Waterfowl foraging in winter-flooded ricefields: Any agronomic benefits for farmers?

PubMed

Brogi, Anne; Pernollet, Claire A; Gauthier-Clerc, Michel; Guillemain, Matthieu

2015-12-01

Winter-flooding of ricefields provides foraging habitat to waterfowl, which in return may bring agronomic benefits to farmers. Our study experimentally tested the effect of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) on the standing stalks and weed seed bank in the Camargue (France), both of which present major challenges for farmers. Three duck densities were tested: (D1) 5 ducks ha(-1) (historical nocturnal density), (D2) 23 ducks ha(-1) (present nocturnal density), and (D3) 300 ducks ha(-1) (Asian rice-duck farming density). The ducks reduced the stalks significantly: -27 % (D1), -52 % (D2), and -91 % (D3). Conversely, they decreased the number of seeds by only 3 % (D3) and the seed mass by about 21 % (D1 and D3), which was not significant. Besides they had no effect on seed species richness. This study clearly demonstrates that the winter-flooding effect on straw decomposition can be enhanced by waterfowl foraging, hence showing an agronomic benefit from ducks to farmers. However, there was no clear effect in terms of seed bank reduction.

Stakeholder e-Participation in Local Planning: The Camargue Park Case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desquinabo, Nicolas; Ferrand, Nils; Marlier, Julie

The goal of this study is to evaluate several features and outcomes of the e-consultation organized by the Camargue Natural Park on its management plan. To estimate the benefits of the selected Internet devices, we have compared our assessment of this e-consultation with other face-to-face participative events organized on the same management plan. Following "computer-mediated communication" and deliberative theories, we expected that the tested e-tools would increase the deliberative features of the stakeholder participation. Several economic and organisational benefits were also expected. Our first results confirm the organisational benefits of this e-consultation (information gain, cost of the process, etc.). Several "deliberative" benefits have also been observed (more opinion and thematic diversity without an increase of "flames"). Nevertheless, speech is apparently more concentrated than in face-to-face events, even if many "non-posters" visited the consultation site but did not post because they had "all their comments already included".

Severe Weather Guide - Mediterranean Ports. 12. Cannes

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

3.1 Geographic Location Cannes is located on the southern coast of France in the region known as the French Riviera (Figure 3-1), about 26 n 1ni...ALGERIA 7 MARSEILLE, FRANCE TUNIS, TUNISIA 8 TOULON, FRANCE GULF HAMMAMET, TUNISIA 9 VILLEFRANCHE, FRANCE GULF OF GABES, TUNISIA 10 MALAGA, SPAIN...SOUDA BAY, CRETE 11 NICE, FRANCE 12 CANNES, FRANCE 1991 PORT 13 MONACO 14 ASHDOD, ISRAEL PIRAEUS, GREECE 15 HAIFA, ISRAEL KALAMATA, GREECE BARCELONA

The 1991 AVIRIS/POLDER experiment in Camargue, France

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baret, F.; Leprieur, C.; Jacquemoud, S.; Carrere, V.; Gu, X. F.; Steven, M.; Vanderbilt, V.; Hanocq, J. F.; Ustin, Susan L.; Rondeaux, G.

1992-01-01

Airborne campaigns during the eighties provided high spectral resolution data, collected with imaging instruments such as AIS, AVIRIS, FLI, CAESI, and ISM, in order to investigate the relationship with canopy biophysical characteristics. The statistical approaches used to analyze these data do not allow investigation of the causality and the applicability of the observed correlations. Further, statistical studies demonstrated the high degree of redundancy of the spectral information amongst many others. And for retrieving vegetation biophysical characteristics, few results demonstrate the real information gain attributable to the high spectral resolution capability as compared to the use of a few wide wavelength bands. With several new imaging spectrophotometers scheduled for launch during the next 10 years (MERIS, MODIS, HIRIS), progress in the description and understanding of the mechanisms that drive the spectral variation of canopy reflectance is required. Most of these new sensor systems will also have the capability to observe the target under differing view directions. The problem of the combination and the use of the synergy between both the spectral and the directional sources of canopy reflectance variations has to be addressed. Apart from the atmospheric effects, the spectral variation of the light reflected by canopies originates from the leaves, the soil or the other vegetation elements such as branches and fruits. At leaf level, both diffuse reflectance and transmittance may be simulated by simple models, although no accurate information exists on the absorption features of the biochemicals (except water) in the 900-2500nm wavelength range. Many models mimic the directional variability of canopy reflectance at a given wavelength. Combining a leaf spectral model with a canopy directional model provides a powerful tool to analyze this problem. Some of us have initiated such a study, but our approach and theory remain to be tested using canopy data with their complexity, associated experimental error, and atmospheric effects. The main objective of the 1990 POLDER/AVIRIS experiment in Camargue was to provide a consistent data set over various canopies in order to test the applicability of the theory. The experiment, part of the 1991 MAC Europe experiment, involved simultaneous data collection using two sensors: AVIRIS and POLDER which measures the bidirectional and polarization properties of the targets at 670 and 880nm wavebands.

Strong evidence for the presence of the tick Hyalomma marginatum Koch, 1844 in southern continental France.

PubMed

Vial, Laurence; Stachurski, Frédéric; Leblond, Agnès; Huber, Karine; Vourc'h, Gwenaël; René-Martellet, Magalie; Desjardins, Isabelle; Balança, Gilles; Grosbois, Vladimir; Pradier, Sophie; Gély, Marie; Appelgren, Anaïs; Estrada-Peña, Agustin

2016-10-01

Hyalomma ticks can transmit several human and animal pathogens in Eurasia and Africa. Interest in Hyalomma marginatum has increased since the recent (re)emergence of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever in the Palearctic region. Until now, continental France has been considered free of this tick species. Nevertheless, the existence of incomplete and occasionally incorrect records has maintained confusion about its status. Based on several tick sampling campaigns conducted on horses and birds from 2007 to 2016, we provided very strong evidence for the presence of reproducing populations of H. marginatum in parts of southern continental France. We also confirmed the introduction of immature developmental stages of H. marginatum, as well as H. rufipes, into France probably through trans-Mediterranean bird migrations. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Beginning of Viniculture in France

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McGovern, Patrick E.; Luley, Benjamin P.; Rovira, Nuria; Mirzoian, Armen; Callahan, Michael P.; Smith, Karen F.; Hall, Gretchen R.; Davidson, Theodore; Henkin, Joshua M.

2013-01-01

Chemical analyses of ancient organic compounds absorbed into the pottery fabrics of imported Etruscan amphoras (ca. 500-475 B.C.) and into a limestone pressing platform (ca. 425-400 B.C.) at the ancient coastal port site of Lattara in southern France provide the earliest biomolecular archaeological evidence for grape wine and viniculture from this country, which is crucial to the later history of wine in Europe and the rest of the world. The data support the hypothesis that export of wine by ship from Etruria in central Italy to southern Mediterranean France fueled an ever-growing market and interest in wine there, which, in turn, as evidenced by the winepress, led to transplantation of the Eurasian grapevine and the beginning of a Celtic industry in France. Herbal and pine resin additives to the Etruscan wine point to the medicinal role of wine in antiquity, as well as a means of preserving it during marine transport.

Beginning of viniculture in France

PubMed Central

McGovern, Patrick E.; Luley, Benjamin P.; Rovira, Nuria; Mirzoian, Armen; Callahan, Michael P.; Smith, Karen E.; Hall, Gretchen R.; Davidson, Theodore; Henkin, Joshua M.

2013-01-01

Chemical analyses of ancient organic compounds absorbed into the pottery fabrics of imported Etruscan amphoras (ca. 500–475 B.C.) and into a limestone pressing platform (ca. 425–400 B.C.) at the ancient coastal port site of Lattara in southern France provide the earliest biomolecular archaeological evidence for grape wine and viniculture from this country, which is crucial to the later history of wine in Europe and the rest of the world. The data support the hypothesis that export of wine by ship from Etruria in central Italy to southern Mediterranean France fueled an ever-growing market and interest in wine there, which, in turn, as evidenced by the winepress, led to transplantation of the Eurasian grapevine and the beginning of a Celtic industry in France. Herbal and pine resin additives to the Etruscan wine point to the medicinal role of wine in antiquity, as well as a means of preserving it during marine transport. PMID:23733937

Diversity among French Bacillus anthracis isolates.

PubMed

Fouet, Agnès; Smith, Kimothy L; Keys, Chris; Vaissaire, Josée; Le Doujet, Claudine; Lévy, Martine; Mock, Michèle; Keim, Paul

2002-12-01

While outbreaks of animal anthrax zoonoses still regularly occur in France, little is known about the epidemiology links between them. We have used the eight-locus multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis typing technique against a collection of 50 Bacillus anthracis isolates from France. There were eight distinct genotypes belonging to two dissimilar genetic clusters. Regional strain patterns were observed, with the B2 genotypes prevalent in southern France and the A1a genotypes found only in northern France.

U. S. Atlantic Fleet, Task Force 87, Operation Plan No. 1-44

DTIC Science & Technology

1944-08-01

support to Allied Forces in NORMANDY by occupying the maximum enemy strength in SOUTHERN FRANCE . Th|Sground forces are both American and French , and...LS I (M) and LSP, Currency^ French currency (both Bank of France and Allied supplemental francsTwill be used in captured areas at an exchange rate...Morocco, Bank of Algeria, Bank of Tunisia and Bank of French West Africa will ndt be legal tender in France , Disbursing Officers may accept the above

Mycobacterium bovis Infection of Red Fox, France.

PubMed

Michelet, Lorraine; De Cruz, Krystel; Hénault, Sylvie; Tambosco, Jennifer; Richomme, Céline; Réveillaud, Édouard; Gares, Hélène; Moyen, Jean-Louis; Boschiroli, María Laura

2018-06-01

Mycobacterium bovis infection in wild red foxes was found in southern France, where livestock and other wildlife species are infected. Foxes frequently interact with cattle but have been underestimated as a reservoir of M. bovis. Our results suggest a possible role of the red fox in the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis.

Psycho-social influences on food choice in Southern France and Central England.

PubMed

Pettinger, C; Holdsworth, M; Gerber, M

2004-06-01

This study used attitudinal scales to investigate the nature of attitudes to diet and health in a northern European country (Central England) and a southern European country (Mediterranean France). Cross-sectional studies were conducted using self-administered postal questionnaires that were distributed simultaneously in April 2001 in Montpellier, France and Nottingham, England. A stratified random sample of 1000 males and 1000 females aged 18-65 years was generated from the electoral roll in each country. The final sample comprised England: n = 826 (58% male and 42% female; mean age=44 years) and France: n = 766 (42% male and 58% female; mean age=42 years). This study has demonstrated that the pleasurable and social aspects of eating, certain food quality issues, as well as health as a value were regarded as priorities by French respondents. On the other hand, English respondents reported that organic and ethical issues and convenience were important factors influencing their food choices. In conclusion, the two populations can be differentiated overall in their attitudes and beliefs to food choice.

Impact of the Arundo scale Rhizaspidiotus donacis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on the weight of Arundo donax (Poaceae: Arundinoideae) rhizomes in Languedoc southern France and Mediterranean Spain

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Arundo donax L. (Poaceae) is native to Mediterranean Europe and invasive in the Rio Grande Basin of North America. Rhizomes from nine sites in France and Spain infested with a candidate control agent, the armoured scale Rhizaspidiotus donacis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) weighed 50% less than those fro...

Zika virus infections in three travellers returning from South America and the Caribbean respectively, to Montpellier, France, December 2015 to January 2016.

PubMed

Maria, Alexandre Thibault; Maquart, Marianne; Makinson, Alain; Flusin, Olivier; Segondy, Michel; Leparc-Goffart, Isabelle; Le Moing, Vincent; Foulongne, Vincent

2016-01-01

We report three unrelated cases of Zika virus infection in patients returning from Martinique, Brazil and Colombia respectively, to Montpellier, France. They developed symptoms compatible with a mosquito-borne disease, and serological and molecular investigations indicated a recent Zika virus infection. Considering the recent warning for the likely teratogenicity of Zika virus and the presence of competent mosquito vectors in southern France, these cases highlight the need for awareness of physicians and laboratories in Europe.

Ethnic Heritage Studies: Southern European Foods. Experimental Unit.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Freepartner, Susan

This teaching guide focuses on the Southern European food heritage. It is part of the Louisville Area Ethnic Heritage Studies Project described in ED 150 043. The project materials are designed to foster communication across intercultural/ethnic lines. The objective of this unit is to gain familiarity with and appreciate foods from Spain, France,…

Analysis of the population structure of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) in the Palaearctic region using microsatellite markers

PubMed Central

Sanchez, Juan Antonio; Spina, Michelangelo La; Perera, Omaththage P

2012-01-01

Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is widely distributed throughout the Palaearctic region. The aim was to explain the current geographic distribution of the species by investigating its genetic population structure. Samples of M. pygmaeus were collected in 15 localities through its range of distribution. A sample from a commercial producer was also analyzed. A total of 367 M. pygmaeus were genotyped for nine microsatellite loci. Isolation by distance was tested by Mantel's test. The molecular structure of M. pygmaeus populations was inferred by UPGMA, AMOVA, Principal component and Bayesian analyses. The average number of alleles per locus per population was 5.5 (range: 3.1–7.8). Istanbul (Turkey) and Nimes (France) had the lowest (0.291) and the highest (0.626) expected heterozygosity (He), respectively. There was an increase in He from the Canary Islands to Nimes, and a progressive decrease thereafter. A significant negative correlation was found between allelic richness and He, and the distance of each population to the easternmost locality (Canary Islands). Significant linkage disequilibrium was observed in the populations from Turkey. FST (0.004–0.334) indicated a high population differentiation, with isolation by distance supported by a high correlation. Bayesian analyses, PCA, and UPGMA pointed to three main clusters: (1) Greece and Turkey, (2) Italy and France, and (3) southern Iberia and the Canary Islands. The recent evolutionary history of M. pygmaeus is inferred from the data as follows: (1) the reduction in the geographic distribution of the species to the Iberian, Italian, and Balkan peninsulas, and possibly southern France, during glaciations and re-colonization of northern Europe from its southern refuges; (2) the maintenance of high diversity in Iberia and Italy (and possibly southern France) during contraction periods, and bottlenecks in the Balkans; (3) introgression of the Italian–French lineage in northern Spain, naturally or through trade. PMID:23301179

Analysis of the population structure of Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) in the Palaearctic region using microsatellite markers.

PubMed

Sanchez, Juan Antonio; Spina, Michelangelo La; Perera, Omaththage P

2012-12-01

Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is widely distributed throughout the Palaearctic region. The aim was to explain the current geographic distribution of the species by investigating its genetic population structure. Samples of M. pygmaeus were collected in 15 localities through its range of distribution. A sample from a commercial producer was also analyzed. A total of 367 M. pygmaeus were genotyped for nine microsatellite loci. Isolation by distance was tested by Mantel's test. The molecular structure of M. pygmaeus populations was inferred by UPGMA, AMOVA, Principal component and Bayesian analyses. The average number of alleles per locus per population was 5.5 (range: 3.1-7.8). Istanbul (Turkey) and Nimes (France) had the lowest (0.291) and the highest (0.626) expected heterozygosity (H(e)), respectively. There was an increase in H(e) from the Canary Islands to Nimes, and a progressive decrease thereafter. A significant negative correlation was found between allelic richness and H(e), and the distance of each population to the easternmost locality (Canary Islands). Significant linkage disequilibrium was observed in the populations from Turkey. F(ST) (0.004-0.334) indicated a high population differentiation, with isolation by distance supported by a high correlation. Bayesian analyses, PCA, and UPGMA pointed to three main clusters: (1) Greece and Turkey, (2) Italy and France, and (3) southern Iberia and the Canary Islands. The recent evolutionary history of M. pygmaeus is inferred from the data as follows: (1) the reduction in the geographic distribution of the species to the Iberian, Italian, and Balkan peninsulas, and possibly southern France, during glaciations and re-colonization of northern Europe from its southern refuges; (2) the maintenance of high diversity in Iberia and Italy (and possibly southern France) during contraction periods, and bottlenecks in the Balkans; (3) introgression of the Italian-French lineage in northern Spain, naturally or through trade.

Complete genome sequence of southern tomato virus identified from China using next generation sequencing

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Complete genome sequence of a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus, southern tomato virus (STV), on tomatoes in China, was elucidated using small RNAs deep sequencing. The identified STV_CN12 shares 99% sequence identity to other isolates from Mexico, France, Spain, and U.S. This is the first report ...

Differentiated dynamics of bud dormancy and growth in temperate fruit trees relating to bud phenology adaptation, the case of apple and almond trees.

PubMed

El Yaacoubi, Adnane; Malagi, Gustavo; Oukabli, Ahmed; Citadin, Idemir; Hafidi, Majida; Bonhomme, Marc; Legave, Jean-Michel

2016-11-01

Few studies have focused on the characterization of bud dormancy and growth dynamics for temperate fruit species in temperate and mild cropping areas, although this is an appropriate framework to anticipate phenology adaptation facing future warming contexts which would potentially combine chill declines and heat increases. To examine this issue, two experimental approaches and field observations were used for high- and low-chill apple cultivars in temperate climate of southern France and in mild climates of northern Morocco and southern Brazil. Low-chill almond cultivars offered an additional relevant plant material for comparison with apple in northern Morocco. Divergent patterns of dormancy and growth dynamics were clearly found in apple tree between southern France and southern Brazil. Divergences were less pronounced between France and Morocco. A global view outlined main differences in the dormancy chronology and intensity, the transition between endordormancy and ecodormancy and the duration of ecodormancy. A key role of bud rehydration in the transition period was shown. High-chill cultivars would be submitted in mild conditions to heterogeneous rehydration capacities linked to insufficient chill fulfillment and excessive forcing linked to high temperatures. This would favor bud competitions and consequently excessive flowering durations and weak flowering. Low chilling requirements in apple and almond would conversely confer biological capacities to tolerate superficial dormancy and abrupt transition from endordormancy to ecodormancy without important heterogeneous rehydration states within buds. It may also assume that low-chill cultivars can also tolerate high temperatures during ecodormancy as well as extended flowering durations.

Differentiated dynamics of bud dormancy and growth in temperate fruit trees relating to bud phenology adaptation, the case of apple and almond trees

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El Yaacoubi, Adnane; Malagi, Gustavo; Oukabli, Ahmed; Citadin, Idemir; Hafidi, Majida; Bonhomme, Marc; Legave, Jean-Michel

2016-11-01

Few studies have focused on the characterization of bud dormancy and growth dynamics for temperate fruit species in temperate and mild cropping areas, although this is an appropriate framework to anticipate phenology adaptation facing future warming contexts which would potentially combine chill declines and heat increases. To examine this issue, two experimental approaches and field observations were used for high- and low-chill apple cultivars in temperate climate of southern France and in mild climates of northern Morocco and southern Brazil. Low-chill almond cultivars offered an additional relevant plant material for comparison with apple in northern Morocco. Divergent patterns of dormancy and growth dynamics were clearly found in apple tree between southern France and southern Brazil. Divergences were less pronounced between France and Morocco. A global view outlined main differences in the dormancy chronology and intensity, the transition between endordormancy and ecodormancy and the duration of ecodormancy. A key role of bud rehydration in the transition period was shown. High-chill cultivars would be submitted in mild conditions to heterogeneous rehydration capacities linked to insufficient chill fulfillment and excessive forcing linked to high temperatures. This would favor bud competitions and consequently excessive flowering durations and weak flowering. Low chilling requirements in apple and almond would conversely confer biological capacities to tolerate superficial dormancy and abrupt transition from endordormancy to ecodormancy without important heterogeneous rehydration states within buds. It may also assume that low-chill cultivars can also tolerate high temperatures during ecodormancy as well as extended flowering durations.

Reconstruction of a saline, lacustrine carbonate system (Priabonian, St-Chaptes Basin, SE France): Depositional models, paleogeographic and paleoclimatic implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lettéron, Alexandre; Hamon, Youri; Fournier, François; Séranne, Michel; Pellenard, Pierre; Joseph, Philippe

2018-05-01

A 220-m thick carbonate-dominated succession has been deposited in shallow-water, saline lake environments during the early to middle Priabonian (MP17A-MP18 mammal zones) in the Saint-Chaptes Basin (south-east France). The palaeoenvironmental, paleoclimatic and palaeogeographic significance of such saline lake carbonates has been deciphered on the basis of a multi-proxy analyses including: 1) depositional and diagenetic features; 2) biological components (molluscs, benthic foraminifera, characean gyrogonites, spores and pollens); 3) carbon and oxygen stable isotopes; 4) trace elements; and 5) clay mineralogy. Five stages of lacustrine system evolution have been identified: 1) fresh-water closed lake under dry climate (unit U1); 2) fresh to brackish water lacustrine deltaic system with a mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sedimentation under relatively wet climatic conditions (unit U2); 3) salt-water lacustrine carbonate system under humid climatic setting (unit U3); 4) evaporitic lake (unit U4); and 5) closed lake with shallow-water carbonate sedimentation under subtropical to Mediterranean climate with dry seasons (unit U5). Upper Eocene aridification is evidenced to have started as early as the earliest Priabonian (unit U1: MP17A mammal zone). A change from humid to dryer climatic conditions is recorded between units U3 and U4. The early to middle Priabonian saline lake is interpreted as an athalassic (inland) lake that have been transiently connected with neighboring salt lakes influenced by seawater and/or fed with sulfates deriving from recycling of evaporites. Maximum of connection with neighboring saline lakes (Mormoiron Basin, Camargue and Central grabens, Hérault Basin) likely occurred during unit U3 and at the base of unit U5. The most likely sources of salts of these adjacent basins are: 1) Triassic evaporites derived from salt-diapirs (Rhône valley) or from paleo-outcrops located east of the Durance fault or offshore in the Gulf of Lion; or 2) marine incursions from the south, through Paleogene grabens in the Gulf of Lion.

The prevalence and determinants of overweight and obesity among French youths and adults with intellectual disabilities attending special education schools.

PubMed

Bégarie, Jérôme; Maïano, Christophe; Leconte, Pascale; Ninot, Grégory

2013-05-01

This study examines the prevalence of overweight and obesity and a panel of potential determinants among French youths and adults with an intellectual disability (ID). The sample used consisted of 1120 youths and adults with an ID, from 5 to 28 years old, attending a French special education school. The results indicated that 19.8% of the participants with an ID are classified as overweight and 8.6% as obese. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that there are nearly three times more girls/women classified as overweight than boys/men. Additionally, they showed that there are nearly two times more participants from southern France classified as overweight than from northern France, and that the risk of being classified as overweight significantly increases with seniority in the school. Next, the interaction effects observed indicated first that there are nearly two times more boys/men on psychotropic medication classified as overweight than boys/men not on psychotropic medication. Second, they revealed that the odds of being classified as overweight for boys/men not on psychotropic medication are 47% lower than for girls/women not on psychotropic medication. Third, they indicated that there are nearly two times more boys/men from southern France classified as obese than boys/men from northern France. Fourth, they showed that the odds of being classified as obese for boys/men from northern France are 52% lower than for girls/women from northern France. In conclusion, these results should be viewed as preliminary and need to be replicated since, to our knowledge, this study is the first one to examine this topic while simultaneously controlling for all of the potential determinants and relying on a sample of youths and adults. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genetic particle filter application to land surface temperature downscaling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mechri, Rihab; Ottlé, Catherine; Pannekoucke, Olivier; Kallel, Abdelaziz

2014-03-01

Thermal infrared data are widely used for surface flux estimation giving the possibility to assess water and energy budgets through land surface temperature (LST). Many applications require both high spatial resolution (HSR) and high temporal resolution (HTR), which are not presently available from space. It is therefore necessary to develop methodologies to use the coarse spatial/high temporal resolutions LST remote-sensing products for a better monitoring of fluxes at appropriate scales. For that purpose, a data assimilation method was developed to downscale LST based on particle filtering. The basic tenet of our approach is to constrain LST dynamics simulated at both HSR and HTR, through the optimization of aggregated temperatures at the coarse observation scale. Thus, a genetic particle filter (GPF) data assimilation scheme was implemented and applied to a land surface model which simulates prior subpixel temperatures. First, the GPF downscaling scheme was tested on pseudoobservations generated in the framework of the study area landscape (Crau-Camargue, France) and climate for the year 2006. The GPF performances were evaluated against observation errors and temporal sampling. Results show that GPF outperforms prior model estimations. Finally, the GPF method was applied on Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager time series and evaluated against HSR data provided by an Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer image acquired on 26 July 2006. The temperatures of seven land cover classes present in the study area were estimated with root-mean-square errors less than 2.4 K which is a very promising result for downscaling LST satellite products.

Experimental infection of Carrion crows (Corvus corone) with two European West Nile virus (WNV) strains.

PubMed

Dridi, Maha; Vangeluwe, Didier; Lecollinet, Sylvie; van den Berg, Thierry; Lambrecht, Bénédicte

2013-07-26

West Nile virus (WNV) has become a wide-spread arbovirus in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin countries. This emerging zoonotic disease disseminated 13 years ago in North America where its impact on animal and public health has been considerable. Although American corvids have been the most reliable avian sentinels for WN surveillance in the United States, there is so far no data available about the susceptibility of their Western European counterparts to WNV. Clinical follow-up and serum, oral swabs and feathers viral RNA load monitoring was herein performed on wild-caught Carrion crows (Corvus corone) experimentally inoculated with two WNV strains, Is98 that was isolated from a stork in Israel where it elicited high rates of avian deaths in 1998, and Fr2000 which was only associated to sporadic equine cases in Camargue, France in 2000. Inoculated crows were sensitive to both WNV infections and, as expected from the available epidemiological data, Is98 induced a higher mortality rate (100% vs. 33%) and a quicker fatal outcome, with higher viral RNA loads detected in the serum, oral swabs and feathers than in the Fr2000 group. Therefore, Carrion crows should also be a target species for WNV surveillance in Western Europe, where reporting for abnormal mortalities could be completed by viral detection in the herein described avian matrices. These experimental findings also emphasize the peculiarity of the European situation where a large spectrum of WNV genetic and pathotypic variants have been so far isolated despite limited WN disease reports in wild birds. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Klaus - an exceptional winter storm over Northern Iberia and Southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liberato, M. R. L.; Pinto, J. G.; Trigo, I. F.; Trigo, R. M.

2010-09-01

The synoptic evolution and impacts of storm Klaus that swept through northern Iberia and southern France on 23-24 January 2009, are assessed. Klaus followed an unusual southern path and was the costliest weather hazard event worldwide during 2009. In particular, it was the most intense and damaging wind storm in the region in a decade, provoked more than 20 casualties and insured losses of several billion Euros. Several long-term records of maximum wind speed gust were broken, including Bordeaux, Narbonne and Perpignan. Storm Klaus first developed close to the Bermudas, traveled fast eastwards and underwent explosive development near the Iberian Peninsula. Its development was supported by an extended and intensified polar jet which stretched down to Western Europe and strong upper-air divergence associated with a second jet streak. Afterwards, it steered southeastwards across Southern France into Northern Italy and the Adriatic. The evolution of "Klaus" is analysed using two standard cyclone detecting and tracking schemes. Results show that both tracks exhibited similar features and positions throughout almost all of their lifecycles, with minor minor discrepancies. These are likely associated to the fields used by each method for storm identification (near surface geopotential height and geostrophic vorticity, respectively) and to different handling of the spatio-temporal evolution of multiple cyclone candidates. In its strengthening phase, "Klaus" presents deepening rates above 37 hPa/24h, a value that after geostrophically adjusted to the reference latitude of 60°N increases to 44 hPa/24h, implying an exceptional event with bomb characteristics. During the maximum intensification phase, the laplacian of surface pressure increased by 1.165hPa/(deglat)2 within 24 hours.

Geologic, geomorphic, and meteorological aspects of debris flows triggered by Hurricanes Frances and Ivan during September 2004 in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Macon County, North Carolina (southeastern USA)

Treesearch

R. M. Wooten; K. A. Gillon; A. C. Witt; R. S. Latham; T. J. Douglas; J. B. Bauer; S. J. Fuemmeler; L. G. Lee

2008-01-01

In September 2004, rain from the remnants of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan triggered at least 155 landslides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. At least 33 debris flows occurred in Macon County, causing 5 deaths, destroying 16 homes, and damaging infrastructure. We mapped debris flows and debris deposits using a light-detecting and ranging digital elevation...

Observatoire de Marseille

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murdin, P.

2000-11-01

The Marseille Observatory was founded by the Jesuits in 1702 and taken over by the State in 1763. A century later it was transferred to its present site on the Longchamp Plateau in Marseille, southern France....

Regional intensity attenuation models for France and the estimation of magnitude and location of historical earthquakes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bakun, W.H.; Scotti, O.

2006-01-01

Intensity assignments for 33 calibration earthquakes were used to develop intensity attenuation models for the Alps, Armorican, Provence, Pyrenees and Rhine regions of France. Intensity decreases with ?? most rapidly in the French Alps, Provence and Pyrenees regions, and least rapidly in the Armorican and Rhine regions. The comparable Armorican and Rhine region attenuation models are aggregated into a French stable continental region model and the comparable Provence and Pyrenees region models are aggregated into a Southern France model. We analyse MSK intensity assignments using the technique of Bakun & Wentworth, which provides an objective method for estimating epicentral location and intensity magnitude MI. MI for the 1356 October 18 earthquake in the French stable continental region is 6.6 for a location near Basle, Switzerland, and moment magnitude M is 5.9-7.2 at the 95 per cent (??2??) confidence level. MI for the 1909 June 11 Trevaresse (Lambesc) earthquake near Marseilles in the Southern France region is 5.5, and M is 4.9-6.0 at the 95 per cent confidence level. Bootstrap resampling techniques are used to calculate objective, reproducible 67 per cent and 95 per cent confidence regions for the locations of historical earthquakes. These confidence regions for location provide an attractive alternative to the macroseismic epicentre and qualitative location uncertainties used heretofore. ?? 2006 The Authors Journal compilation ?? 2006 RAS.

Regional transport and dilution during high-pollution episodes in southern France: Summary of findings from the Field Experiment to Constraint Models of Atmospheric Pollution and Emissions Transport (ESCOMPTE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drobinski, P.; SaïD, F.; Ancellet, G.; Arteta, J.; Augustin, P.; Bastin, S.; Brut, A.; Caccia, J. L.; Campistron, B.; Cautenet, S.; Colette, A.; Coll, I.; Corsmeier, U.; Cros, B.; Dabas, A.; Delbarre, H.; Dufour, A.; Durand, P.; GuéNard, V.; Hasel, M.; Kalthoff, N.; Kottmeier, C.; Lasry, F.; Lemonsu, A.; Lohou, F.; Masson, V.; Menut, L.; Moppert, C.; Peuch, V. H.; Puygrenier, V.; Reitebuch, O.; Vautard, R.

2007-07-01

In the French Mediterranean basin the large city of Marseille and its industrialized suburbs (oil plants in the Fos-Berre area) are major pollutant sources that cause frequent and hazardous pollution episodes, especially in summer when intense solar heating enhances the photochemical activity and when the sea breeze circulation redistributes pollutants farther north in the countryside. This paper summarizes the findings of 5 years of research on the sea breeze in southern France and related mesoscale transport and dilution of pollutants within the Field Experiment to Constraint Models of Atmospheric Pollution and Emissions Transport (ESCOMPTE) program held in June and July 2001. This paper provides an overview of the experimental and numerical challenges identified before the ESCOMPTE field experiment and summarizes the key findings made in observation, simulation, and theory. We specifically address the role of large-scale atmospheric circulation to local ozone vertical distribution and the mesoscale processes driving horizontal advection of pollutants and vertical transport and mixing via entrainment at the top of the sea breeze or at the front and venting along the sloped terrain. The crucial importance of the interactions between processes of various spatial and temporal scales is thus highlighted. The advances in numerical modeling and forecasting of sea breeze events and ozone pollution episodes in southern France are also underlined. Finally, we conclude and point out some open research questions needing further investigation.

Severe Weather Guide - Mediterranean Ports. 11. Nice

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

CAPTAIN’S SUMMARY Nice is located on the south coast of France in the region known as the French Riviera (Figure 2-1), about 12 n mi west of the Italian...southern coast of France in the region known as the French Riviera approximately 12 n mi west of the Italian border. High mountains back the coastline...CA 93943-5006 9. PROCUREMENT INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER N00228-84-D-3187 10. SOURCE OF FUNDING NUMBERS PROGRAM ELEMENT NO. PROJECT NO

"Towards practical cadmium phytoextraction with Thlaspi caerulescens"

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

During 2005-2007, a series of field trials were conducted to investigate the potential of Thlapsi caerulescens ecotypes derived from southern France to phytoextract localized Cd/Zn contamination in Thailand. Soil treatments included pH variation and fertilization level. T. caerulescens ecotypes w...

Diversity of the Insect Visitors on Calluna vulgaris (Ericaceae) in Southern France Heathlands.

PubMed

Descamps, Charlotte; Moquet, Laura; Migon, Marc; Jacquemart, Anne-Laure

2015-01-01

As part of an ongoing research project on the pollination networks in European heathlands, the objective of this study was to assess the insect visitor guild on Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull (Ericaceae). We focused the study on a region renowned for its largely well-preserved heathlands, the Cévennes National Park, Southern France. In 2013, flower visitors were observed over 3 d per site, in four heathland sites at mont Lozère. Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) were the main visitors (62-88% of total visitors). Besides honeybees, a high diversity of visitors was detected with 57 different species identified (42 Diptera and 15 Hymenoptera). Hoverflies (Syrphidae, Diptera) visitors were abundant and diverse, especially individuals belonging to the genera Eristalis and Episyrphus. The reported diversity of visitors was probably due to the preservation of large heathland areas at mont Lozère and to the generalist pollination system of C. vulgaris. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Entomological Society of America.

Late Ordovician (post-Sardic) rifting branches in the North Gondwanan Montagne Noire and Mouthoumet massifs of southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Javier Álvaro, J.; Colmenar, Jorge; Monceret, Eric; Pouclet, André; Vizcaïno, Daniel

2016-06-01

Upper Ordovician-Lower Devonian rocks of the Cabrières klippes (southern Montagne Noire) and the Mouthoumet massif in southern France rest paraconformably or with angular discordance on Cambrian-Lower Ordovician strata. Neither Middle-Ordovician volcanism nor associated metamorphism is recorded, and the subsequent Middle-Ordovician stratigraphic gap is related to the Sardic phase. Upper Ordovician sedimentation started in the rifting branches of Cabrières and Mouthoumet with deposition of basaltic lava flows and lahar deposits (Roque de Bandies and Villerouge formations) of continental tholeiite signature (CT), indicative of continental fracturing. The infill of both rifting branches followed with the onset of (1) Katian (Ka1-Ka2) conglomerates and sandstones (Glauzy and Gascagne formations), which have yielded a new brachiopod assemblage representative of the Svobodaina havliceki Community; (2) Katian (Ka2-Ka4) limestones, marlstones, and shales with carbonate nodules, reflecting development of bryozoan-echinoderm meadows with elements of the Nicolella Community (Gabian and Montjoi formations); and (3) the Hirnantian Marmairane Formation in the Mouthoumet massif that has yielded a rich and diverse fossil association representative of the pandemic Hirnantia Fauna. The sealing of the subaerial palaeorelief generated during the Sardic phase is related to Silurian and Early Devonian transgressions leading to onlapping patterns and the record of high-angle discordances.

Second Workshop on the European Geotraverse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galson, D. A.; Müller, S.; Munsch, B.

The Second Workshop on the European Geotraverse (EGT) Project (Eos, July 19, 1983, p. 458; March 5, 1985, p. 112) was held February 7-9, 1985, at the Venetian Institute of Science, Letters, and Arts, Venice, Italy, and was organized by C. Morelli (Institute of Mining and Applied Geophysics, University of Trieste, Italy) with support from both the Secretariat of the European Science Foundation (ESF) in Strasbourg, France, and the Scientific Coordinating Committee (SCC) for the EGT Project. The workshop focused on the Southern Segment of the EGT (EGT-S), which encompasses the Central, Southern, and Western Alps, the Po Basin, the Northern Apennines, the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas, Corsica and Sardinia, the Sardinian and Sicilian Channels, and the complex geological structures of Tunisia. About 100 earth scientists, from Austria (1 representative), Belgium (1), Denmark (2), the Federal Republic of Germany (7), France (10), Italy (52), The Netherlands (3), Spain (1), Switzerland (9), Tunisia (6), and the United Kingdom (4), assembled to present and discuss new geological and geophysical data in order to obtain a better understanding of the structure, dynamics, and evolution of the lithosphere in this part of the world and to identify areas where and problems on which further work is needed. A particularly important aspect of the workshop was the presentation of data and results from the EGT-S 1983 field program, which was primarily a large-scale land and sea seismic refraction survey that extended from the Southern Alps to southern Sardinia. Another important aspect was preparation for the EGT-S 1985 field program, which will be a southward extension of the 1983 program to southern Tunisia. The workshop was divided into seven sessions, during which 42 scientific papers were given dealing with various aspects of the regional geophysics, geology, and tectonics.

Obituary: ESO Astronomer, Alphonse Florsch (Zeekoegat 1962)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swanepoel, Eric

2015-10-01

In June 1962 Alphonse Florsch, his wife Marguerite and their two sons Bruno (7) and Nicolas (5), came from France to work at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) at Zeekoegat (Florsch 2005-2006). This was during the time of site testing to find the best location for ESO.

A travel misadventure--visceral leishmaniasis in an immunocompetent patient.

PubMed

Delacour, H; Roche, C; Roche, B; Morand, C; Koeck, J L

2010-09-01

Visceral leishmaniasis is one of the world's most neglected diseases. Over 90% of the 500,000 annual new cases occur in only five countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sudan and North-Eastern Brazil, but the disease remains endemic in Southern Europe. We report a case of visceral leishmaniasis in an immunocompetent serviceman after a seven-day stay in the Marseilles region of South-Eastern France. This case is intended to alert clinicians to the possibility of visceral leishmaniasis in patients who develop a febrile illness after returning from travel in Southern European countries.

ISER - Emergency Situation Reports

Science.gov Websites

Mississippi River. The spring also brought storms to the Mid-Atlantic and Southern regions. In late August August and September 2004, ISER helped state and federal agencies prepare for and respond to the MB). Hurricane Jeanne Hurricane Ivan Hurricane Frances Hurricane Charley 2003 Hurricane Isabel August

Spatial and temporal variation in the abundance of Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in nine European countries.

PubMed

Cuéllar, Ana Carolina; Kjær, Lene Jung; Kirkeby, Carsten; Skovgard, Henrik; Nielsen, Søren Achim; Stockmarr, Anders; Andersson, Gunnar; Lindstrom, Anders; Chirico, Jan; Lühken, Renke; Steinke, Sonja; Kiel, Ellen; Gethmann, Jörn; Conraths, Franz J; Larska, Magdalena; Hamnes, Inger; Sviland, Ståle; Hopp, Petter; Brugger, Katharina; Rubel, Franz; Balenghien, Thomas; Garros, Claire; Rakotoarivony, Ignace; Allène, Xavier; Lhoir, Jonathan; Chavernac, David; Delécolle, Jean-Claude; Mathieu, Bruno; Delécolle, Delphine; Setier-Rio, Marie-Laure; Venail, Roger; Scheid, Bethsabée; Chueca, Miguel Ángel Miranda; Barceló, Carlos; Lucientes, Javier; Estrada, Rosa; Mathis, Alexander; Tack, Wesley; Bødker, Rene

2018-02-27

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are vectors of bluetongue virus (BTV), African horse sickness virus and Schmallenberg virus (SBV). Outbreaks of both BTV and SBV have affected large parts of Europe. The spread of these diseases depends largely on vector distribution and abundance. The aim of this analysis was to identify and quantify major spatial patterns and temporal trends in the distribution and seasonal variation of observed Culicoides abundance in nine countries in Europe. We gathered existing Culicoides data from Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Poland. In total, 31,429 Culicoides trap collections were available from 904 ruminant farms across these countries between 2007 and 2013. The Obsoletus ensemble was distributed widely in Europe and accounted for 83% of all 8,842,998 Culicoides specimens in the dataset, with the highest mean monthly abundance recorded in France, Germany and southern Norway. The Pulicaris ensemble accounted for only 12% of the specimens and had a relatively southerly and easterly spatial distribution compared to the Obsoletus ensemble. Culicoides imicola Kieffer was only found in Spain and the southernmost part of France. There was a clear spatial trend in the accumulated annual abundance from southern to northern Europe, with the Obsoletus ensemble steadily increasing from 4000 per year in southern Europe to 500,000 in Scandinavia. The Pulicaris ensemble showed a very different pattern, with an increase in the accumulated annual abundance from 1600 in Spain, peaking at 41,000 in northern Germany and then decreasing again toward northern latitudes. For the two species ensembles and C. imicola, the season began between January and April, with later start dates and increasingly shorter vector seasons at more northerly latitudes. We present the first maps of seasonal Culicoides abundance in large parts of Europe covering a gradient from southern Spain to northern Scandinavia. The identified temporal trends and spatial patterns are useful for planning the allocation of resources for international prevention and surveillance programmes in the European Union.

Ozone profile intercomparison based on simultaneous observations between 20 and 40 km

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aimedieu, P.; Krueger, A. J.; Robbins, D. E.; Simon, P. C.

1983-01-01

The vertical distribution of stratospheric ozone has been simultaneously measured by means of five different instruments carried on the same balloon payload. The launches were performed from Gap during the intercomparison campaign conducted in June 1981 in southern France. Data obtained between altitudes of 20 and 40 km are compared and discussed. Vertical profiles deduced from Electrochemical Concentration Cell sondes launched from the same location by small balloons and from short Umkehr measurements made at Mt Chiran (France) are also included in this comparison. Systematic differences of the order of 20 percent between ozone profiles deduced from solar u.v. absorption and in situ techniques are found.

Impacts of climate change on the hydrological cycle over France and associated uncertainties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dayon, Gildas; Boé, Julien; Martin, Éric; Gailhard, Joël

2018-05-01

This study deals with the evolution of the hydrological cycle over France during the 21st century. A large multi-member, multi-scenario, and multi-model ensemble of climate projections is downscaled with a new statistical method to drive a physically-based hydrological model with recent improvements. For a business-as-usual scenario, annual precipitation changes generally remain small, except over southern France, where decreases close to 20% are projected. Annual streamflows roughly decrease by 10% (±20%) on the Seine, by 20% (±20%) on the Loire, by 20% (±15%) on the Rhone and by 40% (±15%) on the Garonne. Attenuation measures, as implied by the other scenarios analyzed, lead to less severe changes. However, even with a scenario generally compatible with a limitation of global warming to two degrees, some notable impacts may still occur, with for example a decrease in summer river flows close to 25% for the Garonne.

Wild brown trout affected by historical mining in the Cévennes National Park, France.

PubMed

Monna, F; Camizuli, E; Revelli, P; Biville, C; Thomas, C; Losno, R; Scheifler, R; Bruguier, O; Baron, S; Chateau, C; Ploquin, A; Alibert, P

2011-08-15

In the protected area of the Cévennes National Park (Southern France), 114 wild brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) were captured at six locations affected to different extents by historical mining and metallurgy dating from the Iron Age to Modern Times. Cadmium and lead in trout livers and muscles reflect high sediment contamination, although an age-related effect was also detected for hepatic metal concentrations. Lead isotope signatures confirm exposure to drainage from mining and metallurgical waste. Developmental instability, assessed by fluctuating asymmetry, is significantly correlated with cadmium and lead concentrations in trout tissues, suggesting that local contamination may have affected fish development. Nowadays, the area is among the least industrialized in France. However, our results show that 60% of the specimens at one site exceed EU maximum allowed cadmium or lead concentration in foodstuffs. The mining heritage should not be neglected when establishing strategies for long-term environmental management.

Reform and Development of Tertiary Education in Europe. Recommendations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Moor, R. A.; Vedel, Doyer Georges

Tertiary education policies in seven Western European and seven Southern European countries are evaluated in two reports. In the first report by R. A. de Moor, attention is focused on France, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The evaluation and policy recommendations for the…

Terrorist Approach to Information Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-06-01

in chapter II. The concept of IO integrates all of the above individual elements into one strategy to provide the commander an unprecedented...Askatasuna (ETA), Basque separatists fighting in Northern Spain and Southern France. The PIRA is representative of a small number of highly professional...promptly and effectively to one of the central unanticipated consequences of the

The Sunni Spring: Counter-Attack in the War for Islamic Civilization

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-06

Adonis, from “Lamentations for Our Present Times” Much of the Middle East has been in conflagration since unlicensed street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi...grand Toynbeean level and more concretely in cities of Northern Europe and the schools of Southern France but it must not color our view of what is

Great Britain in the Age of Sail: Scarce Resources, Ruthless Actions and Consequences

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-01

annually.29 Masts were available from southern France and northern Spain, but they were poor quality compared to those from Scandinavia so were not...forcing her to draw more heavily on Scandinavia . By that time, however, Canada had become the principal supply of pitch and tar from the colonies

Evolution of the Drosophila melanogaster-sigma virus system in natural populations from Languedoc (southern France).

PubMed

Fleuriet, A; Periquet, G

1993-01-01

An analysis of natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster in a southern French region (Languedoc) was started in 1983, concerning two non Mendelian systems: the P-M system of transposable elements and the sigma virus. This virus is not contagious, but only transmitted through gametes; it is usually present in a minority of individuals in natural populations. The first data collected revealed unexpectedly clear and fast-evolving phenomena; they also gave evidence of some interesting correlations between the two systems. This paper presents all the results gathered from 1983 to 1991 in the Drosophila-sigma system. Striking correlations were observed for three interconnected parameters: frequency of infected flies, frequency of an allele of the fly giving resistance to the virus, and adaptation of the virus to this allele. This adaptation consisted of a qualitative step (change of viral type) followed by quantitative variation (better adaptation to the allele). This analysis also showed, firstly, that the evolution of natural populations differs completely in Languedoc from the rest of France; secondly, that three geographical zones where selective forces worked differently persisted over time in Languedoc.

Low West Nile virus circulation in wild birds in an area of recurring outbreaks in Southern France.

PubMed

Balança, Gilles; Gaidet, Nicolas; Savini, Giovanni; Vollot, Benjamin; Foucart, Antoine; Reiter, Paul; Boutonnier, Alain; Lelli, Rossella; Monicat, François

2009-12-01

West Nile virus (WNV) has a history of irregular but recurrent epizootics in countries of Mediterranean and of Central and Eastern Europe. We have investigated the temporal enzootic activity of WNV in free-ranging birds over a 3-year period in an area with sporadic occurrences of WNV outbreaks in Southern France. We conducted an intensive serologic survey on several wild bird populations (>4000 serum samples collected from 3300 birds) selected as potential indicators of the WNV circulation. WNV antibodies were detected by seroneutralization and/or plaque reduction neutralization in house sparrows, black-billed magpies, and scops owls, but these species appeared to be insufficient indicators of WNV circulation. Overall seroprevalence was low (<1%), including in birds that had been potentially exposed to the virus during recent outbreaks. However, the detection of a seroconversion in one bird, as well as the detection of seropositive birds in all years of our monitoring, including juveniles, indicate a constant annual circulation of WNV at a low level, including in years without any detectable emergence of WN fever in horses or humans.

Disseminated feline leishmaniosis due to Leishmania infantum in Southern France.

PubMed

Ozon, C; Marty, P; Pratlong, F; Breton, C; Blein, M; Lelièvre, A; Haas, P

1998-02-28

A fortuitously discovered case of feline leishmaniosis is reported. The parasites were found in the skin and the bone marrow of a domestic female cat that spontaneously died after a few weeks of evolution. Serological tests for FeLV, FIV and PIF virus detection gave negative results. By using Western blot serology, a characteristic pattern of leishmaniosis was obtained and by performing an isoenzyme electrophoresis, a Leishmania infantum MON-1 strain was identified. The same zymodeme is implicated in most of the canine and human leishmaniosis in Southern Europe. A study on the prevalence of asymptomatic feline leismaniosis is foreseen.

Evidence for an early land use in the Rhône delta (Mediterranean France) as recorded by late Holocene fluvial paleoenvironments (1640-100 BC)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnaud-Fassetta, Gilles; De Beaulieu, Jacques-Louis; Suc, Jean-Pierre; Provansal, Mireille; Williamson, David; Leveau, Philippe; Aloïsi, Jean-Claude; Gadel, François; Giresse, Pierre; Oberlin, Christine; Duzer, Danièle

The overall objective of this paper is to describe the late Holocene (1640-100 BC) sedimentary and biological evolution of the Rhône-delta-plain, to interpret the sedimentary facies and palynofacies as the result of the effects of fluvial dynamic fluctuations and relative sea level change and to evaluate the paleohydrological constraints in the development of the land use and settlements of the Camargue. Focus is made on the upper part of V III core drilled on NE of the Vaccarès lagoon. By combining sedimentology, palynology, magnetic susceptibility and archeological data, this study allowed to identify the superposition of three types of paleo-environments (marsh, fluvial floodplain, levee/crevasse splay). This sequence indicates a gradual extension of fluvial environments between the end of the second millennium BC and the 1st century BC. The variability of fluvial dynamic is evident during this period with important flood events which contrast with periods of low flow. Pollen record can be a good marker of the fluvial dynamic variability. The expression of the riparian tree pollen grains in the coarser floodplain deposits could correspond to increased fluvial influence and probably to erosion of riverbank during flood events. The local plants are associated to the low energy sedimentary environments. Focuses are made on the relations between the evolution of the environment and land use. The development of the cereal culture in the floodplain of the Rhône delta has been demonstrated between 1640-1410 and 100 BC. The last alluviation of the Rhône perturbs the research of the archaeological sites in the central part of the delta but the existence of the rural villages from the first part of the first millennium BC is highly possible.

DNA Fingerprinting To Improve Data Collection Efficiency and Yield in a Host-Specificity Test of a Weed Biological Control Candidate

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

An open-field test was conducted in southern France to assess the host-specificity of Ceratapion basicorne, a candidate for biological control of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis; YST). Test plants were infested by naturally occurring populations of C. basicorne but were also exposed to s...

Regional Language Vitality in the Linguistic Landscape: Hidden Hierarchies on Street Signs in Toulouse

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Amos, H. William

2017-01-01

The city of Toulouse is a major contributor to the public visibility of Occitan, a regional language (RL) associated with southern France. Whilst French law recognizes the country's RLs in terms of national heritage, the official supremacy of French remains constitutionally unchallenged. This means that, along with other public texts, street names…

A new miniaturized lizard from the late Eocene of France and Spain.

PubMed

Bolet, Arnau; Augé, Marc

2014-03-01

We report here a new lizard genus and species shared by two late Eocene localities situated at both versants of the present Pyrenees (South-Western Europe), one located in France (Escamps, MP19), and the other in Catalonia, Spain (Sossís, MP17a). The recovered specimens are remarkable because of their small size and peculiar morphology. Features of the dentary are interpreted as adaptations to a fossorial or semi-fossorial lifestyle, although such modifications obscure the exact phylogenetic relationships of the new taxon. We suggest that it might represent a further example of scincoid lizard that independently achieved adaptations for burrowing or surface-dwelling. This taxon reinforces the hypotheses that link the Southern Pyrenean assemblages to those from France rather than to those of the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, which are supposed to be somehow isolated and endemic to a certain degree during the middle and late Eocene, forming part of the so-called Western Iberian Bioprovince. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Statistical U-Th dating results of speleothem from south Europe and the orbital-scale implication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, H. M.

2016-12-01

Reconstructing of hydroclimate in the Mediterranean on an orbital time scale helps improve our understanding of interaction between orbital forcing and north hemisphere climate. We collected 180 speleothem subsamples from Observatoire Cave (Monaco), Prince Cave (south France), Chateaueuf Cave (South France), Arago Cave (South France), and Basura Cave (North Italy) during 2013 to 2015 C.E. Uranium-thorium dating were conducted in the High-Precision Mass Spectrometry and Environment Change Laboratory (HISPEC), National Taiwan University. The results show that most of the speleothem formed during interglacial periods, particularly in marine isotope stage (MIS) 1, 5, and 11. However, only a few speleothem were dated between 180 to 250 thousand years ago (ka). The interval is approximately equivalent to MIS 7, which is a period with contrasting orbital parameters compared to MIS1, 5, and 11. Our statistical dating result implies that the orbital-scale humid/dry condition in southern Europe could be dominantly controlled by orbital forcing.

The Pleistocene rivers of the English Channel region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antoine, Pierre; Coutard, Jean-Pierre; Gibbard, Philip; Hallegouet, Bernard; Lautridou, Jean-Pierre; Ozouf, Jean-Claude

2003-02-01

The Pleistocene history of river systems that enter the English Channel from northern France and southern England is reviewed. During periods of low sea-level (cold stages) these streams were tributaries of the Channel River. In southern England the largest, the River Solent, is an axial stream that has drained the Hampshire Basin from the Early Pleistocene or late Pliocene. Other streams of southern England may be of similar antiquity but their records are generally short and their sedimentary history have been destroyed, as in northern Brittany, by coastal erosion and valley deepening as a consequence of tectonic uplift. In northern France, the Seine and Somme rivers have very well developed terrace systems recording incision that began at around 1 Ma. The uplift rate, deduced from the study of these terrace systems, is of 55 to 60 m myr-1 since the end of the Early Pleistocene. Generally the facies and sedimentary structures indicate that the bulk of the deposits in these rivers accumulated in braided river environments under periglacial climates in all the area around the Channel. Evolution of the rivers reflects their responses to climatic change, local geological structure and long-term tectonic activity. In this context the Middle Somme valley is characterised by a regular pattern in which incision occurs at the beginning of each glacial period within a general background of uplift. Nevertheless the response of the different rivers to climatic variations, uplift and sea-level changes is complex and variable according to the different parts of the river courses.

High intercontinental migration rates and population admixture in the sapstain fungus Ophiostoma ips

Treesearch

Xudong Zhou; Treena I. Burgess; Z. Wilhelm De Beer; Francois Lieutier; Annie Yart; Kier Klepzig; Angus Carnegie; Julio Mena Portales; Brenda D. Wingfield; Michael J. Wingfield

2006-01-01

Ophiostoma ips is a common fungal associate of various conifer-infesting bark beetles in their native ranges and has been introduced into non-native pine plantations in the Southern Hemisphere. In this study, we used 10 microsatellite markers to investigate the population biology of O. ips in native (Cuba, France, Morocco and USA) and non-native (...

Human exposure to flash floods Relation between flood parameters and human vulnerability during a storm of September 2002 in Southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruin, Isabelle; Creutin, Jean-Dominique; Anquetin, Sandrine; Lutoff, Céline

2008-10-01

SummaryThe aim of this paper is to investigate the detailed hydrometeorological circumstances that lead to accidental casualties, and to better understand the prominent physical factors of risk. Based on an event that affected the Gard region (Southern France) in September 2002, it is a first attempt to combine analysis of the physical and human response to Mediterranean storms. After details concerning the methodology (for meteorological, hydrological and casualty analysis), the local context and the event, the authors examine two points: the dynamics of the event (flash-flood and riverine-flood response to the storm) together with human exposure on the one hand, and scale as a critical problem affecting flood risk on the other. This investigation stresses the specificity of small catchments, which are more dangerous both in hydrological and human terms. Moreover, this contribution linking social sciences and geophysics constitutes an important step in what [Morss, R.E., Wilhelmi, O.V., Downton, M.W., Gruntfest, E., 2005. Flood risk, uncertainty, and scientific information for decision making. Bull. Am. Meteor. Soc. 86 (11), 1593-1601] call the "End to end to end" process

Resprout and survival of willows (Salix purpurea and S. incana), Poplars (Populus nigra) and Tamaris (Tamarix gallica) cuttings in marly gullies with Southern aspect in a mountainous and Mediterranean climate (Southern Alps, France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rey, Freddy; Labonne, Sophie; Dangla, Laure; Lavandier, Géraud

2014-05-01

In the Southern French Alps under a mountainous and Mediterranean climate, a current strategy of bioengineering is developed for trapping sediment in marly gullies with surface area less than 1 ha. It is based on the use of structures in the form of brush layers and brush mats of cuttings on deadwood microdams. Purple and white Willows (Salix purpurea and S. incana) are recommended here as they proved their efficiency to resprout and survive in such environment. However, these species installed in Southern gullies did not survive in previous experiments, due to the too harsh conditions of solar radiation and drought. We thus decided to test other species, namely black Poplar (Populus nigra) and Tamaris (Tamarix gallica), which proved their resistance to drought conditions in other experiments. To this view, bioengineering structures have been built in 2010 in eroded marly gullies in the Roubines and Fontaugier catchments (Southern Alps, France). We tested two installation modalities: one in spring and a second in autumn. Seventy-eight bioengineering structures (50 in spring and 28 in autumn), among which 32 made with Poplar cuttings and 28 with Tamaris cuttings, as well as 11 structures with purple Willow and 7 with white Willow as controls, were built in 6 experimental gullies. After 3 observation years for each modality (2010 to 2012, and 2011 to 2013, respectively), results first revealed that Willow species succeeded in surviving in gullies in Southern aspect (76 % for the cuttings installed in spring and 52 % for those installed in autumn), which is in contradiction with previous results. Second, Poplar showed a good ability to survive (62 % for the cuttings installed in spring and 33 % for those installed in autumn). Tamaris obtained the worst score with 26 % and 38 % of survival for the cuttings installed in spring and autumn, respectively. Globally, excepted for Tamaris, survival rates were better for the cuttings installed in spring. The bioengineering strategy has therefore been improved by incorporating cuttings of poplar species on the bioengineering structures, whatever the aspect of the gully but specifically on the Southern ones. Tamaris is not recommended as for it. Final recommendation is to preferably install cuttings in spring instead of autumn.

Crossing boundaries: women's gossip, insults and violence in sixteenth-century France.

PubMed

Lipscomb, Suzannah

2011-01-01

Using evidence from cases recorded in the registers of the consistories of southern France, the author investigates the way in which Languedocian women policed each other's behaviour, enforcing a collective morality through gossip, sexual insult and physical confrontation. In contrast to case studies by other historians, it is argued here that gossip does appear to have been a peculiarly female activity, but far more than simply being an outlet for malice or prurience, it gave women a distinctive social role in the town. No less evident is the involvement of women in physical violence both against each other and against men, violence which, though less extreme than its male counterpart, nonetheless occupies a significant role in the proceedings of the consistories.

Techniques for studying gravity waves and turbulence: Vertical wind speed power spectra from the troposphere and stratosphere obtained under light wind conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ecklund, W. L.; Balsley, B. B.; Crochet, M.; Carter, D. A.; Riddle, A. C.; Garello, R.

1983-01-01

A joint France/U.S. experiment was conducted near the mouth of the Rhone river in southern France as part of the ALPEX program. This experiment used 3 vertically directed 50 MHz radars separated by 4 to 6 km. The main purpose of this experiment was to study the spatial characteristics of gravity waves. The good height resolution (750 meters) and time resolution (1 minute) and the continuous operation over many weeks have yielded high resolution vertical wind speed power spectra under a variety of synoptic conditions. Vertical spectra obtained during very quiet (low wind) conditions in the troposphere and lower stratosphere from a single site are presented.

Prevalence and mortality of patients with multiple sclerosis in France in 2012: a study based on French health insurance data.

PubMed

Foulon, Stéphanie; Maura, Géric; Dalichampt, Marie; Alla, François; Debouverie, Marc; Moreau, Thibault; Weill, Alain

2017-06-01

Data on the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in France are scarce. National and regional updated estimates are needed to better plan health policies. In this nationwide study, we provided estimates of the prevalence of MS in France in 2012 and mortality rate in 2013. MS cases were identified in the French national health insurance database (SNIIRAM-PMSI) using reimbursement data for disease-modifying treatment, long-term disease status for MS, disability pension for MS, and hospitalisation for MS (MS ICD-10 code: G35). We identified 99,123 MS cases, corresponding to an overall crude prevalence rate of 151.2 per 100,000 inhabitants [95% confidence interval (CI) 150.3-152.2]: 210.0 per 100,000 in women (95% CI 208.4-211.5) and 88.7 per 100,000 in men (95% CI 87.6-89.7). The overall prevalence rate was 155.6 per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI 154.7-156.6) after standardization on the 2013-European population. We observed a prevalence gradient with a higher prevalence (190-200 per 100,000) in North-Eastern France and a lower prevalence in Southern and Western France (126-140). The crude mortality rate in 2013 was 13.7 per 1,000 MS cases (11.4 in women and 20.3 in men). The standardized mortality ratio was 2.56 (95% CI 2.41-2.72). Our results revise upwards the estimation of MS prevalence in France and confirm the excess mortality of MS patients compared to the general population.

Understanding the South Pacific Convergence Zone and Its Impacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Power, Scott

2011-02-01

International Workshop on the South Pacific Convergence Zone; Apia, Samoa, 24-26 August 2010 ; During the Southern Hemisphere summer the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) in the southwestern Pacific Ocean produces the largest rainfall band in the world. The SPCZ tends to move northeast during southern winter and El Niño and move southwest during southern summer and La Niña. These changes in position have a profound influence on climate (e.g., rainfall, winds, and tropical cyclone frequencies) and life in most of the nations in the southwestern Pacific. Despite the importance of the SPCZ to the region and its prominence in the general circulation of the Southern Hemisphere, the SPCZ has been studied relatively little compared with convergence zones in the Northern Hemisphere. An international workshop on the SPCZ was held in Samoa and brought together 30 experts from Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, France, India, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vanuatu.

The enigmatic ichnofossil Tisoa siphonalis and widespread authigenic seep carbonate formation during the Late Pliensbachian in southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van de Schootbrugge, B.; Harazim, D.; Sorichter, K.; Oschmann, W.; Fiebig, J.; Püttmann, W.; Peinl, M.; Zanella, F.; Teichert, B. M. A.; Hoffmann, J.; Stadnitskaia, A.; Rosenthal, Y.

2010-10-01

Tubular carbonate concretions of up to 1 m in length and perpendicular to bedding, occur abundantly in the Upper Pliensbachian (upper Amaltheus margaritatus Zone, Gibbosus Subzone) in outcrops (Fontaneilles section) in the vicinity of Rivière-sûr-Tarn, southern France. Stable isotope analyses of these concretions show negative δ13C values that decrease from the rim to the center from -18.8‰ to -25.7‰ (V-PDB), but normal marine δ18O values (-1.8‰). Carbon isotope analyses of Late Pliensbachian bulk carbonate (matrix) samples from the Fontaneilles section show clearly decreasing C-isotope values across the A. margaritatus Zone, from +1‰ to -3‰ (V-PDB). Isotope analyses of coeval belemnite rostra do not document such a negative C-isotope trend with values remaining stable around +2‰ (V-PDB). Computer tomographic (CT) scanning of the tubular concretions show multiple canals that are lined or filled entirely with pyrite. Previously, the formation of these concretions with one, two, or more central tubes, has been ascribed to the activity of an enigmatic organism, possibly with annelid or arthropod affinities, known asTisoa siphonalis. Our results suggest tisoan structures are abiogenic. Based on our geochemical analyses and sedimentological observations we suggest that these concretions formed as a combination of the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and sulfate reduction within the sediment. Fluids rich in methane and/or hydrocarbons likely altered local bulk rock carbon isotope records, but did not affect the global carbon cycle. Interestingly, Tisoa siphonalis has been described from many locations in the Grands Causses Basin in southern France, and from northern France and Luxemburg, always occurring at the same stratigraphic level. Upper Pliensbachian authigenic carbonates thus possibly cover an area of many thousand square kilometers. Greatly reduced sedimentation rates are needed to explain the stabilization of the sulfate-methane transition zone in the sedimentary column in order for the tubular concretions to form. Late Pliensbachian cooling, reducing run-off, and/or the influx of colder water and more vigorous circulation could be responsible for a halt in sedimentation. At the same time (thermogenic) methane may have destabilized during a major phase of Late Pliensbachian sea level fall. As such Tisoa siphonalis is more than a geological curiosity, and its further study could prove pivotal in understanding Early Jurassic paleoenvironmental change.

