Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibiogramme direct sur flacon d'hémoculture positif : mise au point et intérêt en thérapeutique

Les bacteriemies ont des consequences importantes en termes de morbidite et de mortalite. L’hemoculture en permet le diagnostic. L’adaptation precoce du traitement antibiotique aux donnees de l’antibiogramme, pour reevaluer un traitement inefficace ou pour reduire le spectre de l’antibiotherapie, ameliore de maniere significative le pronostic des patients : il est donc important que le laboratoire mette les donnees de l’antibiogramme a disposition du clinicien le plus precocement possible. Les recommandations actuelles preconisent la realisation de l’antibiogramme a partir de colonies isolees, ce qui en pratique courante ne permet un rendu que 48h apres detection de positivite des flacons. Notre travail a consiste a mettre au point une methode permettant la realisation de l’antibiogramme directement a partir de flacons d’hemoculture positifs, dans le but de reduire de 24h ce delai. Nous avons opte pour la methode par diffusion en milieu gelose a partir de dilution de gouttes de bouillon des flacons dans du serum physiologique. La principale difficulte etait la maitrise de l’inoculum bacterien. Nous sommes parvenus a definir des conditions de dilution appropriees pour les principales familles de germes, exception faite de S. pneumoniae. La verification des performances de cette methode selon les preconisations du COFRAC en portee B montre des resultats satisfaisants, notamment une excellente correlation avec la methode conventionnelle. Enfin, nous avons mesure le benefice potentiel de cette methode en menant une etude retrospective sur les flacons detectes positifs durant une periode de 41 jours au CHU de Rouen. Cette etude montre de potentiels benefices conferes par la mise en production de cette methode, et notamment sur la prise en charge therapeutique des patients, ce qui souligne l’interet d’une mise en route rapide.
Synthesis and Evaluation of New 4‐Chloro‐2‐(3‐chloro‐4‐fluorophenyl)‐5‐(aliphatic/cyclic saturated amino)pyridazin‐3(2H)‐one Derivatives as Anticancer, Antiangiogenic, and Antioxidant Agents

Pyridazinones are widely recognized as versatile scaffolds with a wide spectrum of biological activities. In the present work, a series of new 4‐chloro‐2‐(3‐chloro‐4‐fluorophenyl)‐5‐(aliphatic/cyclic saturated amino)pyridazin‐3(2H)‐one derivatives 4a–i were synthesized and characterized by spectral techniques. The inhibitory effects of the synthesized compounds 4a–i on the viability of three human cancer cell lines, HEP3BPN 11 (liver), MDA 453 (breast), and HL 60 (leukemia), were assessed using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. Among the compounds 4a–i screened, 4g and 4i exhibited inhibitory activity very close to the standard methotrexate; therefore, these lead compounds were further tested for their potential to inhibit the proangiogenic cytokines involved in tumor progression. Compound 4g was found to be a potent antiangiogenic agent against TNFα, VEGF, FGFb, and TGFβ, whereas 4i showed potent antiangiogenic activity against TNFα, VEGF, FGFb, and leptin. All the compounds 4a–i were screened for their antioxidant activities using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl hydrazine (DPPH), OH, and superoxide anion radicals. Compound 4f showed better OH radical scavenging activity than the standard ascorbic acid.
LLR Based Iterative Reduced-Complexity MLD Algorithm with Parallel Interference Cancellation (PIC) in MIMO Systems

We propose a log likelihood ratio (LLR) based iterative reduced-complexity maximum likelihood detection (MLD) algorithm with parallel interference cancellation (PIC) to improve detection performance in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. In the proposed algorithm, we estimate the initial channel responses with pilot symbols and detect the initial transmitted symbols by list detection algorithm that is the reduced-complexity suboptimal detection algorithm with detection performance close to maximum likelihood detection (MLD). In the proposed algorithm, we update the channel estimates based on the minimum LLR absolute value given by turbo decoder output only when it is larger than a threshold. Using the updated channel estimates and the transmitted symbol replica, we detect the transmitted symbols by MLD algorithm after performing PIC. In the iterative detection process, we reduce the complexity by reducing the number of candidate symbols of MLD and determine the detection ordering based on LLR. We consider the proposed algorithm in an bit-interleaved turbo coded MIMO system. Simulation results show that the frame error rate (FER) performance of the initial list detection algorithm is improved by performing iterative reduced complexity MLD with PIC.
Tailoring technologies to the rehabilitational needs of stroke survivors

