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International audience; The consumption of high-protein diets (HPDs) increases the flux of undigested proteins moving to the colon. These proteins are hydrolyzed by bacterial proteases and peptidases, releasing amino acids, which in turn are metabolized by the intestinal microbiota (IM) for protein synthesis and production of various metabolites that can exert positive or deleterious effects, depending on their concentrations, at the colonic or systemic level. On the other hand, proanthocyanidins are polymers of flavan-3-ols which cannot be absorbed at the intestinal level, accumulating in the colon where they are fermented by the IM producing metabolites that appear beneficial for colonocytes and also at the peripheral level. This study evaluated the effect of an avocado peel polyphenol extract (AvPPE) rich in proanthocyanidins on the production of cecal bacterial metabolites and microbiota composition in rats fed a HPD. Compared with the normal-protein (NP) group, HPD did not markedly affect the body weight gain of the animals, but increased the kidney weight. Additionally, the HPD induced a higher cecal concentration of ammonia (NH4+/NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs). The supplementation with AvPPE attenuated the production of H2S and increased the production of indole. On the other hand, the HPD affected the composition of the cecal microbiota, increasing the relative abundance of the genera Bacteroides and Lactobacillus, while decreasing Prevotella. The AvPPE counteracted the increase induced by the HPD on the genus Lactobacillus, and increased the relative abundance of [Prevotella]. Our results contribute towards explaining the health-promoting effects of proanthocyanidin-rich dietary foodstuffs including fruits and vegetables.

In this work, we deal with the optimal control problem of maximizing biogas production in a chemostat. The dilution rate is the controlled variable, and we study the problem over a fixed finite horizon, for positive initial conditions. We consider the single reaction model and work with a broad class of growth rate functions. With the Pontryagin maximum principle, we construct a one-parameter family of extremal controls of type bang-singular arc. The parameter of these extremal controls is the constant value of the Hamiltonian. Using the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation, we identify the optimal control as the extremal associated with the value of the Hamiltonian, which satisfies a fixed point equation. We then propose a numerical algorithm to compute the optimal control by solving this fixed point equation. We illustrate this method with the two major types of growth functions of Monod and Haldane.

International audience; We revisit the minimal time problem of in-situ decontamination of large water resources with a bioreactor, considering a recirculation flow rate in the resource as an additional control. This new problem has two manipulated inputs : the flow rate of the treatment in the bioreactor and the recirculation flow rate of the water resource between the pumping and reinjection locations. Although the velocity set of the dynamics is non convex, we show that the optimal control is reached among non-relaxed controls. The optimal strategy consists in three sequential steps: 1. do not mix and take the flow rate of treatment that maximizes the concentration decay in the resource. 2. mix as much as possible and carry on with the flow rate that maximizes the concentration decay. 3. carry on mixing but do not treat the water. Finally, we show on numerical simulations that a significant gain in processing time can be achieved time when controlling in addition the recirculation flow rate.

International audience; In this work we study the optimal control problem of maximizing the average biogas production over an infnite horizon. We consider a large class of growth rate functions that depend on substrate and biomass concentrations and we solve this problem for the chemostat model. The obtained optimal control is a autonomous state feedback.

WOS:000375969100012; International audience; The protective effect of proanthocyanidin-containing polyphenol extracts from apples, avocados, cranberries, grapes, or proanthocyanidin microbial metabolites was evaluated in colonic epithelial cells exposed to p-cresol, a deleterious compound produced by the colonic microbiota from L-tyrosine. In HT29 Glc(-/+) cells, p-cresol significantly increased LDH leakage and decreased ATP contents, whereas in Caco-2 cell monolayers, it significantly decreased the transepithelial electrical resistance and increased the paracellular transport of FITC-dextran. The alterations induced by p-cresol in HT29 Glc(-/+) cells were prevented by the extracts from cranberries and avocados, whereas they became worse by extracts from apples and grapes. The proanthocyanidin bacterial metabolites decreased LDH leakage, ameliorating cell viability without improving intracellular ATP. All of the polyphenol extracts and proanthocyanidin bacterial metabolites prevented the p-cresol-induced alterations of barrier function. These results suggest that proanthocyanidin-containing polyphenol extracts and proanthocyanidin metabolites likely contribute to the protection of the colonic mucosa against the deleterious effects of p-cresol.

