Translating and Evolving: Towards a Model of Language Change in DisCoCat

The categorical compositional distributional (DisCoCat) model of meaning developed by Coecke et al. (2010) has been successful in modeling various aspects of meaning. However, it fails to model the fact that language can change. We give an approach to DisCoCat that allows us to represent language models and translations between them, enabling us to describe translations from one language to another, or changes within the same language. We unify the product space representation given in (Coecke et al., 2010) and the functorial description in (Kartsaklis et al., 2013), in a way that allows us to view a language as a catalogue of meanings. We formalize the notion of a lexicon in DisCoCat, and define a dictionary of meanings between two lexicons. All this is done within the framework of monoidal categories. We give examples of how to apply our methods, and give a concrete suggestion for compositional translation in corpora.Comment: In Proceedings CAPNS 2018, arXiv:1811.0270

Artistic Interventions in the Historical Remembering of Cape slavery, c.1800s

Magister Artium - MAThis mini-thesis thesis intends to grapple with silences by looking the possibilities of reconceptualising archives through notions of “traces,” “absence,” and “fragments.” Examining archives as bodies of knowledge, a window to telling us something about pastpresent- future representations is to think about navigating archives of colonialism and slavery as sites of historical memory. The aim of this paper is to enter the pedagogical problem of remembering and gendered representational voids by seeking to explore how artistic representations offer insights in the absence of detail in the colonial archives. In exploring the relationship between bodies, remembering and the historical trauma of slavery and colonialisation, specifically in relation to historical corporeal and flesh narratives attached to indigenous black women, and how women negotiate these meanings through embodied interventions in (post-) slavery South Africa. The positioning of the body as an archive probes questions on how the memory of traumatic wounding in a (post-)slavery South Africa body politics are inscribed to convey meaning, memory and identity. The notions of embodiment that this thesis is concerned with asks in what ways can we creatively and imaginatively re-construct, outside of conventional historiographies and knowledge(s), that which has been disembowled through colonial dominating narratives of enslaved subjects

Utilizing theories and evaluation in digital gaming interventions to increase human papillomavirus vaccination among young males: Qualitative study

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. HPV attributes to most cancers including anal, oral, cervical, and penile. Despite infection rates in the United States, recommendations and communication campaigns have traditionally focused on females. Because of this, males lack knowledge about reasons for vaccination, the benefits of being vaccinated, and their HPV risk, overall. Gaming as a health education strategy can be beneficial as mechanism that can promote behavior change for this key demographic because of the popularity of gaming. Objective: We sought to explore the relationship between gamification and HPV vaccine uptake. Methods: Interviews were conducted with experts (n=22) in the fields of cancer prevention, sexual and reproductive health, public health, game design, technology, and health communication on how a game should be developed to increase HPV vaccination rates among males. Results: Overwhelmingly, theoretical models such as the health belief model were identified with key constructs such as self-efficacy and risk perception. Experts also suggested using intervention mapping and logic models as planning tools for health promotion interventions utilizing a digital game as a medium. In game and out of game measures were discussed as assessments for quality and impact by our expert panel. Conclusions: This study shows that interventions should focus on whether greater utilization of serious games, and the incorporation of theory and standardized methods, can encourage young men to get vaccinated and to complete the series of HPV vaccinations

La réflexivité autocritique : : Un outil pédagogique dans le cadre d’un engagement personnel et professionnel dans le contexte de la réconciliation

