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Level of detail (LoD) is a key concept for 3D city modeling to optimise visualisation. The LoDs of CityGML shows this trend. This paper explores the relevance of having LoD for visualising 3D model of Underground Utility Networks (UUN). A new approach is proposed for designing multiple LoDs modeling in creating an explicit link between the content of the 3D model and the decision-making process (or operational tasks) to be performed by a user. This Multiple Level of detail Approach (MLA) is divided into four steps. The first step requires defining the visualisation needs in terms of five variables (geometry, topology, semantic, contextual information, and semiology). Next, tasks to be performed are analyzed and categorized. Finally, a matrix of possible LoDs is created for all tasks and the minimum LoD required is proposed. In this paper, we applied this approach for the use case of granting connection permits to water and sewer networks. Learning aspects are proposed in the discussion.

The results presented are part of the Ph.D. thesis of J.W. granted by Andra and CEA; International audience; Diffusion is the main transport process of water and solutes in clay-rich porous media owing to their very low permeability, so they are widely used as barriers against contaminant spreading. However, the prediction of contaminant mobility can be very complicated when these media are partially water-saturated. We conducted diffusion experiments for water (HTO and HDO) and ions (22 Na + and 125 I −) through partially water saturated compacted kaolinite, a weakly charged clay material, to quantify the distinct diffusive behavior of these species. The osmosis method was used to set kaolinite samples at 67, 86 and 100% saturation. The results showed that desaturation led to a sharp decrease in diffusive rates by factors of 6.5, 18 and 35 for HTO, 125 I − and 22 Na + , respectively, from 100 to 67% of the degree of saturation. Thus, to interpret water diffusivities, we proposed a model taking into account the diffusion of water in both gas and liquid phases, using diffusion data obtained for ions, considered as inert species. This model was capable of properly predicting water diffusive flux, especially at a low degree of saturation (67% saturation), for which the assumption made for the occurrence of air phase continuity throughout the sample appears to be more relevant than at 86% saturation.; La diffusion est le principal processus de transport de l'eau et des solutés dans les milieux poreux riches en argile en raison de leur très faible perméabilité, ils sont donc largement utilisés comme barrières contre la propagation des contaminants. Cependant, la prédiction de la mobilité des contaminants peut être très compliquée lorsque ces milieux sont partiellement saturés en eau. Nous avons mené des expériences de diffusion pour l'eau (HTO et HDO) et les ions (22 Na + et 125 I −) à travers de la kaolinite compactée partiellement saturée d'eau, un matériau argileux faiblement chargé, pour quantifier le comportement diffusif distinct de ces espèces. La méthode d'osmose a été utilisée pour régler les échantillons de kaolinite à 67, 86 et 100 % de saturation. Les résultats ont montré que la désaturation entraînait une forte diminution des taux de diffusion par des facteurs de 6,5, 18 et 35 pour HTO, 125 I − et 22 Na + , respectivement, de 100 à 67 % du degré de saturation. Ainsi, pour interpréter les diffusivités de l'eau, nous avons proposé un modèle prenant en compte la diffusion de l'eau dans les phases gazeuse et liquide, en utilisant les données de diffusion obtenues pour les ions, considérés comme des espèces inertes. Ce modèle était capable de prédire correctement le flux diffusif de l'eau, en particulier à un faible degré de saturation (67 % de saturation), pour lequel l'hypothèse faite pour l'occurrence de la continuité de la phase de l'air dans tout l'échantillon semble plus pertinente qu'à 86 % de saturation.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused 180,000 confirmed cases in France with more than 28, 000 deaths as of May 19 A large part of COVID-19 patients seem asymptomatic and cancer patients may be more vulnerable We evaluated a screening strategy combining chest computed tomography (CT) and PCR for patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) Methods: A screening strategy was organized from March 18, in our RT department An inspiratory breath hold chest acquisition was proposed during the CT simulation for RT Images was reviewed by a radiologist according to the CO-RADS classification A nasal swab with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was proposed by the radiation oncologist in case of evocative imaging or clinical context For patients who were already undergoing RT at this time, a PCR was proposed in case of evocative symptoms and before concomitant chemotherapy Results: From March 18 to May 1, 2020, 507 CT simulation were performed for 449 patients, including 445 chest acquisition 237 of the chest CT (53%) showed lung abnormalities, of which 34 (8%) were COVID-19 compatible (CO-RADS ≥ 3) 102 patients were tested by PCR after the chest CT 24 of the 449 (5 3%) patients were considered as COVID-19 patients: 19 had positive PCR, and five were considered positive on the basis of imaging despite PCR-negative PCR Four of the patients (17%) were diagnosed during RT: 3 on routine screening before chemoradiotherapy, and one on symptoms Four patients needed several PCR for the diagnosis of COVID-19 with six confirmed false negative PCR (Sensitivity (Se)= 76 % (19/25)) Three PCR positive patients had no evocative lung images (Se = 84%) During this period, an additional 169 patients whose CT simulation was prior to March 18, were also undergoing RT Among them, six patients (3 6%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 by PCR during RT, performed for symptoms in 4 cases and on screening for the other 2 Of the 30 COVID-19 patients, only 8 (27%) had symptoms at the time of diagnosis Twelve patients (40%) reported no symptoms and benefited from screening Conclusions: This study confirms the high proportion of asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 and suggests the value of screening by CT and PCR during COVID-19 pandemics Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors Funding: Has not received any funding Disclosure: R Sun: Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: AstraZeneca E Deutsch: Advisory/Consultancy: Roche, BMS, Boehringer, Astrazeneca, Lilly Amgen and Merck-Serono All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest

