Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Instationnarités dans les décollements compressibles : cas des couches limites soumises à ondes de choc

Une interaction entre une onde de choc oblique et une couche limite turbulente sur plaque plane, a un nombre de Mach de 2. 3 a ete etudiee experimentalement. Ces interactions, pour des ondes de choc assez fortes, engendrent le decollement et le recollement de la couche limite, et sont le siege d'instationnarites basses frequences dont les origines sont mal connues. Ces instationnarites ont ete caracterisees experimentalement en partie dans des travaux precedents, et des similarites entre l'interaction etudiee ici et d'autres configurations d'interactions ainsi qu'avec les decollements de couche limite subsonique ont ete mis en evidence, suggerant que les mecanismes responsables des instationnarites sont de meme nature. Pour ces travaux, la Velocimetrie par Imagerie de Particules (PIV) a ete utilisee afin de decrire spatialement l'organisation longitudinale et transversale de cette interaction. L'exploitation des mesures a mis en evidence un lien statistique fort entre les mouvements basses frequences du choc reflechi et les contractions/dilatations successives du bulbe decolle. L’interpretation proposee est que les grands mouvements du choc sont lies aux pulsations basses frequences du decollement, associees a sa realimentation intermittente en air frais. Un modele aerodynamique en a ete deduit et permet de preciser les principaux parametres controlant l’echelle de temps du phenomene. En particulier, il permet de determiner la frequence des battements du choc. Ce modele a ete applique aux interactions sur plaques planes ainsi que pour d'autres configurations experimentales, pour un eventail de nombres de Mach allant de M=0 a 5, et montre un bon accord avec les mesures.
Effects of magnesium on inactivation of the voltage-gated calcium current in cardiac myocytes

The effects of changes in intracellular and extracellular free ionized [Mg2+] on inactivation of ICa and IBa in isolated ventricular myocytes of the frog were investigated using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Intracellular [Mg2+] was varied by internal perfusion with solutions having different calculated free [Mg2+]. Increasing [Mg2+]i from 0.3 mM to 3.0 mM caused a 16% reduction in peak ICa amplitude and a 36% reduction in peak IBa amplitude, shifted the current-voltage relationship and the inactivation curve approximately 10 mV to the left, decreased relief from inactivation, and caused a dramatic increase in the rate of inactivation of IBa. The shifts in the current-voltage and inactivation curves were attributed to screening of internal surface charge by Mg2+. The increased rate of inactivation of IBa was due to an increase in both the steady-state level of inactivation as well as an increase in the rate of inactivation, as measured by two-pulse inactivation protocols. Increasing external [Mg2+] decreased IBa amplitude and shifted the current-voltage and inactivation curves to the right, but, in contrast to the effect of internal Mg2+, had little effect on the inactivation kinetics or the steady-state inactivation of IBa at potentials positive to 0 mV. These observations suggest that the Ca channel can be blocked quite rapidly by external Mg2+, whereas the block by [Mg2+]i is time and voltage dependent. We propose that inactivation of Ca channels can occur by both calcium-dependent and purely voltage-dependent mechanisms, and that a component of voltage-dependent inactivation can be modulated by changes in cytoplasmic Mg2+.
Temporo-Spatial Dynamics of Event-Related EEG Beta Activity during the Initial Contingent Negative Variation

In the electroencephalogram (EEG), early anticipatory processes are accompanied by a slow negative potential, the initial contingent negative variation (iCNV), occurring between 500 and 1500 ms after cue onset over prefrontal cortical regions in tasks with cue-target intervals of about 3 s or longer. However, the temporal sequence of the distributed cortical activity contributing to iCNV generation remains unclear. During iCNV generation, selectively enhanced low-beta activity has been reported. Here we studied the temporal order of activation foci in cortical regions assumed to underlie iCNV generation using source reconstruction of low-beta (13–18 Hz) activity. During the iCNV, elicited by a cued simple reaction-time task, low-beta power peaked first (750 ms after cue onset) in anterior frontal and limbic regions and last (140 ms later) in posterior areas. This activity occurred 3300 ms before target onset and provides evidence for the temporally ordered involvement of both cognitive-control and motor-preparation processes already at early stages during the preparation for speeded action.
The Strategic Use of Seller Information in Private-Value Auctions

