The mechanical behaviour of porous austenitic stainless steel fibre structures

The mechanical properties of metal fibre porous structures were studied in the light of their potential application as surface coatings of implants. Stainless steel AISI 316 L fibres with diameters of 50 and 100μm were compacted and sintered. The variation of the modulus of elasticity with density, as obtained in tension, corresponds closely with theoretical models. The ultimate failure of the tensile specimens proceeds through the fibres, and not through the sinter bonds, except at lower densities. Differences in yield strength between 50 and 100 μm fibre tensile specimens are explained on the basis of the onset of plastic deformation of the individual fibres. Upon compression the modulus of elasticity is nearly 10 times smaller than in tension. This result is due to the different deformation patterns of the fibres in compression and tension.     

High-mobility Ga0.47In0.53As thin epitaxial layers grown by MBE, very closely lattice-matched to InP

Thin epitaxial layers (< 1.5 ?m) of Ga0.47In0.53As were grown by molecular beam epitaxy, very closely lattice-matched to InP, despite a nonrotating substrate holder. Hall mobilities were measured as a function of temperature in the dark and on illumination. At low temperature, the peak mobility of undoped layers lies between 35000 and 40000 cm2V?1s?1 in the dark and increases up to 45000 cm2V?1s?1 when measured in the light. Preliminary results obtained on slightly Sn-doped layers are also reported.     

Comparison of sample preparation methods for detection of Legionella pneumophila in culture-positive bronchoalveolar lavage fluids by PCR

A prospective study was conducted on 25 Legionella pneumophila culture-positive and 98 culture-negative bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples to compare two DNA preparation methods: a rapid modified Chelex-based protocol and a proteinase K method. PCR was found to be more sensitive with the Chelex-based method (P = 0.03). N difference was found concerning the inhibition rate.     

Comparison among emission and susceptibility reduction techniques for electromagnetic interference in digital integrated circuits

This paper presents a comparative study of susceptibility reduction techniques for electromagnetic interference (EMI) in digital integrated circuits (ICs). Both direct power injection (DPI) and very-fast transmission-line pulsing (VF-TLP) methods are used to inject interference into the substrate of a single test chip. This IC is built around six functionally identical cores, differing only by their EMI protection strategies (RC protection, isolated substrate, meshed power supply network) which were initially designed for low emission design rules. The ranking of three of these cores in terms of electromagnetic immunity is then compared with the one of their radiated emission, thanks to near-field scanning (NFS) measurements. This leads to the establishing of design guidelines for low EMI in digital ICs.     

Complex permittivity characterization of benzocyclobutene for terahertz applications

High-quality polymers such as the benzocyclobutene polymer (BCB) provide interesting dielectric feature for terahertz applications. Already used in silicon integrated circuit technologies, this material could become one of the most promising candidates for the realization of future THz waveguides and interconnections on a silicon substrate but also after active devices process on the top of any other technology (GaAs, InP, GaN…). A frequency-dependent complex permittivity of spin-coated thick layers of this low-k dielectric is obtained from transmittance spectra measured with Fourier transform spectroscopy in the frequency range of 0.5-5.4 THz. The dielectric constant and the loss tangent are discussed according to curing conditions of the photosensitive resin used. A low loss tangent value of 7 − 9 × 10^-3 at 1 THz is obtained with polymerisation in oxygen-free atmosphere. An incomplete curing and a high dose UV exposure have a weak impact on losses. These results associated with the high compatibility of this polymer with silicon and metals make BCB layers well suited for the design of microelectronic THz devices and circuits.     

The dynamics of aroma release during consumption of candies of different structures,and relationship with temporal perception

We investigated the role of both candy texture and eating technique (melting or chewing) on the dynamics of aroma release. One novelty of this type of analysis was the simultaneous application of instrumental and sensory analysis. Four candy textures were established based on their storage modulus at 1 Hz by varying the gelatine content between 0 and 15% w/w. The invivo release of three aroma compounds was monitored using Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry and with a trained panel of testers. The gelatine content had no significant effect on the headspace/product partition and diffusion properties of the aroma compounds. The highest invivo release for all aroma compounds was obtained with the 2% gelatine sample. Our findings indicated that aroma release was determined by interaction between the product properties and oral behaviour. Relations between the dynamics of release and perception (method of Temporal Dominance of Sensations) have been established on temporal parameters.     

