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Showing papers by "Collège de France published in 2011"


Journal ArticleDOI
18 Nov 2011-Science
TL;DR: The battery systems reviewed here include sodium-sulfur batteries that are commercially available for grid applications, redox-flow batteries that offer low cost, and lithium-ion batteries whose development for commercial electronics and electric vehicles is being applied to grid storage.
Abstract: The increasing interest in energy storage for the grid can be attributed to multiple factors, including the capital costs of managing peak demands, the investments needed for grid reliability, and the integration of renewable energy sources. Although existing energy storage is dominated by pumped hydroelectric, there is the recognition that battery systems can offer a number of high-value opportunities, provided that lower costs can be obtained. The battery systems reviewed here include sodium-sulfur batteries that are commercially available for grid applications, redox-flow batteries that offer low cost, and lithium-ion batteries whose development for commercial electronics and electric vehicles is being applied to grid storage.

11,144 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
28 Apr 2011-Neuron
TL;DR: Converging neuroimaging and neurophysiological data point to objective neural measures of conscious access: late amplification of relevant sensory activity, long-distance cortico-cortical synchronization at beta and gamma frequencies, and "ignition" of a large-scale prefronto-parietal network.

1,736 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Cobalt has emerged in the past five years as the most versatile non-noble metal for the development of synthetic H( 2)- and O(2)-evolving catalysts, which can be further coupled with photosensitizers to generate photocatalytic systems for light-induced hydrogen evolution from water.
Abstract: The future of energy supply depends on innovative breakthroughs regarding the design of cheap, sustainable, and efficient systems for the conversion and storage of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy. The production of hydrogen, a fuel with remarkable properties, through sunlight-driven water splitting appears to be a promising and appealing solution. While the active sites of enzymes involved in the overall water-splitting process in natural systems, namely hydrogenases and photosystem II, use iron, nickel, and manganese ions, cobalt has emerged in the past five years as the most versatile non-noble metal for the development of synthetic H(2)- and O(2)-evolving catalysts. Such catalysts can be further coupled with photosensitizers to generate photocatalytic systems for light-induced hydrogen evolution from water.

1,161 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The description and discussion of the major applications of hybrid inorganic-organic (or biologic) materials are the major topic of this critical review.
Abstract: Today cross-cutting approaches, where molecular engineering and clever processing are synergistically coupled, allow the chemist to tailor complex hybrid systems of various shapes with perfect mastery at different size scales, composition, functionality, and morphology. Hybrid materials with organic–inorganic or bio–inorganic character represent not only a new field of basic research but also, via their remarkable new properties and multifunctional nature, hybrids offer prospects for many new applications in extremely diverse fields. The description and discussion of the major applications of hybrid inorganic–organic (or biologic) materials are the major topic of this critical review. Indeed, today the very large set of accessible hybrid materials span a wide spectrum of properties which yield the emergence of innovative industrial applications in various domains such as optics, micro-electronics, transportation, health, energy, housing, and the environment among others (526 references).

1,159 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, Na2Ti3O7 is found to reversibly uptake 2 Na ions per formula unit (200 mA h/g) at an average potential of 0.3 V and is hence a very promising negative electrode material for building sodium ion bat...
Abstract: Na2Ti3O7 is found to reversibly uptake 2 Na ions per formula unit (200 mA h/g) at an average potential of 0.3 V and is hence a very promising negative electrode material for building sodium ion bat...

726 citations


Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: The Course Bachelier 2009 as discussed by the authors was inspired from a course inspired by the work of Jean-Michel Lasry, and the course was based upon the articles of the three authors and upon unpublished materials they developed.
Abstract: This text is inspired from a “Cours Bachelier” held in January 2009 and taught by Jean-Michel Lasry. This course was based upon the articles of the three authors and upon unpublished materials they developed. Proofs were not presented during the conferences and are now available. So are some issues that were only rapidly tackled during class.

