Entrainment dominates the interaction of microalgae with micron-sized objects

The incessant activity of swimming microorganisms has a direct physical effect on surrounding microscopic objects, leading to enhanced diffusion far beyond the level of Brownian motion with possible influences on the spatial distribution of non-motile planktonic species and particulate drifters. Here we study in detail the effect of eukaryotic flagellates, represented by the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, on microparticles. Macro- and micro-scopic experiments reveal that microorganism--colloid interactions are dominated by rare close encounters leading to large displacements through direct entrainment. Simulations and theoretical modelling show that the ensuing particle dynamics can be understood in terms of a simple jump-diffusion process, combining standard diffusion with Poisson-distributed jumps. This heterogeneous dynamics is likely to depend on generic features of the near-field of swimming microorganisms with front-mounted flagella

Auto-organisation, écho et trafic microfluidique

This research deals with collective dynamics of particles advected by low Reynolds flows in confined geometries. The particles interact via long-range hydrodynamic couplings which originate from the geometry or the topology of the systems. The long-range nature of the interactions leads to highly non trivial dynamics, that are addressed via two main studies. Both are related through the well-know property of hydrodynamic reversibility. This PhD-thesis combines tools from three main domains of physics : hydrodynamic, dynamical systems and soft-matter. The first system is a 2D monodisperse emulsion confined in a Hele-Shaw cell and submitted to a periodic drive in order to probe the reversible nature of the dynamics. This echo-experiment characterized by reversible dynamics at the microscopic level exhibits a very clear first order transition between a macroscopic reversible state at low rive and a macroscopic irreversible state at large drive. Furthermore, it is shown that this transition is not merely dynamical but also structural. The second study is about the traffic dynamics of three droplets travelling in large microfluidic-loop networks. Combining numerical, analytical and experimental tools, it is shown that the asymptotic dynamics is Hamiltonian and reversible.Ce travail de thèse expérimental porte principalement sur deux études concernant la dynamique collective de particules dans des écoulements à très faible nombre de Reynolds et dans des environnements confinés. Dans ces systèmes les particules interagissent via des couplages hydrodynamiques à longue portée d'origine géométrique ou topologique. Le thème général faisant le pont entre ces deux études est la notion de réversibilité hydrodynamique. De part les méthodes mises en oeuvre pour aborder ces problèmes, cette thèse se place à l'interface de trois grands domaines de la physique: l'hydrodynamique, la matière molle et les systèmes dynamiques. Le premier système est un ensemble de gouttes micrométriques confinées dans une cellule de Hele-Shaw et soumis à un écoulement sinusoïdal afin de sonder la nature réversible de la dynamique. Cette expérience d'écho caractérisée par une dynamique microscopique complètement réversible met en évidence une transition de phase du premier ordre entre un état macroscopique réversible en dessous d'une certaine amplitude d'oscillation et un état macroscopique irréversible au dessus de cette amplitude. De plus, il est montré que cette transition n'est pas seulement dynamique mais également structurale. La seconde étude correspond quant à elle à une expérience de trafic dans un réseau de boucles microfluidiques où la dynamique asymptotique du système à 3 corps est étudiée de manière extensive. En combinant des études numériques, analytiques et expérimentales, il est montré que cette dynamique de trafic est Hamiltonienne et réversible

Rapport de mission à Florianopolis 20-27/10/2002 (Etat de Santa Catarina, Brésil)

