ReInform: Selecting paths with reinforcement learning for contextualized link prediction

We propose to use reinforcement learning to inform transformer-based contextualized link prediction models by providing paths that are most useful for predicting the correct answer. This is in contrast to previous approaches, that either used reinforcement learning (RL) to directly search for the answer, or based their prediction on limited or randomly selected context. Our experiments on WN18RR and FB15k-237 show that contextualized link prediction models consistently outperform RL-based answer search, and that additional improvements (of up to 13.5\% MRR) can be gained by combining RL with a link prediction model

Scorzonera sensu lato (Asteraceae, Cichorieae) – taxonomic reassessment in the light of new molecular phylogenetic and carpological analyses

Scorzonera comprises 180–190 species and belongs to the subtribe Scorzonerinae. Its circumscription has long been the subject of debate and available molecular phylogenetic analyses affirmed the polyphyly of Scorzonera in its wide sense. We provide a re-evaluation of Scorzonera and other related genera, based on carpological (including anatomical) and extended molecular phylogenetic analyses. We present, for the first time, a comprehensive sampling, including Scorzonera in its widest sense and all other genera recognised in the Scorzonerinae. We conducted phylogenetic analyses using Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses, based on sequences of the nuclear ribosomal ITS and of two plastid markers (partial rbcL and matK) and Maximum Parsimony for reconstructing the carpological character states at ancestral nodes. Achene characters, especially related to pericarp anatomy, such as general topography of the tissue types, disposition of the mechanical tissue and direction of its fibres, presence or absence of air cavities, provide, in certain cases, support for the phylogenetic lineages revealed. Confirming the polyphyly of Scorzonera, we propose a revised classification of the subtribe, accepting the genera Scorzonera (including four major clades: Scorzonera s. str., S. purpurea, S. albicaulis and Podospermum), Gelasia, Lipschitzia gen. nov. (for the Scorzonera divaricata clade), Pseudopodospermum, Pterachaenia (also including Scorzonera codringtonii), Ramaliella gen. nov. (for the S. polyclada clade) and Takhtajaniantha. A key to the revised genera and a characterisation of the genera and major clades are provided

Mounting Replicas in Stories of Angara Area Residents as Compositional Feature of Oral Narrative

Compositional technique, which is regularly found in the oral stories (narratives) of natives and residents of areas of the Angara river, - insert replicas, which are essentially collapsed themes (micro-themes) are considered for the first time. It is noted that insert have a complete composition. It is argued that the appearance of such speech structures is determined by the high importance of designated content for the narrator. The author defines the structure of the narrative as a relatively arbitrary: inset replicas appear in the place of the narrative, which seems appropriate to the speaker. The presence of such micro-thematic inserts allowed the author to assume that the informant, telling about one event or period of his / her life, at the same time implies a general picture of the narrative, that is, correlates the content of the replica with a holistic view of himself in the opposition “part - whole”. For example, as it was shown by the analysis of the collected material, the appearance of insert remarks about the death of relatives (a kind of folded “texts of death”) is dictated not by the logic and the topic of conversation, but by the metha-communicative task of the speaker. The narrator seems to perform mandatory labeling of the main stages of the human life cycle: birth - living - death. The author calls the content of such replicas micro-genealogy, as they are a brief mention of all the family members

Climatically driven loss of calcium in steppe soil as a sink for atmospheric carbon

During the last several thousand years the semi‐arid, cold climate of the Russian steppe formed highly fertile soils rich in organic carbon and calcium (classified as Chernozems in the Russian system). Analysis of archived soil samples collected in Kemannaya Steppe Preserve in 1920, 1947, 1970, and fresh samples collected in 1998 indicated that the native steppe Chernozems, however, lost 17–28 kg m−2 of calcium in the form of carbonates in 1970–1998. Here we demonstrate that the loss of calcium was caused by fundamental shift in the steppe hydrologic balance. Previously unleached soils where precipitation was less than potential evapotranspiration are now being leached due to increased precipitation and, possibly, due to decreased actual evapotranspiration. Because this region receives low levels of acidic deposition, the dissolution of carbonates involves the consumption of atmospheric CO2. Our estimates indicate that this climatically driven terrestrial sink of atmospheric CO2 is ∼2.1–7.4 g C m−2 a−1. In addition to the net sink of atmospheric carbon, leaching of pedogenic carbonates significantly amplified seasonal amplitude of CO2 exchange between atmosphere and steppe soil

