bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Path replay backpropagation
Authors: Vicini Delio , Speierer Sébastien , Jakob Wenzel 
Published: July 2021

Differentiable physically-based rendering has become an indispensable tool for solving inverse problems involving light. Most applications in this area jointly optimize a large set of scene parameters to minimize an objective function, in which case reverse-mode differentiation is the method of choice for obtaining parameter gradients.
However, existing techniques that perform the necessary differentiation step suffer from either statistical bias or a prohibitive cost in terms of memory and computation time. For example, standard techniques for automatic differentiation based on program transformation or Wengert tapes lead to impracticably large memory usage when applied to physically-based rendering algorithms. A recently proposed adjoint method by Nimier-David et al. [2020] reduces this to a constant memory footprint, but the computation time for unbiased gradient estimates then becomes quadratic in the number of scattering events along a light path. This is problematic when the scene contains highly scattering materials like participating media.
In this paper, we propose a new unbiased backpropagation algorithm for rendering that only requires constant memory, and whose computation time is linear in the number of scattering events (i.e., just like path tracing). Our approach builds on the invertibility of the local Jacobian at scattering interactions to recover the various quantities needed for reverse-mode differentiation. Our method also extends to specular materials such as smooth dielectrics and conductors that cannot be handled by prior work.
Monte Carlo estimators for differential light transport
Authors: Zeltner Tizian , Speierer Sébastien , Georgiev Iliyan , Jakob Wenzel 
Published: July 2021

Physically based differentiable rendering algorithms propagate derivatives through realistic light transport simulations and have applications in diverse areas including inverse reconstruction and machine learning. Recent progress has led to unbiased methods that can simultaneously compute derivatives with respect to millions of parameters. At the same time, elementary properties of these methods remain poorly understood.
Current algorithms for differentiable rendering are constructed by mechanically differentiating a given primal algorithm. While convenient, such an approach is simplistic because it leaves no room for improvement. Differentiation produces major changes in the integrals that occur throughout the rendering process, which indicates that the primal and differential algorithms should be decoupled so that the latter can suitably adapt.
This leads to a large space of possibilities: consider that even the most basic Monte Carlo path tracer already involves several design choices concerning the techniques for sampling materials and emitters, and their combination, e.g. via multiple importance sampling (MIS). Differentiation causes a veritable explosion of this decision tree: should we differentiate only the estimator, or also the sampling technique? Should MIS be applied before or after differentiation? Are specialized derivative sampling strategies of any use? How should visibility-related discontinuities be handled when millions of parameters are differentiated simultaneously? In this paper, we provide a taxonomy and analysis of different estimators for differential light transport to provide intuition about these and related questions.
Bijective and coarse high-order tetrahedral meshes
Authors: Jiang Zhongshi , Zhang Ziyi , Hu Yixin , Schneider Teseo , Zorin Denis , Panozzo Daniele 
Published: July 2021

We introduce a robust and automatic algorithm to convert linear triangle meshes with feature annotated into coarse tetrahedral meshes with curved elements. Our construction guarantees that the high-order meshes are free of element inversion or self-intersection. A user-specified maximal geometrical error from the input mesh controls the faithfulness of the curved approximation. The boundary of the output mesh is in bijective correspondence to the input, enabling attribute transfer between them, such as boundary conditions for simulations, making our curved mesh an ideal replacement or complement for the original input geometry.
The availability of a bijective shell around the input surface is employed to ensure robust curving, prevent self-intersections, and compute a bijective map between the linear input and curved output surface. As necessary building blocks of our algorithm, we extend the bijective shell formulation to support features and propose a robust approach for boundary-preserving linear tetrahedral meshing.
We demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of our algorithm by generating high-order meshes for a large collection of complex 3D models.
Welcome to AI Matters 7(1)
Authors: Leite Iolanda , Karpatne Anuj 
Published: July 2021

