Answer Acquisition for Knowledge Base Question Answering Systems Based on Dynamic Memory Network

In recent years, with the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), the question answering systems for human-machine interaction based on deep learning have become a research hotspot of the IoT. Different from the structured query method in traditional Knowledge Base Question Answering (KBQA) systems based on templates or rules, representation learning is one of the most promising approaches to solving the problems of data sparsity and semantic gaps. In this paper, an answer acquisition method for KBQA systems based on a dynamic memory network is proposed, in which representation learning is employed to represent the natural language questions that are raised by users and the knowledge base subgraphs of the related entities. These representations are taken as inputs of the dynamic memory network. The correct answers are obtained by utilizing the memory and inferential capabilities. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. - 2013 IEEE.This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China under Grant 61365010.Scopu

Interfacial Properties of Polyethylene Glycol/Vinyltriethoxysilane (PEG/VTES) Copolymers and their Application to Stain Resistance

In this study, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) were used in different proportions to produce a series of PEG–VTES copolymers. The copolymer molecular structures were confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, their surface activities were evaluated by evaluating the surface tension, contact angle, and foaming properties. The results showed that these surfactants exhibited excellent surface activities and wetting power, as well as low foaming. Consequently, the application of a series of PEG/VTES copolymers can make cotton fabrics stain resistant

The Role of Zn in Chalcopyrite CuFeS2: Enhanced Thermoelectric Properties of Cu1–xZnxFeS2 with In Situ Nanoprecipitates

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136267/1/aenm201601299_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136267/2/aenm201601299.pd

Characterization of conjugated linoleic acid-producing lactic acid bacteria as potential probiotic for chicken

Aims: Dietary intake of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) by human is insufficient to exhibit properties of anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-obesity and enhancing immune system. Thus, enrichment of CLA in chicken by bacteria is a suggestion to solve the problem. It would be an advantage to have bacteria capable of producing CLA and has probiotic potential in chicken. Thus, probiotic properties of CLA-producing bacteria were accessed in this study. Methodology and results: In this study, 47 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from gastrointestinal tract of chickens were screened for conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) production. Lactobacillus salivarius strain P2, Enterococcus faecium strain P1 and Lactobacillus agilis strain P3 were shown to produce 21.97, 23.35 and 31.08 μg/mL of CLA in MRS broth containing free linoleic acid (0.5 mg/mL) and 2% (w/v) Tween 80, respectively. Lactobacillus salivarius strain P2, E. faecium strain P1 and L. agilis strain P3 were found to be able to tolerate 0.3% oxgall (Difco, France) and pH 2.5. Lactobacillus agilis strain P3 and L. salivarius strain P2 showed better acid tolerance compared to E. faecium strain P1. Besides that, L. agilis strain P3 and L. salivarius strain P2 were resistant to two out of eight types of antibiotics tested, able to produce 220.04 mM lactic acid and 200.17 mM of lactic acid, respectively. Enterococcus faecium strain P1 was resistant to five out of eight types of antibiotic tested, produced 90.39 mM lactic acid and showed hemolytic activity. Only L. agilis strain P3 can produce acetic acid at a concentration of 2.71 mM. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: These results showed that the CLA-producing L. salivarius strain P2 and L. agilis strain P3 could be potential probiotic bacteria for chickens, which may eventually lead to production of chicken with better meat quality

Japanese Encephalitis, Singapore

10.3201/eid1203.051251Emerging Infectious Diseases123525-52

Endemic melioidosis in central Taiwan—A longitudinal case cohort study

BackgroundMelioidosis is a systemic and suppurative disease endemic in the Southeast Asia. In Taiwan, most cases are reported in the southern region and no relevant profiles have been reported in central region. In this study, we performed the epidemiologic and clinical analyses from the melioidosis cases in central Taiwan.MethodsThe demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiologic, and outcome profiles were collected retrospectively and analyzed from patients whom Burkhoderia pseudomallei was isolated from clinical specimens during the 12-year study period (2011–2022).ResultsTotally 11 melioidosis cases (10 males and 1 female) were diagnosed, among them only 2 (18.2%) cases lived in suburban areas. Seven (63.6%) cases were diagnosed during 2019–2020, and diabetes mellitus was the most relevant comorbidity (5, 45.4%). All cases presented with fever at arrival, but only 4 (36.4%) and 2 (18.2%) cases presented with dyspnea and shock, respectively. Pneumonitis and extrapulmonary involvement were found in 5 cases (45.4%) each. Appropriate empiric and targeted antibiotic treatments were found in 4 (36.4%) and 10 (91.0%) case, respectively. Two cases (18.2%) succumbed to infection despite appropriate treatment including targeted antibiotics.ConclusionMelioidosis has become endemic in central Taiwan. Septic patients who present with suppurative or undetermined foci and have unsatisfied responses to standard treatment should arouse clinicians to take melioidosis into consideration