An experimental study on connecting Neural Radiance Fields to images and text

Being able to process 3D data is an important skill of a deep learning architecture, because it can unlock deeper understanding of the world around us, but it is a complex goal to achieve due to the fragmentation of the methods employed to store and save 3D data, that leads to the development of different techniques specialized on each of them. In the last years, the computer vision research field focused on learning 3D data implicitly, such that a neural network could learn a continuous function that describes the properties of the object of interest: this representation is called Implicit Neural Representation or Neural Field. Between them, NeRF (Neural Radiance Field) was one of the most promising methodologies for learning functions representing 3D objects and scenes. Consequently, recent work proposed methodologies to process neural network weights directly, in order to generate a compact embedding that can be used to perform deep learning tasks efficiently. On top of this, how to link this embedding space to spaces embedding images and texts has been explored. The goal of this thesis is to expand the analysis performed in the latter, investigating the use of contrastive losses during the training phase. Moreover, we study which embedding space (the NeRF one or the image/text one) is more effective to perform retrieval of NeRFs. Finally, a fine-tuning of the NeRF embedding model is accomplished to explore the behavior of the whole architecture after receiving influence from the joint image/text embeddings during training

Modeling and Control of Priority Queueing in Software Defined Networks via Machine Learning

Software Defined Networking (SDN) is a new architectural paradigm that enables programmable control of a network to make it more flexible and easier to manage. SDN architectures decouple control and forwarding functionalities, and enable switches and routers to be remotely configurable/ programmable in run-time by a controller. Modeling and optimization of such modern heterogeneous network infrastructures are key factors to achieve better performance, e.g. in terms of traffic flow improvement while reducing bandwidth allocation. Identifying an accurate model of a network device in SDNs (e.g., a switch or a router) is crucial in order to apply advanced techniques such as Model Predictive Control (MPC). However, such a problem is very challenging due to non-linearities and unavailability of internal variables measurements in real devices. To this aim, a promising direction is given by an appropriate integration of System Identification and Machine Learning techniques to obtain predictive models using historical data collected from the network thanks to the SDN paradigm. In this paper we apply a novel data-driven methodology to learn accurate models of the dynamical input-output behavior of a network’s switch device by appropriately combining AutoRegressive eXogenous (ARX) model identification with Regression Trees (RTs) and Random Forests (RFs). The advantage of such model is that it can be directly used to apply MPC (which just requires Quadratic Programming to be solved) to optimally control the queues’ bandwidth of the switch ports within the SDN paradigm.We validate our approach on an experimental emulation setup using the Mininet network emulator environment and a real dataset obtained from measurements of an Italian Internet Service Provider (Sonicatel S.r.l.). To this aim, we first develop a model of a real network switch, then implement MPC using the RYU controller, and finally demonstrate the benefits of the proposed dynamic queueing control methodology in terms of packet losses reduction and bandwidth saving, i.e. in terms of improvement of the Quality of Service

Multiple detection and spread of novel strains of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.177 (B.1.177.75) lineage that test negative by a commercially available nucleocapsid gene real-time RT-PCR

Several lineages of SARS-CoV-2 are currently circulating worldwide. During SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic activities performed in Abruzzo region (central Italy) several strains belonging to the B.1.177.75 lineage tested negative for the N gene but positive for the ORF1ab and S genes (+/+/- pattern) by the TaqPath COVID-19 CE-IVD RT-PCR Kit manufactured by Thermofisher. By sequencing, a unique mutation, synonymous 28948C > T, was found in the N-negative B.1.177.75 strains. Although we do not have any knowledge upon the nucleotide sequences of the primers and probe adopted by this kit, it is likely that N gene dropout only occurs when 28948C > T is coupled with 28932C > T, this latter present, in turn, in all B.1.177.75 sequences available on public databases. Furthermore, epidemiological analysis was also performed. The majority of the N-negative B.1.177.75 cases belonged to two clusters apparently unrelated to each other and both clusters involved young people. However, the phylogeny for sequences containing the +/+/- pattern strongly supports a genetic connection and one common source for both clusters. Though, genetic comparison suggests a connection rather than indicating the independent emergence of the same mutation in two apparently unrelated clusters. This study highlights once more the importance of sharing genomic data to link apparently unrelated epidemiological clusters and to, remarkably, update molecular tests