In the framework of a first-price private-value auction, we study the seller as a player in a game with the buyers in which he has private information about their realized valuations. We find that depending upon his information, set of signals, and commitment power, he may strategically transmit messages to buyers in order to increase his revenue. In an environment where the seller knows the rankings and lacks any commitment power, we find that the seller is unable to exploit his information. However, in an environment where the seller knows the realized valuations and can credibly announce either the true rankings or the true values (or announce nothing at all) but cannot commit as to which of these truthful messages to announce, then it is indeed possible to increase his revenue. If the seller, in addition, can commit to the full signaling strategy, then his expected revenue will be even higher. We believe that this line of research is fruitful for both better understanding behavior in auctions and finding paths to higher seller revenue.
Joint Asynchronous Congestion Control and Distributed Scheduling for Multi-Hop Wireless Networks

We consider a multi-hop wireless network shared by many users. For an interference model that only constrains a node to either transmit or receive at a time, but not both, we propose an architecture for fair resource allocation that consists of a distributed scheduling algorithm operating in conjunction with an asynchronous congestion control algorithm. We show that the proposed joint congestion control and scheduling algorithm supports at least one-third of the throughput supportable by any other algorithm, including centralized algorithms.
Long-Term Outcome of Patients With Aortic Aneurysms Taking Low-Dose Aspirin

Background Limited studies evaluated the association between low-dose aspirin use and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA), and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) treatment. We conducted this study to investigative the association of low-dose aspirin in terms of preventing death and exacerbation of different aortic aneurysms. Methods This retrospective study identified aortic aneurysm cases between 1999 and 2006 from the National Health Insurance Research Database and used time-dependent methods to determine whether the use of low-dose aspirin reduced the risk of outcomes. Primary outcomes, including a composite outcome of death, aortic dissection, a rupture event, an unruptured event, or surgical repair, and secondary outcomes, the composite end point of death and readmission for aortic aneurysm events, were estimated separately. Results Two hundred eighty-seven cases were identified. The hazard ratio for the primary outcome in patients taking low-dose aspirin in AAA/TAAA patients at each 90-day interval based on the time-dependent analysis was 1.000 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.994–1.005), and in TAA patients 1.010 (95% CI, 0.994–1.026) compared with those with no exposure. In terms of the secondary outcomes, the hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was 0.995 (95% CI, 0.988–1.003) for AAA/TAAA patients and 1.008 (95% CI, 0.991–1.026) for TAA patients. Conclusions From a national population database, we did not find an association between low-dose aspirin exposure and mortality or exacerbation in different aortic aneurysms by using time-dependent analysis. However, adjustments for aneurysms size and smoking status could not be made, which may limit the validity of the study.
Prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with metabolic syndrome

Aim: Hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome are well-associated risk factors for atherogenic cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance, being a common pathogenic mechanism in both, can cause a considerable overlap between hypothyroid and metabolic syndrome population. This cross-sectional study was intended to assess the thyroid function in patients with metabolic syndrome and to investigate the association between hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients with metabolic syndrome as per National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP) III criteria and 50 controls (0 out of 5 criteria) attending the internal medicine outpatient clinic were included in the study. Patients were subjected to anthropometry, evaluation of vital parameters, and lipid and thyroid profile, along with other routine laboratory parameters. Students′ "t" test, Chi-square test, linear regression, and multiple logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Body mass index, waist circumference, mean systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were significantly higher, and free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group. In the metabolic syndrome group, 22 had subclinical hypothyroidism (22%), 4 were overtly hypothyroid (4%), and 74 were euthyroid (74%). Subclinical hypothyroidism was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome group (P = 0.032). There was significant linear association between TSH levels and total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol across the metabolic syndrome group in the linear regression model. Multiple logistic regression analysis recognized the association between body mass index with subclinical hypothyroidism (P = 0.006) in the metabolic syndrome group. Conclusion: It is concluded from this study that there is significant association between subclinical hypothyroidism and metabolic syndrome, and it highlights the importance of thyroid function tests in patients with metabolic syndrome.
The role of the autonomic nervous system in hypertension: a bond graph model study

