3-D mapping of permeable structures affecting a deep granite basement using isotropic 3C VSP data

International audienceThis paper illustrates the efficiency of vertical seismic profiling (VSP) for the investigation of dipping and hydraulically conductive structures affecting a granitic basement covered by sediments. A three-component (3C) VSP data set has been acquired in the GPK1 and EPS1 wells of the Soultz-sous-Foreˆts enhanced geothermal system (EGS) located within the Upper Rhine Graben (URG). Our study focuses on the isotropic processing of profiles acquired with vertical vibrator P and their subsequent interpretation. Mainly P-S converted reflections are identified from the analysis of the 3C records. These P-S conversions occur on steep permeable faults that are positioned in space by traveltime modelling. These faults cut the granite basement in several hectometric-scale blocks, and represent the main fluid paths between the boreholes. These faults are thought to be inherited from late Variscan and Alpine deformation periods, reactivated by the current stress field. When properly processed and interpreted, VSP allow the scale gap between surface and borehole data to be bridged

Radiological feature heterogeneity supports etiological diversity among patient groups in Meniere's disease

We aimed to determine the prevalence of radiological temporal bone features that in previous studies showed only a weak or an inconsistent association with the clinical diagnosis of Meniere's disease (MD), in two groups of MD patients (n = 71) with previously established distinct endolymphatic sac pathologies; i.e. the group MD-dg (ES degeneration) and the group MD-hp (ES hypoplasia). Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI and high-resolution CT data were used to determine and compare between and within (affected vs. non-affected side) groups geometric temporal bone features (lengths, widths, contours), air cell tract volume, height of the jugular bulb, sigmoid sinus width, and MRI signal intensity alterations of the ES. Temporal bone features with significant intergroup differences were the retrolabyrinthine bone thickness (1.04 ± 0.69 mm, MD-hp; 3.1 ± 1.9 mm, MD-dg; p < 0.0001); posterior contour tortuosity (mean arch-to-chord ratio 1.019 ± 0.013, MD-hp; 1.096 ± 0.038, MD-dg; p < 0.0001); and the pneumatized volume (1.37 [0.86] cm3, MD-hp; 5.25 [3.45] cm3, MD-dg; p = 0.03). Features with differences between the affected and non-affected sides within the MD-dg group were the sigmoid sinus width (6.5 ± 1.7 mm, affected; 7.6 ± 2.1 mm, non-affected; p = 0.04) and the MRI signal intensity of the endolymphatic sac (median signal intensity, affected vs. unaffected side, 0.59 [IQR 0.31-0.89]). Radiological temporal bone features known to be only weakly or inconsistently associated with the clinical diagnosis MD, are highly prevalent in either of two MD patient groups. These results support the existence of diverse-developmental and degenerative-disease etiologies manifesting with distinct radiological temporal bone abnormalities

De l'éducation publique : considérée dans ses rapports avec le développement des facultés, la marche progressive de la civilisation et les besoins actuels de la France

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Decoupling of deformation in the Upper Rhine Graben sediments. Seismic reflection and diffraction on 3-component Vertical Seismic Profiling (Soultz-sous-Forêts area). Découplage de la déformation dans les sédiments du fossé Rhénan. Sismique réflexion et diffraction détectée par Profil Sismique Vertical à trois composantes (région de Soultz-sous-Forêts)

International audienceA contribution to the definition of the structural pattern of the Soultz-sous-Forêts EGS (Enhanced Geothermal System) is presented here. After reprocessing, the PHN84J seismic reflection profile highlights the tilted blocks of the Merkwiller-Péchelbronn oilfield. In the Soultz-sous-Forêts horst, complex fault patterns are observed: the Hermerswiller normal fault flattens at depth and is rooted in decollements occurring in Triassic salt or clay series, while other steep normal faults affect underlying sedimentary formations and basement. Some methods for the exploitation of a seismic diffraction recorded by multi-component Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) are also illustrated to locate the diffractor without specific data processing. Polarisation and travel time analysis of a diffraction event recorded in the GPK1 borehole are analysed, and its exploitation combined with seismic reflection helps defining a tilted block geometry

English translation and validation of the Zurich chronic middle ear inventory (ZCMEI-21-E) assessing quality of life in chronic otitis media: A prospective international multicentre study

Objectives To translate and validate the Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Inventory (ZCMEI‐21) for the English language in order to provide an English instrument to assess health‐related quality of life in chronic otitis media (COM). Design Pilot translation study including cognitive debriefings, prospective multicentre cross‐sectional psychometric validation study. Setting Four tertiary referral centres in three different English‐speaking countries (UK, USA and Australia). Participants Adult patients suffering from COM. Main outcome measures The English translation of the ZCMEI‐21 (ZCMEI‐21‐E) and the five‐level version of the EQ‐5D questionnaire. The EQ‐5D, which constitutes a generic measure of health‐related quality of life, consists of a descriptive system score and a visual analogue scale. Statistical outcomes included single‐item descriptive statistics, internal consistency (Cronbach's α) as an indicator of reliability, as well as construct validity. Results A total of 124 patients suffering from COM were included. The mean age was 50.1 years (SD 16.9 years), and 72 (58.1%) were males. The Cronbach's α of the ZCMEI‐21‐E was 0.91, suggesting an excellent internal consistency. The Spearman's correlation coefficient of the ZCMEI‐21‐E total score was 0.55 (P < 0.0001) for convergent construct validity with EQ‐5D descriptive system score and 0.57 (P < 0.0001) with the EQ‐5D visual analogue scale. Conclusions The ZCMEI‐21‐E is a new validated questionnaire that provides clinicians with a short, comprehensive and reliable instrument to quantify health‐related quality of life in patients suffering from COM. The ZCMEI‐21‐E may be of use in clinical routine as well as in outcome research and monitoring

Mutation in a primate-conserved retrotransposon reveals a noncoding RNA as a mediator of infantile encephalopathy

International audienceThe human genome is densely populated with transposons and transposon-like repetitive elements. Although the impact of these transposons and elements on human genome evolution is recognized, the significance of subtle variations in their sequence remains mostly unexplored. Here we report homozygosity mapping of an infantile neurodegenerative disease locus in a genetic isolate. Complete DNA sequencing of the 400-kb linkage locus revealed a point mutation in a primate-specific retrotransposon that was transcribed as part of a unique noncoding RNA, which was expressed in the brain. In vitro knockdown of this RNA increased neuronal apoptosis, consistent with the inappropriate dosage of this RNA in vivo and with the phenotype. Moreover, structural analysis of the sequence revealed a small RNA-like hairpin that was consistent with the putative gain of a functional site when mutated. We show here that a mutation in a unique transposable element-containing RNA is associated with lethal encephalopathy, and we suggest that RNAs that harbor evolutionarily recent repetitive elements may play important roles in human brain development

Os significados do trabalho: produção de valores como produção semiótica no capitalismo informacional The meaning of labour: the production of values as a semiotic production in informational capitalism

Em qualquer indústria, os processos de trabalho tornaram-se, no capitalismo avançado, essencialmente semióticos, isto é, o trabalhador, ao longo da cadeia produtiva que vem desde a engenharia até o ajuste e controle das máquinas, é empregado para processar informações às quais pode atribuir significados relacionados às suas situações concretas de trabalho. A compreensão desse processo ajuda a entender o conceito marxiano de trabalho concreto e pode contribuir para uma melhor compreensão da natureza do capitalismo informacional que emerge neste início de século.<br>In advanced capitalism, in all industries the labour process has become essentially semiotic, that is, in all steps of the productive chain, from engineering to machine adjustment and control, workers are employed to process information to which they can attribute meanings related to concrete labour situations. Understanding this process helps to understand the Marxian concept of concrete labour and can contribute to a better understanding of the nature of the informational capitalism that has been emerging in the beginning of this century