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Macrolitter, especially macroplastics, (> 0.5 cm) negatively impact freshwater ecosystems, where they can be retained along lake shores, riverbanks, floodplains or bed sediments. Long-term and large-scale assessments of macrolitter on riverbanks and lake shores provide an understanding of litter abundance, composition, and origin in freshwater systems. Combining macrolitter quantification with hydrometeorological variables allows further study of leakage, transport, and accumulation characteristics. Several studies have explored the role of hydrometeorological factors in influencing macrolitter distribution and found that river discharge, runoff, and wind only partially explains its distribution. Other factors, such as land-use features, have not yet been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we provide a country-scale assessment of land-use influence on macrolitter abundance in freshwater systems. We analyzed the composition of the most commonly found macrolitter items (referred to as 'top items', n = 42,565) sampled across lake shores and riverbanks in Switzerland between April 2020 and May 2021. We explored the relationship between eleven land-use features and macrolitter abundance at survey locations (n = 143). The land-use features included buildings, city centers, public infrastructure, recreational areas, forests, marshlands, vineyards, orchards, other land, and rivers and canals. The majority of top items are significantly and positively correlated with land-use features related to urban coverage, notably roads and buildings. Over 60% of top items were found to be correlated with either roads or buildings. Notably, tobacco, food and beverage-related products, as well as packaging and sanitary products, showed strong associations with these urban land-use features. Other types of items, however, did not exhibit a relationship with land-use features, such as industry and construction-related items. Ultimately, this highlights the need to combine measures at the local and regional/national scales for effective litter reduction. [Display omitted] • 60% of macrolitter items at freshwater shores correlate with roads or buildings. • Industry and construction items show insignificant correlations with local land use. • Results suggest combining local and regional/national litter reduction measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Owing to the systematic alignment and ordering of fatty acid and ceramide chains, lipid layers in biological membranes have strongly anisotropic diffusion properties. The diffusivity D ∥ lip for solute transport in the direction parallel to the lipid layer is typically 103-105 times the diffusivity D ⊥ lip for the perpendicular direction. This article explores the consequences of this strong degree of anisotropy on solute diffusion through the stratum corneum (barrier) layer of the skin based on a realistic representation of a unit cell of the microstructure. Complementary numerical methods (smoothed particle hydrodynamics, finite differences) are used to solve the steady-state unit-cell diffusion problem leading to the average (homogenized, coarse-grained) diffusion tensor characterizing the tissue as an effective continuum. A parametric study is presented characterizing solute concentration profiles in detail for testosterone- and caffeine-like permeants, and it is shown that the results cannot be mimicked by calculations based on an isotropic lipid-phase diffusivity. The ratio of lateral to transdermal effective diffusivities calculated by the present model is of the order of 40 and 300 for fully hydrated (in vitro) and partially hydrated (in vivo) states, respectively. These values compare favorably with the results of recent experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In optimizing the design and operation of a launcher’s cryogenic upper stage, the required pressurant gas mass must be accurately predicted. In order to do so, the appearing thermodynamic phenomena of the initial active-pressurization process of a cryogenic propellant tank need to be understood and assessed. On that account, ground experiments with liquid nitrogen as model propellant, pressurized with either gaseous nitrogen or gaseous helium, as well as numerical simulations were performed, and analytical approaches were applied. It was found that the thermal stratification in the liquid propellant is mostly driven by the increase in saturation temperature at the free surface during pressurization. The mode of phase change during pressurization was found to be mainly dependent on the pressurant gas type. The main mode of heat transfer appears from pressurant gas to the tank wall, through which the heat is then partly conducted into the uppermost liquid layers. After tank pressurization end, a pressure drop is observed and the decrease in vapor temperature is identified as its main driver. Moreover, a correlation is derived for the prediction of the required pressurant gas mass, based on the Jakob number and the thermal expansion Froude number, identifying pressurant gas temperature, phase change, and tank aspect ratio as the most important parameters, determining the required pressurant gas mass for cryogenic propellant tanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In destructive aortic valve endocarditis with abscess formation in the root, homografts are used more often than xenografts. Because we had reliable perioperative results with Freestyle (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, Minn) xenograft root replacement in these complex patients, we analyzed the long-term outcome in this high-risk indication. Methods: Of 126 consecutive patients with aortic valve endocarditis treated by surgery from 1997 to 2012, 32 (25.4%) received a Freestyle aortic root replacement for severe, destructive valve endocarditis and were studied retrospectively with approval of the local ethical committee. Perioperative complications, recurrence of endocarditis, and long-term morbidity and mortality were analyzed. The follow-up period was 3 months to 11.5 years. Results: Indication for surgery was native (n = 9) and prosthetic valve endocarditis (n = 23). In 18 patients, concomitant procedures were performed: coronary bypass (n = 9), additional valve surgery (n = 6), and ascending aortic surgery (n = 7). Thirty-day mortality was 19.4% (n = 6). There were no instances of technical failure requiring modification of the surgical strategy or reoperation for anastomotic bleeding. Actuarial survival at 5 and 10 years was 61.9% and 54.2%, respectively. Freedom from death, reoperation for prostheses dysfunction, and recurrence of endocarditis as the composite end point at 5 and 10 years was 56.3% and 53.1%, respectively. Conclusions: The Freestyle root was used successfully with no technical complications in all patients with most severe destructive aortic root endocarditis. In view of this complex patient population, short- and long-term results make this conduit a reliable choice for treatment of this condition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The pressure change in a partially filled liquid nitrogen tank, subjected to periodic lateral forces, has been investigated experimentally. The cylindrical tank has a radius of R =0.148m and is filled up to 69% of the total volume (43×10−3 m3). Six different sloshing conditions were considered, with the wave amplitude b of the first asymmetric mode ranging from b/R =0.12 up to wave breaking conditions of b/R ⩾0.54. The tank was pressurized with nitrogen vapor and the pressure at sloshing initiation was in general p i ≈250kPa. Pressure drops in the order of 100kPa have been measured and the dependency of these pressure drops on wave amplitude has been determined. The integrated temperature sensors allowed to measure the vapor temperature change and, with a high resolution, the thermal boundary layer in the liquid. The effective diffusion coefficient model of Das and Hopfinger (2009) [2] has been extended and allows calculating the temperature distribution in the thermal boundary layer, as well as the pressure drop as a function of the effective diffusion coefficient. A novel result is that the calculated temperature distribution in the thermal boundary layer deviates from the measured one, relating to a stop in the pressure drop. The sloshing Nusselt number Nu S = D e /D 0 is shown to correlate well with a Reynolds number that contains the wave amplitude. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The spring-loaded inverted pendulum (SLIP) model is a well established model for describing bouncy gaits like human running. The notion of spring-like leg behavior has led many researchers to compute the corresponding parameters, predominantly stiffness, in various experimental setups and in various ways. However, different methods yield different results, making the comparison between studies difficult. Further, a model simulation with experimentally obtained leg parameters typically results in comparatively large differences between model and experimental center of mass trajectories. Here, we pursue the opposite approach which is calculating model parameters that allow reproduction of an experimental sequence of steps. In addition, to capture energy fluctuations, an extension of the SLIP (ESLIP) is required and presented. The excellent match of the models with the experiment validates the description of human running by the SLIP with the obtained parameters which we hence call dynamical leg parameters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: An adult male mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) suffered from chronic ulceration of the facial and gluteal skin and the oral and nasal mucosa. The ulcers were resistant to therapy and led to deterioration in the general condition of the animal. Microscopical examination revealed a severe, chronic, multifocal, granulomatous and eosinophilic dermatitis and panniculitis. There was also stomatitis and rhinitis with numerous intralesional fungal elements. These organisms were identified by immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction and fungal culture as Candida albicans. Species identification was confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. A specific predisposing immunosuppressive factor for the deep chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis was not identified; however, social stress and/or a primary defect in cell-mediated immunity could not be excluded as possible causes