Multicenter research priorities in pediatric CMR: results of a collaborative wiki survey

Multicenter studies in pediatric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) improve statistical power and generalizability. However, a structured process for identifying important research topics has not been developed. We aimed to (1) develop a list of high priority knowledge gaps, and (2) pilot the use of a wiki survey to collect a large group of responses. Knowledge gaps were defined as areas that have been either unexplored or under-explored in the research literature. High priority goals were: (1) feasible and answerable from a multicenter research study, and (2) had potential for high impact on the field of pediatric CMR. Seed ideas were contributed by a working group and imported into a pairwise wiki survey format which allows for new ideas to be uploaded and voted upon (https://allourideas.org). Knowledge gaps were classified into 2 categories: ‘Clinical CMR Practice’ (16 ideas) and ‘Disease Specific Research’ (22 ideas). Over a 2-month period, 3,658 votes were cast by 96 users, and 2 new ideas were introduced. The 3 highest scoring sub-topics were myocardial disorders (9 ideas), translating new technology & techniques into clinical practice (7 ideas), and normal reference values (5 ideas). The highest priority gaps reflected strengths of CMR (e.g., myocardial tissue characterization; implementation of technologic advances into clinical practice), and deficiencies in pediatrics (e.g., data on normal reference values). The wiki survey format was effective and easy to implement, and could be used for future surveys

Multicenter research priorities in pediatric CMR: results of a collaborative wiki survey

Multicenter studies in pediatric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) improve statistical power and generalizability. However, a structured process for identifying important research topics has not been developed. We aimed to (1) develop a list of high priority knowledge gaps, and (2) pilot the use of a wiki survey to collect a large group of responses. Knowledge gaps were defined as areas that have been either unexplored or under-explored in the research literature. High priority goals were: (1) feasible and answerable from a multicenter research study, and (2) had potential for high impact on the field of pediatric CMR. Seed ideas were contributed by a working group and imported into a pairwise wiki survey format which allows for new ideas to be uploaded and voted upon ( https://allourideas.org ). Knowledge gaps were classified into 2 categories: 'Clinical CMR Practice' (16 ideas) and 'Disease Specific Research' (22 ideas). Over a 2-month period, 3,658 votes were cast by 96 users, and 2 new ideas were introduced. The 3 highest scoring sub-topics were myocardial disorders (9 ideas), translating new technology & techniques into clinical practice (7 ideas), and normal reference values (5 ideas). The highest priority gaps reflected strengths of CMR (e.g., myocardial tissue characterization; implementation of technologic advances into clinical practice), and deficiencies in pediatrics (e.g., data on normal reference values). The wiki survey format was effective and easy to implement, and could be used for future surveys

Subthalamic nucleus beta and gamma activity is modulated depending on the level of imagined grip force.

Motor imagery involves cortical networks similar to those activated by real movements, but the extent to which the basal ganglia are recruited is not yet clear. Gamma and beta oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) vary with the effort of sustained muscle activity. We recorded local field potentials in Parkinson's disease patients and investigated if similar changes can be observed during imagined gripping at three different 'forces'. We found that beta activity decreased significantly only for imagined grips at the two stronger force levels. Additionally, gamma power significantly scaled with increasing imagined force. Thus, in combination, these two spectral features can provide information about the intended force of an imaginary grip even in the absence of sensory feedback. Modulations in the two frequency bands during imaginary movement may explain the rehabilitating benefit of motor imagery to improve motor performance. The results also suggest that STN LFPs may provide useful information for brain-machine interfaces

Inflammatory bowel disease outcomes following fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent C. difficile infection

