Semanticizing syntactic patterns in NLP processing using SPARQL-DL queries

Some recent works on natural language semantic parsing make use of syntax and semantics together using different combination models. In our work we attempt to use SPARQL-DL as an interface between syntactic information given by the Stanford statistical parser (namely part-of-speech tagged text and typed dependency representation) and semantic information obtained from the FrameNet database. We use SPARQL-DL queries to check the presence of syntactic patterns within a sentence and identify their role as frame elements. The choice of SPARQL-DL is due to its usage as a common reference language for semantic applications and its high expressivity, which let rules to be generalized exploiting the inference capabilities of the underlying reasoner

Twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence: current treatment options

Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence is a specific and severe complication of monochorionic multiple pregnancy, characterized by vascular anastomosis and partial or complete lack of cardiac development in one twin. Despite its rarity, interest in the international literature is rising, and we aimed to review its pathogenesis, prenatal diagnostic features and treatment options. Due to the parasitic hemodynamic dependence of the acardiac twin on the pump twin, the management of these pregnancies aims to maximize the pump twin’s chances of survival. If treatment is needed, the best timing of intervention is still debated, although the latest studies encourage intervention in the first trimester of pregnancy. As for the technique of choice to interrupt the vascular supply to the acardiac twin, ultrasound-guided laser coagulation and radiofrequency ablation of the intrafetal vessels are usually the preferred approaches

A study on Satellite-to-Ground Propagation in Urban Environment

Non-Terrestrial Networks are going to play an important role in future 6G wireless networks to enhance global connectivity a performance in cooperation with terrestrial networks. In order to properly design and deploy non-terrestrial networks, the satellite-to-ground channel must be properly characterized, with particular focus on the urban environment. This paper uses a Ray-Tracing simulation tool to analyze the primary propagation mechanisms and the behaviour of the Rician K-factor as a function of satellite position in a reference urban environment. Non-specular reflection due to surface irregularities emerges as a primary propagation mechanism in non-line-of-sight cases. Additionally, the Rician K-factor shows a slightly increasing trend with elevation angle, in contrast to previous studies.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

"Hemolysis, or not hemolysis, that is the question". Use of hydroxychloroquine in a patient with COVID-19 infection and G6PD deficiency

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Ray Tracing RF Field Prediction: An Unforgiving Validation

The prediction of RF coverage in urban environments is now commonly considered a solved problem with tens of models proposed in the literature showing good performance against measurements. Among these, ray tracing is regarded as one of the most accurate ones available. In the present work, however, we show that a great deal of work is still needed to make ray tracing really unleash its potential in practical use. A very extensive validation of a state-of-the-art 3D ray tracing model is carried out through comparison with measurements in one of the most challenging environments: the city of San Francisco. Although the comparison is based on RF cellular coverage at 850 and 1900 MHz, a widely studied territory, very relevant sources of error and inaccuracy are identified in several cases along with possible solutions

Optical conductivity of Bismuth-based topological insulator

The optical conductivity and the spectral weight of four topological insulators with increasing chemical compensation (Bi2Se3, Bi2-xCaxSe3, Bi2Se2Te, Bi2Te2Se) have been measured from 5 to 300 K and from sub-THz to visible frequencies. The effect of compensation is clearly observed in the infrared spectra, through the suppression of an extrinsic Drude term and the appearance of strong absorption peaks, that we assign to electronic transitions among localized states. From the far-infrared spectral weight of the most compensated sample (Bi2Te2Se) one can estimate a density of charge-carriers in the order of 10^17/cm^3 in good agreement with transport data. Those results demonstrate that the low-energy electrodynamics in single crystals of topological insulators, even at the highest degree of compensation presently achieved, is still affected by extrinsic charge excitations.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Probing the Interplay between Quantum Charge Fluctuations and Magnetic Ordering in LuFe2O4

Ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials possess spontaneous electric and magnetic order, respectively, which can be switched by the corresponding applied electric and magnetic fields. Multiferroics combine these properties in a single material, providing an avenue for controlling electric polarization with a magnetic field and magnetism with an electric field. These materials have been intensively studied in recent years, both for their fundamental scientific interest as well as their potential applications in a broad range of magnetoelectric devices [1, 2, 3, 4]. However, the microscopic origins of magnetism and ferroelectricity are quite different, and the mechanisms producing strong coupling between them are not always well understood. Hence, gaining a deeper understanding of magnetoelectric coupling in these materials is the key to their rational design. Here, we use ultrafast optical spectroscopy to show that quantum charge fluctuations can govern the interplay between electric polarization and magnetic ordering in the charge-ordered multiferroic LuFe2O4

Gene expression profiling of gliomas: merging genomic and histopathological classification for personalised therapy

The development of DNA microarray technologies over the past decade has revolutionised translational cancer research. These technologies were originally hailed as more objective, comprehensive replacements for traditional histopathological cancer classification systems, based on microscopic morphology. Although DNA microarray-based gene expression profiling (GEP) remains unlikely in the near term to completely replace morphological classification of primary brain tumours, specifically the diffuse gliomas, GEP has confirmed that significant molecular heterogeneity exists within the various morphologically defined gliomas, particularly glioblastoma (GBM). Herein, we provide a 10-year progress report on human glioma GEP, with focus on development of clinical diagnostic tests to identify molecular subtypes, uniquely responsive to adjuvant therapies. Such progress may lead to a more precise classification system that accurately reflects the cellular, genetic, and molecular basis of gliomagenesis, a prerequisite for identifying subsets uniquely responsive to specific adjuvant therapies, and ultimately in achieving individualised clinical care of glioma patients

Comparing Long-Acting Antipsychotic Discontinuation Rates Under Ordinary Clinical Circumstances: A Survival Analysis from an Observational, Pragmatic Study

Background: Recent guidelines suggested a wider use of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAI) than previously, but naturalistic data on the consequences of LAI use in terms of discontinuation rates and associated factors are still sparse, making it hard for clinicians to be informed on plausible treatment courses. Objective: Our objective was to assess, under real-world clinical circumstances, LAI discontinuation rates over a period of 12 months after a first prescription, reasons for discontinuation, and associated factors. Methods: The STAR Network ‘Depot Study’ was a naturalistic, multicentre, observational prospective study that enrolled subjects initiating a LAI without restrictions on diagnosis, clinical severity or setting. Participants from 32 Italian centres were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Psychopathology, drug attitude and treatment adherence were measured using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Drug Attitude Inventory and the Kemp scale, respectively. Results: The study followed 394 participants for 12 months. The overall discontinuation rate at 12 months was 39.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 34.4–44.3), with paliperidone LAI being the least discontinued LAI (33.9%; 95% CI 25.3–43.5) and olanzapine LAI the most discontinued (62.5%; 95% CI 35.4–84.8). The most frequent reason for discontinuation was onset of adverse events (32.9%; 95% CI 25.6–40.9) followed by participant refusal of the medication (20.6%; 95% CI 14.6–27.9). Medication adherence at baseline was negatively associated with discontinuation risk (hazard ratio [HR] 0.853; 95% CI 0.742–0.981; p = 0.026), whereas being prescribed olanzapine LAI was associated with increased discontinuation risk compared with being prescribed paliperidone LAI (HR 2.156; 95% CI 1.003–4.634; p = 0.049). Conclusions: Clinicians should be aware that LAI discontinuation is a frequent occurrence. LAI choice should be carefully discussed with the patient, taking into account individual characteristics and possible obstacles related to the practicalities of each formulation