Erbium environment in glass-ceramics investigated by atom probe tomography

Glass-ceramics (considered here as a glassy host containing crystalline or amorphous nanoparticles) are of interest for luminescent properties as they can combine the sturdiness and low cost of a matrix host with particular spectroscopic behavior that would not appear in this host [1]. Ideally, nanoparticles would fully encapsulate luminescent ions to produce engineered spectroscopic properties. This approach is particularly promising for optical fibers. Indeed, silica is the most common glass used to prepare such waveguides. However, it is necessary to overcome some of its characteristics (high phonon energy, low luminesent ions solubility, ...) which may be detrimental to luminescent properties. As silicate systems have a large phase immiscibility domain when they contain divalent metal oxides (such as Mg), one can take advantage of thermal treatments inherent to the MCVD (Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition) process to obtain nanoparticles through phase separation [2]. By modifying Mg concentration, we have observed modifications of luminescent properties of Er3+ ions [3]. However the question arises of the partition of rare-earth ions in nanoparticles. Qualitative partition of erbium ions in nanoparticles was reported thanks to Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry analyses [4]. However, the spatial resolution is about the particle size. To go further, we take advantages of recent developments in Atom Probe Tomography (APT) which allowed the extension of such studies to glass-ceramics [5]. Partition of erbium ions is clearly observed in nanoparticles smaller than 10 nm (Figure 1). During this presentation, we will discuss this partition and the most probable nearest neighbors and correlate these results with luminescent properties

Palaeoenvironments and palaeoclimate records in lacustrine deposits at the Eocene-Oligocene Transition. New insight from de CDB1 borehole (Rennes Basin, France)

On behalf the CINERGY project, a 675m-long borehole was cored through the sedimentary column (405 m) and the basement (270 m). The studied interval encompasses 3 lithostratigraphic units, from 66m to 405m depth. The chronostratigraphic framework of the sedimentary series relies on benthic foraminifera and palynology. Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction is based on sedimentology, pollen analysis and clay mineralogy. 95% of the series deposited continuously from the Early-Middle Bartonian to the Rupelian, including 290 m-thick lacustrine shaly organic deposits, alternating open and closed system depending on the floatting vegetal mats extension. Climate evolution is illustrated by palynological content. The Eocene climate evolves from a from warm and humid condition to a more contrasted seasons. the EOT is marked by a short drier and fresher period, the Rupelian is characterized by disappearance of megathermic taxa but back to more humid condition. Clay mineralogy changes more abruptly at the E/O boundary (~200 m depth), from an almost pure kaolinitic content to a kaolinite-smectite dominated assemblage. Whether the sudden mineralogical change across de E/O boundary is related to a change in source material or to a change in the hydrolysis in soil clay production, a climatic origin is very likely

Paléoenvironnements et paléoclimats enregistrés dans le bassin éo-oligocène de Rennes. Apports du forage CDB1 (projet CINERGY).

