gebhart/patrepeval huggingface dataset:
Simulating normalizing constants: from importance sampling to bridge sampling to path sampling (1998)

Computing (ratios of) normalizing constants of probability models is a fundamental computational problem for many statistical and scientific studies. Monte Carlo simulation is an effective technique, especially with complex and high-dimensional models. This paper aims to bring to the attention of general statistical audiences of some effective methods originating from theoretical physics and at the same time to explore these methods from a more statistical perspective, through establishing theoretical connections and illustrating their uses with statistical problems. We show that the acceptance ratio method and thermodynamic integration are natural generalizations of importance sampling, which is most familiar to statistical audiences. The former generalizes importance sampling through the use of a single "bridge" density and is thus a case of bridge sampling in the sense of Meng and Wong. Thermodynamic integration, which is also known in the numerical analysis literature as Ogata's method for high-dimensional integration, corresponds to the use of infinitely many and continuously connected bridges (and thus a "path"). Our path sampling formulation offers more flexibility and thus potential efficiency to thermodynamic integration, and the search of optimal paths turns out to have close connections with the Jeffreys prior density and the Rao and Hellinger distances between two densities. We provide an informative theoretical example as well as two empirical examples (involving 17- to 70-dimensional integrations) to illustrate the potential and implementation of path sampling. We also discuss some open problems.
The Use of Activity Monitoring and Machine Learning for the Functional Classification of Heart Failure (2018)

Background: Assessing the functional status of a heart failure patient is a highly subjective task. Objective: This thesis aimed to find an accessible, objective means of assessing the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification (FC) of a patient by leveraging modern machine learning techniques. Methods: We first identified relevant quantitative data and upgraded Medly, a remote patient monitoring system (RPMS), to support data collection. We then proceeded to build six different machine learning classifiers including hidden Markov model, Generalized Linear Model (GLM), random forest and neural network based classifiers. Results: The best overall classifier was found to be a boosted GLM, which achieved a classification performance (Cohen’s Kappa statistic κ=0.73, balanced accuracy=85%) comparable to human level performance (κ=0.75). Conclusions: Although the investigated classifiers are not ready for implementation into a real RPMS, they show promise for making the evaluation of NYHA FC more universally consistent and reliable.
A Study on Model of Multisensor Information Fusion and its Application (2006)

Multisensor information fusion seeks to combine data from multiple sensors to measure the variables that may not be possible from a single sensor alone, reducing signals uncertainty and improving the accuracy performance of the measuring. The two main parts in multisensor information fusion system are the fusion model and fusion algorithm. In this paper, a radial basis function (RBF) neural network model with a variable bias is adopted in multisensor information fusion system, and an improved learning algorithm is proposed. This information fusion model is used in boiler drum water level measurement. By using this fusion model the drum level measurement precision is improved, and the influence of the "ghost water level" to the drum level measurement can be eliminated. The simulation results illustrate that the drum level measurement with the multisensor information fusion is more accurate and reliable than the traditional method, and the algorithm of information fusion is effective
NikA/TcsC Histidine Kinase Is Involved in Conidiation, Hyphal Morphology, and Responses to Osmotic Stress and Antifungal Chemicals in Aspergillus fumigatus (2013)

The fungal high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway is composed of a two-component system (TCS) and Hog1-type mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. A group III (Nik1-type) histidine kinase plays a major role in the HOG pathway of several filamentous fungi. In this study, we characterized a group III histidine kinase, NikA/TcsC, in the life-threatening pathogenic fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus. A deletion mutant of nikA showed low conidia production, abnormal hyphae, marked sensitivity to high osmolarity stresses, and resistance to cell wall perturbing reagents such as congo red and calcofluor white, as well as to fungicides such as fludioxonil, iprodione, and pyrrolnitrin. None of these phenotypes were observed in mutants of the SskA response regulator and SakA MAPK, which were thought to be downstream components of NikA. In contrast, in response to fludioxonil treatment, NikA was implicated in the phosphorylation of SakA MAPK and the transcriptional upregulation of catA, dprA, and dprB, which are regulated under the control of SakA. We then tested the idea that not only NikA, but also the other 13 histidine kinases play certain roles in the regulation of the HOG pathway. Interestingly, the expression of fos1, phkA, phkB, fhk5, and fhk6 increased by osmotic shock or fludioxonil treatment in a SakA-dependent manner. However, deletion mutants of the histidine kinases showed no significant defects in growth under the tested conditions. Collectively, although the signal transduction network related to NikA seems complicated, NikA plays a crucial role in several aspects of A. fumigatus physiology and, to a certain extent, modulates the HOG pathway.
Evolving methods to combine cognitive and physical training for individuals with mild cognitive impairment: study protocol for a randomized controlled study (2016)

