Test d'usure d'outils modifiés ou non lors du déroulage de MDF

International audienceDes revêtements à base de nitrure de chrome réalisés par pulvérisation triode ont été testés en déroulage et défonçage du bois. L'efficacité des revêtements triode a été montrée en usinage de MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), donc dans des conditions sévères de coupe, ainsi qu'en défonçage d'OSB (Oriented Strand Board) où un revêtement CrN de 1μm d'épaisseur permet d'usiner 9 fois plus qu'un outil non revêtu [1]. Le but de cette étude est d'examiner comment on peut améliorer la tenue à l'usure des outils de coupe dans l'opération de déroulage du MDF, en traitant la partie active de l'outil. Les modifications des surfaces actives des couteaux consistent à appliquer des films durs (CrAlN, CrSiN), qui ont déjà donné des résultats prometteurs dans l'opération de défonçage du MDF [2], l'un des facteurs limitant dont il faut nous affranchir est l'adhérence des couches déposées sur les outils de coupe. C'est pourquoi nous avons testé des traitements duplex (nitruration ionique+dépôt magnétron). Ces revêtements ont également été testés en simulant les chocs que peuvent générer les noeuds dans un billon. Les revêtements de CrAlN ont été réalisés par PVD sur un bâti dual magnétron RF alors que les couches de CrSiN ont été obtenues par l'institut FEMTO/ST de Besançon dans le cadre d'un projet de recherche. La nitruration ionique a été réalisée dans un four de traitement thermochimique BMI. Le processus d'usinage a été effectué sur une microdérouleuse instrumentée, le matériau utilisé étant du MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)

Rac GTPase isoform-specific regulation of NADPH oxidase and chemotaxis in murine neutrophils in vivo: Role of the C-terminal polybasic domain

The Rho family GTPase Rac acts as a molecular switch for signal transduction to regulate various cellular functions. Mice deficient in the hematopoietic-specific Rac2 isoform exhibit agonist-specific defects in neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide production, despite expression of the highly homologous Rac1 isoform. To examine whether functional defects in rac2–/– neutrophils reflect effects of an overall decrease in total cellular Rac or an isoform-specific role for Rac2, retroviral vectors were used to express exogenous Rac1 or Rac2 at levels similar to endogenous. In rac2–/– neutrophils differentiated from transduced myeloid progenitors in vitro, increasing cellular Rac levels by expression of either exogenous Rac1 or Rac2 increased formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine- or phorbol ester-stimulated NADPH oxidase activity. Of note, placement of an epitope tag on the N terminus of Rac1 or Rac2 blunted reconstitution of responses in rac2–/– neutrophils. In rac2–/– neutrophils isolated from mice transplanted with Rac-transduced bone marrow cells, superoxide production and chemotaxis were fully reconstituted by expression of exogenous Rac2, but not Rac1. A chimeric Rac1 protein in which the Rac1 C-terminal polybasic domain, which contains six lysines or arginines, was replaced with that of the human Rac2 polybasic domain containing only three basic residues, also reconstituted superoxide production and chemotaxis, whereas expression of a Rac2 derivative in which the polybasic domain was replaced with that of Rac1 did not and resulted in disoriented cell motility. Thus, the composition of the polybasic domain is sufficient for determining Rac isoform specificity in the production of superoxide and chemotaxis in murine neutrophils in vivo

Comportement de suspensions granulaires soumises à des vibrations : mesures rhéologiques et caractérisation par diffusion de la lumière

Quantifier l’impact des vibrations sur les propriétés rhéologiques des suspensions granulaires trouve son intérêt dans de nombreuses applications, que ce soit environnementales ou industrielles. Par exemple, comprendre l’influence des secousses sismiques sur la liquéfaction des sols ou encore quantifier les vibrations à appliquer au béton pour une mise en place efficace restent des problèmes ouverts. Afin de mieux comprendre ces phénomènes, nous avons quantifié l’impact de vibrations contrôlées sur la rhéologie d’un milieu granulaire modèle constitué de billes de verre (~ 100μm) et saturé en liquide (fraction volumique de l’ordre de 60%). Le dispositif employé se compose d’un rhéomètre à contrainte imposée (AR 2000, TA Instruments) couplé à une cellule vibrante imposant des vibrations sinusoïdales à amplitude et fréquence fixées (P. Marchal, et al., J. Rheol. 53, 1 (2009)). L’influence des paramètres expérimentaux tels que la taille de billes, la viscosité du fluide interstitiel ou encore l’amplitude et la fréquence des vibrations sur la viscosité ont été étudiés en détails. Nous avons en particulier mis en évidence la présence d’un régime à faible cisaillement entièrement contrôlé par les vibrations. L’effet de cette sollicitation est de faire disparaître la contrainte seuil du matériau et de faire apparaître un plateau de viscosité (Hanotin et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 198301 (2012)). Cette viscosité de plateau chute de façon surprenante lorsqu’on augmente la viscosité du fluide interstitiel. Une approche dimensionnelle montre que la viscosité de la suspension est contrôlée par la compétition entre les forces de lubrification et la pression granulaire. Des expériences de diffusion de la lumière utilisant une caméra CCD et basées sur l’analyse des fluctuations d’intensité des figures de speckle ont été menées en parallèle sur ces suspensions granulaires vibrées en l’absence de cisaillement. Cette technique permet de sonder la dynamique des particules aux temps longs. Il apparaît que le temps caractéristique de relaxation obtenu est relié à la viscosité au plateau de la suspension granulaire vibrée, ce qui permet d’établir un lien entre les propriétés rhéologiques et les propriétés de diffusion à l’échelle du grain

