Exploring the Applicability of Low‑Shot Learning in Mining Software Repositories

Background: Despite the well-documented and numerous recent successes of deep learning, the application of standard deep architectures to many classification problems within empirical software engineering remains problematic due to the large volumes of labeled data required for training. Here we make the argument that, for some problems, this hurdle can be overcome by taking advantage of low-shot learning in combination with simpler deep architectures that reduce the total number of parameters that need to be learned. Findings: We apply low-shot learning to the task of classifying UML class and sequence diagrams from Github, and demonstrate that surprisingly good performance can be achieved by using only tens or hundreds of examples for each category when paired with an appropriate architecture. Using a large, off-the-shelf architecture, on the other hand, doesn’t perform beyond random guessing even when trained on thousands of samples. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that identifying problems within empirical software engineering that lend themselves to low-shot learning could accelerate the adoption of deep learning algorithms within the empirical software engineering community

Efficacy of Crown (carbathiin and thiabendazole) to control seed borne Ascochyta blight on kabuli chickpea

Non-Peer ReviewedAscochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an economically important disease transmitted through the seed and stubble. In 2000, approximately 25% of the chickpea acreage in Saskatchewan was lost as a result of ascochyta blight (Pearsy, 2000). Partial resistance in ‘Sanford’, ‘Dwelley’, ‘Myles’, and ‘B90’ chickpea cultivars becomes less effective as the plant matures. The sexual stage (Didymella rabiei) has been found on chickpea residues in some regions of Saskatchewan (Chongo et al., 2000). Ascochyta infection from seed-borne inoculum occurs as scattered patches across the field and the disease spread from these patches. When infected seeds are sown, the fungus infects the seedling as it emerges and continue to sporulates on the plant until it eventually infects neighbouring plants. This disease may cause serious damage to a chickpea crop under cool and wet growing conditions, particularly at flowering and pod setting (Nene, 1984). Infected seed is presumed responsible for the introduction of the pathogen into new areas (Kaiser and Hannan, 1988). This study was conducted to determine efficacy of Crown (Carbathiin 92 g L-1 and Thiabendazole 58 g L-1) to control seed borne ascochyta blight on Kabuli chickpea

Using Mobile Technologies to Enhance Accessibility and Inclusion in Field-Based Learning

The relevance of field education in the geosciences has been subject to increasing scrutiny, in part due to the exclusionary nature of traditional field practices that require independent work and physical agility. As an alternative, this article presents strategies for increasing accessibility and inclusion in collaborative field-based education through the use of mobile technologies. We present a series of examples to show how the use of mobile technologies in the field can enable collaborative observation, data collection, data sharing, and interpretation. The strategies developed in these examples provide equitable access to instruction, peer engagement, and participation in every field exercise. We suggest that technological approaches to accessibility and inclusion in the field can facilitate opportunities for all students to gain field experiences that are an important component of geoscience education

The frequency of epstein-barr virus infection and associated lymphoproliferative syndrome after transplantation and its manifestations in children

Twenty cases of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated lymphoproliferative syndrome (LPS), defined by the presence of EBV nuclear antigen and/or EBV DNA in tissues, were diagnosed in 1467 transplant recipients in Pittsburgh from 1981—1985. The frequency of occurrence in pediatric transplant recipients was 4% (10/ 253), while in adults it was 0.8% (10/1214) (P < .0005). The frequency of LPS in adults declined after 1983 coincidental with the introduction of cyclosporine monitoring. However there was no apparent decline of LPS in children. We describe these ten pediatric cases and one additional case of LPS in a child who received her transplant before 1981. The frequency of EBV infection in 92 pediatric liver recipients was 63%. Of these subjects, 49% were sero-negative and 77% of those acquired primary infection. Of 11 cases of pediatric EBV-associated LPS, 10 were in children who had primary infection shortly before or after transplantation. These results reinforce the impor-tance of primary EBV infection in producing LPS, which was previously shown in adults. Children are at greater risk because they are more likely to be seronegative for EBV and to acquire primary infection. Three clinical types of LPS were recognized in children. The first (5 cases) was a self-limited mononucleo-sislike syndrome. The second syndrome (4 cases) began similarly, but then progressed over the next two months to widespread lymphoproliferation in internal organs and death. The third type (2 cases) was an extranodal intestinal monoclonal B cell lymphoma, occurring late after primary infection. © 1988 by The Williams and Wilkins Co

