The swelling of some well-defined Mg-, Ca-, Sr- and Ba- homoionic montmorillonites was studied in the domain of water relative pressures lower than 0.95. This involves the expansion of the crystal lattice itself, commonly known as the “interlamellar expansion” or “inner crystalline swelling”. The initial freeze-dried clays were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption volumetry and controlled transformation rate thermal analysis. The evolution of the structural and textural properties of these different clays at different stages of hydration and dehydration was investigated using water adsorption gravimetry, immersion microcalorimetry at different precoverage water vapor relative pressures and X-raydiffraction (XRD) under controlled humidity conditions. Large textural variations are observed in the dry state depending on the exchangeable cations. The 2-layer hydrate exhibits the most ordered layer stacking. Water is mainly adsorbed in the interlamellar space. With increasing water pressure, each homoionic species leads to a 1-layer hydrate and, with the exception of Ba-montmorillonite, to a predominant 2-layer hydrate. The relative pressure corresponding to the formation of the 2-layer hydrate decreases with increasing hydration energy of the interlayer cation. For Ca-, Sr- or Mg-montmoriHonites, simulation of XRD patterns leads to the definition of successive homogeneous states corresponding to the 2-layer hydrate. Furthermore, it yields the water filling ratio corresponding to the different hydration states during adsorption and desorption of water vapor.

We present new data from the debris-rich basal ice layers of the NEEM ice core (NW Greenland). Using mineralogical observations, SEM imagery, geochemical data from silicates (meteoric 10Be, εNd, 87Sr/86Sr) and organic material (C/N, δ13C), we characterize the source material, succession of previous glaciations and deglaciations and the paleoecological conditions during ice-free episodes. Meteoric 10Be data and grain features indicate that the ice sheet interacted with paleosols and eroded fresh bedrock, leading to mixing in these debris-rich ice layers. Our analysis also identifies four successive stages in NW Greenland: (1) initial preglacial conditions, (2) glacial advance 1, (3) glacial retreat and interglacial conditions and (4) glacial advance 2 (current ice-sheet development). C/N and δ13C data suggest that deglacial environments favored the development of tundra and taiga ecosystems. These two successive glacial fluctuations observed at NEEM are consistent with those identified from the Camp Century core basal sediments over the last 3 Ma. Further inland, GRIP and GISP2 summit sites have remained glaciated more continuously than the western margin, with less intense ice-substratum interactions than those observed at NEEM.

Glyphosate’s efficacy is influenced by the amount absorbed and translocated throughout the plant to inhibit 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). Glyphosate resistance can be due to target-site (TS) or non–target site (NTS) resistance mechanisms. TS resistance includes an altered target site and gene overexpression, while NTS resistance includes reduced absorption, reduced translocation, enhanced metabolism, and exclusion/sequestration. The goal of this research was to elucidate the mechanism(s) of glyphosate resistance in common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) from Ontario, Canada. The resistance factor for this glyphosate-resistant (GR) A. artemisiifolia biotype is 5.1. No amino acid substitutions were found at positions 102 or 106 of the EPSPS enzyme in this A. artemisiifolia biotype. Based on [14C]glyphosate studies, there was no difference in glyphosate absorption or translocation between glyphosate-susceptible (GS) and GR A. artemisiifolia biotypes. Radio-labeled glyphosate metabolites were similar for GS and GR A. artemisiifolia 96 h after application. Glyphosate resistance in this A. artemisiifolia biotype is not due to an altered target site due to amino acid substitutions at positions 102 and 106 in the EPSPS and is not due to the NTS mechanisms of reduced absorption, reduced translocation, or enhanced metabolism.

