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Showing papers by "Pierre-and-Marie-Curie University published in 2004"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a 2° resolution global climatology of the mixed layer depth (MLD) based on individual profiles is constructed and a new global seasonal estimation of barrier layer thickness is also provided.
Abstract: [1] A new 2° resolution global climatology of the mixed layer depth (MLD) based on individual profiles is constructed. Previous global climatologies have been based on temperature or density-gridded climatologies. The criterion selected is a threshold value of temperature or density from a near-surface value at 10 m depth (ΔT = 0.2°C or Δσθ = 0.03 kg m−3). A validation of the temperature criterion on moored time series data shows that the method is successful at following the base of the mixed layer. In particular, the first spring restratification is better captured than with a more commonly used larger criteria. In addition, we show that for a given 0.2°C criterion, the MLD estimated from averaged profiles results in a shallow bias of 25% compared to the MLD estimated from individual profiles. A new global seasonal estimation of barrier layer thickness is also provided. An interesting result is the prevalence in mid- and high-latitude winter hemispheres of vertically density-compensated layers, creating an isopycnal but not mixed layer. Consequently, we propose an optimal estimate of MLD based on both temperature and density data. An independent validation of the maximum annual MLD with oxygen data shows that this oxygen estimate may be biased in regions of Ekman pumping or strong biological activity. Significant differences are shown compared to previous climatologies. The timing of the seasonal cycle of the mixed layer is shifted earlier in the year, and the maximum MLD captures finer structures and is shallower. These results are discussed in light of the different approaches and the choice of criterion.

2,345 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jul 2004-Nature
TL;DR: Analysis of chromosome maps and genome redundancies reveal that the different yeast lineages have evolved through a marked interplay between several distinct molecular mechanisms, including tandem gene repeat formation, segmental duplication, a massive genome duplication and extensive gene loss.
Abstract: Identifying the mechanisms of eukaryotic genome evolution by comparative genomics is often complicated by the multiplicity of events that have taken place throughout the history of individual lineages, leaving only distorted and superimposed traces in the genome of each living organism. The hemiascomycete yeasts, with their compact genomes, similar lifestyle and distinct sexual and physiological properties, provide a unique opportunity to explore such mechanisms. We present here the complete, assembled genome sequences of four yeast species, selected to represent a broad evolutionary range within a single eukaryotic phylum, that after analysis proved to be molecularly as diverse as the entire phylum of chordates. A total of approximately 24,200 novel genes were identified, the translation products of which were classified together with Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteins into about 4,700 families, forming the basis for interspecific comparisons. Analysis of chromosome maps and genome redundancies reveal that the different yeast lineages have evolved through a marked interplay between several distinct molecular mechanisms, including tandem gene repeat formation, segmental duplication, a massive genome duplication and extensive gene loss.

1,604 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Barrault et al. as discussed by the authors presented an efficient reduced-basis discretization procedure for partial differential equations with nonaffine parameter dependence, replacing non-affine coefficient functions with a collateral reducedbasis expansion, which then permits an affine offline-online computational decomposition.

1,265 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The unique regulation and activation properties of each SREBP isoform facilitate the co-ordinate regulation of lipid metabolism; however, further studies are needed to understand the detailed regulation pathways that specifically regulate each S REBP isoforms.

1,262 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Active oxygen species, which occurs during seed desiccation, germination and ageing, may lead to oxidative stress and cellular damage, resulting in seed deterioration, but cells are endowed with detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant compounds that scavenge AOS and participate in seed survival.
Abstract: Active oxygen species (AOS) are involved in various aspects of seed physiology. Their generation, which occurs during seed desiccation, germination and ageing, may lead to oxidative stress and cellular damage, resulting in seed deterioration. However, cells are endowed with detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant compounds that scavenge AOS and participate in seed survival. The detoxifying mechanisms play a key role in acquisition of desiccation tolerance of developing seeds, completion of seed germination and seed storability. However, AOS must also be regarded as molecules intervening in cellular signalling. They are involved in growth processes occurring at early embryogenesis during seed development, and participate in the mechanisms underlying radicle protrusion during seed germination. AOS might also have a regulatory function in the changes in gene expression during seed development, dormancy and germination. Their interplay with other molecules, particularly with hormones such as abscisic acid, suggests that they should be considered as key components of an integrated signalling network involved in many aspects of seed physiology.

