Comparing general and specialized word embeddings for biomedical named entity recognition.

Increased interest in the use of word embeddings, such as word representation, for biomedical named entity recognition (BioNER) has highlighted the need for evaluations that aid in selecting the best word embedding to be used. One common criterion for selecting a word embedding is the type of source from which it is generated; that is, general (e.g., Wikipedia, Common Crawl), or specific (e.g., biomedical literature). Using specific word embeddings for the BioNER task has been strongly recommended, considering that they have provided better coverage and semantic relationships among medical entities. To the best of our knowledge, most studies have focused on improving BioNER task performance by, on the one hand, combining several features extracted from the text (for instance, linguistic, morphological, character embedding, and word embedding itself) and, on the other, testing several state-of-the-art named entity recognition algorithms. The latter, however, do not pay great attention to the influence of the word embeddings, and do not facilitate observing their real impact on the BioNER task. For this reason, the present study evaluates three well-known NER algorithms (CRF, BiLSTM, BiLSTM-CRF) with respect to two corpora (DrugBank and MedLine) using two classic word embeddings, GloVe Common Crawl (of the general type) and Pyysalo PM + PMC (specific), as unique features. Furthermore, three contextualized word embeddings (ELMo, Pooled Flair, and Transformer) are compared in their general and specific versions. The aim is to determine whether general embeddings can perform better than specialized ones on the BioNER task. To this end, four experiments were designed. In the first, we set out to identify the combination of classic word embedding, NER algorithm, and corpus that results in the best performance. The second evaluated the effect of the size of the corpus on performance. The third assessed the semantic cohesiveness of the classic word embeddings and their correlation with respect to several gold standards; while the fourth evaluates the performance of general and specific contextualized word embeddings on the BioNER task. Results show that the classic general word embedding GloVe Common Crawl performed better in the DrugBank corpus, despite having less word coverage and a lower internal semantic relationship than the classic specific word embedding, Pyysalo PM + PMC; while in the contextualized word embeddings the best results are presented in the specific ones. We conclude, therefore, when using classic word embeddings as features on the BioNER task, the general ones could be considered a good option. On the other hand, when using contextualized word embeddings, the specific ones are the best option.

Efeito de dois sistemas de resfriamento sobre os hormônios tireoidianos e as variáveis termofisiológicas de matrizes suínas em lactação / Effect of two cooling systems on thyroid hormones and thermophysiological variables of lactating sows

Avaliaram-se os efeitos do sistema de resfriamento evaporativo com pressão negativa (SRE) e aspersão de água sobre o telhado (AAT), as variáveis termofisiológicas, os hormônios tireoidianos e a relação neutrófilo:linfócito (N:L) em porcas. Utilizaram-se 61 fêmeas em lactação, que foram divididas nos dois ambientes térmicos, sendo 30 em SRE e 31 em AAT, no verão. A temperatura e a umidade do ar, a frequência respiratória (FR), as temperaturas de superfície (TS) e retal (TR), a concentração de tiroxina e de tri-iodotironina, o número de neutrófilos e linfócitos e a relação N:L foram determinados. A temperatura ambiente pela manhã foi menor em SRE que em AAT (22,1ºC vs. 23,5ºC) e pela tarde (24,8ºC vs. 28,0ºC). Em ambos os períodos, a FR, a TS e a TR foram menores em SRE (de manhã 49 resp.min-1, 31,1ºC e 38,5ºC, respectivamente, e à tarde 55 resp.min-1, 30,3ºC e 38,8ºC, respectivamente) que em AAT (de manhã 54 resp.min-1, 32,8ºC e 38,6ºC, respectivamente; e à tarde 65 resp.min-1, 31,4ºC e 39,1ºC, respectivamente). Animais sob galpão AAT apresentaram menores concentrações de T4 que animais sob SRE (37,84 vs. 42,22nmol.L-1). Em ambiente tropical, no verão, porcas lactantes de ambos os sistemas mantêm a homeotermia.(AU)