The enigmatic ichnofossil Tisoa siphonalis and widespread authigenic seep carbonate formation during the Late Pliensbachian in southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van de Schootbrugge, B.; Harazim, D.; Sorichter, K.; Oschmann, W.; Fiebig, J.; Püttmann, W.; Peinl, M.; Zanella, F.; Teichert, B.; Hoffmann, J.; Stadnitskaia, A.; Rosenthal, Y.

2010-06-01

Tubular carbonate concretions of up to 1 m in length and perpendicular to bedding, occur abundantly in the Upper Pliensbachian (upper Amaltheus margaritatus Zone, Gibbosus Subzone) in outcrops (Fontaneilles section) in the vicinity of Rivière-sûr-Tarn, southern France. Stable isotope analyses of these concretions show negative &delta13C values that decrease from the rim to the center from -18.8‰ to -25.7‰ (V-PDB), but normal marine δ18O values (-1.8‰). Carbon isotope analyses of Late Pliensbachian bulk carbonate (matrix) samples from the Fontaneilles section show clearly decreasing C-isotope values across the A. margaritatus Zone, from +1‰ to -3‰ (V-PDB). Isotope analyses of coeval belemnite rostra do not document such a negative C-isotope trend with values remaining stable around +2‰ (V-PDB). Computer tomographic (CT) scanning of the tubular concretions show multiple canals that are lined or filled entirely with pyrite. Previously, the formation of these concretions with one, two, or more central tubes, has been ascribed to the activity of an enigmatic organism, possibly with annelid or arthropod affinities, known as Tisoa siphonalis. Our results suggest tisoan structures are abiogenic. Based on our geochemical analyses and sedimentological observations we suggest that these concretions formed as a combination of the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) and sulfate reduction within the sediment. Fluids rich in methane and/or hydrocarbons likely altered local bulk rock carbon isotope records, but did not affect the global carbon cycle. Interestingly, Tisoa siphonalis has been described from many locations in the Grands Causses Basin in southern France, and from northern France and Luxemburg, always occurring at the same stratigraphic level. Upper Pliensbachian authigenic carbonates thus possibly cover an area of many thousand square kilometers. Greatly reduced sedimentation rates are needed to explain the stabilization of the sulfate-methane transition zone in the sedimentary column in order for the tubular concretions to form. Late Pliensbachian cooling, reducing run-off, and/or the influx of colder water and more vigorous circulation could be responsible for a halt in sedimentation. At the same time (thermogenic) methane may have destabilized during a major phase of Late Pliensbachian sea level fall. As such Tisoa siphonalis is more than a geological curiosity, and its further study could prove pivotal in understanding Early Jurassic paleoenvironmental change.

When and What Meteorological Stresses Will Maize Crops Meet in the future in France?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caubel, J.

2015-12-01

Climate change is expected to modify overall climatic conditions and therefore, suitability for cropping. Assessment of when and what meteorological stresses will crops meet in the future is highly useful for planners and land managers who can apply adaptation strategies to improve agricultural potentialities. We propose to evaluate the impacts of climate change on suitability for maize cropping in terms of ecophysiology (e.g., heat stress during grain filling), yield quality (e.g., thermal conditions on protein content) and cultural practices performance (e.g., days available for harvest according to risk of waterlogged soil compaction) in two French areas. The Midi-Pyrénées (southern) and Ile-de-France (northern) regions were chosen as representing the two distinct climates when dividing France into southern and northern parts. The Midi-Pyrénées region is a major irrigated maize producer but could become penalizing in the future because of heat and water stress. By contrast, northern France could become a more suitable area thanks to the expected increasing temperature. To confirm our assumptions, we used the method assessment for crop-climate suitability developed in Caubel et al. (2015) and based on the sub-annual analysis of agroclimatic indicators calculated over phenological periods. Indicators have been calculated using climatic data from 1950 to 2100 simulated by the global climate ARPEGE at the meso-scale SAFRAN (8 km resolution) for the two areas and forced by a greenhouse effect corresponding to the SRES A1B scenario (similar to RCP 6.0). The evaluation was done for two distinct varieties in terms of precocity. Agroclimatic indicators characterizing water deficit and water excess impacts on crop were calculated for three soils with contrasting soil water reserves and depths. Finally, the evaluation was performed with a unique sowing date (the current one), and with an optimized sowing date according to water and thermal requirements for emergence. Consequences on phenology and therefore meteorological stresses enabled to decide where and when adapting the sowing date will be useful for improving maize potentiality. This work is carried out under the research program ORACLE (Opportunities and Risks of Agrosystems & forests in response to CLimate, socio-economic and policy changEs in France).

High intercontinental migration rates and population admixture in the sapstain fungus Ophiostoma ips

Treesearch

Xudong Zhou; Treena I. Burgess; Wilhelm De Beer; Francois Lieutier; Annie Yart; Angus Carnegie; Julio Mena Portales; Brenda D. Wingfield; Michael J. Wingfield

2007-01-01

Ophiostoma ips is a common fungal associate of various conifer-infesting bark beetles in their native ranges and has been introduced into non-native pine plantations in the Southern Hemisphere. In this study, we used 10 microsatellite markers to investigate the population biology of O. ips in native (Cuba, France, Morocco and USA) and non-native (Australia, Chile and...

Modelling the impact of vegetation on marly catchments in the Southern Alps of France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carriere, Alexandra; Le Bouteiller, Caroline; Tucker, Greg; Naaim, Mohamed

2017-04-01

The Southern Alps of France have been identified as a hot-spot in a global climate change context where the rainfall intensity increase may exacerbate the erosion of already badly erodible lands: Badlands. Vegetalization methods are a promising area of research for erosion control and slope and riverbed stabilization. Nevertheless the impact of vegetation on erosive dynamics is still poorly understood. We own data collected over the last thirty years on marly catchments in the Southern Alps of France from the Draix-Bléone Observatory, part of the Network of Drainage Basins RBV. These are temporal data of sedimentary flux at the scale of the precipitation event but also more recent topographic data on watersheds with areas ranging from 10-3 square kilometers to twenty square kilometers. Erosion rates in this landscape reach 1 cm per year. We simulate the topographic evolution of the catchments over a few decades to centuries with the landscape evolution model Landlab, using our data to calibrate and explicitly validate the model. This model, in comparison with other landscape evolution models, incorporates a more advanced vegetation module in terms of ecology. Nevertheless the erosion-vegetation coupling is not present in Landlab and we are working on its construction. To this end we use an erosion module and a vegetation module that we seek to couple. We want to see how the erosion laws parameters depend on the vegetation cover. We have implemented the calibration of parameters of a non-linear diffusion module coupled with a transport-limited law by comparing the simulated annual sediment flux with the one of the data of the observatory as a function of the percentage of vegetation cover of the ground. We obtained average values of parameters adjusted according to vegetation cover. We observe that the values of the erosion laws parameters are strongly affected by the percentage of vegetation cover. We will then spatialize these parameters on our vegetation maps in order to obtain different parameter values for different types of vegetation.

Autochthonous Chikungunya Transmission and Extreme Climate Events in Southern France.

PubMed

Roiz, David; Boussès, Philippe; Simard, Frédéric; Paupy, Christophe; Fontenille, Didier

2015-06-01

Extreme precipitation events are increasing as a result of ongoing global warming, but controversy surrounds the relationship between flooding and mosquito-borne diseases. A common view among the scientific community and public health officers is that heavy rainfalls have a flushing effect on breeding sites, which negatively affects vector populations, thereby diminishing disease transmission. During 2014 in Montpellier, France, there were at least 11 autochthonous cases of chikungunya caused by the invasive tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus in the vicinity of an imported case. We show that an extreme rainfall event increased and extended the abundance of the disease vector Ae. albopictus, hence the period of autochthonous transmission of chikungunya. We report results from close monitoring of the adult and egg population of the chikungunya vector Ae. albopictus through weekly sampling over the entire mosquito breeding season, which revealed an unexpected pattern. Statistical analysis of the seasonal dynamics of female abundance in relation to climatic factors showed that these relationships changed after the heavy rainfall event. Before the inundations, accumulated temperatures are the most important variable predicting Ae. albopictus seasonal dynamics. However, after the inundations, accumulated rainfall over the 4 weeks prior to capture predicts the seasonal dynamics of this species and extension of the transmission period. Our empirical data suggests that heavy rainfall events did increase the risk of arbovirus transmission in Southern France in 2014 by favouring a rapid rise in abundance of vector mosquitoes. Further studies should now confirm these results in different ecological contexts, so that the impact of global change and extreme climatic events on mosquito population dynamics and the risk of disease transmission can be adequately understood.

Spatially distributed flood forecasting in flash flood prone areas: Application to road network supervision in Southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naulin, J.-P.; Payrastre, O.; Gaume, E.

2013-04-01

SummaryAccurate flood forecasts are critical to an efficient flood event management strategy. Until now, hydro-meteorological forecasts have mainly been used to establish early-warnings in France (meteorological and flood vigilance maps) or over the world (flash-flood guidances). These forecasts are typically limited either to the main streams covered by the flood forecasting services or to watersheds with specific assets like check dams, which in most cases are well gauged river sections, thus leaving aside large parts of the territory. This paper presents a distributed hydro-meteorological forecasting approach, which makes use of the high spatial and temporal resolution rainfall estimates that are now available, to provide information at ungauged sites. The proposed system intended to detect road inundation risks had initially been developed and tested in areas of limited size. This paper presents the extension of such a system to an entire region (i.e. the Gard region in Southern France), including over 2000 crossing points between rivers and roads and its validation with respect to a large data set of actual reported road inundations observed during recent flash flood events. These initial validation results appear to be most promising. The eventual proposed tool would provide the necessary information for flood event management services to identify the areas at risk and adopt appropriate safety and rescue measures: i.e. pre-positioning of rescue equipment, interruption of the traffic on the exposed roads and determination of safe access or evacuation routes. Moreover, beyond the specific application to the supervision of a road network, the research undertaken herein also provides results for the performance of hydro-meteorological forecasts on ungauged headwaters.

Comparison of the temperature-mortality relationship in foreign born and native born died in France between 2000 and 2009

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mercereau, Luc; Todd, Nicolas; Rey, Gregoire; Valleron, Alain-Jacques

2017-10-01

The daily temperature-mortality relationship is typically U shaped. The temperature of minimum mortality (MMT) has been shown to vary in space (higher at lower latitudes) and time (higher in recent periods). This indicates human populations adapt to their local environment. The pace of this adaptation is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in the temperature-mortality relationship in continental France between foreign born and natives. Source data were the 5,273,005 death certificates of individuals living in continental France between 2000 and 2009 at the time of their death. Foreign-born deaths ( N = 573,384) were matched 1:1 with a native-born death based on date of birth, sex, and place of death. Four regions of France based on similarity of their temperatures profiles were defined by unsupervised clustering. For each of these four regions, variations of all causes mortality with season and temperature of the day were modeled and compared between four groups of foreign born (Maghreb, sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Europe, and Northern Europe) and matched groups of natives. Overall, the temperature-mortality relationship and MMT were close in foreign born and in native born: The only difference between foreign born and native born concerned the attributable mortality to cold, found in several instances larger in foreign born. There are little differences in France between the temperature-mortality relationships in native born and in foreign born. This supports the hypothesis of an adaptation of these populations to the temperature patterns of continental France, which for those born in Africa differ markedly from the climatic pattern of their birth country.

Comparison of the temperature-mortality relationship in foreign born and native born died in France between 2000 and 2009.

PubMed

Mercereau, Luc; Todd, Nicolas; Rey, Gregoire; Valleron, Alain-Jacques

2017-10-01

The daily temperature-mortality relationship is typically U shaped. The temperature of minimum mortality (MMT) has been shown to vary in space (higher at lower latitudes) and time (higher in recent periods). This indicates human populations adapt to their local environment. The pace of this adaptation is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in the temperature-mortality relationship in continental France between foreign born and natives. Source data were the 5,273,005 death certificates of individuals living in continental France between 2000 and 2009 at the time of their death. Foreign-born deaths (N = 573,384) were matched 1:1 with a native-born death based on date of birth, sex, and place of death. Four regions of France based on similarity of their temperatures profiles were defined by unsupervised clustering. For each of these four regions, variations of all causes mortality with season and temperature of the day were modeled and compared between four groups of foreign born (Maghreb, sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Europe, and Northern Europe) and matched groups of natives. Overall, the temperature-mortality relationship and MMT were close in foreign born and in native born: The only difference between foreign born and native born concerned the attributable mortality to cold, found in several instances larger in foreign born. There are little differences in France between the temperature-mortality relationships in native born and in foreign born. This supports the hypothesis of an adaptation of these populations to the temperature patterns of continental France, which for those born in Africa differ markedly from the climatic pattern of their birth country.

Seismological and Geodynamic Monitoring Network in the "javakheti" Test Zone in the Southern Caucasus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arakelyan, A.; Babayan, H.; Karakhanyan, A.; Durgaryan, R.; Basilaia, G.; Sokhadze, G.; Bidzinashvili, G.

2012-12-01

The Javakheti Highland located in the border region between Armenia and Georgia (sharing a border with Turkey) is an area in the Southern Caucasus of young Holocene-Quaternary volcanism and a region with convergence of a number of active faults. Issues related to the geometry, kinematics and slip-rate of these faults and assessment of their seismic hazard remain unclear in part due to the fragmentary nature of the studies carried out soley within the borders of each of the countries as opposed to region wide. In the frame of the ISTC A-1418 Project "Open network of scientific Centers for mitigation risk of natural hazards in the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia" the Javakheti Highland was selected as a trans-border test-zone. This designation allowed for the expansion and upgrading of the seismological and geodynamic monitoring networks under the auspices of several international projects (ISTC CSP-053 Project "Development of Communication System for seismic hazard situations in the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia", NATO SfP- 983284 Project "Caucasus Seismic Emergency Response") as well as through joint research programs with the National Taiwan University and Institute of Earth Sciences (IES, Taiwan), Universite Montpellier II (France) and Ecole et Observatoire des Sciences de la Terre-Université de Strasbourg (France). Studies of geodynamic processes, and seismicity of the region and their interaction have been carried out utilizing the newly established seismological and geodynamic monitoring networks and have served as a basis for the study of the geologic and tectonic structure . Upgrading and expansion of seismological and geodynamic networks required urgent solutions to the following tasks: Introduction of efficient online systems for information acquisition, accumulation and transmission (including sattelite systems) from permanent and temporary installed stations, Adoption of international standards for organization and management of databases in GIS format, Utilization of data archiving system working in intrnationally adopted formats and data exchange systems for communication with other international and national centers.

Test of bioengineering structures in large eroded marly gullies (1 to 3 ha) in a mountainous and Mediterranean climate: resistance of the structures and survival of willow cuttings (Southern Alps, France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rey, Freddy; Labonne, Sophie; Dangla, Laure; Lavandier, Géraud

2014-05-01

In the Southern French Alps under a mountainous and Mediterranean climate, bioengineering structures installed in gully bottoms of highly weathered marly catchments aim at trapping a part of the eroded materials in order to reduce suspended sediment in the water system. They are made of brush layers and brush mats of cuttings on deadwood microdams. Purple and white Willows (Salix purpurea and S. incana) are used as they proved their efficiency to survive in such environment and efficiently trap marly sediment, but only in gullies with surface area less than 1 ha. Extrapolating their use to larger gullies could allow increasing the impact of such operations for reduction of sediment yield at the scale of large catchments. To this view, bioengineering structures have been built in spring and autumn 2010 in large eroded marly gullies with surface areas between 1 and 3 ha, in the Roubines and Fontaugier catchments (Southern Alps, France). 165 bioengineering structures (150 in spring and 15 in autumn) were built in 10 experimental gullies. After 3 observation years for each modality (2010 to 2012, and 2011 to 2013, respectively), the results revealed that 2/3 of the structures well resisted to damages due to concentrated flows. However, they were generally filled of sediment very rapidly, thus killing a large number of cuttings, particularly in the brush mats in gullies with surface area comprised between 2 and 3 ha. Therefore it has been proved that cuttings survival is possible in gullies with surface area less than 3 ha. In the French Southern Alps, bioengineering strategies have been improved by adding gullies of 1 to 3 ha in restoration plans. For gullies with surface area superior to 2 ha, it is recommended to first install the brush layers, and 1 to 2 years later the brush mats.

The Financing of Education Systems. International Commission on Education for the Twenty-First Century, First Session (Paris, France, March 2-4, 1993).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peano, Serge

This paper presents statistics on the education systems of various areas of the world. The document includes six tables in which data are broken down into developed countries, developing countries, Sub Saharan Africa, Arab states, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Asia and Oceania, and Southern Asia. Each graph gives a world total for…

Discussing epigenetics in Southern California

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

With the goal of discussing how epigenetic control and chromatin remodeling contribute to the various processes that lead to cellular plasticity and disease, this symposium marks the collaboration between the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) in France and the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Organized by Paolo Sassone-Corsi (UCI) and held at the Beckman Center of the National Academy of Sciences at the UCI campus December 15–16, 2011, this was the first of a series of international conferences on epigenetics dedicated to the scientific community in Southern California. The meeting also served as the official kick off for the newly formed Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism at the School of Medicine, UCI (http://cem.igb.uci.edu). PMID:22414797

Investigation of spatial and temporal metal atmospheric deposition in France through lichen and moss bioaccumulation over one century.

PubMed

Agnan, Y; Séjalon-Delmas, N; Claustres, A; Probst, A

2015-10-01

Lichens and mosses were used as biomonitors to assess the atmospheric deposition of metals in forested ecosystems in various regions of France. The concentrations of 17 metals/metalloids (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn) indicated overall low atmospheric contamination in these forested environments, but a regionalism emerged from local contributions (anthropogenic activities, as well as local lithology). Taking into account the geochemical background and comparing to Italian data, the elements from both natural and anthropogenic activities, such as Cd, Pb, or Zn, did not show any obvious anomalies. However, elements mainly originating from lithogenic dust (e.g., Al, Fe, Ti) were more prevalent in sparse forests and in the Southern regions of France, whereas samples from dense forests showed an accumulation of elements from biological recycling (Mn and Zn). The combination of enrichment factors and Pb isotope ratios between current and herbarium samples indicated the historical evolution of metal atmospheric contamination: the high contribution of coal combustion beginning 150 years ago decreased at the end of the 20th century, and the influence of car traffic during the latter observed period decreased in the last few decades. In the South of France, obvious local influences were well preserved during the last century. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Management of natural resources through automatic cartographic inventory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rey, P. (Principal Investigator); Gourinard, Y.; Cambou, F.

1972-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Return beam vidicon and multispectral band scanner imagery will be correlated with existing vegetation and geologic maps of southern France and northern Spain to develop correspondence codes between map units and space data. Microclimate data from six stations, spectral measurements from a few meters to 2 km using ERTS-type filter and spectrometers, and leaf reflectance measurements will be obtained to assist in correlation studies.

Leukodepletion Filters for Prevention of Transfusion Transmission Of Leishmania

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-11-01

living in an area of endemicity in southern France. J Clin Microbiol 1999; 37(6):1953-1957 18 Hillyer CD, Emmens RK, Zago -Novaretti M , Berkman EM...Kostmann R, Barr M , Bengtsson E, Garnham PCC, Hult G: Kala-azar transferred by exchange blood transfusions in two Swedish infants. Proceedings of the...Dabadie A, Guiguen C, Roussey M : Visceral leishmaniasis in an infant in Brittany: Discussion on the modes of transmission outside of the endemic

What is Mine is Yours: The Art of Operational Integration

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-10

United States Army School of Advanced Military Studies United States Army Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth, Kansas 2016...9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) School of Advanced Military Studies 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S...services or national boundaries. Two contrasting World War II case studies , L TG Patch in southern France and L TG Stilwell in Burma, will be used to

International trends in health science librarianship: Part 2--Northern Europe.

PubMed

Dollfuss, Helmut; Bauer, Bruno; Declève, Ghislaine; Verhaaren, Henri; Utard-Wlerick, Guillemette; Bakker, Suzanne; Leclerq, Edith; Murphy, Jeannette

2012-06-01

This is the third in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship in the first decade of the 21st century. The invited authors were asked to reflect on developments in their country--viz. Austria, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Future issues will track trends in the Nordic countries, Southern Europe and Latin America. JM. © 2012 The authors. Health Information and Libraries Journal © 2012 Health Libraries Group.

Message Drafted by General Eisenhower in Case the D-Day Invasion Failed and Photographs Taken on D-Day. The Constitution Community: The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Traill, David

Planning for "Operation Overlord" had been under way for about a year when General Dwight Eisenhower, commander of all the Allied forces in Europe, was ordered in February 1944 to invade the continent. Thousands of troops from the United States, Great Britain, France, Canada, and other nations were assembled in southern England and…

Successful Application of the Gamma-Interferon Assay in a Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program: The French Bullfighting Herd Experience.

PubMed

Keck, Nicolas; Boschiroli, Maria-Laura; Smyej, Florence; Vogler, Valérie; Moyen, Jean-Louis; Desvaux, Stéphanie

2018-01-01

In the French Camargue region, where bovine tuberculosis had been enzootic for several years in bullfighting cattle herds, the gamma-interferon (IFN) assay was used since 2003 in parallel with the intradermal test in order to increase overall disease detection sensitivity in infected herds. This study presents the results of a field-evaluation of the assay during a 10-year period (2004-2014) of disease control and surveillance program and explores the particular pattern of IFN assay results in bullfight herds in comparison to cattle from other regions of France. The low sensitivity [59.2% (50.6; 67.3)] of IFN assay using the tuberculin stimulation could be related to the poor gamma-IFN production from bullfight cattle blood cells which is significantly lower than in animals of conventional breeds. The characteristics of the assay were progressively adapted to the epidemiological situation and the desired strategic applications. Data analysis with a receiver operating characteristic curve based on a simple S/P value algorithm allowed for the determination of a new cutoff adapted for a global screening, giving a high specificity of 99.9% results and a high accuracy of the assay. Having regularly risen to above 5% since 2005, with a peak around 10% in 2010, the annual incidence dropped to under 1% in 2014. The positive predictive value relative to the bacteriological confirmation evolved during the years, from 33% in 2009 to 12% during the last screening period, a normal trend in a context of decreasing prevalence. The estimated rate of false-positive reactions during screening campaigns was 0.67%, confirming the high specificity of the test, measured in bTB negative herds, in this epidemiological context. The proportion of false-positive reactions decreased with the age and was higher in males than in females. Although these results indicate that the IFN assay is accurate in the field, it also emphasizes great differences between interferon quantities produced by bullfight cattle blood samples compared to those of classical bovine breeds, which underlines the necessity to adapt the algorithms and combinations of the assay according to local epidemiological contexts.

Benefits of PCR and decentralization of diagnosis in regional laboratories in the management of Bluetongue in France.

PubMed

Zientara, Stephan; Sailleau, Corinne; Bréard, Emmanuel; Viarouge, Cyril; Doceul, Virginie; Vitour, Damien

2015-01-01

Since 1998, Bluetongue virus (BTV) serotypes 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 16 have spread throughout Europe. In 2006, BTV serotype 8 (BTV‑8) emerged unexpectedly in Northern Europe, in countries such as Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, to spread rapidly in the following year throughout the rest of Europe. In 2007, BTV‑1 spread in Southern Europe, in Spain and in South of France. In 2008, 2 more BTV serotypes were detected in Northern Europe: BTV‑6 in the Netherlands and in Germany, and BTV‑11 in Belgium. The European incursion of BTV has caused considerable economic losses, including direct losses from mortality and reduced production, as well as indirect losses generated by ensuing bans on trade of ruminants between infected and non-infected areas. Given the significance of the disease, all affected countries have established control and eradication measures that have evolved together with the availability of detection and prevention tools such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests and vaccines, respectively. This paper describes how the French National Reference Laboratory for BT has managed diagnosis during the fast and massive spread of BTV‑1 and 8 in 2007 and 2008.

The AAF in the Invasion of Southern France

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-01-01

action. (e) To transport and drop airborne troops engaged in the operation. (f) To cooperate with the Maquis by air action and air supply. In addition MAAF...operations in aid of the Partisans. PLANNING As far back as i April 1943 the eyes of the Allied forces in the Mediterranean were focusing on a possible landing...elimination of bush and dry vegetation fire hazards; and erection of airfield buildings. Signals The problems faced by the Signals Planning Staff at

Operation Dragoon: Unified Land Operations and Elements of Operational Art in Southern France

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-05-25

release; distribution is unlimited REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved OMB No . 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for this collection of...aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of...French forces began an aggressive pursuit. In less than four weeks they caused the Germans to sustain a loss of over 150,000 casualties while liberating a

Daily and seasonal changes in heat exposure and the Hsp70 level of individuals from a field population of Xeropicta derbentina (Krynicki 1836) (Pulmonata, Hygromiidae) in Southern France.

PubMed

Dieterich, A; Fischbach, U; Ludwig, M; Di Lellis, M A; Troschinski, S; Gärtner, U; Triebskorn, R; Köhler, H-R

2013-07-01

The Mediterranean land snail Xeropicta derbentina forms huge populations in Southern France. In order to characterize heat exposure and the induction of the 70-kD heat shock protein (Hsp70) response system during the life cycle of this snail, a selected population from the Vaucluse area, Provence, was investigated encompassing the issues of morphological life cycle parameters (shell size and colouration), the daily courses of heat exposure at different heights above the ground, of shell temperature, and that of the individual Hsp70 levels. The study covered all four seasons of the year 2011. Snails were found to be annual, reaching their final size in August. The shell colouration pattern showed high variation in juveniles (spring) with a strong tendency towards becoming uniformly white at old age in autumn. In all seasons, ambient air temperature decreased with increasing distance from the ground surface during daytime while remaining constantly low in the night. Overall, the Hsp70 level of individuals followed the ambient temperature during diurnal and seasonal variations. Correlation analysis revealed a positive association of individual shell temperature and Hsp70 level for the most part of the life cycle of the snails until late summer, whereas a negative correlation was found for aged animals indicating senescence effects on the capacity of the stress response system.

[Malaria research for developing countries: the PAL+ program].

PubMed

Agid, F

2003-01-01

Despite extensive national and international intervention, little progress has been made in controlling, malaria and other communicable diseases afflicting many developing countries in the world. In response to the need to pursue and enhance investigation, the French Ministry of Research launched the PAL+ program in 1999 with the purpose of promoting concerted "research on malaria and other communicable diseases afflicting developing countries". The program is focused on developing methods of prevention and treatment for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Advancement of these scientific goals is further by a determined efforts (i) to provide means for national coordination and scientific organization of malaria research in France and (ii) to revive the spirit and mechanisms that characterized previous operations of cooperation between France and countries in the southern hemisphere. This new vision of cooperation is based on two organizational approaches. The first involves integrated programs in which training and transfer of knowledge are essential. The second involves joint projects in which networks maintained by a continuous exchange in operational seminars contribute to establishing a permanent dialogue between the North and South. Priority research areas have been encouraged to respond to specific public health issues with emphasis on establishing a balance between work in the field and development of knowledge. The priority areas include (i) responding to the increasing incidence of drug resistance by identifying of new antimalarial drugs and defining new therapeutic strategies; (ii) understanding the implications of the pathophysiology and physiopathology mechanisms underlying severe malaria manifestations for development of a malaria vaccine; (iii) finding new opportunities for prevention of malaria based on more effective vector control; (iv) using social anthropology to factor population behaviour and habits into the design of effective malaria control measures. The PAL+ program was founded on a commitment to provide participating countries with the means necessary to improve their research capability and to coordinate and structure scientific research by creating enduring partnerships between investigators in France and southern hemisphere countries. For this purpose the PAL+ workshop program involving regular encounters between northern and southern hemisphere researchers has been set up to encourage discussion, interaction, and multidisciplinary projects. The exceptionally instructive impact of these workshops has proven to be an essential element in the overall PAL+ program that has greatly stimulated malaria research. This program has been successful in creating a new spirit of intervention and has provided a rarely equalled vehicle for collaboration. By bringing the whole research community together over the major research programs now under way in the North/South networks, the PAL+ program represents a new and decisive step in achieving the long-sought goal of meaningful scientific cooperation between northern and southern hemisphere countries in the domain of public health.

[Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis].

PubMed

Marty, Pierre; Pomares, Christelle; Michel, Grégory; Delaunay, Pascal; Ferrua, Bernard; Rosenthal, Eric

2011-01-01

Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis is a parasitic zoonosis due to Leishmania infantum. The dog is the reservoir species and also the main victim. The vector is the female Phlebotomus sand fly. In the southern Mediterranean region the disease is most frequent in children, whereas in Europe, and particularly in France, it is mostly an opportunistic infection associated with immunosuppression. Frequent asymptomatic carriage has been detected in southern Europe. The classic symptom triad consists of fever, pallor and splenomegaly. Biological signs include low cell blood counts (anemia, leukoneutropenia, and thrombocytopenia) and an inflammatory syndrome. Commercial serologic tests such as those based on immunoblotting are very useful. The gold standard for diagnosis is parasite detection in bone marrow or blood. PCR is useful for therapeutic follow-up. Treatment is currently based on liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome).

[Child poisoning after ingestion of a wild apiaceae: a case report].

PubMed

Durand, M-F; Pommier, P; Chazalette, A; de Haro, L

2008-02-01

Apiaceae family (formerly Umbelliferae) contains several highly toxic species, including Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), Water Hemlock (Cicuta virosa) and Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) which are the three main poisonous Apiaceae species growing in France. Thinking he was identifying wild carrots, an 11-year-old boy without previous history ingested the root from a wild Apiaceae. One hour later, he was confused, had drowsiness, headache as well as abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. Upon hospital admission, myosis, ophtalmoplegia and a moderate rhabdomyolysis were noted. The patient recovered after 24 h of symptomatic treatments. In this case, the description of the ingested plant allowed to identify the Apiaceae family but not the species involved. The geographical location (Southern France in a humid area), the clinical features and the aspect of the ingested root, with an orange secretion led to implicate Oenanthe crocata as the origin of this unusual poisoning.

On the Chronological Structure of the Solutrean in Southern Iberia

PubMed Central

Cascalheira, João; Bicho, Nuno

2015-01-01

The Solutrean techno-complex has gained particular significance over time for representing a clear demographic and techno-typological deviation from the developments occurred during the course of the Upper Paleolithic in Western Europe. Some of Solutrean’s most relevant features are the diversity and techno-typological characteristics of the lithic armatures. These have been recurrently used as pivotal elements in numerous Solutrean-related debates, including the chronological organization of the techno-complex across Iberia and Southwestern France. In Southern Iberia, patterns of presence and/or absence of specific point types in stratified sequences tend to validate the classical ordering of the techno-complex into Lower, Middle and Upper phases, although some evidence, namely radiocarbon determinations, have not always been corroborative. Here we present the first comprehensive analysis of the currently available radiocarbon data for the Solutrean in Southern Iberia. We use a Bayesian statistical approach from 13 stratified sequences to compare the duration, and the start and end moments of each classic Solutrean phase across sites. We conclude that, based on the current data, the traditional organization of the Solutrean cannot be unquestionably confirmed for Southern Iberia, calling into doubt the status of the classically-defined type-fossils as precise temporal markers. PMID:26355459

Network analysis reveals why Xylella fastidiosa will persist in Europe.

PubMed

Strona, Giovanni; Carstens, Corrie Jacobien; Beck, Pieter S A

2017-03-06

The insect vector borne bacterium Xylella fastidiosa was first detected in olive trees in Southern Italy in 2013, and identified as the main culprit behind the 'olive quick decline syndrome'. Since then, the disease has spread rapidly through Italy's main olive oil producing region. The epidemiology of the outbreak is largely unstudied, with the list of X. fastidiosa hosts and vectors in Europe likely incomplete, and the role humans play in dispersal unknown. These knowledge gaps have led to management strategies based on general assumptions that require, among others, local vector control and, in certain areas, the destruction of infected plants and healthy ones around them in an attempt to eradicate or halt the spreading pest. Here we show that, regardless of epidemiological uncertainties, the mere distribution of olive orchards in Southern Italy makes the chances of eradicating X. fastidiosa from the region extremely slim. Our results imply that Southern Italy is becoming a reservoir for X. fastidiosa. As a consequence, management strategies should keep the prevalence of X. fastidiosa in the region as low as possible, primarily through vector control, lest the pathogen, that has also been detected in southern France and the island of Mallorca (Spain), continues spreading through Italy and Europe.

Communicating polar sciences to school children through a scientific expedition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lacarra, Maite; Lamarque, Gaelle; Koenig, Zoé; Bourgain, Pascaline; Mathilde Thierry, Anne

2015-04-01

APECS-France, the French national committee of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), was created in 2013 to improve the dissemination of polar sciences towards the general public and school children in particular, through activities developed in French for French schools. During the autumn of 2014, a young polar oceanographer from the University Pierre and Marie Curie, Zoé Koenig, participated in an expedition on board a sailing vessel in the Southern Ocean. APECS-France set up a new education and outreach project called "Zoé en Expé". Using different media, about 800 children, aged 6 to 12, and from 40 schools, were actively involved in the project. Interactions between Zoé and the students occurred before, during, and after the expedition, through a newsletter, a blog updated in real-time during the expedition, webinars (interactive video-conferences), and visits in classrooms when possible. Teachers were given a list of websites dedicated to polar and oceanographic science outreach and activities adapted to the age and level of the students were offered. Different activities were developed around the expedition, depending on teachers' objectives and children affinities. In particular, students were able to relate to the expedition by imagining a day in the life of Chippy, the mascot of the expedition. They were then asked to draw and/or write Chippy's adventures. APECS-France is now planning to edit a children's book using students' drawings as well as photographs taken during the expedition. Older students were also able to follow in real-time sensors released in the Southern Ocean by Zoé, measuring salinity and temperature. Throughout this 3-month project, children were able to study a wide range of topics (oceanography, biology, history, geography…). The expedition and the educational project allowed raising the awareness of children about the fragile and badly known Antarctic environment.

Climate change and viticulture in Mediterranean climates: the complex response of socio-ecosystems. A comparative case study from France and Australia (1955-2040)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lereboullet, A.-L.; Beltrando, G.; Bardsley, D. K.

2012-04-01

The wine industry is very sensitive to extreme weather events, especially to temperatures above 35°C and drought. In a context of global climate change, Mediterranean climate regions are predicted to experience higher variability in rainfall and temperatures and an increased occurrence of extreme weather events. Some viticultural systems could be particularly at risk in those regions, considering their marginal position in the growth climatic range of Vitis vinifera, the long commercial lifespan of a vineyard, the high added-value of wine and the volatile nature of global markets. The wine industry, like other agricultural systems, is inserted in complex networks of climatic and non-climatic (other physical, economical, social and legislative) components, with constant feedbacks. We use a socio-ecosystem approach to analyse the adaptation of two Mediterranean viticultural systems to recent and future increase of extreme weather events. The present analysis focuses on two wine regions with a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (CSb type in the Köppen classification): Côtes-du-Roussillon in southern France and McLaren Vale in southern Australia. Using climate data from two synoptic weather stations, Perpignan (France) and Adelaide (Australia), with time series running from 1955 to 2010, we highlight changes in rainfall patterns and an increase in the number of days with Tx >35°c since the last three decades in both regions. Climate models (DRIAS project data for France and CSIRO Mk3.5 for Australia) project similar trends in the future. To date, very few projects have focused on an international comparison of the adaptive capacity of viticultural systems to climate change with a holistic approach. Here, the analysis of climate data was complemented by twenty in-depth semi-structured interviews with key actors of the two regional wine industries, in order to analyse adaptation strategies put in place regarding recent climate evolution. This mixed-methods approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of adaptation capacity of the two viticultural systems to future climate change. The strategies of grape growers and wine producers focus on maintaining optimal yields and a constant wine style adapted to markets in a variable and uncertain climate. Their implementation and efficiency depend strongly on non-climatic factors. Thus, adaptation capacity to recent and future climate change depends strongly on adaptation to other non-climatic changes.

Fire occurrence prediction in the Mediterranean: Application to Southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papakosta, Panagiota; Öster, Jan; Scherb, Anke; Straub, Daniel

2013-04-01

The areas that extend in the Mediterranean basin have a long fire history. The climatic conditions of wet winters and long hot drying summers support seasonal fire events, mainly ignited by humans. Extended land fragmentation hinders fire spread, but seasonal winds (e.g. Mistral in South France or Meltemia in Greece) can drive fire events to become uncontrollable fires with severe impacts to humans and the environment [1]. Prediction models in these areas should incorporate both natural and anthropogenic factors. Several indices have been developed worldwide to express fire weather conditions. The Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) is currently adapted by many countries in Europe due to the easily observable input weather parameters (temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, precipitation) and the easy-to-implement algorithms of the Canadian formulation describing fuel moisture relations [2],[3]. Human influence can be expressed directly by human presence (e.g. population density) or indirectly by proxy indicators (e.g. street density [4], land cover type). The random nature of fire occurrences and the uncertainties associated with the influencing factors motivate probabilistic prediction models. The aim of this study is to develop a prediction model of fire occurrence probability under natural and anthropogenic influence in Southern France and to compare it with earlier developed predictions in other Mediterranean areas [5]. Fire occurrence is modeled as a Poisson process. Two interpolation methods (Kriging and Inverse Distance Weighting) are used to interpolate daily weather observations from weather stations to a 1 km² spatial grid and their results are compared. Poisson regression estimates the parameters of the model and the resulting daily predictions are provided in terms of maps displaying fire occurrence rates. The model is applied to the regions Provence-Alpes-Côtes D'Azur und Languedoc-Roussillon in the South of France. Weather data are obtained from the German and French Weather Services (Deutscher Wetterdienst and Météo-France). Historical fire events are taken from Prométhée database. Time series 2000-2010 are used as learning data and data from 2011 is used as the validation data. The resulting model can support real-time fire risk estimation for improved allocation of firefighting resources and planning of other mitigation actions. [1] Keeley, J.E.; Bond, W.J.; Bradstock, R.A.; Pausas, J.G.; Rundel, P.W. (2012): Fire in Mediterranean ecosystems: ecology, evolution and management. Cambridge University Press, New York, USA, pp.515 [2] Lawson, B.D.; Armitage, O.B. (2008): Weather Guide for the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Northern Forestry Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. [3] Van Wagner, C.E.; Pickett, T.L. (1985): Equations and FORTRAN Program for the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System. Forestry Technical Report 33. Canadian Forestry Service, Government of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada [4] Syphard, A.D.; Radeloff, V.C.; Keuler, N.S.; Taylor, R.S.; Hawbaker, T.J.; Stewart, S.I.; Clayton, M.K. (2008): Predicting spatial patterns of fire on a southern California landscape. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 17, pp.602-613 [5] Papakosta, P.; Klein, F.; König, S.; Straub, D. (2012): Linking spatio-temporal data to the Fire Weather Index to estimate the probability of wildfire in the Mediterranean. Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol.14, EGU2012-12737, EGU General Assembly 2012

ARCHAEOLOGY: Paintings in Italian Cave May Be Oldest Yet.

PubMed

Balter, M

2000-10-20

Stone slabs bearing images of an animal and a half-human, half-beast figure were uncovered during excavations by an Italian team at the Fumane Cave northwest of Verona. The images are believed to be at least as ancient as some found in the Grotte Chauvet in southern France--the current record holder at 32,000 years--and possibly even older. More important, cave art experts say, the new paintings bolster other evidence that humans engaged in sophisticated symbolic expression much earlier than once thought.

Agricultural resources investigations in northern Italy and southern France (Agreste project). Part 1: Activity performed on the Italian test-sites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Megier, J. (Principal Investigator)

1976-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Some qualitative results were obtained out of the experiment of reflectance measurements under greenhouse conditions. An effort was made to correlate phenological stages, production, and radiometric measurements. It was found that the first order effect of exposure variability to sun irradiation is responsible for different rice productivity classes. Effects of rice variety and fertilization become second order, because they are completely masked by the first order effects.

DSM Science & Technology Awards (south) event 2011: the role of micronutrients in human nutrition.

PubMed

2011-10-01

On 21 June 2011, the DSM Science & Technology Awards recognized and rewarded outstanding innovative young scientists active in fundamental and applied research. As in previous years, an international judging committee honored creative and groundbreaking PhD research. Twelve finalists, the top candidates from Switzerland, Austria, France and southern Germany, were invited for the final competition followed by the award ceremony attended by numerous representatives of universities, non-governmental organizations, institutes of technology and industry. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The Supreme Allied Commander Mediterranean to the Combined Chiefs of Staff on the Operations in Southern France

DTIC Science & Technology

1944-08-01

his temporary frustration of our plans ·and executed on 22 January, I944. At the Christmas was purchased at excessive cost, and left him at our...provision had been made for a ment, the Bataillon de Choc and a commando battalion. French Army Command to direct the two separate He also emphasized the...designed at the time of execution . Enemy sufficient to maintain the plausibility of a threat to that lines of communication received the heaviest

Discussing epigenetics in Southern California: a report from the International Symposium on Epigenetic Control and Cellular Plasticity, UCI, December 15-16, 2011.

PubMed

Rattner, Barbara P

2012-04-01

With the goal of discussing how epigenetic control and chromatin remodeling contribute to the various processes that lead to cellular plasticity and disease, this symposium marks the collaboration between the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) in France and the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Organized by Paolo Sassone-Corsi (UCI) and held at the Beckman Center of the National Academy of Sciences at the UCI campus December 15-16, 2011, this was the first of a series of international conferences on epigenetics dedicated to the scientific community in Southern California. The meeting also served as the official kick off for the newly formed Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism at the School of Medicine, UCI (http://cem.igb.uci.edu).

A catalog of rotational and radial velocities for evolved stars. V. Southern stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Medeiros, J. R.; Alves, S.; Udry, S.; Andersen, J.; Nordström, B.; Mayor, M.

2014-01-01

Rotational and radial velocities have been measured for 1589 evolved stars of spectral types F, G, and K and luminosity classes IV, III, II, and Ib, based on observations carried out with the CORAVEL spectrometers. The precision in radial velocity is better than 0.30 km s-1 per observation, whereas rotational velocity uncertainties are typically 1.0 km s-1 for subgiants and giants and 2.0 km s-1 for class II giants and Ib supergiants. Based on observations collected at the Haute-Provence Observatory, Saint-Michel, France, and at the European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile.Table 1 is only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/561/A126

A first exploration of the venom of the Buthus occitanus scorpion found in southern France

PubMed Central

Martin-Eauclaire, Marie-France; Bosmans, Frank; Céard, Brigitte; Diochot, Sylvie; Bougis, Pierre E.

2014-01-01

Even though Buthus occitanus scorpions are found throughout the Mediterranean region, a lack of distinctive characteristics has hampered their classification into different subspecies. Yet, stings from this particular scorpion family are reported each year to result in pain followed by various toxic symptoms. In order to determine the toxicity origin of the rare French Buthus occitanus Amoreux scorpion, we collected several specimens and studied their venom composition using a nano ultra high performance liquid chromatography and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (nano UHPLC/MALDI-TOF-MS) automated workflow combined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) approach. Moreover, we compared this dataset to that obtained from highly lethal Androctonus australis and Androctonus mauretanicus scorpions collected in North Africa. As a result, we found that the Buthus occitanus Amoreux venom is toxic to mice, an observation that is most likely caused by venom components that inhibit voltage-gated sodium channel inactivation. Moreover, we identified similarities in venom composition between Buthus occitanus scorpions living in the South of France and other Buthidae collected in Morocco and Algeria. As such, the results of this study should be taken into consideration when treating stings from the Buthus occitanus species living in the South of France. PMID:24418174

A first exploration of the venom of the Buthus occitanus scorpion found in southern France.

PubMed

Martin-Eauclaire, Marie-France; Bosmans, Frank; Céard, Brigitte; Diochot, Sylvie; Bougis, Pierre E

2014-03-01

Even though Buthus occitanus scorpions are found throughout the Mediterranean region, a lack of distinctive characteristics has hampered their classification into different subspecies. Yet, stings from this particular scorpion family are reported each year to result in pain followed by various toxic symptoms. In order to determine the toxicity origin of the rare French B. occitanus Amoreux scorpion, we collected several specimens and studied their venom composition using a nano ultra high performance liquid chromatography and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (nano UHPLC/MALDI-TOF-MS) automated workflow combined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) approach. Moreover, we compared this dataset to that obtained from highly lethal Androctonus australis and Androctonus mauretanicus scorpions collected in North Africa. As a result, we found that the B. occitanus Amoreux venom is toxic to mice, an observation that is most likely caused by venom components that inhibit voltage-gated sodium channel inactivation. Moreover, we identified similarities in venom composition between B. occitanus scorpions living in the South of France and other Buthidae collected in Morocco and Algeria. As such, the results of this study should be taken into consideration when treating stings from the B. occitanus species living in the South of France. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Suitability of European climate for the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus: recent trends and future scenarios

PubMed Central

Caminade, Cyril; Medlock, Jolyon M.; Ducheyne, Els; McIntyre, K. Marie; Leach, Steve; Baylis, Matthew; Morse, Andrew P.

2012-01-01

The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is an invasive species that has the potential to transmit infectious diseases such as dengue and chikungunya fever. Using high-resolution observations and regional climate model scenarios for the future, we investigated the suitability of Europe for A. albopictus using both recent climate and future climate conditions. The results show that southern France, northern Italy, the northern coast of Spain, the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea and western Turkey were climatically suitable areas for the establishment of the mosquito during the 1960–1980s. Over the last two decades, climate conditions have become more suitable for the mosquito over central northwestern Europe (Benelux, western Germany) and the Balkans, while they have become less suitable over southern Spain. Similar trends are likely in the future, with an increased risk simulated over northern Europe and slightly decreased risk over southern Europe. These distribution shifts are related to wetter and warmer conditions favouring the overwintering of A. albopictus in the north, and drier and warmer summers that might limit its southward expansion. PMID:22535696

Late Holocene vegetation changes in relation with climate fluctuations and human activities in Languedoc (Southern France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azuara, J.; Combourieu-Nebout, N.; Lebreton, V.; Mazier, F.; Müller, S. D.; Dezileau, L.

2015-09-01

Holocene climate fluctuations and human activities since the Neolithic have shaped present-day Mediterranean environments. Separating anthropogenic effects from climatic impacts to reconstruct Mediterranean paleoenvironments over the last millennia remains a challenging issue. High resolution pollen analyses were undertaken on two cores from the Palavasian lagoon system (Hérault, southern France). These records allow reconstruction of vegetation dynamics over the last 4500 years. Results are compared with climatic, historical and archeological archives. A long-term aridification trend is highlighted during the Late Holocene and three superimposed arid events are recorded at 4600-4300, 2800-2400 and 1300-1100 cal BP. These periods of climatic instability coincide in time with the rapid climatic events depicted in the Atlantic Ocean (Bond et al., 2001). From the Bronze Age (4000 cal BP) to the end of the Iron Age (around 2000 cal BP), the spread of evergreen taxa and loss of forest cover result from anthropogenic impact. The Antiquity is characterized by a major reforestation event related to the concentration of rural activities and populations in coastal plains leading to forest recovery in the mountains. A major regional deforestation occurred at the beginning of the High Middle Ages. Around 1000 cal BP, forest cover is minimal while cover of olive, chestnut and walnut expands in relation to increasing human influence. The present day vegetation dominated by Mediterranean shrubland and pines has been in existence since the beginning of the 20th century.

Late Holocene vegetation changes in relation with climate fluctuations and human activity in Languedoc (southern France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azuara, J.; Combourieu-Nebout, N.; Lebreton, V.; Mazier, F.; Müller, S. D.; Dezileau, L.

2015-12-01

Holocene climate fluctuations and human activity since the Neolithic have shaped present-day Mediterranean environments. Separating anthropogenic effects from climatic impacts to better understand Mediterranean paleoenvironmental changes over the last millennia remains a challenging issue. High-resolution pollen analyses were undertaken on two cores from the Palavasian lagoon system (Hérault, southern France). These records allow reconstruction of vegetation dynamics over the last 4500 years. Results are compared with climatic, historical and archeological archives. A long-term aridification trend is highlighted during the late Holocene, and three superimposed arid events are recorded at 4600-4300, 2800-2400 and 1300-1100 cal BP. These periods of high-frequency climate variability coincide in time with the rapid climatic events observed in the Atlantic Ocean (Bond et al., 2001). From the Bronze Age (4000 cal BP) to the end of the Iron Age (around 2000 cal BP), the spread of sclerophyllous taxa and loss of forest cover result from anthropogenic impact. Classical Antiquity is characterized by a major reforestation event related to the concentration of rural activity and populations in coastal plains leading to forest recovery in the mountains. A major regional deforestation occurred at the beginning of the High Middle Ages. Around 1000 cal BP, forest cover is minimal while the cover of olive, chestnut and walnut expands in relation to increasing human influence. The present-day vegetation dominated by Mediterranean shrubland and pines has been in existence since the beginning of the 20th century.

Bioarchaeological Insights into the Process of Domestication of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) during Roman Times in Southern France

PubMed Central

Bouby, Laurent; Figueiral, Isabel; Bouchette, Anne; Rovira, Nuria; Ivorra, Sarah; Lacombe, Thierry; Pastor, Thierry; Picq, Sandrine; Marinval, Philippe; Terral, Jean-Frédéric

2013-01-01

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera), one of the most important fruit species in the Classical Mediterranean world, is thought to have been domesticated first in South-Western Asia, during the Neolithic. However, the domestication process remains largely unknown. Crucial unanswered questions concern the duration of the process (rapid or slow?) and the related geographical area (single or multiple-origins?). Seeds from domesticated grapevine and from its wild ancestor are reported to differ according to shape. Our work aims, first, to confirm this difference and secondly to identify the extent of domestication in the grapes cultivated by Romans in Southern France during the period 50 BCE–500 CE. We had the opportunity to analyze uncharred waterlogged grape pips from 17 archaeological sites. Based on an extended reference sample of modern wild grapevines and cultivars our work shows that both subspecies can be discriminated using simple measurements. The elongation gradient of the pip’s body and stalk may be regarded as an indicator of the strength of the selection pressures undergone by domesticated grapes. Grapevines cultivated during the Roman period included a mix of morphotypes comprising wild, intermediate and moderately selected domesticated forms. Our data point to a relative shift towards more selected types during the Roman period. Domestication of the grapevine appears to have been a slow process. This could result from the recurrent incorporation into cultivation of plants originating from sexual reproduction, when grape cultivation essentially relies on vegetative propagation. PMID:23690998

Bioarchaeological insights into the process of domestication of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) during Roman times in Southern France.

PubMed

Bouby, Laurent; Figueiral, Isabel; Bouchette, Anne; Rovira, Nuria; Ivorra, Sarah; Lacombe, Thierry; Pastor, Thierry; Picq, Sandrine; Marinval, Philippe; Terral, Jean-Frédéric

2013-01-01

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera), one of the most important fruit species in the Classical Mediterranean world, is thought to have been domesticated first in South-Western Asia, during the Neolithic. However, the domestication process remains largely unknown. Crucial unanswered questions concern the duration of the process (rapid or slow?) and the related geographical area (single or multiple-origins?). Seeds from domesticated grapevine and from its wild ancestor are reported to differ according to shape. Our work aims, first, to confirm this difference and secondly to identify the extent of domestication in the grapes cultivated by Romans in Southern France during the period 50 BCE-500 CE. We had the opportunity to analyze uncharred waterlogged grape pips from 17 archaeological sites. Based on an extended reference sample of modern wild grapevines and cultivars our work shows that both subspecies can be discriminated using simple measurements. The elongation gradient of the pip's body and stalk may be regarded as an indicator of the strength of the selection pressures undergone by domesticated grapes. Grapevines cultivated during the Roman period included a mix of morphotypes comprising wild, intermediate and moderately selected domesticated forms. Our data point to a relative shift towards more selected types during the Roman period. Domestication of the grapevine appears to have been a slow process. This could result from the recurrent incorporation into cultivation of plants originating from sexual reproduction, when grape cultivation essentially relies on vegetative propagation.

Dietary BMAA exposure in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cluster from southern France.

PubMed

Masseret, Estelle; Banack, Sandra; Boumédiène, Farid; Abadie, Eric; Brient, Luc; Pernet, Fabrice; Juntas-Morales, Raoul; Pageot, Nicolas; Metcalf, James; Cox, Paul; Camu, William

2013-01-01

Dietary exposure to the cyanotoxin BMAA is suspected to be the cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Western Pacific Islands. In Europe and North America, this toxin has been identified in the marine environment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clusters but, to date, only few dietary exposures have been described. We aimed at identifying cluster(s) of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Hérault district, a coastal district from Southern France, and to search, in the identified area(s), for the existence of a potential dietary source of BMAA. A spatio-temporal cluster analysis was performed in the district, considering all incident amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases identified from 1994 to 2009 by our expert center. We investigated the cluster area with serial collections of oysters and mussels that were subsequently analyzed blind for BMAA concentrations. We found one significant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cluster (p = 0.0024), surrounding the Thau lagoon, the most important area of shellfish production and consumption along the French Mediterranean coast. BMAA was identified in mussels (1.8 µg/g to 6.0 µg/g) and oysters (0.6 µg/g to 1.6 µg/g). The highest concentrations of BMAA were measured during summer when the highest picocyanobacteria abundances were recorded. While it is not possible to ascertain a direct link between shellfish consumption and the existence of this ALS cluster, these results add new data to the potential association of BMAA with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, one of the most severe neurodegenerative disorder.

Meal patterns and cooking practices in Southern France and Central England.

PubMed

Pettinger, Clare; Holdsworth, Michelle; Gerber, Mariette

2006-12-01

To evaluate whether meal patterns and cooking practices in Central England and Mediterranean France conform to popular stereotypes, eating together as a household, preparation of meals, food purchasing patterns, cooking practices and eating out were investigated. Cross-sectional studies conducted simultaneously in April 2001 using self-administered postal questionnaires. England (Nottingham, East Midlands) and France (Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon). A stratified random sample of 1000 males and 1000 females aged 18-65 years was generated from the electoral roll in each country. The final sample comprised 826 subjects in England (58% males, 42% females; mean age 44 years) and 766 subjects in France (42% males, 58% females; mean age 42 years). Analyses were conducted on samples standardised for sociodemographic differences. The French cooked from raw ingredients most often (P<0.001), ate together as a household more regularly (P<0.001) and were most likely to follow a regular meal pattern of three meals a day. On the other hand, the English relied more on ready-prepared (P<0.001) and take-away (P<0.001) meals, as well as on energy-dense snack foods such as crisps (P<0.001). Females in both countries reported having most responsibility for preparing meals. Some of the study's findings confirm popular stereotypes of French and English food cultures, as the importance of the convivial aspects of eating, as well as more traditional practices such as cooking meals from basic ingredients, structured mealtimes and less between-meal snacking, remain more prominent within the French population. This may contribute to the differences in prevalence of obesity seen between the two countries.

[Current status of animal rabies in France].

PubMed

Aubert, M

1997-01-01

The main host reservoir and vector of rabies in Western Europe is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). A vaccination strategy for this species has been developed and tested in Switzerland since 1978. Results indicate that the vaccine which is administered in spring and autumn for at least two consecutive years is more effective than destruction by shooting or gassing the animals. The same approach using bait containing increasingly effective and safe vaccines has been in use in France since 1986. By creating an immunological barrier from the English channel to the Swiss border, it has been possible to stop the southern progression of the disease. In the following years the vaccination program was extended to all contaminated areas in France (141,700 km2). From 1989 to 1996 rabies decreased in incidence by 99.7% and disappeared from 95% of the previously contaminated area. Although no case of rabies involving a non-flying mammal has been reported since October 1996, rabies cannot be considered as eradicated as long as places of active disease subsist in neighboring areas of Belgium and the Sarreland. Bat rabies in Europe is caused by two viral genotypes that have never been isolated in any species other than bats and man. A total of four cases of bat rabies have been diagnosed in France since 1989. All four cases occurred in the Serotine community including one in 1997. All cases of canine rabies reported in the last 20 years have been observed in imported animals. The last was in 1995 and could have been prevented by stricter border control.

The chronology of Late Pleistocene thermal contraction cracking derived from sand wedge OSL dating in central and southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrieux, Eric; Bateman, Mark D.; Bertran, Pascal

2018-03-01

Much of France remained unglaciated during the Late Quaternary and was subjected to repeated phases of periglacial activity. Numerous periglacial features have been reported but disentangling the environmental and climatic conditions they formed under, the timing and extent of permafrost and the role of seasonal frost has remained elusive. The primary sandy infillings of relict sand-wedges and composite-wedge pseudomorphs record periglacial activity. As they contain well-bleached quartz-rich aeolian material they are suitable for optically stimulated luminescence dating (OSL). This study aims to reconstruct when wedge activity took place in two regions of France; Northern Aquitaine and in the Loire valley. Results from single-grain OSL measurements identify multiple phases of activity within sand wedges which suggest that wedge activity in France occurred at least 11 times over the last 100 ka. The most widespread events of thermal contraction cracking occurred between ca. 30 and 24 ka (Last Permafrost Maximum) which are concomitant with periods of high sand availability (MIS 2). Although most phases of sand-wedge growth correlate well with known Pleistocene cold periods, the identification of wedge activity during late MIS 5 and the Younger Dryas strongly suggests that these features do not only indicate permafrost but also deep seasonal ground freezing in the context of low winter insolation. These data also suggest that the overall young ages yielded by North-European sand-wedges likely result from poor record of periglacial periods concomitant with low sand availability and/or age averaging inherent with standard luminescence methods.

Comparison of French and Worldwide Bacillus anthracis Strains Favors a Recent, Post-Columbian Origin of the Predominant North-American Clade.

PubMed

Vergnaud, Gilles; Girault, Guillaume; Thierry, Simon; Pourcel, Christine; Madani, Nora; Blouin, Yann

2016-01-01

Bacillus anthracis, the highly dangerous zoonotic bacterial pathogen species is currently composed of three genetic groups, called A, B and C. Group A is represented worldwide whereas group B is present essentially in Western Europe and Southern Africa. Only three strains from group C have been reported. This knowledge is derived from the genotyping of more than 2000 strains collected worldwide. Strains from both group A and group B are present in France. Previous investigations showed that the majority of sporadic French strains belong to the so-called A.Br.011/009 group A clade and define a very remarkable polytomy with six branches. Here we explore the significance of this polytomy by comparing the French B. anthracis lineages to worldwide lineages. We take advantage of whole genome sequence data previously determined for 122 French strains and 45 strains of various origins. A total of 6690 SNPs was identified among the available dataset and used to draw the phylogeny. The phylogeny of the French B group strains which belongs to B.Br.CNEVA indicates an expansion from the south-east part of France (the Alps) towards the south-west (Massif-Central and Pyrenees). The relatively small group A strains belonging to A.Br.001/002 results from at least two independent introductions. Strikingly, the data clearly demonstrates that the currently predominant B. anthracis lineage in North America, called WNA for Western North American, is derived from one branch of the A.Br.011/009 polytomy predominant in France. The present work extends the range of observed substitution rate heterogeneity within B. anthracis, in agreement with its ecology and in contrast with some other pathogens. The population structure of the six branches A.Br.011/009 polytomy identified in France, diversity of branch length, and comparison with the WNA lineage, suggests that WNA is of post-Columbian and west European origin, with France as a likely source. Furthermore, it is tempting to speculate that the polytomy's most recent common ancestor -MRCA- dates back to the Hundred Years' war between France and England started in the mid-fourteenth century. These events were associated in France with deadly epidemics and major economic and social changes.

Viet Nam steps up offshore E and D push

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1992-06-22

This paper reports on Viet Nam's offshore exploration and development. Hanoi tentatively awarded three of five remaining blocks of prime offshore South China Sea acreage to companies from Europe and the Far East, with a fourth such award reported imminent. And state owned Petrovietnam signed a production sharing contract (PSC) covering acreage in the same area to a combine of British Petroleum Co. plc and Norway's Den norske stats oljeselskap AS. Retention of one block in the area covered by Viet Nam's second bidding round fueled speculation Hanoi is holding it in reserve for U.S. companies to enter bidding, pendingmore » easing of U.S. trade sanctions against Viet Nam, Agence France France (AFP) reported. Second round blocks have been carved from a concession held by Vietsovpetro, a joint venture of Petrovietnam and the former Soviet Union. All are in the southern Con Sun basin of the South China Sea off the port of Vung Tao and on trend with Viet Nam's only producing oil fields.« less

New dating evidence of the early presence of hominins in Southern Europe.

PubMed

Michel, Véronique; Shen, Chuan-Chou; Woodhead, Jon; Hu, Hsun-Ming; Wu, Chung-Che; Moullé, Pierre-Élie; Khatib, Samir; Cauche, Dominique; Moncel, Marie-Hélène; Valensi, Patricia; Chou, Yu-Min; Gallet, Sylvain; Echassoux, Anna; Orange, François; de Lumley, Henry

2017-08-30

The first "Out of Africa" migrations represent a seminal event in the history of humankind. At the gates of Europe, the first appearance of Hominins is recorded in Georgia, 1.8 million years ago (Ma); however, the picture of migration across the continent remains incomplete. Vallonnet Cave (France) is a Lower Paleolithic prehistoric site with traces of hominin activities including lithic remains and cut-marks on mammal bones. Here, we apply the uranium-lead (U-Pb) methods to two flowstones to date the intervening archaeological levels. The U-Pb data, coupled with paleomagnetic constraints, provide an age range from 1.2 to 1.1 Ma. The results conclusively demonstrate that Vallonnet Cave is one of the oldest European prehistoric sites in France with early hominin occupations associated with an Epivillafranchian fauna. Combined with data from other archaeological sites, the new precise chronology suggests a widespread occupation the Northern Mediterranean to Southwestern Europe at ~1.2 Ma.

Geologic, geomorphic, and meteorological aspects of debris flows triggered by Hurricanes Frances and Ivan during September 2004 in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Macon County, North Carolina (southeastern USA)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wooten, R.M.; Gillon, K.A.; Witt, A.C.; Latham, R.S.; Douglas, T.J.; Bauer, J.B.; Fuemmeler, S.J.; Lee, L.G.

2008-01-01

In September 2004, rain from the remnants of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan triggered at least 155 landslides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. At least 33 debris flows occurred in Macon County, causing 5 deaths, destroying 16 homes, and damaging infrastructure. We mapped debris flows and debris deposits using a light-detecting and ranging digital elevation model, remote imagery and field studies integrated in a geographic information system. Evidence of past debris flows was found at all recent debris flow sites. Orographic rainfall enhancement along topographic escarpments influenced debris flow frequency at higher elevations. A possible trigger for the Wayah and fatal Peeks Creek debris flows was a spiral rain band within Ivan that moved across the area with short duration rainfall rates of 150-230 mm/h. Intersecting bedrock structures in polydeformed metamorphic rock influence the formation of catchments within structural-geomorphic domains where debris flows originate. ?? 2007 Springer-Verlag.

Hail frequency estimation across Europe based on a combination of overshooting top detections and the ERA-INTERIM reanalysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Punge, H. J.; Bedka, K. M.; Kunz, M.; Reinbold, A.

2017-12-01

This article presents a hail frequency estimation based on the detection of cold overshooting cloud tops (OTs) from the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) operational weather satellites, in combination with a hail-specific filter derived from the ERA-INTERIM reanalysis. This filter has been designed based on the atmospheric properties in the vicinity of hail reports registered in the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD). These include Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), 0-6-km bulk wind shear and freezing level height, evaluated at the nearest time step and interpolated from the reanalysis grid to the location of the hail report. Regions highly exposed to hail events include Northern Italy, followed by South-Eastern Austria and Eastern Spain. Pronounced hail frequency is also found in large parts of Eastern Europe, around the Alps, the Czech Republic, Southern Germany, Southern and Eastern France, and in the Iberic and Apennine mountain ranges.

