SCALING EVOLUTIONARY PROGRAMMING WITH THE USE OF APACHE SPARK

Organizations across the globe gather more and more data, encouraged by easy-to-use and cheap cloud storage services. Large datasets require new approaches to analysis and processing, which include methods based on machine learning. In particular, symbolic regression can provide many useful insights. Unfortunately, due to high resource requirements, use of this method for large-scale dataset analysis might be unfeasible. In this paper, we analyze a bottleneck in the open-source implementation of this method we call hubert. We identify that the evaluation of individuals is the most costly operation. As a solution to this problem, we propose a new evaluation service based on the Apache Spark framework, which attempts to speed up computations by executing them in a distributed manner on a cluster of machines. We analyze the performance of the service by comparing the evaluation execution time of a number of samples with the use of both implementations. Finally, we draw conclusions and outline plans for further research

Evolution-by-Coevolution of Neural Networks for Audio Classification

Neural networks are increasingly used in recognition problems, including static and moving images, sounds, etc. Unfortunately, the selection of optimal neural network architecture for a specific recognition problem is a difficult task, which often has an experimental nature. In this paper we present the use of evolutionary algorithms to obtain optimal architectures of neural networks used for audio sample classification. We extend the Pytorch DNN Evolution tool implementing co-evolutionary algorithms which create groups of neural networks that solve a given problem with a certain accuracy, with the support for problems in which training data consists of audio samples. In this paper we use the co-evolutionary approach to solve a sample sound classification problem. We describe how the sound data was prepared for processing with the use of the Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC). Next we present the results of experiments conducted with the AudioMnist dataset. The obtained neural network architectures, whose classification accuracy is comparable to the classification accuracy attained by the AlexNet neural network, and their implications are discussed

TOWARDS AUTONOMIC SEMANTIC-BASED MANAGEMENT OF DISTRIBUTED APPLICATIONS

In this paper we present our approach to the management of distributed systems basedon semantic description of available resources. We use ontologies for a semantic descriptionof the monitored system and other aspects of monitoring and management (such as metrics)and introduce a feedback loop on underlying infrastructure. Such an approach allows toautomate monitoring and the ease the work of administrator. We introduce concepts behinda novel automatic management system, SAMM, developed within our research. We discussthe core mechanisms used in the system – the estimation of future measurements, approachto knowledge gathering, and the process of decision making. Then we provide some detailson the architecture and implementation of SAMM

Gene and protein expression of glucose transporter 1 and glucose transporter 3 in human laryngeal cancer—the relationship with regulatory hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression, tumor invasiveness, and patient prognosis

Increased glucose uptake mediated by glucose transporters and reliance on glycolysis are common features of malignant cells. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α supports the adaptation of hypoxic cells by inducing genes related to glucose metabolism. The contribution of glucose transporter (GLUT) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) activity to tumor behavior and their prognostic value in head and neck cancers remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the predictive value of GLUT1, GLUT3, and HIF-1α messenger RNA (mRNA)/protein expression as markers of tumor aggressiveness and prognosis in laryngeal cancer. The level of hypoxia/metabolic marker genes was determined in 106 squamous cell laryngeal cancer (SCC) and 73 noncancerous matched mucosa (NCM) controls using quantitative realtime PCR. The related protein levels were analyzed by Western blot. Positive expression of SLC2A1, SLC2A3, and HIF-1α genes was noted in 83.9, 82.1, and 71.7 % of SCC specimens and in 34.4, 59.4, and 62.5 % of laryngeal cancer samples. Higher levels of mRNA/protein for GLUT1 and HIF-1α were noted in SCC compared to NCM (p<0.05). SLC2A1 was found to have a positive relationship with grade, tumor front grading (TFG) score, and depth and mode of invasion (p<0.05). SLC2A3 was related to grade and invasion type (p<0.05). There were also relationships of HIF-1α with pTNM, TFG scale, invasion depth and mode, tumor recurrences, and overall survival (p<0.05). In addition, more advanced tumors were found to be more likely to demonstrate positive expression of these proteins. In conclusion, the hypoxia/metabolic markers studied could be used as molecular markers of tumor invasiveness in laryngeal cancer.This work was supported, in part, by the statutory fund of the Department of Cytobiochemistry, University of Łódź, Poland (506/811), and by grant fromtheNational Science Council, Poland (N403 043 32/2326)

EU Battlegroups - imitation or innovation?

