Spatiotemporal control of kinases and the biomolecular tools to trace activity.

The delicate balance of cell physiology is implicitly tied to the expression and activation of proteins. Post-translational modifications offer a tool to dynamically switch protein activity on and off to orchestrate a wide range of protein-protein interactions to tune signal transduction during cellular homeostasis and pathological responses. There is a growing acknowledgment that subcellular locations of kinases define the spatial network of potential scaffolds, adaptors, and substrates.

Experimentally probing the stability of thin-shell structures under pure bending.

This paper studies the stability of space structures consisting of longitudinal, open-section thin-shells transversely connected by thin rods subjected to a pure bending moment. Localization of deformation, which plays a paramount role in the nonlinear post-buckling regime of these structures and is extremely sensitive to imperfections, is investigated through probing experiments. As the structures are bent, a probe locally displaces the edge of the thin shells, creating local dimple imperfections.

Effective degradation of organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers in coastal sediments under high urban pressure.

Empirical evidence of the effective degradation at environmentally relevant conditions of organophosphate esters (OPEs) flame retardants and plasticizers in coastal sediments from an impacted area in the NW Mediterranean Sea is provided. Half-lives varied from 23.3 to 77.

Synergistic Protection against Secondary Pneumococcal Infection by Human Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Distinct Epitopes.

persists as a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia despite the widespread use of polysaccharide-based vaccines. The limited serotype coverage of current vaccines has led to increased incidence of nonvaccine serotypes, as well as an increase in antibiotic resistance among these serotypes. Pneumococcal infection often follows a primary viral infection such as influenza virus, which hinders host defense and results in bacterial spread to the lungs.

The Pre-Existing Human Antibody Repertoire to Computationally Optimized Influenza H1 Hemagglutinin Vaccines.

Computationally optimized broadly reactive Ag (COBRA) hemagglutinin (HA) immunogens have previously been generated for several influenza subtypes to improve vaccine-elicited Ab breadth. As nearly all individuals have pre-existing immunity to influenza viruses, influenza-specific memory B cells will likely be recalled upon COBRA HA vaccination. We determined the epitope specificity and repertoire characteristics of pre-existing human B cells to H1 COBRA HA Ags.

Structural basis for ultrapotent antibody-mediated neutralization of human metapneumovirus.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a leading cause of morbidity and hospitalization among children worldwide, however, no vaccines or therapeutics are currently available for hMPV disease prevention and treatment. The hMPV fusion (F) protein is the sole target of neutralizing antibodies. To map the immunodominant epitopes on the hMPV F protein, we isolated a panel of human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and the mAbs were assessed for binding avidity, neutralization potency, and epitope specificity.

Impact of γ-rays Irradiation on Hybrid TiO-SiO Sol-Gel Films Doped with RHODAMINE 6G.

In the present paper, we investigate how the optical and structural properties, in particular the observed photoluminescence (PL) of photocurable and organic-inorganic TiO-SiO sol-gel films doped with Rhodamine 6G (R6G) are affected by γ-rays. For this, four luminescent films, firstly polymerized with UV photons (365 nm), were submitted to different accumulated doses of 50 kGy, 200 kGy, 500 kGy and 1 MGy while one sample was kept as a reference and unirradiated. The PL, recorded under excitations at 365 nm, 442 nm and 488 nm clearly evidences that a strong signal peaking at 564 nm is still largely present in the γ-irradiated samples.

Photocrosslinking and photopatterning of magneto-optical nanocomposite sol-gel thin film under deep-UV irradiation.

This paper is aimed at investigating the process of photocrosslinking under Deep-UV irradiation of nanocomposite thin films doped with cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). This material is composed of a hybrid sol-gel matrix in which MNP can be introduced with high concentrations up to 20 vol%. Deep-UV (193 nm) is not only interesting for high-resolution patterning but we also show an efficient photopolymerization pathway even in the presence of high concentration of MNPs.

Broadly Reactive Human Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the Pneumococcal Histidine Triad Protein Protect against Fatal Pneumococcal Infection.

remains a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia despite the widespread use of vaccines. While vaccines are effective at reducing the incidence of most serotypes included in vaccines, a rise in infection due to nonvaccine serotypes and moderate efficacy against some vaccine serotypes have contributed to high disease incidence. Additionally, numerous isolates of are antibiotic or multidrug resistant.

Environmental occurrence of phthalate and organophosphate esters in sediments across the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea).

Seven phthalate (PAEs) and nine organophosphate esters (OPEs) were measured in surface sediments across the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea) at twelve stations characterized by different anthropogenic signatures. ∑PAEs and ∑OPEs concentrations ranged from 2 to 766 ng/g DW (av. 196 ng/g DW) and from 4 to 227 ng/g DW (av.

Comparison between the UV and X-ray Photosensitivities of Hybrid TiO-SiO Thin Layers.

The photo-induced effects on sol-gel-based organo TiO-SiO thin layers deposited by the dip-coating technique have been investigated using two very different light sources: A light-emitting diode (LED) emitting in the UV (at 365 nm, 3.4 eV) and an X-ray tube producing 40 keV mean-energy photons. The impact of adding a photo-initiator (2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone-DMPA) on the sol-gel photosensitivity is characterized namely in terms of the photo-induced refractive index measured through M-line spectroscopy.

Longitudinal magneto-optical effect enhancement with high transmission through a 1D all-dielectric resonant guided mode grating.

