Mesophilic and thermophilic methane fermentation of Euphorbia tirucallis

La méthanisation d'#Euphorbia tirucalli$ a été réalisée en conditions mésophile et modérément thermophile. Trois différents pré-traitements de cette plante ont été testés : simple fragmentation, broyat, séchage puis broyage. Les digesteurs ont été alimentés avec 5 % de matière sèche en batch. Lors d'une expérimentation de 35 jours, le meilleur rendement (0,78 1/1/j) a été obtenu avec les fragments de plante en condition thermophile modérée. (Résumé d'auteur

An effective long-range attraction between protein molecules in solutions studied by small angle neutron scattering

Small angle neutron scattering intensity distributions taken from cytochrome C and lysozyme protein solutions show a rising intensity at very small wave vector, Q, which can be interpreted in terms of the presence of a weak long-range attraction between protein molecules. This interaction has a range several times that of the diameter of the protein molecule, much greater than the range of the screened electrostatic repulsion. We show evidence that this long-range attraction is closely related to the type of anion present and ion concentration in the solution

Inherent-opening-controlled pattern formation in carbon nanotube arrays

We have introduced inherent openings into densely packed carbon nanotube arrays to study self-organized pattern formation when the arrays undergo a wetting–dewetting treatment from nanotube tips. These inherent openings, made of circular or elongated hollows in nanotube mats, serve as dewetting centres, from where liquid recedes from. As the dewetting centres initiate dry zones and the dry zones expand, surrounding nanotubes are pulled away from the dewetting centres by liquid surface tension. Among short nanotubes, the self-organized patterns are consistent with the shape of the inherent openings, i.e. slender openings lead to elongated trench-like structures, and circular holes result in relatively round nest-like arrangements. Nanotubes in a relatively high mat are more connected, like in an elastic body, than those in a short mat. Small cracks often initialize themselves in a relatively high mat, along two or more adjacent round openings; each of the cracks evolves into a trench as liquid dries up. Self-organized pattern control with inherent openings needs to initiate the dewetting process above the nanotube tips. If there is no liquid on top, inherent openings barely enlarge themselves after the wetting–dewetting treatment

Effects of kinked linear defects on planar flux line arrays

In the hard core limit, interacting vortices in planar type II superconductors can be modeled as non-interacting one dimensional fermions propagating in imaginary time. We use this analogy to derive analytical expressions for the probability density and imaginary current of vortex lines interacting with an isolated bent line defect and to understand the pinning properties of such systems. When there is an abrupt change of the direction of the pinning defect, we find a sinusoidal modulation of the vortex density in directions both parallel and perpendicular to the defect.Comment: 13 figure

First report of Rice stripe necrosis virus infecting rice in Benin

International audienc

Serological Protection 5-6 Years Post Vaccination Against Yellow Fever in African Infants Vaccinated in Routine Programmes.

Introduction: Although effective live attenuated yellow fever (YF) vaccines have been available for over 9 decades sporadic outbreaks continue to occur in endemic regions. These may be linked to several factors including epidemiological factors such as vector and intermediate host distribution or vaccine coverage and efficacy. The World Health Organization's research priorities include gathering systematic evidence around the potential need for booster vaccination with YF vaccine whether this follows full or fractional doses in children. Knowledge on the longevity of response to YF vaccine and the implications of this response needs to be consolidated to guide future vaccination policy. Methods: We measured anti-YF IgG by microneutralization assay in a group of 481 African infants who had received YF vaccine as part of routine EPI programmes, to explore serological protection from YF 5-6 years post YF vaccination, as well as the effect of co variates. Findings: Notably, 22.2% of the cohort had undetectable antibody concentrations, with another 7.5% revealing concentrations below the threshold of seropositivity of 0.5 IU/mL. Sex, season, country and time since vaccination did not affect the longevity of antibody concentration or having antibody concentrations above a defined threshold. Conclusion: Roughly 30% of children in this cohort did not demonstrate anti-yellow fever antibody concentrations above the defined threshold of protection, with 20% having no demonstrable antibody. Knowledge on the longevity of response to YF vaccine and the implications needs to be consolidated to guide future vaccination policy

Amniotic band syndrome: a new case report

Amniotic band syndrome is a pathology affecting the extremities of the fetus. It is uncommon with rates around 1 per 10,000 births. The pathophysiology is poorly understood until now with several theories reported in the literature. The diagnosis is most often made at birth. We reported a case of a 40 year old patient with no particular history who had consulted for spontaneous premature rupture of membranes in a 20 weeks pregnancy. The diagnostic of amniotic band syndrome was made after the delivery with amputation of a limb, amniotic syndactilia and deformation of the right foot in equinovarus