Threshold Elements Research Articles

Parallel-sequential adder-subtractor with the highest digits forward on neurons

The article deals with the development of a parallel-sequential adder-subtractor that performs arithmetic operations of addition and subtraction of binary numbers in the format with a fixed comma with the highest digits forward. The result of performing arithmetic operations is the sum and difference of binary numbers in the direct code of eight digits. The sum and difference of numbers is calculated on neuropositive elements, the transfer to the highest digits when summing and the loan from the highest digits when subtracting is determined by the majority elements. The algorithm for adding numbers in direct codes allows you to get the result in direct code. The signed digits of numbers determine which operation should be performed on numbers using the sum modulo two operation. If the characters are the same, the result will be zero. Otherwise, the result will be one. After that, the addition or subtraction operation is selected. Summation is performed if the numbers have the same signs, the result is assigned the sign of the first number. Subtraction is performed if the numbers have different signs, the result is assigned the sign of a larger modulo number. The adder-subtracter senior digits forward on neurons contains: block input, block comparatii, the block parallel-serial addersubtracter, the unit registers a larger number, the unit of determining the transfer and loan, a unit registers a smaller number of unit registers a result, the control unit, majority, threshold and neural elements. The device can be used as an arithmetic co-processor in a computer system. It significantly speeds up calculations of both simple arithmetic operations and results of various mathematical functions.

Soil ecoenzymatic stoichiometry and microbial resource limitation driven by thinning practices and season types in Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations in North China

The extracellular ecoenzymatic stoichiometry (EES) of the soil are key indicators of the nutritional status and relative resource limitations of microbes that play important roles in biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem functions. However, our knowledge of the effects of forest thinning and the seasons on the variability of extracellular ecoenzymatic activities (EEA) and EES in the soil is limited. We examined the soils from Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations after nine years of treatments with four different thinning intensities (i.e., control (CK), low thinning (LT), moderate thinning (MT), and high thinning (HT)) in four different seasons. We measured the activities of one carbon (C) acquiring enzyme (β-1,4-glucosidase (BG)), two nitrogen (N) acquiring enzymes (β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP)), and one phosphorus (P) acquiring enzyme (acid phosphatase (AP)), and examined potential factors (soil environment, nutrients, and microbial biomass) that may influence the activities of these enzymes. Our results showed that thinning significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the activities of the BG, NAG + LAP, and AP. The EEA were higher in summer and autumn than those in spring and winter. Further, MT and HT stands exhibited lower BG:(NAG + LAP) and higher (NAG + LAP):AP ratios than the CK and LT stands, demonstrating that MT and HT caused a greater N limitation for soil microbes. The higher (NAG + LAP):AP ratio during winter indicated that the microbial N limitation was increased in this season. The variations in the EEA, EES, environment, nutrients, and microbial biomass in the soil among different thinning treatments demonstrated that thinning could markedly promote microbial activities and metabolism and improve nutrient cycling. Based on analyses of the BG:(NAG + LAP) ratio, (NAG + LAP):AP ratio, and the threshold element ratio, we found that the metabolism of soil microbes was limited by N in L. principis-rupprechtii plantations in North China. A redundancy analysis and a variation partitioning analysis revealed that variations in the EEA and EES of soils could attributed to the alterations in soil properties, especially soil nutrient and microbial biomass. Overall, the ecoenzymatic C:N:P stoichiometry was dependent on the resource availability in the soils rather than on homeostatic mechanisms. Our research highlights the importance of the effects of thinning practices and season types on ecoenzymes and microbial metabolism, and provides insights into the microbial resource limitation, nutrient cycling, and ecological processes in plantation forests after thinning.

