Etude de la fonte nivale et des températures en vue de la prévision hydrologique (du ponctuel au spatial)

En zone de montagne, et particulièrement dans les Alpes du Nord, l'amélioration des modèles de prévision de crues est un enjeu scientifique et opérationnel important, du fait notamment des changements climatiques et environnementaux qui modifient le fonctionnement des systèmes hydrologiques. Les apports liés à la fonte nivale constituent une difficulté spécifique à la modélisation hydrologique dans les Alpes. Cette thèse entend contribuer à améliorer les modèles dans ce domaine, à deux niveaux. Dans un premier temps un modèle de fonte de neige performant à l'échelle ponctuelle a été explicité, utilisant un minimum de variables météorologiques. Pour cela l'approche dite degré jour , qui permet d'estimer en fonction de la température de l'air la lame d'eau déstockée par le manteau neigeux, a été reprise. Grâce aux données acquises par le Centre d'Etude de la Neige sur le site expérimental du Col de Porte (Chartreuse), plusieurs formulations ont été testées prenant notamment en compte le stock de froid du manteau neigeux et les effets liés au cycle saisonnier, à travers un coefficient de fonte explicité à l'aide d'une sinusoïde. Dans un deuxième temps, l'accent est mis sur la régionalisation de la donnée d'entrée fondamentale pour ce modèle degré jour : la température de l'air. La spatialisation des champs de température a été étudiée à l'aide d'outils géostatistiques, en se focalisant sur une meilleure compréhension des gradients altimétriques de température. L'objectif est de mieux cartographier les températures au pas de temps infra journalier et de déterminer un modèle d'interpolation pertinent et simple. Les perspectives sur l'utilisation des résultats obtenus dans ces deux phases de modélisation sont abordées en vue d'une utilisation future des modèles degré jour sur des bassins versants de montagne.In mountain areas, and especially in the northern Alps, the improving of flood forecasting models is an important scientific and operational issue, due to environmental and climatic changes which modify hydrological system. Snow melt contributions are a specific difficulty in the hydrological modelling in the Alps. This thesis is concerning in improving snow melt modelling for hydrological forecasting. In a first step a snow melt model at a local scale is formulated, using a minimum of meteorological variables. For this the degree day model, which allows predicting the water release by snow function of air temperature, is used. Thanks to data of the Centre d'Etude de la Neige on the experimental site of Col de Porte (Chartreuse), several formulations have been tested with some interesting concepts, like the cold content of snow and the effect of seasons with a melt factor given with a sinusoidal expression. In a second step, we are interested in the regionalization of the most important parameter for the snow melt model: air temperature. The spatial interpolation of temperature in mountainous areas is done with geostatistical tools, focusing on a better understanding of the elevation lapse rate of temperature. The goal is mapping air temperatures at a sub daily time step and to propose a simple and relevant model. Prospects about these results of snowmelt modelling and temperatures interpolation are given for using them in mountainous catchments.SAVOIE-SCD - Bib.électronique (730659901) / SudocGRENOBLE1/INP-Bib.électronique (384210012) / SudocGRENOBLE2/3-Bib.électronique (384219901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Mapping Sound Properties and Oenological Characters by a Collaborative Sound Design Approach -Towards an Augmented Experience

International audienceThe paper presents a specific sound design process implemented upon a collaboration with an important stakeholder of the wine (Champagne) industry. The goal of the project was to link sound properties with oenological dimensions in order to compose a sonic environment able to realise a multisensory experience during the wine tasting protocol. This creation has resulted from a large scale methodological approach based on the semantic transformation concept (from wine words to sound words) and deployed by means of a codesign method-after having shared respective skills of each field (sound and oenology). A precise description of the workflow is detailed in the paper, The outcomes of the work are presented, either in terms of realisation or conceptual knowledge acquisition. Then, future perspectives for the following of the work are sketched, especially regarding the notion of evaluation. The whole approach is finally put in the broad conceptual framework of 'sciences of sound design' that is developed and argued in the light of this study

Volume changes and brain-behavior relationships in white matter and subcortical gray matter in children with prenatal alcohol exposure: Volume Changes and Brain-Behavior in Children with PAE

