Mosquito Detection with Neural Networks: The Buzz of Deep Learning

Many real-world time-series analysis problems are characterised by scarce data. Solutions typically rely on hand-crafted features extracted from the time or frequency domain allied with classification or regression engines which condition on this (often low-dimensional) feature vector. The huge advances enjoyed by many application domains in recent years have been fuelled by the use of deep learning architectures trained on large data sets. This paper presents an application of deep learning for acoustic event detection in a challenging, data-scarce, real-world problem. Our candidate challenge is to accurately detect the presence of a mosquito from its acoustic signature. We develop convolutional neural networks (CNNs) operating on wavelet transformations of audio recordings. Furthermore, we interrogate the network's predictive power by visualising statistics of network-excitatory samples. These visualisations offer a deep insight into the relative informativeness of components in the detection problem. We include comparisons with conventional classifiers, conditioned on both hand-tuned and generic features, to stress the strength of automatic deep feature learning. Detection is achieved with performance metrics significantly surpassing those of existing algorithmic methods, as well as marginally exceeding those attained by individual human experts.Comment: For data and software related to this paper, see http://humbug.ac.uk/kiskin2017/. Submitted as a conference paper to ECML 201

Solving a Real Problem in Plastic Industry: A Case in Trim-loss Problem

In this paper, a cutting plane model is presented for solving a problem in a cast polypropylene (CPP) plastic film manufacturer. The company produces plastic rolls from plastic pellets with widths ranging from 3 050 mm to 3 250 mm. The plastic rolls are trimmed according to customer’s orders. In prior to the trimming process, the production planning and inventory control (PPIC) department scheduled the machines and arranged the plastic trim compositions manually. In this work, the plastic trimming problem is solved by applying the trim loss model. Since trimmed loss problem is an NP-hard problem. In this case, the permutations are selected in advance so that the total length is feasible to the machine length. The computation is carried out using visual basic for application (VBA). The model outcomes are then used for optimizing the machine scheduling process. Modified earliest due date is proposed to schedule in which machines customer’s orders should be done. The machines scheduling represents the company conditions and the cutting production can be scheduled for daily basis. Keywords: cutting plane; cutting stock; earliest due date; machine scheduling; non-polinomial-hard problem

Impact de l’interopérabilité sur la modélisation des équipements pour la téléconduite des postes

Dans cette communication, nous présentons quelques problèmes et quelques solutions pour la modélisation selon la norme CEI 61850 des disjoncteurs à Hydro-Québec. Après une brève description des nœuds logiques qui gravitent autour des disjoncteurs et une synthèse des règles qui ont guidé la modélisation, une courte présentation du modèle de l’ancien système est exposée. Avant de conclure, les nœuds logiques retenus sont présentés en détail

Physiological basis of herbicide interaction and integrated management of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)

Doctor of PhilosophyDepartment of AgronomyRandall S. CurrieMithila JugulamPalmer amaranth is a major threat to many cropping systems in the USA. As a result of selection, Palmer amaranth has evolved resistance to at least six herbicide modes of action including microtubule-, 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase-, acetolactate synthase-, photosystem II-, hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase-, and protoporphyrinogen oxidase- inhibitors. Dicamba is effective for Palmer amaranth control; however, extensive use of this herbicide increases the likelihood of evolution of resistance to dicamba. The overall objective of this dissertation was to investigate the physiological basis of interaction of herbicides with different modes of action in Palmer amaranth control and evaluate use of integrated approaches to manage Palmer amaranth in field conditions. The specific objectives were to: 1) evaluate the effect of plant height on dicamba efficacy to control Palmer amaranth; 2) investigate the mechanism of resistance to glyphosate in a Palmer amaranth accession from Kansas, and evaluate efficacy of glyphosate and dicamba tank-mix to control this accession; 3) investigate the physiological basis of glyphosate and dicamba interaction in tank-mix to control Palmer amaranth; 4) determine the efficacy of reduced dicamba use on Palmer amaranth control in irrigated corn production; and 5) investigate grain sorghum and Palmer amaranth growth and reproductive attributes in response to sorghum density and nitrogen rate under irrigated conditions. All experiments were repeated and appropriate statistical tests were used for data analyses. The results indicate: a) increased absorption and translocation of dicamba contribute to increased efficacy to control Palmer amaranth at early growth stage; b) tank mixing glyphosate and dicamba had a synergistic effect on Palmer amaranth control; c) rapid absorption of dicamba and increased translocation of glyphosate resulted in increased Palmer amaranth control when applied in combination; d) there is an opportunity to maintain grain yield while effectively controlling Palmer amaranth in irrigated corn with the integration of increased corn plant population density and reduced dicamba application and e) integrating sorghum plant population and nitrogen did not suppress Palmer amaranth in irrigated sorghum, although sorghum grain yield was maintained. The outcome of this dissertation provides several strategies to improve control of Palmer amaranth

