Une approche pour la comparaison, du point de vue fonctionnement hydraulique, de propositions d'extension d'un réseau d'assainissement

Les outils informatiques développés dans le cadre de la conception des réseaux d'assainissement permettent de concevoir plusieurs solutions de réseaux pour un même problème. Il revient ensuite au décideur de choisir quelle solution retenir. Le problème qui se pose alors est la comparaison des propositions selon des critères économiques, écologiques, de fonctionnement, de maintenance, .... La difficulté vient du fait que certains de ces critères sont difficiles à évaluer. Nous présentons dans cet article une méthode permettant d'évaluer l'un de ces critères : le fonctionnement global d'un réseau d'assainissement suite à l'extension de ce dernier. Cette méthode est basée sur des simulations hydrauliques. Or ces simulations donnent des informations en chaque noeud du réseau (histogrammes de vitesses, débits ou hauteurs de charge) et non une indication sur la qualité de fonctionnement du réseau dans son ensemble. Il nous a donc fallu élaborer une technique d'agrégation permettant de passer de l'élément isolé (le tronçon) à l'ensemble organisé (le réseau). Cette technique d'agrégation utilise les notions de "période d'insuffisance" d'un tronçon qui est la période de retour d'une pluie pour laquelle ce tronçon dépasse un certain seuil de dysfonctionnement (dans notre cas, le débordement) et de sensibilité du tissu urbain à un dysfonctionnement hydraulique du réseau. Cette dernière notion est nécessaire car certains tronçons peuvent très bien déborder sans induire de désordres apparents s'ils ont, par exemple, une capacité d'écoulement faible et/ou s'ils se trouvent dans une zone non bâtie. Les informations nécessaires à l'utilisation de cette méthode étant souvent de qualité inégale en termes de précision, nous avons pris le parti de raisonner non sur des valeurs déterminées ais sur des classes d'appartenance modélisées sous forme de sous-ensembles flous.Software packages developed for the design of urban storm drainage networks allow several solutions to be proposed for the same problem. It then falls to the designer to choose which solution to use, the main problem being the evaluation of the efficiency (quality) of each solution. A multi-criteria approach represents one theoretical solution to the problem. This necessitates the determination of which criteria to use and how to evaluate them. In this paper, we present a method of evaluation of the criteria related directly to the functioning of an urban storm drainage network after its extension. This method is developed on the basis of hydraulic simulations of the network. These simulations produce results (histograms of discharge, water levels, rates of filling, hydraulic head, ...) for each pipe. Given these results, the designer must be able to assess whether the proposed solution is satisfactory, and then compare it with other solutions. The problem is therefore to be able to evaluate a complete network, whereas the results of conventional simulations present a fragmented and partial view of its functioning (pipe by pipe). A solution to this problem is proposed in the form of a tool, able to calculate a single combined value from the simulation results. The following calculation steps are proposed:1. First we model the effectiveness of each pipe. To do that, we determine the "return period of failure" of a pipe which is the return period of a rainfall for which the pipe passes a certain level of failure (in this paper, we take the level of failure as the state of overflow). The rainfall model used is the same one used for the design of the network. Then we attribute a numerical value (S) for the operation of a pipe according to its return period of failure by way of a satisfaction function. 2. Secondly we model the weighting given to each pipe. This weighting is constructed from the discharge capacity of the pipe and the sensitivity of the urban fabric (in proximity to the pipe) to system failure. The discharge capacity is calculated using Manning's formula on the basis of diameter, slope and internal roughness. The value of the coefficient (R), which indicates the sensitivity, necessitates a good knowledge of the urban fabric. Among the important variables related to this factor, we can identify the population density, the traffic density and the density of land use -DLU- (this variable is identified by the density of residential land use, the density of commercial land use, ...). We can then write R=f(density of population, density of traffic, DLU,...). Considering the difficulty of the identification of (f), we preferred to explore an expert approach. The rules have been identified from a bibliographical analysis and limited expertise. An example of theses rules is presented here : IF density of population is high and density of commercial land use is average THEN the degree of sensibility is average. The examination of the identified rules shows the use of words like low, average and high. To model this linguistic qualifying information, we have chosen fuzzy sets. Also the inferences of fuzzy information are treated by using operations of fuzzy logic. 3. Finally, we aggregate the results with the following equation:     nC=∑QaixRix∆Si  i=1where DSi=Si - Si' represents a measure of the effect of network modification upon the operation of the pipe i (Si and Si' are the effectiveness of the pipe respectively before and after the proposed modification), Qai is the discharge capacity of the pipe i, Ri is the coefficient of sensitivity of the area to failure associated with pipe i and C is a factor which quantifies the effect on the general operation of the network. With the coefficient C, the designer is now able to classify the different solutions of extension of an existing urban drainage network according to their impacts on its functioning and to introduce this classification order in a multi-criteria method

