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The cultivation of grapevines has spanned millennia, leading to thousands of varieties through exchanges, mutations, and crosses between genotypes, as well probably as gene flow from wild populations. These varieties are typically categorized by regional origin and primary use, either for wine production or fruit consumption. France, within the Western European group, hosts many of the world's renowned wine grape varieties. However, the historical development of cultivated grapevines in France and in the world remains poorly understood. This study applies morphometry on 19,377 charred and waterlogged archaeological grape pips to investigate the evolutionary history of grapevine in France over the last 10,000 years. The study compares seed outlines and lengths, corrected for taphonomic distortions, with a reference collection of 80 wild and 466 modern domestic grapevine accessions. Findings reveal a shift from wild grapevine exploitation to the expansion of domestic varieties around 600-500 BCE, coinciding with Mediterranean cultural influences and the introduction of eastern grape types. The identification of the East-Table group, a group of varieties of eastern origin for fruit consumption, indicates that grapes were also grown for food, especially in Mediterranean regions and near urban areas, alongside wine production. Early French viticulture featured a notable presence of Western European wine-type grapevines. The abundance of pips with wild-like morphology suggests early cultivation involved plants at an initial domestication stage and gene flow between introduced and wild grapevines. As viticulture spread northward, wild and Eastern morphotypes declined, leading to the dominance of Western European wine types in inner France during the Middle Ages., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

To prevent violent conflict and governance breakdown abroad, the European Union (EU) needs anticipatory analysis and preventive action at the EU and member state level that follow a coherent approach. The EU's resilience agenda can complement early warning risk analysis for prevention, but it is unclear to what extent it has been operationalized. We compare the role that resilience plays in crisis early warning in diplomatic services at the EU and member state level in France and Germany. Drawing on the literature on Europeanization and diffusion, we seek to explain different levels of convergence regarding a resilience approach in early warning at the levels of strategy, analysis and action. We find that the diffusion item's specificity, the number of sources and particular institutional contexts impact the resulting level of convergence. Member states see value in complementing risk analysis with a resilience perspective, but the EU has failed to provide a sufficiently clear source model. Our results contribute to the literature on EU foreign policy diffusion and coherence and show that the EU has not exhausted its potential to promote resilience as a tool for more coherent and effective conflict prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to address the problematic yet under-researched issue of the disconnectedness of the temporary and permanent levels of organisation in project-based firms in terms of learning and innovation diffusion. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is based on a longitudinal case study of a pioneering French construction firm introducing the partnering method in France. Based on an abductive approach, the analytical framework combines insights of the literature on community and networks of practice to investigate the processes and mechanisms of diffusion of innovation in project-based firms. Findings: The function of semi-permanent organisational levels in connecting the temporary and permanent levels of the firm – the communities of practice (CoPs) and network of practice (NoP) exists besides the formal organization of the firm. As a social learning process, innovation diffusion involves both formal (i.e. vertical) and informal (i.e. horizontal) forms of organising and learning. Intermediary and informal ways of organising enables the embedding of innovation both in terms of content and connections. Foremost, CoPs/NoPs contribute to relational embeddedness. Boundary actors and objects are essential in crossing the different levels of embeddedness to overcome the learning boundaries between temporary projects and the permanent firm. Research limitations/implications: The investigation is built on a single case study and further empirical research is needed, preferably longitudinal case studies, as this allows greater capture of the diffusion process. The authors suggest further studies using practice-based perspectives to capture the formal and informal ways of organising innovation diffusion. Practical implications: Managerial interventions should favour the development of the informal dynamics of community and networks to foster both innovation and its diffusion. The managerial challenge lies in creating the right prerequisites for the existence of both the informal community logics of organising and the formal top management decision-making, and to orchestrate their timing in the diffusion process. Social implications: The study reveals the importance of both formal and informal networks in driving innovation. As such, project-based firms should be aware of these dynamics when striving for change. Originality/value: The study contributes to the literatures on diffusion of innovation, project marketing and construction management. It includes new insights related to the function of intermediary and informal organisational levels of project-based organisations, the dynamics and connection between the temporary and permanent levels of the project-based firm related to communities and networks of practice, and the boundary spanning activities that are involved between the formal and informal levels of the firm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we formulate Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST)-based relationships, for normalized standard deviations of wind velocity components under the local scaling framework, and investigate their applicability under stable and highly stable atmospheric conditions. We used the fast response data collected using an ultrasonic anemometer over a flat terrain of Kalpakkam in India and a complex hilly terrain at Cadarache, France, for arriving at these formulations. The study shows that after filtering of the submesoscale motions from the sonic anemometer data, the turbulence diffusion relationships follow local scaling, under stable conditions. The study further indicates that these relationships follow similar behavior for the sites taken for this study. At neutral conditions, the values of the scaled standard deviations are found to be 1.9 ± 0.07, 1.8 ± 0.06 and 1.3 ± 0.02, for longitudinal, crosswind and vertical component, respectively, for the complex terrain and 1.8 ± 0.03, 1.9 ± 0.06 and 1.1 ± 0.04, respectively, for the flat terrain. The research also investigates the effect of the new diffusion relationships in simulating atmospheric dispersion, using the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART-WRF. Simulations using these new diffusion relationships show a higher dose estimate relative to the model default Hanna's method, in the case of radioactivity dispersion. Detailed comparisons of the simulated dose rate estimates against measurements using Environmental Radiation Monitors (ERM) indicate that the new relationships give better correlation (r2 = 0.62) under stable conditions over model default relationships (r2 = 0.50). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article intends to study the presence of Mexican literature in the Revue de l'Amérique Latine (published in Paris between 1922 and 1932), in order to know some aspects of the diffusion of Hispanic American literature in France in the most important Latin American magazine from the twenties. It is also about knowing the forms of transatlantic dialogue between Mexico and France in the same period. We emphasise the participation of Alfonso Reyes (diplomatic representative in France between 1925 and 1927) in the Revue and his relationship with the publishing group. Reyes is the Mexican intellectual most translated and edited in the magazine. At the same time, among the French publications in which the work of Reyes is reviewed and translated, it is in the Revue de l'Amérique Latine that the presence is greatest. The paper concludes by pointing out the role of this magazine in the dissemination of the work of Reyes in France in the 1920s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The French region of Brittany presents one of the highest cystic fibrosis (CF)-causing allele frequency in Europe. Here, we tested two hypotheses: i) CF-causing allele carriers arrived by sea in the middle of the 1st millennium AD, and ii) a selective advantage for healthy carriers explains this high rate., Methods: From the census of cystic fibrosis patients, frequency maps of the most widespread alleles were established. A mathematical model was developed, based on birth date and place of the ancestors of these patients over 5 centuries, to determine the distribution of local migrations and their parameters for inter-generational intervals of 32 years. This model was applied to simulate the spread of CF-causing variant carriers, according to different scenarios that corresponded to the immigration of a given number of variant carriers at different times (year) and places, and to compare their results to current frequency maps., Results: Migrants carrying a CFTR variant settled in several locations, around which they spread, notably in Central Brittany (F508del variant), Léon (G551D variant) and Cornouaille (1078delT variant). Until the end of the 18th century, the spreading of disease-causing allele carriers was relatively slow, and allele frequencies progressively increased. Then, the mean migration distances increased rapidly, leading to a decline in local frequencies., Conclusions: The main CFTR variants could only have reached their current frequencies through a selective advantage for healthy carriers of the order of 4-6 % at each generation. For the most widespread variant (F508del), the model supports the hypothesis that it appeared around 190 generations ago., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

