Les neurosciences cognitives : une nouvelle “nouvelle science de l’esprit”?

It is a matter of considerable controversy whether cognitive neuroscience, thanks in large part to functional neuroimaging techniques, is in the process of becoming a new science of the brain and moving into the heart of cognitive science. What are the foundations of this new field ? How will neuroscience and cognitive science coexist in the future ? The paper will attempt to situate neuroimagery in the theoretical framework of fundamental neuroscience, and will show the extent to which cognitive neuroscience depends on it, as it depends on the rest of cognitive science, within which it stands as one research program among several. Should it lead, in a distant future, to a completed science of the brain’s functionalities, such a science would likely not replace cognitive psychology and allied disciplines. Instead, I envisage a form of strong complementarity between the two branches, exclusive of any form of reduction.     

Carcinome urothélial de l’urètre: une nouvelle observation et revue de la littérature

Urothelial carcinoma of the male urethra is a rare tumour. We report a new case of urothelial carcinoma of the urethra in a 64-year old man who was examined due to a dysuria. Retrograde and voiding urethrocystography carried out had shown images of bulbopenile urethral stricture treated by urethroplasty. Histological examination of the urethrectomy part revealed a urothelial carcinoma of the urethra. The patient refused any additional treatment and survived 14 months after diagnosis.     

Mollusques terrestres et températures : une nouvelle fonction de transfert quantitative

Terrestrial molluscs are reliable environmental proxies in Quaternary sequences. Correlations between the geographic distribution of the species and the minimum mean monthly temperature and the annual thermal magnitude distributions have been characterised. New temperature estimates based on the Mutual Climatic Range method were then performed. The latitudinal thermal gradient has been reconstructed using modern assemblages from Western Europe, and a calibration on modern temperature values has been calculated. The application to the sequence of Achenheim (Alsace, France) allowed the reconstruction of the temperature variations of the last climatic cycle. To cite this article: O. Moine, D.-D. Rousseau, C. R. Palevol 1 (2002) 145–151.     

Sur l'espace topologique lié à une nouvelle théorie de l'apprentissage

There have been two contrasting doctrines concerning learning, more generally about acquisition of knowledge: empiricism and rationalism. The theory of learning in such a field as artificial intelligence seems to fall within the empiricist framework. On the hand, N. Chomsky and his followers have discussed, during the last decade, concerning learning, especially about language learning, from the rationalist point of view (Chomsky, 1965). The main feature in the rationalist approach toward a theory of learning lies in the speculation that in order to acquire knowledge it is indispensable for a learner to be endowed with “innate ideas”, and that “experience” in the external world are merely subsidiary types of information for the learner. If this is acceptable, we can inquire: Under what kind of innate ideas can the learner understand the structure of the external world? In our previous paper (Uesaka, Aizawa, Ebara, and Ozeki, 1973), we formalized this by introducing the mathematical notion of “learnability”, and gave a partial answer to the above inquiry. In this formalization we assumed that the set F of objects to be learned consists of mappings of N to itself, where N is the set of positive integers. Then, constructing a topological space (F, \(\mathcal{O}\) ) by an appropriate family \(\mathcal{O}\) of open sets, we observed that the notion of learnability can be well described in terms of topological properties of the learning space (F, \(\mathcal{O}\) ). Many problems must be solved, however, before we raise the theory to a complete model of the rationalist theory of learning. The topological study of the space (F, \(\mathcal{O}\) ) is, we believe, the first step toward this approach. In this context, we discuss the topological aspects of this space. Now we define \(\mathcal{O}\) as follows: By N ² we mean the direct product of two N's. Let s be a subset of N ². If, for any (x, y), (x′, y′) in s, x=x′ implies y=y′, then we say that s is single-valued. Let f ∈ F, If, for any (x, y) in s, y=f(x), then f is said to be on s, denoted as \(f\underline \supseteq s\) . Let \(\pi \left( s \right) = \left\{ {g;g \in F,g\underline \supseteq s} \right\}\) . A single-valued finite subset of N ² is called datum. Let D denote the family of all data. Let \(\mathcal{O}* = \left\{ \phi \right\} \cup \left\{ {\pi \left( d \right);d \in D} \right\}\) , and \(\mathcal{O}\) denote the family of all subsets of F, each of which is written as \(\mathop \cup \limits_\alpha W_{\alpha }\) , where W _α is in \(\mathcal{O}*\) . Then, it is easily seen that \(\mathcal{O}\) satisfies the axiom of the open system of a topological space. It is shown that the learning space (F, \(\mathcal{O}\) ) has the following properties:

1. It satisfies the first and the second countability axioms.
2. It is separable and is totally disconnected.
3. It is a Hausdorff space and, further, is regular and normal.
4. It is neither compact nor locally compact.
5. It is metrizable, or more precisely there exists a complete but not totally bounded metric space which is homeomorphic to learning space.
6. Any of its subspace can be embedded into its special subspace.

