The integration of Central and Eastern Europe in the European Union: Trade and labour market adjustment.

European Union; Integration; Trade; Labour market; Market;

Automated supervised classification of variable stars I. Methodology

The fast classification of new variable stars is an important step in making them available for further research. Selection of science targets from large databases is much more efficient if they have been classified first. Defining the classes in terms of physical parameters is also important to get an unbiased statistical view on the variability mechanisms and the borders of instability strips. Our goal is twofold: provide an overview of the stellar variability classes that are presently known, in terms of some relevant stellar parameters; use the class descriptions obtained as the basis for an automated `supervised classification' of large databases. Such automated classification will compare and assign new objects to a set of pre-defined variability training classes. For every variability class, a literature search was performed to find as many well-known member stars as possible, or a considerable subset if too many were present. Next, we searched on-line and private databases for their light curves in the visible band and performed period analysis and harmonic fitting. The derived light curve parameters are used to describe the classes and define the training classifiers. We compared the performance of different classifiers in terms of percentage of correct identification, of confusion among classes and of computation time. We describe how well the classes can be separated using the proposed set of parameters and how future improvements can be made, based on new large databases such as the light curves to be assembled by the CoRoT and Kepler space missions.Comment: This paper has been accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics (reference AA/2007/7638) Number of pages: 27 Number of figures: 1

Herschel PACS and SPIRE spectroscopy of the Photodissociation Regions associated with S 106 and IRAS 23133+6050

Photodissociation regions (PDRs) contain a large fraction of all of the interstellar matter in galaxies. Classical examples include the boundaries between ionized regions and molecular clouds in regions of massive star formation, marking the point where all of the photons energetic enough to ionize hydrogen have been absorbed. In this paper we determine the physical properties of the PDRs associated with the star forming regions IRAS 23133+6050 and S 106 and present them in the context of other Galactic PDRs associated with massive star forming regions. We employ Herschel PACS and SPIRE spectroscopic observations to construct a full 55-650 {\mu}m spectrum of each object from which we measure the PDR cooling lines, other fine- structure lines, CO lines and the total far-infrared flux. These measurements are then compared to standard PDR models. Subsequently detailed numerical PDR models are compared to these predictions, yielding additional insights into the dominant thermal processes in the PDRs and their structures. We find that the PDRs of each object are very similar, and can be characterized by a two-phase PDR model with a very dense, highly UV irradiated phase (n $\sim$ 10^6 cm^(-3), G$_0$ $\sim$ 10^5) interspersed within a lower density, weaker radiation field phase (n $\sim$ 10^4 cm^(-3), G$_0$ $\sim$ 10^4). We employed two different numerical models to investigate the data, firstly we used RADEX models to fit the peak of the $^{12}$CO ladder, which in conjunction with the properties derived yielded a temperature of around 300 K. Subsequent numerical modeling with a full PDR model revealed that the dense phase has a filling factor of around 0.6 in both objects. The shape of the $^{12}$CO ladder was consistent with these components with heating dominated by grain photoelectric heating. An extra excitation component for the highest J lines (J > 20) is required for S 106.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, A&A Accepte

Epidemiology of distal femur fractures in France in 2011–12

AbstractIntroductionEpidemiological study of femoral fractures has been dominated by proximal fractures. Distal fracture requires equal attention for correct management.Patients and methodsA prospective study in 12 French hospital centres between June 1st, 2011 and May 31st, 2012 recruited cases of non-pathologic distal femoral fracture in patients over 15 years of age without ipsilateral knee prosthesis.ResultsThere were 183 fractures in 177 patients. Mean age was 63.5 years. Female patients (60.5%) were significantly older than males (mean age, respectively 73 versus 48.4 years). Walking was unrestricted in only 83 patients (46.89%). On the AO/OTA (Orthopaedic Trauma Association) classification, there were 86 type A fractures (47%), 29 type B (15.8%) and 68 type C (37.2%). Fractures were open in 32 cases (17.5%), most frequently in male, young patients and type C fracture. Causal trauma was low-energy (fall from own height) in 108 cases, most frequently in female patients and type A fracture. Forty-five patients were proximal femoral implant bearers.ConclusionDistal femoral fracture shows highly variable epidemiology. AO/OTA type A fracture mainly involves elderly, relatively dependent female subjects. Outcome study requires radiographic data and assessment of functional capacity.Level of evidence IVProspective cohort study