Dans le cadre du projet CINERGY, un forage carotté de 675 m a recoupé l'ensemble de la série sédimentaire remplissant ce bassin, puis la partie altérée du socle sur plus de 100 m et le socle sain sur 150 m. La série sédimentaire carottée a fait l'objet d'une première étude intégrant biostratigraphie, minéralogie, sédimentologie de faciès et analyse séquentielle, visant à établir le cadre chronostratigraphique, l'évolution des paléoenvironnements et du climat. L'intervalle étudié (66-405 m) comprend 4 unités lithostratigraphiques : - les Marnes à Natica (66-85 m) correspondent à des dépôts laguno-marins argilo-calcaires. La malacofaune et les associations de dinokystes sont typiquement rupéliennes ; - les Sapropèles inférieurs (85-206 m) sont caractérisés par des alternances d'argiles laminées et massives à traces de racines. Le Rupélien inférieur est attesté par la présence du pollen B. hohli. La limite E/O est localisée dans l'intervalle 189-206 m ; - les Argiles à Mohria (206-375 m) ont des faciès similaires, mais particulièrement riches en matière organique. Ces deux formations témoignent d'un environnement lacustre à palustre. Les associations polliniques sont d'âge Priabonien ; - la Formation basale argilo-sableuse (375-405 m) correspond à l'apparition des premiers sables. Les environnements de dépôts fluctuent entre fluvio-lacustre et fluvio-marin. Ces dépôts ont pu être datés par les pollens et les foraminifères du Lutétien supérieur au Bartonien. L'analyse séquentielle de cette succession montre deux MFS majeures, l'une dans les dépôts côtiers vers 380 m, l'autre dans les dépôts très organiques lacustres vers 240 m. A l'échelle de la séquence élémentaire, deux types d'unités génétiques sont définies selon l'environnement lacustre ou lagunaire. La comparaison du bassin de Rennes avec celui de Saffré indique une subsidence nettement plus importante pendant le Priabonien à Rennes. La comparaison avec d'autres bassins ouest-européens place les bassins de Rennes et Saffré dans une dynamique intermédiaire entre les bassins d'effondrement très subsidents comme le fossé rhénan et les bassins intracratoniques parisien, belge ou anglais. L'étude palynologique montre un changement important de la végétation à la fin de l'Eocène avec l'augmentation des Pinacées, puis un changement plus profond du climat à l'Oligocène avec le développement des Herbacées, attestant d'une saison sèche plus marquée, et l'apparition de la chlorite-smectite. A l'échelle ouest-européenne, on constate la simultanéité de ce refroidissement fini-éocène. Une étude à plus haute résolution de cet intervalle clé, particulièrement bien enregistré à Rennes, fournira des réponses sur ce changement global

Quantum Dots for Tracking Dendritic Cells and Priming an Immune Response In Vitro and In Vivo

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in initiating adaptive immune response by presenting antigen to T cells in lymphoid organs. Here, we investigate the potential of quantum dots (QDs) as fluorescent nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo imaging of DCs, and as a particle-based antigen-delivery system to enhance DC-mediated immune responses. We used confocal, two-photon, and electron microscopies to visualize QD uptake into DCs and compared CD69 expression, T cell proliferation, and IFN-γ production by DO11.10 and OT-II T cells in vivo in response to free antigen or antigen-conjugated to QDs. CD11c+ DCs avidly and preferentially endocytosed QDs, initially into small vesicles near the plasma membrane by an actin-dependent mechanism. Within 10 min DCs contained vesicles of varying size, motion, and brightness distributed throughout the cytoplasm. At later times, endocytosed QDs were compartmentalized inside lysosomes. LPS-induced maturation of DCs reduced the rate of endocytosis and the proportion of cells taking up QDs. Following subcutaneous injection of QDs in an adjuvant depot, DCs that had endocytosed QDs were visualized up to 400 µm deep within draining lymph nodes. When antigen-conjugated QDs were used, T cells formed stable clusters in contact with DCs. Antigen-conjugated QDs induced CD69 expression, T cell proliferation, and IFN-γ production in vivo with greater efficiency than equivalent amounts of free antigen. These results establish QDs as a versatile platform for immunoimaging of dendritic cells and as an efficient nanoparticle-based antigen delivery system for priming an immune response

A conformação dos ecomuseus: elementos para compreensão e análise

Apresenta uma história dos ecomuseus enraizado nos movimentos de folclore e etnografia regional, do final do século XIX até os dias de hoje, examinando o caso francês. Explora aspectos em geral menos enfatizados neste campo, tal como a natureza e o papel atribuído aos acervos e ao patrimônio cultural e padrões museográticos

Genomewide meta-analysis identifies loci associated with IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels with impact on age-related traits

The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis can be manipulated in animal models to promote longevity, and IGF-related proteins including IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) have also been implicated in risk of human diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Throug

