Superconducting aluminum heat switch with 3 nΩ\Omega equivalent resistance

Superconducting heat switches with extremely low normal state resistances are needed for constructing continuous nuclear demagnetization refrigerators with high cooling power. Aluminum is a suitable superconductor for the heat switch because of its high Debye temperature and its commercial availability in high purity. We have constructed a high quality Al heat switch whose design is significantly different than that of previous heat switches. In order to join the Al to Cu with low contact resistance, we plasma etched the Al to remove its oxide layer then immediately deposited Au without breaking the vacuum of the e-beam evaporator. In the normal state of the heat switch, we measured a thermal conductance of $8 T$ W/K$^2$ which is equivalent to an electrical resistance of 3 n$\Omega$ according to the Wiedemann-Franz law. In the superconducting state we measured a thermal conductance that is $2\times10^6$ times lower than that of the normal state at 50 mK

Etude expérimentale de la croissance libre de cristaux equiaxes en mouvement

NANCY/VANDOEUVRE-INPL (545472102) / SudocSudocFranceF

Aluminum nuclear demagnetization refrigerator for powerful continuous cooling

Many laboratories routinely cool samples to 10 mK, but relatively few can cool condensed matter below 1 mK. Easy access to the microkelvin range would propel fields such as quantum sensors and quantum materials. Such temperatures are achieved with adiabatic nuclear demagnetization. Existing nuclear demagnetization refrigerators (NDR) are "single-shot", and the recycling time is incompatible with proposed sub-mK experiments. Furthermore, a high cooling power is required to overcome the excess heat load of order nW on NDR pre-cooled by cryogen-free dilution refrigerators. We report the performance of an aluminum NDR designed for powerful cooling when part of a dual stage continuous NDR (CNDR). Its thermal resistance is minimized to maximize the cycling rate of the CNDR and consequently its cooling power. At the same time, its susceptibility to eddy current heating is minimized. A CNDR based on two of the aluminum NDR presented here would have a cooling power of approximately 40 nW at 560 $\mu$K

Medication in AN: A Multidisciplinary Overview of Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews

International audienceDrugs are widely prescribed for anorexia nervosa in the nutritional, somatic, and psychiatric fields. There is no systematic overview in the literature, which simultaneously covers all these types of medication. The main aims of this paper are (1) to offer clinicians an overview of the evidence-based data in the literature concerning the medication (psychotropic drugs and medication for somatic and nutritional complications) in the field of anorexia nervosa since the 1960s, (2) to draw practical conclusions for everyday practise and future research. Searches were performed on three online databases, namely MEDLINE, Epistemonikos and Web of Science. Papers published between September 2011 and January 2019 were considered. Evidence-based data were identified from meta-analyses, if there were none, from systematic reviews, and otherwise from trials (randomized or if not open-label studies). Evidence-based results are scarce. No psychotropic medication has proved efficacious in terms of weight gain, and there is only weak data suggesting it can alleviate certain psychiatric symptoms. Concerning nutritional and somatic conditions, while there is no specific, approved medication, it seems essential not to neglect the interest of innovative therapeutic strategies to treat multi-organic comorbidities. In the final section we discuss how to use these medications in the overall approach to the treatment of anorexia nervosa

Procedural Tools and Technics for Transcatheter Paravalvular Leak Closure: Lessons from a Decade of Experience.

Prosthetic paravalvular leaks (PVLs) are associated with congestive heart failure and hemolysis. Surgical PVL closure carries high risks. Transcatheter implantation of occluding devices in PVL is a lower risk but challenging procedure. Of the available devices, only two have been specifically approved in Europe for transcatheter PVL closure (tPVLc): the Occlutech® Paravalvular Leak Device (PLD) and Amplatzer™ ParaValvular Plug 3 (AVP 3). Here, we review the various tools and devices used for tPVLc, based on three observational registries including 748 tPVLc procedures performed in 2005-2021 at 33 centres in 11 countries. In this case, 12 registry investigators with over 20 tPVLc procedures each described their practical tips and tricks regarding imaging, approaches, delivery systems, and devices. They considered three-dimensional echocardiography to be the cornerstone of PVL assessment and procedure guidance. Anterograde trans-septal mitral valve and retrograde aortic approaches were used in most centres, although some investigators preferred the transapical approach. Hydrophilic-coated low-profile sheaths were used most often for device deployment. The AVP 3 and PLD devices were chosen for 89.0% of procedures. Further advances in design and materials are awaited. These complex procedures require considerable expertise, and experience accumulated over a decade has no doubt contributed to improve practices

Rapid Improvement after Starting Elexacaftor–Tezacaftor–Ivacaftor in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Advanced Pulmonary Disease

International audienceRationale: Elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor is a CFTR (cystic fibrosis [CF] transmembrane conductance regulator) modulator combination, developed for patients with CF with at least one Phe508del mutation. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of elexacaftor-tezacaftor- ivacaftor in patients with CF and advanced respiratory disease. Methods: A prospective observational study, including all patients aged ⩾12 years and with a percent-predicted FEV1 (ppFEV1) <40 who initiated elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor from December 2019 to August 2020 in France was conducted. Clinical characteristics were collected at initiation and at 1 and 3 months. Safety and effectiveness were evaluated by September 2020. National-level transplantation and mortality figures for 2020 were obtained from the French CF and transplant centers and registries. Measurements and Main Results: Elexacaftor-tezacaftor- ivacaftor was initiated in 245 patients with a median (interquartile range) ppFEV1 = 29 (24-34). The mean (95% confidence interval) absolute increase in the ppFEV1 was +15.1 (+13.8 to +16.4; P < 0.0001), and the mean (95% confidence interval) in weight was +4.2 kg (+3.9 to +4.6; P < 0.0001). The number of patients requiring long-term oxygen, noninvasive ventilation, and/or enteral tube feeding decreased by 50%, 30%, and 50%, respectively (P < 0.01). Although 16 patients were on the transplant waiting list and 37 were undergoing transplantation evaluation at treatment initiation, only 2 received a transplant, and 1 died. By September 2020, only five patients were still on the transplantation path. Compared with the previous 2 years, a twofold decrease in the number of lung transplantations in patients with CF was observed in 2020, whereas the number of deaths without transplantation remained stable. Conclusions: In patients with advanced disease, elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor is associated with rapid clinical improvement, often leading to the indication for lung transplantation being suspended

High-risk exposure without personal protective equipment and infection with SARS-CoV-2 in-hospital workers - The CoV-CONTACT cohort.

International audienc

High-risk exposure without personal protective equipment and infection with SARS-CoV-2 in-hospital workers - The CoV-CONTACT cohort

International audienc

High-risk exposure without personal protective equipment and infection with SARS-CoV-2 in-hospital workers - The CoV-CONTACT cohort

International audienc