Digital Commons Network^™

Optimization By Varied Beam Search In Hopfield Networks, Tony R. Martinez, Xinchuan Zeng

Faculty Publications

This paper shows that the performance of the Hopfield network for solving optimization problems can be improved by a varied beam search algorithm. The algorithm varies the beam search size and beam intensity during the network relaxation process. It consists of two stages: increasing the beam search parameters in the flrst stage and then decreasing them in the second stage. The purpose of using such a scheme is to provide the network with a better chance to find more and better solutions. A large number of simulation results based on 200 randomly generated city distributions of the 10-city traveling salesman …

Probabilistic Connections In Relaxation Networks, Dan A. Ventura

Faculty Publications

This paper reports results from studying the behavior of Hopfield-type networks with probabilistic connections. As the probabilities decrease, network performance degrades. In order to compensate, two network modifications - input persistence and a new activation function - are suggested, and empirical results indicate that the modifications significantly improve network performance.

Vol. 04 No. 1 Journal Of Microfinance, Journal Of Microfinance

Journal of Microfinance / ESR Review

No abstract provided.

Counting In Social Capital When Easing Agricultural Credit Constraints, Jarka Chloupkova, Christian Bjønskov

Journal of Microfinance / ESR Review

Successful microfinance institutions (MFIs) ultimately will be those that are "market-driven." A key element of being market driven is the development of client-responsive products. This paper outlines some of the basic questions and issues that MFIs should address prior to embarking on the product development process. Effectively conducted, systematic product development will result in products that are popular with clients and more cost-effective operations for MFIs. It will also contribute systematically to the long-term sustainability of MFIs.

Probabilistic Record Linkage For Genealogical Research, John Lawson, David White, Brenda Price, Ryan Yamagata

BYU Studies

With increased interest in family history research, there is a great need for improvement in procedures for generating genealogical information. One of the most time-consuming parts of the work is searching through records (such as civil records, church records, census records, immigration records, wills, deeds, and certificates, of births, marriages, and deaths) for information about an individual. When multiple records are searched, an individual may appear numerous times. Each of these occurrences may contain identical or unique information about the individual. More complete information (such as pedigree) can be constructed for an individual by combining or linking all the records …

Rapid Heterogeneous Ad Hoc Connection Establishment: Accelerating Bluetooth Inquiry Using Irda, Trevor Clifton, Derek D. Joos, Charles D. Knutson, Ryan W. Woodings

Faculty Publications

Bluetooth device discovery is a time-intensive phase of the Bluetooth connection-establishment procedure. In this paper we propose a technique that integrates existing IrDA technology with Bluetooth technology to improve the ad hoc connection establishment time of Bluetooth devices. We accomplish this improvement by first establishing an IrDA connection between two devices equipped with both Bluetooth and IrDA capabilities and then exchanging Bluetooth device discovery information via the established IrDA connection. As a result of this cooperative exchange, the devices are able to bypass the time-intensive Bluetooth device discovery procedure. Our research shows that IrDA-assisted Bluetooth connection establishment is up to …

A Comparison Of Coalescent Estimation Software, Kristen Piggott Shepherd

Theses and Dissertations

Coalescent theory is a method often used by population geneticists in order to make inferences about evolutionary parameters. The coalescent is a stochastic model that approximates ancestral relationships among genes. An understanding of the coalescent pattern of a sample of sequences, along with some knowledge of the mutations that have occurred, provides information about the evolutionary forces that have acted on the population. Processes such as migration, recombination, variable population size, or natural selection are the forces that affect the genealogies and lead to genetic variability in a sample. Coalescent theory provides a statistical description of the variability in the …

Pattern Classification Using A Quantum System, Dan A. Ventura

Faculty Publications

We consider and compare three approaches to quantum pattern classification, presenting empirical results from simulations.

Negative Band Gap Bowing In Epitaxial Inas/Gaas Alloys And Predicted Band Offsets Of The Strained Binaries And Alloys On Various Substrates, Gus L. W. Hart, Kwiseon Kim, Alex Zunger

Faculty Publications

We use pseudopotential theory to provide (1) the band offsets of strained GaAs and InAs on various substrates and (2) the energies Ev(x) of the valence and conduction bands of InxGa1-xAs alloy, as a function of composition. Results are presented for both the bulk alloy and for the alloy strained on InP or GaAs. We predict that while Ex(x) bows downward for relaxed bulk alloys, it bows upward for strained epitaxial alloys. The calculated alloy offsets are used to discuss electron and hole localization in this system.

