1,062 research outputs found
Deep Bilevel Learning
We present a novel regularization approach to train neural networks that
enjoys better generalization and test error than standard stochastic gradient
descent. Our approach is based on the principles of cross-validation, where a
validation set is used to limit the model overfitting. We formulate such
principles as a bilevel optimization problem. This formulation allows us to
define the optimization of a cost on the validation set subject to another
optimization on the training set. The overfitting is controlled by introducing
weights on each mini-batch in the training set and by choosing their values so
that they minimize the error on the validation set. In practice, these weights
define mini-batch learning rates in a gradient descent update equation that
favor gradients with better generalization capabilities. Because of its
simplicity, this approach can be integrated with other regularization methods
and training schemes. We evaluate extensively our proposed algorithm on several
neural network architectures and datasets, and find that it consistently
improves the generalization of the model, especially when labels are noisy.Comment: ECCV 201
Revisiting loss-specific training of filter-based MRFs for image restoration
It is now well known that Markov random fields (MRFs) are particularly
effective for modeling image priors in low-level vision. Recent years have seen
the emergence of two main approaches for learning the parameters in MRFs: (1)
probabilistic learning using sampling-based algorithms and (2) loss-specific
training based on MAP estimate. After investigating existing training
approaches, it turns out that the performance of the loss-specific training has
been significantly underestimated in existing work. In this paper, we revisit
this approach and use techniques from bi-level optimization to solve it. We
show that we can get a substantial gain in the final performance by solving the
lower-level problem in the bi-level framework with high accuracy using our
newly proposed algorithm. As a result, our trained model is on par with highly
specialized image denoising algorithms and clearly outperforms
probabilistically trained MRF models. Our findings suggest that for the
loss-specific training scheme, solving the lower-level problem with higher
accuracy is beneficial. Our trained model comes along with the additional
advantage, that inference is extremely efficient. Our GPU-based implementation
takes less than 1s to produce state-of-the-art performance.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, appear at 35th German Conference, GCPR 2013,
Saarbr\"ucken, Germany, September 3-6, 2013. Proceeding
Simulations ofthe 100kW TJNAF FEL using a step-tapered undulator
The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) free electron laser (FEL) can be upgraded to operate at 100kW average power in the near future using a configuration that recirculates the electron beam to recover energy. It is important to extract the maximum energy from the electron beam in a pass through the undulator while inducing
the minimum amount of exhaust energy spread. A larger energy extraction reduces the requirement for a large recirculating current, while a smaller exhaust energy spread allows the intense electron beam to be recirculated without
damaging components. To improve FEL performance, we explore the use of the step-tapered undulator, which alters the resonance condition halfway through the undulator. Short pulses complicate the desired interaction. Comparisons
are made to the conventional periodic and linearly-tapered undulators.The authors are grateful for the support of the Office of Naval Research, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and contributions of Dave Douglas of TJNAF
Quantum cascade laser-based reflectance spectroscopy: a robust approach for the classification of plastic type
Effective suckling in relation to naked maternal-infant body contact in the first hour of life: an observation study
Background
Best practice guidelines to promote breastfeeding suggest that (i) mothers hold their babies in naked body contact immediately after birth, (ii) babies remain undisturbed for at least one hour and (iii) breastfeeding assistance be offered during this period. Few studies have closely observed the implementation of these guidelines in practice. We sought to evaluate these practices on suckling achievement within the first hour after birth.
Methods
Observations of seventy-eight mother-baby dyads recorded newborn feeding behaviours, the help received by mothers and birthing room practices each minute, for sixty minutes.
Results
Duration of naked body contact between mothers and their newborn babies varied widely from 1 to 60 minutes, as did commencement of suckling (range = 10 to 60 minutes). Naked maternal-infant body contact immediately after birth, uninterrupted for at least thirty minutes did not predict effective suckling within the first hour of birth. Newborns were four times more likely to sustain deep rhythmical suckling when their chin made contact with their mother’s breast as they approached the nipple (OR 3.8; CI 1.03 - 14) and if their mothers had given birth previously (OR 6.7; CI 1.35 - 33). Infants who had any naso-oropharyngeal suctioning administered at birth were six times less likely to suckle effectively (OR .176; CI .04 - .9).
