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PubMed2003

Structural information in two-dimensional patterns: entropy convergence and excess entropy.

We develop information-theoretic measures of spatial structure and pattern in more than one dimension. As is well known, the entropy density of a two-dimensional configuration can be efficiently and accurately estimated via a converging sequence of conditional entropies. We show that the manner in which these conditional entropies converge to their asymptotic value serves as a measure of global correlation and structure for spatial systems in any dimension. We compare and contrast entropy convergence with mutual-information and structure-factor techniques for quantifying and detecting spatial structure.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Convergence of continuous-time quantum walks on the line.

The position density of a "particle" performing a continuous-time quantum walk on the integer lattice, viewed on length scales inversely proportional to the time , converges (as tends to infinity) to a probability distribution that depends on the initial state of the particle. This convergence behavior has recently been demonstrated for the simplest continuous-time random walk [N. Konno, Phys. Rev. E 72, 026113 (2005)]. In this Brief Report, we use a different technique to establish the same convergence for a very large class of continuous-time quantum walks, and we identify the limit distribution in the general case.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Systematically accelerated convergence of path integrals.

We present a new analytical method that systematically improves the convergence of path integrals of a generic N-fold discretized theory. Using it we calculate the effective actions S(p) for p< or =9, which lead to the same continuum amplitudes as the starting action, but that converge to that continuum limit as 1/N(p). We checked this derived speedup in convergence by performing Monte Carlo simulations on several different models.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Deterministic convergence of an online gradient method for BP neural networks.

Online gradient methods are widely used for training feedforward neural networks. We prove in this paper a convergence theorem for an online gradient method with variable step size for backward propagation (BP) neural networks with a hidden layer. Unlike most of the convergence results that are of probabilistic and nonmonotone nature, the convergence result that we establish here has a deterministic and monotone nature.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2005

Global exponential stability and global convergence in finite time of delayed neural networks with infinite gain.

This paper introduces a general class of neural networks with arbitrary constant delays in the neuron interconnections, and neuron activations belonging to the set of discontinuous monotone increasing and (possibly) unbounded functions. The discontinuities in the activations are an ideal model of the situation where the gain of the neuron amplifiers is very high and tends to infinity, while the delay accounts for the finite switching speed of the neuron amplifiers, or the finite signal propagation speed. It is known that the delay in combination with high-gain nonlinearities is a particularly harmful source of potential instability. The goal of this paper is to single out a subclass of the considered discontinuous neural networks for which stability is instead insensitive to the presence of a delay. More precisely, conditions are given under which there is a unique equilibrium point of the neural network, which is globally exponentially stable for the states, with a known convergence rate. The conditions are easily testable and independent of the delay. Moreover, global convergence in finite time of the state and output is investigated. In doing so, new interesting dynamical phenomena are highlighted with respect to the case without delay, which make the study of convergence in finite time significantly more difficult. The obtained results extend previous work on global stability of delayed neural networks with Lipschitz continuous neuron activations, and neural networks with discontinuous neuron activations but without delays.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2006

Convergence of gradient method with momentum for two-layer feedforward neural networks.

A gradient method with momentum for two-layer feedforward neural networks is considered. The learning rate is set to be a constant and the momentum factor an adaptive variable. Both the weak and strong convergence results are proved, as well as the convergence rates for the error function and for the weight. Compared to the existing convergence results, our results are more general since we do not require the error function to be quadratic.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2004

Convergence condition and efficient implementation of the fuzzy curve-tracing (FCT) algorithm.

The fuzzy curve-tracing (FCT) algorithm can be used to extract a smooth curve from unordered noisy data. In this paper, we analyze the convergence property of the algorithm based on the diagonal dominance requirement of the matrix used in the clustering procedure and prove that the algorithm is guaranteed to converge if the weighting coefficient for the smoothness constraint is chosen properly. Based on the convergence condition, we develop several methods for fast and reliable implementation of the algorithm. We show that the algorithm can be initialized with a user-defined curve in many cases, that a multiresolution clustering based approach and an image down-sampling scheme can be used to improve the algorithm stability and speed and that two types of traps can be removed to correct the mistakes in curve tracing. We demonstrate several advantages of our algorithm over the commonly used snake models for boundary detection and several methods for principle curve extraction.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Output convergence analysis for a class of delayed recurrent neural networks with time-varying inputs.

This paper studies the output convergence of a class of recurrent neural networks with time-varying inputs. The model of the studied neural networks has different dynamic structure from that in the well known Hopfield model, it does not contain linear terms. Since different structures of differential equations usually result in quite different dynamic behaviors, the convergence of this model is quite different from that of Hopfield model. This class of neural networks has been found many successful applications in solving some optimization problems. Some sufficient conditions to guarantee output convergence of the networks are derived.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2003

Convergence or divergence? Reforming primary care in Norway and Britain.