Bone Marrow Transplant

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I-H (MPS I-H) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-L-Iduronidase deficiency. Early haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the sole available therapeutic option to preserve neurocognitive functions. We report long-term follow-up (median 9 years, interquartile range 8-16.5) for 51 MPS I-H patients who underwent HSCT between 1986 and 2018 in France. 4 patients died from complications of HSCT and one from disease progression. Complete chimerism and normal α-L-Iduronidase activity were obtained in 84% and 71% of patients respectively. No difference of outcomes was observed between bone marrow and cord blood stem cell sources. All patients acquired independent walking and 91% and 78% acquired intelligible language or reading and writing. Intelligence Quotient evaluation (n = 23) showed that 69% had IQ ≥ 70 at last follow-up. 58% of patients had normal or remedial schooling and 62% of the 13 adults had good socio-professional insertion. Skeletal dysplasia as well as vision and hearing impairments progressed despite HSCT, with significant disability. These results provide a long-term assessment of HSCT efficacy in MPS I-H and could be useful in the evaluation of novel promising treatments such as gene therapy

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome associated with COVID-19: An Emulated Target Trial Analysis.

RATIONALE: Whether COVID patients may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) compared with conventional invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of ECMO on 90-Day mortality vs IMV only Methods: Among 4,244 critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 included in a multicenter cohort study, we emulated a target trial comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs. no ECMO within 7 days of IMV in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FiO2 <80 or PaCO2 ≥60 mmHg). We controlled for confounding using a multivariable Cox model based on predefined variables. MAIN RESULTS: 1,235 patients met the full eligibility criteria for the emulated trial, among whom 164 patients initiated ECMO. The ECMO strategy had a higher survival probability at Day-7 from the onset of eligibility criteria (87% vs 83%, risk difference: 4%, 95% CI 0;9%) which decreased during follow-up (survival at Day-90: 63% vs 65%, risk difference: -2%, 95% CI -10;5%). However, ECMO was associated with higher survival when performed in high-volume ECMO centers or in regions where a specific ECMO network organization was set up to handle high demand, and when initiated within the first 4 days of MV and in profoundly hypoxemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In an emulated trial based on a nationwide COVID-19 cohort, we found differential survival over time of an ECMO compared with a no-ECMO strategy. However, ECMO was consistently associated with better outcomes when performed in high-volume centers and in regions with ECMO capacities specifically organized to handle high demand. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Photo-thermo-refractive glasses: crystallization mechanism for optical applications

Due to their ability to undergo a refractive index change (.dn) induced by appropriate UV irradiation and thermal development, Photo-Thermo-Refractive (PTR) glass is a candidate material for use in optical applications such as hologram recording, optical data storage, or spectral filters. Although this refractive index modulation (.dn) has been characterized in terms of its optical ramifications, glass scientists are working to understand more clearly the underlying mechanisms associated with the photo-induced crystallization process. Despite numerous difficulties such as the insulating nature of PTR glass, low concentration levels of photosensitive species, nanometer size of the resulting crystalline phase, and reactivity of these crystals to ion and electron beam radiation and temperature, characterization techniques have been successfully used, resulting in an improved understanding of the photo-induced crystallization mechanism. Results of absorption spectroscopy, interferometry, thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy have allowed detailing a self-consistent mechanism to describe the multiple steps of this complex process. The photo-induced crystallization process has been experimentally verified, step-by-step. Additionally, the evolution of the hetereogenous phase has been quantified. Sodium fluoride precipitates that results from bulk crystallization were determined to be less than 0.25% of the total volume and were within the range of 8 to 14nm in size. Experiments combining interferometry and x-ray diffraction analyses of glasses heterogeneously crystallized at 520°C for 1 hour led to a linear correlation between (.dn) decrement and UV exposure doses. A kinetic study of the heterogeneous crystallization using thermal analysis revealed an exponential decay law linking the activation energy for heterogeneous crystallization as a function of the UV dose for given heat-treatments