Shape evolution in the neutron-rich osmium isotopes:Prompt γ-ray spectroscopy of Os 196

The shape transition in the neutron-rich Os isotopes is studied by investigating the neutron-rich 196Os nucleus through in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy using a two-proton transfer reaction from a 198Pt target to a 82Se beam. The beam-like recoils were detected and identified with the large-acceptance magnetic spectrometer PRISMA, and the coincident γ rays were measured with the advanced gamma tracking array (AGATA) demonstrator. The de-excitation of the low-lying levels of the yrast-band of 196Os were identified for the first time. The results are compared with state-of-the-art beyond-mean-field calculations, performed for the even-even 188-198Os isotopes. The new results suggest a smooth transition in the Os isotopes from a more axial rotational behavior towards predominately vibrational nuclei through triaxial configurations. An almost perfect γ-unstable/triaxial rotor yrast band is predicted for 196Os which is in agreement with the experimentally measured excited state

Simple scoring system to predict in-hospital mortality after surgery for infective endocarditis

BACKGROUND: Aspecific scoring systems are used to predict the risk of death postsurgery in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). The purpose of the present study was both to analyze the risk factors for in-hospital death, which complicates surgery for IE, and to create a mortality risk score based on the results of this analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Outcomes of 361 consecutive patients (mean age, 59.1\ub115.4 years) who had undergone surgery for IE in 8 European centers of cardiac surgery were recorded prospectively, and a risk factor analysis (multivariable logistic regression) for in-hospital death was performed. The discriminatory power of a new predictive scoring system was assessed with the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Score validation procedures were carried out. Fifty-six (15.5%) patients died postsurgery. BMI >27 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; P=0.049), estimated glomerular filtration rate 55 mm Hg (OR, 1.78; P=0.032), and critical state (OR, 2.37; P=0.017) were independent predictors of in-hospital death. A scoring system was devised to predict in-hospital death postsurgery for IE (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.780; 95% CI, 0.734-0.822). The score performed better than 5 of 6 scoring systems for in-hospital death after cardiac surgery that were considered. CONCLUSIONS: A simple scoring system based on risk factors for in-hospital death was specifically created to predict mortality risk postsurgery in patients with IE

Le risque écotoxicologique dans le bassin de la Seine

National audienceLe PIREN-Seine s’intéresse à la présence dans le bassin versant de la Seine de contaminants d’origines agricole, industrielle et domestique depuis une vingtaine d’années. Ces polluants, qui se retrouvent parfois à des concentrations très faibles dans l’eau, peuvent avoir des impacts sur l’homme et l’environnement qui restent peu connus. La présence de ces substances toxiques suscite un intérêt majeur auprès des gestionnaires de la ressource comme des consommateurs. Les perturbations endocriniennes, les effets cancérigènes, la présence de résidus de médicaments sont autant de sujets d’inquiétude largement médiatisés et débattus. Pour garantir la protection de la santé humaine et du milieu aquatique, la réglementation a défini des normes de qualité environnementale, les NQE. En application de la directive cadre sur l’eau, des seuils de concentrations moyennes et maximales ont été édictées par la directive fille 2008/105/EC du 16 décembre 2008 pour les 33 substances prioritaires initialement listées. Des NQE provisoires sont aussi disponibles pour plus de 100 autres substances. Les NQE reposent sur l’évaluation approfondie des effets toxiques en laboratoire de ces molécules. L’écotoxicologie traite des effets toxiques des substances chimiques sur les organismes vivants et l’environnement. Ce thème de recherche est étudié aujourd’hui par les équipes d’écotoxicologie, d’écologie et de chimie du PIREN-Seine, notamment via des études sur trois sites pilotes : le bassin de l’Orge, le bassin de la Vesle et l’axe Seine. Comment mesurer l’impact de ces substances ? Les analyses chimiques étant insuffisantes pour évaluer le risque des substances toxiques dans le milieu, les scientifiques étudient d’autres méthodes. Les bio-essais réalisés en laboratoire en font partie. Regroupant un ensemble très vaste d’essais réalisés sur des échantillons de l’environnement, ils permettent de caractériser le «potentiel toxique», comme la présence des perturbateurs endocriniens et la génotoxicité des masses d’eau. In situ, la bioaccumulation, mesurée sur des organismes «sentinelles» contribue à l’évaluation de l’exposition aux micropolluants. Enfin, les biomarqueurs constituent une solution prometteuse pour diagnostiquer l’impact sur l’environnement des contaminants chimiques

