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Objectives To analyze the impact of bilateral cochlear implantation (CI) on perceptual and linguistic development in hearing-impaired children with congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Patients and method A retrospective study was performed for the period 1991-2016 in a pediatric CI reference center. Closed Set Word (CSW) recognition scores, Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) and linguistic level on the MT Lenormand scale (MTL) were compared between bilateral (Bi) and unilateral (Uni) groups 12, 24 and 36 months after first CI (CI-1). Results 84 patients with congenital CMV infection who underwent CI were included, in 2 groups: sequential or simultaneous bilateral CI (Bi) (N = 20), and unilateral CI (Uni) (N = 64). Twelve, 24 and 36 months after CI-1, CSW scores were 35.56%, 64.52% and 82.93% in Uni and 60.3%, 85% (P = 0.0084*), and 100% (P = 0.00085*) in Bi. CAP scores 12, 24 and 36 months after CI-1 were 2.57, 3.85 and 4.3 in Uni and 3.91 (P = 0.0068*), 5.00 (p = 0.029*) and 5.50 (P = 0.051*) in Bi. MTL linguistic level scores at 12, 24 and 36 months were 0.72, 1.25 and 1.65 in Uni, and 1.72, 3 (P = 0.033) and 3.11 (P = 0.045) in Bi. These significantly better scores in Bi at 24 and 36 months after CI-1 were also found on analysis of subgroups with no associated neurologic disorder (P = 0.046* and P = 0.032*), no associated psychiatric pathology (P = 0.0055* and P = 0.0073*), and no other associated disorder (P = 0.0018* and P = 0.035*), and for all subgroups together (P = 0.0036 and P = 0.037). Conclusion Bilateral CI is a faster way than unilateral CI for patients with congenital CMV infection to achieve structured fluent oral language. 50% of the series showed cerebral abnormalities on MRI, without difference between groups. This was not in itself predictive of poor progression of oral communication, unless associated with major neurologic disorder. Some children made little or no use of their CI in the medium term.

Background Transcranial laser stimulation is a novel method of noninvasive brain stimulation found safe and effective for improving prefrontal cortex neurocognitive functions in healthy young adults. This method is different from electric and magnetic stimulation because it causes the photonic oxidation of cytochrome-c-oxidase, the rate-limiting enzyme for oxygen consumption and the major intracellular acceptor of photons from near-infrared light. This photobiomodulation effect promotes mitochondrial respiration, cerebrovascular oxygenation and neurocognitive function. Pilot studies suggest that transcranial photobiomodulation may also induce beneficial effects in aging individuals. Objectives Randomized, sham-controlled study to test photobiomodulation effects caused by laser stimulation on cytochrome-c-oxidase oxidation and hemoglobin oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex of 68 healthy younger and older adults, ages 18–85. Methods Broadband near-infrared spectroscopy was used for the noninvasive quantification of bilateral cortical changes in oxidized cytochrome-c-oxidase and hemoglobin oxygenation before, during and after 1064-nm wavelength laser (IR-A laser, area: 13.6 cm2, power density: 250 mW/cm2) or sham stimulation of the right anterior prefrontal cortex (Brodmann Area 10). Results As compared to sham control, there was a significant laser-induced increase in oxidized cytochrome-c-oxidase during laser stimulation, followed by a significant post-stimulation increase in oxygenated hemoglobin and a decrease in deoxygenated hemoglobin. Furthermore, there was a greater laser-induced effect on cytochrome-c-oxidase with increasing age, while laser-induced effects on cerebral hemodynamics decreased with increasing age. No adverse laser effects were found. Conclusion The findings support the use of transcranial photobiomodulation for cerebral oxygenation and alleviation of age-related decline in mitochondrial respiration. They justify further research on its therapeutic potential in neurologic and psychiatric diseases.

