Inferior Mesenteric Artery Aneurysm: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Aneurysms of the inferior mesenteric artery are very rare. We report a new case associated with aorto-iliac occlusive disease and occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery, as well as review the pertinent literature

Optimal Policies Search for Sensor Management

International audienceThis paper introduces a new approach to solve sensor management problems. Classically sensor management problems can be well formalized as Partially-Observed Markov Decision Processes (POMPD). The original approach developped here consists in deriving the optimal parameterized policy based on a stochastic gradient estimation. We assume in this work that it is possible to learn the optimal policy off-line (in simulation ) using models of the environement and of the sensor(s). The learned policy can then be used to manage the sensor(s). In order to approximate the gradient in a stochastic context, we introduce a new method to approximate the gradient, based on Infinitesimal Perturbation Approximation (IPA). The effectiveness of this general framework is illustrated by the managing of an Electronically Scanned Array Radar. First simulations results are finally proposed

A small temperature rise may contribute towards the apparent induction by microwaves of heatshock gene expression in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

We have previously reported that low-intensity microwave exposure (0.75-1.0 GHz CW at 0.5 W; SAR 4-40 mW kg-1) can induce an apparently non-thermal heat-shock response in Caenorhabditis elegans worms carrying hsp16-1::reporter genes. Using matched copper TEM cells for both sham and exposed groups, we can detect only modest reporter induction in the latter (15-20% after 2.5 h at 26°C, rising to ~50% after 20 h). Traceable calibration of our copper TEM cell by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) reveals significant power loss within the cell (8.5% at 1.0 GHz), accompanied by slight heating of exposed samples (~0.3°C at 1.0 W). Thus exposed samples are in fact slightly warmer (by ≤0.2°C at 0.5 W) than sham controls. Following NPL recommendations, our TEM cell design was modified with the aim of reducing both power loss and consequent heating. In the modified silver-plated cell, power loss is only 1.5% at 1.0 GHz, and sample warming is reduced to ~ 0.15°C at 1.0 W (i.e. ≤ 0.1°C at 0.5 W). Under sham:sham conditions, there is no difference in reporter expression between the modified silverplated TEM cell and an unmodified copper cell. However, worms exposed to microwaves (1.0 GHz and 0.5 W) in the silver-plated cell also show no detectable induction of reporter expression relative to sham controls in the copper cell. Thus the 20% “microwave induction” observed using two copper cells may be caused by a small temperature difference between sham and exposed conditions. In worms incubated for 2.5 h at 26.0, 26.2 and 27.0°C (with no microwave field), there is a consistent and significant increase in reporter expression between 26.0 and 26.2°C (by ~20% in each of 6 independent runs), but paradoxically expression levels at 27.0°C are similar to those seen at 26.0°C. This surprising result is in line with other evidence pointing towards complex regulation of hsp16-1 gene expression across the sub-heat-shock range of 25-27.5°C in C. elegans. We conclude that our original interpretation of a non-thermal effect of microwaves cannot be sustained; at least part of the explanation appears to be thermal

