Generative Adversarial Positive-Unlabelled Learning

In this work, we consider the task of classifying binary positive-unlabeled (PU) data. The existing discriminative learning based PU models attempt to seek an optimal reweighting strategy for U data, so that a decent decision boundary can be found. However, given limited P data, the conventional PU models tend to suffer from overfitting when adapted to very flexible deep neural networks. In contrast, we are the first to innovate a totally new paradigm to attack the binary PU task, from perspective of generative learning by leveraging the powerful generative adversarial networks (GAN). Our generative positive-unlabeled (GenPU) framework incorporates an array of discriminators and generators that are endowed with different roles in simultaneously producing positive and negative realistic samples. We provide theoretical analysis to justify that, at equilibrium, GenPU is capable of recovering both positive and negative data distributions. Moreover, we show GenPU is generalizable and closely related to the semi-supervised classification. Given rather limited P data, experiments on both synthetic and real-world dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed framework. With infinite realistic and diverse sample streams generated from GenPU, a very flexible classifier can then be trained using deep neural networks.Comment: 8 page

Consideration of protective legislation on family and residential care for older persons in Hong Kong

Older persons, like all members of any society, have the right to be free from mistreatment at family care and residential care. Furthermore, older persons are the special collectiveness, different from children or other adults, so elder abuse or neglect is a more complicated issue. Protective legislation aiming at protecting older persons from possible mistreatment as one of the various intervention approaches is essential. By analyzing the pros and cons in applying the legislation on institutional care (i.e. family and residential places) in Hong Kong, for three case examples, plus referencing to China’s experience, the goals and contents of the legal response to elder mistreatment are deduced. Legislative council should enact the comprehensive elder protective legislation not only addressing elder mistreatment but also protecting other older person’s rights, and build the fully-functioning protective services program

Genome-wide association analysis identifies resistance loci for bacterial blight in a diverse collection of indica rice germplasm

Bacterial blight, which is caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is one of the most devastating rice diseases worldwide. The development and use of disease-resistant cultivars have been the most effective strategy to control bacterial blight. Identifying the genes mediating bacterial blight resistance is a prerequisite for breeding cultivars with broad-spectrum and durable resistance. We herein describe a genome-wide association study involving 172 diverse Oryza sativa ssp. indica accessions to identify loci influencing the resistance to representative strains of six Xoo races. Twelve resistance loci containing 121 significantly associated signals were identified using 317,894 single nucleotide polymorphisms, which explained 13.3–59.9% of the variability in lesion length caused by Xoo races P1, P6, and P9a. Two hotspot regions (L11 and L12) were located within or nearby two cloned R genes (xa25 and Xa26) and one fine-mapped R gene (Xa4). Our results confirmed the relatively high resolution of genome-wide association studies. Moreover, we detected novel significant associations on chromosomes 2, 3, and 6–10. Haplotype analyses of xa25, the Xa26 paralog (MRKc; LOC_Os11g47290), and a Xa4 candidate gene (LOC_11g46870) revealed differences in bacterial blight resistance among indica subgroups. These differences were responsible for the observed variations in lesion lengths resulting from infections by Xoo races P1 and P9a. Our findings may be relevant for future studies involving bacterial blight resistance gene cloning, and provide insights into the genetic basis for bacterial blight resistance in indica rice, which may be useful for knowledge-based crop improvement. (Résumé d'auteur

Enhanced quantum state preparation via stochastic prediction of neural network

In pursuit of enhancing the predication capabilities of the neural network, it has been a longstanding objective to create dataset encompassing a diverse array of samples. The purpose is to broaden the horizons of neural network and continually strive for improved prediction accuracy during training process, which serves as the ultimate evaluation metric. In this paper, we explore an intriguing avenue for enhancing algorithm effectiveness through exploiting the knowledge blindness of neural network. Our approach centers around a machine learning algorithm utilized for preparing arbitrary quantum states in a semiconductor double quantum dot system, a system characterized by highly constrained control degrees of freedom. By leveraging stochastic prediction generated by the neural network, we are able to guide the optimization process to escape local optima. Notably, unlike previous methodologies that employ reinforcement learning to identify pulse patterns, we adopt a training approach akin to supervised learning, ultimately using it to dynamically design the pulse sequence. This approach not only streamlines the learning process but also constrains the size of neural network, thereby improving the efficiency of algorithm.Comment: 8pages, 8figure

Recurrent Ectopic Pregnancy After Ipsilateral Segmental Salpingectomy

SummaryObjectiveWe report an unusual case of recurrent ectopic pregnancy in the distal remnant after partial salpingectomy.Case ReportA 23-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic right partial salpingectomy because of right tubal pregnancy. She returned to our hospital 2 years later with a positive pregnancy test and lower abdominal pain. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed no intrauterine gestational sac but a right adnexal mass measuring 2.4×2.3 cm. The serum β-hCG (β subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin) level was 2,91 8.06 mlU/mL. Videolaparoscopy was performed, and an ectopic pregnancy in the distal remnant of the right fallopian tube was identified. Right salpingectomy was effective and the pathologic report confirmed the diagnosis. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful.ConclusionIf conservative methods are not suitable for a patient with tubal pregnancy, total salpingectomy is the preferred option over partial salpingectomy. A remnant poses a risk for recurrent ectopic pregnancy owing to potential transperitoneal migration of either embryos or sperms. [Taiwan J Obstet Cynecol 2008;47(2):203-205