A Taxonomy of Tools for Reproducible Machine Learning Experiments

The broad availability of machine learning (ML) libraries and frameworks makes the rapid prototyping of ML models a relatively easy task to achieve. However, the quality of prototypes is challenged by their reproducibility. Reproducing an ML experiment typically entails repeating the whole process, from data collection to model building, other than multiple optimization steps that must be carefully tracked. In this paper, we define a comprehensive taxonomy to characterize tools for ML experiment tracking and review some of the most popular solutions under the lens of the taxonomy. The taxonomy and related recommendations may help data scientists to more easily orient themselves and make an informed choice when selecting appropriate tools to shape the workflow of their ML experiments

Teaching MLOps in Higher Education through Project-Based Learning

Building and maintaining production-grade ML-enabled components is a complex endeavor that goes beyond the current approach of academic education, focused on the optimization of ML model performance in the lab. In this paper, we present a project-based learning approach to teaching MLOps, focused on the demonstration and experience with emerging practices and tools to automatize the construction of ML-enabled components. We examine the design of a course based on this approach, including laboratory sessions that cover the end-to-end ML component life cycle, from model building to production deployment. Moreover, we report on preliminary results from the first edition of the course. During the present year, an updated version of the same course is being delivered in two independent universities; the related learning outcomes will be evaluated to analyze the effectiveness of project-based learning for this specific subject.Comment: Accepted in 2023 IEEE/ACM 45th International Conference on Software Engineering: Software Engineering Education and Training (ICSE-SEET

Evaluation of the environmental impact of harbour activities: problem analisys and possible solutions

A relevant problem is a main subject of this work: the pollution in ports close to inhabited zones where, due to the contemporaneous presence of many cruise ships, the contents of noxious elements in the air are excessive and the quality of life risks to become unsustainable. The impact of the operations of cruise ships in port has been analysed together with the possible consequences of their impact on the human health and the rules that attempt to reduce the effects of the pollution on it. Some possible solutions were proposed; first of all, the so called “cold ironing” consisting in a connection between the electric system of the ship and a shore system providing the ship with the electric energy to be used onboard. The major characteristics of the cold ironing were analysed together with its main problems; among them, the need of integrate this practice in a more wide scene, combining it with the microgrids in order to not to solve the problem simply by moving the production of electric energy from one site to another

Assessing the Use of AutoML for Data-Driven Software Engineering

Background. Due to the widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for building software applications, companies are struggling to recruit employees with a deep understanding of such technologies. In this scenario, AutoML is soaring as a promising solution to fill the AI/ML skills gap since it promises to automate the building of end-to-end AI/ML pipelines that would normally be engineered by specialized team members. Aims. Despite the growing interest and high expectations, there is a dearth of information about the extent to which AutoML is currently adopted by teams developing AI/ML-enabled systems and how it is perceived by practitioners and researchers. Method. To fill these gaps, in this paper, we present a mixed-method study comprising a benchmark of 12 end-to-end AutoML tools on two SE datasets and a user survey with follow-up interviews to further our understanding of AutoML adoption and perception. Results. We found that AutoML solutions can generate models that outperform those trained and optimized by researchers to perform classification tasks in the SE domain. Also, our findings show that the currently available AutoML solutions do not live up to their names as they do not equally support automation across the stages of the ML development workflow and for all the team members. Conclusions. We derive insights to inform the SE research community on how AutoML can facilitate their activities and tool builders on how to design the next generation of AutoML technologies

Teaching MLOps in higher education through project-based learning

Building and maintaining production-grade ML-enabled components is a complex endeavor that goes beyond the current approach of academic education, focused on the optimization of ML model performance in the lab. In this paper, we present a project-based learning approach to teaching MLOps, focused on the demonstration and experience with emerging practices and tools to automatize the construction of ML-enabled components. We examine the design of a course based on this approach, including laboratory sessions that cover the end-to-end ML component life cycle, from model building to production deployment. Moreover, we report on preliminary results from the first edition of the course. During the present year, an updated version of the same course is being delivered in two independent universities; the related learning outcomes will be evaluated to analyze the effectiveness of project-based learning for this specific subject.This work is partially supported by the project TED2021-130923B-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the European Union Next Generation EU/PRTR.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Training future ML engineers: a project-based course on MLOps

Recently, the proliferation of commercial ML-based services has given rise to new job roles, such as ML engineers. Despite being highly sought-after in the job market, ML engineers are difficult to recruit, possibly due to the lack of specialized academic curricula for this position at universities. To address this gap, in the past two years, we have supplemented traditional Computer Science and Data Science university courses with a project-based course on MLOps focused on the fundamental skills required of ML engineers. In this paper, we present an overview of the course by showcasing a couple of sample projects developed by our students. Additionally, we share the lessons learned from offering the course at two different institutions.This work is partially supported by the NRRP Initiative – Next Generation EU ("FAIR - Future Artificial Intelligence Research", code PE00000013, CUP H97G22000210007); the Complementary National Plan PNC-I.1 ("DARE - DigitAl lifelong pRevEntion initiative", code PNC0000002, CUP B53C22006420001), and the project TED2021- 130923B-I00, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/50110001 1033 and the European Union Next Generation EU/PRTR.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