Stroke is a major cause of physical disability. Recovery is possible, and can continue indefinitely. As such, much of it will take place at home, often with minimal support from professional therapists. As computing becomes more pervasive and familiar, opportunities exist to design technology to support rehabilitation in the home environment. However, given the varied nature of disabilities caused by stroke, there is a need for a greater understanding of how to design technology that is sufficiently tailored to the needs of individuals and which is appropriate for usage in their homes. This thesis offers an exploration of these issues, through a series of research activities constructed around the direct participation of stroke survivors and their families. The core of this thesis begins with a consideration of a focus group which was attended by survivors of stroke and their partners. Recorded discussions provide a rich insight into their collective experience of living with stroke, and the implications of these findings for the design of effective rehabilitation technologies are considered. The design of bespoke technologies which were directly tailored to the rehabilitational needs and personal motivations of four stroke survivors is then described. Prototypes of these technologies were deployed for periods ranging from one to seven months. Data recorded throughout this entire process provides a detailed understanding of the factors that have influenced their design, use and impact. Through an analysis of material collected during all of these engagements, this thesis presents a set of contributions which can support the design of better home-based rehabilitation technologies in the future. These contributions support a more general understanding of the interactional needs of individuals who have experienced a dramatic and potentially traumatic change in their life, and of mechanisms for tailoring persuasive computing technologies to the specific motivations of those who use them.
Comparative Evaluation of Commercial 1200 V SiC Power MOSFETs Using Diagnostic I-V Characterization at Cryogenic Temperatures

We present a comparative study of the electrical characteristics of different 1200V commercial SiC power MOSFETs at cryogenic temperatures down to 77 K. As compared to conventional silicon power MOSFETs, SiC MOSFETs show very different operating characteristics at low temperatures which is due to unique material and design parameters used in SiC MOSFETs. Of particular interest is a non-linear mixed triode/pentode-like I-V characteristic exhibited by all SiC MOSFETs at 77 K, which is demonstrated to be due to short channel effects in the constituent JFET.
Partitioning for Interference and Area Minimization

This work defines a novel problem in which a set of modules is assigned to a set of silicon layers in order to minimize the total chip area while satisfying the characteristic constraints. An integer linear programming (ILP)-based partitioning approach is also developed to assign a set of modules to the layers of a three-dimensional architecture during a floor-planning phase. The proposed approach attempts to minimize the chip area, which is the maximum silicon layer area among the set of layers in a three-dimensional system-in-package (SIP) architecture. Moreover, the circuit properties in which the digital and analog modules not to assign to the same layer are incorporated to increase signal integrity during the partitioning stage. The optimal module assignment for the three-dimensional SIP architecture could be obtained because all the constraints in this work are linear functions. Experimental results indicate that the proposed ILP-based method can minimize the chip area while meeting the SIP constraints of circuit properties to reduce the potential interference of the wires in the digital and analog modules. The chip area is larger than that of the method that does not consider interference properties of modules. Importantly, the proposed ILP-based approach significantly reduces the number of the potential interference to be zero by assigning analog and digital modules to the different layers of the SIP architecture. Keywords—Interference, SIP-ware partitioning, integer linear programming, area minimization.
Sildenafil for Pulmonary Hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of sildenafil for treatment of pulmonary hypertension. DATA SOURCES: Literature retrieval was accessed through MEDLINE (1977–March 2005), Cochrane Library, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1977–March 2005) using the terms sildenafil and pulmonary hypertension. In addition, reference citations from publications identified were reviewed. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles in English identified from the data sources were evaluated. Studies including >5 patients with primarily adult populations were included in the review. DATA SYNTHESIS: The treatment of pulmonary hypertension is challenging. Sildenafil has recently been studied as monotherapy and in combination with other vasodilators in the management of pulmonary hypertension. Eight hemodynamic studies and 12 clinical trials were reviewed (1 retrospective, 3 double-blind, 8 open-label). Sildenafil reduced pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary vascular resistance/peripheral vascular resistance index and tended to increase cardiac output/cardiac index compared with baseline. Sildenafil was comparable to nitric oxide and at least as effective as iloprost or epoprostenol in terms of its pulmonary vasoreactivity. Combination therapy with iloprost, nitric oxide, or epoprostenol resulted in enhanced and prolonged pulmonary vascular effects. Clinical trials suggest that sildenafil improves exercise tolerance and New York Heart Association functional class, but large, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings. Overall, sildenafil was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, sildenafil is a promising and well-tolerated agent for management of pulmonary hypertension. Further well-designed trials are warranted to establish its place in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
Force control for an astronaut rehabilitative training robot in bench press mode