Combinatorial and Automated Proofs of Certain Identities

This paper focuses on two binomial identities. The proofs illustrate the power and elegance in enumerative/algebraic combinatorial arguments, modern machine-assisted techniques of Wilf-Zeilberger and the classical tools of generatingfunctionology.United States. National Security Agency (Grant H98230-10-1-0222

Calcul des dérivées de stabilité pour les interactions aéroservoélastiques

Le sujet de cette thèse porte sur la recherche dans le domaine multidisciplinaire des interactions aéroservoélastiques qui concernent les interactions des forces aérodynamiques, des forces structurelles d'un avion et de système de commande. L'aéroservoélasticité s'intéresse à deux aspects différents de la dynamique de l'avion: l'aéroélasticité et la dynamique de vol. L'aéroélasticité porte sur la nature flexible de l'avion et étudie les phénomènes de couplage entre les forces structurelles et forces aérodynamiques tandis que la dynamique de vol considère l'avion comme un solide rigide en configuration de rétroaction et étudie l'influence du système de commande sur la dynamique de l'avion. Une des applications de l'aéroservoélasticité est la suppression active des phénomènes de battement, phénomènes de vibration instables issus du couplage des forces structurelles et aérodynamiques. De telles instabilités peuvent provoquer la perte de contrôle de l'avion, l'affaiblissement de la structure et même entraîner la destruction d'une partie ou de la totalité de l'avion. Le travail dans cette thèse consiste à établir la théorie de rapprochement des modèles aérodynamiques issus des théories d'aéroélasticité et de la dynamique de vol dans le but d'étudier les interactions aéroservoélastiques en calculant surtout les vitesses de battement. On présente ici la formulation commune des forces aérodynamiques agissant sur l'avion rigide (en six degrés de liberté) où les forces aérodynamiques sont calculées par les méthodes de Newton, et sur l'avion flexible (modélisé par des théories des éléments finis) où les forces aérodynamiques sont calculées par les méthodes de doublets. Une comparaison entre le calcul des dérivées de stabilité en littérature et nos calculs des dérivées de stabilité a été présentée dans cette thèse en détail et appliquée sur le F-18

THE DEPENDENCE LEVEL AMONG ADOLESCENT VAPE USERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Vape is a battery-powered device that works by heating a liquid called “e-liquid”. The use of vape has significantly increased in the past years among high and middle school students. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the level of dependence among adolescent vape users in Lebanon and to assess their knowledge about vape health hazards. A descriptive cross-sectional study with a self-administered questionnaire. A link for the survey was generated on Google Forms and sent to adolescents in the community. The survey was sent to parents of vape users and after their approval, it was shared with their adolescent children for data collection. The data collection form included sociodemographic characteristics, awareness, perception, vaping background, and the Penn State Electronic Dependence Index to evaluate the level of dependence among adolescent vape users. A total of 438 participants were included in this study. The findings revealed that 45.9% are current vape users, of which most of them have low dependence on these devices (43.8%), while the rest are medium dependent (24.8%), highly dependent (5.5%), and non-dependent (25.9%). While in terms of perception, vape users perceived vaping to be completely healthy and non-addictive. The findings of this study showed that 87.6% of vape users in Lebanon are dependent at some level. Additionally, a gap was seen in the knowledge about the health effects of vaping significantly among the vape users. Future research should address a larger scope of participants to account for all vape users in the country

