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Assisted reproductive technologies are used to propagate desirable genetics in a shortened timeframe. Selected females undergo ovarian stimulation with the use of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to increase embryo recovery for subsequent transfer programs. The FSH receptor (FSHR) c.337 C G variant was reported to have a reduction in viable embryo numbers in an ovarian stimulation protocol. We, therefore, hypothesized that FSHR c.337 C G would result in reduced in-vitro blastocyst development. Beef heifers were genotyped and selected based on the c.337 C G FSHR genotype (CC, CG, GG; n = 15-16/genotype). Estrus was synchronized with a Select Synch protocol and heifers were slaughtered 5 days after induced ovulation. Anterior pituitaries, serum and reproductive tracts were collected at slaughter for analysis. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected and pooled within genotype for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and subsequent blastocyst development. No differences were observed in carcass weights, anterior pituitary weights, serum progesterone, corpus lutea weight, surface follicle counts, histological follicle counts or follicular fluid estradiol concentration (P 0.1) due to FSHR genotype. Differences were observed for ovulation rates in the GG FSHR genotype group (P 0.01). However, cleavage and blastocyst rates were not affected due to FSHR genotype (P 0.1), following standard IVF protocols. The FSHR variant does not influence antral follicle counts, estradiol production, or in-vitro blastocyst development in beef heifers. The GG FSHR genotype had an increased ovulation rate, which may indicate a greater potential for twinning, but research with a larger population is warranted to support this hypothesis.

Bioaerosol transport in the atmosphere disperses microbial species between continents, affects human and plant health, and may influence hydrologic cycling. However, there have been few quantitative observations of bioaerosols at altitudes more than a few kilometers above the surface. Lack of data on bioaerosol distributions in the atmosphere has impeded efforts to assess the aerial dissemination of microbes and their vertical extent in the biosphere. In this study, a helium balloon payload system was used to sample microbial cells and dust particles in air masses as high as 38 km above sea level over three locations in the southwestern United States. The cell concentrations at altitudes between 3 and 29 km were highly similar (2–5 × 10(5) cells m(−3)) and approximately threefold lower than those observed in the convective boundary layer (CBL; 1 × 10(6) cells m(−3)), decreasing to 8 × 10(4) cells m(−3) at 35–38 km. The detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and recovery of bacteria possessing extreme tolerance to desiccation and shortwave ultraviolet radiation confirmed that certain microorganisms have the capacity to persist at lower altitudes of the stratosphere. Our data and related calculations provide constraints on the upper altitudinal boundary for microbial habitability in the biosphere.

Les quatre deversoirs d’orage les plus importants du reseau unitaire du bassin versant historique de Bordeaux Metropole ont ete equipes avec des capteurs de turbidite. Le principe d’installation des capteurs permettant de minimiser l’entretien similaire sur chaque point est presente. Les sondes ont ete calibrees, et des donnees collectees sur 8 mois ont ete traitees puis validees par des algorithmes mathematiques. Des calculs de flux et de contri - butions de chacun des deversoirs au rejet au milieu recepteur ont ete realises. Les resultats de calculs de contribution de chaque deversoir ont ete compares entre : 1) le volume, 2) la masse rejetee calculee par la methode « classique » basee sur un echantil - lonnage manuel composite et l’utilisation d’une concentration moyenne evenementielle, et 3) les concentrations en matieres en suspension issues de mesures en continu. Les resultats ont montre une difference de 10% de masse totale deversee entre les methodes 2 et 3 precedemment citees. Les resultats ont aussi permis de montrer qu’un meme deversoir pouvait contribuer au rejet au milieu recepteur a hauteur de 51% en volume, de 60% de la masse totale rejetee selon la methode classique et 33% selon la methode utilisant la mesure en continu.

Souvent percues comme de simples desagrements, les nuisances liees aux dysfonctionnements du reseau d’assainissement apparaissent comme une veritable problematique pour les gestionnaires et elus desireux d’ameliorer la qualite de service en milieu urbain. Ces nuisances peuvent etre de natures differentes : odeurs, rongeurs, degradations de la chaussee, debordements, etc., et leurs causes restent multiples, comme les debordements par bouchage : par les feuilles, par l’intrusion de racines, de graisses, de gravats, de ciments, etc. S’il s’agit en general de genes pour les usagers et non de dangers, les nombreuses reclamations visant celles-ci peuvent nuire a la notion de service rendu et a l’image de la collectivite ou du gestionnaire exploitant le reseau. L’etude des nuisances necessite donc de considerer le risque de genes encourues par les riverains ou usagers du service. Ainsi, cette communication a pour objectif de proposer une methodologie complete de l’evaluation du risque incluant l’alea et ses consequences. Ce travail, illustre a travers l’etude de la nuisance « debordements dus a des dysfonctionnements du reseau », a ete realise sur le territoire de la communaute urbaine de Bordeaux. Cette methodologie reprend les travaux precedemment proposes sur la formulation de l’alea et cible plus particulierement la formulation des autres composantes du risque (intensite, vulnerabilite et enjeux) ainsi que leur combinaison pour la construction de cartes de risques operationnelles. Cette etude, realisee en collaboration entre la direction de l’eau de Bordeaux Metropole (anciennement « communaute urbaine de Bordeaux ») et la SGAC (societe en charge de l’exploitation du reseau de Bordeaux Metropole), permet de montrer la pertinence des donnees collectees pour une amelioration de la maitrise des differentes nuisances liees au systeme d’assainissement. L’etude a permis de relever les zones a risque eleve puis d’identifier les causes principales de debordements. Des actions ont ainsi pu etre proposees pour reduire l’alea dans les zones a fort risque. Cette methode peut etre appliquee par toute collectivite disposant de donnees suffisantes; elle peut egalement servir a la mise en place d’une collecte des donnees pour une future utilisation.

