A Bayesian Framework for Active Learning

Copyright © 2010 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.We describe a Bayesian framework for active learning for non-separable data, which incorporates a query density to explicitly model how new data is to be sampled. The model makes no assumption of independence between queried data-points; rather it updates model parameters on the basis of both observations and how those observations were sampled. A `hypothetical' look-ahead is employed to evaluate expected cost in the next time-step. We show the efficacy of this algorithm on the probabilistic high-low game which is a non-separable generalisation of the separable high-low game introduced by Seung et al. Our results indicate that the active Bayes algorithm performs significantly better than passive learning even when the overlap region is wide, covering over 30% of the feature space

Protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation in the inner membrane of potato tuber mitochondria

AbstractInside-out inner mitochondrial membranes free of matrix proteins were isolated from purified potato tuber (Solanum tuberosum L.) mitochondria and incubated with [γ-32P]ATP. Proteins were separated by SDS–PAGE and visualized by autoradiography. Phosphorylation of inner membrane proteins, including ATPase subunits, was strongly inhibited by the phosphoprotein phosphatase inhibitor NaF. We propose that an inner membrane phosphoprotein phosphatase is required for activation of the inner membrane protein kinase. When prelabelled inner membranes were incubated in the absence of [γ-32P]ATP, there was no phosphoprotein dephosphorylation unless a soluble matrix fraction was added. This dephosphorylation was inhibited by NaF, but not by okadaic acid. We conclude that the mitochondrial matrix contains a phosphoprotein phosphatase that is responsible for dephosphorylation of inner membrane phosphoproteins

Healthy Parent Carers programme: development and feasibility of a novel group-based health-promotion intervention

This is the final version of the article. Available from BioMed Central via the DOI in this record.Background Parent carers of disabled children report poor physical health and mental wellbeing. They experience high levels of stress and barriers to engagement in health-related behaviours and with ‘standard’ preventive programmes (e.g. weight loss programmes). Interventions promoting strategies to improve health and wellbeing of parent carers are needed, tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. Methods We developed a group-based health promotion intervention for parent carers by following six steps of the established Intervention Mapping approach. Parent carers co-created the intervention programme and were involved in all stages of the development and testing. We conducted a study of the intervention with a group of parent carers to examine the feasibility and acceptability. Standardised questionnaires were used to assess health and wellbeing pre and post-intervention and at 2 month follow up. Participants provided feedback after each session and took part in a focus group after the end of the programme. Results The group-based Healthy Parent Carers programme was developed to improve health and wellbeing through engagement with eight achievable behaviours (CLANGERS – Connect, Learn, be Active, take Notice, Give, Eat well, Relax, Sleep), and by promoting empowerment and resilience. The manualised intervention was delivered by two peer facilitators to a group of seven parent carers. Feedback from participants and facilitators was strongly positive. The study was not powered or designed to test effectiveness but changes in measures of participants’ wellbeing and depression were in a positive direction both at the end of the intervention and 2 months later which suggest that there may be a potential to achieve benefit. Conclusions The Healthy Parent Carers programme appears feasible and acceptable. It was valued by, and was perceived to have benefited participants. The results will underpin future refinement of the intervention and plans for evaluation.We acknowledge funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care of the South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC) and the charity Cerebra. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, the Department of Health and Social Care, or Cerebra

Numerical upscaling of discrete network models

In this paper a numerical multiscale method for discrete networks is presented. The method gives an accurate coarse scale representation of the full network by solving sub-network problems. The method is used to solve problems with highly varying connectivity or random network structure, showing optimal order convergence rates with respect to the mesh size of the coarse representation. Moreover, a network model for paper-based materials is presented. The numerical multiscale method is applied to solve problems governed by the presented network model

Finite driving rate and anisotropy effects in landslide modeling

In order to characterize landslide frequency-size distributions and individuate hazard scenarios and their possible precursors, we investigate a cellular automaton where the effects of a finite driving rate and the anisotropy are taken into account. The model is able to reproduce observed features of landslide events, such as power-law distributions, as experimentally reported. We analyze the key role of the driving rate and show that, as it is increased, a crossover from power-law to non power-law behaviors occurs. Finally, a systematic investigation of the model on varying its anisotropy factors is performed and the full diagram of its dynamical behaviors is presented.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Network model for predicting structural properties of paper

Paper simulations that resolve the entire microscopic fiber structure are typically time-consuming and require extensive resources. Several such modeling approaches have been proposed to analyze different properties in paper. However, most use non-linear and time-dependent models resulting in high computational complexity. Resolving these computational issues would increase its usefulness in industrial applications. The model proposed in this work was developed in collaboration with companies in the papermaking industry within the Innovative Simulation of Paper (ISOP) project. A linear network model is used for efficiency, where 1-D beams represent the fibers. Similar models have been proposed in the past. However, in this work, the paper models are three-dimensional, a new dynamic bonding technique is used, and more extensive simulations are evaluated. The model is used to simulate tensile stiffness, tensile strength, and bending resistance. These simulated results are compared to experimental and theoretical counterparts and produce representable results for realistic parameters. Moreover, an off-the-shelf computer accessible to a paper developer can evaluate these models structural properties efficiently

Protein-Based Biostimulants to Enhance Plant Growth-State-of-the-Art and Future Direction with Sugar Beet as an Example

Protein-based biostimulants (PBBs) are derived from the hydrolysis of protein-rich raw materials of plant and/or animal origins, usually by-products or wastes from agro-industries. The active ingredients (AIs) produced by hydrolysis have the capacity to influence physiological and metabolic processes in plants, leading to enhanced growth, nutrient and water-use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses, and improved crop yield and quality. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art and future opportunities for use of PBBs, based on potential effects on the soil, crops, and sustainability (social, economic, environmental). In this case, two examples of PBBs (hydrolyzed wheat gluten and potato protein) and their effects on the early growth of three sugar beet varieties are described and discussed. Both PBBs have a significant stimulating effect on early sugar beet growth and development. The opportunity to develop PBBs into superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) is discussed. To conclude, PBBs/SAPs developed from agro-industrial wastes have the potential for sustainably supplying water and nutrients in agricultural systems and for enhancing plant growth and development over a substantial period