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During their development, insects can suck plant structures like seeds and fruits being the preferred structures. The study aims to monitor the eating habits of these insects are relevant mainly in terms of food preference and development. The objective of this work was to analyze the feeding preference of Euschistus heros (brown stink bug) fed with 5 diets. The different diets studied resulted in insects in adult, with significant differences in the length of the nymph period, differences in the weights of males and females and variation in survival during the experiment.

O artigo parte do debate do direito à cidade e das teorias de David Harvey e Zygmunt Bauman para analisar a consolidação da inserção da cidade do Rio de Janeiro na hierarquia urbana global a partir das Olimpíadas de 2016. Os megaeventos abrem as portas da cidade para o mundo de um modo diferenciado. Em um ambiente altamente competitivo, este tipo de evento é responsável por atrair fluxos de capitais para espaços urbanos que almejam se tornar, ou consolidar-se como, globais, e, assim, legitimam construções de singularidade, permitindo a criação de monopólios sobre a cidade. No Rio de Janeiro, as obras de infraestrutura construídas para as Olimpíadas de 2016 foram responsáveis por reforçar a centralidade da Zona Sul, revitalizar a centralidade do Centro e indicar uma nova centralidade: a Barra da Tijuca. Esse modelo foi marcado por investimentos em infraestrutura que visavam transformar a cidade em um polo de entretenimento, lazer e consumo; mas também por conflitos e remoções. A cidade, nesse paradigma, passa a ser gerenciada e direcionada exclusivamente para os turistas; e a população local das áreas revalorizadas consolida-se como vagabunda, expulsa para periferias distantes ou cercada, para evitar a perda da atratividade da cidade.

O termo indústria criativa surge na década de 1990 quando os Estados percebem que a Economia entrou na Era da Informação e que os ramos mais tradicionais da indústria estavam perdendo participação na geração de emprego e renda. Entre os ramos ou atividades criativas estão algumas nucleares, como as artes cênicas, design, outras mais periféricas como o vestuário. O Estado do Rio Grande do Sul tem como característica produtiva o agronegócio, mas têm procurado outras fontes produtivas como os diferentes segmentos da indústria criativa. Utilizando-se da nomenclatura internacional sobre o tema e dos dados do MTE o objetivo deste trabalho é mostrar o comportamento das ocupações nos diferentes segmentos da indústria criativa nos anos de 2010 e 2011. Observa-se que embora tenham crescido, entre 2010 e 2011, ainda é incipiente sua participação no total do emprego gaúcho e demanda um esforço sobremaneira para que outras carreiras que não as tradicionais sejam incorporadas às atividades produtivas de renome no contexto econômico e empresarial.

International audience; The present research aims at improving the accuracy of labels on Petri dish images containing Colony Forming Units using Artificial Intelligence algorithms. Indeed, the labeling methods proposed by classical computer vision software such as ScanStation for example, are prone to errors and the manual correction of these errors is a difficult task. We propose a methodology based on AI models. At first, a YOLO model is trained on the existing labels given by ScanStation. The bounding boxes provided by ScanStation and YOLO are then binarized using the OTSU algorithm to generate semantic labels that are used to train a U-Net. Then, a Xception model is trained to classify all the segments generated by the U-Net as either outlier or colony. For new data, the trained U-Net and Xception models are used to improve the labeling. The results indicate that the proposed approach improves the accuracy of the labeling process without human correction.

Taphonomic analysis is a useful tool to assess the intensity of alteration of skeletal remains and to help characterize depositional conditions as well as completeness and resolution of fossil assemblages. We herein introduce TAPHOGRAPH, an Excel spreadsheet script (a R code is also available), for the production of taphonomic diagrams to characterize the taphonomy of skeletal remains. The graphical representation depicts four taphonomic factors (fragmentation, abrasion, bioerosion, and encrustation) as a cumulative curve that allows visualization and comparison of the degree and variability of taphonomic alteration for different hard part types from one or more samples in a single diagram. The TAPHOGRAPH methodology is highly flexible, and can be used to assess the relative influence of mechanical versus biological (versus chemical) taphonomic alteration. The TAPHOGRAPH approach can guide inferences about hydraulic regimes, residence time at the seafloor, and intensity of different taphonomic processes.

International audience; This article presents the realization of a bandpass filter on a flexible biopolymer substrate with a suitable fabrication process. We used copper adhesive tape and laser structuring to fabricate the filter based on a quasi-lumped microstrip structure. The filter characteristics are a central frequency of 2.45 GHz, a bandwidth of 20%, and insertion loss of 1.2 dB. It is demonstrated that the filter's performance remains almost constant under different bending, folding, and rolling conditions. The results show that the proposed bio-sourced polymer is a good candidate for flexible green electronics and wearable applications.

International audience; In this paper, a bio-based and biocompatible polymer, Cellulose Laurate (CL), is proposed for flexible radiofrequency (RF) electronics. The synthesis of CL films together with their characterizations (chemical, thermal, mechanical and dielectric) are presented. The results obtained allow considering this material for RF flexible applications as a possible alternative to petrosourced substrates. Therefore, CL has been used to fabricate a flexible patch antenna that operates in an industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) frequency band. The central frequency selected is 2.45 GHz. The antenna fabrication process is based on the combination of laser structuring and the use of copper adhesive tape. Measurements of the antenna reflection coefficient and radiation patterns show that CL is a good candidate as a RF substrate. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the antenna performance is only slightly impacted under bending conditions.

