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Two scales have been developed and validated in English to evaluate the impact of tremor on daily life, namely Quality of life in Essential Tremor Questionnaire (QUEST) and Essential Tremor Embarrassment Assessment (ETEA). The psychometric properties of the French version of these two scales were assessed for 117 patients with head tremor. Both scales showed excellent acceptability, very good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient>0.8) and reproducibility (Lin concordance coefficient>0.8), satisfactory external validity and satisfactory sensitivity to change. In conclusion, the French versions of QUEST and ETEA are comprehensive, valid and reliable instruments for assessing patients with head tremor.

Characterizing and quantifying the endurance of Resistive RAM devices is critical to assess their reliability for integration in electronic systems. This paper proposes a novel characterization methodology for rapid detection of RRAMs reliability issues during endurance tests. A test structure consisting of an array of non-addressable RRAM memory cells with parallel connection of all the memory elements is used for this purpose. The test structure fills the gap between isolated cells and circuit level endurance tests as it combines the test speed of an isolated cell while providing at the same time data from multiple devices. Endurance tests are conducted while monitoring RRAM electrical parameters of interest for each switching cycle. Experimental results show that most studies that claimed high endurance without capturing all switching cycles, or by considering an isolated cell, lead to an overestimation of the endurance. Finally, an endurance failures mitigation scheme based on RRAM current sensing in the RESET direction is presented to improve the endurance.

La fibrose pulmonaire idiopathique (FPI) est une maladie évolutive caractérisée par une production et un dépôt excessif de matrice extracellulaire (MEC) entraînant une insuffisance respiratoire chez les patients. Sous l’influence de cytokines pro-fibrotiques telles que le TGF-β1, les cellules pulmonaires vont acquérir un phénotype myofibroblastique caractérisé par l’expression de la Fibroblast Activation Protein(FAP) et une surproduction de MEC. Les options de traitement de la FPI sont limitées et ne peuvent que retarder la progression de la maladie sans l’arrêter. La Gp96 est une protéine chaperonne du réticulum endoplasmique surexprimée au cours de la fibrose et favorisant l’expression membranaire de nombreux récepteurs impliqués dans la fibrogenèse. L’inhibition de Gp96 apparait comme une stratégie thérapeutique intéressante dans la FPI et nous émettons l’hypothèse que l’imagerie in vivodes myofibroblastes via une sonde ciblant FAP pourrait permettre de suivre l’efficacité de ce type de traitement.

•The work of radiation therapist is becoming increasingly automated.•Give them greater responsibilities while offering opportunities for professional development.•Delegating removal of brachytherapy devices to assistant radiographers is feasible.•Our study is predicated on the concept of Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist.

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disease caused by a third copy of chromosome 21, leading to various physical features, developmental and cognitive delays and intellectual disability. In neonates, main symptoms concern congenital heart defects, gastrointestinal abnormalities and sleep disordered breathing. A recent retrospective study showed a high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children with DS, with severity inversely related with age culminating at 58% of severe OSA in neonates<1y. Knowing that OSA can cause intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia and have detrimental effects on health and development, it raises concerns about the impact of OSA on neurodevelopmental disorders associated with DS, especially in neonates. Many animal models exist. Dp(16)1Yey mice, a genetically engineered model, exhibit cognitive impairments and characteristics associated with OSA, including craniofacial hypoplasia and reduced upper airway volume at adult age. To further investigate the contribution of respiratory-related disorders to DS pathophysiology, we examined the respiratory phenotype of Dp(16)1Yey mice at birth, with special attention to central, obstructive and mixed apneas.

La chirurgie de cytoréduction du cancer localement avancé de l’ovaire a évolué au cours de ces dernières années, passant de la résection qui laisse des résidus macroscopiques (<1 cm ; R2b) à la cytoréduction complète, c’est-à-dire sans maladie résiduelle macroscopique (R1). Cette étude a pour objectif d’évaluer l’impact de la réalisation d’une chirurgie maximaliste (R1) sur le taux de complications postopératoires, sur la survie sans récidive de la maladie (SSR) et sur la survie globale (SG).

Le syndrome de Down (SD), ou trisomie 21, est une maladie génétique due à la présence d’une copie supplémentaire du chromosome 21, entraînant diverses caractéristiques physiques ainsi que des retards de développement et des déficits cognitifs. Le syndrome d’apnées obstructives du sommeil (SAOS) est un trouble fréquent chez les patients adultes et enfants atteints du SD. Plusieurs caractéristiques retrouvées dans le SD peuvent contribuer au développement du SAOS ou l’aggraver. De nombreux modèles murins de SD existent. Quelques études ont exploré les apnées et le risque d’obstruction des voies aériennes supérieures dans ces modèles mais exclusivement à l’âge adulte.

