Recent studies using feedforward Echo State Networks (ESN) demonstrate that reservoir stability can be strongly affected by reservoir substructures, such as clusters. Here, we evaluate the impact of including feedback on clustered ESNs and assert that certain cluster configurations extend the permissible range of spectral radius values. We also report a new class of reservoir activity: intermit...

We suggest a novel approach for the estimation of the posterior distribution of the weights of a neural network, using an online version of the variational Bayes method. Having a confidence measure of the weights allows to combat several shortcomings of neural networks, such as their parameter redundancy, and their notorious vulnerability to the change of input distribution (”catastrophic forge...

In this paper we describe the positioning system of MAUVE, a miniaturized inexpensive underwater platform dedicated to the surveillance of coastal regions. MAUVE can navigate in three distinct modes (active, passive and inertial). In active mode position is directly observed, but energy consumption is non-negligeable. In passive mode one component of position is not observable, however, it requ...

2D quasistatic (point-to-point) gimbal-less MEMS mirrors enable programmable, arbitrary control of laser beam position and velocity up to their maximum limits. Hence, they provide the ability to track targets, point lasercom beams, and to scan uniform velocity lines over objects in laser imaging. They are becoming increasingly established in applications including 3D scanning, laser marking and...

Parti-game (Moore 1994a; Moore 1994b; Moore and Atkeson 1995) is a reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm that has a lot of promise in overcoming the curse of dimensionality (Bellman 1957) that can plague RL algorithms when applied to high-dimensional problems. In this paper we introduce modiications to the algorithm that further improve its performance and robustness. In addition, while parti-g...

This paper presents a wavelet-based image encoding scheme with error resilience and error concealment suitable for transmission over networks prone to packet losses. The scheme involves partitioning the data into independent descriptions of roughly equal lengths, achieved by a combination of packetization and modifications to the wavelet tree structure without additional redundancy. With a weig...

Cortical inhibitory interneurons (INs) are subdivided into a variety of morphologically and functionally specialized cell types. How the respective specific properties translate into mechanisms that regulate sensory-evoked responses of pyramidal neurons (PNs) remains unknown. Here, we investigated how INs located in cortical layer 1 (L1) of rat barrel cortex affect whisker-evoked responses of L...

A framework for assessing robustness is proposed, taking basis in decision analysis theory. Robustness is assessed by computing both direct risk, which is associated with the direct consequences of potential damages to the system, and indirect risk, which corresponds to the increased risk of a damaged system. Indirect risk can be interpreted as risk from consequences disproportionate to the cau...

Several European railway traffic networks experience high capacity consumption during large parts of the day resulting in delay-sensitive traffic system with insufficient robustness. One fundamental challenge is therefore to assess the robustness and find strategies to decrease the sensitivity to disruptions. Accurate robustness measures are needed to determine if a timetable is sufficiently ro...