Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consumption of N5, N10-methylenetetrahydrofolate in Thermus thermophilus under nutrient-poor condition

TrmFO catalyzes the formation of 5-methyluridine at position 54 in tRNA and uses N5, N10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (CH2THF) as the methyl group donor. We found that the trmFO gene-disruptant strain of Thermus thermophilus, an extremely thermophilic eubacterium, can grow faster than the wild-type strain in the synthetic medium at 70°C (optimal growth temperature). Nucleoside analysis revealed that the majority of modifications were appropriately introduced into tRNA, showing that the limited nutrients are preferentially consumed in the tRNA modification systems. CH2THF is consumed not only for tRNA methylation by TrmFO but also for dTMP synthesis by ThyX and methionine synthesis by multiple steps including MetF reaction. In vivo experiment revealed that methylene group derived from serine was rapidly incorporated into DNA in the absence of TrmFO. Furthermore, the addition of thymidine to the medium accelerated growth speed of the wild-type strain. Moreover, in vitro experiments showed that TrmFO interfered with ThyX through consumption of CH2THF. Addition of methionine to the medium accelerated growth speed of wild-type strain and the activity of TrmFO was disturbed by MetF. Thus, the consumption of CH2THF by TrmFO has a negative effect on dTMP and methionine syntheses and results in the slow growth under a nutrient-poor condition.
Joint tasks and cache partitioning for real-time systems

Ce rapport commence par rappeler l'etat de l'art de maniere assez large en evoquant notamment les methodes de partitionnement de cache ou d'ordonnancement dans les systemes temps-reel. Ensuite, l'objet du stage est detaille. Il s'agit d'un algorithme de partitionnement conjoint de tâche et de cache. Pour finir, il est compare au seul algorithme connu qui resout le meme probleme (IA3).
Voluntary activation and twitch potentiation of the elbow flexors across supinated, neutral, and pronated forearm orientations

Elbow flexion force depends on forearm orientation with supinated and neutral being stronger than pronated. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of forearm orientation on voluntary activation (VA), postactivation potentiation (PAP), and twitch properties. Eleven males (23 ± 3 years) performed isometric elbow flexion maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) in supinated, neutral, and pronated forearm orientations with supramaximal stimulation to the biceps brachii muscle belly before, during, and after the MVC. MVC and VA were higher in supinated (213.6 ± 49.6 N; 93.0 ± 5.2%) and neutral (243.6 ± 48.0 N; 96.1 ± 3.2%) compared with pronated (113.6 ± 21.3 N; 70.9 ± 20.4%) (P < 0.05), while PAP did not differ across the three orientations (71.6 ± 42.2%) (P > 0.05). In the rested state, pronated peak tension (PT) was less compared with supinated (42%). In the potentiated state, pronated PT was less than supinated (50%) and neutral (53%) (P < 0.05). Reduced strength in the pronated orientation is partially attributed to reduced drive; however, reductions in peak tension indicate that there also is a mechanical disadvantage when the forearm is placed into a pronated orientation, and this does not alter PAP.
Dependence of T Cell Antigen Recognition on the Dimensions of an Accessory Receptor–Ligand Complex

The T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and its ligand peptide–major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are small (∼7 nm) compared with other abundant cell surface molecules such as integrins, CD43, and CD45 (23–50 nm). We have proposed that molecules at the T cell/antigen-presenting cell (APC) interface segregate according to size, with small “accessory” molecules (e.g., CD2, CD4, CD8, CD28, and CD154) contributing to the formation of a close-contact zone, within which the TCR engages peptide–MHC, and from which large molecules are excluded (Davis, S.J., and P.A. van der Merwe. 1996. Immunol. Today. 17:177–187). One prediction of this model is that increasing the size of these small accessory molecules will disrupt their function. Here, we test this prediction by varying the dimensions of the CD2 ligand, CD48, and examining how this affects T cell antigen recognition. Although the interaction of CD2 on T cells with wild-type or shortened forms of CD48 on APCs enhances T cell antigen recognition, the interaction of CD2 with elongated forms of CD48 is strongly inhibitory. Further experiments indicated that elongation of the CD2/CD48 complex inhibited TCR engagement of peptide–MHC, presumably by preventing the formation of sufficiently intimate contacts at the T cell/APC interface. These findings demonstrate the importance of small size in CD2/CD48 function, and support the hypothesis that T cell antigen recognition requires segregation of cell surface molecules according to size.
Learning latent representations of nodes for classifying in heterogeneous social networks

