Semantic Analysis of Winograd Schema No. 1

The Winograd Schema Challenge is a general test for Artificial Intelligence, based on problems of pronoun reference resolution. I investigate the semantics and interpretation of Winograd Schemas, concentrating on the original and most famous example. This study suggests that a rich ontology, detailed commonsense knowledge as well as special purpose inference mechanisms are all required to resolve just this one example. The analysis supports the view that a key factor in the interpretation and disambiguation of natural language is the preference for coherence. This preference guides the resolution of co-reference in relation to both explicitly mentioned entities and also implicit entities that are required to form an interpretation of what is being described. I suggest that assumed identity of implicit entities arises from the expectation of coherence and provides a key mechanism that underpins natural language understanding. I also argue that conceptual ontologies can play a decisive role not only in directly determining pronoun references but also in identifying implicit entities and implied relationships that bind together components of a sentence.

Design of General Test System for Optoelectronic Equipment Based on Computer

In recent years, with the popularization of optoelectronic equipment in various industries, various reconnaissance equipment and test equipment have also appeared. Traditional test technology and system functions can no longer meet the development of optoelectronic equipment, so it is imperative to introduce general test ideas and establish a general test system.

Categorizing Foods by Relative Healthfulness: A Scoping Review of Front of Pack Labelling

Worksites are a suitable platform for employees to engage in behavioral change towards a healthy lifestyle by the modification of the food environment. Grading canteen foods at worksites into categories of relative healthfulness is an important indicator in the planning of food environmental interventions. However, in the absence of mandatory front of pack (FOP) labelling in South Africa, categorizing packaged and cooked food at worksite canteens is challenging. A scoping review was conducted on FOP labelling schemes to inform the selection of a FOP labelling scheme best suited for canteen foods at worksites in South Africa. The results of the scoping study, tabulated into a narrative summary, showed that there are several well-developed approaches to classifying foods by relative healthfulness through nutrient profiling and different forms of expression. It is recommended that because worksite canteen food sales in South Africa include both packaged and cooked food, and that a general test of various labelling schemes should be conducted to determine if a directional change is made towards purchasing healthier foods. Grading foods using interpretational aides such as an adapted FOP nutrition label to the South African context into categories of relative healthfulness can be a practical tool to inform food environmental interventions at worksite canteens and beyond.

Uncertainty in Pandemic Times

The Covid-19 pandemic has burst upon us as a general test for humanity, for which we were woefully unprepared. We all faced the pandemic with little knowledge and no experience. It is the first pandemic of our lives. Over this period, we have seen a range of conflicting statements, positions and behaviours. On occasion, the scientific community and health professionals have failed to speak with a single voice to convey the urgency of the situation, as their views got lost and scattered in rivulets of opposing theories ranging from denying to ringing the alarm. So many elements were in place for the ‘perfect storm’ to get unleashed … and it did. And as the pandemic wreaked its havoc, many health workers have paid a high price for their selfless dedication and professionalism. We have worked in the absence of clear-cut guidelines, in situations where even the cornerstones of medical ethics have faltered. On the other hand, the fruitful aspects of uncertainty also emerged.

Does the GRE General Test Predict More than Just First Year Graduate GPA?

Graduate school programs that are considering dropping the GRE as an admissions tool often focus on claims that the test is biased and does not predict valued outcomes. This paper addresses the bias issue and provides evidence related to the prediction of valued outcomes. Two studies are included. The first study uses data from chemistry and computer engineering programs from a flagship state university and an Ivy League university to demonstrate the ability of the GRE to predict dropout. The second study shows the relationship of GRE Analytical Writing scores to writing produced as part of graduate school coursework. In both studies results that are both practically and statistically significant are presented.

