Distributed memory systems for simulating artificial neural networks

In executing tasks involving intelligent information processing, the human brain performs better than the digital computer. The human brain derives its power from a large number [O(10¹¹)] of neurons which are interconnected by a dense interconnection network [O(10⁵) connections per neuron]. Artificial neural network (ANN) paradigms adopt the structure of the brain to try to emulate the intelligent information processing methods of the brain. ANN techniques are being employed to solve problems in areas such as pattern recognition, and robotic processing. Simulation of ANNs involves implementation of large number of neurons and a massive interconnection network. In this paper, we discuss various simulation models of ANNs and their implementation on distributed memory systems. Our investigations reveal that communication-efficient networks of distributed memory systems perform better than other topologies in implementing ANNs.     

Vibration and damping characteristics of CNTR viscoelastic skewed shell structures under the influence of hygrothermal conditions

Engineering with Computers - The vibration and damping characteristics of carbon nanotubes reinforced (CNTR) skewed shell structure under a hygrothermal environment have been investigated using the...     

Discovering excitatory relationships using dynamic Bayesian networks

Mining temporal network models from discrete event streams is an important problem with applications in computational neuroscience, physical plant diagnostics, and human–computer interaction modeling. In this paper, we introduce the notion of excitatory networks which are essentially temporal models where all connections are stimulative, rather than inhibitive. The emphasis on excitatory connections facilitates learning of network models by creating bridges to frequent episode mining. Specifically, we show that frequent episodes help identify nodes with high mutual information relationships and that such relationships can be summarized into a dynamic Bayesian network (DBN). This leads to an algorithm that is significantly faster than state-of-the-art methods for inferring DBNs, while simultaneously providing theoretical guarantees on network optimality. We demonstrate the advantages of our approach through an application in neuroscience, where we show how strong excitatory networks can be efficiently inferred from both mathematical models of spiking neurons and several real neuroscience datasets.     

The Quasi-static Deformation, Failure, and Fracture Behavior of Titanium Alloy Gusset Plates Containing Bolt Holes

In this article, the influence of bolt holes, specifically their number and layout on strength, deformation, and final fracture behavior of titanium alloy gusset plates under the influence of an external load is presented and discussed. Several plates having differences in both the number and layout of the bolt holes were precision machined and then deformed under quasi-static loading. The specific influence of number of bolt holes and their layout on maximum load-carrying capability and even fracture load was determined. The conjoint influence of bolt number, bolt layout pattern, nature of loading, contribution from local stress concentration, and intrinsic microstructural effects in governing the macroscopic fracture mode and intrinsic microscopic mechanisms is presented and discussed.     

Comparative study on the structural make-up and mechanical behavior of silicon and silver doped amorphous carbon films

Silicon - Silicon (Si) and silver (Ag) doped amorphous carbon (a-C) thin film were deposited on chrome nitrided 316 LVM stainless steel using filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) deposition...     

Life Prediction of Atmospheric Plasma-Sprayed Thermal Barrier Coatings Using Temperature-Dependent Model Parameters

The failure analysis and life prediction of atmospheric plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings (APS-TBCs) were carried out for a thermal cyclic process. A residual stress model for the top coat of APS-TBC was proposed and then applied to life prediction. This residual stress model shows an inversion characteristic versus thickness of thermally grown oxide. The capability of the life model was demonstrated using temperature-dependent model parameters. Using existing life data, a comparison of fitting approaches of life model parameters was performed. A larger discrepancy was found for the life predicted using linearized fitting parameters versus temperature compared to those using non-linear fitting parameters. A method for integrating the residual stress was proposed by using the critical time of stress inversion. The role of the residual stresses distributed at each individual coating layer was explored and their interplay on the coating’s delamination was analyzed.     

Performance assessment of hybrid composite friction materials based on flyash–rock fibre combination

Friction composites based on several combinations of flyash and inorganic mineral rock fibres such as lapinus™ fibre were fabricated, characterised and tribo-evaluated. The tribo-performance in terms of their friction-fade and friction-recovery behaviour has been rigorously evaluated while synchronously taking into account of the in situ braking induced temperature rise in the disc at the braking interface on a Krauss friction testing machine following pulse velocity wave (PVW) 3212 norms as per the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) regulations. The fade behaviour has been observed to be highly dependent on the combination of flyash–lapinus fibre e.g. fade remained maximum (45%) in the composite with the highest amount of lapinus fibre content and lowest amount of flyash whereas the frictional fluctuations in terms of μ_max − μ_min has been observed to be higher in case of low flyash–high lapinus fibre combination. The recovery response seemed unaffected by the disparity of ingredients and remained consistently stable within the range of 112 ± 2%. The analysis of friction and wear performance has revealed that flyash along with lapinus fibre provide thermo-mechanical stability and overall mechanical integrity to the system causing reduction in friction-fade whereas wear was found to be more recovery-controlled and less fade controlled. Worn surface morphology investigation using SEM has been carried out which has revealed that the interplay of flyash–lapinus combination and topographical attributes vis-a-vis dynamics of contact patches (formation–destruction) largely influence the friction and wear performance of such composites.     

Functionalized 1,3-teraryls as a new class of hepatoprotectants. Part V

A 29-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of a high fever and dyspnea. He had a history of bronchial asthma and had had a bullectomy of the right lung at 15 years of age. He had visited a family physician because of fever and non productive coughing. Medications had no effect on his symptoms, and dyspnea developed. A chest X-ray film showed total collapse of the right lung, and he was referred to our hospital. Laboratory data showed eosinophilia and a high titer of IgE. Total obstruction of the right main stem bronchus by mucous plug was found during fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Aspergillus was detected by pathological examination of bronchial lavage fluid. Tests for aspergillus-specific IgE and IgG antibody were positive, as was immediate skin reactivity to Aspergillus. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) was diagnosed. Infusion and inhalation of a corticosteroid and fluconazole were effective; the symptoms resolved and X-ray findings improved. While migratory infiltration, proximal bronchiectasis and segmental or subsegmental atelectasis caused by a mucous plug are common X-ray findings in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, total collapse is rare.