Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gradient-only line searches to automatically determine learning rates for a variety of stochastic training algorithms

Gradient-only and probabilistic line searches have recently reintroduced the ability to adaptively determine learning rates in dynamic mini-batch sub-sampled neural network training. However, stochastic line searches are still in their infancy and thus call for an ongoing investigation. We study the application of the Gradient-Only Line Search that is Inexact (GOLS-I) to automatically determine the learning rate schedule for a selection of popular neural network training algorithms, including NAG, Adagrad, Adadelta, Adam and LBFGS, with numerous shallow, deep and convolutional neural network architectures trained on different datasets with various loss functions. We find that GOLS-I's learning rate schedules are competitive with manually tuned learning rates, over seven optimization algorithms, three types of neural network architecture, 23 datasets and two loss functions. We demonstrate that algorithms, which include dominant momentum characteristics, are not well suited to be used with GOLS-I. However, we find GOLS-I to be effective in automatically determining learning rate schedules over 15 orders of magnitude, for most popular neural network training algorithms, effectively removing the need to tune the sensitive hyperparameters of learning rate schedules in neural network training.
Bandit Linear Control

We consider the problem of controlling a known linear dynamical system under stochastic noise, adversarially chosen costs, and bandit feedback. Unlike the full feedback setting where the entire cost function is revealed after each decision, here only the cost incurred by the learner is observed. We present a new and efficient algorithm that, for strongly convex and smooth costs, obtains regret that grows with the square root of the time horizon $T$. We also give extensions of this result to general convex, possibly non-smooth costs, and to non-stochastic system noise. A key component of our algorithm is a new technique for addressing bandit optimization of loss functions with memory.
A Scale-Free Approach for False Discovery Rate Control in Generalized Linear Models

ABSTRACT The Generalized Linear Model (GLM) has been widely used in practice to model counts or other types of non-Gaussian data. This article introduces a framework for feature selection in the GLM that can achieve robust False Discovery Rate (FDR) control. The main idea is to construct a mirror statistic based on data perturbation to measure the importance of each feature. FDR control is achieved by taking advantage of the mirror statistic’s property that its sampling distribution is (asymptotically) symmetric about zero for any null feature. In the moderate-dimensional setting, that is, , we construct the mirror statistic based on the maximum likelihood estimation. In the high-dimensional setting, that is, , we use the debiased Lasso to build the mirror statistic. The proposed methodology is scale-free as it only hinges on the symmetry of the mirror statistic, thus, can be more robust in finite-sample cases compared to existing methods. Both simulation results and a real data application show that the proposed methods are capable of controlling the FDR and are often more powerful than existing methods including the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure and the knockoff filter. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.
Empathy manifestations in interspecies Game Design experiences

In the present work forms of empathy manifestations in interspecies (game) design experiences are observed. In order to do this, general aspects of empathy and its intersections with design and games are discussed. Then, some game design approaches are observed in the context of Animal-Computer Interaction. Finally, four interspecies (game) design experiences are briefly discussed and possible ways of empathy manifestations are pointed out. The research shows that cognitive and emotional empathetic responses such as perspective-taking, relationship-building and reflective thinking are able to be perceived during the game design activity as well as by observing the animal-technology interaction.
Robust Inverse Reinforcement Learning under Transition Dynamics Mismatch

We study the inverse reinforcement learning (IRL) problem under the \emph{transition dynamics mismatch} between the expert and the learner. In particular, we consider the Maximum Causal Entropy (MCE) IRL learner model and provide an upper bound on the learner's performance degradation based on the $\ell_1$-distance between the two transition dynamics of the expert and the learner. Then, by leveraging insights from the Robust RL literature, we propose a robust MCE IRL algorithm, which is a principled approach to help with this mismatch issue. Finally, we empirically demonstrate the stable performance of our algorithm compared to the standard MCE IRL algorithm under transition mismatches in finite MDP problems.
Acrylamide gel electrophoresis of hydrophobic proteins: Gas vacuole protein