An Astronaut Rehabilitative Training Robot (ART) was developed to mitigate the effects of space adaptation syndrome (SAS), strengthen the upper limbs of astronauts, and help the astronauts to do bench press in a microgravity environment. In order to design the force controller of the cable-driven unit, the dynamic model of the cable-driven unit was built and the veracity of the model was verified through model identification which used the hardware-in-Ioop simulation tool based on dSPACE and the MATLAB-ident toolbox. A hybrid force controller was designed in order to improve the control precision and response speed of the cable-driven unit, and a compensation segment was designed based on the structure invariance principle to reduce the surplus force. The simulation results show that the hybrid force controller effectively improves the control precision and response speed of the cable-driven unit; the compensation segment reduces the surplus force significantly, and improves the loading precision as well.
An Analytical Design of Cross Polarization Converter Based on the Gangbuster Metasurface

In this letter, an analytical design of the cross polarization converter is proposed in microwave regime. The gangbuster metasurface is constructed by the periodic metallic cutlines placed on the substrate layer with back metallic sheet. Based on the circuit model and network transmission theory, the reflection coefficients of the metasurface can be calculated even though the substrate layer or metallic elements change. Conversely, when the resonant frequencies and substrate layer are previously given according to the actual situation, the geometric parameters of the metasurface can be analytically solved. Theoretical and simulated results are highly consistent for three different designed cross polarization converters, and one polarization converter is verified to work with the minimal conversion efficiency of 99.36% from 18 to 22 GHz.
Nuclear factor TDP‐43 and SR proteins promote in vitro and in vivo CFTR exon 9 skipping

Alternative splicing of human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) exon 9 is regulated by a combination of cis‐acting elements distributed through the exon and both flanking introns (IVS8 and IVS9). Several studies have identified in the IVS8 intron 3′ splice site a regulatory element that is composed of a polymorphic (TG)m(T)n repeated sequence. At present, no cellular factors have been identified that recognize this element. We have identified TDP‐43, a nuclear protein not previously described to bind RNA, as the factor binding specifically to the (TG)m sequence. Transient TDP‐43 overexpression in Hep3B cells results in an increase in exon 9 skipping. This effect is more pronounced with concomitant overexpression of SR proteins. Antisense inhibition of endogenous TDP‐43 expression results in increased inclusion of exon 9, providing a new therapeutic target to correct aberrant splicing of exon 9 in CF patients. The clinical and biological relevance of this finding in vivo is demonstrated by our characterization of a CF patient carrying a TG10T9(ΔF508)/TG13T3(wt) genotype leading to a disease‐causing high proportion of exon 9 skipping.
Solution structure of the ETS domain from murine Ets‐1: a winged helix‐turn‐helix DNA binding motif.

