bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poesia. A glorificação do sensível
Authors: BARRENTO JOÃO
Published: August 2019

resumo Este ensaio busca ressaltar algumas características da extensa obra lírica de Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, desde os versos de “ocasião” com que saúda os avós maternos no Ano Novo de 1757, até pouco antes de sua morte em março de 1832. Distinguindo-se por profícua interpenetração de estilos, formas, motivos e também de várias tradições da lírica europeia, a obra poética de Goethe - dotada de extraordinária força onomatúrgica e inclinada a consumar na palavra uma epifania da ideia a partir do fenômeno - apresenta-nos, em alguns momentos mais “prosaicos”, uma faceta surpreendentemente moderna. Essa “modernidade” pode ser apontada também no ciclo, inspirado no poeta persa Hafiz e publicado pela primeira vez em 1819, Divã Ocidental-Oriental, que promove a integração num todo uno e coeso da expressão lírica (os gazéis e demais poemas) e do discurso ensaístico (nas “Notas e estudos para melhor compreensão do Divã Ocidental-Oriental”). Nesse ciclo manifesta-se ainda um jogo ficcional de despersonalização e mascaramento que reverbera mais tarde em grandes poetas da impessoalidade e das personae, como Robert Browning, W. B. Yeats ou F. Pessoa.
Internacionalização da Arquitetura e da Crítica de Arte: Sérgio Milliet
Authors: MOTA CARLOS GUILHERME
Published: August 2019

resumo A crítica cultural no Brasil teve no paulistano Sérgio Milliet (1898-1966) um de seus expoentes máximos. Foi ele o mais “internacionalizado” dos intelectuais brasileiros. Sua produção não apenas como crítico, mas também como tradutor, poeta, pintor, pensador e ensaísta, bem como sua atuação institucional, notadamente como diretor da Biblioteca Municipal Mário de Andrade, coloca-no em primeiro plano na vida cultural, política e institucional do país. Muito jovem, estudou e trabalhou na Suíça nas primeiras décadas o século XX, convivendo com personalidades internacionais, porém regressando em tempo de participar da Semana de Arte de 1922 em São Paulo. Atuou como homem-ponte entre as culturas europeias e a brasileira. Atento à vida cultural nacional e internacional de seu tempo, trabalhou como “passeur” transcultural, como atestam seus dez volumes do Diário Crítico e notáveis traduções.
Literatura e atenção: notas sobre um novo regime de percepção no ensino de literatura
Authors: Cechinel André
Published: August 2019

RESUMO Com a publicação da nova Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC) de 2018 e da profusão de mídias e dispositivos ali associados ao ensino de literatura, o presente artigo propõe-se a discutir a chamada crise da atenção na modernidade e de que modo ela afeta o gesto específico solicitado pelo contato com os artefatos literários. Em poucas palavras, se a leitura literária, por um lado, se vincula tradicionalmente ao autocentramento, à concentração, ao silêncio e a outras formas de introspecção, a nova BNCC, por outro, posiciona a literatura num território de constantes deslocamentos e adaptações intermidiáticas, num deslizamento contínuo que inevitavelmente produz consequências para o domínio da atenção e da percepção e compreensão leitora.
Prazer e sofrimento no trabalho docente: Brasil e Portugal
Authors: Hoffmann Celina , Zanini Roselaine Ruviaro , Moura Gilnei Luiz de , Machado Bárbara Parnov
Published: August 2019

Resumo O cenário de trabalho do docente do magistério superior é complexo e multidimensional, já que coexistem demandas permeadas por dimensões de cunho social, político e econômico. Nessa direção, o presente estudo trata de vivências de prazer e de sofrimento no contexto do ensino universitário. Busca-se contribuir com a lacuna de estudos que abordam a tríade trabalho/saúde/doença em realidades distintas. Diante disso, por mediação da teoria da psicodinâmica do trabalho, o objetivo do estudo é comparar as vivências de prazer e de sofrimento entre docentes de uma IES brasileira e outra portuguesa. Configura-se em estudo de caso explanatório, de abordagem quantitativa. Como instrumento de coleta de dados, foi utilizado o Inventário sobre Trabalho e Riscos de Adoecimento (ITRA), desenvolvido e validado pelos grupos: Estudos e Pesquisas em Ergonomia Aplicada ao Setor Público (ErgoPublic) e Estudos e Pesquisas em Saúde e Trabalho (Gepsat) do Instituto de Psicologia da Universidade de Brasília. Foram obtidas 326 respostas (sendo 251 de participantes brasileiros e 75, portugueses). Os escores revelaram realidade mais favorável aos respondentes da IES brasileira, enquanto a análise de cluster identificou a predominância de percepções semelhantes a respeito das vivências de prazer e de sofrimento. Além disso, destacam-se pontos comuns relacionados ao custo cognitivo, avaliado em nível grave e o custo físico, em nível crítico. Esses resultados transcendem os contextos locais e podem referir-se à categoria profissional relacionada à docência no âmbito universitário.
Allelopathic effects of the aquatic macrophyte Ceratophyllum demersum L. on phytoplankton species: contrasting effects between cyanobacteria and chlorophytes
Authors: Amorim Cihelio Alves , Moura-Falcão Rafael Henrique de , Valença Celina Rebeca , Souza Vitor Ricardo de , Moura Ariadne do Nascimento
Published: August 2019

