On the Easy Use of Scientific Computing Services for Large Scale Linear Algebra and Parallel Decision Making with the P-Grade Portal

Scientific research is becoming increasingly dependent on the large-scale analysis of data using distributed computing infrastructures (Grid, cloud, GPU, etc.). Scientific computing (Petitet et al. 1999) aims at constructing mathematical models and numerical solution techniques for solving problems arising in science and engineering. In this paper, we describe the services of an integrated portal based on the P-Grade (Parallel Grid Run-time and Application Development Environment) portal (http://www.p-grade.hu) that enables the solution of large-scale linear systems of equations using direct solvers, makes easier the use of parallel block iterative algorithm and provides an interface for parallel decision making algorithms. The ultimate goal is to develop a single sign on integrated multi-service environment providing an easy access to different kind of mathematical calculations and algorithms to be performed on hybrid distributed computing infrastructures combining the benefits of large clusters, Grid or cloud, when needed.     

The long and winding road to inhaled TB therapy: not only the bug’s fault

Not all of the issues impacting the success of tuberculosis (TB) treatment arise from pathogen-related disease characteristics. Nowadays, there is an increasing awareness that antibiotic treatment is not the only answer to the TB problem, promoting the search for alternative administration strategies and host-directed therapies. Among all the administration routes, being the lungs the main TB focus, inhalation is conceptually a logical solution to enhance treatment effectiveness and compliance. Nevertheless, research efforts and funding are almost entirely conveyed to conventional approaches. This review will critically evaluate the reasons constraining research in this field, providing some future perspectives. The most recent advances in inhalation approaches for TB will be discussed, either at the preclinical or clinical phase, illustrating the risk of failure and chances of success.     

Microglial FABP4-UCP2 Axis Modulates Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Decline in Obese Mice

The microglial fatty-acid-binding protein 4-uncoupling protein 2 (FABP4-UCP2) axis is a key regulator of neuroinflammation in high-fat-diet (HFD)-fed animals, indicating a role for FABP4 in brain immune response. We hypothesized that the FABP4-UCP2 axis is involved in regulating diet-induced cognitive decline. We tested cognitive function in mice lacking microglial FABP4 (AKO mice). Fifteen-week-old male AKO and wild-type (WT) mice were maintained on 60% HFD or normal chow (NC) for 12 weeks. Body composition was measured using EchoMRI. Locomotor activity, working memory, and spatial memory were assessed using behavioral tests (open field, T-maze, and Barnes maze, respectively). Hippocampal microgliosis was assessed via immunohistochemical staining. An inflammatory cytokine panel was assayed using hippocampal tissue. Real-time RT-PCR was performed to measure microglial UCP2 mRNA expression. Our data support that loss of FABP4 prevents cognitive decline in vivo. HFD-fed WT mice exhibited impaired long- and short-term memory, in contrast with HFD-fed AKO mice. HFD-fed WT mice had an increase in hippocampal inflammatory cytokine expression (IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-5, IL-6, KC/GRO(CXCL1), IL-10, and TNFα) and microgliosis, and decreased microglial UCP2 expression. HFD-fed AKO mice had decreased hippocampal inflammatory cytokine expression and microgliosis and increased microglial UCP2 expression compared to HFD-fed WT mice. Collectively, our work supports the idea that the FABP4-UCP2 axis represents a potential therapeutic target in preventing diet-induced cognitive decline.     

The effects of asymmetrical cold rolling on kinetics,grain size and texture in IF steels

Asymmetrical rolling is a promising way to achieve high rolling reductions and potentially grain refinement. However in steels the effect of asymmetrical rolling is not thoroughly quantified. In this paper the impact of cold asymmetrical rolling obtained by changing the roll velocity ratio (from 1.1 to 1.45) on the deformation and recrystallization features has been finely investigated by Electron Back-Scattering Diffraction in a Scanning Electron Microscope. In the investigated conditions (with low thickness reduction), it is found that asymmetrical rolling induces grain refinement and more homogeneous gamma fiber texture.     

