Multi-task learning using shared and task specific information

Multi-task learning solves multiple related learning problems simultaneously by sharing some common structure for improved generalization performance of each task. We propose a novel approach to multi-task learning which captures task similarity through a shared basis vector set. The variability across tasks is captured through task specific basis vector set. We use sparse support vector machine (SVM) algorithm to select the basis vector sets for the tasks. The approach results in a sparse model where the prediction is done using very few examples. The effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated through experiments on synthetic and real multi-task datasets.

Analysis of the Genome and Transcriptome of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii Reveals Complex RNA Expression and Microevolution Leading to Virulence Attenuation

Cryptococcus neoformans is a pathogenic basidiomycetous yeast responsible for more than 600,000 deaths each year. It occurs as two serotypes (A and D) representing two varieties (i.e. grubii and neoformans, respectively). Here, we sequenced the genome and performed an RNA-Seq-based analysis of the C. neoformans var. grubii transcriptome structure. We determined the chromosomal locations, analyzed the sequence/structural features of the centromeres, and identified origins of replication. The genome was annotated based on automated and manual curation. More than 40,000 introns populating more than 99% of the expressed genes were identified. Although most of these introns are located in the coding DNA sequences (CDS), over 2,000 introns in the untranslated regions (UTRs) were also identified. Poly(A)-containing reads were employed to locate the polyadenylation sites of more than 80% of the genes. Examination of the sequences around these sites revealed a new poly(A)-site-associated motif (AUGHAH). In addition, 1,197 miscRNAs were identified. These miscRNAs can be spliced and/or polyadenylated, but do not appear to have obvious coding capacities. Finally, this genome sequence enabled a comparative analysis of strain H99 variants obtained after laboratory passage. The spectrum of mutations identified provides insights into the genetics underlying the micro-evolution of a laboratory strain, and identifies mutations involved in stress responses, mating efficiency, and virulence.

Tailoring the interface of an immiscible polymer blend by a mutually miscible homopolymer grafted onto graphene oxide: outstanding mechanical properties

A unique strategy was adopted here to improve the compatibility between the components of an immiscible polymer blend and strengthen the interface. PMMA, a mutually miscible polymer to both PVDF and ABS, improved the compatibility between the phases by localizing at the blends interface. This was supported by the core-shell formation with PMMA as the shell and ABS as the core as observed from the SEM micrographs. This phenomenon was strongly contingent on the concentration of PMMA in the blends. This strategy was further extended to localize graphene oxide (GO) sheets at the blends interface by chemically coupling it to PMMA (PMMA-g-GO). A dramatic increment of ca. 84% in the Young's modulus and ca. 124% in the yield strength was observed in the presence of PMMA-g-GO with respect to the neat blends. A simultaneous increment in both the strength and the modulus was observed in the presence of PMMA-g-GO whereas, only addition of GO resulted in a moderate improvement in the yield strength. This study reveals that a mutually miscible polymer can render compatibility between the immiscible pair and can improve the stress transfer at the interface.

Energy Sharing for Multiple Sensor Nodes With Finite Buffers

We consider the problem of finding optimal energy sharing policies that maximize the network performance of a system comprising of multiple sensor nodes and a single energy harvesting (EH) source. Sensor nodes periodically sense the random field and generate data, which is stored in the corresponding data queues. The EH source harnesses energy from ambient energy sources and the generated energy is stored in an energy buffer. Sensor nodes receive energy for data transmission from the EH source. The EH source has to efficiently share the stored energy among the nodes to minimize the long-run average delay in data transmission. We formulate the problem of energy sharing between the nodes in the framework of average cost infinite-horizon Markov decision processes (MDPs). We develop efficient energy sharing algorithms, namely Q-learning algorithm with exploration mechanisms based on the epsilon-greedy method as well as upper confidence bound (UCB). We extend these algorithms by incorporating state and action space aggregation to tackle state-action space explosion in the MDP. We also develop a cross entropy based method that incorporates policy parameterization to find near optimal energy sharing policies. Through simulations, we show that our algorithms yield energy sharing policies that outperform the heuristic greedy method.

海底管线强度评估中的两个问题

海底管线是海上油气田生产设施的重要组成部分,它一旦发生破坏会在各方面引起重大损失.挖沟和提吊引起应力超标是海底管线两种重要的破坏形式.挖沟和提吊问题的难点是:1)二者都是动边界问题,悬空长度本身就是未知量;2)挖沟问题中应考虑台阶升高处土壤支持的弹性影响(这比刚性处理更准确,但这会使边界条件更复杂);3)提吊是一个几何非线性问题,求解难度较大.本文给出挖沟和提吊作业状态下,海底管线的强度分析方法.在挖沟分析中,采用线性梁理论,将台阶升高处的土壤支持处理为线性弹簧.在提吊问题中,将管线模型化为大位移梁,采用打靶法,将边值问题转变为初值问题求解.文中还给出有关的典型数值计算结果.

