Neurodevelopment Genes in Lampreys Reveal Trends for Forebrain Evolution in Craniates

The forebrain is the brain region which has undergone the most dramatic changes through vertebrate evolution. Analyses conducted in lampreys are essential to gain insight into the broad ancestral characteristics of the forebrain at the dawn of vertebrates, and to understand the molecular basis for the diversifications that have taken place in cyclostomes and gnathostomes following their splitting. Here, we report the embryonic expression patterns of 43 lamprey genes, coding for transcription factors or signaling molecules known to be involved in cell proliferation, stemcellness, neurogenesis, patterning and regionalization in the developing forebrain. Systematic expression patterns comparisons with model organisms highlight conservations likely to reflect shared features present in the vertebrate ancestors. They also point to changes in signaling systems –pathways which control the growth and patterning of the neuroepithelium-, which may have been crucial in the evolution of forebrain anatomy at the origin of vertebrates

Step-frequency radar applied on thin road layers

International audienceIn the field of road construction and maintenance, the need for information on the thickness of very thin road layers is not satisfied by means of commercial pulse GPR, due to the inability of such devices to operate over ranges of several gigahertz. As a result, research has focused on the design of a step-frequency radar technique, able to work with very high-frequency synthetic pulses.An ultrawide band antenna, belonging to the family of Vivaldi antennas, has been developed for road applications. It has been created using stripline technology and yields a band width greater than one decade. During an initial step, this antenna was tested on various bituminous concrete samples with a network analyzer. Different parameters were studied, including band width, offset between antennas, and height and shape of the frequency-dependent pulse.A second step involved GPR dynamic measurements. A customized software program enabled recording data from the network analyzer. Several radar profiles were developed from selected road construction and maintenance test sites (e.g. the Circular Pavement Fatigue Test Track, composed of a number of known structures). Results show improved resolution when compared to a commercial impulse GPR system

Efficacy and safety of HOE 901 versus NPH insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes. The European Study Group of HOE 901 in type 1 diabetes

HOE 901 (Hoechst Marion Roussel, Frankfurt, Germany) is a biosynthetic insulin with a prolonged action. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the long-acting insulin analog HOE 901 with NPH insulin regarding glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes.A total of 333 type 1 diabetic patients were enrolled in this multinational parallel group trial. Subjects were randomized either to two different formulations of HOE 901 (the formulations differed only in zinc content) or to NPH insulin. The study was only partially blinded because patients can distinguish HOE 901 (a clear solution) from NPH (a cloudy suspension). In addition to premeal injections of regular insulin, patients received HOE 901 at bedtime or NPH once daily at bedtime or twice daily in the morning and at bedtime.Fasting plasma glucose levels were significantly lower with HOE 901 (-1.88 mmol/l. P = 0.0005) as were fasting self-monitored blood glucose levels (-0.80 mmol/l, P = 0.0020). HbA1c levels also showed a significant reduction with HOE 901 (-0.14%) versus NPH (P = 0.030). The overall frequency of hypoglycemia did not differ, but the frequency of nocturnal hypoglycemia was significantly (P = 0.0037) lower with HOE 901 (36 vs. 55%). However, this effect on nocturnal hypoglycemia was significant only versus NPH once daily not NPH twice daily. The pattern of adverse events and injection site reactions with HOE 901 was similar to that with NPH.This study indicates that HOE 901 achieves better control of fasting glucose and HbA1c levels over 4 weeks, and HOE 901 has a possible safety benefit in terms of nocturnal hypoglycemia