For many professionals, patients, and relatives of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the co-occurrence with addiction to alcohol or drugs seems unimaginable. How could autism be hidden behind addiction and how could someone diagnosed with autism as a child become addicted in adolescence or adulthood? In this chapter, evidence is presented that this comorbidity is far more frequent in high-functioning adolescents and adults with ASD than is often appreciated. Two different perspectives are considered. First, both conditions are related to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Second, individuals with ASD may become addicted when they try and cope with their social difficulties by taking substances that help them overcome their initial shyness and social anxiety, or they do so to soothe their high levels of arousal and/or hypersensitivity to internal or external stimuli. There are established clinical guidelines for both conditions but none for managing the combination of these two disorders. Thus, the clinician, along with being acutely aware of the possible co-occurrence, should manage individual cases by tailoring an individual approach based on the evidence from both fields. This is illustrated by two clinical cases.

Introduction Norepinephrine and epinephrine provide the most powerful stimulation of cardiac function through activation of β-adrenergic receptors and the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). The PKA holoenzyme consists of a dimer of regulatory (R) subunits that binds and inhibits two catalytic subunits (C). Two types of PKA are expressed in the heart, type I and type II, differing by their R subunit, RIα and RIIα. Whereas PKA type II plays an important role in the regulation of cardiac contractility, the role of the PKA type I is little understood. Objective To investigate the role of PKA type I in the adult heart. Methods The cardiac phenotype of two mouse models was investigated. The first is a cardiac-specific and conditional knock-out of RIα (RIα-KO) which leads to a constitutive activation of PKA type I in the heart. The second is a knock-in mutation in the cAMP-binding site of RIα leading to a higher activation threshold for PKA type I (ADO-MUT). Results Echocardiography shows that young RIα-KO mice have an increased ejection fraction (EF) associated with greater phosphorylation of the key players of excitation-contraction coupling but no change in heart rate (HR). Besides, with age, these mice develop cardiac hypertrophy, dilatation and die from heart failure (HF). In contrast, young ADO-MUT mice have a slightly decreased EF and HR, and do not develop HF with age. In RIα-KO mice, gene and RIα protein deletion were not efficient in the sino-atrial node (SAN). Thus, a third model was developed in which RIα can be specifically and conditionally invalidated in the SAN and conduction system by the use of a HCN4 promoter to investigate the role of PKA type I in cardiac automatism. Conclusion Thus far, our results indicate a previously unsuspected role of PKA type I in cardiac contraction and possibly also in automatism.

Background and Purpose This study examined the role of the main vascular cAMP-hydrolysing phosphodiesterases (cAMP-PDE) in the regulation of basal vascular tone and relaxation of rat aorta mediated by β-adrenoceptors, following heart failure (HF). Experimental Approach Twenty-two weeks after proximal aortic stenosis, to induce HF, or SHAM surgery in rats, we evaluated the expression, activity and function of cAMP-PDE in the descending thoracic aorta. Key Results HF rat aortas exhibited signs of endothelial dysfunction, with alterations of the NO pathway, and alteration of PDE3 and PDE4 subtype expression, without changing total aortic cAMP-hydrolytic activity and PDE1, PDE3 and PDE4 activities. Vascular reactivity experiments using PDE inhibitors showed that PDE3 and PDE4 controlled the level of PGF2α-stimulated contraction in SHAM aorta. PDE3 function was partially inhibited by endothelial NO, whereas PDE4 function required a functional endothelium and was under the negative control of PDE3. In HF, PDE3 function was preserved, but its regulation by endothelial NO was altered. PDE4 function was abolished and restored by PDE3 inhibition. In PGF2α-precontracted arteries, β-adrenoceptor stimulation-induced relaxation in SHAM aorta, which was abolished in the absence of functional endothelium, as well as in HF aortas, but restored after PDE3 inhibition in all unresponsive arteries. Conclusions and Implications Our study underlines the key role of the endothelium in controlling the contribution of smooth muscle PDE to contractile function. In HF, endothelial dysfunction had a major effect on PDE3 function and PDE3 inhibition restored a functional relaxation to β-adrenoceptor stimulation.

