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Water resources management relies on the use of hydrometric data collected mainly from in situ stations. Despite the efforts made in setting up and maintaining a network of hydrometric and meteorological stations, water resource managers face many problems, such as equipment degradation during floods, incidents of vandalism and issues related to inaccessibility. Satellite data can improve water resources monitoring, regardless of its objectives (strategic management of water resources, management of structures, forecasting of floods and low flows, etc.). These data have the advantage of covering the entire world at regular intervals, including difficult-to-access areas. Through several projects, various scientific and industrial partners (IRD, CNES, CLS, CNRS, CENEAU, etc.) have contributed to assess and enhance the use of satellite data for the management of water resources at the scale of a catchment (e.g. the Amazon) or a territory (Uganda). The objective is to deliver a method based on the combination of hydrological models, in-situ data and satellite data. This article presents the current possibilities and limitations of using satellite data to optimize the monitoring of water resources.

Abstract Background Pedicle screw loosening and breakage are common causes of revision surgery after lumbar fusion. Thus, there remains a continued need for supplemental fixation options that offer immediate stability without the associated failure modes. This finite element analysis compared the biomechanical properties of a novel cortico-pedicular posterior fixation (CPPF) device with those of a conventional pedicle screw system (PSS). Methods The CPPF device is a polyetheretherketone strap providing circumferential cortical fixation for lumbar fusion procedures via an arcuate tunnel. Using a validated finite element model, we compared the stability and load transfer characteristics of CPPF to intact conditions under a 415 N follower load and PSS conditions under a 222 N preload. Depending on the instrumented levels, two different interbody devices were used: a lateral lumbar interbody device at L4–5 or an anterior lumbar interbody device at L5-S1. Primary outcomes included range of motion of the functional spinal units and anterior load transfer, defined as the total load through the disk and interbody device after functional motion and follower load application. Results Across all combinations of interbody devices and lumbar levels evaluated, CPPF consistently demonstrated significant reductions in flexion (ranging from 90 to 98%), extension (ranging from 88 to 94%), lateral bending (ranging from 75 to 80%), and torsion (ranging from 77 to 86%) compared to the intact spine. Stability provided by the CPPF device was comparable to PSS in all simulations (range of motion within 0.5 degrees for flexion–extension, 0.6 degrees for lateral bending, and 0.5 degrees for torsion). The total anterior load transfer was higher with CPPF versus PSS, with differences across all tested conditions ranging from 128 to 258 N during flexion, 89–323 N during extension, 135–377 N during lateral bending, 95–258 N during torsion, and 82–250 N during standing. Conclusion Under the modeled conditions, cortico-pedicular fixation for supplementing anterior or lateral interbody devices between L4 and S1 resulted in comparable stability based on range of motion measures and less anterior column stress shielding based on total anterior load transfer measures compared to PSS. Clinical studies are needed to confirm these finite element analysis findings.

Abstract Background Predictors of ICU-acquired pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) are not well-established in critically ill patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), making IPA commonly misdiagnosed and anti-fungal therapy delayed. We aimed to develop a clinical score for prediction of IPA among patients with VAP. Methods Mechanically ventilated patients who developed VAP in 4 ICUs in Bretagne, Western France, were included. The score was constructed in a learning cohort, based on predictors of IPA in logistic regression model, and validated in a validation cohort. Results Among 1636 mechanically ventilated patients, 215 developed VAP but only 39 developed IPA (4 possible and 35 probable/putative) (18%). Most cases (31/39) were documented through a positive broncho-alveolar sample culture. Independent predictors of IPA were immunodepression (including onco-hematological disorder, immunomodulatory treatment, solid organ transplant, neutropenia

This work presents a full metal circularly-polarized lens-like antenna for Satcom applications at Ka-band. The antenna is composed of two continuous parallel plate waveguide (PPW) quasi-optical beamformers (QOBF), feeding an array of septum polarizers to generate circular polarization. The QOBFs operate over a wide band and provide a multi-beam coverage over a large field of view in the azimuthal plane, while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical design. The array of septum polarizers is based on a stepped profile to generate circular polarization with a good polarization purity in the uplink of Ka-band (27 - 31 GHz). The antenna is fully realized in aluminium. The antenna system provides 14 beams with alternating right/left handed circular polarization (RHCP/LHCP) with an axial ratio (AR) below 3 Db over an angular range of ±19° in the uplink of Ka-Band. The maximum gain in the azimuthal plane at 30 GHz is about 21 dB over the whole angular range, with a scan loss lower than 1.5 dB. The antenna efficiency is better than 78% for all beams in the operative band.

