Scalable Recollections for Continual Lifelong Learning

Given the recent success of Deep Learning applied to a variety of single tasks, it is natural to consider more human-realistic settings. Perhaps the most difficult of these settings is that of continual lifelong learning, where the model must learn online over a continuous stream of non-stationary data. A successful continual lifelong learning system must have three key capabilities: it must learn and adapt over time, it must not forget what it has learned, and it must be efficient in both training time and memory. Recent techniques have focused their efforts primarily on the first two capabilities while questions of efficiency remain largely unexplored. In this paper, we consider the problem of efficient and effective storage of experiences over very large time-frames. In particular we consider the case where typical experiences are O(n) bits and memories are limited to O(k) bits for k << n. We present a novel scalable architecture and training algorithm in this challenging domain and provide an extensive evaluation of its performance. Our results show that we can achieve considerable gains on top of state-of-the-art methods such as GEM.Comment: AAAI 201

Cascaded neural networks improving fish species prediction accuracy: the role of the biotic information

Species distribution is the result of complex interactions that involve environmental parameters as well as biotic factors. However, methodological approaches that consider the use of biotic variables during the prediction process are still largely lacking. Here, a cascaded Artifcial Neural Networks (ANN) approach is proposed in order to increase the accuracy of fsh species occurrence estimates and a case study for Leucos aulain NE Italy is presented as a demonstration case. Potentially useful biotic information (i.e. occurrence of other species) was selected by means of tetrachoric correlation analysis and on the basis of the improvements it allowed to obtain relative to models based on environmental variables only. The prediction accuracy of the L. aulamodel based on environmental variables only was improved by the addition of occurrence data for A. arborellaand S. erythrophthalmus. While biotic information was needed to train the ANNs, the fnal cascaded ANN model was able to predict L. aula better than a conventional ANN using environmental variables only as inputs. Results highlighted that biotic information provided by occurrence estimates for non-target species whose distribution can be more easily and accurately modeled may play a very useful role, providing additional predictive variables to target species distribution models

What is the gamma gamma resonance at 750 GeV?

Run 2 LHC data show hints of a new resonance in the diphoton distribution at an invariant mass of 750 GeV. We analyse the data in terms of a new boson, extracting information on its properties and exploring theoretical interpretations. Scenarios covered include a narrow resonance and, as preliminary indications suggest, a wider resonance. If the width indications persist, the new particle is likely to belong to a strongly-interacting sector. We also show how compatibility between Run 1 and Run 2 data is improved by postulating the existence of an additional heavy particle, whose decays are possibly related to dark matter.Comment: v2: 45 pages, 12 figures, final. Factor of 2 changed in table 1, 4th ro

Diplofuranones A and B, two further new 4-monosubstituted 2(3<i>H</i>)-dihydrofuranones produced by <i>Diplodia corticola</i>, a fungus pathogen of cork oak

Two new 4-monosubstituted 2(3H)-dihydrofuranones, named diplofuranones A and B, were isolated from liquid cultures of Diplodia corticola, a plant pathogenic fungus causing a canker disease of cork oak (Quercus suber L.). The same fungus also produces several metabolites such as the diplopyrone, the (3S,4R)-trans- and the (3R,4R)-cis-4-hydroxymellein, the sapinofuranone B and its (S,S)-enantiomer, the well known sphaeropsidins A-C, and the diplobifuranylones A and B. The diplofuranones A and B were characterised, using spectroscopic (essentially NMR and MS techniques) methods, as the 4-[(1E,3E)-5-hydroxyhexadienyl]butan-4-olide and its corresponding 3,4-dihydro side chain derivative. The stereochemistry of the stereogenic secondary hydroxylated carbon of the side chain of diplofuranone A was determined by application of Mosher’s method and proved to be R. Diplofuranone A tested at 0.2 mg mL-1 on non-host plant did not show phytotoxic activity

