Silicon CMOS photonics platform for enabling high-speed DQPSK transceivers

In this work we review the results obtained under the framework of FP7-HELIOS project for integrated DQPSK transceivers in silicon photonics. A differential DQPSK receiver with balanced zero biased Germanium photodiodes has been demonstrated at 10Gbit/s with an error floor around 10(-15). Furthermore, DPSK modulation up to 10Gbit/s with a bit error rate below 10(-9) is also demonstrated using a silicon push-pull operated dual-drive Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) based on carrier depletion. The results indicate the potential of the silicon CMOS photonics platform for boosting next-generation optical networks based on advanced modulation formats

Advances in the Direct Study of Carbon Burning in Massive Stars

The C12+C12 fusion reaction plays a critical role in the evolution of massive stars and also strongly impacts various explosive astrophysical scenarios. The presence of resonances in this reaction at energies around and below the Coulomb barrier makes it impossible to carry out a simple extrapolation down to the Gamow window-the energy regime relevant to carbon burning in massive stars. The C12+C12 system forms a unique laboratory for challenging the contemporary picture of deep sub-barrier fusion (possible sub-barrier hindrance) and its interplay with nuclear structure (sub-barrier resonances). Here, we show that direct measurements of the C12+C12 fusion cross section may be made into the Gamow window using an advanced particle-gamma coincidence technique. The sensitivity of this technique effectively removes ambiguities in existing measurements made with gamma ray or charged-particle detection alone. The present cross-section data span over 8 orders of magnitude and support the fusion-hindrance model at deep sub-barrier energies

Global existence for a system of non-linear and non-local transport equations describing the dynamics of dislocation densities

In this paper, we study the global in time existence problem for the Groma-Balogh model describing the dynamics of dislocation densities. This model is a two-dimensional model where the dislocation densities satisfy a system of transport equations such that the velocity vector field is the shear stress in the material, solving the equations of elasticity. This shear stress can be expressed as some Riesz transform of the dislocation densities. The main tool in the proof of this result is the existence of an entropy for this syste

Postoperative complications after pancreatoduodenectomy for malignancy: results from the Recurrence After Whipple’s (RAW) study

Background Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is associated with significant postoperative morbidity. Surgeons should have a sound understanding of the potential complications for consenting and benchmarking purposes. Furthermore, preoperative identification of high-risk patients can guide patient selection and potentially allow for targeted prehabilitation and/or individualized treatment regimens. Using a large multicentre cohort, this study aimed to calculate the incidence of all PD complications and identify risk factors. Method Data were extracted from the Recurrence After Whipple’s (RAW) study, a retrospective cohort study of PD outcomes (29 centres from 8 countries, 2012–2015). The incidence and severity of all complications was recorded and potential risk factors for morbidity, major morbidity (Clavien–Dindo grade > IIIa), postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), post-pancreatectomy haemorrhage (PPH) and 90-day mortality were investigated. Results Among the 1348 included patients, overall morbidity, major morbidity, POPF, PPH and perioperative death affected 53 per cent (n = 720), 17 per cent (n = 228), 8 per cent (n = 108), 6 per cent (n = 84) and 4 per cent (n = 53), respectively. Following multivariable tests, a high BMI (P = 0.007), an ASA grade > II (P II patients were at increased risk of major morbidity (P < 0.0001), and a raised BMI correlated with a greater risk of POPF (P = 0.001). Conclusion In this multicentre study of PD outcomes, an ASA grade > II was a risk factor for major morbidity and a high BMI was a risk factor for POPF. Patients who are preoperatively identified to be high risk may benefit from targeted prehabilitation or individualized treatment regimens

Selective dry cow therapy : incidence and risk factors of new intramammary infections over dry period

International audienceThe study aimed at assessing the dynamics and risk factors of intramammary infection (IMI) during the dry period in herds under selective dry cow therapy (DCT). Quarter milk samples from all cows of the 28 enrolled herds were collected at drying-off and on day 3 after calving to be submitted to microbiological procedures. Individual cow recording forms and a herd questionnaire were used to collect potential risk factors for new IMI in untreated cows only. Analysis was done using a multivariate model (GLIMMIX macro) at quarter level. 33.0 and 23.6% of the quarters were infected at drying-off and 3 days after calving, respectively. 19.0% had a new IMI during the dry period (20.3% and 16.5% in untreated and treated cows, respectively). In untreated cows, 4 risk factors of new IMI were identified (P< 0.10): the cow infection status at drying-off for the other quarters than the studied one; a long preceding lactation length; a long dry period length; and the absence of concentrate suppression before drying-off. Incidence of IMI during the dry period was quite high compared with previous studies, especially in untreated cows. The efficiency of selective DCT towards new IMI could be improved if untreated cows were quite all uninfected. Therefore, criteria to select relevantly uninfected cows to be left untreated should be further investigated

Facteurs de troupeau associés à la contamination du lait de chèvre par Listeria monocytogenes

National audienc