Koszul Complexes and Symmetric Forms over the Punctured Affine Space

Let X be a regular separated scheme of finite Krull dimension and let $U^{n}_{X} \subset A^{n}_{X}$ be the punctured affine n-space over X. We show that the total graded Witt ring of $U^{n}_{X}$ is a free graded module over the total graded Witt ring of X with two generators 1 and ε. The second generator satisfies the equation ε2 = 1 when n = 1 and ε2 = 0 when n ≥ 2. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification 11E81, 19G1

Cathodoluminescence Instrumentation for Analysis of Martian Sediments

International audienceThe morphologic study of the surface of Mars reveals that liquid water existed during the first few hundred millions of years of the planet's history (e.g. Smith et al. 1999). The flow of water produced extensive erosion in some place, but also large sedimentary basins. With a long enough duration of the presence of liquid water and the oxidation of basalts, the emergence of biological activity may have eventually occurred, as on Earth. The detection of biomarkers at the surface of Mars is one of the main challenges of current and planned planetary exploration missions (e.g. Westall et al. 2000). Looking for a fossil or present biological activity may be approached by the search for cells, but also by the study of the results of their activity and their interface with the sedimentary environment. Such bio-sedimentations are known among the oldest terrestrial fossils and testify to the earliest terrestrial bioactivity. A discovery of such bio-sedimentations on the Martian surface would be of prime interest for addressing some of the key goals in exobiology. Cathodoluminescence (CL) is a method relevant to the search for life, as it is in line with these analytical goals of detecting bio-sedimentations (Barbin et al. 1999), and it fits well with robotic facilities usable in modern space missions (Blanc et al. 1999, Thomas et al. 2002. 2005). An established technique, cathodoluminescence is a newcomer to Martian exploration, whereit is expected to contribute to the mineralogical characterisation of sedimentary rocks, to the search for biomarkers revealing past biological activity, and to identify past geochemical conditions (Melezhik et al. 1999; Denson et al. 2007). CL is one of the best methods when the growth dynamics, microstructure, and origin of minerals need to be determined, such as with Martian sediments. CL has become an important standard technique for studying geological materials, offering a wide spectrum of applications (Marshall 1988; Barker and Kopp 1991; Barbin and Schvoerer 1997; Pagel et al. 2000). However, it is in the field of sedimentology and petrography that CL has proved to be especially valuable

The effects of enhanced sea ice export from the Ross Sea on recent cooling and freshening of the Southeast Pacific

The top 2000 m of the Southern Ocean has freshened and warmed over recent decades. However, the high-latitude (south of 50°S) southeast Pacific was observed to be cooler and fresher in the years 2008-2010 compared to 2005-2007 over a wide depth range including surface, mode, and intermediate waters. The causes and impacts of this event are analyzed using the ocean—sea-ice data-assimilating Southern Ocean State Estimate (SOSE) and observationally based products. In 2008-2010, a strong positive Southern Annular Mode coincided with a negative El Niño Southern Oscillation and a deep Amundsen Sea Low. Enhanced meridional winds drove strong sea ice export from the eastern Ross Sea, bringing large amounts of ice to the Amundsen Sea ice edge. In 2008, together with increased precipitation, this introduced a strong freshwater anomaly that was advected eastward by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), mixing along the way. This anomaly entered the ocean interior not only as Antarctic Intermediate Water, but also as lighter Southeast Pacific Subantarctic Mode Water (SEPSAMW). A numerical particle release experiment carried out in SOSE , showed that the Ross Sea sector was the dominant source of particles reaching the SEPSAMW formation region. This suggests that large-scale climate fluctuations can induce strong interannual variability of volume and properties of SEPSAMW. These fluctuations act at different time scales: instantaneously via direct forcing, and also lagged over advective time scales of several years from upstream regions

Analysis of apex and transitional vertebra of the spine according to pelvic incidence using orientation and position parameters

