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This study aimed to identify the extent student diversity and school climate vary within and across France, Italy, Spain, and Turkey, to investigate and compare the impact of student diversity on school climate in the selected Mediterranean countries. A quantitative research design was adopted by using the data of 41,789 teachers obtained from the dataset of the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018. The research questions and hypotheses were formulated to investigate the extent of student diversity and school climate variations within and across the selected countries. Accordingly, the variability of general school climate, teacher-student relations, teaching experience in multicultural classrooms, teachers' self-efficacy in multicultural classrooms, the presence of students from various ethnic backgrounds, and diversity practices were tested in the schools of France, Italy, Spain, and Turkey in the research model. Statistical analyses, including chi-square and t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis, were conducted to test the hypotheses and examine the relationships between student diversity and school climate. The findings revealed significant variations in student diversity and school climate within and across the participating countries, and evident relationships between student diversity and school climate were discovered and compared among the selected Mediterranean countries. This study contributes to the knowledge base of educational policymakers, administrators, practitioners, and teachers by guiding them in creating inclusive and supportive learning environments that promote positive student experiences and academic success and suggesting the need for policies and practices that support inclusive education and foster positive school climates in multicultural classrooms.

Introduction: Adults with intellectual disabilities have an increased vulnerability to mental health problems and challenging behaviour. In addition to psychotherapeutic or psychoeducational methods, off-label pharmacotherapy, is a commonly used treatment modality. Objective: The aim of this study was to establish evidence-based guideline recommendations for the responsible prescription of off-label psychotropic drugs, in relation to Quality of Life (QoL). Method: A list of guidelines was selected, and principles were established based on international literature, guideline review and expert evaluation. The Delphi method was used to achieve consensus about guideline recommendations among a 58-member international multidisciplinary expert Delphi panel. Thirty-three statements were rated on a 5-point Likert-scale, ranging from totally disagree to totally agree, in consecutive Delphi rounds. When at least 70% of the participants agreed (score equal or higher than 4), a statement was accepted . Statements without a consensus were adjusted between consecutive Delphi rounds based on feedback from the Delphi panel. Results: Consensus was reached on 4 general:the importance of non-pharmaceutical treatments, comprehensive diagnostics and multidisciplinary treatment. Consensus was reached in 4 rounds on 29 statements. No consensus was reached on 4 statements concerning: freedom-restricting measures, the treatment plan, the evaluation of the treatment plan, and the informed consent. Conclusion: The study led to recommendations and principles for the responsible prescription -- aligned with the QoL perspective -- of off-label psychotropic drugs for adults with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour. Extensive discussion is needed regarding the issues on which there was no consensus to furthering the ongoing development of this guideline.

This article focuses on the family language policy (FLP) of second-generation Turkish immigrant families living in France. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 families to observe their language ideologies, practices and management strategies. The thematic analysis shows that despite generational differences of parents, Turkish is maintained because of their ethnolinguistic identity whereas French is learned for integration and school success. They all speak Turkish to children until school age and most of them begin to use both languages from the moment that children learn French at school. Some parents are more flexible in their FLP and adapt it more than once according to children's needs. The practice of code-mixing was observed in all families, often constituting a gap between their ideologies and practices. Finally, their concentration of management strategies on French shows their effort to meet the expectations of the mainstream country and its educational language policy.

The Lacq area in southwest France has been associated with continuous moderate induced seismic activity since 1969. However, the mechanisms driving this induced seismicity are not fully understood: reservoir depletion has been proposed as the main factor, and more recently wastewater injection has been suggested to play a more important role. The interpretation of these mechanisms relies heavily on the quality of earthquake locations, which we prove to be weak due to a lack of local instrumentation for several years. In order to provide the most complete and reliable induced event catalogue for the studies of the Lacq induced seismicity mechanisms and seismic hazard, we made an exhaustive compilation, analysis and improvement of all available catalogues. We also provided new earthquake detections and relocations in a 3-D velocity model from past and present temporary deployments never used for studying the Lacq area. Important remaining location uncertainties lead us to also carefully sort the events according to their location confidence, defining 3 classes of events (unconstrained location, location constrained within 2–3 km and 1–2 km, respectively). This new harmonized catalogue and the identification of well-constrained events, covering 50 yr of induced seismicity, allow us to propose that wastewater injection is almost certainly the main mechanism driving the seismicity, with (i) most of the constrained events located within the reservoir boundaries and (ii) the released seismic energy variations following variations in injection operations at different scales. In particular, we have also highlighted a change in the injection–seismicity relationship around 2010–2013. From 2013, despite lower injection volumes, seismicity remained persistent and some clusters of earthquakes were detected predominantly in spring, summer and early autumn, except in winter periods. From 2016, we observed a strong temporal relationship between days with higher rate/volume injections (approximately above 400 m3 d−1) and both clustered events and higher magnitude earthquakes (greater than 2.4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work is to test whether an empirical Ground Motion Model (GMM) developed for high-seismicity regions can be effectively adapted to a neighbouring region with lower seismic activity. We select the ITA18 suite of GMMs (Lanzano et al. in Bull Seismol Soc Am 109(2): 525-540, 2019a), developed for Italy, which is a region dominated by moderate-to-strong shallow crustal earthquakes, and assess their applicability to Continental France, where the seismic activity is less frequent and characterised by lower magnitudes. Based on a dataset of more than 2300 records of events with 3.0 ≤ MW ≤ 5.2, occurred in France in the time interval 1996–2019 (named FR20), we perform a residual analysis and calibrate an adjustment factor for both horizontal and vertical-to-horizontal (VH) components of Peak Ground Acceleration, Peak Ground Velocity, and 5% damped Spectral Acceleration (SA). Apart from the median correction, no modification of the scaling with magnitude, focal mechanism, and VS,30 is introduced, while the distance scaling is adjusted to capture the lower anelastic attenuation of the French data. In addition, to overcome the underestimation of the ITA18 model for the short period VH spectral amplitudes in the near-source region (Repi < 15 km), an additional empirical corrective factor is introduced. In spite of the good agreement of the adjusted model with respect to the median trends of the FR20 dataset, a regionalization of the source effects is introduced to reduce the relatively high between-event variability of the proposed model. The proposed model provides predictions similar to ITA18 in the most seismically active regions (Alps or Pyrenees), while, in the other zones, the predicted amplitudes are richer at high frequencies. Given the paucity of seismic records in these zones, this behavior should be confirmed on the basis of additional data (e.g. physics-based simulations, geologic and tectonic features). The use of the proposed model for hazard applications is recommended within the validity limits of the data (3.0 ≤ MW ≤ 5.2). However, the similarity of the ground motion in the Alps and Pyrenees with the predictions of ITA18 suggests that the adjusted model could be also employed for higher magnitudes, upon suitable checks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on Basque and Occitan teaching in southern France, where both are minority languages. More precisely, it aims to analyze teachers' view on the elements that enhance and hamper Basque and Occitan teaching. It considers the concept of phronesis or teacher effect to refer to the diverse strategies used by teachers to constantly adapt to students' needs and context. This study presents an exploratory collaborative participatory approach based on a sequential explanatory design used with Basque and Occitan secondary school teachers. The results indicate that teachers tend to highlight the role that their implication plays in learning the target language. Teachers also mention that contextual elements hamper target language learning. The study concludes that teacher implication to promote student motivation is much based on the emotional bond created with the teacher. It also relates the concept of phronesis to that of teacher implication to promote student motivation.