Cette mission a été réalisée sous l'égide de la Mairie de Florianopolis, capitale de l'état de Santa Catarina. Cet état est considéré comme un site pilote au niveau du Brésil pour le développement de l'aquaculture. Cette mission s'inscrit dans une coopération Franco-Brésilienne débutée en 2001 avec la visite de Madame le Maire de Florianopolis à Marennes-Oléron, suivie d'une autre mission Brésilienne et du séjour de 3 ostréiculteurs de Florianopolis. Une mission Française a également eu lieu en octobre 2001 à Florianopolis lors de la fête nationale de l'huître "Fenaostra". Cette manifestation regroupe chaque année des participants de nombreux pays étrangers. En 2002 elle a accueilli 60000 visiteurs en 4 jours, et a donné lieu à une vingtaine d'interventions lors de son colloque, dont celle, très remarquée, de Françoise Le Guyader de l' Ifremer. Différents interviews télévisés, radiophoniques et joumalistiques ont été donnés par l'Ifremer lors de cette mission. Les différents échanges effectués depuis 2001 montrent que deux sujets majeurs sont à analyser pour rendre viable ce développement: • Assurer l'approvisionnement en naissain permettant la satisfaction de la demande des professionnels et le développement de la filière, • Lever des incertitudes sur la qualité de l'environnement

A treatment planning comparison of contemporary photon-based radiation techniques for breast cancer

Background and purpose: Adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) of the whole breast (WB) is still the standard treatment for early breast cancer. A variety of radiation techniques is currently available according to different delivery strategies. This study aims to provide a comparison of six treatment planning strategies commonly adopted for breast-conserving adjuvant RT and to use the Pareto concept in an attempt to assess the degree of plan optimization. Materials and methods: Two groups of six left- and five right-sided cases with different dose prescriptions were involved (22 patients in total). Field-in-Field (FiF), two and four Fields static-IMRT (sIMRT-2f and sIMRT-4f), Volumetric-Modulated-Arc-Therapy (VMAT), Helical Tomotherapy (HT) and Static-Angles Tomotherapy (TomoDirect™ – TD) were planned. Dose volume constraints were taken from the RTOG protocol 1005. Pareto fronts were built for a selected case to evaluate the reliability of the plan optimization process. Results: The best target dose coverage was observed for TD able to improve significantly (p < 0.01) the V95% in a range varying from 1.2% to 7.5% compared to other techniques. The V105% was significantly reduced up to 2% for HT (p < 0.05) although FiF and VMAT produced similar values. For the ipsilateral lung, V5Gy, V10Gy and Dmean were significantly lower than all other techniques (p < 0.02) for TD while the lowest value of V20Gy was observed for HT. The maximum dose to contralateral breast was significantly lowest for TD (p < 0.02) and for FiF (p < 0.05). Minor differences were observed for the heart in left-sided patients. Plans for all tested techniques were found to lie on their respective Pareto fronts. Conclusions: Overall, TD provided significantly better results in terms of target coverage and dose sparing of ipsilateral lung with respect to all other evaluated techniques. It also significantly minimized dose to contralateral breast together with FiF. Pareto front analysis confirmed the reliability of the optimization for a selected case. Keywords: Treatment planning, Whole-breast irradiation, Planning comparison, Pareto fron

Physical considerations on discrepancies in target volume delineation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To compare the delineations and interpretations of target volumes by physicians in different radio-oncology centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven Swiss radio-oncology centers delineated volumes according to ICRU 50 recommendations for one prostate and one head and neck case. In order to evaluate the consistency of the volume delineations, the following parameters were determined: 1) the target volumes (GTV, CTV and manually expanded PTV) and their extensions in the three main axes and 2) the correlation of the volume delineated by each pair of centers using the ratio of the intersection to the union (called proximity index). RESULTS: The delineated prostate volume was 105+/-55cm(3) for the CTV and 218+/-44cm(3) for the PTV. The delineated head and neck volume was 46+/-15cm(3) for the GTV, 327+/-154cm(3) for the CTV and 528+/-106cm(3) for the PTV. The mean proximity index for the prostate case was 0.50+/-0.13 for the CTV and 0.57+/-0.11 for the PTV. The proximity index for the head and neck case was 0.45+/-0.09 for the GTV, 0.42+/-0.13 for the CTV and 0.59+/-0.06 for the PTV. CONCLUSIONS: Large discrepancies between all the delineated target volumes were observed. There was an inverse relationship between the CTV volume and the margin between CTV and PTV, leading to less discrepancies in the PTV than is the CTV delineations. There was more spread in the sagittal and frontal planes due to CT pixel anisotropy, which suggests that radiation oncologists should delineate the target volumes not only in the transverse plane, but also in the sagittal and frontal planes to improve the delineation by allowing a consistency check