     

Le genre Dasypsyllus Baker 1905 : description d’une espèce nouvelle et essai de mise au point sur ce genre (Siphonaptera : Ceratophyllidae)

Dasypsyllus picaflori n. sp. est décrit à partir de puces prélevées dans un nid de Trochilidae, Oreotrochilus leucopleurus Gould 1847, au Chili. C’est la deuxième espèce de Puce signalée chez des Colibris. Taxonomie, répartition, spécificité et écologie des espèces et sous-espèces connues dans le genre Dasypsyllus sont rappelées.     

Première découverte de Viperidae (Reptilia,Serpentes) dans les îles Baléares (Espagne) : des vipères du Néogène de Minorque. Description d’une nouvelle espèce du Pliocène

Two viperid snakes, Vipera natiensis sp. n. (belonging to the Vipera aspis group) and Vipera sp., have been found in the Pliocene of Minorca. On the other hand, an indeterminate viperid extends back the fossil record of the family in the Balearic Islands, to the Middle Miocene. These fossils represent the first report of viperids from the Balearic Islands. Vertebra of Vipera natiensis sp. n. are characterised by a concave anterior border of zygosphene, dorsoventrally flattened, short (as wide as long) and blunt prezygapophyseal processes. Centrum convex in transverse section, subcentral margins poorly marked and presence of two well defined subcotylar tubercles. Hypapophysis located posteriorly on the centrum and not prolonged anteriorly, or only slightly prolonged as a keel. The dorsal border of the neural spine is slightly thickened; the posterior border of the neural spine is markedly inclined posteriorly; as a result, the spine forms a posterior point, which is more or less developed, depending on the position of the vertebra along the vertebral column. The presence of Viperidae in the Neogene of the Balearic Islands involves the existence of a terrestrial connection between this archipelago and the continent during the Early Miocene and/or Middle Miocene and perhaps the presence of a later connection during the Late Miocene.     

Une nouvelle espèce d'Euglène,Euglena Penardii

Sans résumé     

«Noir de Diaminobenzidine»: Une nouvelle méthode histochimique de révélation du fer exogène

Résumé Une nouvelle réaction de mise en évidence histochimique du fer exogène, utilisé comme traceur pour l'étude des connexions dans le système nerveux central, est décrite. Elle comporte la transformation du fer en bleu de Prusse, lequel est utilisé comme catalyseur de l'oxydation de la diaminobenzidine par l'eau oxygénée. La diaminobenzidine oxydée précipite sous forme d'un produit insoluble de couleur brun-noir. Cette réaction présente une sensibilité et un contraste nettement supérieurs à ceux de la réaction classique de Perls.

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Diaminobenzidine black as a new histochemical demonstration of exogenous iron

Summary A new reaction for the histochemical demonstration of exogenous iron, used as a tracer for the study of connectivity in the central nervous system, is described. It consists of, first, the conversion of iron into Prussian blue, which acts secondarily as a catalyst for the oxidation of diaminobenzidine by hydrogen peroxide. The oxidized diaminobenzidine precipitates by polymerization and gives rise to a brown-colored insoluble reaction product. This reaction has a strikingly better sensitivity and contrast than the classical Perls's reaction.

     

Holmesopteris faironiae,fougère nouvelle du Carbonifère supérieur des Monts Cantabriques (NW de l'Espagne) et de Belgique

Isolated fern rachises have been discovered in twoWestphalian A coal balls of Belgium and Spain. They represent a new taxon, Holmesopteris faironiae n.gen., n.sp., characterized by the special location of the protoxylem poles. The morphology, the anatomy and the foliar branching of this new taxon suggest that it may belong to the family Botryopteridaceae; Stephanian species of the genus Botryopteris seem closely related to the new fern.     

