Visual Classifier Training for Text Document Retrieval

Performing exhaustive searches over a large number of text documents can be tedious, since it is very hard to formulate search queries or define filter criteria that capture an analyst's information need adequately. Classification through machine learning has the potential to improve search and filter tasks encompassing either complex or very specific information needs, individually. Unfortunately, analysts who are knowledgeable in their field are typically not machine learning specialists. Most classification methods, however, require a certain expertise regarding their parametrization to achieve good results. Supervised machine learning algorithms, in contrast, rely on labeled data, which can be provided by analysts. However, the effort for labeling can be very high, which shifts the problem from composing complex queries or defining accurate filters to another laborious task, in addition to the need for judging the trained classifier's quality. We therefore compare three approaches for interactive classifier training in a user study. All of the approaches are potential candidates for the integration into a larger retrieval system. They incorporate active learning to various degrees in order to reduce the labeling effort as well as to increase effectiveness. Two of them encompass interactive visualization for letting users explore the status of the classifier in context of the labeled documents, as well as for judging the quality of the classifier in iterative feedback loops. We see our work as a step towards introducing user controlled classification methods in addition to text search and filtering for increasing recall in analytics scenarios involving large corpora.

Iterative Integration of Visual Insights during Scalable Patent Search and Analysis

Patents are of growing importance in current economic markets. Analyzing patent information has, therefore, become a common task for many interest groups. As a prerequisite for patent analysis, extensive search for relevant patent information is essential. Unfortunately, the complexity of patent material inhibits a straightforward retrieval of all relevant patent documents and leads to iterative, time-consuming approaches in practice. Already the amount of patent data to be analyzed poses challenges with respect to scalability. Further scalability issues arise concerning the diversity of users and the large variety of analysis tasks. With "PatViz", a system for interactive analysis of patent information has been developed addressing scalability at various levels. PatViz provides a visual environment allowing for interactive reintegration of insights into subsequent search iterations, thereby bridging the gap between search and analytic processes. Because of its extensibility, we expect that the approach we have taken can be employed in different problem domains that require high quality of search results regarding their completeness.

[Genetically modified peas in discussion]

Kürzlich geriet eine “Gen‐Erbse” in die Schlagzeilen: Verändert um resistent gegen den Erbsenkäfer zu sein, induzierte sie bei Mäusen, die diese Erbse gefressen hatten, eine Immunreaktion.

Atmospheric detection of water dimers via near-infrared absorption

Weakly bonded pairs of water molecules (H2O)2, or water dimers (WDs), may play an important role in photochemistry and climate, but the overlap of most of its spectral features with the water monomer (WM) has made detection difficult. We report on WD absorption measurements by means of atmospheric long-path (18.34 kilometers) differential optical absorption spectroscopy of the near-infrared OH stretching mode 0>f 4>b overtone transition predicted to be located near 746 nanometers. Our observation is in reasonable agreement with the known thermochemistry, calculated and measured structure, and spectroscopy (band strength, shape, and width) of the WD. The observation implies that the WD 0>f 4>b band is located at 749.5 nanometers, with a full width at half maximum of approximately 19.4 wave numbers, and that its band strength ranges between 1.23 x 10(-22) and 5.25 x 10(-22) centimeters per molecule.

High order statistics for image classification

This paper addresses the problem of image classification using local information which is aggregated to provide global representation of different image classes. Local information is adaptively extracted from an image database using Independent Component Analysis (ICA) which provides a set of localized, oriented, and band-pass filters selective to independent features of the images. Local representation using ICA techniques has been previously investigated by several researchers. However, very little work has been done on further use of these representations to provide more complex and global description of images. In this paper, we present an algorithm which uses the energy of a minimal set of ICA filters to provide class-specific signatures which are shown to be strongly discriminant. Computer simulations are carried on two image databases, one consisting of five classes--referred to as categories--(buildings, rooms, mountains, forests and beaches) and one consisting of a set of 30 objects from multiple views for viewpoint invariant object recognition. The classification performance of the algorithm using both Independent and Principal Component Analyses are reported and discussed.