Purpose: The paper identifies, outlines, and categorises establishment and operational factors that contribute to successful agricultural on-farm demonstration. Design/Methodology/approach: The paper is based on a literature review on demonstration activities and meta-analysis of 24 original case study reports from 12 European countries. Findings: Based on a combination of deductive and inductive analysis, the success determinants are classified into nine critical success factors deemed important in designing an on-farm demonstration event (the 'Nine Ps'): Purpose, Problem, Place, Personnel, Positioning, Programme, Process, Practicalities, Post-event engagement. Each factor ('what') is framed in terms of success principles to provide a guide to its enactment ('how'). Practical implications: The results of the analysis can serve as a practical decision-support tool for organisers and evaluators of on-farm demonstration events. Theoretical implications: The paper broadens the perspective on the character, interlinkages, and relative importance of the factors underlying demonstration and their successful application within the agricultural knowledge and innovation system. Originality/Value: The paper addresses the deficit of comprehensive empirical studies investigating on-farm demonstrations by offering a rich research-based analysis of the factors and principles underlying their successful implementation.

Objective: Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) plays a key role in achieving viral suppression in people living with HIV. We aimed to quantify ART adherence in the entire French HIV‐infected population treated in 2019 and to determine factors of influence. Methods: People living with HIV were identified using HIV diagnosis according to International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision criteria, HIV‐specific laboratory tests, and prescription of antiretrovirals in 2019. Adherence was measured using the medication possession ratio (MPR; actual divided by theoretical number of tablets). Variables of interest included sex, age, type of ART, relevant comorbidities, and receiving supplementary universal health coverage for low‐income citizens (CMUc). Results: Of the n = 211 124 people living with HIV identified between 2006 and 2019, we included n = 140 607 on ART with two or more prescription fills in 2019 in this analysis. In total, 87.5% of people living with HIV were receiving ART in 2019. Mean ± standard deviation MPR was 82.5 ± 22.7%; 57% of people living with HIV had an MPR ≥90%, and 12.7% had an MPR <50%. Those with an MPR ≥90% significantly differed between males and females (59.1% and 52.8%, respectively; p < 0.001), and between CMUc recipients and non recipients (54.1% and 57.6%, respectively; p < 0.001). MPR ≥90% rate was lower for those with chronic nephropathy (50.2%), renal failure (46.6%), and tuberculosis (50.1%), and for those using psychoactive substances (52.3%). Factors associated with MPR ≥90% in multivariable analysis were older age, male sex, not receiving CMUc, more recent HIV diagnosis, and triple (vs. dual) ART. Conclusion: In 2019, the average MPR in people living with HIV was 82.5% according to the comprehensive French health care database. Besides sociodemographic variables such as older age, male sex, and not being a CMUc recipient (i.e. of low socioeconomic status), more recent HIV diagnosis and triple therapy were independently associated with better adherence, possibly reflecting advances in ART tolerability and dosing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I examine whether generalized trust and education, as well as social security policies of welfare state institutions matter for cross-national differences in subjective well-being (SWB), because knowledge on this issue is still lacking. For this purpose I integrated the insights of two sociological theories: Social Function Production theory and Actor-Centred Institutionalism. Based on these theoretical notions we derived several hypotheses, which I tested using multilevel analysis of the data from the European Social Survey (2006), in a sample of 37,237 respondents from 22 European countries. My findings indicate that various extensiveness of social security policies matter for the level of SWB, and for the impact of education on SWB. I found negative impact of low education on SWB in all countries, except in Northern and Western European countries. This might suggest that social security policies of the latter countries have diminished the negative impact of low education on SWB. Moreover, my findings indicate positive relationship between individual education and generalized trust; as well as between generalized trust and SWB in countries with all five types of social security policies.

This review aims to provide information on the prevalence and frequency of adult males' pornography use. It appears, the majority (> 80%) of adult men have accessed pornography at some point, and in the past year (40-70%). Around half of younger men (25 or under) are weekly consumers. Pornography use tapers-off with age. Relatively few (<10%) younger men have accessed violent pornography in the past year. The Internet is the primary method of access. Pornography use is associated with masturbation; use during partnered sex is less common. Differences in consumption rates between heterosexual and gay and bisexual men are discussed.

Introduction: Audio description (AD) in museums is crucial for making them accessible for people with visual impairments. Nevertheless, there are limited museum-specific AD guidelines currently available. This research examines current varied international practitioner perspectives on museum AD, focusing on imagery, meaning, emotion and degrees of objectivity, and the regional differences (Europe and United States) in AD traditions, in order to better understand how AD can be used to enhance access to museums. Methods: Forty-two museum describers from 12 countries responded to a questionnaire requiring fixed-choice and free-text responses about the purpose and construction of museum AD. Results: Inference tests showed that European describers agreed more strongly than American describers that AD should "explore meaning" (U = 91.00, N1 = 24, N2 = 14, p = 0.03), and "create an emotional experience" (U = 89.50, N1 = 24, N2 = 14, p = 0.03), rating the use of cognitive prompts as more important (U = 85.50, N1 = 21, N2 = 14, p = 0.04). Qualitative data enriched this understanding by exploring participant responses on the themes of mental imagery, objectivity and interpretation and cognitive prompts. This highlighted broader agreement between regions on mental imagery, but more acceptance of interpretation in AD from the European respondents. Discussion: American and European describers' opinions differ regarding the purpose of AD: whether it is about conveying visual information or whether broader interpretations should be incorporated into descriptions for audiences with visual impairments. Implications for practitioners: These findings indicate that further discussion is needed regarding the purpose of museum AD and, in particular, the way in which objectivity is contextualized. They raise questions about AD providing visual information and/or seeking to address a wider museum experience, including the stimulation of curiosity or emotion.

The aim of this study is to better understand how teachers use various embodied semiotic modes -- speech, gestures, gaze, and proxemics -- when they present scientific content to the entire class. To analyse the multimodal practices of these teachers, we integrated the social semiotic theory of multimodality and the joint action theory in didactics. We use a case study methodology to analyse the video data and to describe the productions of two teachers from selected short episodes. The results show several similar elements of these teachers' practices. In particular, their use of several coordinated modes to make a coherent meaning to complex aspects of scientific knowledge such as three- dimensional representations of chemical structures or the relation between an experiment and its model of light diffraction. Both teachers create signs by taking everyday things from their environment to re-signify them in a scientific way. Simultaneously they maintain contact with their students through their gaze and their position. In this way, they create or strengthen the classroom habits related to the explanation of knowledge.

