Dual Adaptive Filtering by Optimal Projection Applied to Filter Muscle Artifacts on EEG and Comparative Study

Muscle artifacts constitute one of the major problems in electroencephalogram (EEG) examinations, particularly for the diagnosis of epilepsy, where pathological rhythms occur within the same frequency bands as those of artifacts. This paper proposes to use the method dual adaptive filtering by optimal projection (DAFOP) to automatically remove artifacts while preserving true cerebral signals. DAFOP is a two-step method. The first step consists in applying the common spatial pattern (CSP) method to two frequency windows to identify the slowest components which will be considered as cerebral sources. The two frequency windows are defined by optimizing convolutional filters. The second step consists in using a regression method to reconstruct the signal independently within various frequency windows. This method was evaluated by two neurologists on a selection of 114 pages with muscle artifacts, from 20 clinical recordings of awake and sleeping adults, subject to pathological signals and epileptic seizures. A blind comparison was then conducted with the canonical correlation analysis (CCA) method and conventional low-pass filtering at 30 Hz. The filtering rate was 84.3% for muscle artifacts with a 6.4% reduction of cerebral signals even for the fastest waves. DAFOP was found to be significantly more efficient than CCA and 30 Hz filters. The DAFOP method is fast and automatic and can be easily used in clinical EEG recordings

Assessing water and energy fluxes in a regional hydrosystem: case study of the Seine basin

While it is well accepted that climate change and growing water needs affect long-term sustainable water resources management, performing accurate simulations of water cycle and energy balance dynamics at regional scale remains a challenging task.Traditional Soil-Vegetation-Atmosphere-Transfer (SVAT) models are used for numerical surface water and energy simulations. These models, by conception, do not account for the groundwater lower boundary that permits a full hydrosystem representation. Conversely, while addressing important features such as subsurface heterogeneity and river–aquifer exchanges, groundwater models often integrate overly simplified upper boundary conditions ignoring soil heating and the impacts of vegetation processes on radiation fluxes and root-zone uptakes. In this paper, one of the first attempts to jointly model water and energy fluxes with a special focus on both surface and groundwater at the regional scale is proposed on the Seine hydrosystem (78,650 km$^{2}$), which overlays one of the main multi-aquifer systems of Europe.This study couples the SVAT model ORCHIDEE and the process-based hydrological–hydrogeological model CaWaQS, which describes water fluxes, via a one-way coupling approach from ORCHIDEE toward CaWaQS based on the blueprint published by [de Marsily et al., 1978]. An original transport library based on the resolution of the diffusion/advection transport equation was developed in order to simulate heat transfer in both 1D-river networks and pseudo-3D aquifer systems. In addition, an analytical solution is used to simulate heat transport through aquitards and streambeds. Simulated ORCHIDEE surface water and energy fluxes feed fast surface runoff and slow recharge respectively and then is used as CaWaQS forcings to compute river discharges, hydraulic heads and temperature dynamics through space and time, within each of the hydrosystem compartments. The tool makes it possible to establish a fully consistent water and energy budget over a period of 17 years. It also simulates temperature evolution in each aquifer and evaluates that river thermal regulation mostly relies by order of importance on short wave radiations (109.3 W${\cdot }$m$^{-2}$), groundwater fluxes (48.1 W${\cdot }$m$^{-2}$) and surface runoff (22.7 W${\cdot }$m$^{-2}$)

Microbiome and resistome profiles along a sewage-effluent-reservoir trajectory underline the role of natural attenuation in wastewater stabilization reservoirs

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance gene (ARGs) loads dissipate through sewage treatment plants to receiving aquatic environments, but the mechanisms that mitigate the spread of these ARGs are not well understood due to the complexity of full-scale systems and the difficulty of source tracking in downstream environments. To overcome this problem, we targeted a controlled experimental system comprising a semicommercial membrane-aerated bioreactor (MABR), whose effluents fed a 4,500-L polypropylene basin that mimicked effluent stabilization reservoirs and receiving aquatic ecosystems. We analyzed a large set of physicochemical measurements, concomitant with the cultivation of total and cefotaxime-resistant Escherichia coli, microbial community analyses, and quantitative PCR (qPCR)/digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) quantification of selected ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). The MABR removed most of the sewage-derived organic carbon and nitrogen, and simultaneously, E. coli, ARG, and MGE levels dropped by approximately 1.5- and 1.0-log unit mL(-1), respectively. Similar levels of E. coli, ARGs, and MGEs were removed in the reservoir, but interestingly, unlike in the MABR, the relative abundance (normalized to 16S rRNA gene-inferred total bacterial abundance) of these genes also decreased. Microbial community analyses revealed the substantial shifts in bacterial and eukaryotic community composition in the reservoir relative to the MABR. Collectively, our observations lead us to conclude that the removal of ARGs in the MABR is mainly a consequence of treatment-facilitated biomass removal, whereas in the stabilization reservoir, mitigation is linked to natural attenuation associated with ecosystem functioning, which includes abiotic parameters, and the development of native microbiomes that prevent the establishment of wastewater-derived bacteria and associated ARGs.IMPORTANCE Wastewater treatment plants are sources of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which can contaminate receiving aquatic environments and contribute to antibiotic resistance. We focused on a controlled experimental system comprising a semicommercial membrane-aerated bioreactor (MABR) that treated raw sewage, whose effluents fed a 4,500-L polypropylene basin that mimicked effluent stabilization reservoirs. We evaluated ARB and ARG dynamics across the raw-sewage-MABR-effluent trajectory, concomitant with evaluation of microbial community composition and physicochemical parameters, in an attempt to identify mechanisms associated with ARB and ARG dissipation. We found that removal of ARB and ARGs in the MABR was primarily associated with bacterial death or sludge removal, whereas in the reservoir it was attributed to the inability of ARBs and associated ARGs to colonize the reservoir due to a dynamic and persistent microbial community. The study demonstrates the importance of ecosystem functioning in removing microbial contaminants from wastewater. Wastewater treatment plants are sources of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which can contaminate receiving aquatic environments and contribute to antibiotic resistance. We focused on a controlled experimental system comprising a semicommercial membrane-aerated bioreactor (MABR) that treated raw sewage, whose effluents fed a 4,500-L polypropylene basin that mimicked effluent stabilization reservoirs.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Identifying Potential Mechanisms Enabling Acidophily in the Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaeon "Candidatus Nitrosotalea devanaterra"

