Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Suppression of insulin stimulated muscle glucose uptake by non-caloric sweetener sucralose and its reversal by an antidiabetic nutraceutical supplement

Non caloric sweeteners (NCS) have been used for decades now as sugar substitutes in foods and beverages. The market for such products has grown immensely over time. There are human studies which report their negative effects on glucose metabolism with various results of disturbances in glucose metabolism, weight gain etc. No studies to the best of our knowledge have directly addressed the impact of the NCS on muscle glucose uptake. Muscle tissue can account for over 70 percent of whole-body glucose uptake. Therefore, we examined directly the effect of NCS on muscle cell glucose uptake. We find that aspartame moderately increased insulin stimulated glucose uptake by muscle cells in vitro. But sucralose, saccharin and stevia suppressed insulin stimulated glucose uptake. Sucralose is one of the most often used sweetener in foods and beverages globally it is important to understand its effects on glucose metabolism. Therefore, we explored the mechanism of its inhibition of glucose uptake by using an anti-diabetic nutraceutical which is known to target insulin mediated glucose uptake and metabolism pathways. We show here that the nutraceutical is able to relieve the suppression by sucrose in muscle uptake by a novel mechanism of action. We propose that such nutraceuticals may be useful to combine with sucralose containing products to offset negative effects of the NCS on glucose metabolism.
Root Walker: an automated pipeline for large scale quantification of early root growth responses at high spatial and temporal resolution

Plants are sessile organisms that constantly adapt to their changing environment. The root is exposed to numerous environmental signals ranging from nutrients and water to microbial molecular patterns. These signals can trigger distinct responses including the rapid increase or decrease of root growth. Consequently, using root growth as a readout for signal perception can help decipher which external cues are perceived by roots, and how these signals are integrated. To date, studies measuring root growth responses using large numbers of roots have been limited by a lack of high-throughput image acquisition, poor scalability of analytical methods, or low spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we developed the Root Walker pipeline, which uses automated microscopes to acquire time-series images of many roots exposed to controlled treatments with high-spatiotemporal-resolution, in conjunction with fast and automated image analysis software. We demonstrate the power of Root Walker by quantifying root growth rate responses at different time and throughput scales upon treatments with natural auxin, and upon treatment with two mitogen-associated protein kinase cascade inhibitors. We find a concentration-dependent root growth response to auxin and reveal the specificity of one MAPK inhibitor. We further demonstrate the ability of Root Walker for conducting genetic screens by performing a genome wide association study on 260 accessions under 2 weeks. This revealed known and unknown root growth regulators. Root Walker promises to be a useful toolkit for the plant science community, allowing large-scale screening of root growth dynamics for a variety of purposes, including genetic screens for root sensing and root growth response mechanisms.
Identification of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors that activate betulinic acid biosynthesis by RNA-sequencing of hydroponically cultured Lotus japonicus

Although triterpenes are ubiquitous in plant kingdom, their biosynthetic regulatory mechanisms are limitedly understood. Here, we found that hydroponic culture dramatically activated betulinic acid (BA) biosynthesis in the model Fabaceae Lotus japonicus, and investigated its transcriptional regulation. Fabaceae plants develop secondary aerenchyma (SA) on the surface of hypocotyls and roots during flooding for root air diffusion. Hydroponic culture induced SA in L. japonicus and simultaneously increased the accumulation of BA and the transcript levels of its biosynthetic genes. RNA-sequencing of soil-grown and hydroponically cultured plant tissues, including SA collected by laser microdissection, revealed that several transcription factor genes were co-upregulated with BA biosynthetic genes. Overexpression of LjbHLH32 and LjbHLH50 in L. japonicus transgenic hairy roots upregulated the expression of BA biosynthesis genes, resulting in enhanced BA accumulation. However, transient luciferase reporter assays in Arabidopsis mesophyll cell protoplasts showed that LjbHLH32 transactivated promoters of biosynthetic genes in the soyasaponin pathway but not the BA pathway, like its homolog GubHLH3, a soyasaponin biosynthesis regulator in Glycyrrhiza uralensis. This suggested the evolutionary origin and complex regulatory mechanisms of BA biosynthesis in Fabaceae. This study sheds light on the unrevealed biosynthetic regulatory mechanisms of triterpenes in Fabaceae plants. Highlight Hydroponic culture enhanced betulinic acid synthesis in Lotus japonicus. RNA-sequencing and functional characterization experiments suggest that LjbHLH32 and LjbHLH50 are the transcription factors activating betulinic acid biosynthesis.
Divergent impacts of C9orf72 repeat expansion on neurons and glia in ALS and FTD

