The mechanisms of plaster drying

International audienceWe show that the drying rate of plaster pastes is significantly lower than that expected for a pure liquid evaporating from a simple homogeneous porous medium. This effect is enhanced by the air flow velocity and the initial solid/water ratio. Further tests under various conditions and with the help of additional techniques (MRI, ESEM, Microtomography) for measuring the drying rate and local characteristics (water content, porosity) prove that this effect is due to the crystallization of gypsum ions below the sample free surface, which creates a dry region and decreases the drying rate by increasing the length of the path the vapor has to follow before reaching the free surface

Scientific Rationale of Saturn's In Situ Exploration

Remote sensing observations meet some limitations when used to study the bulk atmospheric composition of the giant planets of our solar system. A remarkable example of the superiority of in situ probe measurements is illustratedby the exploration of Jupiter, where key measurements such as the determination of the noble gases abundances and the precise measurement of the helium mixing ratio have only been made available through in situ measurements by the Galileo probe. This paper describes the main scienti-c goals to be addressed by the future in situ exploration of Saturn placing the Galileo probe exploration of Jupiter in a broader context and before the future probe exploration of the more remote ice giants. In situ exploration of Saturn's atmosphere addresses two broad themes that are discussedthroughout this paper : rst, the formation history of our solar system and second, the processes at play in planetary atmospheres. In this context, we detail the reasons why measurements of Saturn's bulk elemental and isotopiccomposition would place important constraints on the volatile reservoirs in the protosolar nebula. We also show that the in situ measurement of CO (or any other disequilibrium species that is depleted by reaction with water) in Saturn's upper troposphere may help constraining its bulk OH ratio. We compare predictions of Jupiter and Saturn's bulk compositions from different formation scenarios, and highlight the key measurements required to distinguish competing theories to shed light on giant planet formation as a common process in planetary systems with potential applications to mostextrasolar systems. In situ measurements of Saturn's stratospheric and tropospheric dynamics, chemistry and cloud-forming processes will provide access to phenomena unreachable to remote sensing studies. Dierent mission architectures are envisaged, which would benet from strong international collaborations, all based on an entry probe that would descend through Saturn's stratosphere and troposphere under parachute down to a minimum of 10 bars of atmospheric pressure. We rally discuss the science payload required on a Saturn probe to match the measurement requirements

Malaria vector research and control in Haiti: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Haiti has a set a target of eliminating malaria by 2020. However, information on malaria vector research in Haiti is not well known. This paper presents results from a systematic review of the literature on malaria vector research, bionomics and control in Haiti. METHODS: A systematic search of literature published in French, Spanish and English languages was conducted in 2015 using Pubmed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, EMBASE, JSTOR WHOLIS and Web of Science databases as well other grey literature sources such as USAID, and PAHO. The following search terms were used: malaria, Haiti, Anopheles, and vector control. RESULTS: A total of 132 references were identified with 40 high quality references deemed relevant and included in this review. Six references dealt with mosquito distribution, seven with larval mosquito ecology, 16 with adult mosquito ecology, three with entomological indicators of malaria transmission, eight with insecticide resistance, one with sero-epidemiology and 16 with vector control. In the last 15 years (2000–2015), there have only been four published papers and three-scientific meeting abstracts on entomology for malaria in Haiti. Overall, the general literature on malaria vector research in Haiti is limited and dated. DISCUSSION: Entomological information generated from past studies in Haiti will contribute to the development of strategies to achieve malaria elimination on Hispaniola. However it is of paramount importance that malaria vector research in Haiti is updated to inform decision-making for vector control strategies in support of malaria elimination

European surveillance of antimicrobial consumption (ESAC) : systemic antiviral use in Europe

Objectives: To assess the total systemic antiviral use in Europe and to identify the antiviral substances most commonly used.Methods: Within the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC; www.esac.ua.ac.be), using the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification and defined daily dose (DDD) measurement unit, data on total (out- and inpatient) systemic antiviral use (ATC J05), aggregated at the level of the active substance, were collected for 2008, and use was expressed in DDD (WHO ATC/DDD, version 2010) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). Antiviral substances were grouped according to their main indication.Results: In Europe, 12 countries (Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Russia, Slovenia and Sweden) provided total (out- and inpatient) data and 4 countries (Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal and Norway) provided outpatient data only. Total systemic antiviral use varied by a factor of 10.95 between the country with the highest (3.53 DID in France) and the country with the lowest (0.32 DID in Croatia) use. HIV/AIDS antivirals represented more than 50% of the total antiviral use in most countries. The amount and spectrum of antivirals used varied greatly between countries.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a wide variation of total systemic antiviral use in several European countries, as striking as that of outpatient systemic antibiotic, antimycotic and antifungal use. The variation is mainly determined by the use of HIV/AIDS antivirals. These observations should stimulate further analysis to understand the variation of specific antiviral substances. The ESAC data facilitate auditing of antiviral prescriptions and evaluation of the implementation of guidelines and public health policies.peer-reviewe

ABA content and some key enzyme activities in response to water stress

International audienc

Influence de la nutrition azotee sur l'assimilation nette et la formation du rendement du tournesol.

National audienc