The impact of compaction, moisture content, particle size and type of bulking agent on initial physical properties of sludge-bulking agent mixtures before composting

This study aimed to experimentally acquire evolution profiles between depth, bulk density, Free Air Space (FAS), air permeability and thermal conductivity in initial composting materials. The impact of two different moisture content, two particle size and two types of bulking agent on these four parameters was also evaluated. Bulk density and thermal conductivity both increased with depth while FAS and air permeability both decreased with it. Moreover, depth and moisture content had a significant impact on almost all the four physical parameters contrary to particle size and the type of bulking agent

An Iron Age ceramic sequence from the Bayt Bin Ati, al-Ain, UAE

© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd Rescue excavations associated with the adaptive reuse of a historic building in the Qattara Oasis revealed a 5 m stratigraphic sequence spanning the past 3000 years. The main period of occupation—roughly half the sequence—belongs to the Iron Age II and III periods (c.1100–300 BC). Evidence of agriculture and industry was found which complements our understanding of the well-known Iron Age settlements of al-Ain. The present paper sets out the stratigraphic sequence and presents the phased ceramic assemblage, before considering the broader implications for the archaeology of Iron Age south-east Arabia

Toxicological Risk Assessment of Emerging Nanomaterials: Cytotoxicity, Cellular Uptake, Effects on Biogenesis and Cell Organelle Activity, Acute Toxicity and Biodistribution of Oxide Nanoparticles

The lack of toxicological data on nanomaterials makes it difficult to assess the risk related to their exposure, and as a result further investigation is required. This chapter presents the synthesis of controlled oxide nanoparticles followed by the evaluation of their safety profile or toxicity (iron, titanium and zinc oxides). The controlled surface chemistry, dispersion in several media, morphology and surface charge of these nanoparticles are presented (transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). Classical cytotoxic and cellular uptake studies on different cancer cell lines from liver, prostate, heart, brain and spinal cord are discussed. The incidence of nanoparticles on biogenesis and activity of cell organelles is also highlighted, as well as their biodistribution in animal models. The acute toxicity on zebrafish embryo model is also presented. Finally, the stress is put on the influence and the necessity of controlling the protein corona, a layer of plasma proteins physically adsorbed at the surface of such nanoparticles as a result of their presence in the bloodstream (or relevant biological fluids)

Adipose Tissue Is a Neglected Viral Reservoir and an Inflammatory Site during Chronic HIV and SIV Infection

International audienceTwo of the crucial aspects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are (i) viral persistence in reservoirs (precluding viral eradication) and (ii) chronic inflammation (directly associated with all-cause morbidities in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-controlled HIV-infected patients). The objective of the present study was to assess the potential involvement of adipose tissue in these two aspects. Adipose tissue is composed of adipocytes and the stromal vascular fraction (SVF); the latter comprises immune cells such as CD4+ T cells and macrophages (both of which are important target cells for HIV). The inflammatory potential of adipose tissue has been extensively described in the context of obesity. During HIV infection, the inflammatory profile of adipose tissue has been revealed by the occurrence of lipodystrophies (primarily related to ART). Data on the impact of HIV on the SVF (especially in individuals not receiving ART) are scarce. We first analyzed the impact of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection on abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues in SIVmac251 infected macaques and found that both adipocytes and adipose tissue immune cells were affected. The adipocyte density was elevated, and adipose tissue immune cells presented enhanced immune activation and/or inflammatory profiles. We detected cell-associated SIV DNA and RNA in the SVF and in sorted CD4+ T cells and macrophages from adipose tissue. We demonstrated that SVF cells (including CD4+ T cells) are infected in ART-controlled HIV-infected patients. Importantly, the production of HIV RNA was detected by in situ hybridization, and after the in vitro reactivation of sorted CD4+ T cells from adipose tissue. We thus identified adipose tissue as a crucial cofactor in both viral persistence and chronic immune activation/inflammation during HIV infection. These observations open up new therapeutic strategies for limiting the size of the viral reservoir and decreasing low-grade chronic inflammation via the modulation of adipose tissue-related pathway

