Adaptive Sequential Optimization with Applications to Machine Learning

A framework is introduced for solving a sequence of slowly changing optimization problems, including those arising in regression and classification applications, using optimization algorithms such as stochastic gradient descent (SGD). The optimization problems change slowly in the sense that the minimizers change at either a fixed or bounded rate. A method based on estimates of the change in the minimizers and properties of the optimization algorithm is introduced for adaptively selecting the number of samples needed from the distributions underlying each problem in order to ensure that the excess risk, i.e., the expected gap between the loss achieved by the approximate minimizer produced by the optimization algorithm and the exact minimizer, does not exceed a target level. Experiments with synthetic and real data are used to confirm that this approach performs well.Comment: submitted to ICASSP 2016, extended versio

Lepidochelys kempii

Number of Pages: 8Integrative BiologyGeological Science

Irreducible completely pointed modules of quantum groups of type AA

We give a classification of all irreducible completely pointed $U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_{n+1})$ modules over a characteristic zero field in which $q$ is not a root of unity. This generalizes the classification result of Benkart, Britten and Lemire in the non quantum case. We also show that any infinite-dimensional irreducible completely pointed $U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_{n+1})$ can be obtained from some irreducible completely pointed module over the quantized Weyl algebra $A_{n+1}^q$.Comment: 25 page

Characteristics of a variable spaced planar thermionic converter with a tungsten emitter and a niobium collector

Current-voltage characteristics of variable spaced thermionic converter with tungsten emitter and niobium collecto

Business strategy and firm performance: the British corporate economy, 1949-1984

There has been considerable and ongoing debate about the performance of the British economy since 1945. Empirical studies have concentrated on aggregate or industry level indicators. Few have examined individual firms’ financial performance. This study takes a sample of c.3000 firms in 19 industries and identifies Britain’s best performing companies over a period of 35 years. Successful companies are defined as a) those that survive as independent entities, b) that outperform peer group average return to capital for that industry, and c) that outperform other firms in the economy according to return on capital relative to industry average. Results are presented as league tables of success and some tentative explanations offered concerning the common strategies of successful firms. A broader research agenda for British business history is suggested

Vestibular-induced vomiting after vestibulocerebellar lesions

Vestibular stimulation, by sinusoidal electrical polarization of the labyrinths of decerebrate cats which can produce vomiting and related activity which resembles motion sickness was examined. The symptoms include panting, salivation, swallowing, and retching as well as vomiting. These symptoms can be produced in cats with lesions of the posterior cerebellar vermis. It is suggested that a transcerebellar pathway from the vestibular apparatus through the nodulus and uvula to the vomiting center is not essential for vestibular induced vomiting and the occurrence of many symptoms of motion