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), are strongly influenced by inherited genetic variation, but environmental and epigenetic factors also play key roles in the course of these diseases. A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9orf72 (C9) gene is the most common genetic cause of ALS and FTD. To determine the cellular alterations associated with the C9 repeat expansion, we performed single nucleus transcriptomics (snRNA-seq) and epigenomics (snATAC-seq) in postmortem samples of motor and frontal cortices from C9-ALS and C9-FTD donors. We found pervasive alterations of gene expression across multiple cortical cell types in C9-ALS, with the largest number of affected genes in astrocytes and excitatory neurons. Astrocytes increased expression of markers of activation and pathways associated with structural remodeling. Excitatory neurons in upper and deep layers increased expression of genes related to proteostasis, metabolism, and protein expression, and decreased expression of genes related to neuronal function. Epigenetic analyses revealed concordant changes in chromatin accessibility, histone modifications, and gene expression in specific cell types. C9-FTD patients had a distinct pattern of changes, including loss of neurons in frontal cortex and altered expression of thousands of genes in astrocytes and oligodendrocyte-lineage cells. Overall, these findings demonstrate a context-dependent molecular disruption in C9-ALS and C9-FTD, resulting in distinct effects across cell types, brain regions, and disease phenotypes. One Sentence Summary C9orf72-associated ALS and FTD showed a distinct pattern of transcriptome changes, with the largest number of affected genes in C9-ALS in astrocytes and excitatory neurons in upper and deep layers.
Representational geometries reveal differential effects of response correlations on population codes in neurophysiology and functional magnetic resonance imaging

Two sensory neurons usually display trial-by-trial response correlations given the repeated representations of an identical stimulus. The effects of such response correlations on population-level sensory coding have been the focal contention in computational neuroscience over the past few years. In the meantime, multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) has been the leading analysis approach in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), but the effects of response correlations in voxel populations remain underexplored. Here, instead of conventional MVPA analysis, we calculate linear Fisher information of population responses in human visual cortex and hypothetically remove response correlations between voxels. We found that voxelwise response correlations generally enhance stimulus information, a result standing in stark contrast to the detrimental effects of response correlations reported in neurophysiological literature. By voxel-encoding modeling, we further show that these two seemingly opposite effects actually can coexist. Furthermore, we use principal component analysis to decompose stimulus information in population responses onto different principal dimensions in a high representational space. Interestingly, response correlations simultaneously reduce and enhance information on high- and low-variance principal dimensions, respectively. The relative strength of the two antagonistic effects within the same computational framework produces the apparent discrepancy in the effect of response correlations in neuronal and voxel populations. Our results suggest that multivariate fMRI data contain rich statistical structures that are directly related to sensory information representation, and the general computational framework to analyze neuronal and voxel population responses can be applied in many types of neural measurements.
Detection capability of Ultra-Long Gamma-Ray Bursts with the ECLAIRs telescope aboard the SVOM mission

