Off-equilibrium corrections to energy and conserved charge densities in the relativistic fluid in heavy-ion collisions

Dissipative processes in relativistic fluids are known to be important in the analyses of the hot QCD matter created in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. In this work, I consider dissipative corrections to energy and conserved charge densities, which are conventionally assumed to be vanishing but could be finite. Causal dissipative hydrodynamics is formulated in the presence of those dissipative currents. The relation between hydrodynamic stability and transport coefficients is discussed. I then study their phenomenological consequences on the observables of heavy-ion collisions in numerical simulations. It is shown that particle spectra and elliptic flow can be visibly modified.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures; title changed, references added, conclusions unchange

Modified Medical Research Council scale vs Baseline Dyspnea Index to evaluate dyspnea in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

International audienceBackground: Assessment of dyspnea in COPD patients relies in clinical practice on the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, whereas the Baseline Dyspnea Index (BDI) is mainly used in clinical trials. Little is known on the correspondence between the two methods. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis was carried out on data from the French COPD cohort Initiatives BPCO. Dyspnea was assessed by the mMRC scale and the BDI. Spirometry, plethysmography, Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire, exacerbation rates, and physician-diagnosed comorbidities were obtained. Correlations between mMRC and BDI scores were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. An ordinal response model was used to examine the contribution of clinical data and lung function parameters to mMRC and BDI scores. Results: Data are given as median (interquartile ranges, [IQR]). Two-hundred thirty-nine COPD subjects were analyzed (men 78%, age 65.0 years [57.0; 73.0], forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] 48% predicted [34; 67]). The mMRC grade and BDI score were, respectively, 1 [1-3] and 6 [4-8]. Both BDI and mMRC scores were significantly correlated at the group level (rho = -0.67; P < 0.0001), but analysis of individual data revealed a large scatter of BDI scores for any given mMRC grade. In multivariate analysis, both mMRC grade and BDI score were independently associated with lower FEV1% pred, higher exacerbation rate, obesity, depression, heart failure, and hyperinflation, as assessed by the inspiratory capacity/total lung capacity ratio. The mMRC dyspnea grade was also associated with the thromboembolic history and low body mass index. Conclusion: Dyspnea is a complex symptom with multiple determinants in COPD patients. Although related to similar factors (including hyperinflation, depression, and heart failure), BDI and mMRC scores likely explore differently the dyspnea intensity in COPD patients and are clearly not interchangeable

Adjustment and Characterization of an Original Model of Chronic Ischemic Heart Failure in Pig

We present and characterize an original experimental model to create a chronic ischemic heart failure in pig. Two ameroid constrictors were placed around the LAD and the circumflex artery. Two months after surgery, pigs presented a poor LV function associated with a severe mitral valve insufficiency. Echocardiography analysis showed substantial anomalies in radial and circumferential deformations, both on the anterior and lateral surface of the heart. These anomalies in function were coupled with anomalies of perfusion observed in echocardiography after injection of contrast medium. No demonstration of myocardial infarction was observed with histological analysis. Our findings suggest that we were able to create and to stabilize a chronic ischemic heart failure model in the pig. This model represents a useful tool for the development of new medical or surgical treatment in this field

Bone Marrow Transplant

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I-H (MPS I-H) is a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-L-Iduronidase deficiency. Early haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the sole available therapeutic option to preserve neurocognitive functions. We report long-term follow-up (median 9 years, interquartile range 8-16.5) for 51 MPS I-H patients who underwent HSCT between 1986 and 2018 in France. 4 patients died from complications of HSCT and one from disease progression. Complete chimerism and normal α-L-Iduronidase activity were obtained in 84% and 71% of patients respectively. No difference of outcomes was observed between bone marrow and cord blood stem cell sources. All patients acquired independent walking and 91% and 78% acquired intelligible language or reading and writing. Intelligence Quotient evaluation (n = 23) showed that 69% had IQ ≥ 70 at last follow-up. 58% of patients had normal or remedial schooling and 62% of the 13 adults had good socio-professional insertion. Skeletal dysplasia as well as vision and hearing impairments progressed despite HSCT, with significant disability. These results provide a long-term assessment of HSCT efficacy in MPS I-H and could be useful in the evaluation of novel promising treatments such as gene therapy

Collaborations PMI-enseignement supérieur pour l'informatisation de la gestion industrielle des PMI

