Analysis of completely discrete finite element method for a free boundary diffusion problem with absorption

AbstractConvergence of truncation methods is obtained for a free boundary problem in R2 with an absorption depending on space and time. Error estimates are derived for the discretization, in space by a P1-finite element method and in time by a backward Euler method

The Marangoni flow of soluble amphiphiles

Surfactant distribution heterogeneities at a fluid/fluid interface trigger the Marangoni effect, i.e. a bulk flow due to a surface tension gradient. The influence of surfactant solubility in the bulk on these flows remains incompletely characterized. Here we study Marangoni flows sustained by injection of hydrosoluble surfactants at the air/water interface. We show that the flow extent increases with a decrease of the critical micelle concentration, i.e. the concentration at which these surfactants self-assemble in water. We document the universality of the surface velocity field and predict scaling laws based on hydrodynamics and surfactant physicochemistry that capture the flow features.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, submitte

Vegetation patch dynamics in rangelands : how feedbacks between large herbivores, vegetation and soil fauna alter patches over space and through time

DATA AVAILABILITY : Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no datasets were gen-erated or analysed during the current study.AIM : Large herbivore grazing is a popular conservation management tool to promote vegetation structural diversity of rangelands. However, vegetation patch dynamics, that is, how patches of grazing-defended tall vegetation and grazer-preferred short lawns shift over space and time, is poorly understood. Here, we describe a new conceptual framework for patch dynamics within rangelands, combining theories of classical cyclical succession, self-organization and multitrophic feedbacks between grazers, vegetation and bioturbating soil fauna. LOCATION : We use the cattle-grazed salt marsh of the island Schiermonnikoog, The Netherlands, as a model system. The grazed salt marsh is characterized by distinct tall vegetation patches dominated by the grazing-defended rush Juncus maritimus and grazing-intolerant grass Elytrigia atherica, surrounded by a matrix of grazing lawn (dominated by Festuca rubra). THE FRAMEWORK : Based on previous observational and experimental studies, we propose a cyclical patch dynamic where plant species composition and structure transitions through four phases: patch initiation (a) occurs when the grazing-defended rush J. maritimus establishes in the grazed lawn. Patch establishment (b) follows when the grazing-intolerant grass E. atherica establishes in the patch due to associational defence by J. maritimus and produces a large amount of litter that attracts the key bioturbating amphipod Orchestia gammarellus. Patch expansion (c) occurs when O. gammarellus activities improve soil properties of the patch, which favours E. atherica growth, leading to E. atherica competitively displacing J. maritimus in the centre of the patch. Patch degeneration (d) follows when cattle enter the enlarged patch to consume E. atherica in the centre, trample the soil, displace O. gammarellus and decrease vegetation cover, opening space for grazing-lawn species to invade. The cycle restarts when remnants of the rush J. maritimus in the degenerated patches (or individuals recently established from seed dispersal) initiate new patches in the grazing lawn. SYNTHESIS : Our proposed patch-dynamic model provides a means to describe the mechanisms driving vegetation patch dynamics and serves as a foundation for further experimental and observational exploration, not only for this specific system, but more generally for grazed systems worldwide that show patches of typical grazing-defended and grazer-preferred vegetation.http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/avscPlant Production and Soil Scienc

Wideband tunable microwave signal generation in a silicon-based optoelectronic oscillator

Si photonics has an immense potential for the development of compact and low-loss opto-electronic oscillators (OEO), with applications in radar and wireless communications. However, current Si OEO have shown a limited performance. Si OEO relying on direct conversion of intensity modulated signals into the microwave domain yield a limited tunability. Wider tunability has been shown by indirect phase-modulation to intensity-modulation conversion, requiring precise control of the phase-modulation. Here, we propose a new approach enabling Si OEOs with wide tunability and direct intensity-modulation to microwave conversion. The microwave signal is created by the beating between an optical source and single sideband modulation signal, selected by an add-drop ring resonator working as an optical bandpass filter. The tunability is achieved by changing the wavelength spacing between the optical source and resonance peak of the resonator. Based on this concept, we experimentally demonstrate microwave signal generation between 6 GHz and 18 GHz, the widest range for a Si-based OEO. Moreover, preliminary results indicate that the proposed Si OEO provides precise refractive index monitoring, with a sensitivity of 94350 GHz RIU and a potential limit of detection of only 10-8 RIU, opening a new route for the implementation of high-performance Si photonic sensors

Prospective Study of Chikungunya Virus Acute Infection in the Island of La Réunion during the 2005–2006 Outbreak

