Score-Informed Source Separation for Musical Audio Recordings [An overview]

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The Impact of Caregiver and Community Education On Influenza Vaccination Acceptance

Introduction: Pediatric populations are particularly vulnerable to influenza, and rely on parental approval of the pediatric influenza vaccine (PIV). We conducted a survey to better understand our community’s perspective on the PIV. Methods: An urban pediatric clinic’s records were gathered for the 2017-2019 flu seasons (i.e., pre-survey period). Surveys were distributed during the 2019-2020 flu season to assess vaccination status and their reasoning for acceptance or rejection of the PIV for their child(ren). Children vaccination rates were divided into 3 groups: 6 months-3 years, 3-5 years, and 5-18 years. Results: During the 2017-2018 flu season, the overall vaccination rate (n=1791) was 34.1%. For the 2018-2019 flu season, the overall vaccination rate (n=1795) was 41.7%. During the 2019-2020 flu season, the overall vaccination rate (n=1620) increased to 45.3%. This was a statistically significant increase from 2018-2019 flu season (p=0.035). The most common reason to vaccinate was, I do not want my child to get the flu/the shot reduces the likelihood of child getting the flu (52.2% in \u3c5 years age group, 56.5% in \u3e5 years age group). The most common reason to not vaccinate was, I do not want the flu shot for my child (35.7% in \u3c5 years age group, 38.6% in \u3e5 years age group). Discussion: Understanding community perceptions will allow for efficacious educational materials and allow healthcare providers to tailor their strategies for the sake of preventive medicine and community health

Troponin Elevations After Electroconvulsive Therapy: The Need for Caution

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy is used to treat patients with severe or resistant depression. Troponin elevations are associated with an adverse prognosis, and it is well known that central nervous system insults can cause biochemical evidence of cardiac injury. No study previously has studied this with electroconvulsive therapy. METHODS: Patients scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy were enrolled. Clinical information, an electrocardiogram, and a baseline sample for cardiac troponin I and T (cTnI and cTnT) were obtained. Electroconvulsive therapy was done with standard techniques. Subsequently, electrocardiograms and additional samples were obtained. cTnT was measured with the Roche assay and cTnI with the Dade Stratus equipment. Values above the 99th percentile were considered abnormal. RESULTS: Seventy patients completed the study. Four patients had elevated levels of cTn before treatment. In 3 patients, the elevations persisted. Four additional patients developed elevated cTn levels during electroconvulsive therapy. Two of the patients with cTn elevations died. No other events occurred during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Elevations of cTn occurred in 11.5% of patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy. Some of the elevations preceded therapy and some occurred during treatment. Given the adverse prognostic importance of cTn elevations in general, in addition to additional studies, an increased degree of medical scrutiny may be appropriate for this group of patients and for those receiving electroconvulsive therapy

Exogenous gonadotropins have little impact on follicular but considerable effect on serum cytokine concentrations – a comparison between Natural Cycle and stimulated IVF using a multiplexed assay platform

Introduction: Throughout follicular growth and subsequent corpus luteum formation the leukocyte number increases and follicular vascularisation changes. These processes are enhanced under exogenous stimulation with gonadotropins. Cytokines released by leukocytes contribute to further recruitment and vascularisation of the follicle, and they play an important role in regulating ovarian steroidogenesis by influencing theca and granulosa–lutein cell function. Changes in cytokine and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations in the ovary as a consequence of gonadotropin stimulation may negatively influence oocyte quality. In this project we have compared the intrafollicular production of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors between natural IVF cycles (NC) and classical, gonadotropin-stimulated IVF cycles (gsIVF). Material and Methods: Serum on the day of oocyte retrieval and follicular fluid (FF) were collected in 37 NC and 39 gsIVF cycles. Thirteen women within this population underwent one NC and one gsIVF cycle each. A total of 14 cytokines from Bio-Plex panels I and II were determined in matched serum and FF samples using Luminex xMAP technology on the Bio-Plex(R) platform, using the serum protocol. Results: Tumour necrosis factor-alpha, RANTES, eotaxin and interferon-gamma-induced protein-10 levels were lower in FF than in serum, and thus not further investigated. Interleukin (IL)-6, -8, -10, -15, -18, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), VEGF and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) showed higher median concentrations in FF than in serum, indicating possible ovarian production. Moreover, most of these showed higher evels in the gsIVF than in the NC groups in the serum, but not in the follicular fluid. IL-8 was reduced in gsIVF cycles. Conclusion: The fact that serum but not FF levels of the studied cytokines were higher in the stimulated than in the natural cycles can be attributed to the increased number of active follicles present after controlled ovarian stimulation