The femtosecond laser micro-processing of the field-emission tip arrays in single crystal CeB6

The field-emission tip arrays (FEAs) in single crystal cerium-hexaboride (CeB6) were micro-processed by femtosecond laser. The results show that the femtosecond laser has no damage to the surface structure and phase of the CeB6 FEAs, and the FEA with the curvature radius of the optimal tips of about 0.6 μm and the height of about 5 μm have uniform morphology and the best field-emission performance. The single crystal CeB6 FEAs had good emission stability under the following conditions: the starting electric field of 2.8 V/μm and an emission current density of 0.98 A/cm2 at an electric field of 7.7 V/μm. The calculations of material removal threshold and finite element simulation of the temperature field substantiate that laser peak energy density F0=0.95 J/cm2 is in good agreement with the theoretical calculation result (0.51 J/cm2≤F0 ≤ 2.12 J/cm2). Finally, the best process parameter range of this experiment is obtained. These results further indicating that the femtosecond laser micro-processing is an effective method to develop the vacuum field-emission application of single crystal CeB6.

Dimensionality Reduction Technique in Decision Making Using Pythagorean Fuzzy Soft Matrices

Background:Dimensionality reduction plays an effective role in downsizing the data having irregular factors and acquires an arrangement of important factors in the information. Sometimes, most of the attributes in the information are found to be correlated and hence redundant. The process of dimensionality reduction has a wider applicability in dealing with the decision making problems where a large number of factors are involved.Objective:To take care of the impreciseness in the decision making factors in terms of the Pythagorean fuzzy information which is in the form of soft matrix. The perception of the information has the parameters - degree of membership, degree of indeterminacy (neutral) and degree of nonmembership, for a broader coverage of the information.Methods:We first provided a technique for finding a threshold element and value for the information provided in the form of Pythagorean fuzzy soft matrix. Further, the proposed definitions of the object-oriented Pythagorean fuzzy soft matrix and the parameter-oriented Pythagorean fuzzy soft matrix have been utilized to outline an algorithm for the dimensionality reduction in the process of decision making.Results:The proposed algorithm has been applied in a decision making problem with the help of a numerical example. A comparative analysis in contrast with the existing methodologies has also been presented with comparative remarks and additional advantages.Conclusion:The example clearly validates the contribution and demonstrates that the proposed algorithm efficiently encounters the dimension reduction. The proposed dimensionality reduction technique may further be applied in enhancing the performance of large scale image retrieval.

An elasto-visco-plastic model based on stress functions for deformation and damage of water-saturated rocks during the freeze-thaw process

Rocks can be used as building materials. In this study, based on the effect of freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) on the properties of water-saturated rocks and the theory of rheology, an elasto-visco-plastic model based on stress functions is proposed, which consists of the elastic, viscoelastic and viscoplastic submodels. The elastic strain shows obvious time dependence and is different from the traditional one in the theory of creep. Although the Kelvin model can be used to fit the relationship between elastic strain and time during the freezing process, but not suitable for thawing process. A threshold element obtained by improving the classical plastic element in rheology is applied to improve the Kelvin model to simulate the viscoelastic behavior of rocks, which only has the action of a valve without any plastic flow and does not work during the thawing process. The viscoelastic strain will be generated after the frost heave stress is greater than σftev, after thawing, it will not recover until time tends to infinity. The viscoplastic strain will be developed when the frost heave stress exceeds σftvp, which can be divided into two substages during the freezing process, namely the substages of stress growth (tvp⩽t⩽tcf) and stress constancy (tcf⩽t⩽tn). The viscoplastic strain will continue to develop until the frost heave stress is reduced to σftvp after thawing. Thus it can be seen that the characteristics of viscoplastic strain show a unique process of damage development of water-saturated rocks during the freeze-thaw (FT) process. Finally, the model is simplified by a piecewise linear function and adopted to fit the strain-time data of water-saturated red sandstone samples during the freezing process.

