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International audience; Graphene Nanoribbons (GN), being an important class of next-generation carbon materials, are of immense interest and find innumerable applications in diverse fields. A variation of the generalized Lambert W function, called the Offset Logarithm function, has been found to have important applications in fields such as physics, engineering and nanotechnology. We study the electronic properties of zigzag GN and use the generalized Lambert W function to study the eigenvalue equations of the massless Dirac equation applied to zigzag GN. We have studied the effects of nanoribbon width and determined the parameters that significantly affect the obtained solutions.

Summary Introduction Treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) requires specific approaches, although it is well codified in most cases. Current national and international (International Initiative on Cancer and Thrombosis, ITAC) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) recommend the use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) over 6 months as first treatment option, and anticoagulation should be maintained thereafter as long as cancer is active. Since compliance improves when patients understand their disease and related treatments, we created a dedicated patient education program (PEP) for CAT, aiming to improve quality of care. Methods Retrospective analysis of all patients who voluntarily joined the PEP for CAT from 2014 to 2020. Results In total, 182 cancer patients (median age, 64.9 years) were included, 53.3% with metastatic disease. A total of 528 PEP sessions (median, 3 per patient) were delivered. After PEP completion, the rate of self-injections or those performed at home by a relative had increased from 49.1% to 59.8% (P = 0.05). Quality of life had improved significantly (P = 0.025) and 90.0% of patients reported adhering to anticoagulant therapy. Conclusion Implementation of a structured and personalized PEP for CAT is feasible, allowing to improve cancer patient empowerment, adherence to CAT treatment and quality of life. The Groupe francophone et cancer (GFTC) members aim at facilitating access to CAT-PEP for both patients and caregivers and use of the multi-language ITAC-CPG mobile app (free access: www.itaccme.com ) to improve the care and quality of life of patients with CAT.

Six types of oxide phases are formed in the Sm2O3–SrO–Fe2O3 system at 1100 °C in air: perovskite type Sr1-хSmхFeO3-δ (0.05 ≤ х ≤ 0.50 with the cubic structure, S.G. Pm-3m and 0.85 ≤ x ≤ 1.0 with the orthorhombic structure, S.G. Pbnm), and Ruddlesden-Popper series corresponding to n = 1,2,3, i.e. Sr2-ySmyFeO4-δ, Sr3-uSmuFe2O7-δ (0 ≤ u ≤ 0.3; u = 1.80) and Sr4-rSmrFe3O10-δ. The structural parameters of single-phase samples, refined by the Rietveld method, allowed to reveal the variation of unit cell parameters with composition. A subsolidus isothermal isobaric phase diagram (1100 °C, Po2 = 0.21 atm) for the ½Sm2O3–SrO–½Fe2O3 system has been constructed. The compositional triangle was divided into 24 phase fields. The values of oxygen content and mean oxidation state of iron in all single phases were determined by iodometric titration. The changes in oxygen content with temperature in Sr2.7Sm0.3Fe2O7-δ, Sr1.2Sm0.8FeO4-δ, and Sr3.1Sm0.9Fe3O10-δ were studied by TGA within the range of 25−1100 °C in air. They show that the maximum oxidation state of Fe ions in RP oxides at room temperature increases with n, reaching 3.52 for the Sr3.1Sm0.9Fe3O10-δ n = 3 member.

Complex oxides Nd1.6Ca0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0–0.4) have been prepared by a pyrolysis of glycerol-nitrate compositions. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis, the materials are single-phase up to y = 0.3 and crystallize in an orthorhombic structure (Bmab) at room temperature. High-temperature studies assert that they all undergo a phase transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal (I4/mmm) structure in a range of 300–400 °C. With Cu doping, the over-stoichiometric oxygen content δ decreases from 0.07 (y = 0.0) down to 0.00 (y = 0.3). The studies on the compact samples reveal the maximum value of total conductivity (165 S cm−1 at 420 °C) and the minimum value of the linear coefficient of thermal expansion (11.9·10−6 K−1 in a range of 400–1000 °C in air) at y = 0.2. Chemical compatibility of the Nd1.6Cа0.4Ni1-yCuyO4+δ (y = 0.0, 0.2) oxides with oxygen- and proton conducting electrolytes (Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95, Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 and BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ) up to a temperature of 1100 °C is demonstrated.

