An efficient transport back-transport framework for EIT

Implementation of efficient methods to handle calculations in EIT is a key issue to address 3D electrical property reconstructions. Following a transport back-transport method, we develop in this work an adjoint approach and define explicit forward and back-projection operators. It allows reducing the size of matrices involved in reconstruction. This framework has been tested on experimental data acquired in vitro on a saline phantom

Modified Asphaltene Capillary Deposition Unit: A Novel Approach to Inhibitor Screening

Asphaltene deposition in capillaries is a tool that has been used in an attempt to better understand asphaltene deposition in the field. However, data reproducibility and inhibitor ranking present some challenges with this technique. An improved asphaltene capillary deposition unit and a novel experimental protocol were developed to address these problems and are presented here. Using untreated Gulf of Mexico oil, the current study generated reproducible amounts of asphaltene deposit inside the capillary. It further identified the fact that residual oil inside the capillary tube can be a limitation to inhibitor selection. Evaluating the amount of asphaltene depositing in the capillary as a function of time proved successful in addressing this issue and led to inhibitor performance differentiation

Contribution à la connaissance des communautés d'Hétérocères et de Coléoptères crépusculaires et nocturnes de l’île de Porquerolles (archipel des îles d'Hyères, département du Var) en lien avec les milieux

International audienceOn the initiative of Hyères-les-Palmiers municipality and Port-Cros National Park, a study on the night quality at Porquerolles was launched by the Association Nationale pour la Protection du Ciel et de l’Environnement Nocturnes (ANPCEN) in 2016. The aim of this study is to promote efficient lighting while limitingits impact on the environment. The present study is related to this project. Its objective is to improve the knowledge of Porquerolles’ crepuscular and nocturnal Heterocera and Coleoptera and to analyze the results in relation to the problem of light pollution. Three survey points (jardin Emmanuel Lopez, constructed wetland, fort Repentance) representative of different environments and different exposures to light pollution were studied during 4 sessions in 2016/2017. According to the ANPCEN study, the night quality is less good in the jardin Emmanuel Lopez compared to constructed wetland and the fort Repentance, the latter being the point with the best night quality. In total, 93 species of Coleoptera and 64 species of Heterocera were observed during our survey. On the one hand, for Heterocera, a specific richness gradient is observed from the most exposed point to light pollution to the least exposed, with 21 species for the jardin Emmanuel Lopez (point n°1), 35 for the lagooning basins (point n°2) and 57 for the fort Repentance (point n°3). On the other hand, for Coleoptera, point n°1 is as rich as point n°3 with 56 species each, whereas point n°2 yielded 38 species only. It will be interesting to carry out a new survey with the same protocol when the action proposals for the reduction of the pollution, as promoted by the ANPCEN, will be effective in order to identify a possible evolution of diversity and abundance in Heterocera and Coleoptera.À l’initiative de la municipalité d’Hyères-les-Palmiers et du Parc national de Port-Cros, une étude sur la qualité de la nuit à Porquerolles a été lancée par l’Association Nationale pour la Protection du Ciel et de l’Environnement Nocturnes (ANPCEN) en 2016. L’objectif de cette étude est de tendre vers un éclairage efficace tout en limitant son impact sur l’environnement. La présente étude entre dans le cadre de ce projet. Son objectif est d’améliorer les connaissances sur les Hétérocères et les Coléoptères crépusculaires et nocturnes de Porquerolles et d’analyser les résultats par rapport à la problématique de la pollution lumineuse. Trois points de relevé (jardin Emmanuel Lopez, bassins de lagunage, fort de la Repentance), représentatifs de différents milieux et de différentes expositions à la pollution lumineuse ont été étudiés lors de 4 sessions en 2016/2017. La qualité de la nuit selon l’étude de l’ANPCEN est moins bonne au jardin Emmanuel Lopez par rapport au bassin de lagunage et au fort de la Repentance, ce dernier étant le point ayant la meilleure qualité de nuit. Au total, 93 espèces de Coléoptères et 64 espèces d’Hétérocères ont été observées sur l’île de Porquerolles. Pour les Hétérocères, un gradient de richesse spécifique est observé du point le plus exposé à la pollution lumineuse à celui qui est le moins exposé, avec 21 espèces pour le jardin Emmanuel Lopez (point n°1), 35 pour le bassin de lagunage (point n°2) et 57 pour le fort de la Repentance (point n°3). Pour les Coléoptères en revanche, le point n°1 est aussi riche que le n° 3 avec 56 espèces pour chacun alors que le point n°2 ne comporte que 38 espèces. Une fois les pistes d’actions proposées par l’ANPCEN pour la réduction des pollutions mises en place sur l’île de Porquerolles, il sera intéressant de réaliser une nouvelle campagne d’inventaires selon le même protocole afin d’identifier une éventuelleévolution de la diversité et de l’abondance en Hétérocères et en Coléoptères

