Étude du flux de muons atmosphériques

Rapport Janus, responsable de stage : C. Carlogan

Reactions forming C(0,+)n=2,10, Cn=2,4H(0,+) and C3H(0,+) in the gas phase: semi empirical branching ratios

The aim of this paper is to provide a new set of branching ratios for interstellar and planetary chemical networks based on a semi empirical model. We applied, instead of zero order theory (i.e. only the most exoergic decaying channel is considered), a statistical microcanonical model based on the construction of breakdown curves and using experimental high velocity collision branching ratios for their parametriza- tion. We applied the model to ion-molecule, neutral-neutral, and ion-pair reactions implemented in the few popular databases for astrochemistry such as KIDA, OSU and UMIST. We studied the reactions of carbon and hydrocarbon species with electrons, He+, H+, CH+, CH, C, and C+ leading to intermediate complexes of the type Cn=2,10, Cn=2,4 H, C3 H2, C+n=2,10, Cn=2,4 H+, or C3 H+2 . Comparison of predictions with measurements supports the validity of the model. Huge deviations with respect to database values are often obtained. Effects of the new branching ratios in time dependant chemistry for dark clouds and for photodissociation region chemistry with conditions similar to those found in the Horsehead Nebula are discussed

Breakdown curves of carbon-based molecules for astrochemistry

Breakdown curves (BDC), which are energy dependent fragmentation branching ratios, constitute a kind of "identity card" of an excited molecule or cluster. We developed a method for constructing semi-empirical BDC, based on fragmentation measurements and structural known quantities of the considered species. Calculations of BDC have been performed within the statistical M3C theory. We will present a comparison of the two methods for some species and discuss application of these results to astrochemistr

Reconstruction des muons avec le télescope à neutrinos ANTARES

Rapport Janus, responsable de stage Cristina Carlogan

Recombinant alpha 1-antitrypsin Pittsburgh (Met 358----Arg) is a potent inhibitor of plasma kallikrein and activated factor XII fragment.

In normal plasma, the serine protease inhibitor alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) plays little or no role in the control of plasma kallikrein or activated Factor XII fragment (Factor XIIf), this function being performed by Cl-inhibitor. Recently, an alpha 1-AT variant was described with a Met----Arg mutation at the reactive center P1 residue (position 358) which altered the specificity of inhibition from the Met- or Val-specific protease neutrophil elastase to thrombin, an Arg-specific protease. We have now examined the inhibition of plasma kallikrein and Factor XIIf, both Arg-specific enzymes, with recombinant alpha 1-AT(Met358----Arg) produced by an Escherichia coli strain carrying a mutated human alpha 1-AT gene. The engineered protein was a very efficient inhibitor of both enzymes. It was more effective than Cl-inhibitor by a factor of 4.1 for kallikrein and 11.5 for Factor XIIf. These results suggest that recombinant alpha 1-AT(Met358----Arg) has therapeutic potential for disease states where activation of the plasma kinin-forming system is observed, for example in hereditary angioedema or septic shock