The Potential Impact of a Dog Training Program on the Animal Adoptions in an Italian Shelter

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Human–dog relationships are mainly focused on the physical and emotional wellbeing, and has much evolved in the last decades, becoming even more intense over time. Such a novel conception should also be applied to the life that takes place in kennels, which have been mistakenly regarded as a landfill or a burden on society for too many years. Here, we took into consideration an Italian shelter, and analyzed 555 adopted dogs who underwent a well-detailed behavioral training program, to assess the potential impact of the education upon the adoption of attitude. We documented a higher increase in the number of adoptions both for adult and senior animals when compared to the age-matched untrained dogs. Collectively, our data highlight the importance of a proper training, mainly accomplished with reward methods, to get a more suitable and balanced owner-dog attachment. ABSTRACT: One of the main concerns of the human–dog relationship is today associated with the quality life inside the kennels, which are very often regarded as animal dump where dogs are exiled, representing a burden on society. In the present study we sought to investigate the importance of performing an appropriate behavioral program on the adoption chances within an Italian shelter, near Naples (Ottaviano). In this respect, we enrolled 555 adopted dogs of different ages, who followed a tailored-4-month lasting training program between 2018 and 2020. Once entered there, they were carefully examined by the veterinary behaviorist, and directed towards a suited training program, to improve living conditions. We documented a higher number of both adult and senior dogs who left the kennel and were adopted, compared to the age-matched untrained animals (n = 479), housed in the same kennel from 2015 to 2017. Taken together, the present data highlight an important role for training in improving the natural attitudes of the companion dogs, thus pointing towards a better human–animal bond

Rotor For A Hover-Capable Aircraft And Method For Containment Of Vibrations Transmitted To The Mast Of A Rotor Of A Hover-Capable Aircraft

A rotor (3) for a hover-capable aircraft is described, comprising: a hub (5) rotatable about an axis (A) and, in turn, comprising a plurality of blades (9); a mast (6) connectable to a drive member of the aircraft (1) and operatively connected to the hub (5) to drive the hub (5) in rotation about the axis (A); and damping means (15) for damping vibrations transmitted to the mast (6), which comprise a mass (17) designed to oscillate in a plane transversal to the axis (A) so as to contain flexural vibrations of the mast (6) generated by rotation of the blades (9); the damping means (15) also comprise elastic means (30) having a desired stiffness along the axis (A) and operatively connected to the mass (17) to contain vibration of the mast (6) along the axis (A)

Helicopter Kit

A kit (1) for a helicopter (2) is described, the helicopter (2) comprising a fuselage (3) and a rotor (4); the kit (1) comprises at least one device (15) adapted to dampen the vibrations transmitted from the rotor (4) to the fuselage (2) and to be interposed between the fuselage (2) and the rotor (4); the device (15), in turn, comprises a first threaded element (21; 20) operatively connectable to the rotor (4) and adapted to, in use, vibrate parallel to a first axis (B); a second threaded element (20; 21) operatively connectable to the fuselage (4) and operatively connected to the first threaded element (21; 20) so as to, in use, rotationally vibrate about the first axis (B); and a plurality of threaded rollers (22), which are screwed on the first and second threaded elements (21, 20; 20, 21); the rollers (22) being rotatable about their respective second axes (C) parallel to and separate from the first axis (B) with respect to the first and second threaded elements (21, 20); the rollers (22) are also rotatable about the first axis (B) with respect to the first threaded element (21; 20) and the second threaded element (20; 21)

Helicopter Kit

A kit (1, 1’) is described that comprises a device (15, 15’) adapted to dampen the vibrations transmitted by the rotor (4) to the fuselage (2); the device (15) comprises two first elements (21a, 21b; 20a, 20b) movable along a first axis (B); two second elements (20a, 20b;21a, 21b) rotatable about the first axis (B); a first inerter (16) with a first female screw (21a), a first screw (20a), and first rollers (22a) rotatable about respective second axes (C) and around the first axis (B) with respect to the first female screw and first screw (21a, 20a); a second inerter (17) with a second female screw (21b), a second screw (20b) operatively connected to the second female screw (21b); and a plurality of second rollers (22b) rotatable about second axes (C) and around the first axis (B) with respect to the second female screw and second screw (21b, 20b); the first and second female screws (21a, 21b) defining the first threaded elements (21a, 21b;20a, 20b), and the first and second screws (20b, 20a) defining the second threaded elements (20a, 20b; 21a,21b); or the first and second screws (20b, 20a) defining the first threaded elements (21a, 21b; 20a, 20b) and the first and second female screws (21a, 21b) defining the second threaded elements (20a, 20b; 21a, 21b)