Benefit of GEOSS Interoperability in Assessment of Environmental Impacts Illustrated by the Case of Photovoltaic Systems

International audienceAssessment of environmental impacts of a power system exploiting a renewable energy needs a large number of geographically-dependent data and of technological data. These data are located in various sources and available in various formats. To avoid the burden of data collection and reformatting, we exploit the interoperability capabilities set up in GEOSS and combine them with other GEOSS-compliant components proposed by projects funded by the European Commission. This is illustrated by the case of photovoltaic systems. A Web-based tool links the various sources of data and executes several models to offer various impacts factors in different areas: human health, climate change, primary energy, ecosystems

Environmental impact assessment of electricity production by photovoltaic system using GEOSS recommendations on interoperability

International audienceWithin the Architecture Implementation Pilot (AIP-3) of GEOSS, we have developed a scenario called "environmental impact assessment of the production, transportation and use of energy for the photovoltaic (PV) sector through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)". It aims at providing decision-makers and policy-planners with reliable and geo-localized knowledge of several impacts induced by various technologies of the PV sector. The scenario is implemented in the GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) and benefits from the GEOSS interoperability arrangements. The FP7-co-funded EnerGEO project provides a GEOSS compliant Catalogue Service for the Web (CSW) that permits to discover the Web Processing Service (WPS) allowing computation of the environmental impact. A WebGIS client provided by the FP7-co-funded GENESIS platform allows users to interact with geospatial data and computation processes. This scenario has proven to be an efficient tool to disseminate knowledge on environmental impacts related to PV because of the GEOSS capabilities in interoperability

Réflexion d'ondes de choc acoustiques faibles

Des expériences à l'échelle du laboratoire ont été mises en place pour l'étude de la propagation de choc faibles à proximité de parois rigides. Ces ondes sont générées par une source à arc électrique et une méthode optique de type Schlieren est mise en place afin de visualiser les fronts d'ondes incidents ainsi que les schémas de réflexion. Les résultats expérimentaux sont comparés aux résultats issus de simulations numériques basées sur la résolution des équations complètes de Navier-Stokes

On the numerical computation of nonlinear normal modes for reduced-order modelling of conservative vibratory systems

International audienceNumerical computation of Nonlinear Normal Modes (NNMs) for conservative vibratory systems is addressed, with the aim of deriving accurate reduced-order models up to large amplitudes. A numerical method is developed, based on the center manifold approach for NNMs, which uses an interpretation of the equations as a transport problem, coupled to a periodicity condition for ensuring manifold's continuity. Systematic comparisons are drawn with other numerical methods, and especially with continuation of periodic orbits, taken as reference solutions. Three di erent mechanical systems, displaying peculiar characteristics allowing for a general view of the performance of the methods for vibratory systems, are selected. Numerical results show that invariant manifolds encounter folding points at large amplitude, generically (but not only) due to internal resonances. These folding points involve an intrinsic limitation to reduced-order models based on the center manifold and on the idea of a functional relationship between slave and master coordinates. Below that amplitude limit, numerical methods are able to produce reduced-order models allowing for a precise prediction of the backbone curve

Seasonal Genetic Drift of Human Influenza A Virus Quasispecies Revealed by Deep Sequencing

After a pandemic wave in 2009 following their introduction in the human population, the H1N1pdm09 viruses replaced the previously circulating, pre-pandemic H1N1 virus and, along with H3N2 viruses, are now responsible for the seasonal influenza type A epidemics. So far, the evolutionary potential of influenza viruses has been mainly documented by consensus sequencing data. However, like other RNA viruses, influenza A viruses exist as a population of diverse, albeit related, viruses, or quasispecies. Interest in this quasispecies nature has increased with the development of next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies that allow a more in-depth study of the genetic variability. NGS deep sequencing methodologies were applied to determine the whole genome genetic heterogeneity of the three categories of influenza A viruses that circulated in humans between 2007 and 2012 in France, directly from clinical respiratory specimens. Mutation frequencies and single nucleotide polymorphisms were used for comparisons to address the level of natural intrinsic heterogeneity of influenza A viruses. Clear differences in single nucleotide polymorphism profiles between seasons for a given subtype also revealed the constant genetic drift that human influenza A virus quasispecies undergo

Large Scale Gigabit Emulated Testbed for Grid Transport Evaluation

International audienceEvaluating the performance of Grid applications running on high performance platforms interconnected by high speed and long distance net- works with new transport services and protocols is highly required. This paper presents the eWAN inte- grated environment enabling large scale grid emula- tion at gigabit speed. It discusses features provided to control key characteristics (topology, round trip time, packet size, drop rate, link capacity) of an evaluation scenario. A method to increase the accuracy of rate control under various delay configuration is proposed and some experimental results are detailled

