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Objectives: To examine the safety of a BaciMix product, containing two strains of Bacillus subtilis BS 304.04 and Bacillus coagulans BC 304.06 on mice and rats. Materials and methods: The acute toxicity using the Litchfield-Wilcoxon method on Swiss mice and semi-chronic toxicity of the BaciMix product on Wistar rats was performed. Results: LD50 of the mice which were administered orally with the highest dose of 4 x 1011 CFU/kg of the product was not determined. The BaciMix product was well-tolerated and did not show any effects on the growth or food intake in animals. The differences in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobins, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, cholesterol, protein, bilirubin and creatinine were not statistically significant in rats serum dosed continuously for 28 days with of 1.68 x 109 CFU/kg and 8.4 x 109 CFU/kg of the product. In addition, no histopathological abnormalities or changes were observed in all the groups of animals. Conclusion: These results suggested that the BaciMix product could be safe for human use.

Epitaxial CoFe2O4(CFO)/CoO bilayers were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition on flexible muscovite mica substrate. Samples with different CFO thicknesses were employed to study the phenomenon of ...

Downlink measurement campaigns from the optical downlink terminal OSIRISv1 onboard the LEO satellite Flying Laptop were carried out with the French Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur and with two Optical Ground Stations of the German Aerospace Center. On/off keyed data at 39 Mb/s were modulated on the laser signal, and according telecom reception was performed by the ground stations. The pointing of the laser terminal was achieved by open-loop body pointing of the satellite orientation, with its star sensor as attitude control signal. We report here on the measurements and investigations of the downlink signal and the data transmission.

In this study, the removal of nitrogen from anaerobically pretreated husbandry wastewater using a continuous stirred tank reactor of a completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process coupled with a simple aeration setup was investigated. The reactor was operated with anaerobically pretreated husbandry wastewater at hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 16, 8, and 6 h with stepwise increased in average nitrogen loading rates (NLRs) of 0.47, 0.95, and 1.16 kg N m−3 d−1. The highest and stable nitrogen removal was obtained at HRT of 8 h (NLR of 0.95 kg N m−3 d−1). The key operating conditions were intermittent aeration for maintaining low dissolved oxygen concentrations (0.1–0.2 mg l−1) and alkalinity adjustment for obtaining pH values of 7.6–7.8. The effluent quality met Vietnamese husbandry wastewater standard for total nitrogen ( 400 mg l−1) in the feed wastewater reduced ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) activity. At shorter HRT (6 h), the washout of fine bioflocs containing aerobic heterotrophs and AOB occurred, while the reddish anammox granules still remained in the reactor.

International audience; The Grasse Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) station (ID7845), part of the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) network, participates to various laser applications including SLR, Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR), Time Transfer by Laser Link (T2L2), high-resolution imagery, and debris detection. Since 2014, in collaboration with the France Space Agency (CNES), the Grasse station has been upgrading in order to be able to take part in laser communication (lasercom) experiments. The main challenges of these experiments are the implementation of a complete laser communication chain from space to ground and the characterization of the turbulent atmosphere during the optical data transfer. Several campaigns have been successfully performed and planned since 2015 between Grasse station and lasercom terminal at low Earth orbit, SOTA onboard SOCRATES [5], OPALS integrated on ISS [6], and recently DLR's OSIRIS mission [7]. To prepare for possible higher data-rate lasercom campaigns in the near future (OSIRISv1 at 40 Mbps, OSIRISv2 and Optelµ at 1 Gbps, OSIRISv3 at 10 Gbps) Grasse SLR station is upgrading on lasercom optical bench, with a fine auto-tracking system and a high sensitivity telecom detector. In the proceeding, we will describe the architecture of our optical bench for high data-rate lasercom link and some primary results of the lasercom link between OSIRISv1 [14] (onboard FlyingLaptop satellite) and the station.

Epitaxial CoFe

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), in spite of sharing common features such as airway inflammation, airflow obstruction, and mucus hypersecretion, differ significantly from each other. We report a case of ABPA that was unsuccessfully treated as a COPD exacerbation. The history of non-exertional progressive dyspnea, absence of a symptom-free interval, and hemoptysis combined with a minimal, distant smoking history and prior employment at a fertilizer plant favor a diagnosis other than COPD exacerbation. The patient's disease progression and delay in diagnosis testify to the sway of cognitive biases. This case serves as a reminder that generating a thorough differential diagnosis early in a patient's care prevents misdiagnoses and hastens the initiation of definitive therapy.