International audience; Thermoelectric performance largely depends on the reduction of lattice thermal conductivity (κL). The study of the thermal conductivity (κ) of a Sb2Te3/graphite nanocomposite system demonstrates ∼40% reduction in κL with graphite incorporation. A plausible explanation of intrinsic low κL observed in Sb2Te3 based system is presented by modeling experimental specific heat (Cp) data. Raman spectroscopy measurement combined to X-Ray diffraction data confirms the presence of graphite as separate phase in the composite sample. It is found that phonon scattering dominates heat transport mechanism in the nanostructured Sb2Te3/graphite composite. Large reduction in κL is accomplished by intensifying scattering rate of phonons via various sources. Graphite introduces effective scattering sources, i.e., defects of different dimensionalities in synthesized nanocomposite sample. Furthermore, graphite mediates phonon-phonon coupling and enhances lattice anharmonicity, which causes an intrinsic scattering of phonons with all frequencies in the Sb2Te3/graphite nanocomposite sample. Dislocation density and phonon anharmonicity of the synthesized samples are estimated from in depth analysis of temperature dependent synchrotron powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopic data. κL value as low as 0.8 W m−1K−1 at 300 K, achieved with graphite dispersion in Sb2Te3 based composite system makes the present comprehensive study an interesting concept to be developed in thermoelectric materials.

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) represents the most common childhood soft tissue sarcoma, but they are rarely seen among adults. Most of the protocols for adults are adapted from pediatric protocols. Here we report a case of a 53-year-old woman diagnosed with a nasal alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, stage IV at diagnosis, treated by chemotherapy (a regimen inspired from the pediatric protocole pEpSSG RMS 2005) which led to partial response followed by chemo-radiotherapy. We performed a systematic review of adult head and neck ARMS and found 29 cases. Primary chemotherapy with different protocols (VAC, VAI or VIE) should be done followed by surgery and/or external beam radiotherapy (preferably with IMRT). EBRT seems beneficial to every ARMS with a dose around 50Gy in a conventional fractionation, eventually completed with a boost on residual tumor. The target volume must be defined on pre-chemotherapy imaging. Brachytherapy and proton therapy are under evaluation.

The total electric conductivity of two ceramics of cubic perovskites corresponding to x = 0.1 and x = 0.2 in the Sr1-xYxFeO3-delta solid solution has been measured by a 4-probe method in the temperature range from 298 K to 1373 K in air, allowing activation energies of approximate to 0.1-0.2 eV to be extracted. The effect of the oxygen partial pressure (P-O2 = 0.21-10(-15) atm) on the conductivity of the Sr1-xYxFeO3-delta ceramic has also been investigated at high temperatures, i.e. at 1123 K, 1223 K and 1323 K. By analyzing the X-ray diffraction patterns of the quenched powder samples, the P-o2-stability of Y0.2Sr0.8FeO3-delta has been determined. These results are discussed in terms of the defect structure in Sr1-xYxFeO3-delta, which accounts well for the present data and especially the sign change of the majority charge carriers as P-O2 is reduced. This study presents important new features of the total conductivity with respect to temperature and oxygen non-stoichiometry in these ceramics.

Background Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has the strongest association with smoking among lung cancers. The characteristics of never smokers with SCLC is not known. Research Question Are the clinical characteristics, prognostic factors, survival, genomic alterations, and tumor mutational burdens of SCLC in patients who have never smoked different from those who have smoked? Study Design and Methods A retrospective multicenter cohort study of patients with clinician-confirmed SCLC was performed with the use of a longitudinal and nationally representative electronic medical records database. Smoking history was assessed through technology-enabled abstraction and confirmed for never smokers via chart review. Genomic characteristics of never smoker patients with SCLC were examined with the use of a next-generation sequencing-based gene panel and whole exome sequencing. Results One hundred of 5,632 patients (1.8%) with SCLC were never smokers. Relative to smokers, never smokers were more likely to be female (66.0% vs 52.4%; P = .009) and present with extensive stage (70.0% vs 62.2%; P = .028). Never smokers had a higher proportion of patients in age groups 35 to 49 years (7.0% vs 3.0%; P = .006) and ≥80 years (17.0% vs 8.2%; P = .006). Known risk factors for lung cancer were found in Interpretation The sex- and age-specific distribution of SCLC among never smokers, along with differences that were identified by genomic analyses, suggests a distinct biology of SCLC in never smokers compared with smokers.