Social networks are heterogeneous systems composed of different types of nodes (e.g. users, content, groups, etc.) and relations (e.g. social or similarity relations). While learning and performing inference on homogeneous networks have motivated a large amount of research, few work exists on heterogeneous networks and there are open and challenging issues for existing methods that were previously developed for homogeneous networks. We address here the specific problem of nodes classification and tagging in heterogeneous social networks, where different types of nodes are considered, each type with its own label or tag set. We propose a new method for learning node representations onto a latent space, common to all the different node types. Inference is then performed in this latent space. In this framework, two nodes connected in the network will tend to share similar representations regardless of their types. This allows bypassing limitations of the methods based on direct extensions of homogenous frameworks and exploiting the dependencies and correlations between the different node types. The proposed method is tested on two representative datasets and compared to state-of-the-art methods and to baselines.
A Key Role for Cc Chemokine Receptor 4 in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Endotoxic Shock

CC chemokine receptor (CCR)4, a high affinity receptor for the CC chemokines thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), is expressed in the thymus and spleen, and also by peripheral blood T cells, macrophages, platelets, and basophils. Recent studies have shown that CCR4 is the major chemokine receptor expressed by T helper type 2 (Th2) polarized cells. To study the in vivo role of CCR4, we have generated CCR4-deficient (CCR4−/−) mice by gene targeting. CCR4−/− mice developed normally. Splenocytes and thymocytes isolated from the CCR4−/− mice failed to respond to the CCR4 ligands TARC and MDC, as expected, but also surprisingly did not undergo chemotaxis in vitro in response to macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α. The CCR4 deletion had no effect on Th2 differentiation in vitro or in a Th2-dependent model of allergic airway inflammation. However, CCR4−/− mice exhibited significantly decreased mortality on administration of high or low dose bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compared with CCR4+/+ mice. After high dose LPS treatment, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, and MIP-1α were reduced in CCR4−/− mice, and decreased expression of MDC and MIP-2 mRNA was detected in peritoneal exudate cells. Analysis of peritoneal lavage cells from CCR4−/− mice by flow cytometry also revealed a significant decrease in the F4/80+ cell population. This may reflect a defect in the ability of the CCR4−/− macrophages to be retained in the peritoneal cavity. Taken together, our data reveal an unexpected role for CCR4 in the inflammatory response leading to LPS-induced lethality.
Analog‐VLSI, array‐processor‐based, Bayesian, multi‐scale optical flow estimation

Optical flow (OF) estimation aims at derive a motion‐vector field that characterizes motions on a video sequence of images. In this paper, we propose a new multi‐scale (or scale‐space) algorithm that generates OF on cellular neural/non‐linear network universal machine, a general purpose analog‐VLSI hardware, at resolution of 128 × 128 with fair accuracy and working over a speed of 100 frames/s. The performance of the hardware implementation of the proposed algorithm is measured on a standard image sequence. As far as we are concerned, this is the first time when an OF estimator hardware is tested on a practical‐size standard image sequence. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facial Expression Recognition Using Interpolation Features

In this work, a methodology for classifying emotions (such as happiness, anger and surprise) based on face images is proposed. This methodology consist of three stages: in the pre-processing stage, edge detectors and threshold algorithms are used in order to find edge information about ROIs; in the second stage (feature extraction) numeric information of pre-processing images is extracted via interpolation methods; finally, in the classification stage supervised learners such as Neural Networks, Support Vector Machines and Naïve Bayes are tested. According to the results, our approach has acceptable accuracy in order to recognize emotions.
Evaluating passenger characteristics for ride comfort in autonomous wheelchairs

In recent years, autonomous driving technologies are being developed for cars and personal mobility devices, including electric wheelchairs for elderly and disabled persons. Most relevant research focuses on the efficiency and safety of autonomous driving. However, passenger characteristics, in terms of ride comfort in an autonomous wheelchair, have not been investigated with regard to safety and comfort, depending on each passenger's driving experience, habits, knowledge, personality, and preference. There are still few studies on the optimization of autonomous driving control reflecting passenger characteristics and different stress factors during the ride. In this study, passenger stress characteristics were objectively analyzed using physiological indices such as heart rate and galvanic skin response, during autonomous wheelchair usages, as well as using different types of stress factors. Two different experimental results from 12 participants suggest that there are always at least two types of passengers: one who experiences stress and the other who does not, depending on the stress factors considered. Moreover, with regard to the classification result for the stress reduction method, there are two types of passenger groups, for whom the solution method is, respectively, either effective or ineffective.
Comparative pan-cancer DNA methylation analysis reveals cancer common and specific patterns