World Cup Hopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

From May 31 to June 30 the biggest single-sport event in the world, the 2002 FIFA World Cup (tm), will be taking place in Asia. South Korea and Japan are acting as hosts for the event which is being held in Asia for the first time. This true-color image of the southern Korean peninsula and southern Japan was acquired on May 25, 2002, by the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), flying aboard NASA's Terra satellite. Thirty-two nations are represented at this year's Finals including the 1998 champion France, European powers England and Italy, tournament favorite Argentina, and the United States. The finals are the culmination of a 2-year qualifying process which started with 132 nations competing in regional qualification tournaments. In the round-robin first round of the World Cup, the U.S. team will be competing against teams from Portugal, Poland, and South Korea. Image courtesy Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC

The AAF in Northwest Africa. An Account of the Twelfth Air Force in the Northwest African Landing and the Battle for Tunisia

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-01-01

29 echelon of XII Fighter Command; the Moroccan Composite Wing operated in Morocco . All wings were activated 26 January 1943. XII Fighter Command’s...satellites, would raise Allied morale, and would encourage those ele - ments in the Axis-occupied countries which were working as best they could toward...news of the invasion, in order to fore- stall an Allied breaching of the southern coast of France, to establish submarine and air bases , and to control

Agricultural resources investigations in northern Italy and southern France (Agreste Project)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. The vegetation structure of rice was investigated and interpreted in dynamic terms as a significant factor governing the distribution of solar energy thoughout the canopy and therefore conditions the final yield. Radiometric characteristics of rice culture were described for various stages of development in relation to the vegetation structure in an attempt to establish correlations between data of total biomass and of grain yield. Qualitative classification results were encouraging although the discrimination achieved was far from complete.

The machine-readable Durchmusterungen - Classical catalogs in contemporary form. [for positional astronomy and identification of stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Warren, Wayne H., Jr.; Ochsenbein, Francois; Rappaport, Barry N.

1990-01-01

The entire series of Durchmusterung (DM) catalogs (Bonner, Southern, Cordoba, Cape Photographic) has been computerized through a collaborative effort among institutions and individuals in France and the United States of America. Complete verification of the data, both manually and by computer, the inclusion of all supplemental stars (represented by lower case letters), complete representation of all numerical data, and a consistent format for all catalogs, should make this collection of machine-readable data a valuable addition to digitized astronomical archives.

Insight into the growth dynamics and systematic affinities of the Late Cretaceous Gargantuavis from bone microstructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chinsamy, Anusuya; Buffetaut, Eric; Canoville, Aurore; Angst, Delphine

2014-05-01

Enigmatic avialan remains of Gargantuavis philoinos from the Ibero-Armorican island of the Late Cretaceous European archipelago (Southern France) led to a debate concerning its taxonomic affinities. Here, we show that the bone microstructure of Gargantuavis resembles that of Apteryx, the extinct emeids and Megalapteryx from New Zealand, and indicates that like these slow-growing terrestrial birds, it took several years to attain skeletal maturity. Our findings suggest that the protracted cyclical growth in these ornithurines may have been in response to insular evolution.

U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Task Force 86 Operations and Action of the Support Force Eighth’ Fleet During Invasion of Southern France

DTIC Science & Technology

1944-10-21

WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) U.S. Armed Forces 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING...and not garrisoned. This was undoubtedly the result of chagrin at having found the eastern battery to be dummy and the lack of organized resistance...sang despite the broken organ and the cure gave a moving sermon in franch. .Four FFI men, gotten up in a uniform of french helmets, blue’shirts and

High resolution Raman lidar measurements for the characterization of the water vapour inflow in the frame of the Hydrological Cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Girolamo, Paolo; Cacciani, Marco; Stelitano, Dario; Summa, Donato

2013-04-01

The University of BASILicata Raman Lidar system (BASIL) was deployed in Candillargues (Southern France, Lat: 43°37' N, Long: 4° 4' E) in the frame of the Hydrological Cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment - HyMeX. Within this experiment a major field campaign (Special Observation Period 1-SOP1, September to November 2012) took place over the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea and its surrounding coastal regions in France, Italy and Spain, with a specific focus on the study of heavy precipitation and flash-flood events. During HyMeX-SOP1, BASIL operated between 5 September and 5 November 2012, collecting more than 600 hours of measurements, distributed over 51 measurement days and 19 intensive observation periods (IOPs). The major feature of BASIL is represented by its capability to perform high-resolution and accurate measurements of atmospheric temperature and water vapour, both in daytime and night-time, based on the application of the rotational and vibrational Raman lidar techniques in the UV (Di Girolamo et al., 2004, 2006, 2009). This makes it an ideal tool for the characterization of the water vapour inflow in Southern France, which is important piece of information to improve the comprehension and forecasting capabilities of heavy precipitations in the Northwestern Mediterranean basin. Preliminary measurements from this field deployment will be illustrated and discussed at the Conference. These measurements allow to monitor and characterize the marine atmospheric flow that transport moist and conditionaly unstable air towards the coasts, which is feeding into the HPE events in Southern France. Measurements from BASIL can also be used to better characterize Planetary Boundary Layer moisture transport mechanisms from the surface to deep-convection systems. Besides temperature and water vapour, BASIL also provides measurements of the particle (aerosol/cloud) backscattering coefficient at 355, 532 and 1064 nm, of the particle extinction coefficient at 355 and 532 nm and of particle depolarization at 355 and 532 nm. The simultaneous characterization of the three-dimensional fields of water vapour, temperature and aerosol/cloud have the potential to lead to a better comprehension of the life cycle of HPE events around the Mediterranean Basin and ultimately lead to an improvement of cloud microphysical parameterization in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. References Di Girolamo, P., R. Marchese, D. N. Whiteman, B. B. Demoz, 2004: Rotational Raman Lidar measurements of atmospheric temperature in the UV, Geophysical Research Letters, 31, L01106, doi:10.1029/2003GL018342. Di Girolamo, P., A. Behrendt, and V. Wulfmeyer, 2006:. Spaceborne profiling of atmospheric temperature and particle extinction with pure rotational Raman lidar and of relative humidity in combination with differential absorption lidar: performance simulations, Applied Optics, 45, No. 11, 2474-2494, doi:10.1364/AO.45.002474. Di Girolamo, P., D. Summa, R. Ferretti, 2009: Multiparameter Raman Lidar Measurements for the Characterization of a Dry Stratospheric Intrusion Event, Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 26, No. 9, pp. 1742-1762, doi:10.1175/2009JTECHA1253.1.

Early evidence of Acheulean settlement in northwestern Europe--la Noira site, a 700,000 year-old occupation in the center of France.

PubMed

Moncel, Marie-Hélène; Despriée, Jackie; Voinchet, Pierre; Tissoux, Hélène; Moreno, Davinia; Bahain, Jean-Jacques; Courcimault, Gilles; Falguères, Christophe

2013-01-01

The human settlement of Europe during Pleistocene times was sporadic and several stages have been recognized, both from paleaoanthropological and archaeological records. If the first phase of hominin occupation (as early as 1.4 Ma) seems mainly restricted to the southern part of the continent, the second phase, characterized by specific lithic tools (handaxes), is linked to Acheulean settlements and to the emergence of Homo heidelbergensis, the ancestor of Neanderthals. This phase reached northwestern Europe and is documented in numerous sites in Germany, Great Britain and northern France, generally after 600 ka. At la Noira (Brinay, Central France), the Middle Pleistocene alluvial formation of the Cher River covers an archaeological level associated with a slope deposit (diamicton). The lithic assemblage from this level includes Large Cutting Tools (LCTs), flakes and cores, associated with numerous millstone slabs. The lithic series is classified as Acheulean on the basis of both technological and typological analyses. Cryoturbation features indicate that the slope deposits and associated archaeological level were strongly frozen and disturbed after hominin occupation and before fluvial deposition. Eight sediment samples were dated by the electron spin resonance (ESR) method and the weighted average age obtained for the fluvial sands overlying the slope deposits is 665±55 ka. This age is older than previous chronological data placing the first European Acheulean assemblages north of 45(th) parallel north at around 500 ka and modifies our current vision of the initial peopling of northern Europe. Acheulean settlements are older than previously assumed and the oldest evidences are not only located in southern Europe. La Noira is the oldest evidence of Acheulean presence in north-western Europe and attests to the possibility of pioneering phases of Acheulean settlement which would have taken place on a Mode 1-type substratum as early as 700 ka. The lithic assemblage from la Noira thus provides behavioral and technological data on early Acheulean occupation in Europe and contributes to our understanding of the diffusion of this tradition.

Klaus, an exceptional winter storm over Northern Iberia and Southern France - a comparison between storm diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liberato, M. L. R.; Pinto, J. G.; Trigo, I. F.; Trigo, R. M.

2010-05-01

The synoptic evolution and dynamical characteristics of storm "Klaus" (23 and 24 January 2009) are analysed. "Klaus" was an extratropical cyclone which developed over the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean on the 21st January 2009, then moved eastward embedded in the strong westerly flow and experienced a notorious strengthening on the 23rd January. The storm moved into the Bay of Biscay and deepened further before hitting Northern Spain and Southwestern France with gusts of up to 198 km/h. Afterwards, it steered southeastwards across Southern France into Northern Italy and the Adriatic. "Klaus" was the most intense and damaging wind storm in the region in a decade, provoked more than 20 casualties and insured losses of several billion Euros. The evolution of "Klaus" is analysed using two standard cyclone detecting and tracking schemes: a) the vorticity maxima based algorithm originally developed by Murray and Simmonds [1991], adapted for Northern Hemisphere cyclone characteristics [Pinto et al. 2005]; and b) the pressure minima based algorithm first developed for the Mediterranean region [Trigo et al. 1999; 2002] and later extended to a larger Euro-Atlantic region [Trigo 2006]. Additionally, the synoptic and mesoscale features of the storm are analysed. The vorticity based method detects the storm earlier than the pressure minima one. Results show that both tracks exhibited similar features and positions throughout almost all of their lifecycles, with minor discrepancies being probably related to different ways of both methods handling the spatio-temporal evolution of multiple candidates for cyclonic centres. In its strengthening phase, "Klaus" presents deepening rates above 37 hPa/24h, a value that after geostrophically adjusted to the reference latitude of 60°N increases to 44 hPa/24h, implying an exceptional event with bomb characteristics. During maximum intensity change within 24 hours was 1.165hPa/(deglat)2. References: Murray RJ, Simmonds I (1991) Aust. Meteorol. Mag., 39, 155-166. Pinto JG et al (2005) Meteorol. Z., 14, 823-838. Trigo IF et al (1999) J. Climate, 12, 1685-1696. Trigo IF et al (2002) Mon. Weather Rev. 130, 549-569. Trigo IF (2006) Clim. Dyn., 26, 127-143.

Early Evidence of Acheulean Settlement in Northwestern Europe - La Noira Site, a 700 000 Year-Old Occupation in the Center of France

PubMed Central

Moncel, Marie-Hélène; Despriée, Jackie; Voinchet, Pierre; Tissoux, Hélène; Moreno, Davinia; Bahain, Jean-Jacques; Courcimault, Gilles; Falguères, Christophe

2013-01-01

The human settlement of Europe during Pleistocene times was sporadic and several stages have been recognized, both from paleaoanthropological and archaeological records. If the first phase of hominin occupation (as early as 1.4 Ma) seems mainly restricted to the southern part of the continent, the second phase, characterized by specific lithic tools (handaxes), is linked to Acheulean settlements and to the emergence of Homo heidelbergensis, the ancestor of Neanderthals. This phase reached northwestern Europe and is documented in numerous sites in Germany, Great Britain and northern France, generally after 600 ka. At la Noira (Brinay, Central France), the Middle Pleistocene alluvial formation of the Cher River covers an archaeological level associated with a slope deposit (diamicton). The lithic assemblage from this level includes Large Cutting Tools (LCTs), flakes and cores, associated with numerous millstone slabs. The lithic series is classified as Acheulean on the basis of both technological and typological analyses. Cryoturbation features indicate that the slope deposits and associated archaeological level were strongly frozen and disturbed after hominin occupation and before fluvial deposition. Eight sediment samples were dated by the electron spin resonance (ESR) method and the weighted average age obtained for the fluvial sands overlying the slope deposits is 665±55 ka. This age is older than previous chronological data placing the first European Acheulean assemblages north of 45th parallel north at around 500 ka and modifies our current vision of the initial peopling of northern Europe. Acheulean settlements are older than previously assumed and the oldest evidences are not only located in southern Europe. La Noira is the oldest evidence of Acheulean presence in north-western Europe and attests to the possibility of pioneering phases of Acheulean settlement which would have taken place on a Mode 1-type substratum as early as 700 ka. The lithic assemblage from la Noira thus provides behavioral and technological data on early Acheulean occupation in Europe and contributes to our understanding of the diffusion of this tradition. PMID:24278105

Variability of three-dimensional sea breeze structure in southern France: observations and evaluation of empirical scaling laws

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drobinski, P.; Bastin, S.; Dabas, A.; Delville, P.; Reitebuch, O.

2006-08-01

Sea-breeze dynamics in southern France is investigated using an airborne Doppler lidar, a meteorological surface station network and radiosoundings, in the framework of the ESCOMPTE experiment conducted during summer 2001 in order to evaluate the role of thermal circulations on pollutant transport and ventilation. The airborne Doppler lidar WIND contributed to three-dimensional (3-D) mapping of the sea breeze circulation in an unprecedented way. The data allow access to the onshore and offshore sea breeze extents (xsb), and to the sea breeze depth (zsb) and intensity (usb). They also show that the return flow of the sea breeze circulation is very seldom seen in this area due to (i) the presence of a systematic non zero background wind, and (ii) the 3-D structure of the sea breeze caused by the complex coastline shape and topography. A thorough analysis is conducted on the impact of the two main valleys (Rhône and Durance valleys) affecting the sea breeze circulation in the area.

Finally, this dataset also allows an evaluation of the existing scaling laws used to derive the sea breeze intensity, depth and horizontal extent. The main results of this study are that (i) latitude, cumulative heating and surface friction are key parameters of the sea breeze dynamics; (ii) in presence of strong synoptic flow, all scaling laws fail in predicting the sea breeze characteristics (the sea breeze depth, however being the most accurately predicted); and (iii) the ratio zsb/usb is approximately constant in the sea breeze flow.

Responses of wild small mammals to arsenic pollution at a partially remediated mining site in Southern France.

PubMed

Drouhot, Séverine; Raoul, Francis; Crini, Nadia; Tougard, Christelle; Prudent, Anne-Sophie; Druart, Coline; Rieffel, Dominique; Lambert, Jean-Claude; Tête, Nicolas; Giraudoux, Patrick; Scheifler, Renaud

2014-02-01

Partial remediation actions at a former gold mine in Southern France led to a mosaic of contaminated and rehabilitated zones. In this study, the distribution of arsenic and its potential adverse effects on small mammals were investigated. The effectiveness of remediation for reducing the transfer of this element into wildlife was also discussed. Arsenic levels were measured in the soil and in the stomach contents, livers, kidneys, and lungs of four small mammal species (the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), the Algerian mouse (Mus spretus), the common vole (Microtus arvalis), and the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula)). The animals were caught at the former extraction site, in zones with three different levels of remediation treatments, and at a control site. Arsenic concentrations in the soil were highly spatially heterogeneous (ranging from 29 to 18,900 μg g(-1)). Despite the decrease in arsenic concentrations in the remediated soils, both wood mice and Algerian mice experienced higher oral exposure to arsenic in remediated zones than in the control area. The accumulated arsenic in their organs showed higher intra-zonal variability than the arsenic distribution in the soil, suggesting that, in addition to remediation processes, other variables can help explain arsenic transfer to wildlife, such as the habitat and diet preferences of the animals or their mobility. A weak but significant correlation between arsenic concentration and body condition was observed, and weak relationships between the liver/kidney/lung mass and arsenic levels were also detected, suggesting possible histological alterations. © 2013.

Laboratory and field measurements of enantiomeric monoterpene emissions as a function of chemotype, light and temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, W.; Staudt, M.; Bourgeois, I.; Williams, J.

2013-10-01

Plants emit significant amounts of monoterpenes into the Earth's atmosphere where they react rapidly to form a multitude of gas phase species and particles. Many monoterpenes exist in mirror images forms or enantiomers. In this study the enantiomeric monoterpene profile for several representative plants (Quercus ilex L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., and Pinus halepensis Mill.) was investigated as a function of chemotype, light and temperature both in the laboratory and in the field. Analysis of enantiomeric monoterpenes from 19 Quercus ilex individuals from Southern France and Spain revealed four regiospecific chemotypes (genetically fixed emission patterns). In agreement with previous work, only Quercus ilex emissions increased strongly with light. However, for all three plant species no consistent enantiomeric variation was observed as a function of light, and the enantiomeric ratio of α-pinene was found vary by less than 20% from 100 and 1000 μmol m-2 s-1 PAR. The rate of monoterpene emission increased with temperature from all three plant species, but little variation in the enantiomeric distribution of α-pinene was observed with temperature. There was more enantiomeric variability between individuals of the same species than could be induced by either light or temperature. Field measurements of α-pinene enantiomer mixing ratios in the air taken at a Quercus ilex forest in Southern France, and several other previously reported field enantiomeric ratio diel cycle profiles are compared. All show smoothly varying diel cycles (some positive and some negative) even over changing wind directions. This is surprising in comparison with variations of enantiomeric emission patterns shown by individuals of the same species.

The potential effects of global warming on changes in canine leishmaniasis in a focus outside the classical area of the disease in southern France.

PubMed

Dereure, Jacques; Vanwambeke, Sophie O; Malé, Pierre; Martinez, Susana; Pratlong, Francine; Balard, Yves; Dedet, Jean-Pierre

2009-12-01

In 1994, an ecoepidemiologic study was carried out in the mid-Ariège valley (French Pyrenees) where autochthonous cases of canine leishmaniasis had been previously reported. Serologic samples were collected from 336 dogs in two groups of villages. The seroprevalences were 11.67% in the valley villages and only 1.43% in the foothill villages. Five lymph node biopsies were taken from serologically positive dogs, and resultant isolates were identified as Leishmania infantum zymodeme MON-1. Phlebotomine sandflies were collected in five locations by CDC light traps. Both of the known French vectors, Phlebotomus ariasi and P. perniciosus, were identified. Bioclimatic and floristic studies showed that this area is an enclave of the supra-Mediterranean climatic zone, containing a typically xerothermophilic Mediterranean flora. The Pyrenees Mountains are usually considered to be outside of the endemic range of leishmaniasis in southern France, and so our demonstration of a microfocus of canine leishmaniasis in the northern foothills is noteworthy. A second serologic survey carried out in 2007 (216 dogs) showed an inversion of the seropositive rates between the two groups of villages compared with those of 1994: only 2.72% in the valley villages and 11.32% in the foothills villages. The decrease of seroprevalence in the first area (valley villages) can be related to a considerable use of deltamethrin collars during the transmission season. The increase of seroprevalence of the foothill villages could be related to climatic conditions, since there was an increase of about 1 degrees C in the mean annual temperature.

Using Different Grazing Practices for Increasing Plant Biodiversity in the Dykes and Embankments Along the Rhône River (Southern France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moinardeau, Cannelle; Mesléard, François; Dutoit, Thierry

2016-12-01

Extensive grazing by domestic herbivores is a widespread management practice used since the 80s in many European agro-ecosystems such as semi-natural grasslands to maintain open habitats and to enhance biodiversity. Such grazing systems have principally been tested in cultural ecosystems of high nature value threatened by grazing abandonment. However, there have been few case studies of grazing management in very anthropized ecosystems, such as the new ecosystems created by urban or industrial conversions. In Southern France, the Rhône channeling for navigation and electricity production generated in the 1950s the construction of thousands of hectares of dams and dykes which were colonized naturally by diverse plant communities. Yet shrub encroachment and the consequent recourse to mechanical cutting to facilitate control and maintenance, raise the question of how best to maintain and manage these new habitats. Consequently, since 1999, different low-intensity grazing management systems using rustic breeds of cattle, horses and goats have been tested on a protected reserve of 1454 ha located in the lower part of the Rhône river. Extensive grazing, more than cutting or no management, positively modified vegetation heterogeneity (beta-diversity), the target open grassland species, but not plant species richness (alpha-diversity). However, the current monitoring shows that these benefits of grazing will be confirmed only if low-intensity grazing systems are sustained and if new adaptations can be also made, such as the use of mixed stocking and the establishment of multiyear contracts with breeders.

Evolution and history of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) under domestication: new morphometric perspectives to understand seed domestication syndrome and reveal origins of ancient European cultivars

PubMed Central

Terral, Jean-Frédéric; Tabard, Elidie; Bouby, Laurent; Ivorra, Sarah; Pastor, Thierry; Figueiral, Isabel; Picq, Sandrine; Chevance, Jean-Baptiste; Jung, Cécile; Fabre, Laurent; Tardy, Christophe; Compan, Michel; Bacilieri, Roberto; Lacombe, Thierry; This, Patrice

2010-01-01

Background and Aims In spite of the abundance of archaeological, bio-archaeological, historical and genetic data, the origins, historical biogeography, identity of ancient grapevine cultivars and mechanisms of domestication are still largely unknown. Here, analysis of variation in seed morphology aims to provide accurate criteria for the discrimination between wild grapes and modern cultivars and to understand changes in functional traits in relation to the domestication process. This approach is also used to quantify the phenotypic diversity in the wild and cultivated compartments and to provide a starting point for comparing well-preserved archaeological material, in order to elucidate the history of grapevine varieties. Methods Geometrical analysis (elliptic Fourier transform method) was applied to grapevine seed outlines from modern wild individuals, cultivars and well-preserved archaeological material from southern France, dating back to the first to second centuries. Key Results and Conclusions Significant relationships between seed shape and taxonomic status, geographical origin (country or region) of accessions and parentage of varieties are highlighted, as previously noted based on genetic approaches. The combination of the analysis of modern reference material and well-preserved archaeological seeds provides original data about the history of ancient cultivated forms, some of them morphologically close to the current ‘Clairette’ and ‘Mondeuse blanche’ cultivars. Archaeobiological records seem to confirm the complexity of human contact, exchanges and migrations which spread grapevine cultivation in Europe and in Mediterranean areas, and argue in favour of the existence of local domestication in the Languedoc (southern France) region during Antiquity. PMID:20034966

Gene flow rise with habitat fragmentation in the bog fritillary butterfly (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

PubMed Central

2008-01-01

Background The main components of the spatial genetic structure of the populations are neighbourhood size and isolation by distance. These may be inferred from the allele frequencies across a series of populations within a region. Here, the spatial population structure of Proclossiana eunomia was investigated in two mountainous areas of southern Europe (Asturias, Spain and Pyrenees, France) and in two areas of intermediate elevation (Morvan, France and Ardennes, Belgium). Results A total of eight polymorphic loci were scored by allozyme electrophoresis, revealing a higher polymorphism in the populations of southern Europe than in those of central Europe. Isolation by distance effect was much stronger in the two mountain ranges (Pyrenees and Asturias) than in the two areas of lower elevation (Ardennes and Morvan). By contrast, the neighbourhood size estimates were smaller in the Ardennes and in the Morvan than in the two high mountain areas, indicating more common movements between neighbouring patches in the mountains than in plains. Conclusion Short and long dispersal events are two phenomena with distinct consequences in the population genetics of natural populations. The differences in level of population differentiation within each the four regions may be explained by change in dispersal in lowland recently fragmented landscapes: on average, butterflies disperse to a shorter distance but the few ones which disperse long distance do so more efficiently. Habitat fragmentation has evolutionary consequences exceeding by far the selection of dispersal related traits: the balance between local specialisation and gene flow would be perturbed, which would modify the extent to which populations are adapted to heterogeneous environments. PMID:18366652

Using Different Grazing Practices for Increasing Plant Biodiversity in the Dykes and Embankments Along the Rhône River (Southern France).

PubMed

Moinardeau, Cannelle; Mesléard, François; Dutoit, Thierry

2016-12-01

Extensive grazing by domestic herbivores is a widespread management practice used since the 80s in many European agro-ecosystems such as semi-natural grasslands to maintain open habitats and to enhance biodiversity. Such grazing systems have principally been tested in cultural ecosystems of high nature value threatened by grazing abandonment. However, there have been few case studies of grazing management in very anthropized ecosystems, such as the new ecosystems created by urban or industrial conversions. In Southern France, the Rhône channeling for navigation and electricity production generated in the 1950s the construction of thousands of hectares of dams and dykes which were colonized naturally by diverse plant communities. Yet shrub encroachment and the consequent recourse to mechanical cutting to facilitate control and maintenance, raise the question of how best to maintain and manage these new habitats. Consequently, since 1999, different low-intensity grazing management systems using rustic breeds of cattle, horses and goats have been tested on a protected reserve of 1454 ha located in the lower part of the Rhône river. Extensive grazing, more than cutting or no management, positively modified vegetation heterogeneity (beta-diversity), the target open grassland species, but not plant species richness (alpha-diversity). However, the current monitoring shows that these benefits of grazing will be confirmed only if low-intensity grazing systems are sustained and if new adaptations can be also made, such as the use of mixed stocking and the establishment of multiyear contracts with breeders.

Dietary BMAA Exposure in an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Cluster from Southern France

PubMed Central

Masseret, Estelle; Banack, Sandra; Boumédiène, Farid; Abadie, Eric; Brient, Luc; Pernet, Fabrice; Juntas-Morales, Raoul; Pageot, Nicolas; Metcalf, James; Cox, Paul; Camu, William

2013-01-01

Background Dietary exposure to the cyanotoxin BMAA is suspected to be the cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Western Pacific Islands. In Europe and North America, this toxin has been identified in the marine environment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clusters but, to date, only few dietary exposures have been described. Objectives We aimed at identifying cluster(s) of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Hérault district, a coastal district from Southern France, and to search, in the identified area(s), for the existence of a potential dietary source of BMAA. Methods A spatio-temporal cluster analysis was performed in the district, considering all incident amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases identified from 1994 to 2009 by our expert center. We investigated the cluster area with serial collections of oysters and mussels that were subsequently analyzed blind for BMAA concentrations. Results We found one significant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cluster (p = 0.0024), surrounding the Thau lagoon, the most important area of shellfish production and consumption along the French Mediterranean coast. BMAA was identified in mussels (1.8 µg/g to 6.0 µg/g) and oysters (0.6 µg/g to 1.6 µg/g). The highest concentrations of BMAA were measured during summer when the highest picocyanobacteria abundances were recorded. Conclusions While it is not possible to ascertain a direct link between shellfish consumption and the existence of this ALS cluster, these results add new data to the potential association of BMAA with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, one of the most severe neurodegenerative disorder. PMID:24349504

Genetic Evolution of Mycobacterium bovis Causing Tuberculosis in Livestock and Wildlife in France since 1978

PubMed Central

Hauer, Amandine; De Cruz, Krystel; Cochard, Thierry; Godreuil, Sylvain; Karoui, Claudine; Henault, Sylvie; Bulach, Tabatha; Bañuls, Anne-Laure; Biet, Franck; Boschiroli, María Laura

2015-01-01

To study the dynamics of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in France, 4,654 M. bovis strains isolated mainly from livestock and wildlife since 1978 were characterized by spoligotyping and MLVA based on MIRU-VNTR. In our study spoligotyping allowed the discrimination of 176 types although 3 spoligotypes are predominant and account for more than half of the total strain population: SB0120 (26%), SB0134 (11%) and SB0121 (6%). In addition, 11% of the isolates, principally from Southern France, showing close spoligotypes and MIRU-VNTR types have been gathered in a family designated as the “F4-family”. MLVA typing allowed extensive discrimination, particularly for strains with predominant spoligotypes, with a total of 498 genotypes, several of which were highly regionalized. The similarity of the strains’ genetic relationships based on spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR markers supports the co-existence of different clonal populations within the French M. bovis population. A genetic evolution of the strains was observed both geographically and in time. Indeed, as a result of the reduction of bTB due to the national control campaigns, a large reduction of the strains’ genetic variability took place in the last ten years. However, in the regions were bTB is highly prevalent at present, cases in both livestock and in wildlife are due to the spread of unique local genotype profiles. Our results show that the highly discriminating genotyping tools used in this study for molecular studies of bTB are useful for addressing pending questions, which would lead to a better insight into the epidemiology of the disease, and for finding proper solutions for its sustainable control in France. PMID:25658691

Impact of immigration on HIV-1 molecular epidemiology in West Africa, Maghreb and Southern Europe.

PubMed

Miri, Lamia; Wakrim, Lahcen; Kassar, Hassène; Hemminki, Kari; Khyatti, Meriem

2014-01-01

There is global concern about the relation between international migration and the course of the AIDS epidemic. Maghreb is a North African region, which lies between sub-Saharan Africa and Europe. It has been turned recently into a region of immigration, since there are more and more flows of West African migrants hoping to reach European countries. Here we provide an overview on HIV-1 molecular epidemiology particularly in West African countries, Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) and southern European countries (Spain, France, and Italy). The studies conducted in several countries of the region revealed different features of HIV-1 molecular epidemiology, especially for the distribution of viral subtypes and for transmitted drug resistance profiles. Furthermore, migration from West Africa to Europe seems to be a potential source of non-B subtype mobility to Maghreb and eventually to southern Europe, where HIV-1 non-B variants significantly increased in the last 10 to 15 years. As genetic differences between subtypes might impact the drug resistance pathways, it is important to provide continuous surveillance programs for the early detection of new variants spreading in the population before they become more prevalent, and to identify resistance profiles in different infected populations, especially migrants.

Decadal variability of drought conditions over the southern part of Europe based on Principal Oscillation Pattern Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ionita-Scholz, Monica; Tallaksen, Lena M.; Scholz, Patrick

2017-04-01

This study introduces a novel method of estimating the decay time, mean period and forcing statistics of drought conditions over large spatial domains, demonstrated here for southern part of Europe (10°E - 40°E, 35°N - 50°N). It uses a two-dimensional stochastically forced damped linear oscillator model with the model parameters estimated from a Principal Oscillation Pattern (POP) analysis and associated observed power spectra. POP is a diagnostic technique that aims to derive the space-time characteristics of a data set objectively. This analysis is performed on an extended observational time series of 114 years (1902 - 2015) of the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index for an accumulation period of 12 months (SPEI12), based on the Climate Research Unit (CRU TS v. 3.24) data set. The POP analysis reveals four exceptionally stable modes of variability, which together explain more than 62% of the total explained variance. The most stable POP mode, which explains 16.3% of the total explained variance, is characterized by a period of oscillation of 14 years and a decay time of 31 years. The real part of POP1 is characterized by a monopole-like structure with the highest loadings over Portugal, western part of Spain and Turkey. The second stable mode, which explains 15.9% of the total explained variance, is characterized by a period of oscillation of 20 years and a decay time of 26.4 years. The spatial structure of the real part of POP2 has a dipole-like structure with the highest positive loadings over France, southern Germany and Romania and negative loadings over southern part of Spain. The third POP mode, in terms of stability, explains 14.0% of the total variance and is characterized by a period of oscillation of 33 years and a decay time of 43.5 years. The real part of POP3 is characterized by negative loadings over the eastern part of Europe and positive loadings over Turkey. The fourth stable POP mode, explaining 15.5% of the total variance, is characterized by an oscillation of 65 years and a damping time of 54 years. The spatial structure of POP4 is characterized by positive loadings over France and negative loadings over the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula and the eastern part of Europe. The stable POP modes identified could be related to preferred modes of climate variability that are characterized by similar oscillation periods (e.g. the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, which is defined as a coherent pattern of variability in basin-wide North Atlantic sea surface temperatures with a period of 60-80 years). The decadal components identified by the POP analysis can be used operationally by decision makers as early predictors of drought conditions over the southern part of Europe.

Range estimates of whale signals recorded by triplets of hydrophones.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Bras, R. J.; Nielsen, P.

2017-12-01

The International Monitoring System of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization includes a hydroacoustic network as one of the monitoring technologies. The underwater part of this network includes six stations and is now complete with the recent installation of the HA04 station located in the Southern Ocean island of Crozet (France). A large number of calls emanating from marine mammals are recorded by the hydrophones, and we present examples where the animals are sufficiently close that a range estimate can be attempted. We also present examples of scattered arrivals and related interpretations.

[Buccal infection with Gongylonema pulchrum: an indigenous case in France].

PubMed

Battistelli-Lux, C

2013-10-01

Although long known, infestations of the buccal mucosa by nematodes of the Gongylonema genus are rare, particularly in France. Herein we report a new case. A 48-year old man consulted for itching in various parts of the buccal mucosa over the preceding weeks. The patient lived in a rural region in southern Alsace and had never visited Africa. His work comprised overseeing the unloading of flour at the port of Basel. The initial clinical examination was negative. However, the patient managed to photograph a filament previously present in his buccal mucosa, and to ultimately extract a worm. The latter was identified at the Strasbourg Institute of Parasitology by Pr Pesson as a nematode of the genus Gongylonema sp. pulchrum. No other treatment was considered necessary. It is important for dermatologists to be aware of this type of parasitosis. Its stereotyped clinical presentation allows ready diagnosis, but the possible absence of the parasite at the time of the visit may lead to a misdiagnosis of Ekbom syndrome (delusional parasitic infestation). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Evolution of natural populations in the Drosophila melanogaster sigma virus system I. Languedoc (southern France).

PubMed

Fleuriet, A; Periquet, G; Anxolabéhère, D

1990-01-01

In natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster, sigma virus is usually present in a minority of individuals. The virus is transmitted transovarially but is not contagious from fly to fly. Two viral Types (I and II) are found in populations. One of them (Type II) is better adapted to an allele for resistance to the virus, present as a polymorphism in fly populations. Previous observations have led to the hypothesis that a viral Type II originating in central France might be invading populations. The study of Languedoc populations was undertaken to examine this hypothesis. Two striking phenomena were observed. The strong increase in Type II clones frequency (from 0.53 to 0.91) confirmed that there was invasion in this region. The frequency of infected flies also increased dramatically, at levels never observed elsewhere yet, which indicates that Languedoc should present some unusual characteristics. The epidemiological consequences of such a burst, in the case of a pathogenic virus would have to be taken into consideration. Significant changes in other viral characteristics, from 1983 to 1987, in Languedoc populations have also been documented.

Phylogeography of a land snail suggests trans-Mediterranean neolithic transport.

PubMed

Jesse, Ruth; Véla, Errol; Pfenninger, Markus

2011-01-01

Fragmented distribution ranges of species with little active dispersal capacity raise the question about their place of origin and the processes and timing of either range fragmentation or dispersal. The peculiar distribution of the land snail Tudorella sulcata s. str. in Southern France, Sardinia and Algeria is such a challenging case. Statistical phylogeographic analyses with mitochondrial COI and nuclear hsp70 haplotypes were used to answer the questions of the species' origin, sequence and timing of dispersal. The origin of the species was on Sardinia. Starting from there, a first expansion to Algeria and then to France took place. Abiotic and zoochorous dispersal could be excluded by considering the species' life style, leaving only anthropogenic translocation as parsimonious explanation. The geographic expansion could be dated to approximately 8,000 years before present with a 95% confidence interval of 10,000 to 3,000 years before present. This period coincides with the Neolithic expansion in the Western Mediterranean, suggesting a role of these settlers as vectors. Our findings thus propose that non-domesticated animals and plants may give hints on the direction and timing of early human expansion routes.

Selected contributions from the 11th Gas in Marine Sediments International Conference of September 2012, Nice: an introduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pierre, Catherine; Imbert, Patrice; Mascle, Jean

2014-06-01

This Introduction presents an overview of selected contributions from the 11th Gas in Marine Sediments International Conference held on the 4-7 September 2012 in Nice, France, and published in this special issue of Geo-Marine Letters under the guest editorship of Catherine Pierre, Patrice Imbert and Jean Mascle. These cover fluid seepage dynamics at widely varying spatiotemporal scales in a giant buried caldera of the Caspian Sea, mud volcanoes and pockmarks in the Mediterranean and adjoining Gulf of Cadiz, as well as Lake Baikal, pockmarks of shallower waters along the Atlantic French coast and in Baltic Sea lagoons, deepwater pockmarks and cold seeps on the Norwegian margin and the Hikurangi Margin of New Zealand, asphalt seepage sites offshore southern California, and the tectonically controlled southern Chile forearc. We look forward to meeting all again at the 12th Gas in Marine Sediments conference scheduled for 1-6 September 2014 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Laboratory and field measurements of enantiomeric monoterpene emissions as a function of chemotype, light and temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, W.; Staudt, M.; Bourgeois, I.; Williams, J.

2014-03-01

Plants emit significant amounts of monoterpenes into the earth's atmosphere, where they react rapidly to form a multitude of gas phase species and particles. Many monoterpenes exist in mirror-image forms or enantiomers. In this study the enantiomeric monoterpene profile for several representative plants (Quercus ilex L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., and Pinus halepensis Mill.) was investigated as a function of chemotype, light and temperature both in the laboratory and in the field. Analysis of enantiomeric monoterpenes from 19 Quercus ilex individuals from Southern France and Spain revealed four regiospecific chemotypes (genetically fixed emission patterns). In agreement with previous work, only Quercus ilex emissions increased strongly with light. However, for all three plant species no consistent enantiomeric variation was observed as a function of light, and the enantiomeric ratio of α-pinene was found to vary by less than 20% from 100 and 1000 μmol m-2 s-1 PAR (photosynthetically active radiation). The rate of monoterpene emission increased with temperature from all three plant species, but little variation in the enantiomeric distribution of α-pinene was observed with temperature. There was more enantiomeric variability between individuals of the same species than could be induced by either light or temperature. Field measurements of α-pinene enantiomer mixing ratios in the air, taken at a Quercus ilex forest in Southern France, and several other previously reported field enantiomeric ratio diel cycle profiles are compared. All show smoothly varying diel cycles (some positive and some negative) even over changing wind directions. This is surprising in comparison with variations of enantiomeric emission patterns shown by individuals of the same species.

Rapid evolution of phenology during range expansion with recent climate change.

PubMed

Lustenhouwer, Nicky; Wilschut, Rutger A; Williams, Jennifer L; van der Putten, Wim H; Levine, Jonathan M

2018-02-01

Although climate warming is expected to make habitat beyond species' current cold range edge suitable for future colonization, this new habitat may present an array of biotic or abiotic conditions not experienced within the current range. Species' ability to shift their range with climate change may therefore depend on how populations evolve in response to such novel environmental conditions. However, due to the recent nature of thus far observed range expansions, the role of rapid adaptation during climate change migration is only beginning to be understood. Here, we evaluated evolution during the recent native range expansion of the annual plant Dittrichia graveolens, which is spreading northward in Europe from the Mediterranean region. We examined genetically based differentiation between core and edge populations in their phenology, a trait that is likely under selection with shorter growing seasons and greater seasonality at northern latitudes. In parallel common garden experiments at range edges in Switzerland and the Netherlands, we grew plants from Dutch, Swiss, and central and southern French populations. Population genetic analysis following RAD-sequencing of these populations supported the hypothesized central France origins of the Swiss and Dutch range edge populations. We found that in both common gardens, northern plants flowered up to 4 weeks earlier than southern plants. This differentiation in phenology extended from the core of the range to the Netherlands, a region only reached from central France over approximately the last 50 years. Fitness decreased as plants flowered later, supporting the hypothesized benefits of earlier flowering at the range edge. Our results suggest that native range expanding populations can rapidly adapt to novel environmental conditions in the expanded range, potentially promoting their ability to spread. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Characteristics of radar-derived hailstreaks across Central Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunz, Michael; Fluck, Elody; Schmidberger, Manuel; Jürgen Punge, Heinz; Baumstark, Sven

2017-04-01

Hailstorms are among the most damaging natural disasters in various parts of Europe. For example, two supercells in Germany, on 27 and 28 July 2013, bearing hailstones with a diameter of up to 10 cm, caused economic losses of around 4.0 billion EUR. Despite the large damage potential of severe hailstorms, knowledge about the probability and severity of hail events and hailstorm-favoring conditions in Europe still is limited. A large event set of past severe thunderstorms that occurred between 2004 and 2014 was identified for Germany, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg from radar data considering a lower threshold of 55 dBZ of the maximum Constant Altitude Plan Position Indicator (maxCAPPI). Additional filtering with lightning data and applying a cell tracking algorithm improves the reliability of the detected severe thunderstorm tracks. The obtained statistics show a gradual increase of the track density with increasing distance to the Atlantic and several local-scale maxima, mostly around the mountains. Both the seasonal and daily cycle of severe thunderstorms show large differences across the investigation area. For example, while in Southern France most events occur in June, the peak month in Northern Germany is August, which can be plausibly explained by differences in convective energy due to the large-scale circulation. Furthermore, ambient conditions in terms of convection-related quantities (e.g., CAPE, wind shear, lapse rate) and prevailing synoptic scale fronts were studied both for the entire event set and a subset, where radar-derived storm tracks were combined with hail observations provided by the European Severe Weather Database ESWD. Over Northern Germany, for example, up to 40% of all radar-derived thunderstorm tracks were associated with cold fronts, while in Southern Germany the ratio is only around 20%. Overall, around 25% of all hail streaks were associated with cold fronts.

Decreasing Fires in Mediterranean Europe

PubMed Central

Turco, Marco; Bedia, Joaquín; Di Liberto, Fabrizio; Fiorucci, Paolo; von Hardenberg, Jost; Koutsias, Nikos; Llasat, Maria-Carmen; Xystrakis, Fotios; Provenzale, Antonello

2016-01-01

Forest fires are a serious environmental hazard in southern Europe. Quantitative assessment of recent trends in fire statistics is important for assessing the possible shifts induced by climate and other environmental/socioeconomic changes in this area. Here we analyse recent fire trends in Portugal, Spain, southern France, Italy and Greece, building on a homogenized fire database integrating official fire statistics provided by several national/EU agencies. During the period 1985-2011, the total annual burned area (BA) displayed a general decreasing trend, with the exception of Portugal, where a heterogeneous signal was found. Considering all countries globally, we found that BA decreased by about 3020 km2 over the 27-year-long study period (i.e. about -66% of the mean historical value). These results are consistent with those obtained on longer time scales when data were available, also yielding predominantly negative trends in Spain and France (1974-2011) and a mixed trend in Portugal (1980-2011). Similar overall results were found for the annual number of fires (NF), which globally decreased by about 12600 in the study period (about -59%), except for Spain where, excluding the provinces along the Mediterranean coast, an upward trend was found for the longer period. We argue that the negative trends can be explained, at least in part, by an increased effort in fire management and prevention after the big fires of the 1980’s, while positive trends may be related to recent socioeconomic transformations leading to more hazardous landscape configurations, as well as to the observed warming of recent decades. We stress the importance of fire data homogenization prior to analysis, in order to alleviate spurious effects associated with non-stationarities in the data due to temporal variations in fire detection efforts. PMID:26982584

Decreasing Fires in Mediterranean Europe.

PubMed

Turco, Marco; Bedia, Joaquín; Di Liberto, Fabrizio; Fiorucci, Paolo; von Hardenberg, Jost; Koutsias, Nikos; Llasat, Maria-Carmen; Xystrakis, Fotios; Provenzale, Antonello

2016-01-01

Forest fires are a serious environmental hazard in southern Europe. Quantitative assessment of recent trends in fire statistics is important for assessing the possible shifts induced by climate and other environmental/socioeconomic changes in this area. Here we analyse recent fire trends in Portugal, Spain, southern France, Italy and Greece, building on a homogenized fire database integrating official fire statistics provided by several national/EU agencies. During the period 1985-2011, the total annual burned area (BA) displayed a general decreasing trend, with the exception of Portugal, where a heterogeneous signal was found. Considering all countries globally, we found that BA decreased by about 3020 km2 over the 27-year-long study period (i.e. about -66% of the mean historical value). These results are consistent with those obtained on longer time scales when data were available, also yielding predominantly negative trends in Spain and France (1974-2011) and a mixed trend in Portugal (1980-2011). Similar overall results were found for the annual number of fires (NF), which globally decreased by about 12600 in the study period (about -59%), except for Spain where, excluding the provinces along the Mediterranean coast, an upward trend was found for the longer period. We argue that the negative trends can be explained, at least in part, by an increased effort in fire management and prevention after the big fires of the 1980's, while positive trends may be related to recent socioeconomic transformations leading to more hazardous landscape configurations, as well as to the observed warming of recent decades. We stress the importance of fire data homogenization prior to analysis, in order to alleviate spurious effects associated with non-stationarities in the data due to temporal variations in fire detection efforts.

The invasive New Guinea flatworm Platydemus manokwari in France, the first record for Europe: time for action is now.

PubMed

Justine, Jean-Lou; Winsor, Leigh; Gey, Delphine; Gros, Pierre; Thévenot, Jessica

2014-01-01

Non-indigenous terrestrial flatworms (Platyhelminthes) have been recorded in thirteen European countries. They include Bipalium kewense and Dolichoplana striata that are largely restricted to hothouses and may be regarded as non-invasive species. In addition there are species from the southern hemisphere such as the invasive New Zealand flatworm Arthurdendyus triangulatus in the United Kingdom, Eire and the Faroe Islands, the Australian flatworm Australoplana sanguinea alba in Eire and the United Kingdom, and the Australian Blue Garden flatworm Caenoplana coerulea in France, Menorca and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has some twelve or more non-indigenous species most of which are Australian and New Zealand species. These species may move to an invasive stage when optimum environmental and other conditions occur, and the flatworms then have the potential to cause economic or environmental harm. In this paper, we report the identification (from morphology and molecular analysis of COI sequences) of non-indigenous terrestrial flatworms found in a hothouse in Caen (France) as the New Guinea flatworm Platydemus manokwari de Beauchamp, 1963 (Platyhelminthes, Continenticola, Geoplanidae, Rhynchodeminae). Platydemus manokwari is among the "100 World's Worst Invader Alien Species". Lists of World geographic records, prey in the field and prey in laboratories of P. manokwari are provided. This species is considered a threat to native snails wherever it is introduced. The recent discovery of P. manokwari in France represents a significant extension of distribution of this Invasive Alien Species from the Indo-Pacific region to Europe. If it escaped the hothouse, the flatworm might survive winters and become established in temperate countries. The existence of this species in France requires an early warning of this incursion to State and European Union authorities, followed by the eradication of the flatworm in its locality, tightening of internal quarantine measures to prevent further spread of the flatworm to and from this site, identifying if possible the likely primary source of the flatworm, and tracing other possible incursions that may have resulted from accidental dispersal of plants and soil from the site.

Spatial and temporal distribution of the vibrionaceae in coastal waters of Hawaii, Australia, and France.

PubMed

Jones, B W; Maruyama, A; Ouverney, C C; Nishiguchi, M K

2007-08-01

Relatively little is known about large-scale spatial and temporal fluctuations in bacterioplankton, especially within the bacterial families. In general, however, a number of abiotic factors (namely, nutrients and temperature) appear to influence distribution. Community dynamics within the Vibrionaceae are of particular interest to biologists because this family contains a number of important pathogenic, commensal, and mutualist species. Of special interest to this study is the mutualism between sepiolid squids and Vibrio fischeri and Vibrio logei, where host squids seed surrounding waters daily with their bacterial partners. This study seeks to examine the spatial and temporal distribution of the Vibrionaceae with respect to V. fischeri and V. logei in Hawaii, southeastern Australia, and southern France sampling sites. In particular, we examine how the presence of sepiolid squid hosts influences community population structure within the Vibrionaceae. We found that abiotic (temperature) and biotic (host distribution) factors both influence population dynamics. In Hawaii, three sites within squid host habitat contained communities of Vibrionaceae with higher proportions of V. fischeri. In Australia, V. fischeri numbers at host collection sites were greater than other populations; however, there were no spatial or temporal patterns seen at other sample sites. In France, host presence did not appear to influence Vibrio communities, although sampled populations were significantly greater in the winter than summer sampling periods. Results of this study demonstrate the importance of understanding how both abiotic and biotic factors interact to influence bacterial community structure within the Vibrionaceae.

Low flows and reservoir management for the Durance River basin (Southern France) in the 2050s

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sauquet, Eric

2015-04-01

The Durance River is one of the major rivers located in the Southern part of France. Water resources are under high pressure due to significant water abstractions for human uses within and out of the natural boundaries of the river basin through an extended open channel network. Water demands are related to irrigation, hydropower, drinking water, industries and more recently water management has included water needs for recreational uses as well as for preserving ecological services. Water is crucial for all these activities and for the socio-economic development of South Eastern France. Both socio-economic development and population evolution will probably modify needs for water supply, irrigation, energy consumption, tourism, industry, etc. In addition the Durance river basin will have to face climate change and its impact on water availability that may question the sustainability of the current rules for water allocation. The research project R²D²-2050 "Risk, water Resources and sustainable Development within the Durance river basin in 2050" aims at assessing future water availability and risks of water shortage in the 2050s by taking into account changes in both climate and water management. R²D²-2050 is partially funded by the French Ministry in charge of Ecology and the Rhône-Méditerranée Water Agency. This multidisciplinary project (2010-2014) involves Irstea, Electricité de France (EDF), the University Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris), LTHE (CNRS), the Société du Canal de Provence (SCP) and the research and consultancy company ACTeon. A set of models have been developed to simulate climate at regional scale (given by 330 projections obtained by applying three downscaling methods), water resources (provided by seven rainfall-runoff models forced by a subset of 330 climate projections), water demand for agriculture and drinking water, for different sub basins of the Durance River basin upstream of Mallemort under present day and under future conditions. A model of water management similar to the tools used by Electricité De France was calibrated to simulate the behavior of the three reservoirs Serre-Ponçon, Castillon, Sainte-Croix on present-day conditions. This model simulates water releases from reservoir under constraints imposed by rule curves, ecological flows downstream to the dams and water levels in summer for recreational purposes. The results demonstrate the relatively good performance of this simplified model and its ability to represent the influence of reservoir operations on the natural hydrological river flow regime, the decision-making involved in water management and the interactions at regional scale. Four territorial socio-economic scenarios have been also elaborated with the help of stake holders to project water needs in the 2050s for the area supplied with water from the Durance River basin. This presentation will focus on the specific tools developed within the project to simulate water management and water abstractions. The main conclusions related to the risk of water shortage in the 2050s and the level of satisfaction for each water use will be also discussed.

Two examples of subaqueously welded ash-flow tuffs: the Visean of southern Vosges (France) and the Upper Cretaceous of northern Anatolia (Turkey)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, Jean-Luc; Fourquin, Claude; Paicheler, Jean-Claude

1992-02-01

Pyroclastic deposits interpreted as subaqueous ash-flow tuff have been recognized within Archean to Recent marine and lacustrine sequences. Several authors proposed a high-temperature emplacement for some of these tuffs. However, the subaqueous welding of pyroclastic deposits remains controversial. The Visean marine volcaniclastic formations of southern Vosges (France) contain several layers of rhyolitic and rhyodacitic ash-flow tuff. These deposits include, from proximal to distal settings, breccia, lapilli and fine-ash tuff. The breccia and lapilli tuff are partly welded, as indicated by the presence of fiamme, fluidal and axiolitic structures. The lapilli tuff form idealized sections with a lower, coarse and welded unit and an upper, bedded and unwelded fine-ash tuff. Sedimentary structures suggest that the fine-ash tuff units were deposited by turbidity currents. Welded breccias, interbedded in a thick submarine volcanic complex, indicate the close proximity of the volcanic source. The lapilli and fine-ash tuff are interbedded in a thick marine sequence composed of alternating sandstones and shales. Presence of a marine stenohaline fauna and sedimentary structures attest to a marine depositional environment below storm-wave base. In northern Anatolia, thick massive sequences of rhyodacitic crystal tuff are interbedded with the Upper Cretaceous marine turbidites of the Mudurnu basin. Some of these tuffs are welded. As in southern Vosges, partial welding is attested by the presence of fiamme and fluidal structures. The latter are frequent in the fresh vitric matrix. These tuff units contain a high proportion of vitroclasis, and were emplaced by ash flows. Welded tuff units are associated with non-welded crystal tuff, and contain abundant bioclasts which indicate mixing with water during flowage. At the base, basaltic breccia beds are associated with micritic beds containing a marine fauna. The welded and non-welded tuff sequences are interbedded in an alternation of limestones and marls. These limestones are rich in pelagic microfossils. The evidence above strongly suggest that in both examples, tuff beds are partly welded and were emplaced at high temperature by subaqueous ash flows in a permanent marine environment. The sources of the pyroclastic material are unknown in both cases. We propose that the ash flows were produced during submarine fissure eruptions. Such eruptions could produce non-turbulent flows which were insulated by a steam carapace before deposition and welding. The welded ash-flow tuff deposits of southern Vosges and northern Anatolia give strong evidence for existence of subaqueous welding.

Proximate and elemental composition of Chamelea gallina from the southern coast of the Marmara Sea (Turkey).

PubMed

Arik Colakoglu, Fatma; Ormanci, Hasan Basri; Berik, Nermin; Kunili, Ibrahim Ender; Colakoglu, Serhat

2011-11-01

The venerid clam Chamelea gallina is a popular and economic foodstuff around the Mediterranean countries especially in Italy, Spain, and France. The aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional quality of striped venus of Southern Marmara. Samples were harvested seasonally at five stations and analyzed to determine meat yield, proximate, and elemental composition. According to the results, meat yield ranged from 20.24% to 29.94%. Means of water, protein, lipid, and ash content were 67%, 10.12%, 2.57%, and 1.66%, respectively. The mean concentrations (mg/kg wet weight) of elements in tissues are as follows: B: 2.37-4.24; Cr: 0-0.76; Co: 0-0.43; Cu: 0.71-5.30; Mn: 0.30-5.94; Zn: 13.08-77.76; Ni: 0-1.22; Fe: 2.46-114.22; Al: 1.23-75.49; Pb: 0.18-3.24; Ba: 0.66-15.97; Cd: 0.04-0.69. Among the reported metal levels, only Pb and Zn in two stations exceeded the maximum critical concentrations enforced by Turkish legislation and European Commission. Therefore, we report that striped venus from Southern Marmara Sea, in general, are safe for human consumption; nonetheless, Pb and Zn levels should be closely monitored in the future.

A major impact of the influenza seasonal epidemic on intensive care units, Réunion, April to August 2016.

PubMed

Filleul, Laurent; Ranoaritiana, Dany Bakoly; Balleydier, Elsa; Vandroux, David; Ferlay, Clémence; Jaffar-Bandjee, Marie-Christine; Jaubert, Julien; Roquebert, Bénédicte; Lina, Bruno; Valette, Martine; Hubert, Bruno; Larrieu, Sophie; Brottet, Elise

2016-11-24

The 2016 seasonal influenza in Réunion in the southern hemisphere, was dominated by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (possibly genogroup 6B.1). An estimated 100,500 patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI) consulted a physician (cumulative attack rate 11.9%). Sixty-six laboratory-confirmed cases (65.7/100,000 ARI consultations) were hospitalised in an intensive care unit, the highest number since 2009. Impact on intensive care units was major. Correlation between severe cases was 0.83 between Réunion and France and good for 2009 to 2015. This article is copyright of The Authors, 2016.

AGRESTE project: Agricultural resources investigations in northern Italy and southern France

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berg, A. (Principal Investigator); Flouzat, G.; Deparatesi, S. G.

1978-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Recognition of rice varieties at the flowering stage by using airborne scanner data at low altitude (1500 m) seems to be feasible. The accuracies obtained on a reduced test area (3 sq km) range from 65% to 83%. Variations of a single cultural factor, such as nitrogen fertilization, induce variations of the total rice biomass at harvest, which can be correlated closely to the values of the reflectance ratio at earing. When grain production is correlated to total biomass, prediction of yield can be achieved based on reflectance data measured two months before harvest.

A major impact of the influenza seasonal epidemic on intensive care units, Réunion, April to August 2016

PubMed Central

Filleul, Laurent; Ranoaritiana, Dany Bakoly; Balleydier, Elsa; Vandroux, David; Ferlay, Clémence; Jaffar-Bandjee, Marie-Christine; Jaubert, Julien; Roquebert, Bénédicte; Lina, Bruno; Valette, Martine; Hubert, Bruno; Larrieu, Sophie; Brottet, Elise

2016-01-01

The 2016 seasonal influenza in Réunion in the southern hemisphere, was dominated by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (possibly genogroup 6B.1). An estimated 100,500 patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI) consulted a physician (cumulative attack rate 11.9%). Sixty-six laboratory-confirmed cases (65.7/100,000 ARI consultations) were hospitalised in an intensive care unit, the highest number since 2009. Impact on intensive care units was major. Correlation between severe cases was 0.83 between Réunion and France and good for 2009 to 2015. PMID:27918264

Retrospective analyses of fox feces by real-time PCR to identify new endemic areas of Echinococcus multilocularis in France.

PubMed

Umhang, Gérald; Comte, Sébastien; Hormaz, Vanessa; Boucher, Jean-Marc; Raton, Vincent; Favier, Stéphanie; Raoul, Francis; Giraudoux, Patrick; Combes, Benoît; Boué, Franck

2016-11-01

Alveolar echinococcosis is considered to be the most serious zoonosis in the Northern Hemisphere's cold or temperate regions. In Europe, the parasite has a sylvatic life cycle based on predator-prey interactions, mainly between red foxes and small rodents. Echinococcus multilocularis has been observed to have spread across Europe over the last three decades. In France, a westward spread of the parasite's known endemic areas has been described. In this study, a retrospective analysis of fox feces by real-time PCR was carried out in four départements not previously investigated and considered free along with two endemic control departments. The fox feces collected from 2000 to 2004 were analyzed by real-time PCR. Fecal prevalence in the two endemic departments of Doubs and Côte d'Or were estimated at 12 % [6.4-20.0 %] and 4.2 % [1.1-10.3 %], respectively. No positive samples were identified among the 72 feces collected in Drôme or the 112 from Allier, which is consistent with the very low expected prevalence should the parasite be present. Three positive samples were recovered in the Seine-Maritime and Hautes-Alpes départements, resulting in a prevalence of 3.5 % [0.7-10.0 %] and 2.5 % [0.5-7.1 %], respectively. From now on, Hautes-Alpes constitutes the new southern border of the endemic areas in France and confirms the southward expansion previously highlighted. Real-time copro-PCR proved useful in identifying new endemic areas even with low prevalence. Due to the spread of E. multilocularis in France and associated zoonotic risk, it is necessary to expand surveillance in order to fully define all the country's endemic areas. On a continental scale, the development and harmonization of surveillance programs are now needed in order to obtain a global overview of the presence of E. multilocularis and to tailor potential countermeasures.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of fucoid populations (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus serratus): a comparison between central and range edge populations.

PubMed

Araújo, Rita M; Serrão, Ester A; Sousa-Pinto, Isabel; Åberg, Per

2014-01-01

Persistence of populations at range edges relies on local population dynamics and fitness, in the case of geographically isolated populations of species with low dispersal potential. Focusing on spatial variations in demography helps to predict the long-term capability for persistence of populations across the geographical range of species' distribution. The demography of two ecological and phylogenetically close macroalgal species with different life history characteristics was investigated by using stochastic, stage-based matrix models. Populations of Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus serratus were sampled for up to 4 years at central locations in France and at their southern range limits in Portugal. The stochastic population growth rate (λ(s)) of A. nodosum was lower and more variable in central than in southern sites whilst for F. serratus this trend was reversed with λ(s) much lower and more variable in southern than in central populations. Individuals were larger in central than in southern populations for both species, which was reflected in the lower transition probabilities of individuals to larger size classes and higher probability of shrinkage in the southern populations. In both central and southern populations elasticity analysis (proportional sensitivity) of population growth rate showed that fertility elements had a small contribution to λ(s) that was more sensitive to changes in matrix transitions corresponding to survival. The highest elasticities were found for loop transitions in A. nodosum and for growth to larger size classes in F. serratus. Sensitivity analysis showed high selective pressure on individual growth for both species at both locations. The results of this study highlight the deterministic role of species-specific life-history traits in population demography across the geographical range of species. Additionally, this study demonstrates that individuals' life-transitions differ in vulnerability to environmental variability and shows the importance of vegetative compared to reproductive stages for the long-term persistence of populations.

Genesis and significance of the silico-aluminous nodules in the Ordovician of the Montagne Noire and the Massif Armoricain (France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becq-Giraudon, Jean-François; Bouillé, Suzanne; Chauvel, Jean-Jacques

1992-04-01

Siliceous nodules of the Arenigian of the Montagne Noire (southern France) and the Massif Armoricain (western France) are made up of quartz, illite and chlorite with secondary apatite and, less frequently, dolomite. Diffractometrical and geochemical data indicate that the chlorite is a chamosite (trioctahedral 2:1 chlorite), whose development may be accompanied by that of apatite and diminution of illite. Three types of nodules are defined: Type 1, siliceous nodules, with more than 85% of SiO 2, very frequent in the Montagne Noire; Type II, nodules made of a micaceous siltstone with chlorite matrix, abundant in the Massif Armoricain but present also in the Montagne Noire; Type III, chloritic nodules with a finely globular structure, especially developed in the Massif armoricain but observed in the Montagne Noire as well. The nodules are always poorer in illite than their host sediments and often show traces of the initial sediments. Their formation occurs after the deposition and prior to the development of foliation. The frequent presence of undistorted fossil remains suggests an early formation linked to the physico-chemical modifications occurring in an unconsolidated sediment around a decaying organism. The post-depositional mineralogical evolution should have started with an illite/dolomite assemblage and end up with a chamosite-dominant one, under cold climatic conditions. The simultaneous presence of the three types of nodules in the same formation, or even in the same beds, shows that this mineralogical differentiation is not strictly related to the diagenetic and metamorphic transformation of this material.

Comparison of meal patterns across five European countries using standardized 24-h recall (GloboDiet) data from the EFCOVAL project.

PubMed

Park, Min Kyung; Freisling, Heinz; Huseinovic, Ena; Winkvist, Anna; Huybrechts, Inge; Crispim, Sandra Patricia; de Vries, Jeanne H M; Geelen, Anouk; Niekerk, Maryse; van Rossum, Caroline; Slimani, Nadia

2018-04-01

To examine meal patterns in terms of frequency and circadian timing of eating in five European countries participating in the EFCOVAL project. In this cross-sectional study, 559 men and women, aged 44-65 years, were recruited in Belgium, the Czech Republic, France (Southern part), The Netherlands, and Norway. Dietary data were collected by trained interviewers using standardized computerised 24-h recalls (GloboDiet). Means ± SE of (1) eating frequency, (2) overnight fasting, and (3) time between eating occasions were estimated by country using means from 2 days of 24-h recalls. We also estimated the frequency of eating occasions per hour by country as well as the proportional energy intake of meals/snacks by country compared to the mean energy intake of all countries. Mean eating frequency ranged from 4.3 times/day in France to 7.1 times/day in The Netherlands (p < 0.05). Mean overnight fasting was shortest in the Netherlands (9.2 h) and longest in Czech Republic (10.9 h) (p < 0.05). Mean time between single eating occasions was shortest in The Netherlands (2.4 h) and longest in France (4.3 h) (p < 0.05). Different patterns of energy intake by meals and snacks throughout the day were observed across the five countries. We observed distinct differences in meal patterns across the five European countries included in the current study in terms of frequency and circadian timing of eating, and the proportion of energy intake from eating occasions.

Dengue serosurvey after a 2-month long outbreak in Nîmes, France, 2015: was there more than met the eye?

PubMed

Succo, Tiphanie; Noël, Harold; Nikolay, Birgit; Maquart, Marianne; Cochet, Amandine; Leparc-Goffart, Isabelle; Catelinois, Olivier; Salje, Henrik; Pelat, Camille; de Crouy-Chanel, Perrine; de Valk, Henriette; Cauchemez, Simon; Rousseau, Cyril

2018-06-01

BackgroundClusters of dengue cases have recently become more frequent in areas of southern France colonised by the vector mosquito Aedes albopictus . In July 2015, a 2-month outbreak of dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV-1) was reported in Nîmes. Aim: We conducted a serosurvey in the affected area at the end of the vector activity period to determine the true extent of dengue transmission. Methods: We collected capillary blood from consenting household members, and information on their medical and travel histories, and exposure to mosquito bites. Recent infections were identified using IgM and IgG anti-DENV ELISA, followed, when positive, by plaque reduction neutralisation tests on serum against DENV 1-4 and West Nile virus. The prevalence estimator was calibrated on reference demographic data. We quantified the spatial clustering of dengue cases within the affected community and inferred the transmission tree. Results: The study participation rate was 39% (564/1,431). Three of 564 participants tested positive for DENV-1 infection (after marginal calibration, 0.41%; 95% confidence interval: 0.00-0.84). The spatial analysis showed that cases were clustered at the household level. Most participants perceived the presence of mosquitos as abundant (83%) and reported frequent mosquito bites (57%). We incidentally identified six past West Nile virus infections (0.9%; 95% CI: 0.2-1.6). Conclusion: This serosurvey confirms the potential for arboviral diseases to cause outbreaks - albeit limited for now - in France and Europe.

