Classical treatment of ion-H2O collisions with a three-center model potential

We present calculations of cross sections for one- and two-electron processes in collisions of H+, He2+, and C6+ with water molecules in the framework of the Franck-Condon approximation. We employ an independent-electron method and a classical trajectory Monte Carlo approach. Anisotropy effects related to the structure of the target are explicitly incorporated by using a three-center model potential to describe the electron-H2O+ interaction. We derive scaling laws with respect to the projectile charge. We also estimate cross sections for molecular fragmentation subsequent to electron removalThis work has been partially supported by the CCG08- UAM/ESP3990 project and the DGICYT project ENE2007- 6293

Expériences sylvicoles au Cameroun : Croissance, mortalité et adaptabilité des espèces de bois d’oeuvre dans la station forestière de Mangombé (1964 - 2010)

Au Cameroun, l’exploitation du bois a entraîné la réduction du couvert forestier et son appauvrissement en espèces de bois d’oeuvre. Pour remédier à cette situation, de nombreuses plantations forestières ont été crées, puis abandonnées quelques décennies plus tard pour des raisons diverses, ce qui n’a pas permis de capitaliser l’ensemble des connaissances sylvicoles escomptées qui devaient permettre de réhabiliter les forêts et limiter les risques d’épuisement des stocks d’essences commerciales. Le dispositif sylvicole de Mangombé fait partie de ces initiatives, il ne compte plus que 27 parcelles d’arbres constituées de 15 espèces sur une quarantaine plantées. Ce travail, présente l’état de cette station forestière à travers l’étude de la croissance, de la mortalité des arbres et de l’adaptabilité des espèces. Dans chaque parcelle, toutes les tiges ont été inventoriées et leur diamètre à 1,30 m mesurés. Ce paramètre a permis d’établir la structure de population et d’apprécier la possible rentabilité économique des espèces. Les meilleures performances de croissance des arbres sont obtenues chez Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Gme-1 : 56 m²/ha) ; Araucaria cunninghamii Aiton ex D. Don (Ara-1 : 63 m²/ha) et Aucoumea klaineana Pierre (Auc-3 : 80 m²/ha). Les valeurs élevées des écarts types indiquent une croissance disproportionnée des individus à l’intérieur des parcelles. Les espèces présentant une faible mortalité et une proportion importante de tiges exploitées ainsi que de bonnes caractéristiques de croissance comme G. arborea, Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb. ex G. Don. (51 m²/ha) et A. klaineana se sont mieux adaptées au site de plantation et peuvent être recommandées pour les initiatives de reboisement dans la zone. La faible production observée chez un nombre élevé d’espèces est économiquement non rentable au regard des investissements onéreux consentis à la mise en place de la plantation.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Mots clés: Mangombé, Cameroun, plantation forestière, sylviculture, croissance des arbres, mortalité, adaptabilitéEnglish Title: Sylvicultural experience in Cameroon: Growth, mortality and adaptability of wood species in Mangombe forest plantation (1964 - 2010)English AbstractIn Cameroon, logging has led to a reduction in forest cover and an impoverishment of several wood species. To solve this problem, many forest plantations had been created, then abandoned a few decades later for various reasons. This did not make it possible for foresters and policy makers to acquire expected knowledge from these experiences, which would have led to forest rehabilitation and reduced the risk of commercial wood extinction. Mangombe tree plantation is part of these experiences, which is a remnant of 15 out of 40 originally planted tree species distributed in 27 plots. This work presents the state of Mangombe forest plantation through the study of the growth, mortality of the trees and adaptability of species. All the trees were censored and their diameters measured in each plot. These measurements facilitate the establishment of the population structure and appreciate the economic profitability of the species. The best growth performances of trees were obtained with Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Gme-1 : 56 m²/ha) ; Araucaria cunninghamii Aiton ex D. Don (Ara-1 : 63 m²/ha) and Aucoumea klaineana Pierre (Auc-3 : 80 m²/ha). High values of standard deviations indicate a disproportionate growth of the individuals inside the plot. Species presenting a low mortality and a significant proportion of exploited stems as well as good growth characteristics such as G. arborea, Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb. ex G. Gift. (51 m²/ha) and A. klaineana were better adapted to the site and can be recommended for future initiatives of afforestation in the zone. The low production of certain species is economically non profitable considering the high investment during the establishment of the plantation.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Mangombé, Cameroon, forest plantation, sylviculture, trees growth, mortality, adaptabilit

Variabilité Structurale Des Peuplements D’arbres En Forêt De Montagne Du Parc National De Kahuzi-Biega Et Ses Environs, RD. Congo

This work aims to determine the change in the diametric structure, density, basal area, height and dominance of trees dbh ≥ 10 cm depending on altitude range or forest types. The study was conducted in 30 ha in Kahuzi Biega National Park and surrounding areas in DR Congo. In total, 16,797 individual trees were surveyed. The number of family, genus and species regress following the altitudinal gradient as the density increases. Mountain ecosystems in Kahuzi-Biega and its surroundings are dominated by Meliaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, Fabaceae and Rubiaceae families. The Chi square analysis showed that the diametric structure of vegetation succession following a progressive dynamic and varies according to altitude gradient. The average basal area was 35 m²/ha. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey test does not prove the impact of altitude on the basal area. But it becomes low in elevation due to the reduced diameter of the trees. The vertical structure was analyzed according to the classification IUFRO (International Union of Forest Research Organizations). The maximum height was 48 m and becomes lower in altitude. The tree height diameter relationship varies according altitude range so that the models H/D in this area should be developed for each forest type. We determine that the dominance of woody species following the altitude effect; only Strombosia scheffleri and Xymalos monospora dominated by its basal area, abundance and frequency of the various altitude horizons

Can the Mangombe forest plantation contribute to restore and conserve biodiversity?