Environmental characterisation of retification process by-products (liquid and gaseous wastes)

6th International Symposium “Environment and Wood Preservation” Cannes-Mandelieu, France 7-8 February 2005 14 pagesIn order to reduce environmental risks during the service life of the treated wood and to find new alternative developments on the durability of wood, some research and technology development have been made on thermal treatment. The retification process is one of these processes. The retification process induces chemical modification of the lignin and cellulosic components and modifies the intrinsic properties of wood : efficient increases the durability against fungi and insects, increases of the dimensional stability, decrease of the mechanical properties. The interest of this process is to reduce the environmental impact during the service life. In order to confirm the high interest of this process for the reduction of the environmental impact, an environmental characterisation of wastes on pilot plant have been carried out. Chemical analysis on gaseous and liquid effluents have been performed. An energetic assessment has been realised. The results indicate the high interest of this process in terms of possible biodegradable wastes and chemical valorisation interest, interest on energetic consumption in comparison with other wood processing treatment, interest on using retification treated wood in flooring according to indoor air quality requirements

Arthritogenic Monoclonal Antibodies from K/BxN Mice

Arthritis in the K/BxN mouse model is provoked by pathogenic antibodies (Abs) directed against a ubiquitously expressed protein, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI). To begin dissecting the repertoire of arthritogenic immunoglobulins (Igs) in the K/BxN model, and to provide a basis for comparison with RA patientswe have generated anti-GPI monoclonal Abs (mAbs) from spontaneously activated B cells in the lymphoid organs of arthritic mice. B cell clones with anti-GPI specificities were present at extraordinarily high frequencies in the spleen, and less frequently in other lymphoid organs and in the synovial fluid. None of the anti-GPI mAbs induced arthritis when injected individually into healthy recipients, but most were effective when combined in pairs or larger pools. Arthritogenic combinations depended on mAbs of the IgG1 isotype, which bound to GPI with Kd in the 10−9 M range, with no indication of cooperative binding between complementing pairs. Pathogenicity was not associated with recognition of a particular epitope, but the ability to form mAb/GPI multimers by simultaneous recognition of different epitopes was clearly required, consistent with the known role of complement and FcRs in this model. Sequence analysis revealed structural similarities amongst the mAbs, indicating that a particular subset of B cells may evade tolerance in K/BxN mice, and that affinity maturation by somatic mutation likely takes place. These results confirm that GPI itself, rather than a cross-reactive molecule, is the target of pathogenic Igs

Fanconi anemia proteins function in mitophagy and immunity

Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway genes are important tumor suppressors whose best-characterized function is repair of damaged nuclear DNA. Here, we describe an essential role for FA genes in two forms of selective autophagy. Genetic deletion of Fancc blocks the autophagic clearance of viruses (virophagy) and increases susceptibility to lethal viral encephalitis. Fanconi anemia complementation group C (FANCC) protein interacts with Parkin, is required in vitro and in vivo for clearance of damaged mitochondria, and decreases mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inflammasome activation. The mitophagy function of FANCC is genetically distinct from its role in genomic DNA damage repair. Moreover, additional genes in the FA pathway, including FANCA, FANCF, FANCL, FANCD2, BRCA1, and BRCA2, are required for mitophagy. Thus, members of the FA pathway represent a previously undescribed class of selective autophagy genes that function in immunity and organellar homeostasis. These findings have implications for understanding the pathogenesis of FA and cancers associated with mutations in FA genes

The impact of ESCRT on Aβ1-42 induced membrane lesions in a yeast model for Alzheimer’s disease