La fibrose pulmonaire idiopathique (FPI) est une maladie rare avec une médiane de survie de cinq ans. Le nintédanib et la pirfénidone sont les seuls traitements disponibles mais ne font que ralentir la progression de la maladie sans la traiter. Il n’existe pour le moment aucun moyen précis pour prédire et suivre l’évolution de la FPI ni l’efficacité des traitements. La FPI est caractérisée par un dépôt de collagène en excès par les myofibroblastes. Ces derniers portent à leur surface des biomarqueurs tel que Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90). L’implication de la forme extracellulaire et membranaire d’HSP90 (eHSP90) dans la FP a été montré par des travaux précédant de l’équipe. Nous émettons l’hypothèse qu’une sonde d’imagerie ciblant eHSP90 pourrait permettre la détection précise des lésions fibreuses in vivo et que l’inhibition d’eHSP90 représente une stratégie thérapeutique innovante pour la FP.

The shapes of asteroids reflect interplay between their interior properties and the processes responsible for their formation and evolution as they journey through the Solar System. Prior to the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer) mission, Earth-based radar imaging gave an overview of (101955) Bennu’s shape. Here we construct a high-resolution shape model from OSIRIS-REx images. We find that Bennu’s top-like shape, considerable macroporosity and prominent surface boulders suggest that it is a rubble pile. High-standing, north–south ridges that extend from pole to pole, many long grooves and surface mass wasting indicate some low levels of internal friction and/or cohesion. Our shape model indicates that, similar to other top-shaped asteroids, Bennu formed by reaccumulation and underwent past periods of fast spin, which led to its current shape. Today, Bennu might follow a different evolutionary pathway, with an interior stiffness that permits surface cracking and mass wasting.

Conductive-tip atomic force microscopy (CAFM) was used to explore the effects of high electric fields on silver nanoparticle (NP) arrays embedded inside the pores of mesoporous TiO2thin films (MTF). A controlled local modification of the distribution of Ag nanoparticles inside the MTF and their electronic transport properties was carried out. The process is driven by strong electrochemically induced Ag+migration and reduction inside the pores localized around the CAFM tip. Depending on the experimental parameters, we were able to induce drastic and violent changes, both at the surface and at the MTF/Si interface, that is, through the whole scanned region. Therefore, the results reported in this work contribute to the design and development of novel metal NP-based devices at the micro- and nanoscale.

Clinical approach to surgical patients has evolved to include previous patients as part of the treating team in the role of “patient–advisors”. Knowing that compliance to rehabilitation protocols is significant for a successful functional hand replantation, we set out to quantify functional patient–reported outcomes in individuals enrolled in a Patient–Advisor Program (PAP). We performed a prospective cohort pilot study of all patients admitted for a finger replantation between July 2015 to January 2016. All patients were offered to partake in the PAP, or else they would constitute the control group. Primary endpoints were functional outcomes as reported by patients at 6–8weeks and 4–6months of follow-up. Secondary endpoints were patient-reported pain and quality of life questionnaires. In total, 62 patients were admitted for finger replantation in the studied period, in which 50 agreed to participate in the study, including 7 in the patient–advisors group and 43 in the control group. Patients from the patient–advisors group fared better on mean scores of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand than controls (29.6 vs 34.8 respectively at 4–6months). Improvements in the McGill Pain Questionnaire were also greater in the studied group (19.9 vs 33.3 at 4–6months). Replantation patients benefiting from the PAP demonstrated superior functional outcomes on self-reported questionnaires, which could be explained by a better understanding of rehabilitation protocols and compliance when previous patients are active members of the treating team.

Prediction models, especially the FRAX®, are largely used to estimate the fracture risk at ten years, but the current algorithm does not take into account the time elapsed after a fracture. Kanis et al. recently proposed correction factors allowing to adjust the FRAX® score for fracture recency. The objective of this work was to analyze the effect of fracture recency in the FRISBEE cohort.

We consider the work production in a mesosccopic Markov system obeying discrete stochastic dynamics with time-dependent constraints. Using asymmetry relations presented elsewhere, which result from time reversal invariance of the underlying microscopic system, we derive, beside known equalities in stochastic thermodynamics, a new result: the “Carnot equality”, that generalizes the Carnot relation for macroscopic bi-thermal engines. Such equalities, which extend the classical inequalities of thermodynamics, result from microscopic time reversal invariance only. On the other hand we show that, on the mesoscopic level, notions such as entropy production and power dissipation per transition cannot always be defined. In the absence of a precise mechanical model, such definitions are possible if, and only if, the asymmetry relations due to microscopic time reversal invariance are supplemented by space symmetry relations, equivalent to parity, which are not always satisfied. This article is supplemented with comments by J.M.R. Parrondo and L. Granger and a final reply by the authors.