THIS PAPER INTRODUCES and discusses a group of broadly 14th-century single-looped buckles. These oval buckles are characterised by an outer edge which widens gradually towards its centre, thus providing a sizeable field either side of the pin rest. Two-thirds of the corpus of over 100 examples are decorated with engraved and punched motifs. These motifs comprise abstract forms, schematic or realistic vegetal or animal motifs, representations of humans and architectural features, and religious inscriptions. Such buckles are typical of the South of France, but are documented here for the first time from the eastern and southern coasts of England. Their presence in England can be framed in a commercial context; once diffused, they might have been copied, and other decorative motifs introduced in order to meet local needs. Compositional analyses revealed the existence of alloy groups with high proportions of lead or tin, potentially testifying to production in separate workshops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess activity of the combination of ceftriaxone and ampicillin against clinical isolates of ampicillin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium.Methods: Ampicillin-susceptible E. faecium (n = 29) and Enterococcus faecalis (n = 10) collected from locations in the USA and France were used for this analysis. Susceptibility testing was performed by gradient diffusion strip (GDS) and broth microdilution (BMD). Synergy with the combination of ceftriaxone and ampicillin was assessed in all isolates using GDS crossing and double disc diffusion methods. Selected isolates (nine E. faecium and three E. faecalis) were assessed for synergy in time-kill studies using ampicillin alone and in combination with ceftriaxone.Results: In isolates of E. faecium, the median (range) ampicillin MIC by BMD was 0.5 (0.25-4) mg/L and by GDS it was 2 (1-8)  mg/L. In E. faecalis, the median (range) ampicillin MIC by BMD was 0.5 (0.5-1) mg/L and by GDS it was 2 (0.75-3) mg/L. A total of 24/29 (82.8%) isolates of E. faecium displayed synergy by GDS and 22/29 (75.9%) by double disc diffusion. Seven of 10 (70%) isolates of E. faecalis displayed synergy by GDS and 4/10 (40%) by double disc diffusion. Time-kill studies found synergy in 3/9 (33.3%) E. faecium and 3/3 (100%) E. faecalis.Conclusions: In contrast to the demonstrated synergy in time-kill models of ceftriaxone and ampicillin for E. faecalis, this combination does not appear to provide uniform synergy in E. faecium. Antagonism was not observed. Clinical correlation is necessary and caution should be used when considering ampicillin and ceftriaxone for the treatment of infections caused by ampicillin-susceptible E. faecium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Temocillin is an old 'revived' antibiotic that may play an important role in the treatment of febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Data regarding its activity against current Enterobacteriaceae isolates as well as the performance of routine susceptibility testing methods are, however, scarce.Objectives: To determine the MICs of temocillin for Enterobacteriaceae strains reflecting the current epidemiology and to analyse the accuracy of three commercial methods.Methods: Enterobacteriaceae isolates causing community-acquired UTI were prospectively collected from September 2015 to January 2017 in two French centres. Temocillin MIC was determined by agar dilution (AD) as the reference method and then compared with: (i) susceptibility testing by disc diffusion; (ii) MIC determination by Etest; and (iii) MIC estimation by the Vitek 2 automated system.Results: A total of 762 Enterobacteriaceae were analysed comprising 658 (86.4%) Escherichia coli and 37 (4.9%) ESBL-producing isolates. Susceptibility rate assessed by AD was 99.6% according to the 8 mg/L clinical breakpoint and was significantly lower against the ESBL-producing isolates than the non-ESBL-producing isolates (94.6% versus 99.9%, P < 0.01). The MIC50 and MIC90 for the total set were 3 and 6 mg/L, respectively. According to the 8 mg/L clinical breakpoint, the major error rate was <1% for disc diffusion and Etest, and significantly higher for Vitek 2 (4.3%, P < 0.01), but still low. No very major error was noticed.Conclusions: Temocillin showed a high level of activity against Enterobacteriaceae from community-acquired UTI and good to excellent reliability of routine methods for susceptibility testing in such a setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patient- and procedure-related changes in modern medicine have turned CoNS into one of the major nosocomial pathogens. Treatments of CoNS infections are challenging owing to the large proportion of MDR strains and oxazolidinones often remain the last active antimicrobial molecules. Here, we have investigated a long-lasting outbreak (2010-13) due to methicillin- and linezolid-resistant (LR) CoNS (n = 168), involving 72 carriers and 49 infected patients.Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibilities were tested by the disc diffusion method and MICs were determined by broth microdilution or Etest. The clonal relationship of LR Staphylococcus epidermidis (LRSE) was first determined using a semi-automated repetitive element palindromic PCR (rep-PCR) method. Then, WGS was performed on all cfr-positive LRSE (n = 30) and LRSE isolates representative of each rep-PCR-defined clone (n = 17). Self-transferability of cfr-carrying plasmids was analysed by filter-mating experiments.Results: This outbreak was caused by the dissemination of three clones (ST2, ST5 and ST22) of LRSE. In these clones, linezolid resistance was caused by (i) mutations in the chromosome-located genes encoding the 23S RNA and L3 and L4 ribosomal proteins, but also by (ii) the dissemination of two different self-conjugative plasmids carrying the cfr gene encoding a 23S RNA methylase. By monitoring linezolid prescriptions in two neighbouring hospitals, we highlighted that the spread of LR-CoNS was strongly associated with linezolid use.Conclusions: Physicians should be aware that plasmid-encoded linezolid resistance has started to disseminate among CoNS and that rational use of oxazolidinones is critical to preserve these molecules as efficient treatment options for MDR Gram-positive pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grapevine and wine have deeply shaped the landscapes, economy and cultures of Europe and the Mediterranean. In France, it is considered that viticulture started in the south via contacts with Mediterranean populations (Greeks, Etruscans, Phoenicians), during the second half of the 1st millennium BCE, and spread further with the Romans. Wild grapevines were nevertheless present in various areas of the country all through the Holocene. No archaeological or historical source allows us to follow the history of grapevine and viticulture over the entire Holocene period and over the whole territory. In this paper we investigate the potential of archaeological plant macroremains (seed/fruits and wood) to trace the history of the vine on a large scale. We have assembled the largest possible database of published and unpublished archaeobotanical data, comprising 4449 site-phases for seed and fruits and 1356 site-phases for wood remains. In spite of taphonomic discrepancies and imbalances in the datasets, the different types of macroremains and modes of preservation produce consistent patterns. They provide the first comprehensive picture of the spread of grapevine, fluctuations in the economic role of viticulture and grape uses over time, although some periods and regions are less documented. Grapevine remains are regularly recorded from the Mesolithic to the Iron Age in most regions showing that human societies were already familiar with the wild plant and its fruits, especially in the Mediterranean. In this region, Vitis remains become considerably more frequent and numerous during the Iron Age, from around 500 BCE onwards, testifying to the rapid and strong implantation of viticulture. Grapevine macroremains confirm that the spread of viticulture outside the Mediterranean area occurred mainly during the Roman period. However, this expansion was limited and mainly focused on the South. The main expansion into the temperate zone took place during the Middle Ages. However, the more detailed fluctuations of viticulture, particularly in relation to climate oscillations are still difficult to follow. Pip remains are mainly associated with urban sites. This is a consequence of the actual consumption of grapes and may be evidence of a viticulture centered around urban areas. • Macroremains data to retrace the Holocene history of Vitis. • Unique database of 4449 site-phases for seeds and 1356 site-phases for wood remains. • First comprehensive picture of the spread of Vitis and viticulture in France. • Significant and consistent involvement of cities in viticultural activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the development of organic farming (OF) in France from a collective point of view by focusing on the spatiotemporal diffusion of OF and considering different types of production. Based on the data on aid granted between 2007 and 2010 for conversion to OF (COF), the spatial dynamics of conversion is examined with regard to the distinctive capacities of micro-territories to accommodate farms engaged in OF to a greater or lesser extent. The hurdle model is applied to varying types of COF aid, which are related to different production systems. This allows for both the characterization of the geographical extent of the contracting of COF aid and its local intensity measured by the number of contracts within micro-territories. The spatial structure of COF contracting can be explained both by economic factors relating to the orientation of production systems and by phenomena of spatiotemporal dependence, which demonstrate the importance of producers’ experience and of collective capacities. We can therefore speak of path dependence in relation to the establishment and maintenance of market access capabilities and social networks, which determine the potential and effectiveness of the development of organic agriculture at the micro-territorial