A survey of induction algorithms for machine learning

Central to all systems for machine learning from examples is an induction algorithm. The purpose of the algorithm is to generalize from a finite set of training examples a description consistent with the examples seen, and, hopefully, with the potentially infinite set of examples not seen. This paper surveys four machine learning induction algorithms. The knowledge representation schemes and a PDL description of algorithm control are emphasized. System characteristics that are peculiar to a domain of application are de-emphasized. Finally, a comparative summary of the learning algorithms is presented

Predictive Analytics for Fantasy Football: Predicting Player Performance Across the NFL

The goal of this research is to develop a quantitative method of ranking and listing players in terms of performance. These rankings can then be used to evaluate players prior to and during a fantasy football draft. To produce these rankings, we develop a methodology for forecasting the performance of each individual player (on different metrics) for the upcoming season (16 games) and use these forecasts to estimate player fantasy football scores for the 2018 season. More specifically, this work answers the following: In what order should players be drafted in a 2018 fantasy football draft and why? Which players can be expected to perform the best at their given position (Quarterback, Running back, Wide Receiver, Kicker, Team Defense) in 2018, and which players should we expect to perform poorly

Influence of material quality and process-induced defects on semiconductor device performance and yield

An overview of major causes of device yield degradation is presented. The relationships of device types to critical processes and typical defects are discussed, and the influence of the defect on device yield and performance is demonstrated. Various defect characterization techniques are described and applied. A correlation of device failure, defect type, and cause of defect is presented in tabular form with accompanying illustrations

Episodic learning

A system is described which learns to compose sequences of operators into episodes for problem solving. The system incrementally learns when and why operators are applied. Episodes are segmented so that they are generalizable and reusable. The idea of augmenting the instance language with higher level concepts is introduced. The technique of perturbation is described for discovering the essential features for a rule with minimal teacher guidance. The approach is applied to the domain of solving simultaneous linear equations

Influence of Dynamics on Magic Numbers for Silicon Clusters

We present the results of over 90 tight-binding molecular-dynamics simulations of collisions between three- and five-atom silicon clusters, at a system temperature of 2000K. Much the most likely products are found to be two 'magic' four-atom clusters. We show that previous studies, which focused on the equilibrium binding energies of clusters of different sizes, are of limited relevance, and introduce a new effective binding energy which incorporates the highly anharmonic dynamics of the clusters. The inclusion of dynamics enhances the magic nature of both Si4 and Si6 and destroys that of Si7.Comment: 12 pages, 3 Figures, 500 KB gzipped PostScript fil

EQUAL PAY – THE TIME-BOMB UNDER PAY STRUCTURES IN ROMANIA

One of the major consequences of Romania joining the European Union is its obligation to implement European Directives with regard to employment protection. One aspect of that is likely to have major social and cost implications is the legislation regarding equal pay for men and women. The dimension of equal pay for work that is the same or broadly similar is relatively straightforward. The more complicated and more far reaching requirement is for equal pay for men and women for work of equal value. In determining whether jobs are of equal value regard has to had in particular to effort, skill and decision making. Comparisons are valid with other jobs in the same organisation but not between organisations. In addition comparisons are only legally valid if they are on the basis that a person of the opposite sex is being paid more for work of equivalent value. Such comparisons are subjective and often very complicated. Job evaluation schemes can help in creating a framework for comparison but being inherently subjective are open to challenge. The situation is further complicated by the fact that comparisons can also be made on any one element of the remuneration package. Experience in the U.K. and other member EU countries is that equal pay claims are very much on the rise, can take years to resolve and can be hugely expensive. Although legal costs can be significant the main costs are in settling group claims and the ‘knock-on’ effect on the rest of an organisation’s pay structure. Whilst it may take time for this development to gather pace in Romania now is the time for organisations to review their pay structures and take preventative action to try and reduce the conflict that will inevitably occur.employment protection, equal pay, equal pay for work of equal value, pay structures

Machine learning research 1989-90

Multifunctional knowledge bases offer a significant advance in artificial intelligence because they can support numerous expert tasks within a domain. As a result they amortize the costs of building a knowledge base over multiple expert systems and they reduce the brittleness of each system. Due to the inevitable size and complexity of multifunctional knowledge bases, their construction and maintenance require knowledge engineering and acquisition tools that can automatically identify interactions between new and existing knowledge. Furthermore, their use requires software for accessing those portions of the knowledge base that coherently answer questions. Considerable progress was made in developing software for building and accessing multifunctional knowledge bases. A language was developed for representing knowledge, along with software tools for editing and displaying knowledge, a machine learning program for integrating new information into existing knowledge, and a question answering system for accessing the knowledge base