Although substantial evidence from the United States suggests that more qualified teachers are disproportionately concentrated in the schools and classrooms of academically and socioeconomically advantaged children, it is not clear whether the problem of teacher sorting is global in scope. This study uses data from the 2013 Teaching and Learning International Survey to examine whether and how school- and classroom-level teacher distribution patterns vary across 32 education systems with diverse national contexts and education policies. We find that cross- and within-school teacher sorting is common in most countries but within-school sorting is more pronounced in higher income countries. We also identify several national policy variables that are significantly related to both cross-school and cross-classroom sorting of teachers.

While international demand for sales positions is growing, negative sales stereotypes, partially fueled by ethical abuses in the sales arena, are prevalent and may dissuade students from pursuing sales careers. To help combat the situation globally, educators must develop and utilize effective sales ethics pedagogies. The first step involves understanding cross-cultural sales ethics perspectives. A convenience sample is drawn from five countries (United States, France, Germany, Indonesia, and New Zealand), and the Personal Selling Ethics Scale (PSE-2) is successfully used to examine culturally specific and gender-based evaluation differences. Gender-based ethical perspectives are of particular interest due to the growing gender diversity within sales professions. The study finds that cultural traditionalism/secularism and individualism/collectivism affect sales ethics evaluations. Likewise, gender and moral ideology affect evaluations. Women are more sensitive to ethical misconduct than men, and absolutist are more sensitive than exceptionists, situationists, and subjectivists. Specific pedagogical recommendations are provided.

Copyright of Annales Françaises de Médecine d'Urgence is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy / Journal Canadien de la Pharmacie Hospitalière is the property of Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Middle-ear conditions are common causes of primary care visits, hearing impairment, and inappropriate antibiotic use. Deep learning (DL) may assist clinicians in interpreting otoscopic images. This study included patients over 5 years old from an ambulatory ENT practice in Strasbourg, France, between 2013 and 2020. Digital otoscopic images were obtained using a smartphone-attached otoscope (Smart Scope, Karl Storz, Germany) and labeled by a senior ENT specialist across 11 diagnostic classes (reference standard). An Inception-v2 DL model was trained using 41,664 otoscopic images, and its diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by calculating class-specific estimates of sensitivity and specificity. The model was then incorporated into a smartphone app called i-Nside. The DL model was evaluated on a validation set of 3,962 images and a held-out test set comprising 326 images. On the validation set, all class-specific estimates of sensitivity and specificity exceeded 98%. On the test set, the DL model achieved a sensitivity of 99.0% (95% confidence interval: 94.5–100) and a specificity of 95.2% (91.5–97.6) for the binary classification of normal vs. abnormal images; wax plugs were detected with a sensitivity of 100% (94.6–100) and specificity of 97.7% (95.0–99.1); other class-specific estimates of sensitivity and specificity ranged from 33.3% to 92.3% and 96.0% to 100%, respectively. We present an end-to-end DL-enabled system able to achieve expert-level diagnostic accuracy for identifying normal tympanic aspects and wax plugs within digital otoscopic images. However, the system's performance varied for other middle-ear conditions. Further prospective validation is necessary before wider clinical deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseno y Comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

To analyse the effect of temperature on the mechanical behaviour of the Callovo-Oxfordian claystone in the context of deep geological disposal of radioactive waste in France, compression tests were performed in a triaxial cell under pseudo-drained condition with strains measurements, at different temperatures (20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 150 °C), confining pressures (0, 4 and 12 MPa) and samples orientations (parallel and perpendicular to the bedding plane). The analysis of elastic coefficients indicates that in all cases an anisotropic damage develops during the deviatoric loading due to the opening of axial microcracks. In addition, the peak deformation and strength increase with the confining pressure. The initial heating stage generates a transitory pore water overpressure due to thermal expansion, which creates microcracks probably parallel to the bedding plane. Despite the scattering of some results, an overall decrease of the peak strength with increasing temperature (until 100 °C) is observed because of to the thermo-hydro-mechanical damage induced by the initial heating. For the parallel samples under uniaxial conditions, this decrease is the most important and volumetric dilatancy develops during the loading for the highest temperatures. For all other conditions, the decrease is more moderate and there is no dilatancy because confining pressure reduces the creation of initial thermo-induced microcracks, which are also closed when the axial stress increases during the compression tests when the orientation is perpendicular. There is no noticeable impact of temperature up to 100 °C on the evolutions of the elastic coefficients. The peak strength increases at the highest temperature (150 °C) in all cases due to the water vaporisation and then strong samples desaturation, which induces the development of a very significant capillary suction. Highlights: Compression tests were performed on the Callovo-Oxfordian claystone at different temperatures (20–150 °C), confining pressures (0, 4 and 12 MPa) and orientations (parallel and perpendicular). An anisotropic microcracking damage develops during the compression test and the increase of confining pressure increases the ductility and strength of the material. Initial heating stage generates a transitory pore water overpressure due to thermal expansion, which creates microcracks mainly under uniaxial condition. Despite the scattering of some results, an overall decrease of the peak strength with increasing temperature (until 100 °C) is observed due to the initial thermo-hydro-mechanical damage. The peak strength increases at 150 °C, due to the water vaporisation and then strong samples desaturation, which induces very significant capillary suction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding why some small populations succeed while others fail to establish in novel environments has major implications in applied fields such as in situ species conservation and reintroductions. Species introductions outside their native range provide excellent opportunities to address such topic, since invasions usually start with small populations. We studied the life-history strategy of a population of the fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) introduced in France, outside the natural range of the species, to estimate its population demographic potential. The introduced population showed a fast life history strategy, with early sexual maturation at 2 years of age, a relatively short life-span (3.1 years in females and 2.3 in males, with a maximum age of 5 years), and survival rates similar to those of populations from its native range. The population presents the characteristics for becoming invasive and might pose a threat to the native yellow-bellied toad (B. variegata) populations nearby through hybridization, competition and as potential vector of pathogens and parasites. Its spread should be closely monitored and additional introductions avoided to limit its potential negative impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The use of open intra-peritoneal onlay mesh repairs (O-IPOMs) for treating medium/large incisional ventral hernias has come into question due to the development of minimally invasive and sublay procedures. This study aimed to identify factors that are associated with the use of O-IPOMs in France. Methods: We analysed prospectively collected data from the French Hernia Registry on incisional ventral hernia repairs (IVHR) for hernias ≥ 4 cm in width. Results: We obtained data for 2261 IVHR (from 11/09/2011 to 30/03/2020): 733 O-IPOMs and 1,528 other techniques. We found that the O-IPOMs were performed on patients with more patient-related risk factors compared with the other techniques. Specifically, there was a higher proportion of patients with ASA III/IV (40.47% vs. 28.02%; p < 0.00001) and at least one patient-related risk factor (66.17% vs. 58.51%; p = 0.0005). Of the 733 O-IPOMs, 195 used Ventrio ST™ (VST), the most