Modélisation numérique et algébrique des joints labyrinthe des turbines Francis

RESUME Il existe plusieurs types de turbines hydrauliques. Selon les conditions d'operation, les geometries sont dierentes, et les technologies aussi. Les joints hydrauliques, objets de cette etude, sont presents seulement dans les turbines de type Francis. Ces turbines sont tres utilisees, partout dans le monde. Le joint hydraulique n'est pas, comme on pourrait l'imaginer, une piece assurant l'etan- cheite. Il s'agit d'un interstice entre la roue de la turbine, en rotation, et le b^ati, statique. Il est necessaire et permet d'eviter le contact entre les deux ensembles. Mais de l'eau passe a travers le joint et ne participe donc pas au processus de conversion d'energie. De plus, les frottements au sein du joint ralentissent la machine. A cause de la fuite et des frottements qu'il provoque, le joint cree une perte de rendement de la turbine. Dans une demarche d'amelioration constante de machines ayant un rendement deja tres eleve, une optimisation de chaque composante, donc des joints hydrauliques, est necessaire. C'est le but de la recherche dans laquelle s'inscrit notre etude : diminuer autant que possible les pertes au sein des joints hydrauliques des turbines Francis. An de bien se rendre compte du probleme, et de comprendre l'existence d'un joint opti- mal, un raisonnement purement analytique, mettant en jeu un ecoulement laminaire dans un joint droit, a d'abord ete mene. Il a permis d'etablir les expressions analytiques des champs de vitesse, de la pression, des pertes et de la longueur optimale en fonction des dierents para- metres du probleme dans ce cas particulier. Dierents essais avec le solveur ANSYS CFX ont ensuite ete menes an de mettre en evidence certains points necessitant une attention parti- culiere lors de la suite de l'etude. Par la suite, un modele numerique de joints labyrinthe a ete valide. Les resultats d'experiences menees dans les annees 1960 chez Dominion Engineering Works, maintenant Andritz Hydro Limitee, ont ete utilises pour cette validation. M^eme si les experiences n'etaient pas toutes utilisables, certaines ont ete reproduites numeriquement. Le modele numerique developpe utilise le modele de turbulence SST, des geometries bidimen- sionnelles axisymetriques, une repartition parabolique du maillage, des parois lisses, et une perte de charge en sortie de joint basee sur la vitesse normale. Les simulations permettent de retrouver les resultats experimentaux avec un ecart moyen de 6.5 % sur les tests consideres. Sur ces m^emes tests, plus de 60% des ecarts entre resultats numeriques et experimentaux sont inferieurs a l'incertitude experimentale. Le modele est donc utilisable pour mener des experiences numeriques dont le resultat sera dele a la realite, sur l'espace de design considere. Un plan d'experiences approprie, remplissant convenablement l'intervalle dans lequel nous nous trouvons, a ete cree en utilisant----------ABSTRACT There are various types of hydraulic turbines. Regarding the operating conditions, geo- metries and technologies dier. Hydraulic seals are only used in Francis turbines, which are widely used. The role of hydraulic seals is not to be waterproof. Their main aim is to prevent contact between the rotating and static parts of the turbine. Although necessary, hydraulic seals create energetic losses : some uid does not ow through the runner (leakage loss) and exerts a torque on the rotor (friction loss). In a context of constant progression towards still more ecient turbines, the optimization of each part of the turbine is necessary. Our study is a part of this research seeking to decrease the losses in turbines as much as possible. In order to understand fully the problem, and to ensure an optimal seal exists, an ana- lytical study has been lead in the rst place. It establishes the analytical expressions of the speeds, pressure, losses and optimal seal length for laminar ows in straight seals. Various tests were then lead with the ANSYS CFX solver in order to highlight aspects which necessi- tate a particular attention. For example, the issues of boundary conditions and dimensionless simulations were adressed. A CFD model has then been validated. The results of the experiences lead in the sixties by Dominion Engineering Works, which later became Andritz Hydro Limited, were used in this process. Even if all the tests were not useable, some of them were reproduced numerically. The CFD model which was used features SST turbulence modeling, 2D axisymmetric geometries, parabolic mesh distributions, smooth walls, and a outlet headloss based on the normal speed. For the various tests which were considered, the average discrepancy between numerical and experimental results is 6.5%. More than 60% of the discrepancies of those simulations are below the empirical uncertainty. That is why this model can be used for numerical experiences : as long as these experiences are in the design space, their result will be coherent with reality. An appropriate space-lling design of experiments was created using the software JMP, from SAS Institute. The numerical results of 34 tests have then been modeled statistically using a quadratic polynomial taking into account interactions between various factors. The response surface obtained this way was compared to experimental results. The average discrepancy was around 7.5%. The response surface is precise enough to get an accurate estimation of the experimental results. As no other experimental data is available, nothing proves that the numerical model, and the statistical model which was obtained thanks to it, will be valid outside the design space which was considered