This research, conducted in the tropical rainforest, is focused on restoration of tree diversity through natural regeneration mechanism in the 49 year-old Mangombe forest plantation. 12 plots were surveyed, 6 with large transects and the 6 others under regrowth. In each plot, two subplots with 400 m² each were demarcated for the inventory of all stems with diameter greater than 2.5 cm. A total of 2239 stems comprising 107 species distributed in 93 genera and 42 families were identified over 9600 m². There was a slight difference between species richness of plots with large transect (79 species, 72 genera and 35 families) and regrowth plots (85 species, 76 genera and 38 families) while the basal area in the plots with large transects (10.76 m²/ha) was significantly greater than that of regrowth (8.65 m²/ha). Species with high important value index have an affinity with forest undergrowth such as: Tabernaemontana pachysiphon, T. crassa, Mallotus oppositifolius and Heinsia crinita. The undergrowth is diversified with different life feature and a high number of small size trees indicating a vigorous regeneration. This can be favoured by: microclimate undergrowth, canopy gaps, abundance of litter fall that brings humus to the soil, type and age of plots, planted species and the complexity of spatial and vertical structure of the stand.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Mangombé – Cameroon, Natural regeneration, dense humid forest, tree plantation, biodiversit

Sperm DNA methylome abnormalities occur both pre- and post-treatment in men with Hodgkin disease and testicular cancer

Combination chemotherapy has contributed to increased survival from Hodgkin disease (HD) and testicular cancer (TC). However, questions concerning the quality of spermatozoa after treatment have arisen. While studies have shown evidence of DNA damage and aneuploidy in spermatozoa years following anticancer treatment, the sperm epigenome has received little attention. Our objectives here were to determine the impact of HD and TC, as well as their treatments, on sperm DNA methylation. Semen samples were collected from community controls (CC) and from men undergoing treatment for HD or TC, both before initiation of chemotherapy and at multiple times post-treatment. Sperm DNA methylation was assessed using genome-wide and locus-specific approaches. Imprinted gene methylation was not affected in the sperm of HD or TC men, before or after treatment. Prior to treatment, using Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (450 K) arrays, a subset of 500 probes was able to distinguish sperm samples from TC, HD and CC subjects; differences between groups persisted post-treatment. Comparing altered sperm methylation between HD or TC patients versus CC men, twice as many sites were affected in TC versus HD men; for both groups, the most affected CpGs were hypomethylated. For TC patients, the promoter region of GDF2 contained the largest region of differential methylation. To assess alterations in DNA methylation over time/post-chemotherapy, serial samples from individual patients were compared. With restriction landmark genome scanning and 450 K array analyses, some patients who underwent chemotherapy showed increased alterations in DNA methylation, up to 2 to 3 years post-treatment, when compared to the CC cohort. Similarly, a higher-resolution human sperm-specific assay that includes assessment of environmentally sensitive regions, or "dynamic sites," also demonstrated persistently altered sperm DNA methylation in cancer patients post-treatment and suggested preferential susceptibility of "dynamic" CpG sites. Distinct sperm DNA methylation signatures were present pre-treatment in men with HD and TC and may help explain increases in birth defects reported in recent clinical studies. Epigenetic defects in spermatozoa of some cancer survivors were evident even up to 2 years post-treatment. Abnormalities in the sperm epigenome both pre- and post-chemotherapy may contribute to detrimental effects on future reproductive health. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13148-022-01417-1

Diversité Floristique Des Ligneux Et Structure Des Formations À Garcinia Kola Heckel Dans Les Régions Du Centre Et De l’Est, Cameroun

In order to find the strategies to ensure the sustainable management of natural’s resources and especially woody plants in the Congo Basin, a study was carried out on the floristic diversity of woody plants and the structure of Garcinia kola formations in the Centre and East regions of Cameroon. A total of 39 quadrats of 40 m x 40 m were installed in the Garcinia kola formations in these two regions. In each plot, we identified and counted all individuals with a dbh ≥ 10 cm. Seedlings of G. kola (dbh<10 cm) were also counted in all the plots. The height and diameter of each individual were measured. ANOVA was used to compare the density averages of the different plots, and the DUNCAN test at 5% significance level (XLSTAT 2017) was used to separate these mean values. This study confirms that the Clusiaceae (G. kola) forms the floristic background of the stand studied. The surveys revealed a total of 196 species, 156 species (H '= 2.98) and 68 species (H' = 2.13), respectively, identified in the East and Centre among the population of individuals showing dbh ≥ 10 cm. They were distributed into 124 genera and 46 families. The most diversified families in G. kola formations are Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Meliaceae, Sterculiaceae, Moraceae, Anacardiaceae, Apocynaceae, Annonaceae, Rutaceae, Rubiaceae, and Clusiaceae. The average standing density of G. kola varies from 6.51 (East Region) to 40.72 (Centre Region) stems per hectare. The low density observed in the localities of the eastern region can be explained by the pressure exerted on this species in the natural environment linked mostly to methods of exploitation

