Review of methods addressing freshwater use in life cycle inventory and impact assessment

Purpose: In recent years, several methods have been developed which propose different freshwater use inventory schemes and impact assessment characterization models considering various cause-effect chain relationships. This work reviewed a multitude of methods and indicators for freshwater use potentially applicable in life cycle assessment (LCA). This review is used as a basis to identify the key elements to build a scientific consensus for operational characterization methods for LCA. Methods: This evaluation builds on the criteria and procedure developed within the International Reference Life Cycle Data System Handbook and has been adapted for the purpose of this project. It therefore includes (1) description of relevant cause-effect chains, (2) definition of criteria to evaluate the existing methods, (3) development of sub-criteria specific to freshwater use, and (4) description and review of existing methods addressing freshwater in LCA. Results and discussion: No single method is available which comprehensively describes all potential impacts derived from freshwater use. However, this review highlights several key findings to design a characterization method encompassing all the impact pathways of the assessment of freshwater use and consumption in life cycle assessment framework as the following: (1) in most of databases and methods, consistent freshwater balances are not reported either because output is not considered or because polluted freshwater is recalculated based on a critical dilution approach; (2) at the midpoint level, most methods are related to water scarcity index and correspond to the methodological choice of an indicator simplified in terms of the number of parameters (scarcity) and freshwater uses (freshwater consumption or freshwater withdrawal) considered. More comprehensive scarcity indices distinguish different freshwater types and functionalities. (3) At the endpoint level, several methods already exist which report results in units compatible with traditional human health and ecosystem quality damage and cover various cause-effect chains, e.g., the decrease of terrestrial biodiversity due to freshwater consumption. (4) Midpoint and endpoint indicators have various levels of spatial differentiation, i.e., generic factors with no differentiation at all, or country, watershed, and grid cell differentiation. Conclusions: Existing databases should be (1) completed with input and output freshwater flow differentiated according to water types based on its origin (surface water, groundwater, and precipitation water stored as soil moisture), (2) regionalized, and (3) if possible, characterized with a set of quality parameters. The assessment of impacts related to freshwater use is possible by assembling methods in a comprehensive methodology to characterize each use adequatel

Potential efficacy of dopaminergic antidepressants in treatment resistant anergic-anhedonic depression results of the chronic anergic-anhedonic depression open trial – CADOT

IntroductionAmong treatment-resistant depression (TRD), we identified anergic-anhedonic clinical presentations (TRAD) as putatively responsive to pro-dopaminergic strategies. Based on the literature, non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) and dopamine D2 receptor agonists (D2RAG) were sequentially introduced, frequently under the coverage of a mood stabilizer. This two-step therapeutic strategy will be referred to as the Dopaminergic Antidepressant Therapy Algorithm (DATA). We describe the short and long-term outcomes of TRAD managed according to DATA guidelines.MethodOut of 52 outpatients with TRAD treated with DATA in a single expert center, 48 were included in the analysis [severity – QIDS (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology) = 16 ± 3; episode duration = 4.1 ± 2.7 years; Thase and Rush resistance stage = 2.9 ± 0.6; functioning – GAF (Global Assessment of Functioning) = 41 ± 8]. These were followed-up for a median (1st – 3rd quartile) of 4 (1–9) months before being prescribed the first dopaminergic treatment and remitters were followed up 21 (11–33) months after remission.ResultsAt the end of DATA step 1, 25 patients were in remission (QIDS <6; 52% [38–66%]). After DATA step 2, 37 patients were in remission (77% [65–89%]) to whom 5 patients with a QIDS score = 6 could be added (88% [78–97%]). Many of these patients felt subjectively remitted (GAF = 74 ± 10). There was a significant benefit to combining MAOI with D2RAG which was maintained for at least 18 months in 30 patients (79% [62–95%]).ConclusionThese results support TRAD sensitivity to pro-dopaminergic interventions. However, some clinical heterogeneities remain in our sample and suggest some improvement in the description of dopamine-sensitive form(s)

The thromboxane receptor antagonist NTP42 promotes beneficial adaptation and preserves cardiac function in experimental models of right heart overload

BackgroundPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by increased pulmonary artery pressure leading to right ventricular (RV) failure. While current PAH therapies improve patient outlook, they show limited benefit in attenuating RV dysfunction. Recent investigations demonstrated that the thromboxane (TX) A2 receptor (TP) antagonist NTP42 attenuates experimental PAH across key hemodynamic parameters in the lungs and heart. This study aimed to validate the efficacy of NTP42:KVA4, a novel oral formulation of NTP42 in clinical development, in preclinical models of PAH while also, critically, investigating its direct effects on RV dysfunction.MethodsThe effects of NTP42:KVA4 were evaluated in the monocrotaline (MCT) and pulmonary artery banding (PAB) models of PAH and RV dysfunction, respectively, and when compared with leading standard-of-care (SOC) PAH drugs. In addition, the expression of the TP, the target for NTP42, was investigated in cardiac tissue from several other related disease models, and from subjects with PAH and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).ResultsIn the MCT-PAH model, NTP42:KVA4 alleviated disease-induced changes in cardiopulmonary hemodynamics, pulmonary vascular remodeling, inflammation, and fibrosis, to a similar or greater extent than the PAH SOCs tested. In the PAB model, NTP42:KVA4 improved RV geometries and contractility, normalized RV stiffness, and significantly increased RV ejection fraction. In both models, NTP42:KVA4 promoted beneficial RV adaptation, decreasing cellular hypertrophy, and increasing vascularization. Notably, elevated expression of the TP target was observed both in RV tissue from these and related disease models, and in clinical RV specimens of PAH and DCM.ConclusionThis study shows that, through antagonism of TP signaling, NTP42:KVA4 attenuates experimental PAH pathophysiology, not only alleviating pulmonary pathologies but also reducing RV remodeling, promoting beneficial hypertrophy, and improving cardiac function. The findings suggest a direct cardioprotective effect for NTP42:KVA4, and its potential to be a disease-modifying therapy in PAH and other cardiac conditions

Arc fault detection on aeronautical 270V HVDC aircraft environnement

Les avions du futur auront une topologie tout électrique. Pour cela, les constructeurs augmentent la puissance et la tension d'utilisation du réseau d'énergie embarqué. Cependant, le défaut d'arc électrique est un risque qui est souvent la cause d'incidents d'exploitation voire de crash. La contribution de cette thèse porte sur la problématique de l'identification et la détection de défauts électriques sur un réseau de distribution d'énergie de type HVDC ±270VDC destiné à l'aéronautique. Dans ce manuscrit, le premier axe suivi est exploratoire. Il porte sur l'observation du comportement et de la phénoménologie d'arc dans le milieu proche de l'aéronautique (notamment par l'émulation de l'altitude par la pression). Le second axe de recherche porte sur l'analyse, la mise au point et le développement de méthode de détection fiable d'un défaut d'arc électrique par un coeur de distribution d'énergie (SSPC) sur charges résistive et légèrement inductive. Cinq méthodes ont été développées au cours de ce travail de thèse. Elles sont basées sur l'analyse des caractéristiques temporelles, fréquentielles et temps-fréquence du courant de ligne. À l'issue de chaque méthode est produit un indicateur qui est ensuite utilisé par une logique de discrimination dépendant de chaque critère. Le comportement non-déterministe des arcs notamment aux conditions d'expérimentation (courant, tension, matériaux des électrodes, longueur de l'arc, etc.) rendent la détection difficile par un simple seuil sur le résultat des critères. Dans ces travaux, une approche proportionnelle au défaut est proposée pour la discrimination à l'aide de seuils variables selon le courant, la variation de charge ou le bruit électrique du système. Le résultat combiné des méthodes aboutit à une décision de mise en protection. Pour valider expérimentalement les algorithmes proposés, une vaste base de données a été constituée comprenant aussi bien des signaux de nature résistive que selfique avec à la fois des arcs et des variations de charges sans arcs afin de vérifier qu'aucune détection n'opère à tort. Le fruit de ces travaux a été en partie implémenté dans un prototype d'analyse en temps réel de la ligne de distributionTomorrow’s aircraft will have an all-electric topology. This mean, manufacturers boost power and voltage of the embedded energy network. Nevertheless, the lack of an electric arc is a risk that is often the cause of the crash or operated occurrences. This thesis contributions concerns identification issue and electric arc fault detection on an energy distribution smart grid of HVDC network dedicated to avionic. The first line of this manuscript is exploratory. It covers behavioural observation and arc phenomenology in the grounded sphere of aeronautic (in particular emulated altitude by pressure). The second line of research deals with analysis, clarification and development of reliable approach of electric arc default detection through a central energy distribution on resistive charges. Five methods have been initiated throughout this thesis paper. They are based on several characteristic (time, frequency and time-frequency) of the line current. An indicator is produced at the end of each method. Subsequently, the indicator is used by a logic of discrimination according to each criterion. The non-deterministic behaviour of arc notably testing conditions (current, voltage, electrode materials, etc. makes detection difficult by a simple threshold on result of criteria. In this work, a new approach of arc fault discrimination is proposed. This used a proportional and variable threshold according to the current, load or noise variations from the system. The combined outcome of method results to a decision providing protection. To confirm experimentally proposed algorithms, a wide range database has been established. That included equally resistive and inductive signals with both arcs and load variations without arc fault so as to ensure that any detection is not mistakenly occurring. The upshot of this research work has been implemented in real time protection device prototype for HVDC +-270V smart-gri