Many countries are currently reorganizing their health services in response to cultural, economic, and technological changes. Because the changes are global, different countries are drawn toward similar reform programs. But countries' cultural, economic, and political differences also may lead to divergent responses. This article examines the convergence thesis by comparing recent changes in primary care in Norway and Britain. There seems to be a convergence in objectives, a divergence in remuneration systems, and both divergence and convergence in organizational structures. To understand the dynamics of change, divergence is discussed in relation to the social context of the political initiatives. Divergences are explained by economic, political, and cultural differences, as well as differences in physicians' political power and density.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗

PubMed2002

Phylogeny, concerted convergence, and phylogenetic niche conservatism in the core Liliales: insights from rbcL and ndhF sequence data.

Calochortus and the family Liliaceae s.s. have often been considered each other's closest relatives, based partly on their shared possession of bulbs, visually showy flowers, winged wind-dispersed seeds, and narrow parallel-veined leaves. We present a well-supported molecular phylogeny for these groups and their close relatives in the core Liliales, based on sequence variation in the chloroplast-encoded rbcL and ndhF genes. This analysis identifies Liliaceae s.s. as monophyletic. including one clade (((Lilium, Fritillaris, Nomocharis), Cardiocrinum), Notholirion) that appears to have diversified in the Himalayas roughly 12 million years ago and another ((Erythronium, Tulipa), (Gagea, Lloydia)) that arose in East Asia at about the same time. Medeola and Clintonia are sister to Liliaceae s.s. and bear rhizomes, inconspicuous flowers, fleshy animal-dispersed fruits, and broad reticulate-veined leaves. Calochortus is sister to Tricyrtis; both Tricyrtis and the neighboring clade of Prosartes-Streptopus-Scoliopus share several of the traits seen in Medeola-Clintonia. The core Liliales thus provide compelling examples of both concerted convergence and phylogenetic niche conservatism. Invasion of open, seasonal habitats was accompanied by the independent evolution of bulbs, showy flowers, wind-dispersed seeds, and narrow parallel-veined leaves in Calochortus and Liliaceae s.s. Conversely, persistence in shady habitats was accompanied by the retention of rhizomes, inconspicuous flowers, animal-dispersed seeds, and broad reticulate-veined leaves in their sister groups. We advance arguments for the context-specific adaptive value of each of these traits, as well as evidence of parallel trends in other groups. Concerted convergence--convergence in several different traits, favored by the same shared set of ecological conditions, in two or more lineages--is an important evolutionary process that can mislead evolutionary analyses based solely on phenotypic variation.

Conserved Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Convergence, divergence, and the effect of congeners on body size ratios in stream fishes.

Using collections from the years 1892-1999, I determined maximum standard length within each of 1030 populations of riffle-inhabiting darters (Etheostoma spp.) representing five species from 788 sites in Illinois. Each site contained one to four riffle-inhabiting species of Etheostoma. Based on maximum-sized individuals in each collection, I calculated a ratio of standard lengths for all sympatric species pairs. Null models were developed using random pairings of body size measurements from sites with only one species of riffle Etheostoma to test whether body size ratios of sympatric species pairs are larger, indicating divergence, or smaller, indicating convergence, than ratios generated from allopatric populations. Results suggest that two of nine species pairs tend to converge in body size when sympatric. This suggests that convergence, in some cases, may facilitate the persistence of similar species in diverse communities. When variation in sympatric congener number is accounted for, the E. caeruleum: E. spectabile interaction results in significantly increasing size ratios as congener number increases. Etheostoma caeruleum and E. spectabile are the most ecologically similar and evolutionarily closely related species in the dataset. The divergence within this pair, associated with sympatric congener number, suggests that the degree of divergent character displacement may be indirectly enhanced by community structure.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Towards understanding assessments of the big five: multitrait-multimethod analyses of convergent and discriminant validity across measurement occasion and type of observer.

Multitrait-multimethod analyses were used to examine the degree of convergent and discriminant validity of the Big Five. Phase 1 examined self-reports of the Big Five across three measurement occasions. Self-reports of the Big Five traits were stable, but were moderately intercorrelated. Phase 2 examined assessments of the Big Five across different types of informants (self, peer, and parent). Assessments converged across types of informants and, importantly, there was no evidence of correlation between the Big Five traits across the perspectives of different types of informants. The present results suggest that the degree of orthogonality of the Big Five traits depends on the source of the data. A single informant produces Big Five traits that are intercorrelated, whereas diverse informants tend to produce a much more orthogonal structure. Discussion focuses on methodological considerations in examining levels of convergent and discriminant validity and the theoretical implications for understanding personality assessments and the relationship between three-and five-factor models of personality.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Determination of mean free path for energy loss and surface oxide film thickness using convergent beam electron diffraction and thickness mapping: a case study using Si and P91 steel.