Welcome to the first issue of this year's AI Matters Newsletter!
We start with a report on upcoming SIGAI Events by Dilini Samarasinghe and Conference reports by Louise Dennis, our conference coordination officers. In our regular Education column, Duri Long, Jonathan Moon, and Brian Magerko introduce two "unplugged" activities (i.e., no technology needed) to learn about AI focussed on K-12 AI Education. We then bring you our regular Policy column, where Larry Medsker covers several topics on AI policy, including the role of Big Tech on AI Ethics and an interview with Dr. Eric Daimler who is the CEO of the MIT-spinout Conexus.com.
Finally, we close with four article contributions. The first article discusses emerging applications of AI in analyzing source code and its implications to several industries. The second article discusses topics in the area of physical scene understanding that are necessary for machines to perceive, interact, and reason about the physical world. The third article presents novel practices and highlights from the Fourth Workshop on Mechanism Design for Social Good. The fourth article provides a report on the "Decoding AI" event that was conducted online by ViSER for high school students and adults sponsored by ACM SIGAI.
Detailed black-box monitoring of distributed systems
Authors: Neves Francisco , Vilaça Ricardo , Pereira José 
Published: July 2021

Modern containerized distributed systems, such as big data storage and processing stacks or micro-service based applications, are inherently hard to monitor and optimize, as resource usage does not directly match hardware resources due to multiple virtualization layers. For instance, interapplication traffic is an important factor in as it directly indicates how components interact, it has not been possible to accurately monitor it in an application independent way and without severe overhead, thus putting it out of reach of cloud platforms.
In this paper we present an efficient black-box monitoring approach for gathering detailed structural information of collaborating processes in a distributed system that can be queried for various purposes, as it includes both information about processes, containers, and hosts, as well as resource usage and amount of data exchanged. The key to achieving high detail and low overhead without custom application instrumentation is to use a kernel-aided event driven strategy. We validate a prototype implementation by applying it to multi-platform microservice deployments, evaluate its performance with micro-benchmarks, and demonstrate its usefulness for container placement in a distributed data storage and processing stack (i.e., Cassandra and Spark).
The Liver–Immunity Nexus and Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Lee James C. , Green Michael D. , Huppert Laura A. , Chow Christine , Pierce Robert H. , Daud Adil I. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe impact of liver metastases on immune checkpoint-inhibitor effectiveness in patients with solid-tumor malignancies has been the focus of several recent clinical and translational studies. We review the literature describing the immune functions of the liver and particularly the mechanistic observations in these studies. The initial clinical observation was that pembrolizumab appeared to be much less effective in melanoma and non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with liver metastasis. Subsequently other clinical studies have extended and reported similar findings with programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitors in many cancers. Two recent translational studies in animal models have dissected the mechanism of this systemic immune suppression. In both studies CD11b+ suppressive macrophages generated by liver metastasis in a two-site MC38 model appear to delete CD8+ T cells in a FasL-dependent manner. In addition, regulatory T-cell (Treg) activation was observed and contributed to the distal immunosuppression. Finally, we discuss some of the interventions reported to address liver immune suppression, such as radiation therapy, combination checkpoint blockade, and Treg depletion.
A Phase I Dose-Escalation and Expansion Study of Telaglenastat in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors
Authors: Harding James J. , Telli Melinda , Munster Pamela , Voss Martin H. , Infante Jeffrey R. , DeMichele Angela , Dunphy Mark , Le Mai H. , Molineaux Chris , Orford Keith , Parlati Frank , Whiting Sam H. , Bennett Mark K. , Tannir Nizar M. , Meric-Bernstam Funda 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Purpose:
Glutamine is a critical fuel for solid tumors. Interference with glutamine metabolism is deleterious to neoplasia in preclinical models. A phase I study of the oral, first-in-class, glutaminase (GLS) inhibitor telaglenastat was conducted in treatment-refractory solid tumor patients to define recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and evaluate safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and antitumor activity.

Patients and Methods:
Dose escalation by 3 + 3 design was followed by exploratory tumor-/biomarker-specific cohorts.

Results:
Among 120 patients, fatigue (23%) and nausea (19%) were the most common toxicity. Maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Correlative analysis indicated &gt;90% GLS inhibition in platelets at plasma exposures &gt;300 nmol/L, &gt;75% tumoral GLS inhibition, and significant increase in circulating glutamine. RP2D was defined at 800 mg twice-daily. Disease control rate (DCR) was 43% across expansion cohorts (overall response rate 5%, DCR 50% in renal cell carcinoma).