International audience; In this contribution, we describe the preparation, characterization, and electrochemical behavior of a series of four new mononuclear M(ii) complexes featuring a symmetric substituted N2O2-tetradentate Schiff base ligand, bearing either trifluoromethyl and p-bromophenyl (M = Ni, 3; Cu, 4) or trifluoromethyl and the pi-extended p-(2-thienyl)phenylene (M = Ni, 5; Cu, 6) substituents. Complexes 3 and 4 were readily synthesized by reacting the diprotic fluorinated Schiff base proligand 2 with the appropriate hydrated metal(II) acetates, whereas 5 and 6 were obtained upon Stille cross-coupling reaction of 3 and 4 with 2-(tributylstannyl)-thiophene, respectively. Compounds 3-6 were isolated as neutral, air, and thermally stable-coloured solids, with yields ranging from 60 to 80%. The four complexes, the diimine precursor 1 and its trifluoroacetylated derivative 2, were identified using analytical (EA, ESI-MS), spectroscopic (IR, H-1, C-13, and F-19 NMR), and X-ray crystallographic methods. X-ray crystal structure determination of complexes 3-5 revealed that both four-coordinate Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) metal ions adopt a square planar geometry. The magnetic properties of powdered samples of the Cu(ii) derivatives 4 and 6 have been investigated (2-300 K) and found consistent in both cases with a single isolated copper(ii) ion (s = 1/2). DFT calculations were used to examine the optimal geometries of complexes 5 and 6, allowing for a consistent perspective of their structure and characteristics. The primary aspects of the UV-vis spectra were interpreted using TD-DFT computations. Finally, electrochemical data indicate that complexes 5 and 6 polymerize at high anodic potentials in acetonitrile (greater than 2.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl). Cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analyses were used to characterize the obtained films poly-5 and poly-6.

We build a general equilibrium model where agents are subject to endogenous trading constraints, making the access to financial trade dependent on prices and consumption decisions. Besides, our framework is compatible with the existence of endogenous financial segmentation and credit markets' exclusion. Two results of equilibrium existence are shown. In the first one, we assume individuals can super-replicate financial payments buying durable commodities and investing in assets that give liquidity to all agents. In the second result, under strict monotonicity of preferences, we suppose there are agents that may compensate with increments in present demand the losses of well-being generated by reductions of future consumption.

Pennatulaceans are an important component of benthic marine communities usually related to soft bottoms. Despite their important ecological role, as yet little is known about their origin and divergence time. The first attempts to establish phylogenetic relationships among genera date from the early 20th century, when only morphological characters were available. In the last decade, phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA sequences from a selected number of species have proposed a different hypothetical ancestor for this group, but their intergeneric relationships remain obscure. The present study is based on a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear markers (mtMutS, Cox1 and 28S rDNA), adding new molecular information about the phylogenetic relationships among the pennatulacean genera, including 38 new sequences belonging to 13 different species. Some of the phylogenetic relationships inferred in the present study question the current classification of sea pens based on morphology (at different taxonomic levels), clearly indicating that the two main groups Sessiliflorae and Subselliflorae, some of their main families (e.g. Pennatulidae, Umbellulidae, Virgulariidae) and some genera (e.g. Umbellula, Veretillum) are non-monophyletic. In addition, the veretillids, traditionally considered the most primitive pennatulaceans, are not shown as the earliest-diverging taxon. Moreover, an analysis of divergence time performed here suggested that the origin of the pennatulaceans dates from the Lower Cretaceous (Berriasian, ~144 Ma), in agreement with their sparsely known fossil record, while the initial divergence of most extant genera occurred in the Oligocene and Miocene times. Los pennatuláceos son un componente importante de las comunidades bentónicas marinas generalmente relacio- nados con fondos blandos. A pesar de su importante papel ecológico, la información sobre su origen y tiempo de divergencia es aún escasa. Los primeros intentos de establecer relaciones filogenéticas entre géneros datan de principios del siglo XX, cuando sólo estaban disponibles caracteres morfológicos. En la última década, los análisis filogenéticos basados en secuen- cias de ADN mitocondrial procedentes de un limitado número de especies han propuesto un ancestro hipotético diferente para este grupo, pero sus relaciones intergenéricas permanecen oscuras. La presente investigación está basada en una combinación de marcadores mitocondriales y nuclear (mtMutS, Cox1 y ADNr 28S), aportando nueva información molecular sobre las relaciones filogenéticas entre los géneros de pennatuláceos, incluyendo 38 nuevas secuencias pertenecientes a 13 especies. Algunas de las relaciones filogenéticas inferidas en el presente estudio cuestionan la actual clasificación de las plumas de mar basada en la morfología (a diferentes niveles taxonómicos), indicando claramente que los dos grupos principales Sessiliflorae y Subselliflorae, algunas de sus principales familias (por ejemplo Pennatulidae, Umbellulidae, Virgulariidae) y algunos gé- neros (por ejemplo Umbellula, Veretillum) son no-monofiléticos. Asimismo, los veretílidos, tradicionalmente considerados los pennatuláceos más primitivos, no se muestran como el taxón divergente más antiguo. Además, un análisis del tiempo de divergencia realizado en este trabajo sugirió que el origen de los pennatuláceos data del Cretácico Inferior (Berriasiano, ~ 144 Ma), de acuerdo con su escasamente conocido registro fósil, mientras que la divergencia inicial de la mayoría de los géneros existentes ocurrió en tiempos del Oligoceno y Mioceno. LAMPOS, ANT XIX/5-REN2001-4929-E/ANT CLIMANT, ANT XXIII/8-POL2006-06399/CGL INDEMARES Cap de Creus, INDEMARES Alborán e INDEMARES Chica-LIFE07/NAT/E/000732 LIFE+ INDEMARES Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica de Chile. (CONICYT)-PCHA/Doctorado Nacional/2017–21170438 Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad de España. (MINECO)- CTM2017-83920-P (DIVERSICORAL)