Abstract Aim To assess the allelopathic effects of the submerged macrophyte Ceratophyllum demersum on four strains of phytoplankton species: two cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa - microcystin producing and M. panniformis - non-microcystin producing), and two chlorophytes (Ankistrodesmus falcatus and Raphidocelis subcapitata). Methods A coexistence experiment between C. demersum and the four strains was carried out for six days, with eight treatments and three replicates. The strains were cultivated in ASM1 culture medium, under controlled laboratory conditions. Two treatments were assigned for each strain, one with 6 g.L-1 of the macrophyte, and the control without the plant. Biomasses and growth rates of the strains were evaluated every two days, which were compared through the T-test and two-way ANOVA, respectively. Results The results varied among the strains, with toxic M. aeruginosa being intensely inhibited by C. demersum, with a decrease of 99.5% in its biomass (p<0.001), while non-toxic M. panniformis was less affected by the allelochemicals, with a reduction of 86.2% (p<0.001). Ankistrodesmus falcatus delayed its growth when in coexistence with the macrophyte, decreasing its biomass in 50.4% (p<0.01), while R. subcapitata was not altered (p>0.05). In coexistence with C. demersum, M. aeruginosa exhibited the lowest growth rates (-0.65 d-1), followed by M. panniformis (-0.15 d-1), A. falcatus (0.19 d-1), and R. subcapitata (0.34 d-1), with significant differences between all strains (p<0.001). Microcystis aeruginosa presented higher inhibition rates than M. panniformis (p<0.001), as well as, A. falcatus was more inhibited than R. subcapitata (p<0.05). Conclusions The presence of microcystins could influence the allelopathic responses of C. demersum, that may release more allelochemicals in coexistence with toxic strains of M. aeruginosa. Accordingly, C. demersum can be used in biomanipulation strategies to control toxic and non-toxic cyanobacterial blooms, without damaging other phytoplankton species, like chlorophytes.
Baja: A New Monospecific Genus Segregated from Cheilanthes s. l. (Pteridaceae)
Authors: George Lisa O. , Pryer Kathleen M. , Kao Tzu-Tong , Huiet Layne , Windham Michael D.
Published: August 2019

Abstract—The phylogenetic position of Cheilanthes brandegeei, a fern endemic to the Baja California Peninsula of Mexico, was investigated using three plastid markers (atpA, rbcL, trnG-R) and comparative morphology. Here we present robust
evidence for the recognition of C. brandegeei as a member of the bommeriids, the sister clade to all other cheilanthoid ferns, and evidence that it is sister to all Bommeria species within that clade. Because of its distinctive morphology within the bommeriid clade (pinnate leaf
architecture, well-developed pseudoindusium, and narrow, concolorous red-brown rhizome scales), here we propose the new genus Baja to accommodate it. Our results place Baja brandegeei together with other taxa that have a distribution in the Baja California Peninsula
and mainland Mexico, rather than with hypothesized congeners in South America and Africa. Morphological characters traditionally used to classify this species as a Cheilanthes (patterns of sporangial distribution, presence of a well-developed pseudoindusium, and fractiferous petioles)
are extensively homoplasious across cheilanthoids. We identify three characters that unite the newly expanded bommeriid clade: leaf indument of acicular trichomes, reticulate-cristate perispore morphology, and lateral initiation of the gametophyte meristem.
Clarification of Two Poorly Known Vittarioid Ferns (Pteridaceae): Haplopteris angustissima and H. capillaris
Authors: Chen Cheng-Wei , Lindsay Stuart , Yong Kien Thai , Mustapeng Andi Maryani A. , Amoroso Victor B. , Dang Viet Dai , Huang Yao-Moan
Published: August 2019

Abstract—Two poorly known Malesian vittarioid ferns, Haplopteris angustissima and Monogramma capillaris, are noteworthy for their similar gross morphology. In this study, their systematic relationship was clarified by using molecular phylogenetic analysis
which resolved the species in two different clades. Diagnostic morphological characters were further revealed by detailed comparison of almost all the known collections. Although overlaps were found in most of the investigated morphological characters, the venation and silica bodies were found
to be useful for species delimitation. Type information, field images, illustrations, and taxonomic notes are provided for both species. A new combination, Haplopteris capillaris, is made and its occurrence in Taiwan as independent gametophytes is confirmed.
Asplenium simaoense (Aspleniaceae), a New Fern Species from Yunnan, China, Based on Morphological and Molecular Data
Authors: Xu Ke-Wang , Jiang Lei , Liao Wen-Bo , Zhang Li-Bing
Published: August 2019

Abstract—A new asplenioid fern species, Asplenium simaoense (Aspleniaceae), found growing on an exposed slope of a limestone mountain in southwestern Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. A preliminary phylogenetic analysis showed that A. simaoense
is strongly supported as sister to A. tenuifolium, whereas A. simaoense is morphologically most similar to A. varians and A. sarelii. However, A. simaoense has rhizome scales entire and petioles (5‐)12‐20(‐25) cm, while A. varians
has rhizome scales subentire or fimbriate and petioles (0.5‐)2‐7(‐12) cm and A. sarelii has rhizome scales denticulate and petioles 7‐10 cm. Only one population of A. simaoense was found near a road. Its habitat is threatened by road construction and
therefore it is recommended to be classified as CR, Critically Endangered, following IUCN red list criteria.
Phylogenetic Relationships in Arjona (Schoepfiaceae), a Hemiparasitic Herb from Southern South America
Authors: Vidal-Russell Romina
Published: August 2019

