bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The expectations of metastatic cancer patients regarding palliative chemotherapy: A Brazilian–German qualitative study
Authors: de Araújo Cynthia Pereira , Garcia Ana Cláudia Mesquita , Murad Júnior Munir 
Published: January 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the expectations of Brazilian and German patients regarding metastatic cancer and palliative chemotherapy.MethodsInterviews with 48 metastatic cancer patients from Brazil and Germany were conducted. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the thematic analysis approach to identify common themes. The sociodemographic data were collected using an instrument developed by the authors.ResultsA total of 48 patients participated in the study (58% were Brazilian and 42% were German). Of all participants, 35% were men and 65% were women. The participants’ mean age was 41 years. The general idea captured from the interviewees’ speech was that their diseases were curable or “while there is chemotherapy, there is life”; thus, the data analysis enabled the elaboration of the central theme, entitled “Mistaken expectations of metastatic cancer patients regarding palliative chemotherapy: While there is chemotherapy, there is life,” with 5 subthemes, namely: (1) communication and expectations; (2) normal life; (3) the person behind the disease; (4) religiosity and spirituality; and (5) the fortitude to choose between continuing or discontinuing treatment.Significance of resultsRegardless of cultural aspects, patients with metastatic cancer on palliative chemotherapy tend to believe in the healing potential of treatments. Dividing expectations only into curable or incurable is insufficient, as even patients who have acknowledged the incurability of their disease expect to live, as long as they remain under treatment as if the disease did not exist.
Effect of Superficial Anastomoses on Circulatory Dynamics in Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Authors: Konno Hiroko , Murakoshi Takeshi 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe role of superficial anastomoses in the survival of fetuses with twin-twin transfusion syndrome after fetoscopic laser photocoagulation is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate how superficial anastomoses affect the circulatory dynamics of both fetuses with twin-twin transfusion syndrome using ductus venous Doppler waveforms. We included all twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) patients who underwent fetoscopic laser photocoagulation in our institution from 2006 to 2019; fetal demise cases after fetoscopic laser photocoagulation were excluded. We recorded ductus venous Doppler waveforms on the same day or one day before fetoscopic laser photocoagulation and one day after fetoscopic laser photocoagulation and measured the ductus venous pulsatility index and velocity ratios. We compared these z-scores of donor and recipient twins between a group without superficial anastomoses and the groups with arterio-arterial or veno-venous anastomoses. A total of 115 surviving TTTS placentas after fetoscopic laser photocoagulation were analyzed. The ductus venous pulsatility index and all ratios were better in recipient twins with arterio-arterial anastomoses than in those without. The a-wave-related ratios were better in recipient twins with veno-venous anastomoses than in those without. Superficial anastomoses reduced the blood volume and arterio-arterial anastomoses protected the diastolic cardiac function in recipient twin-twin transfusion syndrome twins before fetoscopic laser photocoagulation. Superficial anastomoses in TTTS equilibrate blood pressure between donor and recipient twins.
The Occurrence Characteristics of Daytime Irregularities in the Low Latitude Topside F Region at Solar Minimum Revealed by ICON
Authors: Xie Haiyong , Li Guozhu , Zhao Xiukuan , Hu Lianhuan , Sun Wenjie , Li Yi , Ning Baiqi 
Published: January 2023

AbstractUsing observations from the Ionospheric Connection Explorer satellite, the occurrence characteristics of daytime plasma density irregularities in the low latitude topside F region at solar minimum were studied. The results show that the occurrence characteristics of daytime topside irregularities during June solstice resembled those at solar maximum. An interesting phenomenon not reported before is that an occurrence minimum in the local‐time variation occurred around 08:30–10:00 LT, mainly during Equinox in Asia. The topside irregularities appearing after the occurrence minimum were mostly concentrated at low latitudes around ±5°–15°. Based on the total electron content perturbations derived from the ground‐based global navigation satellite system receivers at low latitudes, it was found that the topside irregularities after the occurrence minimum were accompanied with apparent medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) at times. Statistically, a good agreement was observed between the local time variations of MSTIDs and of daytime topside irregularities during Equinox in East/Southeast Asia. We suggest that the daytime irregularities in the low latitude topside F region were not totally the remnants of nighttime equatorial plasma bubbles. Especially for the daytime irregularities during Equinox in Asia, they could be MSTIDs appearing at topside F region.
