Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
L'évaluation socioéconomique des investissements publics

Le rapport L'evaluation socioeconomique des investissements publics confie a Emile Quinet par le Commissariat general a la strategie et a la prospective met a jour et enrichit la methodologie d'evaluation socioeconomique des investissements publics, etudie les conditions d'une bonne appropriation de ses resultats par les decideurs, et etend le calcul socioeconomique au-dela de ses champs d'application traditionnels que sont les transports et l'energie. En cette periode de fortes contraintes budgetaires, probablement amenee a se prolonger dans les annees a venir, il est plus que jamais necessaire de rationaliser les depenses publiques, qu'elles soient de fonctionnement ou d'investissement. Les depenses publiques d'investissement representent environ 15 % des investissements totaux de notre pays. Elles concernent des secteurs aussi essentiels pour le developpement de notre societe que les transports, l'energie, la sante ou l'education. Ces investissements faconneront sur le long terme, parfois pour plusieurs siecles, l'aspect de notre pays, la qualite de son environnement, sa capacite a affronter les defis futurs. C'est dire combien les decisions doivent etre prises de la facon la plus eclairee possible, en evaluant au mieux les avantages qu'ils vont procurer et les couts qu'ils vont engendrer, d'autant que leur financement repose en large partie sur l'epargne publique nationale, ressource rare en general et encore plus dans la periode actuelle. Ce n'est donc pas sans raison que l'Etat s'est preoccupe depuis longtemps d'elaborer et de mettre regulierement a jour les methodes permettant d'assurer ces evaluations. La commission qui a realise les travaux presentes dans ce rapport L'evaluation socioeconomique des investissements publics se situe dans la lignee d'une longue tradition, initiee par les rapports etablis par Marcel Boiteux en 1994 et 2001. Ces rapports ont fixe la doctrine generale et ont permis des avancees sur des sujets particuliers : le taux d'actualisation, la prise en compte du risque, la valeur tutelaire du carbone. Les principes sur lesquels elle s'appuie sont simples et de construction ancienne. Ils consistent a jauger les consequences de chaque projet sur l'ensemble de la collectivite nationale, en evaluant les gains de productivite ou de capacite de production apportes aux entreprises ainsi que les supplements de consommation marchande et les ameliorations de qualite de vie procures aux citoyens, et en permettant de comparer ces effets aux couts de l'investissement. - See more at: http://www.strategie. gouv.fr/publications/levaluation-socioeconomique-investissements-publics-tome1#sthash.YjQcZR3S. dpuf
(Z)-3-Chloromethylidene-5,6-dimethoxy-2-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1,2-benzothiazole 1,1-dioxide

The title compound, C11H12ClNO4S, adopts a Z configuration about the C=C double bond. The benzisothiazole system is essentially planar [maximum deviation of 0.235 (2) Å for the S atom]. In the crystal, the molecules stack parallel to each other in the b-axis direction, with interplanar spacings for the benzene and thiazole rings ranging from 3.402 (2) to 3.702 (2) Å.
Exploring Developmental Change in the Neural Bases of Higher Cognitive Functions: The Promise of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The dramatic changes in cognitive ability observed throughout childhood mirror comparably significant changes in the developing brain. Studies of animals provide important data on associations between the development of behavior and the neural substrate. However, understanding the development of brain-behavior relations for higher cognitive functions in humans requires direct, concurrent measurement of behavior and brain functions in the children themselves. To date, such data have been very limited. Recent developments in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provide the opportunity to systematically explore the development of brain-behavior relations in children. In this article we consider the potential of fMRI to contribute to researchers' understanding of the development of brain-behavior relations. We begin with an overview of the basic imaging method. We then review work from our own laboratory that demonstrates systematic patterns of association between performance on visuospatial tasks and patterns of brain activation, and we compare our findings with those from other laboratories focused on other cognitive domains. Finally, we discuss the potential impact of functional imaging on researchers' understanding of core issues in cognitive and brain development.
Disinfection efficiency of secondary effluents with ultraviolet light in a Mediterranean area

