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The purpose of this publication is to provide guidance on radiological protection in industries involving naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). These industries may give rise to multiple hazards and the radiological hazard is not necessarily dominant. The industries are diverse and may involve exposure of people and the environment where protective actions need to be considered. In some cases, there is a potential for significant routine exposure of workers and members of the public if suitable control measures are not considered. Releases of large volumes of NORM may also result in detrimental effects on the environment from radiological and non-radiological constituents. However, NORM industries present no real prospect of a radiological emergency leading to tissue reactions or immediate danger for life. Radiological protection in industries involving NORM can be appropriately addressed on the basis of the principles of justification of the actions taken and optimisation of protection using reference levels. An integrated and graded approach is recommended for the protection of workers, the public, and the environment, where consideration of non-radiological hazards is integrated with radiological hazards, and the approach to protection is optimised (graded) so that the use of various radiological protection programme elements is consistent with the hazards while not imposing unnecessary burdens. For workers, the approach starts with characterisation of the exposure situation, and integration, as necessary, of specific radiological protective actions to complement the protection strategy already in place or planned to manage other workplace hazards. According to the characteristics of the exposure situation and the magnitude of the hazards, a relevant reference level should be selected and appropriate collective or individual protective actions taken. Exposure to radon is also treated using a graded approach, based first on application of typical radon prevention and mitigation techniques, as described in Publication 126. A similar approach should be implemented for public exposure through the control of discharges, wastes, and residues after characterisation of the situation. If the protection of non-human species is warranted, it should be dealt with after an assessment of radiological exposure appropriate for the circumstances, taking into account all hazards and impacts. This should include identification of exposed organisms in the environment, and use relevant derived consideration reference levels to inform decisions on options for control of exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 103 removed the distinction between practices and interventions, and introduced three types of exposure situation: existing, planned, and emergency. It also emphasised the optimisation principle in connection with individual dose restrictions for all controllable exposure situations. Existing exposure situations are those resulting from sources, natural or man-made, that already exist when a decision on control has to be taken. They have common features to be taken into account when implementing general recommendations, such as: the source may be difficult to control; all exposures cannot be anticipated; protective actions can only be implemented after characterisation of the exposure situation; time may be needed to reduce exposure below the reference level; levels of exposure are highly dependent on individual behaviour and present a wide spread of individual dose distribution; exposures at work may be adventitious and not considered as occupational exposure; there is generally no potential for accident; many stakeholders have to be involved; and many factors need to be considered. ICRP is currently developing a series of reports related to the practical implementation of Publication 103 to various existing exposure situations, including exposure from radon, exposure from cosmic radiation in aviation, exposure from processes using naturally occurring radioactive material, and exposure from contaminated sites due to past activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since publication of the 2007 Recommendations (ICRP Publication 103), the International Commission on Radiological Protection has focused on preparing a series of publications dedicated to different types of existing exposure situations, such as radon exposure, cosmic exposure in aviation, and exposure to naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). The publication related to NORM will present the main types of corresponding activities, and describe the characteristics of NORM exposure. It will also develop a conceptual framework for the practical application of the Commission’s system to NORM exposure. In particular, the publication will explain why NORM activities are generally considered to be existing exposure situations, and when some of them should be managed as planned exposure situations. It will indicate when the workers should be considered as occupationally exposed. It will also provide recommendations regarding application of the three principles of radiological protection. The need to consider the justification of the re-use or recycling of residues carefully will be highlighted. Guidance will be provided for selection of the reference level, and for implementation of the optimisation process through a graded approach including both prevention and mitigation of exposures. Flexibility will be recommended for the application of dose limits, notably when the situation is managed as a planned exposure situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aircraft industry, the method for designing metal-composite joints is mainly based on conservative metallic calculation rules and on applying high safety factors. The reason is that the influence of errors due to manufacturing is not well-known, and few studies deal with this issue. Here, an analytical model is developed to evaluate load distribution in an aluminium-composite double-lap joint, in the presence of clearance and hole-location errors. The model also includes the nonlinear behaviour of the bolt implied by bearing degradation. The