Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variational algorithms for approximate Bayesian inference

The Bayesian framework for machine learning allows for the incorporation of prior knowledge in a coherent way, avoids overﬁtting problems, and provides a principled basis for selecting between alternative models. Unfortunately the computations required are usually intractable. This thesis presents a uniﬁed variational Bayesian (VB) framework which approximates these computations in models with latent variables using a lower bound on the marginal likelihood. Chapter 1 presents background material on Bayesian inference, graphical models, and propagation algorithms. Chapter 2 forms the theoretical core of the thesis, generalising the expectation-maximisation (EM) algorithm for learning maximum likelihood parameters to the VB EM al-gorithm which integrates over model parameters. The algorithm is then specialised to the large family of conjugate-exponential (CE) graphical models, and several theorems are presented to pave the road for automated VB derivation procedures in both directed and undirected graphs (Bayesian and Markov networks, respectively).
Serum nitric oxide metabolite as a biomarker of visceral fat accumulation: Clinical significance of measurement for nitrate/nitrite

Summary Background A visceral fat area of more than 100 cm2 as measured by computed tomography (CT) at the umbilical level has been included as a criterion for obesity in all the proposed criteria for metabolic syndrome. However, CT cannot be used frequently because of radiation exposure. We evaluated the usefulness of measurement of the serum levels of nitric oxide (NO), instead of CT and the waist circumference, as a marker of abdominal visceral fat accumulation. Material/Methods The study was carried out in 80 subjects. The serum levels of NO metabolites (nitrate/nitrite) were measured using the Griess reagent. Results Simple and multiple regression analysis revealed that the serum levels of NO metabolites showed the greatest degree of correlation with the visceral fat area (r=0.743, p<0.0001), and corresponded to a visceral fat area of 100 cm2, as determined using the ROC curve, was 21.0 μmol/ml (sensitivity 88%, specificity 82%); this method was more sensitive than the waist circumference for evaluation of the visceral fat accumulation. Conclusions Measurement of the serum levels of NO metabolites may be a simple, safe, convenient and reliable method for the evaluation of visceral fat accumulation in clinical diagnostic screening.
Noninvasive Measurement of Cerebral Blood Flow Under Anesthesia Using Arterial Spin Labeling MRI: A Pilot Study

Background: Cerebral ischemia plays a major role in pathophysiology of the injured brain. Most of the currently available methods of cerebral blood flow (CBF) monitors are either indirect measure of CBF or needing radioactive agents for data acquisition. Arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) is a noninvasive method of measuring CBF. The aim of our study was to determine the differences in the CBF values between propofol and sevoflurane anesthesia using ASL-MRI technique in mechanically ventilated patients with cerebrovascular disease. Methods: After ethics board approval and informed consent, we measured CBF in 4 patients with moyamoya disease, using a pseudo-continuous 3D ASL sequence available on a 3.0 T MRI scanner. Patients were anesthetized first with sevoflurane (1 MAC) and then anesthesia was converted to total intravenous anesthesia with propofol (100 to 125 &mgr;g/kg/min). When the patient was in a steady state with respect to anesthesia and normocapnia (baseline PETCO2), CBF was measured under both sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia. Results: Quantitative estimation of both global and regional CBF was successfully performed in all patients. The mean global CBF in gray and white matter of all patients under propofol anesthesia were 38.4 and 31.6 mL/100 g/min, respectively. Similar values under sevoflurane anesthesia were 56.6 mL/100 g/min for gray matter and 42.5 mL/100 g/min for white matter. Conclusions: ASL-MRI is a feasible, noninvasive method of quantitative estimation of global and regional CBF in mechanically ventilated patients under anesthesia. In this pilot study CBF was consistently greater with sevoflurane than with propofol.
Unlike fellows – a review of primate–non‐primate associations

