Structure Learning for Neural Module Networks

Neural Module Networks, originally proposed for the task of visual question answering, are a class of neural network architectures that involve human-specified neural modules, each designed for a specific form of reasoning. In current formulations of such networks only the parameters of the neural modules and/or the order of their execution is learned. In this work, we further expand this approach and also learn the underlying internal structure of modules in terms of the ordering and combination of simple and elementary arithmetic operators. Our results show that one is indeed able to simultaneously learn both internal module structure and module sequencing without extra supervisory signals for module execution sequencing. With this approach, we report performance comparable to models using hand-designed modules

Introduction - Reading Modern Law: Critical Methodologies and Sovereign Formations

Reading Modern Law identifies and elaborates upon key critical methodologies for reading and writing about law in modernity. The force of law rests on determinate and localizable authorizations, as well as an expansive capacity to encompass what has not been pre-figured by an order of rules. The key question this dynamic of law raises is how legal forms might be deployed to confront and disrupt injustice. The urgency of this question must not eclipse the care its complexity demands. This book offers a critical methodology for addressing the many challenges thrown up by that question, whilst testifying to its complexity. The essays in this volume - engagements direct or oblique, with the work of Peter Fitzpatrick - chart a mode of resisting the proliferation of social scientific methods, as much as geo-political empire. The authors elaborate a critical and interdisciplinary treatment of law and modernity, and outline the pivotal role of sovereignty in contemporary formations of power, both national and international. From various overlapping vantage points, therefore, Reading Modern Law interrogates law\u27s relationship to power, as well as its relationship to the critical work of reading and writing about law in modernity

Introduction - Reading Modern Law: Critical Methodologies and Sovereign Formations

Reading Modern Law identifies and elaborates upon key critical methodologies for reading and writing about law in modernity. The force of law rests on determinate and localizable authorizations, as well as an expansive capacity to encompass what has not been pre-figured by an order of rules. The key question this dynamic of law raises is how legal forms might be deployed to confront and disrupt injustice. The urgency of this question must not eclipse the care its complexity demands. This book offers a critical methodology for addressing the many challenges thrown up by that question, whilst testifying to its complexity. The essays in this volume - engagements direct or oblique, with the work of Peter Fitzpatrick - chart a mode of resisting the proliferation of social scientific methods, as much as geo-political empire. The authors elaborate a critical and interdisciplinary treatment of law and modernity, and outline the pivotal role of sovereignty in contemporary formations of power, both national and international. From various overlapping vantage points, therefore, Reading Modern Law interrogates law\u27s relationship to power, as well as its relationship to the critical work of reading and writing about law in modernity

Outcome of Glansectomy and Skin Grafting in the Management of Penile Cancer

Purpose. To report outcome data for patients with penile cancer treated surgically with glansectomy and skin grafting. Materials and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed data on all patients undergoing surgical management of penile cancer by a single surgeon between 1998 and 2008. Outcomes in patients who underwent glansectomy and skin grafting were analysed. Results. Between 1998 and 2008 a total of 25 patients with a mean age 60 (39–83) underwent glansectomy and skin grafting. Six patients had carcinoma in situ (CIS); the stage in the remaining patients ranged from T1G1 to T3G3. Mean followup for patients was 28 months (range 6–66). Disease specific survival was 92% with 2 patients who had positive nodes at lymph node dissection developing groin recurrence. One patient developed a local recurrence requiring a partial penectomy. Conclusions. Penile preserving surgery with glansectomy and skin grafting is a successful technique with minimal complications for local control of penile carcinoma arising on the glans. Careful followup to exclude local recurrence is required

"More than just a medical student”: a mixed methods exploration of a structured volunteering programme for undergraduate medical students

Background As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic Imperial College School of Medicine developed a structured volunteering programme involving 398 medical students, across eight teaching hospitals. This case study aims to illuminate the experiences of volunteers, mechanisms of learning and draw lessons for future emergencies and curriculum improvements. Methods Using an illuminative approach to evaluation we invited all volunteers and supervisors to complete a mixed-methods survey. This gathered nominal demographic information and qualitative data related to motivations, experiences, insights into learning, processual and contextual factors. Qualitative responses were coded, thematically organised, and categorised into an overarching framework. Mann-Whitney U tests determined whether volunteers’ overall rating of the experience varied according to demographic features and modulating factors. Spearman’s rank correlation assessed the relationship between aspects of induction and supervision, and overall volunteering rating. Follow up interviews were carried out with students to check back findings and co-create conclusions. Results Modulating factors identified through thematic analysis include altruistic motivation, engaged induction and supervision, feeling valued, having responsibility and freedom from the formal curriculum. Statistically significant positive correlations are identified between volunteers overall rating and being a year 1 or 2 student, ability to discuss role and ask questions during induction, being male, and having regular meetings and role support from supervisors. Qualitatively reported impacts include improved wellbeing, valuable contribution to service and transformative learning. Transformative learning effects included reframing of role within the multidisciplinary team, view of effective learning and view of themselves as competent clinicians. The number of weeks, number of shifts per week, and the role the volunteers performed, did not significantly impact experiences. Conclusions While acknowledging the uniqueness of the situation presented by the first wave COVID-19, we suggest the features of a successful service-learning programme include: a learner-centred induction, engaged and appreciative supervisors, and the entrustment of students with meaningful work with reciprocal benefits to services. Programmes in similar settings may find that 1) volunteering is best appreciated in years 1 or 2, 2) students with altruistic motivations and meaningful work may flourish without formal outcomes and assessments, and 3) that female volunteers may experience emergency learning differently to men