Ammonia oxidation is the first and rate-limiting step in nitrification and is dominated by two distinct groups of microorganisms in soil: ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). AOA are often more abundant than AOB and dominate activity in acid soils. The mechanism of ammonia oxidation under acidic conditions has been a long-standing paradox. While high rates of ammonia oxidation are frequently measured in acid soils, cultivated ammonia oxidizers grew only at near-neutral pH when grown in standard laboratory culture. Although a number of mechanisms have been demonstrated to enable neutrophilic AOB growth at low pH in the laboratory, these have not been demonstrated in soil, and the recent cultivation of the obligately acidophilic ammonia oxidizer “Candidatus Nitrosotalea devanaterra” provides a more parsimonious explanation for the observed high rates of activity. Analysis of the sequenced genome, transcriptional activity, and lipid content of “Ca. Nitrosotalea devanaterra” reveals that previously proposed mechanisms used by AOB for growth at low pH are not essential for archaeal ammonia oxidation in acidic environments. Instead, the genome indicates that “Ca. Nitrosotalea devanaterra” contains genes encoding both a predicted high-affinity substrate acquisition system and potential pH homeostasis mechanisms absent in neutrophilic AOA. Analysis of mRNA revealed that candidate genes encoding the proposed homeostasis mechanisms were all expressed during acidophilic growth, and lipid profiling by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) demonstrated that the membrane lipids of “Ca. Nitrosotalea devanaterra” were not dominated by crenarchaeol, as found in neutrophilic AOA. This study for the first time describes a genome of an obligately acidophilic ammonia oxidizer and identifies potential mechanisms enabling this unique phenotype for future biochemical characterization

Cellular response of environmental Microbacterium isolates to an uranium exposure

L'uranium est un radionucléide qui possède une toxicité radiologique et chimique, causant des problèmes pour l’environnement et la santé humaine. Les micro-organismes du sol et l'uranium ont des relations complexes. L'objectif de cette étude est de décrire les interactions bactéries-uranium par l'utilisation de souches isolées d’environnements contaminés. Les quatre souches sont apparentées au genre Microbacterium et présentent un phénotype de tolérance à l'uranium contrasté. Différents mécanismes d'interaction avec l'uranium se produisent séquentiellement : une première étape de séquestration rapide de l'uranium due à de la biosorption passive, suivie d'une étape active d’efflux d'uranium et de phosphate, observée uniquement dans les souches tolérantes, et enfin, une accumulation intracellulaire de précipités de phosphate d'uranyle. Afin d'identifier les acteurs moléculaires impliqués dans les interactions cellule-uranium, une analyse comparative basée sur une approche protéogénomique a été réalisée. Les analyses statistiques sur les protéines identifiées ont révélé que l'exposition à l'uranium a un impact sur les métabolismes du phosphate et du fer. La protéine ayant le fold-change positif le plus élevé a fait l'objet d'études plus poussées. La protéine UipA est très affine pour l'uranium et le fer. Les analyses biophysiques ont révélé une coordination mono et bidentale pour l'uranium et le fer. En amont du gène uipA, deux gènes partageant l'homologie de séquence avec le système czcRS à deux composants ont été détectés. Les protéines UipRSA ne sont présentes que dans les souches tolérantes suggérant que ce cluster est impliqué dans la tolérance à l'uranium.Uranium is a radionuclide used in nuclear energy. It has radiological and chemical toxicity, causing environmental and human health problems. Soil microorganisms and uranium have complex relationships. The goal of this study is to describe bacterium-uranium interactions through the use of bacteria isolated from contaminated environments. The four strains are related to the bacterial genus Microbacterium. They present a contrasted uranium tolerance phenotype from tolerant (ViU2a and Hg3) to sensitive (ViU22) and intermediate (A9). During exposure to uranium, different mechanisms of interaction with uranium occur sequentially: a first step of rapid sequestration of uranium due to passive biosorption, followed by an active step of uranium and phosphate efflux, observed only in tolerant strains, and finally, an active intracellular accumulation of uranyl phosphate precipitates. In order to identify the molecular actors involved in cell-uranium interactions, a comparative analysis based on a proteogenomic approach was performed. Between 1 100 and 2 000 proteins were identified. Statistical analyses revealed that uranium exposure impacts phosphate and iron metabolisms. The protein with the highest positive fold-change has been further studied. The UipA protein is a very affine and specific for uranium and iron, with Kd of the nanomolar order. Biophysic analyses revealed mono- and bidental coordination for uranium and iron. Upstream of the uipA gene, two genes sharing sequence homology with the two-component czcRS system were detected. The UipRSA cluster is only present in the tolerant strains. These data suggest that the uipRSA cluster is involved in uranium tolerance

