Connectivity and Performance Tradeoffs in the Cascade Correlation Learning Architecture

The Cascade Correlation [1] is a very flexible, efficient and fast algorithm for supervised learning. It incrementally builds the network by adding hidden units one at a time, until the desired input/output mapping is achieved. It connects all the previously installed units to the new unit being added. Consequently, each new unit in effect adds a new layer and the fan–in of the hidden and output units keeps on increasing as more units get added. The resulting structure could be hard to implement in VLSI, because the connections are irregular and the fan-in is unbounded. Moreover, the depth or the propagation delay through the resulting network is directly proportional to the number of units and can be excessive. We have modified the algorithm to generate networks with restricted fan-in and small depth (propagation delay) by controlling the connectivity. Our results reveal that there is a tradeoff between connectivity and other performance attributes like depth, total number of independent parameters, learning time, etc. When the number of inputs or outputs is small relative to the size of the training set, a higher connectivity usually leads to faster learning, and fewer independent parameters, but it also results in unbounded fan-in and depth. Strictly layered architectures with restricted connectivity, on the other hand, need more epochs to learn and use more parameters, but generate more regular structures, with smaller, limited fan-in and significantly smaller depth (propagation delay), and may be better suited for VLSI implementations. When the number of inputs or outputs is not very small compared to the size of the training set, however, a strictly layered topology is seen to yield an overall better performance

Acceptance Dependence of Fluctuation in Particle Multiplicity

The effect of limiting the acceptance in rapidity on event-by-event multiplicity fluctuations in nucleus-nucleus collisions has been investigated. Our analysis shows that the multiplicity fluctuations decrease when the rapidity acceptance is decreased. We explain this trend by assuming that the probability distribution of the particles in the smaller acceptance window follows binomial distribution. Following a simple statistical analysis we conclude that the event-by-event multiplicity fluctuations for full acceptance are likely to be larger than those observed in the experiments, since the experiments usually have detectors with limited acceptance. We discuss the application of our model to simulated data generated using VENUS, a widely used event generator in heavy-ion collisions. We also discuss the results from our calculations in presence of dynamical fluctuations and possible observation of these in the actual data.Comment: To appear in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Consumption of Black Raspberries Altered the Composition of the Fecal Microbiome in Mice Fed a Western Type Diet (OR04-01-19)

Dietary strategies to reduce colonic inflammation and promote gut homeostasis may markedly reduce the risk of colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Previously, we showed that dietary supplementation with black raspberries significantly suppressed colitis and colon tumorigenesis promoted by the consumption a Western type diet in mice. In this study, our goal was to assess the impact of consumption of the TWD with and without black raspberry supplementation on the composition of the fecal microbiome over the course of disease development

Study of Behaviour of Square and Rectangular Footings Resting on Cohesive Soils Based on Model Tests

The estimation of a reliable value of bearing Capacity of soil is the most important step in the foundation design work. Number of theoretical approaches and in-situ tests for the estimation of bearing capacity of footing are available. The reliability of any theory can be demonstrated by comparing the experimental test results on field footings with theoretical predictions. One of the reliable methods is the load test on full sized footing. However, this test as covered under IS 1888-1982 is too expensive and time consuming. Model tests can be conducted on footings of various sizes. The surface characteristics for different loading conditions can provide information on qualitative and quantitative contribution of such parameters on bearing of footings in absence of field test results. It is revealed that research work (Sawant et al (2000), Rajgopal et al (2000), Sawaf et al (2005), Mohmoud et al (1989), Harikrishna et al(2000), Sahu et al (1970) etc.)has been carried out for load tests on model footings resting on sand as foundation medium. However no work has been reported so far on c – Φ soil. In this present study a laboratory model with loading frame has been developed in Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory of College of Engineering, Pune to conduct small scale load tests, to determine Bearing capacity characteristics of footings resting on c-Φ soil. Load tests were conducted on two square, two circular and five rectangular footings resting on c – Φ soil in the laboratory model. The bearing capacity, time – settlement relationship, pressure settlement relationship of footing resting on c – Φ soil and effect of various parameters such as L/B ratio, shape and size of footing on bearing capacity of footing were studied. Comparison is made between bearing capacity of footings estimated by the conventional methods such as Vesic’s, Tezaghi’s method and that estimated by Model Test Results. The model tests provide qualitative information on parameters influencing bearing capacity of footings. These tests can be used to check the bearing capacity estimated by analytical method

Estimation of Phreatic Line Using Dimensional Analysis

A new technique using dimensional analysis (D.A.) is presented here to draw profile of phreatic line through an earthen dam. A universal equation is formulated using D.A. to get numerous points on a steady-state phreatic surface. The prediction of phreatic line using D.A. is then compared with those of conventional methods by Kozeny, A. Casagrande, Stello and also with centrifuge model test results and large scale prototype field results to evaluate applicability of this equation. It has been observed that D.A. can predict the results reasonably well. Thus Dimensional Analysis method can prove to be an easy and sufficiently accurate method to predict solutions to complex and multiparameter problems

Artificial Neural Network Model for Suspended Rectangular Microstrip Antennas

AbstractThe broadband microstrip antenna is more commonly realized by fabricating the patch on lower dielectric constant thicker substrate. While using thicker substrate, close form expressions for calculating edge extension length due to fringing fields is not available. In this paper, an artificial neural network model for suspended rectangular microstrip antenna is proposed. The resonance frequency calculated by using the proposed neural network model closely agrees with simulated and measured results over wide frequency range and for varying thicker substrates. Thus the proposed model can be used to accurately calculate the side length of rectangular microstrip antenna

EFFECT OF MURRAYA KOENIGII LEAVES EXTRACT ON GLUCONEOGENESIS AND GLYCOGENOLYSIS IN ISOLATED RAT HEPATOCYTES CULTURE

Objectives: The present study was aimed to investigate the in vitro activity of Murraya koenigii extracts through various carbohydrate metabolic pathways in the isolated rat hepatocyte models.Methods: Different doses of metformin, aqueous and methanol extracts of M. koenigii leaves were evaluated in the MTT, glucose, and glycogen content assays in the cultured in vitro rat hepatocytes.Results: The study showed that there was a significant increase in activity with respect to the increased concentration of extracts. Slight effect was observed in the isolated rat hepatocytes culture, M. koenigii leaves extract may exert cytoprotective and hypoglycemic action.Conclusion: It may be needed to determine the effect of ex vivo rat hepatocytes isolated from diabetic rats. Effects of the plant or isolated compounds on the genes expression of signaling pathways should be investigated in further studies