A Joint Model for Unsupervised Chinese Word Segmentation

In this paper, we propose a joint model for unsupervised Chinese word segmentation (CWS). Inspired by the 'products of experts' idea, our joint model firstly combines two generative models, which are word-based hierarchical Dirichlet process model and character-based hidden Markov model, by simply multiplying their probabilities together. Gibbs sampling is used for model inference. In order to further combine the strength of goodness-based model, we then integrated nVBE into our joint model by using it to initializing the Gibbs sampler. We conduct our experiments on PKU and MSRA datasets provided by the second SIGHAN bakeoff. Test results on these two datasets show that the joint model achieves much better results than all of its component models. Statistical significance tests also show that it is significantly better than stateof- The-art systems, achieving the highest F-scores. Finally, analysis indicates that compared with nVBE and HDP, the joint model has a stronger ability to solve both combinational and overlapping ambiguities in Chinese word segmentation.,. ? 2014 Association for Computational Linguistics.EI

Differential Protein Expression in Sugarcane during Sugarcane-Sporisorium scitamineum Interaction Revealed by 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-TOF/MS

To understand the molecular basis of a specific plant-pathogen interaction, it is important to identify plant proteins that respond to the pathogen attack. Two sugarcane varieties, NCo376 and Ya71-374, were used in this study. By applying 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), the protein expression profile of sugarcane after inoculating with Sporisorium scitamineum was analyzed. In total, 23 differentially expressed proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF-TOF/MS. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the functions of these 20 differential proteins were associated with such functions as photosynthesis, signal transduction, and disease resistance, while the function of the remaining three proteins was not determined. From above, we can assume that the protein regulatory network during the interaction between sugarcane and S. scitamineum is complicated. This represents the first proteomic investigation focused on highlighting the alterations of the protein expression profile in sugarcane exposed to S. scitamineum, and it provides reference information on sugarcane response to S. scitamineum stress at the protein level

Analysis of the non-volatile components and volatile compounds of hydrolysates derived from unmatured cheese curd hydrolysis by different enzymes

peer reviewedFifteen cheese protein hydrolysates were produced by using four different proteases. Then, the free amino acids (FAAs), molecular weight distribution (MWD), electronic tongue evaluation, and 45 volatile compounds of the corresponding products were evaluated, respectively. The results 46 suggested that 2SD had the strongest hydrolysis characteristic, followed by 6SD and FN. Samples 47 hydrolyzed for less than 6 h or more than 18 h contained great defects of taste. Peptides with 150 48 Da – 450 Da were mainly responsible for bitterness, saltiness, umami, and aftertaste in some enzyme 49 hydrolysis. Under the same total enzyme concentration condition, the sample hydrolyzed by 50 Flavourzyme and Neutrase for 18 h released more richness and less bitterness than the other systems, 51 which were characterized by butter and cream odor. Notably, it was found for the first time that 52 tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) was detected in cheese proteolysis with the highest content of 17.59 53 µg/g in Protease 2SD for 30 h. 2-Undecanone and acetoin played a key role in the flavor formation 54 of the tested samples. Regarding the different chemical families of volatiles, acids were more 55 abundant in the samples hydrolyzed by Protease 2SD and 6SD, while FN systems can achieve high 56 ketone content

Clinical and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiographic Features in Patients with Postcataract Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Endophthalmitis

Purpose. To report the clinical presentations and optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiographic features of patients with postcataract surgery endophthalmitis due to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Methods. A retrospective observational study of 4 patients who developed S. maltophilia endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) was performed to control the infection. Patients were followed up for six months. Complete ophthalmological examination results were collected before and after PPV. Results. Patients’ response to PPV therapy was excellent and the infection was cured in all cases. OCTA showed that, at the one-month follow-up, the vascular density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) were significantly lower than those in healthy collateral eyes. As time went on, the SCP-VD and SCP-PD values gradually improved. Conclusions. With early PPV, the infection caused by S. maltophilia can be cured. OCTA provides a quantitative noninvasive assessment to evaluate the severity and prognosis of patients with S. maltophilia endophthalmitis

Genome-Wide Identification and Transcriptional Analysis of the MYB Gene Family in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