Owing to the challenges posed to microbial aerosol sampling at high altitudes, very little is known about the abundance, diversity, and extent of microbial taxa in the Earth-atmosphere system. To directly address this knowledge gap, we designed, constructed, and tested a system that passively samples aerosols during ascent through the atmosphere while tethered to a helium-filled latex sounding balloon. The sampling payload is ~ 2.7 kg and comprised of an electronics box and three sampling chambers (one serving as a procedural control). Each chamber is sealed with retractable doors that can be commanded to open and close at designated altitudes. The payload is deployed together with radio beacons that transmit GPS coordinates (latitude, longitude and altitude) in real time for tracking and recovery. A cut mechanism separates the payload string from the balloon at any desired altitude, returning all equipment safely to the ground on a parachute. When the chambers are opened, aerosol sampling is performed using the Rotorod® collection method (40 rods per chamber), with each rod passing through 0.035 m3 per km of altitude sampled. Based on quality control measurements, the collection of ~ 100 cells rod(-1) provided a 3-sigma confidence level of detection. The payload system described can be mated with any type of balloon platform and provides a tool for characterizing the vertical distribution of microorganisms in the troposphere and stratosphere.

Depuis quelques annees, la gestion des eaux urbaines a considerablement evolue afin de repondre a des enjeux varies. La qualite des milieux aquatiques, enjeu essentiel de la gestion des eaux urbaines, s’est traduite au niveau reglementaire par la directive cadre europeenne sur l’eau n° 2000/60. Dans le cadre de cette directive, les indicateurs d’evaluation proposes restent techniques et peu lisibles pour la plupart des acteurs impliques et/ou touches dans la gestion de ces milieux. Or l’amelioration des actions passe par l’implication des acteurs des le debut du processus. Dans ce contexte, nous proposons une demarche complementaire aux methodes traditionnelles d’analyse de qualite des milieux aquatiques, en identifiant des indicateurs comprehensibles par les acteurs de l’eau et construits avec eux. Ainsi, leurs elements de discours sont transformes en indicateurs grâce a un outil nomme « arbre de causes generique », qui est l’association d’un arbre de causes; reliant les indicateurs comprehensibles aux sources physiques limitant leurs performances, au modele DPSIR (pour : driving forces, pressures, state, impacts, responses ). Deux types d’indicateurs comprehensibles ont ainsi pu etre identifies pour la riviere Jalle, situee sur le territoire de la communaute urbaine de Bordeaux; dont un qui concerne les especes du peuplement landais (chabot, vairon, anguille, brochet) et l’autre le peuplement de libellules. Cette methode est utilisable aussi bien par des gestionnaires que par des scientifiques et peut etre applicable a d’autres enjeux du systeme de gestion des eaux urbaines (preserver les usages des milieux aquatiques, proteger contre les inondations…). Enfin, les resultats obtenus par cette demarche, complementaires de ceux obtenus lors de l’application de la directive cadre europeenne sur l’eau, peuvent aider les gestionnaires dans leurs prises de decision sur un plan local.

Souvent percus comme de simples desagrements, les debordements lies a un dysfonctionnement du reseau d’assainissement apparaissent comme une veritable problematique a traiter pour les gestionnaires et les elus desireux de limiter les nuisances en milieu urbain. Ces dysfonctionnements peuvent etre de causes multiples : bouchage par les feuilles ou les racines, encrassement, mais aussi graisses, gravats, ciments, etc. Bien que les medias fassent seulement echos aux inondations dues aux evenements pluvieux importants, les debordements lies aux dysfonctionnements de reseau sont sur certaines agglomerations a l’origine de nombreuses reclamations et peuvent nuire a l’image d’efficacite de la collectivite. Cet article cible les debordements dus a des dysfonctionnements du reseau, l’objectif etant de proposer une methode de valorisation des donnees d’exploitation pour etablir une image de l’alea debordement et ainsi connaitre les zones a problemes. La methode proposee vise egalement a identifier les causes des debordements en distinguant les different ouvrages du reseau (branchements, collecteurs et avaloirs). La methode proposee peut etre applique par une collectivite disposant de donnees suffisantes. Elle peut egalement servir a mettre en place la collecte des donnees pour une future utilisation.

In this study, the distribution of labile trace metals (LTMs; Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in a semi-urban runoff collector was examined to assess its influence to a natural aqueous system (Jalle River, Bordeaux, France). This river is of high importance as it is part of a natural reserve dedicated to conserving aquatic flora and fauna. Two sampling campaigns with a differing precipitation condition (period 1, spring season; and period 2, summer season associated with storms) were considered. Precipitation and water flow were monitored. The collector is active as it is receptive to precipitation changes. It influences the river through discharging water, contributing LTMs, and channeling the mass fluxes. During period 2 where precipitation rate is higher, 25 % of the total water volume of the river was supplied by the collector. LTMs were detected at the collector. Measurements were done by using diffusive gradient in thin films (DGT) probes deployed during 1, 7, and 14 days in each period. The results showed that in an instantaneous period (day 1 or D1), most of these trace metals are above the environmental quality standards (Cd, Co, Cr, and Zn). The coefficient of determination (r 2 > 0.50) employed confirmed that the LTM concentrations in the downstream can be explained by the collector. While Co and Cr are from the upstream and the collector, Cd, Cu, and Zn are mostly provided by the collector. Ni, however, is mostly delivered by the upstream. Using the concentrations observed, the river can be affected by the collector in varying ways: (1) adding effect, resulting from the mix of the upstream and the collector (if upstream ˂ downstream); (2) diluted (if upstream ˃ downstream); and (3) conservative or unaffected (upstream ~ downstream). The range of LTM mass fluxes that the collector holds are as follows: (1) limited range or ˂10 g/day, Cd (0.04–1.75 g/day), Co (0.08–05.42 g/day), Ni (0.06–1.45 g/day), and Pb (0.08–9.89 g/day); (2) moderate range or 11–50 g/day, Cr (0.23–33.26 g/day) and Cu (0.77–37.88 g/day); and (3) wide range or ˃50 g/day, Zn (26.33–676.61 g/day). Hence, the collector is a major source of concern in terms of contamination. This is as the water with considerable LTMs is channeled openly to the river without any treatment.

