Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Représentations redondantes pour les signaux d’électroencéphalographie

L’electroencephalographie permet de mesurer l’activite du cerveau a partir des variations du champ electrique a la surface du crâne. Cette mesure est utilisee pour le diagnostic medical, la comprehension du fonctionnement du cerveau ou dans les systemes d’interface cerveau-machine. De nombreux travaux se sont attaches au developpement de methodes d’analyse de ces signaux en vue d’en extraire differentes composantes d’interet, neanmoins leur traitement pose encore de nombreux problemes. Cette these s’interesse a la mise en place de methodes permettant l’obtention de representations redondantes pour ces signaux. Ces representations se sont averees particulierement efficaces ces dernieres annees pour la description de nombreuses classes de signaux grâce a leur grande flexibilite. L’obtention de telles representations pour les mesures EEG presente certaines difficultes du fait d’un faible rapport signal a bruit des composantes recherchees. Nous proposons dans cette these de les surmonter en guidant les methodes considerees vers des representations physiologiquement plausibles des signaux EEG a l’aide de regularisations. Ces dernieres sont construites a partir de connaissances a priori sur les proprietes spatiales et temporelles de ces signaux. Pour chacune d’entre elles, des algorithmes sont proposes afin de resoudre les problemes d’optimisation associes a l’obtention de ces representations. L’evaluation des approches proposees sur des signaux EEG souligne l’efficacite des regularisations proposees et l’interet des representations obtenues.
A New Neural Architecture for Detecting Urban Changes in Quickbird Imagery

High-resolution imagery presents a new challenge over other satellite systems in that a relatively large amount of data must be analyzed and corrected for registration and classification errors to identify the land cover changes related to urban development. To obtain the accuracies required by typical applications for wide areas, very extensive manual work is commonly required. In response, we have developed a new method for urban change detection that greatly reduces the human effort needed to analyze the high-resolution imagery. The technique consists in considering a neural network architecture able in parallel to exploit either multitemporal or multispectral satellite information. We found that this new technique is very accurate relative to the results yielded by an image processing approach based on careful visual inspection.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of b -Expansin Gene Related to Root Hair Formation in Barley 1

Root hairs are specialized epidermal cells that play a role in the uptake of water and nutrients from the rhizosphere and serve as a site of interaction with soil microorganisms. The process of root hair formation is well characterized in Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ); however, there is a very little information about the genetic and molecular basis of root hair development in monocots. Here, we report on isolation and cloning of the b -expansin (EXPB) gene HvEXPB1 , tightly related to root hair initiation in barley ( Hordeum vulgare ). Using root transcriptome differentiation in the wild-type/root-hairless mutant system, a cDNA fragment present in roots of wild-type plants only was identiﬁed. After cloning of full-length cDNA and genomic sequences ﬂanking the identiﬁed fragment, the subsequent bioinformatics analyses revealed homology of the protein coded by the identiﬁed gene to the EXPB family. Reverse transcription-PCR showed that expression of HvEXPB1 cosegregated with the root hair phenotype in F 2 progeny of the cross between the hairless mutant rhl1.a and the wild-type Karat parent variety. Expression of the HvEXPB1 gene was root speciﬁc; it was expressed in roots of wild-type forms, but not in coleoptiles, leaves, tillers, and spikes. The identiﬁed gene was active in roots of two other analyzed root hair mutants: rhp1.a developing root hair primordia only and rhs1.a with very short root hairs. Contrary to this, a complete lack of HvEXPB1 expression was observed in roots of the spontaneous root-hairless mutant bald root barley . All these observations suggest a role of the HvEXPB1 gene in the process of root hair formation in barley.
The NS 1 gene from bat-derived influenza-like virus H 17 N 10 can be rescued in influenza A PR 8 backbone

Received 23 November 2015 Accepted 19 May 2016 CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China Department of Biological Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, No 111, Ren Ai Road, Dushu Lake Higher Education Town, Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), Suzhou 215123, P. R. China Beijing Institute of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin 300308, P. R. China Office of Director-General, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, P. R. China
Civic Hackers' User Experiences and Expectations of Seattle's Open Municipal Data Program

This study examines the challenges and the expectations that civic hackers bring to the use of open government data, building on Gurstein’s theory of barriers to effective use. Civic hackers are hobbyists, freelancers, and professionals who use open government data for products and social good applications. Drawing on individual interviews and a focus group with fifteen total civic hackers in Seattle, Washington, we synthesize findings on their experiences using open government data, including their expectations for the kinds of data formats, metadata, API functionality, and datasets that should be provided on the city’s open data portal. Respondents report challenges using the data, including low data availability, outdated datasets, limited API functions, proprietary formats, lack of metadata, and untidy datasets. These acted as barriers to their effective use of open data. Respondents expect higher quality data and more usable data portal functionality, in part because of their professional experience in the technology sector. In our discussion, we examine the organizational structure of the open data program, and the constraints it poses for the achievement of respondent expectations. Our analysis points to a demand for an additional, third party civic institution (like a local newspaper) to host cleaned data for wider use. Keywords—open government data; civic hackers; data use; barriers; effective use, usability
Perception of Marital Quality by Parents with Small Children