The clinical features of the piriformis syndrome: a systematic review

Piriformis syndrome, sciatica caused by compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle, has been described for over 70 years; yet, it remains controversial. The literature consists mainly of case series and narrative reviews. The objectives of the study were: first, to make the best use of existing evidence to estimate the frequencies of clinical features in patients reported to have PS; second, to identify future research questions. A systematic review was conducted of any study type that reported extractable data relevant to diagnosis. The search included all studies up to 1 March 2008 in four databases: AMED, CINAHL, Embase and Medline. Screening, data extraction and analysis were all performed independently by two reviewers. A total of 55 studies were included: 51 individual and 3 aggregated data studies, and 1 combined study. The most common features found were: buttock pain, external tenderness over the greater sciatic notch, aggravation of the pain through sitting and augmentation of the pain with manoeuvres that increase piriformis muscle tension. Future research could start with comparing the frequencies of these features in sciatica patients with and without disc herniation or spinal stenosis

Height-diameter allometry and above ground biomass in tropical montane forests: Insights from the Albertine Rift in Africa

Tropical montane forests provide an important natural laboratory to test ecological theory. While it is well-known that some aspects of forest structure change with altitude, little is known on the effects of altitude on above ground biomass (AGB), particularly with regard to changing height-diameter allometry. To address this we investigate (1) the effects of altitude on height-diameter allometry, (2) how different height-diameter allometric models affect above ground biomass estimates; and (3) how other forest structural, taxonomic and environmental attributes affect above ground biomass using 30 permanent sample plots (1-ha; all trees ≥ 10 cm diameter measured) established between 1250 and 2600 m asl in Kahuzi Biega National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Forest structure and species composition differed with increasing altitude, with four forest types identified. Different height-diameter allometric models performed better with the different forest types, as trees got smaller with increasing altitude. Above ground biomass ranged from 168 to 290 Mg ha-1, but there were no significant differences in AGB between forests types, as tree size decreased but stem density increased with increasing altitude. Forest structure had greater effects on above ground biomass than forest diversity. Soil attributes (K and acidity, pH) also significantly affected above ground biomass. Results show how forest structural, taxonomic and environmental attributes affect above ground biomass in African tropical montane forests. They particularly highlight that the use of regional height-diameter models introduces significant biases in above ground biomass estimates, and that different height-diameter models might be preferred for different forest types, and these should be considered in future studies

Audio-Motor Integration for Robot Audition

International audienceIn the context of robotics, audio signal processing in the wild amounts to dealing with sounds recorded by a system that moves and whose actuators produce noise. This creates additional challenges in sound source localization, signal enhancement and recognition. But the speci-ficity of such platforms also brings interesting opportunities: can information about the robot actuators' states be meaningfully integrated in the audio processing pipeline to improve performance and efficiency? While robot audition grew to become an established field, methods that explicitly use motor-state information as a complementary modality to audio are scarcer. This chapter proposes a unified view of this endeavour, referred to as audio-motor integration. A literature review and two learning-based methods for audio-motor integration in robot audition are presented, with application to single-microphone sound source localization and ego-noise reduction on real data

ECMO for COVID-19 patients in Europe and Israel

Since March 15th, 2020, 177 centres from Europe and Israel have joined the study, routinely reporting on the ECMO support they provide to COVID-19 patients. The mean annual number of cases treated with ECMO in the participating centres before the pandemic (2019) was 55. The number of COVID-19 patients has increased rapidly each week reaching 1531 treated patients as of September 14th. The greatest number of cases has been reported from France (n = 385), UK (n = 193), Germany (n = 176), Spain (n = 166), and Italy (n = 136) .The mean age of treated patients was 52.6 years (range 16–80), 79% were male. The ECMO configuration used was VV in 91% of cases, VA in 5% and other in 4%. The mean PaO2 before ECMO implantation was 65 mmHg. The mean duration of ECMO support thus far has been 18 days and the mean ICU length of stay of these patients was 33 days. As of the 14th September, overall 841 patients have been weaned from ECMO support, 601 died during ECMO support, 71 died after withdrawal of ECMO, 79 are still receiving ECMO support and for 10 patients status n.a. . Our preliminary data suggest that patients placed on ECMO with severe refractory respiratory or cardiac failure secondary to COVID-19 have a reasonable (55%) chance of survival. Further extensive data analysis is expected to provide invaluable information on the demographics, severity of illness, indications and different ECMO management strategies in these patients