Seismic response assessment and protection of statues and busts

Recent post-earthquake surveys carried out in Europe have shown that earthquake actions pose an immense threat to museums and their contents. For example, during the earthquake on 21 July 2017 in the island of Kos (Greece), severe and widespread damage on the city’s archaeological museum was reported (Figure 1). The earthquake extensively damaged the sculpture exhibition, where many pieces were dislocated, leaned against the walls, or overturned. Fortunately, the earthquake occurred when human visitors were not in the museum, since the damage to the exhibits varied from very light (minor fracturing) to severe (complete overturning and fracture of artefacts). In the case of heavy and slender sculptures, the overturning mechanism, apart from damaging the sculptures themselves, is a serious threat to other standing exhibits in the gallery and the visitors. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to have at our disposal methods and tools for characterising the seismic risk of museum artefacts and, where necessary, proposing cost-efficient protective measures. The study of the seismic vulnerability of museum artefacts, especially of slender, human-formed statues, is related to the research on the dynamic response of rocking rigid blocks. The dynamic characteristics of the hosting structures are also important. This is evident from the fact that, on many occasions, damage to the structure was reported leaving the exhibits intact and vice-versa. Although the problem is coupled, it can be studied looking separately at the structure and its contents, provided that the contents are not attached to the building. The seismic response of building contents is a topic of growing interest, since it is directly related to seismic loss assessment and earthquake community resilience. Building contents can be either attached to the structure, or may consist of objects that are simply standing. Museum exhibits belong to the latter category, while free-standing components are often studied as rocking objects and hence their response is sensitive to acceleration and velocity-based quantities and also to their geometry. Today, there is lack of standards, while the existing approaches are general in concept and do not sufficiently address the variety of rocking objects. The problem becomes more complicated when it comes to priceless objects such as museum artefacts where more refined and targeted studies are required for understanding their seismic response and also for proposing rapid tools for assessing their seismic risk. The paper presents an extensive experimental campaign on the seismic response of artefacts, with emphasis on statues and busts. The tests took place in the framework of SEREME project (Seismic Resilience of Museum Contents) at the AZALEE seismic simulator of CEA in Saclay, Paris under the auspices of the SERA project. The aim is to understand the seismic response of statues and busts and then develop novel and cost-effective risk mitigation schemes for improving the seismic resilience of museum valuable contents. The study is focused on the investigation of the seismic response of two real-scale marble roman statues and three busts of three roman emperors standing on pedestals of different types and size. Both isolated and non-isolated artefacts are considered, while two new and highly efficient base isolation systems, tailored to art objects, will be tested. The first isolator is a pendulum-based system, while the second utilizes Shape Memory Alloy wires. Furthermore, the paper examines the importance of the hosting building, i.e. building type and story. Specifically tailored, numerical models of varying complexity, for single and two-block rocking systems, were developed for the needs of this study and are also assessed against the experimental results

Decolorization of crystal violet over TiO2 and TiO2 doped with zirconia photocatalysts

Titania based catalyst and TiO2 doped with zirconia were prepared by modified sol-gel method. The synthesized catalysts samples were characterized by BET, XRD, SEM and FTIR techniques. Photocatalytic activity was tested in the reaction of crystal violet (CV) dye decolorization/decomposition under UV light irradiation. The effect of several operational parameters, such as catalyst dosage, initial dye concentrations, duration of UV irradiation treatment and number of reaction cycles were also considered. The obtained results indicated faster dye decolorization with the increase of the catalyst amount and a decrease of initial CV concentrations. An influence of doping with zirconia on the physico-chemical properties of bare titania was studied. The doping procedure had affected photocatalytic properties of the final catalytic material, and had improved photocatalytic performances of doped catalyst on crystal violet decolorization/degradation in comparison to bare titania

Urgent need to clarify the definition of chronic critical limb ischemia - a position paper from the European Society for Vascular Medicine

Chronic critical lower limb ischemia (CLI) has been defined as ischemia that endangers the leg. An attempt was made to give a precise definition of CLI, based on clinical and hemodynamic data (Second European Consensus). CLI may be easily defined from a clinical point of view as rest pain of the distal foot or gangrene or ulceration. It is probably useful to add leg ulcers of other origin which do not heal because of severe ischemia, and to consider the impact of frailty on adverse outcome. From a hemodynamic viewpoint there is no consensus and most of the existing classifications are not based upon evidence. We should thus propose a definition and then validate it in a prospective cohort in order to define the patients at major risk of amputation, and also to define the categories of patients whose prognosis is improved by revascularisation. From today\u27s available data, it seems clear that the patients with a systolic toe pressure (STP) below 30 mmHg must be revascularised whenever possible. However other patients with clinically suspected CLI and STP above 30 mmHg must be evaluated and treated in specialised vascular units and revascularisation has to be discussed on a case by case basis, taking into account other data such as the WiFi classification for ulcers.In conclusion, many useful but at times contradictory definitions of CLI have been suggested. Only a few have taken into account evidence, and none have been validated prospectively. This paper aims to address this and to give notice that a CLI registry within Europe will be set up to prospectively validate, or not, the previous and suggested definitions of CLI

