Quantum revival for elastic waves in thin plate

Quantum revival is described as the time-periodic reconstruction of a wave packet initially localized in space and time. This effect is expected in finite-size systems which exhibits commensurable discrete spectrum such as the infinite quantum well. Here, we report on the experimental observation of full and fractional quantum revival for classical waves in a two dimensional cavity. We consider flexural waves propagating in thin plates, as their quadratic dispersion at low frequencies mimics the dispersion relation of quantum systems governed by Schr\"{o}dinger equation. Time-dependent excitation and measurement are performed at ultrasonic frequencies and reveal a periodic reconstruction of the initial elastic wave packet.Comment: submitted to the special issue of EPJ ST in honor of scientific legacy of Roger Maynar

Instabilité d'érosion d'une interface granulaire sèche-humide.

L’addition de liquide dans un milieu granulaire peut lui conférer une cohésion importante, et lui permettre de se comporter comme un substrat solide. Un milieu hétérogène contenant du liquide présentera donc plusieurs phases de natures différentes. L’interaction entre phase sèche et humide donne lieu à des échanges, arrachements de grains à la phase humide, ou agglomération de grains initialement secs. Ces échanges peuvent aboutir à des changements de morphologie des domaines. Nous avons mis en place une expérience d’érosion d’un tas humide cohésif dans une cellule mince, entre deux plaques de verre. L’écoulement de grains secs apportés à débit constant produit l’érosion du milieu humide par l’arrachement régulier de grains au tas. Nous avons pu observer la déstabilisation d’une interface initialement plane. Le couplage entre la contrainte de l’écoulement et la forme du tas crée des structures en forme de marches se propageant vers l’amont par l’érosion. Les propriétés de ces marches (taille, vitesse de propagation…) dépendent notamment de la pente du tas formé

One single static measurement predicts wave localization in complex structures

A recent theoretical breakthrough has brought a new tool, called \emph{localization landscape}, to predict the localization regions of vibration modes in complex or disordered systems. Here, we report on the first experiment which measures the localization landscape and demonstrates its predictive power. Holographic measurement of the static deformation under uniform load of a thin plate with complex geometry provides direct access to the landscape function. When put in vibration, this system shows modes precisely confined within the sub-regions delineated by the landscape function. Also the maxima of this function match the measured eigenfrequencies, while the minima of the valley network gives the frequencies at which modes become extended. This approach fully characterizes the low frequency spectrum of a complex structure from a single static measurement. It paves the way to the control and engineering of eigenmodes in any vibratory system, especially where a structural or microscopic description is not accessible.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Conditions de formation de composés organoiodés sapides lors de l'oxydation par le chlore d'eaux contenant des ions iodure

Le travail a consisté à préciser les conditions de formation d'une molécule iodée sapide, l'iodoforme, lors de l'oxydation d'une eau brute par le chlore et à proposer une voie réactionnelle possible.L'étude de la chloration d'une eau brute en présence d'azote ammoniacal et d'ions iodure conduit à la formation d'iodoforme uniquement pour des taux inférieurs au point de rupture. Les résultats montrent que l'oxydation de l'ion ammonium conduit à la formation de monochloramine dont le pouvoir oxydant totalement disponible pourrait être impliqué dans la formation de iodamines ou de chloroiodamines. Ces réactions sont plus favorables en présence d'iode qu'en présence d'ions iodure. Mais l'action de l'iode seul en présence d'ammoniaque et en absence de monochloramine ne permet pas d'expliquer la production des composés organoiodés observés. Ce sont les précurseurs intermédiaires formés à partir des chloramines qui, par action sur la matière organique naturelle, seraient responsables de la formation d'iodoforme. Dans une moindre mesure, certains composés azotés organiques tels les amines et les acides aminés pourraient prendre part à la production des composés organoiodés lors de la chloration.This work consisted of specifying the conditions of iodoform formation during chlorination of a raw water containing iodides. To reach this objective, there was need to spike the studied natural water with potassium iodide (200 µg.L-1) in order to increase the low natural iodide content. Free and combined chlorine, chlorinated and brominated trihalomethanes (THMs) and iodoform were analyzed.It was shown that :- iodoform is formed for chlorine doses prior to the breakpoint, in a region where the formation of the most classical chlorinated and brominated THMs is usually disfavored (Figures 1-4); - in the presence of chloramines the rate of production of iodoform increases with increasing I- or I2 (Figure 5); - the direct reaction of I2 with THM precursors to produce iodoform is slow and independent of the presence of ammonia (Table 1). - Nitrogenated compounds such as amines and amino acids would also take part in the production of organoiodinated compounds during chlorination (Figure 7). However, under water treatment conditions, taking into account the amine and amino acid content of natural waters, this class of compounds will only take a small part in the mechanism of iodoform formation. Among the possible routes that could account for the observations made in this research, the formation of iodamines or chloroiodamines as intermediates is suggested (Figure 8). From a practical point of view, the removal of ammonia from water by a biological process (nitrification step) would inhibit the iodoform formation potential and allow the application of the final chlorination step. Another alternative would involve replacing the chlorination step by oxidation with chlorine dioxide