Surgical management outcome of cerebral schistosomiasis: a case report and review of the literature

Background Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that commonly affects the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Cerebral schistosomiasis is rare, and few operative cases have been reported in the literature. Diagnosis is usually challenging due to the similarity of the lesion to many other brain conditions. Treatment usually requires surgical resection combined with the use of antiparasitic agents, which often results in good outcomes and excellent prognosis. Case presentation A 24-year-old, previously healthy Afro-asiatic man presented to our neurosurgical outpatient clinic complaining of headache and an attack of convulsions. On examination, he had bilateral lower limb weakness more on the right side. Laboratory investigations including stool and urine general test results were unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed and showed an intra-axial left parietal mass; a granulomatous lesion was suggested in the differential diagnoses. The patient underwent craniotomy and total resection of the lesion. Histopathology confirmed the presence of active cerebral Schistosoma mansoni infection. Orally administered praziquantel was initiated at a dose of 20 mg/kg twice a day for a total of 3 days along with oral administration of corticosteroids for 2 weeks. The patient improved postoperatively without residual weakness and with no further convulsions. Conclusion Cerebral schistosomiasis is a rare but important consideration in the list of differential diagnoses of cerebral space-occupying lesions. This is of particular importance in in endemic areas like Sudan. In order to reach a diagnosis, careful social and occupational history need to be obtained and correlated with the clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings. Surgical resection along with the use of proper antiparasitic agents usually provides the best clinical outcomes.

A new species and comparative morphology of Philippine sea biscuits (Echinoidea: Clypeaster)

A new species of clypeasterid sea biscuit, Clypeaster brigitteae n. sp., is described from material collected in the Philippines at depths between 100 and 200 m. The new taxon increases the number of Clypeaster species recorded from the Philippines to nine, representing nearly a quarter of the world’s diversity of the genus. Other Philippine species include: C. annandalei Koehler, 1922; C. fervens Koehler, 1922; C. humilis (Leske, 1778); C. japonicus Döderlein, 1885; C. latissimus (Lamarck, 1816); C. pateriformis Mortensen, 1948; C. reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758); and C. virescens Döderlein, 1885. Using type material where available, each of these species is compared and contrasted with C. brigitteae n. sp. in tables consisting of new data derived from general test shape and size, petal structure, food grooves, plate architecture, internal structure, and morphology of spines, pedicellariae, and tube feet.

BAYESIAN GROUP TESTING WITH DILUTION EFFECTS

A Bayesian framework for group testing under dilution effects is introduced. This work has particular relevance given the pressing public health need to enhance testing capacity for COVID-19, and the need for wide-scale and repeated testing for surveillance. The proposed Bayesian approach allows for dilution effects in group testing and for general test response distributions beyond just binary outcomes. It is shown that even with strong dilution effects, an intuitive and simple-to-implement group testing selection rule, referred to as the Bayesian halving algorithm, has attractive optimal properties. A web-based calculator is introduced to assist and guide decisions on when and how to pool under various conditions.

Complex Approach to Thermal Testing of Firefighters’ Protective Clothing

Aim: An extremely important property of firefighters’ special clothing is thermal resistance of the clothing materials to heat transfer from radiation or flame. Performing tests with the use of thermal mannequins may contribute to the improvement of clothing sets, as such tests indicate weak points of the tested products. The review article presents information on the testing of special clothing on mannequins and a short history of test stands with the use of thermal mannequins. Introduction: Using innovative techniques and technologies provides firefighters-rescuers with an appropriate level of safety. Special clothing is a barrier between the human body and the heat and water vapour from the environment. It is this garment that protects the human body from overheating or cooling down. Methodology: The general test procedure for using thermal mannequins is described in ASTM standards (for instance ASTM F2370 – 10 [1], ASTM F2371 – 10 [2]). Testing of special clothing allowing for an accurate assessment of the degree of protection of the human body against the effects of fire, flame and heat was initiated in the United States. The assumption of these works was to create a mannequin for testing the resistance of clothing equipped with heat sensors to flash fires. Currently, there are around 100 different models of thermal mannequins around the world. Technological progress in the post-war period resulted in the rapid development of mannequins built with a multi-segment structure. This allowed to increase the accuracy of the measurements that simulated heat exchange between the human body and the environment. The data obtained in this manner is repeatable, which allows for standardization of the test requirements for thermal insulation of clothing sets. Conclusions: Performing tests using thermal mannequins contributes to the improvement of clothing sets in order to increase the safety of the users. The results obtained under the test conditions very accurately indicate the number, location and degree of burns to which the user of such clothing may be exposed. Keywords: protective clothing, special clothing, thermal mannequin, thermal resistance, test stands to determine thermal loads Type of article: review article