Objective: To identify the different apex and transitional vertebra according to the shape of the pelvis of individuals despite their difference in sagittal alignment using our measurement system. Methods: Full spine X-rays using EOS in standard stand-position of 99 volunteers were selected (47 women, 52 men, mean age 31years old). Validated 3D reconstruction technique allowing extraction of spinopelvic parameters, and position and rotation of each vertebra and lumbar discs. Subjects were divided in three groups: low PI (low PI, n=37), moderate PI (mid PI, n=52), high PI (high PI, n=10), with respectively a PI below 45 °, between 45 °-60 ° and above 60 °. Occurrence of specific position and rotation values of apex and transitional vertebra were assessed in each groups. Results: Frequency curves tend to move cranially when the incidence increases except in cervicothoracic where T1 is a constant for all shape of spine with occurrence approaching 90%. Angulation value of relevant vertebra and lumbar lordosis are significantly positively correlated for the whole population. Conclusions: Our study allowed the assessment of the distribution of spine curvatures according to the pelvic incidence. It describes the occurrence of localization of the apex and transitional vertebrae according to pelvic incidence. These results should be taken into account during the analysis of the sagittal balance, especially when planning deformity surgery in adults

HIRDLS Observations and Simulation of a Lower Stratospheric Intrusion of Tropical Air to High Latitudes

On 26 January 2006, the High Resolution Dynamic Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) observed low mixing ratios of ozone and nitric acid in an approximately 2 km vertical layer near 100 hPa extending from the subtropics to 55 degrees N over North America. The subsequent evolution of the layer is simulated with the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) model and substantiated with HIRDLS observations. Air with low mixing ratios of ozone is transported poleward to 80 degrees N. Although there is evidence of mixing with extratropical air and diabatic descent, much of the tropical intrusion returns to the subtropics. This study demonstrates that HIRDLS and the GMI model are capable of resolving thin intrusion events. The observations combined with simulation are a first step towards development of a quantitative understanding of the lower stratospheric ozone budget

Sagittal Balance Using Position and Orientation of Each Vertebra in an Asymptomatic Population

Study design: A monocentric, retrospective radiographic study with 99 asymptomatic volunteers. Objective: We performed the postural analysis commonly scheduled when evaluating sagittal balance in a vertebra-by-vertebra manner by enrolling an asymptomatic population. We measured the position and angulation of each vertebra to reveal those for which the spatial positioning could be relevant during spinal surgeries. Methods: We obtained full-spine EOS X-rays of 99 volunteers in the standard free-standing position. We used a validated three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technique to extract current spinal parameters and the positions and angulations of all vertebrae and lumbar discs. Particular attention was paid to the positions and angulations of the apical and transitional vertebrae. Results: T1 was the most common transitional cervicothoracic vertebra (in 89.9% of subjects) and was oriented downwards by an average of 22.0° (standard deviation 7.3°, minimum 2.3°, maximum 40.1°). The thoracic apex trio of T5 (22.2%), T6 (28.3%) and T7 (36.4%) were equally found. The transitional thoracolumbar vertebrae were L1 (39.4%) and T12 (33.3%). The lumbar apex was usually the L3L4 disc (36.4%). T1 seemed to be the transitional vertebra (90%) irrespective of the pelvic incidence (PI). For the other relevant vertebrae, the greater the PI, the more cranial the vertebra. Conclusions: We performed a detailed 3D assessment of overall spinal balance using positional and rotational parameters. The positions and orientations of all vertebrae were specified, particularly the apical and transitional vertebrae

Review and assessment of latent and sensible heat flux accuracy over the global oceans