Benign Metastasizing Leiomyoma in the Heart of a 45-Year-Old Woman

We report a rare case of benign metastasizing leiomyoma in the heart of a 45-year-old woman 2 years after a uterine leiomyoma had been discovered during hysterectomy. Computed tomograms at presentation showed a large mixed cystic mass in the pelvis and bilateral lung nodules suggestive of metastatic disease. A large cardiac mass, attached to the chordae of the tricuspid valve and later shown to be histopathologically consistent with uterine leiomyoma, was successfully resected through a right atriotomy. This case suggests that benign metastasizing leiomyoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of right-sided cardiac tumors

Characterization of the interaction between the HIV-1 Gag structural polyprotein and the cellular ribosomal protein L7 and its implication in viral nucleic acid remodeling

Background: In HIV-1 infected cells, the integrated viral DNA is transcribed by the host cell machinery to generate the full length HIV-1 RNA (FL RNA) that serves as mRNA encoding for the Gag and GagPol precursors. Virion formation is orchestrated by Gag, and the current view is that a specific interaction between newly made Gag molecules and FL RNA initiates the process. This in turn would cause FL RNA dimerization by the NC domain of Gag (GagNC). However the RNA chaperoning activity of unprocessed Gag is low as compared to the mature NC protein. This prompted us to search for GagNC co-factors. Results: Here we report that RPL7, a major ribosomal protein involved in translation regulation, is a partner of Gag via its interaction with the NC domain. This interaction is mediated by the NC zinc fingers and the N- and C-termini of RPL7, respectively, but seems independent of RNA binding, Gag oligomerization and its interaction with the plasma membrane. Interestingly, RPL7 is shown for the first time to exhibit a potent DNA/RNA chaperone activity higher than that of Gag. In addition, Gag and RPL7 can function in concert to drive rapid nucleic acid hybridization. Conclusions: Our results show that GagNC interacts with the ribosomal protein RPL7 endowed with nucleic acid chaperone activity, favoring the notion that RPL7 could be a Gag helper chaperoning factor possibly contributing to the start of Gag assembly.Instituto de Estudios Inmunológicos y Fisiopatológico

Enhancing the removal of hazardous pollutants from coke making wastewater by dosing activated carbon to a pilot‐scale activated sludge process

Powdered activated carbon (PAC) was investigated for its ability to remove 6 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Σ6PAHs) (fluoranthene, benzo[b + J]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene), trace metals and colour from coke making wastewater when dosed to a pilot-plant activated sludge process (ASP). The ASP had a volume of 0.68 m3 and was operated to simulate the full-scale ASP treating coke wastewater from a steel works. Operational conditions included a flow rate of 0.78 m3/day, a hydraulic retention time of 21 hours, a sludge retention time of 38 days and a temperature of 27°C. The ASP was operated for a control period before PAC was dosed directly into the aeration cell at a dose of 400 mg/L. Powdered activated carbon addition resulted in a 20% increase in removal efficiency of the Σ6PAHs. Removal efficiency of trace metals was variable, but increased for nickel, chromium and cadmium by 22.6%, 20.5% and 12.4%, respectively. Improvement in colour removal efficiency was marginal at 5%. PAC addition allowed the improvement of treatment efficiencies in the ASP process at relatively low capital and operational costs, which may assist in reaching tighter effluent emission limits set for the industry

Combination of drug and stem cells neurotherapy: Potential interventions in neurotrauma and traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been recognized as one of the major public health issues that leads to devastating neurological disability. As a consequence of primary and secondary injury phases, neuronal loss following brain trauma leads to pathophysiological alterations on the molecular and cellular levels that severely impact the neuropsycho-behavioral and motor outcomes. Thus, to mitigate the neuropathological sequelae post-TBI such as cerebral edema, inflammation and neural degeneration, several neurotherapeutic options have been investigated including drug intervention, stem cell use and combinational therapies. These treatments aim to ameliorate cellular degeneration, motor decline, cognitive and behavioral deficits. Recently, the use of neural stem cells (NSCs) coupled with selective drug therapy has emerged as an alternative treatment option for neural regeneration and behavioral rehabilitation post-neural injury. Given their neuroprotective abilities, NSC-based neurotherapy has been widely investigated and well-reported in numerous disease models, notably in trauma studies. In this review, we will elaborate on current updates in cell replacement therapy in the area of neurotrauma. In addition, we will discuss novel combination drug therapy treatments that have been investigated in conjunction with stem cells to overcome the limitations associated with stem cell transplantation. Understanding the regenerative capacities of stem cell and drug combination therapy will help improve functional recovery and brain repair post-TBI. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled “Novel Treatments for Traumatic Brain Injury”. © 2018 Elsevier Lt