Antifungal activity of edible coating made from chitosan and lactoperoxidase system against Phomopsis sp. RP257 and Pestalotiopsis sp. isolated from mango

Lactoperoxidase system (LPOS) was incorporated into chitosan solutions (0.5, 1, and 1.5%) to protect mangoes against two strains of fungi. Coating solutions effectiveness in vitro (in Petri dish) and in vivo (on mango) were studied on fungal (Phomopsis sp. RP257 and Pestalotiopsis sp.) growth isolated from mango cv Amelie. In vitro, chitosan concentration at least 1% containing or not LPOS effectively inhibited Pestalotiopsis sp. growth at 100%. Presence of LPOS or Lactoperoxydase system with iodine (LPOSI) in chitosan at 0.5% increased the percentage of inhibition from 26 to 93%. Edible films with LPOS inhibited Phomopsis sp. RP257 particularly when LPOS was incorporated in chitosan concentrations of 1 and 1.5%. Iodine did not influenced antifungal activity of LPOS against Pestalotiopsis sp. but decreased activity antifungal toward Phomopsis sp. RP257. The properties (water vapor permeability and mechanical properties) of chitosan films were not significantly changed by the incorporation of the enzyme system. in vivo condition, chitosan coating at 1 and 1.5% with or without enzyme system was sufficient to inhibit totally (100%) Pestalotiopsis sp. and was 60% efficient against Phomopsis sp. with chitosan only at 1 and 1.5%. However, when coating solution mainly at 1 and 1.5% was enhanced by LPOS with or without iodine, it inhibited totally (100%) Phomopsis sp. RP257. The presence of iodine slightly reduced antifungal activity against Phomopsis sp. RP257.     

Quantitative Assessment of Affinity Selection Performance by Using DNA-Encoded Chemical Libraries

DNA-encoded chemical libraries are often used for the discovery of ligands against protein targets of interest. These large collections of DNA-barcoded chemical compounds are typically screened by using affinity capture methodologies followed by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing procedures. However, the performance of individual steps in the selection procedures has been scarcely investigated, so far. Herein, the quantitative analysis of selection experiments, by using three ligands with different affinity to carbonic anhydrase IX as model compounds, is described. In the first set of experiments, quantitative PCR (qPCR) procedures are used to evaluate the recovery and selectivity for affinity capture procedures performed on different solid-phase supports, which are commonly used for library screening. In the second step, both qPCR and analysis of DNA sequencing results are used to assess the recovery and selectivity of individual carbonic anhydrase IX ligands in a library, containing 360 000 compounds. Collectively, this study reveals that selection procedures can be efficient for ligands with sub-micromolar dissociation constants to the target protein of interest, but also that selection performance dramatically drops if 10⁴ copies per library member are used as the input.     

Search for the optimal schedule for the oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil association modulated or not by folinic acid: preclinical data

The combination of oxaliplatin (LOHP)-5-fluorouracil (FU)-folinic acid (FA) has provided high response rates in pretreated patients with advanced colorectal cancer that is resistant to FU-FA. However, the choice of the optimal schedule between LOHP, FU, and FA remains open. The purpose of the present study was to compare, at equivalent drug area under the curve, different schedules for the LOHP-FU +/- FA combinations on four human colorectal cancer cell lines. FU +/- FA was tested as a 2-h short exposure ("bolus"), a 118-h continuous exposure ("infusion"), or a 22-h mixed exposure ("De Gramont protocol"). LOHP was administered for 2 h before, during, or after FU +/- FA exposure. Isobologram analyses revealed that LOHP associated with FU +/- FA resulted in synergistic cytotoxic effects whatever the tested schedules (in > or = 75% of cases). For the FU-LOHP combination, cytotoxicity was significantly different according to the FU exposure type (short > mixed > continuous) and was independent of the LOHP position. In contrast, for the FU-FA-LOHP combination, neither the FU exposure type nor the LOHP position significantly influenced cytotoxicity. The presence of FA significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of FU-LOHP (P < 0.001); this potentiation was independent of the FU exposure type and was significantly influenced by the LOHP position (LOHP after FU-FA > LOHP during FU-FA > LOHP before FU-FA). In conclusion, in contrast with the recognized superiority of continuous FU exposure over short exposure when the drug is given alone, the FU-LOHP combination is more cytotoxic when FU is given as a short exposure. This suggests the potential interest of such a schedule in the clinical setting.     

Using 3D modeling and remote sensing capabilities for a better understanding of spatio-temporal heterogeneities of phytoplankton abundance in large lakes

Lake biological parameters show important spatio-temporal heterogeneities. This is why explaining the spatial patchiness of phytoplankton abundance has been a recurrent ecological issue and is an essential prerequisite for objectively assessing, protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems. The drivers of these heterogeneities can be identified by modeling their dynamics. This approach is useful for theoretical and applied limnology. In this study, a 3D hydrodynamic model of Lake Geneva (France/Switzerland) was created. It is based on the Delft3D suite software and includes the main tributary (Rhône River) and two-dimensional high-resolution meteorological forcing. It provides 3D maps of water temperature and current velocities with a 1?h time step on a 1?km horizontal grid size and with a vertical resolution of 1?m near the surface to 7?m at the bottom of the lake. The dynamics and the drivers of phytoplankton heterogeneities were assessed by combining the outputs of the model and chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a) data from MERIS satellite images between 2008 and 2012. Results highlight physical mechanisms responsible for the occurrence of seasonal hot-spots in phytoplankton abundance in the lake. At the beginning of spring, Chl-a heterogeneities are usually caused by an earlier onset of phytoplankton growth in the shallowest and more sheltered areas; spatial differences in the timing of phytoplankton growth can be explained by spatial variability in thermal stratification dynamics. In summer, transient and locally higher phytoplankton abundances are observed in relation to the impact of basin-scale upwelling.