analytical model is validated by comparing results obtained by finite element analysis and experiments. Finally, an industrial use of the analytical model is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the type of epoxidation processes of soybean oil on the characteristics of epoxidized soybean oils (ESOs), acrylated epoxidized soybean oils (AESOs), and acrylated epoxidized soybean oil – poly(methyl metacrylate) copolymers (AESO-co-PMMA) has been investigated. Two epoxidation processes were used: an in situ chemical epoxidation using hydrogen peroxide and formic acid, and a chemo-enzymatic epoxidation using 2 enzymes: Novozyme® 435 (CALB) and a homemade lipase/acyltransferase (CpLIP2). ESOs containing different numbers of epoxide groups/molecule were synthesized. A commercial ESO (Vikoflex® 7170) was employed and it had the highest number of epoxide groups. Acrylation of ESOs was carried out using acrylic acid, and copolymerized with a methyl methacrylate monomer. The chemo-enzymatic epoxidation produced high acid value, particularly from the CpLIP2 (!46–48%) and indicated the formation of epoxidized free fatty acids. In contrast, the ESO synthesized from the chemical epoxidation showed a very low acid value, < 0.6%. The AESOs synthesized from the CALB-based ESO and the chemical-based ESO showed a similar number of acrylate groups/molecule while that from the CpLIP2-based ESO showed a very low number of acrylate groups because the carboxylic groups from the epoxidized free fatty acids impeded the acrylation reaction. The lower the number of acrylate groups the lower was the crosslink density, the Tg, and the gel content in the AESO-co-PMMA copolymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a novel medium with similar properties to ionic liquids but with additional advantages regarding cost, environmental impact, and synthesis has been developed: deep eutectic solvents (DESs). These solvents result from the association between an organic salt (ammonium or phosphonium) with a hydrogen-bond donor such as alcohols, acids, or amides. To date, the availability of green, inexpensive and easy to handle solvents is almost non-existent. Therefore, DESs currently arouse growing interest in many research fields. This review deals with the major applications of this new family of solvents with a particular focus on lipase-catalyzed reactions such as hydrolysis, aminolysis, or alcoholysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aimed at analyzing the advantages and limitations of several deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as ‘green solvents’ for biotransformation using immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B as catalyst. The transesterification of vinyl laurate was chosen as model reaction and the influence of substrate polarity was assessed using alcohols of various chain lengths. Results showed that grinding of immobilized lipase was essential parameters for good lipase activity. Moreover, in our model reaction some hydrogen-bond donor component from the DES can compete with the alcoholysis reaction. Indeed, side reactions were observed with DES based on dicarboxylic acid or ethylene glycol, leading to some limitations of their use. However, the results showed that other DESs such as choline chloride:urea and choline chloride:glycerol could exhibit high activity and selectivity making them promising solvents for lipase-catalyzed reactions. Finally, the best DES''s specific activity – and stability up to five days incubation time – were analyzed and compared with conventional organic solvents. Experiments revealed that iCALB is less influenced by the chain length of alcohol in DES than organic solvents and it is preserves its activity with minimally destructive to protein structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Oxidative degradation of lipids, especially that induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), leads to quality deterioration of foods and cosmetics and could have harmful effects on health. Currently, a very promising way to overcome this is to use vegetable antioxidants for nutritional, therapeutic or food quality preservation purposes. A major challenge is to develop tools to assess the antioxidant capacity and real efficacy of these molecules. Many rapid in vitro tests are now available, but they are often performed in dissimilar conditions and different properties are thus frequently measured. The so-called ‘direct’ methods, which use oxidizable substrates, seem to be the only ones capable of measuring real antioxidant power. Some oxidizable substrates correspond to molecules or natural extracts exhibiting biological activity, such as lipids, proteins or nucleic acids, while others are model substrates that are not encountered in biological systems or foods. Only lipid oxidation and direct methods using lipid-like substrates will be discussed in this review. The main mechanisms of autoxidation and antioxidation are recapitulated, then the four components of a standard test (oxidizable substrate, medium, oxidation conditions and antioxidant) applied to a single antioxidant or complex mixtures are dealt with successively. The study is focused particularly on model lipids, but also on dietary and biological lipids isolated from their natural environment, including lipoproteins and phospholipidic membranes. Then the advantages and drawbacks of existing methods and new approaches are compared according to the context. Finally, recent trends based on the chemometric strategy are introduced as a highly promising prospect for harmonizing in vitro methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A complex accumulated phase above the threshold is defined in the quantum defect theory framework. It is the analytic continuation of the familiar accumulated phase defined below the threshold. Our phase is related to the usual parameters of the quantum defect theory (QDT). Moreover it is shown that the main part of this phase is deduced from the reflection coefficient of a wave function propagating along the external part of the potential, from the inner part to the asymptotic part, even in absence of a centrifugal barrier. Examples concern essentially the potential