VICARIA: An e-Learning System for Risk Assessment

An e-learning system in the risk assessment engineering domain has been developed by a consortium led by Ligeron® in the context of the Vicaria project (Leonado da Vinci – N° PP 118018). The e-learning platform: www.vicaria.fr has been implemented and hosted by OVH in compliance with SCORM (Shareable Content Object Reference Model) standard. The Vicaria modules contents have been defined according to an investigation performed in different European countries, particularly in France, to gather the user requirements. The Vicaria contents dedicated mainly to the environmental risks and ICPE are now available for use in French. The issue of the performed work and the e-learning system specifics are partly summarized in this pape

Genotype 1 hepatitis C virus envelope features that determine antiviral response assessed through optimal covariance networks

The poor response to the combined antiviral therapy of pegylated alfa-interferon and ribavarin for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may be linked to mutations in the viral envelope gene E1E2 (env), which can result in escape from the immune response and higher efficacy of viral entry. Mutations that result in failure of therapy most likely require compensatory mutations to achieve sufficient change in envelope structure and function. Compensatory mutations were investigated by determining positions in the E1E2 gene where amino acids (aa) covaried across groups of individuals. We assessed networks of covarying positions in E1E2 sequences that differentiated sustained virological response (SVR) from non-response (NR) in 43 genotype 1a (17 SVR), and 49 genotype 1b (25 SVR) chronically HCV-infected individuals. Binary integer programming over covariance networks was used to extract aa combinations that differed between response groups. Genotype 1a E1E2 sequences exhibited higher degrees of covariance and clustered into 3 main groups while 1b sequences exhibited no clustering. Between 5 and 9 aa pairs were required to separate SVR from NR in each genotype. aa in hypervariable region 1 were 6 times more likely than chance to occur in the optimal networks. The pair 531-626 (EI) appeared frequently in the optimal networks and was present in 6 of 9 NR in one of the 1a clusters. The most frequent pairs representing SVR were 431-481 (EE), 500-522 (QA) in 1a, and 407-434 (AQ) in 1b. Optimal networks based on covarying aa pairs in HCV envelope can indicate features that are associated with failure or success to antiviral therapy

From gifted to high potential and twice exceptional: A state-of-the-art meta-review

International audienceDespite the abundant literature on intelligence and high potential individuals, there is still a lack of international consensus on the terminology and clinical characteristics associated to this population. It has been argued that unstandardized use of diagnosis tools and research methods make comparisons and interpretations of scientific and epidemiological evidence difficult in this field. If multiple cognitive and psychological models have attempted to explain the mechanisms underlying high potentiality, there is a need to confront new scientific evidence with the old, to uproot a global understanding of what constitutes the neurocognitive profile of high-potential in gifted individuals. Another particularly relevant aspect of applied research on high potentiality concerns the challenges faced by individuals referred to as “twice exceptional” in the field of education and in their socio-affective life. Some individuals have demonstrated high forms of intelligence together with learning, affective or neurodevelopmental disorders posing the question as to whether compensating or exacerbating psycho-cognitive mechanisms might underlie their observed behavior. Elucidating same will prove relevant to questions concerning the possible need for differential diagnosis tools, specialized educational and clinical support. A meta-review of the latest findings from neuroscience to developmental psychology, might help in the conception and reviewing of intervention strategie

Behavior modelling and microstructural evolutions of Ti-6Al-4V alloy under hot forming conditions

International audienceTi-6Al-4V alloy is widely used in superplastic forming process. The conventional conditions require high forming temperatures (T ≥ 900 • C) and low strain rates (˙ ε ≤ 10 −3 s −1). In order to reduce the costs of the industrial process, recent investigations focus on the micro-structural refinement of the material. It allows an improvement of the forming conditions which makes lower forming temperatures and higher strain rates eligible whereas low strain rates (˙ ε ≤ 10 −3 s −1) and high temperatures (T ≥ 800 • C) are particularly suitable for conventional superplastic forming conditions. However, the mechanical response of the Titanium alloy strongly depends on the starting micro-structure considered and on its evolution with the temperature and the deformation. The objective of the present investigation is to observe the micro-structural evolutions of Ti-6Al-4V alloy under thermal and mechanical loadings from different starting micro-structures. Hence, an internal grain growth variable is identified by the use of these observations. Then, it is introduced into the behavior model and its influence on the mechanical response of the material is analysed. The final constitutive equations are able to take into account viscosity, strain hardening and grain size evolution for a wide range of strain rates and forming temperatures (10 −4 s −1 ≤ ˙ ε ≤ 10 −2 s −1 ; 650 • C ≤ T ≤ 870 • C). Moreover, the model is able to consider several starting microstructures (different initial grain sizes) and to predict their influence on the viscous flow and the strain hardening. At last, some model verifications are conducted to check the validity of the non-isothermal model formulation. Some predictions are also performed by considering several starting microstructures

High Temperature Fatigue of SPF Die Ni-Cr-Fe Heat Resistant Nickel-Chromium Cast Steels

10th International Conference on Superplasticity in Advanced Materials, Seattle, WA, JUN 29-JUL 02, 2009International audienceSuperplastic forming of titanium alloy sheets requests long time operating conditions in the range of 900-950 degrees C. Moreover, in a classical press-furnace process environment, die surface temperature drops during sheet unloading and induces high temperature thermo-mechanical fatigue. In order to withstand such extreme conditions in oxidative atmosphere, cast heat resistant nickel chromium steel grades have been developed. The high chromium content (close to 25%) aims to protect against the oxidizing environment, whereas the nickel content is selected with respect to the expected in service loads. The 50% nickel grades are in general used for heating plates, huge casings and cover-plates; whereas 40% nickel grades are selected for inserts and medium size self-standing dies. Cost considerations (Nickel and machining) are also taken into account by the end users for making their choice. An extensive testing program has been performed, in the range of 20 to 950 degrees C, to understand the high temperature fatigue behaviour of these grades and to identify material behaviour models for simulation purposes. This paper presents the major results of these research works and highlights the impact of the nickel content in terms of stress level and life time. Nevertheless, when looking on behaviour, test results show that a unified elasto-visco-plastic cyclic behaviour model is well suited for thermo-mechanical cyclic modelling whatever the grade is. Isothermal identification strategy and out of phase SPF die representative anisothermal fatigue validation are presented