479 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Simultaneous EEE- magnetoencephalographic recordings verify the predictions of hierarchical predictive coding hypothesis and suggest that higher-order predictions appear to be generated in multiple areas of frontal and associative cortices.
Abstract: According to hierarchical predictive coding models, the cortex constantly generates predictions of incoming stimuli at multiple levels of processing. Responses to auditory mismatches and omissions are interpreted as reflecting the prediction error when these predictions are violated. An alternative interpretation, however, is that neurons passively adapt to repeated stimuli. We separated these alternative interpretations by designing a hierarchical auditory novelty paradigm and recording human EEG and magnetoencephalographic (MEG) responses to mismatching or omitted stimuli. In the crucial condition, participants listened to frequent series of four identical tones followed by a fifth different tone, which generates a mismatch response. Because this response itself is frequent and expected, the hierarchical predictive coding hypothesis suggests that it should be cancelled out by a higher-order prediction. Three consequences ensue. First, the mismatch response should be larger when it is unexpected than when it is expected. Second, a perfectly monotonic sequence of five identical tones should now elicit a higher-order novelty response. Third, omitting the fifth tone should reveal the brain's hierarchical predictions. The rationale here is that, when a deviant tone is expected, its omission represents a violation of two expectations: a local prediction of a tone plus a hierarchically higher expectation of its deviancy. Thus, such an omission should induce a greater prediction error than when a standard tone is expected. Simultaneous EEE- magnetoencephalographic recordings verify those predictions and thus strongly support the predictive coding hypothesis. Higher-order predictions appear to be generated in multiple areas of frontal and associative cortices.

431 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
20 Jan 2011-Nature
TL;DR: Molecular dynamics simulations, performed on the wild type (WT) and two GLIC mutants, highlight differences in mobility of propofol in its binding site and help to explain these effects, and provide a novel structural framework for the design of general anaesthetics and of allosteric modulators of brain pLGICs.
Abstract: General anaesthetics have enjoyed long and widespread use but their molecular mechanism of action remains poorly understood. There is good evidence that their principal targets are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) such as inhibitory GABA(A) (γ-aminobutyric acid) receptors and excitatory nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are respectively potentiated and inhibited by general anaesthetics. The bacterial homologue from Gloeobacter violaceus (GLIC), whose X-ray structure was recently solved, is also sensitive to clinical concentrations of general anaesthetics. Here we describe the crystal structures of the complexes propofol/GLIC and desflurane/GLIC. These reveal a common general-anaesthetic binding site, which pre-exists in the apo-structure in the upper part of the transmembrane domain of each protomer. Both molecules establish van der Waals interactions with the protein; propofol binds at the entrance of the cavity whereas the smaller, more flexible, desflurane binds deeper inside. Mutations of some amino acids lining the binding site profoundly alter the ionic response of GLIC to protons, and affect its general-anaesthetic pharmacology. Molecular dynamics simulations, performed on the wild type (WT) and two GLIC mutants, highlight differences in mobility of propofol in its binding site and help to explain these effects. These data provide a novel structural framework for the design of general anaesthetics and of allosteric modulators of brain pLGICs.

406 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ is shown to be a new bright red UV excited long-lasting phosphor potentially suitable for in vivo imaging due to its 650 nm-750 nm emission range.
Abstract: ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ is shown to be a new bright red UV excited long-lasting phosphor potentially suitable for in vivo imaging due to its 650 nm-750 nm emission range. Photoluminescence and X-ray excited radioluminescence show the 2E → 4A2 emission lines of both ideal Cr3+ and Cr3+ distorted by a neighboring antisite defect while long-lasting phosphorescence (LLP) and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) almost exclusively occur via distorted Cr3+. The most intense LLP is obtained with a nominal Zn deficiency and is related to a TSL peak at 335K. A mechanism for LLP and TSL is proposed, whereby the antisite defect responsible for the distortion at Cr3+ acts as a deep trap.

346 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The major advances in the field of the designed construction of hierarchically structured porous inorganic or hybrid materials wherein multiscale texturation is obtained via the combination of aerosol or spray processing with sol-gel chemistry, self-assembly and multiple templating are the topic of this review.
Abstract: The major advances in the field of the designed construction of hierarchically structured porous inorganic or hybrid materials wherein multiscale texturation is obtained via the combination of aerosol or spray processing with sol-gel chemistry, self-assembly and multiple templating are the topic of this review. The available materials span a very large set of structures and chemical compositions (silicates, aluminates, transition metal oxides, nanocomposites including metallic or chalcogenides nanoparticles, hybrid organic-inorganic, biohybrids). The resulting materials are manifested as powders or smart coatings via aerosol-directed writing combine the intrinsic physical and chemical properties of the inorganic or hybrid matrices with defined multiscale porous networks having a tunable pore size and connectivity, high surface area and accessibility. Indeed the combination of soft chemical routes and spray processing provides "a wind of change" in the field of "advanced materials". These strategies give birth to a promising family of innovative materials with many actual and future potential applications in various domains such as catalysis, sensing, photonic and microelectronic devices, nano-ionics and energy, functional coatings, biomaterials, multifunctional therapeutic carriers, and microfluidics, among others.

