Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fablab en école d’ingénieurs : quelle formation pour quelle transformation du métier d’ingénieur ?

Cet article propose de reflechir a l'apport de l'esprit « fablab » dans la transformation du metier d'ingenieur et en particulier de celui du metier d'ingenieur generaliste. Ouvrant a des dynamiques de co-construction et de communication entre acteurs heterogenes (scientifiques, ingenieurs, citoyens, travailleurs), associant « bricolage » [SEN 08] et « retro-ingenierie » [BEN 12], ces environnements semblent pouvoir renouveler les demarches de conception, voire meme la culture et le metier d'ingenieur. Dans le cadre du paradigme actuel de « l'innovation », entendue comme un appel a « decloisonner », a sortir des « frontieres » (pedagogiques, disciplinaires, territoriales et manageriales –entre les espaces des ecoles, de la recherche, de l'industrie, de la societe civile…-), cet exemple nous semble tout a fait emblematique des problemes que peut soulever ce genre d'initiatives, qui tout en etant parfois tres concretes, demeurent egalement encore largement performatives.
Dronabinol and chronic pain: importance of mechanistic considerations

Introduction: Although medicinal cannabis has been used for many centuries, the therapeutic potential of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC; international non-proprietary name = dronabinol) in current pain management remains unclear. Several pharmaceutical products with defined natural or synthesized Δ9-THC content have been developed, resulting in increasing numbers of clinical trials investigating the analgesic efficacy of dronabinol in various pain conditions. Different underlying pain mechanisms, including sensitization of nociceptive sensory pathways and alterations in cognitive and autonomic processing, might explain the varying analgesic effects of dronabinol in chronic pain states. Areas covered: The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and mechanisms of action of products with a defined dronabinol content are summarized. Additionally, randomized clinical trials investigating the analgesic efficacy of pharmaceutical cannabis based products are reviewed for the treatment of chronic nonmalignant pain. Expert opinion: We suggest a mechanism-based approach beyond measurement of subjective pain relief to evaluate the therapeutic potential of dronabinol in chronic pain management. Development of objective mechanistic diagnostic biomarkers reflecting altered sensory and cognitive processing in the brain is essential to evaluate dronabinol induced analgesia, and to permit identification of responders and/or non-responders to dronabinol treatment.
Sok antisense RNA from plasmid R1 is functionally inactivated by RNase E and polyadenylated by poly(A) polymerase I

The hok/sok system of plasmid R1, which mediates plasmid stabilization by the killing of plasmid‐free cells, codes for two RNA species, Sok antisense RNA and hok mRNA. Sok RNA, which is unstable, inhibits translation of the stable hok mRNA. The 64 nt Sok RNA folds into a single stem‐loop domain with an 11 nt unstructured 5′ domain. The initial recognition reaction between Sok RNA and hok mRNA takes place between the 5′ domain and the complementary region in hok mRNA. In this communication we examine the metabolism of Sok antisense RNA. We find that RNase E cleaves the RNA 6 nt from its 5′ end and that this cleavage initiates Sok RNA decay. The RNase E cleavage occurs in the part of Sok RNA that is responsible for the initial recognition of the target loop in hok mRNA and thus leads to functional inactivation of the antisense. The major RNase E cleavage product (denoted pSok‐6) is rapidly degraded by polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase). Thus, the RNase E cleavage tags pSok−6 for further rapid degradation by PNPase from its 3′ end. We also show that Sok RNA is polyadenylated by poly(A) polymerase I (PAP I), and that the poly(A)‐tailing is prerequisite for the rapid 3′‐exonucleolytic degradation by PNPase.
CONTINUOUS SIGN LANGUAGE RECOGNITION FROM TRACKING AND SHAPE FEATURES USING FIS AND ANN