Toxinogenèse in vitro d'Aspergillus du groupe fumigatus. Production de fumitoxines

A new class of mycotoxins has been characterized from a strain of Aspergillus fumigatus: the fumitoxins A, B, C and D. The in vitro production of these metabolites is studied. Fumitoxins are common in cultures extracts of most strains of A. fumigatus. They are not detected from A. fischeri. Variations of the levels of these products during the incubation of cultures, and also by using different media, are noted. At all events, the toxicity of crude extracts of the mould, for the chick embryo, is equal to the one of the fumitoxins.

     

Mise en évidence de structures internes des chromosomes par une technique nouvelle (Scanning video)

The basic principle of the technique is the analysis of photomicrographs (light microscope) with a system of closed television chain. By suitable settings of the video scanning (e.g. black and white level, contrast) it is possible to bring out some particular structures of chromosomes, by a kind of optical density selection. — Chromosomes in mitosis and meiosis from different species (man, rat, sloth) have been studied up to now; all of them show a similar inner organization. The double spiralization of each chromatid appears clearly. Each chromonema contains a more or less dense heap of fine loops; these appear to be made of a folded fibril of 200–300 Å thickness. In less condensed zones of the chromonema, e.g. in uncoiled parts, four filaments arranged in two more or less twisted pairs are clearly distinguishable; these filaments seem to correspond to 1/8 chromatid. From our first investigations it seems that the inner fibrils of the chromosomes are organized according to one of the DuPraw's models (combined transverse and longitudinal folding with quaternary coiling). — Some arguments are proposed and discussed as to explain how it is possible to reach such a high resolution with a conventional light microscope.

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Recherches effectuées avec l'aide du Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique Médicale (Belgique).     

Autoradiographies de Coupes d'os compact après marquage aux isotopes in vitro

Résumé Etude qualitative et quantitative du marquage in vitro de coupes d'os compact. Détermination du rôle joué par les processus de diffusion, d'adsorption et d'échange dans ces phénomènes.

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Zusammenfassung Qualitative und quantitative Studie der in vitro-Markierung von Schliffen aus Knochen-Compacta. Bestimmung der Rolle der Diffusions-, Adsorptions- und Austauschprozesse für diese Vorgänge.

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Avec 2 Figures dans le Texte

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La partie expérimentale de ce travail a pu être réalisée grâce à des subsides fournis par l'European Office of the Air Research and Development Command [contrat n^o AF 61 (514) 1175], par l'Institut Interuniversitaire Belge des Sciences Nucléaires, et par la Commission pour la Science Atomique du Fonds National Suisse de la Recherche Scientifique.     

Une nouvelle espèce de Fuciniceras du Domérien des Causses:Fuciniceras fontaneillesi Nov. sp.

The biostratigraphical sequence of the Domerian Fuciniceras is refinded with new data from the Causses (France). A new species, last representative of the genus in this country, is described and the beginning of a biogeographical differenciation is analysed.     

Modifications faunistiques engendrées par une faible variation de débit dans une grande rivière

Artificial substrates suspended in the water column and benthic dredging were employed to study the drift of macrofauna and the macrobenthic populations respectively, in a cross section of the Rhône River upstream of Lyon, France. The samples were collected in autumn 1979: first in September under a low flow egime around 400 m³·s^–1, then in October during a discharge increase up to 630 m³·s^–1.The first factor of correspondence analysis showed a clear cleavage between the two periods, especially for drift communities. The differences are most important in the centre of the stream channel. In October, the water column was invaded by unusual and abundant fauna. This dynamics is due to the increase in number of Crustacea (Gammarus fossarum, Asellus aquaticus), the decrease of some insect larvae (Leuctra fusca, Simuliidae, Baetis fuscatus, stages 1 and 2 of Hydropsyche) and the appearance of typical wetland taxa (some limnophilous Coleoptera and Trichoptera). For some other dominant invertebrates, a modification may occur only in their distribution (stages 3 to 5 of Hydropsyche, Heptagenia sulphurea) while the distribution of Psychomyia pusilla remains the same.These results are discussed with respect to the effects of species biology and the unusual consequences caused by a minor increase in discharge.

Structure et fonctionnement des écosystèmes du Haut Rhône français n° 46.     

