Performance characteristics of a new structured packing

A new structured packing using carbon fibres, called Sepcarb® 4D, is presented. This packing has several attractive properties, such as high voidage (ε=94%) and high effective area (a=420 m2 m−3). These properties are advantageous for packing used as a gas–liquid contactor for separation units. To determine the internal characteristics of this packing, we performed several experiments using a 150-mm-internal-diameter column. Firstly, hydrodynamics experiments were conducted using an air–water counter current flow to determine the pressure drop (for both dry and wet packing) and flooding point. Secondly, the mass transfer efficiency was determined in terms of HETP (height equivalent to theoretical plate) by total reflux experiments with an n-heptane/cyclohexane mixture at atmospheric pressure. Hydrodynamic performance and mass transfer efficiency were compared with those of packings generally used in distillation and absorption

A review of the current knowledge on Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera, Tephritidae) in Africa, with a list of species included in Zeugodacus

Published online 2015 Nov 26This paper reviews all available information regarding the occurrence and biology of the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett), in the Afrotropical Region, including data on invasion history, distribution patterns, population genetics, host range, and interspecific competition. Although limited intraspecific variability has been observed within the region regarding the above mentioned aspects, there seems to be no indication that Zeugodacus cucurbitae represents a species complex. A checklist of all of the species included in Zeugodacus as recently proposed by Virgilio et al. (2015) is provided

Pest risk analysis for Bactrocera invadens : Guidelines on Pest Risk Analysis

Stripping related moisture damage has been recognized as one of the major pavement distresses since the early 1990s. The main objective of this study is to establish an effective test protocol to quantify moisture susceptibility of asphalt pavements. To this end, selective test methods (Texas Boiling test, Tensile Strength Ratio, Retained Stability, and Hamburg Wheel Test), and procedures based on surface chemistries and molecular-level mechanistic properties have been investigated in this study. Firstly, a comprehensive list of literature related to moisture damage in asphalts was reviewed. Based on the literature review, a detailed project plan and test matrix were developed. Binder samples originated from two different crude sources were collected. The moisture resistance related tests such as static contact angle measurements and Texas Boiling tests were conducted. Besides, asphalt binders’ nanomechanical properties using an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and surface chemistries using a static contact were evaluated in the laboratory. Based on limited test data and analysis, it is concluded that there does not exist any single test method that all agencies are comfortable and equipped to follow in their daily work as each technique has some merits and demerits. However, the Texas Boiling test is found to be the simplest method that requires minimal time and resources. On the other hand, surface chemistry and atomic force microscope-based techniques are becoming popular among researchers and pavement professionals. Findings of this study are expected to help ARDOT in selecting an appropriate moisture resistance test method that is simple, reliable, and easy to implement in their routine work

Recherche et Qualité : Avancées a l'Université de Franche-Comté

International audienceAu sein de l'Université de Franche-Comté, plusieurs laboratoires ont mis en place, depuis plus ou moins longtemps, des démarches qualité : l'Institut Carnot FEMTO-Innovation regroupe des laboratoires de recherche structurés en six départements; et s'est engagé à mener des projets de recherche partenariale avec un niveau de qualité conforme aux meilleurs standards internationaux. Une comptabilité des activités partenariales a été élaborée, des procédures administratives et managériales homogènes ont été mises en place, et la gestion de la propriété intellectuelle et de la confidentialité a été prise en compte. L'université regroupe également depuis plusieurs décennies des laboratoires accrédités par le COFRAC selon le référentiel ISO17025. Ainsi, le Laboratoire Temps-Fréquence de Besançon est reconnu officiellement de part son association au LNE et ses accréditations, tout comme le Service d'Analyse et de Caractérisation

Effective chemical control of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) pests in mango orchards in northern Côte-d'Ivoire

Fruit flies are major pest in West Africa. In Côte-d'Ivoire, they caused heavy losses. Thus, preventive measures are taken to reduce their damage. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of Success Appat® and Proteus 170 O-TEQ against fruit. Traps baited with sexual attractants were set in mango orchards and their contents were collected each week. Bait and insecticide were renewed each month. Three orchards were treated with Success Appat® and three with Proteus 170 O-TEQ, respectively and their untreated orchards were selected. Mangoes were collected in treated and untreated orchards to assess the attack and infestation rates of orchards. Eight species of fruit flies were recorded. Bactrocera invadens was highly captured in different orchards. Orchards treated with Success Appat® have a lower rates of attack (11.7 ± 3.52%) and infection (02.32 ± 1.6 pupae/ kg.f) than the untreated orchards, (41.05 ± 7.6%) and (34.4 ± 8.18 pupae/ kg.f), respectively. Equally, orchards treated with Proteus 170 O-TEQ showed lower rates of attack (13.59 ± 5.38%) and infection (05.86 ± 4.08 pupae/ kg.f) than untreated (47.37 ± 10.95%) and (44.72 ± 15.64 pupae/ kg.f), respectively. Insecticides Success Appat® and Proteus 170 O-TEQ significantly reduced the damage of fruit flies in orchards. (Résumé d'auteur

