TT-adic exponential sums of polynomials in one variable

The $T$-adic exponential sum of a polynomial in one variable is studied. An explicit arithmetic polygon in terms of the highest two exponents of the polynomial is proved to be a lower bound of the Newton polygon of the $C$-function of the T-adic exponential sum. This bound gives lower bounds for the Newton polygon of the $L$-function of exponential sums of $p$-power order

Pancreas deficiency modifies bone development in the ovine fetus near term.

Hormones have an important role in the regulation of fetal growth and development, especially in response to nutrient availability in utero. Using micro-CT and an electromagnetic three-point bend test, this study examined the effect of pancreas removal at 0.8 fraction of gestation on the developing bone structure and mechanical strength in fetal sheep. When fetuses were studied at 10 and 25 days after surgery, pancreatectomy caused hypoinsulinaemia, hyperglycaemia and growth retardation which was associated with low plasma concentrations of leptin and a marker of osteoclast activity and collagen degradation. In pancreatectomized fetuses compared to control fetuses, limb lengths were shorter, and trabecular (Tb) bone in the metatarsi showed greater bone volume fraction, Tb thickness, degree of anisotropy and porosity, and lower fractional bone surface area and Tb spacing. Mechanical strength testing showed that pancreas deficiency was associated with increased stiffness and a greater maximal weight load at fracture in a subset of fetuses studied near term. Overall, pancreas deficiency in utero slowed the growth of the fetal skeleton and adapted the developing bone to generate a more compact and connected structure. Maintenance of bone strength in growth-retarded limbs is especially important in a precocial species in preparation for skeletal loading and locomotion at birth

Survivin the battle against immunosuppression

Improving on the limited success of cancer immunotherapy requires new approaches to inhibit immunosuppressive pathways initiated by tumor cells to “escape” protective immunity. One unique approach utilizes Salmonella for systemic delivery of inhibitory RNA, targeting the immunosuppressive molecule Stat3, and a Survivin vaccine to suppress growth of aggressive murine tumors

Design of the Prototypical Cryomodule for the EUROTRANS Superconducting Linac for Nuclear Waste Transmutation

International audienceOne task of the accelerator workpackage of the EUROTRANS program for the design of a nuclear waste transmutation system is dedicated to the engineering and realization of a prototype cryomodule of the high energy section of the linac, equipped with elliptical superconducting niobium cavities. We review here the present status of the design and the planned program that foresees the experimental characterization of the fully equipped cavity and RF system under its nominal operating conditions

Une plateforme pour l'acquisition, la maintenance et la validation de ressources lexicales

International audienceNous présentons une plateforme de développement de lexique offrant une base lexicale accompagnée d'un certain nombre d'outils de maintenance et d'utilisation. Cette base, qui comporte aujourd'hui 440.000 formes du Français contemporain, est destinée à être diffusée et remise à jour régulièrement. Nous exposons d'abord les outils et les techniques employées pour sa constitution et son enrichissement, notamment la technique de calcul des fréquences lexicales par catégorie morphosyntaxique. Nous décrivons ensuite différentes approches pour constituer un sous-lexique de taille réduite, dont la particularité est de couvrir plus de 90% de l'usage. Un tel lexique noyau offre en outre la possibilité d'être réellement complété manuellement avec des informations sémantiques, de valence, pragmatiques etc

Human alpha 2A-adrenergic receptor gene expressed in transgenic mouse adipose tissue under the control of its regulatory elements.

Catecholamines regulate white adipose tissue function and development by acting through beta- and alpha2-adrenergic receptors (ARs). Human adipocytes express mainly alpha 2A- but few or no beta 3-ARs while the reverse is true for rodent adipocytes. Our aim was to generate a mouse model with a human-like alpha2/beta-adrenergic balance in adipose tissue by creating transgenic mice harbouring the human alpha 2A-AR gene under the control of its own regulatory elements in a combined mouse beta 3-AR-/- and human beta 3-AR+/+ background. Transgenic mice exhibit functional human alpha 2A-ARs only in white fat cells. Interestingly, as in humans, subcutaneous adipocytes expressed higher levels of alpha2-AR than perigonadal fat cells, which are associated with a better antilipolytic response to epinephrine. High-fat-diet-induced obesity was observed in transgenic mice in the absence of fat cell size modifications. In addition, analysis of gene expression related to lipid metabolism in isolated adipocytes suggested reduced lipid mobilization and no changes in lipid storage capacity of transgenic mice fed a high-fat diet. Finally, the development of adipose tissue in these mice was not associated with significant modifications of glucose and insulin blood levels. Thus, these transgenic mice constitute an original model of diet-induced obesity for in vivo physiological and pharmacological studies with respect to the alpha2/beta-AR balance in adipose tissue

Shark Attacks in Dakar and the Cap Vert Peninsula, Senegal: Low Incidence despite High Occurrence of Potentially Dangerous Species

The International Shark Attack File mentions only four unprovoked shark attacks on the coast of West Africa during the period 1828–2004, an area where high concentrations of sharks and 17 species potentially dangerous to man have been observed. To investigate if the frequency of shark attacks could be really low and not just under-reported and whether there are potentially sharks that might attack in the area, a study was carried out in Dakar and the Cap Vert peninsula, Senegal. and 3 with unidentified sharks.These findings suggest that the frequency of shark attacks on the coast of West Africa is underestimated. However, they also indicate that the risk is very low despite the abundance of sharks. In Dakar area, most encounters along the coastline with potentially dangerous species do not result in an attack. Compared to other causes of water related deaths, the incidence of shark attack appears negligible, at least one thousand fold lower