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The Bohemian Massif hosts significant hydrothermal U-deposits associated with shear zones in the high-grade metamorphic basement. But there is a lack of evidence of a genetic link between mineralization and U-fertile igneous rocks. This contribution provides constraints on the major U source of the vein-type U-deposits, the timing of ore formation and the metallogenetic model. The anomalous trace element signatures of the low-temperature hydrothermal deposits (high Zr, Y, Nb, Ti, ∑REE) and their close spatial relation with ultrapotassic rocks of the durbachite series point to a HFSE and REE enriched source rock. The durbachites have high U content (13.4–21.5 ppm) mainly stored in magmatic uraninite and other refractory minerals (e.g., thorite, zircon, allanite) that became metamict over a time interval sufficient to release U from their crystal structure, as suggested by the time gap between emplacement of the durbachites (EMP uraninite U–Pb age ~ 338 Ma) and hydrothermal activity (SIMS uranium ore U–Pb age ~ 270 Ma). Airborne radiometric data show highly variable Th/U ratios (1.5–6.0), likely reflecting a combination between (1) crystallization of magmatic uraninite, (2) hydrothermal alteration, and (3) leaching and mobilization of U along NW–SE-trending fault zones, manifested by elevated Th/U values in the radiometric map. The presence of rare magmatic uraninite in durbachites suggests almost complete uraninite dissolution; EMP imaging coupled with LA-ICP-MS analyses of refractory accessory phases revealed extensive mobilization of U together with HFSE and REE, providing direct evidence for metal leaching via fluid-driven alteration of radiation-damaged U-rich minerals. The large-scale HFSE and REE mobilization, demonstrated by the unusual trace element signatures of the U-deposits, was likely caused by low-temperature (270–300 °C), highly alkaline aqueous solutions containing F-, P-, and K-dominated complexing ligands. The first SIMS U–Pb age of 270.8 ± 7.5 Ma obtained so far for U-mineralization from the Bohemian Massif revealed a main Permian U mineralizing event, related to crustal extension, exhumation of the crystalline basement, and basin formation, as recorded by U–Pb apatite dates (280–290 Ma) and AFT thermal history models of the durbachites. The Permo-Carboniferous sedimentary cover probably represented a source of oxidized basinal brines infiltrating the basement-hosted durbachite plutons and triggering massive metal leaching. The interaction between basin-derived brines and durbachites resulted in significant modification of the chemical composition of the hydrothermal system (K and F release during biotite chloritization, P liberation through monazite alteration), leading to the formation of ore-bearing fluids responsible for the metallogenesis of the basement-hosted unconformity-related U-deposits in shear zones in the Bohemian Massif.

Warm dense matter is at the boundary between a plasma and a condensed phase and plays a role in astrophysics, planetary science and inertial confinement fusion research. However, its electronic structure and ionic structure upon irradiation with strong laser pulses remain poorly understood. Here, we use an intense and ultrafast X-ray free-electron laser pulse to simultaneously create and characterize warm dense copper using L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy over a large irradiation intensity range. Below a pulse intensity of 1015W cm−2, an absorption peak below the Ledge appears, originating from transient depletion of the 3dband. This peak shifts to lower energy with increasing intensity, indicating the movement of the 3dband upon strong X-ray excitation. At higher intensities, substantial ionization and collisions lead to the transition from reverse saturable absorption to saturable absorption of the X-ray free-electron laser pulse, two nonlinear effects that hold promise for X-ray pulse-shaping. We employ theoretical calculations that combine a model based on kinetic Boltzmann equations with finite-temperature real-space density-functional theory to interpret these observations. The results can be used to benchmark non-equilibrium models of electronic structure in warm dense matter.

Photoresist after implantation is commonly removed either by wet chemical dissolution with sulfuric acid, or by dry ash stripping followed with a wet cleaning. To prevent any photoresist residues, sulfuric acid is still conserved in post ash cleans as additional safety. However, by ensuring sufficient over ash time, SPM (Sulfuric acid Peroxide hydrogen Mixture) chemical need becomes less essential. This paper reevaluates the benefit of SPM after dry ash stripping regarding the environmental context. The advantages of dry ash stripping with clean, compared to wet stripping are outlined. The study introduces prior analyses on defectivity and material consumption. Finally, device matching and yield stability, defined as the main success criteria, are described.