Parallel, linear, and subnanometric 3D tracking of microparticles with Stereo Darkfield Interferometry

International audienceWhile crucial for force spectroscopists and microbiologists, three-dimensional (3D) particle tracking suffers from either poor precision, complex calibration, or the need of expensive hardware, preventing its massive adoption. We introduce a new technique, based on a simple piece of cardboard inserted in the objective focal plane, that enables simple 3D tracking of dilute microparticles while offering subnanometer frame-to-frame precision in all directions. Its linearity alleviates calibration procedures, while the interferometric pattern enhances precision. We illustrate its utility in single-molecule force spectroscopy and single-algae motility analysis. As with any technique based on back focal plane engineering, it may be directly embedded in a commercial objective, providing a means to convert any preexisting optical setup in a 3D tracking system. Thanks to its precision, its simplicity, and its versatility, we envision that the technique has the potential to enhance the spreading of high-precision and high-throughput 3D tracking

Análise tomográfica dos parâmetros anatômicos do áxis de crianças Tomographic analysis of anatomical parameters of the axis in children

OBJETIVO: Estudo anatômico do áxis através de tomografia computadorizada (TC) em crianças de dois a dez anos de idade, mensurando a angulação das lâminas, espessura e comprimento de lâminas e pedículos e espessura da massa lateral. MÉTODOS: Estudou-se 64 TCs da coluna cervical de indivíduos com idades entre 24 e 120 meses, de ambos os sexos e sem deformidades cervicais. Correlacionaram-se as variáveis estudadas com os grupos etários e sexo dos pacientes. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do teste t. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que na faixa etária entre 24-48 meses, 5,5% das lâminas e 8,3% dos pedículos possuem espessura menores do que 3,5mm, espessura necessária para colocação de um parafuso. Entre 49-120 meses não há lâminas com espessuras menores do que 3,5mm e 1,2% dos pedículos possuem espessura menor do que 3,5mm. Em ambos os grupos etários não há comprimento de lâminas e pedículos menores do que 12 mm e massas laterais maiores do que 12 mm. CONCLUSÃO: A análise das dimensões obtidas no estudo permite, na maioria dos casos, a colocação de parafusos de 3,5mm nas lâminas e pedículos do áxis de crianças. Nível de Evidência II, Desenvolvimento de critérios diagnósticos em pacientes consecutivos.<br>OBJECTIVE: To carry out an anatomical study of the axis with the use of computed tomography (CT) in children aged from two to ten years, measuring the lamina angle, lamina and pedicle length and thickness, and lateral mass length. METHODS: Sixty-four CTs were studied from patients aged 24 to 120 months old, of both sexes and without any cervical anomaly. The measurements obtained were correlated with the data on age and sex of the patients. Statistical analysis was performed using the Students "t" tests. RESULTS: We found that within the age range 24-48 months, 5.5% of the lamina and 8.3% of the pedicles had thicknesses of less than 3.5mm, which is the minimum thickness needed for insertion of the screw. Between 49 and 120 months, there were no lamina thicknesses of less than 3.5mm, and 1.2% of the pedicle thicknesses were less than 3.5mm values. Neither of the age groups had any lamina and pedicle lengths of less than 12mm, or lateral mass lengths greater than 12mm. CONCLUSION: The analysis of the data obtained demonstrates that most of the time, is possible to use a 3.5mm pedicle screw in the laminas and pedicles of the axis in children. Level of Evidence: II, Development of diagnostic criteria in consecutive patients