Background Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a clinical challenge. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a recurrent CDI therapy. Anecdotal concerns exist regarding worsening of IBD activity; however, prospective data among IBD patients are limited. Methods Secondary analysis from an open-label, prospective, multicenter cohort study among IBD patients with 2 or more CDI episodes was performed. Participants underwent a single FMT by colonoscopy (250 mL, healthy universal donor). Secondary IBD-related outcomes included rate of de novo IBD flares, worsening IBD, and IBD improvement—all based on Mayo or Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI) scores. Stool samples were collected for microbiome and targeted metabolomic profiling. Results Fifty patients enrolled in the study, among which 15 had Crohn’s disease (mean HBI, 5.8 ± 3.4) and 35 had ulcerative colitis (mean partial Mayo score, 4.2 ± 2.1). Overall, 49 patients received treatment. Among the Crohn’s disease cohort, 73.3% (11 of 15) had IBD improvement, and 4 (26.6%) had no disease activity change. Among the ulcerative colitis cohort, 62% (22 of 34) had IBD improvement, 29.4% (11 of 34) had no change, and 4% (1 of 34) experienced a de novo flare. Alpha diversity significantly increased post-FMT, and ulcerative colitis patients became more similar to the donor than Crohn’s disease patients (P = 0.04). Conclusion This prospective trial assessing FMT in IBD-CDI patients suggests IBD outcomes are better than reported in retrospective studies

Evaluation of the radiative transfer in the core of a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) during the reflooding step of a Loss Of Coolant Accident (LOCA)

On développe une méthode de résolution du transfert radiatif au sein d'un milieu vapeur-gouttelettes entouré de parois chaudes, en vue d'un couplage avec une résolution de l'écoulement à l'échelle de la CFD. Le domaine d'application considéré est l'étude du refroidissement du coeur d'une centrale nucléaire suite à un Accident de Perte de Réfrigérant Primaire (APRP). Le problème du transfert radiatif se découpe en deux sous-problèmes, l'un concernant l'évaluation des propriétés radiatives du milieu et le second la résolution du transfert radiatif. Les propriétés radiatives ont été calculées avec la théorie de Mie pour les gouttelettes et le modèle C-k pour la vapeur d'eau. On obtient un milieu absorbant, diffusant anisotrope, émissif, non gris et non homogène. De plus, compte tenu de la grande gamme possible des propriétés de l'écoulement (diamètre et concentration des gouttelettes, température et pression de la vapeur), le milieu peut être optiquement fin ou optiquement épais. Il faut donc une méthode de résolution du transfert radiatif efficace pour toutes les conditions observées dans un APRP et ayant un temps de calcul raisonnable en vue du couplage avec les autres modes de transferts. La méthode IDA, dérivée de l'approximation P1, a été choisie. Son niveau de précision a été validé sur des cas tests académiques et une expérimentation. Des simulations en condition APRP ont ensuite été effectuées, permettant d'évaluer les flux rayonnés et confirmant que le transfert radiatif n'est pas négligeable dans cet accidentWe developped a method of resolution of radiative transfer inside a medium of vapor-droplets surrounded by hot walls, in order to couple it with a simulation of the flow at the CFD scale. The scope is the study of the cooling of the core of nuclear reactor following a Loss Of Coolant Accident (LOCA). The problem of radiative transfer can be cut into two sub problems, one concerning the evaluation of the radiative properties of the medium and a second concerning the solution of the radiative transfer equation. The radiative properties of the droplets have been computed with the use of the Mie Theory and those of the vapor have been computed with a Ck model. The medium made of vapor and droplets is an absorbing, anisotropically scattering, emissive, non grey, non homogeneous medium. Hence, owing to the possible variations of the flow properties (diameter and volumetric fraction of the droplets, temperature and pressure of the vapor), the medium can be optically thin or thick. Consequently, a method is required which solves the radiative transfer accurately, with a moderate calculation time for all of these prerequisites. The IDA has been chosen, derived from the well-known P1-approximation. Its accuracy has been checked on academical cases found in the literature and by comparison with experimental data. Simulations of LOCA flows have been conducted taking account of the radiative transfer, evaluating the radiative fluxes and showing that radiative transfer influence cannot be neglecte

Évaluation du transfert radiatif dans le coeur d'un Réacteur à Eau Pressurisée (REP) lors de la phase de renoyage d'un Accident de Perte de Réfrigérant Primaire (APRP)