Depuis plusieurs annees, la gestion des eaux transitant par les villes (pluviales, usees, potables, d’agrement, etc.) a beaucoup evolue afin de repondre a des enjeux varies (valorisation de l’eau en ville, protection des milieux aquatiques, protection contre les inondations, etc.). La multiplicite des acteurs a des echelles variables du territoire ajoute a la complexite de cette gestion. Ainsi, le programme de recherche multipartenaires Omega (ANR Villes Durables 2009) propose une methode d’evaluation des enjeux du systeme de gestion des aux urbaines, appeles aussi fonctions de service – action attendue d’un produit (ou realisee par lui) pour repondre a un element de besoin d’un utilisateur donne –, en creant des modalites d’interactions et de cooperations entre l’ensemble des acteurs concernes. Sur le site complexe du lac de Bordeaux, quatre fonctions de service (« maitriser le cout global », « preserver le milieu aquatique », « respecter les usages du milieu aquatique » et « valoriser l’eau urbaine pour la vie urbaine ») ont ete evaluees et croisees afin d’identifier des actions permettant d’ameliorer le systeme. L’evaluation necessite de definir des indicateurs comprehensibles pour chaque fonction. Les indicateurs ont ensuite ete mesures et adaptes a une echelle de valeur avant de venir alimenter un tableau de bord pour le site d’etude. Meme si la frequentation reste correcte, la satisfaction des usagers et riverains concernant la qualite du lac et de l’environnement est moyenne; les espaces verts semblent insuffisants et le milieu degrade avec une presence limitee en perches communes et un nombre de jours de fermeture de la zone de baignade trop important. Enfin, les sources limitant les indicateurs ont ete identifiees. Puis les fonctions ont ete croisees en identifiant les sources communes et en proposant des actions correctives. Les rejets des eaux pluviales et usees, l’urbanisation du site et les usages non respectueux sont des sources communes aux fonctions du lac.

Dans le cadre du developpement d’une methodologie d’aide a la decision en matiere de gestion durable des eaux urbaines, l’INSA de Lyon et Lyonnaise des Eaux proposent un cadre d’evaluation de la qualite de service rendu par le systeme de gestion des eaux urbaines [Granger et al. , 2010]. Cette methodologie vise a fournir une vision globale, a satisfaire les besoins et attentes des acteurs du territoire et a assurer une qualite de service en continu. Une des fonctions etudiees concerne la protection des personnes et des biens vis-a-vis du risque d’inondation.L’objectif de cette etude est de definir une methodologie operationnelle permettant aux gestionnaires d’evaluer le risque de debordement des systemes d’assainissement a l’echelle des agglomerations. Notre approche ne cherche pas a rendre previsible le systeme, mais a renseigner les decideurs sur le niveau de risque actuel et sur les actions a mettre en place pour gerer efficacement ce risque. Elle est basee sur une definition globale du risque incluant la vulnerabilite du territoire et la perception des differents acteurs locaux. Apres la presentation de l’approche methodologique retenue, nous illustrons et discutons l’application de cette methodologie a travers deux cas d’etudes : les agglomerations de Lyon et de Mulhouse.

Laser-induced fluorescence experiments, using Rh metal and silane and jet-cooling, reveal a rich band spectrum of RhSi in the UV–visible region between 420 and 520 nm.This represents the first such observation for this free radical. The molecular ground state is identified as a 2 Σ + state derived principally from a σ 2 π 4 δ 4 σ 1 configuration and the electronic transition arises from promotion of the unpaired σ electron, localized on the Rh atom, to a ligand-sensitive π-orbital which is anti-bonding. A (0,0) band of the [22.6] 2 Σ + –X 2 Σ + system has been recorded near 442.55 nm at 200 MHz resolution. The band is red-degraded and all the rotational structure is resolved and a small hyperfine splitting has been measured. The (0,0) sub-bands of the [20.2] 2 Π–X 2 Σ + system lie near 495 nm. All bands of the system are strongly red-degraded. The (2,0) sub-bands have been recorded at 200 MHz resolution; all the rotational structure is resolved and a small hyperfine splitting measured, however, the upper states have proven to be perturbed. Dispersed fluorescence from numerous bands has been examined. Analysis of all the data provides the following molecular parameters for the X 2 Σ + state (in cm −1 ): B 0 = 0. 183695, D 0 = 3.76 × 10 −8 , γ 0 = −0.05083, γ 0D = 1.08 × 10 −5 , and ω e = 522. The measured bond length is 0.2043 nm. A simple molecular orbital scheme accounts for the observations.