Aβ metabolism plays a pivotal role in Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we used a yeast model to monitor Aβ42 toxicity when entering the secretory pathway and demonstrate that processing in, and exit from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is required to unleash the full Aβ42 toxic potential. Consistent with previously reported data, our data suggests that Aβ42 interacts with mitochondria, thereby enhancing formation of reactive oxygen species and eventually leading to cell demise. We used our model to search for genes that modulate this deleterious effect, either by reducing or enhancing Aβ42 toxicity, based on screening of the yeast knockout collection. This revealed a reduced Aβ42 toxicity not only in strains hampered in ER-Golgi traffic and mitochondrial functioning but also in strains lacking genes connected to the cell cycle and the DNA replication stress response. On the other hand, increased Aβ42 toxicity was observed in strains affected in the actin cytoskeleton organization, endocytosis and the formation of multivesicular bodies, including key factors of the ESCRT machinery. Since the latter was shown to be required for the repair of membrane lesions in mammalian systems, we studied this aspect in more detail in our yeast model. Our data demonstrated that Aβ42 heavily disturbed the plasma membrane integrity in a strain lacking the ESCRT-III accessory factor Bro1, a phenotype that came along with a severe growth defect and enhanced loading of lipid droplets. Thus, it appears that also in yeast ESCRT is required for membrane repair, thereby counteracting one of the deleterious effects induced by the expression of Aβ42. Combined, our studies once more validated the use of yeast as a model to investigate fundamental mechanisms underlying the etiology of neurodegenerative disorders

Aromatic maturity is a cornerstone of terroir expression in red wine

This article is published in cooperation with Terclim 2022 (XIVth International Terroir Congress and 2nd ClimWine Symposium), 3-8 July 2022, Bordeaux, France.Harvesting grapes at adequate maturity is key to the production of high-quality red wines. Viticulturists, enologists, and wine makers define several types of maturity, including physiological maturity, technological maturity, phenolic maturity, and aromatic maturity. Physiological maturity is a biological concept. Technological maturity and phenolic maturity are relatively well documented in the scientific literature, being linked to quantifiable compounds in grape must. Articles on aromatic maturity are scarcer. This is surprising, because aromatic maturity is, probably, the most important of the four in determining wine quality and typicity, including terroir expression, i.e.  the identifiable taste of wine in relation to its origin. Optimal terroir expression can be obtained when technological, phenolic, and aromatic maturity are reached at the same time, or within a short time frame. This is more likely to occur when the ripening takes place under mild temperatures, neither too cool, nor too hot.Aromatic expression in wine can be driven, in order from low to high maturity, by green, herbal, spicy, floral, fresh fruit, ripe fruit, jammy fruit, dried fruit, candied, or cooked fruit aromas. Green and cooked fruit aromas are not desirable in red wines, while the levels of other aromatic nuances contribute to the typicity of the wine in relation to its place of origin. Wines produced in cool climates, or on cool soils in temperate climates, are likely to express herbal or fresh fruit aromas, while wines produced under warm climates, or on warm soils in temperate climates, may express ripe fruit, jammy fruit, or candied fruit aromas.This article reviews the state of the art of compounds underpinning the aromas of wines obtained from grapes harvested at different stages of maturity. Advances in the understanding of how aromatic maturity shapes terroir expression and how it can be manipulated by variety choices and management practices, under current and future climatic conditions, are shown. Early ripening varieties perform better in cool climates and late ripening varieties in warm climates. Additionally, maturity can be advanced or delayed by different canopy management practices or training systems. Timing of harvest also impacts aromatic expression of the produced wine. Gaps in the literature are highlighted to guide future directions of research

Potentiation of Carboplatin-Mediated DNA Damage by the Mdm2 Modulator Nutlin-3a in a Humanized Orthotopic Breast-to-Lung Metastatic Model

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are typically resistant to treatment, and strategies that build upon frontline therapy are needed. Targeting the murine double minute 2 (Mdm2) protein is an attractive approach, as Mdm2 levels are elevated in many therapy-refractive breast cancers. The Mdm2 protein-protein interaction inhibitor Nutlin-3a blocks the binding of Mdm2 to key signaling molecules such as p53 and p73α and can result in activation of cell death signaling pathways. In the present study, the therapeutic potential of carboplatin and Nutlin-3a to treat TNBC was investigated, as carboplatin is under evaluation in clinical trials for TNBC. In mutant p53 TMD231 TNBC cells, carboplatin and Nutlin-3a led to increased Mdm2 and was strongly synergistic in promoting cell death in vitro. Furthermore, sensitivity of TNBC cells to combination treatment was dependent on p73α. Following combination treatment, γH2AX increased and Mdm2 localized to a larger degree to chromatin compared with single-agent treatment, consistent with previous observations that Mdm2 binds to the Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 complex associated with DNA and inhibits the DNA damage response. In vivo efficacy studies were conducted in the TMD231 orthotopic mammary fat pad model in NOD.Cg-Prkdc(scid)Il2rg(tm1Wjl)/SzJ (NSG) mice. Using an intermittent dosing schedule of combined carboplatin and Nutlin-3a, there was a significant reduction in primary tumor growth and lung metastases compared with vehicle and single-agent treatments. In addition, there was minimal toxicity to the bone marrow and normal tissues. These studies demonstrate that Mdm2 holds promise as a therapeutic target in combination with conventional therapy and may lead to new clinical therapies for TNBC