A bond graph model of the cardiovascular system with embedded autonomic nervous regulation was developed for a better understanding of the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in hypertension. The model is described by a pump model of the heart and a detailed representation of the head and neck, pulmonary, coronary, abdomen and extremity circulation. It responds to sympathetic and parasympathetic activities by modifying systemic peripheral vascular resistance, heart rate, ventricular end-systolic elastance and venous unstressed volumes. The impairment of ANS is represented by an elevation of the baroreflex set point. The simulation results show that, compared with normotensive, in hypertension the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) rose from 112/77 mmHg to 144/94 mmHg and the left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) increased from 10 mm to 12.74 mm. In the case that ANS regulation was absent, both the SBP and DBP further increased by 8 mmHg and the LVWT increased to 13.22 mm. The results also demonstrate that when ANS regulation is not severely damaged, e.g. the baroreflex set point is 97 mmHg, it still has an effect in preventing the rapid rise of blood pressure in hypertension; however, with the worsening of ANS regulation, its protective role weakens. The results agree with human physiological and pathological features in hemodynamic parameters and carotid baroreflex function curves, and indicate the role of ANS in blood pressure regulation and heart protection. In conclusion, the present model may provide a valid approach to study the pathophysiological conditions of the cardiovascular system and the mechanism of ANS regulation.
Separation of Short Single- and Double-Stranded DNA Based on Their Adsorption Kinetics Difference on Graphene Oxide

Separation of short single- and double-stranded DNA typically requires gel electrophoresis followed by DNA extraction, which is a time consuming process. Graphene oxide adsorbs single-stranded DNA more quickly than double-stranded ones, allowing for selective removal of the former with a simple mixing and centrifugation operation. The effect of DNA length and salt on adsorption selectivity has been characterized and its application in DNA melting curve measurement has been demonstrated.
Simulating the germination response to diurnally alternating temperatures under climate change scenarios: comparative studies on Carex diandra seeds.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Environmental temperature regulates plant regeneration via seed in several superimposed ways, and this complex regulation will be disrupted by climate change. The role of diurnally alternating temperatures (ΔT) in terminating dormancy will be a major factor in this disruption, as its effects on seed germination are immediate. METHODS The effect of ΔT on seed germination was modelled using two populations of the wetland sedge Carex diandra, one from a montane site and one from a subalpine site. A cardinal-temperature model was fitted to germination results obtained from a thermal gradient plate, and the model was used to simulate changes in germination under two possible future climate scenarios (RCP2·6 and RCP8·5, for representative concentration pathways) as defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. KEY RESULTS Scenario RCP2·6 projected moderate increases in average temperatures and ΔT, whereas RCP8·5 projected greater warming and higher ΔT. Increasing ΔT decreased the base temperature for seed germination and the thermal time required for germination. The effect of higher ΔT together with the higher temperatures increased germination under both climate scenarios. CONCLUSIONS Carex diandra germination is highly responsive to potential changes in ΔT, and thus this study highlights the role of ΔT in seed responses to climate change. Comprehensive cardinal-temperature models, encompassing the different effects of temperature on seed germination, are needed to understand how climate change will affect plant regeneration.
Two-view multibody structure-and-motion with outliers through model selection