The hydrophobic protein comprising the gas vacuoles of a variety of procaryotic microorganisms is insoluble in detergents (e.g. sodium dodecyl sulfate) and cannot be electrophoresed in detergent‐containing systems. The protein is solubilized by mixtures of phenol‐acetic acid‐urea (PAU) and the development of a slab gel system containing PAU which successfully separates the gas vacuole protein is described. In the system, phenol is polymerized directly into the gel, and the high background staining which results can be minimized by the proper choice of gel thickness, acrylamide/Bis ratio, and polymerization conditions. There is a direct relationship between the electrophoretic mobility and molecular weight of protein standards in the PAU system; however, several proteins including histones H2, H3, H4 and bovine serum albumin have a faster rate of gration than expected. It has been possible to separate and identify the gas vacuole protein from Halobacterium halobium, Halobacterium salinarium strain 5, and the two species of cyanobacteria, Anabaena flos‐aquae and Microcystis aeruginosa. Mobility of the gas vacuole proteins in the four species are consistent with molecular weights of 16 800, 16 800, 14 700 and 15 700 respectively. Gels produced using the PAU system can be successfully fluorographed.
Model-based approach for scenario design: stress test severity and banks' resiliency

After the financial crisis, evaluating the financial health of banks under stressed scenarios has become common practice among supervisors. According to supervisory guidelines, the adverse scenarios prepared for stress tests need to be severe but plausible. The first contribution of this paper is to propose a model-based approach to assess the severity of the scenarios. To do so, we use a Large Bayesian VAR model estimated on the Italian economy where potential spillovers between the macroeconomy and the aggregate banking sector are explicitly considered. We show that the 2018 exercise has been the most severe so far, in particular, due to the path of GDP, the stock market index and the 3-month Euribor rate. Our second contribution is an evaluation of whether the resilience of the Italian banking sector to adverse scenarios has increased over time (for example, thanks to improved risk management practices induced by greater awareness of risks that come with performing stress test exercises). To this scope, we construct counterfactual exercises by recalibrating the scenarios of the 2016 and 2018 exercises so that they have the same severity as the 2014 exercise. We find that in 2018, the economy would have experienced a smaller decline in loans compared to the previous exercises. This implies that banks could afford to deleverage less, i.e. maintain a higher exposure to risk in their balance sheets. We interpret this as evidence of increased resilience.
Ascochyta blight of chickpea in Australia: identification, pathogenicity and mating type

The aetiology of blight of chickpea in South Australia was studied following sporadic disease outbreaks over several years that had been tentatively identified as Phoma blight. Nine fungal isolates from diseased chickpeas were tested for pathogenicity in the glasshouse, of which two caused symptoms resembling those of Ascochyta blight. The two aggressive isolates were identified as Ascochyta rabiei based on morphological characteristics of cultures and RAPD analysis. This was further confirmed by successful mating to international standard isolates, which showed that the two Australian isolates were MAT1-1. These isolates are accessioned as DAR 71767 and DAR 71768, New South Wales Agriculture, Australia. This is the first time that A. rabiei has been positively identified in commercial chickpeas in the southern bemisphere. The pathogen was found (in 1992) in only one of 59 seed samples harvested throughout Australia between 1992 and 1996 and tested using International Seed Testing Association methods. The teleomorph has not been found in Australia and results to date suggest that only one mating type is present. This suggests that quarantine restrictions on imported chickpea seed should be retained to prevent the introduction of the opposite mating type.
Proboscispora aquatica gen. et sp. nov., from wood submerged in freshwater

A new freshwater ascomycete genus Proboscispora is introduced to accommodate P. aquatica collected on wood submerged in streams in Australia and the Philippines. Proboscispora is characterized by having immersed, ellipsoidal, papillate ascomata, septate tapering paraphyses, cylindrical unitunicate asci with a refractive apical ring, and 3-septate, hyaline ascospores provided with coiled or proboscis-like bipolar filamentous appendages. Proboscispora aquatica is illustrated at the electron microscope level and is compares with Annulatascus, Ceratosphaeria, Ceriospora, Ceratostomella and Rivulicola , with which is shares some common characters.
Effects of biological insecticides NeemAzal T/S and pyrethrum FS EC and their interaction with organic products in treatments of pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Pisum sativum (L.)

