PNIPAM grafted surfaces through ATRP and RAFT polymerization: Chemistry and bioadhesion

Biomaterials surface design is critical for the control of materials and biological system interactions.Being regulated by a layer of molecular dimensions, bioadhesion could be effectively tailored by polymersurface grafting. Basically, this surface modification can be controlled by radical polymerization, whichis a useful tool for this purpose. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of therole of surface characteristics on bioadhesion properties. We place a particular focus on biomaterialsfunctionalized with a brush surface, on presentation of grafting techniques for “grafting to” and “graft-ing from” strategies and on brush characterization methods. Since atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization are the most fre-quently used grafting techniques, their main characteristics will be explained. Through the example ofpoly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) which is a widely used polymer allowing tuneable cell adhesion,smart surfaces involving PNIPAM will be presented with their main modern applications

Scientific Rationale of Saturn's In Situ Exploration

Remote sensing observations meet some limitations when used to study the bulk atmospheric composition of the giant planets of our solar system. A remarkable example of the superiority of in situ probe measurements is illustratedby the exploration of Jupiter, where key measurements such as the determination of the noble gases abundances and the precise measurement of the helium mixing ratio have only been made available through in situ measurements by the Galileo probe. This paper describes the main scienti-c goals to be addressed by the future in situ exploration of Saturn placing the Galileo probe exploration of Jupiter in a broader context and before the future probe exploration of the more remote ice giants. In situ exploration of Saturn's atmosphere addresses two broad themes that are discussedthroughout this paper : rst, the formation history of our solar system and second, the processes at play in planetary atmospheres. In this context, we detail the reasons why measurements of Saturn's bulk elemental and isotopiccomposition would place important constraints on the volatile reservoirs in the protosolar nebula. We also show that the in situ measurement of CO (or any other disequilibrium species that is depleted by reaction with water) in Saturn's upper troposphere may help constraining its bulk OH ratio. We compare predictions of Jupiter and Saturn's bulk compositions from different formation scenarios, and highlight the key measurements required to distinguish competing theories to shed light on giant planet formation as a common process in planetary systems with potential applications to mostextrasolar systems. In situ measurements of Saturn's stratospheric and tropospheric dynamics, chemistry and cloud-forming processes will provide access to phenomena unreachable to remote sensing studies. Dierent mission architectures are envisaged, which would benet from strong international collaborations, all based on an entry probe that would descend through Saturn's stratosphere and troposphere under parachute down to a minimum of 10 bars of atmospheric pressure. We rally discuss the science payload required on a Saturn probe to match the measurement requirements

Malaria vector research and control in Haiti: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Haiti has a set a target of eliminating malaria by 2020. However, information on malaria vector research in Haiti is not well known. This paper presents results from a systematic review of the literature on malaria vector research, bionomics and control in Haiti. METHODS: A systematic search of literature published in French, Spanish and English languages was conducted in 2015 using Pubmed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, EMBASE, JSTOR WHOLIS and Web of Science databases as well other grey literature sources such as USAID, and PAHO. The following search terms were used: malaria, Haiti, Anopheles, and vector control. RESULTS: A total of 132 references were identified with 40 high quality references deemed relevant and included in this review. Six references dealt with mosquito distribution, seven with larval mosquito ecology, 16 with adult mosquito ecology, three with entomological indicators of malaria transmission, eight with insecticide resistance, one with sero-epidemiology and 16 with vector control. In the last 15 years (2000–2015), there have only been four published papers and three-scientific meeting abstracts on entomology for malaria in Haiti. Overall, the general literature on malaria vector research in Haiti is limited and dated. DISCUSSION: Entomological information generated from past studies in Haiti will contribute to the development of strategies to achieve malaria elimination on Hispaniola. However it is of paramount importance that malaria vector research in Haiti is updated to inform decision-making for vector control strategies in support of malaria elimination

POLYMORPHISMES BIOCHIMIQUES DE LA POULE DOMESTIQUE. I. — ANALYSE GÉNÉTIQUE DES PROTÉINES DU BLANC D'ŒUF CHEZ DES POULES DE RACES FRANÇAISES ET ÉTRANGÈRES

International audienc

Spécial Erosion

L'étude de l'érosion mécanique dans la région de Toulouse (France) permet de proposer une méthode expérimentale pour estimer la descente des terres par les techniques culturales. Après passage des outils, l'analyse des états de surface montre que le chisel descendant la pente est plus érosif que le labour descendant et que le labour remontant la pente compense 60 % environ de la descente des terres. L'estimation de la descente des terres est comparée à l'érosion hydrique d'après les données de la littérature et représente pour le moins la moitié de l'érosion totale

Photosynthese et elaboration des reserves des graines chez divers types de soja a croissance indeterminee, semi-indeterminee et determinee

National audienceDevelopment, photosynthesis and storage in the seeds of soybean (Glycine max (L.), Merr.) were studied comparatively in two indeterminate genotypes (« Kingsoy» currently grown in France and « L 65 » nonnodulating), one semi-determinate line (« 59-9-1-2 ») and one determinate genotype (« Hobbit », so-called « semi-dwarf »). Canopy photosynthesis and seed production were not affected by growth type ; the nonnodulating line, with lower N-nutrition and photosynthetic activity, was clearly less productive. Assimilates synthesized during seed filling were not sufficient for seed development, so compounds stored in the shoots during vegetative growth were found to be redistributed. Accordingly, seed proteogenesis made great use of nitrogenous compounds stored in the leaves. On the other hand, lipid synthesis preferentialy used fixed carbon during seed filling. Nitrogen stress of non-nodulating genotype « L 65 » led to higher lipidogenesis and a lower protein content. The seed protein/lipid ratio was more affected by nitrogen nutrition than by growth type.Une étude comparative du développement, de la photosynthèse et de l’élaboration des réserves des graines de soja (Glycine max (L.), Merr.) est réalisée pour deux variétés à croissance indéterminée : « Kingsoy » la plus cultivée en France et « L 65 » lignée non nodulante, une lignée à croissance semi-déterminée « 59-9-1-2 » et une variété de type déterminé, dit demi-nain, « Hobbit ». Le type de croissance n’influe pas sur la photosynthèse du couvert végétal ni sur la production des graines ; la lignée non nodulante est déficiente en N : son activité assimilatrice est plus faible et sa productivité réduite. Les assimilats synthétisés durant la période de remplissage ne suffisent pas à assurer le développement des graines qui nécessite une redistribution des constituants biochimiques de l’appareil végétatif. Ainsi la protéogenèse dans les graines bénéficie largement de la mobilisation de molécules carbonées et azotées préalablement stockées. En revanche, la formation des lipides dépend davantage du carbone fixé pendant la période de remplissage. L’alimentation déficiente en azote de la lignée « L 65 » se traduit par une synthèse lipidique plus importante et une moindre teneur en protéines. Le rapport protéines/lipides des graines apparaît beaucoup plus conditionné par l’alimentation azotée que par le type de croissance

Spécial Erosion

L'étude de l'érosion mécanique dans la région de Toulouse (France) permet de proposer une méthode expérimentale pour estimer la descente des terres par les techniques culturales. Après passage des outils, l'analyse des états de surface montre que le chisel descendant la pente est plus érosif que le labour descendant et que le labour remontant la pente compense 60 % environ de la descente des terres. L'estimation de la descente des terres est comparée à l'érosion hydrique d'après les données de la littérature et représente pour le moins la moitié de l'érosion totale