Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
L’innovation inverse : Notion temporelle ou tendance économique pérenne ?

L’internationalisation des echanges et l’accroissement des besoins de la population des pays en voie de developpement presentent d’un cote un marche economique important pour les multinationales et de l’autre un risque d’intensification de la concurrence. Le choix de l’innovation n’etant plus a justifier, repondre aux besoins et attentes de la population, meme dans les phases de conception et de developpement, peut etre un formidable essor pour les entreprises. L’innovation inverse impacte les modes d’organisation des multinationales, leur permet d’integrer dans leur strategie les dynamiques economiques locales tout en developpent un marche ou une position dominante dans les pays sousdeveloppes. Il convient de comparer les differentes caracteristiques de l’innovation et l’innovation inverse pour mesurer l’impact de ce type d’innovation et les consequences sur l’organisation.
Reliability assessment of MEMS devices — A case study of a 3 axis gyroscope

Recent technological breakthroughs in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technologies have enabled significant cost reductions of MEMS gyroscopes and they are being increasingly employed in new application areas such as portable consumer electronics. Reliability assessment of MEMS assemblies is, however, more challenging than that of conventional IC assemblies: reliability characterization of MEMS must be made while the devices are in a functional state and the large number of small structural features requires new approaches for their physical failure analyses. In this paper we explore these challenges with a case study of MEMS gyroscopes, which are increasingly being employed in handheld consumer as well as automotive applications. Reliability of the gyroscopes will be characterized under elevated temperature and humidity (85°C/90%RH), and under high-G shock impact loading (up to 35 kG). The board assemblies were characterized for (i) maximum deceleration tolerance and (ii) fatigue lifetime under lower shock impact loads. Under the temperature-humidity characterization failures associated with absorption of moisture in the polymeric materials of the MEMS package showed early failures in 37 % of the samples while remainder of the samples survived 150 days of exposure. The shock impact characterization showed that the mean lifetime of the gyroscope assemblies depends significantly on the orientation of the impact load. Furthermore, package failures were produced at much higher decelerations (above 8 kG) than electrical failures of the device (at about 4 kG). Finite element model was established to predict the failure sites and the model correlated well with experimental observations. Several internal failure modes were e identified: fractured comb arms, fractured comb fingers, stuck MEMS elements, and chipped corners and edges of the elements caused by internal collisions. Transient failures were commonly observed under all testing conditions.
Autonomous mobile robot using GPS

GPS (Global Positioning System) is the most ideal navigation system which can be used on the Earth irrespective of time and weather conditions. GPS has been used for various applications such as construction, survey, environment, communication, intelligent vehicles, agriculture and airplanes, and the needs of GPS are increasing in these days. This paper is concerned with the autonomous mobile robot using GPS and photo-sensors. The robot moves to correct position by using a GPS receiver, and avoids obstacles by governed photo-sensors. In addition, the operator can monitor the actual mobile traces with a wireless RF communication module. This autonomous mobile robot has infinite expectations, and it is experimented in the lawn of University of Ulsan.
[Nutritional assessment in patients with cirrhosis: the use of indirect calorimetry].

