Extension of TSVM to multi-class and hierarchical text classification problems With general losses

Transductive SVM (TSVM) is a well known semi-supervised large margin learning method for binary text classification. In this paper we extend this method to multi-class and hierarchical classification problems. We point out that the determination of labels of unlabeled examples with fixed classifier weights is a linear programming problem. We devise an efficient technique for solving it. The method is applicable to general loss functions. We demonstrate the value of the new method using large margin loss on a number of multi-class and hierarchical classification datasets. For maxent loss we show empirically that our method is better than expectation regularization/constraint and posterior regularization methods, and competitive with the version of entropy regularization method which uses label constraints.

The Use of Herbicides to Control Hydrilla and the Effects on Young Largemouth Bass Population Characteristics and Aquatic Vegetation in Lake Seminole, Georgia

From 1997 to 2003, we examined the impacts of two aquatic herbicides, fluridone (Sonar; 1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3-(trifluromethl) phenyl]-4(1H)-pyridinone), and dipotassium salt of endothall (Aquathol K; 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid), used to control dense hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata L. f. Royle), on population characteristics of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides Lacepede) in small coves (<10 ha) in Lake Seminole, Georgia. In addition, we estimated areal coverage and species composition of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities in each cove. Fish and plants were sampled in both control (hydrilla infested)and herbicide treated coves in November and March- April each year. Electrofishing catch-per-effort for both number and weight of age-0 and age-1 fish for the 1997 to 2002 year classes was either the same or higher (p < 0.05) in herbicide treated than in control coves. Age-0 fish were larger (p <0.05) in treated, than in control coves in November, but at age-1 in the following spring, fish were slightly longer (p <0.05) in the control coves. Higher age-0 catches were associated with greater percent reductions in numeric catch between age-0 and age-1 and reduced lengths of fish in November indicating density-dependent effects. Age-0 fish lengths were also negatively correlated to percent cover of both total and native SAV. Total or native SAV coverages were not associated with catch-per-unit effort for number and weight, but nearly all control and herbicide treated coves had total SAV coverage greater than 40%. Applications of both Sonar and Aquathol K reduced total SAV coverage and hydrilla, permitted the establishment of native SAVs, and had either neutral or positive impacts on young largemouth bass in small coves in Lake Seminole. (PDF contains 7 pages.)

Assessment of access to health services and vulnerabilities of female fish traders in the Kafue Flats, Zambia: analysis report

Under the regional programme Fisheries and HIV/AIDS in Africa: Investing in Sustainable Solutions, the WorldFish Center conducted this study on access to health services and vulnerabilities of female fish traders in the Kafue Flats floodplains in Zambia. This report outlines and analyses the particular vulnerabilities of female fish traders in the Kafue Flats fishery and formulates recommendations to facilitate stakeholder uptake of strategic responses to tackle the drivers of the epidemic in fishing communities and improve the livelihoods of fisher folk and fish traders in the Kafue Flats and other fisheries in Zambia. (pdf contains 55 pages)

THE RESPONSES OF Microcystis TO SEDIMENT ENVIRONMENTS AND THE ASSESSMENT FOR ITS OVERWINTERING - A SIMULATION STUDY IN A NOVEL DEVICE

A novel multi-cell device made of organic glass was designed to study morphological and physiological characteristics of Microcystis population trapped in simulated sediment conditions. Changes of colonial morphology and antioxidant activities of the population were observed and measured over the range of 31-day incubation. During the incubation, the antioxidant enzyme activities fluctuated significantly in sediment environments. The activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (NIDA) reached the highest on the 11(th) day, 6(th) day and 6(th) day. respectively, and then dropped down remarkably in the following days. The ratios of Fv/Fm and the maximal electron transfer rate (ETRm) declined during the initial days (1 similar to 11(th) day), but rebounded on the 16(th) day, which were consistent with the variations of total protein. In the end of incubation. gas vacuoles were hard]), observed and the gelatinous sheath was partly disappeared in the population of Microcystis. Nevertheless, the remaining populations. upon transferred to culture medium, were able to grow though experiencing a longer lag phase of nine days. The results indicated that the sediment environments were able to cause negative effects on M. aeruginosa cells. The cells, however, responded to against the possible damage afterwards. It is thus proposed the acute responses in the population during the early stage of sedimentation could be of importance in aiding the long-term survivor of Microcystis and recruitment in lake sediments. The present study also demonstrated the utility of the device in simulating the sediment environments for further investigation.

Catalytic steam reforming of ethanol to produce hydrogen and acetone

Steam reforming of ethanol over CuO/CeO2 was studied. Acetaldehyde and hydrogen were mainly produced at 260degreesC. At 380degreesC, acetone was the main product, and 2 mol of hydrogen was produced from 1 mol of ethanol. The formation of hydrogen accompanied by the production of acetone was considered to proceed through the following, consecutive reactions: dehydrogenation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. aldol condensation of the acetaldehyde, and the reaction of the aldol with the lattice oxygen [O(s)] on the catalyst to form a surface intermediate, followed by its dehydrogenation and decarboxylation. The overall reaction was expressed by2C(2)H(5)OH + H2O --> CH3COCH3 + CO2 + 4H(2). Ceria played an important role as an oxygen supplier. The addition of MgO to CuO/CeO2 resulted in the production of hydrogen at lower temperatures by accelerating aldol condensation. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Measurement Of The Responses Of Individuals To Environmental-Stress And Pollution - Studies With Bivalve Mollusks

Certain physiological differences between individuals in different populations of the mussel, Mytilus edulis, are described. In particular, the scope for growth differs in space and time and may be used to assess the animals' physiological condition. When the required measurements are made in the field, the rates of growth predicted from the physiological data agree well with observed rates of growth. An alternative approach utilizes mussels transplanted to various waters, with indices of condition then measured in the laboratory under standard conditions; an example of this approach is illustrated. Laboratory experiments are used to equate various levels of physiological condition with fecundity, in an attempt to equate physiological effects on the individual with likely population damage. A cytochemical index of stress is described, based on the latency of lysosomal enzymes; spatial variability in this index, and its relation with the scope for growth, are discussed. Finally, the results of some experiments on the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on mussels are described and the presence of inducible activity of NADPH-dependent tetrazolium reductase in the blood cells is demonstrated. Certain considerations that apply in adopting similar measurements of biological effects of pollution in environmental monitoring programmes are discussed.