Prediction with Expert Advice under Discounted Loss

We study prediction with expert advice in the setting where the losses are accumulated with some discounting---the impact of old losses may gradually vanish. We generalize the Aggregating Algorithm and the Aggregating Algorithm for Regression to this case, propose a suitable new variant of exponential weights algorithm, and prove respective loss bounds.Comment: 26 pages; expanded (2 remarks -> theorems), some misprints correcte

Leading strategies in competitive on-line prediction

We start from a simple asymptotic result for the problem of on-line regression with the quadratic loss function: the class of continuous limited-memory prediction strategies admits a "leading prediction strategy", which not only asymptotically performs at least as well as any continuous limited-memory strategy but also satisfies the property that the excess loss of any continuous limited-memory strategy is determined by how closely it imitates the leading strategy. More specifically, for any class of prediction strategies constituting a reproducing kernel Hilbert space we construct a leading strategy, in the sense that the loss of any prediction strategy whose norm is not too large is determined by how closely it imitates the leading strategy. This result is extended to the loss functions given by Bregman divergences and by strictly proper scoring rules.Comment: 20 pages; a conference version is to appear in the ALT'2006 proceeding

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Inflammation in Different Types of Multiple Sclerosis

Different clinical courses of multiple sclerosis, heterogeneity of its clinical implications, different effect of immunomodulatory therapy for the same clinical forms implies various pathogenetic mechanisms of central nervous system damage at this disease. Applicability of immunological and biochemical markers for the estimation of immunocorrecting and anti-inflammatory therapy efficacy is important. This research aims at improvement of pathological process stages diagnostics at multiple sclerosis and further therapy optimization depending on the activity of the inflammatory process. In the article matrix metalloproteinase-9 rate was assessed in 135 patients with multiple sclerosis of different course types and at different activity stages of the pathological process. The highest matrix metalloproteinase-9 rates were in patients with relapsing-remitting type at the stage of exacerbation, with the lowest rate being in patients with primary-progressive multiple sclerosis. Determination of matrix metalloproteinase-9 rate allows to assess the degree of inflammatory process expression and to monitor the efficacy of multiple sclerosis treatment

Determination Of Toxicity Of Chopped Meat-based Semi-products In Vivo

At solving the problem of protein deficiency, the great role of the raw material for its production is played by leguminous cultures such as peas, haricot beans, lupine, forage beans, lentil, chick-peas, peavine and other. The chemical composition and food value of proteins of these cultures are most close to animal proteins – of meat, fish and also milk. Among the essential quantity of vegetable raw material that contains protein (33 - 50 %), the special place is occupied by lupine, characterized as an important reserve of high-quality protein substances at the World congress in 1991 in the USA [1].There were elaborated certain recipes of meat chopped semi-products, based on beef that contains 5 %, 10 %, 15 % of lupine flour and 0,5 % of elecampane root powder.There were carried out the studies on the determination of toxicity of functional raw material and cutlets with 10 % content of lupine flour and 0,5 % of elecampane on white mice organisms. There were used methods, based on toxic substances extraction from forages and peeled gains under condition of the intra-stomach administration and cutlets feed during 10 days. Blood was taken for hematological studies in mice, fed by functional cutlets.It was proved, that these products have no toxic influence on organisms. At the pathoanatomical dissection, any macroscopic changes in tissues were not revealed, blood hematological results are within norm.The best sample № 2 with 10 % content of lupine flour and 0,5 % of elecampane was determined by the gustatory method.It was determined, that functional meat chopped semi-product may be included in the ration for the sound, treating-prophylactic nutrition