L’une des questions centrales de la gestion de l’assainissement dans la ville de demain concerne la mesure objective du niveau de service reellement rendu aux usagers. En venant cohabiter avec les systemes collectifs, le developpement rapide de systemes non collectifs, aussi bien pour les eaux usees que pour les eaux pluviales, rend cette evolution necessaire. L’evaluation de l’efficacite d’un systeme d’assainissement urbain est actuellement essentiellement fondee sur le respect d’obligation de moyens definis a une echelle nationale. Par ailleurs, les eaux urbaines sont aujourd’hui de plus en plus souvent considerees comme une ressource. Prendre en compte les consequences locales des moyens mis en oeuvre en termes de service rendu devient une etape necessaire et obligatoire dans la prise de decisions durables. Mais, la diversite des acteurs, des enjeux et des strategies de gestion vient complexifier la demarche. Le systeme devient donc de plus en plus complique et beaucoup d’experts considerent qu’il est aujourd’hui necessaire de remplacer le concept d’assainissement urbain par celui de gestion des eaux urbaines. Dans ce contexte, nous proposons une methodologie permettant de soutenir une strategie de gestion durable des eaux urbaines, fondee sur une logique de pilotage de la performance par des objectifs de resultats definis localement. Cette methodologie est actuellement appliquee sur le Syndicat intercommunal a vocation multiple (Sivom) de l’agglomeration mulhousienne, en partenariat avec la societe Lyonnaise des Eaux et les differents acteurs locaux (associations, autorites, agence de l’eau, etc.).

The High Altitude Student Platform (HASP) was originally conceived to provide student groups with access to the near-space environment for flight durations and experiment capabilities intermediate between what is possible with small sounding balloons and low Earth orbit rocket launches. HASP is designed to carry up to twelve student payloads to an altitude of about 36 km with flight durations of 15–20 h using a small zero-pressure polyethylene film balloon. This provides a flight capability that can be used to flight-test compact satellites, prototypes and other small payloads designed and built by students. HASP includes a standard mechanical, power and communication interface for the student payload to simplify integration and allows the payloads to be fully exercised. Over the last two years a partnership between the NASA Balloon Program Office (BPO), Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF), Louisiana State University (LSU), the Louisiana Board of Regents (BoR), and the Louisiana Space Consortium (LaSPACE) has led to the development, construction and, finally, the first flight of HASP with a complement of eight student payloads on September 4, 2006. Here we discuss the primary as-built HASP systems and features, the student payload interface, HASP performance during the first flight and plans for continuing HASP flights. The HASP project maintains a website at http://laspace.lsu.edu/hasp/ where flight application, interface documentation and status information can be obtained.

Poster presented at MAM 2008, the 3rd Molecular Approaches to Malaria Meeting. The Trichomonas vaginalis TrxR was analysed to assess the efficacy of the organotellurides against a low Mr TrxR, which act by a very different mechanism to that of the high Mr TrxR. The results that will be presented show that: (a) Selectivity of inhibition between hTrxR and PfTrxR is possible (b) Selective inhibition between high Mr and low Mr TrxR can be achieved (c) The generation of inhibitors that specifically affect parasite viability is feasible.

International audience; Sustainable water management is a worldwide challenge for the twenty-first century. It involves replacing traditional management approaches with a new concept, often referred to as sustainable urban water management (SUWM). This paradigm shift means that SUWM systems must include new services, some of which have already emerged. However, no publications have presented the expected SUWM system in terms of the full range of services it would need to include, and no publications have proposed a method for identifying the services the system must provide. This paper proposes a method for identifying these services and presents a generic petal diagram to represent the service functions of the SUWM system. Moreover, this paper presents a new method for defining these services in a specific territory. This method is based on the confrontation between a general representation and the objectives of the stakeholders in a given system in a given territory. The method is illustrated with a full-scale case study on the Doua eco-campus (Lyon University). This method is intended to aid practitioners to manage its system and to transition to SUWM. It is designed to improve the transparency of decision formulation and to involve stakeholders in the process.

Avec une estimation de plus de 75% de la population europeenne vivant en ville en 2020, les consequences de l’urbanisation croissante et des activites anthropiques associees representent un enjeu majeur pour les decennies a venir. La concentration des populations et des activites industrielles et urbaines est responsable d’une forte pression sur le milieu aquatique par l’intermediaire des rejets urbains, vecteurs de multiples polluants. L’evolution de nos modes et niveaux de vie va entrainer une importante augmentation de l’utilisation de nombreuses substances actives. Une partie de ces substances pourra etre liberee dans les ecosystemes avec un impact nefaste sur les especes presentes dont les humains. Connaitre l’origine et l’impact des micropolluants est un enjeu majeur pour en maitriser et en reduire les flux afin de rendre les villes et les territoires plus surs et durables.Dans ce cadre, Bordeaux Metropole et le LyRE/Suez environnement ont mis en place, pour une duree de 6 ans, le « plan micropolluants Bordeaux Metropole » (2013-2018). Ce projet propose une demarche de reflexion globale qui traite la question de la pollution des eaux dans son ensemble, depuis la source de la pollution dans le reseau d’assainissement jusqu’a son devenir dans le milieu naturel. Le « plan micropolluants Bordeaux Metropole » est compose de deux phases. La premiere (2013-2015) consiste a caracteriser et a quantifier les micropolluants dans le systeme d’assainissement de la metropole de Bordeaux. Cette phase doit egalement identifier et comprendre les origines des emissions afin de proposer des leviers de reduction adaptes en fonction des sources. La seconde phase (2015-2018) consistera a initier la mise en place de solutions de reduction des flux de micropolluants sur le territoire et a suivre les actions entreprises.L’objet de cette communication est de presenter la methodologie mise en place, en phase 1, afin d’aider le decideur a caracteriser les substances posant probleme sur son territoire ainsi qu’a identifier les sources principales de ces polluants. Les resultats presentes s’appuient sur le site d’etude de la Jalle de Blanquefort, affluent de la Garonne et riviere periurbaine du nord de l’agglomeration (bassin versant de 347 km²), ayant des enjeux environnementaux importants et de nombreux usages (zone maraichere, zone d’alimentation en eau potable…).

The Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) balloon-borne experiment is designed to perform cosmic-ray elemental spectra measurement from 50 GeV to 100 TeV for nuclei from hydrogen to iron. These measurements are expected to provide crucial hints about some of the most fundamental questions in astroparticle physics today. ATTIC'S design centers on an 18 radiation length (X(sub Omnicron)) deep bismuth germanate (BGO) calorimeter, preceded by a 0.75 lambda(sub int) graphite target. In September 1999 the ATIC detector was exposed to high-energy beams at CERN's SPS accelerator, within the framework of the development program for the Advanced Cosmic-ray Composition Experiment for the Space Station (ACCESS). In December 2000 - January 2001, ATIC flew on the first of a series of long duration balloon (LDB) flights from McMurdo Station, Antarctica. We present here results from the 1999 beam-tests, including energy resolutions for electrons and protons at several beam energies from 100 GeV to 375 GeV, as well as signal linearity and collection efficiency estimates. We show how these results compare with expectations based on simulations, and their expected impacts on mission performance.

Long Duration Balloon (LDB) scientific experiments, launched to circumnavigate the south pole over Antarctica, have particular advantages compared to Shuttle or other Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions in terms of cost, weight, scientific “duty factor” and work force development. The Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) cosmic-ray astrophysics experiment is a good example of a university-based project that takes full advantage of current LDB capability. The ATIC experiment is currently being prepared for its first LDB science flight that will investigate the charge composition and energy spectra of primary cosmic-rays over the energy range from about 1010 to 1014 eV. The instrument is built around a fully active, Bismuth–Germanate (BGO) ionization calorimeter to measure the energy deposited by cascades formed by particles interacting in a thick carbon target. A highly segmented silicon matrix, located above the target, provides good incident charge resolution plus rejection of “backscattered” particles from the cascade. Trajectory reconstruction is based on the cascade profile in the BGO calorimeter, plus information from the three pairs of scintillator hodoscope layers in the target section above it. A full evaluation of the experiment was performed during a test flight occurring between 28 December 2000 and 13 January 2001 where ATIC was carried to an altitude of ∼37 km above Antarctica by a ∼850,000 m3 helium filled balloon for one circumnavigation of the continent. All systems behaved well, the detectors performed as expected, >43 GB of engineering and cosmic-ray event data were returned and these data are now undergoing preliminary data analysis. During the coming 2002–2003 Antarctica summer season, we are preparing for an ATIC science flight with ∼15 to 30 days of data collection in the near-space environment of Long Duration Balloon (LDB) float altitudes.

Plasmodium berghei-infected mice, a well-recognized model of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), exhibit a systemic inflammatory response. Most investigators hypothesize that leukocytes bind to endothelial cells via intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), which causes endothelial damage, increased microvascular permeability, and, ultimately, death. ICAM-1-deficient mice on an ECM-susceptible C57BL/6 background were significantly ( p = .04) protected from P. berghei mortality compared with ICAM-1 intact controls. ICAM-1 expression assessed by the dual radiolabeled monoclonal antibody technique was increased in the brain and lung in C57BL/6 mice on day 6 of P. berghei infection compared with uninfected controls (5.3-fold, p = .0003 for brain and 1.8-fold, p = .04 for lung). The increase in ICAM-1 expression coincided with significant ( p < .05) increases in microvascular permeability in the brain and lung. In contrast to the hypothesized role for ICAM-1, in vivo analysis by intravital microscopy of leukocyte rolling and adhesion in brain microvasculature of mice revealed markedly increased levels of leukocyte rolling and adhesion in ICAM-1-deficient mice on day 6 of P. berghei infection compared with uninfected controls. In addition, ICAM-1 expression and microvascular permeability were increased in infected ECM-resistant BALB/c mice compared with uninfected BALB/c controls. These results collectively indicate that although ICAM-1 contributes to the mortality of experimental malaria, it is not sufficient for the development of severe experimental malaria. In addition, ICAM-1 expressed on the endothelium or on leukocytes is not required for leukocyte rolling or adhesion to the brain microvasculature of mice during P. berghei malaria. Leukocyte rolling and adhesion in the brain vasculature during P. berghei malaria use different ligands than observed during inflammation in other vascular beds.

We investigated for the presence of a vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) in the human eccrine sweat duct (SD). With the use of immunocytochemistry, an anti-V- ATPase antibody showed a strong staining at the apical membrane and a weaker one in the cytoplasm. Cold preservation followed by rewarming did not alter this staining pattern. With the use of the pH-sensitive dye 2′,7′-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein on isolated and perfused straight SD under HCO[Formula: see text]-free conditions and in the absence of Na+, proton extrusion was determined from the recovery rate of intracellular pH (dpHi/d t) following an acid load. Oligomycin (25 μM), an inhibitor of F-type ATPases, decreased dpHi/d t by 88 ± 6%, suggesting a role for an ATP-dependent process involved in pHirecovery. Moreover, dpHi/d t was inhibited at 95 ± 3% by 100 nM luminal concanamycin A, a specific inhibitor of V-ATPases, whereas 10 μM bafilomycin A1, another specific inhibitor of V-ATPases, was required to decrease dpHi/d t by 73%. These results strongly suggest that a V-ATPase is involved in proton secretion in the human eccrine SD.