A total of 52 specimens of the Pacific seabream Acanthopagrus pacificus Iwatsuki, Kume et Yoshino from the Gulf of Tonkin off Vietnam were examined for monogeneans. Twenty fish were parasitised by 101 individuals of five monogenean species, including two known species Allodiscocotyla diacanthi Unnithan, 1962 and Heterapta chorinemi (Tripathi, 1956), as well as three new species, Polylabroides tienyenensis sp. n., Polylabroides tonkinensis sp. n. and Metacamopia lebedevi sp. n. Polylabroides tienyenensis and P. tonkinensis are morphologically more similar to Polylabroides guangdongensis Zhang et Yang, 2001 in comparison with other species within the genus, based on the absence of small spines on the cirrus. However, P. tonkinensis is distinguished from P. guangdongensis by fewer clamps on the haptor and by the different shapes of the large spines on the cirrus. Similarly, P. tienyenensis differs from P. guangdongensis by vaginal ducts with fewer branches, fewer clamps and smaller egg size. Metacamopia lebedevi is distinguished from Metacamopia chorinemi (Yamaguti, 1953) by the arrangement of testes (one row vs two rows), diverticula absent in the oesophagus, and the number of anchor pairs (one vs two); it differs from Metacamopia oligoplites Takemoto, Amato et Luque, 1996 by the smaller haptor, shape and absence of small sclerotised hooks, the number of ribs in their clamps, and the position of the testes; it can be separated from Metacamopia indica (Unnithan, 1962) by having fewer testes and lacking sclerotised structures in the vagina. The present study also provides the measurements for A. diacanthi, H. chorinemi, and proposes a new key to all species of Polylabroides.

International audience; Based on a fully passive space segment, the lunar laser ranging experiment is the last of the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package to operate. Observations from the Grasse lunar laser ranging station have been made on a daily basis since the first echoes obtained in 1981. In this paper, first, we review the principle and the technical aspects of lunar laser ranging. We then give a brief summary of the progress made at the Grasse laser ranging facility (Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Calern Plateau on the French Riviera) since the first echoes. The current performance, driven by the use of an infrared wavelength laser, is presented in the last section for the year 2018.

The employment of flexible muscovite substrates has given us the feasibility of applying strain to heterostructures dynamically by mechanical bending. In this study, this novel approach is utilized to investigate strain effects on the exchange coupling in ferromagnetic Co and anti-ferromagnetic CoO (Co/CoO) bilayers. Two different Co/CoO bilayer heterostructures were grown on muscovite substrates by oxide molecular beam epitaxy, with the CoO layer being purely (111)- and (100)-oriented. The strain-dependent exchange coupling effect can only be observed on Co/CoO(100)/mica but not on Co/CoO(111)/mica. The origin of this phenomenon is attributed to the anisotropic spin re-orientation induced by mechanical bending. The strain-dependent magnetic anisotropy of the bilayers determined by anisotropic magnetoresistance measurements confirms this conjecture. This study elucidates the fundamental understanding of how magnetic exchange coupling can be tuned by externally applied strain via mechanical bending and, hence, provides a novel approach for implementing flexible spintronic devices.

This work aimed to prepare the spinel phase Li4Ti5O12 by a combination of the low-temperature precipitation technique and assisted calcination step. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed that the intermediated phase was Li2TiO3, and the spinel phase could be evidently formed at 700°C for 12 to 20 hours. The morphology of spinel powder, determined by SEM and TEM, exhibited a good distribution at the submicrometric scale that promoted a fast kinetic of Li migration and an excellent performance at the high-rate cycling test. The stable performances were achieved in the charge-discharge test at different current densities: 80 mA/g (165 mAh/g), 320 mA (160 mAh/g), and 1600 mA (145 mAh/g) upon 100 cycles. Moreover, we observe a capacity retention of 48% (corresponding 80 mA/g) at a high rate of 5000 mAh/g. The cyclic voltammetry measurement displayed a reversible system and revealed the lithium diffusion coefficient of 1.15 × 10−11 cm2/s.

