Towards adaptive learning with improved convergence of deep belief networks on graphics processing units

In this paper we focus on two complementary approaches to significantly decrease pre-training time of a deep belief network (DBN). First, we propose an adaptive step size technique to enhance the convergence of the contrastive divergence (CD) algorithm, thereby reducing the number of epochs to train the restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM) that supports the DBN infrastructure. Second, we present a highly scalable graphics processing unit (GPU) parallel implementation of the CD-k algorithm, which boosts notably the training speed. Additionally, extensive experiments are conducted on the MNIST and the HHreco databases. The results suggest that the maximum useful depth of a DBN is related to the number and quality of the training samples. Moreover, it was found that the lower-level layer plays a fundamental role for building successful DBN models. Furthermore, the results contradict the pre-conceived idea that all the layers should be pre-trained. Finally, it is shown that by incorporating multiple back-propagation (MBP) layers, the DBNs generalization capability is remarkably improved.     

Allelopathic Effects of Volatile Monoterpenoids Produced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvia leucophylla</Emphasis>: Inhibition of Cell Proliferation and DNA Synthesis in the Root Apical Meristem of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica campestris</Emphasis> Seedlings

Salvia leucophylla, a shrub observed in coastal south California, produces several volatile monoterpenoids (camphor, 1,8-cineole, -pinene, -pinene, and camphene) that potentially act as allelochemicals. The effects of these were examined using Brassica campestris as the test plant. Camphor, 1,8-cineole, and -pinene inhibited germination of B. campestris seeds at high concentrations, whereas -pinene and camphene did not. Root growth was inhibited by all five monoterpenoids in a dose-dependent manner, but hypocotyl growth was largely unaffected. The monoterpenoids did not alter the sizes of matured cells in either hypocotyls or roots, indicating that cell expansion is relatively insensitive to these compounds. They did not decrease the mitotic index in the shoot apical region, but specifically lowered mitotic index in the root apical meristem. Moreover, morphological and biochemical analyses on the incorporation of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine into DNA demonstrated that the monoterpenoids inhibit both cell-nuclear and organelle DNA synthesis in the root apical meristem. These results suggest that the monoterpenoids produced by S. leucophylla could interfere with the growth of other plants in its vicinity through inhibition of cell proliferation in the root apical meristem.     

Affective computing vs. affective placebo: Study of a biofeedback-controlled game for relaxation training

Relaxation training is an application of affective computing with important implications for health and wellness. After detecting user׳s affective state through physiological sensors, a relaxation training application can provide the user with explicit feedback about his/her detected affective state. This process (biofeedback) can enable an individual to learn over time how to change his/her physiological activity for the purposes of improving health and performance. In this paper, we provide three contributions to the field of affective computing for health and wellness. First, we propose a novel application for relaxation training that combines ideas from affective computing and games. The game detects user׳s level of stress and uses it to influence the affective state and the behavior of a 3D virtual character as a form of embodied feedback. Second, we compare two algorithms for stress detection which follow two different approaches in the affective computing literature: a more practical and less costly approach that uses a single physiological sensor (skin conductance), and a potentially more accurate approach that uses four sensors (skin conductance, heart rate, muscle activity of corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major). Third, as the central motivation of our research, we aim to improve the traditional methodology employed for comparisons in affective computing studies. To do so, we add to the study a placebo condition in which user׳s stress level, unbeknown to him/her, is determined pseudo-randomly instead of taking into account his/her physiological sensor readings. The obtained results show that only the feedback presented by the single-sensor algorithm was perceived as significantly more accurate than the placebo. If the placebo condition was not included in the study, the effectiveness of the two algorithms would have instead appeared similar. This outcome highlights the importance of using more thorough methodologies in future affective computing studies.     

Pattern synthesis of time‐modulated conformal arrays by an improved differential evolution algorithm

In this article, an improved differential evolution algorithm (IDE) based on two different colonies is proposed and applied to time‐modulated conformal arrays syntheses. The whole population of IDE is divided into two parts. The one part searches the solution globally while the other searches the neighborhood of the solution provided by the previous one. Benchmark functions are provided to testify IDE. Furthermore, IDE is applied to synthetize sum‐difference patterns with a 1 × 16 elements time‐modulated circular array and low sidelobe level (SLL) patterns with an 8 × 12 elements time‐modulated cone array. After optimization, the sideband level (SBL) of the circular array at the first sideband frequency is ?1.00 dB. The SLL and SBL at the first sideband frequency of the cone array are lower than ?30.00 and ?20.00 dB, respectively. Experiment results verify the superior performance of IDE. Moreover, to accelerate the computation speed, graphics processing unit parallel computing technique is introduced into pattern synthesis and the acceleration ratios of more than 23 times can be achieved. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 24:697–705, 2014.     