326 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This critical review proposes to present the different structures of titanium oxo-clusters referenced in the literature and the different strategies followed to build up hybrid materials with these versatile building units.
Abstract: Titanium oxo-clusters, well-defined monodispersed nano-objects, are appropriate nano-building blocks for the preparation of organic–inorganic materials by a bottom up approach. This critical review proposes to present the different structures of titanium oxo-clusters referenced in the literature and the different strategies followed to build up hybrid materials with these versatile building units. In particular, this critical review cites and reports on the most important papers in the literature, concentrating on recent developments in the field of synthesis, characterization, and the use of titanium oxo-clusters for the construction of advanced hybrid materials (137 references).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a two-stage model of hippocampal activity is proposed, where during active behavior, hippocampal neurons burst synchronously, constituting sharp waves, which can propagate to other structures, theoretically supporting memory consolidation.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work pushes the potential to 3.90 V in a new polyanionic material that crystallizes in the triplite structure by substituting as little as 5 atomic per cent of Mn for Fe in Li(Fe(1-δ)Mn(δ))SO₄F, the highest voltage reported so far for the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ redox couple.
Abstract: Increasing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries is crucial for consumer electronics and electric-vehicle applications. A polyanionic material that crystallizes in the triplite structure by substituting 5at.% of Mn for Fe in a fluorosulphate material now exhibits an enhanced potential of 3.90 V for the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox couple.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Bismuth-based oxides have attractive photocatalytic properties under visible light and a better understanding of the origin of that good photocatalysis activity should allow its control and its optimi...
Abstract: Bismuth-based oxides have attractive photocatalytic properties under visible light. A better understanding of the origin of that good photocatalytic activity should allow its control and its optimi...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review highlights the recent achievements on light‐driven water oxidation and hydrogen production by molecular catalysts and sheds light on the perspectives in terms of implementation into water splitting technological devices.
Abstract: Photosynthesis has been for many years a fascinating source of inspiration for the development of model systems able to achieve efficient light-to-chemical energetic transduction. This field of research, called "artificial photosynthesis," is currently the subject of intense interest, driven by the aim of converting solar energy into the carbon-free fuel hydrogen through the light-driven water splitting. In this review, we highlight the recent achievements on light-driven water oxidation and hydrogen production by molecular catalysts and we shed light on the perspectives in terms of implementation into water splitting technological devices.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A concise classification of 3d and 4d transition-metal oxides is proposed within which the ubiquitous occurrence of strong correlations in Ru- and Cr-based oxides, as well as the recently measured high Néel temperatures in Tc-based perovskites are naturally explained.
Abstract: We show that in multiband metals the correlations are strongly affected by Hund's rule coupling, which depending on the filling promotes metallic, insulating or bad-metallic behavior. The quasiparticle coherence and the proximity to a Mott insulator are influenced distinctly and, away from single- and half-filling, in opposite ways. A strongly correlated bad metal far from a Mott phase is found there. We propose a concise classification of $3d$ and $4d$ transition-metal oxides within which the ubiquitous occurrence of strong correlations in Ru- and Cr-based oxides, as well as the recently measured high N\'eel temperatures in Tc-based perovskites are naturally explained.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: During slow wave sleep and quiet wakefulness, the hippocampus generates high frequency field oscillations (ripples) during which pyramidal neurons replay previous waking activity in a temporally compressed manner and reactivated firing patterns occur within shorter time windows propitious for synaptic plasticity within the hippocampal network and in downstream neocortical structures.