Problemem badawczym niniejszej pracy jest ukazanie kształtowania się i rozwoju koncepcji Grup Bojowych UE będących instrumentem militarnym Wspólnej Polityki Bezpieczeństwa i Obrony UE . Proces formowania się koncepcji grup przedstawiony jest w kontekście rozwoju struktur bezpieczeństwa Europy powstałych po II wojnie światowej. Wiele publikacji dotyczących instytucjonalizacji bezpieczeństwa i obrony w Europie pomija wydarzenia mające miejsce przed rokiem 90., jednakże według autora niniejszej pracy brak szczegółowego zapoznania się z podwalinami obecnych instytucji znacząco zaburza percepcję poznawczą czytelnika. Tylko dzięki pełnej analizie historycznych zmian instytucjonalnych czytelnik jest w stanie zauważyć pewne prawidłowości – jak np. fakt, że od początku tworzenia struktur bezpieczeństwa w Europie proces ten był skomplikowany, długotrwały, asymetryczny i budzący wiele kontrowersji wśród jego uczestników. Analizie i ocenie poddany został nie tylko proces instytucjonalizacji koncepcji Grup Bojowych, ale również proces rozpoczynania i zarządzania misjami wojskowymi UE z wykorzystaniem grup. Analiza ukazana jest zarówno na tle globalnych wydarzeń międzynarodowych, jak i wewnętrznych czynników determinujących poszczególne rządy krajów Unii Europejskiej. Autor w procesie analizy zwrócił szczególną uwagę na partnerstwo transatlantyckie.Rozważania niniejszej pracy zostały oparte na następujących pytaniach szczegółowych:-Jaka jest geneza rozwoju procesu integracyjnego państw europejskich w dziedzinie bezpieczeństwa, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem koncepcji Grup Bojowych UE?-Co wpłynęło na rozwój Grup Bojowych UE?-Czy Grupy Bojowe UE są skutecznym narzędziem reagowania na kryzysy?-Czy Grupy Bojowe UE duplikują Siły Odpowiedzi NATO?-Co innowacyjnego wprowadzają Grupy Bojowe UE w struktury bezpieczeństwa?-Jaką rolę w europejskim systemie bezpieczeństwa odgrywają Grupy Bojowe UE?-Jaka jest perspektywa dalszego rozwoju Grup Bojowych UE?Teza badawcza zakłada, że Grupy Bojowe UE są instrumentem innowacyjnym, wpływającym pozytywnie na rozwój struktur bezpieczeństwa europejskiego. Ze względu za liczne braki w zasobach to jednak NATO będzie odgrywać na razie kluczową rolę w dziedzinie bezpieczeństwa. Zarzut powielania przez UE instrumentu NATO w postaci Sił Odpowiedzi jest nie słuszny ze względu na liczne różnice występujące w założeniach Grup Bojowych. Grupy Bojowe zapewnią Unii Europejskiej status niezależnego i poważnego aktora na arenie międzynarodowej, jeżeli tylko UE zacznie realizować wszystkie plany związane z dalszym rozwojem grup. W przyszłości jest wielce prawdopodobne, że Grupy Bojowe UE będą się uzupełniać w działaniu z Siłami Odpowiedzi NATO, wypełniając przy tym odmienne zadania, lecz mając wspólny cel w postaci zapewnienia bezpieczeństwa międzynarodowego.Research problem of this paper is to show the formation and development of the EU Battlegroups concept of being a military instrument of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the EU. The process of forming a concept of groups is presented in the context of European security structures created after World War II. Analysis and evaluation has undergone not only a process of institutionalization of Battle Groups concept, but also the process of initiating and managing the EU military missions with the use of groups. The analysis is shown on both the global background of international events, such as and internal factors determining the individual governments of the European Union. The author of the study paid particular attention to the transatlantic partnership.Considerations of this study were based on the following specific questions:- What is the genesis of the development process of integration of European states in security matters, with particular emphasis on the concept of the EU Battlegroups?- What influenced the development of the EU Battlegroups?- Is the EU Battle Groups are an effective tool to respond to crises?- Is the EU Battle Groups duplicate NATO Response Force?- What innovative introduce the EU Battle Groups in the security structure?- What role in European security system of the EU Battlegroups play?- What is the prospect of further development of the EU Battlegroups?Research thesis assumes that the EU Battle Groups are an instrument of innovation, which contributes positively to the development of European security structures. Due to the numerous deficiencies in resources, however, NATO will play in the event a key role in the security field. The allegation of duplication by the EU as an instrument of NATO Response Force is not just because of the numerous differences in assumptions Battle Groups. Battle Groups will provide the European Union status of an independent and a major actor in the international arena, if only the EU starts to implement all plans for further development groups. In the future it is likely that the EU Battle Groups will complement the action of the NATO Response Force, filling in the different tasks, but with a common goal of ensuring international security