Morphometric Changes In Yellow-Headed Blackbirds During Summer In Central North Dakota, Daniel J. Twedt, George M. Linz

Western North American Naturalist

Temporal stability of morphometric measurements is desirable when using avian morphology as a predictor of geographic origin. Therefore, to assess their temporal stability, we examined changes in morphology of Yellowheaded Blackbirds (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) from central North Dakota during summer. Measurements differed among age classes and between sexes. As expected, due to growth and maturation, measurements on hatching-year birds increased over summer. Measurements of adult plumage fluctuated with prebasic molt and exhibited age-specific discontinuities. Body mass of adult birds increased over summer, whereas both culmen length and skull length decreased. Only body length and length of internal skeletal elements …

Combining Probability Of Emptiness And Mean First Overflow Time Of A Dam To Determine Its Capacity

Journal of Spatial Hydrology

Probabilistic considerations have been practiced in determining the capacity of a dam after the introduction of probability theory of dams by P. A. P. Moran (1954). Various researchers determined the capacity by using stationary distribution of the dam content, mean of the first emptiness time, and by specifying the probability of overflow of a dam. In this study, after highlighting the methods used by the design engineers using probabilistic consideration at various stages of the process, capacity has been determined by using the probability of emptiness and overflow simultaneously. As an example, riverflow data of Mitta Mitta River of Australia …

Temple And Cosmos: Beyond This Ignorant Present, Hugh Nibley

Maxwell Institute Publications

In Temple and Cosmos, Brother Nibley explains the relationship of the House of the Lord to the cosmos. In Temple, the first part of the volume, he focuses on the nature, meaning, and history of the temple, discussing such topics as sacred vestments, the circle and the square, and the symbolism of the temple and its ordinances.

In the second part, Cosmos, he discusses the cosmic context of the temple-the expanding gospel, apocryphal writings, religion and history, the genesis of the written word, cultural diversity in the universal church, and the terrible questions: Where did we come from? Why are …

Peppering Knowledge Sources With Salt: Boosting Conceptual Content For Ontology Generation, Deryle W. Lonsdale, Yihong Ding, David W. Embley, Alan Melby

Faculty Publications

This paper describes work done to explore the common ground between two different ongoing research projects: the standardization of lexical and terminological resources, and the use of conceptual ontologies for information extraction and data integration. Specifically, this paper explores improving the generation of extraction ontologies through use of a comprehensive terminology database that has been represented in a standardized format for easy tool-based implementation. We show how, via the successful integration of these two distinct efforts, it is possible to leverage large-scale terminological and conceptual information having relationship-rich semantic resources in order to reformulate, match, and merge retrieved information of …

Zurich's Militia Records In The Fifteenth Century, Albert Winkler

Faculty Publications

Switzerland was involved in a civil war from 1440 to 1446. To defend itself, Zurich called out its militia. In the militia records from 1442, the entire structure of the force can be reconstructed. A list of over two thousand names of the militiamen is presented. This includes their occupations, area of residence, the weapons they carried, and where they stood in the Zurich battle formation.

The Algebra And Geometry Of Curve And Surface Inversion, Thomas W. Sederberg, Eng-Wee Chionh, Kent Ridge

Faculty Publications

An inversion equation takes the Cartesian coordinates of a point on a parametric curve or surface and returns the parameter value(s) of that point. A 2-D curve inversion equation has the form t = f(x,y)/g(x,y). This paper shows that practical insight into inversion can be obtained by studying the geometry of the implicit curves f(x,y) = 0 and g(x,y) = 0. For example, the relationship between the singular locus of the parametric curve and the lowest possible degree of an inversion equation can be understood in this way. Also, insight is given into what parameter value will be returned if …

Pair Attribute Learning: Network Construction Using Pair Features, Tony R. Martinez, Eric K. Henderson

Faculty Publications

We present the Pair Attribute Learning (PAL) algorithm for the selection of relevant inputs and network topology. Correlations on training instance pairs are used to drive network construction of a single-hidden layer MLP. Results on nine learning problems demonstrate 70% less complexity, on average, without a significant loss of accuracy.