Published online: 14 Jan 2014; International audience; In the context of new challenges and emerging needs for transparency regarding users, urban water management is obliged to forge links between different technical fields. This implies managing interfaces between multiple stakeholders on the one hand, and ensuring the adaptability and sustainability of technical infrastructures on the other hand. In a period dominated by public spending cuts, the optimisation and efficiency of the system's infrastructures and the organisation of the stakeholders involved has become important for guaranteeing the continuity of the services provided. From the economic viewpoint, this challenge is related to tracking and reducing costs. Moreover, it also concerns the need to communicate arguments related to service costs to both users and stakeholders. Consequently, the "Eco-EAR" method was developed by adapting Functional Analysis (FA), Activity Based Costing (ABC) and Whole Life Costing (WLC) approaches in view to describing how the direct costs of the sewerage service provided by wastewater utilities are structured. The cost structure is analysed according to the activities and physical flows comprising the primary and secondary functions of an urban water management system. Three goals are targeted: i) to explain the costs of the system to the local authority (owners) and users; ii) to identify the activities that have the greatest impact on costs in order to plan cost reduction actions; and iii) to assess the apportionment of costs per activity and per physical flow, in order to better understand the system by combining both its economic and technical dimensions. The performance indicators proposed by the "Eco-EAR" method could also be used for benchmarking. The method is implemented in a real case study: the sub-system territory around the city of Mulhouse (northeast France) under the responsibility of a water management authority.

National audience

Ro and La RNP complexes were reassembled from in vitro labelled hY5 RNA and HeLa cell extracts. These complexes were then visualized through retardation of migration of labelled hY5 RNA in non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels. Three major complexes (named A, B, and C) were formed when crude cellular extracts (S100 fraction) were used. Using monospecific anti-60-kD Ro (Ro60) and anti-La antibodies to retard RNPs containing these antigens during migration in the gels, the three major complexes were shown to contain Ro60 (C), La (B), or both proteins (A). The specificity of RNA–protein interactions in the reassembled complexes was further demonstrated using two 3′-shortened hY5 RNA transcripts lacking the La-binding site (hY5–Alu I RNA) and both the Ro60 and La-binding sites (hY5–Hha I RNA). hY5–Hha I RNA still formed a single, minor complex when incubated with S100 extract, suggesting interaction with a yet undefined protein. In addition, we used the capacity of specific antibodies to retard the migration of the ressembled complexes to design a detection assay for anti-Ro and anti-La autoantibodies. Using 84 human sera, our assay was shown to approximate the specificity and sensitivity of an immunoprecipitation assay where 32P-labelled cell extracts are used as source of antigens. Our assay may be used to detect low levels of antibodies to conformational determinants on Ro60 and La proteins in human sera and antibody preparations.

Background It is increasingly accepted that patients want information about their proposed treatment, and that provision of such information may alleviate fear and may improve the process of obtaining informed consent. It is not yet clear what form such information should take. Objective Based on differences shown previously between patients receiving standard treatment and those in clinical trials, a system of routine appointments with a chemotherapy nurse at least one day before the patient offered consent to treatment was established for all patients receiving chemotherapy in Leicestershire, at which time patients were given standardised written information regarding outpatient chemotherapy and specific drugs. Method In order to complete the audit cycle, the previous questionnaire study was repeated. Results From 160 questionnaires distributed, 131 complete replies were received. Compared with the previous audit, a significantly higher proportion of patients receiving standard chemotherapy remembered being given written information about chemotherapy from a nurse before starting their treatment and remembered signing a consent form. The significant difference in feelings of involvement in the decision to have chemotherapy between patients receiving standard chemotherapy and those in clinical trials detected in the previous audit was no longer detectable, suggesting the clinical effectiveness of the intervention performed. Conclusion Implementation of nurse-led appointments with provision of standardised information before formal consent being taken should be studied further for its potential to improve patients’ involvement in medical decision making.

Sustainable water management is a global challenge for the 21st century. One key aspect remains protection against urban flooding. The main objective is to ensure or maintain an adequate level of service for all inhabitants. However, level of service is still difficult to assess and the high-risk locations difficult to identify. In this article, we propose a methodology, which (i) allows water managers to measure the service provided by the urban drainage system with regard to protection against urban flooding; and (ii) helps stakeholders to determine effective strategies for improving the service provided. One key aspect of this work is to use a database of sewer flood event records to assess flood risk. Our methodology helps urban water managers to assess the risk of sewer flooding; this approach does not seek to predict flooding but rather to inform decision makers on the current level of risk and on actions which need to be taken to reduce the risk. This work is based on a comprehensive definition of risk, including territorial vulnerability and perceptions of urban water stakeholders. This paper presents the results and the methodological contributions from implementing the methodology on two case studies: the cities of Lyon and Mulhouse.

International audience; To estimate the expectable enhanced biological phosphorus removal value of a wastewater, the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and the biochemical acidogenic potential (BAP) are generally determined on grab samples of wastewater, as these variables are prone to rapid change after sampling. However, such sampling technique do not take into account the variations of these parameters during the day. This work has evaluated the changes of VFAs and BAP occurring during sampling and storage in an automatic sampler over 24 h. The consequences of waterfall oxygen input during sampling, and changes during storage (fermentation and sulfatereducing process) were studied. The results for two wastewaters showed that the sampling technique used for daily flow proportional composite samples provided a correct estimation of VFAs, and underestimated BAP by up to 25%. For hourly-average composite samples of wastewaters, significant modifications of the concentrations of these two parameters were recorded around the daily average values.

We describe a rare case of primary renal allograft dysfunction due to myeloma cast nephropathy in a patient with no prior history of multiple myeloma preceding her transplantation. A 72-year-old woman on hemodialysis for 4 years prior to transplantation due to presumed hypertensive nephrosclerosis developed immediate graft dysfunction posttransplantation. The graft biopsy specimens were consistent with myeloma cast nephropathy for which she was treated with plasmapheresis and chemotherapy using bortezomib and dexamethasone. She achieved partial hematologic remission and recovered excellent graft function by 3 months posttransplantation. This is the first report of successful recovery of renal allograft function after development of cast nephropathy.

