First Study of the Pyrolysis of a Halogenated Ester: Methyl Chloroacetate

International audienceThe pyrolysis of a halogenated ester, methyl chloroacetate (MC), under dilute atmosphere and quasi-atmospheric pressure was studied at temperatures from 473 to 1048 K using an alumina tubular reactor. MC was chosen as a surrogate to model the thermal decomposition of ethyl bromoacetate, a chemical warfare agent. A maximum MC conversion of 99.8% was observed at a residence time of 2 s, a temperature of 1048 K, and an inlet mole fraction of 0.01. The following products were quantified: CO, CO2, HCl, methane, ethylene, ethane, propene, chloromethane, dichloromethane, vinyl chloride, chloroethane, and dichloroethane. For the first time, a detailed kinetic model of MC pyrolysis was developed and gave a good prediction of the global reactivity and the formation of most of the major products. Flow rate and sensitivity analyses were made to highlight the different pathways of decomposition during the MC pyrolysis. In a first attempt to extrapolate the results obtained with methyl chloroacetate to ethyl bromoacetate, simulations were run with a modified version of the model developed in this study taking into account the differences in bond dissociation energies induced by the change of the chlorine atom by a bromine one

Insights into nitromethane combustion from detailed kinetic modeling – Pyrolysis experiments in jet-stirred and flow reactors

International audienceThe pyrolysis of nitromethane highly diluted in helium was studied in a plug flow reactor and in a jet-stirred reactor at 1.07 bar and over the temperature range from 500 to 1100 K. Mole fraction profiles of major products and of intermediates were identified with gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Using these experimental data, as well as published ones, we have developed a newly compiled model for the prediction of the pyrolysis and of the oxidation of nitromethane in jet-stirred and flow reactors, freely propagating, and burner-stabilized premixed flames, as well as in shock-tubes. The experimental results from the present work and from the literature are interpreted with the help of the kinetic model derived here. This study mainly focuses on the analysis of speciation in different reactors. Among the nitrogenous species, NO is found to be a major product for pyrolysis and oxidation. The model suggests that for nitromethane pyrolysis and oxidation the thermal dissociation channel to CH3 and NO2 is the main reaction path for the nitromethane degradation followed by the H-atom abstraction channel. The most sensitive reactions for nitromethane pyrolysis in a flow reactor and during pyrolysis and oxidation in a jet-stirred reactor are found to be CH3NO2(+M) ⇋ CH3 + NO2(+M) and CH3 + NO2 ⇋ CH3O + NO. The reaction CH3 + NO2 ⇋ CH3O + NO is found to be the most important reaction for all conditions studied. In a burner-stabilized premixed flame, as the mixture gets richer, the thermal dissociation channel CH3NO2(+M) ⇋ CH3 + NO2(+M) becomes more important as the contribution of the H-atom abstraction channel is decreased. Furthermore, in the burner-stabilized premixed flames, it was found that NO is mainly formed via NO2: NO2 + H ⇋ NO + OH, NO2 + CH3 ⇋ CH3O + NO. The model provided an overall reasonable agreement with the experimental data. However, for pyrolysis conditions, future work is desirable to improve predictions of intermediate species. This work extends the kinetic database and helps to improve the understanding of nitromethane chemistry. The kinetic model presented in this work can serve as a base model for hydrocarbons and oxygenated fuels higher than C2 and nitrogen-containing compounds higher than C1 as well as for pure nitrogen compounds

The Sensitizing Effects of NOx on Methane Low-temperature Oxidation in a Jet Stirred Reactor

Biogas (mainly methane and carbon dioxide) produced from biomass anaerobic digestion is considered as a potential renewable gas-phase fuel. That is why the study of the mutual effects of CH4/NOx have attracted considerable attention in the past decade. In this work, the oxidation of methane with and without NOx addition has been investigated in a jet-stirred reactor

The SPATIAL Architecture:Design and Development Experiences from Gauging and Monitoring the AI Inference Capabilities of Modern Applications

