived. In particular, the origin and nature of small-scale intermittency in this model is investigated both numerically and analytically

Satisfaction not Guaranteed - Institutions and Satisfaction with Democracy in Western Europe

What determines citizens’ satisfaction with the “constitution in operation”? We make two contributions towards an answer to this important policy question. First, we place stronger emphasis than existing studies on quantitative interpretations of the importance of different factors. We use scenario analysis to show that a consensual system generally promotes satisfaction, but affects different types of citizens differently. Second, we focus on informal institutions and rules of the game in European societies. Corporatism and group membership as a measure of social capital are good for satisfaction, and people who live in countries with a high degree of income inequality tend to be less satisfied. The findings for trust and for the rule of law are ambiguous.satisfaction with democracy, political economy, institutions