The Optimization of a Numerical Steel Foundry Simulation Through a Characterization of the Thermal Properties of the Materials

In many foundries, numerical simulation is used to determine the origins of different defects as this tool allows the acceleration of the design process. However, the databases provided by different software do not seem to tally with the actual properties of the material. In fact, every foundry uses a different grade of steel and varying mixtures of sand. An evaluation of the impact of different material properties showed the importance of measuring every physical property to improve the database of the software. Following this, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the gap between numerical simulations and the results obtained through experimentation. This experiment, called thermal analysis, consists in measuring the solidification and cooling of a cylinder filled with liquid steel. After the calculation of the steel properties and a simulation with real experimental parameters, a comparison between each cooling curve was realized. This comparison shows that the calculated properties provide a simulated cooling curve which is closer to the experimental curve than the properties in the original database. We did not explore all of the metal properties in this study, but the modification of the sand properties was explored, together with the thermal conductivity of the steel and sand. These other measurements will be obtained in a future study

Éco-conception ?… Éco-système !

À partir de trois exemples d’expositions réalisées sur la base de l’éco-conception, les auteurs mettent en lumière les principes qui ont guidé leur action et s’interrogent en définitive sur la pertinence d’une autre démarche permettant la mise place de ce type de projet face aux exigences liées au développement durable.By taking three examples of exhibitions, all put together using sustainable design, the authors reveal the principles which guided their work, and examine the pertinence of another approach that allows the setting up of this type of project when faced with the demands linked to sustainable development

Seasonality of Suicidal Behavior

A seasonal suicide peak in spring is highly replicated, but its specific cause is unknown. We reviewed the literature on suicide risk factors which can be associated with seasonal variation of suicide rates, assessing published articles from 1979 to 2011. Such risk factors include environmental determinants, including physical, chemical, and biological factors. We also summarized the influence of potential demographic and clinical characteristics such as age, gender, month of birth, socioeconomic status, methods of prior suicide attempt, and comorbid psychiatric and medical diseases. Comprehensive evaluation of risk factors which could be linked to the seasonal variation in suicide is important, not only to identify the major driving force for the seasonality of suicide, but also could lead to better suicide prevention in general

Season, weather, and suicide:Further evidence for ecological complexity

Background: easonality in suicide is reported worldwide, and peaks in late spring. Despite the potential connection to the weather, associations between meteorological variables and suicide does not explain seasonality. Studies testing for seasonality while controlling for the weather show patterns that are more complex than a straightforward link between spring-like weather and suicide. Methods: We tested whether seasonality in suicide was due to meteorological variation (hours of sunshine, rainfall, or temperature) in a novel population (Scotland; 2003–2013). We also sought to further explore the ecological complexity demonstrated in previous work by testing associations at a single location (Tay Road Bridge; 1968–2017). RESULTS: We found peaks in suicidal behavior in June at the bridge, but no seasonality for Scotland as a whole. Seasonality was reduced when we controlled for maximum temperature and hours of sunshine. We found patterns to be dependent upon sex, with stronger seasonal and meteorological effects amongst men. Limitations: Our study was exploratory and relies on population-level data. Conclusions: Seasonal and meteorological effects on suicide are dependent upon local and individual context, with significant effects apparent at the Tay Road Bridge and not across Scotland as a whole. Men may be more sensitive to season and weather. In order to determine whether seasonality in suicide is due to meteorological variation, future research should test patterns in small geographical units, in men and women, and for different suicide methods, and seek to identify the social and physical factors which predict variation in patterns

CRY2 Is Associated with Rapid Cycling in Bipolar Disorder Patients

Bipolar disorder patients often display abnormalities in circadian rhythm, and they are sensitive to irregular diurnal rhythms. CRY2 participates in the core clock that generates circadian rhythms. CRY2 mRNA expression in blood mononuclear cells was recently shown to display a marked diurnal variation and to respond to total sleep deprivation in healthy human volunteers. It was also shown that bipolar patients in a depressive state had lower CRY2 mRNA levels, nonresponsive to total sleep deprivation, compared to healthy controls, and that CRY2 gene variation was associated with winter depression in both Swedish and Finnish cohorts.Four CRY2 SNPs spanning from intron 2 to downstream 3'UTR were analyzed for association to bipolar disorder type 1 (n = 497), bipolar disorder type 2 (n = 60) and bipolar disorder with the feature rapid cycling (n = 155) versus blood donors (n = 1044) in Sweden. Also, the rapid cycling cases were compared with bipolar disorder cases without rapid cycling (n = 422). The haplotype GGAC was underrepresented among rapid cycling cases versus controls and versus bipolar disorder cases without rapid cycling (OR = 0.7, P = 0.006-0.02), whereas overrepresentation among rapid cycling cases was seen for AAAC (OR = 1.3-1.4, P = 0.03-0.04) and AGGA (OR = 1.5, P = 0.05). The risk and protective CRY2 haplotypes and their effect sizes were similar to those recently suggested to be associated with winter depression in Swedes.We propose that the circadian gene CRY2 is associated with rapid cycling in bipolar disorder. This is the first time a clock gene is implicated in rapid cycling, and one of few findings showing a molecular discrimination between rapid cycling and other forms of bipolar disorder