Field evidence of swash groundwater circulation in the microtidal rousty beach, France

International audienceThis manuscript reports on a novel field experiment carried out on a microtidal beach in Camargue, France. For the first time in the field, a comprehensive description of the groundwater dynamics under sandy beach swash zone is presented. A cross-shore network of 15 buried pressure sensors is combined with terrestrial LiDAR measurements to study the swash-groundwater dynamics. The presented data focus on the decay of a moderate storm which allows to monitor the evolution of the groundwater pressure field in response to the retreat of the swash zone. Both horizontal and vertical head gradients are measured within the porous sand soil to estimate the groundwater flow field using Darcy’s law. Time-averaged analysis demonstrates the presence of a rather consistent groundwater circulation pattern under the swash zone, shifting offshore with the swash zone. The main tendency is an offshore directed flow, with infiltration/exfiltration in the upper/lower parts of the swash zone. Time-resolved analysis highlights the typical groundwater response to swash events which consists mainly of an overall infiltration flow during the bed inundation by the swash tongue, a seaward flow during the swash retreat and, for long backwash events, a localized exfiltration flow under the next incoming uprush

Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Infection and Sensing Capacity during Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

International audienceHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in humans and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in macaques (MAC) lead to chronic inflammation and AIDS. Natural hosts, such as African green monkeys (AGM) and sooty mangabeys (SM), are protected against SIV-induced chronic inflammation and AIDS. Here, we report that AGM plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) express extremely low levels of CD4, unlike MAC and human pDC. Despite this, AGM pDC efficiently sensed SIVagm, but not heterologous HIV/SIV isolates, indicating a virus-host adaptation. Moreover, both AGM and SM pDC were found to be, in contrast to MAC pDC, predominantly negative for CCR5. Despite such limited CD4 and CCR5 expression, lymphoid tissue pDC were infected to a degree similar to that seen with CD4(+) T cells in both MAC and AGM. Altogether, our finding of efficient pDC infection by SIV in vivo identifies pDC as a potential viral reservoir in lymphoid tissues. We discovered low expression of CD4 on AGM pDC, which did not preclude efficient sensing of host-adapted viruses. Therefore, pDC infection and efficient sensing are not prerequisites for chronic inflammation. The high level of pDC infection by SIVagm suggests that if CCR5 paucity on immune cells is important for nonpathogenesis of natural hosts, it is possibly not due to its role as a coreceptor. The ability of certain key immune cell subsets to resist infection might contribute to the asymptomatic nature of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in its natural hosts, such as African green monkeys (AGM) and sooty mangabeys (SM). This relative resistance to infection has been correlated with reduced expression of CD4 and/or CCR5. We show that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) of natural hosts display reduced CD4 and/or CCR5 expression, unlike macaque pDC. Surprisingly, this did not protect AGM pDC, as infection levels were similar to those found in MAC pDC. Furthermore, we show that AGM pDC did not consistently produce type I interferon (IFN-I) upon heterologous SIVmac/HIV type 1 (HIV-1) encounter, while they sensed autologous SIVagm isolates. Pseudotyping SIVmac/HIV-1 overcame this deficiency, suggesting that reduced uptake of heterologous viral strains underlays this lack of sensing. The distinct IFN-I responses depending on host species and HIV/SIV isolates reveal the host/virus species specificity of pDC sensing

Gravitationally Lensed Galaxies at 2<z<3.5: Direct Abundance Measurements of Lya Emitters

Strong gravitational lensing magnifies the flux from distant galaxies, allowing us to detect emission lines that would otherwise fall below the detection threshold for medium-resolution spectroscopy. Here we present the detection of temperature-sensitive oxygen emission lines from three galaxies at 2<z<3.5, which enables us to directly determine the oxygen abundances and thereby double the number of galaxies at z>2 for which this has been possible. The three galaxies have ~10% solar oxygen abundances in agreement with strong emission line diagnostics. Carbon and nitrogen ratios relative to oxygen are sub-solar as expected for young metal-poor galaxies. Two of the galaxies are Lya emitters with rest-frame equivalent widths of 20 A and 40 A, respectively, and their high magnification factors allow us for the first time to gain insight into the physical characteristics of high-redshift Lya emitters. Using constraints from the physical properties of the galaxies, we accurately reproduce their line profiles with radiative transfer models. The models show a relatively small outflow in agreement with the observed small velocity offsets between nebular emission and interstellar absorption lines.Comment: 10 pages, Accepted for publication in MNRA