Swedish couples' perceptions of their marital quality when their firstborn was 6 months old and then 4 years later were studied in 2002 and 2006, respectively. The results show that almost half of the 368 responding parents were satisfied with their marital relationship both in 2002 and 2006 as assessed by a modified Dyadic Adjustment Scale. However, a study of the various dimensions showed a significant decrease in marital quality. Housework and child care were perceived as having a greater strain on the relationship between couples who had had additional children during this period. Dyadic Sexuality and Dyadic Cohesion were the most significant predictors of marital quality. Covariates of marital quality in the group with additional children were “partner relation and parenthood perceived as a strain” and “perceived social support. ” The results emphasize the need for supportive interventions for parents with children aged 0 to 4 years.
How I manage aplastic anaemia in children

Aplastic anaemia (AA) is a rare heterogeneous condition in children. 15–20% of cases are constitutional and correct diagnosis of these inherited causes of AA is important for appropriate management. For idiopathic severe aplastic anaemia, a matched sibling donor (MSD) haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the treatment of choice. If a MSD is not available, the options include immunosuppressive therapy (IST) or unrelated donor HSCT. IST with horse anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG) is superior to rabbit ATG and has good long‐term results. In contrast, IST with rabbit ATG has an overall response of only 30–40%. Due to improvements in outcome over the last two decades in matched unrelated donor (MUD) HSCT, results are now similar to that of MSD HSCT. The decision to proceed with IST with ATG or MUD HSCT will depend on the likelihood of finding a MUD and the differing risks and benefits that each therapy provides.
Ultrahigh-speed swept-source OCT angiography in exudative AMD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential of ultrahigh-speed swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to visualize retinal and choroidal vascular changes in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). PATIENTS AND METHODS Observational, prospective cross-sectional study. An ultrahigh-speed swept-source prototype was used to perform OCTA of the retinal and choriocapillaris microvasculature in 63 eyes of 32 healthy controls and 19 eyes of 15 patients with exudative AMD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE qualitative comparison of the retinal and choriocapillaris microvasculature in the two groups. RESULTS Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) was clearly visualized in 16 of the 19 eyes with exudative AMD, located above regions of severe choriocapillaris alteration. In 14 of these eyes, the CNV lesions were surrounded by regions of choriocapillaris alteration. CONCLUSION OCTA may offer noninvasive monitoring of the retinal and choriocapillaris microvasculature in patients with CNV, which may assist in diagnosis and monitoring.
Measurement of DNA base damage in cells exposed to low doses of gamma-radiation: comparison between the HPLC-EC and comet assays.

PURPOSE Two different methods aimed at measuring DNA damage were compared. Monocytes were exposed to 60Co gamma-rays and the level of DNA damage was determined using either the HPLC-EC or comet assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS The alkaline comet assay was used in association with the Fpg and Endo III DNA glycosylases to estimate the amount of modified bases together with strand breaks and alkali-labile sites. The HPLC-EC analysis was performed to measure 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) levels in cells. RESULTS A correlation between these assays allowed the determination of the steady-state level and the yield of Fpg sensitive sites (assimilated to 8-oxodGuo), which were estimated to be 0.18 per 10(6) bp and 0.044 per 10(6) bp per Gy, respectively. Similar levels of Endo III sensitive sites were found. For the strand breaks and alkali-labile sites, the background level was 0.26 per 10(6) bp and the yield 0.123 per 10(6) bp per Gy. DISCUSSION The modified comet assay appears to be an appropriate tool to estimate DNA base damage in cells exposed to low doses of gamma-radiation.
SAR image despeckling based on wavelet kernel transform and Gaussian scale mixture model

A new method about SAR image despeckling is proposed in this paper, this method is achieved by combining wavelet kernel transform (WKT) and Gaussian Scale Mixture model (GSM). WKT is a multiscale transform which is based on machine learning model. By analysis the distribution of the coefficients after WKT, these coefficients are similar to Gaussian distribution, and these noised coefficients are distributed as Gaussian too, but are independence with non-noised coefficients. In this paper, we construct the neighbor model based on the coefficients after WKT, and use the Bayes least mean square to despeckle the spots in SAR images, and the model describes the edge distribution of coefficients. We use the proposed method to process the SAR images, and the results demonstrate that this method can obtain better denoising images than Lee filter, wavelet transform etc.
Maximum likelihood parameter estimation for non-Gaussian prior signal models

