Artificial Neurons with Arbitrarily Complex Internal Structures

Artificial neurons with arbitrarily complex internal structure are introduced. The neurons can be described in terms of a set of internal variables, a set activation functions which describe the time evolution of these variables and a set of characteristic functions which control how the neurons interact with one another. The information capacity of attractor networks composed of these generalized neurons is shown to reach the maximum allowed bound. A simple example taken from the domain of pattern recognition demonstrates the increased computational power of these neurons. Furthermore, a specific class of generalized neurons gives rise to a simple transformation relating attractor networks of generalized neurons to standard three layer feed-forward networks. Given this correspondence, we conjecture that the maximum information capacity of a three layer feed-forward network is 2 bits per weight.Comment: 22 pages, 2 figure

Cluster vs Single-Spin Algorithms -- Which are More Efficient?

A comparison between single-cluster and single-spin algorithms is made for the Ising model in 2 and 3 dimensions. We compare the amount of computer time needed to achieve a given level of statistical accuracy, rather than the speed in terms of site updates per second or the dynamical critical exponents. Our main result is that the cluster algorithms become more efficient when the system size, $L^d$, exceeds, $L\sim 70$--$300$ for $d=2$ and $L\sim 80$--$200$ for $d=3$. The exact value of the crossover is dependent upon the computer being used. The lower end of the crossover range is typical of workstations while the higher end is typical of vector computers. Hence, even for workstations, the system sizes needed for efficient use of the cluster algorithm is relatively large.Comment: 13pages, postscript file, HLRZ 21/9

Non-Blocking Signature of very large SOAP Messages

Data transfer and staging services are common components in Grid-based, or more generally, in service-oriented applications. Security mechanisms play a central role in such services, especially when they are deployed in sensitive application fields like e-health. The adoption of WS-Security and related standards to SOAP-based transfer services is, however, problematic as a straightforward adoption of SOAP with MTOM introduces considerable inefficiencies in the signature generation process when large data sets are involved. This paper proposes a non-blocking, signature generation approach enabling a stream-like processing with considerable performance enhancements.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

Non-Blocking Signature of very large SOAP Messages

Data transfer and staging services are common components in Grid-based, or more generally, in service-oriented applications. Security mechanisms play a central role in such services, especially when they are deployed in sensitive application fields like e-health. The adoption of WS-Security and related standards to SOAP-based transfer services is, however, problematic as a straightforward adoption of SOAP with MTOM introduces considerable inefficiencies in the signature generation process when large data sets are involved. This paper proposes a non-blocking, signature generation approach enabling a stream-like processing with considerable performance enhancements.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

A Case for the One-offs: Improvisation and Innovation Within a Copper Age Potting Community

Unique objects are often poorly integrated into discussions about the social organization of production or technological processes. Often they are frustratingly interpreted as ritual or prestige objects, or they are simply consigned to footnotes in archaeological reports. This does not do them justice and their contextualization may provide greater insight into the social factors involved in production activities. This paper attempts to demonstrate what unique, or one-off, objects can tell us about technological systems and how improvisational technical choices can lead to innovation within society. It focuses on a particular example of pottery production and usage at the Copper Age site of San Blas (Spain) and how two particular vessels on the surface appear to be unique one-off products. This paper shows that one-off objects may in fact be opening the door to innovation through acts of improvisation within existing socially sanctioned production aesthetics and object ideals.Support has come directly and indirectly through the Universidad de Sevilla, University of Cambridge and EDIA (Empresa de Desenvolvimento e Ingra-estruturas do Alqueva, S.A)

From Whence I Came

Let us look at our lush forest one last time. Is it any less beautiful if we remove the hand of a Creator God

Condensation of vortices in the X-Y model in 3d: a disorder parameter

A disorder parameter is constructed which signals the condensation of vortices. The construction is tested by numerical simulations.Comment: 9 pages, 5 postscript figures, typset using REVTE

Erhaltungsbedingungen und Diagenese fossiler Vogeleischalen aus dem Nördlinger Ries (Miozän, MN6)

Zusammenfassung:Vogeleier und deren Eischalen aus dem Miozän (MN 6) der Ablagerungen des Nördlinger Ries werden hinsichtlich ihrer Erhaltungsbedingungen und Diagenese untersucht. Ein relativ kleines Ei wird aufgrund der Größe und Form sowie der Schalenstruktur den Charadriiformes (Charadriidae?, Scolopacidae?), drei nahe beieinander liegende Eier den Pelecaniformes (Phalacrocorax sp. ?) zugeordnet. Die Eischalen des Nördlinger Ries weisen ein reiches Spektrum an diagenetischen Phänomenen auf: Erhalt einer mineralisierten Membrana testacea, Abdrücke der Membrana testacea auf den basalen Mammillen, Hinweise auf Farbstreifen in den Schalen, mineralisierte primäre und sekundäre Außenschichten, zementierte Porenkanäle und Umkristallisationen der Schale. Die überwiegend frühdiagenetischen kalzitischen Zementationen, die mit dem mikrobiellen Abbau organischer Substanzen in Zusammenhang stehen könnten, scheinen Überlieferung und Transport vollständiger Vogeleier erleichtert oder sogar erst ermöglicht zu haben. Der wahrscheinliche allochthone Charakter der Eier, der sich auch aus den Fundbedingungen in den verkarsteten »Travertinhügeln« (spring mounds) ergibt, wird diskutiert.Abstract:Preservational conditions and diagenesis of avian eggs and eggshells from the Miocene (MN 6) of the Nördlinger Ries (Southern Germany) are studied. One single small egg is assigned, due to shell structure and size and shape of the egg, to the Charadriiformes (Charadriidae?, Scolopacidae?). A cluster of three eggs is assigned to the Pelecaniformes (Phalacrocorax sp. ?). The following taphonomic phenomena of the avian eggshells are described: preservation of a calcified Membrana testacea, reprints of the Membrana testacea at the basal mammillae, mineralized color lines, primary and secondary calcified deposits on the outer surfaces, calcified pore channels and recristallisation of the shell. The early diagenetic processes (cementation) are probably correlated with the microbial decay of organic material (ammonification) within the eggs and are interpreted as being responsible for preservation and transport of the complete bird eggs. The allochthonous character of the eggs, additionally indicated by their deposition and pockets of lacustrine spring mounds, is discussed

Mistrust, disinforming news, and vote choice: A panel survey on the origins and consequences of believing disinformation in the 2017 German parliamentary election

In this paper, we address the question of whether disinforming news spread online possesses the power to change the prevailing political circumstances during an election campaign. We highlight factors for believing disinformation that until now have received little attention, namely trust in news media and trust in politics. A panel survey in the context of the 2017 German parliamentary election (N = 989) shows that believing disinforming news had a specific impact on vote choice by alienating voters from the main governing party (i.e., the CDU/CSU), and driving them into the arms of right-wing populists (i.e., the AfD). Furthermore, we demonstrate that the less one trusts in news media and politics, the more one believes in online disinformation. Hence, we provide empirical evidence for Bennett and Livingston’s notion of a disinformation order, which forms in opposition to the established information system to disrupt democracy