Variational Student: Learning Compact and Sparser Networks in Knowledge Distillation Framework

The holy grail in deep neural network research is porting the memory- and computation-intensive network models on embedded platforms with a minimal compromise in model accuracy. To this end, we propose a novel approach, termed as Variational Student, where we reap the benefits of compressibility of the knowledge distillation (KD) framework, and sparsity inducing abilities of variational inference (VI) techniques. Essentially, we build a sparse student network, whose sparsity is induced by the variational parameters found via optimizing a loss function based on VI, leveraging the knowledge learnt by an accurate but complex pre-trained teacher network. Further, for sparsity enhancement, we also employ a Block Sparse Regularizer on a concatenated tensor of teacher and student network weights. We demonstrate that the marriage of KD and the VI techniques inherits compression properties from the KD framework, and enhances levels of sparsity from the VI approach, with minimal compromise in the model accuracy. We benchmark our results on LeNet MLP and VGGNet (CNN) and illustrate a memory footprint reduction of 64x and 213x on these MLP and CNN variants, respectively, without a need to retrain the teacher network. Furthermore, in the low data regime, we observed that our method outperforms state-of-the-art Bayesian techniques in terms of accuracy

In silico mining of micro-RNAs from Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenously, non-coding genes that regulate protein production either by mRNA cleavage or by translational repression in eukaryotes and viruses. miRNAs plays a key role in biological processes including growth, development and physiology of an organism. In this study, we employed insilico approaches to identify the miRNAs from Spodoptera frugiperda, a major pest of small grain crops. A total of seven miRNAs were identified and characterized from 67,360 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of S. frugiperda with: 1) mature and pre-miRNAs sizes vary from 19 to 25 ans 61 to 95 nucleotides respectively; 2) minimum free energy ranged from -31.70 to -21.00 kcal/mol; and 3) (A + U) content varied from 27 to 60. The functional annotation of these miRNAs were identified as regulation of transcription factors, catalytic activities and signal transduction pathways. Further studies of these miRNAs will help to carryout functional analyses, which promises more towards insect pest management free of insecticides and pesticides.Keywords: MicroRNAs, translational repression, Spodoptera frugiperda, expressed sequence tags, minimum free energy, insect pest managementAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(1), pp. 32-43, 1 January, 201

Effects of Diabetes on pulmonary function tests in COPD Patient

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a condition caused by abnormalities in the inflammatory responses of the lungs to irritable particles or gases. This is an irreversible condition that progresses in later years.Diabetes patients have an increased risk of developing abnormal lung functioning and also in conditions of COPD it even worsens the condition, up to 1.6-16% of the COPD population were affected due to diabetes mellitus.Many studies also suggest that the lungs are a target organ in diabetes and glycemic exposure may be a causation factor for reduced lung function. Systemic inflammation, hypoxemia, oxidative stress, altered gas exchange, and changes in lung tissues were the major impacts on the respiratory system which were induced by hypoglycemia. In this study, we aimed to assess the lung functioning in COPD patients with diabetes by performing the pulmonary functions test like spirometry by obtaining the values of FVC, FEV1, FEV/FVC, and PEF thereby analyzing the level of lung dysfunction that has been done. Patients were includes of both genders and were divided into two groups depending on their disease group 1 includes COPD and group 2 includes COPD with DM considering twenty members in each group. Our study results show that diabetes worsens the lung functioning in COPD than it already is, it may also cause respiratory collapse if untreated