Conclusion
Effective suckling within the first hour of life was associated with a collection of practices including infants positioned so their chin can instinctively nudge the underside of their mother’s breast as they approach to grasp the nipple and attach to suckle. The best type of assistance provided in the birthing room that enables newborns to sustain an effective latch was paying attention to newborn feeding behaviours and not administering naso-oropharyngeal suction routinely
A parametric integer programming algorithm for bilevel mixed integer programs
We consider discrete bilevel optimization problems where the follower solves
an integer program with a fixed number of variables. Using recent results in
parametric integer programming, we present polynomial time algorithms for pure
and mixed integer bilevel problems. For the mixed integer case where the
leader's variables are continuous, our algorithm also detects whether the
infimum cost fails to be attained, a difficulty that has been identified but
not directly addressed in the literature. In this case it yields a ``better
than fully polynomial time'' approximation scheme with running time polynomial
in the logarithm of the relative precision. For the pure integer case where the
leader's variables are integer, and hence optimal solutions are guaranteed to
exist, we present two algorithms which run in polynomial time when the total
number of variables is fixed.Comment: 11 page
Quantum cascade laser-based reflectance spectroscopy: a robust approach for the classification of plastic type
© The Author(s), 2020. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Michel, A. P. M., Morrison, A. E., Colson, B. C., Pardis, W. A., Moya, X. A., Harb, C. C., & White, H. K. Quantum cascade laser-based reflectance spectroscopy: a robust approach for the classification of plastic type. Optics Express, 28(12), (2020): 17741-17756, doi:10.1364/OE.393231.The identification of plastic type is important for environmental applications ranging from recycling to understanding the fate of plastics in marine, atmospheric, and terrestrial environments. Infrared reflectance spectroscopy is a powerful approach for plastics identification, requiring only optical access to a sample. The use of visible and near-infrared wavelengths for plastics identification are limiting as dark colored plastics absorb at these wavelengths, producing no reflectance spectra. The use of mid-infrared wavelengths instead enables dark plastics to be identified. Here we demonstrate the capability to utilize a pulsed, widely-tunable (5.59 - 7.41 µm) mid-infrared quantum cascade laser, as the source for reflectance spectroscopy, for the rapid and robust identification of plastics. Through the application of linear discriminant analysis to the resulting spectral data set, we demonstrate that we can correctly classify five plastic types: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), with a 97% accuracy rate.Richard Saltonstall Charitable Foundation; National Academies Keck Futures Initiative (NAKFI DBS13)
Absence of large nanoscale electronic inhomogeneities in the Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 pnictide
75As NMR and susceptiblity were measured in a Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 single crystal
for x=6% for various field H values and orientations. The sharpness of the
superconducting and magnetic transitions demonstrates a homogeneity of the Co
doping x better than +-0.25%. On the nanometer scale, the paramagnetic part of
the NMR spectra is found very anisotropic and very narrow for H//ab which
allows to rule out the interpretation of Ref.[6] in terms of strong Co induced
electronic inhomogeneities. We propose that a distribution of hyperfine
couplings and chemical shifts due to the Co effect on its nearest As explains
the observed linewidths and relaxations. All these measurements show that Co
substitution induces a very homogeneous electronic doping in BaFe2As2, from
nano to micrometer lengthscales, on the contrary to the K doping.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Phase separation of Bose-Einstein condensates
The zero-temperature system of two dilute overlapping Bose-Einstein
condensates is unstable against long wavelength excitations if the interaction
strength between the distinguishable bosons exceeds the geometric mean of the
like-boson interaction strengths. If the condensates attract each other, the
instability is similar to the instability of the negative scattering length
condensates. If the condensates repel, they separate spatially into condensates
of equal pressure. We estimate the boundary size, surface tension and energy of
the phase separated condensate system and we discuss the implications for
double condensates in atomic traps.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figur
Dynamics of two interacting Bose-Einstein condensates
We analize the dynamics of two trapped interacting Bose-Einstein condensates
and indentify two regimes for the evolution: the regime of slow periodic
oscillations and the regime of strong non-linear mixing leading to the damping
of the relative motion of the condensates. We compare our predictions with an
experiment recently performed at JILA.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX, 3 eps figure
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