Subwavelength pulse focusing and perfect absorption in the Maxwell fisheye

Maxwell's fisheye is a paradigm for an absolute optical instrument with a refractive index deduced from the stereographic projection of a sphere on a plane. We investigate experimentally the dynamics of flexural waves in a thin plate with a thickness varying according to the Maxwell fisheye index profile and a clamped boundary. We demonstrate subwavelength focusing and temporal pulse compression at the image point. This is achieved by introducing a sink emitting a cancelling signal optimally shaped using a time-reversal procedure. Perfect absorption and outward going wave cancellation at the focus point are demonstrated. The time evolution of the kinetic energy stored inside the cavity reveals that the sink absorbs energy out of the plate ten times faster than the natural decay rate

Impact of the neutrophil response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on the risk of hemorrhage when used in combination with tissue plasminogen activator during the acute phase of experimental stroke

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a pharmacologic agent inducing neutrophil mobilization and a new candidate for neuroprotection and neuroregeneration in stroke. Its effects when used in combination with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) were explored during the acute phase of ischemic stroke. METHODS: We used a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of cerebral ischemia, associated with treatment with tPA, in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; 60 μg/kg) was injected just before tPA. Neutrophil response in peripheral blood and in the infarct area was quantified in parallel to the infarct volume. Protease matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) release from circulating neutrophils was analyzed by immunochemistry and zymography. Vascular reactivity and hemorrhagic volume in the infarct area was also assessed. RESULTS: Twenty four hours after ischemia and tPA, G-CSF administration induced a significant increase of neutrophils in peripheral blood (P <0.05). At 72 hours post-ischemia, G-CSF was significantly associated with an increased risk of hemorrhage in the infarct area (2.5 times more likely; P <0.05) and significant cerebral endothelium-dependent dysfunction. Ex vivo, an increased MMP-9 release from neutrophils after tPA administration correlated to the increased hemorrhagic risk (P <0.05). In parallel, G-CSF administration was associated with a decreased neutrophil infiltration in the infarct area (-50%; P <0.05), with a concomitant significant neuroprotective effect (infarct volume: -40%; P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that G-CSF potentiates the risk of hemorrhage in experimental stroke when used in combination with tPA by inducing neutrophilia. This effect is concomitant to an increased MMP-9 release from peripheral neutrophils induced by the tPA treatment. These results highlight the potential hemorrhagic risk of associating G-CSF to thrombolysis during the acute phase of stroke

A human B-cell interactome identifies MYB and FOXM1 as master regulators of proliferation in germinal centers

Assembly of a mixed interaction network specific to human B cells.Identification and validation of master regulators of germinal center reaction.MYB and FOXM1 are synergistic master regulators of proliferation in germinal center B cells and control a new protein complex involving replication and mitotic-related genes

Impairing flow-mediated endothelial remodeling reduces extravasation of tumor cells

Tumor progression and metastatic dissemination are driven by cell-intrinsic and biomechanical cues that favor the growth of life-threatening secondary tumors. We recently identified pro-metastatic vascular regions with blood flow profiles that are permissive for the arrest of circulating tumor cells. We have further established that such flow profiles also control endothelial remodeling, which favors extravasation of arrested CTCs. Yet, how shear forces control endothelial remodeling is unknown. In the present work, we aimed at dissecting the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving blood flow-dependent endothelial remodeling. Transcriptomic analysis of endothelial cells revealed that blood flow enhanced VEGFR signaling, among others. Using a combination of in vitro microfluidics and intravital imaging in zebrafish embryos, we now demonstrate that the early flow-driven endothelial response can be prevented upon specific inhibition of VEGFR tyrosine kinase and subsequent signaling. Inhibitory targeting of VEGFRs reduced endothelial remodeling and subsequent metastatic extravasation. These results confirm the importance of VEGFR-dependent endothelial remodeling as a driving force of CTC extravasation and metastatic dissemination. Furthermore, the present work suggests that therapies targeting endothelial remodeling might be a relevant clinical strategy in order to impede metastatic progression.</p

Rejuvenating conventional dendritic cells and T follicular helper cell formation after vaccination.

Germinal centres (GCs) are T follicular helper cell (Tfh)-dependent structures that form in response to vaccination, producing long-lived antibody secreting plasma cells and memory B cells that protect against subsequent infection. With advancing age the GC and Tfh cell response declines, resulting in impaired humoral immunity. We sought to discover what underpins the poor Tfh cell response in ageing and whether it is possible to correct it. Here, we demonstrate that older people and aged mice have impaired Tfh cell differentiation upon vaccination. This deficit is preceded by poor activation of conventional dendritic cells type 2 (cDC2) due to reduced type 1 interferon signalling. Importantly, the Tfh and cDC2 cell response can be boosted in aged mice by treatment with a TLR7 agonist. This demonstrates that age-associated defects in the cDC2 and Tfh cell response are not irreversible and can be enhanced to improve vaccine responses in older individuals