Slow nonequilibrium dynamics: parallels between classical and quantum glasses and gently driven systems

We review an scenario for the non-equilibrium dynamics of glassy systems that has been motivated by the exact solution of simple models. This approach allows one to set on firmer grounds well-known phenomenological theories. The old ideas of entropy crisis, fictive temperatures, free-volume... have clear definitions within these models. Aging effects in the glass phase are also captured. One of the salient features of the analytic solution, the breakdown of the fluctuation-dissipation relations, provides a definition of a bonafide {\it effective temperature} that is measurable by a thermometer, controls heat flows, partial equilibrations, and the reaction to the external injection of heat. The effective temperature is an extremely robust concept that appears in non-equilibrium systems in the limit of small entropy production as, for instance, sheared fluids, glasses at low temperatures when quantum fluctuations are relevant, tapped or vibrated granular matter, etc. The emerging scenario is one of partial equilibrations, in which glassy systems arrange their internal degrees of freedom so that the slow ones select their own effective temperatures. It has been proven to be consistent within any perturbative resummation scheme (mode coupling, etc) and it can be challenged by experimental and numerical tests, some of which it has already passed.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figure

The Athena X-ray Integral Field Unit: a consolidated design for the system requirement review of the preliminary definition phase

The Athena X-ray Integral Unit (X-IFU) is the high resolution X-ray spectrometer, studied since 2015 for flying in the mid-30s on the Athena space X-ray Observatory, a versatile observatory designed to address the Hot and Energetic Universe science theme, selected in November 2013 by the Survey Science Committee. Based on a large format array of Transition Edge Sensors (TES), it aims to provide spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopy, with a spectral resolution of 2.5 eV (up to 7 keV) over an hexagonal field of view of 5 arc minutes (equivalent diameter). The X-IFU entered its System Requirement Review (SRR) in June 2022, at about the same time when ESA called for an overall X-IFU redesign (including the X-IFU cryostat and the cooling chain), due to an unanticipated cost overrun of Athena. In this paper, after illustrating the breakthrough capabilities of the X-IFU, we describe the instrument as presented at its SRR, browsing through all the subsystems and associated requirements. We then show the instrument budgets, with a particular emphasis on the anticipated budgets of some of its key performance parameters. Finally we briefly discuss on the ongoing key technology demonstration activities, the calibration and the activities foreseen in the X-IFU Instrument Science Center, and touch on communication and outreach activities, the consortium organisation, and finally on the life cycle assessment of X-IFU aiming at minimising the environmental footprint, associated with the development of the instrument. Thanks to the studies conducted so far on X-IFU, it is expected that along the design-to-cost exercise requested by ESA, the X-IFU will maintain flagship capabilities in spatially resolved high resolution X-ray spectroscopy, enabling most of the original X-IFU related scientific objectives of the Athena mission to be retained. (abridged).Comment: 48 pages, 29 figures, Accepted for publication in Experimental Astronomy with minor editin

The Athena X-ray Integral Field Unit: a consolidated design for the system requirement review of the preliminary definition phase

The Athena X-ray Integral Unit (X-IFU) is the high resolution X-ray spectrometer studied since 2015 for flying in the mid-30s on the Athena space X-ray Observatory. Athena is a versatile observatory designed to address the Hot and Energetic Universe science theme, as selected in November 2013 by the Survey Science Committee. Based on a large format array of Transition Edge Sensors (TES), X-IFU aims to provide spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopy, with a spectral resolution of 2.5 eV (up to 7 keV) over a hexagonal field of view of 5 arc minutes (equivalent diameter). The X-IFU entered its System Requirement Review (SRR) in June 2022, at about the same time when ESA called for an overall X-IFU redesign (including the X-IFU cryostat and the cooling chain), due to an unanticipated cost overrun of Athena. In this paper, after illustrating the breakthrough capabilities of the X-IFU, we describe the instrument as presented at its SRR (i.e. in the course of its preliminary definition phase, so-called B1), browsing through all the subsystems and associated requirements. We then show the instrument budgets, with a particular emphasis on the anticipated budgets of some of its key performance parameters, such as the instrument efficiency, spectral resolution, energy scale knowledge, count rate capability, non X-ray background and target of opportunity efficiency. Finally, we briefly discuss the ongoing key technology demonstration activities, the calibration and the activities foreseen in the X-IFU Instrument Science Center, touch on communication and outreach activities, the consortium organisation and the life cycle assessment of X-IFU aiming at minimising the environmental footprint, associated with the development of the instrument. Thanks to the studies conducted so far on X-IFU, it is expected that along the design-to-cost exercise requested by ESA, the X-IFU will maintain flagship capabilities in spatially resolved high resolution X-ray spectroscopy, enabling most of the original X-IFU related scientific objectives of the Athena mission to be retained. The X-IFU will be provided by an international consortium led by France, The Netherlands and Italy, with ESA member state contributions from Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, with additional contributions from the United States and Japan.The French contribution to X-IFU is funded by CNES, CNRS and CEA. This work has been also supported by ASI (Italian Space Agency) through the Contract 2019-27-HH.0, and by the ESA (European Space Agency) Core Technology Program (CTP) Contract No. 4000114932/15/NL/BW and the AREMBES - ESA CTP No.4000116655/16/NL/BW. This publication is part of grant RTI2018-096686-B-C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. This publication is part of grant RTI2018-096686-B-C21 and PID2020-115325GB-C31 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033