962 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Structural trends are deduced from the comparison of the vibrational spectra of the MDO phases investigated: birnessite, bixbyite, coronadite, groutite, hausmannite, hollandite, manganosite, pyrolusite, ramsdellite, romanechite, spinel, and todorokite.

789 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The problem of numerical accuracy in the calculation of vibrational frequencies of crystalline compounds from the hessian matrix is discussed with reference to α‐quartz (SiO2) as a case study and to the specific implementation in the CRYSTAL code.
Abstract: The problem of numerical accuracy in the calculation of vibrational frequencies of crystalline compounds from the hessian matrix is discussed with reference to alpha-quartz (SiO(2)) as a case study and to the specific implementation in the CRYSTAL code. The Hessian matrix is obtained by numerical differentiation of the analytical gradient of the energy with respect to the atomic positions. The process of calculating vibrational frequencies involves two steps: the determination of the equilibrium geometry, and the calculation of the frequencies themselves. The parameters controlling the truncation of the Coulomb and exchange series in Hartree-Fock, the quality of the grid used for the numerical integration of the Exchange-correlation potential in Density Functional Theory, the SCF convergence criteria, the parameters controlling the convergence of the optimization process as well as those controlling the accuracy of the numerical calculation of the Hessian matrix can influence the obtained vibrational frequencies to some extent. The effect of all these parameters is discussed and documented. It is concluded that with relatively economical computational conditions the uncertainty related to these parameters is smaller than 2-4 cm(-1). In the case of the Local Density Approximation scheme, comparison is possible with recent calculations performed with a Density Functional Perturbation Theory method and a plane-wave basis set.

777 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
J. Abraham1, Marco Aglietta, I. C. Aguirre, Michael Albrow2  +353 moreInstitutions (43)
01 May 2004
TL;DR: The first phase of the Pierre Auger Observatory has been completed and all of the sub-systems that will be used in the full instrument to be tested under field conditions as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Construction of the first stage of the Pierre Auger Observatory has begun. The aim of the Observatory is to collect unprecedented information about cosmic rays above 1018 eV. The first phase of the project, the construction and operation of a prototype system, known as the engineering array, has now been completed. It has allowed all of the sub-systems that will be used in the full instrument to be tested under field conditions. In this paper, the properties and performance of these sub-systems are described and their success illustrated with descriptions of some of the events recorded thus far. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

775 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In‐hospital mortality of patients with cirrhosis and variceal bleeding decreased threefold over the past two decades, in concurrence with an early and combined use of pharmacological and endoscopic therapies and short‐term antibiotic prophylaxis.

770 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a negative relationship between primary production and soil carbon (C) content is found, and the authors conclude that energy available to soil microbes and microbial competition are important determinants of soil C decomposition.
Abstract: It is commonly predicted that the intensity of primary production and soil carbon (C) content are positively linked. Paradoxically, many long-term field observations show that although plant litter is incorporated to soil in large quantities, soil C content does not necessarily increase. These results suggest that a negative relationship between C input and soil C conservation exists. Here, we demonstrate in controlled conditions that the supply of fresh C may accelerate the decomposition of soil C and induce a negative C balance. We show that soil C losses increase when soil microbes are nutrient limited. Results highlight the need for a better understanding of microbial mechanisms involved in the complex relationship between C input and soil C sequestration. We conclude that energy available to soil microbes and microbial competition are important determinants of soil C decomposition.

688 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
11 Nov 2004-Nature
TL;DR: It is shown here that the repulsive netrin receptor UNC5B is expressed by endothelial tip cells of the vascular system and functions as a repulsiveNetrin receptor in endothelial cells controlling morphogenesis of theascular system.
