Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vimentin‐Ser82 as a memory phosphorylation site in astrocytes

In astrocytes, the PGF2α or ionomycin treatment induces the phosphorylation at Ser38 and Ser82 of vimentin, a type III intermediate filament, by Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). We found here that vimentin phospho‐Ser82 was dephosphorylated much slower than phospho‐Ser38. Vimentin phospho‐Ser38 was dephosphorylated quickly by purified PP1 catalytic subunit (PP1c) in vitro, whereas phospho‐Ser82 was insensitive to PP1c. Because PP1c directly bound to vimentin through a VxF motif (Val83‐Asp84‐Phe85), the PP1c active site appeared to be unable to approach phospho‐Ser82, leading to the prolongation of the phosphorylation at Ser‐82. In astrocytes, PP1cα was in vivo associated with vimentin filaments. The repetitive treatment by ionomycin at a short interval resulted in the sustained elevation of Ser82 phosphorylation, leading to the marked disassembly of vimentin filaments. Taken together, these results suggest that vimentin is a novel member of binding partner of PP1c in astrocytes, and vimentin‐Ser82 may act as a memory phosphorylation site.
Clostridium septicum Alpha Toxin Uses Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored Protein Receptors*

The alpha toxin produced by Clostridium septicum is a channel-forming protein that is an important contributor to the virulence of the organism. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are sensitive to low concentrations of the toxin, indicating that they contain toxin receptors. Using retroviral mutagenesis, a mutant CHO line (BAG15) was generated that is resistant to alpha toxin. FACS analysis showed that the mutant cells have lost the ability to bind the toxin, indicating that they lack an alpha toxin receptor. The mutant cells are also resistant to aerolysin, a channel-forming protein secreted by Aeromonas spp. , which is structurally and functionally related to alpha toxin and which is known to bind to glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins, such as Thy-1. We obtained evidence that the BAG15 cells lackN-acetylglucosaminyl-phosphatidylinositol deacetylase-L, needed for the second step in GPI anchor biosynthesis. Several lymphocyte cell lines lacking GPI-anchored proteins were also shown to be less sensitive to alpha toxin. On the other hand, the sensitivity of CHO cells to alpha toxin was increased when the cells were transfected with the GPI-anchored folate receptor. We conclude that alpha toxin, like aerolysin, binds to GPI-anchored protein receptors. Evidence is also presented that the two toxins bind to different subsets of GPI-anchored proteins.
Pigmentary mosaicism following the lines of Blaschko in a girl with a double aneuploidy mosaicism: (47,XX,+7/45,X)

We report on a 6‐year‐old girl with linear streaks of apparent hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation following the Blaschko lines, growth retardation, bupthalmos of the left eye, and mild mental retardation. She had a 45,X karyotype in lymphocytes. In cultured fibroblasts a double aneuploidy mosaicism was detected, consisting of a cell line with trisomy for chromosome 7 and a cell line with monosomy for the X‐chromosome and no cell line with a normal karyotype. Cutis tricolor or three levels of pigmentation in different skin areas suggested presence of a third, probably normal cell line. Double aneuploidy mosaicism of a cell line with monosomy X and a cell line with trisomy of an autosome is a rare finding. The combination of monosomy X with trisomy of chromosomes 8, 10, 13, 18, and 21 has been reported, but not the combination with trisomy 7. In the 45,X cell line, microsatellite analysis showed loss of the maternal X‐chromosome, and presence of a maternal and paternal chromosome 7. The 47,XX,+7 cell line showed a paternal and a maternal X‐chromosome, and a paternal and two identical maternal chromosomes 7. Mechanisms that might explain this double aneuploidy mosaicism are discussed. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Maîtrise de l’azote en système irrigué : application au contexte méditerranéen

