Deep learning based Arabic short answer grading in serious games

Automatic short answer grading (ASAG) has become part of natural language processing problems. Modern ASAG systems start with natural language preprocessing and end with grading. Researchers started experimenting with machine learning in the preprocessing stage and deep learning techniques in automatic grading for English. However, little research is available on automatic grading for Arabic. Datasets are important to ASAG, and limited datasets are available in Arabic. In this research, we have collected a set of questions, answers, and associated grades in Arabic. We have made this dataset publicly available. We have extended to Arabic the solutions used for English ASAG. We have tested how automatic grading works on answers in Arabic provided by schoolchildren in 6th grade in the context of serious games. We found out those schoolchildren providing answers that are 5.6 words long on average. On such answers, deep learning-based grading has achieved high accuracy even with limited training data. We have tested three different recurrent neural networks for grading. With a transformer, we have achieved an accuracy of 95.67%. ASAG for school children will help detect children with learning problems early. When detected early, teachers can solve learning problems easily. This is the main purpose of this research

Comparison of Auditory Evoked Potentials between Younger and Older- Adults.

Abstract:Aging is a very important issue in our modern life. Auditory processing problems are common in older adults. There are different ways to study these problems.The aim of this cross sectional study was to evaluate the pure processing effect of aging on auditory evoked potentials. Materials and methods:The auditory brain stem response (ABR) and the auditory middle latency response (AMLR) weremeasuredin 32 younger adults (mean age, 20.41±2.13 years) and compared with those of 32 older adults (mean age, 68.16±6.20 years). Both groups had normal peripheral hearing sensitivity and normal cognitive status, according to pure tone audiometry and Mini Mental State Examination results.The group of older adults was selected from subjectswith problemsunderstanding speech in noisy places. Multivariate tests wereused for the statistical analysis.RESULTS:Most ABR wave latencies increased and their amplitudes decreased in older adults. (P< 0.05). The latency of AMLR waves was significantly prolonged only for the Nb componentin the right and left ears and for the Pa component during binaural stimulation (p < 0.05).Theamplitude of all AMLR waves increased significantly, except for Na in both ears (p < 0.05).Conclusion:Aging had a pure central effect on the processing ability of the entire neural auditory system.Aging reduced the central inhibition process at the cortical level

Comparing the effect of cardiac biomarkers on the outcome of normotensive patients with acute pulmonary embolism

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a cardiovascular challenge with potentially fatal consequences. This study was designed to observe the association of novel cardiac biomarkers with outcome in this setting. In this prospective study, from 86 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PE, 59 patients met the inclusion criteria (22 men, 37 women; mean age, 63.36±15.04 y).The plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), tenascin-C, and D-dimer were measured at the time of confirmed diagnosis. The endpoints of the study were defined as the short-term adverse outcome and long-term all-cause mortality. Totally, 11.8% (7/59) of the patients had the short-term adverse outcome. The mean value of logNT-proBNP was 6.40±1.66 pg/ml. Among all the examined biomarkers, only the mean value of logNT-proBNP was significantly higher in the patients with the short-term adverse outcome (7.88±0.67 vs. 6.22± 1.66 pg/ml; OR, 2.359; 95% CI, 1.037 to 5.367; P=0.041). After adjustment, a threefold increase in the short-term adverse outcome was identified (OR, 3.239; 95% CI, 0.877 to 11.967; P=0.078).Overall, 18.64% (11/59) of the patients had expired by the long-term follow-up. Moreover, adjustment revealed an evidence regarding association between increased logNT-proBNP levels and long-term mortality (HR, 2.163; 95%CI, 0.910 to 5.142; P=0.081). Our study could find evidences on association between increased level of NT-proBNP and short-term adverse outcome and/or long-term mortality in PE. This biomarker may be capable of improving prediction of outcome and clinical care in non-high-risk PE

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association analyses improve resolution of genes and pathways influencing lung function and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk

Lung-function impairment underlies chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and predicts mortality. In the largest multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of lung function to date, comprising 580,869 participants, we identified 1,020 independent association signals implicating 559 genes supported by ≥2 criteria from a systematic variant-to-gene mapping framework. These genes were enriched in 29 pathways. Individual variants showed heterogeneity across ancestries, age and smoking groups, and collectively as a genetic risk score showed strong association with COPD across ancestry groups. We undertook phenome-wide association studies for selected associated variants as well as trait and pathway-specific genetic risk scores to infer possible consequences of intervening in pathways underlying lung function. We highlight new putative causal variants, genes, proteins and pathways, including those targeted by existing drugs. These findings bring us closer to understanding the mechanisms underlying lung function and COPD, and should inform functional genomics experiments and potentially future COPD therapies