The removal of particle contamination is key to maximize yield. Some common particle removal techniques are not relevant anymore when complex and fragile structures are present on the surface. This led to the development of new cleaning processes based on innovative concepts to improve particle removal efficiency without any pattern damage. Some of these processes rely on a resist film lift off. One of these particle removal processes is studied in this paper. The process consists in some resist spin-coating followed by a diluted ammonia dispense to remove this film, which results in particle removal. This specific resist film is made of two immiscible organic polymers. A study was conducted to understand how the organization of these two polymers in the film is key for the film lift-off and the cleaning efficiency. This organization was shown to depend on the substrate contact angle and the resist formulation. A surface preparation is required on hydrophobic surface to reduce their water contact angle and ensure the efficiency of the process. As a result, compared to a high velocity aerosol cleaning technique, this resist peeling process requires multiple steps and a significant process time. A Particle Removal Efficiency study was then performed on blanket wafers to determine and understand how the different process parameters impacted on the cleaning efficiency. It led to the optimization of this process efficiency on blanket wafers. A comparison between an optimized process and a high velocity aerosol cleaning technique underlined the potential of such a process. Compared to high velocity aerosol cleaning, it demonstrated higher efficiency on blanket wafers, without causing any pattern damage on patterned wafers. These results lead to promising perspectives for using this process in the cleaning of fragile structure or targeting small particles with high adhesion.

Le changement climatique a des effets perceptibles sur notre environnement immédiat, que ce soit sur la modification de la météorologie, le niveau d’eau dans les rivières, l’intensité des aléas « inondations », la sévérité des étiages ou les niveaux de nappes phréatiques. Les effets indirects pouvant impacter les ouvrages hydrauliques sont malheureusement rarement quantifiés mais commencent à être documentés. Certains gestionnaires commencent également à se préoccuper de ces effets et souhaitent s’en prémunir. La recherche de nouveaux indicateurs de performance des ouvrages en lien avec les effets du changement climatique nécessite de disposer de données quantitatives. L’article présentera l’observatoire des interactions sols–climat mis en place sur la digue de La Riche grâce au partenariat entre la Dreal Centre–Val-de-Loire, Tours Métropole–Val-de-Loire, la Direction départementale des territoires d’Indre-et-Loire, le Cerema et l’université Gustave Eiffel. Les capteurs mis en place en mars 2023 à l’occasion des travaux d’épaississement de la digue de La Riche permettront d’acquérir des données couplées de sol et de météorologie. Le jeu de capteurs prévu pour le suivi comprend des sondes tensiométriques, des sondes de mesure de teneur en eau volumique et de température, une station météorologique, des piézomètres et une caméra. L’interprétation de ces données devrait enrichir notre compréhension des phénomènes et permettre de développer une doctrine concernant l’adaptation des ouvrages en terre de protection contre les inondations au changement climatique. L’article présente le détail de l’instrumentation mise en œuvre et les objectifs recherchés.

Les digues de protection contre les inondations peuvent faire l’objet de campagnes de reconnaissance dans le but d’identifier d’éventuelles zones de faiblesse et de prévenir tout risque de défaillance. La méthode Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), non invasive et à faible coût, offre un complément intéressant aux sondages géotechniques. Elle est notamment utile pour les ouvrages de grand linéaire car elle est employable en mode « grand rendement ». Cependant, la méthode MASW repose sur une hypothèse de milieu 1D stratifié, c’est-à-dire que la surface du sol ainsi que les interfaces entre les différentes couches de sol sont supposées horizontales. Cela n’est a prioripas compatible avec la topographie 3D de l’ouvrage. Nous avons réalisé une étude de sensibilité des résultats de MASW à la géométrie 3D d’une digue en nous appuyant à la fois sur des mesures expérimentales et sur des simulations. L’ouvrage considéré est une maquette de digue à l’échelle 1. Dans un premier temps, nous avons proposé une méthodologie de simulation permettant de reproduire numériquement la propagation d’une onde sismique en 3D pour la configuration de la maquette, et nous avons validé ce modèle par comparaison entre signaux numériques et acquisitions réelles. Dans un second temps, nous avons considéré différentes configurations de simulation dans le but d’évaluer l’influence de la géométrie 3D de l’ouvrage. D’après les résultats obtenus, la géométrie 3D de la digue entraîne une sous-estimation de la profondeur de l’interface entre la digue et le sol. En revanche, son influence sur l’estimation des caractéristiques des couches est négligeable. Ces résultats sont en accord avec le retour d’expérience terrain d’EDF. D’autres limites restent à approfondir par de nouvelles simulations, en considérant des ouvrages de plus grandes dimensions et à géométries plus complexes. De plus, l’exploitation de la maquette de digue se poursuivra avec la mise en œuvre de méthodes électriques, et avec des travaux sur les méthodes de fusion de données.