The effects of the evaporative cooling system with negative pressure (ECS) and water spray on the roof (WSR) on physiological variables, thyroid hormones and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (N:L) in lactating sows were evaluated. Sixty-one lactating females were divided in the two thermal environments, being 30 in SRE and 31 in the AAT shed in the summer. The air temperature and humidity, respiratory frequency (RF), surface temperatures (ST) and rectal (RT), serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentration, number of neutrophils and lymphocytes and the N/L ratio were determined. In the afternoon, the matrices in ECS (Tar: 25.0°C and THI: 74.7) and WSR (Tar: 27.6°C and THI: 77.3) were exposed to heat stress. In the morning, RF, ST and RT were lower in ECS (49 breaths.min -1 , 31.1°C and 38.5°C, respectively) than WSR (54 breaths.min -1 , 32.8°C and 38.6°C) and also in the afternoon ECS (55 breaths.min -1 , 30.3°C and 38.8°C, respectively) and WSR (65 breaths.min -1 , 31.4°C and 39.1°C, respectively). Animals under WSR shed presented lower concentrations of T4 than animals under ECS (37.84 vs 42.22nmol.L -1 ). In a tropical environment, in the summer, lactating sows of both systems maintain homeothermia.(AU)

Desempenho e termorregulação de porcas lactantes alojadas em diferentes localizações no interior de um galpão com sistema de resfriamento evaporativo em ambiente tropical / Performance and thermoregulation of lactating sows housed in different locations inside a shed with an evaporative cooling system in a tropical environment

The effects of housing lactating sows at different locations in a shed with evaporative cooling system (ECS) on their thermoregulation and reproductive and productive performance of the sow and the litter in summer were determined. 34 females were used in the three lines of cages at these locations: near the pad cooling; in the middle of the shed and near the exhaust fans. The air temperature and the temperature and humidity index (THI) were lower near the pad cooling (22.38ºC, 71.84) than the middle (24.56ºC, 74.82) and near the exhaust fans (25.00°C, 75.62). Respiratory rate, rectal and surface temperatures were lower in sows near the pad cooling (43.67 breaths.min -1 , 38.40°C; 29.51°C) than in the center (52.04 breaths.min -1 ; 38.48ºC; 32.02ºC) and near the exhaust fans (56.38 breaths.min-1, 38.93ºC; 32.52ºC). The backfat thickness, the weaning-estrus interval and daily average consumption of the sows, number of weaning piglets, corporal mass and daily average gain of the piglets were not influenced by the location of housing in the shed. Lactating sows housed in the middle and near the exhaust fans in the ECS presented increased thermoregulation physiological variables, however, this did not impair the performance.(AU)

Production and partial characterization of lipases from a newly isolated Penicillium sp. using experimental design.

AIMS: The objective of this work was to investigate the lipase production by a newly isolated Penicillium sp., using experimental design technique, in submerged fermentation using a medium based on peptone, yeast extract, NaCl and olive oil, as well as to characterize the crude enzymatic extracts obtained. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lipase activity values of 9.5 U ml(-1) in 96 h of fermentation was obtained at the maximized operational conditions of peptone, yeast extract, NaCl and olive oil concentrations (g l(-1)) of 20.0, 5.0, 5.0 and of 10.0 respectively. The partial characterization of crude enzymatic extract obtained by submerged fermentation showed optimum activity at pH range from 4.9 to 5.5 and temperature from 37 degrees C to 42 degrees C. The crude extract maintained its initial activity at freezing temperatures up to 100 days. CONCLUSIONS: A newly isolated strain of Penicillium sp. used in this work yielded good lipase activities compared to the literature. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The growing interest in lipase production is related to the potential biotechnological applications that these enzymes present. New lipase producers are relevant to finding enzymes with different catalytic properties of commercial interest could be obtained, without using genetically modified organisms (GMO).

Anxiety and stress among science students. Study of calcium and magnesium alterations.

Stress and anxiety of university science students (Chemistry) was evaluated in basal conditions and during exams using validated stress and anxiety questionnaires. The relations between the data obtained and various biochemical markers were established. Results showed that the evaluated students did not experience stress increase as a consequence of exams but suffered a significant increase in anxiety. The psychological findings agree with the urinary biomarkers studied. It is known that anxiety is related to partial magnesium reduction associated with a urinary magnesium excretion increase, as observed in the present data. Nevertheless, stress also correlates with a urinary calcium increase which was not detected in the present study.

Comparative analytical evaluation of thyroid hormone levels in pregnancy and in women taking oral contraceptives: a study from an iodine deficient area.

Increase of serum thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) resulting from estrogen action may lead to problems in thyroid diagnostics. The aim of the present study was to define the most diagnostically reliable thyroid parameters in women exposed to differentially elevated estrogens. Sera of three groups of healthy women were analyzed: women taking no medicine (controls), those taking oral contraceptives and pregnant women (in weeks 16 or 32 of gestation). All women involved in the study lived in a moderately iodine-deficient geographical area. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), TBG, total thyroxine (T4), total tri-iodothyronine (T3) and free T3 were determined and free T4 indices (total T4 x T3 uptake; total T4/thyroxine binding capacity (TBC); total T4/TBG) were calculated. Free T4 was measured simultaneously with a one-step T4-analog enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a labeled T4 antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA), and a two-step microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA). Estrogen-dependent differences were found in all investigated parameters; however, they remained in the reference interval for TSH, total T4 x T3 uptake, total T4/TBC,free T3 and free T4 MEIA. It was concluded that simultaneous estimations of free T4 and free T3 should follow a primary TSH measurement. The necessity of a distinct reference range has emerged for free thyroid hormones in midterm and late pregnancy as well as in the use of oral contraceptives, especially in iodine-deficient areas.

Fiber reinforced calcium phosphate cement.

The term calcium phosphate cement was introduced by Gruninger et al. (1). This type of cement can be prepared by reacting a calcium phosphate salt with an aqueous solution, which causes it to set by the crossing of the precipitated crystals. These cements offer a series of advantages that allow their use as grafts and substitutes of damaged parts of the bone system. However, these cements have low mechanical strength compared to human bones. This work studied the influence of the use of polyamide fibers in the mechanical properties of a calcium phosphate cement based on alpha-tricalcium phosphate as well as the mechanisms involved in the increase of mechanical strength. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the use of polymeric fibers to increase mechanical strength and the need for coupling agents for the effective performance of the fibers as reinforcement in these materials.

Influence of polymeric additives on the mechanical properties of alpha-tricalcium phosphate cement.

Recently, great attention has been paid to calcium phosphate cements, because of their advantages in comparison with conventional calcium phosphate bioceramics employed for bone repairing, regarding in situ handling, and shaping abilities. Nevertheless, the calcium phosphate cements exhibit relatively low mechanical strength. The aim of this work was the improvement of the compressive strength of alpha-tricalcium phosphate-based cement. The hydraulic setting reaction of this system produces a calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite phase suitable for bone repairing: alpha-Ca3(PO4)2 + H2O --> Ca9(HPO4)(PO4)5OH. Mechanical strength can be improved using technological solutions developed for other applications, such as Portland cement and dual-setting glass-ionomers, by using polymeric additives. The additives used in this work were sodium alginate, sodium polyacrylate, and an in situ polymerization system resulting in a polyacrylamide crosslinked hydrogel. Parameters evaluated were setting time, compressive strength before and after immersion in simulated body fluid, density, porosity, crystalline phases, and microstructure. Sodium alginate and sodium polyacrylate were deleterious to both setting time and mechanical strength. When the in situ polymerization system was added, two setting reactions progressed in parallel: the conventional hydraulic reaction and the copolymerization of acrylamide and crosslinking water-soluble monomers. The initial and final setting times of the "dual-setting" cement were 9 and 35 min, respectively, and they can be regulated varying the initiator, catalyst, and monomers concentrations. The initial compressive strength of the dual-setting cement (6.8 MPa at 0 h, and 15.2 MPa at 24 h) is higher than that of unmodified cement. The major crystalline phase after setting is hydroxyapatite. The dual-setting cement seems to be suitable for clinical applications in bone repairing and remodeling.