International audience; Plant protection is mainly based on the application of synthetic pesticides to limit yield losses resulting from diseases. However, the use of more eco-friendly strategies for sustainable plant protection has become a necessity that could contribute to controlling pathogens through a direct antimicrobial effect and/or an induction of plant resistance. Three different families of natural or bioinspired compounds originated from bacterial or fungal strains have been evaluated to protect wheat against powdery mildew, caused by the biotrophic Blumeria graminis f.sp. tritici (Bgt). Thus, three bio-inspired mono-rhamnolipids (smRLs), three cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs, mycosubtilin (M), fengycin (F), surfactin (S)) applied individually and in mixtures (M + F and M + F + S), as well as a chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) BioA187 were tested against Bgt, in planta and in vitro. Only the three smRLs (Rh-Eth-C12, Rh-Est-C12 and Rh-Succ-C12), the two CLP mixtures and the BioA187 led to a partial protection of wheat against Bgt. The higher inhibitor effects on the germination of Bgt spores in vitro were observed from smRLs Rh-Eth-C12 and Rh-Succ-C12, mycosubtilin and the two CLP mixtures. Taking together, these results revealed that such molecules could constitute promising tools for a more eco-friendly agriculture.

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International audience; Platform molecules were defined by the US Department of Energy, as bio-based or bio-derived chemicals whose constituting elements totally originated from biomass and could be used as building blocks for the production of commodity and refined chemicals. These chemicals can subsequently be converted into a number of high-value bio-based chemicals or materials. Today, there is a growing urge for the discovering of a cheaper and cleaner way for the environment to produce platform molecules from renewable substrate such as carbon. Succinic acid (SA) is considered as a key platform chemical since it is used as a precursor for other valuable chemicals and has aroused interest worldwide with its wide applications. This review aims at highlighting the currently available information about the mechanisms involved in the production of platform molecules, especially the SA production. In this review, the processing technologies used in the production of platform molecules are described, in addition to the information regarding the optimization of key parameters, the mechanisms of genetic engineering and finally the redox potential and purification processes which are known as alternative cost-competitive providers of fossil fuels.

International audience; In the current paper, we investigate a nonlocal hyperbolic problem with volume constraints. The main motivation of this work is to apply the nonlocal vector calculus, introduced and developed by DU et al. [3] to such problem. Moreover, based on some density arguments, some a priori estimates and using the Galerkin approach, we prove existence and uniqueness of a weak solution to the nonlocal wave equation. 1. Introduction. The study of nonlocal problems has gained great attention over the last two decades. Nonlocal models involve integral equations and fractional derivatives allowing nonlocal interactions, that is to say, the interaction may occur even when the closures of two domains have an empty intersection. Such models are effective in modeling material singularities and are widely considered in a variety of applications, including image analyses [6]-[10], phase transition [4][11], machine learning [12] and obstacle problem [5]... In a major advance in 2013, Du et al. [3] introduced nonlocal vector calculus as a nonlocal framework to understand and analyze nonlocal problems. It defines non-local fluxes , nonlocal analogues of the gradient, divergence, and curl operators, and presentes some basic nonlocal integral theorems that mimic the classical integral theorems of the vector calculus for differential operators, the authors have also provided connection between the nonlocal operators and their usual differential counterparts in a distributional sense then in a weak sense by introducing nonlocal weighted operators. The present paper was motivated by [2], where the authors threw light on the analogy between nonlocal and local diffusion problems with a convincing explanation of the usefulness, in the nonlocal case, of volume constraints which represent the nonlocal analogue of the boundary conditions of the classical theory. Our purpose

International audience; Cropping system design is being transformed through the twofold evolution of agricultural practices for an agroecological transition, and of equipment diversification for agrotechnical needs. Among the most well-known drivers there are genetic selection, crop diversification, protein and energy autonomy. Protein and energy autonomy but also crop diversification could be achieved by reintroducing pulses into farming systems. The availability of specific equipment might be the simplest prerequisite for developing agroecological farming practices while supporting these goals. However, the links between pulses and agri-equipment are not clarified in the literature. The aim of this study is to understand recent historical and current links between pulses and equipment and to gain insight into the suitability or even to find shortcomings concerning pulses and available agri-equipment. To this end, 21 key informants were identified in the agronomical, sociotechnical, economic, and political sectors in France. We asked them four questions: (i) Can you describe your professional functions? (ii) Do you think that equipment is related to the design of the culture system? (iii) Do you think that pulses require specific equipment? (iv) How do you define agroecology? Respondents’ profiles are equally distributed into profiles directly related to the farmer and profiles not directly related to farmers. All 21 respondents answered questions (ii) and (iv). Only 14 respondents answered question (iii), and most of them are directly related to the farmer. We note that pulses do not require specific agri-equipment in a conventional system. The need for agri-equipment is found in the soil conservation approach where pulses are combined with other crops. Soil conservation approaches appear to achieve agroecological goals through the reintroduction of legumes and the decarbonization of energy associated with reduced mechanical costs and CO₂ emissions. This article presents expert opinions on the impact of equipment in the adaptation of agroecological practices as well as insights into the existing blockages of equipment in relation to soil conservation practices.

Edible films and coatings with good mechanical/physical properties are highly required for carrying medical substances and food packaging. So, solvent-cast films of α- or β-chitosan filled with palygorskite, montmorillonite or geopolymer-containing material (GCM), were prepared, and the effects of their clay contents (up to 50 wt.%) on the mechanical/physical properties were assessed. The microstructure of the films was investigated using FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM and thermal analysis. The results showed that, except for the films composed of GCM and β-chitosan, the mechanical properties of the films with limited (up to 5 wt.%) to moderate (5–25 wt.%) amounts of fillers increased as a result of the attractive electrostatic forces formed between the fillers and chitosan functional groups (–NH3+, CH2OH and NHCOCH3). However, due to the occurrence of coarse aggregates, the strength of filler-rich films declined. The addition of fillers led to an increase in porosity and water absorption of the films, but it had irregular effects on their wettability and water vapor transmission rate. These observations as well as the thermal stability of the films were discussed in relation to the characterization results.