We briefly summarize the history of Carnot principle and of its generalizations, as an introduction to the special issue of European Physical Journal Special Topics devoted to this subject.

Les mastocytoses sont caractérisées par la présence de mastocytes en quantité anormale dans un ou plusieurs organes. Il existe des formes systémiques de mastocytose mais l’atteinte cutanée isolée prédomine, en particulier chez l’enfant, sous la forme de lésions plus ou moins étendues, non systématisées. Nous rapportons un cas de mastocytose cutanée maculopapuleuse particulier par sa topographie métamérique.

La fibrose pulmonaire idiopathique (FPI) est une maladie progressive dont l’étiologie reste mal comprise. Son pronostic est sombre avec une médiane de survie des patients inférieure à cinq ans. La FPI est caractérisée par une accumulation excessive de matrice extracellulaire, notamment de collagène, au niveau du parenchyme pulmonaire. La Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2), une enzyme surexprimée lors de la fibrogenèse, est responsable de la réticulation accrue des fibres de collagène qui conduit à la rigidification du tissu pulmonaire et à la progression de la fibrose. Seuls deux médicaments, la pirfénidone et le nintédanib, ont été approuvés pour la FPI et permettent de retarder modérément le déclin de la fonction respiratoire. Ces deux thérapies impliquent la mise en place de stratégies, aujourd’hui inexistantes, pour identifier des biomarqueurs prédictifs de progression de la maladie et de réponse aux traitements. Cela serait une première étape nécessaire à la personnalisation de la prise en charge des patients en améliorant considérablement l’efficacité d’un traitement adapté à l’individu.

La fibrose pulmonaire idiopathique (FPI) est une maladie évolutive caractérisée par une production et un dépôt excessif de matrice extracellulaire (MEC) dans les poumons entraînant une insuffisance respiratoire chez le patient. Sous l’influence de cytokines pro-fibrotiques telles que le TGF-β1, les cellules pulmonaires vont acquérir un phénotype myofibroblastique qui exprime la Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) et joue un rôle important dans le dépôt de MEC. Les options de traitement de la FPI sont limitées et ne peuvent que retarder la progression de la maladie sans l’arrêter. Gp96 est une protéine chaperonne nécessaire à l’expression membranaire de nombreux récepteurs et surexprimée au cours de la fibrose. L’inhibition de Gp96 peut être intéressante dans l’IPF et nous émettons l’hypothèse que l’imagerie in vivo de myofibroblastes via FAP pourrait permettre de suivre l’efficacité de cette thérapie.

Major insights into the formation mechanism of zeolite-templated carbons (ZTCs) were achieved via a thorough ex situkinetic study of the hybrid (carbon/zeolite) and carbon materials. In depth characterization of the chemical, electrical, textural, and morphological properties of the materials allowed us to draw a precise picture of the key steps of the ZTC formation. An in situtime resolved GC study enabled us to achieve complementary insights into the ethylene consumption and hydrogen production during ZTC synthesis. Three stages could be disclosed: nucleation, growth and condensation. During nucleation, individual polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) develop through the aromatization of ethylene. These PAHs present high spin concentration and react upon zeolite dissolution, leading to unstructured carbon particles of undefined morphology. These carbons feature persistent radicals. During growth, the PAHs evolve to form more complex rylene-type molecules. Typical structural, textural, and morphological features of ZTCs start to emerge during this second stage. The evolution of electrical conductivity of hybrid materials indicates partial condensation of PAHs throughout the zeolite crystals leading to their connection. The carbon materials achieved during the second stage can be described as composites of ZTCs and randomly reacted PAHs. Condensation, which is importantly induced by heat treatment, triggers full connection of the ZTC network. Textural, morphological, structural, and electrical features develop, which result directly from zeolite templating. Final ZTCs feature carbonyl functionalization, which is inherent to the zeolite dissolution step and probably results from radical quenching with water.

Electrochemical processes at water–titania interfaces in TiO2thin films were studied using conducting-tip atomic force microscopy. Mesoporous titania thin films were prepared by sol–gel synthesis from molecular precursors with the addition of surfactants to induce the formation of a porous structure. We found that both three-dimensional local resistance and topography are significantly and irreversibly changed in the submicrometer range by applying a constant bias voltage, with water playing a fundamental role in this process. The mesoporous structure enhances these effects due to the highly water accessible porous titania surface, which can be easily tuned by changing the synthesis procedure. Our findings are important in the development and performance of titania-based electronic microdevices and could pave the way toward the design of new electrochemical lithography methods.

