Optimal decay for solutions of the Teukolsky equation on the Kerr metric for the full subextremal range |a| < M

We derive the large time asymptotics of initially regular and localized solutions of the Teukolsky equation on the exterior of a subextremal Kerr black hole for any half integer spin. More precisely, we obtain the leading order term (predicted by Price's law) in the large time regime assuming that the initial data have compact support and have enough (but finite) Sobolev regularity. For initial data with less spatial decay (typically decaying like r^{--1--$\alpha$} with $\alpha$ $\in$ (0, 1)), we prove that the solution has a pointwise decay of order t^{--1--$\alpha$--s--|s|+} on spatially compact regions. In the proof, we adopt the spectral point of view and make use of recent advances in microlocal analysis and non elliptic Fredholm theory which provide a robust framework to study linear operators on black hole type spacetimes

Impact of Periodic Current Pulses on Li-Ion Battery Performance

International audiencePulse charging and pulse discharging have been reported by many authors in the literature to improve the performance of various secondary electrochemical cells. Only a few authors mentioned the effects of such charge and discharge method on lithium-ion batteries. The overall objective of this work is to experimentally investigate the impact of certain current pulse profiles on the electrical performance of Li-ion batteries. The results highlight a detrimental impact of periodic pulses on the cell performance compared to profiles with constant current

Vitamin D interacts with Esr1 and Igf1 to regulate molecular pathways relevant to Alzheimer’s disease

International audienceAbstractBackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests a potential therapeutic benefit of vitamin D supplementation against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although studies have shown improvements in cognitive performance and decreases in markers of the pathology after chronic treatment, the mechanisms by which vitamin D acts on brain cells are multiple and remain to be thoroughly studied. We analyzed the molecular changes observed after 5 months of vitamin D3 supplementation in the brains of transgenic 5xFAD (Tg) mice, a recognized mouse model of AD, and their wild type (Wt) littermates. We first performed a kinematic behavioural examination at 4, 6 and 8 months of age (M4, M6 and M8) followed by a histologic assessment of AD markers. We then performed a comparative transcriptomic analysis of mRNA regulation in the neocortex and hippocampus of 9 months old (M9) female mice.ResultsTranscriptomic analysis of the hippocampus and neocortex of both Wt and Tg mice at M9, following 5 months of vitamin D3 treatment, reveals a large panel of dysregulated pathways related to i) immune and inflammatory response, ii) neurotransmitter activity, iii) endothelial and vascular processes and iv) hormonal alterations. The differentially expressed genes are not all direct targets of the vitamin D-VDR pathway and it appears that vitamin D action engages in the crosstalk with estrogen and insulin signaling. The misexpression of the large number of genes observed in this study translates into improved learning and memory performance and a decrease in amyloid plaques and astrogliosis in Tg animals.ConclusionsThis study underlies the multiplicity of action of this potent neurosteroid in an aging and AD-like brain. The classical and non-classical actions of vitamin D3 can act in an additive and possibly synergistic manner to induce neuroprotective activities in a context-specific way

Availability of Antimalarial Drugs and Evaluation of the Attitude and Practices for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Malaria in Bangui, Central African Republic

National malaria management policy is based upon the availability of effective and affordable antimalarial drugs. This study was undertaken to evaluate the quality of the treatment of uncomplicated malaria cases in Bangui, an area with multidrug-resistant parasites, at a time preceding implementation of a new therapeutic policy relying on the artemisinin derivative combined treatment artemether-lumefantrine. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Bangui city to assess availability of antimalarial drugs and the performances of health workers in the management of uncomplicated malaria. Availability of drugs was recorded in all drugs wholesalers (n = 3), all pharmacies in health facilities (n = 14), private drugstores (n = 15), and in 60 non-official drug shops randomly chosen in the city. Despite a limited efficacy at the time of the survey, chloroquine remained widely available in the official and nonofficial markets. Artemisinin derivatives used in monotherapy or in combination were commonly sold. In health care facilities, 93% of the uncomplicated malaria cases were treated in the absence of any laboratory confirmation and the officially recommended treatment, amodiaquine-sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, was seldom prescribed. Thus, the national guidelines for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria are not followed by health professionals in Bangui. Its use should be implemented while a control of importation of drug has to be reinforced