La maitrise du transfert de nitrates sous les systemes irrigues est un objectif primordial dans l’agriculture moderne. Celle-ci exige la recherche, surtout en plein champ, de conduire une strategie optimale de fertigation. Dans ce but, un protocole experimental sur une parcelle de 2 ha a ete mis en oeuvre pour analyser le devenir de l’’azote sous differents scenarios d’irrigation et de fertilisation d’une culture de mais. Dans l’articulation de ce travail, et pour pouvoir etudier la dynamique de l’azote en systemes irrigues, nous avons tout d’abord reussi a definir et clarifier la relation ambigue entre la methode d’irrigation (irrigation gravitaire, par aspersion ASP, en goutte a goutte de surface GGS ou enterre GGE) et les differentes transformations de l’azote (Fixation, Mineralisation, Immobilisation, Nitrification, Denitrification et Volatilisation). Cette relation, peu claire et non traitee dans d’autres etudes similaires, a ete etudiee en mettant l’accent sur l’effet de certains facteurs, comme par exemple, l’humidite de sol et sa temperature, sur l’activite microbienne et donc sur les differentes transformations de l’azote (comme la mineralisation) et ce en mettant en avant la relation directe ou indirecte avec les methodes d’irrigation. Une difference significative a ete observee pour la mineralisation in situ entre les traitements sans aucun apport d’engrais menes sous les deux methodes d’irrigation GGE et ASP. Une methode manuelle d’analyse a ete ensuite mise au point et validee pour determiner la concentration en azote dans les echantillons de sol preleves dans le cadre de ce travail. Cette methode peu onereuse pourrait etre profitable aux agriculteurs. Les donnees issues de l’ensemble des traitements ont ete utilisees pour modeliser les flux hydriques et azotes a l’aide de modele HYDRUS-2D pour les systemes par aspersion et en goutte a goutte enterre. L’analyse de sensibilite aux parametres lies au transfert de nitrates du modele de transfert a permis d’estimer la dynamique azotee pour d’autres contextes hydro-pedo-climatiques plus complexes. En conclusion, la presente these a permis d’ameliorer la connaissance du fonctionnement de la fertigation en irrigation goutte a goutte enterre par comparaison avec l’aspersion, en milieu mediterraneen, en vue d’une diminution des entrants agrochimiques dans un contexte d’economie de la ressource en eau.
Reduction in Laboratory Animal Use by Factorial Design

Factorial experimental designs (FEDs) can be used to study the effects of controllable variables, such as an experimental treatment, sex, strain, age, diet and prior treatment of animals, on some defined response. Such designs have been widely used in optimising manufacturing processes, but have rarely been used in optimising animal experiments in drug discovery. FEDs generally provide more information than the alternative “one-variable-at-a-time” approach, because each animal contributes information on the effect of every factor, and because such designs can highlight any interactions among the variables. Although FEDs can have any number of factors and levels of each factor, where many factors are to be explored, it is common to do an initial experiment using two levels of each factor, and in some cases fractional factorial designs can be used to reduce the total number of treatment combinations to manageable levels. These designs have been used successfully at AstraZeneca in the optimisation of in vivo drug screening experiments, where their use has effectively reduced the numbers of animals used in some routine screens.
Tracer le monde : outils et instruments de la Renaissance aux Lumières

Du xvie au xviiie siecle, les scientifiques, les techniciens et les pouvoirs veulent mesurer et representer le monde plus precisement. Cette mise en ordre passe par l’amelioration des instruments de transcription. Les ingenieurs, astronomes, mathematiciens ont en commun le dessin et les instruments. Plumes a dessiner, compas et equerres sont constamment ameliores. Derriere le caractere pratique et technique des instruments, se cache l’ambition des elites. Elles cherchent a rayonner au sein d’une societe convertie aux innovations. Elles montrent aussi leur foi en l’universalite des connaissances.
Mobilities of organic compounds in reconstituted cuticular wax of barley leaves: Effects of monodisperse alcohol ethoxylates on diffusion of pentachlorophenol and tetracosanoic acid