GPS Water Vapor Tomography: First results from the ESCOMPTE Field Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masson, F.; Champollion, C.; Bouin, M.-N.; Walpersdorf, A.; van Baelen, J.; Doerflinger, E.; Bock, O.

2003-04-01

We develop a tomographic software to model the spatial distribution of the tropospheric water vapor from GPS data. First we present simulations based on a real GPS station distribution and simple tropospheric models, which prove the potentiality of the method. Second we apply the software to the ESCOMPTE data. During the ESCOMPTE field experiment, a dense network of 17 dual frequency GPS receivers has been operated for two weeks within a 20 km x 20 km area around Marseille (Southern France). The network extends from the sea level to the top of the Etoile chain (~700 m high). The input data are the slant delay values obtained by combining the estimated zenith delay values with the horizontal gradients. The effect of the initial tropospheric water vapor model, the number and thickness of the layers of the model, the a priori model and data covariance and some other parameters will be discussed. Simultaneously water vapor radiometer, solar spectrometer, Raman lidar and radiosondes have been deployed to get a data set usable for comparison with the tomographic inversion results and validation of the method. Comparison with meteorological models (MesoNH - Meteo-France) will be shown.

Terreneuvian Orthothecid (Hyolitha) Digestive Tracts from Northern Montagne Noire, France; Taphonomic, Ontogenetic and Phylogenetic Implications

PubMed Central

Devaere, Léa; Clausen, Sébastien; Álvaro, J. Javier; Peel, John S.; Vachard, Daniel

2014-01-01

More than 285 specimens of Conotheca subcurvata with three-dimensionally preserved digestive tracts were recovered from the Terreneuvian (early Cambrian) Heraultia Limestone of the northern Montagne Noire, southern France. They represent one of the oldest occurrences of such preserved guts. The newly discovered operculum of some complete specimens provides additional data allowing emendation of the species diagnosis. Infestation of the U-shaped digestive tracts by smooth uniseriate, branching to anastomosing filaments along with isolated botryoidal coccoids attests to their early, microbially mediated phosphatisation. Apart from taphonomic deformation, C. subcurvata exhibits three different configurations of the digestive tract: (1) anal tube and gut parallel, straight to slightly undulating; (2) anal tube straight and loosely folded gut; and (3) anal tube straight and gut straight with local zigzag folds. The arrangement of the digestive tracts and its correlation with the mean apertural diameter of the specimens are interpreted as ontogenetically dependent. The simple U-shaped gut, usually considered as characteristic of the Hyolithida, developed in earlier stages of C. subcurvata, whereas the more complex orthothecid type-3 only appears in largest specimens. This growth pattern suggests a distinct phylogenetic relationship between these two hyolith orders through heterochronic processes. PMID:24533118

Evolution of the Drosophila melanogaster-sigma virus system in a natural population from Tübingen.

PubMed

Fleuriet, A; Sperlich, D

1992-11-01

In natural populations of D. melanogaster, usually, a minority of individuals are infected by a Rhabdovirus called sigma. This virus is not contagious but is vertically transmitted through the gametes. In D. melanogaster, a polymorphism for two alleles (O, permissive and P, restrictive) of a gene responsible for resistance to the virus is regularly observed in the wild. On the virus side two types are found, which differ in their sensitivity to the P allele: Type I is very sensitive, and Type II more resistant. Previous findings had led to the hypothesis that an invasion of Type II clones, starting from central France, might be spreading over European populations. This replacement of viral Type I by viral Type II in natural populations could be observed in Languedoc (southern France), where it led to a dramatic increase in the frequency of infected flies. The invasion hypothesis is confirmed by the data from samples collected at Tübingen, where the frequency of Type II clones increased from 0.27 to 0.93 over a 6-year period (1985-1991). However, over the same period, no increase in the frequency of infected flies was observed. The evolution of other viral characteristics is discussed.

Preterm birth and maternal country of birth in a French district with a multiethnic population.

PubMed

Zeitlin, J; Bucourt, M; Rivera, L; Topuz, B; Papiernik, E

2004-08-01

This analysis explores the association between preterm birth and maternal country of birth in a French district with a multiethnic population. Prospective observational study. District of Seine-Saint-Denis in France 48,746 singleton live births from a population-based birth register between October 1998 and December 2000. We compare preterm birth rates by mother's country of birth controlling for demographic and obstetric factors as well as insurance coverage and timing of initiation of antenatal care. Overall preterm birth rates and preterm birth rates by timing of delivery (<33 weeks versus 33-36 weeks of gestation), mode of onset (spontaneous or indicated preterm birth) and the presence of hypertension in pregnancy. Women born in Northern Africa, Southern Europe and South/East Asia did not have higher preterm birth rates than women born in continental France. Rates were significantly higher for women born in the overseas French districts in the Caribbean and Indian Ocean and Sub-Saharan Africa. Excess risk was greatest for early preterm births, medically indicated births and preterm births associated with hypertension. Patterns of preterm birth with relation to timing, mode of onset and medical complications among of Afro-Caribbean origin should be confirmed in future research.

Quaternary disappearance of tree taxa from Southern Europe: Timing and trends

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magri, Donatella; Di Rita, Federico; Aranbarri, Josu; Fletcher, William; González-Sampériz, Penélope

2017-05-01

A hundred pollen and plant macrofossil records from the Iberian Peninsula, Southern France, the Italian Peninsula, Greece and the Aegean, and the southwestern Black Sea area formed the basis for a review of the Quaternary distribution and extirpation of tree populations from Southern Europe. Following a discussion of the caveats/challenges about using pollen data, the Quaternary history of tree taxa has been reconstructed with attention to Taxodium/Glyptostrobus, Sciadopitys, Cathaya, Cedrus, Tsuga, Eucommia, Engelhardia, Carya, Pterocarya, Parrotia, Liquidambar, and Zelkova. The timing of extinction, distributed over the whole Quaternary, appears very diverse from one region to the other, in agreement with current biodiversity in Southern Europe. The geographical patterns of persistence/disappearance of taxa show unexpected trends and rule out a simple North to South and/or West to East trend in extirpations. In particular, it is possible to detect disjunct populations (Engelhardia), long-term persistence of taxa in restricted regions (Sciadopitys), distinct populations/species/genera in different geographical areas (Taxodium type). Some taxa that are still widespread in Europe have undergone extirpation in Mediterranean areas in the lateglacial period and Holocene (Buxus, Carpinus betulus, Picea); they provide an indication of the modes of disappearance of tree populations that may be useful to evaluate correctly the vulnerability of modern fragmented plant populations. The demographic histories of tree taxa obtained by combined palaeobotanical and genetic studies is a most challenging field of research needed not only to assess species/population differentiation, but also to reach a better understanding of extinction processes, an essential task in the current global change scenario.

Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) project: progress and status after 2 years

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meiring, Jacobus G.; Buckley, David A. H.; Lomberg, Michael C.; Stobie, Robert S.

2003-02-01

The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) is a 10-m class optical/IR segmented mirror telescope based on the groundbreaking, low cost, Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) design. Approval to construct and operate SALT, which will be the largest single optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere, was given by the South African Government in November 1999, after sufficient guarantees of matching funding from international partners were secured. Facility construction started in January 2001, and SALT is due to start operations by December 2004. SALT will enable a quantum leap in astronomical research capability in Southern Africa, and indeed the continent, where currently the largest telescope is a modest 1.9-m, dating to the 1940s. A substantial amount of design work for SALT has been completed, sourced from multiple suppliers, with ~60% South African content. South African industry is well equipped to handle the construction of most of the telescope, the exceptions being the glass ceramic mirror blanks (from LZOS in Russia), the polishing and ion figuring of these (Eastman Kodak in the USA), and fabrication of the four-element spherical aberration corrector (SAGEM in France). This paper will present (1) the scientific requirements, (2) the specified performance of SALT, (3) the basic design, with emphasis on the innovative modifications to the HET design that enable significantly improved performance, (4) the progress and status of the project, currently in its construction phase, (5) the first generation instrument suite, (6) the management and organisation of the project and (7) the international partnership in SALT.

Molecular evidence for gender differences in the migratory behaviour of a small seabird.

PubMed

Medeiros, Renata J; King, R Andrew; Symondson, William O C; Cadiou, Bernard; Zonfrillo, Bernard; Bolton, Mark; Morton, Rab; Howell, Stephen; Clinton, Anthony; Felgueiras, Marcial; Thomas, Robert J

2012-01-01

Molecular sexing revealed an unexpectedly strong female bias in the sex ratio of pre-breeding European Storm Petrels (Hydrobates pelagicus), attracted to playback of conspecific calls during their northwards migration past SW Europe. This bias was consistent across seven years, ranging from 80.8% to 89.7% female (mean annual sex ratio ± SD = 85.5% female ±4.1%). The sex ratio did not differ significantly from unity (i.e., 50% female) among (i) Storm Petrel chicks at a breeding colony in NW France, (ii) adults found dead on beaches in Southern Portugal, (iii) breeding birds attending nest burrows in the UK, captured by hand, and (iv) adults captured near a breeding colony in the UK using copies of the same sound recordings as used in Southern Europe, indicating that females are not inherently more strongly attracted to playback calls than males. A morphological discriminant function analysis failed to provide a good separation of the sexes, showing the importance of molecular sexing for this species. We found no sex difference in the seasonal or nocturnal timing of migration past Southern Europe, but there was a significant tendency for birds to be caught in sex-specific aggregations. The preponderance of females captured in Southern Europe suggests that the sexes may differ in migration route or in their colony-prospecting behaviour during migration, at sites far away from their natal colonies. Such differences in migration behaviour between males and females are poorly understood but have implications for the vulnerability of seabirds to pollution and environmental change at sea during the non-breeding season.

Ecosystem studies in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean undertaken by the training vessel Umitaka-maru

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moteki, Masato; Odate, Tsuneo; Hosie, Graham W.; Takahashi, Kunio T.; Swadling, Kerrie M.; Tanimura, Atsushi

2017-06-01

This special issue provides an overview of the ten voyages undertaken by the Umitaka-maru from the austral summers of 2002/2003 to 2014/2015 to promote the next phase of study of the ecosystems in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean. The voyages by the Umitaka-maru have mainly targeted three areas in the Indian Ocean sector: off Dumont d'Urville Base (France, 140°E transect), off Casey Station (Australia, 110°E transect), and off Syowa Station (Japan, north of Lützow Holm Bay). The findings of Umitaka-maru's research on the krill-independent food web, animal assemblages, community structure and distribution patterns from the epipelagic to the deeper waters provide invaluable information for elucidating the material cycle and predicting future ecosystem changes. Further studies on assessing the influence of sea ice on food webs in the water column are required, which will provide crucial information for predicting ecosystem changes as a result of projected sea ice changes in the near future.

Archaeomagnetic results from southern Italy and their bearing on geomagnetic secular variation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, M. E.; Hoye, G. S.

2005-07-01

Archaeodirectional results from kilns and other baked structures in southern Italy are presented. They are generally compatible with the much larger data sets from France and Bulgaria. In particular, a summary of all the results associated with the well-known eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii ( n = 9, D = 355°, I = 58°, α95 = 1.5°) provides a reliable archaeomagnetic anchor point supporting the French and Bulgarian master curves. It is extremely well-constrained in time and it comprises independent studies carried out in four different countries. Furthermore, it is derived from a diverse set of features agreement amongst which argues strongly against significant perturbations due to magnetic refraction, structural disturbance, or depositional shallowing. In terms of geomagnetic secular variation, we interpret the western European archaeomagnetic data summarized here in terms of an open loop caused by westward drift, followed by an inclination low spanning the first few centuries CE representing the signal of a static flux pulse that reaches a maximum magnetic moment of a few percent of the earth's main central dipole.

On the identity of the fossil aquatic beetles from the Tertiary localities in the southern part of the Upper Rhine Graben (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Dytiscidae)

PubMed Central

Martin, Fikáček; Hájek, Jiří; Schmied, Heiko

2011-01-01

Abstract This study focuses on the fossil beetles assigned previously to the family Hydrophilidae described from the localities in the southern part of the Upper Rhine Graben: Brunstatt (France, Alsace) and Kleinkems (Germany, Baden-Württemberg) (both dated ca. to Eocene-Oligocene boundary, 34 Ma). The identity of Escheria convexa Förster, 1891 is fixed by the designation of its neotype, the species is redescribed, illustrated, transferred from the hydrophilid genus Hydrobius Leach, 1815 to the genus Copelatus Erichson, 1832 (Coleoptera: Adephaga: Dytiscidae) and compared with other fossil representatives of Copelatus. The identity of the remaining three species, Hydrobius crassipunctatus (Förster, 1891), Hydrobius dimidiatus (Förster, 1891) and Hydrobius punctulatus (Förster, 1891),is briefly evaluated on the basis of the original descriptions and illustrations only, because their types were lost or destroyed during World War II; all three species are removed from the fossil record of the Hydrophiloidea and placed into Polyphaga incertae sedis. The geology and stratigraphy of Brunnstatt and Kleinkems are discussed briefly. PMID:21594154

The Meladema Laporte, 1835 (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae) of the Sahara Desert.

PubMed

Ribera, Ignacio; Bilton, David T; Cardoso, Anabela

2018-03-20

Meladema Laporte, 1835 is a genus of large diving beetles, found in the Western Palaearctic, from the Canary Islands and Madeira to western Turkey (Bilton Ribera 2017). The genus currently contains four species: the widespread M. coriacea Laporte, 1835, distributed from the Canary Islands to Turkey and ranging from southern France and the central Balkans south to the central Sahara, two Atlantic Island endemics, M. imbricata (Wollaston, 1871) from the western Canary Islands and M. lanio (Fabricius, 1775) from the main island of Madeira, and a fourth, recently described species, M. lepidoptera Bilton Ribera, 2017 from the Tyrrhenian Islands (Corsica, Sardinia, Elba, Montecristo) and parts of the Italian mainland (Bilton Ribera 2017).

[A Lumière's pharmacist: Marius Sestier (1861-1928)].

PubMed

Raynal, Cécile

2010-04-01

During the year 1896 Marius Sestier, the young pharmacist from the french city Lyon, becomes cinematograph operator for the Lumière brothers. Sent in Australia to use the recent invention, he must come back in France after only one year in the southern hemisphere. In Lyon, he remains in Lumière's service but becomes pharmacist again. He's employed as the responsible pharmacist of the new society created by Auguste Lumière: "la Société des Produits chimiques spéciaux "Brevets Lumière". This essay relates Sestier's biography and, concurrently, several drugs, foundation and development of those laboratories wich are well known as "Laboratoires Lumière".

Kinematics and Metallicity of M31 Red Giants: The Giant Southern Stream and Discovery of a Second Cold Component at R=20 kpc

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalirai, Jasonjot S.; Guhathakurta, Puragra; Gilbert, Karoline M.; Reitzel, David B.; Majewski, Steven R.; Rich, R. Michael; Cooper, Michael C.

2006-04-01

We present spectroscopic observations of red giant branch (RGB) stars in the Andromeda spiral galaxy (M31), acquired with the DEIMOS instrument on the Keck II 10 m telescope. The three fields targeted in this study are in the M31 spheroid, outer disk, and giant southern stream. In this paper, we focus on the kinematics and chemical composition of RGB stars in the stream field located at a projected distance of R=20 kpc from M31's center. A mix of stellar populations is found in this field. M31 RGB stars are isolated from Milky Way dwarf star contaminants using a variety of spectral and photometric diagnostics. The radial velocity distribution of RGB stars displays a clear bimodality-a primary peak centered at v¯1=-513 km s-1 and a secondary one at v¯2=-417 km s-1-along with an underlying broad component that is presumably representative of the smooth spheroid of M31. Both peaks are found to be dynamically cold with intrinsic velocity dispersions of σ(v)~16 km s-1. The mean metallicity and metallicity dispersion of stars in the two peaks is also found to be similar: <[Fe/H]>~-0.45 and σ([Fe/H])=0.2. The observed velocity of the primary peak is consistent with that predicted by dynamical models for the stream, but there is no obvious explanation for the secondary peak. The nature of the secondary cold population is unclear: it may represent (1) tidal debris from a satellite merger event that is superimposed on, but unrelated to, the giant southern stream; (2) a wrapped around component of the giant southern stream; or (3) a warp or overdensity in M31's disk at Rdisk>50 kpc (this component is well above the outward extrapolation of the smooth exponential disk brightness profile). Data presented herein were obtained at the W. M. Keck Observatory, which is operated as a scientific partnership among the California Institute of Technology, the University of California, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Observatory was made possible by the generous financial support of the W. M. Keck Foundation. Based on observations obtained with MegaPrime/MegaCam, a joint project of CFHT and CEA/DAPNIA, at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), which is operated by the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, the Institut National des Science de l'Univers of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) of France, and the University of Hawaii.

Predictability of the atmospheric conditions leading to extreme weather events in the Western Mediterranean Region in comparison with the seasonal mean conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khodayar, Samiro; Kalthoff, Norbert

2013-04-01

Among all severe convective weather situations, fall season heavy rainfall represents the most threatening phenomenon in the western Mediterranean region. Devastating flash floods occur every year somewhere in eastern Spain, southern France, Italy, or North Africa, being responsible for a great proportion of the fatalities, property losses, and destruction of infrastructure caused by natural hazards. Investigations in the area have shown that most of the heavy rainfall events in this region can be attributed to mesoscale convective systems. The main goal of this investigation is to understand and identify the atmospheric conditions that favor the initiation and development of such systems. Insight of the involved processes and conditions will improve their predictability and help preventing some of the fatal consequences related with the occurrence of these weather phenomena. The HyMeX (Hydrological cycle in the Mediterranean eXperiment) provides a unique framework to investigate this issue. Making use of high-resolution seasonal simulations with the COSMO-CLM model the mean atmospheric conditions of the fall season, September, October and November, are investigated in different western Mediterranean regions such as eastern Spain, Southern France, northern Africa and Italy. The precipitation distribution, its daily cycle, and probability distribution function are evaluated to ascertain the similarities and differences between the regions of interest, as well as the spatial distribution of extreme events. Additionally, the regional differences of the boundary layer and mid-tropospheric conditions, atmospheric stability and inhibition, and low-level triggering are presented. Selected high impact weather HyMeX episodes' are analyzed with special focus on the atmospheric pre-conditions leading to the extreme weather situations. These pre-conditions are then compared to the mean seasonal conditions to identify and point out possible anomalies in the atmospheric conditions which could favor the initiation and intensification of extreme precipitation weather events.

The VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS) . Galaxy clustering and redshift-space distortions at z ≃ 0.8 in the first data release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de la Torre, S.; Guzzo, L.; Peacock, J. A.; Branchini, E.; Iovino, A.; Granett, B. R.; Abbas, U.; Adami, C.; Arnouts, S.; Bel, J.; Bolzonella, M.; Bottini, D.; Cappi, A.; Coupon, J.; Cucciati, O.; Davidzon, I.; De Lucia, G.; Fritz, A.; Franzetti, P.; Fumana, M.; Garilli, B.; Ilbert, O.; Krywult, J.; Le Brun, V.; Le Fèvre, O.; Maccagni, D.; Małek, K.; Marulli, F.; McCracken, H. J.; Moscardini, L.; Paioro, L.; Percival, W. J.; Polletta, M.; Pollo, A.; Schlagenhaufer, H.; Scodeggio, M.; Tasca, L. A. M.; Tojeiro, R.; Vergani, D.; Zanichelli, A.; Burden, A.; Di Porto, C.; Marchetti, A.; Marinoni, C.; Mellier, Y.; Monaco, P.; Nichol, R. C.; Phleps, S.; Wolk, M.; Zamorani, G.

2013-09-01

We present the general real- and redshift-space clustering properties of galaxies as measured in the first data release of the VIPERS survey. VIPERS is a large redshift survey designed to probe in detail the distant Universe and its large-scale structure at 0.5 < z < 1.2. We describe in this analysis the global properties of the sample and discuss the survey completeness and associated corrections. This sample allows us to measure the galaxy clustering with an unprecedented accuracy at these redshifts. From the redshift-space distortions observed in the galaxy clustering pattern we provide a first measurement of the growth rate of structure at z = 0.8: fσ8 = 0.47 ± 0.08. This is completely consistent with the predictions of standard cosmological models based on Einstein gravity, although this measurement alone does not discriminate between different gravity models. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Cerro Paranal, Chile, using the Very Large Telescope under programmes 182.A-0886 and partly 070.A-9007. Also based on observations obtained with MegaPrime/MegaCam, a joint project of CFHT and CEA/DAPNIA, at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), which is operated by the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, the Institut National des Sciences de l'Univers of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) of France, and the University of Hawaii. This work is based in part on data products produced at TERAPIX and the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre as part of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey, a collaborative project of NRC and CNRS. The VIPERS web site is http://www.vipers.inaf.it/

Scottish Women's Hospitals--the 90th anniversary of their work in Serbia.

PubMed

Mikić, Zelimir

2005-01-01

The Scottish Women's Hospitals (SWH), a unique health institution in the history of medicine, staffed entirely by women, was founded soon after the outbreak of the First World War, August 12, 1914 in Edinburgh, by the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies. The founder and the main driving force behind this organisation was Dr. Elsie Inglis (1864-1917). Although her proposition to the British War Office had been rejected, she offered her services to the Allies (France, Belgium, Russia and Serbia). The first 200 bed SWH unit was sent to France in November 1914, and soon after followed other units, so at the end there were 13 very well equipped SWH units working in the various theatres of war in Belgium, Serbia, Russia, Rumania and Greece. The first unit of SWH came to Serbia in early January 1915, and was located at Kragujevac. Soon after, three other SWH units arrived to Serbia and were stationed at Mladenovac, Valjevo and Lazarevac. It was an enormous help to Serbia, full of wounded and sick people, due to the dreadful typhus epidemic which was devastating the country. A large SWH unit, attached to the Southern Slav Volunteer Division, had worked on the Dobrudja front, and there were three hospitals and a special transport unit on the Salonika Front, which were all engaged in the treatment of Serbian wounded soldiers until the end of the First World War. Two other SWH units, located in France, were treating the Serbian refugees. Serving bravely and honorably on the various theatres of war, the legendary Scottish Women's Hospitals made enormous contributions to the allied war efforts, and helped Serbian people a great deal.

Analysis of mesoscale factors at the onset of deep convection on hailstorm days in Southern France and their relation to the synoptic patterns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanchez, Jose Luis; Wu, Xueke; Gascón, Estibaliz; López, Laura; Melcón, Pablo; García-Ortega, Eduardo; Berthet, Claude; Dessens, Jean; Merino, Andrés

2013-04-01

Storms and the weather phenomena associated to intense precipitation, lightning, strong winds or hail, are among the most common and dangerous weather risks in many European countries. To get a reliable forecast of their occurrence is remaining an open problem. The question is: how is possible to improve the reliability of forecast? Southwestern France is frequently affected by hailstorms, producing severe damages on crops and properties. Considerable efforts were made to improve the forecast of hailfall in this area. First of all, if we want to improve this type of forecast, it is necessary to have a good "ground truth" of the hail days and zones affected by hailfall. Fortunately, ANELFA has deployed thousands of hailpad stations in Southern France. The ANELFA processed the point hailfall data recorded during each hail season at these stations. The focus of this paper presents a methodology to improve the forecast of the occurrence of hailfall according to the synoptic environment and mesoscale factors in the study area. One hundred of hail days were selected, following spatial and severity criteria, occurred in the period 2000-2010. The mesoscale model WRF was applied for all cases to study the synoptic environment of mean geopotential and temperature fields at 500 hPa. Three nested domains have been defined following a two-way nesting strategy, with a horizontal spatial resolution of 36, 12 and 4 km, and 30 vertical terrains— following σ-levels. Then, using the Principal Component Analysis in T-Mode, 4 mesoscale configurations were defined for the fields of convective instability (CI), water vapor flux divergence and wind flow and humidity at low layer (850hPa), and several clusters were classified followed by using the K-means Clustering. Finally, we calculated several characteristic values of four hail forecast parameters: Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), Storm Relative Helicity between 0 and 3 km (SRH0-3), Energy-Helicity Index (EHI) and Showalter Index (SI) provided by WRF simulations for each hail grid point, which is very conducive to predicting the occurrence of hail in each one of the mesoscale configurations. This mesoscale analysis and its relation to the synoptic anomalies is discussed and the contribution to improve the numerical model applied to the forecast of hailfall in this area. Acknowledgments: This study was supported by the Plan Nacional de I+D of Spain, through the grants CGL2010-15930, Micrometeo IPT-310000-2010-022 and the Junta de Castilla y León through the grant LE220A11-2

Transmission competency of single-female Xiphinema index lines for Grapevine fanleaf virus.

PubMed

Demangeat, Gérard; Komar, Véronique; Van-Ghelder, Cyril; Voisin, Roger; Lemaire, Olivier; Esmenjaud, Daniel; Fuchs, Marc

2010-04-01

Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) is vectored specifically from grapevine to grapevine by the ectoparasitic nematode Xiphinema index. Limited information is available on the vector competency of X. index populations from diverse geographical origins. We determined the transmissibility of two GFLV strains showing 4.6% amino acid divergence within their coat protein (e.g., strains F13 and GHu) by seven clonal lines of X. index developed from seven distinct populations from the Mediterranean basin (Cyprus, southern France, Israel, Italy, and Spain), northern France, and California. X. index lines derived from single adult females were produced on fig (Ficus carica) plants to obtain genetically homogenous aviruliferous clones. A comparative reproductive rate analysis on Vitis rupestris du Lot and V. vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon showed significant differences among clones, with the single-female Cyprus line showing the highest rate (30-fold the initial population) and the Spain and California lines showing the lowest rate (10-fold increase), regardless of the grapevine genotype. However, there was no differential vector competency among the seven X. index lines for GFLV strains F13 and GHu. The implications of our findings for the dynamic of GFLV transmission in vineyards and screening of Vitis spp. for resistance to GFLV are discussed.

Using radon-222 to study coastal groundwater/surface-water interaction in the Crau coastal aquifer (southeastern France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mayer, Adriano; Nguyen, Bach Thao; Banton, Olivier

2016-11-01

Radon has been used to determine groundwater velocity and groundwater discharge into wetlands at the southern downstream boundary of the Crau aquifer, southeastern France. This aquifer constitutes an important high-quality freshwater resource exploited for agriculture, industry and human consumption. An increase in salinity occurs close to the sea, highlighting the need to investigate the water balance and groundwater behavior. Darcy velocity was estimated using radon activities in well waters according to the Hamada "single-well method" (involving comparison with radon in groundwater in the aquifer itself). Measurements done at three depths (7, 15 and 21 m) provided velocity ranging from a few mm/day to more than 20 cm/day, with highest velocities observed at the 15-m depth. Resulting hydraulic conductivities agree with the known geology. Waters showing high radon activity and high salinity were found near the presumed shoreline at 3,000 years BP, highlighting the presence of ancient saltwater. Radon activity has also been measured in canals, rivers and ponds, to trace groundwater discharges and evaluate water balance. A model of the radon spatial evolution explains the observed radon activities. Groundwater discharge to surface water is low in pond waters (4 % of total inputs) but significant in canals (55 l/m2/day).

The Pre-Messinian Total Petroleum System of the Provence Basin, Western Mediterranean Sea

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pawlewicz, Mark

2004-01-01

The Provence Basin is in that portion of the western Mediterranean Sea that is deeper than 2 kilometers. The basin lies essentially beyond the outer continental shelf, between the countries of France, Italy, and Algeria, the Balearic Islands, and the islands of Sardinia and Corsica. It encompasses nearly 300,000 square kilometers and includes the Rhone River submarine fan on the continental slope of southern France. It is province 4068 in the World Energy study. A single, hypothetical, total petroleum system (TPS), the Pre-Messinian TPS (406801), was described for the Provence Basin. The designation hypothetical is used because there is no hydrocarbon production from the basin. The Provence Basin is a deep-water Tertiary rift basin in which the geothermal gradients vary regionally. The Red Sea Basin shares a similar geologic and thermal history with the rifted western Mediterranean Sea and was used as an analog to better understand the genesis of the Provence Basin and as a guide to estimating possible undiscovered amounts of hydrocarbons. For this assessment the basin was given a potential, at the mean, for undiscovered resources of 51 trillion cubic feet (1.4 trillion cubic meters) gas, 0.42 billion barrels oil, and 2.23 million barrels natural gas liquids.

Outreach in southern France

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jackson, D.

1992-12-09

France's Europort South community lives cheek by jowl with the chemical industry, with major complexes at For, Berre, and Lavera. Xavier Segond, technical adviser at the regional chemical industry association, Le Syndicat General des Industries Chimiques Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur Corse (SGIC), says a good relationship has grown over a period of 20 years. Segond describes Arco Chimie as an effective driving force for the Responsible Care effort in the region - partly because its US parent introduced the program on a worldwide basis in 1989, ahead of national industry association Union des Industries Chimiques (UIC; Paris). Arco's F2-billion ($373 million)/year Fos-sur-Mermore » site makes it a significant player. But in 1986 the company was a complete newcomer. We came to Fos as a US company, we had no Paris headquarters or French president, explains Dominique Lequeux, director/human resources. The community viewed the company with a mixture of curiosity and enthusiasm as a potential employer - about 330 people now work at the site. The day before the officials propylene oxide plant opening, we invited in local people, says Lequeux. That formed a good basis for its Responsible Care community outreach program. Now, schools, professional groups, and political groups make 20-25 plant visits each year.« less

Biochemical and antigenic properties of the first isolates of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus from salmonid fish in Europe

USGS Publications Warehouse

Arkush, K.D.; Bovo, G.; DeKinkelin, P.; Winton, J.R.; Wingfield, W.H.; Hedrick, R.P.

1989-01-01

The first isolates of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) recovered from rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (formerly Salmo gairdneri) in France and Italy were compared to six representative strains from North America by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of virion polypeptides and neutralization by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). All three IHNV isolates from Europe had similar polypeptide profiles when compared by SDS-PAGE. An analysis of the antigenic relatedness of the European isolates to representative strains from North America showed that they were clearly different from viruses obtained from salmonids in California. The RB/B5 MAb, which was developed against virus isolated from adult steelhead (anadromous rainbow trout) reared in central Oregon, neutralized all isolates examined. The 193–110/B4 MAb, developed against IHNV isolated from infected yearling rainbow trout in southern Idaho, neutralized all isolates tested except those from California. The SRCV/A4 MAb, developed against Sacramento River chinook virus (SRCV) isolated from adult spring chinook salmon O. tshawytscha in central California, was the least reactive, and strong neutralization was observed only with the SRCV strain of IHNV from California. However, partial reactivity of the virus isolates from France with the SRCV/A4 MAb distinguished them from the virus recovered from salmonids in Italy.

Dinoflagellate cysts and the paleoenvironment of Late-Pliocene early-pleistocene deposits of Brittany, Northwest France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morzadec-Kerfourn, Marie Thérèse

The marine Pliocene facies of the Redon clay is widely distributed in the western part of Brittany. the decrease in the abundance of Tertiary pollen towards the top of the deposits, coupled with the increase of pollen of boreal forest taxa and the development of Ericaceae and Poaceae indicates a Late-Pliocene age. The occurrence of the transgression maximum is recorded in calcareous beds which contain the highest concentration of microforaminiferal linings and dinoflagellate cysts. Hystrichokolpoma rigaudae and Melitasphaeridium choanophorum, along with Achomosphaera andalousiensis and Operculodinium israelianum make up these aseemblages. The presence of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages with estuarine and neritic affinities but with an occasional oceanic form, indicates sedimentation in coastal waters with a neritic influence. The paleotopography exerts a control on the altitudinal distribution of the Redon clays in the western part of Brittany to the west of the Rennes Basin. The Pliocene-Pleistocene dinoflagelate cyst assemblages of southern England and northwestern france show a remarkable degree of homogeneity in their composition, chiefly expressed in the apparent contradictory association of A. andalousensis and O. israelianum that suggest sedimentation in an unusual type of environment which arose in the context of climatic change and sea-level variations at that time.

Culicoides and the Tartar Steppe: Il Deserto dei Tartari Culicoides and the spread of blue tongue virus.

PubMed

Houin, R

2008-12-01

Culicoides were described for the first time in England in 1713, but named by Latreille in 1809 only. Even so, they were better known as Ceratopogon until Kieffer reintroduced the name Culicoides. The family name became Ceratopogonidae, the description by Meigen (1803) being better adapted to that systematic level. Culicoides were considered simply as biting insects until it was found that they can carry filaria and viruses. In 1944, du Toit in Transvaal described their role in the transmission of blue-tongue virus. Blue-tongue disease has since extended progressively northward from South Africa, disseminated by Culicoides imicola. At the end of the 20th century, it reached the southern shores of the Mediterranean sea, and has since threatened the southern Europe. Surveillance and prevention procedures were put in place, but fortress Europe was taken breached when a different strain of the virus entered through Belgium in 2006. Transmitted by local Culicoides species that were aggressive and abundant, the disease spread quickly, in a disastrous epizootic southward through more than half of France. Westward, infected insects have been carried by wind over the Channel, introducing the disease to England.

Is there a Mediterranean bioethics?

PubMed

Mallia, Pierre

2012-11-01

Is there a special Mediterranean approach to Bioethics and if so what are the roots of this approach? And why not a Bosphorus, or a 'lake Michigan' bioethics? The answer to such a question depends on the focus one takes on defining 'Mediterranean'? On the one hand one can refer to the Mediterranean region which includes the surrounding coasts, having Europe on its northern coast line, northern Africa on its southern coast line (and these will include the north and South West coasts), and in the Eastern region countries which border with Middle-Eastern countries. This approach is the approach currently being taken by European Parliamentarians when they speak about the Mediterranean, namely including countries like France, Italy and Libya. On the other hand there is the look upon the Mediterranean as 'Southern Europe'; this is a more 'traditional' way on how westerners view the Mediterranean. This common approach is often recognized when, for example, we speak of 'Mediterranean diet', or, 'Mediterranean Temperament'. It would include Eastern countries like Greece and Cyprus. This article focuses on these two approaches to Mediterranean ethics after discussing issues pertaining to the region which are important to define in this context. It then analyses the need for having a Mediterranean approach to bioethical issues.

Unexpected spatial impact of treatment plant discharges induced by episodic hydrodynamic events: Modelling Lagrangian transport of fine particles by Northern Current intrusions in the bays of Marseille (France).

PubMed

Millet, Bertrand; Pinazo, Christel; Banaru, Daniela; Pagès, Rémi; Guiart, Pierre; Pairaud, Ivane

2018-01-01

Our study highlights the Lagrangian transport of solid particles discharged at the Marseille Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), located at Cortiou on the southern coastline. We focused on episodic situations characterized by a coastal circulation pattern induced by intrusion events of the Northern Current (NC) on the continental shelf, associated with SE wind regimes. We computed, using MARS3D-RHOMA and ICHTHYOP models, the particle trajectories from a patch of 5.104 passive and conservative fine particles released at the WWTP outlet, during 2 chosen representative periods of intrusion of the NC in June 2008 and in October 2011, associated with S-SE and E-SE winds, respectively. Unexpected results highlighted that the amount of particles reaching the vulnerable shorelines of both northern and southern bays accounted for 21.2% and 46.3% of the WWTP initial patch, in June 2008 and October 2011, respectively. Finally, a conceptual diagram is proposed to highlight the mechanisms of dispersion within the bays of Marseille of the fine particles released at the WWTP outlet that have long been underestimated.

Northward range extension of an endemic soil decomposer with a distinct trophic position.

PubMed

Melody, Carol; Schmidt, Olaf

2012-12-23

Ecological niche theory asserts that invading species become established only if introduced propagules survive stochastic mortality and can exploit resources unconsumed by resident species. Because their transportation is not controlled by plant health or biosecurity regulations, soil macrofauna decomposers, including earthworms are probably introduced frequently into non-native soils. Yet even with climatic change, exotic earthworm species from southern Europe have not been reported to become established in previously glaciated areas of northern Europe that already have trophically differentiated earthworm communities of 'peregrine' species. We discovered established populations of the earthworm Prosellodrilus amplisetosus (Lumbricidae), a member of a genus endemic to southern France, in six habitats of an urban farm in Dublin, Ireland, about 1000 km north of the genus's endemic range. Not only was P. amplisetosus the dominant endogeic (geophagous) earthworm species in two habitats, it also occupied a significantly different trophic position from the resident species, as evinced by stable isotope ratio analysis. The suggested ability of this non-native species to feed on and assimilate isotopically more enriched soil carbon (C) and nitrogen fractions that are inaccessible to resident species portends potential implications of decomposer range expansions for soil functioning including C sequestration.

Mountaineering accidents in the European Alps: have the numbers increased in recent years?

PubMed

Lischke, V; Byhahn, C; Westphal, K; Kessler, P

2001-01-01

Media reports convey the impression that the incidence of fatal accidents in the European Alps has increased. Because more specific data are lacking, we analyzed available data from the mountain rescue services in Germany, Austria, southern Tirol, Zermatt/Switzerland, and Chamonix/France from 1987 until 1997. Information was gathered from the annual reports of the Austrian Mountain Rescue Service, the Swiss Alpine Club Rescue Station in Zermatt, the Mountain Rescue Service of the Southern Tirol Alpine Club, the Mountain Rescue Service of the Bavarian Red Cross, and the Department of Mountain Medicine and Traumatology from the Hospital in Chamonix. Although the total number of rescue missions and injured alpinists increased significantly during the period, the number of fatalities retrieved during such rescue missions showed no significant increase. Even taking into account the varying definitions of "mountain accident" used in these countries, available data from the analyzed areas of the European Alps do not demonstrate a drastic increase in the number of fatalities. In the future, data concerning mountain accidents in the European Alps should be monitored according to standard definitions and stored by the International Commission for Alpine Rescue.

Unexpected spatial impact of treatment plant discharges induced by episodic hydrodynamic events: Modelling Lagrangian transport of fine particles by Northern Current intrusions in the bays of Marseille (France)

PubMed Central

Pinazo, Christel; Banaru, Daniela; Pagès, Rémi; Guiart, Pierre; Pairaud, Ivane

2018-01-01

Our study highlights the Lagrangian transport of solid particles discharged at the Marseille Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), located at Cortiou on the southern coastline. We focused on episodic situations characterized by a coastal circulation pattern induced by intrusion events of the Northern Current (NC) on the continental shelf, associated with SE wind regimes. We computed, using MARS3D-RHOMA and ICHTHYOP models, the particle trajectories from a patch of 5.104 passive and conservative fine particles released at the WWTP outlet, during 2 chosen representative periods of intrusion of the NC in June 2008 and in October 2011, associated with S-SE and E-SE winds, respectively. Unexpected results highlighted that the amount of particles reaching the vulnerable shorelines of both northern and southern bays accounted for 21.2% and 46.3% of the WWTP initial patch, in June 2008 and October 2011, respectively. Finally, a conceptual diagram is proposed to highlight the mechanisms of dispersion within the bays of Marseille of the fine particles released at the WWTP outlet that have long been underestimated. PMID:29694362

Feedback on flood risk management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreau, K.; Roumagnac, A.

2009-09-01

For several years, as floods were increasing in South of France, local communities felt deprive to assume their mission of protection and information of citizens, and were looking for assistance in flood management. In term of flood disaster, the fact is that physical protection is necessary but inevitably limited. Tools and structures of assistance to anticipation remain slightly developed. To manage repeated crisis, local authorities need to be able to base their policy against flood on prevention, warnings, post-crisis analysis and feedback from former experience. In this objective, after 3 years of test and improvement since 2003, the initiative Predict-Services was developed in South of France: it aims at helping communities and companies to face repeated flood crisis. The principle is to prepare emergency plans, to organize crisis management and reduce risks; to help and assist communities and companies during crisis to activate and adapt their emergency plans with enough of anticipation; and to analyse floods effects and improve emergency plans afterwards. With the help of Meteo France datas and experts, Predict services helps local communities and companies in decision making for flood management. In order to reduce risks, and to keep the benefits of such an initiative, local communities and companies have to maintain the awareness of risk of the citizens and employees. They also have to maintain their safety plans to keep them constantly operational. This is a part of the message relayed. Companies, Local communities, local government authorities and basin stakeholders are the decision makers. Companies and local communities have to involve themselves in the elaboration of safety plans. They are also completely involved in their activation that is their own responsability. This applies to other local government authorities, like districts one's and basin stakeholders, which participle in the financing community safety plans and adminitrative district which are responsible of the transmission of meteorological alert and of rescue actions. In the crossing of the géo-information stemming from the space technology, communication, meteorology, hydraulics and hydrology, Predict-services brings help to local communities in their mission of protection and information to the citizens, for flood problems and helps companies to limit and delete operating losses facing floods. The initiative, developped by BRL, EADS Astrium, in association with Meteo France, has been employed and is functioning on cities of south of France, notably on Montpellier, and also on the scale of catchment area ( BRL is a regional development company, a public private partnership controlled by the local gouvernments of the Languedoc-Roussillon Region). The initiative has to be coordinated with state services to secure continuity and coherence of information. This initiative is developped in dialogue with State services as Météo France, the Ministry for the interior, the Ministry for ecology and the durable development, the Regional Direction of the Environment (DIREN), the Central service of Hydrometeorology and Support to the Forecast of the Floods ( SCHAPI) and service of forecast of rising (SPC). It has been successfully functioning for 5 years with 300 southern cities from South West to South East of France and notably Montpellier and Sommières, famous for it's flood problems on the Vidourle river where no human loss was to regret and where the economic impacts were minimized. Actually developed in cities of South of France, this initiative is to be developed nationaly and very soon internationally. Thanks to the efficiency of it's method, this initiative is also developed in partnership with insurance company involved in prevention actions. After more than 100 events observed and analysed in South of France, the experience gained, allowed PREDICT Services to better anticipate phenomena and also to better manage them. The presentation will expose the feedback of this initiative and lessons learned on risk management.

Agricultural resources investigations in northern Italy and southern France, Agreste project. Part 1: Activity performed on the Italian test sites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. It was found that the standard atmospheric correction procedure cannot be successfully applied to water targets if a better correlation of MSS data with radiance input to LANDSAT sensors was not reached. It was confirmed that the six line effect must be avoided unless more sophisticated data handling techniques allow subtraction of various amounts of path radiance for the six satellite detectors. The COPTRAN program for atmospheric corrections of scan angle influence on atmospheric path was modified and completed. Six rice varieties were discriminated in proportions ranging from 65 percent to more than 80 percent. The same techniques were applied to poplar groves with a 70 percent precision.

Pesticides reduce regional biodiversity of stream invertebrates

PubMed Central

Beketov, Mikhail A.; Kefford, Ben J.; Schäfer, Ralf B.; Liess, Matthias

2013-01-01

The biodiversity crisis is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, but our understanding of the drivers remains limited. Thus, after decades of studies and regulation efforts, it remains unknown whether to what degree and at what concentrations modern agricultural pesticides cause regional-scale species losses. We analyzed the effects of pesticides on the regional taxa richness of stream invertebrates in Europe (Germany and France) and Australia (southern Victoria). Pesticides caused statistically significant effects on both the species and family richness in both regions, with losses in taxa up to 42% of the recorded taxonomic pools. Furthermore, the effects in Europe were detected at concentrations that current legislation considers environmentally protective. Thus, the current ecological risk assessment of pesticides falls short of protecting biodiversity, and new approaches linking ecology and ecotoxicology are needed. PMID:23776226

Exceptional aerosol pollution plume observed using a new ULA-lidar approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chazette, Patrick

2016-09-01

An exceptional particulate pollution event was sampled in June 2005 over the Ardèche region in Southern France. Airborne (at the wavelength of 355 nm) and ground-based (at the wavelength of 532 nm) lidars performed measurements simultaneously. Airborne observations were performed from an ultra-light aircraft (ULA); they offer an opportunity to test a new method for inversing lidar profiles which enables their quantitative use while the airplane flies in a scattering layer. Using the results of this approach and the ground-based lidar measurements, the aerosol plumes have been optically quantified and the diversity of particle sources (from Western Europe, North Africa and even North America) which contributed to the event has been highlighted using both spaceborne observations and multiple air mass back-trajectories.

Acute heart failure due to Q fever endocarditis.

PubMed

Etienne, J; Delahaye, F; Raoult, D; Frieh, J P; Loire, R; Delaye, J

1988-08-01

We report a case of Q fever endocarditis in a patient who presented with a slight pyrexia and acute cardiac failure due to aortic incompetence. The diagnosis was made by detecting high titres of serum IgG and IgA antibody against Coxiella burnetii phase I antigens and confirmed by demonstrating C. burnetii on the excised aortic valve using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Aortic valve replacement was followed by initially successful antibiotic treatment for 15 months. Reappearance of IgA anti-phase I antibodies 5 months later suggested continued presence of bacteria, although the patient's condition remained satisfactory. In endemic areas, such as rural southern France, Q fever endocarditis should be considered when there is evidence of acute heart valve damage but are few other features of infection.

Female characteristics in the Drosophila melanogaster-sigma virus system in natural populations from Languedoc (southern France).

PubMed

Fleuriet, A

1994-01-01

The Drosophila melanogaster-sigma virus system has been extensively analysed for some years in Languedoc. The sigma virus, endemically present in natural populations of the fly, is not contagious but vertically transmitted. The frequency of infected flies dramatically increased from 1983 to 1988 in Languedoc and the increase was clearly correlated with some viral characteristics. From 1988 onwards, this frequency steadily decreased. Three zones were identified in Languedoc, from North to South, in each of which the virus evolved differently. Transovarial transmission and other parameters on the female side in the host virus system were investigated in samples collected in 1992. There were differences in values between the three zones. The contribution of these parameters to the observed differential frequencies of infected flies is discussed.

Model study of meteorology and photochemical air pollution over un urban area in south-eastern France (ESCOMPTE campaign).

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taghavi, M.; Cautenet, S.

2003-04-01

The ESCOMPTE Campaign has been conducted over Southern France (Provence region including the Marseille, Aix and Toulon cities and the Fos-Berre industrial center) in June and July of 2001. In order to study the redistribution of the pollutants emitted by anthropic and biogenic emissions and their impact on the atmospheric chemistry, we used meso-scale modeling (RAMS model, paralleled version 4.3, coupled on line with chemical modules : MOCA2.2 (Poulet et al, 2002) including 29 gaseous species). The hourly high resolution emissions were obtained from ESCOMPTE database (Ponche et al, 2002). The model was coupled with the dry deposition scheme (Walmsley and Weseley,1996). In this particular case of complex circulation (sea breeze associated with topography), the processes involving peaks of pollution were strongly non linear, and the meso scale modeling coupled on line with chemistry module was an essential step for a realistic redistribution of chemical species. Two nested grids satisfactorily describe the synoptic dynamics and the sea breeze circulations. The ECMWF meteorological fields provide the initial and boundary conditions. Different events characterized by various meteorological situations were simulated. Meteorological fields retrieved by modeling, also Modeled ozone, NOx, CO and SO2 concentrations, were compared with balloons, lidars, aircrafts and surface stations measurements. The chemistry regimes were explained according to the distribution of plumes. The stratified layers were examined.

Periodontal Diseases and Systemic Disorders: What Do Our Doctors Know? A General Practitioner's Survey Conducted in Southern France.

PubMed

Alexia, Vinel; Chloé, Vachon; Pierre, Barthet; Sara, Laurencin-Dalicieux

2017-12-01

With 39,359 entries on PubMed, periodontal medicine has a prominent position in periodontal research. Good patient care requires well-advised physicians, and whereas the dental community is informed about the relationships between periodontal diseases (PDs) and an increasing number of systemic pathologies, we wondered whether general practitioners were too. Thus, we aimed to evaluate their knowledge of the links between periodontal and systemic diseases. To this end, we sent an electronic questionnaire to the 2350 general practitioners registered to the URPS (Union régionale des Professionnels de Santé) of Midi-Pyrénées, France. They were asked about their practice, their attitude during a medical examination, and their knowledge about PDs. The analysis of 222 properly answered questionnaires showed that while most general practitioners are aware of the relationships between PDs and diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, the majority of them are unaware that obesity and respiratory and joint diseases are also concerned. Indeed, 94% of the questioned subjects consider their insight of PDs to be insufficient. Nevertheless, more than half of the interrogated physicians cared about their patients' oral health and dental care. Education regarding relationships between periodontal and systemic diseases must be improved among general practitioners who are in the front line to refer high-risk patients to a periodontist. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Armorican provenance for the mélange deposits below the Lizard ophiolite (Cornwall, UK): evidence for Devonian obduction of Cadomian and Lower Palaeozoic crust onto the southern margin of Avalonia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strachan, Rob A.; Linnemann, Ulf; Jeffries, Teresa; Drost, Kerstin; Ulrich, Jens

2014-07-01

Devonian sedimentary rocks of the Meneage Formation within the footwall of the Lizard ophiolite complex in SW England are thought to have been derived from erosion of the over-riding Armorican microplate during collision with Avalonia and the closure of the Rheic Ocean. We further test this hypothesis by comparison of their detrital zircon suites with those of autochthonous Armorican strata. Five samples analysed from SW England (Avalonia) and NW France (Armorica) have a bimodal U-Pb zircon age distribution dominated by late Neoproterozoic to middle Cambrian (c. 710-518 Ma) and Palaeoproterozoic (c. 1,800-2,200 Ma) groupings. Both can be linked with lithologies exposed within the Cadomian belt as well as the West African craton, which is characterized by major tectonothermal events at 2.0-2.4 Ga. The detrital zircon signature of Avalonia is distinct from that of Armorica in that there is a much larger proportion of Mesoproterozoic detritus. The common provenance of the samples is therefore consistent with: (a) derivation of the Meneage Formation mélange deposits from the Armorican plate during Rheic Ocean closure and obduction of the Lizard Complex and (b) previous correlation of quartzite blocks within the Meneage Formation with the Ordovician Grès Armoricain Formation of NW France.

Hallux valgus in a historical French population: paleopathological study of 605 first metatarsal bones.

PubMed

Mafart, Bertrand

2007-03-01

To estimate the prevalence of hallux valgus in a historical population in France, to identify associated skeletal abnormalities, and to look for an influence of footwear changes through time. We studied the 605 first metatarsals found in the necropolis of the Notre-Dame-du-Bourg cathedral in Digne in the Alpes-de-Hautes-Provence region of southern France. The necropolis contains remains from the 5th to the 17th century. Hallux valgus was identified only in individuals older than 30years at death, and its prevalence increased significantly with age. Exostosis at the medial and dorsal aspects of the head of the first metatarsal were common in advanced forms. The prevalence was comparable in males and females in the Middle Ages but was significantly higher in males in the 16th and 17th centuries, whereas in contemporary populations females are selectively affected. The increase in the prevalence of hallux valgus over time suggests an influence of changes in footwear. The heeled shoes and boots made of stiff leather that men wore in premodern times probably promoted the development of hallux valgus. However, the prevalence of hallux valgus in women in western industrialized countries today is even higher than that in our historical population of older premodern individuals, suggesting an extremely deleterious effect of contemporary female footwear.

The mistral and its effect on air pollution transport and vertical mixing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corsmeier, U.; Behrendt, R.; Drobinski, Ph.; Kottmeier, Ch.

2005-03-01

Within the framework of ESCOMPTE, the influence of local wind systems like land-sea/mountain-valley winds on the distribution of air pollutants in the southern part of the Rhône valley and the coastal regions of southern France was investigated. In addition, the influence of the mistral on the long-range transport and vertical mixing of such substances on July 1, 2001 was analyzed. The results of the measurements of this mistral situation show high concentrations of O 3 and NO 2 in the layer just above the PBL at the southern exit of the Rhône valley near Avignon. By measurements from airborne and ground-based platforms and numerical simulations with the "Local Model" (LM) of the German Weather Service (DWD), it is shown that the mistral develops according to the theory conceived by Pettré [J. Atmos. Sci. 39 (1982) 542-554]. The synoptic-scale northerly flow through the Rhône valley is accelerated up to a Froude number ( Fr) of 2.1, while the valley widens. Then, near the Mediterranean coast, a hydraulic jump occurs and Fr drops down to values below 1.0. High ozone concentrations of 112 ppb measured above the mistral layer disappear due to enhanced mixing after the flow has passed the hydraulic jump. There is some evidence that the ozone-rich air originates from the source region of greater Paris or upwind. The results confirm that regional wind systems associated with transport of trace gases in the high-grade industrialized Rhône valley can be successfully predicted using data of operational weather forecast models.

Atmospheric Chemistry Over Southern Africa

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gatebe, Charles K.; Levy, Robert C.; Thompson, Anne M.

2011-01-01

During the southern African dry season, regional haze from mixed industrial pollution, biomass burning aerosol and gases from domestic and grassland fires, and biogenic sources from plants and soils is worsened by a semi-permanent atmosphere gyre over the subcontinent. These factors were a driver of several major international field campaigns in the 1990s and early 2000s, and attracted many scientists to the region. Some researchers were interested in understanding fundamental processes governing chemistry of the atmosphere and interaction with climate change. Others found favorable conditions for evaluating satellite-derived measurements of atmospheric properties and a changing land surface. With that background in mind a workshop on atmospheric chemistry was held in South Africa. Sponsored by the International Commission for Atmospheric Chemistry and Global Pollution (ICACGP; http://www.icacgp.org/), the workshop received generous support from the South African power utility, Eskom, and the Climatology Research Group of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. The purpose of the workshop was to review some earlier findings as well as more recent findings on southern African climate vulnerability, chemical changes due to urbanization, land-use modification, and how these factors interact. Originally proposed by John Burrows, president of ICACGP, the workshop was the first ICACGP regional workshop to study the interaction of air pollution with global chemical and climate change. Organized locally by the University of the Witwatersrand, the workshop attracted more than 60 delegates from South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, France, Germany, Canada, and the United States. More than 30 presentations were given, exploring both retrospective and prospective aspects of the science. In several talks, attention was focused on southern African chemistry, atmospheric pollution monitoring, and climate processes as they were studied in the field campaigns such as Transport and Atmospheric Chemistry Near the Equator-Atlantic (TRACE-A), Southern African Fire-Atmosphere Research Initiative (SAFARI-92), and Southern African Regional Science Initiative (SAFARI 2000). Since those large international efforts, satellites have matured enough to enable quantifiable measurements of regional land surface, atmosphere, and ocean. In addition, global and chemical transport models have also been advanced to incorporate various data. Thus, the timing of the workshop was right for a full-fledged re-assessment of the chemistry, physics, and socio-economical impacts caused by pollution in the region, including a characterization of sources, deposition, and feedbacks with climate change.

Feedback on flood risk management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreau, K.; Roumagnac, A.

2009-09-01

For several years, as floods were increasing in South of France, local communities felt deprive to assume their mission of protection and information of citizens, and were looking for assistance in flood management. In term of flood disaster, the fact is that physical protection is necessary but inevitably limited. Tools and structures of assistance to anticipation remain slightly developed. To manage repeated crisis, local authorities need to be able to base their policy against flood on prevention, warnings, post-crisis analysis and feedback from former experience. In this objective, after 3 years of test and improvement since 2003, the initiative Predict-Services was developped in South of France: it aims at helping communities and companies to face repeated flood crisis. The principle is to prepare emergency plans, to organize crisis management and reduce risks; to help and assist communities and companies during crisis to activate and adapt their emergency plans with enough of anticipation; and to analyse floods effects and improve emergency plans afterwards. In order to reduce risks, and to keep the benefits of such an initiative, local communities and companies have to maintain the awareness of risk of the citizens and employees. They also have to maintain their safety plans to keep them constantly operational. This is a part of the message relayed. Companies, Local communities, local government authorities and basin stakeholders are the decision makers. Companies and local communities have to involve themselves in the elaboration of safety plans. They are also completely involved in their activation that is their own responsability. This applies to other local government authorities, like districts one's and basin stakeholders, which participle in the financing community safety plans and adminitrative district which are responsible of the transmission of meteorological alert and of rescue actions. In the crossing of the géo-information stemming from the space technology, communication, meteorology, hydraulics and hydrology, Predict-services brings help to local communities in their mission of protection and information to the citizens, for flood problems and helps companies to limit and delete operating losses facing floods. The initiative, developped by BRL, EADS Astrium, in association with Meteo France, has been employed and is functioning on cities of south of France, notably on Montpellier, and also on the scale of catchment area( BRL is a regional development company, a public private partnership controlled by the local gouvernments of the Languedoc-Roussillon Region). The initiative has to be coordinated with state services to secure continuity and coherence of information. This initiative is developped in dialogue with State services as Météo France, the Ministry for the interior, the Ministry for ecology and the durable development, the Regional Direction of the Environment (DIREN), the Central service of Hydrometeorology and Support to the Forecast of the Floods ( SCHAPI) and service of forecast of rising (SPC). It has been successfully functioning for 5 years with 300 southern cities from South West to South East of France and notably Montpellier and Sommières, famous for it’s flood problems on the Vidourle river where no human loss was to regret and where the economic impacts were minimized. Actually developed in cities of South of France, this initiative is to be developed nationaly and very soon internationally. Thanks to the efficiency of it’s method, this initiative is also developed in partnership with insurance company involved in prevention actions. The presentation will expose the feedback of this initiative and lessons learned.

Cover crops mitigate direct greenhouse gases balance but reduce drainage under climate change scenarios in temperate climate with dry summers.

PubMed

Tribouillois, Hélène; Constantin, Julie; Justes, Eric

2018-06-01

Cover crops provide ecosystem services such as storing atmospheric carbon in soils after incorporation of their residues. Cover crops also influence soil water balance, which can be an issue in temperate climates with dry summers as for example in southern France and Europe. As a consequence, it is necessary to understand cover crops' long-term influence on greenhouse gases (GHG) and water balances to assess their potential to mitigate climate change in arable cropping systems. We used the previously calibrated and validated soil-crop model STICS to simulate scenarios of cover crop introduction to assess their influence on rainfed and irrigated cropping systems and crop rotations distributed among five contrasted sites in southern France from 2007 to 2052. Our results showed that cover crops can improve mean direct GHG balance by 315 kg CO 2 e ha -1  year -1 in the long term compared to that of bare soil. This was due mainly to an increase in carbon storage in the soil despite a slight increase in N 2 O emissions which can be compensated by adapting fertilization. Cover crops also influence the water balance by reducing mean annual drainage by 20 mm/year but increasing mean annual evapotranspiration by 20 mm/year compared to those of bare soil. Using cover crops to improve the GHG balance may help to mitigate climate change by decreasing CO 2 e emitted in cropping systems which can represent a decrease from 4.5% to 9% of annual GHG emissions of the French agriculture and forestry sector. However, if not well managed, they also could create water management issues in watersheds with shallow groundwater. Relationships between cover crop biomass and its influence on several variables such as drainage, carbon sequestration, and GHG emissions could be used to extend our results to other conditions to assess the cover crops' influence in a wider range of areas. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

NDVI anomalies associated with the European drought and heat wave of 2003

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bevan, Suzanne; Los, Sietse; North, Peter

2013-04-01

The European drought and heat wave of 2003 is commonly used as an example of extreme summer climate conditions that are likely to become more common towards the end of the 21st century, under predicted climate change scenarios. The extreme conditions are known to have had an impact on biomass primary productivity as reflected in remotely sensed vegetation indices and fAPAR, flux-tower measurements, and the results from a variety of modelling approaches. Early remote sensing analyses were based on relatively short time series of data, 4 or 5 years only. We are now able to make use of 12 years of MODIS observations to highlight the statistical significance of the widespread and persistent anomalies in vegetation greenness in 2003 compared with other summers so far this century. Anomalies in excess of 2 standard deviations initially occur at the start of June in central and eastern France. By the end of July they are common also over Germany, by mid August have spread to the French border with Spain, and by the end of August are common over the north-western corner of France, England and eastern Scotland. Using the One-Degree Daily resolution Global Precipitation Climatology Project precipitation data and European Re-Analysis Interim 2 m air temperatures we are able to show where and whether either precipitation or temperature has the greatest impact on summer vegetation greenness. With the exception of mountainous regions such as the Alps and northern and western parts of the United Kingdom, summer NDVI anomalies are highly correlated with precipitation anomalies of the preceding month. The picture for temperature is more geographically variable with summer NDVI anomalies in southern France, Italy and central England and north-eastern Scotland being negatively correlated with temperature, and northern and western coasts of France and Germany being positively correlated with temperature. In addition, we analyse the anomalies in conjunction with vegetation height from ICESat GLAS measurements, and Global Land Cover Facility classifications. Attempts have been made to fit linear trends to global biomass production since 2000, following reports of an increasing trend during the 1990s. It is clear that events as significant as the 2003 European drought will complicate attempts to identify long-term changes in biomass and carbon uptake.

Neogene-Quaternary slow coastal uplift of Western Europe through the perspective of sequences of strandlines from the Cotentin Peninsula (Normandy, France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pedoja, K.; Jara-Muñoz, J.; De Gelder, G.; Robertson, J.; Meschis, M.; Fernandez-Blanco, D.; Nexer, M.; Poprawski, Y.; Dugué, O.; Delcaillau, B.; Bessin, P.; Benabdelouahed, M.; Authemayou, C.; Husson, L.; Regard, V.; Menier, D.; Pinel, B.

2018-02-01

The Cotentin Peninsula (Normandy, France) displays sequences of marine terraces and rasas, the latter being wide Late Cenozoic coastal erosion surfaces, that are typical of Western European coasts in Portugal, Spain, France and southern England. Remote sensing imagery and field mapping enabled reappraisal of the Cotentin coastal sequences. From bottom to top, the N Cotentin sequence includes four previously recognized Pleistocene marine terraces (T1 to T4) at elevations < 40 m as well as four higher and older rasas (R1 to R4) reaching 200 ± 5 m in elevation. Low-standing marine terraces are not observed in the central part of the Peninsula and a limited number of terraces are described to the south. The high-standing rasas are widespread all over the peninsula. Such strandline distributions reveal major changes during the Late Cenozoic. Progressive uplift of an irregular sea-floor led to subaerial exposure of bathymetric highs that were carved into rocky platforms, rasas and marine terraces. Eventually, five main islands coalesced and connected to the mainland to the south to form the Cotentin Peninsula. On the basis of previous dating of the last interglacial maximum terrace (i.e. Marine Isotopic Stage, MIS 5e), sequential morphostratigraphy and modelling, we have reappraised uplift rates and derived: (i) mean Upper Pleistocene (i.e. since MIS 5e 122 +/- 6 ka, i.e. kilo annum) apparent uplift rates of 0.04 ± 0.01 mm/yr, (ii) mean Middle Pleistocene eustasy-corrected uplift rates of 0.09 ± 0.03 mm/yr, and (iii) low mean Pleistocene uplift rates of 0.01 mm/yr. Extrapolations of these slow rates combined with geological evidence implies that the formation of the sequences from the Cotentin Peninsula occurred between 3 Ma (Pliocene) and 15 Ma (Miocene), which cannot be narrowed down further without additional research. Along the coasts of Western Europe, sequences of marine terraces and rasas are widespread (169 preserve the MIS 5e benchmark). In Spain, Portugal, S England and other parts of western France, the sequences morphostratigraphy is very similar to that of Cotentin. The onset of such Western European sequences occurred during the Miocene (e.g. Spain) or Pliocene (e.g. Portugal). We interpret this Neogene-Quaternary coastal uplift as a symptom of the increasing lithospheric compression that accompanies Cenozoic orogenies.

Dating the Middle Paleolithic deposits of La Quina Amont (Charente, France) using luminescence methods.

