Multitask learning without label correspondences

We propose an algorithm to perform multitask learning where each task has potentially distinct label sets and label correspondences are not readily available. This is in contrast with existing methods which either assume that the label sets shared by different tasks are the same or that there exists a label mapping oracle. Our method directly maximizes the mutual information among the labels, and we show that the resulting objective function can be efficiently optimized using existing algorithms. Our proposed approach has a direct application for data integration with different label spaces for the purpose of classification, such as integrating Yahoo! and DMOZ web directories

Lower rim-modified calix[4]arenes with fragments of EDTA (DTPA) and their Ln(III) complexes (Ln = Yb, Lu): synthesis and NIR-luminescent properties

Derivatives o f p- tert-butylcalix[4]arene substituted on the lower rim with fragments of aminopolycarboxylic acids (EDTA, DTPA) were obtained. Mono and binuclear com-ple xes w it h la nt ha nide ( III ) io ns we re s ynt hes ized us ing t hese co mpo unds. T he e ffe ct o f the number and type of aminopolycarboxylic acid fragments on the luminescence of lig-ands a nd complexes was studied. The influence of the distance between the emitting ion and the calixarene macrocycle on the intensity of 4f- luminescence was analyzed

Lamb meat quality assessment by support vector machines

The correct assessment of meat quality (i.e., to fulfill the consumer's needs) is crucial element within the meat industry. Although there are several factors that affect the perception of taste, tenderness is considered the most important characteristic. In this paper, a Feature Selection procedure, based on a Sensitivity Analysis, is combined with a Support Vector Machine, in order to predict lamb meat tenderness. This real-world problem is defined in terms of two difficult regression tasks, by modeling objective (e.g. Warner-Bratzler Shear force) and subjective (e.g. human taste panel) measurements. In both cases, the proposed solution is competitive when compared with other neural (e.g. Multilayer Perceptron) and Multiple Regression approaches

4f-Люмінесценція в 3d-4f гетероядерних комплексах порфіринів

Porphyrin compounds with Nd(III), Yb(III) and Cu(II), Zn(II), Pd(II) were obtained on the basis of ditopic porphyrins, the structure of which allowed obtaining various heterometallic complexes. Specified f-metals were chosen due to the fact that the infrared luminescence of these metal ions can be sensitized by porphyrins, on the other hand, the presented d-metal ions have a very different effects on the porphyrin chromophore. Photosensitized 4f-luminescence in the near-infrared region and molecular fluorescence in the visible region of 3d- 4f heteronuclear complexes are extremely sensitive to the nature of d- and f-metal ions. Thus, effective molecular fluorescence (quantum yield 4–11 %) is characteristic for the cases of free porphyrin cores and complexes with Zn(II). Moreover, these cases reveal three types of emission – fluorescence, phosphorescence and 4f-luminescence at the same time. We found out that the molecular fluorescence effectiveness and the values of its band maxima did not depend on the nature of the peripheral chelate fragments. Fluorescence of copper and palladium complexes is almost completely quenched, but Pd(II)-porphyrin serves as 4f-sensitizer in contrast to Cu(II)-porphyrin. The effect of oxygen on the luminescence of the complexes was considered. It was found that only Pd-Nd complexes are sensitive to its presence – deoxygenation led to 20 % enhancement of 4f-luminescence effectiveness.На основі дитопних порфіринів, структура яких дозволяє отримувати різноманітні гетерометалічні комплекси, отримано сполуки порфіринів з Nd(III), Yb(III) та Cu(II), Zn(II), Pd(II). Зазначені f-метали були обрані через те, що інфрачервона люмінесценція цих іонів металів може бути сенсибілізована порфіринами, а, з іншого боку, представлені іони d-металів мають різний вплив на порфіриновий хромофор. Фотосенсибілізована 4f-люмінесценція в ближній інфрачервоній області та молекулярна флуоресценція у видимій області гетероядерних 3d-4f комплексів надзвичайно чутливі до природи іонів d- та f-металів. Так, у випадку вільних порфіринових ядер і комплексів з Zn(II) характерна ефективна молекулярна флуоресценція (квантовий вихід 4–11 %). Крім того, для цих цих сполук характерні три типи випромінювання одночасно – це флуоресценція, фосфоресценція та 4f-люмінесценція і нами було встановлено, що ефективність всіх видів емісії та значення максимумів їх смуг не залежать від природи периферичних хелатних фрагментів. Флуоресценція комплексів купруму та паладію майже повністю погашена, але Pd(II)-порфірин виконує роль 4f-сенсибілізатора на відміну від Cu(II)-порфірину. Розглянуто вплив кисню на люмінесценцію комплексів і виявлено, що лише комплекси Pd-Nd чутливі до його присутності – деоксигенація призводить до 20 % підвищення ефективності 4f-люмінесценції

Automated detection of regions of interest for tissue microarray experiments: an image texture analysis

BACKGROUND: Recent research with tissue microarrays led to a rapid progress toward quantifying the expressions of large sets of biomarkers in normal and diseased tissue. However, standard procedures for sampling tissue for molecular profiling have not yet been established. METHODS: This study presents a high throughput analysis of texture heterogeneity on breast tissue images for the purpose of identifying regions of interest in the tissue for molecular profiling via tissue microarray technology. Image texture of breast histology slides was described in terms of three parameters: the percentage of area occupied in an image block by chromatin (B), percentage occupied by stroma-like regions (P), and a statistical heterogeneity index H commonly used in image analysis. Texture parameters were defined and computed for each of the thousands of image blocks in our dataset using both the gray scale and color segmentation. The image blocks were then classified into three categories using the texture feature parameters in a novel statistical learning algorithm. These categories are as follows: image blocks specific to normal breast tissue, blocks specific to cancerous tissue, and those image blocks that are non-specific to normal and disease states. RESULTS: Gray scale and color segmentation techniques led to identification of same regions in histology slides as cancer-specific. Moreover the image blocks identified as cancer-specific belonged to those cell crowded regions in whole section image slides that were marked by two pathologists as regions of interest for further histological studies. CONCLUSION: These results indicate the high efficiency of our automated method for identifying pathologic regions of interest on histology slides. Automation of critical region identification will help minimize the inter-rater variability among different raters (pathologists) as hundreds of tumors that are used to develop an array have typically been evaluated (graded) by different pathologists. The region of interest information gathered from the whole section images will guide the excision of tissue for constructing tissue microarrays and for high throughput profiling of global gene expression

Natural carriers for application in tuberculosis treatment

Tuberculosis remains the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide and unsuccessful therapy is mainly due to non-compliance with very prolonged treatments, often associated with severe side-effects. Overcoming this problem demands the introduction of drug carriers releasing the antimicrobial agents in a targeted and sustained manner, allowing reduction in frequency and dosing numbers. Nano and microparticles have taken the forefront of this approach, providing the means for the desired improvement of therapeutic schedules. Natural polymers are strong candidates as matrix forming materials, usually exhibiting biocompatibility, biodegradability, low cost and some technological advantages as compared with synthetic counterparts. In this review, natural particulate carriers developed for tuberculosis therapy are presented, mainly focusing on the use of polysaccharides and lipids. Their effectiveness is discussed taking into account their composition. Finally, considerations on the general potential of natural materials for this application, as well as key factors still to be addressed, are discussed