The Fregeneda-Almendra pegmatite field of the Iberian Massif represents a typical expression of peraluminous rare-metal magmatism that occurred over western Europe at the end of the Variscan orogeny. It is the host for two main types of Li-mineralized intrusions, identified at the scale of the Variscan belt, including petalite- or spodumene-rich pegmatites, as well as Li-mica-rich pegmatites, for which the origin of mineralogical-chemical differences is not yet understood. Here, we provide cassiterite and columbite-group mineral (CGM) U-Pb ages along with oxide, mica and phosphate mineral compositions for Li-pegmatites from the Fregeneda-Almendra field in order to assess their petrogenesis and tectonic-magmatic context of emplacement. U-Pb geochronology indicates that petalite-rich and Li-mica-rich pegmatites were mostly emplaced sub-synchronously from 315 ± 6 to 308 ± 6 Ma, during strike-slip deformation and granitic magmatism within an anatectic dome bounding the pegmatite field. U-Pb data and pegmatite geographic zonation suggest that Li-pegmatites were sourced from buried equivalents of leucogranites and migmatites from the dome. Li-pegmatites experienced a complex crystallization including K-feldspar, petalite, topaz, Nb-Ta-Fe-Mn-rich cassiterite, amblygonite-group minerals (AGM) and CGM as early magmatic phases, followed by lepidolite for Li-mica-rich pegmatites. At the magmatic-hydrothermal transition, notably leading to the formation of Nb-Ta-Mn-Fe-poor cassiterite hosting CGM inclusions, earlier minerals were resorbed by muscovite and albite. A later F-rich hydrothermalism is locally reflected by zinnwaldite overgrowths on muscovite. Cassiterite, CGM and micas from petalite-rich pegmatites show lower Mn/Fe ratios and higher Ti contents, along with lower Zr-Ga contents for cassiterite, than that from Li-mica-rich pegmatites. Such behavior is consistent with a magmatic differentiation process whereby Ti content decreased and the degree of Mn-Fe geochemical fractionation and solubilities of Ga and Zr increased in the melts, possibly in relation with high fluorine activity. In Li-mica-rich pegmatites, AGM equilibrated with a melt with up to 2 wt% F, similar to that in equilibrium with lepidolite (1–3 wt%). In petalite-rich pegmatites, the relatively high F concentration of the melts equilibrated with AGM (≤ 1.5 wt% F) contrasts with the liquid equilibrated with muscovite (< 0.5 wt% F). This can be accounted for by muscovite crystallization after the exsolution of a F-rich aqueous phase at the magmatic-hydrothermal transition. Relatively similar F contents in the initial melts of petalite- and Li-mica-rich pegmatites support the hypothesis that the stability of lepidolite does not only involve high F but also a low H2O/F activity ratio. For the Fregeneda-Almendra Li-mica-rich pegmatites, this could be explained by a decrease of melt H2O solubility due to a relatively low pressure of emplacement.

