Multiple Unnecessary Protein Sources and Cost to Growth Rate in E.coli

The fitness and macromolecular composition of the gram-negative bacterium E.coli are governed by a seemingly insurmountable level of complexity. However, simple phenomenological measures may be found that describe its systems-level response to a variety of inputs. This thesis explores phenomenological approaches providing accurate quantitative descriptions of complex systems in E.coli. Chapter 1 examines the relationship between unnecessary protein production and growth rate in E.coli. It was previously unknown whether the negative effects on growth rate due to multiple unnecessary protein fractions would add linearly or collectively to produce a nonlinear response. Within the regime of this thesis, it appears that the interplay between growth rate and protein is consistent with a non-interacting model. We do not need to account for complex interaction between system components. Appendix A describes a novel technique for real-time measurement of messenger RNA in single living E.coli cells. Using this technique, one may accurately describe the transcriptional response of gene networks in single cells.Physic

Methyl group dynamics in a confined glass

We present a neutron scattering investigation on methyl group dynamics in glassy toluene confined in mesoporous silicates of different pore sizes. The experimental results have been analysed in terms of a barrier distribution model, such a distribution following from the structural disorder in the glassy state. Confinement results in a strong decreasing of the average rotational barrier in comparison to the bulk state. We have roughly separated the distribution for the confined state in a bulk-like and a surface-like contribution, corresponding to rotors at a distance from the pore wall respectively larger and smaller than the spatial range of the interactions which contribute to the rotational potential for the methyl groups. We have estimated a distance of 7 Amstrong as a lower limit of the interaction range, beyond the typical nearest-neighbour distance between centers-of-mass (4.7 Amstrong).Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. To be published in European Physical Journal E Direct. Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Dynamics in Confinemen

Simulation of a turbulent flame in a channel

The interaction between turbulent premixed flames and channel walls is studied. Combustion is represented by a simple irreversible reaction with a large activation temperature. Feedback to the flowfield is suppressed by invoking a constant density assumption. The effect of wall distance on local and global flame structure is investigated. Quenching distances and maximum wall heat fluxes computed in laminar cases are compared to DNS results. It is found that quenching distances decrease and maximum heat fluxes increase relative to laminar flame values. It is shown that these effects are due to large coherent structures which push flame elements towards to wall. The effect of wall strain is studied in flame-wall interaction in a stagnation line flow; this is used to explain the DNS results. It is also shown that 'remarkable' flame events are produced by interaction with a horseshoe vortex: burnt gases are pushed towards the wall at high speed and induce quenching and high wall heat fluxes while fresh gases are expelled from the wall region and form finger-like structures. Effects of the wall on flame surface density are investigated, and a simple model for flame-wall interaction is proposed; its predictions compare well with the DNS results

A study on the interaction between local flow and flame structure for mixing-controlled Diesel sprays

[EN] A detailed study on the spray local flow and flame structure has been performed by means of PIV and laser-sheet LIF techniques under Diesel spray conditions. Operating conditions were based on Engine Combustion Network recommendations. A consistent comparison of inert and reacting axial velocity fields has produced quantitative information on the effect of heat release on the local flow. Local axial velocity has been shown to increase 50-60% compared to the inert case, while the combustion-induced radial expansion of the spray has been quantified in terms of a 0.9-2.1 mm radius increase. As a result, the drop in entrainment rate has been quantified around 25% compared to the inert case. Streamline analysis also hints at a reduced entrainment under reacting conditions. A 1D spray model under reacting condition has been used, which confirms the modifications obtained in the main flow metrics when moving from inert to reacting conditions. When comparing the flow evolution with the flame structure, little effect of chemical activity on the spray flow upstream the lift-off length has been evidenced, in spite of the presence of formaldehyde in such regions. Only downstream of the lift-off length, as defined by OH LIF, has a strong change in flow pattern been observed as a result of combustion-induced heat release. (C) 2017 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.This work was carried out during a scientific visit period by J.M. Garcia-Oliver at IFPEN in 2015, which was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Grant PRX14/00192). This study was partially funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness in the frame of the COMEFF (TRA2014-59483-R) project.García-Oliver, JM.; Malbec, L.; Toda, HB.; Bruneaux, G. (2017). A study on the interaction between local flow and flame structure for mixing-controlled Diesel sprays. Combustion and Flame. 179:157-171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2017.01.023S15717117

Optical Investigation of Sooting Propensity of n-Dodecane Pilot/Lean-Premixed Methane Dual-Fuel Combustion in a Rapid Compression-Expansion Machine

