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In this study YAG (Y3Al5O12) nanopowders have been synthetized by a reverse co-precipitation method with two different designs of reactors: batch and plug-flow. The impact of both the reactor design and the synthesis temperature on the features of nanopowders so-synthetized was studied. The reactor design governs the pH evolution and precipitation kinetics during synthesis. Correlations were found between the reactor design and nanopowders stoichiometry and morphology. The plug-flow reactor allows obtaining homogeneous, well-crystallized and single-phased YAG nanopowders after calcination. Then, the sintering ability of as-obtained nanopowders was investigated. Fully dense YAG-based ceramics were obtained with the nanopowders made from the plug-flow reactor by combining uniaxial pressing and sintering at 1700 °C. Finally, a plug-flow reactor with very simple and inexpensive design would allow easier upscale of the synthesis process of YAG-based nanopowders with well-controlled morphology and stoichiometry. As a result, YAG based transparent ceramic were obtained without sintering additive.

The PANDA unit is a full-time mother-baby hospitalization unit based on an original model of care for vulnerable dyads. It is located within a neonatal unit allowing tripartite care (perinatal psychiatry, neonatology and post-natal care). It thus differs from traditional mother-baby units in its close links with the other perinatal care actors, allowing comprehensive health and mental health care in the immediate post-partum period. Patients admitted to the Panda Unit may have been referred during the antenatal period or taken into care in an emergency if the mother's clinical condition requires it, in the aftermath of childbirth. During their stay, the dyads are evaluated daily by a perinatal psychiatrist. This includes assessment of maternal clinical state, the newborn's development and the quality of mother-infant interactions. During the first 6 months of use, 24 dyads have benefited from PANDA care. Three women among 5 were admitted during the antenatal period and almost one-third were aged under 21. The first primary diagnosis during the antepartum was major depressive disorder, two-fold that of personality disorder or bipolar disorder alone. At the end of PANDA stay, close to 3 women among 4 were back to their home with their child, and an out-of-home placement was mandated for 4 infants. PANDA unit is a step toward continuous and comprehensive integrative care. The mother and baby do not leave the maternity ward, and management of mother, baby, and their interactions can start immediately after birth. Considering the importance of the first months of life in the establishment of fundamental links and bonding, PANDA offers an innovative opportunity for what we hope will be both therapeutic and preventive for at-risk dyads. The detection, and ultimately prevention and management of risk of abuse and neglect is another major challenge that this unit hopes to address from the very beginning.

In this paper we explore the ability of thermal analysis to check elastin and collagen integrity in different biomaterial applications. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) has been used to analyze the first and second order transitions of the biological macromolecules in the hydrated and dehydrated state. First, we report the characterization of control cardiovascular tissues such as pericardium, aortic wall and valvular leaflet. Their thermal properties are compared to pure elastin and pure collagen. Second, we present results obtained on two collagen rich tissues: pericardia with different chemical treatments and collagen with physical treatments. Finally, more complex cardiovascular tissues composed of elastin and collagen are analyzed and the effect of detergent treatment on the physical structure of collagen and elastin is brought to the fore.