Topological states of matter exhibit fascinating physics combined with an intrinsic stability. A key challenge is the fast creation of topological phases, which requires massive reorientation of charge or spin degrees of freedom. Here we report the picosecond emergence of an extended topological phase that comprises many magnetic skyrmions. The nucleation of this phase, followed in real time via single-shot soft X-ray scattering after infrared laser excitation, is mediated by a transient topological fluctuation state. This state is enabled by the presence of a time-reversal symmetry-breaking perpendicular magnetic field and exists for less than 300?ps. Atomistic simulations indicate that the fluctuation state largely reduces the topological energy barrier and thereby enables the observed rapid and homogeneous nucleation of the skyrmion phase. These observations provide fundamental insights into the nature of topological phase transitions, and suggest a path towards ultrafast topological switching in a wide variety of materials through intermediate fluctuating states.

The tetragonal ordered form of BaSnF4is of particular interest, as its ionic conductivity is high enough to enable its uses as an electrolyte in all-solid-state fluoride-ion batteries. Despite several studies related to its synthesis, structure, and fluoride-ion diffusion mechanism, reported routes often yield impurities as well as unexplained variation in the unit-cell c-axis length. Here, we report on the single-phase synthesis of t-BaSnF4via spark plasma sintering, a method that could be used to prepare bulk-type all-solid-state inorganic batteries in one step. By optimizing different parameters (temperature, setup features, etc.), we reached a high ionic conductivity of 5 × 10–3S·cm–1at 30 °C. In addition, we show that two main factors affect the ionic conductivity. First, on a microstructural scale, the preferential growth of crystallites along the c-axis results in a decrease of the ionic conductivity of resulting powders because of the two-dimensional (2D) fluoride-ion diffusion in this material. Second, on the atomic scale, the increase of the unit-cell c-axis length is concomitant with a decrease of the ionic conductivity. A combined neutron diffraction and 19F solid-state magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR study reveals that the observed increase of the unit-cell c-axis length is due to the partial occupancy of octahedral interstitial sites. NMR allows us to identify these interstitial sites (the F4 site) with distinct isotropic chemical shift values. Furthermore, variable-temperature 19F solid-state MAS NMR reveals that these F4-ions do not exchange with fluoride-ions (F1 and F3) that are responsible for the transport properties. Hence, the occupancy of these interstitial sites tends to lower the 2D fluoride-ion conductivity, and the unit-cell c-axis length can be used as a guideline to ensure the preparation of highly conductive samples provided that the microstructure is controlled. Overall, this study provides a novel route to prepare pure t-BaSnF4while establishing a better understanding of the factors affecting its transport properties.

In rare-metal granites, niobium and tantalum are generally hosted by Nb–Ta oxides. However, in SE China, the Nb-specialized Huangshan granites are a unique occurrence in which Nb is essentially hosted by Li–Fe micas. The Huangshan granites are part of the Early Cretaceous (Late Yanshanian) Lingshan granite complex and belong to the A-type granite series, with two facies differing by their mica compositions: medium-grained “protolithionite” granite and medium-grained lithian (lithium-rich) annite granite. The granites are characterized by elevated whole-rock Nb contents (average 144 ppm in “protolithionite” granite and 158 ppm in annite granite), quite low Ta contents (average 9 and 4 ppm, respectively), leading to very high Nb/Ta ratios (average 15.3 and 31.2). Niobium is mainly hosted in the micas, with an average Nb content of 1347 ppm in the lithian annite and 884 ppm in the “protolithionite,” which is the highest ever reported in granitic mica. With an estimated endowment of ~80 kt Nb, the Huangshan granites represent a new style of potential Nb resource. Contrasting with the great rarity of columbite, there is abundant Hf-rich zircon, Y-rich fluorite, and Th-rich fluocerite included in the Huangshan micas. Such accessory minerals being typical of alkaline rhyolitic magmas and niobium enrichment in the Huangshan granites results from A-type melt. The extreme Nb enrichment in the micas results from the highly compatible behavior of Nb in this melt, combined with the high magma temperature (estimated at 790–800 °C) and possibly enhanced magma oxidation.

