Power supply Patent

Power supply with automatic power factor conversion syste

Influence possible des protozoaires sur le taux de mortalité des bactéries autotrophes nitrifiantes

Le modèle de l'IAWQ du processus de boues activées représente les mécanismes endogènes de la biomasse nitrifiante par le décès des micro-organismes (équation d'ordre 1 par rapport à la biomasse). La constante de décès, ou taux de mortalité bA, est aujourd'hui encore mal connue, et en particulier les facteurs influants sur sa valeur. De récentes études ont montré que la prédation par la microfaune pourrait être un facteur déterminant sur la valeur de bA. Cette étude se propose donc de quantifier l'effet de la prédation sur la valeur de bA. Deux réacteurs maintenus sans alimentation en substrat ont été caractérisés en parallèle: l'un a reçu une dose d'antibiotique spécifique aux eucaryotes (cycloheximide) afin de diminuer la quantité d'organismes de la microfaune, alors que l'autre n'a reçu aucun antibiotique (témoin). Les résultats obtenus montrent que le cycloheximide inhibe la plupart des organismes de la microfaune sauf les amibes; celles-ci semblent plutôt stimulées par cet antibiotique. En ce qui concerne la nitrification, un ralentissement de la production de nitrate dans le réacteur traité à l'antibiotique est observé à partir du sixième jour. Cette diminution de production de nitrate est probablement causée par une réduction de l'azote nitrifiable (qui est mobilisé par les amibes) couplée à une prédation des organismes nitrifiants par les amibes. D'ailleurs, l'augmentation de la prédation par les amibes à partir du jour 6 a diminué l'activité nitrifiante également mesurée par respirométrie (rO2 Nmax). Cette diminution du taux de respiration indique une augmentation du taux de mortalité (bA) des organismes nitrifiants. En effet, la valeur du taux de mortalité mesurée dans le réacteur témoin est de 0.08 d-1 alors que selon la microfaune présente dans le réacteur inhibé au cycloheximide, la valeur de ce taux de mortalité a varié entre 0.05 d-1 et 0.15 d-1.Designing biological wastewater treatment plants with the aid of the model developed by the IAWQ requires the knowledge of biological kinetic parameters. For nitrifying activated sludge, these parameters are related to nitrifying bacteria: maximum autotrophic growth rate µAmax, yield coefficient YA and the autotrophic decay rate bA. Although variables influencing µAmax and YA values are well known, this is not the case for bA. MARTINAGE and PAUL (2000) have recently shown that the bA value is strongly influenced by the influent quality, leading to the assumption that influent quality has a strong effect on microfauna composition, and consequently on the grazing rate of microfauna on nitrifying bacteria. In fixed-film processes, protozoan grazing reduces the bacterial population considerably (NATUSCKA and WELANDER, 1994). However, although many data are available concerning the grazing rates of different protozoa, the effect of microfaunal grazing on nitrification is still a matter of debate (RATSAK et al., 1994) and its effect on the bA value is still unknown. These two topics are investigated here.Nitrifying activated sludges were grown in two identical batch reactors, but in one, cycloheximide was added to inhibit eucaryotic growth (MAURINES CARBONEILL et al., 1998). Microfauna organism numbers were quantified in both reactors by microscopic observations of flagellated protozoa (>8 µm), amoebae, ciliates, rotifers and higher invertebrates (Fig. 3). Microbial counts were then correlated with the bA value. The latter was determined using the procedure proposed by SALZER (1992) which consists of characterising the time behaviour of the maximum nitrification rate measured by respirometry of activated sludge under substrate starvation. Under these conditions bacteria die and organic nitrogen is released into the bulk phase. This nitrogen is ammonified, and nitrifying bacteria use this substrate to produce nitrate, and then autotrophic bacterial growth occurs. This method takes this growth into account by characterising nitrate production during the experiment (Fig. 2).The effect of cycloheximide on nitrification was first determined to make sure that this compound is not inhibitory toward nitrifiers. Results obtained (Table 1) show that cycloheximide was not inhibitory toward nitrate production or the maximum nitrification oxygen uptake rate (rO2 N) after 4 hours of contact with nitrifying biomass. Cycloheximide addition in the activated sludge had an important impact on rotifers and flagellates but no effect on ciliates; it also seemed to stimulate amoebae growth. In both reactors, flagellates were mainly Peranama, attached ciliates were mainly Opercularia and Epistylis and a few Vorticella. Free ciliates like Aspidisca and Euplotes were found in both reactors.Variation with time of the abundance of microfauna organisms is shown in Figures 4 and 5 for both reactors. In the reference reactor the number of microfauna organisms decreased with time (Fig. 4) probably due to substrate starvation. Microfauna composition remained however diversified. For the inhibited reactor (Fig. 5), three periods were observed. During period I, the microfauna was mainly composed of ciliates and the number of microfaunal organisms decreased rapidly. During period II, an important growth of amoebae was observed. Cycloheximide was then added during this period to reduce their number. This growth of amoebae seems to be caused by the resistance of these micro-organisms toward inhibiting compounds (SRIKANTH et BERK, 1993). During period III, the number of microfaunal organisms was lower than during period II, and microfauna was mainly composed of ciliates.Nitrate concentration behaviour, necessary for bA calculation, is shown on Figure 6. In the reference reactor, nitrate concentrations varied linearly. For the inhibited reactor, the linear pattern was not observed during period II. This result was probably caused by an important nitrogen assimilation need of amoebae (ELDRIGE and JACKSON, 1993). Because organic nitrogen released by bacterial decay is consumed by amoebae assimilation, less nitrogen is available for the ammonification process and therefore for nitrification. Ammonia concentrations remained below 0.2 mg N·l-1 during all the experiment for both reactors. When amoebae disappeared from the inhibited reactor (period III) nitrate concentration varied linearly again.Variations of the maximum nitrification oxygen uptake rate (rO2 Nmax) with time are presented in Figure 7 (A&B) for both reactors. Two curves are plotted on each figure. Empty squares represent the measured rO2 N and black points represent the maximum nitrification rate that would have been measured if no growth on ammonification products had occurred. For the reference reactor (Fig. 7A), a value for bA of 0.08 d-1 can be calculated and can be considered constant for a constant microfauna composition.Three bA values can be estimated for the reactor inhibited with cycloheximide (Fig. 7B), corresponding to the three periods observed for microfauna composition. During period I, the bA value is 0.05 d-1 : a decrease in the microfaunal organism numbers implies a decrease of the bA value. During period II, when a development of amoebae is observed, the bA value increases and reaches 0.15 d-1. During period III with reduced grazing, the bA value is 0.13 d-1. Since during periods I and III the microfauna is mainly composed of ciliates, this difference between bA values is likely due to the observed difference in floc size between periods I and III.The results obtained during this study tend to prove (1) that the use of cycloheximide reduces microfaunal populations but can lead to a development of amoebae, and (2) that microfauna grazing seems to have an influence on the bA value, which can vary from 0.05 to 0.15 d-1 depending on microfaunal composition and abundance

