Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Online Learning of Single- and Multivalued Functions with an Infinite Mixture of Linear Experts

We present a supervised learning algorithm for estimation of generic input-output relations in a real-time, online fashion. The proposed method is based on a generalized expectation-maximization approach to fit an infinite mixture of linear experts (IMLE) to an online stream of data samples. This probabilistic model, while not fully Bayesian, can efficiently choose the number of experts that are allocated to the mixture, this way effectively controlling the complexity of the resulting model. The result is an incremental, online, and localized learning algorithm that performs nonlinear, multivariate regression on multivariate outputs by approximating the target function by a linear relation within each expert input domain and that can allocate new experts as needed. A distinctive feature of the proposed method is the ability to learn multivalued functions: one-to-many mappings that naturally arise in some robotic and computer vision learning domains, using an approach based on a Bayesian generative model for the predictions provided by each of the mixture experts. As a consequence, it is able to directly provide forward and inverse relations from the same learned mixture model. We conduct an extensive set of experiments to evaluate the proposed algorithm performance, and the results show that it can outperform state-of-the-art online function approximation algorithms in single-valued regression, while demonstrating good estimation capabilities in a multivalued function approximation context.
Further evidence of cellular changes associated with non‐a, non‐b hepatitis

Two distinct types of ultrastructural changes were found in the hepatocytes of chimpanzees infected with two forms of non‐A, non‐B hepatitis. In the type of infection that was of long incubation, there was a marked cytoplasmic derangement of the endoplasmic reticulum, with the formation of tubules, but no pathological changes in the nuclei. In the short‐incubation type of non‐A, non‐B hepatitis, induced experimentally in a chimpanzee that had recovered from the long‐incubation type of infection, nuclear alterations were found together with the presence of aggregates of particles measuring 15–27 nm in diameter. Cytoplasmic tubules were not seen in this type of non‐A, non‐B infection.
Assessing the Effect of Nitrogen Sources, Rates and Time of applications on Yield and Quality of Stockpiled Fescue and Tall Fescue Pastures

In Virginia, tall fescue [(Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub,) formally known as Festuca arundinacea L. ] can be found on more than 4 million ac of hay and pastureland. Two separate experiments were conducted at three different geographical locations over two growing seasons. The objective of Experiment 1 was to evaluate the influence of N sources and rates on yield and nutritive value of stockpiled tall fescue. Experiment 2 examined the effect of split spring and fall N applications at various rates on yield and nutritive value of tall fescue pastures. The first experiment was conducted at three locations (Blacksburg, Blackstone, and Steeles Tavern, VA) while the second experiment was conducted only at the Blacksburg and Steeles Tavern locations. In Experiment 1, the N sources included ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, urea, urea + Agrotain, Environmentally Smart N (ESN), Nutrisphere (NSN), Nitamin (Blackstone only), pelleted biosolids (Blackstone only), and broiler litter (Steeles Tavern only) applied at 0, 28, 56, 84, and 112 kg plant available N (PAN) ha. Plots were harvested in mid-December (Blacksburg and Steeles Tavern) and late January (Blackstone). The yield of the stockpiled tall fescue in 2006 ranged from 1,300 to 2,900, 1,700 to 3,000, and 2,600 to 3,300 kg DM ha for the Blacksburg, Steeles Tavern and Blackstone locations, respectively. In 2007, however, the yield response to N rate and sources was significantly less than that of 2006 due to low rainfall. At the Blacksburg location, ammonium sulfate and ESN resulted in higher CP concentrations, ranging from 11-14% and 12-20% for 2006 and 2007 growing seasons, respectively. Similar variation (12-20%) was observed for the Steeles Tavern location in 2006. In general, the ADF
Small Intestinal Submucosa for Vascular Reconstruction in the Presence of Gastrointestinal Contamination