The efficacy and effects of two biological insecticides, NeemAzal T/S® and Pyrethrum FS EC, applied individually and in combination with Polyversum (a biological growth regulator and fungicide) and Biofa (an organic foliar fertilizer), in controlling Acyrthosyphon pisum population density were studied. Nurelle D (a synthetic insecticide), applied alone and in combination with Flordimex 420 (a synthetic growth regulator), was used as a standard. The products were applied once (at budding stage) or twice (at budding and flowering stages). Twenty-four variants were studied. The interaction of Pyrethrum with Biofa was the most efficient variant of the biological products, causing a reduction in aphid density that reached 48.2% after double treatment, while Pyrethrum+Polyversum (42.5%) was the second most successful treatment. The combination of Pyrethrum with Biofa achieved the highest efficacy and synergism and their efficacy approached that of the synthetic insecticide.
DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF EXOTIC BASS AND BLUEGILL ON EXOTIC AND NATIVE ORGANISMS IN FARM PONDS

Exotic largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) are thought to threaten native aquatic organisms worldwide, but few studies have demonstrated their community-wide impacts, including the interaction between these fish and other exotic organisms. We tested the hypothesis that bass and bluegill in Japanese farm ponds will reduce some native organisms (fish, shrimp, odonates) as well as exotic crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) via top-down effects, whereas other native organisms (chironomid larvae, oligochaetes, and macrophytes) will increase as a result of trophic cascades. To test this hypothesis, we conducted three types of field experiments. In the first experiment, we estimated predation pressure in ponds with and without bass and bluegills by using predator exclusion cages. This experiment revealed that predation on native odonates and exotic crayfish was greater in ponds with bass or bluegills, whereas predation on chironomids, oligochaetes, and macrophytes was lower in p.
The role of housing in wealth inequality in Eurozone countries

The paper studies the role of housing in wealth inequality in 15 Eurozone countries based on the HFCS data. Wealth inequality at national level is studied using Gini coefficient decomposition techniques. The results suggest that primary housing wealth is the main asset class in household portfolios of considered countries. Although the shares of wealth invested in private businesses and stocks are considerably smaller than that of housing, they have the highest rank correlation with net wealth compared to other asset classes for the majority of countries. Housing wealth is found to be the main equalizing asset along with bonds, deposits, valuables and vehicles due to the fact that their shares in total net wealth of low wealth households tend to be disproportionately higher. International comparison shows that wealth inequality is lower in countries with higher homeownership rates and higher shares of wealth invested in primary residence. Between groups Gini decomposition suggests that most of wealth inequality comes from between group differences. Moreover, wealth inequality within the group of homeowners is considerably lower than within the group of non-homeowners. Quantile regression analysis identifies positive relationship between homeownership, education, income and net wealth levels for the majority of counties. The relationship between net wealth levels and explanatory variables is particularly strong at bottom quantile. Counterfactual decomposition shows that the largest part of cross-country differences comes from the country specific factors rather than differences in characteristics attributable to country populations.
BASAL SAUROPODOMORPHA: HISTORICAL AND RECENT PHYLOGENETIC HYPOTHESES, WITH COMMENTS ON AMMOSAURUS MAJOR (MARSH, 1889)