International audience; The influence of cell confluence on the β-adrenoceptor (β-AR)/cAMP/phosphodiesterase (PDE) pathway was investigated in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs).Cells were plated either at low density (LD: 3.103 cells/cm2) or high density (HD: 3.104 cells/cm2) corresponding to non-confluent or confluent cells, respectively, on the day of experiment.β-AR-stimulated cAMP was monitored in real-time using the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based cAMP sensor, Epac2-camps. A brief application (15 s) of the β-AR agonist isoprenaline (Iso) induced a typical transient FRET signal, reflecting cAMP production followed by its rapid degradation. The amplitude of this response, which increased with the concentration of Iso (10 or 100 nM), was higher in HD than in LD cells, whatever the Iso concentration used. However, activation of adenylyl cyclase by L-858051 (100 µM) induced a similar saturating response in both LD and HD cells. A β1-AR antagonist (CGP 20712A, 100 nM) reduced the Iso (100 nM) response in HD but not LD cells, whereas a β2-AR antagonist (ICI 118,551, 5 nM) reduced this response in HD cells and almost abolished it in LD cells. Competitive [125I]-ICYP binding experiments with betaxolol, a β-AR ligand, identified two binding sites in HD cells, corresponding to β1- and β2-ARs with a proportion of 11% and 89%, respectively, but only one binding site in LD cells, corresponding to β2-ARs. Total cAMP-PDE activity (assessed by a radioenzymatic assay) was increased in HD cells compared to LD cells. This increase was associated with a rise in mRNA expression of five cAMP-PDEs subtypes (PDE1A, 3A, 4A, 4B and 7B) in HD cells, and a decrease in basal [cAMP]i (assessed by an EIA assay). PDE4 inhibition with Ro-20-1724 (10 µM) strongly prolonged the Iso response in LD and HD cells, whereas PDE3 inhibition with cilostamide (1 µM) slightly prolonged Iso response only in LD cells. Interestingly, inhibition of PDE4 unmasked an effect of PDE3 in HD cells. Our results show that in cultured RASMCs, the β-AR/cAMP/PDE signalling pathway is substantially modulated by the cell density. In HD cells, Iso response involves both β1- and β2-AR stimulation and is mainly controlled by PDE4, PDE3 being recruited only after PDE4 inhibition. In LD cells, Iso response involves only β2-AR stimulation and is controlled by PDE4 and to a lower degree by PDE3. This low density state is associated with an absence of membrane expression of the β1-AR, a lower cAMP-PDE activity and a higher basal [cAMP]i. This study highlights the critical role of the cellular environment in controlling the vascular β-AR signalling.

Late Triassic larvae of an insect, probably a beetle, moved diagonally upwards though fluvial pebbly sand along a thin mud layer, constructing Scoyenia burrows in the Sugarloaf Arkose, Deerfield rift basin, Massachusetts. They may have been escaping a temporary rise of the water table in the monsoonal dry season.

Taranabant is a highly selective and potent cannabinoid CB1 receptor inverse agonist. We compared the pharmacological properties of taranabant with another inverse agonist, rimonabant, and determined the preclinical safety margins of taranabant. In vitro studies demonstrated that taranabant is ∼10-fold more potent than rimonabant at the CB1 receptor, and taranabant is more selective based on off-target in vitro screening. In vivo efficacy studies demonstrated that taranabant is ∼10-fold more potent than rimonabant in diet-induced obese rats. In repeat-dose toxicological studies, taranabant did not cause mortality in rodents and monkeys at exposure margins ≤6478 and 1922 times the estimated human exposure at 0.5 mg/day−1. Taranabant did not produce CNS signs, including seizures, when administered to monkeys for 1 year at 10 mg/kg−1day−1 (highest dose tested chronically), corresponding to an exposure margin of 974 times. In contrast to primates, taranabant produced brief handling-induced seizure-like activity in rodents, species predisposed to handling-induced seizures. Throughout the entire preclinical program, taranabant did not cause histopathological changes in the peripheral or central nervous system. In summary, the highly selective nature of taranabant is consistent with its generally favorable preclinical safety profile. Drug Dev Res 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Long-term data on wildlife populations are needed to elucidate the relative importance of extrinsic factors on population dynamics; however, such data are rare for most species such as medium-sized mammals. We present long-term population indices for Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in Illinois from 1975 to 1998. Annual road-kill indices (RKI) and spotlight indices were correlated for opossums, but not for skunks. Opossum indices exhibited an overall increase (P < 0.01) during the study, but there was no trend since 1983. Skunk RKI exhibited a negative slope (P < 0.01), but this was influenced by a fluctuation in RKI during the late 1970s and there has been no overall trend since. Mean winter temperatures (t − 1) were positively correlated with opossum RKI, but were not correlated with skunk RKI. Estimated harvest (t = 0) was positively related to skunk RKI, and effective harvest was positively correlated with opossum RKI. Annual rabies cases in skun...

