Abstract: A computer-implemented method of training a model comprising a sequence of stages, each stage in the sequence comprises: a VAE comprising a respective first encoder arranged to encode a respective subset of the real-world features into a respective latent space representation, and a respective first decoder arranged to decode from the respective latent space representation to a respective decoded version of the respective set of real-world features; at least each but the last stage in the sequence comprises: a respective second decoder arranged to decode from the respective latent space representation to predict one or more respective actions; and each successive stage in the sequence following the first stage, each succeeding a respective preceding stage in the sequence, further comprises: a sequential network arranged to transform from the latent representation from the preceding stage to the latent space representation of the successive stage.

Abstract: Generative adversarial models have several benefits; however, due to mode collapse, these generators face a quality-diversity trade-off (i.e., the generator models sacrifice generation diversity for increased generation quality). Presented herein are embodiments that improve the performance of adversarial content generation by decelerating mode collapse. In one or more embodiments, a cooperative training paradigm is employed where a second model is cooperatively trained with the generator and helps efficiently shape the data distribution of the generator against mode collapse. Moreover, embodiments of a meta learning mechanism may be used, where the cooperative update to the generator serves as a high-level meta task and which helps ensures the generator parameters after the adversarial update stay resistant against mode collapse. In experiments, tested employments demonstrated efficient slowdown of mode collapse for the adversarial text generators.

Abstract: An aqueous gel that is prepared by gelling a polymer components, the polymer components containing polymer A, which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer component containing a betaine monomer represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R2 represents an alkylene, arylene, aralkylene, —COOH— or —CONH— group; R3 and R4 represent an alkyl group, and R5 represents an alkylene group, and a polymer B, which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer component containing an acidic monomer represented by the formula (II): wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R6 represents an optionally neutralized sulfonate group, an optionally neutralized phosphate group, or an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, carboxyl or amino group carrying an optionally neutralized sulfonate group or an optionally neutralized phosphate group.

Abstract: An aqueous gel that is prepared by gelling a polymer components, the polymer components containing polymer A, which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer component containing a betaine monomer represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R2 represents an alkylene, arylene, aralkylene, —COOH- or —CONH-group; R3 and R4 represent an alkyl group, and R5 represents an alkylene group, and a polymer B, which is obtained by polymerizing a monomer component containing an acidic monomer represented by the formula (II): wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R6 represents an optionally neutralized sulfonate group, an optionally neutralized phosphate group, or an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, carboxyl or amino group carrying an optionally neutralized sulfonate group or an optionally neutralized phosphate group.