Tropospheric boundary layer investigations by differential ground-based solar FTIR spectrometry

in Carleer, Michel; Hilton, Moira; Lamp, Thorsten (Eds.) et al Environmental Sensing and Applications (Proceedings Volume) (1999, September 16)

In order to better understand the chemistry and the transport mechanisms in the lower troposphere, a new original technique has been developed and tested. The experiment consists in recording high ... [more ▼]

In order to better understand the chemistry and the transport mechanisms in the lower troposphere, a new original technique has been developed and tested. The experiment consists in recording high resolution infrared solar absorption spectra containing signatures of important atmospheric constituents, simultaneously from the International Scientific Station of the Jungfraujoch in Switzerland [ISSJ, 3580 m a.s.l., 46.5 degrees N, 8 degrees E, Bruker 120 HR Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS)] and from a nearby valley (Grindelwald, 1070 m a.s.l., Bruker 120 M FTS). Analysis of individual spectra allows to determine vertical column abundances: differences between measurements at ISSJ and at Grindelwald enable us to retrieve the constituents' concentrations between 1070 m and 3580 m, assuming a constant volume mixing ratio in this layer. A first measurement campaign has been organized during the months of May and June 1998. After an initial period of instrument intercomparison at ISSJ, the mobile instrument was moved down in the valley and installed for one month in Grindelwald. When operated side by side at the Jungfraujoch, measurements made by both instruments showed a very good agreement (maximum bias of 1.5%). Analysis of spectra recorded synchronously at the Jungfraujoch and at Grindelwald gave average boundary layer concentrations for a selected set of tropospheric molecules, i.e. methane, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide and ethane. Comparison with other results and with carbon monoxide in-situ measurements made at ISSJ showed a good agreement. [less ▲]

Impacts of mesozooplankton stoichiometry on recycling and sedimentation in stratified lakes: concepts and methodological developments

Poster (1999, September 14)

Biological properties of human prolactin analogs depend not only on global hormone affinity, but also on the relative affinities of both receptor binding sites

in Journal of Biological Chemistry (1999), 274(37), 26033-43

Zinc increases the affinity of human growth hormone (hGH) for the human prolactin receptor (hPRLR) due to the coordination of one zinc ion involving Glu-174(hGH) and His-18(hGH). In contrast, binding of ... [more ▼]

Zinc increases the affinity of human growth hormone (hGH) for the human prolactin receptor (hPRLR) due to the coordination of one zinc ion involving Glu-174(hGH) and His-18(hGH). In contrast, binding of hPRL to the hPRLR is zinc-independent. We engineered in binding site 1 of hPRL a hGH-like zinc coordination site, by mutating Asp-183(hPRL) (homologous to Glu-174(hGH)) into Glu (D183E mutation). This mutation was also introduced into G129R hPRL, a binding site 2 mutant (Goffin, V., Kinet, S., Ferrag, F., Binart, N., Martial, J. A. , and Kelly, P. A. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 16573-16579). These analogs were characterized using a stable clone expressing both the hPRLR and a PRLR-responsive reporter gene. The D183E mutation per se decreases the binding affinity and transcriptional activity of hPRL. However, this loss is partially rescued by the addition of zinc and the effect is much more marked on bioactivity than on binding affinity. These data indicate that the D183E mutation confers zinc sensitivity to hPRL biological properties. Due to an impaired site 2, the agonistic activity of G129R analog is almost nil. Although the double mutant D183E/G129R displays lower affinity ( approximately 1 log) compared with G129R hPRL, it unexpectedly recovers partial agonistic activity in the absence of zinc. Moreover, whereas zinc increases the affinity of D183E/G129R, it paradoxically abolishes its agonistic activity. Our results demonstrate that the biological properties of hPRL analogs do not necessarily parallel their overall affinity. Rather, the relative affinities of the individual binding sites 1 and 2 may play an even more important role. [less ▲]

Escourgeon et Orge d'hiver fourragers

in Livre Blanc: Céréales - Gembloux - Informations avant les semis (1999, September 09)

Ion beam figuring of small BK7 and Zerodur optics : thermal effects

in Geyl, Roland; Maxwell, Jonathan (Eds.) Optical Fabrication and Testing, Proc. SPIE Volume: 3739 (1999, September 06)

optics these last years. One of the disadvantages of ion figuring is the high surface temperature of the workpiece. Temperature aspects have already been mentioned by some authors but are weakly detailed ... [more ▼]

optics these last years. One of the disadvantages of ion figuring is the high surface temperature of the workpiece. Temperature aspects have already been mentioned by some authors but are weakly detailed. Therefore thermal effects on BK7 and Zerodur, mainly surface figure distortions and surface temperature measurements, have been investigated here in more detail. Distortion of the optical figure due to high temperature and temperature gradients induced by ion figuring is described. High figure distortion has been observed on 10 cm diameter BK7 samples. Distortions can also be observed on Zerodur samples (although much weaker). Differences between BK7 and Zerodur distortions are discussed. In order to analyse the nonuniform heating of the workpiece during ion bombardment, the surface temperature has been monitored with an infrared camera. Furthermore, surface temperature measurements with respect to ion beam parameters have also been performed. All these measurements show the necessity to care about thermal aspects during ion beam figuring for some sensible materials like BK7, but even for low expansion material like Zerodur. [less ▲]

