Ellipsis and Coreference Resolution in a Computerized Virtual Patient Dialogue System.

This paper describes the design of an ellipsis and coreference resolution module integrated in a computerized virtual patient dialogue system. Real medical diagnosis dialogues have been collected and analyzed. Several groups of diagnosis-related concepts were defined and used to construct rules, patterns, and features to detect and resolve ellipsis and coreference. The best F-scores of ellipsis detection and resolution were 89.15 % and 83.40 %, respectively. The best F-scores of phrasal coreference detection and resolution were 93.83 % and 83.40 %, respectively. The accuracy of pronominal anaphora resolution was 92 % for the 3rd-person singular pronouns referring to specific entities, and 97.31 % for other pronouns.

Prospective trial of intense pulsed light for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of intense pulsed light (IPL) applied to the periocular area for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in a prospective, double-masked, placebo-controlled, paired-eye study. METHODS: Twenty-eight participants underwent IPL treatment, with homogeneously sequenced light pulses delivered to one eye and placebo treatment to the partner control eye at 1, 15, and 45 days following baseline (BL) evaluation. Lipid layer grade (LLG), noninvasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), tear evaporation rate (TER), tear meniscus height (TMH), and subjective symptom score using visual analogue scales (VAS) were compared with BL and control values at each visit. RESULTS: Lipid layer grade improved significantly from BL to Day (D) 45 in the treated eye (P < 0.001), but not the control eye (P = 0.714), with 82% of treated eyes improving by at least one LLG. Noninvasive tear break-up time also improved significantly from BL to D45 in the treated (P < 0.001) but not in the control eye (P = 0.056) and was significantly longer than in the treated eye at D45 (14.1 ± 9.8 seconds versus 8.6 ± 8.2 seconds, P < 0.001). The tear evaporation rate was not different in the treated eye compared with the control eye at any visit. Tear meniscus height did not change from BL in either eye (P > 0.05). Visual analog scale symptom scores improved from BL in the treated (P = 0.015), but not the control eye (P = 0.245), with 86% of participants noting reduced symptoms in the treated eye by D45. CONCLUSIONS: Intense pulsed light with multiple sculpted pulses shows therapeutic potential for MGD, improving tear film quality and reducing symptoms of dry eye. ( https://www.anzctr.org.au number, ACTRN12614000162617.).

Enhanced performance of Au/P3HT/ (bilayer dielectrics)/Si thin-film-transistor having gold nanoparticles chemically bonded to P3HT.

The charge transport enhancement of using poly(3-hexylthiophene) covalently bonded with gold nanoparticles as an active layer in a bottom-gate/top contact, Au/(P3HT)/(bilayer dielectric)/Si OTFT device has been studied. P3HT was synthesized via the modified Grignard metathesis method and functionalized to have a thiol terminal (P3HT(SH)). Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with sizes ranging from 2 to 10 nm were then formed via a reduction of HAuCl4 in the presence of P3HT(SH). Compared to the pristine P3HT, the AuNPs-containing P3HT composite materials have a higher energy level of HOMO and a smaller electrochemical bandgap E(g)chem. The smaller bandgap enhances the charge carrier mobility and the higher HOMO energy level indicates a reduced barrier and an increased injection rate for charge carrier at the source contact. Furthermore, the threshold voltage V(T) of AuNPs-containing P3HT samples remain nearly unchanged and their saturation current I(D) and the field-effect mobility are higher. An OTFT device fabricated with a composite sample containing 1.30% AuNPs has a carrier mobility and saturation current nearly two time higher than pristine P3HT.