Intraindividual double burden of overweight or obesity and micronutrient deficiencies or anemia among women of reproductive age in 17 population-based surveys

Background: Rising prevalence of overweight/obesity (OWOB) alongside persistent micronutrient deficiencies suggests many women face concomitant OWOB and undernutrition. Objectives: We aimed to 1) describe the prevalence of the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) among nonpregnant women of reproductive age, defined as intraindividual OWOB and either ≥1 micronutrient deficiency [micronutrient deficiency index (MDI) \u3e 0; DBM-MDI] or anemia (DBM-anemia); 2) test whether the components of the DBM were independent; and 3) identify factors associated with DBM-MDI and DBM-anemia. Methods: With data from 17 national surveys spanning low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries from the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia project (n = 419 to n = 9029), we tested independence of over- and undernutrition using the Rao–Scott chi-square test and examined predictors of the DBM and its components using logistic regression for each survey. Results: Median DBM-MDI was 21.9% (range: 1.6%–39.2%); median DBM-anemia was 8.6% (range: 1.0%–18.6%). OWOB and micronutrient deficiencies or anemia were independent in most surveys. Where associations existed, OWOB was negatively associated with micronutrient deficiencies and anemia in LMICs. In 1 high-income country, OWOB women were more likely to experience micronutrient deficiencies and anemia. Age was consistently positively associated with OWOB and the DBM, whereas the associations with other sociodemographic characteristics varied. Higher socioeconomic status tended to be positively associated with OWOB and the DBM in LMICs, whereas in higher-income countries the association was reversed. Conclusions: The independence of OWOB and micronutrient deficiencies or anemia within individuals suggests that these forms of over- and undernutrition may have unique etiologies. Decision-makers should still consider the prevalence, consequences, and etiology of the individual components of the DBM as programs move towards double-duty interventions aimed at addressing OWOB and undernutrition simultaneously

The Iron Age buildings with a pillared room in the Oman peninsula.

International audienc

The Iron Age buildings with a pillared room in the Oman peninsula.

International audienc

Quelques réflexions à propos de l'utilisation des céramiques dans la péninsule d'Oman au cours de l'Âge du Fer (1350-300 av. J.C.)

This contribution offers a comparison of the pottery assemblages of various Iron Age sites of the Oman Peninsula. Two criteria are taken into consideration : the technical characteristics of the ceramics as well as their possible function according to their shape. These two aspects are correlated to the function of the site they come from ; oasis settlements of the foothills, villages of the highlands, precarious installations, fortified settlements, public buildings, individual or collective burials. From one site to the other, the clearest and most systematic changes that can be observed concern the function of the pottery as it is suggested more by the shape of the pots than by their technical features. These changes that show a tendency to increase during the Iron Age period and that suggest a relative spatial specialization and organization of the settlements at that period leads the author to propose a model for the organization of a peculiar territory, the foothills oasis one. This model emphasizes the role played, in the distribution of water by some specific collective buildings.Dans cette contribution la céramique de plusieurs sites de l'âge du Fer de la péninsule d'Oman (I 350-300 av. J.-C.) est comparée en privilégiant deux critères : les caractéristiques techniques des céramiques d'une part, les possibilités fonctionnelles déterminées par leur forme d'autre part. Ces deux aspects sont mis en relation avec te type et la fonction du site dont provient l'assemblage : habitats d'oasis de piémont, village de montagne, installations légères, habitats fortifiés, bâtiments publics, tombes individuelles ou collectives. D 'un type de site à un autre, les variations les plus nettes et les plus systématiques que l 'on peut observer le sont dans la fonction des pots. Ces différences tendent à s 'affirmer au début du Fer II, ce qui conduit l'auteur à souligner la relative spécialisation des espaces et à proposer un modèle ďorganisation d'un type de territoire particulier, l 'oasis de piémont, modèle qui met en avant le rôle privilégié de certains bâtiments collectifs dans la gestion de l'eau.Benoist Anne. Quelques réflexions à propos de l'utilisation des céramiques dans la péninsule d'Oman au cours de l'Âge du Fer (1350-300 av. J.C.). In: Paléorient, 2001, vol. 27, n°1. pp. 45-67