Lestaurtinib (CEP-701) modulates the effects of early life hypoxic seizures on cognitive and emotional behaviors in immature rats

Hypoxic encephalopathy of the newborn is a major cause of long-term neurological sequelae. We have previously shown that CEP-701 (lestaurtinib), a drug with an established safety profile in children, attenuates short-term hyperexcitability and tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor activation in a well-established rat model of early life hypoxic seizures (HS). Here, we investigated the potential long-term neuroprotective effects of a post-HS transient CEP-701 treatment. Following exposure to global hypoxia, 10 day old male Sprague–Dawley pups received CEP-701 or its vehicle and were sequentially subjected to the light–dark box test (LDT), forced swim test (FST), open field test (OFT), Morris water maze (MWM), and the modified active avoidance (MAAV) test between postnatal days 24 and 44 (P24-44). Spontaneous seizure activity was assessed by epidural cortical electroencephalography (EEG) between P50 and 100. Neuronal density and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels were evaluated on histological sections in the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex at P100. Vehicle-treated hypoxic rats exhibited significantly increased immobility in the FST compared with controls, and post-HS CEP-701 administration reversed this HS-induced depressive-like behavior (p < 0.05). In the MAAV test, CEP-701-treated hypoxic rats were slower at learning both context-cued and tone-signaled shock-avoidance behaviors (p < 0.05). All other behavioral outcomes were comparable, and no recurrent seizures, neuronal loss, or increase in GFAP levels were detected in any of the groups. We showed that early life HS predispose to long-lasting depressive-like behaviors, and that these are prevented by CEP-701, likely via TrkB modulation. Future mechanistically more specific studies will further investigate the potential role of TrkB signaling pathway modulation in achieving neuroprotection against neonatal HS, without causing neurodevelopmental adverse effects. © 2019 Elsevier Inc

Multiscale approaches for the assessment and monitoring of social and ecological resilience to drought

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION (1-12).-- 1.1 Objective and structure of the report (1-1).-- 1.2 Evidence of drought impacts on ecosystems and human populations (2-7).-- 1.3 Assessing resilience to drought (8-9).-- 1.4 Methodology (10-12).-- CHAPTER 2: INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS OF EXISTING INDICATORS AND METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES (13-28).-- 2.1 A typology of drought resilience indicators (13-28).-- CHAPTER 3: TECHNICAL GUIDANCE (29-42).-- 3.1 A step-by-step approach to using drought resilience indicators (29-32).-- 3.2 Guiding principles (33-33).-- 3.3 An overview of resilience assessment frameworks (34-38).-- 3.4 Presenting results of a drought resilience assessment (39-42).-- CHAPTER 4: FURTHER ACTIONS NEEDED (43-46)Drought is a complex phenomenon: its causes are varied, and it has both direct and indirect impacts on food security, human well-being and ecosystem health. Episodes of drought that occur where land has become degraded can spur human migration and even civil unrest. The need to increase water security is vitally important, something achievable by addressing the links and interactions among water scarcity, climate change and land degradation. Research suggests that water scarcity can be mediated, at least in part, with better land- and water-use decisions and by restoring degraded land. The report was prepared under the supervision of the UNCCD Science-Policy Interface working group dedicated to Objective 2.Supported by the UNCCD, this publication was produced with the financial support of the Changwon Initiative, the People's Republic of China and the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the UNCCD and do not necessarily reflect the views of the donors.Peer reviewe