Conclusions:
Telaglenastat is safe, with a favorable PK/PD profile and signal of antitumor activity, supporting further clinical development.
Opportunities for Utilization of DNA Repair Inhibitors in Homologous Recombination Repair-Deficient and Proficient Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cleary James M. , Wolpin Brian M. , Dougan Stephanie K. , Raghavan Srivatsan , Singh Harshabad , Huffman Brandon , Sethi Nilay S. , Nowak Jonathan A. , Shapiro Geoffrey I. , Aguirre Andrew J. , D'Andrea Alan D. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPancreatic cancer is rapidly progressive and notoriously difficult to treat with cytotoxic chemotherapy and targeted agents. Recent demonstration of the efficacy of maintenance PARP inhibition in germline BRCA mutated pancreatic cancer has raised hopes that increased understanding of the DNA damage response pathway will lead to new therapies in both homologous recombination (HR) repair-deficient and proficient pancreatic cancer. Here, we review the potential mechanisms of exploiting HR deficiency, replicative stress, and DNA damage-mediated immune activation through targeted inhibition of DNA repair regulatory proteins.
Establishment of a Plasticity-Associated Risk Model Based on a SOX2- and SOX9-Related Gene Set in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Khorani Karam , Schwaerzler Julia , Burkart Sebastian , Kurth Ina , Holzinger Dana , Flechtenmacher Christa , Plinkert Peter K. , Zaoui Karim , Hess Jochen 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Recent studies highlighted SOX2 and SOX9 as key determinants for cancer-cell plasticity and demonstrated that cisplatin-induced adaptation in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is acquired by an inverse regulation of both transcription factors. However, the association between SOX2/SOX9-related genetic programs with risk factors and genetic or epigenetic alterations in primary head and neck SCC (HNSCC), and their prognostic value is largely unknown.

Here, we identified differentially-expressed genes (DEG) related to SOX2 and SOX9 transcription in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-HNSC, which enable clustering of patients into groups with distinct clinical features and survival. A prognostic risk model was established by LASSO Cox regression based on expression patterns of DEGs in TCGA-HNSC (training cohort), and was confirmed in independent HNSCC validation cohorts as well as other cancer cohorts from TCGA. Differences in the mutational landscape among risk groups of TCGA-HNSC demonstrated an enrichment of truncating NSD1 mutations for the low-risk group and elucidated DNA methylation as modulator of SOX2 expression. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) revealed differences in several oncogenic pathways among risk groups, including upregulation of gene sets related to oncogenic KRAS signaling for the high-risk group. Finally, in silico drug screen analysis revealed numerous compounds targeting EGFR signaling with significantly lower efficacy for cancer cell lines with a higher risk phenotype, but also indicated potential vulnerabilities.

Implications:
The established risk model identifies patients with primary HNSCC, but also other cancers at a higher risk for treatment failure, who might benefit from a therapy targeting SOX2/SOX9-related gene regulatory and signaling networks.
Serial ASPECTS in the DAWN Trial
Authors: Liebeskind David S. , Saber Hamidreza , Bhuva Parita , Xiang Bin , Yoo Albert J. , Jadhav Ashutosh P. , Haussen Diogo C. , Budzik Ronald F. , Bonafe Alain , Yavagal Dileep R. , Hanel Ricardo A. , Ribo Marc , Cognard Christophe , Sila Cathy , Hassan Ameer E. , Smith Wade S. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Nogueira Raul G. , Jovin Tudor G. ,   for DAWN Investigators
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose:
The impact of baseline ischemia on Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) and evolution over 24 hours may be distinct in late thrombectomy. We analyzed predictors of serial ASPECTS and clinical outcomes in the DAWN trial (Diffusion-Weighted Imaging or CTP Assessment With Clinical Mismatch in the Triage of Wake-Up and Late Presenting Strokes Undergoing Neurointervention With Trevo).