On développe une méthode de résolution du transfert radiatif au sein d'un milieu vapeur-gouttelettes entouré de parois chaudes, en vue d'un couplage avec une résolution de l'écoulement à l'échelle de la CFD. Le domaine d'application considéré est l'étude du refroidissement du coeur d'une centrale nucléaire suite à un Accident de Perte de Réfrigérant Primaire (APRP). Le problème du transfert radiatif se découpe en deux sous-problèmes, l'un concernant l'évaluation des propriétés radiatives du milieu et le second la résolution du transfert radiatif. Les propriétés radiatives ont été calculées avec la théorie de Mie pour les gouttelettes et le modèle C-k pour la vapeur d'eau. On obtient un milieu absorbant, diffusant anisotrope, émissif, non gris et non homogène. De plus, compte tenu de la grande gamme possible des propriétés de l'écoulement (diamètre et concentration des gouttelettes, température et pression de la vapeur), le milieu peut être optiquement fin ou optiquement épais. Il faut donc une méthode de résolution du transfert radiatif efficace pour toutes les conditions observées dans un APRP et ayant un temps de calcul raisonnable en vue du couplage avec les autres modes de transferts. La méthode IDA, dérivée de l'approximation P1, a été choisie. Son niveau de précision a été validé sur des cas tests académiques et une expérimentation. Des simulations en condition APRP ont ensuite été effectuées, permettant d'évaluer les flux rayonnés et confirmant que le transfert radiatif n'est pas négligeable dans cet accidentWe developped a method of resolution of radiative transfer inside a medium of vapor-droplets surrounded by hot walls, in order to couple it with a simulation of the flow at the CFD scale. The scope is the study of the cooling of the core of nuclear reactor following a Loss Of Coolant Accident (LOCA). The problem of radiative transfer can be cut into two sub problems, one concerning the evaluation of the radiative properties of the medium and a second concerning the solution of the radiative transfer equation. The radiative properties of the droplets have been computed with the use of the Mie Theory and those of the vapor have been computed with a Ck model. The medium made of vapor and droplets is an absorbing, anisotropically scattering, emissive, non grey, non homogeneous medium. Hence, owing to the possible variations of the flow properties (diameter and volumetric fraction of the droplets, temperature and pressure of the vapor), the medium can be optically thin or thick. Consequently, a method is required which solves the radiative transfer accurately, with a moderate calculation time for all of these prerequisites. The IDA has been chosen, derived from the well-known P1-approximation. Its accuracy has been checked on academical cases found in the literature and by comparison with experimental data. Simulations of LOCA flows have been conducted taking account of the radiative transfer, evaluating the radiative fluxes and showing that radiative transfer influence cannot be neglectedMETZ-SCD (574632105) / SudocNANCY1-Bib. numérique (543959902) / SudocNANCY2-Bibliotheque electronique (543959901) / SudocNANCY-INPL-Bib. électronique (545479901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Radiative transfer during the reflooding step of a LOCA

Eurotherm Seminar on Computational Thermal Radiation in Participating Media \IV\International audienceWithin the evaluation of the heat transfer downstream a quench front during the reflood phase of a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) in a nuclear power plant, a numerical study has been conducted on radiative transfer through a vapor–droplet medium. The non-grey behavior of the medium is obvious since it can be optically thin or thick depending on the wavelength. A six wide bands model has been tested, providing a satisfactory accuracy for the description of the radiative properties. Once the radiative properties of the medium computed, they have been introduced in a model solving the radiative heat transfer based on the Improved Differential Approximation. The fluxes and the flux divergence have been computed on a geometry characteristic of the reactor core showing that radiative transfer plays a relevant role, quite as important as convective heat transfer

Protecting Fusion Reactors from Extreme Heat

ANSYS Advantage magazineNuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun, has the potential to generate virtually unlimited amounts of greenhouse-gas-free and safe energy on earth. Although fusion power has long been pursued, the benefits of developing a reliable system to generate this energy is well worth the effort. French Atomic Energy Commission engineers are using ANSYS software to overcome the difficult challenges involved in designing and protecting fusion reactor components which must face plasma temperatures that reach 150 million degrees. ANSYS electromagnetic and structural simulations are leveraged to design components to withstand enormous thermal loads; ANSYS fluid dynamics software is applied to cooling system design; and optical simulation is used to calibrate infrared temperature measurement systems so that engineers can accurately distinguish bright spots caused by direct heat flux from heat flux merely caused by reflections

Effective thermal conductivity of open cell foams for gas-solid reactors

International audienc

Effective thermal conductivity of open cell foams for gas-solid reactors

International audienc