Context dependent learning in neural networks

In this paper an extension to the standard error backpropagation learning rule for multi-layer feed forward neural networks is proposed, that enables them to be trained for context dependent information. The context dependent learning is realised by using a different error function (called Average Risk: AVR) in stead of the sum of squared errors (SQE) normally used in error backpropagation and by adapting the update rules. It is shown that for applications where this context dependent information is important, a major improvement in performance is obtained

Capturing hand tremors with a fuzzy logic wheelchair joystick controller

We have designed and built a fuzzy logic wheelchair controller which minimizes the effect of Multiple Sclerosis and tremors. The aim of our project has been to give people with Multiple Sclerosis better control of an electric wheelchair by removing tremors from the joystick signal. The system intercepts the signal from the joystick and then passes it through the fuzzy logic controller. The fuzzy logic identify and eliminate erratic or unusual movements, employing a history mechanism to determine what "unusual" is. The fuzzy logic than outputs a signal which closely represents the intent of the user. This paper reports on the experiments conducted with our prototype wheelchair, using test volunteers with MS, as well as on the design of a new fuzzy controller. Also, we give a brief overview of the variety of recorded tremors. We show that those who have the most severe MS tremors benefit from the system, and are able to control the wheelchair safely

Tuplix Calculus

We introduce a calculus for tuplices, which are expressions that generalize matrices and vectors. Tuplices have an underlying data type for quantities that are taken from a zero-totalized field. We start with the core tuplix calculus CTC for entries and tests, which are combined using conjunctive composition. We define a standard model and prove that CTC is relatively complete with respect to it. The core calculus is extended with operators for choice, information hiding, scalar multiplication, clearing and encapsulation. We provide two examples of applications; one on incremental financial budgeting, and one on modular financial budget design.Comment: 22 page

Fuzzy Logic in Clinical Practice Decision Support Systems

Computerized clinical guidelines can provide significant benefits to health outcomes and costs, however, their effective implementation presents significant problems. Vagueness and ambiguity inherent in natural (textual) clinical guidelines is not readily amenable to formulating automated alerts or advice. Fuzzy logic allows us to formalize the treatment of vagueness in a decision support architecture. This paper discusses sources of fuzziness in clinical practice guidelines. We consider how fuzzy logic can be applied and give a set of heuristics for the clinical guideline knowledge engineer for addressing uncertainty in practice guidelines. We describe the specific applicability of fuzzy logic to the decision support behavior of Care Plan On-Line, an intranet-based chronic care planning system for General Practitioners

Mechanistic Behavior of Single-Pass Instruction Sequences

Earlier work on program and thread algebra detailed the functional, observable behavior of programs under execution. In this article we add the modeling of unobservable, mechanistic processing, in particular processing due to jump instructions. We model mechanistic processing preceding some further behavior as a delay of that behavior; we borrow a unary delay operator from discrete time process algebra. We define a mechanistic improvement ordering on threads and observe that some threads do not have an optimal implementation.Comment: 12 page

Analysis of Neural Networks through Base Functions

Problem statement. Despite their success-story, neural networks have one major disadvantage compared to other techniques: the inability to explain comprehensively how a trained neural network reaches its output; neural networks are not only (incorrectly) seen as a "magic tool" but possibly even more as a mysterious "black box" [1]. This is an important aspect of the functionality of any technology, as users will be interested in "how it works" before trusting it completely. Although much research has already been done to "open the box," there is a notable hiatus in known publications on analysis of neural networks. So far, mainly sensitivity analysis and rule extraction methods have been used to analyze neural networks. However, these can only be applied in a limited subset of the problem domains where neural network solutions are encountered

Vocabulary Development in Preschool English Language Learners

The purpose of this actions research project was to determine what the impact of using pictures when teaching vocabulary would have on preschool English Language Learners (ELLs). Participants were four and five-year-olds in a public preschool. Quantitative data was taken using Creative Curriculum GOLD to collect observations. Two checkpoints were used for this research. The fall checkpoint was collected in October. The winter checkpoint was collected in February. Students were shown pictures of new vocabulary words from a story along with pictures in the book. The results of this study suggest that there was a small amount of growth in the students that used pictures to learn new vocabulary words

Process identification through modular neural networks and rule extraction

Monolithic neural networks may be trained from measured data to establish knowledge about the process. Unfortunately, this knowledge is not guaranteed to be found and - if at all - hard to extract. Modular neural networks are better suited for this purpose. Domain-ordered by topology, rule extraction is performed module by module. This has all the benefits of a divide-and-conquer method and opens the way to structured design. This paper discusses a next step in this direction by illustrating the potential of base functions to design the neural model. \ud [Full paper published as: Berend Jan van der Zwaag, Kees Slump, and Lambert Spaanenburg. Process identification through modular neural networks and rule extraction. In Proceedings FLINS-2002, Ghent, Belgium, 16-18 Sept. 2002.

The cones and foci proof techniques for timed transition systems

We propose an extension of the cones and foci proof technique that can be used to prove timed branching bisimilarity of states in timed transition systems. We prove the correctness of this technique and we give an example verification

Analysis of Neural Networks for Edge Detection

This paper illustrates a novel method to analyze artificial neural networks so as to gain insight into their internal functionality. To this purpose, the elements of a feedforward-backpropagation neural network, that has been trained to detect edges in images, are described in terms of differential operators of various orders and with various angles of operation