Study of in vitro phosphorylation of histones H3, H4 and of the non-acetylated and acetylated tetramers (H3–H4)2

Granyer Giralt, JosepPrimer pla de l'obra. Coneguda com el Vedell o el Toro, en actitud de meditar. Mesura 2,42 x 0,62 x 0,76 metres i és de bronze

Control circuit maintains unity power factor of reactive load

Circuit including feedback control elements automatically corrects the power factor of a reactive load. It maintains power supply efficiency where negative load reactance changes and varies by providing corrective error signals to the control windings of a power supply transformer

The Effect of Low Level Mercury Exposure on the Psychological Health of Dental Surgeons

Objectives: To summarise the biological effects of mercury (Hg), and to review the neuropsychological and emotional effects of mercury exposure in adult humans in 44 published group studies. Method: Published articles were identified from indexed computer databases and other journal and textbook articles. Articles were inspected and data summarised in tables reproduced here. Results: At urinary mercury levels (HgU) typical of mild occupational exposure (10-50 mug/l), below most recommended safety limits, about half of the studies examining memory found statistically significant deficits, with the same applying to attentional, motor and perceptual-motor tasks. At HgU above 50 mug/l, deficits also appear in about half the studies examining reasoning and perception. At HgU levels below 10 mug/l, some studies have found deficits, but overall results are inconclusive Self-reports of emotional disturbance using well-standardised questionnaires show effects in about three-quarters of the studies where HgU is below 50 mug/l. Conclusions: Recommended safety limits for mercury exposure may need to be re-examined, regular monitoring of mercury levels should be established for all mercury-exposed workers, and further studies of psychological effects are needed at mercury levels below 10-20 ng/1. There is also a need for longitudinal studies to assess recovery of function after exposure ceases. Main Messages: Mercury affects cognitive, motor and emotional function. Effects are often detectable within current recommended 'safe' levels of excosure. Standardised questionnaires of emotional disturbance, may be more likely to detect effects at low mercury levels than formal performance tests. Policy Implications: Current recommended and legal limits for mercury excposure in the workplace may need to be re-examined, and perhaps lowered. III Regular monitoring of workplace air and workers' body burden of mercury is highly desirable. This applies particularly to dental workers in Scotland, who currently have very infrequent monitoring on a volunteer basis

