Brain: Biological noise-based logic

Neural spikes in the brain form stochastic sequences, i.e., belong to the class of pulse noises. This stochasticity is a counterintuitive feature because extracting information - such as the commonly supposed neural information of mean spike frequency - requires long times for reasonably low error probability. The mystery could be solved by noise-based logic, wherein randomness has an important function and allows large speed enhancements for special-purpose tasks, and the same mechanism is at work for the brain logic version of this concept.Comment: paper in pres

Drawing from hats by noise-based logic

We utilize the asymmetric random telegraph wave-based instantaneous noise-base logic scheme to represent the problem of drawing numbers from a hat, and we consider two identical hats with the first 2^N integer numbers. In the first problem, Alice secretly draws an arbitrary number from one of the hats, and Bob must find out which hat is missing a number. In the second problem, Alice removes a known number from one of the hats and another known number from the other hat, and Bob must identify these hats. We show that, when the preparation of the hats with the numbers is accounted for, the noise-based logic scheme always provides an exponential speed-up and/or it requires exponentially smaller computational complexity than deterministic alternatives. Both the stochasticity and the ability to superpose numbers are essential components of the exponential improvement.Comment: Accepted for Publication in the International Journal of Parallel, Emergent and Distributed Systems. December 17, 201

Bird's-eye view on Noise-Based Logic

Noise-based logic is a practically deterministic logic scheme inspired by the randomness of neural spikes and uses a system of uncorrelated stochastic processes and their superposition to represent the logic state. We briefly discuss various questions such as (i) What does practical determinism mean? (ii) Is noise-based logic a Turing machine? (iii) Is there hope to beat (the dreams of) quantum computation by a classical physical noise-based processor, and what are the minimum hardware requirements for that? Finally, (iv) we address the problem of random number generators and show that the common belief that quantum number generators are superior to classical (thermal) noise-based generators is nothing but a myth.Comment: paper in pres

Resistance noise at the metal-insulator transition in thermochromic VO2 films

Thermochromic VO2 films were prepared by reactive DC magnetron sputtering onto heated sapphire substrates and were used to make 100-nm-thick samples that were 10 {\mu}m wide and 100 micron long. The resistance of these samples changed by a factor of about 2000 in the 50 < Ts < 70 C range of temperature Ts around the "critical" temperature Tc between a low-temperature semiconducting phase and a high-temperature metallic-like phase of VO2. Power density spectra S(f) were extracted for resistance noise around Tc and demonstrated unambiguous 1/f behavior. Data on S(10Hz)/Rs^2 scaled as Rs^x, where Rs is sample resistance; the noise exponent x was -2.6 for Ts Tc. These exponents can be reconciled with the Pennetta-Trefan-Reggiani theory [C. Pennetta, G. Trefanan, and L. Reggiani, Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 5238 (2000)] for lattice percolation with switching disorder ensuing from random defect generation and healing in steady state. Our work hence highlights the dynamic features of the percolating semiconducting and metallic-like regions around Tc in thermochromic VO2 films.Comment: submitted for publication, this topic is condensed matter physic

E Actitrode: The new selective stimulation interface for functional movements in hemiplegics patients

We describe the new multi-contact electrode-array for surface electrical stimulation, and the corresponding interface device that allows on-line selection of the conductive fields during the application of the system. This new device has a specific value for therapeutic applications of electrical stimulation since it allows effective generation of desired functional movements. The user-friendly interface also allows patients at home to select the optimal electrode array; thereby, to receive therapies out of the clinical environment. The electrode was tested in three post-stroke hemiplegics patients. The pilot experiments showed that system works sufficiently good for control of fingers during grasp and release functions without the interference of the wrist movement. The use of electrode is also envisioned for many other applications (foot-drop fitness, shoulder subluxation, etc)

Towards the Second-Order Adaptation in the Next Generation Remote Patient Management Systems

Remote Patient Management (RPM) systems are expected to be increasingly important for chronic disease management as they facilitate monitoring vital signs of patients at their home, alerting the care givers in case of worsening. They also provide patients with educational content. RPM systems collect a lot of (different types of) data about patients, providing an opportunity for personalizing information services. In our recent work we highlighted the importance of using available information for personalization and presented a possible next generation RPM system that enables personalization of educational content and its delivery to patients. We introduced a generic methodology for personalization and emphasized the role of knowledge discovery (KDD). In this paper we focus on the necessity of the second-order adaptation mechanisms in the RPM systems to address the challenge of continuous on-line (re)learning of actionable patterns from the patient data.