The hemibiotrophic fungus Zymoseptoria tritici, responsible for Septoria tritici blotch, is currently the most devastating foliar disease on wheat crops worldwide. Here, we explored, for the first time, the ability of rhamnolipids (RLs) to control this pathogen, using a total of 19 RLs, including a natural RL mixture produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 18 bioinspired RLs synthesized using green chemistry, as well as two related compounds (lauric acid and dodecanol). These compounds were assessed for in vitro antifungal effect, in planta defence elicitation (peroxidase and catalase enzyme activities), and protection efficacy on the wheat-Z. tritici pathosystem. Interestingly, a structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that synthetic RLs with a 12 carbon fatty acid tail were the most effective for all examined biological activities. This highlights the importance of the C12 chain in the bioactivity of RLs, likely by acting on the plasma membranes of both wheat and Z. tritici cells. The efficacy of the most active compound Rh-Est-C12 was 20-fold lower in planta than in vitro, an optimization of the formulation is thus required to increase its effectiveness. No Z. tritici strain-dependent activity was scored for Rh-Est-C12 that exhibited similar antifungal activity levels towards strains differing in their resistance patterns to demethylation inhibitor fungicides, including multi-drug resistance strains. This study reports new insights into the use of bio-inspired RLs to control Z. tritici.

International audience; This paper presents a flexible and wearable (on-body) dual band antenna operating in two Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) frequency bands. The central frequencies selected are equal to 2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz. In order to make the antenna suitable for Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) applications, it is fabricated on a flexible biopolymer called cellulose laurate (CL). The proposed antenna, that has been designed and optimized on ANSYS HFSS, is realized using a process based on copper adhesive tape and laser structuring. The characterization of the antenna in terms of reflection coefficient, gain and radiation patterns shows a good agreement with the simulation data. Compared to state-of-the-art antennas, the investigated solution demonstrates competitive results. The proposed antenna also features stable performance under bending conditions and the estimated specific absorption rate (SAR) is well below the limits defined by international standards. All these results suggest that the proposed antenna is very well suited for potential wearable applications and is a step towards fully green electronics.

International audience; The aims of this study were to investigate (i) the influence of aging grassland in the recovery of soil state by the comparison of permanent grassland, two restored grasslands, two temporary grasslands, and a continuous crop in the same pedoclimatic conditions, (ii) the extent and the persistence of the potential changes following a grassland/or cropland phase. We hypothesized that the level of microbial communities and enzyme activities could achieve a profile close to that of permanent grassland after the introduction of grassland for a few years in crop rotations. Soil biophysicochemical properties were studied. Our results indicated that the abundance of microbial communities and enzyme activities were positively correlated to soil C and N contents and negatively correlated to soil pH. The changes in microbial abundance level were strongly linked to the changes in functional level when grasslands are introduced into crop rotations. We also showed that a continuous crop regime had a stronger legacy on the soil biota and functions. By contrast, the legacy of a grassland regime changed quickly when the grassland regime is interrupted by recent culture events. A grassland regime enabled the restoration of functions after more than five cumulative years in the grassland regime.

International audience; Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation (CLGI) is a non-overt inflammatory state characterized by a continuous activation of inflammation mediators associated with metabolic diseases. It has been linked to the overconsumption of Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs), and/or macronutrients which lead to an increase in local and systemic pro-inflammatory biomarkers in humans and animal models. This review provides a summary of research into biomarkers of diet-induced CLGI in murine models, with a focus on AGEs and obesogenic diets, and presents the physiological effects described in the literature. Diet-induced CLGI is associated with metabolic endotoxemia, and/or gut microbiota remodeling in rodents. The mechanisms identified so far are centered on pro-inflammatory axes such as the interaction between AGEs and their main receptor AGEs (RAGE) or increased levels of lipopolysaccharide. The use of murine models has helped to elucidate the local and systemic expression of CLGI mediators. These models have enabled significant advances in identification of diet-induced CLGI biomarkers and resultant physiological effects. Some limitations on the translational (murine → humans) use of biomarkers may arise, but murine models have greatly facilitated the testing of specific dietary components. However, there remains a lack of information at the whole-organism level of organization, as well as a lack of consensus on the best biomarker for use in CLGI studies and recommendations as to future research conclude this review

International audience; The Soultz-Sous-Forêts geothermal site (France) operates three deep wells for electricity production. During operation, scales precipitate within the surface installation as (Ba, Sr) sulfate and (Pb, As, Sb) sulfide types. Scales have an impact on lowering energy production and inducing specific waste management issues. Thus scaling needs to be reduced for which a thorough characterization of the scales has to be performed. The geothermal brine is produced at 160 °C and reinjected at 70 °C during normal operation. In the frame of the H2020 MEET project, a small heat exchanger was tested in order to allow higher energy production, by reinjecting the geothermal fluid at 40 °C. Samples of scales were analyzed by XRD and SEM-EDS, highlighting that mostly galena precipitates and shows various crystal shapes. These shapes can be related to the turbulence of the flow and the speed of crystal growth. Where the flow is turbulent (entrance, water box, exit), crystals grow quickly and mainly show dendritic shape. In the tubes, where the flow is laminar, crystals grow more slowly and some of them are characterized by well-developed faces leading to cubes and derived shapes. The major consequence of the temperature decrease is the increased scaling phenomenon.

