DeeSIL: Deep-Shallow Incremental Learning

Incremental Learning (IL) is an interesting AI problem when the algorithm is assumed to work on a budget. This is especially true when IL is modeled using a deep learning approach, where two com- plex challenges arise due to limited memory, which induces catastrophic forgetting and delays related to the retraining needed in order to incorpo- rate new classes. Here we introduce DeeSIL, an adaptation of a known transfer learning scheme that combines a fixed deep representation used as feature extractor and learning independent shallow classifiers to in- crease recognition capacity. This scheme tackles the two aforementioned challenges since it works well with a limited memory budget and each new concept can be added within a minute. Moreover, since no deep re- training is needed when the model is incremented, DeeSIL can integrate larger amounts of initial data that provide more transferable features. Performance is evaluated on ImageNet LSVRC 2012 against three state of the art algorithms. Results show that, at scale, DeeSIL performance is 23 and 33 points higher than the best baseline when using the same and more initial data respectively

Attitudes to LX speech : performance and status evaluations in group work

Against a backdrop of increasing internationalisation in higher education, this study employed a matched guise technique to investigate L1 speakers’ evaluations of an LX speaker*. Seventy five UK students were asked to rate an idea put forward by an L1 speaker and predict the status this individual would enjoy in future group work in terms of receiving opportunities to contribute, receiving positive evaluations, and exerting influence. A separate group of 150 UK students heard the identical idea delivered by a LX speaker, rated at a level of language proficiency of approximately IELTS 6.5, and made the same evaluations. Results indicated that the majority of students in the second group reported some comprehension difficulties and rated the LX user as being less than able to meet the linguistic demands of group work in university. For these L1 raters, the LX speaker was expected to suffer a significant status loss compared to the equivalent L1 speaker. In terms of L1 rater differences, findings also revealed that students with high levels of on intercultural competence, specifically high motivational cultural intelligence (MCQ), were better able to process LX speech compared to those with low MCQ, with an effect size of R=.42. High MCQ was also linked to more positive evaluations of the LX speaker’s ideas, intellectual and academic ability, and language proficiency. Results suggest the extent to which some LX speakers may suffer an expectations ‘disadvantage’ in group work relative to L1 speakers, and the role that MCQ plays in the processing and evaluation of LX speech. * This dissertation will adapt an ‘L1’ versus ‘LX’ dichotomy to avoid the strong monolingual bias associated with traditional ‘native speaker’ versus ‘non-native speaker’ or ‘L1 speaker’ versus ‘L2 speaker’ alternatives. Dewaele defines LX as any foreign language acquired after the age at which the first language(s) were acquired, or approximately the age of 3 (Dewaele, no date:1). The label ‘LX’ is not, therefore, indicative of a particular level of language proficienc

Important Considerations in Plasmon-Enhanced Electrochemical Conversion at Voltage-Biased Electrodes.

In this perspective we compare plasmon-enhanced electrochemical conversion (PEEC) with photoelectrochemistry (PEC). PEEC is the oxidation or reduction of a reactant at the illuminated surface of a plasmonic metal (or other conductive material) while a potential bias is applied. PEC uses solar light to generate photoexcited electron-hole pairs to drive an electrochemical reaction at a biased or unbiased semiconductor photoelectrode. The mechanism of photoexcitation of charge carriers is different between PEEC and PEC. Here we explore how this difference affects the response of PEEC and PEC systems to changes in light, temperature, and surface morphology of the photoelectrode

Specialized mouse embryonic stem cells for studying vascular development.