Ultra-long gamma-ray bursts (ULGRBs) have very atypical durations of more than 2000 seconds. Even if their origins are discussed, the SVOM mission with its soft gamma-ray telescope ECLAIRs could detect ULGRBs and increase the sample of the few which have been detected so far by the Burst Alert Telescope aboard the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and some other instruments. In this paper, after a short description of the SVOM mission, we present methods developed to clean detector images from non-flat background and known source contributions in the onboard imaging process. We present an estimate of the ECLAIRs sensitivity to GRBs of various durations. Finally we study the capability of the image-trigger to detect ULGRBs.
Seed layer impact on structural and magnetic properties of [Co/Ni] multilayers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

[Co/Ni] multilayers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) have been researched and applied in various spintronic applications. Typically, the seed layer material is studied to provide the desired face-centered cubic (fcc) texture to the [Co/Ni] to obtain PMA. The integration of [Co/Ni] in back-end-of-line processes also requires the PMA to survive post-annealing. In this paper, the impact of NiCr, Pt, Ru, and Ta seed layers on the structural and magnetic properties of [Co(0.3 nm)/Ni(0.6 nm)] multilayers is investigated before and after annealing. The multilayers were deposited in-situ on different seeds via physical vapor deposition at room temperature. The as-deposited [Co/Ni] films show the required fcc(111) texture on all seeds, but PMA is only observed on Pt and Ru. In-plane magnetic anisotropy is obtained on NiCr and Ta seeds, which is attributed to strain-induced PMA loss. PMA is maintained on all seeds after post-annealing up to 400 °C. The largest effective perpendicular anisotropy energy (.
Isotropic turbulence in compact space

Isotropic turbulence is typically studied numerically through direct numerical simulations (DNS). The DNS flows are described by the Navier–Stokes equation in a ‘box’, defined through periodic boundary conditions. Ideal isotropic turbulence lives in infinite space. The DNS flows live in a compact space and they are not isotropic in their large scales. Hence, the investigation of important phenomena of isotropic turbulence, such as anomalous scaling, through DNS is affected by large-scale effects in the currently available Reynolds numbers. In this work, we put isotropic turbulence – or better, the associated formal theory – in a ‘box’, by imposing periodicity at the level of the correlation functions. This is an attempt to offer a framework where one may investigate isotropic theories/models through the data of DNS in a manner as consistent with them as possible. We work at the lowest level of the hierarchy, which involves the two-point correlation functions and the Karman–Howarth equation. Periodicity immediately gives us the discrete wavenumber space of the theory. The wavenumbers start from 1.835, 2.896, 3.923, and progressively approach integer values, in an interesting correspondence with the DNS wavenumber shells. Unlike the Navier–Stokes equation, infinitely smooth periodicity is obstructed in this theory, a fact expressed by a sequence of relations obeyed by the normal modes of the Karman–Howarth equation at the endpoints of a unit period interval. Similar relations are imparted to the two-point functions under the condition that the energy spectrum and energy transfer function are realizable. Hence, these relations are necessary conditions for realizability in this theory. Naturally constructed closure schemes for the Karman–Howarth equation do not conform to such relations, thereby destroying realizability. A closure can be made to conform to a finite number of them by adding corrective terms, in a procedure that possesses certain analogies with the renormalization of quantum field theory. Perhaps the most important one is that we can let the spectrum be unphysical (through sign-changing oscillations of decreasing amplitude) for the infinitely large wavenumbers, as long as we can controllably extend the regime where the spectrum remains physical, deep enough in the dissipation subrange so as to be realistically adequate. Indeed, we show that one or two such ‘regularity relations’ are needed at most for comparisons of the predictions of the theory with the current resolution level results of the DNS. For the implementation of our arguments, we use a simple closure scheme previously proposed by Oberlack and Peters. The applicability of our ideas to more complex closures is also discussed.
Monoclinic phase in the relaxor-based piezoelectric/ferroelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 system

