Comportement et étude des graves-émulsion: Coopération public-privé. Méthodologie de préparation, d'instrumentation et de suivi de chantiers expérimentaux d'enrobés à froid à l'émulsion de bitume

Les mélanges à l'émulsion de bitume sont des techniques à fort potentiel environnemental. Cependant, leur formulation, fabrication et dimensionnement relèvent encore de démarches empiriques issues, bien souvent, de compétences locales. Pour caractériser les performances spécifiques de ces matériaux et aboutir à terme à des méthodologies d'optimisation, de formulation et de dimensionnement, il est nécessaire d'évaluer leur comportement in situ. Pour répondre à ces objectifs, il convent donc de suivre l'évolution des caractéristiques mécaniques et physiques du matériau tout au long des étapes de fabrication, de mise en oeuvre et en conditions de service au moyen d'une instrumentation adaptée et implantée dans la chaussée. Ce type d'instrumentation n'ayant jamais été utilisé en France sur grave-émulsion, une méthodologie appropriée doit être définie. C'est l'objet du présent article qui met en avant les spécificités d'un chantier expérimental instrumenté de grave-émulsion. Il décrit et justifie la méthodologie suivie, les capteurs employés, leur implantation, de même que les moyens de reconnaissance des pathologies des structures de chaussées utilisés. Il présente les indicateurs retenus pour évaluer le comportement des matériaux et de la structure

Comportement et étude des graves-émulsion Coopération public-privé. Chantier expérimental de la RD 44: Suivi du comportement dans le temps

La section expérimentale de la RD 44 près de Rennes, réalisée en collaboration entre l'IFSTTAR, le RST, l'URSIF et le conseil général d'Ille-et-Vilaine vise à suivre l'évolution des caractéristiques mécaniques et physiques du matériau tout au long des étapes de fabrication, de mise en oe½uvre et de service, au moyen d'une instrumentation adaptée et implantée dans la chaussée. Cet article est le second de la série consacrée à la section. Il présente les investigations effectuées en laboratoire sur le matériau prélevé sur chantier ainsi que le suivi temporel du comportement in situ de la grave-émulsion et de la structure mise en place grâce à des auscultations internes et externes

Interictal Functional Connectivity of Human Epileptic Networks Assessed by Intracerebral EEG and BOLD Signal Fluctuations

In this study, we aimed to demonstrate whether spontaneous fluctuations in the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal derived from resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reflect spontaneous neuronal activity in pathological brain regions as well as in regions spared by epileptiform discharges. This is a crucial issue as coherent fluctuations of fMRI signals between remote brain areas are now widely used to define functional connectivity in physiology and in pathophysiology. We quantified functional connectivity using non-linear measures of cross-correlation between signals obtained from intracerebral EEG (iEEG) and resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) in 5 patients suffering from intractable temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Functional connectivity was quantified with both modalities in areas exhibiting different electrophysiological states (epileptic and non affected regions) during the interictal period. Functional connectivity as measured from the iEEG signal was higher in regions affected by electrical epileptiform abnormalities relative to non-affected areas, whereas an opposite pattern was found for functional connectivity measured from the BOLD signal. Significant negative correlations were found between the functional connectivities of iEEG and BOLD signal when considering all pairs of signals (theta, alpha, beta and broadband) and when considering pairs of signals in regions spared by epileptiform discharges (in broadband signal). This suggests differential effects of epileptic phenomena on electrophysiological and hemodynamic signals and/or an alteration of the neurovascular coupling secondary to pathological plasticity in TLE even in regions spared by epileptiform discharges. In addition, indices of directionality calculated from both modalities were consistent showing that the epileptogenic regions exert a significant influence onto the non epileptic areas during the interictal period. This study shows that functional connectivity measured by iEEG and BOLD signals give complementary but sometimes inconsistent information in TLE

A New Methodology to Assess Territorial Competence for Sustainable Local Development: The READI® (Resources-Actors-Dynamics) Matrix

The ability of a territory to manage certain sustainable development processes increasingly depends on its capacity to apply previous diagnostic processes to its current situation. For this reason, methodologies that facilitate the detection of needs and/or potentialities of the territory are key to meeting its anticipated sustainable development goals. We present the most notable results of the research methodology carried out in the province of Valencia (Spain) that has enabled the construction of a matrix of indicators that allow these previous diagnostic processes to be put into practice at a local level, based on the participation of the territory's socioeconomic actors

Dynamics of epileptiform activity in mouse hippocampal slices

Increase of the extracellular K +  concentration mediates seizure-like synchronized activities in vitro and was proposed to be one of the main factors underlying epileptogenesis in some types of seizures in vivo. While underlying biophysical mechanisms clearly involve cell depolarization and overall increase in excitability, it remains unknown what qualitative changes of the spatio-temporal network dynamics occur after extracellular K +  increase. In this study, we used multi-electrode recordings from mouse hippocampal slices to explore changes of the network activity during progressive increase of the extracellular K +  concentration. Our analysis revealed complex spatio-temporal evolution of epileptiform activity and demonstrated a sequence of state transitions from relatively simple network bursts into complex bursting, with multiple synchronized events within each burst. We describe these transitions as qualitative changes of the state attractors, constructed from experimental data, mediated by elevation of extracellular K +  concentration