commonly used mesh for such IPOMs in our database; the other 538 O-IPOMs used other meshes (OM). The VST subgroup had a higher proportion of patients with ASA III/IV (52.58% vs. 36.07%; p < 0.0001) and on anticoagulants (26.04% vs. 18.41%; p = 0.0229) compared with the OM subgroup; they also had a lower recurrence rate after 2 years (5.83% vs. 15.41%; p = 0.008). However, large (≥ 10 cm) or lateral defects were more common in the OM subgroup, and their mesh/defect area ratio was lower. Conclusion: O-IPOMs were performed on patients with more comorbidities and/or complex incisional hernias compared with other techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A population's current growth rate is determined jointly by changes in fertility, mortality, and migration. This overall growth rate is also the average of age-specific growth rates, which can be decomposed into the result of historical changes in fertility, mortality, and migration. However, doing so requires more than 100 years of historical data, meaning that such analyses are possible only in a select few populations. In this research note, we propose an adapted version of the variable-r model to measure contributions to the population growth rate for countries with shorter demographic series. In addition, we extend this model to explore the contribution of subnational changes to the national population growth rate. Our results demonstrate that the age-specific growth rates obtained from short historical series, say 25 years, closely match those of the longer series. These abbreviated age-specific growth rates closely resemble the growth rate at birth of their respective cohorts, which is the major determinant of population growth, except at older ages where mortality becomes the main explanatory element. Exploring subnational populations, we find considerable heterogeneity in the age profile of the components of growth and find that the most populous regions tend to have an outsized impact on national-level growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine neosporosis is an infection caused by the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum and has substantial veterinary hazards. Neosporosis cannot be controlled by vaccination or chemotherapy. Thus, accurate diagnosis followed by isolation and culling of infected animals is regarded as the most efficient method of control. In vivo diagnosis often relies on serologic testing of the animals, and milk represents a non-invasive and easy-to-collect sample matrix. However, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specifically designed for antibody detection in milk are sometimes not easily available and it is tempting to use ELISA kits that are originally designed for use in serum in milk samples instead. Herein, we evaluated a widely used commercial ELISA (ID Screen® Neospora caninum competition Multispecies ELISA (ID. Vet, Grabels, France)), developed for detection of N. caninum antibodies in serum samples, for its performance on milk samples. Milk samples from dairy ruminants (cows, buffaloes, sheep, and goats; n = 149) were tested in parallel with the serum ELISA and a commercial milk ELISA as a standard test (Neospora caninum Milk Competitive ELISA, ID. Vet, Grabels, France). The detected prevalence values were 28.2% (42/149), 17.4% (26/149), and 17.4% (26/149) using milk ELISA, serum ELISA, and both ELISAs, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the serum ELISA used with milk samples were 61.9%, 100%, 100%, and 87%, respectively. The agreement and kappa value between the two ELISAs were 89.3% and 0.70, respectively, suggesting substantial agreement. High values of Pearson correlation coefficient (0.904, p ≥ 0.0001) and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (0.789, p ≥ 0.0001) demonstrated the high diagnostic performance of the serum ELISA in milk samples. Also, a Bland–Altman Plot and histogram describing the frequency of distribution of ELISA optical densities confirmed the high agreement of both serum and milk ELISAs. The current results revealed the high specificity but moderate sensitivity of the serum ELISA used for milk samples compared with the milk ELISA. However, the excellent positive predictive value of the serum ELISA makes it an alternative option in case of the unavailability of milk ELISAs. With this study, we provided additional evidence that a widely used serum ELISA test kit may also be used for the detection of N. caninum antibodies in milk samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In France, influenza accounts for an average of over one million consultations with GPs, 20,000 hospitalizations, and 9000 deaths per year, particularly among the over-65s. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of the adjuvanted quadrivalent influenza vaccine (aQIV) compared to standard (SD-QIV) and high-dose (HD-QIV) quadrivalent influenza vaccines for individuals aged 65 and older in France. Methods: The age-structured SEIR transmission model, calibrated to simulate a mean influenza season, incorporates a contact matrix to estimate intergroup contact rates. Epidemiological, economic, and utility outcomes are evaluated. Vaccine effectiveness and costs are derived from literature and national insurance data. Quality of life adjustments for influenza attack rates and hospitalizations are applied. Deterministic and probabilistic analyses are also conducted. Results: Compared to SD-QIV, aQIV demonstrates substantial reductions in healthcare utilization and mortality, avoiding 89,485 GP consultations, 2144 hospitalizations, and preventing 1611 deaths. Despite an investment of EUR 110 million, aQIV yields a net saving of EUR 14 million in healthcare spending. Compared to HD-QIV, aQIV saves 62 million euros on vaccination costs. Cost-effectiveness analysis reveals an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of EUR 7062 per QALY. Conclusions: This study highlights the cost-effectiveness of aQIV versus SD-QIV and HD-QIV, preventing influenza cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clay formations are one of the options currently being considered for the storage of radioactive wastes worldwide. In France, the National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (Andra) operates the Meuse/Haute-Marne Underground Research Laboratory in the Callovo-Oxfordian (COx) clay formation to assess the feasibility and safety of an industrial radioactive waste repository. A good level of understanding of the thermo-hydromechanical behaviour of the host rock is paramount for the safety assessment. A new anisotropic elastoplastic damage and viscoplastic model is proposed to describe the hydromechanical behaviour of the COx claystone based on a large dataset of experimental evidence. The model is based on the Hoek and Brown criterion and considers recent findings of the COx hydromechanical behaviour. The key mechanisms considered are: plastic strain hardening prior to reaching the peak strength, a post-peak behaviour characterised by strain softening in the frame of continuum damage mechanics and a residual stage represented by a perfectly plastic behaviour. Time-dependent deformations are also included based on a creep model, which in this work is coupled with damage. The proposed model was implemented with a regularisation scheme based on the non-local implicit gradient in Comsol Multiphysics® with the purpose of performing THM modelling (1D, 2D and 3D) in the framework of the Cigéo project. The numerical implementation is first validated based on several simulations of creep tests at different deviatoric stress and triaxial compression tests at different confining pressures and angles between the loading direction and the bedding, α. Then, the GCS drift hydromechanical behaviour is simulated considering transverse isotropic conditions. It is shown that the model is capable of reproducing the measured peak of pore pressure in sensors near the GCS wall as well as the drift convergence. Importantly, the predicted extent of damaged zones around the drift is consistent with the in situ observations. The impact of damage on the time-dependent behaviour and the permeability was investigated numerically. It was found that the magnitude and anisotropy of drift convergence and the pore pressure drop are sensitive to this coupling and the best agreement was obtained when this effect was taken into account. Finally, the performance of the regularisation scheme is demonstrated with a set of simulations of the drift with different mesh refinements. It is concluded that the proposed model captures the key features of the hydromechanical behaviour of the COx claystone. Highlights: An advanced constitutive model that takes into account the recent findings on the key mechanisms of deformation and failure of COx claystone is proposed. Strain hardening/softening, anisotropic elasticity and plasticity, damage described in the framework of CDM and time-dependent behaviour of COx claystone are considered. The effect of damage and shear fracturation on the