Perceptual Abstraction for Robotic Cognitive Development

We are concerned with the design of a developmental robot that learns from scratch simple models about itself and its surroundings. A particular attention is given to perceptual abstraction from high-dimensional sensors

An XO chromosome constitution in a sterile Mare (Equus caballus)

One case of 63, XO chromosome constitution is described in a phenotypically normal but sterile mare with gonadal dysgenesis.Une jument stérile, phénotypiquement normale mais présentant une dysgénie gonadique a été trouvée porteuse d’une monosomie pour le chromosome sexuel X

Method for reclaiming opencast sites in the central and southern coalfields (HBCM, groupe Charbonnages de France)

The activities presented are the result of collaboration between HBCM, INERIS, responsible for the coordination of the studies of the sites within the context of an ECSC research project, "Rehabilitation of old mine workings", and SIR AS, a branch of CNR, responsible for managing the restoration project in the mining sites belonging to the Herault Operations Unit. The mining deposit of Graissessac basin extends over 20km and is in the form of a syncline, 2km wide in the area being mined. The underground workings were shut down in 1962 after a total coal production of 30 million tonnes. The mining was developed mainly along the north flank of the syncline, in 7 to 8 seams of between 30° and 50° dip. Since 1956, 4.6 million tonnes of coal with 29 million m3 of overburden were extracted by open-pit on 5 mountain massives (Plaisance, Rive Gauche, Rive Droite, Cap Negre, and Orb). The mining ended in 1993. The pits situated at mountains tops, were worked in benches, frequently leaving as such, with no backfilling, while the overburden materials were dumped on hillsides, at limit of equilibrium at heights of 40 to 250 metres. Altogether, the sites to be reclaimed represent an extend of 400 hectares. The provisional duration of the work is 4 years. CdF has decided to carry out a particularly exemplary restoration on the Herault sites and has procured the necessary financial and technical means

Observation and auscultation of the geotechnical behaviour of a slope in an open cast mine influenced by old underground mining (South-western part of France)

International audienceThe final slopes of a French open pit mine of the "Charbonnage de France" Company which final depth will be 300 metres, have been designed after a Standard geotechnical survey. This one has taken into account the geomechanical, hydrogeological, structural parameters äs well äs the" decohesion", induced by former mining subsidence. However some slopes can locally present risks of slipping (increasing with the depth of the pit) induced by old Underground mining. A methodology has been defined concerning the slope auscultation and its behaviour including the use of numerous measuring tools (topographic measurement, inclinometer, equipped cable bolts...). Two auscultation cases are presented, one on a slope slipping, another one on a potential slide. In the first case, the instrumentation checked that the reinforcement is satisfactory. In the second case, the instrumentation allows to analyse that the correct measures have been taken to prevent any risk

Surveillance et auscultation du comportement géotechnique de talus de mine à ciel ouvert influencés par des travaux souterrains (application à la fosse Ste Marie)

National audienceLes flancs definitifs de l'exploitadon ä ciel ouvert des H.B.C.M, U.E Tarn, qui aura une profondeur finale de 300 metres, ont ete dimensionnes apres une etude geotechnique classique prenant en compte les divers parametres geomecaniques, hydrogeologiques, structuraux ainsi que la decohesion liee a l'influence d'anciens affaissements miniers. Cependant certains flancs d'exploitaüon influences par la reprise d'affaissements miniers en liaison avec l'enfoncement de l'exploitation ä ciel ouvert, presentent localement des configuraüons de risque de glissement biplanaire. Aussi a t-il ete mis en place toute une methodologie pour ausculter et surveiller au plus pres le comportement de ces talus : suivi topographique, inclinometres et extensometres en sondages, indicateurs de rupture de bancs, jauges de contrainte sur boulons-cables de renforcement. Deux cas d'auscultation sont presentes et analyses: l'un sur un glissement declare, l'autre sur une configuration a risque. L'instrumentation a permis dans le premier cas de s'assurer que les moyens de confortement mis en oeuvre etaient satisfaisants et dans le second cas de controler que les mesures adoptees pour prevenir ce risque etaient correctes

JAG1 (jagged 1 (Alagille syndrome))

Review on JAG1 (jagged 1 (Alagille syndrome)), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

Effectiveness of GonaCon as an immunocontraceptive in colony-housed cats

Objectives Non-surgical contraceptive management of free-roaming cat populations is a global goal for public health and humane reasons. The objectives of this study were to measure the duration of contraception following a single intramuscular injection of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone-based vaccine (GonaCon) and to confirm its safe use in female cats living in colony conditions. Methods GonaCon (0.5 ml/cat) was administered intramuscularly to 20 intact female cats (queens), and saline was administered to 10 queens serving as sham-treated controls. Beginning in late February, 4 months after injection, all cats were housed with fertile male cats in a simulated colony environment. Time to pregnancy, fetal counts and vaccine-elicited injection-site reactions were evaluated. Results All control cats (n = 10/10) and 60% (n = 12/20) of vaccinated cats became pregnant within 4 months of the introduction of males. Two additional vaccinates became pregnant (70%; n = 14/20) within 1 year of treatment. Average fetal counts were significantly lower in vaccinated cats than in control cats. Vaccinates had a significantly longer (P = 0.0120) median time to conception (212 days) compared with controls (127.5 days). Injection-site reactions ranging from swelling to transient granulomatous masses were observed in 45% (n = 9/20) of vaccinated cats. Conclusions and relevance A single dose of GonaCon provided contraception lasting for a minimum of 1 year in 30% (n = 6/20) of treated cats. The level of contraception induced by this GonaCon dose and vaccine lot was not sufficiently effective to be recommended for use in free-roaming cats

Effectiveness of GonaCon as an immunocontraceptive in colony-housed cats

Objectives Non-surgical contraceptive management of free-roaming cat populations is a global goal for public health and humane reasons. The objectives of this study were to measure the duration of contraception following a single intramuscular injection of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone-based vaccine (GonaCon) and to confirm its safe use in female cats living in colony conditions. Methods GonaCon (0.5 ml/cat) was administered intramuscularly to 20 intact female cats (queens), and saline was administered to 10 queens serving as sham-treated controls. Beginning in late February, 4 months after injection, all cats were housed with fertile male cats in a simulated colony environment. Time to pregnancy, fetal counts and vaccine-elicited injection-site reactions were evaluated. Results All control cats (n = 10/10) and 60% (n = 12/20) of vaccinated cats became pregnant within 4 months of the introduction of males. Two additional vaccinates became pregnant (70%; n = 14/20) within 1 year of treatment. Average fetal counts were significantly lower in vaccinated cats than in control cats. Vaccinates had a significantly longer (P = 0.0120) median time to conception (212 days) compared with controls (127.5 days). Injection-site reactions ranging from swelling to transient granulomatous masses were observed in 45% (n = 9/20) of vaccinated cats. Conclusions and relevance A single dose of GonaCon provided contraception lasting for a minimum of 1 year in 30% (n = 6/20) of treated cats. The level of contraception induced by this GonaCon dose and vaccine lot was not sufficiently effective to be recommended for use in free-roaming cats