A new subunit vaccine based on nucleoprotein nanoparticles confers partial clinical and virological protection in calves against bovine respiratory syncytial virus

Human and bovine respiratory syncytial viruses (HRSV and BRSV) are two closely related, worldwide prevalent viruses that are the leading cause of severe airway disease in children and calves, respectively. Efficacy of commercial bovine vaccines needs improvement and no human vaccine is licensed yet. We reported that nasal vaccination with the HRSV nucleoprotein produced as recombinant ringshaped nanoparticles (NSRS) protects mice against a viral challenge with HRSV. The aim of this work was to evaluate this new vaccine that uses a conserved viral antigen, in calves, natural hosts for BRSV. Calves, free of colostral or natural anti-BRSV antibodies, were vaccinated with NSRS either intramuscularly, or both intramuscularly and intranasally using MontanideTM ISA71 and IMS4132 as adjuvants and challenged with BRSV. All vaccinated calves developed anti-N antibodies in blood and nasal secretions and N-specific cellular immunity in local lymph nodes. Clinical monitoring post-challenge demonstrated moderate respiratory pathology with local lung tissue consolidations for the non vaccinated calves that were significantly reduced in the vaccinated calves. Vaccinated calves had lower viral loads than the nonvaccinated control calves. Thus NSRS vaccination in calves provided cross-protective immunity against BRSV infection without adverse inflammatory reaction

Synthesis of branched-phosphodiester and mannosecentered fucosylated glycoclusters and their binding studies with Burkholderia ambifaria lectin (BambL)

Universite Montpellier 2, Region Rhoˆne-Alpes Cluster Chimie. A.A.International audienceFive fucosylated glycoclusters exhibiting 4, 6 or 8 residues were synthesised with two different spatial environments based on mannose-centered and branched-phosphodiester scaffolds. Their synthesis was performed in solution using phosphoramidite chemistry to generate phosphodiester linkages, combined with Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The multivalent ligands were evaluated for their ability to bind to Burkholderia ambifaria Lectin (BambL). Binding evaluation was performed through inhibition of hemagglutination (HIA), surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC). All fucosylated glycoclusters exhibited a higher affinity to BambL than methyl α-L-fucoside. A dissociation constant of 43 nM was observed for the fucocluster exhibiting four residues with the branched-phosphodiester spatial environment corresponding to a 22-fold increase in comparison with methyl α-L-fucoside. These multivalent fucoclusters represent the first example of ligands of high affinity to BambL

Abondance des mouches des fruits dans les zones de production fruitières de Côte d'Ivoire : dynamique des populations de Bactrocera invadens (Diptera : Tephritidae)

Introduction. L'objectif de notre étude a été de recenser les différentes espèces de Tephritidae présentes sur arbres fruitiers dans trois régions climatiques différentes de Côte d'Ivoire et d'identifier quelques plantes hôtes auxquelles elles sont associées. Matériel et méthodes. Un dispositif de pièges utilisant différentes phéromones a été mis en place dans les régions agro écologiques du sud (Azaguié, Abidjan) et du centre (Yamoussoukro) de la Côte d'Ivoire entre juin 2005 et septembre 2006. En complément, une collecte de fruits a été effectuée dans ces mêmes régions ainsi qu'au nord du pays (Korhogo). La fluctuation de la population de Bactrocera invadens a été suivie à partir de relevés hebdomadaires des pièges. Les mouches émergées des fruits collectés ont été identifiées et comptées. Résultats et discussion. Au total, 23 espèces de mouches des fruits ont été identifiées dont huit espèces particulières à Azaguié, une espèce à Abidjan et une espèce à Yamoussoukro. Les espèces B. invadens et D. mediovittatus ont été identifiées pour la première fois en Côte d'Ivoire. L'espèce B. invadens s'est révélée majoritaire sur les stations du sud et du centre de la Côte d'Ivoire. Elle est représentée à 85 % à Azaguié, à 99,90 % à Abidjan et à 95,40 % à Yamoussoukro. Le méthyl eugénol et le dorsalure ont été les plus efficaces pour capturer un grand nombre d'individus. Les genres Ceratitis et Dacus, bien que présentant une diversité spécifique, sont faiblement représentés sur les sites expérimentaux étudiés. Selon les zones agro écologiques et la période de fructification des manguiers en Côte d'Ivoire, les populations de B. invadens présentent différents pics de croissance. Conclusion. Des études complémentaires sur la biologie et le comportement de ce ravageur s'avéreront nécessaires pour l'application des méthodes de lutte optimale en vergers en Afrique de l'Ouest et, plus particulièrement, en Côte d'Ivoire. (Résumé d'auteur