Electrochromic orbit control for smart-dust devices

Recent advances in MEMS (micro electromechanical systems) technology are leading to spacecraft which are the shape and size of computer chips, so-called SpaceChips, or ‘smart dust devices’. These devices can offer highly distributed sensing when used in future swarm applications. However, they currently lack a feasible strategy for active orbit control. This paper proposes an orbit control methodology for future SpaceChip devices which is based on exploiting the effects of solar radiation pressure using electrochromic coatings. The concept presented makes use of the high area-to-mass ratio of these devices, and consequently the large force exerted upon them by solar radiation pressure, to control their orbit evolution by altering their surface optical properties. The orbital evolution of Space Chips due to solar radiation pressure can be represented by a Hamiltonian system, allowing an analytic development of the control methodology. The motion in the orbital element phase space resembles that of a linear oscillator, which is used to formulate a switching control law. Additional perturbations and the effect of eclipses are accounted for by modifying the linearized equations of the secular change in orbital elements around an equilibrium point in the phase space of the problem. Finally, the effectiveness of the method is demonstrated in a test case scenario

Fission studies with 140 MeV α\bm{\alpha}-Particles

Binary fission induced by 140 MeV $\alpha$-particles has been measured for $^{\rm nat}$Ag, $^{139}$La, $^{165}$Ho and $^{197}$Au targets. The measured quantities are the total kinetic energies, fragment masses, and fission cross sections. The results are compared with other data and systematics. A minimum of the fission probability in the vicinity $Z^2/A=24$ is observed.Comment: 4 figures, 2 table

The UK immunisation schedule: changes to vaccine policy and practice in 2013/14.

Vaccination programmes are implemented either as new vaccines become available or evidence about them accumulates, or in response to specific situations. In the United Kingdom, development and implementation of the national immunisation programme is centrally coordinated and funded by the Department of Health on behalf of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A number of significant changes were made to the UK immunisation schedule for 2013/2014. Three new vaccines were introduced: intranasal influenza and oral rotavirus for children and subcutaneous shingles for older adults. To ensure protection against meningococcal C infection into adulthood, there has been a change to the schedule for meningitis C vaccination. The temporary pertussis vaccination programme for pregnant women, set up in response to an increase in the number of cases of pertussis particularly among young babies, has been extended until further notice. Furthermore, in response to large outbreaks of measles in south Wales and other parts of the UK, a national measles, mumps and rubella catch-up campaign specifically targeted at unvaccinated children aged 10-16 years was launched to ensure that all children and young people have received two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. This review describes the rationale behind these policy changes

The pre-colonial distribution of grasslands, woodlands and forests on the Werribee plains, Victoria

We use historic plans and recent field observations to reconstruct and describe the former (pre-1750) character and distribution of vegetation on the Werribee Plains, near Melbourne. The primary outcome of this research is a detailed vegetation map. The ecological factors controlling the distribution of trees and open-plains are also discussed. The results show that most of the area was treeless grassland at the time of European settlement (1835). This grassland was broken up by clearly-defined areas of Eucalypt forest, some of which remain. There is, in contrast, little remaining trace of the woodlands of Allocasuarina and Banksia, which we show were once widespread on the plains and stony rises beyond the Eucalypt forest. This work is timely, given the proposal for the creation of two large new reserves in the area, which contain many areas that may be subject to restoration

Fish Associated with Dikes, Revetments, and Abandoned Channels in the Middle Missouri River

Fish associated with dikes, revetments, and abandoned channels along the Iowa-Nebraska portion of the Missouri River were collected by seining, electrofishing, and hoop netting in June, August, and October 1983. Samples collected by seining dike fields and abandoned channels were\u27 dominated by Cyprinidae and Centrarchidae. Electrofishing samples were dominated by flathead catfish (Pylodictus olivaris), gold eye (Hiodon alosoides), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), river carpsucker, (Carpiodes carpio), gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), and blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) in dike fields and revetted banks and by gizzard shad, river carpsucker, and bigmouth buffalo (lctiobus cyprinellus) in the abandoned channels. Among fish collected in unbaited hoop nets, blue suckers and channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus) were prevalent in dike fields; blue suckers, flathead catfish, and shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus) along revetted banks; and white crappie (Pomoxis annualaris), black crappie (P. nigromaculatus), river carpsucker, black bullhead (lctalurus melas), bigmouth buffalo, and gizzard shad in abandoned channels. Gear selectivity and differences in sampling efficiency in the diverse riverine habitats precluded statistical comparisons of most samples and stressed the need for development of improved sampling techniques and designs for large river fishery research