Synchronization and desynchronization of neural oscillators

We have used continuous and discrete-time versions of a neural oscillator model to analyze how various types of synaptic connections between oscillators affect synchronization and desynchronization phenomena. First, we present a synthesis of the mathematical properties of both neural oscillator versions. Then, we show that the choice of parameters leads to a relationship between the two versions. Finally, we achieve the coupling of two oscillators in order to study how synaptic connections affect the phase lag. With this in mind, we state some of the results for the continuous-time model. The second part of this paper deals with the behavior of neural networks comprising connected oscillators, which involves looking at the conditions for desynchronization of a totally synchronized oscillator net. Such a study has been carried out both for a fully and for a sparsely connected network. This leads to the observation that some architectures enable proper desynchronization when the size of the network is large. While searching for the conditions for desynchronization, we have discovered that a macroscopic description of the network is sometimes possible. To conclude, we discuss the advantages and the limitations of this macroscopic approach.

[omega]-Hydroxylation of Oleic Acid in Vicia sativa Microsomes (Inhibition by Substrate Analogs and Inactivation by Terminal Acetylenes)

Oleic acid (18:1) is hydroxylated exclusively on the terminal methyl by a microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent system ([omega]-OAH) from clofibrate-induced Vicia sativa L. (var minor) seedlings (F. Pinot, J.-P. Salaun, H. Bosch, A. Lesot, C. Mioskowski, F. Durst [1992] Biochem Biophys Res Commun 184: 183-193). This reaction was inactivated by two terminal acetylenes: (Z)-9-octadecen-17-ynoic acid (17-ODCYA) and the corresponding epoxide, (Z)-9,10-epoxyoctadecan-17-ynoic acid (17-EODCYA). Inactivation was mechanism-based, with an apparent binding constant of 21 and 32 [mu]M and half-lives of 16 and 19 min for 17-ODCYA and 17-EODCYA, respectively. We have investigated the participation of one or more [omega]-hydroxylase isoforms in the oxidation of fatty acids in this plant system. Lauric acid (12:0) is [omega]-hydroxylated by the cytochrome P-450 [omega]-hydroxylase [omega]-LAH (J.-P. Salaun, A. Simon, F. Durst [1986] Lipids 21: 776-779). Half-lives of [omega]-OAH and [omega]-LAH in the presence of 40 [mu]M 17-ODCYA were 23 and 41 min, respectively. Inhibition of oleic acid [omega]-hydroxylation was competitive with linoleic acid (18:2), but noncompetitive with lauric acid (12:0). In contrast, oleic acid did not inhibit [omega]-hydroxylation of lauric acid. Furthermore, 1-pentadecyltriazole inhibited [omega]-hydroxylation of oleic acid but not of lauric acid. These results suggest that distinct monooxygenases catalyze [omega]-hydroxylation of medium- and long-chain fatty acids in V. sativa microsomes.

Stereochemistry of oxidized fatty acids generated during catalytic oxygenation of lauric acid and unsaturated analogs by plant microsomes

The capacity of microsomes from aminopyrine-induced Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) to oxidize saturated and unsaturated fatty acids has been investigated using lauric acid and a series of unsaturated lauric acid analogs (7-, 8-, 9- and 10-dodecenoic acids) as radiolabeled substrates. In the presence of NADH, lauric acid was mono-hydroxylated principally at carbon 9. Steric analysis of this product showed a low enantiomeric excess of 28%. Mono-hydroxylated and mono-epoxidated reaction products were formed from the unsaturated analogs. The epoxidation/hydroxylation ratio was related to the position of the double bond in the aliphatic chain. The oxidation of 7-dodecenoic acid (7-DDNA) and 10-DDNA produced mainly 9-hydroxy-7-DDNA and 9-hydroxy-10-DDNA plus minor amounts of 7,8-epoxy- or 10,11-epoxylauric acid, respectively. In contrast, 8- and 9-DDNAs yielded essentially 8,9-epoxy- and 9,10-epoxylauric acids and smaller amounts of 10-hydroxy-9-DDNA and 8-hydroxy-9-DDNA, respectively. The optical purity and the absolute configuration of the major metabolites were investigated. Epoxidation of Z 8-DDNA and Z 9-DDNA occurs with high enantiomeric excesses. When the double bond was in the Z configuration, (8S,9R)/(8R,9S) 8,9-epoxylauric acid (93/7) or (9R,10S)/(9S,10R) 9,10-epoxylauric acid (89/11) were produced. In contrast, when the double bond was in the E configuration, steric analysis showed an enantiomeric ratio of 52/48 for E 8,9-epoxide and of 59/41 for E 9,10-epoxide. Z 7-DDNA led to the formation of 98% of the 9(S)-hydroxy-Z 7-DDNA enantiomer, while 9-hydroxy-Z 10-DDNA derived from Z 10-DDNA was 35% (R) and 65% (S).

