EasyML: An AutoML System using Meta Learning and Particle Swarm Optimization

Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Data Science and Advanced Analytics, specialization in Data ScienceIn recent years machine learning has made great strides in many application areas and an ever-growing number of disciplines rely on it. However, machine learning modelling process involves trying many machine learning algorithms with different parameter configurations which is considered insufficient, tedious, and time-consuming. The challenge has brought about the need for off-the-shelf solutions that allow a dataset to choose its best modelling pipeline including data preprocessing, model selection and hyperparameter optimization without or with very little human intervention in the process. Despite the availability of numerous AutoML systems that can automate the machine learning modeling process, there is still a need for a solution that can achieve the same results using a significantly smaller space, while improving efficiency. This thesis proposes an AutoML system named EasyML that uses meta-learning for model selection and particle swarm optimization for hyperparameter optimization. The research objectives include conducting a comprehensive literature review on State-of-the-Art techniques and existing AutoML systems, design, and development of EasyML, evaluating the system's performance on benchmark datasets, comparing its efficiency to other AutoML systems, and identifying its limitations and suggesting future research directions. The research methodology combines Design Science Research and CRISP-DM. EasyML outperforms existing solutions like SmartML and Auto-WEKA on all benchmark datasets. EasyML has the potential to contribute to the development of more efficient and effective AutoML systems, thereby meeting the increasing demand for data scientists with strong knowledge of various machine learning algorithms and techniques

Shinkai Makoto : The "New Miyazaki" or a New Voice in Cinematic Anime?

新領域・次世代の日本研究, オタゴ, 2016年11月24日-25

Anime and the Conquest of Time: Memory, Fantasy, and the “Time-Image” from Ghost in the Shell to Your Name

Anime is often characterized in terms of its multiplicity and fracture, with a penchant for non-photoreal depictions of fantasy characters who exist in alternative worlds and become embroiled in implausible plot lines. Theories particular to anime are often developed to account for these idiosyncrasies with a tendency to treat anime as a distinct genre rather than part of cinema more broadly. This article seeks to reintegrate anime within the compass of cinema by employing Gilles Deleuze’s philosophical treatment of the cinematic image. Deleuze argued that in certain instances cinema had the capacity to supplant conventional depictions of movement in space and time to evoke a more fluid perception of memory and consciousness. These instances he characterized as “time-images” as opposed to “movement-images.” To explore how certain aspects of animated cinema can epitomize Deleuze’s concept of the time-image, I examine the oeuvre of several Japanese animators, from Oshii Mamoru and Kon Satoshi through to Shinkai Makoto. Ultimately I contend that a better understanding of the operation of these images aids us to reassess the “fantasy” element in their work. While acknowledging the entertainment value of certain stylistic flourishes I argue that other “fantasy” tropes carry a more profound cinematic significance

Comparative effects of technical-grade and formulated chlorantraniliprole to the survivorship and locomotor activity of the honey bee, \u3ci\u3eApis mellifera\u3c/i\u3e (L.)

Background: The loss of honey bee colonies is a nationally recognized problem that demands attention from both the scientific community and the beekeeping industry. One outstanding threat is the unintended exposure of these pollinators to agricultural pesticides. Anthranilic diamides, such as chlorantraniliprole, are registered for use in stone and pome fruits, vegetables, turf, and grains. There are few publicly available studies that provide an analysis of chlorantraniliprole effects on the survivorship and locomotion activity of beneficial, pollinating insects such as honey bees. The data gathered in this study provide the acute toxicity, 30-day survivorship, and locomotor activity of honey bees exposed to technical-grade chlorantraniliprole and three formulated products with chlorantraniliprole as the active ingredient. Results: Neither the technical-grade nor the formulated products of chlorantraniliprole were acutely toxic to honey bees following 4 or 72h treatments at the tested concentrations. A 4 h treatment of technical-grade and formulated chlorantraniliprole did not significantly affect the 30-day survivorship, although significantly higher mortality was observed after 30 days for bees receiving a 72 h treatment of technical-grade chlorantraniliprole and two formulated products. The locomotion activity, or total walking distance, of bees receiving a 4 h treatment of one chlorantraniliprole formulation was significantly reduced, with these individuals recovering their normal locomotion activity at 48 h post exposure. Conversely, there was observed lethargic behavior and significantly reduced walking distances for bees provided with a 72 h treatment of technical-grade chlorantraniliprole and each formulated product. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the effect of long-term exposure of chlorantraniliprole on the survivorship and locomotor activity of honey bees. Bees receiving a more field-relevant short-term exposure survived and moved similarly to untreated bees, reiterating the relative safety of chlorantraniliprole exposure to adult honey bees at recommended label concentrations