scattering in s partial wave and the ultracold collisions of alkali-metal atoms. It is shown how resonances or virtual states can be calculated like the bound states as poles of the cotangent of this phase. A physical interpretation of this quantity is given in a simple multichannel case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The risk of roadside verge invasion by transgenic plants is favoured when a cultivated species can persist outside fields as feral populations. We chose oilseed rape as a model species to evaluate the spread of genetically modified herbicide tolerant (GMHT) feral populations under selection pressure (herbicide spraying) in the medium term. We developed a stepwise invasion model that combines stage-structured dynamics (via a leslie matrix) and seed dispersal (via a mixture of two kernels) within an integro-differential equation. Modelling choices were made to conform to our intention to obtain methodological insight about the necessity to integrate long-distance seed dispersal in models of gene flow among oilseed rape. We thus assumed that roadside verges are a one-dimensional and uniformly suitable habitat and that events of dispersal and demography are deterministic. We performed elasticity analyses of population growth rate and invasion speed to highlight the determinants of population demography and spread. Rare events of long-distance dispersal controlled population spread. The risk of road verge invasion by feral populations of GMHT oilseed rape under selection pressure is thus real and does exist, since it was proved experimentally that oilseed rape can be dispersed by vehicles. Models of oilseed rape should then include long-distance seed dispersal otherwise they would underestimate feral population spread. Population growth rate and invasion speed depended on the same demographic transitions, i.e. those including local recruitment (local production of new individuals), but not on the persistence of seeds in the seed bank. Therefore, plant sterilisation would be more efficient to limit feral population spread than selection of cultivars without seed dormancy. The assumptions made about habitat continuity and homogeneity were consistent in the framework of this stepwise approach. However, integrating habitat heterogeneity and stochasticity would improve this invasion model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

While males gain obvious direct advantages from multiple mating, the reproductive capacity of females is more constrained. The reason why polyandry evolved in females is therefore open to many conjectures. One hypothesis postulates that females gain indirect benefits by increasing the probability of siring young from high quality males. To explore this hypothesis, we used the natural variation of the reproductive value that males and females undergo through age. The age-related variation of phenotypic performance might then induce variations in mating strategies in males and females. Using the common lizard ( Lacerta vivipara) as our model system, we showed that reproductive immaturity and senescence created variability in both male and female reproductive success (including survival of offspring). Consistent with theory, males at their best-performing phenotype adopted a polygynous strategy. These males were of an intermediate age and they produced offspring of higher viability than younger and older males. In contrast, females at their best performing phenotype, also of an intermediate age, were less polyandrous than other less- performing females. Middle-aged females tended to mate with males of an intermediate age and produced litters with higher viability independently from their reproductive strategy. Males of an intermediate age enhanced their fitness by additional matings with young or old females. Young and old females increased their fitness by being more polyandrous. Polyandry therefore appears as means to seek for good males. A positive correlation between males and their partners’ fitness disagree with the idea that polyandry is the result of a sexual conflict in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the loss of connectivity on dispersal patterns and demographic parameters in different types of habitats. Modification in dispersal patterns by changing dispersal determinants; Impact on dispersing and philopatric individuals; Effects on the survival rates and fecundity.

This article focuses on the comparison of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies for serotyping infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) strains isolated in eastern Canada. IPNV, the aetiological agent of an important disease of salmonids, is a member of the Birnaviridae. Using polyclonal antibodies, three main serotypes have been distinguished according to their kinetics of neutralization in the presence of excess antibody by cross neutralization tests. All American strains are related to serotype I, while European isolates have been classified in serotypes II or III. Asian strains could belong to any of these three serotypes.

A time-dependent description is given of a scattering process involving a single resonance embedded in a set of flat continua. An analytical approach is presented which starts from an incident free particle wave packet and yields the Breit-Wigner cross-section formula at infinite times. We show that at intermediate times the so-called Wigner-Weisskopf approximation is equivalent to a scattering process involving a contact potential. Applications in cold-atom scattering and resonance enhanced desorption of molecules are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first 2D seismic reflection acquisition onshore Lebanon was undertaken in 2013 by Spectrum Geo Ltd under the auspices of the Lebanese Ministry of Energy and Water. The surveys were recorded across a crustal-scale restraining bend in the central part of the Levant Fracture System. This contribution presents a geological interpretation of processed 2D data from the 2013 campaign. Two east-west trending seismic profiles were acquired and processed with a total linear distance of ∼80 km. Overall, a total of 16 key seismic reflectors were identified and mapped, and 20 faults were traced on the