Children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) may have cognitive, behavioral and brain abnormalities. Here, we compare rates of white matter and subcortical gray matter volume change in PAE and control children, and examine relationships between annual volume change and arithmetic ability, behavior, and executive function. Participants (n=75 PAE/64 control; age: 7.1–15.9 years) each received two structural magnetic resonance scans, ~2 years apart. Assessments included Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Subcortical white and gray volumes were extracted for each hemisphere. Group volume differences were tested using false discovery rate (FDR, q<0.05). Analyses examined group-by-age interactions and group-score interactions for correlations between change in volume and raw behavioral scores. Results showed that subjects with PAE had smaller volumes than control subjects across the brain. Significant group-score interactions were found in temporal and parietal regions for WISC arithmetic scores and in frontal and parietal regions for behavioral measures. Poorer cognitive/ behavioral outcomes were associated with larger volume increases in PAE, while control subjects generally showed no significant correlations. In contrast with previous results demonstrating different trajectories of cortical volume change in PAE, our results show similar rates of subcortical volume growth in subjects with PAE and control subjects. We also demonstrate abnormal brain-behavior relationships in subjects with PAE, suggesting different use of brain resources. Our results are encouraging in that, due to the stable volume differences, there may be an extended window of opportunity for intervention in children with PAE

A serine-substituted P450 catalyzes highly efficient carbene transfer to olefins in vivo

Whole-cell catalysts for non-natural chemical reactions will open new routes to sustainable production of chemicals. We designed a cytochrome 'P411' with unique serine-heme ligation that catalyzes efficient and selective olefin cyclopropanation in intact Escherichia coli cells. The mutation C400S in cytochrome P450_(BM3) gives a signature ferrous CO Soret peak at 411 nm, abolishes monooxygenation activity, raises the resting-state FeIII-to-FeII reduction potential and substantially improves NAD(P)H-driven activity

Genomic organisation of the Mal d 1 gene cluster on linkage group 16 in apple

European populations exhibit progressive sensitisation to food allergens, and apples are one of the foods for which sensitisation is observed most frequently. Apple cultivars vary greatly in their allergenic characteristics, and a better understanding of the genetic basis of low allergenicity may therefore allow allergic individuals to increase their fruit intake. Mal d 1 is considered to be a major apple allergen, and this protein is encoded by the most complex allergen gene family. Not all Mal d 1 members are likely to be involved in allergenicity. Therefore, additional knowledge about the existence and characteristics of the different Mal d 1 genes is required. In the present study, we investigated the genomic organisation of the Mal d 1 gene cluster in linkage group 16 of apple through the sequencing of two bacterial artificial chromosome clones. The results provided new information on the composition of this family with respect to the number and orientation of functional and pseudogenes and their physical distances. The results were compared with the apple and peach genome sequences that have recently been made available. A broad analysis of the whole apple genome revealed the presence of new genes in this family, and a complete list of the observed Mal d 1 genes is supplied. Thus, this study provides an important contribution towards a better understanding of the genetics of the Mal d 1 family and establishes the basis for further research on allelic diversity among cultivars in relation to variation in allergenicity

Gain and loss of TASK3 channel function and its regulation by novel variation cause KCNK9 imprinting syndrome

Background: Genomics enables individualized diagnosis and treatment, but large challenges remain to functionally interpret rare variants. To date, only one causative variant has been described for KCNK9 imprinting syndrome (KIS). The genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of KIS has yet to be described and the precise mechanism of disease fully understood. Methods: This study discovers mechanisms underlying KCNK9 imprinting syndrome (KIS) by describing 15 novel KCNK9 alterations from 47 KIS-affected individuals. We use clinical genetics and computer-assisted facial phenotyping to describe the phenotypic spectrum of KIS. We then interrogate the functional effects of the variants in the encoded TASK3 channel using sequence-based analysis, 3D molecular mechanic and dynamic protein modeling, and in vitro electrophysiological and functional methodologies. Results: We describe the broader genetic and phenotypic variability for KIS in a cohort of individuals identifying an additional mutational hotspot at p.Arg131 and demonstrating the common features of this neurodevelopmental disorder to include motor and speech delay, intellectual disability, early feeding difficulties, muscular hypotonia, behavioral abnormalities, and dysmorphic features. The computational protein modeling and in vitro electrophysiological studies discover variability of the impact of KCNK9 variants on TASK3 channel function identifying variants causing gain and others causing loss of conductance. The most consistent functional impact of KCNK9 genetic variants, however, was altered channel regulation. Conclusions: This study extends our understanding of KIS mechanisms demonstrating its complex etiology including gain and loss of channel function and consistent loss of channel regulation. These data are rapidly applicable to diagnostic strategies, as KIS is not identifiable from clinical features alone and thus should be molecularly diagnosed. Furthermore, our data suggests unique therapeutic strategies may be needed to address the specific functional consequences of KCNK9 variation on channel function and regulation

