Collisional and Radiative Processes in Optically Thin Plasmas

Most of our knowledge of the physical processes in distant plasmas is obtained through measurement of the radiation they produce. Here we provide an overview of the main collisional and radiative processes and examples of diagnostics relevant to the microphysical processes in the plasma. Many analyses assume a time-steady plasma with ion populations in equilibrium with the local temperature and Maxwellian distributions of particle velocities, but these assumptions are easily violated in many cases. We consider these departures from equilibrium and possible diagnostics in detail

Ectopic Cushing's syndrome and pulmonary carcinoid tumour identified by [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]octreotide.

The differential diagnosis and management of Cushing's syndrome remain difficult, particularly for ectopic adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) syndromes resulting from small bronchial carcinoids. We report the case of a 41-year-old man with ectopic ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome. Two computed tomography scans of the thorax were normal and magnetic resonance imaging of the chest showed a 6-mm hyperintense T1-weighted area close to the left pulmonary hilus, interpreted as probably vascular by the radiologists. An [111In-DTPA-D-Phe1]octreotide scintigraphy scan demonstrated a positive image for somatostatin receptors in exactly the same location and surgery confirmed the presence of a small ACTH-secreting carcinoid tumour in the upper left lung lobe which was resected. Surgery cured the hypercorticism of the patient. The differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome and the procedure for localisation of an ACTH source are discussed

Gouvernance de la prise en compte des évolutions taxinomiques pour la surveillance et l'évaluation de l'état écologique des eaux de surface

Les méthodes d'évaluation de l'état écologique des masses d'eau utilisées en France en application des règlements de la Directive européenne sur l'eau sont basées sur des indicateurs calculés à partir de listes taxinomiques. Or les appellations des taxons inventoriés dans les programmes de surveillance évoluent, en fonction de l'évolution de la taxinomie ou de la mise à jour des référentiels internationaux. Afin que les indicateurs conservent leur stabilité durant les cycles de gestion DCE, il est nécessaire que ces évolutions soient gérées selon un schéma de prise en compte cadré. Ce rapport présente le résultat des discussions de la mission mise en place par le GCiB, groupe de gestion inter-bassins, et propose une organisation faisant intervenir l'ensemble des parties-prenantes de la surveillance et de l'évaluation DCE