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02512627 , registered on 20 July 2015.
Light-induced Reorganization of Phospholipids in Rod Disc Membranes (2001)

The transbilayer redistribution of spin-labeled phospholipid analogues (SL-PL) with choline, serine, and ethanolamine head groups (PC, PS, and PE, respectively) was studied on intact disc vesicles of bovine rod outer segment membranes in the dark and after illumination. Redistribution was measured by the extraction of spin-labeled lipid analogues from the outer leaflet of membrane using the bovine serum albumin back-exchange assay. In the dark, PS was distributed asymmetrically, favoring the outer leaflet, whereas PC and PE showed small if any asymmetry. Green illumination for 1 min caused lipid head group-specific reorganization of SL-PL. Extraction of SL-PS by bovine serum albumin showed a fast transient (<10 min) enhancement, which was further augmented by a peptide stabilizing the active metarhodopsin II conformation. The data suggest a direct release of 1 molecule of bound PS per rhodopsin into the outer leaflet and subsequent redistribution between the two leaflets. SL-PE and SL-PC showed more complex kinetics, in both cases consistent with a prolonged period of reduced extraction (2 phospholipids per rhodopsin in each case). The different phases of SL-PL reorganization after illumination may be related to the formation and decay of the active rhodopsin species and to their subsequent regeneration process.
Inactivation of Alveolar Macrophage Transglutaminase by Oxidants in Cigarette Smoke (1986)

The present study demonstrates the existence of tissue transglutaminase in rabbit alveolar macrophages and measures the effects of cigarette smoke extracts on the activity of enzyme partially purified from these cells. The effects of smoke on transglutaminase purified from guinea pig liver are also measured. A water soluble component of gas-phase cigarette smoke inhibits both enzymes in a dose-dependent manner, with a maximum inhibition of 65% occurring at concentrations of smoke as low as 1% in the case of the rabbit enzyme. The chemical oxidant N-chlorosuccinimide mimics the dose-dependent inhibitory effects of cigarette smoke on both enzyme systems. The thiol reducing agent, dithiothreitol, can prevent enzyme inactivation mediated by both smoke and N-chlorosuccinimide. Dithiothreitol is also capable of reversing inactivation mediated by cigarette smoke, but does not reverse inactivation caused by chemical oxidation with N-chlorosuccinimide. These data suggest that cigarette smoke inhibits transglutaminase activity via an oxidative mechanism that may selectively attack the active-site cysteine residue.
Collaborative content distribution over wireless networks with minimized end-to-end distribution delays (2010)

Content distribution applications such as video streaming and file sharing are posing strict requirements on the development and enhancement of architectures and protocols for wireless networks. In this work, we address the problem of collaborative content distribution where destination content-requesting nodes collaborate by sharing over mobile-to-mobile links data blocks received from a source node, e.g., a wireless access point. We propose a dynamic collaborative content distribution protocol that is capable of minimizing the end-to-end distribution delays in the network. Moreover, we present simulation results for three network scenarios to analyze the behavior of the proposed protocol.
Mitochondria-targeted molecules MitoQ and SS31 reduce mutant huntingtin-induced mitochondrial toxicity and synaptic damage in Huntington's disease (2016)