Testing The Capital Asset Pricing Model Efficiently Under Elliptical Symmetry: A Semiparametric Approach, Douglas J. Hodgson, Oliver Linton, Keith Vorkink

Faculty Publications

We develop new tests of the capital asset pricing model that take account of and are valid under the assumption that the distribution generating returns is elliptically symmetric; this assumption is necessary and sufficient for the validity of the CAPM. Our test is based on semiparametric efficient estimation procedures for a seemingly unrelated regression model where the multivariate error density is elliptically symmetric, but otherwise unrestricted. The elliptical symmetry assumption allows us to avoid the curse of dimensionality problem that typically arises in multivariate semiparametric estimation procedures, because the multivariate elliptically symmetric density function can be written as a function …

Spectral Integration Of Microstructure And Design, Brent L. Adams, B. Henrie, M. Lyon, H. Garmestani, Surya R. Kalidindi

Faculty Publications

Support of the Army Research Office is greatly appreciated. Mechanical design can be conducted in a framework where consideration of microstructure as a continuous design variable is facilitated by the use of a Fourier space. Selection of the mechanical framework for the problem (e.g., mechanical constitutive model and homogenization relations) dictates the dimensionality of the pertinent microstructure representation. Microstructure is comprised of basic elements that belong to the local state space. Local state includes crystallographic phase and orientation, and other parameters such as composition. The local state space is transformed into an isomorphic set in Fourier space. The universe of …

Slab-Geometry Molecular Dynamics Simulations: Development And Application To Calculation Of Activity Coefficients, Interfacial Electrochemistry, And Ion Channel Transport, Paul S. Crozier

Theses and Dissertations

Methods of slab-geometry molecular dynamics computer simulation were tested, compared, and applied to the prediction of activity coefficients, interfacial electrochemistry characterization, and ion transport through a model biological channel-membrane structure. The charged-sheets, 2-D Ewald, corrected 3-D Ewald, and corrected particle-particle-particle-mesh (P3M) methods were compared for efficiency and applicability to slab-geometry electrolyte systems with discrete water molecules. The P3M method was preferred for long-range force calculation in the problems of interest and was used throughout.

The osmotic molecular dynamics method (OMD) was applied to the prediction of liquid mixture activity coefficients for six binary systems: methanol/n-hexane, n-hexane/n-pentane, methanol/water, chloroform/acetone, n-hexane/chloroform, methanol/ …

Application Of A Rational Model In Gis For Flood Risk Assessment In Accra, Ghana

Journal of Spatial Hydrology

Accra has been experiencing periodic flooding that affect properties and lives. The government seeing the dangers involved has commissioned institutions such as Ministry of Works and Housing, Town and Country Planning and City Engineers to identify flood risk zones and adapt measures that will help reduce flood damages. These institutions identify flood risk zones using conventional methods such as watermarks on buildings and reported cases in the news media. Works carried out by these agencies were not able to give details about potential areas that are likely to experience this extreme event. Hence there was the need to find a …

The Bible Code, John A. Tvedtnes

Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011

Review of The Bible Code (1997), by Michael Drosnin

Surface Micromachined Force Gauges: Uncertainty And Reliability, Jonathan W. Wittwer, Troy Gomm, Larry L. Howell

Faculty Publications

Surface micromachining of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), like all other fabrication processes, has inherent variation that leads to uncertain material and dimensional parameters. By considering the effects of these variations during the design of micro force gauges, the gauge uncertainty and reliability can be estimated. Without means of calibrating micro gauges, these effects are often significant when compared to experimental repeatability. The general force gauge model described in this paper can be used to measure a wide range of forces, and simple design changes can lead to improved accuracy in measurement. A method of probabilistic design is described that is not …

The Investment Opportunity Set And Capitalization Versus Expensing Methods Of Accounting Choice, Dan S. Dhaliwal, William G. Heninger, K.E. Hughes Ii

Faculty Publications

This paper examines the effects of the investment opportunity set (IOS) on management's decision to capitalize or expense significant costs in two diverse settings: (1) in accounting for exploration and development (E&D) costs by firms in the oil-and-gas industry, and (2) in accounting for research and development (R&D) costs by firms (across industries) prior to 1974. We argue that the relation between the IOS and the decision to capitalize versus to expense is based upon managerial incentives to reduce the variance of accounting earnings. High-growth firms are more likely to have more variable earnings, which therefore creates greater incentives to …

A Niche At The Nexus: Situating An Nlp Curriculum Interdisciplinarily, Deryle W. Lonsdale

Faculty Publications

This paper discusses the establishment and implementation of a curriculum for teaching NLP. At the core are two classes which involve some theoretical background, extensive hands-on experience with state-ofthe-art technologies, and practical application in the form of an intensive programming project. Issues involving interdisciplinary coordination, curriculum design, and challenges in teaching this discipline are discussed.