BACKGROUND Malnutrition is frequent in cirrhotic patients, and its assessment is difficult. Functional assessment through a dynamometer is a simple method and could minimize these drawbacks. Harris-Benedict prediction formulae estimates the resting energy expenditure but has not been validated for this population. One alternative is the use of indirect calorimetry. AIM To assess nutritional status in cirrhotic patients and estimates the resting energy expenditure through indirect calorimetry and compares it to Harris-Benedict. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty four adult hepatitis C cirrhotic outpatients were studied, classified by Child-Pugh and model of end-stage liver disease score. The resting energy expenditure was predicted through Harris-Benedict and measured by indirect calorimetry. Nutritional assessment was done through anthropometry, subjective global assessment, hand-grip strength and a 3-day recall. RESULTS Fifteen (44.2%) were Child-Pug A, 12 (35.3%) B and 7 (20.6%) C, and 33 (97.1%) had model of end-stage liver disease scores less than 20. The resting energy expenditure predicted was higher than the measured (Harris-Benedict 1404.5 +/- 150.3 kcal; indirect calorimetry 1059.9 +/- 309.6 kcal). The prevalence of malnutrition varied between methods (body mass index, muscle arm circumference, subjective global assessment, triceps skinfold thickness and hand-grip strength: 0; 5.9; 17.6; 35.3 and 79.4%, accordingly). Calories and proteins intake were 80% and 85% of recommended amounts and there was inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. CONCLUSION Malnutrition was frequent and hand-grip strength seemed to be the most sensitive method for its diagnosis. Calories and protein intakes were inadequate. Considering that the predicted resting energy expenditure was higher than the measured one and the need to offer higher caloric intake, the use of the predicting equation may replace indirect calorimetry.
ABI1 and PP2CA Phosphatases Are Negative Regulators of Snf1-Related Protein Kinase1 Signaling in Arabidopsis[C][W]

SnRK1 protein kinases are negatively regulated by the same PP2C phosphatases that repress the action of the central phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA). During environmental stress, ABA releases PP2C repression, thereby activating two key and complementary pathways and providing better protection against stress through the joined modulation of metabolism and gene expression. Plant survival under environmental stress requires the integration of multiple signaling pathways into a coordinated response, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this integration are poorly understood. Stress-derived energy deprivation activates the Snf1-related protein kinases1 (SnRK1s), triggering a vast transcriptional and metabolic reprogramming that restores homeostasis and promotes tolerance to adverse conditions. Here, we show that two clade A type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2Cs), established repressors of the abscisic acid (ABA) hormonal pathway, interact with the SnRK1 catalytic subunit causing its dephosphorylation and inactivation. Accordingly, SnRK1 repression is abrogated in double and quadruple pp2c knockout mutants, provoking, similarly to SnRK1 overexpression, sugar hypersensitivity during early seedling development. Reporter gene assays and SnRK1 target gene expression analyses further demonstrate that PP2C inhibition by ABA results in SnRK1 activation, promoting SnRK1 signaling during stress and once the energy deficit subsides. Consistent with this, SnRK1 and ABA induce largely overlapping transcriptional responses. Hence, the PP2C hub allows the coordinated activation of ABA and energy signaling, strengthening the stress response through the cooperation of two key and complementary pathways.
The psychosocial work environment and incident diabetes in Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND Relatively few longitudinal studies have explored the relationship between psychosocial work conditions and diabetes incidence. Given the increasing global burden of diabetes this is an important area for public health research. AIMS To examine the relationships between dimensions of the psychosocial work environment on the subsequent incidence of diabetes among men and women in Ontario, Canada over a 9 year period. METHODS We used data from Ontario respondents (35 to 60 years of age) to the 2000-01 Canadian Community Health Survey linked to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan database for physician services and the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database for hospital admissions. Our sample of actively employed labour market participants with no previous diagnoses for diabetes was followed for a 9 year period to ascertain incident diabetes. RESULTS There were 7443 participants. Low levels of job control were associated with an increased risk of diabetes among women, but not among men. Counter to our hypotheses high levels of social support were also associated with increased diabetes risk among women, but not among men. No relationship was found between any psychosocial work measure and risk of diabetes among men. CONCLUSIONS Given the increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide, job control could potentially be an import ant modifiable risk factor to reduce the incidence of diabetes among female, but not among male, workers. More research is needed to understand the pathways through which low social support may protect against the development of diabetes.
Changes in the Expression of Insulin Signaling Pathway Molecules in Endometria from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Women with or without Hyperinsulinemia

