A polynomial expansion to approximate the ultimate ruin probability in the compound Poisson ruin model

International audienceA numerical method to approximate ruin probabilities is proposed within the frame of a compound Poisson ruin model. The defective density function associated to the ruin probability is projected in an orthogonal polynomial system. These polynomials are orthogonal with respect to a probability measure that belongs to Natural Exponential Family with Quadratic Variance Function (NEF-QVF). The method is convenient in at least four ways. Firstly, it leads to a simple analytical expression of the ultimate ruin probability. Secondly, the implementation does not require strong computer skills. Thirdly, our approximation method does not necessitate any preliminary discretisation step of the claim sizes distribution. Finally, the coefficients of our formula do not depend on initial reserves

Prevention of urinary tract infection in spinal cord-injured patients: safety and efficacy of a weekly oral cyclic antibiotic (WOCA) programme with a 2 year follow-up--an observational prospective study.

POPULATION: Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with neurogenic bladder have an increased risk for symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI). Recurrent UTI requires multiple courses of antibiotic therapy, markedly increasing the incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. METHODS: During an observational prospective study, we determined the safety and efficacy of a weekly oral cyclic antibiotic (WOCA) regimen to prevent UTI in SCI adult patients with neurogenic bladder undergoing clean intermittent catheterization. The WOCA regimen consisted of the alternate administration of an antibiotic once per week over a period of at least 2 years. The antibiotics chosen were efficient for UTI, well tolerated and with low selection pressure. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in antimicrobial consumption linked to the dramatic decrease in the incidence of UTI. Before intervention, there were 9.4 symptomatic UTIs per patient-year, including 197 episodes of febrile UTI responsible for 45 hospitalizations. Under the WOCA regimen there were 1.8 symptomatic UTIs per patient-year, including 19 episodes of febrile UTI. No severe adverse events and no new cases of colonization with MDR bacteria were reported. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective, observational pilot study a novel approach to the prevention and treatment of UTI in SCI was investigated. Our study shows the benefit of WOCA in preventing UTI in SCI patients

Conférence sur "L'entreprise et les droits fondamentaux"

La conférence qui va suivre ouvre le cycle des « Jeudis de la Société de législation comparée » dont le thème est « l’entreprise et les droits fondamentaux ». Je tiens à remercier très chaleureusement le président du Conseil constitutionnel qui nous accueille ce soir puisque sans le concours du Conseil constitutionnel cette conférence, ce cycle ne pourrait avoir lieu. Je suis également très heureux d’accueillir une assistance aussi nombreuse, composée de membres du Conseil constitutionnel, du Conseil d’État, à commencer par son vice-président, de magistrats de la Cour de cassation, de professeurs d’université, d’avocats aux conseils, d’avocats : bref, je ne sais pas si c’est le lieu, le sujet ou les orateurs mais il y a un attrait certain ce soir pour la rue de Montpensier (...)

CT enteroclysis: technique and clinical applications

CT enteroclysis (CTE) has been gradually evolving with technical developments of spiral and multidetector row CT technology. It has nowadays become a well-defined imaging modality for the evaluation of various small bowel disorders. Volume challenge of 2L of enteral contrast agent administrated to the small bowel via a nasojejunal catheter ensures luminal distension, the prerequisite for the detection of mural abnormalities, also facilitating the accurate visualization of intraluminal lesions. CT acquisition is centered on small bowel loops, reconstructed in thin axial slices and completed by multiplanar views. Image analysis is essentially done in cine-mode on work-stations. CTE is of particular diagnostic value in intermediate or advanced stages of Cohn's disease, including the depiction of extraintestinal complications. It has become the imaging modality of choice for the localization and characterization of small bowel tumors. The cause and degree of low-grade small bowel obstruction is more readily analyzed with the technique of CTE than conventional CT. Limitations of CTE concern the assessment of pure intestinal motility disorders, superficial mucosal lesions and arteriovenous malformations of the small bowel, which are not consistently visualized. CTE should be selectively used to answer specific questions of the small bowel. It essentially contributes to the diagnostic quality of modern small bowel imaging, and therefore deserves an established, well-defined place among the other available technique

