401 research outputs found
Etude de pièces anciennes par analyse PIXE. Comparaison avec d'autres techniques
Des pièces de monnaie anciennes de trois espèces différentes (gauloises, romaines, hammadites) ont été analysées par émission de rayons X induite par particules chargées (PIXE). Des études par microsonde électronique et activation par neutrons lents et rapides ont permis une comparaison des diverses techniques pour préciser les informations et compléter les résultats expérimentaux. Dans cet article nous présentons les conclusions d'intérêt archéologique qui peuvent être extraites de ces différentes applications de la physique
Growth and ecophysiology of two Antarctic benthic predators; Isotealia antarctica and Urticinopsis antarctica
There is a dearth of basic life history and physiological data from Southern Ocean species, particularly from benthic vagile predators. This is an important data gap because species inhabiting the Southern Ocean live in a more temperature stable but seasonally varying environment than temperate and tropical counterparts. For many species living below 0 ◦C for a significant proportion of the year, bodily functions are slowed to disproportionately lower rates than would be predicted by temperature alone. Certain life history and physiological processes are often aligned with the short summer season of productivity. However, predators may behave differently because they are decoupled from the phytoplankton bloom and some have been shown to exhibit less
seasonal physiological change. To further our understanding of Antarctic predator growth and seasonal ecophysiology, field growth rates were measured for two soft-bodied Antarctic anemone benthic predators, Isotealia antarctica and Urticinopsis antarctica, using in situ sampling of anemones on uniquely marked tiles. Ex situ measurements of oxygen consumption and seven-day faecal output were obtained from recently collected specimens in aquaria and compared between summer and winter. Winter physiological data for Antarctic species are rare, and we tested the hypothesis that generalist feeders or predators continue to feed during the winter. Growth rates differed between species and between years. I. antarctica and U. antarctica both exhibited overall positive field growth rates across a 15 month period between 2020 and 2021; with U. antarctica increasing 199.80% (± SE 25.8) in mass compared to a 16.85% (± SE 8.9) increase in I. antarctica. There was no significant difference in I. antarctica’s growth between 15 and 25 months field deployment. After 25 months, I. antarctica showed an average 7.96% (± SE 8.05) increase in buoyant weight. Ex situ oxygen consumption and faecal egestion did not differ seasonally, which, demonstrates that anemones fed at similar rates during the winter and summer. In contrast to some members of the Antarctica benthos, I. antarctica and U. antarctica actively feed all year round, whereas several other species have been reported to enter a state of torpor in winter
A review of the ecology, palaeontology and distribution of atlantid heteropods (Caenogastropoda: Pterotracheoidea: Atlantidae)
Fewer than 1% of marine gastropod species live a holoplanktic life. Of these, the shelled heteropods of the family Atlantidae are among the most poorly understood. The atlantids potentially make up an important part of the ocean zooplankton, composing up to 69% of shelled holoplanktic gastropods in the Late Pleistocene to Recent fossil record. They are also likely to be at high risk from current and future global changes, including anthropogenic ocean acidification. However, due to their small size (<12 mm), difficulty of sampling and complicated morphology, we still lack key information about atlantid taxonomy and ecology. This makes it difficult to understand how important they are in the ocean foodweb and how they will be affected by environmental change. Although many studies have been carried out on the atlantids, these have generally been broad and unconnected. Here, we draw together this previous research, summarizing what is currently known about atlantid taxonomy, palaeontology, ecology and biogeography, and aiming to provide a foundation for future research on this group. The data indicate complex behaviours involving seasonal and vertical migration, and demonstrate extended geographical ranges, with implications for understanding the role of atlantids in the ocean foodweb and their sensitivity to environmental changes. This review highlights the urgent need for further taxonomic research on the atlantids, including molecular analysis, and for improved sampling techniques
Deletion of parasite immune modulatory sequences combined with immune activating signals enhances vaccine mediated protection against filarial nematodes
<p>Background: Filarial nematodes are tissue-dwelling parasites that can be killed by Th2-driven immune effectors, but that have evolved to withstand immune attack and establish chronic infections by suppressing host immunity. As a consequence, the efficacy of a vaccine against filariasis may depend on its capacity to counter parasite-driven immunomodulation.</p>
<p>Methodology and Principal Findings: We immunised mice with DNA plasmids expressing functionally-inactivated forms of two immunomodulatory molecules expressed by the filarial parasite Litomosoides sigmodontis: the abundant larval transcript-1 (LsALT) and cysteine protease inhibitor-2 (LsCPI). The mutant proteins enhanced antibody and cytokine responses to live parasite challenge, and led to more leukocyte recruitment to the site of infection than their native forms. The immune response was further enhanced when the antigens were targeted to dendritic cells using a single chain Fv-αDEC205 antibody and co-administered with plasmids that enhance T helper 2 immunity (IL-4) and antigen-presenting cell recruitment (Flt3L, MIP-1α). Mice immunised simultaneously against the mutated forms of LsALT and LsCPI eliminated adult parasites faster and consistently reduced peripheral microfilaraemia. A multifactorial analysis of the immune response revealed that protection was strongly correlated with the production of parasite-specific IgG1 and with the numbers of leukocytes present at the site of infection.</p>
<p>Conclusions: We have developed a successful strategy for DNA vaccination against a nematode infection that specifically targets parasite-driven immunosuppression while simultaneously enhancing Th2 immune responses and parasite antigen presentation by dendritic cells.</p>
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Embedding arts and humanities in the creative economy: the role of graduates in the UK
The recent change in funding structure in the UK higher education system has fuelled an animated debate about the role that arts and humanities (A&H) subjects play not only within higher education but more broadly in the society and the economy. The debate has engaged with a variety of arguments and perspectives, from the intrinsic value of A&H, to their contribution to the broader society and their economic impact, particularly in relation to the creative economy, through knowledge exchange activities. The paper argues that in the current debate very little attention has been placed on the role that A&H graduates play in the economy, through their work after graduation, and specifically in the creative economy. Using Higher Education Statistical Agency data, we analyse the performance of A&H graduates (compared with other graduates) and particularly explore how embedded they are with the creative economy and its associated industries. The results highlight a complex intersection of different subdisciplines of the A&H with the creative economy but also reveal the salary gap and unstable working conditions experienced by graduates in this field
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Statistical Challenges When Analyzing SARS-CoV-2 RNA Measurements Below the Assay Limit of Quantification in COVID-19 Clinical Trials
Most clinical trials evaluating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) therapeutics include assessments of antiviral activity. In recently completed outpatient trials, changes in nasal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA levels from baseline were commonly assessed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) or mixed models for repeated measures (MMRM) with single imputation for results below assay lower limits of quantification (LLoQ). Analyzing changes in viral RNA levels with singly imputed values can lead to biased estimates of treatment effects. In this article, using an illustrative example from the ACTIV-2 trial, we highlight potential pitfalls of imputation when using ANCOVA or MMRM methods, and illustrate how these methods can be used when considering value
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