23,067 research outputs found

    SpikeTemp: an enhanced rank-order-based learning approach for spiking neural networks with adaptive structure

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    This paper presents an enhanced rank - order based learning algorithm, called SpikeTemp, for Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) with a dynamically adaptive structure. The trained feed-forward SNN consists of two layers of spiking neurons: an encoding layer which temporally encodes real valued features into spatio-temporal spike patterns, and an output layer of dynamically grown neurons which perform spatio-temporal classification. Both Gaussian receptive fields and square cosine population encoding schemes are employed to encode real-valued features into spatio-temporal spike patterns. Unlike the rank-order based learning approach, SpikeTemp uses the precise times of the incoming spikes for adjusting the synaptic weights such that early spikes result in a large weight change and late spikes lead to a smaller weight change. This removes the need to rank all the incoming spikes and thus reduces the computational cost of SpikeTemp. The proposed SpikeTemp algorithm is demonstrated on several benchmark datasets and on an image recognition task. The results show that SpikeTemp can achieve better classification performance and is much faster than the existing rank-order based learning approach. In addition, the number of output neurons is much smaller when the square cosine encoding scheme is employed. Furthermore, SpikeTemp is benchmarked against a selection of existing machine learning algorithms and the results demonstrate the ability of SpikeTemp to classify different datasets after just one presentation of the training samples with comparable classification performance

    Preliminary study of a customised total knee implant with musculoskeletal and dynamic squatting simulation

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    Customised total knee replacement could be the future therapy for knee joint osteoarthritis. A preliminary design of a customised total knee implant based on knee anatomy was studied in this article. To evaluate its biomechanical performance, a dynamic finite element model based on the Oxford knee rig was created to simulate a squatting motion. Unlike previous research, this dynamic model was simulated with patient-specific muscle and joint loads that were calculated from an OpenSim musculoskeletal model. The dynamic response of the customised total knee implant was simulated under three cruciate ligament scenarios: both cruciate ligaments retained, only anterior cruciate ligament removed and both cruciate ligaments removed. In addition, an off-the-shelf symmetric total knee implant with retained cruciate ligaments was simulated for comparison analysis. The customised total knee implant with both cruciate ligaments retained showed larger ranges of femoral external rotation and posterior translation than the symmetric total knee implant. The motion of the customised total knee implant was also in good agreement with a healthy knee. There were no big differences in the tibiofemoral compressive forces in the customised total knee implant model under the three scenarios. These forces were generally consistent with other experimental and simulation results. However, the customised total knee implant design resulted in larger tibiofemoral compressive force than the symmetric total knee implant after 50° knee flexion, which was caused by the larger tibiofemoral relative motion

    Source origins, modeled profiles, and apportionments of halogenated hydrocarbons in the greater Pearl River Delta region, southern China

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    We analyze 16-month data of 13 major halocarbons measured at a southern China coastal site in the greater Pearl River Delta (PRD). A total of 188 canister air samples were collected from August 2001 to December 2002. Overall inspection indicated that CH2Cl2, C2Cl 4, and C2HCl3 had similar temporal variations while CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-113 showed the same emission patterns during the sampling period. Diurnal variations of halocarbons presented different patterns during ozone episode days, mainly related to emission strength, atmospheric dispersion, and photochemical lifetimes. For further statistics and source appointment, Lagrangian backward particle release simulations were conducted to help understand the potential source regions of all samples and classify them into different categories, including local Hong Kong, inner PRD, continental China, and marine air masses. With the exception of HCFC-142b, the mixing ratios of all halocarbons in marine air were significantly lower than those in urban and regional air (p < 0.01), whereas no significant difference was found between urban Hong Kong and inner PRD regional air, reflecting the dominant impact of the greater PRD regional air on the halocarbon levels. The halocarbon levels in this region were significantly influenced by anthropogenic sources, causing the halocarbon mixing ratios in South China Sea air to be higher than the corresponding background levels, as measured by global surface networks and by airborne missions such as Transport and Chemical Evolution Over the Pacific. Interspecies correlation analysis suggests that CHCl3 is mainly used as a solvent in Hong Kong but mostly as a feedstock for HCFC-22 in the inner PRD. Furthermore, CH3Cl is often used as a refrigerant and emitted from biomass/biofuel burning in the inner PRD. A positive matrix factorization receptor model was applied to the classified halocarbon samples in the greater PRD for source profiles and apportionments. Seven major sources were identified and quantified. Emissions from solvent use were the most significant source of halocarbons (71 ± 9%), while refrigeration was the second largest contributor (18 ± 2%). By further looking at samples from the inner PRD and from urban Hong Kong separately, we found that more solvent was used in the dry cleaning industry in Hong Kong, whereas the contribution of cleaning solvent in the electronic industry was higher in the inner PRD. Besides the two common sources of solvent use and refrigeration, the contributions of biomass/biofuel burning and feedstock in chemical manufacturing was remarkable in the inner PRD but negligible in Hong Kong. These findings are of help to effectively control and phase out the emissions of halocarbons in the greater PRD region of southern China Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union