This paper deals with the study of physicochemical and microbiological parameters affecting disinfection efficiency of secondary effluents in a municipal wastewater treatment plant, for irrigation purposes. There appears to be an important increase on turbidity values as chlorine values increases, due to the conversion of particulate organic carbon into dissolved organic carbon. The nitrification-denitrificacion processes appeared to be sensitive to changes in pH, with a minimum nitrate value in the wastewater when pH ranged between 7.018. 00. With a similar behaviour, the phosphate removal was conditioned by pH, showing the highest efficiency in the same pH range. Both anions probed to be strongly correlated. Total coliforms were more UV light resistant than faecal coliforms, after an exposure of 10 min, corresponding to an UV dose of 73 mJ/cm. The experimental results for both groups of microorganisms followed first order reaction kinetics, with a gradual flattening at higher UV doses. A total elimination of both indicators would be achieved with doses over 95 mJ/cm. A previous step on the treated wastewater would improve its quality before the disinfection process.
Robust quasi-LPV control based on neural state-space models

We derive a synthesis result for robust linear parameter varying (LPV) output feedback controllers for nonlinear systems modeled by neural state-space models. This result is achieved by writing the neural state-space model on a linear fractional transformation (LFT) form in a nonconservative way, separating the system description into a linear part and a nonlinear part. Linear parameter-varying control synthesis methods are then applied to design a nonlinear control law for this system. Since the model is assumed to have been identified from input-output measurement data only, it must be expected that there is some uncertainty on the identified nonlinearities. The control law is therefore made robust to noise perturbations. After formulating the controller synthesis as a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) with added constraints, some implementation issues are addressed and a simulation example is presented.
Effect of heat treatment and dough formulation on the formation of Maillard reaction products in fine bakery products - benefits and weak points

Summary Possibly harmful compounds (acrylamide, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural – HMF), markers of the Maillard reaction extent (furosine, fluorescence, browning, colour), as well as beneficial radical-scavenging capacity were determined in fried fine bakery products, rosquillas, at different heat treatment and dough formulation. In different simplified recipes, saccharose was substituted by glucose and fructose, and a raising agent was added while different temperature and time regimes were applied. Duration of frying from 4 min to 8 min increased the acrylamide content from (43 ± 8) μg·kg -1 to (159 ± 12) μg·kg -1 at 180 °C, and from (94 ± 3) μg·kg -1 to (366 ± 5) μg·kg -1 at 200 °C. Sodium hydrogen carbonate addition resulted in an only weak (13%) decrease in the acrylamide content, but in a more pronounced (80%) suppression of HMF formation. Substitution of saccharose for the mixture of glucose and fructose caused a decrease in acrylamide contents instead of its expected increase, but HMF formation was strongly supported by the presence of fructose. On the other hand, beneficial properties, such as radical-scavenging capacity, browning, colour, and fluorescence parameters were developing with the advance of Maillard reaction. Colour parameters were in good correlation with radical-scavenging capacities of final products prepared from saccharose (correlation coefficients, 0.779–0.981) as well as with acrylamide contents in samples made under all recipe modifications (correlation coefficients, 0.882–0.979).
A before and after study assessing the impact of a new model for recognizing and responding to early signs of deterioration in an acute hospital.

AIM To evaluate the impact of a new model for the detection and management of deteriorating patients on knowledge and confidence of nursing staff in an acute hospital. BACKGROUND International evidence shows that clinical deterioration is not always recognized or acted on by nurses. The use of physiological track and trigger scoring systems accompanied by a graded response strategy has been recommended to monitor all adult patients in acute UK hospitals. However, little is known about the impact of these new systems in practice. DESIGN A single centre, mixed methods before-and-after study. METHODS A mixed methods before-and-after study, set in a district general hospital in England, in 2009, including a survey (n = 213) and qualitative interviews (n = 15) with nursing staff. The questionnaire examined knowledge and confidence in recognition and management of deteriorating patients 6 weeks before and after an intervention which included training, new observation charts and a new track and trigger system. Interviews further explored participants' perspectives. Comparisons were made between registered and unregistered nurses. RESULTS Following the intervention, knowledge, and confidence to recognize and manage deteriorating patients increased; the number of concerns were reduced. Scores were higher for registered than unregistered nurses before and after the intervention. Interviews confirmed these findings and provided detail on how nurses felt the new system had improved practice. CONCLUSION The new model had a positive impact on the self-assessed knowledge and confidence of registered and unregistered nurses. Similar initiatives should take into account the clinical context and tailor training packages accordingly.
Hybrid Three-Arm Coupler Consisted of Long Range Surface Plasmon Polariton and Dielectric Waveguides