Monitoring the 2021 Cumbre Vieja Volcanic Eruption Using Satellite Multisensor Data Fusion
Authors: Weisz Elisabeth , Menzel W. Paul 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMultisensor satellite data fusion merges measurements or products from imaging and sounding instruments with different spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution to obtain more comprehensive information about key atmospheric variables and processes. Here, data from low Earth and geostationary orbits, such as the Joint Polar Satellite Systems and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites platforms, respectively, are integrated using spatial‐temporal fusion to enhance the detection of trace gas emissions from volcanoes. Not only does this yield trace gas information with improved spatial detail but, more importantly, the fusion product is also made available at significantly increased temporal resolution to help monitor the variable dispersion of trace gas emissions. The emission and dispersion of volcanic sulfur dioxide and ash plumes from the Cumbre Vieja volcano (Canary Islands, Spain) eruptions in October 2021 are studied through the synergistic exploitation of measurements and products from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, the Cross‐track Infrared Sounder, the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument, and the Advanced Baseline Imager. Fusion results show increased spatial and temporal detail and describe evolution and directionality of the volcanic ash plumes; the potential benefits range from improved air quality monitoring to better guidance from aircraft safety systems.
Mathematical Modeling of the Neuronal Processes in Sugar Addiction
Authors: Almeida Andre , Celaymanian Hamed , Seel Natalie , Zak Boris , Noori Hamid R. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIt has already been demonstrated that the body responds to enhanced intake of sugar and is conducive to a natural form of addiction. There are substantial neurochemical changes in the brain (especially dopamine and acetylcholine systems) similar to other addictive drugs. A mathematical model comprised by a system of delayed leaky integrate-and-*re equations is established to simulate the eff*ects of sugar on a reward-circuitry. Simulations with Neuron suggest agreement with the neurobiological hypotheses of hyperactivity of neural systems due to binge sugar intake.
Mutations in pathways depending on BRCA1 and BRCA2 may increase cancer risks from an environmental carcinogen
Authors: Friedenson Bernard 
Published: January 2023

AbstractRecently, the President’s Cancer Panel [2008-2009] protested that preventive action is not taken when uncertainty exists about potential harm from a chemical, because the US regulatory approach demands that a hazard be incontrovertibly demonstrated. It is now incontrovertible that formaldehyde increases risks for leukemias. Evidence is also strong that formaldehyde causes some types of DNA damage in humans that are known to require repairs mediated by BRCA1/2 containing pathways. Homologous recombination repairs require BRCA1/2, Fanconi and ATM proteins in these pathways. Biallelic BRCA2 mutations interfere with these repairs and are clearly associated with leukemias, especially myeloid leukemias. Fanconi anemia homozygotes have very high risks for acute myeloid leukemias. Disabling BRCA1/2 related DNA repair processes prevents repair of formaldehyde related DNA damage in laboratory cells. DNA-protein cross links result in the accumulation of DNA double strand breaks in homologous recombination-deficient but not homologous recombination -proficient cells. ATM heterozygotes have increased risks for some leukemias that have been linked to formaldehyde in normal individuals. Weaker evidence suggests increased risk for rare nasopharyngeal or sinonasal cancers in heterozygous BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and in ATM mutation carriers.Formaldehyde is a pervasive environmental carcinogen that is theoretically more likely to cause malignancy in carriers of mutations that disable protective repair pathways. Because of this potential for harm, it is prudent for mutation carriers to immediately avoid formaldehyde, especially high level exposure. The EPA recommends four basic “Steps to Reduce Exposure” for everyone.
BioPAX Support in CellDesigner
Authors: Muruganujan Anushya , Mi Huaiyu 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBioPAX is a pathway data exchange language that is widely used by pathway database resources. Here we describe a mechanism that allows users to curate pathway data in diagrams using CellDesigner, a pathway graphical editing tool, and save the pathway data in BioPAX format. We used this mechanism to create BioPAX files for all 165 pathways from the PANTHER database. In addition, we are also working on graphically visualizing BioPAX data by importing them into CellDesigner.
*100 Semi-supercentenarians and older as a proposed sample set for the Archon Genomics X PRIZE Validation Protocol*
Authors: Perls Thomas , Barzilai Nir 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe "Archon Genomics X PRIZE Validation Protocol":http://precedings.nature.com/documents/5731/version/1 has been posted in part to solicit comments from the scientific community. Here, we suggest 100 subjects age >=105 years as the source of DNAs for the competition.
