669 research outputs found
Combination Strategies for Semantic Role Labeling
This paper introduces and analyzes a battery of inference models for the
problem of semantic role labeling: one based on constraint satisfaction, and
several strategies that model the inference as a meta-learning problem using
discriminative classifiers. These classifiers are developed with a rich set of
novel features that encode proposition and sentence-level information. To our
knowledge, this is the first work that: (a) performs a thorough analysis of
learning-based inference models for semantic role labeling, and (b) compares
several inference strategies in this context. We evaluate the proposed
inference strategies in the framework of the CoNLL-2005 shared task using only
automatically-generated syntactic information. The extensive experimental
evaluation and analysis indicates that all the proposed inference strategies
are successful -they all outperform the current best results reported in the
CoNLL-2005 evaluation exercise- but each of the proposed approaches has its
advantages and disadvantages. Several important traits of a state-of-the-art
SRL combination strategy emerge from this analysis: (i) individual models
should be combined at the granularity of candidate arguments rather than at the
granularity of complete solutions; (ii) the best combination strategy uses an
inference model based in learning; and (iii) the learning-based inference
benefits from max-margin classifiers and global feedback
Anàlisi de la mortalitat de vertebrats a les carreteres de Menorca
Throughout 2003, a study was conducted to quantify the mortality of
wildlife on the roads of the island of Menorca. The study was based on the results of
4 sampling campaigns (winter, spring, summer and fall). 20 different sectors were
sampled,covering the 5 main types of the road network on the island, excluding rural
and unpaved road. All sampling sectors cover 102.7 km (40% of the roads on the
island) with anaverage length 5.1 km each. Each sampling campaign supposed a 3
times tracking of each sector, so t so that we had 3 replicates per campaign and per
sector. Replications took place after 5 to 8 days following the standardized methods
for such studies, and depending on weather conditions. After 4 campaigns, we
registered a total amount of 1,895 individuals run over. From field work and
estimates we can state that 14,583 vertebrates die annually in road accidents, most of
which species of birds Passeriformes (over 6,500) and hedgehogs -Atelerix algirus-
(2,160)
Speonomus tincatincensis n. sp. y S. saforensis n. sp., nuevos Bathysciinae (Col., Catopidae) del Pallars, Lleida
Sedimentological and palaeohydrological characterization of Late Pleistocene and Holocene tufa mound palaeolakes using trenching methods in the Spanish Pyrenees
Lakes developed in the inner depressions of tufa mounds are rare geomorphic features and still poorly understood. Sedimentation in this unusual type of endorheic lake with a very restricted catchment area is highly sensitive to environmental and hydrological changes. The Isona tufa mound complex, north-eastern Iberian Peninsula, is associated with the discharge zone of a confined artesian aquifer and comprises 11 tufa mounds consisting of an annular rimstone enclosing a central depression filled with lake deposits. Data gathered from trenches excavated in four palaeolakes located within three different morphostratigraphic units permitted a precise analysis of the geometrical characteristics and stratigraphic relationships of the deposits and provided a sedimentation model for the Late Quaternary infilling of the spring-fed lakes. The work illustrates that trenches allow a precise characterization of the stratigraphic arrangements, lateral facies changes and deformation structures, which are not apparent in studies relying solely on borehole records, and facilitate sampling for dating and geochemical analyses. The five sedimentary facies described represent different evolutionary stages of the lakes, including: (i) carbonate-rich palustrine deposits probably related to periods with strong hydrological seasonality; (ii) massive highly bioturbated organic ooze; (iii) banded organic carbonate-rich facies associated with an increase in the regional effective moisture; (iv) finegrained quartz-rich aeolian/slope-wash sediments; and (v) colluvial facies deposited following the desiccation of the lakes located at higher altitudes. Geochemical and sedimentological analyses of the lacustrine sequences provided information on the palaeohydrological evolution of the Isona tufa mound complex and the palaeoenvironmental conditions of the area over the last 28 ka. Radiometric dating suggests that deposition occurred simultaneously at ca 22 ka in palaeolakes situated at different elevations. A drop in the piezometric level prompted by the opening of springs at lower altitudes probably caused the deactivation of the upper springs and the desiccation of the lakes. Arid conditions prevailed in the area during the Late Glacial and the early Holocene (28·0 to 8·5 ka BP). More humid conditions recorded from 8·5 to 4·2 ka and again since 1·7 ka are in accordance with palaeoenvironmental reconstructions available in the Western Mediterranean since the Last Glacial Maximum
Identifying the boundaries of sinkholes and subsidence areas via trenching and establishing setback distances
One of the most effective mitigation strategies in sinkhole areas is the exclusion of sinkholes and their vicinity to construction. The application of this preventive measure requires precise mapping of the boundaries of the areas affected by subsidence and the establishment of adequate setback distances, which is an important policy issue with significant economic implications. Through the investigation of several buried sinkholes in the mantled evaporite karst of the Ebro Valley by trenching, this work illustrates that the actual extent of the subsidence areas may be much larger than that inferred from surface mapping and geophysical surveys. The objective and accurate subsurface information acquired from trenches on the outer edge of the deformed ground revealed sinkhole radii 2–3 times larger than initially estimated, increasing one order of magnitude the sinkhole area. Trenches can therefore help to reduce mapping uncertainties and the size of setbacks. Moreover, the trenching technique, in combination with geochronological data and retrodeformation analyses, provides critical information on the subsidence phenomena and the characteristics of the sinkholes relevant to hazard assessment. Since recommended setback distances found in the existing literature are highly variable and rather arbitrary, we include a discussion here on the main factors that should be considered when defining setback zones for sinkholes
Influence of intermartensitic transitions on transport properties of Ni2.16Mn0.84Ga alloy
Magnetic, transport, and x-ray diffraction measurements of ferromagnetic
shape memory alloy NiMnGa revealed that this alloy undergoes
an intermartensitic transition upon cooling, whereas no such a transition is
observed upon subsequent heating. The difference in the modulation of the
martensite forming upon cooling from the high-temperature austenitic state
[5-layered (5M) martensite], and the martensite forming upon the
intermartensitic transition [7-layered (7M) martensite] strongly affects the
magnetic and transport properties of the alloy and results in a large thermal
hysteresis of the resistivity and magnetization . The
intermartensitic transition has an especially marked influence on the transport
properties, as is evident from a large difference in the resistivity of the 5M
and 7M martensite, , which is larger than the jump of resistivity at
the martensitic transition from the cubic austenitic phase to the monoclinic 5M
martensitic phase. We assume that this significant difference in between
the martensitic phases is accounted for by nesting features of the Fermi
surface. It is also suggested that the nesting hypothesis can explain the
uncommon behavior of the resistivity at the martensitic transition, observed in
stoichiometric and near-stoichiometric Ni-Mn-Ga alloys.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, REVTEX
Mean parameter model for the Pekar-Fr\"{o}hlich polaron in a multilayered heterostructure
The polaron energy and the effective mass are calculated for an electron
confined in a finite quantum well constructed of
layers. To simplify the study we suggest a model in which parameters of a
medium are averaged over the ground-state wave function. The rectangular and
the Rosen-Morse potential are used as examples.
