Multi-task learning method using gradient descent with applications, A

2021 Spring.Includes bibliographical references.There is a critical need to develop classification methods that can robustly and accurately classify different objects in varying environments. Each environment in a classification problem can contain its own unique challenges which prevent traditional classifiers from performing well. To solve classification problems in different environments, multi-task learning (MTL) models have been applied that define each environment as a separate task. We discuss two existing MTL algorithms and explain how they are inefficient for situations involving high-dimensional data. A gradient descent-based MTL algorithm is proposed which allows for high-dimensional data while providing accurate classification results. Additionally, we introduce a kernelized MTL algorithm which may allow us to generate nonlinear classifiers. We compared our proposed MTL method with an existing method, Efficient Lifelong Learning Algorithm (ELLA), by using them to train classifiers on the underwater unexploded ordnance (UXO) and extended modified National Institute of Standards and Technology (EMNIST) datasets. The UXO dataset contained acoustic color features of low-frequency sonar data. Both real data collected from physical experiments as well as synthetic data were used forming separate environments. The EMNIST digits dataset contains grayscale images of handwritten digits. We used this dataset to show how our proposed MTL algorithm performs when used with more tasks than are in the UXO dataset. Our classification experiments showed that our gradient descent-based algorithm resulted in improved performance over those of the traditional methods. The UXO dataset had a small improvement while the EMNIST dataset had a much larger improvement when using our MTL algorithm compared to ELLA and the single task learning method

Renormalization in spherical field theory

We derive several results concerning non-perturbative renormalization in the spherical field formalism. Using a small set of local counterterms, we are able to remove all ultraviolet divergences in a manner such that the renormalized theory is finite and translationally invariant. As an explicit example we consider massless phi^4 theory in four dimensions.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figure

Asymmetric additions to dienes catalysed by a dithiophosphoric acid.

Chiral Brønsted acids (proton donors) have been shown to facilitate a broad range of asymmetric chemical transformations under catalytic conditions without requiring additional toxic or expensive metals. Although the catalysts developed thus far are remarkably effective at activating polarized functional groups, it is not clear whether organic Brønsted acids can be used to catalyse highly enantioselective transformations of unactivated carbon-carbon multiple bonds. This deficiency persists despite the fact that racemic acid-catalysed Markovnikov additions to alkenes are well known chemical transformations. Here we show that chiral dithiophosphoric acids can catalyse the intramolecular hydroamination and hydroarylation of dienes and allenes to generate heterocyclic products in exceptional yield and enantiomeric excess. We present a mechanistic hypothesis that involves the addition of the acid catalyst to the diene, followed by nucleophilic displacement of the resulting dithiophosphate intermediate; we also report mass spectroscopic and deuterium labelling studies in support of the proposed mechanism. The catalysts and concepts revealed in this study should prove applicable to other asymmetric functionalizations of unsaturated systems

The massless Thirring model in spherical field theory

We use the massless Thirring model to demonstrate a new approach to non-perturbative fermion calculations based on the spherical field formalism. The methods we present are free from the problems of fermion doubling and difficulties associated with integrating out massless fermions. Using a non-perturbative regularization, we compute the two-point correlator and find agreement with the known analytic solution.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, journal versio

Factors Affecting Minority Drowning

Research has revealed that racial or ethnic minorities historically drown at higher rates than the general population. Current research still has not identified or exposed fully the risk factors experienced by these groups that account for this disparity. By employing a review of the literature approach typical of the methods used in the humanities, the present article identifies many of the factors that explain this difference (e.g. age, sex, location, access, supervision, swimming lessons, and communication) and suggests future research that would help to illuminate the detailed circumstances that account for this ethnic gap in drowning rates (e.g. drowning -related research that takes race and ethnicity into account more consistently)

Update of the Navy Contract Writing Guide

MBA Professional ReportThe purpose of this MBA Project is to provide a comprehensive update of the Navy Contract Writing Guide. The project was conducted with the sponsorship and assistance of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition. The now out of date guide was originally written in 1996 in an effort to reduce problem disbursements as related to contract wording and organization. Extensive research, incorporating interviews, websites, periodicals, and texts, was employed to make the guide current. It has been reorganized to address issues and solutions in the same order in which the forms used by contracting officers and administrators have them listed. New issues have been raised since the original writing of this guide and are now incorporated with their recommended solutions. Individuals new to Naval contracting or those who have decades of experience will find the information provided useful to the efficient and effective writing and administration of government contracts.http://archive.org/details/updateofnavycont1094534235Second Lieutenant, United States Air ForceCaptain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Outstanding Educational Performance Awards: Highlighting High Achieving Arkansas Schools, 2010

So, in this Arkansas Education Report (AER) we aim to highlight excellent performance and give our congratulations. To that end, we are happy to highlight many high performing schools around the state in our now-annual AER entitled the Outstanding Educational Performance Awards

The p66\u3csup\u3eShc\u3c/sup\u3e adaptor protein controls oxidative stress response in early bovine embryos

The in vitro production of mammalian embryos suffers from high frequencies of developmental failure due to excessive levels of permanent embryo arrest and apoptosis caused by oxidative stress. The p66Shc stress adaptor protein controls oxidative stress response of somatic cells by regulating intracellular ROS levels through multiple pathways, including mitochondrial ROS generation and the repression of antioxidant gene expression. We have previously demonstrated a strong relationship with elevated p66Shc levels, reduced antioxidant levels and greater intracellular ROS generation with the high incidence of permanent cell cycle arrest of 2-4 cell embryos cultured under high oxygen tensions or after oxidant treatment. The main objective of this study was to establish a functional role for p66Shc in regulating the oxidative stress response during early embryo development. Using RNA interference in bovine zygotes we show that p66Shc knockdown embryos exhibited increased MnSOD levels, reduced intracellular ROS and DNA damage that resulted in a greater propensity for development to the blastocyst stage. P66Shc knockdown embryos were stress resistant exhibiting significantly reduced intracellular ROS levels, DNA damage, permanent 2-4 cell embryo arrest and diminished apoptosis frequencies after oxidant treatment. The results of this study demonstrate that p66Shc controls the oxidative stress response in early mammalian embryos. Small molecule inhibition of p66Shc may be a viable clinical therapy to increase the developmental potential of in vitro produced mammalian embryos. © 2014 Betts et al