Лучевые проявления новой коронавирусной инфекции COVID-19

Purpose. To evaluate the radiological patterns of a new COVID-19 coronavirus infection. Materials and methods. Review of literature sources. Results. COVID-19 causes the acute severe viral pneumonia. Radiological diagnostics of COVID-19 is very important, because CT can be the first study that shows the signs of viral lung lesion, and allows to assess the severity of the lesion and adverse prognostic signs of its further development. The initial CT pattern of COVID-19 is a pattern of infiltration of secondary pulmonary lobules on the type of «frosted glass» (a symptom of «dry leaf») with a subsequent decrease in the volume of lesions at favorable results, or their increase, accession of CT pattern of «cobblestone road» and the appearance in the area of «frosted glass» the alveolar infiltration in unfavorable course of disease. These symptoms are the precursors to the development of respiratory distress syndrome. At a later primary examination, the primary CT symptoms are the pattern of «cobblestone road» and areas of alveolar infiltration, which correlates with an unfavorable further course and outcome. There was noted that viral pneumonia in COVID-19 was characterized by the location of changes in the posterior subpleural and peribronchial areas. All authors confirmed that cavities, nodules, pleural and pericardial effusions, and lymphadenopathy were absent in COVID-19. In the course of observation, quantitative characteristics of the lesions with a score were proposed, the use of which can help in determining the prognosis. Also identified temporary staging of the process and the formation in some of patients the residual changes in the lungs the same as in influenza pneumonia H1N1 (2008–9гг, 2015–16.) and SARS SARS-CoV-2 (2003)which can start the process of development of progressive pulmonary fibrosis. There is a need for frequent CT studies (every 4 days) to enable timely assessment of rapid dynamics and changes in treatment tactics. The analysis of the results of the examination should be performed by at least 2 radiologists experienced in thoracic radiology, with the involvement of a third independent expert, in case of disagreement. All the authors confirmed the low information content of traditional radiography in assessing viral lung lesions. In some studies, chest radiographs were not performed, only CT as a more sensitive method for detecting early changes, similar to previous outbreaks of coronavirus. However, the role of traditional radiography was recognized as unquestionable when evaluating changes in reanimation department conditions. Conclusions. The accumulation of experience in clinical and radiological examination of COVID-19 patients allowed to determine the radiological semiotics of the process, which is important for determining the treatment tactics.Цель исследования: оценить лучевые паттерны новой коронавирусной инфекции COVID-19. Материалы и методы. Обзор литературных источников. Результаты. COVID-19 вызывает острую тяжелую форму вирусной пневмонии. Лучевая диагностика COVID-19 очень важна, так как компьютерная томография (КТ) может быть первым исследованием, которое демонстрирует признаки вирусного поражения легких, позволяет оценить тяжесть поражения и неблагоприятные прогностические признаки его дальнейшего развития. Первичным КТ-паттерном COVID-19 является картина инфильтрации отдельных вторичных легочных долек по типу «матового стекла» (симптом «сухого листа») с последующим уменьшением объема поражения при благоприятном развитии событий либо их нарастании, присоединении КТ-картины «булыжной мостовой» и появлении в зоне «матового стекла» альвеолярной инфильтрации при неблагоприятном варианте течения заболевания. Эти симптомы являются предвестниками развития респираторного дистресс-синдрома. При более позднем первичном обследовании первичными КТ-симптомами становится паттерн «булыжной мостовой» и участки альвеолярной инфильтрации, что коррелирует с неблагоприятным дальнейшим течением и исходом. Отмечено, что для вирусной пневмонии при COVID-19 было характерно расположение изменений в задних субплевральных и перибронхиальных отделах. Все авторы подтверждали, что полости, узловые образования, плевральные и перикардиальные выпоты и лимфаденопатия при COVID-19 отсутствовали. В процессе наблюдения были предложены количественные характеристики поражения с балльной оценкой, использование которых может помочь в определении прогноза. Также была определена временная стадийность процесса и формирование у части больных остаточных изменений в легких, которые, как при гриппозной пневмонии H1N1 (2008–2019 гг., 2015–2016 гг.) и атипичной пневмонии SARS-CoV-2 (2003 г.), могут запускать процессы развития прогрессирующего легочного фиброза. Отмечается необходимость частого проведения КТ-исследований (каждые 4 дня) для возможности своевременной оценки быстрой динамики и изменения лечебной тактики. Анализ результатов обследования должны проводить минимум два рентгенолога, имеющих опыт работы в торакальной радиологии, с привлечением третьего независимого эксперта, в случае расхождения мнений. Все авторы подтверждали низкую информативность традиционной рентгенографии в оценке вирусного поражения легких, в некоторых исследованиях не выполнялась рентгенография грудной клетки, применяли только КТ как более чувствительный метод выявления ранних изменений, по аналогии с предыдущими вспышками коронавируса. Однако роль традиционной рентгенографии признавалась несомненной при оценке изменений в условиях реанимации. Выводы. Накопление опыта клинико-лучевого обследования больных COVID-19 позволил определить лучевую семиотику процесса, важную для определения лечебной тактики