Preliminary Results on 3D Channel Modeling: From Theory to Standardization

Three dimensional beamforming (3D) (also elevation beamforming) is now gaining a growing interest among researchers in wireless communication. The reason can be attributed to its potential to enable a variety of strategies like sector or user specific elevation beamforming and cell-splitting. Since these techniques cannot be directly supported by current LTE releases, the 3GPP is now working on defining the required technical specifications. In particular, a large effort is currently made to get accurate 3D channel models that support the elevation dimension. This step is necessary as it will evaluate the potential of 3D and FD(Full Dimensional) beamforming techniques to benefit from the richness of real channels. This work aims at presenting the on-going 3GPP study item "Study on 3D-channel model for Elevation Beamforming and FD-MIMO studies for LTE", and positioning it with respect to previous standardization works

Investigation of the Strength Development in Tunisian Phosphogypsum-Stabilized Sensitive Clayey Soils: Assess of Geotechnical Properties and Environmental Impact

According to the previous works, the addition of Tunisian phosphogypsum and cement to the clayey soils is able to improve the geotechnical properties of these soils. This addition reduces the swelling problems by making the soil more resistant to water. The degree of success of such a treatment remains dependent on several parameters such as particle size, plasticity, and the chemical and mineralogical composition of soils and the dosage of hydraulic binders. The experimental approach adopted within the framework of this study was oriented towards the characterization of the behavior of three different soil samples in the presence of phosphogypsum and cement at different proportions. To observe this effect, some geotechnical tests were performed such as the Proctor test and the CBR test. The results have shown the improvement in the maximum dry unit weight and the optimum water content depends on the quality of the soil (% clay fraction). The CBR index was influenced by this addition taking into account the properties of the studied soils especially the mineralogical composition. Therefore, to confirm our results, an application of this technique was realized on a real scale.This work proved the reliability of the addition of phosphogypsum and cement to a clay soil with well-defined characteristics. Knowing that the use of the phosphogypsum did not introduce any contamination at the lower layers, either by the heavy metals or by the radioactive elements. The stabilization of sensitive clayey soils with phosphogypsum and cement depends on the quality of the soil to be stabilized, the criteria of the phosphogypsum to be used and the appropriate dosage.

Effect of Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes Supplementation or Functional Feed Additives on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation of Chemically Pre-Treated Sunflower Heads

peer reviewedThis study aims to provide possible utilization of sunflower head byproduct (SFH) as a feedstuff by implementing chemical pretreatments (4% sodium hydroxide (SFHNaOH) or 4% urea (SFHurea) and supplementation with either exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) or functional feed additive (FFA). The experimental EFE was a complex (1:1, v/v) of two enzyme products with high activity of β-1,3-1,4-glucanase and endo-1,4-β-D-xylanase and applied at 0 (SFHout), 1, 2, 5, and 10 µL/ gdry matter, while FFA was a fermentation byproduct rich in cellulase and xylanase activities, applied at 0 (SFHout), 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/g DM. SFHurea had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) content compared to other SFH substrates. Linear enhancements (p < 0.05) in kinetics of gas production (GP), metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations were observed for all SFH substrates supplemented with EFE. The SFHout had the highest (p < 0.05) potential GP, maximum rate (Rmax) of GP, ME, OMD and SCFAs. Supplementation of EFE was more pronounced than FFA in affecting the kinetic parameters of in vitro GP for all SFH substrates. SFHout supplemented with EFE seems to be the most promising substrate to enhance microbial fermentation in vitro

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Synthèse asymétrique du système polycyclique oxygéné du (+)-harringtonolide

