Physiologically in the brain, cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNalpha) are released by the immune system and can modulate neurological responses. Conversely, the central nervous system ...(CNS) is also able to modulate cytokine production. In the case of CNS disorders, cytokine release may be modified. Cerebral malaria (CM) is a complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection in humans and is characterized by a reversible encephalopathy with seizures and loss of consciousness. Central clinical signs are partly due to sequestration of parasitized red blood cells in the brain microvasculature due to interactions between parasite proteins and adhesion molecules. TNFalpha is produced and released by host cells following exposure to various malarial antigens. The increase of TNFalpha release is responsible for the overexpression of adhesion molecules. This article reviews the involvement of TNFalpha in cerebral malaria and the relation with all the processes involved in this pathology. It shows that (i). TNFalpha levels are increased in plasma and brain but with no clear correlation between TNFalpha levels and occurrence and severity of CM; (ii). TNFalpha is responsible for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 upregulation in CM, the relation being less clear for other adhesion molecules; (iii). TNFalpha receptors are upregulated in CM, with TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) showing a higher upregulation than TNFR1 in vivo; (iv). in murine CM, low doses of TNFalpha seem to protect from CM, whereas excess TNFalpha induces CM and anti-TNFalpha therapies (antibodies, pentoxifylline) did not show any efficiency in protection from CM. Moreover, the involvement of lymphotoxin a, which shares with TNFalpha the same receptors with similar affinity, appears to be an interesting target for further investigation.
We investigate Single-Event Transients (SET) in different designs of multiple-gate devices made of FinFETs with various geometries. Heavy ion experimental results are explained by using a thorough ...charge collection analysis of fast transients measured on dedicated test structures. Multi-level simulations are performed to get new insights into the charge collection mechanisms in multiple-gate devices. Implications for multiple-gate device design hardening are finally discussed.
Retention-detention basins are important structures for managing stormwater. However, their long-term operation raises the problem of managing the sediments they accumulate. Potential uses for such ...sediments have been envisaged, but each sediment must be characterised beforehand to verify its harmlessness. In this paper we address this issue through the development of a battery of bioassays specifically adapted to such sediments. We tested the method on samples taken from four retention basins in the region of Lyon (France). This battery focuses on the toxic effects linked to both the solid phase (ostracod and Microtox(®) solid-phase tests) and the liquid-phase (interstitial water) of sediments (rotifer and Microtox(®) liquid-phase tests). The results obtained permit the sorting of sediments presenting little toxicity, and which could therefore be potentially exploitable, from those from more polluted areas presenting higher toxicity that limits their use.
Infiltration techniques are now widely used to manage stormwater in urban areas. These techniques are used and recognized around the world for their many advantages, such as decreasing stormwater ...flow in sewer systems and recharging groundwater. But numerous cases of infiltration devices that failed after a few years of operation are still being reported. This study, which is based on site-monitoring of operational infiltration systems, is part of the Field Observatory for Urban Water Management (OTHU). The main goals of this study are to improve knowledge of long-term hydraulic behaviour, especially as concerns the clogging speed and the quality of the runoff. This article will present the site, the monitoring process and the model that will be used to assess the hydraulic behaviour. First results of the calibration of the model show that the model is able to assess the hydraulic behaviour of the basin when it is clogged (average value of hydraulic resistance 17.1 h) and when it has been scraped (hydraulic resistance less than 3.8 h). However, further data are needed in order to validate the model. We also show that the experimental setup is well designed to assess the water volume and the sediment brought to the basin with low uncertainties.