Spintronics has captured a lot of attention since it was proposed. It has been triggering numerous research groups to make their efforts on pursuing spin-related electronic devices. Recently, flexible and wearable devices are in a high demand due to their outstanding potential in practical applications. In order to introduce spintronics into the realm of flexible devices, we demonstrate that it is feasible to grow epitaxial Fe3O4 film, a promising candidate for realizing spintronic devices based on tunneling magnetoresistance, on flexible muscovite. In this study, the heteroepitaxy of Fe3O4/muscovite is characterized by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The chemical composition and magnetic feature are investigated by a combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism. The electrical and magnetic properties are examined to show the preservation of the primitive properties of Fe3O4. Furthermore, various bending tests are performed to show the tunability of functionalities and to confirm that the heterostructures retain the physical properties under repeated cycles. These results illustrate that the Fe3O4/muscovite heterostructure can be a potential candidate for the applications in flexible spintronics.

Optical systems performances can be affected by local optical turbulence created by its surrounding environment (telescope dome, clean room, atmospheric surface layer). We present recent measurements of the local turbulence inside the 1.5m M´eO telescope dome at Calern observatory (France) with the INTENSE (INdoor TurbulENce SEnsor) instrument. Relationships between the dome turbulence and the local meteorological measurements (temperature, pressure, wind speed and direction) are investigated. The impact of the local dome turbulence on the seeing at the focal plane of the 1.5 m telescope is highlighted.

Introduction: Patients with claudication due to peripheral artery disease (PAD) have walking and quality of life (QOL) limitations associated with development of ischemic myopathy. Characteristics of PAD-related ischemic myopathy include myofiber degeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative damage. We hypothesize that revascularization operations improve lower extremity hemodynamics, function, and QOL with improvements in key indicators of PAD-related ischemic myopathy. Methods: Patients undergoing open or endovascular revascularization were evaluated before and 6 months after intervention. QOL was assessed by Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ). Walking performance was measured by six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and Gardner maximal Treadmill test (Peak Walking Time - PWT). Calf muscle biomechanics were measured by plantar flexor peak force (PFPF) and power generation (PFPG). Limb hemodynamics were measured with Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) and myopathy was assessed via gastrocnemius biopsy. Myofibers were evaluated for mitochondrial function via respirometry while slide mounted specimens of the gastrocnemius were analyzed for biomarkers of morphology (myofiber cross-sectional area) and myofiber oxidative damage (carbonyl groups) by quantitative fluorescence microscopy. Results: We recruited 52 patients who underwent 34 open and 18 endovascular revascularizations. Average score improved in 7 of 8 SF-36 (p2 (11.1%, p Conclusions: Revascularization operations improved the hemodynamics, QOL and leg function of PAD patients in association with improvement in PAD-related ischemic myopathy.

Bill Gates projected that, “By 2030, 2 billion people who don't have a bank account today will be storing money and making payment with their phones” as a mega trend of digital financial inclusion. This paper contributes to the literature on digital financial inclusion in surveying the current status of such inclusion in South East Asia. While there is no universally accepted definition nor measure of financial inclusion, the paper employs the G20 Financial Inclusion Indicators and the theoretical digital financial inclusion development pathway framework of Radcliffe and Voorhies (2012) to (a) survey the current financial inclusion status, (b) the effectiveness of government initiatives to deliver financial services and (c) examine possible development pathways for the South East Asian (SEA) nations towards financial inclusion. Our analysis of data from 2011 to 2014 from the Global Findex database finds wide differences in banking account penetration rate among adults, stage of development of banking sectors' infrastructure, and the use of banking-technology among the SEA nations. Resulting from the survey and our analysis of the initiators of core connectivity (being mainly the stage of economic development), we conclude that it is highly likely that digital financial inclusion in countries like Cambodia and Myanmar will be driven by mobile network operators, who would provide a full slate of financial services. On the other hand, the other SEA nations are projected to develop mobile banking services for the unbanked by the partnership of the banking and mobile network operators.