A possible dividing line between massive planets and brown-dwarf companions

Brown dwarfs are intermediate objects between planets and stars. The lower end of the brown-dwarf mass range overlaps with the one of massive planets and therefore the distinction between planets and brown-dwarf companions may require to trace the individual formation process. We present results on new potential brown-dwarf companions of Sun-like stars, which were discovered using CORALIE radial-velocity measurements. By combining the spectroscopic orbits and Hipparcos astrometric measurements, we have determined the orbit inclinations and therefore the companion masses for many of these systems. This has revealed a mass range between 25 and 45 Jupiter masses almost void of objects, suggesting a possible dividing line between massive planets and sub-stellar companions.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, submitted to IAUS 276 conference proceeding

Interfacial properties, film dynamics and bulk rheology:A multi-scale approach to dairy protein foams

International audienceHypothesis: The effective contribution of interfacial properties to the rheology of foams is a source of many open questions. Film dynamics during topological T1 changes in foams, essentially studied for low molecular weight surfactants, and scarcely for proteins, could connect interfacial properties to protein foam rheology. Experiments: We modified whey protein isolate (WPI), and its purified major protein b-lactoglobulin (b-lg) by powder pre-conditioning and dry-heating in order to obtain a broad variety of interfacial properties. We measured interfacial properties, film relaxation duration after a T1 event and bulk foam rheology. Findings: We found that, for b-lg, considered as a model protein, the higher the interfacial elastic modulus, the longer the duration of topological T1 changes and the greater the foam storage and loss moduli and the yield stress. However, in the case of the more complex WPI, these correlations were less clear. We propose that the presence in WPI of other proteins, lactose and minerals modify the impact of pre-conditioning and dry-heating on proteins and thereby, their behaviour at the interface and inside the liquid film

L'adaptation de la gestion des barrages aux changements climatiques

La gestion des barrages implique la prise en compte de nombreuses contraintes afin de veiller à l’équilibre de l’ensemble du territoire. Les changements climatiques, avec leurs multiples impacts sur les plans d’eau, exercent une pression sur cet équilibre et accentuent, dans certains cas, les conflits déjà présents. Dans ce contexte, le projet « Acclimatons-nous » répond à la fois au besoin d’une gestion adaptée et intégrée de trois barrages dans le sud du Québec (Jules-Allard, North Hatley et Montjoie) et au besoin de gestion des risques résiduels, liés aux impacts des changements climatiques, qui ne peuvent être internalisés dans les plans de gestion des barrages. Le projet, de type « living lab », fournit aux communautés locales les informations scientifiques et les outils de gouvernance leur permettant de renforcer, à court et long termes, leur capacité d’adaptation aux changements climatiques

Negative regulation of EB1 turnover at microtubule plus ends by interaction with microtubule-associated protein ATIP3

International audienceThe regulation of microtubule dynamics is critical to ensure essential cell functions. End binding protein 1 (EB1) is a master regulator of microtubule dynamics that autonomously binds an extended GTP/GDP-Pi structure at growing microtubule ends and recruits regulatory proteins at this location. However, negative regulation of EB1 association with growing microtubule ends remains poorly understood. We show here that microtubule-associated tumor suppressor ATIP3 interacts with EB1 through direct binding of a non-canonical proline-rich motif. Results indicate that ATIP3 does not localize at growing microtubule ends and that in situ ATIP3-EB1 molecular complexes are mostly detected in the cytosol. We present evidence that a minimal EB1-interacting sequence of ATIP3 is both necessary and sufficient to prevent EB1 accumulation at growing microtubule ends in living cells and that EB1-interaction is involved in reducing cell polarity. By fluorescence recovery of EB1-GFP after photobleaching, we show that ATIP3 silencing accelerates EB1 turnover at microtubule ends with no modification of EB1 diffusion in the cytosol. We propose a novel mechanism by which ATIP3-EB1 interaction indirectly reduces the kinetics of EB1 exchange on its recognition site, thereby accounting for negative regulation of microtubule dynamic instability. Our findings provide a unique example of decreased EB1 turnover at growing microtubule ends by cytosolic interaction with a tumor suppressor. INTRODUCTION Microtubules (MTs) are polarized structures that continuously switch between periods of polymerization and depolymerization at their growing (plus) ends. This process, termed MT dynamic instability, allows rapid reorganization of the MT cytoskeleton during essential cell functions such as cell polarity and migration, mitosi

Enabling planetary science across light-years. Ariel Definition Study Report

Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, was adopted as the fourth medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision programme to be launched in 2029. During its 4-year mission, Ariel will study what exoplanets are made of, how they formed and how they evolve, by surveying a diverse sample of about 1000 extrasolar planets, simultaneously in visible and infrared wavelengths. It is the first mission dedicated to measuring the chemical composition and thermal structures of hundreds of transiting exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. The payload consists of an off-axis Cassegrain telescope (primary mirror 1100 mm x 730 mm ellipse) and two separate instruments (FGS and AIRS) covering simultaneously 0.5-7.8 micron spectral range. The satellite is best placed into an L2 orbit to maximise the thermal stability and the field of regard. The payload module is passively cooled via a series of V-Groove radiators; the detectors for the AIRS are the only items that require active cooling via an active Ne JT cooler. The Ariel payload is developed by a consortium of more than 50 institutes from 16 ESA countries, which include the UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and a NASA contribution

Semi-Virtual Tests of a System Using Exhaust Air, Grey Water and Solar Heat for Domestic Hot Water and Space Heating Needs of a Multifamily House

International audienceThis paper presents tests results of a large system on a semi-virtual test bench. The tested system aims to provide the heat needed for domestic hot water and space heating of a building with 19 housing units. The three main thermal sources of the systems are the heat recovery on exhaust air, the heat recovery on grey water and solar thermal collectors. Those sources are combined with a heat pump and terminal auxiliary systems. The core part of the system was set up in the test bench: two 1000L storage tanks, a 20kW heat pump and the controller of the whole system. This real part interacted with a virtual environment emulating the other parts of the system through hydraulic modules. A realistic test sequence has been defined to study the system operations and to assess its performances. Results are promising and lead to the installation of such a system in a real building