Abstract: Blood vessels and nerves are complex, branched structures that share a high degree of anatomical similarity. Guidance of vessels and nerves has to be exquisitely regulated to ensure proper wiring of both systems. Several regulators of axon guidance have been identified and some of these are also expressed in endothelial cells; however, the extent to which their guidance functions are conserved in the vascular system is still incompletely understood. We show here that the repulsive netrin receptor UNC5B is expressed by endothelial tip cells of the vascular system. Disruption of the Unc5b gene in mice, or of Unc5b or netrin-1a in zebrafish, leads to aberrant extension of endothelial tip cell filopodia, excessive vessel branching and abnormal navigation. Netrin-1 causes endothelial filopodial retraction, but only when UNC5B is present. Thus, UNC5B functions as a repulsive netrin receptor in endothelial cells controlling morphogenesis of the vascular system.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the spectral absorption coefficients of phytoplankton in oceanic waters were previously shown to vary with chlorophyll a concentration according to nonlinear relationships with a great deal of noise, and the authors analyzed this biological noise on a data set of 596 simultaneous absorption and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) pigment measurements acquired within the surface layer (first optical depth) from various regions of the world's oceans.
Abstract: [1] The spectral absorption coefficients of phytoplankton in oceanic waters were previously shown to vary with chlorophyll a concentration according to nonlinear relationships with a great deal of noise. We analyzed this biological noise on a data set of 596 simultaneous absorption and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) pigment measurements acquired within the surface layer (first optical depth) from various regions of the world's oceans. We observed systematic deviations from the average relationships for some oceanic areas and also seasonally within given areas. Using the detailed HPLC measurements, the influences of pigment composition and package effect (the two main sources of variability in algal absorption for a given chlorophyll a concentration) were explicitly separated for each sample. It was found that while the pigment composition experiences large variations, even within a restricted chlorophyll range, it is often not (at least within the first optical depth) the dominant source of the biological noise. Instead, these deviations mostly result from variability in the pigment packaging effect (for a given chlorophyll a concentration) due to variations in algal community size structure. This conclusion is fully confirmed by an independent approach, which consists of estimating a “size index” of algal populations from the relative concentrations of taxonomic pigments.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the seasonal cycles of algal biomass generally reveal a maximum in winter or spring, and a minimum in summer, and the seasonal evolution of primary production is predominantly influenced by that of alga biomass in the Western Basin with, in particular, a spring maximum.
Abstract: [1] Because the Mediterranean has been subject for several decades to increasing anthropogenic influences, monitoring algal biomass and primary production on a long-term basis is required to detect possible modifications in the biogeochemical equilibrium of the basin. This work was initiated thanks to a 4-year-long time series of SeaWiFS observations. Seasonal variations of algal biomass (estimated using a previously developed regional algorithm) and primary production were analyzed for the various regions, and compared with those estimated using the CZCS sensor (1978–1986). Also, interannual variations could be assessed for the first time. The seasonal cycles of algal biomass generally reveal a maximum in winter or spring, and a minimum in summer. Some conspicuous differences with CZCS observations (e.g., in the Northwest Basin, reduction of the deep convection zone, earlier start of the spring bloom, quasi-absence of the vernal bloom) likely result from environmental changes. Interannual variations in algal biomass are noticeable all over the basin, including in the very oligotrophic waters of the Eastern Basin. The seasonal evolution of primary production is predominantly influenced by that of algal biomass in the Western Basin (with, in particular, a spring maximum). In the Eastern Basin, the seasonal courses of PAR and biomass tend to compensate each other, and primary production varies weakly along the year. The annual values computed over the 1998–2001 period for the Western Basin (163 ± 7 gC m−2 yr−1) and the Eastern Basin (121 ± 5 gC m−2 yr−1) are lower (by 17 and 12%, respectively) than those previously derived (using the same light-photosynthesis model) from CZCS data.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The mTOR gene is disrupted and embryonic development of homozygous mTOR − / − mice appears to be arrested at E5.5; such embryos are severely runted and display an aberrant developmental phenotype, consistent with the inability to establish embryonic stem cells from mTOR +/ − embryos.