Treatment of malaria from monotherapy to artemisinin-based combination therapy by health professionals in urban health facilities in Yaoundé, central province, Cameroon

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>After adoption of artesunate-amodiaquine (AS/AQ) as first-line therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria by the malaria control programme, this study was designed to assess the availability of anti-malarial drugs, treatment practices and acceptability of the new protocol by health professionals, in the urban health facilities and drugstores of Yaoundé city, Cameroon.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between April and August 2005, retrospective and current information was collected by consulting registers and interviewing health practitioners in urban health facilities using a structured questionnaire.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 2005, twenty-seven trade-named drugs have been identified in drugstores; quinine tablets (300 mg) were the most affordable anti-malarial drugs. Chloroquine was restricted to food market places and no generic artemisinin derivative was available in public health centres. In public health facilities, 13.6% of health professionals were informed about the new guidelines; 73.5% supported the use of AS-AQ as first-line therapy. However, 38.6% apprehended its use due to adverse events attributed to amodiaquine. Malaria treatment was mainly based on the diagnosis of fever. Quinine (300 mg tablets) was the most commonly prescribed first-line anti-malarial drug in adults (44.5%) and pregnant women (52.5%). Artequin^®was the most cited artemsinin-based combination therapy (ACT) (9.9%). Medical sales representatives were the main sources of information on anti-malarials.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The use of AS/AQ was not implemented in 2005 in Yaoundé, despite the wide range of anti-malarials and trade-named artemisinin derivatives available. Nevertheless, medical practitioners will support the use of this combination, when it is available in a paediatric formulation, at an affordable price. Training, information and participation of health professionals in decision-making is one of the key elements to improve adherence to new protocol guidelines. This baseline information will be useful to monitor progress in ACT implementation in Cameroon.</p

Treatment of malaria from monotherapy to artemisinin-based combination therapy by health professionals in rural health facilities in southern Cameroon

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>One year after the adoption of artesunate-amodiaquine (AS/AQ) as first-line therapy for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria, this study was designed to assess the treatment practices regarding anti-malarial drugs at health facilities in four rural areas in southern Cameroon.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between April and August 2005, information was collected by interviewing fifty-two health professionals from twelve rural health facilities, using a structured questionnaire.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In 2005, only three anti-malarial drugs were used in rural health facilities, including: amodiaquine, quinine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine. Only 2.0% of the health professionals prescribed the recommended AS/AQ combination. After reading the treatment guidelines, 75.0% were in favour of the treatment protocol with the following limitations: lack of paediatric formulations, high cost and large number of tablets per day. Up to 21.0% of professionals did not prescribe AS/AQ because of the level of adverse events attributed to the use of amodiaquine as monotherapy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study indicates that AS/AQ was not available in the public health facilities at the time of the study, and health practitioners were not informed about the new treatment guidelines. Results of qualitative analysis suggest that prescribers should be involved as soon as possible in projects related to the optimization of treatment guidelines and comply with new drugs. Adapted formulations should be made available at the international level and implemented locally before new drugs and treatments are proposed through a national control programme. This baseline information will be useful to monitor progresses in the implementation of artemisinin-based combination therapy in Cameroon.</p

From the Adour valley to the Gelise valley (western part of the Gers department): an important occurrence of siliceous raw material of Senonian origin.

This study refers the western part of the “Gers department” which covers the Adour valley, its tributaries (Izaute, Midour and Douze) and the Gélise valley. A geological study was carried out from 2010 to 2012. It allowed us to collect 290 alluvial siliceous pebbles from the Plio-Pleistocene sediments. At the same time, 132 flint artefacts from prehistoric sources in the Gers (Upper Palaeolithic) were collected. Petrographic, sedimentological and palaeontological studies were carried out. They allowed us to distinguish 19 lithological types:- 1 related to the Cenozoic formation;- 2 associated with Flysch deposits from the Pyrenean orogenic belt;- 10 attributed to the Senonian age (from the Coniacian to the Campanian);- 6 imputed to the Upper Maastrichtian with Lepidorbitoides.Then these types were brought together into six groups that show their stratigraphic positions and their palaeogeographic environments at different time periods.- 0.2 % of the alluvial pebbles were related to the Pyrenean Flysch;- 45 % were of Upper Maastrichtian age (Lepidorbitoides);- 54 % were of Senonian age (Coniacian to Middle Maastrichtian).The artefacts collected in the same region show a very similar proportion of siliceous pebbles (49 % of Maastrichtian with Lepidorbitoides).The result of this study is that, up to now, the western part of the Lannemezan Plateau includes alluvial areas of Plio-Pleistocene age, containing a large amount of flint pebbles of Upper Cretaceous age (Senonian and Maastrichtian). The gathering of this siliceous raw material by Palaeolithic communities is obvious. The identification of a new lithic raw material located in the southern Aquitaine Basin will have to be taken into account, while former interpretations probably have to be amended