The Origin and Ecological Function of an Ion Inducing Anti-Predator Behavior in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lithobates</Emphasis> Tadpoles

In aquatic environments, chemical cues are believed to be associated with prey response to predation risk, yet few basic cue compositions are known despite the pronounced ecological and evolutionary significance of such cues. Previous work indicated that negatively-charged ions of m/z 501 are possibly a kairomone that induces anti-predator responses in amphibian tadpoles. However, work described here confirms that this specific ion species m/z 501.2886 is produced by injured tadpoles, exhibits increased spectral intensity with higher tadpole biomass, and is not produced by starved predators. These results indicate the anion is an alarm cue released from tadpoles. High resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) revealed a unique elemental composition for [M-H]^?, m/z 501.2886, of C₂₆H₄₅O₇S^? which could not be determined in previous studies using low resolution instruments. Collision induced dissociation of m/z 501 ions formed product ions of m/z 97 and m/z 80, HSO₄^? and SO₃^?, respectively, showing the presence of sulfate. Green frog tadpoles, Lithobates clamitans, exposed to the m/z 501 anion or sodium dodecyl sulfate exhibited similar anti-predator responses, suggesting organic sulfate is a tadpole behavior modifier.     

Physicochemical and pasting properties of maize flour as a function of the interactive effect of natural-fermentation and roasting

The effect of natural-fermentation and roasting on maize physicochemical and functional properties were evaluated. Natural fermented maize seeds were soaked for variable times (0, 24 and 48 h) and directly decorticated or roasted before milling into flour. Generally during the 24 to 48 h natural fermentation, total sugars (80.3–92.0 g/100 g) and proteins contents (4.0–7.6 g/100 g) decreased while they significantly increased with soaking. Soluble sugars content of the unroasted maize significantly decreased with fermentation while that of roasted maize significantly increased. Reverse observations were made on soluble proteins. The antinutrients (phytates and total polyphenols) contents of the grains as well as the functional properties of their flours were observed to have been significantly changed following fermentation and roasting. In particular the least gelation concentration (6 to 18 g/100 mL), an important reverse index of gelating power significantly increased with fermentation and roasting. As consequence the viscosity of the fermented maize flours were systematically significantly lower than that of the unfermented flour. Generally while the effects of duration of fermentation and roasting on the viscosity were not consistent, the 48 h natural fermented and roasted flour was observed to particularly produce flours of much lower viscosity. This highlighted the positive effect of combining fermentation and roasting to improve the quality of weaning flour made from maize.     

The role of income in energy consumption behaviour: Evidence from French households data

The main purpose of this paper is to characterise quantitatively the impact of income on household energy consumption in the residential and transport sectors. Starting from the data collected in a paper survey, we analyse the extent of the constraint experienced by households in terms of equipment purchasing behaviour and daily energy consumption. This analysis shows that the least well-off households are particularly constrained since the share of their budget represented by these energy services is very large (15–25%), and this corresponds to a level of energy service well below that of the better-off households. The case of space-heating shows a factor of 2 in terms of level of comfort achieved between the extreme 10-percentiles. These households also face a strong capital constraint for equipment purchases. This leads either to a large increase in the required rate of return or to a reduction in the proportion of households that are prepared to replace their equipment earlier. The least well-off households are thus doubly constrained, since it is more difficult for them to invest. In our opinion, it is crucial to take into account this observation in the context of political measures aimed at reducing households’CO₂ emissions.     

