Low-Complexity Vector Source Coding for Discrete Long Sequences with Unknown Distributions

In this paper, we propose a source coding scheme that represents data from unknown distributions through frequency and support information. Existing encoding schemes often compress data by sacrificing computational efficiency or by assuming the data follows a known distribution. We take advantage of the structure that arises within the spatial representation and utilize it to encode run-lengths within this representation using Golomb coding. Through theoretical analysis, we show that our scheme yields an overall bit rate that nears entropy without a computationally complex encoding algorithm and verify these results through numerical experiments.Comment: This work has been submitted to the IEEE for possible publication. Copyright may be transferred without notice, after which this version may no longer be accessibl

MALCOM-PSGD: Inexact Proximal Stochastic Gradient Descent for Communication-Efficient Decentralized Machine Learning

Recent research indicates that frequent model communication stands as a major bottleneck to the efficiency of decentralized machine learning (ML), particularly for large-scale and over-parameterized neural networks (NNs). In this paper, we introduce MALCOM-PSGD, a new decentralized ML algorithm that strategically integrates gradient compression techniques with model sparsification. MALCOM-PSGD leverages proximal stochastic gradient descent to handle the non-smoothness resulting from the $\ell_1$ regularization in model sparsification. Furthermore, we adapt vector source coding and dithering-based quantization for compressed gradient communication of sparsified models. Our analysis shows that decentralized proximal stochastic gradient descent with compressed communication has a convergence rate of $\mathcal{O}\left(\ln(t)/\sqrt{t}\right)$ assuming a diminishing learning rate and where $t$ denotes the number of iterations. Numerical results verify our theoretical findings and demonstrate that our method reduces communication costs by approximately $75\%$ when compared to the state-of-the-art method

Is Fashion Universal? : Towards a Sociology of Proto-Fashion

Peer reviewe

Spatial and Temporal Organization of Chromosome Duplication and Segregation in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942

The spatial and temporal control of chromosome duplication and segregation is crucial for proper cell division. While this process is well studied in eukaryotic and some prokaryotic organisms, relatively little is known about it in prokaryotic polyploids such as Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942, which is known to possess one to eight copies of its single chromosome. Using a fluorescent repressor-operator system, S. elongatus chromosomes and chromosome replication forks were tagged and visualized. We found that chromosomal duplication is asynchronous and that the total number of chromosomes is correlated with cell length. Thus, replication is independent of cell cycle and coupled to cell growth. Replication events occur in a spatially random fashion. However, once assembled, replisomes move in a constrained manner. On the other hand, we found that segregation displays a striking spatial organization in some cells. Chromosomes transiently align along the major axis of the cell and timing of alignment was correlated to cell division. This mechanism likely contributes to the non-random segregation of chromosome copies to daughter cells

Temperature-responsive self-assembly of charged and uncharged hydroxyethylcellulose-graft-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymer in aqueous solution

Temperature-induced interchain association and contraction of species in aqueous solutions of charged (MHEC(−)-g-PNIPAAM) and uncharged (MHEC-g-PNIPAAM) modified hydroxyethylcellulose-graft-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymer have been studied with the aid of turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was shown that by attaching PNIPAAM chains to the backbone of a hydrophilic cellulose derivative, a strongly temperature-responsive copolymer could be prepared. The results show an intriguing interplay between interchain association and contraction of the multichain species. The transition zone for compression is narrow, and the compaction effect is promoted by a low polymer concentration and charges on the polymer moieties. The findings from DLS revealed two populations of species, namely molecularly dispersed molecules or small clusters and interchain complexes, which exhibit temperature-induced collapse. The magnitude of the cluster contraction can be modulated by changing the polymer concentration and charge density of the copolymer

The role of harsh parenting practices in early- to middle-childhood socioemotional development:An examination in the Millennium Cohort Study

