Competitive learning and soft competition for vector quantizerdesign

The authors provide a convergence analysis for the Kohonen learning algorithm (KLA) with respect to vector quantizer (VQ) optimality criteria and introduce a stochastic relaxation technique which produces the global minimum but is computationally expensive. By incorporating the principles of the stochastic approach into the KLA, a deterministic VQ design algorithm, the soft competition scheme (SCS), is introduced. Experimental results are presented where the SCS consistently provided better codebooks than the generalized Lloyd algorithm (GLA), even when the same computation time was used for both algorithms. The SCS may therefore prove to be a valuable alternative to the GLA for VQ design     

Failure analysis of a hot extrusion die used for Al-Li alloy processing

Al-Li alloys being developed as lighter, substitutes for conventional high strength Al alloys are to be processed by routine methods. During extrusion of a 8090 Al-Li alloy, the extrusion die container failed causing some alarm. This failed die container was analysed to examine if the failure was caused by interaction of Li diffusing out of Al-Li alloy with the carbides of die steel. The evidence, although not conclusive, is sufficient to exercise caution during such processing.     

Efficient wavelength conversion with high-power passivelyQ-switched diode-pumped neodymium lasers

Powerful CW diode-pumped Nd:YAG and Nd:YVO4 lasers Q-switched by Cr:YAG saturable absorbers demonstrate efficient (30%-60%) harmonic and parametric conversion, generating hundreds of milliwatts from ultraviolet to mid-infrared     

Prediction error method for second-order blind identification

Blind channel identification methods based on the oversampled channel output are a problem of current theoretical and practical interest. In this paper, we introduce a second-order blind identification technique based on a linear prediction approach. In contrast to eigenstructure-based methods, it will be shown that the linear prediction error method is “robust” to order overdetermination. An asymptotic performance analysis of the proposed estimation method is carried out, consistency and asymptotic normality of the estimates is established. A closed-form expression for the asymptotic covariance of the estimates is given. Numerical simulations and investigations are finally presented to demonstrate the potential and the “robustness” of the proposed method     

Hepatic vein thrombosis. Diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties

Budd Chiari syndrome (liver vein thrombosis) may be a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. On the basis of four different cases we review the major diagnostic and therapeutic principles involved. Imaging techniques are necessary in order to establish the diagnosis. Ultrasound examination with Duplex doppler is usually sufficient, but MR angiography is also useful. Treatment options are thrombolysis, surgery or liver transplantation. What treatment is selected will depend on the clinical situation and the prognosis.     

In-laboratory removal of femoral sheath following protamine administration in patients having intracoronary stent implantation

Two hundred twenty-eight patients with successful coronary stent implantation were randomized either to protamine administration and femoral sheath removal (group I, n = 117) or no heparin neutralization and delayed sheath removal (group II, n = 111). The hospital stay after treatment was shorter in patients receiving protamine; therefore, protamine use for neutralizing circulating heparin may be safely administered immediately after stent implantation.