title: Hierarchical meta-rules for scalable meta-learning

authors: Sun, Quan

subjects: Machine learning

abstract: The Pairwise Meta-Rules (PMR) method proposed in [18] has been shown to improve the predictive performances of several metalearning algorithms for the algorithm ranking problem. Given m target objects (e.g., algorithms), the training complexity of the PMR method with respect to m is quadratic: (formula presented). This is usually not a problem when m is moderate, such as when ranking 20 different learning algorithms. However, for problems with a much larger m, such as the meta-learning-based parameter ranking problem, where m can be 100+, the PMR method is less efficient. In this paper, we propose a novel method named Hierarchical Meta-Rules (HMR), which is based on the theory of orthogonal contrasts. The proposed HMR method has a linear training complexity with respect to m, providing a way of dealing with a large number of objects that the PMR method cannot handle efficiently. Our experimental results demonstrate the benefit of the new method in the context of meta-learning.

text: Hierarchical meta-rules for scalable meta-learning The Pairwise Meta-Rules (PMR) method proposed in [18] has been shown to improve the predictive performances of several metalearning algorithms for the algorithm ranking problem. Given m target objects (e.g., algorithms), the training complexity of the PMR method with respect to m is quadratic: (formula presented). This is usually not a problem when m is moderate, such as when ranking 20 different learning algorithms. However, for problems with a much larger m, such as the meta-learning-based parameter ranking problem, where m can be 100+, the PMR method is less efficient. In this paper, we propose a novel method named Hierarchical Meta-Rules (HMR), which is based on the theory of orthogonal contrasts. The proposed HMR method has a linear training complexity with respect to m, providing a way of dealing with a large number of objects that the PMR method cannot handle efficiently. Our experimental results demonstrate the benefit of the new method in the context of meta-learning.

year: 2014

title: The hormonal control of lipid metabolism in sheep

authors: Lewis, Kae Jennifer

abstract: The hormonal control of lipid metabolism was investigated by incubation of ovine adipose tissue slices in the presence of hormones the in vitro. The effects of insulin, catecholamines, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) on lipogenesis and lipid mobilization were studied to assess their likely individual contributions to overfatness in vivo.
From the various measurements of lipid metabolism made, the rates of fatty acid accumulation in the tissue during the incubation were calculated. Since most of the fatty acid released by lipolysis appeared to be re-esterified, observation of glycerol data alone may give a false impression of the extent of fatty acid mobilization or the overall energy balance of the tissue. About 60 - 100% of fatty acid released by lipolysis could be recycled within the tissue, a phenomenon which is under hormonal control and is possibly linked with maintenance of non-shivering thermogenesis.
Insulin stimulated the rate of lipogenesis (from acetate) by up to 6-fold, with the average stimulation about 70%, but it failed to affect the rate in tissue from one quarter of the animals tested. Also insulin stimulated the retention of fatty acid by the cell as well as fatty acid recycling, even in tissue in which it was not lipogenic. Thus observation of lipogenesis alone can give a false impression of the lipid-storing effects of a hormone. 
IGFs, when present at high concentrations, were lipogenic. However, because the binding proteins may restrict the activity of IGFs in vivo, low concentrations of IGF were tested and shown to be lipolytic. It is suggested that whereas the high concentrations of IGFs have been thought to act via the insulin receptor, low concentrations may mediate the lipolytic response via the IGF receptor. Similar states of negative energy balance in the tissue were caused by the presence of either IGF I, IGF II or adrenalin in the medium. 
GH sometimes stimulated a transient increase in the rate of lipolysis. It is suggested that GH may stimulate the local release of IGF in vitro which then mediates the observed lipolytic activity. GH was also sometimes observed to be lipogenic over the 6 hour incubation period.
To investigate the effects of a known physiological change in the animal in vivo on the subsequent effects on lipid metabolism in vitro, GH was administered to animals and their adipose tissue was compared with tissue from control animals. The basal rate of lipogenesis and fat accumulation in vitro was depressed in the bGH-dosed animals as was deposition of fat in vivo. The effectiveness of insulin in increasing lipogenesis in vitro was reduced in the bGH-dosed animals although the percentage response was unaffected. Thus the “lipolytic” effects of exogenous GH may in fact be due to a reduction in lipogenesis, caused by possible post-receptor desensitization of the tissue to the lipogenic effects of insulin as well as to the presence of increased IGF in vivo. Thus the physiological state of the animal can have profound and lasting effects on lipid metabolism in vitro.