The hybrid three-arm coupler, which consists of the middle long range surface plasmon polariton (LRSPP) waveguide and two outside conventional dielectric waveguides, is proposed and analyzed numerically with finite element method. The characteristics, including coupling length, coupling loss, extinction ratio and frequency dependence, are discussed in detail with different structure parameters. Compared with the two-arm hybrid coupler, the coupling loss of the three-arm hybrid coupler based devices can be reduced, especially with wider middle LRSPP waveguide. Extra transmission loss on the metal strip can be avoided because of the lossless input and output arms. Furthermore, different from conventional three-arm dielectric coupler, we find that the three-arm hybrid coupler with asymmetric structure can reach a much higher extinction ratio by introducing a middle arm offset. Since the middle arm can only transfer the TM mode from one dielectric arm to the other one within the TM mode coupling length, this structure is promising for realizing integrated polarization splitter or other functional devices.
Imeglimin Normalizes Glucose Tolerance and Insulin Sensitivity and Improves Mitochondrial Function in Liver of a High-Fat, High-Sucrose Diet Mice Model

Imeglimin is the first in a new class of oral glucose-lowering agents currently in phase 2b development. Although imeglimin improves insulin sensitivity in humans, the molecular mechanisms are unknown. This study used a model of 16-week high-fat, high-sucrose diet (HFHSD) mice to characterize its antidiabetic effects. Six-week imeglimin treatment significantly decreased glycemia, restored normal glucose tolerance, and improved insulin sensitivity without modifying organs, body weights, and food intake. This was associated with an increase in insulin-stimulated protein kinase B phosphorylation in the liver and muscle. In liver mitochondria, imeglimin redirects substrate flows in favor of complex II, as illustrated by increased respiration with succinate and by the restoration of respiration with glutamate/malate back to control levels. In addition, imeglimin inhibits complex I and restores complex III activities, suggesting an increase in fatty acid oxidation, which is supported by an increase in hepatic 3-hydroxyacetyl-CoA dehydrogenase activity and acylcarnitine profile and the reduction of liver steatosis. Imeglimin also reduces reactive oxygen species production and increases mitochondrial DNA. Finally, imeglimin effects on mitochondrial phospholipid composition could participate in the benefit of imeglimin on mitochondrial function. In conclusion, imeglimin normalizes glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity by preserving mitochondrial function from oxidative stress and favoring lipid oxidation in liver of HFHSD mice.
Scaling and root planing, systemic metronidazole and professional plaque removal in the treatment of chronic periodontitis in a Brazilian population II--microbiological results.

OBJECTIVE The current investigation evaluated changes in levels and proportions of 39 bacterial species in subgingival plaque samples after scaling and root planing (SRP) alone or in combination with systemic metronidazole and/or professional cleaning in subjects with chronic periodontitis. METHODS Forty-four adult subjects (mean age 45+/-6 years) with periodontitis were randomly assigned in four treatment groups, a control (C, n=10) that received SRP and placebo and three test groups treated as follows: T1 (n=12): SRP and metronidazole (M, 400 mg tid) for 10 days; T2 (n=12): SRP, weekly professional supragingival plaque removal for 3 months (PC) and placebo; and T3 (n=10): SRP, M and PC. Subgingival plaque samples were taken from seven sites per subject at baseline and 90 days post-therapy. Counts of 39 subgingival species were determined using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. Significance of differences over time was determined using the Wilcoxon signed ranks test and among groups using ancova. RESULTS The mean counts of the majority of the species were reduced post-therapy in the 4 treatment groups. Counts (x 10(5)+/-SEM) of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis and Treponema denticola were significantly reduced in groups T2 and T3. Levels of beneficial species, such as some Actinomyces species, Veillonella parvula, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus oralis and Streptococcus gordonii were minimally affected in levels when the combined therapy was applied (T3). Mean proportions of red complex species decreased from 18.4% at baseline to 3% at 90 days post-therapy in group T3 (p<0.01), from 25.8% to 2.3% in group T2 (p<0.01), from 17.7% to 5.6% in group T1 (p<0.05) and from 19.4% to 8.8% in group C (NS). Proportions of the suspected periodontal pathogens from the orange complex were also markedly reduced in groups T2 and T3. CONCLUSIONS All treatments reduced counts and proportions of red complex species. Adjunctive therapy appeared to have a greater effect and also affected members of the orange complex.
Localization of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2, two K channel proteins, to synaptic terminals, somata, and dendrites in the mouse brain