Blade-plate fixation for distal femoral fractures: A case-control study

AbstractBackgroundThe blade-plate is the earliest of the contemporary internal fixation devices introduced for distal femoral fractures. The recent development of dedicated, fixation devices has considerably limited its use. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes after blade-plate fixation and after fixation using other devices.HypothesisOutcomes after blade-plate fixation are similar to those after condylar screw-plate, distal femoral nail, or locking condylar plate fixation.Material and methodsWe reviewed outcomes after 62 patients managed with blade-plate fixation and included in a multicentre retrospective study (n=57) or a multicentre prospective study (n=5) and we compared them to outcomes after fixation using condylar screw-plates (n=82), distal femoral nail (n=219), or locking condylar plates (n=301). The four groups were comparable for age, gender distribution, occupational status, prevalence of skin wounds, patient-related factors, type of accident, and type of fracture. The evaluation relied on the clinical International Knee Society (IKS) score and on radiographs.ResultsNo significant differences existed across the four groups for operative time, blood transfusion use, complications, need for bone grafting, non-union rate, or IKS score values. The early surgical revision rate for removal of the fixation material was 4% with the blade-plate and 16% with the other three fixation devices (P=0.02). Post-operative fracture deformity was similar in the four groups with, however, a higher proportion of residual malalignment in the screw-fixation group. The final anatomic axis was 3.3±1.4° with the blade-plate versus 2.3±3.7° with the other three fixation devices. The blade-plate group had few patients with axial malalignment, and the degree of malalignment was limited to 3° of varus and 10° of valgus at the most, compared to 10° and 18° respectively, with the other three fixation devices.ConclusionDespite the now extremely limited use and teaching of blade-plate fixation, as well as the undeniable technical challenges raised by the implantation of this device, the blade-plate is a simple, strong, and inexpensive fixation method. It remains reliable for the fixation of distal femoral fractures. The disfavour into which the blade-plate is currently falling is not warranted.Level of evidenceIII, case-control study

Characterization of the optical properties of the buried contact of the JWST MIRI Si:As infrared blocked impurity band detectors

The Mid-Infrared Instrument MIRI on-board the James Webb Space Telescope uses three Si:As impurity band conduction detector arrays. MIRI medium resolution spectroscopic measurements (R$\sim$3500-1500) in the 5~$\mu m$ to 28~$\mu m$ wavelength range show a 10-30\% modulation of the spectral baseline; coherent reflections of infrared light within the Si:As detector arrays result in fringing. We quantify the shape and impact of fringes on spectra of optical sources observed with MIRI during ground testing and develop an optical model to simulate the observed modulation. We use our optical model in conjunction with the MIRI spectroscopic data to show that the properties of the buried contact inside the MIRI Si:As detector have a significant effect on the fringing behavior.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation 2020, submitted to SPI

Spitzer Observations of CO2 Ice Towards Field Stars in the Taurus Molecular Cloud

We present the first Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph observations of the 15.2 micron bending mode of CO2 ice towards field stars behind a quiescent dark cloud. CO2 ice is detected towards 2 field stars (Elias 16, Elias 3) and a single protostar (HL Tau) with anabundance of ~15-20% relative to water ice. CO2 ice is not detected towards the source with lowest extinction in our sample, Tamura 17 (A_V = 3.9m). A comparison of the Elias 16 spectrum with laboratory data demonstrates that the majority of CO2 ice is embedded in a polar H2O-rich ice component, with ~15% of CO2 residing in an apolar H2O-poor mantle. This is the first detection of apolar CO2 towards a field star. We find that the CO2 extinction threshold is A_V = 4m +/- 1m, comparable to the threshold for water ice, but significantly less than the threshold for CO ice, the likely precursor of CO2. Our results confirm CO2 ice forms in tandem with H2O ice along quiescent lines of sight. This argues for CO2 ice formation via a mechanism similar to that responsible for H2O ice formation, viz. simple catalytic reactions on grain surfaces.Comment: Accepted by Astrophysical Journal Letter

Unicondylar fractures of the distal femur

AbstractBackgroundUnicondylar fractures of the distal femur are rare, complex, intra-articular fractures. The objective of this multicentre study was to assess the reduction and fixation of unicondylar fractures.HypothesisAnatomic reduction followed by strong fixation allows early rehabilitation therapy and provides good long-term outcomes.Material and methodsWe studied 163 fractures included in two multicentre studies, of which one was retrospective (n=134) and the other prospective (n=29). Follow-up of at least 1 year was required for inclusion. The treatment was at the discretion of the surgeon. Outcome measures were the clinical results assessed using the International Knee Society (IKS) scores and presence after fracture healing of malunion with angulation, an articular surface step-off, and/or tibio-femoral malalignment.ResultsMean age of the study patients was 50.9±24 years, and most patients were males with no previous history of knee disorders. The fracture was due to a high-energy trauma in 51% of cases; 17% of patients had compound fractures and 44% multiple fractures or injuries. The lateral and medial condyles were equally affected. The fracture line was sagittal in 82% of cases and coronal (Hoffa fracture) in 18% of cases. Non-operative treatment was used in 5% of cases and internal fixation in 95% of cases, with either direct screw or buttress-plate fixation for the sagittal fractures and either direct or indirect screw fixation for the coronal fractures. After treatment of the fracture, 15% of patients had articular malunion due to insufficient reduction, with either valgus-varus (10%) or flexion-recurvatum (5%) deformity; and 12% of patients had an articular step-off visible on the antero-posterior or lateral radiograph. Rehabilitation therapy was started immediately in 65% of patients. Time to full weight bearing was 90 days and time to fracture healing 120 days. Complications consisted of disassembly of the construct (2%), avascular necrosis of the condyle (2%), and arthrolysis (5%). The material was removed in 11% of patients. At last follow-up, the IKS knee score was 71±20 and the IKS function score 64±7; flexion range was 106±28° (<90° in 27% of patients); and 12% of patients had knee osteoarthritis.ConclusionAnatomic reduction of unicondylar distal femoral fractures via an appropriate surgical approach, followed by stable internal fixation using either multiple large-diameter screws or a buttress-plate, allows immediate mobilisation, which in turn ensures good long-term outcomes.Level of evidenceIV, cohort study