Urbanization transforms environments in ways that alter biological evolution. We examined whether urban environmental change drives parallel evolution by sampling 110,019 white clover plants from 6169 populations in 160 cities globally. Plants were assayed for a Mendelian antiherbivore defense that also affects tolerance to abiotic stressors. Urban-rural gradients were associated with the evolution of clines in defense in 47% of cities throughout the world. Variation in the strength of clines was explained by environmental changes in drought stress and vegetation cover that varied among cities. Sequencing 2074 genomes from 26 cities revealed that the evolution of urban-rural clines was best explained by adaptive evolution, but the degree of parallel adaptation varied among cities. Our results demonstrate that urbanization leads to adaptation at a global scale. National Science Foundation RCN DEB-1840663 Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica AFB170008, FB0002, FB210006 National Science Foundation IOS-1557770, DEB-1601641 Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo 2018/00107-3

Simple Summary Honey bees, Apis melllifera, are the most commonly managed bee in the world for pollination services. However, worldwide continuous colony losses have been reported for almost a decade. One factor of these losses is associated to pathogens being the virus one of the most important problems in honey bee health. One of the known viruses that affect the honey bee population is deformed wing virus (DWV). DWV causes physical malformation and behavioral disturbances, but also, this virus can be found in the antenna affecting the anatomical integrity of infected areas, which could compromise normal antennal functioning associated to aroma perception. Thus, we evaluate olfactory sensitivity and the expression of antenna-specific odorant-binding proteins (OBP) genes in honey bees inoculated with variant A of the DWV. We performed olfactory sensitivity analysis using the essential oils Eucalyptus globulus and Mentha piperita, but also, and molecular analysis of gene expression of nine OBPs. We found that the high level of replication of DWV-A in the antennae decreased the olfactory sensitivity and led to a down-regulation of some OBPs in middle- and forager-age worker bees. Thus, DWV-A infection in adults of honey bees could compromise volatile compound recognition inside the hive and outside the hive. Abstract Insects have a highly sensitive sense of smell, allowing them to perform complex behaviors, such as foraging and peer recognition. Their sense of smell is based on the recognition of ligands and is mainly coordinated by odorant-binding proteins (OBPs). In Apis mellifera, behavior can be affected by different pathogens, including deformed wing virus (DWV) and its variants. In particular, it has been shown that variant A of DWV (DWV-A) is capable of altering the ultra-cellular structure associated with olfactory activity. In this study was evaluated olfactory sensitivity and the expression of OBP genes in honey bees inoculated with DWV-A. Electroantennographic analyses (EAG) were carried out to determine the olfactory sensitivity to the essential oils Eucalyptus globulus and Mentha piperita. The expression of nine antenna-specific OBP genes and DWV-A load in inoculated bees was also quantified by qPCR. We observed an inverse relationship between viral load and olfactory sensitivity and the expression of some OBP proteins. Thus, high viral loads reduced olfactory sensitivity to essential oils and the gene expression of the OBP2, OBP5, OBP11, and OBP12 proteins on the antennas of middle- and forager-age bees. These results suggest that DWV-A could have negative effects on the processes of aroma perception by worker bees, affecting their performance in tasks carried out in and outside the colony.

Resumen Esta investigación tiene como propósito develar los significados sobre la relación familia- escuela, específicamente en el ámbito de la participación, desde la perspectiva del profesorado que se desempeñan en escuelas rurales de la comuna de Bulnes, Chile. Desde el punto de vista metodológico, el estudio de corte cualitativo, se sitúa bajo el paradigma interpretativo comprensivo, la técnica de producción de datos corresponde a la entrevista semi-estructurada en sesión única. El análisis de los discursos se desarrolla a través del análisis estructural semántico. Dentro de los hallazgos tenemos que: sobre la crianza se da cuenta de ausencia de normas desde un estilo permisivo, la importancia del rol del profesor en el trabajo con la dupla psicosocial. Respecto del voluntariado sus facilitadores son el buen funcionamiento de una escuela, lo que conlleva efectos positivos en los aprendizajes y en la motivación. Finalmente, se concluye que una escuela bien organizada promueve una relación familia-escuela con responsabilidades compartidas, lo que tiene efectos positivos en sus estudiantes en lo académico y socioemocional. Summary The purpose of this study is to reveal the meanings of the family-school relationship, specifically in the field of participation, from the perspective of teachers who work in rural schools in the commune of Bulnes, Chile. From the methodological point of view, the qualitative study is placed under the comprehensive interpretive paradigm, the data production technique corresponds to the semi-structured interview in a single session. The analysis of the discourses is developed through semantic structural analysis. Among the findings we have that: about parenting, the absence of norms from a permissive style is noted, the importance of the teacher's role in working with the psychosocial couple. Regarding volunteering, its facilitators are the proper functioning of a school, which has positive effects on learning and motivation. Finally, it is concluded that a well-organized school promotes a family-school relationship with shared responsibilities, which has positive academic and socio-emotional effects on its students.

