Increasing the Number of Thyroid Lesions Classes in Microarray Analysis Improves the Relevance of Diagnostic Markers

BackgroundGenetic markers for thyroid cancers identified by microarray analysis have offered limited predictive accuracy so far because of the few classes of thyroid lesions usually taken into account. To improve diagnostic relevance, we have simultaneously analyzed microarray data from six public datasets covering a total of 347 thyroid tissue samples representing 12 histological classes of follicular lesions and normal thyroid tissue. Our own dataset, containing about half the thyroid tissue samples, included all categories of thyroid lesions. Methodology/Principal Findings Classifier predictions were strongly affected by similarities between classes and by the number of classes in the training sets. In each dataset, sample prediction was improved by separating the samples into three groups according to class similarities. The cross-validation of differential genes revealed four clusters with functional enrichments. The analysis of six of these genes (APOD, APOE, CLGN, CRABP1, SDHA and TIMP1) in 49 new samples showed consistent gene and protein profiles with the class similarities observed. Focusing on four subclasses of follicular tumor, we explored the diagnostic potential of 12 selected markers (CASP10, CDH16, CLGN, CRABP1, HMGB2, ALPL2, ADAMTS2, CABIN1, ALDH1A3, USP13, NR2F2, KRTHB5) by real-time quantitative RT-PCR on 32 other new samples. The gene expression profiles of follicular tumors were examined with reference to the mutational status of the Pax8-PPARγ, TSHR, GNAS and NRAS genes. Conclusion/Significance We show that diagnostic tools defined on the basis of microarray data are more relevant when a large number of samples and tissue classes are used. Taking into account the relationships between the thyroid tumor pathologies, together with the main biological functions and pathways involved, improved the diagnostic accuracy of the samples. Our approach was particularly relevant for the classification of microfollicular adenomas

The culture history of Madagascar

Madagascar's culture is a unique fusion of elements drawn from the western, northern, and eastern shores of the Indian Ocean, and its past has fascinated many scholars, yet systematic archaeological research is relatively recent on the island. The oldest traces of visitors are from the first century AD. Coastal settlements, with clear evidence of ties to the western Indian Ocean trading network, were established in several places over the next millennium. Important environmental changes of both plant and animal communities are documented over this period, including the extinctions of almost all large animal species. Urban life in Madagascar began with the establishment of the entrepôt of Mahilaka on the northwest coast of the island in the twelfth century. At about the same time, communities with ties to the trade network were established around the island's coasts. From the fourteenth to the sixteenth century, social hierarchies developed in several regions of the island. During the succeeding two centuries, Madagascar saw the development of state polities.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45256/1/10963_2004_Article_BF00997802.pd

Système d'alimentation multi-sources basé sur des batteries PV et un générateur diesel pour les applications micro-réseau

International audienceThis article deals with the three level space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) technique to control the Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) inverter for energy management in a multi-source system based on a variable speed diesel generator, a PV generator, and a pack of the lithium-batteries for the micro grid applications. The contribution of the paper is focused on the multi-source system energy management using the frequency components distribution method between the linked sources according to the dynamic response capability of the each source.Cet article traite de la technique de modulation de largeur d'impulsion vectorielle spatiale à trois niveaux (SVPWM) pour contrôler l'onduleur Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) pour la gestion de l'énergie dans un système multi-source basé sur un générateur diesel à vitesse variable, un générateur PV et un pack des batteries au lithium pour les applications micro-réseau. La contribution de l'article se concentre sur la gestion de l'énergie du système multi-sources en utilisant la méthode de distribution des composantes de fréquence entre les sources liées en fonction de la capacité de réponse dynamique de chaque source

Stratégie de contrôle d'onduleur à point neutre à trois niveaux utilisant SVPWM pour les applications de système multi-sources

International audienceThis paper highlights the three level space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) technique to control the Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) inverter for energy management in a multi-source system based on a diesel generator, a wind turbine, a PV generator, and a pack of the lithium-batteries for micro grid applications. The contribution of the paper is focused on the multi-source system energy management using the frequency components distribution method between the linked sources according to the dynamic response capability of the each source.Cet article met en évidence la technique de modulation de largeur d'impulsion vectorielle spatiale à trois niveaux (SVPWM) pour contrôler l'onduleur Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) pour la gestion de l'énergie dans un système multi-source basé sur un générateur diesel, une éolienne, un générateur PV et un pack de batteries au lithium pour applications micro-réseau. La contribution de l'article se concentre sur la gestion de l'énergie du système multi-sources en utilisant la méthode de distribution des composantes de fréquence entre les sources liées en fonction de la capacité de réponse dynamique de chaque source

Power control for decentralized energy production system based on the renewable energies — using battery to compensate the wind/load/PV power fluctuations

International audience10kW-diesel generator associated to renewable energy sources including a 10kW wind turbine, 12kW photovoltaic, and 53Ah lithium-battery. These energy production sources are interfaced to micro-grid through three-level power electronics converters where the phase-to-phase RMS voltage is 600V. The variable speed diesel generator is considered as the main energy source which is used to control the DC-bus voltage. The wind turbine and PV system are controlled using the Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technique with bipolar DC-bus voltage equilibration approach. The battery pack is used to compensate the intermittent power fluctuations from the wind turbine and PV system. The hybrid system control is ensured by the three-level converters (AC/DC, DC/DC, and DC/AC) using energy management based on frequency components allocation approach

Design of a W/steel functionally graded material for plasma facing components of DEMO

International audienc

A Phenomenological Analysis of Sintering Mechanisms of W-Cu from the Effect of Copper Content on Densification Kinetics

International audienceThe effect of addition of copper on the sintering of a W powder was systematically investigated by the analysis of dilatometric experiments on W and W-Cu compacts prepared with submicrometric powders. A pure W powder compact and a W-10 wt pct Cu powder compact with the same packing fraction of W particles were first studied, in order to analyze the effect of copper at fixed microstructure of the solid W particle packing. A more systematic set of experiments with different copper contents and W particle sizes was also qualitatively analyzed. A phenomenological model of sintering was developed and fitted in order to extrapolate the effect of copper content on sintering kinetics at fixed microstructure of the W particle skeleton. An interpretation of the sintering mechanisms was then proposed. Sintering of a W-Cu powder compact is the result of solid-state sintering of the W skeleton, enhanced by the capillary forces exerted by copper, with the superimposition of a particle rearrangement step after copper meltin