Ets‐1 is the prototypic member of the ets family of transcription factors. This family is characterized by the conserved ETS domain that mediates specific DNA binding. Using NMR methods, we have determined the structure of a fragment of murine Ets‐1 composed of the 85 residue ETS domain and a 25 amino acid extension that ends at its native C‐terminus. The ETS domain folds into a helix‐turn‐helix motif on a four‐stranded anti‐parallel beta‐sheet scaffold. This structure places Ets‐1 in the winged helix‐turn‐helix (wHTH) family of DNA binding proteins and provides a model for interpreting the sequence conservation of the ETS domain and the specific interaction of Ets‐1 with DNA. The C‐terminal sequence of Ets‐1, which is mutated in the v‐Ets oncoprotein, forms an alpha‐helix that packs anti‐parallel to the N‐terminal helix of the ETS domain. In this position, the C‐terminal helix is poised to interact directly with an N‐terminal inhibitory region in Ets‐1 as well as the wHTH motif. This explains structurally the concerted role of residues flanking the ETS domain in the intramolecular inhibition of Ets‐1 DNA binding.
Prescribing for Mucosal Disease in Primary Dental Care

Oral mucosal disease has a variety of causes, some of which are due to dysfunction of the immune system. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and oral lichen planus are the mucosal diseases of unknown cause seen most frequently in dental practice, and the most likely mucosal diseases for which a dentist will prescribe. This paper briefly reviews the clinical features of these conditions, their causation and pertinent information for managing them in a primary care setting. The prescribing of appropriate medications to treat the conditions in a general dental practice is described and discussed.
ARGINASE: A CRITICAL REGULATOR OF NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHESIS AND VASCULAR FUNCTION

1 Arginase is the focal enzyme of the urea cycle hydrolysing l‐arginine to urea and l‐ornithine. Emerging studies have identified arginase in the vasculature and have implicated this enzyme in the regulation of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and the development of vascular disease. 2 Arginase inhibits the production of NO via several potential mechanisms, including competition with NO synthase (NOS) for the substrate l‐arginine, uncoupling of NOS resulting in the generation of the NO scavenger, superoxide and peroxynitrite, repression of the translation and stability of inducible NOS protein, inhibition of inducible NOS activity via the generation of urea and by sensitization of NOS to its endogenous inhibitor asymmetric dimethyl‐l‐arginine. 3 Upregulation of arginase inhibits endothelial NOS‐mediated NO synthesis and may contribute to endothelial dysfunction in hypertension, ageing, ischaemia–reperfusion and diabetes. 4 Arginase also redirects the metabolism of l‐arginine to l‐ornithine and the formation of polyamines and l‐proline, which are essential for smooth muscle cell growth and collagen synthesis. Therefore, the induction of arginase may also promote aberrant vessel wall remodelling and neointima formation. 5 Arginase represents a promising novel therapeutic target that may reverse endothelial and smooth muscle cell dysfunction and prevent vascular disease.
Patterns of Evolutionary Speed: In Search of a Causal Mechanism

The ―integrated evolutionary speed hypothesis‖ proposes that the rate of genetic evolution influences all major biogeographical patterns of diversity including those associated with temperature, water availability, productivity, spatial heterogeneity and area. Consistent with this theory, rates of genetic evolution correspond with patterns of diversity and diversification. Here we review the mechanisms that have been proposed to explain these biogeographic patterns in rates of genetic evolution. Tests of several proposed mechanisms have produced equivocal results, whereas others such as those invoking annual metabolic activity, or a ―Red Queen‖ effect, remain unexplored. However, rates of genetic evolution have been associated with both productivity mediated rates of germ cell division and active metabolic rates and these explanations therefore justify further empirical investigation.
Job strain and autonomic indices of cardiovascular disease risk.

