Semi-supervised and unsupervised extensions to maximum-margin structured prediction

University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology.Structured prediction is the backbone of various computer vision and machine learning applications. Inspired by the success of maximum-margin classifiers in the recent years; in this thesis, we will present novel semi-supervised and unsupervised extensions to structured prediction via maximum-margin classifiers. For semi-supervised structured prediction, we have tackled the problem of recognizing actions from single images. Action recognition from a single image is an important task for applications such as image annotation, robotic navigation, video surveillance and several others. We propose approaching action recognition by first partitioning the entire image into “superpixels”, and then using their latent classes as attributes of the action. The action class is predicted based on a graphical model composed of measurements from each superpixel and a fully-connected graph of superpixel classes. The model is learned using a latent structural SVM approach, and an efficient, greedy algorithm is proposed to provide inference over the graph. Differently from most existing methods, the proposed approach does not require annotation of the actor (usually provided as a bounding box). For the unsupervised extension of structured prediction, we considered the case of labeling binary sequences. This case is important in a detection scenario, where one is interested in detecting an action or an event. In particular, we address the unsupervised SVM relaxation recently proposed in (Li et al. 2013) and extend it for structured prediction by merging it with structural SVM. The main contribution of the proposed extension (named Well-SSVM) is a re-organization of the feature map and loss function of structural SVM that permits finding the violating labelings required by the relaxation. Experiments on synthetic and real datasets in a fully unsupervised setting reveal a competitive performance as opposed to other unsupervised algorithms such as k-means and latent structural SVM. Finally, we approached the problem of unsupervised structured prediction by M³ Networks. M³ Networks are an alternative formulation of maximum-margin structured prediction that can satisfy the complete set of constraints for decomposable feature and loss functions; hence, the entire set of constraints is considered during the search for the optimal margin as opposed to Structural SVM. In the thesis, we present the interpretation of M³ Networks in Well-SSVM, thus allowing us to use in a semi-supervised and unsupervised scenario

PERFORMANCE OF GLADIOLUS (Gladiolus grandiflora L.) CULTIVARS UNDER THE CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF BAGH AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR PAKISTAN

The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of most suitable cultivar under the climatic conditions of Bagh. Five cultivars of Gladiolus namely Amsterdam, Applause, Fidelio, Peter pears and Priscilla were evaluated for their adoptability and performance. Results on vegetative characteristics showed that cultivars Applause and Amsterdam took less number of days for sprouting, Fidelio and Priscilla produced more plants per corm and Applause obtained maximum plant height. Results on floral characteristics showed that cultivar Applause and Peter pears were earlier for spike emergence, Priscilla and Peter pears took minimum days to flowering, maximum florets were produced by Peter pears and Applause, Applause obtained maximum spike length and Peter pears remained attractive for longer time. Results on corm and cormels characteristics showed that Peter pears produced more corms, Applause produced maximum cormels and gained maximum corm size, maximum corm weight was recorded in Fidelio. From the results we conclude that keeping in view the vegetative and reproductive characteristics Applause, Peter pears and Fidelio are recommended for general cultivation

Evaluation of thermodynamics, formation energetics and electronic properties of vacancy defects in CaZrO3

Using first-principles total energy calculations we have evaluated the thermodynamics and the electronic properties of intrinsic vacancy defects in orthorhombic CaZrO3. Charge density calculations and the atoms-in-molecules concept are used to elucidate the changes in electronic properties of CaZrO3 upon the introduction of vacancy defects. We explore the chemical stability and defect formation energies of charge-neutral as well as of charged intrinsic vacancies under various synthesis conditions and also present full and partial Schottky reaction energies. The calculated electronic properties indicate that hole-doped state can be achieved in charge neutral Ca vacancy containing CaZrO3 under oxidation condition, while reduction condition allows to control the electrical conductivity of CaZrO3 depending on the charge state and concentration of oxygen vacancies. The clustering of neutral oxygen vacancies in CaZrO3 is examined as well. This provides useful information for tailoring the electronic properties of this material. We show that intentional incorporation of various forms of intrinsic vacancy defects in CaZrO3 allows to considerably modify its electronic properties, making this material suitable for a wide range of applications

Supply Chain Strategy and the Role of Suppliers: Evidence from the Indian Sub-Continent

Supply chain strategy is widely recognized as being a crucial component of a broader corporate strategy. However, the relationships between a firm’s strategic supply chain focus, the tactical orientation of its suppliers, and the firm’s performance, are less well understood. Much of what is known is also based on developed country contexts. This study empirically examines relationships between a buying firm’s supply chain strategy and operational dimensions of its suppliers in a developing country context

Linkages between Firm Innovation Strategy, Suppliers, Product Innovation, and Business Performance: Insights from Resource Dependence Theory

