Contamination aux metaux lourds de la matrice eau-sediment et muscle du tilapia Oreochromis niloticus de trois fermes piscicoles en Cote d’Ivoire

La présente étude a pour objectif de déterminer le niveau de contamination du mercure, du cadmium, de l’arsenic et du plomb dans l’eau, les sédiments et le muscle du tilapia Oreochromis niloticus dans trois fermes piscicoles en Côte d’Ivoire. L’eau, les sédiments et les spécimens de poisson ont été prélevés par mois de février à juillet 2017 en cage dans la lagune Aghien (ST1), en étang continental (ST2) à Agboville et en cage dans le barrage de Taabo (ST3). Les paramètres physico-chimiques mesurés ont montré qu’à l’exception de la conductivité, des matières en suspension et des solides totaux dissous, aucune variation saisonnière n’a été observée. En revanche, les valeurs moyennes des paramètres physico-chimiques calculées sont significativement différentes entre les fermes. Les valeurs de chaque métal mesurées dans la matrice eau-sédiment-muscle varient significativement entre les deux saisons dans toutes les fermes. Cependant, aucune différence entre les fermes échantillonnées n’a été observée. Les concentrations des métaux lourds mesurées dans le muscle sont inférieures aux valeurs seuils établies par l’OMS à l’exception de l’As. Cette contamination élevée en arsenic pourrait porter atteinte à l’intégrité biologique et à la santé humaine.Mots clés : Métaux lourds, Accumulation, Oreochromis niloticus, Ferme piscicole ivoirienn

Design and Simulation of a Transmon Qubit Chip for Axion Detection

Quantum Sensing is a rapidly expanding research field that finds one of its applications in Fundamental Physics, as the search for Dark Matter. Devices based on superconducting qubits have already been successfully applied in detecting few-GHz single photons via Quantum Non-Demolition measurement (QND). This technique allows us to perform repeatable measurements, bringing remarkable sensitivity improvements and dark count rate suppression in experiments based on high-precision microwave photon detection, such as for Axions and Dark Photons search. In this context, the INFN Qub-IT project goal is to realize an itinerant single-photon counter based on superconducting qubits that will exploit QND for enhancing Axion search experiments. In this study, we present Qub-IT's status towards the realization of its first superconducting qubit device, illustrating design and simulation procedures and the characterization of fabricated Coplanar Waveguide Resonators (CPWs) for readout. We match target qubit parameters and assess a few-percent level agreement between lumped and distributed element simulation models. We reach a maximum internal quality factor of 9.2×105 for -92 dBm on-chip readout power

Challenges of elementary science teaching: an Australian perspective

This chapter profiles research that has explored the role of affect in the teaching of science in Australia particularly on primary or elementary science education. Affect is a complex set of characteristics that relate to the interactions between an individual’s knowledge and emotional responses to a stimulus. Thus, there are many dimensions and theoretical frameworks that inform our understanding of how and why people behave in particular ways

Brood‐stock management and early hatchery rearing of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus))

Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus)) is a stenothermic cold‐water fish, which has been cultured in Northern Europe and North America since the 1980s. The industry has remained relatively small with an annual production between 6000 and 10 000 tonnes, and is still challenged by an unreliable offspring production. This review focuses on offspring production in Arctic charr aquaculture including holding conditions for brood‐stock, fertilisation and egg rearing until hatch. Brood‐stock requires low temperatures during summer (<12°C) with the optimum still unknown. The temperature maximum for egg incubation lies between 6 and 8°C. The composition of an optimal brood‐stock diet is debated regarding fatty acids. A demand for a freshwater‐based diet rich in omega‐6 fatty acids is indicated, but results remain inconclusive. Extensive knowledge has been gained on the timing of spawning and its manipulation through photoperiod, temperature and hormone treatments; spawning can be induced by short‐day photoperiod; and temperature drops to 5°C. Eggs are fertilised dry in ovarian fluid. Egg quality is highly variable and positively related to egg size and energy density. Contrary, little information is available on sperm quality and its impact on egg survival. There may also be profound differences between Arctic charr of stationary or anadromous origin regarding requirements for holding conditions of brood‐stock and their diet. However, these differences have received little attention, and direct comparative studies are in demand