Tuneable Capacitor based on dual picks profile of the sacrificial layer

In this paper, we present a novel dual gap tuneable capacitor process based on the profile of the sacrificial layer. This profile involves a tri-layer photo-resist process with only one mask level. This realization is based on a special profile of the sacrificial layer designed by two picks. The mechanism of the sacrificial layer realisation is dependent on resist thickness, resist formulation (viscosity, type of polymer and/or solvent, additives...), design of the patterned layer (size or width) and the conditions under which this layer is prepared: thermal treatment, etch back processes... In this communication we demonstrate influence of the later parameters and discuss how a dual pick profile was achieved.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDA Publishing Association (http://irevues.inist.fr/EDA-Publishing

Prevalence of partnerships between bacteria and ciliates in oxygen-depleted marine water columns

© The Author(s), 2012. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Frontiers in Microbiology 3 (2012): 341, doi:10.3389/fmicb.2012.00341.Symbioses between Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya in deep-sea marine environments represent a means for eukaryotes to exploit otherwise inhospitable habitats. Such symbioses are abundant in many low-oxygen benthic marine environments, where the majority of microbial eukaryotes contain prokaryotic symbionts. Here, we present evidence suggesting that in certain oxygen-depleted marine water-column habitats, the majority of microbial eukaryotes are also associated with prokaryotic cells. Ciliates (protists) associated with bacteria were found to be the dominant eukaryotic morphotype in the haloclines of two different deep-sea hypersaline anoxic basins (DHABs) in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. These findings are compared to associations between ciliates and bacteria documented from the permanently anoxic waters of the Cariaco Basin (Caribbean Sea). The dominance of ciliates exhibiting epibiotic bacteria across three different oxygen-depleted marine water column habitats suggests that such partnerships confer a fitness advantage for ciliates in these environments.This work was funded by NSF grant OCE-0849578 and to Virginia P. Edgcomb and Joan M. Bernhard, and OCE-1061774 to Virginia P. Edgcomb and Craig Taylor (WHOI)

GRP78 as a marker of pre-eclampsia: an exploratory study

Although the exact mechanisms that lead to shallow invasion or defective trophoblastic differentiation in pre-eclampsia are still unknown, it is widely admitted that the etiology of pre-eclampsia is a defect in trophoblast invasion of the uterine spiral arteries. We have previously observed that the status of a chaperone protein, glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is associated with the invasive properties of cytotrophoblastic cells; we therefore hypothesized that circulating GRP78 could serve as a diagnostic tool in pre-eclampsia. In a prospective case-control study, we quantified GRP78 autoantibodies, complexes of GRP78 with autoantibodies and GRP78 (C-term fragment, N-term fragment and full-length GRP78) by ELISA. Plasma from women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia (n = 16), from women during the first trimester of pregnancy who subsequently developed pre-eclampsia (n = 10) and from healthy pregnant women (controls, n = 58 at term, n = 26 at first trimester) were analysed and compared. We observed no significant difference between pre-eclamptic and healthy pregnant women for autoantibodies-GRP78 complexes or total GRP78 at both first trimester and at delivery. In contrast, the ratio of C-terminal GRP78 over full length GRP78 was significantly different in plasma of pre-eclamptic patients as compared with controls both during first trimester (P < 0.004) and at term (P < 0.0001). Our findings suggest that circulating C-terminal GRP78 reflect the invasive properties of cells, and could be used as a predictive marker for pre-eclampsia early in pregnanc