16th Annual Pancreatic Cancer and Related Diseases Patient Symposium

On November 13, 2021, Charles J. Yeo, MD, FACS, and the multidisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists hosted the 16th Annual Pancreatic Cancer & Related Diseases Symposium. The video of the event is available here: vimeo.com/646517712/36786afe68. View our Pancreatic Cancer Program 2021 Update to learn more about Dr. Yeo and the team’s great work! PROGRAM Welcome and Program OverviewCharles J. Yeo, MD, FACSSamuel D. Gross Professor and Chair of Surgery Advances in FT in Treating Pancreatic CancerAdam Mueller, MD, PhDInstructor, Radiation Oncology KRAS Mutation Allele Frequency Impacts Prognosis in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Using Next-Generation SequencingHarish Lavu, MD, FACSProfessor of Surgery COVID-19 Pandemic and the JPTR: Results of the 2022-2021 Annual SurveyTheresa P. Yeo, PhD, AOCHP, ACNP-BC, FAANPProfessor, Jefferson College of Nursing Jefferson Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute UpdateAvinoam Nevler, MDAssistant Professor Pancreatic Cancer: Progress in Systemic TherapiesDaniel Lin, MD, MScAssistant Professor of Medical Oncology Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNETs): Overview and TreatmentWilbur B. Bowne, MDProfessor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Questions & Answers Survivor Tribute Photo & Survivor Testimonia

SensiCut: Material-Aware Laser Cutting Using Speckle Sensing and Deep Learning

Laser cutter users face difficulties distinguishing between visually similar materials. This can lead to problems, such as using the wrong power/speed settings or accidentally cutting hazardous materials. To support users, we present SensiCut, an integrated material sensing platform for laser cutters. SensiCut enables material awareness beyond what users are able to see and reliably differentiates among similar-looking types. It achieves this by detecting materials' surface structures using speckle sensing and deep learning. SensiCut consists of a compact hardware add-on for laser cutters and a user interface that integrates material sensing into the laser cutting workflow. In addition to improving the traditional workflow and its safety1, SensiCut enables new applications, such as automatically partitioning designs when engraving on multi-material objects or adjusting their geometry based on the kerf of the identified material. We evaluate SensiCut's accuracy for different types of materials under different sheet orientations and illumination conditions

Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity: Cardiac Monitoring by Continuous Wave-Doppler Ultrasound Cardiac Output Monitoring and Correlation to Echocardiography

Background: Anthracyclines are agents with a well-known cardiotoxicity. The study sought to evaluate the hemodynamic response to an anthracycline using real-time continuous-wave (CW)-Doppler ultrasound cardiac output monitoring (USCOM) and echocardiography in combination with serum biomarkers. Methods: 50 patients (26 male, 24 female, median age 59 years) suffering from various types of cancer received an anthracycline-based regimen. Patients' responses were measured at different time points (T0 prior to infusion, T1 6 h post infusion, T2 after 1 day, T3 after 7 days, and T4 after 3 months) with CW-Doppler ultrasound (T0-T4) and echocardiography (T1, T4) for hemodynamic parameters such as stroke volume (SV; SVUSCOM ml) and ejection fraction (EF; EFechocardiography%) and with NT-pro-BNP and hs-Troponin T (T0-T4). Results: During the 3-month observation period, the relative decrease in the EF determined by echocardiography was -2.1% (Delta T0-T4, T0 71 +/- 7.8%, T4 69.5 +/- 7%, p = 0.04), whereas the decrease in SV observed using CW-Doppler was -6.5% (Delta T0-T4, T0 54 +/- 19.2 ml, T4 50.5 +/- 20.6 ml, p = 0.14). The kinetics for serum biomarkers were inversely correlated. Conclusions: Combining real-time CW-Doppler USCOM and serum biomarkers is feasible for monitoring the immediate and chronic hemodynamic changes during an anthracycline-based regimen; the results obtained were comparable to those from echocardiography