Methods:
The DAWN Imaging Core Laboratory independently scored ASPECTS at baseline and 24 hours. Descriptive statistics characterized ASPECTS on computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and 24 hours, delineating ASPECTS change over 24 hours.

Results:

206 subjects (mean age 70.0±13.7 years; 54.9% (n=113) female; baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale median (interquartile range) 17 (13, 21) were included. Baseline ASPECTS was median (interquartile range) 8.0 (7–8), with 92/205 (44.9%) between 0 and 7 and 113/205 (55.1%) 8 and 10. 24-hour ASPECTS was median 6.0 (4–8), with ASPECTS change or infarct evolution having median −1, ranging from −8 to +2. Multivariable logistic regression showed older age (odds ratio [OR] for 10-year interval, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.02–1.55],
P
=0.030) and dyslipidemia (OR, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.06–3.19],
P
=0.031) were independently associated with higher baseline ASPECTS. Higher 24-hour ASPECTS was predicted by endovascular treatment (OR, 2.76 [95% CI, 1.58–4.81],
P
=0.0004), baseline glucose <150 mg/dL (OR, 2.86 [95% CI, 1.50–5.46],
P
=0.001), lower baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (OR, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.89–0.98],
P
=0.010), and older age (OR for 10-year interval, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.01–1.55],
P
=0.041). Internal carotid artery lesion location (OR, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.24–0.89],
P
=0.021) was inversely related to 24-hour ASPECTS. Good clinical outcome (day 90 modified Rankin Scale score 0–2) was predicted by 24-hour ASPECTS (OR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.08–1.96],
P
=0.014). Extensive infarct evolution (ASPECTS decrease ≥6) occurred in 14/201 (7.0%). Elevated baseline serum glucose ≥150 mg/dL was a predictor of ASPECTS decrease of ≥4 points (OR, 2.78 [95% CI, 1.21–6.35]
P
=0.016) as was internal carotid artery occlusion (OR, 2.49 [95% CI, 1.05–5.88];
P
=0.038). ASPECTS change was influenced by treatment arm (
P
=0.001 by Wilcoxon), including 0 ASPECTS change in 42/105 (40.0%) of the endovascular arm and only 20/96 (20.8%) of the medical arm.

Conclusions:
DAWN subjects enrolled with small infarct cores had a broad range of baseline ASPECTS. Twenty-four-hour ASPECTS, strikingly influenced by endovascular therapy, predicted good clinical outcomes.

Registration:

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02142283.
Innate Immune Anti-Inflammatory Response in Human Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Shtaya Anan , Bridges Leslie R. , Williams Rebecca , Trippier Sarah , Zhang Liqun , Pereira Anthony C. , Nicoll James A.R. , Boche Delphine , Hainsworth Atticus H. 
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose:
Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) is a common form of hemorrhagic stroke, with high mortality and morbidity. Pathophysiological mechanisms in sICH are poorly understood and treatments limited. Neuroinflammation driven by microglial-macrophage activation contributes to brain damage post-sICH. We aim to test the hypothesis that an anti-inflammatory (repair) process occurs in parallel with neuroinflammation in clinical sICH.

Methods:
We performed quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical markers for microglia and macrophages (Iba1, CD68, TMEM119, CD163, and CD206) in brain tissue biospecimens 1 to 12 days post-sICH and matched control cases. In a parallel, prospective group of patients, we assayed circulating inflammatory markers (CRP [C-reactive protein], total white cell, and monocyte count) over 1 to 12 days following sICH.

Results:

In 27 supratentorial sICH cases (n=27, median [interquartile range] age: 59 [52–80.5], 14F/13M) all microglia-macrophage markers increased post-sICH, relative to control brains. Anti-inflammatory markers (CD163 and CD206) were elevated alongside proinflammatory markers (CD68 and TMEM119). CD163 increased progressively post-sICH (15.0-fold increase at 7–12 days,
P
<0.001). CD206 increased at 3 to 5 days (5.2-fold,
P
<0.001) then returned to control levels at 7 to 12 days. The parenchymal immune response combined brain-derived microglia (TMEM119 positive) and invading monocyte-derived macrophages (CD206 positive). In a prospective sICH patient cohort (n=26, age 74 [66–79], National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on admission: 8 [4–17]; 14F/12M) blood CRP concentration and monocyte density (but not white blood cell) increased post-sICH. CRP increased from 0 to 2 to 3 to 5 days (8.3-fold,
P
=0.020) then declined at 7 to 12 days. Monocytes increased from 0 to 2 to 3 to 5 days (1.8-fold,
P
<0.001) then declined at 7 to 12 days.