The absence of a dedicated transport for disaccharides in the intestine implicates that the metabolic use of dietary lactose relies on its prior hydrolysis at the intestinal brush border. Consequently, lactose in blood or urine has mostly been associated with specific cases in which the gastrointestinal barrier is damaged. On the other hand, lactose appears in the blood of lactating women and has been detected in the blood and urine of healthy men, indicating that the presence of lactose in the circulation of healthy subjects is not incompatible with normal physiology. In this cross-over study we have characterised the postprandial kinetics of lactose, and its major constituent, galactose, in the serum of fourteen healthy men who consumed a unique dose of 800 g milk or yogurt. Genetic testing for lactase persistence and microbiota profiling of the subjects were also performed. Data revealed that lactose does appear in serum after dairy intake, although with delayed kinetics compared with galactose. Median serum concentrations of approximately 0·02 mmol/l lactose and approximately 0·2 mmol/l galactose were observed after the ingestion of milk and yogurt respectively. The serum concentrations of lactose were inversely correlated with the concentrations of galactose, and the variability observed between the subjects’ responses could not be explained by the presence of the lactase persistence allele. Finally, lactose levels have been associated with the abundance of the Veillonella genus in faecal microbiota. The measurement of systemic lactose following dietary intake could provide information about lactose metabolism and nutrient transport processes under normal or pathological conditions.

Probiotic yogurt and milk supplemented with probiotics have been investigated for their role in ‘low-grade’ inflammation but evidence for their efficacy is inconclusive. This study explores the impact of probiotic yogurt on metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers, with a parallel study of gut microbiota dynamics. The randomised cross-over study was conducted in fourteen healthy, young men to test probiotic yogurt compared with milk acidified with 2 % d-(+)-glucono-δ-lactone during a 2-week intervention (400 g/d). Fasting assessments, a high-fat meal test (HFM) and microbiota analyses were used to assess the intervention effects. Baseline assessments for the HFM were carried out after a run-in during which normal milk was provided. No significant differences in the inflammatory response to the HFM were observed after probiotic yogurt compared with acidified milk intake; however, both products were associated with significant reductions in the inflammatory response to the HFM compared with the baseline tests (assessed by IL6, TNFα and chemokine ligand 5) (P<0·001). These observations were accompanied by significant changes in microbiota taxa, including decreased abundance of Bilophila wadsworthia after acidified milk (log 2-fold-change (FC)=–1·5, Padj=0·05) and probiotic yogurt intake (FC=–1·3, Padj=0·03), increased abundance of Bifidobacterium species after acidified milk intake (FC=1·4, Padj=0·04) and detection of Lactobacillus delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus (FC=7·0, Padj<0·01) and Streptococcus salivarius spp. thermophilus (FC=6·0, Padj<0·01) after probiotic yogurt intake. Probiotic yogurt and acidified milk similarly reduce postprandial inflammation that is associated with a HFM while inducing distinct changes in the gut microbiota of healthy men. These observations could be relevant for dietary treatments that target ‘low-grade’ inflammation.

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) giant ragweed has been confirmed in Ontario, Canada. Giant ragweed is an extremely competitive weed and lack of control in soybean will lead to significant yield losses. Seed companies have developed new herbicide-resistant (HR) crop cultivars and hybrids that stack multiple HR traits. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of glyphosate and glyphosate plus dicamba tank mixes for the control of GR giant ragweed under Ontario environmental conditions in dicamba-tolerant (DT) soybean. Three field trials were established over a 2-yr period (2010 and 2011) on farms near Windsor and Belle River, ON. Treatments included glyphosate (900 g ae ha−1), dicamba (300 g ae ha−1), and dicamba (600 g ha−1) applied preplant (PP), POST, or sequentially in various combinations. Glyphosate applied PP, POST, or sequentially provided 22 to 68%, 40 to 47%, and 59 to 95% control of GR giant ragweed and reduced shoot dry weight 26 to 80%, 16 to 50%, and 72 to 98%, respectively. Glyphosate plus dicamba applied PP followed by glyphosate plus dicamba applied POST consistently provided 100% control of GR giant ragweed. DT soybean yield correlated with GR giant ragweed control. This is the first report in Canada of weed control in DT soybean, specifically for the control of GR giant ragweed. Results indicate that the use of dicamba in DT soybean will provide an effective option for the control of GR giant ragweed in Ontario.