Effects of monodisperse alcohol ethoxylates on mobilities of 14C- labelled pentachlorophenol (PCP) and tetracosanoic acid (C,,AC) in reconstitut- ed cuticular wax of barley leaves were measured. Depending on the respective alcohol ethoxylate investigated, the diffusion coefficient (D) of PCP in barley wax was increased by factors ranging from 3.3 to 19.6, whereas D of C,,AC, was increased by factors varying between 22 and 315. In order to analyse the relationship between the concentration of surfactants in the wax and their effects on D, the amounts of alcohol ethoxylates dissolved in the wax at equilibrium with external concentrations well above the critical micelle concentration (CMC) were determined. Wax/water partition coefficients (Kww) of the alcohol eth- oxylates were about one order of magnitude lower than cuticle/water partition coefficients (Kcw), which is a consequence of the semi-crystalline structure of the wax compared with amorphous cutin. Correlations between effects on D and maximum amounts of alcohol ethoxylates dissolved in the wax were obtained indicating an unspecific wax/surfactant interaction. This was solely dependent on the amount of surfactant sorbed to the wax, leading to increased mobilities of pesticides in the wax. Applying ESR-spectroscopy, which gave an insight into the molecular structure of the wax, supported this interpretation of an unspecific plasticising effect of the alcohol ethoxylates on the molecular structure of the wax. The results obtained in this study are in good accordance with the results obtained in a recent study investigating the effects of the same group of alcohol ethoxylates on mobilities of pesticides in isolated, but intact, cuticular mem- branes of Citrus. This demonstrates that the investigation of isolated and subse- quently reconstituted cuticular wax is a useful model system analysing the mechanisms of the surfactant interaction with the transport-limiting barrier of plant cuticles.
Hspb1 and Tp53 Mutation and Expression Analysis in Cat Mammary Tumors

Background Molecular marker based cancer diagnosis gaining more attention in the current genomics era. So, Hspb1 and Tp53 gene characterization and their mRNA expression might be helpful in diagnosis and prognosis of cat mammary adenocarcinoma. It will also add information in comparative cancer genetics and genomics. Objectives Eight tumors of Siamese cats were analyzed to ascertain germ-line and tissue-specific somatic DNA variations of Hspb1 and Tp53 genes along with the ectopic differential expression in tumorous and normal tissues were also analyzed. Materials and Methods Tumorous tissues and peripheral blood from mammary adenocarcinoma affected Siamese cats were collected from the Pet center-UVAS. DNA and RNA were extracted from these tissues to analyze the Hspb1 and Tp53 DNA variants and ectopic expression of their mRNA within cancerous and normal tissues. Results Exon 1 and 3 revealed as hotspots in Hspb1 gene. The 5´UTR region of the exon1 bear six mutation including 3 transitions, 2 transversion and one heterozygous synonymous transversion in two samples at locus c.34C>C/A. Exon 3 has 1 transversion at c.773A>A/T, 3´UTR of this exon harbor two point mutations at 1868A>T and 2193C>T loci. Intron 2 has two alterations at 1490C>C/T and GTCT4del at 1514. Overall up-regulation of Hspb1 gene was observed. While exons 3, 4 and 7 of Tp53 harbor a single variationat c.105A>A/G, c.465T>T/C and c.859G>T respectively. The locus c.1050G>G/A in exon 9 is a heterozygous (G/A) in 3 samples and homozygous (G) in 2 other tumours. Introns 3, 5, 7 and 9 harbor 3, 4, 2 and 7 altered loci respectively. Sixty percent of cancers showed up-regulated trend of Tp53 gene. Conclusions Tumor specific mutations and ectopic expression of Hspb1 and Tp53 genes might be helpful in the diagnosis of the mammary lesions and endorse their involvement in cat mammary neoplasm.
Piracetam Improves Cognitive Performance by Restoring Neurochemical Deficits of the Aged Rat Brain