transport and viscous properties are also addressed in the model. The model with a regularisation scheme is implemented in Comsol Multiphysics®, which allows several physics to be considered, then to perform 1D, 2D and 3D THMC modellings. The operational nature of the proposed model is successfully evidenced on the GCS drift of the MHM URL, for which the in situ observations are the most challenging to reproduce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of encorafenib with binimetinib (EncoBini) as compared to other targeted double combination therapies, namely dabrafenib with trametinib (DabraTrame) and vemurafenib with cobimetinib (VemuCobi), for the treatment of BRAF V600-mutant unresectable or metastatic melanoma (MM) from the French payer perspective. Methods: A partitioned survival model was developed considering a lifetime horizon. The model structure simulated the clinical pathway of patients with BRAF V600-mutant MM. Clinical effectiveness and safety inputs were sourced from the COLUMBUS trial, a network meta-analysis and published literature. Costs, resource use, and the quality of life inputs were obtained from the literature and appropriate French sources. Results: Over a lifetime horizon, EncoBini was associated, on average, with reduced costs and increased quality adjusted life years (QALYs), dominating both targeted double combination therapies. For a willingness-to-pay threshold of €90,000 per QALY, the probability of EncoBini being cost-effective against either comparator remained above 80%. The most influential model parameters were the hazard ratios for the overall survival of EncoBini vs DabraTrame and VemuCobi, the pre- and post-progression utility values, as well as treatment dosages and the relative dose intensity of all interventions. Conclusion: EncoBini is associated with reduced costs and increased QALYs, dominating other targeted double combination therapies (DabraTrame, VemuCobi) for patients with BRAF V600-mutant MM in France. EncoBini is a highly cost-effective intervention in MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In France, about 2000 new cases of anal cancer are diagnosed annually. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type, mostly occurring secondary to persistent HPV16 infection. Invasive cancer is preceded by precancerous lesions. In addition to patients with a personal history of precancerous lesions and anal cancer, three groups are at very high risk of anal cancer: (i) men who have sex with men and are living with HIV, (ii) women with a history of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) or vulvar HPV cancer, and (iii) women who received a solid organ transplant more than 10 years ago. The purpose of screening is to detect HSILs so that they can be treated, thereby reducing the risk of progression to cancer. All patients with symptoms should undergo a proctological examination including standard anoscopy. For asymptomatic patients at risk, an initial HPV16 test makes it possible to target patients at risk of HSILs likely to progress to cancer. Anal cytology is a sensitive test for HSIL detection. Its sensitivity is greater than 80% and exceeds that of proctological examination with standard anoscopy. It is indicated in the event of a positive HPV16 test. In the presence of cytological abnormalities and/or lesions and a suspicion of dysplasia on clinical examination, high-resolution anoscopy is indicated. Performance is superior to that of proctological examination with standard anoscopy. However, this technique is not widely available, which limits its use. If high-resolution anoscopy is not possible, screening by a standard proctological examination is an alternative. There is a need to develop high-resolution anoscopy and triage tests and to evaluate screening strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Prior studies showed that during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic healthcare workers had a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, studies conducted among doctors several years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic are scarce. Aims To evaluate the prevalence of PTSD among hospital doctors and to describe potential explanatory factors. METHODS The Protec-Cov study was an observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study, which used an anonymous online questionnaire to evaluate PTSD in doctors from six hospitals in France between December 2021 and March 2022. The presence of PTSD was assessed using the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Scale (PCLS) questionnaire with a cut-off of 44. RESULTS Among the 307 doctors included, 18% presented a PCLS ≥44. The multivariate analysis showed that factors associated with a PCLS ≥44 were having a higher workload than before the COVID-19 pandemic (odds ratio [OR] = 4.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.68–13.38), not feeling recognized within the professional environment (OR = 2.83; 95% CI 1.26–6.33), and feeling isolated because of the lockdown (OR = 4.2; 95% CI 1.97–8.95). Approximately 30% of hospital doctors (n  = 91) felt a need for psychological support but only 31% of them (n  = 28) received support. Conclusions Based on our findings, a high prevalence of PTSD was observed among hospital doctors 2 years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study supports an early diagnosis of PTSD in this category of healthcare workers and warrants further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Several quality indices have been set up for evaluating the impact of the reduction of the length of stay (LOS), such as the 30-day unplanned readmission (UR30) rate. The main goal of our study was to analyze the UR30 following groin hernia repair (GHR), primary- (PVHR), and incisional ventral hernia repairs (IVHR). Methods: A French registry-based multicenter study was conducted using prospective data from all consecutive patients registered from 2015 to 2021. Results: The overall incidence of UR30 was 1.32%. This included 160/18,042 (0.87%) for GHR, 41/4012 (1.02%) for PVHR, and 145/3754 (3.86%) for IVHR. The leading cause of UR30 was postoperative complications (POC). The nature of the predominant complications varied among the three categories. The correlation between UR30 and POC (and risk factors for POC) was strong in GHR but was not in IVHR due to a 'protective' longer LOS in this subgroup. As the LOS has decreased over the last years, this has 'mechanically' resulted in an increase in the occurrence of UR30, but not in a rise of POC, neither in volume nor in severity. The reduction of LOS just shifted the problem from inpatient to outpatient settings. Conclusion: Since the steady development of day-care surgery, the prevention of the UR not only hinges on the prevention of the POC but newly on a better organization of outpatient care which is currently a huge challenge due to a GPs' and nurses' shortage in France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) is a severe adverse event (mortality of 10%). Its pathophysiology involves herpesviruses, particularly HHV‐6, but the exact mechanisms are still poorly understood. Objective: To describe severe cases of DRESS and especially their association with herpesvirus reactivation. Methods: This study was a multicentre case series conducted between 2007 and 2021 at five University Hospital Centres in France. The study included patients who had severe DRESS, which was defined as death, transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU), or severe damage to internal organs. We excluded patients without blood PCR sample, without a drug formally attributed or with RegiSCAR score < 6. We collected data on severity, causative drug, associated visceral damage and results of viral blood PCRs. HHV‐6 reactivation was studied in skin biopsies by detection of small non‐coding transcripts (HHV‐6 miR‐aU14) and a late viral protein (GP82/105). Results: Fifty‐two patients were included (29 female, median age 62, interquartile range (IQR) [37;72]). Eight patients (15%) died, 13 (27%) were admitted to ICU. Most patients (n = 34; 65%) had multisystem involvement: most frequent was liver (n = 46; 88%), then renal failure (n = 24; 46%). Forty patients (77%) had at least one blood viral reactivation among HHV‐6, EBV or CMV, of which 21 (53%) had at least two. Median time of blood HHV‐6 reactivation was 24 days (IQR [20;35]). HHV‐6 reactivation was demonstrated in 15 out of 20 skin biopsies, with a median time of 11 days [9;17]. Conclusions: We confirmed the high rate of HHV‐6 reactivation in severe DRESS and demonstrated cutaneous HHV‐6 reactivation using small non‐coding transcripts (HHV‐6 miR‐aU14), which preceded viral PCR positivity in blood. These results suggest that HHV‐6 reactivation during DRESS may start in skin. Furthermore, search for miR‐aU14 in skin biopsy could become a useful diagnostic tool for early detection of HHV‐6 reactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Much of the existing research concerning the use of video