Minimum Implicational Basis for -Semidistributive Lattices

Received 13 January 2006, Received in Revised form 21 February 2006, Accepted 21 April 2006International audienceFor a ∧-semidistributive lattice L, we study some particular implicational systems and show that the cardinality of a minimum implicational basis is polynomial in the size of join-irreducible elements of the lattice L. We also provide a polynomial time algorithm to compute a minimum implicational basis for L

Influence de l'hétérogénéité de l'habitat sur la richesse spécifique des coléoptères en forêt boréale

Cette étude visait à évaluer la relation entre la richesse des coléoptères et l’hétérogénéité compositionnelle et structurale de l’habitat, caractérisée à plusieurs échelles spatiales. Aux étés 2004 et 2005, 70 peuplements de la forêt boréale de la Côte-Nord du Québec ont été échantillonnées. Globalement, 133 espèces de coléoptères ont été capturées au sol par pièges fosse et 251 espèces dans les airs par pièges à impact. L’influence du type d’hétérogénéité et de l’échelle spatiale variait entre ces deux groupes de coléoptères. L’hétérogénéité compositionnelle, évaluée à l’échelle du peuplement, expliquait le mieux les variations spatiales de richesse des coléoptères terricoles, alors que c’était plutôt l’influence conjointe de l’hétérogénéité structurale et compositionnelle évaluée aux échelles du peuplement et du paysage qui expliquait le mieux les variations spatiales de richesse des coléoptères volants. L’étude démontre l’importance de considérer plusieurs composantes de l’hétérogénéité et plusieurs échelles spatiales pour la compréhension des patrons de biodiversité.The main objective of this study was to establish the relationship between beetle species richness and compositional and structural heterogeneity characterized at multiple spatial scales. During the summers of 2004 and 2005, 70 stands of the boreal forest of the North shore region of Québec were sampled. Overall, 133 ground-dwelling beetle species and 251 flying species were captured using pitfall and flight interception traps. The influence of the type of heterogeneity and the spatial scale varied between the two groups of beetles. Compositional heterogeneity evaluated at the stand scale best explained spatial variations in ground-dwelling beetle richness, whereas it was the joint influence of structural and compositional heterogeneity at both stand and landscape scales that best explained spatial variations in flying beetle richness. The study outlines the importance of considering several components of heterogeneity and multiple spatial scales to better understand of biodiversity patterns

Advanced medical interventions in pleural disease

The burden of a number of pleural diseases continues to increase internationally. Although many pleural procedures have historically been the domain of interventional radiologists or thoracic surgeons, in recent years, there has been a marked expansion in the techniques available to the pulmonologist. This has been due in part to both technological advancements and a greater recognition that pleural disease is an important subspecialty of respiratory medicine. This article summarises the important literature relating to a number of advanced pleural interventions, including medical thoracoscopy, the insertion and use of indwelling pleural catheters, pleural manometry, point-of-care thoracic ultrasound, and image-guided closed pleural biopsy. We also aim to inform the reader regarding the latest updates to more established procedures such as chemical pleurodesis, thoracentesis and the management of chest drains, drawing on contemporary data from recent randomised trials. Finally, we shall look to explore the challenges faced by those practicing pleural medicine, especially relating to training, as well as possible future directions for the use and expansion of advanced medical interventions in pleural disease

Thermal simulations of temperature excursions on the Athena X-IFU detector wafer from impacts by cosmic rays

We present the design and implementation of a thermal model, developed in COMSOL, aiming to probe the wafer-scale thermal response arising from realistic rates and energies of cosmic rays at L2 impacting the detector wafer of Athena X-IFU. The wafer thermal model is a four-layer 2D model, where 2 layers represent the constituent materials (Si bulk and Si$_{3}$N$_{4}$ membrane), and 2 layers represent the Au metallization layer's phonon and electron temperatures. We base the simulation geometry on the current specifications for the X-IFU detector wafer, and simulate cosmic ray impacts using a simple power injection into the Si bulk. We measure the temperature at the point of the instrument's most central TES detector. By probing the response of the system and pulse characteristics as a function of the thermal input energy and location, we reconstruct cosmic ray pulses in Python. By utilizing this code, along with the results of the GEANT4 simulations produced for X-IFU, we produce realistic time-ordered data (TOD) of the temperature seen by the central TES, which we use to simulate the degradation of the energy resolution of the instrument in space-like conditions on this wafer. We find a degradation to the energy resolution of 7 keV X-rays of $\approx$0.04 eV. By modifying wafer parameters and comparing the simulated TOD, this study is a valuable tool for probing design changes on the thermal background seen by the detectors.Comment: accepted for publication in the Journal of Low Temperature Physic

