The transfer learning technique is widely used to learning in one context and applying it to another, i.e. the capacity to apply acquired knowledge and skills to new situations. But is it possible to transfer the learning from a deep neural network to a weaker neural network? Is it possible to improve the performance of a weak neural network using the knowledge acquired by a more powerful neural network? In this work, during the training process of a weak network, we add a loss function that minimizes the distance between the features previously learned from a strong neural network with the features that the weak network must try to learn. To demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of our approach, we conducted a large number of experiments using three known datasets and demonstrated that a weak neural network can increase its performance if its learning process is driven by a more powerful neural network.

Hong Zhang, Tiejun Tong, John Landers, Zheyang Wu.

Source: The Annals of Applied Statistics, Volume 14, Number 1, 178--201.

Abstract:
The $p$-value combination approach is an important statistical strategy for testing global hypotheses with broad applications in signal detection, meta-analysis, data integration, etc. In this paper we extend the classic Fisher’s combination method to a unified family of statistics, called TFisher, which allows a general truncation-and-weighting scheme of input $p$-values. TFisher can significantly improve statistical power over the Fisher and related truncation-only methods for detecting both rare and dense “signals.” To address wide applications, analytical calculations for TFisher’s size and power are deduced under any two continuous distributions in the null and the alternative hypotheses. The corresponding omnibus test (oTFisher) and its size calculation are also provided for data-adaptive analysis. We study the asymptotic optimal parameters of truncation and weighting based on Bahadur efficiency (BE). A new asymptotic measure, called the asymptotic power efficiency (APE), is also proposed for better reflecting the statistics’ performance in real data analysis. Interestingly, under the Gaussian mixture model in the signal detection problem, both BE and APE indicate that the soft-thresholding scheme is the best, the truncation and weighting parameters should be equal. By simulations of various signal patterns, we systematically compare the power of statistics within TFisher family as well as some rare-signal-optimal tests. We illustrate the use of TFisher in an exome-sequencing analysis for detecting novel genes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Relevant computation has been implemented into an R package TFisher published on the Comprehensive R Archive Network to cater for applications.

Chanmin Kim, Michael J. Daniels, Joseph W. Hogan, Christine Choirat, Corwin M. Zigler.

Source: The Annals of Applied Statistics, Volume 13, Number 3, 1927--1956.

Abstract:
Emission control technologies installed on power plants are a key feature of many air pollution regulations in the US. While such regulations are predicated on the presumed relationships between emissions, ambient air pollution and human health, many of these relationships have never been empirically verified. The goal of this paper is to develop new statistical methods to quantify these relationships. We frame this problem as one of mediation analysis to evaluate the extent to which the effect of a particular control technology on ambient pollution is mediated through causal effects on power plant emissions. Since power plants emit various compounds that contribute to ambient pollution, we develop new methods for multiple intermediate variables that are measured contemporaneously, may interact with one another, and may exhibit joint mediating effects. Specifically, we propose new methods leveraging two related frameworks for causal inference in the presence of mediating variables: principal stratification and causal mediation analysis. We define principal effects based on multiple mediators, and also introduce a new decomposition of the total effect of an intervention on ambient pollution into the natural direct effect and natural indirect effects for all combinations of mediators. Both approaches are anchored to the same observed-data models, which we specify with Bayesian nonparametric techniques. We provide assumptions for estimating principal causal effects, then augment these with an additional assumption required for causal mediation analysis. The two analyses, interpreted in tandem, provide the first empirical investigation of the presumed causal pathways that motivate important air quality regulatory policies.

The bombastic military parade through Moscow's Red Square on Saturday was slated to be the spectacle of the year on the Kremlin's calendar. Standing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron, President Vladimir Putin would have overseen a 90-minute procession of Russia's military might, showcasing 15,000 troops and the latest hardware. Now, military jets will roar over an eerily quiet Moscow, spurting red, white and blue smoke to mark 75 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Junhui Cai, Avishai Mandelbaum, Chaitra H. Nagaraja, Haipeng Shen, Linda Zhao.

Source: Statistical Science, Volume 34, Number 4, 669--691.

Abstract:
Statisticians are finding their place in the emerging field of data science. However, many issues considered “new” in data science have long histories in statistics. Examples of using statistical thinking are illustrated, which range from exploratory data analysis to measuring uncertainty to accommodating nonrandom samples. These examples are then applied to service networks, baseball predictions and official statistics.

Jeremy R. Manning
Oct 28, 2009; 29:13613-13620
BehavioralSystemsCognitive

Global food security largely depends on smallholder family farms where in many regions of the world women play a crucial role as both producers and providers of food. Studies show that when women and other rural poor have better access to resources, the benefits are far-reaching. Families are healthier, more children attend school, agricultural productivity improves, incomes increase, and rural communities [...]

What do cucumbers, mustard, almonds and alfalfa have in common? On the surface it appears to be very little. However, there is one thing they do share: They all owe their existence to the service of bees. There is more to the tiny striped helper than sweet honey and a painful sting. For millennia, it has carried out its service [...]

In the varied and vital roles they play – as farmers, farm workers, entrepreneurs, caregivers and community leaders – rural women form the backbone of rural societies. Almost everywhere, they make crucial contributions to food production, food processing and marketing. Indeed, because women produce, process and prepare much of the food available, they are critical to the food security of [...]