BACKGROUND Despite the epidemiological evidence linking job strain to cardiovascular disease, more insight is needed into the etiologic mechanisms. This, in turn, would help to more precisely identify risk. METHODS We measured Job Strain using the Job Content Questionnaire, 8/day diary reports, and nationally standardized occupational code linkage, as well as autonomic regulation utilizing heart rate variability including spectral-derived components and QT interval variability in 36 healthy mid-aged males with varying strain jobs. The subjects wore Holter-monitors for 48 hr; this included a work and rest day. RESULTS Job strain (P = 0.02) and low decision latitude (P = 0.004) were associated with a reduction in cardiac vagal control (HFP) persisting throughout the 48 hr. Job strain was also associated with elevations in sympathetic control during working hours (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS The disturbed cardiovascular regulatory pattern associated with job strain may help explain the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases linked with occupational exposure.
Information contained in the motion field of lines and the cooperation between motion and stereo

We investigate the relationships that exist between the three‐dimensional structure and kinematics of a line moving rigidly in space and the two‐dimensional structure and kinematics (motion field) of its image in one or two cameras. We establish the fundamental equations that relate its three‐dimensional motion to its observed image motion. We show how this motion field can be estimated from a line‐based token tracker. We then assume that stereo matches have been established between image segments and show how the estimation of the motion field in the two images can be used to compute part of the kinematic screw of the corresponding 3D line. The equations are linear and if several lines belong to the same object provide a very simple way to estimate the full kinematic screw of that object. Finally, we show how the motion field can constrain the stereo matches by establishing necessary conditions that must be satisfied by the motion field of segments which are images of lines belonging to the same object. Only part of this theory has been implemented yet. This part uses Kalman filtering. Several experimental results using synthetic and real data are presented.
Observational Strategies from the Micro to Meso Scale JEAN-LOUIS BRENGUIER

In a changing climate, clouds are perturbed by large scale changes of the general circulation induced by both the green house gases and the aerosols. Some of the aerosols, however, also perturb cloud microphysical properties. The challenge for today microand meso-scale observational studies of perturbed clouds is therefore to establish the links between these two contrasting forcings : to understand how clouds respond to changes in the general circulation in order to quantify how this response might be modulated by changes in their microphysical properties. The two generic classes of microto meso-scale observational strategies, the Eulerian column closure and the Lagrangian cloud system evolution approaches are described using examples of low level cloud studies, and recommendations are made on how they should now be combined with large scale information to address this issue.
Métabolomique par chromatographie en phase gazeuse couplée à la spectrométrie de masse et désordres génomiques détectés par CGH array : biomarqueurs ou mécanismes

L’objectif de cette etude pilote est d’etudier l’impact des desordres genomiques au niveau metabolique afin de mettre en evidence des marqueurs diagnostiques et de proposer des pistes de mecanismes physiopathologiques. Nous avons analyses les profils d’acides organiques urinaires mesures par chromatographie en phase gazeuse couplee a la spectrometrie de masse de 30 patients porteurs de desordres genomiques detectes par CGH array. Nous avons observe une augmentation des concentrations urinaires de l’uracile et de la thymine chez une patiente presentant une deletion 22q13.2qter en rapport avec la deletion du gene TYMP retrouve dans ce desordre genomique. Une diminution de l’acide N-acetylaspartique urinaire est retrouvee chez un patient porteur d’un desordre chromosomique complexe emportant une copie du gene NAT8L expliquant le phenotype metabolique. De maniere interessante, TYMP et NAT8L sont situes a proximite des genes SHANK3 et NSD2. Les signatures metaboliques observees pourraient donc etre utilisees comme marqueurs indirects des deletions de SHANK3 et NSD2. Ces resultats sont a valider avec un nombre plus grand de patients. Cette etude illustre la possibilite de variations moderees du metabolisme intermediaire, secondaires a des causes genetiques et pose la question de leurs implications dans le phenotype presente par les patients.
Synthesis of Taylor-Like Patterns With Uniformly Excited Multi-Ring Planar Antennas

In this paper, we describe the synthesis of circular-Taylor-like patterns for antennas composed of concentric rings of uniformly excited elements. Optimization of the ring radii achieves close approximation to the envelope of the desired pattern within a given cone about the main beam. An alternative approach, using annular subarrays, speeds computations by limiting the number of between-ring spacings. Examples illustrate the potential of these methods.