A brief review is given for the use of feed-back artificial neural networks (ANN) to obtain good approximate solutions to combinatorial optimization problems. The key element is the mean field approximation (MFT), which differs from conventional methods and "feels" its ways towards good solutions rather than fully or partly exploring different possible solutions. The methodology, which is illustra

We present a high statistics Monte Carlo investigation of a 3-dimensional Z 3 symmetric model, which is related to SU(3) pure gauge theory at finite temperature. From the finite size scaling behaviour of bulk properties and the existence of metastable states, we conclude that this model exhibits a first-order phase transition. We have also performed detailed correlation length measurements in a c

A feed-forward neural network method is developed for reconstructing the invariant mass of hadronic jets appearing in a calorimeter. The approach is illustrated in W→qq, where W-bosons are produced in pp reactions at SPS collider energies. The neural network method yields results that are superior to conventional methods. This neural network application differs from the classification ones in the

The authors describe an approach to particle tracking based on deformable templates. Hough transforms are used to give initial conditions for the templates which then converge using a deterministic annealing algorithm. This template approach is closely related to the elastic net algorithm. The authors demonstrate successful results on both simulated and real data. The authors also show how the Hou

We present a novel, versatile optoelectronic neural network architecture for implementing supervised learning algorithms in photorefractive materials. The system is based on spatial multiplexing rather than the more commonly used angular multiplexing of the interconnect gratings. This simple, single-crystal architecture implements a variety of multilayer supervised learning algorithms including me

Static anatomical and real-time dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (RT-MRI) of the upper airway is a valuable method for studying speech production in research and clinical settings. The test-retest repeatability of quantitative imaging biomarkers is an important parameter, since it limits the effect sizes and intragroup differences that can be studied. Therefore, this study aims to present a fram

We explore the possibilities of using the complex Langevin equation to Monte Carlo generate configurations of gauge theories with static charges present in the action. Successful results are obtained for systems that possess nontrivial saddle-point (classical) solutions. For that reason the algorithm works impressively for two-dimensional U(1) in the entire β-range whereas for three- and four-dime

From the 1880s until the ban of this practice in the 1970s, German vacationers built sandcastles, some of which were artfully decorated and awarded prizes in competitions by the spa administrations. Research regards this as a manifestation of a ‘typical German’ national character. The article counters this approach with an interpretation that understands sandcastles as metaphors for typical charac

By using the Langevin equation with complex action it is possible to generate (complex) configurations in the charged sector of gauge theories. We test the algorithm in the case of two-dimensional U(1) gauge theory and are able to measure the string tension with great precision and modest use of computer time for a separation of the charged particles where a conventional Wilson loop would have a v

Three-dimensional compact U(1) is studied on a 16×32×16 lattice with emphasis on roughening around the crossover region. Configurations including two static charges are generated using the dual formulation of the theory. In this way the flux patterns between the charges are mapped out. Very convincing evidence for roughening is found. In particular we show that the average transverse spread of the

We have measured the lattice size dependence of the lightest glueball mass in SU(2) and SU(3) gauge theory at =2.2 and 2.3 [SU(2)] and =6.0 [SU(3)]. We observe an increase in the glueball mass when the lattice size shrinks below a critical value. The magnitude of this length scale, which we interpret as the physical size of the glueball, is roughly the same for SU(2) and SU(3) when expressed in un

Microembolization is common after coronary interventions, and therefore this MRI study aimed to quantify the effect of coronary microembolization on left ventricular (LV) function. The left anterior descending artery (LAD) was selectively catheterized in an XMR suite (Philips Medical Systems, Best, The Netherlands) in eight pigs to deliver MR contrast media to measure the LAD territory using first

The adjoint (gluon) string tension in SU(2) lattice gauge theory has been found to be (8/3) times the corresponding fundamental (quark) string tension. This fact strongly favors the Lund-fragmentation-model prescription of treating hard gluons as kinks in the quark string.

The static potentials from bosonic string models are examined to the two-loop level. Available MC data for 4-dimensional SU(3) are in approximate agreement with the universal leading order predictions but fail to reproduce the Nambu string when the two-loop terms are included in the analysis. We also confront Nambu string model predictions for Tc σ with SU(2), SU(3) and SU(N → ∞) MC data. In the S

By Monte Carlo calculations on a 124 lattice we investigate four-dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory with respect to the conjecture that at large distances this theory reduces approximately to two-dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory. We find good numerical evidence for this conjecture. As a by-product we also measure the SU(2) string tension and find reasonable agreement with scaling. The "a

We study 3-dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory with respect to dimensional reduction. By Monte Carlo calculations we find that this reduction is valid to a good approximation (within ≈10%). The adjoint string tension is found to scale approximately. We also compare the adjoint string tension with a string theory.

In the hamiltonian formulation of fermions coupled to external gauge fields, the axial anomaly has a simple physical interpretation in terms of level shifting at the top of the Dirac sea. We apply this formalism to lattice QED in 1 + 1 and 3 + 1 dimensions, in order to study how the lattice regulation and small fermion mass affect the picture. For a simple choice of the E and B fields, it is possi