Abnormal DNA methylation is an important epigenetic regulator involving tumorigenesis. Deciphering cancer common and specific DNA methylation patterns is essential for us to understand the mechanisms of tumor development. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project provides a large number of samples of different cancers that enable a pan-cancer study of DNA methylation possible. Here we investigate cancer common and specific DNA methylation patterns among 5480 DNA methylation profiles of 15 cancer types from TCGA. We first define differentially methylated CpG sites (DMCs) in each cancer and then identify 5450 hyper- and 4433 hypomethylated pan-cancer DMCs (PDMCs). Intriguingly, three adjacent hypermethylated PDMC constitute an enhancer region, which potentially regulates two tumor suppressor genes BVES and PRDM1 negatively. Moreover, we identify six distinct motif clusters, which are enriched in hyper- or hypomethylated PDMCs and are associated with several well-known cancer hallmarks. We also observe that PDMCs relate to distinct transcriptional groups. Additionally, 55 hypermethylated and 7 hypomethylated PDMCs are significantly associated with patient survival. Lastly, we find that cancer-specific DMCs are enriched in known cancer genes and cell-type-specific super-enhancers. In summary, this study provides a comprehensive investigation and reveals meaningful cancer common and specific DNA methylation patterns.
Réservoirs haute pression en composites

A l’image de ce qui se fait en Amerique du Nord (Etats-Unis, Canada) depuis pres de deux decennies, la reglementation francaise autorise, depuis le milieu des annees 1990, l’homologation et la mise sur le marche d’appareils a haute ou tres haute pression non metalliques, constitues de materiaux composites, dont les pressions de service s’echelonnent de 10 a 550 bar et les volumes de moins de 1 litre a plus de 200 litres. Cet article presente un bilan des solutions technologiques actuellement adoptees, des marches associes actuels et emergents, des facteurs de developpements et avantages par rapport aux solutions metalliques traditionnelles, ainsi que des aspects reglementaires et normatifs afferents.
Neuroimaging correlates of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease: a review of 20 years of research

Assessing morphological, perfusion and metabolic brain changes preceding or associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) will help in the understanding of pathophysiological underlying processes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review aimed to highlight the main findings on significant associations between neuroimaging and NPSs, the pathophysiology to elucidate possible underlying mechanisms, and methodological issues to aid future research. Research papers published from January 1990 to October 2015 were identified in the databases PsycInfo, Embase, PubMed and Medline, using key words related to NPSs and imaging techniques. In addition to a semi‐systematic search in the databases, we also performed hand searches based on reported citations identified to be of interest. Delusions, apathy and depression symptoms were particularly associated with brain changes in AD. The majority of studies disclosed an association between frontal lobe structural and/or metabolic changes and NPSs, implicating, interestingly, for all 12 NPSs studied, the anterior cingulate cortex although temporal, subcortical and parietal regions, and insula were also involved. Given the high degree of connectivity of these brain areas, frontal change correlates of NPSs may help in the understanding of neural network participation. This review also highlights crucial methodological issues that may reduce the heterogeneity of results to enable progress on the pathophysiological mechanisms and aid research on NPS treatments in AD. Based on a broad review of the current literature, a global brain pattern to support the huge heterogeneity of neuroimaging correlates of NPSs in AD and methodological strategies are suggested to help direct future research.
Cerebral mGluR5 availability contributes to elevated sleep need and behavioral adjustment after sleep deprivation

Increased sleep time and intensity quantified as low-frequency brain electrical activity after sleep loss demonstrate that sleep need is homeostatically regulated, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We here demonstrate that metabotropic glutamate receptors of subtype 5 (mGluR5) contribute to the molecular machinery governing sleep-wake homeostasis. Using positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and electroencephalography in humans, we find that increased mGluR5 availability after sleep loss tightly correlates with behavioral and electroencephalographic biomarkers of elevated sleep need. These changes are associated with altered cortical myo-inositol and glycine levels, suggesting sleep loss-induced modifications downstream of mGluR5 signaling. Knock-out mice without functional mGluR5 exhibit severe dysregulation of sleep-wake homeostasis, including lack of recovery sleep and impaired behavioral adjustment to a novel task after sleep deprivation. The data suggest that mGluR5 contribute to the brain's coping mechanisms with sleep deprivation and point to a novel target to improve disturbed wakefulness and sleep.
Sensation seeking and alcohol use as markers of sexual transmission risk behavior in HIV-positive men