To describe the confined electron properties explicitly to the second order
of perturbations in powers of the electron-phonon coupling constant we use the
exact energy-dependent Green function for the Rosen-Morse confining potential.
In the case of the rectangular potential, the sum over all intermediate virtual
states is calculated. The comparison is made with the often used leading term
approximation when only the ground-state is taken into account as a virtual
state. It is shown that the results are quite different, so the incorporation
of all virtual states and especially those of the continuous spectrum is
essential.
Our model reproduces the correct three-dimensional asymptotics at both small
and large widths. We obtained a rather monotonous behavior of the polaron
energy as a function of the confining potential width and found a peak of the
effective mass. The comparison is made with theoretical results by other
authors. We found that our model gives practically the same (or very close)
results as the explicit calculations for potential widths .Comment: 12 pages, LaTeX, including 5 PS-figures, subm. to Phys. Rev. B, new
data are discusse
Optimization methodology for high COD nutrient-limited wastewaters treatment using BAS process
Optimization of biofilm activated sludge (BAS) process via mathematical modelling is an entangle activity since economic, environmental objective and technical decision must be considered. This paper presents a methodology to optimize the operational conditions of BAS process in four steps by combining dynamic simulation techniques with non-linear optimization methods and with operative decision-making criteria. Two set of variables are separately prioritized in the methodology: essential variables related to physical operation to enforce established process performance, and refinement variables related to biological processes that can generate risks of bulking, pin-point floc and rising sludge. The proposed optimization strategy is applied for the treatment of high COD wastewater under nutrient limitation using an integrated mathematical model for COD removal that include predation, hydrolysis and a simplified approach to the limiting solids flux theory in the secondary clarifier in order to facilitate the convergence of the optimization solver. The methodology is implemented in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant for a cellulose and viscose fibre mill obtaining (i) improvement of the effluent quality index (Kg pollution/m3) up to 62% and, (ii) decrease the operating cost index (€/m3) of the process up to 30% respect the regular working operational conditions of the plant. The proposed procedure can be also applied to other biological treatments treating high COD nutrient-limited industrial wastewater such as from textile and winery production among others
Time-trend and variations in the proportion of second-eye cataract surgery
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite recommendations for greater use of second-eye cataract surgery and the bilateral progression of the disease, there is a substantial proportion of unmet need for this treatment. Few studies have explored the factors associated with second-eye cataract surgery utilisation. The objective of our study was to estimate the proportion of second-eye cataract surgery, evaluate its time-trend, and explore differences in utilisation by patients' gender, age, and region of residence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All senile cataract surgeries performed between 1999 and 2002 in the public health system of Catalonia (Spain) were obtained from the Minimum Data Set. The proportion of second-eye surgery from November 2000 to December 2002 was calculated. The time-trend of this proportion was characterised through linear regression models with the logarithmic transformation of time.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The proportion of second-eye surgery was 30.0% and showed an increasing trend from 24.8% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 21.6; 26.1) in November 2000 to 31.8% (95% CI 31.4; 33.6) in December 2002. This proportion was 1.9% (95% CI 0.9; 2.9) higher in women (p < 0.001) and held constant across time. Male patients aged less than 60 had the lowest proportion (22.6%; 95% CI 22.4; 22.9) and females between 70 and 79 had the highest proportion (27.4%; 95% CI 26.9; 27.9). The time-trend for the proportion of second-eye surgery in those aged over 80 years was greater than for younger ages, showing an increase of 9% at the end of the period for both males and females. Variations between regions decreased over time because regions with the lowest initial proportions of second-eye surgery (approximately 17%) showed a greater increase over the study period.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We predict greater utilization of second-eye surgery in patients aged 70 to 79 years and in women. A greater increase in the utilisation rates of second-eye surgery is expected in the regions with lower proportions and in older patients. The observed trend suggests that there will be a substantial proportion of unmet need for bilateral surgery.</p
BugMat and FindNeighbour: command line and server applications for investigating bacterial relatedness
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