A novel continuous forward algorithm for RBF neural modelling

A continuous forward algorithm (CFA) is proposed for nonlinear modelling and identification using radial basis function (RBF) neural networks. The problem considered here is simultaneous network construction and parameter optimization, well-known to be a mixed integer hard one. The proposed algorithm performs these two tasks within an integrated analytic framework, and offers two important advantages. First, the model performance can be significantly improved through continuous parameter optimization. Secondly, the neural representation can be built without generating and storing all candidate regressors, leading to significantly reduced memory usage and computational complexity. Computational complexity analysis and simulation results confirm the effectiveness.

Non-parametric nonlinear system identification: A data-driven orthogonal basis function approach

In this paper, a data driven orthogonal basis function approach is proposed for non-parametric FIR nonlinear system identification. The basis functions are not fixed a priori and match the structure of the unknown system automatically. This eliminates the problem of blindly choosing the basis functions without a priori structural information. Further, based on the proposed basis functions, approaches are proposed for model order determination and regressor selection along with their theoretical justifications. © 2008 IEEE.

Plasma chain-breaking antioxidants in Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and Parkinson's disease

We studied the plasma chain-breaking antioxidants alpha carotene, beta carotene, lycopene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and a measure of total antioxidant capacity, TAC, in 79 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), 37 patients with vascular dementia (VaD), 18 patients with Parkinson's disease and dementia (PDem), and 58 matching controls, together with 41 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 41 matching controls. Significant reductions in individual antioxidants were observed in all dementia groups. When compared to controls, the following were reduced: Vitamin A in AD (p <0.01) and VaD (p <0.001); Vitamin C in AD (p <0.001), VaD (p <0.001) and PDem (p <0.01); Vitamin E in AD (p <0.01) and VaD (p <0.001); beta carotene in VaD (p = 0.01); lycopene in PDem (p <0.001). Lycopene was also reduced in PDem compared to AD (p <0.001) and VaD (p <0.001). Antioxidant levels in PD were not depleted. No significant change in TAC was seen in any group. The reduction in plasma chain-breaking antioxidants in patients with dementia may reflect an increased free-radical activity, and a common role in cognitive impairment in these conditions. Increased free-radical activity in VaD and PDem could be associated with concomitant AD pathology. Individual antioxidant changes are not reflected in TAC.

The use of topical anaesthesia during repair of minor lacerations in Departments of Emergency Medicine:a literature review

There are currently a number of different methods available to obtain anaesthesia in minor dermatological procedures. Although intradermal infiltration of 1% lidocaine is the favoured method for anaesthesia induction in laceration repair, it can cause significant pain in itself. Topical anaesthesia has been investigated as an alternative to infiltration anaesthesia, with the majority of studies looking at preparations of either TAC (tetracaine, adrenaline and cocaine) or LAT (lidocaine, adrenaline and tetracaine).