BRCA1-mutated and basal-like breast cancers have similar aCGH profiles and a high incidence of protein truncating TP53 mutations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Basal-like breast cancers (BLBC) are aggressive breast cancers for which, so far, no targeted therapy is available because they typically lack expression of hormone receptors and HER2. Phenotypic features of BLBCs, such as clinical presentation and early age of onset, resemble those of breast tumors from <it>BRCA1</it>-mutation carriers. The genomic instability of <it>BRCA1</it>-mutated tumors can be effectively targeted with DNA-damaging agents and poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) inhibitors. Molecular similarities between BLBCs and <it>BRCA1</it>-mutated tumors may therefore provide predictive markers for therapeutic response of BLBCs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>There are several known molecular features characteristic for <it>BRCA1</it>-mutated breast tumors: 1) increased numbers of genomic aberrations, 2) a distinct pattern of genomic aberrations, 3) a high frequency of <it>TP53 </it>mutations and 4) a high incidence of complex, protein-truncating <it>TP53 </it>mutations. We compared the frequency of <it>TP53 </it>mutations and the pattern and amount of genomic aberrations between <it>BRCA1</it>-mutated breast tumors, BLBCs and luminal breast tumors by <it>TP53 </it>gene sequencing and array-based comparative genomics hybridization (aCGH) analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that the high incidence of protein truncating <it>TP53 </it>mutations and the pattern and amount of genomic aberrations specific for BRCA1-mutated breast tumors are also characteristic for BLBCs and different from luminal breast tumors.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Complex, protein truncating TP53 mutations in BRCA1-mutated tumors may be a direct consequence of genomic instability caused by BRCA1 loss, therefore, the presence of these types of TP53 mutations in sporadic BLBCs might be a hallmark of BRCAness and a potential biomarker for sensitivity to PARP inhibition. Also, our data suggest that a small subset of genomic regions may be used to identify BRCA1-like BLBCs. BLBCs share molecular features that were previously found to be specific for BRCA1-mutated breast tumors. These features might be useful for the identification of tumors with increased sensitivity to (high-dose or dose-dense) alkylating agents and PARP inhibitors.</p

Etude des plages sableuses : Relations entre les vagues, le niveau d'eau, la nappe et la morphologie.

This PhD work is part of the general context of littoral dynamic study. The purpose of this workwas to study couplings between surface waves (waves and long waves including infra-gravity waves), sea waterlevel variations and currents, as well as high-frequence water level variations on shoreline and groundwatermovements within sandy beaches. The approach is mostly experimental in-situ.The field campaign ROUSTY201412 allowed the collection of a substantial hydro- morphodynamic dataset,supplying sandy beaches studies in several fields. In particular, it will allow, on a same site, the descriptionof a full winter season under various waves and winds climates, making it a unique dataset in Mediterraneancontext.In this PhD, we are interested in three fields : free surface dynamics, including multi scale relations analysis(waves, water level variations, long waves, wave-setup, ...), currents structure and evolution linked withsurface dynamics, and groundwater circulation within the coastal aquifer and particularly under the swashzone.Ce travail de thèse s’inscrit dans le contexte général de l’étude de la dynamique de la frangelittorale. Le but de ce travail de thèse était l’étude des couplages entre les ondes de surface (vagues, ondeslongues dont les ondes infra-gravitaires), les variations du niveau marin et les courants ainsi que les variationsà haute-fréquence du niveau d’eau sur la plage et les déplacements de la nappe phréatique au sein de la plagesableuse. L’approche retenue est essentiellement expérimentale in-situ.La campagne de mesure ROUSTY201412 a permis de récolter un jeu de données hydro- morphodynamiquesconsidérable, qui viendra alimenter l’étude des plages sableuses dans de nombreux domaines. Elle permeten particulier de décrire l’ensemble d’une saison hivernale sur un même site soumis à une grande variété declimats de houles et de vents, ce qui en fait un jeu de données unique dans le contexte méditerranéen.Dans cette thèse nous nous intéressons à trois domaines d’étude : la dynamique de la surface libre avecl’analyse des relations existantes entre les différentes échelles (vagues, variations du niveau marin, ondeslongues, wave-setup, ...), la structure et l’évolution du courant ainsi que le lien avec la dynamique de surface,et la circulation souterraine dans la nappe de plage et en particulier sous la zone de swash

Study of sandy Beaches : relations between Waves, Water Level, Groundwater and Morphology