Introduction:Surgical options for vascular reconstruction in a contaminated field are limited and include prosthetic reconstruction or ligation with extra-anatomic bypass. With prosthetic insertion, rates of graft infection and failures (pseudoaneurysms and thrombosis) are high. In the emergent situations, extra-anatomic bypass is time-consuming and complex, and it produces marginal long-term results. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) is a cell-free collagen matrix derived from porcine small intestine. Preliminary studies have demonstrated its ability to be remodeled into host tissue. In this study, we compared SIS to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a vascular patch for arterial repair in the presence of massive gastrointestinal contamination to evaluate graft patency, incorporation, infection, and aneurysm formation. Methods:Adult mongrel pigs underwent general anesthesia with Isoflurane and were then randomized to 1 of 3 groups: control, contamination (colon puncture with stool contamination of the pelvis), or shock + contamination (40% blood volume for 1 hour, then resuscitation with shed blood and crystalloid, plus contamination). All groups then underwent a left common iliac arteriotomy and further randomized to a 1 × 3–cm patch angioplasty with either SIS or PTFE. All received cefotetan for 24 hours. All animals were sacrificed between 2 and 4 weeks, and necropsy was performed. Grafts were cultured, and microscopic analysis with hematoxylin and eosin and trichrome was performed. Outcomes included pulse quality (normal or diminished) compared with opposite side, graft infection, and pseudoaneurysm; all were determined by a blinded investigator. Results:Forty animals were randomized, and 1 died of abdominal sepsis. All control animals had normal distal pulses, no pseudoaneurysms, and no patch infections. The pseudoaneurysm rate for the contaminated PTFE patches was 25% compared with 0% in the SIS group (P = 0.09). Patch infection occurred in 73% of all PTFE patches compared with 8% of SIS patches (P < 0.03). Organisms present in the infected grafts included Escherichia coli, Bacteroides species, and other Gram-negative enterics. Histopathology demonstrated the presence of neointima in both SIS and PTFE. Only SIS was completely incorporated, with infiltration of collagen fibrils and lymphocytes. Conclusions:SIS was associated with improved graft patency, less infection, complete incorporation, and no false aneurysm formation when compared with PTFE. This may be due to its ability to provide a durable scaffold for cellularization and tissue remodeling. This material may offer a superior alternative to more complex vascular reconstruction techniques in contaminated fields.
Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease with an M232R substitution: report of a patient showing slowly progressive disease with abundant plaque‐like PrP deposits in the cerebellum

Patients with genetic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease in which arginine is substituted for methionine at codon 232 (M232R) of the prion protein gene (CJD232) have been described in Japan, and a recent study has revealed the presence of two clinical phenotypes: a rapidly progressive type (rapid‐type) and a slowly progressive type (slow‐type). Although the former is known to show pathologic features similar to those of classical CJD, the neuropathology of the latter still remains unclear. We report the autopsy findings of slow‐type CJD232 of 37 months' duration in a 73‐year‐old man who had methionine homozygosity at codon 129 of the prion protein gene (129MM). His initial symptoms included agraphia and memory disturbance, followed by relatively slowly progressive dementia. Myoclonus and akinetic mutism became evident 5 and 23 months after disease onset, respectively. The electroencephalogram revealed periodic sharp wave complexes at 7 months before death. The neuropathologic features were partly reminiscent of those of MM2‐cortical‐type sporadic CJD, showing spongiform change of the large confluent vacuole type, neuronal loss with gliosis, and coarse, perivacuolar prion protein deposits, which were later shown to consist of protease‐resistant type 2 prion protein, in the cerebral cortex and striatum. It was of considerable interest that not only was the medial thalamus severely involved, but also that the cerebellar cortex showed loss of Purkinje cells and abundant plaque‐like prion protein deposits. These findings are not a feature of MM2‐cortical‐type sporadic CJD. Whether or not the M232R substitution, in combination with the genetic polymorphism and the molecular type of pathological prion protein, really participates in the development of CJD232 and its different phenotypes awaits further studies.
A review of clozapine safety

Clozapine is a distinctive antipsychotic agent, having a unique clinical profile and an idiosyncratic safety profile. More so than with other agents, the weighting of its adverse event profile is critical, in order to counterbalance its clear clinical advantages. The safety issues with clozapine are in a number of areas, some of which are considered medical emergencies and potentially life-threatening. These include haematological (neutropenia and agranulocytosis), CNS (seizures), cardiovascular (myocarditis and cardiomyopathy), metabolic (diabetes), gastrointestinal and neuromuscular. Understanding the safety profile of clozapine allows an informed use of the agent that can maximise its clear clinical benefit and minimise the known risks.
Trends in antihypertensive drug use in the United States: do the JNC V recommendations affect prescribing? Fifth Joint National Commission on the Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure.