An extension of the Quasicontinuum Treatment of Multiscale Solid Systems to Nonzero Temperature

Covering the solid lattice with a finite-element mesh produces a coarse-grained system of mesh nodes as pseudoatoms interacting through an effective potential energy that depends implicitly on the thermodynamic state. Use of the pseudoatomic Hamiltonian in a Monte Carlo simulation of the two-dimensional Lennard-Jones crystal yields equilibrium thermomechanical properties (e.g., isotropic stress) in excellent agreement with ``exact'' fully atomistic results.

Governing Equations and Numerical Solutions of Tension Leg Platform with Finite Amplitude Motion

It is demonstrated that when tension leg platform (TLP) moves with finite amplitude in waves, the inertia force, the drag force and the buoyancy acting on the platform are nonlinear functions of the response of TLP. The tensions of the tethers are also nonlinear functions of the displacement of TLP. Then the displacement, the velocity and the acceleration of TLP should be taken into account when loads are calculated. In addition, equations of motions should be set up on the instantaneous position. A theoretical model for analyzing the nonlinear behavior of a TLP with finite displacement is developed, in which multifold nonlinearities are taken into account, i.e., finite displacement, coupling of the six degrees of freedom, instantaneous position, instantaneous wet surface, free surface effects and viscous drag force. Based on the theoretical model, the comprehensive nonlinear differential equations are deduced. Then the nonlinear dynamic analysis of ISSC TLP in regular waves is performed in the time domain. The degenerative linear solution of the proposed nonlinear model is verified with existing published one. Furthermore, numerical results are presented, which illustrate that nonlinearities exert a significant influence on the dynamic responses of the TLP.

Numerical Analysis of LEC Growth of GaAs with an Axial Magnetic Field

A set of numerical analyses for momentum and heat transfer For a 3 in. (0.075 m) diameter Liquid Encapsulant Czochralski (LEC) growth of single-crystal GaAs with or without all axial magnetic field was carried Out using the finite-element method. The analyses assume a pseudosteady axisymmetric state with laminar floats. Convective and conductive heat transfers. radiative heat transfer between diffuse surfaces and the Navier-Stokes equations for both melt and encapsulant and electric current stream function equations Cor melt and crystal Lire considered together and solved simultaneously. The effect of the thickness of encapsulant. the imposed magnetic field strength as well as the rotation rate of crystal and crucible on the flow and heat transfer were investigated. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Assessment of Microscale Test Methods of Peeling and Splitting along Surface of Thin-Film/Substrates

Peel test methods are assessed through being applied to a peeling analysis of the ductile film/ceramic substrate system. Through computing the fracture work of the system using the either beam bend model (BB model) or the general plane analysis model (GPA model), surprisingly, a big difference between both model results is found. Although the BB model can capture the plastic dissipation phenomenon for the ductile film case as the GPA model can, it is much sensitive to the choice of the peeling criterion parameters, and it overestimates the plastic bending effect unable to capture crack tip constraint plasticity. In view of the difficulty of measuring interfacial toughness using peel test method when film is the ductile material, a new test method, split test, is recommended and analyzed using the GPA model. The prediction is applied to a wedge-loaded experiment for Al-alloy double-cantilever beam in literature.

Determinación de aptitud combinatoria de ocho lineas de maiz (Zea mays L.) derivadas de la población 76 C2 (Tropical Intermedia Blanco Cristalino)

En las épocas de primera y postrera de 2000 en terrenos de las estaciones experimentales Santa Rosa y San Cristóbal del Centro Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (CNIA) pertenecientes al Instituto Nicaragüense de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), se evaluaron 28 cruzas dialélicas, derivadas de 8 líneas promisorias de maíz (Zea mays L.) de la Población 76 C 2. Los objetivos fueron: (1) Determinar los efectos de aptitud combinatoria general y específica, (2) Identificar las mejores cruzas simples y (3) Determinar la heterosis de las cruzas simples en estudio. Se establecieron tres ensayos uniformes, dos en la época de primera y uno en postrera, el diseño experimental fue un Bloques Completos al Azar, con cuatro repeticiones. El análisis de las cruzas dialélicas fue a través del diseño IV de Griffing (1956) (Martínez, 1983), en el cual se ensaya P(P-1)12 combinaciones, donde P se refiere al número de progenitores involucrados en los cruzamientos. El análisis dialélico combinado, la aptitud combinatoria general (ACG) y específica (ACE), presentaron diferencias altamente significativas (a=0.01) para cada tratamiento, en cada localidad y a través de localidades, lo que indica que algunas líneas al combinarse dieron como resultado cruzas con un comportamiento superior o simi1ar al esperado a la ACG de sus padres. Las líneas LN-l, LN-5, LN-7 y LN-9 presentaron los efectos positivos de ACG (0.17, 0.06, 0.07 y 0.13 t/ha). Asimismo, las cruzas simples (LN-1 x LN-5), (LN-7 x LN-11), (LN-7 x LN-15) y (LN-13 x LN-13) obtuvieron estimaciones de ACE positivas (0.69, 0.63, 0.76 y 0.08 t/ha) y con porcentajes de heterosis de 202.7, 172.0, 184.2 y 156.1% respectivamente, lo que es un buen indicador para el aprovechamiento de los efectos genéticos no aditivos principalmente genes de acción de dominancia que son aprovechados en la heterosis.