Despite its enormous economical and societal impact, lack of human-perceived control and safety is re-defining the design and development of emerging AI-based technologies. New regulatory requirements mandate increased human control and oversight of AI, transforming the development practices and responsibilities of individuals interacting with AI. In this paper, we present the SPATIAL architecture, a system that augments modern applications with capabilities to gauge and monitor trustworthy properties of AI inference capabilities. To design SPATIAL, we first explore the evolution of modern system architectures and how AI components and pipelines are integrated. With this information, we then develop a proof-of-concept architecture that analyzes AI models in a human-in-the-loop manner. SPATIAL provides an AI dashboard for allowing individuals interacting with applications to obtain quantifiable insights about the AI decision process. This information is then used by human operators to comprehend possible issues that influence the performance of AI models and adjust or counter them. Through rigorous benchmarks and experiments in realworld industrial applications, we demonstrate that SPATIAL can easily augment modern applications with metrics to gauge and monitor trustworthiness, however, this in turn increases the complexity of developing and maintaining systems implementing AI. Our work highlights lessons learned and experiences from augmenting modern applications with mechanisms that support regulatory compliance of AI. In addition, we also present a road map of on-going challenges that require attention to achieve robust trustworthy analysis of AI and greater engagement of human oversight

Paternity of Subordinates Raises Cooperative Effort in Cichlids

Background In cooperative breeders, subordinates generally help a dominant breeding pair to raise offspring. Parentage studies have shown that in several species subordinates can participate in reproduction. This suggests an important role of direct fitness benefits for cooperation, particularly where groups contain unrelated subordinates. In this situation parentage should influence levels of cooperation. Here we combine parentage analyses and detailed behavioural observations in the field to study whether in the highly social cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher subordinates participate in reproduction and if so, whether and how this affects their cooperative care, controlling for the effect of kinship. Methodology/Principal Findings We show that: (i) male subordinates gained paternity in 27.8% of all clutches and (ii) if they participated in reproduction, they sired on average 11.8% of young. Subordinate males sharing in reproduction showed more defence against experimentally presented egg predators compared to subordinates not participating in reproduction, and they tended to stay closer to the breeding shelter. No effects of relatedness between subordinates and dominants (to mid-parent, dominant female or dominant male) were detected on parentage and on helping behaviour. Conclusions/Significance This is the first evidence in a cooperatively breeding fish species that the helping effort of male subordinates may depend on obtained paternity, which stresses the need to consider direct fitness benefits in evolutionary studies of helping behaviour

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Étude cinétique de la pyrolyse en phase gazeuse de molécules organiques contenant des hétéroatomes représentatives de composés toxiques présents dans les sols pollués

The pyrolysis of seven surrogates of toxic compounds (diethyl ether, bromoethane, methyl chloroacetate, nitromethane, isopropyl nitrate, diethylamine and chlorobenzene) was studied during the thesis in two different types of reactors at the laboratory scale: a silica jet-stirred reactor (JSR) and an alumina tubular reactor (TR) to carry out studies at temperatures above 1200 K. Axial temperature profiles were measured and were used to take into account the temperature gradient in the TR. In addition to gas chromatography, a new analytical technique for our laboratory was used: The Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy (FTIR), for which an analysis method has been developed. As part of the study, detailed kinetics models were developed except for the diethylamine. Overall, these kinetics models well predict the reactivity temperature dependence and the formation of the major products determined experimentally. Since there is a lack of kinetic data in the literature for the pyrolysis and oxidation of brominated, chlorinated and nitrogen compounds, many kinetic parameters were estimated in most of the kinetic models developedLa pyrolyse de sept molécules modèles de composés toxiques (le diéthyl éther, le bromoéthane, le chloroacétate de méthyle, le nitrométhane, le nitrate d’isopropyle, la diéthylamine, le chlorobenzène) a été étudiée lors de la thèse dans deux types de réacteur à l’échelle du laboratoire : un réacteur parfaitement agité (RPA) en silice et le réacteur tubulaire (RT) en alumine. Ce dernier pilote a été développé durant ce travail pour réaliser des études à des températures supérieures à 1200 K. Les profils axiaux de température dans le réacteur tubulaire ont été mesurés pour en tenir compte lors des simulations. Parallèlement à l’utilisation de la Chromatographie en phase Gazeuse, une nouvelle technique analytique pour notre laboratoire a été utilisée : la spectroscopie Infra-rouge à Transformée de Fourier (IRTF) pour laquelle une méthode d’analyse a été développée. Au cours de ces différentes études, des modèles cinétiques détaillés ont été développés à l’exception de la diethylamine. Globalement, ces modèles cinétiques reproduisent bien dans chaque étude la décomposition du réactif en fonction de la température et la formation des produits majoritaires déterminés expérimentalement. Etant donné le manque de données cinétiques dans la littérature pour la pyrolyse ou l’oxydation de composés bromés, chlorés et azotés, de nombreux paramètres cinétiques ont été estimés dans la plupart des modèles cinétiques développé