for a predisposing immunodeficiency in the animal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Color Stroop Test is consensually considered as a task to assess the efficiency of inhibitory mechanisms. If the Stroop interference effect is largely undisputed, it is also acknowledged that the size of this effect varies as a function of various task manipulations, such as the task format. The aim of the present study was to compare the size of adult age-related differences in inhibition as assessed by two different versions of the Color Stroop Test: a standard Blocked paper-and-pencil version and a computerized Item-by-item one. Results showed pronounced age-related differences in the interference effect in the Blocked version, but not in the Item-by-item one. These findings are discussed in terms of the characteristics of the tasks. The choice of the appropriate version with respect to clinical aims is also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The authors had for aim to review pediatric cases of EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis observed, between January 1999 and December 2007, to compare their characteristics to literature data, and to suggest a pragmatic strategy for diagnosis and treatment. Design: The following were analyzed for each patient: age at diagnosis, family history, revised Henter diagnostic criteria, EBV serology and/or PCR, results of genetic studies when available, treatment, short and long-term outcome. Results: Four patients 11 months to seven years of age were admitted for high and prolonged fever, hepato and/or splenomegaly, and biological markers of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. They were all initially treated with corticosteroids. The outcome was severe for the two younger patients, with acute hepatocellular failure leading to death for the first, and severe neurological impairment for the second. The two older patients responded well to corticosteroids alone, and are alive. There was no recurrence at the end of the study. Conclusions: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is the most severe complication of infectious mononucleosis. A primary cytotoxicity deficiency must be ruled out, especially in children under two years of age. Treatment is consensus free, but many studies report interesting results in terms of outcome with regimens including etoposide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Downregulation of anterior pituitary GnRH-receptors by application of a slow release GnRH-implant offers an effective and reversible alternative to surgical castration of the male dog. Aim of the present study was to test the efficacy and the underlying mechanisms of a new non-biodegradable controlled-release device implant (Gonazon®, Intervet, containing 18.5mg of the GnRH-agonist Azagly-Nafarelin). Eight male beagle dogs were implanted s.c. at the para-umbilical region. In four dogs implant removal was after 180 days (group 1), in the other four dogs after 365 days (group 2). Eleven weeks after implantation availability of LH was reduced (p <0.0001) by 70%. After an initial increase lasting for about 4 days, testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) concentrations decreased (p <0.0001) to basal levels within 17.5±8.4 days. Size of testes was decreased by about 82% after 17 weeks, size of prostate by about 46% after 5 weeks (p <0.0001). Five to 7 weeks after implantation all dogs were aspermic. Testosterone and estradiol concentrations, together with testicular and prostatic size remained suppressed in all dogs in group 1 and one dog of group 2 until implant removal. The other three dogs of group 2 escaped from down-regulation between 223 and 324 days. Effects on the availability of LH, T, E2 and on testicular and prostatic size were fully reversible after implant removal or escape from down-regulation. In six dogs semen quality was back to pre-treatment values after about 29 weeks, however, one dog developed oligozoospermia while another one stayed azoospermic, probably due to an obstruction within the epididymal duct. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is an IgA mediated vasculitis that affects small vessels. In this condition, arterial hypertension is most often linked with renal involvement, but it can also occur in the absence of urinary abnormalities. We report the case of a 12-year-old girl who presented with HSP and hypertension in the absence of renal involvement. Hypertension responded to oral therapy with nicardipine, and disappeared after healing of the disease. In the case of hypertension during HSP in the absence of renal involvement, other causes of childhood''s arterial hypertension have to be ruled out. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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Objectives: Mitral repair in active infective endocarditis still remains controversial. Several studies demonstrate the feasibility of mitral repair in infective endocarditis; however, superiority of repair has never been shown. The aim of the investigation was to compare valve repair and valve replacement in respect to the extent of destruction and to analyze survival, recurrent endocarditis, and reoperation (event-free survival). Methods: Sixty-eight consecutive patients underwent surgical intervention for mitral endocarditis. Thirty-four (50%) patients had valve repair, and 34 (50%) patients had valve replacement. Leaflet destruction involving at least one mitral leaflet was present in 15 (44.1%) patients of the repair group and 11 (32.4%) patients of the replacement group. Repair of the mitral annulus with pericardium was performed in 4 (11.8%) patients in the repair group and 3 (8.8%) patients in the replacement group. Patients in both groups were similar concerning the progression of valvular destructions and comorbidities. Results: Hospital mortality was 11.8% (8 patients). No significant differences were found in all baseline parameters, with the exception of a higher incidence of previous septic embolism and sepsis in the repair group. Actuarial event-free survival at 1 year was 88.2% in the repair group compared with 67.7% in the replacement group, and 5-year event-free survival was 80.4% in the repair group and 54.6% in the replacement group (P = .015). Mitral valve repair remained the superior treatment regarding event-free survival in the multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.93; P = .02). Conclusions: Mitral valve repair offers excellent early and late results and is the preferable treatment option in the surgical therapy of native infective endocarditis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For sedimentation of miscible drops through quiescent liquid of the same viscosity, a recent paper [J. Fluid. Mech. 447 (2001) 299] has shown the effectiveness of computer simulations based upon a swarm of point forces in tracking coalescence, mixing and rupture. Robustness of the approach was offset by the slow O(Np2) summations needed to calculate the mutual viscous interactions between all Np particles. Motivated by applications of wavelets to linear operators, this paper develops a conceptually simple scheme for dramatically accelerating the simulations. After lumping the particles together into N local clusters (three-dimensional “pixels”), a Haar discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is used to “compress” the “bitmapped” six-dimensional image of pixel–pixel hydrodynamic interactions. Depending upon the criterion of accuracy, the numerically observed scaling of the operation count seems to be either O(N) or O[N(log N)α]. The DWT also works without modification for hydrodynamic wall effects, where the kernel is not purely translational and therefore fast convolutions (FFT) cannot be used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: BackgroundSuccessful treatment of destructive aortic valve endocarditis with annular abscess formation requires extensive surgical debridement and reconstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract and aortic root. Homograft aortic roots are the conduits of choice, but because they are not available in all cases, alternative conduits are needed.: MethodsOwing to its features, which are comparable to those of homografts, the Freestyle aortic root xenograft was used in 10 consecutive patients aged between 32 and 77 years. All patients had extensive abscess formation, 5 presented with prosthetic valve endocarditis, 2 had additional mitral valve endocarditis requiring partial leaflet resection and reconstruction, 1 patient had an additional fistula into the right atrium, and 1 required coronary bypass. One patient developed a septic ventricular septal defect and fistula into the right atrium with tricuspid valve endocarditis.: ResultsNone of the patients required reoperation for bleeding. Two (20%) patients died in the postoperative period, 1 due to multiorgan failure, and 1 due to preexisting invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. At autopsy, neither had evidence of intrapericardial hematoma or suture dehiscence. One patient died 13 months postoperatively without clinical signs of valve dysfunction or recurrent endocarditis. All other patients are well at 12 to 42 months after surgery. Clinical examination and echocardiography at the most recent follow-up showed no signs of valve dysfunction, recurrent fistulation, or endocarditis.: ConclusionsThe Freestyle aortic root appears to be an acceptable alternative to homografts in the treatment of severe endocarditis. Long-term valve durability in younger patients, however, remains to be determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Abnormal crack growth of a nickel base superalloy under TMF loading is investigated. • A new three-dimensional criterion for anisotropic crack growth is presented. • Anisotropic crack growth is automated simulated by finite element code PROCRACK. • The anisotropic fracture parameters are identified from CT-experiments. • The propagation of a corner crack on a typical turbine component under TMF is predicted. Allvac ®718Plus is a nickel base superalloy possessing outstanding abilities to withstand both mechanical and thermal loads, which make this material ideal for turbine disks and blades in aero engines. The thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) crack growth behavior depends on temperature, in-service load cycles and material orientation. In particular, the crack growth at high temperature dwell time shows significant influence of material anisotropy