Funcionamento e satisfação pessoal e social com a vida em pacientes com esquizofrenia com e sem distúrbios do sono

Background: Patients with schizophrenia often present sleep complaints which have been related to poor patient quality of life. Physiologic sleep, compatible with work routines is necessary, and may translate into better social functioning, engagement in rehabilitation strategies, and satisfaction with life. Methods: In this cross-sectional, non-interventional study, 811 adult outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were divided into two groups according to the presence (or absence) of sleep disturbances, and assessed using measures of symptom severity, quality and patterns of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - PSQI), personal and social functioning, and satisfaction with life. Results: Patients with sleep disturbances were significantly more symptomatic, and revealed worse quality of sleep on all componentes of the PSQI (pAntecedentes: Os pacientes com esquizofrenia muitas vezes apresentam queixas de sono que têm sido relacionados com a má qualidade de vida do paciente. Sono fisiológico, compatível com rotinas de trabalho é necessário, e pode se traduzir em um melhor funcionamento social, o empenhamento nas estratégias de reabilitação e satisfação com a vida. Métodos: Neste estudo transversal, não-intervencionista, 811 pacientes adultos com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a presença (ou ausência) de distúrbios do sono, e avaliados através de medidas de gravidade dos sintomas,qualidade e padrões de sono (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - PSQI), o funcionamento pessoal e social, e satisfação com a vida. Resultados: Os pacientes com distúrbios do sono foram significativamente mais sintomáticos, e revelou pior qualidade do sono em todos os Componentes do IQSP (

Rhinosinusitis in HIV-infected children undergoing antiretroviral therapy

A associação dos inibidores de protease (IP) à terapia anti-retroviral provocou mudanças importantes na morbidade e mortalidade de pacientes infectados pelo HIV. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o impacto desta associação na prevalência de rinossinusite (RS) e na contagem sérica de linfócitos CD4 em crianças infectadas pelo HIV. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: A forma de estudo foi cross-sectional com 471 crianças infectadas pelo HIV. Em 1996, inibidores de protease foram liberados para terapia anti-retroviral. Desta forma, dois grupos de crianças foram formados: as que não fizeram uso de IP e as que fizeram uso desta droga após 1996. A prevalência de RS e a contagem sérica de linfócitos CD4 foram comparadas entre estes grupos. RESULTADOS: 14,4% das crianças infectadas pelo HIV apresentaram RS. A RS crônica foi mais prevalente que a RS aguda em ambos os grupos. Crianças menores de 6 anos tratadas com a associação de IP apresentaram maior prevalência de RS aguda. A associação de IP esteve associada à maior contagem de linfócitos CD4 séricos com menor prevalência de RS crônica. CONCLUSÕES: A terapia com IP esteve associada ao aumento na contagem de linfócitos CD4. Crianças abaixo dos 6 anos em uso de IP apresentaram menor tendência à cronificação da doença.The association of protease inhibitors (PI) to antiretroviral therapy has generated sensible changes in morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected patients. AIM: Aims at evaluating the impact of this association on the prevalence of rhinosinusitis (RS) and CD4+ lymphocyte count in HIV-infected children. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study of the medical charts of 471 HIV-infected children. In 1996, protease inhibitors were approved for use as an association drug in antiretroviral therapy. Children were divided into two groups: one which did not receive PI and another which received PI after 1996. The prevalence of RS and CD4+ lymphocyte counts were compared between these groups. RESULTS: 14.4% of HIV-infected children had RS. Chronic RS was more prevalent the its acute counterpart. Children under 6 years old who were taking protease inhibitors presented with a significant higher prevalence of acute RS. The association of PI with the antiretroviral regimen was associated to higher mean CD4+ lymphocyte count and lower prevalence of chronic RS. CONCLUSIONS: The use of protease inhibitors was associated to higher mean CD4+ lymphocyte count. Children under 6 years of age in antiretroviral therapy associated with PI presented a lower likelihood of developing chronic RS