For signals containing discontinuities, the usual assumptions of Gauss-Markov distributed signal sources do not hold. To preserve edges, non-Gaussian prior models have been developed for use in Bayesian restoration. These models are generally dependent upon two parameters, one controlling the size of reconstructed discontinuities, and the other controlling data smoothing. The authors propose a maximum likelihood technique for automatically estimating these parameters, resulting in the optimization of an expression dependent upon the prior model partition function. An exact expression is derived for the 1D signal model partition function, while an approximation is proposed for the 2D image model partition function. Parameters estimated from degraded signals result in high quality restorations. <<ETX>>
Temporal Hollowing following Coronal Incision: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background: Coronal incisions are used in traumatic, reconstructive, and cosmetic procedures to access the lateral facial skeleton. Temporal hollowing is a common complication following coronal incision that affects the patient both physically and psychologically. Several dissections have been recommended through this area to avoid injury to the frontal branch of the facial nerve and the temporal fat pad, which is thought to be the cause of hollowing. The purpose of this study was to identify the cause of postoperative temporal hollowing. Methods: Patients requiring a coronal incision were recruited prospectively. Each side of the head in all patients was randomized to suprafascial, subfascial, or deep dissection. An unmarked envelope containing the type of dissection to be performed for each side was used. All envelopes contained equal distributions of all groups. The incidence and severity of temporal hollowing 6 months postoperatively were measured clinically and by computed tomographic volume analysis. Results: Twenty-seven patients with 54 sides (18 suprafascial, 15 subfascial, and 21 deep) completed the study. There were no demographic differences among the three groups. The incidence and severity of temporal hollowing were lowest with suprafascial dissection. Other factors associated with the presence of temporal hollowing included a reduction in body mass index. There were no injuries to the frontal nerve in any of the dissections. Postoperative temporal hollowing was associated with surgical approach and postoperative weight loss. Conclusion: Elevation of a coronal flap in the suprafascial plane and minimization of patient weight loss may decrease the incidence of postoperative temporal hollowing.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Ameliorate Symptoms in a Model of Chronic Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a severe debilitating disorder characterized by progressive demyelination and axonal damage of the central nervous system (CNS). Current therapies for MS inhibit the immune response and demonstrate reasonable benefits if applied during the early phase of relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) while there are no treatments for patients that progress neither to the chronic phase nor for the primary progressive form of the disease. In this manuscript, we have studied the therapeutic efficacy of a cell and gene therapy strategy for the treatment of a mouse model of chronic MS [myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)]. We used allogenic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a therapeutic tool and also as vehicle to deliver fully processed 3.3-kDa vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to the peripheral immune organs and to the inflamed CNS. Intraperitoneal administrations of MSCs expressing VIP stopped progression and reduced symptoms when administered at peak of disease. The improvement in clinical score correlated with diminished peripheral T-cell responses against MOG as well as lower inflammation, lower demyelination, and higher neuronal integrity in the CNS. Interestingly, neither lentiviral vectors expressing VIP nor unmodified MSCs were therapeutic when administer at the peak of disease. The increased therapeutic effect of MSCs expressing VIP over unmodified MSCs requires the immunoregulatory and neuroprotective roles of both VIP and MSCs and the ability of the MSCs to migrate to peripheral lymph organs and the inflamed CNS.
Etude de l'interaction de dendrimères phosphorés avec les monocytes humains : recherche de récepteur (s)

Les dendrimeres sont des entites chimiques "arborescentes" multi-ramifiees. Cette famille de polymeres non lineaires comporte des applications dans differents domaines. Un dendrimere nomme ABP a montre des proprietes immuno-modulatrices sur le systeme immunitaire humain in vitro. Ce dendrimere comporte le profil d'un nouvel agent therapeutique pour etre utilise dans le traitement de maladies inflammatoires chez l'homme. Parmi les cellules mononucleaires du sang humain, le dendrimere ABP cible principalement les monocytes et induit une activation anti-inflammatoire de ces cellules. Cette nouvelle etude a vise a comprendre l'interaction entre le dendrimere ABP et les monocytes humains. De maniere interessante, une interaction specifique a ete observee. En utilisant des experiences de modelisation, de physico-chimie et de biologie moleculaire, nous demontrons que le dendrimere ABP induit une activation anti-inflammatoire des monocytes humains par l'intermediaire d'un ou de recepteur (s).
Charting Cognitive and Volumetric Trajectories after Stroke: Protocol for the Cognition and Neocortical Volume after Stroke (CANVAS) Study