Clinical Study Outcome of Glansectomy and Skin Grafting in the Management of Penile Cancer

properly cited. Purpose. To report outcome data for patients with penile cancer treated surgically with glansectomy and skin grafting. Materials and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed data on all patients undergoing surgical management of penile cancer by a single surgeon between 1998 and 2008. Outcomes in patients who underwent glansectomy and skin grafting were analysed. Results. Between 1998 and 2008 a total of 25 patients with a mean age 60 (39-83) underwent glansectomy and skin grafting. Six patients had carcinoma in situ (CIS); the stage in the remaining patients ranged from T1G1 to T3G3. Mean followup for patients was 28 months (range 6-66). Disease specific survival was 92% with 2 patients who had positive nodes at lymph node dissection developing groin recurrence. One patient developed a local recurrence requiring a partial penectomy. Conclusions. Penile preserving surgery with glansectomy and skin grafting is a successful technique with minimal complications for local control of penile carcinoma arising on the glans. Careful followup to exclude local recurrence is required

Effects of a reduced dose of Stavudine on the incidence and severity of peripheral neuropathy in HIV-infected adults in South Africa.

BACKGROUND—Although recent WHO guidelines recommend withdrawing stavudine (d4T) from first-line ART therapy, it remains commonly used in resource-constrained settings. In 2006, WHO recommended decreasing the dose of d4T from 40mg to 30mg to mitigate toxicities. We compared the incidence and severity of peripheral neuropathy (PN) by d4T dose in a retrospective cohort study. METHODS—Patients’ charts from an ART-naïve population at a rural clinic in KZN, South Africa were retrospectively reviewed for signs and symptoms of incident PN and were graded for severity using the DAIDs scale. Patients enrolled prior to the WHO guideline change were enrolled if they were on d4T 40mg for at least 6 months. After the guideline change all patients were initiated on d4T 30mg. RESULTS—A total of 475 patients were analyzed; 235 in the 40mg cohort (152.7 person-years [py]) and 240 in the 30mg cohort (244.7py). Incidence of peripheral neuropathy was 90.4/100 py (95% CI:75.9–106.8) in the 40mg cohort versus 40.5/100py (95% CI:32.9–49.3) in the 30mg group (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=0.45, p<0.0001). There was no difference in proportion of severe peripheral neuropathy cases (grade 3/4) between the cohorts; 8.3% in the 40mg group and 8.9% in the 30mg group (p=1.0). In a multivariate analysis risk of peripheral neuropathy was associated with increasing age (HR=1.65 95% CI:1.24–2.19), 40 mg dose (HR=2.1, 95% CI:1.61–2.74) and concurrent tuberculosis therapy (HR= 1.41 95% CI:1.06–1.87). CONCLUSION—Incidence of peripheral neuropathy in the 40mg cohort was extremely high and though lower in the 30mg cohort, the rate was nonetheless unacceptably high

Muscle RING-finger 2 and 3 maintain striated-muscle structure and function

Background: The Muscle-specific RING-finger (MuRF) protein family of E3 ubiquitin ligases is important for maintenance of muscular structure and function. MuRF proteins mediate adaptation of striated muscles to stress. MuRF2 and MuRF3 bind to microtubules and are implicated in sarcomere formation with noticeable functional redundancy. However, if this redundancy is important for muscle function in vivo is unknown. Our objective was to investigate cooperative function of MuRF2 and MuRF3 in the skeletal muscle and the heart in vivo. Methods: MuRF2 and MuRF3 double knockout mice (DKO) were generated and phenotypically characterized. Skeletal muscle and the heart were investigated by morphological measurements, histological analyses, electron microscopy, immunoblotting, and real-time PCR. Isolated muscles were subjected to in vitro force measurements. Cardiac function was determined by echocardiography and working heart preparations. Function of cardiomyocytes was measured in vitro. Cell culture experiments and mass-spectrometry were used for mechanistic analyses. Results: DKO mice showed a protein aggregate myopathy in skeletal muscle. Maximal force development was reduced in DKO soleus and extensor digitorum longus. Additionally, a fibre type shift towards slow/type I fibres occurred in DKO soleus and extensor digitorum longus. MuRF2 and MuRF3-deficient hearts showed decreased systolic and diastolic function. Further analyses revealed an increased expression of the myosin heavy chain isoform beta/slow and disturbed calcium handling as potential causes for the phenotype in DKO hearts. Conclusions: The redundant function of MuRF2 and MuRF3 is important for maintenance of skeletal muscle and cardiac structure and function in vivo