text: The hormonal control of lipid metabolism in sheep The hormonal control of lipid metabolism was investigated by incubation of ovine adipose tissue slices in the presence of hormones the in vitro. The effects of insulin, catecholamines, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) on lipogenesis and lipid mobilization were studied to assess their likely individual contributions to overfatness in vivo.
From the various measurements of lipid metabolism made, the rates of fatty acid accumulation in the tissue during the incubation were calculated. Since most of the fatty acid released by lipolysis appeared to be re-esterified, observation of glycerol data alone may give a false impression of the extent of fatty acid mobilization or the overall energy balance of the tissue. About 60 - 100% of fatty acid released by lipolysis could be recycled within the tissue, a phenomenon which is under hormonal control and is possibly linked with maintenance of non-shivering thermogenesis.
Insulin stimulated the rate of lipogenesis (from acetate) by up to 6-fold, with the average stimulation about 70%, but it failed to affect the rate in tissue from one quarter of the animals tested. Also insulin stimulated the retention of fatty acid by the cell as well as fatty acid recycling, even in tissue in which it was not lipogenic. Thus observation of lipogenesis alone can give a false impression of the lipid-storing effects of a hormone. 
IGFs, when present at high concentrations, were lipogenic. However, because the binding proteins may restrict the activity of IGFs in vivo, low concentrations of IGF were tested and shown to be lipolytic. It is suggested that whereas the high concentrations of IGFs have been thought to act via the insulin receptor, low concentrations may mediate the lipolytic response via the IGF receptor. Similar states of negative energy balance in the tissue were caused by the presence of either IGF I, IGF II or adrenalin in the medium. 
GH sometimes stimulated a transient increase in the rate of lipolysis. It is suggested that GH may stimulate the local release of IGF in vitro which then mediates the observed lipolytic activity. GH was also sometimes observed to be lipogenic over the 6 hour incubation period.
To investigate the effects of a known physiological change in the animal in vivo on the subsequent effects on lipid metabolism in vitro, GH was administered to animals and their adipose tissue was compared with tissue from control animals. The basal rate of lipogenesis and fat accumulation in vitro was depressed in the bGH-dosed animals as was deposition of fat in vivo. The effectiveness of insulin in increasing lipogenesis in vitro was reduced in the bGH-dosed animals although the percentage response was unaffected. Thus the “lipolytic” effects of exogenous GH may in fact be due to a reduction in lipogenesis, caused by possible post-receptor desensitization of the tissue to the lipogenic effects of insulin as well as to the presence of increased IGF in vivo. Thus the physiological state of the animal can have profound and lasting effects on lipid metabolism in vitro.

year: 1987

title: Evaluation of land in Wairoa District for potential horticultural development

authors: Rau, Johnathon Taukiri

subjects: land suitability

abstract: The Wairoa District, on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand has less horticultural development than areas to the north and south. The objective of this study was to provide information to help inform landowners who may wish to invest in horticulture which could improve the economic situation of the district.
Field work involving local scale climate mapping and soil characterisation of areas with potential for horticulture in Wairoa District was completed in 2017. Constructed climate and topographical maps with existing soil maps were evaluated against known crop growth requirements to produce crop potential maps identifying areas with potential for crop production. Horticultural crops included in this study include kiwifruit, apples, cherries. Alternative crops include hemp and poppies.
Between mid-April – 31 October 2017, 45 portable iButton temperature loggers were deployed throughout Land Use Capability classes 1-3 in the Wairoa District and were set to record hourly temperature. When regressed against nearby climate stations, long term (18 -26 years) temperature datasets were derived from the short term iButton datasets. MODIS satellite images were also analysed to help identify areas prone to frost. From the long-term datasets local scale chill hour, growing degree days and October frost risk maps were constructed for the Wairoa District. For the central area from Wairoa to Frasertown, chill hours were estimated to range between 600 – 900, growing degree days 1300 – 1400 and October frost risk less than 25%.
From four representative soil types, horizon samples were taken to determine the soils physical properties including each horizons Total Available Water Holding Capacity (TAWHC). Horizon TAWHC for each soil type were summed to give TAWHC to 1 meter which along with 21 years of estimated daily rainfall and potential evapotranspiration were used in a soil water balance model to estimate seasonal crop irrigation requirements. Irrigation estimates for kiwifruit compared well against published values ranging between mean 204 – 247 mm.
The crop potential maps with seasonal crop irrigation estimates can enhance a land owner’s ability to make informed decisions resulting in economic benefit to whanau, community and the Wairoa District.

text: Evaluation of land in Wairoa District for potential horticultural development The Wairoa District, on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand has less horticultural development than areas to the north and south. The objective of this study was to provide information to help inform landowners who may wish to invest in horticulture which could improve the economic situation of the district.
Field work involving local scale climate mapping and soil characterisation of areas with potential for horticulture in Wairoa District was completed in 2017. Constructed climate and topographical maps with existing soil maps were evaluated against known crop growth requirements to produce crop potential maps identifying areas with potential for crop production. Horticultural crops included in this study include kiwifruit, apples, cherries. Alternative crops include hemp and poppies.
Between mid-April – 31 October 2017, 45 portable iButton temperature loggers were deployed throughout Land Use Capability classes 1-3 in the Wairoa District and were set to record hourly temperature. When regressed against nearby climate stations, long term (18 -26 years) temperature datasets were derived from the short term iButton datasets. MODIS satellite images were also analysed to help identify areas prone to frost. From the long-term datasets local scale chill hour, growing degree days and October frost risk maps were constructed for the Wairoa District. For the central area from Wairoa to Frasertown, chill hours were estimated to range between 600 – 900, growing degree days 1300 – 1400 and October frost risk less than 25%.
From four representative soil types, horizon samples were taken to determine the soils physical properties including each horizons Total Available Water Holding Capacity (TAWHC). Horizon TAWHC for each soil type were summed to give TAWHC to 1 meter which along with 21 years of estimated daily rainfall and potential evapotranspiration were used in a soil water balance model to estimate seasonal crop irrigation requirements. Irrigation estimates for kiwifruit compared well against published values ranging between mean 204 – 247 mm.
The crop potential maps with seasonal crop irrigation estimates can enhance a land owner’s ability to make informed decisions resulting in economic benefit to whanau, community and the Wairoa District.

year: 2018