The objective of this study was to determine the protective effects of the mitochondria-targeted molecules MitoQ and SS31 in striatal neurons that stably express mutant huntingtin (Htt) (STHDhQ111/Q111) in Huntington's disease (HD). We studied mitochondrial and synaptic activities by measuring mRNA and the protein levels of mitochondrial and synaptic genes, mitochondrial function, and ultra-structural changes in MitoQ- and SS31-treated mutant Htt neurons relative to untreated mutant Htt neurons. We used gene expression analysis, biochemical methods, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy methods. In the MitoQ- and SS31-treated mutant Htt neurons, fission genes Drp1 and Fis1 were down-regulated, and fusion genes Mfn1, Mfn2 and Opa1 were up-regulated relative to untreated neurons, suggesting that mitochondria-targeted molecules reduce fission activity. Interestingly, the mitochondrial biogenesis genes PGC1α, PGC1β, Nrf1, Nrf2 and TFAM were up-regulated in MitoQ- and SS31-treated mutant Htt neurons. The synaptic genes synaptophysin and PSD95 were up-regulated, and mitochondrial function was normal in the MitoQ- and SS31-treated mutant Htt neurons. Immunoblotting findings of mitochondrial and synaptic proteins agreed with the mRNA findings. TEM studies revealed decreased numbers of structurally intact mitochondria in MitoQ- and SS31-treated mutant Htt neurons. These findings suggest that mitochondria-targeted molecules MitoQ and SS31 are protective against mutant Htt-induced mitochondrial and synaptic damage in HD neurons, and these mitochondria-targeted molecules are potential therapeutic molecules for the treatment of HD neurons.
Increase in Remission Rate in Newly Diagnosed Type I Diabetic Subjects Treated with Azathioprine (1985)

Azathioprine (2 mg/kg) was given, in addition to routine insulin treatment, to alternate patients presenting with recent-onset type I diabetes. Treated (N = 13) and untreated (N = 11) patients did not differ significantly at diagnosis with respect to age, duration of symptoms, body weight, blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, or presence of ketosis. Eight patients were treated for 12 mo, three elected to stop treatment at 6 mo, and treatment was stopped in two because of side effects. Seven treated patients had a remission compared with one untreated patient. At 12 mo these seven patients were distinguished by significantly higher basal and glucagon-stimulated levels of C-peptide (1.98 +/- 0.52 and 3.88 +/- 0.34 micrograms/L, respectively) compared with the other six treated patients (0.93 +/- 0.52 and 1.32 +/- 0.85 microgram/L, respectively), and by the persistence of islet cell cytoplasmic antibodies. Remissions were not sustained in the 1-2 yr after treatment, although relapsed patients required less insulin for control. These results corroborate those from nonrandomized trials using cyclosporine and suggest that protracted treatment with nonspecific immunosuppressive drugs may be necessary to avert insulin dependence.
New results in stereovision based lane tracking (2011)

Robust and versatile lane tracking solutions can be developed using particle filter based tracking, stereo data and grayscale image processing. This paper presents multiple improvements for our previously published solutions. The lane model is extended by parameters such as width variation, vertical offset, and widths of lane markings. The increased flexibility in lane modeling is matched by a better use of measurement data, and the particle weighting process will benefit from two additional cues. The extensions in lane model and in particle weighting provide a more powerful description of the lane, but will also increase the stability and accuracy for the estimation of all lane parameters.
Syntheses of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds. XXV. Chemical reactivity of 4,6-phenanthroline. (1976)

4, 6-Phenanthroline 6-oxide (II), 4-oxide (IV), and 4, 6-dioxide (III) were synthesized from 4, 6-phenanthroline by various methods. The reaction of II, III, and IV with phosphoryl chloride gave some chlorinated compounds (V to IX), and the reaction of II with acetic anhydride gave 4, 6-phenanthrolin-5 (6H)-one (X) and 6-(5'-4', 6'-phenanthrolinyl)-4, 6-phenanthrolin-5 (6H)-one (XI). These results were compared with the same reaction of 1, 6-phenanthroline.
Experiences with a Survey Tool for Discovering Network Time Protocol Servers (1994)