International audience; Four new ternary Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes of ONO tridentate Schiff base and pyridylmethylenepyran (PyMP) ligands [(R-ONO)M(PyMP)] (R = anisyl = An M = Ni 1, Cu 2; R = ferrocenyl = Fc M = Ni 3, Cu 4) have been synthesized under facile reaction conditions starting from R-ONOH2, metal(ii) nitrate salts, and PyMP; R-ONOH2 stands for the Schiff base ligand precursors obtained by condensation of either 1-anisyl- or 1-ferrocenyl-butan-1,3-dione and 2-aminophenol. They have been thoroughly characterized with the help of various physicochemical tools, such as CHN analyses, IR and UV-vis spectra, H-1 NMR for diamagnetic Ni(ii) derivatives 1 and 3, and HRMS for paramagnetic Cu(ii) species 2 and 4. The molecular structures of 1-3 were authenticated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods, along with that of the doubly phenoxide-bridged dimer [Cu-2(mu-ONO-Fc)(2)(PyMp)(2)] (4 '), resulting from the recrystallization of 4. In 1-3, the four-coordinate nickel and copper atoms adopt a square planar geometry, whereas in 4 ' the Cu-II metal ion is five-coordinated in a square pyramidal environment with the pyridyl nitrogen occupying the apex. Electrochemical studies reveal two well-separated redox waves. The spin density distribution analyses reveal that the initial oxidation process is associated with a ligand-based level, with some ferrocenyl participation for the heterobimetallic compounds 3 and 4. Reversible redox switching can be established for 1 and 3 by time-resolved spectroelectrochemistry under thin-layer conditions where electrochemical cycling is associated with a significant modification of the UV-vis spectra of the chromophores. The second-order nonlinear optical responses of 1-4 along with those of assumed bispyrylium dimeric species 5 and 6, generated by chemical oxidation of 1 and 3, respectively, have been determined by harmonic light scattering measurements in dichloromethane solutions at 1.91 mu m incident wavelength. Rather high beta values ranging from 270-530 x 10(-30) esu were determined for 1-4. The beta value of 5 (800 x 10(-30) esu) was found to be almost twice that of its monomeric precursor 1, whereas the beta value of 6 (160 x 10(-30) esu) is reduced by half with respect to that of 3. In 5 the anisyl retains its donor ability whereas in 6 the electron-donating character of the oxidized ferrocenyl moiety is cancelled. Optimized geometries of the four compounds 1-4 as well as their electronic structures and that of their respective cations 1(+)-4(+) have been analyzed through DFT calculations, while TD-DFT computation has been used to interpret the major features of the UV-vis spectra.

The knowledge of the workspace for a robotic system on construction sites represents an essential resource to ensure the work progress, guarantee the safety of the construction tasks, and avoid robot damage. Despite the dramatic development of 3D printing technologies with robotic systems in recent years, these are still several challenges to consider, such as the size of the printing profile and obstacles in the construction site. This work presents the results from evaluating the workspace of a mobile manipulator in 3D printing tasks on construction sites. The methodology analyses the printing workspace based on the workspace of the mobile manipulator, considering fixed obstacles and possible collisions between the robot and obstacles during 3D printing tasks. The results showed that the shape of the printing profile defined as a building element changes the shape of the printing workspace. Furthermore, the obstacles in the construction site and height variation of the printing profile cause changes in the displacement of the robotic platform and values of rotation of its joints, which also modify the shape of the printing workspace. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Invasion biology examines species originated elsewhere and moved with the help of humans, and those species' impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human well-being. In a globalized world, the emergence and spread of many human infectious pathogens are quintessential biological invasion events. Some macroscopic invasive species themselves contribute to the emergence and transmission of human infectious agents. We review conceptual parallels and differences between human epidemics and biological invasions by animals and plants. Fundamental concepts in invasion biology regarding the interplay of propagule pressure, species traits, biotic interactions, eco-evolutionary experience, and ecosystem disturbances can help to explain transitions between stages of epidemic spread. As a result, many forecasting and management tools used to address epidemics could be applied to biological invasions and vice versa. Therefore, we advocate for increasing cross-fertilization between the two disciplines to improve prediction, prevention, treatment, and mitigation of invasive species and infectious disease outbreaks, including pandemics. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación PCI2018-092986, PCI2018-092939 Federal Ministry of Education and Research 01LC1803A Austrian Science Fund I 4011-B32 Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica AFB170008 Natural Environment Research Council NE/P016766/1 Gobierno de España RYC-2013-13445, RYC2018-025160-1 Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada RGPIN-2016-03918