In order to test the hypothesis that piracetam improves cognitive functions by restoring biochemical deficits of the aging brain, we investigated the effects of piracetam treatment (300 mg/kg daily for 6 weeks) on the active avoidance performance of young and aged rats. After testing, the rats were killed and membrane fluidity and NMDA as well muscarinic cholinergic receptor densities were determined in the frontal cortex, the hippocampus, the striatum, as well as the cerebellum. Piracetam treatment improved active avoidance learning in the aged rats only and elevated membrane fluidity in all brain regions except the cerebellum in the aged animals. Moreover, we observed a positive effect of piracetam treatment on NMDA receptor density in the hippocampus and on muscarinic cholinergic receptor densities in the frontal cortex and the striatum and to a lesser extent in the hippocampus. Again, these effects were only observed in aged animals. Discrimination analysis indicated that piracetam effects on membrane fluidity in the frontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the striatum and its effects on NMDA densities in the hippocampus might be involved in its positive effects on cognitive performance.
An analysis of pricing and returns in the market for French Canadian paintings

The valuation of French Canadian paintings is analysed empirically. Using a sample of auction prices for major French Canadian painters for the period 1968 to 2005, we run hedonic regressions to determine the influence of various factors, including painter identity, on auction prices, as well as to construct a market price index. This is then used in a second stage analysis of the properties of these art works viewed as investment assets. We consider the extent to which standard asset pricing theory, as represented by the capital asset pricing model, can account for price movements in the market for French Canadian paintings.
Intrinsic motivation signals for driving the acquisition of multiple tasks : A simulated robotic study

Intrinsic Motivations (i.e motivations not connected to rewardrelated stimuli) drive humans and other biological agents to autonomously learn different skills in absence of any biological pressure or any assigned task. In this paper we investigate which is the best learning signal for driving the training of different tasks in a modular architecture controlling a simulated kinematic robotic arm that has to reach for different objects. We compare the performance of the system varying the Intrinsic Motivation signal and we show how a Task Predictor whose learning process is strictly connected to the competence of the system in the tasks is able to generate the most suitable signal for the autonomous learning of multiple skills.
A subset of centrosomal proteins are arranged in a tubular conformation that is reproduced during centrosome duplication.

The centrosome plays a fundamental role in organizing the interphase cytoskeleton and the mitotic spindle, and its protein complexity is modulated to support these functions. The centrosome must also duplicate itself once during each cell cycle, thus ensuring the formation of a bipolar spindle and its continuity through successive cell divisions. In this study, we have used a battery of antibodies directed against centrosomal components to study the general organization of the centrosome during the cell cycle and during the centrosome duplication process. We demonstrate that a subset of centrosomal proteins are arranged together to form a tubular pattern within the centrosome. The tubular conformation defined by these proteins has a polarity and is closed at one end. The centriole complement of the centrosome is normally placed near this end. We show that the "wall" of the tube is enriched in proteins such as CDC2, ninein, and pericentrin as well as gamma-tubulin. In addition, a subset of gamma-tubulin is localized to the "lumen" of the tube. We also demonstrate, for the first time, that antibody staining can be used to detect centrosome duplication allowing the identification of duplication intermediates. We show that one product of centrosome duplication is the replication of the tubular structure found within the centrosome. The position of the centriole duplexes prior to and during centrosome duplication is documented and a model of the morphogenesis of the centrosome during the duplication process is proposed.
A Compact Reconfigurable Coupler with Tunable Coupling Coefficients and Frequencies

A compact microstrip coupler with tunable frequencies and coupling coefficients is presented. The calculation equations for capacitances under two different reconfigurable situations are derived. The design procedures are also given upon different requirements. To demonstrate the design strategies, a prototype with center frequency of 2 GHz is fabricated and measured. The measured results show a tunable frequency range from 1 to 3 GHz with 3 dB coupling, and a tunable coupling coefficient range from 0.86 dB to 9.5 dB at center frequency.
On the design of power and delay aware k-connected topologies

Topology control is one of the prime factors affecting overall network performance. The characteristics of the network topology can also greatly impact the performance of other network functionalities, like MAC, routing and security. Traditionally, the objective of topology control approaches has been the formation of power efficient topologies by minimizing the transmission power assignments to radio interfaces, for achieving a connected network. In this paper we present a more versatile approach that is capable of forming robust k-connected networks, while simultaneously minimizing end-to-end delay and transmission power assignments. The approach is based on the combination of general stochastic approximation and min-cut algorithms. The results indicate the effectiveness of the approach, which provably converges to k-connected networks that are also power efficient and end-to-end delay aware.
A triple-feed Y-shaped slot antenna for metallic RFID tag design