    Universal algorithm for exercise rate estimation in walking, cycling and rowing using triaxial accelerometry

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    A technique that can reliably monitor exercise intensity plays an important role for the effectiveness and safety of an exercise prescription. A universal algorithm for the recursive estimation of exercise rate during a variety of aerobic exercises using measurements from a body-mounted triaxial accelerometer (TA) is proposed. Information about the type of exercise is not required by the algorithm and the TA can be mounted at the same location regardless of the exercise type. The algorithm involves period detection and data fusion. Experimental results demonstrate that the algorithm is effective for common aerobic exercises. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2009

    The effectiveness of private tutoring: students’ perceptions in comparison with mainstream schooling in Hong Kong.

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    This paper examines Hong Kong students’ perceptions on the effectiveness of private supplementary tutoring relative to mainstream schooling. Drawing on survey and interview data, it shows that large proportions of secondary school students receive private tutoring. Students generally perceive private tutoring and private tutors to be more effective in the provision of examination support compared with mainstream schooling and teachers. However, perceptions vary according to students’ selfreported academic levels and motives for taking private tutoring. The operations of the parallel sector of private tutoring have significant implications for the nature of schooling and therefore need to be considered by teachers and school administrators. The Hong Kong data contribute to the international analysis of private tutoring and add a significant component to the wider conceptual literature.postprin

    Influence of gouge thickness and grain size on permeability of macrofractured basalt

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    Fractures allow crystalline rocks to store and transport fluids, but fracture permeability can also be influenced significantly by the existence or absence of gouge and by stress history. To investigate these issues, we measured the water permeability of macrofractured basalt samples unfilled or infilled with gouge of different grain sizes and thicknesses as a function of hydrostatic stress and also under cyclic stress conditions. In all experiments, permeability decreased with increasing effective pressure, but unfilled fractures exhibited a much greater decrease than gouge-filled fractures. Macrofractures filled with fine-grained gouge had the lowest permeabilities and exhibited the smallest change with pressure. By contrast, the permeability changed significantly more in fractures filled with coarser-grained gouge. During cyclic pressurization, permeability decreased with increasing cycle number until reaching a minimum value after a certain number of cycles. Permeability reduction in unfilled fractures is accommodated by both elastic and inelastic deformation of surface asperities, while measurements of the particle size distribution and compaction in gouge-filled fractures indicate only inelastic compaction. In fine-grained gouge this is accommodated by grain rearrangement, while in coarser-grained gouge it is the result of both grain rearrangement and comminution. Overall, sample permeability is dominated by the gouge permeability, which decreases with increasing thickness and is also sensitive to the grain size and its distribution. Our results imply that there is a crossover depth in the crust below which the permeability of well-mated fractures (e.g., joints) becomes lower than that of gouge-filled fractures (e.g., shear faults)

    A nonlinear dynamic model for heart rate response to treadmill walking exercise

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    A dynamic model of the heart rate response to treadmill walking exercise is presented. The model is a feedback interconnected system; the subsystem in the forward path represents the neural response to exercise, while the subsystem in the feedback path describes the peripheral local response. The parameters of the model were estimated from 5 healthy adult male subjects, each undertaking 3 sets of walking exercise at different speeds. Simulated responses from the model closely match the experimental data both in the exercise and the recovery phases. The model will be useful in explaining the cardiovascular response to exercise and in the design of exercise protocols for individuals. © 2007 IEEE

    Exercise rate estimation using a triaxial accelerometer

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    In this paper, we propose an algorithm for the estimation of exercise rate during a variety of exercises by using measurements from triaxial accelerometry. The algorithm involves the detection of the periodicity of the body's accelerations, and the detected periods are then fused to form an estimate of exercise rate. Experimental results demonstrate that the algorithm is effective in different modes of exercise. The proposed algorithm will be useful in monitoring training exercises for healthy individuals and rehabilitation exercises for cardiac patients. ©2009 INSTICC - Institute for Systems and Technologies of Information, Control and Communication

    Double-Lepton Polarization Asymmetries and Branching Ratio in B \rar K_{0}^{*}(1430) l^+ l^- transition from Universal Extra Dimension Model

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    We investigate the B \rar K_{0}^{*}(1430) l^+ l^- transition in the Applequist-Cheng-Dobrescu model in the presence of a universal extra dimension. In particular, we calculate double lepton polarization asymmetries and branching ratio related to this channel and compare the obtained results with the predictions of the standard model. Our analysis of the considered observables in terms of radius RR of the compactified extra-dimension as the new parameter of the model show a considerable discrepancy between the predictions of two models in low 1R\frac{1}{R} values.Comment: 12 Pages, 15 Figures and 1 Tabl
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