Histone H3.3 beyond cancer: Germline mutations in Histone 3 Family 3A and 3B cause a previously unidentified neurodegenerative disorder in 46 patients

Although somatic mutations in Histone 3.3 (H3.3) are well-studied drivers of oncogenesis, the role of germline mutations remains unreported. We analyze 46 patients bearing de novo germline mutations in histone 3 family 3A (H3F3A) or H3F3B with progressive neurologic dysfunction and congenital anomalies without malignancies. Molecular modeling of all 37 variants demonstrated clear disruptions in interactions with DNA, other histones, and histone chaperone proteins. Patient histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) analysis revealed notably aberrant local PTM patterns distinct from the somatic lysine mutations that cause global PTM dysregulation. RNA sequencing on patient cells demonstrated up-regulated gene expression related to mitosis and cell division, and cellular assays confirmed an increased proliferative capacity. A zebrafish model showed craniofacial anomalies and a defect in Foxd3-derived glia. These data suggest that the mechanism of germline mutations are distinct from cancer-associated somatic histone mutations but may converge on control of cell proliferation

Circuits analogiques intégrés programmables basés sur des matrices de transconductances

Aperçu des FPAA et des architectures de transconductances -- Transconductance (Gm) -- Programmation de la transconductance -- Filtres Gm-C hautes fréquences programmables -- Programmable monolithic Gm-c band-pass filter : design and experimental results -- Test et validation de filtres programmables -- Amplificateur de courant programmable

Le choix et l'utilisation de fondants routiers et leurs impacts sur les sols et la végétation

Le chlorure de sodium (NaCl) est un des fondants routiers le plus souvent utilisé de nos jours. Sa principale fonction est de briser les liens entre la glace accumulée lors des tempêtes à l'hiver et le pavé sous-jacent afin de faciliter les transports routiers. Au Québec environ 600 000 tonnes de sel (NaCl) sont utilisées par années sur les routes de juridiction provinciale (Transport Québec, 1987). Par contre, les ions composant ce produit chimique peuvent provoquer des anomalies environnementales le long des routes où il y a eu épandage intensif. En effet, la structure et la pression osmotique, entre autres, des sols peuvent être altérées par des concentrations élevées de sodium et de chlore. La végétation, pour sa part, peut être touchée de deux façons, soit par la voie du sol, c'est-à-dire avec l'écoulement de l'eau, et/ou par la voie des airs, c'est-à-dire par les gouttelettes générées par la circulation. Ces deux manières affectent différemment la végétation et aboutissent habituellement par la mort de l'arbre ou de la plante. De plus, certaines plantes ne réagissent pas de la même façon aux concentrations élevées de sel en n'étant pas, peu ou très peu sensibles, pouvant entraîner parfois une modification de l'écosystème. Des mesures de mitigation ont été étudiées afin de pallier à ce problème. Ainsi certains chercheurs ont observé que l'utilisation de gypse sur les bords des routes, l'emploi de chlorure de calcium liquide mélangé avec le sel lors de l'épandage, l'utilisation d'ACM (acétate de calcium magnésium) comme fondant routier alternatif et l'implantation d'espèces tolérantes au sel le long des autoroutes seraient des atouts majeurs parmi les mesures suggérées afin de préserver l'environnement le long des corridors routiers