A ferroelectric monoclinic phase of space group Cm (MA type) has been discovered in 0.65 Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.35 PbTiO3 by means of high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction. It appears at room temperature in a single crystal previously poled under an electric field of 43 kV/cm applied along the pseudocubic [001] direction, in the region of the phase diagram around the morphotropic phase boundary between the rhombohedral (R3m) and the tetragonal (P4mm) phases. The monoclinic phase has lattice parameters a=5.692 A, b=5.679 A, c=4.050 A, and β=90.15°, with the bm axis oriented along the pseudocubic [110] direction. It is similar to the monoclinic phase observed in PbZr1-xTixO3, but different from that recently found in Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3, which is of space group Pm (MC type).
T Tauri stellar magnetic fields: He i measurements

We present measurements of the longitudinal magnetic field i n the circumstellar environment of seven classical T Tauri stars. The measurements are based on high-resolution circular spectropolarimetry of the He I �5876 emission line, which is thought to form in accretion streams controlled by a stellar magnetosphere. We detect magnetic fields in BP Tau, DF Tau and DN Tau, and detect statistically significant fields in GM A ur and RW Aur A at one epoch but not at others. We detect no field for DG Tau and GG Tau, with t he caveat that these objects were observed at one epoch only. Our measurements for BP Tau and DF Tau are consistent, both in terms of sign and magnitude, with previous studies, suggesting that the characteristics of T Tauri magnetospheres are persistent over several years. We observed the magnetic field of BP Tau to decline monotonically over three nights, an d have detected a peak field of 4 kG in this object, the highest magnetic field yet observed in a T Tauri star. We combine our observations with results from the literature in order t o perform a statistical analysis of the magnetospheric fields in BP Tau and DF Tau. Assuming a dipo lar field, we determine a polar field of � 3 kG and a dipole offset of 40 ◦ for BP Tau, while DF Tau’s field is consistent with a polar field of � 4.5 kG and a dipole offset of 10 ◦ . We conclude that many classical T Tauri stars have circumstellar magnetic fields that are bot h strong enough and sufficiently globally-ordered to sustain large-scale magnetospheric accretion flows.
Promising ferroelectricity in 2D group IV tellurides: a first-principles study

Based on the first-principles calculations, we investigated the ferroelectric properties of two-dimensional (2D) Group-IV tellurides XTe (X = Si, Ge, and Sn), with a focus on GeTe. 2D Group-IV tellurides energetically prefer an orthorhombic phase with a hinge-like structure and an in-plane spontaneous polarization. The intrinsic Curie temperature Tc of monolayer GeTe is as high as 570 K and can be raised quickly by applying a tensile strain. An out-of-plane electric field can effectively decrease the coercive field for the reversal of polarization, extending its potential for regulating the polarization switching kinetics. Moreover, for bilayer GeTe, the ferroelectric phase is still the ground state. Combined with these advantages, 2D GeTe is a promising candidate material for practical integrated ferroelectric applications.
Gestion de méga-données : passage à l'échelle et qualité pour divers cas d'usage. (Scalability and quality of big data management applied to various use cases)

Rapporteurs : Marta Rukoz Professeure des Universités Université Paris Nanterre Florent Masseglia Directeur de recherche INRIA Université de Montpellier 2 Pascal Molli Professeur des Universités Université de Nantes Examinateurs : Karine Zeitouni Professeure des Universités UVSQ, Université Paris Saclay Gabriel Antoniu Directeur de recherche INRIA IRISA Pierre Sens Professeur des Universités Sorbonne Université
The `Frozen-Lattice' Approach for Incoherent Phonon Excitation in Electron Scattering. How Accurate Is It?