Riociguat treatment in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Final safety data from the EXPERT registry

Objective: The soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat is approved for the treatment of adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and inoperable or persistent/recurrent chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) following Phase

Utilisation des héparines en médecine de ville : données de l'Assurance Maladie de Midi-Pyrénées

L'héparinothérapie expose au risque d'accident hémorragique. L'objectif est de décrire l'utilisation des héparines en médecine de ville, rétrospectivement, à partir des données issues du système de remboursement de l'Assurance Maladie de Midi-Pyrénées. L'analyse des traitements et du suivi biologique a porté sur une période d'un an : 16 462 patients étaient traités par héparine dont 92 % pour un épisode unique ; 1231 patients avaient eu un relais par anticoagulant oral ; 72,6 % des durées d'héparinothérapie étaient compatibles avec les recommandations de l'Agence française de sécurité sanitaire des produits de santé (Afssaps). La surveillance biologique comprenait une numération plaquettaire, un dosage du temps de céphaline activée (TCA) ou de l'anti-Xa chez respectivement 41,9 %, 27,8 % et 3,1 % des patients traités. La créatininémie était recherchée chez 27 % des patients âgés de plus de 75 ans. Les données de l'Assurance Maladie ne correspondent pas strictement aux prescriptions médicales. L'étude permet cependant d'obtenir un état des lieux, de mettre en évidence une surveillance biologique insuffisante, diminuant de ce fait le rapport bénéfice/risque de ces traitements

Prescription des triptans en médecine de ville dans la région Midi-Pyrénées : indications, contre indications, abus médicamenteux

Objectif : Evaluer les prescriptions de triptans en médecine de ville. Méthodes : L'assurance maladie a interrogé 301 patients de la région Midi-Pyrénées ayant eu un remboursement de triptan. Résultats : Quatre-vingt-quinze pour cent des patients étaient migraineux selon les critères de l'International Headache Society (intervalle de confiance [IC] 95 % : 93-98). Six pour cent présentaient une pathologie associée contre-indiquant les triptans (IC 95 % : 3-9). Deux pour cent avaient une association médicamenteuse contre-indiquée (IC 95 % : 0-4). Vingt-six pour cent utilisaient plus de 8 prises mensuelles pendant au moins trois mois (IC 95 % : 21-31) et 8 % dépassaient plus de 12 prises mensuelles (IC 95 % : 5-11). Onze pour cent utilisaient un agenda des crises (IC 95 % : 7-15). Trent-neuf pour cent bénéficiaient d'un traitement prophylactique (IC 95 % : 33-45). Conclusion : Dans un contexte d'augmentation des prescriptions d'antimigraineux, il convient de rester attentif aux contre-indications cliniques et pharmacologiques. La prévention des abus médicamenteux passe par une meilleure utilisation d'un agenda des crises et l'instauration d'un traitement prophylactique

Taux de pénétration des génériques de la buprénorphine haut dosage : principales tendances de 2006 à 2008

Objectif. Évaluer le taux de pénétration national (TP) des génériques (GNR) de la buprénorphine haut dosage (BHD) en 2008 et son évolution depuis leur commercialisation (2006), tout en faisant un focus par dosage et par région. Méthodes. Étude rétrospective à partir des données nationales et régionales de la base de remboursement de l’Assurance maladie sur trois ans (2006–2008). Résultats. En 2008, le TP des GNR de la BHD était de 31 %. Le TP par dosage était de 45 % pour 0,4 mg, 36 % pour 2 mg et 19 % pour 8 mg. Le TP ajusté sur la daily defined dose (DDD) était de 23 % en 2008, 11 % en 2007 et 4 % en 2006. En 2008, au niveau régional, le TP ajusté varie de 15 % en Île de France à 39 % en Champagne Ardennes Lorraine. Conclusion. Le TP des GNR de la BHD a augmenté. Il existe des disparités régionales et des différences selon les dosages. Néanmoins, ce TP reste bas par rapport à celui des autres molécules génériquées (82 %)

Osteoporosis prevention among chronic glucocorticoid users: results from a public health insurance database.

