Automatic Synonym Discovery with Knowledge Bases

Recognizing entity synonyms from text has become a crucial task in many entity-leveraging applications. However, discovering entity synonyms from domain-specific text corpora (e.g., news articles, scientific papers) is rather challenging. Current systems take an entity name string as input to find out other names that are synonymous, ignoring the fact that often times a name string can refer to multiple entities (e.g., "apple" could refer to both Apple Inc and the fruit apple). Moreover, most existing methods require training data manually created by domain experts to construct supervised-learning systems. In this paper, we study the problem of automatic synonym discovery with knowledge bases, that is, identifying synonyms for knowledge base entities in a given domain-specific corpus. The manually-curated synonyms for each entity stored in a knowledge base not only form a set of name strings to disambiguate the meaning for each other, but also can serve as "distant" supervision to help determine important features for the task. We propose a novel framework, called DPE, to integrate two kinds of mutually-complementing signals for synonym discovery, i.e., distributional features based on corpus-level statistics and textual patterns based on local contexts. In particular, DPE jointly optimizes the two kinds of signals in conjunction with distant supervision, so that they can mutually enhance each other in the training stage. At the inference stage, both signals will be utilized to discover synonyms for the given entities. Experimental results prove the effectiveness of the proposed framework

Lawton, Michael T: Seven aneurysms: Tenets and techniques for clipping: Thieme 2011, ISBN 978-1-60406-054-6

In this paper, the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution by biosorption onto apricot shellshas been investigated through batch experiments. Apricot shells were chosen as a locally available and abundant waste from fruit juice industry. Methylene blue is common pollutant of waste waters from textile industry. The influence of initial MB concentration on biosorption process has been studied. The experimental data have been analysed using Langmuir and Freundlichisotherm models. The Langmuir model better fits to experimental data, which explain monolayer adsorption. Maximum biosorption capacity is 24,31 mg/g. A comparison of the biosorption capacity of waste apricot shells with biosorption capacities of similar adsorbents previously investigated indicates that apricot shells could be a promising biosorbent for removal of MB from aqueous solution

Information and communication technologies in the professional development of vocational school teachers

U radu se raspravlja o stručnom usavršavanju nastavnika srednjih stručnih škola putem informaciono-komunikacionih tehnologija. Predstavljeno je kvalitativno istraživanje u kojem je učestvovalo dvadeset nastavnika srednjih stručnih škola sa teritorije Republike Srbije. Osnovni cilj istraživanja bio je da ispitamo stručno usavršavanje nastavnika srednjih stručnih škola putem informaciono-komunikacionih tehnologija i damo odgovor na pitanja: Kakva je obrazovna pripremljenost nastavnika srednjih stručnih škola za korišćenje informaciono-komunikacionih tehnologija u sopstvenom stručnom usavršavanju? Kakav je odnos nastavnika srednjih stručnih škola prema korišćenju informaciono-komunikacionih tehnologija u sopstvenom stručnom usavršavanju? Posredstvom kojih formi nastavnici koriste informaciono-komunikacione tehnologije u sopstvenom stručnom usavršavanju? Nalazi ukazuju na postojanje više tipova narativa nastavnika o postavljenim pitanjima, i oni variraju s obzirom na dužinu radnog iskustva. Svi nastavnici imaju pozitivan odnos prema korišćenju informaciono-komunikacionih tehnologija u sopstvenom stručnom usavršavanju, osposobljeni su za njihovu primenu, ali se obim i intenzitet, kao i preferirane forme korišćenja informaciono-komunikacionih tehnologija u sopstvenom stručnom usavršavanju među njima razlikuju.The paper elaborates on the professional development of the vocational school teachers by using the information and communication technologies. It describes a qualitative research which included 20 teachers of vocational schools in the territory of the Republic of Serbia. The main aim of the research was to explore the vocational teachers' professional development which involves using the information and communication technologies and to provide answers to the following questions: To what extent are the vocational school teachers prepared in terms of their education for using the information and communication technologies in their professional development? What are the opinions of these teachers regarding the use of the information and communication technologies in their professional development? What are the forms of using these technologies in the vocational school teachers' professional development? The research findings indicate that there are several types of teachers' narratives regarding the above-mentioned questions and that these types vary relative to teachers' years of work experience. All teachers expressed positive attitudes towards using the information and communication technologies in their professional development. They have been trained to use these technologies, but the scope and intensity, as well as the preferred forms, of using these technologies for the purpose of professional development vary among the teachers