After analysis of 5797 h of data from the detector NEMO3, new limits on neutrinoless double beta decay of Mo-100 (T_{1/2} > 3.1 10^{23} y, 90% CL) and Se-82 (T_{1/2} > 1.4 10^{23} y, 90% CL) have been obtained. The corresponding limits on the effective majorana neutrino mass are: m 1.4 10^{22} y (90% CL) for Mo-100 and T_{1/2}> 1.2 10^{22} y (90%CL) for Se-82. Corresponding bounds on the Majoron-neutrino coupling constant are g < (0.5-0.9) 10^{-4} and < (0.7-1.6) 10^{-4}. Two-neutrino 2b-decay half-lives have been measured with a high accuracy, T_{1/2} Mo-100 = [7.68 +- 0.02(stat) +- 0.54(syst) ] 10^{18} y and T_{1/2} Se-82 = [10.3 +- 0.3(stat) +- 0.7(syst) ] 10^{19} y.

Two-neutrino-double-beta decay of 150Nd to the first 0+ excited state in 150Sm is investigated with a 400-cm3 low-background HPGe detector. Data analysis for 11320.5 h shows an excess of events at 333.9 and 406.5 keV. This allows us to estimate the half-life of the investigated process as [1.4 −0.2 +0.4 ±0.3(syst.)]×1020 yr.

Two-neutrino double-beta decay of 150Nd to the first 0+ excited state in 150Sm is investigated with the 400-cm3 low-background HPGe detector. Preliminary data analysis for 6843 h shows an excess of events at 333.9 and 406.5 keV. If this excess is assigned to the investigated transition, then its half-life can be estimated at [1.2−0.3+0.5±0.4(syst.)]×1020 yr.

The EU Solvent Directive (Council Directive 1999/13/EC on the limitation of emissions of VOC due to the use of organic solvents) of the European Union lays down emission limit values for 20 different categories of installations using solvents. These limit values are determined depending on the applied production processes and the installation capacity Advice on compliance with the Directive is needed. According Articles 7 and 8.5 of the EU Solvent Directive the Commission ensures that an exchange of information between member states and the activities concerning the use of organic substances and their potential substitutes takes place. The objective of a new and comprehensive information exchange forum is to provide high quality, focused information for all users affected by the EU Solvent Directive, and to offer the possibility to upload and download specific information for each activity and member state.

137 Cs and 90 Sr are the long-lived radioactive isotopes generated from nuclear tests/accidents. These isotopes take part in various processes of nature. Radioactivities due to these isotopes in environmental samples relate closely not only to date, site, characteristics, etc. of nuclear tests/accidents, but also to mechanism of processes in which the isotopes are presented. Determination and analysis of 137 Cs and 90 Sr radioactivity of environmental samples would disclose interesting information of some natural processes and other relating issues. In this paper the following topics will be discussed: 1. 1. The radial distribution of 137 Cs and 90 Sr in annual tree rings. 2. 2. The relation with accumulative deposition of radioactive fallout. 3. 3. What would be the mechanism of internal transfer processes during tree aging.

Introduction Les resistances primaires et secondaires aux BRAF-inh sont difficiles a monitorer du fait de l’heterogeneite intra- et inter-metastases (mets) et du caractere invasif des biopsies repetitives. Hypothese Les phenomenes moleculaires s’expriment dans la cinetique. Materiel et methodes Etude retrospective d’une cohorte de patients (pts). Criteres d’inclusion : pts traites par BRAF-inh, mais jamais par d’autres nouvelles molecules actives, et plusieurs scanners CT avant Tt disponibles. Toutes les mets ont ete mesurees sur tous les scanners dans les 4 mois avant l’initiation du BRAF-inh, a l’initiation, pendant le Tt, et apres son arret. On calculait : – le taux de croissance exponentiels (TCE) pour chaque met et pour le volume global a chaque scanner ; – pour chaque pt, l’heterogeneite de croissance des mets par la dispersion de leur variation relative de volume (VRV) ; – un score de risque d’evolution spontanee (SRES) pour chaque pt, en utilisant les donnees de cinetique et suivi de 126 pts avant l’ere des nouveaux Tts, en admettant une croissance exponentielle du volume des mets. Les modeles de Cox et multi-etats pour predire l’OS. Resultats Trente-sept pts ont ete etudies (27 traites par vemurafenib, 5 par dabrafenib et 5 par vemurafenib/dabrafenib, successivement). Les TCE de chaque met. etaient tres variables avant le Trt, de–1,23/j a 6,21/j, ainsi que sous BRAF-inh, de–3,14/j a 1,83/j. Le TCE des mets apres l’arret du Tt (disponible chez 11 pts) etait ≤ leur TCE avant Tt pour 9 des 11 pts, et > pour 2/11. Parmi les variables disponibles avant l’initiation du Trt, les plus predictives de la survie etaient le SRES, ainsi que l’heterogeneite inter-met de VRV, mais pas le volume tumoral total ou le nombre de mets a l’initiation. A la 1 re evaluation sous BRAF-inh, les variables les plus predictives etaient l’heterogeneite inter-met de VRV, la progression RECIST, l’apparition de nouvelles mets, et les mets cerebrales, mais pas le volume tumoral total. Par ailleurs, l’heterogeneite inter-mets permet d’identifier les pts les plus menaces parmi les pts en progression RECIST. Si on calcule l’heterogeneite de RVC sur les seules cibles RECIST et pas sur toutes les mets, le modele perd de la predictivite. Conclusion Il n’y a le plus souvent pas d’effet rebond lorsque un Tt par BRAF-inh est interrompu pour resistance (la cinetique metastatique est rarement plus rapide qu’avant le Trt). La cinetique des mets, particulierement le degre heterogeneite cinetique entre les mets, avant Tt et au debut des Tt par BRAF-inh sont de meilleurs marqueurs predictifs d’une survie courte que le volume tumoral lui-meme, ce qui suggere que l’heterogeneite des cinetiques chez un pt pourrait refleter la multiplicite des mecanismes moleculaires de resistance primaire et secondaire. Monitorer la cinetique de chaque met peut etre un moyen indirect de monitorer les mecanismes de resistance chez chaque pt, avec peut etre une utilite clinique.