International audienceThe sooting propensity of dual-fuel combustion with n-dodecane pilot injection in a lean-premixed methane-air charge has been investigated using an optically accessible Rapid Compression-Expansion Machine to achieve engine relevant pressure and temperature conditions at start of pilot injection. A Diesel injector with a 100 µm single-hole coaxial nozzle, mounted at the cylinder periphery, has been employed to admit the pilot fuel. The aim of this study was to enhance the fundamental understanding of soot formation and oxidation processes of n-dodecane in presence of methane in the air charge by parametric variation of methane equivalence ratio, charge temperature and pilot fuel injection duration. The influence of methane on ignition delay and flame extent of the pilot fuel jet has been determined by simultaneous OH* chemiluminescence and Schlieren imaging. The sooting behavior of the flame has been characterized using the 2D-DBI imaging methodology. The apparent soot black-body temperature has been measured 1D-resolved along the injector axis by applying an imaging spectrograph. Addition of methane into the air charge considerably prolongs the ignition delay with an increasing effect under less reactive conditions and with higher methane equivalence ratios. Therefore, the influence of methane on the formation of soot is twofold: in case of short pilot injection, the presence of methane was found to decrease the soot formation due to the leaner pilot fuel mixture at time of ignition. For longer pilot fuel injections, methane enhances the soot production by decreasing oxygen availability and introducing additional carbon. In all cases, methane strongly defers the oxidation of soot due to the lower availability of oxygen

Potentiel des atterrissements d'argiles du bassin versant de la Durance en vue de leur valorisation dans l'industrie des matériaux naturels de construction en terre cuite

National audienceFace aux problématiques environnementales actuelles, la préservation des ressources naturelles prend une part de plus en plus importante. Les atterrissements d'argiles d'un cours d'eau, notamment ceux associés aux ouvrages hydrauliques, constituent dans ce contexte, des alternatives possibles à l'exploitation des carrières. Nous présentons ici les éléments de la démarche suivie pour estimer le potentiel de valorisation de ce type d'atterrissements en vue d'une utilisation dans l'industrie de la terre cuite, à partir de l'exemple du système Durancien. La Durance et ses affluents sont caractérisés par un flux de matières en suspension (MES) important. Une partie de ces MES est exportée jusqu'au Rhône (3Mt/an), une autre (au moins 1Mt/an) est piégée dans les retenues de barrages hydroélectriques, au nombre de 17 sur le système Durancien. Ce flux, comparé à la consommation annuelle de matières premières argileuses de l'industrie de la terre cuite (7Mt/an), est tout à fait significatif. La comparaison des compositions minéralogiques et géochimiques de prélèvements de 3 barrages, Serre Ponçon (amont sur la Durance), Castillon (amont sur le Verdon) et Cadarache (aval de la confluence Durance-Verdon), nous permet d'évaluer l'évolution de la composition minéralogique des MES d'amont en aval en fonction des sources : micas et illites à l'amont de la Durance (peu favorable) avec apports en smectites (favorable) vers l'aval ; forte teneur en CaCO 3 (peu favorable) à l'amont du Verdon et dilution à la confluence Durance-Verdon. La caractérisation des compositions minéralogiques comparées avec celles d'échantillons représentatifs industriels fournit un premier critère de potentiel de valorisation du sédiment. En fonction des résultats d'essais d'aptitudes spécifiques à l'industrie de la terre cuite (cuisson, séchage, résistance...), des mélanges sont envisagés pour se rapprocher des mélanges industriels

Exploring local immunological adaptation of two stickleback ecotypes by experimental infection and transcriptome-wide digital gene expression analysis

Understanding the extent of local adaptation in natural populations and the mechanisms that allow individuals to adapt to their native environment is a major avenue in molecular ecology research. Evidence for the frequent occurrence of diverging ecotypes in species that inhabit multiple ecological habitats is accumulating, but experimental approaches to understanding the biological pathways as well as the underlying genetic mechanisms are still rare. Parasites are invoked as one of the major selective forces driving evolution and are themselves dependent on the ecological conditions in a given habitat. Immunological adaptation to local parasite communities is therefore expected to be a key component of local adaptation in natural populations. Here, we use next-generation sequencing technology to compare the transcriptome-wide response of experimentally infected three-spined sticklebacks from a lake and a river population, which are known to evolve under selection by distinct parasite communities. By comparing overall gene expression levels as well as the activation of functional pathways in response to parasite exposure, we identified potential differences between the two stickleback populations at several levels. Our results suggest locally adapted patterns of gene regulation in response to parasite exposure, which may reflect different local optima in the trade-off between the benefits and the disadvantages of mounting an immune response because of quantitative differences of the local parasite communities