Malacoraja obscura, Brazilian Soft Skate

The Brazilian Soft Skate (Malacoraja obscura) is a small (to 68 cm total length) skate that has a very restricted range in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean from central Espírito Santo and northern Rio de Janeiro states in Brazil. It inhabits the continental slope at depths of 808-1,105 m. Although Extent of Occurrence cannot be calculated because the species is only known from two localities, it is suspected to be about 30,000 km2 (if the species is assumed to inhabit the steep slope between the two known localities). Area of Occupancy is estimated at 3,680 km2 (calculated based on including the known depth range of the species between the two known localities). This skate inhabits waters currently beyond the reach of fisheries, and there are no other known threats. Therefore, the population is suspected to be stable and the Brazilian Soft Skate is assessed as Least Concern.Fil: Pollom, R.. University Fraser Simon; CanadáFil: Charvet, P.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Chiaramonte, Gustavo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Herman, K.. Georgia Aquarium; Estados UnidosFil: Paesch, L.. Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; UruguayFil: Rincon, G.. Universidade Federal Do Maranhao.; Brasi

Antiplasmodial Activity of Nitroaromatic Compounds : Correlation with Their Reduction Potential and Inhibitory Action on Plasmodium falciparum Glutathione Reductase

With the aim to clarify the mechanism(s) of action of nitroaromatic compounds against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, we examined the single-electron reduction by P. falciparum ferredoxin:NADP+ oxidoreductase (PfFNR) of a series of nitrofurans and nitrobenzenes (n = 23), and their ability to inhibit P. falciparum glutathione reductase (PfGR). The reactivity of nitroaromatics in PfFNR-catalyzed reactions increased with their single-electron reduction midpoint potential (E17). Nitroaromatic compounds acted as non- or uncompetitive inhibitors towards PfGR with respect to NADPH and glutathione substrates. Using multiparameter regression analysis, we found that the in vitro activity of these compounds against P. falciparum strain FcB1 increased with their E17 values, octanol/water distribution coefficients at pH 7.0 (log D), and their activity as PfGR inhibitors. Our data demonstrate that both factors, the ease of reductive activation and the inhibition of PfGR, are important in the antiplasmodial in vitro activity of nitroaromatics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first quantitative demonstration of this kind of relationship. No correlation between antiplasmodial activity and ability to inhibit human erythrocyte GR was detected in tested nitroaromatics. Our data suggest that the efficacy of prooxidant antiparasitic agents may be achieved through their combined action, namely inhibition of antioxidant NADPH:disulfide reductases, and the rapid reduction by single-electron transferring dehydrogenases-electrontransferases

Pharyngeal Pumping and Tissue-Specific Transgenic P-Glycoprotein Expression Influence Macrocyclic Lactone Susceptibility in Caenorhabditis elegans

Macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are widely used drugs to treat and prevent parasitic nematode infections. In many nematode species including a major pathogen of foals, Parascaris univalens, resistance against MLs is widespread, but the underlying resistance mechanisms and ML penetration routes into nematodes remain unknown. Here, we examined how the P-glycoprotein efflux pumps, candidate genes for ML resistance, can modulate drug susceptibility and investigated the role of active drug ingestion for ML susceptibility in the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Wildtype or transgenic worms, modified to overexpress P. univalens PGP-9 (Pun-PGP-9) at the intestine or epidermis, were incubated with ivermectin or moxidectin in the presence (bacteria or serotonin) or absence (no specific stimulus) of pharyngeal pumping (PP). Active drug ingestion by PP was identified as an important factor for ivermectin susceptibility, while moxidectin susceptibility was only moderately affected. Intestinal Pun-PGP-9 expression elicited a protective effect against ivermectin and moxidectin only in the presence of PP stimulation. Conversely, epidermal Pun-PGP-9 expression protected against moxidectin regardless of PP and against ivermectin only in the absence of active drug ingestion. Our results demonstrate the role of active drug ingestion by nematodes for susceptibility and provide functional evidence for the contribution of P-glycoproteins to ML resistance in a tissue-specific manner

