Decoding EEG brain activity for multi-modal natural language processing

Until recently, human behavioral data from reading has mainly been of interest to researchers to understand human cognition. However, these human language processing signals can also be beneficial in machine learning-based natural language processing tasks. Using EEG brain activity to this purpose is largely unexplored as of yet. In this paper, we present the first large-scale study of systematically analyzing the potential of EEG brain activity data for improving natural language processing tasks, with a special focus on which features of the signal are most beneficial. We present a multi-modal machine learning architecture that learns jointly from textual input as well as from EEG features. We find that filtering the EEG signals into frequency bands is more beneficial than using the broadband signal. Moreover, for a range of word embedding types, EEG data improves binary and ternary sentiment classification and outperforms multiple baselines. For more complex tasks such as relation detection, further research is needed. Finally, EEG data shows to be particularly promising when limited training data is available

Association between proton-pump inhibitors and the risk of gastric cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Introduction The use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) may be associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer (GC). Objective To review and meta-analyse available literature investigating the association between PPI use and GC risk. Methods Two independent reviewers systematically searched Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (inception to July 2020) for case-control and cohort studies assessing the association between PPI use and GC according to a predefined protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42018102536). Reviewers independently assessed study quality, extracted data, and meta-analysed available and newly calculated odds ratios (ORs) using a random-effects model, and stratified for GC site (cardia versus non-cardia) and PPI duration (3 years). Results We screened 2,396 records and included five retrospective cohort and eight case-control studies comprising 1,662,881 individuals in our meta-analysis. In random-effect models, we found an increased GC risk in PPI users [OR: 1.94, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.47-2.56] with high statistical heterogeneity (I 2 = 82%) and overall moderate risk of bias. Stratified analyses indicated a significant risk increase in non-cardia (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.44-3.36, I 2 = 77%) with a similar non-significant trend in cardia regions (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 0.72-4.36, I 2 = 66%). There was no GC increase with longer durations of PPI exposure (3 years: OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 0.56-7.77, I 2 = 61%). Conclusion We found a twofold increased GC risk among PPI users, but this association does not confirm causation and studies are highly heterogeneous. PPI should only be prescribed when strictly indicated

Improving Intake System Efficiency of a Restricted Formula SAE Engine

This research project encompasses the study of improving the volumetric efficiency of an internal combustion engine’s air intake system with the overarching goal of improving engine power output in a more fuel-efficient manner. The senior capstone project that we are a part of, called Formula SAE, requires all engines to use a 20-millimeter intake system restrictor--which can be thought of more simply as a small, roughly nickel-sized hole through which all of the engine’s air must flow. From an engineering perspective, the restrictor inherently reduces the available air to the engine’s cylinders, which reduces the engine’s ability to produce torque and power which drive the vehicle. Researching ways to improve the intake system’s efficiency not only benefits the Formula SAE project by extracting more power from the restricted engine, but also provides important insight into the future of internal combustion engines in modern vehicles. While continued technological developments in the field of fully-electric vehicles (EV’s) make it apparent that EV’s will undoubtedly be here to stay, there are still niche applications in which vehicles with internal combustion engines thrive. To keep their place in industry, internal combustion engines must be made as fuel-efficient and eco-friendly as possible. One way to achieve this is by lowering the displacement of the engine so that less fuel is required to be processed per engine cycle. A lower-displacement engine processes smaller quantities of fuel and air, much like the effect the intake system restrictor imposes on our Formula SAE engine. Throughout this research, improvements in interior part surfaces, internal geometries, and intake system packaging were explored in order to realize efficiency benefits, and thus produce sufficient engine power for the Formula SAE project vehicle, while maintaining a more fuel-economic state of operation

Topography of the ISW2–nucleosome complex: insights into nucleosome spacing and chromatin remodeling

Linker DNA was found to be critical for the specific docking of ISW2 with nucleosomes as shown by mapping the physical contacts of ISW2 with nucleosomes at base-pair resolution. Hydroxyl radical footprinting revealed that ISW2 not only extensively interacts with the linker DNA, but also approaches the nucleosome from the side perpendicular to the axis of the DNA superhelix and contacts two disparate sites on the nucleosomal DNA from opposite sides of the superhelix. The topography of the ISW2–nucleosome was further delineated by finding which of the ISW2 subunits are proximal to specific sites within the linker and nucleosomal DNA regions by site-directed DNA photoaffinity labeling. Although ISW2 was shown to contact ∼63 bp of linker DNA, a minimum of 20 bp of linker DNA was required for stable binding of ISW2 to nucleosomes. The remaining ∼43 bp of flanking linker DNA promoted more efficient binding under competitive binding conditions and was functionally important for enhanced sliding of nucleosomes when ISW2 was significantly limiting

Gut microbiota modulate T cell trafficking into human colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) favour survival in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Chemotactic factors underlying their recruitment remain undefined. We investigated chemokines attracting T cells into human CRCs, their cellular sources and microenvironmental triggers. DESIGN Expression of genes encoding immune cell markers, chemokines and bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (16SrRNA) was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR in fresh CRC samples and corresponding tumour-free tissues. Chemokine receptor expression on TILs was evaluated by flow cytometry on cell suspensions from digested tissues. Chemokine production by CRC cells was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, on generation of intraperitoneal or intracecal tumour xenografts in immune-deficient mice. T cell trafficking was assessed on adoptive transfer of human TILs into tumour-bearing mice. Gut flora composition was analysed by 16SrRNA sequencing. RESULTS CRC infiltration by distinct T cell subsets was associated with defined chemokine gene signatures, including CCL5, CXCL9 and CXCL10 for cytotoxic T lymphocytes and T-helper (Th)1 cells; CCL17, CCL22 and CXCL12 for Th1 and regulatory T cells; CXCL13 for follicular Th cells; and CCL20 and CCL17 for interleukin (IL)-17-producing Th cells. These chemokines were expressed by tumour cells on exposure to gut bacteria in vitro and in vivo. Their expression was significantly higher in intracecal than in intraperitoneal xenografts and was dramatically reduced by antibiotic treatment of tumour-bearing mice. In clinical samples, abundance of defined bacteria correlated with high chemokine expression, enhanced T cell infiltration and improved survival. CONCLUSIONS Gut microbiota stimulate chemokine production by CRC cells, thus favouring recruitment of beneficial T cells into tumour tissues