Characterisation of fuel volatile compounds using a new ionic microsensor

International audienceThe "Intermal combustion engines" project of the DIVA (Diagnostique Industriel et Vehicules Avances) [Industrial Diagnostics and Advanced Vehicle) research centre, funded by Region Picardie, aims to develop a real-time system capable of modifying the operating parameters of a diesel engine so as to optimise its pollutant emissions and fuel consumption

Novel Insights into the Bovine Polled Phenotype and Horn Ontogenesis in Bovidae

Despite massive research efforts, the molecular etiology of bovine polledness and the developmental pathways involved in horn ontogenesis are still poorly understood. In a recent article, we provided evidence for the existence of at least two different alleles at the Polled locus and identified candidate mutations for each of them. None of these mutations was located in known coding or regulatory regions, thus adding to the complexity of understanding the molecular basis of polledness. We confirm previous results here and exhaustively identify the causative mutation for the Celtic allele (PC) and four candidate mutations for the Friesian allele (PF). We describe a previously unreported eyelash-and-eyelid phenotype associated with regular polledness, and present unique histological and gene expression data on bovine horn bud differentiation in fetuses affected by three different horn defect syndromes, as well as in wild-type controls. We propose the ectopic expression of a lincRNA in PC/p horn buds as a probable cause of horn bud agenesis. In addition, we provide evidence for an involvement of OLIG2, FOXL2 and RXFP2 in horn bud differentiation, and draw a first link between bovine, ovine and caprine Polled loci. Our results represent a first and important step in understanding the genetic pathways and key process involved in horn bud differentiation in Bovidae

De l’analyse des processus à l’émergence d’un métier. L’expérience du DESS strategies de communication internationale (Dijon)

Le DESS Stratégies de Communication Internationale, de l’Université de Bourgogne, constitue, depuis 1993, un champ d’expérience et de partenariat Université-Entreprise, pour la formation d’une nouvelle génération de directeurs de la communication. Avant même leur mise en pratique, il s’agit de définir des principes et des logiques d’action qui favorisent l’émergence d’une compétence transversale en communication. Savoirs théoriques et savoirs professionnels se définissent et se conjuguent par relation, non à des procédures, mais des processus complexes qui fondent la dimension stratégique de la communication, à l’interculturel et à l’international.The DESS in International Communication Strategies, which has existed at the University of Burgundy since 1993, is constructed around a partnership between the university and local business, exploiting their respective domains of experience to develop the next generation of Communication Directors. Before proceeding to a practical training, students are familiarized with the principles and theoretical background to the subject which lead to the construction of a broader understanding and competence in communication. The theoretical and professional approaches work from the basis not of procedure, but of the complex processes underlying communications strategies, both inter-culturally and internationally

Sourcing Innovation in the Digital Age

This paper introduces a recent innovation survey, the first of its kind in the Digital Age. With coverage of 300 large firms, sampled to be representative of corporate innovation in eight countries, the survey provides a unique look at how innovation, particularly digital innovation, is being sourced by firms around the world. We find that open innovation at these companies is pervasive, but also recent. Only in the 2010s have many firms started innovating with external partners like universities, third-party experts, startups, or crowd. Overwhelmingly, firms use these new external innovation sources for digital technologies where they have internal capability shortfalls. Despite the remarkable growth in the use of external innovation sources, internal innovation sources remain more important for companies. These internal sources also produce the projects most likely to provide a competitive advantage

De l’analyse des processus à l’émergence d’un métier. L’expérience du DESS strategies de communication internationale (Dijon)

Le DESS Stratégies de Communication Internationale, de l’Université de Bourgogne, constitue, depuis 1993, un champ d’expérience et de partenariat Université-Entreprise, pour la formation d’une nouvelle génération de directeurs de la communication. Avant même leur mise en pratique, il s’agit de définir des principes et des logiques d’action qui favorisent l’émergence d’une compétence transversale en communication. Savoirs théoriques et savoirs professionnels se définissent et se conjuguent par relation, non à des procédures, mais des processus complexes qui fondent la dimension stratégique de la communication, à l’interculturel et à l’international.The DESS in International Communication Strategies, which has existed at the University of Burgundy since 1993, is constructed around a partnership between the university and local business, exploiting their respective domains of experience to develop the next generation of Communication Directors. Before proceeding to a practical training, students are familiarized with the principles and theoretical background to the subject which lead to the construction of a broader understanding and competence in communication. The theoretical and professional approaches work from the basis not of procedure, but of the complex processes underlying communications strategies, both inter-culturally and internationally