Global Trigger and Readout System for the AGATA Experiment

AGATA is a 4-pi array of high purity Ge detectors for in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopy based on the novel concepts of pulse shape analysis (PSA) and gamma-ray tracking. Tracking and PSA require the concurrent digitization—at a sampling rate of 100 Msamples/s—of preamplifier signals of the 36-fold segmented Ge crystals composing the array. Locally digitized data are optically transferred to remote pre-processing nodes for pulse energy computation. The design of the front-end readout and level-1 (L1) trigger in AGATA follows a synchronous pipeline model: the detector data are stored in pipeline buffers at the global AGATA frequency, waiting the global L1 decision. A global timing system provides a reference clock and time tag to the digitizers and the pre-processing units by means of a tree of optically connected timing units. Pre-processing nodes are integrated in AdvancedTCA-based carrier cards with full mesh connectivity in the backplane and read-out through pci-express based optical links. The front-end data readout and its integration in the global trigger and synchronization system will be describe

ECHIBIOTEB : Outils innovants d’échantillonnage, d’analyses chimiques et biologiques pour le suivi des traitements avancés des eaux usées et des boues

National audienc

Utilisation des échantillonneurs passifs (POCIS et SPMD) pour le suivi chimique et biologique des traitements avancés des eaux usées

International audienceOne of the main objective of the ECHIBIOTEB program (Innovating tools for sampling, chemical and biological analyses for the diagnostic of wastewater advanced treatments and sludge treatments, 2011-2014, financed by the French National Research Agency, coordinated by Irstea) is to study some advanced processes such as ozonation (O3) or Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) as example used to treat wastewaters in tertiary stage of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The challenges when studying such processes is first to be able to measure organic micropollutants at very low concentrations (sub ng/L level) and second to link the occurrence of contaminants to adverse biological effects. To achieve these goals, 2 strategies were combined: i) targeted chemical analyses on passive sampler (PS) extracts vs. water grab samples, and ii) biological analyses on the same PS extracts and water grab samples. Targeted chemical analyses were performed on POCIS (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler) extracts for 119 hydrophilic compounds belonging to pharmaceutical, hormone, pesticide and alkylphenol classes and on SPMD (Semi-Permeable Membrane Device) extracts for 46 lipophilic compounds belonging to chlorine pesticides, PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon), PCB (PolyChloroBiphenyl), PBDE (PolyBrominated DiphenylEthers) classes. PS extracts were also tested with in vitro bioassays using cell lines with different reporter genes or in order to evaluate oestrogenic and androgenic activities, HAP-like and dioxin-like disruptions and geno- and cytotoxicity. Two one-month-long sampling campaigns were carried out in a same WWTP (Normandie, France) using activated sludge and sand filter as secondary treatment. In the first one, conducted from September 20th to October 18th 2011, ozonation followed by GAC were studied as tertiary treatment. In the second one, from March 13th to April 10th 2012, we focused on ozonation process only. In both campaigns, POCIS were exposed in water during 14 days and SPMD during 28 days. In order to be able to compare these 2 campaigns and the molecule concentrations upstream and downstream the tertiary treatment, POCIS and SPMD were always immersed in an aquarium in the same controlled experimental conditions of flow (280 mL/min), temperature (20° C) and light. To insure quality of data, POCIS and SPMD were exposed in triplicate and field blanks were realized (i.e. PS exposed to the ambient air). In parallel, 2h composite water samples were collected at D0, D14 and D28. The average sampling time of 2h is reliable considering the water residence time in the secondary treatment. As examples of results concerning the use of POCIS to characterize the O3 + GAC process: By comparing the cumulated concentrations in POCIS, the O3 + GAC process was shown efficient to eliminate some organic micropollutants. Indeed, -blockers and more generally pharmaceuticals were very well removed with a concentration in the effluent a thousand times smaller than in the influent. The conclusions were the same with grab sampling. Moreover, the contamination profiles (or fingerprint) were compared between PS and grab sampling. As example, in case of -blockers they are equivalent. We have also compared the time weighted average concentration obtained with POCIS, with water concentrations from grab sampling. POCIS sampling also allowed to decrease limits of detection in tertiary effluent for some molecules. Indeed, 7 compounds were detected in POCIS extracts and not in grab water samples. As example atenolol, sotalol, propranolol, metoprolol, nordiazepam, amitryptilline and alprazolam were detected in POCIS extracts downstream the tertiary treatment and clenbuterol, gemfibrozil, imipramine and doxepine were detected in POCIS extracts upstream the process. As a consequence, POCIS appeared as an interesting tool to characterize tertiary stages of WWTPs with analysis of organic micropollutants at very low concentrations, near the ng/L range. From the biological point of view, oestrogenic, anti-androgenic as well as HAP-like and dioxin-like disruptions were observed in POCIS exposed before the O3 + GAC process. No more biological activity was detected in these POCIS exposed after the process. These biological results matched with the decrease of contaminant concentrations up and downstream the process. Both chemical and biological analyses were in accordance and revealed a good efficiency of the O3 + GAC advance treatment process