Evaluation of the host response to Clostridium difficile infection

Despite several interventional measures, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) continues to be a major problem for healthcare services worldwide. Clinical classification of patients at initial disease presentation is very challenging which makes it complex to accurately predict who will respond favourably to the treatment or have adverse outcomes such as recurrence. This thesis is based upon work undertaken on a prospective CDI cohort, which was the preferred study design, as it allowed for careful assessment of both clinical and biological factors. In order to identify clinical risk predictors for poor CDI outcomes, such as mortality and recurrence, clinical and laboratory variables were analysed, and predictive models derived. Although some similarities were identified in the risk factors in our cohort when compared with previous published studies, overall, the potential for external replication was poor, indicating that many of the models had internal validity, but little external validity. We also attempted to assess clinical prediction rules, and applied to our dataset. Again, it was not possible to replicate the findings of the prediction rules. Most studies, including ours, are small with less than 500 evaluated patients, which may be the major factor in limiting their generalisability. Future studies need to focus on much larger cohorts. The genetic polymorphism rs4073/-251T>A in the pro-inflammatory IL-8 gene has previously been reported to predispose to CDI. We were unable to replicate these findings using both a discovery cohort (286 CDI cases versus 135 AAD controls; p=0.84) and a replication cohort (100 CDI cases versus 170 healthy controls; p=0.87), and no association was found upon meta-analysis with the original study data (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 0.63-4.71). We also failed to replicate previous findings of a significant association between faecal IL-8 concentration and IL-8 rs4073 genotype in a sub-set of our CDI patients (p=0.28). These findings suggest that this polymorphism is unlikely to constitute a major risk factor for CDI. Faecal calprotectin and faecal lactoferrin have been used as biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease. We analysed these biomarkers in CDI cases compared with a group of diarrhoea control inpatients. There was a significant difference between cases and controls (p0.85), but there was no association with CDI clinical outcomes, including severity, recurrence, and length of stay, suggesting a limited applicability of both faecal biomarkers for disease stratification. An effective CDI vaccine would constitute an important breakthrough for tackling the disease, but progress in this area has been hampered in part due to the lack of reliable methods for quantitating toxin-specific immune-mediated responses. We have developed novel and enhanced assays to measure immune response to the major C. difficile toxin epitopes (tcdA, tcdB, cdtA and cdtB). Whilst lower anti-tcdA and anti-tcdB IgG titres correlated with severe disease at baseline (

"I am actually doing alright" : a grounded theory exploration of how women's online social support use affects maternal identity construction and wellbeing : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

In the maternal transition constructing a mothering identity is challenging as maternal identities are shaped by socially constructed ideologies of “good” motherhood. These idealised constructions are conveyed through women’s social support – in both online and offline spaces – and ultimately influence wellbeing. Online support is growing in prevalence and women are increasingly going online for maternal support. This study explores how online social support use, particularly the Social Networking Site Facebook, influenced New Zealand women’s maternal identity construction and its potential effects on wellbeing. This grounded theory study analysed in-depth semi-structured interviews (n=14) to capture the experiences of New Zealand women who had recently undergone the transition to motherhood. The constant comparison approach was used for analysis. The findings provide insights into these new mothers’ experiences of using online social support in their maternal identity construction. The produced framework enables understanding of how women used online social support to negotiate their maternal identity construction. Women manage this identity by using online social media to: (1) create a “base” of support in gaining information; (2) create a “village” of support for intimate connections; (3) compare their mothering experiences; and (4) mentor other new mothers in re/constructing their maternal identity. The proposed framework explains how online social support access, particularly Facebook, gave women choice in support and enabled opportunities to create mothering communities. The analysis shows how “villages” were used in the negotiation of maternal identity and re/construction of what it means to be a “good” mother within women’s individual contexts. Thus, women learnt to manage their identity construction online in ways that enhanced perceived connectedness, support, confidence and overall wellbeing. Insights into new mothers’ use of online social support to manage the re/construction of maternal identity and its ability to shape maternal wellbeing have implications for support provision by healthcare professionals