Basal sauropodomorphs, historically referred to as ‘prosauropods’, include approximately 20 genera of Late Triassic–Early Jurassic age. Recent discoveries on several continents and taxonomic review of important species have brought to bear significant new taxon and character data. After review of the taxonomic status of Anchisaurus polyzelus, Ammosaurus major is recommended as the appropriate genus and species for basal sauropodomorph material from the Portland Formation of eastern North America. Traditional (precladistic) and cladistic interpretation of basal sauropodomorph phylogeny has varied between two extremes: a monophyletic clade of ‘prosauropods’ or a sequence of basal sauropodomorphs that increasingly approach the sauropod condition. Given new species that exhibit a range of derived features, future resolution will probably lie somewhere between these polar viewpoints. Conflicting results from recent analyses suggest that greater resolution of basal sauropodomorph phylogeny will come with continued clarification of anatomical details and a comparative methodology that focuses on character data rather than simply the most
Adaptation of a non-ruminant nutrient-based growth model to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum)

SUMMARY Models that accurately describe and predict growth and nutrient utilization of fish can be useful in developing strategies to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of aquaculture operations. Current bioenergetics models are not sufficiently flexible to be applied to the wide range of conditions encountered in aquaculture. There is a need to move from bioenergetics approaches to more mechanistic approaches based on nutrient utilization by fish. A non-ruminant nutrient-based growth model has been successfully used in pig production. The model explicitly describes the utilization of energy-yielding nutrients and metabolites for body protein deposition (Pd) and body lipid deposition (Ld) at the whole animal level. Partitioning of intake of energy-yielding nutrients between Pd and Ld is governed by a minimum ratio (minLP) of the body lipid mass (L) to protein mass (P), a maximum daily rate of Pd (PdMax), or maximum efficiency of using intake of the first limiting dietary essential amino acid (AA) for body Pd. The growth model was adapted to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum 1792)) through parameterization and various modifications consistent with its framework. The fish nutrient-based model was evaluated by comparing model simulations with data from various experiments carried out with rainbow trout. Significant discrepancies between model predictions and experimental observations were observed. The model predicted energy retention well but did not always accurately predict growth rate, nor Pd and Ld. Overall, the model underestimated growth rate (expressed as thermal-unit growth coefficient (TGC)) by 37% and Pd by 15% and overestimated Ld by 13%. These discrepancies are probably attributable to differences in nutrient utilization and partitioning mechanisms between fish and pigs. The development of more reliable models requires better understanding of the nutritional and endogenous determinants of fish growth.
Diet of seven anuran species (Amphibia: Anura) in Agusan Marsh, Mindanao, Philippines

Anurans are indicators of ecosystem health and have important functions in natural food webs. Studies on anurans in Agusan marsh are very scarce particularly inside the protected area. In order to understand the prey selection of anurans within the Agusan marsh habitat we examined the diet of seven anuran species and analyzed a total of 71 samples. From the stomach contents we found plant remains, shed-skin fragments, animals and animal fragments. We identified a total of 26 prey items. Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Arachnida, Orthoptera, insect debris/shed skin and plant materials were found to be the abundant prey items. Plants were frequently observed in most species examined although in small amount. Results showed that Fejervarya cancrivora (Crab-eating frog), Limnonectes leytensis (Swamp frog), Rhinella marina (Cane toad), Polypedates leucomystax (Common tree frog) and Kaloula conjuncta meridionalis (Philippine Narrowmouth toad), have broad dietary diversity, indicating a generalist active feeding and opportunistic foraging behavior. Rhacophorus appendiculatus (Rough-armed tree frog) and Occidozyga laevis (Puddle frog) consumed fewer food items implying that these species are specialist passive feeders. The most consistently observed diet items in the frog samples in Agusan marsh were Hemiptera (bugs) and Hymenoptera (ants) found in all frog species examined. Coleoptera (bettles) was found in 90 % of the samples while Orthoptera (grasshoppers), Isoptera (termites) and Diptera (mosquitoes) were found in 70 % of the samples examined. Gastropoda, Decapoda, Siphonoptera, Scolopendromorpha, Mecoptera, Dermaptera, and Protozoa were seldom observed. The results indicate that anurans that are specialist feeders need to be monitored especially the vulnerable R. appendiculatus because any alteration of the habitat can affect the animals particularly the invertebrate prey of this threatened frog. The Agusan marsh as a protected wetland area must be strictly and properly managed to ensure sustainability of the remaining endemic wildlife especially the anurans and their preys.
A Linguistic Analysis of Quechua Borrowings in Matto de Turner’s Aves sin nido: National Ideology Seen through Linguistic Incorporation