Etude des propriétés ostéoinductrices et chondroinductrices de "l'Heparin affin regulatory peptide" sur les cellules stromales mésenchymateuses humaines, application en régénération osseuse

La régénération osseuse est un processus impliquant de nombreux types cellulaires comme les ostéoblastes, les chondrocytes ou les cellules stromales mésenchymateuses (CSM). Les CSM possèdent des capacités de différenciation suggérant leur implication dans ce processus de réparation. La régénération osseuse est le fruit de la coordination complexe de l'activité de nombreux facteurs de croissance. Parmi eux, l' Heparin affin regulatory peptide (HARP) est fortement exprimé dans le callus durant la régénération mais son rôle n'est pas clairement établi. Le but de ce travail de thèse a été (1) d'évaluer les effets de HARP sur les propriétés de migration, de prolifération et de différenciation des CSM in vitro ; (2) évaluer la capacité de HARP à induire une formation osseuse ou une régénération osseuse in vivo.Nos résultats démontrent que HARP est chémoattractant pour les CSM et potentialise leur prolifération. De plus, nous montrons pour la première fois que le traitement de CSM par HARP durant leur chondroinduction conduit à une différenciation chondrocytaire de type hypertrophique. Ce type cellulaire est primordial dans les derniers stades de la formation osseuse endochondrale qui se met en place durant la croissance osseuse, mais également durant la réparation. L'implantation de biomatériaux associés à HARP dans un défaut osseux de condyle fémoral a conduit à la formation de cartilage et d'os dans l'implant, reproduisant le mécanisme physiologique de formation osseuse endochondrale. Le biomatériau seul n'a été envahi que par du tissu fibreux.Durant les processus de réparation tissulaire, les glycosaminoglycannes (GAG), des chaînes polysaccharidiques sulfatées, composants majeurs de la matrice extracellulaire, participent à la modulation des effets des facteurs de croissance durant la réparation. Récemment, des mimétiques structuraux et fonctionnels des GAG ont été développés. Durant ma thèse, j'ai été associé au travail d'un doctorant de l'équipe de P.Albanese, qui a montré que des mimétiques de GAG induisent une différenciation ostéoblastique des CSM en l'absence de traitement ostéoinducteur. L'implantation sous-cutanée de biomatériaux covalemment associés aux mimétiques ont également été menées, et ont permis d'observer des potentialisations des processus de vascularisation de l'implant et de l'activité ostéoclastique. Ces resultats ont permis de valider l'interêt des GAG mimétiques dans le cadre des thérapies de régénération osseuse.Cette étude démontre pour la première fois les effets chondroinducteurs directs de HARP sur la production de molécules de la matrice cartilagineuse par les CSM in vitro, mais également sur la synthèse de tissu cartilagineux in vivo. Les effets de HARP observés sur la régénération osseuse confirment qu'il pourrait être un bon candidat en chirurgie orthopédique en permettant une régénération de type endochondrale typique de la réparation physiologique. De plus les nouvelles stratégies developpées dans le laboratoire sur la fonctionnalisation covalente de biomateriaux par des GAG mimétiques, meriteraient d'etre testées en association avec HARP, afin d'augmenter sa demi-vie et de controler son relarguage et ses activités biologiques in vivo.Bone regeneration is a complicated process which involved many cellular types such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). MSC can differentiate toward chondrocytes and osteoblasts, suggesting their implication in bone regeneration processes. Bone reparation involved a complex coordination of growth factors. Among them, heparin affin regulatory peptide (HARP) is found in callus during regeneration. However, its role is poorly understood. The aim of this thesis was (1) to evaluate HARP effects on proliferation, migration and differentiation of MSC in vitro, (2) to evaluate HARP ability to promote bone regeneration or bone formation.Our results demonstrate that HARP has chemoattractive and proliferative properties on human MSC. Moreover, we show for the first time that HARP commits human MSC toward hypertrophy during chondrogenesis. This is of great interest since hypertrophic chondrocytes are of primary importance in the late stage of endochondral bone formation. We further tested the association of HARP to scaffolds in a model of bone regeneration in femoral defect in rat. HARP associated scaffolds showed an invasion of cartilage and bony tissues, mimicking endochondral bone formation, whereas scaffold alone was just filled with fibrous tissue.During regenerative processes glycosaminoglycans, polysaccharides sulfated chains, are known as major components of the extracellular matrix and modulate the effects of growth factors during regenerative processes. Recently, structurally and functionally mimetics of GAG had been developed. During my PhD thesis, I was associated to the work of a doctoral student of P. Albanese who showed that GAG mimetics induce osteoblastic differentiation of MSC without any other osteoinductive treatment. The ectopic implantation of mimetic associated scaffolds didn't show effects on osteoformation but induced an enhancement of vascularization and of osteoclastic activity, both related to tissue remodeling. These results validate that GAG mimetics are of great interest in bone regenerative field.This study demonstrates for the first time the chondroinductive potential of HARP through its ability to induce cartilage specific matrix production by MSC in vitro but also by inducing cartilage tissue synthesis in vivo. The effects of HARP observed on bone regeneration, by inducing an endochondral bone formation similar to that observed in normal bone regeneration, confirm that HARP could be a good candidate in orthopedic surgery. Moreover, scaffold covalently linked with GAG mimetics should be tested in association with HARP. This strategy could increase the half life, control the release and potentiate HARP properties in vivo.PARIS-EST-Université (770839901) / SudocPARIS12-Bib. électronique (940280011) / SudocSudocFranceF