Low energy and low counting rate experiments in neutrino and astroparticle physics need building materials with natural radioactivity as low as possible. The intrinsic activity of a large number of adhesives, used in the low-level rate experiments MUNU, St-Gotthard and NEMO, is presented.

A 48CaCO3 powder sample containing 20.18 g of 48Ca was measured for 797 h with a 400 cm3 low-background HPGe detector. New limits on decays of 48Ca were obtained. For single beta transitions to 48Sc the limits are equal to 0.71×1020 y, 1.1×1020 y, and 0.82×1020 y for transitions to the ground state, excited 5+ and 4+ states, respectively. The new limits on double beta decay to excited states of 48Ti are equal to 0.47×1020 y, 1.1×1020 y, and 0.90×1020 y for transitions to the first 2+, second 2+ and first 0+ excited states, respectively. All limits are given at the 90% CL.

Most currently, viable double beta decay experiments require highly enriched isotopic sources. These sources must be extraordinarily free of radioactive contamination. The double beta decay experiment NEMO 3 will study 100Mo, for which physical and chemical purification techniques have been investigated. The success of the chemical purification process is discussed in the context of ultra-low background, high-purity germanium spectrometer measurements.

To be sensitive to an effective Majorana neutrino mass, 〈 m ν 〉, on the order of 0.1 eV, the NEMO 3 double beta (ββ(0ν)) decay experiment requires precise knowledge and control of the backgrounds. The effect of neutrons and γ-rays from the Frejus underground laboratory (LSM, Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane) has been studied during 10 700 h of data collection. The data were taken with a NEMO 2 prototype detector using different shield configurations. Monte Carlo calculations with GEANT/MICAP code and a new library of γ-rays from neutron captures are presented. The implied consequences for the NEMO 3 detector which is under construction are discussed. The neutrinoless double beta decay background induced by neutrons and γ-rays within the LSM will be suppressed to the very suitable level of 0.1 event in a live time of five years given the appropriate shield and magnetic field.

The NEMO-2 tracking detector located in the Frejus Underground Laboratory was designed as a prototype for the NEMO-3 detector and to study different modes of double beta decay. Measurements with 100 Mo, 116 Cd, 82 Se and 96 Zr were carried out. Presented here are the experimental half-life limits on double beta decays for new Majoron emission modes and limits on effective neutrino–Majoron coupling constants.

In the double beta decay (ββ) experiment NEMO-2, the 214 Bi radioactivity has been measured as background for the ββ processes. The analysis of the 214 Bi contamination has been performed via the signature of 214 Po alpha decay. This method has been applied to data taken with enriched 100 Mo and 116 Cd sources. At the level of NEMO-2's sensitivity, in a 1.0 mole yr study of enriched material, the contamination of the sources can be measured in the range of 2.0 mBq kg −1 . The effects of deposited contamination by 222 Rn are also discussed and estimated at the level of 0.3 mBq per square meter of source foil. Backgrounds for neutrinoless double beta decay (ββ0v) are deduced from these measurements and the consequences for the higher sensitivity ββ experiment NEMO-3 are drawn.

We apply the self-consistent renormalized proton-neutron QRPA (RQRPA) method to calculate the two-neutrino double beta (2νββ) decay matrix elements associated with the ground-state and excited-state transitions of the 82Se → 82Kr decay. The RQRPA method is an extension of the pnQRPA method and promotes the Pauli exclusion principle violated by the pnQRPA ground state and yields more stable nuclear matrix elements with increasing strength of the proton-neutron interaction. In the present work the RQRPA wave functions are also used to evaluate 2νββ-decay rates to excited final states. The resulting theoretical half lives are compared with the new stringent experimental limits obtained by using a HPGe detector and external sources of enriched selenium.

The NEMO-2 tracking detector located in the Frejus Underground Laboratory was designed as a prototype of the detector NEMO-3 to study 0ν and 2ν double-beta decay (ββ) physics. After ten months of nearly continuous running with an enriched cadmium source (0.92 mol·y of116Cd) aββ2ν half-life ofT1/2=(3.75±0.35(stat)±0.21(syst))·1019 y was measured. Limits with 90% CL on the116Cd half-lives of 5.0·1021 y forββ0ν decay and of 1.2·1021 y forββ0νχ0 decay with a Majoron (χ0) were obtained. Theoretical predictions for 0ν and 2ν decays of116Cd are also presented.