Abstract : The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is widely used to synchronize computer clocks throughout the Internet. Existing NTP clients and servers form a very large distributed system, and yet the tools available to observe and manage this system are fairly primitive. This paper describes our experiences with a prototype tool that attempts to discover relevant information about every NTP site on the Internet. The data produced by this tool can be used for a variety of purposes, including locating nearby accurate time servers and computing aggregate and long-term evaluations of the size and health of the NTP system. Importantly, our tool provides a means by which new NTP server administrators can make informed choices among the possible servers with which to synchronize, balancing the need for accurate time with the need to distribute server load. This is an important step towards improving global NTP system scalability, since at present our measurements indicate that the high-stratum servers are heavily overloaded.
Diabetes, fasting blood glucose and age‐related maculopathy: The Blue Mountains Eye Study (1999)

This study has found no consistent relationship between diabetes and ARM, apart from a statistically significant association with geographical atrophy alone.
Thermoplastic Polyurethanes as Carbonization Agents in Intumescent Blends. Part 2: Thermal Behavior of Polypropylene/Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Ammonium Polyphosphate Blends (2000)

Melt blending of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/ammonium polyphosphate (APP) additives in a polypropylene matrix improves fire proper ties of the polypropylene-based materials via an intumescence process. In this study, the protective effect of intumescence is studied considering the thermal stability of a particular FR PP/TPU/APP blend in the conditions of its thermo-oxidative degradation. Thermogravimetric analysis allows the computation of the degradation rate of a particular system using the Invariant Kinetic Parameters method. The study shows that a reaction between APP and TPU leads to the formation of the intumescent shield and gives a material with improved thermal stability. Finally, we present the computed temperature of the degradation front of the blend that is proposed as a probe for the estimation of the fire retardancy.
VSched: Mixing Batch And Interactive Virtual Machines Using Periodic Real-time Scheduling (2005)

We are developing Virtuoso, u system ,for distributed computing using virtual machines (VMs). Virtuoso must be uble to mix batch und interactive VMs on the same physical hardwure, while satisfiing constraint on re- sponsiveness und compute rates for each workload. VSched is the component of Virtuoso that provides this capability. VSched is an entirely user-level tool that interacts with the stock Linux kernel running below any type-11 virtual machine monitor to schedule VMs (indeed, any process) using a periodic real-time scheduling model. This abstraction allows compute rate and responsivness constraints to be straightforwardly described using a period und a slice within the period, and it allows,for just and simple admission control. This paper makes the case,for periodic real-time scheduling for VM-based computing environments, and then describes and evaluate.s VSched. It also applies VSched to scheduling parallel worklouds, showing that it can help a BSP application maintain a fixed stable performance despite externally caused loud imbalance.
Quelques leçons de l'histoire: discours prononcé à la séance publique de la classe des lettres et des sciences morales et politiques du 5 mai 1937 (1937)

info:eu-repo/semantics/published
Gene expression in the mammary gland (1990)

We have demonstrated that the ovine genomic clone SS1 can be used to generate transgenic mice that produce significant quantities of BLG protein in milk. The smallest BLG construct so far examined that retains the ability to direct BLG to mouse milk encompasses approximately 7.3 kb of genomic DNA, of which about 0.8 kb is derived from the promoter region. Gene expression is tissue-specific and regulated in a temporal and developmental fashion that is similar to that reported for sheep. We conclude, therefore, that the cis-acting sequences determining mammary expression of the ovine BLG gene are correctly interpreted in mice, despite the absence of an equivalent gene in this species, and that conclusions drawn from future work on BLG expression in the mammary gland of transgenic mice will be broadly applicable in sheep and other ruminant species. Work is currently in progress to define other sequences within the promoter of BLG that are required for regulated expression in transgenic mice. These and other studies into the DNA-protein interactions within the promoter which are required for efficient tissue-specific, regulated expression should lead to a greater understanding of milk protein gene expression in the mammary gland. Furthermore, in the current absence of a suitable in-vitro system, the mouse will be most useful for evaluating the expression of further constructs designed to express foreign proteins in milk of domestic ruminants.
Measuring residual stress and the resulting stress intensity factor in compact tension specimens (1999)