Abstract—Arjona is a small genus of hemiparasitic herbs distributed in southern South America. Most species are found in dry open areas in rocky and sandy soils whereas A. pusilla is found in humid places such as wet meadows. Regional treatments recognize
five species and two varieties. The species are not clearly defined, and leaf shape and pubescence are the main differentiating taxonomic characters. In this study individuals from four of the five recognized species were examined to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the genus and to
test the monophyly of recognized species. Samples covered the range of morphological variability and geographic distribution. The nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and two chloroplast spacers (atpB-rbcL and trnL-F) were used to reconstruct the molecular
phylogeny of the genus using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood criteria. The molecular data show that geography better explains phylogenetic groupings than species assignment. This suggests that morphological variation among populations, in the context of the genetic lineages, should
be studied in more detail to test the hypothesis that different ecotypes exist in Arjona.
Species Delimitation and Phylogeny of Epithelantha (Cactaceae)
Authors: Aquino David , Cervantes R. Cristian , Gernandt David S. , Arias Salvador
Published: August 2019

Abstract—The genus Epithelantha (Cactaceae, Cactoideae, Cacteae) is native to Mexico and the southern USA and includes several uncertain species and ambiguous phylogenetic relationships. We applied multivariate analysis to a set of nine quantitative characters
and six qualitative characters and we used Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood to reconstruct the phylogeny of Epithelantha using molecular data from four chloroplast regions (petL-psbE, psbA-trnH, trnL-F, and trnQ-rps16). Eleven taxa were collected in 39 localities
where digital images of five individuals were taken. A correlation analysis allowed us to eliminate correlated characters. A discriminant canonical analysis (DCA) for quantitative characters and principal components analyses with mixed data (PCA mix) for quantitative and qualitative characters
identified the length of the flower, number of spines, areole length/width ratio, the expansion of the hilar region of the seed, multicellular sculpture, and the relief of the periclinal wall as the most variable characters. The partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) allowed
us to recognize nine of eleven taxa. As a complement, the molecular data matrix included 68 substitutions and 12 indels between the four markers. The 39 terminals analyzed were recovered in nine strongly supported clades, confirming the results of multivariate analyses. Epithelantha
was recovered as a monophyletic group strongly supported by four substitutions and an indel, with Turbinicarpus being the sister group. Based on our results, we include a taxonomic synthesis of Epithelantha where we recognize ten species, propose two new combinations, designate
seven lectotypes, and provide a key for species.
The Family Placement of Cyrtandromoea
Authors: Luna Javier A. , Richardson James E. , Nishii Kanae , Clark John L. , Möller Michael
Published: August 2019

Abstract—Cyrtandromoea is a genus consisting of about 12 species of perennial caulescent herbs with a distribution in China, India, Myanmar, Thailand, and western Malesia. The genus has previously been associated with either Gesneriaceae or the tribe Mimuleae
in Phrymaceae (in former Scrophulariaceae) with morphology in favor of the latter and molecular plastid ndhF data the former. We addressed the placement of this genus by assembling a four gene dataset (matK, ndhF, rps16, and trnL-F) comprising 270 ingroup
samples representing 270 species and 51 families of the core asterids, including all families of Lamiales currently recognized. These included 111 species representing 66 genera of Gesneriaceae. We used maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference analyses to reconstruct phylogenies
that showed Cyrtandromoea to be placed in Phrymaceae. A fine-scale analysis focusing on Phrymaceae using ITS and trnL-F and 79 samples revealed that Cyrtandromoea is most closely related to a clade of genera in Phrymaceae that included Mimulus s. s. A combination
of morphological synapomorphies such as cymose inflorescences, 5-angled toothed calyx, flowers with bilocular ovary with axile placentation with numerous small seeds with endosperm, and loculicidal dehiscing capsule support this placement. Our results strongly support the placement of Cyrtandromoea
in Phrymaceae.
Seed Morphology of Ruellieae Species (Acanthaceae) in Brazil and Its Taxonomic Implications
Authors: Freitas Azevedo Igor Henrique , Rodrigues de Moraes Pedro Luís
Published: August 2019

Abstract—Ruellieae is a highly diverse tribe of Acanthaceae in Brazil, and morphological studies of its seeds have revealed important information about the systematics of the tribe. We analyzed the seed morphology of Brazilian species of Ruellieae, using stereoscopic,
light, and scanning electron microscopy. The best-sampled genus was Ruellia (53 species), followed by Dyschoriste (seven), and Hygrophila (three); including external groups, a total of 65 species of Ruellieae (68 of Acanthaceae) were sampled. We observed capsular fruits
with explosive dehiscence, important for autochory, and discoid seeds covered by hygroscopic and mucilaginous trichomes. The characters most relevant to the taxonomy of the groups were fruit shape, number of ovules, and the distribution, shape, and number of rings on the seed trichomes, the
latter two addressed here for the first time. Those characters proved useful for discriminating and characterizing the sampled genera within Ruellieae, and especially the infrageneric clades of Ruellia. Based on the morphological patterns observed, we provide a key for those taxa, and
suggest the infrageneric placement of unclassified Ruellia species: R. hypericoides and Ruellia sp. 4 for the clade “Ebracteolati” s. l., Ruellia spp. 2 and 3 for “R. inflata,” Ruellia sp. 1 for “Euruellia” s. s., and R.
anamariae for the clade “Blechum.” In a broader context, we corroborate the finding that partial loss of seed trichomes is exclusive to one of the two large lineages of Neotropical Ruellia (lineage II). The hygroscopic and mucilaginous trichomes of Ruellieae seeds play
important roles in water retention, germination, protection, and secondary dispersal, and we discuss some aspects of secondary hydrochory and epizoochory on medium- and long-range dispersal of Ruellieae, including transatlantic distances.
A Common But Overlooked New Species in the Hyper-Diverse Genus Inga Mill. from the Northwestern Amazon
Authors: Guevara Andino Juan Ernesto , Pitman Nigel C. A. , Hernández Consuelo , Valencia Renato , Coley Phyllis D. , Kursar Thomas A. , Endara María-José
Published: August 2019