The two-neutrino mode of double beta decay of is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The calculations, using the quasiparticle random phase approximation approach, show that for the detection of transitions to the two first excited states in the daughter nuclide will be possible in the very near future. On the experimental side, new, most stringent limits on half-lives for the double beta decay of to excited states in have been obtained with a `well-type' germanium detector. They range between and years (90% CL).

Sand and pebbles of the beaches of outer Cape Cod are derived from eroding coastal cliffs of lacustrine-fluvial outwash plains of Wisconsin age. The beach sands and the sands of the older and younger Wellfleet, Highland and Truro plains have similar mineralogically mature, quartzose compositions. These sands are quartz-arenites to subarkoses with small amounts of glauconite pellets. The complete samples of the combined outwash and beach groups average 89% quartz and 4% feldspar; the medium-sand fractions average 91% quartz and 5% feldspar. The non-opaque, non-micaceous heavy minerals in the medium-sand fraction of the beaches average 42% tourmaline, 16% staurolite, 14% garnet, 13% sillimanite, 5% amphibole, 5% andalusite, and 5% others. Although the proportions of heavy minerals in the outwash sands vary among samples, the average composition is similar to the beach sands: 40% tourmaline, 16% staurolite, 16% sillimanite, 12% garnet, 6% andalusite, 4% amphibole, and 6% others. A common provenance for outwash and beach sands is also reflected in the nearly uniform ratios of color varieties of tourmaline in all samples. Most of the quartzose sand of the beaches and outwash has a long history of recycling from Atlantic coastal-plain strata of Cretaceous to Tertiary age. These sands were entrained by Illinoian (?) glacial ice, which deposited gravel and sand in till and outwash over the Gulf of Maine. Sangamon marine reworking of the surface of these deposits mantled them with glauconitic, quartzose sand and gravel. Wisconsin ice moved southeastward, stripping the floor of the Gulf of Maine down to crystalline rocks and remnants of Cretaceous to Tertiary strata. Melt-water streams flowed southwestward from the South Channel Lobe into lakes, building the outwash plains with quartzose sand and lithic pebbles. The shapes and surfaces of many round, subspherical quartz grains were modified by grinding during transport in the ice, producing conchoidal fractures, flat-edged plate-like fragments, sharp edges, sliver-like chips, and grooves. Subsequent longshore transport of the quartzose sand and lithic pebbles north and south from a nodal zone has somewhat rounded the grains, but has not made the medium-sand fraction more quartzose. The nodal zone is northeast of Wellfleet, as evidenced by an increase in hydraulic equivalent ratios for tourmaline, sillimanite, staurolite, garnet and hornblende north and south along the coast from this location.

Two-neutrino-double-beta decay of 150Nd to the first 0+ excited state in 150Sm is investigated with a 400-cm3 low-background HPGe detector. Data analysis for 11320.5 h shows an excess of events at 333.9 and 406.5 keV. This allows us to estimate the half-life of the investigated process as [1.4−0.2+0.4±0.3(syst.)]×1020 yr.

From data accumulated over 6140 h with 172 g of enriched molybdenum (1.18 mol yr of $^{100}\mathrm{Mo}$) with the NEMO 2 detector in the Fr\'ejus Underground Laboratory, a clear \ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\beta}2\ensuremath{\nu} signal (1433 events) is observed, leading to a half-life ${\mathit{T}}_{1/2}$=0.95\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04(stat)\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.09(syst) ${10}^{19}$ yr. The experimental two-electron energy spectrum and the two-electron angular distribution are in agreement with the expected ones. Limits for \ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\beta}0\ensuremath{\nu} decays to the ground state, excited states (${2}_{1}^{+}$ and ${0}_{1}^{+}$), and also with Majoron emission are given.

New limits on 48Caβ− and β−β− decays to excited states of 48Ti have been obtained using a 400 cm3 low-background HPGe detector and an external source of 24.558 g enriched CaF2 powder (9.822 g of 48Ca). The limits for β− decay to the 6+ ground state and excited 5+ and 4+ states in 48Sc are 1.6×1020 yr, 2.5×1020 yr, and 1.9×1020 yr at the 90% confidence level. For the β−β− decay to 48Ti, the limits to the first 2+, second 2+, and first 0+ excited states are 1.8×1020 yr, 1.5×1020 yr, and 1.5×1020 yr, again at the 90% confidence level.

Total interaction cross sections have been measured for 8 Li on C and Pb targets, for 9 Li on C, Al, Cu, Sn and Pb targets, as well as for 11 Li on C, Sn and Pb targets at about 80 MeV/nucleon. In addition, 2n-removal cross sections for 11 Li have been extracted. These measurements are used to determine the nuclear and the electromagnetic part of the cross sections for the different projectile-target combinations. The experimental results are compared to different model calculations. These comparisons allow one to draw conclusions on the matter density distribution of the neutron-rich lithium isotope 11 Li. By comparing our data on the electromagnetic dissociation of 11 Li with all the other data available in the literature, we are able to put constraints on the dipole-strength distribution in 11 Li.