Implementierung von psychoanalytischen Abwehrmechanismen in der künstlichen Intelligenz

Abweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersZsfassung in dt. SpracheSteigende Anforderungen in der Gebäudeautomation, fordern intelligente Systeme, die in der Lage sein müssen, große Mengen von Sensordaten zu verarbeiten und auszuwerten. Die Systeme müssen aber auch in der Lage sein Situationen in Echtzeit zu erfassen und zu bewerten. Die bestehenden Modelle der künstlichen Intelligenz können nicht in dieser Komplexität arbeiten und können Situationen nicht ganzheitlich erfassen. Daher ist ein neuer Denkansatz für diese Problemstellung erforderlich. Ein technisches Modell der menschlichen Psyche nach psychoanalytischen Grundsätzen kann diesen neuen Ansatz liefern. Dieses Modell wird vom Artificial Recognition System (ARS) Team am Institut für Computertechnik an der Technischen Universität Wien entwickelt und getestet. Einer der wichtigsten Aspekte der Psychoanalyse sind die Abwehrmechanismen. Sie steuern das Verhalten von Menschen und beeinflussen ihre Entscheidungsfindung. Abwehrmechanismen lösen Konflikte, welche durch widersprüchliche Triebe, Wahrnehmungen und soziale Regeln ausgelöst werden. Der Schwerpunkt dieser Arbeit ist die Weiterentwicklung und technische Implementierung der Abwehrmechanismen im ARS Projekt. Hier werden sowohl Abwehrmechanismen für Triebe, als auch Abwehrmechanismen für Wahrnehmung implementiert. Außerdem ist das ARS-Modul "Aufbau der Gefühle" ein Teil der vorliegenden Arbeit. Die Abwehrmechanismen werden in einer Simulationsumgebung für Software-Agenten implementiert und mit Hilfe von Use Cases getestet. Die Ergebnisse der Tests und der Evaluierung zeigen, dass Software-Agenten in der Simulationsumgebung in der Lage sind durch die Verwendung von verschiedenen Abwehrmechanismen ihre Konflikte zu lösen.Increasing demands in building automation require intelligent systems, which are able to process and evaluate large amounts of sensor data. However, the systems must also be capable of reacting to certain situations in real time. The existing artificial intelligence models cannot yet resolve these complexities. Therefore, a new approach is required for this domain. A technical model of the human psyche according to psychoanalytic principles can provide this new approach. This model is being developed and tested by the Artificial Recognition System (ARS) team at the Institute of Computer Technology at Vienna University of Technology. One of the most important aspects of psychoanalysis are the defense mechanisms. They control the behavior of humans and influence their decision making through resolving conflicts which appear due to the violations of rules. The focus of the work at hand is the further development and technical implementation of the defense mechanisms in the ARS project. These mechanisms will be implemented for drives, as well as for perceptions. Furthermore, the module of the composition of feelings, is extended. The defense mechanisms are implemented in a simulation environment for software agents and tested with the help of use cases. The results of the test and the evaluation show that the agents are able to resolve their conflicts using different defense mechanisms.8

The Prevalence of Hearing Disorders among the 3-6 Years Old Children of Kindergartens in Welfare Organization of Tehran Province

Objective: A “hearing-impaired is defined as abnormal or reduced function in hearing resulting from auditory disorder” (Stach,1997). The goal of any preschool and school screening program should be to accurately identify those children whose hearing has impaired resulting from either conductive and / or sensory - neural pathology. Although some ear pathologies (e.g., middle ear effusion) might not produce a significant hearing loss, screening for these pathologies should be a part of the screening program because they may influence the potential to learn. Materials & Methods: This research was carried out in a cross-sectional descriptive study on 577 children (278 girls and 299 boys) among the 3-6 years old children of kindergartens in Welfare Organization of the Tehran Province from March to June 2001. The otoscopy examination, pure-tone screening and impedance screening was conducted after completion the parents awareness form of the hearing loss existence. Results: In this study, there were 12.58% abnormal conditions of external ear canal, 23.7% abnormal tympanic membrane, 34.3% abnormal tympanograms, 35% no acoustic reflex, 12.6% hearing loss including 9.7% bilateral and 2.9% unilateral hearing loss (12.0% conductive hearing loss, 0.64% sensory-neural hearing loss and 0.36% mixed hearing loss), higher prevalence of left ear disorders and statistically meaning difference between two ears (P<0.05) in all of studied items, except of acoustic reflex condition. Conclusion: With respect to high prevalence of need to medical care and the negative effects of middle ear disorders in learning of preschool children, and also due to the importance of early identification and intervention of hearing loss in aural rehabilitation programs, awaring and teaching the people about the effects of hearing disorders and it's prevention and identification are very important