Guiding principles for the development and application of solid-phase phosphorus adsorbents for freshwater ecosystems

While a diverse array of phosphorus (P)-adsorbent materials is currently available for application to freshwater aquatic systems, selection of the most appropriate P-adsorbents remains problematic. In particular, there has to be a close correspondence between attributes of the P-adsorbent, its field performance, and the management goals for treatment. These management goals may vary from a rapid reduction in dissolved P to address seasonal enrichments from internal loading, targeting external fluxes due to anthropogenic sources, or long term inactivation of internal P inventories contained within bottom sediments. It also remains a challenge to develop new methods and materials that are ecologically benign and cost-effective. We draw on evidence in the literature and the authors’ personal experiences in the field, to summarise the attributes of a range of P-adsorbent materials. We offer 'guiding principles' to support practical use of existing materials and outline key development needs for new materials

Evaluating the Impact of Nature-Based Solutions: A Handbook for Practitioners

The Handbook aims to provide decision-makers with a comprehensive NBS impact assessment framework, and a robust set of indicators and methodologies to assess impacts of nature-based solutions across 12 societal challenge areas: Climate Resilience; Water Management; Natural and Climate Hazards; Green Space Management; Biodiversity; Air Quality; Place Regeneration; Knowledge and Social Capacity Building for Sustainable Urban Transformation; Participatory Planning and Governance; Social Justice and Social Cohesion; Health and Well-being; New Economic Opportunities and Green Jobs. Indicators have been developed collaboratively by representatives of 17 individual EU-funded NBS projects and collaborating institutions such as the EEA and JRC, as part of the European Taskforce for NBS Impact Assessment, with the four-fold objective of: serving as a reference for relevant EU policies and activities; orient urban practitioners in developing robust impact evaluation frameworks for nature-based solutions at different scales; expand upon the pioneering work of the EKLIPSE framework by providing a comprehensive set of indicators and methodologies; and build the European evidence base regarding NBS impacts. They reflect the state of the art in current scientific research on impacts of nature-based solutions and valid and standardized methods of assessment, as well as the state of play in urban implementation of evaluation frameworks

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

A French Experimental Worksite to Assess in situ Cold Bituminous Mixtures Behaviour

In a political context in which energy and environmental stakes become increasingly strong, road engineering evolves to saving energy and environmentally friendly practices. Cold mixes treated with bitumen emulsion appear as suitable techniques. Cold mix design and manufacture are empirical and usually controlled thanks to local competences. However, in order to set performance-based mix and pavement design methodologies, it is necessary to assess the cold bituminous mixes in situ behaviour, as during their early life, they behave as non treated gravel, and evolve with time and traffic to bituminous bound materials. After two experimental sections in 2006 and in 2008, a third experimental section was constructed in 2008 on the French departmental road network, in the frame of a research collaboration between LCPC and the French Union of Road contractors (USIRF) to provide fully documented data. A cold bituminous mix treated with emulsified bitumen (grave-emulsion) was used as a structural pavement layer. Mechanical and physical evolution of the grave-emulsion is evaluated by means of temperature probes, water content measurements, strain measurements through gauges and optical fibres inlaid during the laying process as well as ex situ monitoring survey such as deflexion, density and rutting measurements. In this paper, the methodology, the probes used and the instrumental implementation are described. Data collected from this in situ monitoring are also presented

Methodology to assess in situ cold bituminous mix behaviour : Example of a french experimental worksite

In a political contest in which energy and environmental stakes become increasingly strong, road engineering evolve to saving energy and environmentally friendly practices. Cold mixes treated with bitumen emulsion appear as suitable techniques. Cold mix design and manufacture are empirical and usually controlled thanks to local competences. However, in order to set performance-based mix and pavement design methodologies, it is necessary to assess the cold bituminous mixes in situ behaviour, as during their early life, they behave as no treated gravel, and evolve with time and traffic to bitumen bound materials. A research program is started at LCPC with collaboration of the French Road And Bridges Regional Laboratories to answer this waiting. A first experimental worksite has been carried out in October 2006 on the French departmental road network with a cold bituminous mix treated with emulsified bitumen such as gravel-emulsion used in structural pavement layer. Mechanical and physical evolution of the gravel emulsion is evaluated by mean of temperature probes, inner water content measurements, strain measurements through gauge included during the laying process as well as ex situ monitoring survey such as deflectograph. In this paper, jobsite methodology probes used and instrumental implementation are described. Data collected from this in site monitoring follow-up are also discussed