Throughout many regions of the tropics, non‐primate animals – mainly birds and mammals – have been observed to follow primate groups and to exploit dropped food and flushed prey. The anecdotal nature of most of the numerous reports on these primate–non‐primate associations (PNPAs) may obscure the biological significance of such associations. We review the existing literature and test predictions concerning the influence of primate traits (body size, activity patterns, dietary strategies, habitat, group size) on the occurrence of PNPAs. Furthermore, we examine the influence of non‐primates' dietary strategies on the occurrence of PNPAs, and the distribution of benefits and costs. We detected a strong signal in the geographic distribution of PNPAs, with a larger number of such associations in the Neotropics compared to Africa and Asia. Madagascar lacks PNPAs altogether. Primate body size, activity patterns, habitat and dietary strategies as well as non‐primate dietary strategies affect the occurrence of PNPAs, while primate group size did not play a role. Benefits are asymmetrically distributed and mainly accrue to non‐primates. They consist of foraging benefits through the consumption of dropped leaves and fruits and flushed prey, and anti‐predation benefits through eavesdropping on primate alarm calls and vigilance. Where quantitative information is available, it has been shown that benefits for non‐primates can be substantial. The majority of PNPAs can thus be categorized as cases of commensalism, while mutualism is very rare. Our review provides evidence that the ecological function of primates extends beyond their manifold interactions with plants, but may remain underestimated.
Arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa: a clinical, radiological and follow‐up study

Twenty‐seven patients with CT‐scan‐diagnosed arachnoid cysts in the middle cranial fossa were studied. Five (18%) presented with progressive symptoms related to raised intracranial pressure which had developed after minor trauma and secondary bleeding, 12 (44%) presented with non‐progressive symptoms, and 10 (37%) exhibited neurological syndromes not referable to the cyst. Among those with non‐progressive symptoms, epilepsy was the most common presentation (67%). More than 60% of the cysts were small and limited to the anterior temporal region or to the Sylvian fissure, the remaining cysts involved both the anterior temporal region and the Sylvian fissure, and expanded to the adjacent fronto‐temporal or fronto‐parietal regions. The volume measurements of the brain tissue performed on CT scan revealed that between the volume of the two hemispheres there was no significant difference suggesting any evidence of agenesis or hypoplasia of the affected temporal lobe.
An Integral with Three Parameters

In this paper we give an exact expression for the integral \begin{eqnarray} I(a, b; r) = \int_{0}^{\infty} \left[ \frac{x^{2}}{x^{4} + 2a x^{2} + 1} \right]^{r} \cdot \frac{x^{2} + 1}{x^{b} + 1} \cdot \frac{dx}{x^{2}} \nonumber \end{eqnarray} in terms of Euler's beta function. Several classical integrals are deduced from it. The expression for $I(a,b;r)$ provides a method for unifying a large class of integrals.
Cost minimization analysis comparing enteral N-acetylcysteine to intravenous acetylcysteine in the management of acute acetaminophen toxicity

Context. Acetaminophen poisoning is one of the most common exposures and causes of poisoning-related fatalities as reported to U.S. poison information centers. Acetylcysteine is indicated for the antidotal treatment of acetaminophen poisoning to prevent or minimize acetaminophen-related hepatotoxicity. Available as either an enteral or intravenous (IV) formulation, both forms of acetylcysteine have been proven to be efficacious. Because of the differences in the acquisition costs and the length of treatment, it is unclear which treatment route is the most cost-effective. Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the total hospitalization charges associated with patients who received either enteral or IV acetylcysteine therapy. Materials and methods. A retrospective, IRB-approved cohort study of patients treated with either enteral or IV acetylcysteine at a university-related hospital for the treatment of acute acetaminophen overdose was conducted. Patients included were over 18 years of age, admitted during the 5-year periods of 1996–2000 (enteral) and 2004–2008 (IV), had an ICD-9 discharge diagnosis for acetaminophen overdose, had no transplant history, and were admitted within 24 h of the overdose. The primary endpoint was the total cost associated with the hospital stay. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation calculator from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics was used to adjust all monetary values to 2008 dollars. Results. Of a total of 1,647 patients, 261 met the inclusion criteria with 70 patients being treated with enteral acetylcysteine and 191 patients treated with IV acetylcysteine. The associated cost was greater in the enteral group than in the IV group ($18,287.63 vs. $7,607.82; p < 0.001). The average length of stay was longer in the enteral group compared to the IV group (7 days vs. 4 days; p < 0.001). Conclusions. Patients who were treated with IV acetylcysteine had a decreased length of stay and cost of hospitalization compared with those patients who were treated with enteral acetylcysteine.
Hypermutation and microsatellite instability in gastrointestinal cancers