In nature, plants are exposed to a range of climatic conditions. Those negatively impacting plant growth and survival are called abiotic stresses. Although abiotic stresses have been extensively studied separately, little is known about their interactions. Here, we investigate the impact of long-term mild metal exposure on the cold acclimation of Salix viminalis roots using physiological, transcriptomic, and proteomic approaches. We found that, while metal exposure significantly affected plant morphology and physiology, it did not impede cold acclimation. Cold acclimation alone increased glutathione content and glutathione reductase activity. It also resulted in the increase in transcripts and proteins belonging to the heat-shock proteins and related to the energy metabolism. Exposure to metals decreased antioxidant capacity but increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity. It also resulted in the overexpression of transcripts and proteins related to metal homeostasis, protein folding, and the antioxidant machinery. The simultaneous exposure to both stressors resulted in effects that were not the simple addition of the effects of both stressors taken separately. At the antioxidant level, the response to both stressors was like the response to metals alone. While this should have led to a reduction of frost tolerance, this was not observed. The impact of the simultaneous exposure to metals and cold acclimation on the transcriptome was unique, while at the proteomic level the cold acclimation component seemed to be dominant. Some genes and proteins displayed positive interaction patterns. These genes and proteins were related to the mitigation and reparation of oxidative damage, sugar catabolism, and the production of lignans, trehalose, and raffinose. Interestingly, none of these genes and proteins belonged to the traditional ROS homeostasis system. These results highlight the importance of the under-studied role of lignans and the ROS damage repair and removal system in plants simultaneously exposed to multiple stressors.

Abstract Background In patients with septic shock, the impact of the mean arterial pressure (MAP) target on the course of mottling remains uncertain. In this post hoc analysis of the SEPSISPAM trial, we investigated whether a low-MAP (65 to 70 mmHg) or a high-MAP target (80 to 85 mmHg) would affect the course of mottling and arterial lactate in patients with septic shock. Methods The presence of mottling was assessed every 2 h from 2 h after inclusion to catecholamine weaning. We compared mottling and lactate time course between the two MAP target groups. We evaluated the patient’s outcome according to the presence or absence of mottling. Results We included 747 patients, 374 were assigned to the low-MAP group and 373 to the high-MAP group. There was no difference in mottling and lactate evolution during the first 24 h between the two MAP groups. After adjustment for MAP and confounding factors, the presence of mottling ≥ 6 h during the first 24 h was associated with a significantly higher risk of death at day 28 and 90. Patients without mottling or with mottling

La forêt connaît de nombreuses crises liées ou non au changement climatique. Les forestiers se trouvent parfois démunis devant les peuplements dépérissants, et doivent gérer au plus pressé. Des outils sont élaborés pour les aider au mieux dans leur diagnostic : certains décrivent la situation, d’autres les assistent dans l’anticipation. Les attentes sont fortes mais ils ne répondront pas à toutes les questions. Des formations sont nécessaires pour préciser leurs limites et leurs points forts. C’est aussi l’occasion d’insister sur la réflexion à mener à partir des résultats obtenus. Leur utilisation permettra leur amélioration. Messages clés La forêt connaît de nombreuses crises. Des outils permettent aux forestiers d’affiner les diagnostics. Des formations sont nécessaires pour mieux utiliser ces outils (force, faiblesse).

Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes (CMSs) are rare inherited diseases of the neuromuscular junction characterized by muscle weakness. CMSs with acetylcholinesterase deficiency are due to pathogenic variants in COLQ, a collagen that anchors the enzyme at the synapse. The two COLQ N-terminal domains have been characterized as being biochemical and functional. They are responsible for the structure of the protein in the triple helix and the association of COLQ with acetylcholinesterase. To deepen the analysis of the distal C-terminal peptide properties and understand the CMSs associated to pathogenic variants in this domain, we have analyzed the case of a 32 year old male patient bearing a homozygote splice site variant c.1281 C > T that changes the sequence of the last 28 aa in COLQ. Using COS cell and mouse muscle cell expression, we show that the COLQ variant does not impair the formation of the collagen triple helix in these cells, nor its association with acetylcholinesterase, and that the hetero-oligomers are secreted. However, the interaction of COLQ variant with LRP4, a signaling hub at the neuromuscular junction, is decreased by 44% as demonstrated by in vitro biochemical methods. In addition, an increase in all acetylcholine receptor subunit mRNA levels is observed in muscle cells derived from the patient iPSC. All these approaches point to pathophysiological mechanisms essentially characterized by a decrease in signaling and the presence of immature acetylcholine receptors.