Resume Introduction L’occlusion de la veine femorale commune (OVFC) d’origine iatrogene, secondaire a la pose de catheters femoraux ou a des interventions au niveau du Scarpa, est une cause rare mais tres symptomatique d’insuffisance veineuse chronique. Ces patients, insuffisamment soulages par la compression veineuse elastique, sont des candidats pertinents a une procedure endovasculaire de recanalisation veineuse. Methodes Nous rapportons une serie de trois cas d’OVFC developpee a la suite d’interventions au niveau du Scarpa, leur procedure de recanalisation, le controle par echo-Doppler et le suivi a court terme. Resultats Dans chacun des cas, la recanalisation endovasculaire a necessite du materiel rigide (guide rigide ou aiguille de Colapinto) afin de traverser les adherences fibreuses avant de realiser une angioplastie avec pose de stent. Ces procedures complexes ont permis une recanalisation efficace immediate, sans complication majeure. Le controle par echo-Doppler confirmait la permeabilite de la veine femorale commune. Lors de la consultation de controle, les patients ont constate une amelioration rapide et significative de leurs symptomes. Conclusion Chez les patients souffrant d’insuffisance veineuse chronique severe par OVFC d’origine iatrogene, une recanalisation endovasculaire peut etre proposee. Bien qu’il s’agisse de procedures complexes en raison de la fibrose etendue au niveau du Scarpa et necessitant du materiel specialise, aucune complication majeure n’a ete constatee.

Background The cornerstone of therapy in thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is complete abstinence from tobacco. In addition to discontinuation of cigarette smoking, very few pharmacological and surgical options of controversial efficacy are available to date. TAO is associated with a high amputation rate because of tobacco continuation, medical therapy failure, and desert foot with no revascularisation option. Endovascular or bypass revascularisation patency and efficacy are poorly described in the literature. Objectives To describe the results of the French National Reference Centre on TAO on revascularisation modalities, their patency and efficacy. Methods Among the 198 patients followed in our centre, we retrieved data from 19 patients for who a revascularisation procedure has been attempted. Patency was assessed on angioCT scan and Duplex ultrasounds performed during follow-up. Efficacy was assessed according to clinicians in charge of the patient, and if an amputation had been performed or not despite a primary successful procedure. Results In this cohort of 19 patients, 16 were male (84%), all were tobacco active users, and 21% cannabis users. Median follow-up was 19.9 months [11.0–36.9]. Iloprost infusion had been tested for 84.2% of the patients before revascularisation, and 63.2% had a dihydropiridine, 73.3% a statin and 100% at least aspirin. Endovascular procedure was exclusive for 14 patients, and bypass surgery for 1 patient. Four patients had combined procedures. Globally, 44 procedures including 7 bypasses (15.9%) and 37 endovascular surgeries (84.1%), due to multiple procedures for some patients. Primary patency of endovascular procedures was 89.4% and their patency duration was 221±173 days. For bypass surgery, the patency duration was higher 827±408 days (p=0.273). Looking at the territory, aorto-iliac revascularizations gave better results on long term 1830 days followed by upper limb 751±402 days, femoro-popliteal procedures 347±196 days and finally infra-popliteal ones with 178±134 days. Stability or improvement was observed after 52.3% of the revascularizations. Among the failures, 21.2% were associated with a minor amputation, and 11.3% with a major amputation. No predicting factors of failure could have been determined. Conclusions We report the largest series of revascuarization in TAO. As expected, proximal artery revascularisation of lower limbs were associated with a higher and a longer patency rate than femoro-popliteal procedures and even more than infra-popliteal revascularisations. Suprinsingly, upper limb revascularisation had a better outcome than for lower limbs. Efficacy of revascularizations are difficult to assess because such procedures are often proposed as a salvage option. However, it is worth to note that more than 50% of the patients had a benefit from the revascularisation. Disclosure of Interest T. Mirault Grant/research support from: GENZYME (2010) M. Delahaye: None declared, A. Galloula: None declared, M. Guillet: None declared, S. Zarka: None declared, M.-C. Courtois: None declared, M. Sapoval: None declared, G. Goudot: None declared, E. Messas: None declared

Ablation depths of stainless steel targets irradiated by 80-fs laser pulses at a flux F ≤ 40 J/cm2 (intensity ≤ 5 × 1014 W/cm2) in the presence of air at atmospheric pressure are experimentally measured. These values are lower than the theoretical predictions for metal targets in vacuum. Results are analyzed on the basis of the role of the ambient gas and of crater formation on the behavior of the ablated material.