Relationship between VO 2max , under Water Swim Testing and Artistic Swim Solo Performance.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between: 1) laboratory-determined cycling peak oxygen consumption (VO 2max ) and AS performance in a new underwater swim test (UWST), and 2) cycling VO 2max and ventilatory threshold (VT) in cycling and performance score during a simulated AS solo routine. Trained artistic swimmers (n=15, 15.8±0.8 yrs., height: 169.1±5.4 cm, body mass: 57.1±6.3 kg) completed (1) a maximal incremental cycle test to exhaustion to determine VO 2max , (2) the UWST which comprised 275 m of freestyle and underwater breaststroke, and (3) a simulated solo competition where artistic swimming elements were evaluated by five FINA judges. There was a significant correlation between mean element score and (i) VO 2max (48±4 mL . kg . min −1 , r=0.44, p =0.05), and (ii) UWST (r=−0.64, p =0.005). However, there was an insignificant relationship between cycling ventilatory threshold and mean element score (r=–0.36, p =0.10). In addition, the results demonstrate a significant relationship between HR at the ventilatory threshold and peak HR of the UWST (r=–0.64, p =0.014). The results of this study demonstrate that VO 2max is an important determinant of AS performance. In addition, the UWST appears to be a useful indicator of AS performance.

Studying Generation Modes of Linearized Artificial Neurons Based on FPGA Architecture Hardware Implementation

This paper describes the development of embedded software for the implementation and testing of the artificial multistable neuron model’s basic behavior with the help of the hardware architecture of programmable logic integrated circuits (FPGA). The real behavior and function of the biological neuron with linearized activation characteristics are investigated and implemented in the programming language VHD. The base model is a three-stable neuron with three asymmetric dendrites. To develop a hardware model, a computational mathematical model of a neuron is used, based on which a corresponding discrete model is synthesized. The model consists of the following modules: an input block, a timer, a clock generator, a threshold element, and an output signal generator. It is shown that the implemented system allows synthesizing a neural model with a predetermined number of stable discrete states, with the neuron changing its stable state depending on the input vector. Each stable state corresponds to the output function of the neuron. The developed model of artificial neurons was implemented on the DIGILENT BASYS II SPARTAN-3E XC3S100E FPGA kit in the WebPACKTM ISE 13.3 environment. Resulting neuron output generation modes relation from input sequences and structure parameters were studied. The results of the work allow investigating high-speed neural networks with a dynamic structure using FPGA, which can be used for a wide range of modern tasks such as recognition, classification of patterns and development of elements of artificial intelligence.

Analgesic Medication Shortages: Inform Our Patients via a Shared Decision-Making Process.

Analgesic Medication Shortages: Inform Our Patients via a Shared Decision-Making Process.

Current Threshold Elements of Cyclic Shift for Constructing Specialized IP-Memory Modules in Automation and Systems for Tolerance Control of Analog Signals

The current threshold elements of direct and reverse cyclic shift are developed. This logical elements are recommended as memory elements for the construction of relevant controllers and devices for tolerance control of analog signals, which used in diagnosis of complex electronic equipment. The mathematical apparatus used in the design is a linear algebra. The basic equations and results of computer modeling of the developed cyclic shift schemes are presented. Computer simulation was carried out in the Cadence environment on models of field-effect transistors XB06.

GEARLESS WIND POWER PLANTS

The use of wind farms has great long-term potential as a highly efficient alternative source of cheap energy. The article is devoted to the development of new designs of wind power plants with the participation of the authors, which increase their energy, economic and operational efficiency. The developments concern designs that allow the use of a gearbox to be disconnected to connect a generator included in a wind farm. The principle of operation according to which depending on the magnitude of the voltage of the generator, ie the magnitude of the wind turbine speed, is connected to the thyristor rectifier one of the secondary windings of the transformer by means of switching on the corresponding pair of triacs by the device of selecting the working secondary winding. It is substantiated that any hardware logic or software-logic device, including a generator voltage sensor and threshold elements, will be used as a device for selecting the secondary transformer winding of the transformer, which will activate the corresponding pair of triacs depending on the voltage value of the generator. It is substantiated that the above-mentioned developments can be widely used in the creation of wind turbines with wind turbines of various design and purpose - with a horizontal or vertical axis of rotation, which includes generators for converting the energy of VP into electrical. It has been proved that the creation of an industrial or domestic wind turbine is one of the main tasks of ensuring an acceptable level of economic efficiency, realized by solving a number of technical problems.

