High efficiency realization for a wide-coverage unification grammar

We give a detailed account of an algorithm for efficient tactical generation from underspecified logical-form semantics, using a wide-coverage grammar and a corpus of real-world target utterances. Some earlier claims about chart realization are critically reviewed and corrected in the light of a series of practical experiments. As well as a set of algorithmic refinements, we present two novel techniques: the integration of subsumption-based local ambiguity factoring, and a procedure to selectively unpack the generation forest according to a probability distribution given by a conditional, discriminative model

Lack of association between dietary fructose and hyperuricemia risk in adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High serum uric acid concentration (hyperuricemia) has been studied for its relationship with multiple adverse health outcomes, such as metabolic syndrome. Intervention studies have produced inconsistent outcomes for the relationship between fructose intake and serum uric acid concentration.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The association of dietary fructose intake with hyperuricemia risk in adults was examined using logistic regression and U.S. NHANES 1999-2004 databases. A total of 9,384 subjects, between the ages 20 and 80 years, without diabetes, cancer, or heart disease, were included.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The highest added or total fructose intake (quartiles by grams or % energy) was not associated with an increase of hyperuricemia risk compared to the lowest intake with or without adjustment (odds ratios = 0.515-0.992). The associations of alcohol and fiber intakes with the risk were also determined. Compared to the lowest intake, the highest alcohol intake was associated with increased mean serum uric acid concentration (up to 16%, <it>P </it>< 0.001) and hyperuricemia risk (odds ratios = 1.658-1.829, <it>P </it>= 0.057- < 0.001); the highest fiber intake was correlated with decreases of uric acid concentration (up to 7.5%, <it>P </it>< 0.002) and lower risk (odds ratios = 0.448-0.478, <it>P </it>= 0.001- < 0.001). Adults who were over 50 y old, male, or obese had significantly greater risk.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The data show that increased dietary fructose intake was not associated with increased hyperuricemia risk; while increased dietary alcohol intake was significantly associated with increased hyperuricemia risk; and increased fiber intake was significantly associated with decreased hyperuricemia risk. These data further suggest a potential effect of fructose consumption in an ordinary diet on serum uric acid differs from results found in some short-term studies using atypical exposure and/or levels of fructose administration.</p

Continuous gas processing without bubbles using thin liquid film bioreactors containing biocomposite biocatalysts

Continuous microbial gas processing without bubbles is possible with thin liquid film, plug flow bioreactors. We have demonstrated that power input can be minimized by using a falling liquid film operating under laminar wavy flow conditions (Re \u3c200) in contact with highly concentrated living, non-growing microbes stabilized in a porous biocomposite biocatalyst. This composite materials approach to continuous gas processing can dramatically increase mass transfer rates \u3e100 fold compared to bubble aeration, decrease process volume, significantly decrease gas-liquid mass transfer energy input, decrease water use, and increase secreted product concentration. We have shown that this approach can also increase microbial specific activity for some organisms compared to microbes suspended in liquid media. Paper-based biocomposite biocatalysts provide a rough hydrophilic surface resulting in uniform ~300 μm thick falling liquid films. Paper roughness enhances gas-liquid-microbe mass transfer. This mass transfer enhancement has been simulated using a finite element (FEM) CFD model. The paper structure also functions as a separation device - the secreted products are released into the falling liquid film and continuously removed from the reactor. We are investigating biocomposite biocatalyst design and stabilization using a 0.05 m2 prototype cylindrical paper falling film bioreactor (FFBR). This approach can be used for continuous gas processing with either non-photosynthetic or photosynthetic microorganisms. Current experimental model systems we are investigating include Clostridium ljungdahlii OTA1 for absorbing CO from syn-gas, Methylomycrobium alkaliphilum 20Z for absorbing CH4 in air, and Chlamydomonas renhardtii for CO2 emissions. Critical to biocomposite biocatalyst design are generation of nanoporous coating microstructure, microbe adhesion to paper during film formation (which may include engineering the surface of the microbes), surviving osmotic shock in coating formulations, as well as desiccation tolerance to drying and prolonged dry storage. Spatially correlated Raman microspectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging techniques have been developed as a non-destructive method to monitor the distribution of residual water surrounding and within the cells. The distribution of vitrified residual water may contribute to desiccation resistance. Other types of thin liquid film reactors, such as a spinning disk bioreactor (SDBR), that enhance mass transfer by reducing liquid film thickness to \u3c100 μm with wave induced turbulent flow using centrifugal force (1000 x g) can be used in the future to further intensify continuous gas processing rates using biocomposite biocatalysts