The purpose of this study was to improve the synthesis condition of the CuO–ZnO nanocomposite using a two-step protocol. Initially, an electrodeposition method was used to synthesize CuO nanoparticles (Nps) at different current densities (25–40–53A/dm2) then assembled with ZnO Nps via a milling process to obtain different catalysts. The performance of this new composite was evaluated by characterizing the nanocomposite with XRD, FE-SEM, FTIR, BET, BJH, pHzpc, UV-DRS and then comparing it with the sonocatalysis and sonophotocatalysis degradations of dye Brilliant Blue FCF (BBF). The preliminary results of the kinetic study and a structural characterization of the nanocomposite showed that the CuO–ZnO synthesis at low current density was an efficient catalyst to degrade BBF with a bigger surface area of 50.63 m2 g−1 and a pH zpc of 8.2. Furthermore, the optimization of operational parameters such as the synthesis temperature (300–500 °C), the mass ratio of CuO:ZnO (2–10%) and the catalyst dose (0.5–2 g L−1) was studied by a central composite design (CCD) using the NEMROOD Software. The adjustment of the model demonstrates an agreement between the experimental and predicted data as shown by the high values of the correlation coefficient (R2photosono = 0.999, R2sono = 0.998).

The occurrence of emerging organic pollutants (EOPs) in the aquatic environment originating from point and diffuse sources, has been the subject of global apprehension in the recent years. These groups of compounds include pharmaceuticals, industrial products/by-products, personal care products and pesticides, which demonstrated pseudo-persistence conduct, resistance to degradation and frequent entrance into the environment through wastewater. The effective removal of EOPs from industrial wastewater and sewage represents one strategic procedure that could diminish their intrinsic environmental impacts. For this purpose, the advanced oxidation treatment using heterogeneous photocatalysts under light irradiation is consistently argued to show potential as economically viable and commercially feasible technology. Remarkably, for the efficient degradation of EOPs, nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO2) containing materials have been favoured because of their anticipated combination of unique electronic structure, impressive light absorption properties, prolonged excited-state lifetimes and enhanced charge transport features. This review first highlights the research efforts associated with the manifestation and toxicity of EOPs in the environment. Subsequently, the treatment technologies that have been utilized in the literature for the removal of EOPs from aqueous media are summarized. Background information on the fundamental principles of light-driven catalytic activity at the surface of semiconductors is also presented. Next, a systematic survey of the latest progress in the development of TiO2 photocatalystsfor the degradation of EOPs is elaborated. The contribution of TiO2 photocatalysis in hybrid advanced oxidation procedures is also discussed. Notwithstanding the scientific efforts toward the minimization of wastewater generation, specific waste conditioning, and important information regarding cost, and benefits, as well as the scale-up of the treatment procedure are required to complement the advanced oxidative processes (AOPs).

A new graphical representation of the taphonomy of skeletal carbonates observed at the thin-section scale is proposed, demonstrating their utility in drawing information about the effects of early sea-floor processes on the post-mortem fate of fossil hard parts. The graphical representations consist of two-axis diagrams, which integrate the degree of fragmentation, abrasion, bioerosion, and encrustation as primary descriptors of the average state of fossil remains in a Miocene limestone section from southeastern North Island of New Zealand. Numerical values are expressed as percentages that represent the contribution of each factor to alteration (i.e., the four factors represent up to 25% each of the total alteration), the sum of values quantifying the amount of departure from pristine condition. Data are plotted in a cumulative form that reflects synergistic action of sea-floor processes towards hard parts destruction. One important virtue of this graphical representation is that the nature, degree, and variability of taphonomic alteration can be visualized and compared in a single diagram for several grain categories within a sample, and between samples. The proposed scheme is particularly flexible because more than four taphonomic categories can be integrated, independently from the number of alteration classes specific to each category, provided conversion of scores obtained in each taphonomic categories into percentages. Compiled results of such taphonomic analyses could be used in the future to identify specific depositional conditions, such as hydraulic regime, transportation, and residence time on the sea floor (a potential proxy to net accumulation rates).

Among other parameters, volcanic activity adjacent to shallow marine environments influences the development of ecosystems and their carbonate-producing communities. Volcaniclastic sediment influx in particular has potential to cause rapid and drastic environmental changes affecting biological systems in their composition and activity, and ultimately leading to changes to and breaks in carbonate sedimentation. Such sedimentary breaks that form in response to volcanic processes are rarely described in detail despite the common occurrence of carbonate platforms adjacent to active volcanoes both in the recent and past geological record. The Island of St. Bartholomew (St. Barths), French West Indies, exposes sections of middle Eocene limestones intercalated with thick volcaniclastic deposits and lavas. Theses carbonates provide an example of a low-latitude tropical platform where non-framework building biota were important, if not dominant, sediment contributors. The carbonate system records the repeated collapse and renewal of carbonate production, as a result of episodic volcaniclastic material input. The discontinuous nature of the carbonate sedimentation is reflected in contrasted depositional systems across sedimentary surfaces and gradational contacts. The studied Eocene deposits provide a sedimentary record of how volcanic events impacted warm-water carbonate factories, both in their disturbance, demise and recovery.