Linkages of stoichiometric imbalances to soil microbial respiration with increasing nitrogen addition: Evidence from a long-term grassland experiment

Rapidly increasing atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has substantially altered resource availability and the stoichiometry of microbial biomass in terrestrial ecosystems. However, variations of microbial biomass stoichiometry are not paralleled by changes in the stoichiometry of available resources, resulting in stoichiometric imbalances that constrain microbial growth and nutrient cycling and thus affect carbon (C) cycling. How soil microbes cope with stoichiometric imbalances and the impacts of their responses on microbial-mediated C cycling still remain a puzzle. To help address this puzzle, we performed an eight-year field manipulative experiment with six N addition levels in a semiarid grassland in northern China. We measured soil available nutrients, nutrients within microbial biomass, and the potential activity of ecoenzymes related to microbial nutrient acquisition. Our results showed that resource stoichiometric imbalances, including C:N, C:P, and N:P, responded non-linearly to N addition. Specifically, stochiometric imbalances increased up to intermediate doses and then decreased. These nonlinear responses implied that increasing N addition enhanced microbial C limitation rather than P limitation. Data on microbial adaptive responses to resource stoichiometric imbalances revealed that, under C limitation, soil microbial communities regulated their ecoenzyme production and threshold element ratios (TER) to maintain stoichiometric homeostasis, supporting the consumer-driven nutrient recycling theory (CNR). Using piecewise structural equation modeling (SEM), we found that the N-induced reduction of soil microbial respiration was directly linked to increasing TER but was indirectly linked to soil enzyme stoichiometry and microbial biomass stoichiometry. These results suggest that coordinated regulation of microbial biomass stoichiometry and soil enzyme stoichiometry lead to a higher C use efficiency (CUE) and a lower nutrient use efficiency, further lowering microbial respiration. These results highlight the importance of stoichiometric imbalance in regulating microbial respiration and may help project how stoichiometric changes induced by global N deposition control terrestrial C and nutrient flows.

Asynchronous threshold networks with multisorted signals

An asynchronous threshold network is a network of threshold elements (agents) that operate in continuous time. The agents can be in one of two states: active or passive. An active agent generates a signal of certain sort (color) and power. This signal is received by all agents that have inputs of the same color. An agent has a potential that changes under exciting or inhibiting effects of signals; it is active only if its potential exceeds a threshold. Changes in agent activity are events that divide a continuous timeline into discrete time steps. The dependence of the behavior of an autonomous network on the values of its parameters is studied.

Modeling Treshold Liner in Transfer Function to Overcome Non Normality of the Errors

The purposes of the paper are to apply a model of Double Seasonal AutoregressiveIntegrated Moving Average with transfer function (DSARIMAX) on the number of selecta tourist visitors in Batu city, which contain multiple seasonal elements and to add a threshold element to the DSARMAX model. The DSARIMAX model produced is a feasible model but it has a low p-value because the assumption of normality of the errors is not fulfilled. Addition of the threshold to the DSARIMAX model makes the model feasible with high p-value and satisfies the normality assumption of the errors.

The Topology of a High-Power Compound Transistor and Its Blocking Ability during Commutation

This article considers the problem of maintaining the blocking ability of high-power compound transistors in dynamic (commutation) modes. A compound transistor is an electrostatically controlled high-voltage induction thyristor serially connected to a low-voltage metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) that provides control along an isolated gate circuit. In addition, a major component of the compound circuit is a key threshold switch that supports floating potential mode in the gate circuit of the induction thyristor, when it is open, and fixes the gate to the common bus at locking. Emergency situations that render the compound transistor inoperable occur in the transient shutdown process and are associated with two main causes. The first one is the reduction in the negative locking voltage in the gate-source circuit of the induction thyristors below the level that ensures the closure of the space charge regions in its base region. The second cause is the rising voltage in the output circuit of the low-voltage MOSFET above the maximum permissible level. Mathematical criteria of maintaining the blocking ability of the high-power compound transistor are derived. It is shown that the reliable operation of the compound circuit requires reducing the reverse current amplitude in the gate circuit of the induction thyristor and parasitic inductance in the commutation loop, and harmonizing the parasitic capacitance values in the compound circuit elements. The suggested analytical model is used to consider methods of ensuring the blocking ability of compound thyristors for a number of practical circuit configurations with various threshold elements.