We present here the latest results obtained with our high resolution broadband X-ray microscope. These results, both spatial and spectral, were obtained in several facilities such as Berlin's synchrotron Bessy II and LULI's laser ELFIE 100TW. The results show clearly the opportunity in high resolution microscopy that offer mirror based diagnostics.

A Velocity Interferometer for Any Reflector (VISAR) [1, 2] and a Streaked Optical Pyrometer (SOP) [3] were implemented on the “Ligne integration Laser” (LIL) facility. Spatial resolution as good as 10 μm in the target plane and velocity resolution as good as 0.1 km/s can be achieved. Several campaigns were performed in 2010 involving various experimental setups and physical processes: Boron EOS, Pre-compress H2 with special setup of diamond anvil cell and Shock coalescence. This feedback will be of a great help for the Laser Megajoule facility (LMJ) VISAR design.

We use the LIL (Ligne d'Integration Laser ) facility to study the coalescence of two planar shocks in an indirectly-driven planar sample of polystyrene. This experiment represents the preliminary stage of the future shock-timing campaign for the Laser Megajoule (LMJ). The main objectives are to validate the experimental concept and to test the numerical simulations. We used a gold spherical hohlraum to convert into X-ray the 351 nm wavelength laser pulse and to initiate the two shocks in the sample. To access time resolved shock velocities and temperature, we used two rear-side diagnostics: a VISAR (Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflection) working at two different wavelengths and a streaked optical self-emission diagnostic. We observed the coalesced shock, in good agreement with the numerical simulations. We also observed a loss of signal during the first nanoseconds probably due to sample heating from the hohlraum X-ray flux.

Every radiotherapy center has to be equipped with real-time beam monitoring devices. In 2008, the medical application group from the Laboratory of Corpuscular Physics (LPC Caen) developed an Ionization Chamber in collaboration with the company IBA (Ion Beam Applications). This monitoring device called IC2/3 was developed to be used in IBAs universal irradiation head for Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS). The objectives presented in this article are to characterize the IC2/3 monitor in the energy and ux ranges used in protontherapy. The equipment has been tested with an IBAs cyclotronable to deliver proton beams from 70 to 230 MeV. This beam monitoring device has been validated and is now installed at the Westdeutsches Protonentherapiezentrum Essen protontherapy center (WPE, Germany). The results obtained in both terms of spatial resolution and dose measurements are at least equal to the initials speci cations needed for PBS purposes. The detector measures the dose with a relative precision better than 1% in the range 0.5 Gy/min to 8 Gy/min while the spatial resolution is higher than 250 m. The technology has been patented and ve IC2/3 chambers were delivered to IBA. Nowadays, IBA produces the IC2/3 beam monitoring device as part of its Proteus 235 product

The X-ray diffraction diagrams of a coarse grained pure BaTiO3 ceramic have been recorded as a function of the applied electric D.C. field. This field was perpendicular to the X-ray incoming surface. The experimental device used allows to record diffraction diagrams while the electric field step by step increases. The intensity ratio of the 002 line over the 200 line increases with the applied electric field. The evolution of the X-ray diffraction line intensities is in correlation with the first polarization curve of the ferroelectric ceramic. These results evidence a contribution of the 90° ferroelectric domains pattern to the X-ray diffraction diagram of BaTiO3.