level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To minimize the amount of nuclear waste issuing from the nuclear power plants, the solution adopted in France consists in the reprocessing of spent fuel to isolate long lived and high level radioactive waste (minor actinides and fission products). They are incorporated into a glassy matrix in order to be placed in dedicated long-term disposal repository. The confinement of the radioelements depends strongly on the integrity of the glassy matrix which could be damaged by the radiations and the generation of helium produced by α-decays of the minor actinides. In the past few years, several studies were conducted in order to understand the behaviour of helium, especially its thermal diffusion into the glassy matrix [1–3]. However none were conducted on self-irradiated samples and a validation on radioactive glasses and in the temperature range of the repository conditions is still needed. For this purpose, a specific setup was developed on the analysis chamber of the nuclear microprobe dedicated to radioactive samples in Saclay [4]. The temperature of the sample is controlled during all the experiment, in the range from 143 to 323K; 3He ions are implanted at low temperature. Helium profiles are measured at low temperature using the 3He(d,p)4He reaction, as-implanted and after several stages of annealing. We will present the developed setup and show the preliminary results of the measurements made on non-active samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Exposure to organic vapors in the workplace is a source of occupational risk. Admissible exposure levels are tightly regulated and must be closely monitored. However, the complexity and slowness of the existing complete protocols to determine diffusive uptake rates through passive sampling have limited the use of this tool despite obvious advantages. In this study, we experimentally validate two simplified protocols to determine diffusive uptake rates with passive sampling. The proposed 26-3and 26-2fractional factorial designs were validated for toluene sampling using a (Gas Adsorbent Badge for Individual Exposure) GABIE-activated charcoal sampler in a controlled atmosphere. The uptake rate for this sampler had been determined previously using a full protocol. The uptake rates for all three protocols were similar, indicating that the proposed new designs can be substituted for classical full protocols. After validation of our protocols, uptake rates for new substances used as fuel additives (methyl and ethyl tert-butyl ethers, MTBE and ETBE) were determined on the same sampler using the 26-2design. In these experiments, temperature appears to have a non-negligible influence on the uptake rates measured for these compounds. With some precautions of usage (ambient temperature below a determined limit temperature or at least exposure time ≥4 h) and storage (storage temperature = 4°C) of the sampler, the experimental diffusive uptake rates determined by this method can be used with good confidence. Field experiments confirmed the experimental results, showing good agreement between active and passive sampling using the experimentally determined uptake rates. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We built an agent-based simulation, incorporating geographic and demographic data from nineteenth-century France, to study the role of social interactions in fertility decisions. The simulation made experimentation possible in a context where other empirical strategies were precluded by a lack of data. We evaluated how different decision rules, with and without interdependent decision-making, caused variations in population growth and fertility levels. The analyses show that incorporating social influence into the model allows empirically observed behaviour to be mimicked, especially at a national level. These findings shed light on individual-level mechanisms through which the French demographic transition may have developed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The CO2-Vadose project aims at: (i) understanding the behaviour of CO2 in the near surface carbonate environment during an induced CO2 leakage, (ii) assessing numerical simulations associated with CO2 release experiments, (iii) developing integrated field methodologies to detect and quantify a potential CO2 leakage. A gas mixture of CO2 with He and Kr was released in a cavity (9m3, 7m deep) located in an abandoned limestone quarry in France. Different gas measurement techniques were used to follow the plumes diffuse migrations in the carbonate vadose zone. A first gas release experiment with Ar and He was performed for checking and validating the experimental protocol. Then, the experimental CO2 and tracers induced leakage was performed to study the gas migration in the vadose zone. The numerical simulations done with COORES™ code, associated with the experiment to describe the plumes extensions, were in good agreement near the source. The results show that CO2 subsurface leakage can be anticipated thanks to inert gases used as tracers, like He and Kr. As part of a monitoring plan, the detection of noble gas increase could lead to the surveillance of the monitored area with accuracy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Diffusion parameters for HTO, 36Cl− , and 125I− were determined on Upper Toarcian argillite samples from the Tournemire Underground Research Laboratory (Aveyron, France) using the through diffusion technique. The direction of diffusion was parallel to the bedding plane. The purpose of the present study was 3-fold; it was intended (i) to confirm the I− interaction with Upper Toarcian argillite and to verify the effects of initial I− concentration on this affinity, as previously observed by means of radial diffusion experiments, (ii) to highlight any discrepancy between Cl− and I− diffusivity, and (iii) to investigate the effect of an increase of the ionic strength of the solution on the anionic tracers’ diffusive behaviour. The results show that the effective diffusion coefficient (De ) and diffusion accessible porosity (εa ) values obtained with an ionic strength (I.S.) synthetic pore water of 0.01eqL−1 are: De =2.35–2.50×10−11 m2 s−1 and εa =12.0–15.0% for HTO, and De =14.5–15.5×10−13 m2 s−1 and εa =2.5–2.9% for 36Cl−. Because of anionic exclusion effects, anions diffuse slower and exhibit smaller diffusion accessible porosities than HTO, taken as a water tracer. The associated effective diffusion coefficient (De ) and rock capacity factor (α) obtained for 125I are: De =7.00–8.60×10−13 m2 s−1 and α =4.3–7.2%. Such values make it possible to calculate low 125I distribution ratios (0.0057< RD <0.0192mLg−1) which confirm the trend indicating that the 125I rock capacity factor increases with the decrease of the initial I− concentration. Additional through-diffusion experiments were carried out with a higher ionic strength synthetic pore water (I.S.=0.11eqL−1). No evolution of HTO diffusion parameters was observed. The anionic tracers’ effective diffusion coefficient increased by a factor of two but no clear evolution of their accessible porosity was observed. Such a paradox could be related to the particularly small mean pore size of the Upper Toarcian argillite of Tournemire. The most significant finding of this study is the large discrepancy (factor of two) between the values of the effective diffusion coefficient for 125I and 36Cl. Whatever the ionic strength of the synthetic solution used, 125I exhibited De values two times lower than those of 36Cl. A detailed explanation for this difference cannot be given at present even if a hypothesis based on ion-pairing or on steric-exclusion cannot be excluded. This makes questionable the assumption usually made for quantifying 125I sorption and postulating that 36Cl and 125I would diffuse in the same porosity. In other terms, at Tournemire, 125I sorption could be more pronounced than previously indicated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A vertical distribution of helium-4 was obtained in pore-water from the Toarcian/Domerian argillaceous formation at Tournemire (South Aveyron, France). Most of the studied core samples were collected from two vertical air-drilled boreholes across the impervious argillaceous formation and penetrating the bounding aquifers. Accessible porosities for helium were assumed similar to those of water and calculated by weighting before and after heating the core samples. Helium-4 concentrations were obtained after out-gassing the rock samples in tight containers. The comparison of the total amount of 4He produced since the deposition of the formation with that presently measured in the rock reveals that more than 97% of 4He has been lost from the solid phase to pore-water and afterwards to the surrounding aquifers. Helium distribution in pore water shows a complex profile because of the presence of unexpectedly 4He-rich samples in the lower part of the Upper Toarcian level. In order to understand this distribution and to assess the transport of helium at the formation scale, a series of preliminary model calculations were performed using helium diffusion coefficients three times higher than those of water isotopes. The comparison between simulated and experimental data indicates that: (1) the helium profile could be similar to those of deuterium and chloride in pore-water if some unexpectedly 4He-rich samples are not considered; (2) the estimated transport parameters (at small scale) may be transposable at the formation scale with some uncertainties; (3) a steady state has most probably been reached between the in situ helium production and its loss towards the aquifers; (4) only 17–30Ma of diffusion time would be necessary to obtain steady state; this is short compared to the formation age (180Ma) and thus the helium profile cannot give very precise information about diffusion time in the massif, but is in agreement with the hypothesis that transport processes are dominated by diffusion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article looks at the reporting of horse racing in French colonial Algeria. Imperial societies purposefully inject bias into journalistic records of sporting contests. The manner in which an occupying power undertakes this sociocultural task provides a meaningful window into the study of the occupation it conducts.