Conclusions:
An anti-inflammatory pathway, enlisting native microglia and blood monocytes, occurs alongside neuroinflammation post-sICH. This novel pathway offers therapeutic targets and a window of opportunity (3–5 days post-sICH) for delivery of therapeutics via invading monocytes.
Determining Medical Urgency of Voice Disorders Using Auditory-Perceptual Voice Assessments Performed by Speech-Language Pathologists
Authors: Fujiki Robert Brinton , Sanders Peter W. , Sivasankar M. Preeti , Halum Stacey 
Published: July 2021

Objective: This study examined whether speech-language pathologist auditory-perceptual voice assessments can predict the medical urgency of voice disorders. Methods: Twenty speech-language pathologists (SLPs) evaluated 25 voice samples recorded during initial voice evaluations. Voice samples represented a range of dysphonia severity (mild-severe) balanced across patient diagnoses. Diagnoses included: benign lesions, laryngeal cancer, non-organic voice disorders, laryngeal edema (associated with LPR), and laryngeal paralysis or paresis. Laryngeal cancer and severe unilateral laryngeal paralysis were considered urgent disorders. While blinded to patient information, SLPs rated severity of voice quality, predicted patient diagnosis, and determined whether the patient should be seen urgently by a laryngologist. SLPs were then given basic medical history information and rated medical urgency of voice disorder a second time. Results: On average, SLPs correctly identified 65% of urgent voices and 87% of nonurgent voices when blinded to patient information. Accuracy improved significantly to 86% for urgent voices with medical history information ( P < .001) and decreased to 77% for nonurgent voices. Accuracy was better when severity of voice quality was severe for urgent voices and mild for nonurgent voices ( P < .001). SLPs indicated that patient smoking history and severity of dysphonia were most influential in their decision making. Diagnostic accuracy of auditory-perceptual assessments was poor. Conclusions: SLPs identified 86% of medically urgent voice disorders when auditory perceptual assessments were combined with medical history information. Further work is needed to determine what medical history information is most crucial to rating accuracy and what speech tasks might best separate urgent and nonurgent patients.
Recovery of Vocal Cord Motion Among Pediatric Patients
Authors: Prestwood Courtney Ann , Brown Ashley F. , Johnson Romaine F. 
Published: July 2021

Objectives: Patients with vocal cord paralysis can experience feeding, respiratory, and vocal problems leading to disability and decreased quality of life. Current evidence suggests waiting a period of 12 months for spontaneous recovery before permanent interventions. This study aims to determine the time to recover spontaneously and vocal cord movement in a pediatric population and create a model for evidence-based patient counseling. Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study. Methods: The report is a single institution longitudinal study on vocal cord paralysis recovery. Patients were categorized based on spontaneous recovery with vocal cord movement or no recovery. Recovery rates were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of 158 cases of vocal cord paralysis over a 4-year period, 36 had spontaneous recovery with symptom improvement and motion return. The average recovery was 8.8 months for those who recovered, and 78% recovered within 9 months. Two groups emerged from the data: an early recovery group with spontaneous recovery before 12 months and a late recovery group after 12 months. Children with dysphonia and paralysis due to cardiac surgery were less likely to recover, and children with aspiration were more likely to recover. Children with gastrointestinal comorbidities were less likely to recover; however, those who did recover were more likely to have recovered after 12 months. Based on our model, there is about a 3% chance of recovery between 9 and 12 months. Conclusions: Patients should be counseled about earlier interventions. Waiting the conventional 12 months for only a 3% chance of spontaneous recovery without intervention or laryngeal EMG may not be the preferred option for some patients and their families.