Etude des mécanismes de pyrolyse en présence d'hydroxyde de tetramethylammonium de composés protéiques modèles. Implication pour la détection de matériel azoté dans la matière organique naturelle et l'identification de macromolécules sources

Despite its implication in many environmental processes, Natural Organic Matter (NOM) is only partially characterised, mainly due to its refractory nature. Amide functions have been revealed by spectroscopic studies, but the molecular structure of the concerned units remains unknown. Pyrolysis coupled to Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), in the presence of Tetra-Methyl-Ammonium Hydroxyde (TMAH) is considered to be a convenient tool to investigate these structures. For a better understanding of the behaviour of nitrogen-containing structures of NOM upon Py-GC-MS/ TMAH, we used this technique to analyse the 20 proteic amino acids, 17 dipeptides, 4 polypeptides and a protein, the Bovin Serum Albumin (BSA). This study allowed highlighting the main pyrolysis mechanisms undergone by the amino acids (direct methylation, cyclisation, dimerisation, homolysis, decarboxylation and deamination) and the influence of the peptidic bond on these mechanisms. Py-GC-MS/TMAH of dipeptides and polypeptides pointed to the importance of cyclisation products, mainly diketopiperazines and more complex compounds based on 3 amino acids, and homolysis products for aromatic amino acids. Morever, this study allowed creating a database for the pyrolysis products arising from amino acids and dipeptides. Finally, pyrolysis of mixtures of BSA with the main two macromolecules of the biomass (lignin and cellulose) showed that response factors are unfavourable to the protein.Malgré son implication importante dans de nombreux processus environnementaux, la matière organique naturelle (MON) reste mal caractérisée, principalement à cause du caractère réfractaire des structures dans lesquelles elle est impliquée. Si des fonctions amides ont été mises en évidence dans la MON, la structure moléculaire des unités associées est encore inconnue. La pyrolyse couplée à la chromatographie gazeuse et à la spectrométrie de masse (Py-GC-MS) en présence de Tetra-Methyl-Ammonium Hydroxyde (TMAH) est a priori un outil pertinent pour l'analyse de ces structures. Pour mieux comprendre le comportement des structures azotées de la MON au cours de la Py-GC-MS/TMAH, nous avons étudié par cette méthode, les 20 acides aminés protéiques, 17 dipeptides, 4 polypeptides et une protéine, la Sérum Albumine Bovine (SAB). Cette étude a permis de mettre en évidence les principaux mécanismes de pyrolyse des acides aminés (méthylation directe, cyclisation, dimérisation, homolyse, décarboxylation, et déamination), et l'influence de la liaison peptidique sur ces mécanismes. La Py-GC-MS/TMAH des dipeptides et des polypeptides a montré l'importance des produits de cyclisation, en particulier des diketopiperazines et de structures plus complexes basées sur 3 acides aminés, et des produits d'homolyse pour les acides aminés aromatiques. De plus, cette étude a permis d'établir une base de données des produits de pyrolyse des acides aminés et des 17 dipeptides. Enfin, la pyrolyse de la SAB en mélange avec les deux principales macromolécules présentes dans la biomasse (lignine et cellulose) montre que les coefficients de réponse sont défavorables à la protéine

Pour la liberté du travail : retour sur les origines des Bourses du travail

Les Bourses du travail, fondées à la fin du xixe siècle, relèvent de la volonté des syndicats de pouvoir se réunir pour établir des liens forts entre les ouvriers et peser dans la lutte des classes. Ces institutions évoluent à contre-courant de ce qu’avait espéré leur fondateur, Gustave de Molinari (1819-1912). Cet économiste de l’école libérale française voit dans la télégraphie électrique et les chemins de fer le moyen de faire circuler librement et rapidement les ouvriers grâce à l’instauration de Bourses du travail fonctionnant à l’image des Bourses de valeurs. C’est à travers le développement de cette liberté tant recherchée (et non à travers le droit de coalition) que les différents maux de la société (la question sociale) pourraient enfin disparaître