Abstract—Inga kursarii is a new species collected in the terra firme forests of the northwestern Amazon, one of the regions with the highest tree species diversity in the world. According to morphological and phylogenetic analyses, the new species is morphologically
similar and sister to Inga gracilifolia Ducke, but it can be distinguished by having 5‐6 pairs of caducous leaflets, elliptical leaflets with acute apex and slightly asymmetrical base, spiked inflorescence, subsessile flowers, calyx tube with 4 lobes, tufts of hairs at the apex
of calyx lobes, corolla tube with non-reflexed lobes, shorter staminal tubes, and capitate stigma. In addition, analyses of the chemical defensive profile (chemocoding) show that both taxa are chemically different, with I. kursarii having a chemistry based on gallocatechin/epigallocatechin
gallates, and I. gracilifolia producing a series of dihydroflavonols. Finally, we present a table with a comparison of diagnostic characters that allows separation of the two species.
A New Endangered Species of Fritzschia Cham. (Melastomataceae, Marcetieae) from Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Romero Rosana , Nunes da Silva Diego , De-Paula Orlando Cavalari , Reis da Rocha Maria José
Published: August 2019

Abstract—During a field expedition to the Serra do Cipó, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, we found a new species of Fritzschia, a genus endemic to campos rupestres from the Espinhaço Range. Fritzschia cordifolia has cordate and succulent
leaves with an apical gland, petals with glandular-ciliate margin, campanulate hypanthium, and antesepalous stamens with ventral appendages with deltoid lobes. The presence of seeds with a crested testa is reported here for the first time in Fritzschia. A description and illustration
of the new species is provided, as well as its conservation status and its geographical distribution.
A New Distylous Waltheria L. (Byttnerioideae, Malvaceae) From the State of Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Coutinho Thales Silva , Alves Marccus
Published: August 2019

Abstract—A new distylous Waltheria species from Bahia, Brazil, is described and illustrated. Waltheria saundersiae is endemic to the campos rupestres from Bahia and is a shrub with erect to flexuous branches. It can be confused morphologically with
Waltheria cinerescens, W. maritima, and W. selloana, however, it is distinguished mainly by the bark ornamentation, leaf arrangement, leaf blade margin, inflorescence position, stylar polymorphism type, calyx size, and staminal tube indument.
A Well-known “Mussambê” is a New Species of Tarenaya (Cleomaceae) from South America
Authors: Soares Neto Raimundo Luciano , Thomas William Wayt , Regina de Vasconcellos Barbosa Maria , Roalson Eric H.
Published: August 2019

Abstract—Tarenaya longicarpa, commonly known as “mussambê,” is a new species from South America. Iltis previously recognized it as a subspecies of Cleome spinosa Jacq. but never published the name. Molecular phylogenetic studies
have confirmed this taxon as a distinct lineage from T. spinosa. In addition, the results of a revision of Tarenaya, now underway, corroborate the separation of T. longicarpa from T. spinosa s. s.
A New Species and a New Record of Varronia (Cordiaceae) from Brazil
Authors: de Sousa Silva Thaynara , Miranda de Melo José Iranildo
Published: August 2019

Abstract—Herein a new species, Varronia xinguana, is described and illustrated. In addition, Varronia polystachya, a species previously known only from Venezuela, is reported for the first time for Brazil. Both species are restricted to the phytogeographic
domain of Amazonia, northern Brazil. A distribution map and a conservation assessment are provided. An identification key is also provided for the species of Varronia with spike inflorescence from Northern of Brazil.
NeuroX: A Toolkit for Analyzing Individual Neurons in Neural Networks
Authors: Dalvi Fahim , Nortonsmith Avery , Bau Anthony , Belinkov Yonatan , Sajjad Hassan , Durrani Nadir , Glass James
Published: August 2019

We present a toolkit to facilitate the interpretation and understanding of neural network models. The toolkit provides several methods to identify salient neurons with respect to the model itself or an external task. A user can visualize selected neurons, ablate them to measure their effect on the model accuracy, and manipulate them to control the behavior of the model at the test time. Such an analysis has a potential to serve as a springboard in various research directions, such as understanding the model, better architectural choices, model distillation and controlling data biases. The toolkit is available for download.1
Demo: Learning to Perceive Long-Range Obstacles Using Self-Supervision from Short-Range Sensors
Authors: Nava Mirko , Guzzi Jérôme , Chavez-Garcia R. Omar , Gambardella Luca M. , Giusti Alessandro
Published: August 2019

