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Self-organization of multiple adiabatic shear bands (ASB) is often investigated through collapsing thick-walled cylinders (TWC). In the present work, the material behavior is described by a thermoviscoplastic constitutive law with a strain energy based failure model. Inhomogeneities in the specimen are somehow represented using Voronoi cells. In addition, a user-defined perturbation is imposed in the numerical perturbation to each Voronoi cell. Therefore, a mesh independent perturbation is obtained. Several draws of initial perturbation are considered to investigate variability in shear band patterns. The numerous realizations are analyzed through an algorithm to track and count shears bands providing statistically significant results. The influence of the failure model and perturbation parameters on shear bands number and length is studied. While short bands are affected by the size of the cells, it is shown that the self-organized pattern of developed bands is relatively independent of the imposed Voronoïcell structure. The amplitude of the perturbation affects neither the pattern nor the length of bands (within the considered range of amplitude of the user-defined perturbation). • Adiabatic Shear bands are studied numerically through the collapse of thick-walled cylinders. • A perturbation distributed on a Voronoi pattern is imposed to trigger instability • An algorithm has been developed to identify individual bands in simulations. • Several draws of Voronoi cell structure are conducted to investigate the variability in shear bands pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: The purpose of this systematic review was to compare quality-of-life instruments used as outcome measures in randomized clinical trials for alcohol-dependence treatment. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trials, indexed in the EMBASE, PubMed and PsycINFO databases since 1981, which aimed at improving the quality of life in alcohol-dependent patients and used as instrument to measure the quality of life, as specifically designated by the authors, were included. Results: Of the 331 articles screened, 18 studies were included in the review. Eight different quality-of-life instruments were used as outcome measures. Twenty-seven life domains were explored. Between-scale heterogeneity was high. The scale most frequently used was the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Only 1 clinical trial demonstrated a significant difference between intervention groups at all endpoints, using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q). Conclusion: Because many different instruments were used, it is difficult to compare quality-of-life improvement between trials. The most frequently used instrument was a generic health status measure that may not be well suited as a quality-of-life measure for subjects with alcohol dependence. The construction and validation of a specific patient-reported outcome based on alcohol-dependent patients’ concerns would effectively contribute to the assessment of treatment efficacy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aims: The relations between amorous passion and addiction have long been noted. Recent advances in neurobiology have allowed us to reexamine the relations between these two states and to better understand their clinical symptoms. Methods: We compare clinical, neuropsychological, neurobiological and neuroimaging data in love passion versus substance addictions. Results: The clinical description of the amorous state includes: unrestrained desire and sexual pleasure; feeling of euphoria; powerful motivation to the “object of his love”; a cognitive mechanism characterised by a focalised attention, pervasive memories, intrusive thoughts; emotional exacerbation and emotional dependence with need for the other, aroused by his absence. Criteria for love addiction (differing from love passion), including the notion of suffering and continued behaviour despite adverse consequences, inspired from the DSM-IV criteria could be evaluated. The neurophysiological model for all addictions can be applied to love addicts: the desired object is overrated. The rewarding value and its memory trigger a major motivation: simple desire has become a need; cortical control has become insufficient. For love as well as addictions, dopamine codes the value of pleasure. Love and drugs are potent pleasure modulators of dopamine flux. Oxytocin pathways, clearly implicated in love attachment, are also an important pathway towards understanding the mechanisms of dependence. Imagery data on various drug addictions and imagery data on sexual desire, orgasm and amorous relationships, enable their mechanisms and activated circuits to be compared and their similarities analysed. Conclusion: Love and addictions are comprised of liking, wanting and needing. Refining of clinical, neurobiological and neuro-imaging studies will further elucidate these similarities and should provide a better understanding and improved treatment of these states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histomonas meleagridis is a flagellated protozoa causing histomoniasis, a disease of gallinaceous fowl. This disease is characterized by necrotic typhlitis, hepatitis, and high mortality, especially in turkeys. In an attempt to detect the progression of H. meleagridis in the turkey, birds were infected via the cloaca. Between d 0 and 19, a group of 4 turkeys was killed and autopsied every 3 d. Cecal and hepatic lesion scores were used to measure severity of infection. For each turkey, 15 tissue samples were taken. Another group of 3 infected turkeys were placed separately, and samples of cecal and intestinal stool were collected every 3 d. Samples were analyzed by PCR. For samples of cecal droppings, cecum, cecal content, rectum, proventriculus, and bursa of Fabricius, the number of birds detected as positive by PCR followed the evolution of the lesion scores. Within the liver, the parasite DNA was detected only in some severe lesions. The parasite DNA was also detected in duodenum, jejuno-ileum, spleen, heart, lungs, and brain samples. The parasite