This letter describes a triple-feed Y-shaped slot antenna for designing an RFID tag for metallic objects, which can be directly integrated in metallic plates or structures. The unique feature of the design is that the tag can function effectively with three different RFID chips, whose impedances vary widely. An important advantage of this feature is that the tag does not have to be redesigned to work with different RFID chips. The design is based on an asymmetrical slot configuration, whose characteristics are complementary to an asymmetricallyfed dipole antenna. The experimental tests carried out with tags in which the TI, Alien-H2 and Alien-H3 chips were incorporated, show that the maximum read ranges we can achieve are 2.2, 4.8 and 6.0 m, respectively. The design methodology can also be used to realize a multi-band performance of the RFID tag antenna.
Performance Improvement of Direct Power Control of PWM Rectifier Under Unbalanced Network

Direct power control (DPC) has attracted wide attention due to its advantages of simple structure, quick response, strong robustness, and elimination of current regulation/pulse width modulation blocks. However, conventional table-based DPC cannot work well when the grid voltages are unbalanced. Some work has been done on DPC to mitigate the influence of grid unbalance by adding power compensations to the original power references. However, they are usually complicated due to the positive/negative-sequence extraction of grid voltage and/or currents. Furthermore, applying only one voltage vector during one control period leads to high steady-state power ripples. This paper proposes an improved DPC by using a new definition of instantaneous reactive power. As a result, the distortion in grid current is eliminated, and constant active power and new reactive power are obtained. Neither complicated calculation of power compensation nor positive/negative-sequence extraction of grid voltage/current is required. The corresponding switching table suitable to regulate both active power and the new reactive power is established. Furthermore, the concept of duty cycle control is introduced to further improve the steady-state performance. Both simulation and experimental results are presented to confirm the theoretical study and the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The cocktail party problem [instrumentation notes]

Consider a cocktail party with many people attending and many conversations going on simultaneously. If we recorded the sound from somewhere in the room, we would find that we had recorded many conversations at once, and it would be very difficult to tell what was being said by any given person. The problem of taking such a recording, or several such recordings, and separating out the different speakers is known as the cocktail party problem. The generalization of this problem to separating different independent components of a signal without making use of any specific knowledge of the component signals is known as blind source separation. The ability to take a recording in which many people are speaking and to create separate tracks that contain what was said by each person is of great interest to industry and government.
Les nouveaux tableaux de bord des managers : Le projet décisionnel dans sa totalité Ed. 5

Vos tableaux de bord sont-ils adaptes au pilotage de la performance ? Les tableaux de bord sont au coeur du processus de management de la performance. La qualite et la coherence du systeme d'information decisionnel conditionnent la reussite de la strategie deployee. Encore faut-il que les tableaux de bord soient concus methodiquement, qu'ils mesurent toutes les formes de performance et qu'ils assistent du mieux possible les decideurs en situation.Ce livre, best-seller de sa categorie depuis plusieurs annees, s'est impose aupres des utilisateurs et des concepteurs de tableaux de bord, des consultants et des chefs de projets. Centre sur la problematique du decideur en action, cet ouvrage regulierement mis a jour vous explique comment : Realiser le projet decisionnel dans sa totalite, de la conception a la mise en action. Composer les tableaux de bord pour assister la prise de decision. Assurer le deploiement de la strategie gagnante. Faciliter la mise en pratique de la gouvernance. Choisir les indicateurs de performance les mieux adaptes a chaque situation. Fiabiliser les informations des la collecte des donnees. Manager les risques a tous les stades du processus decisionnel. Choisir les outils de la Business Intelligence, methode de selection detaillee. L'ouvrage developpe une demarche cooperative et illustree en dix etapes qui insiste sur la selection des objectifs selon la strategie, le choix des indicateurs de performance, la mise en oeuvre et le deploiement.Le site www.nodesway. com propose des dossiers complementaires en telechargement libre pour les lecteurs.