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation Accelerates Randall's Plaque Formation in a Murine Model

Most kidney stones are made of calcium oxalate crystals. Randall\u27s plaque, an apatite deposit at the tip of the renal papilla, is considered to at the origin of these stones. Hypercalciuria may promote Randall\u27s plaque formation and growth. We analyzed whether long-term exposure of Abcc6 mice (a murine model of Randall\u27s plaque) to vitamin D supplementation, with or without a calcium-rich diet, would accelerate the formation of Randall\u27s plaque. Eight groups of mice (including Abcc6 and wild type) received vitamin D alone (100,000 UI/kg every 2 weeks), a calcium-enriched diet alone (calcium gluconate 2 g/L in drinking water), both vitamin D supplementation and a calcium-rich diet, or a standard diet (controls) for 6 months. Kidney calcifications were assessed by 3-dimensional microcomputed tomography, μ-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Yasue staining. At 6 months, Abcc6 mice exposed to vitamin D and calcium supplementation developed massive Randall\u27s plaque when compared with control Abcc6 mice (P < 0.01). Wild-type animals did not develop significant calcifications when exposed to vitamin D. Combined administration of vitamin D and calcium significantly accelerates Randall\u27s plaque formation in a murine model. This original model raises concerns about the cumulative risk of vitamin D supplementation and calcium intakes in Randall\u27s plaque formation

Randall’s plaque as the origin of idiopathic calcium oxalate stone formation: an update

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Scanning electron microscopy—a powerful imaging technique for the clinician

International audienc

Multiscale approach to provide a better physicochemical description of women breast microcalcifications

Despite the incidence of breast cancer among women, mammography and anatomopathology investigations are still the gold standard method for preventive screening and diagnosis. Several criteria are used to diagnose precisely the severity of the pathology like the distribution and shape of breast microcalcifications (BMCs). However, the link between the different chemical phases of BMCs and the cancer stage remains unclear. As BMCs physicochemical speciation has the potential to help clinicians during their diagnosis, this study aims to propose a methodology using advanced spectroscopical analysis techniques to finely characterize BMCs and uncover the relationship between mineralization processes and breast cancer. A state of the art in the domain is first proposed to highlight the role of BMCs and the importance of extensive analytical analysis using electron microscopy and vibrational techniques. Secondly, a detailed methodology for BMCs multiscale analysis is proposed and the relevance of each technique illustrated through the study of a biopsy from a patient suffering of an infiltrating low-grade ductal carcinoma: scanning electron microscopy analysis was used for the morphological description of BMCs, infrared micro and nanospectroscopy techniques for their chemical speciation at the micrometric and sub-micrometric scales

Multiscale approach to provide a better physicochemical description of women breast microcalcifications

Despite the incidence of breast cancer among women, mammography and anatomopathology investigations are still the gold standard method for preventive screening and diagnosis. Several criteria are used to diagnose precisely the severity of the pathology like the distribution and shape of breast microcalcifications (BMCs). However, the link between the different chemical phases of BMCs and the cancer stage remains unclear. As BMCs physicochemical speciation has the potential to help clinicians during their diagnosis, this study aims to propose a methodology using advanced spectroscopical analysis techniques to finely characterize BMCs and uncover the relationship between mineralization processes and breast cancer. A state of the art in the domain is first proposed to highlight the role of BMCs and the importance of extensive analytical analysis using electron microscopy and vibrational techniques. Secondly, a detailed methodology for BMCs multiscale analysis is proposed and the relevance of each technique illustrated through the study of a biopsy from a patient suffering of an infiltrating low-grade ductal carcinoma: scanning electron microscopy analysis was used for the morphological description of BMCs, infrared micro and nanospectroscopy techniques for their chemical speciation at the micrometric and sub-micrometric scales

