Shape evolution in the neutron-rich osmium isotopes:Prompt γ-ray spectroscopy of Os 196

The shape transition in the neutron-rich Os isotopes is studied by investigating the neutron-rich 196Os nucleus through in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy using a two-proton transfer reaction from a 198Pt target to a 82Se beam. The beam-like recoils were detected and identified with the large-acceptance magnetic spectrometer PRISMA, and the coincident γ rays were measured with the advanced gamma tracking array (AGATA) demonstrator. The de-excitation of the low-lying levels of the yrast-band of 196Os were identified for the first time. The results are compared with state-of-the-art beyond-mean-field calculations, performed for the even-even 188-198Os isotopes. The new results suggest a smooth transition in the Os isotopes from a more axial rotational behavior towards predominately vibrational nuclei through triaxial configurations. An almost perfect γ-unstable/triaxial rotor yrast band is predicted for 196Os which is in agreement with the experimentally measured excited state

Simple scoring system to predict in-hospital mortality after surgery for infective endocarditis

BACKGROUND: Aspecific scoring systems are used to predict the risk of death postsurgery in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). The purpose of the present study was both to analyze the risk factors for in-hospital death, which complicates surgery for IE, and to create a mortality risk score based on the results of this analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Outcomes of 361 consecutive patients (mean age, 59.1\ub115.4 years) who had undergone surgery for IE in 8 European centers of cardiac surgery were recorded prospectively, and a risk factor analysis (multivariable logistic regression) for in-hospital death was performed. The discriminatory power of a new predictive scoring system was assessed with the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Score validation procedures were carried out. Fifty-six (15.5%) patients died postsurgery. BMI >27 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; P=0.049), estimated glomerular filtration rate 55 mm Hg (OR, 1.78; P=0.032), and critical state (OR, 2.37; P=0.017) were independent predictors of in-hospital death. A scoring system was devised to predict in-hospital death postsurgery for IE (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.780; 95% CI, 0.734-0.822). The score performed better than 5 of 6 scoring systems for in-hospital death after cardiac surgery that were considered. CONCLUSIONS: A simple scoring system based on risk factors for in-hospital death was specifically created to predict mortality risk postsurgery in patients with IE

The Comet Interceptor Mission

Here we describe the novel, multi-point Comet Interceptor mission. It is dedicated to the exploration of a little-processed long-period comet, possibly entering the inner Solar System for the first time, or to encounter an interstellar object originating at another star. The objectives of the mission are to address the following questions: What are the surface composition, shape, morphology, and structure of the target object? What is the composition of the gas and dust in the coma, its connection to the nucleus, and the nature of its interaction with the solar wind? The mission was proposed to the European Space Agency in 2018, and formally adopted by the agency in June 2022, for launch in 2029 together with the Ariel mission. Comet Interceptor will take advantage of the opportunity presented by ESA’s F-Class call for fast, flexible, low-cost missions to which it was proposed. The call required a launch to a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L2 point. The mission can take advantage of this placement to wait for the discovery of a suitable comet reachable with its minimum ΔV capability of 600 ms−1. Comet Interceptor will be unique in encountering and studying, at a nominal closest approach distance of 1000 km, a comet that represents a near-pristine sample of material from the formation of the Solar System. It will also add a capability that no previous cometary mission has had, which is to deploy two sub-probes – B1, provided by the Japanese space agency, JAXA, and B2 – that will follow different trajectories through the coma. While the main probe passes at a nominal 1000 km distance, probes B1 and B2 will follow different chords through the coma at distances of 850 km and 400 km, respectively. The result will be unique, simultaneous, spatially resolved information of the 3-dimensional properties of the target comet and its interaction with the space environment. We present the mission’s science background leading to these objectives, as well as an overview of the scientific instruments, mission design, and schedule