Fuzzy and Neural Network based classification of continuous sign language videos with simple backgrounds trained with hybrid features is the focus of this work. Tracking and capturing hand position vectors is the artwork of horn schunck optical flow algorithm. Active contours extract shape features from sign frames in the video sequence. The two most dominant features of sign language are combined to build sign features. This feature matrix is the training vector for Fuzzy Inference Engine (FIS) and Artificail Neural Networks (ANN). The classifiers are tested with 50 signs in a video sequence. Ten different signers created 50 signs. Different instances of FIS and ANN are tested with different combination of feature vectors. The results draw comparisons between FIS and ANN classifiers for Contineous Sign Language. A word matching score (WMS) gauges the performance of the classifiers. A 90.8% average matching score is reported for FIS and 91.2% for ANN.
Distorted perceptions in dyadic interactions of aggressive and nonaggressive boys: Effects of prior expectations, context, and boys' age

This study examined distorted self- and peer perceptions in aggressive and nonaggressive boys at preadolescent and early adolescent age levels. Subjects completed semantic differential ratings of themselves and of their peer partners following two brief dyadic discussion tasks with competitive inductions and a game-playing task with a cooperative induction. Subjects also rated their expectations for self- and peer behavior prior to the two competitive interaction tasks. Research assistants later rated videotapes of the interactions. Aggressive boys had more distorted perceptions of dyadic behavior as they overperceived aggression in their partners and underperceived their own aggressiveness. These distorted perceptions of aggression carried over for aggressive boys into the third interaction task with a cooperative induction, indicating these boys' difficulty in modulating these perceptions when the overt demand for conflict is no longer present in the situation. Results also indicated that aggressive boys' perceptions of their own behavior after the first interaction task is substantially affected by their prior expectations, in comparison to nonaggressive boys who rely more on their actual behavior to form their perceptions.
The Use of Magnetic Resonance Angiography prior to Pharyngeal Flap Surgery in Patients with Velocardiofacial Syndrome

&NA; Twenty consecutive patients with velocardiofacial syndrome underwent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to determine if abnormalities of the neck arteries would contraindicate pharyngeal flap surgery. All 20 patients were found to have anomalies of the carotid arteries, vertebral arteries, or both. Anomalies included tortuous or kinked vertebral arteries, medially placed internal carotids, low carotid bifurcations, and tortuous or kinked internal carotids. The internal carotids were found to be almost directly under the mucous membrane of the pharynx in two patients. In these two patients, the arteries were close to the pharyngeal midline at the base of the first cervical vertebra and might easily be severed during the raising of a pharyngeal flap. Hypoplastic vertebral arteries also were found. One patient had an extra neck vessel. The anomalies of the internal carotids did not have a strong correlation with endoscopically observed pulsations in the posterior pharyngeal wall. It also was found that head position affected the location of the internal carotid arteries when they were located close to the pharyngeal mucous membrane. The information provided in the MRA studies allowed assessment of the arterial anomalies in relation to the flap donor site so that the patients in the sample who underwent pharyngeal flap surgery using a short superiorly based flap had no major bleeding complications. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 97: 908, 1996.)
Immediate‐type allergic and protease‐mediated reactions are involved in scratching behaviour induced by topical application of Dermatophagoides farinae extract in NC/Nga mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD)‐like dermatitis can be induced by repeated topical application of an ointment containing Dermatophagoides farinae body (Dfb) extract in NC/Nga mice. This AD‐like murine model also exhibits a biphasic increase in the number of scratching behaviour after topical application of Dfb ointment. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms underlying the scratching behaviour in each phase. An increase in the content of mast cell‐derived mediators such as histamine and 5‐hydroxytryptamine in the lesional skin and increased vascular permeability were observed in the early phase after the Dfb ointment application. Chlorpheniramine (H1 receptor antagonist) and cromoglycate (mast cell stabilizer) reduced the scratching behaviour in the early phase but not that in the later phase. Furthermore, the content of various endogenous pruritogens such as interleukin‐31 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin in the lesional skin was increased 1 or 24 hours after the Dfb ointment application. Elevated expression of proteinase‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR‐2) was also observed in the epidermis. Finally, gabexate (serine protease inhibitor) reduced the scratching behaviour in both phases, and anti‐PAR2 antibody also showed a tendency to reduce both scratching behaviours. These findings suggest that immediate‐type allergic reactions caused by mast cell degranulation and PAR‐2 activation by proteases are involved in the scratching behaviour in this AD‐like model.
Diagnostic approach for evaluation of lymph node metastasis from thyroid cancer using ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to investigate ultrasound criteria to determine the most accurate criterion to differentiate metastatic from benign lymph nodes on ultrasound and to evaluate the frequency of metastasis according to the cytology results. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred eighteen consecutive patients with thyroid malignancy underwent fine-needle biopsy of suspicious lymph nodes. We investigated the diagnostic performance of each ultrasound feature (loss of fatty hilum, presence of cystic change or calcification, hyperechogenicity, and round shape) and ultrasound criteria 1 and 2. We considered criterion 1 to be if one of the aforementioned malignant ultrasound findings was present and criterion 2 to be if one of the aforementioned malignant ultrasound findings, excluding the loss of fatty hilum, was present. Cytology results were divided into metastasis, macrophages without malignant cells, cell paucity, and negative for malignancy, and we evaluated the frequency of metastasis. RESULTS There were 91 metastatic and 27 benign nodes. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of criterion 2 was significantly higher than that of criterion 1. The frequency of metastasis was highest with a cytologic result of metastasis (95.8%), followed by macrophages without malignant cells (87.5%), cell paucity (71.4%), and negative for malignancy (34.4%). CONCLUSION The most accurate ultrasound criterion to differentiate metastatic from benign lymph nodes was ultrasound criterion 2 (any suspicious ultrasound features except for loss of fatty hilum), and we should not neglect lymph nodes with suspicious ultrasound features, even if they do not contain malignant cells on cytology.
Immunology Taught by Viruses