Additively manufactured custom load-bearing implantable devices

BackgroundAdditive manufacturing technologies are being enthusiastically adopted by the orthopaedic community since they are providing new perspectives and new possibilities. First applications were finalised for educational purposes, pre-operative planning, and design of surgical guides; recent applications also encompass the production of implantable devices where 3D printing can bring substantial benefits such as customization, optimization, and manufacturing of very complex geometries. The conceptual smoothness of the whole process may lead to the idea that any medical practitioner can use a 3D printer and her/his imagination to design and produce novel products for personal or commercial use.AimsOutlining how the whole process presents more than one critical aspects, still demanding further research in order to allow a safe application of this technology for fully-custom design, in particular confining attention to orthopaedic/orthodontic prostheses defined as components responding mainly to a structural function.Methods Current knowledge of mechanical properties of additively manufactured components has been examined along with reasons why the behaviour of these components might differ from traditionally manufactured components. The structural information still missing for mechanical design is outlined.Results Mechanical properties of additively manufactured components are not completely known, and especially fatigue limit needs to be examined further.ConclusionAt the present stage, with reference to load-bearing implants subjected to many loading cycles, the indication of custom-made additively manufactured medical devices should be restricted to the cases with no viable alternative

Fatores associados à anemia em lactentes nascidos a termo e sem baixo peso

Objective: To investigate the factors involved in the genesis of infant iron deficiency anemia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, which evaluated 104 children in their second year of life who were born at term with adequate weight in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil. An in terview, a 24-hour recall to parents, and anthropometric assessment were used. Laboratory exams included blood count, ferritin, and serum retinol. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of UFMG and UFV. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Epi Info and SPSS softwares. Poisson generalized linear regression model was used to determine the asso ciation of anemia with the study variables, with results expressed as prevalence ratio. Results: Vitamin A deficiency and anemia were identified in 9.6% e 26% of the children, respectively. Infant anemia was associated with the date of onset of prenatal care, maternal use of iron after childbirth, paternal working status, prior use of iron by the child, and duration of breastfeeding. Thus, in the second year of life, lactating children of women who began prenatal care late and did not use iron compounds after birth, with unemployed parents, who never received iron compounds, and who were predominantly breastfed for more than four months had significantly higher prevalence of anemia. Conclusion: The results have demonstrated the importance of nutrition during pregnancy and infancy in the prevention of anemia in children.Keywords: Feeding; anemia; pregnancy; prevalence ratio; vitamin AOBJETIVO: Investigar os fatores envolvidos na gênese da anemia ferropriva em lactentes. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, no qual foram avaliadas 104 crianças no segundo ano de vida, que nasceram a termo e sem baixo peso, no município de Viçosa, Minas Gerais. Foi aplicada entrevista aos pais, realizado recordatório 24 horas e avaliação antropométrica. Os exames laboratoriais foram eritrograma, ferritina e retinol sérico. O estudo foi aprovado pelos Comitês de Ética com seres humanos da UFMG e UFV. As análises estatísticas foram conduzidas no Epi Info e SPSS. O Modelo de Regressão Linear generalizado de Poisson, com resultados expressos como razões de prevalências, foi utilizado para verificar a associação da anemia com as variáveis do estudo. RESULTADOS: A deficiência de vitamina A e a anemia estiveram presentes em 9,6% e 26% das crianças, respectivamente. A anemia dos lactentes se associou ao uso de composto ferroso no pós-parto pela mãe, uso anterior de composto ferroso pela criança, início do pré-natal, tempo de aleitamento materno predominante e condição de trabalho do pai. Assim, no segundo ano de vida, os lactentes filhos de mulheres que iniciaram o pré-natal tardiamente e não usaram o composto ferroso após o parto, com pais em situação de desemprego, que nunca receberam composto ferroso e que mantiveram o aleitamento materno predominante por mais de quatro meses, apresentaram significantemente maior prevalência de anemia. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados demonstraram a importância da nutrição durante a gestação e durante a infância na prevenção da anemia em crianças

Enalapril reduces proliferation and hyaluronic acid release in orbital fibroblasts

BACKGROUND: Orbital fibroblast proliferation and hyaluronic acid (HA) release are responsible for some of the clinical features of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Thus, inhibition of these processes may be a possible therapeutic approach to this syndrome. Enalapril, a widely used antihypertensive drug, was found to have some inhibitory actions on fibroblast proliferation in cheloid scars in vivo, based on which we investigated its effects in primary cultures of orbital fibroblasts from GO patients and control subjects. METHODS: Primary cultures of GO and control fibroblasts were treated with enalapril or with a control compound (lisinopril). Cell proliferation assays, lactate dehydrogenase release assays (as a measure of cell necrosis), apoptosis assays, and measurement of HA in the cell media were performed. RESULTS: Enalapril significantly reduced cell proliferation in both GO and control fibroblasts. Because enalapril did not affect cell necrosis and apoptosis, we concluded that its effects on proliferation reflected an inhibition of cell growth and/or a delay in cell cycle. Enalapril significantly reduced HA concentrations in the media from both GO and control fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Enalapril has antiproliferative and HA suppressing actions in both GO and control fibroblasts. Clinical studies are needed to investigate whether enalapril has any effects in vivo in patients with GO