PubMed

Frouin, Marine; Lahaye, Christelle; Valladas, Hélène; Higham, Thomas; Debénath, André; Delagnes, Anne; Mercier, Norbert

2017-08-01

The site of La Quina Amont, located in the Charente region, is one of the most important sites in southwestern France for studying major changes in human behaviors from the Middle Paleolithic (MP) to the Early Upper Paleolithic (EUP). Extensively excavated over the past 50 years, numerous dating studies have been focused on the Upper Paleolithic deposits using radiocarbon on bone collagen and thermoluminescence (TL) on heated flints; however, the Mousterian levels remain undated due to the scarcity of suitable materials. Our investigations aimed to provide for the first time a chronological framework for the site using luminescence dating methods on different minerals contained in the sediments. Coarse grains of quartz were dated using the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique, and polymineral fine grains were dated using both infrared (IRSL) and post-infrared (pIR-IRSL) stimulated luminescence signals. OSL, IRSL and pIR-IRSL results were combined with available TL and radiocarbon data sets to propose a chronology for the site. The agreement between these methods provides key insights into the sedimentological processes involved in the site formation and into the chronology of the human occupations. In particular, it shows that the sequence spans almost ∼20,000 years (20 ka). Moreover, the new chronological framework suggests that the makers of the Quina lithic technocomplex (LTC), who were reindeer hunters, inhabited the site from the end of marine isotope stage (MIS) 4 to the beginning of MIS 3. We also show that Levallois and Discoidal industries occurred successively under temperate paleoclimatic conditions, during MIS 3 but not after ∼40 ka. Finally, we compare the Quina LTC dataset with other sites in southern France in order to shed light upon the variability in Mousterian industries of this region. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Late Quaternary Compression Revealed By Surface Faults At The Western Margin of Corsica Basin (corse, France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fellin, M. G.; Picotti, V.; Zattin, M.

Corsica is a continental block located between the Ligurian-Balearic and the North Tyrrhenian Seas (Corsica basin). Recent studies indicate that from Eocene to Pliocene the structural evolution of Corsica was controlled by extensional tectonics which prob- ably continued till Holocene (Jolivet et al., 1998). New field data have been collected in the the Marana plain (Eastern Corsica), which is a subsiding area covered by allu- vial deposits. These deposits have been dated as late Quaternary by Conchon (1978) through outcrop analyses, wells, paleosoils and weathering rinds. The master fault, separating the Marana plain from the mountain range to the west, shows an extensional tectonics and a later compressional reactivation. The river network in the Marana plain area is characterized by incised meanders formed at the intersection between the rivers and the master fault. This feature is related to a river profile convexity and not to a lithological change of the bedrock. Therefore the incised meanders may be due to a recent activity of the master fault. Reverse faults cutting Wuermian deposits of the Marana plain have been observed for the first time and they indicate a late Quaternary NW-SE directed compression. This regime is in good agreement with the present day compressional stress field determined on the basis of earthquakes focal mechanism in the Ligurian Sea (Baroux et al., 2001) and it may be responsible for the reactivation of the master fault of the Marana plain. Conchon O., 1978: Quaternary studies in Corsica (France). Quaternary Research, v. 9, pp. 41-53. Jolivet L. et al., 1998: Midcrustal shear zones in postorogenic extension: ex- ample from the North Tyrrhenian Sea. J. Geoph. Res., v. 103 (B6), pp.12,123-12,160. Baroux E. et al., 2001: Analyses of the stress field in southern France from earthquakes focal mechanisms. Geophys. J. Int., v. 145, pp. 336-348.

Radioactivity near the sunken submarine "Kursk" in the Southern Barents Sea.

PubMed

Matishov, Genady G; Matishov, Dimitry G; Namiatov, Alexey E; Smith, John Norton; Carroll, Jolynn; Dahle, Salve

2002-05-01

Radioactivity measurements were conducted on seawater, sediment, and biota samples collected in the vicinity of the Russian submarine "Kursk" in September, 2000, within 1 month of the vessel's sinking in the Barents Sea to determine whether leakage of radioactivity from the vessel's two nuclear reactors had occurred and to assess the impact on one of the most productive fishing areas in the world. Levels of radioactivity in surface sediments and biota are within the range of values previously measured in the Barents Sea and can be ascribed to inputs from global fallout, European nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities, and the Chernobyl accident. However, levels of 1291 in seawater in the Southern Barents Sea increased by 500% between 1992 and 2000, and the 129I/137Cs ratio increased by more than an order of magnitude during this time, owing to long-range transport of releases from reprocessing facilities at Sellafield (U.K.) and La Hague (France). Although these results indicate that, at the time of sampling, leakage from the Kursk had a negligible impact on the environment, they also show that regional background levels of artificial radioactivity are varying rapidly on annual timescales and that Europe's nuclear reprocessing facilities are the leading contributor of anthropogenic radioactivity to the region.

Are meteorological conditions favoring hail precipitation change in Southern Europe? Analysis of the period 1948-2015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanchez, J. L.; Merino, A.; Melcón, P.; García-Ortega, E.; Fernández-González, S.; Berthet, C.; Dessens, J.

2017-12-01

In the context of a warming climate, one of the variables currently under investigation is related to the detection of possible changes in hail precipitation. In this work, we analyze hail frequencies in one of the most affected areas by this phenomenon in Europe, southern France. Here, an extensive hail detection network has been in operation since 1988. In general, the detection of hailfall is very uncertain. To overcome the constraints of scarcity and poor standardization of hail detection and monitoring systems, some relationships between hailstorm occurrence and synoptic, mesoscale or thermodynamic atmospheric characteristics have been proposed in different areas. Therefore, we analyzed meteorological fields at synoptic scale that are related to the formation of hailstorms in the study area, i.e., geopotential height at 500 hPa, sea level pressure, and lapse-rate between 850 and 500 hPa. These fields describe the state of the atmosphere at low and mid levels, and facilitate the evaluation of thermal and dynamic instability. Using the Mann-Kendall test and Sen estimator, we examined trends in the three fields during the period 1948-2015 and their spatial patterns, revealing an evolution toward synoptic environments that favor hail precipitation in the Mediterranean region.

Observation Impact over the Antarctic During the Concordiasi Field Campaign

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boullot, Nathalie; Rabier, Florence; Langland, Rolf; Gelaro, Ron; Cardinali, Carla; Guidard, Vincent; Bauer, Peter; Doerenbecher, Alexis

2014-01-01

The impact of observations on analysis uncertainty and forecast performance was investigated for Austral Spring 2010 over the Southern polar area for four different systems (NRL, GMAO, ECMWF and Meteo-France), at the time of the Concordiasi field experiment. The largest multi model variance in 500 hPa height analyses is found in the southern sub-Antarctic oceanic region, where there are strong atmospheric dynamics, rapid forecast error growth, and fewer upper air wind observation data to constrain the analyses. In terms of data impact the most important observation components are shown to be AMSU, IASI, AIRS, GPS-RO, radiosonde, surface and atmospheric motion vector observations. For sounding data, radiosondes and dropsondes, one can note a large impact of temperature at low levels and a large impact of wind at high levels. Observing system experiments using the Concordiasi dropsondes show a large impact of the observations over the Antarctic plateau extending to lower latitudes with the forecast range, with a large impact around 50 to 70deg South. These experiments indicate there is a potential benefit of better using radiance data over land and sea-ice and innovative atmospheric motion vectors obtained from a combination of various satellites to fill the current data gaps and improve NWP in this region.

ACE/AACE Inspection and Analysis Handbook. Part 3. Profiling

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-06-30

Peso Liberia Dollar Australia Dollar Libya Dinar Austria Schilling Liechtenstein Franc Bahamas Dollar Luxembourg Franc Bahrain Dinar Madagascar Franc...Dollar Mauritania Ouguiya Bolivia Peso Mauritius Rupee Botswana Pula Mexico Peso Brazil Cruzeiro Monaco Franc Bulgaria Lev Mongolia Tugrik Burma Kyat...Zealand Dollar Chad CFA Franc Nicaragua Cordoba Chile Peso Niger CFA Franc China Yuan Nigeria Naira Colombia Peso Norway Krone Congo CFA Franc Chan Rial

Analysis of a 7 year tropospheric ozone vertical distribution at the Observatoire de Haute Provence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Beekmann, Matthias; Ancellet, Gerard; Megie, Gerard

1994-01-01

A seven year (1984-90) climatology of tropospheric vertical ozone soundings, performed by electrochemical sondes at the OHP (44 deg N, 6 deg E, 700 m ASL) in Southern France, is presented. Its seasonal variation shows a broad spring/summer maximum in the troposphere. The contribution of photochemical ozone production and transport from the stratosphere to this seasonal variation are studied by a correlative analysis of ozone concentrations and meteorological variables, with emphasis on potential vorticity. This analysis shows the impact of dynamical and photochemical processes on the spatial and temporal ozone variability. In particular, a positive correlation (r = 04.0, significance greater than 99.9 percent) of ozone with potential vorticity is observed in the middle troposphere, reflecting the impact of stratosphere-troposphere exchange on the vertical ozone distribution.

From one marsh to another, changing swamps - Exercise of reflexivity within the water and territories system: wetland renaturation / restoration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandoz, Alain; Chauvelon, Philippe; Boutron, Olivier

2013-04-01

In relation to the"Plan National en faveur des Zones Humides", the project aims to provide food for thought, from the interdisciplinary articulation , for the development, organizational arrangements and the level of water governance. The methods that will permit to better understand how work studied ecosystems and to measure the anthropogenic and natural part of the functioning of these territories. The methods will be based on a landscape approach and facilitated by the techniques used in landscape ecology making wide use of the techniques from geomatic (GIS, digital photogrammetry, satellite remote sensing...). Additional studies from data collected in the field will also be made in particular to improve our understanding of hydrology, water quality... . The two sites selected by this proposal covers two wetlands of national and international interests. Both are located in natural regional parks (NRP): Alpilles and Camargue, the NRP of Camargue is furthermore included in the "Man and Biosphere Reserve" of the Rhone delta. The first concerns the "Vallée des marais des Baux", the second, the "Salins de Giraud". The complexity of natural and human issues make such territories privileged study sites. Located both in the west of the "Bouches du Rhône" department, these territories have very different human and physical characteristics. We develop in this presentation only the first, the "Vallée des marais des Baux". Under the initiative of several private owners, voluntary marshes restoration experiments are conducted. This area covering about 1300 hectares was originally swamp. Since the Romans, many attempts have succeeded in drying up the area but it's not until 1950-1960 that the technical development allowed to realize so - exception of small areas of relict marsh - implementing development centred on agriculture. Following to major floods in 2003, the sector is defined (Rhône river master plan) as an flood expansion area. Moreover, there is some decline of agriculture in this valley and a challenge for this activity (cereals, beef, fodder production, olive ...) against the maintenance of the drainage system (pump stations, dykes etc..). The relict marsh is privately owned, quite unaccessible and often unknown by the public and the fifty years of agricultural conversion into polders have partially helped oversight the original nature of the ancient "marais des Baux". The purpose of this work will be, through an interdisciplinary approach to propose evolution scenarios but also, and especially in the concern of governance that will protect Wetlands without forgetting the human and economic issues. These scenarios will have to be done in a sake of sustainable development in which both, actors and nature, will win. This project aims to bring new knowledge for better governance of territories and water-related uses with a view to preserve wetlands. The construction of prospective models will take into account the assumptions of future scenarios for social water resource demand. The response of ecosystems and territories with this request will determine its relevance in this environmentally acceptable approach for the maintenance, improvement or renaturation of "natural environments" and especially wetlands. This project is financed by French Environment Ministry program "Eaux et Territoires" .

Bathymetry Offshore Sumatra First Comprehensive map of International Data Sets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaedicke, C.; Ladage, S.; Soh, W.; Weinrebe, W.; Tappin, D. R.; Henstock, T.; McNeill, L.; Sibuet, J.; Klingelhoefer, F.; Singh, S.; Flueh, E.; Djajadihardja, Y.

2006-12-01

Knowledge of the bathymetry offshore Sumatra is of great importance for geohazard risk assessment, modelling of tsunami runup heights and development of tsunami early warning systems as well as for the general understanding of plate boundary processes and morphotectonic features. Since the devastating December 26, 2004 Sumatra-Andaman Islands earthquake and tsunami a number of marine expeditions, funded by Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, United Kingdom and the United States have acquired bathymetric data over the southern part of the earthquake rupture zone but also along strike the whole Sunda trench. Here we present the first compilation of these bathymetric data sets as one bathymetric map. The bathymetric data acquired up to date covers a vast part of the trench, continental slope and in part also of the fore arc basins. The map incorporates the newest data sets from 2005 of the British high-resolution HMS SCOTT survey, the French Marion-Dufresene "Aftershocks" and the Japanese Natsushima cruises. While these surveys concentrated on the southern rupture zone of the Dec. 26th, 2004 earthquake, the German RV SONNE SeaCause and Sumatra cruises in 2005 and 2006 mapped the March 28th 2005 rupture area as well as large parts of the central Sunda trench and slope and in part the fore arc basins. Surveys reaching back to 1997 covering parts of the Sunda Strait and offshore southern Sumatra are also incorporated. A nearly complete coverage of the Sunda trench and slope area in the north is achieved. In the south data gaps on the slope still exist. This map compilation is a collaborative international effort initiated and partly funded by InterMARGINS. It is a major contribution to the Indonesian and international science community.

Xylella fastidiosa CoDiRO strain associated with the olive quick decline syndrome in southern Italy belongs to a clonal complex of the subspecies pauca that evolved in Central America.

PubMed

Marcelletti, Simone; Scortichini, Marco

2016-12-01

Xylella fastidiosa, a xylem-limited bacterium transmitted by xylem-fluid-feeding Hemiptera insects, causes economic losses of both woody and herbaceous plant species. A Xyl. fastidiosa subsp. pauca strain, namely CoDiRO, was recently found to be associated with the 'olive quick decline syndrome' in southern Italy (i.e. Apulia region). Recently, some Xyl. fastidiosa strains intercepted in France from Coffea spp. plant cuttings imported from Central and South America were characterized. The introduction of infected plant material from Central America in Apulia was also postulated even though an ad hoc study to confirm this hypothesis is lacking. In the present study, we assessed the complete and draft genome of 27 Xyl. fastidiosa strains. Through a genome-wide approach, we confirmed the occurrence of three subspecies within Xyl. fastidiosa, namely fastidiosa, multiplex and pauca, and demonstrated the occurrence of a genetic clonal complex of four Xyl. fastidiosa strains belonging to subspecies pauca which evolved in Central America. The CoDiRO strain displayed 13 SNPs when compared with a strain isolated in Costa Rica from Coffea sp. and 32 SNPs when compared with two strains obtained from Nerium oleander in Costa Rica. These results support the close relationships of the two strains. The four strains in the clonal complex contain prophage-like genes in their genomes. This study strongly supports the possibility of the introduction of Xyl. fastidiosa in southern Italy via coffee plants grown in Central America. The data also stress how the current global circulation of agricultural commodities potentially threatens the agrosystems worldwide.

Spatial heterogeneity of the relationships between environmental characteristics and active commuting: towards a locally varying social ecological model.

PubMed

Feuillet, Thierry; Charreire, Hélène; Menai, Mehdi; Salze, Paul; Simon, Chantal; Dugas, Julien; Hercberg, Serge; Andreeva, Valentina A; Enaux, Christophe; Weber, Christiane; Oppert, Jean-Michel

2015-03-25

According to the social ecological model of health-related behaviors, it is now well accepted that environmental factors influence habitual physical activity. Most previous studies on physical activity determinants have assumed spatial homogeneity across the study area, i.e. that the association between the environment and physical activity is the same whatever the location. The main novelty of our study was to explore geographical variation in the relationships between active commuting (walking and cycling to/from work) and residential environmental characteristics. 4,164 adults from the ongoing Nutrinet-Santé web-cohort, residing in and around Paris, France, were studied using a geographically weighted Poisson regression (GWPR) model. Objective environmental variables, including both the built and the socio-economic characteristics around the place of residence of individuals, were assessed by GIS-based measures. Perceived environmental factors (index including safety, aesthetics, and pollution) were reported by questionnaires. Our results show that the influence of the overall neighborhood environment appeared to be more pronounced in the suburban southern part of the study area (Val-de-Marne) compared to Paris inner city, whereas more complex patterns were found elsewhere. Active commuting was positively associated with the built environment only in the southern and northeastern parts of the study area, whereas positive associations with the socio-economic environment were found only in some specific locations in the southern and northern parts of the study area. Similar local variations were observed for the perceived environmental variables. These results suggest that: (i) when applied to active commuting, the social ecological conceptual framework should be locally nuanced, and (ii) local rather than global targeting of public health policies might be more efficient in promoting active commuting.

High-precision U-Pb geochronology in the Minnesota River Valley subprovince and its bearing on the Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic evolution of the southern Superior Province

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schmitz, M.D.; Bowring, S.A.; Southwick, D.L.; Boerboom, Terrence; Wirth, K.R.

2006-01-01

High-precision U-Pb ages have been obtained for high-grade gneisses, late-kinematic to postkinematic granitic plutons, and a crosscutting mafic dike of the Archean Minnesota River Valley tectonic subprovince, at the southern ramparts of the Superior craton of North America. The antiquity of the Minnesota River Valley terranes is confirmed by a high-precision U-Pb zircon age of 3422 ?? 2 Ma for a tonalitic phase of the Morton Gneiss. Voluminous, late-kinematic monzogranites of the Benson (Ortonville granite) and Morton (Sacred Heart granite) blocks yield identical crystallization ages of 2603 ?? 1 Ma, illustrating the synchrony and rapidity of deep crustal melting and plutonism throughout the Minnesota River Valley terranes. Postkinematic, 2591 ?? 2 Ma syenogranites and aplitic dikes in both blocks effectively constrain the final penetrative deformation of the Minnesota River Valley subprovince. Monazite growth from 2609 to 2595 Ma in granulitic paragneisses of the Benson and Montevideo blocks is interpreted to record prograde to peak granulite facies metamorphic conditions associated with crustal thickening and magmatism. Neoarchean metamorphism and plutonism are interpreted to record the timing of collisional accretion and terminal suturing of the Mesoarchean continental Minnesota River Valley terranes to the southern margin of the Superior Province, along the western Great Lakes tectonic zone. Subsequent Paleoproterozoic rifting of this margin is recorded by voluminous basaltic dike intrusion, expressed in the Minnesota River Valley by major WNW-trending tholeiitic diabase dikes dated at 2067 ?? 1 Ma, only slightly younger than the structurally and geochemically similar 2077 ?? 4 Ma Fort Frances (Kenora-Kabetogama) dike swarm of northern Minnesota and adjoining Canada. ?? 2006 Geological Society of America.

The subgenus Monotarsobius in the Iberian Peninsula with a description of a new pseudo-cryptic species from Northern Spain revealed by an integrative revision of Lithobius crassipes L. Koch, 1862 (Chilopoda, Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae)

PubMed Central

Voigtländer, Karin; Iorio, Etienne; Decker, Peter; Spelda, Jörg

2017-01-01

Abstract The widespread European centipede species Lithobius (Monotarsobius) crassipes L. Koch, 1862 was revised using an integrative approach incorporating sequence data and morphology. The partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) barcoding gene was amplified and sequenced for 21 individuals from northern Spain, France and Germany as well as for individuals of three other species of the subgenus Monotarsobius Verhoeff, 1905. The dataset was used for molecular phylogenetic analysis and genetic distance determination. In addition, Monotarsobius specimens from more than 100 localities in northern Spain, France, and Germany were morphologically investigated. Both morphological and molecular data indicate that specimens from the Navarre and Gipuzkoa provinces, northern Spain, represent a distinct pseudo-cryptic species, only differing in some minor characters from L. crassipes. The new species L. (Monotarsobius) crassipesoides sp. n. is described and compared to L. crassipes in detail using morphology and morphometric statistics for body, head, and antennae length, number of ocelli and coxal pores, as well as the starting leg for legpair spines Vmt and DaP. The Iberian and European records of L. crassipes are discussed. The subspecies L. crassipes morenoi Garcia Ruiz, 2014 from Southern Spain is elevated to species as L. morenoi stat. n. A checklist, distribution map and key to all five species of Monotarsobius of the Iberian Peninsula are presented. PMID:28769719

Global integration of European tuna markets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiménez-Toribio, Ramòn; Guillotreau, Patrice; Mongruel, Rémi

2010-07-01

This paper evaluates the degree of integration between the world market and the major European marketplaces of frozen and canned tuna through both vertical and horizontal price relationships. Spatial linkages are investigated horizontally in order to estimate the connection between the European market and the world-wide market on the primary stage of the value chain. One of the key results is the high level of market integration at the ex-vessel stage, and the price leadership of yellowfin tuna over skipjack tuna. The same approach is applied at the ex-factory level. Basically, the European market for final goods appears to be segmented between the Northern countries consuming low-priced canned skipjack tuna imported from Asia (mainly Thailand) and the Southern countries (Italy, Spain) processing and importing yellowfin-based products sold at higher prices. France appears to be an intermediate market where both products are consumed. The former market is found to be well integrated to the world market and can be considered to be competitive, but there is a suspicion of market power being exercised on the latter. Price relationships are therefore tested vertically between the price of frozen tuna paid by the canneries and the price of canned fish in both Italy and France. The two species show an opposite pattern in prices transmission along the value chain: price changes along the chain are far better transmitted for the “global” skipjack tuna than for the more “European” yellowfin tuna. The results are discussed, along with their implications for the fishing industry.

[Improving practice in breast pathology: 34-months experience of the regional SENOPATH network and webinars as a tool for diagnosis of difficult lesions of the breast].

PubMed

Quintyn-Ranty, Marie-Laure; Gordien, Karine; Caveriviere, Paul; Mery, Éliane; Jamme-Lallemand, Muriel; Wuithier, Pascal; Palasse, Julien; Reyre, Joelle; Laborie, Vincent; Despax, Brigitte; Rolland, Véronique; Thibaut, Isabelle; Maissongrosse, Véronique; Escourrou, Ghislaine; Duprez-Paumier, Raphaëlle; Bauvin, Éric; Jacob, Michel; Lacroix-Triki, Magali

2015-10-01

Pathologists commonly face breast lesions that are difficult to diagnose. To reduce second opinion delay, erase geographical barrier and provide continuing education, we aimed to develop a telepathology-based regional network of pathologists. With the support of ONCOMIP network, we founded a peer-group named SENOPATH, composed of experienced breast pathologists practising in private laboratories, university hospitals or comprehensive cancer center in the region of Midi-Pyrénées in France. Submitted cases are digitalized at the University Hospital, stored in a shared space with a possible access via Internet prior to the SENOPATH sessions. The group meets monthly, via a synchronized webinar and multihead microscope session. A consensual diagnosis and final pathology report is issued for each case, and sent to the referring clinician via the patient medical file securely hosted by ONCOMIP. Between 2012 and 2014, 142 cases were reviewed, for either diagnostic 'routine' difficulty or rare histological type. The SENOPATH group, also regularly called by oncologists to solve difficult cases, has considerably improved the pathologist network in Southern France. Supported by the webinar tool, its educational impact is prominent, with a considerable progress in the region with regards to standardization of pathology processes, literature review and knowledge sharing. Copyright © 2015 Société Française du Cancer. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

[Measles in France].

PubMed

Mortamet, G; Dina, J; Freymuth, F; Guillois, B; Vabret, A

2012-11-01

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases implicated in an outbreak in Western Europe for a few years. In France, the outbreak began in 2008, especially in the southern regions. Most of the cases are mild but deleterious effects can occur in infants, during the pregnancy, or in immunosuppressive patients. Pneumonia and encephalitis are the major complications in these patients. Measles illness during pregnancy results in a higher risk of premature labor, spontaneous abortion, and low-birthweight infants. Death from measles was reported in approximately 0.3% of cases. The National Reference Center for measles and paramyxoviridae is implicated in biological confirmation of cases and epidemiologic surveillance. Virologic diagnosis consists in a direct detection of viral RNA (real time PCR), or indirect detection of the immune response (IgM and IgG) in saliva samples. The measles genotype is determined by sequencing a 450 nucleotids fragment of the N gene, as the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation. This molecular analysis helps determine the geographic origin of the virus and the viral strains circulating in the country. In 2011, 3105 specimens were received. PCR was positive for 1990 patients (64%), with a large majority of children younger than 2 years of age and young adults. The most important cause of measles resurgence is low vaccination coverage. The role of pediatricians is important in order to achieve the goal of 95% of vaccination coverage established by the WHO. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Identifying Flow Networks in a Karstified Aquifer by Application of the Cellular Automata-Based Deterministic Inversion Method (Lez Aquifer, France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fischer, P.; Jardani, A.; Wang, X.; Jourde, H.; Lecoq, N.

2017-12-01

The distributed modeling of flow paths within karstic and fractured fields remains a complex task because of the high dependence of the hydraulic responses to the relative locations between observational boreholes and interconnected fractures and karstic conduits that control the main flow of the hydrosystem. The inverse problem in a distributed model is one alternative approach to interpret the hydraulic test data by mapping the karstic networks and fractured areas. In this work, we developed a Bayesian inversion approach, the Cellular Automata-based Deterministic Inversion (CADI) algorithm to infer the spatial distribution of hydraulic properties in a structurally constrained model. This method distributes hydraulic properties along linear structures (i.e., flow conduits) and iteratively modifies the structural geometry of this conduit network to progressively match the observed hydraulic data to the modeled ones. As a result, this method produces a conductivity model that is composed of a discrete conduit network embedded in the background matrix, capable of producing the same flow behavior as the investigated hydrologic system. The method is applied to invert a set of multiborehole hydraulic tests collected from a hydraulic tomography experiment conducted at the Terrieu field site in the Lez aquifer, Southern France. The emergent model shows a high consistency to field observation of hydraulic connections between boreholes. Furthermore, it provides a geologically realistic pattern of flow conduits. This method is therefore of considerable value toward an enhanced distributed modeling of the fractured and karstified aquifers.

The Evolution of Minehunting in France (L’Evolution de la Chasse aux Mines en France),

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-07-13

The Necessity of Minehunting in France And why are the French , Ohl such a small number of experts, interested in minehunting? The coasts of France are...AD-A132 532 THE EVOLUTION OF MINEHUNTING IN FRANCE IL’EVOLUTION DE I/1 LA CHASSE AUX MINES EN FRANCE )(U) NAVAL INTELLIGENCE SUPPORT CENTER WASHINGTON...MINEHUNTING IN FRANCE AUTHOR: DE DREZIGUE TRANSLATEO gY: LCDR ROBERT AUGELLI, USNR-R NISC TRANSLATION UNIT 0166 eei o DTIC MI’S OR&I DfIC T ELECTE Ja~tinoati

An overview of MAP/GLOBUS NO(x)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pommereau, J. P.

1989-01-01

GLOBUS NO(x) is a combined observation of nitrogen compounds by more than 20 experiments, from satellites, remote and in situ instruments on board balloons and ground observatories, within a short time period. Held in September 1985 above Southern France, the field campaign has been a technical success. Most of the observations were achieved as anticipated. NO, NO2 and relevant species and physical parameters involved in their photochemistry, were measured between 5 and 40 km at several periods of the day. A first step of data interpretation which consists of instrumental intercomparisons, is now achieved. Several systematic biases between data of various origins which have appeared in the past, are now understood and reduced. A second step which deals with atmospheric photochemistry issues like diurnal cycles and budget, is now on its way. It will be the object of a close exchange between experimenters involved in the campaign and modelers.

Simulation of ozone production in a complex circulation region using nested grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taghavi, M.; Cautenet, S.; Foret, G.

2003-07-01

During ESCOMPTE precampaign (15 June to 10 July 2000), three days of intensive pollution (IOP0) have been observed and simulated. The comprehensive RAMS model, version 4.3, coupled online with a chemical module including 29 species, has been used to follow the chemistry of the zone polluted over southern France. This online method can be used because the code is paralleled and the SGI 3800 computer is very powerful. Two runs have been performed: run1 with one grid and run2 with two nested grids. The redistribution of simulated chemical species (ozone, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) was compared to aircraft measurements and surface stations. The 2-grid run has given substantially better results than the one-grid run only because the former takes the outer pollutants into account. This online method helps to explain dynamics and to retrieve the chemical species redistribution with a good agreement.

Secondary Aerosol Formation over the ESCOMPTE Area: Results from airborne Aerosol and Trace Gas Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Dingenen, R.; Martins-Dos Santos, S.; Putaud, J. P.; Allet, C.; Bretton, E.; Perros, P.

2003-04-01

From June 10th to July 14th 2001, the ESCOMPTE campaign took place in the Marseille-Berre area in Southern France. The goal of the campaign was to produce a high quality 3-D data base from emissions, transport and air composition measurements during urban photochemical pollution episodes at the meso-scale. The CAATER AEROPLUM project was embedded within this international field campaign. AEROPLUM aimed at mapping size distributions of aerosols and photo-oxidants in the mixed layer over the ESCOMPTE domain, using the ARAT Fokker 27 as measurement platform. Aircraft sub-micrometer aerosol measurements are validated during overpasses against ground-based measurements, carried out with similar instrumentation. We will present and discuss data during periods of seabreeze, transporting coastal industrial and urban pollution land-inwards. This leads to intense photochemical activity, evidenced by elevated O_3 concentrations and aerosol levels.

Simulation of ozone production in a complex circulation region using nested grids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taghavi, M.; Cautenet, S.; Foret, G.

2004-06-01

During the ESCOMPTE precampaign (summer 2000, over Southern France), a 3-day period of intensive observation (IOP0), associated with ozone peaks, has been simulated. The comprehensive RAMS model, version 4.3, coupled on-line with a chemical module including 29 species, is used to follow the chemistry of the polluted zone. This efficient but time consuming method can be used because the code is installed on a parallel computer, the SGI 3800. Two runs are performed: run 1 with a single grid and run 2 with two nested grids. The simulated fields of ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide are compared with aircraft and surface station measurements. The 2-grid run looks substantially better than the run with one grid because the former takes the outer pollutants into account. This on-line method helps to satisfactorily retrieve the chemical species redistribution and to explain the impact of dynamics on this redistribution.

WMO World Record Lightning Extremes: Longest Reported Flash Distance and Longest Reported Flash Duration

PubMed Central

Lang, Timothy J.; Pédeboy, Stéphane; Rison, William; Cerveny, Randall S.; Montanyà, Joan; Chauzy, Serge; MacGorman, Donald R.; Holle, Ronald L.; Ávila, Eldo E.; Zhang, Yijun; Carbin, Gregory; Mansell, Edward R.; Kuleshov, Yuriy; Peterson, Thomas C.; Brunet, Manola; Driouech, Fatima; Krahenbuhl, Daniel S.

2017-01-01

A World Meteorological Organization weather and climate extremes committee has judged that the world’s longest reported distance for a single lightning flash occurred with a horizontal distance of 321 km (199.5 mi) over Oklahoma in 2007, while the world’s longest reported duration for a single lightning flash is an event that lasted continuously for 7.74 seconds over southern France in 2012. In addition, the committee has unanimously recommended amendment of the AMS Glossary of Meteorology definition of lightning discharge as a “series of electrical processes taking place within 1 second” by removing the phrase “within one second” and replacing with “continuously.” Validation of these new world extremes (a) demonstrates the recent and on-going dramatic augmentations and improvements to regional lightning detection and measurement networks, (b) provides reinforcement regarding the dangers of lightning, and (c) provides new information for lightning engineering concerns. PMID:28111477

Range expansion of the Bluetongue vector, Culicoides imicola, in continental France likely due to rare wind-transport events.

PubMed

Jacquet, Stéphanie; Huber, Karine; Pagès, Nonito; Talavera, Sandra; Burgin, Laura E; Carpenter, Simon; Sanders, Christopher; Dicko, Ahmadou H; Djerbal, Mouloud; Goffredo, Maria; Lhor, Youssef; Lucientes, Javier; Miranda-Chueca, Miguel A; Pereira Da Fonseca, Isabel; Ramilo, David W; Setier-Rio, Marie-Laure; Bouyer, Jérémy; Chevillon, Christine; Balenghien, Thomas; Guis, Hélène; Garros, Claire

2016-06-06

The role of the northward expansion of Culicoides imicola Kieffer in recent and unprecedented outbreaks of Culicoides-borne arboviruses in southern Europe has been a significant point of contention. We combined entomological surveys, movement simulations of air-borne particles, and population genetics to reconstruct the chain of events that led to a newly colonized French area nestled at the northern foot of the Pyrenees. Simulating the movement of air-borne particles evidenced frequent wind-transport events allowing, within at most 36 hours, the immigration of midges from north-eastern Spain and Balearic Islands, and, as rare events, their immigration from Corsica. Completing the puzzle, population genetic analyses discriminated Corsica as the origin of the new population and identified two successive colonization events within west-Mediterranean basin. Our findings are of considerable importance when trying to understand the invasion of new territories by expanding species.

Resurrection and typification of Elatine campylosperma (Elatinaceae), a long-forgotten waterwort species

PubMed Central

Molnár V., Attila; Lukács, Balázs A.; Nagy, Timea; Popiela, Agnieszka; Somlyay, Lajos

2018-01-01

The name Elatine campylosperma Seub. is generally treated as one of the synonyms of E. macropoda Guss. However, recent morphological, phylogenetic and karyological studies indicate that this judgement should be revised. In the present paper we typify the name E. campylosperma, review its taxonomic history and provide a thorough description, with compilation of previously published data and our new measurements from in vitro cultures. Based on our herbarium survey, we outline its Atlantic-Mediterranean distribution area (Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Algeria). Habitat preferences are summarized from our field observations, water quality measurements and the label information of the herbarium specimens examined. Intact E. campylosperma seeds were found in faecal samples of the Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra L.) in southern Spain and two of them were germinated, suggesting that E. campylosperma has a capacity for long distance dispersal via endozoochory. PMID:29868294

[Serious events: from statutory requirements to the implementation].

PubMed

Aullen, J-P; Lassale, B; Verdot, J-J

2008-11-01

From 2005, PACA area has formed think-tank group a priori risk in the transfusional chain. It has enabled to determine each step of the elementary process and evaluate the frequency, the seriousness and critical effect of the errors. Blood sample and conformity are the most critical points and depend on the vigilance identity. In September 2007, the southern blood bank of France has settled 12 nonconformities levels of blood samples. They send the listing of the nonconformities every month. This listing enables the executive staff to determine the errors and, therefore, to solve them. The regional notification of 2007 to 2008 confirms analysis of the think-tank team. Hence, we were able to list the most serious cases. Public and private hospitals have to notify the serious events and will be bound to evaluate professional practices. These acts will be taken into account by the regional-medical contract.

Stratospheric Smoke With Unprecedentedly High Backscatter Observed by Lidars Above Southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khaykin, S. M.; Godin-Beekmann, S.; Hauchecorne, A.; Pelon, J.; Ravetta, F.; Keckhut, P.

2018-02-01

Extreme pyroconvection events triggered by wildfires in northwest Canada and United States during August 2017 resulted in vast injection of combustion products into the stratosphere. The plumes of stratospheric smoke were observed by lidars at Observatoire de Haute-Provence (OHP) for many weeks that followed the fires as distinct aerosol layers with backscatter reaching unprecedentedly high values for a nonvolcanic aerosol layer. We use spaceborne CALIOP lidar to track the spatiotemporal evolution of the smoke plumes before their detection at OHP. A remarkable agreement between ground- and spaced-based lidars sampling the same smoke plume on a particular date allowed us to extrapolate the OHP observations to a regional scale, where CALIOP reported extreme aerosol optical depth values as high as 0.21. On a monthly time scale, the lidar observations indicate that boreal summer 2017 forest fires had a hemisphere-scale impact on stratospheric aerosol load, similar to that of moderate volcanic eruptions.

Géométrie et cinématique post-oligocène des failles d'Aix et de la moyenne Durance (Provence, France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guignard, Pierre; Bellier, Olivier; Chardon, Dominique

2005-02-01

The southern termination of the left-lateral 'Moyenne Durance' Fault (FMD) consists in several segments, some being connected to WSW-trending south-verging reverse faults. To the south, the Aix fault is reactivated in a post-Oligocene strike-slip movement showing that these two faults might belong to the same system. This system seems to transfer, in turn, slip to the east-trending, south-verging Trévaresse reverse fault, allowing southward propagation of the Alpine deformation front in western Provence. Fault kinematics analysis shows lateral stress field change between the two faults. Strike-slip stress state is characterized by an average N150°E trending σ1 near the FMD termination, whilst strike-slip and reverse faulting stress states show north-trending σ to the south. To cite this article: P. Guignard et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).

Pandemic Strain of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotype O

PubMed Central

Samuel, Alan R.; Davies, Paul R.; Midgley, Rebecca J.; Valarcher, Jean-François

2005-01-01

A particular genetic lineage of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype O, which we have named the PanAsia strain, was responsible for an explosive pandemic in Asia and extended to parts of Africa and Europe from 1998 to 2001. In 2000 and 2001, this virus strain caused outbreaks in the Republic of Korea, Japan, Russia, Mongolia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, France, and the Netherlands, countries which last experienced FMD outbreaks decades before (ranging from 1934 for Korea to 1984 for the Netherlands). Although the virus has been controlled in all of these normally FMD-free or sporadically infected countries, it appears to be established throughout much of southern Asia, with geographically separated lineages evolving independently. A pandemic such as this is a rare phenomenon but demonstrates the ability of newly emerging FMDV strains to spread rapidly throughout a wide region and invade countries previously free from the disease. PMID:16485475

WMO World Record Lightning Extremes: Longest Reported Flash Distance and Longest Reported Flash Duration.

PubMed

Lang, Timothy J; Pédeboy, Stéphane; Rison, William; Cerveny, Randall S; Montanyà, Joan; Chauzy, Serge; MacGorman, Donald R; Holle, Ronald L; Ávila, Eldo E; Zhang, Yijun; Carbin, Gregory; Mansell, Edward R; Kuleshov, Yuriy; Peterson, Thomas C; Brunet, Manola; Driouech, Fatima; Krahenbuhl, Daniel S

2017-06-01

A World Meteorological Organization weather and climate extremes committee has judged that the world's longest reported distance for a single lightning flash occurred with a horizontal distance of 321 km (199.5 mi) over Oklahoma in 2007, while the world's longest reported duration for a single lightning flash is an event that lasted continuously for 7.74 seconds over southern France in 2012. In addition, the committee has unanimously recommended amendment of the AMS Glossary of Meteorology definition of lightning discharge as a "series of electrical processes taking place within 1 second" by removing the phrase "within one second" and replacing with "continuously." Validation of these new world extremes (a) demonstrates the recent and on-going dramatic augmentations and improvements to regional lightning detection and measurement networks, (b) provides reinforcement regarding the dangers of lightning, and (c) provides new information for lightning engineering concerns.

Mitochondrial haplogroup U5b3: a distant echo of the epipaleolithic in Italy and the legacy of the early Sardinians.

PubMed

Pala, Maria; Achilli, Alessandro; Olivieri, Anna; Hooshiar Kashani, Baharak; Perego, Ugo A; Sanna, Daria; Metspalu, Ene; Tambets, Kristiina; Tamm, Erika; Accetturo, Matteo; Carossa, Valeria; Lancioni, Hovirag; Panara, Fausto; Zimmermann, Bettina; Huber, Gabriela; Al-Zahery, Nadia; Brisighelli, Francesca; Woodward, Scott R; Francalacci, Paolo; Parson, Walther; Salas, Antonio; Behar, Doron M; Villems, Richard; Semino, Ornella; Bandelt, Hans-Jürgen; Torroni, Antonio

2009-06-01

There are extensive data indicating that some glacial refuge zones of southern Europe (Franco-Cantabria, Balkans, and Ukraine) were major genetic sources for the human recolonization of the continent at the beginning of the Holocene. Intriguingly, there is no genetic evidence that the refuge area located in the Italian Peninsula contributed to this process. Here we show, through phylogeographic analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation performed at the highest level of molecular resolution (52 entire mitochondrial genomes), that the most likely homeland for U5b3-a haplogroup present at a very low frequency across Europe-was the Italian Peninsula. In contrast to mtDNA haplogroups that expanded from other refugia, the Holocene expansion of haplogroup U5b3 toward the North was restricted by the Alps and occurred only along the Mediterranean coasts, mainly toward nearby Provence (southern France). From there, approximately 7,000-9,000 years ago, a subclade of this haplogroup moved to Sardinia, possibly as a result of the obsidian trade that linked the two regions, leaving a distinctive signature in the modern people of the island. This scenario strikingly matches the age, distribution, and postulated geographic source of a Sardinian Y chromosome haplogroup (I2a2-M26), a paradigmatic case in the European context of a founder event marking both female and male lineages.

Turonian ammonite faunas from the southern Corbières, Aude, France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kennedy, William James; Bilotte, Michel; Melchior, Patrice

2015-12-01

The Turonian successions of the southern Corbieres comprise three transgressive-regressive cycles in which ammonites occur in three intervals. The lowest comes from the glauconitic basal transgressive unit of the first cycle, and comprises 21 species, including Kamerunoceras douvillei (Pervinquiere, 1907), Kamerunoceras turoniense (d'Orbigny, 1850), Spathites (Jeanrogericeras) revelerianus (Courtiller, 1860), Spathites (Jeanrogericeras) combesi (d'Orbigny, 1856), Mammites nodosoides (Schluter, 1871), Mammites powelli Kennedy, Wright and Hancock, 1987, Fagesia tevestensis (Peron, 1896), Neoptychites cephalotus (Coutiller, 1860), Thomasites rollandi (Thomas and Peron, 1889), Wrightoceras wallsi Reyment, 1954, and Choffaticeras (Choffaticeras) quaasi (Peron, 1904). This is a Lower Turonian assemblage referred to the Mammites nodosoides Zone, although the possibility that elements from the preceding Fagesia catinus Zone are also present cannot be excluded. The fauna from the transgressive glauconitic interval of the succeeding cycle comprises nine species, including Romaniceras (Romaniceras) mexicanum Jones, 1938, Romaniceras (Yubariceras) ornatissimum (Stoliczka, 1864), Pseudotissotia galliennei (d'Orbigny, 1850), Collignoniceras woollgari (Mantell, 1822) sensu lato, Coilopoceras springeri Hyatt, 1903, and Eubostrychoceras (Eubostrychoceras) saxonicum (Schluter, 1872). They indicate the Middle Turonian Romaniceras (R.) mexicanum and R. (Y.) ornatissimum zones. The highest fauna, from the Marnes superieurs de Saint-Louis of the Saint-Louis syncline, is: Subprionocyclus sp. juv., Prionocyclus sp. and Worthoceras cf. rochatianum (d'Orbigny, 1850). The Subprionocyclus are minute individuals that resemble S. bravaisianus (d'Orbigny, 1841), and suggest the presence of the lower Upper Turonian bravaisianus Zone.

MISTRALE: Soil moisture mapping service based on a UAV-embedded GNSS-Reflectometry sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van de Vyvere, Laura; Desenfans, Olivier

2016-04-01

Around 70 percent of worldwide freshwater is used by agriculture. To be able to feed an additional 2 billion people by 2030, water demand is expected to increase tremendously in the next decades. Farmers are challenged to produce "more crop per drop". In order to optimize water resource management, it is crucial to improve soil moisture situation awareness, which implies both a better temporal and spatial resolution. To this end, the objective of the MISTRALE project (Monitoring soIl moiSture and waTeR-flooded Areas for agricuLture and Environment) is to provide UAV-based soil moisture maps that could complement satellite-based and field measurements. In addition to helping farmers make more efficient decisions about where and when to irrigate, MISTRALE moisture maps are an invaluable tool for risk management and damage evaluation, as they provide highly relevant information for wetland and flood-prone area monitoring. In order to measure soil water content, a prototype of a new sensor, called GNSS-Reflectometry (GNSS-R), is being developed in MISTRALE. This approach consists in comparing the direct signal, i.e. the signal travelling directly from satellite to receiver (in this case, embedded in the UAV), with its ground-reflected equivalent. Since soil dielectric properties vary with moisture content, the reflected signal's peak power is affected by soil moisture, unlike the direct one. In order to mitigate the effect of soil surface roughness on measurements, both left-hand and right-hand circular polarization reflected signals have to be recorded and processed. When it comes to soil moisture, using GNSS signals instead of traditional visible/NIR imagery has many advantages: it is operational under cloud cover, during the night, and also under vegetation (bushes, grass, trees). In addition, compared to microwaves, GNSS signal (which lies in L-band, between 1.4 and 1.8 GHz) is less influenced by variation on thermal background. GNSS frequencies are then ideal candidates for soil moisture observation. In the context of the MISTRALE project, both GPS and GALILEO signals will be used. Thanks to a higher number of available satellites and to the GALILEO signals characteristics, the sensor's measurements accuracy will be improved. The GNSS-R sensor will be embedded on Boreal, a fixed-wing UAV weighing less than 20 kg and allowing about 5 kg payload. Boreal is able to fly continuously for 10 hours and has a range of 1000 km. Due to the low elevation (100-150m) of UAV flights, high spatial resolution can be achieved. Test flights have already been performed in Pech Rouge and Camargue areas, France. During these campaigns, soil moisture maps were computed using GNSS-R data. These were successfully correlated with in-situ measurements, considered as ground truth, demonstrating the feasibility of the MISTRALE concept. The MISTRALE project is co-funded by GSA (European GNSS Agency) under H2020 program framework for research and innovation.

Lutein and atherosclerosis: Belfast versus Toulouse revisited.

PubMed

Howard, A N; Thurnham, D I

2017-01-01

In 1995 we reported that mean plasma lutein concentrations in salaried men and women from Toulouse in Southern France were double those in subjects recruited from general practitioner lists in Belfast, Northern Ireland. At the time incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Southern France was among the lowest in Europe and was much higher in Northern Ireland. Plasma lutein is a biomarker of vegetable and fruit intake and evidence suggests that high concentrations are generally associated with better cardiometabolic health. At the time we speculated like others that role of the carotenoids may well have been to prevent oxidation of lipid in the lipoproteins and so reduce the uptake of oxidised lipid by macrophages and its deposition within the intimal layers of the major arteries as plaque. It is now widely accepted that CHD is an inflammatory disease and that macrophages within plaque together with tissue damage contribute to this inflammation. Stimulated macrophages release cytokines to activate the immune system both locally and systemically. Precursor complement proteins in the blood are activated to assist immune cells in phagocytosis and cell repair. Individuals with a history of arteriosclerosis display significantly higher concentrations of complement factors C3 and C3a than subjects without such a history. Metabolism of C3 via the alternate complement pathway can give rise to the membrane attack complex (MAC) which creates a hole or pore in pathogens or host cells, killing the cell. Recent studies in patients with early age related macular disease (AMD) who also exhibit similar elevated concentrations of complement proteins in their blood, showed supplementation with lutein progressively decreased the amount of the MAC and other complement factors in the blood. Lutein was used in the supplementation experiments because it is an important constituent of macular pigment. Thus the healthier cardiometabolic features displayed by the people in Toulouse may have been due to the effects of concurrent high concentrations of plasma lutein on the immune system and complement in particular. Other carotenoids may exert similar antioxidant effects but we and others found no differences in antioxidant nutrients between subjects in Toulouse and Belfast or between subjects with asymptomatic markers of atherosclerosis and controls. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Brazil to Join the European Southern Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2010-12-01

The Federative Republic of Brazil has yesterday signed the formal accession agreement paving the way for it to become a Member State of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). Following government ratification Brazil will become the fifteenth Member State and the first from outside Europe. On 29 December 2010, at a ceremony in Brasilia, the Brazilian Minister of Science and Technology, Sergio Machado Rezende and the ESO Director General, Tim de Zeeuw signed the formal accession agreement aiming to make Brazil a Member State of the European Southern Observatory. Brazil will become the fifteen Member State and the first from outside Europe. Since the agreement means accession to an international convention, the agreement must now be submitted to the Brazilian Parliament for ratification [1]. The signing of the agreement followed the unanimous approval by the ESO Council during an extraordinary meeting on 21 December 2010. "Joining ESO will give new impetus to the development of science, technology and innovation in Brazil as part of the considerable efforts our government is making to keep the country advancing in these strategic areas," says Rezende. The European Southern Observatory has a long history of successful involvement with South America, ever since Chile was selected as the best site for its observatories in 1963. Until now, however, no non-European country has joined ESO as a Member State. "The membership of Brazil will give the vibrant Brazilian astronomical community full access to the most productive observatory in the world and open up opportunities for Brazilian high-tech industry to contribute to the European Extremely Large Telescope project. It will also bring new resources and skills to the organisation at the right time for them to make a major contribution to this exciting project," adds ESO Director General, Tim de Zeeuw. The European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) telescope design phase was recently completed and a major review was conducted where every aspect of this large project was scrutinised by an international panel of independent experts. The panel found that the E-ELT project is technically ready to enter the construction phase. The go-ahead for E-ELT construction is planned for 2011 and when operations start early in the next decade, European, Brazilian and Chilean astronomers will have access to this giant telescope. The president of ESO's governing body, the Council, Laurent Vigroux, concludes: "Astronomers in Brazil will benefit from collaborating with European colleagues, and naturally from having observing time at ESO's world-class observatories at La Silla and Paranal, as well as on ALMA, which ESO is constructing with its international partners." Notes [1] After ratification of Brazil's membership, the ESO Member States will be Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. More information ESO, the European Southern Observatory, is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive astronomical observatory. It is supported by 14 countries: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope, the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory and VISTA, the world's largest survey telescope. ESO is the European partner of a revolutionary astronomical telescope ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. ESO is currently planning a 42-metre European Extremely Large optical/near-infrared Telescope, the E-ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky".

Emerging Heterogeneities in Italian Customs and Comparison with Nearby Countries

PubMed Central

Agliari, Elena; Barra, Adriano; Galluzzi, Andrea; Javarone, Marco Alberto; Pizzoferrato, Andrea; Tantari, Daniele

2015-01-01

In this work we apply techniques and modus operandi typical of Statistical Mechanics to a large dataset about key social quantifiers and compare the resulting behaviors of five European nations, namely France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. The social quantifiers considered are i. the evolution of the number of autochthonous marriages (i.e., between two natives) within a given territorial district and ii. the evolution of the number of mixed marriages (i.e., between a native and an immigrant) within a given territorial district. Our investigations are twofold. From a theoretical perspective, we develop novel techniques, complementary to classical methods (e.g., historical series and logistic regression), in order to detect possible collective features underlying the empirical behaviors; from an experimental perspective, we evidence a clear outline for the evolution of the social quantifiers considered. The comparison between experimental results and theoretical predictions is excellent and allows speculating that France, Italy and Spain display a certain degree of internal heterogeneity, that is not found in Germany and Switzerland; such heterogeneity, quite mild in France and in Spain, is not negligible in Italy and highlights quantitative differences in the habits of Northern and Southern regions. These findings may suggest the persistence of two culturally distinct communities, long-term lasting heritages of different and well-established customs. Also, we find qualitative differences between the evolution of autochthonous and of mixed marriages: for the former imitation in decisional mechanisms seems to play a key role (and this results in a square root relation between the number of autochthonous marriages versus the percentage of possible couples inside that country), while for the latter the emerging behavior can be recovered (in most cases) with elementary models with no interactions, suggesting weak imitation patterns between natives and migrants (and this translates in a linear growth for the number of mixed marriages versus the percentage of possible mixed couples in the country). However, the case of mixed marriages displays a more complex phenomenology, where further details (e.g., the provenance and the status of migrants, linguistic barriers, etc.) should also be accounted for. PMID:26713615

The VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS). The matter density and baryon fraction from the galaxy power spectrum at redshift 0.6 < z < 1.1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rota, S.; Granett, B. R.; Bel, J.; Guzzo, L.; Peacock, J. A.; Wilson, M. J.; Pezzotta, A.; de la Torre, S.; Garilli, B.; Bolzonella, M.; Scodeggio, M.; Abbas, U.; Adami, C.; Bottini, D.; Cappi, A.; Cucciati, O.; Davidzon, I.; Franzetti, P.; Fritz, A.; Iovino, A.; Krywult, J.; Le Brun, V.; Le Fèvre, O.; Maccagni, D.; Małek, K.; Marulli, F.; Percival, W. J.; Polletta, M.; Pollo, A.; Tasca, L. A. M.; Tojeiro, R.; Vergani, D.; Zanichelli, A.; Arnouts, S.; Branchini, E.; Coupon, J.; De Lucia, G.; Ilbert, O.; Moscardini, L.; Moutard, T.

2017-05-01

We use the final catalogue of the VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS) to measure the power spectrum of the galaxy distribution at high redshift, presenting results that extend beyond z = 1 for the first time. We apply a fast Fourier transform technique to four independent subvolumes comprising a total of 51 728 galaxies at 0.6 < z < 1.1 (out of the nearly 90 000 included in the whole survey). We concentrate here on the shape of the direction-averaged power spectrum in redshift space, explaining the level of modelling of redshift-space anisotropies and the anisotropic survey window function that are needed to deduce this in a robust fashion. We then use covariance matrices derived from a large ensemble of mock datasets in order to fit the spectral data. The results are well matched by a standard ΛCDM model, with density parameter ΩM h = 0.227+0.063-0.050 and baryon fraction fB=ΩB/ΩM=0.220+0.058-0.072. These inferences from the high-z galaxy distribution are consistent with results from local galaxy surveys, and also with the cosmic microwave background. Thus the ΛCDM model gives a good match to cosmic structure at all redshifts currently accessible to observational study. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Cerro Paranal, Chile, using the Very Large Telescope under programmes 182.A-0886 and partly under programme 070.A-9007. Also based on observations obtained with MegaPrime/MegaCam, a joint project of CFHT and CEA/DAPNIA, at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), which is operated by the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, the Institut National des Sciences de l'Univers of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) of France, and the University of Hawaii. This work is based in part on data products produced at TERAPIX and the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre as part of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey, a collaborative project of NRC and CNRS. The VIPERS web site is http://www.vipers.inaf.it/

Spatial and Functional Organization of Pig Trade in Different European Production Systems: Implications for Disease Prevention and Control.

PubMed

Relun, Anne; Grosbois, Vladimir; Sánchez-Vizcaíno, José Manuel; Alexandrov, Tsviatko; Feliziani, Francesco; Waret-Szkuta, Agnès; Molia, Sophie; Etter, Eric Marcel Charles; Martínez-López, Beatriz

2016-01-01

Understanding the complexity of live pig trade organization is a key factor to predict and control major infectious diseases, such as classical swine fever (CSF) or African swine fever (ASF). Whereas the organization of pig trade has been described in several European countries with indoor commercial production systems, little information is available on this organization in other systems, such as outdoor or small-scale systems. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the spatial and functional organization of live pig trade in different European countries and different production systems. Data on premise characteristics and pig movements between premises were collected during 2011 from Bulgaria, France, Italy, and Spain, which swine industry is representative of most of the production systems in Europe (i.e., commercial vs. small-scale and outdoor vs. indoor). Trade communities were identified in each country using the Walktrap algorithm. Several descriptive and network metrics were generated at country and community levels. Pig trade organization showed heterogeneous spatial and functional organization. Trade communities mostly composed of indoor commercial premises were identified in western France, northern Italy, northern Spain, and north-western Bulgaria. They covered large distances, overlapped in space, demonstrated both scale-free and small-world properties, with a role of trade operators and multipliers as key premises. Trade communities involving outdoor commercial premises were identified in western Spain, south-western and central France. They were more spatially clustered, demonstrated scale-free properties, with multipliers as key premises. Small-scale communities involved the majority of premises in Bulgaria and in central and Southern Italy. They were spatially clustered and had scale-free properties, with key premises usually being commercial production premises. These results indicate that a disease might spread very differently according to the production system and that key premises could be targeted to more cost-effectively control diseases. This study provides useful epidemiological information and parameters that could be used to design risk-based surveillance strategies or to more accurately model the risk of introduction or spread of devastating swine diseases, such as ASF, CSF, or foot-and-mouth disease.

Emerging Heterogeneities in Italian Customs and Comparison with Nearby Countries.

PubMed

Agliari, Elena; Barra, Adriano; Galluzzi, Andrea; Javarone, Marco Alberto; Pizzoferrato, Andrea; Tantari, Daniele

2015-01-01

In this work we apply techniques and modus operandi typical of Statistical Mechanics to a large dataset about key social quantifiers and compare the resulting behaviors of five European nations, namely France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. The social quantifiers considered are i. the evolution of the number of autochthonous marriages (i.e., between two natives) within a given territorial district and ii. the evolution of the number of mixed marriages (i.e., between a native and an immigrant) within a given territorial district. Our investigations are twofold. From a theoretical perspective, we develop novel techniques, complementary to classical methods (e.g., historical series and logistic regression), in order to detect possible collective features underlying the empirical behaviors; from an experimental perspective, we evidence a clear outline for the evolution of the social quantifiers considered. The comparison between experimental results and theoretical predictions is excellent and allows speculating that France, Italy and Spain display a certain degree of internal heterogeneity, that is not found in Germany and Switzerland; such heterogeneity, quite mild in France and in Spain, is not negligible in Italy and highlights quantitative differences in the habits of Northern and Southern regions. These findings may suggest the persistence of two culturally distinct communities, long-term lasting heritages of different and well-established customs. Also, we find qualitative differences between the evolution of autochthonous and of mixed marriages: for the former imitation in decisional mechanisms seems to play a key role (and this results in a square root relation between the number of autochthonous marriages versus the percentage of possible couples inside that country), while for the latter the emerging behavior can be recovered (in most cases) with elementary models with no interactions, suggesting weak imitation patterns between natives and migrants (and this translates in a linear growth for the number of mixed marriages versus the percentage of possible mixed couples in the country). However, the case of mixed marriages displays a more complex phenomenology, where further details (e.g., the provenance and the status of migrants, linguistic barriers, etc.) should also be accounted for.

Spatial and Functional Organization of Pig Trade in Different European Production Systems: Implications for Disease Prevention and Control

PubMed Central

Relun, Anne; Grosbois, Vladimir; Sánchez-Vizcaíno, José Manuel; Alexandrov, Tsviatko; Feliziani, Francesco; Waret-Szkuta, Agnès; Molia, Sophie; Etter, Eric Marcel Charles; Martínez-López, Beatriz

2016-01-01

Understanding the complexity of live pig trade organization is a key factor to predict and control major infectious diseases, such as classical swine fever (CSF) or African swine fever (ASF). Whereas the organization of pig trade has been described in several European countries with indoor commercial production systems, little information is available on this organization in other systems, such as outdoor or small-scale systems. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the spatial and functional organization of live pig trade in different European countries and different production systems. Data on premise characteristics and pig movements between premises were collected during 2011 from Bulgaria, France, Italy, and Spain, which swine industry is representative of most of the production systems in Europe (i.e., commercial vs. small-scale and outdoor vs. indoor). Trade communities were identified in each country using the Walktrap algorithm. Several descriptive and network metrics were generated at country and community levels. Pig trade organization showed heterogeneous spatial and functional organization. Trade communities mostly composed of indoor commercial premises were identified in western France, northern Italy, northern Spain, and north-western Bulgaria. They covered large distances, overlapped in space, demonstrated both scale-free and small-world properties, with a role of trade operators and multipliers as key premises. Trade communities involving outdoor commercial premises were identified in western Spain, south-western and central France. They were more spatially clustered, demonstrated scale-free properties, with multipliers as key premises. Small-scale communities involved the majority of premises in Bulgaria and in central and Southern Italy. They were spatially clustered and had scale-free properties, with key premises usually being commercial production premises. These results indicate that a disease might spread very differently according to the production system and that key premises could be targeted to more cost-effectively control diseases. This study provides useful epidemiological information and parameters that could be used to design risk-based surveillance strategies or to more accurately model the risk of introduction or spread of devastating swine diseases, such as ASF, CSF, or foot-and-mouth disease. PMID:26870738

Discovery of an extremely weak magnetic field in the white dwarf LTT 16093 = WD 2047+372

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landstreet, J. D.; Bagnulo, S.; Martin, A.; Valyavin, G.

2016-06-01

Context. Magnetic fields have been detected in several hundred white dwarfs, with strengths ranging from a few kG to several hundred MG. Only a few of the known fields have a mean magnetic field modulus below about 1 MG. Aims: We are searching for new examples of magnetic white dwarfs with very weak fields, and trying to model the few known examples. Our search is intended to be sensitive enough to detect fields at the few kG level. Methods: We have been surveying bright white dwarfs for very weak fields using spectropolarimeters at the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope, the William Herschel Telescope (WHT), the European Southern Observatory, and the Russian Special Astrophysical Observatory. We discuss in some detail tests of the WHT spectropolarimeter ISIS using the known magnetic strong-field Ap star HD 215441 (Babcock's star) and the long-period Ap star HD 201601 (γ Equ). Results: We report the discovery of a field with a mean field modulus of about 57 kG in the white dwarf LTT 16093 = WD 2047+372. The field is clearly detected through the Zeeman splitting of Hα seen in two separate circularly polarised spectra from two different spectropolarimeters. Zeeman circular polarisation is also detected, but only barely above the 3σ level. Conclusions: The discovery of this field is significant because it is the third weakest field ever unambiguously discovered in a white dwarf, while still being large enough that we should be able to model the field structure in some detail with future observations. Based on observations made with the William Herschel Telescope operated on the island of La Palma by the Isaac Newton Group in the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias, and on observations obtained at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) which is operated by the National Research Council of Canada, the Institut National des Sciences de l'Univers of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique of France, and the University of Hawaii.

Temporal Trends in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in France: FRANCE 2 to FRANCE TAVI.

PubMed

Auffret, Vincent; Lefevre, Thierry; Van Belle, Eric; Eltchaninoff, Hélène; Iung, Bernard; Koning, René; Motreff, Pascal; Leprince, Pascal; Verhoye, Jean Philippe; Manigold, Thibaut; Souteyrand, Geraud; Boulmier, Dominique; Joly, Patrick; Pinaud, Frédéric; Himbert, Dominique; Collet, Jean Philippe; Rioufol, Gilles; Ghostine, Said; Bar, Olivier; Dibie, Alain; Champagnac, Didier; Leroux, Lionel; Collet, Frédéric; Teiger, Emmanuel; Darremont, Olivier; Folliguet, Thierry; Leclercq, Florence; Lhermusier, Thibault; Olhmann, Patrick; Huret, Bruno; Lorgis, Luc; Drogoul, Laurent; Bertrand, Bernard; Spaulding, Christian; Quilliet, Laurent; Cuisset, Thomas; Delomez, Maxence; Beygui, Farzin; Claudel, Jean-Philippe; Hepp, Alain; Jegou, Arnaud; Gommeaux, Antoine; Mirode, Anfani; Christiaens, Luc; Christophe, Charles; Cassat, Claude; Metz, Damien; Mangin, Lionel; Isaaz, Karl; Jacquemin, Laurent; Guyon, Philippe; Pouillot, Christophe; Makowski, Serge; Bataille, Vincent; Rodés-Cabau, Josep; Gilard, Martine; Le Breton, Hervé

2017-07-04

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is standard therapy for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high surgical risk. However, national data regarding procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes over time are limited. The aim of this study was to assess nationwide performance trends and clinical outcomes of TAVR during a 6-year period. TAVRs performed in 48 centers across France between January 2013 and December 2015 were prospectively included in the FRANCE TAVI (French Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) registry. Findings were further compared with those reported from the FRANCE 2 (French Aortic National CoreValve and Edwards 2) registry, which captured all TAVRs performed from January 2010 to January 2012 across 34 centers. A total of 12,804 patients from FRANCE TAVI and 4,165 patients from FRANCE 2 were included in this analysis. The median age of patients was 84.6 years, and 49.7% were men. FRANCE TAVI participants were older but at lower surgical risk (median logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation [EuroSCORE]: 15.0% vs. 18.4%; p < 0.001). More than 80% of patients in FRANCE TAVI underwent transfemoral TAVR. Transesophageal echocardiography guidance decreased from 60.7% to 32.3% of cases, whereas more recent procedures were increasingly performed in hybrid operating rooms (15.8% vs. 35.7%). Rates of Valve Academic Research Consortium-defined device success increased from 95.3% in FRANCE 2 to 96.8% in FRANCE TAVI (p < 0.001). In-hospital and 30-day mortality rates were 4.4% and 5.4%, respectively, in FRANCE TAVI compared with 8.2% and 10.1%, respectively, in FRANCE 2 (p < 0.001 for both). Stroke and potentially life-threatening complications, such as annulus rupture or aortic dissection, remained stable over time, whereas rates of cardiac tamponade and pacemaker implantation significantly increased. The FRANCE TAVI registry provided reassuring data regarding trends in TAVR performance in an all-comers population on a national scale. Nonetheless, given that TAVR indications are likely to expand to patients at lower surgical risk, concerns remain regarding potentially life-threatening complications and pacemaker implantation. (Registry of Aortic Valve Bioprostheses Established by Catheter [FRANCE TAVI]; NCT01777828). Copyright © 2017 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

78 FR 25365 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-01

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France... applies. FAA's Determination These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and...