Recent progress in cancer genome analysis using next-generation sequencing has revealed a high mutation burden in some tumors. The particularly high rate of somatic mutation in these tumors correlates with the generation of neo-antigens capable of eliciting an immune response. Identification of hypermutated tumors is therefore clinically valuable for selecting patients suitable for immunotherapy treatment. There are several known causes of hypermutation in tumors, such as ultraviolet light in melanoma, tobacco smoke in lung cancer, and excessive APOBEC (apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like) activity in breast and gastric cancer. In gastrointestinal cancers, one of the leading causes of hypermutation is a defect in DNA mismatch repair, which results in microsatellite instability (MSI). This review will focus on the frequency, characteristics and genomic signature of hypermutated gastrointestinal cancers with MSI. Detection of tumor hypermutation in cancer is expected to not only predict the clinical benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment, but also to provide better surgical strategies for the patients with hypermutated tumors. Thus, in an era of precision medicine, identification of hypermutation and MSI will play an important role directing surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment.
L-type CaV1.2 deletion in the cochlea but not in the brainstem reduces noise vulnerability: implication for CaV1.2-mediated control of cochlear BDNF expression

Voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels (L-VGCCs) like CaV1.2 are assumed to play a crucial role for controlling release of trophic peptides including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In the inner ear of the adult mouse, besides the well-described L-VGCC CaV1.3, CaV1.2 is also expressed. Due to lethality of constitutive CaV1.2 knock-out mice, the function of this ion channel as well as its putative relationship to BDNF in the auditory system is entirely elusive. We recently described that BDNF plays a differential role for inner hair cell (IHC) vesicles release in normal and traumatized condition. To elucidate a presumptive role of CaV1.2 during this process, two tissue-specific conditional mouse lines were generated. To distinguish the impact of CaV1.2 on the cochlea from that on feedback loops from higher auditory centers CaV1.2 was deleted, in one mouse line, under the Pax2 promoter (CaV1.2Pax2) leading to a deletion in the spiral ganglion neurons, dorsal cochlear nucleus, and inferior colliculus. In the second mouse line, the Egr2 promoter was used for deleting CaV1.2 (CaV1.2Egr2) in auditory brainstem nuclei. In both mouse lines, normal hearing threshold and equal number of IHC release sites were observed. We found a slight reduction of auditory brainstem response wave I amplitudes in the CaV1.2Pax2 mice, but not in the CaV1.2Egr2 mice. After noise exposure, CaV1.2Pax2 mice had less-pronounced hearing loss that correlated with maintenance of ribbons in IHCs and less reduced activity in auditory nerve fibers, as well as in higher brain centers at supra-threshold sound stimulation. As reduced cochlear BDNF mRNA levels were found in CaV1.2Pax2 mice, we suggest that a CaV1.2-dependent step may participate in triggering part of the beneficial and deteriorating effects of cochlear BDNF in intact systems and during noise exposure through a pathway that is independent of CaV1.2 function in efferent circuits.
Insights into smoking and its cessation among current smokers in India.

