Structural analysis and sequential resolution for estimation of guaranteed horizons in Partially Observable Petri Nets

International audienceIn Partially Observable Petri Nets, a necessary parameter is the guaranteed horizon, which allows the modelling of the estimation problem with the counter form and can be exploited in estimation for any linear criterion: a problem is the online estimation of the guaranteed horizon, which is a maximum sequence length relevant to a sliding horizon or a receding horizon starting from the initial marking. Considering large scale Petri nets, the objective of this paper is to facilitate the resolution by the construction of a triangular form guiding a sequential resolution of the problem based on substructures. This study shows that the classical Dulmage-Mendelsohn decomposition can be applied to a class of Petri nets where the unobservable induced Petri Net is mainly Forward Conflict Free. An extension of this result to any Petri net based on the building of an associated Petri net is made.</div

Effects of polysaccharide-based edible coatings on the shelf life of fresh-cut carrots with different pigmentations

International audiencePromoting the consumption of purple carrots, particularly in ready-to-eat products, is justified due to their peculiar composition and health benefits for consumers. However, there is limited literature on the shelf life of ready-to-eat purple carrots and the potential role of edible coatings in mitigating their quality decay. This study examined the postharvest behavior of sliced carrots 'Dordogne' (orange) and 'Purple Sun' (purple), both uncoated and coated with chitosan (CH) or locust bean gum (LBG), stored for 0 (S 0 ), 4 (S 4 ), and 8 (S 8 ) days at 4.0 • C. 'Purple Sun' proved a high fresh weight loss (up to 7.57 g 100 g -1 FW) and respiration metabolism. Compared to controls, CH reduced total color difference in 'Dordogne' (-70 %) but increased it in 'Purple Sun' (+68 %) due to the occurrence of tissue browning. Compared to uncoated controls, at the end of storage, total phenolic and ascorbic acid contents were lower in CH-coated 'Purple Sun' (-14 % and -20 %, respectively), while CH preserved total carotenoid content in 'Dordogne' (up to 1000 mg kg -1 DW). Moreover, compared to controls, LBG promoted Pseudomonas spp. (+23 % and +22 % in 'Dordogne' and 'Purple Sun', respectively) and yeasts and molds (+26 % and +24 %, respectively). Overall, these results indicate that issues of ready-to-eat carrots are significantly affected by carrot type, with the gas-barrier effect (in the case of CH for 'Purple Sun') and the antimicrobial properties of LBG (for both cultivars) seeming the most critical aspects to enhance the shelf life of the tested carrots

One-Step Synthesis of Poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)-Coated Gold Nanospheres: A Greener Approach for Biomedical Uses

International audienceThe biological application of gold nanospheres (AuNSs) is often constrained by their stability and cytotoxicity. We present a greener synthetic approach that gives a simple and more environmentally friendly route to synthesizing AuNSs for biomedical applications. In this study, we detail a novel one-step, green synthesis of poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline) (POx)-coated AuNSs, which eliminates the need for additional reducing and stabilizing agents. The impact of the polymer structure on the nanoparticle formulation kinetics and nanoparticle characteristics is thoroughly investigated, revealing that the terminal functional group and the alkyl side chain significantly influence the reduction and stabilization process of AuNSs. Finally, POx-coated AuNSs were tested in vitro against F98 glioblastoma cells and proved to be usable without significant toxicity up to 75 μM. Herein, the outlined rapid and efficient method of the preparation of POx-coated AuNSs serves as a foundation for advancing the development of complex AuNSs tailored for biomedical applications.</div

Elucidation of Switching Mechanisms in Memristive Junctions Integrating a Iron(II)‐Ter Pyridine Diazoted Complex

International audienceAn original way of elaborating vertical metal/molecules/metal memristive junctions through diazonium electrografting of the organic layer and inkjet‐printed top electrodes is reported here. The molecule of interest is a Fe II coordination complex with ter‐pyridine ligands, having a diazonium anchoring group. The resulting junction exhibits a memristive behavior characterized by a high ON/OFF ratio and plasticity property. Through the application of advanced techniques such as UV–vis and Raman time‐resolved spectroelectrochemistry, the study demonstrates the significant role of switchable azo bonds derived from diazo electrografting in memristive behavior

Identification of plant resistance inducers and evaluation of genotype receptivity for carrot protection against Alternaria leaf blight

International audienceThe use of biopesticides represents an alternative strategy to synthetic chemical products for crop protection. To promote their adoption and effective use by growers, it is crucial to understand their modes of action and the optimal conditions for their application in crops, including their compatibility with specific varieties. Through a series of greenhouse experiments, this study describes the development and validation of a robust molecular diagnostic tool for enabling the evaluation of defence gene activation. The results identified plant resistance inducers (PRIs) among biopesticide products capable of protecting carrots against Alternaria leaf blight. By applying a PRI to a range of carrot varieties exhibiting varying levels of resistance to Alternaria dauci , preliminary findings on plant receptivity suggest that the efficacy of PRIs in conferring protection is highly dependent on the treated variety. Two distinct genotype-dependent effects were observed: sensitivity to the PRI and an enhancement of resistance. This study offers new insights into optimising biopesticide use in carrot cultivation

