10827335
A novel approach for analyzing dynamics in neural networks with saturated characteristics
Current theories about the dynamics of neural networks with nonlinear characteristics and parameterized by set of parameters are mostly based on approximations in one way or another. In this paper we first introduce a rigorous approach which allows us to check in which parameter region a given saturated state is an attractor of the dynamics: a saturated state w=(wi, i=1,...,N)∈{-1,1}N is an attractor of the dynamics if and only if there is a local field gap between neurons in J+(w)={i, wi=1} and J-(w)={i, wi=−1}. Then we apply the result to analyze several models in neural networks. In particular in the Hopfield model we calculate the capacity and give an exact relation between the capacity and the threshold.
11160456
Structure of Lateral Inhibition in an Olfactory Bulb Model
It has been shown that mutual lateral inhibition of the projection neurones in the olfactory bulb, mediated by interneurones, serves to tune the representation of odours in the bulb and reduce the overlap between similaz odorants. In this paper we demonstrate that the parameters of the lateral interaction, specifically the relation of synaptic strength to cell separation and the effective overall gain of the network, have a significant effect on the strength and range of lateral inhibition in a simple model of the olfactory bulb.
206848726
Viewing a Class of Neurodynamics on Parameter Space
Nearly all models in neural networks start from the assumption that the input-output characteristic is a sigmoidal function. On parameter space we present a systematic and feasible method for analyzing the whole spectrum of attractors-all saturated, all-but-one saturated, all-but-two saturated, etc. — of a neurodynamical system with a saturated sigmoidal function as its input-output characteristic. We present an argument which claims, under a mild condition, that only all saturated or all-but-one saturated attractors are observable for the neurodynamics. For any given all saturated configuration ξ (all-but-one saturated configuration η) the paper shows how to construct an exact parameter region R(ξ) (¯R(η)) such that if and only if the parameters fall within R(ξ) (¯R(η)), then ξ (η) is an attractor (a fixed point) of the dynamics. The parameter region for an all saturated fixed point attractor is independent of the specific choice of a saturated sigmoidal function, whereas for an all-but-one saturated fixed point it is sensitive to the input-output characteristic.
877766
Inhibitory inputs increase a neurons's firing rate
Abstract Neurons are typically thought of as receiving information primarily through excitatory inputs, with inhibitory inputs playing a gating or regulating role. In this paper we demonstrate that increasing the strength of inhibitory inputs to the Hodgkin–Huxley and FitzHugh–Nagumo models can induce them to fire faster. This result is counter-intuitive and important in neural network modelling where inhibitory inputs are often neglected.
652273
Decoding Input Signals in Time Domain—A Model Approach
From an observation of efferent interspike intervals of a neuron, we consider how to decode the input temporal information. It is found that the integrate-and-fire model is blind in the temporal domain due to the fact that its efferent firing rate is independent of the input temporal frequency. The conclusion is then confirmed for the integrate-and-fire model with correlated inputs, with reversal potentials, with a nonlinear leakage and with a subthreshold oscillation. For the Hodgkin-Huxley model, however, in terms of efferent firing rates alone, it is possible to read out the input temporal information.
9793653
Paradoxical Relationship between Output and Input Regularity for the FitzHugh-Nagumo Model
We examine the effects of changing the coefficient of variation (CV) of the inter-stimulus interval on the CV of the output interspike interval (ISI), using constant magnitude, supra-threshold point-process stimuli of the membrane potential variable in the FitzHugh-Nagumo model. The coefficient of variation of the input is changed within the context of a displaced exponential distribution. We find that for some values of mean inter-stimulus interval, CV of ISI has an inverse relationship with input coefficient of variation, whereas for other mean stimulation rates, CV of ISI increases with input coefficient of variation. Over a wide range of input regularity CV of ISI is approximately constant, and is less than 0.4.
2346851
CARE: An Automobile Crash Data Analysis Tool
The Critical Analysis Reporting Environment provides an efficient tool for transportation safer engineers and policymakers to use in analyzing the categorical crash data typically obtained from police reports. CAPE has proven successful in the traffic safety community for two reasons: its simplicity and its efficiency. It is currently being used in several states.
42606216
Wiring the academy (panel session): what's working, what's not, what's next, and why
The network era of computing is and will profoundly change the conduct of management education. It offers opportunities for building new types of learning relationships among faculty, departments, colleges, students, and the corporations who employ business graduates. The challenges of funding and leading organizational change at the academy to seize these opportunities, however, are quite daunting. While successes with particular courses, student groups, or executive education programs abound, few business schools have succeeded with large scale IT implementation and the cultural changes necessary to thrive and lead in the network era of computing. This set of changes is referred to as wiring the academy.
1099339
Cognitive Scales and Mental Models for Inclusive Design
In keeping with a user capability and product demand approach to product assessment, this paper examines the cognitive demands placed on users when interacting with consumer products. The eventual aim is to develop a set of cognitive capability scales that could be used in the analytical evaluation of product interfaces. We explore the dimensions of cognitive capability relevant to product interaction and describe how these may be used to evaluate a given design. Planned work addresses quantitative measurement of cognitive capabilities and predictive validation of capability scales.
9882695
Rigorously Defining and Analyzing Medical Processes: An Experience Report
This paper describes our experiences in defining the processes associated with preparing and administrating chemotherapy and then using those process definitions as the basis for analyses aimed at finding and correcting defects. The work is a collaboration between medical professionals from a major regional cancer center and computer science researchers. The work uses the Little-JIL language to create precise process definitions, the Propel system to specify precise process requirements, and the FLAVERS system to verify that the process definitions adhere to the requirement specifications. The paper describes how these technologies were applied to successfully identify defects in the chemotherapy process. Although this work is still ongoing, early experiences suggest that this approach can help reduce medical errors and improve patient safety. The work has also helped us to learn about the desiderata for process definition and analysis technologies, both of which are expected to be broadly applicable to other domains.
16581818
A Case Study of Software Process Improvement During Development
We present a case study of the use of a software process improvement method which is based on the analysis of defect data. The first step of the method is the classification of software defects using attributes which relate defects to specific process activities. Such classification captures the semantics of the defects in a fashion which is useful for process correction. The second step utilizes a machine-assisted approach to data exploration which allows a project team to discover such knowledge from defect data as is useful for process correction. We show that such analysis of defect data can readily lead a project team to improve their process during development. >