Spectre negatif d'un operateur elliptique avec des conditions au bords de Robin

In this article we discuss some estimates of the number of the negative eigenvalues and their moments of energy for an elliptic operator L = L0 - V(x) defined in Hm(Rn+) with the Robin boundary conditions containing a potential W(x), in terms of some integrals of V and W

Nonlinear earthquake response of concrete gravity dam systems

The earthquake response of concrete gravity dam systems is investigated with emphasis on the nonlinear behavior associated with tensile concrete cracking and water cavitation. A single dam-monolith is considered and is assumed to respond independently as a two-dimensional system under plane stress conditions. The two-dimensional assumption is also extended to model the compressible water body impounded upstream of the dam. Standard displacement-based finite element techniques are used to spatially discretize the field equations and produce a single symmetric matrix equation for the dam-water system. Energy dissipation in the reservoir, through radiation in the infinite upstream direction and absorption at the bottom, is approximately accounted for, and a set of numerical examples is presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the present formulation in modeling the linear earthquake response of infinite reservoirs. An approximate procedure to account for dam-foundation interaction is incorporated based on the response of a rigid plate attached to a three-dimensional viscoelastic halfspace. Water cavitation is modeled by a smeared approach which uses a bilinear pressure-strain relation. It is shown that the water response becomes dominated by spurious high frequency oscillations upon closure of cavitated regions, and improved results can be obtained by using some stiffness-proportional damping in the water reservoir. As demonstrated in an example analysis of Pine Flat Dam (linear dam), cavitation occurs in the upper part of the reservoir along the dam face, unlike other investigations which show cavitated regions at considerable distances from the dam, and both the tensile pressure cutoffs and compressive impacts have a minor effect on the dam response. Tensile cracks are incorporated using the smeared crack approach, and sliding along closed cracks is allowed. Coupling effects inherent in the finite element formulation are explained, and their influence on open and closed cracks is investigated. Propagation of cracks is monitored in an interactive environment which uses an equivalent strength criterion and allows for user input; remeshing is avoided. The algorithm adopted here produces narrow cracks, unlike many other investigations which show large zones of cracking. An extensive numerical study of Pine Flat Dam demonstrates some interesting features of the nonlinear response of the system, identifies potential failure mechanisms, and reveals a number of difficulties that the analysis encounters. Although no instability of the dam occurs, the numerical difficulties will have to be overcome before definite conclusions regarding stability can be made. It is shown that cracking reduces the hydrodynamic pressures in the reservoir and, hence, reduces water cavitation

Imagerie de la maladie de Creutzfeldt Jacob sporadique

Les encéphalopathies spongiformes subaiguës transmissibles (ESST) sont des maladies infectieuses, neurodégénératives et génétiques. Elles sont caractérisées par la présence d’une substance protéique : le prion. L’imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) encéphalique peut actuellement contribuer au diagnostic des ESST. Nous rapportons le cas d’une patiente de 70 ans qui présenta en Juin 2004 un syndrome démentiel avec myoclonies, d’aggravation rapide et d’évolution fatale. L’électroencéphalogramme (EEG) objectivait une activité de fond ralentie et symétrique sans activité périodique. L’IRM encéphalique montrait des hypersignaux au niveau des noyaux gris centraux surtout du striatum mais aussi au niveau cortical. L’étude du Liquide céphalorachidien (LCR), trouvait une cytochimie normale avec présence de la protéine 14-3-3. Les sérologies syphilitiques étaient négatives, la sérologie de l’hépatite C positive et le bilan thyroïdien normal. Le diagnostic de maladie de Creutzfeldt Jacob sporadique probable a été retenu. Une preuve anatomopathologique est le seul moyen d’obtenir un diagnostic certain dans les ESST, l’apport de l’imagerie et surtout les nouvelles techniques d’IRM peuvent être d’une aide précieuse dans le diagnostic des maladies à prion. Dans les formes sporadiques, l’IRM peut mettre en évidence des hypersignaux des NGC visibles sur les séquences T2, Flair ou de diffusion, ce qui peut être un argument pour le diagnostic de MCJ sporadique chez un patient présentant une démence d’évolution rapide

Defensive design of concrete gravity dams

Failure of a concrete gravity dam during an earthquake could occur as a sliding instability along an earthquake-induced crack, possibly assisted by uplift pressures from water flowing into the crack. Reliable assessment of the likelihood of such an event is thought to be difficult, and this suggests a need for designs which are less prone to cracking and uncertain behavior than are typical existing designs. Several schemes for reducing the potential for cracking during earthquake loading are investigated by finite element simulations: use of a sliding plane at the base of the dam, modification of the cross-sectional shape, use of a joint in the upper part of the clam, prestressing, and hydrodynamic isolation. The sliding plane, modified cross-section, and upper joint may only be applicable to new construction, while prestressing and hydrodynamic isolation could also be used to upgrade existing dams. While all of the schemes show potential, modification of the cross-sectional shape is probably the most practical considering acceptability, cost and effectiveness