Experimental limits on half-lives of the (0ν + 2ν)ββ decay of 130Te to excited states of 130Xe are obtained using low-background HPGe detectors. At the 90% CL, these limits are equal to 1.6 . 1021 y, 2.7 . 1021 y and 2.3 . 1021 y for transitions to the 2+1, 2+2 and 0+1 levels, respectively.

A multicentre study of alternative methods to the Draize eye irritation test, involving six different laboratories was organized by OPAL (Oeuvre Pour l'Assistance aux Animaux de Laboratoire). Forty chemicals (including solvents, surfactants, acids, bases, and others) were selected for testing by three methods, namely Griffith's test (a low-volume eye irritation test on rabbits), the hen's egg chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) assay for the evaluation of hyperaemia, haemorrhage and coagulation, and neutral red uptake by SIRC cells for the assessment of cytotoxicity. Each method was used in two or three laboratories. Intralaboratory reproducibility was good for each laboratory with values, for error, close to 10%. Interlaboratory agreement was also good, particularly for the cell culture method, a quantitative and objective technique. Griffith's test correlated well with the Draize test (r = 0.846; n = 37), while for the HET-CAM test (r = 0.670; n = 32) and the cell culture method (r = 0.579; n = 32) the correlation was satisfactory. A more complete statistical analysis is currently under way to confirm and extend these preliminary findings.

The precipitation of crystallized magnesium phyllosilicates appears to control the residual alteration rate, under aqueous oxidizing conditions, of nuclear waste containment glass from the French Vitrification Facility at Marcoule (AVM). As a consequence, the precise identification of the formed phyllosilicates is crucial for modeling the long-term behavior of glass. Morphological and chemical analysis (scanning electron microscopy, EDS, ICP-AES after caustic fusion), and structural analysis (X-ray diffraction, MAS NMR) were used to determine the nature and structure of the precipitated phase: a trioctahedral smectite intermediate between saponite and hectorite, with the formula: Na 0.39 (Mg 2.25 Li 0.06 Al 0.38 Fe 0.06 M 0.25 )(Si 3.23 Al 0.77 )O 10 (OH) 2 .

Total charge-changing cross sections have been measured for8Li on C and Pb targets, for9Li on C, Al, Cu, Sn and Pb targets, as well as for11Li on C, Sn and Pb targets at about 80 MeV/nucleon. These data are compared to measured total reaction cross sections and Glauber-type calculations using Hartree-Fock density distributions. These comparisons allow to draw conclusions on the proton density distribution of the neutronrich lithium isotopes. The results show that even for the most exotic nucleus11Li the proton distribution is only very weakly influenced by the long tail in the neutron density distribution already established in several experiments.

The McCoy Brook Formation is a 230+ m sequence of redbeds of Early Jurassic age that accumulated in the subtropical Fundy rift basin. The basin was asymmetrical, bordered on the northern side by the Cobequid fault system and adjacent highlands. The formation is a mosaic of terrestrial facies. (a) Multi- and single-storey fluvial sandstones were deposited by rivers that collected drainage from the norhern highlands, and flowed southwest across the valley floor. (b) Graded-bed sequences of sandstone → mudstone were deposited by flood events on the fluvial floodplains and the margins of playas. (c) Interbedded sandstones and finely laminated to disrupted red mudstones represent deposits of interfingering sandflats at the toes of alluvial fans and playas, respectively. The fabrics of both lithologies are commonly disrupted by desiccation and intrastratal precipitation of calcite and minor gypsum. (d) Plane-bedded conglomerate and pebbly sandstone record deposition in shallow channels that traversed alluvial fans. (e) Non-bedded breccias of basalt boulders up to 8 m in size in a sand to mud matrix formed as talus against palaeocliffs of the Lower Jurassic North Mountain Basalt. The palaeocliffs resulted from synsedimentary faulting within the basin. (f) Basalt conglomerate beds with matrix- to clast-supported fabrics comprise sequences deposited by debris-flows, probably generated by remobilization of talus. (g) A thin sequence of limestone, siltstone, and muddy sandstone containing fish scales and bones formed in a shallow lake on a basalt flow. (h) Sandstones containing m-scale crossbeds and a three-fold hierarchy of erosional surfaces accumulated as barchans and barchanoid transverse ridges that moved southwest in the valley. All of these facies occur within an area of 18 km2 located south of the fault-bounded highlands. Synsedimentary faulting within the basin during early deposition of the McCoy Brook Formation created palaeocliffs of North Mountain Basalt. Talus and debris-flow deposits accumulated adjacent to these cliffs, interfingering with eolian, fluvial, and lacustrine sediments. During later deposition of the McCoy Brook Formation, the early fault-controlled topography was buried as alluvial fans prograded southward from the highlands. Broad sandflats extended basinward from the toes of the fans, interfingering with playa mudflats on the valley floor. The palaeoclimate was semi-arid as evidenced by gypsum-bearing playa redbeds, eolian sandstones, and caliche palaeosols.