Multiple voltage-gated potassium (K) channel gene products are likely to be involved in regulating neuronal excitability of any single neuron in the mammalian brain. Here we show that two closely related voltage- gated K channel proteins, mKv1.1 and mKv1.2, are present in multiple subcellular locations including cell somata, juxta-paranodal regions of myelinated axons, synaptic terminals, unmyelinated axons, specialized junctions among axons, and proximal dendrites. Staining patterns of the two channel polypeptides overlap in some areas of the brain, yet each has a unique pattern of expression. For example, in the hippocampus, both mKv1.1 and mKv1.2 proteins are present in axons, often near or at synaptic terminals in the middle molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, while only mKv1.1 is detected in axons and synaptic terminals in the hilar/CA3 region. In the cerebellum, both channel proteins are localized to axon terminals and specialized junctions among axons in the plexus region of basket cells. Strong differential staining is observed in the olfactory bulb, where mKv1.2 is localized to cell somata and axons, as well as to proximal dendrites of the mitral cells. This overlapping yet differential pattern of expression and specific subcellular localization may contribute to the unique profile of excitability displayed by a particular neuron.
Possible Role of Tau in Mediating Pathological Effects of apoE4 in vivo prior to and following Activation of the Amyloid Cascade

Injection of the neprilysin inhibitor thiorphan into the brain induces the accumulation of Aβ in hippocampal CA1 neurons and septal neurons in apoE4 knock-in mice but not in mice that express the corresponding Alzheimer’s disease benign isoform apoE3. We investigated the possible role of tau phosphorylation in mediating this synergistic pathological cross talk between apoE4 and the amyloid cascade. This revealed that in both apoE4 and apoE3 mice, activating the amyloid cascade by inhibiting neprilysin triggers the accumulation of AT100 phosphorylated tau in the perikarya of CA1 neurons. In contrast, in the septum this treatment elevated the level of phosphorylation of the tau AT100 epitope only in the apoE4 mice. This suggests that tau-related processes by themselves do not mediate the synergistic pathological effects of apoE4 and Aβ in CA1 neurons. However, tau and cytoskeletal-related mechanisms may mediate the synergistic pathological effects of apoE4 and Aβ in the septum. The basal levels of tau phosphorylation are also affected by the apoE genotype. This effect, which is associated with hyperphosphorylation of the tau AT8 epitope, is most prominent in hippocampal CA3 neurons. This suggests that the apoE4 mice are already stressed under nonstimulated conditions and that AT8 tau phosphorylation may contribute to their increased susceptibility to brain insults.
Synchronization Algorithms for Positioning with OFDM Communications Signals

This paper covers positioning techniques for cellular networks using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communications signals. These methods are based on symbol-timing synchronization algorithms to find the starting point for the underlying OFDM symbols of the incident signals. Commonly used approaches are, e.g., the Schmidl-Cox algorithm and the Minn algorithm. These algorithms are investigated w.r. t. their positioning capabilities. Furthermore, they are extended to improve the performance in multipath environments and to achieve a sufficient accuracy with weak signals from neighboring out-of-cell base stations.
Differentiation of human endometrial stem cells into endothelial-like cells on gelatin/chitosan/bioglass nanofibrous scaffolds