BACKGROUND Initiation, perpetuation and cessation of smoking are all multifactorial. It is essential to explore interactions among various parameters influencing smoking and its cessation for effective smoking cessation interventions. OBJECTIVES To obtain insights into smoking and its cessation among current smokers in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was conducted among current smokers visiting the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Manipal University, Mangalore. Knowledge, attitudes, behavior, worksite practices towards smoking and its cessation, barriers to smoking cessation and socio-demographic variables were explored using a structured, pretested, self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 175 current smokers participated in the study. Mean knowledge, attitude, worksite practice and barrier scores were 15.2±5.67 (66.1%), 57.5±7.67(82.1%), 4.18±2.02 (41.8%) and 57.4±12.37 (63.7%) respectively. Correlation analysis revealed: association of knowledge with education, occupation and religion; attitude with education and occupation; worksite practices with occupation; knowledge with attitude; and barriers negatively with worksite practices. The majority (85.7%) of respondents intended to quit smoking and this was associated with higher attitude scores, whereas actual quit attempts were associated with high knowledge, attitudes, worksite practices and low barrier scores. CONCLUSIONS Various socio-demographic factors associated with smoking and its cessation were identified. The present study highlights the importance of identifying and targeting these interactions while framing guidelines and interventions for effective tobacco cessation in a developing country like India.
A Meta-Tool to Support the Development of Knowledge Engineering Methodologies and Projects

Knowledge-based systems (KBSs) or expert systems (ESs) are able to solve problems generally through the application of knowledge representing a domain and a set of inference rules. In knowledge engineering (KE), the use of KBSs in the real world, three principal disadvantages have been encountered. First, the knowledge acquisition process has a very high cost in terms of money and time. Second, processing information provided by experts is often difficult and tedious. Third, the establishment of mark times associated with each project phase is difficult due to the complexity described in the previous two points. In response to these obstacles, many methodologies have been developed, most of which include a tool to support the application of the given methodology. Nevertheless, there are advantages and disadvantages inherent in KE methodologies, as well. For instance, particular phases or components of certain methodologies seem to be better equipped than others to respond to a given problem. However, since KE tools currently available support just one methodology the joint use of these phases or components from different methodologies for the solution of a particular problem is hindered. This paper presents KEManager, a generic meta-tool that facilitates the definition and combined application of phases or components from different methodologies. Although other methodologies could be defined and combined in the KEManager, this paper focuses on the combination of two well-known KE methodologies, CommonKADS and IDEAL, together with the most commonly-applied knowledge acquisition methods. The result is an example of the ad hoc creation of a new methodology from pre-existing methodologies, allowing for the adaptation of the KE process to an organization or domain-specific characteristics. The tool was evaluated by students at Carlos III University of Madrid (Spain).
Grandmother's smoking when pregnant with the mother and asthma in the grandchild: the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

Background A trans-generational influence of prenatal tobacco smoke exposure on asthma development has been proposed but the evidence remains sparse. Methods We examined the grandmother's smoking when pregnant with the mother in relation to asthma outcomes in the grandchild (current asthma at 36 months (N=53 169, cases=3013), current asthma at 7 years (N=25 394, cases=1265) and dispensed asthma medications at 7 years in the Norwegian Prescription Database (N=45 607, cases=1787)) within the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). We calculated adjusted RR (adj. RR) and 95% CIs using log binomial regression. Results A total of 23.5% of mothers reported that their mother smoked when pregnant with them. The grandmother's smoking when pregnant with the mother was positively associated with asthma at 36 months (adj. RR 1.15 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.24)), asthma at 7 years (adj. RR 1.21 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.37)) and dispensed asthma medications at 7 years (adj. RR 1.15 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.26)). This positive association did not differ significantly by the mother's smoking status when pregnant with the child (p values for multiplicative interaction >0.1). Conclusions The grandmother's smoking when pregnant with the mother increased the risk of asthma in the grandchild independent of the mother's smoking status. However, given limited information on the grandmother's socioeconomic status, asthma status and other factors, unmeasured confounding may be present.
Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer Cells with Dicumarol Induces Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress

Purpose: NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) catalyzes the two-electron reduction of quinones to hydroquinones. This reaction is believed to prevent the one-electron reduction of quinones that would result in redox cycling with generation of superoxide (O2.-). We have recently demonstrated that inhibition of NQO1 with dicumarol increases intracellular O2. - production and inhibits the in vitro malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer cells (J. Cullen et al., Cancer Res., 63: 5513–5520, 2003). We hypothesized that inhibition of NQO1 would increase cell killing, induce oxidative stress, and inhibit in vivo tumor growth. Experimental Design and Results: In the human pancreatic cancer cell line MIA PaCa-2, dicumarol decreased cell viability, as measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and decreased clonogenic survival. Dicumarol increased the percentage of apoptotic cells in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner as measured by 3,3′-diaminobenzidine staining and flow cytometry, which was associated with cytochrome c release and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Dicumarol also induced oxidative stress as evidenced by increased total glutathione and oxidized glutathione, as well as sensitizing to cell killing mediated by menadione. In established orthotopic pancreatic tumors in nude mice, intratumoral injections of dicumarol slowed tumor growth and extended survival. Conclusions: Inhibition of NQO1 with dicumarol induces cell killing and oxidative stress in pancreatic cancer cells and speculate that dicumarol may prove to be useful in pancreatic cancer therapeutics.
Determination of trace elements in goat and ovine milk from Calabria (Italy) by ICP-AES

There are many sources of contamination to which milk could be exposed: grazing animals can ingest contaminants present in nature, such as lead in soil, or that have been deposited on grass, resulting from industrial emissions. Another possible route of contamination is represented by feed for animals, which may contain heavy and essential metals. The potential of high-resolution inductively coupled plasma spectrometry was evaluated to quantify reliably various toxic and essential elements (Fe, Zn, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Cd) in 47 samples of goat and ovine milk from various farms in Calabria (southern Italy). The results showed that concentrations of cadmium were below the limit of detection. Lead levels were below the maximum limits as set by the EC in almost all samples tested. The highest values were those of Zn followed by Fe, Cu and Se.
Bethe equations “on the wrong side of the equator”

The T-Q Baxter equations for the XXX (XXZ) spin chain are analyzed. For each polynomial (trigonometric) solution of degree not exceeding N/2, which provides a solution of the Bethe ansatz equations, there exists a second linearly independent polynomial solution of degree greater than N/2. This second solution plays an essential role; in particular, all fusion relations follow from these two solutions.
Influence of inflammatory polyarthritis on cancer incidence and survival: results from a community-based prospective study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the incidence of cancer is increased and whether the rate of cancer survival is reduced in patients following the onset of inflammatory polyarthritis. METHODS Between 1990 and 1999, we recruited 2,105 patients to a large primary care-based register of new-onset inflammatory polyarthritis. Subsequent cancers were ascertained by linkage to hospital and death records and were confirmed by the regional cancer register. Cancer incidence, both all-site and site-specific, was compared with regional rates, adjusting for age, sex, and calendar year. Overall cancer survival, adjusted for site, was compared with regional data using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. RESULTS There were 123 incident cases of cancer in the cohort of patients with inflammatory polyarthritis. The overall incidence of cancer among this cohort of patients with inflammatory polyarthritis was not increased compared with that in the regional population. Among cancers of all major organ systems, only the incidence of hematopoietic cancers (including lymphoma) was increased. Five-year cancer survival was reduced in patients with inflammatory polyarthritis compared with patients without inflammatory polyarthritis. After adjusting for diagnosis, age, sex, and tumor type, mortality in patients with inflammatory polyarthritis and cancer was significantly increased (hazard ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.7). CONCLUSION This is the first investigation of overall cancer survival in patients with inflammatory polyarthritis. Compared with an increased incidence of cancer, reduced cancer survival might be a greater contributor to the increased cancer mortality observed in some rheumatoid arthritis populations.