Introduction to the geology of the Heid des Gattes at Sougné-Remouchamps (Liège province, Belgium)

Introduction à la géologie du site de la Heid des Gattes à Sougné-Remouchamps (province de Liège, Belgique) où sont exposées les formations de la Famenne, d'Esneux, de Souverain-Pré, de Comblain-la-Tour, de Montfort et d'Evieux (Dévonien supérieur (Famennien).Introduction to the geology of the Heid des Gattes at Sougné-Remouchamps (Liège province, Belgium) where the Famenne, Esneux, Souverain-Pré, Comblain-la-Tour, Montfort and Evieux formations (Upper Devonian, Famennian) are exposed

New data on the incertae sedis biota and foraminifera of the mid-Famennian Baelen Member (Late Devonian, eastern Belgium)

The Baelen mud mounds in eastern Belgium represent a local member of the mid-Famennian Souverain-Pré Formation (an important carbonate interval within the Condroz Sandstone Group). The lower part of this member contains silty bioclastic wackestones and packstones that are particularly rich in the problematical algae Serrisinella and Dreesenullella. Plurilocular foraminifera (Septabrunsiina and Baelenia) and rare solitary rugose corals (Neaxon? sp.) occur within crinoidal grainstones (tempestites) interfingering with the latter bioclastic wacke-/packstones and red-stained stromatactoid spiculitic mudstones (carbonate mound core facies). Although Serrisinella is quite common in other mid- and late Famennian limestones, of Belgium, Dreesenulella is almost endemic of the Baelen Member. Both genera apparently inhabited the muddy sediment-water interface, constituting meadows probably in zones of intermittently strong bottom currents. The taxonomic similarities between Dreesenulella and Saccamminopsis are discussed, as well as their possible affinities with the Xenophophyrea and Kokomiacea. Moreover, the first stages of the Septabrunsiina–Baelenia foraminiferal lineage are analysed in detail. The taxonomic and palaoecological positioning of Serrissinella and Dreesenulella adds to the discussion about the palaeobathymetry of the Baelen mud mounds and corroborates sedimentological evidence for their relatively shallow carbonate ramp depositional setting

The red crinoidal limestone of Baelen (late Upper Devonian), a particular historical building stone with an unusual depositional setting, global geological importance and local use

Peer reviewe

L'origine des mégalithes du Fond de Quarreux (Ardenne, Belgique)

Une étude de la répartition de mégalithes dans la vallée de l’Amblève à sa traversée des quartzites d’âge Cambrien de la Formation de La Venne à l’extrémité occidentale de la crête de la Vecquée a été réalisée. Elle a permis de montrer que les fortes concentrations présentes au Fond de Quarreux s’expliquent essentiellement par des apports des versants adjacents en environnement périglaciaire. L’étude sédimentologique de dépôts des vallées de la Chefna, du Ninglinspo et de l’Amblève elle-même permet de situer dans le Dryas récent des dépôts périglaciaires de couverture. Les mécanismes qui ont conduit à la situation actuelle ont agi de la même façon pendant tous les stades isotopiques marins (S.IM.) les plus froids du Quaternaire, c’est-à-dire les stades pairs #22 à #2. L’application de la force tractrice critique et de la puissance spécifique critique au calcul de la compétence de l’Amblève montre que le cours d’eau ne peut déplacer des blocs de plus 50 cm de diamètre dans les conditions climatiques actuelles. Il en résulte que les radeaux de glace ont dû assurer en climat périglaciaire l’essentiel de l’évacuation des mégalithes qui se sont trouvés dans le lit du cours d’eau depuis qu’il est incisé dans les quartzites cambriens de la Formation de La Venne.Origin of megaliths of the Fond de Quarreux (Ardenne, Belgium). Distribution of megaliths was studied in the Ambleve valley throughout its gorge developed within the quartzites of the Cambrian-aged La Venne Formation (Fond de Quarreux) in the south-eastern part of high Belgium. The high concentration of megaliths at this place can be essentially explained by mass movements which have occurred on the adjacent slopes in periglacial periods of cold Ocean Isotopic Stages in Quaternary times, and especially the coldest ones i.e. even O.I.S.#22 through #2. Stratigraphical studies of deposits in the Chefna and Ambleve valleys allowed us to place final periglacial deposits during the Younger Dryas. The critical shear stress and the critical unit stream power are used in order to evaluate the Ambleve River competence. It results that, under the present climatic conditions, this river cannot move boulders of more than 50 cm in diameter. Hence, it is concluded that ice rafting has been the main process responsible for carrying away the megaliths which have got the Ambleve river bed throughout the Quaternary Period.Peer reviewe

Early changes in diaphragmatic function evaluated using ultrasound in cardiac surgery patients: a cohort study.