Entre l’Adour et la Baïse (partie occidentale du département du Gers, France) : une importante source de matières premières siliceuses du Sénonien

La région étudiée correspond à la partie occidentale du département du Gers. Elle couvre une partie de la vallée de l’Adour, de ses affluents (Izaute, Midour, Douze) et de la vallée de la Gélise. Une étude géologique et une collecte de 290 galets alluviaux provenant des formations plio-quaternaires et couvrant les parties sommitales de cette région ont été réalisées de 2010 à 2012. Parallèlement, l’examen de 132 artefacts de gisements gersois attribuables au Paléolithique supérieur a été mené. Les matériaux recueillis ont été soumis à des analyses pétrographiques, sédimentologiques et paléontologiques. Elles ont conduit à discerner 19 types lithologiques qui ont été caractérisés :- un seul type est attribuable au Cénozoïque ;- deux types sont caractéristiques des formations du Flysch pyrénéen ;- dix types paraissent attribuables au Sénonien (du Coniacien au Campanien) ;- six types contiennent une microfaune du Maastrichtien supérieur à Lepidorbitoides.Ces types ont été regroupés en six groupes qui mettent en valeur les niveaux stratigraphiques et les environnements paléogéographiques des différentes époques. Il en est ressorti que seulement 0,2 % des galets alluvionnaires proviennent des formations crétacées du Flysch pyrénéen, 45 % sont issus du Maastrichtien supérieur à Lepidorbitoides, et 54 % du Sénonien (Coniacien à Campanien). Les artefacts en silex collectés dans la même région donnent des résultats très comparables (49 % de Maastrichtien).En conclusion, on peut retenir, à ce jour, que cette partie du plateau du Lannemezan présente des zones alluvionnaires du Plio-Pleistocène qui montrent une forte teneur en galets de silex pour lesquels nous avons établi une origine géologique sénonienne et maastrichtienne. L’utilisation de ces matériaux lithiques au Paléolithique supérieur est évidente.La mise en évidence d’une nouvelle source de matières premières dans la partie méridionale du bassin d’Aquitaine sera à prendre en compte et remet sans doute en question nombre d’interprétations antérieures.This study refers the western part of the « Gers département » in which occurs the Adour valley and its tributaries (Izaute, Midour and Douze) and the Gelise valley. A geological study was carried out from 2010 to 2012.. It allowed us to collect 290 alluvial siliceous pebbles from the Plio-Pleistocene sediments. At the same time 132 flint artefacts of prehistoric sources (Upper Paleolithic) were collected. Petrographic, sedimentological and paleontological studies were carried out. They allow us to distinguish 19 lithological types :- 1 related to the Cenozoic formation ;- 2 associated with Flysch deposits from the the Pyrenean orogenic belt ;- 10 attributed to Senonian age ;- 6 imputed to Maastrichtian with Lepidorbitoides.After that these types were brought together into six sections which show their stratigraphic positions and their paleogeographical environments.- 0,2 % of the alluvial pebbles were related to the Pyrenean Flysch ;- 45 % were of Uppermost Maastrichtian age (Lepidorbitoides ) ;- 54 % were of Senonian age (Coniacian to Middle Maastrichtian).On the other hand, the artefacts collected show a very similar proportions of siliceous pebbles (49 % of Maastrichtian with Lepidorbitoides).The result of this study is that, up to now, the western part of the Lannemezan Plateau includes alluvial areas of Plio-Pleistocene age, containing a large amount of flint pebbles of Upper Cretaceous age. Gathering of this siliceous raw material by palaeolithic communities is obvious.It is also patent that to find out a new lithic raw material located in the southern Aquitaine will be to be retained into account, while former interpretations have to be amended

