Speed learning on the fly

The practical performance of online stochastic gradient descent algorithms is highly dependent on the chosen step size, which must be tediously hand-tuned in many applications. The same is true for more advanced variants of stochastic gradients, such as SAGA, SVRG, or AdaGrad. Here we propose to adapt the step size by performing a gradient descent on the step size itself, viewing the whole performance of the learning trajectory as a function of step size. Importantly, this adaptation can be computed online at little cost, without having to iterate backward passes over the full data.Comment: preprin

Preparation of α‐Oxo Semicarbazone Oligonucleotide Microarrays

This unit describes the preparation of α‐oxo aldehyde functionalized oligodeoxynucleotides, the preparation and characterization of semicarbazide glass slides, and the fabrication of α‐oxo semicarbazone microarrays by site‐specific ligation of α‐oxo‐aldehyde oligodeoxynucleotides to the semicarbazide glass slides. The α‐oxo aldehyde group COCHO is extensively used in ligation chemistry for the preparation of large molecular constructs. It is stable toward air oxidation and mainly present in aqueous solution in the hydrated form COC(OH)2. It reacts efficiently with hydrazine derivatives, in particular, with the semicarbazide group. The reaction occurs spontaneously in water at pH 5.5. Site‐specific immobilization of glyoxylyl oligodeoxynucleotides on semicarbazide glass slides allows the preparation of high‐quality microarrays that can be used directly in hybridization experiments.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143637/1/cpnc1206.pd

Tests of achromatic phase shifters performed on the SYNAPSE test bench: a progress report

The achromatic phase shifter (APS) is a component of the Bracewell nulling interferometer studied in preparation for future space missions (viz. Darwin/TPF-I) focusing on spectroscopic study of Earth-like exo-planets. Several possible designs of such an optical subsystem exist. Four approaches were selected for further study. Thales Alenia Space developed a dielectric prism APS. A focus crossing APS prototype was developed by the OCA, Nice, France. A field reversal APS prototype was prepared by the MPIA in Heidelberg, Germany. Centre Spatial de Li\`ege develops a concept based on Fresnel's rhombs. This paper presents a progress report on the current work aiming at evaluating these prototypes on the SYNAPSE test bench at the Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale in Orsay, France

False Positive 18F-FDG Positron Emission Tomography Findings in Schwannoma—A Caution for Reporting Physicians

Schwannoma is a rare source of false-positive 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake in Positron-emission tomography (PET/CT), inducing potential errors in staging of several solid cancer, with implications for patient management. This clinical case reports the situation of a patient undergoing an 18F-FDG-PET/CT for initial staging of an ovarian adenocarcinoma. We found a high paramediastinal hypermetabolic mass suspicious of remote extension or secondary synchronous primitive tumor. The biopsy finally reveals a histopathology of Schwannoma, allowing the patient to be eligible for a surgical procedure of her ovarian adenocarcinoma by rejecting the hypothesis of malignancy

Extra corporal membrane oxygenation in general thoracic surgery: a new single veno-venous cannulation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used in severe respiratory failure to maintain adequate gas exchange. So far, this technique has not been commonly used in general thoracic surgery. We present a case using ECMO for peri-operative airway management for pulmonary resection, using a novel single-site, internal jugular, veno-venous ECMO cannula