We demonstrate a self-supervised approach which learns to detect long-range obstacles from video: it automatically obtains training labels by associating the camera frames acquired at a given pose to short-range sensor readings acquired at a different pose.
Temporal Video Analyzer (TVAN): Efficient Temporal Video Analysis for Robust Video Description and Search
Authors: Rotman Daniel , Porat Dror , Burshtein Yevgeny , Barzelay Udi
Published: August 2019

With the increasing popularity of video content, automatic video understanding is becoming more and more important for streamlining video content consumption and reuse. In this work, we present TVAN—temporal video analyzer—a system for temporal video analysis aimed at enabling efficient and robust video description and search. Its main components include: temporal video segmentation, compact scene representation for efficient visual recognition, and concise scene description generation. We provide a technical overview of the system, as well as demonstrate its usefulness for the task of video search and navigation.
K3S: Knowledge-Driven Solution Support System
Authors: Zhang Yu , Saberi Morteza , Wang Min , Chang Elizabeth
Published: August 2019

As the volume of scientific papers grows rapidly in size, knowledge management for scientific publications is greatly needed. Information extraction and knowledge fusion techniques have been proposed to obtain information from scholarly publications and build knowledge repositories. However, retrieving the knowledge of problem/solution from academic papers to support users on solving specific research problems is rarely seen in the state of the art. Therefore, to remedy this gap, a knowledge-driven solution support system (K3S) is proposed in this paper to extract the information of research problems and proposed solutions from academic papers, and integrate them into knowledge maps. With the bibliometric information of the papers, K3S is capable of providing recommended solutions for any extracted problems. The subject of intrusion detection is chosen for demonstration in which required information is extracted with high accuracy, a knowledge map is constructed properly, and solutions to address intrusion problems are recommended.
Adaptive Planning with Evidence Based Prediction for Improved Fluency in Routine Human-Robot Collaborative Tasks
Authors: Fourie Christopher K.
Published: August 2019

This thesis work intends to explore the development of a shared mental model between an autonomous agent and a human, where we aim to promote fluency in continuing interactions defined by repetitive tasks. That is, with repetitive actions, experimentation and increasing iterations, we wish the robot to learn how its own behavior affects that of its partner. To accomplish this, we propose a model that encodes both human and robot actions in a probabilistic space describing the temporal transition points between activities. The purpose of such a model is not only in passive predictive power (understanding the future actions of an associate), but also to encode the latent effect of a robot’s action on the future actions of the associate.
Expressive Real-Time Intersection Scheduling
Authors: Goldstein Rick
Published: August 2019

Traffic congestion is a widespread annoyance throughout global metropolitan areas. It causes increases in travel time, increases in emissions, inefficient usage of gasoline, and driver frustration. Inefficient signal patterns at traffic lights are one major cause of such congestion. Intersection scheduling strategies that make real-time decisions to extend or end a green signal based on real-time traffic data offer one opportunity reduce congestion and its negative impacts. My research proposes Expressive Real-time Intersection Scheduling (ERIS). ERIS is a decentralized, schedule-driven control method which makes a decision every second based on current traffic conditions to reduce congestion.
Learning Generalized Temporal Abstractions across Both Action and Perception
Authors: Khetarpal Khimya
Published: August 2019

Learning temporal abstractions which are partial solutions to a task and could be reused for other similar or even more complicated tasks is intuitively an ingredient which can help agents to plan, learn and reason efficiently at multiple resolutions of perceptions and time. Just like humans acquire skills and build on top of already existing skills to solve more complicated tasks, AI agents should be able to learn and develop skills continually, hierarchically and incrementally over time. In my research, I aim to answer the following question: How should an agent efficiently represent, learn and use knowledge of the world in continual tasks? My work builds on the options framework, but provides novel extensions driven by this question. We introduce the notion of interest functions. Analogous to temporally extended actions, we propose learning temporally extended perception. The key idea is to learn temporal abstractions unifying both action and perception.
Numerical Optimization to AI, and Back
Authors: Ravi Sathya N.
Published: August 2019

The impact of numerical optimization on modern data analysis has been quite significant. Today, these methods lie at the heart of most statistical machine learning applications in domains spanning genomics, finance and medicine. The expanding scope of these applications (and the complexity of the associated data) has continued to raise the expectations of various criteria associated with the underlying algorithms. Broadly speaking, my research work can be classified into two AI categories: Optimization in ML (Opt-ML) and Optimization in CV (Opt-CV).
Adaptive Modeling for Risk-Aware Decision Making
Authors: Saisubramanian Sandhya
Published: August 2019

This thesis aims to provide a foundation for risk-aware decision making. Decision making under uncertainty is a core capability of an autonomous agent. A cornerstone for with long-term autonomy and safety is risk-aware decision making. A risk-aware model fully accounts for a known set of risks in the environment, with respect to the problem under consideration, and the process of decision making using such a model is risk-aware decision making. Formulating risk-aware models is critical for robust reasoning under uncertainty, since the impact of using less accurate models may be catastrophic in extreme cases due to overly optimistic view of problems. I propose adaptive modeling, a framework that helps balance the trade-off between model simplicity and risk awareness, for different notions of risks, while remaining computationally tractable.
CommNets: Communicating Neural Network Architectures for Resource Constrained Systems
Authors: Abudu Prince M
Published: August 2019

