Reversing The Twenty Questions Game

Twenty questions is a widely popular verbal game. In recent years, many computerized versions of this game have been developed in which a user thinks of an entity and a computer attempts to guess this entity by asking a series of boolean-type (yes/no) questions. In this research, we aim to reverse this game by making the computer choose an entity at random. The human aims to guess this entity by quizzing the computer with natural language queries which the computer will then attempt to parse using a boolean question answering model. The game ends when the human is successfully able to guess the entity of the computer's choice.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables, This paper is a graduate course project for North Carolina State University, written for the Natural Language Processing class in Fall 2021. The paper was submitted to and graded by Dr. Munindar P. Sing

Formulation and fluoride content of dentifrices: a review of current patterns

Introduction Consumer oral hygiene products play a key role in improving and maintaining population oral health. The oral personal care market is rapidly diversifying; a growing number of dentifrices marketed a 'natural' and fluoride-free are entering mainstream retailers, which may have implications for the oral health of the population 'with regards to caries risk. Aims To investigate the range of fluoride concentrations, flavour formulations and delivery mechanisms of dentifrices available on the UK market. Methods A cross-sectional survey was used to catalogue dentifrices sold in a range of supermarkets, high-street pharmacy and health chains, and specialist online retailers. In addition, a standard search engine was used to examine dentifrice brands being sold in the UK. The fluoride content was recorded as parts per million (ppm) and the product name data were analysed for key terms using Microsoft Excel. Excluded from the survey were mouthwashes, rinses and non-dentifrice whitening products. Results Five hundred different toothpaste, tooth powder and tablet products from 95 different brands were recorded. Sixty percent of these contained a fluoride concentration of 1,000 ppm or above. Forty-five percent of all products had the recommended adult concentration of at least 1,350 ppm. Almost one-third (31%) contained no fluoride and 4% of products did not specify the absence, presence or concentration of fluoride. Conclusions This study has quantified and confirmed the increasingly diverse range of dentifrices for sale in the UK. A large number of fluoride-free products exist within a growing 'natural' and 'organic market'. The study also gives oral health professionals an insight into the diverse types of products available to consumers in order to appropriately advise patients on caries prevention

Modular Evolution of DNA-Binding Preference of a Tbrain Transcription Factor Provides a Mechanism for Modifying Gene Regulatory Networks

Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) describe the progression of transcriptional states that take a single-celled zygote to a multicellular organism. It is well documented that GRNs can evolve extensively through mutations to cis-regulatory modules (CRMs). Transcription factor proteins that bind these CRMs may also evolve to produce novelty. Coding changes are considered to be rarer, however, because transcription factors are multifunctional and hence are more constrained to evolve in ways that will not produce widespread detrimental effects. Recent technological advances have unearthed a surprising variation in DNA-binding abilities, such that individual transcription factors may recognize both a preferred primary motif and an additional secondary motif. This provides a source of modularity in function. Here, we demonstrate that orthologous transcription factors can also evolve a changed preference for a secondary binding motif, thereby offering an unexplored mechanism for GRN evolution. Using protein-binding microarray, surface plasmon resonance, and in vivo reporter assays, we demonstrate an important difference in DNA-binding preference between Tbrain protein orthologs in two species of echinoderms, the sea star, Patiria miniata, and the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Although both orthologs recognize the same primary motif, only the sea star Tbr also has a secondary binding motif. Our in vivo assays demonstrate that this difference may allow for greater evolutionary change in timing of regulatory control. This uncovers a layer of transcription factor binding divergence that could exist for many pairs of orthologs. We hypothesize that this divergence provides modularity that allows orthologous transcription factors to evolve novel roles in GRNs through modification of binding to secondary sites

Antiangiogenic activity of zinc and zinc-sorafenib combination using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay: a descriptive study

Background: Zinc, a trace element, is known for downregulating several proangiogenic growth factors and cytokines. However, its antiangiogenic activity is not adequately studied. The present study was aimed to evaluate the possible antiangiogenic activity of zinc via the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Also, the antiangiogenic activity of the combination therapy of zinc with various doses of sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was evaluated.Methods: A pilot study was initially conducted so as to select suitable doses of zinc and sorafenib. The antiangiogenic activity after combining zinc 2.5 μg/embryo with sorafenib 1, and 2 μg/embryo was also evaluated. The antiangiogenic activity was quantified in terms of total length of blood vessels, number of junctions, number of branching points, and mean length of the blood vessels.Results: Zinc 2.5 μg/embryo showed significant (p 0.05) to that of sorafenib 2 μg/embryo.Conclusions: Zinc caused significant antiangiogenic activity in the CAM assay. The lack of addition/synergism in the zinc-sorafenib combination could have been due to the variability in the dose/ratio selection. Addition of zinc to sorafenib therapy could improve treatment tolerability, reduce cost of therapy, and reduce the emergence of drug resistance. Future mechanistic studies could identify the exact pharmacodynamics of zinc as an angiogenesis inhibitor