Uncovering a Paleotsunami Triggered by Mass-Movement in an Alpine Lake

Mass movements and delta collapses are significant sources of tsunamis in lacustrine environments, impacting human societies enormously. Palaeotsunamis play an essential role in understanding historical events and their consequences along with their return periods. Here, we focus on a palaeo event that occurred during the Younger Dryas to Early Holocene climatic transition, ca., 12,000 years ago in the Lake Aiguebelette (NW Alps, France). Based on highresolution seismic and bathymetric surveys and sedimentological, geochemical, and magnetic analyses, a seismically induced large mass transport deposit with an initial volume of 767172 m3 was identified, dated and mapped. To investigate whether this underwater mass transport produced a palaeotsunami in the Lake Aiguebelette, this research combines sedimentary records and numerical models. Numerical simulations of tsunamis are performed using a viscoplastic landslide model for tsunami source generation and two-dimensional depth-averaged nonlinear shallow water equations for tsunami wave propagation and inundation modelling. Our simulations conclude that this sublacustrine landslide produced a tsunami wave with a maximum amplitude of approximately 2 m and run-up heights of up to 3.6 m. The modelled sediment thickness resulting from this mass transport corroborates well with the event deposits mapped in the lake. Based on our results, we suggest that this sublacustrine mass transport generated a significant tsunami wave that has not been reported previously to the best of our knowledge.Comment: Advances in Hydroinformatics, O. Delestre (Polytech Nice Sophia -- University C{\^o}te d'Azur, France), Nov 2023, Chatou, Franc

Insight into the transport mechanism of solute removed in dialysis by a membrane with double functionality

The present study aims at shedding light on the transport mechanisms involved in a functionalized membrane designed for improving hemodialysis. This membrane is prepared by embedding absorptive micro particles within its porous structure. To understand the transport mechanism through the membrane and make suggestions for its optimization, a mathematical model coupling convection, diffusion and adsorption is developed and validated by comparison of experimental and theoretical results. In fact, the model provides a description of the concentration profile from the donor (feed) compartment across the several layers with different properties to the acceptor (dialysate) compartment. In addition, the model allows to predict the influence of various parameters such as molecule diffusivity, membrane thickness, presence of convection, content of adsorptive particles on the flux intensification across the membrane. Comparison with experimental measurements demonstrates that the model is able to describe the transmembrane mass flux variation over time as a function of hydrodynamic conditions and membrane/module geometric parameters. The model also illustrates how the proposed double-layer membrane concept offers significant benefits in terms of toxin removal in comparison to conventional dialysis. As so, the main achievement of the developed model is that it may serve as tool for the further improvement of functionalized membrane in terms of toxin removal and optimization of process condition

Interventional management of gastroduodenal lesions complicating intra-arterial hepatic chemotherapy

Herein we report the efficacy of embolization of small patent gastric or duodenal vessels for treating gastroduodenal complications after hepatic arterial infusion therapy (HAIC). Catheter ports were implanted percutaneously from a femoral approach in three cases or surgically in the gastroduodenal artery in two cases. Acute abdominal pain developed on average after four HAIC courses of 5FU-oxaliplatin, mytomycin, oxaliplatin or fotemustine. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed gastroduodenal lesions (gastroduodenitis with or without ulcerations) in all cases. Despite the interruption of the HAIC, symptoms persisted and led to selective hepatic arteriography showing a patent right gastric artery (n = 4) or a recanalized gastroduodenal artery (n = 1) responsible for gastroduodenal misperfusion. Successful embolizations of the arteries responsible for gastroduodenal misperfusion (right gastric artery in four cases and gastroduodenal artery in one case) using 0.018 platinium coils relieved the patients' symptoms and allowed the HAIC to continue. In gastroduodenal complications of HAIC, a selective hepatic arteriography should be performed to search any artery responsible for the misperfusion of the toxic agent in the gastroduodenal area. Embolization of these arteries allowed the HAIC to be restore

Portal Vein Embolization: What Do We Know?

Portal vein embolization (PVE) has been developed to increase the size of the future remnant liver (FRL) left in place after major hepatectomy, thus reducing the risk of postoperative liver insufficiency. PVE consist in embolizing preoperatively portal branches of the segments that will be resected. Indication is based on preoperative measurements of the FRL by computed tomography and its ratio with either the theoretical liver volume or by direct measurement of the functional liver volume. After PVE, the volume and function of the FRL increases in 3 to 6weeks, permitting extensive resections in patients otherwise contraindicated for liver resection. The PVE technique is variable from one center to another; however n-butyl-cyano-acrylate provides an interesting compromise between hypertrophy rate and procedure ris