CO2 dissolution and design aspects of a multiorifice oscillatory baffled column

Dissolution of CO2 in water was studied for a batch vertical multiorifice baffled column (MOBC) with varying orifice diameters (d0) of 6.4-30 mm and baffle open area (α) of 15-42%. Bubble size distributions (BSDs) and the overall volumetric CO2 mass transfer coefficient (KLa) were experimentally evaluated for very low superficial gas velocities, UG of 0.12-0.81 mm s-1, using 5% v/v CO2 in the inlet gas stream at a range of fluid oscillations (f = 0-10 Hz and x0 = 0-10 mm). Remarkably, baffles presenting large do = 30 mm and α = 36%, therefore in the range typically found for single-orifice oscillatory baffled columns, were outperformed with respect to BSD control and CO2 dissolution by the other baffle designs or the same aerated column operating without baffles or fluid oscillations. Flow visualization and bubble tracking experiments also presented in this study established that a small do of 10.5 mm combined with a small value of α = 15% generates sufficient, strong eddy mixing capable of generating and trapping an extremely large fraction of microbubbles in the MOBC. This resulted in increased interfacial area yielding KLa values up to 65 ± 12 h-1 in the range of the UG tested, representing up to 3-fold increase in the rate of CO2 dissolution when compared to the unbaffled, steady column. In addition, a modi fied oscillatory Reynolds number, Re′o and Strouhal number, St' were presented to assist on the design and scale-up of gas-liquid systems based on multiorifice oscillatory ba ffled columns. This work is relevant to gas-liquid or multiphase chemical and biological systems relying on efficient dissolution of gaseous compounds into a liquid medium.BBSRC -European Commissio

The burden of breast, cervical, and colon and rectum cancer in the Balkan countries, 1990–2019 and forecast to 2030.

Background Despite effective prevention and control strategies, in countries of the Balkan region, cancers are the second leading cause of mortality, closely following circulatory system diseases. Objective To describe trends in the burden of breast, cervical, and colon and rectum cancer in the Balkan region and per country between 1990 and 2019, including a forecast to 2030. Methods We described the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) estimates for breast, cervical, and colon and rectum cancers in eleven Balkan countries over the period 1990–2019, including incidence, years lived with disability (YLD), years of life lost (YLL), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates per 100,000 population and accompanied 95% uncertainty interval. With the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average, we forecasted these rates per country up to 2030. Results In the Balkan region, the highest incidence and DALYs rates in the study period were for colon and rectum, and breast cancers. Over the study period, the DALYs rates for breast cancer per 100,000 population were the highest in Serbia (reaching 670.84 in 2019) but the lowest in Albania (reaching 271.24 in 2019). In 2019, the highest incidence of breast cancer (85 /100,000) and highest YLD rate (64 /100,000) were observed in Greece. Romania had the highest incidence rates, YLD rates, DALY rates, and YLL rates of cervical cancer, with respective 20.59%, 23.39% 4.00%, and 3.47% increases for the 1990/2019 period, and the highest forecasted burden for cervical cancer in 2030. The highest incidence rates, YLD rates and DALY rates of colon and rectum cancers were continuously recorded in Croatia (an increase of 130.75%, 48.23%, and 63.28%, respectively), while the highest YLL rates were in Bulgaria (an increase of 63.85%). The YLL rates due to colon and rectum cancers are forecasted to progress by 2030 in all Balkan countries. Conclusion As most of the DALYs burden for breast, cervical, and colon and rectum cancer is due to premature mortality, the numerous country-specific barriers to cancer early detection and quality and care continuum should be a public priority of multi-stakeholder collaboration in the Balkan region