1,234 research outputs found
Thermodynamic analyses on hybrid sorption cycles for low-grade heat storage and cogeneration of power and refrigeration
International audienceThis paper investigates three ways of coupling a solid/gas sorption refrigeration cycle with a Rankine cycle to create innovative hybrid cycles enabling power and refrigeration cogeneration with intrinsic energy storage. A new methodology has been developed to analyze these hybrid cycles and assess five relevant performance criteria (required heat source temperature, energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, power production ratio, and exergy storage density). Screening of 103 reactive salts implemented in the different hybrid cycle configurations highlights the most favorable configuration and reagent to meet the requirements of various applications. Analyses show that energy and exergy efficiencies can reach 0.61 and 0.40, respectively. Exergy storage density ranges from 142 to 640 kJ/kg NH3 when the heat source temperature is increased from 107 °C to 250 °C
Initial mechanical conditions within an optimized bone scaffold do not ensure bone regeneration â an in silico analysis
Large bone defects remain a clinical challenge because they do not heal spontaneously. 3-D printed scaffolds are a promising treatment option for such critical defects. Recent scaffold design strategies have made use of computer modelling techniques to optimize scaffold design. In particular, scaffold geometries have been optimized to avoid mechanical failure and recently also to provide a distinct mechanical stimulation to cells within the scaffold pores. This way, mechanical strain levels are optimized to favour the bone tissue formation. However, bone regeneration is a highly dynamic process where the mechanical conditions immediately after surgery might not ensure optimal regeneration throughout healing. Here, we investigated in silico whether scaffolds presenting optimal mechanical conditions for bone regeneration immediately after surgery also present an optimal design for the full regeneration process. A computer framework, combining an automatic parametric scaffold design generation with a mechano-biological bone regeneration model, was developed to predict the level of regenerated bone volume for a large range of scaffold designs and to compare it with the scaffold pore volume fraction under favourable mechanical stimuli immediately after surgery. We found that many scaffold designs could be considered as highly beneficial for bone healing immediately after surgery; however, most of them did not show optimal bone formation in later regenerative phases. This study allowed to gain a more thorough understanding of the effect of scaffold geometry changes on bone regeneration and how to maximize regenerated bone volume in the long term
Mechano-Biological Computer Model of Scaffold-Supported Bone Regeneration: Effect of Bone Graft and Scaffold Structure on Large Bone Defect Tissue Patterning
Large segmental bone defects represent a clinical challenge for which current treatment procedures have many drawbacks. 3D-printed scaffolds may help to support healing, but their design process relies mainly on trial and error due to a lack of understanding of which scaffold features support bone regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate whether existing mechano-biological rules of bone regeneration can also explain scaffold-supported bone defect healing. In addition, we examined the distinct roles of bone grafting and scaffold structure on the regeneration process. To that end, scaffold-surface guided migration and tissue deposition as well as bone graft stimulatory effects were included in an in silico model and predictions were compared to in vivo data. We found graft osteoconductive properties and scaffold-surface guided extracellular matrix deposition to be essential features driving bone defect filling in a 3D-printed honeycomb titanium structure. This knowledge paves the way for the design of more effective 3D scaffold structures and their pre-clinical optimization, prior to their application in scaffold-based bone defect regeneration
La lecture Ă lâĂ©preuve de lâadolescence : le rĂŽle des CDI des collĂšges et lycĂ©es
Lâallongement de la scolaritĂ© a favorisĂ© lâaccĂšs au livre et Ă la lecture des jeunes des catĂ©gories sociales qui en Ă©taient auparavant Ă©loignĂ©s. Dans le mĂȘme temps, sâimpose le constat dâune baisse de la pratique chez les adolescents, au moins par le temps consacrĂ© et le nombre de livres lus. Cette conjonction paradoxale pose la question de la place de la lecture, des maniĂšres de lire et des significations de la pratique Ă lâadolescence. LâhypothĂšse dĂ©veloppĂ©e sur la base dâune enquĂȘte par questionnaire rĂ©alisĂ©e auprĂšs de 956 collĂ©giens et lycĂ©ens consiste Ă montrer que la lecture suit les inflexions dâune construction de lâidentitĂ© insĂ©rĂ©e dans les sociabilitĂ©s juvĂ©niles et quâĂ ce titre, elle fait lâobjet dâune rĂ©appropriation et dâinvestissements sur un mode propre Ă lâadolescence et Ă ses diffĂ©rences. Le rĂ©agencement qui sâopĂšre modifie les modes dâapprovisionnement en lectures et le