A Java simulator of Rescorla and Wagner's prediction error model and configural cue extensions

In this paper we present the "R&W Simulator" (version 3.0), a Java simulator of Rescorla and Wagner's prediction error model of learning. It is able to run whole experimental designs, and compute and display the associative values of elemental and compound stimuli simultaneously, as well as use extra configural cues in generating compound values; it also permits change of the US parameters across phases. The simulator produces both numerical and graphical outputs, and includes a functionality to export the results to a data processor spreadsheet. It is user-friendly, and built with a graphical interface designed to allow neuroscience researchers to input the data in their own "language". It is a cross-platform simulator, so it does not require any special equipment, operative system or support program, and does not need installation. The "R&W Simulator" (version 3.0) is available free.     

A case based reasoning model for multilingual language generation in dialogues

The process of Natural Language Generation for a Conversational Agent translates some semantic language to its surface form expressed in natural language. In this paper, we are going to show a Case Based Reasoning technique which is easily extensible and adaptable to multiple domains and languages, that generates coherent phrases and produces a natural outcome in the context of a Conversational Agent that maintains a dialogue with the user.     

Comments on “A novel dead time compensator for stable processes with long dead times” [Journal of Process Control 22 (2012) 612–625]

This short communication analyzes the results recently presented in the paper “On a novel dead time compensator for stable processes with long dead times” published in the Journal of Process Control. In the mentioned paper it is argued that the proposed strategy, called modified Smith predictor (MSP), gives better performance than the filtered Smith predictor (FSP) dead-time compensator for stable processes with dead time. In fact MSP has the same structure as FSP and only some specific tuning rules of the filters are proposed. Therefore, in this work some aspects of the comparative analysis and tuning rules presented in the referred paper are discussed to show that MSP is a particular case of FSP and that for some particular cases its tuning rule does not allow for a good closed-loop response. Some simulation case studies are used to illustrate these aspects.     

Chance-constrained model predictive control for spacecraft rendezvous with disturbance estimation

A robust Model Predictive Controller (MPC) is used to solve the problem of spacecraft rendezvous, using the Hill-Clohessy-Wiltshire model with additive disturbances and line-of-sight constraints. Since a standard (non-robust) MPC is not able to cope with disturbances, a robust MPC is designed using a chance-constrained approach for robust satisfaction of constraints in a probabilistic sense. Disturbances are modeled as Gaussian allowing for an explicit transformation of the probabilistic constraints into simple algebraic constraints. To estimate the distribution parameters a predictor of disturbances is proposed. Both robust and non-robust MPC control laws are compared using the Monte Carlo method, which shows the superiority of the robust MPC.     

A learning result for continuous-time recurrent neural networks

The following learning problem is considered, for continuous-time recurrent neural networks having sigmoidal activation functions. Given a “black box” representing an unknown system, measurements of output derivatives are collected, for a set of randomly generated inputs, and a network is used to approximate the observed behavior. It is shown that the number of inputs needed for reliable generalization (the sample complexity of the learning problem) is upper bounded by an expression that grows polynomially with the dimension of the network and logarithmically with the number of output derivatives being matched.     

Packet Video Broadcasting with General-Purpose Operating Systems in an Ethernet

Video transmission with general-purpose PCs poses a number of requirements that radically differ from those of high-end dedicated video servers. We analyze the scenario of an Ethernet local area network in which a number of PCs are transmitting video streams, while other TCP/IP applications are also running concurrently. Our findings show that since the operating system clock resolution cannot cope with the transmission timing requirements the following holds: if the video transmission is performed with exact timing accuracy to maintain a constant rate then CPU load grows to 100%, thus blocking the PC for other user applications; on the other hand, if transmission is performed in a bursty manner, i.e. with sleep system calls, then CPU load decreases dramatically but the increased burstiness of the video stream has a negative impact on network performance (for example, capture effect in the Ethernet). Furthermore, the impact of video transmission over the rest of TCP/IP applications running on the same network depends heavily on the packet size. We provide an integrated analysis of operating system and network parameters to achieve video broadcasting while preserving timing requirements and minimizing the impact on other applications.     