feedback (VFB) to enhance motor learning has been undertaken under strictly controlled experimental conditions. Few studies have sought to explore the impact of VFB on the skill learning experience of the students in a structured, school-based physical education (PE) setting. Most of those studies have only used qualitative approaches to implicate the potential value of VFB to enhance skill acquisition, students' engagement or self-assessment ability. Using a quantitative approach, the aim of this study was to investigate effects of using VFB on motor skill acquisition, self-assessment ability and motivation in a school-based learning environment (structured PE programme) with novice children learning a gymnastic skill. Method: Two French classes of beginners took part in a typical five-week learning programme in gymnastics. During each of the five, weekly lessons participants carried out the same warm-up routine and exercises. The experimental group (10 girls -- 8 boys, 12.4 ± 0.5 years) received VFB intermittently when learning a front handstand to flat back landing. VFB was given after every five attempts, combined with self-assessment and verbal instructions from the teacher. The control group (12 girls -- 13 boys, 12.6 ± 0.4 years) received exactly the same training but was not given VFB. In order to assess progress in motor skills, the arm-trunk angle (hand-shoulder-hip) was measured in the sagittal plane just as the hips formed a vertical line with the shoulders. Motivation was assessed using the Situational Motivation Scale questionnaire (Guay, F., R. J. Vallerand, and C. Blanchard. 2000. "On the Assessment of Situational Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation: The Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS)." "Motivation and Emotion" 24 (3): 175-213), and self-assessment ability was measured by self-perception task scores. Results: Statistical analysis of arm-trunk angle values showed significant differences only for the VFB group between the fifth lesson and all other lessons. Between lessons 4 and 5, the arm-trunk angle value increased significantly from 146.6 ± 16.9 degrees to 161.2 ± 14.2 degrees (p < 0.001; ES = 0.94). Self-assessment scores improved significantly for the VFB group between lesson 1 and lesson 2 (p < 0.01, ES = 1.79) and between lesson 4 to lesson 5 (p < 0.01, ES = 0.94). Amotivation decreased significantly for the VFB group between lesson 1 and lesson 5 (3.06 ± 1.42 vs. 2.12 ± 0.62, p < 0.001, ES = -0.89). Discussion/conclusion: Our quantitative data, identifying key movement changes as a function of experience in a structured PE programme, were congruent with outcomes of previous qualitative research supporting the role of VFB. This study highlights the potential relevance of using VFB in fostering motor learning, motivation and self-assessment during a PE programme with young children. Future pedagogical research is needed to examine the ways students could use VFB technology for greater self-regulation, with the potential to deliver appropriate movement feedback, based on different levels of experience in students.

The history of (external) quality assurance schemes in European higher education since ca. 1980 is sketched in this article. The three pioneering countries in Western Europe are taken as models of different developments and contrasted with the rise of accreditation in Central and Eastern Europe after 1989. Using theoretical insights, the dynamics of these developments are sketched, then contrasted with the Bologna Process. (Contains 9 footnotes and 2 tables.)

This paper presents a first comprehensive analysis of long-term measurements of atmospheric aerosol components from Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) and multi-wavelength Aethalometer (AE33) instruments collected between 2015 and 2021 at 13 (sub)urban sites as part of the French CARA program. The datasets contain the mass concentrations of major chemical species within PM1, namely organic aerosols (OA), nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+), sulfate (SO42-), non-sea-salt chloride (Cl-), and equivalent black carbon (eBC). Rigorous quality control, technical validation, and environmental evaluation processes were applied, adhering to both the guidance from the French reference laboratory for air quality monitoring and the Aerosol, Clouds, and Trace gases Research Infrastructure (ACTRIS) standard operating procedures. Key findings include geographical differences in aerosol chemical composition, seasonal variations, and diel patterns, which are influenced by meteorological conditions, anthropogenic activities, and proximity to emission sources. Overall, OA dominates PM1 at each site (43–60 %), showing distinct seasonality with higher concentrations (i) in winter, due to enhanced residential heating emissions, and (ii) in summer, due to increased photochemistry favoring secondary aerosol formation. NO3 is the second most important contributor to PM1 (15–30 %), peaking in late winter and early spring, especially in northern France, and playing a significant role during pollution episodes. SO4 (8–14 %) and eBC (5–11 %) complement the major fine aerosol species, with their relative contributions strongly influenced by the origin of air masses and the stability of meteorological conditions, respectively. Such chemically-speciated multi-year datasets have significant value for the scientific community, offering opportunities for future research, including source apportionment studies, trend analyses, and epidemiological investigations. They are also vital for evaluating and validating regional air quality models. In this regard, a comparison with the CHIMERE Chemical Transport Model shows high correlations between simulations and measurements, albeit underestimating OA concentrations by 46–76 %. Regional discrepancies in NO3 concentration levels emphasize the importance of these datasets in validating air quality models and tailoring air pollution mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the design of a model predictive control (MPC) for the Calais canal, located in the north of France for satisfactory management of the system. To estimate the unknown inputs/outputs arising from the uncontrolled pumps, a digital twin (DT) in the framework of a Matlab- SIC2 is used to reproduce the dynamics of the canal, and the real database corresponding to a period of three days is employed to evaluate the control strategy. The canal is characterized by two operating modes due to high and low tides. As a consequence of this, time-varying constraints on the use of gates must be considered, which leads to the design of two multiobjective control problems, one for the high tide and another for the low tide. Furthermore, a moving horizon estimation (MHE) strategy is used to provide the MPC with unmeasured states. The simulation results show that the different objectives are met satisfactorily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk from different animals is a staple food consumed since immemorial times all over the world. However, there is a lack of knowledge in the scientific literature about knowledge related to milk and its effects on nutrition and health. The objective of this study was to investigate consumers' knowledge about milk, its composition, and its effects on human health in two different countries. The study was conducted through a questionnaire survey in Portugal and France and involved 542 participants of whom 332 were French and 210 were Portuguese. For data analysis, we used basic statistics, parametric tests, tree classification, and factor analysis. The results showed that some sociodemographic variables significantly influenced the level of knowledge, namely country (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.029), and the dimension of the household (p < 0.001). Nevertheless, tree classification analyses revealed that other variables such as education, occupation, and body mass index showed some discriminating ability. Factor analysis retained 20 items of the 23 initially tested. The solution contained five factors, two of which had very good internal consistency (alpha values of 0.825 and 0.803). The mean scores for knowledge in practically all factors were consistently higher for the Portuguese as compared with the French sample. In conclusion, the level of knowledge about milk composition and its health effects differs according to several sociodemographic variables, particularly in what constitutes country differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest decline and dieback are growing phenomena worldwide, resulting in severe, large‐scale degradation of the canopy. This can profoundly alter the provision of trophic resources and microhabitats for canopy‐dwelling arthropods.In 2019, we assessed the effect of oak decline on the community of canopy‐dwelling Hymenoptera. We selected 21 oak stands and 42 plots, located in three forests in France, presenting contrasting levels of decline. Insects were sampled at the canopy level