Geophysics plays an important role in geotechnical investigations for projects related to roadworks. Geophysical methods commonly employed are seismic refraction and electrical resistivity, and more recently terrain conductivity (EM). The Geotechnical Group of VICROADS routinely uses geophysics to investigate borrow material sites for roadworks projects. Problems may arise however through ineffective and incomplete communication between the investigating geoscientist and the end users of the information, i.e., the design engineer and especially the earthworks contractor.

Separation and pre-concentration of the desired analyte is often a critical step in many radioanalytical methods. Current procedures for separating and concentrating analytes for detection are complex, and can be both expensive and time consuming. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to develop an alternative method of separating lanthanide ions through the use of an extraction chromatography resin containing a Klaui ligand salt. This research is a continuation of a concerted effort to develop new methods of detecting small concentrations of radionuclides and lanthanides using Klaui ligands. The Klaui ligands, C5Me5Co(OP(OR)2)3- (R=Me, Et, n-Pr) (LOR-), have unique affinity for lanthanide and actinide ions in the presence of competing metal ions. The use of 1 wt% NaLOR (R=Et or n-Pr) adsorbed onto resin support has been shown to extract lanthanide ions from aqueous nitric acid solutions of different concentrations. In order to further evaluate the utility of these materials in radiochemical separation, the selectivity of the resins for the different lanthanide ions was examined by measuring the distribution coefficients (Kd) for a series of lanthanides over a range of solution conditions. Based on prior research with actinide ions, it was hypothesized that the lanthanide ions would bond strongly with the Klaui ligands. The success of this research is important, because it will assist in expanding and improving current automated radiochemical methods, which will decrease the cost of developing and implementing radiochemical methods. To date, Kd values have been determined for Eu+3, Nd+3 and Pr+3 under varying nitric acid (HNO3) concentration, using a resin consisting of 1.0 wt% NaLOPr on Amberlite XAD-7HP. The dependence of the Kd values for Eu+3 has also been examined as a function of the ligand-to-europium ratio and the nitrate concentration. Decreasing Kd values were obtained upon increasing the nitric acid concentration, indicating protonation of the ligand, which competes with binding of the lanthanide ions. As expected, increasing the Klaui ligand-to-europium ratio results in increasing Kd, but no conclusions could be made from these data regarding stoichiometry of the complex formed on the resin. No dependence of the Kd on the nitrate concentration was observed, supporting the notion that the HNO3 dependence is dominated by the presence of the acidic hydronium ion (as opposed to the nitrate ion). Future work will involve the determination of the Kd values for the remainder of the lanthanide series to further assess the potential of the Klaui ligand for intra-group lanthanide separations.

Using an anti-NHE1 antibody, we demonstrate the presence of a Na+/H+exchanger of isoform 1 (NHE1) in the human eccrine sweat duct. A strong staining was observed at the basolateral membrane of the outer cell layer (NHE1basal), at the junction between inner and outer cells layers (NHE1inter), and along the lateral membranes (NHE1later) of all cells of the duct. At the luminal membrane, no staining was demonstrated either for NHE1 or NHE3. To investigate Na+/H+mediated proton transport, straight sweat duct portions were isolated and perfused in vitro under HCO3--free conditions. In the presence of basolateral 5-ethyl- N-isopropyl amiloride (EIPA), an acidification of 0.29 ± 0.03 pH units was observed, whereas no effect was observed with luminal EIPA. Bath sodium removal generated a stronger acidification (0.41 ± 0.09 pH units). Removal of luminal sodium (in the absence or presence of basolateral EIPA), or low luminal chloride, led to an alkalinization, presumably due to a decrease in intracellular sodium, strongly suggesting functional activity of NHE1inter. We therefore conclude that in the sweat duct, NHE1 plays a major role in intracellular pH regulation.

— While there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that hypercholesterolemia prior to the onset of atherosclerosis renders tissues more susceptible to inflammation, the mechanisms that underlie this exaggerated inflammatory response remain poorly defined. The overall objective of this study was to assess the influence of hypercholesterolemia on endotoxin-induced endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CAM) expression in different vascular beds. Another objective was to determine whether the altered endothelial CAM expression in hypercholesterolemic animals is associated with a corresponding change in plasma cytokine levels. Male Sprague/Dawley rats (SD) were placed either on a normal (control) or high cholesterol (HC) diet for 3 weeks. The dual radiolabeled monoclonal antibody (mAb) technique was used to measure the expression of P-selectin, E-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 in different vascular beds after intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin (LPS) derived from Salmonella abortus equi. LPS induced a significant increase in the expression of all endothelial CAMs in both normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic groups. However, hypercholesterolemia enhanced LPS-induced expression of P-selectin, E-selectin, and ICAM-1 in several vascular beds, while VCAM-1 expression was unaffected. Thrombocytopenia, induced with anti-platelet serum, did not alter LPS-induced P-selectin expression in either group, suggesting that platelets do not contribute to this response. Hypercholesterolemia was associated with an exaggerated increase in plasma TNF-α, but not IL-1β, after LPS treatment. These results indicate that hypercholesterolemia in rats may render tissues more vulnerable to the inflammatory effects of LPS by enhancing the expression of certain endothelial CAMs.