Many studies have proved the usefulness of Li-mica and chlorite geochemistry as indicators of the chemical and thermal evolution of magmatic systems. This study highlights the suitability of Li-micas as tracers of hydrothermal mineralizing events in world-class W-Sn deposits associated with Jurassic (190–150 Ma) granites in China through the complex magmatic–hydrothermal evolution of the Piaotang deposit (South Jiangxi). A paragenetic sequence has been established for the Piaotang deposit comprising (1) a first “silicate-oxide” stage that hosts abundant W-Sn mineralization (wolframite and cassiterite), (2) a “calcic” stage with scheelite and wolframite, (3) a “base metal sulfides” stage with cassiterite and wolframite, and (4) a late “sulfide” stage, involving for the first time a polyphase emplacement of the mineralization. Li-micas from the underlying granite, greisen, and the different stages represented in the veins, were studied. The chemistry of the micas (characterized by intermediate compositions between phlogopite-zinnwaldite-muscovite poles) demonstrates the presence of end-members representing three different fluids that were involved in the emplacement of the Piaotang deposit. These end-members can be linked to previous fluid inclusion studies conducted on this deposit. The three fluids are identified to be magmatic, meteoric (as previously reported in the literature), and also metamorphic, and are shown to have mixed throughout the different stages. Moreover, it appears that the magmatic fluids could not have been derived from the Piaotang biotite granite but instead must have originated from a more evolved rare metal granite that is presently unidentified. These fluids were responsible for the greisenization.

When modeling soil/atmosphere interaction, it is of paramount importance to determine the rainfall runoff on a soil surface. Indeed, in the mass balance for bare soil, the rainfall transfers to runoff, infiltration, and evaporation. Knowing rainfall and runoff, the infiltration and evaporation terms can be determined, defining the hydraulic boundary conditions for soils. In practice, rainfall is measured through field measurements in weather stations; evaporation is often estimated using simple models, such as the Penman–Monteith model. Infiltration can then be calculated if runoff is known. However, estimating runoff is often a difficult task in practice. In this study, a runoff measurement method was developed using a collector system set up on a slope of an embankment with lime/cement treated silt. The runoff measurements were compared with the recorded rainfall, and a satisfactory agreement was obtained, showing the performance of the developed runoff measurement approach. A correlation between runoff and rainfall was thus proposed based on the hourly runoff and rainfall data. This correlation can be further used to estimate the rainfall runoff for similar embankments.

Introducing compositional or structural disorder within crystalline solid electrolytes is a common strategy for increasing their ionic conductivity. (M,Sn)F2fluorites have previously been proposed to exhibit two forms of disorder within their cationic host frameworks: occupational disorder from randomly distributed M and Sn cations and orientational disorder from Sn(II) stereoactive lone pairs. Here, we characterize the structure and fluoride-ion dynamics of cubic BaSnF4, using a combination of experimental and computational techniques. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirms an average fluorite structure with {Ba,Sn} cation disorder, and the 119Sn Mössbauer spectrum demonstrates the presence of stereoactive Sn(II) lone pairs. X-ray total-scattering PDF analysis and ab initiomolecular dynamics simulations reveal a complex local structure with a high degree of intrinsic fluoride-ion disorder, where 1/3 of fluoride ions occupy octahedral “interstitial” sites: this fluoride-ion disorder is a consequence of repulsion between Sn lone pairs and fluoride ions that destabilizes Sn-coordinated tetrahedral fluoride-ion sites. Variable-temperature 19F NMR experiments and analysis of our molecular dynamics simulations reveal highly inhomogeneous fluoride-ion dynamics, with fluoride ions in Sn-rich local environments significantly more mobile than those in Ba-rich environments. Our simulations also reveal dynamical reorientation of the Sn lone pairs that is biased by the local cation configuration and coupled to the local fluoride-ion dynamics. We end by discussing the effect of host-framework disorder on long-range diffusion pathways in cubic BaSnF4.

