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Several objective functions have been proposed in the literature to adjust the input parameters of a node in constructive networks. Furthermore, many researchers have focused on the universal approximation capability of the network based on the existing objective functions. In this brief, we use a correntropy measure based on the sigmoid kernel in the objective function to adjust the input parameters of a newly added node in a cascade network. The proposed network is shown to be capable of approximating any continuous nonlinear mapping with probability one in a compact input sample space. Thus, the convergence is guaranteed. The performance of our method was compared with that of eight different objective functions, as well as with an existing one hidden layer feedforward network on several real regression data sets with and without impulsive noise. The experimental results indicate the benefits of using a correntropy measure in reducing the root mean square error and increasing the robustness to noise.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for secondary (acquired, combined) dystonia does not reach the high degree of efficacy achieved in primary (genetic, isolated) dystonia. We hypothesize that this may be due to variability in the underlying injury, so that different children may require placement of electrodes in different regions of basal ganglia and thalamus. We describe a new targeting procedure in which temporary depth electrodes are placed at multiple possible targets in basal ganglia and thalamus, and probing for efficacy is performed using test stimulation and recording while children remain for one week in an inpatient Neuromodulation Monitoring Unit (NMU). Nine Children with severe secondary dystonia underwent the NMU targeting procedure. In all cases, 4 electrodes were implanted. We compared the results to 6 children who had previously had 4 electrodes implanted using standard intraoperative microelectrode targeting techniques. Results showed a significant benefit, with 80% of children with NMU targeting achieving greater than 5-point improvement on the Burke⁻Fahn⁻Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS), compared with 50% of children using intraoperative targeting. NMU targeting improved BFMDRS by an average of 17.1 whereas intraoperative targeting improved by an average of 10.3. These preliminary results support the use of test stimulation and recording in a Neuromodulation Monitoring Unit (NMU) as a new technique with the potential to improve outcomes following DBS in children with secondary (acquired) dystonia. A larger sample size will be needed to confirm these results.

Energy is scarce in mobile computing devices including wearable and implantable devices in a wireless body area network. In this paper, an adaptive routing protocol is developed and analyzed which minimizes the energy cost per bit of information by using the channel information to choose the best strategy to route data. In this approach, the source node will switch between direct and relayed communication based on the quality of the link and will use the relay only if the channel quality is below a certain threshold. The mathematical model is then validated through simulations which shows that the adaptive routing strategy can improve energy efficiency significantly compared with existing methods.

In this paper, a new method for measuring and monitoring human body joint angles, which uses wearable ultrawideband (UWB) transceivers mounted on body segments, is proposed and investigated. The model is based on providing a high ranging accuracy (intersensor distance) between a pair of transceivers placed on the adjacent segments of the joint center of rotation. The measured distance is then used to compute the joint angles based on the law of cosines. The performance of the method was compared with a flexible goniometer by simultaneously measuring joint flexion-extension angles at different angular velocities, ranging between 8 and 90(°) /s. The measurement errors were evaluated by the average differences between two sets of data (ranging from 0.8(°) for slow movement to 2.8(°) for fast movement), by standard deviation (ranging from 1.2(°) to 4.2(°) for various movement speeds) and by the Pearson correlation coefficient (greater than 0.99) which demonstrates the very good performance of the UWB-based approach. The experimental results have shown that the system has sufficient accuracy for clinical applications, such as rehabilitation.

Various concentrations (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) of β-CD were mixed with different fat contents (1%, 2.5% and 3%) of raw (unhomogenized) and homogenized milk at two mixing temperatures of 8 and 20°C. The cholesterol residue, fat, protein, lactose, solid nonfat (SNF), density, and ash content of milk were measured for each treatment. The results statistically analysed and showed that the cholesterol content of milk remarkably decreased as the β-CD was increased particularly in homogenized milk at 20°C. However, the reduction rate of cholesterol was decreased when extra β-CD was added due to its intermolecular reactions. The maximum cholesterol reduction was achieved at the level of 1% β-CD. The fat content, SNF, protein, lactose, and density content were decreased with increasing β-CD whereas it did not affect ash content.

This paper proposes a wearable system using UWB transceivers to measure the knee flexion/extension angle parameter, who is known to be of clinical importance. First, a pair of very small and light antennas is placed on the adjacent segments of knee joint. Then, the range data between these two antennas is acquired using Time of Arrival (TOA) estimator. We further use the measured distance to compute the flexion/extension angle using the law of cosines. The performance of the method was compared with a flexible goniometer by simultaneously measuring knee flexion-extension angle. The experimental results show that the system has reasonable performance and has sufficient accuracy for clinical applications.

Foot clearance above ground is a key factor for a better understanding of the complicated relationship between falls and gait. This paper proposes a wearable system using UWB transceivers to monitor the vertical heel/toe clearance during walking. First, a pair of very small and light antennas is placed on a point approximating to the heel/toe of the foot, acting as a transmitter and receiver. Then, the reflected signal from ground is captured and propagation delay is detected using noise suppressed Modified-Phase-Only-Correlator (MPOC). The performance of the UWB-based system was compared with an ultrasound system for stationary movements. The experimental results show that an overall mean difference between these two systems is about 0.634mm with correlation coefficient value of 0.9604. The UWB-based system is then used to measure foot clearance during walking which shows promising results for gait events detection.

In the present paper, a three factor, three-level response surface design based on Box-Behnken design (BBD) was developed for maximizing lead removal from aqueous solution using micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF). Due to extremely complexity and nonlinearity of membrane separation processes, fuzzy logic (FL) models have been driven to simulate MEUF process under a wide range of initial and hydrodynamic conditions. Instead of using mathematical model, fuzzy logic approach provides a simpler and easier approach to describe the relationships between the processing variables and the metal rejection and permeation flux. Statistical values, which quantify the degree of agreement between experimental observations and numerically calculated values, were found greater than 91% for all cases. The results show that predicted values obtained from the fuzzy model were in very good agreement with the reported experimental data., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the present study, micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) was used to remove Zn(2+) from synthetic wastewater by the spiral-wound ultrafiltration membrane. The effects of different operating conditions on the separation performance of membrane were investigated. It was found that the transmembrane pressure has the largest influence on the permeate flux, but it has negligible effect on the rejection coefficient. Furthermore, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) feed concentrations, SDS-Brij35 mixed micelles concentration and solution pH have a major influence on the rejection coefficient and negative effect on the permeate flux due to concentration polarization layer formation. Also, the results showed that the permeate flux and removal efficiency of zinc by anionic surfactant (SDS)-MEUF depends on the ligand-to-Zn(2+) ratio extremely. In general, MEUF by spiral-wound ultrafiltration membrane has good rejection of Zn(2+)under different operating conditions, as the rejections were higher than 98.0%. However, application of single anionic surfactant at relatively low concentration is more efficient than mixed surfactants and MEUF was not practical when the wastewater is intensively acidic., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)