A Device for Determining the Rotor Eccentricity of Rotating Electric Machines

One common form of damage in rotating electric machines with outriggers the rotor eccentricity, which is accompanied by deterioration in the electromechanical characteristics of an electric machine, while, with a significant displacement of the rotor core, it leads to the strong heating of the stator and rotor cores caused by friction and to damage to the insulation of stator and rotor windings, to short circuits, and to long machine outage. However, the techniques that are known for diagnosing eccentricity have not been widely used due to their difficulty of implementation and insufficient sensitivity, which is limited by the dependence of the diagnostics systems on variations in the mains parameters and the load of the electric machine. The sensitivity of the proposed device does not depend on these factors, since the rotor displacement is controlled by measuring the capacitance relative to the rotor shaft near each end of the electric machine at four points using capacitive sensors evenly spaced along the circumference. The signal from these sensors is fed through the measuring bridges, band-pass filters, and threshold elements to the indicating unit and the block for generating a switching-off signal. The results of diagnostics are evaluated by two reasonable criteria. As a consequence, the diagnostic device is able to determine not only the level of rotor eccentricity, but also the direction of rotor displacement.

Biophysically realistic neuron models for simulation of cortical stimulation

Objective. We implemented computational models of human and rat cortical neurons for simulating the neural response to cortical stimulation with electromagnetic fields. Approach. We adapted model neurons from the library of Blue Brain models to reflect biophysical and geometric properties of both adult rat and human cortical neurons and coupled the model neurons to exogenous electric fields (E-fields). The models included 3D reconstructed axonal and dendritic arbors, experimentally-validated electrophysiological behaviors, and multiple, morphological variants within cell types. Using these models, we characterized the single-cell responses to intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) and uniform E-field with dc as well as pulsed currents. Main results. The strength-duration and current-distance characteristics of the model neurons to ICMS agreed with published experimental results, as did the subthreshold polarization of cell bodies and axon terminals by uniform dc E-fields. For all forms of stimulation, the lowest threshold elements were terminals of the axon collaterals, and the dependence of threshold and polarization on spatial and temporal stimulation parameters was strongly affected by morphological features of the axonal arbor, including myelination, diameter, and branching. Significance. These results provide key insights into the mechanisms of cortical stimulation. The presented models can be used to study various cortical stimulation modalities while incorporating detailed spatial and temporal features of the applied E-field.

Метод формалізації процесу прийняття рішення на базі теорії порогових елементів

The conceptual principles and the theoretical substantiation of the peculiarities of the threshold elements mathematical apparatus application for the making decision of complex classification problems are formulated. This makes it possible to significantly simplify the procedure for formalizing the DSS for objects with quantitative evaluation parameters. The method of formalizing the making decision process based on the theory of threshold elements for objects with quantitative evaluation parameters is suggested, which, unlike existing approaches, in particular the method of linear weighted sums, allows us to substantiate weighting of estimating parame-ters. This allows for making decision of a clear and one-valued solution provided that the combinations of valuation parameters are incompletely checked. The process of constructing the logical function of choice is formalized and the algorithm of the transition from the logical selection function to the threshold function is proposed. Construction of the logical choice function requires the definition of its minimum disjunctive normal form. This led to the need to find the number of simple implicants that should have this form of function. Such a process was identified by proving the authors of the corresponding theorem. A corresponding approach to the making classification decision, when functionally meaningless elements that are theoretically possible to be ignored can’t be taken into account, and threshold selection functions will not ensure the attribution of an element to any class is formulated. The algorithm of making decision in the process of application of the method described above is produced. The peculiarities of such an algorithm are that it is clearly and cardinally described and quite simply implemented with the use of modern computer technology.