Herbicide-resistant crops, such as glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean, allow for broad-spectrum, flexible weed control with minimal crop injury; however, the development of GR weeds, such as horseweed, has forced reliance on alternative herbicides for control of these weeds. While preplant (PP) herbicides provide excellent control of GR-horseweed, there are currently no POST herbicide control options within soybean. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dicamba for the control of GR-horseweed when applied PP, POST, and sequentially in dicamba-resistant soybean. Dicamba applied PP at 600 g a.e. ha−1 provided 90 to 100% control of GR-horseweed 8 wk after application (WAA) across three field trials conducted in Ontario in 2011 and 2012. Similarly, sequential applications provided 91 to 100% control. This technology provides a much-needed POST option of dicamba to be applied as a rescue treatment to control weed escapes caused by late emergence or poor initial control following a PP herbicide application.

We analyze photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence (EL) using a hyperspectral imager that records spectrally resolved luminescence images of solar cell absorbers. The system is calibrated to yield the luminescence flux in absolute values. This system enables to quantitatively image physical parameters such as the photovoltage with an uncertainty of less than 30mV. The wide field illumination, low power excitation and fast acquisition brings new insights compared to classical setups such as confocal microscope. Several types of absorbers have been analyzed. For instance, we can investigate spatial fluctuations of the Quasi Fermi Levels splitting in CIGS polycristalline absorbers and link those fluctuations to transport properties. The method is general to the point that third generation PV cells absorbers can also be evaluated. We illustrate the great potential of our setup by imaging carrier temperature in Hot Carriers Solar cells absorbers and quasi Fermi levels splitting in Intermediate Band Solar cells.

Although clam populations in France are known to be infected with protozoans of the genus Perkinsus, no molecular characterization was previously performed on these parasites. Considering that several members of this genus have been associated with mortalities of molluscs worldwide, a study was undertaken in order to characterize these parasites in France. For that purpose, clams, Ruditapes philippinarum and R. decussatus, collected from different production areas and found to be infected with Perkinsus sp. in thioglycolate culture medium, were selected for PCR-RFLP tests and sequencing. Perkinsus olseni was detected in all the investigated areas and results also suggested the presence of P. chesapeaki in Leucate, a lagoon on the Mediterranean coast and in Bonne Anse in Charente Maritime, on the Atlantic coast. Clonal cultures from both detected species were produced in order to describe and compare in vitro stages. Differences in size between both Perkinsus spp. were noticed especially for schizonts and zoosporangia. Lastly, in situ hybridization tests allowed confirmation of the presence of both species in the same R. decussatus population and even in same clams. This is the first detection of P. chesapeaki in Ruditapes species and outside North America, which questions its introduction into Europe.

A new type of flow-induced oscillation is reported for a tethered cylinder confined inside a Hele-Shaw cell (ratio of cylinder diameter to cell aperture, ) with its main axis perpendicular to the flow. This instability is studied numerically and experimentally as a function of the Reynolds number and of the density of the cylinder. This confinement-induced vibration (CIV) occurs above a critical Reynolds number much lower than for Bénard–Von Kármán vortex shedding behind a fixed cylinder in the same configuration (). For low values, CIV persists up to the highest value investigated (). For denser cylinders, these oscillations end abruptly above a second value of larger than and vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) of lower amplitude appear for . Close to the first threshold , the oscillation amplitude variation as and the lack of hysteresis demonstrate that the process is a supercritical Hopf bifurcation. Using forced oscillations, the transverse position of the cylinder is shown to satisfy a Van der Pol equation. The physical meaning of the stiffness, amplification and total mass coefficients of this equation are discussed from the variations of the pressure field.