Parallel declines in species and genetic diversity driven by anthropogenic disturbance: a multispecies approach in a French Atlantic dune system.

Numerous studies assess the correlation between genetic and species diversities, but the processes underlying the observed patterns have only received limited attention. For instance, varying levels of habitat disturbance across a region may locally reduce both diversities due to extinctions, and increased genetic drift during population bottlenecks and founder events. We investigated the regional distribution of genetic and species diversities of a coastal sand dune plant community along 240 kilometers of coastline with the aim to test for a correlation between the two diversity levels. We further quantify and tease apart the respective contributions of natural and anthropogenic disturbance factors to the observed patterns. We detected significant positive correlation between both variables. We further revealed a negative impact of urbanization: Sites with a high amount of recreational infrastructure within 10 km coastline had significantly lowered genetic and species diversities. On the other hand, a measure of natural habitat disturbance had no effect. This study shows that parallel variation of genetic and species diversities across a region can be traced back to human landscape alteration, provides arguments for a more resolute dune protection, and may help to design priority conservation areas

Geosmithia argillacea: an emerging agent of airway colonization in patients with cystic fibrosis?

Date du colloque&nbsp;: 06/2009</p

Drug Discovery for Schistosomiasis: Hit and Lead Compounds Identified in a Library of Known Drugs by Medium-Throughput Phenotypic Screening

The flatworm disease schistosomiasis infects over 200 million people with just one drug (praziquantel) available—a concern should drug resistance develop. Present drug discovery approaches for schistosomiasis are slow and not conducive to automation in a high-throughput format. Therefore, we designed a three-component screen workflow that positions the larval (schistosomulum) stage of S. mansoni at its apex followed by screens of adults in culture and, finally, efficacy tests in infected mice. Schistosomula are small enough and available in sufficient numbers to interface with automated liquid handling systems and prosecute thousands of compounds in short time frames. We inaugurated the workflow with a 2,160 compound library that includes known drugs in order to cost effectively ‘re-position’ drugs as new therapies for schistosomiasis and/or identify compounds that could be modified to that end. We identify a variety of ‘hit’ compounds (antibiotics, psychoactives, antiparasitics, etc.) that produce behavioral responses (phenotypes) in schistosomula and adults. Tests in infected mice of the most promising hits identified a number of ‘leads,’ one of which compares reasonably well with praziquantel in killing worms, decreasing egg production by the parasite, and ameliorating disease pathology. Efforts continue to more fully automate the workflow. All screen data are posted online as a drug discovery resource

8th European Conference on Rare Diseases & Orphan Products (ECRD 2016)

MEETING ABSTRACTS: Open Access 8th European Conference on Rare Diseases & Orphan Products (ECRD 2016), Edinburgh, UK. 26-28 May 201

Quantifying Vegetation Biophysical Variables from Imaging Spectroscopy Data: A Review on Retrieval Methods

An unprecedented spectroscopic data stream will soon become available with forthcoming Earth-observing satellite missions equipped with imaging spectroradiometers. This data stream will open up a vast array of opportunities to quantify a diversity of biochemical and structural vegetation properties. The processing requirements for such large data streams require reliable retrieval techniques enabling the spatiotemporally explicit quantification of biophysical variables. With the aim of preparing for this new era of Earth observation, this review summarizes the state-of-the-art retrieval methods that have been applied in experimental imaging spectroscopy studies inferring all kinds of vegetation biophysical variables. Identified retrieval methods are categorized into: (1) parametric regression, including vegetation indices, shape indices and spectral transformations; (2) nonparametric regression, including linear and nonlinear machine learning regression algorithms; (3) physically based, including inversion of radiative transfer models (RTMs) using numerical optimization and look-up table approaches; and (4) hybrid regression methods, which combine RTM simulations with machine learning regression methods. For each of these categories, an overview of widely applied methods with application to mapping vegetation properties is given. In view of processing imaging spectroscopy data, a critical aspect involves the challenge of dealing with spectral multicollinearity. The ability to provide robust estimates, retrieval uncertainties and acceptable retrieval processing speed are other important aspects in view of operational processing. Recommendations towards new-generation spectroscopy-based processing chains for operational production of biophysical variables are given

The Biological Effects of Retinoids on Cell Differentiation and Proliferation

Peer Reviewe

Accueil touristique et protection du milieu sur le littoral aquitain (Tourists accomodation and environment protection on the shore of Aquitaine)

Abstract. - Little known before world war II, the littoral of the Landes undergoes since 1950 an always increasing touristic influx, with some unfortunate results, notably on the stability of the foredune. Improvement planning has been implemented so that beach accesses could be channeled, sites and cycle tracks better used and impacts on the environment reduced.Résumé. - Peu fréquenté avant la seconde guerre mondiale, le littoral aquitain connaît un afflux touristique toujours accru qui compromet notamment la stabilité du cordon dunaire côtier. Des plans d'aménagement ont été mis en œuvre pour canaliser l'accès aux plages, aménager les sites, les pistes cyclables et minorer l'impact sur le milieu.Favennec J. Accueil touristique et protection du milieu sur le littoral aquitain (Tourists accomodation and environment protection on the shore of Aquitaine). In: Bulletin de l'Association de géographes français, 72e année, 1995-5 ( décembre). Les milieux littoraux, sous la direction de Yvonne Battiau-Queney et Bernard Bomer. pp. 455-461

Les marges de raffinage : évolution récente

International audienceMalgré une conjoncture globalement médiocre, du fait notamment de la crise asiatique et d'un hiver clément dans l'hémisphère nord, l'année 1997 a confirmé les signes d'amélioration de l'activité du raffinage observés en 1996. Mais la situation de ce secteur n'est pas encore satisfaisante : faible rentabilité des capitaux employés, préoccupations quant aux financements des investissements nécessaires à la protection de l'environnement. Pour 1998, la chute des cours des pétroles bruts, qui a évidemment pour corollaire une baisse des prix des produits, a été finalement plutôt favorable aux marges. Deux éléments modèrent ce relatif optimisme : d'une part le maintien d'une très grande volatilité, d'autre part l'accentuation de la crise économique et financière observée au cours de l'été, qui s'est traduite par une forte chute des marges dans toutes les zones géographiques et plus particulièrement en Asie. Début 1999, les marges de raffinage sont restées faibles et ont conduit à une baisse du taux d'utilisation des capacités de traitement