Le risque écotoxicologique dans le bassin de la Seine

National audienceLe PIREN-Seine s’intéresse à la présence dans le bassin versant de la Seine de contaminants d’origines agricole, industrielle et domestique depuis une vingtaine d’années. Ces polluants, qui se retrouvent parfois à des concentrations très faibles dans l’eau, peuvent avoir des impacts sur l’homme et l’environnement qui restent peu connus. La présence de ces substances toxiques suscite un intérêt majeur auprès des gestionnaires de la ressource comme des consommateurs. Les perturbations endocriniennes, les effets cancérigènes, la présence de résidus de médicaments sont autant de sujets d’inquiétude largement médiatisés et débattus. Pour garantir la protection de la santé humaine et du milieu aquatique, la réglementation a défini des normes de qualité environnementale, les NQE. En application de la directive cadre sur l’eau, des seuils de concentrations moyennes et maximales ont été édictées par la directive fille 2008/105/EC du 16 décembre 2008 pour les 33 substances prioritaires initialement listées. Des NQE provisoires sont aussi disponibles pour plus de 100 autres substances. Les NQE reposent sur l’évaluation approfondie des effets toxiques en laboratoire de ces molécules. L’écotoxicologie traite des effets toxiques des substances chimiques sur les organismes vivants et l’environnement. Ce thème de recherche est étudié aujourd’hui par les équipes d’écotoxicologie, d’écologie et de chimie du PIREN-Seine, notamment via des études sur trois sites pilotes : le bassin de l’Orge, le bassin de la Vesle et l’axe Seine. Comment mesurer l’impact de ces substances ? Les analyses chimiques étant insuffisantes pour évaluer le risque des substances toxiques dans le milieu, les scientifiques étudient d’autres méthodes. Les bio-essais réalisés en laboratoire en font partie. Regroupant un ensemble très vaste d’essais réalisés sur des échantillons de l’environnement, ils permettent de caractériser le «potentiel toxique», comme la présence des perturbateurs endocriniens et la génotoxicité des masses d’eau. In situ, la bioaccumulation, mesurée sur des organismes «sentinelles» contribue à l’évaluation de l’exposition aux micropolluants. Enfin, les biomarqueurs constituent une solution prometteuse pour diagnostiquer l’impact sur l’environnement des contaminants chimiques

Global Trigger and Readout System for the AGATA Experiment

AGATA is a 4-pi array of high purity Ge detectors for in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy based on the novel concepts of pulse shape analysis (PSA) and gamma-ray tracking. Tracking and PSA require the concurrent digitization—at a sampling rate of 100 Msamples/s—of preamplifier signals of the 36-fold segmented Ge crystals composing the array. Locally digitized data are optically transferred to remote pre-processing nodes for pulse energy computation. The design of the front-end readout and level-1 (L1) trigger in AGATA follows a synchronous pipeline model: the detector data are stored in pipeline buffers at the global AGATA frequency, waiting the global L1 decision. A global timing system provides a reference clock and time tag to the digitizers and the pre-processing units by means of a tree of optically connected timing units. Pre-processing nodes are integrated in AdvancedTCA-based carrier cards with full mesh connectivity in the backplane and read-out through pci-express based optical links. The front-end data readout and its integration in the global trigger and synchronization system will be describe

Efficacy of indefinite chronic oral antimicrobial suppression for prosthetic joint infection in the elderly: a comparative study

During prosthetic joint infection (PJI), surgical management is sometimes impossible and indefinite chronic oral antimicrobial suppression (ICOAS) may be the only option. The outcomes of elderly patients who benefited from ICOAS with strictly palliative intent were evaluated

Transfert de micropolluants par le ruissellement et le réseau d'assainissement

Transfert de micropolluants par le ruissellement et le réseau d'assainissemen

Contamination de la Seine par les micropolluants organiques : Effet des conditions hydriques et de l'urbanisation

Contamination de la Seine par les micropolluants organiques : Effet des conditions hydriques et de l'urbanisatio