International audience; Yeast strains were isolated from sugar cane molasses (S1), dates (S2) and figs (S3) and the ethanol production was evaluated in batch condition. A comparison was made with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The strains showed tolerant characteristics to stressful conditions like salinity and ethanol. The isolated strains produced ethanol; at 20 h of fermentation ethanol yields were 0.38-0.39 g.g-1 , and the productivities were almost 0.58 g.L-1. S. cerevisiae and S1 tolerated up to 14% (v/v) of ethanol; while interestingly the isolates S2 and S3 were highly tolerant, up to 20% (v/v) ethanol. Thus, S2 and S3 could serve as potential strains for ethanol fermentation, with 0.27 and 0.29 g.g-1 yield of ethanol in the presence of 1.37 mol.L-1 NaCl. These values were higher than the value obtained using the yeast of reference and S1 (0.16 g.g-1). Co-cultures of S2 and S3 enhanced the ethanol production, increasing the yield of ethanol by 12.5% compared with the single culture. The strains were identified as species S.cerevisiae, and S2 and S3 were very similar. For an application in the valorization of biomass such as green macro-algae, some assays were done on a synthetic model medium of hydrolysate of macro-algae and the strains S2 and S3 demonstrated excellent fermentative performances.

This article is the continuation of the work that has already been completed in a first study on the perception of engineering students at UniLaSalle Beauvais about education for sustainable development (SD) and innovation. Its purpose is to show the evolution over time of the perception of engineering students regarding SD and innovation after integrating the international program called “Go-LaSalle”. In this training process, students spend the second semester of their third academic year in partner universities of the worldwide Lasallian network. To identify and measure the change of students’ perception, we have designed a survey that was sent to two engineers’ training classes (specialties) Agronomy and Agro-Industries and Food and Health. The results show that although some differences and similarities appear between the two specialties, there are few significant changes on student’s perception before and after the six-month international program (called “Go-LaSalle”). Finally, the study shows, on the one hand, that the students trust the institution, the companies and their teachers more than their own inclinations, on the other hand, it allows the institution to adapt their training to both collective needs and the demands of the environment.

Application of polymer-flooding systems in secondary and tertiary oil recovery represents a real challenge for oil industry. In this work, our main objective is to explore possibilities of making use of xanthan-g-polyacrylamide for polymer flooding in a particular Devonian oilfield of medium salinity. The graft polymer was synthesized by using microwave-assisted graft copolymerization reaction of acrylamide on xanthan. The synthesized copolymer with optimized grafting parameters has been characterized by Infrared Spectroscopy and Thermal Analysis (DSC). Rheological analysis by steady shear and oscillatory flow experiments have been subsequently performed for xanthan and grafted xanthan under reservoir conditions. In steady shear, as expected the grafted polymer solutions flow as shear-thinning materials and apparent viscosity showed good fits with Cross’s model. The viscosity losses due to salinity or temperature are more controlled for the grafted xanthan compared to pristine xanthan. When the grafted polymer concentration is increased to 2000 ppm the losses were halved. In oscillatory shear, the copolymer solutions followed a global behavior of semi-dilute entangled systems, furthermore, all dynamic properties were influenced by the brine salinity. Compared to xanthan, the elastic properties of xanthan-g-polyacrylamide solutions have been significantly improved in saline media and the losses in elasticity of grafted polymer solutions are lower.

Essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of Montanoa quadrangularis leaves, flowers, and stems were analyzed by GC and GC/MS techniques revealing myrcene, limonene, β-phellandrene, and sabinene among the main components. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the MDR modulator activity on human MDR1 gene transfected mouse lymphoma cell line and the antimicrobial activity on the essential oils obtained from different parts of the species under investigation. The results revealed that MQL caused a similar increase in the fluorescence activity of the cells at 0.02 μL/mL comparing to the Verapamil® value. The antimicrobial assay was carried out according to the disc diffusion method. Five different bacterial strains (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli AG 100, and Escherichia coli AG100A) were treated with the essential oils and the zones of inhibition were determined on TSA plates and TSA agar plates supplemented with Tween 20. MQF and MQL showed activity against B. subtilis, S. epidermidis, and E. coli AG 100A while MQS was only active against E. coli AG 100A on TSA agar plates experiment. In case of TSA agar plates supplemented with 0.1 v/v% Tween 20 detergent, MQF showed inhibition on B. subtilis, S. epidermidis, and E. coli AG 100A, MQL was active against B. subtilis, E. coli AG 100, and E. coli AG 100A while MQS was only active against E. coli AG 100A.

International audience; In this study, we show that the combination of a photocatalytic process (as a pretreatment step) combined with the conventional biological treatment of wastewaters can improve the process and achieve satisfactory efficiency. In this context, Reactive Green 12 (RG-12) solutions were photocatalytically pretreated using TiO(2)-impregnated polyester as supported catalyst under UV light in batch reactor. Photocatalysis as pretreatment (during 4 and 8 h of irradiation) was combined with 7 days of aerobic biological treatment using activated sludge. As first assays, respiratory tests revealed that the removal of RG-12 was improved by 5.4% and 11.7% for the solutions that were irradiated for 4 and 8 h in the presence of TiO(2), respectively. However, 34.5% and 19% of dye solution was discolored after 7 days of biological treatment for the pretreated solutions during 4 and 8 h of UV light exposure, respectively. The discoloration efficiency obtained by the combined processes achieved 59.6% and 74.9% for the samples under photocatalysis during 4 and 8 h, respectively. A significant decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD) of about 74.9% was achieved after photocatalysis/biodegradation processes. In addition, a decrease in the phytotoxicity was obtained as followed by the germination index (GI) values of cress seeds that increased from 46.2 to 88.7% after 8 h of photocatalysis and then to 92.8% after further 7 days of biological treatment.

International audience; The capability of some polymers, such as chitosan, to form low cost gels under mild conditions is of great application interest. Ionotropic gelation of chitosan has been used predominantly for the preparation of gel beads for biomedical application. Only in the last few years has the use of this method been extended to the fabrication of chitosan-based flat structures. Herein, after an initial analysis of the major applications of chitosan flat membranes and films and their usual methods of synthesis, the process of ionotropic gelation of chitosan and some recently proposed novel procedures for the synthesis of flat structures are presented.