Resume Contexte Lorsqu’un patient atteint d’un cancer du poumon se presente aux urgences avec une defaillance d’organe, la question d’une admission en reanimation se pose. Notre objectif est de decrire le processus aboutissant aux soins proposes. Methodes Retrospectivement, tous les patients admis aux urgences entre decembre 2010 et janvier 2015 et un diagnostic CIM-10 C34.9 (cancer du poumon) ont ete etudies. Ceux avec au moins une defaillance d’organe ont ete inclus. Resultats Les dossiers de 561 patients ont ete etudies, 79 (14 %) presentaient au moins une defaillance d’organe. La majorite de ces patients ont recu des soins medicaux maximaux (59 %), 25 % des soins de confort exclusifs et 15 % des soins intensifs. L’indice de performance, le statut metastatique et l’efficacite du traitement anti-tumoral etaient consignes dans le dossier medical des urgences dans 20 %, 66 % et 74 % des cas, respectivement. Un avis a ete pris aupres de l’oncologue dans 44 % des cas et aupres du reanimateur dans 41 % des cas. Aucun avis exterieur n’a ete pris dans 27 % des cas. Conclusion Dans la majorite des cas, la decision sur l’intensite des soins a proposer aux patients atteints d’un cancer du poumon avec une defaillance d’organe a ete prise de facon collegiale.

Resume La prise en charge des consequences fonctionnelles apres exerese pancreatique est devenue un nouvel enjeu therapeutique. L’objectif de notre etude est d’evaluer l’ensemble des facteurs de risques d’insuffisance pancreatique exocrine (IPExo) et d’insuffisance pancreatique endocrine (IPEndo) apres chirurgie pancreatique et d’etablir un modele predictif de survenue de ces insuffisances. Materiel et methode Entre le 1/01/14 et le 19/06/15, 91 malades consecutifs et suivis de maniere prospective ont eu une duodeno-pancreatectomie cephalique (DPC) et une pancreatectomie gauche (PGauche) dans 72 % et 28 % des cas respectivement. L’IPExo etait definie par une concentration en elastase fecale 1,26 g/L ou l’aggravation d’un diabete existant. Les volumetries pancreatiques etaient mesurees selon les memes principes que les techniques de mesure de volumetrie hepatique. Resultats Le taux d’IPExo et IPEndo a 6 mois postoperatoire etait de 75,9 %, et de 30,8 % respectivement. Le taux d’IPExo apres DPC etait significativement plus eleve qu’apres PGauche (98 % vs 21 % ; p Conclusion L’IPExo est quasi-systematique apres DPC quel que soit le vecteur digestif utilise. L’IPEndo n’est pas differente entre la DPC et la PGauche.

Management of functional consequences after pancreatic resection has become a new therapeutic challenge. The goal of our study is to evaluate the risk factors for exocrine (ExoPI) and endocrine (EndoPI) pancreatic insufficiency after pancreatic surgery and to establish a predictive model for their onset.Between January 1, 2014 and June 19, 2015, 91 consecutive patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) or left pancreatectomy (LP) (72% and 28%, respectively) were followed prospectively. ExoPI was defined as fecal elastase content200μg per gram of feces while EndoPI was defined as fasting glucose126mg/dL or aggravation of preexisting diabetes. The volume of residual pancreas was measured according to the same principles as liver volumetry.The ExoPI and EndoPI rates at 6 months were 75.9% and 30.8%, respectively. The rate of ExoPI after PD was statistically significantly higher than after LP (98% vs. 21%; P0.001), while the rate of EndoPI was lower after PD vs. LP, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (28% vs. 38.5%; P=0.412). There was no statistically significant difference in ExoPI found between pancreatico-gastrostomy (PG) and pancreatico-jejunostomy (PJ) (100% vs. 98%; P=1.000). Remnant pancreatic volume less than 39.5% was predictive of ExoPI.ExoPI occurs quasi-systematically after PD irrespective of the reconstruction scheme. The rate of EndoPI did not differ between PD and LP.