Astronomy and Feng Shui in the project of the Tang, Ming and Qing royal mausoleums: a satellite imagery approach

The royal Chinese mausoleums of the Tang, Ming and Qing Chinese dynasties are astounding ensables of monuments, conceived and built to assure to the Emperors immortality in the afterlife and perennial fame on earth. To this aim, a series of cognitive elements were embodied in the funerary landscapes selected for such monuments, including astronomy, general topography, and traditional Chinese geomancy. Taking advantage of satellite imagery, we investigate here on this issue in a general manner. In particular, we develop and apply a rigorous approach to investigate if magnetic compass was used in the planning of such monuments

Bacterial Pneumonia among HIV-Infected Patients: Decreased Risk After Tobacco Smoking Cessation. ANRS CO3 Aquitaine Cohort, 2000–2007

BACKGROUND: Bacterial pneumonia is still a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients in the era of combination Antiretroviral Therapy. The benefit of tobacco withdrawal on the risk of bacterial pneumonia has not been quantified in such populations, exposed to other important risk factors such as HIV-related immunodeficiency. Our objective was to estimate the effect of tobacco smoking withdrawal on the risk of bacterial pneumonia among HIV-infected individuals. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Patients of the ANRS CO3 Aquitaine Cohort with >or= two visits during 2000-2007 and without bacterial pneumonia at the first visit were included. Former smokers were patients who stopped smoking since >or= one year. We used Cox proportional hazards models adjusted on CD4+ lymphocytes (CD4), gender, age, HIV transmission category, antiretroviral therapy, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, statin treatment, viral load and previous AIDS diagnosis. 135 cases of bacterial pneumonia were reported in 3336 patients, yielding an incidence of 12 per thousand patient-years. The adjusted hazard of bacterial pneumonia was lower in former smokers (Hazard Ratio (HR): 0.48; P = 0.02) and never smokers (HR: 0.50; P = 0.01) compared to current smokers. It was higher in patients with <200 CD4 cells/microL and in those with 200 to 349 CD4 cells/microL (HR: 2.98 and 1.98, respectively; both P<0.01), but not in those with 350 to 499 CD4 cells/microL (HR: 0.93; P = 0.79), compared to those with >or=500 CD4 cells/microL. The interaction between CD4 cell count and tobacco smoking status was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Smoking cessation dramatically reduces the risk of bacterial pneumonia, whatever the level of immunodeficiency. Smoking cessation interventions should become a key element of the clinical management of HIV-infected individuals

Integration of the End Cap TEC+ of the CMS Silicon Strip Tracker

The silicon strip tracker of the CMS experiment has been completed and inserted into the CMS detector in late 2007. The largest sub-system of the tracker is its end cap system, comprising two large end caps (TEC) each containing 3200 silicon strip modules. To ease construction, the end caps feature a modular design: groups of about 20 silicon modules are placed on sub-assemblies called petals and these self-contained elements are then mounted into the TEC support structures. Each end cap consists of 144 petals, and the insertion of these petals into the end cap structure is referred to as TEC integration. The two end caps were integrated independently in Aachen (TEC+) and at CERN (TEC--). This note deals with the integration of TEC+, describing procedures for end cap integration and for quality control during testing of integrated sections of the end cap and presenting results from the testing

Histology of two rice bodies isolated from the stifle of an adult draught horse stallion

In the human and equine species, different kinds of free floating intra-articular particles are related to certain disorders. Osteochondral fragments formed during osteochondrosis dissecans are the most common finding in the equine species, whereas in humans rice bodies due to rheumatoid arthritis are more frequent. Herein we report a third type of floating body inside the stifle of an adult draught horse stallion, in macroscopic appearance similar to articular rice bodies known in humans. As revealed by histologic examination, the two particles consist of polypoid degenerated structures derived from synovial villi. Their formation was probably induced by ischemia