Digitally-Mediated Practices of Geospatial Archaeological Data: Transformation, Integration, & Interpretation

Digitally-mediated practices of archaeological data require reflexive thinking about where archaeology stands as a discipline in regard to the ‘digital,’ and where we want to go. To move toward this goal, we advocate a historical approach that emphasizes contextual source-side criticism and data intimacy—scrutinizing maps and 3D data as we do artifacts by analyzing position, form, material and context of analog and digital sources. Applying this approach, we reflect on what we have learned from processes of digitally-mediated data. We ask: What can we learn as we convert analog data to digital data? And, how does digital data transformation impact the chain of archaeological practice? Primary, or raw data, are produced using various technologies ranging from Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)/Global Positioning System (GPS), LiDAR, digital photography, and ground penetrating radar, to digitization, typically using a flat-bed scanner to transform analog data such as old field notes, photographs, or drawings into digital data. However, archaeologists not only collect primary data, we also make substantial time investments to create derived data such as maps, 3D models, or statistics via post-processing and analysis. While analog data is typically static, digital data is more dynamic, creating fundamental differences in digitally-mediated archaeological practice. To address some issues embedded in this process, we describe the lessons we have learned from translating analog to digital geospatial data—discussing what is lost and what is gained in translation, and then applying what we have learned to provide concrete insights to archaeological practice

Can the 126 GeV boson be a pseudoscalar?

We test the possibility that the newly-discovered 126 GeV boson is a pseudoscalar by examining the correlations among the loop-induced pseudoscalar decay branching fractions to $\gamma\gamma$, $ZZ^*$, $Z\gamma$, and $WW^*$ final states in a model-independent way. These four decays are controlled by only two effective operators, so that the rates in $Z\gamma$ and $WW^*$ are predicted now that the rates in $\gamma\gamma$ and $ZZ^*,Z\gamma^* \to 4 \ell$ have been measured. We find that the pseudoscalar possibility is disfavored but not conclusively excluded. Experimental exclusion of the $Z\gamma$ decay to well below $\sigma/\sigma_{\rm SM} \sim 170$ or conclusive observation of the $WW^*$ decay near the Standard Model rate would eliminate the pseudoscalar possibility. The $Z\gamma$ exclusion should be possible using existing data. The only loophole in our argument is the possibility that the $4\ell$ signal comes from pseudoscalar decays to a pair of new neutral gauge bosons with mass near the $Z$ pole.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, v2: references added, Fig. 1 improved,v3: minor error in numbers on last paragraph of pg5 fixe

Guidelines for high dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation for systemic AL amyloidosis: EHA-ISA working group guidelines

AL amyloidosis is a systemic amyloidosis and is associated with an underlying plasma cell dyscrasia. High dose intravenous melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation was developed for the treatment of AL amyloidosis in the early 1990s and was prompted by its success in multiple myeloma. This application has evolved significantly over the past three decades. These guidelines provide a comprehensive assessment of eligibility criteria, stem cell collection and mobilisation strategies and regimens, risk-adapted melphalan dosing, role for induction and consolidation therapies, specific supportive care management, long-term outcome with respect to survival, haematologic response and relapse and organ responses following stem cell transplantation. These guidelines are developed by the experts in the field on behalf of the stem cell transplant working group of the International Society of Amyloidosis (ISA) and European Haematology Association (EHA)

Quality of life and symptoms among patients with relapsed/refractory AL amyloidosis treated with ixazomib-dexamethasone versus physician's choice

Patient-reported outcomes in AL amyloidosis have not been well-studied. We analyzed health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and AL amyloidosis symptoms data from the phase 3 TOURMALINE-AL1 trial (NCT01659658) (ixazomib-dexamethasone, n = 85; physician's choice of chemotherapy [PC], n = 83). HRQOL and symptom burden were measured with the SF-36v2, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group Neurotoxicity subscale (FACT/GOG-Ntx), and an amyloidosis symptom questionnaire (ASQ). Score changes during treatment were analyzed descriptively and using repeated-measures linear mixed models; analyses were not adjusted for multiplicity. Least-squares (LS) mean changes from baseline were significantly higher (better HRQOL) for ixazomib-dexamethasone at several cycles for SF-36v2 Role Physical and Vitality subscales (p <.05); no subscales demonstrated significant differences favoring PC. For FACT/GOG-Ntx, small but significant differences in LS mean changes favored ixazomib-dexamethasone over PC at multiple cycles for seven items and both summary scores; significant differences favored PC for one item (trouble hearing) at multiple cycles. ASQ total score trended downward (lower burden) in both arms; significant LS mean differences favored ixazomib-dexamethasone over PC at some cycles (p <.05). Patients with relapsed/refractory AL amyloidosis treated with ixazomib-dexamethasone experienced HRQOL and symptoms that were similar to or trended better than patients treated with PC despite longer duration of therapy

Early post-contrast T1 mapping yields maximal discriminatory capacity for detection of cardiac amyloid - influence of temporal T1 differences on MOLLI imaging

