Infrared Technology and applications XXXIV

ABSTRACT The high level of accumulated expertise by ULIS and CEA/LETI on uncooled microbolometers made from amorphous silicon layer enables ULIS to develop 384 x 288 (¼ VGA) IRFPA formats with 25 µm pixel-pitch designed for high end applications. This detector ROIC design relies on the same architecture as the full TV format ROIC one (detector configuration by serial link, user defined amplifier gain, windowing capability …). The detector package is identical as the 384 x 288 / 35 µm and 640 x 480 / 25µm ones, enabling an easier system update or less non recurrent cost for different systems developments. This paper will give results of the IRFPA characterization. NETD in the range of 30mK (f/1, 300 K, 60 Hz) and operability higher than 99.99 % are routinely achieved

Oral fondaparinux: use of lipid nanocapsules as nanocarriers and in vivo pharmacokinetic study

Oral anticoagulant therapy could be advanced using lipid-based nanoparticulate systems. This study examined lipid nanocapsules for their oral absorption potential as the first step in developing oral fondaparinux (Fp) novel carriers. Using phase inversion method and cationic surfactants such as hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) or stearylamine (SA), cationic lipid nanocapsules (cLNCs), loaded with Fp on their surface, were prepared and characterized (zeta potential, size and Fp association efficiency and content). In vivo studies were conducted after single oral increasing doses of Fp-loaded cLNCs (0.5 to 5 mg/kg of Fp) in rats and the concentration of Fp in the plasma was measured by anti-factor Xa activity assay. The monodisperse, (~50 nm), positively charged Fp-cLNCs with high drug loadings demonstrated linear pharmacokinetic profiles of the drug with an increased oral absolute bioavailability (up to ~21%) compatible with therapeutic anticoagulant effect (>0.2 μg/mL)

Visualization of Activated BAT in Mice, with FDG-PET and its relation to UCP1

The visualization of symmetric structure by [18F]-FluoroDeoxyGlucose-Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET), corresponding to adipose density in computed tomography (CT), has led to the idea that Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) could be present in adult human. This article studies the FDG uptake in a mice model deficient on Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1), in a simple thermal activation protocol. Methods: FDG were injected in mice, control and knock out (K.O.) for the UCP1. Before imaging mice were placed either in cold or warm environment. BAT uptake was evaluated by ratio named RISC. Results: In warm condition, mean value of the Ratio of Inter-Scapular uptake (RISC) was 1.34 +/﹣ 0.27. After cold exposure, RISC increased 2 fold for control mice, male K.O. did not increase their RISC, female K.O. increased their RISC up to 2.45. Conclusion: Our study brought a further confirmation that FDG-PET visualised activated Brown Adipose Tissue. It gives a direct proof of the role of UCP1 in this process. The FDG uptake by cold female K.O. mice was unexpected

Creating Conditions for Harnessing the Potential of Transitions to Agroecology in Europe and Requirements for Policy | Création de conditions pour exploiter le potentiel des transitions vers l'agroécologie en Europe et exigences des politiques | Schaffung von Bedingungen für die Nutzung des agrarökologischen Potenzials in Europa und Anforderungen an die Politik

The European Union’s Farm-to-Fork Strategy sets out its ambitions and approach to how European’s value food sustainability, and the accompanying opportunities for improving the environment as well as the lifestyles and health of EU citizens. It identifies the role of agroecological approaches in primary production as one of the means by which these ambitions can be achieved, through new knowledge and innovations in land management and supply chains. This article concludes the Special Issue on the EU Horizon 2020 projects LIFT and UNISECO, synthesising requirements for the realisation of transitions to agroecology in Europe. It reports the key needs identified of developing human capital, partnerships, cooperation and social capital, access to data and tools, and the links between these needs and relevant EU and national level policies.Les systèmes alimentaires doivent être réorientés pour mieux prendre en compte les interactions avec l’environnement, l’économie, la santé et la société. Les transitions vers des pratiques et des systèmes agricoles agroécologiques peuvent relier les domaines de l’action publique et permettre d'atteindre des objectifs environnementaux, économiques et sociaux. Ces transitions fournissent une perspective pour examiner les politiques, les pratiques et les comportements des acteurs des systèmes agricoles et des chaînes de valeur, l’identifi cation des obstacles à l'adoption et les domaines d’action publique auxquels ils contribuent ou qui présentent des lacunes. Le développement du capital social et humain et de structures de gouvernance qui permettent les transitions vers l’agroécologie est la clé de leurs chances de succès. L’éducation et l’apprentissage tout au long de la carrière sont essentiels pour développer les connaissances et les compétences des jeunes générations de gestionnaires fonciers et d’autres acteurs des chaînes de valeur, tout au long de leur carrière. Le résultat recherché est une compréhension partagée des avantages des pratiques et des systèmes agroécologiques, créant des opportunités pour rééquilibrer les politiques vers la neutralité climatique, inverser la perte de biodiversité et renforcer les droits des citoyens. Pour concrétiser ces opportunités, les politiques et stratégies doivent être cohérentes à tous les niveaux territoriaux et systémiques, et adaptées au lieu, au système, aux personnes et aux étapes des transitions. Dans l’ensemble, elles devraient être conçus pour garantir que tous les citoyens bénéfi cient des transitions vers des systèmes agricoles agroécologiques, sur le long terme, et que personne ni aucun lieu ne soit désavantagé par les processus de changement ou les résultats escomptés.Die Lebensmittelsysteme müssen neu ausgerichtet werden, um den Wechselwirkungen zwischen der Umwelt, der Wirtschaft, der Gesundheit und der Gesellschaft stärker Rechnung zu tragen. Die Umstellung auf agrarökologische Anbaumethoden und - systeme kann die Politikbereiche miteinander verbinden und zur Erreichung ökologischer, wirtschaftlicher und sozialer Ziele beitragen. Sie bieten einen Ansatzpunkt für die Überprüfung der Politik, der Praxis und der Verhaltensweisen der Akteure in landwirtschaftlichen Systemen und Wertschöpfungsketten. Des Weiteren helfen sie bei der Ermittlung von Umsetzungsbarrieren und von Politikbereichen, zu denen sie beitragen oder in denen es Lücken gibt. Die Entwicklung von Sozial- und Humankapital sowie von Governance- Strukturen – die den Übergang zur Agrarökologie ermöglichen – sind ein wesentlicher Erfolgsfaktor. Bildung und lebenslanges Lernen sind ein zentraler Baustein, um die Kenntnisse und Fähigkeiten der jüngeren Generationen von Landwirten und Landwirtinnen und anderen Akteuren in den Wertschöpfungsketten zu entwickeln. Das angestrebte Ergebnis ist ein gemeinsames Verständnis über die Vorteile agrarökologischer Praktiken und Systeme. Dieses schafft Möglichkeiten für eine Neuausrichtung der Politik im Hinblick auf Klimaneutralität, Umkehrung des Verlusts der biologischen Vielfalt und Stärkung der Rechte der Bürger. Zur Verwirklichung der Möglichkeiten, sollten Politiken und Strategien über territoriale und Systemebenen hinweg kohärent und auf Ort, System, Menschen und Phasen des Übergangs zugeschnitten sein. Insgesamt sollten sie so konzipiert sein, dass alle Bürgerinnen und Bürger langfristig von der Umstellung auf agrarökologische Bewirtschaftungssysteme profi tieren und dass niemand oder kein Ort durch den Veränderungsprozess oder das angestrebte Ergebnis benachteiligt wird

