High-sensitivity optical monitoring of a micro-mechanical resonator with a quantum-limited optomechanical sensor

We experimentally demonstrate the high-sensitivity optical monitoring of a micro-mechanical resonator and its cooling by active control. Coating a low-loss mirror upon the resonator, we have built an optomechanical sensor based on a very high-finesse cavity (30000). We have measured the thermal noise of the resonator with a quantum-limited sensitivity at the 10^-19 m/rootHz level, and cooled the resonator down to 5K by a cold-damping technique. Applications of our setup range from quantum optics experiments to the experimental demonstration of the quantum ground state of a macroscopic mechanical resonator.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Vortex density spectrum of quantum turbulence

The fluctuations of the vortex density in a turbulent quantum fluid are deduced from local second-sound attenuation measurements. These measurements are performed with a micromachined open-cavity resonator inserted across a flow of turbulent He-II near 1.6 K. The power spectrum of the measured vortex line density is compatible with a (-5/3) power law. The physical interpretation, still open, is discussed.Comment: Submitted to Europhys. Let

Is basal ultrasensitive measurement of calcitonin capable of substituting for the pentagastrin-stimulation test?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a second-generation assay for basal serum calcitonin (CT) measurements compared with the pentagastrin-stimulation test for the diagnosis of inherited medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and the follow-up of patients with MTC after surgery. Recent American Thyroid Association recommendations suggest the use of basal CT alone to diagnose and assess follow-up of MTC as the pentagastrin (Pg) test is unavailable in many countries. DESIGN: Multicentric prospective study. PATIENTS: A total of 162 patients with basal CT <10 ng/l were included: 54 asymptomatic patients harboured noncysteine \u27rearranged during transfection\u27 (RET) proto-oncogene mutations and 108 patients had entered follow-up of MTC after surgery. MEASUREMENT: All patients underwent basal and Pg-stimulated CT measurements using a second-generation assay with 5-ng/l functional sensitivity. RESULTS: Ninety-five per cent of patients with basal CT ≥ 5 ng/l and 25% of patients with basal CT <5 ng/l had a positive Pg-stimulation test (Pg CT >10 ng/l). Compared with the reference Pg test, basal CT ≥ 5 ng/l had 99% specificity, a 95%-positive predictive value but only 35% sensitivity (P < 0.0001). Overall, there were 31% less false-negative results using a 5-ng/l threshold for basal CT instead of the previously used 10-ng/l threshold. CONCLUSION: The ultrasensitive CT assay reduces the false-negative rate of basal CT measurements when diagnosing familial MTC and in postoperative follow-up compared with previously used assays. However, its sensitivity to detect C-cell disease remains lower than that of the Pg-stimulation test

Capitalist Convergence? European (dis?)Integration and the Post-crash Restructuring of French and European Capitalisms

© 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This article critiques and builds upon first-wave (Höpner and Schäfer 2010. A new phase of European integration: organised capitalisms in post-Ricardian Europe. West European Politics, 33 (2), 344–368) and second-wave (Johnston and Regan 2018. Introduction: is the European Union capable of integrating diverse models of capitalism? New Political Economy, 23 (2), 145–159) European Integration and comparative capitalisms literatures which posit convergence towards a single model of capitalism or growth. It utilises the case study of France to explore the impact of European integration and disintegration on national models of capitalism in the post-crisis era. The article focuses on the impact of integrative and disintegrative dynamics on France’s ‘state-industry-finance nexus’, putting forward three core claims. First, French capitalism is not accurately captured by the above frameworks and remains better characterised by the concept of post-dirigisme. Indeed, comparative capitalisms debates must move beyond a simple bifurcation of capitalist types. Second, European integrative pressures must be viewed as fragmented, differentiating, mediated by domestic state actors and producing capitalist variegation and hybridisation. Countering functionalist tendencies within this literature, it shows how different conceptions of state-market relations crucially mediate the relationship between national capitalisms and European integration. Finally, in the context of Brexit, the dynamics of European disintegration–an issue not discussed so far in these debates–is contributing to a variegated and multi-directional process of capitalist restructuring in post-crisis France

Didacticiel multimédia : “ Électronique des microsystèmes, l'apport de la technique des capacités commutées ”

Cet article présente un didacticiel dédié à l'électronique des microsystèmes dans le cadre de l'utilisation des capacités commutées et quelques éléments sur son mode d'emploi. Ce didacticiel est développé à l'aide du logiciel Flash 5 ; il propose à l'utilisateur des scénarios didactiques destinés à rendre l'apprentissage dynamique et attractif. Le didacticiel est renforcé par l'utilisation d'une maquette pédagogique qui permet d'associer la théorie à la pratique. Plusieurs TP ont été développés autour de cette maquette. Ce didacticiel a déjà eu un impact positif auprès des étudiants qui s'est traduit par de meilleurs résultats aux examens

3D field focusing and defocusing geometries for cell trapping on a chip

International audienc

Nanosecond electric pulses-induced enhancement of reporter gene expression after electrotransfer in skeletal muscle in vivo

International audienc

Insulated Liquid Electrodes in a microfluidic chip for the electroporation of living cells

International audienc