Proteomic Profiling of Hepatocellular Adenomas Paves the Way to Diagnostic and Prognostic Approaches

Background and Aims : Through an exploratory proteomic approach based on typical hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs), we previously identified a diagnostic biomarker for a distinctive subtype of HCA with high risk of bleeding, already validated on a multicenter cohort. We hypothesized that the whole protein expression deregulation profile could deliver much more informative data for tumor characterization. Therefore, we pursued our analysis with the characterization of HCA proteomic profiles, evaluating their correspondence with the established genotype/phenotype classification and assessing whether they could provide added diagnosis and prognosis values. Approach and Results : From a collection of 260 cases, we selected 52 typical cases of all different subgroups on which we built a reference HCA proteomics database. Combining laser microdissection and mass-spectrometry–based proteomic analysis, we compared the relative protein abundances between tumoral (T) and nontumoral (NT) liver tissues from each patient and we defined a specific proteomic profile of each of the HCA subgroups. Next, we built a matching algorithm comparing the proteomic profile extracted from a patient with our reference HCA database. Proteomic profiles allowed HCA classification and made diagnosis possible, even for complex cases with immunohistological or genomic analysis that did not lead to a formal conclusion. Despite a well-established pathomolecular classification, clinical practices have not substantially changed and the HCA management link to the assessment of the malignant transformation risk remains delicate for many surgeons. That is why we also identified and validated a proteomic profile that would directly evaluate malignant transformation risk regardless of HCA subtype. Conclusions : This work proposes a proteomic-based machine learning tool, operational on fixed biopsies, that can improve diagnosis and prognosis and therefore patient management for HCAs.European Funds for Regional Development (Feder), N° Presage 3207

ASS1 Overexpression:A Hallmark of Sonic Hedgehog Hepatocellular Adenomas; Recommendations for Clinical Practice

Until recently, 10% of hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) remained unclassified (UHCA). Among the UHCAs, the sonic hedgehog HCA (shHCA) was defined by focal deletions that fuse the promoter of Inhibin beta E chain with GLI1. Prostaglandin D2 synthase was proposed as immunomarker. In parallel, our previous work using proteomic analysis showed that most UHCAs constitute a homogeneous subtype associated with overexpression of argininosuccinate synthase (ASS1). To clarify the use of ASS1 in the HCA classification and avoid misinterpretations of the immunohistochemical staining, the aims of this work were to study (1) the link between shHCA and ASS1 overexpression and (2) the clinical relevance of ASS1 overexpression for diagnosis. Molecular, proteomic, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed in UHCA cases of the Bordeaux series. The clinico-pathological features, including ASS1 immunohistochemical labeling, were analyzed on a large international series of 67 cases. ASS1 overexpression and the shHCA subgroup were superimposed in 15 cases studied by molecular analysis, establishing ASS1 overexpression as a hallmark of shHCA. Moreover, the ASS1 immunomarker was better than prostaglandin D2 synthase and only found positive in 7 of 22 shHCAs. Of the 67 UHCA cases, 58 (85.3%) overexpressed ASS1, four cases were ASS1 negative, and in five cases ASS1 was noncontributory. Proteomic analysis performed in the case of doubtful interpretation of ASS1 overexpression, especially on biopsies, can be a support to interpret such cases. ASS1 overexpression is a specific hallmark of shHCA known to be at high risk of bleeding. Therefore, ASS1 is an additional tool for HCA classification and clinical diagnosis

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome associated with COVID-19: An Emulated Target Trial Analysis.

RATIONALE: Whether COVID patients may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) compared with conventional invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of ECMO on 90-Day mortality vs IMV only Methods: Among 4,244 critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 included in a multicenter cohort study, we emulated a target trial comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs. no ECMO within 7 days of IMV in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FiO2 <80 or PaCO2 ≥60 mmHg). We controlled for confounding using a multivariable Cox model based on predefined variables. MAIN RESULTS: 1,235 patients met the full eligibility criteria for the emulated trial, among whom 164 patients initiated ECMO. The ECMO strategy had a higher survival probability at Day-7 from the onset of eligibility criteria (87% vs 83%, risk difference: 4%, 95% CI 0;9%) which decreased during follow-up (survival at Day-90: 63% vs 65%, risk difference: -2%, 95% CI -10;5%). However, ECMO was associated with higher survival when performed in high-volume ECMO centers or in regions where a specific ECMO network organization was set up to handle high demand, and when initiated within the first 4 days of MV and in profoundly hypoxemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In an emulated trial based on a nationwide COVID-19 cohort, we found differential survival over time of an ECMO compared with a no-ECMO strategy. However, ECMO was consistently associated with better outcomes when performed in high-volume centers and in regions with ECMO capacities specifically organized to handle high demand. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat