Optical and Infrared Photometry of the Type Ia Supernovae 1991T, 1991bg, 1999ek, 2001bt, 2001cn, 2001cz, and 2002bo

We present optical and/or infrared photometry of the Type Ia supernovae SN 1991T, SN 1991bg, SN 1999ek, SN 2001bt, SN 2001cn, SN 2001cz, and SN 2002bo. All but one of these supernovae have decline rate parameters Delta m_15(B) close to the median value of 1.1 for the whole class of Type Ia supernovae. The addition of these supernovae to the relationship between the near-infrared absolute magnitudes and Delta m_15(B) strengthens the previous relationships we have found, in that the maximum light absolute magnitudes are essentially independent of the decline rate parameter. (SN 1991bg, the prototype of the subclass of fast declining Type Ia supernovae, is a special case.) The dispersion in the Hubble diagram in JHK is only ~0.15 mag. The near-infrared properties of Type Ia supernovae continue to be excellent measures of the luminosity distances to the supernova host galaxies, due to the need for only small corrections from the epoch of observation to maximum light, low dispersion in absolute magnitudes at maximum light, and the minimal reddening effects in the near-infrared.Comment: Astron. J., 128, 3034 (Dec. 2004). This version with updated author list, addresses, acknowledgments, reference

Towards a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Detection Platform Using Multiplex SYBR®Green Real-Time PCR Methods and High Resolution Melting Analysis

Escherichia coli is a group of bacteria which has raised a lot of safety concerns in recent years. Five major intestinal pathogenic groups have been recognized amongst which the verocytotoxin or shiga-toxin (stx1 and/or stx2) producing E. coli (VTEC or STEC respectively) have received a lot of attention recently. Indeed, due to the high number of outbreaks related to VTEC strains, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has requested the monitoring of the “top-five” serogroups (O26, O103, O111, O145 and O157) most often encountered in food borne diseases and addressed the need for validated VTEC detection methods. Here we report the development of a set of intercalating dye Real-time PCR methods capable of rapidly detecting the presence of the toxin genes together with intimin (eae) in the case of VTEC, or aggregative protein (aggR), in the case of the O104:H4 strain responsible for the outbreak in Germany in 2011. All reactions were optimized to perform at the same annealing temperature permitting the multiplex application in order to minimize the need of material and to allow for high-throughput analysis. In addition, High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis allowing the discrimination among strains possessing similar virulence traits was established. The development, application to food samples and the flexibility in use of the methods are thoroughly discussed. Together, these Real-time PCR methods facilitate the detection of VTEC in a new highly efficient way and could represent the basis for developing a simple pathogenic E. coli platform

Brasil ajudado? Brasil parceiro?

Pretendo somente transmitir algumas impressões pessoais sobre a evolução dos intercâmbios entre nossas duas comunidades científicas, tecnológicas e industriais. Diferencio minhas impressões das imagens, que comportam sempre uma parte de sonho e, a priori, das maneiras de pensar, algumas vezes muito «conservadoras». Os cientistas, engenheiros, técnicos e industriais franceses vêem atualmente os brasileiros como parceiros. Esta visão varia conforme os setores de atividades e realmente não é tão..

Brésil aidé ? Brésil partenaire ?

Je vais seulement vous livrer quelques impressions personnelles sur l’évolution des échanges entre nos deux communautés scientifiques, technologiques et industrielles. Je distingue ces impressions des images, qui comportent toujours une part de rêve et d’a priori, et des habitudes de mode de pensée parfois trop « conservatrices ». Les scientifiquees, les ingénieurs, les techniciens et les industriels français voient maintenant des partenaires brésiliens. Cela varie selon les secteurs d’activi..

Fiber-Rich Food Processing Byproducts Enhance the Expansion of Cornstarch Extrudates

Expansion characteristics of cornstarch-based extrudates incorporating fiber-rich food processing byproducts was explored. Waxy and regular cornstarch were used as the base materials with apple pomace and sugarcane bagasse incorporated at two addition levels (0%, 15%, and 30% w/w). Extrusions were conducted at three different screw speeds (150, 200, and 250 rpm) with other parameters optimized and kept constant. Apple pomace inclusion resulted in higher initial expansion index (4.23 to 5.60) and higher stable expansion index (2.76 to 4.43), but also showed higher shrinkage (8.50% to 34.72%) than sugarcane bagasse extrudates at the same inclusion levels. Inclusion of apple pomace showed potential of producing extrudates with significantly higher expansion than cornstarch control, with relatively lower energy inputs. Extrusion methods used here have the potential to preserve the textural quality and nutritional value of the fiber-enriched extrudates, providing the base for healthier snack food items. Findings from this study can be extended to the other fiber-rich food processing byproducts, such as other fruit and vegetable pomace, cereal brans, and pulse hulls among other materials. This data will help the development of fiber-enriched extruded snacks that would have favorable consumer traits