IntroductionApple russeting is mainly due to the accumulation of suberin in the cell wall in response to defects and damages in the cuticle layer. Over the last decades, massive efforts have been done to better understand the complex interplay between pathways involved in the suberization process in model plants. However, the regulation mechanisms which orchestrate this complex process are still under investigation. Our previous studies highlighted a number of transcription factor candidates from the Myeloblastosis (MYB) transcription factor family which might regulate suberization in russeted or suberized apple fruit skin. Among these, we identified MdMYB68, which was co-expressed with number of well-known key suberin biosynthesis genes.MethodTo validate the MdMYB68 function, we conducted an heterologous transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana combined with whole gene expression profiling analysis (RNA-Seq), quantification of lipids and cell wall monosaccharides, and microscopy.ResultsMdMYB68 overexpression is able to trigger the expression of the whole suberin biosynthesis pathway. The lipid content analysis confirmed that MdMYB68 regulates the deposition of suberin in cell walls. Furthermore, we also investigated the alteration of the non-lipid cell wall components and showed that MdMYB68 triggers a massive modification of hemicelluloses and pectins. These results were finally supported by the microscopy.DiscussionOnce again, we demonstrated that the heterologous transient expression in N. benthamiana coupled with RNA-seq is a powerful and efficient tool to investigate the function of suberin related transcription factors. Here, we suggest MdMYB68 as a new regulator of the aliphatic and aromatic suberin deposition in apple fruit, and further describe, for the first time, rearrangements occurring in the carbohydrate cell wall matrix, preparing this suberin deposition.

A novel compact and highly efficient dual-polarized horn-like antenna is presented. It exploits a radiating aperture that is fed by four smaller waveguides via a quad-furcated junction. The antenna also comprises the full feed network for the feed waveguides including an integrated 4-way orthomode power divider. Design principles are described in detail and illustrated by means of an example involving an antenna with aperture size of 2.6 $\lambda _{0} \times 2.6\lambda _{0}$ ( $\lambda _{0}$ the wavelength at the central frequency of operation) intended primarily for Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites. The antenna feed was designed to comply with the Additive Manufacturing rules and exhibits aperture efficiency levels close to the theoretical maximum ones over the entire transmit Ku band (10.7 – 12.75 GHz), while at the same time its profile is highly compact (6.4 $\lambda _{0}$ ). The measured results of a prototype 3D-printed in Selective Laser Melting (SLM) verified experimentally the calculated high aperture efficiency (over 90%). The total antenna feed attains return loss > 19 dB and maximum cross-polarization isolation (XPI) > 24 dB over a bandwidth of 18%. In light of the favorable electrical performances and compact size, the proposed solution constitutes an appealing alternative to profiled (or spline) horns for satellite antenna systems used either as reflector feeds or direct radiating arrays.

Abstract Background Patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV 2) and requiring intensive care unit (ICU) have a high incidence of hospital-acquired infections; however, data regarding hospital acquired bloodstream infections (BSI) are scarce. We aimed to investigate risk factors and outcome of BSI in critically ill coronavirus infectious disease-19 (COVID-19) patients. Patients and methods We performed an ancillary analysis of a multicenter prospective international cohort study (COVID-ICU study) that included 4010 COVID-19 ICU patients. For the present analysis, only those with data regarding primary outcome (death within 90 days from admission) or BSI status were included. Risk factors for BSI were analyzed using Fine and Gray competing risk model. Then, for outcome comparison, 537 BSI-patients were matched with 537 controls using propensity score matching. Results Among 4010 included patients, 780 (19.5%) acquired a total of 1066 BSI (10.3 BSI per 1000 patients days at risk) of whom 92% were acquired in the ICU. Higher SAPS II, male gender, longer time from hospital to ICU admission and antiviral drug before admission were independently associated with an increased risk of BSI, and interestingly, this risk decreased over time. BSI was independently associated with a shorter time to death in the overall population (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.28, 95% CI 1.05–1.56) and, in the propensity score matched data set, patients with BSI had a higher mortality rate (39% vs 33% p = 0.036). BSI accounted for 3.6% of the death of the overall population. Conclusion COVID-19 ICU patients have a high risk of BSI, especially early after ICU admission, risk that increases with severity but not with corticosteroids use. BSI is associated with an increased mortality rate.