INTRODUCTION: Long-term glucocorticoid therapy is the leading cause of secondary osteoporosis. The management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) seems to be inadequate in many European countries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of screening and treatment of GIOP. DESIGN: Information was collected from a national public health-insurance database in our geographic area of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur and in Corsica, from September 2009 through August 2011. PATIENTS: We identified participants aged 15 years and over starting glucocorticoid therapy (≥7.5 mg of prednisone equivalent per day during at least 90 days consecutive). This cohort was compared with an age-matched and sex-matched population that did not receive glucocorticoids. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bone mass, prescription of bone antiresorptive medication and use of calcium and/or vitamin D treatment. RESULTS: We identified 32 812 patients who were prescribed glucocorticoid therapy, yielding 1% prevalence. Incidence of glucocorticoid therapy was 2.8/1000 inhabitants/year. Males represented 44%, the mean age was 58 years. The median prednisone-equivalent dose was 11 mg/day (IQR 9-18 mg/day). 8% underwent bone mass measurement. Calcium and/or vitamin D, and bisphosphonates were prescribed in 18% and 12%, respectively. Results were lower for the control population: 3% underwent bone mass measurement and 3% received bisphosphonate therapy. The rates of osteodensitometry and treatments were higher in women over 55 years of age than in men and women 55 years of age and younger, and also when glucocorticoid therapy was initiated by a rheumatologist versus other physician specialty. CONCLUSIONS: The management of GIOP remains very inadequate, despite the availability of a statutory health insurance system. Targeted interventions are needed to improve the management of GIOP

Profil des utilisateurs d'anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens

L'objectif de cette étude était de décrire le profil des utilisateurs d'anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens (AINS). A partir des données de l'Assurance Maladie, nous avons isolé les patients affiliés au régime général de Midi-Pyrénées ayant reçu une délivrance d'AINS en juin 2003. Nous avons décrit ces patients en fonction de l'AINS utilisé, de leurs caractéristiques démographiques et des médicaments associés. Un AINS a été délivré à 9 % de la population au cours du mois. Différents profils d'utilisateur se sont dégagés en fonction des AINS : patients plus jeunes prenant moins souvent des "protecteurs gastriques" avec l'ibuprofène et l'acide tiaprofénique, patients plus âgés prenant plus souvent des médicaments favorisant les saignements avec les coxibs. Cette étude confirme l'usage très large des AINS et décrit la population à laquelle ils s'adressent. Elle illustre l'apport des bases de données de l'Assurance Maladie pour appréhender l'utilisation ambulatoire des médicaments

Osteoporosis prevention among chronic glucocorticoid users: results from a public health insurance database

INTRODUCTION: Long-term glucocorticoid therapy is the leading cause of secondary osteoporosis. The management of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) seems to be inadequate in many European countries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate of screening and treatment of GIOP. DESIGN: Information was collected from a national public health-insurance database in our geographic area of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur and in Corsica, from September 2009 through August 2011. PATIENTS: We identified participants aged 15 years and over starting glucocorticoid therapy (≥7.5 mg of prednisone equivalent per day during at least 90 days consecutive). This cohort was compared with an age-matched and sex-matched population that did not receive glucocorticoids. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bone mass, prescription of bone antiresorptive medication and use of calcium and/or vitamin D treatment. RESULTS: We identified 32 812 patients who were prescribed glucocorticoid therapy, yielding 1% prevalence. Incidence of glucocorticoid therapy was 2.8/1000 inhabitants/year. Males represented 44%, the mean age was 58 years. The median prednisone-equivalent dose was 11 mg/day (IQR 9–18 mg/day). 8% underwent bone mass measurement. Calcium and/or vitamin D, and bisphosphonates were prescribed in 18% and 12%, respectively. Results were lower for the control population: 3% underwent bone mass measurement and 3% received bisphosphonate therapy. The rates of osteodensitometry and treatments were higher in women over 55 years of age than in men and women 55 years of age and younger, and also when glucocorticoid therapy was initiated by a rheumatologist versus other physician specialty. CONCLUSIONS: The management of GIOP remains very inadequate, despite the availability of a statutory health insurance system. Targeted interventions are needed to improve the management of GIOP