Unifying context with labeled property graph: A pipeline-based system for comprehensive text representation in NLP

Extracting valuable insights from vast amounts of unstructured digital text presents significant challenges across diverse domains. This research addresses this challenge by proposing a novel pipeline-based system that generates domain-agnostic and task-agnostic text representations. The proposed approach leverages labeled property graphs (LPG) to encode contextual information, facilitating the integration of diverse linguistic elements into a unified representation. The proposed system enables efficient graph-based querying and manipulation by addressing the crucial aspect of comprehensive context modeling and fine-grained semantics. The effectiveness of the proposed system is demonstrated through the implementation of NLP components that operate on LPG-based representations. Additionally, the proposed approach introduces specialized patterns and algorithms to enhance specific NLP tasks, including nominal mention detection, named entity disambiguation, event enrichments, event participant detection, and temporal link detection. The evaluation of the proposed approach, using the MEANTIME corpus comprising manually annotated documents, provides encouraging results and valuable insights into the system\u27s strengths. The proposed pipeline-based framework serves as a solid foundation for future research, aiming to refine and optimize LPG-based graph structures to generate comprehensive and semantically rich text representations, addressing the challenges associated with efficient information extraction and analysis in NLP

Heart failure in children and adolescents: an update on diagnostic approaches and management

Cardiac failure is a clinical syndrome that may develop in children owing to cardiac dysfunction or underlying structural heart diseases. Considering the differences in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for pediatric heart failure (PHF) and adult heart failure, we have reviewed the current literature on PHF. Relevant studies were extracted from MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, and Clinical Trial Registries using the terms “pediatric heart failure” or “heart failure in children” and “management” or “decongestive therapy.” Recent advances in diagnostic approaches, such as cardiac magnetic resonance, speckle-tracking echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and molecular diagnostic techniques, have increased our under -standing of PHF. It is imperative that clinicians evaluate the interrelated factors responsible for the develop ment of PHF, including myocardial function, pulmonary and systemic blood flow, heart rhythm, valve function, and nutritional status. Although recent advances have demon strated the efficacy of many new drugs in adult heart failure trials, it cannot be concluded that these drugs will show similar efficacy in children, considering the heterogeneous nature of the underlying mechanisms and variable pharmacody-namics and pharmacokinetics. Therefore, the underlying pathophysiology of PHF and the mechanisms of action of different drugs should be considered when selecting appropriate therapies. Further trials are needed to establi sh the efficacy and safety of these drugs, and a combined mul-ti disciplinary strategy will help enhance PHF outcomes

Experimental and artificial neural network (ANN) modeling of instream vegetation hydrodynamic resistance

This study examines the impact of upstream structures on the bulk drag coefficient of vegetation through experimental means, which has not been previously conducted. An embankment model was placed upstream of the vegetation, both with and without a moat/depression. The results showed that the presence of an upstream structure reduced the bulk drag coefficient of vegetation as the structure shared the drag. When only the embankment was placed upstream, a maximum decrease of 11% in the bulk drag coefficient was observed. However, when both the embankment and moat models were placed upstream, a 20% decrease in the bulk drag coefficient was observed. Regression models and artificial neural network (ANN) models were developed to predict the bulk drag coefficient based on the variables affecting it. Five ANN models with different training functions were compared to find the best possible training function, with performance indicators such as coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), sum of square error (SSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and Taylor’s diagrams used to evaluate the model performance. The ANN model with nine neurons in each hidden layer performed the best, achieving the highest R2 and NSE values and the lowest RMSE, SSE, and MAE values. Finally, the comparison between the regression model and the ANN model showed that the best ANN model outperformed the regression models, achieving R2 values of 0.99 and 0.98 for the training and validation subsets, respectively

Plasmodium in the bone marrow: Case series from a hospital in Pakistan, 2007-2015

Background: Malaria is a life-threatening, multisystem disease caused by the plasmodial parasite with a global incidence of approximately 229 million annually. The parasites are known to have unique and crucial interactions with various body tissues during its life cycle, notably the liver, spleen, and recent work has shown the bone marrow to be a reservoir of infection.Methods: This study is a case series of patients in whom examination of bone marrow revealed malarial parasites. A retrospective record review of 35 parasite-positive bone marrow specimens examined at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan, over the years 2007 to 2015 was conducted. Bone marrow aspirates were collected as per International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) guidelines.Results: The median age of patients was 22 years (range 1-75), and 60 % (n = 21) were male. 22 patients had evidence of Plasmodium falciparum, 12 had evidence of Plasmodium vivax and 1 patient had a mixed infection. Gametocytes and trophozoites were the most common stages identified on both peripheral blood and bone marrow examinations. Indications for bone marrow examination included fever of unknown origin and the workup of cytopenias and malignancies.Conclusions: The incidental finding of Plasmodium in samples of bone marrow suggests the reticuloendothelial system may be regularly harbour these parasites, be the infection acute or chronic in character

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

A A Review on Properties of Concrete Having Crumb Rubber as Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregates

The problem of waste rubber tires is one of the most serious environmental challenges. Crumb rubber has often been utilized to improve the characteristics of concrete composites. Mechanical treatment, chemical treatment, and thermal treatment are all options for improving the adhesion of crumb rubber aggregates to cement mortar. The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of employing crumb rubber as a partial replacement material in concrete on its fresh and mechanical qualities in order to produce sustainable concrete. The results show that the compressive strength of concrete containing crumb rubber decreases as the proportion of crumb rubber increases

Knowledge and Perception Regarding Autism among Primary School Teachers: A Cross-sectional Survey from Pakistan, South Asia

Background: Early detection and intervention seem to improve development in autistic children, and teachers form an important part of their early social environment.Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess baseline knowledge and misconceptions regarding autism among school teachers and evaluate factors influencing their knowledge.MATERIALS AND Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey enrolling primary school teachers using a self-administered questionnaire.Results: Seventy-three teachers (mean age of 34 years, 66% females) responded. Gaps in awareness and knowledge were found. About 52 (71.2%) teachers identified themselves as having some knowledge about autism, with 23 (44.2%) among this group understanding autism as a neurological/mental disorder. The majority (73.1%) believe that special education is a helpful intervention. The only significant factor that influenced knowledge among teachers was attendance of behavioral classes (P = 0.01).CONCLUSION: Results suggest that teachers have an inadequate understanding of autism due to several misconceptions. This calls for increased education of teachers with regard to autism and other childhood disorders