Étude et détection des défauts d’arcs électriques dans un réseau électrique aéronautique 270V HVDC

Tomorrow’s aircraft will have an all-electric topology. This mean, manufacturers boost power and voltage of the embedded energy network. Nevertheless, the lack of an electric arc is a risk that is often the cause of the crash or operated occurrences. This thesis contributions concerns identification issue and electric arc fault detection on an energy distribution smart grid of HVDC network dedicated to avionic. The first line of this manuscript is exploratory. It covers behavioural observation and arc phenomenology in the grounded sphere of aeronautic (in particular emulated altitude by pressure). The second line of research deals with analysis, clarification and development of reliable approach of electric arc default detection through a central energy distribution on resistive charges. Five methods have been initiated throughout this thesis paper. They are based on several characteristic (time, frequency and time-frequency) of the line current. An indicator is produced at the end of each method. Subsequently, the indicator is used by a logic of discrimination according to each criterion. The non-deterministic behaviour of arc notably testing conditions (current, voltage, electrode materials, etc. makes detection difficult by a simple threshold on result of criteria. In this work, a new approach of arc fault discrimination is proposed. This used a proportional and variable threshold according to the current, load or noise variations from the system. The combined outcome of method results to a decision providing protection. To confirm experimentally proposed algorithms, a wide range database has been established. That included equally resistive and inductive signals with both arcs and load variations without arc fault so as to ensure that any detection is not mistakenly occurring. The upshot of this research work has been implemented in real time protection device prototype for HVDC +-270V smart-gridLes avions du futur auront une topologie tout électrique. Pour cela, les constructeurs augmentent la puissance et la tension d'utilisation du réseau d'énergie embarqué. Cependant, le défaut d'arc électrique est un risque qui est souvent la cause d'incidents d'exploitation voire de crash. La contribution de cette thèse porte sur la problématique de l'identification et la détection de défauts électriques sur un réseau de distribution d'énergie de type HVDC ±270VDC destiné à l'aéronautique. Dans ce manuscrit, le premier axe suivi est exploratoire. Il porte sur l'observation du comportement et de la phénoménologie d'arc dans le milieu proche de l'aéronautique (notamment par l'émulation de l'altitude par la pression). Le second axe de recherche porte sur l'analyse, la mise au point et le développement de méthode de détection fiable d'un défaut d'arc électrique par un coeur de distribution d'énergie (SSPC) sur charges résistive et légèrement inductive. Cinq méthodes ont été développées au cours de ce travail de thèse. Elles sont basées sur l'analyse des caractéristiques temporelles, fréquentielles et temps-fréquence du courant de ligne. À l'issue de chaque méthode est produit un indicateur qui est ensuite utilisé par une logique de discrimination dépendant de chaque critère. Le comportement non-déterministe des arcs notamment aux conditions d'expérimentation (courant, tension, matériaux des électrodes, longueur de l'arc, etc.) rendent la détection difficile par un simple seuil sur le résultat des critères. Dans ces travaux, une approche proportionnelle au défaut est proposée pour la discrimination à l'aide de seuils variables selon le courant, la variation de charge ou le bruit électrique du système. Le résultat combiné des méthodes aboutit à une décision de mise en protection. Pour valider expérimentalement les algorithmes proposés, une vaste base de données a été constituée comprenant aussi bien des signaux de nature résistive que selfique avec à la fois des arcs et des variations de charges sans arcs afin de vérifier qu'aucune détection n'opère à tort. Le fruit de ces travaux a été en partie implémenté dans un prototype d'analyse en temps réel de la ligne de distributio

Khirbet es-Samra du diocèse de Bosra

Christian Archaeology in the Holy Land. New Discoveries. Hommage à V. Corbo, Jérusale

: La voie romaine, le cimetière, les documents épigraphiques

7 ans de fouilles franco-jordaniennes à Khirbet es-Samra: La voie romaine, le cimetière byzantin, les documents épigraphiques (inscriptions grecques et latines, inscriptions sémitiques), onomastique des stèles de Samra et les populations de Haditha à l'époque byzantine