International audienceLa mise en oeuvre d'une réelle gestion industrielle est significative du changement de statut de l'artisan à l'entreprise industrielle. Cette évolution impose généralement une informatisation intégrée qui révolutionne les habitudes et impose l'informatique comme un outil pour tout le personnel de l'entreprise. Par leur structure et leurs compétences limitées, les PMI doivent faire appel à différentes aides et conseils extérieurs. En complément des interlocuteurs classiques des PMI (services de l'état, des chambres de commerce et d'industrie et des consultants, etc.), les établissements d'enseignement supérieur peuvent apporter une contribution significative. Différents modes de collaboration entre une PMI et un établissement de l'enseignement supérieur sont possibles : expertises des enseignants-chercheurs, stages d'élèves et participation de doctorants. Ils sont illustrés sur différents exemples industriels de Midi-Pyrénées. Ces collaborations permettent de limiter les risques d'échec des projets, d'intégrer des diplômés de l'enseignement supérieur dans des PMI, d'illustrer par des cas industriels les formations, d'ancrer la recherche dans la réalité des PMI. Ces collaborations doivent se développer car elles sont nécessaires, possibles et bénéfiques pour tous

Host sex and parasite genetic diversity

Is the genetic diversity of parasites infecting male and female hosts equal or different? This is the question we address in this paper by studying the neutral genetic variability of the plathyhelminth trematode Schistosoma mansoni within males and females of its natural murine host Rattus rattus in the marshy forest focus of Guadeloupe (French West Indies). Using seven microsatellite markers, we demonstrate that parasites from male hosts are genetically more diversified than parasites from female hosts. Three hypotheses are discussed that could explain this pattern: 1) a host sex-specific duration of cercariae recruitment; 2) a difference in the behaviour of male and female hosts that would lead to the exposure of males to a greater diversity of parasites; and 3) a host sex-biased immunocompetence that would lead to the selection of more genetically diversified individuals in male than in female rats. This finding is the first empirical evidence that each host sex may play different roles in the maintenance of parasite genetic diversity and so in their evolutionary dynamics and epidemiology. (c) 2006 Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved

Réactivité en entreprise : une enquête

Nom collectif sur la publication : T. TournesolNational audienceIl semble maintenant bien établi que la réactivité devient un facteur prépondérant de compétitivité des entreprises. De nombreuses recherches visent ainsi à améliorer l'aptitude des ateliers à s'adapter efficacement à des situations nouvelles, prévisibles ou non. L'enquête dont quelques résultats sont décrits dans cette communication vise à mieux cerner la réalité industrielle de la réactivité. Les points de convergence entre recherche et besoins industriels sont décrits, et des besoins exprimés par les industriels mais rarement abordés par les chercheurs sont évoqués

Réactivité en entreprise : une enquête

Nom collectif sur la publication : T. TournesolNational audienceIl semble maintenant bien établi que la réactivité devient un facteur prépondérant de compétitivité des entreprises. De nombreuses recherches visent ainsi à améliorer l'aptitude des ateliers à s'adapter efficacement à des situations nouvelles, prévisibles ou non. L'enquête dont quelques résultats sont décrits dans cette communication vise à mieux cerner la réalité industrielle de la réactivité. Les points de convergence entre recherche et besoins industriels sont décrits, et des besoins exprimés par les industriels mais rarement abordés par les chercheurs sont évoqués

Gain, amplified spontaneous emission and noise figure of bulk InGaAs/InGaAsP/InP semiconductor optical amplifiers

International audienceBulk InGaAs layer under slight tensile strain, embedded in InGaAsP barriers and grown on InP, was used as semiconductor optical amplifier active layer for polarisation insensitive amplification. The material bandstructure was obtained by solving the Lüttinger–Kohn Hamiltonian, including tetragonal strain contribution. Study of the InGaAs material gain was performed by taking into account the effect of k-dependent bandgap shrinkage. The semiconductor optical amplifiers device amplified spontaneous emission and noise figure have been investigated as a function of temperature, carrier density and barrier height. Good agreement was obtained with the trends observed in the experimental characteristics. The authors show that a 100 nm bandwidth can be obtained with a difference between transverse electric and transverse magnetic emission kept constant, as required for polarisation independent amplifiers

Gain, amplified spontaneous emission and noise figure of bulk InGaAs/InGaAsP/InP semiconductor optical amplifiers

International audienceBulk InGaAs layer under slight tensile strain, embedded in InGaAsP barriers and grown on InP, was used as semiconductor optical amplifier active layer for polarisation insensitive amplification. The material bandstructure was obtained by solving the Lüttinger–Kohn Hamiltonian, including tetragonal strain contribution. Study of the InGaAs material gain was performed by taking into account the effect of k-dependent bandgap shrinkage. The semiconductor optical amplifiers device amplified spontaneous emission and noise figure have been investigated as a function of temperature, carrier density and barrier height. Good agreement was obtained with the trends observed in the experimental characteristics. The authors show that a 100 nm bandwidth can be obtained with a difference between transverse electric and transverse magnetic emission kept constant, as required for polarisation independent amplifiers