Rationale Globally, stroke and dementia are leading causes of disability and mortality. More than one third of stroke patients will develop dementia, but mechanisms are unclear. Aims The study aims to establish whether brain volume change is associated with poststroke dementia, and to elucidate potential causal mechanisms, including genetic markers, amyloid deposition and vascular risk factors. An understanding of whether – and in whom – stroke is neurodegenerative is critical for the strategic use of potential disease-modifying therapies. Hypotheses That stroke patients will exhibit greater brain volume loss than comparable cohorts of stroke-free controls; and that those who develop dementia will exhibit greater brain volume loss than those who do not. Design Advanced brain imaging techniques are used to longitudinally measure brain volume and cortical thickness in 135 stroke patients. Concurrent neuropsychological testing will correlate clinical profile with these measures. Primary outcomes Primary imaging end-point is brain volume change between three-months and three-years poststroke; primary clinical outcome is the presence of dementia at three-years. Secondary outcomes We will examine the correlations with the following variables: dementia subtype; physical activity levels; behavioral dysfunction as measured by patient and caregiver-reported scales; structural and functional brain connectivity disruption; apolipoprotein E; and specific neuropsychological test scores. Discussion Magnetic resonance imaging markers of structural brain aging and performance on neuropsychological tests are powerful predictors of dementia. We need to understand the trajectory of regional brain volume change and cognitive decline in patients after stroke. This will allow future risk stratification for prognostic counseling, service planning, and early therapeutic intervention.
Flux balancing of light and nutrients in a biofilm photobioreactor for maximizing photosynthetic productivity

This article reports a combined experimental and numerical study on the efficient operation of Porous Substrate Bioreactors. A comprehensive model integrating light transport, mass transport, and algal growth kinetics was used to understand the productivity of photosynthetic biofilms in response to delivery rates of photons and nutrients. The reactor under consideration was an evaporation driven Porous Substrate Bioreactor (PSBR) cultivating the cyanobacteria Anabaena variabilis as a biofilm on a porous substrate which delivers water and nutrients to the cells. In an unoptimized experimental case, this reactor was operated with a photosynthetic efficiency of 2.3%, competitive with conventional photobioreactors. Moreover, through a scaling analysis, the location at which the phosphate delivery rate decreased the growth rate to half of its uninhibited value was predicted as a function of microorganism and bioreactor properties. The numerical model along with the flux balancing techniques presented herein can serve as tools for designing and selecting operating parameters of biofilm based cultivation systems for maximum productivity. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 30:348–359, 2014
Understanding the Positive Effect of Financial Compensation on Trust After Norm Violations: Evidence From fMRI in Favor of Forgiveness

Norm violations are ubiquitous in organizations and often result in tangible harm and a loss of trust. One possible response to enhance trust involves the provision of financial compensation. Unfortunately, little is known about the processes that underlie the effect of such a tangible response to increase trust. We employed techniques in cognitive neuroscience (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to examine these processes. Participants placed in the scanner played the role of recipient in a series of dictator games with different allocators who (unknown to them) were preprogrammed. An unequal division of resources was used as a norm violation that resulted in a financial loss. Afterward the inflicted harm was restored through equal financial compensation. Our neuroimaging data indicate that financial compensation activates forgiveness-related brain areas and that this activation mediates the positive effect of financial compensation on trust. We discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of using tangible responses to increase trust in organizational settings.
The Effects of Lifestyle Intervention for Hypertension on Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Study Design. Randomized controlled trial. Objective. To assess the effects of a lifestyle intervention for hypertension on low back pain. Summary of Background Data. According to prospective etiologic studies, a causal association exists between certain lifestyle factors and low back pain. These factors are similar to those that elevate the risk for hypertension. Nevertheless, no randomized controlled trial has assessed effectiveness of lifestyle intervention for the treatment of hypertension on the prevalence of low back pain. Methods. A total of 731 hypertensive employees from 45 worksites were assigned to multidisciplinary lifestyle interventions for hypertension in a rehabilitation center or to routine care in occupational or primary healthcare services during 12 months. Questionnaire data on low back pain were used to assess the effects of the intervention on the extent of low back pain and disability. Results. The changes in prevalence and duration of low back pain, and related disability did not differ between the 2 groups, although there were favorable changes in some risk factors, such as body weight and physical inactivity. Subgroup analyses among patients with moderately heavy or heavy work showed that the prevalence of low back pain during the previous 12 months decreased more in the intervention than in the control group. Conclusion. Multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention aimed to reduce hypertension is not effective at reducing prevalence of low back pain or disability. However, in thesubgroup of persons doing moderate or heavy work, the intervention seemed to reduce prevalence of low back pain during the 1-year follow-up.