The survival of viruses depends on the survival of susceptible hosts. The vertebrate immune system and viruses have therefore coevolved complementary facets. Evidence from various balanced virus-host relationships illustrates that immunological specificity and memory may best be defined biologically and that the mature immune system does not discriminate between “self” and “nonself. ” Rather, B cells distinguish antigen patterns, whereas T cell responses depend on localization, transport, and kinetics of antigen within lymphatic organs.
Design Optimization of Cantilever Based MEMS Piezoelectric Energy Harvester

Vibration based piezoelectric energy harvester has become an important area because of its simplicity in design, operation and fabrication of devices using MEMS technology. Energy harvesting provides unending sources of energy for low power electronics such as wireless sensor nodes where replacement of batteries is not practically possible. Piezoelectric energy harvesters are widely considered because of their compact design, compatibility to MEMS devices and ability to respond to a wide range of frequencies freely available in the environment. In this paper a model for cantilever based piezoelectric energy harvester is proposed, designed and optimized using COMSOL multiphysics 4.2a (licenced version). Simulation results were obtained by applying pressure of 1 bar on the top surface of cantilever generating potential of 0.0524 volts.
The U(L)15 gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 contains within its second exon a novel open reading frame that is translated in frame with the U(L)15 gene product

The U(L)15 gene of herpes simplex virus type 1 is composed of two exons. A mutation previously shown to preclude viral DNA cleavage and packaging at the nonpermissive temperature was identified as a change from a highly conserved serine to proline at codon 653. Separate viral mutants that contained stop codons inserted into exon I of U(L)15 (designated S648) or an insertion of the Escherichia coli lacZ gene into a truncated U(L)15 exon II [designated HSV-1(delta U(L)15ExII)] were constructed. Recombinant viruses derived from S648 and HSV-1(delta U(L)15ExII) and containing restored U(L)15 genes were constructed and designated S648R and HSV-1(delta U(L)15ExIIR), respectively. Unlike HSV-1(delta U(L)15ExIIR) and S648R, the viruses containing mutant U(L)15 genes failed to cleave and package viral DNA when propagated on noncomplementing cells. As revealed by electron microscopy, large numbers of enveloped capsids lacking viral DNA accumulated within the cytoplasm of cells infected with either S648 or HSV-1(delta U(L)15ExII) but not in cells infected with HSV-1(delta U(L)15ExIIR) or S648R. Thus, one function of the U(L)15 gene is to effectively prevent immature particles lacking DNA from exiting the nucleus by envelopment at the inner lamella of the nuclear membrane. Cells infected with HSV-1(delta U(L)15ExII) did not express the 75,000- or 35,000-apparent-Mr proteins previously shown to be products of the U(L)15 open reading frame, whereas the 35,000-apparent-Mr protein was readily detectable in cells infected with S648. We conclude that at least the 75,000-Mr protein is required for viral DNA cleavage and packaging and hypothesize that the 35,000-Mr protein is derived from translation of a novel mRNA located partially or completely within the second exon of U(L)15.
Wesleyan University From the SelectedWorks of Ruth Striegel Weissman 2004 Report of the National Institutes of Health workshop on overcoming barriers to treatment research in anorexia nervosa