International audience; The objective of this study was to improve the mineralization of metronidazole, a recalcitrant antibiotic by the development of a new combined process coupling electro-Fenton and a biological process. For biotreatment, various strategies were considered bioaugmentation, bioacclimatation and biostimulation alone or combined. So, the novelty of this strategy is to combine advanced oxidation process with advanced biological process. The conventional biotreatment with activated sludge after 120 h of culture, led to 58.1% mineralization, whereas the pure isolated strains, from activated sludge culture in the presence of metronidazole by-products, identified as Pseudomonas putida (strain A) and Achromobacter sp. (strain B), led to 37.2% and 40.1% respectively. After original acclimation of the isolated strains to electrolysis by-products, the mineralization levels reached 75.6% and 72.9% for strains A and B respectively after 120 h of culture. The results showed that the mineralization of metronidazole by-products was the most important in the case of the combination of autochthonous bioaugmentation and biostimulation, with 96.1% after 120 h of treatment. By coupling the two processes, the global treatment reached therefore a mineralization yield of 97% with a reduction in processing time of 16 days compared to previous conventional biological treatment.

This study investigates genetic and environmental variation in starch content and characteristics of 14 French bread cultivars. Understanding the impact of these factors on wheat quality is important for processors and especially bakers to maintain and meet the requirements of industrial specifications. Different traits were evaluated: starch content, distribution of starch granules, percentage of amylose and amylopectin and their molecular characteristics (weight-average molar mass, number-average molar mass, polydispersity and gyration radius). Genetic, environment and their interaction had significant effects on all parameters. The relative magnitude of variance attributed to growth conditions, for most traits, was substantially higher (21% to 95%) than that attributed to either genotype (2% to 73%) or G &times, E interaction (2% to 17%). The largest environmental contribution (95%) to total variance was found for starch dispersity. The highest genetic influence was found for the percentage of A-type starch granules. G &times, E interaction had relatively little influence (&asymp, 7%) on total phenotypic variance. All molecular characteristics were much more influenced by environment than the respective percentages of amylose and amylopectin were. This huge difference in variance between factors obviously revealed the importance of the effect of growing conditions on characteristics of cultivars.

International audience; Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) having different polarities were absorbed in two viscous waste oils (a transformer oil and a lubricant, whose viscosities are equal to 19 mPa s and 79 mPa s, respectively) in a structured packing (1 m height) operated at counter-current. A synthetic hydrophobic solvent (PDMS 20, a silicone oil) and water were also used as reference solvents. Removal efficiencies of hydrophobic VOCs in silicone and transformer oils up to 80-90% were measured. Nonetheless, owing to a higher viscosity, the removal efficiencies in the lubricant were significantly lower. A deconvolution procedure, based on the Higbie penetration theory, was developed to deduce the local mass transfer coefficients (k(L) and k(G)) from K(L)a degrees values. These local coefficients were compared to the predictions of the models of Billet-Schultes (BS) and Song-Seibert-Rochelle (SSR), allowing to conclude that the SSR model better addresses the influence of the viscosity on K(L)a degrees than the BS model.

International audience; Microorganisms can produce a wide range of bio-based chemicals that can be used in various industrial applications as molecules of interest. In the present work, an analysis of the power production by pure culture, co-culture, and sequential culture was performed. In this study, both the mono-culture and the co-culture strategies of Actinobacillus succinogenes with Saccharomyces cerevisiae as carbon sources to produce succinic acid using glucose and fructose were examined. The cultures were performed in batch mode and a great attention was paid to the co-culture system to improve the biosynthetic pathway between A. succinogenes and S. cerevisiae by combining these two strains in a single fermentation process. Under microaerobic and anaerobic conditions, the process was characterized in terms of sugars concentration, cell density, metabolites, yield (mol-C products/ mol-C sugars), the temperature conditions for productivity, and pH. The results showed that the process could consume glucose and fructose and could adapt to different concentrations of the two sugars more quickly than by a single organism and the best results were obtained in a sequential co-culture recording 0.27 mol L(-1) of succinic acid concentration and a volumetric productivity of 0.3 g L(-1) h(-1). Under the investigated operating conditions, the combination of these two strains in a single reactor produced a significant amount of succinic acid (0.70 mol-C SA/mol-C substrates). A simultaneous and sequential co-culture strategy can be a powerful new approach in the field of bio-based chemical production.

International audience; In our study, the effectiveness of photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) in the presence of several catalysts under simulated solar light was studied. A comparative study was conducted between four different catalysts (TiO2, Cu2O, WO3, and Bi2O3) to assess their photocatalytic activities by varying the illumination time. The photodegradation was examined through quantification of the photogenerated reactive oxygen species (ROS). In situ photogenerated hydroxyl radicals ((OH)-O-center dot) were detected with terephthalic acid (TA) dosimetry based on fluorescence spectroscopy. Therefore, the concentration of (OH)-O-center dot was expressed according to the relative fluorescence intensity. Moreover, proof of a nonlinear relationship connecting the kinetics of the photocatalytic degradation of MO and the generation of (OH)-O-center dot radicals was demonstrated using coefficients of determination (R-2). This brought new insights regarding the mechanism of the photocatalytic activity. Our findings indicate that the generated (OH)-O-center dot radicals from heterogeneous photocatalytic systems are not the unique factor involved in organic pollutant elimination; the double metal structure of metal oxides should also be taken into consideration.