Journal ArticleDOI
03 Nov 2011-Langmuir
TL;DR: This work proposes a broad reaction scheme and shows that, through HTC, it is possible to tune the furan-to-arene ratio composing the aromatic core of the produced HTC carbons, which is not possible if calcination is used alone, in the temperature range below 350 °C.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to better describe the structure of the hydrothermal carbon (HTC) process and put it in relationship with the more classical pyrolytic carbons. Indeed, despite the low energetic impact and the number of applications described so far for HTC, very little is known about the structure, reaction mechanism, and the way these materials relate to coals. Are HTC and calcination processes equivalent? Are the structures of the processed materials related to each other in any way? Which is the extent of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) inside HTC? In this work, the effect of hydrothermal treatment and pyrolysis are compared on glucose, a good model carbohydrate; a detailed single-quantum double-quantum (SQ-DQ) solid state 13C NMR study of the HTC and calcined HTC is used to interpret the spectral region corresponding to the signal of furanic and arene groups. These data are compared to the spectroscopic signatures of calcined glucose, starch, and xylose. A semiquantitative analysis of t...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The combination of a bioinspired molecular approach with nanochemical tools, through the covalent attachment of mimics 3] of the active site of hydrogenase enzymes onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs), results in a noblemetal-free electrocatalytic nanomaterial with low overpotential and exceptional stability for H2 evolution or uptake.
Abstract: Hydrogen production through the reduction of water appears to be a very attractive solution for the long-term storage of renewable energy. However, economically viable processes require platinum-free catalysts, since this expensive and scarce metal is not a sustainable resource. We recently showed that the combination of a bioinspired molecular approach with nanochemical tools, through the covalent attachment of mimics 3] of the active site of hydrogenase enzymes onto carbon nanotubes (CNTs), results in a noblemetal-free electrocatalytic nanomaterial with low overpotential and exceptional stability for H2 evolution or uptake. [4,5] In this initial study, we used the electroreduction of a diazonium salt to decorate multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) deposited on the electrode support with a polyphenylene layer bearing amino groups. These amino groups were then used to attach an activated ester derivative [Ni(P2N Ar 2)2] 2+

