Potential for seasonal prediction of the Atlantic sea surface temperatures using the RAPID array at 26°N

The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) plays a critical role in the climate system and is responsible for much of the meridional heat transported by the ocean. In this paper, the potential of using AMOC observations from the 26 ∘ N RAPID array to predict North Atlantic sea surface temperatures is investigated for the first time. Using spatial correlations and a composite method, the AMOC anomaly is used as a precursor of North Atlantic sea-surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs). The results show that the AMOC leads a dipolar SSTA with maximum correlations between 2 and 5 months. The physical mechanism explaining the link between AMOC and SSTA is described as a seesaw mechanism where a strong AMOC anomaly increases the amount of heat advected north of 26 ∘ N as well as the SSTA, and decreases the heat content and the SSTA south of this section. In order to further understand the origins of this SSTA dipole, the respective contributions of the heat advected by the AMOC versus the Ekman transport and air–sea fluxes have been assessed. We found that at a 5-month lag, the Ekman component mainly contributes to the southern part of the dipole and cumulative air–sea fluxes only explain a small fraction of the SSTA variability. Given that the southern part of the SSTA dipole encompasses the main development region for Atlantic hurricanes, our results therefore suggest the potential for AMOC observations from 26 ∘ N to be used to complement existing seasonal hurricane forecasts in the Atlantic

The CaliPhoto Method

International audienceWe propose an innovative method based on photography and image processing of interdisciplinary relevance, permitting the uncomplicated and inexpensive evaluation of material properties. This method-CaliPhoto-consists of using a dedicated colour plate with a specific design, placed in the field of view of a photograph of the material to be characterized. A specific image processing workflow is then applied to obtain colour vectors independent of illumination conditions. The method works using commercial colour cameras (e.g., smartphone cameras), and the colour plate can be printed on any colour printer. Herein, we describe the principle of the method and demonstrate that it can be used to describe and compare samples, identify materials or make relatively precise concentration measurements. The CaliPhoto method is highly complementary to any scientific research and may find applications across a range of domains, from planetary science to oceanography. The method may also be widely used in industry

Discovery and mapping of a new expressed sequence tag-single nucleotide polymorphism and simple sequence repeat panel for large-scale genetic studies and breeding of Theobroma cacao L.

Theobroma cacao is an economically important tree of several tropical countries. Its genetic improvement is essential to provide protection against major diseases and improve chocolate quality. We discovered and mapped new expressed sequence tag-single nucleotide polymorphism (EST-SNP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and constructed a high-density genetic map. By screening 149 650 ESTs, 5246 SNPs were detected in silico, of which 1536 corresponded to genes with a putative function, while 851 had a clear polymorphic pattern across a collection of genetic resources. In addition, 409 new SSR markers were detected on the Criollo genome. Lastly, 681 new EST-SNPs and 163 new SSRs were added to the pre-existing 418 co-dominant markers to construct a large consensus genetic map. This high-density map and the set of new genetic markers identified in this study are a milestone in cocoa genomics and for marker-assisted breeding. The data are available at http://tropgenedb.cirad.fr

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Challenging Cosmetic Innovation: The Skin Microbiota and Probiotics Protect the Skin from UV-Induced Damage

International audienceMany studies performed in the last decade have focused on the cutaneous microbiota. It has been shown that this microbiota plays a key role in skin homeostasis. Considered as “a second barrier” to the environment, it is very important to know how it reacts to exogenous aggressions. The cosmetics industry has a started to use this microbiota as a source of natural ingredients, particularly ones that confer photoprotection against ultraviolet (UV) rays. Interestingly, it has been demonstrated that bacterial molecules can block UV rays or reverse their harmful effects. Oral probiotics containing living microorganisms have also shown promising results in restoring skin homeostasis and reversing the negative effects of UV rays. Microbial-based active sunscreen compounds have huge potential for use as next-generation photoprotection products

Challenging Cosmetic Innovation: The Skin Microbiota and Probiotics Protect the Skin from UV-Induced Damage

Many studies performed in the last decade have focused on the cutaneous microbiota. It has been shown that this microbiota plays a key role in skin homeostasis. Considered as “a second barrier” to the environment, it is very important to know how it reacts to exogenous aggressions. The cosmetics industry has a started to use this microbiota as a source of natural ingredients, particularly ones that confer photoprotection against ultraviolet (UV) rays. Interestingly, it has been demonstrated that bacterial molecules can block UV rays or reverse their harmful effects. Oral probiotics containing living microorganisms have also shown promising results in restoring skin homeostasis and reversing the negative effects of UV rays. Microbial-based active sunscreen compounds have huge potential for use as next-generation photoprotection products