Determining transmission electron microscope specimen thickness is an essential prerequisite for carrying out quantitative microscopy. The convergent beam electron diffraction method is highly accurate but provides information only on the small region being probed and is only applicable to crystalline phases. Thickness mapping with an energy filter is rapid, maps an entire field of view and can be applied to both crystalline and amorphous phases. However, the thickness map is defined in terms of the mean free path for energy loss (lambda), which must be known in order to determine the thickness. Convergent beam electron diffraction and thickness mapping methods were used to determine lambda for two materials, Si and P91 steel. These represent best- and worst-case scenario materials, respectively, for this type of investigation, owing to their radically different microstructures. The effects of collection angle and the importance of dynamical diffraction contrast are also examined. By minimizing diffraction contrast effects in thickness maps, reasonably accurate (+/-15%) values of lambda were obtained for P91 and accuracies of +/-5% were obtained for Si. The correlation between the convergent beam electron diffraction-derived thickness and the log intensity ratios from thickness maps also permits estimation of the thickness of amorphous layers on the upper and lower surfaces of transmission electron microscope specimens. These estimates were evaluated for both Si and P91 using cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and were found to be quite accurate.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Hyperexcitability of convergent colon and bladder dorsal root ganglion neurons after colonic inflammation: mechanism for pelvic organ cross-talk.

Clinical studies reveal concomitant occurrence of several gastrointestinal and urologic disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and interstitial cystitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanisms underlying cross-organ sensitization at the level of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) after acute and subsided gastrointestinal inflammation. DiI (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate) and Fast Blue were injected into the distal colon and urinary bladder of male rats, respectively. Convergent DRG neurons were found in L1-L3 and L6-S2 ganglia with an average distribution of 14% +/- 2%. The resting membrane potential (RMP) of cells isolated from upper lumbar (UL) ganglia was -59.8 +/- 2.7 mV, whereas lumbosacral (LS) neurons were more depolarized (RMP = -49.4 +/- 2.1 mV, P < or = 0.05) under control conditions. Acute trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) colitis (3 days) decreased voltage and current thresholds for action potential firing in LS but not UL convergent capsaicin-sensitive neurons. This effect persisted for 30 days in the absence of overt colonic inflammation. The current threshold for action potential (AP) firing in UL cells was also decreased from 165.0 +/- 24.5 pA (control) to 85.0 +/- 19.1 pA at 30 days (P < or = 0.05), indicating increased excitability. The presence of a subpopulation of colon-bladder convergent DRG neurons and their persistent hyperexcitability after colonic inflammation provides a basis for pelvic organ cross-sensitization.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1996

Novel alleles HLA-B7802 and B51022: evidence for convergency in the HLA-B5 family.

We have characterized two novel HLA-B alleles, B*7802 and B*51022. The Caucasian-derived variant B*7802 most resembles the African-derived variant B*7801, from which B*7802 differs by two nucleotides. Only one of these modifications, however, is translated: a tyrosine for aspartate substitution occurs at residue 74 in B*7802, while the second nucleotide difference reflects a proximal synonymous substitution in codon 23. A second variant, B*51022, differs synonymously only at codon 23 from B*51021. Comparative analysis of the B5 CREG demonstrates that other pairs of B5 alleles differ synonymously only at codon 23 or synonymously at codon 23 and non-synonymously at a second more distal location. Contrary to the genesis of like pairs of B5 alleles via introduction of coordinate yet distant mutagenic events onto a single B5 progenitor, we postulate that synonymously different B5 progenitor molecules, B5ATT and B5ATC, are evolving in convergence to generate homologous B5 allele pairs differing silently at codon 23. Our finding that B*7802 is a single amino acid away from complete convergence with B*7801 and that B*51022 and B*51021 are in complete convergence is exemplary of such evolution.

Alleles↗

PubMed1994

Convergent synaptic input from the neostriatum and the subthalamus onto identified nigrothalamic neurons in the rat.