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine-metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia. Scarce information is available on the expression of molecules involved in the insulin pathway in endometria from women with PCOS. Therefore, we examined the protein levels of insulin-signaling molecules, like insulin receptor, insulin-receptor substrate (IRS)-1, pIRS-1Y612, Akt, AS160, pAS160T642 and GLUT4 in endometria from PCOS women with or without hyperinsulinemia. Protein levels were assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry in 21 proliferative-phase endometria from control women (CE = 7), normoinssulinemic PCOS women (PCOSE-NI = 7) and hyperinsulinemic PCOS women (PCOSE-HI = 7). The data show no differences in the expression of insulin receptor between all groups as assessed by Western blot; however, IRS-1 and pIRS-1Y612 were lower in PCOSE-HI than controls and PCOSE-NI (P < 0.05). AS160 was detected in all analyzed tissues with similar expression levels between groups. Importantly, PCOSE-HI exhibited lower levels of pAS160T642 (P < 0.05) and of GLUT4 (P < 0.05) compared with CE. The immunohistochemistry for insulin receptor, IRS-1, Akt, AS160 and GLUT4 showed epithelial and stromal localization; IRS-1 staining was lower in PCOSE-HI (P < 0.05). In conclusion, human endometrium has the machinery for glucose uptake mediated by insulin. The diminished expression of GLUT4, as well as the lower level of pIRS-1Y612 and pAS160T642 exhibited by PCOSE-HI, suggests a disruption in the translocation of vesicles with GLUT4 to the cell surface in these patients.
Two Closely Related ABC Transporters in Streptococcus mutans Are Involved in Disaccharide and/or Oligosaccharide Uptake

ABSTRACT Streptococcus mutans has a large number of transporters apparently involved in the uptake of carbohydrates. At least two of these, the multiple sugar metabolism transporter, MsmEFGK, and the previously uncharacterized MalXFGK, are members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily. Mutation analysis revealed that the MsmEFGK and MalXFGK transporters are principally involved in the uptake of distinct disaccharides and/or oligosaccharides. Furthermore, the data also indicated an unusual protein interaction between the components of these two related transporters. Strains lacking msmE (which encodes a solute binding protein) can no longer utilize raffinose or stachyose but grow normally on maltodextrins in the absence of MalT, a previously characterized EIImal phosphotransferase system component. In contrast, a mutant of malX (which encodes a solute binding protein) cannot utilize maltodextrins but grows normally on raffinose or stachyose. Radioactive uptake assays confirmed that MalX, but not MsmE, is required for uptake of [U-14C]maltotriose and that MalXFGK is principally involved in the uptake of maltodextrins with as many as 7 glucose units. Surprisingly, inactivation of the corresponding ATPase components did not result in an equivalent abolition of growth: the malK mutant can grow on maltotetraose as a sole carbon source, and the msmK mutant can utilize raffinose. We propose that the ATPase domains of these ABC transporters can interact with either their own or the alternative transporter complex. Such unexpected interaction of ATPase subunits with distinct membrane components to form complete multiple ABC transporters may be widespread in bacteria.
A Real-Time System for Facial Expression Recognition using Support Vector Machines and k-Nearest Neighbor Classifier

Faces are a unique feature of human being that can detect a great deal of information about age, health, personalities and feelings. Facial Expressions are the main sources in determining the internal impressions of the individual. RealTime system for facial expression recognition is able to detect and locate human faces in image sequences obtained in real environments then extracts expression features from these images finally recognize facial expressions. In this paper, the proposed system presents a real-time system for facial expression recognition that aims to recognize 8 basic facial expressions of students: anger, disgust, fear, happy, nervous, sad, surprise and natural inside E-learning environment. The primary objective is to use k-NN and SVM classifiers to test the efficiency of the proposed system and compared the results of them. There are some techniques has been used in this study for facial expression recognition such as Viola-Jones approaches to detect a face from images, Gabor Feature approach to extract features, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to select features and k-NN, SVM classifiers to recognize expressions from facial image. The result showed that the SVM classifier has the best recognition rate in general thank-NN classifier. From these results, it can say that SVM classifier is more suitable for recognition of facial expression in a real-time system. General Terms Facial Expression Recognition, Pattern Recognition.
Study of synergy patterns during the execution of stroke rehabilitation exercises