CaliPhoto: a powerful method to identify rock powders on Mars

International audienceIntroduction In order to study unaltered rocks, Mars rovers are equipped with abrasive and/or drilling devices. NASA's Spirit and Opportunity rovers were equipped with a Rock Abrasion Tool to remove the first mm of altered material [1]. NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance and ESA's Rosalind Franklin ExoMars rovers are equipped with drilling device to collect samples for in situ analysis and, for Perseverance, in preparation for a future Mars Sample Return mission [2-4]. During these drilling phases, a pile of rock powder, of varying size depending on the drilling depth, forms at the surface.The objective of the ExoMars mission will be to search for past or extant biosignatures for which drill-cores will be collected from up to 2 meters deep; the depth at which organic matter is preserved from degrading UV and particle irradiation. The drill has a diameter of 3 cm. The cone of powder at the surface could thus represent more than 1.5 dm3, a relatively large quantity of material which will not be analysed by the instruments inside the rover but which could be observed by the CLUPI and PanCam cameras [4-6].Powder can be considered as a textureless material when the grain size is lower than the spatial resolution of the photograph, which is the case for rocks drilled on Mars as observed by MSL [2]. Colour is then the only measurable data; however, this apparent colour is totally dependent on ambient light and on the camera itself. In order to solve this problem, we have developed a new method called CaliPhoto, for which a reference plate is added to the camera's field of view and then image processing is used to compensate for camera characteristics and lighting conditions [7,8]. The images thus obtained can then be compared with each other or with a reference database. Here, we used a series of analogue rocks to demonstrate the ability of the method to identify volcanic rock powders on Mars. Materials and methods The majority of rocks on the surface of Mars are volcanic [9,10] thus, for this study, 23 relevant samples were selected from the Massif Central, in France, in order to cover a large range of volcanic rock types, as designated in the compositional TAS diagram (Total Alkali Silica). The samples were then crushed and each powder was placed in the centre of the CaliPhoto reference plate and photographed. The CaliPhoto image processing was then used to "calibrate" the photographs and a database was created (see Fig. 1).Figure 1: Images of the volcanic rock samples after CaliPhoto image processing. Results and discussion Different tests were carried out [8]. First, each sample was photographed twice in different lighting conditions, the first image was imported into the database and the second was used to test the identification procedure. For 50% of powders, the identification is exact, i.e., the studied powder corresponds to the highest matching identification from the database, in 77% of cases, the studied powder is in the top two matches, and in 95% of cases, it is in the top three. Moreover, when the studied powder is not in the first position, the best match occurs for a rock of similar or close composition.The analogue rock ESA-01-E (picrobasalt), chosen by ESA for its physical and chemical similarities to known Martian rocks, was then used to test the ability of the method to evaluate the composition of a powder that is not in the database. The method successfully identified the sample as a picrobasalt.The rocks were crushed at 4 different grain sizes in order to evaluate the effect of grain size distribution on the method. Indeed, the apparent luminosity of powder is known to increase with decreasing grain size. For 32% of the powders the identification is exact, i.e., the studied powder corresponds to the highest matching value. Moreover, for 91% of cases, a rock with a similar or adjacent composition as defined by the TAS diagram is in the top three matches, even when the powder is not in the database.Finally, by coupling hand sample and powder colour vectors, the identification is exact for 68% of rocks and the studied sample is in the top three matches in 100% of cases. Moreover, when the studied sample is only in the second or third position, the difference with the best match is always lower than 1%. Conclusion and perspectives The CaliPhoto method could be very useful on Mars to help identify rocks during drilling without adding any new instrumentation except a specific colour plate that could be positioned near the powders. Unfortunately, Mars rovers are not equipped with such a plate. Thus we proposed to use the calibration targets present on the rovers to calibrate the colour of the martian floor before drilling then to use it as reference for the CaliPhoto method. The first tests were relatively conclusive.Finally, with the postponement of the mission, the CaliPhoto colour plate could constitute a good complement to the ExoMars rover. AcknowledgementsWe acknowledge the Maison du parc national des volcans d'Auvergne for permission to sample. We thank CNRS, CNES and SATT Grand Centre for funding. References[1] Gorevan S. P. et al. (2003) J.-Geophys.-Res. 108.[2] Abbey W. et al. (2019) Icarus 319, 1-13.[3] Farley K. A. et al. (2020) Space Sci. Rev. 216, 142.[4] Vago J. L. et al. (2017) Astrobiology 17:6-7, 471-510.[5] Josset J.-L. et al. (2017) Astrobiology 17:6-7, 595-611.[6] Coates A. J. et al. (2017) Astrobiology 17:6-7, 511-541.[7] Foucher F. et al. (2019) Inventions 4, 67.[8] Foucher F. et al. (2022) Icarus 375, 114848.[9] McSween H.Y. et al. (2009) Science 324, 736, 2009.[10] Bost N. et al. (2013) Planet. Sp. Sci. 82-83, 113-127