Early specification of sensory neuron fate revealed by expression and function of neurogenins in the chick embryo

The generation of sensory and autonomic neurons from the neural crest requires the functions of two classes of basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, the Neurogenins (NGNs) and MASH-1, respectively (Fode, C., Gradwohl, G., Morin, X., Dierich, A., LeMeur, M., Goridis, C. and Guillemot, F. (1998) Neuron 20, 483-494; Guillemot, F., Lo, L.-C., Johnson, J. E., Auerbach, A., Anderson, D. J. and Joyner, A. L. (1993) Cell 75, 463-476; Ma, Q., Chen, Z. F., Barrantes, I. B., de la Pompa, J. L. and Anderson, D. J. (1998 Neuron 20, 469-482). We have cloned two chick NGNs and found that they are expressed in a subset of neural crest cells early in their migration. Ectopic expression of the NGNs in vivo biases migrating neural crest cells to localize in the sensory ganglia, and induces the expression of sensory neuron-appropriate markers in non-sensory crest derivatives. Surprisingly, the NGNs can also induce the expression of multiple pan-neuronal and sensory-specific markers in the dermomyotome, a mesodermal derivative. Taken together, these data suggest that a subset of neural crest cells may already be specified for a sensory neuron fate early in migration, as a consequence of NGN expression

Data Augmentation for Skin Lesion Analysis

Deep learning models show remarkable results in automated skin lesion analysis. However, these models demand considerable amounts of data, while the availability of annotated skin lesion images is often limited. Data augmentation can expand the training dataset by transforming input images. In this work, we investigate the impact of 13 data augmentation scenarios for melanoma classification trained on three CNNs (Inception-v4, ResNet, and DenseNet). Scenarios include traditional color and geometric transforms, and more unusual augmentations such as elastic transforms, random erasing and a novel augmentation that mixes different lesions. We also explore the use of data augmentation at test-time and the impact of data augmentation on various dataset sizes. Our results confirm the importance of data augmentation in both training and testing and show that it can lead to more performance gains than obtaining new images. The best scenario results in an AUC of 0.882 for melanoma classification without using external data, outperforming the top-ranked submission (0.874) for the ISIC Challenge 2017, which was trained with additional data.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, to be presented on ISIC Skin Image Analysis Worksho

Bounds and Prospects for Stable Multiply Charged Particles at the LHC

Colored and colorless particles that are stable on collider scales and carry exotic electric charges, so-called multiply-charged heavy stable particles (MCHSPs), exist in extensions of the Standard Model, and can include the top partner(s) in solutions of the hierarchy problem. To obtain bounds on color-triplets and color-singlets of charges up to |Q|=8, we recast searches for signatures of two production channels: the "open" channel - where the particles are pair-produced above threshold, and are detectable in dedicated LHC searches for stable multiply charged leptons, and the "closed" channel - where a particle-antiparticle pair is produced as a bound state, detectable in searches for a diphoton resonance. We recast the open lepton searches by incorporating the relevant strong-interaction effects for color-triplets. In both open and closed production, we provide a careful assessment of photon-induced processes using the accurate LUXqed PDF, resulting in substantially weaker bounds than previously claimed in the literature for the colorless case. Our bounds for colored MCHSPs are shown for the first time, as the LHC experiments have not searched for them directly. Generally, we obtain nearly charge-independent lower mass limits of around 970 GeV (color-triplet scalar), 1200 GeV (color-triplet fermion), and 880 - 900 GeV (color-singlet fermion) from open production, and strongly charge-dependent limits from closed production. In all cases there is a crossover between dominance by open and closed searches at some charge. We provide prospective bounds for $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV LHC searches at integrated luminosities of 39.5 fb${}^{-1}$, 100 fb${}^{-1}$, and 300 fb${}^{-1}$. Moreover, we show that a joint observation in the open and the closed channels allows to determine the mass, spin, color, and electric charge of the particle

Space, Health, Cognition

Séminaire interne MSHS AXE 1 COGNITION & COOPÉRATIONHealth geographics is a relatively new area of that discipline. It concerns the way (geographic) space interacts with individuals, their bodies, to produce effects on their health. These effects are usually studied from a negative standpoint. Space can interact via distance (ruggedness, obstacle) for e x a m p l e by m a k i n g a c c e s s t o healthcare more difficult, or via neighborhood (contamination in the case of viruses, or proximity with highways, an airport or polluting industries). This discussion is essentially about the latter aspect, through the presentation of a work being currently carried out on the spatialization of odors of industrial origin. Indeed, for some years a number of approved associations monitoring air quality have been recording, in the form of a corpus, the complaints of residents who are asked to describe the olfactory pollution to which they are exposed (description of the smell, related physical effects such as headache, even nausea, presumed origin of the odor etc.). This information is of course of interest to health geographers not only for the description of the symptoms but also for a more precise assessment of the r e s i d e n t s ' e x p o s u r e t o c e r t a i n pollutants. But these data can also interest linguists for the lexical analysis of the terms used for describing the o d o r, a n t h ro p o l o g i s t s s t u d y i n g sensoriality, psychologists to better grasp what is at stake behind these complaints, and neurosciences to understand the way odor recognition works. Not forgetting chemists who, in addition to carrying out physico-chemical analyses in situ to objectively calculate the number of molecules in the air, develop methods to assess the effects of odors, in particular on the level of anxiety they can generate