Step-frequency radar applied on bituminous concrete

International audienceIn the road field, the need to get information on the thickness of very thin road layers is not solved by GPR. The reason is that the devices are not able to work over several gigahertz. That is why, a research has focused on the conception of a step frequency radar technique, enable to work with very high central frequency synthetic pulses. In collaboration with the LCPC (Central Laboratory of Bridges and Roads), an ultra wide band antenna has been developed at the LEAT (Electronic, Antennas and Telecommunication Laboratory). The ultra wide band antenna, developed for roads application, forms parts of the family of the Vivaldi antennas. It has been realized in stripline technology and one obtains a bandwidth greater than one decade. In a first step, this antenna has been tested on various bituminous concrete samples, with a network analyzer. Different parameters were studied like the bandwidth, the off-set between antennas, the height, and the shape of the pulse depending to the frequencies. A second step concerns GPR dynamic measurements. An homemade software enables to record data from the network analyzer. As LCPC has large testing facilities in the road field, such as a circular Pavement Fatigue Test Track, composed of different known structures, several radar profiles have been done. Results are compared with classical GPR profiles

Non Destructive Evaluation of the durability and damages of concrete innuclear power plant

The “Non Destructive Evaluation of containment nuclear plant structures” project (ENDE) is a French project developed with 8 partners. Its aims are to control the containment of structures by Non Destructive Testing with ultrasonic, electromagnetic and electric techniques. The results are than combined together to consolidate the final evaluation. Two different objectives are proposed, the first is to estimate concrete properties and the second to follow concrete damages and cracks. The 4 years project was carried out in two steps (in laboratory and on site). The first step consists in realizing two sets of tests on concrete specimens in the laboratory. Objectives of the first set are to characterize the material and to quantify the sensitivity of the Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) to durability indicators (elasticity modulus, strength, porosity, water content) of the concrete. Two new indicators (thermal damage and stress applied) are tested in order to take into account a possibility of an accident (LLCA). Such accident induces relatively very severe conditions (pressure=4.2 bar and temperature T=180°C) inside the containment The second set was developed to evaluate damaged zones and cracks. The data fusion of measured NDE parameters is applied and developed for each result with two specific processes. It allows to select most sensitive and efficient approaches. The second step consists in an investigation of selected non destructives parameters on a real structures that is containment structures under varying pressure. The presented results were obtained on a mock-up of a containment wall realized in a 1/3 scale and constructed by EDF (Electricity of France) within the VeRCoRs program. These tests are realized in 2017 and simulate the ten-year nuclear power plants control in which the two functions regularly tested are: the concrete mechanical properties and the containment walls leakage. This paper presents the ENDE project and some of in site obtained results

Non Destructive Evaluation of the durability and damages of concrete in nuclear power plant

Session - Civil Infrastructure-Concrete 3, paper ECNDT-0349-2018International audienceThe “Non Destructive Evaluation of containment nuclear plant structures” project (ENDE) is a French project developed with 8 partners. Its aims are to control the containment of structures by Non Destructive Testing with ultrasonic, electromagnetic and electric techniques. The results are than combined together to consolidate the final evaluation. Two different objectives are proposed, the first is to estimate concrete properties and the second to follow concrete damages and cracks. The 4 years project was carried out in two steps (in laboratory and on site). The first step consists in realizing two sets of tests on concrete specimens in the laboratory. Objectives of the first set are to characterize the material and to quantify the sensitivity of the Non Destructive Evaluation (NDE) to durability indicators (elasticity modulus, strength, porosity, water content) of the concrete. Two new indicators (thermal damage and stress applied) are tested in order to take into account a possibility of an accident (LLCA). Such accident induces relatively very severe conditions (pressure=4.2 bar and temperature T=180°C) inside the containment The second set was developed to evaluate damaged zones and cracks. The data fusion of measured NDE parameters is applied and developed for each result with two specific processes. It allows to select most sensitive and efficient approaches. The second step consists in an investigation of selected non destructives parameters on a real structures that is containment structures under varying pressure. The presented results were obtained on a mock-up of a containment wall realized in a 1/3 scale and constructed by EDF (Electricity of France) within the VeRCoRs program. These tests are realized in 2017 and simulate the ten-year nuclear power plants control in which the two functions regularly tested are: the concrete mechanical properties and the containment walls leakage. This paper presents the ENDE project and some of in site obtained results