Hierarchical GTM: Constructing localized non-linear projection manifolds in a principled way

It has been argued that a single two-dimensional visualization plot may not be sufficient to capture all of the interesting aspects of complex data sets, and therefore a hierarchical visualization system is desirable. In this paper we extend an existing locally linear hierarchical visualization system PhiVis ¸iteBishop98a in several directions: bf(1) We allow for em non-linear projection manifolds. The basic building block is the Generative Topographic Mapping. bf(2) We introduce a general formulation of hierarchical probabilistic models consisting of local probabilistic models organized in a hierarchical tree. General training equations are derived, regardless of the position of the model in the tree. bf(3) Using tools from differential geometry we derive expressions for local directional curvatures of the projection manifold. Like PhiVis, our system is statistically principled and is built interactively in a top-down fashion using the EM algorithm. It enables the user to interactively highlight those data in the parent visualization plot which are captured by a child model. We also incorporate into our system a hierarchical, locally selective representation of magnification factors and directional curvatures of the projection manifolds. Such information is important for further refinement of the hierarchical visualization plot, as well as for controlling the amount of regularization imposed on the local models. We demonstrate the principle of the approach on a toy data set and apply our system to two more complex 12- and 19-dimensional data sets.

Hierarchical GTM: constructing localized non-linear projection manifolds in a principled way

It has been argued that a single two-dimensional visualization plot may not be sufficient to capture all of the interesting aspects of complex data sets, and therefore a hierarchical visualization system is desirable. In this paper we extend an existing locally linear hierarchical visualization system PhiVis ¸iteBishop98a in several directions: bf(1) We allow for em non-linear projection manifolds. The basic building block is the Generative Topographic Mapping (GTM). bf(2) We introduce a general formulation of hierarchical probabilistic models consisting of local probabilistic models organized in a hierarchical tree. General training equations are derived, regardless of the position of the model in the tree. bf(3) Using tools from differential geometry we derive expressions for local directional curvatures of the projection manifold. Like PhiVis, our system is statistically principled and is built interactively in a top-down fashion using the EM algorithm. It enables the user to interactively highlight those data in the ancestor visualization plots which are captured by a child model. We also incorporate into our system a hierarchical, locally selective representation of magnification factors and directional curvatures of the projection manifolds. Such information is important for further refinement of the hierarchical visualization plot, as well as for controlling the amount of regularization imposed on the local models. We demonstrate the principle of the approach on a toy data set and apply our system to two more complex 12- and 18-dimensional data sets.

Constructing localized non-linear projection manifolds in a principled way:hierarchical generative topographic mapping

It has been argued that a single two-dimensional visualization plot may not be sufficient to capture all of the interesting aspects of complex data sets, and therefore a hierarchical visualization system is desirable. In this paper we extend an existing locally linear hierarchical visualization system PhiVis (Bishop98a) in several directions: 1. We allow for em non-linear projection manifolds. The basic building block is the Generative Topographic Mapping. 2. We introduce a general formulation of hierarchical probabilistic models consisting of local probabilistic models organized in a hierarchical tree. General training equations are derived, regardless of the position of the model in the tree. 3. Using tools from differential geometry we derive expressions for local directionalcurvatures of the projection manifold. Like PhiVis, our system is statistically principled and is built interactively in a top-down fashion using the EM algorithm. It enables the user to interactively highlight those data in the parent visualization plot which are captured by a child model.We also incorporate into our system a hierarchical, locally selective representation of magnification factors and directional curvatures of the projection manifolds. Such information is important for further refinement of the hierarchical visualization plot, as well as for controlling the amount of regularization imposed on the local models. We demonstrate the principle of the approach on a toy data set andapply our system to two more complex 12- and 19-dimensional data sets.

Human amniotic epithelial cells induce localized cell-mediated immune privilege in vitro:implications for pancreatic islet transplantation

Chronic systemic immunosuppression in cell replacement therapy restricts its clinical application. This study sought to explore the potential of cell-based immune modulation as an alternative to immunosuppressive drug therapy in the context of pancreatic islet transplantation. Human amniotic epithelial cells (AEC) possess innate anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties that were utilized to create localized immune privilege in an in vitro islet cell culture system. Cellular constructs composed of human islets and AEC (islet/AEC) were bioengineered under defined rotational cell culture conditions. Insulin secretory capacity was validated by glucose challenge and immunomodulatory potential characterized using a peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) proliferation assay. Results were compared to control constructs composed of islets or AEC cultured alone. Studies employing AEC-conditioned medium examined the role of soluble factors, and fluorescence immunocytochemistry was used to identify putative mediators of the immunosuppressive response in isolated AEC monocultures. Sustained, physiologically appropriate insulin secretion was observed in both islets and islet/AEC constructs. Activation of resting PBL proliferation occurred on exposure to human islets alone but this response was significantly (p <0.05) attenuated by the presence of AEC and AEC-conditioned medium. Mitogen (phytohaemagglutinin, 5 µg/ml)-induced PBL proliferation was sustained on contact with isolated islets but abrogated by AEC, conditioned medium, and the islet/AEC constructs. Immunocytochemical analysis of AEC monocultures identified a subpopulation of cells that expressed the proapoptosis protein Fas ligand. This study demonstrates that human islet/AEC constructs exhibit localized immunosuppressive properties with no impairment of ß-cell function. The data suggest that transplanted islets may benefit from the immune privilege status conferred on them as a consequence of their close proximity to human AEC. Such an approach may reduce the need for chronic systemic immunosuppression, thus making islet transplantation a more attractive treatment option for the management of insulin-dependent diabetes.