Generation of Functional Immortalized Human Corneal Stromal Stem Cells

In addition to their therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine, human corneal stromal stem cells (CSSCs) could serve as a powerful tool for drug discovery and development. Variations from different donors, their isolation method, and their limited life span in culture hinder the utility of primary human CSSCs. To address these limitations, this study aims to establish and characterize immortalized CSSC lines (imCSSC) generated from primary human CSSCs. Primary CSSCs (pCSSC), isolated from human adult corneoscleral tissue, were transduced with ectopic expression of hTERT, c-MYC, or the large T antigen of the Simian virus 40 (SV40T) to generate imCSSC. Cellular morphology, proliferation capacity, and expression of CSSCs specific surface markers were investigated in all cell lines, including TNFAIP6 gene expression levels in vitro, a known biomarker of in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy. SV40T-overexpressing imCSSC successfully extended the lifespan of pCSSC while retaining a similar morphology, proliferative capacity, multilineage differentiation potential, and anti-inflammatory properties. The current study serves as a proof-of-concept that immortalization of CSSCs could enable a large-scale source of CSSC for use in regenerative medicine.     

Porous fibers surface decorated with nanofillers: From melt-spun PP/PVA blend fibers with silica nanoparticles

Biphasic polypropylene (PP)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers containing silica nanoparticles with various surface hydrophobicity were melt-spun. The localization of nanoparticles relates on the thermodynamic factors, and the design promotes a surface-decorated fibrous scaffold with nanoparticles after selective extraction. The influence of silica nanoparticles on the melt flow index was observed, and the interface-located Aerosil R972 silica nanoparticles lead to an increase in viscosity. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrates the preponderant interfacial localization of Aerosil R972 nanoparticles within the biphasic fibers. The porous morphology of the obtained fibers was investigated by SEM, selective extraction experiment, X-ray diffraction analysis, and dynamical mechanical analysis. The specific interface area of PP₇₀-PVA₃₀ fibers with a draw ratio (DR) of 2 is 3.2 m² g⁻¹ and is further enlarged with the increase of DR. The incorporation of nanoparticles contributes to the increase of interconnectivity of the PVA phase. The further increment of DR modifies the crystalline structure, and results in better mechanical properties. The Aerosil R972-containing fibers with the DR of 3 provide almost completely accessible PVA phase, with enough mechanical strength to be transformed into textile products, and retains a good mechanical property after selective extraction. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48470.     

In search of the lost polychromy of English medieval alabaster panels in the Southwest of France

Polychrome alabaster carvings, representing religious scenes, constitute England's major contribution to European mediaeval sculpture. During the period between 1350 and 1550, large number of alabaster carvings were produced in the Midlands. Despite their massive destruction during the English Reformation (ca.1534), more than 2500 of them still survive, either legally exported or sold clandestinely to the Continent. With more than 100 panels still existing, the Bordeaux region holds one of the largest concentrations of these reliefs. Most of them have unfortunately lost their medieval polychromy, but 20 can still provide valuable information. They are currently studied in our multidisciplinary research program “ALBATRES” (Polychromie, pigments, perception: les albâtres anglais de la fin du Moyen Âge conservés sur le territoire aquitain. Labex LaScArBx project [2018-2020]). Focused on the panels' polychromy, the project links art history, archaeometry, optical and 3D engineering, and experimental archeology. The first aim is to obtain complete information on the materials and techniques used by medieval painters. The second consists in studying the functions of polychromy and its perception, by determining and interpreting the selection criteria and aesthetic uses of colors and gilding. The polychrome remains of the Aquitaine corpus are studied by means of visual examination, macrophotographic documentation, and noninvasive portable spectroscopic analyses (reflectance spectroscopy by fiber optics in visible and infrared ranges, fluorimetry, etc.). They reveal, among others, the presence of cinnabar, red lead, red ochre, copper green pigments, yellow ochre, gold, lead white, and others. The results allow the production of model samples to help understand the medieval color organization before proposing the coloring of a real copy of one of the studied panels (Virgin's Assumption, Musée d'Aquitaine, Bordeaux). The shape and the appearance of the color rendering could be improved thanks to a special device built at the IOGS to develop a shader that approximates as closely as possible the appearance of the panels. Finally, all information will be integrated on 3D model panels for better appreciation of the carvings and the artistic taste of medieval spectators.