Multibody structure-and-motion (MSaM) is the problem in establishing the multiple-view geometry of several views of a 3D scene taken at different times, where the scene consists of multiple rigid objects moving relative to each other. We examine the case of two views. The setting is the following: Given are a set of corresponding image points in two images, which originate from an unknown number of moving scene objects, each giving rise to a motion model. Furthermore, the measurement noise is unknown, and there are a number of gross errors, which are outliers to all models. The task is to find an optimal set of motion models for the measurements. It is solved through Monte-Carlo sampling, careful statistical analysis of the sampled set of motion models, and simultaneous selection of multiple motion models to best explain the measurements. The framework is not restricted to any particular model selection mechanism because it is developed from a Bayesian viewpoint: different model selection criteria are seen as different priors for the set of moving objects, which allow one to bias the selection procedure for different purposes.
The Submergence Tolerance Gene SUB1A Delays Leaf Senescence under Prolonged Darkness through Hormonal Regulation in Rice1[W][OA]

Leaf senescence is a natural age-dependent process that is induced prematurely by various environmental stresses. Typical alterations during leaf senescence include breakdown of chlorophyll, a shift to catabolism of energy reserves, and induction of senescence-associated genes, all of which can occur during submergence, drought, and constant darkness. Here, we evaluated the influence of the submergence tolerance regulator, SUBMERGENCE1A (SUB1A), in the acclimation responses during leaf senescence caused by prolonged darkness in rice (Oryza sativa). SUB1A messenger RNA was highly induced by prolonged darkness in a near-isogenic line containing SUB1A. Genotypes with conditional and ectopic overexpression of SUB1A significantly delayed loss of leaf color and enhanced recovery from dark stress. Physiological analysis revealed that SUB1A postpones dark-induced senescence through the maintenance of chlorophyll and carbohydrate reserves in photosynthetic tissue. This delay allowed leaves of SUB1A genotypes to recover photosynthetic activity more quickly upon reexposure to light. SUB1A also restricted the transcript accumulation of representative senescence-associated genes. Jasmonate and salicylic acid are positive regulators of leaf senescence, but ectopic overexpression of SUB1A dampened responsiveness to both hormones in the context of senescence. We found that ethylene accelerated senescence stimulated by darkness and jasmonate, although SUB1A significantly restrained dark-induced ethylene accumulation. Overall, SUB1A genotypes displayed altered responses to prolonged darkness by limiting ethylene production and responsiveness to jasmonate and salicylic acid, thereby dampening the breakdown of chlorophyll, carbohydrates, and the accumulation of senescence-associated messenger RNAs. A delay of leaf senescence conferred by SUB1A can contribute to the enhancement of tolerance to submergence, drought, and oxidative stress.
Impact of AI-Based Post-Processing on Image Quality of Non-Contrast Computed Tomography of the Chest and Abdomen

Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) is commonly used for the evaluation of various pathologies including pulmonary infections or urolithiasis but, especially in low-dose protocols, image quality is reduced. To improve this, deep learning-based post-processing approaches are being developed. Therefore, we aimed to compare the objective and subjective image quality of different reconstruction techniques and a deep learning-based software on non-contrast chest and low-dose abdominal CTs. In this retrospective study, non-contrast chest CTs of patients suspected of COVID-19 pneumonia and low-dose abdominal CTs suspected of urolithiasis were analysed. All images were reconstructed using filtered back-projection (FBP) and were post-processed using an artificial intelligence (AI)-based commercial software (PixelShine (PS)). Additional iterative reconstruction (IR) was performed for abdominal CTs. Objective and subjective image quality were evaluated. AI-based post-processing led to an overall significant noise reduction independent of the protocol (chest or abdomen) while maintaining image information (max. difference in SNR 2.59 ± 2.9 and CNR 15.92 ± 8.9, p < 0.001). Post-processing of FBP-reconstructed abdominal images was even superior to IR alone (max. difference in SNR 0.76 ± 0.5, p ≤ 0.001). Subjective assessments verified these results, partly suggesting benefits, especially in soft-tissue imaging (p < 0.001). All in all, the deep learning-based denoising—which was non-inferior to IR—offers an opportunity for image quality improvement especially in institutions using older scanners without IR availability. Further studies are necessary to evaluate potential effects on dose reduction benefits.
Identiﬁcation and characterization of a molecule, BAM11, that associates with the pleckstrin homology domain of mouse Btk