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to use resource dependence theory to hypothesize that a buyer’s innovation strategy enhances supplier innovation focus and a buyer-supplier relationship that supports product innovation. These in turn positively impact buyer product innovation outcomes and business performance. Moreover, it is argued that the buyer-supplier relationship positively moderates the impact of supplier innovation focus on product innovation. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling and hierarchical linear regression are used to test hypotheses. Findings The results support all hypotheses and suggest that company (buyer) age and variables related to buyer engagement with international markets directly influence performance. The results also indicate that the buyer-supplier relationship does not moderate the relationship between innovation strategy and innovation performance. Research limitations/implications This study demonstrates that how a firm builds the conditions to effectively leverage the complementary resources and capabilities of suppliers directly influence innovation outcomes and business performance. Practical implications An important factor in firms achieving their product innovation goals is the selection and management of suppliers that are strategically aligned with regard to innovation. While managers need to develop internal innovation capabilities, partnering with like-minded organizations, and creating conditions for effective cooperation are key drivers of innovation outcomes. Originality/value In contrast to prior research that has examined operational issues, this study shows how the strategic alignment of buyers and suppliers with regard to innovation is an antecedent of product innovation outcomes. Moreover, it adds to a limited literature on supply chain management practices in emerging markets

Efficacy of Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced and Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: A real life experience and outcome from a tertiary referral centre.

Introduction: To report response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with different available chemotherapeutic regimens over ten years. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective observational study. All patients with locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, from January 2008 to December 2017 were studied. Data were collected from the hospital information system. The characteristics and outcomes of all the patients were analyzed. Progression-free survival and overall survival were also estimated. Kaplan Meier curves and Log-rank test were applied, and SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis. Results: Eighty-seven (87) subjects with a median age of 56 years (range 21-76) were included. Sixty-two (71%) subjects were male. The most common tumor location was the head of the pancreas in 46(53%) of all the subjects. Sixty-three (72%) subjects had elevated CA-19.9 values. About 47(54%) subjects had locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), and 40(46%) subjects had metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC). Chemotherapy regimens used were FOLFIRINOX in 23(26%), gemcitabine-based 66(65%) and capecitabine-based in 8 (9%) of the subjects.  One (1%) subject had a complete response (CR), 12(14%) had a partial response (PR), 10 (11%) had stable disease, and 59(68%) of the subjects had progressive disease (PD). The objective response rate (ORR) was 15%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 26%. In MPC, the ORR was 10%, DCR was 18%, and tumor progression was seen in 72% of the patients, while in LAPC, the ORR was 19.1, DCR 34% and tumor progression was documented in 64% of the patients, respectively. The FOLFIRNOX chemotherapy regimen had better ORR, DCR and lesser number of progressions as compared to Gemcitabine and Capecitabine based chemotherapy regimens. The Median PFS of the whole group was 32-weeks, and the median OS was 54-weeks. The PFS was significantly higher for LAPC (39 weeks) as compared to the MPC group (25 weeks) (p=0.028). There was no statistically significant difference between the OS of these 2 groups (p=0.451). In addition, PFS was significantly higher with FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy as compared to the other chemotherapy regimens. Regarding OS, there was no statistically significant difference among all chemotherapy regimen groups (p=0.267). Conclusion: Based on our results, FOLFIRINOX remained the most effective chemotherapy regimen despite the dose modifications and toxicities in all groups, indicating that modified FOLFIRINOX could be considered as a first-line regimen in south East Asian population

Effect of sonication conditions: solvent, time, temperature and reactor type on the preparation of micron sized vermiculite particles

International audienceThe effects of temperature, time, solvent and sonication conditions under air and Argon are described for the preparation of micron and sub-micron sized vermiculite particles in a double-jacketed Rosett-type or cylindrical reactor. The resulting materials were characterized via X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, BET surface area analysis, chemical analysis (elemental analysis), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) and Laser Granulometry. The sonicated vermiculites displayed modified particle morphologies and reduced sizes (observed by scanning electron microscopy and laser granulometry). Under the conditions used in this work, sub-micron sized particles were obtained after 5 h of sonication, whereas longer times promoted aggregation again. Laser granulometry data revealed also that the smallest particles were obtained at high temperature while it is generally accepted that the mechanical effects of ultrasound are optimum at low temperatures according to physical/chemical properties of the used solvent. X-ray diffraction results indicated a reduction of the crystallite size along the basal direction [001]; but structural changes were not observed. Sonication at different conditions also led to surface modifications of the vermiculite particles brought out by BET surface measurements and Infrared Spectroscopy. The results indicated clearly that the efficiency of ultrasound irradiation was significantly affected by different parameters such as temperature, solvent, type of gas and reactor type

Bilateral Pneumothorax and Subcutaneous Emphysema following Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: A Rare Complication.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a widely used diagnostic and therapeutic modality in the management of biliary and pancreatic disease. Some of the complications of the procedure, although rare, may carry significant morbidity and mortality risks. We describe the case of a 68-year-old female who underwent elective ERCP for ductal stone clearance. Immediately postprocedure, the patient developed subcutaneous emphysema and bilateral pneumothoraces. Further imaging revealed the presence of free intra-abdominal air. The patient made a very quick recovery after bilateral chest drain insertion and no further intervention was required. We propose that pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema during ERCP, in the absence of duodenal perforation may be explained by leakage of air from a site of low resistance such as the sphincterotomy site, or as a result of copious Valsalva manoeuvres performed by a patient tolerating the procedure poorly