This article discusses the integration process of sports into cultures and societies which are foreign to them. Specific attention is paid to English sports which have gained popularity in France. The customs and norms of the society accepting a new sport are essential to crafting the place that sport will have within it. It is still unclear if the sport itself or the history of the country adopting it is more important in shaping its identity there.

Abstract: Dissolved and particulate major and trace element concentrations and suspended particulate contents were determined during three years on the lower Rhône River (France) from subsurface water samples collected about twice a month and more regularly during flood events. Dissolved elements can be grouped into two sets showing similar relationship between concentration and water discharge related to dilution process and to local and diffuse inputs of dissolved elements in the Rhône basin. The variation of NO3/Na and Cl/Na ratios and the absence of correlation between NO3 and the enrichment in Cl show that Rhône River is not highly affected by fertilizer applications compared to other large French rivers (Seine and Loire rivers). In particulate phase, Ca, Sr, U, Pb, Bi, Cd, Sb and Zn displayed high enrichment factors over shale composition. Lead, Bi, Cd and Zn enrichment could be related to the anthropogenic inputs, while Ca, Sr and U enrichment was explained by lithological composition of the Rhône basin dominated by carbonate rocks. Distribution coefficients of elements (Kd) are relatively stable with however some variations with increasing SPM concentrations. These variations were attributed to local and diffuse inputs and to a higher contribution of carbonate bedrock in the Rhône basin during flood events. Dissolved and particulate major and trace elements, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) fluxes of the Rhône River to the Mediterranean Sea were estimated for the period 2001–2003. SPM and particulate element fluxes were highly dependent on flood events: 69 to 91% of the annual fluxes were exported in less than 12% of the time. Rhône River inputs were the principal source of particulate elements (except for Cd and Zn) in the north-western Mediterranean Sea, while the major part of dissolved elements were carried out by atmospheric inputs except dissolved As, for which Rhône River contributed to more than 50% of the input to the marine system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents initial values of global and diffuse luminous efficacy at Saint-Pierre (Reunion Island). Firstly, data used were measured for a period of 6 months, from February to June 2008. During this period, all defined day-types have been studied (clear, cloudy and intermediate). Generally, the meteorological database of Reunion does not contain information for illuminance values. On the other hand, the local meteorological center has a 60-years-old database for solar irradiance (W/m2). So it is important to determine Luminous Efficacy in order to find illuminance from solar irradiance (or luminance from solar radiance). The measured data were analyzed, and empirical constant models were developed and presented in this paper in order to determine luminous efficacy under different sky conditions. A comparison between these empirical constants (models) and existing models has been made. The method used to define sky conditions (overcast, intermediate and clear) and day-types characterization as well as classification will be presented in this work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Some African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus), the most famous being Pepperberg''s parrot Alex, are able to imitate human speech and produce labels referentially. In this study, the aim was to teach ten African grey parrots from two laboratories to label items. Training three parrots from the first laboratory for several months with the Model/Rival method, developed by Pepperberg, in which two humans interact in front of the subject to demonstrate the use of a label, led to disappointing results. Similarly, seven parrots from the second laboratory, having been trained with several variants of Model/Rival attained little success. After the informal observation of the efficiency of other methods (i.e. learning to imitate labels either spontaneously or with specific learning methods and use of these labels referentially), four different teaching methods were tested with two birds: the Model/Rival; Repetition/Association which consisted of repeating a label and presenting the item only when the parrot produced the label; Intuitive in which the experimenter handled an item and repeated its name in front of the subject; Diffusion in which labels with either variable or flat intonation were played back daily to parrots. One bird learned three labels, one of which was used referentially, with the Repetition/Association method. He learned one label non-referentially with the Model/Rival but no labels were acquired using the other methods. The second bird did not learn any labels. This study demonstrates that different methods can be efficient to teach labels referentially and it suggests that rearing conditions and interindividual variability are important features when assessing learning ability of African grey parrots. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Strontium is a good monitor of geochemical processes in natural clayey formations. In the Callovian-Oxfordian formation of Bure in France, strontium is sorbed on clay minerals and carried by carbonates, detrital minerals and accessory celestite. In order to determine the strontium distribution among these different phases, four-step sequential extractions (1. cobalt hexamine trichloride, 2. acetic acid, 3. EDTA and 4. tri-acid) were performed on samples from different levels of the clayey formation. The leachates were also analyzed for strontium isotopes, in order to determine the strontium origins. This sequential procedure is well suited to determining strontium distribution in claystones, although it is less efficient in clay-rich limestones and in celestite-rich samples. The carbonates (38–47% of the total strontium) show 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7070–0.7071) that have recorded the isotopic composition of the Callovian-Oxfordian seawater. Diagenetic carbonates (dolomite, ankerite and siderite) have almost not incorporated any strontium, which has been trapped by celestite during the late diagenesis. The major part of the celestite shows 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7069–0.7070) quite close to the primary carbonates. However, a second generation of celestite (0.7074) shows a slight 87Sr-enrichment and is isotopically in equilibrium with the exchangeable strontium (27–48% of the total strontium with a mean 87Sr/86Sr value of 0.70745) and the present-day porewater (0.7074). This very low 87Sr-enrichment could be explained by the partial destabilisation of detrital minerals (feldspars, micas, clays) which exhibit 87Sr/86Sr ratios consistent with their pristine Hercynian origin (0.7229–0.7350). Diffusion of strontium from the subjacent Dogger aquifers (0.7076–0.7082) could also be invoked to explain the slight 87Sr-enrichment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Adsorption kinetics of CO2 and CH4 from a high volatile bituminous coal of the Lorraine basin (north-east of France) were studied at 0.1 MPa and 5.0 MPa in a range of temperatures from about 283.15 K to 333.15 K. Kinetic measurements were performed using a gravimetric experimental set-up, which allows measurement of gas density. Sorption equilibrium is reached faster for CO2 than CH4. The differences are mainly due to the physico-chemical parameters of both gas molecules and their coal-interactions. The pressure-dependence of diffusion parameters in coals was shown. Increasing gas pressure decreases the equilibrium time. For example, the CO2 equilibrium time is about 15 h at 5 MPa and about 40 h for 0.1 MPa. The study of kinetic sorption at different temperatures suggested that the diffusion of gases into coal is activated for CO2 and CH4. The effective diffusion, D e, and the diffusion coefficient, D, estimated from modelling experimental data by assuming Fickian and unipore diffusion, increased with increasing temperature. The diffusion coefficient was estimated at about 10−12 m2 s−1. Assuming Arrhenius'' law, the activation energy of CO2 adsorption was rather low, about 18 kJ mol−1 compared to the one of CH4, about 34 kJ mol−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash for road and car-park construction is an appropriate solution to reduce their disposal and the consumption of natural materials. In addition to leaching tests, the environmental impact assessment of such a waste recycling scenario critically needs for reliable long-term field data. This paper addresses a 10-year pilot site where MSWI bottom ashes have been used as road aggregates in Northern France (oceanic temperate climate). The paper focuses on the long-term evolution of leachate chemistry and the mineralogical transformations of MSWI bottom ash over 10 years. Data interpretation is supported by geochemical modeling in terms of main pH-buffering processes. The leachate pH and concentrations in major elements (Ca, Na and Cl) as well as in Al and heavy metals (Cu, Pb and Zn) quickly drop during the first 2 years to asymptotically reach a set of minimum values over 10 years; similar to those of a reference road built with natural calcareous aggregates. SO4 release makes exception with a slightly increasing trend over time. Carbonation induced by CO2 inputs, which leads to the successive dissolution of portlandite, CSH and ettringite, is one of the main phenomenon responsible for the geochemical evolution of leachate. On the