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The G– quadruplex structure is necessary and sufficient for the potent and fast localization of mRNAs in cortical neurites and this occurs in a metabotropic glutamate receptor‐responsive manner, and G–quadruplex seems to be a common neurite localization signal.
Abstract: Targeting of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in neuron processes relies on cis-acting regulatory elements, the nature of which is poorly understood. Here, we report that approximately 30% of the best-known dendritic mRNAs contain a guanine (G)–quadruplex consensus in their 3′-untranslated region. Among these mRNAs, we show by using RNA structure probing that a G–quadruplex is present in the mRNAs of two key postsynaptic proteins: PSD-95 and CaMKIIa. The G–quadruplex structure is necessary and sufficient for the potent and fast localization of mRNAs in cortical neurites and this occurs in a metabotropic glutamate receptor-responsive manner. Thus, G–quadruplex seems to be a common neurite localization signal.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that Cdkal1 is a mammalian methylthiotransferase that biosynthesizes 2-methylthio-N6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine (ms2t6A) in tRNA(Lys)(UUU) and that it is required for the accurate translation of AAA and AAG codons.
Abstract: The worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), which is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, is increasing. With regard to genetic factors, variations in the gene encoding Cdk5 regulatory associated protein 1–like 1 (Cdkal1) have been associated with an impaired insulin response and increased risk of T2D across different ethnic populations, but the molecular function of this protein has not been characterized. Here, we show that Cdkal1 is a mammalian methylthiotransferase that biosynthesizes 2-methylthio-N6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine (ms2t6A) in tRNALys(UUU) and that it is required for the accurate translation of AAA and AAG codons. Mice with pancreatic β cell–specific KO of Cdkal1 (referred to herein as β cell KO mice) showed pancreatic islet hypertrophy, a decrease in insulin secretion, and impaired blood glucose control. In Cdkal1-deficient β cells, misreading of Lys codon in proinsulin occurred, resulting in a reduction of glucose-stimulated proinsulin synthesis. Moreover, expression of ER stress–related genes was upregulated in these cells, and abnormally structured ER was observed. Further, the β cell KO mice were hypersensitive to high fat diet–induced ER stress. These findings suggest that glucose-stimulated translation of proinsulin may require fully modified tRNALys(UUU), which could potentially explain the molecular pathogenesis of T2D in patients carrying cdkal1 risk alleles.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This critical review shows that diatoms can be a source of inspiration for the synthesis of advanced nanostructured biohybrids that offer new possibilities in the field of biotechnology and nanomedicine.
Abstract: This critical review shows that diatoms can be a source of inspiration for the synthesis of advanced nanostructured biohybrids. These single cell microalgae are living inside a porous silica shell called ‘frustule’. Mimicking this model, silica-based biohybrids have been produced via the so-called sol–gel process. Biomolecules such as proteins, enzymes or antibodies can be trapped within a silica matrix leading to hybrid biosensors and bioreactors. Whole cells remain viable and retain their metabolic activity leading to the formation of living biohybrids that offer new possibilities in the field of biotechnology and nanomedicine. Diatom frustules exhibit an incredible variety of sophisticated shapes; they can be used as 3D hierarchically structured materials for the realization of sensors, photonic devices or microfluidics. They can also be a model for the bio-templated synthesis of nanostructured materials. Diatom nanotechnology is becoming a new field of research where biologists and materials scientists are working together! (125 references)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: De novo induction of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor–like growth factor in intrinsic glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes) from both mice and humans with RPGN is shown and targeting the HB-EGF–EGFR pathway could also be beneficial in treatment of human RPGN.
Abstract: Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a life-threatening clinical syndrome and a morphological manifestation of severe glomerular injury that is marked by a proliferative histological pattern ('crescents') with accumulation of T cells and macrophages and proliferation of intrinsic glomerular cells. We show de novo induction of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in intrinsic glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes) from both mice and humans with RPGN. HB-EGF induction increases phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, also known as ErbB1) in mice with RPGN. In HB-EGF-deficient mice, EGFR activation in glomeruli is absent and the course of RPGN is improved. Autocrine HB-EGF induces a phenotypic switch in podocytes in vitro. Conditional deletion of the Egfr gene from podocytes of mice alleviates the severity of RPGN. Likewise, pharmacological blockade of EGFR also improves the course of RPGN, even when started 4 d after the induction of experimental RPGN. This suggests that targeting the HB-EGF-EGFR pathway could also be beneficial in treatment of human RPGN.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Recent advances in the understanding of the biology of the human NLR proteins and their non-pathogen-recognition function in tissue homeostasis, apoptosis, graft-versus-host disease and early development are discussed.
Abstract: The last 10 years have witnessed the identification of a new class of intracellular pattern-recognition molecules—the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat–containing family (NLR). Members of this family garnered interest as pattern-recognition receptors able to trigger inflammatory responses against pathogens. Many studies support a pathogen-recognition function for human NLR proteins and shed light on their role in the broader control of adaptive immunity and various disease states. Other evidence suggests that NLRs function in processes unrelated to pathogen detection. Here we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the biology of the human NLR proteins and their non-pathogen-recognition function in tissue homeostasis, apoptosis, graft-versus-host disease and early development.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review has attempted to consider the daily symbiosis with the microbiota, an ensemble of symbiotic microorganisms engaged in a commensal, and for some of them mutualistic, interaction from the host angle.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a general gauge invariant formalism for defining cosmological averages that are relevant for observations based on light-like signals is presented, which involve either null hypersurfaces corresponding to a family of past light-cones or compact surfaces given by their intersection with timelike hypersurface.
Abstract: We present a general gauge invariant formalism for defining cosmological averages that are relevant for observations based on light-like signals. Such averages involve either null hypersurfaces corresponding to a family of past light-cones or compact surfaces given by their intersection with timelike hypersurfaces. Generalized Buchert-Ehlers commutation rules for derivatives of these light-cone averages are given. After introducing some adapted "geodesic light-cone" coordinates, we give explicit expressions for averaging the redshift to luminosity-distance relation and the so-called "redshift drift" in a generic inhomogeneous Universe.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The electronic structure of Sr(2)RuO(4) is calculated, treating correlations within dynamical mean-field theory and explaining the key properties of this material: the anisotropic mass renormalization of quasiparticles and the crossover into an incoherent regime above a low temperature scale.
Abstract: We calculate the electronic structure of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{RuO}}_{4}$, treating correlations within dynamical mean-field theory. The approach successfully reproduces several experimental results and explains the key properties of this material: the anisotropic mass renormalization of quasiparticles and the crossover into an incoherent regime above a low temperature scale. While the orbital differentiation originates from the proximity of the van Hove singularity, strong correlations are caused by the Hund's coupling. The generality of this mechanism for other correlated materials is pointed out.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Robo4-UNC5B signaling maintains vascular integrity by counteracting VEGF signaling in endothelial cells, identifying a novel function of guidance receptor interactions in the vasculature.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This themed issue of Chemical Society Reviews reviews recent progress made in hybrid materials science and highlights the academic and industrial importance of the field.
Abstract: This themed issue of Chemical Society Reviews reviews recent progress made in hybrid materials science. Guest editors Clement Sanchez, Susumu Kitagawa and Ken Shea introduce the issue and the academic and industrial importance of the field.