When approaching the small house, Hanen can be seen laughing with her family in the yard. Hanen is a 25-year-old biologist living in Ouled Taleb, Siliana, one of several areas in North West Tunisia that are particularly hard-hit by unemployment, low income and high rates of migration. Hanen comes from a poor rural family, who invested in their children’s education [...]

The digital revolution has changed the way we work, access information and connect with each other. It offers opportunities to those who can use the new technologies, but also presents new challenges for those who are left behind. Often referred to collectively as Information and Communications Technologies or ICTs, these technologies are any method of electronically sharing or storing data: telephones, [...]

A digital-savvy historian discusses his popular @HistOpinion Twitter account

“Care Package” showcases Asian American and Pacific Islander artists, writers and scholars as sources of solace during the Covid-19 pandemic

Workers are checking solar power system on the lake. This is the first solar water power plant project in Vietnam. It is in Da Mi lake, Binh Thuan, Vietnam. With a capacity of 47.5 MWp, electricity output is nearly 70 million kWph / year.

Some New Brunswick business owners already facing a cash crunch because of COVID-19 have received an unwelcome shock from NB Power: electricity bills that don’t take into account how little energy they’ve been consuming.

On Day 5, we looked at 'Power.' Our words have the power to hurt and destroy as well as encourage and build up. Jesus' words give joy, life, peace, hope and purpose to those who believe Him.

A new study facilitated by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario states miners who were forced to inhale an aluminum powder were found to have a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Speech (via webcast)by Mr Jerome H Powell, Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, at the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, The Brookings Institution, Washington DC, 9 April 2020.

He will use deception to keep his bungled response to Covid-19 from ruining his re-election chances.

The post The Empowering Opening of Fab Lab Austral appeared first on SOLIDWORKS Education Blog.

A pair of model numbers recently discovered in multiple international regulatory filings hinted at a next-generation Beats headphone, but new information suggests the device may actually be related to an existing product that's already in circulation.

Our Data Management tools are all about getting to the right information faster, allowing engineers and designers to make better decisions. And, the 2020 release of SOLIDWORKS PDM and SOLIDWORKS Manage just got faster, helping you to harness the power

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Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says that if there is appetite for nuclear power in the market, the SA government will pursue it over the next five years.

Free flowers are an opportunity to share about God's power and love.

OM Ships is in final preparations for the Power Up Logos Hope technical project as the four millionth visitor comes aboard in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

OM Ships completes the ‘Power Up’ project and re-launches Logos Hope into active ministry.

On 1 July 350 teens and leaders poured into the University of Queensland, Australia, for five days of fun and discipleship.

Martin (Argentina) wasn’t sure whether short-term missions was his idea or God’s—until he went on an unforgettable 14-day outreach to Panama.

Philadelphia-based recording artiste M-Gee is enjoying much success from his latest release, Then A So, which is a collaboration among him, Noah Powa and ZiZi6ixx.The track comes as a collaborative project between GS Entertainment Music and Sky Height.Then A So is available on all major digital distributing platforms through Johnny Wonder.After promoting the single, the song copped a number of features on several mixtapes.

There will be no street parties on the 75th anniversary of VE Day on Friday, and it’s uncertain how many will participate in the virtual versions being touted on social media.

WEEK two of the lockdown and I don't know about you, but I’m feeling a bit playful, so how about instead of a boring old wine column, we take a look at a drink that can be fun for all the family?

It was a normal Friday night in the Red Lion pub in Whitehall, where journalists gather to gossip about the week. Charlie Whelan, former chancellor Gordon Brown’s personal spin doctor, was holding court as usual, white wine spritzer in hand.

The video-sharing platform is a huge hit with teens and some teachers are beginning to integrate it into their lessons. But cyberbullying and data privacy are big concerns, experts say.

Marc Tucker responds to Checker Finn's recent critique of the new international teacher quality study from NCEE and Linda Darling-Hammond, Empowered Educators.

Invasive Cronobacter infection is a rare but devastating disease known to affect hospitalized premature or immunocompromised infants fed powdered infant formulas (PIFs). PIF labels imply that powdered formulas are safe for healthy, term infants if the label instructions are followed.

Cronobacter can also infect healthy, term infants in the first months of life, even if PIF label instructions are followed. Invasive Cronobacter infection is extremely rare in exclusively breastfed infants or those fed commercially sterile, ready-to-feed formulas. (Read the full article)

In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, sexual assault incidence among adolescents is as high as 24%, resulting in serious physical and mental health problems. In the United States, empowerment and self-defense training have been shown to decrease incidence of sexual assault.

This study evaluated an empowerment and self-defense training intervention for adolescent girls in the African context. This intervention proved highly effective at preventing sexual assault and should be replicable in other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and around the world. (Read the full article)

A handful of educators across the country are quietly making the case that math may be the missing piece in civics education.

Several of the already existing restrictions on U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos' authority to waive federal education law deal with school funding.

Political power is a slippery thing. Even in an absolute monarchy, it can get away from you with one wrong move.

A $450,000 grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Peanut Research will aid researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences as they explore the potential to empower women farmers in northern Ghana through peanut production.

CyberPower's Gamer Xtreme midtower packs fluid 1080p gaming performance into a quality package, although it's not quite the top value in its class.