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available in figshare at: https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Claussmann_et_al_NZJGG_Supplementary_material/13614101; International audience; Continental shelves generally supply large-scale mass-wasting events. Yet, the origin and significance of shelf-derived mass-transport deposits (MTDs) for the tectonostratigraphic evolution of subduction complexes and their trench-slope basins have not been extensively studied. Here, we present high-resolution, outcrop-scale insights on both the nature of the reworked sediments, and their mechanisms of development and emplacement along tectonically active margins, by examining the Middle Miocene shelf-derived MTDs outcropping in the exhumed southern portion of the Hikurangi subduction margin. Results show that periods of repeated tectonic activity (thrust propagation, uplift) in such compressional settings not only affect and control the development of shelfal environments but also drive the recurrent generation and destruction of oversteepened slopes, which in turn, favour the destabilisation and collapses of the shelves and their substratum. Here, these events produced both large-scale, shelf-derived sediment mass-failures and local debris flows, which eventually broke down into a series of coalescing, erosive, genetically linked surging flows downslope. The associated MTDs have a regional footprint, being deposited across several trench-slope basins. Recognition of tectonic activity as another causal mechanism for large-scale shelf failure (in addition to sea-level changes, high-sedimentation fluxes) has implications for both stratigraphic predictions and understanding the tectonostratigraphic evolution of deep-marine fold-and-thrust belts.

Total phenolic compounds (TPC) and the chlorogenic acids content of potato by-product extracts of two hydro alcoholic solvents (methanol, ethanol) and two extraction methods (maceration and heating-assisted extraction) were studied. The content of TPC in the extracts was determined spectrometrically according to the Folin&ndash, Ciocalteu procedure and calculated as chlorogenic acid equivalents. Soluble phenolic acids, especially the chlorogenic acids, were performed by HPLC. The antioxidant activity of potato by-product extracts was determined by using the total oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method. The highest content of TPC was found in raw and lyophilized red waters when using ethanol as a solvent around 57 mg/g fresh weight. Heating-assisted extraction enhances this quantitative increasing. At the given operating conditions, unpeeled potato samples exhibit a higher TPC than peeled ones, showing that TPC are accumulated in skin tissue. The greatest amount of chlorogenic acid (Caffeoyl-Quinic Acids, 3, 4, 5 CQA), mainly the 5-CQA (870 &plusmn, 39.66 &micro, g/g WM for wet matter versus DM dry matter), was obtained in the pellets and lyophilized fresh peels (skin vs. flesh). In addition, the greatest amounts of chlorogenic acids were found when potato peels were extracted with methanol. Heating-assisted extraction improved the chlorogenic acid concentration of the potato peel extracts. The total ORAC amounts recorded in the different potato fractions varied between 1500 and 1650 &micro, M TE/g. They were higher than those of some fruits, vegetables, nuts, cereals, and sweet potato cultivar. The good correlation coefficient found between TPC, chlorogenic acids determination, and the ORAC capacity indicates that the TPC can be used as a good indicator of the antioxidant capacity of potato by-products.

International audience; Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs), in particular heterogeneous photocatalysis, have been considered as a promising method to remove antibiotics without generating hazardous intermediates. In this work, an innovative compact photoreactor was designed and tested for the degradation of the antibiotic Flumequine. The system consisted of a textile woven from both luminous and photocatalytically active fibers. The luminous fibers consisted of LED-type optical fibers and the photocatalytic fibers consist of textile fibers impregnated with TiO2. This configuration allowed for optimization of contact between the catalyst, the pollutant, and the light source. The surface morphology, elemental composition and optical properties of this photo-active fabric were characterized by SEM-EDX and by irradiance measurements. The effectiveness of the luminous textile was compared with two conventional processes: suspended TiO2, and immobilized TiO2 on cellulosic paper. The specific degradation rate obtained with the light textile was 28 times higher than that observed with slurry photocatalytic reactor and 65 times higher than in the case of TiO2 supported on cellulosic paper. Luminous textile also showed efficient performance in terms of mineralization per Watt consumed with values exceeding 77 and 419 times than those obtained with suspended TiO2 and the cellulose paper, respectively. This new configuration also improved the compactness by 3 times compared to the cellulosic paper system. The Langmuir-Hinshelwood model showed that this optical fibers-based configuration reduced the mass transfer compared to the conventional TiO2 immobilization approaches. Additionally, the extrapolation of this process to pilot scale was successfully performed. The excellent performances in terms of degradation rate, mineralization per Watt consumed, compactness, energy consumption, and reusability make luminous textiles an attractive alternative to conventional photocatalytic reactors’ design for removal of antibiotics in water and wastewater.

In the attempt to close nutrient cycles, organic fertilizers and soil improvers are getting interest as renewable P sources for crops. However, both the P availability of these compounds for crops and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study composts (n = 8), biochars (n = 5), animal manure and processed animal manure (n = 13), digestates and processed digestates (n = 15) and blends of digestates with compost/animal manure/mineral fertilizers (n = 15) were analyzed for chemical composition, organic matter stability and P use efficiency (PUE). Biodegradability (=holocellulose/lignin ratio) proved to be a good indicator for organic matter stability and can successfully replace time-consuming incubation experiments in standard analyses of organic fertilizers. The PUE of digestates, struvites, animal manure products and blends of digestate with compost/animal manure/mineral fertilizers was determined by the NH4+-N, Mg and Fe content of the organic fertilizers. The PUE can be predicted by PUE = 61.34 + 8.59*NH4+-N/P + 42.25*Mg/P – 8.09*Fe/P (R2 = 0.71). As increasing amounts of NH4+-N and Mg stimulate the formation of soluble struvite crystals, increasing PUE is explained by an increasing amount of P as struvite. The PUE of biochars and composts was determined by the Ca/P and Al content of the organic fertilizers. Here, PUE can be predicted by PUE = 88.87–1.07*Ca/P + 6.08*Al/P (R2 = 0.93). As increasing amounts of Ca stimulate the formation of highly stable apatite crystals, increasing PUE is explained by an increasing amount of P in the form of apatite.

