LP 349-25: a new tight M8V binary

We present the discovery of a tight M8V binary, with a separation of only 1.2 astronomical units, obtained with the PUEO and NACO adaptive optics systems, respectively at the CFHT and VLT telescopes. The estimated period of LP 349-25 is approximately 5 years, and this makes it an excellent candidate for a precise mass measurement.Comment: Accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics Letter

Preparation, structural characterisation and antibacterial properties of Ga-doped sol-gel phosphate-based glass

A sol-gel preparation of Ga-doped phosphate-based glass with potential application in antimicrobial devices has been developed. Samples of composition (CaO)(0.30)(Na2O)(0.20-x) (Ga2O3) (x) (P2O5)(0.50) where x = 0 and 0.03 were prepared, and the structure and properties of the gallium-doped sample compared with those of the sample containing no gallium. Analysis of the P-31 MAS NMR data demonstrated that addition of gallium to the sol-gel reaction increases the connectivity of the phosphate network at the expense of hydroxyl groups. This premise is supported by the results of the elemental analysis, which showed that the gallium-free sample contains significantly more hydrogen and by FTIR spectroscopy, which revealed a higher concentration of -OH groups in that sample. Ga K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure and X-ray absorption near-edge structure data revealed that the gallium ions are coordinated by six oxygen atoms. In agreement with the X-ray absorption data, the high-energy XRD results also suggest that the Ga3+ ions are octahedrally coordinated with respect to oxygen. Antimicrobial studies demonstrated that the sample containing Ga3+ ions had significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus compared to the control

SPHERE: the exoplanet imager for the Very Large Telescope

Observations of circumstellar environments to look for the direct signal of exoplanets and the scattered light from disks has significant instrumental implications. In the past 15 years, major developments in adaptive optics, coronagraphy, optical manufacturing, wavefront sensing and data processing, together with a consistent global system analysis have enabled a new generation of high-contrast imagers and spectrographs on large ground-based telescopes with much better performance. One of the most productive is the Spectro-Polarimetic High contrast imager for Exoplanets REsearch (SPHERE) designed and built for the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. SPHERE includes an extreme adaptive optics system, a highly stable common path interface, several types of coronagraphs and three science instruments. Two of them, the Integral Field Spectrograph (IFS) and the Infra-Red Dual-band Imager and Spectrograph (IRDIS), are designed to efficiently cover the near-infrared (NIR) range in a single observation for efficient young planet search. The third one, ZIMPOL, is designed for visible (VIR) polarimetric observation to look for the reflected light of exoplanets and the light scattered by debris disks. This suite of three science instruments enables to study circumstellar environments at unprecedented angular resolution both in the visible and the near-infrared. In this work, we present the complete instrument and its on-sky performance after 4 years of operations at the VLT.Comment: Final version accepted for publication in A&

Post conjunction detection of β\beta Pictoris b with VLT/SPHERE

With an orbital distance comparable to that of Saturn in the solar system, \bpic b is the closest (semi-major axis $\simeq$\,9\,au) exoplanet that has been imaged to orbit a star. Thus it offers unique opportunities for detailed studies of its orbital, physical, and atmospheric properties, and of disk-planet interactions. With the exception of the discovery observations in 2003 with NaCo at the Very Large Telescope (VLT), all following astrometric measurements relative to \bpic have been obtained in the southwestern part of the orbit, which severely limits the determination of the planet's orbital parameters. We aimed at further constraining \bpic b orbital properties using more data, and, in particular, data taken in the northeastern part of the orbit. We used SPHERE at the VLT to precisely monitor the orbital motion of beta \bpic b since first light of the instrument in 2014. We were able to monitor the planet until November 2016, when its angular separation became too small (125 mas, i.e., 1.6\,au) and prevented further detection. We redetected \bpic b on the northeast side of the disk at a separation of 139\,mas and a PA of 30$^{\circ}$ in September 2018. The planetary orbit is now well constrained. With a semi-major axis (sma) of $a = 9.0 \pm 0.5$ au (1 $\sigma$), it definitely excludes previously reported possible long orbital periods, and excludes \bpic b as the origin of photometric variations that took place in 1981. We also refine the eccentricity and inclination of the planet. From an instrumental point of view, these data demonstrate that it is possible to detect, if they exist, young massive Jupiters that orbit at less than 2 au from a star that is 20 pc away.Comment: accepted by A&

