Utilisation géochimique des carbonates biogènes marins : exemples des colonies coralliennes, des coquilles de moules et des otolithes de poissons

Cet article présente, à partir d'études et de résultats concrets, les principaux intérêts des analyses isotopiques qu'il est possible de mener sur des archives carbonatées marines. Les mesures des isotopes du plomb et de l'oxygène effectuées par exemple sur des colonies récifales, des coquilles de moules et des pièces calcifiées de l'oreille interne de poissons téléostéens, permettent ainsi d'accéder à une meilleure compréhension des perturbations environnementales

Kinetic and gas-phase study of the chemical vapor deposition of silicon carbide from C2H3SiCl3/H2

The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of silicon carbide from vinyltrichlorosilane (VTS) was studied to identify a range of conditions leading to pure crystalline SiC. The deposition rate was recorded to evidence the various deposition regimes. Gas phase, elemental analyses and infiltration tests were also performed. Three distinct chemical reaction regimes were identified. In CVD conditions, carbon is co-deposited at low temperature while VTS is only partially decomposed. In infiltration conditions, the composition switches to pure SiC inside the porous substrate because of a depletion of reactive hydrocarbon species. Competing heterogeneous reactions are responsible for a hysteresis versus temperature, in both deposition rate and composition of the deposit. The high temperature domain is the most suitable to deposit pure crystalline SiC in CVD conditions. Hydrogen dilution strongly accelerates the homogeneous decomposition of VTS as compared to argon. Assumptions on the reaction mechanism were proposed describing the chemistry of this precursor

Efficiency of different control measures for preventing carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria and glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium outbreaks: a 6-year prospective study in a French multihospital institution, January 2010 to December 2015

An infection control programme was implemented in a 21,000-bed multihospital institution for controlling the spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium (GRE), classified as ‘emergent extensively drug-resistant bacteria’ (eXDR) in France. We evaluated factors associated with outbreaks occurrence (n = 103), which followed 901 eXDR introductions (index case followed or not by secondary cases) from 2010 to 2015. In univariate analysis, knowing that patients had been hospitalised abroad, bacterial species (GRE vs CPE, as well as the CPE Klebsiella pneumoniae compared with the other Enterobacteriaceae species) and type of measures implemented within the first 2 days of hospitalisation were associated with outbreaks occurrence, but not the type of wards where carriers were hospitalised, nor the eXDR colonisation or infection status. In multivariate analysis, occurrence of outbreaks was significantly lower when contact precautions (odds ratio (OR): 0.34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.22–0.54) and even more when dedicated nursing staff (OR: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.02–0.39) were implemented around eXDR index cases within the first 2 days of hospitalisation (p <  10 − 3). GRE introductions were more frequently associated with occurrence of outbreaks than CPE (OR: 3.58; 95% CI: 2.32–5.51, p < 10 − 3). A sustained and coordinated strategy is efficient to limit the spread of eXDR at the scale of a large health institution

Magnetic particle characterization in the Seine river system: Implications for the determination of natural versus anthropogenic input

International audience[1] This study presents an innovative application of well-established environmental magnetic proxy parameters on fluvial sediments, with the aim to trace geological and human-induced processes in the complex Seine river drainage system in northern France. We seek to identify environmental fingerprints of mechanical and chemical weathering processes, the regional distribution of the suspended material, and changes in the balance of natural input versus anthropogenic pollution. In order to reach these goals, we applied a combination of rock magnetic and advanced scanning electron microscopic techniques on a large number of sediment trap samples. Generally, we observe an increase in magnetic concentration coupled with a coarsening in magnetic grain size downstream of the Seine river system. Furthermore, the dominant magnetomineralogy changes from high-coercivity minerals upstream in more rural areas to magnetite-dominated assemblages downstream. Each river (segment) shows its specific trend line depending on regional initial input, weathering conditions, drainage area, and potential pollution sources. One major outcome of this study is the observed significant correlation between anthropogenic antimony-rich iron oxide particles and the magnetic concentration. This shows the potential of magnetic remanence measurements as proxy parameters for specific heavy metal pollution concentrations. Hence, the environmental magnetic study presented herein serves to identify major trends as well as local particularities and leads to quantitative analyses of the contributions of individual tributaries in the Seine river system. Components: 9513 words, 9 figures, 4 tables

Chapter 15 Magnetic Properties of Soils

Iron-containing minerals, i.e., magnetic minerals, constitute an intimate part of a soil. These can be derived from the parent rock from which the soil developed, or can be formed in situ, or can be deposited from the atmosphere, originating from natural or anthropogenic sources. Recently, measurement of the magnetic properties of soils have found an increased use in detecting pollution, as a substitute of more time-consuming chemical techniques. The current chapter provides a brief background of the basic concepts of magnetism in order to define the parameters that are used in studies of contamination of soils. A detailed discussion is provided about the various classes of magnetic materials together with the methods that are used to measure magnetic parameters. The effects of several factors such as the presence of iron oxides, mineralogy, and grain size on the magnetic parameters are discussed, as well as, the dependence of the soil magnetic susceptibility on parent lithology, climate, oxidation/reduction, organic matter, topography, sediment source, particle size, and time. The relation between soil contamination, by heavy metals and organic pollutants, and the magnetic properties of soils are detailed based on recent scientific findings. Finally, the function of magnetic bacteria in the presence of contaminants and their impact on natural soil remediation as well as the measurement of a soil\u27s magnetic properties is discussed

Malaria vector research and control in Haiti: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Haiti has a set a target of eliminating malaria by 2020. However, information on malaria vector research in Haiti is not well known. This paper presents results from a systematic review of the literature on malaria vector research, bionomics and control in Haiti. METHODS: A systematic search of literature published in French, Spanish and English languages was conducted in 2015 using Pubmed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, EMBASE, JSTOR WHOLIS and Web of Science databases as well other grey literature sources such as USAID, and PAHO. The following search terms were used: malaria, Haiti, Anopheles, and vector control. RESULTS: A total of 132 references were identified with 40 high quality references deemed relevant and included in this review. Six references dealt with mosquito distribution, seven with larval mosquito ecology, 16 with adult mosquito ecology, three with entomological indicators of malaria transmission, eight with insecticide resistance, one with sero-epidemiology and 16 with vector control. In the last 15 years (2000–2015), there have only been four published papers and three-scientific meeting abstracts on entomology for malaria in Haiti. Overall, the general literature on malaria vector research in Haiti is limited and dated. DISCUSSION: Entomological information generated from past studies in Haiti will contribute to the development of strategies to achieve malaria elimination on Hispaniola. However it is of paramount importance that malaria vector research in Haiti is updated to inform decision-making for vector control strategies in support of malaria elimination