rapport au Centre de documentation et dâinformation des Ă©tablissements scolaires en particulier. Ce dernier reprĂ©sente un espace privilĂ©giĂ© pour une politique dâoffre de lecture susceptible dâattĂ©nuer les inĂ©galitĂ©s de frĂ©quentation des bibliothĂšques publiques ou de « choix » dans la sphĂšre privĂ©e.The increased time spent at school has promoted access to books and reading for youngsters from social backgrounds that used to keep them away from it. In the mean time, it is reported a decrease in teenage reading at least in terms of the amount of time spent reading and the number of books read. This paradoxical conjunction tackles the issue of what part reading plays, what are the different ways to read, what reading means to teenagers. The assumption based on a questionnaire survey done to 956 middle school and high school students is to show that reading follows the inflexions of the construction of their identities within their juvenile sociabilities and, as such, it is subjected to re-appropriation and commitment in a way specific to adolescence and its differences. The rearrangement that is taking place changes the way they get to books and particularly the relations they have with their school library resource centres. Those centres make a perfect place to promote reading by supplying books that can reduce disparities in public library attendance or in their individual choices of books.La prolongaciĂłn de la escolaridad ha favorecido el acceso al libro y a la lectura de los jĂłvenes de las categorĂas sociales que antes no tenĂan este acceso. Al mismo tiempo, se impone la comprobaciĂłn de una baja de la prĂĄctica en los adolescentes, por lo menos en el tiempo dedicado y el nĂșmero de libros leĂdos. Esta conjunciĂłn paradĂłjica plantea la cuestiĂłn del lugar que ocupa la lectura, de las maneras de leer, y de los significados de la prĂĄctica en la adolescencia. La hipĂłtesis desarrollada sobre la base de una encuesta por cuestionario dirigida a 956 colegiales y alumnos de instituto de segunda enseñanza consiste en mostrar que la lectura sigue las inflexiones de una construcciĂłn de la identidad encajada en las sociabilidades juveniles y que por este concepto es objeto de una reapropiaciĂłn y de implicaciones sobre un modo propio de la adolescencia y de sus diferencias. La nueva disposiciĂłn que se efectĂșa modifica los modos de suministro de lecturas y la relaciĂłn con el centro de documentaciĂłn y de informaciĂłn de los establecimientos escolares en particular. Este Ășltimo representa un espacio privilegiado para una polĂtica de oferta de lectura susceptible de atenuar las desigualdades de frecuentaciĂłn de las bibliotecas pĂșblicas o de âelecciĂłnâ en la esfera privada.Die VerlĂ€ngerung der Schulzeit hat den Zugang zum Buch und zum Lesen fĂŒr Jugendlichen aus sozialen Schichten gefördert, die frĂŒher davon entfernt waren. Zur gleichen Zeit muss man eine Senkung des Lesens bei Jugendlichen, zumindest wenn man die dazu gewidmete Zeit und die Zahl der gelesenen BĂŒcher berĂŒcksichtigt. Dieses Paradox stellt die Frage nach dem Platz des Lesens, nach den Lesformen und nach der Bedeutung des Lesens im Jugendalter. Die auf der Basis einer Fragebogen-Untersuchung bei 956 11- bis 18jĂ€hrigen SchĂŒlern aufgestellte Hypothese besteht darin zu zeigen, dass das Lesen den AnsprĂŒchen einer IdentitĂ€tsbildung folgt, die in den fĂŒr Jugendlichen typischen Geselligeitsformen verankert ist. In dieser Hinsicht findet nĂ€mlich eine fĂŒr das Jugendalter und seine Unterschiede typische Wiederaneignung statt. Diese Neuorganisierung verĂ€ndert die Art und Weise, wie man sich BĂŒcher versorgt und verĂ€ndert auch das VerhĂ€ltnis zu der Schulbibliothek insbesondere. Letztere stellt ein bevorzugter Platz fĂŒr ein Leseangebot dar, das imstande wĂ€re, die Ungleichheiten im Besuch der Stadtbibliothek oder bei der âWahlâ im privaten Bereich zu vermindern
Ătude de l'influence du dĂ©bit et de la tempĂ©rature de l'eau sur le rĂ©gime thermique autour des ponceaux construits sur pergĂ©lisol
Lâapport de chaleur induit par les constructions routiĂšres est susceptible dâaffecter le rĂ©gime thermique du pergĂ©lisol sous-jacent et de causer des dommages importants. Sur lâAlaska Highway au Yukon (Canada), des problĂšmes dâinstabilitĂ©s sont frĂ©quemment observĂ©s et certains sont localisĂ©s aux abords des ponceaux. En autorisant la libre circulation de lâair et de lâeau Ă travers une conduite, des perturbations thermiques additionnelles sont infligĂ©es au sol environnant. De plus, une mauvaise gestion du drainage de lâeau aux abords des ouvrages aggrave la sĂ©vĂ©ritĂ© des instabilitĂ©s. Afin de documenter ces perturbations, deux ponceaux ont Ă©tĂ© instrumentĂ©s sur lâAlaska Highway au Yukon. Le premier est situĂ© au site expĂ©rimental de Beaver Creek; le deuxiĂšme est proche de la frontiĂšre avec lâAlaska. Les tempĂ©ratures du sol autour des ponceaux et la tempĂ©rature de lâair dans les ponceaux ont Ă©tĂ© enregistrĂ©es pendant une annĂ©e; tandis que la tempĂ©rature de lâeau et le dĂ©bit ont Ă©tĂ© enregistrĂ©s pendant deux printemps et Ă©tĂ©s. La collecte de ces donnĂ©es a permis de concevoir un modĂšle 2D sur le logiciel TEMP/W reprĂ©sentant