The capacity of gelatin/chitosan/bioactive glass nanopowders (GEL/CS/BGNPs) scaffolds was investigated for increasing human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) differentiation into the endothelial cells in the presence of angiogenic factors. GEL/CS nanofibrous scaffold with different contents of BGNPs were fabricated and assessed. Expression of endothelial markers (CD31, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), and KDR) in differentiated cells was evaluated. Results showed the diameter of nanofiber increases with decreasing the BG content in GEL/CS scaffolds. Moreover, in vitro study indicated that the GEL/CS/BGNPs scaffold with 1.5% BGNPs content provided a suitable three-dimensional structure for endothelial cells differentiation. Thus, the GEL/CS/BGNPs scaffold can be recommended for blood vessels repair.
On the formation of a plasma bubble

A simple self‐consistent model is proposed, which describes properties of the tail current sheet after the formation of a small plasmoid on the closed field lines in the magnetotail and its quick tailward retreat. Using a theory of forced magnetic reconnection, it is shown that the flux tube that contained a plasmoid becomes a plasma bubble, with the plasmoid being replaced by a thin current sheet embedded within the original thicker sheet. The model allows for an estimate of the decrease of the plasma entropy per unit magnetic flux within the bubble. It predicts that the bubble structure may also include bifurcated current sheets.
Dopamine Transporter Gene Polymorphism, SPECT Imaging, and Levodopa Response in Patients with Parkinson Disease

Objectives:To assess the potential association between dopamine transporter (DAT) genotype, single photon emission CT (SPECT) measures using [123I]-N-ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane ([123I]-FP-CIT) of striatal dopaminergic function, and oral levodopa response pattern in a cohort of patients with Parkinson disease. Methods:Thirty-six patients at different disease stages enrolled in the study. Each patient was examined by [123I]-FP-CIT SPECT and a standardized oral levodopa test on 2 separate days in a randomized order within 3 weeks. The main outcome variables were the specific-to-nonspecific tracer uptake ratio in the contralateral putamen for SPECT analysis; latency, duration, and magnitude of the motor effect; and presence of dyskinesias for the levodopa test. The variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms of the gene coding for DAT were detected for each patient by standard methods. Results:Contralateral putamen [123I]-FP-CIT uptake ratios were similar in the patients carrying the 9-copy allele (n = 20) of the DAT VNTR compared with 10-repeat homozygotes (n = 16). No significant difference was found in levodopa main outcome variables and dyskinesia incidence between the two groups of patients stratified by DAT VNTR polymorphism. Conclusions:The study did not identify clinically relevant in vivo DAT neurochemical function phenotypes or levodopa response patterns associated with the DAT polymorphism.
Acquisition of timing and Doppler-shift in a direct-sequence spread-spectrum system

The paper presents a model for acquisition of a spread-spectrum signal distorted by Doppler shifts. The authors attempt a joint acquisition of both the time delay and the distorting Doppler velocity. They consider the case where the ratio of platform to propagation velocity, v/sub r//c is large enough to generate time compression of the pseudo-noise (PN) sequence itself. A Doppler effect of this type may be encountered in underwater acoustic or intersatellite communications. The simultaneous presence of the unknown Doppler shift and timing necessitates a substantial modification of conventional acquisition strategies. A two-dwell system, using a short duration correlation to acquire the timing information, with a subsequent longer correlation to acquire the Doppler velocity is proposed. The joint acquisition process is modeled by a finite state Markov chain, and the performance of the system is characterized by the mean and variance of the acquisition time. Two systems of linear equations that can be solved for the mean and variance, respectively, are developed. The matrices specifying the systems can be solved efficiently. As a particular example, the authors analyze the performance of systems with spread-spectrum signals having sequence lengths of 15 and 63 chips. It is shown that the two-dwell system can acquire timing and Doppler shifts in a reasonable time period. Although the system studied is not well-suited to multiple-access or antijam applications, the analysis techniques developed may prove useful in evaluating the performance of more complex acquisition techniques. >