International audience; In this paper, the authors show how high power static converters contribute to the voltage quality in railways. The first part of the paper gives an overview of power electronics solutions currently used by French National Railways and Swiss Federal Railways such as frequency converter for 15 kV/16.7 Hz system and line voltage booster or unbalance compensator for 25 kV/50 Hz system. Operating results for such devices are presented. The second part of the paper is dedicated to future trends in railway power supply. Innovative solutions concerning DC or AC systems are proposed. In each case, prototypes and experimental results are presented.

International audience; We present experiments performed with the LULI2000 nanosecond laser facility. We generated plasma jets by using specific designed target. The main measured quantities related to the jet such as its propagation velocity, temperature and emissive radius evolution are presented. We also performed analytical work, which explains the jet evolution in some cases.

Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for peripheral artery disease. Life expectancy is 41 months for diabetic patients with an ischemic ulcer. The characteristics of diabetic arteriopathy make its treatment more difficult than in non-diabetic patients. Few data are available about the surgical treatment of arteriopathy in diabetic patients (including angioplasty or bypass), especially in case of distal arteriopathy. The choice of the procedure depends on multiple factors such as the disease localization, its extent, distal blood flow and vascular disease-related surgical risk. The principal aim of revascularisation is to restore direct flow to the foot in order to ensure wound healing and limb salvage. With percutaneous endoluminal angioplasty, limb salvage can be achieved in more than 80% of patients at 1-3 years. The percutaneous procedure is less invasive than open surgery, there are fewer complications, and morbidity and mortality rates are reduced; moreover, a second procedure remains possible in the future. With bypass surgery, the rate of limb salvage exceeds 80% at five years. Nevertheless, peri-operative mortality reaches 3% and arterial anatomy, patient-related risks factors or venous graft availability may be limitations. New endovascular techniques especially designed for the distal arteries of the lower limbs enable very distal revascularization with morbidity and mortality rates lower than with surgery.

The Ligne d'Integration Laser (LIL) facility has been designed as a prototype for the Laser MegaJoule (LMJ) which is a cornerstone of the French 'Simulation Program'. This laser has been intensively used to test and improve the LMJ components. In addition, a large panel of plasma diagnostics has been installed and is currently used to perform laser–plasma experiments. After a brief discussion about the LIL design, we present the last results in various plasma physics domains.

We present comparative x-ray spectroscopic measurements using an x-ray film, a charged-coupled device (CCD), and imaging plates as the detectors. An aluminum K-shell x-ray emission in the energy range of 1.8–2.15 keV is produced from a laser-produced plasma, and dispersed using a flat crystal spectrometer. Our interest is in the response of these detectors to weak x-ray emission, their suitability for quantitative and absolute measurements, as well of ease of use. We find that scientific-grade CCD detectors offer superior signal-to-noise performance, while imaging plates are a viable alternative particularly if large detection areas or curved surfaces are required. Despite the excellent spatial resolution of an x-ray film, imaging plates are preferred to film for quantitative measurement as signal to noise ratio is greater by an order of magnitude.

The monomode guided propagation of a short (500-fs) laser pulse is studied for an incident intensity in the range 1013–3×1018 W/cm2 inside a glass-walled capillary tube (length, ≈1 cm; inner radius, 15 µm). The measured transmission is constant over a large range of incident intensities (1013–1016 W/cm2) and corresponds, except for a coupling constant, to the value predicted by an analytical model for monomode guiding. For incident intensities larger than 1017 W/cm2, a drop in transmission is observed, which is attributed to plasma creation at the entrance plane of the capillary tube.

Wall and laser spot motion measurements in empty, propane-filled and plastic (CH)-lined gold coated cylindrical hohlraums were performed on the Omega laser facility [T. R. Boehly et al., Opt. Commun. 133, 495 (1997)]. Wall motion was measured using axial two-dimensional (2D) x-ray imaging and laser spot motion was perpendicularly observed through a thinned wall using streaked hard x-ray imaging. Experimental results and 2D hydrodynamic simulations show that while empty targets exhibit on-axis plasma collision, CH-lined and propane-filled targets inhibit wall expansion, corroborated with perpendicular streaked imaging showing a slower motion of laser spots.