Kinetic study of the gas phase pyrolysis of organic molecules containing heteroatoms as surrogates of toxic compounds present in polluted soils

La pyrolyse de sept molécules modèles de composés toxiques (le diéthyl éther, le bromoéthane, le chloroacétate de méthyle, le nitrométhane, le nitrate d’isopropyle, la diéthylamine, le chlorobenzène) a été étudiée lors de la thèse dans deux types de réacteur à l’échelle du laboratoire : un réacteur parfaitement agité (RPA) en silice et le réacteur tubulaire (RT) en alumine. Ce dernier pilote a été développé durant ce travail pour réaliser des études à des températures supérieures à 1200 K. Les profils axiaux de température dans le réacteur tubulaire ont été mesurés pour en tenir compte lors des simulations. Parallèlement à l’utilisation de la Chromatographie en phase Gazeuse, une nouvelle technique analytique pour notre laboratoire a été utilisée : la spectroscopie Infra-rouge à Transformée de Fourier (IRTF) pour laquelle une méthode d’analyse a été développée. Au cours de ces différentes études, des modèles cinétiques détaillés ont été développés à l’exception de la diethylamine. Globalement, ces modèles cinétiques reproduisent bien dans chaque étude la décomposition du réactif en fonction de la température et la formation des produits majoritaires déterminés expérimentalement. Etant donné le manque de données cinétiques dans la littérature pour la pyrolyse ou l’oxydation de composés bromés, chlorés et azotés, de nombreux paramètres cinétiques ont été estimés dans la plupart des modèles cinétiques développésThe pyrolysis of seven surrogates of toxic compounds (diethyl ether, bromoethane, methyl chloroacetate, nitromethane, isopropyl nitrate, diethylamine and chlorobenzene) was studied during the thesis in two different types of reactors at the laboratory scale: a silica jet-stirred reactor (JSR) and an alumina tubular reactor (TR) to carry out studies at temperatures above 1200 K. Axial temperature profiles were measured and were used to take into account the temperature gradient in the TR. In addition to gas chromatography, a new analytical technique for our laboratory was used: The Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy (FTIR), for which an analysis method has been developed. As part of the study, detailed kinetics models were developed except for the diethylamine. Overall, these kinetics models well predict the reactivity temperature dependence and the formation of the major products determined experimentally. Since there is a lack of kinetic data in the literature for the pyrolysis and oxidation of brominated, chlorinated and nitrogen compounds, many kinetic parameters were estimated in most of the kinetic models develope

Comparative Functional Genomics and the Bovine Macrophage Response to Strains of the Mycobacterium Genus

Mycobacterial infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality in cattle and are also potential zoonotic agents with implications for human health. Despite the implementation of comprehensive animal surveillance programs, many mycobacterial diseases have remained recalcitrant to eradication in several industrialized countries. Two major mycobacterial pathogens of cattle are Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), the causative agents of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) and Johne’s disease (JD), respectively. BTB is a chronic, granulomatous disease of the respiratory tract that is spread via aerosol transmission, while JD is a chronic granulomatous disease of the intestines that is transmitted via the fecal-oral route. Although these diseases exhibit differential tissue tropism and distinct complex etiologies, both M. bovis and MAP infect, reside, and replicate in host macrophages – the key host innate immune cell that encounters mycobacterial pathogens after initial exposure and mediates the subsequent immune response. The persistence of M. bovis and MAP in macrophages relies on a diverse series of immunomodulatory mechanisms, including the inhibition of phagosome maturation and apoptosis, generation of cytokine-induced necrosis enabling dissemination of infection through the host, local pathology, and ultimately shedding of the pathogen. Here, we review the bovine macrophage response to infection with M. bovis and MAP. In particular, we describe how recent advances in functional genomics are shedding light on the host macrophage–pathogen interactions that underlie different mycobacterial diseases. To illustrate this, we present new analyses of previously published bovine macrophage transcriptomics data following in vitro infection with virulent M. bovis, the attenuated vaccine strain M. bovis BCG, and MAP, and discuss our findings with respect to the differing etiologies of BTB and JD