The purpose of this article is to share a student’s critical reflexivity process in an effort to overcome the insecurity confronted by the expectations of Indigenous-Settler reconciliation. The critical self-reflexivity we present is an essential practice to unlearn colonialism with the aim to foster critical thinking as a move towards a reconciliatory approach to education. Paulette Regan’s (2014) provoking research speaks to insecurity as a barrier to moving forward. Inspired by teachings of relational accountability and an Indigenous education course taught by an Indigenous female scholar, critical self-reflexivity is one of the pedagogical approaches to surpass insecurity and engage in reconciliation in more meaningful ways. Based on this experience, critical social justice pedagogies inspire Settlers to begin the process of acknowledging their privilege, power, perspective and the ways in which dominant knowledge production perpetuates inequities, injustice and marginalization. This article contributes to critical pedagogy in practice as demonstrated by a student’s critical reflection.L'objectif de cet article est de partager le parcours d'une étudiante [ ] engagée dans la pratique de la réflexivité critique afin de surmonter l'insécurité face à la réconciliation. La réflexivité critique est une pratique importante dans ce processus dans le but de désapprendre le colonialisme. La recherche provocatrice de Paulette Regan (2014) parle de l'insécurité comme d’un obstacle qui empêche le progrès vers la réconciliation. Inspirée par la responsabilité personnelle et un cours d'éducation autochtone donné par une professeur autochtone [ ], la réflexivité autocritique est une des approches pédagogiques qui permet de dépasser l'insécurité et de s'engager dans la réconciliation de manière plus significative. Sur la base de cette expérience, la justice sociale critique inspire les colonisateurs à entamer le processus de reconnaissance de leurs privilèges, de leur pouvoir, de leur perspective et de la production de savoir dominante qui perpétue l’iniquité, l’injustice et la marginalisation. Cet article contribue à dégager des éléments pratiques de la pédagogie critique démontré par la réflexion d’une étudiante.

Oral surgery referrals at a UK dental hospital in the context of a managed vlinical network: a mixed-methods study

Background and aims: To inform the first Welsh OS Managed Clinical Network (MCN), a mixed-methods study investigated existing patterns, quality, suitability and reasons for referral to secondary care at the University Dental Hospital in Wales. Materials and methods: A random sample of 298 OS referrals were studied over a six-month period. Data recording proforma included details on referral practitioner, patient and referral diagnosis. Referrals were categorised by Levels of complexity (Levels 1, 2 and 3) and face-to-face, semi-structured and audio-recorded interviews were conducted with five frequent referrers. Results: The age range of patients was between 1 and 92 years, with over 58% (n=174) female. Majority of referrals (80%) were from GDPs. Top six practices accounted for a fifth (21%) of referrals, with three of these practices were corporate dental chains. Approximately, a third of referrals were categorised as Level 1 (37%), Level 2 (33%) and Level 3 (30%) complexity. 16% provided no medical history, and only 13% included supporting radiographs. Five themes emerged as reasons for oral surgery referrals: contract limitations, perception that new graduates lack OS practical skills, communication, practice resources and risk. Conclusions: Priorities for the Wales OS MCN are to reduce inappropriate referrals to secondary care and to ensure quality referrals. Introduction of the pan-Wales electronic Referral Management System in May 2019 is welcome in this context. The newly formed Health Education and Improvement Wales, with lead roles in education, training and shaping the healthcare workforce, will form a vital part in tackling barriers for safe OS in primary care

Influence of urbanisation and garden plants on the diversity and abundance of aphids and their ladybird and hoverfly predators

Urban gardens can harbour a high diversity of insects, which are critically important components of urban ecosystems. In this work, we investigate the richness and diversity of a major taxon of economic and ecological importance, the aphids (Homoptera: Aphididae), and their main insect predators, the hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) and ladybirds (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), in urban gardens. We examined how variation in environmental factors associated with urbanisation (garden host plant abundance, garden plant richness, garden size, proportion of impervious surfaces in the surrounding area) directly and indirectly (via prey and predator abundance) influence the local diversity and abundance of aphids, ladybirds, and hoverflies. Sixty-seven domestic gardens located in southern England were surveyed during the peak period of aphid abundance, and the numbers and identity of aphids and their predators were recorded. We observed 45 aphid species (179917 individuals in total), 15 hoverfly species (494 individuals) and 8 ladybird species (173 individuals). We found that aphid species richness and abundance were positively associated with utilised host plant abundance and garden plant species richness. Hoverfly abundance was positively correlated with garden plant richness. The abundance of ladybirds was positively correlated with aphid abundance and garden plant species richness, and negatively associated to the proportion of impervious surfaces in the surrounding environment. The difference in responses between the two major taxa of aphid predators may reflect differences in their behaviour and natural history. Our results indicate that overall increases in urban land cover are not favourable for ladybirds as a group, and that fine scale habitat variables that are determined by garden owners have the potential to greatly affect the general diversity of aphids and their main predators