A New Occurrence Of Archaeoscyphia Pulchra (Bassler) From The Ordovician Of Western Canada, J. Keith Rigby, Godfrey S. Nowlan, Peter A. Rowlands

Faculty Publications

A few specimens of the ornate anthaspidellid demosponge, Archaeoscyphia pulchra (Bassler), have been collected from the Lower Ordovician Outram Formation or Skoki Formation, from a saddle at the head of South Rice Brook in northeastern British Columbia. This is the first report of the flanged-appearing annulate, steeply obconical sponge in western Canada, although it has been reported from the Mingan Islands of Quebec and was initially described from Nevada, in the western United States. The taxon has also been reported as other species of Archaeoscyphia from Ordovician rocks of Missouri and from the San Juan region of Argentina.

Factors For Effective Learning Groups In Face-To-Face And Virtual Environments, Charles R. Graham

Faculty Publications

Group work has been a powerful instructional method used in face-to-face learning environments. To date, group work has not reached the same prominence in distance learning environments where there is a strong emphasis on independent or individualistic learning. This may be due in part to the perceived difficulty of engaging students in working together at a distance, as well as a general lack of knowledge about the factors that contribute to effective virtual group work. This paper reviews the literature related to creating effective learning groups in face-to-face and virtual environments. Research from the following four areas was used: cooperative …

Using Transition Probability Geostatistics With Modflow, Norman L. Jones, J. R. Walker, S. F. Carle

Faculty Publications

This paper describes a technique for applying the transition probability geostatistics method for stochastic simulation to a MODFLOW model. Transition probability geostatistics has several advantages over traditional indicator kriging methods, including a simpler and more intuitive framework for interpreting geological relationships and the ability to simulate juxtapositional tendencies such s fining-upwards sequences. The indicator arrays generated by the transition probability simulation are converted to layer elevation and thickness arrays for use with the new Hydrogeologic Unit Flow (HUF) package in MODFLOW 2000. This makes it possible to preserve complex heterogeneity while using reasonably sized grids.

Origins Of Nonstoichiometry And Vacancy Ordering In Sc1-X□Xs, Gus L. W. Hart, Alex Zunger

Faculty Publications

Whereas nearly all compounds AnBm obey Dalton's rule of integer stoichiometry (n:m, both integer), there is a class of systems, exemplified by the rocksalt structure Sc1-x□xS, that exhibits large deviations from stoichiometry via vacancies, even at low temperatures. By combining first-principles total energy calculations with lattice statistical mechanics, we scan an astronomical number of possible structures, identifying the stable ground states. Surprisingly, all have the same motifs: (111) planes with (112) vacancy rows arranged in (110) columns. Electronic structure calculations of the ground states (identified out of ~3 × 10^6 structures) reveal the remarkable origins of nonstoichiometry.

Fast Focal Length Solution In Partial Panoramic Image Stitching, William A. Barrett, Kirk L. Duffin

Faculty Publications

Accurate estimation of effective camera focal length is crucial to the success of panoramic image stitching. Fast techniques for estimating the focal length exist, but are dependent upon a close initial approximation or the existence of a full circle panoramic image sequence. Numerical solutions of the focal length demonstrate strong coupling between the focal length and the angles used to position each component image about the common spherical center. This paper demonstrates that parameterizing panoramic image positions using spherical arc length instead of angles effectively decouples the focal length Ji.om the image position. This new parameterization does not require an …

A Confidence Measure For Boundary Detection And Object Selection, William A. Barrett, Eric N. Mortensen

Faculty Publications

We introduce a confidence measure that estimates the assurance that a graph arc (or edge) corresponds to an object boundary in an image. A weighted, planar graph is imposed onto the watershed lines of a gradient magnitude image and the confidence measure is a function of the cost of fixed-length paths emanating from and extending to each end of a graph arc. The confidence measure is applied to automate the detection of object boundaries and thereby reduces (often greatly) the time and effort required for object boundary definition within a user-guided image segmentation environment.