El artículo presenta la actuación urbana de las cooperativas de vivienda cerrada en la ciudad de Viña del Mar (Chile) durante la última década del siglo XX, las cuales son puestas en diálogo y tensión con los procesos urbanos acaecidos en este territorio. A través de enfoques conceptuales que abordan la ciudad neoliberal y el estudio de la diferenciación socio-residencial del espacio urbano, se busca dar una lectura al lugar que ocupan estas cooperativas. Mediante una metodología cuantitativa descriptiva y multivariada que pretende especificar la construcción de viviendas por parte de las cooperativas y dar cuenta de la distribución espacial de la población respectivamente, se caracteriza el desarrollo de las cooperativas en tanto localización, morfología, superficie construida e inversión, para luego discutir su emplazamiento con algunas de las principales lecturas urbanas sobre la diferenciación socio-residencial. Se concluye con que la huella de las cooperativas de vivienda se difumina y se confunde con el establecimiento de la oferta inmobiliaria privada, donde, si bien los mecanismos de consecución de la vivienda distan en materia de gestión del suelo y asociatividad, ambas formas poseen variadas semejanzas tales como la presencia de espacios públicos privados, el establecimiento de fronteras físicas, la fragmentación de la trama urbana y mecanismos de acceso controlado. This article presents the urban intervention of gated housing cooperatives in the city of Viña del Mar (Chile) during the last decade of the twentieth century, which are compared and contrasted with urban processes in this territory. By means of conceptual approaches that address the neoliberal city and the study of the socio-residential differentiation of urban space, it is sought to understand the reach of these cooperatives. Through a descriptive and multivariate quantitative methodology that aims to describe the cooperative housing construction and account for the spatial distribution of the respective population, the development of cooperatives is characterized as to location, morphology, constructed area and investment, and then its situation is discussed in the light of some of the main urban approaches to socio-residential differentiation. Findings show that the trajectory of the housing cooperatives is blurred and is confused with the establishment of private real estate offer. That is, despite their different mechanisms for attaining housing regarding land management and associativity, both forms have several similarities such as the presence of private public spaces, the establishment of physical borders, fragmentation of the urban space and controlled access.

International audience; We introduce a new type of bioreactor model that offers a representation of the spatial features of a pilot scale upflow fixed bed reactor. This model couples fluid dynamics and biological activity in order to obtain the internal gradient of substrate and biomass concentrations. We take advantage of reactor geometry to reduce the model to a single spatial dimension in the section containing the fixed bed but in other sections, we consider a 3D model with Navier-Stokes equations for the fluid dynamics. To represent the biological activity, we use a 2 step model and for the substrates, advection-diffusion-reaction equations. We only consider the biomasses that are attached in the fixed bed section and to take into account crowding effects, we model their growth with a density dependent function. We show that this model can reproduce the spatial gradient of experimental data and helps to better understand the internal dynamics of the reactor.

This paper focuses on the numerical approximation of the solutions of a class of non-local systems in one space dimension, arising in traffic modeling. We propose alternative simple schemes by splitting the non-local conservation laws into two different equations, namely the Lagrangian and the remap steps. We provide some properties and estimates recovered by approximating the problem with the Lagrangian-antidiffusive remap (L-AR) scheme, and we prove the convergence to weak solutions in the scalar case. Finally, we show some numerical simulations illustrating the efficiency of the L-AR schemes in comparison with classical first- and second-order numerical schemes.

International audience; The symmetrical meso-tetrasubstituted porphyrin 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-bromophenyl)Porphyrin (1) has been synthesized in quite high yields, ranging from 55 – 78%, by conventional and microwave assisted techniques, and isolated as a microcrystalline compound. The products obtained in each case have been characterized by 1H NMR, Mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and Thin layer chromatography. The X-ray crystal structure of 1 is reported for the first time, and reveals a planar disposition of the center of the macrocycles with almost orthogonal 4-bromophenyl rings in the four meso-positions in the solid state. Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis along with 2D fingerprint plots were employed to consider the intermolecular forces, including hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions, and their quantification in the crystal lattice.

International audience; The relevant microorganims driving efficiency changes in anaerobic digestion of phenol remains uncertain. In this study correlations were established between microbial population and the process performance in an anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) treating increasing concentrations of phenol (from 120 to 1200 mg L −1). Sludge samples were taken at different operational stages and microbial community dynamics was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. In addition, bamA gene was quantified in order to evaluate the dynamics of anaerobic aromatic degraders. The microbial community was dominated by Anaerolineae, Bacteroidia, Clostridia, and Methanobacteria classes. Correlation analysis between bamA gene copy number and phenol concentration were highly significant, suggesting that the increase of aromatic degraders targeted by bamA assay was due to an increase in the amount of phenol degraded over time. The incremental phenol concentration affected hydrogenotrophic archaea triggering a linear decrease of Methanobacterium and the growth of Methanobrevibacter. The best performance in the reactor was at 800 mg L −1 of phenol. At this stage, the highest relative abundances of Syntrophorhabdus, Chloroflexus, Smithella, Methanolinea and Methanosaeta were observed and correlated positively with initial degradation rate, suggesting that these microorganisms are relevant players to maintain a good performance in the ASBR.