Applications that require heterogeneous sensor deployments continue to face practical challenges owing to resource constraints within their operating environments (i.e. energy efficiency, computational power and reliability). This has motivated the need for effective ways of selecting a sensing strategy that maximizes detection accuracy for events of interest using available resources and data-driven approaches. Inspired by those limitations, we ask a fundamental question: whether state-of-the-art Recurrent Neural Networks can observe different series of data and communicate their hidden states to collectively solve an objective in a distributed fashion. We realize our answer by conducting a series of systematic analyses of a Communicating Recurrent Neural Network architecture on varying time-steps, objective functions and number of nodes. The experimental setup we employ models tasks synonymous with those in Wireless Sensor Networks. Our contributions show that Recurrent Neural Networks can communicate through their hidden states and we achieve promising results.
Building Human-Machine Trust via Interpretability
Authors: Bhatt Umang , Ravikumar Pradeep , Moura Jos´e M. F.
Published: August 2019

Developing human-machine trust is a prerequisite for adoption of machine learning systems in decision critical settings (e.g healthcare and governance). Users develop appropriate trust in these systems when they understand how the systems make their decisions. Interpretability not only helps users understand what a system learns but also helps users contest that system to align with their intuition. We propose an algorithm, AVA: Aggregate Valuation of Antecedents, that generates a consensus feature attribution, retrieving local explanations and capturing global patterns learned by a model. Our empirical results show that AVA rivals current benchmarks.
WAIS: Word Attention for Joint Intent Detection and Slot Filling
Authors: Chen Sixuan , Yu Shuai
Published: August 2019

Attention-based recurrent neural network models for joint intent detection and slot filling have achieved a state-of-the-art performance. Most previous works exploited semantic level information to calculate the attention weights. However, few works have taken the importance of word level information into consideration. In this paper, we propose WAIS, word attention for joint intent detection and slot filling. Considering that intent detection and slot filling have a strong relationship, we further propose a fusion gate that integrates the word level information and semantic level information together for jointly training the two tasks. Extensive experiments show that the proposed model has robust superiority over its competitors and sets the state-of-the-art.
CSEye: A Proposed Solution for Accurate and Accessible One-to-Many Face Verification
Authors: Dharamshi Ameer , Zou Rosie Yuyan
Published: August 2019

Facial verification is a core problem studied by researchers in computer vision. Recently published one-to-one comparison models have successfully achieved accuracy results that surpass the abilities of humans. A natural extension to the one-to-one facial verification problem is a one-to-many classification. In this abstract, we present our exploration of different methods of performing one-to-many facial verification using low-resolution images. The CSEye model introduces a direct comparison between the features extracted from each of the candidate images and the suspect before performing the classification task. Initial experiments using 10-to-1 comparisons of faces from the Labelled Faces of the Wild dataset yield promising results.
High-resolution analyses of the mineralisation process at bio/inorganic interfaces
Authors: Börrnert Felix , Renner Julian , Kaiser Ute
Published: August 2019

To gain insight into bio-inspired mineralisation processes that may be directed or influenced by the protein coat of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), microscopic studies are crucial. The authors elucidate key steps towards the understanding of the mineralisation mechanism by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging of the organic/inorganic interfaces. Wild-type TMV and mutants with distinct surface properties are used to investigate the processes of nucleation and mineral formation based on ZnO and ZnS deposition. The development of suitable sample preparation methods is central in the study, as well as finding the optimal imaging conditions in combination with the use of a latest-generation high-end microscope. The mineralisation is to be analysed with respect to the underlying nucleation process: Correlation of structure findings with mechanical properties will pave the way to the goal of the design of materials with enhanced mechanical properties.
Critical state of compacted lateritic soil and palm kernel shell ash for earth embankments
Authors: Okonkwo Ugochukwu Nnatuanya
Published: August 2019

For most treated soils in compacted form for earth embankments, interest had been limited to the maximum stresses they can sustain before failure. This work studied the stress–strain behaviour of a compacted lateritic soil treated with palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) from 0 to 18% at 3% intervals, with a major focus on the critical-state characteristics (beyond the maximum stresses). The lateritic soil was characterised as A-2-6(0) in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials rating and clayey sand (SC) in the Unified Soil Classification System. The PKSA was found to be pozzolanic. The British Standard light energy level of compaction and drained shear test were carried out on the treated soil. The optimum moisture content increased while the maximum dry density reduced with an increase in PKSA content. The PKSA of 0–18% content by weight of the dry soil improved the strength properties of the lateritic soil by 51·43%. The critical-state parameters (λ, Γ and M) of the soil mixtures were found to be in conformity with the usual range for untreated soils.
Strength and ductility behaviour of rubberised cemented clayey soil
Authors: Yadav Jitendra Singh , Tiwari Suresh Kumar , Garg Ankit
Published: August 2019

This paper reports the strength and ductility behaviour of rubber-granulate-reinforced cemented clayey soil and rubber-fibre-reinforced cemented clayey soil. The load–deformation behaviour of specimens was analysed in terms of absolute toughness and toughness index (TI) for further screening of the curves. A 5·08 and 3·46% improvement in the unconfined compressive strength and 16·74 and 8·60% improvement in the split tensile strength of the clayey soil was observed with the addition of rubber granulates and fibres up to 2·5 and 5%, respectively. However, increasing the content of granulates and fibres led to reductions in strength. The rate of strength reduction in granulate-reinforced soil was found to be higher than in that containing fibre. The absolute toughness and TI of soil mixed with 5 and 7·5% of granulates and fibres were found to be higher compared to values for other inclusions. Overall, the inclusion of rubber particles led to a decrease in initial stiffness, improved ductility and strain hardening in specimens subject to compressive load. However, in comparison with the ductile behaviour of fibre-reinforced soil under tensile loads, granulates were found to be ineffective in changing the soil's brittle behaviour.
The potential for domestic thermal insulation retrofits on the South African Highveld
Authors: Matandirotya Newton R , Cilliers Dirk P , Burger Roelof P , Language Brigitte , Pauw Christian , Piketh Stuart J
Published: August 2019