Polymorphisme du gène du récepteur des androgènes: recherche de mosaïques tissulaires et relation avec l'infertilité masculine

Androgens are male steroid hormones necessary for initiation and maintenance of spermatogenesis. They act via a specific receptor which belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily. The transactivation N-terminal domain of this receptor is characterized by a CAG repeat polymorphism in the first exon of the gene coding for polyglutamines. An increased CAG repeat length is involved in Kennedy's disease, a neurodegenerative disease associated with infertility and impaired virilization. Some recent studies have shown a correlation between the number of CAG repeats and male fertility. The aim of this study was to define this correlation and to determine whether or not infertile men presented a tissue mosaicism between blood and sperm, as described in several diseases involving CAG repeats. The length of CAG repeats of blood and testicular cells was measured in 36 oligospermic or azoospermic patients and 15 controls. An inverse correlation was found between CAG repeat length and total number of ejaculated spermatozoa. However, no tissue mosaicism between blood and sperm was observed in our population.     

Une nouvelle espèce d'Apodemus (Rodentia,Mammalia)du Pliocène de la dépression de Guadix-Baza (Grenade,Espagne)

This paper describes a new species of Apodemus,A. agustii, a Middle Pliocene Muridae from the Guadix-Baza basin. Its morphology is far from that postulated as more frequent in Apodemus: its molars crowns are relatively high: there is no connection between t6 and t9 in M¹ and M². Taking in account this and its age, it is placed in an evolutionary branch, convergent with “Rhagapodemus” morphotype.     

Synthèse d'ARN et de protéines dans des disques de patte de drosophile cultivés in vitro

Résumé Des disques imaginaux de patte, prélevés dans des larves de fin de 3e stade de drosophile, ont été cultivés dans le milieu M de Mandaron, en l'absence d'hormone ou en présence soit d'- soit de -ecdysone. L'incorporation de précurseurs marqués (³H-uridine,³H-leucine ou³H-proline) a été étudiée en fonction du stade de développement des disques.En l'absence d'hormone de mue, l'incorporation d'uridine décroît dès que les disques ont été explantés; l'incorporation de leucine et de proline ne décroît que 6 à 12 heures après l'explantation.- et -ecdysone stimulent l'incorporation des trois précurseurs; toutefois celle-ci varie en fonction du développement morphologique du disque.Les maxima et les minima d'incorporation d'uridine précèdent dans le temps ceux de la leucine et de la proline.Les maxima d'incorporation peuvent être mis en rapport avec des évènements morphologiques marquants du développement: évagination, sécrétion des cuticules nymphale et maginale.Il n'y a pas de différences significatives d'incorporation d'uridine en présence d'-ecdysone ou de -ecdysone; en revanche les maxima d'incorporation de leucine et de proline sont plus élevés en présence d'-ecdysone que de -ecdysone.Ces résultats montrent que l'-ecdysone—et à un degré moindre la -ecdysone—peuvent induire les synthèses de macromolécules nécessaires au développement des appendices in vitro.

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RNA and protein synthesis inDrosophila leg discs cultured in vitro

Summary Imaginal leg discs from late third instarDrosophila larvae were cultured in Mandaron's medium without hormone or with -ecdysone or -ecdysone. Incorporation of labelled precursors (tritiated uridine, tritiated leucine or tritiated proline) was studied as a function of the stage of in vitro disc development.In the absence of moulting hormone, uridine incorporation decreased as soon as the discs were explanted; leucine and proline incorporation however began to decrease only after 6 to 12 h.- and -ecdysone stimulated the incorporation of all three precursors; however the rate of the incorporation varied as a function of the morphological disc development.The maxima and minima of uridine incorporation preceeded in time those of proline and leucine incorporation.The peaks of incorporation were coincident with salient morphological events of development: evagination, secretion of pupal and imaginal cuticles.There were no significant differences in uridine incorporation in the presence of -ecdysone or -ecdysone. Leucine and proline incorporation maxima however were significantly higher in the presence of -ecdysone than of -ecdysone.The results show that -ecdysone—and to a lesser extent also -ecdysone—can induce the macromolecular syntheses required for the development of the appendage in vitro.

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Ce travail a été réalisé avec l'aide du CNRS (Action thématique programmée «Différenciation cellulaire», contrat n^o A 6554324)

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Ce mémoire représente une partie de la thèse qui sera soutenue par l'auteur devant l'Université Scientifique et Médicale de Grenoble