4,850 research outputs found
A nonparametric predictive alternative to the Imprecise Dirichlet Model: the case of a known number of categories
Nonparametric Predictive Inference (NPI) is a general methodology to learn from data in the absence of prior knowledge and without adding unjustified assumptions. This paper develops NPI for multinomial data where the total number of possible categories for the data is known. We present the general upper and lower probabilities and several of their properties. We also comment on differences between this NPI approach and corresponding inferences based on Walley's Imprecise Dirichlet Model
Phosphorylation by the stress-activated MAPK Slt2 down-regulates the yeast TOR complex 2
Saccharomyces cerevisiae target of rapamycin (TOR) complex 2 (TORC2) is an
essential regulator of plasma membrane lipid and protein homeostasis. How TORC2
activity is modulated in response to changes in the status of the cell envelope
is unclear. Here we document that TORC2 subunit Avo2 is a direct target of
Slt2, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) of the cell wall integrity
pathway. Activation of Slt2 by overexpression of a constitutively active allele
of an upstream Slt2 activator (Pkc1) or by auxin-induced degradation of a
negative Slt2 regulator (Sln1) caused hyperphosphorylation of Avo2 at its MAPK
phosphoacceptor sites in a Slt2-dependent manner and diminished TORC2-mediated
phosphorylation of its major downstream effector, protein kinase Ypk1. Deletion
of Avo2 or expression of a phosphomimetic Avo2 allele rendered cells sensitive
to two stresses (myriocin treatment and elevated exogenous acetic acid) that
the cell requires Ypk1 activation by TORC2 to survive. Thus, Avo2 is necessary
for optimal TORC2 activity, and Slt2-mediated phosphorylation of Avo2
down-regulates TORC2 signaling. Compared with wild-type Avo2, phosphomimetic
Avo2 shows significant displacement from the plasma membrane, suggesting that
Slt2 inhibits TORC2 by promoting Avo2 dissociation. Our findings are the first
demonstration that TORC2 function is regulated by MAPK-mediated
phosphorylation.Comment: This work was supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Predoctoral Traineeship GM07232 and a University of California at Berkeley
MacArthur and Lakhan-Pal Graduate Fellowship to K.L.L., Erwin Schroedinger
Fellowship J3787-B21 from the Austrian Science Fund to AE-A, Marie
Sklodowska-Curie Action H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 InsiliCardio, GA 75083 to CMA, and
NIH R01 research grant GM21841 to J
Sets of Priors Reflecting Prior-Data Conflict and Agreement
In Bayesian statistics, the choice of prior distribution is often debatable,
especially if prior knowledge is limited or data are scarce. In imprecise
probability, sets of priors are used to accurately model and reflect prior
knowledge. This has the advantage that prior-data conflict sensitivity can be
modelled: Ranges of posterior inferences should be larger when prior and data
are in conflict. We propose a new method for generating prior sets which, in
addition to prior-data conflict sensitivity, allows to reflect strong
prior-data agreement by decreased posterior imprecision.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, In: Paulo Joao Carvalho et al. (eds.), IPMU
2016: Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Information
Processing and Management of Uncertainty in Knowledge-Based Systems,
Eindhoven, The Netherland
Nonparametric predictive inference and interval probability
This paper presents the unique position of A(n)-based nonparametric predictive inference within the theory of interval probability. It provides a completely new understanding, leading to powerful new results and a well-founded justification of such inferences by proving strong internal consistency results
Testing of the LSST's photometric calibration strategy at the CTIO 0.9 meter telescope
The calibration hardware system of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST)
is designed to measure two quantities: a telescope's instrumental response and
atmospheric transmission, both as a function of wavelength. First of all, a
"collimated beam projector" is designed to measure the instrumental response
function by projecting monochromatic light through a mask and a collimating
optic onto the telescope. During the measurement, the light level is monitored
with a NIST-traceable photodiode. This method does not suffer from stray light
effects or the reflections (known as ghosting) present when using a flat-field
screen illumination, which has a systematic source of uncertainty from
uncontrolled reflections. It allows for an independent measurement of the
throughput of the telescope's optical train as well as each filter's
transmission as a function of position on the primary mirror. Second, CALSPEC
stars can be used as calibrated light sources to illuminate the atmosphere and
measure its transmission. To measure the atmosphere's transfer function, we use
the telescope's imager with a Ronchi grating in place of a filter to configure
it as a low resolution slitless spectrograph. In this paper, we describe this
calibration strategy, focusing on results from a prototype system at the Cerro
Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) 0.9 meter telescope. We compare the
instrumental throughput measurements to nominal values measured using a
laboratory spectrophotometer, and we describe measurements of the atmosphere
made via CALSPEC standard stars during the same run
Strong gametocytocidal effect of methylene blue-based combination therapy against falciparum malaria
With the availability of new preventive and curative interventions, global malaria control has been strengthened significantly in recent years. Drugs effective in reducing malaria gametocytaemia might contribute to local elimination and possible long-term eradication. We here report on the effects of methylene blue (MB)-based malaria combination therapy on gametocytaemia during a randomised-controlled trial in Burkina Faso. An open-label randomised controlled phase II study in 180 children aged 6-10 years with uncomplicated falciparum malaria was conducted in Nouna, north-western Burkina Faso. Children were randomised to MB-artesunate (AS), MB-amodiaquine (AQ), and AS-AQ (local standard of care). Overall follow-up was for 28 days, follow-up for gametocytaemia was for 14 days. The treatment groups were similar in baseline characteristics and there was only one loss to follow-up. Compared to AS-AQ, both MB-containing regimens were associated with significantly reduced gametocyte carrier rates during follow-up days 3, 7, and 14. This effect was seen both in patients with and without P. falciparum gametocytaemia at baseline. MB reveals pronounced gametocytocidal activity which appears to act against both existing and developing P. falciparum gametocytes. MB-based combination therapy thus has the potential to reduce transmission of P. falciparum malaria in endemic regions, which has important implications for future elimination and eradication strategies
The wisdom of crowds and the repurposing of artesunate as an anticancer drug.
Artesunate, a semi-synthetic and water-soluble artemisinin-derivative used as an anti-malarial agent, has attracted the attention of cancer researchers due to a broad range of anti-cancer activity including anti-angiogenic, immunomodulatory and treatment-sensitisation effects. In addition to pre-clinical evidence in a range of cancers, a recently completed randomised blinded trial in colorectal cancer has provided a positive signal for further clinical investigation. Used perioperatively artesunate appears to reduce the rate of disease recurrence - and the Neo-Art trial, a larger Phase II RCT, is seeking to confirm this positive effect. However, artesunate is a generic medication, and as with other trials of repurposed drugs, the Neo-Art trial does not have commercial sponsorship. In an innovative move, the trial is seeking funds directly from members of the public via a crowd-funding strategy that may have resonance beyond this single trial
- …