Elaboration d'une nouvelle plateforme de développement de traceurs in vivo (application à l'imagerie de la néoangiogenèse tumorale)

L imagerie moléculaire est aujourd hui un outil non-invasif essentiel pour le diagnostic de nombreuses pathologies. Les traceurs technétiés sont actuellement les plus répandus car le 99mTc est facilement disponible, abordable et présente des caractéristiques idéales pour l imagerie. Néanmoins, le développement de traceurs efficaces nécessite un long et coûteux processus d optimisation souvent empirique. Dans ce contexte, nous avons entrepris le développement d une plateforme technétiée conçue pour présenter au sein de sa structure de nombreux sites potentiels de fonctionnalisation et compatible avec une approche combinatoire.Dans un premier temps, un ensemble de 12 ligands N3X (X = N, O, S) a été préparé. Chacun d entre eux présente dans sa structure un motif triazole introduit par chimie-click et intervenant dans la complexation du métal par un de ses atomes d azote. Nous avons ensuite évalué l aptitude de ces ligands à chélater le cœur oxotechnétium dans des conditions douces (5 min, température ambiante) compatible avec une utilisation en milieu hospitalier. Le complexe TriaS-99mTc a été formé quantitativement et sa stabilité en plasma murin a été étudiée. Il s est révélé stable à plus de 90% dans le plasma murin après 6h d incubation. L étude in vivo de ce complexe a par la suite révélé une élimination efficace du milieu circulant par la voie urinaire avec une dégradation minoritaire.A titre d illustration, nous avons ensuite engagé la structure TriaS dans deux approches distinctes pour le développement de traceurs de la néoangiogenèse tumorale en ciblant l intégrine avb3. D une part, dans le cadre d une approche intégrée, plusieurs complexes fonctionnalisés, mimes de RGD, ont été obtenus. Dans chaque cas, l adjonction de groupements fonctionnels n a pas affecté l efficacité de la chélation. En outre la stabilité en plasma est maintenue à un niveau très correct. D autre part, nous avons développé une approche bifonctionnelle dans laquelle le motif c(RGDfK) joue le rôle de molécule ciblante. Dans ce cas, un motif variable (ici un PEG) peut être introduit par chimie combinatoire pour moduler la solubilité, la biodistribution, et l excrétion des traceurs.Molecular imaging is an essential non-invasive tool usable for diagnosis and characterisation of many diseases. Technetium-based tracers are the most popular ones due to disponibility, cost and radiochemical properties of 99mTc. Nevertheless, effective tracers development requires a long, expensive, and mainly empirical optimisation process. This context prompted us tu carry on the development of a new technetium structure which exhibits lots of potential functionalisation spots compatible with a combinatorial approach. We synthesised 12 N3X (X = N, O, S) different ligands. Each of them includes a triazole moiety, (formed via a click-chemistry reaction), which is involved in the metal complexation that implies one of its nitrogen atoms. Then we evaluated their ability to readily form oxotechnetium complexes in conditions that are compatible with medical use in hospital. One complex was formed in quantitative yields and its stability in mice plasma was investigated. A complex called TriaS-99mTc, stable to more than 90% after 6h incubation, was selected. In vivo study of TriaS-99mTc revealed an efficient blood clearance via the urinary excretion pathway with very low degradation. As an application, we used this structure for the development of tracers that target integrin avb3, a known biomarker of tumor neoangiogenesis. First, we synthesised functionnalised TriaS-based integrated complexes. Fonctionnal modification of TriaS by addition of side chains and substituents did not affect its ability to chelate oxotechnetium quantitatively. In addition, its stability in mice plasma was satisfactory. We also developped a bifonctionnal approach using c(RGDfK) peptide as the targeting biomolecule. In this way, a variable moiety (herein a PEG moiety) can be inserted in the structure through click-chemistry in order to modulate tracers solubility, biodistribution and excretion.PARIS11-SCD-Bib. électronique (914719901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Efficacy and Tolerance of Post-operative Hypo-Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy in a Large Series of Patients With Brain Metastases