Parent satisfaction with the Loire Infant Follow-up Team (LIFT) premature and at-risk infant network in the Pays-de-la-Loire area (France)

BACKGROUND: The Loire Infant Follow-up Team (LIFT) is a network for caring for premature infants whose gestational age is 34 WA or less and at-risk neonates in the Pays-de-la-Loire area in France. The network aims to screen for clinical anomalies early and to propose adapted care. Trained physicians follow the included children in a standardized manner at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months and 2 years, with a specific examination by psychologists at 2 years. The aim of the study was to assess the satisfaction of the parents of the children followed.METHODS: To evaluate parent satisfaction, a questionnaire from the Consumer Satisfaction Survey (CSS) in its French version was sent to parents whose infants were 2 years old, stratifying on the presence of an anomaly. The questioner had 39 items, with 8 specific items on the network and 31 from the CSS. The questionnaire was mailed twice in September 2006. RESULTS: Out of 300 questionnaires mailed, 269 were returned (rate 89.7 %). The questionnaire was assessed using principal component analysis with 2 dimensions for the 30 items common to all children, one of which covered empathy with physicians and the other with the consulting psychologists at 2 years. The validity was good (Cronbach coefficient, 0.91). The answers to overall questions such as "We are satisfied with the care in the network" scored 16.1±0.7/20, with 90 % "totally agree" or "moderately agree" responses. The "The care is perfect" scored 14.6±0.7/20 with 78 % agreeing with the statement. The total score for 30 general questions was 14.6±3.1 (median, 14.9). The total score was lower for infants with anomalies: 13.7±3.3 versus 14.9±2.9 (P<0.01). The answers with a low score (<10) were given by 22 parents (8.2 %). There was no significant relation between the total score or the satisfaction score and neonatal events. CONCLUSION: A postal survey is helpful to know the views of parents on the follow-up of their infants. This good level of satisfaction seems to stem from the parents feeling they belong to the network, the quality of the relationships with personnel, and the doctors\u27 empathy, as well as the number of contacts between parents and the network coordinator

Inflammation plays a critical role in 2,8-dihydroxyadenine nephropathy

Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) deficiency is a genetic disease characterized by an increased production of 2,8 dihydroxyadenine (2,8-DHA) precipitating in urine, leading to a crystalline nephropathy and end-stage renal disease. Here, we describe the high prevalence of granuloma (88%) in biopsies from patients with APRT deficiency. A murine model of 2,8-DHA nephropathy was generated, showing that anakinra or dexamethasone, combined with allopurinol, improved renal function to a larger extent than allopurinol alone, the standard therapy. Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of 2,8-DHA nephropathy, and therapy based upon drugs targeting innate immunity could improve renal function recovery

Using mid infrared to perform investigations beyond the diffraction limits of microcristalline pathologies: advantages and limitation of Optical PhotoThermal IR spectroscopy

Understanding the physico-chemistry related to cristalline pathologies constitutes a challenge in several medical specialities such as nephrology, dermatology or oncology. Regarding nephrology, the chemical diversity of concretions such as kidney stones calls for characterization techniques to determine the chemical composition of concretions. The starting point of this contribution is given by Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy which is routinely used at the hospital to determine the chemical composition of kidney stones as well as ectopic calcifications present in kidney biopsy. For kidney stones, the quantity of sample is sufficient to perform a significant analysis through classical FTIR. For ectopic calcifications, $\mu$FTIR can be inefficient in the case of $\mu$calcification in the tissue when their size is less than 10 $\mu$m. For such samples, Optical PhotoThermal IR (OPT-IR) spectroscopy may constitute a way to overcome this experimental difficulty through the acquisition of IR spectrum with a spatial resolution close to 500 nm.To illustrate such opportunity, we first compare the IR spectrum acquired with a classical experimental set-up related to classical IR spectroscopy to IR spectrum collected with a OPT-IR one for different compounds namely calcium oxalate monohydrate, calcium oxalate dehydrate, calcium phosphate apatite and magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate. Such comparison helps us to assess specificity of OPT-IR. Then, we consider several pathological calcifications associated to hyperoxaluria, adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) deficiency or the presence of Randall’s plaque. We will see that the nanometer spatial resolution constitutes a major advantage versus a micrometre one. Also, in the case of Randall’s plaque, we show that OPT-IR can determine the chemical composition of microscopic concretion without any kind of preparation. Such experimental fact is clearly a major advantage. Finally, we also extended this first investigation in nephrology by considering breast calcifications. In that case, if the number of chemical phases is quite low compared to the number of chemical phases identified in ectopic calcifications present in kidney (four instead of 24), the challenge is related to the possibility to distinguish between the different calcium phosphate namely amorphous carbonated calcium phosphate, CA and whitlockite.The complete set of data indicates the limitations and the advantages of OPT-IR spectroscopy