Precipitation extremes in the wettest Mediterranean region (Krivošije) and associated atmospheric circulation types

The aim of this paper is to analyse indices of extreme precipitation in Krivošije, Montenegro, the wettest Mediterranean region, from the period 1951–2007 and their relationships with atmospheric circulation using "SynopVis Grosswetterlagen" (SVG) series. Data from two stations were analysed, namely Crkvice (42°34'N and 18°39'E) and Herceg Novi (42°27'N and 18°31'E). Four indices of precipitation extremes (SDII, R75p, R95p, R95pTOT) were assessed including number of dry days. The results suggest that the number of days with precipitation decreased. To analyse the relationship between extreme precipitation events and circulation types we have used an efficiency coefficient (<i>E</i><sub>c</sub>). Regarding relation to atmospheric circulation, westerly, southwesterly and northwesterly circulation types with anticyclonic features over Central Europe are more frequent for dry days (days with <i>R</i><1.0 mm) and northerly, easterly and southerly types for wet and very wet days (R75p and R95p indices). The types with cyclonic condition over Central Europe show a large proportion of wet and very wet days. Also, activity of Genoa cyclogenesis and orographic influence over a small area are the main reasons for the high precipitation amounts recorded in the Krivošije region (Crkvice)

Analyses of Decimation Filter Stopband Attenuation Influence on Subjective Quality of Audio Signals

Decimation is a frequently used technique in audio signal processing. This paper investigates the influence of the values of stopband attenuation of decimation filters on the subjective perception of resulting audio signals. In practice, the demands for stopband attenuation of these filters are quite rigorous. The paper examines how justified these demands are from the psychoacoustic point of view. Basic procedure within such a research is a subjective test. Aside from objective parameters, the subjective evaluation is a method that can give insight into the characteristics of audio signal processing under testing. Results of subjective testing of the influence of different values of stopband attenuation on the perceptibility of interfering signal are presented for various audio signals. Two types of interfering signals were used in the subjective test. To increase the validity of psychoacoustic test, the probability of false detection of differences is measured by presenting subjects with equivalent signals. The results of subjective testing can prove to be useful in the design process of decimation filters for audio system applications

National identity predicts public health support during a global pandemic

Changing collective behaviour and supporting non-pharmaceutical interventions is an important component in mitigating virus transmission during a pandemic. In a large international collaboration (Study 1, N = 49,968 across 67 countries), we investigated selfreported factors associated with public health behaviours (e.g., spatial distancing and stricter hygiene) and endorsed public policy interventions (e.g., closing bars and restaurants) during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Respondents who reported identifying more strongly with their nation consistently reported greater engagement in public health behaviours and support for public health policies. Results were similar for representative and non-representative national samples. Study 2 (N = 42 countries) conceptually replicated the central finding using aggregate indices of national identity (obtained using the World Values Survey) and a measure of actual behaviour change during the pandemic (obtained from Google mobility reports). Higher levels of national identification prior to the pandemic predicted lower mobility during the early stage of the pandemic (r = −0.40). We discuss the potential implications of links between national identity, leadership, and public health for managing COVID-19 and future pandemics

Antioksidativna i antimikrobna aktivnost fitogela novije generacije

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of a new phyto-gel were studied in this work. The formulated gel is composed of propilene glycol extracts of St. John's worth (H. perforatum L.), comfrey (S. officinale L.), yarrow (A. millefolium L.), horsetail (E. arvense L.) and Na-usniate. The antioxidant activity was determined for the gel and each investigated extract of the gel separately by the DPPH test. The total phenols and flavonoids content was determined spectrophotometrically, for the gel and each investigated extracts. The antimicrobial activity of the gel and each compound separately was tested in vitro on the following microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The antioxidant activity of the investigated samples decreases in the series: H. perforatum (EC50 = 1.04 mg/mL) > Na-usniate (EC50 = 4.16 mg/mL) > A. millefolium (EC50 = 7.60 mg/mL) > gel (EC50 = 23.47 mg/mL) > S. officinale (EC50 = 30.10 mg/mL) > E. arvense (EC50 = 44.70 mg/mL). The formulated phyto-gel showed the antimicrobial activity. The results suggest that the obtained phyto-gel is a good source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents, and it has potential as an alternative to synthetic products in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.U radu je ispitivana antioksidativna i antimikrobna aktivnost fitogela - formulacija gela sa propilen-glikolnim ekstraktima H. perforatum, S. officinale, A. millefolium, E. arvense i Na-usninatom. Primenom DPPH testa određena je antioksidativna aktivnost svih ispitivanih ekstrakata, Na-usninata i gela. Primenom spektrofotometrijskih metoda određen je sadržaj ukupnih fenola i flavonoida u ekstraktima i formulisanom gelu. Antimikrobna aktivnost gela, kao i njegovih pojedinačnih komponenata, je ispitivana in vitro na sledećim mikroorganizmima: Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans i Aspergillus niger. Antioksidativna aktivnost ispitivanih uzoraka opada u nizu: H. perforatum (EC50=1,04 mg/ml) > Na-usnate (EC50=4,16 mg/ml) > A. millefolium (EC50=7,60 mg/ml) > gel (EC50=23,47 mg/ml) > S. officinale (EC50=30,10 mg/ml) > E. arvense (EC50 44,70 mg/ml). Formulisani fitogel je pokazao i antimikrobnu aktivnost. Dobijeni rezultati pokazuju da ispitivani fitogel predstavlja izvor prirodnih antioksidanasa i antimikrobnih agenasa, sa mogućom primenom u farmaceutsko-kozmetičkoj industriji kao alternativa sintetičkim proizvodima

SMART Pharmacists Serving the New Needs of the Post-COVID Patients, Leaving No-One Behind

This study aims to demonstrate the improvements in clinical symptoms in patients with post-COVID syndrome after a community pharmacy-based intervention in Serbia. The Pharmaceutical Chamber of Serbia ("Chamber") invited pharmacists to deliver post-COVID patient care counselling, supported by the SMART Pharmacist Program, offering education and guidance. Present symptoms, duration and patient self-reported severity of symptoms on a scale of 1-5 on the first visit were recorded. After the counselling and proposed self-medication treatment, the time of the follow-up visit and the severity of the recorded symptoms were also recorded. The prospective data collection lasted from December 2021 to September 2022. In total, 871 patients with post-COVID symptoms were included in the study, served by 53 pharmacists. The most frequently reported post-COVID symptoms coincided with the literature, mostly related to the respiratory system (51.2%), immunity status (32.2%), fatigue and exhaustion (30.7%), skin, hair and nails (27.4%) and cognitive functions (27.9%). A total of 26.5% of patients were referred to their family physician (general practitioner), and 69.5% returned to the pharmacist for a follow-up visit. On the first visit, the median severity of patients' symptoms was three, while on the second visit it dropped to one. The pharmacists' intervention led to a significant improvement in the post-COVID patients' condition

Rhinacanthus nasutus Extracts Prevent Glutamate and Amyloid-β Neurotoxicity in HT-22 Mouse Hippocampal Cells: Possible Active Compounds Include Lupeol, Stigmasterol and β-Sitosterol

The Herb Rhinacanthus nasutus (L.) Kurz, which is native to Thailand and Southeast Asia, has become known for its antioxidant properties. Neuronal loss in a number of diseases including Alzheimer’s disease is thought to result, in part, from oxidative stress. Glutamate causes cell death in the mouse hippocampal cell line, HT-22, by unbalancing redox homeostasis, brought about by a reduction in glutathione levels, and amyloid-β has been shown to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Here in, we show that ethanol extracts of R. nasutus leaf and root are capable of dose dependently attenuating the neuron cell death caused by both glutamate and amyloid-β treatment. We used free radical scavenging assays to measure the extracts antioxidant activities and as well as quantifying phenolic, flavonoid and sterol content. Molecules found in R. nasutus, lupeol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol are protective against glutamate toxicity