Human and animal epidemic of Yersinia enterocolitica O:9, 1989-1997, Auvergne, France.

Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 infections were reported in Auvergne in 1988 to 1989, while brucellosis due to Brucella abortus was almost eliminated. The serologic cross-reactions between the two bacteria complicated the diagnosis of brucellosis cases. In 1996, human cases of Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 infection were detected, with a peak incidence of 12 cases. Veterinary surveillance could have predicted the emergence of this disease in humans

European Nature and Health Network Initiatives

Attention to the importance of nature and human health linkages has increased in the past years, both in science and in policy. While knowledge about and recognition of the importance of nature and human health linkages are increasing rapidly, challenges still remain. Among them are building bridges between relevant but often still somewhat disconnected sectors and topics. There is a need to bring together researchers in the fields of health sciences, ecology, social sciences, sustainability sciences and other interdisciplinary sciences, as well as for cooperation between governments, companies and citizens. In this chapter, we introduce European networking initiatives aimed at building such bridges

Within-trait heterogeneity in age group differences in personality domains and facets:implications for the development and coherence of personality traits

The study investigated differences in the Five-Factor Model (FFM) domains and facets across adulthood. The main questions were whether personality scales reflected coherent units of trait development and thereby coherent personality traits more generally. These questions were addressed by testing if the components of the trait scales (items for facet scales and facets for domain scales) showed consistent age group differences. For this, measurement invariance (MI) framework was used. In a sample of 2,711 Estonians who had completed the NEO Personality Inventory 3 (NEO PI-3), more than half of the facet scales and one domain scale did not meet the criterion for weak MI (factor loading equality) across 12 age groups spanning ages from 18 to 91 years. Furthermore, none of the facet and domain scales met the criterion for strong MI (intercept equality), suggesting that items of the same facets and facets of the same domains varied in age group differences. When items were residualized for their respective facets, 46% of them had significant (p < 0.0002) residual age-correlations. When facets were residualized for their domain scores, a majority had significant (p < 0.002) residual age-correlations. For each domain, a series of latent factors were specified using random quarters of their items: scores of such latent factors varied notably (within domains) in correlations with age. We argue that manifestations of aetiologically coherent traits should show similar age group differences. Given this, the FFM domains and facets as embodied in the NEO PI-3 do not reflect aetiologically coherent traits

Computed tomography combined with a material decomposition technique using a compact deuterium-deuterium (D-D) fast neutron generator

Neutron cross-sections have an energy dependence which is uniquely varying according to isotopic composition. By measuring the local neutron beam attenuation of an object as a function of energy, this can be related to its elemental composition. Therefore material decomposition measurements using a deuterium-deuterium (D-D) compact fast neutron generator in an energy-selective fashion have been carried out. Previous work described determining setup-specific effective reference cross-section data for homogeneous samples. This work presents first tests of this non-destructive analysis principle in a 2D computed tomography (CT) setup using heterogeneous samples, based on the aforementioned reference cross-sections. Measurement data were collected at five angles around the neutron generator corresponding to five effective energies. At each angle a CT reconstruction was performed to obtain energy-specific CT images. These CT images were use to calculate an elemental decomposition of the samples of interest. Good agreement between theory and experiment was found for most of the samples, while the more challenging cases highlighted limitations of the technique. These first tomographic measurements are discussed along with an outlook for further developments of the technique. © 2020 The Author(s)ISSN:0969-806

Évaluation des risques liés aux pesticides pour les écosystèmes aquatiques. Recommandations issues du programme de recherche « Pesticides »

Les recherches conduites dans le cadre du programme « Évaluation et réduction des risques liés à l’utilisation des pesticides » (plus communément nommé programme « Pesticides ») du ministère en charge de l’Écologie ont permis d’identifier des recommandations pour l’évaluation des risques sur les écosystèmes aquatiques et également de progresser dans les méthodes de suivi et d’évaluation des mesures de gestion. Désormais intégré dans le plan Écophyto II, ce programme a permis depuis 1999 l’acquisition de connaissances sur les risques liés à l’utilisation des pesticides afin d’aider les acteurs à mettre en oeuvre des mesures pour les réduire. Ce document s'adresse aux professionnels impliqués dans la gestion des pesticides qui souhaitent acquérir des connaissances récentes sur des outils d'évaluation et de gestion des risques environnementaux induits