CANDS: A Computational Implementation of Collins and Stabler (2016)

Syntacticians must keep track of the empirical coverages and the inner workings of syntactic theories, a task especially demanding for minimalist syntacticians to perform manually and mentally. We believe that the computational implementation of syntactic theories is desirable in that it not only (a) facilitates the evaluation of their empirical coverages, but also (b) forces syntacticians to specify their inner workings. In this paper, we present CANDS, a computational implementation of Collins AND Stabler (2016) in the programming language Rust. Specifically, CANDS consists of one main library, cands, as well as two wrapper programs for cands, derivck and derivexp. The main library, cands, implements key definitions of fundamental concepts in minimalist syntax from Collins and Stabler (2016), which can be employed to evaluate and extend specific syntactic theories. The wrapper programs, derivck and derivexp, allow syntacticians to check and explore syntactic derivations through an accessible interface

How Well Do LSTM Language Models Learn Filler-gap Dependencies?

This paper revisits the question of what LSTMs know about the syntax of filler-gap dependencies in English. One contribution of this paper is to adjust the metrics used by Wilcox et al. 2018 and show that their language models (LMs) learn embedded wh-questions -- a kind of filler-gap dependencies -- better than they originally claimed. Another contribution of this paper is to examine four additional filler-gap dependency constructions to see whether LMs perform equally on all types of filler-gap dependencies. We find that different constructions are learned to different extents, and there is a correlation between performance and frequency of constructions in the Penn Treebank Wall Street Journal corpus

先天性肝線維症の進行性肝繊維化には多くの肥満細胞を伴った繊維性隔壁内においてびまん性に発現するヘパラン硫酸プロテオグリカンと結合組織成長因子が関与する

取得学位 : 博士（医学）, 学位授与番号 : 医博甲第1674号, 学位授与年月日 : 平成17年3月22日, 学位授与大学 : 金沢大

Biomarker expression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: potential progression predictive factors for low-grade lesions

金沢大学附属病院病理部The aim of this study was to reveal whether 3 biomarkers (p16INK4a, ProEx C, and human papilloma virus DNA) are useful in the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and whether they could predict disease progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia-1. We analyzed 252 cervical specimens: nondysplastic mucosa (n = 9), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 229), and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 14). Immunostaining for p16INK4a and ProEx C, and the hybridcapture II assay for human papilloma virus DNA were performed. Expression of p16INK4a and staining for ProEx C were significantly higher in intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 (96%-100%) than in nondysplastic mucosa (11%) or intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (40%-53%). Human papilloma virus DNA was detected in 69% of intraepithelial neoplasia-1, 95% of intraepithelial neoplasia-2, and 100% of intraepithelial neoplasia 3. Of 99 patients with intraepithelial neoplasia 1 for whom follow-up data was available, 62 (73%) showed spontaneous regression, 17 (20%) demonstrated persistent low-grade lesion, and 7 (7%) progressed to intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3. Expressions of p16INK4a and staining with ProEx C were significantly higher in the progression group than in the regression group. Testing for p16INK4a and ProEx C was sensitive (86%) and moderately specific (60% and 61%, respectively) in predicting the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1. Human papilloma virus DNA testing was highly sensitive (100%) but less specific (37%). In conclusion, this study revealed that p16INK4a and ProEx C are useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and have potential as predictors of progression of low-grade lesions. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Small sensor probe for measuring plasma waves in space Space science