High‐resolution, Quantitative Element Imaging of an Upper Crust, Low‐angle Cataclasite (Zuccale Fault, Northern Apennines) by Laser Ablation ICP Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐ToF‐MS) was used to generate quantitative elemental images of a mineralogically and texturally complex fault rock of the Northern Apennines of Italy (Zuccale Fault, eastern Island of Elba). Using LA‐ICP‐ToF‐MS combined with a low‐dispersion LA cell, we were able to generate large format (4 mm × 2 mm), high‐resolution (5 μm), high dynamic range (1–106 μg g−1) and quantitative multi‐elemental two‐dimensional compositional maps within a data acquisition time of a few hours. To quantify element mass fractions across the heterogeneous sample of the Zuccale Fault, we used a 100% species‐mass normalisation approach that took into account different mineral phases across the specimen. To assign mineral phase directly from LA‐ICP‐ToF‐MS data, we exploited the segregation of sulfur and calcium between distinct phases to threshold element images and develop mineral‐phase‐specific masks. Moreover, we demonstrate agreement between elemental mass fractions determined by LA‐ICP‐ToF‐MS imaging with 100% normalisation quantification and conventional LA‐ICP‐MS analysis with internal standard element‐based quantification. Finally, we discuss how this elemental imaging provides unique insights into the genesis of the Zuccale Fault.

Sensory integration of a light touch reference in human standing balance.

In upright stance, light touch of a space-stationary touch reference reduces spontaneous sway. Moving the reference evokes sway responses which exhibit non-linear behavior that has been attributed to sensory reweighting. Reweighting refers to a change in the relative contribution of sensory cues signaling body sway in space and light touch cues signaling finger position with respect to the body. Here we test the hypothesis that the sensory fusion process involves a transformation of light touch signals into the same reference frame as other sensory inputs encoding body sway in space, or vice versa. Eight subjects lightly gripped a robotic manipulandum which moved in a circular arc around the ankle joint. A pseudo-randomized motion sequence with broad spectral characteristics was applied at three amplitudes. The stimulus was presented at two different heights and therefore different radial distances, which were matched in terms of angular motion. However, the higher stimulus evoked a significantly larger sway response, indicating that the response was not matched to stimulus angular motion. Instead, the body sway response was strongly related to the horizontal translation of the manipulandum. The results suggest that light touch is integrated as the horizontal distance between body COM and the finger. The data were well explained by a model with one feedback loop minimizing changes in horizontal COM-finger distance. The model further includes a second feedback loop estimating the horizontal finger motion and correcting the first loop when the touch reference is moving. The second loop includes the predicted transformation of sensory signals into the same reference frame and a non-linear threshold element that reproduces the non-linear sway responses, thus providing a mechanism that can explain reweighting.

Experiencia mexicana en el diseño de seguros ganaderos paramétricos satelitales de tipo catastrófico: bases conceptuales y teóricas

El desarrollo de instrumentos de gestión de riesgos climáticos permite instrumentar acciones de adaptación ante el cambio climático, además de hacer ef iciente el uso de recursos f inancieros para mitigar los impactos. En México, el empleo de estos instrumentos no se ha documentado, por lo que en este trabajo se desarrolla un marco conceptual-teórico para la instrumentación de seguros ganaderos paramétricos satelitales, con la f inalidad de exponer sus ventajas y delimitar sus alcances. Para tal f in, se aplicaron los conceptos de unidad de riesgo, umbral de pago y elementos asociados al seguro, para establecer el riesgo climático que se asocia a las actividades agropecuarias, principalmente por sequías. Bajo el requerimiento crítico de una relación lineal entre el índice espectral y la biomasa vegetal, sin constante aditiva, se usó el índice espectral NDVIcp, optimizado por diversos efectos, lo que dio lugar al desarrollo de un esquema de seguro técnicamente sólido, sin el requisito de contar con información histórica de producción agropecuaria y que, además, refleja f ielmente la realidad en campo. Todo lo anterior, permitió sentar las bases para el diseño de un seguro ganadero paramétrico satelital de tipo catastróf ico sólido, transparente y conceptualmente accesible a los usuarios del mismo.