Hearing Impairments in Consanguineous Marriage

Consanguineous marriage is strongly favored in many large human populations. In the most parts of south Asia, consanguineous marriage account for 20% &nbsp;to over 50% of the general population. The effect of consanguinity on hereditary deafness has been well studied and documented. Many authors have suggested that approximately one half &nbsp;of sensory neural hearing loss in children can be attributed to hereditary causes. This research was carried out in Rehabilitation Deputy of welfare organization of Iran in seven provinces. 1352 infants and preschool aged children participate in this research. The prevalence of SNHL due to consanguineous &nbsp;marriage in first cousin and second cousin were studied. Consanguinity was found among 45.7% in first cousin and 17.2% in second cousin. Hereditary Factors were thought &nbsp;to be the cause of 863(62.9%) of bilateral SNHL children in this research. The incidence of hereditary hearing impairment is very high in developing countries &nbsp;compared to developed countries. Prevention is essential to reduce the incidence of genetic hearing loss. Consanguinity should be discouraged and genetic counseling is to be applied at least for those at risk of developing genetic diseases including hearing impairments

A Universal Newborn Hearing Screening in Iran

Objectives: In September 2002 University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences established a pilot universal newborn hearing screening program in two crowded maternity hospital in Tehran. Our objective was to assess the feasibility of implementing universal newborn hearing screening in IRAN. Methods: Between September 2002 and March 2004 a total of 7718 newborns were screened for hearing loss prior to discharge from the wellborn nursery at Milad and Hedayat Hospitals. The average age of the subjects at the initial Screening test was 24 hours. The program employed a three-stage hearing screening protocol using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) screening with referral for diagnostic auditory brainstem response assessment. Results: The overall pass rate at the time of hospital discharge was 92.3%, thus achieving an acceptable referral rate of 7.7% for diagnostic audiological assessments. Nine newborns were identified with permanent unilateral hearing impairment. Newborns identified with bilateral hearing loss were immediately referred to the SABA center for hearing aid assessment and fitting. Newborns as young as 5 weeks old were successfully fitted with hearing instruments and enrolled in the family center early intervention program at the SABA center. Discussion: The frequency of bilateral congenital hearing loss requiring amplification in this population is shown to be approximately 0.001 newborns. This finding is consistent with previous researches, which have indicated hearing loss to be the most frequently occurring birth defect. Universal newborn hearing screening using TEOAEs proved to be a cost effective and feasible method of identifying congenital hearing loss in IRAN. The existence of many successful screening programs worldwide and the availability of fast, objective, reliable and inexpensive hearing screening procedures mean that universal neonatal hearing screening is becoming one of the standards of care

Les céramides (métabolisme, signalisation cellulaire et implications dans les pathologies cutanées)

La couche cornée ou Stratum corneum constitue la partie la plus superficielle de l'épiderme et la première protection de l'organisme contre les agressions extèrieures. Son organisation cellulaire et sa composition en lipides jouent un rôle majeur dans la fonction barrière de la peau et confèrent à l'épiderme ses propriétés de perméabilité, permettant de maintenir un taux d'hydratation cutanée naturelle. Les céramides sont des lipides constitués d'une base sphingoide lièe par liaison amide à un acide gras, formant ainsi plusieurs classes différentes. Ils représentent environ 50 % de la totalité des lipides intercellulaires et jouent un rôle primordial dans le maintien des propriétés barrières de l'épiderme. Le traitement de la peau par des fractions céramidiques permet de restaurer l'organisation des lipides cutanés, de diminuer l'état de sécheresse cutanée, et d'améliorer l'état de la couche cornée après une agression physique, chimique ou climatique. Ces propriétés de restauration de la fonction barrière du Stratum corneum sont exploitées en cosmétologie, ce qui fait des céramides un adjuvant des traitements dermatologiques de première intention. Ces composés jouent également un rôle dans la structuration membranaire que dans la régulation de nombreux processus biologiques : prolifération, différenciation, et signalisation cellulaire apoptotique. C'est leur rôle en tant que messagers secondaires dans ces différents processus métaboliques qui fait aujourd'hui l'objet de nombreux travaux de recherche, avec notamment leur action sur l'équilibre apoptose/prolifération cellulaire. Les perspectives envisageables en thérapeutique tendent vers un rôle plus actif des céramides, notamment vers un rôle de régulateur de l'apoptose, processus mis en cause dans de nombreuses pathologies cutanées.LIMOGES-BU Médecine pharmacie (870852108) / SudocLYON1-BU Santé (693882101) / SudocPARIS-BIUP (751062107) / SudocSudocFranceF