Abstract: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key component of a signaling pathway which integrates inputs from nutrients and growth factors to regulate cell growth. Recent studies demonstrated that mice harboring an ethylnitrosourea-induced mutation in the gene encoding mTOR die at embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5). However, others have shown that the treatment of E4.5 blastocysts with rapamycin blocks trophoblast outgrowth, suggesting that the absence of mTOR should lead to embryonic lethality at an earlier stage. To resolve this discrepancy, we set out to disrupt the mTOR gene and analyze the outcome in both heterozygous and homozygous settings. Heterozygous mTOR (mTOR(+/-)) mice do not display any overt phenotype, although mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from these mice show a 50% reduction in mTOR protein levels and phosphorylation of S6 kinase 1 T389, a site whose phosphorylation is directly mediated by mTOR. However, S6 phosphorylation, raptor levels, cell size, and cell cycle transit times are not diminished in these cells. In contrast to the situation in mTOR(+/-) mice, embryonic development of homozygous mTOR(-/-) mice appears to be arrested at E5.5; such embryos are severely runted and display an aberrant developmental phenotype. The ability of these embryos to implant corresponds to a limited level of trophoblast outgrowth in vitro, reflecting a maternal mRNA contribution, which has been shown to persist during preimplantation development. Moreover, mTOR(-/-) embryos display a lesion in inner cell mass proliferation, consistent with the inability to establish embryonic stem cells from mTOR(-/-) embryos.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The discovery and characterization of platinum nitride (PtN), the first binary nitride of the noble metals group, is reported, characterized by a very high Raman-scattering cross-section with easily observed second- and third-order Raman bands.
Abstract: There has been considerable interest in the synthesis of new nitrides because of their technological and fundamental importance. Although numerous metals react with nitrogen there are no known binary nitrides of the noble metals. We report the discovery and characterization of platinum nitride (PtN), the first binary nitride of the noble metals group. This compound can be formed above 45-50 GPa and temperatures exceeding 2,000 K, and is stable after quenching to room pressure and temperature. It is characterized by a very high Raman-scattering cross-section with easily observed second- and third-order Raman bands. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction shows that the new phase is cubic with a remarkably high bulk modulus of 372(+/-5) GPa.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The binding of small Tim proteins to Mia40 is crucial for their transport across the outer membrane and represents an initial step in their assembly into IMS complexes.
Abstract: Mitochondria import nuclear-encoded precursor proteins to four different subcompartments. Specific import machineries have been identified that direct the precursor proteins to the mitochondrial outer membrane, inner membrane or matrix, respectively. However, a machinery dedicated to the import of mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) proteins has not been found so far. We have identified the essential IMS protein Mia40 (encoded by the Saccharomyces cerevisiae open reading frame YKL195w). Mitochondria with a mutant form of Mia40 are selectively inhibited in the import of several small IMS proteins, including the essential proteins Tim9 and Tim10. The import of proteins to the other mitochondrial subcompartments does not depend on functional Mia40. The binding of small Tim proteins to Mia40 is crucial for their transport across the outer membrane and represents an initial step in their assembly into IMS complexes. We conclude that Mia40 is a central component of the protein import and assembly machinery of the mitochondrial IMS.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the Coulomb interaction is decomposed into long-range and short-range components, and the energy of a quantum electronic system is decomposed into long range and short range contributions.
Abstract: By splitting the Coulomb interaction into long-range and short-range components, we decompose the energy of a quantum electronic system into long-range and short-range contributions. We show that the long-range part of the energy can be efficiently calculated by traditional wave function methods, while the short-range part can be handled by a density functional. The analysis of this functional with respect to the range of the associated interaction reveals that, in the limit of a very short-range interaction, the short-range exchange-correlation energy can be expressed as a simple local functional of the on-top pair density and its first derivatives. This provides an explanation for the accuracy of the local density approximation (LDA) for the short-range functional. Moreover, this analysis leads also to new simple approximations for the short-range exchange and correlation energies improving the LDA.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The identification of rod-derived cone viability factor is a truncated thioredoxin-like protein specifically expressed by photoreceptors that offers new treatment possibilities for retinitis pigmentosa.
