Central nervous system infection following vertical transmission of Coxsackievirus B4 in mice

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.Coxsackie B viruses (CV-B) are important pathogens associated with several central nervous system (CNS) disorders. CV-B are mainly transmitted by the faecal-oral route, but there is also evidence for vertical transmission. The outcome of in utero CV-B infections on offspring's CNS is poorly explored. The aim of this study was to investigate vertical transmission of CV-B to the CNS. For this purpose, pregnant Swiss albino mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with CV-B4 E2 at gestational days 10G or 17G. Different CNS compartments were collected and analyzed for virus infection and histopathological changes. Using plaque assays, we demonstrated CV-B4 E2 vertical transmission to offspring's CNS. Viral RNA persisted in the CNS up to 60 days after birth, as evidenced by a sensitive semi-nested(sn) reverse transcripton(RT)-PCR method. This was despite infectious particles becoming undetectable at later time points. Persistence was associated with inflammatory lesions, lymphocyte infiltration and viral dsRNA detected by immunohistochemistry. Offspring born to dams mock- or virus-infected at day 17G were challenged by the same virus at day 21 after birth (-+ and ++ groups, respectively). Sn-RT-PCR and histology results compared between both ++ and -+ groups, show that in utero infection did not enhance CNS infection during challenge of the offspring with the same virus.This work was supported by Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique, (LR99ES27), Tunisia, and Ministère de l’Education Nationale de la Recherche et de la Technologie, Université Lille 2 CHRU Lille (UPRES EA3610), France. Financial support for S.J.R has come from the European Commission 7th Framework Programme PEVNET [FP7/2007-2013] under grant agreement number 261441 and a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Career Development Award (5-CDA-2014-221-A-N). Habib JMII was supported by grants from Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique

Electrochemical half-reaction-assisted sub-bandgap photon sensing in a graphene hybrid phsotodetector

The photogating effect has been previously utilized to realize ultra-high photoresponsivity in a semiconductor-graphene hybrid photodetector. However, the spectral response of the graphene hybrid photodetector was limited by the bandgap of the incorporated semiconductor, which partially compromised the broadband absorption of graphene. Here, we show that this limitation can be overcome in principle by harnessing the electron-accepting ability of the electrochemical half-reaction. In our new graphene phototransistor, the electrochemical half-reaction serves as an effective reversible electron reservoir to accept the photoexcited hot electron from graphene, which promotes the sub-bandgap photosensitivity in a silver chloride (AgCl)-graphene photodetector. The photoconductive gain of ~ 3 × 109 electrons per photon in the AgCl-graphene hybrid is favored by the long lifetime of photoexcited carriers in the chemically reversible redox couple of AgCl/Ag0, enabling a significant visible light (400–600 nm) responsivity that is far beyond the band-edge absorption of AgCl. This work not only presents a new strategy to achieve an electrically tunable sub-bandgap photoresponse in semiconductor-graphene heterostructures but also provides opportunities for utilizing the electrochemical half reaction in other two-dimensional systems and optoelectronic devices.published_or_final_versio

Towards a better future for biodiversity and people: modelling Nature Futures

The expert group on scenarios and models of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services initiated the development of the Nature Futures Framework for developing scenarios of positive futures for nature, to help inform assessments of policy options. This new scenarios and modelling Framework seeks to open up diversity and plurality of perspectives by differentiating three main value perspectives on nature – Nature for Nature (intrinsic values of nature), Nature for Society (instrumental values) and Nature as Culture (relational values). This paper describes how the Nature Futures Framework can be applied in modelling to support policy processes by identifying key interventions for change in realizing a diversity of desirable futures. First, the paper introduces and elaborates on key building blocks of the framework for developing qualitative scenarios and translating them into quantitative scenarios: i) multiple value perspectives on nature and the Nature Futures frontier representing diverse preferences, ii) incorporating mutual and key feedbacks of social-ecological systems in Nature Futures scenarios, and iii) indicators describing the evolution of social-ecological systems with complementary knowledge and data. This paper then presents three possible application approaches to modelling Nature Futures scenarios to support the i) review, ii) implementation and iii) design phases of policy processes. The main objective of this paper is to facilitate the integration of the relational values of nature in models, through improved indicators and other forms of evidence, and to strengthen modelled linkages across biodiversity, ecosystems, nature’s contributions to people, and quality of life to identify science- and knowledge-based interventions and to enhance ecological understanding for achieving sustainable futures. The paper aims at stimulating the development of new scenarios and models based on this new framework by a wide community of modelers, and the testing and possible further development of the framework, particularly in the context of future IPBES assessments

Towards a better future for biodiversity and people: Modelling Nature Futures

The Nature Futures Framework (NFF) is a heuristic tool for co-creating positive futures for nature and people. It seeks to open up a diversity of futures through mainly three value perspectives on nature – Nature for Nature, Nature for Society, and Nature as Culture. This paper describes how the NFF can be applied in modelling to support decision-making. First, we describe key considerations for the NFF in developing qualitative and quantitative scenarios: i) multiple value perspectives on nature as a state space where pathways improving nature toward a frontier can be represented, ii) mutually reinforcing key feedbacks of social-ecological systems that are important for nature conservation and human wellbeing, iii) indicators of multiple knowledge systems describing the evolution of complex social-ecological dynamics. We then present three approaches to modelling Nature Futures scenarios in the review, screening, and design phases of policy processes. This paper seeks to facilitate the integration of relational values of nature in models and strengthen modelled linkages across biodiversity, nature’s contributions to people, and quality of life

Structural, magnetic, magnetocaloric, and critical behavior of selected Ti-doped manganites

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Critical behavior and change in universality of La0.67Ba0.22Sr0.11Mn1−x Co x O3 manganites

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Effect of forging on cyclic hardening behavior of CW 614 brass alloy

International audienceWe investigate the cyclic hardening behavior of CW 614 brass alloys using two types of specimens: manufactured specimen CW 614 and forged specimen CW 614SP. A difference in cyclic work hardening behavior and cyclic stress-strain response was identified for each specimen. Surface damage is also investigated, in order to acquire a better understanding of the fracture process