Bathyraja scaphiops, Cuphead Skate

The Cuphead Skate (Bathyraja scaphiops) is a medium-sized (to 117 cm total length) skate that occurs in the Southwest Atlantic from off Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina and the Falkland Islands (Malvinas). It inhabits continental and insular shelves and slopes at depths of 30?925 m. It is targeted or captured as utilized bycatch in demersal trawl fisheries, including the southern Brazil otter trawl fishery, the Patagonian scallop and hake fisheries, and the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) targeted multi-species skate fishery. At the northern extent of its range in southern Brazil, it is captured in the otter trawl fishery which is intense; reductions in the population are suspected there but there are no data. In the Argentina-Uruguay Common Fishing Zone (AUCFZ), this species was captured frequently in commercial trawls between 1984 and 2009. On the shelf edge off Argentina between Buenos Aires and northern Santa Cruz, this species was present in 9% of research trawls in the area trawled by the Patagonian scallop fishery in 2010. In the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), this species made up an average of 3.5% of the catch in the multi-species skate fishery between 1993 and 2013, with no clear trend in catch-per-unit-effort over that time frame. Overall, although this species is subjected to substantial fishing pressure, it has remained common in catches and it may have refuge over rough substrates that are untrawlable. Although fisheries are likely leading to some reduction in population size, the level is not suspected to approach the thresholds for a threatened assessment. Therefore, the Cuphead Skate is assessed as Least Concern.Fil: Pollom, R.. University Fraser Simon; CanadáFil: Charvet, P.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Chiaramonte, Gustavo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Hidrobiológica de Puerto Quequén (sede Quequén); ArgentinaFil: Cuevas, J.M.. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Herman, K.. Georgia Aquarium; Estados UnidosFil: Paesch, L.. Direccion Nacional de Recursos Acuaticos ; UruguayFil: Pompert, J.. No especifíca;Fil: Rincon, G.. Universidade Federal Do Maranhao.; Brasi

Dipturus leptocaudus, Thintail Skate

The Thintail Skate (Dipturus leptocaudus) is a medium-sized (to 88 cm total length) skate that occurs in the Southwest Atlantic from Santa Catarina, Brazil to Uruguay (and possibly Argentina). It inhabits the continental shelf and upper slope at depths of 10–550 m. It is captured in commercial deep-water trawl, longline, and gillnet fisheries, which operate throughout its known range. Little information is available regarding the amount of catches due to identification issues. Dipturus spp. were the most abundant elasmobranchs caught in the monkfish (Lophius gastrophysus) deep-water gillnet fishery off southern Brazil, which intensified in the 2000s. These industrial gillnet fisheries often also target skates, and have led to declines in other ecologically similar species such as angel sharks (Squatina spp.). Dipturus spp. were shown to be highly vulnerable to such fisheries in a productivity-susceptibility analysis. There are also deep-water trawlers operating in the area targeting shrimp and squid, which are intense. Overall, due to the presence of intense and inadequately managed trawl fisheries that operate throughout its range, it is suspected that the Thintail Skate has undergone a population reduction of 30–49% over the past three generations (21 years), and it is assessed as Vulnerable A2d.Fil: Pollom, R.. University Fraser Simon; CanadáFil: Charvet, P.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Chiaramonte, Gustavo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Hidrobiológica de Puerto Quequén (sede Quequén); ArgentinaFil: Cuevas, J. M.. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Herman, K.. Georgia Aquarium; Estados UnidosFil: Paesch, L.. Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; UruguayFil: Pompert, J.. Georgia Seafoods; Países BajosFil: Rincon, G.. Universidade Federal Do Maranhao.; Brasi