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), an autosomal dominant skin disorder, is characterized by skin fragility. Genetically, the majority of cases are related to missense sequence variations in two keratin genes K5or K14, leading to cytolysis of basal keratinocytes (KCs) and intraepidermal blistering. Progress toward the identification of treatments has been hampered by an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying this disease and availability of relevant and reliable in vitro models recapitulating the physiopathological mechanisms. Recent advances in stem cell field have fueled the prospect that these limitations could be overcome, thanks to the availability of disease-specific human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). In this study, we generated hiPSC-derived KCs from patients carrying keratin gene K5-dominant sequence variations and compared them with nonaffected hiPSC-derived KCs as well as their primary counterparts. Our results showed that EBS hiPSC-derived KCs displayed proliferative defects, increased capacity to migrate, alteration of extracellular signal‒regulated kinase signaling pathway, and cytoplasmic keratin filament aggregates as observed in primary EBS KCs. Of interest, EBS hiPSC-derived KCs exhibited downregulation of hemidesmosomal proteins, revealing the different effects of keratin gene K5sequence variations on keratin cytoskeletal organization. With a combination of culture miniaturization and treatment with the chaperone molecule 4-phenylbutyric acid, our results showed that hiPSC-derived KCs represent a suitable model for identifying novel therapies for EBS.

The cleaning of hydrophobic films is a key challenge for yield. Such films are prone to drying marks formation during aqueous cleaning steps. In the present work, we study how surface preparation can break non-polar bonds, resulting in a hydrophilic surface. Several treatments (ultraviolet, Standard Clean 1 and ozonated water) and materials (amorphous carbon, silicon carbon nitride) have been studied. A specific work on Silicon carbon nitride surface modification with ozonated water has been initiated with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We have evaluated the interest that such step has prior to aqueous wafer cleaning and the possible consequences on electrical properties and surface energy. Further investigations will be required to evaluate the impact and interest of such a step on microelectronic process integration.

The Puy-les-Vignes W deposit, located in the northwestern French Massif Central (FMC), is a rare occurrence of a wolframite-mineralized hydrothermal breccia pipe hosted in high-grade metamorphic gneisses. We present an integrated study of this deposit aiming to characterize the ore-forming hydrothermal system in link with the Variscan late-orogenic evolution of the FMC. Based on a set of representative samples from the host rocks and mineralization, we describe a detailed paragenetic sequence and we provide the major and trace element geochemistry of the granitic rocks and W–Nb–Ta–Sn–Ti oxide minerals, in situU/Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, and a fluid inclusion study of quartz and wolframite. We demonstrate that the formation of this W-mineralized breccia pipe results from a multistage development related to four major episodes during the late Carboniferous. The first episode corresponds to the emplacement of an unexposed peraluminous granite at ca. 324 Ma, which generated microgranite dykes exposed at the present-day surface. The second episode is the formation of the quartz-supported breccia pipe and wolframite mineralization at ca. 318 Ma at a paleodepth of 7 km. The mineralizing fluids have a H2O–NaCl–CO2–CH4–N2composition, a moderate-salinity (< 9 wt.% NaCl eq) and were trapped at high-temperatures (> 400 °C) during lithostatic to hydrostatic pressure variations caused by hydrofracturing of the host rocks. Wolframite deposition is interpreted to result from a W-rich intermediate-density magmatic fluid that exsolved from an evolved leucogranite and interacted with volatile-rich metasedimentary country rocks and/or possibly mixed with low-salinity metamorphic fluids of deep origin. The third episode corresponds to magmatic-hydrothermal Nb–Ta mineralization overprinting the W-mineralized system interpreted to be related to the intrusion at ca. 311 Ma of a rare-metal granite, which is part of a regional peraluminous rare-metal magmatism during the 315–310 Ma period. Finally, the last episode corresponds to disseminated Bi ± Au–Ag mineralization emplaced at ca. 300 Ma, which shares similar mineralogical features with late Carboniferous orogenic gold deposits in the FMC. The Puy-les-Vignes W deposit records, therefore, a multistage and long-lived development that extends over a timespan of 25 million years in a regional setting dominated by protracted peraluminous magmatism and high-temperature and low-pressure metamorphism. Although the local environment of ore deposition is atypical, our results show that the mineral assemblages, alteration styles, and fluid characteristics of the Puy-les-Vignes breccia pipe are similar to those of other peri-granitic W deposits in the FMC.

The modeling of insurance risks has received an increasing amount of attention because of solvency capital requirements. The ruin probability has become a standard risk measure to assess regulatory capital. In this paper we focus on discrete-time models for the finite time horizon. Several results are available in the literature to calibrate the ruin probability by means of the sum of the tail probabilities of individual claim amounts. The aim of this work is to obtain asymptotics for such probabilities under multivariate regular variation and, more precisely, to derive them from extensions of Breiman's theorem. We thus present new situations where the ruin probability admits computable equivalents. We also derive asymptotics for the value at risk.