The 'frozen-lattice' model is a semi-classical approach for calculating electron diffuse scattering in crystals that has arisen from thermal vibration of crystal atoms. This quasi-elastic scattering approach is, however, unproven since its equivalence with the incoherent phonon-excitation model is not yet established. As quantitative electron microscopy is becoming a realistic method, it is necessary to examine the accuracy of the model. In this paper, based on a rigorous quantum-mechanical phonon excitation theory, it is proved that an identical result would be obtained using the frozen-lattice model and the formal phonon-excitation model if (i) the incoherence between different orders of thermal diffuse scattering is considered in the frozen-lattice-model calculation and (ii) the specimen thickness and the mean-free-path length for phonon excitation are both smaller than the distance travelled by the electron within the lifetime of the phonon (τ o v, which is 5 μm for 100 kV electrons). Condition (ii) is usually absolutely satisfied and condition (i) can be precisely accounted for in the calculation with the introduction of the mixed dynamic form factor S(Q, Q'). The conclusion holds for each and all orders of diffuse scattering, thus, the quantum-mechanical basis of the frozen-lattice model is established, confirming the validity, reliability and accuracy of using this model in quantitative dynamical electron diffraction and imaging calculations. It has also been shown that the frozen-lattice model is suitable for low-energy electrons.
BPS preons, generalized holonomies, and D = 11 supergravities

We develop the BPS (Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield) preon conjecture to analyze the supersymmetric solutions of $D=11$ supergravity. By relating the notions of Killing spinors and BPS preons, we develop a moving G-frame method $[G=GL(32,R),$ $SL(32,R)$ or $Sp(32,R)]$ to analyze their associated generalized holonomies. As a first application we derive here the equations determining the generalized holonomies of $\ensuremath{\nu}=k/32$ supersymmetric solutions and, in particular, those solving the necessary conditions for the existence of BPS preonic $(\ensuremath{\nu}=31/32)$ solutions of the standard $D=11$ supergravity. We also show that there exist elementary preonic solutions, i.e., solutions preserving 31 out of 32 supersymmetries in a Chern-Simons type supergravity. We present as well a family of worldvolume actions describing the motion of pointlike and extended BPS preons in the background of a D'Auria-Fr\'e type $OSp(1|32)$-related supergravity model. We discuss the possible implications for M theory.
Variable Spin-Down in the Soft Gamma Repeater SGR 1900+14 and Correlations with Burst Activity

We have analyzed Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer Proportional Counter Array observations of the pulsed emission from SGR 1900+14 during 1996 September, 1998 June-October, and early 1999. Using these measurements and results reported elsewhere, we construct a period history of this source for 2.5 yr. We find significant deviations from a steady spin-down trend during quiescence and the burst active interval. Burst and Transient Source Experiment observations of the burst emission are presented and correlations between the burst activity and spin-down rate of SGR 1900+14 are discussed. We find an 80 day interval during the summer of 1998 when the average spin-down rate is larger than the rate elsewhere by a factor ~2.3. This enhanced spin-down may be the result of a discontinuous spin-down event or "braking glitch" at the time of the giant flare on 1998 August 27. Furthermore, we find a large discrepancy between the pulsar period and average spin-down rate in X-rays as compared to radio observations for 1998 December and 1999 January.
Constraining the dark energy with galaxy cluster x-ray data

The equation of state characterizing the dark energy component is constrained by combining Chandra observations of the X-ray luminosity of galaxy clusters with independent measurements of the baryonic matter density and the latest measurements of the Hubble parameter as given by the HST key project. By assuming a spatially flat scenario driven by a "quintessence" component with an equation of state $p_x = \omega \rho_x$ we place the following limits on the cosmological parameters $\omega$ and $\Omega_{\rm{m}}$: (i) $-1 \leq \omega \leq -0.55$ and $\Omega_{\rm m} = 0.32^{+0.027}_{-0.014}$ (1$\sigma$) if the equation of state of the dark energy is restricted to the interval $-1 \leq \omega < 0$ (\emph{usual} quintessence) and (ii) $\omega = -1.29^{+0.686}_{-0.792}$ and $\Omega_{\rm{m}} = 0.31^{+0.037}_{-0.034}$ ($1\sigma$) if $\omega$ violates the null energy condition and assume values $< -1$ (\emph{extended} quintessence or ``phantom'' energy). These results are in good agreement with independent studies based on supernovae observations, large-scale structure and the anisotropies of the cosmic background radiation.