Particles and fields in fluid turbulence

The understanding of fluid turbulence has considerably progressed in recent years. The application of the methods of statistical mechanics to the description of the motion of fluid particles, i.e. to the Lagrangian dynamics, has led to a new quantitative theory of intermittency in turbulent transport. The first analytical description of anomalous scaling laws in turbulence has been obtained. The underlying physical mechanism reveals the role of statistical integrals of motion in non-equilibrium systems. For turbulent transport, the statistical conservation laws are hidden in the evolution of groups of fluid particles and arise from the competition between the expansion of a group and the change of its geometry. By breaking the scale-invariance symmetry, the statistically conserved quantities lead to the observed anomalous scaling of transported fields. Lagrangian methods also shed new light on some practical issues, such as mixing and turbulent magnetic dynamo.Comment: 165 pages, review article for Rev. Mod. Phy

Circulating adrenomedullin estimates survival and reversibility of organ failure in sepsis: the prospective observational multinational Adrenomedullin and Outcome in Sepsis and Septic Shock-1 (AdrenOSS-1) study

Background: Adrenomedullin (ADM) regulates vascular tone and endothelial permeability during sepsis. Levels of circulating biologically active ADM (bio-ADM) show an inverse relationship with blood pressure and a direct relationship with vasopressor requirement. In the present prospective observational multinational Adrenomedullin and Outcome in Sepsis and Septic Shock 1 (, AdrenOSS-1) study, we assessed relationships between circulating bio-ADM during the initial intensive care unit (ICU) stay and short-term outcome in order to eventually design a biomarker-guided randomized controlled trial. Methods: AdrenOSS-1 was a prospective observational multinational study. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included organ failure as defined by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, organ support with focus on vasopressor/inotropic use, and need for renal replacement therapy. AdrenOSS-1 included 583 patients admitted to the ICU with sepsis or septic shock. Results: Circulating bio-ADM levels were measured upon admission and at day 2. Median bio-ADM concentration upon admission was 80.5 pg/ml [IQR 41.5-148.1 pg/ml]. Initial SOFA score was 7 [IQR 5-10], and 28-day mortality was 22%. We found marked associations between bio-ADM upon admission and 28-day mortality (unadjusted standardized HR 2.3 [CI 1.9-2.9]; adjusted HR 1.6 [CI 1.1-2.5]) and between bio-ADM levels and SOFA score (p < 0.0001). Need of vasopressor/inotrope, renal replacement therapy, and positive fluid balance were more prevalent in patients with a bio-ADM > 70 pg/ml upon admission than in those with bio-ADM ≤ 70 pg/ml. In patients with bio-ADM > 70 pg/ml upon admission, decrease in bio-ADM below 70 pg/ml at day 2 was associated with recovery of organ function at day 7 and better 28-day outcome (9.5% mortality). By contrast, persistently elevated bio-ADM at day 2 was associated with prolonged organ dysfunction and high 28-day mortality (38.1% mortality, HR 4.9, 95% CI 2.5-9.8). Conclusions: AdrenOSS-1 shows that early levels and rapid changes in bio-ADM estimate short-term outcome in sepsis and septic shock. These data are the backbone of the design of the biomarker-guided AdrenOSS-2 trial. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02393781. Registered on March 19, 2015