Abstract: Retinitis pigmentosa is an untreatable, inherited retinal disease that leads to blindness. The disease initiates with the loss of night vision due to rod photoreceptor degeneration, followed by irreversible, progressive loss of cone photoreceptor. Cone loss is responsible for the main visual handicap, as cones are essential for day and high-acuity vision. Their loss is indirect, as most genes associated with retinitis pigmentosa are not expressed by these cells. We previously showed that factors secreted from rods are essential for cone viability. Here we identified one such trophic factor by expression cloning and named it rod-derived cone viability factor (RdCVF). RdCVF is a truncated thioredoxin-like protein specifically expressed by photoreceptors. The identification of this protein offers new treatment possibilities for retinitis pigmentosa.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This retrospective European multicenter study presents the most extensive experience to date with BTA injections into thedetrusor muscle to treat neurogenic incontinence due to detrusor overactivity and confirms that this new treatment is safe and valuable.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors proposed a simple framework to unravel the dynamic and non-dynamic components of the cloud response to climate variations, which is used to analyze the contrasted response, to a prescribed ocean warming, of the tropically-averaged cloud radiative forcing (CRF) simulated by the ECMWF, LMD and UKMO climate models.
Abstract: Clouds are sensitive to changes in both the large-scale circulation and the thermodynamic structure of the atmosphere. In the tropics, temperature changes that occur on seasonal to decadal time scales are often associated with circulation changes. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the part of cloud variations that results from a change in the dynamics from the part that may result from the temperature change itself. This study proposes a simple framework to unravel the dynamic and non-dynamic (referred to as thermodynamic) components of the cloud response to climate variations. It is used to analyze the contrasted response, to a prescribed ocean warming, of the tropically-averaged cloud radiative forcing (CRF) simulated by the ECMWF, LMD and UKMO climate models. In each model, the dynamic component largely dominates the CRF response at the regional scale, but this is the thermodynamic component that explains most of the average CRF response to the imposed perturbation. It is shown that this component strongly depends on the behaviour of the low-level clouds that occur in regions of moderate subsidence (e.g. in the trade wind regions). These clouds exhibit a moderate sensitivity to temperature changes, but this is mostly their huge statistical weight that explains their large influence on the tropical radiation budget. Several propositions are made for assessing the sensitivity of clouds to changes in temperature and in large-scale motions using satellite observations and meteorological analyses on the one hand, and mesoscale models on the other hand.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Au/TiO 2 catalysts were prepared by deposition-precipitation with NaOH (DP NaOH) and urea (DP Urea) and calcined at various temperatures between 100 and 400°C as discussed by the authors.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: After interventions designed in response to drug-monitoring programs worldwide resulted in a reduction of more than 80 percent in the incidence of pure red-cell aplasia due to Eprex, the exposure-adjusted incidence decreased by 83 percent worldwide.
Abstract: Background Between 1988 and 1998, antibody-associated pure red-cell aplasia was reported in three patients who had undergone treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin). Between 1998 and 2000, 13 such cases were reported from France — 12 in patients who had received the Eprex formulation of epoetin alfa and 1 in a patient who had received Neorecormon (a formulation of epoetin beta); both are products that are marketed outside the United States. Methods We obtained reports of epoetin-associated pure red-cell aplasia from the Food and Drug Administration and from the manufacturers of Eprex, Epogen (another formulation of epoetin alfa), and Neorecormon. The numbers of case reports and estimates of exposure-adjusted incidence were analyzed according to the product, the cause of anemia, the route of administration, the country in which pure red-cell aplasia was identified, and the date on which pure red-cell aplasia was reported. Results Between January 1998 and April 2004, 175 cases of epoetin-a...

Journal ArticleDOI
02 Apr 2004-Planta
TL;DR: It is indicated that Cvi D and ND seeds can be easily distinguished by their ability to synthesize ABA following imbibition.