Second-generation colon capsule endoscopy compared with colonoscopy

Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) represents a noninvasive technology that allows visualization of the colon without requiring sedation and air insufflation. A second-generation colon capsule endoscopy system (PillCam Colon 2) (CCE-2) was developed to increase sensitivity for colorectal polyp detection compared with the first-generation system. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility, accuracy, and safety of CCE-2 in a head-to-head comparison with colonoscopy. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, multicenter trial including 8 European sites. PATIENTS: This study involved 117 patients (mean age 60 years). Data from 109 patients were analyzed. INTERVENTION: CCE-2 was prospectively compared with conventional colonoscopy as the criterion standard for the detection of colorectal polyps that are >/=6 mm or masses in a cohort of patients at average or increased risk of colorectal neoplasia. Colonoscopy was independently performed within 10 hours after capsule ingestion or on the next day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: CCE-2 sensitivity and specificity for detecting patients with polyps >/=6 mm and >/=10 mm were assessed. Capsule-positive but colonoscopy-negative cases were counted as false positive. Capsule excretion rate, level of bowel preparation, and rate of adverse events also were assessed. RESULTS: Per-patient CCE-2 sensitivity for polyps >/=6 mm and >/=10 mm was 84% and 88%, with specificities of 64% and 95%, respectively. All 3 invasive carcinomas were detected by CCE-2. The capsule excretion rate was 88% within 10 hours. Overall colon cleanliness for CCE-2 was adequate in 81% of patients. LIMITATIONS: Not unblinding the CCE-2 results at colonoscopy; heterogenous patient population; nonconsecutive patients. CONCLUSION: In this European, multicenter study, CCE-2 appeared to have a high sensitivity for the detection of clinically relevant polypoid lesions, and it might be considered an adequate tool for colorectal imaging

Taux moyen et variance des séromucoïdes totaux chez la brebis normale, au cours d’un « cycle d’élevage »

Charton André, Faye P., Hervy A. Taux moyen et variance des séromucoïdes totaux chez la Brebis normale, au cours d’un «Cycle d’élevage ». In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 119 n°6, 1966. pp. 225-228

Identification, au microscope électronique, d'un Myxovirus isolé d’une lésion de pneumonie du veau

Berkaloff A., Faye P., Charton André. Identification, au microscope électronique, d’un Myxovirus isolé d’une lésion de pneumonie du veau. In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 118 n°5, 1965. pp. 201-207

Séromucoïdes : variations de taux chez l’agneau en fonction de l’âge

8 fois plus élevé que celui de l’adulte dans les heures qui suivent la naissance, le taux des séromucoïdes de l’agneau, très largement fluctuant, décroît rapidement dès les premiers jours ; il n’est plus qu’une fois et demie supérieur au taux de l’adulte à la fin de la première semaine. Il ne rejoint cependant ce dernier, en se stabilisant, que vers 4 mois

Variations dans le sérum de l'agneau du titre des anticorps inhibant l'hémagglutination par Myxovirus parainfluenzae au cours des trois premiers mois

Le titre des anticorps inhibant l’hémagglutination par Myxovi rus Parainfluenzae 3, nul chez l’agneau avant qu’il ait absorbé le colostrum maternel, s’élève dès les jours suivants et dépasse celui de la mère. Il diminue ensuite progressivement, rejoint celui de cette dernière au cours de la quatrième quinzaine et sa chute se poursuit au cours du troisième mois

Présence, dans le sérum d’Ovins, d’anticorps inhibant l’hémagglutination par Myxovirus parainfluenzae

Dans un lot composé de trente brebis et de leurs agneaux, la pro portion des sujets dont le sérum inhibe, à des titres élevés de dilu tion, l’hémagglutination des érythrocytes de cobaye par une souche bovine de Myxovirus parainfluenzae dépasse 80 p. 100. Les résultats obtenus, en inhibition d’hémagglutination et en séro neutralisation, avec la fraction globulinique du sérum précipitable par le sulfate d’ammoniaque, sont quantitativement plus faibles, mais qualita tivement analogues