omega-Hydroxylation of Z9-octadecenoic, Z9,10-epoxystearic and 9,10-dihydroxystearic acids by microsomal cytochrome P450 systems from Vicia sativa

A microsomal fraction from etiolated Vicia sativa seedlings incubated aerobically with [1-14C]oleic acid (Z9-octadecenoic acid) or [1-14C]9,10-epoxystearic acid or [1-14C]9,10-dihydroxystearic acid catalyzed the NADPH-dependent formation of hydroxylated metabolites. The chemical structure of compounds formed from oleic, 9,10-epoxystearic or 9,10-dihydroxystearic acids was established by gas chromatography/mass spectra analysis to be 18-hydroxyoleic acid, 18-hydroxy-9,10-epoxystearic acid and 9,10,18-trihydroxystearic acid, respectively. The reactions required O2 and NADPH and were inhibited by carbon monoxide. As expected for monooxygenase reactions involving cytochrome P450, inhibition could be partially reversed by light and all three reactions were inhibited by antibodies raised against NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase from Jerusalem artichoke. The omega-hydroxylation of the three substrates was enhanced in microsomes from clofibrate induced seedlings.

Arterial wall characteristics determined by intravascular ultrasound imaging: an in vitro study

The feasibility of assessing arterial wall configuration with an intravascular 40 MHz ultrasound imaging device was investigated in an in vitro study of 11 autopsy specimens of human arteries. The system consists of a single element transducer, rotated with a motor mounted on an 8F catheter tip. Cross sections obtained with ultrasound were matched with the corresponding histologic sections. The arterial specimens were histologically classified as of the muscular or elastic type. Muscular arteries interrogated with ultrasound presented with a hypoechoic media, coinciding with the smooth muscle cells. In contrast, the media of an elastic artery densely packed with elastin fibers was as echogenic as the intima and the adventitia. On the basis of the cross-sectional image, it was possible to determine the nature of the atherosclerotic plaque. The location and thickness of the lesion measured from the histologic sections correlated well with the data derived from the corresponding ultrasound images. This study indicates that characterization of the type of artery and detection of arterial wall disease are possible with use of an intravascular ultrasound imaging technique.

Studies on tableting properties of lactose. Part III. The consolidation behaviour of sieve fractions of crystalline alpha-lactose monohydrate

The consolidation and compaction behaviour of sieve fractions of crystalline alpha-lactose monohydrate were studied. From mercury porosimetry measurements tablet pore surface areas were derived. At a certain compaction load it appeared that tablets compressed from small particles were generally stronger and showed a larger surface area than compacts prepared from coarse sieve fractions. By plotting compact strength against pore surface area, a unique linear relationship was obtained. From these results it can be concluded that the actual tablet surface area, being a function of both the initial particle size and applied compaction pressure, is responsible for the compact strength.

Studies on tableting properties of lactose. Part 2. Consolidation and compaction of different types of crystalline lactose

Lactose is available in several crystalline forms, which differ in binding properties. A new method of estimating the fragmentation propensity was applied to investigate the consolidation and compaction behaviour of this excipient for direct compression. Mercury porosimetry was used to demonstrate that crystalline lactose fragments during compaction. Tablet strength was found to be dependent on the degree of fragmentation only. This finding indicates that the nature of the actual binding must be the same for the different types of crystalline lactose.

[Alcohol-induced Cushing's syndrome: case report (author's transl)]

Reversible Cushing's syndrome with typical physical appearance and increased basal plasma-cortisol level developed in a 48-year-old man with essential arterial hypertension, as a result of chronic alcohol abuse and could not be supressed by prolonged dexamethason inhibition. Alcohol abstinence within a few weeks produced remission with normal adrenocortical function and regulation without any other therapeutic measures. Renewed alcohol consumption quickly brought about again the alcohol-induced Cushing's syndrome. An abnormality of central regulation with inadequate ACTH secretion was the cause of the hypercortisolism. Previously reported cases of alcohol-induced Cushing's syndrome are not uniform: in some the diagnosis is in doubt.