Utilisation des échantillonneurs passifs (POCIS et SPMD) pour le suivi chimique et biologique des traitements avancés des eaux usées

International audienceOne of the main objective of the ECHIBIOTEB program (Innovating tools for sampling, chemical and biological analyses for the diagnostic of wastewater advanced treatments and sludge treatments, 2011-2014, financed by the French National Research Agency, coordinated by Irstea) is to study some advanced processes such as ozonation (O3) or Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) as example used to treat wastewaters in tertiary stage of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The challenges when studying such processes is first to be able to measure organic micropollutants at very low concentrations (sub ng/L level) and second to link the occurrence of contaminants to adverse biological effects. To achieve these goals, 2 strategies were combined: i) targeted chemical analyses on passive sampler (PS) extracts vs. water grab samples, and ii) biological analyses on the same PS extracts and water grab samples. Targeted chemical analyses were performed on POCIS (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler) extracts for 119 hydrophilic compounds belonging to pharmaceutical, hormone, pesticide and alkylphenol classes and on SPMD (Semi-Permeable Membrane Device) extracts for 46 lipophilic compounds belonging to chlorine pesticides, PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon), PCB (PolyChloroBiphenyl), PBDE (PolyBrominated DiphenylEthers) classes. PS extracts were also tested with in vitro bioassays using cell lines with different reporter genes or in order to evaluate oestrogenic and androgenic activities, HAP-like and dioxin-like disruptions and geno- and cytotoxicity. Two one-month-long sampling campaigns were carried out in a same WWTP (Normandie, France) using activated sludge and sand filter as secondary treatment. In the first one, conducted from September 20th to October 18th 2011, ozonation followed by GAC were studied as tertiary treatment. In the second one, from March 13th to April 10th 2012, we focused on ozonation process only. In both campaigns, POCIS were exposed in water during 14 days and SPMD during 28 days. In order to be able to compare these 2 campaigns and the molecule concentrations upstream and downstream the tertiary treatment, POCIS and SPMD were always immersed in an aquarium in the same controlled experimental conditions of flow (280 mL/min), temperature (20° C) and light. To insure quality of data, POCIS and SPMD were exposed in triplicate and field blanks were realized (i.e. PS exposed to the ambient air). In parallel, 2h composite water samples were collected at D0, D14 and D28. The average sampling time of 2h is reliable considering the water residence time in the secondary treatment. As examples of results concerning the use of POCIS to characterize the O3 + GAC process: By comparing the cumulated concentrations in POCIS, the O3 + GAC process was shown efficient to eliminate some organic micropollutants. Indeed, -blockers and more generally pharmaceuticals were very well removed with a concentration in the effluent a thousand times smaller than in the influent. The conclusions were the same with grab sampling. Moreover, the contamination profiles (or fingerprint) were compared between PS and grab sampling. As example, in case of -blockers they are equivalent. We have also compared the time weighted average concentration obtained with POCIS, with water concentrations from grab sampling. POCIS sampling also allowed to decrease limits of detection in tertiary effluent for some molecules. Indeed, 7 compounds were detected in POCIS extracts and not in grab water samples. As example atenolol, sotalol, propranolol, metoprolol, nordiazepam, amitryptilline and alprazolam were detected in POCIS extracts downstream the tertiary treatment and clenbuterol, gemfibrozil, imipramine and doxepine were detected in POCIS extracts upstream the process. As a consequence, POCIS appeared as an interesting tool to characterize tertiary stages of WWTPs with analysis of organic micropollutants at very low concentrations, near the ng/L range. From the biological point of view, oestrogenic, anti-androgenic as well as HAP-like and dioxin-like disruptions were observed in POCIS exposed before the O3 + GAC process. No more biological activity was detected in these POCIS exposed after the process. These biological results matched with the decrease of contaminant concentrations up and downstream the process. Both chemical and biological analyses were in accordance and revealed a good efficiency of the O3 + GAC advance treatment process