ACE/AACE Inspection and Analysis Handbook. Part 2. Engineering

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-06-30

Albania Lek Lebanon Pound Algeria Diner Lsotho Lott Argentina New Peso Liberia Dollar Australia Dollar Libya Diner Austria Schilling Liechtenstein...Maldives Rupee Bllize Doll ar Mali Franc Benin CFA Franc Malta Pound eruda Dollar Mauritania OgutyaBolivia Peso Mauritius Rupee Botswana Pula Mx io Peso ...Canada Dollar Netherlands Guilder Central African Eap. CFA Franc New Zealand Dollar Chad CFA Franc Niceragua Cordoba Chile Peso Niger CFA Franc China Yuan

The Spirit of France

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-01

seemed to boost self esteem amongst the French , giving France a greater sense of dignity. Charles de Gaulle sought grandeur to unite France and give...overshadowed by the US, UK and Russia. The war had left France with little influence in Europe and had psychologically and morally weakened the French ... France as a way to increase the influence base of the French state. Influence, either perceived or real, meant power. Power represented independence

France Without NATO

DTIC Science & Technology

1966-04-08

and unstable France . Two decades of European peace and prosperity are causing the French to reevaluate the threat from the East and to question the...continued need for alliances in which France is not the dominate power. The French attacks on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the...distracted or compromised in his belief of French greatness, stands the "man who is France ," President Charles de Gaulle. France has gained strength

Severe Weather Guide - Mediterranean Ports. 9. Villefranche

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

NSTL, MS 39529-5000 10 SOURCE QF CUNDING NUMBERS PROGRAM ELEMENT NO PROJECT NO TASK NO. WORK UNIT ACCESSION NO DN656794 11 TITLE...AUGUSTA BAY, ITALY 5 CAGLIARI, ITALY 6 LA MADDALENA, ITALY 7 MARSEILLE, FRANCE 8 TOULON, FRANCE 9 VILLEFRANCHE, FRANCE 10 MALAGA, SPAIN 11 NICE... FRANCE 12 CANNES, FRANCE 13 MONACO 14 ASHDOD, ISRAEL 15 HAIFA, ISRAEL BARCELONA, SPAIN PALMA, SPAIN IBIZA, SPAIN POLLENSA BAY, SPAIN VALENCIA

Population genetics of the westernmost distribution of the glaciations-surviving black truffle Tuber melanosporum.

PubMed

García-Cunchillos, Iván; Sánchez, Sergio; Barriuso, Juan José; Pérez-Collazos, Ernesto

2014-04-01

The black truffle (Tuber melanosporum Vittad.) is an important natural resource due to its relevance as a delicacy in gastronomy. Different aspects of this hypogeous fungus species have been studied, including population genetics of French and Italian distribution ranges. Although those studies include some Spanish populations, this is the first time that the genetic diversity and genetic structure of the wide geographical range of the natural Spanish populations have been analysed. To achieve this goal, 23 natural populations were sampled across the Spanish geographical distribution. ISSR technique demonstrated its reliability and capability to detect high levels of polymorphism in the species. Studied populations showed high levels of genetic diversity (h N  = 0.393, h S  = 0.678, Hs = 0.418), indicating a non threatened genetic conservation status. These high levels may be a consequence of the wide distribution range of the species, of its spore dispersion by animals, and by its evolutionary history. AMOVA analysis showed a high degree of genetic structure among populations (47.89%) and other partitions as geographical ranges. Bayesian genetic structure analyses differentiated two main Spanish groups separated by the Iberian Mountain System, and showed the genetic uniqueness of some populations. Our results suggest the survival of some of these populations during the last glaciation, the Spanish southern distribution range perhaps surviving as had occurred in France and Italy, but it is also likely that specific northern areas may have acted as a refugia for the later dispersion to other calcareous areas in the Iberian Peninsula and probably France.

Self-reported dependence on mobile phones in young adults: A European cross-cultural empirical survey

PubMed Central

Lopez-Fernandez, Olatz; Kuss, Daria J.; Romo, Lucia; Morvan, Yannick; Kern, Laurence; Graziani, Pierluigi; Rousseau, Amélie; Rumpf, Hans-Jürgen; Bischof, Anja; Gässler, Ann-Kathrin; Schimmenti, Adriano; Passanisi, Alessia; Männikkö, Niko; Kääriänen, Maria; Demetrovics, Zsolt; Király, Orsolya; Chóliz, Mariano; Zacarés, Juan José; Serra, Emilia; Griffiths, Mark D.; Pontes, Halley M.; Lelonek-Kuleta, Bernadeta; Chwaszcz, Joanna; Zullino, Daniele; Rochat, Lucien; Achab, Sophia; Billieux, Joël

2017-01-01

Background and aims Despite many positive benefits, mobile phone use can be associated with harmful and detrimental behaviors. The aim of this study was twofold: to examine (a) cross-cultural patterns of perceived dependence on mobile phones in ten European countries, first, grouped in four different regions (North: Finland and UK; South: Spain and Italy; East: Hungary and Poland; West: France, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland), and second by country, and (b) how socio-demographics, geographic differences, mobile phone usage patterns, and associated activities predicted this perceived dependence. Methods A sample of 2,775 young adults (aged 18–29 years) were recruited in different European Universities who participated in an online survey. Measures included socio-demographic variables, patterns of mobile phone use, and the dependence subscale of a short version of the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire (PMPUQ; Billieux, Van der Linden, & Rochat, 2008). Results The young adults from the Northern and Southern regions reported the heaviest use of mobile phones, whereas perceived dependence was less prevalent in the Eastern region. However, the proportion of highly dependent mobile phone users was more elevated in Belgium, UK, and France. Regression analysis identified several risk factors for increased scores on the PMPUQ dependence subscale, namely using mobile phones daily, being female, engaging in social networking, playing video games, shopping and viewing TV shows through the Internet, chatting and messaging, and using mobile phones for downloading-related activities. Discussion and conclusions Self-reported dependence on mobile phone use is influenced by frequency and specific application usage. PMID:28425777

Forecasts of health care utilization related to pandemic A(H1N1)2009 influenza in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, France.

PubMed

Giovannelli, J; Loury, P; Lainé, M; Spaccaferri, G; Hubert, B; Chaud, P

2015-05-01

To describe and evaluate the forecasts of the load that pandemic A(H1N1)2009 influenza would have on the general practitioners (GP) and hospital care systems, especially during its peak, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais (NPDC) region, France. Modelling study. The epidemic curve was modelled using an assumption of normal distribution of cases. The values for the forecast parameters were estimated from a literature review of observed data from the Southern hemisphere and French Overseas Territories, where the pandemic had already occurred. Two scenarios were considered, one realistic, the other pessimistic, enabling the authors to evaluate the 'reasonable worst case'. Forecasts were then assessed by comparing them with observed data in the NPDC region--of 4 million people. The realistic scenarios forecasts estimated 300,000 cases, 1500 hospitalizations, 225 intensive care units (ICU) admissions for the pandemic wave; 115 hospital beds and 45 ICU beds would be required per day during the peak. The pessimistic scenario's forecasts were 2-3 times higher than the realistic scenario's forecasts. Observed data were: 235,000 cases, 1585 hospitalizations, 58 ICU admissions; and a maximum of 11.6 ICU beds per day. The realistic scenario correctly estimated the temporal distribution of GP and hospitalized cases but overestimated the number of cases admitted to ICU. Obtaining more robust data for parameters estimation--particularly the rate of ICU admission among the population that the authors recommend to use--may provide better forecasts. Copyright © 2015 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Felix Vicq d'Azyr: anatomy, medicine and revolution.

PubMed

Parent, André

2007-02-01

Félix Vicq d'Azyr was born in 1748 in the small town of Valognes, Normandy. He studied medicine in Paris but he was particularly impressed by the lectures given at the Jardin du Roi by the comparative anatomist Louis Daubenton and the surgeon Antoine Petit. In 1773, Vicq d'Azyr initiated a series of successful lectures on human and animal anatomy at the Paris Medical School, from which he received his medical degree in 1774. He was elected the same year at the Academy of Sciences at age 26, thanks to his outstanding contributions to comparative anatomy. Vicq d'Azyr became widely known after his successful management of a severe cattle plague that occurred in the southern part of France in 1774, an event that led to the foundation of the Royal Society of Medicine in 1778. As Permanent Secretary of this society, Vicq d'Azyr wrote several eulogies that were models of eloquence and erudition and worth him a seat at the French Academy in 1788. Vicq d'Azyr published in 1786 a remarkable anatomy and physiology treatise: a large in-folio that contained original descriptions illustrated by means of nature-sized, colored, human brain figures of a quality and exactitude never attained before. In 1789, Vicq d'Azyr was appointed physician to the Queen Marie-Antoinette and, in 1790, he presented to the Constituent Assembly a decisive plan to reform the teaching of medicine in France. Unfortunately, Vicq d'Azyr did not survive the turmoil of the French Revolution; he died at age 46 on June 20, 1794.

A Mediterranean nocturnal heavy rainfall and tornadic event. Part I: Overview, damage survey and radar analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bech, Joan; Pineda, Nicolau; Rigo, Tomeu; Aran, Montserrat; Amaro, Jéssica; Gayà, Miquel; Arús, Joan; Montanyà, Joan; der Velde, Oscar van

2011-06-01

This study presents an analysis of a severe weather case that took place during the early morning of the 2nd of November 2008, when intense convective activity associated with a rapidly evolving low pressure system affected the southern coast of Catalonia (NE Spain). The synoptic framework was dominated by an upper level trough and an associated cold front extending from Gibraltar along the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula to SE France, which moved north-eastward. South easterly winds in the north of the Balearic Islands and the coast of Catalonia favoured high values of 0-3 km storm relative helicity which combined with moderate MLCAPE values and high shear favoured the conditions for organized convection. A number of multicell storms and others exhibiting supercell features, as indicated by Doppler radar observations, clustered later in a mesoscale convective system, and moved north-eastwards across Catalonia. They produced ground-level strong damaging wind gusts, an F2 tornado, hail and heavy rainfall. Total lightning activity (intra-cloud and cloud to ground flashes) was also relevant, exhibiting several classical features such as a sudden increased rate before ground level severe damage, as discussed in a companion study. Remarkable surface observations of this event include 24 h precipitation accumulations exceeding 100 mm in four different observatories and 30 minute rainfall amounts up to 40 mm which caused local flash floods. As the convective system evolved northward later that day it also affected SE France causing large hail, ground level damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall.

Different genotypes of anatoxin-producing cyanobacteria coexist in the Tarn River, France.

PubMed

Cadel-Six, Sabrina; Peyraud-Thomas, Caroline; Brient, Luc; de Marsac, Nicole Tandeau; Rippka, Rosmarie; Méjean, Annick

2007-12-01

Repeated dog deaths occurred in 2002, 2003, and 2005 after the animals drank water from the shoreline of the Tarn River in southern France. Signs of intoxication indicated acute poisoning due to a neurotoxin. Floating scum and biofilms covering pebbles were collected in the summers of 2005 and 2006 from six different sites along 30 km from the border of this river. The cyanobacterial neurotoxic alkaloid anatoxin-a and/or its methyl homolog, homoanatoxin-a, was detected in the extracts of most samples examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fifteen filamentous cyanobacteria of the order Oscillatoriales were isolated and displayed four distinct phenotypes based on morphological characteristics and pigmentation. Three of the phenotypes can be assigned to the genus Oscillatoria or Phormidium, depending on the taxonomic treatises (bacteriological/botanical) employed for identification. The fourth phenotype is typical of the genus Geitlerinema Anagnostidis 1989. Eight strains rendered axenic were analyzed for production of anatoxin-a and homoanatoxin-a, and all strains of Oscillatoria/Phormidium proved to be neurotoxic. The genetic relatedness of the new isolates was evaluated by comparison of the intergenic transcribed spacer sequences with those of six oscillatorian strains from the Pasteur Culture Collection of Cyanobacteria. These analyses showed that the neurotoxic representatives are composed of five different genotypes, three of which correspond to phenotypes isolated in this study. Our findings prove that neurotoxic oscillatorian cyanobacteria exist in the Tarn River and thus were most likely implicated in the reported dog poisonings. Furthermore, they reemphasize the importance of monitoring benthic cyanobacteria in aquatic environments to fully assess the health risks associated with these organisms.

Provenance analysis of the Voirons Flysch (Gurnigel nappe, Haute-Savoie, France): stratigraphic and palaeogeographic implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ragusa, Jérémy; Kindler, Pascal; Segvic, Branimir; Ospina-Ostios, Lina Maria

2017-04-01

The Chablais Prealps (Haute-Savoie, France) represent a well-preserved accretionary wedge of the Western Alpine Tethys. They comprise a stack of sedimentary nappes related to palaeogeographic realms ranging from the Ultrahelvetic to the Southern Penninic. The provenance analysis is based on the Gazzi-Dickinson method and on QEMSCAN® for heavy-minerals. The Quartzose petrofacies is the most important of the two sources, and supplied three of the four formations of the Voirons Flysch. It is similar to the sources that fed the other flyschs from the Gurnigel nappe. It is characterised by a mature, quartz-rich assemblage and a heavy-mineral population dominated by apatite and the zircon-tourmaline-rutile mineral group. These observations suggest a Clastic wedge provenance. The Feldspathic petrofacies is derived from a feldspar-rich source associated with metamorphic clasts and a heavy-mineral population dominated by garnet. This provenance characterises only one formation of the Voirons Flysch, and is related to the axial belt provenance. This provenance analysis shows that the Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene Voirons Flysch was fed by two sources, in contrast to the other flyschs of the Gurnigel nappe, and further suggests that this flysch was not deposited in the Piemont Ocean but in the Valais domain. Based on the results and comparative provenance analysis with the other flyschs of the Gurnigel nappe, we propose a generic feeding model which involves the Sesia-Dent Blanche nappe, the sedimentary nappes incorporated in the accretionary prism, and probably the Briançonnais basement.

Early Medieval Muslim Graves in France: First Archaeological, Anthropological and Palaeogenomic Evidence

PubMed Central

Pemonge, Marie-Hélène; Hubert, Christophe; Groppi, Alexis; Houix, Bertrand; Deguilloux, Marie-France; Breuil, Jean-Yves

2016-01-01

The rapid Arab-Islamic conquest during the early Middle Ages led to major political and cultural changes in the Mediterranean world. Although the early medieval Muslim presence in the Iberian Peninsula is now well documented, based in the evaluation of archeological and historical sources, the Muslim expansion in the area north of the Pyrenees has only been documented so far through textual sources or rare archaeological data. Our study provides the first archaeo-anthropological testimony of the Muslim establishment in South of France through the multidisciplinary analysis of three graves excavated at Nimes. First, we argue in favor of burials that followed Islamic rites and then note the presence of a community practicing Muslim traditions in Nimes. Second, the radiometric dates obtained from all three human skeletons (between the 7th and the 9th centuries AD) echo historical sources documenting an early Muslim presence in southern Gaul (i.e., the first half of 8th century AD). Finally, palaeogenomic analyses conducted on the human remains provide arguments in favor of a North African ancestry of the three individuals, at least considering the paternal lineages. Given all of these data, we propose that the skeletons from the Nimes burials belonged to Berbers integrated into the Umayyad army during the Arab expansion in North Africa. Our discovery not only discusses the first anthropological and genetic data concerning the Muslim occupation of the Visigothic territory of Septimania but also highlights the complexity of the relationship between the two communities during this period. PMID:26910855

Photosynthesis Decrease and Stomatal Control of Gas Exchange in Abies alba Mill. in Response to Vapor Pressure Difference.

PubMed

Guehl, J M; Aussenac, G

1987-02-01

The responses of steady state CO(2) assimilation rate (A), transpiration rate (E), and stomatal conductance (g(s)) to changes in leaf-to-air vapor pressure difference (DeltaW) were examined on different dates in shoots from Abies alba trees growing outside. In Ecouves, a provenance representative of wet oceanic conditions in Northern France, both A and g(s) decreased when DeltaW was increased from 4.6 to 14.5 Pa KPa(-1). In Nebias, which represented the dry end of the natural range of A. alba in southern France, A and g(s) decreased only after reaching peak levels at 9.0 and 7.0 Pa KPa(-1), respectively. The representation of the data in assimilation rate (A) versus intercellular CO(2) partial pressure (C(i)) graphs allowed us to determine how stomata and mesophyll photosynthesis interacted when DeltaW was increased. Changes in A were primarily due to alterations in mesophyll photosynthesis. At high DeltaW, and especially in Ecouves when soil water deficit prevailed, A declined, while C(i) remained approximately constant, which may be interpreted as an adjustment of g(s) to changes in mesophyll photosynthesis. Such a stomatal control of gas exchange appeared as an alternative to the classical feedforward interpretation of E versus DeltaW responses with a peak rate of E. The gas exchange response to DeltaW was also characterized by considerable deviations from the optimization theory of IR Cowan and GD Farquhar (1977 Symp Soc Exp Biol 31: 471-505).

Self-reported dependence on mobile phones in young adults: A European cross-cultural empirical survey.

PubMed

Lopez-Fernandez, Olatz; Kuss, Daria J; Romo, Lucia; Morvan, Yannick; Kern, Laurence; Graziani, Pierluigi; Rousseau, Amélie; Rumpf, Hans-Jürgen; Bischof, Anja; Gässler, Ann-Kathrin; Schimmenti, Adriano; Passanisi, Alessia; Männikkö, Niko; Kääriänen, Maria; Demetrovics, Zsolt; Király, Orsolya; Chóliz, Mariano; Zacarés, Juan José; Serra, Emilia; Griffiths, Mark D; Pontes, Halley M; Lelonek-Kuleta, Bernadeta; Chwaszcz, Joanna; Zullino, Daniele; Rochat, Lucien; Achab, Sophia; Billieux, Joël

2017-06-01

Background and aims Despite many positive benefits, mobile phone use can be associated with harmful and detrimental behaviors. The aim of this study was twofold: to examine (a) cross-cultural patterns of perceived dependence on mobile phones in ten European countries, first, grouped in four different regions (North: Finland and UK; South: Spain and Italy; East: Hungary and Poland; West: France, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland), and second by country, and (b) how socio-demographics, geographic differences, mobile phone usage patterns, and associated activities predicted this perceived dependence. Methods A sample of 2,775 young adults (aged 18-29 years) were recruited in different European Universities who participated in an online survey. Measures included socio-demographic variables, patterns of mobile phone use, and the dependence subscale of a short version of the Problematic Mobile Phone Use Questionnaire (PMPUQ; Billieux, Van der Linden, & Rochat, 2008). Results The young adults from the Northern and Southern regions reported the heaviest use of mobile phones, whereas perceived dependence was less prevalent in the Eastern region. However, the proportion of highly dependent mobile phone users was more elevated in Belgium, UK, and France. Regression analysis identified several risk factors for increased scores on the PMPUQ dependence subscale, namely using mobile phones daily, being female, engaging in social networking, playing video games, shopping and viewing TV shows through the Internet, chatting and messaging, and using mobile phones for downloading-related activities. Discussion and conclusions Self-reported dependence on mobile phone use is influenced by frequency and specific application usage.

A fluvial record of the mid-Holocene rapid climatic changes in the middle Rhone valley (Espeluche-Lalo, France) and of their impact on Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic societies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berger, Jean-François; Delhon, Claire; Magnin, Frédéric; Bonté, Sandrine; Peyric, Dominique; Thiébault, Stéphanie; Guilbert, Raphaele; Beeching, Alain

2016-03-01

This multi-proxy study of a small floodplain in the Rhone catchment area, at the northern edge of the Mediterranean morphoclimatic system, provides valuable information concerning the impact of mid-Holocene climate variability (8.5-7.0 ka) and the effects of two rapid climatic changes (8.2 and 7.7/7.1 ka) on an alluvial plain, its basin and the first farming societies of the Rhone valley. Around 7.7/7.1 ka, the combined effects of (1) a strong rate of change in insolation and (2) variations in solar activity amplified marine and atmospheric circulation in the north-west Atlantic (Bond event 5b), which imply continental hydrological, soil and vegetation changes in the small catchment area. For this period, strong fluctuations in the plant cover ratio have been identified, related to a regime of sustained and regular fires, as well as abundant erosion of the hill slopes and frequent fluvial metamorphoses which led to braiding of the watercourse in this floodplain. There are few data available to evaluate the impact of natural events on prehistoric communities. This continental archive offers clear multi-proxy data for discussion of these aspects, having 4 cultural layers interbedded in the fluvial sequence (1 Late Mesolithic, 3 Cardial/Epicardial). Earlier data indicate the difficulty in recognizing such cultural features in the low alluvial plains of southern France during the Mesolithic/Early Neolithic transition, which should lead to caution when developing settlement models for this period.

Under-treatment of elderly patients with ovarian cancer: a population based study.

PubMed

Fourcadier, Elisabeth; Trétarre, Brigitte; Gras-Aygon, Claudine; Ecarnot, Fiona; Daurès, Jean-Pierre; Bessaoud, Faïza

2015-11-26

Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women in France, and mainly affects the elderly. The primary objective of this study was to compare treatment of ovarian cancer according to age. All patients with invasive cancer (n=1151) diagnosed between 1997 and 2011 in the Herault Department of southern France were included. Demographic data (age, area of residence), cancer characteristics (stage, histology, grade) and treatment modality (type, period and location of treatment) were analysed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to compare treatment by age. Ovarian cancer was less treated in elderly compared to younger patients, regardless of the type of treatment. This difference was more pronounced for chemotherapy, and was maximal for surgery followed by chemotherapy (odds ratio (OR) for surgery for patients aged >70 vs those aged <70 years=0.47 [0.24-0.91], OR for chemotherapy, age>70 vs <70=0.30 [0.16-0.55] and OR for surgery plus chemotherapy, age>70 vs <70=0.14 [0.08-0.28]). This effect of age was independent of other variables, including stage and grade. The probability of receiving standard treatment, in accordance with recommendations, was reduced by 50% in elderly patients compared to their younger counterparts. Overall and net survival of elderly patients with standard treatment was similar to those of younger patients treated outside standard treatment. Elderly women with ovarian cancer were therapeutically disadvantaged compared to younger women. Further studies including co morbidities are necessary to refine these results and to improve therapeutic management of elderly patients with ovarian cancer.

77 FR 54796 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-06

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT... France Model AS350 helicopters. This AD requires installing protection sleeves over certain forward... helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the...

78 FR 18230 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-26

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France... approved by the aviation authority of France and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant...

78 FR 65871 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-04

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France... aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral...

77 FR 44118 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-27

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA... airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC155B1 helicopters with a certain... Determination These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for...

78 FR 25380 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-01

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France... Determination These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for...

77 FR 70360 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-11-26

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Eurocopter France... France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with...

78 FR 60188 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-01

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described...

78 FR 60681 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-02

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical representative, has...

77 FR 5994 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-07

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA... airworthiness directive (AD) for all Eurocopter France EC130B4 helicopters that have not had Eurocopter... actions. FAA's Determination These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and...

78 FR 59306 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-26

...-0826; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-046-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model... helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and [[Page 59307

77 FR 57996 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-19

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France... directive (AD): 2012-18-08 EUROCOPTER FRANCE: Amendment 39-17184; Docket No. FAA- 2011-1408; Directorate...

78 FR 63853 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-25

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described...

78 FR 857 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-07

... Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter... been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States...

77 FR 16137 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-20

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Eurocopter France... directive (AD): 2012-05-01 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-16973; Docket No. FAA- 2011-0454; Directorate...

78 FR 1739 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-09

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Eurocopter France... Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC France) AD F-2008-04, dated June 4, 2008, for the Eurocopter...

78 FR 9634 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-11

...-0119; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-034-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model... helicopter. FAA's Determination These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and...

78 FR 21233 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-10

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France... (NPRM), which proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Eurocopter France...

78 FR 59298 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-09-26

...-1158; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-018-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to revise airworthiness directive (AD) 2011-22-05 for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter...'s Determination These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are...

77 FR 5991 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-07

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA... airworthiness directive (AD) for the Eurocopter France (ECF) Model AS332L2 helicopter and superseding an AD for... of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement...

PREFACE: 6th International Conference on Inverse Problems in Engineering: Theory and Practice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonnet, Marc

2008-07-01

The 6th International Conference on Inverse Problems in Engineering: Theory and Practice (ICIPE 2008) belongs to a successful series of conferences held up to now following a three-year cycle. Previous conferences took place in Palm Coast, Florida, USA (1993), Le Croisic, France (1996), Port Ludlow, Washington, USA (1999), Angra dos Reis, Brazil (2002), and Cambridge, UK (2005). The conference has its roots on the informal seminars organized by Professor J V Beck at Michigan State University, which were initiated in 1987. The organization of this Conference, which took place in Dourdan (Paris) France, 15-19 June 2008, was made possible through a joint effort by four research departments from four different universities: LEMTA (Laboratoire de Mécanique Théorique et Appliquée, Nancy-Université) LMS (Laboratoire de Mécanique des Solides, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris) LMAC (Laboratoire de Mathématiques Appliquées, UTC Compiègne) LTN (Laboratoire de Thermocinétique, Université de Nantes) It received support from three organizations: SFT (Société Française de Thermique: French Heat Transfer Association) ACSM (Association Calcul de Structures et Simulation : Computational Structural Mechanics Association) GdR Ondes - CNRS (`Waves' Network, French National Center for Scientific Research) The objective of the conference was to provide the opportunity for interaction and cross-fertilization between designers of inverse methods and practitioners. The delegates came from very different fields, such as applied mathematics, heat transfer, solid mechanics, tomography.... Consequently the sessions were organised along mostly methodological topics in order to facilitate interaction among participants who might not meet otherwise. The present proceedings, published in the Journal of Physics: Conference Series, gathers the four plenary invited lectures and the full-length versions of 103 presentations. The latter have been reviewed by the scientific committee (see composition below) and additional reviewers we wish to thank here for their kind help. Among the 194 abstracts initially received, 121 communications have been accepted for presentation, 109 of which having been actually presented (oral or poster form) at the conference, as well as 4 invited plenary lectures. The presentations for each session topic, and the geographic distribution of the delegates, are given in tables below. It is our hope that ICIPE 2008 has contributed to maintaining existing interactions and fostering new ones. We take this opportunity to thank all the authors for their valuable contributions and the excellent atmosphere of the meeting. The next ICIPE conference is planned to take place in the USA in May 2010. It will be organized by Alain J Kassab of the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, and will take place on the UCF campus. Further details regarding ICIPE 2010 conference will be made available on the ICIPE 2008 website during the fall of 2008, and will also be disseminated directly to individuals having attended previous ICIPE meetings. The editorial committee of ICIPE 2008, Marc Bonnet - Guest Editor Stéphane André - Associate guest editor Andrei Constantinescu - Associate guest editor Abdellatif El Badia - Associate guest editor Yvon Jarny - Associate guest editor Denis Maillet - Associate guest editor Scientific Committee: ICIPE 2008 ChairmanM. Bonnet (Ecole Polytech., France) SecretariesS. André (Nancy-U., France) A. Constantinescu (Ecole Polytech., France) Honorary membersO. M. Alifanov (Moscow Aviation Institute, Russia) J. V. Beck (Mich. State U., USA) Members G. Alessandrini (U. Trieste, Italy)R. Kress (U. Goettingen, Germany) J. S. Alves (Inst. Sup. Tecnico, Portugal) S. Kubo (Osaka U., Japan) S. Andrieux (EDF, France) K. J. Langenberg (U. Kassel, Germany) S. Arridge (U. College, London, UK) C. Leniliot (U. Provence, France) M. Azaiez (U. Bordeaux, France) D. Lesnic (U. Leeds, UK) J.-C. Batsale (U. Bordeaux, France) W. Lionheart (U. Manchester, UK) M. Bertero (U. Genova, Italy) D. Maillet (Nancy-U., France) J. Blum (U. Nice, France) W. Marquardt (RWTH Aachen, Germany) H. D. Bui (Ecole Polytech., France) P. A. Martin (Col. School of Mines, USA) T. Burczynski (Silesian Tech. U., Gliwice, Poland) A. Michalak (U. of Michigan, USA) G. Dassios (U. Patras, Greece) A. Nenarokomov (Moscow Aviation Inst., Russia) D. Delaunay (U. Nantes, France) D. Murio (U. Cincinnati, USA) H. Dinh Nho (Hanoi Inst. Maths, Vietnam) A. J. Nowak (Silesian Tech. U. Gliwice, Poland) A. El Badia (U. Tech. Compiègne, France) H. R. B. Orlande (Federal U. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) J. Frankel (U. Tennessee, USA) L. Päivärinta (U. Helsinki, Finland) O. Ghattas (Carnegie Mellon U., USA) D. Petit (U. Poitiers, France) B. Guzina (U. Minnesota, USA) L. Pronzato (U. Nice, France) A. Hasanov (Kocaeli U., Turkey) M. Prud'homme (Ecole Polytech. Montréal, Canada) F. Hild (ENS Cachan, France) O. Scherzer (U. Innsbruck, Austria) C.-H. Huang (National Cheng Kung U., Taiwan) V. Shutyaev (Inst. Num. Maths, Russia) M. Ikehata (Gunma U., Japan) A. J. Silva Neto (U. Estado Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) M. Jaoua (Ecole Nat. Ingé. Tunis, Tunisia) V. Steffen Jr (U. Federal Uberlandia, Brazil) Y. Jarny (U. Nantes, France) G. Uhlmann (U. Washington, USA) S. Kabanikhin (Sobolev Inst. Maths., Russia) K. A. Woodbury (U. Alabama, USA) J. Kaipio (U. Kuopio, Finland) A. Yagola (Moscow State U., Russia) Kyung Youn Kim (Cheju National U., South Korea) E. Zuazua (U. Complutense Madrid, Spain) Additional Reviewers H. Ammari (ESPCI and Ecole Polytech., France) Y. Favennec (U. Poitiers, France) S. Avril (Ecole Mines St. Etienne, France) O. Fudym (Ecole Mines Albi, France) G. Bal (U. Columbia, USA) M. Girault (U. Poitiers, France) J.-L. Battaglia (U. Bordeaux, France) F. Hemez (Los Alamos Natl. Lab., USA) F. Bauer (Johannes Kepler U., Linz, Austria) M. Janicki (RICAM, Linz, Austria & T.U. Lodz, Poland) C. Bissieux (U. Reims, France) N. Laraqi (U. Paris X, France) F. Ben Belgacem (U. Tech. Compiègne, France) P. Le Masson (U. Bretagne Sud, Lorient, France) L. Bourgeois (ENSTA, Paris, France) D. Lemonnier (U. Poitiers, France) M. Burger (U. Münster, Germany) A. Louis (U. Saarbrücken, Germany) F. Cakoni (U. Delaware, USA) C. Moyne (Nancy-U., France) S. Chaabane (ENIT, Tunisia) B. Rémy (Nancy-U., France) L. Cordier (U. Poitiers, France) J.-J. Serra (DGA, Odeillo, France) A. Degiovanni (Nancy-U., France) D. Stemmelen (Nancy-U., France)

77 FR 18967 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-29

...-0339; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-051-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Eurocopter France (Eurocopter... Airworthiness Directive (AD): Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA-2012-0339; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-051-AD...

78 FR 44043 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-23

...-0635; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-081-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model... France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with...

78 FR 23462 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-19

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA... airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS332C, AS332L, and AS332L1 helicopters... helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the...

78 FR 16200 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-14

...-0240; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-060-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eurocopter France (Eurocopter... helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the...

77 FR 44509 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-30

...-0795; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-53-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model... by the aviation authority of the France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant...

78 FR 33764 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-05

...-0479; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-070-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model... authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement...

77 FR 36216 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-18

...-0631; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-021-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France... rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France... approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant...

77 FR 43734 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-26

...-0774; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-057-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model... Determination This helicopter model is manufactured in France and is type certificated for operation in the...

78 FR 37154 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-20

...-0523; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-091-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model... Determination These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for...

78 FR 34960 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-11

...-0501; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-036-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France... rulemaking (NPRM). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France... Determination These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for...

78 FR 51115 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-20

...-0737; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-111-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eurocopter France (Eurocopter... approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant...

78 FR 66668 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-06

...-0938; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-057-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France... Determination These helicopters have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical...

77 FR 56755 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-14

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France... proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to Eurocopter France Model SA341G...

Patterns of alcohol consumption in middle-aged men from France and Northern Ireland. The PRIME study.

PubMed

Marques-Vidal, P; Arveiler, D; Evans, A; Montaye, M; Bingham, A; Ruidavets, J B; McMaster, D; Haas, B; Amouyel, P; Ducimetière, P

2000-04-01

To assess the patterns of alcohol consumption in France and Northern Ireland. Four cross-sectional studies. Sample of 50-59 y old men living in France and Northern Ireland, consuming at least one unit of alcoholic beverage per week. 5363 subjects from France and 1367 from Northern Ireland. None. Consumption of wine was higher in France whereas consumption of beer and spirits was higher in Northern Ireland. Alcohol drinking was rather homogeneous throughout the week in France, whereas Fridays and Saturdays accounted for 60% of total alcohol consumption in Northern Ireland. In both countries, current smokers had a higher consumption of all types of alcoholic beverages than non-smokers. Similarly, obese and hypertensive subjects had a higher total alcohol consumption than non-obese or normotensive subjects, but the type of alcoholic beverages differed between countries. In Northern Ireland, subjects which reported some physical activity consumed significantly less alcoholic beverages than sedentary subjects, whereas no differences were found in France. Conversely, subjects with dyslipidemia consumed more alcoholic beverages than normolipidemic subjects in France, whereas no differences were found in Northern Ireland. In France, total alcohol, wine and beer consumption was negatively related to socioeconomic status and educational level. In Northern Ireland, total alcohol, beer and spirits consumption was negatively related whereas wine consumption was positively related to socioeconomic status and educational level. Alcohol drinking patterns differ between France and Northern Ireland, and also according to cardiovascular risk factors, socioeconomic and educational levels. Merck, Sharp & Dohme-Chibret (France), the NICHSA and the Department of Health and Social Service (Northern Ireland).

77 FR 36213 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-18

...-0630; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-010-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France EC130B4 helicopters... unsafe condition for the Eurocopter France EC130B4 helicopters. EASA states that it received reports that...

77 FR 20319 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-04

...-0354; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-104-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Eurocopter France (EC) Model SA... France: Docket No. FAA-2012-0354; Directorate Identifier 2010-SW-104-AD. (a) Applicability This AD...

77 FR 36220 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-18

...-0632; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-044-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Eurocopter France (Eurocopter... Civil Aviation (DGAC France) AD F-2008-04, dated June 4, 2008, for the Eurocopter Model EC 155 B, EC 155...

77 FR 43738 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-26

...-0772; Directorate Identifier 2007-SW-053-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model... manufactured in France and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 14...

75 FR 53857 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA330J Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-02

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model SA330J Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SA330J helicopters by individual...'' rather than checking for ``play.'' This helicopter model is manufactured in France and is type...

78 FR 47230 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-05

...-0679; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-015-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France... aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical representative, has notified us of the unsafe condition described...

77 FR 11787 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-28

...-0177; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-59-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France Model EC155B and... approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant...

77 FR 50582 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-22

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France... 39 to include an AD that would apply to Eurocopter France Model EC155B and EC155B1 helicopters with a...

77 FR 18965 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-29

...-0338; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-51-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France Model SA341G.... Discussion The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the aviation authority for France...

78 FR 33766 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-05

...-0480; Directorate Identifier 2012-SW-090-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France... approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with France, EASA, its technical representative, has notified us of the...

77 FR 14310 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-09

...-0222; Directorate Identifier 2011-SW-007-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eurocopter France Model AS350... Determination These products have been approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for...

78 FR 75579 - Low Enriched Uranium From France

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-12

... From France Determination On the basis of the record \\1\\ developed in the subject five-year review, the... uranium from France would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an... Commission are contained in USITC Publication 4436 (December 2013), entitled Low Enriched Uranium from France...

75 FR 28469 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-21

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration.... SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model... Unsafe Condition Determination This helicopter has been approved by the aviation authority of France and...

75 FR 42380 - Revocation of Antidumping Duty Order on Sorbitol From France

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-21

... Duty Order on Sorbitol From France AGENCY: Import Administration, International Trade Administration... sunset review of the antidumping duty order on sorbitol from France. See Initiation of Five-year... the existing antidumping duty order on sorbitol from France would not be likely to lead to...

Gravity sliding in basinal setting, a surficial record of tectonic and geodynamic evolution; examples from the southern W. Alps and their foreland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dumont, T.; Franzi, V.; Matthews, S. J.

2012-04-01

The occurrence of large-scale submarine landslides, although commonly observed in the present basins, is only exceptionally mentioned in the Alpine orogen and foreland. The southern part of the Western Alpine arc and the SE basin of France provide examples of such features which could be related with particular geodynamic events, in relation with the motion of the Iberian and Adriatic microplates : - A >50km2 slump scar formed in Aptian times at the northwestern edge of the SE France (so-called Vocontian) basin, giving a low-angle detachment surface which was onlapped by Albian hemipelagic marls (Ferry & Flandrin, 1979). The latter mark the maximum deepening stage of the basin, and the head of the scar is located over a deep-seated fault bounding the platform, which strongly suggest that sliding was caused by differential subsidence due to Middle Cretaceous extension, as a consequence of Iberia-Europe divergence. - Later on, a deep-marine erosion surface developed further down the basin over a >100km2 area (Dévoluy massif; Michard et al., 2010), which had been previously affected by Mid-Cretaceous extension. Typical inversion structures are found beneath the surface, which indicate that NS shortening overprinted the extensional pattern. The removal of up to 400m of Mesozoic sediments was controlled by gravity processes, probably triggered by the deformation of the basin floor following tectonic inversion. The overlying pelagic carbonates indicate that shortening occurred before the Campanian, which is closely comparable with the earliest stages of tectonic inversion in the Pyrenees. - The transition slope between the Paleogene Alpine flexural basin and the NW-ward propagating accretionary prism provides examples of basin floor degradation and of gravity-driven emplacement of large-scale blocks, generally regarded as thrust-sheets in the Alps. These features allow to reconstruct the early stages of the Adria-Europe collision, which strongly differ from the Oligo-Miocene dynamics and which are overprinted or crosscut by the modern orogen (Dumont et al., 2011). Theses examples show that, in different structural and geodynamic settings, detailed analysis of basin floor morphology, (re)sediments transport directions, syndepositional deformations and provenance of exotic blocks can provide useful information about the regional kinematics, which can be integrated with other datasets, i.e. tectonic, metamorphic, thermochronologic, etc. Dumont T., Schwartz S., Guillot S., Simon-Labric T., Tricart P. & Jourdan S. (2011), Structural and sedimentary records of the Oligocene revolution in the Western Alpine arc. Jour. Geodyn., in press. Ferry S. & Flandrin J. (1979), Mégabrèches de resédimentation, lacunes mécaniques et pseudo-« hard-grounds » sur la marge vocontienne au Barrémien et à l'Aptien inférieur (SE France). Géologie Alpine, 55, p. 75-92. Michard A., Dumont T., Andreani L. & Loget N. (2010), Structural and sedimentary records of the Oligocene revolution in the Western Alpine arc. Bull. Soc. Géol. Fr., 181, p. 565-581.

[France, an attractive country for international clinical research: 2008 survey assessed by Leem (French association of pharmaceutical companies)].

PubMed

Lassale, Catherine; Sibenaler, Claire; Béhier, Jehan-Michel; Plétan, Yannick; Courcier, Soizic

2008-01-01

In order to evaluate the attractiveness of France for conducting international clinical trials, a survey is performed every two years among pharmaceutical companies that are based in France or have affiliates in France. Nineteen companies (61.9 % of the French market) have participated in the current survey which included 385 international phase II and III clinical studies, 77 countries, 29,708 centres and 312,835 patients (included in 2006/2007). France (400 patients/million inhabitants) ranked among the best European recruiters in second position behind Scandinavia. Since 2006, France has improved administrative processes and reduced deadlines for hospital contracts. Protocols are now to be given the go-ahead by French Authorities (Afssaps and CPP) within 60 days, in accordance with European directive. Its performance in early phases, oncology/hematology and vaccines/anti-infectious contribute to the attractiveness of France in international clinical research.

Aging in France: Population Trends, Policy Issues, and Research Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beland, Daniel; Durandal, Jean-Philippe Viriot

2013-01-01

Like in other advanced industrial countries, in France, demographic aging has become a widely debated research and policy topic. This article offers a brief overview of major aging-related trends in France. The article describes France's demographics of aging, explores key policy matters, maps the institutional field of French social gerontology…

78 FR 9777 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-12

... Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of... airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC 155B, EC155B1, SA-365N1, AS-365N2 and... aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral...

76 FR 75772 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 120B Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-05

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model EC 120B Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration... the Eurocopter France Model EC 120B helicopters. This AD requires modifying the pilot cyclic control... include an AD that would apply to Eurocopter France Model EC 120B helicopters. That NPRM was published in...

26 CFR 514.9 - Refund of excess tax withheld.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... UNDER TAX CONVENTIONS FRANCE Withholding of Tax § 514.9 Refund of excess tax withheld. (a) Years 1952... taxpayer to file an income tax return (Form 1040NB France for individuals and Form 1120NB France for... alien individual, fiduciary, or partnership) resident in France or was a French corporation, during the...

78 FR 63429 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-24

...-0872; Directorate Identifier 2013-SW-012-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France...). SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France Model AS332C, AS332L... approved by the aviation authority of France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant...

Sub-Saharan African migrants living with HIV acquired after migration, France, ANRS PARCOURS study, 2012 to 2013.

PubMed

Desgrées-du-Loû, Annabel; Pannetier, Julie; Ravalihasy, Andrainolo; Gosselin, Anne; Supervie, Virginie; Panjo, Henri; Bajos, Nathalie; Lert, France; Lydié, Nathalie; Dray-Spira, Rosemary

2015-01-01

We estimated the proportion of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa who acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) while living in France. Life-event and clinical information was collected in 2012 and 2013 from a random sample of HIV-infected outpatients born in sub-Saharan Africa and living in the Paris region. We assumed HIV infection in France if at least one of the following was fulfilled: (i) HIV diagnosis at least 11 years after arrival in France, (ii) at least one negative HIV test in France, (iii) sexual debut after arrival in France. Otherwise, time of HIV infection was based on statistical modelling of first CD4(+) T-cell count; infection in France was assumed if more than 50% (median scenario) or more than 95% (conservative scenario) of modelled infection times occurred after migration. We estimated that 49% of 898 HIV-infected adults born in sub-Saharan Africa (95% confidence interval (CI): 45-53) in the median and 35% (95% CI: 31-39) in the conservative scenario acquired HIV while living in France. This proportion was higher in men than women (44% (95% CI: 37-51) vs 30% (95% CI: 25-35); conservative scenario) and increased with length of stay in France. These high proportions highlight the need for improved HIV policies targeting migrants.

Effects of wood chip amendments on the revegetation performance of plant species on eroded marly terrains in a Mediterranean mountainous climate (Southern Alps, France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breton, Vincent; Crosaz, Yves; Rey, Freddy

2016-04-01

The establishment of plant species can limit soil erosion dynamics in degraded lands. In marly areas in the Southern French Alps, both harsh water erosion and drought conditions in summer due to the Mediterranean mountainous climate prevent the natural implementation and regeneration of vegetation. Soil fertility improvement is sometimes necessary. With the purpose of revegetating such areas, we aimed to evaluate the effects of wood chip amendments on the revegetation performance of different native or sub-spontaneous plant species. We conducted two experiments on steep slopes over three growing seasons (2012-2014). The first consisted of planting seedlings (10 species), and the second consisted of seeding (nine species including six used in the first experiment). First we noted that wood chips were able to remain in place even in steep slope conditions. The planting of seedlings showed both an impact of wood chip amendment and differences between species. A positive effect of wood chips was shown with overall improvement of plant survival (increasing by 11 % on average, by up to 50 % for some species). In the seeding experiment, no plants survived after three growing seasons. However, intermediate results for the first and second years showed a positive effect of wood chips on seedling emergence: seeds of four species only sprouted on wood chips, and for the five other species the average emergence rate increased by 50 %.

Mitochondrial Haplogroup U5b3: A Distant Echo of the Epipaleolithic in Italy and the Legacy of the Early Sardinians

PubMed Central

Pala, Maria; Achilli, Alessandro; Olivieri, Anna; Kashani, Baharak Hooshiar; Perego, Ugo A.; Sanna, Daria; Metspalu, Ene; Tambets, Kristiina; Tamm, Erika; Accetturo, Matteo; Carossa, Valeria; Lancioni, Hovirag; Panara, Fausto; Zimmermann, Bettina; Huber, Gabriela; Al-Zahery, Nadia; Brisighelli, Francesca; Woodward, Scott R.; Francalacci, Paolo; Parson, Walther; Salas, Antonio; Behar, Doron M.; Villems, Richard; Semino, Ornella; Bandelt, Hans-Jürgen; Torroni, Antonio

2009-01-01

There are extensive data indicating that some glacial refuge zones of southern Europe (Franco-Cantabria, Balkans, and Ukraine) were major genetic sources for the human recolonization of the continent at the beginning of the Holocene. Intriguingly, there is no genetic evidence that the refuge area located in the Italian Peninsula contributed to this process. Here we show, through phylogeographic analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation performed at the highest level of molecular resolution (52 entire mitochondrial genomes), that the most likely homeland for U5b3—a haplogroup present at a very low frequency across Europe—was the Italian Peninsula. In contrast to mtDNA haplogroups that expanded from other refugia, the Holocene expansion of haplogroup U5b3 toward the North was restricted by the Alps and occurred only along the Mediterranean coasts, mainly toward nearby Provence (southern France). From there, ∼7,000–9,000 years ago, a subclade of this haplogroup moved to Sardinia, possibly as a result of the obsidian trade that linked the two regions, leaving a distinctive signature in the modern people of the island. This scenario strikingly matches the age, distribution, and postulated geographic source of a Sardinian Y chromosome haplogroup (I2a2-M26), a paradigmatic case in the European context of a founder event marking both female and male lineages. PMID:19500771

Is plasticity across seasons adaptive in the annual cleistogamous plant Lamium amplexicaule?

PubMed Central

Stojanova, B.; Maurice, S.; Cheptou, P.-O.

2016-01-01

Background and aims Many angiosperms exhibit cleistogamy, the production of both cleistogamous flowers (CL), which remain closed and obligately self-pollinated, and chasmogamous flowers (CH), which are potentially open-pollinated. The CH proportion can be plastic. Plasticity is adaptive if environmental changes can be reliably assessed and responded to with an appropriate phenotype and if plastic genotypes have higher fitness in variable environments than non-plastic ones. Methods We studied the plastic response of four natural populations from northern and southern France of an annual cleistogamous plant, Lamium amplexicaule, to predictable seasonal variation. Plants were grown in a semi-controlled environment in spring and in autumn. We assessed the variation in flower number, phenology and cleistogamy-related traits, which were all plastic with respect to season. The CH proportion was higher in spring than in autumn in all four populations. Key Results We showed significant stabilizing selection for cleistogamy traits, with higher optimal CH proportions and more pronounced stabilizing selection in spring than in autumn. Observed CH proportions were close to the predicted optimal CH proportions in each season except in autumn for southern populations, which do not experience the autumnal growing season in nature. Conclusions These results are consistent with adaptive plasticity across seasons of cleistogamy in L. amplexicaule. We propose that adaptive plasticity of cleistogamy could be driven by pollination environment variation, with CL flowers providing reproductive assurance when pollinators are scarce and CH flowers reducing the inbreeding depression in offspring when pollinators are abundant. PMID:26995537

FOREWORD: 2nd International Workshop on New Computational Methods for Inverse Problems (NCMIP 2012)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blanc-Féraud, Laure; Joubert, Pierre-Yves

2012-09-01

Conference logo This volume of Journal of Physics: Conference Series is dedicated to the scientific contributions presented during the 2nd International Workshop on New Computational Methods for Inverse Problems, (NCMIP 2012). This workshop took place at Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, in Cachan, France, on 15 May 2012, at the initiative of Institut Farman. The first edition of NCMIP also took place in Cachan, France, within the scope of the ValueTools Conference, in May 2011 (http://www.ncmip.org/2011/). The NCMIP Workshop focused on recent advances in the resolution of inverse problems. Indeed inverse problems appear in numerous scientific areas such as geophysics, biological and medical imaging, material and structure characterization, electrical, mechanical and civil engineering, and finance. The resolution of inverse problems consists of estimating the parameters of the observed system or structure from data collected by an instrumental sensing or imaging device. Its success firstly requires the collection of relevant observation data. It also requires accurate models describing the physical interactions between the instrumental device and the observed system, as well as the intrinsic properties of the solution itself. Finally, it requires the design of robust, accurate and efficient inversion algorithms. Advanced sensor arrays and imaging devices provide high rate and high volume data; in this context, the efficient resolution of the inverse problem requires the joint development of new models and inversion methods, taking computational and implementation aspects into account. During this one-day workshop, researchers had the opportunity to bring to light and share new techniques and results in the field of inverse problems. The topics of the workshop were: algorithms and computational aspects of inversion, Bayesian estimation, kernel methods, learning methods, convex optimization, free discontinuity problems, metamodels, proper orthogonal decomposition, reduced models for the inversion, non-linear inverse scattering, image reconstruction and restoration, applications (bio-medical imaging, non-destructive evaluation etc). NCMIP 2012 was a one-day workshop. Each of the submitted papers was reviewed by 2 to 4 reviewers. Among the accepted papers, there are 8 oral presentations and 5 posters. Three international speakers were invited for a long talk. This second edition attracted 60 registered attendees in May 2012. NCMIP 2012 was supported by Institut Farman (ENS Cachan) and endorsed by the following French research networks (GDR ISIS, GDR Ondes, GDR MOA, GDR MSPC). The program committee acknowledges the following laboratories CMLA, LMT, LSV, LURPA, SATIE, as well as DIGITEO Network. Laure Blanc-Féraud and Pierre-Yves Joubert Workshop Co-chairs Laure Blanc-Féraud, I3S laboratory, CNRS, France Pierre-Yves Joubert, IEF laboratory, Paris-Sud University, CNRS, France Technical Program Committee Alexandre Baussard, ENSTA Bretagne, Lab-STICC, France Marc Bonnet, ENSTA, ParisTech, France Jerôme Darbon, CMLA, ENS Cachan, CNRS, France Oliver Dorn, School of Mathematics, University of Manchester, UK Mário Figueiredo, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal Laurent Fribourg, LSV, ENS Cachan, CNRS, France Marc Lambert, L2S Laboratory, CNRS, SupElec, Paris-Sud University, France Anthony Quinn, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland Christian Rey, LMT, ENS Cachan, CNRS, France Joachim Weickert, Saarland University, Germany Local Chair Alejandro Mottini, Morpheme group I3S-INRIA Sophie Abriet, SATIE, ENS Cachan, CNRS, France Béatrice Bacquet, SATIE, ENS Cachan, CNRS, France Reviewers Gilles Aubert, J-A Dieudonné Laboratory, CNRS and University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, France Alexandre Baussard, ENSTA Bretagne, Lab-STICC, France Laure Blanc-Féraud, I3S laboratory, CNRS, France Marc Bonnet, ENSTA, ParisTech, France Jerôme Darbon, CMLA, ENS Cachan, CNRS, France Oliver Dorn, School of Mathematics, University of Manchester, UK Gérard Favier, I3S laboratory, CNRS, France Mário Figueiredo, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal Laurent Fribourg, LSV, ENS Cachan, CNRS, France Jérôme Idier, IRCCyN, CNRS, France Pierre-Yves Joubert, IEF laboratory, Paris-Sud University, CNRS, France Marc Lambert, L2S Laboratory, CNRS, SupElec, Paris-Sud University, France Dominique Lesselier, L2S Laboratory, CNRS, SupElec, Paris-Sud University, France Anthony Quinn, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland Christian Rey, LMT, ENS Cachan, CNRS, France Simon Setzer, Saarland University, Germany Joachim Weickert, Saarland University, Germany Invited speakers Antonin Chambolle: CMAP, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, France Matteo Pastorino: University of Genoa, Italy Michael Unser: Ecole polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland

Middle-Upper Triassic and Middle Jurassic tetrapod track assemblages of southern Tunisia, Sahara Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niedźwiedzki, Grzegorz; Soussi, Mohamed; Boukhalfa, Kamel; Gierliński, Gerard D.

2017-05-01

Three tetrapod track assemblages from the early-middle Mesozoic of southern Tunisia are reported. The strata exposed at the Tejra 2 clay-pit near the Medenine and Rehach site, located in the vicinity of Kirchaou, contain the first tetrapod tracks found in the Triassic of Tunisia. The Middle Jurassic (early Aalenian) dinosaur tracks are reported from the Mestaoua plain near Tataouine. In the Middle Triassic outcrop of the Tejra 2 clay-pit, tridactyl tracks of small and medium-sized dinosauromorphs, were discovered. These tracks represent the oldest evidence of dinosaur-lineage elements in the Triassic deposits of Tunisia. Similar tracks have been described from the Middle Triassic of Argentina, France and Morocco. An isolated set of the manus and pes of a quadrupedal tetrapod discovered in Late Triassic Rehach tracksite is referred to a therapsid tracemaker. The Middle Jurassic deposits of the Mestaoua plain reveal small and large tridactyl theropod dinosaur tracks (Theropoda track indet. A-C). Based on comparison with the abundant record of Triassic tetrapod ichnofossils from Europe and North America, the ichnofauna described here indicates the presence of a therapsid-dinosauromorph ichnoassociation (without typical Chirotheriidae tracks) in the Middle and Late Triassic, which sheds light on the dispersal of the Middle-Upper Triassic tetrapod ichnofaunas in this part of Gondwana. The reported Middle Jurassic ichnofauna show close similarities to dinosaur track assemblages from the Lower and Middle Jurassic of northwestern Africa, North America, Europe and also southeastern Asia. Sedimentological and lithostratigraphic data of each new tracksite have been defined on published data and new observations. Taken together, these discoveries present a tantalizing window into the evolutionary history of tetrapods from the Triassic and Jurassic of southern Tunisia. Given the limited early Mesozoic tetrapod record from the region, these discoveries are of both temporal and geographic significance.

77 FR 54353 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-05

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Eurocopter France... apply to all Eurocopter France (EC) Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, SA-366G1, AS-365N2, AS 365 N3, EC 155B, and...

77 FR 23508 - Brass Sheet and Strip From France, Germany, Italy, and Japan

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-19

...)] Brass Sheet and Strip From France, Germany, Italy, and Japan Determination On the basis of the record \\1... antidumping duty orders on brass sheet and strip from France, Germany, Italy, and Japan would be likely to... from France, Germany, Italy, and Japan: Investigation Nos. 731-TA-313, 314, 317, and 379 (Third Review...

Rainfall and cave water isotopic relationships in two South-France sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Genty, D.; Labuhn, I.; Hoffmann, G.; Danis, P. A.; Mestre, O.; Bourges, F.; Wainer, K.; Massault, M.; Van Exter, S.; Régnier, E.; Orengo, Ph.; Falourd, S.; Minster, B.

2014-04-01

This article presents isotopic measurements (δ18O and δD) of precipitation and cave drip water from two sites in southern France in order to investigate the link between rainfall and seepage water, and to characterize regional rainfall isotopic variability. These data, which are among the longest series in France, come from two rainfall stations in south-west France (Le Mas 1996-2012, and Villars 1998-2012; typically under Atlantic influence), and from one station in the south-east (Orgnac 2000-2012; under both Mediterranean and Atlantic influence). Rainfall isotopic composition is compared to drip water collected under stalactites from the same sites: Villars Cave (four drip stations 1999-2012) in the south-west, and Chauvet Cave (two drip stations 2000-2012) in the south-east, near Orgnac. The study of these isotopic data sets allows the following conclusions to be drawn about the rainfall/drip water relationships and about rainfall variability: (1) the cave drip water isotopic composition does not show any significant changes since the beginning of measurements; in order to explain its isotopic signature it is necessary to integrate weighted rainfall δ18O of all months during several years, which demonstrates that, even at shallow depths (10-50 m), cave drip water is a mixture of rain water integrated over relatively long periods, which give an apparent time residence from several months to up to several years. These results have important consequences on the interpretation of proxies like speleothem fluid inclusions and tree-ring cellulose isotopic composition, which are used for paleoclimatic studies; (2) in the Villars Cave, where drip stations at two different depths were studied, lower δ18O values were observed in the lower galleries, which might be due to winter season overflows during infiltration and/or to older rain water with a different isotopic composition that reaches the lower galleries after years; (3) local precipitation is characterized by local meteoric water lines, LMWL, with δ18O/δD slopes close to 7 in both areas, and correlations between air temperature and precipitation δ18O are low at both monthly and annual scales, even with temperature weighted by the amount of precipitation; (4) the mesoscale climate model REMOiso, equipped with a water isotope module, allows the direct comparison of modeled and observed long term water isotope records. The model slightly overestimates rainfall δ18O at the respective sampling stations. However, it simulates very well not only the seasonal rainfall isotopic signal but also some intra-seasonal patterns such as a typical double-peak δ18O pattern in winter time.

Inside France: Three Missing Pages from Your Students' Textbook.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conniffe, Patricia, Ed.

This mini-unit seeks to fill the gap in textbooks that exists when teaching about modern France. Many textbooks end their coverage of France with the chapter on World War II. This unit offers high school students a unique introduction to France in the mid-1990s. The mini-unit includes a two-sided poster, teaching tips, and student pages. Student…

78 FR 23934 - Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-23

... limited liability company, individually, with Stephen L. LaFrance, Jr., Little Rock, Arkansas, as the sole manager, and LAF-GW and Stephen L. LaFrance, Jr., together as a group acting in concert with JSJ Properties, LLC, a Missouri limited liability company, with Stephen L. LaFrance, Jr., Jason P. LaFrance, and...

Severe Weather Guide - Mediterranean Ports. 8. Toulon

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

CA 93943-5006 9. PROCUREMENT INSTRUMENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER N00228-84-D-3187 10 SOURCE OF FUNDING NUMBERS PROGRAM ELEMENT NO. PROJECT NO...1990 PORT GAETA, ITALY NAPLES, ITALY CATANIA, ITALY AUGUSTA BAY, ITALY CAGLIARI, ITALY LA MADDALENA, ITALY MARSEILLE, FINANCE TOULON, FRANCE ...VILLEFRANCHE, FRANCE 10 MALAGA, SPAIN 11 NICE, FRANCE 12 CANNES, FRANCE MONACO ASHDOD, ISRAEL HAIFA, ISRAEL BARCELONA, SPAIN PALMA

76 FR 58299 - Brass Sheet and Strip From France, Germany, Italy, and Japan; Scheduling of a Full Five-Year...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-20

...)] Brass Sheet and Strip From France, Germany, Italy, and Japan; Scheduling of a Full Five-Year Review Concerning the Antidumping Duty Order on Brass Sheet and Strip From France, Germany, Italy, and Japan AGENCY... strip from France, Germany, Italy, and Japan would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of...

[The attractive position of France in international clinical research: 2006 survey assessed by Leem (French pharmaceutical companies)].

PubMed

Courcier, Soizic; Sibenaler, Claire; Couderc, Monique; Trinquet, Françoise; Plétan, Yannick; Lassale, Catherine

2006-01-01

In order to evaluate the attractiveness of France for conducting international clinical trials, a survey is performed every two years among pharmaceutical companies that are based in France or have affiliates in France. Initiated in 2006, the current survey was much more representative than the previous ones with 20 companies accounting for 61% of the French market. This survey included 352 international phase II and III clinical studies carried out in 2004 and 2005, 74 countries, 17 345 centres and 137 989 patients. France has participated to half of the overall number of international clinical trials. France ranked among the best European recruiters (0,19 patient/1000 inhabitants) at the second position behind Scandinavian countries, taking in account numbers of inhabitants. Protocols are now to be given the go-ahead by Ethics Committee (CCPPRB) within 60 days. With a high productivity in phase IIb and in oncology, France is still an attractive place to locate clinical research.

Water vapour tomography using GPS phase observations: Results from the ESCOMPTE experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nilsson, T.; Gradinarsky, L.; Elgered, G.

2007-10-01

Global Positioning System (GPS) tomography is a technique for estimating the 3-D structure of the atmospheric water vapour using data from a dense local network of GPS receivers. Several current methods utilize estimates of slant wet delays between the GPS satellites and the receivers on the ground, which are difficult to obtain with millimetre accuracy from the GPS observations. We present results of applying a new tomographic method to GPS data from the Expériance sur site pour contraindre les modèles de pollution atmosphérique et de transport d'emissions (ESCOMPTE) experiment in southern France. This method does not rely on any slant wet delay estimates, instead it uses the GPS phase observations directly. We show that the estimated wet refractivity profiles estimated by this method is on the same accuracy level or better compared to other tomographic methods. The results are in agreement with earlier simulations, for example the profile information is limited above 4 km.

Titanium Alloys Thin Sheet Welding with the Use of Concentrated Solar Energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pantelis, D. I.; Kazasidis, M.; Karakizis, P. N.

2017-12-01

The present study deals with the welding of titanium alloys thin sheets 1.3 mm thick, with the use of concentrated solar energy. The experimental part of the work took place at a medium size solar furnace at the installation of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, at Odeillo, in Southern France, where similar and dissimilar defect-free welds of titanium Grades 4 and 6 were achieved, in the butt joint configuration. After the determination of the appropriate welding conditions, the optimum welded structures were examined and characterized microstructurally, by means of light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and microhardness testing. In addition, test pieces extracted from the weldments were tested under uniaxial tensile loading aiming to the estimation of the strength and the ductility of the joint. The analysis of the experimental results and the recorded data led to the basic concluding remarks which demonstrate increased hardness distribution inside the fusion area and severe loss of ductility, but adequate yield and tensile strength of the welds.

An empirical model to quantify fecal bacterial loadings to coastal areas: Application in a Mediterranean context

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rio, Marlène; Salles, Christian; Rodier, Claire; Cantet, Franck; Marchand, Pierre; Mosser, Thomas; Cernesson, Flavie; Monfort, Patrick; Tournoud, Marie-George

2017-10-01

In coastal catchments, rainfall events primarily drive bacterial inputs to the sea by causing land runoff, surface leaching and sewer overflow. Under semi-arid climate, extensive dry periods are interspersed with extreme precipitation. This paper aims to assess the impact of intense summer rainstorms events on Fecal Indicator Bacteria loadings to Mediterranean seawaters. Firstly, explanatory relationships were derived between an Antecedent Precipitation Index and the loads of thermo-tolerant coliforms and intestinal enterococci measured at three catchment outlets in the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes (southern France). Secondly, fecal bacterial loadings were simulated during summer season from 2006-2016, with a confidence interval arising from measurements uncertainties. On average, more than two rainstorms per summer season elevate bacterial loads at least by one order of magnitude, potentially leading to the degradation of bathing and fishing water quality observed in regulatory monitoring data. The results highlight the crucial importance of considering hydrological conditions in coastal water quality management.

Earth Observations taken during Expedition Four

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-05-15

ISS004-E-11807 (15 May 2002) --- This digital photograph, taken through the windows of the International Space Station on May 15, 2002, shows condensation trails over the Rhône Valley in the region west of Lyon, France. Condensation trails-or contrails-are straight lines of ice crystals that form in the wake of jet liners where air temperatures are lower than about -40 degrees Centigrade. Scientists have observed that newer contrails are thin whereas older trails have widened with time as a result of light winds. Because of this tendency for thin contrails to cover greater areas with time, it is estimated that these “artificial clouds” cover 0.1 per cent of the planet’s surface. Percentages are far higher in some places, say the scientists, such as southern California, the Ohio River Valley and parts of Europe, as illustrated here. The climatic impact of such clouds is poorly understood, which is why scientists continue to study them using images such as this.