We consider the work production in a mesosccopic Markov system obeying discrete stochastic dynamics with time-dependent constraints. Using asymmetry relations presented elsewhere, which result from time reversal invariance of the underlying microscopic system, we derive, beside known equalities in stochastic thermodynamics, a new result: the “Carnot equality”, that generalizes the Carnot relation for macroscopic bi-thermal engines. Such equalities, which extend the classical inequalities of thermodynamics, result from microscopic time reversal invariance only. On the other hand we show that, on the mesoscopic level, notions such as entropy production and power dissipation per transition cannot always be defined. In the absence of a precise mechanical model, such definitions are possible if, and only if, the asymmetry relations due to microscopic time reversal invariance are supplemented by space symmetry relations, equivalent to parity, which are not always satisfied. This article is supplemented with comments by J.M.R. Parrondo and L. Granger and a final reply by the authors.

We briefly summarize the history of Carnot principle and of its generalizations, as an introduction to the special issue of European Physical Journal Special Topics devoted to this subject.

Dans cette étude, les auteurs se sont attachés à préciser la notion de Fretting afin de combler les lacunes de la terminologie courante et de mieux comprendre le phénomène.

Les auteurs ont précisé les types de dégradation due aux actions de contact dans les structures sollicitées périodiquement.

Le syndrome des ongles jaunes (SOJ) associe des ongles dystrophiques (jaunâtres ou verdâtres, anormalement incurvés, avec onycholyse distale), un lymphœdème et des manifestations respiratoires variées (hyperréactivité bronchique, pneumopathies récidivantes, bronchectasies, épanchements pleuraux). D’autres manifestations, essentiellement ORL (sinusite), sont parfois associées. Ce syndrome rare est classiquement décrit chez l’adulte. Nous en rapportons deux cas pédiatriques.

A versatile approach is studied for the elaboration of TiO2based photocatalytic coatings for self‐cleaning applications on transparent substrates. The basic principle of the synthesis relies on the use of preformed TiO2colloidal particles that are further dispersed within a transparent silica binder with a mesoporous structure. Film porosity in the nanometer range is controlled by achieving the sol–gel silica condensation around self‐organized micellar assemblies of a templating copolymer surfactant. The latter also acts as a stabilizer for the TiO2particles, thus preserving their high dispersion within the film so that excellent optical properties are maintained even for high TiO2loading (up to 50 %). Studies of photodegradation kinetics show that such mesoporous films are at least 15 times more active than films synthesized with a usual microporous silica binder. Moreover, the measured quantum‐yield efficiency (1.1 %) is found to be among the highest reported up to now. Improved photoactivity of the films is discussed as resulting from the closer proximity between the organic molecules and the surface of the TiO2crystallites as well as the improved diffusion rate of water and oxygen through the interconnected pore network.

In cationic polymerization of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D3) in methylene chloride, a control of the mol wts could be observed with various initiators such as RCOCl/ SbCl5or trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) and its derivatives. But an important difference with usual living polymerizations is the simultaneous formation of large amounts of cyclic oligomers D3x, their weights increasing linearly from the origin. A second population of much larger DPn has been shown to consist of macrocycles (MC). It was concluded that while MC result from end‐to‐end ring closure of a fraction of linear macromolecules, the small D3xcycles (essentially D6) are formed independently by a selective back‐biting reaction involving oxonium end‐groups. However, it has been proposed again in recent publications in which various initiators were used (including TfOH) that D3xcyclics of all sizes result from end‐to‐end ring closure reactions between the (electrophilic) active site for propagation and a silanol end group.

The core/shell strategy has been successfully developed for rhabdophane lanthanide phosphate aqueous colloids. The growth of a LaPO4‐xH2O shell around Ce,Tb‐doped core nanoparticles increases their stability against oxidation. A bright green luminescence is thus preserved in sol–gel films whose fabrication requires silica coating and thermal treatment of the core/shell nanoparticles.