International audience; Biological treatments are used in gas treatment when containing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). Key factor to enhance treatment efficiency is to maximize mass transfer from gas to liquid. VOCs can be removed from the gas flow by absorption in a separate gas–liquid contactor before entering a Two-Phase Partitioning Bioreactor (TPPB) (Two-stage unit). The Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (NAPL), a silicone oil in this study, is able to solubilize large amounts of hydrophobic VOCs while avoiding toxicity effects on the microorganisms. The aim of this study is to provide a designing tool for the degradation process occurring in the TPPB. Simulations considering mass transfer coupled with biodegradation kinetics were considered when investigating the TPPB mechanisms. A single VOC (toluene) was first taken as a reference to assess the accuracy of the model in comparison with experimental results. A mixture of seven VOCs (toluene, m-xylene, 1,3,5 trimethylbenzene, n-heptane, ethyl acetate, methyisobutylketone and isopropyl alcohol) presenting a wide range of hydrophobicity was then implemented in the model considering no interaction regarding their biodegradation. Degradation kinetics of the mixture (representing an actual exhaust gas from an industrial plant) were compared with experimental results. The developed model tends to highlight that modeling results are closed to experimental results. The results delivered by the model shows that mass transfer, through the “kLa” value, is a key parameter to enhance efficiency of NAPL renewal by biological regeneration.

Four major challenges present themselves to us for this 21st century. First, an increase in the world’s population, leading to an increase in food and energy needs...

International audience; Natural rhamnolipids are potential biocontrol agents for plant protection against bacterial and fungal diseases. In this work, we synthetized new synthetic mono-rhamnolipids (smRLs) consisting in a rhamnose connected to a simple acyl chain and differing by the nature of the link and the length of the lipid tail. We then investigated the effects of these ether, ester, carbamate or succinate smRL derivatives on Botrytis cinerea development, symptoms spreading on tomato leaves and immune responses in tomato plants. Our results demonstrate that synthetic smRLs are able to trigger early and late immunity-related plant defense responses in tomato and increase plant resistance against B. cinerea in controlled conditions. Structure-function analysis showed that chain length of the lipidic part and type of acyl chain were critical to smRLs immune activity and to the extent of symptoms caused by the fungus on tomato leaves.

In this article, the dielectric properties of a biosourced polymer are investigated. To that end, coplanar transmission lines were fabricated on a 600- $\mu \text{m}$ thick cellulose palmitate substrate by using a photolithographic process and a transfer technique. The ${S}$ -parameters of the transmission lines were measured in a broad microwave frequency band spanning from 10 to 67 GHz in order to determine the propagation constant. From these data, the complex dielectric permittivity was extracted by using two analytical methods (RLCG method, based on resistance, inductance, capacitance and conductance of transmission lines and conformal mapping method) and a numerical one [finite element method (FEM)]. The three methods allow distinguishing the dielectric losses from the total measured losses of the transmission lines. Finally, the dielectric constant and the loss tangent of this biopolymer were compared to the data of common and commercially available substrates: polyimide and polyethylene naphthalate.

International audience; A series of fatty acid cellulose esters (FACEs) with both various degrees of substitution (from DS = 1.7 to 3) and side chain length were obtained by grafting aliphatic acid chlorides (from C10 to C16) onto cellulose backbone, in a homogeneous LiCl/DMAc medium. These materials were characterized by Fourier Transformed InfraRed (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of Proton (1H NMR) spectroscopies, as well as Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), mechanical analyses and chemical resistance to concentrated acid and alkali solutions. Whatever the alkyl chains length and the DS, all samples displayed a layered structure composed of a planar arrangement of parallel cellulosic backbones with fully extended flexible side chains oriented perpendicular to the planar structure without interdigitation. The alkyl chains were able to crystallize as soon as they are long enough. As the DS decreased, the plasticizing effect of the alkyl chains was less pronounced and their ability to crystallize was improved. Regarding the mechanical behavior and the chemical resistance, similar results were observed whatever the DS is.

Despite the advances made over the last decade, infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacterial strains are increasingly important societal issues that need to be addressed. New approaches have already been developed in order to overcome this problem. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) could provide an alternative to fight infectious bacteria. This approach has already inspired the development of innovative materials. Interesting results have been obtained against Gram-positive bacteria, but it also appeared that Gram-negative strains, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were less sensitive to PACT. Enhanced efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria had been previously obtained with photosensitizers bound to antimicrobial peptides. In this work, we designed a photobactericidal organic material, CNCsc6-PMB, consisting of cellulose nanocrystals to which the photosensitizer chlorin-e6 and the antimicrobial polypeptide polymyxin B (PMB) were covalently attached. These modified nanocrystals were characterized by IR spectroscopy, zeta potential measurements and elemental analyses, after which antibacterial assays were carried out. Following light irradiation, CNCsc6-PMB demonstrated efficiency against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) by inhibition of bacterial growth. An amplifying effect of chlorin-e6 has been highlighted against these Gram-negative strains, based on membrane weakening and a potential docking effect from the polymyxin moiety. Such results confirmed the importance of using an antimicrobial peptide in order to broaden the spectrum of PACT.

International audience