Développement de systèmes optiques combinant verres fonctionnalisés et cristaux liquides

Thèse en cotutelle : Université Laval, Québec, Canada, Philosophiæ doctor (Ph. D.) et Université de Bordeaux, Talence, France.Les objectifs de ce doctorat sont de développer des dispositifs optiques originaux intégrant verres fonctionnalisés et cristaux liquides (CL). Ces travaux comportent deux parties distinctes : un système 1D basé sur la conception de fibres optiques multi-matériaux et un système 2D planaire utilisant des surfaces vitreuses polarisées électriquement. Préalablement, une méthode de caractérisation avancée basée sur la spectroscopie micro-Raman polarisée a été développée dans le but de caractériser l'orientation au sein de ces différents systèmes. Cette approche permet des mesures dans le volume à l'échelle micrométrique. Cette méthode d'imagerie donne également accès aux calculs du paramètre d'ordre et de la fonction de distribution d'orientation pour une évaluation quantitative du degré d'alignement des CL. Le premier système est un atténuateur optique variable (AOV) fibré composite intégrant verre, métal et CL, dont le but est d'utiliser la réponse électro-optique de la mésophase pour moduler la lumière transmise par le cœur de la fibre. Les études par imagerie Raman 3D de l'orientation des CL au sein de capillaires simples ont permis de mettre en évidence une organisation radiale des molécules. Elles sont perpendiculaires aux parois à l'ancrage et se réorientent dans l'axe du capillaire au centre de la cavité. De plus, il a été mis en avant que le degré d'orientation et l'amplitude de réorientation sous champ électrique, paramètres fondamentaux pour un bon fonctionnement de l'AOV, sont très dépendant de la taille du capillaire. Cette étude a donc permis de tirer des conclusions concernant les paramètres géométriques à envisager pour la conception du dispositif final. Le système 2D combine des surfaces de verres microstructurées par poling thermique et des cristaux liquides afin d'induire une organisation périodique de la mésophase, et donc des caractéristiques optiques du système. Un traitement de micro-poling assisté par plasma a été mis au point par l'utilisation d'une grille micrométrique de nickel comme anode. On observe alors une corrélation géométrique entre (i) les modifications de la structure et de la composition du verre sondées par Raman et spectroscopie à rayon X (EDX), (ii) l'emplacement et les composantes des champs statiques figés dans le verre mesurés par génération de seconde harmonique (SHG) et (iii) les domaines d'alignements homéotropes ou planaires des CL. Ces travaux constituent une preuve de concept démontrant qu'un contrôle précis de l'organisation des CL peut être obtenu par la maitrise des propriétés électriques de surface d'un substrat de verre. Ils soulignent également l'importance des décharges plasma contrôlées spatialement le long du motif d'électrode afin de promouvoir les effets de polarisation électrique dans le plan, qui sont essentiels pour appliquer aux CL des alignements planaires.The objectives of this PhD are to develop original optical devices integrating functionalised glasses and liquid crystals (LC). This work includes two distinct parts: a 1D system based on multi-material optical fibre design and a 2D planar system using electrically polarised glass surfaces. Previously, an advanced characterisation method based on polarised micro-Raman spectroscopy has been developed in order to characterise the orientation within these different systems. This approach allows measurements in the volume at the micrometre scale. This imaging method also provides access to order parameter and orientation distribution function calculations for a quantitative assessment of the degree of LC alignment. The first system is a composite fibre variable optical attenuator (VOA) integrating glass, metal, and LC, whose purpose is to use the electro-optical response of the mesophase to modulate the light transmitted through the fibre core. 3D Raman imaging studies of the LC orientation within single capillaries have revealed a radial organisation of the molecules. They are perpendicular to the walls at the anchorage and reorient themselves in the axis of the capillary at the centre of the cavity. Moreover, it was shown that the orientation degree and the reorientation amplitude under electric field, fundamental parameters for a good performance of the VOA, are very dependent on the capillary size. This study has therefore allowed us to draw conclusions concerning the geometrical parameters to be considered for the design of the final device. The 2D system combines microstructured glass surfaces by thermal poling and liquid crystals in order to induce a periodic mesophase organisation, and thus the optical characteristics of the system. A plasma-assisted micro-poling treatment has been developed by using a micrometric nickel grid as anode. A geometric correlation is then observed between (i) changes in glass structure and composition probed by Raman and X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), (ii) the location and components of static fields frozen in the glass measured by second harmonic generation (SHG), and (iii) the homeotropic or planar alignment domains of LC. This work constitutes a proof of concept demonstrating that a precise control of the LC organisation can be achieved by controlling the surface electrical properties of a glass substrate. They also highlight the importance of spatially controlled plasma discharges along the electrode pattern to promote in-plane electrical polarisation effects, which are essential to induce planar LC alignments