seismic profiles which were compared to geologic sections along the same acquisition path-lines. This helped to age-constrain the key reflectors and to assign the proper lithostratigraphic attributes to observed seismic packages. Interval velocities were determined every 500 m along each profile using the Dix equation to approximate the depth (in metres) for each time-picked horizon (ms), and ultimately to correlate seismic packages and measured thicknesses with known and/or extrapolated geologic rock units. The 50 km long SLEB-2D-01-13 profile (Batroun - Ainata, northern Lebanon) shows distinct seismic reflectors down to 2.5 seconds TWT. The deepest key reflector is believed to correspond to the middle Triassic evaporites which appear to have acted as a decoupling horizon. The interpreted profile displays the continuity of the overlying Qartaba structure, a potential viable exploration lead which merits further investigation. The 30 km long SLEB-2D-05-13 profile (Aley - Barr Elias, central Lebanon) shows excellent seismic imaging below the Bekaa valley, reaching 4 seconds TWT. The deepest key reflector is associated with the base-Jurassic horizon, 6300m to 8500m below ground level. Assumed Eocene platform carbonates underlie an interpreted Oligocene argillaceous package. These may form good hydrocarbon reservoir rocks if a viable petroleum system is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoindentation is a promising tool for advancing the estimation of single crystal elastic constants in multiphase materials. In this study, a novel protocol is presented that couples high-speed nanoindentation mapping with the Vlassak and Nix's model and Bayesian inference simulations to statistically estimate the elastic constants of cubic materials. The originality lies in considering ratios of indentation modulus as input data. For cubic elasticity, these ratios depend solely on two dimensionless parameters, which can be chosen as the Zener ratio A and the directional Poisson's ratio ν 〈 100 〉 . Using ratios mitigates the influence of experimental calibration parameters. Only two constants are varied in the Bayesian simulations, and the computation time is further reduced by employing an optimized Vlassak and Nix's model. This approach has also the great advantage to bound the search domain of ν 〈 100 〉 and A directly from elastic stability conditions. Furthermore, the method efficiency allows for continuous variation of the uncertainty considered in the experimental moduli, leading to stabilized Bayesian inference results. The choice of the finally retained values is thus simplified, converging to the uniqueness of the single crystal elastic constants. This method is successfully applied to high-purity Ni and Inconel 718, with the predicted elastic constants aligning well with literature data. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Many cultivated species can escape from fields and colonize seminatural habitats as feral populations. Of these, feral oilseed rape is a widespread feature of field margins and roadside verges. Although considered in several studies, the general processes leading to the escape and persistence of feral oilseed rape are still poorly known. Notably, it remains unclear whether these annuals form transient populations resulting mainly from seed immigration (either from neighbouring fields or during seed transport), or whether they show real ability to persist (either through self-recruitment or seed banks). 2. We conducted a 4-year large-scale study of factors involved in the presence of feral oilseed rape populations in a typical open-field area of France. The results were subjected to statistical methods suitable for analysing large data sets, based on a regression approach. We subsequently addressed the relative contribution of the ecological processes identified as being involved in the presence of feral populations. 3. Many feral oilseed rape populations resulted from seed immigration from neighbouring fields (about 35–40% of the observed feral populations). Immigration occurred at harvest time rather than at sowing. Around 15% of such populations were attributed to immigration through seed transport. 4. The other half resulted from processes of persistence, mainly through persistent seed banks (35–40% of the observed feral populations). This was all the more unexpected because seed banks have not yet been documented on road verges (despite being frequent within fields). Local recruitment was rare, accounting for no more than 10% of the feral populations. 5. Synthesis and applications. Understanding the dynamics of feral oilseed rape populations is crucial for evaluating gene flow over an agro-ecosystem. Our results show that, while many feral populations do come from annual seed dispersal, a significant number also result from seeds stored in the soil for several years. In the current context of coexistence and management of transgenic with non-transgenic crops, feral persistence and, especially, the seed bank contribution to the dynamics of feral populations need to be considered seriously. The latter, combined with self-recruitment, indicates a high potential for the persistence of transgenes and the possible emergence of gene-stacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of a phase III trial comparing in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) sequential to conventional administration of cisplatin-based chemotherapy and paclitaxel, we evaluated the activity of paclitaxel as second-line chemotherapy and investigated any relation of its efficacy with the type of failure after cisplatin. Patients received three courses of induction GIP (gemcitabine, ifosfamide, cisplatin). Non-progressing patients were randomised between three further courses of GIP or three courses of paclitaxel. Second-line paclitaxel was given to patients with primary failure (PF) to GIP and to those progressing after randomisation to further GIP (secondary failure or SF). One hundred sixty patients received second-line paclitaxel. Response rates were 7.7% for PF and 11.6% for SF (P=0.42). Median survival times (calculated from paclitaxel start) were 4.1 and 7.1 months for PF and SF (P=0.002). In multivariate analysis, three variables were independently associated with better survival: SF (hazard ratio (HR)=1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–2.22; P=0.02), normal haemoglobin level (HR=1.56, 95% CI 1.08–2.26; P=0.02) and minimal weight loss (HR=1.79, 95% CI 1.26–2.55; P=0.001). Paclitaxel in NSCLC patients, whether given for primary or for SF after cisplatin-based chemotherapy, demonstrates activity similar to other drugs considered active as second-line therapy.British Journal of Cancer (2007) 96, 1644–1649. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603772 www.bjcancer.com Published online 1 May 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This publication presents an experimental study on the relation between the grain boundary (GB) characteristics and the intergranular cracking resistance in a hot dip zinc coating. The cracking was studied using in situ tensile tests in a scanning electron microscope on small tensile samples of a hot dip galvanized steel sheet. In situ testing offered a series of advantages like monitoring the kinematical evolution of cracking without unloading, or making micrographs and OIM imaging on the same area of the tensile sample. The grain boundaries were classified into random and special boundaries (respectively Low angle boundaries and Coincidence site lattice—CSL boundaries). These special boundaries which account for 3.5% of the whole boundaries clearly show better cracking resistance than the random boundaries. The only special boundaries which present cracking failure are in an orientation with their normal direction close to the tensile direction, i.e. submitted to a maximum effective stress. The grain boundaries characteristics are obtained from EBSD individual orientation measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The escape of cultivated species from fields could induce changes in the natural balance of semi-natural habitats. We therefore developed a modelling approach to highlight the determinants of feral population dynamics in the case of winter oilseed rape. This stochastic stage-structured model encompasses roadside verge management, seed immigration, seed bank and density-dependence. Within the framework of comparative demography, the elasticity decomposition of the extinction probability was performed according to the three main processes of population dynamics highlighted by the one-at-a-time elasticity analysis: management, seed bank and rosette survival. Despite large extinction probabilities, populations persisted at least 5 years. Results showed that anthropogenic processes (management, seed transport, cropping) and intrinsic processes (local recruitment, seed bank) both govern population persistence. Models of oilseed rape escaped from fields should thus include these two types of processes. Results also highlighted the interaction between seed bank and seed immigration: increasing immigration frequency increased the positive impact of seed bank on population persistence. Intraspecific comparisons via elasticity decomposition could be adapted to other cultivated species to quantify general processes in escape from fields. Such approaches are crucial for understanding how feral populations could facilitate (trans-)gene transfer to crops and wild relatives and to choose optimal control strategies to limit their spread. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The common lizard ( Lacerta vivipara) is a small live-bearing lacertid that reproduces once a year. In order to document the poorly known mating system of this species, we present here an assessment of multiple paternity using microsatellite markers. Paternities were established within 122 clutches belonging to two wild populations from contrasted areas and to four seminatural enclosed populations. The proportion of multiply sired clutches was found to be very high (between 50.0% and 68.2%) and similar among populations, which suggests that the mating system of this species may be insensitive to environmental and population conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine venous partial pressure of oxygen (Pvo2), transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPo2), and VO2MM in a normobaric environment after a single hyperbaric oxygen (HBo2) treatment. Methods: This was a prospective study of conditions after the intervention compared with baseline. The participants were 10 moderately trained (Vo2MAS = 57.6 mI/kg/min) men. Two HBo2 treatments consisting of breathing 95% oxygen at 2.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA) for 90 minutes were administered on non-consecutive days. Baseline testing included measures of Vo2MAX, tcPo2, and anthropometry. At 6.0 (1 .0) minutes after the first HBo2 treatment, a Vo2MAX test was performed. After the second HBo2 treatment, leg and chest tcPo2 and Pvo2 were monitored for 60 minutes. Results: Vo2MAX, running time, and peak blood lactate were not altered after the HBo2 treatment. Leg tcPo2 was lower (p = 0.003) and chest tcPo2 was unchanged after the HBo2 treatment compared with baseline values. Pvo2 was significantly (p<0.001) lower in the first three minutes after treatment than subsequent values, but no other differences were found. Conclusions: A single HBo2 treatment at 2.5 ATA for 90 minutes does not raise Pvo2, tcPo2, or Vo2MAX in a normoboric, normoxic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of ceria on the kinetic behavior of noble metals in the reduction of NO by CO has been investigated at 120 and 300°C on a freshly prepared Pt–Rh/Al2O3–CeO2 catalyst, and on an aged catalyst after reaction for 16 h at 500°C, within pressure ranges of 2.3–9×10−3 atm for CO and 1.5–8×10−3 atm for NO, using a differential fixed-bed flow reactor. These two temperatures have been selected from temperature-programmed experiments because they correspond to two very different regimes of activity of noble metals with ceria. It has been found that a rate equation derived from a bifunctional mechanism involving reaction paths either on metal or on ceria can correctly fit rate measurements performed at 120°C. In contrast a conventional mechanism earlier proposed for modeling the CO+NO reaction on Pt–Rh/Al2O3 at 300°C, where only noble metals are