Off-line memory reprocessing in a recurrent neuronal network formed by unsupervised learning
Authors: Jitsev Jenia , von der Malsburg Christoph 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn the visual cortex, memory traces for complex objects are embedded into a scaffold of feed-forward and recurrent connectivity of the hierarchically organized visual pathway. Strong evidence suggests that consolidation of the memory traces in such a memory network depends on an off-line reprocessing done in the sleep state or during restful waking. It remains largely unclear, what plasticity mechanisms are involved in this consolidation process and what changes are induced in the network during memory reprocessing in the off-line regime. Here we focus on the functional consequences off-line reprocessing has in a hierarchical recurrent neuronal network that learns different person identities from natural face images in an unsupervised manner. Due to the inherently self-exciting, but competitive unit dynamics, the two-layered network is able to self-generate sparse activity even in the absence of external input in an off-line regime. In this regime, the network replays the memory content established during preceding on-line learning. Remarkably, this off-line memory replay turns out to be highly beneficial for the network recognition performance. The benefit is articulated after the off-line regime in a strong boost of identity recognition rate on the alternative face views to which the network has not been exposed during learning. Performance of both network layers is affected by the boost. Surprisingly, the positive effect is independent of synapse-specific plasticity, relying completely on a synapse-unspecific mechanism of homeostatic activity regulation that tunes network unit excitability. Comparing further a purely feed-forward configuration of the network with its fully recurrent original version reveals a stronger boost in recognition performance for the latter after the off-line reprocessing. These findings suggest that the off-line memory reprocessing enhances generalization capability of the hierarchical recurrent network by improving communication of contextual cues mediated via recurrent lateral and top-down connectivity.
Analyzing local image statistics via maximum-entropy constructions
Authors: Victor Jonathan , Thengone Daniel , Conte Mary 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBecause the space of signals that the visual system encounters is high-dimensional, investigations of visual processing and perception must utilize a sampling strategy. One kind of approach begins with a class of models for input-output relations, and then chooses a stimulus ensemble such as white noise that enables efficient determination of model parameters. A second kind of approach begins with the explicit recognition that it is important to understand the visual system in the context of the inputs under which it functions and evolves; this motivates the use of naturalistic stimulus ensembles. Neither approach alone is sufficient: models built from ensembles such as white noise provide only a fair account of responses to natural scenes, and the complex statistical structure of naturalistic stimuli makes it difficult to isolate computational mechanisms.Here we present a step in the direction of bridging this gap. Our starting point is a recent analysis of the multipoint correlations of natural images (Tkačik et al., 2010) which showed that four-point correlations in specific configurations (“gliders”) capture the informative local statistics in binarized natural images. We focus on one such glider, 2x2 windowpanes. The corresponding set of image statistics has ten parameters, and we determine a set of coordinates for this space that are calibrated for equal salience to an ideal observer. Via maximum-entropy constructions, we generate ensembles that isolate the individual coordinates and coordinate pairs. We then characterize the perceptual salience of these image statistics, alone and in combination, via a texture-segmentation task (Chubb et al., 2004). Three main findings emerge. First, observers are sensitive to image statistics of low and high-order. Second, the pattern of sensitivities, which is not simply order-by-order, is remarkably constant across observers. Third, image statistics interact at a perceptual level in a way that suggests an approximately Euclidean metric.
Predicting Temporal Patterns In The Environment: Toward Primitive Mechanisms Of Learning, Memory, And Generalization
Authors: Jones Matthew , Curran Tim , Mozer Michael , Wilder Matt 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAcross a wide range of cognitive tasks, recent experience influences subsequent behavior. For example, when individuals repeatedly perform a speeded two-alternative choice task, response latencies vary dramatically based on the immediately preceding sequence. These sequential dependencies (SDs) have been interpreted as adaptation to the statistical structure of an uncertain, changing environment (e.g., Jones & Sieck, 2003; Mozer, Kinoshita, & Shettel, 2007; Yu & Cohen, 2009), and can shed light on how individuals learn and represent structure in binary stimulus sequences. Heretofore, theories have posited that SDs arise from rapidly (exponentially) decaying memory traces of various environmental statistics (e.g., Cho et al., 2002; Yu & Cohen, 2009).We present a series of experiments and a model that place SDs on a fundamentally different foundation. We show that: (1) decay of recent experience can follow a power function curve, not an exponential, linking the SD literature to a rich literature on human declarative memory; (2) the simple trace-based mechanism underlying existing accounts is inadequate, but incremental memory adjustments may be explained via error correction, linking the SD literature to the rich literature on human associative learning; and (3) distinct but interacting subsystems are found in the brain that jointly predict upcoming environmental events.We conducted three behavioral studies with EEG recordings of individuals performing discrimination of spatial location and motion coherence. Identifying the onset of the lateralized readiness potential (LRP) in an event-related EEG analysis, we are able to decompose the total response latency into two intervals—pre and post LRP onset—and to examine SDs in stimulus and response processing separately. We find evidence for two distinct mechanisms, one reflecting incremental learning of stimulus repetition rate (i.e., the probability that successive stimuli will match), and the other reflecting incremental learning of response baserates. The data cannot be explained by a model that assumes these rates are based on independent traces, and calls for an account in which the two rates jointly predict future stimuli via error-correction learning.By manipulating the autocorrelation structure of the sequences (from a positive to a negative autocorrelation, indicated on the graphs by blue and red lines, respectively), we obtained evidence for incremental learning occurring over hundreds of trials, which is parsimoniously explained by a memory with power function decay. Together, the results highlight a tension between the two broad and well established classes of trace-based memory models and learning models based on error correction. Two attempts at reconciling these approaches via modeling are discussed.