due to platelet-like precipitations, which leads to crack deflection from the maximum principal stress direction. These specific properties must be taken into account properly to ensure a safe design and the desired lifetime of components. The focus of this paper is to develop an appropriate fracture criterion to describe crack deflection for such kind of anisotropic material resistance. This criterion and the associated crack growth laws for thermomechanical fatigue are implemented in the FEM software Procrack for fully automated three-dimensional crack propagation simulation. The numerical simulation of experiments on CT-specimens with various material orientations provided evidence that the software can capture the actual fracture behavior. Moreover, a suitable set of material parameters could be identified. The performance of the presented approach to predict realistic three-dimensional TMF crack propagation is demonstrated by an application to a typical turbine component made from Allvac ® 718Plus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectif: Rapporter un cas de vascularite à ANCA sévère à début très précoce. Les vascularites à ANCA (Anticorps anti cytoplasme des polynucléaires neutrophiles) sont des pathologies rares de l’enfant. Une revue récente de la littérature a permis de retrouver quelques case report, mais très peu de séries pédiatriques publiées : 2 séries pédiatriques publiées en 2006 et 2007, recensent 50 cas environ. Cas clinique: un nourrisson âgé de 2 mois est hospitalisé pour des lésions érythémato nécrotiques des joues, des oreilles et de la pulpe des doigts et des orteils évocatrice de vascularite. L’examen clinique initial révèle une polypnée superficielle ; le scanner thoracique objective un syndrome alvélo interstitiel avec des images en verre dépoli, et les explorations fonctionnelles respiratoires mettent en évidence un syndrome restrictif : toutes les investigations sur le plan respiratoire confirment l’existence d’une vascularite pulmonaire évolutive. Il n’existe aucun témoin clinique ou biologique d’atteinte rénale. Secondairement, des épisodes fébriles itératifs sont concomitants de poussées de vascularite cutanée. Une corticothérapie sous forme de bolus est mise en place. Sur le plan biologique, les ANCA sont positifs à 1/200 à plusieurs reprises sans spécificité PR3 ou MPO, les anticorps anti membrane basale glomérulaire sont négatifs. En raison de lésions cutanées majeures, un traitement par antipaludéens de synthèse (plaquénilÒ) est instauré ; puis est associé à un traitement de fond par Mycophénolate Mofétil (CellceptÒ) qui a permis de stabilizer l’évolution. Conclusion: La particularité de cette observation réside dans la précocité extrême des symptoms ; en effet, dans la littérature pédiatrique, nous n’avons retrouvé aucun cas de vascularite systémique à ANCA chez le nourrisson. Par ailleurs, l’agressivité des lésions cutanées et pulmonaires, l’absence actuelle d’atteinte rénale sont atypiques pour une vascularite systémique de l’enfant. L’évolution est favorable sous traitement de fond par Mycophénolate Mofétil qui est actuellement à l’étude dans le traitement d’entretien des granulomatoses de Wegener de l’adulte. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Individual differences in working memory (WM) have been shown to reflect the ability to control attention in order to prevent interference. This study examines the role of WM capacity in resisting interference in the Hayling task, in samples of younger and older adults. In each age group, high and low WM span individuals had to complete high-cloze sentences with either expected words (initiation) or words providing no meaning to the sentences (interference). Results showed increased response times and decreased correct responses in interference, as compared to initiation. As interference increased, older adults demonstrated lower accuracy than younger ones. Further, low spans demonstrated higher interference costs than high spans on accuracy, while the reverse pattern was found for response times. Our findings suggest that both age and individual differences in WM capacity need to be considered to account for differences in the ability to resist to interference. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Intestinal microbiotype necessary for life is a source of complications in childhood. Bacterial translocation is responsible of endogenous septicaemia and invasive complications. We report five cases of severe invasive infections associated with diarrhoea, digestive bleeding or sepsis. Biological parameters for inflammation are highly positive, and blood cultures reveal bacterial identification: salmonella enteridis, enterobacter cloacae, campylobacter jejuni, escherichia coli or clostridium difficile. We describe the predisposing factors and susceptibility status to develop translocation: invasive diarrhoea, asplenia, gasto-intestinal disease… All invasive infections in children require etiological approach with the possibility of an endogenous septicaemia (bacterial translocation). This approach minimises the nosocomial features undercurrent in these invasive infections, and leads also to other alternative preventive measures: antibiotic association, maintaining an enteral nutrition, pre or probiotic