The Advanced Thin Ionization Calorimeter (ATIC) balloon experiment is designed to measure the spectrum of individual elements from H through Fe up to a total energy >1014 eV. To accomplish this goal, ATIC incorporates a Silicon matrix detector composed of more than 4,000 pixels to measure the incident particle charge in the presence of backscatter background, three plastic scintillator hodoscopes to provide an event trigger as well as a backup measurement of the particle charge and trajectory, a 3/4 interaction length carbon target and a fully active ionization calorimeter composed of 22 radiation lengths of Bismuth Germanate (BGO) crystals. This detector complement is very similar to the baseline calorimeter for the Advanced Cosmic Ray Composition Experiment for the Space Station, ACCESS. The ATIC flights can be used to evaluate such a calorimeter in the cosmic ray “beam.” ATIC integration is currently underway with a first flight expected during 1999. This talk will discuss ATIC as it applies to ACCESS.

We recently reported the identification in human anti-Ro serum of Abs specifically immunoprecipitating deproteinized hY5 RNA. In the present report, we characterized the epitopes recognized by anti-hY5 RNA Abs. Using deletion and site-directed mutagenesis of hY5 cDNA and in vitro transcribed RNAs with intact and 3'-shortened ends, we have defined two conformational antigenic determinants distinct from the regions known to bind Ro and La proteins. One of these epitopes (epitope A) is present in the middle portion of hY5 RNA and is dependent on the presence of a four-nucleotide sequence (AACC at position 58-61) that may form a single-stranded loop. Deleting these four nucleotides or modifying the stem structures proximal or distal to this loop abolishes recognition of the mutated RNAs by Abs. The second epitope (epitope B) requires the presence of another four-nucleotide sequence (CUUG at position 74-77) in between the Ro and La binding sites. Deleting this CUUG sequence or modifying nucleotides on the 5' side of the stem structure below the Ro60 binding site severely compromises the interaction with Abs. Since Abs to deproteinized hY RNAs are restricted to anti-hY5 RNA and target determinants not involved in interactions with known hY5 RNA-binding proteins, human RohY5 particles may play a direct role in the immunization process, leading to the production of anti-hY5 RNA autoantibodies.

Two samples of Amaranthus cruentus harvested in 1987 (sample A) and 1990 (sample B) were studied. Whole and refined flours were obtained. The whole flours contained 14.6 and 12.6% protein and 6.6 and 7.3 ether extraction, respectively. Both samples contained significant levels of Ca, P, Mg and K. Amaranth oil contained 19% palmitic acid, 3.4% stearic acid, 3.4% stearic acid, 34% oleic acid and 33% linoleic acid. Docosaenoic acid (C22:1) was present at the level of 9%. The ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids was approximately 1:3. The level of crude fiber was 3.7% in the whole flours and 2.4% in the refined ones. Biological protein quality of flours was measured in the rat by the net protein ratio (NPR) method. The NPR values of the four materials tested ranged from 3.04 to 3.20 (NS), as compared with 4.08 for casein. These values are equivalent to 75-78% of the standard protein. Blends of raw wheat flour and whole amaranth flour fed to rats produced a good complementary effect between proteins, as shown by PER test. Wheat flour gave a poor PER value of 0.54. However, this figure increased with every increment of amaranth flour reaching a value of 2.15 for the blend 25:75. The PER for the amaranth diet (0:100) was 1.94 (casein 2.77). As expected, the extrusion process applied to the wheat/amaranth and corn/amaranth mixtures improved the biological quality of the protein. The wheat flour diet (100:0) gave a PER value of 1.64. Mixture 90:10 produced a low non significant increase in the protein quality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dissection of the inferior wall of the right ventricle during the acute phase of myocardial infarction with right ventricular involvement is a mechanical complication which has been recently identified, the diagnosis being almost exclusively post-mortem. The authors report the clinical, echocardiographic and pathological features of myocardial dissection in four patients. Between 1985 and 1988, the diagnosis of myocardial dissection was made by echocardiography in 4 patients aged 77 to 80 years, admitted to hospital for an acute inferior wall myocardial infarction. All 4 patients had signs of acute right ventricular failure indicating right ventricular necrosis and a loud systolic murmur at the left sternal border; 2 patients were in shock. The ECG showed signs of inferior wall infarction with, in 2 patients, electrical changes suggestive of right ventricular involvement. Echocardiography showed dissection of the inferior wall of the right ventricle as a pulsatile, echo-free space in the diaphragmatic wall of the right ventricle which appeared to obstruct right ventricular ejection in end systole to a variable degree. The outcome was fatal in all cases with death resulting from refractory myocardial failure. Pathological analysis confirmed biventricular inferior wall infarction also involving the posterior part of the interventricular system, the site of a small tear on the left side which communicated with a neo-cavity dissecting the RV posterior wall. The right coronary artery was totally occluded in all cases. The anatomical lesions were fully concordant with the echocardiographic data: the dissection filled with blood from the left ventricle at each systole creating a pulsatile space in the diaphragmatic wall of the ventricle obstructing ejection.

Solution and solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) spectra for poly(methacrylic anhydride) (PMAH) polymers with various tacticities and thermal histories were correlated with infrared spectra and gel permeation chromatographs to detect anhydride crosslinks. Under most baking conditions, thin films of isotactic poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (PtBMA) formed spherulitic crystals upon conversion to isotactic PMAH (i-PMAH), whereas PMAH prepared from 83% syndiotactic PtBMA or by the free-radical cyclopolymerization of methacrylic anhydride remained amorphous. Amorphous polymers gave broad solid state 13C NMR peaks, but crystalline i-PMAH yielded multiple carbonyl and α-methyl peaks. The i-PMAH spectra were compared to those for amorphous PMAH and a model compound to assign chemical shifts to PMAH crosslink α-methyl and carbonyl carbons.