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess, in a large series, the efficacy and tolerance of post-operative adjuvant hypofractionated stereotactic radiation therapy (HFSRT) for brain metastases (BMs).Materials and Methods: Between July 2012 and January 2017, 160 patients from 2 centers were operated for BM and treated by HFSRT. Patients had between 1 and 3 BMs, no brainstem lesions or carcinomatous meningitis. The primary endpoint was local control. Secondary endpoints were distant brain control, overall survival (OS) and tolerance to HFSRT.Results: 73 patients (46%) presented with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 23 (14%) had melanoma and 21 (13%) breast cancer. Median age was 58 years (range, 22–83 years). BMs were synchronous in 50% of the cases. The most frequent prescription regimens were 24 Gy in 3 fractions (n = 52, 33%) and 30 Gy in 5 fractions (n = 37, 23%). Local control rates at 1 and 2 years were 88% [95%CI, 81–93%] and 81% [95%CI, 70–88%], respectively. Distant control rate at 1 year was 48% [95%CI, 81–93%]. In multivariate analysis, primary NSCLC was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of death compared to other primary sites (HR = 0.57, p = 0.007), the number of extra-cerebral metastatic sites (HR = 1.26, p = 0.003) and planning target volumes (HR = 1.15, p = 0.012) were associated with a lower OS. There was no prognostic factor of time to local progression. Median OS was 15.2 months [95%CI, 12.0–17.9 months] and the OS rate at 1 year was 58% [95% CI, 50–65%]. Salvage radiotherapy was administered to 72 patients (45%), of which 49 received new HFSRT. Ten (7%) patients presented late grade 2 and 4 (3%) patients late grade 3 toxicities. Thirteen (8.9%) patients developed radiation necrosis.Conclusions: This large multicenter retrospective study shows that HFSRT allows for good local control of metastasectomy tumor beds and that this technique is well-tolerated by patients

DNA-interacting proteins in the spermiogenesis of the mollusc Murex brandaris

Sperm chromatin of Murex brandaris (a neogastropod mollusc) undergoes a series of structural transitions during spermiogenesis. The DNA-interacting proteins responsible for these changes as well as the mature protamines present in the ripe sperm nucleus have been characterized. The results reveal that spermiogenic nuclear proteins are protamine precursors that are subjected to a substantial number of small N-terminal deletions that gradually modify their overall charge. The composition of mature protamines is remarkably simple in turn, promoting an efficient and extremely tight packaging of DNA. The pattern of spermiogenic chromatin condensation in M. brandaris clearly departs from that corresponding to vertebrate chromatin

Modeling the decay of nitrite oxidizing bacteria under different reduction potential conditions

[EN] Autotrophic growth and decay rates of ammonium and nitrite oxidizing bacteria (AOB and NOB, respectively) have a significant impact on the design and on the process performance of wastewater treatment systems where nitrification occurs. Literature data on the separate decay rates of AOB and NOB is scarce and inconsistent. In this study, batch experiments based on respirometric techniques were conducted to determine the NOB decay rates under different oxidation-reduction potential conditions, in order to widen the understanding of nitrite dynamics. The decay rate measured under anoxic conditions was 85% lower than under aerobic conditions, whereas under anaerobic conditions the decay rate reduction was 92%. A design and simulation tool was used to assess the impact of applying these results in differentiated areas of an activated sludge system. Simulations show a greater impact for systems with a sludge retention time under 10 days, for which up to a 16-fold increase in NOB biomass concentration and up to 86% and 80% reductions in ammonium and nitrite concentrations in the effluent were calculated. Therefore, this work demonstrates that considering different decay rates for autotrophic biomass under different ORP conditions avoids underestimating system performance and over dimensioning new activated sludge schemes.This research project has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO,project CTM2017-86751-C2), whose support is gratefully acknowledged.Ruiz Martinez, A.; Claros Bedoya, JA.; Serralta Sevilla, J.; Bouzas Blanco, A.; Ferrer, J. (2018). Modeling the decay of nitrite oxidizing bacteria under different reduction potential conditions. Process Biochemistry. 71:159-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2018.05.021S1591657