The living carbocationic polymerization of 2,4,6-trimethylstyrene (TMeSt) was studied using the 1-chloro-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)ethane/BCl3 initiating system in CH2Cl2 from −70 to −20 °C. The equilibrium constant of ionization (Ki) was calculated from the cation concentration determined by UV−visible spectroscopy. From the apparent rate constant of propagation (kp^app) and Ki, the absolute rate constant of propagation for ion pairs kp^± = 1.4 × 10⁴ L mol^-1 s^-1 was calculated at −70 °C. The rate constant of ion collapse, k-i was determined from the polydispersity vs conversion plots. From Ki and k-i, the rate constant of ionization, ki were also calculated. From the temperature dependence of Ki, and k-i the enthalpy and entropy of the ionization and deactivation were obtained, respectively. Competition experiments i.e., polymerization carried out in the presence of 2-chloropropene as a π-nucleophile, were also carried out at −70 °C to determine kp^± separately. NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and elemental analysis suggested complete capping of the polymeric cation and the absence of side reactions. From the limiting number-average degree of polymerization and the known rate constant of capping kc = 62.0 L mol^-1 s^-1, kp^± = 8.3 × 10⁴ L mol^-1 s^-1 was determined. This value is similar to that determined from kp^app and Ki; thus, the utility of competition experiments is corroborated.

It is widely recognized that the cleaving rate of a restriction enzyme on target DNA sequences is several orders-of-magnitude faster than the maximal one calculated from the diffusion-limited theory. It was therefore commonly assumed that the target site interaction of a restriction enzyme with DNA has to occur via two steps: one-dimensional diffusion along a DNA segment, and long-range jumps coming from association-dissociation events. We propose here a stochastic model for this reaction which comprises a series of one-dimensional diffusions of a restriction enzyme on nonspecific DNA sequences interrupted by three-dimensional excursions in the solution until the target sequence is reached. This model provides an optimal finding strategy which explains the fast association rate. Modeling the excursions by uncorrelated random jumps, we recover the expression of the mean time required for target site association to occur given by Berg et al. in 1981, and we explicitly give several physical quantities describing the stochastic pathway of the enzyme. For competitive target sites we calculate two quantities: processivity and preference. By comparing these theoretical expressions to recent experimental data obtained for EcoRV-DNA interaction, we quantify: 1), the mean residence time per binding event of EcoRV on DNA for a representative one-dimensional diffusion coefficient; 2), the average lengths of DNA scanned during the one-dimensional diffusion (during one binding event and during the overall process); and 3), the mean time and the mean number of visits needed to go from one target site to the other. Further, we evaluate the dynamics of DNA cleavage with regard to the probability for the restriction enzyme to perform another one-dimensional diffusion on the same DNA substrate following a three-dimensional excursion.

Lanthanide phosphate nanocrystals exhibiting the rhabdophane-type structure and mean particle sizes below 10 nm are synthesized by hydrolysis of an aqueous mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate (Na5P3O10) and lanthanide salts. ³¹P NMR studies show that polyphosphate groups act both as a source of orthophosphate and as complexing agents to, respectively, crystallize and stabilize LnPO4·xH2O (x ≈ 0.7) nanoparticles. In the ternary system (Ln = La, Ce, and Tb), polyphosphate-capped particles form well-dispersed and highly luminescent aqueous colloids which are promising for applications in light-emitting devices.

Orthotic treatment is the most commonly used non-surgical treatment method for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This study determined whether treatment outcome correlates with how often and how well children with AIS wear their orthoses. Eighteen (18) subjects (3M, 15F) who were diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis and had wom their orthoses from 6 months up to 1 year participated in this study. All subjects were prescribed Boston braces to be wom full time (23hrs/day). Twelve (12) subjects who completed their brace treatment were included in the data analysis. Three (3) treatment outcomes were classified as improvement, no change and deterioration. The quality of the brace wear was assessed by how often the brace was wom with zero force, below 80%, between 80 to 120%, and above 120% of the load level prescribed in the clinic. The quantity of brace wear was determined by how many hours per day they wore their brace. Subjects who wear their braces tighter and for more hours per day seem to have better outcomes.

Orthotic treatment is the most commonly used non-surgical treatment method for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This study determined whether treatment outcome correlates with how often and how well children with AIS wear their orthoses. Eighteen (18) subjects (3M, 15F) who were diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis and had wom their orthoses from 6 months up to 1 year participated in this study. All subjects were prescribed Boston braces to be wom full time (23hrs/day). Twelve (12) subjects who completed their brace treatment were included in the data analysis. Three (3) treatment outcomes were classified as improvement, no change and deterioration. The quality of the brace wear was assessed by how often the brace was wom with zero force, below 80%, between 80 to 120%, and above 120% of the load level prescribed in the clinic. The quantity of brace wear was determined by how many hours per day they wore their brace. Subjects who wear their braces tighter and for more hours per day seem to have better outcomes.