The MYB gene family widely exists in the plant kingdom and participates in the regulation of plant development and stress response. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), as one of the most important cereals, is not only considered a good source of protein and nutrients but also has excellent tolerances to various abiotic stresses (e.g., salinity, water deficit, etc.). Although the genome sequence of pearl millet was recently published, bioinformatics and expression pattern analysis of the MYB gene family are limited. Here, we identified 208 PgMYB genes in the pearl millet genome and employed 193 high-confidence candidates for downstream analysis. Phylogenetic and structural analysis classified these PgMYBs into four subgroups. Eighteen pairs of segmental duplications of the PgMYB gene were found using synteny analysis. Collinear analysis revealed pearl millet had the closest evolutionary relationship with foxtail millet. Nucleotide substitution analysis (Ka/Ks) revealed PgMYB genes were under purifying positive selection pressure. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis of eleven R2R3-type PgMYB genes revealed they were preferentially expressed in shoots and seeds and actively responded to various environment stimuli. Current results provide insightful information regarding the molecular features of the MYB family in pearl millet to support further functional characterizations

Genome-Wide Identification and Transcriptional Analysis of the MYB Gene Family in Pearl Millet (<i>Pennisetum glaucum</i>)

The MYB gene family widely exists in the plant kingdom and participates in the regulation of plant development and stress response. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), as one of the most important cereals, is not only considered a good source of protein and nutrients but also has excellent tolerances to various abiotic stresses (e.g., salinity, water deficit, etc.). Although the genome sequence of pearl millet was recently published, bioinformatics and expression pattern analysis of the MYB gene family are limited. Here, we identified 208 PgMYB genes in the pearl millet genome and employed 193 high-confidence candidates for downstream analysis. Phylogenetic and structural analysis classified these PgMYBs into four subgroups. Eighteen pairs of segmental duplications of the PgMYB gene were found using synteny analysis. Collinear analysis revealed pearl millet had the closest evolutionary relationship with foxtail millet. Nucleotide substitution analysis (Ka/Ks) revealed PgMYB genes were under purifying positive selection pressure. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis of eleven R2R3-type PgMYB genes revealed they were preferentially expressed in shoots and seeds and actively responded to various environment stimuli. Current results provide insightful information regarding the molecular features of the MYB family in pearl millet to support further functional characterizations

Oxygen isotope homogeneity assessment for apatite U-Th-Pb geochronology reference materials

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) measurement of oxygen isotopes in apatite has been employed more and more in petrogenetic, metallogenic, and climate change studies. Well-characterised reference materials are needed due to the matrix effect, but they are yet to be well established. In this study, we conducted in-situ oxygen isotopic and chemical analyses on six commonly used apatite reference materials (ie, Emerald, Kovdor, McClure, Mud Tank, Otter Lake, and Slyudyanka) and two in-house apatite references (Qinghu and GEMS 203) to assess their oxygen isotope homogeneity and applicability for microbeam analyses. Our results show that all these apatite references are in general chemically homogeneous. In terms of oxygen isotopes, GEMS 203 (delta O-18 = 9.85 +/- 0.40 parts per thousand [2SD], corrected by Durango 3), Kovdor (delta O-18 = 6.55 +/- 0.38 parts per thousand, 2SD), and McClure (delta O-18 = 5.94 +/- 0.42 parts per thousand, 2SD) are fairly homogeneous, whereas Emerald (delta O-18 = 10.37 +/- 0.45 parts per thousand, 2SD), Mud Tank (delta O-18 = 6.35 +/- 0.46 parts per thousand, 2SD), Otter Lake (delta O-18 = 9.71 +/- 0.47 parts per thousand, 2SD), Qinghu (delta O-18 = 5.44 +/- 0.49 parts per thousand, 2SD), and Slyudyanka (delta O-18 = 17.49 +/- 0.43 parts per thousand, 2SD) are less homogenous. This indicates that the former group represents better reference materials for in-situ oxygen isotopic analyses, whilst the latter group can be used as secondary reference material for analytical quality control

Perchlorate Exposure and Thyroid Function in Ammonium Perchlorate Workers in Yicheng, China

The impact of low level dust on the thyroid function of workers chronically exposed to ammonium perchlorate (AP) is uncertain and controversial. The aim of this study was to examine whether workers in China with long-term (&gt;3 years) occupational exposure to low levels of AP dust had affected thyroid homeostasis. Mean occupational exposures to AP dust ranged from 0.43 to 1.17 mg/m3. Geometric means of post-shift urinary perchlorate levels were 20.5 µg/L for those exposed and 12.8 µg/L for the controls. No significant differences were found for thyroid function parameters of FT3, FT4, or log TSH or for TPO prevalence or thyroglobulin levels. Additionally, no differences in findings were observed for complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemical profile, or pulmonary function test. Median urinary iodine levels of 172 and 184 µg/L showed that the workers had sufficient iodine intake. This study found no effect on thyroid function from long term, low-level documented exposure to ammonium perchlorate. It is the first study to report both thyroid status parameters and urinary perchlorate, a biomarker of internal perchlorate exposure, in occupationally exposed workers in China