BACKGROUND:Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a recently re-emerged arthropod borne virus responsible for a massive outbreak in the Indian Ocean and India, and extended to Southeast Asia as well as Italy. CHIKV has adapted to Aedes albopictus, an anthropophilic mosquito species widely distributed in Asia, Europe, Africa and America. Our objective was to determine the clinical and biological features of patients at the acute phase of CHIKV infection. METHODS AND FINDINGS:A prospective study enrolled 274 consecutive patients with febrile arthralgia recorded at the Emergency Department of the Groupe Hospitalier Sud-Réunion between March and May 2006. Three groups were defined: one group of 180 viremic patients (positive CHIKV RT-PCR), one group of 34 patients with acute post-viremic infection (negative CHIKV RT-PCR, positive anti-CHIKV IgM and negative IgG), and one group of 46 uninfected patients (negative CHIKV RT-PCR, anti-CHIKV IgM and IgG). Bivariate analyses of clinical and biological features between groups were performed. Patients with CHIKV viremia presented typically with asymmetrical bilateral polyarthralgia (96.5%) affecting the lower (98%) and small joints (74.8%), as well as asthenia (88.6%), headache (70%), digestive trouble (63.3%), myalgia (59%), exanthems (47.8%), conjunctival hyperhemia (23%) and adenopathy (8.9%). Vertigo, cutaneous dysesthesia, pharyngitis and haemorrhages were seldom observed. So far unreported symptoms such as chondrocostal arthralgia (20%), entesopathies (1.6%), talalgia (14%) were also noted. Prurit was less frequent during the viremic than post-viremic phase (13.9% vs. 41.2%; p<0.001), whereas lymphopenia was more frequent (87.6% vs. 39.4%; p<0.001). Others biological abnormalities included leukopenia (38.3%), thrombocytopenia (37.3%), increased ASAT and ALAT blood levels (31.6 and 7.3%, respectively) and hypocalcemia (38.7%). Lymphopenia <1,000/mm(3) was very closely associated with viremic patients (Yule coefficient 0.82, positive predictive value 92.3%). Age under 65 was associated with a benign course, as no patients younger than 65 had to be hospitalized (Yule coefficient 0.78). CONCLUSIONS:The diagnosis of CHIKV infection in acute phase is based on commonly accepted clinical criteria (fever and arthralgia), however clinical and biological diffrences exist in acute phase depending on whether or not the patient is within the viremic phase of the infection

Agriculture et biodiversité. Valoriser les synergies

Que sait-on aujourd'hui des impacts, positifs et négatifs, de l’agriculture sur la biodiversité ? Quels services la biodiversité peut-elle apporter à l’agriculture, et à quelle hauteur de performance ? Comment favoriser au champ les synergies entre agriculture et biodiversité ? Quels instruments de politiques publics, économiques et juridiques, faut-il mettre en place pour promouvoir ces interactions ? Ces questions ont mobilisé un groupe pluridisciplinaire d’experts (écologues, agronomes, microbiologistes, spécialistes de santé végétale, économistes, juristes, sociologues), de différentes institutions (Inra, CNRS, IRD, Universités, Ecoles supérieures agronomiques) en France et à l’étrange

Boron isotope ratio determination in carbonates /via/ LA-MC-ICP-MS using soda-lime glass standards as reference material

A new in situ method using LA-MC-ICP-MS (193 nm excimer laser) for the determination of stable boron isotope ratios (δ11B) in carbonates was developed. Data were acquired via a standard sample standard bracketing procedure typically providing a reproducibility of 0.5‰ (SD) for samples containing 35 ppm of boron. A single ablation interval consumed about 5 µg of sample corresponding to about 0.2 ng of boron. The major finding was the similar instrumental fractionation behaviour of carbonates, soda-lime glass and sea salt with respect to boron isotopes. As no matrix induced offset was detectable between these distinct materials we propose the use of NIST glasses as internal standards for boron isotope ratio measurements via LA-MC-ICP-MS. This finding overcomes the problem of a missing matrix matched carbonate standard for in situ boron isotope studies. As a first application a set of coral samples from a culturing experiment was analysed. δ11B values range from 19.5 to 25‰ depending on the pH of the water used in the particular treatment. This is in good agreement with the results of earlier studies

Absence of triadin, a protein of the calcium release complex, is responsible for cardiac arrhythmia with sudden death in human

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an inherited arrhythmogenic disease so far related to mutations in the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RYR2) or the cardiac calsequestrin (CASQ2) genes. Because mutations in RYR2 or in CASQ2 are not retrieved in all CPVT cases, we searched for mutations in the physiological protein partners of RyR2 and CSQ2 in a large cohort of CPVT patients with no detected mutation in these two genes. Based on a candidate gene approach, we focused our investigations on triadin and junctin, two proteins that link RyR2 and CSQ2. Mutations in the triadin (TRDN) and in the junctin (ASPH) genes were searched in a cohort of 97 CPVT patients. We identified three mutations in triadin which cosegregated with the disease on a recessive mode of transmission in two families, but no mutation was found in junctin. Two TRDN mutations, a 4 bp deletion and a nonsense mutation, resulted in premature stop codons; the third mutation, a p.T59R missense mutation, was further studied. Expression of the p.T59R mutant in COS-7 cells resulted in intracellular retention and degradation of the mutant protein. This was confirmed after in vivo expression of the mutant triadin in triadin knock-out mice by viral transduction. In this work, we identified TRDN as a new gene responsible for an autosomal recessive form of CPVT. The mutations identified in the two families lead to the absence of the protein, thereby demonstrating the importance of triadin for the normal function of the cardiac calcium release complex in humans