Little is known about the evolution of diaphragmatic function in the early post-cardiac surgery period. The main purpose of this work is to describe its evolution using ultrasound measurements of muscular excursion and thickening fraction (TF). Single-center prospective study of 79 consecutive uncomplicated elective cardiac surgery patients, using motion-mode during quiet unassisted breathing. Excursion and TF were measured sequentially for each patient [pre-operative (D1), 1 day (D2) and 5 days (D3) after surgery]. Pre-operative median for right and left hemidiaphragmatic excursions were 1.8 (IQR 1.6 to 2.1) cm and 1.7 (1.4 to 2.0) cm, respectively. Pre-operative median right and left thickening fractions were 28 (19 to 36) % and 33 (22 to 51) %, respectively. At D2, there was a reduction in both excursion (right: 1.5 (1.1 to 1.8) cm, p < 0.001, left: 1.5 (1.1 to 1.8), p = 0.003) and thickening fractions (right: 20 (15 to 34) %, p = 0.021, left: 24 (17 to 39) %, p = 0.002), followed by a return to pre-operative values at D3. A positive moderate correlation was found between excursion and thickening fraction (Spearman's rho 0.518 for right and 0.548 for left hemidiaphragm, p < 0.001). Interobserver reliability yielded a bias below 0.1 cm with limits of agreement (LOA) of ± 0.3 cm for excursion and - 2% with LOA of ± 21% for thickening fractions. After cardiac surgery, the evolution of diaphragmatic function is characterized by a transient impairment followed by a quick recovery. Although ultrasound diaphragmatic excursion and thickening fraction are correlated, excursion seems to be a more feasible and reproducible method in this population

Collaboration in electronic resource provision in university libraries: SHEDL, a Scottish case study

This case study examines the growth of collaboration among Scottish higher education institutions. Following a summary of the work of the Scottish Confederation of University and Research Libraries (SCURL), more detailed information is provided on collaboration in the fields of acquisition, licensing, selection, and purchasing. Some of the UK background is outlined, relating to NESLi2 in particular, in order to illuminate the options within Scotland. The origins of negotiations on electronic resource provision within Scotland are described, drawing on developments in other countries including Ireland and Scandinavia. After initial setbacks, the implementation of the Scottish Higher Education Digital Library (SHEDL) from 2007 to 2009 is detailed. Current benefits arising from SHEDL are explained, and some possible future developments are discussed

A new subunit vaccine based on nucleoprotein nanoparticles confers partial clinical and virological protection in calves against bovine respiratory syncytial virus

Human and bovine respiratory syncytial viruses (HRSV and BRSV) are two closely related, worldwide prevalent viruses that are the leading cause of severe airway disease in children and calves, respectively. Efficacy of commercial bovine vaccines needs improvement and no human vaccine is licensed yet. We reported that nasal vaccination with the HRSV nucleoprotein produced as recombinant ringshaped nanoparticles (NSRS) protects mice against a viral challenge with HRSV. The aim of this work was to evaluate this new vaccine that uses a conserved viral antigen, in calves, natural hosts for BRSV. Calves, free of colostral or natural anti-BRSV antibodies, were vaccinated with NSRS either intramuscularly, or both intramuscularly and intranasally using MontanideTM ISA71 and IMS4132 as adjuvants and challenged with BRSV. All vaccinated calves developed anti-N antibodies in blood and nasal secretions and N-specific cellular immunity in local lymph nodes. Clinical monitoring post-challenge demonstrated moderate respiratory pathology with local lung tissue consolidations for the non vaccinated calves that were significantly reduced in the vaccinated calves. Vaccinated calves had lower viral loads than the nonvaccinated control calves. Thus NSRS vaccination in calves provided cross-protective immunity against BRSV infection without adverse inflammatory reaction

Management of Febrile Neutropenia - a German Prospective Hospital Cost Analysis in Lymphoproliferative Disorders, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, and Primary Breast Cancer

Background: Febrile neutropenia/leukopenia (FN/FL) is the most frequent dose-limiting toxicity of myelosuppressive chemotherapy, but German data on economic consequences are limited. Patients and Methods: A prospective, multicentre, longitudinal, observational study was carried out to evaluate the occurrence of FN/FL and its impact on health resource utilization and costs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD), and primary breast cancer (PBC) patients. Costs are presented from a hospital perspective. Results: A total of 325 consecutive patients (47% LPD, 37% NSCLC, 16% PBC; 46% women; 38% age >= 65 years) with 68 FN/FL episodes were evaluated. FN/FL occurred in 22% of the LPD patients, 8% of the NSCLC patients, and 27% of the PBC patients. 55 FN/FL episodes were associated with at least 1 hospital stay (LPD n = 34, NSCLC n = 10, PBC n = 11). Mean (median) cost per FN/FL episode requiring hospital care amounted to (sic) 3,950 ((sic) 2,355) and varied between (sic) 4,808 ((sic) 3,056) for LPD, (sic) 3,627 ((sic) 2,255) for NSCLC, and (sic) 1,827 ((sic) 1,969) for PBC patients. 12 FN/FL episodes (LPD n = 9, NSCLC n = 3) accounted for 60% of the total expenses. Main cost drivers were hospitalization and drugs (60 and 19% of the total costs). Conclusions: FN/FL treatment has economic relevance for hospitals. Costs vary between tumour types, being significantly higher for LPD compared to PBC patients. The impact of clinical characteristics on asymmetrically distributed costs needs further evaluation