Methods to improve quality and diversity of language-vision models

Humans can describe images and, more generally, the world around them in an evocative manner using vivid language constructs. Designing neural network models that can attain results similar to those of humans on tasks like image-captioning and image-generation is a worthy goal in the overall pursuit of artificial general intelligence. Notwithstanding the tremendous recent progress in this area, current systems still cannot describe objects and scenes as creatively and accurately as humans. As a step in the direction of bridging this gap, this thesis proposes architectures and algorithms for generating high-quality, diverse outputs for the tasks of image-captioning and image-generation.U of I OnlyAuthor requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD syste

Causality assessment of serious and severe adverse events following immunization in India: a 4-year practical experience

Background: India has implemented the World Health Organization’s revised Causality Assessment Protocol for adverse events following immunization (AEFI). We describe the number and types of serious/severe AEFIs, including deaths. Research design and methods: Analysis of causality classification of reported serious/severe AEFIs from 1 January 2012 to 7 January 2016 was done. Classification includes (A) consistent with causal association to immunization; (B) indeterminate; (C) coincidental association; or (D) unclassifiable. We present descriptive statistics across each category. Results: Analysis of causality assessment completed for 1037 reports of serious AEFIs: 499 (48%) were causally associated, 84 (8%) were indeterminate, 323 (31%) were coincidental, and 131 (13%) were unclassifiable. Of the 499 reports in the A category, the events were causally linked to vaccine product for 189 (18%), to immunization error for 135 (13%), and to immunization anxiety for 175 (17%). Among 279 reported deaths, more than half (55%; n = 153) were coincidental events and 37% were unclassifiable. Conclusions: Causality assessment of AEFI cases is an important component of vaccination programs and post-marketing surveillance of vaccines. Field reporting and investigation of AEFIs can be improved for many severe or serious reports, most of which are not causally linked to the vaccination program

Relation of Axial Length with Corneal Curvature of the eye in adult subjects with refractive error

BACKGROUND: The second most common reason for blindness worldwide is refractive error. Not only is the global burden of refractive error very high, but also increasing day by day. A number of associated serious complications and the various modes of treatment aspect of the refractive errors warrant the necessity to explore the various factors that have impact on them. The present study was done with the purpose of establishing the relation of axial length with corneal curvature of the eye in adult subjects with refractive error. MATERIAL & METHOD: This study was done on one thousand eyes, of five hundred adult cases, over a total period of 2 years. The cases included were of both sex’s, male & female, taken from Patiala and around Patiala. The subjects were recruited on the basis of inclusion criteria: refractive error- myopia and hyperopia & age between 20-40 years. The subjects in our study included students of M.B.B.S. (Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery) & B.D.S. (Bachelor of Dental Sciences) and routine OPD (Out Patient Door) patients falling in the range of concern of my study. The instruments used in this study were: Autorefractor, A-Scan Ultrasound Biometer and Autokeratometer for measuring refractive error, axial length and corneal curvature respectively. Each subject was explained thoroughly about the whole procedure. Their informed written consent was also taken. Detailed relevant information & general examination was done in each and every case. Thereafter local examination was done & the two concerned ocular parameters were recorded, all as per Performa. AIM: The aim was to find in the subjects the type & degree of refractive error and axial length & corneal curvature and then to find the relationship in between the two concerned ocular parameters. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was done of the data obtained. The results of our present study have showed that the right eye axial length has highly significant negative correlation with right eye corneal curvature (r = -0.418, p<0.01) and left eye axial length has highly significant negative correlation with left eye corneal curvature (r = -0.405, p<0.01).            It means that as we progress from myopic to hyperopic refractive error, accordingly the axial length decreases & corneal curvature increases. CONCLUSION: In myopia or shortsightedness, image is formed in front of retina. Increase in myopic refractive error is found to be in close association with elongation of eyeball or increase in axial length and decreased corneal curvature. In hyperopia or longsightedness, image is formed behind the retina. Shortened axial length & increased corneal curvature of the eyeball is found to be closely associated with hyperopia