involved, enables modeling of rate measurements at 300°C on Pt–Rh/Al2O3–CeO2, which suggests that the interaction between ceria and noble metals is suppressed at that temperature. The temperature dependency of the rate constants and equilibrium constants for NO and CO adsorption has been quantified in order to explain such changes in the kinetic behavior of Pt–Rh/Al2O3–CeO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The European Lung Cancer Working Party (ELCWP) designed a 3-arm phase III randomised trial to determine the role of accelerated chemotherapy in extensive-disease (ED) small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Eligible patients were randomised between the 3 following arms: (A) Standard chemotherapy with 6 courses of EVI (epirubicin 60 mg m[SUP-2], vindesine 3 mg m[SUP-2], ifosfamide 5 g m[SUP-2]; all drugs given on day 1 repeated every three weeks. (B) Accelerated chemotherapy with EVI administered every 2 weeks and GM-CSF support. (C) Accelerated chemotherapy with EVI and oral antibiotics (cotrimoxazole). Primary endpoint was survival. 233 eligible patients were randomised. Chemotherapy could be significantly accelerated in arm B with increased absolute dose-intensity. Best response rates, in the population of evaluable patients, were, respectively for arm A, B and C, 59%, 76% and 70%. The response rate was significantly higher in arm B in comparison to arm A (P = 0.04). There was, however, no survival difference with respective median duration and 2-year rate of 286 days and 5% for arm A, 264 days and 6% for arm B and 264 days and 6% for arm C. Severe thrombopenia occurred more frequently in arm B but without an increased rate of bleeding. Non-severe infections were more frequent in arm B and severe infections were less frequent in arm C. Our trial failed to demonstrate, in ED-SCLC, a survival benefit of chemotherapy acceleration by using GM-CSF support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the hierarchy of the activation of dislocation glide in zirconium and titanium alloys and presented experimental results in zirconium alloys. We have compared the experimental results with simulations obtained by two different approaches. The first is by using the stacking fault energy maps (γ surfaces) obtained by molecular dynamics (MD) and by ab initio approaches. A good agreement was observed between the two approaches and with recent published work. The second is to compare the experimental critical resolved shear stresses (CRSS) with those determined by MD simulations based on embedded atom method (EAM) potentials. The CRSS for slip in the -direction for the basal, prismatic (type 1) and pyramidal (type 2) planes for edge dislocations are obtained. Finally, we discuss the hierarchy of the glide systems with the energy criterion of the γ surfaces and with the CRSS values and we compare with both experimental and modeling data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The plasticity of hexagonal materials is strongly anisotropic and involves different microscopic mechanisms such as mechanical twinning and dislocation glide. Twins are often considered to be responsible for various peculiar features of plastic flow, such as compression–tension anisotropy, a high work hardening rate, or a particular three-stage shape of deformation curves observed not only for single crystals but also for polycrystals. However, the role of twins remains a matter of debate. Moreover, most of the experimental results have been obtained in compression conditions and it is not clear whether the same features appear in other testing conditions. In the present work, tensile tests were performed on commercially pure α-Ti samples cut along the rolling and the transverse direction, and yielded several unexpected results. In particular, the work hardening rate was found to be lower in the latter case, although the EBSD measurements revealed a larger twin volume fraction in such samples. Besides, the two kinds of specimens showed an opposite sign of the strain-rate effect on the tendency to the three-stage work hardening. The possible role of twinning, dislocation glide, and aging of dislocations on the anisotropy of mechanical behavior of titanium is discussed. A mechanism based on the consideration of the dislocation glide anisotropy is suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Constitutive models developed to predict Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) behavior are often based on a simplified phenomenological description of martensite variant activation under thermomechanical loading at the micro scale. This study aims at modeling and characterizing by nanoindentation the discrete variant activation events at the nanoscale. A new criterion is proposed to describe martensite variant activation beneath the indenter. Evidence of discrete martensitic transformation is observed during nanoindentation by the successive occurrences of pop-in and pop-out load events on the force versus displacement curve during respectively loading and unloading. Thus, the spatial-temporal discontinuity of phase transformation activation and propagation is highlighted at the nanoscale with the introduction of an indentation Patel–Cohen factor for both forward austenite–martensite and reverse phase transformations. Dislocation emission in pure nickel is first studied to validate both the nanoindentation testing procedure using a Berkovich indenter and the calculations of indentation Schmid factors to describe excursion bursts corresponding to dislocation activation and propagation. Good agreement is found between nanoindentation tests performed on a superelastic CuAlBe SMA and theoretical crystallographic dependence of pop-in and pop-out loads predicted by the new introduced indentation Patel and Cohen factor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Purpose: Pitolisant, a histamine H₃ receptor inverse agonist/antagonist is currently under Phase III clinical trials for treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness namely in narcoleptic patients. Its drug abuse potential was investigated using in vivo models in rodents and monkeys and compared with those of Modafinil, a psychostimulant currently used in the same