L harringtonolide, est un norditerpène polycyclique complexe isolé pour la première fois en 1978 des drupes de Cephalotaxus harringtonia. Cet arbre asiatique que l on peut d ailleurs voir au Jardin des Plantes du Muséum National d Histoire Naturelle est utilisé en médecine traditionnelle chinoise contre la leucémie. Cette utilisation a suscité l intérêt des chimistes pour les molécules extraites de cet arbre. Ainsi il a été prouvé que l harringtonolide possède des activités antivirale et anti-tumorale, ou d inhibition de la croissance végétale. De plus, cette molécule possède une structure originale qui n a été observée que pour quatre autres molécules de la même famille. Toutes ces raisons nous ont amenée à envisager la synthèse de cette molécule sachant qu aucune synthèse asymétrique n a été, jusqu à présent, rapportée. Nous nous sommes alors fixés une stratégie à 5 objectifs au départ du D-glucose, porteur de la chiralité, et passant par plusieurs étapes clés indispensables à la formation du cycle A, puis du cycle D, du pont oxygéné et enfin des cycles B et C. Le cycle A sera introduit grâce à une cyclisation de Diels-Alder intramoléculaire et stéréocontrôlée, le cycle D grâce à une fermeture de cycle par métathèse d un 1,6-diène, les cycles oxygénés grâce à une réaction en cascade d inspiration biomimétique, et enfin le cycle tropone C sera construit grâce à une cycloaddition [5+2]. Ce travail décrit la synthèse asymétrique du système oxygéné polycyclique du (+)-harringtonolide ainsi que les études préliminaires effectuées autour de la méthodologie de cycloaddition [5+2] en vue de la génération du cycle tropone CHarringtonolide, is a complex polycyclic norditerpene, isolated for the first time in 1978 by the Asian plum yew Cephalotaxus harringtonia. This Asian tree - that we can see in the Jardin des Plantes of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris- is used in Chinese traditional medicine against leukaemia. This use aroused the interest of chemists for molecules extracted from this tree. It was proved that harringtonolide possesses interesting biological activities such as antiviral and anti-tumoral activity or inhibition of the vegetable growth. Furthermore, this molecule possesses an original structure which was observed only for four other molecules of the same family. All these reasons brought to us to envisage the synthesis of this molecule knowing that no asymmetric synthesis was, until now, reported. We then settled a strategy in 5 objectives from D-glucose, molecule bringing the asymmetry, and going through several key steps indispensable to the formation of the cycle A, then the cycle D, the oxygenated ring system and finally the cycles B and C. The cycle A will be introduced thanks to an intramolecular and stereocontrolled Diels-Alder cyclisation, the cycle D thanks to a ring closing metathesis of a 1,6-diene, the oxygenated ring system thanks to a cascade initiated by an epoxide opening, and finally the tropone C will be constructed thanks to a [5+2] cycloaddition. This work describes the asymmetric synthesis of the oxygenated polycyclic system of (+)-harringtonolide as well as the preliminary studies made around the methodology of [5+2] cycloaddition, with the aim of the generation of the cycle tropone C.PARIS-BIUSJ-Biologie recherche (751052107) / SudocSudocFranceF

Small packets aggregation in an IP domain

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Cosmetic emulsion from virgin olive oil: Formulation and bio-physical evaluation

The present study aimed to formulate and subsequently evaluate a topical skin-care cream (o/w emulsion) from virgin olive oil versus its vehicle (base). A formulation containing 3% virgin olive oil was developed by entrapping it in the oily phase of oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion. The base form did not contain natural oil. Lemon oil was incorporated to improve the odor. Both the base and formulation were stored at 8°C (in refrigerator) and at 25, 40 and 55°C (in incubator) for a period of four weeks to investigate their stability. The evaluation parameters consisted of color, smell, phase separation, centrifugation, liquefaction, and pH. The microbiological stability of the formulations was also evaluated. The findings indicate that the formulations with olive oil were efficient against the proliferation of various spoilage microorganisms, including aerobic plate counts as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and yeast and mould counts. Organoleptic stability of the creams was achieved during four weeks. The results presented in this study showed good stability throughout the experimental period. The newly formulated cream of virgin olive oil proved to exhibit a number of promising properties and attributes that might open new opportunities for the construction of more efficient, safe, and cost-effective skin-care, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products.Key words: Virgin olive oil, o/w emulsion, stability, pH