The different {beta}-delayed particle-decay modes of {sup 31}Ar are investigated by means of a new silicon-detector telescope. Identification of {beta}-delayed two-proton decay, and {beta}-delayed three-proton decay observed for the first time, is made possible by Monte Carlo simulations of the detector response. Other {beta}-delayed single-proton branches are also investigated, and none of the energetically allowed {beta}-{alpha} and {beta}-{ital p}{alpha} decay modes are found. Finally, the results of this experiment are compared to shell-model calculations.

An experiment looking for ss decay of 100 Mo to excited states of 100 Ru has been performed in the Frejus Underground Laboratory. The used set-up included a high purity Ge detector and 1 kg of 99.5% enriched 100 Mo. Half-life limits in the range 10 21 yr have been obtained.

Student evaluation of instruction (SEI) is a common practice in higher education. Despite a great deal of progress that has been made during the last two decades of SEI-research, some questions remain unanswered. One of the unsolved problems concerns theutility of SEI, i.e., its efficacy for improving instruction. Apparently there is a need for understanding ‘how university teachershandle SEI-feedback.’ In that perspective cognitive and motivational psychology stress the importance of the so-calledsubjective theory of a teacher about his lecturing.

Limits on double-beta processes in 74Se and 120Te have been obtained using a 400 cm3 HPGe detector and an external source consisting of natural Se or TeO2 powder. In particular, limit with a 90% C.L. on the 74Se half-life of 5.5 × 1018 y for ECEC(0ν) transitions to the 2+2 excited state in 74Ge (1204.2 keV) has been obtained. This transition is discussed in association with a possible enhancement of the decay rate, in this case by several orders of magnitude, because the ECEC(0ν) process is nearly degenerate with an excited state in the daughter nuclide. For other β+ EC and ECEC transitions (to the ground and excited states) obtained limits are on the level ~ 1018 – 1019 y.

Ceria-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia kernels were prepared by internal gelation and the effect that the concentration of HMTA and urea used in the initial broth had on the structure and properties of the gel was studied. Most combinations of urea and HMTA were found to provide gels with a smooth surface, which were assumed to be dense. However, a high quantity of urea and a low quantity of HMTA generated a gel with a rough surface, which was assumed to be porous and limited the formation of cracks during the thermal treatment of kernels. These kernels were then compacted using a repressing method whereby pellets with a sintered density up to 86% TD were formed. It was also found that the presence of urea is necessary to obtain good mechanical properties.

Using the magnetic spectrometer SPES I at SATURNE, energy-loss measurements have been performed for projectiles of 40 Ar (401 MeV/u), 36 P (362 MeV/u), 15 N (149 MeV/u), 11 Li (131 MeV/u) and 8 Li, 9 Li (130 MeV/u) in carbon, aluminum and lead targets. The experimental results are compared to calculations based on a modified relativistic Bethe formula and to a semiempirical formula using a Z 2 scaling law for the stopping power and an effective charge parametrization for the heavy ions.

The present investigation is aimed at studying the influence of the striate cortex (area 17 or V1) upon responses of area 18a. Electrical activity was recorded from neurons in area 18a through glass micropipettes. At the same time lidocaine hydrochloride was injected in the same retinotopic register of area 17. Forty eight cells were tested to diffuse stroboscopic flashes and to localized stationary or moving slits in the receptive field. In addition, orientation selectivity was analyzed in 15 units. Blockade of area 17 produced the following results: discharges to stroboscopic light were unaltered while responses to stationary, localized targets were diminished in about half of the cells. Fifty percent of movement evoked responses were decreased. The orientation properties were particularly sensitive to blockade of area 17. Out of 15 units, 13 had their orientation tuning curves altered by the treatment. These results seem to suggest that the degree of trigger feature complexity depends upon lateral interactions betweens areas V1 and V2.

The redbeds of the 220 m Blomidon Formation comprise more than 100 pairs of (i) sand-flat sandstone (distal alluvial fan) and (ii) playa sandy mudstone and (or) lacustrine claystone. These pairs are tectonic autocycles generated by rift-basin subsidence and sagging along the Glooscap fault zone that shifted loci of active fan sedimentation toward and away from the playa surface as fan lobes migrated into topographically low areas.Intervals of intense and prolonged aridity are recorded in many of the sand-flat sandstones and playa sandy mudstones by evaporite minerals, principally gypsum, precipitated by subsurface evolution of a CaSO4–NaCl brine. Aridity is further demonstrated by intense disruption of sediment fabrics beneath evaporite crusts, deep mudcracks, eolian-sandstone layers and patches, and the presence of authigenic Ca–Mg-rich illite–smectite and analcime. During relatively wetter intervals, claystone beds accumulated in shallow lakes that filled the playa depression, lapping onto the sand flats. The claystones lack evaporite minerals and textures, and many are partially bioturbated.The long-term climate became progressively wetter from latest Triassic to earliest Jurassic time, as evidenced by an increase upsection in the ratio of lacustrine claystone to playa sandy mudstone and by less evaporite mineralization in the sand-flat sandstones.