The current study qualitatively and quantitatively analyzes the Quechua borrowings in the discourse of the characters in Clorinda Matto de Turner’s Aves sin nido (1889). Drawing on concepts and findings from the subfield of contact linguistics, the work examines the types of lexical and structural borrowing from Que­ chua that is reflected in the text as well as the frequency of this borrowing between distinct social groups. The findings point to a use of Quechua forms that is consistent with contact linguistics’s borrowability scales of susceptibility. More importantly, the amount of Quechua is not equally used among the three social groups of the novel. The educated protagonists, los forasteros, incorporate significantly more Quechua borrowings than the corrupt notables. I propose that this is an ideological move by Matto de Turner to demonstrate that the future of Peru is one of linguistic (in addition to cultural and racial) incorporation. Additionally, the analysis provides an innovative perspective of using a quantitative linguistic approach to support an ideological
Salinity and temperature tolerance of the invasive freshwater gastropod Tarebia granifera

Invasive aquatic species, such as the gastropod Tarebia granifera , can cause ecological isturbances and potentially reduce biodiversity by displacing indigenous invertebrates. In South Africa, T. granifera was first recorded in an estuarine environment in the St Lucia Estuary. Its tolerance to salinity and temperature was investigated through the experimental manipulation of these factors. T. granifera can tolerate temperatures between 0 oC and 47.5 oC, allowing it to survive high temperature extremes. The species may also survive cold snaps and invade higher altitude areas. More remarkably, this snail survives high salinity for a relatively long time, as LS 50 (lethal salinity for 50% of the population) was reached at 30 psu over 65–75 days. However, higher salinity adversely affected the T. granifera population. Snails acclimated to freshwater conditions and suddenly transferred to 30 psu experienced 100% mortality within 48 h. Snail activity also declined with increasing salinity. T. granifera’ s environmental tolerance and parthenogenetic characteristics are the keys to successful introduction and establishment. Therefore, the management of T. granifera may prove diffcult in the short to medium term. The present findings constitute a contribution to the knowledge of biological invasions in Africa and to the understanding of estuarine invasions by T. granifera .
Caractérisation des cellules dendritiques humaines BDCA3high et de leur modulation par le microenvironnement tumoral

Les cellules dendritiques {DC) jouent un role majeur dans l'induction de l'immunite anti-tumorale specifique de l'antigene {Ag). Recemment, les DC BDCA3high humaines sont apparues comme etant homologues aux DC CD8a+ connues pour activer tres efficacement les lymphocytes T CD8 par presentation croisee d'Ag chez la souris. Par ailleurs, ces deux populations de DC sont les productrices principales d'interferon-λ{IFN-λ), une cytokine recemment decouverte et possedant des proprietes antivirales, antiproliferatives et anti-tumorales. Mon travail de these a permis de mieux caracteriser la presentation croisee d'Ag cellulaire par les DC BDCA3high a l'aide d'un modele in vitro et de mettre en lumiere le role des cellules NK dans l'induction de ce processus. Ce travail a egalement aboutit a la mise en evidence des DC BDCA3high dans les tumeurs de sein et de reveler l'inhibition de leur secretion d'IFN-λ par des facteurs solubles presents dans le microenvironnement tumoral. L'ensemble de ces resultats devraient permettre de concevoir de nouvelles strategies therapeutiques basees sur le ciblage des DC BDCA3high