Influence of polyelectrolyte charge density on the formation of multilayers of strong polyelectrolytes at low ionic strength

The influence of the charge density of polyelectrolytes on the growth of polyelectrolyte multilayers via layer-by-layer self-assembly from pure aqueous solutions was studied. Multilayers were built from strong polyanions, namely poly(styrenesulfonate) and an exfoliated synthetic hectorite, and cationic copolymers of diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC) with N-methyl-N-vinylformamide (NMVF) for which the composition and thus the charge density was varied systematically. The analysis of the system {cationic copolymer/poly(styrenesulfonate)} reveals that a critical linear charge density lambda(c) of 0.036 elementary charge/Angstrom of contour length is necessary to obtain stable multilayer growth in pure water. Above lambda(c) the increment of thickness/deposition cycle varies with the linear charge density of the cationic copolymers, in good agreement with current theories of polyelectrolyte solutions. As linear charge density increases, the system passes successively through a charge-dependent "Debye-Huckel" regime and then through a charge-independent "strong-screening" regime where counterion condensation dominates the behavior. Analogous results were obtained for the variation of the basal spacing of internally structured hybrid multilayers {cationic copolymer/hectorite}. However, by contrast with the first system, no critical linear charge density was found for the hybrid system. This is explained by additional, nonelectrostatic interactions between the clay platelets and the formamide fragment

Hydrological Cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment (HyMeX) : towards a major field experiment in 2010 - 2020. White book version 1.3.2

International audienceInitiated by the French community, the HyMeX international project aims to improve our understanding of water cycle in the Mediterranean, its variability from meteorological event to seasonal and interannual scales, and its characteristics over a decade in a context of global change. The project is motivated by the role of mesoscale processes, coupled between the atmosphere, land and sea, on the climate systemand the onset of extreme hydro-meteorological events (precipitation and flash-flooding, strong winds and ocean convection, heat waves and droughts). The project also aims to assess the consequences of these extreme events on the social and economic vulnerability of this region and adaptability.D'initiative française, le projet international HyMeX a pour objectif d'améliorer la compréhension du cycle de l'eau en Méditerranée, de sa variabilité, de l'échelle de l'événement météorologique aux échelles saisonnières et interannuelles, et de ses caractéristiques sur une décennie, dans un contexte de changement global. Le projet est motivé par le rôle déterminant des processus de mésoéchelle, couplés entre l'atmosphère, la mer et la terre, sur la variabilité du système climatique et sur le déclenchement d'événements hydrométéorologiques extrêmes (précipitations et inondations, vents forts et convection océanique, canicules et sécheresses). Le projet vise enfin à évaluer les conséquences de ces événements extrêmes sur la vulnérabilité sociale et économique de cette région et sa capacité d'adaptation

Multi-ancestry transcriptome-wide association analyses yield insights into tobacco use biology and drug repurposing

Most transcriptome-wide association studies (TWASs) so far focus on European ancestry and lack diversity. To overcome this limitation, we aggregated genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics, whole-genome sequences and expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) data from diverse ancestries. We developed a new approach, TESLA (multi-ancestry integrative study using an optimal linear combination of association statistics), to integrate an eQTL dataset with a multi-ancestry GWAS. By exploiting shared phenotypic effects between ancestries and accommodating potential effect heterogeneities, TESLA improves power over other TWAS methods. When applied to tobacco use phenotypes, TESLA identified 273 new genes, up to 55% more compared with alternative TWAS methods. These hits and subsequent fine mapping using TESLA point to target genes with biological relevance. In silico drug-repurposing analyses highlight several drugs with known efficacy, including dextromethorphan and galantamine, and new drugs such as muscle relaxants that may be repurposed for treating nicotine addiction

Erratum to: Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition) (Autophagy, 12, 1, 1-222, 10.1080/15548627.2015.1100356

non present