Localized waves in optical systems with periodic dispersion and nonlinearity management

We overview our recent developments in the theory of dispersion-managed (DM) solitons within the context of optical applications. First, we present a class of localized solutions with a period multiple to that of the standard DM soliton in the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with periodic variations of the dispersion. In the framework of a reduced ordinary differential equation-based model, we discuss the key features of these structures, such as a smaller energy compared to traditional DM solitons with the same temporal width. Next, we present new results on dissipative DM solitons, which occur in the context of mode-locked lasers. By means of numerical simulations and a reduced variational model of the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation, we analyze the influence of the different dissipative processes that take place in a laser.

Buried clay pot irrigation for efficient and controlled water delivery

This study presents water flow (WF) into soil from several pitchers buried in the soil up to their neck and filled with water,under natural atmospheric conditions for a period of two years. Variation in daily WF into soil indicated a direct correlation with moisture deficit (MD) in atmosphere. WF increases linearly with MD for non rainy days. WF without hydraulic head through all pots varied in the order air>soil>water. Base line flow in water with respect to air was < 5%. WF for pots with hydraulic head was also in the order air>soil>water, but with significant increase in WF. Hydraulic conductivity Ks was in the order air>soil>water.Ks in water was independent of MD, whereas for air and soil, Ks increased with MD. Thus total WF is partially under hydraulic head and partly due to pull effect through capillary pores on pot wall either due to MD in air or prevailing soil water tension in soil.

Physical characteristics of localized surface plasmons resulting from nano-scale structured multi-layer thin films deposited on D-shaped optical fiber

Novel surface plasmonic optical fiber sensors have been fabricated using multiple coatings deposited on a lapped section of a single mode fiber. UV laser irradiation processing with a phase mask produces a nano-scaled surface relief grating structure resembling nano-wires. The resulting individual corrugations produced by material compaction are approximately 20 μm long with an average width at half maximum of 100 nm and generate localized surface plasmons. Experimental data are presented that show changes in the spectral characteristics after UV processing, coupled with an overall increase in the sensitivity of the devices to surrounding refractive index. Evidence is presented that there is an optimum UV dosage (48 joules) over which no significant additional optical change is observed. The devices are characterized with regards to change in refractive index, where significantly high spectral sensitivities in the aqueous index regime are found, ranging up to 4000 nm/RIU for wavelength and 800 dB/RIU for intensity. © 2013 Optical Society of America.

Serrated yielding and the localized shear failure mode in aluminium alloys

A study has been made of serrated yielding in two commercial Al-Zn-Mg alloys in the as-quenched condition. The different serration types produced in the two alloys and the shear failure mechanism observed in both notched-bend and tensile testing are related to the mechanisms of dynamic strain ageing occurring during the test. An estimate of 19.7 kJ/mole for the activation energy for exchange of a solute atom and a vacancy in Al-6.2 wt% Zn, 2.5 wt% Mg has been made. © 1981.

Localized retinal nerve fiber layer defects and arterial hypertension:insights into pathophysiology and perhaps an eye for detail?

Retinal microcirculatory changes are useful markers in patients suffering from hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders. Conversely, localized retinal nerve fiber layer defects (RNFLDs) are less frequently explored in association with hypertension.

Stochasticity, periodicity and localized light structures in partially mode-locked fibre lasers

Physical systems with co-existence and interplay of processes featuring distinct spatio-temporal scales are found in various research areas ranging from studies of brain activity to astrophysics. The complexity of such systems makes their theoretical and experimental analysis technically and conceptually challenging. Here, we discovered that while radiation of partially mode-locked fibre lasers is stochastic and intermittent on a short time scale, it exhibits non-trivial periodicity and long-scale correlations over slow evolution from one round-trip to another. A new technique for evolution mapping of intensity autocorrelation function has enabled us to reveal a variety of localized spatio-temporal structures and to experimentally study their symbiotic co-existence with stochastic radiation. Real-time characterization of dynamical spatio-temporal regimes of laser operation is set to bring new insights into rich underlying nonlinear physics of practical active- and passive-cavity photonic systems.

Highly sensitive, localized surface plasmon resonance fiber device for environmental sensing, based upon a structured bi-metal array of nano-wires

We demonstrate a bi-metal coated (platinum and gold or silver), localized surface plasmon resonance fiber sensor with an index sensitivity exceeding 11,900 nm/RIU, yielding an index resolution of 2 × 10-5 in the aqueous index regime. This is one of the highest index sensitivities achieved with an optical fiber sensor. The coatings consist of arrays of bi-metal nano-wires (typically 36 nm in radius and 20 μm in length), supported by a silicon dioxide thin film on a thin substrate of germanium, the nano-wires being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the D-shaped fiber.

Cardiac-induced localized thoracic motion detected by a fiber optic sensing scheme

The cardiovascular health of the human population is a major concern for medical clinicians, with cardiovascular diseases responsible for 48% of all deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The development of new diagnostic tools that are practicable and economical to scrutinize the cardiovascular health of humans is a major driver for clinicians. We offer a new technique to obtain seismocardiographic signals up to 54 Hz covering both ballistocardiography (below 20 Hz) and audible heart sounds (20 Hz upward), using a system based on curvature sensors formed from fiber optic long period gratings. This system can visualize the real-time three-dimensional (3-D) mechanical motion of the heart by using the data from the sensing array in conjunction with a bespoke 3-D shape reconstruction algorithm. Visualization is demonstrated by adhering three to four sensors on the outside of the thorax and in close proximity to the apex of the heart; the sensing scheme revealed a complex motion of the heart wall next to the apex region of the heart. The detection scheme is low-cost, portable, easily operated and has the potential for ambulatory applications.