Introduction L’hypogonadisme hypogonadotrope congénital (HHC) est souvent secondaire à un déficit en GnRH. L’HHC peut être isolé, associé avec une anosmie (Kallmann (SK)) qui peut parfois s’intégrer ...dans des syndromes plus complexes. Le nombre de gènes responsables explose, mais de nombreux cas restent inexpliqués. Observation Nous rapportons le cas d’un patient avec SK associant un SG. Cette pathologie autosomique dominante qui associe principalement de multiples carcinomes basocellulaires, des kératokystes odontogènes des mâchoires et des calcifications ectopiques est liée à PTCH1 . Le patient présentait une anosmie, une cryptorchidie avec impubérisme, (LH : 0,1 ; FSH : 0,2 (UI/L), testostérone 0,5 ng/mL). Les autres fonctions hypophysaires étaient normales. L’atteinte gonadotrope hypothalamique a été démontrée par la reprise d’une sécrétion des gonadotrophines et de testostérone après administration pulsatile de GnRH. L’anosmie était associée à une absence de bulbes olfactifs à l’IRM. Une anosmie avec gorlin mais sans hypogonadisme, étaient présents, chez sa mère et son oncle maternel (coségrégation). Dans cette famille, une mutation de PTCH1 c.709G->A (protéine tronquée) a été retrouvée. Conclusion Malgré le SK associé, il n’a pas encore été mis en évidence de mutation des principaux gènes connus dans SK dans le cadre d’un possible oligogénisme. Des recherches génétiques sont en cours par des analyses par Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) et CGH array pour expliquer cette association originale. Celle-ci suggère une association entre ces deux syndromes qui pourrait s’expliquer par le rôle de PTCH1 au cours du développement. Une alternative serait l’existence d’un oligogénisme avec plusieurs gènes différents atteints pouvant rendre compte de ce tableau clinique complexe.
In this paper we show that on scaling nanowire width from 20 nm down to sub-7 nm regime, together with achieving excellent short channel effect control (DIBL = 12 mV/V for LG = 20 nm), we hit a ...dramatic transition in transport mechanism from monotonously increasing IDaVG of a FET to oscillating IDaVG of a Single Electron Transistor. This transition in transport mechanism is brought about by process induced channel potential variability. It poses a challenge to further scaling of nanowire MOSFETs. However, we show that it provides an exciting opportunity to cointegrate Single Electron Transistors with high-k/metal gate operating at room temperature (at VD = A-0.9 V) with the state-of-the-art nanowire MOSFETs enabling large scale manufacturing of Beyond Moore devices.
A backscattering model suitable for compact modeling of nanoscale MOSFET is developed within the Landauer flux-scattering theory. To describe the quasi-ballistic transport, a new backscattering model ...based on the accurate determination of ballistic and backscattering probabilities along the channel is developed. This model is based on a careful analysis of transport in device using Monte Carlo simulation. This model allows us to display the main physical quantities along the channel and to accurately describe the quasi-ballistic transport and its effects on current-voltage characteristics.
Accumulated sediments in a 32,000-m³ detention basin linked to a separate stormwater system were characterized in order to infer their health hazards. A sampling scheme of 15 points was defined ...according to the hydrological behaviour of the basin. Physical parameters (particle size and volatile organic matter content) were in the range of those previously reported for stormwater sediments. Chemical analyses on hydrocarbons, PAHs, PCBs and heavy metals showed high pollutant concentrations. Microbiological analyses of these points highlighted the presence of faecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci) and actinomycetes of the genus Nocardia. These are indicative of the presence of human pathogens. E. coli and enterococcal numbers in the sediments were higher at the proximity of the low-flow gutter receiving waters from the catchment. These bacteria appeared to persist over time among urban sediments. Samples highly contaminated by hydrocarbons were also shown to be heavily contaminated by these bacteria. These results demonstrated for the first time the presence of Nocardial actinomycetes in such an urban context with concentrations as high as 11,400 cfu g⁻¹.
In order to improve knowledge on stormwater biofiltration systems, the Facility for Advancing Water Biofiltration (FAWB) was created at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. One of the aims of ...FAWB is to improve hydraulic performance of biofilters, given that there are numerous cases of infiltration devices failing after a few years of operation. Experiments were conducted in the field to evaluate the performance of existing systems, and in the lab to understand the factors that influence hydraulic behavior over time. The field experiments show that 43% of tested systems are below nominal Australian guidelines for hydraulic conductivity. The preliminary lab results show a decrease in hydraulic conductivity during the first weeks of operation (mu=66% reduction), although most remain within acceptable limits. Influences of the size of the biofilter relative to its catchment and the importance of the type of media, on the evolution of hydraulic conductivity, are examined.
We report an experimental study of the carrier transport in 110-oriented long channel tri-gate (TG) and omega-gate (ΩG) silicon nanowire (SiNW) transistors cross-section down to 11nm×10nm. Electron ...and hole mobilities have been measured down to 20K to evaluate the contribution from the dominant scattering mechanisms. We have studied and discussed the influence of channel shape, channel width and strain effect on carrier mobility. In particular, we have shown that the transport properties are mainly driven by the relative contribution of the different inversion surfaces, without noticeable differences between TG and ΩGNWs. We have also demonstrated the effectiveness of an additional uniaxial tensile strain in NMOS NWs down to 10nm width.