indications.Experimental Approach: Effects of Pitolisant on dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, on spontaneous and cocaine-induced locomotion, locomotor sensitization were monitored. It was also tested in three standard drug abuse tests i.e. conditioned place preference in rats, self-administration in monkeys and cocaine discrimination in mice as well as in a physical dependence model.Key Results: Pitolisant did not elicit any significant changes in dopaminergic indices in rat nucleus accumbens whereas Modafinil increased dopamine release. In rodents, Pitolisant was without any effect on locomotion and reduced the cocaine-induced hyperlocomotion. In addition, no locomotor sensitization and no conditioned hyperlocomotion were evidenced with this compound in rats whereas significant effects were elicited by Modafinil. Finally, Pitolisant was devoid of any significant effects in the three standard drug abuse tests (including self-administration in monkeys) and in the physical dependence model.Conclusions and Implications: No potential drug abuse liability for Pitolisant was evidenced in various in vivo rodent and primate models, whereas the same does not seem so clear in the case of Modafinil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As concomitant chemoradiotherapy for stage III NSCLC is associated with survival advantage in comparison to a sequential approach, we conducted a phase III randomised study aiming to determine the best sequence and safety of chemotherapy (CT) and chemoradiotherapy (CT-RT), using a regimen with cisplatin (CDDP), gemcitabine (GEM) and vinorelbine (VNR). Unresectable stage III NSCLC patients received CDDP (60mg/m2), GEM (1g/m2, days 1 and 8) and VNR (25mg/m2, days 1 and 8) with reduced dosage of GEM and VNR during radiotherapy (66Gy). Two cycles of CT with radiotherapy followed by two further cycles of CT alone were administered in arm A or the reverse sequence in arm B. The study was prematurely closed for poor accrual due to administrative problems. Forty-nine eligible patients were randomised. Response rates and median survival times were, respectively 57% (95% CI: 36–78%) and 17 months (95% CI: 9.3–24.6 months) in arm A and 79% (95% CI: 64–94%) and 23.9 months (95% CI: 13.3–34.5 months) in arm B (p >0.05). Chemotherapy dose-intensity was significantly reduced in arm A. Grade 3–4 oesophagitis occurred in 5 patients. One case of grade 5 radiation pneumonitis was observed. In conclusion, chemoradiotherapy with CDDP, GEM and VNR appears feasible as initial treatment or after induction chemotherapy. Consolidation chemoradiotherapy seems less toxic with a better observed response rates and survival although no valid conclusion can be drawn from the comparison of both arms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new method to evaluate lipase activities in nonaqueous conditions using vinyl ester absorbance at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths is described. The model reaction is the transesterification between vinyl stearate and pentanol in hexane at 30°C or in decane at 50°C. The conversion of vinyl stearate into pentyl stearate is monitored through decreasing UV absorbance at 200nm. Six commercial lipases were tested with this method, and results were compared with gas chromatography (GC) quantification and a classical spectrophotometric method using p-nitrophenyl palmitate. Results from the new spectrophotometric assay are similar both to results from GC quantification (R 2 =0.999) and to results from p-nitrophenyl palmitate (R 2 =0.989). The proposed method is able to evaluate both high activity from immobilized lipases such as immobilized Candida antarctica B lipase (3060±350Ug−1) and low activity from crude enzymatic extracts such as Carica papaya dried latex (0.1±0.04Ug−1). The method has also been used to measure kinetic parameters of C. antarctica B lipase for vinyl stearate and the correlation between its synthesis activity and its concentration. The method has also proved to be effective in studying the acyl selectivity of a lipase by comparing its activities with increasing chain lengths of vinyl esters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Few chemotherapeutic agents have demonstrated their efficacy in malignant mesothelioma. The cisplatin plus doxorubicin combination has one of the highest response rates. Epirubicin is an anthracyclin, analogous to doxorubicin, with a different toxicologic pattern. As there are no data on the activity of the combination cisplatin plus epirubicin in malignant mesothelioma, the European Lung Cancer Working Party (ELCWP) designed a phase II study with response rate as primary objective. Sixty-nine eligible patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma were centrally registered. The majority of the patients were male (n =59), had a Karnofsky performance status of 80 or more (n =62) and presented with an epithelial histologic subtype (n =43). Median age was 62 years. In nine patients, metastases were documented at the initial work-up, mainly in bone, lung and skin. Three hundred and twenty-four cycles of chemotherapy were administered. The main toxicities were nausea and vomiting, neutropenia and alopecia. Among 63 assessable patients, response rate was 19.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9–29%). Median survival was 13.3 months. In multivariate analysis, poor prognostic factors for survival were neutrophil count and CALGB groups 4–6. In conclusion, cisplatin plus epirubicin appears as an effective regimen in malignant mesothelioma, with a favourable toxicity profile. However, it does not demonstrate superior activity to other active regimens in this disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Estimating the frequency of long-distance pollination is important in cultivated species, particularly to assess the risk of gene transfer following the release of genetically modified crops. For this purpose, we estimated the diversity and origin of fertilizing pollen in a 10 × 10 km French oilseed rape production area. First, the cultivar grown in each field was identified through surveys to farmers and using microsatellite markers. Examination of the seed set in fields indicated high rates