Il concilio degli dèi (Verg. Aen. 10.1-117), fra ars rhetorica e (im)politeness

Ancient commentators have always paid considerable attention to the rhetorical aspects of the speeches composed by Virgil in the Aeneid. They are fictitious dialogues but modelled, at least partially, on the public debates of the late Republic and Virgil’s own times. The Council of the Gods (Aen. 10.1-117) is perhaps the passage in which the use of rhetoric is most evident. The trialogue between Jupiter, Venus and Juno can also be examined in the context of the doctrine of (im)politeness. Each protagonist uses specific strategies to interact with the others. Late antiquity exegesis also analyses in some notes the attitude of the speakers, highlighting polite or impolite behaviours. The aim of the article is twofold: on the one hand, it follows the development of the trialogue according to modern doctrines of (im)politeness to have an ‘ethic’ analysis of the debate. On the other hand, it will examine the commentators’ notes, both those explaining the rhetorical strategies and those highlighting the attitude of the speakers, in order to assess ‘emic’ perceptions of (im)politeness

L’Ulisse dantesco fra Aeneis e Infernum // Dante's Ulysses between Aeneis and Infernum

El mito de Ulises nació en los albores de la literatura occidental e influye mucho en los autores de todos los siglos. La versión de Dante, con su particular conclusión, surge, a partir del siglo XIV, como una segunda columna imprescindible para los sucesores. El artículo presenta un recorrido por las distintas interpretaciones del canto XXVI del Infierno, tratando en primer lugar de desentrañar el entrelazamiento de sus fuentes, especialmente las latinas, a partir de la Eneida virgiliana. Luego se sigue la fortuna del personaje, particularmente en la literatura italiana del siglo XX, presentando las diferentes lecturas del mito, que van, por ejemplo, del triunfalismo de Graf y D'Annunzio, al nihilismo de Pascoli y la ironía de Gozzano. También hay un capítulo en la música pop contemporánea con la aportación de Guccini y Claver Gold y Murubutu

Il concilio degli dèi (Verg.<i>Aen.</i>10.1-117), fra<i>ars rhetorica</i>e<i>(im)politeness</i>

Ancient commentators have always paid considerable attention to the rhetorical aspects of the speeches composed by Virgil in theAeneid. They are fictitious dialogues but modelled, at least partially, on the public debates of the late Republic and Virgil’s own times. The Council of the Gods (Aen. 10.1-117) is perhaps the passage in which the use of rhetoric is most evident. The trialogue between Jupiter, Venus and Juno can also be examined in the context of the doctrine of (im)politeness. Each protagonist uses specific strategies to interact with the others. Late antiquity exegesis also analyses in some notes the attitude of the speakers, highlighting polite or impolite behaviours. The aim of the article is twofold: on the one hand, it follows the development of the trialogue according to modern doctrines of (im)politeness to have an ‘ethic’ analysis of the debate. On the other hand, it will examine the commentators’ notes, both those explaining the rhetorical strategies and those highlighting the attitude of the speakers, in order to assess ‘emic’ perceptions of (im)politeness.</jats:p

Anomaly Detection in Data Center IT & Physical Infrastructure

Anomaly detection in data center IT and physical infrastructure is challenging due to the amount of heterogeneous data to be analyzed. Defining a solution that early identifies unexpected anomalies is particularly important to prevent data losses, breakdown of the system, and any other event considered to be critical for the activity of the data center. In the context of the INFN CNAF data center, one of the WLCG Tier-1s, we have performed a study based on monitored cooling, electrical, and IT hardware and software metrics to identify anomalies. In the present work, we aim to explore statistical approaches and machine learning solutions in the anomaly detection field for time series numerical metrics related to IT and physical infrastructure sensors. With the usage of statistical Z-score and percentile approaches and clustering DBSCAN technique, we have been able to group and identify anomalous events. Using the presented approach, different relevance can be attributed to the likely anomalies