Vascular progenitor cells are desirable in a variety of therapeutic strategies; however, the lineage commitment of endothelial and smooth muscle cell from a common progenitor is not well-understood. Here, we report the generation of the first dual reporter mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) lines designed to facilitate the study of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle development in vitro. These mESC lines express green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the endothelial promoter, Tie-2, and Discomsoma sp. red fluorescent protein (RFP) under the promoter for alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The lines were then characterized for morphology, marker expression, and pluripotency. The mESC colonies were found to exhibit dome-shaped morphology, alkaline phosphotase activity, as well as expression of Oct 3/4 and stage-specific embryonic antigen-1. The mESC colonies were also found to display normal karyotypes and are able to generate cells from all three germ layers, verifying pluripotency. Tissue staining confirmed the coexpression of VE (vascular endothelial)-cadherin with the Tie-2 GFP+ expression on endothelial structures and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain with the α-SMA RFP+ smooth muscle cells. Lastly, it was verified that the developing mESC do express Tie-2 GFP+ and α-SMA RFP+ cells during differentiation and that the GFP+ cells colocalize with the vascular-like structures surrounded by α-SMA-RFP cells. These dual reporter vascular-specific mESC permit visualization and cell tracking of individual endothelial and smooth muscle cells over time and in multiple dimensions, a powerful new tool for studying vascular development in real time

The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Heart Shunt Part I: The French Paradox, Heart Disease and the Microbiota

It has been well established that a vegetarian and polyphenol-rich diet, including fruits, vegetables, teas, juices, wine, indigestible fiber and whole grains, provide health-promoting phytochemicals and phytonutrients that are beneficial for the heart and brain. What is not well-characterized is the affect these foods have when co-metabolized within our dynamic gut and its colonizing flora. The concept of a heart shunt within the microbiota-gut-brain axis underscores the close association between brain and heart health and the so-called French paradox offers clues for understanding neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases. Moreover, oxidation-redox reactions and redox properties of so-called brain and heart-protective foods are underappreciated as to their enhanced or deleterious mechanisms of action. Focusing on prodromal stages, and common mechanisms underlying heart, cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, we may unmask and understanding the means to better treat these related diseases

Spatial Interpolants

We propose Splinter, a new technique for proving properties of heap-manipulating programs that marries (1) a new separation logic-based analysis for heap reasoning with (2) an interpolation-based technique for refining heap-shape invariants with data invariants. Splinter is property directed, precise, and produces counterexample traces when a property does not hold. Using the novel notion of spatial interpolants modulo theories, Splinter can infer complex invariants over general recursive predicates, e.g., of the form all elements in a linked list are even or a binary tree is sorted. Furthermore, we treat interpolation as a black box, which gives us the freedom to encode data manipulation in any suitable theory for a given program (e.g., bit vectors, arrays, or linear arithmetic), so that our technique immediately benefits from any future advances in SMT solving and interpolation.Comment: Short version published in ESOP 201

Attitudes to LX speech : performance and status evaluations in group work

Against a backdrop of increasing internationalisation in higher education, this study employed a matched guise technique to investigate L1 speakers’ evaluations of an LX speaker*. Seventy five UK students were asked to rate an idea put forward by an L1 speaker and predict the status this individual would enjoy in future group work in terms of receiving opportunities to contribute, receiving positive evaluations, and exerting influence. A separate group of 150 UK students heard the identical idea delivered by a LX speaker, rated at a level of language proficiency of approximately IELTS 6.5, and made the same evaluations. Results indicated that the majority of students in the second group reported some comprehension difficulties and rated the LX user as being less than able to meet the linguistic demands of group work in university. For these L1 raters, the LX speaker was expected to suffer a significant status loss compared to the equivalent L1 speaker. In terms of L1 rater differences, findings also revealed that students with high levels of on intercultural competence, specifically high motivational cultural intelligence (MCQ), were better able to process LX speech compared to those with low MCQ, with an effect size of R=.42. High MCQ was also linked to more positive evaluations of the LX speaker’s ideas, intellectual and academic ability, and language proficiency. Results suggest the extent to which some LX speakers may suffer an expectations ‘disadvantage’ in group work relative to L1 speakers, and the role that MCQ plays in the processing and evaluation of LX speech. * This dissertation will adapt an ‘L1’ versus ‘LX’ dichotomy to avoid the strong monolingual bias associated with traditional ‘native speaker’ versus ‘non-native speaker’ or ‘L1 speaker’ versus ‘L2 speaker’ alternatives. Dewaele defines LX as any foreign language acquired after the age at which the first language(s) were acquired, or approximately the age of 3 (Dewaele, no date:1). The label ‘LX’ is not, therefore, indicative of a particular level of language proficienc