Ce travail de thèse s’inscrit dans le contexte général de l’étude de la dynamique de la frangelittorale. Le but de ce travail de thèse était l’étude des couplages entre les ondes de surface (vagues, ondeslongues dont les ondes infra-gravitaires), les variations du niveau marin et les courants ainsi que les variationsà haute-fréquence du niveau d’eau sur la plage et les déplacements de la nappe phréatique au sein de la plagesableuse. L’approche retenue est essentiellement expérimentale in-situ.La campagne de mesure ROUSTY201412 a permis de récolter un jeu de données hydro- morphodynamiquesconsidérable, qui viendra alimenter l’étude des plages sableuses dans de nombreux domaines. Elle permeten particulier de décrire l’ensemble d’une saison hivernale sur un même site soumis à une grande variété declimats de houles et de vents, ce qui en fait un jeu de données unique dans le contexte méditerranéen.Dans cette thèse nous nous intéressons à trois domaines d’étude : la dynamique de la surface libre avecl’analyse des relations existantes entre les différentes échelles (vagues, variations du niveau marin, ondeslongues, wave-setup, ...), la structure et l’évolution du courant ainsi que le lien avec la dynamique de surface,et la circulation souterraine dans la nappe de plage et en particulier sous la zone de swash.This PhD work is part of the general context of littoral dynamic study. The purpose of this workwas to study couplings between surface waves (waves and long waves including infra-gravity waves), sea waterlevel variations and currents, as well as high-frequence water level variations on shoreline and groundwatermovements within sandy beaches. The approach is mostly experimental in-situ.The field campaign ROUSTY201412 allowed the collection of a substantial hydro- morphodynamic dataset,supplying sandy beaches studies in several fields. In particular, it will allow, on a same site, the descriptionof a full winter season under various waves and winds climates, making it a unique dataset in Mediterraneancontext.In this PhD, we are interested in three fields : free surface dynamics, including multi scale relations analysis(waves, water level variations, long waves, wave-setup, ...), currents structure and evolution linked withsurface dynamics, and groundwater circulation within the coastal aquifer and particularly under the swashzone

Circulation souterraine sous la zone de swash

International audienceLes plages sableuses constituent une frontière mobile et poreuse entre l'océan ouvert et la terre. La compréhension de la circulation dans les nappes de plage est importante pour une variété de processus physiques, biologiques et chimiques. On cherche à caractériser in-situ la dynamique souterraine sous la zone de swash. Le site atelier est la plage microtidale de Rousty (Camargue, France). L'étude, réalisée sur 48h les 13 et 14 décembre 2014, fait partie d'une plus grande campagne de mesure visant à caractériser la réponse hydro-morphologique de la plage de Rousty à une saison hivernale. La période présentée ici correspond à la phase de déclin d'une tempête modérée. La stratégie retenue dans le cadre de ce projet a été de déployer un réseau de15 capteurs de pression enterrés sous la zone de swash. Les caractéristiques des vagues incidentes, à la fois au large et dans la zone de surf interne, ont été mesurées conjointement à l'utilisation d'un LiDAR terrestre haute fréquence permettant de suivre la surface libre et l'évolution du lit sableux à haute fréquence sur la zone de swash. L'analyse des données moyennées dans le temps a mis en évidence la présence d'un schéma de circulation relativement robuste sous la zone de swash, qui se décale vers le large en suivant la descente du niveau moyen et la diminution de l'activité des vagues. La tendancedominante est un écoulement vers le large, avec une intensité maximale de l'ordre de 0.1mm/s modulé par des infiltrations et exfiltrations dans les parties hautes et basses de la zone de swash, respectivement. L'analyse haute fréquence à des événements de swash sélectionnés ont mis en évidence uncycle souterrain caractéristique

The structure of nearshore currents driven by changes in meteo-marine forcings

International audienceThis work aims to better understand the physical processes governing the wave propagation in a vertically shearedcurrent and the resulting nearshore circulation patterns. It is based on a high resolution hydro-morphodynamic fieldcampaign, ROUSTY2014, collecting a comprehensive hydro-morphodynamical dataset during a full winter season.The overall analysis highlights three main circulation patterns, largely controled by the bathymetric features and byco-working or competing wind and waves forcings. Regarding the vertical structuration of the circulation, most of fieldobservations shown seaward directed circulation with onshore component close to the air/sea surface whose intensityvaries according to incoming wave conditions. Forth, vertical shear increase when breaking happen close to sensorlocation and orientation of mean circulation depend on wind direction

Groundwater fluxes within sandy beaches: swash-driven flow vs cross-barrier gradients

International audienceThis communication reports on a field experiment carried out on a microtidal beach in Camargue, France. The analysis is built on the initial work presented by Sous et al. (2016) on swash-groundwater dynamics. The analysis of a cross-shore network of buried pressure sensors allows to monitor the watertable dynamics over the full 2013-2014 winter season. The pressure head gradients are observed to be primarily seaward, forced by a higher level at the landward boundary. The groundwater flux is driven by the relative fluctuations of Still Water Level and inland elevations. Rain and tides have a little effect. A nearly isolated groundwater circulation is driven by wave activity below the swash zone whatever the overall watertable gradient. Estimations of beach groundwater discharge over the Gulf of Beauduc reveal the importance of beach groundwater in the exchanges between coastal aquifer and open sea