Entre l’Adour et la Baïse (partie occidentale du département du Gers, France) : une importante source de matières premières siliceuses du Sénonien

La région étudiée correspond à la partie occidentale du département du Gers. Elle couvre une partie de la vallée de l’Adour, de ses affluents (Izaute, Midour, Douze) et de la vallée de la Gélise. Une étude géologique et une collecte de 290 galets alluviaux provenant des formations plio-quaternaires et couvrant les parties sommitales de cette région ont été réalisées de 2010 à 2012. Parallèlement, l’examen de 132 artefacts de gisements gersois attribuables au Paléolithique supérieur a été mené. Les matériaux recueillis ont été soumis à des analyses pétrographiques, sédimentologiques et paléontologiques. Elles ont conduit à discerner 19 types lithologiques qui ont été caractérisés :- un seul type est attribuable au Cénozoïque ;- deux types sont caractéristiques des formations du Flysch pyrénéen ;- dix types paraissent attribuables au Sénonien (du Coniacien au Campanien) ;- six types contiennent une microfaune du Maastrichtien supérieur à Lepidorbitoides.Ces types ont été regroupés en six groupes qui mettent en valeur les niveaux stratigraphiques et les environnements paléogéographiques des différentes époques. Il en est ressorti que seulement 0,2 % des galets alluvionnaires proviennent des formations crétacées du Flysch pyrénéen, 45 % sont issus du Maastrichtien supérieur à Lepidorbitoides, et 54 % du Sénonien (Coniacien à Campanien). Les artefacts en silex collectés dans la même région donnent des résultats très comparables (49 % de Maastrichtien).En conclusion, on peut retenir, à ce jour, que cette partie du plateau du Lannemezan présente des zones alluvionnaires du Plio-Pleistocène qui montrent une forte teneur en galets de silex pour lesquels nous avons établi une origine géologique sénonienne et maastrichtienne. L’utilisation de ces matériaux lithiques au Paléolithique supérieur est évidente.La mise en évidence d’une nouvelle source de matières premières dans la partie méridionale du bassin d’Aquitaine sera à prendre en compte et remet sans doute en question nombre d’interprétations antérieures.This study refers the western part of the « Gers département » in which occurs the Adour valley and its tributaries (Izaute, Midour and Douze) and the Gelise valley. A geological study was carried out from 2010 to 2012.. It allowed us to collect 290 alluvial siliceous pebbles from the Plio-Pleistocene sediments. At the same time 132 flint artefacts of prehistoric sources (Upper Paleolithic) were collected. Petrographic, sedimentological and paleontological studies were carried out. They allow us to distinguish 19 lithological types :- 1 related to the Cenozoic formation ;- 2 associated with Flysch deposits from the the Pyrenean orogenic belt ;- 10 attributed to Senonian age ;- 6 imputed to Maastrichtian with Lepidorbitoides.After that these types were brought together into six sections which show their stratigraphic positions and their paleogeographical environments.- 0,2 % of the alluvial pebbles were related to the Pyrenean Flysch ;- 45 % were of Uppermost Maastrichtian age (Lepidorbitoides ) ;- 54 % were of Senonian age (Coniacian to Middle Maastrichtian).On the other hand, the artefacts collected show a very similar proportions of siliceous pebbles (49 % of Maastrichtian with Lepidorbitoides).The result of this study is that, up to now, the western part of the Lannemezan Plateau includes alluvial areas of Plio-Pleistocene age, containing a large amount of flint pebbles of Upper Cretaceous age. Gathering of this siliceous raw material by palaeolithic communities is obvious.It is also patent that to find out a new lithic raw material located in the southern Aquitaine will be to be retained into account, while former interpretations have to be amended

Bayesian inverse problems with non-commuting operators

The Bayesian approach to ill-posed operator equations in Hilbert space recently gained attraction. In this context, and when the prior distribution is Gaussian, then two operators play a significant role, the one which governs the operator equation, and the one which describes the prior covariance. Typically it is assumed that these operators commute. Here we extend this analysis to non-commuting operators, replacing the commutativity assumption by a link condition. We discuss its relation to the commuting case, and we indicate that this allows to use interpolation type results to obtain tight bounds for the contraction of the posterior Gaussian distribution towards the data generating element.Comment: This is an update of the previously uploaded version, improving the readabilit