Quantitative myocardial perfusion evaluation with positron emission tomography and the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease:a systematic review of prognostic studies

Aims To evaluate the prognostic value of quantitative myocardial perfusion imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) for adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods and results A search in MEDLINE and Embase was conducted for studies that evaluated (i) myocardial perfusion in absolute terms with PET, (ii) prognostic value for the development of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), cardiac death, and/or all-cause mortality, and (iii) patients with known or suspected CAD. Studies were divided according to the radiotracer utilized and their included population (patients with and without previous infarction). Comprehensive description and a selected instance of pooling were performed. Eight studies (n = 6804) were analysed and documented clear variability in population, quantitative PET variables operationalization [stress myocardial blood flow (sMBF) and flow reserve (MFR)], statistical covariate structure, follow-up, and radiotracer utilized. MFR was independently associated with MACE in eight studies [range of adjusted hazard ratios (HRs): 1.19-2.93]. The pooling instance demonstrated that MFR significantly associates with the development of MACEs (HR: 1.92 [1.29, 2.84]; P = 0.001). sMBF was only associated with MACE in two studies that evaluated it, and only one study documented sMBF as a better predictor than MFR. Conclusion This systematic review demonstrates the prognostic value of quantitative myocardial perfusion evaluated with PET, in the form of MFR and sMBF, for the development of major adverse cardiovascular outcomes in populations with known or suspected CAD. In the qualitative comparison, MFR seems to outperform sMBF as an independent prognostic factor. Evidence is still lacking for assessing quantitative PET for the occurrence of cardiac death and all-cause mortality. There is clear heterogeneity in predictor operationalization and study performances

Poly(alkyl methacrylate) tooth coatings for dental care: evaluation of the demineralisation-protection benefit using a time-resolved in vitro method

An in vitro method for the time-resolved quantification of acid-mediated tooth demineralisation has been developed and evaluated against putative non-permanent protective formulations based on a series of poly(alkyl methacrylate)s. Using a thermostatted carousel, dentally relevant substrates consisting of hydroxyapatite discs or sections of bovine teeth have been exposed to aqueous citric acid under controlled conditions, before and after being treated with the polymeric coatings. The dissolution of phosphate was monitored by the determination of 31P by Inductively Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometry and by the spectrophotometric phosphovanadomolybdate method. Dose-response plots constructed for both groups of treated substrates have revealed that the coatings significantly reduce erosion rates but are less effective at inhibiting tooth demineralisation than the standard fluoride treatment. The approach has enabled an evaluation of the erosion-protection efficiency of each coating

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance parameters of atherosclerotic plaque burden improve discrimination of prior major adverse cardiovascular events

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>Patients with prior major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events (MACE) are more likely to have future recurrent events independent of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients with traditional risk factors and prior MACE had increased cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) plaque burden measures compared to patients with risk factors but no prior events.</p> <p>Methods and Results</p> <p>Black blood carotid and thoracic aorta images were obtained from 195 patients using a rapid extended coverage turbo spin echo sequence. CMR measures of plaque burden were obtained by tracing lumen and outer vessel wall contours. Patients with prior MACE had significantly higher MR plaque burden (wall thickness, wall area and normalized wall index) in carotids and thoracic aorta compared to those without prior MACE (Wall thickness carotids: 1.03 ± 0.03 vs. 0.93± 0.03, p = 0.001; SD wall thickness carotids: 0.137 ± 0.0008 vs. 0.102 ± 0.0004, p < 0.001; wall thickness aorta: 1.63 ± 0.10 vs. 1.50 ± 0.04, p = 0.009; SD wall thickness aorta: 0.186 ± 0.035 vs. 0.139 ± 0.012, p = 0.009 respectively). Plaque burden (wall thickness) and plaque eccentricity (standard deviation of wall thickness) of carotid arteries were associated with prior MACE after adjustment for age, sex, and traditional risk factors. Area under ROC curve (AUC) for discriminating prior MACE improved by adding plaque eccentricity to models incorporating age, sex, and traditional CVD risk factors as model inputs (AUC = 0.79, p = 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A greater plaque burden and plaque eccentricity is prevalent among patients with prior MACE.</p