Background: Myocardial T1 mapping is increasingly used to diagnose and quantify disease burden in patients with known or suspected cardiac amyloid. Optimal timing for diagnostic application of T1 mapping is not established. Methods: Myocardial T1 mapping was performed in two cohorts - (1) "amyloid +" subjects, defined by biopsy-proven systemic amyloid with associated remodeling suggestive of cardiac involvement (left ventricular [LV] hypertrophy and/or atrial dilation); (2) normative controls without risk factors for amyloid or cardiovascular disease. CMR (1.5T) included 2 components - cine-CMR (SSFP) for cardiac structure/function, and T1 mapping for myocardial tissue characterization. T1 mapping was performed using a conventional modified look locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequence (flip angle = 30°; matrix 256 × 128; parallel imaging reduction factor =1.5; linear view ordering; 6 Kaiser-Bessel ramp preparation; 17 heart beat acquisition), with T1 calculated using an established formula (T1 = T1* (B/A-1), T1*, A, and B obtained via three-parameter exponential fit). To test time dependent differences in myocardial T1, MOLLI was acquired at sequential time points (3,5,10,14, 20 minutes) following intravenous administration of gadolinium (0.2 mmol/kg). Results: 10 subjects (5 amyloid, 5 controls) were studied (44 ± 21 years, 40% male); all amyloid affected subjects had biopsy-confirmed disease (4 light chain type, 1 transthyretin). Amyloid subjects had higher LV mass (200 ± 34 vs. 101 ± 34 gm, p = 0.004), lower myocardial contraction fraction (32 ± 8 vs. 88 ± 27, p = 0.002), and larger left atrial area (26 ± 5 vs. 18 ± 5 cm2, p = 0.03) than controls, but similar LV end-diastolic volume (120 ± 24 vs. 133 ± 45 ml, p = 0.61), stroke volume (66 ± 10 vs. 86 ± 30 ml, p = 0.20), and LVEF (56 ± 10 vs. 65 ± 4%, p = 0.11). MOLLI was successfully acquired in all subjects at each time point: T1 differed significantly (all p ≤ 0.05) between amyloid and control groups at all times (Figure 1). However, magnitude of difference temporally decreased following gadolinium administration (Figure 2): T1 differences between patients and controls were maximal at 3 minutes post-contrast (135 ± 15 vs. 310 ± 61 msec, p = 0.004) with progressive decrements thereafter, as evidenced by 57% relative difference between groups at 3 minutes and only a 36% difference at 20 minutes following gadolinium infusion. Figure 1 Mean +/- standard deviation T1 times for healthy controls and amyloid patients Mean +/- standard deviation T1 times for healthy controls and amyloid patients. Figure 2 Percentage T1 difference relative to the healthy mean T1 time Percentage T1 difference relative to the healthy mean T1 time. Conclusions: MOLLI-quantified myocardial T1 yields maximal difference between amyloid-affected subjects and normative controls within 3 minutes following gadolinium administration. Increased magnitude of T1 difference early post contrast may relate to altered gadolinium contrast kinetics due to amyloid-associated increases in cardiac extracellular volume, and/or pulse-sequence aspects of the MOLLI approach. Current findings support use of early post-contrast MOLLI T1 mapping for identification of cardiac amyloid. Funding: M. Cooper was supported by NSF GFRP DGE-0707428. J. Weinsaft was supported by NIH K23HL102249-01

Outcomes of renal transplantation in patients with AL amyloidosis: an international collaboration through The International Kidney and Monoclonal Gammopathy Research Group

Effective systemic therapies suppress toxic light chain production leading to an increased proportion of patients with light chain (AL) amyloidosis who survive longer albeit with end-stage renal disease. There is a critical need to identify patients in this population who benefit from renal transplantation. This multicenter, observational study from five countries includes 237 patients with AL amyloidosis who underwent renal transplantation between 1987 and 2020. With a median follow-up of 8.5 years, the median overall survival from renal transplantation was 8.6 years and was significantly longer in patients with complete and very good partial hematologic responses (CR + VGPR) compared to less than VGPR (9 versus 6.8 years; HR: 1.5, P = 0.04 [95% CI: 1–2.1]) at renal transplantation. Median graft survival was 7.8 years and was better in the CR + VGPR group (8.3 vs 5.7 years, HR: 1.4, P = 0.05 [95% CI: 1–2]). The frequency and time to amyloid recurrence in the graft was also lower (16% vs 37%, p = 0.01) and longer (median time not achieved vs 10 years, p = 0.001) in the CR + VGPR group. Comparing CR vs. VGPR there was no difference in overall or graft survival. Although 69 patients (29%) experienced hematologic relapse, treatment effectively prevented graft loss in the majority (87%). Renal transplantation in selected AL amyloidosis patients is associated with extended overall and renal graft survival. Patients with hematologic CR or VGPR have the most favorable outcomes, and these patients should be considered for renal transplantation

Improved Outcomes After Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Light Chain Amyloidosis: A Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research Study

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation, or autotransplantation, is effective in light-chain amyloidosis (AL), but it is associated with a high risk of early mortality (EM). In a multicenter randomized comparison against oral chemotherapy, autotransplantation was associated with 24% EM. We analyzed trends in outcomes after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for AL in North America

Lenalidomide after Stem-Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma

Data are lacking on whether lenalidomide maintenance therapy prolongs the time to disease progression after autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma