UV-nanoimprint lithography and large area roll-to-roll texturization with hyperbranched polymer nanocomposites for light-trapping applications

Light-trapping textures were produced in hyperbranched polymer (HBP) silica nanocomposites using a UV-nanoimprint lithography (UVNIL) replication method, either in batch or roll-to-roll processes. The hardness of the HBP was found to increase by a factor of 2.5 with the addition of 50 vol% of nanoparticles. A nickel master with random sub-micron pyramidal structures was used to imprint nanocomposites containing up to 20 vol% of silica on a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrate. The influence of nanoparticle fraction and pressure on the texture morphology and light scattering properties of the replicas was studied using scanning electron microscopy and optical analysis. The roughness and coherence length of the textures were similar to those of the master for all investigated compositions and process pressures. Likewise, the light scattering performance of aluminum-coated texturized nanocomposites was identical to that of the metal template, with a haze of 90% over the 400–800 nm spectral range. Thin film amorphous silicon solar cells were deposited on the texturized substrates using a large-area roll-to-roll process. The photocurrent of these devices was found to be 23% higher than the reference value of a flat cell

Renal Effects of the Novel Selective Adenosine A1 Receptor Blocker SLV329 in Experimental Liver Cirrhosis in Rats

Liver cirrhosis is often complicated by an impaired renal excretion of water and sodium. Diuretics tend to further deteriorate renal function. It is unknown whether chronic selective adenosine A1 receptor blockade, via inhibition of the hepatorenal reflex and the tubuloglomerular feedback, might exert diuretic and natriuretic effects without a reduction of the glomerular filtration rate. In healthy animals intravenous treatment with the novel A1 receptor antagonist SLV329 resulted in a strong dose-dependent diuretic (up to 3.4-fold) and natriuretic (up to 13.5-fold) effect without affecting creatinine clearance. Male Wistar rats with thioacetamide-induced liver cirrhosis received SLV329, vehicle or furosemide for 12 weeks. The creatinine clearance of cirrhotic animals decreased significantly (−36.5%, p<0.05), especially in those receiving furosemide (−41.9%, p<0.01). SLV329 was able to prevent this decline of creatinine clearance. Mortality was significantly lower in cirrhotic animals treated with SLV329 in comparison to animals treated with furosemide (17% vs. 54%, p<0.05). SLV329 did not relevantly influence the degree of liver fibrosis, kidney histology or expression of hepatic or renal adenosine receptors. In conclusion, chronic treatment with SLV329 prevented the decrease of creatinine clearance in a rat model of liver cirrhosis. Further studies will have to establish whether adenosine A1 receptor antagonists are clinically beneficial at different stages of liver cirrhosis

Reproductive failure, possible maternal infanticide, and cannibalism in wild moustached tamarins, Saguinus mystax

Maternal infanticide in wild non-human primates has only been reported twice. In this paper, we report a possible new case of infanticide and cannibalism within a series of four successive reproductive failures in wild moustached tamarins, Saguinus mystax. Necropsy and genetic analyses of the corpses enabled us to rule out any pathology, and to determine paternity. The mother was seen biting and then eating the head of its own infant during a period when another female was pregnant and gave birth just 1 month later. Before that, the perpetrator had given birth to twins three times successfully when four to five adult and subadult males were present in the group. Although we do not know for certain that the infant was alive when the mother started biting it, our field observations preceding the event suggest it probably was. The possible infanticide case and the two cases of births and early death of the infants occurred while only two to three adult males were present in the group. This could be the second case of maternal infanticide reported in the genus Saguinus and the similar circumstances suggest a common pattern. We discuss these events in the light of the different functional explanations of infanticide and conclude that parental manipulation was the most likely: the mother could have terminated the investment in offspring that had low chances of survival in a group with low availability of helpers

PTX3 Polymorphisms and Invasive Mold Infections After Solid Organ Transplant

Donor PTX3 polymorphisms were shown to influence the risk of invasive aspergillosis among hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Here, we show that PTX3 polymorphisms are independent risk factors for invasive mold infections among 1101 solid organ transplant recipients, thereby strengthening their role in mold infection pathogenesis and patients' risk stratificatio

Explicit computation on hyperelliptic curve with semi-stable reduction

Dans cette thèse nous étudions la filtration par le poids sur la cohomologie de De Rham d’une courbe hyperelliptique C définie sur une extension finie de Qp et à réduction semi-stable. L’objectif est de fournir des algorithmes calculant explicitement, étant donné une équation de C, les bases des crans de la filtration par le poids ainsi que la matrice de l’accouplement de Poincaré. Dans le premier chapitre, nous mettons en place des outils relatifs à la cohomologie de De Rham algébrique de la courbe hyperelliptique. Nous construisons une base adaptée de la cohomologie de De Rham de C, nous établissons une formule explicite pour le cup-produit et la trace, et enfin nous proposons un algorithme calculant la matrice de l’accouplement de Poincaré. Le deuxième chapitre est consacré à la description explicite de la flèche induite par l’inclusion du tube d’un point double sur les espaces de cohomologie. C’est l’ingrédient essentiel pour pouvoir décrire la filtration par le poids sur la cohomologie de De Rham de C. À cette fin nous nous plaçons dans le cadre de la géométrie analytique à la Berkovich et nous introduisons puis développons les notions de point résiduellement singulier standard et de forme apparente de l’équation de la courbe. Dans le troisième et dernier chapitre, nous faisons la synthèse des résultats obtenus et achevons la description de la filtration par le poids. Enfin, nous donnons les algorithmes calculant les bases de Fil0 et Fil1. Pour les algorithmes obtenus dans la thèse nous proposons une implémentation en sage, ainsi que des exemples concrets sur des courbes de genre un et deux.In this thesis we study the weight filtration on the De Rham cohomology of an hyperelliptic curve C defined over a finite extension of Qp and with semi-stable reduction. The goal is to provide algorithms computing explicitly, given an equation of C, the basis of the weight filtration’s spaces as well as the matrix of the Poincaré pairing. In the first chapter we introduce tools related to the algebraic De Rham cohomology of the hyperelliptic curve. We build a suitable basis of the De Rham cohomology of C, we establish explicit formulae for the cup-product and the trace, and we give an algorithm computing the matrix of the Poincaré pairing. The second chapter is dedicated to the explicit description of the morphism induced by the inclusion of the tube of a double point on the cohomology spaces. It is the main ingredient that allows us to describe the weight filtration on the De Rham cohomology of C. To achieve that, we use the framework of the Berkovitch analytical geometry. We introduce and then we develop the notion of standard residually singular points and the notion of apparent form of the curve’s equation. In the third and last chapter, we synthesize all the results and we complete the description of the weight filtration. Finally, we give the algorithms that compute the basis of Fil0 and Fil1. For each of our algorithm, we propose a sage implementation and concrete examples on genus one and two curves

Calcul effectif sur les courbes hyperelliptiques à réduction semi-stable

In this thesis we study the weight filtration on the De Rham cohomology of an hyperelliptic curve C defined over a finite extension of Qp and with semi-stable reduction. The goal is to provide algorithms computing explicitly, given an equation of C, the basis of the weight filtration’s spaces as well as the matrix of the Poincaré pairing. In the first chapter we introduce tools related to the algebraic De Rham cohomology of the hyperelliptic curve. We build a suitable basis of the De Rham cohomology of C, we establish explicit formulae for the cup-product and the trace, and we give an algorithm computing the matrix of the Poincaré pairing. The second chapter is dedicated to the explicit description of the morphism induced by the inclusion of the tube of a double point on the cohomology spaces. It is the main ingredient that allows us to describe the weight filtration on the De Rham cohomology of C. To achieve that, we use the framework of the Berkovitch analytical geometry. We introduce and then we develop the notion of standard residually singular points and the notion of apparent form of the curve’s equation. In the third and last chapter, we synthesize all the results and we complete the description of the weight filtration. Finally, we give the algorithms that compute the basis of Fil0 and Fil1. For each of our algorithm, we propose a sage implementation and concrete examples on genus one and two curves.Dans cette thèse nous étudions la filtration par le poids sur la cohomologie de De Rham d’une courbe hyperelliptique C définie sur une extension finie de Qp et à réduction semi-stable. L’objectif est de fournir des algorithmes calculant explicitement, étant donné une équation de C, les bases des crans de la filtration par le poids ainsi que la matrice de l’accouplement de Poincaré. Dans le premier chapitre, nous mettons en place des outils relatifs à la cohomologie de De Rham algébrique de la courbe hyperelliptique. Nous construisons une base adaptée de la cohomologie de De Rham de C, nous établissons une formule explicite pour le cup-produit et la trace, et enfin nous proposons un algorithme calculant la matrice de l’accouplement de Poincaré. Le deuxième chapitre est consacré à la description explicite de la flèche induite par l’inclusion du tube d’un point double sur les espaces de cohomologie. C’est l’ingrédient essentiel pour pouvoir décrire la filtration par le poids sur la cohomologie de De Rham de C. À cette fin nous nous plaçons dans le cadre de la géométrie analytique à la Berkovich et nous introduisons puis développons les notions de point résiduellement singulier standard et de forme apparente de l’équation de la courbe. Dans le troisième et dernier chapitre, nous faisons la synthèse des résultats obtenus et achevons la description de la filtration par le poids. Enfin, nous donnons les algorithmes calculant les bases de Fil0 et Fil1. Pour les algorithmes obtenus dans la thèse nous proposons une implémentation en sage, ainsi que des exemples concrets sur des courbes de genre un et deux

Contribution à l’épistémologie de l’évaluation des enseignements par les étudiants

The evaluation of the lessons and of the formations by students (E.E.E./E.F.E.) is today one of the indicators of the quality approach undertaken by a university. This kind of device is however variously considered, according to places and cultures. Although it has been recommended since many years and it has been made compulsory since 1997, it is carried out with difficulties in France. To objectify somewhat the positions of the actors concerned, we question three metrological qualities of such a tool, namely the representativeness, the validity, the fidelity. After a review of the literature, we specify these points through a compared experimental study of two devices of E.E.E. set up at the University of High-Alsace and at the University of Aix-Marseilles. We draw some consequences about a formative approach of the E.E.E., within the broader framework of a university pedagogy which is still to build

La mondialisation des anti-sociétés

Créé en 1961, l’Institut universitaire d’études du développement (IUED) de Genève veut contribuer par la recherche, l’enseignement et des activités orientées vers la pratique, à une meilleure connaissance des phénomènes de développement dans le monde contemporain. Son approche vise à appréhender ces questions dans leur globalité et leur diversité et à renforcer les liens entre la théorie et la pratique, la réflexion et l’action. Les Nouveaux Cahiers de l’IUED reflètent les recherches et les débats menés dans les domaines suivants: culture et développement, développement économique et politiques globales ou sectorielles, développement et institutions politiques, développement et environnement, développement urbain, coopération au développement. Jean-Luc Maurer, Directeur. Comité de rédaction: Delphine Bordier Christian Comeliau Marie-Dominique Perrot Yvonne Preiswerk Fabrizio Sabelli Jacques Vallet. Réalisation graphique: Anne Grossenbacher Dessins: Miroslav Marsale

Creatinine clearance (week 16) in rats with and without liver cirrhosis.

<p>There were no significant differences between the groups in week 0 and week 8. In week 16 creatinine clearance of the cirrhotic SLV329 group was not significantly different from any of the non-cirrhotic groups. Data are means ± standard error of the mean. n = 8–10 per group (week 16). *p = 0.05, **p<0.01 vs. non-cirrhotic control rats. ^§p = 0.07 vs. cirrhotic animals with furosemide treatment.</p