Implications of adopting a biodiversity-based vulnerability index versus a shoreline environmental sensitivity index on management and policy planning along coastal areas.

PubMed

Harik, G; Alameddine, I; Maroun, R; Rachid, G; Bruschi, D; Astiaso Garcia, D; El-Fadel, M

2017-02-01

In this study, a multi-criteria index was developed to assess anthropogenic stressors along the Mediterranean coastline. The index aimed at geo-locating pollution hotspots for informed decision making related to coastal zone management. The index was integrated in a Geographical Information System based geodatabase implemented at several pilot areas along the Northern (Italy and France), Eastern (Lebanon), and Southern (Tunisia) Mediterranean coastlines. The generated stressor maps were coupled with a biodiversity richness index and an environmental sensitivity index to produce vulnerability maps that can form the basis for prioritizing management and mitigation interventions towards the identification of pollution hotspots and the promotion of sustainable coastal zone management. The results identified significant differences between the two assessment methods, which can bias prioritization in decision making and policy planning depending on stakeholders' interests. The discrepancies emphasize the need for transparency and understanding of the underlying foundations behind vulnerability indices and mapping development. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Three brown trout Salmo trutta lineages in Corsica described through allozyme variation.

PubMed

Berrebi, P

2015-01-01

The brown trout Salmo trutta is represented by three lineages in Corsica: (1) an ancestral Corsican lineage, (2) a Mediterranean lineage and (3) a recently stocked domestic Atlantic S. trutta lineage (all are interfertile); the main focus of this study was the ancestral Corsican S. trutta, but the other lineages were also considered. A total of 38 samples captured between 1993 and 1998 were analysed, with nearly 1000 individuals considered overall. The Corsican ancestral lineage (Adriatic lineage according to the mitochondrial DNA control region nomenclature, AD) mostly inhabits streams in the southern half of the island; the Mediterranean lineage (ME) is present more in the north, especially in Golu River, but most populations are an admixture of these lineages and the domestic Atlantic S. trutta (AT). Locations where the Corsican ancestral S. trutta is dominant are now protected against stocking and sometimes fishing is also forbidden. The presence of the Corsican S. trutta is unique in France. © 2014 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

[The "dangerous fox tapeworm" (Echinococcus multilocularis) and alveolar echinococcosis of humans in central Europe].

PubMed

Eckert, J

1996-01-01

According to the present status of knowledge, endemic Echinococcus multilocularis infections in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are known to occur in the following countries of Central Europe: Belgium (southern parts), Luxembourg, France (Massif Central and eastern parts), Switzerland (21 of 26 cantons) Liechtenstein, Austria (6 of 9 provinces), Germany (812 of 16 federal states), and Poland (northern parts). The prevalence rates of E. multilocularis are highly variable regionally and range between > 1 and > 50%. Dogs and cats are rarely infected (mostly < 1%). The incidence of human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is low in the Central European endemic area with 0.02-1.4 new cases per year and 100,000 inhabitants. While in untreated patients the disease is mostly lethal (lethality up to > 90%) and treatment requires high expenditure, AE is of higher public health significance than indicated by the incidence rates. In addition to these aspects diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis in final hosts (dogs, cats) and preventive measures for humans are discussed.

[Petechial typhus in Napoleonic Italy. Scientific debate and the role of Giovanni Rasori].

PubMed

Sabbatani, Sergio

2006-12-01

During the Napoleonic wars, an epidemic recrudescence of petechial typhus was observed throughout Europe. In Italy, the epidemic first broke out in Genoa, in 1799, coming from southern France, during the sieges of the Austro-Hungarian army. Giovanni Rasori, a young Republican physician and man of the sciences, supported the besieged and contributed to defend the city. From the beginning, Rasori identified the cause of the epidemic in petechial typhus, being able to evaluate its clinical presentation, and developed a pathogenetic theory, known as contrastimulus. At that time, this theory obtained some success, though opposed by the academic establishment in Lombardy. In this article, we present the medical and philosophical ideas which, in the period between the 18th and 19th century, pervaded medical Italian culture. Furthermore, a biographic profile of Giovanni Rasori is described, a courageous scientist who did not disdain to take part in political and cultural Italian life during a historical period that was to become important for the future fortunes of Italy.

Reflexions on Frasnian and Famennian stage boundary decisions as a guide to future deliberations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ziegler, W.; Sandberg, C.A.

1996-01-01

The pros and cons of the three conodont-based boundaries of the Frasnian and Famennian Stages and their corresponding GSSPs (Global Stratotype Section and Point) are evaluated in terms of current taxonomic, biostratigraphic, and sedimentologic knowledge. Two of these boundaries are based on easily identified pelagic species, which provide excellent bases for global correlation. The third, for the base of the Frasnian, is based on a neritic species, whose taxonomy has been heatedly debated. The GSSPs for these three levels are all located in the Montagne Noire of southern France, partly because of political motivation to balance GSSPs selected in other regions. All three GSSPs are at levels from which global correlations cannot be effectively accomplished without aid from other, more complete sections or without making correlations strictly on the basis of taxonomic concepts - i. e., the entry of the definitive conodont species. Future deliberating bodies may want to reconsider the species chosen to delimit the base of the Frasnian and to select better GSSPs for all three boundaries.

Discrete traits of the sternum and ribs: a useful contribution to identification in forensic anthropology and medicine.

PubMed

Verna, Emeline; Piercecchi-Marti, Marie-Dominique; Chaumoitre, Kathia; Bartoli, Christophe; Leonetti, Georges; Adalian, Pascal

2013-05-01

During forensic anthropological investigation, biological profile is determined by age, sex, ancestry, and stature. However, several individuals may share the same profile. Observation of discrete traits can yield useful information and contribute to identification. This research establishes the frequency of discrete traits of the sternum and ribs in a modern population in southern France, using 500 computer tomography (CT) scans of individuals aged 15-60 years. Only discrete traits with a frequency lower than 10% according to the literature were considered, a total of eight traits. All scans examined were three-dimensional (3D) volume renderings from DICOM images. In our population, the frequency of all the discrete traits was lower than 5%. None were associated with sex or age, with the exception of a single trait, the end of the xiphoid process. Our findings can usefully be applied for identification purposes in forensic anthropology and medicine. © 2013 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Genetic monitoring of horses in the Czech Republic: A large-scale study with a focus on the Czech autochthonous breeds.

PubMed

Putnová, L; Štohl, R; Vrtková, I

2018-02-01

We propose the first comprehensive in-depth study monitoring horses in the Czech Republic. We scanned 9,289 animals from 44 populations for 17 equine STRs. Other equids analysed involved Equus przewalskii and Equus asinus. The total of 228 different alleles were detected, with the mean number of 13.4 per locus. The highest allelic richness (AR) was found in the Welsh Part Bred (6.01), followed by the Camargue (5.93) and Czech Sport Pony (5.91), whereas the Friesian exhibited the lowest AR (3.06). Interpopulation differences explained approximately nine per cent of the total genetic diversity. Reynold's genetic distance ranged from 0.003 between the Czech Warmblood and the Slovak Warmblood to 0.404 between the Friesian and donkeys. Close genetic proximity between the Silesian Noriker and Noriker was revealed. The Moravian Warmblood was better differentiated and more distant from the Czech Warmblood than the Kinsky Horse and retained the original genes of the old Austro-Hungarian tribes. A high gene flow level and a lack of genetic structure were found in the seven studied populations. Despite the historical bottlenecks and previous inbreeding, the Czech-Moravian Belgian Horse, Hucul, Old Kladruber Horse and Silesian Noriker did not suffer a serious loss of genetic diversity due to genetic drift/low effective population size. A NeighborNet dendrogram revealed breeds not classified in their groups according to the nomenclature (the Friesian, Hafling and Merens). © 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Poor horse traders: large mammals trade survival for reproduction during the process of feralization

PubMed Central

Grange, Sophie; Duncan, Patrick; Gaillard, Jean-Michel

2009-01-01

We investigated density dependence on the demographic parameters of a population of Camargue horses (Equus caballus), individually monitored and unmanaged for eight years. We also analysed the contributions of individual demographic parameters to changes in the population growth rates. The decrease in resources caused a loss of body condition. Adult male survival was not affected, but the survival of foals and adult females decreased with increasing density. Prime-aged females maintained high reproductive performance at high density, and their survival decreased. The higher survival of adult males compared with females at high density presumably results from higher investment in reproduction by mares. The high fecundity in prime-aged females, even when at high density, may result from artificial selection for high reproductive performance, which is known to have occurred in all the major domestic ungulates. Other studies suggest that feral ungulates including cattle and sheep, as these horses, respond differently from wild ungulates to increases in density, by trading adult survival for reproduction. As a consequence, populations of feral animals should oscillate more strongly than their wild counterparts, since they should be both more invasive (as they breed faster), and more sensitive to harsh environmental conditions (as the population growth rate of long-lived species is consistently more sensitive to a given proportional change in adult survival than to the same change in any other vital rate). If this principle proves to be general, it has important implications for management of populations of feral ungulates. PMID:19324787

78 FR 49115 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-13

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT... published in the Federal Register. The AD applies to certain Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B3...

France and European Security

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-04-01

block number) In the 1960s, French defense policy emphasized the protection of French territory rather than the collective security of France and her... France and her European allies. This began to change in the late 1970s. The French contribution to European security is now a matter of considerable...independence. He interpreted independence in a specific manner. Although France would maintain ties and commitments to its allies, the French government

75 FR 4475 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-28

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS332L1, AS332L2, and EC225LP Helicopters AGENCY: Federal.... SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter France (ECF... France and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral [[Page 4476...

Characterization of blaCTX-M IncFII plasmids and clones of Escherichia coli from pets in France.

PubMed

Dahmen, Safia; Haenni, Marisa; Châtre, Pierre; Madec, Jean-Yves

2013-12-01

To characterize bla(CTX-M) IncFII plasmids and clones of Escherichia coli from cats and dogs and to compare them with bla(CTX-M) IncFII plasmids reported in humans. From December 2006 to April 2010, 518 E. coli isolates from clinical infections in cats and dogs were screened for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by disc diffusion and resistance genes were identified by PCR and sequencing. Plasmids were characterized using PCR-based replicon typing and sub-typing schemes, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, S1-PFGE and Southern hybridization. Isolates were characterized by PFGE, phylogenetic grouping, O25b typing and multilocus sequence typing. Nineteen E. coli isolates (3.7%) produced ESBLs, of which 14 (74%) carried bla(CTX-M) IncFII plasmids. The bla(CTX-M) gene was predominant and located on F31:A4:B1, F36:A4:B1 or F36:A1:B20 plasmids, abundantly reported in humans. The bla(CTX-M) F22:A1:B20 or F2:A2:B20 plasmids were also found. Different sequence types (STs) were identified, such as ST10, ST410, ST359, ST617 and ST224. Only one E. coli isolate belonged to the ST131 E. coli clone and carried a bla(CTX-M) F2:A2:B20 plasmid. This is the first known extensive study on ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from pets in France. The ST131 clone was rare. However, the predominance of human-like bla(CTX-M) IncFII plasmids suggests exchanges of these plasmids with the human reservoir.

Thermal stress resistance of the brown alga Fucus serratus along the North-Atlantic coast: acclimatization potential to climate change.

PubMed

Jueterbock, Alexander; Kollias, Spyros; Smolina, Irina; Fernandes, Jorge M O; Coyer, James A; Olsen, Jeanine L; Hoarau, Galice

2014-02-01

Seaweed-dominated communities are predicted to disappear south of 45° latitude on North-Atlantic rocky shores by 2200 because of climate change. The extent of predicted habitat loss, however, could be mitigated if the seaweeds' physiology is sufficiently plastic to rapidly acclimatize to the warmer temperatures. The main objectives of this study were to identify whether the thermal tolerance of the canopy-forming seaweed Fucus serratus is population-specific and where temperatures are likely to exceed its tolerance limits in the next 200 years. We measured the stress response of seaweed samples from four populations (Norway, Denmark, Brittany and Spain) to common-garden heat stress (20 °C-36 °C) in both photosynthetic performance and transcriptomic upregulation of heat shock protein genes. The two stress indicators did not correlate and likely measured different cellular components of the stress response, but both indicators revealed population-specific differences, suggesting ecotypic differentiation. Our results confirmed that thermal extremes will regularly reach physiologically stressful levels in Brittany (France) and further south by the end of the 22nd century. Although heat stress resilience in photosynthetic performance was higher at the species' southern distributional edge in Spain, the hsp expression pattern suggested that this edge-population experienced reduced fitness and limited responsiveness to further stressors. Thus, F. serratus may be unable to mitigate its predicted northward shift and may be at high risk to lose its center of genetic diversity and adaptability in Brittany (France). As it is an important intertidal key species, the disappearance of this seaweed will likely trigger major ecological changes in the entire associated ecosystem. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Lourdes: A uniquely Catholic approach to medicine.

PubMed

Dichoso, Travis Jon

2015-02-01

As an American medical student, I spent the summer break between my first and second year in Lourdes, France, the site where the Immaculate Conception appeared eighteen times to St. Bernadette in 1858 as proclaimed approved by the Catholic Church and whose water is associated with over seven thousand unexplained cures. During this time I volunteered with St. Joseph's Service and Poste Secour, followed several medical teams taking care of large pilgrim groups, and shadowed Dr. Alessandro de Franciscis the president of Le Bureau des Constations Médicales, the office in Lourdes charged with investigating claims of miracles. Through my experiences, I found the mission of medicine in Lourdes to be twofold: to provide the critical care needed to give sick persons the chance to transform their experience of disease through their faith; and secondly, through the efforts of the Medical Bureau, to be an instrument by which we can comprehend the wonders of the work of God. I conclude that this twofold mission should inform the work of every Catholic in health care or research, and Lourdes provides the venue par excellence to cultivate this mission. Lay Summary: Lourdes is a pilgrimage site in southern France that has been associated with medical miracles for the past 150 years. The site is unique in that throughout its history, physicians, of any or no faith, have been invited to participate in the proceedings of the investigations of each claimed cure. The investigations have formalized into a process handled by the Lourdes Medical Bureau and the Lourdes International Medical Association. Travis Dichoso, an American medical student, writes about his experiences as part of this process.

Bio-medicolegal scientific research in Europe. A country-based analysis.

PubMed

Viel, Guido; Boscolo-Berto, Rafael; Cecchi, Rossana; Bajanowski, Thomas; Vieira, Nuno Duarte; Ferrara, Santo Davide

2011-09-01

The European mosaic of socio-cultural, economic and legal realities is reflected in forensic and legal medicine, in which a great variety of operational modes of forensic medical services, organisational systems, structures, functional competences and scientific research strategies can be observed. The present work analyses the European bio-medicolegal scientific output of the last 5.5 years (exact time window, January 1, 2005-June 1, 2010), categorising papers by nationality of the corresponding author and forensic sub-discipline in question, in order to identify the peculiarities of national sub-specialised competences and to build up international research projects. This country-based bibliometric analysis, based on the number of articles and the impact factor produced by each European country, also considering its economic profile (gross domestic product and per capita gross domestic product), highlights the prevailing productive role of Western and Southern Europe (Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and France). Categorising scientific output by forensic sub-discipline and branch, significant in terms of impact factor are contributions from Germany (coming first in Pathology, Toxicology, Genetics, Anthropology and Biological Criminalistics), Great Britain (first in Clinical Forensic Medicine, Malpractice and Invalidity-Social Insurance), Switzerland (first in Criminology), Italy (second in Toxicology, Anthropology and Invalidity-Social Insurance), The Netherlands (third in Clinical Forensic Medicine and Medical Law and Ethics), Spain (third in Genetics, Criminalistics and Invalidity-Social Insurance) and France (third in Toxicology and Malpractice). Interestingly, several countries with low gross domestic product, such as Poland, Turkey and other Eastern European nations, show notable scientific production in specific sub-disciplines such as Pathology, Toxicology and Forensic Genetics, suggesting that fruitful international cooperation could be planned and be of interest to funding sources within the European Community, also taking into account funds reserved for depressed areas undergoing development.

Monitoring electrical properties for improving the lithological and hydrological characterization of landslides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malet, J. P.; Gance, J.; Lajaunie, M.; Gallistl, J.; Denchik, N.; Flores Orozco, A.; Ottowitz, D.; Supper, R.; Sailhac, P.; Gautier, S.; Schmutz, M.

2017-12-01

Imaging water flows in landslides is of critical importance as the distribution of pore-fluid pressures controls the dynamics (acceleration, deceleration) of the material. Detecting and imaging water is a difficult task, not only because of the complex topography and the small dimensions of the geological structures, but also because the landslide material consists of unsaturated porous and heterogeneous fractured media, leading to multi-scale water-flow properties. Further, these properties can change in time, in relation to temperature, rainfall and biological forcings. Electrical properties are relevant proxies of the sub-surface hydrological properties. In order to image water in landslide bodies, we propose to combine multi-frequency electrical and electromagnetic measurements using campaigns or permanent instruments, and surface/boreole investigations, installed on several unstable slopes in France. To evaluate the information gained from electrical properties for different geological conditions, we discuss electrical and electro-magnetic imaging results for data collected at four different landslides located in France (Super-Sauze and La Valette in the South East Alps, Lodève lin the southern border of the Massif Central Massif, and Séchilienne in the North French Alps). Time-lapse electrical DC resistivity observations, complex electrical conductivity (conduction and polarization/chargeability) measured by IP imaging methods, and controlled-source electromagnetic (CS-AMT) methods are discussed. Imaging results demonstrate an improved lithological characterization of the landslide structures (delineation of the sliding planes, identification of the fractures, discrimination of clay lenses with enhanced resolution); further, water infiltration within the soil matrix and/or the fractures is discriminated allowing better modelling of the hydrological regime of the landslides at the slope scale. This research is conducted in the frame of the project HYDROSLIDE - Hydrogeophysical Monitoring of Clay-Rich Landslides funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and the French Research Agency (ANR).

DEEPEGS and the IDDP, Focus on Reykjanes Demonstration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ómar Friðleifsson, Guðmundur; Bogason, Sigurður G.; Ingólfsson, Hjalti P.; Vergnes, Pierre; Thorbjörnsson, Ingólfur Ö.; Peter-Borie, Mariane; Kohl, Tohmas; Gaucher, Emmanuel; Edelmann, Thomas; Bertani, Ruggero; Sæther, Sturla; Pálsson, Bjarni

2016-04-01

The DEEPEGS project is a demonstration project, supported by the European Commission, Horizon 2020. The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) for delivering energy from renewable resources in Europe. It is a four years project coordinated by HS Orka, Iceland, in cooperation with partners from Iceland, France, Germany, Italy, and Norway. The project will be testing stimulation technologies for EGS in deep wells in different geological settings, and intends to deliver new innovative solutions and models for wider deployments of EGS reservoirs with sufficient permeability to delivering significant amounts of geothermal power across Europe. The project will demonstrate advanced technologies in three types of geothermal reservoirs, (i) in high enthalpy resource beneath existing hydrothermal field at Reykjanes (volcanic environment with a saline fluid) with temperature up to 550°C and (ii) two very deep hydrothermal reservoirs in southern France with temperatures up to 220°C. The focus of the talk at EGU 2016 will be on the Icelandic part of the DEEPEGS project and its connection to the IDDP project in Iceland, and to the ICDP. The deep well at Reykjanes, identified as well IDDP-2, is expected to be completed in 2016. A 2.5 km deep production well will be refurbished and deepened to 5 km by HS Orka, Statoil and IDDP. After drilling the well it will be extensively tested for injectivity, and connection to the overlying conventional hydrothermal field, and subsequently flow tested for fluid chemistry and production properties. The DEEPEGS consortium is industry driven with five energy companies that will implement the project's goal through cross-fertilisation and sharing of knowledge. The companies are all highly experienced in energy production, and three of them are already delivering power to national grids from geothermal resources.

[Recent trends in divorce in France: some comparisons with the Czechoslovak republics].

PubMed

Dittgen, A

1992-11-01

The first part of this article presents a demographic analysis of differences in divorce patterns between France and Czechoslovakia. The second part examines social factors affecting divorce in France.

France: A Study of the Educational System of France and a Guide to the Academic Placement of Students in Educational Institutions of the United States. World Education Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Assefa, A. Mariam

The purpose of this book is to explain French educational credentials to U.S. college and university admissions officers and credentials evaluators. Following introductory sections providing a map of France and an educational and historical overview of France, the following chapters are presented: (1) elementary and secondary education (including…

Bioelectromagnetics Research in France--An Assessment.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-06-29

to level of the Defense Department. He was 5 years. The latter will help demon- replaced in normal rotation by a manager strate the breadth and scope...engineering. Unless support is found Ondes Electromagnetiques et Biologie immediately in industry or in other (Jouy en Josas, France, 1980), countries, France...Bioelectromagnetics de URSI, Ondes Electromagnetiques et Journal, not one French paper has been Biologie (Jouy en Josas, France, published in it. Whether any were

Germany, France and NATO

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-10-17

the Alliance. Ii. France and NATO. " The French position on NAI 0 has evolved since 1990. Rance has moved toward closer military cooperation with...NATO as demonstrated, for example, by the subcrdination c! French troops in the EUROCORPS io SACFUR when a crisis demands it, " Yet France has also...future. Greater cooperation may develop between France and the United Kingdom, particularly in nuclear matters, as indicated in the French White

National Security Strategy of Charles De Gaulle

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-01

nineteenth century education that was steeped in classical traditions and the collective French psychology of France as a strong, glorious and powerful...NATO in 1963 and French officers from the NATO command headquarters in 1964; and the scuttling of the United States multilateral nuclear force project ... France and about French security without her participation. The successful testing of the atomic bomb in France in 1960 ensured that France could not be

[A survey on the position of France in international clinical research as assessed by pharmaceutical laboratories].

PubMed

Courcier-Duplantier, Soizic; Bouhours, Philippe; Pinton, Philippe; Sibenaler, Claire; Lassale, Catherine

2004-01-01

In order to evaluate the attractiveness of France for conducting international clinical trials, a survey was performed among pharmaceutical companies that are based in France or that have affiliates in France. The survey concerned international phase II and III clinical studies carried out in 2002 and 2003. Ten pharmaceutical companies representing 36% of the French market completed the survey. 134 trials were analysed in total. France recruited 8.3% of the overall number of patients recruited, and 15.0% of those recruited within Europe. France was within the overall mean with regard to the percentage of active centres (78.5% versus 79.5%) and the percentage of patients evaluable according to protocol (86.8% versus 87.3%). In contrast, France ranked within the last third of analysed countries with respect to the speed of recruitment (1.5 versus 1.9 patients/centre/month), and the number of queries per observation (16.8 versus 10.9). The analysis of the qualitative indicators of performance showed that, although the perception of pharmaceutical companies towards the quality of French medicine and administrative authorities is positive, France notably needs to improve the productivity of its clinical research in order to enhance its attractiveness for the pharmaceutical sponsors of clinical trials.

A coordinated set of ecosystem research platforms open to international research in ecotoxicology, AnaEE-France.

PubMed

Mougin, Christian; Azam, Didier; Caquet, Thierry; Cheviron, Nathalie; Dequiedt, Samuel; Le Galliard, Jean-François; Guillaume, Olivier; Houot, Sabine; Lacroix, Gérard; Lafolie, François; Maron, Pierre-Alain; Michniewicz, Radika; Pichot, Christian; Ranjard, Lionel; Roy, Jacques; Zeller, Bernd; Clobert, Jean; Chanzy, André

2015-10-01

The infrastructure for Analysis and Experimentation on Ecosystems (AnaEE-France) is an integrated network of the major French experimental, analytical, and modeling platforms dedicated to the biological study of continental ecosystems (aquatic and terrestrial). This infrastructure aims at understanding and predicting ecosystem dynamics under global change. AnaEE-France comprises complementary nodes offering access to the best experimental facilities and associated biological resources and data: Ecotrons, seminatural experimental platforms to manipulate terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, in natura sites equipped for large-scale and long-term experiments. AnaEE-France also provides shared instruments and analytical platforms dedicated to environmental (micro) biology. Finally, AnaEE-France provides users with data bases and modeling tools designed to represent ecosystem dynamics and to go further in coupling ecological, agronomical, and evolutionary approaches. In particular, AnaEE-France offers adequate services to tackle the new challenges of research in ecotoxicology, positioning its various types of platforms in an ecologically advanced ecotoxicology approach. AnaEE-France is a leading international infrastructure, and it is pioneering the construction of AnaEE (Europe) infrastructure in the field of ecosystem research. AnaEE-France infrastructure is already open to the international community of scientists in the field of continental ecotoxicology.

Wood structural differences between northern and southern beech provenances growing at a moderate site.

PubMed

Eilmann, B; Sterck, F; Wegner, L; de Vries, S M G; von Arx, G; Mohren, G M J; den Ouden, J; Sass-Klaassen, U

2014-08-01

Planting provenances originating from southern to northern locations has been discussed as a strategy to speed up species migration and mitigate negative effects of climate change on forest stability and productivity. Especially for drought-susceptible species such as European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), the introduction of drought-tolerant provenances from the south could be an option. Yet, beech has been found to respond plastically to environmental conditions, suggesting that the climate on the plantation site might be more important for tree growth than the genetic predisposition of potentially drought-adapted provenances. In this study, we compared the radial growth, wood-anatomical traits and leaf phenology of four beech provenances originating from southern (Bulgaria, France) and northern locations (Sweden, the Netherlands) and planted in a provenance trial in the Netherlands. The distribution of precipitation largely differs between the sites of origin. The northern provenances experience a maximum and the southern provenances experience a minimum of rainfall in summer. We compared tree productivity and the anatomy of the water-conducting system for the period from 2000 to 2010, including the drought year 2003. In addition, tree mortality and the timing of leaf unfolding in spring were analysed for the years 2001, 2007 and 2012. Comparison of these traits in the four beech provenances indicates the influence of genetic predisposition and local environmental factors on the performance of these provenances under moderate site conditions. Variation in radial growth was controlled by environment, although the growth level slightly differed due to genetic background. The Bulgarian provenance had an efficient water-conducting system which was moreover unaffected by the drought in 2003, pointing to a high ability of this provenance to cope well with dry conditions. In addition, the Bulgarian provenance showed up as most productive in terms of height and radial growth. Altogether, we conclude that the similarity in ring-width variation among provenances points to environmental control of this trait, whereas the differences encountered in wood-anatomical traits between the well-performing Bulgarian provenance and the other three provenances, as well as the consistent differences in flushing pattern over 3 years under various environmental conditions, support the hypothesis of genetic control of these features. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Does intraoperative neuromonitoring of recurrent nerves have an impact on the postoperative palsy rate? Results of a prospective multicenter study.

PubMed

Mirallié, Éric; Caillard, Cécile; Pattou, François; Brunaud, Laurent; Hamy, Antoine; Dahan, Marcel; Prades, Michel; Mathonnet, Muriel; Landecy, Gérard; Dernis, Henri-Pierre; Lifante, Jean-Christophe; Sebag, Frederic; Jegoux, Franck; Babin, Emmanuel; Bizon, Alain; Espitalier, Florent; Durand-Zaleski, Isabelle; Volteau, Christelle; Blanchard, Claire

2018-01-01

The impact of intraoperative neuromonitoring on recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy remains debated. Our aim was to evaluate the potential protective effect of intraoperative neuromonitoring on recurrent laryngeal nerve during total thyroidectomy. This was a prospective, multicenter French national study. The use of intraoperative neuromonitoring was left at the surgeons' choice. Postoperative laryngoscopy was performed systematically at day 1 to 2 after operation and at 6 months in case of postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Univariate and multivariate analyses and propensity score (sensitivity analysis) were performed to compare recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy rates between patients operated with or without intraoperative neuromonitoring. Among 1,328 patients included (females 79.9%, median age 51.2 years, median body mass index 25.6 kg/m 2 ), 807 (60.8%) underwent intraoperative neuromonitoring. Postoperative abnormal vocal cord mobility was diagnosed in 131 patients (9.92%), including 69 (8.6%) and 62 (12.1%) in the intraoperative neuromonitoring and nonintraoperative neuromonitoring groups, respectively. Intraoperative neuromonitoring was associated with a lesser rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in univariate analysis (odds ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval, 0.47; 0.98, P = .04) but not in multivariate analysis (oddsratio = 0.74, 95% confidence interval, 0.47; 1.17, P = .19), or when using a propensity score (odds ratio = 0.76, 95% confidence interval, 0.53; 1.07, P = .11). There was no difference in the rates of definitive recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (0.8% and 1.3% in intraoperative neuromonitoring and non-intraoperative neuromonitoring groups respectively, P = .39). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of intraoperative neuromonitoring for detecting abnormal postoperative vocal cord mobility were 29%, 98%, 61%, and 94%, respectively. The use of intraoperative neuromonitoring does not decrease postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy rate. Due to its high specificity, however, intraoperative neuromonitoring is useful to predict normal vocal cord mobility. From the CHU de Nantes, a Clinique de Chirurgie Digestive et Endocrinienne, Nantes, France; CHU Lille, Université de Lille, b Chirurgie Générale et Endocrinienne, Lille, France; CHU Nancy-Hôpital de Brabois, c Service de Chirurgie Digestive, Hépato-Biliaire, et Endocrinienne, Nancy, France; CHU Angers, d Chirurgie Digestive et Endocrinienne, Angers, France; CHU de Toulouse-Hôpital Larrey, e Chirurgie Thoracique, Pôle Voies Respiratoires, Toulouse; CHU Saint-Etienne-Hôpital Nord, f ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale et Plastique, Saint-Etienne, France; CHU de Limoges-Hôpital Dupuytren, g Chirurgie Digestive, Générale et Endocrinienne, Limoges, France; CHU de Besançon-Hôpital Jean Minjoz, h Chirurgie Digestive, Besançon, France; Centre Hospitalier du Mans, i Service ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, Le Mans, France; Centre Hospitalier Lyon-Sud, j Chirurgie Générale, Endocrinienne, Digestive et Thoracique, Pierre Bénite, France; AP-HM-Hôpital de La Conception, k Chirurgie Générale, Marseille, France; CHU de Rennes-Hôpital Pontchaillou, l Service ORL et Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale, Rennes, France; CHU de Caen, m ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, Caen, France; CHU d'Angers, n ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, Angers, France; CHU de Nantes, o Service ORL, Nantes, France; AP HP URCEco île-de-France, p hôpital de l'Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France; DRCI, département Promotion, q Nantes, France. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PROBEX: data exchanges for enhanced traffic reconstruction

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-08-01

This report describes the results of a project that was initiated under the California-France cooperative research program CalFrance, aimed at identifying compatible research interests among researchers in California and France that could be ca...

PROBEX : data exchanges for enhanced traffic reconstruction.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-08-01

This report describes the results of a project that was initiated under the California-France cooperative : research program CalFrance, aimed at identifying compatible research interests among researchers in : California and France that could b...

Morphology and sediment dynamics of the Capbreton canyon (Bay of Biscay, SW France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaudin, M.; Umr 5805; Ifremer Team

2003-04-01

The Canyon of Capbreton extending in the Bay of Biscay (SW France) is the deepest canyon in the world. Its structure and morphology was studied using new multibeam bathymetry, acoustic imagery and high-resolution seismic data. The canyon head appears only 250 m away from the coast line and runs westward parallel to the north coast of Spain for 160 km due to structural control, then turns northward, widens and abruptly disappears in the continental rise by 3500 m water depth. Its northern margin is flat and progrades clearly westward. Conversely the southern margin is steep and progrades towards the north (i.e. towards the canyon). Down to 800 m water depth, the canyon deeply incises the continental shelf and the axial channel is meandering (sinuosity of 1.9). The canyon shows both major and minor stream beds, perched tributary valleys, nested terraces and abandoned meanders. The terraces have three morphologies: (1) flat, (2) with a raised side or (3) with a horseshoe structure. These morphologies have been interpreted as overbank deposits or nested levees (1 and 2) or as the result of meander abandon (3). Terraces of types (1) and (2) contain mainly fine deposits resulting from decantation of the top of turbulent surges that flow in the canyon. Westward (800 to 2000 m water depth) the main talweg remains sinuous (1.7). On the southern margin, several straight or slightly sinuous S-N tributary valleys are followed by alignments of pockmarks that also indicate a structural control. On the northern margin, a single large tributary valley with a sinuous central talweg, flowing from the upper Aquitaine continental slope, is interpreted as a giant slump scar due to sediment instability. This valley is bordered to the west by a topographic high with sediment waves on the external flank that might be interpreted as a sedimentary levee. The canyon recorded a recent turbidite activity. An 18 cm-thick turbidite was deposited at 650 m water depth by a turbidity current triggered by the storm which affected the French Atlantic coast on 27.12.1999. These present sedimentary processes contribute to maintain the freshness of the canyon morphology. However, the present frequency (in the range of one event every ten years) of gravity processes is too low to explain the incision. This suggests an increased activity when the canyon head was connected to the Adour River (previous to 1310 AD).

A top-down approach of surface carbonyl sulfide exchange by a Mediterranean oak forest ecosystem in southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belviso, Sauveur; Reiter, Ilja Marco; Loubet, Benjamin; Gros, Valérie; Lathière, Juliette; Montagne, David; Delmotte, Marc; Ramonet, Michel; Kalogridis, Cerise; Lebegue, Benjamin; Bonnaire, Nicolas; Kazan, Victor; Gauquelin, Thierry; Fernandez, Catherine; Genty, Bernard

2016-12-01

The role that soil, foliage, and atmospheric dynamics have on surface carbonyl sulfide (OCS) exchange in a Mediterranean forest ecosystem in southern France (the Oak Observatory at the Observatoire de Haute Provence, O3HP) was investigated in June of 2012 and 2013 with essentially a top-down approach. Atmospheric data suggest that the site is appropriate for estimating gross primary production (GPP) directly from eddy covariance measurements of OCS fluxes, but it is less adequate for scaling net ecosystem exchange (NEE) to GPP from observations of vertical gradients of OCS relative to CO2 during the daytime. Firstly, OCS and carbon dioxide (CO2) diurnal variations and vertical gradients show no net exchange of OCS at night when the carbon fluxes are dominated by ecosystem respiration. This contrasts with other oak woodland ecosystems of a Mediterranean climate, where nocturnal uptake of OCS by soil and/or vegetation has been observed. Since temperature, water, and organic carbon content of soil at the O3HP should favor the uptake of OCS, the lack of nocturnal net uptake would indicate that its gross consumption in soil is compensated for by emission processes that remain to be characterized. Secondly, the uptake of OCS during the photosynthetic period was characterized in two different ways. We measured ozone (O3) deposition velocities and estimated the partitioning of O3 deposition between stomatal and non-stomatal pathways before the start of a joint survey of OCS and O3 surface concentrations. We observed an increasing trend in the relative importance of the stomatal pathway during the morning hours and synchronous steep drops of mixing ratios of OCS (amplitude in the range of 60-100 ppt) and O3 (amplitude in the range of 15-30 ppb) after sunrise and before the break up of the nocturnal boundary layer. The uptake of OCS by plants was also characterized from vertical profiles. However, the time window for calculation of the ecosystem relative uptake (ERU) of OCS, which is a useful tool for partitioning measured NEE, was limited in June 2012 to a few hours after midday. This was due to the disruption of the vertical distribution of OCS by entrainment of OCS rich tropospheric air in the morning and because the vertical gradient of CO2 reverses when it is still light. Moreover, polluted air masses (up to 700 ppt of OCS) produced dramatic variation in atmospheric OCS / CO2 ratios during the daytime in June 2013, further reducing the time window for ERU calculation.

Atmospheric mercury speciation dynamics at the high-altitude Pic du Midi Observatory, southern France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Xuewu; Marusczak, Nicolas; Heimbürger, Lars-Eric; Sauvage, Bastien; Gheusi, François; Prestbo, Eric M.; Sonke, Jeroen E.

2016-05-01

Continuous measurements of atmospheric gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), particulate bound mercury (PBM) and gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) at the high-altitude Pic du Midi Observatory (PDM Observatory, 2877 m a.s.l.) in southern France were made from November 2011 to November 2012. The mean GEM, PBM and GOM concentrations were 1.86 ng m-3, 14 pg m-3 and 27 pg m-3, respectively and we observed 44 high PBM (peak PBM values of 33-98 pg m-3) and 61 high GOM (peak GOM values of 91-295 pg m-3) events. The high PBM events occurred mainly in cold seasons (winter and spring) whereas high GOM events were mainly observed in the warm seasons (summer and autumn). In cold seasons the maximum air mass residence times (ARTs) associated with high PBM events were observed in the upper troposphere over North America. The ratios of high PBM ARTs to total ARTs over North America, Europe, the Arctic region and Atlantic Ocean were all elevated in the cold season compared to the warm season, indicating that the middle and upper free troposphere of the Northern Hemisphere may be more enriched in PBM in cold seasons. PBM concentrations and PBM / GOM ratios during the high PBM events were significantly anti-correlated with atmospheric aerosol concentrations, air temperature and solar radiation, suggesting in situ formation of PBM in the middle and upper troposphere. We identified two distinct types of high GOM events with the GOM concentrations positively and negatively correlated with atmospheric ozone concentrations, respectively. High GOM events positively correlated with ozone were mainly related to air masses from the upper troposphere over the Arctic region and middle troposphere over the temperate North Atlantic Ocean, whereas high GOM events anti-correlated with ozone were mainly related to air masses from the lower free troposphere over the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean. The ARTs analysis demonstrates that the lower and middle free troposphere over the North Atlantic Ocean was the largest source region of atmospheric GOM at the PDM Observatory. The ratios of high GOM ARTs to total ARTs over the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean in summer were significantly higher than those over the temperate and sub-arctic North Atlantic Ocean as well as that over the North Atlantic Ocean in other seasons, indicating abundant in situ oxidation of GEM to GOM in the lower free troposphere over the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean in summer.

[Comparisons outpatient drug prescriptions: France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden].

PubMed

Dezileaux, Barbara; Martinez, Florie

2016-06-01

Comparisons outpatient drug prescriptions: France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden. Project compares quantitatively outpatient drug prescriptions in France, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Data were obtained from national databases; the unit of measurement was defined daily dose per 1000 inhabitants. The five most prescribed drug classes were compared in each country in 2009, then benzodiazepines and antibiotics from 2006 to 2012. A literature review was focused on the context of prescriptions for each country. In 2009, the five most prescribed drug classes in the four countries represented seven classes in total. France was not the biggest prescriber of drugs, but from 2006 to 2012 benzodiazepines and antibiotics were prescribed much more in France than in the other countries. The evolution of prescriptions was different for each country, and very stable in France. In 2009, France was not the biggest drugs consumer of all classes, but was characterized by high prescriptions in some classes. Copyright © 2016 Société française de pharmacologie et de thérapeutique. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Seasonal effects on the nucleus of comet 67P revealed by Rosetta/VIRTIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tosi, Federico; Capaccioni, Fabrizio; Filacchione, Gianrico; Erard, Stéphane; Rouseeau, Batiste; Combe, Jean-Philippe; Capria, Maria Teresa; Leyrat, Cédric; Longobardo, Andrea; Bockelée-Morvan, Dominique; Kappel, David; Arnold, Gabriele; Fonti, Sergio; Mancarella, Francesca; Kuehrt, Ekkehard; Mottola, Stefano

2016-04-01

We describe thermal effects on the nucleus of comet 67P. Due to the overall low thermal inertia of the nucleus surface, the surface temperature is essentially dominated by the instantaneous value of the solar incidence angle and the heliocentric distance. However, for each location, the smallest achievable value of insolation angle depends on the season and topography. Given the substantial obliquity of comet 67P, seasons are such that the northern hemisphere is mainly illuminated at aphelion while the southern hemisphere receives most insolation soon after perihelion. In addition, the heliocentric distance strongly affects the surface temperature, all other parameters being equal. This is a larger effect in comets than in asteroids, due to the wide range of heliocentric distance values spanned by comets. When Rosetta started its global mapping observation campaign, in early August 2014, hyperspectral images acquired by the VIRTIS imaging spectrometer onboard the Rosetta Orbiter covered only the northern regions of the cometary surface, and the equatorial belt became gradually unveiled, while the southern region has been revealed from 2015 onwards. In parallel, the comet's heliocentric distance has been decreasing from ˜3.6 AU down to 1.24 AU, the distance at which the perihelion passage occurred on 13 August 2015. By relating surface temperatures as measured by VIRTIS to three variables: solar incidence angle, true local solar time and heliocentric distance, we aim to separate the relative contributions due to season and to the heliocentric distance. To do this, we use both VIRTIS-M data (namely data from the mapping spectrometer covering the 1-5 μm range, available up to April 2015, i.e. before the failure of the IR cryocooler) and VIRTIS-H data (namely data from the high-resolution point spectrometer covering the 2-5 μm range), and we focus in particular on three regions: one in the northern hemisphere, one in the equatorial region and one in the southern hemisphere. These three regions are chosen so as to be relatively smooth at the spatial resolution that is achieved from a distance of about 100 km (25 m/px for VIRTIS-M, 50×150 m/px for VIRTIS-H), in order to limit the effects of large-scale surface roughness. Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank the following institutions and agencies, which supported this work: Italian Space Agency (ASI - Italy), Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES- France), Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR-Germany), National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA-USA) Rosetta Program, Science and Technology Facilities Council (UK). VIRTIS has been built by a consortium, which includes Italy, France and Germany, under the scientific responsibility of the Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali of INAF, Italy, which guides also the scientific operations. The VIRTIS instrument development has been funded and managed by ASI, with contributions from Observatoire de Meudon financed by CNES, and from DLR. The computational resources used in this research have been supplied by INAF-IAPS through the DataWell project.

An open-database of Grape Harvest dates for climate research: data description and quality assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daux, V.; Garcia de Cortazar-Atauri, I.; Yiou, P.; Chuine, I.; Garnier, E.; Ladurie, E. Le Roy; Mestre, O.; Tardaguila, J.

2011-11-01

We present a dataset of grape harvest dates (GHD) series that has been compiled from international and non-translated French and Spanish literature and from unpublished documentary sources from public organizations and from wine-growers. As of June 2011, this GHD dataset comprises 378 series mainly from France (93% of the data) as well as series from Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Luxembourg. The series have variable length and contain gaps of variable sizes. The longest and most complete ones are from Burgundy, Switzerland, Southern Rhône valley, Jura and Ile-de-France. The GHD series were grouped into 27 regions according to their location, to geomorphological and geological criteria, and to past and present grape varieties. The GHD regional composite series (GHD-RCS) were calculated and compared pairwise to assess the quality of the series. Significant (p-value < 0.001) and strong correlations exist between most of them. As expected, the correlations tended to be higher when the vineyards are closer, the highest correlation (R = 0.91) being obtained between the High Loire Valley and the Ile-de-France GHD-RCS. The strong dependence of vine cycle on temperature and, therefore, the strong link between GHD and the temperature of the growing season was also used to test the quality of the GHD series. The strongest correlations are obtained between the GHD-RCS and the temperature series of the nearest weather stations. Moreover, the GHD-RCS/temperature correlation maps show spatial patterns similar to temperature correlation maps. The stability of the correlations over time is explored. The most striking feature is their generalized deterioration at the late 19th-early 20th turning point. The possible effects on the GHD of the phylloxera crisis, which took place at this time, are discussed. The median of the standardized GHD-RCS was calculated. The distribution of the extreme years of this general synthetic series is not homogenous. Extremely late years all occur during a two-century long time-window from the early 17th to the early 19th century, while extremely early years are frequent during the 16th and since the mid-19th century. The dataset is made accessible for climate research through the Internet. It should allow a variety of climate studies, including reconstructions of atmospheric circulation over Western Europe.

Hot Jupiters and Hot Spots: The Short- and Long-Term Chromospheric Activity on Stars with Giant Planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shkolnik, E.; Walker, G. A. H.; Bohlender, D. A.; Gu, P.-G.; Kürster, M.

2005-04-01

We monitored the chromospheric activity in the Ca II H and K lines of 13 solar-type stars (including the Sun): 8 of them over 3 years at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) and 5 in a single run at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). A total of 10 of the 13 targets have close planetary companions. All of the stars observed at the CFHT show long-term (months to years) changes in H and K intensity levels. Four stars display short-term (days) cyclical activity. For two, HD 73256 and κ1 Cet, the activity is likely associated with an active region rotating with the star; however, the flaring in excess of the rotational modulation may be associated with a hot Jupiter. A planetary companion remains a possibility for κ1 Cet. For the other two, HD 179949 and υ And, the cyclic variation is synchronized to the hot Jupiter's orbit. For both stars this synchronicity with the orbit is clearly seen in two out of three epochs. The effect is only marginal in the third epoch at which the seasonal level of chromospheric activity had changed for both stars. Short-term chromospheric activity appears weakly dependent on the mean K line reversal intensities for the sample of 13 stars. In addition, a suggestive correlation exists between this activity and the Mpsini of the star's hot Jupiter. Because of their small separation (<=0.1 AU), many of the hot Jupiters lie within the Alfvén radius of their host stars, which allows a direct magnetic interaction with the stellar surface. We discuss the conditions under which a planet's magnetic field might induce activity on the stellar surface and why no such effect was seen for the prime candidate, τ Boo. This work opens up the possibility of characterizing planet-star interactions, with implications for extrasolar planet magnetic fields and the energy contribution to stellar atmospheres. Based on observations collected at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope operated by the National Research Council of Canada, the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique of France, and the University of Hawaii, as well as data from the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, Chile (programme ESO 73.C-0694).

Controls on the evolution of carbonate landscapes in Provence, France using cosmogenic nuclides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, Franck; Godard, Vincent; Bellier, Olivier; Shabanian, Esmaeil; Benedetti, Lucilla; Ollivier, Vincent; Rizza, Magali; Hollender, Fabrice; Team Aster; Guillou, Valéry

2016-04-01

The Provence region located in South-Eastern France has registered significant earthquakes in the last 1000 years, some reaching intensities up to IX. It is currently undergoing a very slow tectonic deformation with little seismicity and long recurrence intervals for major earthquakes (such as the 1909 magnitude 6 Lambesc earthquake). Several West-trending ranges are an important part of the landscape, and the influence of tectonic uplift compared to denudation during the Pliocene-Quaternary is not yet fully understood in the region. The geology of South-Eastern France is dominated by a thick Mesozoic series primarily consisting of carbonate rocks. The iconic ranges of Provence resulting from the Pyrenean orogeny (late Eocene) are mostly made up of uplifted lower Cretaceous. A minor reactivation occurred during the more recent Alpine late Cenozoic tectonic phase and contributed to the rejuvenation of the relief. Carbonate rocks are prone to complete chemical dissolution and are thus highly sensitive to climatic forcings such as precipitation. Moreover, the elevation and the frequency of freezing and thawing are parameters strongly influencing the geomorphic evolution in such environments. To investigate on this matter, 42 carbonate rock samples were collected for 36Cl denudation measurements on the Petit Luberon range. Denudation rates have been determined for both bedrock samples from the crest and sediments from rivers draining the southern and northern flanks of the range, allowing insights into long-term relief evolution. We observe a strong denudation contrast between the flanks lowering at 100-200 mm/ka and the summit surface, at around 30 mm/ka. These results suggest a transient evolution and a probable narrowing of the range. In addition, we collected 23 carbonate bedrock samples from other Mesozoic ranges in Provence with a wide altitude range (from 150 up to 1800 meters high asl), for similar 36Cl analysis. Our objective in this study (CEA-Cashima) is to have a regional overview of the distribution of denudation rates in an area dominated by carbonate rocks and to evaluate the influence of altitude, climate and associated processes on erosion and eventually link it to a slow regional uplift. Thus this study will allow a better understanding of the denudation processes in a carbonate dominated area characterized by slow tectonic deformations and moderate precipitations.

The VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey. Measuring the growth rate of structure around cosmic voids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawken, A. J.; Granett, B. R.; Iovino, A.; Guzzo, L.; Peacock, J. A.; de la Torre, S.; Garilli, B.; Bolzonella, M.; Scodeggio, M.; Abbas, U.; Adami, C.; Bottini, D.; Cappi, A.; Cucciati, O.; Davidzon, I.; Fritz, A.; Franzetti, P.; Krywult, J.; Le Brun, V.; Le Fèvre, O.; Maccagni, D.; Małek, K.; Marulli, F.; Polletta, M.; Pollo, A.; Tasca, L. A. M.; Tojeiro, R.; Vergani, D.; Zanichelli, A.; Arnouts, S.; Bel, J.; Branchini, E.; De Lucia, G.; Ilbert, O.; Moscardini, L.; Percival, W. J.

2017-11-01

We aim to develop a novel methodology for measuring thegrowth rate of structure around cosmic voids. We identified voids in the completed VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS), using an algorithm based on searching for empty spheres. We measured the cross-correlation between the centres of voids and the complete galaxy catalogue. The cross-correlation function exhibits a clear anisotropy in both VIPERS fields (W1 and W4), which is characteristic of linear redshift space distortions. By measuring the projected cross-correlation and then de-projecting it we are able to estimate the un-distorted cross-correlation function. We propose that given a sufficiently well-measured cross-correlation function one should be able to measure the linear growth rate of structure by applying a simple linear Gaussian streaming model for the redshift space distortions (RSD). Our study of voids in 306 mock galaxy catalogues mimicking the VIPERS fields suggests that VIPERS is capable of measuring β, the ratio of the linear growth rate to the bias, with an error of around 25%. Applying our method to the VIPERS data, we find a value for the redshift space distortion parameter, β = 0.423-0.108+0.104 which, given the bias of the galaxy population we use, gives a linear growth rate of f σ8 = 0.296-0.078+0.075 at z = 0.727. These results are consistent with values observed in parallel VIPERS analyses that use standard techniques. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Cerro Paranal, Chile, using the Very Large Telescope under programs 182.A-0886 and partly 070.A-9007. Also based on observations obtained with MegaPrime/MegaCam, a joint project of CFHT and CEA/DAPNIA, at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), which is operated by the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada, the Institut National des Sciences de l'Univers of the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) of France, and the University of Hawaii. This work is based in part on data products produced at TERAPIX and the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre as part of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey, a collaborative project of NRC and CNRS.

Long-lasting Microbial Methane Release at the Aquitaine Shelf Break (Bay of Biscay): Relation with the (Plio)-Pleistocene Sedimentary Progradation of the Continental Margin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dupré, S.; Michel, G.; Pierre, C.; Ruffine, L.; Scalabrin, C.; Ehrhold, A.; Loubrieu, B.; Gautier, E.; Baltzer, A.; Imbert, P.; Battani, A.; Deville, E.; Dupont, P.; Thomas, Y.; Théréau, E.

2017-12-01

The recent identification of acoustic and visual gas release in the water column at the Aquitaine Shelf (140 and 220 m water depths) led to the discovery of a 200 km2 fluid system at the seafloor with 3000 bubbling sites associated with microbial methane (Dupré et al 2014; Ruffine et al. 2017). The moderate methane fluxes (measured in situ, on average 200 mLn/min per bubbling site) contribute to the formation of small-scale sub-circular authigenic carbonate mounds (with reliefs < 1 m in height) (Pierre et al. 2017). The emitted gases have neither a genetic link with thermogenic hydrocarbons from the Parentis Basin beneath, nor are issued from gas hydrate dissociation, but originate from microbial CO2 reduction. Based on estimated thickness and growth rate of authigenic carbonates, this system has lasted for at least several tens to possibly hundreds of kyears with a volume of escaping methane reaching 3.1012 Ln per 10 kyr. Seismic evidences for gas-charged layers and fossil authigenic carbonates point to organic matter source levels within the sedimentary deposits of the Late Pleistocene progradation system. The Aquitaine Shelf fluid system highlights the edge of continental shelves as preferential areas for bio-geological processes. The GAZCOGNE project is co-funded by TOTAL and IFREMER as part of the PAMELA (Passive Margin Exploration Laboratories) scientific project. References Dupré S, Berger L, Le Bouffant N, Scalabrin C, Bourillet J-F (2014) Fluid emissions at the Aquitaine Shelf (Bay of Biscay, France): a biogenic origin or the expression of hydrocarbon leakage? Cont. Shelf Res. 88:24-33 Pierre C, Demange J, Blanc-Valleron M-M, Dupré S (2017) Authigenic carbonate mounds from active methane seeps on the southern Aquitaine Shelf (Bay of Biscay, France): Evidence for anaerobic oxidation of biogenic methane and submarine groundwater discharge during formation. Cont. Shelf Res. 133:13-25 Ruffine L, Donval J-P, Croguennec C, Bignon L, Birot D, Battani A, Bayon G, Caprais J-C, Lantéri N, Levaché D, Dupré S (2017) Gas Seepage along the Edge of the Aquitaine Shelf (France): Origin and Local Fluxes. Geofluids 2017:13

78 FR 70202 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-25

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT... France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D, AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N [[Page 70203

The Marketisation of Guidance Services in Germany, France and Britain.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rees, Teresa; Bartlett, Will; Watts, A. G.

1999-01-01

Compares developments in Britain, France, and Germany, focusing on the trends toward marketing adult career guidance services. Describes how Germany's centralized system and the quasi-market based system in France might apply in Britain. (JOW)

West Europe Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-04-11

The biggest change has ■ been that the headquarters of the European Command was moved from France to Belgium when de Gaulle pulled France out.: NATO...1980 through 1984, the payments of the GRD amounted to 45 percent of the total expenditures of the EMD, of which about 1.2 billion Swiss francs , or...70 percent (55 percent to private industry and 13 percent to state armaments plants), were spent domestically and 500 million Swiss francs abroad

FOREWORD: 3rd International Workshop on New Computational Methods for Inverse Problems (NCMIP 2013)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blanc-Féraud, Laure; Joubert, Pierre-Yves

2013-10-01

Conference logo This volume of Journal of Physics: Conference Series is dedicated to the scientific contributions presented during the 3rd International Workshop on New Computational Methods for Inverse Problems, NCMIP 2013 (http://www.farman.ens-cachan.fr/NCMIP_2013.html). This workshop took place at Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan, in Cachan, France, on 22 May 2013, at the initiative of Institut Farman. The prior editions of NCMIP also took place in Cachan, France, firstly within the scope of the ValueTools Conference, in May 2011 (http://www.ncmip.org/2011/), and secondly at the initiative of Institut Farman, in May 2012 (http://www.farman.ens-cachan.fr/NCMIP_2012.html). The NCMIP Workshop focused on recent advances in the resolution of inverse problems. Indeed inverse problems appear in numerous scientific areas such as geophysics, biological and medical imaging, material and structure characterization, electrical, mechanical and civil engineering, and finances. The resolution of inverse problems consists of estimating the parameters of the observed system or structure from data collected by an instrumental sensing or imaging device. Its success firstly requires the collection of relevant observation data. It also requires accurate models describing the physical interactions between the instrumental device and the observed system, as well as the intrinsic properties of the solution itself. Finally, it requires the design of robust, accurate and efficient inversion algorithms. Advanced sensor arrays and imaging devices provide high rate and high volume data; in this context, the efficient resolution of the inverse problem requires the joint development of new models and inversion methods, taking computational and implementation aspects into account. During this one-day workshop, researchers had the opportunity to bring to light and share new techniques and results in the field of inverse problems. The topics of the workshop were: algorithms and computational aspects of inversion, Bayesian estimation, kernel methods, learning methods, convex optimization, free discontinuity problems, metamodels, proper orthogonal decomposition, reduced models for the inversion, non-linear inverse scattering, image reconstruction and restoration, and applications (bio-medical imaging, non-destructive evaluation...). NCMIP 2013 was a one-day workshop held in May 2013 which attracted around 60 attendees. Each of the submitted papers has been reviewed by three reviewers. Among the accepted papers, there are seven oral presentations, five posters and one invited poster (On a deconvolution challenge presented by C Vonesch from EPFL, Switzerland). In addition, three international speakers were invited to present a longer talk. The workshop was supported by Institut Farman (ENS Cachan, CNRS) and endorsed by the following French research networks (GDR ISIS, GDR Ondes, GDR MOA, GDR MSPC). The program committee acknowledges the following research laboratories CMLA, LMT, LSV, LURPA, SATIE. Laure Blanc-Féraud and Pierre-Yves Joubert Workshop co-chair Laure Blanc-Féraud, I3S laboratory and INRIA Nice Sophia-Antipolis, France Pierre-Yves Joubert, IEF, Paris-Sud University, CNRS, France Technical program committee Gilles Aubert, J-A Dieudonné Laboratory, CNRS and University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, France Nabil Anwer, LURPA, ENS Cachan, France Alexandre Baussard, ENSTA Bretagne, Lab-STICC, France Marc Bonnet, ENSTA, ParisTech, France Antonin Chambolle, CMAP, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, France Oliver Dorn, School of Mathematics, University of Manchester, UK Cécile Durieu, SATIE, ENS Cachan, CNRS, France Gérard Favier, I3S Laboratory, University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, France Mário Figueiredo, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal Laurent Fribourg, LSV, ENS Cachan, CNRS, France Marc Lambert, L2S Laboratory, CNRS, SupElec, Paris-Sud University, France Dominique Lesselier, L2S Laboratory, CNRS, SupElec, Paris-Sud University, France Matteo Pastorino, DIBE, University of Genoa, Italy Christian Rey, LMT, ENS Cachan, CNRS, France Simon Setzer, Saarland University, Germany Cedric Vonesch, EPFL, Switzerland Local chair Sophie Abriet, SATIE Laboratory, ENS Cachan, France Béatrice Bacquet, SATIE Laboratory, ENS Cachan, France Lydia Matijevic, LMT Laboratory, ENS Cachan France Invited speakers Jérôme Idier, IRCCyN (UMR CNRS 6597), Ecole Centrale de Nantes, France Massimo Fornasier, Faculty of Mathematics, Technical University of Munich, Germany Matthias Fink, Institut Langevin, ESPCI, Université Paris Diderot, France

How to Stop the Bear: Strategy of Small States

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-01

at war with France and Great Britain, and the two small countries happened to be located on the strategic highway to France ” (Michael Handel, 1981...would be enforced and protected by the great powers, especially by the United Kingdom. In 1870, when France and Prussia were on the verge of war...resistance. This experience of overrun and occupation led the post-World War Belgium to attempt to make bilateral treaties with Britain and France

France: Factors Shaping Foreign Policy, and Issues in U.S.-French Relations

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-05-21

view, France should seek a balance that embraces diversity yet preserves a degree of uniformity that sustains the French “identity.” He believes that...Order Code RL32464 France : Factors Shaping Foreign Policy, and Issues in U.S.- French Relations Updated May 21, 2008 Paul Gallis Specialist in... France : Factors Shaping Foreign Policy, and Issues in U.S.- French Relations 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6

France: Factors Shaping Foreign Policy, and Issues in U.S.-French Relations

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-05-20

TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 00-00-2009 to 00-00-2009 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE France : Factors Shaping Foreign Policy, and Issues in U.S.- French ...Z39-18 France : Factors Shaping Foreign Policy, and Issues in U.S.- French Relations Congressional Research Service Summary The factors that shape... French foreign policy have changed since the end of the Cold War. The perspectives of France and the United States have diverged in some cases. More

Jedburgh Operations: Support to the French Resistance in Central France from June through September 1944

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-07

SUBTITLE 5. FUNDING NUMBERS Jedbr’rgh Operations: Support to the French Resistance in Central France From June through September 1944 F.. AUTHOR(S...Europe, beginning with operation OVERLORD in France . This study explains the origins, purpose, and missions/tasks of the Jedburgh project . The focus of...Best Available Standard Form 298 Back (Rev 2-89) JEDBURGH OPERATI ONS: SUPPORT TO THE FRENCH RESISTANCE IN CENTRAL FRANCE FROM JUNE THROUGH SEPTEMBER

French Naval Policy Outside of Europe.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-09-01

strategy" and "indi- rect strategy.ŝ In today’s world, direct strategy used against France would consist of overt armed aggression against French ter...8217 away at French interests one by one when he is afraid or unable to attack France directly. He would alternate local thrusts with calls for nego...of little importance to France were it not for the fact that it can endanger vital French inter- 4 ests without triggering France’s strategic

Modeling a complex system of multipurpose reservoirs under prospective scenarios (hydrology, water uses, water management): the case of the Durance River basin (South Eastern France, 12 800 km2)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monteil, Céline; Hendrickx, Frédéric; Samie, René; Sauquet, Eric

2015-04-01

The Durance River and its main tributary, the Verdon River, are two major rivers located in the Southern part of France. Three large dams (Serre-Ponçon, Castillon and Sainte-Croix) were built on their streams during the second half of the 20th century for multiple purposes. Stored water is used for hydropower, recreational, industry, drinking water and irrigation. Flows are partly diverted to feed areas outside the basin. On average 30 plants located in the Durance and Verdon valleys currently produce a total of 600 million kWh per year, equal to the annual residential consumption of a city with over 2.5 million inhabitants. The Southern part of France has been recently affected by severe droughts (2003, 2007 and 2011) and the rules for water allocation and reservoir management are now questioned particularly in the light of global change. The objective of the research project named "R²D²-2050" was to assess water availability and risks of water shortage in the mid-21st century by taking into account changes in both climate and water management. Therefore, a multi-model multi-scenario approach was considered to simulate regional climate, water resources and water demands under present-day (over the 1980-2009 baseline period) and under future conditions (over the 2036-2065 period). In addition, a model of water management was developed to simulate reservoir operating rules of the three dams. This model was calibrated to simulate water released from reservoir under constraints imposed by current day water allocation rules (e.g. downstream water requirements for irrigation, minimum water levels in the reservoirs during summer time for recreational purposes). Four territorial socio-economic scenarios were also elaborated with the help of stake holders to project water needs in the 2050s for the areas supplied with water from the Durance River basin. Results suggest an increase of the average air temperature with consequences on snow accumulation, snowmelt processes but also evapotranspiration process. However changes in total precipitation are highly uncertain. The six tested rainfall-runoff models project reduced flows, especially in the spring and summer seasons. Depending on the socio-economic scenarios and the area, the downstream total water needs could decrease or remain stable. Considering the present day constraints, these changes would lead to a decrease in energy production (mainly due to reduced annual inflows) and to less flexibility for hydropower management during winter peak energy demand. Results of the R²D² 2050 project suggest also that the downscaling methods still fail to reproduce some crucial aspects of the climate at regional scale. Unexpected biases are propagated along the chain of models. The key issue to simulate accurately reservoir operations under present and future climate conditions is the filling curves that depict the balance between water supply and demand. Probabilistic filling curves were calibrated here to meet the constraint on water level in summer objective nine years over ten. A large proportion of regional climates generated over the baseline period lead to unrealistic curves, pointing out higher levels of requirement in models output to assess global change impacts on water management systems like on the Durance River basin.

The GEOSCOPE Program: state of the art in 2007

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roult, G.; Stutzmann, E.; Maggi, A.

2007-05-01

The GEOSCOPE program was launched in 1982 by the National Institute of Sciences of Universe (INSU), a department of the French National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS), following the initiative of the Institute of Physics of the Earth of Paris (IPGP). The purpose was the installation of about 25 stations well distributed worldwide (in particular in the southern hemisphere), in the standard configuration defined by the FDSN (very broad-band 24 bit, continuous recording at 20sps). At present, the GEOSCOPE program is operating 28 digital 3-component very- broadband stations. In terms of site locations, the aim of the GEOSCOPE program is almost fulfilled. Our purpose is to maintain the stations at original sites (Indian Ocean, Africa) and to fill some geographical gaps at high latitudes in the southern and northern hemisphere. In particular, at high latitudes in Russia, we plan to install a new station VOR (Vorkuta) and to move the station SEY (Seimchan) to a new location in northern Kamchatka. We are also working on improving data quality and transmission. Historically, GEOSCOPE did not operate real- time data. Continuous data from most of stations arrive with significant delays and records from large events are teletransmitted from some stations (by phone RTC line or through internet) and are made available within one day. To improve this situation, we are replacing the old Streckeisen digitizers with new Quanterra data loggers, essentially Q330-HR ones. Presently data from 13 stations are made available at the IPGP Geoscope Data Center in near real-time, with a delay depending on the station: 1- ATD (Arta, Djibouti), a joint CTBTO/CERD/G station 2- CAN (Canberra, Australia), a joint ANU/G station 3- DZM (Dzumac, New Caledonia, a joint DASE/CTBTO/G station 4- ECH (Echery, France) 5- FDF (Fort de France, French West Indies) 6- KIP (Kipapa, Hawai), a joint IRIS/USGS/G station 7- PAF (Port aux Français, Kerguelen Island) 8- RER (Riviere de l'Est , La Reunion) 9- SSB (Saint Sauveur-Badole, France) 10- SPB (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 11- TAM (Tamanrasset, Algeria) 12- TAOE Marquesas Islands, a joint DASE/G station 13- TRIS Tristan Da Cunha, a joint IRIS/USGS/G station Our challenge is to link the maximum number of stations to our Data Center for getting data in real time. To reach this objective in a few years, we plan to upgrade more than 2 stations every year, our priority in 2007 is the upgrade of stations PEL and COYC in Chile. For the last ten years we have been progressively installing en environmental sensors (microbaromètres, thermometers), transforming all our stations in multiparameter observatories. We also are participating to the national efforts for the creation of a Tsunami Warning Center at La Réunion Island in the frame of the CNATOI project (Centre National d'Alerte aux Tsunamis dans l'Océan Indien). That project includes the installation of two new stations in 2007, one at Rodrigues Island (Mauritius) and one at Fort- Dauphin (NAM station, Madagascar). Daily automatic procedures allow to compute the noise level plots of each component, for each station in near real-time, in order to detect any anomalous behaviour of the station and to follow the station status.