Our previous studies, comparing russeted vs. waxy apple skin, highlighted a MYeloBlastosys (Myb) transcription factor (MdMYB52), which displayed a correlation with genes associated to the suberization process. The present article aims to assess its role and function in the suberization process. Phylogenetic analyses and research against Arabidopsis thaliana MYBs database were first performed and the tissue specific expression of MdMYB52 was investigated using RT-qPCR. The function of MdMYB52 was further investigated using Agrobacterium-mediated transient overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. An RNA-Seq analysis was performed to highlight differentially regulated genes in response MdMYB52. Transcriptomic data were supported by analytical chemistry and microscopy. A massive decreased expression of photosynthetic and primary metabolism pathways was observed with a concomitant increased expression of genes associated with phenylpropanoid and lignin biosynthesis, cell wall modification and senescence. Interestingly key genes involved in the synthesis of suberin phenolic components were observed. The analytical chemistry displayed a strong increase in the lignin content in the cell walls during MdMYB52 expression. More specifically, an enrichment in G-Unit lignin residues was observed, supporting transcriptomic data as well as previous work describing the suberin phenolic domain as a G-unit enriched lignin-like polymer. The time-course qPCR analysis revealed that the observed stress response, might be explain by this lignin biosynthesis and by a possible programmed senescence triggered by MdMYB52. The present work supports a crucial regulatory role for MdMYB52 in the biosynthesis of the suberin phenolic domain and possibly in the fate of suberized cells in russeted apple skins.

La gestion des ressources en eau nécessite l’utilisation de données hydrométriques provenant principalement de stations in situ. Malgré les efforts déployés pour la mise en place et le maintien d’un réseau de stations (hydrométriques ou météorologiques), les gestionnaires de ressources en eau font face à de nombreux problèmes (dégradation des équipements lors des crues, vandalisme, inaccessibilité, moyens financiers pour la maintenance …). Les données satellitaires peuvent enrichir le suivi des ressources en eau, quels que soient les objectifs de ce suivi (gestion stratégique des ressources en eau, gestion des ouvrages, prévision des crues et étiages …). Ces données présentent l’avantage de couvrir à pas-de-temps régulier le monde entier, y compris des territoires difficiles d’accès. A travers plusieurs projets, différents partenaires scientifiques et industriels (IRD, CNES, CLS, CNRS, CENEAU …) ont contribué à évaluer et à valoriser l’usage des données satellitaires pour la gestion des ressources en eau à l’échelle d’un bassin-versant (e.g. l’Amazone) ou d’un territoire (l’Ouganda). L’objectif est de délivrer des indicateurs hydrologiques issus de l’association de modèles hydrologiques, de données in-situ et de données satellitaires. Cet article présente les possibilités et les limites actuelles de l’utilisation des données satellitaires afin d’optimiser le suivi des ressources en eau.

Les dernières observations de dépérissements et l’analyse de leurs causes tendent à confirmer la vulnérabilité de certaines des principales essences forestières françaises vis-à-vis des changements climatiques. Conscients de ces enjeux, les gestionnaires s’interrogent sur la conduite et le renouvellement de leurs peuplements. Le réseau multi organismes ESPERENSE se met en place pour rechercher des réponses à ces interrogations via l’organisation d’un réseau d’essais de comparaison d’essences et de provenances. Afin de rationaliser l'effort expérimental, une méthodologie a été établie pour prioriser les zones du territoire métropolitain dans lesquelles une recherche des alternatives aux essences en place doit être menée. Elle consiste à sélectionner les zones à fort enjeu de production de bois, et qui sont en même temps déjà en situation préoccupante ou qui le seront à l’avenir du fait des évolutions du climat en s’appuyant sur 3 différentes approches de modélisation. Le principe consiste donc à évaluer le risque par la combinaison des enjeux et de leur exposition. La démarche de construction de ce zonage est détaillée. Les cartes résultant de ce travail sont mises à disposition pour les principales essences françaises.