Squatina argentina, argentine angelshark

The Argentine Angelshark (Squatina argentina) is a small (to 138 cm total length) demersal shark species that occurs in waters in the Southwest Atlantic from Santa Catarina, Brazil, south to Buenos Aires, Argentina. This species inhabits sandy substrates at depths of 51-320 m. The species has a relatively slow life history, giving birth to 7-11 pups with a biennial or possibly triennial reproductive cycle. The Argentine Angelshark is targeted and/or caught as bycatch in demersal trawl, gillnet, and longline fisheries, and is sold and utilized for human consumption (although angel sharks are protected in Brazil). Angel sharks are notoriously difficult to identify, and catches are typically reported at the generic level and therefore include at least three species that are native to the region (the Argentine Angelshark, the Hidden Angelshark (S. occulta), and the Angular Angelshark (S. guggenheim)). Declines in CPUE during research trawls in southern Brazil indicate that the population declined substantially in the mid-late 1990s. Further research data corroborates this, indicating the equivalent of a reduction of more than 90% over three generation lengths (46.5 years). There is also heavy fishing pressure in Uruguay and Argentina, where the Argentine Angelshark is caught alongside the Hidden Angelshark and the Angular Angelshark. Landings data indicate a reduction of angel sharks in the Argentinean-Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone of over 70% over three generations, and datasets further south in Argentina indicate a reduction of over 90% over a similar timeframe (although these landings likely consist mostly of Angular Angelshark). Due to heavy fishing pressure across its range, reported declines in landings and research surveys, and the species' low productivity, it is inferred that this species has undergone, on balance, a population reduction of at least 80% over the past three generations (46.5 years). Therefore, the Argentine Angelshark is listed as Critically Endangered A2bd. Strict regulations for limits to fisheries catch are needed, as is the identification and protection of critical habitat.Fil: Cuevas, J. M.. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Awruch, Cynthia Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; ArgentinaFil: Barreto, R.. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservacao Da Biodiversidade; BrasilFil: Charvet, P.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Chiaramonte, Gustavo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Hidrobiológica de Puerto Quequén (sede Quequén); ArgentinaFil: Faria, V.. Universidade Federal Do Ceara; BrasilFil: Paesch, L.. Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; UruguayFil: Rincon, G.. Universidade Federal Do Maranhao.; Brasi

Squatina occulta, Hidden Angelshark

The Hidden Angelshark (Squatina occulta) is a medium-sized shark (to 160 cm total length) endemic to the Southwest Atlantic inhabiting waters from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Buenos Aires Province, Argentina and likely further south to the northern Patagonia-Argentine region. It is mainly found on the continental shelf at depths of 10-150 m, but has been found at depths to 350 m. The species' low reproductive potential (litter size of 4-10 and a possible three-to-five-year female breeding cycle) together with its susceptibility to capture in both trawl and gillnet gear makes it highly susceptible to population depletion. Angel sharks are heavily fished in southern Brazil and significant reductions have been documented there. In the period from 1988 to 2002, on the continental shelf of southern Brazil, the abundance of Squatina species was reduced by approximately 85%, and benthic trawl fishing continued to intensively exploit this population in more recent years. In the same region, scientific fishing cruises conducted between 1986 to 2001 using bottom trawls revealed that the frequency of occurrence and CPUE (in kg/hour and number of individuals/hour) of this species was reduced by 80% confirming trends observed in commercial fisheries. In Argentina, trawl catches of Squatina underwent a reduction of 58% in the years 1992-1998, showing a continuing negative trend since then. These are the equivalent of a >99% reduction over three generation lengths (46.5 years), however there may be other areas within its range where fishing intensity is not as high. The catch and trade of this species has been banned in Brazil since 2004, but it is still targeted illegally and caught as bycatch and sold in markets. Given the species' relatively low productivity, the presence of intensive fisheries throughout the species' range, and the level of localized reductions reported, the Hidden Angelshark is inferred to have undergone a population reduction of over 80% over three generation lengths (46.5 years) across its range, and is therefore assessed as Critically Endangered A2bd.Fil: Awruch, C. A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; ArgentinaFil: Barreto, R.. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservacao Da Biodiversidade; BrasilFil: Charvet, P.. Universidade Federal do Paraná; BrasilFil: Chiaramonte, Gustavo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia". Estación Hidrobiológica de Puerto Quequén (sede Quequén); ArgentinaFil: Cuevas, J. M.. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados UnidosFil: Faria, V.. Universidade Federal Do Ceara; BrasilFil: Paesch, L.. Dirección Nacional de Recursos Acuáticos; UruguayFil: Rincon, G.. Universidade Federal Do Maranhao.; Brasi