Stroke is a leading cause of disability, being motor impairments its major consequence. Despite rehabilitation, more than 60% of the patients report upper-limb motor dysfunction. The design of novel rehabilitation strategies requires objective measures to assess motor impairment and recovery. In a previous study, we proposed to use the synergy components of the unaffected limb as a reference to be targeted by rehabilitation, since they are proven to explain healthy motor control and to be altered after stroke. We demonstrated that healthy subjects have very similar control structures (synergies and activation vectors) in their right and left arms. Here, we investigate the existence of movement-specific control strategies. To do so, we analyze the inter-subject similarity of the healthy control structure in twelve common stroke rehabilitation exercises and we evidence that motor control is movement specific and generalizes across different subjects and their limbs. However, the similarity degree depends on the movement, suggesting that novel training protocols should purposely choose the rehabilitation exercises to ensure maximum control similarity with the reference pattern.
Mucosal immunity to mycobacteria in leprosy patients and their contacts.

Since the development of leprosy may follow the formation of an initial lesion in the nose, mucosal immune responses might be important in the protective immune response to Mycobacterium leprae. Salivary antibody re­ sponses to M. leprae and other mycobacteria were therefore investigated in leprosy patients and healthy contacts using ELISAs against whole mycobacteria and an M. leprae-specific glycolipid constituent (PGL I ) of the external surface of M. leprae. Lower levels of salivary IgA directed against M. leprae were found in household contacts (at high risk of developing leprosy) than in hospital contacts (low risk of leprosy). Samples from the local indigenous population with no known leprosy contact showed an intermediate number of positive salivary IgA responses against M. leprae and untreated patients were less likely to be positive than treated patients. Correlation was found between salivary antibody responses to M. leprae, M. scrofulaceum and M. tuberculosis, suggesting the presence of some cross­ reacting antibody. Few patients and no healthy subjects had detectable antibody responses against an epitope of PGL l , suggesting that this important serum antibody response is not a major component of the mucosal immune response to M. leprae. Since there appears to be a secretory IgA response to M. leprae which is least likely to be found amongst those with the disease and in those individuals with increased risk of developing leprosy, we suggest that the mucosal immune system might be of importance in a putative protective response to infection by the leprosy bacillus.
Re-election isn't everything: legislators’ goal-seeking and committee activity in Japan

ABSTRACT A number of political scientists have explained legislators’ behaviour as a function of their re-election, influence, and policy goals, but these goals are sometimes incompatible. This study seeks to explain under what conditions legislators emphasise the goals of building influence or shaping policy over re-election. The study focuses on Japanese legislators’ Diet committee attendance as a proxy for their attention to an influence or policy goal. It shows that legislators elected from an open-list proportional representation seat are most likely to emphasise building influence or shaping policy, while legislators elected from a district using a single non-transferable vote system are least likely to do so. Legislators are more likely to do so in a non-election year than in an election year. In addition, electorally stronger legislators are more likely to focus on influence or policy goals in an election year, while electorally weaker legislators are more likely to do so in a non-election year.
Arrangement of the Respiratory Chain Complexes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Supercomplex III2IV2 Revealed by Single Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy*