CONTEXT The choice of pharmacological treatment for the approximately 50 million people in the United States with hypertension has important therapeutic and financial implications. OBJECTIVES To describe national antihypertensive medication prescribing patterns for 1992 and 1995; to explore the influence of the Fifth Joint National Committee on the Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC V), published in 1993, which recommended diuretics and beta-blockers as first-line antihypertensive therapy unless contraindicated; and to estimate the impact of these prescribing patterns on the cost of antihypertensive treatment. DESIGN All prescriptions for drugs approved for the treatment of hypertension dispensed by 35000 retail pharmacies were tabulated for 1992 and 1995 (62% of all US retail pharmacies were surveyed). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of prescriptions for each dosage form of medication and national cost estimates based on wholesale costs of medications dispensed. RESULTS In 1992, of the 10 most frequently prescribed antihypertensive drugs, 3 were calcium antagonists, 3 were angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, 3 were beta-blockers, and 1 was the combination of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide. In 1995, 4 were calcium antagonists, 3 were ACE inhibitors, 1 was a beta-blocker, 1 was the combination of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide, and 1 an alpha-blocker. In 1992, calcium antagonists accounted for 33% of antihypertensive prescriptions compared with 38% in 1995, ACE inhibitor use went from 25% to 33%, beta-blocker use from 18% to 11%, and diuretic use from 16% to 8%. The estimated wholesale costs for calcium antagonists in 1995 dollars increased from $2.67 billion in 1992 to $2.86 billion in 1995; ACE inhibitor costs increased from $1.37 billion to $1.67 billion; costs for diuretics declined from $353 million to $168 million; and costs for beta-blockers declined from $763 million to $433 million. CONCLUSIONS From 1992 to 1995 use of calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors for treatment of hypertension increased and diuretics and beta-blockers declined, suggesting that the recommendations from JNC V had little effect on prescribing patterns. The cost implications of these practice patterns are enormous.
Inhibition of TGF-β Signaling in SHED Enhances Endothelial Differentiation

Low efficiency of deriving endothelial cells (ECs) from adult stem cells hampers their utilization in tissue engineering studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether suppression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling could enhance the differentiation efficiency of dental pulp–derived stem cells into ECs. We initially used vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) to stimulate 2 dental pulp–derived stem cells (dental pulp stem cells and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth [SHED]) and compared their differentiation capacity into ECs. We further evaluated whether the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor I (VEGF-RI)-specific ligand placental growth factor-1 (PlGF-1) could mediate endothelial differentiation. Finally, we investigated whether the TGF-β signaling inhibitor SB-431542 could enhance the inductive effect of VEGF-A on endothelial differentiation, as well as the underlying mechanisms involved. ECs differentiated from dental pulp–derived stem cells exhibited the typical phenotypes of primary ECs, with SHED possessing a higher endothelial differentiation potential than dental pulp stem cells. VEGFR1-specific ligand-PLGF exerted a negligible effect on SHED-ECs differentiation. Compared with VEGF-A alone, the combination of VEGF-A and SB-431542 significantly enhanced the endothelial differentiation of SHED. The presence of SB-431542 inhibited the phosphorylation of Suppressor of Mothers Against Decapentaplegic 2/3 (SMAD2/3), allowing for VEGF-A-dependent phosphorylation and upregulation of VEGFR2. Our results indicate that the combination of VEGF-A and SB-431542 could enhance the differentiation of dental pulp–derived stem cells into endothelial cells, and this process is mediated through enhancement of VEGF-A-VEGFR2 signaling and concomitant inhibition of TGF-β-SMAD2/3 signaling.
Use of oral contraceptives in infertile patients: A descriptive review

