The evolution of modular artificial neural networks.

This thesis describes a novel approach to the evolution of Modular Artificial Neural Networks. Standard Evolutionary Algorithms, used in this application include: Genetic Algorithms, Evolutionary Strategies, Evolutionary Programming and Genetic Programming; however, these often fail in the evolution of complex systems, particularly when such systems involve multi-domain sensory information which interacts in complex ways with system outputs. The aim in this work is to produce an evolutionary method that allows the structure of the network to evolve from simple to complex as it interacts with a dynamic environment. This new algorithm is therefore based on Incremental Evolution. A simulated model of a legged robot was used as a test-bed for the approach. The algorithm starts with a simple robotic body plan. This then grows incrementally in complexity along with its controlling neural network and the environment it reacts with. The network grows by adding modules to its structure - so the technique may also be termed a Growth Algorithm. Experiments are presented showing the successful evolution of multi-legged gaits and a simple vision system. These are then integrated together to form a complete robotic system. The possibility of the evolution of complex systems is one advantage of the algorithm and it is argued that it represents a possible path towards more advanced artificial intelligence. Applications in Electronics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace are also discussed

The Myth of Habituation in the Akananuru

The society of the Sangam age is an excellent cultural base. Customary practices represent the way of life of the Tamils two thousand years ago. The special customs and traditions found in society are called "cultures." All our ancient Tamil pieces of literature extol the cultural aspects of our forefathers. Akananuru is the repository that contains all the life, history, beliefs, and customs of the people of the Sangam age. Akananuru is an expression of myth. It is known that there were types of marriage where the man and the woman were married without the consent of the parents and with the consent of the parents in the marriage system. It is special that they got married on a good day. Young boys built sand houses and played ball games. They cheered and enjoyed playing Kuravai Koothu (an entertaining dance of females) and Thunangai Koothu (a religious dance of females). Tunangai Koothu was unique in that it was exclusively for women. Trades were divided based on the land. Apart from these, it can be known that there were many castes such as potters, carpenters, and paraiyars. Trading was one of our customs. It can be seen that they excelled not only in domestic trade but also in foreign trade

Performance Efficiency of Engineering Industries in India

Purpose of the study: To critically analyze the financial growth pattern and the overall performance efficiency of industrial machinery companies in India. Design/Methodology/Approach: The data collected from the financial statement of the companies for 10 years from 2007-2008 to 2016-17 were analyzed with the help of different accounting and statistical tools. Discriminant analysis has been adopted for analyzing and interpreting the quantitative data was carried out using SPSS. Findings: The study reveals that good performance efficiency of the engineering industry over the period 2007-2017, most Indian engineering industries exist with high net profit. The poor performance companies need of the hour to increase profit by reducing costs.              Practical Implications: The study has interesting policy implications. It is recommended to encourage foreign banks' presence to enhance the competitive condition of the banking sector thus making sure the exit and entrance of banks in the industry raise the competition. The pursuit of modernization, in fully hardening the resources of information technology should be relentless.  It is a field that demands great attention and expertise. Originality/value: This research work is one of its first kind as no study was conducted before focusing on the performance perspectives of the engineering industries in India

Dynamic imaging of coherent sources reveals different network connectivity underlying the generation and perpetuation of epileptic seizures

The concept of focal epilepsies includes a seizure origin in brain regions with hyper synchronous activity (epileptogenic zone and seizure onset zone) and a complex epileptic network of different brain areas involved in the generation, propagation, and modulation of seizures. The purpose of this work was to study functional and effective connectivity between regions involved in networks of epileptic seizures. The beginning and middle part of focal seizures from ictal surface EEG data were analyzed using dynamic imaging of coherent sources (DICS), an inverse solution in the frequency domain which describes neuronal networks and coherences of oscillatory brain activities. The information flow (effective connectivity) between coherent sources was investigated using the renormalized partial directed coherence (RPDC) method. In 8/11 patients, the first and second source of epileptic activity as found by DICS were concordant with the operative resection site; these patients became seizure free after epilepsy surgery. In the remaining 3 patients, the results of DICS / RPDC calculations and the resection site were discordant; these patients had a poorer post-operative outcome. The first sources as found by DICS were located predominantly in cortical structures; subsequent sources included some subcortical structures: thalamus, Nucl. Subthalamicus and cerebellum. DICS seems to be a powerful tool to define the seizure onset zone and the epileptic networks involved. Seizure generation seems to be related to the propagation of epileptic activity from the primary source in the seizure onset zone, and maintenance of seizures is attributed to the perpetuation of epileptic activity between nodes in the epileptic network. Despite of these promising results, this proof of principle study needs further confirmation prior to the use of the described methods in the clinical praxis

STUDIES OF SOLVENT EXTRACTION AND SUPPORTED LIQUID MEMBRANE WITH REACTIVE DYES FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS USING ALIQUOT 336 AS CARRIER

The liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and supported liquid membrane (SLM) studies of reactive dyes namely Gold Yellow (GYHE-R) and Reactive Green HE 4BD (RGHE-4BD) from aqueous solution using Aliquot 336 as the carrier has been investigated. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane with 0.5 μm pore size has been used after impregnated with Aliquot 336 in dichloromethane. In liquid liquid extraction the following parameters had been optimized; pH of feed, diluent, carrier , strip and dye concentration and the same parameters have been applied to supported liquid membrane (SLM) study to transport dye from aqueous solution.The main advantages SLM study is; the extraction and stripping as single stage process and low consumption of carrier in the membrane phase compared to the solvent extraction process. The other parameters such as transport time, stirring speed and mechanism of dye transport has also studied by SLM. The percentage of transport of dye and flux rate increases with increasing time. The stability of membrane is satisfactory over 5 days

Molecular docking interaction of mycobacterium tuberculosis lipb enzyme with isoniazid, pyrazinamide and a structurally altered drug 2, 6 dimethoxyisonicotinohydrazide

Tuberculosis is an infectious airborne disease caused by a bacterial infection that affects the lungs and other parts of the body. Vaccination against tuberculosis is available but proved to be unsuccessful against emerging multi drug and extensive drug resistant bacterial strains. This in turn raises the pressure to speed up the research on developing new and more efficient anti-tuberculosis drugs. Lipoate biosynthesis protein B (LipB) is found to play vital role in the lipoylation process in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and thus making it a very promising drug target. The existing first line drugs such as Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide and Rifampicin etc shows only profound binding affinity with this target protein. Therefore, new or modified drugs with better docking approach that exhibit a closer and stronger binding affinity is essential. This current study opens up a novel approach towards anti-tuberculosis agents by determining drugs that share similar structures with some of the best available first line drug and also happen to possess better binding affinity. In this article, a computational method by which, pristine as well certain first line and structurally modified drugs were docked with the LipB protein target; where, structurally modified 2, 6 Dimethoxyisonicotinohydrazide show superior target docking

Development in Steel Research

It's an honour and pleasure for me to participate in the inaugural function of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the CSIR. Over the last 50 years Tata Steel has had a wonderful association with the National Metallurgical Laboratory. As far as my own personal association is concerned, I recall a visit to Jamshedpur in 1965 even before I graduated from UT Madras. And it was my first visit to Jamshedpur along with some of my classmates and along with me was our own director of ITT Dr. Vibhut-ibhushan Sen Gupta, who said he would take me to a friend of his.So I landed up in Dr. A. B. Chatterjee's house and little did I know that I would become a very close friend of Dr. A. B. Chatterjee's son who is here - Dr. Amit Cha-tterjee. So, that was my first visit to Jamshedpur and first meeting with anyone associated with National Meta-llurgical Laboratory and I very vividly recall spending that evening very pleasantly with Dr. A. B. Chatterjee and Mrs.Chatterjee and I don't think At-nit was there that evening and we had a very pleasant evening. It was the house just off the straight mile road, one of those red-dish coloured houses on the Pipe Line road

Attenuating effect of Acorus calamus extract in chronic constriction injury induced neuropathic pain in rats: an evidence of anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and calcium inhibitory effects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Acorus calamus </it>(family: <it>Araceae</it>), is an indigenous plant, traditionally it is used as an ingredient of various cocktail preparations and for the management of severe inflammatory disorders in Indian system of medicine. Present study investigated the attenuating role of <it>Acorus calamus </it>plant extract in chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve induced peripheral neuropathy in rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Hot plate, plantar, Randall Selitto, Von Frey Hair, pin prick, acetone drop, photoactometer and rota-rod tests were performed to assess degree of thermal, radiant, mechanical, chemical sensation, spontaneous motor activity and motor co-ordination changes respectively, at different time intervals i.e., day 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21. Tissue myeloperoxidase, superoxide anion and total calcium levels were determined after 21^stday to assess biochemical alterations. Histopathological evaluations were also performed. Hydroalcoholic extract of <it>Acorus calamus </it>(HAE-<it>AC</it>, 100 and 200 mg/kg, <it>p.o.</it>) and pregabalin (10 mg/kg, <it>p.o.</it>) were administered from the day of surgery for 14 days.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CCI of sciatic nerve significantly induced thermal, radiant, mechanical hyperalgesia and thermal, chemical, tactile allodynia, along with increase in the levels of superoxide anion, total calcium and myeloperoxidase activity. Moreover significant histological changes were also observed. HAE-<it>AC </it>attenuated CCI induced development of painful behavioural, biochemical and histological changes in a dose dependent manner similar to that of pregabalin serving as positive control.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>Acorus calamus </it>prevented CCI induced neuropathy which may be attributed to its multiple actions including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and calcium inhibitory actions.</p