other hand, mineralogical observations and batch tests demonstrate a relative stability of the MSWI bottom ash inside the subbase layer. In particular, carbonation may be far to be completed and still in progress after 10 years. This is consistent with preferential rainwater flow and dilution at the road edges combined to diffusion inside the subbase layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We study the characteristics of a statistical ensemble of mesoscale simulations in order to estimate the model error in the simulation of CO2 concentrations. The ensemble consists of ten members and the reference simulation using the operationnal short range forecast PEARP, perturbed using the Singular Vector technique. We then used this ensemble of simulations as the initial and boundary conditions for the meso scale model (Méso-NH) simulations, which uses CO2 fluxes from the ISBA-A-gs land surface model. The final ensemble represents the model dependence to the boundary conditions, conserving the physical properties of the dynamical schemes, but excluding the intrinsic error of the model. First, the variance of our ensemble is estimated over the domain, with associated spatial and temporal correlations. Second, we extract the signal from noisy horizontal correlations, due to the limited size ensemble, using diffusion equation modelling. The computational cost of such ensemble limits the number of members (simulations) especially when running online the carbon flux and the atmospheric models. In the theory, 50 to 100 members would be required to explore the overall sensitivity of the ensemble. The present diffusion model allows us to extract a significant part of the noisy error, and makes this study feasable with a limited number of simulations. Finally, we compute the diagonal and non-diagonal terms of the observation error covariance matrix and introduced it into our CO2 flux matrix inversion for 18 days of the 2005 intensive campaign CERES over the South West of France. Variances are based on model-data mismatch to ensure we treat model bias as well as ensemble dispersion, whereas spatial and temporal covariances are estimated with our method. The horizontal structure of the ensemble variance manifests the discontinuities of the mesoscale structures during the day, but remains locally driven during the night. On the vertical, surface layer variance shows large correlations with the upper levels in the boundary layer (> 0.6), dropping to 0.4 with the lower levels of the free troposphere. Large temporal correlations were found during the afternoon (> 0.5 for several hours), reduced during the night. The diffusion equation model extracted relevant error covariance signals horizontally, with reduced correlations over mountain areas and during the night over the continent. The posterior error reduction on the inverted CO2 fluxes accounting for the model error correlations illustrates the predominance of the temporal over the spatial correlations when using tower-based CO2 concentration observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Most peridotite massifs and mantle xenoliths show a wide range of isotopic variations, often involving significant decoupling between Hf, Nd and Sr isotopes. These variations are generally ascribed either to mingling of individual components of contrasted isotopic compositions or to time integration of parent-element enrichment by percolating melts/fluids, superimposed onto previous depletion event(s). However, strong isotopic decoupling may also arise during porous flow as a result of daughter-elements fractionation during solid–liquid interaction. Although porous flow is recognized as an important process in mantle rocks, its effects on mantle isotopic variability have been barely investigated so far. The peridotites of the Lherz massif (French Pyrenees) display a frozen melt percolation front separating highly refractory harzburgites from refertilized lherzolites. Isotopic signatures observed at the melt percolation front show a strong decoupling of Hf from Nd and Sr isotopes that cannot be accounted for by simple mixing involving the harzburgite protolith and the percolating melt. Using one dimensional percolation–diffusion and percolation–reaction modeling, we show that these signatures represent transient isotopic compositions generated by porous flow. These signatures are governed by a few critical parameters such as daughter element concentrations in melt and peridotite, element diffusivity, and efficiency of isotopic homogenization rather than by the chromatographic effect of melt transport and the refertilization reaction. Subtle variations in these parameters may generate significant inter-isotopic decoupling and wide isotopic variations in mantle rocks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hydromechanical behavior of argillaceous rocks is currently studied in order to predict the perturbations around ventilated galleries of a nuclear waste storage. This paper presents the results of desaturation–resaturation experiments performed on mudstone samples bored at 500m depth at Bure (France) where an underground research laboratory is under construction. We characterize the mass transfer process in the Bure mudstone, in terms of moisture diffusivity as a function of the relative humidity. A diffusivity identification method based on the measured mass evolution during transfer is proposed for the cases of uniaxial and radial diffusions. A significant non-linearity of moisture diffusivity has been observed. The retention curve, the diffusivity evolution, the ultrasonic velocity and the hydric strains have been investigated during the desaturation–resaturation process without mechanical loading. Hydric strains are anisotropic and non-linear with respect to relative humidity. A hysteresis has been observed on the ultrasonic velocity evolution, on the hydric strain variation and on the retention curve. Moisture diffusivity evolution is not the same along the desaturation path than along the resaturation path; this could be explained by the difference in moisture capacity on these two paths. The effect of desaturation–resaturation on mechanical behavior of the Bure mudstone is analysed by carrying out uniaxial compressive tests on samples with different water contents. Elastic parameters and compressive strength depend clearly on the suction. The mechanical behavior seems to be sensitive to the hydric path but further testing is needed to confirm these preliminary results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work, the diffusivities of alkaline cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+ and Cs+) were measured in a mudrock sample from Bure (ANDRA site, Meuse/Haute-Marne, France). The material is a natural rock, mainly composed of interstratified illite/smectite, quartz and calcite. It was saturated with a Na-Cl-dominated synthetic solution with an ionic strength of 57mM and a pH ∼8.0. The effective diffusion coefficients (D e) for the cations were determined from their steady-state flux through mudrock slices at 23°C (through-diffusion technique). HTO diffusion coefficients were systematically measured as well. Measured D e for the cations were found to be higher than values predicted from water diffusion alone. Moreover, this observation appeared to depend on the considered species: the ratio between measured and calculated effective diffusion coefficients ranged between two for lithium and nearly one order of magnitude for rubidium and cesium. An interpretation with different models dealing with sorption–diffusion processes is proposed and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

La fabrication des antibiotiques (AB) dans des pays émergents pose le problème d'une protection environnementale déficiente. La présence en concentration importante de ces molécules dans les effluents des usines de production est un facteur majeur de l'apparition et dissémination de la résistance à travers le monde. Nous avons souhaité faire un état des lieux de la position des firmes pharmaceutiques distribuant les AB prescrits en France, des instances nationales et des groupements d'achats de médicaments. Nous avons interrogé les délégués et directeurs médicaux des 10 principaux laboratoires pharmaceutiques, l'ANSM, la DGS, le comité national d'éthique, et UniHA, plateforme nationale d'achats hospitaliers de la majorité des AB. Les questions posées ont été : savez-vous où sont fabriqués les AB que vous proposez ? Le cahier des charges de production contient-il des normes de protection environnementale ? Aucun délégué n'a pu répondre aux questions, étant limités par une charte dans la diffusion d'information ou ne disposant pas de ces informations. Certains directeurs médicaux ont donné des réponses purement déclaratives, d'autres ont opposé le secret industriel. La direction d'UniHA se dit prête à discuter de ces enjeux. Les référents toulousains du marché AB national précisent que l'origine de fabrication est demandée aux firmes mais non obligatoire et rarement donnée. Si des règles de bonne pratique de fabrication sont théoriquement requises pour les pays exportateurs envers le marché européen, l'insuffisance d'inspection explique leur non respect. Depuis les années 2000, les entreprises sont soumises à la responsabilité sociétale des entreprises, basée sur une démarche volontaire, et qui se développe notamment sous la pression des parties prenantes. Elle intègre les filières d'approvisionnement, la sous-traitance, l'impact écologique, des critères de développement durable et d'éthique. Parmi d'autres initiatives intéressantes, citons l'indice PBT (persistance, bio-accumulation et toxicité) suédois pour les prescripteurs, ou la RSP, responsabilité étendue aux producteurs. Le 31/01/2020 pour la première fois, dans le cadre de la fabrication en France de substances interdites sur le sol national mais vendues à l'exportation, le Conseil Constitutionnel reconnaît que « la protection de l'environnement » peut justifier des « atteintes à la liberté d'entreprendre ». L'externalisation des chaînes de production des AB en Asie pour des raisons de coût, limite la maîtrise nationale et européenne de la résistance liée aux rejets. Tous les acteurs doivent comprendre la nécessité d'intégrer des critères environnementaux, dans la politique d'octroi d'autorisation de mise sur le marché, d'achats publics et de prescription. Face aux enjeux sanitaires (morbi-mortalité), éthiques, moraux et économique de l'antibiorésistance, une réponse d'ampleur, politique, industrielle et médicale, est indispensable et urgente. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to, and outcome of, renal transplantation according to treatment modality of end-stage renal disease in France.Background.Although peritoneal dialysis (PD) is recognized as one of the methods of treatment of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), there have been recurrent concerns about the access of patients treated by this modality to kidney transplantation (KTx), as well as reports showing increased complications of KTx in such patients, such as graft thrombosis and infections.Methods.The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive view of the impact on transplantation of pretransplant modality of treatment of ESRD using a multivariate analysis of the French database. From 1997 to 2000, after exclusion of pediatric patients, multiple transplantations, and living donors, 6420 were patients registered on the waiting list, and 3464 were transplanted.Results.Using a Cox proportional hazard analysis, we found a shorter waiting time for PD patients (RR 0.71,P<0.0001), which became equivalent to hemodialysis (HD) patients when taking into account the transplant center as a variable (RR 1.0,P= 0.95). Concerning graft survival, only preemptive transplantation had a significant impact, being associated to a decreased risk of graft failure (RR 0.46,P= 0.005).Conclusion.Our study supports the concept that the choice of any pretransplant dialysis modality does not influence waiting time for transplant or the results of transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argillites are one of the geological formations studied by IRSN for their confining properties for isolation of radioactive wastes. One of the main objectives is the study of water transport through rocks with very low water content and very low hydraulic conductivity by modeling of natural tracer profiles. This paper presents the protocol developed for and applied to the acquisition of data for chloride content in interstitial water of the Toarcian argillites at the Tournemire site (Southern France). This protocol is based on laboratory diffusion experiments and on modeling. Experimental data obtained during the transient and steady-state parts of diffusion experiments enable, respectively, the assessment of the diffusion coefficient and the determination of Cl concentration in pore water. Using this protocol, profiles with depth for both of these data sets have been acquired along the geological sequence. Taking into account the present knowledge of the geological and hydrogeological history of the Tournemire massif, a conceptual model granting the main role for mass transport to diffusion has been proposed. According to this conceptual model, a one-dimensional numerical model was built for simulating the mass transport of chloride through the sedimentary column, over 53 Ma. The good agreement between experimental data and calculated values for both diffusion coefficients and concentrations of chloride confirms that diffusion is likely the main process for mass transport in the massif. This model was also tested with the deuterium content of interstitial water, applying variable concentrations at the aquifer system boundaries for reflecting the thermal dependency of isotopic composition in precipitation. These simulations also reveal the likely important role of heterogeneities, such as fractures, in the variability of tracer concentrations with regards to a simple diffusion profile. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The main goal of this study is to analyze the relation between commercial trade and pandemic severity in society, in order to support new hypotheses which can explain transmission dynamics of COVID-19, as well as promote policy responses to cope with future epidemics similar to COVID-19. This study considers the role of trade in the dynamics of pandemic diffusion, within and between countries, which has not been investigated yet in this emerging field of research. We focus on three large countries in Europe: Italy, France, and Spain. The analysis is performed at regional level (involving in total 52 European regions). Results suggest that the association between trade and pandemic severity seems to be supported by empirical evidence, making it possible to introduce new hypotheses for explaining transmission dynamics of COVID-19 within and between countries. In particular, international trade data is supposed to be used as a comprehensive indicator accounting for population density, economic dynamism, and human mobility. The statistical analyses, also in a multivariate context, strongly support this hypothesis and suggest that crisis management has to focus in the very first place on infections occurring outside the national boundaries, in order to cope with pandemic threat of new waves of COVID-19 and future similar epidemics/pandemics. • The interdisciplinary research is shown to be strategic in pandemic to propose new data analysis and perspectives. • Economic data about international trade are used to describe transmission dynamics of COVID-19. • Comparative analysis involving all the regions of Italy, Spain, and France are presented for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The migration of organic compounds in soils is a major concern in several environmental issues. Contaminants display distinct behaviours as regards to their specific affinities towards soils constituents. The retention mechanism of hydrophobic compounds by natural organic matter is well known. The retention of ionizable compounds is mainly related to oxides and clay minerals, even if less documented in reductive media. In this work, we investigated the migration of organic compounds in a soft clay-rich sedimentary rock (Tégulines clay, France). The aim was to determine the relative contributions of natural sorbents on retention, and eventual correlations with solutes properties. Both hydrophobic compounds (toluene, benzene, naphthalene) and hydrophilic species (adipate, oxalate, ortho-phthalate, benzoate) were investigated, using batch and diffusion experiments. The retention of neutral aromatic compounds correlates with their lipophilicity (log P OW), confirming that absorption mechanism prevails, despite a low content of natural organic matter (≤0.5%). A low retention of ionizable compounds was quantified on Tégulines clay. The eventual discrepancies between data acquired on crushed rock and solid samples are discussed. Low effective diffusion coefficients are quantified. These values hint on the relative contributions of steric and electrostatic exclusion, despite a large pore size in such "soft" clay-rock. Overall, the dataset illustrates a general scheme for assessing the migration over a wide variety of organic compounds. This approach may be useful for predictive modelling of the fate of organic compounds in environmental media. [Display omitted] Transport of organic compounds is quantified in a soft clay rock (Tégulines) Low content of organic matter drives the retention of lipophilic compounds Retention of ionizable sorbates decreases with lipophilicity (log P OW < 0) Apparent partition coefficient, P APP , are reported for ionizable compounds Diffusion coefficients provide contribution of charge and size to porosity exclusion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invited for this month's cover picture is the Electrochemical group at Laboratoire Pasteur, École Normale Supérieure, France. The cover picture provides an allegory of the surprising fact that whatever the high degree of geometric randomness of electrochemical arrays of electroactive sites, as the beige array with its Voronoi tessellated unit cells shown at the left, their voltammetric responses are almost indistinguishable from those of fully periodic ones, idealized by the green honeycomb matrix at the right. This occurs as soon as peak‐shaped voltammograms are observed due to full interactions of the diffusion layers generated by individual active sites. This justifies why the theory proposed by Amatore and Savéant almost 40 years ago to describe the behavior of electrochemical networks has always provided solid outcomes even for random ones. Learn more about the story behind the research featured on the front cover in this issue's Cover Profile. Read the full text of the Article at10.1002/celc.202100310. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium-79 is considered as a critical radionuclide in safety assessment of high-level radioactive waste deep geological repository in clay-rich formations, owing to its long half-life and its anionic form in three relevant oxidation states (VI, IV,-II). An in-depth understanding of the diffusive transport properties of Se is therefore essential, especially due to its high sensitivity to oxido-reduction conditions. Here, the mobility of selenite and selenate in claystone samples (Callovo-Oxfordian, East of Paris Basin, France) under anoxic conditions is assessed by combining batch and diffusion experiments, and synchrotron-based spectroscopic mapping of diffusion fronts. Results showed that selenite and selenate behaved distinctly. Selenate diffused similarly to the reference anionic tracer, 36Cl−, without significant sorption or reduction. Selenite showed a sorption behaviour that increased with the decrease of the initial concentration from 10−3 to 10−6 mol L−1, values of distribution ratio (R d) from batch experiments ranging from 10 to about 250 mL g−1. Selenite in-diffusion experiments showed that a pure diffusion model with reversible sorption was able to roughly reproduce the evolution of dissolved selenite in solution over time. However, additional reactions were required to properly describe the irregular shape of the selenite diffusion profiles in the solid. Mapping of Se oxidation state in diffusion fronts within the claystone coupons showed the presence of reduced Se (Se (0), Se(-I) and/or Se(-II)) along a fringe located at about 2 mm beneath the surface, possibly explaining the irregular shape of diffusion profiles. In the superficial zone (0–2 mm), oxidizing perturbations are assumed to account for the preservation of selenite under this oxidation state. These perturbations would also bias batch results in the same manner. Deeper in the claystone sample, diffusing selenite was observed, with a content steadily decreasing up to 7 mm from the inlet. The results suggest that, even after more than 500 days of diffusion, Se reduction would occur progressively along the diffusion pathways. • Selenate diffused similarly to 36Cl−, without significant sorption or reduction. • Selenite sorption increases with [Se(IV)] 0 decreasing from 10−3 to 10−6 mol L−1 • Oxidation state of selenium diffusing in clay rock was mapped using micro-XAS. • Irregular shape of Se(IV) diffusion profile is related to oxido-reduction processes. • In the first 2 mm of rock oxidizing artifacts preserve Se(IV) under this oxidation state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La grippe est un problème majeur de santé publique, responsable d'une morbi-mortalité importante chaque année. La vaccination des professionnels de santé (PS) est une des principales mesures de prévention de la diffusion de la grippe nosocomiale. Malgré les recommandations, la couverture vaccinale (CV) antigrippale des PS reste faible en France et peu de données sont disponibles concernant les PS exerçant en établissements de santé (ES), en établissements médicosociaux (ESMS) et en ville. Les objectifs étaient d'évaluer la CV antigrippale des professionnels de santé de ces 3 secteurs, d'évaluer leurs connaissances et pratiques concernant la transmission de la grippe et les moyens de prévention (ESMS et ville) et d'identifier leurs barrières à la vaccination. Trois enquêtes descriptives ont été réalisées en parallèle après la saison grippale 2018–2019 sous la forme de questionnaires en ligne. Un questionnaire a été adressé aux équipes opérationnelles d'hygiène (EOH) de la région, aux équipes de coordination et aux professionnels des ESMS ainsi qu'aux professionnels libéraux (médecins, sages-femmes, infirmiers et kinésithérapeutes) via les URPS concernées. Au total, plus de 35 % (n = 141) des ES, 130 ESMS (environ 23 %) de la région dont la majorité était des Ehpad (83 %) et 556 professionnels libéraux, majoritairement des infirmiers (56 %) et des kinésithérapeutes (43 %) ont participé à leurs enquêtes respectives. La couverture vaccinale antigrippale moyenne (IC95 %) était dans les ES de 24,4 % [22,2–26,6] pour l'ensemble des PS, plus importante pour les personnels médicaux (43,5 % [38,5–48,5]) (médecins et sages-femmes) que pour les personnels paramédicaux (22,6 % [19,9–25,3]) (IDE et AS), de 40 % [35–44] pour l'ensemble des PS des ESMS, significativement plus élevée en Ehpad (43 % [38 %–48 %]) que dans les autres ESMS (18 % [9 %–27 %]) et de 63 % [59,3–67,5] pour les PS libéraux, plus importante chez les IDE (71 %) que chez les kinésithérapeutes (57 %). En ESMS et en ville, les principales raisons pour se faire vacciner étaient de se protéger soi-même puis de protéger ses patients. En revanche, quel que soit le secteur d'activité, le principal frein à la vaccination était représenté par la peur des effets indésirables. Les PS qui refusaient la vaccination avaient plus de méconnaissance concernant les caractéristiques du vaccin contre la grippe et sous estimaient les risques représentés par la grippe pour leurs patients. La CV des PS est différente selon le secteur d'activité et selon la fonction du PS. Ces 3 enquêtes font appel à une méthodologie différente empêchant toute comparaison. Néanmoins, les idées reçues sur l'efficacité du vaccin et ses effets indésirables restent une problématique importante. Combler ces lacunes au cours de la formation initiale et de la formation continue pourrait améliorer le recours à la vaccination des personnels et ainsi réduire la morbidité des patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Maupasacq experiment, a six-month international passive seismic survey, was conducted in 2017 in the Mauleon basin, SW France. Situated north of the Pyrenean range, this basin consists of a former Cretaceous hyper-extended rift, inverted during the Pyrenean (Alpine) orogeny. For imaging purposes, a dense network of more than 400 seismic stations (broadband and short period sensors) was deployed in a 40x40 km² area with moderate seismic activity. As a prerequisite for the classical goals of the experiment (travel time tomography, ambient noise tomography), the local seismicity was studied in detail. It mostly proved compatible with its hitherto knowledge, that resulted from decades of monitoring with a permanent, though much sparser network. However, the exceptional density of the Maupasacq setup allowed the recording of an highly unusual seismic sequence, unprecedented in the local catalogues. The sequence consisted of about 150 events, very close to each other, concentrated around 4 km depth, with extremely similar waveforms, located in a part of the basin where only one event had been detected in the previous 20 years. This cluster behaves as a swarm, with no mainshock-aftershock relationship. Double-difference relocation, based on cross-correlation calculated arrival times, reduces the spatial extent of this cluster to dimensions in the order of 100-150 meters (vertical and horizontal). Slow seismicity migration is clearly observed during the 3-months following the onset of the swarm, suggesting a behavior driven by fluid diffusion. In this presentation, we will describe the spatio-temporal and mechanical characteristics of the swarm, and its relationship with the local geological setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasion of new territories by alien organisms is of primary concern for environmental and health agencies and has been a core topic in mathematical modeling, in particular in the intents of reconstructing the past dynamics of the alien organisms and predicting their future spatial extents. Partial differential equations offer a rich and flexible modeling framework that has been applied to a large number of invasions. In this article, we are specifically interested in dating and localizing the introduction that led to an invasion using mathematical modeling, post-introduction data and an adequate statistical inference procedure. We adopt a mechanistic-statistical approach grounded on a coupled reaction-diffusion-absorption model representing the dynamics of an organism in an heterogeneous domain with respect to growth. Initial conditions (including the date and site of the introduction) and model parameters related to diffusion, reproduction and mortality are jointly estimated in the Bayesian framework by using an adaptive importance sampling algorithm. This framework is applied to the invasion of Xylella fastidiosa, a phytopathogenic bacterium detected in South Corsica in 2015, France.

An analytical methodology was developed to characterize the colloidal distribution of trace elements of interest in environmental waters sampled in a same site and enables the different colloidal distributions from waters to be compared. The purpose was to provide consistent information related to the origin and nature of colloids responsible for the transport of trace element(s). The work was motivated by the observed enhanced mobility of uranium in soil. The colloidal size continuum was investigated by a multi-technique approach involving asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled with ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), multi angle light scattering (MALS), and atomic mass spectrometry (ICPMS). To take into consideration the size and shape variability specific to each sample, the size distributions were established from the gyration radii measured from MALS, also considering the size information from standard nanospheres fractionated by AF4. A new parameter called "shape index" was proposed. It expresses the difference in hydrodynamic behavior between analytes and spherical particles taken as reference. Under AF4 diffusion conditions, it can be considered as an evaluator of the deviation from the sphericity of the fractionated analytes. AF4-UV-MALS-ICPMS enabled the dimensional and chemical characteristics of the colloidal size continuum to be obtained. As a "proof of concept", the developed methodology was applied at a field scale, in a reference study site. In order to have a "dynamic understanding", the investigation was based on the joint characterization of colloids from surface waters and soil leachates from static and dynamic processes. In the water samples of the study site, the continuum of gyration radius ranged from a few nanometers up to 200 nm. Colloids containing iron, aluminum, and organic carbon were involved in the uranium transport in the soil column and surface waters. The colloidal uranium concentration in the surface water increased from the upstream location (approximately 13 ng (U) L -1 ) to the downstream location (approximately 60 ng (U) L -1 ).