L'Influence des laboratoires d'innovation publique sur le développement de l'ambidextrie au sein du secteur public

International audienceAmbidexterity has become a major issue for public organizations as they manage increasingly strong contradictory pressures to optimize existing processes while innovating. Moreover, although public innovation laboratories are emerging, their influence on the development of ambidexterity remains largely unexplored. Our research aims to understand how innovation laboratories contribute to the formation of individual ambidexterity within the public sector. Drawing from three case studies, this research underscores the influence of these labs on public ambidexterity through the development of innovations by non-specialized actors and the deployment and reuse of innovative managerial practices and techniques outside the i-labs

Eaux, ville et santé : constats, enjeux et solutions

EditorialInternational audienceQu’entend-on par l’eau dans la ville ? Quelle importance pour notre santé ? Dans un environnement urbain toujours plus dense et imperméable, une urbanisation croissante et dans un contexte de changement climatique, l’eau reste indispensable à la vie, son importance pour la santé et le bien-être est indiscutable. L’eau doit être considérée sous toutes ses formes : souterraines, superficielles, pluviales, potables, usées, etc., ainsi que dans tous ses usages et ses bienfaits. Elle est en effet source [...

On-the-fly adaptive SNR protocol to accelerate Brillouin microscopy

International audienceThis article presents an innovative method for accelerating Brillouin microscopy imaging. The proposed technique, called One-pass, dynamically adjusts the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) during data acquisition. It identifies essential spectra in real-time and adapts the laser exposure time accordingly. This approach considerably reduces acquisition time (by a factor around 2.2 and 3.5) while maintaining acceptable image quality, as demonstrated on simulations and real biological samples (HeLa and SK-N-SH cells). The method improves the stability and efficiency of Brillouin imaging compared with conventional techniques, i.e., raster scan with a single long exposure time or the recently introduced two-pass approach

Acid/Base‐Responsive Circularly Polarized Luminescence Emitters with Configurationally Stable Nitrogen Stereogenic Centers

International audienceA way to prevent the fast configurational interconversion of tertiary amines is to invoke Tröger's base analogs, which display methano‐ or ethano‐bridged diazocine cores fused to aromatic rings. These derivatives are configurationally stable, even in acidic media when their structures bear ethylene bridges. Here, a two‐ to three‐step synthesis is presented of methano‐ and ethano‐bridged Tröger's base analogs with two peripheral fluorophores, i.e., anthracene, pyrene, and 9,9‐dimethylfluorene units. These compounds, possessing two nitrogen stereogenic centers, exhibit good circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) dissymmetry factors (|glum| up to 1.2 × 10 −3 ) and brightnesses ( BCPL up to 26.3 M −1 cm −1 ), as well as excellent fluorescence quantum yields, demonstrating the Tröger´s base core to be a convenient scaffold to prepare CPL emitters upon functionalization with simple achiral fluorophores. Furthermore, the configurationally stable ethano‐bridged Tröger's base analogs are employed to modulate their CPL response, generating a CPL switch through their protonation/deprotonation by consecutive additions of acid and base. The reversibility of the switching process is demonstrated for two cycles without altering the CPL performance of the molecule. It is believed that this straightforward and efficient approach to building CPL emitters employing the Tröger's base core could lead to its incorporation in CPL‐based sensors and materials

Single cell profiling of circulating autoreactive CD4 T cells from patients with autoimmune liver diseases suggests tissue imprinting

International audienceAutoimmune liver diseases (AILD) involve dysregulated CD4 T cell responses against liver self-antigens, but how these autoreactive T cells relate to liver tissue pathology remains unclear. Here we perform single-cell transcriptomic and T cell receptor analyses of circulating, self-antigen-specific CD4 T cells from patients with AILD and identify a subset of liver-autoreactive CD4 T cells with a distinct B-helper transcriptional profile characterized by PD-1, TIGIT and HLA-DR expression. These cells share clonal relationships with expanded intrahepatic T cells and exhibit transcriptional signatures overlapping with tissue-resident T cells in chronically inflamed environments. Using a mouse model, we demonstrate that, following antigen recognition in the liver, CD4 T cells acquire an exhausted phenotype, play a crucial role in liver damage, and are controlled by immune checkpoint pathways. Our findings thus suggest that circulating autoreactive CD4 T cells in AILD are imprinted by chronic antigen exposure to promote liver inflammation, thereby serving as a potential target for developing biomarkers and therapies for AILD