Tumor Induction and Tissue Atrophy in Mice Lacking E2F-1

AbstractThe retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) is a transcriptional repressor that regulates gene expression by physically associating with transcription factors such as E2F family members. Although pRB and its upstream regulators are commonly mutated in human cancer, the physiological role of the pRB–E2F pathway is unknown. To address the function of E2F-1 and pRB/E2F-1 complexes in vivo, we have produced mice homozygous for a nonfunctional E2F-1 allele. Mice lacking E2F-1 are viable and fertile, yet experience testicular atrophy and exocrine gland dysplasia. Surprisingly, mice lacking E2F-1 develop a broad and unusual spectrum of tumors. Although overexpression of E2F-1 in tissue culture cells can stimulate cell proliferation and be oncogenic, loss of E2F-1 in mice results in tumorigenesis, demonstrating that E2F-1 also functions as a tumor suppressor

A study of radiometric surface temperatures: Their fluctuations, distribution and meaning

A consecutive night and day flight and measurements on the ground, were made in the region of Voves, south of Chartres. The statistical analysis of the thermal scanner data permitted the establishment of criteria for the homogeneity of surfaces. These criteria were used in defining the surface temperature values which are most representative for use in an energy balance approach to evapotranspiration (day) and heat balance (night). For a number of maize fields that airborne thermal scanner data permitted a detailed energy analysis of different fields of a same crop to be carried out. Such a detailed analysis was not necessary for a calculation of crop evapotranspiration which could be evaluated from the mean temperature of the crop surface. A differential analysis day night is of interest for enhancing the contrast between types of surfaces, as well as for a better definition of the daily energy balance. It should be stressed that, for a homogeneous region, a study such as the present one, could be carried out on a relatively small part of the total surface, as the results for a surface of 2.5 x 2 sq km were not significantly different from those obtained from a surface three times larger

Prologation of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase is Associated with Cell Death Induced by Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in Human Chondrocytes

The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of JNK signaling pathway involved in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced death of chondrocytes. Primary chondrocyte cultures were obtained from human knee osteoarthritis cartilages. First passage chondrocytes were treated with TNF-α and various potentiators, and cell death was measured with MTT assay. C-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) activation was investigated with the solid phase kinase assay. Expression of apoptosis-related molecule was assayed with Western blot. Chondrocytes were resistant to TNF-α-induced cell death. In contrast, pretreatment with actinomycin D, the phosphatase inhibitor vanadate or MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) inhibitor Ro318220 invariably led to chondrocyte death. While TNF-alpha alone stimulated a single, brief JNK activity, a second JNK peak was observed when the cells were pretreated with actinomycin D. When the cells were pretreated with vanadate or Ro318220, TNF-alpha-induced JNK activation was greatly prolonged, which was associated with the induction of cell death. The expression of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 decreased significantly in conditions of cell death. In conclusions, our data suggest that chondrocyte death induced by TNF-alpha is associated with sustained JNK activation. This effect may be due to downregulation of TNF-alpha induced phosphatase that inactivates JNK and of Bcl-2 family proteins

Synthesis and properties of macroporous SiC ceramics synthesized by 3D printing and chemical vapor infiltration/deposition

Open porosity cellular SiC-based ceramics have a great potential for energy conversion, e.g. as solar receivers. In spite of their tolerance to damage, structural applications at high temperature remain limited due to high production costs or inappropriate properties. The objective of this work was to investigate an original route for the manufacturing of porous SiC ceramics based on 3D printing and chemical vapor infiltration/deposition (CVI/CVD). After binder jetting 3D-printing, the green α-SiC porous structures were reinforced by CVI/CVD of SiC using CH3SiCl3/H2. The multiscale structure of the SiC porous specimens was carefully examined as well as the elemental and phase content at the microscale. The oxidation and thermal shock resistance of the porous SiC structures and model specimens were also studied, as well as the thermal and mechanical properties. The pure and dense CVI/CVD-SiC coating considerably improves the mechanical strength, oxidation resistance and thermal diffusivity of the material

Weak Proinsulin Peptide–Major Histocompatibility Complexes Are Targeted in Autoimmune Diabetes in Mice

OBJECTIVE—Weak major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding of self-peptides has been proposed as a mechanism that may contribute to autoimmunity by allowing for escape of autoreactive T-cells from the thymus. We examined the relationship between the MHC-binding characteristics of a β-cell antigen epitope and T-cell autoreactivity in a model of autoimmune diabetes

A mitogenomic timetree for Darwin’s enigmatic South American mammal Macrauchenia patachonica

The unusual mix of morphological traits displayed by extinct South American native ungulates (SANUs) confounded both Charles Darwin, who first discovered them, and Richard Owen, who tried to resolve their relationships. Here we report an almost complete mitochondrial genome for the litoptern Macrauchenia. Our dated phylogenetic tree places Macrauchenia as sister to Perissodactyla, but close to the radiation of major lineages within Laurasiatheria. This position is consistent with a divergence estimate of B66 Ma (95% credibility interval, 56.64–77.83 Ma) obtained for the split between Macrauchenia and other Panperissodactyla. Combined with their morphological distinctiveness, this evidence supports the positioning of Litopterna (possibly in company with other SANU groups) as a separate order within Laurasiatheria. We also show that, when using strict criteria, extinct taxa marked by deep divergence times and a lack of close living relatives may still be amenable to palaeogenomic analysis through iterative mapping against more distant relatives