A scale-up procedure was assessed in this study to predict the fixed bed adsorption behaviors with aging granular activated carbon (GAC) for various micropollutants (pesticides, pharmaceuticals). Two assumptions of this upscaling methodology (i.e., involving equal adsorption capacities and surface diffusivities between the batch test and the fixed bed) were studied for the first time to investigate the aging effect on the adsorption capacity and kinetics of carbon at full scale. This study was conducted in natural waters (the Seine River) treated by Veolia Eau d'Ile de France in Choisy-Le-Roi, a division of Syndicat des Eaux d'Ile de France, aiming to monitor real industrial conditions. The isotherms showed that the adsorption capacity for most compounds was significantly affected by aging. For the mass transfer coefficients (i.e., as determined by the homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM)), different patterns of adsorbate/adsorbent behaviors were observed, suggesting different competition mechanisms. The model predictions (i.e., HSDM) performed with all parameters obtained during the batch tests tended to overestimate the full-scale pilot adsorption performance. This overestimation could be compensated for by applying a scaling factor. Finally, an empirical pseudo-first order function was used to model the impact of the GAC service time on the characteristic adsorption parameters. Thus, our scale-up procedure may enable the prediction of long-term fixed bed adsorption behaviors and increase the model efficiency for practical implementation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We propose and develop a general approach based on reaction-diffusion equations for modelling a species dynamics in a realistic two-dimensional (2D) landscape crossed by linear one-dimensional (1D) corridors, such as roads, hedgerows or rivers. Our approach is based on a hybrid "2D/1D model", i.e, a system of 2D and 1D reaction-diffusion equations with homogeneous coefficients, in which each equation describes the population dynamics in a given 2D or 1D element of the landscape. Using the example of the range expansion of the tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus in France and its main highways as 1D corridors, we show that the model can be fitted to realistic observation data. We develop a mechanistic-statistical approach, based on the coupling between a model of population dynamics and a probabilistic model of the observation process. This allows us to bridge the gap between the data (3 levels of infestation, at the scale of a French department) and the output of the model (population densities at each point of the landscape), and to estimate the model parameter values using a maximum-likelihood approach. Using classical model comparison criteria, we obtain a better fit and a better predictive power with the 2D/1D model than with a standard homogeneous reaction-diffusion model. This shows the potential importance of taking into account the effect of the corridors (highways in the present case) on species dynamics. With regard to the particular case of A. albopictus, the conclusion that highways played an important role in species range expansion in mainland France is consistent with recent findings from the literature.

Uncertainties on the mathematical modelling of radon ((222)Rn) transport in an unsaturated covered uranium mill tailings (UMT) soil at field scale can have a great impact on the estimation of the average measured radon exhalation rate to the atmosphere at the landfill cover. These uncertainties are usually attributed to the numerical errors from numerical schemes dealing with soil layering, and to inadequate modelling of physical processes at the soil/plant/atmosphere interface and of the soil hydraulic and transport properties, as well as their parameterization. In this work, we demonstrate how to quantify these uncertainties by comparing simulation results from two different numerical models to experimental data of radon exhalation rate and activity concentration in the soil-gas measured in a covered UMT-soil near the landfill site Lavaugrasse (France). The first approach is based on the finite volume compositional (i.e., water, radon, air) transport model TOUGH2/EOS7Rn (Transport Of Unsaturated Groundwater and Heat version 2/Equation Of State 7 for Radon; Saâdi et al., 2014), while the second one is based on the finite difference one-component (i.e., radon) transport model TRACI (Transport de RAdon dans la Couche Insaturée; Ferry et al., 2001). Transient simulations during six months of variable rainfall and atmospheric air pressure showed that the model TRACI usually overestimates both measured radon exhalation rate and concentration. However, setting effective unsaturated pore diffusivities of water, radon and air components in soil-liquid and gas to their physical values in the model EOS7Rn, allowed us to enhance significantly the modelling of these experimental data. Since soil evaporation has been neglected, none of these two models was able to simulate the high radon peaks observed during the dry periods of summer. However, on average, the radon exhalation rate calculated by EOS7Rn was 34% less than that was calculated by TRACI, and much closer to the measured one for physically-based soil radon diffusion models. Unlike TRACI, EOS7Rn was able to simulate qualitatively seasonal variations of both radon exhalation and concentration. These results show that EOS7Rn produces less numerical errors than TRACI, and can be considered as a promising model for predicting radon transport in the landfill, if soil evaporation is modelled and its numerical inversion for parameter estimation is realized., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A new laboratory-made Zn-ferrite (ZnFe2O4) binding gel is fully tested using Diffusive Gradient in Thin films (DGT) probes to measure total As [including inorganic As(III) and As(V), as well as MonoMethyl Arsenic Acid (MMAA(V)) and DiMethyl Arsenic Acid (DMAA(V))] in river waters and sediment pore waters. The synthesis of the binding gel is easy, cheap and its insertion into the acrylamide gel is not problematic. An important series of triplicate tests have been carried out to validate the use of the Zn-ferrite binding gel in routine for several environmental matrixes studies, in order to test: (i) the effect of pH on the accumulation efficiency of inorganic As species; (ii) the reproducibility of the results; (iii) the accumulation efficiency of As species; (iv) the effects of the ionic strength and possible competitive anions; and (v) the uptake and the elution efficiency of As species after accumulation in the binding gel. All experimental conditions have been reproduced using two other existing binding gels for comparison: ferrihydrite and Metsorb® HMRP 50. We clearly demonstrate that the Zn-ferrite binding gel is at least as good as the two other binding gels, especially for pH values higher than 8. In addition, by taking into consideration the diffusion rates of As(III) and As(V) in the gel, combining the 3-mercaptopropyl [accumulating only As(III)] with the Zn-ferrite binding gels allows for performing speciation studies. An environmental study along the Marque River finally illustrates the ability of the new binding gel to be used for field studies., (Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Dynamic extinction colonisation models (also called contact processes) are widely studied in epidemiology and in metapopulation theory. Contacts are usually assumed to be possible only through a network of connected patches. This network accounts for a spatial landscape or a social organization of interactions. Thanks to social network literature, heterogeneous networks of contacts can be considered. A major issue is to assess the influence of the network in the dynamic model. Most work with this common purpose uses deterministic models or an approximation of a stochastic Extinction-Colonisation model (sEC) which are relevant only for large networks. When working with a limited size network, the induced stochasticity is essential and has to be taken into account in the conclusions. Here, a rigorous framework is proposed for limited size networks and the limitations of the deterministic approximation are exhibited. This framework allows exact computations when the number of patches is small. Otherwise, simulations are used and enhanced by adapted simulation techniques when necessary. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to compare four main topologies of networks in contrasting settings to determine the role of the network. A challenging case was studied in this context: seed exchange of crop species in the Réseau Semences Paysannes (RSP), an emergent French farmers׳ organisation. A stochastic Extinction-Colonisation model was used to characterize the consequences of substantial changes in terms of RSP׳s social organization on the ability of the system to maintain crop varieties., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: Gases, especially hydrogen, will be generated by corrosion and radiolysis of high radioactive waste containers in deep geological repositories. Pressure build up resulting from those long-term processes may create a risk of geological barrier fracturation and of potential creation of preferential pathways for radionuclide migration. Good knowledge of gas transfer mechanisms in the potential host rock formations is therefore necessary. The present work focuses on Callovo-oxfordian argillites from the Bure (Meuse, France) underground laboratory operated by Andra, the French national agency for radioactive waste management. Its goal is to understand the pore structure of that rock formation as a first step towards characterizing and modelling gas intrusion and transfer. Our approach was to use various techniques in combination. Firstly, mercury intrusion experiments were made. Besides supplying the classical pore size distribution curve, they bear some resemblance with the real-life problem since mercury (a non-wetting phase) invades the porous structure like a gas would. Secondly, the water vapor sorption curve was measured by submitting initially dry samples to atmospheres with increasing vapor content. Comparison of the mercury intrusion/water vapour sorption data sets yielded information on the connectivity of the pore structure. Thirdly, the gas permeability of dry argillites was measured in a specifically designed set-up, using helium as an acceptable (non-detonating) substitute for hydrogen. The main observation was the existence of a large Klinkenberg effect. Finally, all the available information was used to build and constrain a multi-scale models for the pore network using the XDQ technique. The resulting models were used to predict the properties of the material at various water saturation levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]