The neuron as a population of ion channels: the emergence of a stochastic and history dependent mode
Authors: Soudry Daniel , Meir Ron 
Published: January 2023

AbstractExperiments show that synaptically isolated cortical neurons, stimulated with periodic extra-cellular current pulses for long durations, respond in a complex irregular and history dependent manner - over a large range of timescales (from seconds to days). With the aim of finding a biophysical explanation to these results, we developed a general novel scheme to analytically solve conductance based Hodgkin-Huxley like models under pulse stimulation, and derived closed-form expressions for the transient behavior, firing rates and firing patterns of the neuron. Using this approach we were able to reproduce most experimental results using only slow sodium inactivation - with the important exceptions of the irregular behavior and the large range of timescales. By ruling out chaotic behavior, we proved that both of these features could not occur in deterministic conductance based models - even when using an arbitrary large number of gating variables (accounting for potassium activation, changes in ion concentrations, etc.). Additionally, we showed channel noise is highly likely to play a very significant role in the neuronal dynamics, and to be the cause of the observed irregularity. Finally, we came to the conclusion that, even when taking into account ion channel stochasticity, current conductance based models cannot reproduce the experimentally observed very slow changes in the neuronal response, necessitating the introduction of long term processes such as ion channel regularization.
Learning a Bayesian prior in interval timing
Authors: Sohn Hansem , Lee Sang-Hun 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBehavioral studies on perceptual learning (PL) often attributed an improvement in task performance to an enhancement in sensory processing of stimuli. However, the framework of Bayesian inference suggests that perceptual improvements can arise from learning-induced changes either in a likelihood function or in a prior expectation for sensory input. We developed and adapted Bayesian observer models to long-term changes in interval timing (IT) performance by human subjects to assess relative contributions of the prior and likelihood to PL of IT.While subjects were viewing a small bar that drifted for a while and disappeared, we estimated subjective time intervals ([DELTA]Ts) from subjects’ natural reactions to the reappearance of the invisible bar at a designated location, with the speed and distance of invisible motion varied trial to trial. Ten subjects performed this task over 10 daily sessions for [DELTA]Ts ranging from 0.5 to 6.5 sec.In terms of timing accuracy, the trend that short and long [DELTA]Ts were overestimated and underestimated, respectively, was evident in all subjects and became stronger over sessions. In contrast, timing precision gradually improved over session for the entire set of sampled [DELTA]Ts. These seemingly contradictory dynamics of PL in accuracy and precision were captured simultaneously by Bayesian models, in which subjective timing is determined jointly by the prior and likelihood function for IT. The best among several nested models was a simple model in which only a single Gaussian function and a single coefficient of variance were set free to describe the prior and the likelihood functions, respectively. Interestingly, it was the spread of the prior, not the likelihood, that changed steadily in the model fit to the across-session data, suggesting that the improvements in timing precision observed in our and previous studies arose as the prior became sharpened through massive training.
Cholinergic innervation is necessary to shift reward timing activity in rodent visual cortex
Authors: Roach Emma , Hussain Shuler Marshall 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWhile the biological analogue of prediction error has been well characterized in the midbrain dopaminergic system, the possibility of other neuromodulatory systems acting as global reinforcers is a topic of much debate. Reward timing, the phenomenon by which single unit responses in primary visual cortex (V1)reflect an operantly learned stimulus‐reward interval, offers a tractable preparation to investigate reinforcement learning in vivo: theoretical work suggests that reward timing results from the interaction of stimulus‐evoked recurrent network activity and a global reinforcement signal that indicates the time of received reward. We hypothesized that this signal is conveyed by cholinergic neurons arising from the basal forebrain (BF), a strong candidate system that projects globally to most cortical regions, has a known role in plasticity, and is involved in attention and the representation of salience. To test the necessity of such a signal in entraining reward timing in V1, rats were trained on an initial stimulus‐reward contingency, received a neurotoxin in V1 that eliminated BF cholinergic terminals, and subsequently trained on a second contingency. We found that extracellular single unit recordings from V1 of lesioned animals, but not saline‐infused controls, failed to show shifted neural reports of reward that matched the new contingency. Importantly, neurons of lesioned animals continued to display intervals associated with the initial contingency, arguing that cholinergic input is required to learn, but not to express, reward timing activity.