Projections of Future Precipitation Extremes Over Europe: A Multimodel Assessment of Climate Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajczak, Jan; Schär, Christoph

2017-10-01

Projections of precipitation and its extremes over the European continent are analyzed in an extensive multimodel ensemble of 12 and 50 km resolution EURO-CORDEX Regional Climate Models (RCMs) forced by RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5 (Representative Concentration Pathway) aerosol and greenhouse gas emission scenarios. A systematic intercomparison with ENSEMBLES RCMs is carried out, such that in total information is provided for an unprecedentedly large data set of 100 RCM simulations. An evaluation finds very reasonable skill for the EURO-CORDEX models in simulating temporal and geographical variations of (mean and heavy) precipitation at both horizontal resolutions. Heavy and extreme precipitation events are projected to intensify across most of Europe throughout the whole year. All considered models agree on a distinct intensification of extremes by often more than +20% in winter and fall and over central and northern Europe. A reduction of rainy days and mean precipitation in summer is simulated by a large majority of models in the Mediterranean area, but intermodel spread between the simulations is large. In central Europe and France during summer, models project decreases in precipitation but more intense heavy and extreme rainfalls. Comparison to previous RCM projections from ENSEMBLES reveals consistency but slight differences in summer, where reductions in southern European precipitation are not as pronounced as previously projected. The projected changes of the European hydrological cycle may have substantial impact on environmental and anthropogenic systems. In particular, the simulations indicate a rising probability of summertime drought in southern Europe and more frequent and intense heavy rainfall across all of Europe.

Regional climate model data used within the SWURVE project - 1: projected changes in seasonal patterns and estimation of PET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ekström, M.; Jones, P. D.; Fowler, H. J.; Lenderink, G.; Buishand, T. A.; Conway, D.

2007-04-01

Climate data for studies within the SWURVE (Sustainable Water: Uncertainty, Risk and Vulnerability in Europe) project, assessing the risk posed by future climatic change to various hydrological and hydraulic systems were obtained from the regional climate model HadRM3H, developed at the Hadley Centre of the UK Met Office. This paper gives some background to HadRM3H; it also presents anomaly maps of the projected future changes in European temperature, rainfall and potential evapotranspiration (PET, estimated using a variant of the Penman formula). The future simulations of temperature and rainfall, following the SRES A2 emissions scenario, suggest that most of Europe will experience warming in all seasons, with heavier precipitation in winter in much of western Europe (except for central and northern parts of the Scandinavian mountains) and drier summers in most parts of western and central Europe (except for the north-west and the eastern part of the Baltic Sea). Particularly large temperature anomalies (>6°C) are projected for north-east Europe in winter and for southern Europe, Asia Minor and parts of Russia in summer. The projected PET displayed very large increases in summer for a region extending from southern France to Russia. The unrealistically large values could be the result of an enhanced hydrological cycle in HadRM3H, affecting several of the input parameters to the PET calculation. To avoid problems with hydrological modelling schemes, PET was re-calculated, using empirical relationships derived from observational values of temperature and PET.

Pathology and Epidemiology of Oxalate Nephrosis in Cheetahs.

PubMed

Mitchell, Emily P; Church, Molly E; Nemser, Sarah M; Yakes, Betsy Jean; Evans, Eric R; Reimschuessel, Renate; Lemberger, Karin; Thompson, Peter N; Terio, Karen A

2017-11-01

To investigate cases of acute oxalate nephrosis without evidence of ethylene glycol exposure, archived data and tissues from cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus) from North America ( n = 297), southern Africa ( n = 257), and France ( n = 40) were evaluated. Renal and gastrointestinal tract lesions were characterized in a subset of animals with ( n = 100) and without ( n = 165) oxalate crystals at death. Crystals were confirmed as calcium oxalate by Raman spectroscopy in 45 of 47 cheetahs tested. Crystals were present in cheetahs from 3.7 months to 15.9 years old. Cheetahs younger than 1.5 years were less likely to have oxalates than older cheetahs ( P = .034), but young cheetahs with oxalates had more oxalate crystals than older cheetahs ( P < .001). Cheetahs with oxalate crystals were more likely to have renal amyloidosis, interstitial nephritis, or colitis and less likely to have glomerular loop thickening or gastritis than those without oxalates. Crystal number was positively associated with renal tubular necrosis ( P ≤ .001), regeneration ( P = .015), and casts ( P ≤ .001) but inversely associated with glomerulosclerosis, renal amyloidosis, and interstitial nephritis. Crystal number was unrelated to the presence or absence of colitis and was lower in southern African than American and European animals ( P = .01). This study found no evidence that coexisting chronic renal disease (amyloidosis, interstitial nephritis, or glomerulosclerosis), veno-occlusive disease, gastritis, or enterocolitis contributed significantly to oxalate nephrosis. Oxalate-related renal disease should be considered as a potential cause of acute renal failure, especially in young captive cheetahs. The role of location, diet, stress, and genetic predisposition in the pathogenesis of oxalate nephrosis in cheetahs warrants further study.

Evidence for ongoing extensional deformation in the western Swiss Alps and thrust-faulting in the southwestern Alpine foreland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eva, Elena; Pastore, Stefania; Deichmann, Nicholas

1998-09-01

To verify the discordant orientations of P- and T-axes found by earlier studies in the Penninic domain of the southern Valais, Switzerland, and in the surrounding regions of France and Italy, we have evaluated the focal mechanisms of 11 of the best-recorded earthquakes that occurred in this area between 1985 and 1990. By employing two-dimensional ray-tracing techniques, we have made use of what is known about the lateral variations of the crustal structure to obtain constraints on the possible focal-depth range of the hypocenters and on the take-off angles at the source. In addition, we have been able to identify one of the two nodal planes as the actual fault plane of one of the events, based on high-resolution relative locations of its aftershocks. The resulting normal faulting and oblique-slip focal mechanisms show that, down to depths of about 10 km, the compressional structures of the Penninic nappes, which were formed during the Alpine orogeny, are presently undergoing extensional deformation and that a significant component of this extension is perpendicular to the Alpine arc. Thrust faulting focal mechanisms from events at the northwestern margin of the Po plain, however, indicate that the southern Alpine foreland is still subject to compressional deformation consistent with the large-scale stress field expected from the convergence of the African and European plates. Thus, our results lend support to geodynamic models that predict extensional deformation across the crest of a mountain range, while the flanks and lowlands continue to undergo crustal shortening.

Detecting short spatial scale local adaptation and epistatic selection in climate-related candidate genes in European beech (Fagus sylvatica) populations.

PubMed

Csilléry, Katalin; Lalagüe, Hadrien; Vendramin, Giovanni G; González-Martínez, Santiago C; Fady, Bruno; Oddou-Muratorio, Sylvie

2014-10-01

Detecting signatures of selection in tree populations threatened by climate change is currently a major research priority. Here, we investigated the signature of local adaptation over a short spatial scale using 96 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) individuals originating from two pairs of populations on the northern and southern slopes of Mont Ventoux (south-eastern France). We performed both single and multilocus analysis of selection based on 53 climate-related candidate genes containing 546 SNPs. FST outlier methods at the SNP level revealed a weak signal of selection, with three marginally significant outliers in the northern populations. At the gene level, considering haplotypes as alleles, two additional marginally significant outliers were detected, one on each slope. To account for the uncertainty of haplotype inference, we averaged the Bayes factors over many possible phase reconstructions. Epistatic selection offers a realistic multilocus model of selection in natural populations. Here, we used a test suggested by Ohta based on the decomposition of the variance of linkage disequilibrium. Overall populations, 0.23% of the SNP pairs (haplotypes) showed evidence of epistatic selection, with nearly 80% of them being within genes. One of the between gene epistatic selection signals arose between an FST outlier and a nonsynonymous mutation in a drought response gene. Additionally, we identified haplotypes containing selectively advantageous allele combinations which were unique to high or low elevations and northern or southern populations. Several haplotypes contained nonsynonymous mutations situated in genes with known functional importance for adaptation to climatic factors. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Water resources management in southern Europe: clues for a research and innovation based regional hypercluster.

PubMed

Martins, G; Brito, A G; Nogueira, R; Ureña, M; Fernández, D; Luque, F J; Alcácer, C

2013-04-15

European countries are facing increasing pressures on their water resources despite stringent regulations and systematic efforts on environmental protection. In this context, research and innovation play a strategic role reinforcing the efficiency of water policies. The present study provides a multilevel assessment of research and innovation practices in the field of water resource management in southern European countries and regions (more specifically; Cyprus, Albania, Poitou-Charentes in France, Andalusia in Spain and the North of Portugal). The analysis was based on a strategic framework aimed at gaining an insight of the current constraints, as well as of the existing and future technological solutions for a better water resource management. The triple helix model proved to be a useful analytical framework for assessing the efforts of different groups towards a common goal. The analysis proved the existence of a significant evolution in the use of technological tools to assist decision-making processes in integrated river basin management in all regions. Nevertheless, the absence of formal channels for knowledge and data exchange between researchers and water resource managers complicates the formers involvement in the decision-making process regarding water allocation. Both researchers and consultants emphasize the low availability of data, together with the need to advance on water resource economics as relevant constraints in the field. The SWOT analysis showed similar concerns among the participating regions and provided a battery of effective projects that resulted in the preparation of a Joint Action Plan. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Climate change and the spread of vector-borne diseases: using approximate Bayesian computation to compare invasion scenarios for the bluetongue virus vector Culicoides imicola in Italy.

PubMed

Mardulyn, Patrick; Goffredo, Maria; Conte, Annamaria; Hendrickx, Guy; Meiswinkel, Rudolf; Balenghien, Thomas; Sghaier, Soufien; Lohr, Youssef; Gilbert, Marius

2013-05-01

Bluetongue (BT) is a commonly cited example of a disease with a distribution believed to have recently expanded in response to global warming. The BT virus is transmitted to ruminants by biting midges of the genus Culicoides, and it has been hypothesized that the emergence of BT in Mediterranean Europe during the last two decades is a consequence of the recent colonization of the region by Culicoides imicola and linked to climate change. To better understand the mechanism responsible for the northward spread of BT, we tested the hypothesis of a recent colonization of Italy by C. imicola, by obtaining samples from more than 60 localities across Italy, Corsica, Southern France, and Northern Africa (the hypothesized source point for the recent invasion of C. imicola), and by genotyping them with 10 newly identified microsatellite loci. The patterns of genetic variation within and among the sampled populations were characterized and used in a rigorous approximate Bayesian computation framework to compare three competing historical hypotheses related to the arrival and establishment of C. imicola in Italy. The hypothesis of an ancient presence of the insect vector was strongly favoured by this analysis, with an associated P ≥ 99%, suggesting that causes other than the northward range expansion of C. imicola may have supported the emergence of BT in southern Europe. Overall, this study illustrates the potential of molecular genetic markers for exploring the assumed link between climate change and the spread of diseases. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Health-resource use and costs associated with fibromyalgia in France, Germany, and the United States

PubMed Central

Knight, Tyler; Schaefer, Caroline; Chandran, Arthi; Zlateva, Gergana; Winkelmann, Andreas; Perrot, Serge

2013-01-01

Background Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread, persistent pain. Prospective and retrospective studies have demonstrated substantial health-care costs associated with FM in a number of countries. This study evaluated and compared health-resource use (HRU) and associated costs related to FM in routine clinical practice across the US, France, and Germany. Methods Two separate, cross-sectional, observational studies of subjects with FM were conducted: one in the US and one in France and Germany. HRU related to prescription medication, physician office visits, diagnostic tests, and hospitalizations was abstracted from chart review; patient out-of-pocket costs and lost productivity were collected via subject self-report. Costs were assigned to HRU based on standard algorithms. Direct and indirect costs were evaluated and compared by simple linear regression. Results A total of 442 subjects (203 US, 70 France, 169 Germany) with FM were analyzed. The mean (standard deviation) age in the US, France, and Germany was 47.9 (10.9), 51.2 (9.5), and 49.2 (9.8), respectively (P = 0.085). Most subjects were female (95% US, 83% France, 80% Germany) (P < 0.001). Adjusted annual direct costs per subject for FM were significantly higher in the US ($7087) than in France ($481, P < 0.001) or Germany ($2417, P < 0.001). Adjusted mean annual indirect costs per subject for FM were lower in the US ($6431) than in France ($8718) or Germany ($10,001), but represented a significant proportion of total costs in all countries. Conclusion The significant HRU and costs associated with FM in the US, France, and Germany documented in this study highlight the substantial global economic burden of FM. Indirect costs represented a significant proportion of the total costs, particularly in Europe. Comparisons between the three countries show differences in HRU, with significantly higher direct costs in the US compared with France and Germany. PMID:23637545

26 CFR 514.4 - Interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS UNDER TAX CONVENTIONS FRANCE... nonresident alien individual, fiduciary, and partnership) who is a resident of France, or by a French... bond interest, the nonresident alien who is a resident of France, or the French corporation or other...

Survey of Laser-Produced Pressure and Impulse Data

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-01-01

Marseille, Marseille, France; C.E.A. Limeil-Service H.D.E., St. Georges , France Experimental Conditions: Laser: TEA C02 Wavelength: 10.6 pm Pulse energy: to...Mecanique des Fluides de Marseille, Marseille, France; C.E.A. Limeil-Service H.D.E., St. Georges , France Experimental Conditions: Laser: TEA CO2 Wavelength...34 Authors : C.L. Bohn, M.D. Stephen, F. Eng, J.C. Souders, G.A. Brost , T.F. Deaton, B.W. Duvall, and J.T. Tinsley Citation: "Mechanical coupling of an

Reliability and validity of the French-Canadian version of the scoliosis research society 22 questionnaire in France.

PubMed

Lonjon, Guillaume; Ilharreborde, Brice; Odent, Thierry; Moreau, Sébastien; Glorion, Christophe; Mazda, Keyvan

2014-01-01

Outcome study to determine the internal consistency, reproducibility, and concurrent validity of the French-Canadian version of the Scoliosis Research Society 22 (SRS-22 fcv) patient questionnaire in France. To determine whether the SRS-22 fcv can be used in a population from France. The SRS-22 has been translated and validated in multiple countries, notably in the French-Canadian language in Quebec, Canada. Use of SRS-22 fcv seems appropriate for evaluating adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in France. However, French-Canadian French is noticeably different from the French spoken in France, and no study has investigated the use of a French-Canadian version of a health-quality questionnaire in another French population. The methods used for validating the SRS-22 fcv in Quebec were adopted for use with a group of 200 adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and 60 healthy adolescents in France. Reliability and reproducibility were measured by the Cronbach α and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), construct validity by factorial analysis, concurrent validity by the Short-Form of the survey, and discriminant validity by analysis of variance and multivariate linear regression. In France, the SRS-22 fcv showed good global internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.87, intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.92), a coherent factorial structure, and high correlation coefficients between the SRS-22 fcv and Short-Form of the survey (P < 0.001). However, reliability and validity were slightly less than that for the instrument's original validation and the validation of the SRS-22 fcv in Quebec. These differences could be explained by language and cultural differences. The SRS-22 fcv is relevant for use in France, but further development and validation of a specific French questionnaire remain necessary to improve the assessment of functional outcomes of adolescents with scoliosis in France. N/A.

Concentrating Solar Power Projects in France | Concentrating Solar Power |

Science.gov Websites

;alphabetical by project name. You can browse a project profile by clicking on the project name. eLLO Solar NREL France Concentrating solar power (CSP) projects in France are listed belowâ€"

26 CFR 514.2 - Dividends.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS UNDER TAX CONVENTIONS FRANCE... resident of France when such dividend is so paid, or by a French corporation, shall not exceed 15 percent...) Thus, if a nonresident alien individual who is a resident of France performs personal services within...

FBIS report. Science and technology: Europe/International, March 29, 1996

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1996-03-29

;Partial Contents: Advanced Materials (EU Project to Improve Production in Metal Matrix Compounds Noted, Germany: Extremely Hard Carbon Coating Development, Italy: Director of CNR Metallic Materials Institute Interviewed); Aerospace (ESA Considers Delays, Reductions as Result of Budget Cuts, Italy: Space Agency`s Director on Restructuring, Future Plans); Automotive, Transportation (EU: Clean Diesel Engine Technology Research Reviewed); Biotechnology (Germany`s Problems, Successes in Biotechnology Discussed); Computers (EU Europort Parallel Computing Project Concluded, Italy: PQE 2000 Project on Massively Parallel Systems Viewed); Defense R&D (France: Future Tasks of `Brevel` Military Intelligence Drone Noted); Energy, Environment (German Scientist Tests Elimination of Phosphates); Advanced Manufacturing (France:more » Advanced Rapid Prototyping System Presented); Lasers, Sensors, Optics (France: Strategy of Cilas Laser Company Detailed); Microelectronics (France: Simulation Company to Develop Microelectronic Manufacturing Application); Nuclear R&D (France: Megajoule Laser Plan, Cooperation with Livermore Lab Noted); S&T Policy (EU Efforts to Aid Small Companies` Research Viewed); Telecommunications (France Telecom`s Way to Internet).« less

[Attractiveness of France for clinical trials: evaluation of laboratories and promoters].

PubMed

d'Enfert, Jérôme; Lassale, Catherine; Prod'homme, Pauline

2003-01-01

Questions have been raised regarding the attractiveness of France versus other countries for performing clinical trials. A questionnaire was sent to pharmaceutical companies with offices in France to assess their level of activity and to get information on the pros and cons of performing phase I-IV international clinical trials in France. Eleven companies, of large to medium size and representing 44% of the shared market returned answers. In 2001, they spent 131 million euros on clinical trials--53% for phase I-III, with a staff of 1469 (not including Contact Research Organisations)--and involved 21,000 investigators recruiting 98,000 patients on local budgets, and 2257 investigators recruiting 10,270 patients on international budgets. France ranked well as regards size of market or resource availability, with an intermediate rank as regards costs, access to patients and disease prevalence, and was weak with regard to speed of recruitment and quality of investigators. Ways of improving France's attractiveness will be discussed.

The Dynamic Model and Inherent Variability: The Case of Northern France.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hornsby, David

1999-01-01

Explores the claims of the "dynamic" model of variation by testing against data recorded in Avion, Northern France. Parallels are drawn between "langue d'oil" areas of France and decreolization situations in which proponents of the dynamic model have generally worked. (Author/VWL)

75 FR 39277 - Sorbitol From France; Determination

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-08

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 731-TA-44 (Third Review)] Sorbitol From France... U.S.C. 1675d(c)) (the Act), that revocation of the antidumping duty order on sorbitol from France... views of the Commission are contained in USITC Publication 4164 (June 2010), entitled Sorbitol from...

77 FR 63262 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-16

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2012-1087; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-32-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France... France: Docket No. FAA-2012-1087; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-32-AD. (a) Applicability This AD applies...

La punaise diabolique a la conquete de la France

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Halyomorpha halys is now present in France in Alsace and in several neighboring countries (Switzerland and Italy). The potential risk of invasion of H. halys throughout France is considered to be high. Through its natural dispersal, or with human assistance, this insect will likely colonize the majo...

International Reports on Literacy Research: France and Argentina

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Malloy, Jacquelynn A., Comp.; Botzakis, Stergios, Comp.

2006-01-01

This is a compilation of two separate reports on international literacy research from France and Argentina. In the reports from France, research correspondent Jacques Fijalkow detailed three research projects that included the following: (1) A description of adult literacy skills; (2) An investigation of how study-abroad students were integrated…

Vocational Education and Training in France.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Willems, Jean-Pierre

This monograph gives an overview of the vocational education and training system in France. It contains the following information: (1) a presentation of the administrative, demographic, and economic background in which the training system in France exists; (2) a brief historical review of the development of the training systems; (3) a presentation…

The Challenges Facing Catholic Education in France Today

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moog, François

2016-01-01

The effects of secularisation on society demand a rethinking of the identity and mission of Catholic schools in France. In 2013, the French bishops published a new directory which offers new approaches, described here, based on the three challenges facing Catholic education in France: linking social responsibility and evangelisation, setting up…

The Highlights and Pitfalls of Developing an Intercultural Workshop in France.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Frey-Hartel, Cheri; Kasum, Duffy

An intercultural training workshop including orientation and travel to France is described. The program was made available to businessmen and women interested or involved in trade with France, to students in communications, foreign languages, and international business, and to community members. The program included pre-departure classes to…

47 CFR 3.46 - Use of gold francs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Use of gold francs. 3.46 Section 3.46... AUTHORITIES IN MARITIME AND MARITIME MOBILE-SATELLITE RADIO SERVICES Settlement Operations § 3.46 Use of gold francs. An accounting authority must accept accounts presented to it from foreign administrations in gold...

47 CFR 3.46 - Use of gold francs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Use of gold francs. 3.46 Section 3.46... AUTHORITIES IN MARITIME AND MARITIME MOBILE-SATELLITE RADIO SERVICES Settlement Operations § 3.46 Use of gold francs. An accounting authority must accept accounts presented to it from foreign administrations in gold...

47 CFR 3.46 - Use of gold francs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Use of gold francs. 3.46 Section 3.46... AUTHORITIES IN MARITIME AND MARITIME MOBILE-SATELLITE RADIO SERVICES Settlement Operations § 3.46 Use of gold francs. An accounting authority must accept accounts presented to it from foreign administrations in gold...

47 CFR 3.46 - Use of gold francs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Use of gold francs. 3.46 Section 3.46... AUTHORITIES IN MARITIME AND MARITIME MOBILE-SATELLITE RADIO SERVICES Settlement Operations § 3.46 Use of gold francs. An accounting authority must accept accounts presented to it from foreign administrations in gold...

47 CFR 3.46 - Use of gold francs.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 47 Telecommunication 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Use of gold francs. 3.46 Section 3.46... AUTHORITIES IN MARITIME AND MARITIME MOBILE-SATELLITE RADIO SERVICES Settlement Operations § 3.46 Use of gold francs. An accounting authority must accept accounts presented to it from foreign administrations in gold...

7 CFR 1006.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1007.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1005.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

The Definition of Vocational Diplomas in Germany and France.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mobus, Martine; Verdier, Eric

1997-01-01

In both France and Germany, the government, employers' organizations, and unions all participate in defining vocational diplomas based on a national framework of procedures of elaborating and standardizing titles. Important differences between the diploma definition processes in France and Germany may be identified. In Germany, the issue is…

76 FR 81430 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-28

... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. FAA-2011-1408; Directorate Identifier 2008-SW-10-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France... [Amended] 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: Eurocopter France: Docket No. FAA...

7 CFR 1006.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1005.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1007.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1005.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1006.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1007.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1005.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1006.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1007.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1006.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

7 CFR 1005.60 - Handler's value of milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... to a pool distributing plant which were delivered as a result of hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (3) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered... hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne; (4) The cost of transportation on loads of bulk milk delivered...

75 FR 65222 - Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D, and Model...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-22

... Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France Model AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D, and Model AS355 E, F, F1, F2... adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the Eurocopter France Model AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3, and D... 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the Eurocopter France Model AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2...

Measures to control an imported case of canine rabies in France.

PubMed

2006-01-01

France has been free from terrestrial rabies since 2001. On 21 August 2004, a female dog aged 4 months died in Gironde (south-west France), after experiencing clinical symptoms suggestive of rabies for 3 days. On 26 August, a diagnosis of rabies was confirmed by the Pasteur Institute. This paper describes the measures that were taken to manage the risks to human and animal health, and analyses the alert raised in France as a result of this imported case of rabies, the third such case in 2004.

Predictors of Publication Productivity Among Hospital Pharmacists in France and Quebec

PubMed Central

Lelièvre, Joachim; Lebel, Denis; Prot-Labarthe, Sonia

2011-01-01

Objective To describe publications by hospital pharmacists in France and Quebec and evaluate factors predictive of publication productivity. Method Variables related to scientific publication productivity were identified through a search of the literature and organized into 4 themes (ie, personal and professional characteristics, hospital activities, research and publishing activities, publication-related motivations and perceptions). A questionnaire was developed that included short-answer items and 58 multiple-choice questions to determine respondents' level of agreement with statements about their motivations and perceptions surrounding publishing. Results Four hundred twenty-two hospital pharmacists (218 respondents from France and 204 from Quebec) were recruited. Respondents from France were more prolific than those from Quebec, even when considering factors such as time worked and gender. Furthermore, the percentage of respondents working in a university health center was lower in France than Quebec (46% vs. 70%, p = 0.001), as was the percentage of respondents indicating a mastery of English (43% vs. 88%, p = 0.001). Conclusion Seven factors were predictive of the number of publications per respondent in France and Quebec: practicing hospital pharmacy in France, being male, having academic duties or a PhD, having participated in a clinical trial, having secured funding in one's own name for a research project, and allocating a greater number of hours per week to research. PMID:21451771

Comparison of rehospitalization rates in France and the United States.

PubMed

Gusmano, Michael; Rodwin, Victor; Weisz, Daniel; Cottenet, Jonathan; Quantin, Catherine

2015-01-01

To compare rates of 30-day all-cause rehospitalization in France and the US among patients aged 65 years and older and explain any difference between the countries. To calculate rehospitalization rates in France, we use an individual identifying variable in the national hospital administrative dataset to track unique individuals aged 65 years or more hospitalized in France in 2010. To calculate the proportion of rehospitalized patients (65+) who received outpatient visits between the time of initial discharge and rehospitalization, we linked the hospital database with a database that includes all medical and surgical admissions. We used step by step regression models to predict rehospitalization. Rates of rehospitalization in France (14.7%) are lower than among Medicare beneficiaries in the US (20%). We find that age, sex, patient morbidity and the ownership status of the hospital are all correlated with rehospitalization in France. Lower rates of rehospitalization in France appear to be due to a combination of better access to primary care, better health among the older French population, longer lengths of stay in French hospitals and the fact that French nursing homes do not face the same financial incentive to rehospitalize residents. © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Pathogenic landscapes: Interactions between land, people, disease vectors, and their animal hosts

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Landscape attributes influence spatial variations in disease risk or incidence. We present a review of the key findings from eight case studies that we conducted in Europe and West Africa on the impact of land changes on emerging or re-emerging vector-borne diseases and/or zoonoses. The case studies concern West Nile virus transmission in Senegal, tick-borne encephalitis incidence in Latvia, sandfly abundance in the French Pyrenees, Rift Valley Fever in the Ferlo (Senegal), West Nile Fever and the risk of malaria re-emergence in the Camargue, and rodent-borne Puumala hantavirus and Lyme borreliosis in Belgium. Results We identified general principles governing landscape epidemiology in these diverse disease systems and geographic regions. We formulated ten propositions that are related to landscape attributes, spatial patterns and habitat connectivity, pathways of pathogen transmission between vectors and hosts, scale issues, land use and ownership, and human behaviour associated with transmission cycles. Conclusions A static view of the "pathogenecity" of landscapes overlays maps of the spatial distribution of vectors and their habitats, animal hosts carrying specific pathogens and their habitat, and susceptible human hosts and their land use. A more dynamic view emphasizing the spatial and temporal interactions between these agents at multiple scales is more appropriate. We also highlight the complementarity of the modelling approaches used in our case studies. Integrated analyses at the landscape scale allows a better understanding of interactions between changes in ecosystems and climate, land use and human behaviour, and the ecology of vectors and animal hosts of infectious agents. PMID:20979609

France. Country profile. [France's economy adjusts to a declining birth rate].

PubMed

Inserra, P

1984-09-01

This discussion of France focuses on regions and cities, age distribution, households and families, housing, labor force, consumption, education, and communications. France counted 54,334,871 citizens as of March 4, 1982. There were 250,000 more people than in 1975, yielding a 7-year growth rate of 3.3%. If present trends continue, there will be 56 million French by the end of the 1980s. Since 1975 when the last census was conducted, cities of more than 200,000 lost an average of 5% of their residents. For the 1st time in more than a century, urban areas of 20,000 or more did not gain population but merely held their own. France continues to experience the effects of the large-scale decimation of its male population during the 2 world wars. The World war i loss showed up March 1982 as a relatively smaller 60-74 group. Conversely the population aged 75 and over is growing, both in absolute numbers and as a percent of the population. There were 3.6 million aged 75 and over (6.6% of the population) in 1982 compared with 3 million (5.6%) in 1975. The 19 and under age group declined between 1975-85, from 31% (16.2 million) to 29% (15.6 million). The 20-59 year old group constitutes the largest segment of the population--about double the group aged 19 and under--and its growing. This group was 50% of the population in 1973 and 53% in 1982. The infant mortality rate has declined steadily in France, from 18.2 deaths/1000 births in 1970 to 13.6 in 1975 and 9.5 at present. The total fertility rate has continued to decline: 1.8 children/woman in the 1982 census a rate less than the number needed to replace the present French population. Between 1975-82 households grew 10.4% to a total of 19.6 million. The growth in the number of households is attributed to the increase in divorce and the tendency for French children to leave the parental home at an earlier age. France has nearly 23 million dwelling places. More than half of householders own their own homes. New housing starts declined markedly since 1975. In 1982 France had 23.5 million economically active people, including 2 million unemployed. Both figures are higher today with at least 10% of the population seeking work. Most French earn less than 8000 francs/month. The average weekly household expenditure in 1981 was 2076 francs, about $460 at 1981 exchange rates. Food took the biggest share at 439 francs. In 1983 France had 13.9 million students enrolled in primary and secondary schools and more than 905,000 in universities. France has an estimated 18.5 million television households and has 104 dailies and 850 weekly and shopper newspapers.

From Sun King to Royal Twilight: Painting in Eighteenth Century France from the Musee Picardie, Amiens.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Mark M.

2000-01-01

Focuses on the traveling exhibition from the Musee de Picardie in Amiens, France, called "From the Sun King to the Royal Twilight: Painting in Eighteenth Century France," that provides an overview of French paintings from the reign of Louis IV to the fall of the monarchy. (CMK)

Echinococcus ortleppi Infections in Humans and Cattle, France

PubMed Central

Umhang, Gérald; Arbez-Gindre, Francine; Mantion, Georges; Delabrousse, Eric; Millon, Laurence; Boué, Franck

2014-01-01

In 2011 and 2012, liver infections caused by Echinococcus ortleppi tapeworms were diagnosed in 2 humans in France. In 2012, a nationwide slaughterhouse survey identified 7 E. ortleppi infections in cattle. The foci for these infections were spatially distinct. The prevalence of E. ortleppi infections in France may be underestimated. PMID:25417697

Women in physics in France

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pierron-Bohnes, Véronique

We present six associations and entities working in France on issues of women in physics: the Women and Physics Commission, French Physical Society; Women in Nuclear (WiN) France; Women and Science Association; Mission for the Place of Women at CNRS; Parity, Diversity, and Women Network, CEA; and the Network of University Equality-Diversity Representatives.

Possible application of the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index in France: A pilot study in Brittany

EPA Science Inventory

Our goal was to determine if the US Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) scale might have application in France. Twenty homes in Brittany, north western region of France were classified by inspection as “Moldy” or “Non-Moldy”. Dust and air samples were collected (MiTest ...

France acts on electronic cigarettes.

PubMed

Cahn, Zachary

2013-11-01

France is deciding how to regulate electronic cigarettes. I first consider the French approach and how it contrasts with other attempts at electronic cigarette regulation globally. Next, I critique the individual elements of the French proposal. The overall approach taken by France is a positive development, but banning indoor use appears unnecessary and banning advertising may be counterproductive.

26 CFR 514.3 - Dividends received by addressee not actual owner.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS UNDER TAX CONVENTIONS FRANCE Withholding of Tax § 514.3 Dividends received by... in France of any dividend, paid on or after January 1, 1957, from which United States tax at the... source. (2) Fiduciary or partnership. A fiduciary or a partnership with an address in France which...

26 CFR 1.58-7 - Tax preferences attributable to foreign sources; preferences other than capital gains and stock...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... of income and deduction relating to excess investment interest are as follows: United States France... per-country foreign tax credit limitation, his excess investment interest from France and Germany... attributable to France is limited as follows: Total worldwide excess ($90,000)/Total separately determined...

26 CFR 514.1 - Introductory.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... FRANCE Withholding of Tax § 514.1 Introductory. (a) Applicable provisions of convention. The income tax convention between the United States and France, signed on July 25, 1939, and October 18, 1946, as modified... under the internal revenue laws of the United States. (2) France. As used in §§ 514.1 to 514.10, the...

78 FR 21416 - Low Enriched Uranium From France; Scheduling of a Full Five-year Review Concerning the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-10

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 731-TA-909 (Second Review)] Low Enriched Uranium... Enriched Uranium from France AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY... antidumping duty order on low enriched uranium from France would be likely to lead to continuation or...

In Wake of Riots, France Refashions Priority Zones

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hendrie, Caroline

2006-01-01

This article deals with an initiative embarked upon by the government of France one year after widespread youth violence broke out in many disadvantaged communities in France. The initiative is aimed at adapting its 25-year-old "priority education" program to a landscape that has dramatically changed. The initiative is the centerpiece of…

[Attractiveness of France for international clinical research: 8th survey conducted by Leem (French association for pharmaceutical companies)].

PubMed

Galaup, Ariane; Barthélémy, Philippe; Pouletty-Lefebvre, Brigitte; Béhier, Jehan-Michel; Zetlaoui, Jean; Borel, Thomas

2018-04-18

The Leem (French association of pharmaceutical companies) has conducted the eighth survey on attractiveness of France for clinical research. It serves to measure France's global competitiveness for international clinical trials and assess its strengths and areas of excellence. It also highlights the potential for progress and emerging trends at a time when the regulatory environment in France and Europe is undergoing change. This survey has been updated every two years since 2002 using the same methodology. It assesses the current status of research undertaken in France by the pharmaceutical industry between January 1st 2014 and December 31st 2015. Thirty companies (62% of the French market) have participated in this 8th survey which involved 3474 centers (versus 2860 in 2014) and 16,622 patients (versus 14,634 in 2014) enrolled in France across 586 clinical trials (versus 613 in 2014). This survey shows a reduction in the number of phase I and phase II trials. It also confirms that the studies conducted in France are primarily concerned with oncology (45%). Despite improvements across hospital contracts times (due to the adoption of the sole agreement) and performance indicators in trials (such as the number of patients enrolled by center), trial setup times in France are still overly lengthy (with stable times by French authorities). Ensuring that clinical research remains a priority issue for country is crucial for patients because of rapid access to innovation but also for the vitality of the French economy. Constructive dialogue with stakeholders on the subject of clinical research is essential to enhance the attractiveness of France and to improve the continuum between research, innovation and care. Copyright © 2018 Société française de pharmacologie et de thérapeutique. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Flooding of property by runoff from agricultural land in northwestern Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boardman, John; Ligneau, Laurence; de Roo, Ad; Vandaele, Karel

1994-08-01

In the last twenty years there has been an increase in the incidence of flooding of property by runoff from agricultural land in many areas of northwestern Europe. These events take the form of inundations by soil-laden water associated with erision and the formation of ephemeral or talweg gullies developed in normally dry valley bottoms. Costs of such events may be considerable e.g. almost US$2M at Rottingdean, southern England, in 1987. These costs are largely borne by individual house occupants, insurance companies and local councils. The distribution of flooding is widespread but areas of high risk can be identified: the hilly area of central Belgium, parts of northern France, the South Downs in southern England and South-Limburg (the Netherlands). All these areas have silty, more or less loessial soils. Two types of flooding may be distinguished: winter flooding associated with wet soils and the cultivation of winter cereals, and summer flooding due to thunderstorm activity and runoff particularly from sugar beet, maize and potato crops. The distribution of these types of erosion varies in relation to the interaction between physical characteristics (soils and topography), climatic conditions and land use across the region. The reason for the recent increase in flooding events appears to be changes in land use, in the area of arable cropping, and the continued intensification of farming such as the use of chemical fertilizers, the decline in aggregate stability, the increase in the size of fields and compaction by farm vehicles. In some regions the risk of flooding has also increased because of expansion of urban areas in valley bottom locations. Communities have responded to the flooding hazard with emergency or protective measures usually involving engineered structures rather than land use change. The policy response to the increased risk of flooding has been very limited especially at the national and provincial level, the exception being plans developed with farming organisations in South-Limburg and the Pays de Caux. In southern England initiatives have been few and largely consist of protective measures undertaken by urban municipalities.

International trade and waste and fuel managment issue, 2006

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Agnihotri, Newal

The focus of the January-February issue is on international trade and waste and fuel managment. Major articles/reports in this issue include: HLW management in France, by Michel Debes, EDF, France; Breakthroughs from future reactors, by Jacques Bouchard, CEA, France; 'MOX for peace' a reality, by Jean-Pierre Bariteau, AREVA Group, France; Swedish spent fuel and radwaste, by Per H. Grahn and Marie Skogsberg, SKB, Sweden; ENC2005 concluding remarks, by Larry Foulke, 'Nuclear Technology Matters'; Fuel crud formation and behavior, by Charles Turk, Entergy; and, Plant profile: major vote of confidence for NP, by Martti Katka, TVO, Finland.

[History of clinical pharmacology in France: adaptation, evaluation, defense and illustration of drug in France 1978-1981].

PubMed

Montastruc, Paul

2014-01-01

This text illustrates some unknown aspects of the history and beginnings of clinical pharmacology in France in the late 1970s and early 1980s From the current situation, development and objectives of clinical pharmacology are recalled as well as obstacles necessary to overcome to change the paradigm in the field of drug evaluation and appropriate use in France. The text recalls this important moment where French medicine and medical pharmacology entered the modern era. © 2014 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.

[Intoxications specific to the Aquitaine region].

PubMed

Bédry, R; Gromb, S

2009-07-01

Some intoxications are more specifically linked to the Aquitaine region than to other regions of France, due to environmental circumstances (fauna, flora, climate) or traditional activities (gastronomy). Three types of intoxications are particular in this area. Pine processionary caterpillar envenomations (Thaumetopoea pityocampa), a Southern Europe pinewood parasite, are frequently encountered in the Landes' forest. They are responsible of ocular and/or skin lesions with urticaria or contact dermatitis, seldom associated with immediate IgE hypersensitivity. According to the south Atlantic coastal region geology and the marine streams, venomous marine animals are mainly located in Charente-Maritime for jellyfish, in Gironde and in Landes for weeverfish and in Atlantic Pyrenees for sea anemone. Usually not dangerous, first-aid workers treat most cases of these envenomations. Some endemic mushrooms (Tricholoma auratum) which grow on the dunes of the Atlantic coastal region, are usually considered as very good comestibles, but were recently responsible for serious intoxications: T.auratum was responsible of several cases of rhabdomyolysis, without neurological involvement, nor renal or hepatic lesion. Three deaths were notified. Animal studies confirmed the responsibility of the mushrooms.

Fluid-driven seismicity in a stable tectonic context: The Remiremont fault zone, Vosges, France

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Audin, Laurence; Avouac, Jean-Philippe; Flouzat, Mireille; Plantet, Jean-Louis

2002-03-01

Some relocated seismic events, which have small magnitudes (ML < 4.8), are found to align along a 40 km-long fault zone flanking the southern Vosges Massif to the west. It joins to the south with the epicentral area of the historical 1682 earthquake (Io = VIII MSK). The Remiremont cluster was preceded by a period of seismic coalescence and triggered outward of bilateral seismic migration. The 1984 seismic crisis developed along a well defined 3 km-long vertical plane. In both cases, migration rates of the order of 5-10 km/yr over 30 km-long distances are determined. This pattern requires some mechanism of stress interaction which must act over distances of the order of 1 to 20 km within years. Given the low tectonic activity and the magnitudes of the events the stress transfer cannot result from co-seismic elastic loading or from transient strain at depth. We suggest that the seismic activity reflect rupture of asperities driven by fluid-flow in a zone of relatively high permeability.

Long range inland-coastal networks during the Late Magdalenian: evidence for individual acquisition of marine resources at Andernach-Martinsberg, German Central Rhineland.

PubMed

Langley, Michelle C; Street, Martin

2013-05-01

Recent re-examination of the osseous material assemblage from Andernach-Martinsberg, Central Rhineland, has resulted in the identification of an implement manufactured from cetacean bone (probably whale). Argued to be the proximal half of a foreshaft, this artefact is not only one of few such projectile elements to be identified in Magdalenian deposits in northern Europe, but also demonstrates that the exploitation of marine raw materials for use in manufacturing projectile elements is not restricted to southern France, instead extending to at least inland Germany. Additionally, in conjunction with the appearance of marine molluscs and engravings of seals at Andernach, it can now be forcefully argued that this region formed part of an inland-coastal network during the Late Magdalenian and allows us for the first time to suggest that we can identify the movements of individuals transporting valued marine sourced raw materials and their personal experiences across this vast region. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

EF-1α DNA Sequences Indicate Multiple Origins of Introduced Populations of Essigella californica (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

PubMed

Théry, Thomas; Brockerhoff, Eckehard G; Carnegie, Angus J; Chen, Rui; Elms, Stephen R; Hullé, Maurice; Glatz, Richard; Ortego, Jaime; Qiao, Ge-Xia; Turpeau, Évelyne; Favret, Colin

2017-06-01

Aphids in the pine-feeding Nearctic genus Essigella (Sternorrhyncha, Aphididae, Lachninae) have been introduced in Europe, North Africa, Oceania, and South America. Mitochondrial, nuclear, and endosymbiont DNA sequences of 12 introduced populations from three continents confirm they all belong to Essigella californica (Essig, 1909). Intron sequence variation of the nuclear gene EF-1α has revealed the existence of four distinct groups. Group I gathers one population from China, where the species is newly reported, and several from Europe (France and Italy); Group II is represented by one population from Argentina; Group III includes two populations from Southern Australia with one from New Zealand; and Group IV corresponds to five populations from Eastern and South-Eastern Australia. These results indicate that introduced populations of E. californica have at least four source populations. They also show that intron variation of EF-1α can be a method to discriminate populations of asexually reproducing aphids. © The Authors 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

[Epidemiology of HIV infection in 2005].

PubMed

Arvieux, Cédric

2005-06-04

Various concomitant epidemics of HIV infection currently exist and have created a worldwide pandemic. In Eastern Europe, in France and in industrialized countries, the prevalence of HIV infection is on the rise due to the increased life expectancy of seropositive patients and the persistently "high" incidence rate. In Western Europe, the proportion of new cases among women and people from endemic countries is growing. The role of drug use in HIV transmission is decreasing. The opposite situation is encountered in Eastern Europe, where intravenous drug abuse remains the major risk factor, although heterosexual contamination is also rising. In sub-Saharan Africa, the situation is alarming: decreased life expectancy, increased infant mortality, and a prevalence approaching 50% in prenatal consultations in some countries. Minor improvements have been noted (decline in the prevalence in Uganda). Major deficits in the healthcare systems thwart antiHIV campaigns. In southern and eastern Asia, the epidemic is expanding, notably in countries in which it is recent (China, Indonesia). It is difficult today to envisage a global answer to the epidemic, in view of the wide variety of situations.

Lidar observations of low-level wind reversals over the Gulf of Lion and characterization of their impact on the water vapour variability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Girolamo, Paolo; Flamant, Cyrille; Cacciani, Marco; Summa, Donato; Stelitano, Dario; Richard, Evelyne; Ducrocq, Véronique; Fourrie, Nadia; Said, Frédérique

2017-02-01

Water vapour measurements from a ground-based Raman lidar and an airborne differential absorption lidar, complemented by high resolution numerical simulations from two mesoscale models (Arome-WMED and MESO-NH), are considered to investigate transition events from Mistral/Tramontane to southerly marine flow taking place over the Gulf of Lion in Southern France in the time frame September-October 2012, during the Hydrological Cycle in the Mediterranean Experiment (HyMeX) Special Observation Period 1 (SOP1). Low-level wind reversals associated with these transitions are found to have a strong impact on water vapour transport, leading to a large variability of the water vapour vertical and horizontal distribution. The high spatial and temporal resolution of the lidar data allow to monitor the time evolution of the three-dimensional water vapour field during these transitions from predominantly northerly Mistral/Tramontane flow to a predominantly southerly flow, allowing to identify the quite sharp separation between these flows, which is also quite well captured by the mesoscale models.

Core characterization of the new CABRI Water Loop Facility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ritter, G.; Rodiac, F.; Beretz, D.

2011-07-01

The CABRI experimental reactor is located at the Cadarache nuclear research center, southern France. It is operated by the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and devoted to IRSN (Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire) safety programmes. It has been successfully operated during the last 30 years, enlightening the knowledge of FBR and LWR fuel behaviour during Reactivity Insertion Accident (RIA) and Loss Of Coolant Accident (LOCA) transients in the frame of IPSN (Institut de Protection et de Surete Nucleaire) and now IRSN programmes devoted to reactor safety. This operation was interrupted in 2003 to allow for a whole facility renewalmore » programme for the need of the CABRI International Programme (CIP) carried out by IRSN under the OECD umbrella. The principle of operation of the facility is based on the control of {sup 3}He, a major gaseous neutron absorber, in the core geometry. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how several dosimetric devices have been set up to better characterize the core during the upcoming commissioning campaign. It presents the schemes and tools dedicated to core characterization. (authors)« less

KSC-2014-3150

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-07-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Dr. Mary Frances Berry, on stage, addresses the audience gathered for a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, supported by a sign-language interpreter. Berry served as the assistant secretary for education in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare HEW between 1977 and 1980. From 1980 to 2004, she was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, serving as chair from 1993 to 2004. Among Berry's many honors are the NAACP's Roy Wilkins Award, the Rosa Parks Award of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Ebony Magazine Black Achievement Award. She is one of 75 women featured in the book "I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America." Sienna College Research Institute and the Women's Hall of Fame also designated her one of "America's Women of the Century." The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information about Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Discovery and molecular characterization of a novel enamovirus, Grapevine enamovirus-1.

PubMed

Silva, João Marcos Fagundes; Al Rwahnih, Maher; Blawid, Rosana; Nagata, Tatsuya; Fajardo, Thor Vinícius Martins

2017-08-01

In this study, we describe a novel putative Enamovirus member, Grapevine enamovirus-1 (GEV-1), discovered by high-throughput sequencing (HTS). A limited survey using HTS of 17 grapevines (Vitis spp.) from the south, southeast, and northeast regions of Brazil led to the detection of GEV-1 exclusively on southern plants, infecting four grapevine cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, CG 90450, and Cabernet franc) with a remarkable identity of around 99% at the nucleotide level. This novel virus was only detected in multiple-virus infected plants exhibiting viral-like symptoms. GEV-1 was also detected on a cv. Malvasia Longa by RT-PCR. We performed graft-transmissibility assays on GEV-1. The organization, products, and cis-acting regulatory elements of GEV-1 genome are also discussed here. The near complete genome sequence of GEV-1 was obtained during the course of this study, lacking only part of the 3' untranslated terminal region. This is the first report of a virus in the family Luteoviridae infecting grapevines. Based on its genomic properties and phylogenetic analyses, GEV-1 should be classified as a new member of the genus Enamovirus.

Biological validation of physical coastal waters classification along the NE Atlantic region based on rocky macroalgae distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramos, Elvira; Puente, Araceli; Juanes, José Antonio; Neto, João M.; Pedersen, Are; Bartsch, Inka; Scanlan, Clare; Wilkes, Robert; Van den Bergh, Erika; Ar Gall, Erwan; Melo, Ricardo

2014-06-01

A methodology to classify rocky shores along the North East Atlantic (NEA) region was developed. Previously, biotypes and the variability of environmental conditions within these were recognized based on abiotic data. A biological validation was required in order to support the ecological meaning of the physical typologies obtained. A database of intertidal macroalgae species occurring in the coastal area between Norway and the South Iberian Peninsula was generated. Semi-quantitative abundance data of the most representative macroalgal taxa were collected in three levels: common, rare or absent. Ordination and classification multivariate analyses revealed a clear latitudinal gradient in the distribution of macroalgae species resulting in two distinct groups: one northern and one southern group, separated at the coast of Brittany (France). In general, the results based on biological data coincided with the results based on physical characteristics. The ecological meaning of the coastal waters classification at a broad scale shown in this work demonstrates that it can be valuable as a practical tool for conservation and management purposes.

Search for neutrino emission from microquasars with the ANTARES telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galatà, S.

2012-12-01

Neutrino telescopes are nowadays exploring a new window of observation on the high energy universe and may shed light on the longstanding problem regarding the origin of cosmic rays. The ANTARES neutrino telescope is located underwater 40 km offshore from the Southern coast of France, on a plateau at 2475 m depth. Since 2007 it observes the high energy (>100 GeV) neutrino sky looking for cosmic neutrino sources. Among the candidate neutrino emitters are microquasars, i.e. galactic X-ray binaries exhibiting relativistic jets, which may accelerate hadrons thus producing neutrinos, under certain conditions. These sources are also variable in time and undergo X-ray or gamma ray outburst that can be related to the acceleration of relativistic particles witnessed by their radio emission. These events can provide a trigger to the neutrino search, with the advantage of drastically reducing the atmospheric neutrino background. A search for neutrino emission from microquasar during outbursts is presented based on the data collected by ANTARES between 2007 and 2010. Upper limits are shown and compared with the predictions.

Mercury enrichment indicates volcanic triggering of Valanginian environmental change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charbonnier, Guillaume; Morales, Chloé; Duchamp-Alphonse, Stéphanie; Westermann, Stéphane; Adatte, Thierry; Föllmi, Karl B.

2017-01-01

The Valanginian stage (Early Cretaceous) includes an episode of significant environmental changes, which are well defined by a positive δ13C excursion. This globally recorded excursion indicates important perturbations in the carbon cycle, which has tentatively been associated with a pulse in volcanic activity and the formation of the Paraná-Etendeka large igneous province (LIP). Uncertainties in existing age models preclude, however, its positive identification as a trigger of Valanginian environmental changes. Here we report that in Valanginian sediments recovered from a drill core in Wąwał (Polish Basin, Poland), and from outcrops in the Breggia Gorge (Lombardian Basin, southern Switzerland), and Orpierre and Angles (Vocontian Basin, SE France), intervals at or near the onset of the positive δ13C excursion are significantly enriched in mercury (Hg). The persistence of the Hg anomaly in Hg/TOC, Hg/phyllosilicate, and Hg/Fe ratios shows that organic-matter scavenging and/or adsorbtion onto clay minerals or hydrous iron oxides only played a limited role. Volcanic outgassing was most probably the primary source of the Hg enrichments, which demonstrate that an important magmatic pulse triggered the Valanginian environmental perturbations.

The future of terrestrial mammals in the Mediterranean basin under climate change

PubMed Central

Maiorano, Luigi; Falcucci, Alessandra; Zimmermann, Niklaus E.; Psomas, Achilleas; Pottier, Julien; Baisero, Daniele; Rondinini, Carlo; Guisan, Antoine; Boitani, Luigi

2011-01-01

The Mediterranean basin is considered a hotspot of biological diversity with a long history of modification of natural ecosystems by human activities, and is one of the regions that will face extensive changes in climate. For 181 terrestrial mammals (68% of all Mediterranean mammals), we used an ensemble forecasting approach to model the future (approx. 2100) potential distribution under climate change considering five climate change model outputs for two climate scenarios. Overall, a substantial number of Mediterranean mammals will be severely threatened by future climate change, particularly endemic species. Moreover, we found important changes in potential species richness owing to climate change, with some areas (e.g. montane region in central Italy) gaining species, while most of the region will be losing species (mainly Spain and North Africa). Existing protected areas (PAs) will probably be strongly influenced by climate change, with most PAs in Africa, the Middle East and Spain losing a substantial number of species, and those PAs gaining species (e.g. central Italy and southern France) will experience a substantial shift in species composition. PMID:21844047

KSC-2014-3148

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-07-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Dr. Mary Frances Berry relates her personal experiences in the fight for civil liberties to employees gathered for a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Berry served as the assistant secretary for education in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare HEW between 1977 and 1980. From 1980 to 2004, she was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, serving as chair from 1993 to 2004. Among Berry's many honors are the NAACP's Roy Wilkins Award, the Rosa Parks Award of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Ebony Magazine Black Achievement Award. She is one of 75 women featured in the book "I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America." Sienna College Research Institute and the Women's Hall of Fame also designated her one of "America's Women of the Century." The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information about Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2014-3149

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-07-08

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Dr. Mary Frances Berry relates her personal experiences in the fight for civil liberties to employees gathered for a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Berry served as the assistant secretary for education in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare HEW between 1977 and 1980. From 1980 to 2004, she was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, serving as chair from 1993 to 2004. Among Berry's many honors are the NAACP's Roy Wilkins Award, the Rosa Parks Award of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Ebony Magazine Black Achievement Award. She is one of 75 women featured in the book "I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America." Sienna College Research Institute and the Women's Hall of Fame also designated her one of "America's Women of the Century." The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information about Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Pulsations in the atmosphere of the rapidly oscillating star 33 Lib

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sachkov, M.; Hareter, M.; Ryabchikova, T.; Wade, G.; Kochukhov, O.; Shulyak, D.; Weiss, W. W.

2011-10-01

In 2009, the rapidly oscillating peculiar A-type (roAp) star 33 Lib was the target of an intense observing campaign, combining ground-based spectroscopy with space photometry obtained with the Microvariability and Oscillation of STars (MOST) satellite. We collected 780 spectra using the Echelle Spectro Polarimetric Device for the Observation of Stars (ESPaDOnS) spectrograph attached at the 3.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and 374 spectra with the Fibre-fed Echelle Spectrograph attached at the 2.56-m Nordic Optical Telescope to perform time-resolved spectroscopy of 33 Lib. In addition, we used 111 Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) spectra (2004) from the European Southern Observatory archive to check mode stability. Frequency analysis of the new radial velocity (RV) measurements confirms the previously reported frequency pattern (two frequencies and the first harmonic of the main one) and reveals an additional frequency at 1.991 mHz. The new frequency solution perfectly reproduces the RV variations from the 2004 and 2009 observational sets, providing strong support for p mode stability in this roAp star over at least 5 years.

Assessment and diffusion of medical innovations in France: an overview

PubMed Central

Dubromel, Amélie; Geffroy, Loïc; Aulagner, Gilles; Dussart, Claude

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT Background: In France, a significant part of health expenditure is publicly funding. This put a heavy burden on society. In an economic context requiring tight control of public spending, it seems relevant to control the diffusion of medical innovations. That is why health technology assessment is subject to an increasing interest at national level for management and approval decisions. This article provides an overview of the assessment and diffusion of medical innovation in France. Method: The data are extracted from French authorities or organisations websites and documents and from French legislative texts. In addition, regarding discussion, a search in MEDLINE database was carried out. Results: An overview of the assessment and diffusion of medical innovation in France is given by presenting the different types of medical innovations according to French health system definition (I); introducing French authorities participating to health technology assessment and describe assessment procedures of medical innovations (II); and giving details about market access process of innovative health product in France (III). Key opportunities and challenges of medical innovation assessment and diffusion in France are discussed at the end of this article. Conclusion: In France, medical innovation is considered as a crucial component for quality of care and performance of healthcare system. The aim of health technology assessment is to promote a secure and timely access to innovation for patients. Nevertheless, it appears necessary to improve regulatory mechanisms. PMID:29686802

Temporal evolution of the distribution of hepatitis E virus genotypes in Southwestern France.

PubMed

Lhomme, Sebastien; Abravanel, Florence; Dubois, Martine; Chapuy-Regaud, Sabine; Sandres-Saune, Karine; Mansuy, Jean-Michel; Rostaing, Lionel; Kamar, Nassim; Izopet, Jacques

2015-10-01

Southwest France is a highly endemic region for hepatitis E virus (HEV). This study examined the circulation of HEV strains between 2003 and 2014 in the Midi-Pyrénées, and compared these data with those from the rest of France. The polyproline region (PPR) of the ORF1 region of the HEV genome was also analyzed. HEV genotype was determined by sequencing a 348-nt fragment within the ORF2 gene for 333 strains in the Midi-Pyrénées and for 571 strains from the rest of France. PPR region was characterized for 56 strains. The frequency of subgenotype 3f decreased over time, whereas subgenotype 3c increased in the Midi-Pyrénées. Repartition of strains did not differ in the Midi-Pyrénées compared to the rest of France. HEV3i and HEV4 have been recently detected throughout France. PPR lengths showed that two major groups of HEV3f exist. Our study shows that HEV3 distribution in the Midi-Pyrénées was similar to the whole of France. Local dietary habits could explain the higher seroprevalence in the Midi-Pyrénées rather the circulation of a particular variant in this region. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Assessment and diffusion of medical innovations in France: an overview.

PubMed

Dubromel, Amélie; Geffroy, Loïc; Aulagner, Gilles; Dussart, Claude

2018-01-01

Background: In France, a significant part of health expenditure is publicly funding. This put a heavy burden on society. In an economic context requiring tight control of public spending, it seems relevant to control the diffusion of medical innovations. That is why health technology assessment is subject to an increasing interest at national level for management and approval decisions. This article provides an overview of the assessment and diffusion of medical innovation in France. Method: The data are extracted from French authorities or organisations websites and documents and from French legislative texts. In addition, regarding discussion, a search in MEDLINE database was carried out. Results: An overview of the assessment and diffusion of medical innovation in France is given by presenting the different types of medical innovations according to French health system definition (I); introducing French authorities participating to health technology assessment and describe assessment procedures of medical innovations (II); and giving details about market access process of innovative health product in France (III). Key opportunities and challenges of medical innovation assessment and diffusion in France are discussed at the end of this article. Conclusion: In France, medical innovation is considered as a crucial component for quality of care and performance of healthcare system. The aim of health technology assessment is to promote a secure and timely access to innovation for patients. Nevertheless, it appears necessary to improve regulatory mechanisms.

Patterns of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II and III colon cancer in France and Italy.

PubMed

Bouvier, Anne-Marie; Minicozzi, Pamela; Grosclaude, Pascale; Bouvier, Véronique; Faivre, Jean; Sant, Milena

2013-08-01

European guidelines recommend adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer but not for stage II. To determine the extent to which adjuvant chemotherapy was used in Italy and France. A common retrospective database of 2186 colon cancers diagnosed between 2003 and 2005 was analysed according to age, stage and presenting features. 38.9% of patients with stage II and 64.6% with stage III received chemotherapy in Italy, 21.7% and 65.1% in France. For stage II, the association between country and chemotherapy was only significant in patients diagnosed out of emergency (ORItaly/France: 3.05 [2.12-4.37], p<0.001) whereas patients diagnosed in emergency were as likely to receive chemotherapy in both countries. For stage III, there was a trend to a higher administration of chemotherapy for elderly patients in France compared to Italy. French patients were more likely than Italian to receive chemotherapy (OR: 1.91[1.32-2.78], p=0.001). Chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer was as extensively used in Italy as in France for young patients. Its administration could be increased in patients over 75. Stage II patients with a lower risk of relapse received chemotherapy more often in Italy than in France. Copyright © 2013 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Defense.gov - Special Report - D-Day: 65th Anniversary - June 6, 1944

Science.gov Websites

Bread With French Family SAINTE MERE EGLISE, France, June 4, 2009 - Army Spc. Adrienne Killingsworth lifetime. Story Rennactors Bring D-Day Era Alive SAINTE MERE EGLISE, France, June 4, 2009 - Maurice anniversary of D-Day. Story Soldier Pays Tribute to Forebears With Service NORMANDY, France, June 4, 2009

76 FR 35910 - Brass Sheet and Strip From France, Germany, Italy, and Japan; Notice of Commission Determinations...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-20

...)] Brass Sheet and Strip From France, Germany, Italy, and Japan; Notice of Commission Determinations To..., Germany, Italy, and Japan AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY... duty orders on brass sheet and strip from France, Germany, Italy, and Japan would be likely to lead to...

76 FR 60871 - Ball Bearings and Parts Thereof From France, Germany, and Italy; Termination of Five-Year Reviews

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-30

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation Nos. 731-TA-391A-393A (Third Review)] Ball Bearings and Parts Thereof From France, Germany, and Italy; Termination of Five-Year Reviews AGENCY: United... parts thereof from France, Germany, and Italy would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of...

Corporate Language: The Blind Spot of Language Policy? Reflections on France's Loi Toubon

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saulière, Jérôme

2014-01-01

This article looks at France's Loi Toubon, which mandates the use of French in private companies, to illustrate how macro-level language planning reaches a dead end if it fails to consider local contexts and involve micro-level agents. The motivations, limitations and contradictions of France's language policy in relation to companies are…

Educating the People: "Cours d'adultes" and Social Stratification in France, 1830-1870

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rowe, Steven E.

2010-01-01

This essay examines the formation, operation, and social effects of adult education classes in France during the nineteenth century. These classes were created and operated prior to the formation of France's national education system and were part of the expansion of primary schooling for the working class, or more generally for "the…

Ceftriaxone-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serotype Newport, France

PubMed Central

Egorova, Svetlana; Timinouni, Mohammed; Demartin, Marie; Granier, Sophie A.; Whichard, Jean M.; Sangal, Vartul; Fabre, Laëtitia; Delauné, Aurélia; Pardos, Maria; Millemann, Yves; Espié, Emmanuelle; Achtman, Mark; Grimont, Patrick A.D.

2008-01-01

The multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serotype Newport strain that produces CMY-2 β-lactamase (Newport MDR-AmpC) was the source of sporadic cases and outbreaks in humans in France during 2000–2005. Because this strain was not detected in food animals, it was most likely introduced into France through imported food products. PMID:18507913

76 FR 6634 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Proposed...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-07

... the Frances Perkins Building ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL) hereby announces... by Non-DOL Agencies in the Frances Perkins Building,'' to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB... Application for Use of Public Space by Non-DOL Agencies in the Frances Perkins Building, Form DL1-6062B, that...

Employment Prospects in the Hotel and Catering Trade: A Franco-American Comparison.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meriot, Sylvie-Anne

2000-01-01

In both France and the United States, restaurants remain the hotel and catering sector's main employer. In France, 25% of hotel and catering personnel are self-employers versus fewer than 5% in the United States; however, the growth of hotel and restaurant chains in France may eventually limit opportunities for creating an independent activity.…

A Primer for Accompanying Secondary Student Groups to France. [Revised].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Becker, Jim

Many of the factors that can help ensure a successful and positive learning experience for teachers, leaders, chaperons, and students who travel and/or study in France are addressed in this publication. Although it is geared toward France, many of the ideas, especially the section on pre-departure orientation, can be applied to any travel group.…

26 CFR 514.8 - Release of excess tax withheld at source.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) REGULATIONS UNDER TAX CONVENTIONS FRANCE Withholding of Tax § 514.8 Release of excess tax withheld at source... in France, the withholding agent shall release and pay over to the person from whom the tax was... resident of France, or, in the case of a corporation, the owner was a French corporation; and (d) A...

26 CFR 514.22 - Dividends received by persons not entitled to reduced rate of tax.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... TREASURY (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS UNDER TAX CONVENTIONS FRANCE Withholding of Tax Taxable Years Beginning... representative, a dividend from sources within France from which French tax has been withheld at the reduced rate... included in the gross income from sources within France of any beneficiary or partner, as the case may be...