The measurement of residual stress through the remaining ligament of a compact tension specimen was studied. In the crack compliance method, a slot or notch is successively extended through the part, and the resulting strain is measured at an appropriate location. By using a finite element simulation of a specimen preloaded beyond yield, three techniques for determining the original residual stress from the measured strains were compared for accuracy and sensitivity to measurement errors. A common beam‐bending approximation was substantially inaccurate. The series expansion method proved to be very versatile and accurate. The fracture mechanics approach could determine the stress intensity factor caused by the residual stresses with a very simple calculation. This approach offers the exciting possibility of determining the stress intensity factor prior to a fatigue or fracture test by measuring strains during the specimen preparation.
Pathogenesis and Consequences of Uniparental Disomy in Cancer (2011)

The systematic application of new genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism arrays has demonstrated that somatically acquired regions of loss of heterozygosity without changes in copy number frequently occur in many types of cancer. Until recently, the ubiquity of this type of chromosomal defect had gone unrecognized because it cannot be detected by routine cytogenetic technologies. Random and recurrent patterns of copy-neutral loss of heterozygosity, also referred to as uniparental disomy, can be found in specific cancer types and probably contribute to clonal outgrowth owing to various mechanisms. In this review we explore the types, topography, genesis, pathophysiological consequences, and clinical implications of uniparental disomy.
Elevated plasma corticosterone concentrations influence the onset of rigor mortis and meat color in broilers (1998)

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of elevated plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels on meat quality characteristics. Male broilers (Arbor Acres) were either 1) fed a diet containing corticosterone (CORT) prior to processing, 2) transported by truck for 3 h before processing, or 3) processed without either of the above treatments. Six crates of birds (10 birds per crate; two crates per treatment) were stunned or killed using CO2 gas. Six birds per crate were processed and blood samples were collected during exsanguination for plasma CORT analysis. Meat samples were collected from carcasses either at 20 min or at 4 h post-mortem. At each sampling time (ST), Pectoralis superficialis samples were collected and either individually quick frozen (IQF) in liquid nitrogen or aged on ice (AOI) for 24 h prior to pH, ratio of inosine to adenosine nucleotides (R-value), cooking loss, shear value, and color analyses. The IQF Biceps femoris samples were used for pH, R-value, color, and heme pigment analysis. Mean (+/- SEM) CORT concentrations were 12.9+/-2.57, 11.7+/-1.38 and 7.9+/-0.79 ng/mL, respectively, in the CORT, transported, and control groups. There were significant treatment by ST (P < 0.05) and ST (P < 0.001) effects on the R-value of IQF P. superficialis samples. The CORT group had the highest L* value (P < 0.01) and the lowest a* value (P < 0.06). There was also a significant main effect of ST on shear values (P < 0.05) of AOI P. superficialis samples, with the means higher at 4 h than at 20 min post-mortem. The R-value of IQF B. femoris samples was markedly influenced by treatment (P < 0.001) and ST (P < 0.001). The results indicate that artificially elevating circulating CORT concentrations results in lighter meat color in broilers.
Membrane estrogen receptors identified by multiple antibody labeling and impeded‐ligand binding (1995)

GH3/B6 rat pituitary tumor cells exhibit rapid prolactin release (within 5 min) when treated with nanomolar amounts of estrogen. However, the putative protein mediator of this nongenomic action has not been described. Using antibodies directed against a peptide representing the hinge region of the intracellular estrogen receptor (iER), we have demonstrated that these cells contain a membrane ER (mER). We now report that confocal scanning laser microscopy of cells labeled live with the anti-peptide antibody further supports a membrane localization of ER. The monoclonal antibodies H226 and H222 and a polyclonal antibody, ER21, each recognizing a unique epitope on iER (NH2 terminal to the DNA-binding region, within the steroid binding region, and the NH2-terminal end, respectively), also immunohistochemically label membrane proteins of immuno-selected GH3/B6 cells. These cells also specifically bind a fluorescent estrogen-BSA conjugate. Coincubation of cells with anti-ER antibody and the fluorescent estrogen-BSA conjugate reveals that these labels colocalize on cells. These results suggest that mER may be structurally similar to iER.