Background: Organization of respiratory chains as “respirasome” superstructures is established. Results: Three-dimensional cryo-EM analysis of the yeast supercomplex III2IV2 identified the arrangement of complexes III and IV. Supercomplex cardiolipin content was determined. Conclusion: Complexes III and IV organization in the yeast supercomplex differs from the arrangement in mammals. Significance: Respirasome structure is essential for understanding its function and regulation in different species. Here we present for the first time a three-dimensional cryo-EM map of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae respiratory supercomplex composed of dimeric complex III flanked on each side by one monomeric complex IV. A precise fit of the existing atomic x-ray structures of complex III from yeast and complex IV from bovine heart into the cryo-EM map resulted in a pseudo-atomic model of the three-dimensional structure for the supercomplex. The distance between cytochrome c binding sites of complexes III and IV is about 6 nm, which supports proposed channeling of cytochrome c between the individual complexes. The opposing surfaces of complexes III and IV differ considerably from those reported for the bovine heart supercomplex as determined by cryo-EM. A closer association between the individual complex domains at the aqueous membrane interface and larger spaces between the membrane-embedded domains where lipid molecules may reside are also demonstrated. The supercomplex contains about 50 molecules of cardiolipin (CL) with a fatty acid composition identical to that of the inner membrane CL pool, consistent with CL-dependent stabilization of the supercomplex.
Population structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The metabolically versatile Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa inhabits terrestrial, aquatic, animal-, human-, and plant-host-associated environments and is an important causative agent of nosocomial infections, particularly in intensive-care units. The population genetics of P. aeruginosa was investigated by an approach that is generally applicable to the rapid, robust, and informative genotyping of bacteria. DNA, amplified from the bacterial colony by circles of multiplex primer extension, is hybridized onto a microarray to yield an electronically portable binary multimarker genotype that represents the core genome by single nucleotide polymorphisms and the accessory genome by markers of genomic islets and islands. The 240 typed P. aeruginosa strains of diverse habitats and geographic origin segregated into two large nonoverlapping clusters and 45 isolated clonal complexes with few or no partners. The majority of strains belonged to few dominant clones widespread in disease and environmental habitats. The most frequent genotype was represented by the sequenced strain PA14. Core and accessory genome were found to be nonrandomly assembled in P. aeruginosa. Individual clones preferred a specific repertoire of accessory segments. Even the most promiscuous genomic island, pKLC102, had integrated preferentially into a subset of clones. Moreover, some physically distant loci of the core genome, including oriC, showed nonrandom associations of genotypes, whereas other segments in between were freely recombining. Thus, the P. aeruginosa genome is made up of clone-typical segments in core and accessory genome and of blocks in the core with unrestricted gene flow in the population.
Extremely High Association Between Appearance of HLA Antibodies and Failure of Kidney Grafts in a Five‐Year Longitudinal Study

Longitudinal studies were conducted over a five‐year period for HLA antibodies on 493 sera tested from 54 kidney transplant patients. HLA single antigen beads were employed to establish donor specificity of the antibodies. Only 3 of 22 patients without antibodies rejected a graft in contrast to 17 out of 32 patients with posttransplant antibodies (p = 0.003). Using a serum creatinine value of 4.0 mg/dL as the cut‐off for a failed graft, 4 of 22 patients without antibodies failed compared to 21 of 32 with antibodies (p = 0.0006). Among patients with donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) 13 of 15 failed (p = 0.000004). Even among patients with non‐donor specific antibodies (NDSA), 8 of 17 failed (p = 0.05). Among patients who could be identified as making de novo antibodies (since they developed antibodies while not having antibodies for more than six months after transplantation), 6 of 11 failed (p = 0.03). Sequential testing for HLA antibodies shows that antibodies appear prior to a rise in serum creatinine and subsequent graft failure. The very strong association between the production of HLA antibodies after transplantation and graft failure indicates the importance of monitoring for posttransplant HLA antibodies.
Modeling thermal conductivity and CTE for CNT-Cu composites for 3-D TSV application

The goal of this research is to develop a consistent and repeatable method to evaluate: a) effective thermal conductivity, and b) axial and transverse coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of SWCNT (single walled carbon nanotube)-Cu composites, with the view to potentially replacing Cu vias with CNT-Cu TSVs (through-silicon vias) in 3D electronics packaging. Finite element models were built using Abaqus® v. 6.9. CTE and thermal conductivity models encompassed different SWCNT and Cu interactions at the interface. The impact of changing the volume fraction as well as using filler metals or polymers other than Cu can easily be studied from the proposed models, as long as their bulk properties are known.