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) is required for normal B cell development and signal transduction through cell surface molecules, and its defects lead to X-linked immune deﬁciency in mice and X-linked agammaglobulinemia in humans. In this report, we will describe the identiﬁcation and characterization of a molecule, BAM11, which binds to the pleckstrin homology domain of Btk. A sequence homology search revealed that BAM11 has 89% homology, at the amino acid level, to human LTG19/ENL, that was originally identiﬁed as one of the fusion partners involved in chromosomal translocations of 11q23, MLL/ALL-1/HRX , in leukemia cells. Deletion mutants demonstrated that the region of BAM11 required for binding to Btk was localized between amino acid residues 240 and 256. Forced expression of a truncated form of BAM11 (amino acids 246–368) inhibited IL-5-induced proliferation by 50%, whereas forced expression of full-length BAM11 in Y16 cells did not affect the IL-5 responsiveness. We have also shown that BAM11 (amino acids 246– 368) inhibited the kinase activity of Btk. These results suggest that the binding of BAM11 to Btk plays a regulatory role in the Btk signal transduction pathway. A cell fractionation study and analysis using EGFP-fused Btk protein demonstrated that a proportion of Btk is present within the nucleus.
ADVERSE SELECTION, SEGMENTED MARKETS, AND THE ROLE OF MONETARY POLICY

A model is constructed in which trading partners are asymmetrically informed about future trading opportunities and spatial and informational frictions limit arbitrage between markets. These frictions create inefficiency relative to a full-information equilibrium, and the extent of this inefficiency is affected by monetary policy. A Friedman rule is optimal under a wide range of circumstances, including ones where segmented markets limit the extent of monetary policy intervention.
Increased Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Circulating Monocytes from Patients with Active Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis are increased in epithelial cells and in tissue macrophages of the inflamed mucosa from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Since tissue macrophages are derived from circulating monocytes, we studied iNOS expression in circulating monocytes and related this expression to disease activity. In view of the possible role of NO in monocyte function, we also studied iNOS expression in relation to markers of monocyte activation. Methods: The expression of iNOS in circulating monocytes from 15 patients with active IBD, 6 patients who went into remission and 18 healthy controls was quantified by flow cytometry and correlated with surface markers (CD63, CD11b, HLA-DR) for monocyte activation. In addition, iNOS expression in circulating monocytes was assessed by Western blotting, immunocytochemistry and measurement of the NO metabolites nitrite and nitrate in plasma. Results: The expression of iNOS in circulating monocytes and the percentage of iNOS-positive monocytes were increased in patients with active IBD compared to healthy controls (fluorescence index: 1.3 (0.1-6.3) versus 0.8 (0.0- 1.8); P < 0.05; percentage of iNOS positive monocytes: 37.3 (1.0-77.0)% versus 5.3 (0.0-43.3)%; P < 0.01). The six patients who went into remission all had a marked reduction of iNOS expression. iNOS expression was confirmed by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Plasma nitrite and nitrate levels were elevated in three patients with active IBD. The surface markers for monocyte activation, CD63 and CD11b, were not elevated. HLA-DR expression was decreased on circulating monocytes from patients with active ulcerative colitis. Conclusions: iNOS is increased in circulating monocytes from patients with active IBD and this increased expression correlates with disease activity. Considering the decreased HLA-DR expression and absence of monocyte activation markers, NO produced by iNOS may have a function in suppressing systemic monocyte activation.