Hierarchical Self-Programming in Recurrent Neural Networks

We study self-programming in recurrent neural networks where both neurons (the `processors') and synaptic interactions (`the programme') evolve in time simultaneously, according to specific coupled stochastic equations. The interactions are divided into a hierarchy of $L$ groups with adiabatically separated and monotonically increasing time-scales, representing sub-routines of the system programme of decreasing volatility. We solve this model in equilibrium, assuming ergodicity at every level, and find as our replica-symmetric solution a formalism with a structure similar but not identical to Parisi's $L$-step replica symmetry breaking scheme. Apart from differences in details of the equations (due to the fact that here interactions, rather than spins, are grouped into clusters with different time-scales), in the present model the block sizes $m_i$ of the emerging ultrametric solution are not restricted to the interval $[0,1]$, but are independent control parameters, defined in terms of the noise strengths of the various levels in the hierarchy, which can take any value in [0,\infty\ket. This is shown to lead to extremely rich phase diagrams, with an abundance of first-order transitions especially when the level of stochasticity in the interaction dynamics is chosen to be low.Comment: 53 pages, 19 figures. Submitted to J. Phys.

Європейський досвід правового регулювання службової кар'єри державних службовців

В статті розглядаються теоретичні та практичні аспекти конкурсних процедур прийняття на державну службу, а також практика їх застосування в європейських країнах. На основі аналізу, насамперед, європейського досвіду правового регулювання, автор обґрунтовує доцільність впровадження окремих аспектів такого правового регулювання для удосконалення законодавства про державну службу в Україні. Ключові слова: державна служба, просування по службі, службова кар’єра, система посад, європейський досвід.В статье автор анализирует теоретические и практические аспекты конкурсных процедур при принятии на государственную службу, а также практику их применения в европейских странах. На основании исследования, в первую очередь, европейского опыта правового регулирования этих элементов, автор предлагает использовать некоторые позитивные аспекты такого правового регулирования для улучшения законодательства Украины о государственной службе. Ключевые слова: государственная служба, продвижение по службе, служебная карьера, система должностей, европейский опыт.The article describes theoretical and practical issues related to the competition procedures for admission to the civil service and applicable rules and procedures. On the basis of relevant European experience of legal regulation of the civil service, and applicable Ukrainian law, the author argues the need of establishing of clear and definite rules and procedures for the competition procedures in Ukraine. Key words: civil service, civil servant’s career, system of positions, european experience

A solvable model of the genesis of amino-acid sequences via coupled dynamics of folding and slow genetic variation

We study the coupled dynamics of primary and secondary structure formation (i.e. slow genetic sequence selection and fast folding) in the context of a solvable microscopic model that includes both short-range steric forces and and long-range polarity-driven forces. Our solution is based on the diagonalization of replicated transfer matrices, and leads in the thermodynamic limit to explicit predictions regarding phase transitions and phase diagrams at genetic equilibrium. The predicted phenomenology allows for natural physical interpretations, and finds satisfactory support in numerical simulations.Comment: 51 pages, 13 figures, submitted to J. Phys.

Diluted neural networks with adapting and correlated synapses

We consider the dynamics of diluted neural networks with clipped and adapting synapses. Unlike previous studies, the learning rate is kept constant as the connectivity tends to infinity: the synapses evolve on a time scale intermediate between the quenched and annealing limits and all orders of synaptic correlations must be taken into account. The dynamics is solved by mean-field theory, the order parameter for synapses being a function. We describe the effects, in the double dynamics, due to synaptic correlations.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in PR

Zero-field incommensurate spin-Peierls phase with interchain frustration in TiOCl

We report on the magnetic, thermodynamic and optical properties of the quasi-one-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets TiOCl and TiOBr, which have been discussed as spin-Peierls compounds. The observed deviations from canonical spin-Peierls behavior, e.g. the existence of two distinct phase transitions, have been attributed previously to strong orbital fluctuations. This can be ruled out by our optical data of the orbital excitations. We show that the frustration of the interchain interactions in the bilayer structure gives rise to incommensurate order with a subsequent lock-in transition to a commensurate dimerized state. In this way, a single driving force, the spin-Peierls mechanism, induces two separate transitions.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

The XY Spin-Glass with Slow Dynamic Couplings

We investigate an XY spin-glass model in which both spins and couplings evolve in time: the spins change rapidly according to Glauber-type rules, whereas the couplings evolve slowly with a dynamics involving spin correlations and Gaussian disorder. For large times the model can be solved using replica theory. In contrast to the XY-model with static disordered couplings, solving the present model requires two levels of replicas, one for the spins and one for the couplings. Relevant order parameters are defined and a phase diagram is obtained upon making the replica-symmetric Ansatz. The system exhibits two different spin-glass phases, with distinct de Almeida-Thouless lines, marking continuous replica-symmetry breaking: one describing freezing of the spins only, and one describing freezing of both spins and couplings.Comment: 7 pages, Latex, 3 eps figure

Slowly evolving geometry in recurrent neural networks I: extreme dilution regime

We study extremely diluted spin models of neural networks in which the connectivity evolves in time, although adiabatically slowly compared to the neurons, according to stochastic equations which on average aim to reduce frustration. The (fast) neurons and (slow) connectivity variables equilibrate separately, but at different temperatures. Our model is exactly solvable in equilibrium. We obtain phase diagrams upon making the condensed ansatz (i.e. recall of one pattern). These show that, as the connectivity temperature is lowered, the volume of the retrieval phase diverges and the fraction of mis-aligned spins is reduced. Still one always retains a region in the retrieval phase where recall states other than the one corresponding to the `condensed' pattern are locally stable, so the associative memory character of our model is preserved.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figure

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The applicability of home blood pressure measurement in clinical practice: A review of literature

Willem J Verberk, Abraham A Kroon, Heidi A Jongen-Vancraybex, Peter W de LeeuwUniversity Hospital Maastricht, Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, The NetherlandsPurpose: To review the literature on home blood pressure measurement (HBPM), to examine its validity and applicability for clinical practice and to provide recommendations regarding HBPM assessment.Findings: HBPM can eliminate the white coat effect and offers the possibility to obtain multiple measurements under standardized conditions, which increases knowledge of overall blood pressure value. Although it is not entirely capable of replacing ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM), HBPM correlates better with target organ damage and cardiovascular mortality than office blood pressure measurement (OBPM), it enables prediction of sustained hypertension in patients with borderline hypertension, and proves to be an appropriate tool for assessing drug efficacy. Additional advantages of HBPM are that it may increase drug compliance and patient’s awareness of hypertension. Overall, OBPM yield higher blood pressure values than HBPM. Differences between OBPM and HBPM tend to increase with age and are generally higher in patients without antihypertensive treatment than in patients with antihypertensive treatment.Recommendations: Measurements should be performed according to accepted guidelines and recordings should be performed with a memory equipped automatic validated device. From the data reviewed here, we recommend that HBPM be assessed monthly by taking two measurements in the morning within 1 hour after awakening and two in the evening for three consecutive days, the data from the first day should be dismissed. A subject should be labeled hypertensive if his/her HBPM value is equal to or greater than 137 mmHg systolic and/or 84 mmHg diastolic.Keywords: blood pressure, hypertension, self-measurement, home measurement, ambulatory measurement, adherenc