Multiscale Treatment of Thin-Film Lubrication

A multiscale technique that combines an atomistic description of the interfacial (near) region with a coarse-grained (continuum) description of the far regions of the solid substrates is proposed. The new hybrid technique, which represents an advance over a previously proposed dynamically-constrained hybrid atomistic-coarse-grained treatment (Wu et al.J. Chem. Phys., 120, 6744, 2004), is applied to a two-dimensional model tribological system comprising planar substrates sandwiching a monolayer film. Shear–stress profiles (shear stress versus strain) computed by the new hybrid technique are in excellent agreement with “exact” profiles (i.e. those computed treating the whole system at the atomic scale).

Utilización de caracteres cualitativos y cuantitativos determinantes en la variación fenotípica de pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus Britt y Rosse), que permiten proponer una guía de descriptores

La pérdida de diversidad genética es un proceso que transcurre a gran velocidad, para preservar y conservar estos recursos genéticos vegetales, se hace necesario el inventario y caracterización (agronómica, morfológica, genética, bioquímica, etc), con el propósito de describir y diferenciar el material genético. Las estrategias de conservación del germoplasma deben basarse en la preservación de las poblaciones en su hábitat ( in situ) y la preservación fuera de su hábitat (ex situ). El presente estudio se desarrolló durante el período de octubre (2002) a noviembre (2002), muestreado en la zona del pacífico en los departamentos de Chinandega, León, Managua, Masaya, Granada, Carazo y Rivas con el objetivo de proponer una guía de descriptores del cultivo de pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus Britt & Rosse), definir descriptores que determinen similitud y relación entre los diferentes materiales genéticos y la realización de un catálogo de los caracteres cuantitativos de la estructura floral y vegetativa de esta especie, mediante análisis de estadística descriptiva, análisis de correlación y técnicas de taxonomía numérica como análisis de componentes principales (ACP) y análisis de agrupamiento (AA). Se encontró que esta especie florece con las primeras lluvias de mayo a junio, el periodo de producción es de mayo a noviembre, obteniendo mayores rendimientos entre agosto y septiembre. El cultivo de la pitahaya tiene amplia distribución en el país, cultivado en huertos familiares y de forma comercial, abasteciendo al mercado local de Masaya principalmente y en menor proporción a los otros departamentos, localizando los mejores frutos en La Concepción (cerro San Ignacio), debido a las condiciones ambientales y de adaptación del material genético en la zona. Tiene usos múltiples como fruta fresca, alimento para el ganado, uso medicinal. Se determinó que la variable diámetro del estilo presentó un C.V de 83.11% y el peso de la cáscara un C.V de 61.24%, siendo estas dos las que presentan mayor variación. Las variables diámetro basal de la flor y número de pétalos presentaron un C.V de 10.60% y 9.37% respectivamente, siendo las de menor variación. Asimismo las variables forma de brácteas inferior y superior al igual que el color primario y secundario presentaron semejanzas. El análisis de componentes principales determinó que el 46.83% de la variación total que la aportan los 3 primeros componentes y las variables que la integran son VOLFRU, PESFRU, LONFRU, PESCAS, VOLPUL y DIAFRU para discriminar un 19.24% en el primer componente; las variables COLFRU, UNIFES, DIAESTI, LONESP aislaron un 14.81% en el segundo componente y un 12.78% para el tercer componente conformado por NUMBRF, DIAEST y DIAFLO, estas variables pueden ser utilizadas para evaluar materiales de pitahayas.

La recepción de Franz Liszt en Rusia: entre los mitos stasovianos y las composiciones modernistas

Resumen: Este trabajo explora los diferentes modos en los cuales la figura y la obra de Franz Liszt fueron recepcionadas en la Rusia del siglo XIX por teóricos y compositores. A partir de las visitas que el compositor húngaro realizó a Rusia durante la década de 1840, su figura fue utilizada por el crítico Vladimir Stasov para caracterizar y legitimizar a través de un relato cargado de mitos la tradición musical que recién nacía en Rusia. Esta imagen condicionó y limitó durante casi todo el siglo XX el acercamiento al estudio de la música de ese país. La obra de los compositores modernistas en Rusia, sin embargo, demuestra que la recepción de Liszt, y así el devenir de la música rusa del siglo XIX, estuvo bastante lejos de la caracterización canónica propuesta por Stasov.