AbstractIn this paper, in situ tritium measurements and control by laser techniques are presented. It is proposed to use Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) as an efficient technique to measure the tritium concentration in ablated material. However, LIBS could be limited due to material melting observed during ablation possibly leading to hydrogen losses. Laser ablation is shown to be an efficient process to recover the in vessel tritium if the dust produced during ablation is collected. This could be forbidden if ITER cannot be operated at high pressure. To overcome this difficulty and detritiate remote surfaces, laser heating could be applied since it generates gaseous compounds. However, inward diffusion could be expected leading to burry tritium in bulk material which is a counterproductive action. Finally, all these techniques must be embarked on remote handling system in order to explore and treat large surfaces. Obviously, this carrier is needed for a reliable and an efficient operation of the ITER nuclear facility.

The aim of this work is to develop a CFD model taking into account the processes of condensation and evaporation in moist air powered ejectors. The study is realized with the CFD software Ansys-Fluent in which a 2D axisymmetric model of non-equilibrium condensation in high speed flow was implemented. Validation of the computational results is carried out using flow visualization. The evolution of the basic parameters characterizing the droplet condensation process is studied numerically along the ejector axis. The effects of some parameters (such as primary stagnation pressure and humidity rate present in the primary and secondary air flows) are also examined. Limitations of the present numerical model are discussed.

Introduction:Myocardial infarction (MI) induces a repair response that ultimately generates a stable fibrotic scar. Although the scar prevents cardiac rupture, an excessive profibrotic response impairs optimal recovery.Hypothesis:To explore the regulation of fibroblasts proliferation through a paracrine action of cardiac stromal cells post-MIMethods:We carried out a bioinformatic secretome analysis of cardiac stromal PW1+cells isolated from normal and post-MI mouse hearts to identify novel secreted proteins. Functional assays were used to screen secreted proteins that promote fibroblast proliferation. The expressions of secreted proteins candidates were subsequently analyzed in mouse and human hearts and plasmas. The relation between levels of circulating protein candidates and adverse post-MI cardiac remodeling was examined in a cohort of 80 patients with a first ST-elevation MI and serial cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluations.Results:Cardiac stromal PW1+cells undergo a change in paracrine behavior post-MI and secrete factors that promote fibroblast proliferation. Among these factors, growth differentiation factor 3 (GDF3), a member of the transforming growth factor-β family, was markedly upregulated in the ischemic hearts and induced fibroblast proliferation at high level. In humans, GDF3 was detected in the plasma at day 4 post-MI and GDF3 circulating levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse remodeling 6-month post-MI (adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.76 [1.03 - 3.00], p = 0.037).Conclusions:Our findings define a mechanism for the pro-fibrotic action of cardiac stromal cells through secreted cardiokines, such as GDF3, a candidate marker of adverse fibrotic remodeling following MI.