In the past and currently, there are several applications of oral contraceptives (OCs) in the field of infertility. The aim of the present descriptive review is to analyze the old and new uses of OCs in infertile patients undergoing simple or multiple ovulation-induction programs. Available data seem to indicate that OCs given before treatment could be effective in patients who are resistant to clomiphene citrate and in poor responders. In addition, the use of OCs is useful for scheduling in vitro fertilization programs downregulated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone-antagonists.
cDNA‐AFLP analysis of differential gene expression in human hepatoma cells (HepG2) upon dengue virus infection

In infectious diseases, the disease pathogenesis is the outcome of the interaction between the genome of the host and the genome of the pathogen. Despite the wide distribution of dengue infections in the world, and the large number of annual infections, few studies have investigated how the dengue genome alters the global transcriptional profile of the host cell. To investigate alterations in the liver cell transcriptome in response to dengue virus infection, liver cells (HepG2) were infected with dengue serotype 2 at MOI 5 and at 3 days post‐infection RNA extracted and analyzed by cDNA‐AFLP in parallel with mock‐infected cells. From 73 primer combinations over 5,000 transcription‐derived fragments (TDFs) were observed, of which approximately 10% were regulated differentially in response to infection. Sixty‐five TDFs were subsequently cloned and sequenced and 27 unique gene transcripts identified. Semi‐quantitative reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR was used to validate the expression of 12 of these genes and 10 transcripts (CK2, KIAA509, HSP70, AK3L, NIPA, PHIP, RiboS4, JEM‐1, MALT1, and HSI12044) were confirmed to be differentially regulated, with four transcripts (HSP70, NIPA, RiboS4, and JEM‐1) showing a greater than twofold regulation. These results suggest that the expression of a large number of genes is altered in response to dengue virus infection of liver cells, and that cDNA‐AFLP is a useful tool for obtaining information on both characterized and as yet uncharacterized transcripts whose expression is altered during the infection process. J. Med. Virol. 79:552–561, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Economic Assessments of Medical Practices and Technologies

Cost-effectiveness analysis can be useful as an aid to decision makers concerned with the allocation of health care resources. The approach requires an explicit, quantitative measure of the health effectiveness of the intervention under analysis, as well as a measure of its net resource cost. Cost-effectiveness analyses are less useful if the measure of effectiveness is expressed in units that are unique to the intervention or class of interventions being considered than if the measure is comparable across interventions. The life year as a unit offers the advantage of comparability across programs, but its use in cost-effectiveness analysis can be misleading if the effects of the program in question include changes in the quality of life. Cost-effectiveness analyses of estrogen therapy in the menopause, high blood pressure control, and coronary artery bypass surgery are used to illustrate the method of analysis and the sensitivity of conclusions to the manner in which quality-of-life impacts are included explicitly (or excluded entirely). Cost-effectiveness analyses, therefore, should always include sensitivity analyses in which preference weights and parameters are varied over the plausible range. Inability to measure the quality of life and preferences regarding such effects should not be an excuse for failing to include them in a cost-effectiveness analysis.
Differential Effects In Humans After Repeated Administrations Of Zolpidem And Triazolam

Zolpidem, a commonly prescribed hypnotic, is an imidazopyridine that purportedly has a unique benzodiazepine-receptor binding profile. Despite its unique binding profile, human laboratory experiments have generally failed to demonstrate meaningful behavioral pharmacological differences between zolpidem and classic benzodiazepine-receptor agonists like triazolam. In this article, two groups of nondrug-abusing volunteers received 15 mg zolpidem (N=11) or 0.375 mg zolpidem (N=15) on four separate occasions and placebo on two other occasions. In both groups, the order of drug administration was quasi-random. Drug effects were assessed with a battery of laboratory performance tasks and subject-rated drug-effect questionnaires. Zolpidem and triazolam produced prototypical sedative-like effects (e.g., impaired performance, increased subject-ratings of sedation). The performance-impairing effects of triazolam, but not zolpidem, were significantly less after the final administration relative to the initial administration. The subject-rated effects of both zolpidem and triazolam were significantly less after the final administration relative to the initial administration. The results of this experiment suggest that zolpidem and triazolam differ in terms of tolerance-producing effects. Future studies should assess the tolerance-producing effects of zolpidem across a range of doses, as well as other novel sedatives such as zaleplon.
Healing of the patellar tendon autograft after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction— a process of ligamentization?