with green multi‐funnel and flight‐interception traps.We collected a particularly diverse community of 19,289 insect individuals belonging to 918 taxa, 10 larval trophic guilds and 7 nesting guilds.Oak decline had no effect on the abundance or richness of the overall community but significantly reshaped the community assemblages. Decline had contrasting effects depending on the taxa and guilds considered. Specialist parasitoids were more abundant at intermediate levels of decline severity while generalists were negatively affected. Taxa depending on ground‐related resources and microhabitats were promoted. Saproxylic taxa were more abundant while xylophagous insects were negatively impacted.Reduced leaf area index promoted several guilds and the diversity of the overall community. While an increasing tree mortality rate enhanced the abundance and diversity of deadwood resources, it had negative impacts on several Hymenoptera guilds. Our results suggest that micro‐environmental changes at the ground level due to canopy decline have major cascading effects on the communities of canopy‐dwelling Hymenoptera.Our study highlights the relevance of studying Hymenoptera communities to investigate the outcomes of disturbances on forest biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In France, 2300 adolescents and young adults (AYAs, 15–25 years old) are diagnosed with cancer each year. As soon as the disease is diagnosed, a number of physical, psychological and social needs may arise. The aim of this study is to develop a tool to measure unmet needs that will allow the specificities of AYAs to be understood while allowing health care staff to mobilise the necessary actors to resolve them. Methods: We developed the Questionnaire nEEd Cancer AYAs (QUEEC-AYAs questionnaire), from two existing questionnaires: the Cancer Needs Questionnaire Young People and the Needs Assessment & Service Bridge. A main sample of 103 AYAs then received and completed the questionnaire in order to conduct an exploratory factor analysis. Results: The final structure of the QUEEC-AYAs is composed of 7 dimensions and 48 items: information (8 items), cancer care team (6 items), Physical health (4 items), Emotional health (14 items), Sexual & reproductive health (6 items), Health behaviors & wellness (4 items), Daily life (6 items). The questionnaire has a good acceptability and all domains have a Cronbach's alphas value above 0.80. Conclusion: The QUEEC-AYAs is the first measure of the psychosocial needs of AYAs available in French. Its systematic use in health care services should improve the coordination of care required by AYAs during and after treatment. Trial registration: This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Paoli-Calmettes Institute (IRB # IPC 2021-041, 2021 May 20). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY QUESTION How do oocyte donors and recipients perceive the genetic link related to the transfer of nuclear DNA between donors and offspring? SUMMARY ANSWER Whether they are donors or recipients, individuals attach great importance to the transmission of their genetic heritage, since 94.5% would opt for the pronuclear transfer method to preserve this genetic link in the context of oocyte donation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Since 1983, the use of oocyte donation has increased worldwide. Performed in France since the late 1980s and initially offered to women with premature ovarian insufficiency, its indications have progressively expanded and now it is proposed in many indications to prevent the transmission of genetically inherited diseases. This has resulted in an increase in the waiting time for access to oocyte donation due to the difficulty in recruiting oocyte donors in French ART centres. Several articles have discussed how to fairly distribute donor oocytes to couples, but few have interviewed women in the general population to record their feelings about oocyte donation, as either the donor or recipient and the importance given to the genetic link between the oocyte donors and the children born. Mitochondrial replacement therapy (MRT) is a technique originally developed for women at risk of transmitting a mitochondrial DNA mutation. Recently, MRT has been considered for embryo arrest and oocyte rejuvenation as it could help females to reproduce with their own genetic material through the transfer of their oocyte nucleus into a healthy donor oocyte cytoplasm. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We conducted an opinion survey from January 2021 to December 2021, during which 1956 women completed the questionnaire. Thirteen participants were excluded from the analysis due to incomplete responses to all the questions. Consequently, 1943 women were included in the study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS We specifically developed a questionnaire for this study, which was created and distributed using the Drag'n Survey® software. The questionnaire consisted of 21 items presented alongside a video created with whiteboard animation software. The aim was to analyse whether certain factors, such as age, education level, marital status, number of children, use of ART for pregnancy, video viewing, and knowledge about oocyte donation, were associated with feelings towards oocyte donation, by using a univariate conditional logistic regression model. This statistical method was also used to assess whether women would be more inclined to consider oocyte donation with the pronuclear transfer technique rather than the whole oocyte donation. All parameters found to be statistically significant in the univariate analysis were subsequently tested in a multivariate model using logistic regression. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Most women were concerned about the biological genetic contribution of the donated oocyte (94.8%). The most common reason for a women's reluctance to donate their oocytes was their unwillingness to pass on their genetic material (33.3%). Nearly 70% of women who were initially hesitant to donate their oocytes indicated that they would reconsider their decision if the oocyte donation was conducted using donated cytoplasm and the pronuclear transfer technique. Concomitantly, >75% of the respondents mentioned that it would be easier to receive a cytoplasm donation. The largest proportion of the population surveyed (94.5%) expressed their support for its legalization. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION In this study, a substantial portion of the responses came from individuals with medical or paramedical backgrounds, potentially introducing a recruitment bias among potential donors. The rate of missing responses to the question regarding the desire to become an oocyte donor was 13.6%, while the question about becoming an oocyte cytoplasm donor had a missing response rate of 23%. These missing responses may introduce a bias in the interpretation of the data. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study was the first to demonstrate that, for the French population studied, the combination of oocyte cytoplasm donation with pronuclear transfer could offer a promising approach to enhance the acceptance of oocyte donation for both the donor and the recipient. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) No external funding was used for this study. The authors have no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birch bark tar is the most widely documented adhesive in prehistoric Europe. More recent periods attest to a diversification in terms of the materials used as adhesives and their application. Some studies have shown that conifer resins and beeswax were added to produce compound adhesives. For the Iron Age, no comparative large-scale studies have been conducted to provide a wider perspective on adhesive technologies. To address this issue, we identify adhesive substances from the Iron Age in north-eastern France. We applied organic residue analysis to 65 samples from 16 archaeological sites. This included residues adhering to ceramics, from vessel surface coatings, repaired ceramics, vessel contents, and adhesive lumps. Our findings show that, even during the Iron Age in north-eastern France, birch bark tar is one of the best-preserved adhesive substances, used for at least 400 years. To a lesser extent, Pinaceae resin and beeswax were also identified. Through statistical analyses, we show that molecular composition differs in samples, correlating with adhesive function. This has implications for our understanding of birch bark tar production, processing and mode of use during the Iron Age in France and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vine training and pruning are cultural strategies that can be deployed to manage grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs). Forty-year-old commercial vineyards in the Cognac region, France, trained to either Guyot-Arcure (severe pruning) or Guyot-Poussard (minimal pruning), were studied to determine how the two systems affected trunk