le remblai et le ponceau de Beaver Creek. En parallĂšle, les donnĂ©es ont servi Ă valider un modĂšle mathĂ©matique Ă©tabli basĂ© sur des principes physiques. Ce modĂšle permet de calculer le flux de chaleur transmis au sol en fonction du dĂ©bit et de la tempĂ©rature de lâeau. Par la suite, des simulations de variation de dĂ©bit et de tempĂ©rature de lâeau ont Ă©tĂ© appliquĂ©es dans le modĂšle mathĂ©matique. Les diffĂ©rents flux de chaleur correspondants ont Ă©tĂ© appliquĂ©s sur le modĂšle thermique 2D afin de dĂ©terminer lâinfluence du dĂ©bit et de la tempĂ©rature de lâeau sur les tempĂ©ratures du sol sous le ponceau. Des simulations similaires ont Ă©tĂ© conduites en faisant varier des paramĂštres de conception comme la prĂ©sence ou non de lâisolant. Ce mĂ©moire prĂ©sente donc trois objectifs principaux; 1) lâamĂ©lioration des connaissances relatives Ă lâeffet de la circulation de lâeau Ă travers un ponceau sur le rĂ©gime thermique du sol sous-jacent; 2) la documentation sur le rĂ©gime thermique autour de ponceaux routiers; et 3) lâĂ©tude de lâinfluence du dĂ©bit et de la tempĂ©rature de lâeau sur la stabilitĂ© thermique du sol. Finalement, une mĂ©thode de conception de systĂšme de drainage, permettant de limiter lâimpact dâun ponceau sur la profondeur de dĂ©gel du sol sous-jacent, est prĂ©sentĂ©e dans le prĂ©sent mĂ©moire.Heat sources induced by road construction are likely to affect the thermal regime of underlying permafrost and cause significant damage. On the Alaska Highway in Yukon (Canada), instability problems have been observed and some are located close to culverts. Culverts allow free water and air circulation through the buried pipe. Thus, additional thermal disturbances occur at that location. In addition, poor water management around the embankment exacerbates instabilities. To document these disturbances, two culverts were monitored; one is located at the Beaver Creek test site and the second is close to the U.S Border. Air temperature within and soil temperatures around the culverts were recorded for one year, while water temperature and flow rate were recorded during two thawing seasons. The data collection allowed the design of a 2D model in TEMP/W representing thermal conditions around the Beaver Creek culvert. Then, these data were used to validate an established mathematical model based on the physical principles of heat transfer. The mathematical model calculates the heat flux transmitted to the ground as a function of water temperature and flow rate. Subsequently, variations of flow rate and water temperature were applied to the mathematical model. The corresponding heat fluxes were applied to the 2D thermal model in TEMP/W to determine the influence of flow rate and water temperature on soil temperatures below the culvert. Similar simulations were conducted with design parameters, such as the presence or absence of the insulation. This thesis 1) enhanced knowledge of the effects of flow rate and water temperature through a culvert on the soil thermal regime; 2) documented the thermal regime around culverts; and 3) studied the influence of flow rate and water temperature on the thermal regime. Finally, a drainage system design method is presented which aims to minimize the impact of a culvert on the thaw depth
EPD in its twentieth year: towards complete promoter coverage of selected model organisms
The Eukaryotic Promoter Database (EPD) is an annotated non-redundant collection of eukaryotic POL II promoters, experimentally defined by a transcription start site (TSS). Access to promoter sequences is provided by pointers to positions in the corresponding genomes. Promoter evidence comes from conventional TSS mapping experiments for individual genes, or, starting from release 73, from mass genome annotation projects. Subsets of promoter sequences with customized 5âČ and 3âČ extensions can be downloaded from the EPD website. The focus of current development efforts is to reach complete promoter coverage for important model organisms as soon as possible. To speed up this process, a new class of preliminary promoter entries has been introduced as of release 83, which requires less stringent admission criteria. As part of a continuous integration process, new web-based interfaces have been developed, which allow joint analysis of promoter sequences with other bioinformatics resources developed by our group, in particular programs offered by the Signal Search Analysis Server, and gene expression data stored in the CleanEx database. EPD can be accessed at
Kherroubi Martine, Garnier Pascale & Monceau Gilles. Des parents dans lâĂ©cole
Lâouvrage placĂ© sous la direction de Martine Kherroubi (avec Pascale Garnier et Gilles Monceau) sâappuie Ă lâorigine sur un corpus de dix-huit projets dâĂ©cole (maternelles et Ă©lĂ©mentaires, dont plusieurs en zone dâĂ©ducation prioritaire) primĂ©s, parmi un ensemble de cent vingt retenus, par la Fondation de France. Lâambition consistait Ă dĂ©passer les discours et directives officielles sur le nĂ©cessaire dialogue entre parents et professionnels et de faire connaĂźtre et reconnaĂźtre les actions de ..
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