Batch Bayesian Optimization for Replicable Experimental Design

Many real-world experimental design problems (a) evaluate multiple experimental conditions in parallel and (b) replicate each condition multiple times due to large and heteroscedastic observation noise. Given a fixed total budget, this naturally induces a trade-off between evaluating more unique conditions while replicating each of them fewer times vs. evaluating fewer unique conditions and replicating each more times. Moreover, in these problems, practitioners may be risk-averse and hence prefer an input with both good average performance and small variability. To tackle both challenges, we propose the Batch Thompson Sampling for Replicable Experimental Design (BTS-RED) framework, which encompasses three algorithms. Our BTS-RED-Known and BTS-RED-Unknown algorithms, for, respectively, known and unknown noise variance, choose the number of replications adaptively rather than deterministically such that an input with a larger noise variance is replicated more times. As a result, despite the noise heteroscedasticity, both algorithms enjoy a theoretical guarantee and are asymptotically no-regret. Our Mean-Var-BTS-RED algorithm aims at risk-averse optimization and is also asymptotically no-regret. We also show the effectiveness of our algorithms in two practical real-world applications: precision agriculture and AutoML.Comment: Accepted to NeurIPS 202

SIGNALLING AND TRANSCRIPTIONAL RESPONSES TO CALCIUM DEFICIENCY IN MARCHANTIA POLYMORPHA

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (FOS

Primary observations on courtship and estrus behaviours of captive Malayan Pangolin (Manis javanica).

Little is known about the reproductive behaviour of Malayan pangolins. The aims of this study were to identify and characterize the interaction behaviours between male and female pangolins, and to determine the dynamics of the estrus cycle of the female pangolin. This would aid in improving reproduction methods for captive Malayan pangolin. The behaviours of one female and two male pangolins were observed over a period of 91 days. 15 qualitatively distinct interaction behaviours were identified, out of which 12 were displayed by the female. In particular, the behaviours flip and side, were chosen to be indicative of estrus in the female pangolin. Plotting frequencies of flip and side over time revealed that estrus of the female pangolin occurred approximately once every 21 days and lasted for approximately 1 – 6 days. Frequencies of female courtship events during estrus were significantly higher as compared to anestrus period. However, this estrus cycle cannot be conclusive for all female Malayan pangolins. A suggestion to improve reproduction methods would be to use flip and side to identify the female pangolin going through estrus, so as to increase chances of conception with a male pangolin.Bachelor of Science in Biological Science