DNA was not detected in the blood, kidneys, pancreas, or muscle of the thigh. Results of the PCR were in agreement with the evolution of the clinical signs and of the cecal and liver lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Conopeptides are a diverse array of small linear and reticulated peptides that interact with high potency and selectivity with a large diversity of receptors and ion channels. They are used by cone snails for prey capture or defense. Recent advances in venom gland transcriptomic and venom peptidomic/proteomic technologies combined with bioactivity screening approaches lead to the identification of new toxins with original pharmacological profiles. Here, from transcriptomic/proteomic analyses of the Conus consors cone snail, we identified a new conopeptide called τ-CnVA, which displays the typical cysteine framework V of the T1-conotoxin superfamily. This peptide was chemically synthesized and its three-dimensional structure was solved by NMR analysis and compared to that of TxVA belonging to the same family, revealing very few common structural features apart a common orientation of the intercysteine loop. Because of the lack of a clear biological function associated with the T-conotoxin family, τ-CnVA was screened against more than fifty different ion channels and receptors, highlighting its capacity to interact selectively with the somatostatine sst3 receptor. Pharmacological and functional studies show that τ-CnVA displays a micromolar (Ki of 1.5μM) antagonist property for the sst3 receptor, being currently the only known toxin to interact with this GPCR subfamily. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cannabis is the most frequently used illegal drug in France. In 2007, the average age for a first use was 15.1 years. Most teenagers will limit their use to a few experiences or controlled use. However, for those who do become dependent, the lapse between the first use and dependence is brief (approximately 18 months) with an average of 28 months compared to tobacco (3–5 years) and alcohol (5–9 years). In light of this brief delay, it is crucial to quickly recognize adolescents who have problem cannabis use and to educate parents to warning signs and to teach them how to efficiently discuss the subject with their teenager. Multidimensional Family Therapy, Cognitive and Behavioral Family Therapy and Brief Strategic Family Therapy have shown their efficacy in clinical trials. Improving family dynamics represents not only a motivational opportunity to help the adolescent to adhere to drug dependence treatment, but may also facilitate reintegration into a drug-free social environment and maintenance in a drug-free existence. Family interventions have been shown to be even more effective when community family assistance relations (social workers, educational counselors) are optimized. Family therapy should also be combined with personal empowerment and life planning interventions which enable the adolescent to increase his self-esteem through scholastic and professional achievement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This aetiological study of guttural pouch mycosis (GPM) in the horse was based on the retrospective study of 21 horses brought into the National Veterinary School of Lyon (France) between 1998 and 2002. Biopsies were taken from the lesions caused by GPM during endoscopic examination. In 87% of the cases, direct examination gave positive results, whereas 43% of the cultures were found to be negative. The main fungi observed were Aspergillus fumigatus (in three cases), A. versicolor (in two cases, together with other fungi), and A. nidulans and A. niger (one case each). In six cases, the Aspergillus species could not be identified. In two cases, cleistothecia and/or Hülle cells were observed. In three cases, fungi other than Aspergillus were seen, mixed or not with Aspergillus. These results underline the importance of Aspergillus-fumigatus in the development of GPM in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of a novel avermectin, selamectin (Stronghold®, Pfizer), was evaluated against naturally acquired aural infestations of Otodectes cynotis. Selamectin was administered topically in a single spot to the skin of each animal’s back at the base of the neck in front of the scapulae at a minimum dosage of 6 mg kg−1. Thirty cats of a cattery of 120 animals with an endemic infestation were treated on days 0 and 30. Including untreated control cats was therefore not possible because of animal welfare consideration. Clinical examination and visualization of mites by otoscopic examination of the external ear canal and microscopic examination of aural debris/exudate were performed twice weekly from days 0 to 30. On day 0 (and day 28 if the ears canals were erythematous), a swab was taken from each canal and sent to bacteriology and mycology units for detection and identification of bacteria (Staphylococcus mainly) and yeast (Malassezia pachydermatis only).Selamectin was safe, parasites were killed before day 3 and eliminated before day 17. Selamectin was 100% effective against natural aural infestations, even if erythema (26–33% of cats) and scratch reflex (23–40% of cats) persisted for 2 weeks after the cats tested negative for mites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recently in the Li-ion battery community there has been an intense amount of attention focusing on developing positive electrodes which operate on the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox potential given that the environmental and economic advantages of Fe-based compounds compared to other transition metals are tremendous. Here we report that we have succeeded in preparing for the first time LiFeSO4F in the triplite structure which shows an open circuit voltage of 3.9V versus Li with a reversible capacity of approximately 85mAhg−1, still well below the theoretical value of 148mAhg−1 due to poor electrode kinetics. Nevertheless, we additionally found that the volume change on removal of Li is 0.6%. Once optimized, this triplite phase of LiFeSO4F could stand as a promising contender to LiFePO4. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]