Challenges in real-time virtualization and predictable cloud computing

Cloud computing and virtualization technology have revolutionized general-purpose computing applications in the past decade. The cloud paradigm offers advantages through reduction of operation costs, server consolidation, flexible system configuration and elastic resource provisioning. However, despite the success of cloud computing for general-purpose computing, existing cloud computing and virtualization technology face tremendous challenges in supporting emerging soft real-time applications such as online video streaming, cloud-based gaming, and telecommunication management. These applications demand real-time performance in open, shared and virtualized computing environments. This paper identifies the technical challenges in supporting real-time applications in the cloud, surveys recent advancement in real-time virtualization and cloud computing technology, and offers research directions to enable cloud-based real-time applications in the future.     

A New Risk Assessment Approach for Cloud Consumer

The cloud computing introduces several changes in technology that have resulted a new ways for cloud providers to deliver their services to cloud consumers mainly in term of security risk assessment, thus, adapting a current risk assessment tools to cloud computing is a very difficult task due to its several characteristics that challenge the effectiveness of risk assessment approaches. Consequently, there is a need of risk assessment approach adapted to cloud computing. With such an approach, the cloud consumers can be guaranteed the effectiveness of data security and the cloud providers can win the trust of their cloud consumers. This paper requires the formalization of risk assessment method for conventional system as fundamental steps towards the development of flexible risk assessment approach regarding cloud consumers.     

CpG-ODN对乙肝核酸疫苗及重组疫苗免疫效果的影响

目的研究CpG寡聚脱氧核苷酸(CpGODN)对乙肝核酸疫苗及重组(CHO细胞)疫苗免疫效果的影响。方法核酸疫苗实验组用CpGODN与乙肝核酸疫苗联合免疫BALBc小鼠,阳性对照组注射核酸疫苗,阴性对照组注射质粒pVAX1;重组疫苗分4个实验组,用CpGODN与不同剂量的重组疫苗配伍后分别免疫BALBc小鼠,阳性对照组注射重组疫苗,阴性对照组注射生理盐水。应用ELISA检测小鼠血清中的抗HBs水平。结果CpG与乙肝核酸疫苗组抗体阳转率比阳性对照组提高3倍,抗体水平提高2倍。CpG与重组疫苗组的阳转率和阳转时间均高于或早于CpG与核酸疫苗实验组。加入CpGODN后,即使重组疫苗用量减少3倍,诱导抗体水平和阳转率均无明显改变。结论CpGODN可提高乙肝核酸疫苗和重组疫苗的免疫效果,并使抗体产生的时间提前。     

基于情感计算的商品评论分析系统

针对电子商务中的商品评论信息过载问题,运用情感计算理论,通过挖掘商品评论信息中的商品特征及相应的情感褒贬态度,为消费者提供一个商品特征粒度上的情感分析结果,从而帮助消费者从庞杂的商品评论中快速获取有效信息。系统首先采集指定商品的评论集并挖掘商品特征,然后结合情感语料库和词汇相似度计算,利用依存关系找到特征-极性词对以及程度副词和否定词。基于以上结果,考虑程度副词的强度,以及程度副词和否定词共现语序不同造成的语义差异,提出了商品评论情感倾向程度的计算方式。最后,进行系统实现并验证算法的有效性。实验结果表明,系统具有良好的应用效果。     

大数据系统和分析技术综述

首先根据处理形式的不同,介绍了不同形式数据的特征和各自的典型应用场景以及相应的代表性处理系统,总结了大数据处理系统的三大发展趋势;随后,对系统支撑下的大数据分析技术和应用(包括深度学习、知识计算、社会计算与可视化等)进行了简要综述,总结了各种技术在大数据分析理解过程中的关键作用;最后梳理了大数据处理和分析面临的数据复杂性、计算复杂性和系统复杂性挑战,并逐一提出了可能的应对之策.     

图引擎底层存储的设计与实现

随着社交网络和语义Web等数据应用的兴起,催生了许多图数据处理产品,包括Neo4j,Hyper Graph DB等,然而这些产品在设计时并未充分考虑图应用对数据可用性和可扩展性的更高要求。为此,提出一种基于分布式内存云的图引擎底层建模和存储解决方案。在内存云上搭建分布式键值引擎,进而在键值存储的基础上对图的数据进行建模和读写。在大规模数据集上的实验结果表明,该方案具有较好的图随机访问性能,并能够高效地支持海量规模的图数据应用。