Studies on DC Magnetron Sputtered AZO Thin Films for HIT Solar Cell Application

Aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO) is becoming an important and alternative transparent conducting oxide (TCO) material for solar photovoltaic applications due to its good electrical and optical characteristics, lower cost and more abundance, non-toxicity and stability in hydrogen plasma when compared to the popular indium tin oxide (ITO). In this work, AZO films are deposited on glass and silicon substrates with direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering using 5N pure Zinc Oxide target doped with 2 wt% Al2O3.The effect of deposition conditions on the structural, electrical and optical properties of the AZO films are investigated. The results demonstrated that the measured thickness of the deposited films are in the range 135- 490 nm. The X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the AZO films exhibit hexagaonal-wurtzite structure with the preferred orientation of grains along the (002) planes and an average crystal size of ~42 nm. At optimized sputter deposition parameters of an electrode distance of ~ 60 mm, substrate temperature of ~ 200 °C, target DC power of ~150 W and working pressure of ~2∙10¯³ mbar; the AZO films have shown an electrical resistivity of 1.27∙10¯³ Ω∙cm and an average optical transmittance value of 83.76% in the visible range for an optimal film thickness of ~265 nm. Finally HIT Solar Cells with AZO/p-a-Si:H/i-Si:H/n-c-Si/na-Si:H/Al structure have been fabricated by applying the optimized AZO films as front transparent electrodes. It is observed from the preliminary experiments that the fabricated cells have shown an initial photo conversion efficiency of 10.18% with an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 890 mV, short circuit current density (Jsc) of 15.68 mA/cm2 and a fill factor (FF) of ~ 73%

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on quality of minimally processed fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) microgreens

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) microgreens is an underutilized vegetable with limited shelf life having good source of antioxidants, carotenoid as well as vitamins. The study deals with nutritional quality and optimization of a suitable passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for improving the shelf life of fenugreek microgreens in its minimally processed form (MPFM) at 8oC Semipermeable plastic films viz., low density polyethylene, polypropylene, Cryovac PD 961® and stretchable PVC cling film with varying thickness were evaluated as packaging materials to obtain different MAP composition inside MPFM packages. Packaging of MPFM in 40 μm thick polypropylene film resulted in development of in-pack equilibrium MA with 10-14% oxygen and 5-8% carbon dioxide during storage. This in-pack MA maintained ‘fresh-like’ sensory properties, biochemical and nutritional quality in MPFM till 15 days of storage. Significant loss of B vitamins was recorded in all packages during low temperature storage. Packaging in 40 μm thick polypropylene film retained B vitamins significantly better than other semipermeable films. Low temperature storage in modified atmosphere conditions enhanced vitamin E content in MPFM. The outcome of the study will benefit the entrepreneurs and retailers for distant transport and storage of fenugreek microgreens in commercial open chillers maintained in supermarkets in their ready-to-cook form

Second Thoughts about Kripke\u27s Rule-Following Argument

クリプキによる規則遵守の議論は、「形式意味」に関する共時的な「規則遵守」の問題と、使用者の「話者意味」に関する通時的な「意図遵守」の問題とを並列化しており、さらに、意味の「構成」と「正当化」との二つの側面から議論展開していることを指摘し、その区別に基づく四象限の関係性が、数学的規則の場合と感覚言語の場合とで異なること、および、懐疑的解決以後は別の関係性として一元化されるとの解釈を提示した。加えて、別の著作内での「私的な名付け」との関連性、および、記述の人称について考察を加えた

Trans-disciplinary responses to climate change: lessons from rice-based systems in Asia

Climate change will continue to have a largely detrimental impact on the agricultural sector worldwide because of predicted rising temperatures, variable rainfall, and an increase in extreme weather events. Reduced crop yields will lead to higher food prices and increased hardship for low income populations, especially in urban areas. Action on climate change is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13) and is linked to the Paris Climate Agreement. The research challenge posed by climate change is so complex that a trans-disciplinary response is required, one that brings together researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers in networks where the lines between “research” and “development” become deliberately blurred. Fostering such networks will require researchers, throughout the world, not only to work across disciplines but also to pursue new South–North and South–South partnerships incorporating policy-makers and practitioners. We use our diverse research experiences to describe the emergence of such networks, such as the Direct Seeded Rice Consortium (DSRC) in South and Southeast Asia, and to identify lessons on how to facilitate and strengthen the development of trans-disciplinary responses to climate change