Compression of skin tumor images

The shape and stress distribution in the new Collapsible Rib-Tensioned Surface reflector are investigated both analytically and experimentally. A methodology is established for the preliminary design of symmetric reflectors of given aperture, focal length, and target root-mean-square (RMS) error, by extending form-finding methods originally developed for membrane roof covers. The concepts of a reference surface and of an equilibrium surface are introduced, and algorithms are developed to compute these surfaces and their associated RMS error. Then, the cutting pattern for making the membrane is computed and the RMS error of the actual surface is predicted. Estimates are made of the RMS error of reflectors with apertures of 1, 3, 5, and 10 m, with 6, 12, and 24 ribs. Measurements of prestress and shape in a one-sixth sector of a 1 m diameter reflector with 6 ribs are compared with predictions obtained from the computational study. In the central part of the gore, about half of the total surface, the average error on prestress is 22% whereas the shape has an RMS error of 0.7 mm, better than predicted.     

融合单语语言模型的藏汉机器翻译方法研究

由于藏汉平行语料匮乏,导致藏汉神经网络机器翻译效果欠佳,该文提出了一种将藏语单语语言模型融合到藏汉神经网络机器翻译的方法,首先利用神经网络实现藏语单语语言模型,然后使用Transformer实现藏汉神经网络机器翻译模型,最后将藏语单语语言模型融合到藏汉神经网络机器翻译中。实验表明,该方法能显著提升藏汉神经网络机器翻译质量。基线系统藏语到汉语的BLEU值为21.1,汉语到藏语的BLEU值为18.6,融合藏语单语语言模型后,藏语到汉语的BLEU值为24.5,汉语到藏语的BLEU值为23.3,比原有基线系统的BLEU值分别提高了3.4和4.7。     

Phonotactic influences on short-term memory

The impact of phonotactic probabilities on serial recall was investigated in a series of experiments. In Experiments 1A and 1B, 7 and 8 year olds were tested on their serial recall of monosyllabic words and of nonwords varying in phonotactic frequencies. A recall advantage to words over nonwords remained when stimuli were balanced for phonotactic probability, but nonword recall showed superior accuracy for high over low probability nonwords, as in Experiment 2. The nonword frequency effect appears to reflect the frequency of constituent syllables rather than biphones. Both lexicality and high phonotactic frequency led to increased proportions of full over partial recall of the memory stimuli. These findings indicate that decayed memory traces in phonological short-term memory can be reconstructed using either lexical or phonotactic knowledge.     

Activation of particulate guanylyl cyclase by Vibrio vulnificus hemolysin

Recently we reported that Vibrio vulnificus hemolysin, an exotoxin produced by V. vulnificus, dilates rat thoracic aorta via elevated cGMP levels without affecting nitric oxide synthase. We investigated the mechanism further by observing the guanylyl cyclase activities in cytosolic, membrane, unfractionated, or reconstituted preparations. Hemolysin did not activate guanylyl cyclase in the membrane or cytosolic fraction, while it activated guanylyl cyclase in unfractionated or reconstituted preparation. The increased activity was not inhibited by the HS-142-1, a microbial polysaccharide which antagonizes atrial natriuretic peptide receptor, or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. However, it was attenuated by 6-(phenylamino)-5,8-quinolinedione (LY 83.583), which inhibits the catalytic domain of both guanylyl cyclases, and by cholesterol, which blocks hemolysin-incorporation into the membrane. Removing ATP, a cofactor of particulate guanylyl cyclase, attenuated the activation and ATPgammaS, a non-phosphorylating analog, restored it. These results suggest that V. vulnificus hemolysin activates particulate guanylyl cyclase via hemolysin incorporation into the vascular smooth muscle cell membrane in cooperation with certain unidentified cytosolic component(s).     

Recorded audio prompts. A strategy to increase independent prevocational task completion in individuals with dual diagnosis

This research was conducted to teach two adults with schizophrenia and mental retardation to respond to recorded audio prompts in order to eliminate the need for instructor assistance in completing routine prevocational tasks. Studying individuals with dual diagnosis is an important step in moving toward success in community living and vocational placement. A multiple probe design across tasks was conducted. Prior to the investigation, both individuals demonstrated low levels of independent task completion. Following the implementation of the audio prompts, both individuals' task completion performances dramatically increased. These findings suggest that audio prompts may serve as an efficient alternative to instructor promoting, which is often required by individuals with dual diagnosis in prevocational job settings.