The two major afferents of the substantia nigra pars reticulata are the subthalamic nucleus and the striatum. Stimulation of these afferents has opposing physiological effects on the output neurons of the substantia nigra pars reticulata. In order to better understand the role of these afferents in the flow of information through the basal ganglia and to better understand the ways in which they might interact, experiments have been performed to test the possibility that single-output neurons of the substantia nigra pars reticulata receive convergent synaptic input from the subthalamic nucleus and the neostriatum. To address this, rats received iontophoretic deposits of the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin in the subthalamic nucleus, injections of the anterograde tracer biocytin in the neostriatum and injections of the retrograde tracer horseradish peroxidase conjugated to wheat-germ agglutinin in the ventral medial nucleus of the thalamus. Following appropriate survival times the animals were perfusion-fixed and sections of the substantia nigra were processed to reveal the transported tracers and prepared for electron microscopy. Light microscopic examination revealed that the substantia nigra contained rich plexuses of anterogradely labelled subthalamic and striatal terminals, as well as many retrogradely labelled nigrothalamic neurons. The anterogradely labelled terminals were often seen apposed to the retrogradely labelled neurons. In the electron microscope the subthalamic terminals were seen to form asymmetrical synaptic contacts (subthalamic type 1) with the identified nigrothalamic neurons as well as unlabelled perikarya and both proximal and distal dendrites. In confirmation of previous findings, the striatal terminals made symmetrical synaptic contact with the nigrothalamic neurons as well as unlabelled neurons. In areas of overlap between the two classes of terminals, identified nigrothalamic neurons and unlabelled nigral neurons were found to receive convergent synaptic input from the subthalamic nucleus and the neostriatum. In addition to the anterogradely labelled subthalamic terminals that formed asymmetrical synaptic specializations, a second, much rarer class was also observed (subthalamic type 2). These terminals were much larger and formed symmetrical synapses; several lines of evidence suggest that they originated not in the subthalamic nucleus but in the globus pallidus. These terminals were found to make synaptic contacts with identified nigrothalamic neurons and non-labelled neurons and to form convergent synaptic contacts with subthalamic type 1 terminals and striatal terminals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Semaphorin 3A-mediated axon guidance regulates convergence and targeting of P2 odorant receptor axons.

Semaphorins are known to play an important role in axon guidance of vertebrate olfactory sensory neurons to their targets in specific glomeruli of the olfactory bulb (OB). However, it is not clear how semaphorin-mediated guidance contributes to a systematic hierarchy of cues that govern the organization of this system. Because of the putative role that odorant receptor molecules such as P2 could play in establishing appropriate glomerular destinations for growing olfactory axons, we have also determined the spatial organization of P2 glomeruli in semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) mutant mice. First, in the postnatal OB of control and Sema3A(-/-) mice, we analysed the trajectories of olfactory axons that express the Sema3A receptor, neuropilin-1 (npn-1) and the positions of npn-1(+) glomeruli. Sema3A at the ventral OB midline guides npn-1(+) axons to targets in the lateral and medial OB. Absence of Sema3A permits many npn-1 axons to terminate aberrantly in the rostral and ventral OB. Second, in Sema3A(-/-) mice, many P2 axons are abnormally distributed throughout the ventral OB nerve layer and converge in atypical locations compared with littermate controls where P2 axons converge on stereotypically located lateral and medial glomeruli. In addition to their radically altered spatial distribution, P2 glomeruli in Sema3A(-/-) mice are significantly smaller and more numerous than in heterozygote littermates. These data show that Sema3A is an important repulsive olfactory guidance cue that establishes restricted npn-1(+) subcompartments in the olfactory bulb. Furthermore, Sema3A plays a key role in the convergence of axons expressing the odorant receptor P2 onto their appropriate targets.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Convergence properties of solitary tract neurones driven synaptically by cardiac vagal afferents in the mouse.

1. Cardiac vagal receptors are chemically and/or mechanically sensitive but it is unknown if this information is preserved centrally within the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). The present study had two aims: first, to investigate qualitatively whether both mechanically and chemically sensitive cardiac vagal encoding were preserved within the NTS, and second, to determine the patterns of convergence from other cardiorespiratory afferents to NTS neurones receiving cardiac vagal inputs. 2. The extracellular activity of single NTS neurones was investigated during stimulation of both chemically and mechanically sensitive cardiac vagal receptors in a working heart-brainstem preparation of mouse. Chemically sensitive cardiac receptors were stimulated using intra-left ventricular injections of either veratridine (1-3 microg kg-1), bradykinin (0.25-1 microg) or prostaglandin E2 (100-200 ng), whereas the left ventricle was distended to activate cardiac mechanoreceptors. 3. Forty-three NTS neurones were activated both synaptically by electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral vagus nerve (latency, 35 +/- 3 ms), and by intra-left ventricular injection of veratridine and also, in some cases, by bradykinin and/or PGE2. These NTS neurones were delineated into two populations based on their response to left ventricular distension and convergence properties. Left ventricular distension-insensitive neurones (n = 30) were excited by stimulation of carotid body chemoreceptors (81 %) but not arterial baroreceptors (3 %; i.e. n = 1 neurone), whereas distension-sensitive cells (n = 13) were activated mainly by baroreceptors (86 %) rather than peripheral chemoreceptors (14 %; i.e. n = 1 neurone). 4. The data reveal two distinct populations of NTS neurones receiving cardiac vagal inputs: (a) cells responsive to veratridine stimulation only, and (b) neurones activated by both veratridine and mechanical stimuli. The specific convergence pattern of baroreceptors and chemoreceptors to these cardioreceptive NTS neurones is discussed in relation to a common afferent modality integration within the NTS.

Afferent Pathways↗