Fine structure of the male accessory glands of Triatoma rubrofasciata (De Geer, 1773) (Hemiptera, Triatominae)

Male of Triatoma rubrofasciata has four elongated sac-like reproductive mesodermic accessory glands, lined by an inner single layer of secretory cells, with basal plasma membrane infolds and short apical microvilli, and externally enveloped by a thin visceral muscle layer. The secretory cells have a well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, mitochondria, and secretory granules. In one day old adult the gland cells are poorly developed, presenting small, electron-transparent secretory granules scattered among the rough endoplasmatic reticulum, whereas in three days old adult these cells have the cisternae of the rough endoplasmatic reticulum varing size degree, filled with granular electrondense content. In five days old males the secretory granules increase in diameter, being released to the gland lumen. Therefore, there is an increase of the secretory activity according to male maturation.     

Evaluation of alternatives for the broadcast operation in Kademlia under churn

During recent years, considerable effort has been devoted to the enhancement of Distributed Hash Table (DHT) systems with broadcasting capabilities. Such systems typically provide individual node routing but a broadcast primitive is required for functionalities such as information dissemination or data aggregation. Broadcasting can also be used as the basis for partial keyword searches. Little work has however specifically addressed Kademlia, a well known DHT, used in real applications. Our work exposes the particularities of this system, notably its XOR-based distance metrics, and analytically studies what broadcasting techniques can be applied to it. A model that estimates node coverage as a function of the probability that individual messages reach their destination has been also developed. For validation, several broadcasting algorithms have been implemented and comprehensively evaluated, considering node coverage, messages to nodes ratio, latency and imbalance factor. Moreover, several techniques are proposed to enhance the bare protocols when adverse circumstances such as churn and failure rate conditions are present. These include redundancy, resubmissions or flooding, and also combinations of those. All have been implemented and fully tested. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of algorithms and additional techniques, and a discussion on the choices and compromises to make, depending on system characteristics or application priorities, is finally presented.     

Stability and mechanical evaluation of bovine pericardium cross-linked with polyurethane prepolymer in aqueous medium

The present study investigates the potential use of non-catalyzed water-soluble blocked polyurethane prepolymer (PUP) as a bifunctional cross-linker for collagenous scaffolds. The effect of concentration (5, 10, 15 and 20%), time (4, 6, 12 and 24 h), medium volume (50, 100, 200 and 300%) and pH (7.4, 8.2, 9 and 10) over stability, microstructure and tensile mechanical behavior of acellular pericardial matrix was studied. The cross-linking index increased up to 81% while the denaturation temperature increased up to 12 °C after PUP crosslinking. PUP-treated scaffold resisted the collagenase degradation (0.167 ± 0.14 mmol/g of liberated amine groups vs. 598 ± 60 mmol/g for non-cross-linked matrix). The collagen fiber network was coated with PUP while viscoelastic properties were altered after cross-linking. The treatment of the pericardial scaffold with PUP allows (i) different densities of cross-linking depending of the process parameters and (ii) tensile properties similar to glutaraldehyde method.     

Chitosan impregnated gutta-percha points: antimicrobial in vitro evaluation and mechanical properties

Chitosan-impregnated gutta-percha points (ChitGPP) were tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms usually involved in root canal infections. Their mechanical properties were also studied and compared with the commonly used commercial points in endodontics. ChitGPP were more efficient in reducing the microbial load than those without chitosan. ChitGPP also possess better tensile and elastic properties than commercial ones. After six months of storage, ChitGPP’s were still able to reduce the bacterial load by 1 log, suggesting that impregnation of gutta-percha points with chitosan could be a good alternative to obtain gutta-percha points with improved antimicrobial properties.