use, specific digestive decontamination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objet: hors étiologies habituelles des thrombopathies, préciser le rôle de l’excès de facteurVIII dans la génèse des accidents thrombo-emboliques veineux de l’enfant. Cas clinique: un adolescent âgé de 14ans consulte pour une douleur dorsale rapidement compliquée de boîterie et d’œdème du membre inférieur gauche. Le scanner abdominal visualise une thrombose de la veine cave inférieure, des deux veines iliaques communes, de la veine fémorale superficielle et profonde gauche. Sous héparinothérapie continue et traitement antalgique majeur l’évolution est favorable. Le scanner corps total de contrôle outre la stabilité des lésions, précise l’existence de deux embolies pulmonaires (lobe inférieur droit et pyramide gauche) cliniquement asymptômatiques. Le bilan de coagulation complet infirme les causes habituelles de thrombopathie mais précise un excès de facteur VIII > 200 % à deux reprises. L’enquête familiale est évocatrice d’une thrombopathie familiale puisque la mère et la sœur qui présentent des antécédents de phlébite du post partum sont porteuses du même excès de facteur VIII. Conclusion: si l’excès de facteur VIII est relativement fréquent dans la population générale (11 %) il doit être considéré comme un facteur prédisposant aux complications veineuses thrombogènes y compris chez l’enfant, à fortiori dans un contexte de thrombose intra-familiale. S’il est admis qu’il agit comme cofacteur d’une prédisposition aux thromboses veineuse la mise en évidence d’un excès de facteur VIII impose un traitement anti-coagulant à long terme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectif: Evaluer la place des biothérapies en immuno rhumatologie pédiatrique. L’AJI résulte d’un déséquilibre cytokinique conduisant à une destruction articulaire en l’absence de traitement adapté. Le recours à des biothérapies visant le TNF alpha ou l’interleukine 1 peut être nécessaire dans certaines formes actives d’AJI résistantes au Méthotrexate. Matériel et Méthodes: 107 patients atteints d’AJI sont suivis dans le cadre de la consultation de rhumatologie pédiatrique entre janvier 2006 et janvier 2008. 40 patients soit plus d’un tiers bénéficient de biothérapies : 26 enfants sont sous Etanercept, 8 sous Infliximab, 4 sous Adalimumab et 2 sous Anakinra. Nous détaillons les indications, l’efficacité et les effets indésirables éventuels des différentes biothérapies mises en œuvre. Résultats: L’Etanercept est une biothérapie efficace et parfaitement bien tolérée dans les AJI résistantes au Méthotrexate, particulièrement dans les formes oligoarticulaires. Elle est utilisée seule ou en association au Méthotrexate. Dans 26% des cas, le sevrage de l’Etanercept s’est soldé par un échec, mais la reprise du traitement a induit la même efficacité. L’utilisation de l’Infliximab à des posologies majorées (10 à 20 mg/kg) semble décevante dans le traitement des uvéites sévères. L’augmentation des doses n’a pas entraîné d’effets indésirables ou d’infections opportunistes. L’Adalimumab représente actuellement une alternative thérapeutique séduisante dans le traitement des uvéites sévères de l’enfant, après échec du Méthotrexate. Deux formes systémiques particulièrement agressives d’AJI ont été sensibles à L’Etanercept pour l’une et à l’Anakinra pour l’autre. Conclusion: L’analyse de cette cohorte illustre l’utilisation des biothérapies en immuno rhumatologie pédiatrique : 37% des patients atteints d’AJI sont traités par des biothérapies dans notre étude. Ces thérapeutiques sont considérées comme un traitement de deuxième ligne, en cas d’échec du Méthotrexate, et dans le cadre de formes particulièrement agressives sur le plan articulaire ou ophtalmologique. Leur tolérance clinique immédiate chez l’enfant est bonne. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Flow microcapillary based monitoring of soluble corrosion product formation. [•] Influence of the buffering system on Mg–Y–RE alloy corrosion mechanisms. [•] Presence of Ca/P slows Y/Nd intermetallic dissolution and related cathodic reaction. [•] Presence of carbonates partially counteracts detrimental Tris complexing effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The conversion of wood to synthetic natural gas (SNG) via gasification and catalytic methanation is a renewable close to commercialization technology that could substitute fossil fuels and alleviate global warming. In order to assure that it is beneficial from the environmental perspective, a cradle to grave life cycle assessment (LCA) of SNG from a first-of-its-kind polygeneration unit for heating, electricity generation, and transportation was conducted. These SNG systems were compared to fossil and conventional wood reference systems and environmental benefits from their substitution evaluated. Finally, we conduct sensitivity analysis for expected technological improvements and factors that could decrease environmental performance. It is shown that substituting fossil technologies with SNG systems is environmentally beneficial with regard to global warming and for selected technologies also with regard to aggregated environmental impacts. On the condition that process heat is used efficiently, technological improvements such as increased efficiency and denitrification could further increase this advantage. On the other hand, lower GHG emissions and aggregated impacts are partly compensated by other environmental effects, e.g. eutrophication, ecotoxicity, and respiratory disease caused by inorganics. Since more efficient alternatives exist for the generation of heat and electricity from wood, it is argued that SNG is best used for transportation. In the light of a growing demand for renewable transportation fuels and commercial scale technological development being only in its initial stage, the production of SNG from wood seems to be a promising technology for the near future. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Efficacy of a slow-release gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-agonist implant (Gonazon) was assessed in 53 male dogs presented with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), hypersexuality, aggressive behavior (either alone or in combination), excessive micturition, or to suppress fertility. Changes in testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) concentrations and size of testes and prostate were monitored on Weeks 0, +8, and +26 after implantation. Additional measurements during and after this period were performed in 35 dogs. Clinical signs were assessed by the owners. All implants except one were retained throughout the study. Full downregulation of testicular function (T<0.35 nmol/L) was achieved in 46 dogs, five dogs showed partial downregulation (T = 0.36 to 0.47 nmol/L), one dog did not respond, and another one displayed a transient downregulation on Week +18. On Week +8, mean T and E2 levels were reduced by 96% and 62%, respectively, and did not further decrease. Full downregulation (T<0.35 nmol/L) lasted between 6 to >22 mo in most dogs except two. Compared with pretreatment values, mean testicular and prostatic size was reduced (P<0.00001) by 54% and 52%, respectively, on Week +8 and by 68% and 64%, respectively, on Week +26. Relative reduction of prostatic size was more marked in dogs with BPH than in healthy ones on Week +8 (P<0.05) and Week +26 (P<0.02), and clinical signs of BPH disappeared rapidly after implantation. Dogs affected with BPH were significantly older (P<0.001) than nonaffected ones (9.7 vs. 2.5 yr). Hypersexuality was more common in dogs<3 yr of age, and treatment clearly improved clinical signs. Age significantly affected the response to treatment in aggressive dogs; 75% of the cases responded with an improvement. The only minor and possibly treatment-related events observed were a short-lasting exacerbation of clinical signs of BPH (two dogs), increased weight gain (three dogs), and anxiety (three dogs) with one of these dogs developing a blunt coat. These results demonstrate the clinical efficacy and overall safety of the Gonazon implants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The thermal decomposition of three synthetic copper sulfides (chalcocite (Cu2S), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), and enargite (Cu3AsS4)) and two commercial copper concentrates has been studied on a thermobalance (T =1173–1773K) and an imaging furnace (T ≈1914K) in inert atmospheres. It is demonstrated that the absence of oxygen, in combination with high decomposition temperatures furthers the removal of heavy metal impurities by volatilization. Elemental analyses on residues of treated concentrates showed that removal of volatile impurities occurs in three distinct temperature ranges: Already below temperatures of 1173K arsenic and bismuth are removed. Evaporation of cadmium and tin requires temperatures below 1673K, while substantial evaporation of Pb and Zn only occurs at temperatures between 1673 and 1773K. At 1773K the removal of these elements exceeds 95%. Thermal treatment at even higher temperatures in an imaging furnace and repeated grinding of the sample resulted in a removal of between 90% and 99% of the initial amounts of arsenic, zinc, and lead within 90s. The strong effect of grinding indicates that the elimination of volatile elements is hindered by the mass transfer from the interior of the melt to the gas phase. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that even though a slag-like phase is produced, heavy metal impurities are efficiently removed by thermal decomposition at high-temperatures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The extended scalability of Twin Flash memory cells down to 32nm half pitch is demonstrated in a conventional planar cell layout. Starting with 63nm line space array and doubling the number of word lines, a cell size of 0.0112μm2 can be achieved. By dividing available space into 43nm cell width and 20nm space between adjacent cells the electrical cell characteristics could be maintained the same as in the previous 63nm generation. It was found that the proposed aggressive shrinking of the cell spacing in word line direction results in a cross talk of 300mV when both neighboring cells are programmed to the highest MLC level. The charge cross talk in charge trapping memory (CT) cells is reported for the first time and becomes an issue when cell spacing between Twin Flash and other CT cells as e.g. TANOS approaches the 20nm mark. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]