Forty-eight skeletally mature sheep underwent poste rior cruciate ligament reconstruction with free patellar tendon autografts in one knee; the contralateral knee served as a control. Immediate rehabilitation without immobilization followed. Autograft healing was evalu ated by histologic, roentgenographic, and biomechani cal techniques up to 2 years postoperatively. After implantation, the autograft tissue underwent necrosis and degeneration, followed by a gradual healing proc ess comprising revascularization, cellular migration, and formation of an extracellular matrix. The autograft bone pegs were osseously incorporated by 6 weeks. After an initial loss of strength, the material properties of the operated knee recovered to only about one-third that of the control. Better alignment of the collagen fiber bundles resulted in increased material properties, up to approximately 50% of the control at 52 weeks. After 2 years, the autograft tissue was found to differ structur ally and mechanically from a ligament, suggesting that the autograft may never approach normal ligament characteristics. Degenerative alterations, the wide spread presence of type III collagen, and abnormal accumulations of glycosaminoglycans in the autograft correlated with a maximum stress of 60% and an elastic modulus of 70% of the control. Although ligamentiza tion was not seen, the staging of autograft healing into different phases based on distinct morphologic mani festations (necrosis, revitalization, collagen formation, and remodeling) and correlating with changing mechan ical properties may provide a rationale for rehabilitation protocols with a realistic evaluation of the loading ca pacity of the replacement tissue.
Temperature stability analysis of LGS for SH-SAW sensor applications

New piezoelectric materials such as Langasite (La3Ga5SiO14, LGS), are of particular interest for bio-chemical sensor applications because of their temperature compensated characteristics. For liquid phase sensing applications, acoustic devices operating in shear horizontal surface acoustic waves (SH-SAW) mode are desired due to their low wave attenuation. A LGS substrate with an Euler angle (0°, 220°, 900°), which supports SH-SAW and also exhibits zero-temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF), is chosen and electrically characterized. In this paper, the temperature characteristics are analyzed over a range from 50°C up to 720°C. The first three harmonics of a SH-SAW delay line (DL) device are analyzed in the experiments. The DL devices are also tested with a polymer coating layer. The polymer layers are used to investigate and assess the effect of temperature fluctuations in typical biochemical sensor applications. Variations in the frequency-temperature-characteristics (FTC) are observed, indicating the effects of thick polymer layers and high temperatures on the device response. The results show that the coated devices exhibit larger fractional frequency changes near room temperature. As a result, the use of a temperature compensating system or the use of differential measurements scheme with a dual delay line is necessary when using this substrate for biological and chemical sensing applications.
Equine infectious anemia virus tat: insights into the structure, function, and evolution of lentivirus trans-activator proteins

Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) contains a tat gene which is closely related to the trans-activator genes of the human and simian immunodeficiency viruses. Nucleotide sequence analysis of EIAV cDNA clones revealed that the tat mRNA is composed of three exons; the first two encode Tat and the third may encode a Rev protein. Interestingly, EIAV Tat translation is initiated at a non-AUG codon in exon 1 of the mRNA, perhaps allowing an additional level of gene regulation. The deduced amino acid sequence of EIAV tat, combined with functional analyses of tat cDNAs in transfected cells, has provided some unique insights into the domain structure of Tat. EIAV Tat has a C-terminal basic domain and a highly conserved 16-amino-acid core domain, but not the cysteine-rich region, that are present in the primate immunodeficiency virus Tat proteins. Thus, EIAV encodes a relatively simple version of this kind of trans activator.