Patterson's coercion model describes a gradual escalation in maladaptive parent–child transactions whereby externalizing behaviors lead to increases in maladaptive parenting and vice versa. The current study investigates the role of (predominantly mother‐reported) harsh parenting practices in the within‐person development of conduct problems, hyperactive/inattentive behaviors, and emotional problems. A random‐intercept cross‐lagged panel model was fit across ages 3, 5, and 7 (N = 14,037, 49% female, 84% White) using the UK population‐representative Millennium Cohort Study. Findings support Patterson's coercion model, providing evidence for reciprocal within‐family relations between parenting practices and child behaviors. They suggest the importance of addressing parenting difficulties in families where children present with socioemotional difficulties in order to help prevent the accumulation of additional issues

Scaling properties of a low-actuation pressure microfluidic valve

Using basic physical arguments, we present a design and method for the fabrication of microfluidic valves using multilayer soft lithography. These on-off valves have extremely low actuation pressures and can be used to fabricate active functions, such as pumps and mixers in integrated microfluidic chips. We characterized the performance of the valves by measuring both the actuation pressure and flow resistance over a wide range of design parameters, and compared them to both finite element simulations and alternative valve geometries

Genetic Characterization of the M RNA Segment of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Strains, China

We report the genetic characterization of the M RNA segment of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). Two CCHFV strains isolated in Xinjiang Province, a region endemic for CCHF in northwestern China, were studied. These strains, designated BA66019 and BA8402, were isolated in 1965 and 1984 from a CCHF patient and Hyalomma ticks, respectively. Viral RNA was extracted from suckling mouse brains infected with these two strains, amplified, and sequenced. The full-length M RNA, consisting of 5.3 kb, was determined for both strains. The coding nucleotide sequences of the two strains differed from each other by 17.5% and from the reference CCHFV strain IbAr10200 by a mean of 22%, suggesting that the genus Nairovirus comprises a group of genetically highly diverse strains

Renal failure deaths and their risk factors in India 2001–13: nationally representative estimates from the Million Death Study

Background Renal failure represents a growing but mostly undocumented cause of premature mortality in low-income and middle-income countries. We investigated changes in adult renal failure mortality and its key risk factors in India using the nationally representative Million Death Study. Methods In this cross-sectional analysis of population-based data, two trained physicians independently assigned underlying causes to 150 018 deaths at ages 15–69 years from a nationally-representative mortality survey in India for 2001–03 and 2010–13, using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th version (ICD-10). We applied the age-specific proportion of renal failure deaths for the 2010–13 period to the 2015 UN estimates of total deaths in India and calculated age-standardised death rates for renal failure by rural or urban residence, state, and age group. We used proportional mortality of renal deaths (cases) to injuries (controls) to calculate the odds of renal death in the presence of different comorbidities and stratified risks by decade of birth. Findings In 2001–03, 2·1% of total deaths among 15–69 year olds were from renal failure (1266 [2·2%] of 58 871; unweighted). By 2010–13, the proportion of deaths from renal failure had risen to 2·9% (2943 [3·2%] of 91 147; unweighted) of total deaths and corresponding to 136 000 renal failure deaths (range 108 000–150 000) of 4 688 000 total deaths nationally in 2015. Age-standardised renal death rates were highest in the southern and eastern states, particularly among adults aged 45–69 years in 2010–13. Diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were all significantly associated with increased renal failure deaths, with diabetes the strongest predictor—odds ratio (OR) vs control 9·2 (95% CI 6·7–12·7) in 2001–03, rising to 15·1 (12·6–18·1) in 2010–13. In the 2010–13 study population, the diabetes to non-diabetes OR was twice as large in adults born in the 1970s (25·5, 95% CI 17·6–37·1) as in those individuals born during or before the 1950s (11·7, 9·1–14·9). Interpretation Renal failure is a growing cause of premature death in India. Poorly treated diabetes is the most probable reason for this increase. Strategies aimed at diabetes prevention, and early detection and treatment are urgently needed in India, as well as greater access to renal replacement therapy