ECHIBIOTEB : Outils innovants d’Échantillonnage, d’analyses CHImiques et BIOlogiques pour le suivi de Traitements avancés des Eaux usées et des Boues

National audienceLe projet ECHIBIOTEB s’inscrit dans un cadre de recherche industrielle et s’intègre principalement dans l’axe thématique n°5 de l’appel à projets ECOTECH. Il fait suite au projet AMPERES (Projet ANR PRECODD 2005, Analyse de micropolluants prioritaires et émergents dans les rejets et les eaux superficielles) et complète l'évaluation des filières de procédés avancés de traitement des eaux et des procédés de traitement des boues étudiées dans le projet ARMISTIQ (Projet Convention ONEMA-Cemagref 2010). Plus précisément, il prévoit le développement et/ou l'amélioration des connaissances sur des outils et techniques innovantes d'échantillonnage et de mesures chimiques et biologiques pour la caractérisation de la qualité des eaux urbaines et des boues avant et après traitement. Les outils innovants mis en oeuvre sont des échantillonneurs intégratifs pour améliorer la représentativité et la sensibilité des résultats d'analyses des micropolluants, des méthodologies de screening (GC-2D-TOF, SPME/GC/TOF et SPME/LC/TOF) pour identifier de nouvelles molécules et produits de dégradation, des biotests in vitro et in vivo pour prendre en compte les effets biologiques des mélanges, une démarche "effect-directed analysis" (EDA) pour isoler et permettre l'identification de nouvelles molécules actives, et des tests pour la caractérisation in situ de la matière organique dissoute susceptible de moduler la toxicité des micropolluants. Le projet s’intéresse au traitement complémentaire des eaux usées issues des procédés secondaires, d'une part, aux procédés intensifs compacts (oxydation à l’ozone, aux rayons UV, adsorption sur charbon actif, osmose inverse) plutôt applicables aux collectivités de taille importante ou à forte pression foncière, et d'autre part, aux procédés extensifs autonomes et de taille moins ramassée (zones humides, écoulement sur milieu filtrant dans le sol naturel ou rapporté), procédés souvent rencontrés dans les petites collectivités, mais envisageables en sortie de traitement secondaires de boues activées conventionnelles de moyenne taille. Le choix des procédés étudiés de traitement de boues s'est porté sur le compostage (avec digestion anaérobie en amont), plutôt adapté aux grandes collectivités, et la rhizofiltration caractéristique de petites stations. La mise en oeuvre d'un panel aussi large d'outils innovants est en soi originale et devrait permettre d'améliorer les connaissances sur leurs domaines d'application comparés et leur complémentarité. Au terme du projet, des guides de bonne exploitation des différents outils innovants pour la caractérisation des procédés de traitement des eaux et des boues seront disponibles. Nous proposerons aussi des stratégies de déploiement de ces outils et d'interprétation des données issues de ces technologies innovantes pour faciliter les schémas de gestion et la prise de décision par les industriels et les collectivités territoriales vis à vis de l’implémentation de la DCE. L'application particulièrement novatrice de ces outils à des procédés avancés de traitement des eaux devrait permettre d'établir une liste (non exhaustive) de nouveaux composés indésirables et d’anticiper les législations futures. Au terme du projet, un bilan de la comparaison de l'efficacité des procédés (eaux et boues) étudiés sera dressé (en lien avec le projet ARMISTIQ) et une méthodologie de diagnostic des performances des procédés de traitement des eaux usées et des boues vis à vis des micropolluants sera proposée