Les préfets de Maine-et-Loire

Établir les notices biographiques de l'ensemble du personnel préfectoral d'un déparlement de 1800 à 2000, tel est le premier objectif de ce travail. Une telle enquête n'a jamais été réalisée. En effet, les répertoires existant à l'échelle nationale ignorent les sous-préfets du XXe siècle et les préfets récents, et ne permettent donc pas de saisir les caractéristiques des fonctionnaires qui se succèdent dans un département. Mais ce dictionnaire est aussi un dictionnaire historique, puisque chaque notice comporte une évocation de l'action du préfet en Maine-et-Loire. Ainsi retrace-t-on l'histoire de ce département. Plus généralement, à travers cet exemple, apparaissent très précisément la permanence comme l'évolution des tâches préfectorales sur deux siècles. À ce dictionnaire sont joints les textes d'une journée d'étude organisée par l'université d'Angers en 2000. À travers les communications de huit universitaires et d'un préfet, sont approfondis quelques grands moments de l'histoire de la fonction préfectorale.Cet ouvrage, publié sous la responsabilité de Jean-Luc MARAIS se compose de deux parties : un dictionnaire du corps préfectoral de Maine-et-Loire, réalisé par Céline LAMBERT, et les textes d’une journée d’étude organisée en 2000 dans le cadre des manifestations du bicentenaire du corps préfectoral. Avec la collaboration de Céline Lamber

Effect of the addition of whole-grain wheat flour and of extrusion process parameters on dietary fibre content, starch transformation and mechanical properties of a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal

This study evaluates the effect of the incorporation of whole-grain wheat flour (WGWF) and of extrusion process parameters on the nutritional and technological quality of breakfast cereals. The corn flour-based breakfast cereals were elaborated in a twin-screw extruder following a rotatable central composite design with varied WGWF (0-100%), feed moisture (14-24%) and zones 3 and 4 barrel temperature (76-143 °C). Dietary fibre and resistant starch were significantly increased with WGWF addition. Total and digestible starch showed a decrease when WGWF increased. The RVA parameters were significantly affected by all the extrusion conditions and WGWF content. The cell structure of the extrudates was dependent of WGWF and moisture.Financial support of São Paulo Research Foundation – FAPESP (Brazil, Project 2012/23281-2), Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel – CAPES (Brazil, author Ludmilla Carvalho Oliveira's scholarship), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Generalitat Valenciana (Spain, Project Prometeo 2012/064). They thank the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and the Spanish Scientific Research Council (CSIC) for allowing carrying out the study. The authors are also grateful to Milhão Alimentos™ (Goiás, Brazil) for supplying the corn flour.Peer Reviewe

Targeting netrin-1/DCC interaction in diffuse large B-cell and mantle cell lymphomas

International audienceDCC (Deleted in Colorectal Carcinoma) has been demonstrated to constrain tumor progression by inducing apoptosis unless engaged by its ligand netrin-1. This has been shown in breast and colorectal cancers; however, this tumor suppressive function in other cancers is not established. Using a transgenic mouse model, we report here that inhibition of DCC-induced apoptosis is associated with lymphomagenesis. In human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an imbalance of the netrin-1/DCC ratio suggests a loss of DCC-induced apoptosis, either via a decrease in DCC expression in germinal center subtype or by up-regulation of netrin-1 in activated B-cell (ABC) one. Such imbalance is also observed in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Using a netrin-1 interfering antibody, we demonstrate both in vitro and in vivo that netrin-1 acts as a survival factor for ABC-DLBCL and MCL tumor cells. Together, these data suggest that interference with the netrin-1/DCC interaction could represent a promising therapeutic strategy in netrin-1-positive DLBCL and MC

Pour une histoire sociale des villes

Après trente-trois années d'enseignement à l'université d'Angers, Jacques Maillard ayant souhaité prendre sa retraite, ses collègues et ses amis ont voulu, en témoignage de remerciement pour son activité, lui offrir ce volume de mélanges. Les vingt-six contributions de celui-ci donnent un aperçu des orientations actuelles de l'histoire urbaine de l'Antiquité à nos jours, autour de cinq thèmes : évolution des institutions municipales, relations entre pouvoir central et autorités locales, formes du contrôle de la ville sur le « plat-pays », richesse de la culture des élites, ferveur des pratiques religieuses. Sur chacun de ces thèmes l'ouvrage établit une comparaison entre l'histoire d'Angers, objet privilégié des recherches du professeur Maillard, et celle d'autres villes, tant en France qu'en Europe et sur d'autres continents, ainsi au Canada et en Égypte. Le résultat est un tableau à la fois riche et nuancé des recherches contemporaines sur l'histoire des villes, qui renouvelle magistralement nos connaissances et ouvre la voie à de nouvelles perspectives comparatives. Jacques Maillard, agrégé d'histoire, docteur d'État, est professeur émérite à l'université d'Angers et président de l'Association des amis des archives d'Anjou. Ancien directeur du département d'histoire et vice-président de cette université, il a en outre exercé pendant douze ans la fonction d'adjoint au maire de la ville, chargé du patrimoine historique, des musées et des bibliothèques. Ses travaux portent sur l'histoire des sociétés urbaines en France du XIIe au XVIIIe siècle. Philippe Haudrère, qui a dirigé cet ouvrage, est professeur à l'université d'Angers et membre de l'Académie de Marine