Biological invasions are a global consequence of an increasingly connected world and the rise in human population size. The numbers of invasive alien species – the subset of alien species that spread widely in areas where they are not native, affecting the environment or human livelihoods – are increasing. Synergies with other global changes are exacerbating current invasions and facilitating new ones, thereby escalating the extent and impacts of invaders. Invasions have complex and often immense long-term direct and indirect impacts. In many cases, such impacts become apparent or problematic only when invaders are well established and have large ranges. Invasive alien species break down biogeographic realms, affect native species richness and abundance, increase the risk of native species extinction, affect the genetic composition of native populations, change native animal behaviour, alter phylogenetic diversity across communities, and modify trophic networks. Many invasive alien species also change ecosystem functioning and the delivery of ecosystem services by altering nutrient and contaminant cycling, hydrology, habitat structure, and disturbance regimes. These biodiversity and ecosystem impacts are accelerating and will increase further in the future. Scientific evidence has identified policy strategies to reduce future invasions, but these strategies are often insufficiently implemented. For some nations, notably Australia and New Zealand, biosecurity has become a national priority. There have been long-term successes, such as eradication of rats and cats on increasingly large islands and biological control of weeds across continental areas. However, in many countries, invasions receive little attention. Improved international cooperation is crucial to reduce the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human livelihoods. Countries can strengthen their biosecurity regulations to implement and enforce more effective management strategies that should also address other global changes that interact with invasions. Czech Science Foundation 19-28807X Czech Academy of Sciences RVO 67985939 Swiss National Science Foundation 31BD30_184114, 31003A_179491 Austrian Science Foundation FWF I 3757-B29 National Research Foundation of South Africa IFR2010041400019, IFR160215158271 New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment C09X1611 CONICYT AFB-170008 Fondecyt 1180205 Natural Environment Research Council NE/R016429/1 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft JE 288/9-2, 264740629 Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades PCI2018- 092939 German Federal Ministry of Education and Research 01LC1803A, 01LC1807B, 01LC1807A

The characterization of an operator by its eigenvectors and eigenvalues allows us to know its action over any quantum state. Here, we propose a protocol to obtain an approximation of the eigenvectors of an arbitrary Hermitian quantum operator. This protocol is based on measurement and feedback processes, which characterize a reinforcement learning protocol. Our proposal is composed of two systems, a black box named environment and a quantum state named agent. The role of the environment is to change any quantum state by a unitary matrix $\hat{U}_E=e^{-i\tau\hat{\mathcal{O}}_E}$ where $\hat{\mathcal{O}}_E$ is a Hermitian operator, and $\tau$ is a real parameter. The agent is a quantum state which adapts to some eigenvector of $\hat{\mathcal{O}}_E$ by repeated interactions with the environment, feedback process, and semi-random rotations. With this proposal, we can obtain an approximation of the eigenvectors of a random qubit operator with average fidelity over 90\% in less than 10 iterations, and surpass 98\% in less than 300 iterations. Moreover, for the two-qubit cases, the four eigenvectors are obtained with fidelities above 89\% in 8000 iterations for a random operator, and fidelities of $99\%$ for an operator with the Bell states as eigenvectors. This protocol can be useful to implement semi-autonomous quantum devices which should be capable of extracting information and deciding with minimal resources and without human intervention., Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures

Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) CONICYT FONDECYT 1160567 1160204 Basal Program from CONICYT-Chile CMM-AFB 170001 Comision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT) PFCHA/Doctorado Nacional/2017-21170249 LabEx NUMEV incorporated into the I-Site MUSE

International audience; In this work, we address time dependent wave propagation problems with strong multiscale features (in space and time). Our goal is to design a family of innovative high performance numerical methods suitable to the simulation of such multiscale problems. Particularly, we extend the Multiscale Hybrid-Mixed finite element method (MHM for short) for the two-and three-dimensional time-dependent Maxwell equations with heterogeneous coefficients. The MHM method arises from the decomposition of the exact electric and magnetic fields in terms of the solutions of locally independent Maxwell problems tied together with a one-field formulation on top of a coarse-mesh skeleton. The multiscale basis functions, which are responsible for upscaling, are driven by local Maxwell problems with tangential component of the magnetic field prescribed on faces. A high-order discontinuous Galerkin method in space combined with a second-order explicit leapfrog scheme in time discretizes the local problems. This makes the MHM method effective and yields a staggered algorithm within a " divide-and-conquer " framework. Several numerical tests assess the optimal convergence of the MHM method and its capacity to preserve the energy principle, as well as its accuracy to solving heterogeneous media problems on coarse meshes.

International audience; Double condensation of the newly prepared 1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione with ethylenediamine led to the formation of a novel symmetrical Schiff base proligand bearing two potentially electropolymerizable 2-thienyl groups. Both organic species were obtained in 55 and 80% yields, respectively. They exist in their respective keto-enol and enaminone tautomeric forms that were computed to be more stable by 8.6 and 30.3 kcal mol(-1) than their beta-diketone and keto-imine isomers. The corresponding Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes featuring a N2O2-tetradentate Schiff base ligand were readily synthesized upon reaction of the diprotic Schiff base precursor with the appropriate hydrated metal acetates, and isolated as neutral, air and thermally stable solids in excellent yields (84 and 90%). The four compounds were characterized using various analytical and spectroscopic methods, and by an X-ray diffraction study for the two coordination complexes. Both Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) metal ions are four-coordinated and adopt a perfect square planar environment (tau(4) values of 0.036 and 0.025) with two nitrogen and two oxygen atoms as donors. Both complexes were analyzed by cyclic voltammetry experiments showing a decrease of the current response per cycle, indicating the formation of oligomeric units. This was verified using their doping/undoping responses. The optimized geometries of the four compounds as well as the electronic structures of the two Ni(ii) and Cu(ii) complexes and their respective cations were analysed through DFT calculations, allowing the provision of a consistent view of their structure and properties. TDDFT calculations were used to interpret the major features of the UV-vis spectra.