Sequentially Compressive and Intrusive Mechanisms in Mercury Porosimetry of Carbon Blacks

in Journal of Colloid & Interface Science (1999), 217(1), 216-217

The mechanism of mercury penetration in two different commercial carbon blacks is studied. We show that the volume variation measured by mercury porosimetry in these systems is due to three successive ... [more ▼]

The mechanism of mercury penetration in two different commercial carbon blacks is studied. We show that the volume variation measured by mercury porosimetry in these systems is due to three successive mechanisms, which occur as the pressure increases: (1) mercury invasion of voids between macroscopic grains, (2) compaction and elastic compression of macroscopic grains, (3) intrusion in the voids of aggregates formed by primary particles. The cumulative surface calculated by the Rootare-Prenzlow equation (S(RP)) in the intrusion part and the BET surface area measured by nitrogen adsorption (S(BET)) are compared. Copyright 1999 Academic Press. [less ▲]

Comparison of Eae, Tir, Espa and Espb Genes of Bovine and Human Attaching and Effacing Escherichia Coli by Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

in FEMS Microbiology Letters (1999), 178(1), 177-82

Attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) virulence genes include the eae, the tir, the espA and the espB genes. These genes have been sequenced from several AEEC strains. The sequences alignments ... [more ▼]

Attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) virulence genes include the eae, the tir, the espA and the espB genes. These genes have been sequenced from several AEEC strains. The sequences alignments revealed the presence of constant and variable regions. Multiplex polymerase chain reactions were developed, in order to determine the subtype of each gene present in a particular isolate. AEEC strains isolated from calves dead of diarrhea, from healthy calves and from infected humans were compared. The same pathotypes were found in sick and healthy calves but in inverted proportion. These pathotypes were also found in human AEEC. Although, the human EHEC strains from serotype O157 possessed their own pathotype. [less ▲]

Far ultraviolet Observations of Jovian low latitude regions with HST/STIS

in Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society (1999, September 01), 30(11),

Far ultraviolet observations of the Jovian disk were made at low and mid-latitudes with FUV MAMA/STIS on board HST in January 1999 both in the imaging and spectroscopic modes. An image was obtained with ... [more ▼]

Far ultraviolet observations of the Jovian disk were made at low and mid-latitudes with FUV MAMA/STIS on board HST in January 1999 both in the imaging and spectroscopic modes. An image was obtained with the Lyalpha filter in the hydrogen bulge region for comparison with the expected Lyman-alpha brightness distribution for Ly-alpha resonance scattering. Other images in the 1200-1700 { Angstroms} region show band structures parallel to the equator with fading contrast toward the center and the limb. Spectroscopic observations were made in the 1200-1700 { Angstroms} (G140L) and 1245-1298 { Angstroms} (G140M) regions at ~ 5 { Angstroms} resolution to map the H_2 airglow and the UV absorbents along the STIS slit. Preliminary results indicate that a C_2H_2 absorption signature is clearly observed in the solar ultraviolet reflected spectrum. The ethylene absorption may be mapped to derive variations of the acetylene abundance. The H_2 FUV airglow shows both the fluorescence and the electron impact components. Its spatial variation is described and compared with the expected airglow distribution. We acknowledge funding by NASA and by the PRODEX program of the European space agency. [less ▲]

Adsorption of polyampholyte copolymers at the solid/liquid interface: the influence of pH and salt on the adsorption behaviour

in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics [=PCCP] (1999), 1(17), 3853-3856

Polyampholytes are macromolecules that contain oppositely charged groups. We have studied the adsorption of the polyampholyte diblock copolymer poly(methacrylic acid)-block-poly((dimethylamino)ethyl ... [more ▼]

Polyampholytes are macromolecules that contain oppositely charged groups. We have studied the adsorption of the polyampholyte diblock copolymer poly(methacrylic acid)-block-poly((dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate), PMAA-b-PDMAEMA, on oxidized silicon surfaces. The amount of polymer adsorbed from aqueous solution of different pH and salt concentration was measured by ellipsometry. The influence of the added salts NaCl, Na2SO4 and CaCl2 was determined. In every case adsorption took place, although the polyampholyte and the substrate exhibit the same sign of net charge. For all types of salt, the adsorbed amount shows two maxima close to the isoelectric point (IEP) of the polymer as a function of pH. Directly at the IEP of the polyampholyte, no adsorption was found. The measured dependences can be explained by the adsorption of one or the other of the two blocks depending on acidity and ionic strength. Furthermore, the lateral structure of the dried films was investigated by scanning force microscopy (SFM). [less ▲]

L'acromégalie

in Tempo Médical (1999), 204

Les premières descriptions d'acromégalie ont été effectuées à la fin du siècle dernier par Pierre MARIE (1886). Cette affection, caractérisée par une hypersécrétion d'hormone de croissance a été longtemps ... [more ▼]

Les premières descriptions d'acromégalie ont été effectuées à la fin du siècle dernier par Pierre MARIE (1886). Cette affection, caractérisée par une hypersécrétion d'hormone de croissance a été longtemps considérée comme rare. En raison de sa progression insidieuse, elle est souvent diagnostiquée très tardivement. Dans cet article, nous illustrons le cas d'une patiente chez qui le diagnostic d'acromégalie a été posé au cours d'une opération pour adénocarcinome colique. [less ▲]