We investigated the effects of long-term heart rate reduction (HRR) on pressure overload-induced heart failure. Pressure overload of the left ventricle was induced in 21-day-old rats by banding the ascending aorta. HRR was induced for 3 months with ivabradine (n = 44), a selective I(f) current inhibitor, at 10 mg/kg/day, starting 14 days after banding. Thirty-six control banded rats and 16 sham-operated rats received standard chow. Banding resulted in severe left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (+55% versus shams; p < 0.001) and fibrosis, together with a 34% decrease (p < 0.01) in the LV shortening fraction. Heart rate decreased by 19% in ivabradine-treated rats (p < 0.005 versus controls). Stroke volume increased (by 17%; p < 0.01), whereas cardiac output did not change with HRR. In contrast, HRR resulted in 1) a marked increase in LV filling pressure (p < 0.01) and in atrial, lung, and right ventricular weights (38, 30, and 54%, respectively; p < 0.001); 2) a 50% increase in the incidence of pleural/abdominal effusion (p < 0.001); 3) 7 and 26% increases in LV hypertrophy and fibrosis, respectively (p < 0.05); and 4) a 53% increase in the atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA level compared with controls (p < 0.001). After 3 months of treatment, ivabradine withdrawal normalized the heart rate and reduced LV size and LV filling pressure (p < 0.05). In conclusion, pure longstanding HRR showed no beneficial effect on LV dysfunction in a rat model of pressure overload-induced LV hypertrophy, and it seemed to favor adverse LV remodeling and its congestive consequences.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), defined as an increase in left ventricular mass, is one the aspect of the cardiac phenotype observed during hypertension and other conditions associated with a chronic increase in LV afterload. Since myocardial hypertrophy helps to normalize LV wall stress and the load of the constituting myocytes, LVH has long been considered to be a beneficial adaptive mechanism. However, LVH is also an independent risk factor for the occurrence of clinical events, including death. During the past 25 years, basic cardiac research has allowed to better understand the reasons for such a negative outcome. During the eighties, the other phenotypic characteristics of the hypertrophied LV have been established, showing a number of tissular, cellular and molecular alterations, the adaptive nature of which was clearly questionable. Since the beginning of the nineties, research has moved to the field of the mechanisms responsible for such changes and has allowed to identify a large number of triggers, initiators, signal transduction pathways and networks, effectors and counter-effectors responsible for LVH and the other phenotypic aspects of LV remodeling. Some of them referred to as adaptive are beneficial and participate to LV adaptation to the chronically increased afterload. However, in the context of hypertension most of them referred to as maladaptive are clearly detrimental and can be regarded, as at least in part, as responsible for the poor prognosis. The goal of the present article is to summarize the main actors of this hypertension-associated LV remodeling putting emphasis on those constituting potential targets for the development of new therapies aimed at preventing detrimental LV remodeling resulting from chronic hypertension.

We consider the class of real-valued stochastic processes indexed on a compact subset of Ror R2with almost surely absolutely continuous sample paths. We obtain an implicit formula for the distributions of their maxima. The main result is the derivation of numerical bounds that turn out to be very accurate, in the Gaussian case, for levels that are not large. We also present the first explicit upper bound for the distribution tail of the maximum in the two-dimensional Gaussian framework. Numerical comparisons are performed with known tools such as the Rice upper bound and expansions based on the Euler characteristic. We deal numerically with the determination of the persistence exponent.

Le remodelage ventriculaire survenant à la suite d’un syndrome coronarien aigu est complexe et multiforme. Il est le fait de la réponse du myocarde aux différentes agressions intervenant au cours de ces syndromes, principalement de l’ischémie et de la nécrose du territoire en aval de l’artère occluse. Il ne faut toutefois pas négliger la responsabilité des lésions liées à la reperfusion spontanée ou provoquée des tissus ou encore liées aux embolies dans la microcirculation coronaire de divers types de cellules et de débris responsables du phénomène d’absence de reperfusion (no-reflow). Le remodelage à la phase aiguë de l’infarctus est dominé par la dilatation précoce du ventricule qui conditionne largement le pronostic tardif, la détersion de la nécrose remplacée par une fibrose cicatricielle et l’hypertrophie compensatrice associée à la fibrose des zones non infarcies survenant parallèlement. Les mécanismes cellulaires et moléculaires de ces divers aspects du remodelage sont de mieux en mieux connus, permettant d’expliquer l’effet bénéfique de nombreuses molécules déjà disponibles et offrant aussi des cibles potentielles pour de nouvelles thérapeutiques. Une valorisation de ces connaissances associée à l’identification de facteurs de risque de remodelage et à une intervention thérapeutique toujours plus précoce devrait permettre de limiter encore plus les aspects délétères de ce processus, afin d’éviter ou retarder encore l’évolution vers l’insuffisance cardiaque.

Let Xbe a non-stationary Gaussian process, asymptotically centered with constant variance. Let ube a positive real. Define Ru(t) as the number of upcrossings of level uby the process Xon the interval (0, t]. Under some conditions we prove that the sequence of point processes (Ru)u>0converges weakly, after normalization, to a standard Poisson process as utends to infinity. In consequence of this study we obtain the weak convergence of the normalized supremum to a Gumbel distribution.