Gaia contribution to the dynamics of Solar System Objects

International audienceThe ESA astrometric mission Gaia, that will be launched in 2013 Q4, has the capability to observe a large number of solar system objects. Gaia will continuously scan the sky during 5 years providing high precision astrometry and photometry as well as modest imaging for about 300,000 asteroids and several tens of planetary satellites and comets down to magnitude

Gaia contribution to the dynamics of Solar System Objects

International audienceThe ESA astrometric mission Gaia, that will be launched in 2013 Q4, has the capability to observe a large number of solar system objects. Gaia will continuously scan the sky during 5 years providing high precision astrometry and photometry as well as modest imaging for about 300,000 asteroids and several tens of planetary satellites and comets down to magnitude

Gaia contribution to the dynamics of Solar System Objects

International audienceThe ESA astrometric mission Gaia, that will be launched in 2013 Q4, has the capability to observe a large number of solar system objects. Gaia will continuously scan the sky during 5 years providing high precision astrometry and photometry as well as modest imaging for about 300,000 asteroids and several tens of planetary satellites and comets down to magnitude

Proteomic and Systems Biology Analysis of the Monocyte Response to <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> Infection

<div><p><i>Coxiella burnetii</i> is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen and the causative agent of Q fever. Chronic Q fever can produce debilitating fatigue and <i>C. burnetii</i> is considered a significant bioterror threat. <i>C. burnetii</i> occupies the monocyte phagolysosome and although prior work has explained features of the host-pathogen interaction, many aspects are still poorly understood. We have conducted a proteomic investigation of human Monomac I cells infected with the Nine Mile Phase II strain of <i>C. burnetii</i> and used the results as a framework for a systems biology model of the host response. Our principal methodology was multiplex differential 2D gel electrophoresis using ZDyes, a new generation of covalently linked fluorescent protein detection dyes under development at Montana State University. The 2D gel analysis facilitated the detection of changes in posttranslational modifications on intact proteins in response to infection. The systems model created from our data a framework for the design of experiments to seek a deeper understanding of the host-pathogen interactions.</p></div

Proteomic and Systems Biology Analysis of Monocytes Exposed to Securinine, a GABA_A Receptor Antagonist and Immune Adjuvant

<div><p>Securinine, a GABA_A receptor antagonist, has been reported to enhance monocyte cell killing of <em>Coxiella burnetii</em> without obvious adverse effects <em>in vivo</em>. We employed multiplex 2D gel electrophoresis using Zdyes, a new generation of covalently linked fluorescent differential protein detection dyes to analyze changes in the monocyte proteome in response to Securinine. Securinine antagonism of GABA_A receptors triggers the activation of p38. We used the differential protein expression results to guide a search of the literature and network analysis software to construct a systems biology model of the effect of Securinine on monocytes. The model suggests that various metabolic modulators (fatty acid binding protein 5, inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase, and thioredoxin) are at least partially reshaping the metabolic landscape within the monocytes. The actin bundling protein L-plastin, and the Ca²⁺ binding protein S100A4 also appear to have important roles in the immune response stimulated by Securinine. Fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) may be involved in effecting lipid raft composition, inflammation, and hormonal regulation of monocytes, and the model suggests that FABP5 may be a central regulator of metabolism in activated monocytes. The model also suggests that the heat shock proteins have a significant impact on the monocyte immune response. The model provides a framework to guide future investigations into the mechanisms of Securinine action and with elaboration may help guide development of new types of immune adjuvants.</p> </div

Gaia contribution to the dynamics of Solar System Objects

International audienceThe ESA astrometric mission Gaia has been launched in December 2013. It is currently in its commissioning phase, with the first scientific data expected to be downloaded in June 2014. Gaia has the capability to observe, in addition to about one billion of stars, a large number of solar system objects (SSO) [1]. The satellite and telescope will continuously scan the sky during 5 years, providing high precision astrometry and photometry for about 300,000 asteroids (and several tens of planetary satellites and comets), as well as modest imaging for a fraction of them. The nominal limiting magnitude is expected to be