Efecto de la emulsificación sobre la actividad antimicrobiana del carvacrol

Este trabajo se basa en la emulsificación del carvacrol para su incorporación a jugos con el objetivo de retener su actividad antimicrobiana y mejorar la estabilidad del aceite en sistemas acuosos. El carvacrol se emulsificó (CA-E) utilizando capsul® (emulsión1:2) y la actividad antimicrobiana se determinó sobre Escherichia coli y Lactobacillus plantarum. El efecto combinado de CA-E y la reducción del pH a 4,5 se evaluó en diferentes jugos. La emulsión no afectó la sensibilidad de L. plantarum al carvacrol; sin embargo, E. coli presentó mayor concentración mínima inhibitoria. Los tratamientos combinados incrementaron el efecto, 0,5 µL/mL CA-E aumentó desde 0,2 a 2,1 reducciones log de E. coli. La emulsión de carvacrol (1,0 µL/mL) inactivó exitosamente a E. coli en jugos de manzana y naranja, alcanzando niveles indetectables (<1 log UFC/mL). La eficacia de la emulsión de carvacrol aumentó por la acidificación, permitiendo su uso en bajas dosis en alimentos ácidos, constituyendo una alternativa para múltiples aplicaciones en alimentos.This work focuses on the emulsification of carvacrol for its incorporation into juices with the aim of retaining antimicrobial activity while enhancing the stability of the oil in aqueous systems. Carvacrol was emulsified (CA-E) using capsul® (1:2 emulsion) and its antimicrobial activity was determined on Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus plantarum. The combined effect of CA-E and pH reduction to 4.5 was assessed on different juices. The sensitivity of L. plantarum to carvacrol was not affected by emulsification, whereas E. coli presented higher minimal inhibitory concentrations. Combined treatments improved the effect: 0.5 µL/mL CA-E increased from 0.2 to 2.1 log reductions of E. coli. Carvacrol emulsion (1.0 µL/mL) successfully inactivated E. coli in apple and orange juices, attaining undetectable levels (<1 log CFU/mL). The efficacy of carvacrol emulsion was improved by acidification; therefore, its incorporation at low doses in acidic foods may be a useful alternative for multiple applications.Fil: Char, Cielo Dolores. Universidad de Chile; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cisternas, Lorena. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Perez, Francisco. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Guerrero, Sandra N.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Industrias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

De la complexité territoriale à la vulnérabilité environnementale, quelle réflexion pour la compréhension des liens environnements - santé ? Questionnement à partir de retour d’expériences

National audienc

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTING AND RELEVANCE VALUE: AN ANALYSIS IN LATIN AMERICA

With the emergence of the Social and Environmental Accounting discipline you can perform analysis of the accounting information in the non-financial matters, providing with their tools the analysis of transparency and legitimacy to the decisions of the organizations regarding the social and environmental information.This research proposes to investigate the evolution that is observed in the disclosure of Social and Environmental Information (ISA) in the financial system, analysing the sustainability reports of the entities contributors in Argentina, Chile and Brazil, during the years 2005 to 2015.The search for the relationship between the disclosure of social and environmental information, and the relevance values of their actions, taking the Ohlson model, expressed the need to find the information through reports or sustainability reports submitted by them and the contributions of its shares in the stock market, as secondary sources of information accessible to the demands of this research.This work integrates the research project, and it is expected to find no evidence to establish the link between social and environmental information and the impact on the valuation of the entities contributors between the years 2005 and 2015, understanding that such voluntary reports positively affect the development of the organization.Keywords: disclosure of social and environmental information, sustainability repor

7-day post-vaccination efficacy of the CSF CL strain produced on ovine cell line against a virulent classical swine fever (Hog cholera) challenge

Classical swine fever (CSF), also known as hog cholera, is a highly contagious viral disease classified as a notifiable (previously List A) pig disease by OIE. In an infected environment, vaccines are the basic tools for control and eradication of CSFV. This study aimed at assessing the efficacy of an attenuated CSF CL strain produced on ovine cells against a virulent CSF challenge performed 7 days post-vaccination. Material and methodsTwo groups of 8 CSF-negative crossbred pigs weighing 18 kg were either vaccinated with a live one dose of CL strain (>100 PD50/dose) or left unvaccinated. Seven days post-vaccination, they were challenged with 5.5log10TCID50 CSFV of Haiti-96 strain both intramuscularly and intranasally with separated aliquots. Clinical signs, rectal temperature were monitored for 28 days post-challenge (DPC) and necropsied. Blood samples, nasal swabs and tonsil scrapings were regularly collected and assayed for blood formulation, sera antibody titres (E2-Erms ELISAs, SN titrations), and viral loads in total blood, nasal and tonsil mucus. ResultsAll controls showed typical acute CSF justifying euthanasia on ethical ground 22 DPCH at the latest. They also developed severe leukopenia and lymphopenia. Necropsic lesions were evocative of chronic form of CSF. None of the vaccinates developed any sign of CSF.CSFV was detected in controls from 4DPC in blood plateauing close to 6log10TCID50/mL. CSFV was detected in nasal and tonsillar mucus from 8DPC reaching up to 4.8log10TCID50/mL. Vaccinates showed no detectable CSFV in any sample post-challenge.All pigs were antibody negative before challenge. A seroneutralizing anamestic reaction was evidenced as early as 7DPC in all vaccinates whereas ELISA antibody titres turned positive slower. Serological response to challenge was almost absent in controls. Discussion and conclusionViral circulation in herds relies mainly on direct nose-to-nose contacts and in-utero transmission. The ability of vaccines to limit CSFV transmission is vital for control and eradication strategies. Under the conditions of the study, the CL strain was able to totally prevent CSF and totally abolished both CSFV viremia and mucosal shedding as early as 7 days post-vaccination, thus showing its relevance for whole herd strategies. Additionally, it was noticed that ELISA correlated poorly with protection.Fil: Risatti, Guillermo R.. University of Connecticut; Estados UnidosFil: Perez, Sandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentina25th International Pig Veterinary Society CongressChongqingChinaInternational Pig Veterinary Societ