International audience; The one-pot double condensation reaction of 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (2-TTA) with ethylendiamine or o-phenylenediamine, in a 2:1 stoichiometric molar ratio, leads to the formation of 7-(thiophene-2-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-1,4-diazepine 2 and 2-thiophene-4-trifluoromethyl-1,5-benzodiazepine 3, that were isolated in 56 and 53% yields, respectively. The bis(trifluoroacetamide)ethylene derivative 1 was also isolated in 32% yield as a side-product in the reaction of 2-TTA and ethylenediamine. Compounds 1–3 were fully characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and multinuclear (1H, 13C and 19F) NMR spectroscopy. In addition, their molecular identities and geometries have been authenticated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The spectroscopic and structural data confirm that the 1,4-diazepine 2 and the 1,5-benzodiazepine 3 exist in the imine-enamine and diimine tautomeric forms, respectively, both in solution and in the solid-state. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.

International audience; A new series of novel complexes of type cis-[Ru(CO)2Cl2(L)2], L = 2-phenyl-1,8-naphthyridine, 2-(4′-nitrophenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine, 2-(4′-bromophenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine, 2-(4′-methylphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine, 2-(3′-methoxyphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine, 2-(2′-methoxyphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine and 2-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine have been successfully synthesized and characterized. We found that the complexes can be directly synthesized from [RuCl2(CO)2]2 with high yield. The crystallographic structures of complex cis-[RuCl2(CO)2(2-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-κN8)2] and cis-[RuCl2(CO)2(2-(2′-methoxyphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-κN8)2] have been established by X-ray single crystal diffraction studies, which indicate an octahedral geometry with two 1,8-naphthyridine ligands coordinated to the metal in a N-monodentate fashion. The ruthenium(II) complexes have been studied as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone. We found that complexes show moderate activities and a 100% selectivity. The best turnover frequency (390 h−1) is found for cis-[RuCl2(CO)2(2-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-κN8)2] when the substrate/catalysis ratio was 1000/1. The catalytic conditions were optimized using different substrate/catalyst and base/catalyst ratios. © 2018

The objective of this article is to describe and analyze the practices of tactical and / or strategic use that "black" Latin American immigrants mobilize in different spaces of interaction in Chilean society. To do so, it discusses the concept of social practices and especially of tactics and strategies, following the proposals of De Certeau. Secondly, it analyzes the practices of resistance and the creation of transnational spaces that Afro Latin American immigrants develop. Finally, it concludes with the idea that although many “black” immigrants permanently live de-humanization situations in Chile (harassment, stigmatization, violence or exploitation), they manage to elaborate ways to facilitate their settlement in a racist and sexist society. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo describir y analizar las prácticas de uso táctico y/o estratégico que los inmigrantes latinoamericanos ‘negros’ movilizan en distintos espacios de interacción en la sociedad chilena. Para ello, desarrolla una discusión conceptual respecto de la noción de prácticas y especialmente de las tácticas y estrategias según las propuestas de De Certeau. Posteriormente, elabora un análisis de las formas de resistir y de crear espacios transnacionales para diversas prácticas declaradas por personas inmigrantes afrolatinoamericanas. Finalmente, concluye con la idea de que a pesar que muchos inmigrantes “negros” viven situaciones de deshumanización permanente en Chile (acoso, estigmatización, violencia directa, explotación laboral), logran crear modos de desenvolverse que facilitan su desplazamiento en una sociedad racista y sexista. O presente artigo tem como objetivo descrever e analisar as práticas de uso tático e/ou estratégico que os imigrantes latino-americanos ‘negros’ mobilizam em diferentes espaços de interação na sociedade chilena. Para isso, em primeiro lugar se desenvolve uma discussão respeito do conceito de práticas e especialmente das tácticas e estratégias segundo as propostas de De Certeau. Posteriormente, elabora-se uma análise das formas de resistir e de criar espaços transnacionais para diversas práticas declaradas por pessoas imigrantes afro latino-americanas. Finalmente, conclui-se com a ideia de que apesar de que muitos imigrantes “negros” vivem situações de desumanização permanente em Chile (assédio, estigmatização, violência direta, explotação trabalhista), conseguem criar modos de desenvolver-se que facilitam seu desplaçamento em uma sociedade racista e sexista.