Desenho animado, gênero e sexualidades: “A hora da aventura” e as narrativas dissidentes na escola

Neste artigo, refletimos sobre as possibilidades presentes no desenho animado “A Hora de Aventura”, como artefato cultural potente para pensar as representações de gênero e sexualidade, a partir de narrativas de alunos e alunas do ensino médio de uma escola localizada na Baixada Fluminense. As narrativas produzidas pelos alunos e alunas esquadrinham suas percepções e a recepção do desenho como potência para a discussão de gênero e sexualidade na escola, configurando os significados que podem indicar subversões acerca dos conhecimentos que perpassam tais temáticas. As identidades de gênero e das orientações sexuais são tomadas em perspectiva não heterossexual, ao problematizarmos as representações de corpos e práticas que fogem à norma e desestabilizam as noções do suposto universo masculino e feminino, provocando novos saberes. Suas personagens fissuram as fronteiras e ensejam reconhecimento e identificação nas vivências e práticas das/os discentes

Prolégomènes à une critique du génie logiciel - Partie III Interfaces

Le présent article est le troisième d’une série de quatre où nous tâchons de montrer que le génie logiciel (GL) ne peut aspirer à devenir l’un des centres – robustes – des activités d’automatisation que si les branches hypertrophiées par les vicissitudes historiques et les conflits économiques sont élaguées. Dans le premier article, nous avons « arbitrairement » fixé les principes qui soutiennent notre démarche. Dans le deuxième, nous avons essayé de mettre en évidence un certain manque dans le domaine de la qualité et des mesures logicielles. Dans cet article, nous considérerons l’automatisation du point de vue des interfaces, en particulier du point de vue des connaissances dont on a besoin pour les spécifier. Après avoir proposé une classification, nous analyserons en détail les interfaces machine-machine en nous appuyant sur des exemples d’interfaces normalisées. Suivra une analyse des interfaces personne-machine, personne-personne et machine-nature. Trois principes très généraux sont introduits pour compléter ceux du premier article. Cet article ne veut rien démontrer mais seulement montrer qu’il existe peut-être d’autres voies que celles qui sont actuellement suivies par la majorité pour cerner le génie logicie

Prolégomènes à une critique du génie logiciel - Partie II Qualité et mesures des produits

Le présent article est le deuxième d’une série de quatre où nous tâchons de montrer que le génie logiciel (GL) ne peut aspirer à devenir l’un des centres – robuste – des activités d’automatisation que si les branches hypertrophiées par les vicissitudes historiques et les conflits économiques sont élaguées. Dans le premier nous avons « arbitrairement » fixé les principes qui soutiennent notre démarche. Dans cet article-ci nous abordons les « problèmes » reliés à la qualité et en particulier aux métrologies de qualité en introduisant le modèle proposé par la norme ISO 9126-2001. Les mesures des attributs de la facilité de maintenance nous permettront de douter du bien fondé des définitions actuelles de la maintenance. Nous considérerons ensuite le couplage comme un exemple de la difficulté de transformer une idée intuitivement valide en un concept mesurable. Nous terminerons en proposant une piste pour fonder la métrologie de qualité en se fondant sur une relecture de la théorie ontologique de Mario Bunge. Quatre encadrés (notes bibliographiques, terminologie, la physique vue par le GL et un dialogue sur la complexité cyclomatique) complèteront l’article