Ultrafast orbital manipulation and Mott physics in multi-band correlated materials

Multiorbital correlated materials are often on the verge of multiple electronic phases (metallic, insulating, superconducting, charge and orbitally ordered), which can be explored and controlled by small changes of the external parameters. The use of ultrashort light pulses as a mean to transiently modify the band population is leading to fundamentally new results. In this paper we will review recent advances in the field and we will discuss the possibility of manipulating the orbital polarization in correlated multi-band solid state systems. This technique can provide new understanding of the ground state properties of many interesting classes of quantum materials and offers a new tool to induce transient emergent properties with no counterpart at equilibrium. We will address: the discovery of high-energy Mottness in superconducting copper oxides and its impact on our understanding of the cuprate phase diagram; the instability of the Mott insulating phase in photoexcited vanadium oxides; the manipulation of orbital-selective correlations in iron-based superconductors; the pumping of local electronic excitons and the consequent transient effective quasiparticle cooling in alkali-doped fullerides. Finally, we will discuss a novel route to manipulate the orbital polarization in a a k-resolved fashion

Prevalência e fatores determinantes da anemia em crianças assistidas em creches de Belo Horizonte - MG

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of anemia in children attending daycare centers in the city of Belo Horizonte. Methods: Cross-sectional study that evalu - ated 312 children aged 7 to 59 months at - tending daycare centers of the East Sanitary District of Belo Horizonte. The diagnosis of anemia was determined by finger stick blood samples, using the Hemocue ® porta - ble photometer, considering hemoglobin levels below 11.0 g/dL. Weight and height were measured and nutritional status of children was classified according to WHO 2006 criteria. Variables were collected through a questionnaire answered by children ́s parents or guardians, containing socioeconomic aspects, in addition to infor - mation on maternal and children’s health. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the association between variables and anemia, with control for confounding variables. Results: The prevalence of anemia in the population studied was 30.8%, with a higher prevalence in children ≤ 24 months of age (71.1%). Risk factors for anemia were age ≤ 24 months (OR: 9.08 CI: 3.96 to 20.83), and height-for-age < −1 z-score (OR: 2.1, CI: 1.20 to 3.62). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of anemia in children attending day care centers in Belo Horizonte, espe - cially those younger than 24 months and in children with height-for-age < − 1 z-score, demonstrates the importance of nutritional care to infants and strengthens the need for commitment of child care institutions in reducing this deficiency.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência e fatores determinantes da anemia em crianças assistidas em creches de Belo Horizonte. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo transversal com 312 crianças, entre 7 e 59 meses, assistidas em creches de um Distrito Sanitário de Belo Horizonte. O diagnóstico de anemia foi realizado por punção digital e leitura em b-hemoglobinômetro portátil, considerando-se anemia níveis de hemoglobina inferiores a 11,0g/dL. Foram aferidos peso e altura das crianças, sendo o estado nutricional classificado segundo critério OMS (2006). As variáveis foram coletadas por meio de questionário aplicado aos pais ou responsáveis pelas crianças, contendo informações socioeconômicas, maternas e relacionadas à saúde das crianças. Foi realizada a regressão logística múltipla para avaliar a associação entre as variáveis e a anemia, com o controle das variáveis de confusão. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de anemia na população estudada foi de 30,8%, sendo esta superior nas crianças com idade ≤ 24 meses (71,1%). Os fatores determinantes da anemia na análise ajustada foram: idade menor ou igual a 24 meses (OR: 9,08; IC: 3,96 − 20,83) e altura/idade < − 1 z escore (OR: 2,1; IC: 1,20 - 3,62). CONCLUSÕES: A elevada prevalência de anemia em crianças atendidas em creches de Belo Horizonte, especialmente naquelas menores de 24 meses e nas crianças com altura/idade < − 1 z escore demonstra a importância do cuidado nutricional com os lactentes, e reforça a necessidade de comprometimento das instituições de atendimento infantil no combate a esta deficiência