cloud computing

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Wireless communication

The term wireless is normally used to refer to any type of electrical or electronic operation which is accomplished without the use of a "hard wired" connection. Wireless communication is the transfer of information over a distance without the use of electrical conductors or "wires ".The distances involved may be short (a few meters as in television remote control) or very long (thousands or even millions of kilometers for radio communications). When the context is clear the term is often simply shortened to "wireless". Wireless communications is generally considered to be a branch of telecommunication .
Wireless operations permits services, such as long range communications, that are impossible or impractical to implement with the use of wires. The term is commonly used in the telecommunications industry to refer to telecommunications systems (e.g., radio transmitters and receivers, remote controls, computer networks, network terminals, etc.) which use some form of energy to transfer information without the use of wires. Information is transferred in this manner over both short and long distances.
The term "wireless" has become a generic and all-encompassing word used to describe communications in which electromagnetic waves or RF (rather than some form of wire) carry a signal over part or the entire communication path.
Wireless networking (i.e. the various flavors of unlicensed 2.4 GHz WiFi devices) is used to meet a variety of needs. Perhaps the most common use is to connect laptop users who travel from location to location. Another common use is for mobile networks that connect via satellite. A wireless transmission method is a logical choice to network a LAN segment that must frequently change locations.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Neural Networks

In general a biological neural network is composed of a group or groups of chemically connected or functionally associated neurons. A single neuron may be connected to many other neurons and the total number of neurons and connections in a network may be extensive. Connections, called synapses , are usually formed from axons to dendrite , though dendrodendritic microcircuits and other connections are possible. Apart from the electrical signaling, there are other forms of signaling that arise from neurotransmitter diffusion, which have an effect on electrical signaling. As such, neural networks are extremely complex. Whilst a detailed description of neural systems is nebulous, progress is being charted towards a better understanding of basic mechanisms.

Simplified view of an artificial neural network

Artificial intelligence and cognitive modelling try to simulate some properties of neural networks. While similar in their techniques, the former has the aim of solving particular tasks, while the latter aims to build mathematical models of biological neural systems.

In the artificial intelligence field, artificial neural networks have been applied successfully to speech recognition,image analysis and adaptive control , in order to construct software agents(in computer and video games) or autonomous robots . Most of the currently employed artificial neural networks for artificial intelligence are based on statistical estimation, optimization and control theory.

The cognitive modelling field involves the physical or mathematical modeling of the behaviour of neural systems; ranging from the individual neural level (e.g. modelling the spike response curves of neurons to a stimulus), through the neural cluster level (e.g. modelling the release and effects of dopamine in the basal ganglia) to the complete organism (e.g. behavioural modelling of the organism's response to stimuli).


Monday, March 10, 2008

Telecommunication

Telecommunication is the assisted transmission of signals a distance for the purpose of communication. In earlier times, this may have involved the use of smoke signals, drums, semaphores,flags, or heliograph . In modern times, telecommunication typically involves the use of electronic transmitters such as the telephone, television, radio,computer. Early inventors in the field of telecommunication include antonio meucci ,Alexander Graham Bell,Guglielmo marconi and john logie baird . Telecommunication is an important part of the world economy and the telecommunication industry's revenue has been placed at just under 3 percent of the gross world product .

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Artificial Learning

Much effort has been devoted to understanding learning and reasoning in artificial intelligence, giving rise to a wide collection of models. For the most part, these models focus on some observed characteristic of human learning, such as induction or analogy, in an effort to emulate (and possibly exceed) human abilities. We propose seven desirable properties for artificial learning systems: incrementality, non-monotonicity, inconsistency and conflicting defaults handling, abstraction, self-organization, generalization, and computational tractability.We examine each of these properties in turn and show how their (combined) use can improve learning and reasoning, as well as potentially widen the range of applications of artificial learning systems.
Machine Learning is an international forum for research on computational approaches to learning. The journal publishes articles reporting substantive results on a wide range of learning methods applied to a variety of learning problems.

If features papers that describe research on problems and methods, applications research, and issues of research methodology. Papers making claims about learning problems or methods provide solid support via empirical studies, theoreical analysis, or comparison to psychological phenomena. Applications papers show how to apply learning methods to solve important applications problems. Research methodology papers improve how machine learning research is conducted.

All papers describe the supporting evidence in ways that can be verified or replicated by other researchers. The papers also detail the learning component clearly and discuss assumptions regarding knowledge representation and the performance task.

In the middle of the 20th century, a handful of scientists began a new approach to building intelligent machines, based on recent discoveries in neurology , a new mathematical theory of information,an understanding of control and stability called cybernetics , and above all, by the invention of the digital computer , a machine based on the abstract essence of mathematical reasoning

Friday, March 7, 2008

Sylvan learning

Sylvan Learning is a chain of franchised tutoring centers which provide personalized tutoring in readnig,writing, mathematics, skills and test-prep for college entrance and state exams. Since June of 2007, Sylvan has been owned by Edge Acquisition, LLC, which operates a variety of for-profit educational businesses. Sylvan Learning is headquartered in Baltimore,Maryland.

By 1987 Sylvan had slightly over 500 franchises nationwide and went public on the NASDAQ exchange. By the summer of 1987 most of the stock was acquired by KinderCare, Inc. (Montgomery, AL). The company moved its headquarters from suburban Seattle to Alabama at that time.

KinderCare executives by late 1988 had replaced the original Sylvan founding staff.

Sylvan Learning began in Portland, OR in the early 1980's and was founded by former school teacher, W. Berry Fowler. By late 1983, Sylvan was successfully managing multiple franchises in the western USA and moved to suburban Seattle. Julie Davis was responsible for the educational programs started by Fowler. She added more reading programs and math, college prep plus pre-K programs. Claude Rorabaugh (who later was responsible for the development and growth of LaserGrade Computer Testing in the 2000's) was responsible for marketing and franchise center development. Besides profitable center development, he and his team offered tuition financing and actual guarantees of student growth. ("In 3 and a half months your child can gain a full grade level...")Those marketing tools plus endorsements from former Reagan cabinet member, Education Secretary William Bennett, fueled the growth of company in the mid '80's.

Its Services:-

Sylvan Learning offers instruction in the form of remedial help or enrichment for high-achieving students. For students who are experiencing difficulty in school, Sylvan's programs include Beginning Reading, Academic Reading, Academic Writing, Math Essentials, Advanced Math, Study Skills, and Homework Support. Students who are on track in school may enroll in Sylvan's SAT and ACT prep courses, as well as Advanced Reading, which is a form of speed reading . Starting in 2008, Sylvan Learning Center now offers a College Writing Prep class, matching that with rival Huntington Learning Center.

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