Comparison of foam swabs and toothbrushes as oral hygiene interventions in mechanically ventilated patients: a randomised split mouth study

Abstract Introduction During critical illness, dental plaque may serve as a reservoir of respiratory pathogens. This study compared the effectiveness of toothbrushing with a small-headed toothbrush or a foam-headed swab in mechanically ventilated patients. Methods This was a randomised, assessor-blinded, split-mouth trial, performed at a single critical care unit. Adult, orally intubated patients with >20 teeth, where >24 hours of mechanical ventilation was expected were included. Teeth were cleaned 12-hourly using a foam swab or toothbrush (each randomly assigned to one side of the mouth). Cleaning efficacy was based on plaque scores, gingival index and microbial plaque counts. Results High initial plaque (mean=2.1 (SD 0.45)) and gingival (mean=2.0 (SD 0.54)) scores were recorded for 21 patients. A significant reduction compared with initial plaque index occurred using both toothbrushes (mean change=−1.26, 95% CI −1.57 to −0.95; p<0.001) and foam swabs (mean change=−1.28, 95% CI −1.54 to −1.01; p<0.001). There was significant reduction in gingival index over time using toothbrushes (mean change=−0.92; 95% CI −1.19 to −0.64; p<0.001) and foam swabs (mean change=−0.85; 95% CI −1.10 to −0.61; p<0.001). Differences between cleaning methods were not statistically significant (p=0.12 for change in gingival index; p=0.24 for change in plaque index). There was no significant change in bacterial dental plaque counts between toothbrushing (mean change 3.7×104 colony-forming units (CFUs); minimum to maximum (−2.5×1010 CFUs, 8.7×107 CFUs)) and foam swabs (mean change 9×104 CFUs; minimum to maximum (−3.1×1010 CFUs, 3.0×107 CFUs)). Conclusions Patients admitted to adult intensive care had poor oral health, which improved after brushing with a toothbrush or foam swab. Both interventions were equally effective at removing plaque and reducing gingival inflammation. Trial registration number NCT01154257; Pre-results

Safety of electronic cigarette use during breastfeeding: qualitative study using online forum discussions

Background: E-cigarettes are an increasingly popular alternative to smoking, helping to prevent relapse in those trying to quit, and with potential for harm reduction as they are likely to be safer than smoking. Many women return to smoking in the postpartum period having stopped smoking during pregnancy, and this can affect their decisions about breastfeeding, but little is known about women’s opinions on using e-cigarettes during this period. Objectives: To explore online forum users’ current attitudes, motivators, and barriers to using e-cigarettes postpartum, particularly as a breastfeeding mother.Methods: Data were collected via publicly accessible (identified by Google search) online forum discussions, and a priori codes identified. All transcripts were entered into NVivo for analysis; a template approach to thematic analysis was used to code all transcripts from which themes were derived.Results: Four themes were identified: Use, Perceived risk, Social Support and Evidence, and a number of subthemes were identified within these broader themes. Women were using e-cigarettes to prevent postpartum return to smoking, however opinions on the safety of e-cigarettes was conflicting. Women were concerned about possible transfer of harmful products from e-cigarettes via breastmilk and second hand exposure. Women were actively seeking and sharing information on e-cigarettes from a variety of sources. Although some women were supportive of e-cigarette use, others provided harsh judgement for mothers who use them.Conclusions: E-cigarettes have potential to reduce the number of women who return to smoking in the postpartum period, and potentially improve breastfeeding rates, if breastfeeding mothers have access to relevant and reliable information. Health care providers should consider discussing e-cigarettes with mothers at risk of returning to smoking in the postpartum period

Model evaluation for extreme risks

Current approaches to building general-purpose AI systems tend to produce systems with both beneficial and harmful capabilities. Further progress in AI development could lead to capabilities that pose extreme risks, such as offensive cyber capabilities or strong manipulation skills. We explain why model evaluation is critical for addressing extreme risks. Developers must be able to identify dangerous capabilities (through "dangerous capability evaluations") and the propensity of models to apply their capabilities for harm (through "alignment evaluations"). These evaluations will become critical for keeping policymakers and other stakeholders informed, and for making responsible decisions about model training, deployment, and security