Alcohol use and sensation-seeking personality characteristics are commonly associated with sexual risk behavior in populations at risk for HIV infection. However, these associations are not well understood and have not yet been examined in people living with HIV-AIDS. We used path analyses to test a model of sensation seeking, alcohol use expectancies, and sexual risk behaviors among 197 HIV seropositive men. Results showed that alcohol use outcome expectancies and alcohol used in sexual contexts were closely associated with unprotected intercourse and that sensation seeking was significantly related to alcohol use expectancies. Sensation seeking did not mediate the association between alcohol use and unprotected sexual behavior. Further analyses showed that the association between sensation seeking and alcohol use in unprotected sexual contexts was accounted for by expectancies that alcohol use improves sexual performance and enhances sexual pleasure. Analyses also indicated that men living with HIV-AIDS who used alcohol in sexual contexts were characterized by greater overall frequency and quantity of drinking. Prevention interventions may be improved by tailoring them for alcohol-using HIV-infected men, particularly by challenging beliefs and expectations that alcohol enhances sexual performance and sexual pleasure.
Severe Periodontitis and Risk for Poor Glycemic Control in Patients with Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.

This study tested the hypothesis that severe periodontitis in persons with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) increases the risk of poor glycemic control. Data from the longitudinal study of residents of the Gila River Indian Community were analyzed for dentate subjects aged 18 to 67, comprising all those: 1) diagnosed at baseline with NIDDM (at least 200 mg/dL plasma glucose after a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test); 2) with baseline glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1 ) less than 9%; and 3) who remained dentate during the 2-year follow-up period. Medical and dental examinations were conducted at 2-year intervals. Severe periodontitis was specified two ways for separate analyses: 1) as baseline periodontal attachment loss of 6 mm or more on at least one index tooth; and 2) baseline radiographic bone loss of 50% or more on at least one tooth. Clinical data for loss of periodontal attachment were available for 80 subjects who had at least one follow-up examination, 9 of whom had two follow-up examinations at 2-year intervals after baseline. Radiographic bone loss data were available for 88 subjects who had at least one follow-up examination, 17 of whom had two follow-up examinations. Poor glycemic control was specified as the presence of HbA1 of 9% or more at follow-up. To increase the sample size, observations from baseline to second examination and from second to third examinations were combined. To control for non-independence of observations, generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used for regression modeling. Severe periodontitis at baseline was associated with increased risk of poor glycemic control at follow-up. Other statistically significant covariates in the GEE models were: 1) baseline age; 2) level of glycemic control at baseline; 3) having more severe NIDDM at baseline; 4) duration of NIDDM; and 5) smoking at baseline. These results support considering severe periodontitis as a risk factor for poor glycemic control and suggest that physicians treating patients with NIDDM should be alert to the signs of severe periodontitis in managing NIDDM. J Periodontol 1996;67:1085-1093.
Transdermal patches: history, development and pharmacology

Transdermal patches are now widely used as cosmetic, topical and transdermal delivery systems. These patches represent a key outcome from the growth in skin science, technology and expertise developed through trial and error, clinical observation and evidence‐based studies that date back to the first existing human records. This review begins with the earliest topical therapies and traces topical delivery to the present‐day transdermal patches, describing along the way the initial trials, devices and drug delivery systems that underpin current transdermal patches and their actives. This is followed by consideration of the evolution in the various patch designs and their limitations as well as requirements for actives to be used for transdermal delivery. The properties of and issues associated with the use of currently marketed products, such as variability, safety and regulatory aspects, are then described. The review concludes by examining future prospects for transdermal patches and drug delivery systems, such as the combination of active delivery systems with patches, minimally invasive microneedle patches and cutaneous solutions, including metered‐dose systems.
CodeTracker: A Lightweight Approach to Track and Protect Authorization Codes in SMS Messages

Short message service (SMS) authorization codes play an important role in the application ecosystem, as a number of transactions (e.g., personal identification and online banking) require users to provide a code for authorization purposes. However, authorization codes in SMS messages can be stolen and forwarded by attackers, which introduces serious security concerns. In this paper, we propose CodeTracker, a lightweight approach to track and protect SMS authorization codes. Specifically, we leverage the taint tracking technique to mark the authorization code with taint tags at the origin of the incoming SMS messages (taint sources), and then, we propagate the tags in the system. To this end, we modify the related array structure, array operations, string operations, inter-process communication mechanism, and file operations for secondary storage of SMS authorization codes to ensure that the taint tags cannot be removed. When the authorization code is sent out via either SMS messages or network connections (taint sinks), we extract the taint tag of the data and enforce pre-defined security policies to prevent the code from being leaked. We have developed a prototype of CodeTracker on Android’s ART virtual machine and used 1, 218 SMS-stealing Android malware samples to evaluate the system. The evaluation results show that CodeTracker can effectively track and protect SMS authorization codes with a small performance overhead (<2% on average).