The South African Highveld is a portion on the inland plateau characterized by low winter ambient temperatures. Studies done in several climatic regions around the world have found a positive relationship between inadequate housing and low indoor temperatures during the winter season. Prolonged exposure to low indoor temperature is a threat to human physical health. This study characterizes indoor human thermal comfort conditions in typical low-income residential dwellings during the winter season. Mapping indoor human thermal comfort can assist in exploring the potential for domestic thermal insulation retrofits interventions. In-situ temperature measurements were done in 2014, 2016 and 2017 across three Highveld settlements of kwaZamokuhle, kwaDela, and Jouberton. The sample included a mixture of old (pre-1994), post 1994 Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) as well as non-RDP structures. Findings were that 88% of sampled dwellings in Jouberton 2016, 86% in Jouberton 2017, 62% in kwaDela and 58% in kwaZamokuhle had daily mean temperatures below the WHO guideline of 18°C. These low indoor temperatures indicate poor insulation in these sampled dwellings. Across all settlements, insulated dwellings had higher daily mean indoor temperatures than non-insulated dwellings. These findings indicate the potential to use thermal insulation retrofits in improving indoor thermal conditions as the majority of dwellings are non-insulated thereby exposing occupants to low indoor temperatures.
Neuropathy Phentoyping Protocols - Dosages of Tranquilizers and Anesthetics for Mice, Rats, Hamsters/Gerbils v1
Authors: Feldman Eva
Published: August 2019

Summary: Phenotyping of Rodents for the Presence of Diabetic Neuropathy In man, the development of diabetic neuropathy is dependent on both the degree of glycemic control and the duration of diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is a progressive disorder, with signs and symptoms that parallel the loss of nerve fibers over time. Consequently, assessments of neuropathy in mice are not performed at one time point, but are characterized at multiple time points during a 6 month period of diabetes. The degree of diabetes is evaluated in 2 ways: tail blood glucose measured following a 6 hour fast and glycated hemoglobin levels. The initial degree of neuropathy is screened using the methods discussed below. Detailed measures of neuropathy are employed when the initial screening instruments indicate a profound or unique phenotypic difference. This document contains protocols used by the DiaComp staff to examine and measure diabetic neuropathy at the whole animal, tissue and cellular levels. Diabetic Complication:
Neuropathy Phentoyping Protocols - Immunofluorescence Method for 8DG Localizaiton v1
Authors: Feldman Eva
Published: August 2019

Summary: Phenotyping of Rodents for the Presence of Diabetic Neuropathy In man, the development of diabetic neuropathy is dependent on both the degree of glycemic control and the duration of diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is a progressive disorder, with signs and symptoms that parallel the loss of nerve fibers over time. Consequently, assessments of neuropathy in mice are not performed at one time point, but are characterized at multiple time points during a 6 month period of diabetes. The degree of diabetes is evaluated in 2 ways: tail blood glucose measured following a 6 hour fast and glycated hemoglobin levels. The initial degree of neuropathy is screened using the methods discussed below. Detailed measures of neuropathy are employed when the initial screening instruments indicate a profound or unique phenotypic difference. This document contains protocols used by the DiaComp staff to examine and measure diabetic neuropathy at the whole animal, tissue and cellular levels. Diabetic Complication: Reference: Yarborough et al, Cancer Res. 56:683-688, 1996
Neuropathy Phentoyping Protocols - Insulin Implantation Protocol v1
Authors: Feldman Eva , Abatan Omorodola
Published: August 2019

Summary: Phenotyping of Rodents for the Presence of Diabetic Neuropathy In man, the development of diabetic neuropathy is dependent on both the degree of glycemic control and the duration of diabetes. Diabetic neuropathy is a progressive disorder, with signs and symptoms that parallel the loss of nerve fibers over time. Consequently, assessments of neuropathy in mice are not performed at one time point, but are characterized at multiple time points during a 6 month period of diabetes. The degree of diabetes is evaluated in 2 ways: tail blood glucose measured following a 6 hour fast and glycated hemoglobin levels. The initial degree of neuropathy is screened using the methods discussed below. Detailed measures of neuropathy are employed when the initial screening instruments indicate a profound or unique phenotypic difference. This document contains protocols used by the DiaComp staff to examine and measure diabetic neuropathy at the whole animal, tissue and cellular levels. Diabetic Complication:
Determination of effects of amniotic membrane homogenate on the growth of the uropathogenic Escherichia coli, S. aureus and S. marcescens strains v1
Authors: Sket Tina , Zeleznik Ramuta Taja , Starčič Erjavec Marjanca , Erdani Kreft Mateja
Published: August 2019