Electrochemical energy storage could facilitate the integration of intermittent renewable sources, such as wind and solar, allowing for a more stable, reliable and flexible electrical grid. Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are an attractive technology due to their capability to decouple power and energy, however they have displays limited deployment, which has been limited by cost. Hybrid-type redox flow batteries such as a Regenerative Hydrogen-Vanadium Fuel Cell (RHVFC) could allow to overcome the cost dependency of all-vanadium systems with regards to the vanadium requirements. Modelling and simulation appear as an indispensable tool to support the design and optimisation of these systems, saving time and reducing costs. On the other hand, physical-based models can capture the dependency of the cell performance on the operating conditions and physico-chemical properties. This thesis investigates the performance behaviour of RHVFC by means of mathematical representations of the system. Firstly, the conventional approach involving unit cell modelling for VRFBs is studied and implemented to understand the interplay of different phenomena and the possible similarities with the system of interest. Then, a unit cell model for a RHVFC is proposed, giving special attention to the equilibrium and kinetics equation used in describing the limiting electrode. A complete Nernst equation is derived to estimate the equilibrium potential, while a Butler- Volmer kinetics including the effect of concentration of protons and mass-transport limitations is used to describe the cathodic kinetics. This model is then modified to include the crossover phenomena, by means of a simplified treatment of transport of species in the cation-exchange membrane by means of diffusive, convective and migration mechanisms. The transport of species across the membrane controls the loss in capacity of the cell when continuous cycling operation is tested. This model allowed for the characterisation of a laboratory scale cell of a hydrogen-vanadium system and the simulation of its performance, where extensive experimental data of single-cycle charge-discharge potential, power density and cycling performance was studied. It was observed that the crossover effect was not fully captured for a unit cell model, reproducing the trends during continuous operation but showing some discrepancies with the experimental results. These results indicated the need for a more complex model, such a continuum approach, to describe the transport of species across the electrodes and membrane. Therefore, a time-dependant model considering a Poisson-Nernst-Planck one-dimensional approach to describe the cathode and membrane of a RHVFC was implemented. Initial results allowed to assess the evolution of concentration and potential profiles across the model domains, capturing the interfacial behaviour that appears due to the selectivity of the membrane. These interfacial phenomena produced a steep change in the value of ionic potential and concentrations across a narrow thickness of nano-meters. The model was used to indicate the dependency of crossover fluxes of species across the membrane when the applied current density increases. The mass-transport limitations effects on the cell performance, which were strongly affected by the transport parameters of species, were displayed by the model. This initial crossover model is the first part of a more extensive study of crossover, which will include the testing of the model capability in predicting cell potential over continuous operation, as well as the assessment of alternative modelling approaches such a Donnan-Nernst-Planck model. Open Access

Lettuce downy mildew caused by Bremia lactucae is the most important disease of lettuce worldwide. Breeding for resistance to this disease is a major priority for most lettuce breeding programs. Many genes and factors for resistance to B. lactucae have been reported by multiple researchers over the past ~50 years. Their nomenclature has not been coordinated, resulting in duplications and gaps in nominations. We have reviewed the available information and rationalized it into 51 resistance genes and factors and 15 quantitative trait loci along with supporting documentation as well as genetic and molecular information. This involved multiple rounds of consultation with many of the original authors. This paper provides the foundation for naming additional genes for resistance to B. lactucae in the future as well as for deploying genes to provide more durable resistance.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [ADD1_IRSTEA]Hydrosystèmes et risques naturels; International audience; Understanding changes in glacier mass balances is essential for investigating climate changes. However, glacier‐wide mass balances determined from geodetic observations do not provide a relevant climatic signal as they depend on the dynamic response of the glaciers. In situ point mass balance measurements provide a direct signal but show a strong spatial variability that is difficult to assess from heterogeneous in situ measurements over several decades. To address this issue, we propose a nonlinear statistical model that takes into account the spatial and temporal changes in point mass balances. To test this model, we selected four glaciers in different climatic regimes (France, Bolivia, India, and Norway) for which detailed point annual mass balance measurements were available over a large elevation range. The model extracted a robust and consistent signal for each glacier. We obtained explained variances of 87.5, 90.2, 91.3, and 75.5% on Argentière, Zongo, Chhota Shigri, and Nigardsbreen glaciers, respectively. The standard deviations of the model residuals are close to measurement uncertainties. The model can also be used to detect measurement errors. Combined with geodetic data, this method can provide a consistent glacier‐wide annual mass balance series from a heterogeneous network. This model, available to the whole community, can be used to assess the impact of climate change in different regions of the world from long‐term mass balance series.

Most of the operational energy needed by the housing sector is used to compensate energy losses or thermal gains through the building&rsquo, s envelope. As a result, any improvement in the thermal behavior will provide important opportunities to reduce energy consumption. This research analyzes improvements in the thermal envelope in social housing in the Greater Concepci&oacute, n area in Chile using adaptive thermal comfort models and thermal insulation investments. The objective set out is to evaluate the economic reduction of thermal envelope improvement costs for dwellings, which entails using the adaptive thermal comfort model obtained through monitoring and the surveys applied to the users of social housing in Concepci&oacute, n (CAS), against the international adaptive thermal comfort models established by the EN 15251:2007 and ASHRAE 55-2017 standards. Finally, it is concluded that, on having applied the social housing adaptive thermal comfort model (CAS), execution costs are reduced by between 28.8% and 58.2%, reaching a time of comfort in free oscillation similar to that obtained from applying the models of the EN 15251:2007 (74.2%) and ASHRAE 55-2017 standards (59.9%).