For over a decade, several research groups have been developing air-sea heat flux information over the global ocean, including latent (LHF) and sensible (SHF) heat fluxes over the global ocean. This paper aims to provide new insight into the quality and error characteristics of turbulent heat flux estimates at various spatial and temporal scales (from daily upwards). The study is performed within the European Space Agency (ESA) Ocean Heat Flux (OHF) project. One of the main objectives of the OHF project is to meet the recommendations and requirements expressed by various international programs such as the World Research Climate Program (WCRP) and Climate and Ocean Variability, Predictability, and Change (CLIVAR), recognizing the need for better characterization of existing flux errors with respect to the input bulk variables (e.g. surface wind, air and sea surface temperatures, air and surface specific humidities), and to the atmospheric and oceanic conditions (e.g. wind conditions and sea state). The analysis is based on the use of daily averaged LHF and SHF and the asso- ciated bulk variables derived from major satellite-based and atmospheric reanalysis products. Inter-comparisons of heat flux products indicate that all of them exhibit similar space and time patterns. However, they also reveal significant differences in magnitude in some specific regions such as the western ocean boundaries during the Northern Hemisphere winter season, and the high southern latitudes. The differences tend to be closely related to large differences in surface wind speed and/or specific air humidity (for LHF) and to air and sea temperature differences (for SHF). Further quality investigations are performed through comprehensive comparisons with daily-averaged LHF and SHF estimated from moorings. The resulting statistics are used to assess the error of each OHF product. Consideration of error correlation between products and observations (e.g., by their assimilation) is also given. This reveals generally high noise variance in all products and a weak signal in common with in situ observations, with some products only slightly better than others. The OHF LHF and SHF products, and their associated error characteristics, are used to compute daily OHF multiproduct-ensemble (OHF/MPE) estimates of LHF and SHF over the ice-free global ocean on a 0.25° × 0.25° grid. The accuracy of this heat multiproduct, determined from comparisons with mooring data, is greater than for any individual product. It is used as a reference for the anomaly characterization of each individual OHF product

Infusion of Reconstituted High-Density Lipoprotein, CSL112, in Patients With Atherosclerosis: Safety and Pharmacokinetic Results From a Phase 2a Randomized Clinical Trial

Background CSL112 is a new formulation of human apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I) being developed to reduce cardiovascular events following acute coronary syndrome. This phase 2a, randomized, double‐blind, multicenter, dose‐ranging trial represents the first clinical investigation to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of a CSL112 infusion among patients with stable atherosclerotic disease. Methods and Results Patients were randomized to single ascending doses of CSL112 (1.7, 3.4, or 6.8 g) or placebo, administered over a 2‐hour period. Primary safety assessments consisted of alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase elevations \u3e3× upper limits of normal and study drug–related adverse events. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic assessments included apoA‐I plasma concentration and measures of the ability of serum to promote cholesterol efflux from cells ex vivo. Of 45 patients randomized, 7, 12, and 14 received 1.7‐, 3.4‐, and 6.8‐g CSL112, respectively, and 11 received placebo. There were no clinically significant elevations (\u3e3× upper limit of normal) in alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase. Adverse events were nonserious and mild and occurred in 5 (71%), 5 (41%), and 6 (43%) patients in the CSL112 1.7‐, 3.4‐, and 6.8‐g groups, respectively, compared with 3 (27%) placebo patients. The imbalance in adverse events was attributable to vessel puncture/infusion‐site bruising. CSL112 resulted in rapid (Tmax≈2 hours) and dose‐dependent increases in apoA‐I (145% increase in the 6.8‐g group) and total cholesterol efflux (up to 3.1‐fold higher than placebo) (P\u3c0.001). Conclusions CSL112 infusion was well tolerated in patients with stable atherosclerotic disease. CSL112 immediately raised apoA‐I levels and caused a rapid and marked increase in the capacity of serum to efflux cholesterol. This potential novel approach for the treatment of atherosclerosis warrants further investigation. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01499420

Changis-sur-Marne – Les Pétreaux

La 6e phase de fouille (1998) du site situé dans l’emprise de la Carrière Morillon-Corvol de Changis-sur-Marne (Seine-et-Marne) s’est déroulée sur environ 2,6 ha, et, comme à l’accoutumée, en anticipation des travaux d’extraction de la carrière dont le front de taille se déplace perpendiculairement à la Marne, du nord vers le sud-est (fig. 1). On rappellera que l’occupation humaine de Changis-sur-Marne « les Pétreaux » appartient à la longue durée puisque 15 ha de la nappe alluviale déjà foui..