Calculation of the Voronoi boundary for lens-shaped particles and spherocylinders

We have recently developed a mean-field theory to estimate the packing fraction of non-spherical particles [A. Baule et al., Nature Commun. (2013)]. The central quantity in this framework is the Voronoi excluded volume, which generalizes the standard hard-core excluded volume appearing in Onsager's theory. The Voronoi excluded volume is defined from an exclusion condition for the Voronoi boundary between two particles, which is usually not tractable analytically. Here, we show how the technical difficulties in calculating the Voronoi boundary can be overcome for lens-shaped particles and spherocylinders, two standard prolate and oblate shapes with rotational symmetry. By decomposing these shapes into unions and intersections of spheres analytical expressions can be obtained.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figure

EuReCa ONE—27 Nations, ONE Europe, ONE Registry A prospective one month analysis of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest outcomes in 27 countries in Europe

AbstractIntroductionThe aim of the EuReCa ONE study was to determine the incidence, process, and outcome for out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) throughout Europe.MethodsThis was an international, prospective, multi-centre one-month study. Patients who suffered an OHCA during October 2014 who were attended and/or treated by an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) were eligible for inclusion in the study. Data were extracted from national, regional or local registries.ResultsData on 10,682 confirmed OHCAs from 248 regions in 27 countries, covering an estimated population of 174 million. In 7146 (66%) cases, CPR was started by a bystander or by the EMS. The incidence of CPR attempts ranged from 19.0 to 104.0 per 100,000 population per year. 1735 had ROSC on arrival at hospital (25.2%), Overall, 662/6414 (10.3%) in all cases with CPR attempted survived for at least 30 days or to hospital discharge.ConclusionThe results of EuReCa ONE highlight that OHCA is still a major public health problem accounting for a substantial number of deaths in Europe.EuReCa ONE very clearly demonstrates marked differences in the processes for data collection and reported outcomes following OHCA all over Europe. Using these data and analyses, different countries, regions, systems, and concepts can benchmark themselves and may learn from each other to further improve survival following one of our major health care events

Shielding analysis in the design phase of the new Emergency Operation Facility for Tihange Nuclear Power Plant

In the framework of the design studies for a new Emergency Operation Facility (EOF) for Tihange NPP, radiation protection analyses are needed to comply with effective dose rate criteria. In this aim, the shielding performed by, at the one hand, external walls and roof of the building and, on the other hand, internal walls, has been sized by means of MicroShield calculations. This paper explains how the calculations for external walls, doors, roof, floor and internal walls are made. The assumptions on the source terms and on the source geometry as well as the way the shielding is determined and the results of the sizing are presented

Shielding analysis in the design phase of the new Emergency Operation Facility for Tihange Nuclear Power Plant

In the framework of the design studies for a new Emergency Operation Facility (EOF) for Tihange NPP, radiation protection analyses are needed to comply with effective dose rate criteria. In this aim, the shielding performed by, at the one hand, external walls and roof of the building and, on the other hand, internal walls, has been sized by means of MicroShield calculations. This paper explains how the calculations for external walls, doors, roof, floor and internal walls are made. The assumptions on the source terms and on the source geometry as well as the way the shielding is determined and the results of the sizing are presented

Amélioration des connaissances géologiques de l'aquifère de la craie (Nord de la France) par imagerie TRE à des fins hydrogéologiques

International audienceThis study is part of a large multidisciplinary project aiming at characterize the geometry of the Chalk aquifer and its structures (faults, fracturing…), in two well fields in the South of Lille metropolis (Northern France), for hydrogeology purposes, especially drinking water production. We focus on two main results obtained through Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) imaging. First, we define a petrophysical-linked electrical signature of the Chalk that allows us to image the hydrogeological stratification of the aquifer. Then, we refine the geological settings of the largest and the most exploited (in terms of water resource) well field which is also the most affected by water quality problems. We identify a fracturing corridor inside the unaltered Chalk and we precise the geometry of the overlying Tertiary formations (Louvil Clays). The refinement of the geological structures enhances our understanding of the Chalk hydrosystem functioning that represents a key issue to guarantee the sustainable management of a water resource

Comment améliorer la connaissance géologique de l'aquifère de la craie à des fins hydrogéologiques ? Approche géophysique multiméthode focalisante appliquée aux champs captants du sud de Lille

National audienc

Comment améliorer la connaissance géologique de l'aquifère de la craie à des fins hydrogéologiques ? Approche géophysique multiméthode focalisante appliquée aux champs captants du sud de Lille

National audienceCretaceous chalk is a highly heterogeneous formation, characterized by matrix and fracture porosity, which gives it its aquifer properties. However, this significant and strategic water resource is under pressure (reduced recharge vs. increased demand) and is highly vulnerable to the risk of quality deterioration (high concentrations of undesirable elements such as Se, Ni, Co, As, etc.), particularly in the Hauts-de-France region. In this region, the main aquifer is the chalk, which covers 90% of the territory. It is disrupted by major regional faults, the impact of which on the geometry and hydrodynamic properties of the aquifer remains poorly understood, particularly at the scale of the catchment fields south of Lille (CCSL), where assessing the sustainability of the water resource and its exploitation represents a major challenge.The CCSLs have been the focus of a multidisciplinary study aimed at improving knowledge of the structure and functioning of the Chalk aquifer. A hierarchical, multi-method geophysical approach (gravity, seismic and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT)) was implemented to improve geological and structural mapping on a global scale (gravity), characterize certain major tectonic structures (seismic) and the impact of fracturing and faulting on the Chalk (ERT), and finally, to understand the arrangement of Paleogene and Quaternary overburden formations with the Chalk.The integrated analysis of geophysical data suggests that major faults within the basement propagate into the chalk, which is locally affected by intense fracturing. The observations confirm the strong lateral heterogeneity of the chalk and shed light on local hydrogeological functioning. In particular, they provide a better understanding of water geochemistry data. This study has shown that the Seclin Fault, of regional amplitude, which crosses the study area, should no longer be considered as a single linear structure, but rather as a complex horst and graben structure, with all the consequences this has on the functioning of the chalk hydrosystem

Astroglial Connexins Inactivation Increases Relapse of Depressive-like Phenotype after Antidepressant Withdrawal

Studies suggest that astrocytic connexins (Cx) have an important role in the regulation of high brain functions through their ability to establish fine-tuned communication with neurons within the tripartite synapse. In light of these properties, growing evidence suggests a role of Cx in psychiatric disorders such as major depression but also in the therapeutic activity of antidepressant drugs. However, the real impact of Cx on treatment response and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain yet to be clarified. On this ground, the present study was designed to evaluate the functional activity of Cx in a mouse model of depression based on chronic corticosterone exposure and to determine to which extent their pharmacological inactivation influences the antidepressantlike activity of venlafaxine (VENLA). On the one hand, our results indicate that depressed mice have impaired Cx-based gap-junction and hemichannel activities. On the other hand, while VENLA exerts robust antidepressant-like activity in depressed mice; this effect is abolished by the pharmacological inhibition of Cx with carbenoxolone (CBX). Interestingly, the combination of VENLA and CBX is also associated with a higher rate of relapse after treatment withdrawal. To our knowledge, this study is one of the first to develop a model of relapse, and our results reveal that Cx-mediated dynamic neuroglial interactions play a critical role in the efficacy of monoaminergic antidepressant drugs, thus providing new targets for the treatment of depression