Abstract: Mature seeds of the Cape Verde Islands (Cvi) ecotype of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. show a very marked dormancy. Dormant (D) seeds completely fail to germinate in conditions that are favourable for germination whereas non-dormant (ND) seeds germinate easily. Cvi seed dormancy is alleviated by after-ripening, stratification, and also by nitrate or fluridone treatment. Addition of gibberellins to D seeds does not suppress dormancy efficiently, suggesting that gibberellins are not directly involved in the breaking of dormancy. Dormancy expression of Cvi seeds is strongly dependent on temperature: D seeds do not germinate at warm temperatures (20–27°C) but do so easily at a low temperature (13°C) or when a fluridone treatment is given to D seeds sown at high temperature. To investigate the role of abscisic acid (ABA) in dormancy release and maintenance, we measured the ABA content in both ND and D seeds imbibed using various dormancy-breaking conditions. It was found that dry D seeds contained higher amounts of ABA than dry ND after-ripened seeds. During early imbibition in standard conditions, there was a decrease in ABA content in both seeds, the rate of which was slower in D seeds. Three days after sowing, the ABA content in D seeds increased specifically and then remained at a high level. When imbibed with fluridone, nitrate or stratified, the ABA content of D seeds decreased and reached a level very near to that of ND seeds. In contrast, gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment caused a transient increase in ABA content. When D seeds were sown at low optimal temperature their ABA content also decreased to the level observed in ND seeds. The present study indicates that Cvi D and ND seeds can be easily distinguished by their ability to synthesize ABA following imbibition. Treatments used here to break dormancy reduced the ABA level in imbibed D seeds to the level observed in ND seeds, with the exception of GA3 treatment, which was active in promoting germination only when ABA synthesis was inhibited.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was shown that the most active strains produced polar metabolites which accumulated in the resins and asphaltene fractions which are highly resistant to microbial metabolism.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown here for the first time that reproduction decreases antioxidant defences, illustrating that oxidative stress represents a cost of reproduction and suggesting that increased susceptibility to oxidative stress might be a general proximal connection between reproduction and survival underlying other mechanistic links previously acknowledged.
Abstract: Carlos Alonso-Alvarez*, Sophie Bertrand, Godefroy Devevey, Josiane Prost, Bruno Faivre and Gabriele Sorci Laboratoire de Parasitologie Evolutive, CNRS UMR 7103, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, xquai St. Bernard, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France UMR CNRS 5561 BioGéo Sciences, Equipe Ecologie Evolutive, Université de Bourgogne, 6 Blvd Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France UPRES Lipides Nutrition, Université de Bourgogne, EA 2422, 6 Blvd Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France *Correspondence: E-mail: calonso@snv.jussieu.fr Abstract In iteroparous species high investment in current reproduction is usually paid in terms of reduced future reproduction and increased mortality. However, the proximal mechanisms of these costs remain poorly understood. Free radicals arising as by-products of normal metabolic activities have deleterious effects on cellular proteins, lipids and DNA, and this phenomenon is known as oxidative stress. Since reproduction is an energetically demanding activity, which increases both basal and field metabolic rates, one could expect that breeding effort generates an oxidative stress whose strength depends on the availability and efficiency of antioxidant defences. In agreement with this prediction, we show here for the first time that reproduction decreases antioxidant defences, illustrating that oxidative stress represents a cost of reproduction. We suggest that increased susceptibility to oxidative stress might be a general proximal connection between reproduction and survival underlying other mechanistic links previously acknowledged.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An abrupt transition of maghemite nanocrystal organization is shown from experiment from chain-like to random structures when nanoparticle solutions are evaporated under a magnetic field.