Background: Since conventional one-point observations of plasma phenomena in space cannot distinguish between time and spatial variations, the missions on the basis of multiple-point observations have become the trend. We propose a new system for multiple-point observation referred to as the monitor system for space electromagnetic environments (MSEE). Findings: The MSEE consists of small sensor probes that have a capability to measure electromagnetic waves and transfer received data to the central station through wireless communication. We developed the prototype model of the MSEE sensor probe. The sensor probe includes a plasma wave receiver, the microcontroller, the wireless communication module, and the battery in the 75-mm cubic housing. In addition, loop antennas, dipole antennas, and actuators that are used for expanding dipole antennas are attached on the housing. The whole mass of the sensor probe is 692 g, and the total power consumption is 462 mW. The sensor probe can work with both inner battery and external power supply. The maximum continuous operation time on battery power is more than 6 h. We verified the total performance for electric field measurements by inputting signal to preamplifier. In this test, we found that analog components had enough characteristics to measure electric fields, and the A/D conversion and the wireless transmission worked correctly. In the whole performance for electric fields, the sensor probe has equivalent noise level of - 135 dBV/m/√Hz. Conclusions: We succeed in developing the prototype model of the small sensor probe that had enough sensitivity for electric field to measure plasma waves and the ability to transfer observation data through wireless communication. The success in developing the small sensor probe for the measurement of plasma waves leads to the realization of the multiple-point observations using a lot of small probes scattered in space

Cyclophosphamide Promotes Arrested Development of the Dental Root in Mice

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent to treat cancer. Among its many side effects is the well-known consequence on tooth development when administered at early ages. This study elucidated the effects of CPA on development of the mandibular molar in mice. Mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of CPA at different doses and development times. CPA treatment led to weight loss and alopecia but had no effect on disturbances in tooth eruption or crown shape. However, at higher doses, there was arrested root development and early apical foramen closure histologically related to the formation of the cervical loop structure in the apical portion of the root. In cell culture experiments, the Hertwig\u27s epithelial root sheath cell line (HERS01a) was cultured with or without CPA. At high doses of CPA, HERS01a cells showed decreases in E-cadherin expression, while N-cadherin expression was upregulated, indicating that this cadherin switch may promote an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like phenomenon. These findings suggest that administration of high doses of CPA can lead to arrested root development of the molars and an EMT-like phenomenon.福岡歯科大学2019年

IL-4 Modulates Chemokine Productions in Fibroblast

Background/Aims: IL-4 is a multifunctional cytokine that is related with the pathological conditions of periodontal disease. However, it is uncertain whether IL-4 could control T cells migration in periodontal lesions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of IL-4 on CCL11, which is a Th2-type chemokine, and CCL20, which is related with Th17 cells migration, productions from human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs). Methods: CCL20 and CCL11 productions from HPDLCs were monitored by ELISA. Western blot analysis was performed to detect phosphorylations of signal transduction molecules in HPDLCs. Results: IL-1β could induce both CCL11 and CCL20 productions in HPDLCs. IL-4 enhanced CCL11 productions from IL-1β-stimulated HPDLCs, though IL-4 inhibited CCL20 production. Western blot analysis showed that protein kinase B (Akt) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)6 pathways were highly activated in IL-4/IL-1β-stimulated HPDLCs. Akt and STAT6 inhibitors decreased CCL11 production, but enhanced CCL20 production in HPDLCs stimulated with IL-4 and IL-1β. Conclusions: These results mean that IL-4 enhanced Th2 cells migration in periodontal lesion to induce CCL11 production from HPDLCs. On the other hand, IL-4 inhibits Th17 cells accumulation in periodontally diseased tissues to inhibit CCL20 production. Therefore, IL-4 is positively related with the pathogenesis of periodontal disease to control chemokine productions in periodontal lesions

Shikonin inhibits inflammatory cytokine production

Shikonin, which is derived from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, a herb used in traditional medicine, has long been considered to be a useful treatment for various diseases in traditional oriental medicine. Shikonin has recently been reported to have several pharmacological properties, e.g., it has anti-microbial, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to examine whether shikonin is able to influence the production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and/or chemokine C-C motif ligand (CCL)20, which contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontal disease, in human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLC). The production levels of IL-6, IL-8, and CCL20 in HPDLC were determined using an ELISA. Western blot analysis was used to detect nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway activation in HPDLC. Shikonin prevented IL-1β- or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-mediated IL-6, IL-8, and CCL20 production in HPDLC. Moreover, we found that shikonin suppressed the phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitor of kappa B-alpha (IκB-α) in IL-1β- or TNF-α-stimulated HPDLC. These findings suggest that shikonin could have direct beneficial effects against periodontal disease by reducing IL-6, IL-8, and CCL20 production in periodontal lesions