The antimicrobial effect of the amniotic membrane (AM), the innermost part of placenta, has been explored to a limited extent so far. To quantify and better understand the mechanisms behind antibacterial effect of AM, we followed the growth of three common pathogens, uropathogenic Escherichia coli(UPEC), Staphylococcus aureus and Serratia marcescens in liquid and on solid culture medium with and without the addition of the AM homogenate. We monitored the effect of AM homogenate on bacterial growth using plate count method (liquid culture medium) and agar diffusion method (solid culture medium). Our results clearly demonstrated that AM homogenate had bacteriostatic effect on studied UPEC and S. aureus. Interestingly, when used in lower concentrations, the AM homogenate had bactericidal effect on S. aureus and bacteriostatic effect on UPEC. In contrast, S. marcescens was completely resistant to the growth-inhibitory substances of AM homogenate. In fact, its growth was slightly accelerated in liquid culture medium in the presence of AM homogenate. Obtained results illustrated that AM homogenate could be used for treatments and prevention of UPEC and S. aureus infections. Moreover, the established liquid culture medium assay can be used as a time- and cost-effective method for personalized evaluation of drug effect on the growth of chosen bacterial strains with parallel testing of resistance or susceptibility to multiple drugs.
Hypercorticism during streptozotocin diabetes and mifepristone administration: the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate
Authors: Selyatitskaya V.G. , Afonnikova E.D. , Pal`chikova N.A. , Kuz`minova O.I.
Published: August 2019

It was studed basal and ACTH-stimulated production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and corticosteroid hormones (progesterone and corticosterone) in rat adrenals in vitro under streptozotocin diabetes, in conditions of mifepristone administration and their combination. It was shown that in streptozotocin diabetes animals, both the basal and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulated cAMP production significantly increased; this was accompanied by the increase in basal and ACTH-stimulated progesterone and corticosterone production in rat adrenals in vitro. Repeated administration of mifepristone to control and diabetic rats caused an increase mainly in ACTH-stimulated production of the main glucocorticoid hormone, corticosterone, without additional changes in the cAMP level. The results obtained suggest activation of two mechanisms of steroidogenesis enhancement in experimental animals. In rats with streptozotocin diabetes, both basal and ACTH-stimulated activity of all stages of steroidogenesis increase, which is mediated by the increased formation of cAMP as second messenger mediating the ACTH action on adrenocortical cells. Prolonged administration of mifepristone to control and diabetic rats resulted in increased activity of only late stages of steroidogenesis with predominant elevation of synthesis of physiologically active hormone corticosterone without additional changes in cAMP production level.
Synthesis and evaluation of N-alkynylaminosteroids as potential CYP450 17A1 inhibitors
Authors: Panada J.U. , Faletrov Y.V. , Frolova N.S. , Shkumatov V.M.
Published: August 2019

Four isomeric dehydroepiandrosterone- and pregnenolone-based N-alkynylaminosteroids were synthesized and tested in vitro for inhibition of heterologously expressed CYP17A1. The highest inhibitory activity was observed when the optimal number of side chain atoms was met. The conjugate based on pregnenolone containing an N-propynyl moiety was found to interefere with enzymatic activity most effectively and consistently in the micromolar range.
Secretion of niche signal molecules in conditions of osteogenic differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells induced by textured calcium phosphate coating
Authors: Litvinova L.S. , Shupletsova V.V. , Yurova K.A. , Khaziakhmatova O.G. , Todosenko N.M. , Malashchenko V.V. , Shunkin E.O. , Melashchenko E.S. , Khlusova M.Yu. , Komarova E.G. , Chebodaeva V.V. , Sharkeev Yu.P. , Ivanov P.A. , Khlusov I.A.
Published: August 2019

Secretion of 21 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors (LIF, SCF, SDF-1a, SCGF-b, M-CSF, MCP-3, MIF, MIG, TRAIL, GRO-a; IL-1a, IL-2ra, IL-3, IL-12(p40), IL-16, IL-18, HGF, TNF-b, b-NGF, IFN-a2, CTACK) has been studied in vitro in the culture of human adipose-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMMSCs) in conditions of its osteogenic differentiation caused by 14-day contact with calcium phosphate (CP) surface with different roughness. Bilateral X-ray amorphous CP coatings were prepared on the samples of commercially pure titanium in the anodal regime using a micro-arc method. An aqueous solution prepared from 20 wt% phosphoric acid, 6 wt% dissolved hydrohyapatite nanopowder (particle diameter 10-30 nm with single agglomerates up to 100 nm), and 9 wt% dissolved calcium carbonate was used to obtain CP coating. hAMMSCs isolated from lipoaspirate were co-cultured after 4 passages with the CP-coated samples at final concentration of 1.5´105 viable karyocytes per 1.5 mL of standard nutrition medium (without osteogenic stimulators) for 14 days (a determination of [CD45,34,14,20], CD73, CD90 и CD105 cell immunophenotype; an analysis of secretory activity) and 21 days (alizarin red S staining of culture) with medium replacement every 3-4 days. Under conditions of in vitro contact with rough CP coating hAMMSCs differentiated into osteoblasts synthesizing the mineralized bone matrix; this was accompanied by 2-3-fold increasing ratio of [CD45,34,14,20]+ hemopoietic cells. The following humoral factors of hemopoietic niches acted as the signal molecules escalating in vitro the hemopoietic base in 14 days of differentiating three-dimensional culture of hAMMSCs: either leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and stem cell factor (SCF) cytokines under mean index of CP roughness Ra=2.4-2.6 mm or stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1a, CXCL12 chemokine) under Ra=3.1-4.4 mm.