A significant enhancement of the longitudinal magneto-optical effect is demonstrated numerically and experimentally in transmission, and for small angles of incidence, through a subwavelength resonant structure consisting of a dielectric grating on top of a magneto-optical waveguide. The enhanced polarization rotation is associated with a high transmittance. These low footprint devices may thus be suitable for applications like magnetic field sensors or in non-destructive testing.

Enhancement of Both Faraday and Kerr Effects with an All-Dielectric Grating Based on a Magneto-Optical Nanocomposite Material.

We report on the design, fabrication, and characterization of an all-dielectric one-dimensional (1D) resonant device formed by a silicon nitride grating impregnated by a low-index magneto-optical silica-type matrix. This impregnation is realized through the dipping of the 966 nm periodic template in a sol-gel solution previously doped with CoFeO nanoparticles, and able to fill the grating slits. By a proper adjustment of the geometrical parameters of such a photonic crystal membrane, simultaneous excitation of transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarization resonances is nearly achieved at 1570 nm.

Influence of Minor Cr Additions on Crystal Growth in Rapidly Solidified Al-20Zn Alloys.

It has been discovered quite recently that Icosahedral Short-Range Order (ISRO) of atoms in the liquid phase of metallic alloys surrounding some trace elements added to the melt can influence both the nucleation and growth of the primary phase. In this work, Al-20wt.%Zn alloys without and with 0.

Temporal variability of benthic-pelagic coupling in shallow enclosed environment: A case study with eutrophying shrimp ponds.

The evolution of benthic pelagic coupling was followed in two semi-intensive shrimp ponds in New Caledonia, with a special emphasis on the role of microphytobenthos (MPB). Three distinct periods could be identified. During the first period, MPB activity led to relative decoupling between the water column and the sediment, both compartments being autotrophic with low nutrients exchanges.

Seasonal distributions and migrations of Northwest Atlantic swordfish: inferences from integration of pop-up satellite archival tagging studies.

Data sets from three laboratories conducting studies of movements and migrations of Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) using pop-up satellite archival tags were pooled, and processed using a common methodology. From 78 available deployments, 38 were selected for detailed examination based on deployment duration. The points of deployment ranged from southern Newfoundland to the Straits of Florida.

Meta-analytic findings of the relation between maternal prenatal stress and anxiety and child cognitive outcome.

Objective: Different studies have revealed mixed findings regarding the relation between maternal prenatal stress or anxiety (MPSA) and early child cognitive outcome. Different methodological considerations may be linked to the absence of clear support for this hypothesized link. The purpose of this article was to conduct a meta-analysis of this relation while considering the following as potential moderators: (1) pregnancy trimester during which MPSA was assessed, (2) type of MPSA assessment (life events, pregnancy related, subjective assessments), and (3) research design (retrospective or prospective).

Foraging in the darkness of the Southern Ocean: influence of bioluminescence on a deep diving predator.

How non-echolocating deep diving marine predators locate their prey while foraging remains mostly unknown. Female southern elephant seals (SES) (Mirounga leonina) have vision adapted to low intensity light with a peak sensitivity at 485 nm. This matches the wavelength of bioluminescence produced by a large range of marine organisms including myctophid fish, SES's main prey.

Lost in space? Searching for directions in the spatial modelling of individuals, populations and species ranges.

The workshop 'Spatial models in animal ecology, management and conservation' held at Silwood Park (UK), 9-11 March 2010, aimed to synthesize recent progress in modelling the spatial dynamics of individuals, populations and species ranges and to provide directions for research. It brought together marine and terrestrial researchers working on spatial models at different levels of organization, using empirical as well as theory-driven approaches. Different approaches, temporal and spatial scales, and practical constraints predominate at different levels of organization and in different environments.

[The factors facilitating and constraining the continuation of breastfeeding in women in Estrie (Quebec)].

Objective: To document breastfeeding rates from birth to six months as well as the factors facilitating and constraining the continuation of breastfeeding in women in the Eastern Townships of Quebec and to compare these to the results obtained in 1999.

Method: Postal questionnaire sent to 374 mothers who had breastfed and analysis of archival data.

Results: Breastfeeding rates were 86.

First report on azaspiracid and yessotoxin groups detection in French shellfish.

The French Phytoplankton and Phycotoxins monitoring network (REPHY) recently found positive or dubious negative shellfish samples using lipophilic toxins mouse bioassay. These samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC) in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) to detect the following toxins: okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxins (DTXs), pectenotoxins (PTXs), azaspiracids (AZAs), yessotoxins (YTXs), spirolides (SPXs) and gymnodimines (GYMs). Over the 2006-2007 period, chemical analyses revealed various lipophilic toxin profiles according to shellfish sampling locations.

Report on the first detection of pectenotoxin-2, spirolide-a and their derivatives in French shellfish.

In the context of the French Phytoplankton and Phycotoxins Monitoring Network (REPHY) programme, shellfish samples were harvested from different locations where harmful algae blooms were known to have occurred. For all shellfish samples found positive by the mouse bioassay for diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins, liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) was used to search for the following lipophilic toxins: okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxins (DTXs), pectenotoxins (PTXs), azaspiracids (AZAs), yessotoxins (YTXs), spirolides (SPXs) and gymnodimines (GYMs). In order to investigate the presence of acyl-OAs and/or acyl-DTX-1,-2 (DTX-3), alkaline hydrolysis was performed on all samples, and LC/MS analyses were carried out on the samples before and after hydrolysis.