The SoyaGen project was a collaborative endeavor involving Canadian soybean researchers and breeders from academia and the private sector as well as international collaborators. Its aims were to develop genomics-derived solutions to real-world challenges faced by breeders. Based on the needs expressed by the stakeholders, the research efforts were focused on maximizing realized yield through optimization of maturity and improved disease resistance. The main deliverables related to molecular breeding in soybean will be reviewed here. These include: (1) SNP datasets capturing the genetic diversity within cultivated soybean (both within a worldwide collection of > 1,000 soybean accessions and a subset of 102 short-season accessions (MG0 and earlier) directly relevant to this group); (2) SNP markers for selecting favorable alleles at key maturity genes as well as loci associated with increased resistance to key pathogens and pests (Phytophthora sojae, Heterodera glycines, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum); (3) diagnostic tools to facilitate the identification and mapping of specific pathotypes of P. sojae; and (4) a genomic prediction approach to identify the most promising combinations of parents. As a result of this fruitful collaboration, breeders have gained new tools and approaches to implement molecular, genomics-informed breeding strategies. We believe these tools and approaches are broadly applicable to soybean breeding efforts around the world.

This paper presents a topology optimization formulation based on the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) method and solved by the Modified Optimality Criteria (MOC) algorithm. It addresses mechanical design problems such as structural reinforcement adding elastic material or vibration reduction using viscoelastic layers. The aim is thus to attach on a pre-existing given structure a design domain in order to improve the behavior of this elastic structure, according to an objective function. This can be useful when one wants to use, for example, additive manufacturing to reinforce a pre-existing structure or to maximize structural damping. Two objective functions are tested in both linear statics and dynamics: a compliance based objective function and a displacement based one. In the dynamic case, written in the frequency domain, the two proposed objective functions include the viscoelastic material model (a Zener fractional derivative one) used to fill the design domain. The displacement criteria is developed using a general formula able to take into account as many degree of freedom as necessary. Finally, some applications based on beams and CubeSat-like structures are shown in this article. The proposed examples show that in both statics and dynamics, the optimization of a restrained design domain attached to an existing structure can improve its behavior: stiffness improvement or vibration reduction.

The concept of decomposition in computer science and engineering is considered a fundamental component of computational thinking and is prevalent in design of algorithms, software construction, hardware design, and more. We propose a simple and natural formalization of sequential decomposition, in which a task is decomposed into two sequential sub-tasks, with the first sub-task to be executed before the second sub-task is executed. These tasks are specified by means of input/output relations. We define and study decomposition problems, which is to decide whether a given specification can be sequentially decomposed. Our main result is that decomposition itself is a difficult computational problem. More specifically, we study decomposition problems in three settings: where the input task is specified explicitly, by means of Boolean circuits, and by means of automatic relations. We show that in the first setting decomposition is NP-complete, in the second setting it is NEXPTIME-complete, and in the third setting there is evidence to suggest that it is undecidable. Our results indicate that the intuitive idea of decomposition as a system-design approach requires further investigation. In particular, we show that adding a human to the loop by asking for a decomposition hint lowers the complexity of decomposition problems considerably.

Introduction. About 10% of the 300 million people worldwide who suffer from asthma have a severe disease that is uncontrolled despite treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonists. The eosinophilic inflammation pathway in the respiratory tract and blood is involved and interleukin-5 (IL-5) has recently been identified as a major promotor of this pathway. The anti-IL-5 antibodies reduce the incidence of exacerbation and allowed steroid sparing in severe asthma patients but only two case reports have been published on their use in critical care. Case Presentation. This report describes the extraordinary clinical improvement of a young patient with steroid-refractory eosinophilic acute severe asthma who required mechanical ventilation, VV-ECMO followed by treatment with mepolizumab. The salient point in this case is the use of an anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody for a critically ill patient whose condition was deteriorating despite mechanical ventilation and VV-ECMO. The usual steroid treatment failed to control the increase in blood eosinophils or his bronchial inflammation and constriction. Conclusion. Anti-IL-5 antibodies are now a standard treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma that can also be useful in an emergency to treat steroid-refractory eosinophilic acute severe asthma.