Inattention and disordered gaming: does culture matter?

Objective: Problematic gaming has emerged as a contemporary concern, leading to the introduction of the diagnostic term 'Internet Gaming Disorder' (IGD; American Psychiatric Association). The present study aims to empirically assess the association between inattention and IGD, in the light of variable levels of vertical-individualism that reflects cultural inclinations towards independence, competitiveness, and hierarchy. Method: The participants (N=1032) comprised a normative cohort of Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) gamers (Mage=24 years; 48.7% male). IGD was measured with the nine-item shortform IGD Scale (IGD9-SF), inattention with the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Self-Report Scale, and vertical individualism with the Individualism-Collectivism Questionnaire. Complex hierarchical and moderated regressions were employed. Results: Findings demonstrated an association between IGD and inattention, and additionally showed that this association was exacerbated by a more vertically-individualistic cultural orientation without significant gender differences. Conclusion: The need of differentially addressing IGD risk among inattentive gamers of diverse cultural orientation is highlighted

Biological Impact of Unilateral Oophorectomy. Does the Number of Ovaries Really Matter? [Biologische auswirkungen der einseitigen ovarektomie: Kommt es wirklich auf die anzahl der eierstöcke an?]

Although unilateral oophorectomies are performed more often than bilateral ones in women of reproductive age, their clinical consequences have been less intensively investigated. Experimental models in animals have shown that compensa- tory mechanisms occur after a unilateral oophorectomy (UO). This review aims to summarize the available evidence on the biological effects of unilateral oophorectomy on wom- en. Evaluated outcomes include age at onset of menopause, risk of cardiovascular and neurological disease, risk of mortal- ity and fertility outcome after spontaneous conception or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Results were compared with findings reported after bilateral oophorectomy and/or ovarian excision and/or women with intact ovaries. An electronic database search was performed using PubMed and Scopus, followed by a manual search to identify controlled studies that com- pared women after UO with women with two intact ovaries. In particular, a systematic review of fertility outcomes after IVF was performed, and the data were summarized in a table. Women who underwent UO had a similar age at menopause and similar clinical pregnancy rate compared to women with two ovaries. However, decreased ovarian reserve affecting the quantity but not the quality of the ovarian pool after IVF was observed in the UO group. Furthermore, an increased risk of neurological disease and even an increased risk of mortality was observed in women with single ovary. These data need to be confirmed by further studies, and a plausible mecha- nism of action must be identified. At present, patients who undergo UO can be reassured with regard to their reproduc- tive potential and their age at onset of menopause

Advancing the Transition to a High Performance Rural Health System

There are growing concerns about the current and future state of rural health. Despite decades of policy efforts to stabilize rural health systems through a range of policies and loan and grant programs, accelerating rural hospital closures combined with rapid changes in private and public payment strategies have created widespread concern that these solutions are inadequate for addressing current rural health challenges. The rural health system of today is the product of legacy policies and programs that often do not “fit” current local needs. Misaligned incentives undermine high-value and efficient care delivery. While there are limitations related to scalability in rural health system development, rural communities do have enormous potential to achieve the objectives of a high performance rural health system. This brief (and a companion paper at http://www.rupri.org/areas-of-work/health-policy/) discusses strategies and options for creating a pathway to a transformed, high performing rural health system