Granular packings with moving side walls

The effects of movement of the side walls of a confined granular packing are studied by discrete element, molecular dynamics simulations. The dynamical evolution of the stress is studied as a function of wall movement both in the direction of gravity as well as opposite to it. For all wall velocities explored, the stress in the final state of the system after wall movement is fundamentally different from the original state obtained by pouring particles into the container and letting them settle under the influence of gravity. The original packing possesses a hydrostatic-like region at the top of the container which crosses over to a depth-independent stress. As the walls are moved in the direction opposite to gravity, the saturation stress first reaches a minimum value independent of the wall velocity, then increases to a steady-state value dependent on the wall-velocity. After wall movement ceases and the packing reaches equilibrium, the stress profile fits the classic Janssen form for high wall velocities, while it has some deviations for low wall velocities. The wall movement greatly increases the number of particle-wall and particle-particle forces at the Coulomb criterion. Varying the wall velocity has only small effects on the particle structure of the final packing so long as the walls travel a similar distance.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures, some figures in colo

Long-term treatment of uterine fibroids with ulipristal acetate

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of ulipristal acetate (UPA) for long-term treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids.<p></p> Design: Repeated intermittent open-label UPA courses, each followed by randomized double-blind norethisterone acetate (NETA) or placebo.<p></p> Setting: European clinical gynecology centers.<p></p> Patient(s): Two hundred and nine women with symptomatic fibroids including heavy menstrual bleeding.<p></p> Intervention(s): Patients received up to four 3-month courses of UPA 10 mg daily, immediately followed by 10-day double-blind treatment with NETA (10 mg daily) or placebo.<p></p> Main Outcome Measure(s): Amenorrhea, fibroid volume, endometrial histology.<p></p> Result(s): After the first UPA course, amenorrhea occurred in 79% of women, with median onset (from treatment start) of 4 days (interquartile range, 2–6 days). Median fibroid volume change was −45% (interquartile range, −66%; −25%). Amenorrhea rates were 89%, 88%, and 90% for the 131, 119, and 107 women who received treatment courses 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Median times to amenorrhea were 2, 3, and 3 days for treatment courses 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Median fibroid volume changes from baseline were −63%, −67%, and −72% after treatment courses 2, 3, and 4, respectively. All endometrial biopsies showed benign histology without hyperplasia; NETA did not affect fibroid volume or endometrial histology.<p></p> Conclusion(s): Repeated 3-month UPA courses effectively control bleeding and shrink fibroids in patients with symptomatic fibroids

1st EFORT European Consensus: Medical & Scientific Research Requirements for the Clinical Introduction of Artificial Joint Arthroplasty Devices

Innovations in Orthopaedics and Traumatology have contributed to the achievement of a high-quality level of care in musculoskeletal disorders and injuries over the past decades. The applications of new implants as well as diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in addition to implementation of clinical research, have significantly improved patient outcomes, reduced complication rates and length of hospital stay in many areas. However, the regulatory framework is extensive, and there is a lack of understanding and clarity in daily practice what the meaning of clinical & pre‐clinical evidence as required by the MDR is. Thus, understanding and clarity are of utmost importance for introduction of new implants and implant-related instrumentation in combination with surgical technique to ensure a safe use of implants and treatment of patients. Therefore EFORT launched IPSI, The Implant and Patient Safety Initiative, which starting from an inaugural workshop in 2021 issued a set of recommendations, notably through a subsequent Delphi Process involving the National Member Societies of EFORT, European Specialty Societies as well as International Experts. These recommendations provide surgeons, researchers, implant manufacturers as well as patients and health authorities with a consensus of the development, implementation, and dissemination of innovation in the field of arthroplasty. The intended key outcomes of this 1st EFORT European Consensus on “Medical & Scientific Research Requirements for the Clinical Introduction of Artificial Joint Arthroplasty Devices”are consented, practical pathways to maintain innovation and optimisation of orthopaedic products and workflows within the boundaries of MDR 2017/745. Open Access practical guidelines based on adequate, state of the art pre-clinical and clinical evaluation methodologies for the introduction of joint replacements and implant-related instrumentation shall provide hands-on orientation for orthopaedic surgeons, research institutes and laboratories, orthopaedic device manufacturers, Notified Bodies but also for National Institutes and authorities, patient representatives and further stakeholders. We would like to acknowledge and thank the Scientific Committee members, all International Expert Delegates, the Delegates from European National & Specialty Societies and the Editorial Team for their outstanding contributions and support during this EFORT European Consensus