Objective: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with serious medical morbidity and has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Workshop on Overcoming Barriers to Treatment Research in Anorexia Nervosa convened on September 26–27, 2002 to address the dearth of treatment research in this area. The goals of this workshop were to discuss the stages of illness and illness severity, pharmacologic interventions, psychological interventions, and methodologic considerations. Method: The program consisted of a series of brief presentations by moderators, each followed by a discussion of the topic by workshop participants, facilitated by the session chair. Results: This report summarizes the major discussions of these sessions and concludes with a set of recommendations related to the development of treatment research in AN based on these findings. Discussion: It is crucial that treatment research in this area be prioritized. # 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 35: 509–521, 2004.
Hypothalamic modulation of laryngeal reflexes in the anaesthetized cat: role of the nucleus tractus solitarii.

1. This investigation was initiated because activation of laryngeal afferents, either by electrical stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) or by natural stimulation of receptors in the laryngeal mucosa, results in a cardiorespiratory response comprising bradycardia, hypotension and apnoea (phrenic nerve activity was suppressed). This pattern of response is qualitatively equivalent to the response that is evoked on activation of the arterial baroreceptors. 2. Preliminary studies indicated that the effects of activating the SLN were suppressed during stimulation in the hypothalamic defence area (HDA) at points that also blocked the effects of baroreceptor stimulation. 3. Recordings were taken from seventy‐two neurones localized within the ipsilateral nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) whose activity was modified by SLN stimulation. Sixty neurones responded with an EPSP on SLN stimulation; nine of these had an inspiratory firing pattern. Five neurones were seen to receive an IPSP on SLN stimulation. 4. Five respiratory SLN‐activated neurones were unresponsive to stimulation of the other nerve inputs, whilst four received convergent EPSP inputs on sinus nerve (SN) stimulation. One cell of these four also received inputs from the aortic and the vagus nerves. Sixty‐one non‐respiratory SLN‐activated neurones also received convergent inputs from the sinus nerve. Of these, fifty displayed an EPSP, four an IPSP and seven an EPSP‐IPSP. Fifteen neurones also received inputs from the aortic nerve and seventeen from the vagus. 5. From the population of neurones affected by SLN stimulation, twenty‐four of seventy were also influenced by HDA stimulation (3 were respiratory cells). Sixteen of these responses consisted of an EPSP (2 respiratory cells), five of an IPSP (1 respiratory cell) and three of an EPSP‐IPSP. 6. In neurones receiving an IPSP on HDA stimulation, the SLN‐evoked excitatory response was reduced throughout the period of HDA‐evoked inhibition. These neurones were all shown to receive excitatory inputs from the arterial baroreceptors and laryngeal mechanoreceptors. 7. Additionally, in the thirty‐seven neurones that were excited by SLN stimulation but received no direct synaptic input on HDA stimulation, a conditioning stimulus to the HDA evoked a block of SLN‐evoked responses without an accompanying change in membrane potential. Several of these neurones were also affected by both baroreceptor and laryngeal mechanoreceptor stimulation. 8. These observations are discussed in the context of the role of the NTS in cardiorespiratory control. The potential importance of these interactions in respiratory distress are highlighted and the implications for the organization of central pathways for the control of autonomic and respiratory function are discussed.
Apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 genotype predicts a poor outcome in survivors of traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE To determine the ability of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes to predict days of unconsciousness and a suboptimal functional outcome in traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors. BACKGROUND TBI is known to be associated with neuropsychological deficits and functional disability. Recent evidence indicates that APOE plays a pivotal role in CNS response to injury. METHODS In this prospective study the authors determined the APOE genotypes and tested their ability to predict days of unconsciousness and functional outcome after at least 6 months in 69 survivors of TBI. A good functional outcome was defined as no dysarthria, behavioral abnormalities, or dysphasia; no severe cognitive abnormalities; and the ability to live independently. RESULTS The odds ratio of more than 7 days of unconsciousness was 5.69 in those with the APOE-epsilon4 allele compared with those without the epsilon4 allele (95% CI, 1.69 to 20.0; p = 0.001). Only 1 of 27 subjects (3.7%) with the epsilon4 allele had a good functional outcome compared with 13 of 42 (31.0%) of those without the epsilon4 allele (p = 0.006). The OR of a suboptimal outcome (fair or unfavorable) was 13.93 for those with the epsilon4 allele compared with those without the allele after controlling for age and time of unconsciousness (95% CI, 1.45 to 133.97; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION The results demonstrate a strong association between the APOE-epsilon4 allele and a poor clinical outcome, implying genetic susceptibility to the effect of brain injury. Additional studies of TBI patients are warranted to confirm their findings.
Anthracycline antibiotic augmentation of microsomal electron transport and free radical formation.