Abstract: The structure, thermodynamics and dynamics in many physical and chemical systems are determined by interplay of short-range isotropic and long-range anisotropic forces. Magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in solution are ideal model systems to study this interplay, as they are subjected to both isotropic van der Waals and anisotropic dipolar forces. Here we show from experiment an abrupt transition of maghemite nanocrystal organization from chain-like to random structures when nanoparticle solutions are evaporated under a magnetic field. This is explained by brownian dynamics simulations in terms of a variation of the strength of van der Waals interactions with the particle contact distance, which is tuned by the length of the molecules coating the particles. The weak dipole-dipole interactions between the maghemite particles are usually not sufficient to result in the chain formation observed here. However, due to the van der Waals interactions, when the nanocrystal contact distance is short enough, clusters of nanocrystals are formed during the evaporation process. These clusters exhibit large dipole moments compared with a single particle, which explains the formation of chain-like structures. Conversely, when the nanocrystal contact distance is too long, no nanocrystal aggregation occurs, and a random distribution of maghemite nanocrystals is obtained.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results indicate a strong relationship between adipocytokines and inflammatory markers, and suggest that cytokines secreted by adipose tissue in obese subjects could play a role in increased inflammatory proteins secretion by the liver.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: We assessed the relationships between four circulating acute phase proteins and the circulating and adipose tissue levels of three adipocytokines. SUBJECTS: In all, 15 nondiabetic obese women with a body mass index (BMI) above 32 kg/m2 were investigated. METHOD: Circulating concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha 1 acid glycoprotein (AAG), fibrinogen, alpha 1 antitrypsin and both circulating and adipose tissue levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and leptin were measured by either nephelometry or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We found a strong positive correlation between both circulating and adipose tissue levels of IL-6, TNFα and leptin and serum CRP levels. All these adipose tissue adipocytokines were also positively correlated with serum AAG levels. These correlations disappeared when adjusted for fat mass, suggesting that the relationship observed was dependent on fat amount. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a strong relationship between adipocytokines and inflammatory markers, and suggest that cytokines secreted by adipose tissue in obese subjects could play a role in increased inflammatory proteins secretion by the liver.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the postspinel transformation boundary in Mg2SiO4 was determined by combining quench technique with in situ pressure measurements, using multiple internal pressure standards including Au, MgO, and Pt.
Abstract: [1] We have determined the postspinel transformation boundary in Mg2SiO4 by combining quench technique with in situ pressure measurements, using multiple internal pressure standards including Au, MgO, and Pt. The experimentally determined boundary is in general agreement with previous in situ measurements in which the Au scale of Anderson et al. [1989] was used to calculate pressure: Using this pressure scale, it occurs at significantly lower pressures compared to that corresponding to the 660-km seismic discontinuity. In this study, we also report new experimental data on the transformation boundary determined using MgO as an internal standard. The results show that the transition boundary is located at pressures close to the 660-km discontinuity using the MgO pressure scale of Speziale et al. [2001] and can be represented by a linear equation, P(GPa) = 25.12 − 0.0013T(°C). The Clapeyron slope for the postspinel transition boundary is precisely determined and is significantly less negative than previous estimates. Our results, based on the MgO pressure scale, support the conventional hypothesis that the postspinel transformation is responsible for the observed 660-km seismic discontinuity.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: PEGASE-HR as discussed by the authors is a new stellar population synthesis program generating high resolution spectra (R = 10 000) over the optical range λλ = 400-680 nm.
Abstract: We present PEGASE-HR, a new stellar population synthesis program generating high resolution spectra (R = 10 000) over the optical range λλ = 400-680 nm. It links the spectro-photometric model of galaxy evolution PEGASE.2 (Fioc & Rocca-Volmerange 1997) to an updated version of the ELODIE library of stellar spectra observed with the 193 cm telescope at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence (Prugniel & Soubiran 2001a). The ELODIE star set gives a fairly complete coverage of the Hertzprung-Russell (HR) diagram and makes it possible to synthesize populations in the range (Fe/H) = − 2t o+0.4. This code is an exceptional tool for exploring signatures of metallicity, age, and kinematics. We focus on a detailed study of the sensitivity to age and metallicity of the high-resolution stellar absorption lines and of the classical metallic indices proposed until now to solve the age-metallicity degeneracy. Validity tests on several stellar lines are performed by comparing our predictions for Lick indices to the models of other groups. The comparison with the lower resolution library BaSeL (Lejeune et al. 1997) confirms the quality of the ELODIE library when used for single stellar populations (SSPs) from 10 7 to 2 × 10 10 yr. Predictions for the evolved populations of globular clusters and elliptical galaxies are given and compared to observational data. Two new high- resolution indices are proposed around the Hγ line. They should prove useful in the analysis of spectra from the new generation of telescopes and spectrographs.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The thiazolIdinedione anti-diabetic drugs increase endogenous adiponectin production in rodents and humans, supporting the Idea that the development of new drugs targeting adipokines might represent a promising therapeutic approach to protect obese patients from insulin resistance and atherosclerosis.