Cross-cultural Differences in Information Processing of Chatbot Journalism: Chatbot News Service as a Cultural Artifact

Purpose How does algorithmic information processing affect the thoughts and behavior of artificial intelligence (AI) users? In this study, the authors address this question by focusing on algorithm-based chatbots and examine the influence of culture on algorithms as a form of digital intermediation. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a study comparing the United States (US) and Japan to examine how users in the two countries perceive the features of chatbot services and how the perceived features affect user trust and emotion. Findings Clear differences emerged after comparing algorithmic information processes involved in using and interacting with chatbots. Major attitudes toward chatbots are similar between the two cultures, although the weights placed on qualities differ. Japanese users put more weight on the functional qualities of chatbots, and US users place greater emphasis on non-functional qualities of algorithms in chatbots. US users appear more likely to anthropomorphize and accept explanations of algorithmic features than Japanese users. Research limitations/implications Different patterns of chatbot news adoption reveal that the acceptance of chatbots involves a cultural dimension as the algorithms reflect the values and interests of their constituencies. How users perceive chatbots and how they consume and interact with the chatbots depends on the cultural context in which the experience is situated. Originality/value A comparative juxtaposition of cultural-algorithmic interactions offers a useful way to examine how cultural values influence user behaviors and identify factors that influence attitude and user acceptance. Results imply that chatbots can be a cultural artifact, and chatbot journalism (CJ) can be a socially contextualized practice that is driven by the user\u27s input and behavior, which are reflections of cultural values and practices

Partition-Based GTS Adjustment for Wireless Sensor Networks

The personal area network (PAN) coordinator can assign a guaranteed time slot (GTS) to allocate a particular duration for requested devices in IEEE 802.15.4 beacon-enabled mode. The main challenge in the GTS mechanism is how to let the PAN coordinator allocate time slot duration for the devices which request a GTS. If the allocated devices use the GTS partially or the traffic pattern is not suitable, wasted bandwidth will increase, which degrades the performance of the network. In order to overcome the abovementioned problem, this paper proposes the Partitioned GTS Allocation Scheme (PEGAS) for IEEE 802.15.4 networks. PEGAS aims to decide the precise moment for the starting time, the end, and the length of the GTS allocation for requested devices taking into account the values of the superframe order, superframe duration, data packet length, and arrival data packet rate. Our simulation results showed that the proposed mechanism outperforms the IEEE 802.15.4 standard in terms of the total number of transmitted packets, throughput, energy efficiency, latency, bandwidth utilization, and contention access period (CAP) length ratio

Acute MI After First Sipuleucel-T Infusion for Prostate Cancer

Introduction: Advances in cancer therapy have improved patient survival statistics; however, treatment related adverse events can lead to significant morbidity and may be life threatening. Sipuleucel-T is the first FDA approved therapeutic cancer vaccine based on improved overall survival in patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. We describe a case of acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in a patient during the first sipuleucel-T infusion. Our aim is to increase physician awareness of this potential complication in order to avoid catastrophic outcome. Case presentation: A 59 year old gentleman with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes and no prior cardiac disease (normal pharmacologic stress test and CT coronography within the last year) was undergoing his first sipuleucel-T infusion when he developed sudden chills. No signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis were reported. Patient’s presentation was attributed to infusion reaction. Diphenhydramine 50 mg was given with resolution of the symptoms. Within 20 minutes he developed substernal chest tightness with left arm radiation, along with dyspnea and diaphoresis. Vital signs were notable for BP 90/40, HR 94, and oxygen saturation 96% on room air. Physical exam revealed a diaphoretic male, with normal cardiac, chest, abdominal and extremity examination. EKG showed ST elevation in III, AVF with reciprocal depressions in anterolateral leads. Emergent left heart catheterization (LHC) revealed the culprit lesion at mid RCA (99% obstruction) and a Synergy drug-eluting stent (DES) was placed. In the recovery room, the patient had recurrent chest pain. Repeat emergent LHC revealed acute in-stent thrombus and likely plaque protrusion in the proximal end of previously placed stent with distal embolization. The lesion was ballooned requiring additional DES placement proximally overlying the initial stent and ultimate intraaortic balloon pump for coronary perfusion. He was discharged home in satisfactory condition with appropriate goal directed therapy. Discussion: Sipuleucel-T is an active cellular immunotherapy consisting of autologous peripheral-blood mononuclear cells that have been activated ex vivo with a recombinant fusion protein (PA2024). It has shown to improve survival in a phase III trial. Despite its approval over a decade ago, there remains a paucity of literature describing safety data in the post-marketing period. Summary of US reports submitted to FAERS (surveillance system designed to report AEs associated with drugs) revealed 38 cases of myocardial infarctions, all of which occurred after 2nd or 3rd doses. Most patients had cardiac risk factors. To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing STEMI in a patient during the first sipuleucel-T infusion. Increased awareness of this potential adverse event is important for involved physicians to avoid significant morbidity and mortality of affected patients.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/merf2020caserpt/1018/thumbnail.jp