Adriamycin, daunorubicin, and other anthracycline antibiotics dramatically augment electron flow from NADPH to molecular oxygen in rat liver microsomes and heart sarcosomes. This process is enzymatic, is dependent on NADPH (Km = 420 µM), has a pH optimum of 8.0-8.5, and is inducible by phenobarbital. The Km values for the anthracycline antibiotics range from 100 to 400 µM. Although SKF 525-A and carbon monoxide do not inhibit the anthracycline stimulation, α-tocopherol and p-hydroxymercuriphenylsulfonic acid inhibit both anthracycline-augmented and endogenous oxygen consumption. Electron spin resonance studies show that the anthraquinone nucleus of the anthracycline is reversibly converted to a free radical semiquinone, which serves to shuttle electrons to oxygen. This enhanced free radical formation may function as the toxic and/or active principle of anthracycline chemotherapy.
Improved Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors After Implementation of TeamSTEPPS Training in an Academic Emergency Department

TeamSTEPPS is a validated, formal patient safety curriculum created by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) for the development of high-functioning multidisciplinary teams. TeamSTEPPS was implemented in an academic emergency department (ED), including all ED hospital staff as well as physicians and residents. It was hypothesized that extensive interprofessional education combined with implementation of specific tools would increase knowledge of TeamSTEPPS principles, attitudes, and behaviors. The TeamSTEPPS knowledge test and the AHRQ Hospital Survey attitude test were administered at 0, 45, and 90 days after training. Behaviors were evaluated using an observation tool that was developed to document huddle occurrence. Knowledge and attitudes significantly improved 45 days from baseline (P < .05) and were sustained by day 90. In this pilot study, the implementation of TeamSTEPPS training in a multidisciplinary team in an academic ED led to increased knowledge and improved communication attitudes. Adoption of a specific behavior, the huddle, also was observed.
FPGA Implementation of Edge Detection using Modified Canny Edge and Adaptive Threshold

Digital image processing is a widely used field in technology. In most of the cases the processing of image is done through computer simulation techniques. This will make the implementation easier. But as the complexity of the algorithm/architecture increases the simulation time also increase accordingly which makes the architecture is unsuitable for real time high speed applications. To overcome from this problem mainly hardware architecture is used. In this paper we propose an FPGA implementation of edge detection architecture using modified Canny edge algorithm and adaptive threshold technique. To obtain optimization in both hardware and output accuracy we change the total architecture in suitable way. The comparison results shows that the proposed design is better than existing.