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p<0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (<1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (<1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

Advanced therapeutic dressings for effective wound healing

Advanced therapeutic dressings that take active part in wound healing to achieve rapid and complete healing of chronic wounds is of current research interest. There is a desire for novel strategies to achieve expeditious wound healing due to the enormous financial burden worldwide. This paper reviews the current state of wound healing and wound management products, with emphasis on the demand for more advanced forms of wound therapy and some of the current challenges and driving forces behind this demand. The paper reviews information mainly from peer reviewed literature and other publicly available sources such as the FDA. A major focus is the treatment of chronic wounds including amputations, diabetic and leg ulcers, pressure sores, surgical and traumatic wounds (e.g. accidents and burns) where patient immunity is low and the risk of infections and complications are high. The main dressings include medicated moist dressings, tissue engineered substitutes, biomaterials based biological dressings, biological and naturally derived dressings, medicated sutures and various combinations of the above classes. Finally, the review briefly discusses possible prospects of advanced wound healing including some of the emerging approaches such as hyperbaric oxygen, negative pressure wound therapy and laser wound healing, in routine clinical care

Psychedelic Solutions: Unconventional Exhibition Displays for Rock Posters and 2D Materials from The Summer of Love

As museums shift to displaying works on paper in unconventional formats and on a larger scale, conservators are forced to create innovative and possibly untested solutions. This talk will discuss the mounting and installation of over 200 psychedelic rock posters for the exhibition The Summer of Love Experience at the de Young Museum. Since the curator and exhibition designer wanted to display the posters unframed, the paper conservation lab strived to come up with a solution that was safe for the objects but also feasible within the time frame and budget. We tested a variety of mounting methods and materials for different concepts, all of which will be outlined.   This exhibition also included the mounting and installation of a 21’ x 10’ billboard that consisted of fourteen individual screenprints. The goal of this project was to create a safe installation and display method for the billboard. This included treatment to stabilize the artwork and preparation to mount the billboard with hinges and magnets, working closely with the carpenters and mountmaker.   Other challenges in this exhibition included determining how to display posters under flashing lights to simulate animation and creating a case that incorporated different material types such as thick illustration boards, printing plates, and acetate sheets and films. Click on Video link on the right to view presentation

Old School Meets New School: Fundamentals of a Successful Training Partnership

For over forty years, the paper conservation lab at the Legion of Honor has provided training opportunities for an international group of over sixty conservators.  At the same time, these interns and fellows have brought up-to-date conservation information to the resident Legion conservators. This philosophy of mutual education is at the core of the program’s success, as is the idea that success will be greater if there are high expectations from students and mentors.    Important tenets of our program include: Concentrated treatment experience. An internship is the ideal time for focused expansion of treatment skills. Works conserved should be important. Confidence soars when interns are trusted to work on important objects rather than ones of lesser value in study collections. Connections with staff members. Interns are included in meetings and interactions with curators, registrars, technicians, development staff, etc. Interns are expected to represent conservation in museum forums including tours, lectures, blogs, and social media. Professional Publication and Presentation. Interns are encouraged to present at conservation conferences Lab legacy. Every intern is required to make a lab improvement that is useful for future lab denizens. This legacy is a way to honor our alumni. Conservation should be fun. We’re not in this for the money.   The two authors represent a training span of close to forty years and will describe the synergy that takes place when old school combines with new school, when new capabilities in analytical, digital, and preventive methodologies merge with long established treatment and connoisseurship skills. Click on Video link on the right to view presentation

Anisha Gupta et al. / International Journal on Computer Science and Engineering (IJCSE) Analyzing Theoretical Basis and Inconsistencies of Object Oriented Metrics

Metrics help in identifying potential problem areas and finding these problems in the phase they are developed decreases the cost and avoids major ripple effects from these in later development stages. These days, Object Oriented Paradigm is mainly used for all practical purposes, hence accessing Object Oriented Systems is a major research area in Software Engineering. As proved by researchers Procedural metrics are unfit for measuring various OO characteristics. Many researchers have proposed different OO metrics suite. This paper discusses the most commonly used OO metrics suite (CK, MOOD & LI) on the basis of characteristic they measure. An advanced metric for inheritance is also discussed. The strengths and weaknesses of all these are identified. The paper concludes by identifying that none of the metrics suite is full proof and there are flaws in almost all of them. Moreover, there is no single metric that can measure all the aspects of an OO System. Rather some of the suites have been found to be complimentary. Also, the paper stresses on the fact that metrics should not be treated as rules. Rather appropriate metrics identified using GQM approach act as indicators of the progress that a project has made