of seed contamination (8.7%) and pollination from other sources (5%). Then, male-sterile plants were scattered over the study area and their seed genotyped using the same markers. Most pollination was local: 65% of the seeds had a compatible sire in the closest field, i.e. at 50 or 300 m depending on site, but the nearest compatible field was found more than 1000 m away for 13% of the seeds. To assess the diversity of fertilizing pollen, each seed was assigned to the nearest putative siring cultivar. The observed diversity of pollen was then compared to that predicted by simulations using three empirical dispersal models with increasing proportion of long-distance pollination. The diversity was sensitive to the dispersal kernel used in the simulations, fatter-tailed functions predicting higher diversities. The dispersal kernel that was more consistent with our data predicted more long-distance dispersal than the exponential function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 1997 International staging system (ISS) classification separated stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) into stages IIIA and IIIB. In a previous study including unresectable NSCLC initially treated with chemotherapy, we analysed survival according to tumour (T) and node (N) stages and derived a classification into stages IIIβ (T3-4N3) and IIIα (other TN stage III) that had a better discrimination on survival distribution. The aim of this study was to validate these results in a further set of patients. Patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC included in a phase III trial assessing the role of increased dose chemotherapy (SuperMIP: mitomycin 6 mg/m2, ifosfamide 4.5 g/m2, cisplatin 60 mg/m2, carboplatin 200 mg/m2) in comparison to standard chemotherapy MIP (mitomycin 6 mg/m2, ifosfamide 3 g/m2, cisplatin 50 mg/m2), before thoracic irradiation (60 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks) were the subject of this study. Survival distributions were assessed by the method of Kaplan–Meier. Survival comparisons were made by the log-rank test. Multivariate analyses using Cox regression models, included all potential prognostic factors for survival with a P-value <0.2 in univariate analysis. According to the 1997 International staging system classification, 328 eligible patients were included in the study. There was no imbalance between the two arms. Five parameters were significantly associated (P≤0.05) with survival in univariate analysis: European lung cancer working party (ELCWP) staging (IIIα[n=294 pts] versus IIIβ [n=46]), Karnofsky index, weight loss, platelet count and haemoglobin level. These variables as well as the 1997 ISS staging, white blood cell (WBC) count, LDH and sodium levels were included in a multivariate analysis. Two models were constructed, including either the ELCWP or the 1997 ISS. In model 1 (ISS included), Karnofsky index (HR 0.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47–1.00; P=0.05) and haemoglobin (HR 1.49; 95% CI 1.11–1.99; P=0.007) were found significant. In model 2, including ELCWP staging, two variables were associated with survival: ELCWP staging (HR 1.68; 95% CI 1.20–2.35; P=0.002) and haemoglobin (HR 1.54; 95% CI 1.15–2.07; P=0.01). Conclusion: In initially unresectable stage III NSCLC treated by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, we validated the results of our previous study. The classification into stages IIIβ (T3-4N3M0) and IIIα (other TN stage III) better discriminates the patients in term of survival than the 1997 ISS classification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We experimentally investigated the relative role of kinship and density on juvenile dispersal in the common lizard. A few days after birth, juveniles were introduced into seminatural endosures, where they experienced different social environments in the first experiment we varied the density of unrelated adults (males or females) within the enclosure (0, 1, or 2 adults), and in the second experiment, we varied the level of kinship and familiarity between juveniles and adults. Each enclosure was connected to a second enclosure by small holes which allowed only juveniles to move between enclosures. Juvenile movements were monitored during 14 days after birth, as juvenile dispersal is mainly completed within 10 days after birth under natural conditions. Most juveniles did not return to the first enclosure. Sex had no effect on juvenile dispersal. Adult densityand kinship with adults both affected dispersal. Adult female density increased juvenile dispersal whatever the level of kinship and familiarity with the females. Dispersers had better body condition than nondispersers at high female densit and this difference was significantly greater when the mother and the familiar female were present in the enclosure. Furthermore, body condition of mothers and familiar females was positively correlated with juvenile dispersal, whereas there was no such correlation in the case of unfamiliar and unrelated females. These results strongly suggest that adult female density is a major factor promoting dispersal in this species and that both intraspecific and kin competition motivate dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A collection of infectious pancteatic nectosis virus (IPNY) isolated in five provinces of eastern Canada was analysed by an antigen-coated immunosorbent assay and by neutralization tests using selected monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Relevant antigenic sites of the two major capsid proteins, VP2 and VP3, were simultaneously compared. The Al serotype was predominant and no significant variations of VP2 epitopes were observed. However, two subtypes could be distinguished on the basis of one or two epitopes on VP3. Other serotypes such as A6, A7 or A8 have been detected in piscicultures of New Btunswick and Nova Scotia. The antigenic characterization of IPNV strains appears of interest for epidemiological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assesses the EP program for determining crystallite orientations. Evaluation of the crystallographic problem; Description of the software and hardware environments; Specifications of the program.