CMOS circuit implementations for neuron models

The mathematical neuron basic cells used as basic cells in popular neural network architectures and algorithms are discussed. The most popular neuron models (without training) used in neural network architectures and algorithms (NNA) are considered, focusing on hardware implementation of neuron models used in NAA, and in emulation of biological systems. Mathematical descriptions and block diagram representations are utilized in an independent approach. Nonoscillatory and oscillatory models are discusse

Aplicacion del Proceso de Enfermería en caso de Alzheimer en Atención Primaria de Salud

La enfermedad de Alzheimer es una enfermedad crónica, discapacitante y progresiva y en la actualidad incurable. Lo que nos hace recapacitar acerca de la importancia de la intervención sanitaria temprana y eficiente con el objetivo de ejemplificar como mantener o mejorar la calidad de la vida del enfermo y disminuir la posibilidad de complicaciones futuras. Se confiere protagonismo a los problemas (reales y potenciales) del sujeto, así como al entorno del mismo (cuidador, vivienda y recursos incluidos) para establecer un cuidado integral de la persona bio-psico-sociocultural. El objetivo del Trabajo de Fin de Grado es describir un caso clínico real de enfermedad de Alzheimer y su abordaje en el área de Atención Primaria. Se realiza una valoración integral del sujeto A.M. residente en Albox, estructurada por patrones funcionales de salud de M. Gordon. Se incluye la valoración de la vivienda y del cuidador principal. Se identifican los problemas que posee la paciente: disfagia a los líquidos, episodios de caídas anteriores, úlceras por presión, incontinencia doble, problemas en el descanso y a su vez los de su cuidadora formal: estrés, intranquilidad por el cuidado de su madre y sedentarismo; en base a éstos se proponen objetivos e intervenciones y se realiza una evaluación y seguimiento

Wetland restoration and nitrate reduction: the example of the periurban wetland of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country, North Spain)

Changes in land use and agricultural intensification caused wetlands on the quaternary aquifer of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country) to disappear some years ago and nitrate concentration in groundwaters increased very quickly. The Basque Government recently declared the East Sector of this aquifer a Vulnerable Zone according to the 91/676/CEE European Directive. Recently, the wetlands have been restored through the closure of the main drainage ditches, the consequent elevation of the water table and the abondonment of agricultural practices near the wetlands. This is the case of the Zurbano wetland. Restoration has allowed the recovery of its biogeochemical function, which has reduced nitrate concentrations in waters. Nitrate concentrations which exceed 50 mg l–1 in groundwaters entering into the wetland are less than 10 mg l–1 at the outlet. Conditions in the wetland are conducive to the loss of nitrates: organic matter rich wetted soils, clay presence allowing a local semiconfined flow and very low hydraulic gradient. Water quality monitoring at several points around the wetland showed the processes involved in nitrate loss, although some aspects still remain unresolved. However, during storm events, the wetland effectively reduces the nitrate concentration entering the Alegria River, the most important river on the quaternary aquifer

GAMES: A new Scenario for Software and Knowledge Reuse

Games are a well-known test bed for testing search algorithms and learning methods, and many authors have presented numerous reasons for the research in this area. Nevertheless, they have not received the attention they deserve as software projects. In this paper, we analyze the applicability of software and knowledge reuse in the games domain. In spite of the need to find a good evaluation function, search algorithms and interface design can be said to be the primary concerns. In addition, we will discuss the current state of the main statistical learning methods and how they can be addressed from a software engineering point of view. So, this paper proposes a reliable environment and adequate tools, necessary in order to achieve high levels of reuse in the games domain

OTA-based non-linear function approximations

The suitability of operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) as the main active element to obtain basic building blocks for the design of programmable nonlinear continuous-time networks is examined. The main purpose is to show that the OTA, as the active element in basic building blocks, can be efficiently used for nonlinear continuous-time function synthesis. Two efficient nonlinear function synthesis approaches are presented. The first approach is a rational approximation, and the second is a piecewise-linear approach. Test circuits have been integrated using a 3-μm p-well CMOS process. The flexibility of the designed and tested circuits is confirmed

A basic building block approach to CMOS design of analog neuro/fuzzy systems

Outlines a systematic approach to design fuzzy inference systems using analog integrated circuits in standard CMOS VLSI technologies. The proposed circuit building blocks are arranged in a layered neuro/fuzzy architecture composed of 5 layers: fuzzification, T-norm, normalization, consequent, and output. Inference is performed by using Takagi and Sugeno's (1989) IF-THEN rules, particularly where the rule's output contains only a constant term-a singleton. A simple CMOS circuit with tunable bell-like transfer characteristics is used for the fuzzification. The inputs to this circuit are voltages while the outputs are currents. Circuit blocks proposed for the remaining layers operate in the current-mode domain. Innovative circuits are proposed for the T-norm and normalization layers. The other two layers use current mirrors and KCL. All the proposed circuits emphasize simplicity at the circuit level-a prerequisite to increasing system level complexity and operation speed. A 3-input, 4-rule controller has been designed for demonstration purposes in a 1.6 /spl mu/m CMOS single-poly, double-metal technology. We include measurements from prototypes of the membership function block and detailed HSPICE simulations of the whole controller. These results operation speed in the range of 5 MFLIPS (million fuzzy logic inferences per second) with systematic errors below 1%

Operational transconductance amplifier-based nonlinear function syntheses

It is shown that the operational transconductance amplifier, as the active element in basic building blocks, can be efficiently used for programmable nonlinear continuous-time function synthesis. Two efficient nonlinear function synthesis approaches are presented. The first approach is a rational approximation, and the second is a piecewise-linear approach. Test circuits have been fabricated using a 3- mu m p-well CMOS process. The flexibility of the designed and tested circuits was confirme

CMOS OTA-C high-frequency sinusoidal oscillators

Several topology families are given to implement practical CMOS sinusoidal oscillators by using operational transconductance amplifier-capacitor (OTA-C) techniques. Design techniques are proposed taking into account the CMOS OTA's dominant nonidealities. Building blocks are presented for amplitude control, both by automatic gain control (AGC) schemes and by limitation schemes. Experimental results from 3- and 2- mu m CMOS (MOSIS) prototypes that exhibit oscillation frequencies of up to 69 MHz are obtained. The amplitudes can be adjusted between 1 V peak to peak and 100 mV peak to peak. Total harmonic distortions from 2.8% down to 0.2% have been measured experimentally.Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología ME87-000