disease symptomatology. Effects of pruning practices on the pathobiome and mycobiome of asymptomatic grapevines were also assessed, using culture-and amplicon-based Illumina sequencing approaches. The hypothesis examined was that severe pruning of Guyot-Arcure increases trunk diseases incidence and severity, and causes higher pathogen load and microbial diversity, compared to Guyot-Poussard. Numbers of symptomatic and asymptomatic vines for the two training systems were recorded over 3 years, including numbers of vines with esca foliar symptoms, and partially unproductive and dead vines. Six asymptomatic vines from each pruning method were selected, and culturing and sequencing data were obtained from 27 samples per vine. Fungi in the Phaeomoniellaceae, Togniniaceae, and Botryosphaeriaceae were the most frequently identified. The data indicated that severe pruning increased risk of pathogen infections, with Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium minimum and Diplodia sp. being the most commonly identified fungi. Greater numbers of dead or dying vines were recorded in the severely pruned vineyard, indicating that this strategy shortens vine longevity. Results also showed that severe pruning increased endophytic microbial diversity, and that the pruning methods influenced mycobiome community composition. This knowledge will improve recommendations to growers for practical and cost-effective ways to manage GTDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Incidence rates of glioblastoma in very old patients are rising. The standard of care for this cohort is only partially defined and survival remains poor. The aims of this study were to reveal current practice of tumor-specific therapy and supportive care, and to identify predictors for survival in this cohort. Methods Patients aged 80 years or older at the time of glioblastoma diagnosis were retrospectively identified in 6 clinical centers in Switzerland and France. Demographics, clinical parameters, and survival outcomes were annotated from patient charts. Cox proportional hazards modeling was performed to identify parameters associated with survival. Results Of 107 patients, 45 were diagnosed by biopsy, 30 underwent subtotal resection, and 25 had gross total resection. In 7 patients, the extent of resection was not specified. Postoperatively, 34 patients did not receive further tumor-specific treatment. Twelve patients received radiotherapy with concomitant temozolomide, but only 2 patients had maintenance temozolomide therapy. Fourteen patients received temozolomide alone, 35 patients received radiotherapy alone, 1 patient received bevacizumab, and 1 took part in a clinical trial. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.3 months and median overall survival (OS) was 4.2 months. Among patients who received any postoperative treatment, median PFS was 3.9 months and median OS was 7.2 months. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) ≥70%, gross total resection, and combination therapy were associated with better outcomes. The median time spent hospitalized was 30 days, accounting for 23% of the median OS. End-of-life care was mostly provided by nursing homes (n  = 20; 32%) and palliative care wards (n  = 16; 26%). Conclusions In this cohort of very old patients diagnosed with glioblastoma, a large proportion was treated with best supportive care. Treatment beyond surgery and, in particular, combined modality treatment were associated with longer OS and may be considered for selected patients even at higher ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The randomized controlled trial Inter-B-NHL ritux 2010 showed overall survival (OS) benefit and event-free survival (EFS) benefit with the addition of rituximab to standard Lymphomes Malins B (LMB) chemotherapy in children and adolescents with high-risk, mature B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Our aim was to assess the cost-effectiveness of rituximab-chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in the French setting. Methods: We used a decision-analytic semi-Markov model with four health states and 1-month cycles. Resource use was prospectively collected in the Inter-B-NHL ritux 2010 trial (NCT01516580). Transition probabilities were assessed from patient-level data from the trial (n = 328). In the base case analysis, direct medical costs from the French National Insurance Scheme and life-years (LYs) were computed in both arms over a 3-year time horizon. Incremental net monetary benefit and cost-effectiveness acceptability curve were computed through a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Deterministic sensitivity analysis and several sensitivity analyses on key assumptions were also conducted, including one exploratory analysis with quality-adjusted life years as the health outcome. Results: OS and EFS benefits shown in the Inter-B-NHL ritux 2010 trial translated into the model by rituximab-chemotherapy being the most effective and also the least expensive strategy over the chemotherapy strategy. The mean difference in LYs between arms was 0.13 [95% CI 0.02; 0.25], and the mean cost difference € − 3 710 [95% CI € − 17,877; € 10,525] in favor of rituximab-chemotherapy group. For a € 50,000 per LY willingness-to-pay threshold, the probability of the rituximab-chemotherapy strategy being cost-effective was 91.1%. All sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings. Conclusion: Adding rituximab to LMB chemotherapy in children and adolescents with high-risk mature B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is highly cost-effective in France. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01516580. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the radiolysis of a mixture of nitric acid with water (HNO3:H2O) at 16 K in high-vacuum (residual pressure < 10−6 mbar). A nitric acid-water ice film was exposed to 40 MeV 58Ni11+ ion beam in a heavy ion accelerator facility in France. For this astrochemically- and atmospherically-relevant ice mixture of nitric acid and water, we analyze the possible formation and destruction processes of N–O bearing species, thus providing spectroscopic data in the infrared (IR) region for theoretical, laboratory and observational future studies. The irradiation synthetized 18 species which were posteriorly examined by infrared spectroscopy: N2O, NH3, NO, NO2 and H x N y O z molecules, such as hidroxylamine (NH2OH), nitrous acid (HONO) as well as other species with bonding N–O, N–H and H–O–N converting surface-adsorbed nitrogen oxides into astrochemically active NO x. The interaction of HNO3 and H2O originates H–N–O molecular complexes, which were investigated as particular cases of the hydrogen-bonded species formed by a more electronegative atom (N or O) interacts intra or intermolecularly with a donor atom (N or O) and observed in the interstellar medium with higher quantities or great abundances. The HNO3 and H2O destruction cross sections have been determined to be 8.5 × 10−13 and 1.2 × 10−13 cm2, respectively, for the mentioned experimental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Statins are part of long‐term medical regimens for many older adults. Whether frailty modifies the protective relationship between statins, mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) is unknown. Methods: This was a retrospective study of US Veterans ≥65, without CVD or prior statin use seen in 2002–2012, followed through 2017. A 31‐item frailty index was used. The co‐primary endpoint was all‐cause mortality or MACE (MI, stroke/TIA, revascularization, or cardiovascular death). Cox proportional hazards models were developed to evaluate the association of statin use with outcomes; propensity score overlap weighting accounted for confounding by indication. Results: We identified 710,313 Veterans (mean age (SD) 75.3(6.5), 98% male, 89% white); 86,327 (12.1%) were frail. Over mean follow‐up of 8 (5) years, there were 48.6 and 72.6 deaths per 1000 person‐years (PY) among non‐frail statin‐users vs nonusers (weighted Incidence Rate Difference (wIRD)/1000 person years (PY), −24.0[95% CI, −24.5 to −23.6]), and 90.4 and 130.4 deaths per 1000PY among frail statin‐users vs nonusers (wIRD/1000PY, −40.0[95% CI, −41.8 to −38.2]). There were 51.7 and 60.8 MACE per 1000PY among non‐frail statin‐users vs nonusers (wIRD/1000PY, −9.1[95% CI, −9.7 to −8.5]), and 88.2 and 102.0 MACE per 1000PY among frail statin‐users vs nonusers (wIRD/1000PY, −13.8[95% CI, −16.2 to −11.4]). There were no significant interactions by frailty for statin users vs non‐users by either mortality or MACE outcomes, p‐interaction 0.770 and 0.319, respectively. Statin use was associated with lower risk of all‐cause mortality (HR, 0.61 (0.60–0.61)) and MACE (HR 0.86 (0.85–0.87)). Conclusions: New statin use is associated with a lower risk of mortality and MACE, independent of frailty. These findings should be confirmed in a randomized clinical trial. See related editorial by Aliberti et al. in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]