Introduction to the special issue: Applications of internet of things

© 2018 by the authors. This editorial introduces the special issue, entitled "Applications of Internet of Things", of Symmetry. The topics covered in this issue fall under four main parts: (I) communication techniques and applications, (II) data science techniques and applications, (III) smart transportation, and (IV) smart homes. Four papers on sensing techniques and applications are included as follows: (1) "Reliability of improved cooperative communication over wireless sensor networks", by Chen et al.; (2) "User classification in crowdsourcing-based cooperative spectrum sensing", by Zhai andWang; (3) "IoT's tiny steps towards 5G: Telco's perspective", by Cero et al.; and (4) "An Internet of things area coverage analyzer (ITHACA) for complex topographical scenarios", by Parada et al. One paper on data science techniques and applications is as follows: "Internet of things: a scientometric review", by Ruiz-Rosero et al. Two papers on smart transportation are as follows: (1) "An Internet of things approach for extracting featured data using an AIS database: an application based on the viewpoint of connected ships", by He et al.; and (2) "The development of key technologies in applications of vessels connected to the Internet", by Tian et al. Two papers on smart home are as follows: (1) "A novel approach based on time cluster for activity recognition of daily living in smart homes", by Liu et al.; and (2) "IoT-based image recognition system for smart home-delivered meal services", by Tseng et al

Location prediction based on a sector snapshot for location-based services

In location-based services (LBSs), the service is provided based on the users' locations through location determination and mobility realization. Most of the current location prediction research is focused on generalized location models, where the geographic extent is divided into regular-shaped cells. These models are not suitable for certain LBSs where the objectives are to compute and present on-road services. Such techniques are the new Markov-based mobility prediction (NMMP) and prediction location model (PLM) that deal with inner cell structure and different levels of prediction, respectively. The NMMP and PLM techniques suffer from complex computation, accuracy rate regression, and insufficient accuracy. In this paper, a novel cell splitting algorithm is proposed. Also, a new prediction technique is introduced. The cell splitting is universal so it can be applied to all types of cells. Meanwhile, this algorithm is implemented to the Micro cell in parallel with the new prediction technique. The prediction technique, compared with two classic prediction techniques and the experimental results, show the effectiveness and robustness of the new splitting algorithm and prediction technique

Evaluation of Three Chitin Metal Silicate Co-Precipitates as a Potential Multifunctional Single Excipient in Tablet Formulations

The performance of the novel chitin metal silicate (CMS) co-precipitates as a single multifunctional excipient in tablet formulation using direct compression and wet granulation methods is evaluated. The neutral, acidic, and basic drugs Spironolactone (SPL), ibuprofen (IBU) and metronidazole (MET), respectively, were used as model drugs. Commercial Aldactone®, Fleximex® and Dumazole® tablets containing SPL, IBU and MET, respectively, and tablets made using Avicel® 200, were used in the study for comparison purposes. Tablets of acceptable crushing strength (>40 N) were obtained using CMS. The friability values for all tablets were well below the maximum 1% USP tolerance limit. CMS produced superdisintegrating tablets (disintegration time < 1 min) with the three model drugs. Regarding the dissolution rate, the sequence was as follow: CMS > Fleximex® > Avicel® 200, CMS > Avicel® 200 > Dumazole® and Aldactone® > Avicel® 200 > CMS for IBU, MET and SPL, respectively. Compressional properties of formulations were analyzed using density measurements and the compression Kawakita equation as assessment parameters. On the basis of DSC results, CMS co precipitates were found to be compatible with the tested drugs. Conclusively, the CMS co-precipitates have the potential to be used as filler, binder, and superdisintegrant, all-in-one, in the design of tablets by the direct compression as well as wet granulation methods

A literature review on surgery for cervical vagal schwannomas

Cervical vagal schwannoma is a benign, slow-growing mass, often asymptomatic, with a very low lifetime risk of malignant transformation in general population, but diagnosis is still a challenge. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice even if its close relationship with nerve fibres, from which it arises, threats vagal nerve preservation. We present a case report and a systematic review of literature. All studies on surgical resection of cervical vagal schwannoma have been reviewed. Papers matching the inclusion criteria (topic on surgical removal of cervical vagal schwannoma, English language, full text available) were selected. Fifty-three patients with vagal neck schwannoma submitted to surgery were identified among 22 studies selected. Female/male ratio was 1.5 and median age 44 years. Median diameter was 5 cm (range 2 to 10). Most schwannoma were asymptomatic (68.2%) and received an intracapsular excision (64.9%). Postoperative symptoms were reported in 22.6% of patients. Cervical vagal schwannoma is a benign pathology requiring surgical excision, but frequently postoperative complications can affect patients lifelong, so, surgical indications should be based carefully on the balance between risks and benefits

Lack of correlation of stem cell markers in breast cancer stem cells

BACKGROUND: Various markers are used to identify the unique sub-population of breast cancer cells with stem cell properties. Whether these markers are expressed in all breast cancers, identify the same population of cells, or equate to therapeutic response is controversial. METHODS: We investigated the expression of multiple cancer stem cell markers in human breast cancer samples and cell lines in vitro and in vivo, comparing across and within samples and relating expression with growth and therapeutic response to doxorubicin, docetaxol and radiotherapy. RESULTS: CD24, CD44, ALDH and SOX2 expression, the ability to form mammospheres and side-population cells are variably present in human cancers and cell lines. Each marker identifies a unique rather than common population of cancer cells. In vivo, cells expressing these markers are not specifically localized to the presumptive stem cell niche at the tumour/stroma interface. Repeated therapy does not consistently enrich cells expressing these markers, although ER-negative cells accumulate. CONCLUSIONS: Commonly employed methods identify different cancer cell sub-populations with no consistent therapeutic implications, rather than a single population of cells. The relationships of breast cancer stem cells to clinical parameters will require identification of specific markers or panels for the individual cancer

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children with Leukemia: A Single Institution Experience with Respect to Donors

Aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of transplantation by donor source and to help select the best alternative donor in children with leukemia. Donor sources included matched related donor (MRD, n = 35), allele-matched unrelated donor (M-UD, n = 10) or -mismatched (MM)-UD (n = 13) or unrelated umbilical cord blood (UCB, n = 11). UCB group had a significantly higher incidence of grade II-IV acute graft versus host disease (MRD, 11.8%; M-UD, 30.0%; MM-UD, 15.4%, UCB, 54.4%, P = 0.004) but there was no difference in incidence of chronic graft versus host disease between 4 groups. The 5-yr leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 76.7%, 60.0%, 69.2%, and 45.5%, respectively (P = 0.128). MRD group showed higher LFS rate than UCB group (P = 0.022). However, LFS of M-UD and MM-UD together (65.2%) was not different from that of MRD group (76.7%, P = 0.325), or from that of UCB (45.5%, P = 0.190). The relapse incidence at 5 yr was 17.1%, 20.0%, 15.4%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.460). The 100-day treatment-related mortality was 2.9%, 20.0%, 7.7%, and 36.4%, respectively (P = 0.011). Despite the limitations of small number of patients, unrelated donor transplants including even allele-mismatched ones, seem to be as effective in children with leukemia lacking suitable relative donors. Also, UCB transplant may serve as another possible option in urgent transplants